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Vol. 48, No. 43

Residents challenge sex ed curriculum

BY TREVOR MCNABOE

MORE INSIDE

trevor.mcnaboe @gwinnettdailypost.com

See full coverage from the Board of Education meeting .. 3A

Gwinnett County Board of Education members faced numerous complaints about a lack of a comprehensive sex education curriculum Thursday evening.

Dialogue between members of Gwinnett

Citizens for Comprehensive Sex Education and BOE members began with eight residents speaking during the GCPS Public Forum session, taking place before the regularly scheduled monthly business meet-

ing.

GCPS chairman Louise Radloff informed the public each speaker was allowed a total of two minutes to speak before the board. Many residents used that time to share their concerns on the shortcomings of the current sex ed program, Choosing the Best.

Mothers, fathers, medi-

cal experts and former students shared their viewpoints on the current system in place.

Teddy Murphy, a 2014 graduate from Brookwood High School, was in favor of a new comprehensive sex ed program.

“What we have right now is harmful for students; it is a waste of taxpayer money and does

not belong anywhere near a public school,” Murphy said. “I’ve been through this curriculum and what I got was a lot of misinformation and it doesn’t really educate.”

GCCSE initially presented a request to change the sex education curriculum at a Gwinnett School Board meeting in June. In the time since,

it has also presented its case to the GCPS Community Health Education Advisory Committee, the body that reviews sex ed curricula for Gwinnett schools.

Tamara Ashley from Gwinnett Citizens for Comprehensive Sex Education said there are

See BOARD, Page 7A

N. Gwinnett gets honored for state title

BY CURT YEOMANS curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

As the Suwanee community celebrated North Gwinnett High School’s football state championship on the Town Green on Thursday, MORE ONLINE Jimmy Visit gwinnettdailypost.com Perkins for photos from the event. recalled a conversation he had about the team on a radio talk show 21 years ago.

Perkins’ son, Andy, was a player on North Gwinnett’s 1996 team, which advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

The elder Perkins regularly called into a radio show hosted by Ted Taylor and See NORTH, Page 7A

SHUTTERED

Yellow River Game Ranch owner, Col. Art Rilling, talks about the closing of the ranch during a visit to the site Wednesday. Rilling sold the ranch to longtime employees in 2013 and said they told him about the closing last week. (Staff Photos: Curt Yeomans)

Suwanee Mayor Jimmy Burnette holds up his old North Gwinnett football jersey during a celebration at the Suwanee Town Green on Thursday to honor the team’s recent football state championship. (Staff Photo: Curt Yeomans)

Special-needs school earns $30K as PGA charity of year

BY STAN AWTREY Staff Correspondent

Stan Hall, the executive director of the Gwinnett Sports Commission, worked 27 years in a former career to prosecute bad guys and put them in jail. He’s seen it all and heard it all. It takes something special to get to him. The Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett did the trick.

“When I visited the Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett, I was crying like a baby,” Hall said. “The work those people do and the emotion that’s felt … it’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”

That’s why Hall and the team from the Mitsubishi Electric Classic, the annual golf tournament hosted at TPC Sugarloaf, pushed the school’s nomination for the PGA Tour Champions Charity of the Year.

On Wednesday, it became official. The Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett was named Charity of the Year and received a check for $30,000.

The Lawrenceville school provides educational and therapeutic programs for See CHARITY, Page 7A

Yellow River Game Ranch shuts down unexpectedly

BY CURT YEOMANS

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

When Col. Art Rilling started the Yellow River Game Ranch in the early 1960s, it was a bit of a head-scratcher for officials.

The ranch offered a home to injured or neglected animals, including some wild game animals that couldn’t be released into the wild. It also let the public come in and interact with the animals in a petting zoo format — if the petting zoo included everything from goats, sheep and turkeys to deer and buffalo.

It was something of a new concept for officials, according to Rilling.

“We started in 1962 and there wasn’t anything like this,” he said. “The insurance companies, the state agencies, everybody didn’t know what to do with us because they didn’t have a pattern of what they had to do last time, so they figured out the worst scenario and said, ‘OK, here is what you have to do.’

“Over the years, they’ve let up on that kind of thing and found out deer won’t eat you up and the buffalo weren’t going to bother you.”

That history with the ranch

MORE ONLINE Visit gwinnettdailypost.com for photos from the ranch through the years.

made talking about the fact it has closed for good difficult for Rilling, who sold it to longtime employees in 2013. He found out about the closing from the owners last week, but word didn’t begin getting out to the public until Wednesday.

His eyes watered, and his voice occasionally trembled as he talked about the end of the ranch.

“This was just woods when we started, so as you can imagine, we’ve got a lot of memories here,” he said. “It’s just a disappointment, but circumstances are what they are.”

The ranch’s website is down, its Facebook page redirects visitors to a generic Facebook page that appears to not be run by the ranch and, perhaps most telling, there was a sign on the door Wednesday announcing the closure.

Over the years, it gained notoriety because of a groundhog named Gen. Beauregard Lee, who became a Southern Groundhog Day rival to Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil.

In 2012, the ranch celebrated

This sign was posted on a door at the Yellow River Game Ranch.

The ranch has reportedly closed, its website taken down and no one answered calls at the facility.

“

This was just woods when we started, so as you can imagine, we’ve got a lot of memories here.

It’s just a disappointment, but circumstances are what they are.”

— Col. Art Rilling, Yellow River Game Ranch founder

its 50th anniversary. It housed about 600 animals on the 25acre property at the time. While the ranch has been a popular family destination for decades, it hasn’t been without its share of negative press in recent years.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture report from nearly two years ago cited several concerns, including animals that appeared unable to stand

on their own, other animals that appeared to be so thin that the outline of hip and spine bones could be seen, and some animals that had trouble walking.

The USDA required the animals to be checked by a veterinarian.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals called for the ranch to be closed about five

See RANCH, Page 7A

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Horoscope .....4A

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Sports ............1B

Comics...........8B

Local ............. 2A

Obituaries ......7A

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Weekend........1C

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Send us engagements, wedding, births or anniversaries under “Submit your news” on the home page.

2A • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017

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New I-85 exit at McGinnis Ferry advances

BY CURT YEOMANS

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett County officials moved forward on plans to add a new exit on Interstate 85 at McGinnis Ferry Road in Suwanee this

week, but it will be a few years before drivers can use it.

The county awarded a $3.17 million contract to Atkins North America Inc. for design services and construction document development for the McGinnis

Ferry Road interchange project.

The new interchange will be located just south of the existing LawrencevilleSuwanee Road exit.

County transportation director Alan Chapman said the interchange should help

with traffic in the area once it opens.

“It will provide another access point for the Lawrenceville-Suwanee area, which is heavily congested right now,” he said.

There are still more steps to take, including hiring

a firm to build the interchange. Construction is expected to begin around 2021 or 2022, and Chapman said it should take about 18 months to complete.

The county is partnering with the Georgia Department of Transportation to

get the $13 million interchange built, with GDOT expected to take responsibility for the actual construction of the exit.

The contract approved this week will be funded by the 2014 special purpose local option sales tax.

Commissioners OK $4M replacement police helicopter

BY CURT YEOMANS

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

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Nearly four months after one of its two helicopters was destroyed in a crash at Briscoe Field that left two officers severely injured, the Gwinnett County Police Department is looking for a replacement.

County commissioners approved a request from the police department Tuesday to buy a new MD 530F helicopter from MD Helicopters Inc. for $2.8 million and avionics installation from Rotor Resources LLC for just under $1.1 million.

Insurance from the crashed helicopter will cover nearly $2.25 mil-

lion, while the remaining nearly $1.7 million will come from the Police Tax Contingency Fund.

“This request is to replace the helicopter that was destroyed in the crash on Sept. 1, 2017,” Police Chief Butch Ayers told commissioners.

The county has done work with MD Helicopters before. Two years

ago, officials used the company to strip down and rebuild the police Butch Ayers department’s helicopters from the frame up with new equipment as an alternative to replacing them.

The avionics system in the new helicopter will include a FLIR infrared camera system and monitor, moving maps, a communications system, GPS and night vision capabilities, Ayers said.

The Sept. 1 crash left Cpl. Michael Duncan paralyzed from the waist down. Officer George McLain was also severely injured in the crash but was not paralyzed.

Commissioner John Heard questioned buying a new helicopter from the company that had rebuilt the crashed helicopter a few years ago, but Ayers said he felt confident in the safety of the com-

HOLIDAY

A Gwinnett police helicopter crashed near Briscoe Field on Sept. 1. The Gwinnett County Police Department is now looking to purchase its replacement. (File Photo)

pany’s equipment.

“The remaining helicopter was inspected from front to back right after the crash,” Ayers said. “We found no problems with the helicopter.”

Indeed, a preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report on the crash indicated that wind may have been a major factor in the crash.

Duncan told the Daily Post in October that he

and McLain had seen a storm approaching the area while participating in a fugitive search. The storm prompted them to attempt to return to the airport as quickly as possible.

They had been trying to land at the airport when a wind gust sent the helicopter into a spin and crashing into the ground, according to the report.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 • 3A

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Police seek help to ID robbery suspect The attempted robbery occurred on Old Peachtree Road in unincorporated LawrencevGwinnett police are looking ille, Pihera said. Employees for a man who they say atdescribed the suspect as aptempted to rob a Lawrenceville proximately 5 feet, 10 inches, gas station and convenience about 150 pounds, wearing store at gunpoint last week. a dark-colored hoodie, darkAt approximately 7 a.m. colored pants, a gray scarf or Dec. 16, “a light-skinned bandana around his neck and a Hispanic or white male apbrown backpack. proached the (QuikTrip) His most noticeable feature, attendants and told them that Pihera said, was a “333” tattoo Police released these surveillance images of a suspect in a gas stahe was robbing the store and tion and convenience store robbery last week in Lawrenceville. (Spe- below his right eye. needed $300,” Gwinnett Police cial Photo) Police say after the QuikTrip Department Cpl. Michele clerk told the suspect there employees told the suspect any cash and the suspect left Pihera said. “He held a silver was no money to give him, he handgun in his right hand. The that they didn’t have access to without anything.” “walked out of the store toward

BY ISABEL HUGHES

isabel.hughes@gwinnettdailypost.com

Suspect allegedly steals $1,500 from a man’s car

BY ISABEL HUGHES

Police allege teen stole car, broke into another

BY ISABEL HUGHES isabel.hughes@gwinnettdailypost.com

isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

What should have been a quick stop at a Sugar Hill convenience store turned into a headache for a Winder man whose car was robbed of $1,500 after he went into the store.

Gwinnett police are looking for two suspects they believe followed the victim from a Bank of America, where he had recently cashed a check, to an Exxon gas station parking lot and robbed the vehicle while the victim was in the food mart. “(The victim) stated he exited the bank and noticed the male began to exit behind him,” an incident report said. “He stated he walked to his truck and noticed the male got into a black SUV (and that) the black SUV turned out of the parking lot behind him and followed him … to the Exxon gas station parking lot. (He) stated he parked his truck and entered the store (and when) he exited the store he did not see the suspect vehicle again. (He) stated he entered his truck and looked in

Police are searching for the man and woman pictured in connection with the theft of $1,500 from a man’s car at a Sugar Hill convenience store. (Special Photo)

his center console and noticed the envelope from Bank of America was missing and that the truck might have been left unlocked when he entered the gas station.”

Surveillance video obtained from the store shows a male suspect wearing a blue or purple button up shirt and sunglasses getting out of the passenger side of the SUV, opening the door to the victim’s truck and then stealing the cash.

At the same time the theft is occurring, a female suspect who is wearing a black shirt, black pants, black shoes and carrying

a brown bag, exits the driver’s side of the SUV briefly. Immediately following the theft, the video shows the suspects get back inside the SUV and leave.

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact Gwinnett police detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit crimestoppersatlanta.org. Tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case by referencing case number 17-107036.

a wooded area behind a bank” and disappeared.

A K-9 search by police yielded no results.

Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding the case or who recognize the suspect to contact Gwinnett police detectives at 770-513-5300.

To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit crimestoppersatlanta. org. Tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case by referencing case number 17-117065.

Police are on the lookout for a Duluth teen accused of stealing a car and breaking into another, where officials say he then accidentally dropped his phone.

Earlier this month, Duluth police recorded 19-year-old Andre Harris telling a friend he was “on the run from the police” after asking where to find a chop shop for a vehicle he is accused of stealing on Dec. 4, a Duluth Police Department incident report said.

Police identified Harris after he allegedly broke into another vehicle and dropped an Android phone on the driver’s seat. They were able to track him based on videos he reportedly posted on social media of himself in the stolen vehicle.

A Gwinnett Police Department officer, who recovered the stolen car after OnStar, a vehicle security service, tracked it to a Grayson location. She said Harris ran when she confronted him and managed to elude law enforcement.

The officer was the first to see

Harris’ social media videos and alerted Duluth police to the posts.

“The (Gwinnett Police Department) officer said Andre that she had seen Harris the male suspect on Snapchat and that he was seen driving the vehicle on Snapchat,” a Duluth officer said in the report. “She stated that there were videos of the suspect in the stolen vehicle. I later learned the suspect’s Instagram name and I observed the suspect who I witnessed driving the vehicle.

He had on the same hoodie and pants in the video on Instagram and he also could be seen driving the green Chevy on video at approximately 12 hours prior to the time I viewed the video on his (Instagram) timeline.”

The evidence led officers to obtain warrants for Harris’ arrest, which include several felony charges.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Gwinnett or Duluth police with information.

Officers credited Wilbanks receives contract renewal with reuniting missing Miami girl with mother

BY TREVOR MCNABOE

trevor.mcnaboe @gwinnettdailypost.com

already assigned to the area, Lt. Clemon asked a isabel.hughes@ Gwinnett County Police gwinnettdailypost.com Department (officer) to Two Gwinnett County check the address,” Volkolaw enforcement officers dav said. “The officer are credited with helpresponded quickly to the ing reunite a missing location and the young girl from Miami with girl was safely recovher mother following a ered.” tip they received from The name of the ofan investigator with the ficer who found the girl Miami-Dade Police Dewas not immediately partment. released due to Georgia Gwinnett County law restricting police Sheriff’s Office Lt. S. information and reports Clemon was on duty at about minors, and the the county jail when he Daily Post’s calls to the received a call from Der- Miami detective were not rick Edwards, a detective immediately returned. with the Miami-Dade Volkodav said both Police Department, who officers’ work is apprecitold Clemon that an ated, however. endangered 16-year-old “Lt. Clemon doesn’t girl may be at a Northink it’s a big deal that cross home, according to he acted quickly to send Deputy Shannon Volkosomeone to look for this dav, spokeswoman for the missing girl because those sheriff’s office. duties are part of the job,” “Knowing that time is she said, “(but) we think of the essence and that the this young girl’s mother quickest way to conduct would disagree. It’s a big a check of that location deal to set into motion the was to dispatch a Gwinsafe return of someone’s nett County Police officer daughter.”

BY ISABEL HUGHES

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Gwinnett County Public Schools Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks will retain his role at the helm of Georgia’s largest school system for an additional two years, following an J. Alvin Wilbanks announcement by the Gwinnett County Board of Education at its monthly meeting Thursday.

Wilbanks’ contract extension will go into effect July 1 and run through June 30, 2020. Wilbanks is in his 55th year as an educator and has been the Superintendent of Gwinnett County Schools since 1996. Wilbanks’ base pay will increase by $10,000 per year. The provisions of the new contract remain the same as those of his previous contract.

Wilbanks will receive a transportation allowance, an expense allowance, and two monthly supplements (a $3,500 retirement supplement and a $6,250 longevity supplement). In addition, an annual contribution of $29,590.22 will be made to the Teachers Retirement System.

Wilbanks’ two-year extension is the maximum length allowed according to a local statute.

In addition, Brookwood High School language arts teacher Dr. Amber Simmons was recognized during the board meeting for being

Brookwood High School teacher Dr. Amber Simmons was honored Thursday in front of the Gwinnett County Board of Education. (Staff Photo: Trevor McNaboe)

named a 2017 National Council of Teachers of English High School Teacher of Excellence Award winner. The award recognizes and celebrates excellent high school teachers. Simmons was the only Georgia teacher to receive the award, and one of 15 winners across the country.

Other items approved during the meeting include GCPS five-year Strategic Initiatives and Priorities, Strategic Waivers School System Letter of Intent and Contract, and a total of ten items listed as part of its consent agenda including: • Purchase orders in a monthly report of purchases greater than $2,000; • Suwanee Elementary School HVAC and roofing modifications bid awarded to John F.

Pennebaker Co. in the amount of $1,569,888; • Gwin Oaks Elementary School HVAC and roofing modifications bid awarded to Presley Inc. in the amount of $1,680,000; • Peachtree Elementary School HVAC Replacement bid awarded to Conditioned Air Systems Inc. in the amount of $826,941; • Mountain View High School Stormwater Utility Easement; • Peachtree Elementary School Right of Way Deed and Temporary Easement for the Construction of Drives to construct a new sidewalk along Jay Bird Alley to tie into the existing sidewalk; • Approve a business relationship with Office Depot Inc. through the National Intergovernmen-

tal Purchasing Alliance Contract No. R141703; • Certificates of Completion on Pharr Elementary School Roof Replacement and Shiloh High School Roof Replacement; • Designating Risk Response Team as a Single Source Supplier for the purchase of video surveillance support for the contract term from Jan. 28 to January 1, 2019; and • Purchases of PCR 1809 — Enterprise Data Governance.

GCPS will also be looking at a General Obligation Bond to help fund future building projects. According to Wilbanks the bond will be in the neighborhood of $325 million to $350 million and would not raise taxes for Gwinnett County residents.

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4A • FridAy, december 22, 2017 To Your Good Health

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Subscription Rates: ing information that can are other areas in which I Subscription rate is $99 plus ost.com Delivery Problems: Your that are missed, we will Legal Notices: Hours are satisfaction is our No. 1 pri- have this paper delivered lead to new beginnings. act similarly on request: sales tax for one year, limitIllicit drug use is one.

Romance is highlighted. ority. If we miss delivery, call with the next day paper ed delivery areas. Call 770- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon.-Fri. The fax number is 770-339- our circulation department delivery at the request of My advice to readers is 339-5845 from 8 a.m. to 5 CANCER (June 21-July p.m. Monday through Friday 8082. Reach the legal that you should discuss the customer. customer service line, 77022) — Problems with chilthese matters with your dren, relatives or friends clinician. If concerns who don’t see things your about it being in your way will sprout. Commedical record are keeppromise will be required ing you from bringing it Dear amy: My 2-yearDr. Thoele and I both that he was no longer a if you wish to maintain Ask Amy up, ask that it not be put old grandson’s parents hope that everyone attends danger to his ex. peace. Avoid excessive in. There are limits to refuse to have him immuthe family get-together, and Understand that if the behavior. patient confidentiality, nized. This is causing a huge that all family members try ex-wife is volatile, having LEO (July 23-Aug. however: Some sexually problem with the parents of their best to be nice to one a restraining order in place 22) — Set your emotions transmitted infections our other grandchildren. another. There is, fortuwould also protect your free. Speak up about your must be reported to the Our 6-month-old grandnately, no vaccine preventing husband from any contact feelings and disclose your local health departdaughter has not had all that. with her. Without contact, personal intentions and ment, which may pursue of her vaccinations yet, Dear amy: I recently she can’t continue to make plans. Avoid indulgence, (anonymous) partner no- and her mother is worried got married. I am 44, my allegations. Why appeal it? excessive expenditures tification. Physicians also about her being around the husband is 50.

You don’t mention who and poor judgment reAmy Dickinson must disclose records in unimmunized 2-year-old.

It is a second marriage for sent you these documents, garding home and family. case of a subpoena. There She is refusing to come to both. but you should assume VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. are a few other excepour home for the holidays is especially important for He told me his first wife that the person was trying 22) — Offering to help tions to patient confiden- if the unvaccinated child is people with weak immune was crazy and that she to warn you, and yes, you with any preparations or tiality. there. We have several other systems, such as babies, fabricated abuse allegations should take this very seriresponsibilities will give In an ideal world, grandchildren under the age people with cancer, HIV and to the point where she has ously. You should go to the others less to complain patient medical records of 10 whose parents are also cystic fibrosis. a lifetime restraining order courthouse in the county about. Do your part and would be used only for concerned.

“If enough people don’t against him. where the alleged offenses communication among Someone is going to miss vaccinate their children Twice he appealed the happened (if you are able) to you’ll gain respect and will receive something health care professionthis family gathering. (vaccination rates have been court’s decision and lost, so access these public records als, and sexual health, How vulnerable is our decreasing), herd immunity the order remains in place. I for yourself, or see a lawyer unexpected. drug use and many other youngest grandchild, who is will decrease, leading to LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. chose to believe him. to try to verify them — and personal details may be still in the process of getting outbreaks of these diseases.

Someone sent me some of the claims they contain.

23) — Make some posiimportant for the entire her first-year shots?

A recent outbreak of measles the court documents outlinYou can also contact the tive changes at home or team to know about.

— Frustrated and occurred in children who ing what his crazy ex-wife National Domestic Violence have a heart-to-heart talk However, for those Concerned visited Disneyland — and claims he did to her.

Hotline at thehotline.org. with someone who can people who are very conDear FrustrateD: most who caught the disease It was full of physical, Dear amy: Your help make your life easier. cerned about confidenti- I turned to David Thoele, were unvaccinated or infants. financial, verbal and sexual answer to “Worried Sister,” Spend less money and ality, I feel it’s better to a pediatrician at Advocate “The American Academy abuse. who was concerned about choose not to be decaget the information, even Children’s Hospital in Park of Pediatrics notes that: UnI wonder if I was wrong exposing her adolescent dent. if I have to promise not Ridge, Ill., for professional immunized children are at to believe him. daughters to her violent, sex SCORPIO (Oct. 24to write it in the chart. (I guidance. risk of vaccine-preventable What do you think? offender brother over the Nov. 22) — Curb bad solicit permission to tell Dr. Thoele responds: diseases, and also create — Worried holidays was spot-on. That habits. Walk away from consultants the informa- “Back in the ‘bad old days,’ risk of disease outbreaks in Dear WorrieD: answer ranks as one of the temptation or anyone tion verbally, if neceswhen everyone saw polio, young infants and children My understanding is that a best pieces of advice you trying to convince you sary). measles, diphtheria and who medically cannot be “lifetime” (or “permanent”) have ever written. to spend excessively or Dr. Roach regrets that other diseases causing severe immunized.” restraining order is issued — Cynthia go overboard. Use your he is unable to answer illness and death, few quesI note the irony that this through the courts, after Dear Cynthia: common sense and basic individual letters, but tioned the value of vaccines. fortunate 2-year-old is likely both sides have presented Thank you. My advice was instincts. will incorporate them “With the widespread protected from preventable evidence. The allegations to trust her instincts.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. in the column whenever success of vaccinations, disease by being surrounded would have to meet a stanYou can contact Amy 23-Dec. 21) — Displaypossible. Readers may these diseases have almost by others who have been dard of proof at this hearing. Dickinson via email: askaing charm while offering email questions to ToYdisappeared, thanks to immunized. Because of this, Your husband’s “crazy” ex my@amydickinson.com. peace and cooperation ourGoodHealth@med. individual immunity (people understand that unless this would have had to convince Readers may send postal will help you maintain percornell.edu or request an who are immunized) and toddler is in contact with the court that her allegations mail to Amy Dickinson, c/o sonal balance. Knowing order form of available ‘herd immunity.’ Herd impeople with active measles, were true and that she was in Tribune Content Agency, where you fit in will enhealth newsletters at 628 munity means most people polio or other diseases continuing danger.

16650 Westgrove Drive, courage collaboration and Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL are vaccinated, so everyone (highly unlikely), the chance Your husband allegedly Suite 175, Addison, Texas, closer ties with friends 32803. Health newsletis protected: The disease is the other children would went to court twice to try 75001. You can also follow ters may be ordered from so rare it can’t spread. Herd catch one of these illnesses to get this lifted, but was her on Twitter @askingamy and relatives. Romance is www.rbmamall.com. immunity protects us all, but is exceedingly rare. encouraged. unable to convince the court or “like” her on Facebook.

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Todd Cline, Editor

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Page 5 a • Friday, december 22, 2017

The Trump Family and the Swamp Part 2 One of the biggest beneficiaries of the massive, slapdash tax bill that President Trump and Republican lawmakers celebrated at the White House on Wednesday will be, wait for it, President Trump. What a coincidence!

The rest of Trump’s wealthy family will benefit lavishly as well, including his son-inlaw and all-purpose adviser Jared Kushner.

And, of course, it’s not a coincidence at all.

The chance that this president would preside over a revision of the tax code without lining his own pockets was zero. Anyone who believed Trump’s claim that the tax bill would “cost me a fortune” hasn’t been paying attention.

It is not possible to calculate precisely how much money the Eugene president will Robinson save, since he — unlike all other recent presidents — refuses to release his tax returns. But the figure is surely in the millions, assuming Trump is anywhere near as wealthy as he claims. His extended clan will have plenty of liquidity for Donald Jr. and Eric to jet off to Africa and kill more leopards and water buffaloes; for Jared and Ivanka to disappear on ski trips whenever they need to claim deniability regarding the latest administration outrage; and for the president himself to consume as many Big Macs, Filet-o-Fishes and chocolate shakes as his constitution can bear.

Trump claims to be worth $10 billion; Forbes estimates his wealth at $3 billion, and some analysts believe the true figure is lower. Any way you look at it, however, he’s a wealthy man — and the tax bill, which awaits only Trump’s signature to become law, is designed to make the very rich even richer.

Like all 1-percenters, Trump will benefit from the lowering of the top tax rate from 39.6 percent to 37 percent. But that’s just for starters. As is always the case with the tax code, the devil is in the details.

Trump conducts his business affairs through hundreds of “pass-through” companies whose income is taxed at the personal rate, not the corporate rate. The House wanted to dramatically slash the pass-through rate across the board, but the Senate initially balked. At the last minute, however, the Senate wrote into the final bill a 20 percent deduction for passthrough income. If a taxpayer had, say, $100 million in pass-through earnings, he or she would only be taxed on $80 million; the rest would be tax-free.

At first, senators sought to limit this sweetheart deal to companies with large numbers of employees or high payrolls — unlike Trump’s pass-through businesses, which are mostly paper entities. But the final legislation gives the full deduction, regardless of the number of employees, to pass-through companies that own a lot of depreciable property, such as commercial real estate. Which just so happens to be the president’s livelihood.

It would be hard to craft a measure more tailor-made to enrich Trump and his family.

If he wanted to avoid even the appearance of corruption, of course, Trump could decline to take this tax break or donate an equivalent amount to the Treasury. Somehow I doubt either of those things will happen.

Trump also gets to continue using a frequently abused tax loophole called “like-kind exchange.” Usually, if you sell a piece of property at a profit, that profit is considered income and is taxed. Creative accountants and tax lawyers came up with ways to structure sales so that they technically qualified as trades, meaning that as far as the IRS was concerned, there was no income to tax. This practice is now ending for all types of property — except real estate. Another coincidence, I’m sure.

Oh, and most businesses will be negatively affected by a measure capping the amount of interest expenses they can deduct — except real estate investors and hotel operators, which are explicitly exempted. If this were a movie, lobbyists and lawmakers would have hammered out this last provision in a back room at the Trump International Hotel.

On the flip side, Trump’s ability to deduct the state and local taxes he pays in New York would be drastically limited. But that is nothing compared to the likely upside.

Join with me in a thought experiment.

Imagine that the legislature of some other country — Brazil, say, or Mozambique, or Thailand — decided to rewrite the tax code, with no public hearings or expert testimony, in a way that benefited the rich overall, with maximum financial gain for businesses like that of the sitting head of government. What would you say?

I’m pretty sure you’d use the word corruption. And you would be right.

Eugene Robinson’s email address is eugenerobinson@washpost.com.

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Remember the families that struggle Three quarters of a century ago, the holiday season was not a memorable time for many American families whose sons were ensconced in a far away setting, fighting a war that was slowly beginning to turn in the Allies’ direction. However, Adolf Hitler stealthily mobilized his troops, including many battle-hardened veterans from the Eastern Front, for a last ditch effort to split British and American armies and capture the critical supply port at Antwerp. That battle became well-known as the “Battle of the Bulge.”

The offensive, which took place at the height of the Christmas season in 1944, caught the Allies by surprise during one of the bitterest winters on record. It was costly for all, but for the Germans, it was a conflict from which they would not recover. Hitler could not duplicate his Blitzkrieg at the outset of the war when his troops charged expeditiously through the Ardennes and ran roughshod over Western Europe. The war would last until the following May, but when Hitler’s forces were overwhelmed at Bastogne in December 1944, his days were numbered.

There are countless vignettes and sidebars of the war which have fascinated the world for more than seven decades. I can remember spend-

Loran Smith ing time with Gen. Joseph Harper, who as a young captain had delivered General Anthony McAulifee’s reply of “Nuts” to the German commander who had demanded that U.S. Forces surrender at Bastogne.

As an aging but proud man, he stood in his basement in North Atlanta and relived his moment of glory. He recalled handing his German counterpart McAluliffe’s one-word message, which prompted the German officer to ask, “Nuts.

What es nuts?” Harper recalled saying, “I can tell you what it means. It means ‘Go to Hell.’

If you don’t understand that, we are going to kill every damn German over here.”

Even today, one can visit battlefields and glean nuggets of information, often hidden but revealing and illuminating.

As in all wars, there are heroes and there are tragic casualties.

Two of the most passionate advocates, who keep alive the memories of Georgians who made the ultimate sacrifice, are

Athens residents Rod Davis and Bill Cosgrove. They make frequent trips to World War II battlefields and cemeteries in Europe, matching battle zones with maps and connecting those dots with fallen heroes who never got to start a family.

Never settled down in a modest home with a back yard and a picket fence. Never joined a country club and played in a regular foursome. Never pitched in at church socials, or with the Boy Scouts or the PTA. Like Benjamin F. Parks (and his buddy Daniel Eugene Thompson Jr.) both of whom were graduates of the University of Georgia and were tragically killed as fresh-faced soldiers, not much older than the Hitler youth later sent into battle. When Parks, born and raised in Maysville, a “freshly minted” lieutenant and platoon leader, was rushed to the western edge of the Battle of the Bulge, he and his buddies were made up of the “greenest” division, which was confronted by the 2nd SS Panzer Division. They (panzers) were, as Bill Cosgrove notes, “not only battle hardened, but were responsible for a number of atrocities during the war.

They were fanatical followers of Hitler and had pledged personal allegiance to the Führer.”

Lt. Parks died on Christmas Eve in his first hour of combat

near Belle Haie, Belgium. “Although Ben’s story took place well to the west of the St. Vith area, Rod and I included it on our itinerary,” Cosgrove says.

He also noted that they felt they came very close to where Parks spent his final hours.

“We were,” says Cosgrove, “within a hundred feet of the woods where he was killed.”

As you enjoy the Christmas season, it is always good to remember that with some families it is not so good.

Certainly, it was not for Ben Parks’ family on Christmas Eve 1944, although they had not yet heard the news about his fate. It was not until five months later when his young widow received confirmation that he had been killed in action.

There is a good news side of this bad news story in that our society seems inclined to remind successive generations of the tragedies of that war and how brutal the Nazis were. I hope we never let go of the endless films, documentaries and literature which confirm their consequential hate.

Then there are those, like Bill Cosgrove and Rod Davis, passionate WWII aficionados, who take the time to remind us of and document the courage and valor of the Ben Parkses of our history. Historians, even the layman enthusiasts, make an invaluable contribution, too.

Words not banned, some that should be The recent excitement over an incredible story about the government trying to ban certain words reminded me of all the words and phrases I despise and wish were banned.

For the sake of getting on with it, briefly: The Washington Post reported Friday that officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had been forbidden from using seven words as they prepared their 2019 budget documents.

The words were: vulnerable, diversity, entitlement, fetus, transgender, science-based and evidence-based.

Everybody went bonkers on cue.

Pro-choice activists insisted that such word changes were an attempt to thwart abortion rights. The CDC pushed back and denied the ban. Anonymous analysts continued to confuse everyone. CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald went straight to Twitter, writing: “I want to assure you there are no banned words at CDC. We will continue to talk about all our important public health programs.”

What really happened? It’s hard to know for sure at this point. The Post sees a heavyhanded silencing, but the National Review’s Yuval Levin offers a different explanation.

According to Levin’s sources, the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, issued a stylebook to departments for the preparation of budget

so frighten Republicans that they’d kill their budget, or, that this could possibly be true.

So that happened.

Obviously, the government shouldn’t ban words, but there’s no reason a columnist, who gets to be queen for about 750 words, can’t take a stab.

Kathleen In a gesture of democratic Parker pandering, I even enlisted the help of my kingdom of Facebook “friends.” Because documents. Included were they were self-selecting, this three of the words mentioned survey should not be construed above — vulnerable, diversity as “science-based.” and entitlement — with the But the evidence suggests suggestion that they be used as that my friends are a peevish little as possible because they lot when it comes to mis- or were either used too often or over-used words, which makes incorrectly. me like them even more. My Now that you mention it, I own personal list, the phrasing think I’ll add them to my list. of which is rhythmically pleasLevin was also told that ing if obviously redundant, other, more intriguing words begins with nouns that have were mentioned in a meeting been “re-purposed” as verbs. as possible “trigger” words that When a friend recently might so upset congressional said to me that she hadn’t Republicans that they’d slash been “gifted” in a long while, funding. These were fetus, I thought (to myself), “So I science-based, evidence-based see.” Then, “lo and behold,” and transgender. In some cases, (a phrase that will be allowed alternatives were suggested, at Christmastime), I was such as “unborn child” for informed by a linguist that “fetus.” In other words, if you “to gift” has been a verb since want those people — congres- 1550. He noted, however, that sional Republicans — to fund he would have interpreted my us, don’t use language they friend’s statement as meaning don’t like. that she hadn’t been given (as a One could call this either, gift) in a while. That, too, I’m “Oh, my God, they’re trying to sure. ban words!” Or, you could call To put it bluntly, “awesome” it common sense. I’m not sure isn’t anymore. “Snowflake” which is more discomfiting, produces more ennui than however: CDC guys worried insult. “Pivot,” “veritable,” “in that “science-based” would reality,” and “best practices”

wear us down. As do: “reach out,” “share” and “think outside the box.” “Own” it, if you must, but I’d sell it on Ebay.

Just sayin’.

“Breaking news” IS news.

It’s devastated, not “decimated.” You don’t “effort,” for heaven’s sake. You make an effort. Or, maybe just try.

Which apparently is a thing.

No problem? You’re welcome.

And I take back my thank you.

Literally, where is all this “low-hanging fruit,” if you don’t mind my asking. And, no, you’re not recording me “for quality and training purposes.” You’re collecting profane diatribes to read at the company holiday party. Nice try. Or just, “nice.” Sick. Stop it.

We’re not going to “unpack” anything, unless you’re my valet, or “drill down,” unless you’re the plumber. We’re sick of optics, mansplainin’, onboarding and THIS, as in “what she said.” We’ve had it with closure and ideating, as well as doubling down on the whole nine yards. No one is “woke.”

At the end of the day, when all is said and done, the fact of the matter is we were all vulnerable as fetuses, some of whom were surely bound to become transgender because evidence-based diversity is what it is.

But, no worries. It’s all good.

Believe me. Bigly.

Kathleen Parker’s email address is kathleenparker@ washpost.com.

6A • Friday, December 22, 2017

WORLD Pence makes surprise trip to Afghanistan Vice President Mike Pence secretly touched down in Afghanistan on Thursday night to meet with top Afghan officials and rally U.S. troops for his first trip to the country as vice president.

The trip, planned in secret for safety reasons, made Pence the highest-ranking Trump administration official to visit an active U.S. combat zone and came four months after President Donald Trump committed several thousand more U.S. troops to the 16year war effort. During his visit, Pence touted the new U.S. strategy and stressed the U.S.’s dedication to achieving victory.

“I believe victory is closer than ever before,” Pence told troops here late Thursday night.

Reporters traveling with Pence agreed to keep the trip secret until an hour before Pence was scheduled to fly back to the U.S.

gwinnettdailypost.com

world&nation U.N. condemns Jerusalem decision

By Nicole Gaouette CNN

The United Nations voted overwhelmingly to condemn President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel despite threats from the U.S. to pull funding from the world body.

Some 128 countries voted for the resolution, while nine voted “no,” and 35 nations abstained, including Canada and Australia.

The vote came after U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley issued a direct threat to the U.N. saying that the U.S. will think twice about funding the world body if it voted to condemn Trump’s decision.

“The United States will remember this day in which it was singled out for attack in this assembly,” Haley said. “We will remember it when we are called upon to once again make the world’s largest contribution” to the U.N. and when other member nations ask Washington “to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit.”

Haley said the U.S. will put its embassy in Jerusalem regardless of the vote.

“That is what the American people want us to do and it is the right thing to do,” Haley said. “This vote will make a difference in how Americans look at the

PEOPLE Trailer has arrived for coming sequel to ‘Mamma Mia!’

The sequel to “Mamma Mia!” gives us the origin tale we’ve been needing.

At least that’s what we gather from the trailer for “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” which debuted Thursday.

Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried return as motherdaughter duo Donna and Sophie, but this time around Sophie is pregnant, and she learns the story of her mother’s pregnancy.

Lily James plays the younger version of Donna, and the audience will learn U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley is pictured speaking to the U.N. (Special Pho- how the “Dancing Queen” to: CNN) came to inhabit a Greek island. There’s also a little bit of Cher, who plays Sophie’s U.N.,” she said. “And this grandmother. vote will be remembered.”

Haley’s remarks followed a threat from Trump Why Efron chose himself, who mentioned ‘The Greatest the U.N. vote at a WednesShowman’ for his day Cabinet meeting.

“We’re watching those musical comeback cast on a General Assembly From Wire Reports votes,” the President said.

After nearly a decade break draft resolution to reject the “Let them vote against us, from movie musicals, Zac The Thursday vote at American decision. we’ll save a lot.

We don’t Child malnutrition Efron is making his return to the U.N. could be as much “As you consider your care.” soars in besieged the genre a meaningful one. about President Donald vote, I want you to know that Few countries seemed Efron told CNN his deciTrump as it is about his the president and U.S. take Damascus area cowed, with nation after sion to star in “The Greatest controversial decision to this vote personally,” Haley nation blasting the U.S. Despite many claims the Showman” alongside Hugh recognize Jerusalem as the said. “The president will be at an emergency session war in Syria is ebbing, one Jackman boiled down to two capital of Israel. watching this vote carefully of the General Assembly, besieged pocket of rebelfactors: the director, Michael U.S. representative to the and has requested I report condemning the Jerusalem aligned civilians near the Gracey, and the movie’s mesU.N. Nikki Haley wrote her back on those countries who decision as illegal, destaSyrian capital is at a “critical sage of inclusion. fellow ambassadors to say voted against us. We will bilizing and a violation of Efron plays Phillip Carlyle, point,” says the International that she and Trump would take note of each and every international law, leava performer and business Committee of the Red Cross. be watching as ballots are vote on this issue.” ing Washington largely They are experiencing partner of P.T. Barnum, who isolated. the worst outbreak of child launches what will eventually malnutrition yet in the savage become the Ringling Bros. six-year civil war, and in need billion in fiscal 2016, funded and Barnum & Bailey Circus. of an emergency medical almost entirely by the federal Efron’s character falls in love with Anne Wheeler, a mixedevacuation of more than 100 government.

Trump makes race trapeze artist played by children, U.N. officials said.

States have been able to An estimated 400,000 Zendaya. Phillip’s and Anne’s keep their CHIP programs holiday visit to civilians in the suburban engoing since the federal fund- interracial relationship courts Walter Reed clave of Eastern Ghouta have controversy in the film, and ing expired by using their Efron wanted to use their love President Donald Trump suffered from both a lengthy unspent allotments and with story to send a message to siege and continued bombard- paid a holiday visit to grants from the federal Cenment. wounded troops at a hospiters for Medicare & Medicaid viewers.

Doctors and aid workers “That was one of the most tal outside Washington on Services. say it is children who are — important things to get across Thursday. as has often been the case in It was Trump’s second President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks on Monday. Ohio police chief: with this role and one of the this war — suffering the hard- visit to the Walter Reed most profoundly important He visited wounded troops at Walter Reed National MiliSuspect shot est. In a grim, new superlative National Military Medical things that Zendaya and I tary Medical Center in Maryland on Thursday. (Special amid the sectarian war’s bru- Center in Maryland. security guard as wanted to both get across and Photo: CNN) tality, the U.N. has declared As he departed the White he entered lobby felt capable of in this part,” the acute child malnutrition Efron told CNN. “What else House, Trump called the cratic support, like infrado with a kickback.

A man drew two handguns can you do through a musical being experienced in Eastern servicemen at the facility structure. “To do something “No, absolutely not,” as he walked through metal Ghouta to be the worst the other than spread love and “some of the bravest people in that area, we’re going to Trump responded. detectors at University of conflict it has yet seen. communicate a message that in the world.” have to have Democratic In the largest overhaul of To blame is a four-year Cincinnati Hospital, shot an you really care about?”

“We’re just going to wish the current U.S. tax system participation,” he added. siege laid on the area by the unarmed security guard in them a Merry Christmas and in 30 years and a major poregime, widely criticized for the torso and fired shots at a Happy New Year,” he said litical victory for their party, House offers up ‘The Post’ writers: using food as a weapon of a police officer, Chief Eliot before boarding his Marine Republicans passed their tax It’s ‘not a liberal funding option for war. The tactic of “starve or Issac said.

One helicopter. “We love plan this week through the surrender” — in which rebel those people.”

Isaiah Currie, 20, shot a movie,’ per se House and the Senate. But an kids’ insurance territories are starved into subUniversity of Cincinnati HosTrump’s two predecessors International Business Times mission — has caused several also made visits to Walter The House wants to inject pital security guard at about 2 Steven Spielberg’s new story alleged the Tennessee holdout rebel areas to eventu- Reed to visit troops wounded Republican would personnearly $3 billion into the p.m. Wednesday in the lobby film “The Post” is many ally return to regime control.

Children’s Health Insurance things, but what it isn’t, says of the hospital’s psychiatric in the wars in Iraq and Afally benefit from a clause It causes what little food there ghanistan.

Program to keep it funded co-screenwriter Josh Singer, emergency services wing, that offered a real estate tax is to become unaffordable. through March. The money is a “liberal movie.”

Isaac said. Currie shot the break. Corker voted against That’s because Singer an earlier version of the bill. would be included in a short- officer twice in the torso, Ivanka backs term spending bill to keep the thinks the documents at the and he suffered “very serious 5 Americans ID’d Corker denying federal government open. center of “The Post” were injuries.” after fatal Mexico kickbacks for yes McConnell says Though CHIP is popular Cincinnati police respond- damning on all sides. entitlement reform on both sides of the political ed within two minutes. Currie “The (Pentagon) Papers tour bus crash vote on tax bill were nonpartisan,” he told shot at a Cincinnati police not on ’18 agenda aisle, its funding ended on Two American educators Ivanka Trump corroboratSept. 30, and Congress has officer, Bob Nelson, who had CNN recently. “They were have been publicly identified ed Sen. Bob Corker’s denial Senate Majority Leader failed to reauthorize it. States been working an off-duty de- about a functioning democas victims in this week’s fatal that he changed his vote in Mitch McConnell said have started warning that chil- tail at the main hospital. Isaac racy, and that’s how we feel tour bus crash in Mexico.

Thursday he “would not ex- dren will lose their coverage if said Nelson was not hit and favor of the tax bill for a about the movie.”

Andy and Jody Fritz of provision that would benefit pect to see” the Senate tackle lawmakers don’t act fast.

In some ways, “The Post” he did not return fire. Currie Olympia, Wash., were killed him financially — deemed entitlement reform next year, Parents have been pleading then fatally shot himself in is a criticism of the media’s in the Yucatán Peninsula signaling a break from his by critics as the “Corker with Congress to keep their failure, too. the lobby. crash, Andy’s brother Sam counterpart in the House on children insured. Even Jimmy Kickback.”

“There was a much Isaac said Currie walked Fritz said on Wednesday. the Republican agenda in Fox News’ Brian Kimmel urged Americans to into the northwest entrance closer relationship and a trust The Fritzes were known 2018.

Kilmeade cited an intertell their representatives to of the building into the lobby between government and the as devoted educators and “I think that Democrats view with Corker, who said fund the program. press and this broke all of area, where the guard met humanitarians. will not be interested in enTrump, a top White House CHIP covers about 9 milthat,” Singer said. “It was a him at the doorway. Currie Earlier, three other Ameri- adviser in addition to being titlement reform,” McConlion children whose parents bunch of people in the press emptied his pockets as he can victims were identified: nell said at an event hosted the President’s daughter, usually earn too much to went through a metal detector. looking at people who had Anna Behar of Lorton,

by Axios. “So I would not played a large role in the qualify for Medicaid, but been their friends and realizHe rushed through the metal Virginia; her 11-year-old expect to see that on the behind-the-scenes negotianot enough to afford private detector and drew two hand- ing those people lied to them, son, Daniel; and her mother, tions of the GOP tax plan. agenda.” health coverage — typically and ... not to be friends with guns from his pockets, and a Fanya Shamis of Florida, Instead, he said Congress no more than $62,000 for a When asked about her part struggle ensued between Cur- those in office but to hold relative Haim Shababo said. in getting the senator to flip, needs to move on to issues family of four. The 20-yearthose people accountable.” rie and the security officer.

— From wire reports Trump said it had nothing to that will get some Demo— From wire reports old program cost about $15.6 — From wire reports

Haley upsets diplomatic norms at U.N. with her threat of taking names

NATION

Booze industry may be raising a glass with passage of tax bill next year. He says he’ll put the money toward hiring more people and buying more equipment — for Many businesses got a big Small brewers will see their tax as long as the tax break lasts.

Christmas present this year when rate cut in half, from $7 to $3.50 “We’re going to try and make Congress passed a tax bill. But the per barrel for the first 60,000 barand sell as much as we can to take gift was particularly generous for rels. Tax rates for liquor plunge advantage of it,” McDaniel says. one industry: alcohol. even more, from $13.50 to $2.70 “Hopefully they’ll see the growth, Under a provision that origiper gallon for the first 100,000 gal- and perhaps they will have the nally slipped into the Senate lons produced or imported. wisdom and the heart to extend it version of the bill, beer, spirits and For Philip McDaniel, who another two years.” wine producers will get a two-year founded a distillery in St. AuCraft producers seem to be reduction in federal excise taxes gustine, Fla., four years ago, that starting up on every street corner worth $4.2 billion. means savings of about $150,000 in American cities of late — the

By Lydia DePillis CNN

Must read

number of small breweries went from 1,460 in 2006 to 5,301 in 2016, according to the Brewers Association. The number of small distillers is up to about 1,300.

So why, you might ask, does the alcohol business need a tax break when deductions for many special interests are going away?

Industry advocates say that not all of those craft producers are profitable, considering the level of regulation, high startup costs, and the marketing and distribu-

tion hurdles posed by a landscape dominated by booze behemoths like Miller-Coors, Diageo, and AB-Inbev.

“Your first five years are when you’re trying to earn every penny,” says Julie Verratti, who co-founded Denizens Brewing Company in Silver Spring, Maryland in 2014 with a business loan backed by her own house. She estimates the tax break will save her $6,000 in 2018.

“Every single bit of that goes back into the business.”

Friday, december 22, 2017 • 7a

gwinnettdailypost.com

Volunteers log 765 hours at recycling event

By Trevor McNaBoe trevor.mcnaboe @gwinnettdailypost.com

One month after Gwinnett County’s celebration of America Recycles Day 2017 at Coolray Field, the results are in.

More than 150 volunteers for three hours collected items from more than 3,100 participants

including: • 1,726 pounds in clothing and textiles plus 242 pairs of sneakers — which will either be donated to those in need or recycled into reusable surfaces for playgrounds and running tracks; • 581 printer cartridges; • 3,676 gallons of paint; • 15 tons of tires; • 20.33 tons of electron-

ics; and • 31.5 tons of paper for secure shredding on-site.

America Recycles Day is A Keep America Beautiful initiative instituted in 1997 as a communitydriven national awareness event designed to promote and celebrate recycling in the United States. Gwinnett County Fiscal and Solid Waste Management

Division and its partners at Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful were organizers of the 20th annual event.

In addition to the collection of items that are not accepted curbside, there were also kid-friendly activities, touch-a-truck, opportunities to meet local haulers, refreshments and giveaways.

“We were able to help

a lot of our neighbors by collecting items that are difficult for them to recycle or dispose of without this event,” said Sumner Gann, Program Manager for Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful. “Our volunteers put in a total of 765 hours to help us pull this day off, so we are incredibly thankful to them for their hard work and dedication.”

personally flew in to make the presentation. He recognized the unique nature of the school and why it was selected.

“What was appealing was the work they were doing,” McLaughlin said. “There are a lot of good programs and they made a compelling argument. They’re very unique in the work they’re doing.”

The PGA Tour has always taken great pride in the amount of money it gives to charity, reported to be in excess of $5 billion since 1968.

The three branches of the PGA Tour combined to give $160 million to charity from its 125 sponsored events.

“There are 27 events on (the Champions) Tour and there are hundreds of charities they give money to,” McLaughlin said. “To be recognized as one is special for them. It’s challenging to raise funds in any environment.

Hopefully it helps them.”

Collat said, “Recognition is so important. One of the things we have an issue with is getting our name out there and making sure people know who we are.

We’re kind of a hidden jewel in Gwinnett County and surrounding counties. We’re a small school, but extremely necessary to the kids who go to school there.”

“One of the many words that came out from that was ‘imprint,’” Stewart said. “That word for us, ‘imprint,’ is leaving a mark and I really think that these guys left a mark and did something that historically hasn’t been done.”

Suwanee Mayor Jimmy Burnette, himself a former North Gwinnett football quarterback in the late 1960s, wore a letter jacket to the rally and pulled out his old jersey. He said North Gwinnett won as many football games this year as it won during the

four years that he played for the team.

“North Gwinnett had a long way to go to become a respectable football team,” the mayor said as he talked about the team’s reputation in the 1960s. “Through the years, they’ve worked through that and gotten to the point now — through all of these years, it’s taken 50, almost 60 years, I’ve lost count — where we’re one of the most respected academic programs in the state of Georgia and of the athletic programs in the state of Georgia.”

“We’ll work with them to help facilitate (the animal relocation) process,” Georgia Department of Natural Resources spokesman Wes Robinson said.

Robinson told the Daily Post the ranch’s permits were in good standing.

One question many local residents may have is what this will mean for the annual Groundhog Day celebration featuring Gen. Beauregard Lee that was held each year at the ranch.

Rilling was not sure what would happen to the famous groundhog, which has appeared on Animal Planet in the past.

“If they don’t have something planned for him, we have some property,” Rilling said. “It’s just rural property, and I’d put him on there and just let him be a groundhog. Just let him live out his life being a groundhog. They may have some other plans for him with the notoriety that he has.”

If the furry general does go to live with Rilling, it could mean he’s retired from the weather prediction business.

“That’s been out of my hands for three or four years and I’m not going to put it back on that I know of,” Rilling said.

Charity

•From Page 1A

ing list. The new building planned in the next phase special-needs students from of construction will cost beage 2 through adult age. The tween $1.5 million and $2.4 charity, a beneficiary of the million and will house 70 annual Mitsubishi Electric students. Further plans call Classic, plans to use the for an expansion to a facility funds to help fund the next equipped for 200 students phase of its construction and for a recreation area. plan.

“We have an annual “To our school, $30,000 is Christmas program and we huge. That’s a lot of money,” give awards,” Collat said. said Susie Collat, vice-chair “When the young man who of the Special Needs Schools won the award’s name was of Gwinnett. “Our base is called, you would have very challenged, so $30,000 thought he had won an Acadgoes a long way and it will emy Award. That’s what our go a long way toward our school is all about.” capital campaign.”

The Special Needs The school serves 52 Schools organization is students, with 40 on the wait- one of several recipients of

money raised by the Mitsubishi Electric Classic. The annual tournament, conducted at TPC Sugarloaf the week after the Masters, has raised more than $2 million for charity in its first five years.

“To be recognized as Charity of the Year is a great honor for our tournament, but more important is the positive impact the Tour’s $30,000 donation will have on the Special Needs Schools and the marvelous work they are doing in the community,” Mitsubishi tournament director Monte Ortel said.

PGA Tour Champions president Greg McLaughlin

North

•From Page 1A would talk about the team.

That was the first time North Gwinnett went to the playoffs, he said.

Last week’s win over Colquitt County in the Class AAAAAAA state title football game was the fulfillment of the conversation Perkins and Taylor had one Friday night in 1996.

“We talked about climbing this mountain,” Perkins said. “We was at the foot of this mountain and we climbed until we got to the very top of that thing.”

A few hundred people stood in the chilly air at the Suwanee Town Green amphitheatre Thursday night to celebrate their hometown team. It was North Gwinnett’s first state championship in football and local residents, the parents of players and longtime boosters of the team cheered for the Bulldogs at the pep rally.

Quarterback Jimmy Urzua and snapper Payne Walker talked about different words, such as “impact,” that the team chose that meant something to

them this season.

“Another word that was said was ‘family,’ and that was big to our family,” Urzua said. “Not only was this team our family, but everyone out here right now is part of this family.”

Head coach Bill Stewart told attendees about an exercise the North Gwinnett players did in huddles before the season, where they talked about single words that would change their lives. One of the words proved to be prophetic for how the season would turn out.

Ranch

•From Page 1A years ago.

If groups like PETA are cheering for the ranch’s closing, Rilling said his initial response to them wouldn’t be printable.

“You wouldn’t want to hear it,” he said.

He then said the ranch’s purpose was to help the animals that were housed there. “(Animals’ rights advocates) think you’re exploiting the animals, putting them up there like this and not letting them run free and so on,” Rilling said.

“The fact that the animal

is not capable of making it in the real world because he was hurt, or somebody caught it and tried to make a pet out of him and it didn’t work” is not considered.

Rilling said there was one case involving a squirrel that someone had somewhat domesticated before it ended up at the ranch.

“We had one that someone brought out — normally we just turn them loose — but this one thought he was half people,” he said.

“You’re walking down the trail and a squirrel comes and jumps on your shoulder. Well, obviously that’s not something you’re

expecting. So you either swat at the squirrel or look for help.

“We had to take him further out in the woods, where he wasn’t close to people.”

It was not immediately clear Wednesday how many animals were still at the ranch. Robinson said they had both wild and domestic animals. The wild animals would have had to be reported to the state, but the domestic animals, including farm animals, would not.

There were no immediate replies to calls to the ranch or to an email sent to its information email address Wednesday.

obituaries Atlanta

Sugar Hill, GA

Frank Anepohl, Jr.

age 61, passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2017. Arrangements by- Tim Stewart Funeral Home, Lawrenceville.

Buford, GA

John David Beard John David Beard, age 72, of Buford, GA passed away Thursday, December 21, 2017. Flanigan Funeral Home & Crematory.

DACULA

Susan M. Booker Susan M. Booker age 45, of Dacula, GA passed away, Friday, December 15, 2017.

Kathleen Burel (Pugh) Kathleen Pugh Burel, age 86, of Sugar Hill, GA passed away on Wednesday, December 20, 2017.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Olton Pugh; son, Michael Pugh; and daughter, Dawn Pugh Gober. Mrs. Burel is survived by her beloved husband of eighteen and a half years, Winston R. Burel, Sugar Hill, GA; sons and daughter-in-law, George Pugh, and Barry and Cindy Pugh, both of Sugar Hill, GA; stepchil-

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dren, Ronnie and Bonita Burel, Buford, GA and Judy Burel Austin, Winder, GA; twelve grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Willie Mae and Leroy Greenway, Norcross, GA; sisters-inlaw, Lois Pugh Cronic, Buford, GA, Mattie Pugh, Buford, GA, Betty Pugh, Ohio, Jane Pugh, Sugar Hill, GA, and Thelma Burel White, Pennsylvania; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mrs. Burel was born April 15, 1931 in Buford, GA. She received her education at Buford High School, and was a homemaker.

Mrs. Burel was a member of Sugar Hill First Baptist Church and also of West Buford Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 22, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry McCormick officiating. Interment will be at Broadlawn Memorial Gardens in Buford, GA. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 21 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Board

•From Page 1A

things that can be improved with the sex ed curriculum.

“It was our hope that comprehensive sex ed would be adopted at this time,” Ashley said. “We would like to implore you to not renew any contract with Choosing the Best so it would allow the community to offer more input on what we would like to see in a sex ed curriculum for our county.”

A statement by Gwinnett County Public Schools said, “The Choosing the Best resources used in Gwinnett address the state requirement for abstinencebased human sexuality education. These materials — which also are used in Fulton, Cobb, Clayton, Forsyth, Marietta, Hall, and Fayette — are abstinence-centered not abstinence-only resources. Choosing the Best offers age-appropriate programs that provide information to help students prepare for a successful future. Topics include decision-making, understanding healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, avoiding sexual assault, sexual abuse, risks with sexting and alcohol use, the impact of teen pregnancy on achieving future goals, avoiding sexually transmitted diseases, making the healthiest choices, and refusal skills.”

While a majority of residents addressing the board were in opposition of the current sex ed curriculum, one parent, Brenda Stoll, was in favor of the program.

“Gwinnett County uses Choosing the Best to protect the health of our students and it is done well,” Stoll said.

“Our teens in Gwinnett have had consistently lower rates of STDs and pregnancy than those of the state of Georgia as a whole.”

GCPS said in a press release that at its most recent meeting, the CHEAC committee listened to a presentation from residents who presented changes to the current materials and reviewed the current Choosing the Best curriculum. Afterward, the committee overwhelmingly made a recommendationto stay with Choosing the Best.

For more obituaries, visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com.

Duluth, GA

Atlanta, GA

Herman Carruth, Jr.

Roy Roxie King III

age 75 of Duluth, died December 18, 2017. Bill Head Funeral Home Duluth Chapel, 770-4762535.

Age 73; service Sat. 1223 at 1:00 pm Wages & Sons Lawrenceville 770277-4550.

Duluth, GA

Mary Corley age 83 of Duluth, died December 20, 2017. Bill Head Funeral Homes and Crematory Duluth Chapel, 770-476-2535.

Duluth, GA

Lorna England age 64 of Duluth, died December 17, 2017. Bill Head Funeral Home Duluth Chapel, 770-4762535.

Lawrenceville

Elizabeth Kelly Elizabeth Kelly age 31, passed away on December 17, 2017. Bill Head Funeral Home, Lilburn/Tucker Chapel, 770-564-2726.

Winder

Carol Kerr age 79, died 12/12/2017.

11:00 AM Saturday at Union Baptist Church.

Smith Funeral Home.

Flowery Branch

Fred Timothy Maxwell Fred Timothy Maxwell age 76, passed away December 19, 2017.

Jefferson, Georgia

Mr. Howard Merk Mr. Howard Merk, age 81, Jefferson, Georgia.

Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 706-367-5467.

Stone Mountain, GA

William “Thompson” “Tommy” Minch William “Thompson” “Tommy” Minch, age 78 of St. Mtn., GA, passed away on 12/21/17. Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel.

Jefferson

Mrs. Evelyn Gertrude Nix (Loggins) Mrs. Evelyn L. Nix, 83, of Jefferson, GA, passed away Dec. 19, 2017, Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, GA 706-367-5467.

Jefferson

Mr. Charles Thomas Ricks Mr. Charles Thomas Ricks, age 74, of Jefferson, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Evans Funeral Home Auburn

Hilga Rutledge Died 12/20/2017, age 57, of Auburn. Pending Services. Smith Funeral Home Cumming, GA

Doris Wilson (Marken) Doris M. Wilson, age 85, of Cumming passed away December 21, 2017.

Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford, GA.

15 photos are available with all Obituaries and Death Notices $

Call for details

770.963.9205

Ext.1161 or Ext.1162 GDP - FRI - 12/22/17

8A • FridAy, december 22, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

BOC puts off decision on Simonton Road proposal

By Curt yeomans

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

A controversial proposal to build a 114-home neighborhood on Simonton Road was tabled by county commissioners Tuesday after the commissioner who represents the area where the development would be located raised several questions about it.

Parkland Communities Inc. wants commissioners to rezone 38.26 acres on the 100 block of Simonton Road and the 800 block of Brand South Trail on the edge of Lawrenceville from a senior living residential area to a traditional neighborhood. It has been pending before officials for months but has been tabled several times.

County staff has recommended denial of the development because of concerns that it would open the door for more small-lot subdivisions in the area. The county’s Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions earlier this month though.

Several residents stood before county commissioners Tuesday night and raised concerns about the development, particularly its impact on traffic and utilities. It was ultimately Commissioner John Heard’s concerns that forced another delay on a decision, however.

“My planning commissioners called me up and they apologized to me,” Heard said. “They said they’d worked very hard with the applicant and with the neighborhood, and that they take great pride in bringing things to this commission that

This image shows one of the home styles expected to be used in a controversial neighborhood that has been proposed for a lot on Simonton Road on the edge of Lawrenceville. County commissioners put off making a decision on the proposal this week and will take it back up in mid-January.

such as an R-60 residential district or an open space conservation district were also looked at, but Peevy said they wouldn’t work wrapped up in bow, neatly three homes per acre. The portation, how best to ad- either because they either tied up. They apologized number of homes was then dress the issues related to required higher densities that this one is not, and reduced so the proposal whether a light is the right or wouldn’t work with the indeed they’re right.” now calls for 2.98 homes solution, dual entrances is “U” shape of the lot.

The issue will be taken per acre. the right solution or turn “We kept coming back up by commissioners Heard said he wanted lanes.” to TND as what works,” again at their Jan. 16 to see a traffic study done Peevy said Parkland Peevy said. “Now we are meeting. Since Parkland to show what the develop- Communities looked at not proposing any comCommunities’ represenment’s effect would be on different alternatives to a mercial with the TND tative, Mitch Peevy, and traffic on Simonton Road. traditional neighborhood and we’re not proposing opponents who live near He also wants Parkland development, including any attached town homes. the proposed site spoke at Communities to look at R-100 or R-75 single fam- Everything would be dea public hearing this week, changing their site plan ily residential district. The tached homes.” no public comment will be from having only one single family residential The homes are expected taken during the meeting entrance to having two districts have more restric- to cost less than $300,000. in mid-January. They can entrances. tions on what land can But, Lawrenceville call, send letters or write “What I want to happen be used for than a TND resident Dennis Billew emails to commissioners is I want to get with (Plan- zoning. They also have said the proposed develbefore then, however. ning and Development mandatory minimum lot opment did not fit into County Planning ManDirector Kathy Holland), sizes. the area and commissionager Jerry Oberholtzer and DOT and see what “This property is not ers risked creating a bad said the site is part of a we can do about the curgoing to be developed as example if they approved larger tract of land that rent traffic issues that are R-100,” he said. “The new it. He favored keeping the was rezoned for senior out there,” Heard said. “I home buyer is looking property zoned for senior housing a decade ago, and want to ask the applicant for — and you’ve heard housing. that Parkland Communito look further into this it many times — a very “I believe it is a mistake ties’ original plans called option that I discussed nice house with bells and to introduce TND into this for 131 homes with 3.42 related to splitting the whistles on a low mainneighborhood,” he said. homes per acre. single entrance to the two tenance lot. They are not “It’s not an urban area, it’s Since it is within the entrances to see if that’s looking for the large lot not transitioning to urban emerging suburban charviable or possible. that they have to maintain and doing this will creacter area, however, the “And then, the issues, on new homes.” ate a precedent for other density had to be less than after we talk with transOther zoning options, TNDs to be introduced in This site plan shows the outline for a controversial neighborhood that has been proposed for a lot on Simonton Road on the edge of Lawrenceville. County commissioners put off making a decision on the proposal this week and will take it back up in mid-January. (Special Photos)

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Another resident, Juli Reid, raised concerns about traffic, which she said is her main concern about the project. Reid lives in a neighborhood located on Park Place Drive across Simonton Road from the proposed development site. She said there are 407 homes in neighborhoods off Park Place Drive, which goes from Simonton Road to Grayson Highway.

She estimated that nearly 2,000 cars may drive on Simonton Road on a daily basis and that adding another subdivision would increase the number of people who use Park Place Drive as a result.

“People that are going in and out will use Park Place Drive as a funnel to get to Sugarloaf Parkway, to get to the fairgrounds, to get where ever else they’re going (including) Grayson and out toward Loganville,” she said.

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sports

gwinnettdailypost.com

SECTION B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS OF THE YEAR

Skylar English & Mary Kathryn Knott DACULA • SENIOR | PEACHTREE RIDGE • SENIOR

English, Knott conclude their strong senior seasons

By Will Hammock

separated by two seconds. The top Gwinnett runners throughout the season also share the Because their schools Daily Post’s runner of are in different classifithe year honor. cations, Dacula’s Skylar For Knott, it’s her secEnglish and Peachtree ond straight year earning Ridge’s Mary Kathryn the award. It also capped Knott were seldom head- a challenging year that to-head rivals. During saw her break a bone in the high school cross her hip late in the high country season, they school track and field spoke just briefly at this season. year’s Gwinnett County “I’d say (my season) Championships. was pretty similar (to Since the season last year),” Knott said. “I ended, they have exfeel like I didn’t progress changed numbers so they as much this season as I can communicate about wanted to, but my times their futures, which may were definitely better or may not end up with than last season. So it the two being college was a good season overteammates — English all. … I definitely had a will run for Georgia, big jump from my first while Knott’s favorite race to my second and colleges are UGA and I was pretty consistent Georgia Tech. throughout the season.

How much they have I wish I had one more in common going forjump to put me under 18 ward remains to be seen, (minutes), but it’s OK.” but they shared similar English was just as senior seasons in 2017, consistent in her classifiwith both finishing as a cation, improving on the state runner-up in times 2016 season, which was

will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

her first in cross country.

She has balanced running practices with club soccer, her first love, and still reached a high level of success for the Falcons.

“I feel like it went well for the most part,” English said of her senior season. “I feel like I got better but we didn’t run a lot of fast courses, so I didn’t get the superlow times I wanted to get. But I feel like I got stronger and I am more comfortable with the sport now. My placings against other people were better, too. I think I did pretty well this season. It was really fun.”

Knott didn’t have her normal training during the summer while she recuperated from the spring injury, instead spending her time on a stationery bike. When she was finally cleared to run, she said the injury never bothered her again.

She finished as runnerup to English at the

Dacula senior Skylar English, left, and Peachtree Ridge senior Mary Kathryn Knott are the Daily Post’s co-girls runners of the year. (Photo: Will Hammock)

Gwinnett County meet in 19:23 to English’s 19:12 — the only race during the regular high

school season where the two went head-tohead — then improved through the course of

the season. She won the area championship in See SEASONS, Page 4B

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR

Chase Condra PEACHTREE RIDGE • JUNIOR

Lions’ Condra repeats as Gwinnett’s top runner will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

Each cross country season adds to Chase Condra’s knowledge.

The Peachtree Ridge runner picked up the sport in earnest as a high-school freshman, learning valuable lessons from a senior-laden team that season and adding more insight last season when he became the Lions’ go-to runner as a sophomore. He developed even more this season as a junior, but also kept up his production in earning Daily Post runner of the year honors for a second straight season.

“Chase, as a junior, has made some big strides as far as racing strategy and team leadership have gone,” Peachtree Ridge coach Matt Adams said. “He saw big gains going into his sophomore year for his fitness level and overall times. But once you get closer to your peak, it’s harder to see those Peachtree Ridge junior Chase Condra is the Daily Post’s boys runner of the year. big gains year in and year (Photo: Will Hammock) out. Sometimes we kind of

plateau a little bit before our next breakthrough. He didn’t quite have the breakthrough as far as time that we wanted this year, but he did learn a lot as far as pace and leadership within the team. Those breakthroughs are going to come for him.

Hopefully we see those breakthroughs in track (this spring).”

Condra was Gwinnett’s top runner throughout the season, beginning with his victory in the Gwinnett County Championships in 16 minutes, 8 seconds. He also won the area championship in 16:18, then hung with the state’s best in the Class AAAAAAA meet at Carrollton.

Sam Bowers won the meet in 15:58 ahead of the runner-up and his Milton teammate, Nicholas Yanek, who ran 16:04. The two seniors were followed by third-place finisher Kyle Harkabus, a sophomore at East Coweta, and Condra.

Harkabus out-sprinted Condra to the finish for third place, posting a time

of 16:20.69 to Condra’s 16:21.63.

“I felt like I did really good (at state),” Condra said. “I talked to my coaches and my dad and we all agreed I probably lost the race in the first 800 meters because Sam Bowers and Nick Yanek, they both went out really fast the first 800 meters and I kind of got boxed in. After the first 800, I kind of played catch-up the whole race, trying to catch up to them.

“The closest I got was probably at the mile-and-ahalf mark. I was about like 10 meters away from them, and I was about 10 meters away from them for about half a mile and then they just kind of took off with each other. I was mostly running alone in third place until Kyle Harkabus out-kicked me in the last 50 meters.”

While the two Milton runners will head to college, Harkabus will be back for the 2018 cross country See CONDRA, Page 4B

2B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

Local players make big decisions on early signing day

By Taylor Denman

taylor.denman@ gwinnettdailypost.com

The first early signing day came and went Wednesday, and the football industry learned what the Westworld-like game of college football recruiting might look like for the next few years under the new calendar.

Wednesday marked the beginning of a 72-hour window for student-athletes to sign their national letters of intent. Once that window closes, studentathletes will have to wait until the first Wednesday in February (Feb. 7) to sign.

They will have until April 1 to make their decisions official.

There’s not exactly a consensus among high school prospects and coaches regarding whether the addition of an early signing period is positive or negative for the industry, and it’s likely not wholly one or the other.

There are inevitably some unintended consequences that will surface from both college football and high school athletes’ perspectives as the first cycle unfolds.

From the perspective of Central Gwinnett quarterback Jarren Williams, who signed with the University of Miami Wednesday, the early signing period is optimal for him as an early enrollee. It was important for him to get on the Coral Gables, Fla., campus early to learn Miami’s offense in the spring.

Williams was invited on an official visit when four-star prospect Artur Sitkowski flipped his commitment from Miami to Rutgers last month.

Williams made the decision to decommit from the University of Kentucky, to which he announced his intent to sign when he was a sophomore, and adopted The U. “Coming in early is a big thing for quarterbacks, so I wanted to get on top of that,” Williams said.

“I had an idea of where I wanted to go, which was Kentucky. When Miami came open, they gave me an opportunity to check the school out. Me and my parents fell in love with the place and the coaching staff. The players looked happy, and I liked the family feeling you get there too.”

Other players prefer the security of finishing their final semester of high school knowing where they’ll continue playing college football. That was the case with offensive lineman and Georgia State signee Brandon Joseph. He was one of the first in the Panthers’ recruiting class to announce his intent to play in downtown Atlanta after receiving an offer in February of this year.

Central Gwinnett football players Brandon Joseph (Georgia State), from right, Jarren Williams (Miami) and Khmari Thompson (Missouri) signed national letters of intent Wednesday in Lawrenceville. (Photo: Taylor Denman)

“Georgia State showed me love and they talked to me the most,” Joseph said. “I just wanted to sign today. I’m locked down, I know I’m going somewhere and I’m happy where I’m going.”

While there’s an added benefit of security for some players who have been dedicated to their school of choice for months, players still trying to seek out the best option are left with a tough choice: sign early and possibly swallow the regret of another — possibly better — opportunity in February, or wait out the first signing period and gamble on losing opportunities that were guarantees in December.

Central’s Khmari Thompson was a “late bloomer” according to his head coach, Todd Wofford.

Thompson transferred from Archer, where he previously participated in track and field. Once college scouts saw his tools on tape during his first and only football season at Central, offers started rolling in for Thompson.

Thompson said he doesn’t lose sleep over the possibility of other schools sending him offers. Missouri met all the criteria he wanted, and once he made his decision, it was final.

“It was just a perfect fit for me, both academically, and athletically, being able to come in and make a major impact,” Thompson said.

From the collegiate coach’s perspective, November and December become hell months. The time previously focused on bowl or playoff preparation now overlaps with locking down recruits for the early signing period. Since the new rule was put in place, most college coaches expect their top recruits to sign in December, whereas the drama and hoopla of February national signing day is likely diminished.

Coaches are frustrated, and even vocal regarding the timing.

“I’ve not talked to a coach that’s happy with it,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban told reporters recently. “Not one.”

At Parkview, which celebrated the signings of quarterback Fred Payton

at Coastal Carolina and Miles Marshall at Indiana, head football coach Eric Godfree said he’s noticed a similar sentiment.

“The college coaches are scrambling,” Godfree said.

“Some can’t be on the road (during bowl prep). … Instead of having the one big (signing period) to push for, they have two big ones to push for.”

The early signing day will perhaps have a positive effect on small schools, which won’t have to compete with offers from larger schools in the first months of the new year. Coaches put pressure on players to sign early since, from their perspective, there’s nothing gained by asking a prospect to wait, thus increasing the possibility of a recruit flipping his commitment.

But the college season isn’t the only one affected by the installation of the early signing period. For players, there’s now a more limited window for players to make official visits during the season.

For coaches, there’s now an added rush of college coaches calling and visiting in November and December. Previously, the busy months were reserved for December and January, well after the high school seasons ended.

Sometimes the crunch doesn’t stop until pen hits paper. The day before Williams signed, Wofford said he took a call from the University of Tennessee asking about Thompson.

“Coach (Jeremy) Pruitt — I guess he didn’t know (Williams) was an early enrollee — he said, ‘We need Jarren Williams,’” Wofford said. “That was a special situation. He decommitted from Kentucky and … all these schools start swarming in, and we’re trying to get ready for football games.”

Early signing period seems to benefit the top percentage of recruits who start receiving offers and making visits early in their high school careers, Wofford said, thus can make an informed decision. Players like Thompson, meanwhile, will be stressed to make a decision quickly, but there’s always February.

An opinion the industry seems to share is that an early signing period should be earlier, as in preseason early. Not only would it make the end of the football season less hectic for all parties involved, but an August signing period would coincide with players’ summer visits and give college staffs a better idea of toward which recruits they should focus their resources.

“For me, if you have an early signing period, have it early,” Godfree said.

“Maybe before Thanksgiving. Dec. 20 just turns into two recruiting periods. If a college knows, they know

by Thanksgiving if they want that player or not.”

Said Wofford, “I think it will get really crazy (Thursday) when teams know what they have after early signing, and know what they still need to go out and get in recruiting.

There will be some kids, starting (Thursday), that will get hammered getting recruited that might not have been in that position today or yesterday. Anyone who says they know what’s going to happen, they’re lying, because we’re all going to find out (Thursday) how this really shakes out.”

The politics don’t diminish the significance of signing for the studentathletes. Thousands of student-athletes across the country make decisions that will affect their lives, whether they’re NFL bound or not. Players’ advice to potential early signees ranges from prioritizing grades, thinking a few years down the road and considering the educational aspect of a college decision.

“Follow your heart, and this is a major decision, so don’t take it lightly,” Thompson said.

EARLY FOOTBALL SIGNINGS

BY HIGH SCHOOL Brookwood DB Jamison Collier, Ohio OL Casey Holman, Duke DB Kendall Williamson, Stanford Buford OL Austin Blake, Campbell WR Isaiah Isaac, Wake Forest LB Brock Mattison, Appalachian State DB Bryson Richardson, North Carolina RB Christian Turner, Michigan Central Gwinnett OL Brandon Joseph, Georgia State WR Khmari Thompson, Missouri QB Jarren Williams, Miami (Fla.) Collins Hill RB Evan Anderson, Purdue LB T.C. Harrison, Virginia DB Darius Penton, Air Force DB Peyton Woulard, Wake Forest GAC DB Kyler McMichael, Clemson DB Trey Morrison, North Carolina Grayson LB Solomon Egbe, Harvard WR Jaquavius Lane, Kansas State DB Jaylen Rivers, Northwestern DL Ryan Taylor, Arkansas State K Will Van Pamelen, Army Lanier OL Collin Foster, Mercer Mill Creek LB Shaka Heyward, Duke DB Jonathan Gipson, South Carolina OL John Harris, Virginia Tech Mountain View DB Marquel Broughton, Army LB Blake Carroll, Georgia State WR Malachi Carter, Georgia Tech DB Jayden Patterson, Western Kentucky Norcross P/K Jake Camarda, Georgia DB Malik Mays, Eastern Kentucky DL Nazir Sy, Western Kentucky North Gwinnett OL Warren Ericson, Georgia QB Cade Fortin, North Carolina LS Payne Walker, Georgia Parkview WR Miles Marshall, Indiana QB Fred Payton, Coastal Carolina Peachtree Ridge TE Payne Durham, Purdue South Gwinnett DL Robert Cooper, Florida State DL Justin Mascoll, Clemson DL Abi Okonji, Minnesota DB Terell Smith, Minnesota Wesleyan TE Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame

BY COLLEGE Air Force DB Darius Penton, Collins Hill Appalachian State LB Brock Mattison, Buford Arkansas State DL Ryan Taylor, Grayson Army DB Marquel Broughton, Mountain View PK Will Van Pamelen, Grayson Campbell OL Austin Blake, Buford

Clemson DL Justin Mascoll, South Gwinnett DB Kyler McMichael, GAC Coastal Carolina QB Fred Payton, Parkview Duke LB Shaka Heyward, Mill Creek OL Casey Holman, Brookwood Eastern Kentucky DB Malik Mays, Norcross Florida State DL Robert Cooper, South Gwinnett Georgia P/K Jake Camarda, Norcross OL Warren Ericson, North Gwinnett LS Payne Walker, North Gwinnett Georgia State LB Blake Carroll, Mountain View OL Brandon Joseph, Central Gwinnett Georgia Tech WR Malachi Carter, Mountain View DL T.K. Chimedza, IMG Academy, Fla. (Dacula) Harvard LB Solomon Egbe, Grayson Indiana WR Miles Marshall, Parkview Kansas State WR Jaquavius Lane, Grayson Mercer OL Collin Foster, Lanier Miami (Fla.) QB Jarren Williams, Central Gwinnett Michigan RB Christian Turner, Buford Minnesota DL Abi Okonji, South Gwinnett DB Terell Smith, Minnesota Missouri WR Khmari Thompson, Central Gwinnett North Carolina QB Cade Fortin, North Gwinnett DB Trey Morrison, GAC DB Bryson Richardson, Buford North Carolina State DB Kishawn Miller, Mill Creek/ Georgia Military Northwestern DB Jaylen Rivers, Grayson Notre Dame TE Tommy Tremble, Wesleyan Ohio DB Jamison Collier, Brookwood Purdue RB Evan Anderson, Collins Hill TE Payne Durham, Peachtree Ridge South Carolina DB Jonathan Gipson, Mill Creek Stanford DB Kendall Williamson, Brookwood Virginia LB T.C. Harrison, Collins Hill Virginia Tech OL John Harris, Mill Creek Wake Forest WR Isaiah Isaac, Buford DB Peyton Woulard, Collins Hill Western Kentucky DB Jayden Patterson, Mountain View DL Nazir Sy, Norcross

ondeck Prep Schedule

Today

BASKETBALL

• Collins Hill boys and Walton at Lambert • Discovery girls in Toys for Tots Christmas Tournament at New Manchester • Hawks Naismith Showcase at Norcross • Norcross girls in Crescom Bank Invitational • Parkview boys in Cleveland Stroud Classic at Rockdale Co. • Parkview girls in New Manchester Classic • Shiloh girls in Jones County Christmas Tournament • Peachtree Ridge girls in Storm Classic at Providence Noon — Wesleyan girls and Sandy Creek at Norcross 2 p.m. — South boys and Woodward Academy at Norcross 3 p.m. — Mountain View boys and Johns Creek at Lambert 6 p.m. — Grayson boys and Discovery at Norcross 8 p.m. — Duluth boys and St. Francis at Norcross

SWIMMING AND DIVING

6:30 p.m. — Archer, Dacula and Discovery at West Gwinnett 6:30 p.m. — South and Shiloh at Mountain Park

WRESTLING

9 a.m. — Broowkood in Smokey Mountain Duals in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

9 a.m. — Buford Takedown Invitational 9 a.m. — Lanier, Dacula in Eric Hill Memorial at Loganville 9 a.m. — Parkview in Gorilla Warfare at Berkmar 9 a.m. — Wesleyan in Hurricane Duals at Monroe Area Saturday

BASKETBALL

• Discovery girls in Toys for Tots Christmas Tournament at New Manchester • Hawks Naismith Showcase at Norcross • Norcross girls in Crescom Bank Invitational • Parkview girls in New Manchester Classic 2 p.m. — Meadowcreek boys and Sandy Creek at Norcross

WRESTLING

• Buford Takedown Invitational

The Home Teams

Falcons

Hawks

UGA football

TODAY NEXT UPCOMING

Off

at New Orleans Carolina Sun, 1 p.m.

Dec. 31, 1 p.m.

Fox/92.9-FM Fox/92.9-FM

at Oklahoma City Dallas Washington 8 p.m.

Sat, 7:30 p.m.

Wed, 7:30 p.m.

FSSE/92.9-FM FSSE/92.9-FM FSSE/92.9-FM

vs. Oklahoma* Off Jan. 1, 5 p.m.

ESPN/750-AM

TBD

at South Carolina Florida 7:05 p.m.

Wed, 7:05 p.m.

South Carolina Dec. 29, 7:35 p.m.

Gladiators

GSU hoops

Off

at Chattanooga at South Ala. Sat, 1 p.m.

Dec. 29, 8 p.m.

88.5-FM 88.5-FM

UGA hoops

Temple at Kentucky Mississippi 1 p.m.

Dec. 31, 6 p.m. Jan. 3, 6:30 p.m.

SECN/750-AM SECN/750-AM SECN/750-AM

Tech hoops

Wright State Coppin State 9 p.m.

Wed, 9 p.m.

FSSO/93.7-FM ACCN/93.7-FM

at Notre Dame Dec. 30, 2 p.m.

FSSE = FOX Sports Southeast, FSSO = FOX Sports South; *Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.

On TV Today

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

1 p.m. — Texas-Rio Grande Valley at Oklahoma State.

FSSE 3 p.m. — Abilene Christian at Texas Tech. FSSE 6:30 p.m. — Sacred Heart at Providence. FS1 7 p.m. — Northwestern at Oklahoma. ESPN2 7 p.m. — Jacksonville at North Carolina State. FSSO 8:30 p.m. — Hofstra vs Villanova. FS1 9 p.m. — Wright State at Georgia Tech. FSSO 9 p.m. — Texas vs Alabama. ESPN2 11 p.m. — Nevada vs Southern Illinois. FS1

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

12:30 p.m. — Bahamas Bowl -- Alabama-Birmingham vs Ohio. ESPN 4 p.m. — Famous Idaho Potato Bowl -- Central Michigan vs Wyoming. ESPN

NBA

8 p.m. — Los Angeles at Houston. ESPN 8 p.m. — Atlanta at Oklahoma City. FSSE 10:30 p.m. — Los Angeles at Golden State. ESPN

SOCCER

2:55 p.m. — Premier League Soccer Arsenal FC vs Liverpool FC. NBCSP Saturday

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Noon — Alabama A&M at Georgetown. FS1 Noon — Manhattan at Seton Hall. FSSO 12:30 p.m. — Tennessee at Wake Forest. ESPN2 1:30 p.m. — Ohio State vs North Carolina. CBS 3 p.m. — Texas-Rio Grande Valley at Oklahoma State.

FSSE 4 p.m — Kentucky vs UCLA. CBS 8 p.m. — Illinois vs Missouri. ESPN2

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Noon — Birmingham Bowl — Texas Tech vs South Florida. ESPN 3:30 p.m. — Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl — San Diego State vs Army. ESPN 7 p.m. — Dollar General Bowl — Appalachian State vs Toledo. ESPN

gwinnettdailypost.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 • 3B

Getting To Know … Keith Jannett Keith Jannett literally grew up as part of Gwinnett County’s high school wrestling scene. From his competitive career while attending Parkview to 16-plus years in coaching — first as an assistant at Parkview, Wesleyan and Archer before taking over as head coach at Archer — the Lilburn native has been involved in wrestling locally nearly half his life. Now in his second season leading the Tigers’ program, Jannett recently spoke with staff writer David Friedlander, reminiscing about being influenced by some of the biggest names in the county’s history, looking ahead to where wrestling is headed and various other topics.

DF: A lot of people know that you came up through Parkview, and accordingly wrestled and coached under some of the the most successful coaches Gwinnett has known — namely, Dennis Stromie and Tom Beuglas. You couldn’t ask for much better role models, could you?

KJ: Obiviously, I owe a lot to Dennis and Tom. Wrestling for Dennis, and then the year after I graduated, Tom got hired on (as an assistant). Then after college, I got on staff with Dennis and Tom, and there’s not two better guys when it comes to strategy, how to conduct your program. And just really, any success I have definitely goes back to Dennis and Tom and the influence they’ve had on my career.

DF: More on that in a minute, but since you brought up college, you graduated from Georgia State. Were you there when they had the varsity wrestling program that was so successful before it was dropped.

KJ: It was right at the tail end of it. … It’s unfortunate (that it’s gone) because Georgia could really use a (Division I college) wrestling program. We have the talent in that state for it, but what school would do that? Georgia Tech would probably be the best (candidate) to do that because the ACC does have wrestling.

DF: So while your competitive career was over by the time you got to GSU and the program was gone shortly thereafter, I understand it still had an influence on you getting into coaching?

KJ: I wasn’t even an education major to begin with. I was a business major. And actually in college, I started coaching the youth (program) at Parkview. So … that’s kind of when I decided, ‘You know what? I enjoy the coaching part so much, I’m going to change to education.’

That’s kind of what led me to teaching and coaching.

DF: So getting back to your influence, what are some of the most important things you’ve picked up from Dennis over the years?

Archer High School wrestling coach Keith Jannett is a Gwinnett County native, having trained under some of the county’s most successful coaches. (Photo: David Friedlander)

brings our conversation full circle, since you mentioned you thought Georgia was in need of a Division I college program. Do you think that would build up visibility in the sport DF: That’s something to drum up interest in the youth and middle that not everybody can DF: So now Tom emulate. So how do you school programs? comes in at Parkview, KJ: Absolutely try to learn that ability? and I imagine you had because the first quesKJ: What I learned to have picked up a lot tion I get — you know, from Tom was, as we’re of similar things from I also coach ninth-grade wrestling — and I do him, since he also wres- this to this very day — football and I try to get tled for Dennis when wrestlers out from that is we’re always taking they were at Redan. notes as we’re wrestling. and am usually pretty But then he brought successful. But you Whether it’s an indiknow what their question his own individual style vidual tournament or a is? “Are there opportuto coaching. But after dual meet tournament, you guys left Parkview on my clipboard is things nity for scholarships?”

Wrestling, even on the to start the Archer we’re going well, things program, what kind of we’re not doing well, but Division I level, does not get a lot of scholarships. challenge was that for also maybe also things I They only get nine. But both of you? see that other teams are KJ: When Dennis doing well that maybe we if you take into account left, Tom took over row need to go back and work a program in state, and you look at (the) HOPE head coaching position, on. It makes it a little bit (scholarship) and … then and it was Tom and I at easier now. We’ve got a you were to add that to Parkview. We had some tablet where we record any sort of scholarship pretty good teams, and the matches, and we put you would get, now it then Archer opens up. those on a private YouI really hadn’t decided Tube channel where only makes it maybe an opportunity kids may want if I was going to come our wrestlers can get to (to Archer) right away. them. That, to me, is what to consider. It’s hard to So I spent two years at we’ve done to really help say to a kid, you could go to (Tennessee-ChatParkview, where I was our program — getting tanooga). … Well, you actually coaching with those matches recorded Jeff Plunk at Wesleyan, and being able to go back might only get books or even though I was teach- and go, ‘All right. … That a small part of a scholarship. Then it being out of ing at Parkview. After a right there, we need to while, I figured, my wife fix this.’ Having that and state, you have to really love wrestling to make it teaches, too. She teaches being able to go back to that on the video has been worthwhile. here (at Archer) now, huge. and we always wanted DF: You’re still fairly to be in the same comyoung at 42. I’d imagDF: So now in your munity. Parkview had ine you’ve got to think second season as the kind of gone in a differyou’ve got a really big head coach at Archer, ent direction, and that’s chance to really take when I talked to Tom and you obviously want to the success this proput your own stamp on Dr. Buck (Charles Bugram has already built the program. What’s chanan), the principal at been the most important and build further on it. the time, and said, ‘Hey KJ: Sure. I don’t see thing you’ve tried to do man, I’d love to come myself going anywhere. to that end? out to Archer.’ Tom had KJ: I think the biggest We have a great adminisgot it going for a little bit tration. (Archer principal and coming out here, and thing is, last year when I … working for someone, took over, my No. 1 goal Ken) Johnson is very supportive. (Athletics you know whether you’re was, how do we build director Tim) Watkins is up our youth and middle going to be able to get school (programs) again? very supportive. I love along with them or not.

Last year, I literally went coaching football for Obviously, coming out (head) Coach (Andy) here and working for Tom to the football park.

Dyer. I have a son who’s I went to the elemenwas a good fit for me. going to be a freshman tary schools, the middle schools and tried to get a next year. I have two kids DF: That said, while who are here. My wife lot more kids out, which you both wrestled for had been part of our suc- is here. So Archer is my and coached under home. With that being cess. But the last couple Dennis, each coach has said, we’re very senior of years, we didn’t have his own way of doing heavy. We’re going to be quite the numbers we things. So what speyoung next year. But to cifically did you pick up needed. Right now, I’ve me, the stamp is going to got five or six youth or from Tom? be those youth and midmiddle school coaches KJ: Tom was great all with college wrestling dle school kids coming student of the sport. For through the next eight, experience. Right now years, we’d got to the nine, 10 years. That’s NCAA wrestling tourna- we have 65 kids in our the plan. I spend a lot of ment, and he’d pick up on youth and middle school time up here. I stay every something that somebody programs. It all starts Tuesday and Thursday was doing, and he’d bring with youth. If you don’t when we have youth and have a youth (program), back and implement that middle school (pracwith our team. That right it’s tough to all of the there would be a strength. sudden build a good high tices). I’m not out there coaching, but I’m trying school program out of He was very, very astute to handle anything I can just getting athletes in as far as what some of to take administrative high school. the successful teams are stuff off the youth and doing and going, ‘We can middle school coaches.

DF: That kind of do that in our high school KJ: Dennis was so professional in everything he did, from the way he treated the kids to the way he ran the program to how he dealt with the parents and the wrestlers.

Just top class, total diplomat for the sport.

(program).’ That right there was, to me, what he does very well. He’s able to pick up what’s working for some teams and how do we implement that with our team.

NBA

Buford set for Takedown Invitational

NFL

From Staff Reports

7:30 p.m. — Dallas at Atlanta. FSSE 4:30 p.m. — Indianapolis at Baltimore. NFLN 8:20 p.m. — Minnesota at Green Bay. NBC

SOCCER

7:25 a.m. — Premier League Soccer Everton FC vs Chelsea FC. NBCSP 9:55 a.m. — Premier League Soccer Manchester City FC vs AFC Bournemouth. NBCSP 12:30 p.m. — Premier League Soccer Burnley FC vs Tottenham Hotspur FC. NBC 2:45 p.m. — Premier League Soccer Leicester City FC vs Manchester United FC. NBC

After finishing eighth out of 40 teams at last weekend’s Midwest Classic in Kansas City, Mo., the Buford wrestling team gets another challenge back at home this weekend.

The Wolves host the Takedown Sportswear

Invitational today and Saturday at the Buford City Arena, allowing them to compete with some of the South’s best high school teams. The event features 47 teams from Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Florida.

Host Buford is joined by fellow Gwinnett teams Archer, Berkmar, North

Gwinnett and Peachtree Ridge.

Wrestling begins today at 10 a.m. and runs through the quarterfinal round at 5 p.m.

The competition resumes Saturday at 9 a.m. with consolation rounds and semifinals at noon. The finals, third-place matches and fifth-place matches are

expected to begin Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Buford had four wrestlers place in the top eight at the Midwest Classic, led by tournament champion Logan Ashton at 113 pounds. Blaine Bergey was runner-up at 145, while Nick Stonecheck (138) and Cooper Roberts (170) placed fifth.

4B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

Mascoe named nation’s top middle school player

By Will Hammock

trying to pull off a rare feat that has never been done in the FBU (Football University) National ChampionGwinnett youth quarter- ship and win two titles back Chad Mascoe earned with two different teams the nation’s top middle in consecutive years,” said school football honor Erik Richards, national Thursday. recruiting director for the Mascoe was announced U.S. Army All-American as the General Dennis D. Bowl. “Off the field, MasCavin Player of the Year coe exemplifies who the winner, which goes to the selection committee wants nation’s most outstandto represent the namesake ing middle school football of this award.” player. It is named in honor Mascoe played quarterof Cavin, one of the figures back on Peachtree Ridge’s instrumental in the creation eighth-grade Gwinnett of the U.S. Army AllFootball League team this American Bowl. season. He also is the quarPast winners of the terback on the GFL eighthaward include current grade team that plays for Georgia running back the FBU national champiSony Michel and current onship late Thursday night.

Alabama linebacker Dylan In 10 games this year, he Moses. threw for 1,635 yards and “On the field, Chad is 22 touchdowns, and also

will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

state meet in 19:30, 32 seconds behind win18:57 and was the Class ner Makena Gates of AAAAAAA runner-up Creekview. in 19:28, nearly a minute Her final race was the behind Colquitt County USA Track and Field star Elizabeth FunderGeorgia Meet of Champiburk. ons on Nov. 11, the week The season didn’t after state. She ran well end with a state title, to take eighth in 18:30, but there was plenty to while Knott finished 13th like from her final high in 18:38, just the second school cross country time the two were in the season. same race this season.

“I couldn’t be hapThe two runners they pier (with her season),” finished behind at state, Peachtree Ridge coach Funderburk and Gates, Matt Adams said. “It were first (Funderburk in was a question mark 17:38) and second (Gates whether she was going in 17:51) at the Meet of to be able to come back Champions. full strength and do what “For Skylar to have she’s done before. For been able to compete her to come back and at the highest level in break every personal cross country with only record she’s done before, two years of experience every personal course speaks volumes about record she’s had, she’s her athleticism combined really shown that work with her work ethic and ethic is key to this sport. drive to be successful,” She was very diligent in said Mark Karen, who her physical training. She coaches English in both trusted the coaches when cross country and socwe wanted to hold her cer at Dacula. “Skylar is back early on. She trusted one of the best overall us. She trusted the proathletes that we have in cess. She did a great job Dacula. UGA and Coach as far as executing the (Patrick) Cunniff is getplan we put forward.” ting a true diamond in the English’s early season rough. Skylar has never also included a win at the trained a full consecutive Rock Ranch Invitational calendar year as a runner in 18:49, a nice start to and once UGA is able to go with her Gwinnett get her to do that, I think County title. She coasted even bigger things will to her region championhappen for Skylar. I am ship in 19:31, following just happy to have Skylar it up with a second-place for one more season as showing at the AAAAAA she will be a four-year

season with state title aspirations. Condra feels the same way.

“I like a challenge,” he said.

Condra also plans to run in college, so that decision looms in his future. He is wide open to his options currently, and has sent emails to some colleges, like Georgia Tech, Georgia and Clemson.

But up first is developing more as a runner with his junior track and field season on deck. He hopes to break the 4:20 mark in the 1,600-meter run this spring and clear the 9:15 mark in the 3,200.

“I’m excited for this track season,” he said.

“Through workouts and everything, I’ve been feeling really great and I’ve been hitting much stronger than I was last year. … I feel like I’ve definitely matured in my running this season.”

Gwinnett youth quarterback Chad Mascoe was announced as the General Dennis D. Cavin Player of the Year winner, which goes to the nation’s most outstanding middle school football player. (Special Photo)

Seasons

•From Page 1B

•From Page 1B

rushed for six scores.

Before moving, Mascoe led Broward (Fla.) to the seventh grade FBU national championship.

“I’m blessed. I thank God for all my blessings,” Mascoe said of the award. “I thank my mom, dad, brother and sisters for always supporting me. Everyone in Kissimmee, my hometown, and Atlanta. I thank my brothers De’Nylon Morrissette, Quinterio Lawson and all my teammates. They helped me get this award.

And thank you to the best QB coach, Andrico Hines.

“I’m just so excited and thankful. And I can’t wait to finish this with my FBU teammates and win the national championship because they have been playing hard.”

hopefully going to be schools fit her needs — pretty strong this year.

Georgia Tech in biomediI’m just really really cal engineering or biology, and UGA in biology. excited to see what we “As of right now, can do. I’ve been on the it’s between UGA and team since we were a building team and trying Georgia Tech,” Knott said. “I’m still deciding to get back to a higher between those two. Both level and now I think we’re going to be able to are really good options. accomplish a lot of things I just want to see which one’s best for me.” this season.”

While English plays After the spring, Engsoccer, Knott returns to lish heads to Athens to run for the Bulldogs. She competitive high school track for the first time said the college choice since her hip injury. was an easy one, calling “My goals, in the UGA her “dream school.”

3,200, I really want to If running wasn’t an break 11,” Knott said of option, she would have her senior track season. gone to Georgia as a “The 1,600, I would regular student.

Georgia also is in play like to get under 5:10.

The 800, I don’t do that for Knott, who lists the race as much, so maybe Skylar English makes one final push down the final hill Bulldogs and Georgia low 2:20s. … I’m ready Tech as her top two during Saturday’s Cross Country State Championships to start building up my at Carrollton High School in Carrollton. (Photo: Colin schools. She is considHubbard) mileage more (to prepare ering a career in the for track).” medical field, and both varsity soccer player this ever and I’ve played spring. soccer since I was 5,” “I know soccer is her English said. “It’s crazy. I more of her passion want to try to do a couple CROSS COUNTRY and she wants to play of track meets. I have one more season before to talk to our distance BOYS fully committing to her coach, our assistant cross Boys Runner of the Year: Chase Condra, Peachtree running career. She is country coach. I want Ridge, Jr. to talk to her to see if I an amazing and accomFourth at state, area and county champion Boys Coaches of the Year: Mike Beaudreau and Macan do a couple of meets plished student-athlete. randa Garrett, Hebron where I would be running She has deserved and Led the Lions to the Class A Private state championship truly earned her opportu- and wouldn’t be taking FIRST TEAM anyone’s spot. I’m not nities and accolades.”

• Axel Avalos, Central Gwinnett, Sr. going to take it super seEnglish, despite a fu17th at state, fourth at area, fifth at county riously. I’m just going to ture in running at UGA, • Kai Brickey, Collins Hill, Sr. try my best and see what said it was a no-brainer 11th at state, third at area, fourth at county it feels like to run track a to play soccer in the • Chris Cherono, Grayson, Soph.

22nd at state, fourth at area, 35th at county spring instead of focusing little bit since I’ve never • Myles Collins, Archer, Soph. done that. on track.

10th at state, second at area, third at county “Our soccer team’s “This is my last season

ALL-COUNTY

Condra

Archer’s James Cragin and Peachtree Ridge’s Chase Condra race to the finish at this year’s Gwinnett County Cross Country Championship held in Conyers. (Photo by Enka Lawson)

Coleman clears concussion protocol The Sports Xchange Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman has cleared the concussion protocol and is on target to return for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

Coleman sustained a concussion in the first

meeting between the NFC South rivals on Dec. 7.

The 24-year-old sat out on Monday as the Falcons (9-5) posted a 24-21 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“He’s been fully cleared to participate,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said

Thursday, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We really trust the process that the league goes through, not just with our own docs but with the independent. I think that part has improved over the last few years through the league.

And we’re pumped to have

Tev back.”

Coleman joins backfield mate Devonta Freeman with seven total touchdowns on the season. The Falcons’ third-round pick in the 2013 draft, Coleman has rushed for 593 yards and has 21 catches for 245 yards in 13 games.

• Christian Corsello, Parkview, Sr. 12th at state, second at area, sixth at county • James Cragin, Archer, Sr. Sixth at state, area champion, second at county • Anthony Urmetz, Collins Hill, Sr. 19th at state, ninth at area SECOND TEAM Gyasi Cockrell, Collins Hill, Sr. Alex Haggard, Peachtree Ridge, Sr. John Klima, Archer, Sr. Luke McNeil, Brookwood, Soph.

Gabe McNett, Grayson, Sr. Thomas Ridley, Brookwood, Sr. Michael Rowe, Dacula, Sr. Third Team Tristan Autry, Parkview, Soph.

David Gunn, Grayson, Sr. Ethan Jarrett, Mill Creek, Sr. Joseph Muck, Mill Creek, Jr. Paul Pollock, Mill Creek, Soph.

Brandon Potra, Hebron, Jr. Ethan Selph, Hebron, Soph.

GIRLS Girls Runners of the Year: Skylar English, Dacula, Sr. State runner-up, region and county champion Mary Kathryn Knott, Peachtree Ridge, Sr. State runner-up, area champion, county runner-up Girls Coach of the Year: Chad McDaniel, Wesleyan Led the Wolves to a fourth-place finish in Class A Private FIRST TEAM • Ayden Drake, Providence, Fr. 11th at state, fourth at area, 17th at county • Lyndsey Fowler, North Gwinnett, Sr. 25th at state, 13th at area, 14th at county • Olivia Fuller, Mill Creek, Sr. 23rd at state, 15th at area, 10th at county • Chloe Hetherington, Mountain View, Jr. 13th at state, fifth at area, fourth at county • Sarah Melkerson, North Gwinnett, Sr. 15th at state, second at area, seventh at county • Marisa Petit, Mill Creek, Sr. 26th at state, third at area, third at county • Jennifer Woolery, Providence, Fr. Ninth at state, third at area SECOND TEAM Sarah Davis, Buford, Sr. Hannah Gatland, Brookwood, Jr. Makenna Kulzer, North Gwinnett, Soph.

Kayla Langston, Grayson, Sr. Caroline Montini, Buford, Fr. Abbey Pinkerton, North Gwinnett, Sr. Reese Saddler, Brookwood, Soph.

THIRD TEAM Abby Carmack, Peachtree Ridge, Jr. Caitlin Kelly, Wesleyan, Fr. Camryn Petit, Mill Creek, Sr. Alexis Rodriguez, Brookwood, Soph.

Elizabeth Saliba, Brookwood, Sr. Abigail Snyder, North Gwinnett, Fr. Madison Watts, Mountain View, Soph.

gwinnettdailypost.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 • 5B

HAWKS-NAISMITH CLASSIC AT NORCROSS

Collins Hill girls hand Buford first loss of season

By Will Hammock

will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

NORCROSS — The first quarter of Thursday’s girls basketball game wasn’t the norm for two teams known for their defense.

Powerhouses Buford and Collins Hill battled to a 1616 draw after the first eight minutes of the matchup at Norcross, which was part of the Hawks-Naismith Holiday Classic.

“Normally we don’t give up that many points in the first,” Collins Hill girls coach Brian Harmon said. “We’re a pretty good defensive team.

We pride ourselves on it and we talk about it every day.

If the offense is in rhythm, great. But we want to stop people.”

Harmon’s team did that over the next two quarters of an eventual 56-48 victory, handing Buford its first loss of the season.

Collins Hill (10-1) only gave four second-quarter points and 13 in the two middle quarters, building a 19-point lead early in the fourth before Buford (9-1) made a comeback.

“They execute so well,” Harmon said of Buford.

“They got some good looks early and made shots. In the second and third quarters, they didn’t make shots and had a couple of turnovers.”

The Wolves hung tough for a quarter and led 18-16 when Tory Ozment scored to open the second quarter.

But they didn’t score again until Ozment made a basket a minute before halftime.

Before Ozment’s second basket, Buford was 1-for-11 in the second quarter. A 9-0 run to close the third quarter pushed the lead to 46-29 heading into the fourth.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook reacts after dunking the ball against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. (Photo: Mark D. Smith-USA Today Sports)

Hot Westbrook, Thunder set to host tanking Hawks The Sports Xchange Collins Hill’s Bria Harman drives to the basket during the Eagles’ Hawks-Naismith Classic game against Buford Thursday night in Norcross. (Photo: Anthony Stalcup)

Buford was 5 of 23 shooting in the second and third quarters, while Collins Hill made 13 of 26.

“We just knew it was going to be a good game,” Harmon said. “I really didn’t think we would get a 20-point lead on them because they execute so well and they play so tough defensively. I do think we’ve got some high-caliber kids and I knew if they got into rhythm what it would look like, but you never know if that’s going to happen.

“Fortunately enough in that third quarter we got into a good rhythm and we played well defensively.”

Buford, already with wins over Holy Innocents’ and Wesleyan, didn’t go away easily.

Ozment, who had a game-high 19 points along with five rebounds and four steals, led an 11-0 run that

got her team within 48-40 with three minutes left. The Wolves got as close as six points in the final minute, the result of more energetic, pressure defense that forced seven Collins Hill turnovers in the fourth — the Eagles had just seven turnovers in the first three quarters combined. But Collins Hill did enough at the line in the waning seconds to finish off the victory.

Bria Harmon had 14 points to lead four Collins Hill double-figure scorers.

Jada Rice had 13 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots, Jaron Stallworth had 12 points, five rebounds and three assists and Javyn Nicholson added 10 points and eight rebounds.

Buford also got 12 points from Audrey Weiner, nine points from Tate Walters and three steals from Kya Styles.

Watson’s 29-point game powers Buford past Shiloh

By Will Hammock will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

NORCROSS — Buford’s boys basketball team got the exact pre-Christmas test it desired Thursday from Shiloh, a talented Class AAAAAAA program.

The Class AAAAA Wolves got a big evening from top college prospect Marcus Watson, shook off an injury to point guard Alex Jones and held off Shiloh for a 71-60 victory in the Hawks-Naismith Holiday Classic at Norcross.

“I thought it was a big win,” said Buford boys coach Eddie Martin, whose team heads to the Kingdom of the Sun tournament in Ocala, Fla., after Christmas.

“They’ve got good size. Tonight I thought they shot the ball really well. Going into the Christmas break, win or lose, it was going to be a huge game for us to play somebody like them. But to walk away with a win makes it even better.”

Buford (6-2) can thank Watson for playing a major part in the victory.

The 6-foot-6 junior had 20 of his 29 points in the second half and grabbed seven rebounds, carrying his team offensively for much of the second half. He was particularly big in one fourthquarter stretch when Jones banged knees with a Shiloh player and left the game for an extended period.

Up 55-50 with 4:24 left when Jones exited, Buford took control with a 7-0 run, all by Watson. His first basket was followed by a 3-pointer, then an emphatic dunk off a turnover.

Shiloh never recovered.

“Just a little bit I (tried to take control on offense),”

deficit in the NBA. Though Atlanta OKLAHOMA CITY dropped Wednesday — For the first time since night’s game to the Pacbeating Milwaukee on ers, the team managed Halloween, Oklahoma to squeak past the Heat City is over .500. earlier in the week for its The Thunder will second win in the month carry a 16-15 record into of December. tonight’s matchup against “There was just a few Atlanta, a team that’s far basic, fundamental plays, below that mark at 7-24, a couple in transition, a good for the worst record couple offensive boards,” in the NBA. Hawks coach Mike It will mark the Hawks’ Budenholzer told the Atonly trip to Oklahoma lanta Journal-Constitution City this season. after the 105-95 loss to A big reason for Oklathe Pacers. “You have to homa City’s resurgence commit to doing that for is its reigning-MVP point 48 minutes. You have to guard. Russell Westbrook commit to getting back shot 59.3 percent from the in transition defense. You floor in his three previous have to commit to being games, a mark he hasn’t good on the defensive met since Oct. 22-27. boards, getting hits.

In the blowout win “Make an unselfish against the Jazz, Westplay. You may not get brook poured in 27 points. the rebound but a team“That’s the most immate will get it. We are portant part, you have to standing there watching have fun and embrace this Thaddeus Young tip the game,” Westbrook told re- ball back in. (They were) porters after the win. “You getting transition plays. don’t take it for granted.

Those kind of plays just You go out and compete set the tone for us not beand you have fun at the ing able to maintain that same time.” level of play, that attention With wins against to detail, that focus that it Denver and the Jazz, the takes for 48 minutes.”

Thunder are on a twoThe Hawks might enter game win streak and have Friday night’s game a won four of their last five. little short-handed with Meanwhile, the Hawks starting point guard are getting outscored by Dennis Schroder listed 5.3 points per game, the as questionable with an fourth-largest per game unspecified injury to his

left ankle.

While Schroder’s status is up in the air, the Hawks figure to get a boost from rookie John Collins, who was recently ranked as the fifth-best rookie by ESPN. Against the Pacers, Collins scored 18 points off the bench. He’s averaging 11.4 points per game in 23 minutes on the court.

Atlanta is also getting good production from beyond the arc out of second-year player Taurean Prince. Prince is knocking down 32.4 percent of his long-range shots.

After missing two games, center Steven Adams played against the Jazz on Wednesday.

Adams is expected to be available against the Hawks. Though guard Paul George has been experiencing tightness in his right forearm that’s affected his shooting, his playing status isn’t expected to be impacted.

George told reporters that he’s been regularly icing it after games.

“It’s been a little wacky for me to start this year out,” he told The Oklahoman. “I’ve been trying to work through that. Once everything gets completely smoothed out, I’ll be back knocking down the midrange. I’ll be back comfortable in that midrange area.”

Three-goal rally leads Icemen past Gladiators From Staff reports

Buford’s Marcus Watson (14) dunks the ball during Thursdays game against Shiloh in the Hawks-Naismith Holiday Classic at Norcross High School. (Photo: Anthony Stalcup)

Watson said. “Our point guard got hurt. I had to come to it, take control of the game and get my teammates involved. I had to make sure everybody was up because we didn’t want to get down.”

Watson had nine points in the first half as Buford took a 32-31 edge into halftime, but he was more aggressive offensively over the final two quarters.

“He’s tough to guard oneon-one, and tonight I thought he did a good job picking and choosing his spots to attack and go one-on-one,” Martin said of Watson.

Donell Nixon also played a pivotal role for the victors with 14 points and four assists. He scored 10 in the

on a pair of 3-pointers and a 4-for-4 effort at the line to finish off the win. David Viti had 12 points, nine in the first quarter, and Jones finished with six points and five assists.

Shiloh (3-6) trailed by nine after a quarter, but a 12-0 run late in the second quarter briefly gave the Generals a lead at 31-30. They kept it close for much of the second half, but struggled to slow down Watson.

Elias King led Shiloh with 15 points and Eric Kinloch had 11 points, six assists and three steals. Toneari Lane (10 points), Kendall Lewis (10 points, seven rebounds) and Nate Reid (eight points) also chipped in for the Generals.

JACKSONVILLE — The Atlanta Gladiators led the Jacksonville Icemen 2-1 heading into the final period before the Icemen rallied off three goals to win 4-3 on Thursday night.

Tyson Fawcett tied the game 18 seconds into the third period on assists from Cameron Critchlow and Tim Daly. Bobby MacIntyre followed that goal roughly four minutes

later to take the lead off a pass from Dajon Mingo.

Fawcett and MacIntyre both have five goals on the season.

Midway through the final period, Jacksonville’s offensive onslaught ended with Tanner Eberle’s seventh goal of the season on assists from Cristiano DiGiacinto and Jimmy Lodge.

That final goal was eventually the difference in the contest after Atlanta’s Colin Sullivan scored an unassisted,

short-handed goal with just more than one minute left in the game.

Luke Sandler scored his sixth goal of the season for Atlanta in the second period on assists from Colin Jacobs and Derek Nesbitt.

Later in the period, Brady Vail sent home his 12th goal of the season, secondmost on the team.

Atlanta (12-14) travels north to take on South Carolina at 7:30 p.m. today before returning home Wednesday to host league-leading Florida.

PREP ROUNDUP

Collins Hill keeps rolling at Lambert Holiday Classic From Staff Reports SUWANEE — The Collins Hill boys basketball team cruised to a 6440 win over Johns Creek Thursday night in the first day of the Lambert Holiday Classic.

Two Eagles (10-1) finished in double-digit scoring with Chris Parks’ 16 and Elijah Wilson chipping in with 11.

BOYS HOOPS BOYS BASKETBALL Mountain View 73, Choctaw (Fla.) 59 SUWANEE — Fresh off of

a critcal win over the Newton Rams last week, the Mountain View Bears added picked up another win, this time over Choctaw High School (Fla.) 73-59.

With the win, the Bears improved to 8-2 on the season.

Spencer Rodgers led the way with 29 points, 21 of which was scored in the first half. Nahiem Allenye had 17 points, Kevin Kayongo had nine points and seven rebounds and Miles Long finished with nine points and four assists.

Hebron 75, George Walton 69 MONROE — The Hebron Christian Academy boys basketball team has only three wins in its 11 games this season, but all three have come

in the region after knocking off George Walton Academy 75-69 on Thursday night.

The Lions (3-8, 3-1) were led

by Will Warbington. He finished with 19 points. Alex Calvert added 13 points, and Zach Calvert pitched in 12 points in the win.

GIRLS HOOPS GIRLS BASKETBALL Peachtree Ridge 46, Jackson County 24 LILBURN — Fresh off of a 4624 win over Lakeview Academy, The Peachtree Ridge Lions girls basketball team added another win to the column with a 52-21 win over the Jackson County Panthers.

Payton Hicks led the Lions in scoring with 13 points. Lauren Edwards scored six, and Taylor Riley also added six in the win.

B6 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

6B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

GWINNETT GRADS

Soumahoro named D-III’s top defensive player Wednesday as a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award, presented to the nation’s top small college defensive player.

By Will Hammock

will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

BASKETBALL

Mitchell goes for career high Though his college Though Georgia State football career is over, lost 88-83 to Dayton last Mamadou Soumahoro is FOOTBALL weekend, Devin Mitchell still adding awards to his had the best game of his resumé.

Shiloh’s Carter earns college career.

The Berkmar grad was Rimington Award The Collins Hill grad named the NCAA DiviShiloh grad Xavier Cart- had a career-best 28 points sion III National Defener, a senior at Reinhardt, in the overtime loss, maksive Player of the Year by was named the winner of ing 9 of 14 shots.

D3Football.com, which the prestigious Rimington He was 6 of 10 from also made him a first-team Award, given annually to 3-point range. Mitchell, a All-American. Soumahoro the top center in college junior, began his college now has five individual football. career at Alabama before All-American awards The award is presented transferring to Georgia in his career, including to one person on each lev- State.

AP Little All-American el, from FCS down. Carter Teammate Isaiah Wiland American Football was the NAIA winner of liams, a Buford grad, had Coaches Association Allthe award, named after for- 15 points vs. Dayton on 5 American honors within mer Nebraska center Dave of 9 shooting (3-for-5 from 3-point range). the past week.

Rimington.

The defensive lineman is Berry College senior Mamadou Soumahoro (58), a Berkmar grad, rushes the passer in Gwinnett Grads is a colThe offensive line anthe first in school history, umn that runs on Fridays chor led a unit that avera recent game. (Photo: Berry College) as well as the first from the spotlighting achievements aged an NAIA-best 350.5 Soumahoro was a fourof past Gwinnett standouts.

Southern Athletic Associa57 tackles (15 for losses), with 37 1/2 career sacks rushing yards and 46.2 tion, to earn D-III national time All-SAA selection, 14 sacks, two forced and 49 career tackles for points. He was a two-time Coaches and parents are player of the year recogurged to send suggestions earning conference defumbles, four batted passes losses.

All-American and also nition, capping the most via email to will.hamfensive player of the year and two blocked kicks this Soumahoro may not be earned All-Mid-South decorated football career the past two seasons. The season. done racking up college Conference honors the past mock@gwinnettdailypost. for a Berry player. com.

6-foot-2, 235-pounder had He holds Berry records awards. He was announced three years.

GOING BOWLING

As usual, the bowl season is busy for Gwinnett. A total of 151 local players will compete in college football bowl games this season, including 15 in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Of the 40 bowl games, 33 will feature someone from Gwinnett.

Today Bahamas Bowl • At Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas • Alabama-Birmingham vs. Ohio, 12:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Local interest: Norcross’ Kyle Varnell (No. 64) is a long snapper for UAB. Peachtree Ridge’s Tony Porter (No. 54) is a defensive lineman, Dacula’s Steven Hayes (No. 73) is an offensive lineman and Mill Creek’s Amos Ogun-Semore (No. 88) is a defensive lineman for Ohio.

Saturday Birmingham Bowl • At Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala. • Texas Tech vs. South Florida, noon (ESPN) Local interest: Grayson’s Zach Barnes (No. 52) is a defensive lineman for Texas Tech.

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl • At Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas • San Diego State vs. Army, 3:30 p.m.

(ESPN)

Local interest: For Army, Lilburn’s Marcus Hyatt (No. 1) is a defensive back, Collins Hill’s Rhyan England (No. 8) is a defensive back, GAC’s Alex Rowe (No. 33) is a defensive back, Loganville’s J.D. Mote (No. 34) is a punter, South Gwinnett’s Chris Skyers (No. 46) is a defensive back, South Gwinnett’s Mackay Phillips (No. 76) is a defensive lineman, Buford’s Cooper Simpson (No. 79) is an offensive lineman and Norcross’ Emmanuel Aka (No. 89) is a defensive lineman.

Dollar General Bowl • At Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala. • Appalachian State vs. Toledo, 7 p.m.

(ESPN) Local interest: Shiloh’s Austin Exford (No. 9) is a defensive back, Mountain View’s Kaiden Smith (No. 36) is a defensive back and Mountain View’s Jalen Virgil (No. 81) is a wide receiver for App State.

Tuesday Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl • At Cotton Bowl, Dallas • Utah vs. West Virginia, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN) Local interest: Buford’s Tyler Thurmond (No. 70) is an offensive lineman for West Virginia.

Quick Lane Bowl • At Ford Field, Detroit • Duke vs. Northern Illinois, 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) Local interest: For Duke, Shiloh’s Jeremy McDuffie (No. 9) is a safety, Grayson’s

Jordan Hayes (No. 13) is a safety, Archer’s Dylan Singleton (No. 16) is a safety, Buford’s Josh Blackwell (No. 31) is a cornerback, Grayson’s Will Taylor (No. 55) is a center, Grayson’s John Taylor (No. 57) is a long snapper, Collins Hill’s Christian Harris (No. 70) is an offensive guard and North Gwinnett’s Drew Jordan (No. 86) is a defensive end.

Cactus Bowl • At Chase Field, Phoenix • Kansas State vs. UCLA, 9 p.m. (ESPN) Local interest: Norcross’ Jordan Noil (No. 4) is a defensive back and Central Gwinnett’s Tyler White (No. 37) is a linebacker for Kansas State.

Wednesday Walk-On’s Independence Bowl • At Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La. • Southern Miss vs. Florida State, 1:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Local interest: Peachtree Ridge’s Walden Davis (No. 5) is a defensive back and GAC’s Devin Thomas (No. 97) is a linebacker for Southern Miss. For FSU, Central Gwinnett’s Adonis Thomas (No. 22) and Brookwood’s Leonard Warner (No. 35) are linebackers.

New Era Pinstripe Bowl • At Yankee Stadium, New York • Iowa vs. Boston College, 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) Local interest: For Boston College, Suwanee’s Will Harris (No. 8) is a defensive

back, Duluth’s Max Richardson (No. 14) is a linebacker and Grayson’s Bryce Morais (No. 90) is a defensive lineman.

Foster Farms Bowl • At Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.

• Arizona vs. Purdue, 8:30 p.m. (Fox) Local interest: Grayson’s Jack Banda (No. 92) is a defensive end for Arizona. Lanier’s Tario Fuller (No. 25) is a running back and Dacula’s Allen Daniels (No. 94) is a defensive tackle for Purdue.

Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl • At NRG Stadium, Houston • Texas vs. Missouri, 9 p.m. (ESPN) Local interest: North Gwinnett’s Nate Brown (No. 7) is a wide receiver, Buford’s Thomas Wilson (No. 8) is a safety and Grayson’s Dimetrios Mason (No. 9) is a wide receiver for Missouri.

Thursday Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman • At Jack Stephens Field at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Md. • Virginia vs. Navy, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN) Local interest: Peachtree Ridge’s Jordan Ellis (No. 1) is a running back, Wesleyan’s Jordan Mack (No. 37) is a linebacker, Mill Creek’s Tyler Fannin (No. 72) is a center, Parkview’s Juwan Moye (No. 99) is a defensive end, Central Gwinnett’s Darious Latimore is a cornerback and Collins Hill’s

Robert Snyder is a linebacker for UVA. For Navy, Archer’s John Gillis (No. 18) is a safety, Brookwood’s Josh Brown (No. 28) is a running back, GAC’s Paul Carothers (No. 50) is a linebacker, GAC’s Ford Higgins (No. 72) is an offensive tackle and Mountain View’s Kendel Wright (No. 76) is an offensive tackle.

Camping World Bowl • At Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla. • Virginia Tech vs. Oklahoma State (ESPN) Local interest: Norcross’ A.J. Bush (No. 6) is a quarterback, Collins Hill’s Emmanuel Belmar (No. 40) is a defensive end and Norcross’ D’Andre Plantin (No. 62) is an offensive lineman for Virginia Tech.

Valero Alamo Bowl • At the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas • Stanford vs. TCU, 9 p.m. (ESPN) Local interest: GAC’s Davis Mills (No. 15) is a quarterback and Duluth resident Anthony Trinh (No. 40) is a linebacker for Stanford.

Norcross’ Ridwan Issahaku (No. 31) is a safety for TCU. San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl • At SDCCU Stadium, San Diego • Washington State vs. Michigan State, 9 p.m. (Fox) Local interest: Peachtree Ridge’s Connor Heyward (No. 11) is a running back for Michigan State.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 CONSTRUCTION/ SERVICE BIDS CONSTRUCTION/ SERVICE BIDS

INVITATION TO BID BID # COL/HILLCREST – 1.25.2018 The City of Lilburn, Georgia is soliciting competitive sealed bids from qualified contractors for the CDBG Project #G-0275-0000012261; Construction of Sidewalks on Hillcrest Road and Associated Roadwork.

Contractors are advised that Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are being used for the construction of this project and contractor will be required to comply with all CDBG requirements described herein. **BID PACKAGES, INCLUDING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS MAY BE DOWNLOADED AT THE CITY OF LILBURN WEB PAGE – www. cityoflilburn.com HEADER: DOING BUSINESS/BIDDING AND PURCHASING. BIDDING DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT THE CITY OF LILBURN, 340 MAIN STREET, LILBURN,GA. 30047 2ND FLOOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE – ATTN: KATHY HILL. A COMPLETE SET OF PLANS AND DOCUMENTS MAY BE PURCHASED FOR $75.00 PER SET (NON-REFUNDABLE) FROM THE CITY AT THIS LOCATION. Bids should be typed or submitted in ink and returned in a sealed container marked on the outside with the Bid# and Company Name. Bids will be received will be received until 2:00 P.M. local time on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at Lilburn City Hall – Attn: Kathy Hill, Administration Office, 2nd floor – 340 Main Street, Lilburn, Georgia 30047. Any bid received after this date and time will not be accepted. Bids will be publicly opened and read at 2:15 P.M. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 on the 2nd Floor of Lilburn City Hall at the address listed above. All contractors are urged to attend. Questions regarding the Invitation to Bid, Documents, Drawings and Specifications should be directed to Kim Conroy, SPLOST Project Manager, at kconroy@cityoflilburn. com, or at 770-279-3716 no later than Monday, January 22, 2018. Bids are legal and binding upon the bidder when submitted. All bids should be submitted in duplicate.

Successful firm(s) will be required to meet insurance requirements. The Insurance Company should be authorized to do business in Georgia by the Georgia Insurance Department, and must have an A.M. Best rating of A-5 or higher.

The City of Lilburn does n

not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to its programs or activities. Any requests for reasonable accommodations required by individuals to fully participate in any open meeting, program or activity of the City of Lilburn should be directed to City Manager Bill Johnsa, 770-921-2210.

The written bid documents supersede any verbal or written prior communications between the parties.

Award will be made on a UNIT PRICE basis and will be made to the contractor submitting the lowest responsive and responsible overall bid.

The City reserves the right to reject any or all bids to waive technicalities and to make an award deemed in its best interest. The City reserves the option to negotiate terms, conditions and pricing with the lowest responsive, responsible bidder at its discretion.

All companies submitting a bid will be notified in writing of award.

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CORPORATIONS NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISSOLVE/ARTICLES OF DISSOLUTIOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT NOTICE OF INTENT TO DISSOLVE / ARTICLES OF DISSOLUTION WHICH DISSOLVES SANCTUARY PARK ASSOCIATION, INC. HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FILING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GEORGIA BUSINESS CORPORATION CODE. THE REGISTERED OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION IS LOCATED AT 289 S. CULVER ST, LAWRENCEVILLE GA 30046 AND ITS REGISTERED AGENT AT SUCH ADDRESS IS CT CORPORATION SYSTEM. 907-524577, 12/20,27

Please Recycle This Newspaper PUBLIC HEARINGS NOTICE NOTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OCGA 40-11-2 THE SHOP, WILL HOLD AN AUCTION FOR THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE(S): 2003 Land Rover -Range Rover VIN SALTY16453A780784 WILL BE AUCTIONED ON DECEMBER 29, 2017 AT 10 AM. AT 727 WEST PEACHTREE ST NORCROSS, GA 30071 928-523678, 12/22,27

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

NOTICE THERE WILL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC OUT CRY FOR KAM TOWING SERVICE INC. 4371 STONE MTN HWY, LILBURN, GA 30047 DECEMBER 24, 2017 AT 10:00 AM. THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DECLARED ABANDONED AND FORECLOSED VEHICLES PURSUANT TO OFFICIAL CODE OF GEORGIA ANNOTATED SECTION 40-11-5 AS FOLLOWS: 2005 MAZDA 6 1YVHP80CX55M35085 2000 FORD CUTAWAY VAN 1FDWE35L5YHA65905 928-523676, 12/15,22

NOTICE The following vehicles have been impounded as follows: A 2017 Dodge Journey VIN: 3C4PDCAB2HT622120 NO TAG was towed on 105-17 from 3400 Peachtree Corners Cir. Norcross, GA 30092 at Columns at Peachtree Corners Apts. It was considered abandoned on 11/5/2017. It is located at 115 Arcado Rd. Lilburn, GA 30047, Eagle Towing Inc. 770-279-1646 A 2010 Honda Accord VIN: 1HGCP2F85AA156386 NO TAG was towed on 10-5-17 from 2745 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Alpharetta, GA 30022 at Attis Apts. It was considered abandoned on 9/27/2017.

It is located at 115 Arcado Rd. Lilburn, GA 30047, Eagle Towing Inc. 770-279-1646 928-524784, 12/22,29

STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE INC. 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE NORCROSS, GA 30071 PHONE: 770-381-1140 FAX: 770-935-9651 ABANDONED VEHICLES: RE: 2003 Yamaha PW80 MiniBike VIN JYA3RV0373A033680 LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR BLUE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above dirtbike was initially removed from Holly Ridge Road and Lawrenceville Highway located in Lilburn, Ga. It is presently located at 770-381-1140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The dirtbike is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law.

GA. It is presently located at 770-381-1140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The all-terrain vehicle is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law.

MCCULLOUGH TOWING 4431 BUFORD HWY NORCROSS, GA 30071 770-263-8483 12/19/17 NOTICE OF ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE The following vehicle, advertised to O.C.G.A.Code Section 40-11-12, is being stored at 4431 Buford Hwy, Norcross, Ga. 30071. 770263-8483.

This vehicle is being deemed abandoned and will be auctioned or disposed of if not claimed by the legal owner and or lien holder.

The Vehicle was impounded from 4431 Buford Hwy. Norcross, Ga. On 12/12/17, at the request of the property owner or manager.

2013 Bashan Motorcycle VIN# LHJPJNBU8DB100043 TAG# No Tag 928-524776, 12/22,29

PROTECT OUR PLANET MCCULLOUGH TOWING 4431 BUFORD HWY NORCROSS, GA 30071 770-263-8483 12/19/17 NOTICE OF ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE The following vehicle, advertised to O.C.G.A.Code Section 40-11-12, is being stored at 4431 Buford Hwy, Norcross, Ga. 30071. 770263-8483.

This vehicle is being deemed abandoned and will be auctioned or disposed of if not claimed by the legal owner and or lien holder.

The Vehicle was impounded from 4431 Buford Hwy. Norcross, Ga. On 12/12/17, at the request of the property owner or manager.

2013 Bashan Scooter VIN# LHJTLBBN5DB002457 TAG# No Tag 928-524777, 12/22,29 NOTICE I, Jong-Hyun Kim/ Parkview Family Medicine will close my practice at the end of the year (2017) as I am retiring. If you need anything, such as medical records, please contact me at (770)622-1730.

928-524780, 12/22,27,29

MCCULLOUGH TOWING 4431 BUFORD HWY NORCROSS, GA 30071 770-263-8483 12/11/17 NOTICE OF ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE The following vehicle, advertised to O.C.G.A.Code Section 40-11-12, is being stored at 4431 Buford Hwy, Norcross, Ga. 30071. 770263-8483.

This vehicle is being deemed abandoned and will be auctioned or disposed of if not claimed by the legal owner and or lien holder.

The Vehicle was impounded from 2283 Plaster Rd. Atlanta, Ga. On 11/1/17, at the request of the property owner or manager.

Lotus Scooter VIN# LHJTLB2J4ABL01897 TAG# No Tag 928-523969, 12/15,22 MCCULLOUGH TOWING 4431 BUFORD HWY NORCROSS, GA 30071 770-263-8483 12/19/17 NOTICE OF ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE The following vehicle, advertised to O.C.G.A.Code Section 40-11-12, is being stored at 4431 Buford Hwy, Norcross, Ga. 30071. 770263-8483.

This vehicle is being deemed abandoned and will be auctioned or disposed of if not claimed by the legal owner and or lien holder.

The Vehicle was impounded from 4431 Buford Hwy. Norcross, Ga. On 12/12/17, at the request of the property owner or manager.

Peace Scooter VIN# LHJTLBEN9DB001165 TAG# No Tag 928-524779, 12/22,29

RE: Hooper 20’ Flatbed Trailer VIN NO VIN LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR BLACK TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above trailer was initially removed from 1954 Sugar Springs Drive located in Lawrenceville, Ga. It is presently located at 770-3811140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The trailer is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. RE: 2015 TaoTao 50cc Scooter VIN L9NTEACB6F1001319 LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR BLACK TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above scooter was initially removed from Stone Mountain Highway and Parker Court located in Stone Mountain, GA. It is presently located at 770-381-1140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The scooter is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. RE: 1988 Suzuki LT230 ATV VIN JSAAJ46A2J2103400 LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR BLUE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above all-terrain vehicle was initially removed from 3747 Rosebud Park Drive located in Snellville, G

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: The following self-storage Cube contents containing household and other goods will be sold for cash by CubeSmart 3766 Holcomb Bridge Rd Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 to satisfy a lien on January 11th, 2018 at approx. 2:00 pm at www. storagetreasures.com] Name Unit # General Description of Property Robert H. Citronberg 370 Household Items Rosalyn Gayton 129 Household Items Robert Dure 211 Household Items Kenneth Nelson 264 Household Items Larry Hall 4 9 8 Household Items 929-523965, 12/15,22 NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: The following self-storage Cube contents containing household and other goods will be sold for cash

by CubeSmart #6929, 5985 South Norcross Tucker Road, Norcross, GA 30093, to satisfy a lien 01/11/2018 at approx. 2:00 PM. at www. storagetreasures.com.

Name Unit # Jakeia Jones A041 Willie F. GayB013 Saul Rivera-Mera B063 Alex Jones B068 Cherice Shinholster B085 Fredy Kurniawan B096 Juan Soto C019 Universal Services Associates, Inc. C036 Wayne D. Johnson C036 929-524743, 12/22,29 NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Pursuant to the Georgia Self-Service Storage Facility Act, SecurCare Self Storage will conduct an ONLINE auction to the highest bidder at www.lockerfox.com for the following spaces located at 1 Western Hills Court Norcross, Ga 30071. The auction will conclude on January 4th, 2017 at 11:00 AM. To register and bid please visit www.lockerfox.com.

Patrick Gilley, Unit B203: Sofa,

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

Clothes, Lamp, Christmas tree. Lucy Richards, Unit B208: Mattress, Headboard, Stove, Refrigerator, Boxes, Table. Dorothy Fowler, Unit D401: Mattress, Boxspring, Table, Dresser, Dishes. Teresita Yerre, Unit D403: Boxes, Totes, Table, Luggage.

Te4resita Rios, Unit D410: Chair, Table, Bags, Boxes, Totes. Bratreka Troutman, Unit D437: Sofa, Microwave, Washer, Chair, Bags. Janine Lewis, Unit E532: Luggage, Bags, Totes. Danny Eli, Unit E544: 2 Old Cars. Chasity Evalisto, Unit E591: Bags, Chair, Pots, Boxes. Adalid Ramirez, Unit E600out: Bicycle, Kids Motirized Car, TV, Chair, Speakers. Ruendy Acevedo, Unit G702: Car Seats, Front ends of Cars, Plastic Totes, Tool box, lawn Mower. Yazmine Mejias, K510: Dresser, Stove, Refrigerator, Mattress Set, Mirrors.

Walter Licona, Unit I231: Tile board, Subfloor, Pressure Treated Wood, Caulk, Nails.

Esmeralda Gomez, Unit J405: Bags, Plastic Totes, Aquarium, Couches, Refrigerator. Janice Bentz, Unit I213: Boxes, Chairs, Washing Machine, Bed, Desk. Sondra Jasper, Unit I339: Clothes, Bags, Suitcase, Mirror. Angela Ausburn, Unit I249: Bed Frame, Air Compressor, Binoculars, Bags, Box. Javier Hernandez, Unit H113: Lawnmower, Roll around toolbox, Ladders, Leaf Blower, Misc Hand Tools. Adrian Barringer, Unit H152: TV’s, Electronic Equipment, Boxes, Chairs, Speakers, Computer Monitors. Tylia Hunter, Unit M766: Washer, Dryer, TV, Couch, Headboard. Jennifer Jones, Unit M745: Stroller, Bags, Toys, Plastic Totes, Suitcase. Suprena Rigaud, Unit C328: Boxes, Bags, Shoprac, Clothes, Mattress.

929-523967, 12/15,22

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE There will be sold at public outcry at South East Transportation 4138 ARCADIA INDUSTRIAL CIR LILBURN DEC. 28, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. the following vehicle, declared abandoned and foreclosed vehicles pursuant to OCGA Section 40-11-5, as follows: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA 5NPEC4AC6BH265895 2005 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1GCHG35U5S1175793 2014 TOYOTA COROLLA 5YFBURHE8EP126170 2001 FORD RANGER 1FTYR14U01TA50750 929-524037, 12/15,22

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY In accordance with the GA Self Service Storage Facilities Act notice is hereby given that the undersigned will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder in order to satisfy lien of the owner. The auction will be held at www. lockerfox.com with bids finalizing on January 6th, 2018 at 10am for the Space Shop Self Storage facility located at 2350 Ronald Reagan Pkwy Snellville GA 30078 UNIT: Cirila Rumaguera– Boxes, china cabinet, totes, file cabinets, The auction will be listed and advertised on www. lockerfox.com. Space Shop Self Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

929-524792, 12/22,29

NOTICE There will be sold at public outcry for cash at Eagle Towing, located at 115 Arcado Rd. , Lilburn , GA , 30047 , 770-279-1646. Saturday December 30th , 2016 @ 1:00 pm. The following vehicles, declared abandoned and foreclosed vehicles pursuant to OCGA Section 40-11-5 as follows: 2003 Infinity I30 VIN: JNKDA31A13T109687 NO TAG 2006 Ford Focus VIN: 1FAFP34N06W206797 TAG: QFM 3152 GA 2007 Suzuki Forenza VIN: KL5JD56ZX7K550452 TAG: RCE 5375 GA 2005 Audi A4 VIN: WAULC68E95A026912 TAG: PFU 5071 GA 2006 Chevrolet Impala VIN: 2G1WB58K769233601 TAG: AZR 4770 GA 2006 Chrysler Town & Country VIN: 1A4GP45R56B712679 TAG: POB 9429 GA 2015 Hyundai Elantra VIN: 5NPDH4AE9FH592103 NO TAG 929-524788, 12/22,29 THESE VEHICLES WILL BE SOLD FOR PUBLIC OUTCRY FOR CASH AT STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE LOCATED AT 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE, NORCROSS, GEORGIA AT 10:00 A.M. ON DECEMBER 30, 2017. THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES ARE DECLARED ABANDONED AND FORECLOSED VEHICLES PURSUANT TO OCGA 40-11-5.

ESTOS VEHICULOS SERAN VENDIDOS AL PUBLICO POR DINERO EN EFECTIVO EN STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE LOCALIZADO EN 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE, NORCROSS, GEORGIA A LAS 10:00 A.M. EN 30 DECIEMBRE 2017 . LOS SIGUIENTES VEHICULOS AN SIDO DECLARADOS ABANDONADOS Y CERRADOS DE ACUERDO A OCGA 40-11-5 NUEVA LOCALIZACION 770-381-1140 www. swsatlanta.com Honda Motorcycle NO VIN 2008 Bashan 147cc Scooter L

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS LHJLC79F68B003358 Headlights & Suspension NO VIN Trek 1600s Bicycle NO VIN 2014 Jonway Gator YY50QT-6 Scooter L8YTCAPF9EY300280 Pace American Work Sports Enclosed Trailer NO VIN 2001 Honda 400 4-Wheeler 418TE2S0514115234

EX

2012 Dodge Avenger 1C3CDZCB5CN219745 2005 Infiniti QX56 5N3AA08A25N803615 2006 Chrysler Pacifica 2A4GM68446R853247 2006 Nissan Pathfinder 5N1AR18U16C682977 2008 Dodge Charger 2B3KA43R08H229763 1995 Ford Ranger 1FTCR10A0SUA28992 2003 Ford Expedition 1FMRU15W03LA80218 2008 Honda Accord 1HGCP26838A054708 2004 Ford F-150 1FTPX12524FA32542 2001 Lexus GS 300 JT8BD69S510144115 1998 Mercury Villager 4M2ZV1112WDJ25552 1994 Jeep Cherokee 1J4FJ28P2RL210755 2001 Ford Expedition 1FMRU15W31LA12122 1985 Chevrolet C10 1GCDC14H7FS115335 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300D WDBEB28E0PB879766 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe 1GNEC13T31R100316 1995 Honda Accord JHMCD5637SC023534 2006 Cadillac CTS 1G6DM57T660190112 2007 Chrysler Town and Country 2A4GP44R17R354002 1999 Honda Accord 1HGCG225XXA003779 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan 2D4GP44L85R154445 1996 Chevrolet Camaro RS 2G1FP22K2T2115145 2006 Nissan Altima 1N4AL11D16N363895 2002 Hyundai Elantra KMHDN45D32U393960

gwinnettdailypost.com PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS 2004 Ford Taurus 1FAFP53244A156211 1994 Jeep Cherokee 1J4FT27S9RL242683 2007 Ford Five Hundred 1FAHP24147G103426 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer JA32U2FU1AU017076 2006 Ford Taurus 1FAFP53U36A192959 1998 Lexus ES 300 JT8BF28G1W5020854 1993 Acura Legend JH4KA7665PC013134 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1GCEC14W8XZ132656 1999 Acura 3.5 RL JH4KA9652XC004555 2000 Jaguar S-Type SAJDA01D5YGL67948 2003 Nissan Altima 1N4BL11D33C146117 2000 Acura 3.2 TL 19UUA566XYA065274 2004 Toyota Sienna 5TDZA23C54S197014 929-523994, 12/15,22,29

There will be sold at public outcry for cash at Willard Wrecker Service, 719 Shadburn Avenue, Buford, GA 30518, on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 11:00 AM the following vehicles declared abandoned or foreclosed vehicles pursuant to O.C.G.A Section 40-11-05, as follows: #; Year; Make; Model; VIN 1 1998 Toyota Corolla 2T1BR12E3WC092328

2 2003 Ford F-350 Super Duty 1 F T S W31P63EC37152

3 2009 Nissan Ve r s a 3N1BC13E39L490787

4 2001 Lexus LS 430 JTHBN30F310038774

5 1997 Honda Accord 1HGCD5531VA264008

6 2004 Ford Expedition 1FMRU17W34LA70569

7 2007 Scion T C JTKDE177X70152334

8 2009 Ford Crown Victoria 2FAHP71V09X112514

9 2002 Nissan Pathfinder JN8DR09X92W651056

10 1998 Volvo S70 YV1LS5584W1482777

11 2015 Chevrolet Sonic 1G1JC6SB2F4153356

12 2013 Chevrolet Sonic 1G1JC5SH6D4239555

13 Utility T912184

1995 Trailer

14 2009 Chevrolet Impala 2G1WT57K991185049

15 Ford Duty MA32641

2000 F-650 Super 3FDNF65H6Y-

16 1998 Chevrolet Malibu 1G1NE52M2W6167785

17 2002 Ford Mustang 1FAFP40482F139086

18 2010 BMW 550i GT WBASN4C58AC208522

19 1999 Cadillac Eldorado 1G6EL12Y7XU612742

20 2001 Ford Explorer Sport 1FMYU60E71UA40815

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS 29 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle 3VWCB21C91M445554 30 2007 Honda Civic 2HGFG12857H512892 31 2009 BMW 328i WBAPH77539NM29549 32 2004 Volkswagen J e t t a 3VWSE69M54M123084 33 2003 Ford Expedition 1FMRU17W53LA33182 34 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 2G1WW12E459271351 35 1996 Lexus ES 300 JT8BF12G2T0166031 36 2008 Mini Cooper S WMWMF73568TV37818 37 1992 Ford Ranger 1FTCR10U5NUC47932 38 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport JA4LS21H83J002532 39 2007 BMW 328xi WBAVC93567KX57070 40 2009 Chevrolet HHR 3GNCA13B09S502582 41 1995 Chevrolet Lumina 2G1WL52M6S1191325 42 2003 Chevrolet Tracker 2CNBE13C836951480 43 1998 Lexus ES 300 JT8BF28G7W0098326 44 1999 Pontiac Grand Am 1G2NE52T2XM856581 45 2003 Honda Civic 2HGES15523H518090 46 1993 Buick Century 3G4AG55N1PS615236 47 1992 Nissan Maxima JN1HJ01F9NT020811 48 2002 Ford Windstar 2FMZA53492BB21767 49 2003 Nissan Murano JN8AZ08T53W114686 50 2007 Saturn Aura 1G8ZV57787F253559 51 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix 1G2WR1210YF312618 52 2006 Nissan Altima 1N4BL11D16C149747 53 2002 Jeep Liberty 1J8GK58K62W203866 54 2009 Volkswagen Passat WVWML73C69E527418 55 2003 Ford Explorer 1FMZU62K63UB93714 56 2006 Ford Crown Victoria 2FAFP71W76X133730 57 1999 Toyota Solara 2T1CF28P1XC215265 58 2010 Chevrolet Malibu LS 1G1ZB5EB5AF214353 59 1999 Volkswagen G o l f 3VWFA81H3XM213040

23 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 1G1JC124027205094

24 1996 Nissan Maxima JN1CA21D8TT748847

25 2005 Chevrolet Corvette 1G1YY24U055106200

26 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 2GTEC638481307740

27 2007 Mazda Mazda6 1YVHP80C175M28383

28 2003 Ford Ranger 1FTYR10U33PA99734

in the original principal sum of TWO HUNDRED EIGHT THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED NINETY FOUR AND 0/100 DOLLARS ($208,994.00), with interest from date at the rate stated in said Note on the unpaid balance until paid, there will be sold by the undersigned at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash before the Courthouse door at GWINNETT County, Georgia, or at such place as has or may be lawfully designated as an alternative location, within the legal hours of sale on the first Tuesday in February, 2018, the following described property: ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND LYING AND BEING IN LAND LOT 141 OF THE 5TH DISTRICT OF GWINNETT COUNTY GEORGIA AND BEING LOT 24, BLOCK ‘Q’ OF FOREST HILLS SUBDIVISION, UNIT TEN ACCORDING TO THE PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK ‘Z’. PAGE 154, GWINNETT COUNTY RECORDS PARCEL ID: R5141 166 To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the party in possession of the property is CLAIRRANDA PAYNE or a tenant or tenants. Said property may more commonly be known as: 313 SUMMIT RIDGE DR, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 30046.

The debt secured by said Deed to Secure Debt has been and is hereby declared due because of, among other possible events of default, non-payment of the monthly installments on said loan.

The debt remaining in default, this sale will be made for the purpose of paying the same and all expenses of this sale, including attorney’s fees (notice of intent to collect attorney’s fees having been given).

The individual or entity that has full authority to negotiate, amend, and modify all terms of the loan is ROUNDPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING CORPORATION, 5016 PARKWAY PLAZA BLVD, SUITE 200, CHARLOTTE, NC 28217; (877) 426-8805.

Said property will be sold subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, whether or not now due and payable), the right of redemption of any taxing authority, any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments, liens, encumbrances, zoning ordinances, restrictions, covenants, and matters of record superior to the Security Deed first set out above.

The sale will be conducted subject (1) to confirmation that the sale is not prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and (2) to final confirmation and audit of the status of the loan with the holder of the Security Deed.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 9-13-172.1, which allows for certain procedures regarding the rescission of judicial and nonjudicial sales in the State of Georgia, the Deed Under Power and other foreclosure documents may not be provided until final confirmation and audit of the status of the loan as provided in the preceding paragraph. *Auction services to be provided by Auction.com (www.auction. com)* FIRST GUARANTY MORTGAGE CORPORATION As Attorney-in-Fact for CLAIRRANDA PAYNE Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, PLLC 11675 Great Oaks Way, Suite 375 Alpharetta, GA 30022 Telephone: 770-393-4300 Fax: 770-393-4310 PH # 34101 This law firm is acting as a debt collector. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

9 5 0 - 5 2 4 7 7 0 , 12/22,27,1/3,10,17,24,31

60 2004 Dodge Tr u c k 1D7HA18N94S562078 61 2008 Chrysler Pt Cruiser 3A8FY48BX8T113042 929-524742, 12/22,29,1/5

21 2008 Ford Edge 2FMDK49C08BA25986

22 1998 Honda Accord 1HGCG5641WA085063

FORECLOSURES

FORECLOSURES STATE OF GEORGIA COUNTY of GWINNETT NOTICE OF SALE UNDER POWER By virtue of the power of sale contained in that certain Deed to Secure Debt from CLAIRRANDA PAYNE to MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS INC., AS NOMINEE FOR ALTERRA GROUP, LLC dated August 29, 2016, filed for record September 8, 2016, and recorded in Deed Book 54568, Page 608, GWINNETT County, Georgia Records, as last transferred to FIRST GUARANTY MORTGAGE CORPORATION by assignment recorded in Deed Book 55302, Page 139, GWINNETT County, Georgia Records.

Said Deed to Secure Debt having been given to secure a Note dated August 29, 2016

2

FULL TIME

PLUMBERS

Information Technology Project Manager: (Peachtree Corners, GA opening) Responsible for E-commerce planning & development, IT Dept. management, business technology research. Email resume referencing Job code# BGI11302017ITPM to Lindsey@uscabinetdepot.com at BGI GROUP INC.

MONROE, GA 30656 JIM DAWS RD

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT APTS/DUP/CONDOS/ T’HOMES FOR RENT

SERVICES GWINNETT DUPLEXES

NOW HIRING! PLUMBERS for Residential Roughing and Finishing.

Starting at $24/hr.

HELPERS w/2 yrs. exp. with established company.

Starting at $17/hr.

Apply In Person 9am - 4 pm 2218 Old Covington Hwy., Conyers

2 Communities!

ACREAGE PRICE REDUCTION! Great 32.53+/- acre tract zoned A2, perfect for livestock, farming, hunting, or build your dream home.

Property has a 20 foot easement for access.

Motivated Sellers, Bring All Offers! $211,445 Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com MONROE, GA FORRESTER CEMETERY ROAD

HOUSES FOR SALE

LOGANVILLE, GA 30052

2 STORY On Full Finished Basement.

5 Bedrooms 3 Full Baths $229,900 EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com MONROE, GA 30656

1155 Jim Daws Rd.

One on Singleton Road & One on Law’ville-Suwanee Road! 2BR & 3BR, 2BA, Fireplace, Vaulted Ceilings, Off Street Parking.

Starting @ $950/mo.

B.C. PROPERTIES 770-446-1550 770-995-8828 MOBILE HOMES & LOTS FOR RENT BARROW-AUBURN 1-2-3 BEDROOMS IN MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY. Rent Starting at $100/ week. Large Lots.

770-513-3151 COMMERCIAL RENTALS

4433 BEAVER TREE STREET

5 ACRES WALNUT GROVE SCHOOL DISTRICT Beautiful 5 acre wooded lot that shares a portion of shared pond. County water is available. What a scenic place to build your dream home or vacation home in one of the most desirable school districts. $85,000 Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com SNELLVILLE, GA 30078 BIRD LANE

CONYERS•APPROX. 3000 S. F. OF OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE. Ready for build-out in Conyers. Connected to a thriving medical practice with ample parking & easy access off & on I-20 & Hwy 138. Call Kenneth, 770-922-9222 LOGANVILLE, GA 30052 4665 ATLANTA HWY

HOME REPAIR/ REMODELING

FOREST REMODELING, INC. •Finished Basements •Bathroom Remodeling •Kitchen Remodeling •Custom Cabinets •Room Additions •Garages/Carports •Screened Porches •Custom Decks •Siding All Types Call John

770-962-2071 Credit Cards Accepted LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

BRIAN’S TREE & HANDYMAN SERVICES • Total Tree Removal • Plant Trees • Plant Shrubs • Shrub Removal • Bobcat Work • Dump Truck Work • Grass Planting • Gutters • Storm Drains • Pressure Washing • Painting • Roofing Repairs • Wood Repairs • Driveway Repairs

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

POWER WASHING

PRESSURE WASHING

COUNTRY BOY TREE REMOVAL Expert Take Downs √ 20Years Experience √ Insured √ Free Estimates √ Stump Grinding

HOUSES STARTING AT $89 • Roof Cleaning • Black streaks removed from roof • Mold & Mildew removed from homes • Drives-WalkwaysPatios-Decks cleaned/sealed • Gutters cleaned For a FREE Estimate

CALL OR TEXT

404.886.3587 Established 1989

Bucket Truck Summer Seasoned

Oak 1/2 Cord - $100 1 Cord - $190

Delivered & Dumped LICENSED

770-932-1751 Cell 770-313-5751

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

CV CARTAGE, LLC

STORAGE TRAILERS AVAILABLE • $200 per Month • 53 Foot Dry & Clean • Free Pick Up & Delivery • Local Shuttles Available

CALL 404-630-5880

7 DAYS A WEEK Senior Citizen Discount - Insured 20 years Experience

678-654-8329 ACREAGE Older 4 Sided Brick Ranch Home On Wooded 39+ Acre Parcel.

Family rm w/fireplace, formal dining room, spacious kitchen, laundry area, full bath and large bedrooms!

2 creeks cross the property in back. +/-1012 feet of road frontage. $242,000 Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com

BROOKWOOD SCHOOLS 1.03 Acre Wooded Zoned RS180.

Lot located in older established Snellville neighborhood in Brookwood Elementary School district. Water, sewer, gas and electric available but no connected at property.

No disclosure.

Owner purchased as investment property.

Zoned RS180. $36,500 Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com

COMMERCIAL SPACE 4665 Suite 100 & 800 SUITE 100 1,319 Sq. Ft. $1648 per month & $492 per month CAM

CHRIS IST STTMA MAS A D DEA EA AD DLLIINES NES ES

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Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com

LAKE/RIVER/COASTAL PROPERTY FOR SALE EATONTON, GA 31024 210 RIVER LAKE DR.

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MAKE OFFER! Beautiful 2.68 Acre Wooded Tract of Land.

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No metal type storage container structures are not permitted on parcel. $65,000 Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com

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LAKE OCONEE Beautiful shaded lake lot with hardwoods and seawall with great views of Lake Oconee.

Approximately 120 ft water frontage.

Old mobile home used to sit on this property so septic is in place.

What a scenic place to build your dream home or vacation home. $240,000.

Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com CEMETERY LOTS FOR SALE DULUTH, GA

BURIAL LOTS FOR SALE At White Chapel Memorial Gardens

• SPACES 1, 2 • GARDEN APOSTLES • LOT 48B • 1 UNLINED VAULT $2,495.00 678-749-9036

DRYER/WASHER $125 ea.; Super Capacity $175 ea.

Front Loader Set $450 & up; Regular Refrig. & Ranges $175 & up; SXS Refrig. $300 & up.

Dishwasher $100 & up. Different colors.

Del/1 yr warr.

Tim 404-205-2222 PETS/LIVESTOCK

VEHICLES

FIREWOOD ADOPT A PET ALL OAK FIREWOOD FOR SALE $120 “Heaping Truckload�, Stacked, Gwinnett Area.

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MAINE COON MIX CAT: Young adult female, beautiful, spayed, vaccines, sweet personality. 770-365-7998

DODGE WORK VAN, RAM 2500, 1995, 1 owner, like new, custom cabinets, loaded, V8, AC, heat, customized seats. $2,295. 678-620-6792

FIREWOOD Seasoned Oak & Hickory.

Delivery or Pick Up. Call For Prices.

770-962-8744 SEASONED OAK FIREWOOD 4x8 Rack $125.

Delivered & Stacked.

Lawrenceville/Buford area. 678-997-5675.

Proceeds for funding Helping Hands Missionary Trips.

VEHICLES

CHEVROLET IMPALA LT, 2013, 47,000 MILES Remote start, On Star, moon roof, flex fuel, Michelin, elderly owner. $8,995. 770-616-7399

JEEP WRANGLER, SPORT 4.0, 1998 Red With Black Top, Lift Kit, New Tires, Many Extras. Looks & Drives Great! $7450.

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Holiday cheer

Stone Mountain Christmas offers up family fun — Page 3C

we Gwinnett Daily Post

weekend entertainment FRIDAY DECEMBER 22, 2017

10 spot the

Those who commute daily in these parts may disagree, but Georgia missed the top 10 of the states with the worst drivers, according to rankings done by Quote Wizard insurance. While Georgia ranked No. 11, here are the 10 states with the worst drivers, according to the insurance company: 1. California 2. Minnesota 3. Utah 4. South Carolina 5. Washington

6. Nebraska 7. Maine 8. Virginia 9. Idaho 10. North Dakota

the dish

FUN & GAMES

page 2C

Variety offered at Diner at Webb Gin

New ‘Jumanji’ brings adventure — Page 8C

a look ahead

Dec. 29 Aurora Comedy Nights: New Year’s Eve Weekend Comedy Spectacular — Lace Larrabee will headline a night of club comedy at the Aurora Theatre. Joel Byars, David Perdue and Jim Dancy will also perform at the event hosted by Katie Causey. For more information, visit www.auroratheatre.com.

Dec. 31 Family Promise Flashlight4th 5K/fun Annual run — Get a start on the new year Sunday, with a 5K race through the streets of Feb Lawrenceville. The event starts at 6 p.m. and benefits Family Promise of Register no Gwinnett. For more information, go to Early regist www.familypromisegwinnett.org.

Dec 3 New Year’s Eve CelebrationAfter at the Winery — Ring in the new yearRace at the day - $ Chateau Elan Winery in Braselton. The winery’s celebration package includes accommodations at Hampton Inn on the property for two, celebration in the winery from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. with a five-hour open bar, a three-course dinner and wine service, party favors and amidnight champagne toast, and entertainment by a DJ. Guests must be 21 or older to participate. For more information, visit www.chateauelan.com.

Sunday, February 11

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2C • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

dining

dish the

The Diner at Webb Gin

1350 Scenic Highway, Suite 900, Snellville thedineratwebbgin.com 470-282-3335

The Texas burger is one of the best-selling items on the lunch menu. It is served with a side of fries and a pickle. (Staff Photos: Alex Tostado)

BY ALEX TOSTADO

ON THE MENU

alex.tostado @gwinnettdailypost.com

Owners: Miriam Chang and Bob Kim Open Since: September Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday Location: The Shoppes at Webb Gin across from Barnes & Noble Atmosphere: Miriam Chang and husband Bob Kim have been in the restaurant business for about 20 years. They have owned a fast-food breakfast restaurant in New Jersey, an upscale Italian restaurant in Alpharetta and now The Diner at Webb Gin in Snellville.

They know what they want their guests to experience.

“When you come to eat, it’s for an experience; it’s not just a meal,” Chang said. “I want my guests to have the experience of the ambiance and the good, quality food.”

Chang calls her business model the Three Musketeers — food, ambiance and service.

It is that business practice that encourages employees to stay with the owners.

“My general manager (Edward Owens) has been with me for 10 years,” Chang said. “My chef (Gustavo Manzilla) has been with me for eight years. … We make sure we have good people working to serve our guests.”

Gustavo was the chef at Tutto, Chang and Kim’s Italian restaurant in Alpharetta, before becoming the chef at The Diner at Webb Gin. Gabriel Manzilla, Gustavo’s bother, is now the

French toast: Challah bread dipped in vanilla egg batter, left to marinate overnight, $6.75 Chicken Princess: Chicken breast stuffed with crabmeat and mozzarella cheese, served with mashed potatoes and veggies, $17.95 Texas burger: Tobacco onions, fried egg, jalapeno, bacon and cheddar cheese, $11.50 Mediterranean salad: Parmesan encrusted eggplant and tomato, portabella mushrooms, red peppers, feta cheese, crispy onions, with balsamic vinaigrette and red pepper aioli, $10.50

chef at Tutto. Chang said she and her staff operate like a family, and that’s what keeps her customers coming back.

Chang estimates that in her past restaurants, 85 percent of her customers have been regulars.

“There are a lot of restaurants to go and eat nowadays … but if they come into my restaurant, it’s because they feel comfortable. … They feel welcome,” Chang said.

When you walk into The Diner at Webb Gin, don’t expect a typical diner feel. There is a hostess waiting to seat you at a table or a booth.

It is also large by diner standards — seating a maximum of 240 customers.

There is a full bar patrons can sit at, but there is not a diner counter one might expect. There is, however, a dessert case with four levels of desserts, ranging from cheesecakes and creme brulees — Chang’s recipes — to cakes.

There is also a gas-lit

20% OFF YOUR CHECK

Sunday thru Thursday Dine-In Only

Lunch or Dinner

Not to be combined with any other offer.

Good through December 31, 2017.

The Diner at Webb Gin is located at The Shoppes at Webb Gin, across from Barnes & Noble.

fireplace in a wall near the kitchen. Chang said she wanted to incorporate the flame in the logo, resulting in her choosing the wall decoration.

Chang has decorated the interior of The Diner herself for Christmas.

There are bows on the hanging lamps, garland along the walls, wreaths on the doors. She doesn’t plan to continue decorating for other holidays with the exception of Valentine’s Day, when she plans to incorporate hearts but nothing over the top.

Menu: Every recipe on the menu — from the marinara sauce to the soups — is Chang’s own.

“There is a big difference between franchise-

owned and individually owned restaurants because everything here is made fresh,” Chang said.

“Everything that is made, is made from scratch.”

According to Chang, the meats at The Diner are prepared fresh and never frozen.

“Our burger patties are made here in the kitchen, “Chang said. “(Our Chicken Princess) is from fresh chicken breast. We cut it, we slice it and we prepare it.”

The Chicken Princess is a signature dish at The Diner. It is a chicken breast stuffed with crabmeat and mozzarella cheese, served with mashed potatoes and veggies.

For breakfast, Chang

Owner Miriam Chang makes some of the desserts, including Oreo cheesecake with homemade whipped cream, seen at top. Above, upon entering, guests are greeted with Christmas decor (only for the season) that was picked out and designed by Chang.

said the French toast served with strawberries is a big seller. The French toast is dipped in a vanilla egg batter and marinates overnight.

“A lot of people have a concept of a diner is a Greek restaurant,” Chang said. “Diner (to me means) when you come in, you can find any kind of food. There is nothing that you cannot find that you do not like (on our menu). There is breakfast, there is Italian food, there is American food, there is Greek food.”

“We care about food.

We don’t play around food,” Chang said. “I make sure my guests have the best quality of prod-

ucts. … We don’t cheat the food.”

Something you might not know: Chang doesn’t refer to people in her establishments as “customers.” They are “guests.” “(A) customer is, like, one time you come, then leave,” Chang said. “A guest is someone who comes into my home; when they come into those doors, they are a guest in my home.”

Furthermore, Chang said her employees are servers, not waiters.

“We are here to serve your needs,” Chang said.

“Waiting is just drop off the coffee and that’s it.

We are here to serve your needs.”

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6331 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Doraville, GA 30360 Phone. 770-648-8677 | Fax. 770-645-2797 www.coaxumsseafoodspot.com

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 • 3C

gwinnettdailypost.com

JINGLE BELL ROCK

Stone Mountain park has upped the ante this year with the installation of over 2 million LED lights, a daily production of over 360 tons of snow, the lighting of a 275-foottall tree and plenty of Christmas spirit.

Continuing until Jan. 3, Stone Mountain Park will be celebrating Christmas traditions that include visits with Santa; screenings of the film “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” in 4-D; character meet-andgreets with Santa, Rudolph and Bumble; live shows; and train rides.

“Stone Mountain Christmas and Snow Mountain are an epic undertaking,” said Michael Dombrowski, Stone Mountain Park general manager. “It takes a year-round effort from a team of hundreds hanging lights, building sets, creating music and piling enough snow to create the region’s largest snow park — all to help create an experience that offers

IF YOU GO What: Stone Mountain Christmas When: Until Jan. 4, except Christmas Day Cost: Children (ages 3-11) $29.95, Adults: $31.95 Where: Stone Mountain Park Hours of Operations : 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas Day

activities for guests of all ages and walks of life.”

Early-season tickets for both attractions are available now via stonemountainpark.com. Stone Mountain Christmas tickets start at $29.95 for children age 3-11 and $31.95 for those 12-and-older for online purchases. Adult ticket purchases at the park increase to $34.95. Snow Mountain tickets include a two-hour tubing session and an all-day snow play access for $31.95 per person. Galactic Snow Tubing sessions begin at 6 p.m. on Snow Mountain operating days. Families can save up to $16.95 per ticket on both winter events with the

combo ticket at $49.95.

Space is limited and advanced reservations are strongly recommended.

New this year at Stone Mountain is a nightly tree lighting ceremony with the Snow Angel. Families can gather after dark to help the Snow Angel light a new, 36-foot video Christmas tree. The video Christmas tree is also home to a new theatrical production of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Stone Mountain Christmas is known for its live holiday shows such as “The Littlest Christmas Tree,” “’Twas The Night Before … A Holiday Cabaret,” “The Gift” and “A Christmas Carol.” New for 2017, Stone Mountain Christmas will debut “Christmas In The City,” a live holiday show that takes guests on a high-energy musical journey featuring Christmas classics from around the country.

The park’s 4-D theater is also the only place to see “Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer” in 4-D. This is an opportunity for adults to take to a trip

Singer Norwood shares big plans for the upcoming year Art Beat

Holley Calmes

For more information and to enroll for the challenge, visit www.totalvocalexperience.com.

Holley Calmes is a freelance writer and public relations consultant specializing in the arts.

Email her at hcalmes@ mindspring.com.

Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer will be a feature character available for guests to meet at Stone Mountain Christmas this year.

(Special Photo)

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Your Local Place of Worship Welcomes You IGNITE YOUR LIFE, YOUR WORSHIP, AND YOUR WORLD!

Friendship Baptist Church

A Purpose Driven Church

3375 Church Lane, Duluth, GA Church Office: 770-497-8227 • Fax: 770-497-9775 Rev. Ronald L. Bowens, Pastor Warmer through through Fellowship Warmer Fellowship Deeper through through Discipleship Deeper Discipleship Larger through through Evangelism Larger Evangelism Sharing through Ministries Sharing through Ministries AND Stronger throughWorship Worshipand andthe theWord WordofofGod God AND Stronger through

Celebrating 5 years Rev. Ronald L. Bowens

A contemporary Wesleyan Church meeting at Peachtree Ridge High School 1555 Old Peachtree Rd., Suwanee

473090-1

Weekly worship Sundays 10:30 AM ignitegwinnett.com

Regency

Church of God 1132 Buford Hwy 770-271-5610

770.945.6131 234 Shadburn Ave, Buford

Pastor: Rev. Avery Headd B.A., M. Div.

Times of Worship Sunday • 8 am & 11 am Times of Instruction Sunday • 9:45 am Church School Sunday • 10 am Invitational Counseling Wednesday • Youth Bible Studies 7 pm Wednesday • Adult Bible Studies 7 pm

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Sunday, December 24, 7 PM

Pastor

Sunday Worship Services................7:30 AM, 11:00 AM Children’s Church............................7:30 AM, 11:00 AM Sunday School ................................................. 9:45 AM Bible Study (all ages) ...................Wednesday, 7:30 PM

Poplar Hill Baptist Church

770-596-3573

512728-1

Dr. Terry Reece • Senior Pastor

“Come and get Jesus” “A Church forconnected Hurting to People”

Sunday 10:30 AM Worship Sunday 10:30 AM “J” Town Kids Church Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study & Youth regencycog.com

“A Christ Centered Church Where Love is the Greatest” 134557

Please join us this Advent Season as we celebrate the birth of Christ…

All welcome.

Childcare provided.

Prophet, Priest, King!

Fairview Presbyterian Church

Christmas Eve Services

194 years young 857 Duluth Highway, Lawrenceville, GA

December 24, 2017

fairviewpres.org

Children/Family Worship - 4 p.m.

Contemporary Worship - 6 p.m.

Traditional Worship - 8 p.m.

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Gwinnett might be considered “home” for popular singer Norwood, but the entire world is now his domain. Next year will bring big changes for him as he makes a move to reside in Europe. But first, he is offering aspiring singers and other individuals a fantastic opportunity to hone their vocal craft.

“JEM Entertainment is pleased to announce that Gwinnett pop artist Norwood will relocate to Europe in the Spring of 2018,” Norwood’s manager Jayne Madigan said. “In July, Norwood was honored to represent the USA at World Pride Madrid 2017 before an estimated crowd of 3 million people, and also performed at several high profile shows in England. His stage shows and music were very well received, so we want to keep the momentum going and continue to increase our fanbase in the European market.”

Norwood will reside in London, and an extensive tour of performances throughout Europe is in the works. He has not forgotten his home, however, and the wonderful vocal training he received in the USA. His plan is to offer this knowledge to aspiring performers through his unique educational program.

“This six-week Vocal Challenge is the perfect way to begin or build your vocal training,” Norwood said. “We’ve designed it to be accessible and benefi-

cial to vocalists and speakers of all ages and skill levels. Whether you are a singer, a public speaker or someone who just wants a stronger, healthier singing voice, this challenge is going to take your voice to the next level.”

Norwood has studied with some of the best vocal coaches in the country, and he now wants to offer this knowledge to others. The course makes a special holiday gift.

The challenge begins Jan. 8. It combines the freedom and flexibility of an online course with the personalized attention, accountability and community of group instruction.

The cost is $99 with a 100 percent 60-day money back guarantee if not completely satisfied.

The objectives are to increase range, help relieve vocal tension, build projection and power, and preserve vocal health.

Plus, it teaches how to keep the audience engaged.

There are six video modules, one per week.

Daily emails encourage and offer tips, vocal warm-ups, bonus exercises and more. There will be a weekly group call with the instructor to hone new skills, interact with others and answer questions.

There is email access to the instructor and lifetime access to the modules plus membership to a private Facebook group. One exciting bonus is a 60-minute private Skype lesson with Norwood to be used before, during or after the course. Another bonus is “Total Vocal Experience Warm Ups MP3.”

There are six modules for singers and another six modules for speakers. And no matter where Norwood’s developing career takes him — to Europe or elsewhere — he is always available via the internet.

down memory lane with a Christmas classic. Patrons will be able to experience the world of Rudolph, Bumble and the Misfit Toys like never before. Officials at Stone Mountain said children will be entertained with all the new activities, decor and photo opportunities. All the stars of the show are available for a character meet-andgreets immediately before two evening showtime options.

For more information, visit the Stone Mountain Park website www. stonemountainpark.com for events and availability of tickets.

522547-1

trevor.mcnaboe @gwinnettdailypost.com

473095-1

BY TREVOR MCNABOE

Stone Mountain Christmas, Snow Mountain offer up fun

5575 Peachtree Parkway Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 770-449-1211 www.ctklutheran.org

Pop Artist Norwood, center, poses with 2 dancers from his European show during his successful tour last summer. (Special Photo)

473080-1

To advertise your worship service or event here, contact

Mary London 770.963.9205 x1211

4C • Friday, deCember 22, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

movies

‘Downsizing’ ruins fun premise by preaching Downsizing (R) HHHH 2 out of 4 stars

current size, you’ll require a similarly lower amount of resources to keep you alive. In addition, your net worth will be higher as your

By Michael clark expenses will be reduced by Movie Critic 90 percent.

After seeing a “small” Beginning in 1996 with friend (Jason Sudeikis) at a the raw-nerve “Citizen high school reunion, Paul Ruth,” which examined pro (Matt Damon) — a physical and con opinions regarding therapist at an Omaha meatabortion, director Alexpacking plant — becomes ander Payne has quietly transfixed with this concept established himself as one and eventually convinces of the film industry’s most his teacher wife, Audrey interesting voices. “Ruth” (Kristen Wiig), that they was followed by the scathing should undergo the procehigh school satire “Election,” dure and move on to a better, the uneven commentary on From left, Kristen Wiig and Matt Damon star in “Downsiz- less complicated, financiallyaging “About Schmidt,” the ing.” (Special Photo: Paramount Pictures) agreeable lifestyle. classic wine-drenched road Although the trailers longest and least entertaining sources, a pair of Norwegian totally rob viewers of what trip comedy “Sideways,” production. the Hawaiian-set famscientists conceives of a way happens next, it will not be ily infighting drama “The Starting out with the to save the world and the revealed here. It is safe to Descendants” and the stark, tripped-out whimsy of “The human race from extinction say that a smaller version minimalist black and white Truman Show” or any movie due to low food supplies of Paul emerges after his “Nebraska.” ever written by Charlie and dwindling parcels of procedure and discovers it’s While containing the Kaufman, “Downsizing” ini- real estate. After shaving not nearly what he’d thought same astute, ear-to-thetially takes on the twisted air everywhere and the tempoit would be. He’s smaller, but ground level of observations of a high-concept sci-fi satire rary removal of teeth, people his relatively high-paying of human behavior that have movie set in the modern can be reduced to beings job has been replaced by a grown to be Payne’s calling day populated with unspec- less than six inches tall and low-rung gig as an apparel card, “Downsizing” is his tacularly nondescript Middle inhabit a “small” commucustomer service agent and overall weakest effort to America-based characters. nity designed for their less he grows so frustrated he date. Clocking in at a stupeThe initial premise is demanding needs. If you are starts insulting low IQ callfying and posterior-numbing uniquely fascinating. shrunk down to something ers.

135 minutes, it is Payne’s Faced with limited reless than 10 percent of your Not long after begin-

ning his new life, Paul is tossed a whole bunch of curve balls and the story is transformed from esoteric black comedy into a huge downer drama, something more akin to “Apocalypse Now” and “Slumdog Millionaire” meets a serious and even more banal version of “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”

After a blowout party hosted by his decadent neighbor Dusan (Christoph Waltz), Paul meets a Southeast Asian cleaning lady named Tran (a superb Hong Chau) who was made small against her will and escaped oppression by smuggling her way into America inside a big screen TV box. She cajoles the easily swayable Paul into fixing her prosthetic leg and essentially expects him to become an unpaid, unappreciated social worker doting on illegal immigrant small people living in a squalor-riddled high-rise.

The beginning of the third act finds Payne and his longtime screenwriting partner Jim Taylor turning “Downsizing” into a preachy, long-winded diatribe on the virtues of futuristic communism. The founders of

the movement return to their original starting location in Norway and begin to convince every small person they can to become subterranean, centuries-long breeders.

Some may find this soft-focus version of the End of Days to be uplifting, inspirational and prophetic, but most will likely perceive it as far-left, finger-wagging, guilt-riddled propaganda.

The veiled swipes at the real world free enterprise system and a need for the redistribution of wealth become more bloated and obvious as the narrative lurches to its whimper of an ending.

Payne’s dedicated fan base should see “Downsizing.” There’s just enough good stuff in the first hour to warrant your time and money. You will laugh (a cameo featuring Neil Patrick Harris and Laura Dern as married TV hucksters is great) and you will be given a thought-provoking, what-if scenario that could wind up being true one day. But when you see a bald Damon, prepare yourself for a long, dry, browbeating lecture.

(Paramount)

Rookie errors mar Sorkin’s directoral debut of ‘Molly’s Game’ Molly’s Game (R) 2 1/2HHHH out of 4 stars

By Michael clark Movie Critic

Starting his career in 1984 as a playwright, Aaron Sorkin then wrote or co-wrote five very good feature films, moved on to TV (“Sports Night,” “The West Wing”) and in 2007

made his return to the movies with “Charlie Wilson’s War.” Sorkin is equally adept at penning original and adapted screenplays, and his trademark is nonstop, rapid-fire, often overlapping dialogue.

“Molly’s Game” marks Sorkin’s debut as a feature director, and despite getting many things right, it contains just enough of the same type of avoidable mistakes usually found in rook-

ie efforts to sidetrack it, all while looking and sounding like dozens of other movies.

It is derivative from start to finish, and the best that can be said about it is that it’s a pretty good Martin Scorsese imitation. As with “GoodFellas,” “Molly’s Game” is an epic-length crime drama with frequent comic relief presented out of sequence recounting the rise and fall of a likeable non-fictional lawbreaker.

“Molly’s Game” is based on the 2014 biography with an extremely overlong title

by Molly Bloom and stars Jessica Chastain as Molly, a woman with seemingly endless amounts of resourcefulness, wit and drive. Raised by her exacting but loving psychologist father Larry (Kevin Costner) to be an Olympic skier, Molly’s decades-long march to sports immortality was thwarted by an injury that would have likely killed most other people and left her with a long road to recovery.

Although considerably zapped both mentally and physically, Molly relocates from Colorado to Los Angeles in the late 2000s with no clear career goal in mind. She catches a break after meeting Dean Keith (Jeremy Strong). Keith is a foul-mouthed real estate agent whose principal source of income is in running illegal backroom, high-stakes poker games populated by celebrities, athletes and other assorted fat cats. He hires Molly as his gopher/secretary and quickly begins to browbeat and berate her.

On a night when he has other plans, Keith instructs Molly to run a game on her own. Although she has little idea of what she’s doing, she appears to have it all together and makes quite the impression on a number of Keith’s regulars, especially Player X (Michael Cera).

It’s more than obvious that Player X is romantically interested in Molly, and

despite her not feeling the same way, Molly realizes he could be the first step in opening the door for her to start her own game.

It is worth noting that while Bloom’s book includes the names of real actors who frequented her games (among them Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Ben Affleck), Sorkin chose to create the Player X character as a composite, which was probably best as this guy turned out to be a major dirtbag.

Keenly recognizing these high-rollers have many options regarding where they choose to play, Molly goes full-tilt with classy ambience. Taking place in swanky hotel suites with catered gourmet food, top-shelf liquor and Cuban cigars all dispensed by a model-beautiful wait staff, Molly quickly establishes herself as the queen of L.A. poker.

Employing a framework almost identical to that in his screenplay for “The Social Network,” Sorkin creates reams upon reams of dialogue for his performers to recite with great speed. For Chastain — one of the finest actresses alive — this isn’t an issue, nor is it for Idris Elba, who turns in an Oscar-caliber supporting performance as Molly’s reluctant attorney Charlie Jaffey. For most of the others (including Costner, Cera and Strong) it is a major challenge and one Sorkin often compensates for with over-caffeinated editing and

the No. 1 go-to storytelling crutch: flashback.

The one facet of the narrative that Sorkin totally nails is how he (and Bloom in her book) raises questions regarding the legal merits of such an enterprise if the operators report their income to the IRS, issue 1099 forms to their employees all while not venturing into sleazy side projects such as prostitution and/or illegal drugs. Apart from the Cuban cigars, Bloom ran an above-board, civilized and transparent game while also developing an uncanny ability to spot cheating, collusion and mucking.

Some might think that referring to a seasoned person such as Sorkin as a “rookie” might be stretching the definition of that word.

Can a person with a career now in its fourth decade be labeled as a rookie? The simple answer is yes. One could rightfully assume that Sorkin has entertained the idea before and — because of his extensive background in three entertainment mediums — a studio chief or two has approached him to direct at some point. Perhaps he waited this long because he’s been around movie sets long enough to know and appreciate the enormous difficulty of the task.

If Sorkin had started out with a smaller, less-sprawling type of production and then made this film, this film would have turned out better or at the least, shown less signs of strain.

(STXfilms)

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movies

‘Pitch Perfect 3’ last refrain of the same song Pitch Perfect 3 (PG-13) 2 out of 4 stars ★★★★

the groups on a USO tour around Europe. Dying to get back to their old lives, all the old Bellas sign on for the quasi-reunion tour.

BY KRISTEN HANSEN The returning Bellas kristen.hansen include, among others, Beca @gwinnettdailypost.com (Anna Kendrick, “Trolls”), Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson, The last in the trilogy fol“How to Be Single”), Emily lowing the singing a cappella (Hailee Steinfeld, “Edge of group the Barden Bellas, Seventeen”), Chloe (Brit“Pitch Perfect 3” is a sequel tany Snow, “Crazy Exthat I can’t imagine a lot of The Barden Bellas are back in “Pitch Perfect 3.” (Special Girlfriend”), Aubrey (Anna people were clamoring for.

Camp, “Good Girls RePhoto: Universal Pictures) Fans of the first two will volt”), Lilly (Hana Mae Lee, continue to love the antics of champions in “Pitch Perfect pella doesn’t really seem to “Love Beats Rhymes”), Stathe college group. For those 2,” the Bellas have split and be the leg-up that they were cie (Alexis Knapp, “Urge”), that didn’t fall in love, the gone their separate ways under the impression that it Flo (Chrissie Fit, “Teen third one will not suddenly following college. Most are was going to be.

Beach Movie”) and Cynthia win your heart. trying to figure out what to Pulling some strings, the Rose (Ester Dean, “Ice Age: After becoming world do with their lives as a capgirls get invited to round out Continental Drift”).

Trying to spice up the third film, the writers saw fit to throw in some spy, James Bond-esque kidnap plot. This seemed to come out of nowhere and was kind of clunky in the overall arc.

Very strange indeed.

Lots of one-liner zingers sprinkled throughout — as viewers have come to expect in this trilogy — some that garner the laughs and some that just fall flat. And this is with an audience that clapped at the end of the film.

Fat Amy continues to steal the show, as always. Anna Kendrick also delights by showcasing that amazing voice.

On the other side, we have John Lithgow, who dons a terrible Australian accent to play the role of Fat Amy’s father. Besides a nice singing voice, I don’t feel like he really brings that much to the script.

Director Trish Sie’s only other full-length film project was “Step Up All In,” which I feel speaks a lot about the feel of the film — trying to not rock the boat too much on an already established franchise.

Does it hit all the right notes? No. Is it still entertaining to watch? Yes. And it is entertaining enough that I think most will enjoy it.

(Universal Pictures)

Call Me By Your Name (R) 2 1/2★★★★ out of 4 stars

making a sequel, and given what transpires in that final portion of the book, it would be less of a sequel and more of an extension. It would also afford him and longtime fans

of the book an opportunity for proper closure.

Presented in English with frequent Italian and French with English subtitles.

(Sony Classics)

Beautiful ‘Call Me By Your Name’ cut down too far Merchant/Ivory fame, “Call Me By Your Name” is now showing up on every critics group’s Top 10 list and will likely be the most talked about gay-themed movie since “Brokeback Mountain.” It’s already been nominated for three Golden Globe Awards and will likely get similar, if not more, Oscar nominations.

In preproduction for the better part of the last decade, shooting finally began with Italian director Luca Guadagnino running the show, and the material is perfect for his sensibilities. Crafter of such luscious eye candy that is “I Am Love” and “A Bigger Splash,” Guadagnino and Thai cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom capture assorted Italian landscapes and interiors with breathtaking splendor. It is a feast for the eyes and should be seen on the biggest screen possible.

But most of the hard work that went into making it all look so gorgeous has been significantly negated with some of the worst editing imaginable. This is not completely the fault of Guadagnino’s frequent collaborator Walter Fasano, who was given the almost impossible task of taking what was originally over four hours long and trimming it down by almost half (132 minutes).

As a result, most scenes end abruptly, leading into others that are presented without context. For the duration, the narrative feels choppy and disorganized.

The kicker here is that Ivory’s screenplay omits the last quarter of Aciman’s

book, all of which takes place 15 and then 20 years after this movie concludes.

In the wake of the flood of accolades, Guadagnino has suggested he would consider

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be taken as a rebuff. Given their respective positions in the household, neither of them wishes to make a declaration of any kind until it is completely clear, and even then each of them demurs

BY MICHAEL CLARK and plays it safe. Neither is Movie Critic going to make a move and face rejection. Even in “proIf you’ve never read or gressive” Europe in the ’80s, ever heard of the 2007 Andre being gay was not something Aciman novel “Call Me By that was flaunted, even Your Name” and appreciate among upper crust artsy/acaalternative lifestyle romantic demic types. drama tragedies, this movie The eventual mutually based on it will likely thrill consensual coupling between and/or move you to tears.

Elio and Oliver is long in Taking place in the ’80s, it arriving and only provides is set in Italy at the summer further dramatic friction to home of American professor the narrative. Two people Perlman (Michael Stuhlbarg) constantly sticking their toes and his family. Every year, in the water and remainPerlman provides room and ing at arm’s length until it’s board to a graduate student clear they are on the exact who acts as an academic same page delivers considerintern that also temporarily able heft. That each man is occupies the bedroom of his involved with a woman — or 17-year-old son, Elio (Timo- women — to some to degree thee Chalamet), thus displac- or another during their jouring him to an adjacent guest ney only complicates (in a room. Elio has been doing good way) their dilemma. this since he was in short Given the current climate pants, and it has become a of real-life sexual impromatter of course. priety, a film of this sort An atypical whip-smart could very easily be viewed teen who devours literature as both thematic and box and is a musical multi-instru- office poison, which could mentalist, Elio initially views be compounded by one of his father’s newest intern, characters being underage, Oliver (Armie Hammer), but as of yet, none of that with a mix of guarded fashas happened. The fact that cination, distrust, confusion Elio is 17 and might be and lust. Oliver is everything involved with a man who is Elio is not — tall, muscu24 vaguely mirrors the recent lar, assured, outgoing and Senate election in Alabama; not concerned with others’ however the age of consent opinions of him; aloof but in both Italy and Alabama is also aware.

16. As it is, Elio pursuing a Without being painfully reticent and guarded Oliver, obvious, Elio tries to catch does that change things?

Oliver’s eye, which he does Adapted by art-house in a manner that could also legend James Ivory of

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movies

Hugh Jackman returns to musical spotlight The Greatest Showman (PG) 2 1/2★★★★ out of 4 stars

battles against animal rights groups and declining ticket sales.

“The Greatest Showman” keeps Barnum’s legacy alive. The film will appeal to musical lovers but will likely struggle in the box office since it’s going up against “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” Matt Damon’s “Downsizing” and “Pitch Perfect 3,” among others.

But don’t close the curtain on “The Greatest Showman.” Hollywood’s most recent musical, 2016’s “La La Land,” took home more than $445 million at the worldwide box office. It became just the 11th movie ever to win six Oscars, and its 14 nominations tied an Oscar record. “The Greatest

Showman” also features “La La Land’s” Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who are Oscarwinning songwriters whose work will be featured in Disney’s adaptation of “Snow White” and made it’s way into “A Christmas Story,” a live musical shown on Fox. Director Michael Gracey makes the most of his cast, especially Efron as Barnum’s business partner who falls in love with a trapeze artist played by the beautiful Zendaya. Williams plays Barnum’s wife, Charity.

Though “The Greatest Showman” may be great at depicting Barnum’s life, it isn’t a great film. The movie, which lasts an hour and 45 minutes, moves quickly, but it’s a little too much music and not enough movie.

(20th Century Fox)

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his impoverished upbringing to create the first circus in New York City in the 1800s. Barnum’s creation lasted more than a century as Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus traveled

BY JON GALLO the globe. His name became Staff Correspondent as synonymous with the circus as Jim Hensen with Hugh Jackman, who’s the Muppets. been known for his porBarnum introduced trayal of comic book legend Jumbo the elephant in 1882 Wolverine for nearly two and the show went on and decades, has traded his killer on and on, transforming blades for a top hat so he can Hugh Jackman stars in “The Greatest Showman.” (Spe- what started as a niche event play another iconic characinto a mainstream extravacial Photo: Niko Tavernise/Twentieth Century Fox) ter: legendary circus pioneer ganza that’s been watched film. Jackman is no stranger Award for his work as Peter by millions. But this past P.T. Barnum.

Jackman’s role as the to musicals; his work in “Les Allen in the broadway hit May, Feld Entertainment, brains behind Ringling Bros. Miserables” in 2012 earned “The Box from Oz.” which ultimately purchased and Barnum and Bailey him his first Academy Award Now he’s teaming with Ringling Bros. and Barnum Circus also marks his return nomination for Best Actor a cast that includes Zac and Bailey Circus, made the to musicals, as — make no and his first Golden Globe Efron, Michelle Williams decision to close the curtain mistake — “The Greatest Award for Best Actor. In and Zendaya in the story that due to the event’s high operShowman” is a musical on 2003, Jackman won a Tony details Barnum’s rise from ating costs, expensive legal

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film ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ fans PASS/FAIL

STANDOUT PERFORMANCE

WHO WILL LIKE THIS

EDITOR’S NOTE: Film Fans features local residents reviewing the movie of the week: “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” To be a film fan, email features@gwinnettdailypost.com.

SEE IT NOW OR WAIT

OVERALL IMPRESSION

Pass: Screenwriter/Director Rian Johnson gives the fans what they’ve been waiting for. From the long-awaited return of Luke Skywalker, to the many homages to movies past, he manages to make the film feel both classic and new. There are plenty of space chases and fights, all with a little humor thrown in, to keep even the most casual viewer entertained.

Fail: Clocking in at nearly two and half hours, the middle part does drag slightly and feels a little like filler. It also doesn’t exactly break new ground or get too creative, but then again, that’s what fans expect from these movies.

Once again, Daisy Ridley showcases fine talent for handling both subtle humor and raw emotion, deftly balancing sorrow and hope, anger and empathy, all seemingly without effort.

Naturally, any true Star Wars fan will love this movie, but so will any other fan of sci-fi or anyone simply needing a good escape for a couple of hours.

Any Star Wars movie is meant to be viewed on the big screen and this one is no exception. It’s a must-see on the big screen for those planning on seeing it.

While it may not break any new ground, that’s the point.

Fans know what they want, and Rian Johnson knows it and delivers. It has plenty of action to keep the story moving, even if it could have been trimmed down. Those hoping for a shot of nostalgia get it in spades.

It pays nice homage while building on the future and has some rich moments of humor that are needed. Overall, it’s an exceptional episode in the latest trilogy and lives up to expectations.

Pass: This film features fantastic cinematography, excellent battle sequences and a well-balanced dialogue (between humor and seriousness). The most successful aspect to me was the action. My eyes were wide open and locked on the screen for the entire movie, and I found myself curling my toes and gripping my armrests tightly as I felt the suspense and anxiety conveyed so effectively by the actors/actresses. In its action scenes, this film bravely experiments with new abilities related to the force and with a new take on the often over-simplified trope of good vs. evil, both of which bring to this film individuality and creativity as well as adding depth to the characters.

Fail: The least successful aspect to me was the plot. This movie suffers from a few plot holes that make the film feel rushed in certain places. Snoke is a major and fascinating character and impressive in his manipulation of the Force. But the audience is left with little to no knowledge on his background.

Where did this character come from? Why is he so powerful? Where was he during the rise and fall of the empire? Also, I would have liked to see Rey boarding the Millennium Falcon at the end of the movie rather than just suddenly appearing on it after her battle with Kylo. Also, the scene describing Kylo’s past and his connection to Luke felt rushed and underdeveloped. My main criticism for this film is that while it was rather long (at two and half hours), it still felt rushed; the directors could have better distributed time and emphasis as they relate to certain scenes such as the unnecessarily lengthy Vegas-like scene.

Some of the time spent in this scene could have been better used to fill in plot holes and improve pacing.

The actor with the most standout performance to me was Mark Hamill. This was very hard to choose, because almost everyone in this film did a stellar job, but Mark’s depiction of the old, bitter Luke closed off to the Force and to the rest of the world was truly exceptional. He had important and difficult lines and scenes and performed them with an effective mix of humor and earnestness.

His description of the force contains some of the most interesting and difficult lines of the movie, but he performs them with style and seemingly with ease.

Action junkies or fans of the science fiction category will enjoy this film.

I’d recommend seeing this film in theaters. The power of the theater speakers contributes greatly to the suspense and realism; I really felt like I was one of the terrified, desperate rebels as the TIE Fighters soared and reverberated overhead. Fans of the actionjunky genre will enjoy this film the most as it fits most into that category.

Overall, this is an outstanding film. It’s full of plot twists, humor and jaw dropping cinematography. Also, it has an excellent cast and a wellwritten script. The only thing I saw preventing this film from a perfect score was the few plot holes that I found to be damaging to the pace of the film and to the development of certain characters.

Pass: Excellent casting; strong story lines; superb visual effects; witty dialogue.

Fail: A very long running time; multiple story lines that almost overwhelm the viewer’s understanding of just what is taking place; otherwise, this is probably the best of the “Star Wars” flicks since 1980’s “The Empire Strikes Back.”

It’s hard to shine the spotlight on just one or two actors, since “The Last Jedi” — like its sister films in the franchise — features an ensemble cast. I will say that it was very good to finally see Mark Hamill return as Luke Skywalker. In fact, his was the central character here, and Hamill did a good job of portraying the cynical weariness and reluctance of his character to get involved with the Resistance and their rebellion.

Daisy Ridley was plucky as ever as she reprised the role of Rey, discovering her newfound powers under Skywalker’s tutelage.

Oscar Isaac’s role as rebel pilot Poe really expanded in “The Last Jedi” and fleshed out the story very well. Of course, the biggest focus for many were the scenes with the late Carrie Fisher as Leia; her scenes helped to bookend the story and lent an air of poignancy to the overall tale.

Most any sci-fi fans, especially those who have dug “Star Wars” since the first film in 1977, will get a huge charge out of “The Last Jedi.” Director Rian Johnson keeps the pace moving along, and the film no doubt benefited from having J.J. Abrams as one of the executive producers to help guide things.

Like all of the films in the “Star Wars” franchise, “The Last Jedi” was born for the silver screen, where the viewer also can enjoy the surround sound effects that add to the total experience.

This will also be a worth addition to many DVD libraries in the near future.

“The Last Jedi” got off to a rousing start from the get-go, and only in a few places did the story start to bog down. This was primarily due to the use of multiple story lines and action that jumped around the galaxy, making it sometimes difficult for the viewer to connect the dots and lending toward an air of confusion at times. However, by the last 30 minutes or so, things converged nicely toward the epic, climactic smackdown between the First Order and the Resistance. “The Last Jedi” of course left the barn door wide open at the end for even more sequels, so as long as good scripting, great character development and capable direction continue to be in the formula, the “Star Wars” legend will continue for perhaps a generation to come.

Ron Adams, Athens

★★★★

Robi McGarvey, Lawrenceville

★★★★

Tim Weekley, Suwanee

★★★★

NOW SHOWING Recently reviewed films now playing in metro area theaters. Ratings are out of 4 stars.

Coco (PG) — 4 stars Disney/Pixar brings the Land of the Dead to life with this story surrounding Miguel, an aspiring musician, and his family on Dia de los Muertos. Set in Mexico, Miguel accidentally is transported to the Land of the Dead where he must get his family’s blessing to play music to return to the living world. Filled with beautiful animation, an authentic score and funny, clever jokes, “Coco” will entertain all generations and hopefully start a conversation about family and heritage. — Alex Tostado Mudbound (R) — 3 1/2 stars Director Dee Rees and Netflix have provided a sober-

ing look into the American South during and after World War II. With an ensemble cast that includes a wonderful Mary J. Blige in her debut, “Mudbound” tells the story of two families: one white landlords and one black

tenant farmers. Both have members fighting in and returning from Europe. The two families’ stories come together to form an honest, gritty look into 1940s Mississippi that will certainly earn Netflix an Oscar nomination. — Kyle Dawson • Justice League (PG13) — 3 stars After four years of commercially profitable but critically panned films in its superhero stable, DC Comics’ teamup of Batman and Wonder Woman (and Superman, sort of) with newcomers Aquaman, The Flash and Cyborg is a triumph at least as good as the average Marvel Studios flick. The story’s a little thin but it’s a definite crowdpleaser. — Michael Buckelew and Khari J. Sampson • Last Flag Flying (R) — 3 stars Steve Carell, Bryan Cran-

COMING SOON TO OWN • “Flatliners” (Dec. 26): Medical students experiment with life after death in this remake of the thriller; Ellen Page and the original version’s Kiefer Sutherland star.

(PG-13) • “The Mountain Between Us” (Dec. 26): Stranded by a plane crash in a snowy climate, two diverse people (Kate Winslet, Idris Elba) must work together to survive.

(PG-13) • “American Made” (Jan. 2): Tom Cruise stars in the fact-based story of a pilot whose questionable, cartelrelated activities were sanc-

tioned by the CIA. (R) • “Lucky” (Jan. 2): The late Harry Dean Stanton’s nextto-last movie casts him as an aged atheist distressed when his independence is threatened. (Not rated) • “Ten Days in the Valley” (Jan. 2): The ABC drama series stars Kyra Sedgwick as a television producer searching for her missing daughter.

(Not rated) • “It” (Jan. 9): Extremely potent at the box office, Stephen King’s chiller pits several Maine youngsters against the sinister clown Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard). (R)

ston and Laurence Fishburne put on a master class of acting in this Richard Linklaterdirected tale of Vietnam War vets reuniting when one of their sons perishes in Iraq.

Part road trip, antiwar film and “Unforgiven” remake, it teeters between being contemplative and boring but the performances save it. — KS • Thor: Ragnarok (PG-13) — 3 stars Marvel’s godly hero Thor (Chris Hemsworth) returns for a third solo outing. Tons of humor — a little too much, actually — makes “Ragnarok” great fun despite a high-stakes plot where he’s stripped of his iconic hammer and cast far away from the homeland he’s sworn to defend (this time from Hela, goddess of death played by Cate Blanchett). Co-star Tessa Thompson nearly steals the movie. — KS

DISC SPOTLIGHT MICHAEL CLARK

Terminator 2: Judgment Day 4K Ultra HD (R) Movie: ★★★★ Disc: ★★★★ One of only a handful of sequels that surpassed their predecessors in quality, “Terminator 2” was also one of the very few action/adventure sci-fi movies to value sight, sound, storytelling and character development equally. Android Model T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent back in time to protect Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and her son John (Edward Furlong). Trying to take them all out is T-1000 (Robert Patrick), an advanced shape-shifting android made of liquid metal.

Writer/director James Cameron went on to reach more viewers with “Titanic” and “Avatar” but “T2” remains his career zenith.

Technical specs: aspect ratio: Widescreen (2.35:1/2160p), audio: English (DTSHD MA 5.1), French and German (DTS-HD MA), subtitles: English, French and German.

Special features include: • Additional Blu-ray disc and HD copy • Two featurettes • New documentary • Deleted scenes • Trailers • First edition slipcover packaging (Lionsgate, $22.99)

8C • Friday, deCember 22, 2017

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movies

New ‘Jumanji’ a great electronic follow-up Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (PG-13) HHHH

By Khari J. SampSon khari.sampson@ gwinnettdailypost.com

516205-2

Let’s get this out of the way immediately: I have never watched the original “Jumanji” film.

“What the heck, Sampson?” someone out there is saying. “How could you not have seen that mid-1990s mega-hit about the board game that sucks kids into it and forces them to risk life and limb to win? And you call yourself a film critic?”

Listen, I didn’t think I needed to! I saw its sort-of-but-not-really sequel “Zathura: A Space Adventure” back in 2005!

(OK, I saw it on video.

Maybe a few years AFTER 2005.) And anyhow, it’s important sometimes to go into a film without a lot of preconceptions.

(I just saw “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” — and that viewing was all about preconceptions.) Plus my lovely guest at the screening knew and liked the 1995 “Jumanji,” so she would be able to answer any pressing questions.

Don’t judge me.

But of course, readers already have judged me.

And I greatly digress, because viewing the earlier film is not at all necessary to enjoy “Jumanji: Wel-

then had his adult corps study the tape for their scenes. It’s that good.

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” recalls a couple of other films that predate the old “Jumanji” by a decade. First, “The Breakfast Club.” Like the 1985 John Hughes classic, “Jumanji: WTTJ” forces together students who would otherwise never interact with each other in any meaningful way to funny, touching effect — though in strictly PG fashion.

The other film is “The Goonies,” a 1985 romp featuring kids on the run from bandits through a dangerous Indiana Jonesstyle adventure, complete with the first stirrings of adolescent sexual awakening. Neither film goes very far in that latter direction, despite the PG-13 rating (though some of the From left, Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan and Jack Black star in “Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle.” (Spe- … umm … anatomy jokes cial Photo: Frank Masi/Columbia Pictures) were a little too much for my lovely companion). come to the Jungle.”

I’m always a little nerMartha (Morgan Turner), Hart … not humongous). baseline, and the adults This one starts not and hunky football player This is one time when mostly match their young vous when I see Johnson long after the original Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain) an effects-driven popcorn counterparts beat for beat. get top billing in a film. movie, in 1996 with the Generally, he’s cast in — get stuck cleaning a movie benefits from a Johnson is a huge nerd, Jumanji game buried on a school basement room, mindless action fare like video-game-style plot.

Black plays the cellbeach. A jogger retrieves discover the Jumanji the “Fast and Furious” The script cleverly uses phone-addicted Bethany films or disaster porn “San it, gives it to his teenage video game and decide video game design — to a T, and Gillan literAndreas” or total dreck son, who ignores it in to play. The game does multiple lives, game ally looks like a grown such as “Baywatch.” This favor of his brand-new what it does and plops levels and the like — as a version of her character. movie threatened to be PlayStation. The poor the quartet, respectively, framework to advance the The exception is Hart, more of the same, but by sap is later puzzled to into the bodies of game story’s broad strokes. And who brings his usual find a vintage video game characters Dr. Braveas a former heavy player broad performance to the never pretending to be system and cartridge in stone (Dwayne Johnson, of such games, I enjoyed proceedings. It works, of more than the escapism the box — Jumanji trans- humongous), Professor seeing those tropes acted course — you don’t waste it is, it actually rises to formed.

Shelly Oberon (Jack out in the game world.

Kevin Hart on a nuanced another level as a coming Fast forward to 2017, Black, hilariously effemiThe movie is more than performance in a comedy. of age story, making this a jungle worth visiting — when four high schoolers nate), Ruby Roundhouse just action set pieces, Overall, the acting had — slight, nerdy Spencer (Karen Gillan, halfthough. The actors shine me wondering if director perhaps moreso than going to that galaxy far, far (Alex Wolff), pretty, vain dressed because video across the board. The Jake Kasdan taped the away in “The Last Jedi.”

Bethany (Madison Isegames and sexism) and young ones — the real young cast in each scene (Sony Pictures) man), bookish, awkward “Moose” Finbar (Kevin world cast — set the in the game world first,