December 29, 2017 — Gwinnett Daily Post

‘HORRIFIC’ CRIME, 6A

Troy, N.Y., police seek tips in quadruple homicide

YEAR IN FILM Looking back at best, worst movies of 2017 • Weekend, 7C

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Vol. 48, No. 46

Man accused in DUI crash had 3 priors Medieval Times worker dies in wreck on 316

BY ISABEL HUGHES isabel.hughes@gwinnettdailypost.com

Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson stands outside the city’s historic train depot, in its downtown district, Thursday. After spending the last 10 years serving as the city’s leader, Johnson chose not to seek re-election this year and his tenure as mayor will end with the arrival of 2018. (Staff Photo: Curt Yeomans)

Johnson reflects on ending a decade as Norcross’ mayor

BY CURT YEOMANS

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson has been at a crossroads in his life before.

The beginning of a new year will bring his 10-year tenure as mayor to an end. He chose to not seek re-election this year for another two-year term, clearing the way for longtime Councilman Craig Newton to run unopposed to be his successor and become the first African-American mayor of a Gwinnett city.

To Johnson, the decision to step away from the position that he’s held for a decade is similar to the decision he made in 2001 to retire from his longtime position as Georgia Tech’s band director.

“I enjoyed doing what I was doing and I left at a time when I still had things that I could do, but I didn’t really have major plans,” Johnson said. “You don’t realize the impact that you have kind of at the time.

In other words, ever since (retiring from Georgia Tech), I have students say all of the time, ‘You really impacted my life’ …

“You get a better perspective after you’ve been gone for a few years. I kind of feel that way with the city.”

Officially, the reins will pass to Newton on Tuesday. He and new councilmen Chuck Paul and Dan Watch are set to be sworn in at at 6:30 p.m., in the Norcross Cultural Arts and

Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson congratulates Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Charlotte Nash on a job well done after she delivered the annual State of the County address at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth in 2013. (File Photo)

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Community Center.

Meanwhile, Johnson said he plans to do consulting work for local governments.

As the number of days left in Johnson’s tenure grow smaller, he reflected on the end of his administration.

“A lot of the things that we started will have (an effect),” the mayor said. “For instance, I think Lillian Webb Park is a 100-year park. I mean, you only have a chance to do those kind of parks once every 100 years and I was fortune to be involved in that.”

Lillian Webb Park is named for Johnson’s predecessor.

A few years before the park opened, Johnson and Webb, a stalwart in Gwinnett who once served as county commission chairwoman, faced off in a run-off election. Johnson won.

“It was a big deal,” Johnson said of his 2007 election.

“It was in the Atlanta paper and all that because she was groundbreaking in terms

of being well-known at the county level and being county commission chair.

“One of the reasons I ran — I wasn’t running really against her (on a personal level) — I just thought she and the council were kind of stuck in ‘We’re just going to do things the way we’ve always done them and not change.’

What had happened is that so many new people had moved into Norcross and they wanted some change.”

‘Incredible angst’ over service delivery A lot has happened during the last 10 years that Johnson has served as Norcross’ mayor. One big thing that happened early in his tenure was a three-year feud between the county and its 16 cities over a service delivery strategy that ultimately ended up with both sides filing lawsuits against the other.

Settling that dispute after county commission Chair-

Family and friends are mourning the loss of a mother of three who was killed Saturday morning by an alleged wrongway drunk driver as she was coming home from work at a Gwinnett County dinner-theater.

Police say 52-year-old Auburn, Ga., resident Lisa Cox, “Mama Lisa,” who worked as a seamstress at the Medieval Times Marvin Bonilla Dinner and Tournament, died on Ga. Highway 316 in Lawrenceville after her car was struck head-on by Marvin Bonilla, 47, of Winder, who witnesses said was driving on the wrong side of the divided highway.

An accident report obtained by the Daily Post details that after hitting Cox, Bonilla allegedly continued driving a short distance before hitting a second vehicle, the driver of which had “tried to veer to the right as far as possible” to avoid being hit.

That driver was not injured. Bonilla was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center for treatment and evaluation, where officers administered a breathalyzer test after they smelled “a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from (Bonilla’s) breath See DUI, Page 7A

Trash haulers to reduce cost

BY CURT YEOMANS curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

woman Charlotte Nash came into office may have been the biggest things to happen in Gwinnett during the 10 years that Johnson has been mayor, he said.

“For three years, it created incredible angst between the cities and the county, which is unhealthy in a community like this,” Johnson said.

Recalling the T-SPLOST Johnson also served as chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission round table that hammered out a project list for the 10-county regional Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax that was rejected by voters in 2012. The proposed tax was an effort to address transportation issues on a regional basis, and the state was divided up into several regions.

Johnson said he believes there were three reasons why

The residential trash haulers who serve unincorporated part of Gwinnett County will continue to pick up the trash and recycling items for a few more years — and at a reduced price.

The Board of Commissioners approved an eight-year agreement with the haulers earlier this month. It will go into effect July 1, replacing the existing contract that is set to expire June 30, county officials said.

The agreement does not affect residents of cities who have their own agreements with trash haulers.

“Residential trash and recycling service will still include weekly trash pickup of household waste and more than 30 types of recyclables,” county officials said in a statement. “Collection on each street will be on the same day of the week, with exceptions for New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. “Service will continue to include bulky item and white goods pickup; residents will still need to contact their assigned hauler to schedule pickup.”

As the new agreement goes into effect, residents will see some changes. One is that the 17-gallon recycling bins that they have received from their haulers will be

See MAYOR, Page 2A

See TRASH, Page 7A

Planning Commission to consider neighborhood near high school

BY CURT YEOMANS

Morgan Road. The Gwinnett County Planning Commission is scheduled to consider the rezoning A 112-home subdivirequest for the project sion could be going in next week. near Mountain View High “In addition to being School in unincorporated a quality development Buford. that is compatible with Home South Comhomes in the surrounding munities LLC wants to area, the proposed debuild the single-family velopment will preserve neighborhood on 86.15 important green space in acres of land at the 2400 a rapidly-growing area of block of Sunny Hill Road Gwinnett County,” Home and the 2500 block of South Communities at-

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

torney Shane Lanham said in a letter to county officials.

The county’s Planning and Development Department has recommended approval of the development with conditions, including a requirement that the entire primary conservation space must remain undisturbed.

Private lots would not be allowed to contain stream This illustration shows the planned architectural styles for homes that would be built in a proposed 112-unit neighborhood near Mountain View High School on Sunny Hill

See PLANNING, Page 2A and Morgan Roads in unincorporated Buford. (Special Photo)

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2A • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

Mayor

place to imagine,” was adopted during that time. voters in metro Atlanta Among other things, Norrejected it. cross has also received the “Anytime you have a ARC’s platinum certifitax, that’s a big deal and cation for sustainability, even though its one cent annexed 1.2 miles of land for 10 years, it’s still a and acquired the Historic tax,” Johnson said. “No. 2, Cotton Gin, which was there were some ads on TV transferred over to the Northat talked about untancross Downtown Developgling Atlanta and I think ment Authority. (voters) thought a lot of the Johnson has received money was going to go to several awards over the downtown Atlanta. year, including receiving “The third was really the the Gwinnett Chamber’s big debate between transit Public Service Award, and non-transit. Because Partnership Gwinnett’s about 50 percent of it was Leadership Award of transit, you had a lot of Excellence in 2011 and people in the outer regions its Imagination in Ecowho thought it was going nomic Development Award to be another MARTA this year and the Latin tax even though that’s not American Association’s what it was.”

Outstanding Public Service A number of and Leadership Award. other highlights Gwinnett Magazine There are other things named him its “Man of the that happened in Norcross Year” in 2011. during Johnson’s tenure as Johnson doesn’t take mayor. credit for everything that The city’s slogan, “A has happened in the last

•From Page 1A

decade. For example, he said Norcross City Manager Rudolph Smith has played a key role in what has happened in the city, and offered high praise for the administrator.

“Rudolph has been fantastic to work with,” the mayor said. “He helps me understand you know all of the finance pieces and nuances that I don’t have a clue about.”

In that regard, Johnson found another way in which serving as mayor paralleled his time as Georgia Tech’s band director.

“Being a band director and being a mayor — there’s not really a ton of difference,” he said.

“It’s about working with people. It’s about accomplishing goals, and just like in music, about the time you accomplish one goal, you’ve got to start at zero and start working on the next goal.”

w York e N m o r F JUST AND Fashion r e n ig s D e DE D UNLOA

EMNANTS R Many of a only $ 99 One

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Planning not the only proposed development on Sunny Hill Road that is scheduled to be considered by the Planning Commission at its meeting next week.

JLCS Enterprises Inc. is seeking permission to build a 60-home singlefamily subdivision on 20.55 acres of land on the 2100 and 2200 blocks of the road. Unlike the larger subdivision proposal, county staff has recommended denial of that project.

Staff expressed concerns in a report about its proposed layout and density of 2.92 homes per acre.

The Planning Commission meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.

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The property includes pasture land, hardwoods buffers or setbacks either. and pine trees. Little Ivy “The OSC zoning disCreek, which feeds into trict lends itself to presSuwanee Creek and the ervation and protection of Chattahoochee River, stream buffers and other runs through the property sensitive areas, which as well. may be appropriate for “The proposed develthis tract,” staff members opment was designed so wrote in their report. that homes would generIn a letter to county ally be concentrated in officials, Lanham said existing pasture areas proposed development limiting land disturwould have a density of bance across the site as a 1.3 homes per acre. Each whole,” Lanham said. home would have a twoCounty staff also added car garage and covered a condition that a pocket entrances. park be located in the Lanham also said center of the neighbornearly 55 acres of the hood, and no lots can property, which he said have direct access to is “approximately 64 either Sunny Hill Road percent of the entire or Morgan Road. Rightdevelopment,” would be of-way must also be set aside for open space. reserved for the future More than 30 acres would Sugarloaf Parkway extenbe set aside for a primary sion. open space, he said.

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•From Page 1A

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 • 3A

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Korean steakhouse to open today in Duluth’s Parsons Alley

BY CURT YEOMANS

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

Duluth’s Parsons Alley entertainment and dining district will gain some Korean flavor this weekend.

Noona Steakhouse and Oyster Bar, a Korean restaurant run by the owners of Decatur’s Taiyo Ramen, announced on Facebook that it will open for dinner service beginning today.

“Noona is finally here,” restaurant officials said in

their announcement. “… What better way to celebrate New Year’s Eve weekend than at our new restaurant.”

The restaurant touts a blend of traditional American steakhouse with Korean flavorinspired oyster bar dishes.

“We take inspiration from both Korea’s forests and seashores, while sourcing from the Southeast’s best farms and purveyors,” Noona officials wrote on the website. “The restaurant is centered around an open kitchen with a 9-foot wood burning hearth.”

The opening caps off a year of activity at Parsons Alley that has also brought the opening of Simply Done Donuts, Personify, Maple Street Biscuit Company and Good Word Brewing Company. Noona is located between Personify and Maple Street Biscuit Company, at 3550 W. Lawrenceville St. in Duluth.

Officials said on the website that reservations in advance are recommended.

For more information, visit the restaurant’s website at www.noonaduluth.com.

Noona Steakhouse and Oyster Bar announced it will open in Duluth’s Parsons Alley today for dinner service.

The Korean restaurant is owned by the owners of Decatur’s Taiyo Ramen. (Staff Photo: Curt Yeomans)

Police: Burger King outing ends Former Parkview, Auburn football with drinks thrown, gun pulled star jailed on child porn charges

BY ISABEL HUGHES

device isabel.hughes and help @gwinnettdailypost.com take orders, she A late-night family allegedly outing to a Lawrencev“respondille Burger King turned ed very violent Saturday evening rudely Emanjula after police say a frustratand began Brown ed customer threw drinks to get in and pulled a gun on one his face,” which he said the store’s employees. angered him.

Gwinnett police arrest“Emanjula said he was ed and charged Emanjula being polite and did not Daracus Brown, 38, of provoke her and even then Toccoa with aggravated (she) threw a cup full assault, possession of a of liquid at Emanjula,” firearm during the comthe report said. “Emanmission of a felony and jula said he responded by a host of other charges throwing a drink back at after they say he grew her after she threw one frustrated with the resat him (and he) began to taurant’s manager, who get upset and demanded he felt “did not care that his money back from the there were a number business. After Emanjula of customers including threw his drink at (the himself waiting for their manager), she grabbed a food,” an incident report cup of coffee and threw said. it at Emanjula. Emanjula Brown told police the explained after the coffee manager was using her was thrown on him, (the cellphone while custom- manager) threatened to ers were waiting in line throw a container of hot to order and when he oil at Emanjula, to which asked her to get off the he responded, ‘I wish you

would,’ and that was all he said.”

The report further details that at some point during the argument, Brown’s wife, Lacorsha Burton, went to the family’s car to get a gun, though Brown told officers he “stopped her from doing anything with it and just took it from her and put it in his back pocket.”

However, after reviewing video surveillance from the restaurant, police arrested Brown and charged him with simple battery, battery, criminal trespass, cruelty to children in the third degree due to his three childen being present during the incident, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Neither Burton nor the manager were arrested in connection with the incident.

Brown was released on Christmas Eve on $1,850 bond.

Visit us online at www.gwinnettdailypost.com.

BY ISABEL HUGHES

room at a Braselton Highway restaurant A former Gwinnett and took County football player, a video of who rose to stardom as a the victim running back at Lilburn’s while Brad Parkview High School he was Lester and later went on to going to play at Auburn Univerthe bathroom in a locked sity, was recently jailed stall. It was not immedion child pornography ately known what restaucharges. rant the incident occurred Brad Lester, 32, of at, given two fast-food Buford was arrested restaurants occupy the Thursday in connection same address. with a Nov. 6 incident Police did not release at a Dacula restaurant in an incident report due to which he allegedly used the nature of the crime a cellphone to record a and the juvenile’s age, video of a Gwinnett teen though court records using the toilet in the show Lester’s attorney men’s restroom, accordfiled a motion for bond in ing to arrest warrants Gwinnett County Supeobtained by the Daily rior Court on Tuesday.

Post.

He remains at the jail Lester was charged without bond. with two felonies: one Lester, who has previcount of unlawful eaves- ously worked for Gwindropping or surveillance nett County Schools, first and one count of distribu- made a name for himself tion of child pornograat Parkview during a time phy. when the football proWhile details about gram won three straight the incident are sparse, state titles, from 2000-02. the warrants detail that After high school, he sometime between 6 and continued his success at 7 p.m. Nov. 6, Lester Auburn, where he scored entered the men’s rest20 career touchdowns

isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

Suspects burglarized home under construction twice

City of Lilburn Schedule of Expenditures of Special Local Option Sales Tax 2009 Issue for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 Description Administrative Facilities

$

Roads, Streets & Bridges Recreational Facilities Public Safety Facilities & Equipment $

Original Estimated Cost 4,981,935.00 $

Current Estimated Cost 4,981,935.00 $

Prior Years 4,365,049.00 $

2,789,884.00

2,789,884.00

996,387.00

BY ISABEL HUGHES

isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

Current Year (Unaudited) 1,725.00 $

Total 4,366,774.00

2,244,100.00

235,562.00

2,479,662.00

996,387.00

741,742.00

-

741,742.00

1,195,665.00

1,195,665.00

676,694.00

-

676,694.00

9,963,871.00 $

9,963,871.00 $

8,027,585.00 $

237,287.00 $

$8,264,872.00

The City of Lilburn entered into an intergovernmental agreement with Gwinnett County for the use and distribution of the proceeds generated by the 2009 special purpose local option sales tax referendum. Per OCGA 48-8-122, the City is required to issue an annual report of original estimated cost, current estimated cost, prior year expenditures, current year expenditures, and the total amount expended for each project listed in the resolution. As of June 30, 2017, the City had expended $8,264,872.00 (unaudited) of the 2009 SPLOST funds.

City of Lilburn Schedule of Expenditures of Special Local Option Sales Tax 2014 Issue for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 Description Administrative Facilities

$

Roads, Streets & Bridges Recreational Facilities Public Safety Facilities & Equipment $

Original Estimated Cost 1,144,973.00 $

Current Estimated Cost 1,243,151.00 $

2,289,946.00

2,381,606.00

114,497.00

119,192.00

Current Year (Unaudited) 524,120.00 $

Total 1,243,151.00

1,861,964.00

519,016.00

2,380,980.00

80,299.00

38,893.00

119,192.00

Prior Years 719,031.00 $

2,175,448.00

2,263,094.00

1,649,442.00

5,724,864.00 $

6,007,043.00 $

4,310,736.00 $

613,652.00 1,695,681.00 $

Gwinnett police are looking for thieves who they say are targeting a Lawrenceville home that is currently under construction.

The home, which is located on Tab Roberts Road in unincorporated Lawrenceville, was burglarized twice in 10 days, with the first theft occurring Dec. 9 and the second Dec. 19.

In the first incident, which occurred about 6 a.m., two suspects stole an air conditioning unit worth

2,263,094.00 6,006,417.00

City of Lilburn Schedule of Expenditures of Special Local Option Sales Tax 2014 Issue for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 Description Roads, Streets & Bridges

$

Recreational Facilities Public Safety Facilities & Equipment $

Current Estimated Cost 4,559,544.00

811,914.00 6,379,320.00 11,598,764.00 $

-

Current Year (Unaudited) 64,455.00

Total 64,455.00

811,914.00

-

-

-

6,599,340.00

-

92,077.00

92,077.00

11,970,798.00 $

Prior Years

- $

156,532.00 $

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156,532.00

The City of Lilburn entered into an intergovernmental agreement with Gwinnett County for the use and distribution of the proceeds generated by the 2014 special purpose local option sales tax referendum. Per OCGA 48-8-122, the City is required to issue an annual report of original estimated cost, current estimated cost, prior year expenditures, current year expenditures, and the total amount expended for each project listed in the resolution. As of June 30, 2017, the City had expended $156,532.00 (unaudited) of the 2017 SPLOST funds.

$2,000, according to Cpl. Michele Pihera, spokeswoman for the Gwinnett County Police Department.

A week and a half later, around 6:30 a.m., a man is seen on surveillance video stealing kitchen cabinets worth $5,000.

Pihera said it is unclear if the suspect in the second robbery is one of the same suspects from the Dec. 9 burglary, though “the pick-up truck seen in both surveillance videos appears to be the same.”

Anyone with information related to the cases is asked to contact GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters can 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 numbers 17-114718 and 17-118863.

Left, Gwinnett police are looking for these two suspects who were caught on surveillance video stealing an air conditioning unit worth $2,000.

Above, police are looking for this man, who they say stole kitchen cabinets worth $5,000

The City of Lilburn entered into an intergovernmental agreement with Gwinnett County for the use and distribution of the proceeds generated by the 2014 special purpose local option sales tax referendum. Per OCGA 48-8-122, the City is required to issue an annual report of original estimated cost, current estimated cost, prior year expenditures, current year expenditures, and the total amount expended for each project listed in the resolution. As of June 30, 2017, the City had expended $6,006,417.00 (unaudited) of the 2014 SPLOST funds.

Original Estimated Cost 4,407,530.00

and ranked among the school leaders in touchdowns per touch. He later played in the Canadian Football League.

Since his playing career ended, Lester has worked in athletic training through his company, Athletes Elite Performance, and has coached at the high school level at Hebron Christian.

In January of this year, he and another former Gwinnett football star, Rennie Curran, who graduated from Brookwood High School, held a football camp for young players at Lester’s business.

Lester also worked as a long-term substitute teacher for Gwinnett County Public Schools, though recently went into sales for a Gwinnett car dealership. The Daily Post could not immediately reach Gwinnett County Public Schools spokeswoman Sloan Roach for comment as to whether the district still employs Lester.

Lester’s attorney did not return the Daily Post’s call for comment on the charges.

4A • Friday, December 29, 2017 To Your Good Health

Keith Roach

Best bet is to ID problem allergen DEAR DR. ROACH: I live in extreme northeast Texas, so allergies are a given. Every morning, 24/7/365, my nose runs.

Sometimes hot liquid runs out of my nose before I can even grab a tissue. I have taken Allegra, Claritin, Xyzal, etc. Nothing seems to help. Benadryl DOES help, but my eyes hurt when I take it. NeoSynephrine and Afrin are for a congested nose, which is the opposite of my problem. Can you suggest an over-the-counter nasal spray I can use to stop this, even if I have to take it the night before?

— Anon.

ANSWER: It could indeed be allergies causing the problem. We call that chronic perennial allergic rhinitis (“perennial” since it occurs the whole year).

However, it also could be non-allergic rhinitis, and the treatments for the two may be different.

Allergies tend to get worse over time, and tend to (60 percent of the time) affect the eyes as well, leading to physical findings that an experienced doctor can see on exam.

If it is allergic, then sometimes identifying the particular allergen (what it is you are allergic to) may be of benefit, since you may be able to reduce your exposure to it. An allergist can do this via either skin testing or blood tests. Additionally, knowing your allergen may lead to immunotherapy to help symptoms.

To answer your question directly, there are treatments, and you can try them, even if I think confirming the diagnosis and identifying the allergen are useful. All the pills you have tried are antihistamines. Although they are effective for some people, nasal steroids are effective for more people (but I have quite a few patients who hate and won’t use nasal sprays). Three nasal steroids are now available over the counter: fluticasone (Flonase), budesonide (Rhinocort) and triamcinolone (Nasacort). These all are effective treatments, any of which might work best for you.

These medications need to be used every day to be most effective, and they take at least a week before they start working best.

I’ve seen some people get nosebleeds after using them for a prolonged period.

If the nasal steroid doesn’t work, I’d suggest a visit with an allergist or an ear, nose and throat doctor.

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell. edu or request an order form of available health newsletters at 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.

Health newsletters may be ordered from www.rbmamall.com.

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CANCER (June 21July 22) — Compromise will bring you closer to Dear Amy: I am the adult behavior. can make things uncomAsk Amy someone you love and father of a boy and a girl, You and your wife fortable for you, but ages 9 and 11. should continue to talk according to you, you are respect. Spending a I live in Colorado and about this. What are you already uncomfortable. romantic evening tosmoke marijuana. I did like after you’ve smoked?

Try saying, “I’m happy gether or making plans not start smoking regularAre you loopy or checked for you, but please under- to improve your living ly until it was legal here. out? She may not enjoy stand that I’m financially arrangements will turn My kids do not know “high Dad” as much as hurting right now. So it’s out well. that I smoke pot, but they you think she should. hard for me to hear about LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) are not stupid — my eyes Ideally, you and your your own finances.”

— Take care of domestic may be red, or the smell wife would be on the After that, every time chores and responsiAmy Dickinson may linger when I come same page, but I also she brings this up, you bilities. You’ll feel at ease in from smoking in the think it’s OK if you and should take it as a signal and ready to ring in garage. I do not smoke perhaps you shouldn’t do she are transparent about that it’s time for you to the new year if you are in the house or out in it at all. the fact that you choose go back to work. prepared mentally, physithe open for the kids or All the same, I agree to do this, but she doesn’t Dear Amy: I’m cally and emotionally. anyone else to see. (with you) that you necessarily like it when responding to the letVIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.

I’ve come to a crossshould not lie to your you do. ter signed, “Like Oprah, 22) — Taking a trip or atroads, however, and I’m kids. First of all, I assure Dear Amy: How I Love Bread.” This not sure what to do if the you that they already do I tactfully tell a gal woman has a friend who tending an event in your kids ask me about it. I know what you are docommunity will result I work with (in a very forces wait staff to go feel it is important to be ing out in the garage. small office) to stop brag- through gluten issues ad in you making a new honest. My wife thinks I Adolescents have an ging about her “happy” nauseam before orderacquaintance. Call family should protect them from incredible Spidey sense check (i.e. alimony), and ing — and then she eats members you haven’t thinking that their father for what their parents are the large sum she got in a bread! seen or heard from for is doing drugs. up to, and they look at lump sum payoff of child Please remind people some time.

I tell my wife that it’s a parent’s choice to lie support? that those of us with LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. like alcohol, and should for clues about how to I’m living literally celiac disease are harmed 23) — Take care of only be used when you’re conduct themselves when paycheck to paycheck, when diners do this, personal matters that older and the brain has they are doing something and every time she brags because waiters tend to you want to put to rest fully developed. risky. about something she be less observant when But she continues to Your behavior is a bought, I feel the anger lots of customers falsely before the end of the year. Don’t let friends or insist that I should lie. legal adult activity, and I just boil up inside me. claim to have gluten relatives put unrealistic What I am doing is not suggest that you leave the I don’t begrudge her sensitivity. illegal. I can’t imagine I garage and perhaps step the financial windfall, but — Suffering from Celiac emotional, financial or am the only person deal- onto the porch to smoke, I don’t want to hear about Dear Suffering: physical demands on you. ing with such an issue, and face the music head it seven times a day! She Exactly. Many readers SCORPIO (Oct. 24with so much legalizaon. (Obviously, you don’t is quite aware of my lack pointed this out. tion going on around the want to expose your of money, so why must You can contact Amy Nov. 22) — Look over country. children to second-hand she go on and on about Dickinson via email: your finances and make What do you think smoke.) Your kids may her luck? askamy@amydickinlast-minute changes to about this? beg you to stop, much I feel like if I say any- son.com. Readers may ensure you get tax ben— Unsure as I begged my father to thing, she’s going to get send postal mail to Amy efits. Offer someone you Dear Unsure: The stop chain-smoking Cam- all defensive and make it Dickinson, c/o Tribune want to spend more time awkwardness of explain- els when I was a kid. (He really uncomfortable to Content Agency, 16650 with something to look ing various (unhealthy) didn’t stop.) be in the same office.

Westgrove Drive, Suite forward to. Plan somehabits to children has Parents who drink al— Over the Bragger 175, Addison, Texas, thing unusual. inspired many people to cohol often do so in front Dear Over: You 75001. You can also folSAGITTARIUS (Nov. rethink these habits. If of their children, with have the right to express low her on Twitter 23-Dec. 21) — An opyou are too embarrassed the understanding and yourself. You don’t men- @askingamy or “like” portunity to get involved to do this openly, then reinforcement that this is tion how your colleague her on Facebook. in something that interests you should be looked at careSign up to get Gwinnett Daily Post fully. Attend a meeting or breaking news alerts and daily newsletters at presentation and collect information. A financial www.gwinnettdailypost.com/newsletters. gain looks promising.

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Page 5 A • Friday, December 29, 2017

Trump rams Memories from UGA’s ’42 Rose Bowl trip greatness down all our throats

In this holiday season, a familiar question arises: Is President Trump trying to undermine democracy, or is he just irredeemably vain?

It’s a toss of the coin — specifically, Trump’s commemorative “Challenge Coin,” which just had its public debut.

Typically, these coins are simple copper-andsilver designs with the presidential seal and signature. But Trump’s is thicker, bright gold and with a built-in stand. Beyond the garish presentation, it defaces the presidential seal: The eagle looks right instead of left, it no longer holds the 13 arrows representing the original states, and the national motto — “E pluribus unum,” which translates to “Out of many, one” — is gone.

Instead, both sides of the coin display Trump’s campaign motto, “Make America Great Again,” and Dana his name appears four times.

Milbank The year-end move follows Trump’s use of Independence Day for selfpromotion over national unity. He used Fourth of July celebrations to tout a new song for his campaign-style appearances. It mainly involves singing “Make America Great Again” over and over.

Trump has copyrighted the phrase “Make America Great Again”; imagine the royalties if he can get it added to U.S. currency in place of the boring motto “In God We Trust.” (He might also resolve the debate about whether to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 note instead of Andrew Jackson by putting himself on it.)

Now that he has disposed of “E pluribus unum,” perhaps we can expect him to update the Marines motto from “semper fidelis” to “semper magnus” (always great). My friend Vanessa, a Latin instructor, tells me a simple change to the Justice Department motto — “Qui Pro Domina Justitia Sequitur,” or “he who prosecutes for justice” — would make it “Qui Pro Domino Sequitur,” or “he who prosecutes for the master.” Take that, Robert S. Mueller III. The flag would be aesthetically more appealing and less cluttered if it only had stars for the 30 states that voted for Trump. And Trump aide Stephen Miller could remove that Emma Lazarus poem he so dislikes that now adorns the Statue of Liberty. Instead, he can add a plaque bearing the words: “Give me only your great.”

Some are born great and some achieve greatness, but all of us are having greatness rammed down our throats now.

Even on Christmas Eve, Trump was attacking the FBI’s deputy director, boasting that he protected the phrase “Merry Christmas” from a supposed “assault,” retweeting a photo of himself with the word “WINNING” superimposed, and tweeting this Christmas message: “The Fake News refuses to talk about how Big and how Strong our BASE is … nobody is going to beat us. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” At a Christmas service in Florida that Trump attended, rector James Harlan preached about Nelson Mandela’s advice to “understand how precious words are and how real speech is in its impact on the way people live and die.”

Did Trump think Harlan was talking about him when he said, “Your words and mine can have as much destructive and divisive potential as creative and healing potential”? More likely, he thought people were talking about him when they sang “O come let us adore him.”

In a Christmas video, Trump briefly captured the meaning of the day when he spoke of renewing “the bonds of love and goodwill between our citizens.” But even in this message, he managed to find division. He highlighted the belief that the Old Testament prophet Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be the Messiah.

Jews dispute that interpretation.

The holiday wasn’t yet over when Trump tweeted that “tomorrow it’s back to work in order to Make America Great Again (which is happening faster than anyone anticipated)!”

The next morning, he resumed attacks on Obamacare and a “Crooked Hillary pile of garbage.”

Contrast that with another head of state’s Christmas message. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II spoke of the resilience of London and Manchester after terrorist attacks, mentioned the victims of Caribbean hurricanes, hailed charities and volunteers, and delivered a unifying Christmas theme about the baby Jesus, “whose only sanctuary was a stable in Bethlehem.

He knew rejection, hardship and persecution, and yet it is Jesus Christ’s generous love and example which has inspired me through good times and bad.”

I write this on Boxing Day, a holiday for many of the Commonwealth nations of the former British empire, with a twinge of envy. I don’t wish that the queen would take us back.

But I regret that our head of state, with his jingoistic talk of greatness, squanders American goodness.

Follow Dana Milbank on Twitter at @Milbank.

PASADENA, Calif. — When the Georgia team arrived in Pasadena in December 1942, the traveling party included enough team members for Coach Wallace Butts to effect a normal scrimmage, but there were very few nonessential personnel making the trip.

A few of the coaches’ wives went along, including Winnie Butts, the head coach’s spouse.

It wasn’t just that there was a war going on; the athletic budget was bare bones, and there were few who could take the time off to spend three weeks on the trip, which is about what it took, considering that the traveling party made their way west by train and returned the same way.

Coaches were allowed to take their wives but not children. “We went to Milledgeville and listened to the game on radio at our grandparents’ house,” Faye Butts Jones, Coach Wallace Butts’ oldest daughter, remembers. “I was quite upset about it and still resent that I couldn’t go to Pasadena to this day.”

One of Georgia’s most passionate fans is Allison Yeomans, Faye’s daughter, who will be making the trip to the game along with her husband, Craig, her daughter Mary Cameron and her first cousin, Jack Murray. Jack’s mother, the late Nancy Murray, was a cheerleader for the Bulldogs as was her older sister, Jean Jones, who lives in Richmond.

A close friend of the Butts family, Frank Troutman, was 8 years old and did make the trip west with his parents, Frank Sr. and Mary. The younger Troutman was a longtime trustee of the Georgia Student Educational Fund, which preceded the current “Hartman Fund.” Frank was a competent quarterback in

Loran Smith high school, playing for a Butts’ protege, Wayman Creel, at Northside High in Atlanta.

He says proudly, “It was Billy Payne’s father, Porter, who signed me to a scholarship.”

Frank played briefly for Coach Butts and Georgia. He later gave up the game but never lost his passion for the Bulldogs. Today, Frank lives in the Atlanta home where he grew up and is overjoyed that the Dogs are returning to Pasadena.

Before Christmas, he reviewed his scrapbooks from the ’42 Rose Bowl trip with his son, Fielding, who will be joining the Red and Black aficionados at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. Frank has a grandson, Clem McDavid, who played football at Harvard but never abandoned his feelings for his family heritage. He will be joining the Dawg nation in Pasadena, too.

Frank Troutman’s memories remain cogent and fresh.

However, if he were to need something to jar his memory, all he has to do is pull out his Rose Bowl ball signed by the players. Trippi, Sinkwich and Racehorse Davis, for example.

As the deflated ball is rotated for inspection, you see other names including Ryals Lee, Jim Todd, Walter Maguire, Andy Dudish, Leo Costa and Clyde Ehrhardt. Then there is the name Walter Ruark. His

story ended like so many of the Greatest Generation who returned from the Rose Bowl and joined the war effort.

Ruark would give his life to his country.

In one of the headlines about Georgia’s 9-0 defeat of UCLA, there is also a headline that reveals that “Red Army Captures Strategic German line.” The tragedy of the war was later confirmed to Frank’s family when All-America end, George Poschner, was all shot up during the time of the Battle of the Bulge, losing his legs and use of his right side. He had to learn to write left-handed, a laborious task that became painful to watch. Poschner wound up in a veterans hospital in Atlanta. Frank’s father visited the Bulldog letterman every day until he was eventually discharged.

One newspaper featured a photo of Red Boyd, the mountain boy from Toccoa, who wore No. 49 and had just blocked the punt of Bob Waterfield, UCLA quarterback.

“I remember UCLA ran the T-formation,” Troutman says.

He also remembers his mother taking him down to see the Pacific Ocean. The Georgia team arrived Dec. 26 and departed Jan. 2 , a duration of eight days.

Troutman remembers sitting in the stands with his parents.

He recalled that lineman Harry Kunaniasky invited actress Paulette Goddard for a date and noted that there “were troops everywhere we went.”

He has a photo autographed

by Sinkwich, “My best wishes for a Merry Christmas to Frank Jr., a great little fellow. Your friend and pal, Frank Sinkwich, Georgia ’43.”

One of the fun stories of those who played in the Rose Bowl has to do with that of Van

Davis, the rugged end from Philomath. He had promised his father, C. W. Davis, a rural minister in Elbert County, that if Georgia won, he would bring him a ball signed by all the players.

Late in the game, Georgia moved into scoring position with Van, on a couple of end-arounds, advancing the ball to the 1-yard-line. Coach Butts sent Frank Sinkwich into the game, hobbling on two sprained ankles, but he plunged over the goal line for the game’s only touchdown.

The ball that was in play at the end of the game was the one Van Davis had his teammates sign and brought home to his dad, which today is in possession of his son, Andy Davis, who lives in Dalton.

Andy will travel to Pasadena this week with that ball in his possession, one of the most significant artifacts from that memorable championship game New Year’s Day 1943.

Van Davis lived out a modest life, like most of his teammates, and became a school man. I remember him on Bulldog Club trips to Douglas, Ga., where he spent a portion of his career as a high school principal.

Also a baseball player at Georgia, Van continued his career as a slugging first baseman in the old Georgia-Florida League, setting the season record for home runs with 44.

Three-quarters of a century from now, wonder what the Rose Bowl memories will be for the current Bulldog players about to enjoy their thrills for playing in the oldest bowl of all.

Loran Smith is co-host of “The Tailgate Show” and is also a freelance writer and columnist.

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School successes prove demography isn’t destiny CHICAGO — As we prepare to bid farewell to 2017, let’s end the year on a few high notes from the world of education.

First up, some stats to celebrate: There was an uptick in diversity in the majority-white ranks of America’s teacher corps. This is important because most of the public school students they teach have been nonwhite since 2014.

A statistical analysis by the U.S. Department of Education, which was released in April, showed that even though minority teachers remain underrepresented, both the number and proportion of minority teachers in elementary and high schools grew by 104 percent between 1987-88 and 2011-12, compared with 38 percent growth in the number of white teachers.

The influx of Hispanic women into the teaching profession will have positive ripple effects on increasingly Hispanic student populations for years to come, according to Glenda Flores, a sociologist in the Department of Chicano/Latino Studies at the University of California, Irvine.

“Latina educators … see mirror images of their younger selves in their students,” Flores writes in her book “Latina Teachers: Creating Careers and Guarding Culture.” “They use their own life histories to draw on Latina/o cultural resources and serve as agents of ethnic mobility, actively teaching

ity measures from the No Child Left Behind Act, data-driven education policies from the Obama era, or (on the negative end) fewer high school exit exams and grade inflation that make it easier for lowerachieving students to get out of school with less effort.

Esther In all likelihood, the rise in Cepeda graduation rates can be attributed to some combination of their students how to navigate all these factors, which yielded American race and class struc- positive, aggregated national tures while retaining their cul- averages. So it may not be tural roots … foster(ing) their ideal progress across the board, students’ learning via their eth- but in a sector that rarely sees nic cultural capital, challenging such clear improvements, let’s the traditional Americanization assume the best for now and approach that institutions and keep an eye on the trend lines. schools still favor.”

Third: Demography is not (I’ve spent a lot of time in always destiny. A new analysis the classroom over the past of public-school district data decade, as both a parent and a from Stanford University posits teacher. And in every school that poverty does not determine that I personally have visited, the quality of a school system. events like Hispanic Heritage Stanford Graduate School Month, Day of the Dead and of Education professor Sean Cinco de Mayo are rammed Reardon studied test scores for down all students’ throats. students in third through eighth But I do live in a Hispanicgrade at 11,000 school districts heavy state, and her point is across the country. He actually well taken regarding cities found that academic growth and towns with small Latino rates in many low-income populations.) school districts outpaced more The second bit of good affluent ones. news: U.S. graduation rates are “There are many relatively at an all-time high. According high-poverty school districts to the U.S. Department of Edu- where students appear to be cation, more than 84 percent of learning at a faster rate than students graduated on time in kids in other, less poor dis2016, with all minority groups tricts,” Reardon said in a Stanand even new English learners ford blog post. “Poverty clearly also seeing a rise. does not determine the quality There are a few theories of a school system.” about why this is: accountabilIf we can figure out what

these successful-despite-highpoverty schools are doing, it could be potentially gamechanging.

Lastly, my favorite education news comes from France, where the education chief recently announced he is banning all mobile phone use in schools for students under 15.

Hallelujah!

Smartphones and other electronics (including, in many instances, school-issued Chromebooks) can be a real and devastating source of student distraction and misuse in the classroom.

The French policy comes on the heels of a flurry of op-eds regarding studies showing that students who use laptops to take notes during class in college demonstrate poorer understanding of course materials than those who take notes by hand.

Hey, the titans of Silicon Valley tend to send their kids to schools where instruction is delivered without the aid of Chromebooks, iPads or phones — they want their children to learn to concentrate, problemsolve and make decisions through hands-on activities and brain-expanding work like sustained reading and writing, on paper.

My New Year’s wish is that electronics-free schools become the next big trend in education.

Esther Cepeda’s email address is estherjcepeda@ washpost.com.

6A • Friday, December 29, 2017

world Soccer legend likely to be new Liberian president Former soccer star George Weah is set to win the Dec. 26 presidential election runoff in Liberia.

On Thursday, with more than 98 percent of the votes counted, Weah led his opponent Vice President Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party 61.5 percent to 38.5 percent, according to the National Elections Commission.

Weah, the candidate for the Coalition of Democratic Change, won the first round of the election in October with 38.4 percent while Boakai netted 28.8 percent, according to the commission.

NEC Chairman Jerome Korkoya said in a press conference Thursday that the final election results would “hopefully” be announced today.

ISIS suicide bomb in Kabul kills dozens

gwinnettdailypost.com

world&nation Police seek tips in ‘horrific’ killings

By Eric Levenson and Evan Simko-Bednarski CNN

Police in Troy, N.Y., released photos Thursday of two children and two adult women who were killed in a “horrific” quadruple homicide.

“The Troy Police Department is releasing these photos not only for the media but to further appeal to the public for any information regarding this horrific case,” Capt.

Dan DeWolf of the Troy Police Department said in a statement.

Brandi Mells, 22, Shanta Myers, 36, and Myers’ children Shanise, 5, and Jeremiah, 11, were found dead in a basement apartment Tuesday.

Myers and Mells were in a relationship, Troy Police Chief John Tedesco said. Police were called to the scene after the property manager reported the discovery of four unresponsive people.

Police said they have not made any arrests in the

ISIS has claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack on a Shia cultural center in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, that left 41 people dead and dozens injured.

Two children were among the dead and 84 people were injured in the blast, according to a Health Ministry spokesman.

The attack rocked the center in the basement of a building in the west of the city at around 10:30 a.m.

(12.30 a.m ET) Thursday morning. It also hit the Afghan News Agency, which has an office on the floor above, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said. Two more blasts followed at the same building, but caused no injuries.

The ISIS-affiliated Amaq News Agency said the terror group carried out the attack.

From left, Jeremiah Myers, 11, Shanta Myers, 36, Shanise Myers, 5, and Brandi Mells, 22, were found dead Tuesday in a basement apartment in Troy, N.Y. Police released the photos in search of information on the homicide case. (Photo: CNN)

case. Law enforcement did not detail the exact manner or motive of the killings, but the homicides clearly shook authorities.

“Being in this business for almost 42 years, I can’t describe the savagery of a person like this. I don’t know of a word that can say it,” Tedesco said Tuesday.

Entire city ‘traumatized’ DeWolf told CNN affiliate WTEN that he believes the quadruple homicide is an isolated incident, but

urged residents to remain cautious as detectives investigate.

“Unfortunately, it’s horrible, terrible, sad — especially at this time of the year — that there’s four deceased folks in there,” he said. “We’re going to do everything we can to look into this and get to the bottom of what happened here.”

Pastor Jackie Robinson Sr. of the Oak Grove Baptist Church in Troy said Shanta Myers had been a bus monitor for many

years for Durham School Services, which runs the Troy school system’s buses.

“The entire city is really traumatized by what has happened. It’s inconceivable. The fact that they haven’t been caught, people are afraid,” he said.

“It’s evil and wickedness for somebody to do something like this,” The city of Troy is located just outside of the state capital, Albany, and is about 160 miles north of New York City.

nation

CNN’s Poppy Harlow, while a “a very challenging midterm environment” Alabama certifies also contributed to his decision.

Doug Jones’ win “The party of the over Roy Moore president typically loses Alabama on Thursday 32 seats in a situation like certified Democrat Doug this,” Dent told CNN, but Jones’ victory over Re“of course then, Donald publican Roy Moore in Trump, you know, complithis month’s special Senate cates that because he’s a election, bringing an end to The state of Alabama on Thursday, December 28, 2017, cer- very polarizing figure, and an unlikely race replete with tified Democrat Doug Jones’ victory over Republican Roy so I suspect our challengcontroversy.

Moore in this month’s special Senate election. (Photo: CNN) es will be even greater Moore had refused to just because of that.” old boy who was found concede in the wake of the olis and Chicago might put election result, and Wednes- on the board on New Year’s buried in his backyard on Las Vegas day, he set off a new swirl Eve. Minneapolis is expect- Cleveland’s west side earadding snipers, of controversy by filing an ed to log a low of -13, while lier this month has been indicted in connection election complaint alleging extra security for the forecast for Chicago is with his death. voter fraud, calling for a de- for wind-chill temperatures New Year’s Eve The mother, 34-yearlay in the certification of the down to 15 below.

Throngs of partygoers old Larissa Rodriguez, results that declared Jones ushering in the new year has been charged with officially the winner and Ala. teen badly murder, felonious assault, in Las Vegas will be met asking for “a new special beaten by police endangering children and by unusually tight security election.”

Two parents want to see offenses against a human following a deadly mass Alabama Circuit Judge shooting in the city three corpse.

Johnny Hardwick, however, police body camera and dashcam footage of their months ago.

Her son’s body was denied Moore’s attempt son’s arrest after a ChristCity and federal offound by authorities after Thursday afternoon just as British bishop: mas Eve encounter with ficials will work together police received a 911 the certification was due to U.S. evangelicals take place.

Troy, Ala., police left the to provide extra security call from a tipster who 17-year-old badly beaten claimed to be the brother along the famed Las Vegas too ‘uncritically’ The vote totals released and hospitalized.

Strip after a gunman of the mother’s boyby the state showed Jones accept Trump Photos — one of which opened fire on a crowd friend. won by more than 21,000 A bishop in the Church mother Angela Williams of country music conIn the call, the man, votes, for a margin over of England has chastised certgoers Oct. 1, killing Moore of about 1.6 percent- posted on Facebook, where who said he is in the Air some American religious it was shared more than Force and was overseas in 58 people and injuring age points. Almost 23,000 leaders for their unwavering votes were write-ins, total80,000 times — show Pakistan, told dispatchers hundreds. support of U.S. President Fireworks from casino that his brother confessed ing just shy of 1.7 percent of Ulysses Wilkerson in a Donald Trump. hospital bed, the white to burying the child in the rooftops bring thousands the vote share.

In an interview with the sheet beneath his head backyard of his home with of people to the Strip, Guardian, Bishop of Livbloody.

His nose and lips turning the boulevard into his girlfriend.

New Year’s Eve erpool Paul Bayes accused are crusted in blood, and his a huge block party. And “self-styled” evangelists of will be almost 40 left eye is swollen shut. the city will be crowded Congressman: “colluding” with an admin- degrees colder “He had trauma to the with revelers attending istration in the White House than usual brain, swelling on the brain Trump a factor in New Year’s festivities, that, he claimed, fomented and a cracked eye socket in my not running including concerts by BritForget the tux and the division and intolerance. three different places,” the ney Spears, Bruno Mars, “Some of the things that little black dress for New A Republican congress- Maroon 5 and The Foo boy’s father, Ulysses Wilkhave been said by religious Year’s Eve. This year you erson Jr., told CNN affiliate man said Thursday while Fighters. leaders seem to collude President Donald Trump may want to bust out your WDHN. The extra security with a system that margin- parka and a hat with earflaps.

In her Monday post, Wil- wasn’t the determining precautions will augment alizes the poor, a system factor in his decision to From New England to liams claims Troy police more typical measures which builds walls instead retire at the end of his Texas, weather forecasters officers assaulted her son such as intensified police of bridges, a system which warn it’s going to be 20 de- while he was in handcuffs term, which expires in patrols and blocking off says people on the mar2018, he was part of it. grees to 40 degrees colder and haven’t provided her crowded streets. gins of society should be Rep. Charlie Dent, than usual over New Year’s. much information. Troy poThe city has always excluded, a system which Much of the U.S. won’t get lice said they used “reason- R-Pa., said Republican perched spotters on roofs says we’re not welcoming candidates facing re-elec- at major events, but this above freezing all day. able and necessary” force people any more into our tion would have to surpass time it will also have If the present forecast to subdue the teen after he country,” he said. challenging hurdles, holds true, this will be the reached for his waistband. snipers surveying the Bishop Bayes encouramong them Trump’s divi- Strip from above, Lomthird-coldest New Year’s aged those leaders to reflect Eve ball drop in New York Mother charged sive nature as the figurebardo said. The city is also on their faith, adding that head of the party.

City since the event started doubling its number of with murder of the acceptance and en“Well, at least in my in 1907. The expected low quick-response teams who dorsement of right-wing will be 11 degrees, with a son, 5, buried in case, I would say the will be ready to respond populism was irreconcilable windchill of zero. president was a factor, but to critical incidents and her backyard with Christian values. not the factor for me deAnd those numbers pale eliminate threats, he said.

— From wire reports compared to what MinneapThe mother of a 5-year- ciding to leave,” Dent told — From wire reports

people Solange cancels New Year’s Eve show with illness Solange Knowles has canceled her New Year’s Eve gig at the AfroPunk festival in South Africa, citing health issues.

The singer/DJ, who performs under her first name, revealed Wednesday in an Instagram post that she has been dealing with an illness.

“The past five months I have been quietly treating, and working through an Autonomic Disorder,” she wrote. “It (sic) been a journey that hasn’t been easy on me.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, autonomic nerve disorders affect the autonomic nervous system, which controls a person’s involuntary functions.

“Symptoms are wideranging and can include problems with the regulation of heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, perspiration, and bowel and bladder functions,” the Mayo Clinic’s website said.

Other symptoms include fatigue, lightheadedness, feeling faint or passing out, weakness and cognitive impairment.

Knowles, 31, younger sister of superstar Beyoncé, had been set to headline the festival in Johannesburg, which will run from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1.

Amy Poehler to return as presenter to Golden Globes Amy Poehler is returning to the Golden Globes stage, this time as a presenter.

Poehler, who hosted alongside Tina Fey for the third stage-stealing year in a row in 2015 before they retired from the gig, is among the first group of award presenters announced Thursday.

Other presenters include Halle Berry, Carol Burnett, Kelly Clarkson, Penélope Cruz, Gal Gadot and Greta Gerwig.

Ex-Miss America petitions the group for its leaders to resign

The Miss America Organization remains under siege nearly a week after an explosive Huffington Post report exposed emails allegedly belonging to the organization’s leadership in which they demean former pageant winners.

Now one of those women, Mallory Hagan, who won Miss America in 2013, is asking for people to sign her petition on Change.org calling for the resignation of the entire board of directors, and not just those implicated in the email.

The swift backlash against the Miss America Organization after the news report has already brought about the resignations of CEO Sam Haskell, President Josh Randle and board members Tammy Haddad and Lynn Weidner over the weekend.

As of Thursday afternoon, Hagan’s petition, which was posted Wednesday night, had garnered more than 6,000 signatures.

— From wire reports

First supermoon of 2018 coincides with New Year’s Day

By Dakin Andone CNN

There will be more than just fireworks lighting up the night sky this New Year’s.

According to NASA, January’s first full moon — nicknamed a wolf moon — will take place Jan. 1 and it will be a supermoon. It’ll be the first of 2018 and it will be closely followed by another just weeks later.

A “supermoon” occurs when

Must read the moon appears bigger and brighter in the sky. A supermoon occurs when the moon becomes full on the same day that it reaches its perigree, the point in the moon’s elliptical orbit when it is closest to Earth.

During these events, the moon generally appears to be 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than a typical full moon. They

typically occur around every 13 months, according to NASA. But if you miss the supermoon New Year’s Day, don’t worry. The big event is coming Jan. 31, when another supermoon is set to light up the sky — making it, as some have pointed out, a “blue supermoon.”

As NASA said, some folks call the second full moon in a single month a blue moon, and they occur about every two and a half years.

Jan. 31’s supermoon, according to the space agency, will also feature a total lunar eclipse — when the Earth, sun and moon, line up in such a way that the Earth blocks the sunlight that would otherwise reflect off the moon.

So the moon won’t be as bright, but it will “take on an eerie, fainter-than-normal glow,” NASA said, and could take on a “reddish hue.”

That celestial event will be visible from western North America

through the Pacific Ocean to eastern Asia, NASA said.

January’s supermoons will be just the latest in a spate of supermoon events taking place in close succession. The last one occurred on December 3.

The best time to see the full supermoon is right after moonrise, when it is just getting up above the horizon, timeanddate.com said.

That site also provides a calculator so you can figure out exactly when to get out and watch.

Friday, December 29, 2017 • 7A

gwinnettdailypost.com •From Page 1A

Trash

collection as well. But that service isn’t totally imreplaced with 65-gallon carts mune to changes because that have wheels on them. of the new agreement — The monthly fee will drop residents who choose the from $19.16 to $17.91.

12-month plan will see the Meanwhile, senior citiprice cut by 25 percent. zens will see their discount “Unincorporated Gwinincrease from 15 percent to nett County residential 25 percent, which means solid waste customers their monthly fees will drop would see the price reducfrom $16.47 to $13.75. tions on their next billing, One thing that will stay scheduled for summer the same, in addition to 2018,” county officials the pick up days, is that said. “New recycling carts residents will have the op- will be delivered later next tion to receive yard waste year.”

•From Page 1A

DUI

three children, was pronounced dead at the scene. as he spoke.”

Almost immediately, famAccording to the report, ily and friends took to soBonilla’s blood alcohol cial media to express their content came back as .175 grief, anger and shock over grams, which is more than the tragedy. twice the legal limit of “Nothing I can say .08. Jail records show the here, no admiring phrases, Barrow County resident funny stories or offers was previously arrested for of thoughts and prayers driving under the influcan take away the painful ence in Gwinnett in June, shock, hurt, anger, guilt September and October of and profound grief many 2011. of us are experiencing with Cox, who leaves behind your sudden promotion to her husband, Rodney, and heaven,” one woman wrote

obituaries Bhagu Ahuja

Lawrenceville

Elizabeth Anne “Libba” Cofer (Melton)

521357-1

Private Pet Cremations Start at 115

770-817-1030

Monroe

Henry F “Hank” Cushing, Jr.

tragedy.

Cox’s memorial service was held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Gracepointe Church of the Nazarene in Loganville. The family requested that attendees not wear black, as Cox would have “never wanted that.” Her favorite color was purple.

Bonilla was charged with first degree vehicular homicide, DUI, driving on the wrong side of the road and reckless driving. He remains in the Gwinnett County Jail without bond.

For more obituaries, visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com.

gel of Atlanta, GA; four grandchildren, Ashley King of Wake Forest, NC, Age 77, Wages & Sons Nicholas Frost of Atlanta, Gwinnett Chapel.

LTC. Henry F Cushing GA, Bethany Wallace JR. (Hank) age 83, died Elizabeth “Libba” Anne of Douglasville, GA and Winder December 24th at his home Kaitlyn Frost of Atlanta, Melton Cofer, age 95 in Monroe GA after a long GA; many cousins, nieces Pamela Regina passed away Wednesbattle with cancer. LTC Bridges (Wages) day, December 27, 2017. and nephews.

Cushing formally lived in Visitation will be held at age 58, died 12/26/2017.

Lilburn, GA. Bill Head Funeral Home, Smith Funeral Home, LTC Cushing served 20 Lilburn/Tucker Chapel, Winder. years in the Army and is a on Friday, December 29th veteran of the Korean and from 11:00 am until 1:00 Loganville, GA Vietnam Wars. pm followed by a CelebraWilliam Dunlap Duluth, GA Mr. Cushing is survived tion of Life service at 1:00 Burns, III by his wife of 60 years Antonia Collins pm with Rev. Bobby LinkAnn Lawlor Cushing; age 65, of Loganville, GA Antonia Collins, age 84 ous and Rev. Carl Marthree loving children: Jean passed away on Dec. 24. shall officiating. Burial of Duluth, died DecemCushing Sherrill (Don), Wages and Sons Gwinnett ber 26, 2017. A Funeral will follow at Lilburn First Steve Cushing (Beatrice), Chapel. 770-277-4550 Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mass will be celebrated David Cushing (DebOnline condolences may at 11:00 AM Saturday, bie); three grandchildren: Lawrenceville be left at www.billheadDecember 30, 2017 at the Bonnie Cushing, Nicholas funeralhome.com. Bill Danny Clark Catholic Church of St. Sherrill and Rachel SherHead Funeral Homes and Monica in Duluth, GA, Clark- John Daniel rill; Brother Alan Cushing Crematory, Lilburn/Tucker with Father Jack Durkin “Uncle Danny” Clark, Chapel, (770) 564-2726. serving as Celebrant. Mrs. (Diana), and many wonage 85, of Lawrenceville derful nieces and nephews.

Collins, formerly presidpassed away on Monday, Mr. Cushing had a strong ing in Norfolk, VA, was December 25, 2017 after faith and was a very loving born in Seville, Spain a short illness. Funeral husband, father and grandand was a faithful loving Services will be held on father. mother and wife. She is Saturday, December 30, Services will be held this survived by her daughters, 2017 at 11:00AM in the Friday December 29, 2017 Winder Debra Collins Morris of Lawrenceville Chapel at 11:00 AM at St. Anna’s Norfolk, VA and DoroMrs. Anne Huffof Tim Stewart Funeral Catholic Church Home. Rev. Johnny Banks thy Markert (Dave) of Lovin 1401 Alcovy St., Monroe, Duluth; sons, Steven E. will officiate. Interment Mrs. Anne Huff-Lovin, Collins of Virginia Beach, GA. 30656 will follow at Shadowage 85 of Winder, Georgia lawn Cemetery. Mr. Clark VA and James A. Collins Lawrenceville passed away December 24, of Norfolk, VA; sister, was a lifelong resident 2017 Mrs. Nellie Gibson Dolores Hay of Suwanee; of Lawrenceville and a 7 grandchildren and 2 Derrick graduate of LawrencevSnellville great grandchildren. She ille High School. He was Mrs. Nellie Gibson was predeceased by her Guy Kelly Knight employed as an announcer Derrick, age 87, of Lawsister Josefina of Seville, for WLAW Radio in renceville, formerly of Guy K Knight age 96, Spain, who had 4 children Dahlonega, passed away Lawrenceville. He later of Snellville, GA passed and 7 Grandchildren. worked for Roberts and December 26, 2017. Araway Saturday, December Antonia was a member Clark TV Service until rangements by Banister 16, 2017 at the Mesun of St. Monica’s Catholic his retirement. Mr. Clark Funeral Home Hospice in Lawrenceville Church and was foris preceded in death by; following a brief illness.

Suwanee, GA merly a member of Sacred Parents: Rip John & He is preceded in death Heart Catholic Church in Regina Donnelly Bessie June Woodward by his wife Jeanette and Norfolk Virginia. Al(Fox) Clark; Brother: Julian R. his daughter, Rita Holways proud of her strong Clark; Sister: Mary Ann loway. He is survived his Age 84, passed away on Catholic heritage as a naClark. He is survived son, Kelly Knight and his 12/14/17. tive Spaniard, she held her by; Nephews: Chris & husband Les of El Cerrito, Loganville faith and devotion in high Debbie Clark of LawCA; his daughter, Melissa regard and had a great Paula Dutton renceville, David & Beth Brown and her husband love for God and her felClark of Oxford; Nieces: Darrell of Supply, NC; Age 69 of Loganville low man. She has stayed Lisa Clark McKnight of his grandchildren, Holly passed away 12/25/2017. in the Autumn Leaves Lawrenceville, Melanie McKenzie, Sherry CofTim Stewart FH, LoganMemory Care facility for Clark of Roswell; Sister: field, Jamie Abbott and ville. the last 4 years and has Ellen Carol Clark of PorDraven Brown; and ten Flowery Branch brought light & joy to that terdale; Great Nephews: great-grandchildren. A Ricky Lamar Emmett veteran of World War II Davis Clark of Columbus, community, and was always very thankful for the Matthew & Sam Clark and Korean War, he served age 62, passed away care she received there. of Oxford; Beloved Cat: in the United States Army.

December 26, 2017.

We hope to greet our dear Bozo. The family would Per his wishes he was Snellville, GA Antonia in the next life! like to thank MeSun cremated and there was In lieu of flowers, please Dave T. Hancock Health Services in Lawno service and a private renceville for their care of make donations to the Alburial. age 49 of Snellville our Uncle during this time. zheimer’s Association in passed away December 23, memory of Antonia ColThe family will receive lins. (Search “tributes” for 2017. friends 1 hour prior to her page on www.alz.org) the service, 10:00AMLawrenceville, GA Online condolences may 11:00AM at Tim StewMary Jane Hand be sent by visiting www. art Funeral Home- 300 Lawrenceville, GA billheadfuneralhome.com.

(Denny) Simonton Road S.W. Bill Head Funeral Homes Joe Miller McKelvey, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.

Age 94, passed away on and Crematory Duluth Jr 770-962-3100. Please 12/20/17. Wages & Sons Chapel, 770-476-2535. leave online condolences Gwinnett Chapel 770-277Joe Miller McKelvey, at www.stewartfh.com.

4550.

Jr. age 85 of Lawrenceville, GA passed away Stone Mountain, GA December 23, 2017. He Joyce Nash Henis survived by his childricks dren, Margaret McKelvey Auburn Joyce Nash Hendricks, Gorlin, Roswell, Elizabeth $15 photos are available age 75, passed away Newman and her husband Lisa Cox on December 24, 2017 Wayne, Bishop, GA, with all Obituaries Age 52, passed away surrounded by family and Death Rob McKelvey and his on Saturday, December and friends. She was a Notices wife Leigh, Brookhaven; 23, 2017. Arrangements lifetime resident of Gwin- grandchildren, Lily FranCall for details

by Tim Stewart Funeral nett County. Known for ces Gorlin, Mills Joseph 770.963.9205 Home, Lawrenceville. her sweet and strong spirit, Gorlin, Grayson Miller Ext. 1161 or Joyce filled her life caring Newman, Grant Wiley Ext. 1162 for her children, grandNewman, Griffin Vann children and friends. She Newman, Liz Margaret was preceded in death by Newman; uncle, Winford her husband, Charles O. Lindsay, Lawrenceville.

Hendricks; parents, James A funeral service will be Nash, Sr. and Lillie Mae held Friday, December Nash; sister, Katherine 29, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. at Pet Crematory Pressley; brother, James Wages & Sons Gwinnett Nash, Jr. She is survived Chapel with Dr. Lamar $ by her children, Carlie Holley officiating. Burial Hendricks Linkous and will follow at White Chaptreepc.com husband Bobby Linkpel Memorial Park. In lieu ous of Jefferson, GA and of flowers please make TOM M. WAGES FUNERAL SERVICE, LLC Carrie Hendricks Schlegel and husband Bill SchleSandy Springs, GA

on Cox’s Facebook page.

“Rodney said you are sewing robes for Jesus … angels are sewing golden threads for you, my dear friend. I’ve read so many stories of your love and reacted with tears and heartwarming admiration. … Thank you for being a real Christian (and) an example we can all hope to be. I will miss you my friend.”

Cox’s daughter, Jordan, said she was “still waiting to wake up” from the

donations in memory of Joe to Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675. The family will receive friends Thursday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel 1031 Lawrenceville Hwy. Lawrenceville, GA 30046.

Buford, GA

James Irvin McKinnon, Sr. James Irvin McKinnon, Sr., age 69, of Buford, GA passed away Friday, December 22, 2017. Flanigan Funeral Home Buford

Verolyn Mills age 75 of Buford died December 22, 2017. Bill Head Funeral Homes and Crematory Duluth Chapel, 770-476-2535.

Smyrna

Joyce Pace (Simmons) age 84, passed away December 26, 2017.

officiating. Interment will follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Duluth, GA. The family will receive friends on Friday, December 29 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral Home.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.

Suwanee, GA

Eddie Joe Roberts

Eddie Joe Roberts, age 66, of Suwanee, GA passed away Monday, December 25, 2017. Flanigan Funeral Home Bethlehem

Max Stowers Age 84, passed away on Monday, December 25, 2017. Arrangements

by Tim Stewart Funeral Home, Lawrenceville.

Lilburn

Robin Kelly MilesThurman

Robin Kelly MilesThurman, age 45 of Jeannie Nelms Park- Lilburn, GA, passed away er on Monday, December 25, 2017. She is survived age 76, of Loganville, by her daughter, Alayna passed away on 12/23/17.

Thurman; father of her Arrangements by Tim child, Aaron Thurman; Stewart Funeral Home, nephew, Little Joey Burg, Inc. Jr.; niece, Jasmine Hilton; Stockbridge, GA father/future son-in-law, Forrest William Pat- Jordan Toussaint Haha; ton sister, Caroline Miles; brother, Jason Miles; lifeForrest William Patton, age 74, of Stockbridge, GA long friends, David and Tina Dean, Lori, Sonya, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2017. Flani- and Alisha; her claimed daughters, Chelsae, gan Funeral Home Katelyn, and Paige; Her cat, Punkin Head; Grand Buford, GA Puppy, Beast; also numerous life-long friends we can’t name. Now she will be with the ones she missed so much in heaven.

The Funeral Service to honor and celebrate Mary Reddish (Cole) the life of Robin Kelly Miles-Thurman will be Mary Cole Reddish, age held Sunday, December 90, of Buford, GA passed 31, 2017 at 1:00 PM at away Wednesday, Decem- Tom M. Wages Snellville ber 27, 2017. She was pre- Chapel. Interment will be ceded in death by her hus- held at Decatur Cemetery. band, Cline Reddish; and The family will receive granddaughter, Tiffany A. friends on Friday, DecemMiller. Mrs. Reddish is ber 29, 2017 from 12:00 survived by her daughters PM until 8:00 PM and and son-in-law, Glyniss Saturday, December 30, and Aubrey Miller, 2017 from 12:00 PM until Gainesville, GA and Gail 8:00 PM at the funeral Reddish Stephens, Buford, home. Condolences may GA; grandchildren, Robert be sent or viewed at www. and Patricia Miller, Goose wagesfuneralhome.com.

Creek, SC, Kristen Byers, Tom M. Wages Funeral Gainesville, GA, ElizaService, LLC, A Family beth and Benjamin Wood, Company, 3705 Highway Marietta, GA; six great 78 West, Snellville, GA grandchildren; sister, Lil30039 (770-979-3200) has lian Cole Brogdon, Sugar been entrusted with the Hill, GA; sisters-in-law, arrangements.

Lois Oliver, Lawrenceville, GA, Judy Fox, Jefferson, GA, Sandra and Greg Braswell, Sugar Hill, GA; brother-in-law, Ray Reddish, Jefferson, GA; and Jefferson, Georgia several nieces, nephews Mr. William Turner, and cousins. Mrs. Reddish Jr. was born February 8, 1927 Mr. William Ray Turner, in Buford, GA. She received her education from Jr., age 76 of Jefferson, Georgia. Evans Funeral Buford High School and was retired from Scientific Home, Jefferson, Georgia.

Atlanta. Mrs. Reddish was Dacula a member of New Bridge Norma J. Presutti Church in Lawrenceville, Violante GA. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Norma J. Presutti ViolanDecember 30, 2017 at te, age 89 of Dacula, GA, 2:30 p.m. in the Chapel of passed away 12/22/17.

Flanigan Funeral Home Tom M. Wages Snellville with Pastor Jeff Appling Chapel Loganville

8A • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

Third suspect arrested in Norcross nightclub shootout

BY ISABEL HUGHES

isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

This year’s 16th annual Totes 2 Tots drive will be held Jan. 11 to 13 across the state.

(Special Photo)

Annual backpack drive to benefit Georgia foster kids

BY ISABEL HUGHES

bags since its inception in 2003.

Virginia Pryor, interim director of the Georgia For the 16th consecutive Division of Family and year, two local health care Children Services, said the organizations are hosting program has helped counta backpack drive for Geor- less children and teens. gia’s foster children.

“The Totes 2 Tots From Jan. 11-13, Geor- program allows foster gia Cancer Specialists and children the ability to Northside Hospital will transport their belongings hold their annual Totes 2 with a sense of dignity,” Tots drive to collect back- she said. “By providing packs and suitcases for backpacks and luggage, children in the foster care the program offers a sense system, many of whom of stability during a time have to use garbage bags of uncertainty.” to move their belongings Originally held on Marbetween households. tin Luther King Jr. Day The event, which will as a way to honor King’s accept donations of new vision of philanthropy and or nearly new backpacks, giving back to the comduffel bags and suitcases munity, the event is now at locations across the held the preceding week state on specified dates, to kick-off the service has collected and distribweekend. uted more than 55,000 “Dr. Martin Luther King isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

said, ‘Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly,’” said Dr. Cheryl Jones, vice president and chief medical officer at GCS. “That is why the (GCS) physicians and staff take pride in celebrating his memory by participating in Totes 2 Tots for the 16th consecutive year.”

This year, donations will be accepted at the following locations on the following days: • Thursday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., GCS Camp Creek and Hawkinsville locations; • Friday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., all other GCS locations in Georgia; and • Saturday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., New Apostolic Church, Columbus.

For more information, visit gacancer.com.

A third man is now in custody in connection with an October shootout at a Norcross nightclub that left one dead and one injured.

On Tuesday, Gwinnett police arrested and charged 21-year-old Norcross resident Kyese Jahair Patrick with aggravated assault following additional “information learned in the criminal investigation” of the Oct. 1 shooting at Norcross’ Midnight Blu nightclub.

Two other men — 20-year-old Norcross resident Oshay Howard and 42-year-old Lithonia resident Christopher Parker — were previously arrested and charged with aggravated assault and murder following the crime, which killed 19-year-old Snellville resident Domiquo Riley.

Shortly before 1 a.m.

Oct. 1, police responded to the club, which is located on Jimmy Carter Boulevard, in reference to a person shot call, officials said at the time.

There they found a woman who was shot in the leg, though the injuries were described as non-life threatening. She was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center for treatment.

Several minutes later, police received another person shot call from a Shell gas station close to Midnight Blu. At the scene, detectives found a man, who they later identified as Riley, dead inside a vehicle with a

Kyese Jahair Patrick

Oshay Howard

Christopher Parker

Police are looking for information that will help identify this woman, top left, and this man, bottom left. (Special Photos)

single gunshot wound to the chest.

Through the course of the investigation, police determined Riley was shot in Midnight Blu’s parking lot and driven to the gas station where he was left to die, said Michele Pihera, spokeswoman for the Gwinnett County Police Department.

On Oct. 3, police arrested Parker and charged him with murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

An investigation led to Howard’s arrest several weeks later as well as the most recent arrest, though Pihera said detectives are seeking two others who may be connected to the shooting.

“Based on surveillance footage, it is believed that two additional people could be involved in this criminal event,” she said. “We are seeking to identify the man and woman in the images and if anyone can identify either of the two individuals, please contact GCPD detectives.”

Detectives can be reached at 770-513-5300, or to remain anonymous, tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit crimestoppersatlanta.org. They can also text information to “Crimes” (274-637).

Tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case by referencing case number 17-091334.

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SECTION B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

GEORGIA VS. OKLAHOMA

The Carter Family Rose Bowl • Monday, 5 p.m. (ESPN) • Pasadena, Calif.

Georgia Elite Classic stacked with county talent

By Taylor Denman taylor.denman@gwinnettdailypost.com

Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter (7) celebrates after defeating the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship game on Dec. 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Photo: Dale Zanine-USA Today Sports)

Lorenzo, Reggie have bond beyond representing Gwinnett grads for Bulldogs in Rose Bowl

By Brandon Sudge Staff Correspondent

ATHENS — Lorenzo Carter and Reggie Carter aren’t biologically related, but it could seem that way to anyone at first glance.

Both of the Carters carry the same name, obviously, originate from the land of high-school football powerhouses in Gwinnett County, play within the same defensive unit under second-year coordinator Mel Tucker and are set to graduate from the University of Georgia in May. The Bulldog seniors carry a tight-knit bond, too, so both Lorenzo and Reggie will try to play it cool when meeting someone for the first time.

“We have that Carter Brothers’ bond,” Lorenzo said.

“We like to mess around with people and let them know we’re brothers. We’re just close, and it’s that way with the entire defense.”

It all started in high school when Lorenzo was starring for a Norcross team that collected multiple state titles and Reggie led the defense at South Gwinnett. The two teams squared off twice during their respective tenures, once in the regular season and in the second round of the 2012 state playoffs.

Each contest went the way of the Blue Devils, and the former Norcross edge rusher still carries those bragging rights as the trash talk continues to live on five years later.

In fact, Lorenzo claims that

Rivals became teammates and neighbors became rivals at Thursday’s Georgia Elite Classic football showcase at McEachern High School.

The event featured four games for each high school class made up of players from around the state — as far south as Valdosta and as far north as Dalton.

In total, 79 players from Gwinnett County were listed on the official Georgia Elite Classic Roster. Brookwood’s 11 players were the most of any county school, while Norcross followed with 10 players. The remaining schools in order are: Grayson (8), North Gwinnett (7), Peachtree Ridge (5), Archer (5), Discovery (4), Mill Creek (4), Parkview (4), Shiloh (4), Lanier (4), Dacula (3), Buford (3), Mountain View (3), Meadowcreek (2), GAC (1) and Wesleyan (1).

The day opened with the freshman teams that included 24 Gwinnett County players. The National team earned a 3121 win. They shut out the American team in the first quarter and their 17 secondhalf points were enough to put it away.

In the sophomore game, the National team took an early 21-0 lead, only to watch it slowly dissolve. The National team led 24-14 at halftime and the margin was cut to three points inside the final two minutes. They held on to win the game 38-35.

The junior National team fell behind 17-3 at halftime. They cut the deficit to five points, 24-19, in the fourth quarter, but the Americans mounted a long drive and delivered a dagger with just less than three minutes left in the game. The Americans came out on top 31-19.

The senior matchup was a one-score game at halftime with North Gwinnett head coach Bill Stewart’s National team leading 14-7. The National offense didn’t see the same production in the second half. American quarterback Trevor Thomas ran for a 33-yard touchdown to give the team its first lead since the first quarter.

The American defense forced a turnover on downs in the final minute of the game and clinched a 17-14 win.

Haynes’ big gains Grayson freshman running back Jamal

See ELITE, Page 4B

Georgia linebacker Reggie Carter (45) tackles running back Brian Herrien (35) during the first half during the Georgia Spring Game on April 22. (Photo: Dale Zanine-USA Today Sports)

Norcross “dominated” South Gwinnett — the Blue Devils won both contests by a combined 35 points.

The prep days only serve as a small testament to a bond that holds true many years later, and the two defensive standouts are numbering their days in which they’ll don the red and black uniform for Georgia. The two consider themselves to be family, except when bowl practices began and Reggie tore Lorenzo’s practice jersey on a defensive drill.

Needless to say, Lorenzo held a temporary grudge against his linebacker coun-

terpart, but the Carters vividly display their personality when given the chance — and it came when the team gathered for a Friday team breakfast prior to splitting off for the Christmas holiday.

Lorenzo and Reggie wanted to wear onesies to the event, and the choice of costume best epitomizes their friendship.

“He’s dressing up like a minion, and I’ll be like Mickey Mouse,” Reggie said.

While the friendship carries plenty of memorable moments away from the football field, both of the Carters have seen their fair share of success on the Sanford Stadium

turf as Georgia holds a 12-1 record and is set to compete for a Rose Bowl title and National Championship berth Jan. 1.

Lorenzo has been a leading force on a defense that ranks fourth-best by allowing 270.9 yards per game, and has had a couple of memorable plays in what has been a highlightfilled season for the Bulldogs.

The most notable moment for the 6-foot-6 edge rusher was to seal a 20-19 early-season victory over Notre Dame as he recovered a fumble that was forced by fellow outSee CARTERS, Page 4B

Lanier quarterback Zach Calzada (1) throws a pass during the Georgia Elite Classic on Thursday at McEachern High School. (Photo: Nicole Seitz)

Swarm homecoming also a return for Georgia’s King

By Taylor Denman taylor.denman@ gwinnettdailypost.com

The Georgia Swarm’s return home Saturday is also a homecoming for one of the franchise’s best former rookies.

Jesse King sat out all of last season after tearing his ACL, MCL and meniscus in the preseason last year.

King is playing his first home game at Infinite EnGeorgia Swarm forward Jesse King (19) takes a shot ergy since April 30, 2016. against Rochester during a game at Infinite Energy Are- In that season, King had 77 points — third on the team na. (Photo: Paul Sasso)

SEASON OPENER Who: Rochester at Georgia Swarm When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Infinite Energy Arena, Duluth

— including 55 assists.

He finished runner-up in rookie of the year voting to his teammate Randy Staats.

King suffered his knee injury in October of 2016 during a summer league

game. King had recovered from other drastic injuries before, including a separated shoulder at Ohio State, but the severity of his knee injury initially caused some concern.

Athletes die twice, King said, once when their careers end, then once for good. King said after the initial shock of his season’s mortality, King focused on getting back to his team.

“I think that knowing guys who have gone through the situation before and were able to be

back, that helped,” he said.

“I’m thankful every day for the therapy and even being able to go on a run a lot more. I’m not happy it happened, but it did help me grow.”

Unable to travel with the team, King stayed focus on rehabilitating his knee.

He kept up his stick skills, perhaps more than he did when he was healthy. King followed his team all the way to the NLL Champions Cup but felt left out

See SWARM, Page 4B

2B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com IN BRIEF

Buford’s Perry named to USA Football team Buford’s Nick Perry was one of 49 highschoolers named to the U.S. Under-17 National Football Team by USA Football.

The Americans will face British Columbia, Canada’s under-17 team in International Bowl IX on Jan. 19 at AT&T Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.

The bowl features 24 high school and middle school teams from eight nations on three continents. The U.S. teams will compete against football clubs from Canada, Japan, Mexico and the Nordic region (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden).

Perry is a 6-foot, 165-pound linebacker.

Timberwolves’ Teague out indefinitely

Parkview’s Jack Lapenta (25) tackles Peachtree Ridge’s Payne Durham (87) in a game this season. (Photo: Craig Cappy)

Durham gives football a shot on Stancil’s 3

523342-3

Coleman, our receivers coach, whenever I needed something or doubted, he was there for me,” Durham said. “They always told me (the big offers) would happen. When it did happen, I was shocked.”

Will Durham’s size — he went from 230 to 245 Hammock after a summer of football weight lifting, and is 250 at it and said that won’t get now — drew immediate inyou into college for free. terest from smaller football But this one will. And he programs. By Peachtree pointed at his Peachtree Ridge’s Sept. 15 bye week, Ridge football shirt.” the Lion coaches had four That promising future games of video of the riswas intriguing to Durham, ing prospect for college as was the chance to play coaches. the sport alongside his The higher-level offers friends. followed. Missouri was Football was his main first, followed by Purdue athletic emphasis through and Duke. That trio ended eighth grade, but a new up being his final three love emerged when he before he signed with the picked up lacrosse in Boilermakers last week. seventh grade. Entering All of the interested high school, he shifted his colleges cited Durham’s focus to the new sport and major upside, not surprisplanned to play it at the ing given his brief high college level. school experience.

He thrived in lacrosse as They also had an iman all-county player — he pressive season of results holds school records for from the Lions’ new tight goals in a season (68) and end, who may bulk up a game (eight), and is near enough in a college weight the career scoring mark training program to be a — and earned scholarship left offensive tackle. offers in that sport. But “(Durham) did really football, as Stancil and his well,” Stancil said. “A lot coaches predicted, opened of our offense was focused up bigger doors. around him. We were “From Day 1 when we young at quarterback, so saw him in 7-on-7, we having a big tight end knew he had a chance to be helped us out a little bit. very special in football,” The big thing he helped Stancil said. us out with more than The Durhams weren’t anything was being our convinced at first. fullback-type guy. He “Coach Stancil always played H-back, he played believed in me and Coach fullback, he played true

tight end. We split him out at receiver some, too.

He has great hands. But the thing is, he’s so smart.

He did all the adjusting.

Everybody else stayed the same and we put it on him to make adjustments because he’s such a smart kid.”

Durham still loves lacrosse and plans to play a final high school season in the spring, but his excitement about football has skyrocketed.

“The intensity of me going back (to football),

SUZUKI

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that first game against Parkview, coming out of the banner, it was indescribable,” he said.

“The emotions I felt. The adrenaline. It was something I missed.”

Fortunately for Durham, Stancil didn’t miss when it counted, pushing football ahead of lacrosse.

“I’m very glad Coach Stancil made that shot,” Durham said.

Will Hammock can be reached via email at will. hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com.

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A 3-point shot from a high school football coach helped Purdue’s football program land a major piece for its recruiting class.

Hired in January for his first head coaching position, Peachtree Ridge’s Reggie Stancil learned quickly of the players on his roster, as well as those roaming the halls who weren’t. One who didn’t play football was lacrosse star Payne Durham, an imposing figure at 6-foot6 with athleticism and physicality.

To Stancil and the football team, Durham looked like the prototypical tight end.

The new Lions coach watched Durham show off his talents during a spring sports pep rally, then approached him with an idea.

“I got introduced as head coach at the pep rally and saw him in the dunk contest,” Stancil said. “After it was over, I said, ‘If I hit this 3, play football. If I miss it, I’ll never talk to you about football again.’ I nailed (the shot).”

The football coaches selfishly wanted Durham to improve their team, but they also saw loads of football potential.

“Coach Stancil came up to me and said, ‘You’re Payne Durham, I’ve heard about you and watched you play lacrosse a little bit. I want you to play football,’” Durham said. “I said, ‘I don’t know. I’ve never played in high school.’ I had a Peachtree Ridge lacrosse shirt on. He pointed

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Jeff Teague will be out indefinitely with a sprained left knee, ESPN reported Thursday.

An MRI exam detected the seriousness of the injury but also displayed there was no structural damage.

Teague injured the knee in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets.

The 29-year-old is averaging 13.4 points and 7.2 assists this season in his first campaign with the Timberwolves.

Teague was a first-round draft pick of Atlanta in 2009 and played seven seasons for the Hawks.

— From staff, wire reports

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ondeck Prep Schedule

gwinnettdailypost.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 • 3B

GWINNETT GRADS

Freshmen sensations

Today

BASKETBALL

• Buford boys in Kingdom of the Sun • Central girls in Florida Prospects 10th Annual Christmas Tournament • Collins Hill boys in Cleveland (N.C.) Co. Tournament • Collins Hill girls in 2018 State Farm Classic • Dacula, Parkview boys in Lake City Classic at Allatoona • Deep South Classic at Brookwood • Discovery boys in Next Level Hoops Fest • Duluth girls in Ball N Prep Holiday Invitational at Thompson (Ala.) • GAC girls in Naples Tournament • Grayson girls in Newnan Christmas Tournament • Hebron boys in Banks County Holiday Tournament • Mill Creek in Sweet South Classic at Morgan Co. • Mountain View boys in Fort Walton Beach Blowout • Mountain View girls in Hardwood Christmas • Norcross boys, Peachtree Ridge in Farm Bureau Insurance Classic • North girls in Banks Co. Tournament • Tournament of Champions at Wheeler • Shiloh girls in Tampa Bay Holiday Invitational • Wesleyan girls in Seffner Holiday Invitational • Wesleyan boys, South girls in McDonald’s Classic at Hart Co. 1:30 p.m. — GAC boys and Redan at Newnan 6 p.m. — South boys and Sandy Creek at Whitewater

WRESTLING

9 a.m. — Brookwood in Osceola Knockout Classic in Kissimmee, Fla. 9 a.m. — Parkview, Berkmar in Hook ‘Em Classic at Lambert 9 a.m. — Wesleyan in Dawson County Duals Saturday

BASKETBALL

• Buford boys in Kingdom of the Sun • Central girls in Florida Prospects 10th Annual Christmas Tournament • Collins Hill girls in 2018 State Farm Classic • Dacula, Parkview boys in Lake City Classic at Allatoona • Deep South Classic at Brookwood • Duluth girls in Ball N Prep Holiday Invitational at Thompson (Ala.) • Norcross boys, Peachtree Ridge in Farm Bureau Insurance Classic • North girls in Banks Co. Tournament • Tournament of Champions at Wheeler • Shiloh girls in Tampa Bay Holiday Invitational • Wesleyan girls in Seffner Holiday Invitational • Wesleyan boys in McDonald’s Classic at Hart Co. 1 p.m. — South boys and Ola at Whitewater

WRESTLING

9 a.m. — Archer in Gladiator Duals at Clarke Central 9 a.m. — Brookwood in Osceola Knockout Classic in Kissimmee, Fla. 9 a.m. — Dacula, Central in Walnut Grove Duals 9 a.m. — Parkview, Berkmar in Hook ‘Em Classic at Lambert

The Home Teams

Falcons

Hawks

UGA football

TODAY NEXT UPCOMING

Off

Carolina Sun, 1 p.m.

Fox/92.9-FM

TBD

at Toronto Portland 7:30 p.m.

Sat, 7:30 p.m.

FSSE/92.9-FM FSSE/92.9-FM

at Phoenix Tue, 9 p.m.

FSSE/92.9-FM

Off

TBD

vs. Oklahoma* Mon, 5 p.m.

ESPN/750-AM

South Carolina at South Carolina at Jacksonville 7:35 p.m.

Sat, 7:05 p.m.

Wed, 7:30 p.m.

Gladiators

at Troy Sun, 4:15 p.m.

88.5-FM

Little Rock Jan. 6, 7:15 p.m.

88.5-FM

UGA hoops

at South Ala. 8 p.m.

88.5-FM

Off

at Kentucky Sun, 6 p.m.

SECN/750-AM

Mississippi Jan. 3, 6:30 p.m.

SECN/750-AM

Tech hoops

Off

at Notre Dame Miami Sat, 2 p.m.

Wed, 9 p.m.

ESPNU/93.7-FM ACCN/93.7-FM Rochester Sat, 7:05 p.m.

Swarm

Off

GSU hoops

Saskatchewan Jan. 6, 7:05 p.m.

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

On TV Today

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

1 p.m. — Louisville at Kentucky CBS 7 p.m. — Texas-Arlington at Coastal Carolina ESPN2 8 p.m. — Maryland-Baltimore County at Maryland FS1 9 p.m. — Kansas at Texas ESPN2 10 p.m. — Utah at Oregon FS1 11 p.m. — Washington State at UCLA ESPN2

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

1 p.m. — Belk Bowl, Wake Forest vs Texas A&M ESPN 3 p.m. — Hyundai Sun Bowl, N.C. State vs Arizona State CBS 4:30 p.m. — Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, Kentucky vs Northwestern ESPN 8:40 p.m. — Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic USC vs Ohio State ESPN

NBA

7:30 p.m. — Atlanta at Toronto FSSE

NHL

7:30 p.m. — Pittsburgh at Carolina FSSO 8 p.m. — Nashville at Minnesota NBCSP

Feedback

• Will Hammock, Sports Editor: will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com • Christine Troyke, Staff Writer: christine.troyke@gwinnettdailypost.com • David Friedlander, Staff Writer: david.friedlander@gwinnettdailypost.com • Scott Smith, Senior Correspondent: scott.smith@gwinnettdailypost.com • Taylor Denman, Staff Writer, taylor.denman@gwinnettdailypost.com • To report scores, call 770-339-5850

To Subscribe

Call 770-963-9205 or visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com

Brookwood grad Bubba Parham drives to the basket during a Virginia Military game this season. (Photo: Chuck Steenburgh)

Brookwood’s Parham among Gwinnett players shining in first year of college

By Will Hammock will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

The Daily Post’s reigning boys basketball player of the year is off to an impressive start to his college basketball career.

Brookwood grad Bubba Parham not only jumped into the starting lineup right away for Virginia Military, he also is the Keydets’ leading scorer.

The 5-foot-11 guard established himself in a seasonopening loss at N.C. State, scoring a game-high 22 points and going 12-for-12 at the free-throw line.

“I think we all figured (Parham) would be good (in college),” Brookwood boys basketball coach Daniel Bowles said. “It has surprised us a little bit just how quick it has happened, just from thinking about adjusting from high school to college, things like that.

But I told somebody he was guarded by a Division I player every game the last month of his senior season (of high school).”

Parham averages 12.1 points, the only double-figure scorer for the Keydets (5-6). He also averages 3.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

His numbers have come despite not shooting up to his high standards — he has made 37.4 percent of his field goals and 30.9 percent of his 3-pointers.

He still has converted 85.7 percent of his free throws.

His numbers will rise if he shoots like he did throughout his high school career. He averaged 23.2 points as a senior, helping Brookwood to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 1999, and made 102 of 242 3-pointers (42.1 percent). He was 203-for-

543 (37.4 percent) from 3-point range in his high school career.

Those numbers didn’t bring a ton of high-level offers, and VMI has been the beneficiary of his talents.

“They’re happy with him,” Bowles said.

“They’re excited. They’re not surprised, but they said he’s dealt with the military aspects of it better than they thought. For them, that’s probably the bigger concern than the basketball standpoint, just the change of lifestyle and everything. … A lot of kids go to the biggest or best name (college), Bubba went to the right place. He visited there and before he came home from his visit he called me and said, ‘Coach, this is the place.’

And part of it is finding the right place.”

Parham is part of a talented Class of 2017 from Gwinnett County boys basketball that has made its mark quickly in college basketball. Here’s a look at some other college freshmen from Gwinnett who have played well this season: • Rayshaun Hammonds, Georgia The Norcross grad, perhaps the most highly regarded recruit of head coach Mark Fox’s UGA tenure, has started right away for the Bulldogs. The 6-8, 227-pounder averages 7.8 points and 5.1 rebounds for a team that’s off to a 9-1 start. He has made 50.8 percent of his field goals.

• Jordan Goldwire, Duke Many were surprised to see Goldwire, also a Norcross grad, sign with Duke late in the recruiting

process — he committed in May. But he fit in well with the nation’s fourth-ranked team, averaging almost 10 minutes in the backcourt.

He had five points, seven assists and three steals in the Blue Devils’ mostrecent win over Evansville.

• Al Durham, Indiana The Berkmar grad has been a part-time starter for the Hoosiers, averaging 6.5 points and 2.4 rebounds.

• Jalen Hillery, Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) Hillery, a Central Gwinnett grad, averages 9.2 points and 5 rebounds in his first college season.

• Zach Cooks, New Jersey Institute of Technology Cooks, also a Berkmar alum, averages 6.7 points and 2.1 assists for NJIT. • Jeremiah Starks, Cowley College (Kansas) Starks has played the best among a group of four Gwinnett freshmen on the Cowley roster. The Peachtree Ridge grad averages 10.5 points (second on the team) and makes 37.7 percent of his 3-pointers. His teammates include Berkmar’s Darius Harrison (5.8 points, 4.6 rebounds), Grayson’s Marquan Shakur and Peachtree Ridge’s Kristian Collins.

BASKETBALL Brown named ACC player of the week Duke senior Lexie Brown was named ACC player of the week on Tuesday after averaging 24.5 points, 4 steals, 3.5 rebounds and 3 assists the previous week.

The North Gwinnett grad had 26 points (on 11 of 13 shooting), five steals, three rebounds and three assists in a 69-39 win over

Maine, then had 23 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals in a 63-40 victory over Wyoming.

She made 69.2 percent of her shots, including 50 percent from 3-point range, in the two games. She also went 10 of 11 from the free-throw line.

Newby an all-around threat Vanderbilt freshman Autumn Newby has provided all-around contribution to her SEC team.

The Archer grad averages 5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

Banks, Mason contributing for Miami Duluth’s Endia Banks and teammate Taylor Mason of Norcross, have contributed this season as true freshmen for the Miami (Fla.) women’s basketball team.

Banks averages 8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists, while Mason averages 2.8 points.

FOOTBALL

Singleton shines in Duke win Archer grad Dylan Singleton was one of the standouts for Duke in Tuesday’s 36-14 win over Northern Illinois in the Quick Lane Bowl.

Singleton had a teamhigh 10 tackles, as well as a team-best nine solos in the victory. One of the sophomore defensive back’s tackles went for a loss.

Gwinnett Grads is a column that runs on Fridays spotlighting achievements of past Gwinnett standouts.

Coaches and parents are urged to send suggestions via email to will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com.

Abey’s 5 TDs lead Navy to bowl win

By Todd Karpovich The Sports Xchange

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Backup quarterback Zach Abey scored five touchdowns to lead Navy past Virginia 49-7 in the Military Bowl on Thursday.

Malcolm Perry started the game at quarterback and ran for 114 yards with two touchdowns before leaving with a foot injury in the third quarter.

Abey took over and finished with 88 yards on

13 carries. His five rushing TDs are the most in the Military Bowl history and third most in school history.

Navy (7-6) entered the game with the nation’s No. 2 running attack, averaging 343 yards per game.

The Midshipmen maintained that dominance and finished with 452 yards on the ground, also setting a record for the bowl.

The game was played at the sold-out home of the Midshipmen.

The Cavaliers (6-7), who

were playing in their first bowl game since 2011, simply could not keep pace with Navy’s high-powered attack and were hampered by several key mistakes.

Virginia’s Daniel Hamm fumbled a punt on his own 11 early in the third quarter. Navy made the Cavaliers pay three plays later on a 5-yard run by Abey that extended Navy’s lead to 35-7.

Abey scored twice more on a 20-yard run and 1-yard sneak that gave

Navy a 49-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. Fullback Chris High had 101 yards on 19 carries for Navy.

Virginia quarterback Kurt Benkert, who threw for a school-record 3,062 yards with 25 touchdowns this season, was 16 of 36 for 145 yards with an interception.

The Cavaliers’ Joe Reed provided an early spark with a 98-yard touchdown run on the opening kickoff — the fifth longest in school history.

4B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

Elite •From Page 1B Haynes took home the MVP award in his team’s win during the freshman game. Haynes was one of four Grayson players on the roster.

Haynes is an undersized, dual-threat running back who made plays in open space Thursday morning.

Just before the end of the first half, Haynes caught a screen pass and scurried for a 31-yard game, which set up a 41-yard touchdown pass on the following play.

Haynes scored points of his own in the third quarter on a 21-yard pass over the middle.

“I knew the safety was going to play me to the outside, so I hit him with a double move,” Haynes said.

He finished with five catches for 99 yards and six carries for 37 yards rushing.

Haynes, who was familiar with some of his National team teammates from summer camps and previous showcases, said he expected to compete against good players at McEachern on Thursday morning, but to be distinguished by his MVP plaque was a pleasant surprise.

Haynes played two games for the Grayson freshman team before being called up to varsity. He played in two varsity games with nine carries for 85 yards and one touchdown.

Never-drop Norcross A few highlight plays are expected at an all-star football showcase, and Norcross sophomore wide receiver D.J. Hart made one of the best catches in all four games. While the sophomore American team

passing with 229 yards passing in his team’s 31-19 loss.

“Obviously, we wanted to win … but from an individual standpoint I wanted to compete with the best individuals in the state, see where I stand and prove myself to be one of those higher up players,” he said.

While the Lanier quarterback is still awaiting his first offer, he’s in contact Archer running back Semaje Banks (20) dodges the with a handful of schools, defense at the Georgia Elite Classic on Thursday at such as Vanderbilt and Troy.

Calzada likely turned a McEachern High School. (Photo: Nicole Seitz) few heads Thursday night trailed midway through the his defensive back for a with his speed and athletithird quarter, Hart plucked TD. The 60-yard reception cism. Against a hellacious a 50/50 ball from an opaccounted for most of his defensive line, Calzada posing defensive back 115 yards receiving. proved his ability to extend near his team’s sideline plays, often rolling out and held onto the ball after Stable of Broncos of the pocket and making landing flat on his back.

The sophomore Amerithrows on the run.

The American team also can team roster included “Their D-line had some used Hart’s speed with a jet four Brookwood Broncos, pretty good pressure, but sweep near the red zone. tied for the most from a I think I was able to get Hart got the ball inside the single school on one soph- some good chemistry with 10-yard line, and the play omore team. Aiden Perkins my receivers,” he said. set up a touchdown for the and Sean Hill played a Americans. variety of positions on the Butler proves himself Hart spent the week offensive line, and Tony The Georgia Elite Clasworking with National Ward rallied to the football sic offers strong competiteam quarterback Dexter at linebacker. tion, but perhaps its most Williams from Mount De Perhaps the highlight of important purpose is as a Sales to prepare for the car- Brookwood’s day at the stage for unsigned, underousel of quarterbacks he’d showcase was a 19-yard recruited players. work within the showcase. touchdown run from runNorth Gwinnett running “He taught me how to ning back Eli Kohl. He back Cam Butler has a run a couple routes,” Hart ran a first-and-10 carry couple of contacts at Reinsaid. “It helped me a lot.” left, past his offensive line hardt and Florida Atlantic, Hart felt particularly teammates and cut the Na- but no offers yet. honored to receive his invi- tional team’s lead to 24-21 “I just wanted to be tation to the Georgia Elite in the third quarter. known,” Butler said. “I Classic since he spent most thought they would do of his freshman season Zach attack special teams, but I just nursing a back injury.

Lanier junior quarterwanted to show people that He led his team in back Zach Calzada came to I’m an athlete.” receiving with four catches the Georgia Elite Classic to That begs the question for 86 yards. compete with some of the whether the showcase In the evening, Norcross state’s best competition, but was Butler’s last football wideout Christian Sims he didn’t know he’d be ur- game. Emphatically, Butler caught a pass from Dooly gently pressed into service responds, no.

County’s Bo Lawson, when the junior National “If I don’t (get a scholarwhich he juggled for about team’s second quarterback ship) I’m going to walk on five yards before finally left the game injured. to a football team,” Butler reeling it in and out-racing Calzada was 22-for-33 said.

Carters •From Page 1B side linebacker Davin Bellamy. It was one of an assortment of crucial plays by Lorenzo that has led to a career-high 48 tackles and four sacks through 13 games.

Lorenzo’s decision to return for his senior season after mulling the NFL draft has been a fruitful one as he’s met his desire: To compete for a championship. He and Reggie will get to do so against an Oklahoma team that has claimed 13 wins of its own — holding the No. 2 ranking ahead of the famed Rose Bowl.

The progress and athletic qualities displayed by Lorenzo continued to be watched closely by those in his Norcross community.

“He’s developed a lot throughout these four years, and we are all really proud to see him on this stage,” said Norcross head coach Keith Maloof, who has made the trip to Los Angeles to watch his former player. “He’s had his ups and downs, but it’s special to see him get to this point. For Lorenzo to be where he is, it’s pretty unbelievable.”

The Sooners feature many weapons — most notably Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield at quarterback — within an offense that averages 44.9 points per game (compared to Georgia’s 34.9). It will be a daunting task for the Bulldogs, but will also serve as a memory for Lorenzo as he will get to face-off once more with Peachtree Ridge product Orlando Brown.

The 345-pound offensive tackle for the Sooners fell twice in three contests to Norcross in their highschool playing days, and Lorenzo looks forward to making it a third.

“He’s one of the biggest humans I’ve seen, and he’s turned into a great player,” Lorenzo said.

Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) scrambles out of the pocket under pressure from Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter (7) during a game Nov. 11 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. (Photo: Dale Zanine-USA Today Sports)

Reggie doesn’t hold the same stature that his so-called brother does on Georgia’s defensive unit, but has been called upon in important moments — and will likely be asked to do so again.

Playing alongside Butkus Award winner Roquan Smith, Reggie has logged nine games (due to being sidelined with a concussion midseason) and has 27 tackles while rotating at the position with Natrez Patrick, Monty Rice and Juwan Taylor.

Reggie made four consecutive starts this season after Patrick was sidelined due to suspension, and Patrick will not play in the Rose Bowl due to another run-in with the law. Therefore, it will likely be two Gwinnett products who hear their name called in the starting lineup, and Georgia trusts its depth at the

position to fill the vacancy.

“He’s an incredible kid when you think about it,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said earlier this season.

“He has come a long way and is a really good leader for us. He’s not very emotional, but he gives you his best each day. It shows how resilient he is to come back from the injuries he’s overcome.”

Georgia is set to make its first Rose Bowl trip since 1943 and its second historically rich venture of the season — following Notre Dame on Sept. 9. The Bulldogs arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday for a weeklong stay on the West Coast, and will engage in a number of fun-filled events.

But both Lorenzo and Reggie are hopeful to lead their team toward a sole focus.

“It’s a business trip,” Reggie said.

Dacula’s Alex Criscolo (24) drives around Holy Innocents’ Rachel Sutle (3) during Thursday’s Deep South Classic game at Brookwood High School in Snellville.

(Photo: Karl L. Moore)

Holy Innocents’ swamps Dacula

By Will Hammock will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

SNELLVILLE — Drawing one of the Deep South Classic favorites made it a tough first round for the Dacula girls basketball team.

The Falcons fell behind 15-0 from the start, then spent the rest of Thursday’s game scrapping and chasing powerhouse Holy Innocents’, which moved onto the semifinals with a 68-35 victory.

After the early deficit, Dacula (5-5) steadied itself for much of the first half before the Golden Bears pushed the halftime lead to 33-15. They showed more energy after the break and put the game away with a 26-point quarter.

“Like most teams, we started a little bit sloppy (after Christmas break), but it was good to get back out here,” said Holy Innocents’ coach Nichole Dixon, a longtime Wesleyan assistant before taking over as the Golden Bears’ head coach for the 2016-17 season. “Any time you have more than two days off, it’s like that.

But the kids need time with their family and to get a little bit of a mental break as well.”

Holy Innocents’ (8-1) built its lead because Dacula didn’t score until 2:46 left in the first quarter when Aiyana Hamil-

ton made a basket to put her team on the board, 15-2. Prior to that, the Falcons were 0-for-6 with six turnovers and two missed free throws.

A 3-pointer by Avery Jones (five rebounds) and another by Chelsey Abel (five points, five rebounds) got Dacula within 22-8 by the end of the quarter. A threepoint play by Hamilton to open the second quarter trimmed the deficit to 2211, but the Falcons never got any closer.

Alex Criscolo gave Dacula a huge offensive lift in the second half with all 14 of her points in the final two quarters, but Holy Innocents’ was too much.

“They definitely get after it,” Dixon said of Dacula. “They never quit.

(Dacula coach Jason Adams) has got a nice little team, definitely some good guard play. (Kendall Bolmer) did a good job getting her shot off. She’s a really nice shooter.

(Criscolo), I think she came off the bench, did a really good job.”

Kaila Hubbard scored 25 to lead Holy Innocents’, and teammate Jillian Hollingshed had six points and 13 rebounds. Kennedy Suttle (10 points) and Rachel Suttle (eight points) also contributed offensively for the Golden Bears.

Keyanna Gibbs led Dacula with six rebounds.

FANS CHOICE WINTER ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Who: Adam Flagler School: Duluth Sport: Basketball Class: Senior Highlights: Had 26 points in a 64-46 win over Brookwood, as well as a gamehigh 34 points in an 82-80 loss to St. Francis Coach Cabral Huff’s take: “Adam is our leading scorer at 18.4 points per game yet he impacts the game in so many other areas, whether it’s his passing at 3 assists per game or his rebounding at 5.1 per game or his willingness to give up his body for the team as he leads us in charges taken. But what makes Adam special is that he is a true student-athlete with a 3.4 GPA and is a leader. He wants the best not only for himself but for his teammates and the Duluth community.”

Swarm •From Page 1B without a minute of play to help his team get there.

Without taking anything away from what his teammates accomplished last year, King wished he was there.

“It was more frustrating to want to see results,” King said. “Am I plateauing? What can I do next? I was trying to put that aside and listen to the people that would help me get back.”

His return in the 2017

season opener against New England was sweet. He cashed in for three goals and one assist in Georgia’s 13-11 loss.

“All of those guys were amazing welcoming me back,” King said. “Stepping into the lineup, as a guy who sat in the stands, it was harder than I thought to get back. The first few times I was out there I couldn’t catch a ball and falling down. I was not myself. Guys were very positive and reinforcing and that was really helpful.

“It was great, and I think my second or third practice I was getting in the groove and fit back into the role.

I’m still learning and have a long way to got to get all the way back.”

Head coach Ed Comeau said he was impressed that King didn’t seem to alter the way he played, despite the severity of his injury.

“He’s going hard to the net, shutting off transition and getting to the middle and setting great picks,” he said. “In our opinion, he’s come back and he’s back

to where he was, if not a little bit better.”

While King is starting to feel like his old self, the Swarm are trying to get back to that. Through two games this season, Georgia has lost by margins of two and three goals. The Swarm posted a 2-1 record against Rochester last season, which was in the midst of a rebuild. This season, Rochester’s offense is off to a torrid pace. The Knighthawks are off to a 2-0 start, including 21 goals in its most recent game.

Saturday’s home opener at Infinite Energy Arena will feature a ring presentation ceremony and the unveiling of the new 2017 Champions Cup banner.

There will be time to celebrate Georgia’s accomplishments last season, but King said, through the first two games, it seems like those accomplishments may have put a target on Georgia’s back.

“I think one of the biggest parts, and the coaches will agree, is that we’re the defending champs

and I think like last year people, when we played, they underestimated how good we were,” King said.

“But the guys last year were so dominant, and now everyone is saying Georgia is a talented, good team.

If we want to beat them we have to bring A game.

That just comes with little plays and urgency on the floor. Maybe extra effort to get a loose ball or get off the floor faster. Coaches did a great job of speaking to that after last week’s game.”

gwinnettdailypost.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 • 5B

Lanier routs Greenbrier behind 54-point first half

By Will Hammock

to today’s semifinals against the Archer-Northview winner.

“It’s not at all what you SNELLVILLE — The expect (after Christmas),” first post-Christmas basMayweather said. “Then ketball game is always a our bus didn’t show up. concern for coaches, who It’s by far the best we’ve worry about a little sloppi- played, defensively, ofness and bad shooting. fensively. We shot the ball Lanier boys coach Bran- lights out. That’s the best den Mayweather didn’t fret half of basketball I’ve been for long Thursday aftera part of since I’ve been a noon in the Deep South head coach.

Classic opener.

“I think I sat down His Longhorns blitzed the whole game. I don’t Greenbrier with a 54-point remember saying anything first half, coasting through to an official all game long. the final two quarters of a It was going that well. The 74-39 rout. They advance guys have been working will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

hard, so it’s good to see that stuff pay off for us.”

Lanier (8-3) looked nothing like the team that lost 87-64 at Peachtree Ridge in its last game back on Dec. 20.

A hot-shooting start never gave Greenbrier (93) a chance.

The Longhorns made 7 of 8 shots, including 6 of 7 from 3-point range, to bury the program from Augusta.

“We were just hitting shots,” said Lanier’s Alex Walker, who also grabbed a team-best five rebounds.

“It was fun. It was good to see stuff go in. … We’ve

been really working on shooting because the first half of the season (the coaches) said we’ve been shooting 44 percent or something like that. To come out here and do that, it felt good.”

Walker, Adrian Martin and Sion James had 17 points each to lead Lanier.

Martin (six assists, two steals) scored 10 in the first quarter, James had eight points and Walker scored six. Sean Foster added a 3-pointer in the quarter.

Lanier jumped out to a 17-2 lead and led 27-3

before Greenbrier closed the first quarter with a 3-pointer.

The lead grew as large as 34 points in the second quarter, where it stayed for a 54-20 halftime lead.

Lanier was 19-for-30 shooting (63.3 percent) in the first half with just two turnovers.

The margin grew as high as 43 points in the third quarter.

“Greenbrier’s No. 8 in the state, so not knowing what to expect (was a concern),” Mayweather said.

“But our guys definitely answered the call.”

Getting to know ... Nathan White Mill Creek head wrestling coach Nathan White has been on the mat since he was a first-grader, following in the footsteps of his father, who was an All-American at Penn State. White is in his first season at the helm of the Mill Creek program, after spending several years as a college assistant coach.

His wife, Gina, is a Gwinnett County native and cross country coach at Mill Creek, her alma mater.

They also have a 7-monthold son, Brady.

Staff writer Taylor Denman caught up with White to talk about the formative years of his wrestling career, his most memorable hunting trophy and why there aren’t more movies about wrestling.

TD: What was your hometown like?

NW: I grew up in Ellicott City. Md., about 35 minutes outside of Baltimore. Good area, as far as Maryland is concerned, good area for wrestling.

Kind of like Gwinnett in a sense that there were a handful of schools with good, traditional wrestling success. Great area to grow up with great school systems. Had a great childhood. My parents were able to provide me opportunities to pursue what I wanted to, and I was able to get myself where I wanted to be in college and post-grad.

TD: When did wrestling come in? Was that something your parents did previously?

NW: I started at a young age in first grade. My dad’s family is from Pennsylvania, Central Pa., right around Penn State where wrestling is huge. My dad (Charlie White) was an allAmerican. He didn’t push me to do it, but growing up around a wrestling family, it was always something I wanted to do. I picked it up, obviously. I played other sports growing up, but started getting really serious with it at the end of elementary school, beginning of middle school. It just grew from there. When I got into high school it became something even more — I was wrestling year-round through high school and college. It was something I always knew I wanted to get involved with.

TD: Coming from a popular wrestling area in Maryland — I know here those youth programs do exist here — but how does it compare to what you had in Maryland?

NW: It’s similar in the sense that wrestling is not one of the main sports where I’m from, but there are schools with traditional success. I came into a high school program similar to Mill Creek in the sense that when I got there it was only open for about 10 years, but they won two state titles as a program, and guys coming through that were older than me had a lot of success. As far as youth, it was a little bigger than here. We were able to have a rec league where we could travel in our county and wrestle maybe 10 or 12 teams. We

Mill Creek wrestling coach Nathan White is in the midst of his first season as the Hawks’ head coach. (Staff Photo: Taylor Denman)

had clubs that were a little more serious, so as you graduate from that rec program you could travel with those teams. We traveled anywhere from as far south as North Carolina, all the way out to Missouri, New York, New England. So we were pretty serious, and we traveled to seek out the best competition around. I think it was more readily available, so I was able to see that natural competition at an early age, which was beneficial.

TD: With your dad and his background, was the thought of wrestling helping you in the future something you thought of at a young age?

NW: I was in fifth grade when I started getting really serious. I knew my goal was to wrestle in college, and I was going to try to create those opportunities to either pay for school or get into a school I otherwise wouldn’t have had an opportunity to go to. I started training with the idea I was trying to become the best and allow myself to have those opportunities.

TD: What stands out to you, looking back at your pre-college wrestling career?

NW: Wrestling is a unique sport in a sense that what you go through, you go through with your teammates. Everyone goes through it together, and the bonds you create and the brotherhood you get is unique. I played a lot of sports, but wrestling stood out as that bond with your team that no one understands unless they wrestle.

Being a part of teams with like-minded individuals, where everyone was always working to be the best possible. We were battle-tested and all going through the same thing.

I forged a lot of lifelong friends with that. The wrestling community is tight and, to this day, I’m still in touch with kids I wrestled with all the way through college.

TD: And then you went to school at Wilkes University.

NW: Yes. Small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania with a rich wrestling tradition. It came onto my radar late in the recruiting process. It was one of those things when I took my official visit and stayed with the guys overnight.

And, man, I clicked with the guys on that team. I

knew it was a fit the second I visited there. I loved my career there, and I liked the smaller school atmosphere. I had been looking at bigger schools, but I got in that environment and realized it would help me succeed academically and athletically.

TD: What about that small-school environment clicked for you?

NW: Going to bigger schools, you realize how many people go there and the attention you get is different at a small school.

We had academic advisers we’d see in the cafeteria that would say, “Hey, how is class going?” Coaches, professors, friends and everything, you go through it together with them. I had the same 100 people in my program that I started my 101 classes with and then ended up graduating with.

To build those bonds and know them personally, to have them have my phone number, made a big difference.

TD: Ninety-three victories, three conference tournament places. Those are some of your accomplishments at Wilkes.

NW: I wanted to get 100 college wins, but came up just short. To wrestle for four years and get 93 wins is not bad. I was an academic all-American. I was never an all-American at the national tournament.

Obviously, academics meant a lot to me so that was a cool award. A solid career, nothing exceptional. But I don’t look back and think I had a bad career.

TD: At what point did coaching enter your mind?

NW: It’s funny because I always knew I wanted to become a coach. When I graduated college I was moving stuff out of my childhood bedroom. I came across a notebook and I was flipping through. I had written about 20 pages about how I would coach at different levels. I wrote it when I was in fifth grade, already thinking about strategies. It was funny thinking, “Wow, I really did know from a young age I could be a coach.” When I graduated as a senior at our last college banquet, he was talking about the different seniors, and when he talked about me, he said he felt that I would have a great career in coaching. That meant a lot to me, always having that on my mind,

that someone I respected and looked up to and kind of molded me over four years would say that.

TD: Did fifth-grade Nathan have any good ideas?

NW: Yeah, actually. I did. There was some stuff I looked back and thought, that’s actually similar to how I’d do things now. It was pretty funny, I guess I always had that mindset. It was funny to see some of the stuff I thought of then that I would do as a coach.

TD: Who were your wrestling mentors that you draw from?

NW: My father, he was a successful wrestler himself. Looking back, I think he did a great job of not being overbearing and not pushing me or forcing me into anything I didn’t want to do. But he was always there to offer constructive criticism, give me tips, improvements. He spent a lot of time invested in me and really shaped me as a wrestler. Then I got into high school, and my high school coach was actually on my team when I was younger. He was a freshman when I was in third or fourth grade — he was too small to wrestle in high school. Right when I got into high school, he had just graduated — he was an all-American at West Virginia. Obviously, he was a high-level wrestler and knew how to motivate.

He had a lot of insight and invested a lot of time with me. Anytime I go home, we always catch up and see each other.

TD: How did you end up in Augusta after college?

NW: I was actually all set to coach at a small college in our conference.

At the last minute a position opened up that would pay for my grad school in Augusta. I had talked about moving down south, and one of my friends told me if I had that opportunity I should take it. I thought about it and decided it was a risk I wanted to take. I moved to Georgia without knowing a single person or having any family down here. I took a risk and I knew whatever I decided, I’d be successful at. I took over a high school program (Grovetown High School) while I was finishing up in Augusta. I got involved with the high school national team in Georgia. I met Jake Brumbelow, who was the coach at Brewton Parker at the time. We clicked right off the bat, and he said, “When you finish grad school, I want to bring you on as an assistant.” When Emmanuel College opened up and added wrestling, he got added as the new coach.

He brought me on as his assistant. My goal at the time was to coach at the highest level. We built that program from the ground up. He was an awesome mentor and one of my closest friends now. He taught me a lot about coaching and it was awesome to learn from him while we had some success at Emmanuel.

I came to kind of a crossroads when I had to decide if I would continue at the

college level or transition to high school. A few months after I moved down, I met my would-be wife. She was student-teaching, we dated for a few years, got engaged and got married. It ended up working out. She teaches here — she actually went to high school at Mill Creek — and we had a son seven months ago. That was when I started to think about whether I would commit to college coaching or transition back to high school. It creates a more stable, predictable season than the college season is.

The opportunity came up where I could slide in here at Mill Creek, a program that has a lot of potential.

I prayed about it, thought about it and talked with people I was really close to. I decided it was time to make that transition. Now here we are, trying to forge our own path here.

TD: And how old are you now?

NW: Twenty-six.

TD: Seems like life is coming at you fast.

NW: Yeah, one thing after another. That’s how I like it. I like pressure and to have a lot of things going on because I think that’s the way I work best.

But yeah, grad school, got married, had a kid, some life changes in my career and taking over a high school program and teaching. Definitely a lot of things after another, and I love it. It’s been fun.

TD: I’m not sure if this happened while all of you were at Emmanuel, but seven national champions, 19 all-Americans.

NW: Yep, and two national team titles.

TD: That’s all in a pretty new program, too.

How much did you learn about recruiting?

NW: One of the things that brought me and Brumbelow together is the way we relate to people. We have a holistic approach to coaching, it’s about doing everything right. Your studies, eating, sleeping, spiritually, everything. We have a similar approach to recruiting athletes. We were always on the same page with those guys and we recruited a lot of likeminded guys with similar aspirations. When you have that cohesiveness, good things happen.

TD: What were your expectations coming in (at Mill Creek), now that you’re essentially running the program at this point?

NW: I had some help with (former coach Rodney Potter). Being a head coach is different administratively, and he was helpful in that transition. I had a good plan as far as wrestling was concerned. I look at it as a good opportunity in that I didn’t have a lot of returning wrestlers with experience. I have a core group that had good experience, but other than that I’m almost starting from scratch. My priorities were getting big numbers for the program then retaining them. I feel like after about three or four years, I can turn a kid into a pretty good wrestler.

Lanier got points from 12 different players and played well defensively, holding Greenbrier to 12-for-47 shooting (25.5 percent) and forcing 17 turnovers.

The Longhorns kept up their solid shooting despite rotating its entire bench in the second half and finished 27 of 50 (54 percent) from the field. The fourth quarter was shortened to six minutes by the mercy rule.

Justin Stevens led Greenbrier with 15 points, and Austin Canaday scored 10.

TD: Do you have any favorite sports movies?

NW: Oh yeah, “Rocky.”

Every Rocky movie.

TD: You’re not the first person to tell me “Rocky.”

NW: I just think my dad’s family just loved those movies. “Rocky IV” has got to be the best. I used to get so jacked up as a kid watching those training montages. I would bust out some push-ups in the living room watching Rocky train.

TD: There should be more wrestling movies, right?

NW: Yeah, there are.

Wrestling movies aren’t too popular, maybe because it’s not a mainstream sport. There’s a classic called “Vision Quest.” It’s a cult classic, especially in the wrestling community, and anyone in the sport knows about it.

TD: What songs are playing through your headphones when you’re running laps or working out?

NW: Music for me, I’m a big country music guy. Don’t get me wrong, I can always listen to rap.

Something that gets you jacked up and has a good beat. Two very different ends of the spectrum, but both I enjoy.

TD: What’s your best hunting or fishing story?

NW: Getting my first deer down in Georgia. I grew up hunting. In Maryland, it’s a little different.

There’s not as much open land as there is in Georgia.

So coming down here, I spent three years hunting without a deer. I bow hunt only, which is a little more challenging. Finally, I get my first Georgia deer. It took me three years, but it was worth it. Just being out in the woods is really relaxing and how I can collect my thoughts. It’s something I’ve valued and it’s important to me to get that time. Even during wrestling season if I can get a couple hours a week to be in some peace and quiet.

TD: We had some snow a few weeks ago. Do you miss that?

NW: Definitely. Had you asked me that four years ago when I’m in the mountains in Pennsylvania in the teens for four months, I might not have said that. But I definitely miss snowfall a couple times in the winter.

TD: How’s fatherhood treating you?

NW: He’s a great baby, but man, he’s getting to that age where he’s starting to move and crawl. He’s on the go, nonstop. Me and my wife are both active people, so I think he gets that from us. He doesn’t give us a break. It’s been so much fun to watch him grow up. He’s so busy now that it’s like we’re always on edge watching him.

TD: That might make for a good wrestler in a few years, right?

NW: One day. My wife has a different opinion on that. I don’t know if she wants to see her baby in such a physical sport, but maybe one day if he wants to.

6B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

Archer boys keep rolling with Deep South rout

By Will Hammock will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

SNELLVILLE — Before Christmas break, Archer’s boys basketball team had already surpassed last season’s win total.

The Tigers added another victory Thursday in the Deep South Classic opener — a 72-30 rout of Northview — and continued what has been a turnaround season thus far. They went 7-17 in 2016-17, but that has been forgotten quickly with a 9-3 start.

“The ball moves,” Archer boys coach Joel Lecoeuvre said. “We play together. The ball moves.

The biggest thing is team defense and team offense.

It sounds cliché. But that’s how you win basketball games. That’s why Villanova is No. 1 every year.”

Archer, which faces Lanier today in the semifinals, did its typical work on both ends of the floor against Northview, at least after the first quarter.

The Titans (1-10) scored the game’s first six points and led 15-14 after a quarter, getting all 15 from 3-point range. Jaden Causwell had four of the 3-pointers, scoring all of his 12 points in the first.

But Northview managed just five points in the second quarter, allowing Archer to open up a 2820 lead at halftime. The Tigers then outscored the Titans 29-7 in the third quarter to break the game open.

They went on a quick 7-0 run to open the third

and ran up a 30-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

“Defensive intensity and ball pressure (were the keys after the first quarter),” Lecoeuvre said.

“Defense travels. If you play good defense and don’t turn the ball over, you can beat teams you’re not supposed to beat.”

Bryce Brown overmatched Northview’s interior players, leading Archer with a game-high 17 points. All 17 were through the first three quarters as the Tiger reserves played the fourth quarter, shortened to six minutes by the mercy rule.

Archer also got 10 points from Malik Sproles and eight points each from Brent Smith and Gabriel Price. Joseph Jones added eight points for Northview.

The Tigers’ win also guaranteed at least one Gwinnett team will make the Deep South finals.

Lanier now stands in the way of Archer and the title game.

“We’re trying to win (the tournament),” Lecoeuvre said. “I love being in these tournaments. You get to scout opponents. You’re trying to win games. Showcases are good but it’s more of a one- or two-game deal.

It’s good for exposure but the actual camaraderie of a holiday tournament, there’s nothing like it. We won the Parkview tournament and we would be blessed to get a second trophy. That would be big time. You don’t get two trophies in a basketball season too often.”

Brookwood’s Kierra Adams (21) tries to block a pass by Madison County’s Sydney Armstrong (23) during Thursday’s Deep South Classic game at Brookwood High School in Snellville. (Photo: Karl L. Moore)

Hosts with the most Brookwood boys, girls open own Deep South Classic with thrilling wins

By Scott Smith

of A’Dryana Maxwell and Kayla McPherson to tie the game at 33 by halftime.

McPherson led the Red SNELLVILLE — The Raiders with 37 points, 26th annual Deep South while Maxwell followed Classic got underway at with 28 points.

Brookwood High School Brookwood regained on Thursday night with the control and led 52-46 after hosts getting a pair of wins. the third, keeping that lead The Brookwood girls most of the fourth quarter, opened defense of their including a 68-62 advantitle with a 96-93 win in tage with 44 seconds left. triple overtime against But McPherson and Madison County, while the Maxwell sparked a 7-1 boys narrowly avoided an Madison County run in the extra period by hanging final 42 seconds to send the on to beat South Forsyth game to its first overtime.

50-47.

That first overtime was The girls game was nearly averted as Adams one of the highest scormissed a layup at the buzzing in recent memory but er, a miss that nearly cost started out looking like it Brookwood as the Red was going to be all Brook- Raiders went up 74-71. wood (6-3) as the Broncos Brookwood came back opened up a 13-0 lead in and took an 80-77 lead the first three minutes. with 34 seconds left off a Kierra Adams, who pair of free throws from paced all players with 38 Adams, but Maxwell points, 14 rebounds and banked in a 3-pointer to eight assists, led the early eventually send the game surge. She had six points to overtime No. 2. in the first and got help The Broncos would from four other Broncos as have a chance to win at the Brookwood led 21-14 by end of the first overtime the end of the first. after Maxwell’s trey, but a Madison County (7-4), jumper from Mariah Calwhich came into the tourlaway (10 points) was off nament riding a five-game the mark. winning streak, fought The two teams manback behind the scoring aged just six points each in scott.smith@ gwinnettdailypost.com

the second overtime, and Brookwood finally held on in the third OT as Madison County’s bid at another 3-pointer at the buzzer failed.

“That’s a lot of basketball for one day and I’m so proud for not giving up,” Brookwood girls head coach Caroline Whitney said. “We missed a couple of layups and missed a couple of free throws, but we kept fighting and fighting and didn’t give up.”

Malia Grace also had a big game for Brookwood with 24 points, including 12 in the three overtimes, while TaylorAnn Cushenberry finished with 13 points.

While the boys game finished in regulation, it nearly went to an extra period as South Forsyth had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds only to have a 3-pointer be wide of the mark.

The game got off to a slow start with Brookwood leading just 12-5 after the first period and 22-12 at the half, but both teams stirred to life in the third quarter as the War Eagles pulled to within four at 3430 by the end of the third.

Brookwood, which was

led by 14 points from Justin Randle and 12 points from Toju Etiwe, stretched its lead to as many as nine in the fourth at 48-39 with 1:51 remaining, only to see South Forsyth make one last charge.

The War Eagles got two 3-pointers during that time from Isaiah Magee (11 points) and two free throws from Jared Riley (nine points), but a last-ditch effort to tie the game failed. “(South Forsyth) hit some shots down the stretch and we couldn’t pull away,” Brookwood boys head coach Daniel Bowles said. “We didn’t finish the way we wanted to, but it’s good to hold on to one, especially when you’ve lost a handful of close games in the fourth quarter the way we have this year.”

Chris Smalls also helped Brookwood with eight points, while Etiwe had six rebounds. South Forsyth also received 11 points from Fred Scott.

Both Brookwood teams are back in action today in the semifinals with the girls facing Cherokee at 6 p.m. and the boys taking on Effingham County at 7:30 p.m.

PREP ROUNDUP

Watson lifts Buford at last second From Staff Reports

Archer’s Bryce Brown (34) goes up for a shot between Northview’s Jaden Causwell (15) and Ousman Cambi (31) during Thursday’s Deep South Classic game at Brookwood High School. (Photo: Karl L. Moore)

Rudolph, Cowboys top Virginia Tech The Sports Xchange

30-21 decision at Camping World Stadium in ORLANDO — No. Orlando, Fla. 22 Virginia Tech was on Quarterback Mason the verge of finishing a Rudolph completed 21 of lengthy drive and taking a 32 passes for 351 yards double-figure lead early in and two touchdowns as the second quarter of the Oklahoma State (10-3) Camping World Bowl on won despite allowing 518 Thursday. total yards and only posBut the inability to sessing the ball for 21:47. convert, as it so often However, key Hokie does, changed the game’s mistakes helped swing the momentum in favor of outcome. None was bigNo. 19 Oklahoma State. ger than the fumble that A botched handoff led Richards recovered with to a fumble recovery by Virginia Tech leading 7-3. defensive back Ramon It came on a first-down Richards at the Oklahoma play from the Cowboys’ State 12-yard line. The 1-yard line and ended a Cowboys scored on their drive that lasted 18 plays next possession, took and traversed 82 yards the lead for good before while using 10:06 on the halftime and went on to a clock.

OCALA, Fla. — Marcus Watson’s rebound and putback basket with 4.4 seconds remaining lifted Buford to a 73-72 win over Gainesville (Fla.) in the Kingdom of the Sun Tournament on Thursday.

The Wolves (8-2) led only twice in the contest, the first with 30 seconds left in the game and when Watson scored what turned out to be the game-winning points.

Trailing 72-71, Buford missed a shot, setting up the go-ahead basket.

Gainesville called time out, but its attempt to push the ball up the court was stolen

by Buford’s Alex Jones.

Watson led Buford with 34 points and five rebounds. David Viti scored 13, while Donell Nixon added 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Jones contributed eight points, five assists and three steals. The Wolves will face Lakewood Ranch (Fla.) in the tournament semifinals today.

BOYS BASKETBALL BOYS HOOPS Mill Creek 67, Lanier (Ala.) 53 MADISON — Mill Creek beat

Lanier, from Alabama, 67-53 in the Sweet South Classic on Thursday.

Chris Birch paced the Hawks (7-5) with 15 points. Kendall Latney and Jayden Marshall each scored 12 while Matthew McDowell added 11 points.

Duluth 59, Lakewood (S.C.) 52 MARIETTA — Duluth defeated Lakewood (S.C.) 59-52 at the Tournament of Champions held at Wheeler High School on Thursday. Will Huzzie scored 14 points and pulled down six rebounds to lead the Wildcats (9-4). Adam Flagler added 12 points and four rebounds while Christian Kelly scored 11 for Duluth.

Paul VI Catholic 58, Meadowcreek 51 (OT) MARIETTA — Meadowcreek fell to nationally ranked Paul VI Catholic (Washington D.C.) 58-51 in Wheeler’s Tournament of Champions on Thursday. The Mustangs’ Cory Hightower had a chance to win the game in regulation from the foul line but was unable to convert.

Jamir Chaplin led Meadowcreek (10-3) with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Hightower had nine points and eight rebounds while Dequarius Nichols chipped in with 11 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Greater Atlanta Christian 65, Auburn (Ala.) 55 NEWNAN — Greater Atlanta Christian defeated Auburn (Ala.) 65-55 at the Newnan Holiday Classic on Thursday.

Hunter McIntosh led the Spartans (8-3) with 17 points.

Ben Sheppard scored 14, Roy Dixon added 12 while Chris Hinton chipped in with nine in the victory.

Williams led the Comets (10-1) with 25 points. Makala Torrence scored 13 and Emani Walker added nine in the victory.

Riverside (S.C.) 64, Wesleyan 55 HARTWELL — Wesleyan dropped a 64-55 contest to Riverside (S.C.) in the first round of the McDonald’s Classic at Hart County High School on Thursday. Christian McLean had 21 points to lead the Wolves (2-4) while Chase Hill scored a career high 10 points.

North Gwinnett 73, Dalton 60 HOMER — North Gwinnett defeated Dalton 73-60 at the Banks County Christmas Tournament on Thursday. Malia Fisher scored 17 points and Alanni Brown added 15 points for the Bulldogs (8-2).

Banks Co. 77, Hebron 66 HOMER — Host Banks County defeated Hebron Christian 77-66 in the Banks County Christmas Tournament on Thursday. Alex Calvert led the Lions (3-9) with 23 points while teammate Caden Luke added 10.

GIRLS HOOPS GIRLS BASKETBALL Parkview 60, Banks Co. 57 MCDONOUGH — Parkview held off Banks County 60-57 at the Chuck Miller Classic at Henry County High School on Thursday. Hannah Sadler led the Panthers (7-5) with 17 points 12 rebounds and three steals while Sussy Ngulefac added 13 points and pulled down 15 rebounds.

Gabby Jester added 11 points and Sacha Washington scored 10 in the win.

South Gwinnett 75, Battery Creek (S.C.) 38 HARWTELL — South Gwinnett defeated Battery Creek (S.C.) 75-38 in the McDonald’s Classic at Hart County High School on Thursday. Jasmine

Greater Atlanta Christian 43, Charles Henderson (Ala.) 36 NAPLES, Fla. — Greater Atlanta Christian defeated Charles Henderson (Ala.) 43-36 at the Naples Holiday Shootout held at Gulf Coast High School on Thursday.

Taylor Sutton led the Spartans (9-1) with 16 points. Robyn Benton added 11, as GAC advances to play Mercer County (Ky.), which is ranked No. 11 nationally in MaxPreps’ poll.

Wesleyan 71, Merion Mercy (Pa.) 25 TAMPA, Fla. — Wesleyan opened the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational with a 71-25 Silver Bracket win over Merion Mercy (Pa.) on Thursday.

Paige Lyons led the Wolves (91) with 14 points and six steals.

Nicole Azar added 13 points, while A.C. Carter had 10 points, nine rebounds and seven steals in the win.

— Compiled by Ken Chrzanowski To report scores, call 770-3395850. Scores must be reported before 10:15 p.m. every day with the exception of Tuesday and Friday. Deadline for Tuesday is 10:30 p.m. and Friday is 10:45 p.m.

gwinnettdailypost.com gwinnettdailypost.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 B7 • • 7B FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

NFL It’s win-and-in for Falcons against Carolina The Sports Xchange ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons need a victory more than the Carolina Panthers do when the teams meet in the regularseason final Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Falcons (9-6) can clinch the final NFC wildcard spot with a victory.

The Panthers (11-4) are already in the playoff field, though their seed is yet to be determined.

“We know what is there, and that’s what is so exciting,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said.

Atlanta can also make the postseason with a Seattle home loss to Arizona, but the best way to extend the season is to win the regular-season finale.

Carolina coach Ron Rivera said starters will play in the game, though he didn’t reveal to what extent. He said there’s potentially too much riding on the outcome for Panthers to back away from this game.

“What I want to do is win the football game,” Rivera said. “I want to keep as much momentum going forward as possible.”

Scoreboard-watching with regard to the progress of other games that impact Carolina’s playoff seed might be done by a staffer, but Rivera said it’s not ideal for those involved in the game. The CarolinaAtlanta game was shifted to a late-afternoon time slot, so it will be contested at the same time as others impacting the NFC playoff race.

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton (1) scores a touchdown as Atlanta middle linebacker Deion Jones (45) and cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) defend during the Panthers’ comeback win Nov. 5 in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo: Bob Donnan-USA Today Sports)

“Me paying attention to it or any of our players (paying attention to it), makes no sense,” Rivera said.

This is always a big game for Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who hails from Atlanta. Yet Rivera said it’s important to make sure the game plan is tailored wisely in terms of the physical toll placed on Newton, who last week moved into third place in NFL history for career rushing yards by a quarterback with 4,261.

“We have to make sure we do it in a judicious fashion and that’s not to expose him,” Rivera said.

The best-case scenario for the Panthers would be

a first-round bye and then a home game. For that to happen, they must defeat Atlanta, New Orleans must lose or tie at Tampa Bay, the Los Angeles Rams must lose or tie to San Francisco and Minnesota must lose at home to Chicago.

Either Atlanta or Seattle will claim the final playoff spot in the NFC, and that team will be the sixth seed in that playoff bracket.

Carolina and Atlanta are the last two NFC champions.

Last weekend’s loss at New Orleans put the Falcons out of contention for a repeat of the NFC South title.

“Now can we play our

very best this week to go where we want to go?”

Quinn said. “That’s where the team is.”

The Falcons have fluctuated with their performances this year, but they go into the final weekend with a chance to keep playing.

That provides plenty of incentive.

“We can have the best week of preparation that we’ve had all year,” Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said. “That’s where our mindset has to be.”

The Panthers, who have won seven of their past eight games, don’t figure it’s time to relax even though they’ve secured at least another game a season after missing the playoffs.

“To win our 11th game (is great),” tight end Greg Olsen said. “We’ve got some work to do, but our work is really just starting.”

The Panthers have had their eyes on the NFC South title for so long it’s hard to take attention off that.

“We’ve got another game,” defensive tackle Kawann Short said. “We know we’ve got to take another step.”

Newton said that stepping into the new stadium in Atlanta will give him a chance to create new memories in his home city.

That sounds like that could be part of his motivation.

He also doesn’t want to dismiss the opportunity to move up in the pecking order and perhaps start the postseason back in Charlotte.

“We’re playing for a lot,” Newton said.

In an early November meeting with Carolina, the Falcons built a 10-0 lead before the Panthers scored the next 20 points in an eventual 20-17 victory.

The Panthers have defensive end Charles Johnson, who missed four games because of a violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, and linebacker Thomas Davis, who sat out last week with a suspension for an illegal hit the week before, available for the trip to Atlanta.

This is the fifth time the teams will meet in the regular-season finale in Atlanta. The Panthers are 3-1 in those previous games.

Giants hire ex-Panthers GM Gettleman The Sports Xchange The New York Giants hired Dave Gettleman as their new general manager Thursday.

A formal introduction will occur at a press conference today.

The 66-year-old Gettleman was general manager of the Carolina Panthers from 2013-16, a stint that included a Super Bowl appearance among three NFC South titles. Carolina was 4023-1 on his watch before he was fired in July.

The Giants, who are suffering through a 2-13 season, tabbed a familiar face as well. Gettleman worked for the team from 1998-2012 before taking the Panthers’ GM job.

“Given where we are as a team, we thought it was important to bring in someone with experience as a general manager and a proven track record,” president John Mara and chairman Steve Tisch said in a joint statement.

“Dave’s experience is unparalleled. He did an outstanding job as general manager in Carolina, and he was vital to our success during his tenure here.”

Gettleman was selected over three other candidates — interim GM Kevin Abrams, who has been assistant GM for the past 16 seasons; Giants vice president of player evaluation Marc Ross and ESPN football analyst Louis Riddick, a former NFL personnel executive.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

PUBLIC HEARINGS

CHRIS IST STTMAS MA A D DEA EA AD DLLIIN NE ES

PUBLICATION DATE

DEADLINE

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 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 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

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

LICENSE PLATE NO. 239664J (Texas) COLOR BLACK TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above trailer was initially removed from Brick Lodge, 2050 Willow Trail Parkway located in Norcross, GA, Brick Lodge. 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: 2014 Zhejiang Jonway Denali. YY50QT-22 Scooter VIN L8YTCAPY6ES600136 LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR BLUE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above scooter was initially removed from Clifton Glen Apartment Homes, 600 Hambrick Road located in Stone Mountain, 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 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. 928-525415, 12/29,1/5,12

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 STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE INC. 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE NORCROSS, GA 30071 PHONE: 770-381-1140 FAX: 770-935-9651 ABANDONED VEHICLES: RE: Stripped ATV VIN NO VIN LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR GREY TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above all-terrain vehicle was initially removed from 3747 Rosebud Park Drive located in Snellville, 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. RE: Panterra 50cc Dirt Bike VIN NO VIN LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR WHITE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above dirtbike was initially removed from 2530 Beathany Church Road located in Snellville, 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 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. RE: Utility Trailer VIN NO VIN L

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. 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

B8 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 PUBLIC HEARINGS 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.

2015 TaoTao 50cc RE: 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, 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.

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

Securlock Storage will sell personal property consisting of household and personal effects, office, and other equipment, toys and appliances will be sold to satisfy owner’s lien for rent due law 10-4-213. All items or spaces may not be available on the day of the sale. We reserve the right to refuse any and all bids, buyers must secure spaces with own locks. NO CHECKS. CASH ONLY. To claim tax-exempt-ORIGINAL RESALE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH SPACE PURCHASED IS REQUIRED. Time: 3:00 PM Date: January 10 2018 Place: 1573 Athens Hwy Grayson Ga 30017 Orlando Concepcion – Patio Table/Chairs, Smoker Felicia Conry – Totes, 2+ Bags, 2 Suit cases Theresa Brickhouse – 3 TV’s, 5+ Boxes, 5+ Bags, Mattress/Box spring, Microwave, Suitcase Eric Cotto – Holiday DÊcor, Totes, Stroller Herbert Thornton Jr – Totes, PC, Printer, BBQ Grill, Boxes, Lawnmower 929-525784, 12/29, 1/5

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 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

NOTICE 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 JANUARY 13, 2018. 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 13 ENERO 2018 . LOS SIGUIENTES VEHICULOS AN SIDO DECLARADOS ABANDONADOS Y CERRADOS DE ACUERDO A OCGA 40-11-5 NUEVA LOCALIZACION 770-381-1140 www.swsatlanta.com 1958 Thunderbird Boat Trailer

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PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

T012026 1958 Thunderbird Boat NO HIN 2007 Nissan Altima 1N4BL21EX7N446293 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 3B7HC13Z7WG243741 2006 Chevrolet Uplander 1GNDV23L16D191621 2002 Mercedes-Benz S430 WDBNG70JX2A273204 2010 Ford Focus 1FAHP3FN0AW139388 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 4M2ZU86K13UJ04653 2002 Nissan Xterra 5N1ED28T72C604484 2006 Hyundai Tiburon KMHHN65F46U188569 2005 Toyota Avalon 4T1BK36B55U009950 2003 Nissan Xterra 5N1ED28T83C663657 2008 Chrysler Sebring 1C3LC45K18N668169 *** SALVAGE *** 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 4M2ZU66K13UJ03216 2000 Ford Focus 1FAFP33P7YW135054 2001 Ford Expedition 1FMRU17L61LA43514 2000 Dodge Neon 1B3ES46C3YD823004 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander JA4LX41F44U035555 1996 Honda Accord 1HGCD5636TA199412 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan 1B4GP44G8YB528469 1994 Toyota Corolla 2T1AE09B6RC070812 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt 1G1AK15F677147449 2003 Chevrolet Venture 1GNDX03E43D142103 1998 Toyota Tacoma 4TAVL52N7WZ059811 1996 GMC Safari 1GDDM19W6TB515768 1999 Saturn SC1 1G8ZE1282XZ187517 2005 Chevrolet Impala 2G1WF52E059173201 1996 Chevrolet Lumina 2G1WL52MXT9249620 2002 Jeep Liberty 1J4GK58K62W228283 1999 BMW 540i WBADN6337XGM61237 1996 Geo Prizm 1Y1SK5261TZ032663 2003 Chevrolet Impala 2G1WH52K839331796 2015 Homemade Trailer T946818 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt 1G1AD5F59A7197714 *** REBUILT/SALVAGE *** 2001 Mercury Cougar 1ZWHT61L615612433 *** REBUILT *** 2006 Chevrolet Malibu 1G1ZS51F06F302291 2005 Ford Focus 1FAFP34N35W209983 2000 Hyundai Tiburon KMHJG35F1YU180670 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser 3C8FY4BB01T696516 1995 Infiniti J30 JNKAY21DXSM213364 *** FLOOD DAMAGE/REBUILT *** 2000 Nissan Xterra 5N1DD28T5YC516215 2004 Volvo V70 YV1SW64A742439097 2001 Honda Civic 1HGEM22921L056511 *** TOTALLOSS REBUILT *** 1997 Nissan Pickup 1N6SD11S3VC430658 2008 Honda Civic 2HGFA16958H523705 929-525416, 12/29,1/5,12 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 www.

770-381-1140 swsatlanta.com

2008 Bashan 147cc Scooter LHJLC79F68B003358 Headlights & Suspension NO VIN

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 1998 1 Corolla Toyota 2T1BR12E3WC092328 2003 2 F-350 Super Ford 1 F T S Duty W31P63EC37152 2009 3 Ve r s a Nissan 3N1BC13E39L490787 2001 4 LS 430 Lexus JTHBN30F310038774 1997 5 Accord Honda 1HGCD5531VA264008 2004 6 Expedition Ford 1FMRU17W34LA70569

1993 46 Century Buick 3G4AG55N1PS615236 1992 47 Maxima Nissan JN1HJ01F9NT020811 2002 48 Windstar Ford 2FMZA53492BB21767 2003 49 Murano Nissan JN8AZ08T53W114686 2007 50 Aura Saturn 1G8ZV57787F253559 2000 51 Grand Prix Pontiac 1G2WR1210YF312618

13 Utility T912184

1995 Trailer

2009 14 Impala Chevrolet 2G1WT57K991185049 15 Ford Duty MA32641

2000 F-650 Super 3FDNF65H6Y-

1998 16 Malibu Chevrolet 1G1NE52M2W6167785

2014 Jonway Gator YY50QT-6 Scooter L8YTCAPF9EY300280 Pace American Work Sports Enclosed Trailer NO VIN

2009 54 Volkswagen Passat WVWML73C69E527418 2003 55 Explorer Ford 1FMZU62K63UB93714 2006 56 Crown Victoria Ford 2FAFP71W76X133730 1999 57 Solara Toyota 2T1CF28P1XC215265 2010 58 Malibu LS Chevrolet 1G1ZB5EB5AF214353 1999 59 Volkswagen G o l f 3VWFA81H3XM213040 2004 60 Tr u c k Dodge 1D7HA18N94S562078

EX

2012 Dodge Avenger 1C3CDZCB5CN219745

FULL TIME

PLUMBERS

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

2001 20 Explorer Sport Ford 1FMYU60E71UA40815

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

1998 22 Accord Honda 1HGCG5641WA085063

25 2005 Chevrolet Corvette 1G1YY24U055106200

28 2003 Ford Ranger 1FTYR10U33PA99734 29 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle 3VWCB21C91M445554 30 2007 Honda Civic 2HGFG12857H512892 31 2009 BMW 328i WBAPH77539NM29549

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

•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

HOUSES FOR SALE

MONROE, GA FORRESTER CEMETERY ROAD

CEMETERY LOTS FOR SALE DULUTH, GA

BURIAL LOTS FOR SALE

MONROE, GA 30656

1155 Jim Daws Rd.

Expert Take Downs √ 20Years Experience √ Insured √ Free Estimates √ Stump Grinding Bucket Truck

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

Summer Seasoned

678-654-8329

Oak

SNELLVILLE, GA 30078 BIRD LANE

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

GWINNETT DUPLEXES 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

CALL OR TEXT

404.886.3587 Established 1989 MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

CV CARTAGE, LLC

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

VEHICLES

LOGANVILLE, GA 30052 4665 ATLANTA HWY

APPLIANCES

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

Both end units and have GREAT visibility on busy Hwy 78 in Loganville, GA Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com

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

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

770-519-3438

FIREWOOD

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

404-805-1783

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.

PETS/LIVESTOCK

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

EATONTON, GA 31024 210 RIVER LAKE DR.

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

For a FREE Estimate

APPLIANCES

AUCTIONS

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

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

COMMERCIAL RENTALS

SUITE 800 1,479 Sq. Ft. $2300 per month $548 per month CAM

2 Communities!

PRESSURE WASHING

CALL 404-630-5880

• SPACES 1, 2 • GARDEN APOSTLES • LOT 48B • 1 UNLINED VAULT

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

POWER WASHING

770-932-1751 Cell 770-313-5751

At White Chapel Memorial Gardens

4433 BEAVER TREE STREET

On Full Finished Basement.

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

COUNTRY BOY TREE REMOVAL

LICENSED

LOGANVILLE, GA 30052

2 STORY

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

Delivered & Dumped 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

LAKE/RIVER/COASTAL PROPERTY FOR SALE

32 2004 Volkswagen J e t t a 3VWSE69M54M123084 33 2003 Ford Expedition 1FMRU17W53LA33182

FOREST REMODELING, INC.

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

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

26 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 2GTEC638481307740 27 2007 Mazda Mazda6 1YVHP80C175M28383

HOME REPAIR/ REMODELING

$2,495.00 678-749-9036

2010 18 550i GT BMW WBASN4C58AC208522

1996 24 Maxima Nissan JN1CA21D8TT748847

MONROE, GA 30656 JIM DAWS RD

2008 61 Pt Cruiser Chrysler 3A8FY48BX8T113042 929-524742, 12/22,29,1/5

2002 17 Mustang Ford 1FAFP40482F139086

2002 23 Cavalier Chevrolet 1G1JC124027205094

MAKE OFFER! Beautiful 2.68 Acre Wooded Tract of Land.

200 feet of road frontage.

Not divisible.

Per planning and development mobile homes are permitted.

No metal type storage container structures are not permitted on $65,000 parcel.

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

2002 53 Liberty Jeep 1J8GK58K62W203866

2015 11 Sonic Chevrolet 1G1JC6SB2F4153356 2013 12 Sonic Chevrolet 1G1JC5SH6D4239555

SERVICES

2006 52 Altima Nissan 1N4BL11D16C149747

2009 8 Crown Victoria Ford 2FAHP71V09X112514

1998 10 S70 Volvo YV1LS5584W1482777

LOGANVILLE, GA 30052 ETCHISON RD

2003 45 Civic Honda 2HGES15523H518090

2007 7 T C Scion JTKDE177X70152334

2002 9 Pathfinder Nissan JN8DR09X92W651056

FARMS, LOTS & ACREAGE FOR SALE

1999 44 Grand Am Pontiac 1G2NE52T2XM856581

2008 21 Edge Ford 2FMDK49C08BA25986

Trek 1600s Bicycle NO VIN

2006 Nissan Altima 1N4AL11D16N363895

2004 Ford Taurus 1FAFP53244A156211

1998 43 ES 300 Lexus JT8BF28G7W0098326

1999 19 Eldorado Cadillac 1G6EL12Y7XU612742

Honda Motorcycle NO VIN

2001 Honda 400 4-Wheeler 418TE2S0514115234

2002 Hyundai Elantra KMHDN45D32U393960

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

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

HOLIDAY WEEKEND ESTATE, ANTIQUES & VINTAGE AUCTION

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

SATURDAY DECEMBER 30TH 10:00 AM MADISON LIONS CLUB BUILDING (beside Wal-Mart) 1391 Fair Ground Rd. MADISON, GEORGIA This HUGE 1200 lot auction will feature period 19TH Century southern furniture, English & French furniture, corner cupboards, Horner bed set, sideboards, antique chests, primitives, curios, music boxes, vintage advertising, Sarreid, Modern History, Jonathan Charles, bed & dining sets, high end gold jewelry, gold & silver coins, fine porcelains, glassware, interior design, rustic & vintage, secretaries, painted furniture, collectibles, parlor items, antique crocks & jugs, pottery, estate collection artwork, linens, clocks, rugs & more! www.bhantique auctions.com (434) 251-5769 Auctioneer STEVE BURKE Auctioneer #NR3155

VEHICLES CAMPERS/RVS CHEVROLET IMPALA LT, 2013, 47,000 MILES Remote start, On Star, moon roof, flex fuel, Michelin, elderly owner. $8,995. 770-616-7399 DODGE WORK VAN, RAM 2500, 1995, 1 owner, like new, custom cabinets, loaded, V8, AC, heat, customized seats. $2,295. 678-620-6792

CHATEAU CITATION, 32’ FT., 2007, 1 slide out, sleeps 6, fridge, stove, pantry, lots of storage. $59,000.

770-788-9556 Cell 770-601-7194

Ford Econoline, 2008 SUPER CLEAN VANS, 83k miles with 12 month/12k mile warranties. 4 to choose from. $7850.

CALL NOW! 678-322-9302 FORD TRANSIT, 2013 SUPER CLEAN TRANSIT CONNECT XLT. Runs perfect, current emissions, has 12 mo./12k mile.

Warranty on motor/trans. $7550.

CALL NOW! 678-322-9302

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

39 2007 BMW 328xi WBAVC93567KX57070 40 2009 Chevrolet HHR 3GNCA13B09S502582 41 1995 Chevrolet Lumina 2G1WL52M6S1191325 42 2003 Chevrolet Tracker 2CNBE13C836951480

5P QMBDF BO BE DBMM

we Gwinnett Daily Post

weekend entertainment FRIDAY DECEMBER 29, 2017

10 spot the

Our movie critic, Michael Clark, shares his top movies of 2017 this week, but what do the national critics say?

Here are the 10 best movies of the past year according to Todd McCarthy, chief critic for the Hollywood Reporter:

1. Downsizing 2. Call Me by Your Name 3. Lady Bird 4. My Journey Through French Cinema

rope ’n’ ride page 4C

5. The Florida Project 6. Phantom Thread 7. Graduation 8. Faces Places 9. The Shape of Water 10. Dunkirk

the dish page 2C

a look ahead Jan. 6, 7

Repticon — If you like reptiles, this is the event for you.

Held at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, the event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 7. Tickets are $12.

Jan. 20

Women’s Wellness4th DayAnnual — This is event is heldSunday, at the Feb Infinite Energy Center from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is put on Register no

by Gwinnett Medical Center.

Early regist There will be free screenings and a chance talk to some AfterofDec 3 Gwinnett’s most esteemed Race day - $ medical experts. Cost is $10 online and $15 at the door. For more information, go to www. gmcwomenswellness.com.

Jan. 20

The Drifters — The famous group will perform at the Buford Community Center at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 and $35.

For more information, go to www.bufordcommunitycenter. com.

Sunday, February 11

517642-5

suwanee gateway half marathon

SAVE! REGISTER EARLY AT SuwAnEEhALf.com Before December 31 $50 After January 1 $60 Race day $70

SUWANEE.COM

2C • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

gwinnettdailypost.com

dining

dish the

The Blaxican

5260 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross www.blaxicanfood.com 404-606-3737

The collard green quesadilla is something The Blaxican sells out of quickly. (Special Photo)

BY ALEX TOSTADO

ON THE MENU

alex.tostado @gwinnettdailypost.com

Owner: Will Turner Open Since: Nov. 1 Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday Location: Off of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Medlock Bridge Road next to Comfort Inn and Suites Atmosphere: Will Turner has worked hard to transform his used-to-be-Quiznos location into a place where his customers can feel at home.

“One of my biggest challenges was (the atmosphere),” Turner said.

“What kind of experience were people going to have when they came into The Blaxican? … We wanted it to be a place where people can sit down, eat their food and go back to work or go back home and feel like they almost never left home.

“We have a couple of TVs up, but it’s not a sports bar.

We run news and sports on the TVs because that’s basically what people watch at home.”

Turner said he has accomplished the type of setting he set out for, and that’s what sets The Blaxican apart from other fast-casual restaurants. “(Some other fast-casual restaurants make) you feel like you need to leave quickly,” Turner said. “…

I’ve seen people in here who have finished their food, and they’re just sitting there talking, 20, 30 minutes after they finished their food.”

The walls of The Blaxican are adorned with red, white and green paint (the colors of the Mexican flag), and pictures are hanging of Turner’s and the restaurant’s accomplishments. One such photo is a collage Turner made of photos taken by his restaurant family (which he calls his Blaxifam) and

Mexy Mac and Cheese: Home style mac and cheese with de-seeded jalapenos — $4 Collard Green Quesadilla: Collard greens cooked in turkey broth, served with side of MexSoul sauce — $6 Blaxi-Veggie Bowl: Grilled veggies, onions, bell peppers, served on a bed of rice, topped with sour cream and MexSoul sauce — $8

The Blaxican restaurant, exterior shown at left, opened Nov. 1. (Staff Photo: Alex Tostado) The Blaxican, interior shown above, is located off of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Medlock Bridge Road in Norcross. (Special Photo)

fans and followers (which he calls his Blaxifans). One may even be able to spot Robert Downey Jr., from when The Blaxican food truck catered to the set of one of “The Avengers” movies.

Turner also has a timeline of The Blaxican, from the food truck to the restaurant, including him being featured on CNN’s docu-series “Making it in America.”

Turner became a selfmade chef at the age of 16 when he spent some time in juvenile detention. He found a passion for cooking and four years later was able to open his own sandwich shop.

After moving to Atlanta a few years later, he put the idea of owning his restaurant on the back burner.

Turner wanted to be in the restaurant business but was concerned with the stress that comes with owning a restaurant.

Turner said he then started

working at a large church as a marketing director. He said he never let go of wanting a restaurant, but he had a stable, safe job. Then in 2010, the stability was gone when he got laid off.

“When Jesus lays you off, you’ve been laid off,” Turner said with a laugh. “They say, ‘God send me a sign.’ …

You don’t need more signs than that.

“At that point I started full-steam ahead on this food truck idea I had.”

Turner did research on food trucks from 2008-10 but could never find the right time to launch one until he got laid off. The idea to fuse Mexican and soul food came easy to Turner. “(I learned) you had to have the right concept,” Turner said. “It was all about the food concept you choose and a great marketing name. … The trucks that had success in L.A. and Miami (catered) to the demographic of that city.

“It just so happened that here in Atlanta, Mexican food is probably the most popular food. … And this being the home of soul food, it just made sense that we’re here in the South, I got to do something with some soul food.”

Thus, The Blaxican was born.

Turner quickly found success and gained a following with the truck.

“It felt like the natural maturation process was to go into the brick-and-mortar business,” Turner said.

Menu: Since Turner started off on a food truck, he couldn’t have as many recipes as he would have liked to have had.

“I cut 30-some odd recipes I had down to eight,” Turner said. “And those eight items are still on the menu here (at the restaurant).”

Those eight items, Turner said, came from the soul food of the American south as well as Mexico. Turner wanted to bring the best “working man’s food” from both cultures together.

“It’s ironic that the food that tastes the best is the

food that the poor people make,” Turner said. “So I decided I was going to take some soulful meats and put them in tacos.”

One such creation is the smoked sausage taco, which is kielbasa sausage, cooked with bell peppers and onions. But Turner knew he had to have more menu items that were “mash-ups.”

Turner said one of the best-selling items is the Mexy mac and cheese. It is home style mac and cheese that is cooked with cumin, cotija cheese from Mexico and jalapenos — without the seeds and membranes — so it has all of the flavor “without the fire.”

The other mash-up that Turner said “I can’t keep in here” because it sells so quickly is the collard green quesadilla. That is made with Turner’s grandmother’s collard green recipe and put inside a tortilla with different kinds of cheese.

“The people absolutely love it,” Turner said.

Turner also puts an emphasis on health because of health concerns within the black community of high blood pressure and obesity,

Turner said.

“None of the food we sell here is fried; everything is grilled,” Turner said.

Turner also said his food is as fresh as can be.

“Our food is cooked daily — hourly,” Turner said. “So it’s not sitting for hours upon hours. It’s not being reheated constantly in a microwave.”

Something you might not know: Five of Turner’s seven employees are either in culinary school or graduated from culinary school. It is something Turner prides himself on.

One is attending Kennesaw State, two are attending The Art Institute, one is a graduate of Le Cordan Bleu and one is an Art Institute graduate.

“We got cooks here, man; they are in this to win it,” Turner said. “They are given the opportunity to create here.”

Turner said his menu is growing, and if one of his employees has a creation he or she wants on the menu, the others will taste test it to see if it fits the bill.

“They are a little shy because I told them we all have to taste it,” Turner said.

NOW OPEN

Live Entertainment Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights!

All December - One Free Egg Roll

ALL YOUR HOLIDAY FUN TIMES START HERE! Come for the FOOD....Stay for the FUN!

Sunday Social Brunch

Same shopping center with Belk and Kohl’s

SUNDAYS 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

2059 SCENIC HIGHWAY - Suite #117 - SNELLVILLE 519855-3

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

XNSP5152

524635-1

Full Service Catering Available!

Opening Hours: Sun - Sat 10 a.m. -10 p.m.

678-647-8888

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 • 3C

gwinnettdailypost.com

arts&entertainment Gwinnett dancer, musician expands artistic empire Art Beat

Holley Calmes ers Road.

Zoleil has had the help of his brother, Ziggy Zayy, on “Pangea.”

“He is one of the main vocalist on this project,” Zoleil said. “I am very grateful that we were able to create together.

He is currently working on his music career

over on the West Coast.

Every single song he is on is magic. Now that I think about it, he wrote the song ‘Dance,’ which is arguably the best track on the entire album. He is a genius and a true visionary in every sense of the word.”

“Pangea” was mixed and mastered at Venerate Studios in Gwinnett.

“That was good because I was able to come back home and work on this, and it made it ten times better,” Zoleil said.

Zoleil is known to many in Gwinnett as a dance instructor, particularly at Gwinnett Ballet Theatre. Although he primarily teaches hip-

hop, his recent emphasis has been in a different dance genre.

“I have been directing two dance shows a year now,” he said.

“That’s something I am very proud of. I’ve been teaching consistently for different studios and companies for almost 7 years, but the last few have been heavier, conceptually. I have been working with ballet more, which is very intense.

“Gwinnett Ballet Theatre has a lot to do with my progression as a dancer and choreographer.”

His talk show is a third major artistic project.

“I think one of the things I am most proud of, though, has been writing, directing and producing my own talk show, ‘Around Town with Molly,’” he said. “I created this show with the head writer, Molly McClintock. She is insanely bright. During our writing sessions, she pretty much puts me to shame with her ideas. I like it that way, though.”

The show can be viewed on Youtube.com.

Zoleil dropped a first EP, “Paradise Garage,” two years ago.

“The incentive (with “Pangea”) is just viewing and being a part of everyday human interac-

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tion. I am inspired by the thought of bringing people together to dance under one cause,” Zoleil said. “‘Pangea’ is based on original tribal sound and movement. The thought of revolution should also cross your mind.

And, it’s just really good dance music.”

“The People of Pangea” will be available on all streaming/purchasing platforms such as Apple Music, Tidal, Spotify, Google Play and more.

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

Email her at hcalmes@ mindspring.com.

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Gwinnett multifaceted artist Xay Zoleil is starting the new year with a culmination of dreams, much growth as a performing artist, his own talk show and a new music album.

“The last few years have been pretty surreal,” Zoleil said.

The realization of his new album, titled “The People of Pangea,” is one of the highlights of 2017, with its big debut coming soon to celebrate 2018.

“The People of Pangea” will enjoy a launch party at 9 p.m. Jan. 5 at 5250 Studios. The public is invited. 5250 Studios is located at 4016 Flow-

4C • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

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arts&entertainment

’ n i k Buc s l l u B

Professional bull riding storms into Infinite Energy Arena

BY JON GALLO

IF YOU GO

Staff Correspondent

The world’s top 35 bull riders will meet in Duluth this spring as part of the Professional Bull Riders’ 25th Anniversary Tour.

The self-proclaimed “Toughest Sport on Dirt” will come to Infinite Energy Arena on March 10 and 11 for the Duluth Invitational, which was last held in 2016.

The riders looking to stay on top of the 1,500-pound ferocious bovines are the biggest stars in the sport, with no one shining more brightly right now than Jess Lockwood.

Lockwood, a 20-year-old Montana native, became the youngest PBR world champion this past November in Las Vegas, taking home $1 million for winning the title, which boosted his 2017 earnings to more than $1.5 million. But he also earned what he coveted most: the championship belt buckle, valued at $10,000.

“The million is just icing on the cake. This buckle is what means the most,” Lockwood told reporters after he won. “The money will go away. This buckle is going to be with me forever. I don’t even know

What: Professional Bull Riders’ Duluth Invitational When: 6:45 p.m. March 10; 1:45 p.m. March 11 Tickets: Start at $20 and can be purchased at InfiniteEnergyCenter.com or www.

AXS.com, or via phone at 770-626-2464. However, VIP packages, which include a catered reception, a backstage tour, a visit from the bulls, and a picture and autograph are session available for $400 and can be purchased by contacting the PBR Customer Service Department 800-732-1727.

Nathan Schaper rides aboard Prator’s Pride during the Professional Bull Rider’s Duluth Invitational in 2014 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. This year, the Professional Bull Riders’ 25th Anniversary Tour will be held at the Infinite Energy Arena from March 10-11. (Photo: Kyle Hess)

easy. When the 2018 season kicks off with an event in New York City’s Madison Square Garden during the first week of January, several past PBR world champions, including Silvano Alves (2014, 2012, 2011), J.B. Mauney (2013, 2015) and Guilherme how to put it. There are no words.” Marchi (2008), will be looking to The championship was a sweet knock him off his pedestal. Ryan reward for Lockwood, who fought Dirteater, Derek Kolbaba and Gage through an array of injuries, includ- Gay, who should contend for the ing four broken ribs, a punctured title this year, are also expected to lung and a lacerated kidney to compete in the Duluth Invitational. finish atop the field.

All 35 riders will compete in “A lot of grit went into this,” Round 1 on March 10 and in Lockwood told reporters. “I got Round 2 the next day. Their rides pretty banged up this year. You come down to eight seconds. got to cowboy up each and every That’s how long a rider must weekend and make the most of stay on the bull without his hand every bull.” relinquishing the rope on the bull’s Lockwood is now focused on back, his other hand contacting the defending his title, but it won’t be bull or falling to earn points.

Four judges rate the rider’s performance on a scale of 1-25 but also score the bull on the same scale, depending on how difficult he made life for the person hanging on for dear life.

The judges’ scores for the rider and bull are combined before being halved to produce a final score, with a perfect mark being 100.

At the conclusion of the second round, the 15 riders with the highest two-day totals will compete immediately in the finals. They’ll seek to claim a share of the $140,000 total purse and valuable PBR world standings points, which count toward the overall $1 million 2018 PBR World Championship title. The PBR Finals will be held in Las Vegas on Nov. 7 through 11.

Since PBR’s birth in 1992 when 20 riders pooled together $20,000

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to start a league, the circuit has transformed from being a niche sport rooted in America’s heartland and southwest to a global force.

This year’s tour includes stops from coast to coast — from New York City’s Madison Square Garden to Arlington’s AT&T Stadium to Anaheim’s Honda Center — but the sport’s reach extends well beyond the U.S. Every week, the PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series is televised by CBS and other networks to more than 500 million homes in 50 countries. The televised Premier Series, the PBR Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour (RVT), the PBR Touring Pro Division (TPD) and the PBR’s international circuits in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico have paid more than $170 million in earnings to its athletes.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT — BY VENUE GWINNETT GWINNETT AURORA THEATRE 128 E. Pike St., Lawrenceville 678-226-6222 www.auroratheatre.com • Ongoing: Aurora Comedy Nights • Ongoing: Morning Care • Ongoing: After Care • Ongoing: Mini Camps and Master Camps • Through Dec. 30: New Year’s Eve Weekend Comedy Spectacular HUDGENS CENTER FOR THE ARTS Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 300, Duluth 770-623-6002 www.thehudgens.org • Through Jan. 26: Renovation and Expansion Design Competition INFINITE ENERGY THEATER 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth 770-813-7500 www.infiniteenergycenter. com • Jan. 20-21: The Wiz presented by Triple 7 Dance • Jan. 26: Ron White KUDZU ART ZONE 116 Carlyle St., Norcross 770-840-9844 www.kudzuartzone.org • Through Jan. 19: Reflections: Member’s Exhibition NEW DAWN THEATER Mall Corners, 3650-A Satellite Blvd., Duluth 678-887-5015 www.newdawntheatercompany.com • Through April 2018: Teen Acting Classes

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PLAYER’S GUILD @ SUGAR HILL Events held around Sugar Hill City Hall, venues noted 5039 West Broad St. 678-541-6132 www.pgatsh.com • June 21 through July 1: Radio Show at the City Council Chambers Sugar Hill City Hall SYLVIA BEARD THEATRE Buford Community Center, 2200 Buford Highway, Buford

770-945-6762 www.bufordcommunitycenter.com • May 12: Robin Fox ATLANTA ATLANTA ALLIANCE THEATRE 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta 404-733-4650 www.alliancetheatre.org • Jan. 13 through Feb. 4: Native Guard ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDENS 1345 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta 404-876-5859 www.atlantabg.org • Through Dec. 31: RideOn-Train • Through Jan. 7: Garden Lights Holiday Nights • Through Jan. 7: Holiday Model Train Show ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER 130 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta 404-814-4000 www.atlantahistorycenter. com • Ongoing: Fall Yoga Series • Ongoing: Magic Mondays • Ongoing: Homeschool Days • Jan. 8: Magic Monday: Storytime COBB ENERGY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta 770-916-2800 www.cobbenergycentre. com • Jan. 4-7: Hi-Rez Expo FOX THEATRE 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta 404-881-2100 foxtheatre.org • Jan. 2: Dancing with the Stars Live!

• Jan. 7: Sleeping Beauty • Jan. 10: The Lion King FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 767 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta 404-929-6300 www.fernbankmuseum. org • Ongoing: Tadpole Tales • Through Feb. 11: Wild Huts and Hollows

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 • 5C

gwinnettdailypost.com

arts&entertainment

Options remain to ring in the new year

BY CURT YEOMANS

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett residents may have to look a little deeper this year to find familyfriendly events to ring in the new year.

Duluth, the last of the county’s cities that did a New Year’s event, has announced that it will not hold an event this year.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be family-friendly New Year’s Eve events taking place in the area Sunday night. It does mean families will have to spend some money to celebrate the arrival of 2018 without straying beyond a couple of miles from Gwinnett.

Lanier Islands will offer two parties on its property.

One will be for adults at Peachtree Pointe Amphitheatre and Pavilion and one for kids at the Legacy Lodge. The cost will be $499 per couple and the kids event can be added for $50 per child.

The adult party was moved from the lodge this year because the number of people attending it had grown so much that the lodge could no longer house it. The party will include a buffet, a concert by Party Nation, an open bar, dancing, party favors and shuttles to carry attendees to and from the lodge.

Organizers also replaced the

champagne toast for adults and a non-alcoholic beverage toast for kids, as well as a midnight snack.

Tickets can be purchased at www.medievaltimes.com/ plan-your-trip/atlanta-ga/ index.html.

Another option is Stone Mountain Park’s Kids Early New Year’s Eve event, which begins at 2 p.m. and includes an early countdown to 2018 at 9 p.m. It is an add-on to Stone Mountain Christmas and admission to the New Year’s party is included in the purchase of the Christmas ticket.

After the Snow Angel snowfall and fireworks show, there will costume Attendees at a previous event Lanier Islands’ Peachtree Pointe enjoy a live band. Ofcharacters, music and dancficials announced they are moving the adult-oriented portion of the resort’s New Years ing at 8:30 p.m.

Eve event to the space this year to accommodate more guests. (Special Photo) When the clock strikes 9 traditional ball or balloon year, but as word spread, Year’s Eve, there are a few p.m., there will be additiondrop with a fireworks show we quickly saw that we other options. al “snowfall” and fireworks. over the lake this year. were outgrowing our Grand One of them is the Stone Mountain ChristMeanwhile, the kids’ Ballroom.

Medieval Times’ New mas tickets cost $31.95 for party is for the children “When we decided to Year’s celebration. The anyone over 12, $29.95 of people who are staying move it to Peachtree Pointe dinner and entertainment for kids between 3 and overnight at the lodge. It — a popular destination for venue at Sugarloaf Mills in 11 or $34.95 for a meal will include music, dancweddings and receptions Lawrenceville will add a deal. Combo tickets for the ing, arts and crafts, games, of up to 500 guests — we midnight celebration onto Christmas event as well a movie, a kid-friendly knew we had to make a its 9:30 p.m. show on Sunas Snow Mountain can be dinner and a balloon drop special event even more day. Tickets cost $72.95 for purchased for $49.95 per at midnight, and it will be special.” adults and $36.95 for kids. person or $54.95 for a meal overseen by Lanier Islands Reservations can be It will include a twodeal. Tickets can be purLegacy Kids counselors. made by visiting www. hour tournament show, a chased at www.stonemoun“We are so excited about lanierislands.com or by call- four-course dinner, party tainpark.com.

New Year’s Eve at Lanier ing 770-945-8787. Lanier favors, music and dancing, The park is located at Islands this year,” Lanier Islands is located at 7000 admission to the Museum 1000 Robert E. Lee BouleIslands Director of Public Lanier Islands Parkway in of Torture and a countvard in Stone Mountain.

Relations and Sponsorships Buford. down to midnight featurSome more adult-oriMissy Burgess said. “It’s If families prefer to do ing the castle’s knights. At ented options to ring in the always a great party every something together on New midnight, there will be a arrival of 2018 include:

• New Year’s Eve Celebration at Chateau Elan Winery, including a accommodations for two people at the Hampton Inn at the winery, a celebration from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. with a five-hour open bar, a threecourse dinner, wine service, a midnight champagne toast and party favors. No one under 21 will be allowed into the event. The cost is $429 plus taxes. Tickets can be purchased through www. chateauelan.com.

• McCray’s Tavern at 100 N. Perry St. in Lawrenceville will host Masquerade NYE from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. It will include a complimentary midnight toast, prizes for the best dressed, a DJ and a balloon drop.

• Slow Pour Brewing Company at 407 N. Clayton St. in Lawrenceville will host a New Year’s party from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. with DJ Wes Brawner Events and the Mac the Cheese (Comfort) Food Truck.

• Tannery Row Ale House at 554 W. Main St., Building C100 in Buford will host a New Year’s Eve Party, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

It will include live entertainment, a DJ, casino-style games for charity, a cash balloon drop, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, giveaways and drink features. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at bit.ly/2DnbRjY.

BY VENUE — MUSIC 37 MAIN 37 E. Main St., Buford 678-288-2030 buford.37main.com • Dec. 29: Wrong Way • Dec. 30: Boogilicous • Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Party with Reality Check • Jan. 4: Cash Unchained • Jan. 5: Moby Dick 40 WATT CLUB 285 W. Washington St., Athens 706-549-7871 www.40watt.com • Jan. 4: Ari Shaffir • Jan. 6: New Sound of Numbers • Jan. 12: The Kourtesans ATLANTA SYMPHONY HALL 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta 404-733-4900 www.atlantasymphony.org • Jan. 11: Saint-saens and Beethoven

www.centerstage-atlanta.com/ shows/center-stage-theater • Jan. 16: The Wombats • Jan. 22: Jonny Lang • Jan. 26: Neck Deep COBB ENERGY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta 770-916-2800 www.cobbenergycentre.com • Feb. 14: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox EDDIE’S ATTIC 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur 404-377-4976 www.eddiesattic.com • Ongoing: Eddie’s Attic Songwriter’s Open Mic • Dec 31: Michelle Malone EVERETT’S MUSIC BARN 4055 Stonecypher Road, Suwanee 678-858-5363 everettsmusicbarn.net • Dec. 30: Steve Gulley and New Pinnacle • Jan. 20: Larry Stephenson

BUCKHEAD THEATRE 3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta 404-843-2825 www.thebuckheadtheatre.com • Jan. 5: Charlie Starr Acoustic • Jan. 6: Von Grey FOX THEATRE • Jan. 16: Mily Chance 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta • Jan. 17: Avatar 404-881-2100 • Jan. 19: Yonder Mountain String foxtheatre.org Band • Dec. 29: Widespread Panic • Jan. 23-24: Brockhampton • Feb. 8-9: Jason Isbell and the • Jan. 26: Majid Jordan 400 Unit • Jan. 31: Jacob Sartorius CENTER STAGE THEATER 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta 404-885-1365

INFINITE ENERGY ARENA 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth 770-813-7500

www.infiniteenergycenter.com • Jan. 20: Miranda Lambert • Jan. 21: The Killers LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATRE 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta 404-443-5000 www.thelakewoodamphitheater. com • July 27: Weezer/Pixies THE LOFT 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta 404-885-1365 www.centerstage-atlanta.com/ shows/the-loft • Dec. 31: The Groove Nye: R&B All Night • Jan. 20: Five Iron Frenzy • Feb. 9: The White Buffalo THE MASQUERADE 695 North Ave. N.E., Atlanta 404-577-8178 www.masqueradeatlanta.com • Dec. 29: Ghost of Evergreen • Dec. 29: Famous by February • Dec. 30: Ludwig & The Imaginary Friends • Dec. 31: Dante’s Labyrinth III: New Year’s Eve • Jan. 3: Waveform • Jan. 4: Capital Arms • Jan. 5: A Sunday Fire PHILIPS ARENA 1 Philips Drive N.W., Atlanta 404-878-3000 www.philipsarena.com • Dec. 31: The Great XSCAPE, Tamar Braxton • Feb. 3: Winter Jam • Feb. 5: Lana Del Rey

RED CLAY MUSIC FOUNDRY 3116 Main St., Duluth 678-957-7283 www.eddieowenpresents.com • Jan. 6: Eddie Owen Presents: Steve Coughlin with Probable Cause RED LIGHT CAFE 553 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta 404-874-7828 redlightcafe.com • Ongoing: Wednesday Jazz Jam with The Gordon Vernick Quartet • Jan. 14: Jon Latham Vinyl Release Show with Nick Nace + Kristen Englenz • Feb. 6: Charlie Hunter Trio featuring Silvana Estrada

THE TABERNACLE 152 Luckie St., Atlanta 404-659-9022 tabernacleatl.com • Dec. 30-31: Moon Taxi • Jan. 26: NF SYLVIA BEARD • Feb. 6: Borns THEATRE Buford Community Center, 2200 • Feb. 12: Black Veil Brides & Asking Alexandria Buford Highway, Buford • Feb. 17: St. Vincent 770-945-6762 • Feb. 23: Ganja White Night bufordcommunitycenter.com • Feb. 24: The Revolution • Jan. 13: One Night In Memphis • Feb. 27: AWOLNATION • Jan. 20: The Drifters • March 16-17: Liverpool Legends • Feb. 28: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds SMITH’S OLDE BAR VERIZON WIRELESS 1578 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta AMPHITHEATRE AT 404-875-1522 ENCORE PARK www.smithsoldebar.com • Dec. 29: Ashley Walls/Kyle 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta Clark www.vzwamp.com • Dec. 29: Behind the Sun & El • Jan 26. Through Feb. 25: Big Scorcho Apple Circus 2018 • Dec. 29: DJ Sky • Dec. 30: 1 a.m. Comedy Show THE BOWL @ SUGAR HILL • Dec. 30: Rumours: A Tribute to 5039 W. Broad St., Sugar Hill Fleetwood Mac 770-945-6716 • Dec. 30: The Original Complex/ www.thebowlatsugarhill.com Custard Pie/Josh Purgason • 2018 lineup coming soon

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• Dec. 30: DJ Sky • Dec. 31: Rumours: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac • Jan. 2: Mark Stokes/Estuarie/ Malachi Mills of Whispering Gypsies • Jan. 2: Open Mic Atlanta • Jan. 3: The Howlin’ Brothers • Jan. 4: Matrixx of Domination • Jan. 4: Paper Walls/Zoe Child/ Lance Brackett • Jan. 5: Blackfox/Boxcar Radio/ The Good Graces/Hills & Holler • Jan. 5: Folk Soul Revival • Jan. 5: DJ Sky

FOX T H E AT R E

6C • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017

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movies

DISC SPOTLIGHT

COMING SOON TO OWN

MICHAEL CLARK

• “American Made” (Jan. 2): Tom Cruise stars in the fact-based story of a pilot whose questionable, cartel-related activities were sanctioned by the CIA. (R) • “Brad’s Status” (Jan. 2): Writer-director Mike White’s comedy-drama casts Ben Stiller as a dad who takes his son (Austin Abrams) on a tour of colleges. (R) • “Lucky” (Jan. 2): The late Harry Dean Stanton’s next-to-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) • “The Foreigner” (Jan. 9): Determined to avenge his daughter’s death, a businessman (Jackie Chan) targets a former IRA member turned politician (Pierce Brosnan). (R) • “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)

versation about family and heritage. — Alex Tostado Mudbound (R) — 3 1/2 stars Director Dee Rees and Netflix have provided a sobering 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 1940’s Mississippi that will certainly earn Netflix an Oscar nomination.

— Kyle Dawson • Justice League (PG-13) — 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 Cranston 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

NOW SHOWING Election Blu-ray The Criterion Collection (R) Movie: ★★★★ Disc: ★★★★ Many dedicated fans of co-writer/director Alexander Payne (“Sideways,” the new “Downsizing”) consider his 1999 effort “Election” his finest achievement and for good reason. Set in a Nebraska high school, it features Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick, an overachiever with few friends who is running for class president. Turned off by her blind ambition, one of her teachers, Jim (Matthew Broderick as the anti-Ferris Bueller) attempts to sabotage her by cajoling clueless jock Paul (Chris Klein) into running against her. Things get sticky

when Paul’s lesbian sister wants in on the action and Jim wishes to start an affair with a neighbor with a semiconnection to Tracy.

Searing and poignant, profane and squirminducing, “Election” has only grown more relevant with time.

Technical specs: aspect ratio: Widescreen (2.40:1/1080p), audio: English (DTS-HD MA 5.1), subtitles: English.

Special features include: • Commentary • Interviews • Three featurettes • Trailer • First edition slipcover packaging (Criterion, $39.95)

Recently reviewed films now playing in metro area theaters. Ratings are out of 4 stars.

Pitch Perfect 3 (PG-13) — 2 stars The last in the trilogy following the singing a cappella group the Barden Bellas, “Pitch Perfect 3” is a sequel that I can’t imagine a lot of people were clamoring for.

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. — Kristen Hansen Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (PG-13) — 3 stars This Dwayne Johnson-led sequel/reboot of the Robin Williams classic is better than expected. Instead of a supernatural board game, the young heroes are trapped in a video game jungle as the characters they selected, to disconcerting results. Also starring Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan, it’s part “The Goonies,” part “Tron,” and part “The Breakfast Club” — and all escapist fun. — Khari J. Sampson Star Wars: The Last Jedi (PG-13) — 2 1/2 stars Episode VIII of the Disneyrevived space fantasy picks up where 2015’s “The Force Awakened” left off, with the Resistance on the run from the evil First Order while new

heroine Rey (Daisy Ridley) seeks training in the Force from Jedi master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). It’s a different sort of Star Wars movie, one that refuses to answer fans’ questions and subverts their expectations. You’ll either love it wildly or be wildly disappointed. — KS 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 con-

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 • 7C

movies

TRIUMPHS & TRAGEDIES N

ow is time for my annual year-end list of movie industry highlights and lowlights.

Some choices are obvious; some others hopefully, are not. Thanks for reading and have yourself a great 2018! — Michael Clark

Best Lead Actor: Gary Oldman in “Darkest Hour” Best Lead Actress: Sally Hawkins in “The Shape of Water” Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer in “All the Money in the World” Best Supporting Actress: Allison Janney in “I, Tonya” Best Ensemble Cast: “Get Out” Best Director: Guillermo del Toro for “The Shape of Water” Best Animated Film: “The Lego Batman Movie” Best Cinematography: Roger Deakins for “Blade Runner 2049” Best Documentary: “Kedi” Best Foreign Language Film: “First They Killed My Father” Best Screenplay: “The Shape of Water” Breakthrough Award: Jordan Peele for directing “Get Out” A lot of bark and very little bite: “Transformers: The Last Knight” Animated movie you’ll like but your children will probably hate: “Loving Vincent” Bad AND depressing: “Hostiles” Bad attempt at comically portraying family/suburban dysfunction: “Suburbicon” Bad situation actually getting better: studios cramming in less screenings of Oscar-hopeful titles all at once at year’s end for awards consideration, referred to by some as “Dumptember” Best (meaning most blatant) scenery chewing: Cate Blanchett in “Thor: Ragnarok” Best 3-D: “The Lego Batman Movie” Best action hero flick: “Logan” Best awards show opening montage: Jimmy Fallon at the Golden Globes Best awards telecast: the Golden Globes Best badass: Frances McDormand in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Best biography: “I, Tonya” Best Blu-ray overhaul: “The Godfather Collection: Omerta Edition” Best

CGI performance: Andy Serkis in “War for the Planet of the Apes” Best chase scenes: “Baby Driver” Best comeback: strong art-house films Best comedy: “The Lego Batman Movie” Best comic book adaptation: “Wonder Woman” Best continuing trend: shorter feature length movies Best date movie: “The Space of Water” Best directorial debut (tie): Greta Gerwig for “Lady Bird” and Jordan Peele for “Get Out” Best dying trend (continued): 3-D Best editing: “Baby Driver” Best family film: “Gifted” Best final scene: “The Shape of Water” Best girl’s night out flick: “Girls Trip” Best horror flick: “It” Best Human vs. Nature movie: “The Mountain Between Us” Best independent studio: A24 Best made-for-cable movie/miniseries: “The Handmaiden’s Tale” Best Martin Scorsese imitation: Doug Liman for “American Made” Best movie (almost) no one saw: “Maudie” Best movie about children that should never be viewed by children: “It” Best movie about female empowerment: “Wonder Woman” Best movie based on real events: “Dunkirk” Best movie featuring Justice League characters: “The Lego Batman Movie” Best movie for cat lovers: “Kedi” Best movie for dog lovers: “Meagan Leavey” Best movie set and shot in Georgia: “Baby Driver” Best new trend: great movies with juvenile lead characters Best original song: “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” by Taylor Swift and Zayn from “50 Shades Darker” Best performance by a juvenile (female): Mckenna Grace in “Gifted” Best performance by a juvenile (male): Jacob Tremblay in “Wonder” Best performance by a juvenile (ensemble): “It” Best performance by a non-human: the dogs in “Meagan Leavey” and “The Mountain Between Us” Best performance in an only so-so movie (female): Cate

TOP 10 FILMS OF 2017 1. The Shape of Water 2. Lady Bird 3. Dunkirk 4. Blade Runner 2049 5. Gifted 6. Novitiate 7. Maudie 8. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 9. It 10. I, Tonya

Blanchett in “Thor: Ragnarok” Best performance in an only so-so movie (male): Denzel Washington in “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” Best period piece: “The Shape of Water” Best real-life tragedy: “I, Tonya” Best recreation of historical events: “Dunkirk” Best remakes: “The Beguiled” and “It” Best revenge flick: “War for the Planet of the Apes” Best ROI theatrical: “Get Out” ($4.1 million budget vs. $254.3 million worldwide take) Best romance (conventional): “The Big Sick” Best romance (unconventional): “The Shape of Water” Best scenery chewing (female): Cate Blanchett in “Thor: Ragnarok” Best scenery chewing (male): Michael Shannon in “The Shape of Water” Best scene-stealer (female): Allison Janney in “I, Tonya” Best scene-stealer (male): Sam Rockwell in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Best sci-fi flick: “Blade Runner 2049” Best score: “War for the Planet of the Apes” Best soundtrack: “Baby Driver” Best special effects: “Blade Runner 2049” Best sports movie (by default): “Battle of the Sexes” Best use of old pop songs: “I, Tonya” Best use of profanity: The almost dropping of the F-

bomb in the last scene of “Spider-Man: Homecoming” Best venue for private rental and press screenings (as always): Cinevision in Doraville Best villain (female): Allison Janney in “I, Tonya” Best villain (male): Christopher Plummer in “All the Money in the World” Better than it should have been: “A Bad Moms Christmas” Better late than never: #metoo Beware of wealthy white liberals living in upstate New York: “Get Out” Biggest (and most deserved) flop: “King Arthur” Biggest box-office surprise: “Get Out” Bravest nude scenes: Sally Hawkins in “The Shape of Water” Bullfeathers!: in the Year of the Woman, there are ZERO female Golden Globe nominees for Best Director Classiest exit (character): Wolverine in “Logan” Classiest exit (performer): Harry Dean Stanton in “Lucky” Clunkiest attempt at being politically correct: “Beauty and the Beast” Clunkiest title: “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Don’t let the door hit you on your way out: Eric Bolling, Louis C.K., Bill Cosby, Andrew Duncan, Al Franken, Dustin Hoffman, R. Kelly, Matt Lauer, Bill O’Reilly, Brett Ratner, Charlie Rose, Steven Seagal, Russell Simmons, Bryan Singer, Tom Sizemore, Tavis Smiley, Kevin Spacey, Morgan Spurlock, Jeffrey Tambor, James Toback, Harvey Weinstein, Ed Westwick and certainly many more to come Git ‘er dun: Ridley Scott, Christopher Plummer, co-stars Michelle Williams and Mark Wahlberg and the production crew of “All the Money in the World” for reshooting 22 scenes in nine days and obliterating every trace of sleazeball Kevin Spacey in the process Great at being evil: Christopher Plummer in “The Man Who Invented Christmas” and “All the Money in the World” See REVIEW, Page 8C

8C • Friday, December 29, 2017

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movies Review

•From Page 7C

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Great setup, horrible follow-through: “Downsizing” Hey Rosie O’Donnell: time to start thinking about your upcoming orange-only wardrobe options Highest profile scandal: see “Don’t” above Hollywood is really concerned about: rottentomatoes.com Hollywood no longer cares about: imdb.com Hot: Gal Gadot in anything It was the best of times (Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour”) and it was the worst of times (Brian Cox as Winston Churchill in “Churchill”) Let’s talk about and do LOTS of drugs!: “American Made” Looks great, less filling!: “Murder on the Orient Express” MVP (composer): Carter Burwell — “Goodbye Christopher Robin,” “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “Wonderstruck” MVP (female): Sally Hawkins in “Maudie” and “The Shape of Water” MVP (juvenile): Mckenna Grace in “Gifted” and “I, Tonya” MVP (male): Caleb Landry Jones in “American Made,” “The Florida Project,” “Get Out,” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Most (apolitically) patriotic: “Last Flag Flying” Most astute (and largely negative) view of the future: “Blade Runner 2049” Most convincing (and oddly, sympathetic) stalker: Aubrey Plaza in “Ingrid Goes West”

From left to right, Adam Driver stars as Clyde Logan and Channing Tatum as Jimmy Logan in Steven Soderbergh’s “Logan Lucky,” a Fingerprint Releasing and Bleecker Street release.

(Photo: Claudette Barius/ Fingerprint Releasing)

Most crushing early departure: Chris Cornell Most erotic: “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women” Most incompetent exhibitor: AMC Phipps Plaza Most likely to be elected to public office in the notso-distant future: Michael Moore Most needed new Oscar category (still): Best Ensemble Cast Most overrated film: “The Florida Project” Most profane: “I, Tonya” Most profitable (and finally over?) banal franchise: “Transformers, Part Pi” Most underrated film: “Gifted” Most unneeded remake: “Beauty and the Beast” Mother from Hell: Allison Janney in “I, Tonya” Mother in Hell: Jennifer Lawrence in “Mother!”

My career in film is over: see “Don’t” above My career in TV is over:

see “Don’t” above No, it’s NOT a standalone movie: “Blade Runner 2049” Not afraid to look her age: Debra Winger in “The Lovers” Not afraid to look his age: Jeff Bridges in “Only the Brave” Not for cat lovers: “The Shape of Water” Note to studios: think about co-coordinating your screening times — especially at year’s end. Previewing multiple movies at the same time on the same night will likely result in your film being ignored.

Proof positive Matt Damon should fire his agent: “The Great Wall,” “Suburbicon” and “Downsizing” R.I.P.: Gregg Allman, Walter Becker, Shelley Berman, Chuck Berry, William Peter Blatty, Joseph Bologna, Powers Boothe, Glen Campbell, Bernie Casey, David Cassidy, Mike Connors, Chris Cornell,

Jonathan Demme, Fats Domino, Miguel Ferrer, June Foray, Stephen Furst, Dick Gregory, Robert Guillaume, Barbara Hale, my great friend Col. Bruce Hampton, Robert Hardy, Richard Hatch, Glenne Headly, John Heard, John Hillerman, Tobe Hooper, John Hurt, Al Jarreau, Tommy Keene, Martin Landau, Jerry Lewis, Mary Tyler Moore, Roger Moore, Erin Moran, Jeanne Moreau, Jim Nabors, Michael Nyqvist, Robert Osborne, Michael Parks, Bill Paxton, Tom Petty, Della Reese, Don Rickles, George Romero, Sam Shepard, Liz Smith, Harry Dean Stanton, Jay Thomas, Mel Tillis, Butch Trucks, Frank Vincent and Adam West Rainmaker (again): Disney Studios Separated at birth (again): Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth Slumlord: Gary Oldman and the entire cast in “The

Space Between Us” Sounds like bad news but it’s actually not: The choice of many studios not to press screen what are mostly bad films released in January, February and August The militant liberal far left at its most illogical, uninformed, biased and blathering: “Beatriz at Dinner” The hardest working man in show-bidness: James Franco There’s a reason it came out in August: “The Dark Tower” There’s a reason it came out in January: “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” Three 2017 movies that have nothing in common: “Logan,” “Lucky” and “Logan Lucky” Three Oscar-winning seniors embarrassing themselves to no end: Alan Arkin, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman in “Going in Style” Very good and very few

cared: “Maudie” Watch me self-destruct by doing something incredibly stupid and offensive, kill my career in the process and then blame it on everyone else except myself: Kathy Griffin Winner of the second annual Cindy Stoltz award for outstanding service by a movie PR agent: Cindy Stoltz; close runner-up: Micaiah Sanders Worst adaptation of a classic piece of literature: “Murder on the Orient Express” Worst comic book adaptation: “Justice League” Worst movie based on true events: “Churchill” Worst movie of the year: “The Great Wall” Worst movie to turn perceived modern political incorrectness into a period western: “Hostiles” Worst new trend: Guys making amateurish video movie reviews in their mom’s basements and posting them on YouTube Worst remake: “Murder on the Orient Express” Worst (fourth) sequel: “Transformers: The Last Knight” Finally, to my good friend Carolyn Sloss and her stupendous staff at Allied Integrated Marketing: You were approached in the summer with a request to accommodate a new coalition (the Atlanta Film Critics Circle) and embraced it with great enthusiasm and helped make it become a reality. With your invaluable assistance, the AFCC has become a recognized critics association within the film industry and I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks for your collective, extraordinary efforts. It is so greatly appreciated. MC