Johns Creek Herald - May 22, 2025

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ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta is still waiting to see whether it will be chosen to host a National Hockey League team, but in the meantime, it’s doing its homework.

At a May 2 special meeting, the Alpharetta Development Authority unanimously approved a $150,000 feasibility study by strategic consulting firm Creative Artists Agency. Alpharetta is in the running to attract a hockey team after Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group submitted in March 2024 a petition to attract an NHL franchise.

If Alpharetta is selected, the team would most likely play at an arena in the North Point Mall area, City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom said. The site is competing with a mega mixed-use arena project proposed in Forsyth County.

Although no project has formally been proposed in Alpharetta, the city has commissioned the Creative Artists Agency study to ensure its viability.

“We wouldn’t go into something blind,” Lagerbloom said. “A good progressive city does this type of work in advance of these massive, massive types of projects.”

The study, which is expected to take five to six months, will explore financial feasibility and economic impacts. Costs will be split between the Development Authority and Awesome Alpharetta, the city’s convention and visitors bureau.

NHL, Page 20

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POLICE BLOTTER

All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Man banned from area near two private schools

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — An Acworth woman called police May 6 reporting that she had been harassed by a man while she was working as a surveyor in the woods along Brumbelow Road near Old Alabama Road.

The woman said the White male, dressed in all black, approached her and began harassing her shortly after noon.

Police located the man, who had a Johns Creek address, in the woods near St. Bridgid Catholic Church.

Both principal of Holy Redeemer Catholic School and Student Resource Officer of the Mt. Pisgah School requested that the man to be criminally trespassed from their properties.

The man was driven to his home address but was refused entry by his father. The man was then transported to a gas station on Old Alabama Road BP to be released on the warnings.

But, the man refused to sign or take the two criminal trespass warnings. Copies of the warnings were given to the principal of Holy Redeemer Catholic School and turned into the Johns Creek Police Department Records Department.

— Sarah Coyne

Man reports fraud on bank debit card

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police responded May 8 after a Johns Creek man reported he noticed fraudulent transactions on his debit card.

The man told police that between May 4 and May 5 six fraudulent charges were made on his Visa debit card totaling approximately $85.

After notifying his bank, he was told

the charges were made for a food catering business. He told police that he’d tracked the charges to an Athens, Ga. resident.

The man told police he canceled the card and will pursue prosecution if the offender is identified.

Police provided uploaded all documents to evidence.com and provided the man with a case number.

— Sarah Coyne

Thief removes wallet from car parked at home

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek man reported someone had entered his unlocked car overnight May 8 or 9 and taken his wallet that contained credit cards and $20 in cash.

The car had been parked outside his home on Hawkhurst Way on the night of May 8.

He was notified of a fraudulent attempt to us one of his credit cards to purchase shoes from GOAT.com at approximately 6:11 a.m.

While canceling his cards, the man noticed three separate transactions between approximately 3:14 a.m. and 4:54 a.m. at RaceTrac and QuikTrip, totaling in $94.

The man informed police that he had no camera footage and that he hadn’t heard or seen anything that night.

— Sarah Coyne

Roswell-based plumbing company reports fraud

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police and Fire rescued an 18-year-old Bartow County woman April 28 after she hit her head at the Big Creek waterfall near the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area’s Vickery Creek trail.

Officers said they arrived at Old Mill Park on the city’s side of the river and saw a female across the water sitting on the ground beneath the waterfall. They said she was not alert and appeared to be in and out of consciousness.

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Officers said they were unable to communicate with the injured woman because of the water’s noise. They said a 19-year-old Cartersville man was with her and would occasionally move her to confirm she was conscious.

The report says as a sergeant and a lieutenant were crossing the creek to help her, the Roswell Fire Department arrived from the National Park’s Vickrey Creek Trail.

Officers said firefighters and paramedics eventually got the injured woman in an ambulance and transported her to Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center.

A National Parks Service law enforcement ranger arrived on scene and information was turned over to him, the report says.

— Hayden Sumlin

Police charge resident with intent to distribute

ROSWELL, Ga. — Police arrested a 24-year-old Roswell man May 11 after allegedly discovering a scale, firearm and more than an ounce of marijuana in his vehicle during a traffic stop.

An officer said he noticed the smell of marijuana as a gray Dodge Charger pulled into a parking lot off Holcomb Bridge Road. The officer said he initiated a traffic stop because of the odor and what appeared to be illegally tinted windows after the vehicle left the area.

During the traffic stop, the officer said the driver cooperated and admitted to possessing illegal substances in his car. Officers said they found 34.5 grams of marijuana, a digital scale and a registered firearm during a search of the vehicle.

After arresting the man, officers said they allowed him to speak with his parents, who agreed to pick up his car.

Officers charged the man with felony marijuana possession with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of felony and a window tint citation before transporting him to Fulton County Jail.

— Hayden Sumlin

North Metro SWAT trains at Brookhaven home set for demolition

BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — Officers on the North Metro SWAT Team conducted a training exercise May 14 at a set-for-demolition Club Drive home, according to agency representatives.

In the Wednesday afternoon event, police practiced moving through buildings while engaging both threating and non-threatening targets.

The SWAT team, made up of officers from the Brookhaven, Dunwoody and Chamblee police departments, regularly conducts exercises to reinforce their training.

A few times each year, homeowners demolishing their houses offer the specialized unit the opportunity to use the building in those exercises. Such was the case with the Club Drive home on Wednesday, Dunwoody Police Sergeant Michael Cheek told Appen Media.

Cheek said the roughly 20 officers were using paint markers, not live ammunition, during the training.

The North Metro SWAT Team previously included officers from the Sandy Springs and Johns Creek police departments. Sandy Springs broke off from the group in December, Appen Media reported, choosing to form their own in-house tactical unit.

Shortly after, Johns Creek moved to the North Fulton SWAT Team, joining Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton. Department officials cited the Sandy Springs departure as one reason for the shift, along with the proximity to its North Fulton sister cities. Sandy Springs is now in the process of developing a police training facility on Morgan Falls Road, with an April 2024 estimated price tag of $37-$45 million.

Appen Media first reported those plans and will continue to follow the project.

Officers on the North Metro SWAT Team conducted a training exercise May 14 at a set-for-demolition Club Drive home, according to agency representatives.

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This story began with an Appen Media reader asking the newsroom about an apparent SWAT exercise taking place at a residential property. Send your questions, observations and story ideas to newsroom@ appenmedia. com.

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Owner John Hogan & Designer Bobbie Kohm, re-imagining how bath & kitchen remodels are done.

Thousands turn out to view Johns Creek Touch-A-Truck

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek Touch-A-Truck show was an opportunity for Lincoln Josey’s toys to come to life.

“Our son loves fire trucks and excavators,” said the boy’s mother Lashaun Josey. “He has all the toys at home, all the construction vehicles, a whole fleet.”

Lincoln and hundreds of other local kids and their families flocked to the Johns Creek City Hall parking lot May 17 to get up close and personal with a host of big vehicles. This year’s lineup included various trucks, an excavator, fire engine, rescue boat, SWAT vehicle, crime scene investigation van, police vehicles and more.

In all, some 2,500 visitors attended, forming long lines to climb atop the vehicles amid blaring dance music and blasts from the vehicles’ horns. Nearby parking lots were filled to capacity, and police officers stood at intersections guiding traffic and crowds of pedestrians.

For many of the kids, the chance to climb aboard the vehicles was a dream come true.

“He was very excited,” Josey said. “He's normally a talker, and when he saw all of this, he was at a loss for words. He just had this big smile on his face.”

Dylan Penick, recreation coordinator, said Touch-A-Truck routinely draws large crowds. It has been held annually for almost a decade.

“The kids play with mini excavators, mini fire trucks,” he said. “And this is one of the few chances where they have just the freedom to climb on it and jump on it and blow the horns.”

Touch-A-Truck also provided city staff from various departments a chance to meet the residents they serve. Police officers, firefighters and staff from other depart-

ments were on hand to answer questions and help youngsters board the vehicles they use every day.

“You have firefighters here and construction workers and garbage truck men, and it's just like a 3- to 7-year-old’s dream,” Penick said.

Owner John Hogan & Designer Bobbie Kohm
PHOTOS BY: JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA Lincoln Josey walks on top of a fire engine as his parents Lashaun Josey, left, and AJ Josey stand by during Johns Creek’s Touch-A-Truck in the City Hall parking lot May 17.
Crowds of young vehicle enthusiasts and their parents line up to get a closeup view of an excavator and truck at Johns Creek’s Touch-A-Truck in the City Hall parking lot May 17.

THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH FARMERS GOV. KEMP

Governor Kemp has taken a bold stand for Georgia’s farmers and rural communities by signing SB 144 into law—legislation that protects their access to vital crop protection tools, ensuring they can continue to feed America without unnecessary burdens.

We applaud Sen. Sam Watson and Rep. Steven Meeks, the dedicated sponsors of this legislation, as well as Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee Chairmen Sen. Russ Goodman and Rep. Robert Dickey for their leadership.

A special thank-you to Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Governor Burt Jones for championing Georgia agriculture and securing the future of one of our state’s most important industries.

Thank you for standing up for Georgia’s farmers and families!

Modern Ag Alliance Supporting Those Who Feed America

Foodies flock to festival

Food lovers flocked to Downtown Alpharetta for the 33rd annual Taste of Alpharetta on May 8. The festival featured tasty bites from over 60 restaurants, live music on four stages and more.

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BEHIND THE PHOTOS: Photographer Dean Hesse grew up in Decatur and lives in Stone Mountain. He began his career as a stringer covering events for the DeKalb News/Sun in the 1990s and attended the Southeastern Center for the Arts Professional Photography Program. He worked in a photo lab as a custom black & white printer for wedding and portrait photographers. His work has appeared in local and national consumer and trade publications. Dean can be reached at dean@ appenmedia.com. See more of his photos on appenmedia.com.

Ayuna Whitlow and Missy Pinto take in the 33rd annual Taste of Alpharetta on May 8.
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Downtown Alpharetta for the 33rd annual Taste of Alpharetta on Thursday, May 8.
La Abuela serves up treats during the 33rd annual Taste of Alpharetta on May 8.
Sandra Fisher enjoys people watching during the 33rd annual Taste of Alpharetta on Thursday, May 8.
Street performer Amil entertains during the 33rd annual Taste of Alpharetta on May 8.

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Catholic private academy holds mock papal conclave

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Days before the Vatican elected Pope Leo XIV, students at Pinecrest Academy had selected their own supreme pontiff.

One day before the actual Papal Conclave in Rome, Pinecrest students held their own hands-on educational activity, selecting second grader David Levergood as the new mock leader of the church.

“As the white smoke appeared, (the Rev.) Matthew Kaderabek declared, ‘Habemus papam! We have a pope,’” said Vivian Heard, the school’s director of communications and public relations.

Held May 6, the educational opportunity taught students how a new pope is selected, showing first hand how cardinals are entrusted with deciding the next leader of the Catholic church. Pinecrest Academy is a pre-K through 12th grade Catholic school in Cumming.

To prepare for the activity, students watched videos, engaged in lessons about the papacy and learned about the centuries-old conclave process. Ahead of the mock conclave,

PINECREST ACADEMY/PROVIDED

Pope David Levergood is flanked by bodyguards as he makes appearances after his election in a mock conclave May 6 at Pinecrest Academy.

students brainstormed about the needs they see in the school and qualities a leader should have.

During the mock conclave, student participants joined in prayer, asking that the cardinals would be inspired by the Holy Spirit to make the right choice.

Kaderabek said he was deeply

proud with the respect students showed for the process, noting how they abstained from joking and complaining.

“I was thrilled with how seriously the entire class took this process of electing the next Pope,” Kaderabek said. “They all came quietly into the chapel, and while the girls prayed the

Rosary and prayed for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide the electors, the boys prayerfully considered their important choice before casting their secret vote.”

After the faux Pope David was vested, he made a first appearance and blessed his flock. Bodyguards then led him to his “popemobile,” and he was driven by the head of the school to visit all three floors of the academy, blessing everyone.

To celebrate his election, students received candies dubbed “lolli-Popes.”

David also made a quick visit to the oratory to pray privately while being closely guarded by his pretend bodyguards.

He finished his papal duties for the day with an interview and by holding audiences with visitors.

“Pope David stepped humbly right into his role without missing a beat and went to be with his people with a gentle smile upon his face, blessing the crowds as he went,” Kaderabek said. “I couldn't be more proud of him and his classmates."

Not long after, cardinals in the Sistine Chapel voted to elect Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new leader of the Catholic Church. He has taken the name Leo XIV.

District to use Spalding site for offices, teaching museum

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — After shuttering Spalding Drive Elementary this February, Fulton County Schools announced plans to convert the building into administrative offices and a consolidated teaching museum.

The district said a group of parents reached out shortly after the closure with a proposal, which was shared with district leadership and board members, for a charter school at the Spalding Drive site.

State law requires the school district to consider facility use options, including potential charter school partnerships, when a building is no longer in operation.

Eventually, Fulton County Schools (FCS) opted against the charter option, saying it came to a decision that best supports its “instructional and operational priorities across the district.”

District staff recommended May 6 moving the FCS archives, along with two existing Teaching Museums, to the site.

FCS Chief Operating Officer Noel Maloof said the district, “would also plan to house some of the regional administrative staff, such as special needs and social work,” there.

The district expects to start using the space for administrative staff in July, with the archive and museum relocations finished by August 2026.

“This move will improve districtwide access to educational programming and historical materials, consolidate staff and resources currently spread across two separate facilities, and allow the district to reduce its overall facility footprint,” Brian Noyes, chief communications officer for the district, told Appen Media. “Renovation needs at the Spalding site are minimal; two teaching museums, one in the city of Roswell at 793 Mimosa Blvd. and the other in the city of Hapeville at 689 North Ave. The district says the teaching museums provide hands-on educational exhibits and arts-based programming.

Noyes said instructional programming at the teaching museums will continue without interruption. Both current sites will be considered for disposition once the transition is complete next fall, he said.

It’s not clear how many administrative offices will be relocating to the

former elementary school building.

The school district’s rational for closing Spalding Drive Elementary School was declining enrollment across the city and an aging facility in need of repairs.

Superintendent Mike Looney told board members the decision was between cutting expenses or raising taxes.

In a May 7 statement, Spalding Drive Elementary School parent Raymond Grote asked district leadership to cancel its conversion plan.

“Amid rising costs, staff reductions and lunch price hikes, Fulton County Schools is turning down a $10 million offer from a nationally recognized charter school operator to purchase the former Spalding Drive Elementary School — opting instead to convert the building into a ‘teaching museum’ and new administrative site,” Grote wrote.

Grote told Appen Media he has spoken with four nationally recognized operators and two of them are interested if parents can secure the former elementary school property.

However, he doesn’t expect the school district to pivot from its plans.

In a recent budget update, Fulton County Schools said it is facing revenue challenges and rising costs. Leadership cites declining enrollment, inflation and a new local tax exemption for seniors as causes of shrinking revenue.

The district says it is using a portion of its financial reserves to cover short-term gaps while adjusting its long-term budget strategy by cutting central office spending, eliminating unfilled positions, raising school meal prices, closing the two elementary schools, reviewing contracts amid other cost-cutting measures.

Grote said many former Spalding Drive Elementary families are moving to other counties like Cobb or sending their kids to private school. As for his own family, he says they moved to Sandy Springs specifically for the high-performing Spalding Drive Elementary School.

Mayor Rusty Paul told Appen Media he fully supports the efforts to keep Spalding Drive Elementary open and operating as a neighborhood school.

“I’m curious as to why it could be used as a teaching museum if the building is in such disrepair as the school system alleged,” Paul said. “I’m even more curious as to why there is no effort at least to cooperate with the parents.”

Johns Creek artist gives animals second chance

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A raccoon wearing a strawberry-print bonnet, a mouse pushing a chrome toaster into a bathtub and a possum boasting a shock of blue hair and incandescent eyes were watching Morgan Hayes.

Working at her desk in a second-floor home workshop, Hayes, their creator, was focused deeply on her work, holding a hot glue gun in one hand and a taxidermied duckling in the other. The dimly-lit workshop, a converted bedroom, is filled with her taxidermy, which share space on shelves and tables loaded with miniature furniture, antique dolls, plushies, art supplies, crystals and all kinds of art supplies.

“I have always had an absolutely insane imagination, and I never grew out of it,” Hayes said.

In 2023, Hayes, a Savannah College of Art and Design graduate, left a decadelong corporate career working in graphic design to found her Johns Creek business

Perfection and Oddities.

Now, she works from home, running an online shop and fashioning whatever catches her imagination.

The online shop, where she does most of her business, offers graphic T-shirts and fine art prints and delightfully weird taxidermies, which have become her most popular items by far.

Under her website’s “oddities” section, customers can peruse almost 50 different options of literally-stuffed animals arranged in uncannily life-like poses often amid painstakingly detailed miniature settings.

Prices range from $75 to more than $300, and the pieces include a beretwearing artistically-inclined duckling painting a canvas, two mice in a book nook with noses buried between pages and a gentlemanly bespectacled bunny rabbit complete with a purple bow and pocket watch.

“It’s basically all the things that come straight out of my mind,” she said.

See TAXIDERMY, Page 11

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A mouse sitting at a tiny desk is one of dozens of similar taxidermy creations sold by Morgan Hayes through Perfection and Oddities.

Taxidermy:

Continued from Page 10

Hayes did not start out making art from animals.

She said the first graphic designs she sold soon after founding Perfection and Oddities meant little to her. Afraid of scaring off business, she instead made prints and T-shirts she thought would cater to the average customer.

“I didn’t believe people would like what I liked,” she said.

But lukewarm sales got Hayes wondering what would happen if she fully embraced her personal tastes, no matter how weird they might be.

“It made me realize I had nothing to lose and made me want to jump into my imagination,” she said.

She was pleasantly surprised with the results.

Customers loved the irreverent and bizarre T-shirt designs she had previously kept locked inside her mind, and sales suddenly took off.

In 2024, Hayes took that philosophy to another level with taxidermy, which she said she has always held a fascination for.

She was shocked to find customers of all kinds were fascinated by her work. She even has been approached by professionals like doctors and dentists eager to commission custom pieces.

Hayes taught herself taxidermy with help from online message boards and YouTube videos. She admits getting over the revulsion of working with dead things took some work, but now she is unfazed.

“At first, it was really icky,” she said.

She sources the animals from a variety of places. Mice are purchased frozen and of the “feeder” variety, meaning they are meant to serve as meals for pets like snakes.

She also uses roadkill.

“I am probably one of the only moms whose kid calls and says a squirrel got hit — but not too hard,” she said.

A bag of about 100 mice sits out in a garage freezer, nestled between bags of frozen dumplings, fileted fish and chicken thighs.

After dethawing the animal, she removes the skin with an Exacto knife. She stuffs the skin with a framework of wire filled with soft clay and cotton. Pins hold the skin in place until it is set in just the right pose.

I have always had an absolutely insane imagination, and I never grew out of it.
MORGAN HAYES Founder, Perfection and Oddities

Parsely sits in her workshop, watching her work.

Hayes said she sees the taxidermy as a way of honoring deceased animals, which can live a second life as an art piece. She draws the line at cats and dogs, but jokes she wouldn’t mind being taxidermied when her time comes.

“When you are looking at these things, you don’t see death anymore,” she said. “You just see the beauty.”

Hayes admits her work sometimes gets a negative reaction. At markets and festivals where she sells, she is sometimes approached by animal lovers who find her pieces grotesque. But she stands by what she does.

“It’s more of a respect for the circle of life,” she said. “It is a way to honor the animal.”

Wife Lizen Hayes said she thinks Perfection and Oddities has become more than just a means of making money for Morgan.

The couple met in Washington when Morgan was working in an art gallery and doing painting on the side.

Although Lizen was a little surprised by her wife’s interest in taxidermy, she has since embraced the art.

“I wasn’t super thrilled to have a bunch of dead animals in my house, but honestly I think it’s cool now,” she said.

Lizen remembers how Morgan seemed unhappy while working in the corporate world. She is pleased to see the business and its taxidermy giving Morgan a muchneeded outlet.

“She absolutely needs that,” Lizen said. “For her to be happy, she needs to be creative.”

Art, especially the weird kind, has always been an interest of Morgans’, Lizen said.

“She has been doing these creations forever, and I think she is really discovering herself making these,” Lizen said.

From the start, Hayes said it was important to her to never kill an animal for a creation. In fact, she said she is an animal lover who has volunteered at numerous rescues and fostered more than 50 strays. At her home, she cares for four dogs and two cats, all rescues.

Her three-legged Parsley has become the business’s mascot and logo. Most days,

As a teenager, Morgan spent hours in her family’s basement making puppets and other strange art. At the time, she was hardly popular and still finding herself.

But the success of Perfection and Oddities decades later has made Morgan realize the world is filled with people who share her eclectic tastes. That success offers her a comfort she thinks would shock her teenage self.

“I think she would be really happy,” she said.

A taxidermy raccoon wears a strawberry print hat as Morgan Hayes works on another creation in her workshop in Johns Creek May 14.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

High Street, TriNet announce lease within mixed-use oasis

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Hours after announcing TriNet’s 150,000-square-foot lease at High Street May 15, journalists and culinary influencers toured restaurants and entertainment venues.

While the heart of Dunwoody is the Village at Mount Vernon and Chamblee Dunwoody roads, the mixed-use area between Perimeter Center West and Hammond Drive is offering something new.

The vision for the High Street masterplan is to create an urban district incorporating a variety of commercial uses set among plazas, water features, restaurants, outdoor dining and retail. Instead of surface parking lots, High Street has decks that blend into the district’s mid-rises which are full of retail, chef-driven dining, luxury residences and lofted office space.

High Street sits in one of Dunwoody’s entertainment districts, allowing the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in public within set boundaries. The Perimeter Center Entertainment District at the Fulton-DeKalb County border also includes Perimeter Mall, Ashford Lane, Park Place and Campus 244. The city’s only other entertainment district surrounds the Dunwoody Village.

GID Development Group and its partners recently completed the $415 million first phase of High Street, introducing a “town center” to the Central Perimeter business district. Phase one includes two luxury apartment buildings featuring resort-level amenities, 320,000 square feet of office and 150,000 square feet of retail, restaurants, entertainment and shopping.

During the tour, the High Street marketing team reported apartments are 87 percent occupied.

In March, Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch announced California-based TriNet’s plans to invest $15.4 million and add 750 jobs over the next five years at a 150,000-sqaure-foot space in the city.

The publicly traded company serves as an outsourced human resources department for small and medium-sized businesses and provides a technology platform for managing payroll processing and compliance.

TriNet Chief People Officer Catherine Wragg said the company evaluated numerous locations in its multi-state search.

“The state of Georgia has been a great partner, and Mayor Deutsch, along with High Street, worked diligently to help meet our office expansion objectives,” Wragg said. “In addition to being close to strong universities and a prosperous small business community, High Street offers a truly unique and exciting opportunity for our business and our people to thrive.”

Several restaurants and retailers are already open, including Velvet Taco, Cuddlefish and Nando’s PERi-PERi. The Hampton Social, a restaurant and bar concept from Chicago with coastal-inspired dishes and an emphasis on rosé, is to open later this year.

Dunwoody Economic Development Director Michael Starling cites the flightto-quality trend in commercial real estate, with older retail and office properties struggling to attract tenants.

High Street is specifically designed for the post-pandemic market because investors and tenants are seeking amenityrich, well-located and high-quality properties.

The two-hour “High Street Food Tour” kicked off on the development’s

See BUSINESS, Page 13

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Velvet Taco sits at the corner of Middle Street and Perimeter Center Parkway within GID Development Group’s mixed-use destination High Street. During a May 15 tour, journalists and content creators stopped by several of High Street’s restaurants and venues, including Nando’s PERi PERi, Agave Bandido, Cuddlefish, Ben & Jerry’s and Puttshack.

Business:

Continued from Page 12

central greenspace and stopped by six of the development’s new restaurants and venues. The marketing team said restaurants and retailers work with High Street to throw resident-only and public gatherings.

Velvet Taco, specializing in Tex-Mex cuisine with fresh, never frozen ingredients, was the Food Tour’s first stop at Middle Street and Perimeter Center Parkway on the southern end of the development.

Metro Atlanta food influencers were among several digital creators on the tour, which weaved through some of the new restaurants open within the district.

After the angus brisket bowl at Velvet Taco, the group stopped by Cuddlefish to try some of Michelin-starred chef Jason Liang hand-rolled sushi before grabbing an ice cream sample at Ben & Jerry’s.

While High Street residents enjoyed a live DJ and cornhole during a community event on the central greenspace, the Food Tour headed to Puttshack located on the development’s second story terrace.

Puttshack is a technology-infused mini golf experience, offering world-class dining and entertainment. It’s like Top Golf but for putting.

The most crowded stop during the tour was at Agave Bandido. On Thursday, the south Florida-based restaurant offers a Ladies Night deal with free select drinks after paying a $1 entry.

The quietest stop along the tour was at Nando’s PERi-PERi. Everyone sat in silence, enjoying flame-grilled chicken with South African spices.

More restaurants are scheduled to open through the year.

A central lawn and additional public spaces offer residents, workers and visitors access to abundant community events such as holiday experiences, outdoor fitness classes, and concerts.

At full build-out, the $2 billion 36-acre project will feature 10 city blocks with a pedestrian-friendly street grid across the street from the Dunwoody MARTA station and Perimeter Mall.

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Honored to be Voted: Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist

Insist on the

BEST

Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.

He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.

Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 22 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.

Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.

Can a foot injury cause skin cancer?

The curious case of Acral Melanoma

to you by –

Accepting new patients. We accept Medicare. Schedule your appointment with

Of all the types of melanomas, acral melanoma is perhaps the most intriguing. This rare form of skin cancer sometimes arises from pressure-related injuries, especially on the soles of the feet. Melanoma develops from melanocytes—the pigment-producing skin cells responsible for tanning. Acral melanoma occurs on the palms, soles, or beneath fingernails and toenails. While rare in countries with predominantly light-skinned European populations—where most melanomas stem from sun exposure—acral melanoma is the most common form of melanoma in many darker-skinned populations across Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

What makes acral melanoma especially fascinating is that, unlike most cancers, it is not usually caused by sun damage or other typical

carcinogens. If asked to name things that cause cancer, most people would list tobacco, alcohol, sun exposure, radiation, or viruses like HPV. But few would think to include stubbing a toe or stepping on a rock.

Yet, injuries to the feet may contribute significantly to acral melanoma. A study in China found higher melanoma rates in the south compared to the north and hypothesized that this was due to the greater prevalence of barefoot walking in the south. These individuals experienced more foot trauma— contusions and punctures—compared to their northern counterparts, who more often wore shoes. In nonEuropean populations, melanomas on the soles are reported to be four to eight times more common than those on the palms, further supporting the idea that physical injury may be the key factor that originates most acral melanomas.

Dr. Brent Taylor
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
Brought
Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta
PEXELS

Foot:

Continued from Page 14

But how does trauma or pressure damage DNA to the point of causing cancer?

The answer may lie in the differences between the types of mutations seen in acral melanomas versus other forms of melanoma. Sunlight typically causes smallscale mutations—so-called “point mutations.” A photon of UV light acts like a microscopic laser, striking DNA and altering a single molecule within a gene. These UV-induced cancers display a characteristic “UV signature” in their genetic code – small and hyper focused mutations.

By contrast, the mutations in acral melanoma are large-scale. Entire sections of DNA can be broken, duplicated, or mis joined—suggesting massive structural damage. Rather than resembling the precision of a laser, these mutations look as if the entire DNA strand has been snapped in multiple places and clumsily reassembled. One researcher compared the pattern of damage to the chaos of a typhoon.

As a student of biology, I found this puzzling. How could something like stepping on a rock cause such

profound genetic disruption? I had always imagined DNA as strands of spaghetti floating gently in a watery nucleus, well cushioned from most physical forces.

However, recent findings suggest that DNA may be more structurally constrained than previously thought and therefore more vulnerable. DNA chromosomes are not merely suspended in nucleoplasm—a watery fluid inside the nucleus. Instead, DNA appears to be anchored to a framework – the nucleokinetic or nuclear matrix. This scaffold, made of firm proteins, is attached to the DNA and actively interacts with it. If a mechanical shock is transmitted to this scaffold, it could create enough force to fracture or distort large sections of DNA—explaining the large-scale damage seen in acral melanomas.

Acral melanoma remains one of the most understudied forms of melanoma, and the precise mechanisms behind its mutations are still unclear. Yet the hypothesis that mechanical stress, rather than chemical or radiative exposure, might be a major driver offers a compelling and mysterious contrast to other skin cancers. It is this mystery—and the possibility of a physically induced origin—that makes acral melanoma so captivating.

Petals and Pathways Garden Tour showcases best in beauty

The 2025 Petals and Pathways Garden Tour on Saturday, June 7, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. is a rain-orshine, biennial event hosted by North Fulton Master Gardeners and the homeowners. For several months, these gardeners have been planning and planting in support of the tour, wanting to showcase the very best in a north Metro Atlanta garden experience. Knowledgeable volunteers will also be on hand during the tour to help guide you through these lovely residential gardens and answer any questions you may have regarding gardening. Music and “lite bites” will be provided at each garden.

Buy your tickets on Eventbrite (available at NFMG.net) or at your first garden stop. The tickets are $25 for all three gardens, and children under 18 are free. We guarantee these home gardens will delight all your senses! Start your tour at any of the three gardens. They are 10 miles or less apart. The following guide begins in Alpharetta. The other two gardens are in nearby Roswell.

Zen-zation Water Garden of purplehued plants and whimsical garden art brings charm to this Zen-inspired landscape. Hydrangeas and other flowering shrubs create a vibrant display of color. Hardscape elements provide structure. Yet, it is the burst of colors that captivate and evoke a sense of peace and tranquility. A koi pond, a gently flowing creek over stones, and a quaint bridge invite visitors to explore winding pathways that lead through the garden. Mature trees offer privacy and a serene retreat from the bustling city, fostering an atmosphere of quiet reflection. Japanese maples, camellias, hydrangeas, azaleas, and ajuga enhance the garden’s rich palette of purples. A graceful bamboo arch over the koi pond and waterfall adds melody and elegance to this enchanting space. With surprises awaiting at every turn, this garden is a feast for the senses. Enjoy your stroll!

Hydrangea Heaven first greets you with the striking beauty of Japanese maples, but it’s the breathtaking explosion of color in the back garden that truly captivates. Having lived in her home for nearly 50 years, the gardener has spent decades cultivating what she now calls her “evolved”

garden. She began with five years of clearing the land, gradually expanding outward from a central bed and introducing vibrant plants with bold hues she missed from her home state of Texas. A former French teacher and inspired by her many travels through France, her central flower bed is a stunning masterpiece, showcasing over 100 hydrangea varieties, beautifully dispersed across the gardens like early summer jewels of pink, purple, magenta, blue and white. You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to the enchanting gardens of France!

Daylily Delight Garden has blossomed into a "private refuge for inspiration, creativity and a connection with nature" for the homeowners. The gardener’s passion for daylilies took root after serving as a

About the authors

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnists are Lee R. Cohen and Jane Share, co-chairs of the North Fulton Master Gardeners’ Petals and Pathways Garden Tour. After attending the North Fulton Master Gardeners’ 2023 Garden Faire and Garden Tour events, Cohen, a lifelong gardener and Alpharetta resident, wanted to complete the training to become a Master Gardener Extension Volunteer. Since April 2024, Cohen has been working to support the North Fulton Master Gardeners’ mission of providing unbiased horticultural information and education to residents of Fulton County.

Jane Share has been a Master Gardener Extension Volunteer with Fulton County since 2021, and a City of Atlanta resident. She is a retired radiologist, and her professional qualities of care, observation and empathy also inform her gardening efforts. Lee and Jane’s shared vision of making beautiful gardens accessible to all inspired their collaboration on the 2025 Petals and Pathways Garden Tour event. They can’t wait to meet you along the path!

season. Come explore and be inspired!

leader for the North Fulton Master Gardeners' Garden Faire in 2020. There, she was drawn to the Daylily Society’s stunning selection, of diverse colors, sizes and growth habits. Today, her garden flourishes with more than 375 unique cultivars of these striking blooms. Complementing the daylilies, vibrant borders of coneflowers, Shasta daisies, lilies, astilbes, and hostas bring layers of texture and color. This cottage garden is beautifully framed by meandering pathways, nature-inspired fence art, and flourishing flower beds. Her periwinkle blue garden shed, handcrafted by her husband, serves as a focal point, while a whimsical rabbit bench treasured by their grandchildren adds a touch of playful charm. Designed for year-round beauty, this welcoming garden is a feast for the senses in every

Though it is a fundraiser, the Petals and Pathways Garden Tour’s primary purpose is to inspire, delight and educate the community. The funds raised support the work of the North Fulton Master Gardeners, who contributed over 5,000 volunteer hours in 2024 dedicated to providing local expert speakers to the public, managing accessible public demonstration gardens, teaching horticultural-based classes for all ages and post-secondary scholarships. We can’t wait to meet you in the gardens! 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://www.appenmedia.com/opinion/ columnists/garden_buzz/.

Save the date for NFMG’s 2025 signature event: Garden Tour on June 7. Learn more at nfmg.net.

LEE R. COHEN Guest Columnist
JANE SHARE Guest Columnist
PHOTOS PROVIDED
Top Photo: Zen-zation Garden, by Lee R. Cohen. Middle Photo: Hydrangea Heaven, by Linda Cline. Bottom Photo: Daylily Delight, by Viki Breeland

The history of Doraville School spans to 1866

The first Doraville School was established by John Y. Flowers in 1866, five years before Doraville became a city. The school was built in the area that became Flowers Park, at 5921 New Peachtree Road.

(Images of America: Doraville, by Bob Kelley)

Later, the school moved across the street and next door to the Doraville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church at Church Street and Central Avenue.

There were six grades at the school, taught by two or three teachers, depending on the number of students. The school and church shared a well. There were two outhouses. The boy students sometimes turned over the men’s outhouse as a Halloween prank.

A new Doraville Elementary School was built in 1933 as a Works Progress Administration project. The WPA was established during the Great Depression to provide jobs through public works projects.

The new brick school was located where Tilly Mill and Flowers Road meet. It was built with growth in mind, plenty of space for the current enrollment plus room for increased enrollment. There were six classrooms, an auditorium and a basement.

A lunch program was started at the school to help children whose families were struggling during the Depression. Students brought in old pots from home so meals could be prepared. Programs included art, music, square dancing, tap dancing and radio instruction.

Doraville School principal John Bickers was anticipating the impact of the General Motors Assembly Plant construction and opening in 1947 on school enrollment. The school was expecting a sudden, substantial increase in students, but it was more of a steady increase. In September of 1947 there were 175 students, 204 one year later, and 210 two years later (North DeKalb Record, 1949, “Part III: Report on North DeKalb schools,” DeKalb History Center Archives)

Two classrooms and a cafeteria were added in 1948, and a new furnace and additional improvements were made in 1949 at a cost of $40,000.

Throughout Georgia, schools were segregated until 1968. Black

children living in Doraville would not have attended Doraville School, but Lynwood Park School in Brookhaven, first in a one room schoolhouse on Mae Avenue and later at the 1949 Lynwood Park School.

The Brown vs. Board of Education 1954 ruling asserted that state laws establishing separate public schools for Black and white students were unconstitutional. In Georgia, an “equalization” policy was established, where new schools or changes to schools for Black students were made but schools remained segregated.

Improvements were made to Lynwood Park School in 1954. The improvements did not make the school equal, because facilities, books and supplies were not at the same level as those for white schools. The school was also much further away for Black children living in Doraville.

The Doraville school building at Tilly Mill and Flowers Road later became a DeKalb County bus maintenance facility and is the Doraville Fleet Annex of DeKalb County schools today.

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 pasttensega.com.

SPECIAL TO APPEN MEDIA
This photo of the Doraville School was taken in 1931. As is typical during the Great Depression, some children are not wearing shoes.

The uniqueness of the city of Johns Creek

Johns Creek, a city of more than 82,000 inhabitants (2020 census) residing in 31 square miles has a fascinating history.

History highlights

In the early 1800s Johns Creek was part of Cherokee territory. European settlers established trading posts along the Chattahoochee River, some of which gradually became crossroads communities where pioneer families gathered, families such as the Rogers, McGinnis, Findley, Medlock, Cowart, Bice, Nesbit, Spruill, Summerour and more. The community of Sheltonville (or Shakerag) became a ferry crossing with McGinnis Ferry, Rogers Ferry. Other nearby ferries were Nesbit Ferry and Warsaw Ferry.

The discovery of gold in the Cherokee Nation about 45 miles north of Johns Creek in the 1820s eventually led the U.S. government to exile the Cherokees to Oklahoma in what is known as the notorious Trail of Tears. About that time the name Johns Creek began to appear on maps, although the origin of the name is uncertain.

A few Cherokees remained in Georgia after the forced migration, including Sarah Cordery (1785-1842). She was married to pioneer John Rogers (1774-1851), a respected and powerful plantation owner, whose house built in 1804 still stands in Johns Creek. He and his sons played important roles in the area’s history, particularly during the time of the Cherokee removal.

Andrew Jackson came to town

Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) did not spend much time in Johns Creek, but he certainly had an impact there and throughout the South. As president (1829-1837) he strongly advocated for the removal of Indian tribes to west of the Mississippi River. In his 1829 State of the Union address to Congress, President Jackson called for Indian removal. He signed into law the Indian Removal Act of 1830 that called for the removal of all Indians to the west of the Mississippi River. During Jackson’s presidency and that of his successor Martin Van Buren more than 60,000 Native Americans from at least 18 tribes were forced to move west.

In 1820, Jackson when traveling in the area, visited the home of John Rogers in Johns Creek and may have spent the night. The two men had fought together in the Creek Wars in 1813. Their relationship

John Rogers was a successful and influential plantation owner in Johns Creek. He was married to Sarah Cordery, a Cherokee. Their house built in 1804 still stands in Johns Creek. Rogers was also a friend of Andrew Jackson. This image is from a miniature portrait.

The Summerour family house in the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center. The Summerour’s were involved in gold mining in North Georgia during the 1820s and became very wealthy, owning more than 2,100 acres of farmland in Johns Creek. Homer Summerour developed a superior cotton seed called “Summerour Half and Half” which claimed a 50% higher yield than standard seed.

of. The alternative was to restructure postal routes and create new ZIP codes which is expensive. So, some Johns Creek citizens live in the community but have mail addresses from neighboring cities such as Alpharetta, Duluth, Suwanee and Peachtree Corners. This can frustrate residents who naturally would like their mailing address to be Johns Creek. Fortunately, mail delivery is not affected.

Second, the city includes four historic unincorporated communities that have kept their original names, Ocee, Newtown, Sheltonville (or Shakerag) and Warsaw. Each has its own story to tell, and each started out as a crossroads community. In February 2025 I wrote a column about the history of Shakerag.

buried in the Rogers-Bell Cemetery in Johns Creek. I wrote a column about Will Rogers in April 2024.

was further indicated by a letter from John Rogers to Andrew Jackson dated Feb. 1, 1816, housed in the Library of Congress. At the time of his visit, Jackson was becoming a national figure based on his success as a military leader, and John Rogers was important in part due to his connections with the Cherokees.

Johns Creek is unique for several reasons

First, Johns Creek has no post office, so when incorporated in 2006, it had to continue to use existing ZIP codes from communities Johns Creek inherited parts

Third, Johns Creek had its own mini gold rush when gold was discovered in Shakerag in the early 1840s, a decade after the famous Dahlonega gold rush. It even experienced a short skirmish during the Civil War.

Fourth, Will Rogers (1879-1935), a cowboy, humorist and entertainer, had deep roots in Johns Creek. His father was a Cherokee senator and judge who helped draft the Oklahoma State Constitution. Will was raised on his father’s farm in Oklahoma where he learned his cowboy skills from the ranch hands. Will’s family, like many others had migrated from Georgia to Indian Country in the 1830s. Will’s great uncle John Rogers (17741851) was a wealthy farmer who owned 640 acres along the Chattahoochee River. A number of Will Rogers’ ancestors are

Fifth, the 46-acre Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center seeks to preserve the history of the Johns Creek area. It offers many programs and facilities. I am particularly impressed with the historic buildings that have been moved to the park and carefully restored to their original conditions. These include the Warsaw Methodist Church, originally a Moravian church built in the mid-1850s, the home of the pioneer Summerour family, a tenant farmhouse and the Green Store, an original country store which, when moved to Autrey Mill, was found to have many items stored away that were used to stock the store shelves. They have been maintained and are on display.

Thanks to reader Radhika Gopalan for suggesting Johns Creek as a subject for a column and to Joan Compton, president of the Johns Creek Historical Society for her assistance. Contact the Historical Society for further information on Johns Creek history. Go to johnscreekhistory. org. The Historical Society has done extensive research on a wide range of historic subjects.

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
BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA
PHOTO COURTESY NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Portrait of Andrew Jackson, canvas painting by Thomas Sully, 1845. Jackson was a military hero and the most portrayed president in history, reflecting his leadership.

OPINION

North Fulton should look to Arkansas housing law

In a rare moment of bipartisan alignment, Arkansas recently passed a groundbreaking law that removes barriers to building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) statewide. Sometimes called in-law suites, garage apartments, or backyard cottages, ADUs offer a modest, practical way to expand housing options—without changing the character of a neighborhood.

While cities like Portland and Minneapolis have led the way on ADU reform, Arkansas is the first state in the country to adopt such a sweeping approach. The law permits homeowners to build one ADU on any residential lot, regardless of local zoning restrictions. It’s a simple but powerful step toward tackling the state’s growing housing shortage and affordability crisis.

Could North Fulton ever see something similar? Probably not on a broad scale, certainly not anytime soon—but we should pay attention.

The idea of “gentle density” is gaining ground across the country as communities grapple with the need for more housing that doesn’t come with the scale or controversy of major developments. ADUs are a perfect example. They allow aging parents to stay close to family, young adults to live independently but affordably, and homeowners to create rental income or simply make better use of their property.

In North Fulton, many of our neighborhoods were built with families in mind. But today’s families are changing—more multigenerational households, more retirees on fixed incomes, and more essential workers priced out of the communities they serve. ADUs won’t solve everything, but they offer a flexible, low-impact

Affordable housing continues to be a serious issue across North Metro Atlanta. Groups like the North Fulton Improvement Network are trying to help, and Appen Media is dedicated to covering the process. Send ideas, questions and feedback to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

For more information on ADU’s, check out improvenorthfulton.org

option worth exploring.

One place to start might be neighborhoods without HOAs, which tend to have fewer deed restrictions and more potential for homeowner-driven change. Pilot programs or local ordinances could make it easier for residents to add a small home for a relative, caregiver or tenant. North Fulton cities could also streamline permitting, waive certain fees, or offer pre-approved design plans to encourage high-quality, context-sensitive construction.

Woodstock is just one of our neighboring cities embracing the ADU. Builders can even include ADU’s as part of new home communities.

Arkansas’ bold move shows what’s possible when policymakers recognize that housing abundance and neighborhood character don’t have to be at odds. We don’t need to replicate their model — but we can be inspired by it. If we care about creating communities where people of all ages and incomes can live and thrive, then we need to start talking seriously about smart, small-scale solutions. ADUs deserve a place in that conversation.

Kathy Swahn, Nancy Diamond and Jack Murphy are members of North Fulton Improvement Network. Learn more at www.improvenorthfulton.org.

CITY OF

The Alpharetta Development Authority discusses a study to review impacts and feasibility of a potential arena project May 2.

NHL:

Continued from Page 1

Creative Artists Agency’s analysis will determine market demand and appropriate characteristics for a new arena. It will estimate what kind of event programming and attendance the market can support, generating a financial profile to evaluate financial viability.

Lagerbloom said city officials are particularly interested in how many hockey fans are in the area and what kinds of costs and revenues an arena might bring. Although the city suspects such a project could provide enormous economic benefits, a study is required to ensure it would be successful.

“Until we can validate it with data, it’s just a hunch,” Lagerbloom said.

Janet Rodgers, president and CEO of Awesome Alpharetta, agreed with Lagerbloom, saying an arena could be a serious boon to the city. An arena likely could host a variety of events other than hockey games and attract numerous visitors to the city.

Rodgers said if Ameris Bank Amphitheatre with its capacity for 12,000 visitors is any indication, a venue in the North Point Mall area could provide considerable business to the city’s 30 hotels.

Alpharetta’s about 200 restaurants and 250 shops also could see benefits from arena visitors, she said.

“We’re excited to think about these possibilities,” she said.

answer (the answers in line 1 are 5, 5 and 4 letters). The clues are numbered 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. Got it? Good luck!

FOREIGN AND CLASSIC CARS

1. Style. They made the Spider automobile. Sheik’s bevy.

2. Auto maker famous for the Rambler. 37th US president. Navajo lodge.

3. Lightning unit. Swedish auto. Way out.

4. Proboscis. Hopping mad. Ford flop.

5. AMC’s 4-wheel drive. Hawaiian feast. Kick out.

6. Western gunfighter’s word. Fine fabric. Early Jeep.

7. L-29 Phaeton luxury auto brand. Room at the top. Redhead’s dye.

1 Style. They made the Spider automobile. Sheik’s bevy.

2. Auto maker famous for the Rambler. 37th US president Navajo lodge.

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!

3. Lightning unit. Swedish auto. Way out

4. Proboscis. Hopping mad. Ford flop.

5. AMC’s 4-wheel drive. Hawaiian feast. Kick out

6. Western gunfighter’s word. Fine fabric. Early Jeep

7. L-29 Phaeton luxury auto brand Room at

dye.

Vice President of Client Programs

NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Vice President of Client Programs position. The Vice President of Client Programs (VPCP) is a senior leader responsible for creating and implementing the Client Services department strategy for NFCC. This includes creating programs and services, monitoring their effectiveness and ensuring funds are distributed appropriately. The VPCP also leads a team of 13 client services staff who handle client intake, case management, impact and outcomes data, education (GED/English classes) and workforce development programs.

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

Community Engagement Manager

NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Community Engagement Manager position. The Community Engagement Manager oversees all aspects of NFCC’s community events from planning through execution, including creating timelines, managing vendors and securing sponsorships. Events range from the annual golf tournament and fundraising gala to donor recognition and community engagement gatherings. The ideal candidate must be highly organized, creative, and motivated to successfully lead event planning and community engagement initiatives.

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org

Computer Systems Analyst. Enhance & modify comp. sys. to improve efficiency & workflow for telecom. service provider in Alpharetta, GA. May telecommute from any location in the U.S. B.S. in CS, EE, or rltd. r’qd. Wage $81,000-$82,000/yr. Resume to: M. Bonds (CS1211), SIP.US LLC, 12725 Morris Rd, Suite 420, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

IT Professionals:

Ent. Lvl to Sen. Lvl (multiple positions), Sftwr Engnrs, DBAs & Cloud Admin’s are needed for our Alpharetta, GA Office. May req travel. Pls send resume, Cvr Ltr., & Sal. Req. to Ecovue Solutions LLC at 6110 McFarland Station Dr, Ste 203, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

Sr Software Testing & SDET Automation Eng, Multiple Positions: Alpharetta, GA, & var. unanticip client sites thru U.S. Implement testing auto in mult frameworks. Develop & config automtn suites. Develop API test frameworks. Take ownership of QA lifecycle, incl dsgng, dvlping, exec, and doc entire QA process, test plans, cases, procedures, & scripts. Contrib to API develop & Devops Process. Gather & anlyze bsness reqs & collab w/stakeholders. Work independ, prep proj status reports & present as required. Reqs min BS or equiv in CS, CIS, IT-rel Eng, or rel, w/5 yrs exp in psition offered or rel. Extend travel &/or reloc thru U.S. Resumes: CloudIngest Inc., Job SST_SDET, 310 Maxwell Rd., Ste 600, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

Jr Data Scientist – Machine Learning, Mult Positions: Alpharetta, GA, & various unanticip client sites thru U.S. Resp for design & implement data pipelines for extract, transform, & load data using AWS & Azure Data Factory; dvlop & deploy ML models, ensuring data quality thru process, clean, and verific; bldg regression models, tuning ML algorithms for large datasets, & deploy models in user-friendly interfaces; support automtn data workflows, improve perform of ML mods, & collab w/cross-functional teams. Work under guidance of Sr. Data Scientist. Reqs min 2 yrs exp in data anlys & trnsfrmtion. Extend travel &/or reloc thru U.S. Resumes: CloudIngest Inc., Job JDSML, 310 Maxwell Rd., Ste 600, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

Export Logistics Coordinator, Poseidon Forwarding Co, Roswell: Dvlp, implmnt supply chain strategies for customers. Provide route & trailer optimizatn, routing dsgns & models. Source carriers & conduct bids. Monitor industry trends. Foster client relationships. Improve processes. Analyze client transportn data for savings. Analyze shipping, customer, pricing & cost data to build reports & dashboards. Work w/carriers for pricing & solutions. Maintn a carrier dvlpmt progm w/natl, regional, local carriers. Reqd: Bach or frgn equiv in Bus Admin or Logistics + 1 yr exp in job offrd or as Bus Assoc &/or Consultg Assoc. Reqs exp analyzg data & implementg bus sys for cost savings purposes. Email resume to hslain@poseidonforwarding.com

To place a classified ad, email classifieds@appenmedia.com Deadline is Thursdays by 3pm

Business Development Specialist FULTON COUNTY (Johns Creek)

Conduct market research to identify opportunities over competitors. Identify new areas for growth. Implement promotional campaigns. Approach potential clients. Analyze sales and adjust plans accordingly. Identify opportunities for product innovation.

Prepare reports for management. Requires a bachelor’s degree in business administration or marketing and at least one year of experience working in marketing promoting products or services. Send resume to oliver.merino@sourcetobottle.com. Source to Bottle, LLC.

IT/Engg Professionals (multiple)

Software Developers: Modify complex apps, maintain programs using various techs. Computer Programmers: Write comp. programs using various techs. Job locs Cumming, GA & various unanticipated client sites in US req trvl & reloc to these sites. Specify Jobtitle & Mail resume: Srsoft Inc., 600 Peach Tree Pkwy,#106,Cumming, GA 30041.AttHR

Sawnee EMC is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Marketing Representative Requires: a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communication, or a related field, and a minimum of two (2) years related experience in a marketing, business, or electric utility environment. Responsible for developing and implementing programs, creating print and digital publications, assisting members with energy usage, natural gas, rebates, incentives, and promoting the Cooperative in the community. Seeking individual with excellent organizational, written and creative skills.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, May 23, 2025. Apply online: www. sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Drug Free Workplace.

Sawnee EMC is seeking a General Clerk 1L (Building and Grounds/Custodial/ Maintenance) (parttime position) to perform facility maintenance and grounds keeping duties. Requires some heavy lifting, high school diploma or equivalency and a valid GA driver’s license. Related experience with outdoor maintenance equipment and a valid CDL are preferred. Hours: Availability for alternate shift assignments and irregular work hours.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, May 30, 2025. Apply online: www.sawnee. coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

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