Singer-songwriter feels the words in his music
By JON WILCOX | jon@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Islan Garner wrote a song to help him face the 14 years he spent without his mother.
Garner’s mother, Schonia Buckner, is rebuilding their relationship slowly, cherishing every moment. She celebrated four years of sobriety in September.
“When she came back into my life, it was a surreal feeling, and it still is today,” Garner said.
The 17-year-old Ball Ground singer-songwriter has attracted attention with faithful covers of old country songs at local festivals, bars and other venues. But his song “14 Years” is different. It’s the first that is entirely his own.
“It was like a weight off my shoulders, like something that needed to be out there needed to be said,” Garner said.
Garner performed the song when his mother received her fouryear chip at a recovery meeting. She said she and everyone else in the room were blown away.
“No one can listen to that song without bawling their eyes out,” she said. “It's his testimony.”
Garner stumbled into music, deciding to pick up the guitar after hearing a friend play. He taught himself to sing while riding fourwheelers at the home of his grandparents, who raised him.
See GARNER, Page 12
Drug abuse program receives county-level support
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Drug Abuse Treatment and Education Fund hailed support from the County Commission helping stop the cycle of youth addiction in its tracks.
Chief Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Bagley, who chairs the Educa-
tion Fund, said at a Nov. 14 meeting that the program is enjoying a healthy balance thanks in part to commissioners’ support.
“The Board of Commissioners has stepped up,” Bagley said.
County Commissioner Mendy Moore, who attended the meeting, said residents have identified battling addiction as a priority. She said supporting the Education
Funds’ programs makes sense from a community perspective.
“It costs us money to house people in our jail, and if you can keep them from being a repeat offender and get them back to being gainfully employed and back with their families, it helps everybody in the community,” Moore said.
See PROGRAM, Page 12
Forsyth County Drug Abuse Treatment and Education Fund Committee members meet Nov. 14 to examine how funds can support school district programs.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Islan Garner performs a Johnny Cash song at the Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Expo in Cumming Nov. 8.
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Bookkeeper reports fraud totaling almost $40,000
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies investigated a reported fraud of almost $40,000 from a bookkeeper Oct. 29.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said a 65-year-old Cumming woman reported the crime. The woman, who works at home, serves as the bookkeeper for a recruiting firm with offices in Atlanta.
The woman said she discovered the fraud while reviewing the company’s business transactions.
She said she found fraudulent documentation was used to wire money from Wells Fargo accounts.
The woman said she had no suspect in who may have stolen the money.
The report was classified as a felony theft by deception.
—
Jon Wilcox
Driver, passenger arrested on drug possession charges
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A driver and passenger were arrested on drug charges after a Ga. 400 traffic stop Nov. 2.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said deputies stopped a Ford Mustang about 12:30 a.m. on southbound lanes near Shiloh Road because one of its headlights was out.
Deputies reported smelled marijuana while speaking with the driver, a 48-year-old Alpharetta man, and passenger, a 47-year-old Johns Creek woman. The vehicle was searched, and marijuana, a grinder, pipe and lighters were found.
A search also found pills containing
a substance suspected of being methamphetamine and ecstasy.
Both were arrested on felony possession of methamphetamine charges.
— Jon Wilcox
Officers investigate attempted ATM theft
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police are investigating an attempted seconddegree burglary after an unidentified male suspect broke into the CVS off Alpharetta Highway (Ga. 9) Oct. 30 and tried to open an ATM.
The report says several officers were dispatched to the convenience store just before 6 a.m. after an alarm company alerted dispatch about a potential burglary in progress.
Upon arrival, officers said the front door appeared to have been forced open. Just inside the store, an officer said he noticed a damaged Allpoint ATM with the front face torn off and protruding wires.
Repairs for the damaged ATM are around $500.
The report says no merchandise was stolen during the incident.
After a search of the property, officers said they were unable to locate anyone matching the suspect’s description. The suspect is described as a man wearing cowboy boots and a gray hoodie.
Officers said the suspect left the scene in a white pickup truck, which was unable to be tracked.
The report says a Roswell detective took over the investigation at 7 a.m. with CVS employees en route to assist.
— Hayden Sumlin
Vehicle reported stolen from resident’s garage
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A car was reported stolen from a Webb Bridge Court garage Oct. 21.
Alpharetta police said a 45-year-old Alpharetta man told officers he found the vehicle missing after opening his personal garage.
The man said he was in possession of both of the vehicle’s keys. He said he is the only person who drives the car.
The man showed officers statements indicating he had made payments on the vehicle.
Officers checked Flock security cameras but found no video of the vehicle.
The incident was classified as a felony motor vehicle theft.
— Jon Wilcox
Alpharetta resident reports car break-in at Hembree Park
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police are investigating a car break-in and unauthorized use of credit cards after a 46-year-old Alpharetta woman reported the felonies Oct. 31 at Hembree Park.
The Alpharetta woman said her boyfriend drove her Honda Pilot and parked it by one of the playing fields around 7:30 p.m. She said she left her spare key in the car, preventing it from being locked.
Officers said no forced entry to the vehicle was observed but the owner’s wallet and its content were taken.
The following items were reported stolen: a Truist debit card, an American Express credit card, a Chase credit card, $50 in cash, her Georgia driver`s license, her medical marijuana card, her social security card, an Air Tag and the spare key.
While speaking with the officer on the phone, the Alpharetta woman said she tracked her Apple AirTag to Houze Way and found her wallet lying empty on the sidewalk next to her spare key.
Later, she said her American Express card was charged $300 across two transactions at gas stations, and the Chase card was rung up for around $350.
The officer said the suspect also attempted to use the Truist card but had all four transactions declined.
As of Nov. 3, the case remains active.
— Hayden Sumlin
County set to update to parks master plan
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County is asking residents to weigh in as it updates its 10-year parks master plan.
Residents can provide their input through an online survey available at projectsurveys.com/forsyth/. Participants also may enter a raffle for $100 in credits toward Parks & Recreation rentals, memberships and programs.
The master plan serves as a roadmap for the county’s park system, identifying community needs, setting priorities and outlining strategies for future investments. It will help ensure Parks & Recreation will continue to provide diverse, accessible and high-quality recreational opportunities for residents of all abilities, the county said.
CPL, a multidisciplinary design and
planning firm, will conduct the assessment and develop the updated plan.
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation Director Kirk Franz said officials knew it was time to update the 2016 plan in part because its least requested activity was pickleball.
“When we talk about where we want Parks & Recreation to be in the future, we want to hear from our community,” he said. “So, we encourage you to share your thoughts, ideas and feedback to help guide what you want to see in your parks.”
In addition to the survey, residents can share their thoughts in person during meetings in early 2026. Details about the meetings will be announced as they become available.
— Jon Wilcox
FORSYTH COUNTY/PROVIDED Forsyth County is seeking public input in developing its 10-year parks master plan.
Doctor-turned-entrepreneur advises seniors how to avoid ER
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dr. Nadia Nabavi, a former Northside Hospital and Grady Healthcare physician, said the top three reasons seniors end up in the emergency room are falls, UTIs and pneumonia.
The North Atlanta chapter of Adult Children of Aging Parents invited Nabavi to host its Nov. 11 program, “From UTIs to Falls: Understanding What Sends Seniors to the Emergency Room,” at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.
Nabavi listed the Big Three causes in order. She said a third of people over age 65 will fall at least once.
“I’m an emergency/EMS physician … that means I’m really good at identifying things that are gonna kill you,” she said. “One thing we saw over and over again was there were many calls for seniors, and it wasn’t like our seniors needed the hospital, but they also needed more than just ‘take two aspirin and call your primary care physician.’”
That realization inspired Nabavi to found Green Dot Health as an alternative to what she sees as a broken healthcare system that saddles seniors with huge hospital bills, sometimes for care they could receive at home.
Green Dot Health’s services includes
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Dr. Nadia Nabavi explains how seniors can avoid preventable trips to the emergency room at the North Atlanta chapter of Adult Children of Aging Parents’ Nov. 11 program at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.
24/7 access to board-certified ER doctors like Nabavi, at-home lab draws, prescription and imaging coordination, post-visit follow-ups and a straightforward billing process.
Membership to the virtual practice starts at $149 a month, a three-month minimum commitment is required.
Gasthaus Tirol
With an emergency room visit ranging from $1,500-$3,000 and trips to an urgent care exceeding $150, Green Dot Health “fills a gap” in senior healthcare.
Incentives to join
The membership also qualifies for tax-free reimbursement from health and
flexible savings accounts, which can be especially useful for Medicare enrollees to offset out-of-pocket costs.
When Nabavi asked the crowd of 30 how many had been to the emergency room in the past year, at least half of the hands went up. More than 800,000 seniors are hospitalized each year.
A urinary tract infection is far more common than pneumonia but much more dangerous for seniors. Falling is the most common, which can occur after a senior develops an infection.
Nabavi said one way caregivers can assess fall risk is to perform a “timed up-and-go test,” having them stand up, walk 10 feet, turn around, stroll back to the chair and sit down. If it takes someone more than 12 seconds, they may be at risk of falling.
Prevention methods include physical and occupational therapy, which can strengthen core and leg muscles while teaching people how to get up after a fall. An occupational therapist can also come into a home and strategize how things like furniture placement and lighting can be improved.
What seniors really want to avoid is falling and breaking their hip, which exacerbates existing ailments and mortality rates.
NABAVI, Page 15
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Legislator seeks safeguards to protect children online
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — State Sen. Sally Harrell (D-District 40) is forming a bipartisan coalition of elected officials and concerned citizens to address online safety for children during the Georgia General Assembly’s 2026 session.
Harrell told a crowd at the Nov. 5 “Parent Town Hall” in Dunwoody that she hosted her first single-issue community meeting in northern DeKalb and southern Gwinnett counties to generate public support.
“What we realized, the more we listened to testimony, the more we realize that we are heading toward a crisis with our kids,” Harrell said. “We need feedback from parents … What are you experiencing right now? What has happened with your kids?”
While it’s not clear what a legislative solution looks like, Harrell said she is working with Senate committee co-chair Shawn Still (R-District 48) on formal recommendations for state action.
“When we do file legislation, we’re going to hit a lot of pushback,” Harrell said. “We need to be organized at the
grassroots level to fight that pushback.”
Some progress has already been made. Georgia’s “Distraction-Free Education Act” (HB 340), which passed this year, bans smartphones for public school students grades kindergarten through eight.
Harrell said her effort to form the Senate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee passed on her second attempt after connecting with a staffer in Lt. Gov. Burt Jones’ office.
The committee’s first three meetings examined how online platforms can be addictive and harmful to young people, and it probed specific state policies that can result in safer online experiences. Senators also examined the potential dangers related to the use of AIdriven chatbots in online platforms by minors.
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Tragic case presented Harrell presented a video of a Florida mother and attorney Megan Garcia, who filed a wrongful death lawsuit against an AI platform for the suicide of her son.
Garcia testified before the U.S. Senate during a subcommittee hearing Sept. 16, titled “Examining the Harm of AI Chatbots.”
“Sewell was a bright and beautiful boy who, as a child, wanted to build rockets and invent life changing technology,” Garcia said. “But instead of preparing for high school milestones, Sewell spent his last months being manipulated and sexually groomed by chatbots designed by an AI company to seem human, to gain trust and to keep children like him endlessly engaged by supplanting the actual human relationships in his life.”
The tragic story of Sewell Setzer III and AI company Character Technologies is the latest example of a decades-long trend of emerging technologies, like the internet, smart phones, social media and algorithms, negatively affecting children.
Harrell said she became interested in the subject more than a decade ago as a mother.
“These companies have designed the products to be engaging,” Harrell said. “The more addicted they are to their phones, the more profits the company makes.”
Adults are also addicted to their smartphones and the internet, which Harrell says makes the issue a matter of family and community.
When her children were beginning to use social media and the internet in
the early 2010s, Harrell said she saw their behavior changed.
A decade later and the data is clear, mental illness and suicides among teens and young adults skyrocketed after smartphones and social media became ubiquitous.
“It’s not the parents’ fault,” Harrell said. “It is the product, and it’s designed that way on purpose … I’ve been waiting for the millennial generation to come along, to have kids, to get scared, to get motivated, to join the force, to stand up to these big companies.”
Community engagement
Some elected officials attended the town hall, including Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch, Doraville Mayor Joseph Geierman and DeKalb County District 1 School Board member Andrew Ziffer.
Harrell thanked Deustch for taking an interest in children’s online safety and securing a space for the talk at Dunwoody City Hall.
A “panel of moms” convened at the dais to discuss some of the ways they are handling technology and the internet with their teenage children. Casey Stefanski, executive director of the Digital Childhood Alliance, said a lot of parental controls and other tools to control what a child can see and do online are not sufficient.
Stefanski said large technology companies consider 13-year-olds as adults online, and one solution is to raise the age to 16.
Laura Ladefian shared her experiences working as a mental health specialist with teens and young
See HARRELL, Page 12
Just opened?
8 | Forsyth Herald | November 20, 2025
Johns Creek courts Czech business interests
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek is opening its doors wider for international commerce — that was the message to a delegation of Czech business leaders.
“We’re not just the best place to live because we have nice homes,” City Manager Kim Greer said at the gathering held Nov. 11 at the business group’s headquarters on Johns Creek Parkway. “We’re the best place to live because we have a thriving economy, and we’re always looking for new partners to add to that.”
City and state officials and local business representatives met with about 10 visitors from the Czech Republic. Hosted by the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce, the meeting was designed to create dialogs and forge new business relationships.
At the same time, nearly 5,000 miles away, Fulton County Commissioner Bridget Thorne was doing the same, meeting with Czech business leaders in Prague.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who opened the Johns Creek summit, said the city and the State of Georgia are ready to explore opportunities with businesses around the globe.
“We are open for business,” Raffensperger said. “We want to have great relationships … They want to grow their economy, and we want to grow our economy.”
Johns Creek has much to be proud of from its schools to roadways to public safety departments, said Shay Foley, interim chamber chief execu -
tive officer. Those assets make the city a great place to live but also are a powerful force in attracting firms from around the world.
The city is home to international firms, such as health care software company Ebix, Boston Scientific and World Financial Group.
Equally important, the city is open to doing business with firms around the world and actively seeks to recruit
and cater to them, he said.
“If you come here to settle a business, you came to the right place,” Foley said.
Oto Hrdlicka, head of foreign affairs for the Brno Regional Chamber of Commerce, said he attended the Nov. 11 meeting to make connections between businesses in his community and Johns Creek.
Brno, a city of about 400,000
founded about 1,000 years ago, is a hub for machinery and software industries.
Hrdlicka said automotive companies in particular may seek to establish operations in Johns Creek partly because the industry is well established in the state.
“We would like to identify all the interesting regions within Georgia, so this was the reason we also would like to visit Johns Creek,” he said.
Antonin Machala, a managing director for Altech, said his company may consider bringing a production center to the U.S. Altech makes industrial mobility aids, such as platform and stair lifts among other equipment. He said he was particularly attracted by Johns Creek’s quality of life. The chamber meeting and the relationships there could later lead to important investments.
“The idea is to join the U.S. market … and later export to the U.S., and afterward start production,” he said.
The Johns Creek City Council has identified economic development as one of its five strategic priorities, Greer said. She was accompanied by numerous city staff and elected officials, including Economic Development Director Kim Allonce and four council members.
Their attendance was a reflection of the city’s commitment to supporting global businesses, she said.
“When you find one of us, you find all of us,” Greer said. “They know that the business community, both our local small businesses to big international companies, is what makes Johns Creek such a special community.”
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger speaks to Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce members and visitors from the Czech Republic during a Nov. 11 meeting at the business group’s headquarters on Johns Creek Parkway.
Georgia Northern Ridge District welcomes October Eagle Scouts
ALPHARETTA, Ga.— The Northern Ridge Boy Scout District (cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton) is proud to announce its newest Eagle Scouts who completed their Eagle Board of Review on Oct. 23 at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.
Pictured top row, from left Eli Leaders, of Troop 841, sponsored by St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Eli’s project was the design and creation of six artificial fish habitats, eight natural fish habitat bundles, four fishing line collection bins and an educational sign about fish habitat and ecosystems at the Lakhapani Preserve Pond.
Blake Faunce, of Troop 143, sponsored by Greenleaf Capital Partners. Blake’s project was the design and construction of six wooden benches for Cumming First United Methodist Church.
Arpan Saha, of Troop 1717, sponsored by Cross of Life Lutheran Church. Arpan’s project was the design and construction of eight benches for the wooded area behind Rucker Road Farm Park.
John Lewis, of Troop 87, sponsored by Roswell Presbyterian Church. John’s project was the design and construction of two mobile book carts and a bookshelf for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta- Arthur M. Blank Hospital. John also held a book drive to stock the book carts and collected 1,657 books.
William Gibson, of Troop 629, sponsored by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. William’s project was the design and construction of fencing around the triple zipline and a TEC course, as well as building four benches for people to sit and wait at these courses, for Sojourn Adventures, an outreach ministry of Perimeter Church
Bottom row, from left:
Michael Brandt, of Troop 69, spon-
sored by Alpharetta Methodist Church. Michael’s project was the design and construction of three storage racks and a storage cubby for the Chattahoochee High School Football Team equipment room.
Vishnu Arumugam, of Troop 3143, sponsored by American Legion Post 251. Vishnu’s project was the design and construction of four elevated wire plant tables and two wooden benches for the Chattahoochee Nature Center.
Luke Flores, of Troop 143, sponsored by Greenleaf Capital Partners. Luke’s project was the renovation of the Goat Shed at Denmark High School, which included pressure washing and painting the shed, adding gutters to the roof, which emptied into a water stock tank. Luke also built a goat ramp for the goats and a hexagonal tree bench to provide seating for the barn area.
Bilal Mourad, of Troop 12, sponsored by the Muslim American Society Youth Center. Bilal’s project was the design and construction of four raised brick garden beds and educational signs for the Masjid Al-Momineen.
Aayush Ahuja, of Troop 10, sponsored by St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. Aayush’s project was the design and construction of six fences for one of Lake Windward Elementary School’s play areas.
Kyle Jenkins, of Troop 985, sponsored by Northbrook United Methodist Church. Kyle’s project was the design and construction of a storage shed, a pathway from the shed to the gardens for the Northbrook United Methodist Church’s Community Garden. Kyle also replaced the bench at the garden.
Ethan Huh, of Troop 2143, sponsored by American Legion Post 251. Ethan’s project was the design and construction of two picnic tables and two benches for the Atlanta Promise Church.
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Newly awarded Eagle Scouts stand at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church at an Oct. 23 ceremony.
Meet Melanie Lindy from Touchmark National Bank!
Melanie is a lifelong Atlanta native and has been a member of the Alpharetta/Johns Creek community for over 30 years. She grew up in Dunwoody and attended Chamblee High School. She graduated from Georgia Southern University and had a lengthy career in education before entering the financial business world. Melanie joined Touchmark National Bank in 2021 as a Customer Service Representative and Lead Teller. Her customer focus and outgoing personality are qualities that make her perfect for serving Touchmark’s clients
Touchmark National Bank was established in 2007 and is located in
Alpharetta off Old Milton Parkway. We offer a variety of banking products that fit our client’s needs. We are committed to offering personalized assistance to our clients. We strive to continue to grow our relationship in the community and surrounding counties. Please reach out to us for further information about our products and services by calling 770-407-6700 or visit our website at www.touchmarknb. com.
1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line.
luck!
1 African desert. Operatic solo. Supreme god of ancient Greece.
ON THE MENU
1. Icy coating. Low water mark. Squirrel's favorite snack.
2. Panda's dish. Lackluster. Racetrack shape.
3. Spare tire. Beaver's snack. Mountain peaks.
4. Blue whale's dinner. Crayola color. Hawaiian binge.
5. Hot spot. Horse's meal. Extra-large.
6. Pillow covering. Otter's dish. Wall painting.
7. Victory's margin. Bear's feast. Hurl.
How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
2. Spiraled-horned African antelope. Bunsen burner. To-do
3. Deep hole. Settee. African howler
4. Sleep interrupter. African dry river bed. Chatty bird
5. Skin disorder. Flu symptom. African river
6.
Garner:
Continued from Page 1
He quickly realized music was an outlet, and songwriting could give voice to his innermost thoughts.
Every day, he finds time to make music after getting off from his job running a forklift at a construction materials supplier. After graduating from high school at the age of 16, he now works close to 50 hours a week.
Finding the time isn’t about dedication, he said. It’s simply necessary.
“It just helps me clear my mind,” he said. “It's just real relaxing to sit there and fiddle with the strings.”
Garner’s favorite artists, from country giants like George Strait and Waylon Jennings to contemporary musicians like Tyler Childers, all have something in common. Their songs are a window into their worlds.
“Every country artist has a different way of telling their story, and I guess I just gravitate toward that,” Garner said. “It's just the way they put themselves out there.”
Garner already has a lot to say, his mother said. Buckner said she is still getting to know him, but she is shocked by his depth.
Fellow musician Lori Rezutko agrees. She met Garner when he appeared at an open mic night that she hosts in Jasper and was immediately impressed.
“He's just so genuine and so real and authentic, especially for somebody his age,” Rezutko said. “I don't meet very many musicians that I get that attached to.”
Program:
Continued from Page 1
Established by state law, the county’s Drug Abuse Treatment and Education Fund is primarily supported through surcharges and fines paid by local defendants.
In July, county commissioners provided almost $60,000 in matching money with the award of state grants to support the local drug, DWI and mental health courts. The courts provide accountability through a unique
Harrell:
Continued from Page 6
adults at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, saying that technology is a huge topic in her office. Ladefian said it
LORI REZUTKO/PROVIDED
Rezutko was even more impressed when she first heard his deep, expressive voice, which has a special way of capturing audiences. She was so impressed she invited him to record in a special session she has dubbed “Bring It On the Bus,” which features musicians on an old 30-foot school bus with surprisingly impressive acoustics.
“He's one of those voices that people will be just sitting around talking, and once he starts singing, he commands attention,” she said.
program to help participants break free of addiction, treat mental health and stop driving drunk.
The drug court requires regular check-ins with a judge, drug screens and maintaining employment in exchange for the opportunity to avoid incarceration and for dismissal of charges. It also offers drug education and treatment.
Failure to abide by the rules can result in the imposition of a sentence.
“We break that revolving door cycle by intervening to help them to address their drug addiction, so that they can
breaks her heart when she hears a middle schooler say they wish younger kids never get a phone because “it’s too late” for them.
AI technologist Katie Fullerton shared potential ways to adjust the algorithms behind AI chatbots and social media while also sharing her daughter’s experience.
The Digital Childhood Alliance wants
Despite his obvious affinity for music, she said she is even more impressed with his dedication for the craft, an essential but all too rare quality among musicians.
“He's gifted, and he puts the work in,” she said. “He’s very serious.”
Garner said he is unsure about whether he will pursue music full time as he gets older. He also plans to pursue a career as a Georgia State Patrol officer because of a love for law enforcement and a desire to work with the best in the field.
be a productive member of society,” Bagley said.
Established in the early 2000s, the Forsyth County Drug Abuse Treatment and Education Fund began with a balance of about $300,000. It has since increased to about $600,000, providing options for expansion.
Bagley said the organization’s committee members are encouraging the school system to think about how additional money might be used to prevent and treat addiction among youths. The program already provides a “nominal” amount to local schools, the judge said.
people to know they don’t need to be a tech expert, just an engaged parent. The nonprofit encourages parents to talk to their children about artificial intelligence and internet usage “early and often,” set and revisit boundaries, prioritize human connections and watch for signs that AI use may be harming their child.
Nevertheless, he isn’t shutting the door yet on songwriting and plans to soon record his music in a professional studio. Whatever happens, he knows singing and playing will always be an essential part of his life.
“A career in music would be really cool, and if it ends up getting that way, then so be it,” he said. “I always say go big or go home.”
Teenage drug abuse and addiction is an unfortunate but real problem in Forsyth County, Bagley said.
Almost 42 percent of 12th graders nationwide have abused alcohol, and almost 37 percent have misused a drug, according to data from the National Center for Drug Abuse.
“The gateway drugs, like marijuana and alcohol, the school system can sort of address some of those things and get a handle on that before it blossoms into full-blown methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and fentanyl (abuse),” Bagley said.
Red flags for kids include panic or distress when AI access is removed, sudden academic improvement or secretive screen use, referencing a chat bot as “a friend or someone who understands them” and declining motivation or isolation.
For more information, visit digitalchildhoodalliance.org.
ISLAN GARNER/PROVIDED Islan Garner sings at the Woodstock Amphitheater in October.
Islan Garner plays guitar on a school bus during a recording session hosted by Lori Rezutko
Attracting birds and pollinators to your winter garden
As temperatures drop and many plants go dormant, it is easy to assume that your garden enters a quiet, lifeless phase. But winter can be a time of surprising vibrancy and ecological value, especially if you intentionally create a haven for birds and pollinators. In Georgia’s relatively mild climate, it’s possible to support local wildlife yearround with just a few strategic choices.
Attracting birds and pollinators to your winter garden doesn’t just benefit the environment, it also adds life, movement and interest to the garden during what might otherwise be a dull season. Here's how to make your outdoor space a welcoming winter habitat.
Why attract wildlife in winter?
Winter is a critical time for many species. Birds and pollinators face food shortages, fewer water sources and the loss of natural habitat due to development and tidy landscaping. By offering food, shelter and water, your garden becomes a vital sanctuary. In return, it’s possible to enjoy bird song, pollinator activity on warmer days and a deeper connection with the natural world.
Plant with purpose: winter food
Native plants are the most important building blocks for supporting Georgia’s wildlife. While flowers may be fewer in winter, native seed heads, berries and evergreen plants offer muchneeded sustenance.
Plant winter-blooming flowers
Select plants with blooms or berries in the winter to provide a much-needed food source for pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Some non-native winter-blooming options for Atlanta gardens include:
• Camellias: These evergreen shrubs produce vibrant flowers in shades of pink, red and white from fall to spring. They attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.
• Hellebores (lenten roses): Evergreen foliage and winter blooms in shades of white, pink and purple make hellebores an excellent choice for attracting early bees and buzz pollinators like bumblebees.
• Juniper: This evergreen shrub provides both nectar for pollinators and berries that feed birds throughout the winter.
Use native plants
Choosing native plants not only supports local wildlife but also helps maintain the ecosystem's balance. Native plants have co-evolved with local wildlife, providing the best possible food and habitat. Some Georgia native plants that attract birds and pollinators include:
• Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria): Yaupon supports pollinators and provides year-round shelter and nesting opportunities for small birds, protecting them from predators and harsh weather conditions. Its red berries continue through winter, providing a crucial food source for birds. Robins, mockingbirds, thrashers, wrens and more feed on these berries.
• Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum rufidulum): This plant produces clusters of dark blue berries that persist into winter, providing an essential food source for birds when other food is scarce. Mockingbirds, thrashers, catbirds and waxwings are known to feed on these berries.
• Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis): Wild indigo produces seed pods that provide food for goldfinches and pine siskins in winter.
• Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata): This legume produces small, peanut-like seeds that are a valuable food source for mourning doves, quails and sparrows. Other plants for winter wildlife
• Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana): With vibrant purple berries, this native shrub is a magnet for cardinals and mockingbirds.
• Hollies (Ilex spp.): Both evergreen and deciduous varieties provide dense cover and berries for food.
• Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana): Offers winter berries loved by cedar waxwings.
• Coneflowers and black-eyed Susans (Echinacea and Rudbeckia): Leave seed heads standing; finches will thank you.
• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): Even after blooming, goldenrod stems and seeds feed small birds and provide overwintering shelter for beneficial insects.
Provide shelter
Many pollinators, including native bees, overwinter in leaf litter, hollow stems or soil. Don’t over-clean your garden; a bit of wildness is healthy. Resist the urge to rake everything away, especially in naturalized parts of your garden. Here are a few shelter tips:
• Leave brush piles or stacked logs in a corner of the garden, creating ideal nesting sites.
• Avoid cutting back dried perennials and ornamental grasses, which can house overwintering insects and provide cover for birds.
• Add birdhouses or roosting boxes, which offer insulation from the cold and safety from predators.
• Trees and shrubs with dense foliage offer excellent shelter.
• Evergreen shrubs and dense hedges are valuable as natural shelter. It would be beneficial if at least 25 percent of the trees and shrubs in your landscape were evergreen.
Don’t forget the water
Water sources can be scarce in winter, especially when temperatures dip below freezing. Birds and insects need clean, accessible water every day.
As far as water sources go, the vessels should be filled no more than two to three inches deep (while changing the water frequently) and elevated in the middle of an open area to minimize predation by cats and other animals. Here are a few suggestions for adding water to your yard:
• Birdbaths: Use a heated birdbath or add warm water daily to keep it from freezing.
• Shallow dishes with stones: These are ideal for small birds or insects on mild days.
• Dripping water sources: Even a slow-dripping container can attract birds.
By incorporating these practices into your Atlanta-area winter garden, you'll create a welcoming haven for birds and pollinators. Enjoy the beauty
and satisfaction that comes from supporting local wildlife and preserving biodiversity.
Happy Gardening!
North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https://appenmedia.com/opinion/ columists/garden buzz/.
About the Author
This Week’s “Garden Buzz” features Amy Magner, a Master Gardener since 2014. As a member of North Fulton Master Gardeners and Sandy Springs resident, she has taught various classes, including cancer wellness, at Farm Chastain. She is also a certified health coach, speaker and creator of the “Changing Aging” program.
AMY MAGNER Guest Columnist
WILL SMITH/ WITH PERMISSION FROM MOUNTAIN EXPRESS Black-throated Blue Warbler rests on a beautyberry.
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Nabavi said seniors can meet with a podiatrist to have a doctor look at their feet and suggest optimal footwear. She said checking vision and hearing is important as well.
“If there’s something else going on … the fall is actually a symptom of a bigger problem,” Nadavi said. “And that’s sort of our segway into infections.”
Tracking another threat
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are more common in women than men due to a variety of anatomical and hormonal factors. Men can get them too.
“If a bladder infection doesn’t get treated, then that infection can then move up to your kidney,” she said.
“Usually the trigger is ‘mom is getting up a lot to the restroom, and she doesn’t normally do that,’ and that may culminate in a fall.”
A few program attendees were in the process of caring for their own aging parent suffering from an infection.
Kelly, a Brookhaven woman, said her 88-year-old mother had been refusing to undergo a procedure to take images of her bladder to diagnose what doctors told her may be a UTI.
So far, medicine hasn’t helped.
Growing impatient, Kelly said the program inspired her to keep pushing for answer to her mother’s discomfort, which may involve convincing her to have the procedure.
Preventing pneumonia, or an infection of the lungs, is straightforward. The best was to protect against it is to have seniors routinely vaccinated against the most prolific strain and
wear a mask in crowded spaces.
Despite the politicization of vaccines, seniors in the room said they get them after conducting their own costbenefit analysis.
The North Atlanta chapter of Adult Children of Aging Parents held its Nov. 11 meeting in the Asbury Room at Dunwoody United Methodist.
The nonprofit ACAP has grown from a small program founded in Hickory, North Carolina in 2012 to more than nine locations across the eastern United States.
The state of Georgia has four chapters, one in Cobb and Cherokee counties, another in Forsyth County, a Hall County group and the North Atlanta chapter, which meets on the second Tuesday of each month.
All in-person programming is free.
More informational meetings
ACAP North Atlanta Chapter Coor -
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dinator Mary Remmes, a life coach for the adult children of aging parents, said there will not be a meeting in December but programming through March 2026 is ready to go.
Another member of the leadership team, Holly Mitchell, discussed her entrepreneurial venture ChangingSpaces with co-founder Linda Kaplan that helps manage moves for seniors.
“My company can help people do all of these tasks,” Mitchell said. “ChangingSpaces was born to help people move and rightsize and figure out how they’re going to help themselves live easier and simpler and stress-free.”
For more information about the North Atlanta chapter of Adult Children of Aging Parents, visit acapcommunity.org.
For more information about Dr. Nabavi’s business, visit greendothealth.com.
For more information about Mitchel and Kaplan’s business, visit changingspacesatlanta.com.
