Spruill Center outlines 50th anniversary plans
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Spruill Center for the Arts announced this year’s Artistic Affair fundraiser will be March 29 from 5:30-9 p.m. to mark the beginning of its 50th year serving the community.
In addition to the traditional live and silent auctions featuring artwork from Spruill Center instructors, this year’s event will honor the 50-year history of the arts nonprofit.
There will be major announcements planned, luminaries from Spruill’s past in attendance and milestones to reminisce about.
The Spruill Center’s mission is to foster creativity and social connections. It offers 300 classes and workshops each quarter for all ages and skill levels through its 17 dedicated studio spaces. Also, the Spruill Gallery’s curated exhibitions and programs unite artists and patrons, creating space for all to grow and expand their understanding of contemporary art.
To commemorate five decades in the community, the annual celebration will be a ’70s-themed party with timeless music from DJ Bismark, disco balls and a “Best Dressed” competition. Tickets are $100 and include buffet dinner, open bar, valet parking and access to a host of experiences including henna tattoo artists, the Georgia Bubbleman, illusionist Chris Moorman and live painting from Leslie Cannon.
See SPRUILL, Page 17
Arts’ new turfed courtyard next to its expanded classroom and community building Dec. 14.
DeKalb County CEO pushes water rate hikes at Dunwoody town hall
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — With a federal mandate looming, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson says there are few options but to raise rates for upgrading the county’s tattered water and sewer system.
Speaking at a public gathering Feb. 3 at Dunwoody City Hall, Cochran-Johnson said customers should expect a 10 percent rate increase each year over the next decade.
“We’re here tonight because we have failed to increase water rates gradually,” she said. “I want con-
sumers and residents to understand that it is not an option when you are under a federal consent decree.”
The county entered the consent decree in 2011, which set a 2020 deadline for the county to make over $1 billion in repairs to its sewer system. In 2021, a federal judge approved an extension, extending the deadline to 2027.
The Dunwoody town hall was the first of three across the county to discuss a proposed water and sewer rate increase that has been in the works for several months.
See WATER, Page 17
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA Dunwoodians play corn hole at the Spruill Art Center for the
SCREENSHOT
DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson discusses proposed water rate increases of 10 percent each year over the next decade at a meeting Feb. 3 at Dunwoody City Hall. Cochran-Johnson said a federal consent decree virtually forces the county to make significant investments in its water and sewer system.
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POLICE BLOTTER
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Officer spots stolen vehicle plates at Brook Run Park
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police arrested a 25-year-old Peruvian man and a 34-year-old man Jan. 28 after license plate readers alerted them to a vehicle with a stolen tags off Peeler Road.
An officer said he found the Jeep Cherokee at the southern entrance to Brook Run Park and executed a traffic stop on the vehicle.
The 34-year-old male driver said he met the two passengers in North Carolina and was headed back with them to his home in Florida. The driver said he met his friend, later identified as the 25-year-old, while in Mexico.
Based off the Dunwoody officer’s report, it is unclear where the driver and the third passenger, a 29-year-old female, are from.
The woman told officers that she was living with her boyfriend, the 25-yearold passenger, in New Jersey and they decided to make the trip to Florida to find work.
She said the group had stopped at Brook Run Park to use the restrooms, but they were too filthy.
After telling officers she purchased the Jeep Cherokee with her boyfriend earlier in the month, they asked her why the license plate was listed as stolen.
Officers said the woman became angry and suggested a woman her boyfriend was sleeping with may have stuck the stolen license plate on her vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle, officers found a window puncher, screwdriver, license plate cover and black gloves, which they said are commonly used in felonies and to conceal vehicles.
While questioning the 25-year-old male passenger, officers said he produced a Mexican identification card belonging to his cousin before eventually
giving them his real name.
After being unable to produce an ID card, officers said the man had someone send him a photo of his Peruvian passport.
Officers said they then released the 29-year-old female and impounded the car.
Later, officers said they found the victim of the license plate theft, an Augusta woman who reported her tag stolen Jan. 27.
The 34-year-old male driver was charged with driving without a license and concealing the identity of a vehicle.
The 25-year-old Peruvian man was charged with theft by receiving stolen property and possession of tools for the commission of a felony.
Both men were booked at Dekalb County Jail and bonded out Jan. 31.
— Hayden Sumlin
Officer stop man fleeing alleged theft
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Police arrested a 65-year-old Atlanta man Jan. 24 while he was fleeing Perimeter Mall after allegedly shoplifting perfume from Von Maur.
An officer said the suspect was quickly located near the Dunwoody MARTA station and taken back to loss prevention at the store.
An employee said the man selected less than $200 of perfume and left without paying.
After turning over the merchandise to the store, officers cited the man for misdemeanor shoplifting and transported him DeKalb County Jail.
Records show the man was released Jan. 26 after agreeing to appear in court.
— Hayden Sumlin
Man reports computer theft during online transaction
DUNWOODY, Ga. — A 30-year-old Atlanta man reported the theft of his gam -
ing computer Jan. 27 after meeting up with a teenager to sell it at the Jefferson at the Perimeter apartments.
The victim said he met with a 15to 16-year-old interested in buying the computer after he posted it on the website OfferUp.
The man said the teenager asked him if he could bring the personal computer upstairs so his mother could look at the gaming system.
After the teenager left, the victim said he never saw him again and his phone number was blocked from making contact.
The investigation is ongoing.
— Hayden Sumlin
Driver arrested for DUI after single-vehicle crash
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 22-year-old Alpharetta man was arrested on a driving under the influence charge Jan. 25.
Officers noticed signs a driver was intoxicated after being dispatched to a one-vehicle crash about 11 p.m. on Fox Road at Thornbury Way, according to an Alpharetta Police Department report.
The man admitted he had consumed two alcoholic beverages, according to the report. His eyes were bloodshot and glassy, and his breath smelled of alcohol.
Officers asked whether he would complete an intoxicated driving evaluation, and the man agreed to a test of his eyes.
The test showed signs of intoxication, according to the report. He also was unsteady on his feet and almost fell backward while stepping from the curb.
The driver refused to give a breath sample for testing.
Officers arrested the man on misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to maintain lane.
— Jon Wilcox
Merged chambers prepare to push Perimeter prosperity
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Greater Perimeter Chamber, a new business advocacy group created from the merger of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody chambers, meets for the first time Feb. 20.
President and CEO Adam Forrand says the inaugural meeting will be about “defining what we’re for.”
By merging two organizations within one of Metro Atlanta’s largest business districts, the Greater Perimeter Chamber hopes to offer members an expanded network, one unified voice and enhanced access to the surrounding community and its resources.
“We will share our vision of this chamber and who we are for, and we will challenge and inspire attendees to clarify who and what they are known for,” said Forrand, who previously headed the Sandy Springs chamber. “We want to be sure that people understand that we are for this community, our members and growth.”
The merged chamber’s scale and capacity matches the growth of Central Perimeter over the past couple of decades.
“We’re excited about bringing people to coalesce,” Forrand said. “In a world of divisiveness and people saying what they’re against, we are just going to take a different tact.”
The Greater Perimeter Chamber offers memberships designed for local entrepreneurs and small business owners with fewer than five employees. It has a Chairman’s Circle for large corporations.
When both chambers announced the merger last summer, Forrand said, Georgia Power called them up to become the newest member.
Company is invested in region
Toni Hannah, area manager for Georgia Power in North DeKalb County, said the utility company serves Central Perimeter and is invested in the chamber’s success.
“The unification brings a remarkable opportunity to amplify our collective impact,” Hannah said. “By combining resources and vision, we are creating a level of scale that can truly shape the Perimeter business community and propel it toward a more prosperous future.”
Chamber CEO Forrand said the merger’s point is to deliver greater value to members.
“At that top tier, these companies are not only making investments in their business with a clear expectation of a return on their investment, but they’re also seeking to support fellow members and the business community at-large,” Forrand said.
Typically, the business community recognizes the chamber’s strengths as promotion and networking. Forrand said partnerships with larger employers in the region can provide small businesses with needed services.
Forrand also said he expects exponential growth in the chamber each year.
“We’re seeing new businesses come to our community, and we’re seeing new investments being made,” he said. “This is a place where people want to do business, and I expect our success to be concurrent with the communities we serve.”
Members, visitors invited
Other large employers with Chairman’s Circle memberships include Northside Hospital, WestRock, Inspire Brands, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Mercedes Benz and State Farm.
The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, a self-taxing commercial property owners group, is also a member. The Perimeter CID includes areas in
Fulton and DeKalb counties.
Members and visitors are invited to the new chamber’s launch at 11:30 a.m., Feb. 20 at the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Parkway.
Troy Franklin, president of the Wiregrass Foundation in Alabama, will give the keynote address, outlining fundamental questions, like what are you for, and how are you demonstrating it?
At the Sandy Springs City Council annual retreat Feb. 5-6, elected officials discussed the implications of a unified Perimeter chamber on the city.
Mayor Rusty Paul said there are questions about which side of the county line will benefit more from the merger.
Forrand said the Greater Perimeter Chamber’s logo says, “advancing Dunwoody & Sandy Springs,” and they are absolutely “for” both cities.
“We’re also for what makes them unique and different, and we want to celebrate those,” he said. “Doing business in Dunwoody is different than Sandy Springs, when it comes to codes, rules and regulations.”
Natalie DeLancey, executive director of the City Springs Theatre Company and 2025 co-chair of the chamber’s Board of Directors, said the unification creates new opportunities for businesses.
“The Greater Perimeter Chamber is focused on driving advancement, expanding networks and fueling economic growth,” DeLancey said.
GREATER PERIMETER CHAMBER/PROVIDED
Greater Perimeter Chamber President and CEO Adam Forrand, left, talks to the business community at Campus 244’s Element hotel in Dunwoody during a monthly “VIBE After Five” networking event. Forrand said the merger of chambers of commerce in Sandy Springs in Dunwoody will provide more resources to its members.
Suspect in killing of Roswell officer had history of charges
By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — The man who allegedly shot and killed a Roswell Police Feb. 7 had a history of arrests in the city, some of which involved firearms, according to records obtained by Appen Media.
Edward Espinoza, a 23-year-old Roswell man, is facing charges of murder, assaulting a police officer and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime after he allegedly shot and killed Roswell Police Officer Jeremy Labonte.
Labonte, 24, was responding to a suspicious person report off Holcomb Bridge Road when Espinoza allegedly fired on him. Labonte later succumbed to his injuries.
According to court records Espinoza lived at an apartment complex up the street from the shopping center where Friday night’s fatal incident took place.
Roswell police had arrested Espinoza in that area at least two previous times. Roswell police booked Espinoza in September 2021 for shooting a rifle out the window of his Raintree Drive apartment.
While investigating the scene, the then-19-year-old reportedly told officers he shot into the nearby woods because he, “was bored.”
Espinoza was convicted of the crime in 2023 in Fulton County State Court and sentenced to 12 months probation, mental health and substance abuse treatment and community service. He was also required to surrender his firearm.
According to court records, he had fulfilled the weapon forfeiture stipulation before he allegedly killed Labonte.
While that case was being adjudicated, Roswell police arrested Espinoza June 2022 at the same Raintree Drive complex for criminal trespass.
While details of that incident are not immediately available, when Espinoza was eventually found guilty of the crime he was sentenced to another year of probation and ordered to attend 24 sessions of anger management.
Forsyth County Sheriff’s deputies charged Espinoza with hit and run related to a July 2022 crash on Atlanta Highway. He later pled guilty to a reduced offense, receiving 12 months probation and a fine.
More online
This is a developing story. See updates at appenmedia.com
In April 2024 Roswell police responded to a complex about a mile away from Raintree Drive, on the other side of Holcomb Bridge Road, after reports of someone knocking on apartments.
While investigating the scene officers learned that a man had attempted to enter one home, successfully gone into a second and was now being physically detained by the resident of a third.
Police responded to that apartment and charged Espinoza with criminal trespass, simple battery and public drunkenness.
Noting that he had incoherent speech and a cut on his arm, officers took Espinoza to the hospital and placed him in the facility’s custody.
Police arrested Espinoza at the Raintree Drive property in July to answer for those charges.
He spent the night in jail before being released on a $2,000 bond.
It was about six months later, at a
shopping center adjacent to Raintree Drive, that Espinoza would allegedly take the life of Roswell Police Officer Jeremy Labonte.
Department officials say Labonte was responding to reports of a suspicious person in the vicinity of 1425 Market Blvd when Espinoza pulled out a handgun and fatally shot the officer.
Roswell police arrested Espinoza, who is a United States citizen born in Atlanta according to court documents, at the scene. The case is being investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, as is typical for officerinvolved shootings.
Labonte joined the Roswell Police Department in 2021. He is survived by his wife.
“He was universally beloved by all who were blessed to know him,” Roswell officials wrote.
The department says funeral arrangements will be shared when appropriate and in accordance with the wishes of his family. In the meantime there is a memorial vehicle at the Roswell Police Department headquarters where members of the public can pay tribute to the fallen officer.
Mid-year state budget sails through the Georgia House
By DAVE WILLIAMS Capitol Beat
ATLANTA — The Georgia House overwhelmingly passed a $40.5 billion mid-year state budget Thursday containing hundreds of millions of dollars in new spending aimed largely at helping victims of Hurricane Helene recover from the devastating storm.
The mid-year budget, which now moves to the state Senate, sailed through the House 166-3.
House lawmakers added $197 million to the $615 million Gov. Brian Kemp requested in relief for resi-dents, business owners, farmers, and timber producers who suffered losses when Helene struck South Georgia and the eastern half of the state last September.
“This will just address initial needs,” House Appropriations Committee Chairman Matt Hatchet, R-Dublin, said of the $250 million included in the mid-year budget to help timber producers affected by Helene, up from the $100 million the governor recommended. “I’m sure we’ll have additional legislation.”
Another priority of the mid-year budget is public safety. The spending plan calls for hiring more than 400 correctional officers to staff a state prison system criticized last fall in a federal audit for failing to protect inmates from widespread violence.
The mid-year budget also would boost funding for body cameras and tasers to help those correctional officers maintain order.
House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley, D-Columbus, questioned whether two modular prison units the state Department of Corrections plans to construct will provide enough security. The state plans to move inmates into those units temporarily to make room for projects fixing crumbling infrastructure in ex-isting prisons.
“They are very sturdy,” Hatchett responded. “The concrete reinforcement and insulation of doors and locks are the same ones we use (in the existing prisons).”
The mid-year budget also includes $501.7 million to increase surface water supplies in Coastal Georgia to supply the huge Hyundai electric-vehicle manufacturing plant now under construction west of Savan-nah. A new water intake on the Savannah River is expected to produce 20 million gallons a day by 2030.
Another $250 million would go toward low-interest loans to help finance water and wastewater pro-jects across the state.
The Georgia Department of Transportation would receive more than $500 million for improvements along the state’s inter -
state corridors.
The House supported Kemp’s request for an additional $50 million for school-security grants, with each school in Georgia getting more than $68,000 to spend as local school district officials see fit.
Another $22 million would go to accommodate the increasing numbers of foster children needing shel-ter. Hatchett said the state’s ultimate goal is eliminating the “hoteling” of foster kids in Georgia.
Financially struggling hospitals, many of which pitched in to help victims of Hurricane Helene, would get $35 million in one-time funds to help shore up their bottom lines.
Overall, the mid-year budget would increase state spending by $4.4 billion above the fiscal 2025 budget the General Assembly passed last spring. Of that amount, $2.7 billion would come from the state’s mas-sive $16 billion surplus.
House Speaker Jon Burns said the House was determined to pass a mid-year budget as early as possible in this year’s session in order to make the funding available for disaster relief and other vital needs. The mid-year budget, which covers state spending through June 30, was the first bill to reach the House floor this year.
“We’re upholding our commitment here in the House,” said Burns, R-Newington. “We hope our friends across the hall (the Senate) will get the budget out and get it out timely.”
This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.
Appen Media Group, Decaturish.com to launch Decaturish Ink
New community newspaper to spotlight in-depth stories
DECATUR, Ga. — Decaturish.com, a trusted source for hyperlocal news in Decatur and surrounding communities, will launch a new publication, Decaturish Ink. The newspaper will provide readers with high-quality, indepth journalism in a professionally designed print and digital format.
With the same commitment to transparency and thoughtful reporting, Decaturish Ink will elevate community storytelling by featuring long-form articles, profiles of local leaders, arts and culture highlights and engaging opinion pieces.
“Our readers have expressed a desire for deeper, more narrative-driven content that captures the spirit and unique voices of Decatur and surrounding areas like Tucker, Chamblee and Stone Mountain,” said Hans Appen, publisher at Appen Media Group. “We’re excited to bring Decaturish Ink to life and give the community a new platform for thought-provoking journalism.”
Appen Media purchased Decaturish.com in 2024 from editor Dan Whisenhunt, who founded the news website in 2013. Increasing the influence and reach of Decaturish.com by adding a print product to the market was a motivating factor for both parties to reach a deal last year.
“Decaturish Ink is the culmination of more than a decade of providing in-depth, reliable coverage of Decatur and its surrounding neighborhoods,” Whisenhunt said. “It provides an important new way for us to engage with our readers, allowing them to hear all the untold stories of our community. While we are proud of our digital publication, Ink will provide access to many of those stories in a convenient format and exclusive first-run print articles before they appear on Decaturish.com.”
Decaturish Ink will be published monthly from March to May, bi-weekly starting in June, and will transition to a weekly publication beginning in September. The print publication will complement Decaturish.com’s daily online news coverage. The first issue, set to publish March 20, will include new exclusive features and content not previously found on Decaturish. com, and will be delivered to 7,500 single family homes, apartment buildings and businesses in the area.
“Decatur is filled with incredible
stories waiting to be told,” Appen said. “With Decaturish Ink, we hope to capture these narratives and create a publication that becomes a source of pride and inspiration for our readers.”
Common questions & answers
Q: What is Decaturish Ink?
A: Decaturish Ink is a community newspaper serving the City of Decatur and nearby areas. It is a print extension of Decaturish.com, the leading local news source since 2013. Known for its timely and reliable reporting, Decaturish covers government, education, events, and humaninterest stories.
Q: How is it different from Decaturish.com?
A: Decaturish Ink will incorporate many of the features that readers appreciate on Decaturish.com, expand on them, and add new ones that are harder to do online – like long form investigations. Also, while digital platforms are popular, not everyone in the community prefers or has easy access to online news. It also gives local businesses an alternative marketing vehicle in which to tell the community about their services and products.
Q: Who will receive it?
A: 7,500 single family homes, apartment complexes and businesses will receive free distribution every week. It will also be available at various rack distribution points. Residents or businesses who wish to be added to our distribution can request that by emailing circulation@appenmedia.com.
Q: Who is involved in publishing it?
Whisenhunt and Assistant Editor Zoe Seiler continue to lead the charge for Decaturish news. They are joined by a team of reporters and contributors at Appen Media that collectively represent the largest newsroom in north metro Atlanta.
Decaturish Ink is the culmination of more than a decade of providing in-depth, reliable coverage of Decatur and its surrounding neighborhoods.”
DAN
WHISENHUNT Editor, Decaturish.com
Q: How can the community contribute letters, events and announcements?
Decaturish Ink would love to publish submissions from the community, and most of them are free. There is a small fee associated with submitting obituaries, wedding announcements and some calendar listings. Letters to the Editor or New Business Spotlights are all free to submit. Submissions can be emailed to newsroom@ appenmedia.com.
JACOB TOMBERLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Summer Camps
This summer, let your kids “flashback” to a simpler time of good old-fashioned fun and learning at the 1870 Donaldson-Bannister Farm in the heart of Dunwoody!
This summer, we are expanding our programming to enrich the experience for all our new and returning campers. Now your kids have more choices and more reasons to return to camp for multiple weeks.
We are offering six one-week sessions and four ways to Flashback! We’ll have a petting zoo each week and Fridays are always “Water Day!”
Ages 6-12
$380/week/child for camp (9 am to 3 pm)
$150/week/child for extended care (8 am to 5 pm)
For more information go to www. campflashback.org or email kristin@ dunwoodypt.org. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
Dunwoody Crier
Spend your summer at Marist School
Brought to you by – Marist School
This summer, make memories that will last a lifetime at Marist School! With a wide variety of engaging and enriching camps, Marist offers something for everyone, whether your child is looking to learn new skills, develop a passion, or simply have fun.
Our summer camp lineup includes a dynamic mix of options:
• Sports Camps: Baseball, basketball, cheerleading, diving, flag football, football, lacrosse, running, soccer, softball, sports camp, sprint training, tennis, volleyball, and wrestling.
• Specialty Camps: Theater, music technology and production, sports medicine, Entertainment
Tonight broadcasting, Sports Center broadcasting, and FCA Sports & Leadership.
• Academic Enrichment: SAT/ACT Boot Camp and Personal Essay StartUp.
• General Fun: Fun Camp designed for a variety of interests.
With full- and half-day sessions offered weekly from June 2 to August 1 , Marist’s camps are open to children ages 5 to 17. Plus, our convenient after-camp care is available until 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, to fit busy schedules.
Don’t wait—visit //marist.com/ summer camps today for more details and to register.
Make this summer unforgettable at Marist School!
Importance of skin checks for mature skin
Brought to you by - Dr. Kehinde Olumesi of Epiphany Dermatology - Brookhaven
As skin matures, it undergoes various changes that necessitate regular skin checks to ensure overall skin health. Differentiating between age spots, healthy moles and potential skin cancers is crucial. Age spots, often appearing as flat, brown, or black spots on sun-exposed areas, are generally harmless but can be mistaken for more serious conditions. Early detection of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. Therefore, routine skin examinations are essential for mature skin to maintain health and catch any issues early.
Addressing skin conditions and rejuvenation procedures
Dermatologists can assist with a
variety of skin conditions and rejuvenation procedures for mature skin. Common issues such as dryness, age-related pigmentation and conditions like rosacea, psoriasis and eczema, which can persist or develop with age, are also addressed with specialized care plans.
In addition to treating conditions, dermatologists offer rejuvenating procedures to enhance the appearance and health of mature skin. Treatments such as chemical peels, laser rejuvenation and injectable treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin texture and promote collagen production. These procedures not only rejuvenate the skin but also boost confidence and overall well-being. Establishing a relationship with a dermatologist ensures that your skin receives comprehensive care tailored to its evolving needs, promoting long-term skin health and vitality.
A life changing gift for the one you love
Brought to You
February and Valentine’s Day bring thoughts of the perfect gift for a loved one. It’s a great time to consider a gift that can be life changing for an older loved one. That’s recognizing the preventive benefits of in-home care.
All too often in-home care is seen as the service you only seek after serious cognitive decline, surgery or recovery from a stroke and other health issues that require supportive care for the activities of daily living. Viewing in-home care as an earlier preventive step opens the door to prolonging a more vibrant and enjoyable life in the comfort of home.
We know that the key to healthy aging is healthy living. By 2030, 1 in every 6 Americans will be over 65. Over 28% of older adults live alone. While preventive tests and regular checkups catch physical changes early, there are activities that in-home care can bolster that are key to maintaining the best possible health and prevent the loss of independence as we age.
The impact of loneliness and social isolation on the spirit and body can be devastating, and keeping in good shape often needs a nudge and companionship. A skilled caregiver for a few days a week can help keep your older loved one moving and stave off the inactivity that
accelerates the aging process. Social activities and learning new things and skills can boost mental health. Studies continue to show the importance of maintaining a good diet and the impact that nutrition has on maintaining our cognitive abilities. Exercise, diet, social activities and learning can also contribute to a better sleep cycle and a good night’s sleep.
With a heart centered approach and positive spirit, a carefully matched Home Helpers caregiver can help pursue a hobby, enjoy community activities and outings and build relationships that enrich the life of your older loved one.
Perhaps your loved one is a family caregiver. Providing respite care for several days a week or overnight assistance can provide a break and some private time for them to combat burnout, get some rest and relieve some stress. It helps them and the entire family of the loved one they support.
A Home Helpers caregiver can assist with all personal care, help around the house, accompany you on doctor’s visits and provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. We have a team with depth and skill that can provide the care you need from six hours a day, several days a week, to 24/7 care. For a free consultation, please call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs at (770) 681-0323.
and
to make a difference in someone’s life.
by – Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs
Understanding Cardiac Electrophysiology
Taking care of your heart’s electrical system
Brought to you by - Wellstar Cardiac Electrophysiologist Dr. Mohammad Kooshkabadi
Your heart has an electrical system that helps it beat in a regular rhythm. Sometimes, this system can have problems, causing irregular or abnormal heartbeats called arrhythmias. Cardiac electrophysiology focuses on diagnosing and treating these issues to keep your heart beating normally and improve your overall health.
Many arrhythmias can be treated using a procedure called ablation. During an ablation, an electrophysiologist applies electrical impulses, radiofrequency energy (heat) or cryoablation (cold) directly to the source of the arrhythmia to restore a regular heartbeat.
Here are some services Wellstar car -
diac electrophysiologists offer in North Fulton:
1. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) care: AFib is a common condition where the heart beats irregularly or too fast. Electrophysiologists provide treatments to help control or reset your heart rhythm, reducing symptoms like fatigue, palpitations and stroke risk. For some patients, electrophysiologists use ablation to target and treat the areas in the heart causing AFib, helping restore a steady rhythm and improving your quality of life.
2. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) ablation: If your heart beats very fast due to SVT, ablation can safely and
effectively stop the abnormal electrical signals causing the issue.
3. Premature ventricular contraction ablation: When extra heartbeats disrupt your rhythm, electrophysiologists use ablation to reduce or eliminate these irregular beats, relieving symptoms like palpitations or fatigue.
4. Ventricular tachycardia ablation: For life-threatening fast rhythms from the lower heart s, ablation can stabilize your heartbeat and reduce the risk of dangerous episodes.
5. Bradyarrhythmias: If your heart beats too slowly, electrophysiologists can offer treatments like pacemakers to restore a healthy rhythm.
6. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs): These small devices monitor your heart and deliver a lifesaving shock if a dangerous rhythm occurs, keeping you safe and protected.
7. Biventricular ICDs: For patients
with heart failure, this special type of ICD improves heart coordination, helping it pump more effectively.
8. Leadless pacemakers: A newer, smaller pacemaker option without leads (wires) offers advanced rhythm support with less risk of complications.
9. Conduction system pacing: This advanced pacing technique works with your heart’s natural electrical pathways to provide better rhythm control and preserve heart function.
Our goal at Wellstar is to help you live your best life by keeping your heart in rhythm and your symptoms under control. With advanced treatments and personalized care, we’re here to support your heart health every step of the way.
Your Wellstar cardiologist can refer you to an electrophysiologist if you need a procedure to correct your heart rhythm. Find a cardiologist at wellstar. org/heartcare.
KOOSHKABADI
A team of advanced heart care specialists means more
for
At Wellstar, you’ll find more than 100 cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons across our cardiovascular services team who are ready to care for you. Whether you need preventive screenings or treatment for complex heart conditions, your heart is in good hands with our skilled team— highly rated by patients like you.
We are leading the way in Georgia and beyond with innovative technology and experienced clinicians to ensure you have the expertise you need close by. Learn how Wellstar can help keep your heart going strong at wellstar.org/northfultonheart.
Do you know someone who’s hiding in plain sight?
Brought to you by - Summit Counseling Center
We often prioritize our physical health, while our mental health is treated as a private matter, sometimes even stigmatized. However, a significant portion of the American population expe-riences mental illness, and it’s crucial to talk openly about it and seek help.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), over 20% of American adults (more than 50 million people) experience some form of mental illness each year and 1 in 6 children aged 6 to 17 have a mental health disorder. Alarmingly, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among U.S. children aged 10 to 14. These statistics are staggering, yet only 45% of those experiencing mental illness receive the help they need.
Join Summit Counseling Center on February 23rd and March 2nd at Dunwoody UMC, 1548 Mt. Vernon Rd., Dunwoody, for a private screening of Ken Burn’s doc-umentary, Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness.
This documentary features first-person accounts from more than 20 young people, ranging in age from 11 to 27, who live with mental health conditions, as well as par-ents, teachers, friends, healthcare providers in their lives, and independent mental health experts. The film presents an unvarnished window into daily life with mental health challenges, from seemingly insurmountable obstacles to stories of hope and resilience. Through the experiences of these young people, the film confronts the is-sues of stigma, discrimination, awareness, and silence, and, in doing so, help advance a shift in the public perception of mental health issues today.
Episode 1: The Storm
Sunday | February 23rd | 2:00
The Storm focuses on more than twenty young people who provide an
intimate look at what it’s like to experi ence the symptoms of mental illness, from depression to addic-tion to suicide ideation. The film includes insights from families, providers, and advo-cates and explores the impact of childhood trauma, stigma, and social media.
Episode 2: Resilience
Sunday | March 2nd | 2:00
Young people and their family and friends talk about how they came to ac knowledge and accept the reality of their mental illnesses and, most importantly, start talking about them. They describe their work with providers to determine a diagnosis and the treat-ments they re ceived, and the added stigma of racial or gender discrimination. Throughout, the young people inspire with their resilience and hope.
To learn more and/or register for the event, visit our website at summitcounsel-ing.org/events/.
OPINION
Some national and local history of Girl Scout Cookies
Girl Scout Cookie time is here! If you have not already had a chance to support Girl Scouts by purchasing their famous cookies, go online at girlscoutsatl.org and find a nearby cookie booth. Starting Feb. 21, you can buy cookies online to support your local Girl Scouts. Cookies can also be donated to the military through the website.
The history of Girl Scout Cookies began in 1917, when the Mistletoe Troop of Muskogee, Oklahoma, baked cookies at home and sold them in their high school cafeteria as a service project. Door-to-door cookie sales began in the 1920s. Girls baked a sugar cookie recipe at home and placed the cookies in wax paper bags with a sticker label. They were sold for 25 to 35 cents a dozen. (girlscouts.org)
During these early years, Girl Scout Cookie sales gave women the ability to raise money and use it to help their daughters. Women were not allowed to open checking accounts, so cookie sales were cash only. The ability to raise money and use it in the way they wanted was not generally available to women.
The original recipe appeared in a 1922 issue of the Girl Scouts’ American Girl magazine. The Trefoil cookie is based on that original cookie recipe and pays honor to the Girl Scout Cookie tradition.
During the 1930s, the switch from home baked to commercially baked cookies occurred. When the U.S. entered World War II, Girl Scout Cookie sales temporarily halted due to flour, butter and sugar shortages.
After the war, cookie sales began again. In 1951, there were three types of cookies: shortbread, sandwich and chocolate mint, known today as Thin Mints.
The 1960s brought an increase in the number of Baby Boomer children and Girl Scouts. I was a 1960s Girl Scout and remember well the year my mom served as the volunteer in charge of cookies for our troop. Boxes of cookies filled our dining room.
Suzanne Huff has a lot of memories about cookie sales as a Girl Scout mom and Girl Scout leader for her daughters, Meghan and Erin, in Dunwoody. She delegated tasks to other moms, including cookie sales, a vital role for each troop.
“When my girls were younger, they enjoyed getting out and selling cookies to our neighbors and our work offices,”
Huff recalls. “Both of them are very goal oriented. Their first motivation for selling cookies was earning prizes and a badge that we tried to combine with the activity.”
When the girls got older, they also sold cookies at booth sales at Kroger.
“I remember Erin's troop borrowing the cookie costumes and dressing up like a Samoa and a Thin Mint at one of their booth sales,” Huff says.
The Digital Cookie platform was introduced in 2014. According to girlscouts.org, it is a “fun, safe and interactive space to sell Girl Scout Cookies.” It also teaches the girls about online marketing, app usage and e-commerce.
Suzanne Huff saw the skills that selling Girl Scout Cookies gives girls.
“Cookies in general taught all the girls a number of skills, from learning to talk with adults they didn't necessarily know, creating a sales pitch and particularly money management,” she says.
As the Girl Scouts got older, their group trips were partially funded by Girl Scout Cookie sales. Their trips included
camping, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum in Savannah and swimming with dolphins in Florida.
“The trips were really where the girls learned budgeting skills, and they got to be very good at it, on average coming within $5-10 of their budget for every trip,” Huff says.
According to Inc.com, 80 percent
of women entrepreneurs were also Girl Scouts who sold cookies.
Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail. com or visit her website at pasttense ga.com.
SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
SUZANNE HUFF/PROVIDED
Members of Dunwoody Girl Scout Troop 25401 stand ready to sell cookies at the Dunwoody's Orchard Park Kroger in 2009.
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
Militia Districts in Georgia and the Double Branch
The Militia Act of 1784 established militia districts in Georgia. They served as a substitute for a full-time standing military force because the government had limited resources.
Each militia district was led by a locally elected Captain who enrolled every able-bodied resident male between the ages of 16 and 50 into military units. The units engaged in training exercises to be ready in case they were needed for defense. As new counties were formed, new militia districts were established within their boundaries.
Militia districts were necessary because of a growing threat of invasion from the Spanish military presence in Florida as well as other concerns. The militia system was largely abandoned during the Civil War but district boundaries continued.
Initially, many militia districts adopted the name of the Captain in charge. If a replacement Captain came on board, the name of the district change. Beginning in 1895, districts were given numbers in the order of their establishment.
Each of seven militia districts in old Milton County had a courthouse where a justice of the peace held court. The courthouses were responsible for administrative functions including serving as election districts and handling property taxes. They also held trials involving small crimes. Courthouses varied in size and amenities depending on their functions.
Almost all courthouses are long gone but one remains in Milton on Birmingham Road. The small 16 by 20-foot building had substantially deteriorated until the property it occupies was purchased in 2023 by Carol Cookerly and her husband Robert Beal. The couple has made a substantial investment in the renovation of the structure supported by Milton Historical Society volunteers and a donation from Milton residents Sarah and Charlie Roberts. Carol and Robert are committed to the preservation of this rare element of the area’s history. Carol, a member of the Milton City Council, says the courthouse is now red, white and blue “not exactly the flag’s colors but close enough for what occurred there!”
The property has been owned by various people over the years, each of whom added to its history. Cynthia
This is the historic Double Branch Voting District Courthouse as it appears today with new siding and fresh paint. This spring the area around the courthouse will be adorned with azaleas, flowering cherry trees and beautiful shrubs.
Chandlee, a local Realtor, owned the property from 1994 to 2010 which she named Cornerstone Farm. She says “Cornerstone Farm was an inspiring project for our family, breathing new life into the land and its history. We worked hard to preserve the charm and character of the 1930s farm, which is a reason why we did not demolish the old courthouse.” Bill Manning and Heath Cashin rented the property in the early 1980s where they raised llamas. Heath says that passersby would stop and inquire about the llamas and then ask about the little building which had no signage.
Called the Double Branch Voting District Courthouse, the building now boasts a historical marker, though its exact age is something of a mystery. When the Atlanta Constitution listed voting places for an election in 1934 it referred to the “Double Branch Justice of the Peace Courthouse, Freemansville” (note spelling of the road). In 1938 the newspaper spoke of a “new courthouse at Freemansville.”
Celebrated historian Caroline Dillman wrote a column in 1986 quoting Ira Cagle, one of several people she interviewed. Cagle said the stone foundation pieces may date from
the mid-1800s but the courthouse was last used about 1941 except for elections which continued until the 1960s. Scott Reece, a surveyor in North Fulton, recalls accompanying his mother when she voted in the courthouse when he was a child in the 1960s. Scott explains that the name of the courthouse is derived from the double forks of Little River that formed the Double Creek District in original Cherokee County district maps.
Dillman also interviewed Toledo Burgess, who retired in 1971 after 35 years as a school bus driver and who lived close to the courthouse. Burgess said he sawed the lumber used to build the current courthouse in the 1940s and 1950s which replaced the earlier structure. He used to help with elections even after they were moved to the Birmingham Community House.
A local retired teacher, Charles Newton, explained to Dillman how the justice of the peace system worked. “A bailiff would issue a warrant and court would be held maybe with witnesses but always with the justice of the peace as judge.”
Bill Spence, an attorney with 50 years’ local experience, told Dillman that court was held once a month with anywhere from zero to four or five cases to be tried. If a defendant was found guilty, he would be fined. Jurors were paid 50 cents each by the loser of a case.
Spence told one story worth repeating about someone who stole a neighbor’s cow which he painted to cover up the theft. The suspicious owner waited until it rained, and then had the thief prosecuted.
Bill Lusk, a retired builder and a board member of the Milton Historical Society with a keen interest in historic structures, has been supervising the restoration of the courthouse. He has studied the elements of the construction that help identify its age. For example, close examination of the framing members suggests that they were probably milled prior to World War ll. Wall studs and rafters from the previous structure were probably used in the new building. Some of the hand-hewn logs that served as floor joists could have come from the original structure as well, he says.
Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.
BOB MEYERS Columnist
PHOTOS BY: BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA
One of the few remaining militia district courthouses in Georgia gradually deteriorated until brought back to life by the commitment of Carol Cookerly and her husband Robert Beal who in 2023 purchased the property where the courthouse stands. This is how the courthouse appeared in 2018.
Water:
Continued from Page 1
The current proposal is an annual increase of 10 percent over the next 10 years, which officials say will be enough to fund the county’s capital program. It totals about $4.3 billion, and the county would need about $427 million annually to maintain the plan.
Without the rate increase the county will most likely miss the federal deadline to upgrade its sewer system.
On his last day in office, Dec. 31, former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond sent a letter to state and federal environmental officials saying the county will miss the federal deadline to upgrade its sewer capacity.
If the county misses the 2027 deadline, it could be facing millions in fines and a public health crisis.
Some at the Dunwoody meeting asked whether the rate increase and subsequent infrastructure investment would get the county where it needs to be.
One resident from south DeKalb County, an unincorporated area, said not everyone who has problems with their water infrastructure and bills is poor, and he has replaced his main water line six times in the past 16 years because of increases to the system’s pressure.
“South DeKalb has been disproportionately affected by what’s been done over the last 20 years to maintain the status quo,” he said.
The town hall opened with a video describing the problem. Over the past decade, DeKalb County has averaged 950 water main breaks a year – three a day.
“We have nine miles of pipe that are over a century-old and over 200 miles that are over 75 years of age,” Cochran-Johnson said. “The water main break that you saw in the video is from a 1941 cement pipe.”
She said the issue is critical, pointing to January’s water main along Clairmont Road in Chamblee.
Spruill:
Continued from Page 1
There will be an appearance from guerilla artist Evereman, who has gifted more than 30,000 pieces of his iconic work throughout Metro Atlanta over the past two decades. Attendees can also take part in creating a time capsule to mark the occasion that will be sealed for another 50 years.
Last year’s fundraising event included 350 guests and raised nearly
“I want to be very clear, there are those who would perpetuate that we don’t need a rate increase at all,” Cochran-Johnson said. “Everything that we do at this moment, because we’re under federal consent decree, must be approved by the Department of Justice.”
She dismissed anyone claiming that county commissioners were taking an arbitrary course of action.
“We know this discussion about rate increases, it’s not going to be easy,” Cochran-Johnson said. “We also know that the cost of inaction is far greater, and that’s what we’ve dealt with the past several decades.”
Inaction, she said, could lead to a system failure, higher costs in the future and economic setbacks.
The panel of speakers at the town hall provided specifics about what investments, repairs and replacements in the county’s water and swear systems are needed.
DeKalb County Director of Environmental Compliance Maria Houser leads the implementation of the $1.5 billion sanitary sewer system improvements required by the consent decree.
Houser’s presentation covered the county’s water system with its last main added in 1974 and the sewer system that pipes wastewater to treatment plants.
“Unfortunately, because our system is old, aging … we have what’s called spills, where sewage under heavy rainfall spills into the community,” Houser said. “That’s the reason for the consent decree.”
The county needs additional funding to complete sewer projects required to satisfy compliance deadlines and upgrade the water system. Some of the additions include water pipes with a 72-inch diameter across three interstates, 28 miles of main sewer line and 700 residential properties directly impacted.
DeKalb County Chief Development Officer Jacob Vallo said the investment into the county’s water and sewer systems needs to be done and will have a return on investment. Vallo said the
$100,000 toward the programs and outreach efforts of Spruill.
The 2025 Artistic Affair and 50th Anniversary Celebration is presented by sponsors Northside Hospital, Regency Centers, and Trident Construction. Supporting sponsors also include JWB Construction Services, Alston & Bird, Interlokit, the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, Savannah Distributing and Rough Draft Atlanta. For more information about tickets and the 50th anniversary celebration, visit www.spruillarts.org/ artistic-affair/.
— Hayden Sumlin
county’s top 10 water customers are also its largest employers, like Emory University & Hospital and DeKalb County Schools.
Robert Ryall, vice president of Arcadis with 25 years of experience providing financial management consulting services to utilities, said lack of investment in water and sewer infrastructure exists nationwide. Ryall said rate increases are the most common way to address funding shortfalls.
“DeKalb County has had one rate increase over the past 10 years; it was a 6 percent rate increase in 2022,” Ryall said. “Had DeKalb County had 4.2 percent rate increases each year over the last 10 years, you’d be looking at about a 3 percent rate increases going forward.”
Simply put, the county is lagging behind on upgrades in part because it has not gradually increased rates.
DeKalb County Chief Financial Officer Dianne McNabb said the rate adjustments are needed to help maintain the Department of Watershed Management’s bond rating and minimize interest costs, meet requirements on outstanding debt and fund capital programs.
Dunwoody resident and former City Councilman Robert Wittenstein attended the town hall, advocating for the rate increase after comparing average water bills in the City of Atlanta
and DeKalb County. Wittenstein said DeKalb residents pay around $40 less than their neighbors in Atlanta, which also has a 1-cent sales tax to fund water and sewer upgrades.
“This tells me we have been grossly under-investing in our water system for years,” he said. “This rate increase is late and overdue … we need to support the county getting the work done that they need to do.”
In the past decade, DeKalb County has reduced water bill disputes from 2,000 a month to fewer than 60, which Cochran-Johnson said gives the public more confidence that the rate increase will produce results.
In a Feb. 4 Facebook post, Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said residents should be familiar with the county’s aging water infrastructure and encouraged them to watch the town hall about the situation and rate increases.
To watch, visit www.youtube.com/ watch?v=S21cni-tilQ.
“While we are incorporated, we are tied to DeKalb for drinking water and sewer,” Deutsch said. “I am watching carefully to understand the plan and next steps.”
She also said residents with questions or comments should reach out to county commissioners Robert Patrick at rjpatrick@dekalbcountyga.gov or Ted Terry at ted@dekalbcountyga.gov.
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Author talks, winter sales fill February book calendar
By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com
Sergey Savin Helen Scherrer Kate Seng
Kimberly Verska
Carol Williams
February abounds with local authors making their rounds. And one of the must-see speakers is Michael L. Thurmond, who has served as Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County, in the Georgia Assembly and as Director of Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services, Georgia Labor Commissioner and Superintendent of Dekalb County Schools.
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Thurmond will discuss his latest title, "James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia," Feb. 20 at a free Roswell Roots program hosted by Atlanta Authors and Bookmiser.
Details about Thurmond’s event and seven others are here:
Saturday, Feb. 15, Kelly Silverman details “Hot Boiled Peanuts: A Georgia Food Tour.” 2 p.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-7975566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
Tuesday, Feb. 18, Marie Benedict , with her new mystery, “The Queens of Crime.” Johns Creek Books is offering two ticket options: Free and $27, which includes a book. 1 p.m. Duluth Library, 3180 Main St., Duluth. eventbrite.com/e/mariebenedict-the-queens-of-crime-atduluth-library-with-johnscreekbookstickets-1112910247509
Tuesday, Feb. 18, Grace Helena Walz, “Southern by Design.” Free. 5 p.m. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
Thursday, Feb. 20, Michael L. Thurmond. Thurmond will recap his latest work, "James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia," at a free event presented by Roswell Roots, Roswell Cultural Arts, the City of Roswell, Atlanta Authors and Bookmiser. 6 p.m. Free. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., 770-594-6232. atlantaauthorsga.com
Saturday, Feb. 22, Angie Williams , “The Raindrop Adventures of Crystal and Sparkle.” 2 p.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-7975566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@ gmail.com by the 15th.
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02/27/25 02/19/25
PUBLIC NOTICE
Invitation to Applicant-Initiated Meeting to Discuss Planned Application to Rezone Property at 4570 Ashford Dunwoody Road and for a Special Land Use Permit to Allow a Restaurant Drive-Thru.
Dear Neighbor:
Raising Cane’s is exploring an opportunity to redevelop the property described above with a Raising Cane’s restaurant with a drive-thru component. The site is currently developed with a vacant Wells Fargo Bank. Raising Cane’s would like to meet with its prospective neighbors to discuss its development proposal. Raising Cane’s invites you to the following meeting so that you can learn more about the company and the proposed development, ask questions, and voice your feedback:
Applicant-Initiated Community Meeting
Location: Parish Hall at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church 4755 N. Peachtree Road Dunwoody, GA 30338
Date: February 27. 2025
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
If you have questions about the meeting, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly using the contact information below. We look forward to meeting with you!
Sincerely,
WILSON BROCK & IRBY, L.L.C. ATTORNEYS AT LAW
OVERLOOK I, SUITE 700 2849 PACES FERRY ROAD ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30339
HAROLD BUCKLEY, JR. (404) 853-5050
Buckeye fan helps old man feel significant out of the blue
The call, totally out of the blue, made me feel like I’d won the lottery. Tim Musselman, whom I hired as a sales rep way back in 1997, lives in Columbus, Ohio. He wanted to get together, since he was in Roswell, staying with friends in anticipation of last Monday’s Ohio State-Notre Dame national championship tiff. Marie’s Italian Deli was a perfect site for our reunion.
I showed up in Irish attire. Unbeknownst to me, Tim decked himself out in a scarlet Buckeye hoodie.
Breakfast diners, the owner and servers got a kick out of the contrast game gear.
“This was totally unplanned.” Tim told the bemused crowd. “I just wanted to get together with my ex-boss.”
Regardless of the circumstances of our meeting, it was warming to know that Tim, an outstanding sales rep and manager, still thought enough of making an ancient, retired boss feel relevant.
The question I got most before the game was: “Are you going?” With the cheapest, nosebleed seats selling for north of $4,000, it made the Man Cave even more enticing. There was no line, no charge for parking, and no effort to see the game clearly via that 85-inch Sony. No one was standing in front of me blocking my view.
Best of all, no line for the restroom or when I wanted a snack.
It was a nonsensical question. High school and college friend Klint Schahrer, calling from Hayward, just a tad east of San Francisco, had a sensible perspective: “I’d be so ticked off paying that kind of money and watch Notre Dame lose 42-14.”
My retort: “I’d be a basket case spending four grand to watch the Irish WIN 42-14.”
When all the dust had cleared, I was disappointed at the results. Not shocked. Not angry. Like Tim calling me and wanting to get together, it made me feel relevant. Like Notre Dame was this year.
With college football looking forward to making more moves to snuggle itself up to the pros (transfer portal, silly decisions by a committee, NIL running rampant), there’s a lot of business to take care of before we do it all over again in late August.
We’re mere weeks (February 16) from the only NASCAR race I watch every year, the Daytona 500. It’s always an entertaining Sunday afternoon. With Dale Earnhardt meeting his demise there, Jeff Gordon merely a memory and all the other “good ol’ boy” stars, NASCAR is too corporate for my liking. But Daytona and all its patriotic pageantry, is a must-see afternoon of viewing.
Two days prior to the race, it’s the last day for Braves pitchers and catchers to report. Baseball is getting increasingly frustrating with the Dodgers’ spending getting close to the GDP of many countries. And even though our team has been outspent, doesn’t mean we’ll get outplayed. Maybe we go into the season with an “Us against the world” approach.
We’ve got the Super Bowl in New Orleans. I hope it’s a good one. Love that city, its food, its culture. With the city’s rough go of it recently, I hope the big game is a gumbo/muffaletta combo.
It’s not all sports around here. I have been enjoying watching chef Gordon Ramsey raising hell in nasty restaurants before giving them a rebirth on “Kitchen Nightmares.” And if medical dramas are your thing, “Doc” has piqued my interest after the first three episodes.
Lots to keep my mind occupied while I fight personal medical battles.
But I wouldn’t complain a bit if College Game Day was on next Saturday.
Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail. com.
MIKE TASOS Columnist
MIKE TASOS/APPEN MEDIA Columnist Mike Tasos, left, and Tim Musselman reunite at Marie’s Italian Deli in Forsyth County before the College Football National Championship.
Client Services Manager – Food Pantry
NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Client Services Manager – Food Pantry position. The Client Services Manager is responsible for creating, managing and implementing client centered intake policies and procedures. This includes maintaining the reception area of the Food Pantry; the end-to-end application processes; follow up on applications and resolving complex client matters.
Additionally, the Manager trains and manages the Client Services Team members and volunteers while maintaining positive employee relations and talent development of the intake staff. A history of exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills and a knowledge of MS Office are required. Working some evening and weekend work hours is also required.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Communications and Marketing Manager
NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Communications and Marketing Manager position. The Communications and Marketing Manager is responsible for helping raise awareness of North Fulton Community Charities and its programs and services. One of the primary responsibilities of this role is to create internal and external communications and marketing materials to promote NFCC’s overall mission.
The Manager will manage and update multiple channels including social media, email, websites, newsletters, presentations, and video. Proficiency in WordPress, Microsoft Office, and Canva are required and experience with Salesforce or other CRM and Pardot/Account Engagement a plus.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
State Farm (Dunwoody, GA) seeks Lead Data Engineer to design & build out cloud-based data analytic capabilities for monitoring & reporting utilizing a mix of vendor supplied & custom developed app. tooling. Must be certified in one of the following: Splunk Power User/Hadoop/AWS CCP or CCA/Microsoft Azure/ Good Cloud Professional/or similar Cloud based cert. Must take & pass pre-hire Python coding test. Option to work in hybrid environment w/ req. travel to one of following hub offices once a quarter for planning sessions & other team/ area meetings: Bloomington, IL, Atlanta, GA, Dallas, TX, or Phoenix, AZ. Must live w/in 180 miles of one of these hub offices. Apply at https://jobs.statefarm.com/main/jobs, Job ID: 40074
Client Services Specialist – Pantry
The Client Services Specialist (Part-time) serves as the first point of contact at NFCC, welcoming clients and managing the intake process. This role connects clients with NFCC’s programs and services while maintaining accurate records through data entry and application updates. The Specialist also keeps clients informed about program enhancements and available services.
The Specialist must be proficient in Spanish and have the ability to work with a team in a professional manner within a fast paced environment. Microsoft office skills are required and Salesforce experience is a plus. Must have the ability to work evenings & weekends.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com
is Thursdays by 4pm
