Johns Creek Herald — September 12, 2019

S e p t e m b e r 1 2 , 2 0 1 9 | N o r t h F u l t o n . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 3 , N o . 3 7

School enrollment declines for third year

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Acclaimed authors visit local school

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North Fulton United recognized by city

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CARSON COOK/HERALD

Recounting Cherokee history Georgia Trail of Tears Association Member Wanda Patterson speaks about one of the area’s early leaders to members of the Johns Creek Historical Society at the Summerour House at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve. Patterson led a talk Sept. 4 on Elias Boudinot, a Cherokee leader with Johns Creek ties, who influenced the people’s move west on the Trail of Tears.

Read more, Page 3

Centennial, Roswell renew gridiron rivalry

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2 | September 12, 2019 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

Public Safety

Scammer threatens woman after she denies payment 770-442-3278 | NorthFulton.com 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Ray Appen PUBLISHER: Hans Appen MANAGING EDITOR: Patrick Fox EDITORIAL QUESTIONS:

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A woman called police Aug. 27 after her computer locked up and an online scammer threatened her.

That afternoon, a pop-up window appeared on the woman’s computer screen saying that the device was locked. She was prompted to call Microsoft Services to resolve the issue.

The woman called the number provided and gave a man remote access to her computer.

The man then said he unlocked the computer and added

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Armed driver follows car in harassment incident

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JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A man called police Aug. 30 after he said another driver pointed a gun at he and his wife while they were traveling on Old Alabama Road near Medlock Bride Road.

The man said he had been traveling in the area, when a car pulled up next to him at a light. The driver of the other car pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the couple before they drove off.

A few miles down the road, the couple stopped at a nearby intersection and called police. While waiting for officers to arrive, the same driver and his passenger stopped by the couple and displayed their guns but did not point a gun at the couple second time.

The man said the driver left toward Kimball Bridge Road.

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Man uncovers fraud after check goes missing JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police are investigating check fraud after a man found that his missing check had been cashed using a fraudulent signature.

The man had sold his home in May and had been expecting to receive two checks in the mail. One had been

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that the woman needed to pay for additional protection by using a check.

At that point, the woman said she realized she had been scammed and told the man she was not going to pay.

The man then threatened the woman and opened the camera on her computer. The woman turned off the modem and router. She also began receiving several calls from an unknown number that she ignored.

received, but the other, for $650, never arrived.

The man called his bank and confirmed that the missing check had been cashed on May 28 with a forged signature.

He added that he has had multiple credit cards and documents stolen in the mail in the past.

Appliances go missing after eviction notice filing JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A property manager called police Aug. 30 after he realized several appliances were missing after a renter was evicted from the property on Oakmont Hill.

The property manager had said he had recently filed for an eviction against the renter, but the renter had made several attempts to stall the process.

On Aug. 30, the property manager saw that $2,000 worth of appliances, including a washer and dryer, were missing. The appliances were last seen on Aug. 24.

Owner reports phone stolen while en route to company JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A man called police Aug. 28 after an iPhone worth $450 was lost in the mail or stolen.

The man shipped the phone on June 22 to Xfinity in a brown package. The company reported that it received a white package with the man’s tracking number, but there was no phone inside.

The phone was deactivated before it was sent.

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Vehicle tag switched while owner at work JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police are investigating an Aug. 27 incident in which a woman’s car tag was switched while she was at work at Emory of Johns Creek Hospital.

The woman left work that evening and noticed that the Georgia tag on her car was different. Police confirmed that the new tag was not registered to her car.

Police added that the new tag, and the car associated with it, were reported as stolen out of Gwinnett County a few days earlier.

The woman said she had stayed in the Gwinnett County area the previous night.

Nothing inside the car was stolen.

Equipment reported stolen from landscaping truck JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A man called police Aug. 26 after he realized several pieces of lawn equipment were missing from his truck.

The man had parked his truck the previous evening at a public storage on State Bridge Road. The next morning, the man saw that the lock to the back of his truck had been cut.

Inside, three blowers, a trimmer, two weed cutters and a lawn mower were gone. The total value of the missing equipment is about $4,300.

Car burglarized in lot while owner at work JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police are investigating an Aug. 29 incident in which a woman’s car was burglarized while she was working at 7 Tequilas Restaurant on State Bridge Road.

The woman reported to work at 4 p.m. and returned to the car at 10 p.m.

When the woman approached the car, she noticed that the driver’s side door window had been shattered.

The woman’s purse, which had been laying on the floorboard, was missing.

While talking to police, the woman received an alert from her bank about two suspicious transactions, for $600 total. Both were declined.

The woman contacted her banks to flag the fraudulent activity.

NEWS

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | September 12, 2019 | 3

Historical society hosts talk on Cherokee leader

By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek Historical Society hosted a talk on the Cherokee leader and writer Elias Boudinot on Sept. 4.

Boudinot was the editor of the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper and a leader in the Cherokee Nation in the 1820s and 1830s. Wanda Patterson, a member of the Georgia Trail of Tears Association, led the talk.

Born in northwest Georgia in 1804, Boudinot was named Gallegina until he adopted a new name when he attended school in Connecticut. He was a Christian and married a white New England woman.

Boudinot is a controversial figure in Cherokee history because he signed the New Echota Treaty, which forced the removal of Cherokees east of the Mississippi River, commonly known as the Trail of Tears.

Boudinot initially opposed removal and used his position as the editor of the Cherokee Phoenix to encourage Cherokees to assimilate to Western, Christian culture. He later became convinced that removal was inevitable and believed a treaty would secure the best possible terms for the Cherokee people.

The majority of Cherokee opposed removal, including Principal Chief John Ross, and in 1839, Boudinot was killed by an anti-removal group.

The Cherokee Nation estimates that 16,000 Cherokees and mixed-race families were forced to take the six-month journey to the territory in what is now Oklahoma. Between the stockades, starvation, sickness and harsh winter conditions, around 4,000 Cherokees died on the journey.

CARSON COOK/Herald

The Johns Creek Historical Society gathered at the Summerour House at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve on Sept. 4 to learn about local Cherokee history.

“We gave them the sorriest pieces of land the whites wouldn’t want, and so there’s no railway nearby or no waterway to bring raw material in,” Speaker Wanda Patterson said.

Patterson is a charter member of the Georgia Trail of Tears Association and American Indians Committee Chair of the Fielding Lewis Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.

“There were several signers of the New Echota Treaty that lived here in Johns Creek,” Historical Society President Joan Compton said.

Boudinot was a friend of Johns Creek’s Rogers family. Johns Rogers owned a plantation in what is today the Shakerag area of Johns Creek and his three sons were negotiators on the treaty.

“They decided, much like Elias did, that at some point they were not going to be able to keep their land,” Compton said. “They thought one of three things was going to happen. Either we can stay and fight and we’ll be massacred, we can

stay and push back and we’ll get nothing, or we can make the best negotiations we possibly can.”

For more information about the Johns Creek Historical Society, visit johnscreekhistory.org.

4 | September 12, 2019 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS ANALYSIS

NEWS

Past cases give clues to interpreting transportation tax mandates

By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The transportation sales tax and the projects it funds has become the most contentious issues facing the Johns Creek City Council.

Differing interpretations of the law, which allows municipalities to impose a sales tax to fund capital transportation projects, has forced the council into a sort of stalemate where few projects are moving forward.

Some council members want to study variations of the projects that were proposed to the public in advance of the 2016 TSPLOST referendum. Where the city said it would widen the road from two to three lanes, on Jones Bridge Road for example, could the city add a center turn lane instead?

The city attorney has said such an alteration could invite a lawsuit, and Mayor Mike Bodker and other council members have indicated they prefer to err on the side of caution and stick to the project list as it was advertised when the referendum was held.

Understanding the TSPLOST law and looking at past lawsuits can provide clues to what would happen if the City Council decides to deviate from the original TSPLOST plans.

Congestion relief passes in Johns Creek In 2016, the Georgia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 369, which modified the special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) rules to allow a tax specifically for transportation projects (TSPLOST).

That November, voters in Fulton County, excluding the city of Atlanta, approved a 0.75-cent sales tax for transportation projects designed to improve operation and safety.

If one tallies the votes cast at Johns Creek locations, nearly as many people opposed the referendum as supported it.

If it were only up to the city, TSPLOST would have passed 50.02 percent to 49.98, or by about a dozen votes.

Countywide, the referendum passed 52.7 percent to 47.3.

In Johns Creek, the list of Tier 1 projects — the highest priority projects that could be funded even if the sales tax only collects 85 percent of what was expected — included road widenings on Medlock Bridge, State Bridge, Jones Bridge, McGinnis Ferry, Haynes Bridge and Old Alabama.

Although traffic congestion is often cited as Johns Creek’s biggest problem, many residents and some council members fear road widenings will only make the problem worse.

Those who oppose these road widenings cite the theory of induced demand, that a widened road will attract more drivers — who previously avoided making their trip, took a different route or used an alternative mode of transportation — and the road will soon become as congested as before.

“Widening a road to relieve congestion is like loosening your belt to lose weight,” Councilman Chris Coughlin has said.

Opponents also cite cost, property takings, light and sound pollution and a change to the character of an area as reasons against widenings.

Whatever the merits or criticisms of widening the major roads in John Creek, these were the projects presented to the public when the referendum passed.

The question now is whether the City Council can deviate from the original plans proposed to voters.

Changing the projects The state law requires that prior to calling for a referendum, a municipality must pass a resolution that describes the specific transportation projects to be funded, their approximate cost, the timeline and the tax rate.

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among the elected officials, and technical problems that can be fixed would not amount to infeasibility,” ACCG stated.

“The proceeds received from the tax shall be used by the metropolitan municipality special district levying the tax exclusively for the transportation purposes specified in the resolution calling for imposition of the tax,” the law states.

TSPLOST is also governed by an intergovernmental agreement between the cities and Fulton County. On the question of how flexible a project’s specifications can be after a referendum, the county’s legal team issued this guidance: “The county has concluded that a city must abide by the projects included on the project list, unless a change in circumstances has rendered the projects infeasible. In such limited instances, alteration may be made to a project on the TSPLOST project list, provided that the TSPLOST funds are: • Used for transportation purposes • The alterations to the project on the project list do not contravene the terms of the referendum or otherwise violate the law.

• The alterations would not result in the unnecessary waste of TSPLOST funds for the project” The county also recommends the city hold public hearings if it intends to deviate from the project list, although such a measure may not prevent a legal challenge.

In 2012, the SPLOST law defined infeasible as “impracticable, unserviceable, unrealistic, or otherwise not in the best interests of the citizens of the special district or the municipality.”

The Georgia Municipal Association and Association County Commissioners of Georgia have each issued guidance that encourage government leaders to interpret infeasibility narrowly.

“Generally, higher costs, diminished SPLOST revenues, lack of support

Past lawsuits Because TSPLOST was passed a few years ago, one must look at the generic SPLOST law for examples where a municipality was sued over its use of SPLOST revenue.

A key case is the 1992 decision Dickey v. Storey. In that case, Floyd County had imposed a sales tax to raise money for a civic center and softball fields. The referendum passed and the county purchased property and began developing plans for the sites.

After two new commissioners were elected, the board voted to move the civic center to a new location and downgrade its size, citing concerns about the original location being in a 100-year flood plain.

A taxpayer brought action against the county, and the Georgia Supreme Court ruled in the taxpayer’s favor.

While some of the commissioners had the personal opinion that they did not want the civic center in the flood plain, expert opinion showed it was buildable, the court found.

“We hold that the board is not authorized to use proceeds from the SPLOST tax for a purpose entirely different from that contained in the SPLOST budget and account reports,” the majority opinion stated. “We further hold that the board is bound by the SPLOST budget and account reports to complete all projects listed therein unless circumstances arise which dictate that projects which initially seemed feasible are no longer so. In this regard the governing authority has discretion to make adjustments in the plans for these projects, but may not abandon the projects altogether.”

A more recent example is Johnstone v. Thompson. In this 2006 case, a taxpayer brought a petition against the Cobb County School Board after a large portion of SPLOST proceeds was used to purchase laptops for middle and high school students.

While the resolution said that the tax revenue would be used for “technology improvements,” other supporting material presented before the referendum said the money would go to updating computer lab workstations at all the schools, including elementary.

The Georgia Supreme Court sided with the taxpayer, stating the school board “abused their discretion when they abandoned the original initiatives even though those initiatives remained feasible of completion.”

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | September 12, 2019 | 5

6 | September 12, 2019 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

SCHOOLS

Fulton School officials hit the mark with 2019 enrollment projections

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com Planners with the Fulton County School System were nearly spot on in their projections for student enrollment this year, missing the mark by only 12 more than the forecast of 93,527 students.

The near perfect forecast for the 2019-20 school year is in stark contrast to last year’s enrollment which came in more than 1,000 students below expectations. It also indicates systems planners are getting more adept at projecting numbers as the system gradually declines in population.

Yngrid Huff Jones, director of planning for Fulton County Schools, said she expects enrollment to grow slightly as new students enroll post-Labor Day, the traditional start of school for other parts of the country.

“This is mostly at the high schoollevel where a few high schools have enrolled a much higher number than anticipated,” she noted. “Staff is working to determine a root cause for this overenrollment and will provide a detailed analysis for the board during a future work session.”

This year’s enrollment is the third consecutive year of declining enrollment from the previous year. Once projected to hit 100,000 students, the district’s enrollment peaked in 2016 with 96,000 students.

The district remains the fourth largest in the state, behind only Gwinnett, Cobb and DeKalb County school systems.

While system planners were on the mark system-wide, a deeper look into the numbers revealed much less accuracy for individual schools. This led to staff adjustments and classroom reallocations in the first few weeks of school.

In North Fulton the variances were mostly seen in elementary schools. Despite a difference of only four students between the actual and projected enrollment, wide swings in over and under forecast were prevalent.

Manning Oaks Elementary opened with nearly 100 fewer students than projected, while Hillside Elementary in Roswell welcomed 75 more students than expected — the equivalent of nearly three classrooms of kids.

In all, 13 of the area’s 30 elementary

See SCHOOLS, Page 8

First month enrollment for North Fulton Schools

Actual Projected Elementary Schools Enrollment Enrollment Abbotts Hill 611 582 Alpharetta 565 563 Amana Charter 492 440 Barnwell 744 728 Birmingham Falls 721 716 Cogburn Woods 859 830 Crabapple Crossing 729 767 Creek View 934 953 Dolvin 761 777 Esther Jackson 617 635 FAST Charter 364 329 Findley Oaks 569 599 Hembree Springs 590 601 Hillside 550 475 Lake Windward 779 727 Manning Oaks 871 968 Medlock Bridge 658 649 Mimosa 719 759 Mountain Park 823 801 New Prospect 520 537 Northwood 661 721 Ocee 700 692 River Eves 585 616 Roswell North 920 866 Shakerag 652 622 State Bridge Crossing 773 765 Summit Hill 715 744 Sweet Apple 786 757 Vickery Mill 495 507 Wilson Creek 801 803 Total 20,524 20,529

Actual Projected Middle Schools Enrollment Enrollment Amana Charter 238 247 Autrey Mill 1,361 1,364 Crabapple

911 914 Elkins Pointe

1,050 1,067 FAST Charter 217 208 Haynes Bridge

683 682 Holcomb Bridge

677 627 Hopewell

1,359 1,356 Northwestern

1,258 1,241 River Trail

1,273 1,279 Taylor Road

1,343 1,339 Webb Bridge

1,188 1,166 Total 13,442 13,402 High Schools Alpharetta 2,308 2,304 Cambridge 2,087 2,105 Centennial 1,921 1,878 Chattahoochee 1,874 1,922 Independence 242 252 Johns Creek 2,105 2,135 Milton 2,340 2,320 Northview 1,762 1,758 Roswell 2,230 2,173 Total 16,869 16,847 North Fulton Total System Total

50,835 93,521

50,778 93,509

SCHOOLS

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | September 12, 2019 | 7

Acclaimed authors pay visit to local elementary school

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — It’s all about writing the stories that they wanted to hear as children, according to bestselling authors J.C. Cervantes and Roshani Chokshi.

Both authors visited Abbotts Hill Elementary School Aug. 30, just in time for the Decatur Book Festival, to speak to fourth and fifth graders about their most recent works and their creative process.

The authors are popular among children and young adults for their mythology-based books written for the Rick Riordan Presents publishing branch.

Riordan, known for his Greek and Roman mythology-inspired Percy Jackson series, started Rick Riordan Presents to provide a platform for authors from underrepresented cultures and backgrounds to tell their own stories inspired by their heritage’s mythology and folklore.

“He realized he wasn’t the person, nor did he have the time, to write about every mythology that’s out there, yet he still wanted to share them with young kids,” Cervantes said. “He and his editor thought, ‘what if we find authors from that background that can tell the story from their perspective, and let’s publish those.’”

She added that Riordan reads and

The authors are popular among children and young adults for their mythology-based books written for the Rick Riordan Presents publishing branch. gives feedback on their works, but the books still belong to them.

Cervantes is writing The Storm Runner series, which follows Zane Obispo in New Mexico as he learns about his connection to the Maya gods as he goes on a dangerous quest.

Chokshi is writing the Pandava series, focused on 12-year-old Aru Shah as she accidentally releases a demon in Atlanta and pursues a quest steeped in Hindu mythology.

The first two books of both series have already been released.

The authors spoke about their writing process and inspiration and answered questions from students. Both mentioned how, as children, they rarely saw books with characters that reflected

JULIA GROCHOWSKI/Herald

Authors J.C. Cervantes, left, and Roshani Chokshi visit Abbotts Hill Elementary School on Aug. 30 to talk about their works for Rick Riordan Presents and their creative process with students. their lives and backgrounds.

“We never got to grow up with stories where we saw someone that looked like us on the cover, or with hard to pronounce names, or with incredible mythological

backgrounds,” Chokshi said. “We’re so happy that we get to do that now.”

Chokshi, whose Filipino mother and

See AUTHORS, Page 9

8 | September 12, 2019 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

Schools:

SCHOOLS

Continued from Page 6 schools saw projections miss the actual enrollment by 30 or more students.

Projections for the area’s 12 middle schools were more in line with actual enrollment. Most came within 10 students over or under forecast. The lone outlier was Holcomb Bridge Middle which enrolled 50 students above projections.

After defying the slowing growth trend across Fulton County for years, most high schools in North Fulton enrolled fewer students this year than last, and are nearly all within instructional

capacity for the first time in years.

The lone exception was Cambridge High School in Milton which had a first month enrollment of 2,087, slightly higher than last year’s enrollment.

Milton remains the area’s largest high school, but saw an opening day enrollment of 2,340 students, about 40 students fewer than last year.

While “tweaks” to staffing and classrooms may still take place this month, Huff Jones said those adjustments will not be as prevalent in North Fulton.

“Staffing has already been adjusted based on the current enrollment, accounting for trends post-Labor Day,” she explained, noting the Labor Day surge is less prevalent in North Fulton based on trends from previous years.

SOLUTION ON PAGE 33

Authors: Continued from Page 7 Indian father immigrated to America, said she loves the rich histories and stories of her parents’ cultures and that she incorporates them into her works.

She added in response to a student’s question about meshing cultures that she doesn’t write her stories to fit in with an American or Indian audience but writes as herself, as an individual.

“I wrote the book that I wanted to read as a kid,” Chokshi said. “For me, it wasn’t about showing off all the knowledge I have of a place. I’ve never lived in India. I’ve visited a couple of times. But that doesn’t make me any less of an Indian, and it doesn’t make me any less Filipino.”

The authors also spoke about their creative process and encouraged students to cultivate a love of writing, reading and editing.

Cervantes, for example, said she writes every day now, tends to revise as she writes and is greatly inspired by real-world places like the Chichen Itza Mayan ruins.

“The first time I saw this area, I was blown away,” Cervantes said. “It’s fascinating how so much happened there… It invigorated my own imagination, thinking what those stories would

COMMUNITY look like for kids.”

Some students in the audience said they had written similar stories also based on Hindu, Mayan or other mythologies. The authors encouraged students to pursue such stories without fear.

“That’s the amazing thing about retelling myths and retelling fairy tales,” Chokshi said. “They have really, really wide arms, and you can have so, so many different versions of the same tale.”

Abbotts Hill Elementary School Learning Commons staff Linda Dickinson said after the talk that she invited the authors so the students could see themselves in the books they read and get inspired to write.

“It shows the importance of reading, to learn about other cultures and other people, and to get inspiration to write down your thoughts,” Dickinson said.

“I think it’s good for students especially to see young authors with all this energy and creativity and see that they’re just regular people.”

She added that such stories help show the diversity possible in the writing world.

“For students to see themselves in the authors and stories is huge,” Dickinson said. “It’s really important for kids… It shows them the diversity of people, that everybody has a story.”

For more information about Cervantes, Chokshi and Rick Riordan Presents, visit readriordan.com.

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | September 12, 2019 | 9

Security footage shows a bear wandering near Johns Creek homes.

Special

Johns Creek Police warn about bear JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek Police Department has reported several sightings of a black bear in Johns Creek.

Based on comments on a JCPD Facebook post, the bear has been spotted on Morton Road near State Bridge Road, and in the Bridgemor Heights and Aviary subdivisions.

The police department offered these tips: • Never feed bears.

• Secure all food, garbage and recycling.

• Remove bird feeders when bears are active.

• Never leave pet food outdoors.

• Clean and store grills.

NEWS

10 | September 12, 2019 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

Alpharetta mines accounts to fund Greenway shortfall Forsyth County has plans to extend path southward

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — For all its popularity with residents, the Big Creek Greenway remains unfinished in Alpharetta.

But there are signs the city is mounting a final push to complete its portion of the trail that was first conceived 25 years ago.

Its last link — a 2.5-mile stretch north up to the Forsyth County line — has been in the planning stages for more than six years. The route has faced property battles and funding challenges, and even if it does get built, it may end abruptly, because Forsyth County hasn’t built its connecting extension to meet it.

Both sides seem to be working toward that point on the border, but it may take another couple of years.

Late last year, Alpharetta dropped embattled plans to run the trail near the Golf Club of Georgia and opted for another route that will run along Windward Parkway. That change added another $119,000 to the price tag, pushing the completion cost to around $10.4 million, twice what the city has available.

The Big Creek Greenway is a linear park featuring a 12-foot wide path along Big Creek. It runs about eight miles from Roswell north to Alpharetta to a point near Webb Bridge Road. Forsyth County’s portion runs almost 10 miles, from Kelly Mill Road in the north down to McFarland Parkway, about a mile shy of the county line.

Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Director Jim Pryor said plans are to complete the project in the next couple of years, but ultimately, the timing will depend on the Georgia DOT’s plan to widen McGinnis Ferry Road.

That’s where the two trails would meet, he said.

Pryor said the county has already worked out a land swap deal with the developers of Halcyon, who have agreed to extend the trail another third of a mile south to their property. That leaves just a little more than a half mile to go, he said.

Initial plans for that stretch include adding a multi-purpose path along Ronald Reagan Boulevard south to McGinnis Ferry.

But Pryor said a lot of the final stages will depend on when the state completes its work on McGinnis Ferry, and that isn’t set to start until next

spring.

Alpharetta isn’t sitting still either.

At a recent public workshop, Alpharetta Finance Director Tom Harris outlined to members of the City Council possible funding sources to help pay for the extension.

Right now, the project has funding for about half its estimated cost.

Local voters earmarked $5.1 million for the Greenway extension as part of a $52 million bond referendum in 2016, leaving the project now about $5.2 million short of funding for completion.

Harris presented a list of nine bond fund accounts from which the city can draw to make up the difference.

The city can tap about $3.2 million by using money earmarked for other projects, like sidewalks and park land acquisition, because these projects have either been completed as advertised or, like the proposed performing arts center, have been deemed unfeasible, he said.

Another $1 million could be made available through impact fees, and just shy of a million could be available within the allocations for the transportation sales tax.

Other sources of funding, Harris said, could come from the city’s annual capital projects fund and from the sale of condos at the new Milton Avenue parking deck.

Mayor Jim Gilvin said he doesn’t want transportation sales tax dollars diverted because the city is already being asked to contribute more money to widening McGinnis Ferry Road.

“It’s certainly part of the discussion… but I don’t know if we’d want to move it from transportation to the Greenway, and then have to move something else back to transportation,” Gilvin said.

Councilman Jason Binder said he’s grateful to see an end in sight for the project.

“I think when we did the bond, this one was probably on top of everyone’s list,” he said.

Gilvin, who was on the City Council when the bond passed in 2016, said the extension has been a struggle.

“We made this commitment to the residents four years ago now…and it’s been a struggle,” he said. “When you don’t own the property and you’re having to go to these multiple, different partners and redraw routes based on who’s willing to allow participation and things like that, it’s been a challenge.”

COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | September 12, 2019 | 11

Special needs soccer league celebrates successful first year

By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — This spring, Newtown Park in Johns Creek hosted a first-of-its-kind soccer league, North Fulton United, to give athletes with special needs more opportunities to play.

Special Olympics events have long found support in the North Fulton community, and in 2018 the North Fulton soccer team Special Ks took home a bronze medal at the national summer games.

However, the Special Olympics athletes were limited to just a few events each year. The coaches wanted to find a way to involve more players in a league that would last several weeks, so North Fulton United was born.

“It’s probably one of the only leagues in the country,” coach Marty Jellame said. “There are plenty of teams who meet once or twice a year. We’re the only [league] we know of.”

This year, the league had around 90 players and eight teams, which Jellame said was larger than they ever imagined it would be.

The teams included athletes with special needs and partners without disabilities. The players had six practices and four games.

CARSON COOK/Herald

Johns Creek Recreation Director Kirk Franz recognizes North Fulton United at an Aug. 19 Johns Creek City Council meeting.

“It’s really just trying to get people with intellectual disabilities, special needs, a place to have fun, feel included and have that satisfaction of competition,” said Johns Creek Police Major John Clifton, another one of the founders.

Players came from across North Atlanta, and there were volunteers from

Alpharetta, Centennial, Chattahoochee, Johns Creek and Northview high schools.

Jelleme thanked the volunteers, the Johns Creek Parks and Recreation Department, the Newtown Recreation nonprofit and sponsor Ken Nugent Attorneys at Law for making the league possible.

“To watch them be out there and play

soccer one-on-one with some helpers was one the most amazing experiences I’ve participated in as a parent,” City Councilwoman Stephanie Endres said.

“I can’t thank [the league organizers] enough for putting your time and effort and energy into planning, organizing, coordinating and communicating with all these families.”

12 | September 12, 2019 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

Johns Creek’s freshmen reps complete leadership academy ATHENS, Ga. — Johns Creek’s three freshmen representatives were among 27 freshmen lawmakers from across the state who participated in the Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute in August.

Rep. Angelika Kausche represents District 50, which contains most of Johns Creek. Reps. Beth Moore and Josh McLaurin, District 95 and 51 respectively, represent parts of Newtown.

The three newcomers attended sessions at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel along with other first-term state representatives and senators.

The sessions covered topics such as public values and policy development, leadership challenges, building trust, the American Republic and addressing fairness.

The institute is an extension of the Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators and forms the core of a phased leadership development program for members of the Georgia General Assembly. It is designed to strengthen the leadership skills of individual legislators while reinforcing the legislative institution.

The multi-day program allows lawmakers to explore the leadership challenges of representative government with

Special

District 50 Rep. Angelika Kausche and District 95 Rep. Beth Moore, from left on front row, and District 51 Rep. Josh McLaurin, second from left on back row, were among the 27 freshmen lawmakers participating in the Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute in August. faculty from UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government as well as legislative leaders and colleagues.

This year, new lawmakers learned leadership lessons from Lt. Gov. Geoff

Duncan and House Speaker David Ralston and took part in a discussion panel with veteran legislative members Senate Democratic Leader Steve Henson; Rep. Bob Trammell, minority leader;

Rep. Mandi Ballinger, chairman of the Juvenile Justice Committee and Sen. Dean Burke, chairman of the Health Appropriations Subcommittee for Community Health.

The program, supported by the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, is designed to help legislators address key elements of personal, ethical and political leadership as they carry out their roles and responsibilities as elected representatives.

“The Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute allows new legislators to explore their own leadership styles, better understand those of their colleagues, network with colleagues and gain expertise and skills to better serve their constituents,” said Laura Meadows, director of the Institute of Government.

Since its inception, more than 170 legislators have attended the institute, delving deeply into the legislative process and gaining the skills to be a more effective legislator.

The Carl Vinson Institute of Government is a UGA Public Service and Outreach unit that provides customized assistance, applied research and professional development for government leaders and employees across Georgia and internationally.

COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | September 12, 2019 | 13

Motivational speaker ‘lights up’ Kings Ridge Christian School John O’Leary survives 100% burns as child to fuel message of faith

By HATCHER HURD Special to The Herald ALPHARETTA, Ga. — As inspirational speakers go, John O’Leary has a unique message of faith, hope, perseverance and mission. And he gets your attention from word one.

His inspiration comes from his experiences as a 9-year-old child who survived receiving burns over 100 percent of his body — 87 percent were third degree burns.

His motto is “Live Inspired,” and that is the message he has brought to 49 states and 18 countries.

That was the message he brought Aug. 27 to grades 5-12 at Kings Ridge Christian School in Alpharetta. O’Leary is charismatic, enthusiastic and full of positivism about life and about his Christian faith.

Speaking to the students he told them he wanted to talk to them about the “Power of One.” He begins his talk about the fateful day when he decided to mimic what he had seen older boys doing — taking a can of gasoline and lighting it on the sidewalk to watch the pretty flames.

Unfortunately, O’Leary decided he would go to the basement of his parents’ home to do so in secret. Flame met gasoline and the can exploded. God was in his life, O’Leary said, because only a series of extraordinary interventions allowed him to survive his burns.

First, his 17-year-old brother just happened to be home and rushed to the basement in time to smother the flames on his brother with some old rugs stored down there.

Next, an incredible burn-unit team at the St. Louis hospital he was taken to gave him the chance to live. Finally, he credits the enormous efforts his parent made to nurse him physically and psychologically.

His first day home after weeks in the hospital, he is in his bed, one arm bandaged so that it sticks out at a right angle to his body.

“My mother appeared at the door and informed me it was time for my piano lesson and that the teacher was downstairs,” he told the students.

No amount of begging would put her off.

“I tried to tell her that I might be 100 percent home, but I still had 87 percent

SPECIAL

Motivational speaker John O’Leary stands with a few of newest “best friends” at Kings Ridge Christian School. He was there to talk to students and faculty about living “an inspired life.”

third degree burns,” O’Leary told the rapt students listening to him.

What O’Leary did not know then was his parents were determined that life for their son would go as normally as possible — it would take more work is all.

And so he had that piano lesson and the ones that followed in the weeks, months and years.

Then to cement the story, a piano is rolled out on stage for O’Leary to play.

He doesn’t have many fingers left, but he played a melodic version of “Amazing Grace” to show those lessons had not been for naught.

O’Leary’s life has been little short of miraculous. But he credits having God in his life and many wonderful friends, family and supporters.

He tells the story of the courtship of his future wife. How he told her he wanted to be more than a friend and have an actual date.

“She told me she really liked me, but ‘as a brother.’ That is about the worst thing she could have said,” he told the students.

But he persevered, and after four years she finally admitted she now “had feelings too.” Two years later they were married and now have a family.

His parents wrote a book about their experiences nursing their son back to health, “Overwhelming Odds.” It became a bestseller with 700,000 copies sold.

As O’Leary began to tell his story, he said God told him he should keep telling it. That has led to his own bestselling book: “ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life.”

He also continues to reach audiences, more than 80 speaking engagements annually, through his website, johnolearyinspires.com and his podcasts in addition to his motivational talks as a speaker.

14 | September 12, 2019 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

Home Tour to feature two-story brick home DUNWOODY, Ga. — The 47th Annual Dunwoody Home Tour, set for Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., will include this two-story red brick home in Dunwoody.

Like Phileas Fogg, Home Tour attendees will take a take a tour around the world when they visit this home, but they won’t need trains or hot air balloons to make the journey.

Updated twice in 30 years, the home radiates the personal style and extraordinary interests of its owners. It is one of the four private homes featured in the Dunwoody Woman’s Club’s signature fundraising event.

Tiered gardens and stone pavers sweep visitors up the drive and into a chandelier-lit garage which serves as a staging area for arriving guests. Inside, walls have been removed and windows and glass doors installed throughout all levels to bring in outside light and showcase colorful gardens beyond.

Rich jewel tones, thick Oriental rugs, warm paneling, leather and fine fabric seating, commissioned artwork and unique collections of figurines and pottery from around the world will delight the eye. A Mahjong table invites both uninitiated and serious players to take a turn at the classical puzzle game.

On one side of the lower level is a functional kitchen featuring heat-proof, “unfinished” marble counters at three interlocking heights to accommodate prep work, barstools and table-level seating. The flooring is faux marble tile, and the ceiling has a lightweight copper tile look. Emmett Kelly porcelains are displayed in the passage off the main kitchen.

SPECIAL

All profits of the home tour and raffles are used to support the charitable programs of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club, a non-profit organization.

Scottish pub decor dominates the other side of the downstairs. Here guests can rest awhile in an intimate sipping alcove or sample a dram with friends from atop tooled leather stools at the built-in, marble-topped bar or stand-alone table for four.

Back-lit shelving displays hundreds of bottles of fine Scotch, sourced on trips to the misty highlands and award-winning distilleries. For the person who enjoys a fine cigar with their whisky, there’s passage to an outdoor, covered hideaway.

The upper level of this home offers comfort and

practicality. Glass doors bracket a fireplace in the master bedroom, opening to Juliet balconies. Window seating, mirrored casings for clothing, and soft lighting have transformed an adjoining bedroom into a spacious dressing area.

A third bathroom in colors of jade has been added on this level. And one bedroom at the far end of the home carries a secret — a closet replete with magnificent outfits from India, gifts from the owner’s mother.

This home takes you around the world and leaves you secure in the knowledge that the owners love life in all its forms.

This year’s Dunwoody Home tour will also include two raffles: one for a shopping spree at Lauderhills Fine Jewelry and another for a custom crafted artistic bowl by local artisan Dr. David Dalrymple. Raffle tickets will be available to tour guests on the day of the tour and can be purchased with cash, check, or credit card.

Home Tour tickets are available now! Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 on tour day and can be purchased online at dunwoodywomansclub.com/hometour.

Tickets can also be purchased from any member of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club and at the following locations: Blooms of Dunwoody, Camelot Jewelers, Consigning Women, Face Haven, Lauderhills Fine Jewelry, Southern Comfort Consignments (Dunwoody), and Under the Pecan Tree.

All profits of the home tour and raffles are used to support the charitable initiatives of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club.

SPORTS

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | September 12, 2019 | 15

For more coverage For a recap of all North Fulton/ Forsyth County games, visit northfulton.com/sports

Centennial vs. Roswell

16 | September 12, 2019 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

SPORTS

Centennial vs. Roswell

Stay nerdy Labor Day weekend, I had the great pleasure of attending Dragon Con, Atlanta’s largest pop culture convention.

I was not alone.

With an estimated attendance of 85,000 people across five Carson Cook days, this year was Reporter carson@appenmediagroup.com the largest Dragon Con yet.

I’ve always considered myself a nerd.

I love “Star Wars” and comic book movies. I play Dungeons and Dragons. I think staying home with a good book is usually more fun than going to a party.

And I’ve never thought being a nerd was a bad thing. I grew up in a time where being a nerd was cool, or at least wouldn’t get you shoved in a locker.

Fantasy stories like “Harry Potter” and “Game of Thrones” have become mainstream pop culture.

As a nerd, it’s long been a dream of mine to attend a convention like Dragon Con, one that brings fans of fantasy, sci-fi, history, comics, video games and more all under one roof.

OPINION

Carson and her friend enjoy a panel at Dragon Con 2019.

Being so close to Atlanta, this year I finally had that opportunity. And it was a blast!

I got to see celebrities like the charming Cary Elwes (“The Princess Bride,” “Stranger Things”) and hysterical Cath-

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | September 12, 2019 | 17

CARSON COOK/Herald

erine Tate (“Doctor Who”). They were just two stars in an impressive lineup that included George Takei, David Tennant and Zachary Levi.

But my favorite thing about Dragon Con wasn’t the celebrities. It was simply

walking around and seeing all the people — many in costumes that they must have spent hours creating — who had turned out for the celebration of nerdiness.

To be a nerd, by my definition, means allowing yourself to be genuinely, expressively excited about something.

(This means, by the way, that people who wear their favorite player’s jersey to watch a game or spend hours researching to perfect their fantasy team are sport nerds. No less nerdy than the cosplayers and gamers as Dragon Con.) When concentrated in a few city blocks, that enthusiasm is contagious.

It brings a smile to your face even when your feet hurt from waiting in line or walking in crowds.

Everybody has something they become a nerd for. Maybe it’s traditionally nerdy things like “Star Trek” or “Lord of the Rings.” Maybe it’s sports, fashion or crafting.

Whatever it is, we shouldn’t try to downplay our enthusiasm. We shouldn’t try to hide it or pass it off as an ironic interest in an effort to seem cool.

When we put aside fears of embarrassment and loudly share our passions, we find people with common interests and the enthusiasm and joy spreads.

Dragon Con was a welcome reminder to me, and by writing this hopefully to some of you, to stay nerdy.

You are, in many ways, the envy of many cities across the nation, with over 700 tech companies and many that are on the board.

Tino Mantella, Tech Alpharetta board member 18 | Johns Creek Herald | September 12, 2019

City extends Tech Alpharetta contract to three years Nonprofit says commitment will send strong message to organization’s sponsors

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — It didn’t take long for Tech Alpharetta to turn the tide on its funding contract with the city.

Barely a month after the City Council voted to restrict its agreement with the nonprofit to a one-year term, officials voted Aug. 19 to extend its annual $100,000 stipend to a three-year term.

It was a major victory for Tech Alpharetta.

“It’s very important for our stakeholders to know that the city is behind us, supporting us, not just financially, but supporting us as an agency,” Tech Alpharetta CEO Karen Cashion said following the vote. “That enables us to bring on more sponsors and more partners for the organization.”

Tech Alpharetta’s mission is to grow technology and innovation in the city by fostering existing and startup companies through strategic advice and rental of office space.

For the past three years, the city has appropriated $125,000 annually to Tech Alpharetta through the Alpharetta Development Authority. In addition to that financial support, last year, the city contributed $25,000 in sponsorship for the organization’s Ag Tech Conference of the South. The city stepped in again to cover shortfalls when the Ag Tech Conference proceeds fell short of expectations.

But this year, members of the City Council took a stand to hold the organization accountable for finding its

own financial path for the future. The $100,000 allowance for this year represents a 20 percent cut in city funding.

Council members have pointed out that the city’s obligation to the nonprofit was never intended to be ongoing but merely seed money until the organization found its footing. City leaders had stood firmly on the notion that a funding contract beyond a one-year term would not be feasible until the organization provided a clear strategy for becoming self-sustaining without public money.

They asked for a list of goals the organization would expect to achieve with a long-term contract before committing the city to anything beyond an annual agreement.

Its Tech Incubator program has generated more than $45 million in investor funding to young companies since 2015.

At the Aug. 19 meeting, Cashion told council members that the additional two years on the contract would generate approximately $760,000 in public relations and economic development for the city and will create approximately 175 new jobs in Alpharetta. It will also enable new and renewal agreements with the nonprofit’s sponsors and its sub-tenant companies, she said.

The extended contract, Cashion said, would also allow Tech Alpharetta to launch new programs, such as a partnership with Fulton County Schools’ Innovation Academy, to help prepare students for a future career in the tech industry. Another proposal calls for linking young tech startups with existing businesses for possible collaboration and investment.

Cashion’s presentation was enough to satisfy city leaders that the organization had set a list of criteria to gauge its

State official pushes for STEM curriculum Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan reiterated his call of support for STEM education in the state as a means of keeping pace with Georgia’s goal of becoming the Tech Capital of the East Coast.

In an address for Tech Alpharetta’s Speakers Series Aug. 28 at the Microsoft Technology Center at Avalon, Duncan said including STEM instruction at all levels in school will ensure a skilled workforce for the future. He cited recent legislation mandating computer instruction in all Georgia high schools as a positive step in that direction.

More than 110 area technology executives attended the event. success over the term of the contract.

Tech Alpharetta board member Tino Mantella also spoke in favor of the extended contract.

Mantella, president and CEO of Turknett Leadership Group, said he served 12 years as president and CEO of the trade association Technology Association of Georgia. During that time, he said Alpharetta’s reputation as a friend to technology was known statewide.

“You are, in many ways, the envy of many cities across the nation, with over 700 tech companies and many that are on the board,” Mantella said.

He said it’s important the city continue to make the longer-term commitment so that company executives, who also put their time, talent and treasure into the organization, know they have a partner.

SPECIAL

Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan speaks to a crowd of more than 100 executives at the Aug. 28 Speakers Series event sponsored by Tech Alpharetta.

But the council also heard from one resident who questioned the wisdom of funding the nonprofit.

John Courtney said taxpayers have supported Tech Alpharetta to the tune of $623,000 over the past five years.

“Every time I read about it, I wonder if it’s just a black hole that keeps sucking away at the city,” he said.

Courtney said it may be a better investment for the city to put its money into Technology Association of Georgia because its membership, its corporate sponsorship and its reach is much greater.

“It seems that the scale is there and could get you a better return for your money,” he said. “I don’t make those decisions, but to me, it’s a curiosity as a citizen.”

BUSINESSPOSTS

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | September 12, 2019 | 19

Former Fannie Mae chief addresses affordable housing When pressed, I’m happy to tell how I came through the near economic collapse our country went through in 2008. It’s a story about getting knocked way down only to work a hard Geoff smith row back up. I’m Assurance Financial, gsmith@lendtheway.com certainly proud, and I certainly had a lot of help from some great people.

But none of it comes close to the story of my recent podcast interviewee, Egbert Perry.

Perry was born on the Caribbean island of Antigua, where today, the average salary is about $23,000 a year.

He was one of 10 siblings raised on a chicken farm there. If you ask him about it, he’ll tell you how great it was growing up there.

“We had 365 beaches there,” he says.

“And it was a real village where everyone looked after each other.”

Somehow Perry found out about a scholarship opportunity for a private high school in New York. He somehow convinced them to award him the scholarship. He went on to study civil engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, earned an MBA at Wharton School of Business with majors in finance and accounting and worked his way up to eventually becoming a chief principal at the nation’s third largest African-American owned business. He became well known around the country as a brilliant man and after the near economic collapse in 2008, was asked to sit on the board of directors for Fannie Mae. Fannie Mae was at the epicenter of the financial crisis, which was born out of bad mortgages being bundled together and sold as good mortgages. Fannie Mae’s role is to encourage home ownership by taking significant risk off the shoulders of the banks and lenders, so they’ll be more aggressive in giving people loans. Fannie Mae, and others like

Fannie Mae was at the epicenter of the financial crisis, which was born out of bad mortgages being bundled together and sold as good mortgages. it like Freddie Mac, the Federal Housing Administration and Veteran’s Affairs, basically tell banks and lenders “if you underwrite your loans according to our guidelines, we’ll pay you back for losses incurred if the borrower stops making monthly payments.”

Fannie Mae’s way of doing that is to promise to buy the loans from the bank or lender, no matter what. So in 2008, it was buying billions of dollars in bad loans. It was near the brink of collapse and was bailed out by the taxpayers.

It is still owned by the federal government today. Perry was put on the board to help right that ship during the worst economic storm in recent history.

Then, five years into the job, he was asked to be chairman.

I was of course thrilled to be able to interview him and talk about his time there, and what the atmosphere was like at Fannie Mae during that crisis. I’m a mortgage banker, so clearly I wanted to know as much as he was willing to talk about it. But I also was very interested in something else he is doing today that is starting to gain traction throughout the country. Maybe it’s because of his roots, but he seems to be driven by the desire to see less affluent families live and play in the same communities as more affluent families.

I’ve seen him talk before about how less affluent families have to live in parts of town that do not have the same schools or opportunities as the more affluent parts of town. And he’d like to figure out how we can mix people with different economic backgrounds.

One roadblock is that land has become so expensive that it’s really hard for developers to build houses that sell for under $300,000 these days and still make a profit. Certainly in more affluent areas, where land values are even higher, the problem is even worse. In the interview, Perry seemed to be under the impression that more affluent people do not want to live near less affluent people and he had an argument for this: “If you are a city planner, or if you are someone who has any say in where things get built, think of where you have to live if you don’t make a lot of money, and ask yourself if you would want someone you love living there,” he said.

“I think if we make it personal, we may start thinking differently about this.”

He said the will of the people has to be there, because the only way for builders to build more affordable houses is for local municipalities to have the political will to offer incentives to builders specifically for more affordable housing.

It was a fascinating interview for me and I hope you’ll go in and have a listen.

You can find it at https://businessradiox.com/podcast/north-fulton-studio/ atl-developments-geoff-smith-egbertperry-integral-group-llc.

Geoff Smith is a mortgage banker with Assurance Financial focusing on residential home loans for refinances and home purchases.

Geoff Smith gsmith@lendtheway.com 770-674-1433 Personal: NMLS#104587 Business: NMLS#70876 *The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of Assurance Financial Group

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Henry Ford has been quoted as saying “Whether you think you can or think you can’t… you’re right.” And he was right. This couldn’t be more important in starting, operatdick jones ing and growing Founder & President Jones Simply Sales a small business.

So, do you think you can, or do you think you can’t?

We can talk all we want about work ethic, planning, decision-making and hundreds of other attributes associated with successfully running a small business. However, the cornerstone of success is believing in yourself. This not only has connotations to the attitude you have, but also your vision that anything is possible.

Henry Ford always believed he could create an automobile, but no one believed that he could mass-produce them, except him. His assembly line concept is not only used today for cars, but also for hundreds of other products.

Having a “can do” mentality and maintaining it is very difficult and requires focus and a meticulous work ethic. Things don’t get done by just thinking about them. They get done through hard work, learning from mistakes and failures, and getting up when you’re knocked down.

Successful small business owners know this firsthand, because they said “no” to can’t and “yes” to can.

They just didn’t take no for an answer and tried and tried again when they hit a roadblock. While this slogan has been used for close to one hundred years, it remains relevant today for any and all small business owners looking to be successful.

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20 | September 12, 2019 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

CALENDAR More info and registration: northviewcrosscountry.com

STA FIT FEST 2019 ROSWELL HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2019 TOUR OF HOMES

Homes will be open to the public to view.

Roswell is a city known throughout the South for its rich history and especially for its beautiful historic homes. The 2019 tour will give people and tourists alike a rare chance to see inside some of the homes that make Roswell so special. Ticket prices are $30 per person in advance. Parking and check in at Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. The Tour of Homes will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit roswellhistoricalsociety.org.

feature YOUR EVENT online and in print!

It’s even easier now than ever to promote your event to hundreds of thousands of people both online and in the Herald Newspapers.

To promote your event, follow these easy steps: 1. Visit NorthFulton.com/Calendar; 2. Click the red button that reads “Go to Form” under the submit an event header; 3. Provide the details for your event including title, description, location and date; 4. Click the red button that reads “Create event” 5. Select to either feature your event online only for $25 or online and in print for $40 (print submissions must be submitted at least two weeks prior to event.)

FEATURED: ALPHARETTA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SPECIAL CONCERT

What: his special event will feature works by Spohr and Onslow, along with the premier of a piece composed by local talent Zac Lavender. Includes wine and light hors d’oeuvres.

When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 6 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Arts Center, 238 Canton St., Alpharetta Cost: $20 More info and tickets: alpharettasymphony.com

WWII ROUNDTABLE LUNCHEON

What: Atlanta World War II Roundtable invites the public to attend its luncheon meeting.

Featured speaker is Eric Strachan, from the WWII Museum.

Lunch included in price.

When: Thursday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m.

Where: United Methodist Church, 1548 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody Cost: $20 per person, $15 for WWII veterans More info and registration: atlantaww2roundtable.com or 770-457-4409

DASH OF THE TITANS 5K AND FUN RUN

What: Northview High School Cross Country Team is presenting the 2nd annual Dash of the Titans 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk. Race swag bags will include a technical T-shirt and discounts from local retailers.

When: Saturday, Sept. 21, 8 a.m.

Where: Northview High School, 10625 Parsons Road, Johns Creek Cost: $27 for the 5K, $22 for the Fun Run

What: This event will cover free health screenings and medical services from Mercy Care, as well as demonstrations and services from Fulton County and local restaurants and businesses.

When: Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 535 Rucker Road, Alpharetta More info: sta.org

TRANSFORMATIONAL PARENTING

What: a four-session workshop guiding parents to “Understand Yourself, Understand Your Child, Engage in Positive Parenting, and Enjoy being a Parent,” presented

by Joan K. Teach, PhD. When: Thursdays, Sept. 19-Oct. 10, 7-8:30 p.m.

Where: Community Resource Center of the Brookhaven United Methodist Church, 1366 North Druid Hills Road, Brookhaven Cost: $100 Info and registration: ldag.org

SOUTHERN SUMMER

When: The theme of this art show is “Southern Summer” and will showcase a wide range of artists and media.

When: July 1-Sept. 27 Where: Alpharetta Arts Center, 238 Canton St., Alpharetta More info: artsalpharetta.org

ALL LEVEL COMMUNITY YOGA

What: Weather you’re starting off or finishing your day, do so with a stress release practice that emphasizes flows and gentle strengthening poses. Bring a mat and water. Multiple locations.

When: August-October. In Dunwoody, Tuesdays, 7:30-8:30 a.m. and Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; in Sandy Springs, Mondays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody; and Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, 805 Mt. Vernon Highway NW, Sandy Springs Cost: $15 More info: TheElitePeasant.com

‘MAMA MIA!’

What: The story-telling magic of ABBA’s songs propels this tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating a show following a young woman’s search for her birth father.

When: Sept. 5-29, times vary Where: Tams School Street Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming Cost: Tickets start at $27 More info and tickets: schoolstreetplayhouse.com

SENIORS ENRICHED LIVING

What: Thirty-two classes are offered and include history, art, sports, religion, genealogy, music and more. Registration is open.

When: Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 17-Nov. 7 Where: Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell Cost: $55 for unlimited classes More info and registration: selroswellga.org

EVENTS: ANNUAL GRILLING AND GRIDIRON TAILGATE PARTY

What: Join the tailgate party on the first day of SEC conference play as Southern football traditions combine in support of the Lionheart School.

When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 1:308 p.m.

Where: Old Roswell Street, Downtown Alpharetta Cost: Tasting tickets are $20 per person, kids under 12 free.

More info and tickets: thelionheartschool.com

MATERNAL CHILD WELLNESS FAIR

What: Fair organizers have partnered with health care providers and community service organizations to have a free, familyfriendly event to learn about health and wellness. Includes screenings and door prizes.

When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Cumming First United Methodist Church, 770 Canton Highway, Cumming More info: cfumcga.com

IRONKIDS TRIATHLON

What: IronKids Alpharetta allows children ages 6 to 15 to test their strength with a swim, bike and run competition.

When: Saturday, Sept. 14, noon – 5 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 15, 7:15 – 11 a.m.

Where: Wills Park pool, 1815 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta.

Info: awesomealpharetta.com

GREEN HOME WORKSHOP

What: GreenCell ATL is hosting a workshop on green homes.

Topics include learning to compost, growing food, making cleaners and recycling.

When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 1:305 p.m.

Where: Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming More info and registration: tinyurl.com/ghwp19

PERIMETER NORTH FAMILY REUNION WORKSHOP

What: The Perimeter North Family Reunion Workshop will teach tips, tricks, and best practices to make the next family reunion the most memorable yet.

When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where: 246 Perimeter Center Parkway, Dunwoody Info: discoverdunwoody.com

WINE AND READING: MARGARET BALDWIN

What: Enjoy complimentary wine and appetizers as Atlanta’s talented professional actors bring the play’s characters to life.

When: Sunday, Sept. 15, 2-4 p.m.

Where: Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody Cost: $20 Info: dunwoodynature.org

Sponsored Section

September 12, 2019 | Forsyth Herald | 21

The most advanced form of pain relief available Deep Tissue Laser Therapy Class IV Laser Therapy is the most advanced pain relief technology available to the public and it’s now available right here in Johns Creek. Laser therapy uses a process called photo-bio-modulation to enhance your body’s ability to heal itself. Laser Therapy works by flooding the tissues with photons, energizing the damaged cells and increasing circulation to the painful area. Treatments are fast, painless and don’t require any down time but the therapeutic effect continues to soothe and heal long after you leave the office.

Laser Therapy is FDA cleared to treat pain, inflammation, arthritis, and muscle spasms and are a great alternative to medications and injections. Laser Therapy can treat a host of conditions

including rotator cuff injuries, post operative pain and soreness (for any surgery), frozen shoulder, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, neck pain, muscle strains, low back pain, migraines, and can even be used to relieve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.

Johns Creek Physical Therapy, recently voted as the Best Physical Therapy Practice in North Atlanta, is the only medical practice in the area to offer Laser Therapy technology. “I am constantly amazed at what it does for our patients,” says Marc Stewart, PT, owner at Johns Creek Physical Therapy.

If you are experiencing any type of pain, Call 770-622-5344 to schedule your Free Consultation.

Johns Creek Physical Therapy 4060 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite H Suwanee, GA 30024 770-622-5344

22 | September 12, 2019 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Eat more dark chocolate – doctor’s orders

By Dr. Brent Taylor Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta The best drink that I have ever tasted in my life wasn’t a cold beer or a full bodied wine; it was a paper cup of dark hot chocolate at Kollar Dr. Taylor Chocolates on Washington Street in the town of Yountville. (Their passion fruit truffle was also particularly outstanding!) I love dark chocolate. And I mean seriously love dark chocolate! There are wine people, craft beer experts, kambucha fans, but for me, dark chocolate is where it’s at. Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco is, for me, hallowed ground.

The other night, as I found myself in search of a dark chocolate late night snack, it occurred to me that I should look into how dark chocolate is good for the skin… somewhat to help my patients and somewhat to justify my vice! So this is my attempt to validate my dark chocolate habit as healthy. Enjoy!

It turns out dark chocolate has been studied A LOT. Particularly with regard to cardiovascular health. Dark chocolate contains polyphenols called flavonoids.

They have been celebrated for their antioxidant effects. Dark chocolate contains polyphenols that induce the release of nitric oxide (NO) through activation of endothelial NO synthase. This can dilate blood vessels, lower blood pressure and may be cardioprotective. An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2007 reported a decrease in hypertension prevalence from 86% to 68% of their study population during an 18 week trial with consumption of between 6 and 7 grams of dark chocolate per day. White chocolate did not result in this decrease, and the study omitted the fact that white chocolate is also not as yummy.

But that was just one study. The Cochrane Database Review is considered the gold standard for determining whether the sum total of published studies have identified discoveries that are real and significant. A Cochrane Database Review found that dark chocolate “may have a small but statistically significant effect in lowering blood pressure by 2-3 mm Hg in the short term.”

Not exactly strong words, but, when it comes to dark chocolate, I will take what I can get.

What about dark chocolate and the skin? Researchers Calzavara-Pinton and colleagues were able to demonstrate that a dark chocolate extract taken every

day for a week made it more difficult for study participants to sunburn – they suggest that dark chocolate may be photoprotective. So practicing sun-safety means sun-protective clothing (check), sunscreen (check) and eating dark chocolate (triple check). Got it.

There is also a hot area of research about connections between gut health and skin health. Researchers increasingly believe that different types of intestinal bacteria may have either a pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory effect, and some studies suggest that dark chocolate may help shift our gut bacteria towards an anti-inflammatory milieu.

Just as importantly, the International Journal of Dermatology found that regular consumption of moderate amounts of dark chocolate worsened a number of male teenagers’ acne. Thank goodness.

This is excellent news for parents like myself whose spouses scold them for not sharing their chocolate-based desserts with their children more generously.

Dark chocolate is expensive, and my future teenage boys have no business raiding dear old dad’s pantry and eating all of his chocolate, and now science has proven it. So adults everywhere, keep calm and eat dark chocolate!

If you or a loved one hasn’t eaten enough dark chocolate, please consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery for your skin care needs. Dr. Brent Taylor is a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, board-certified dermatologist, vein expert and dark chocolate lover.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

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HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Symptoms of GERD you should be aware of

By Dr. Thomas Wood Northside Hospital/Surgical Specialists of Atlanta Have you ever suffered from heartburn?

That burning sensation in your chest or throat can be very unsettling. Many times, you Dr. WOOD can taste the stomach fluid in the back of your mouth. If this is something you experience more than twice a week, there’s a chance that you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. GERD is a digestive disorder affecting the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is the ring of muscle between the esophagus and the stomach. This common and chronic disease affects up to 1 in 5 or more adults in the U.S according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.

In many cases GERD may be relieved through some diet and lifestyle changes. In other cases, some medication or surgery may be required to treat the symptoms.

Certain foods can also contribute to GERD. Fried foods, chocolate, garlic, onions, spicy foods, tomatoes, citrusy fruits and mint can cause GERD. This condition occurs when the LES weakens or doesn’t relax properly, which will cause the contents in the stomach to travel up into the esophagus.

With normal digestion, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens up to allow the food to pass through the stomach and it closes to prevent food and the acidic stomach juices from traveling back into the esophagus.

Heartburn is one of the most common symptom of GERD, which is a discomfort that is felt behind the breastbone as a burning sensation. The feeling may intensify if the person lies down or bends over after eating food.

Other symptoms include: • Regurgitation of acid up into the throat.

• Bitter taste in mouth.

• Stubborn dry cough.

• Hoarseness.

• Tightness in the throat.

• Wheezing.

• Nausea.

• Feeling as though a piece of food is stuck in the throat.

If left untreated, GERD can lead to other serious conditions which may include: • Esophagitis - inflammation of the esophagus.

• Esophageal stricture – narrowing of the esophagus, making it difficult to swallow.

• Barrett’s esophagus- cells that line

the esophagus change into cells similar to the lining of the intestine, which can turn into cancer.

There are several different ways that GERD is often treated. Typically it will be treated with medication first. If the medication is not effective, other lines of treatment will be offered to the patient.

One of the main treatment options for those who suffer from GERD are proton pump inhibitors. These inhibitors work to decrease the amount of acid that is produced by the stomach. If a person has made significant lifestyle changes and their GERD symptoms continue, physicians may recommend surgery options.

Today, there are multiple surgical options now available for the treatment of GERD. Nissen fundoplication: It is the traditional approach where the surgeon wraps the upper part of the stomach around the esophagus forming a new valve to prevent GERD. LINX procedure: Newer procedure which involves placing “magnets” around the lower part of the esophagus forming a new valve mechanism to prevent GERD. This procedure has a lot of advantages compared to the nissen fundoplication.

TIF procedure: New edoscopic procedure which places sutures around the lower part of the esophagus.

Radiofrequency: Process of using radiofrequency or heat to scar in the lower part of the gastroesophageal junction to prevent GERD. Simple lifestyle and behavior changes can aid in relieving GERD. • Eating food in moderation and avoiding overeating.

• No eating within two to three hours of your bedtime.

• Quit smoking.

• Maintain a healthy weight.

• Sleep with your head slightly elevated when going to bed.

If you believe that you may be suffering from GERD, you should see your family or general practitioner, who will be able to refer you to a gastroenterologist. To learn more visit surgicalspecialistsofatlanta.com.

Dr. Thomas Wood is a board-certified surgeon with Surgical Specialists of Atlanta, a Northside Network provider. Dr. Wood is trained in the latest robotic and laparoscopic surgical techniques and specializes in treatment of adrenal gland, appendix, breast, cancer, colon, gallbladder, hepatobiliary, hernia, liver, melanoma, pancreas, thyroid and parathyroid, spleen, rectum, stomach and reflux conditions.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Your smile makeover and veneers

By Dr. David Remaley Roswell Dental Care Veneers are one of the most versatile options to help restore a smile that is suffering from cracked, chipped, crooked, stained, or gapped front teeth.

They are as durable as regular teeth and are even resistant to staining that would normally yellow natural tooth enamel.

There are a lot of factors to consider when you are thinking about veneers. Some people aren’t sure how to maintain them, while others are wondering if they are even strong candidates to have them fitted.

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are custom-made, thin shields of porcelain or composite resin material that are placed and bonded to the front surface of the teeth. They may be placed on one or more teeth.

Should I Get Veneers?

If you have a tooth that is damaged, decayed, or dilapidated in any way, you are likely a excellent candidate for veneers. After we review your case, we will decide if you are a good candidate for veneers. If you are, then you will both discuss your aesthetic goals and find a dental plan that works best for you.

How Are Veneers Attached?

1. Before the veneers are designed, the front surface of the teeth will need to be reshaped. The amount is minimal and equivalent to the thickness of the veneer.

2. Next, an impression or a digital scan of the teeth is taken and sent off to the dental laboratory to cast an accurate model of the teeth, which is used to fabricate the veneers. You will be provided with temporary veneers

to protect the prepared teeth.

3. Once the veneers are designed, they will be fitted to the prepared teeth and cemented into place.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Veneers are essentially permanent; they are designed to last between 10 and 15 years before they are replaced by another set. The secret to veneer longevity is proper maintenance, care, and taking the appropriate precautions.

Avoid Hard Foods Just like regular teeth, chewing on hard items like pens or using your teeth as tools can potentially damage your veneers. Cracking or chipping them is rare, but it is possible. Habitually chewing in the same spot or using certain teeth to open packages consistently can also wear them out over time.

Maintain Healthy Dental Hygiene Veneers can collect plaque and tartar build-up just like your natural teeth do, which is why it is so important to keep up with your dental hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, and be sure to keep your biannual dental cleaning appointments. Keeping your regular cleaning appointments will prevent worse problems, such as gingivitis and cavities. With your new veneers, you can enjoy virtually any food.

Dr. Remaley and his associate, Dr. Destinee Hood will give you a complimentary smile consultation and will provide you with an accurate estimate of your new smile makeover.

If you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation or would like more information about veneers, please give our office a call at 470.288.1152.

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26 | September 12, 2019 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

Improve your appearance and treat headaches

By Dr. Ushma Patel, D.M.D Center For Advanced Dentistry

A brilliant, white, straighter smile deserves a beautiful framework. Whether you’re blessed with great teeth and have taken good care of them or have invested in a perfect smile through orthodontics, whitening, or other cosmetic work, you may wish to address some of those lines and wrinkles, as well.

Imagine the convenience of getting regular BOTOX™ treatment during your routine dental hygiene visits! Or perhaps you’ve been curious for a while but haven’t been able to schedule time in a cosmetic surgeon’s office. In as little as one visit, we can erase lines and wrinkles from around the mouth, ease pesky crow’s feet, and minimize stress lines on your forehead.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

You may not have heard about an FDA-approved use of BOTOX therapy for head, neck, and/or facial pain. The same effect of BOTOX that reduces the appearance of wrinkles (relaxing muscles) is used to reduce the intensity of muscle contractions. Intense and/or prolonged contractions of our muscles used for chewing can cause pain and damage to our teeth. Pain can be in the contracted muscle or can be referred to a distant site. Severe clenching and grinding of the teeth can cause the teeth to chip, break, or even need root canal treatments. One BOTOX treatment can provide relief for up to three months, and a side benefit is the reduced appearance of lines and wrinkles.

If you’d like to discuss the possibility of relief from pain or the opportunity to look younger and fresher, call us today at 678-8947926 or visit www.HiTechSmiles.com.

Schedule 9/30/19 and get a $50 Visa Gift Card!

Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek offers exemplary memory care Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek uses Teepa Snow’s trademarked Gem Programming, Positive Personal Approach and other techniques in caring for residents with a dementia challenge. This approach helps families relate to their loved one in a meaningful, engaging way.

They offer personal appointments and tours for families to come and learn more about the Arbor Advantage and their 60-day guarantee of satisfaction.

This exemplary resort-style community offers beautiful apartments for Seniors at every stage of their care needs.

They have several floorplans for Assisted Living and in their Bridges neigh-

borhood. Families love Bridges higher engagement activities designed for early cognitive challenges. Their Evergreen Memory Care Neighborhood is available for when higher care is needed on their dementia journey. They also offer a furnished suite when needed.

Families can now focus on the relationship with their loved one in a less stressful manner and begin to feel the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved ones are exceptionally cared for by a well trained caring team of professionals. Call Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek at 770-676-2410 to schedule a personal tour.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

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HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Getting Chaz back in the game In just his junior year of high school, Chaz Chambliss has already received 30 offers for college football scholarships.

But, without the help of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta throughout the years, the now 6-foot, 3-inch-tall linebacker’s multiple injuries could have threatened his promising football career.

Chaz has played baseball and basketball, run track, and thrown shotput, but his favorite sport has always been football. “He started playing when he was 5 years old,” said his mom, Angela.

“People thought we were crazy to let him play at such a young age, but you can tell when he plays football, that’s just his love.”

He has been coming to Children’s since he first broke his arm on the monkey bars in preschool. Since then, he’s also been treated for a broken a bone in his foot during baseball conditioning, as well as had surgery on a cyst on his leg.

So, when Chaz developed a strain on his rotator cuff while playing baseball in middle school, Angela knew exactly where to take him.

Comprehensive care for teen athletes In the Sports Medicine Program at Children’s, Chaz met Colleen Crosby,

NSW NORTHSIDE WOMAN

PT, DPT, SCS, Sports Physical Therapist, who helped him correct his throwing motion and rehabilitate his shoulder in order to get him back to the baseball diamond.

But the injuries just kept coming. In February of his eighth-grade year, Chaz started experiencing pain and found it difficult to stand up straight. It turned out he had a stress fracture in his spine.

Stephen Kroll, MD, Pediatric Sports Medicine Primary Care Physician with Children’s Physician Group–Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, joined Chaz’s care team to treat the stress fracture.

Together, Dr. Kroll and Colleen helped Chaz get back into peak condition.

That fall, Chaz was back on the field starting his freshman year on the varsity team in his high school football debut, and he completed the season free of injury.

“Our trusted sports medicine team is trained in age-appropriate techniques and focused on treating sports-related injuries and conditions in elite young athletes like Chaz,” Dr. Kroll said. “We are dedicated to helping make sure they get back in the game quickly and safely.”

Experts in treating growing athletes Our team of pediatric orthopedic

sports surgeons, sports medicine primary care physicians, sports physical therapists and certified athletic trainers understand what it takes to get an elite athlete back on the field after an injury, and to help keep him on the field.

Not all physicians are experts in

working with growing bones, but our physicians are specially trained to work with children, teens and young adults.

Where you take them matters. Visit choa.org/sportsmed to learn more about our team and how we help growing athletes get back in the game.

Distribute Northside Woman In Your Store!

Bring new customers into your store now by becoming a distribution point for Northside Woman!

770-442-3278 It’s easy and FREE. Just give us a call!

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

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Fatherhood: Tips from a man who has no idea what he is doing

Part 5: Bringing baby home It is time we jump back into your entry into fatherhood, and I am here to serve as your expert on the subject with all of two months of experience as a dad under my belt. We will pick things back up where JOE PARKER we left off — baby Reporter joe@appenmediagroup.com is finally here, and your family is coming together in the hospital.

This time in the hospital is a bit strange. After all, you have finally been thrust into fatherhood and you must suddenly care for another human. A tiny, miniscule little human. A human you fear will be snapped into pieces every time you do any baby-related activity, including changing diapers, burping or just sitting in a chair holding your bundle of joy. The nursing staff will assure you that babies are far more resilient than they appear, which you will eventually find to be true. However, you likely will have not realized it while you and baby are still in the hospital, and each time you move her you will fear her

weak little neck is going to snap under the weight of her head, which is still tiny yet comprises about half her total size.

It is also a rather memorable time because it is the most intimate you and your partner will ever be, for better or for worse. Time spent reveling in sheer happiness with your partner and child will be interspersed with far more intimate, and less enjoyable, moments as you find out all about your partner’s discharges, bowel movements, bleeding and other bodily fluids as she talks with the nursing staff.

On the subject of nurses, they are treasure troves of knowledge and experience. Whether it is something as mundane as how to burp your baby or something as important as how to ensure their head doesn’t fall off and roll around the floor like a bowling ball when you transfer her to someone else’s arms, you learn from the nurses.

After all, you are spending somewhere close to the GDP of Austria of medical care for your partner and baby, so you should take advantage of anything you can, including taking home somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,884 pillows.

You might have to make a few trips, however, because the time will also come for you to take baby home.

Even if you are a smart, loving and dedicated person, you will be highly suspicious of the medical staff for letting you — an absolute moron in the realm of fatherhood who has spent more time picking his nose than caring for babies — take your tiny human home, trusting you to care for every aspect of its life.

After a nerve-wracking drive done at about the speed of smell, you will arrive home, and it will dawn on you that you no longer have nurses and others standing by to help. You are on your own.

Well, not really. Once baby arrives home, you will have seemingly every person you have ever known wanting to visit. Load up on soap and hand sanitizer, because nothing emphasizes “no immunities” like 387 people wanting to hold your child each day.

You have undoubtedly heard about the lack of sleep you will get as a parent, and that starts immediately upon bringing baby home. You will not get a single wink of sleep that first night because you will be far too busy ensuring your baby is actually breathing. You will lie in

See BABY, Page 33

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COMMUNITY

Northern Ridge District announces August Eagle Scouts NORTH FULTON, Ga. — The Northern Ridge Boy Scout District — which includes the cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Milton — recently announced its newest Eagle Scouts. The Scouts who passed their Board of Review held Aug. 29 at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church are: Lucas Rary, of Troop 87, was sponsored by Roswell Presbyterian Church.

He designed and constructed a 20-footlong boardwalk for the trails at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center.

Christian Turturro, of Troop 3000, was sponsored by Birmingham United Methodist Church. He collected and created care packages for the Family Promise Homeless Project. Turturro created a total of 25 female-oriented and 25 male-oriented care packages for his project.

Jack Kaufman, of Troop 429, was sponsored by Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. He designed and constructed an 80-foot fence for horses at the Canine Assistants Center in Milton.

Uddhav Swami, of Troop 2000, was sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church. He designed and constructed

SPECIAL

In the back row, from left, stand new Eagle Scouts Lucas Rary, Christian Turturro, Jack Kaufman, Uddhav Swami and Camden Thompson. In the front row are Erik Couch, Michael Reid, Sahith Sangabathula, Mattson Peterson, Alexander Hudgins and Andy Mai. three outdoor steps with a brick foundation, waterproofed the upper ramp and outdoor benches, and installed a gravel erosion protection layer for Johns Creek Presbyterian Church shed area.

Camden Thompson, of Troop 87, was sponsored by Roswell Presbyterian

Church. He designed and constructed a field box to store outdoor athletic equipment for River Eves Elementary School.

Erik Couch, of Troop 347, was sponsored by Milton Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints.

He renovated the animal interaction area for Dunwoody Nature Center. For the

project, Couch removed existing shelving, repaired and painted the walls, and constructed a bench and bookshelf.

Michael Reid, of Troop 143, was sponsored by Johns Creek United Methodist Church. He redesigned the North-

See SCOUTS, Page 33

COMMUNITY

Scouts:

Baby:

Continued from Page 32

Continued from Page 30

view band trailer. The project included removing existing shelving and replacing them with newer, more efficient shelving.

Reid also constructed ramps for moving larger instruments.

Sahith Sangabathula, of Troop 2000, was sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church. He designed and constructed storage shelves and bins for the Balvihar Ashram at the Chinmaya Mission.

Mattson Peterson, of Troop 347, was sponsored by Milton Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints.

He refurbished the admissions room for Hopewell Middle School. This project included constructing two standing bookshelves, one wall bookshelf unit and coat hooks for backpacks.

Alexander Hudgins, of Troop 429, was sponsored by Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. He designed and constructed six outdoor benches for the Outdoor Sanctuary at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.

Andy Mai, of Troop 143, was sponsored by Johns Creek United Methodist Church. He designed and constructed of a 32-foot retention wall and drainage system for the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center.

bed, waiting for each of baby’s next inhale and exhale. And then, it will stop. You will rush over and place your head somewhere in the neighborhood of six micrometers from her nose, checking for air. Repeat this process for hours and hours until you are so exhausted you are dribbling more than the baby.

Baby’s arrival home will also change your home itself, even beyond the nursery. Sure, you may have been quite tidy or a minimalist when it comes to decoration, but now your home will be awash with pacifiers, blankets, Boppys, bibs, nursing pads, breast pump equipment, bottles and other baby items. You needn’t worry, however. Baby is only going to cause your house to be a complete mess for the next two decades or so.

You have gone through a tremendous amount of changes the last few months, and now that baby is home, you will transform into a different version of yourself — dad. On the next installment we will cover adjusting to the life of a parent, like suddenly caring deeply about another person’s bowel movements.

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Bulky recycling event to be Sept. 21 JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Keep North Fulton Beautiful will host a Bulky Items Recycling Day on Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event, exclusively for residents of Johns Creek, will be at the Target and Home Depot parking lot at 5950 State Bridge Road.

Clothing, small furniture, home medical equipment and other hard-to-dispose, large items can be dropped off. Reusable items will be donated to charity.

This event is for reusable or recyclable large items only, not landfill items. No pre-registration is required, but residents are asked to bring a photo ID. This year, certain items will require a fee to recycle. TVs and monitors will cost $10 each, and items with Freon, such as refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers and air conditioning units, will be $20 per item.

Visit keepnorthfultonbeautiful.org/bulky-recycling.html for a complete list of items that will be accepted.

For more information, call 770551-7766, or email info@knfb.org.

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