Gwinnett Daily Post — December 16, 2016 by Gwinnett Daily Post

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GGC holds fall graduation exercises

BACK TO STAR WARS ‘Rogue One’ spinoff movie opens today in theaters • Weekend, Page 8C

Gwinnett Daily Post FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016

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Vol. 47, No. 55

Judge: ‘I think you’re a cold-blooded killer’ Local teen sentenced in murder of pizza delivery man “I’m, um, sorry for your loss,” he said to Shane’s weeping family at his sentencing Reginald Lofton’s only Thursday morning. “But reaction to what may be I did not kill your son. I a lifelong prison sentence wasn’t the shooter.” was to deny he shot Lofton, 15, was Shane Vernadore, a pizza sentenced to life with the delivery man for Papa possibility of parole for John’s. his role in the shooting BY CAILIN O’BRIEN

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ered him a predator death of Shane, who parole. who stole was delivering a pizza to Shane’s family made from the Lofton and his 21-yearclear they considered family. old brother, Jermaine Lofton a career criminal. “Every Young, when he was shot. “I have yet to see the fiber of The pair managed to slightest bit of remorse my being Reginald grab the pizza after the from Reginald,” said Tara will miss Lofton murder. Vernadore, Shane’s sister. my son Lofton was 14 at the Her mother, Teresa every day for the rest of time. He will be 45 years Vernadore, wrote in a my life,” the statement old when he’s eligible for statement that she consid- read. “I feel destined

to live a life unfulfilled since part of me is now missing.” Teresa, Tara and three of Shane’s friends who spoke on his behalf at Lofton’s sentencing painted the former pizza delivery man as a creative and sensitive young man. “He would not kill a

See LIFE, Page 8A

Rams fans brave chill to celebrate football title BY DAVID FRIEDLANDER david.friedlander@gwinnettdailypost.com

Aww enforcement

Bella Champney, 4, smiles as she exits the checkout lane with Gwinnett County Corrections Officer Audrey Parke during Thursday’s Cops and Kids event held at Walmart in Buford. (Photos: Kyle Hess)

Police officers bring Christmas spirit to area kids BY CAILIN O’BRIEN

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William Hudson’s two children were excited about roving the Wal-Mart, picking out toys and getting a little silly. At least that’s according to their mother, Michelle Rucker, who brought them to the annual Cops and Kids event at the Buford Wal-Mart on Thursday evening. She said it was just one more reason the family had found to be thankful since Hudson survived a brutal shooting while working as a security guard at a Norcross motel in September. “It’s just a huge blessing,” she said. “We’ve been through a lot as a family.” Rucker’s family wasn’t the only one thankful Thursday night.

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ing some of these people that are in need where they light up because for a lot of them it’s so significant to them,” Lodge No. 66 State Trustee Carlos Llorens said. “I don’t think anybody’s ever really reached out. And when you see that you’re kind of amazed.” He said the kids don’t always buy what you’d expect. “A lot of these kids, you’d be Caden Burnett, 5, chooses which toys to keep with Sheriff Dep- stunned if you watched them uty Tyler Ciucci during Thursday’s Cops and Kids event held at shop,” Llorens said. “They’ll Walmart in Buford. buy things for their mom and dad sometimes. They’d buy Cops and Kids is an annual and $100 to spend on whatever things that you’d be shocked event hosted by the local Frater- they wanted. about like soap and toothpaste nal Order of Police lodge that is Each family also received a and things that we take for meant to give families in need a box of food including a turkey granted.” Christmas. Each registered child and rolls. See POLICE, Page 8A received a pair of shoes, a coat “The best part is really see-

GRAYSON — For Grayson High School’s football team, and most of the hundreds of students, administrators and fans who braved near-freezing temperatures, Thursday night’s “Ram Nation Celebration” rally at Grayson City Park was all about celebrating the team’s Class AAAAAAA state championship won last Saturday at the Georgia Dome and the program’s winning identity. “Winning state, especially five years after the last time (GrayMORE ONLINE Visit gwinnettdailypost.com son) won it (in 2011), it’s for a photo gallery. really big,” Rams senior defensive lineman Elison Hubbard of Saturday’s 23-20 overtime win over Roswell, which gave Grayson its second state title in the last five seasons. “Having all the fans come out and celebrate with us, that’s huge. It’s real crazy, but I like it because shows how much everybody loves … watching us play on Friday nights.” Of course, Grayson mayor Allison Wilkerson couldn’t resist the opportunity to update the crowd on efforts to establish — or rather, to redefine — the school’s identity, notifying the crowd that progress is being made to have the school’s mailing address changed to

See GRAYSON, Page 8A

Grayson quarterback Chase Brice speaks to the crowd as Grayson high school celebrates its AAAAAAA state football championship which was held at Grayson community park Thursday evening. (Special Photo: William Lofton)

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Ex-Falcon accused of exposing self at Suwanee QuikTrip BY CURT YEOMANS

Ferry Road in Suwanee and warned never to return to the store again. Just after 2 a.m., a clerk Former Atlanta Falcons at the store told Suwanee star Jamal Anderson was police that Anderson allegonce an NFL star, a Super edly performed a sex act in Bowl participant and the an aisle at the store, Capt. man behind the “Dirty Shane Edmisten said. Bird” dance. “The clerk declined to On Wednesday morning, press any charges,” Edmishowever, he was accused ten said. “He just wanted of doing something far less him to leave the store.” prestigious — exposing Since the clerk didn’t himself in an apparent press charges, Anderson, drunken stupor at a QuikTrip 44, was not arrested for near the intersection the incident, according to of Peachtree Industrial Edmisten. The clerk agreed Boulevard and McGinnis to have Anderson be given curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

BUSINESS BRIEFS Exiting company to hold auction in Lawrenceville

The Lawrenceville-based North American operation of Bossar Group will auction what’s left of its assets and equipment Dec. 20. Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, Bossar will end its business operations in Gwinnett on Dec. 31, according to a company press release. A preview day for potential buyers who’d like to see the items before bidding will take place at the company’s facility at 650 Hurricane Shoals Road (near the corner of Old Norcross Road) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. The auction will start 10 a.m. this upcoming Tuesday and end 10 a.m. Wednesday on the Heritage Global Partners website at hgpauction.com.

Local women’s group to host breakfast event Local professional women and business owners who’d like to gain insight for future endeavors can attend the National Association of Professional Women DeKalbGwinnett chapter’s inaugural prayer event Saturday. The membership-based organization will host its Breakthrough 2017 Prayer Breakfast at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel at 4156 LaVista Road in Atlanta beginning at 8:30 a.m. The group seeks to provide women with tools and resources to help them gain success, social wellness and financial security. The event will allow for networking, reflecting over the last year, goal setting and more with several speakers offering business tips. There will be a breakfast buffet, business showcases, ven-

dors, live entertainment and a chance to win prizes. Keynote speaker Helen Barrow, co-founder of Off the Grill Q-Sauce, will discuss how to become a global enterprise. Tickets are available online at napwdgdec17. eventbrite.com. For more information, contact chapter president Kim Dildy at 404343-9026 or email NAPWLithonia@gmail.com.

a criminal trespass warning, which Edmisten said means the former football Jamal star can be Anderson arrested if he returns to the store. “We have to have the business owner or agent tell him to leave to give him a criminal trespass warning,” Edmisten said. “We explained to him that since the clerk told him to leave, he could not go back into

the store. He wanted to go back inside, but the officers told him he was going to have more problems if he did that, and that he could leave or be arrested. “He chose to leave.” Police called an Uber driver and waited with Anderson until it arrived to take him home, Edmisten said. Still, why the incident happened in the first place — and how he even got to the store — are something of a mystery. Edmisten said Anderson did not drive himself to the

gas station, and officers are not sure how he got there because Anderson allegedly wasn’t sure himself. Edmisten said Anderson lives in the area and has a Suwanee mailing address, but it’s a P.O. Box address, so it wasn’t clear if he lived within walking distance of the QuikTrip. The fact that he appeared to officers to be heavily under the influence of alcohol was one reason, the police spokesman said. “One of the officers said he was so intoxicated that he didn’t seem to know

what was going on,” Edmisten said. “Alcohol makes people do strange things.” In January, Anderson plead guilty to DUI charges stemming from a 2014 incident where law enforcement officials found him passed out behind the wheel of a Cadillac SUV on Interstate 85. He was put on 12 months probation, had his license suspended and had to avoid alcohol and drugs, and was ordered to perform 40 hours community service as a result of his plea in that case.

Case of 2-year-old girl’s murder to jury

Matthew Crosby, Vasquez’s attorney, in A jury will now decide his closing the fate of a man accused statement. Prisi of killing his 2-year-old The Vazquez daughter and leaving her prosecubody in an attic. tion saw it differently. The court heard closing “It’s not spaghetti. It’s arguments Thursday in the not just throwing everycase of Christian Vasquez, a thing against a board,” father accused of hitting his Prosecutor Charissa Hendaughter Prisi Vasquez with rich said. “You know what a blunt object and fatally it is? It’s giving him credit Business RadioX fracturing her skull in early for everything he did. Let’s 2007. give him credit for what he studio holds Vasquez faces three did.” counts of murder, two ribbon-cutting Vasquez and Prisi’s counts of cruelty to chilmother, then his wife, allegOver 100 local business dren, a count of aggravated edly left the toddler’s naked leaders celebrated the new assault and a count of con- body in a bag in their attic Gwinnett Business RadioX cealing the death of another before fleeing to Mexico. studio that will broadcast person. Prisi’s body stayed in the from the Sonesta Gwinnett The defense argued these attic for 16 months until Place Atlanta Hotel this past counts constituted “spanew tenants moved into the Tuesday. ghetti prosecution.” apartment beneath it. A ribbon-cutting was held “What the state of GeorIn June 2008, authorities at the facility at 1775 Pleas- gia does is throw everything said Ruiz called her father ant Hill Road in Duluth. they can at you and hope in Gwinnett from Mexico to Special guests included something sticks,” said tell him where Prisi’s body Gwinnett Chamber Senior VP of Membership Services Vince DeSilva, hotel general manager David Kohlasch and Jon Saxe on Wednesand studio owner and opera- FROM STAFF REPORTS day. tor Mike Sammond. The city of Peachtree The golf-themed eatery Business RadioX is the Corners and the featuring burgers, wings fastest-growing B2B radio Peachtree Corners Busiand more officially network in the country, acopened Dec. 9 in the cording to a company press ness Association held a ribbon-cutting for the space formerly occupied release. The company has studios across the Southeast Double Eagle Restaurant by Johnny’s Pizza at 5005 Peachtree Parkway. that air unscripted conversa- owned by Adam Conner tions from local business leaders serving their market, GWINNETT BOARD OF EDUCATION community and industry. “This is such a unique opportunity and we can’t wait to begin broadcasting from the hotel,” Sammond said. tower will be multi-story “The new location offers us BY KEITH FARNER and will allow students more space, a wonderful and keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com to participate in activities professional environment, such as ladder training, and a cool opportunity for The newest firefighter zero vision training, and hotel guests and visitors to training tower is coming rescue and recovery trainwatch the live radio shows to Gwinnett, and students ing. in person.” It’s expected to be fully For more info, visit Gwin- at Maxwell High School of Technology will have functional by the summer. nettBusinessRadioX.com. Maxwell Principal Jeff — From staff reports the chance to use it across several programs. Hall said he’s excited The Gwinnett Board of about the joint and crossEducation on Thursday curriculum activities night approved an interthat the tower will create governmental agreement between fire services, with Gwinnett County to law and justice, emerbuild the $600,000 facilgency medical response ity. The county will be and health care science responsible for $530,000, programs. Some of those and the school district areas include “essential the balance, which will fire fighting training” and come out of the 2012-17 “police/SWAT tactical building program budget, training.” Chief Operations Officer “I have discussed with Danny Jardine said. our teachers how we The tower is intended can create a crisis situato be jointly used by tion within the fire tower Gwinnett County firebuilding which requires fighters and Maxwell. all four of those proStudents will participate grams to work together in all facets of training, to resolve the situation,” except live burns. The Hall said. “The fire tower BY CAILIN O’BRIEN

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was. Vasquez was indicted on four counts related to the case that August — but it would be four more years before authorities found him and extradited him back to the U.S. Ruiz faced similar charges. She was tried earlier in the year and convicted in April of involuntary manslaughter — not murder — in the death of her daughter. She maintained her ex-husband had been abusive and held her captive in Mexico. But Crosby said the trial hadn’t yielded evidence Vasquez abused his wife or kids. In fact, he said the evidence pointed to Amy’s own abusive nature. He also pointed out evidence which showed the fatal crack to Prisi’s head could have been administered by a woman. “The State of Georgia has to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that Amy didn’t kill Prisi,” Crosby

said. “If your mind’s wavering, unsettled or unsatisfied then you should acquit him.” Henrich argued the defense was using Ruiz as a distraction. “This is not about Amy,” she said. “We charged her, we tried her, we convicted her.” She said the difference between Ruiz and Vasquez came down to a witness who wasn’t much older than Prisi at the time of her death. The couple’s son, who was four at the time, allegedly told Ruiz and therapists that he saw his father hitting Prisi with “a tube.” The prosecution and defense disagree about whether the child’s statements were credible. But now it’s up to a jury to decide. The jurors reconvene today at 9 a.m. to deliberate the case.

Pizza spot re-opens as golf-themed eatery Conner and Saxe, who operated the pizza place, have included appetizers labeled “Teeing Off” and salad selections called “On the Green” for the new casual dining establishment. The restaurant is open

from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m Monday through Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, from 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 470-255-2389.

$600K firefighter training tower approved is an incredible learning tool that will allow us to sharpen and hone the skills of our students as they enter the field.” Hall said that he’s talked with leadership within Gwinnett County Fire Department and they all believe this will help create a steady pipeline of employment for Maxwell students. Fire services teacher Gary LaPrad is looking forward to having a structure that will simulate real-world situations for his students. Swearing in Probate Court Judge Christopher Ballar conducted a swearing in ceremony for School Board members Louise Radloff, Carole Boyce and Mary Kay Murphy on Thursday afternoon. The three seats were not challenged on the ballot this year. Boyce and Murphy, both Republicans and Radloff,

a Democrat, will serve another four-year term. Radloff was first elected to the school board in 1972, while Murphy took office in 1997, and Boyce in 2005. Assistant superintendent appointment CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks appointed LaVern Rush as assistant superintendent for school improvement and operations for elementary schools. She fills the void left by Linda Anderson, who last month was promoted to be the associate superintendent for the division of human resources and talent management. Rush previously served as interim principal at Rosebud and B.B. Harris elementary schools and as a principal mentor. She was also principal at Partee Elementary. Rush will work on a part-time basis for the district.

New principal named to Patrick Elementary BY KEITH FARNER

County Public Schools on Thursday was named the new principal at Patrick A longtime teacher and Elementary School. administrator in Gwinnett The Gwinnett School

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Board named Stephanie Stewart, previously an assistant principal at Puckett’s Mill Elementary, to lead Patrick. Her appointment is effective Jan. 3 as the current principal, Tyese Scott, becomes the new principal at McKendree Elementary School. Scott was Patrick’s principal since 2011. Stewart has three degrees from the University of Georgia. She began working in Gwinnett in 1995 as a reading teacher at

Simonton Elementary, and was there in several roles, including second Stephanie grade and Stewart kindergarten teacher until 2002. Stewart was also an administrative assistant at Minor Elementary and an assistant principal at Dyer Elementary, and most recently an assistant principal at Puckett’s Mill since 2009.

‘It’s my turn to teach’

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016 • 3A

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First-generation grad shares story at GGC commencement

BY KEITH FARNER

keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com

Students celebrate during the Georgia Gwinnett College fall commencement on Thursday at the Infinite Energy Center. Helen McDaniel waves to the crowd during Georgia Gwinnett College’s fall commencement at the Infinite En- good notes and study hard and you’ll pass all your ergy Arena.

in the Signal Corps. President Stas Preczewski noted that this graduating class was the largest to date. It’s 1,000 graduates helped GGC surpass 4,000 alumni. “I definitely never thought I would be standing in front of you today,” Serrato said. “As a little Hispanic girl growing up, I never realized how important education would be in my life.” She is a first generation college student in her family, and as the oldest, she

said she faced challenges, and didn’t know if she could succeed on a journey through college. “It seemed I had to learn everything the hard way and I developed a lack of belief in myself,” she said. “I wanted to go to college, but I was not sure it was for me.” In her first class, an 8 a.m. student success class to better prepare for college, Serrato admitted to being nervous, but told herself, “this is the real deal. Pay attention, take

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The Gwinnet Medical Center wants to remind you to take time to relax this holiday season. “The holiday’s can be stressful,” GMC tweeted. But the effects of anxiety can last long beyond December and January.

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City of Suwanee SPLOST proceeds schedule of expenditures 2005 issue year ended june 30, 2016 Description

Original Estimated Cost

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

Current Estimated Cost

Prior Years

Current Year

Total

$4,642,660

$5,031,428

$ 4,982,843

$48,585

$5,031,428

900,000

1,031,364

1,054,400

1,158,067

$6,597,060

$7,220,859

$7,172,274

$48,585

$7,220,859

City of Suwanee SPLOST proceeds schedule of expenditures 2009 issue year ended june 30, 2016 Original Estimated Cost

Description Administrative Buildings

118,780

Prior Years

80,802

Current Year

80,802

Total $

80,802

2,256,827

1,954,301

1,187,812

42,609

1,230,421

Parking Facilities

2,256,780

2,035,585

63,237

Public Safety Facilities and Equipment

1,781,710

1,532,302

1,520,956

6,400

1,527,356

Roads, Streets & Bridges

5,463,953

4,777,210

2,043,890

770,812

2,814,702

$11,878,050

$10,380,200

$ 4,896,697

$ 819,821

$5,716,518

City of Suwanee SPLOST proceeds schedule of expenditures 2014 issue year ended june 30, 2016 Description Roads, Streets & Bridges Recreational Facilities 460099-1

Current Estimated Cost

Long-term chronic stress can increase the risk for heart disease, back pain, depression, persistent muscle aches and pains and a weakened immune system, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. “Chronic stress can affect your emotions and behavior by making you irritable, impatient, less enthusiastic about your job and even depressed,” according to a GMC article online. GMC recommends trying to keep even holiday stress to a minimum using the following techniques: • Take a breath. Breathe in so your rib cage expands, and then exhale slowly. Breath-

ing in this way relaxes muscles, reducing tension as well as muscle and back pain, according to the article. • Relax slowly. Sit or lie down, close your eyes and systematically tense and then relax different parts of your body from your head down to your toes. “Focus on the warmth and heaviness of your body as you relax,” according to the GMC article. • Visualize. Sit or lie down and close your eyes. Imagine you’re in a place you love while you breathe slowly. • Be patient. Be patient with yourself. Practice a relaxation method on a consistent basis — not just when life feels out of control.

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Current Estimated Cost

Recreational Facilities

Original Estimated Cost

She told the fellow graduates to always believe in your dreams and yourselves. “It is not how you are labeled or what you look like,” she said, “But who you are that matters. I am a first-generation MexicanAmerican young woman. But I’m also a college graduate and an educator, and the first in my family to take this journey. I feel confident about starting my new chapter in my life and pursuing my own dreams, and having my own students to teach, challenge and inspire.” It is, in fact, her turn.

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classes.” Parekh, who has started several tech companies, outlined four lessons for the graduates: perseverance, overcoming fear, the ability to receive luck and have fun. “Today is a celebration, and it’s not just for you,” he said. “It’s for the friends and family that are up there in the stands, and it’s actually for all the rest of us, too. Because we all know that now that you have graduated. You’re going to go on to great things. You’re going to

make a difference in the world, and you’re going to make all of us proud. And that’s what we need you to do. We need you to go out there and look at the problems in the world and not be satisfied with the way things are, and think about the way things in the way that you want them to be.” During a speech where she received shouts from the fellow College of Education graduates, Serrato also spoke in Spanish to her family, which drew applause and responses back to her, to which she replied, “love you, too.”

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HOURS OF OPERATION TUES-SAT 10AM-6PM

Prior Years

Current Year

Total

$7,239,371

$6,196,066

$ 9,155

$ 720,033

$729,188

804,375

685,385

$8,043,746

$6,881,451

$ 9,159

$ 720,033

$729,192

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DULUTH — Crystal Serrato took several minutes to tell a little bit about her background and experience at Georgia Gwinnett College. But it was her mortarboard that told her story. “It’s my turn to teach,” it said. Serrato spoke on behalf of the graduating class at the fall commencement ceremony on Thursday morning at the Infinite Energy Center moments before she graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in education with plans to pursue a career as a teacher. She came to GGC from Apalachee High School in Winder. Serrato was among the 455 graduates in the fall semester graduating Class of 2016, which included the commissioning of two U.S. Army officers, and the graduation of the second half of the college’s charter nursing class. A serial technology entrepreneur, Sanjay Parekh, gave the commencement address. The school recognized two graduates who were ROTC cadets and who received their formal commissions in a separate ceremony Thursday morning. Second Lt. Roberto T. Cerqueira, a criminal justice major from Dacula, will report for U.S. Army Active Duty in the Adjutant General Corps with Branch Detail Infantry. Second Lt. Adrian R. Brown, an information technology major from Lawrenceville, will serve in the U.S. Army Reserves

Georgia Gwinnett College President Stas Preczewski reads the top of Crystal Serrato’s mortarboard, which reads, “It’s my turn to teach,” following her speech at the fall commencement at the Infinite Energy Arena on Thursday. (Staff Photos: Jason Braverman)

4A • FridAy, december 16, 2016 To Your Good Health

Keith Roach

Inclusion body myositis is an inflammatory muscle disease DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 84-year-old man. I have been diagnosed with what my doctor says is inclusion body myositis. I have had several episodes of falling due to my leg collapsing. I have been taking 5 mg of prednisone for several years, with no improvement. I walk with a walker or cane. Do you have any suggestions? — Anon. ANSWER: I wish I had better news for you. Inclusion body myositis is an inflammatory disease of muscles with an unknown cause. The “inclusion bodies” are seen on the muscle biopsy specimens. Neurologists are the experts in diagnosing and managing this condition. IBM is a rare disorder, with a few people per million diagnosed each year. It starts off very slowly, and often is misdiagnosed or attributed just to getting old (which is a perilous thing for any physician to do). The major symptom is weakness, usually of the legs. Sometimes symptoms start in the arms or with swallowing difficulties. It is more common in men, and most commonly starts at age 60 or so. The older you are at diagnosis, the faster it tends to progress. Many people with this condition have underlying autoimmune conditions, such as lupus or autoimmune thyroid disease, so a comprehensive medical evaluation is appropriate for anyone diagnosed with this condition. Treatment is aimed at stopping or slowing the progressive weakness. Some people can improve their strength with treatment, but many more do not respond at all. Prednisone, usually at much higher doses than you are taking, is considered first-line treatment. Medicines used for autoimmune diseases, such as methotrexate and azathioprine, are used for people who do not respond to prednisone. The medicines should be continued only in those who show a clear response. Unfortunately, most people do not respond to treatment, and will require assistance with activities of daily living within 15 years of diagnosis. More information, including support groups, is available at www.myositis.org. DEAR DR. ROACH: Recently I had a rotator cuff injury and consulted a physician’s assistant at the orthopedic office. I chose to go with the “exercise and anti-inflammatory medication” option. As a retired nurse with hypertension, I check my BP weekly with a manual BP cuff. I was surprised at the end of a week of taking Aleve for pain that my BP was significantly higher. When I reported this to my GP, she recommended getting off the Aleve. My pressures are back to normal. Is this a common side effect of NSAIDs? — T.A. ANSWER: Yes, NSAIDs are a frequent and underrecognized cause of elevated blood pressure. This is largely because they can make some people retain salt and water, which raises the blood pressure. In most people, the effect is modest, but others have a larger effect.

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Refuse to get today in history lottery involved in something Today is the 351st day of 2016 and the screenwriter/producer; Shane Black that has the potential to Thursday (1961- ), actor/screenwriter/director; Wil86th day of autumn. backfire or spin out of Cash 3 Midday: 8-6-7 liam “The Refrigerator” Perry (1962- ), TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1773, Tea Act control. football player; Benjamin Bratt (1963- ), protesters dumped hundreds of crates of Cash 4 Midday: 0-9-0-8 AQUARIUS (Jan. 20actor; Krysten Ritter (1981- ), actress; tea into Boston harbor, an act that came Ga. 5 Midday: 2-2-1-4-9 Feb. 19) — Don’t labor Theo James (1984- ), actor. to be known as the “Boston Tea Party.” TODAY’S FACT: Margaret Mead was In 1835, a huge fire destroyed nearly over situations you can named “Mother of the World” by Time 700 buildings in New York City. do nothing about. Stay Friday magazine in 1969. In 1944, German forces began a focused on keeping TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1973, Buffalo 90-minute artillery barrage against the Cash 3 Midday: 4-2-4 Bills running back O.J. Simpson became the peace and making Allied front, signaling the onset of the personal improvements. Cash 3 Evening: 8-4-5 the first player in NFL history to rush for Battle of the Bulge. Picking out something 2,000 yards in a season. In 2000, President George W. Bush Cash 4 Midday: 0-1-8-6 TODAY’S QUOTE: “Perhaps it is betselected Colin Powell as the first Africanto wear to an upcoming Cash 4 Evening: 8-5-9-8 ter to be un-sane and happy, than sane American secretary of state. event will brighten your and un-happy. But it is the best of all to TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Jane Austen Ga. 5 Midday: 1-8-3-0-2 day. be sane and happy. Whether our descenauthor; Noel Coward Ga. 5 Evening: 8-3-8-1-8 (1775-1817), PISCES (Feb. dants can achieve that goal will be the (1899-1973), playwright; Margaret Mead 20-March 20) — Upgreatest challenge of the future. Indeed, Fantasy 5: 6-11-14-24-35 (1901-1978), anthropologist; Arthur C. date your look or pick it may well decide whether we have any Clarke (1917-2008), writer; Philip K. Dick future.” — Arthur C. Clarke, “3001: The (1928-1982), author; Lesley Stahl (1941up something that will Final Odyssey” ), journalist; Steven Bochco (1943- ), add to your appearance. Shopping sprees reader’s guide will lead to worthwhile bargains. resource center at 770-963- 339-5845, or email the cir9205, ext. 1161 or 1162. culation department at cirARIES (March To Report a News Item: culation@gwinnettdailypost. 21-April 19) — Your Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., com between 6:30 a.m. and involvement in organizaMon.-Sat. Call 770-33910 a.m. Wednesday through tions that look out for 5850. Editor Todd Cline is at Friday and between 8 a.m. Editor – Todd Cline to start your subscription. the underdog will bring 770-963-9205, ext. 1300; Main Office – 770-963-9205 Classified Ads: Classiand noon Sunday. you fulfillment. Sprucing Sports Editor Will Hammock fieds can be placed at the If your paper delivery is up your appearance will is at 770-963-9205, ext. main office 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; missed, we no longer rede- turn out well. 1310. To request a photo, The Gwinnett Daily Post phone lines open 24 hours, liver on each delivery day. call 770-963-9205, ext. 1327. TAURUS (April 20invites your input. Here are seven days a week by callAdministration/Finance: We only redeliver on Sunsome guidelines to help you May 20) — Don’t overdo ing 770-236-9988. Email: day and Monday. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., communicate with us. it. Problems will arise if classified@gwinnettdailypAll other delivery days Mon.-Fri. Call 770-963-9205. Subscription Rates: you attend an industry Delivery Problems: Your that are missed, we will Subscription rate is $99 plus ost.com party and overindulge. Legal Notices: Hours are satisfaction is our No. 1 pri- have this paper delivered sales tax for one year, limitTake better care of your ority. If we miss delivery, call with the next day paper ed delivery areas. Call 770- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon.-Fri. health by limiting your The fax number is 770-339- our circulation department delivery at the request of 339-5845 from 8 a.m. to 5 intake and by engaging p.m. Monday through Friday 8082. Reach the legal the customer. customer service line, 770in physical challenges. GEMINI (May 21June 20) — Do something that will make DEAR AMY: I have ters for Disease Control Your question carries the you happy or feel good Ask Amy been baby-sitting for and Prevention (cdc.gov/ implication that you may about your appearance “Matt’s” two gradefamily/college), “Nearly need to settle for less and lifestyle. Romance school children for two half of the 20 million than what you want in is encouraged. year, since his wife died. new sexually transmitted a romantic relationship CANCER (June 21He is 32. diseases diagnosed each because you are older. July 22) — You need to My relationship with year are among young This may be true (I know get your responsibilities Matt turned sexual on people aged 15 to 24 it’s tough out there), but out of the way. Put in my 18th birthday and years. Women can have the basic rule of relationsome overtime at work we sleep together now at long-term effects of these ships applies at any age: least three or four times and position yourself diseases, including pelvic You get what you will Amy Dickinson a week. We agree that we inflammatory disease, settle for. for advancement. Later, are doing this just for fun infertility, tubal scarring, It sounds as if you two you’ll have more time to and don’t have any long- There are also multiple ectopic pregnancy and have a fun and active spend with friends and term plans to be together. opportunities to find chronic pelvic pain.” You friendship. He has been family. I will start college people in real life. should get tested every very honest with you LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) several states away next I have a visceral year for chlamydia. about what this entails — — Share your feelings. year. I worry about being negative reaction to your DEAR AMY: My for him. As long as you A change of scenaway. I know I will miss choices (and his), but boyfriend and I are 70. see him as a potential ery will do you good. the physical relationship. at 18 you are legally an We have been together partner, versus a friend, I am afraid of becoming adult and you are free to for two-and-a-half years. you will be disappointed. Dress the house for the holidays or make travel the campus slut, looking be sexual in any way you He has had zero real I hope you will be open arrangements that will for a guy to have a sex want. relationships. I have been to meeting and dating bring you closer to a with. You are ensconced in married and divorced (30 other people. I don’t dare talk to this current sexual relayears) and married and DEAR AMY: The loved one. my mother about this tionship, but one thing widowed (10 years). question from “What to VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. because she freaks out you’ll see as you mature We have so much fun Do” involved a young 22) — Concentrate on about anything that might is that you will be able to together — we laugh, family member who meeting your needs and interfere with me having tolerate separation better sing, travel. I love him wanted to bring a dog on making the most with a “career.” I’m still hold- simply by trying it. It and care about him, and a family visit. what you’ve got. A foring down a 4.0 GPA, but does get easier. am even sexually attractThere are an increasmer colleague will have I am distracted by this If you don’t want to ed to him. ing number of options an offer or suggestion relationship. I missed a be a “slut” in college, He has periodically for people doing this, that will position you to sports practice last week then don’t be. There is a admitted he doesn’t love including finding locals in order to be with him. double standard regardme, but cares about me. who would be willing to excel. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. How can I make the ing how men and women He has always been kind temporarily “foster” a 23) — Don’t give in to transition to college? are branded based on and thoughtful. He’s dog. My best friend thinks how they behave, but also admitted he’s not — Dog Lover peer pressure. Someit is creepy that I hook up anyone (male or female) sexually attracted to me, DEAR DOG LOVER: one will try to talk you with someone this old. can be characterized this although we’ve done a I like this idea. into taking on responsiShe says that when colway by being needy and lot of serious snuggling. You can contact Amy bilities that don’t belong lege starts I should try to promiscuous. You need I treasure our fun toDickinson via email: to you. Make suggesforget him and enjoy the to be intentional, safe, gether, but I’m left with askamy@amydickintions, but don’t sign up guys on campus. Should respectful and as rational hurt feelings. Should I son.com. Readers may for something that could I try Match.com? as possible regarding try to get over my hurt send postal mail to Amy conflict with your plans. — Perplexed your sexual life. and just enjoy the fun we Dickinson, c/o Tribune SCORPIO (Oct. 24DEAR PERPLEXED: I urge you to pay atten- have together? Content Agency, LLC., Nov. 22) — Don’t take I don’t think most coltion to your studies and I am very grateful for 16650 Westgrove Drive, on too much or make lege students use Match friendships. You must our kind of late-in-life Suite 175, Addison, TX unrealistic promises. to find one another. always use birth control romance. 75001. You can also There are other apps and and condoms to protect When dealing with chil— Grateful but follow her on Twitter @ sites that might be more your health. Frustrated askingamy or “like” her dren, emphasize honsuited to your age group. According to the CenDEAR GRATEFUL: on Facebook. esty and integrity. Make improvements to your living quarters or arrangements and protect against loss or injury.

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Gwinnett Daily Post

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Teen in relationship worries about college

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perspectives

Todd Cline, Editor

gwinnettdailypost.com

todd.cline@gwinnettdailypost.com

Page 5 a • Friday, december 16, 2016

Trump could face fight over climate change WASHINGTON — The incoming Trump administration will face passionate and hostile resistance if it tries to deny the reality of humaninduced climate change. We can already hear the drums of war. • The Department of Energy flatly denied a demand from the Trump transition team to supply the names of employees or contractors who have participated in international climate change negotiations in the past five years. Also rejected was a request for names of staff who helped calculate the “social cost” of carbon emissions. The obvious concern is that these workers would be labeled as unreliable, and perhaps shoved aside, by political appointees determined to pretend that climate change does not exist. • Scientists have begun a frantic effort to archive decades worth of climate data, copying it onto servers that are beyond the U.S. government’s reach. The voluminous data sets, compiled by agencies including NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, help form the basis for the consensus view that the atmosphere and the oceans are rapidly warming due to heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions. There has been no Eugene threat from the Trump camp to Robinson do anything untoward regarding the data, but the researchers are taking no chances. • California Gov. Jerry Brown said Wednesday that if President-elect Donald Trump tries to impede his state’s vigorous efforts against climate change, “We’ve got the scientists, we’ve got the lawyers and we’re ready to fight. We’re ready to defend.” Speaking in San Francisco at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union, Brown warned that rumored budget cuts might end a NASA program that uses satellites to take measurements of the earth, including temperature. “If Trump turns off the satellites,” Brown declared, “California will launch its own damn satellite.” All of this is just the beginning. Trump, who has repeatedly described climate change as a “hoax,” will try to reverse the Obama administration’s progress in limiting carbon emissions. Assuming he follows through, he’ll have a real fight on his hands. At one of his strongman-style victory rallies this past Tuesday night, Trump said that “we will cancel the restrictions on the production of American energy, including shale, oil, natural gas, and clean, beautiful coal.” Apparently, Trump never met a fossil fuel he didn’t like. And he has announced his intention to appoint the most prominent oil man he could find — Rex Tillerson, chief executive of Exxon Mobil, the largest non-government oil company in the world — as secretary of state. Trump may renounce the historic Paris agreement, in which the world’s biggest carbon emitters — China, the United States and India — all pledged curbs. He can also eliminate regulations limiting carbon emissions by power plants; encourage more drilling for oil and natural gas; and try his best to revive the moribund coal mining industry, though its decline is due more to market forces than to anything the government has done. These threatened actions come near the end of what will almost surely be the warmest year on record. Continuing what scientists see as an indisputable trend, 2016 was an absolute scorcher. And yes, I realize that right now it’s cold outside in much of the country; some scientists believe that rapid warming at the North Pole has destabilized air flow patterns and perhaps made these “polar vortex” cold snaps more common. In any event, the key measurement is the global temperature average, not the local wind chill. Trump is being advised by a number of vocal climate-change deniers. The data that scientists are rushing to preserve clearly refutes those who say there is no warming — hence the urgency to protect the information. Some deniers acknowledge the fact of warming but say it is due to some unfathomable natural cycle. But Occam’s razor argues persuasively for the simpler explanation: Since the Industrial Revolution, we have increased the atmosphere’s concentration of carbon dioxide — known to trap heat — by an incredible 40 percent. Much of the rest of the world understands the need to move toward clean energy. The technology isn’t quite there yet, so some breakthroughs will be required. Smart government policy would be to invest in research to make it more likely that these advances are made in Berkeley rather than Bangalore or Beijing. Dumb policy would be to fire up the smokestacks, stop collecting all that annoying climate data and marginalize federal employees who best understand global warming. This is the direction Trump appears to be headed. The president-elect threatens to make the United States a second-rate player in the coming clean-energy economy. I guess that’s his idea of greatness, but it’s not mine. Eugene Robinson’s email address is eugenerobinson@washpost.com.

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Lunching with the editor of Time Inc. CHARLESTON, S. C. — There was nearly an impasse in my lunch conversation with John Huey, a Georgia graduate who rose to the lofty media position of editor in chief of Time-Life. I wanted to talk about his experiences, which had him in touch with heads of state, billionaire headliners, a movie star or two, along with the movers and shakers of the world. He preferred to discourse about the Bulldogs, hoping that I had some answers to why Georgia did not win more games last fall. Our conversation did get off to a good start, however, being that he knew the perfect place for lunch in this laidback but eclectic city. “Meet me at Hominy Grill at high noon at the corner of Rutledge and Cannon,” he had advised. Before we return to tug of war regarding the topic of our conversation, let’s hang out for a minute with regard to our lunch address. Hominy Grill is anchored in an old neighborhood in historic Charleston where you will find limited parking, dirt curbing, schizophrenic traffic, laidback living and a clientele as varied as the menu. You can indulge in short orders, sandwiches and big plates that would satiate a hungry jackhammer operator: high-rise biscuits, jalapeno hushpuppies with sorghum butter, ribs and veggies galore, barbecued anything, she crab soup and

Loran Smith sautéed chicken livers —all served in an atmosphere as inviting as the food. I had arrived early at this signature restaurant, which promotes grits at every space from the menu to the walls. When you come to a place like Hominy Grill, you want to stay awhile — if your lunch guest will stay in the conversational traces. “What did your think of Eason’s performance?” John interrupted my opening volley of, “How did an English major get into the newspaper business?” If you are interested, I never got an answer to my question and was resigned and compelled to being both the interviewer and the interviewee, mostly the latter. After all, he had said at the outset that he was not interested in being written about, but Lord knows, if you are an aficionado of the University of Georgia and want to enjoy the writing process and are connected with illustrious alumni, you have to be as dogged as Huey was with his army of

editors and reporters to get to the bottom of every story that Time-Life’s plethora of magazines covered. I gave in first. Told him everything I knew about Kirby Smart, the history of all things Bulldog (which in most cases he knew better than I), the recruiting prospects for Kirby’s next class, the play calling (that is not an issue for either of us, by the way, but he wanted a second opinion) and when he could get a tour of the new indoor practice facility. At this point, lunch had been had, and it was time to order homemade pecan pie. I was keeping him late to pick up oysters for dinner when he finally relented. He let me in on his life and times as the premier media editor going. But only a little. This is a man who was in the media mainstream for 20 years, taking off and landing an estimated 2,800 times or thereabout at LaGuardia Airport. That came about because of a personal choice. He chose to live on nearby Sullivan’s Island because he didn’t want to raise his kids in Manhattan. Further, those weekend respites at the South Carolina coast, rejuvenated and invigorated him when he returned to “the city” and put on his editor’s face. Huey was an underling at the DeKalb New Era when Jim Minter hired him as a reporter for the Atlanta

Constitution. From there, Huey would go as far as an ink-stained wretch could go — Time Inc.’s editor in chief. He turned Fortune around like a football coach taking over a moribund program and advancing it into championship status. For 20 years, he elevated both the editorial savvy and the bottom line of Time Inc. He had a three-pronged objective that confirms he will always feel good inside, underscoring the integrity of the editorial process: • Produce the best possible product; • Protect journalists from inappropriate outside influence; and • Protect readers from any type of treachery on part of his journalists. Someday I will get to the rest of the story. Next time, he will tell me more and maybe Georgia will have blown away the competition which will cause him to loosen up. Encores with accomplished editors like John Huey at places like the Hominy Grill will always attract enterprising columnists. After all he is a Southern gentleman and knows a journalist must get answers to his questions. Woof, woof. Loran Smith is co-host of “The Tailgate Show” and sideline announcer for Georgia football. He is also a freelance writer and columnist.

Let’s bring two Christmases together The Supreme Court of the United States, along with other government proclamations and corporate decisions, has made it crystal clear that there are two Christmases in America each year. There is the religious holiday, of course, that centers around the birth of a baby in Bethlehem some 2000 years ago. That Christmas is celebrated in churches and in the hearts of adherents to Christianity with song and laughter and expressions of love and forgiveness and gratitude. Gifts and cards are exchanged and candles are burned. This Christmas season, while festive and fun, is also reverent and holy — the most holy time of the year. The Christian celebration of the yuletide season absolutely spills over and intertwines with the secular celebrations of the season — the one that the courts and government entities insist is OK to celebrate, as long as all references to the divine nature of Christ the Lord are excluded. Christians appreciate Santa Claus and snowmen and enjoy hearing “Jingle Bells” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” on the radio as much as they do “Silent Night,” the “First Noel” and “Joy to the World.”

there who want desperately to provide their children with some of the things their classmates will receive, but can’t. There are people whose family is not intact because loved ones are far from home with no means to visit . Or perhaps they are Darrell standing in harm’s way on Huckaby some battlefield on the other side of the world, trying to And there is certainly protect the freedom the rest nothing wrong with that. of us have to celebrate as we Nobody loves Christmas see fit, even while politicians any more than I do, and on this side of the water I am talking about all the make it harder and harder trappings that go with it. I for us to do just that. just have to remind myself Some people wake up on from time to time not to get Christmas Day knowing that caught up in the excitement their loved ones are incarand the pageantry so much cerated. Others wake up that I throw the baby Jesus wondering where the people out with the wrapping paper. they love might be. And for And I have to remind many people, Christmas myself that Christmas is not serves as a reminder of those always a joyous time for who are no longer with us. everyone. They don’t sell I understand those people’s millions of copies of “Blue feelings. We buried my Christmas” every year for no mama a week before Christreason. Christmas can be a mas in 1999. The season lonely and melancholy time always brings reflections of for some. Not everyone is that sad time so long ago. I surrounded by friends and have helped several families loved ones throughout the say goodbye to recently deseason, and for those people, parted loved ones this very the fact that they aren’t is year, and I hurt for them as magnified every time they they mourn their losses. turn on the television or And here is where I wish even take a look around the two Christmases that at folks whose lives seem our country observes could perfect. meld and come together. There are parents out People who put up lights

and tinsel and “holiday trees” and invite Santa into their homes without having ever invited Christ into their hearts are missing so much peace and joy and hope and grace and love — hope and joy and peace and grace and love that can’t come from any other place than establishing a relationship with Him whose birth we celebrate. I feel a lot worse for those folks than I do for my friends who are Christians who may have recently buried a loved one. When the angel appeared to the shepherds in the fields surrounding Bethlehem, the angel instructed them to go and spread the good news, not that Santa Claus was coming to town, but that Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World, IS come — to bring peace and good will to mankind. If you are familiar with that Savior, please share him this Christmas with someone who hasn’t had the pleasure of being introduced. You couldn’t give someone a better Christmas gift than that. And if you, yourself, don’t have that peace in your heart that comes only from knowing the Prince of Peace — there are a lot of us willing to share. Merry Christmas. The Lord IS come.

6A • Friday, December 16, 2016

gwinnettdailypost.com

world&nation world EgyptAir flight: Explosives found on crash victims

Trump taps Zinke for Interior By Timothy Gardner Reuters

Traces of explosive material were found on the remains of the victims of the EgyptAir Flight 804 crash, the Egyptian investigation committee announced Thursday, citing a forensic report. The Airbus A320 was en route from Paris to Cairo when it crashed into the Mediterranean Sea on May 19, killing 66 people. Authorities are still working to piece together exactly what caused the crash. Egyptian officials previously had said a terror attack or technical failures could have downed the plane. A senior source from the airline told CNN in July that the plane’s cockpit voice recorder indicated there was a fire on board — and an attempt to put it out — before the aircraft plunged into the sea.

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke of Montana, a former Navy SEAL commander who questions whether humans are largely the cause of climate change, as his choice for secretary of the interior. If the Senate confirms Zinke, a Republican, to lead the Interior Department, he will head an agency that employs more than 70,000 people across the country and oversees more than 20 percent of federal land, including national parks such as Yellowstone and Yosemite. As a one-term U.S. congressman, Zinke took several stances favoring coal, which is high in carbon emissions when burned. Coal output suffered during the administration of Democratic President Barack Besieged Aleppo Obama as the development of competing fuels natural residents quit city gas and solar and wind in cease-fire deal power soared. Zinke, 55, pushed to end ALEPPO, Syria/BEIa moratorium on federal RUT — An operation to coal leases on public lands evacuate thousands of civil- by 2019, saying it had reians and fighters from the sulted in closed mines and last rebel bastion in Aleppo job cuts. began on Thursday, part of He also helped introduce a cease-fire deal that would a bill expanding tax credits end years of fighting for for coal-burning power the city and mark a major plants that bury carbon victory for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. A convoy of ambulances and buses with nearly 1,000 people aboard drove South Carolina out of the devastated rebel-held area of Aleppo, church gunman which was besieged and found guilty bombarded for months by A jury has found Dylann Syrian government forces, Roof guilty of all 33 feda Reuters reporter on the eral charges he faced after scene said. Syrian state television re- last year’s massacre at a ported later that two further historically black church in convoys of 15 buses each Charleston, S.C. had also left east Aleppo. In the next phase of the The second had reached the trial, scheduled to begin in rebel-held area of al-Rashi- January, jurors will weigh deen, an insurgent said. whether Roof, 22, should be sentenced to death or spend the rest of his life in prison. Prosecutor calls Deliberations began for IMF’s Lagarde Thursday afternoon in Roof’s murder trial after to be acquitted attorneys made closing arguPARIS — The chief ments. prosecutor in the negligence Shortly after deliberatrial of IMF chief Christine tions started, the jury asked Lagarde in Paris called for to again watch the video her acquittal on Thursday, in which Roof confessed saying the hearing had failed to two FBI agents. Specifito support the “very weak” cally, the jury wanted to see accusation against her. the portion where Roof was Lagarde, 60, faces unsure of how many people charges, which she denies, he had killed. of being negligent when, as Roof, 22, a self-declared French finance minister, she white supremacist, has adapproved in 2008 a payout mitted to last year’s killings to businessman Bernard at Emanuel African MethodTapie in an out-of-court ist Episcopal Church. settlement which cost the French taxpayers $425 mil- Ex-guard at N.Y.’s lion. Rikers jail guilty General Prosecutor Jean-Claude Marin, who in inmate’s death had said after the conclusion of the investigation of NEW YORK — A former Lagarde that the case should guard at New York City’s be dismissed, said: “These troubled Rikers Island jail hearings have not sustained complex was found guilty very weak accusations.” He on Thursday of causing the called for her acquittal. death of an inmate in 2012 The special Republic’s by repeatedly kicking him Court of Justice, which in the head while he was judges cases involving restrained on the floor. government ministers and Brian Coll, 47, was has proceeded with the case convicted by a federal jury despite the prosecutor’s in Manhattan of the most recommendation, is to hand serious count he faced, causdown a verdict on Monday. ing the death of 52-year-old — From wire reports inmate Ronald Spear in

nation

people Super Mario Run arrives on mobile

Nintendo is sprinting into a new era with the launch of Super Mario Run. The beloved ’80s character debuted on Apple devices for the first time Thursday with the launch of Nintendo’s much-anticipated mobile game. Mario’s mission is to rescue a kidnapped Princess Peach from bad guy Bowser. Along the way, users run into familiar challenges, like piranha plants peeking out of green tubes and coins in treacherous spots. But rather than using a controller, users tap the screen to jump over enemies. By keeping a finger to the screen for U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., arrives for a meeting with U.S. Presidentelect Donald Trump at Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City on Monday. (Reuters/ a longer period of time, Mario jumps higher. Brendan McDermid) Although Super Mario Run doesn’t quite capture dioxide emissions underService. drilling in the Arctic and the magic of the original ground to fight climate Trump’s potential Atlantic coasts, expanded game — despite nostalgiachange, a measure supCabinet is filling with wildlife protections and rich graphics and music ported by coal interests and nominees from top fossil cracked down on methane some moderate environfuel-producing states. He emissions from the energy — it will resonate with mental groups. In introduc- tapped Oklahoma Attorney industry on tribal and pub- those who grew up with the game. ing the bill, Zinke said he General Scott Pruitt, an ar- lic lands. wanted to keep “coal, oil dent opponent of Obama’s The choice of Zinke and gas communities viable measures to curb climate surprised some observYoung Obama for generations to come.” change, to run the Environ- ers because Republican struggles with The Interior Department mental Protection Agency officials had wanted him identity in ‘Barry’ includes the National Park and Rick Perry, a climate to challenge Democratic Service, the Bureau of skeptic and former goverSenator Jon Tester in MonAs the country prepares Indian Affairs, the Bureau nor of Texas, to head the tana’s 2018 Senate race. to bid farewell to outgoing of Land Management, the Department of Energy. Many environmental President Barack Obama, Bureau of Ocean Energy Zinke would replace groups oppose Zinke for Netflix is looking to introManagement, which has Sally Jewell, who in Janu- his commitment to fossil duce people to a guy known oversight over offshore oil ary put a temporary ban fuels and his view that the to his friends as Barry. drilling and wind power; on coal mining on public science on climate change Newcomer Devon Terrell and the Fish and Wildlife lands, canceled leases for is “unsettled.” plays young Barack Obama in the film “Barry” from director Vikram Gandhi and during an interview with writer Adam Mansbach. NPR in Moscow. “Has the desired result been reached? The movie explores the He doesn’t have to abide by slice of Obama’s life during which he was living in New the Obama foreign policy. That gives him a fresh start.” York City in the ’80s and struggling to find his place A spokeswoman for Trump did not immediately in the world while attending Columbia University. respond to a request for “We set out to do a comment on Kingston’s visit character piece, a movie or remarks. that used the ‘free money’ of this guy going on to be FCC Chairman the leader of the free world Tom Wheeler to in order to smuggle a quiet movie about race and idenstep down from tity and coming of age into Police lead suspected shooter Dylann Roof into the post Jan. 20 the mainstream,” Manscourthouse in Shelby, N.C., on June 18, 2015. (Reuters/ Jason Miczek/File Photo) LOS ANGELES — FCC bach told CNN in an email Chairman Tom Wheeler interview. “We wanted the said he will depart the story to work on its own what prosecutors called a also African-American, agency after President-elect merits — to be compelling brutal beating. Coll could fatally shot Sylville Smith, even if this guy’s name was face life in prison when he is 23, after a traffic stop. Police Donald Trump is sworn in Larry and he grew up to be sentenced. have said Smith was armed next month. an accountant.” Wheeler, who was The jury also found Coll and ignored commands to appointed by President guilty of obstructing justice drop his gun when he was Obama three years ago to and falsifying records in shot. Facebook to start connection with a cover-up Heaggan-Brown was fired lead the FCC, announced with other Rikers guards from the police department he intends to leave his post putting warnings on Jan. 20, 2017. His exit to impede the investigation on ‘fake news’ in October in an unrelated is not a surprise: Trump into Spear’s death. case over sexual assault Facebook says it will has been widely expected charges. to install new leadership at start applying warning Ex-cop charged the agency, and he recently labels to some “fake news” with black man’s Supporters of stories that users share on recruited two conservaDonald Trump pay tive economists — Jeffrey the social network. shooting death Articles that are known Eisenach and Mark Jamison visit to Moscow A former Milwaukee to be false — seemingly — for his transition team A Donald Trump suppolice officer was charged published with the intent to focus on the FCC and porter and former member on Thursday in the fatal telecom policy, and both are to trick people — will be shooting of a black man that of Congress is in Russia this considered in the running marked with what Facesparked two nights of rioting week, as questions about book is calling a “flag.” as Trump’s FCC chairman Below the headline there the President-elect’s policies pick. in the Wisconsin city. toward Moscow roil his Ex-officer Dominique “Sitting in this chair has will be a red label that says “disputed by 3rd Party transition. Heaggan-Brown, 24, was been the great privilege of Fact-Checkers.” Former Georgia Rep. charged by District Attorney my professional career,” Users will be able to Jack Kingston spoke this John Chisholm with firstWheeler said as the FCC’s click on a “learn why this week in the Russian capital open commission meeting degree reckless homicide, according to an online filing with American business on Thursday concluded. “I is disputed” link to get leaders in a closed-door in Milwaukee County Cirwant to thank all of my col- more information. Facebook will not be dosession. Publicly, however, cuit Court. leagues. It has been a team ing the fact-checking itself. he suggested that Western The filing says that effort.” CEO Mark Zuckerberg has sanctions on Russia over its Heaggan-Brown is schedIn the interim, Republiaggression in Ukraine and uled for an initial appearcan FCC commissioner Ajit repeatedly said that “we do ance on Friday. It did not list annexation of Crimea could Pai is expected to be named not want to be arbiters of be lifted. a defense lawyer. interim chairman. He’s also truth ourselves, but instead “Trump can look at sanc- seen as a contender for the rely on our community and Two nights of rioting trusted third parties.” tions. They’ve been in place permanent job. erupted in August after — From wire reports long enough,” Kingston said Heaggan-Brown, who is — From wire reports

Trump, political uncertainty focus of counter-ISIS meeting Reuters

paign,” Carter said at a news conference following the sumAlthough President-elect mit. Donald Trump did not personally terror group. Two U.S. defense officials told attend Thursday’s meeting on the But many questions remain CNN ahead of the gathering that international anti-ISIS coalition about the future of the ISIS fight. the impeding political transition in London, his presence was felt Chief among them is what the in Washington would be a focus by the attendees. future leadership of that effort of the summit. Defense Secretary Ash Carter will look like. “The core military conand defense ministers from 12 Carter, however, reassured his tributors (are) interested in what other nations participating in the allies on the stability of the effort comes next, interested in how counter-ISIS ministerial meetgoing forward. the strategy might change, and ing were quick to laud recent “I do have confidence in the interested in what that means for battlefield progress against the future of the coalition camthe coalition,” a senior defense

Must read

official told reporters en route to the summit. A sudden change in tactics by the Trump administration — such as collaboration with Russia and its Syrian client Bashar alAssad — could potentially derail the anti-ISIS coalition, as many of its members would oppose this teaming up. Trump and his pick for national security adviser, retired Gen. Michael Flynn, have spoken positively of such a collabora-

tion in the past. And Trump has just tapped Rex Tillerson, CEO of ExxonMobil and a man who was once awarded the order of friendship by Russian President Vladimir Putin, as his secretary of state. Scenes this week of Assad’s forces shelling eastern Aleppo as his troops seized the last few Syrian rebel holdouts Tuesday drew sharp condemnations from many of the governments attending the London conference.

Reuters

Hundreds of kids got a surprise of a lifetime today as Shaq-a-Claus delivered gifts to their school. Shaquille O’Neal surprised kids at Ison Springs

Elementary School today to give each student a toy, book and warm coat according to the Fulton County Schools Twitter page. The former NBA superstar thanked Macy’s and Clothes 4 Souls for their

help in providing thousands of coats for children in need. Shaq got the name Shaq-a-Claus after joining forces with Toys for Tots year after year giving out thousands of presents to those in need.

Texas names chemical that may have contaminated water By Mark leBien

it is working with local industry, state regulators and consultants to deal with the Officials in Corpus Chris- problem. ti, Texas, on Thursday said The city is still gathera chemical used in asphalt ing information and had may have contaminated the encountered delays because city’s water supply, prompt- the chemical in the water ing an advisory against using is proprietary and has a tap water for everything patent, said city of Corpus from drinking to bathing. Christi spokeswoman Kim A news release from the Womack. The city had to city stated the chemical is sign a confidentiality agreeIndulin AA-86, an asphalt ment with the patent holder emulsifier. Three to 24 galin order to get the specific lons of the chemical possibly makeup of the chemical. entered the city’s water after “So far, city testing has an incident in the Corpus been clear,” she said. “We’re Christi industrial district. still awaiting additional The release said city results. When those results officials had met with the come back, we’ll notify you industrial district property as soon as possible.” owner and property user to Womack said the response gather more information. from private and public doThe city of more than nors had been amazing, with 300,000 on the Gulf of about 100,000 cases of water Mexico sent residents an on its way. advisory late Wednesday “With that being said, urging them to avoid tap none of it is in the city yet,” water in “an abundance of she said. Once the water caution and until results can arrives, the city will release confirm water safety.” a time for distribution to The release said a “recent residents. back-flow incident” in the Corpus Christi advised industrial district possibly residents to use only bottled caused the contamination, water for normal activities but it did not name the including drinking, cooking, industry. The city stated bathing and brushing teeth. CNN

The city warned that boiling, freezing, filtering or taking other actions would not make the water safe. People reacted to the advisory on social media, with one person urging the city to provide bottled water to citizens, and another posting a photo of a bottle of water and dubbing it a “Corpus Christi shower.” “They’re hoping to get it resolved within 24 hours,” said Zach Kastelic, who moved from Kansas City, Missouri, to Corpus Christi in September and is the partnership activation coordinator for the Corpus Christi Hooks baseball team, the Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.”A lot of schools and businesses are closed today,” Kastelic told CNN Thursday morning. “Many grocery stores sold out of water last night and early this morning but emergency shipments of water just arrived at some local H-E-B locations,” he added, referring to a Texas chain of grocery stores. “People (are) waiting in aisles with their grocery carts ready for them to put out the new water shipments.”

New “off-grid” solar generator never needs gas…

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Solar Generators can keep the lights on in your house when the power goes out.

If you’ve ever wanted to get off-the-grid and generate your own supply of electricity this will be the most important message you will ever read. Here is why. There is now an extremely efficient “backyard” solar generator (that’s also portable) which produces electricity silently without emitting any dangerous fumes whatsoever. It also never needs gas. News of the “miracle” backup solar generator (it was invented in Illinois) is spreading like wildfire from one homeowner to another… all across the country. Why? The answer is easy. You see, even though this new product is a technological breakthrough… it’s extremely easy to use. Simply point the panel towards the sun, plug in the panel, then power up your appliances. The ultra-advanced design supercharges storage batteries and ensures you can…

Have Backup Power In Your Home Even When Your Neighbor’s Lights Go Out!

This new generator contains several highly unusual components (three of which are extremely hard to find) which are integrated together… in such a way… that scientists call its ability to produce and store electrical energy “synergistic”. This means… all… of the electrical components working together… are much more effective at producing electricity quickly and efficiently. This is because of the way each of the component parts interacts with the other component parts. Thus, the unique solar collection design produces high-speed solar charging. Then, the newly harnessed electricity is safely stored in a…

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Why is this new generator so powerful? The secret is in the new battery… the new inverter technology and the way they are connected and work together through the new “smart” circuit board. By the way, the battery is the same type that fighter pilots use. This means it can operate safely in any position… even upside down. The use of “fighter–pilot” batteries means you never have to worry about battery leakage or damage. Therefore, the system allows you to generate power in your backyard, your cabin or any remote location you choose.

with a short note about how you set up the generator and followed the simple instructions (just point, plug and power up) and then... Solutions From Science (the only company authorized to sell this product in the U.S.) will send you a prompt, no hassle refund.

Off-The-Grid Warning!

Obviously this is not an ordinary offgrid generator. It is truly extra-ordinary. If you follow the simple instructions and set up the solar generator as instructed… YOU WILL generate free electricity offthe-grid, anywhere in the world. However, there is a trend in this country (especially among individuals who are infatuated with self-reliance) to want to get off-thegrid completely by eliminating their utility company once they own this system. Therefore, before you call the power company to unhook your home’s utility connection… you should get advice from your attorney to make sure it’s legal to get off-the-grid completely in your municipality. Laws vary from city to city. Also, you and your family… should decide together if you can live completely off-grid.

Moving Our Warehouse Sale Means Huge Solar Generator Discounts While Supplies Last!

The company is currently attempting to consolidate several smaller warehouses into one larger location. In the process, an employee mentioned it might be easier and less expensive if the units were shipped from the current warehouse locations instead of hauling the generators back and forth in order to get them shipped. The savings will be passed along to area homeowners. The solar generator is easy to order. For the absolute fastest service go to the website: www.PortablePower1800.com. You may also order by phone. All you have to do is call 1-877-327-0365 and ask for extenstion 314. Remember, there is an enormous demand for the generator at this price… so if our phone lines are busy please keep trying to call back.

Best Part: New Solar Generator Never Needs Gas!

Almost every time the power goes out… the gas station pumps don’t work because they need electricity to operate. Solar generator users love the fact that once you own one… you can generate an endless supply of free electricity from the sun. Not just that… The unit comes with an “expansion” connection so you can store huge amounts of electricity. And while the system is very powerful, it’s also portable which means it’s…

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It’s true. Because this device is incredibly portable… and because it generates backup electricity safely (with no toxic fumes) and because it runs silently… it’s being sold with the most amazing guarantee in the world. Check this out: Set up the solar generator at your house, cabin or any remote location in the world. Then, just watch the unit power up your emergency appliances and devices (refrigerators, sump pumps, short wave radio, computers). Watch the solar generator provide electricity from the sun … right before your very eyes. You’ll be totally thrilled with the safe (no dangerous emissions) and silent operation. Some say it’s like having your own private power plant running secretly in your own home. However, if you are not satisfied, simply return the generator for a full refund (less shipping and handling of course) along

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Shaq delivers gifts to Fulton County elementary school By Briana Belser

Friday, december 16, 2016 • 7a

gwinnettdailypost.com

The Portable Power 1800 is extremely easy to use... just point, plug and power up!

One more thing. It’s important. The normal retail price of the solar generator is $6000.00 plus shipping and handling. By using the extension code when you visit the website (during checkout) you will bypass the normal price and unlock the website allowing you to purchase this $6000.00 solar generator for just $1497.00 plus shipping and handling. Thank You.

PortablePower1800.com 1-877-327-0365 Ext. 314 Solutions From Science 2200 IL Rt.84 Thomson, IL 61285

P.S. You can also visit the Solutions From Science “Solar Generator” showroom. If fact, visitors receive a free meal for checking out the equipment. The showroom is connected to the world-famous Heirloom Market & Cafe in Thomson, IL and is very easy to find. (Check out the menu at TheHeirloomMarket.com) One block North from the Thomson-Savanna State Bank on Hwy 84 in Thomson. Our new warehouse is located across from the Thomson police station.

8A • FridAy, december 16, 2016

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Police

•From Page 1A

•From Page 1A Grayson instead of its current Loganville. “It literally is going to take an act of the United States Congress to change Grayson High School’s zip code to Grayson, GA, 30017,” Wilkerson said. “We are in the process. We are working with (Seventh District) Congressman Rob Woodall, and we are getting closer and closer every day. … My goal is to have it done before the beginning of the 2017 season.” But that effort lies in the future, and the bulk of Thursday night’s festivities were focused on the present and Grayson’s state football title. And no matter what the school’s current address is, it was apparent the Rams had captured the hearts of the city of Grayson, something players and coaches alike were very appreciative of.

“Horse,” she declared, pointing to a brown stuffed horse. Byce picked up the toy to let the little girl touch it. “Soft,” Sophia muttered under her breath as she stroked its nose. This kind of interaction is why Byce said she’s participated in this event for the past five years. “I do it to spend time with the children,” she said. “I love children, so I really enjoy it.” Most law enforcement officers the Daily Post ran into in at that Wal-Mart on Thursday night seemed to be enjoying themselves almost as much as the kids they

were shopping with. “It’s always fun to see the children have fun, especially going to toy stores,” said Deputy Derric Robinson. He was picking out mostly princess-themed toys with a 3-year-old named Syia. “I know when I was younger I didn’t get a chance to do that a lot,” Robinson said. “To see them get enjoyment out of it, it brings me joy.” To Rucker and her family, gestures like that mean the world. She said that spirit is what’s made living in Gwinnett so special, especially since her husband’s ordeal. “It’s just a tremendous blessing,” she said.

Grayson

obituaries JEFFERSON

Leone “Lee” Blok

Eddie Bryant, Sr.

Leone “Lee” Blok, age 85, of Suwanee, GA passed away Thursday, December 15, 2016. Services and Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.

Mr. Eddie Andrew Bryant, Sr., age 76 of Jefferson, Georgia, who entered into rest Wednesday, December 14, 2016.

HOSCHTON

Ellen Bradford Ellen Chadwick Bradford, age 89, of Hoschton, GA passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2016. Services and Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.

Life

It’s a goal that is even more satisfying considering the scrutiny the team has been under for a large part of the year. With a large number of highly touted transfer players augmenting what was already a solid squad that was coming off a 13-1 campaign and a berth in the state semifinals in 2015, the Rams faced a lot of high expectations and quite a bit of controversy. Grayson fan Lisa Radford holds a sign that says it all, And that scrutiny only as Grayson High School celebrates its AAAAAAA state made the title even more football championship at Grayson Community Park satisfying, especially to Thursday evening. (Special Photo: William Lofton) Herron, who was in his “Grayson’s a great com- Oconee County (1999). first season after replacing munity,” said Rams head “You don’t win a state Mickey Conn, who started coach Jeff Herron, who championship without hav- the Grayson program in was presented with a key to ing a very supportive com- 2000 before taking a colthe city by Wilkerson after munity. The fact they’re lege job on Clemson’s staff becoming the first coach in doing this for us (Thursday) last spring. GHSA history to win three night, that means a lot.” “It certainly is satisfystate titles at three different Thursday night’s celebra- ing,” Herron said. “We schools, with Saturday’s tion was also about the felt like we had a target titles joining the ones he team finally being able to on our backs all year long. won at Camden County enjoy a goal it has worked Certainly, a lot of people’s (2003, 2008 and 2009) and for since last spring. expectations were that if we

GDP-12/16/2016 SUWANEE

Above left, Audrey Brinson, 6, looks at the PlayDoh sets with Sheriff Deputy Ryan Dunlap during Thursday’s Cops and Kids event held at Wal-Mart in Buford. Below left, Keyaan Zaid, 6, looks at toys while shopping with Sheriff Deputy Ed Marsden during Thursday’s Cops and Kids event. (Photos: Kyle Hess)

AUBURN

Madie Edwards Madie Edwards, age 87, of Auburn, GA passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2016. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Edwards. She is survived by her loving children, Bud Edwards, Janie Langley, Martha Knotts, Edith Edwards, Jill Davis, and Margie Davis; 17 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 5 greatgreat grandchildren; sister, Francis Kirtpatrick; as well as several nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service Honoring the Life of Madie will be held on Friday, December 16, 2016 at 3PM at Tom M. Wages Lawrenceville Chapel with Minister Harold Savage

officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 15th from 6pm-8pm in the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome. com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service LLC, “A Family Company” 120 Scenic Hwy Lawrenceville, GA 770-963-2411. .

COMMERCE

Jeffery Holliday Mr. Jeffery Dylan Holliday, age 24 of Commerce, Georgia, who entered into rest Friday, December 9, 2016. 15 photos are available with all Obituaries and Death Notices $

Call for details

770.963.9205 Ext.1162 or Ext.1163

didn’t win it all, it wouldn’t be a successful season. But we just concentrated on getting better every week and trying to come together as a team. Luckily, it worked out. “I don’t think we got into a whole lot about what other people thought. We just concentrated on ourselves. Any time you win it all, it’s a satisfying way to end the season.” Grayson principal Dana Pugh couldn’t have agreed more. “A championship not only represents the excellence of football, but excellence of Grayson,” Pugh told the crowd. “We have the privilege to not only represent a school district, but a great city. The city of Grayson was founded by winners and the city of Grayson was founded on excellence. These young men are taking that torch forward today.”

•From Page 1A

bug in his own home,” friend Michael Bennett said. “Instead, he would capture it and release it outside. He was a peaceful man.” Lofton remained stone faced throughout the family’s tearful testimony. Life with the possibility of parole was the harshest sentence the court could level against Lofton, given his age. Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Randy Rich made clear at the end of the hearing he wished he could put the teen away longer. “I wish that I could give you more time than I can because I think you’re a coldblooded killer,” Rich said. “I hope you never get out of jail.”

For more obituaries, visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com.

WINDER

JEFFERSON

Frances Moon

Ernest Pirkle

Frances Bethel Moon, age 65, of Winder, GA passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2016. Services and Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.

Ernest Pirkle, age 78, of Jefferson, GA passed away Thursday, December 15, 2016. Services and Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.

NORCROSS

Major General James Smith Major General James Cliffton Smith, US Army, Ret. age 93, of, Norcross, GA, passed away on December 14th, 2016. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company”, Snellville Chapel 770-979-3200 has been entrusted with the arrangements.

DULUTH

Walter Q. Page Walter Q. Page, age 84, of Duluth, GA passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2016. Services and Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.

COMPLETE CREMATION $ 79500 www.peachtreecremation.com

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He said the program served 156 kids from about 68 families this year. By 6:50 p.m., about 40 law enforcement officers from departments all over the county had signed in to walk around and pick out toys with the kids. That number only grew as the night went on. Deputies held tiny hands, lieutenants picked out sparkly dolls and corporals flipped through illustrated kid books. Llorens said that was another goal of the program — to give those kids a positive experience with law enforcement officers. “I think it helps them understand where we’re coming from,” he said. “That we’re just dads and moms. We’re the same as their families.” That’s what Purley Chanpney liked about the event. It was the second time he and his wife brought their four younger kids to shop with the cops. “The kids love it,” Chanpney said. “They get a chance to meet different cops and understand that they’re not bad people. It’s really great for them.” Sophia Chanpney, 2, certainly seemed to be enjoying herself. The little blonde was looking over every toy with her wide brown eyes as she sat on her father’s hip. She was already clutching a baby doll — tag still attached — under her arm. Cpl. Janice Byce from the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Department was shopping with Sophia and her dad. All three stopped abruptly in one aisle when something soft caught Sophia’s eye.

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sports

gwinnettdailypost.com

SECTION B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016

Simmons steps up for 9-1 Hawks Mill Creek senior thriving in more prominent role

League game, then tore the ACL in the same knee as an eighth-grader on Osborne Middle’s team. She regained her form as a Hawks freshman, was a key varsity reserve as a sophomore and By Will Hammock was an important starter last will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com season as a junior. Throughout those seaHOSCHTON — Before sons, she wore an ACL Morgan Simmons made it brace on her right knee. to Mill Creek High School, “I guess it was just more she was well-versed on knee of a comfort thing, just injuries and rehabilitation. knowing it was there,” SimShe tore the ACL in her mons said. “It doesn’t really right knee as a sixth-grader do anything now.” in a Gwinnett Basketball Now a senior, the 5-foot-7

standout has scrapped the knee brace. The newfound freedom — she said “it makes you feel lighter” — hard work in the offseason and a more prominent role have suited Simmons well. The Wingate University (N.C.) signee has doubled her scoring average from last season, helping the Hawks to a 9-1 start overall, including 4-0 in Region 6-AAAAAAA. “I’d say the biggest difference (this season) is last year I wore a knee brace,” Simmons said. “I decided to

take that off at the beginning of the summer. It’s helped me be faster on offense and defense. In the summer, I really worked on my ball handling because I moved to the four position this year, so I have to be more in the backcourt, helping bring the ball up. And I’ve been perfecting my shot.” That shooting has been vital to Mill Creek’s earlyseason success. Simmons had 26 points in a victory over Class

Mill Creek’s Morgan Simmons (33) goes to the basket to score as Duluth defender Breyonce Rucker (30) tries to stop her Tuesday. (Photo: Craig Cappy)

LOVE GAME See SIMMONS, Page 4B

OF THE

Hornets, Norcross’ Lamb hit Atlanta Saturday By Guy Curtright Staff Correspondent

ATLANTA — Jodie Meeks, the first of four players from Norcross High School to reach the NBA, faced the Atlanta Hawks in their last game at Philips Arena. Now Jeremy Lamb gets a homecoming on Saturday. Lamb, the most recent Norcross graduate to reach basketball’s highest level, makes his first of two regular-season visits as the Hawks face Southeast Division rival Charlotte. Like Meeks, Lamb missed time with an injury early this season. But it was less severe and hasn’t really set the 24-year-old back that much. Lamb, who helped Connecticut to an NCAA championship before declaring for the draft in 2012, is averaging 8.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 16 minutes North Gwinnett running back Ryan Lovelace (21) looks for an open lane during this season’s game in Hoschton. (Photo: Karl L. Moore)

See LAMB, Page 4B

North senior running back Lovelace driven to succeed by loss of his parents By Paul Thomas Balancing the academic workload at North Gwinnett and playing varsity football in Georgia’s largest classification can be an arduous task. Senior running back Ryan Lovelace has never looked at it that way. Instead, the Bulldogs’ leading rusher welcomed the challenge. He’s not a complainer, and doesn’t miss school if he can help it. All this even with the loss of both of his parents when he was just 16. After losing his father Dexter to gastric cancer when he was 3, Lovelace’s mother, Colette, died

paul.thomas@gwinnettdailypost.com

from a blood clot in her lung in December of his sophomore season, leaving he and his then 20-year-old brother Darrien on their own. “It was hard and it was a lot,” he said. “It was pretty much up to me (what I did). Between going to school and staying on path, I did that pretty well. I didn’t miss any school days or anything, simply because even though that had happened, I knew my Mom wouldn’t want me to fall through the cracks just because she passed away. I knew she would want me to be successful. And on top of that, my family was very helpful and

so was the community. They all helped me and they pitched in and did whatever they could to make sure I was as happy as possible.” The two brothers lived in their mom’s house for about a year and a half, before it became too much for them to maintain on their own. With some help, they sold the house and Ryan moved in with teammate Drew Jordan’s family in May. The two have been friends ever since they started playing football together in elementary school. “It’s been great,” Lovelace said of living with the Jordans.

“They’ve done so much and they’ve helped me a lot. It’s really made everything easier for both me and my brother.” With a more stable living situation, Lovelace had a breakout senior season. As a junior he ran for 449 yards and two touchdowns on just 69 carries. This year he ran the ball 160 times for 847 yards and 14 touchdowns, and was selected for Saturday’s Rivalries of Gwinnett All-Star Game at 1 p.m. at Mountain View. North went 6-5 and it returned to the state playoffs. Head coach See LOVELACE, Page 4B

Charlotte Hornet Jeremy Lamb (3), a Norcross grad, dunks the ball during a game against Orlando on Dec. 9 in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo: Sam Sharpe-USA Today Sports)

Finally healthy, Norcross’ Meeks back in NBA groove ready for him. After not having that much positive to talk about ATLANTA — Jodie as missed time because of Meeks was hopeful of getinjuries mounted, the former ting out of the visiting locker Norcross High School standroom at Philips Arena as out was in demand for a good soon as possible so he could reason Tuesday after scoring spend some time with family 20 points in Orlando’s 131and friends before heading to 120 victory over the Hawks. the airport. “I’ve had a couple of good Meeks’ performance for games in my hometown, but the Orlando Magic against not this good,” Meeks said. the Atlanta Hawks made a “I’d have been upset if we quick escape impossible, would’ve lost and I had a good though. Television camgame. So I wanted to win. And eras and tape recorders were we needed that win.” By Guy Curtright Orlando guard Jodie Meeks (20), a Norcross grad, shows emotion against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday at Philips Arena. (Photo: Brett DavisUSA Today Sports)

Staff Correspondent

The Magic definitely need Meeks adding instant offense off the bench if they are going to make a run at a playoff spot. “Putting that guy on the floor helps us a lot. He’s one of the best shooters in the game,” coach Frank Vogel had said pregame. Meeks hasn’t got to show off that touch much for the past three seasons, though. After averaging a careerhigh 15.7 points for the Los See MEEKS, Page 4B

2B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016

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Hiring? Ignore expired old guard By Ira Miller

The Sports Xchange

Atlanta running back Tevin Coleman (26) scores on a six-yard run past Los Angeles linebackers Alec Ogletree (52) and Cory Littleton (58) on Sunday in Los Angeles. (Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA Today Sports)

Falcons are legit title contenders The Sports Xchange

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FLOWERY BRANCH — After going toe-to-toe with Kansas City and body-slamming the Los Angeles Rams, the Atlanta Falcons are starting to take form as a legitimate title contender in the NFC, where there is no clear-cut dominant team. The Dallas Cowboys’ record is impressive, but they have a rookie quarterback and the New York Giants showed you how to beat them if you can shut down their rushing attack. The down state of the league also is a good reason to believe the Falcons (8-5) can win the NFC. The Falcons have some big flaws, but so do the other contenders it he NFC. The Falcons have faced some good defensive teams and rarely has their offense — led by quarterback Matt Ryan — been less than effective. Sometimes it has been fantastic. Their defense is improving in spite of injuries. The Falcons are tied atop the NFC South with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5) but own the tiebreaker over them, and Atlanta’s closing schedule — San Francisco, at Carolina and home vs. the Saints — seems relatively easy. Football Outsiders rated the Falcons as the best team in the league two weeks ago, then dropped them to No. 4 after the close loss to the Chiefs. “The Year of No Great Teams has reached another pinnacle. Or is it more appropriate to say nadir?” Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders said. Seattle doesn’t want to go on the road in the playoffs because, unlike the Falcons, its offense doesn’t travel. The Seahawks (8-4-1) entered this week at No. 3 before flopping in Green Bay. The Seahawks have an easy closing schedule, so chances are they would host vs. the Falcons in the postseason. However, we’ve already seen the Falcons go to Seattle and give them a game. The Detroit Lions (9-4)

49ERS AT FALCONS

When: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. Where: Georgia Dome TV: Fox

keep winning, but they have issues in the running game and along the offensive line. Detroit squeaked past Chicago for an NFL-record eighth comeback win in the fourth quarter. The Giants have a tough defense, but still have that boom-or-bust offense with the boom-or-bust quarterback. The Buccaneers (8-5) barely outlasted the Saints and might get exposed in Dallas. The Cowboys’ defense can be shaky, though, especially against the pass, and who among NFC contenders has a better air attack than the Falcons? Atlanta can keep up with the Cowboys in a shootout. Among the top six in the NFC, the Falcons are even with the Seahawks and above everyone but the Cowboys, who are a notch above. In a year like this, though, that gap isn’t really that big. Falcons coach Dan Quinn believe his young defense is coming along. “We’ve challenged them in certain areas to see if we could improve,” Quinn said. “They have so that part we’re excited to see where we can go. There’s much improvement to be made again this week and that’s really where our intent will be.” Quinn likes the way his team rebounded from the tough loss to Kansas City. “The part for all of us when you go through those difficult ones and you can just be so frustrated at times in a performance or in a game where you can’t wait to get out again,” Quinn said. “It would’ve been the perfect week to play a Thursday night football game, but we had to wait until Sunday and fly out.” The Falcons remained focused this week on San Francisco, which has lost 12 straight games.

We’re approaching — actually, it began this week — the second most significant event on the NFL calendar, behind only the Super Bowl and ahead of the draft. It’s called the firing and hiring season, and it began when the Los Angeles Rams dumped coach Jeff Fisher on Monday. The problem for too many NFL teams, however, is that the firing part is easy and the hiring part is not. Too many teams show little or no imagination in their hires, and that’s why they stink. Such thinking already is evident in media suggestions the past few days that the Chicago Bears should bring in Hall of Fame executive Bill Polian to run their organization, and that the San Francisco 49ers should hire Mike Shanahan, their former offensive coordinator and coach of two Denver Super Bowl champions, to fix what ails them. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Polian was great in his time, putting together the Buffalo team that won four straight AFC titles, the Carolina expansion team that reached competitiveness in a hurry and the Indianapolis team that won a Super Bowl after choosing Peyton Manning over Ryan Leaf in the draft. But he’s now 74 years old, has been out of NFL team management for five years, and has spoken admirably of Jay Cutler, the Bears quarterback who despite great physical skills never has shown he’s more than a journeyman.

Shanahan, who followed Bill Walsh and Mike Holmgren as the architect of the 49ers’ offense and actually improved it, then brought the championship twice to Denver, has been out of the league for three years. He’s 64 years old, flopped in his last coaching stop at Washington, and, it’s worth noting, has coached just one playoff victory in 18 years. He would surely be a popular choice among the 49ers’ fans and former players who remember the good days, but what the 49ers need, besides a coach, is to rebuild a front office that has allowed the team’s personnel to decline to irreverence. That was not Shanahan’s strength. So, while Polian and Shanahan have great resumes, why would anyone think they are the men you want to rebuild a franchise going forward? And that in a nutshell is the problem too many NFL franchises have: the inability to choose the next great thing, rather than the last great thing. Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots owner, was laughed at nearly two decades ago when he hired Bill Belichick, who had flopped at Cleveland, as his coach. But Kraft saw something in Belichick, including his ability to learn and adapt after his initial failure. It’s worth remembering there’s a coach in the Hall of Fame, Bill Parcells, who never won a postseason game when he did not have Belichick on his staff. Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh was an unconventional pick as head

coach because his background had been mostly coaching special teams. But as a head coach, he won a Super Bowl and has been in the playoffs almost every year. Fans of teams hoping a great name from the past can revive them ought to study the Washington experiment. The Redskins brought back Joe Gibbs as their coach after an 11year hiatus, but the magic that produced three Super Bowl champions simply was not there any longer. What teams should be looking for are younger men with new ideas, preferably men who have been around enough to be exposed to more than one way of doing things. Two years ago, the Bears hired Ryan Pace, who had worked for just one team (New Orleans) as their general manager. Pace never had to worry about finding a quarterback, for example, because he had Drew Brees with the Saints and a quarterback-friendly coach, Sean Payton. Trent Baalke, the latest architect of the San Francisco disaster, had been a scout for the Jets and Redskins before landing with the 49ers. Just a guess, but if Belichick saw anything in Baalke, he would have taken him with him when he left the Jets to go to the Patriots. Instead, Baalke wound up in Washington working under Vinny Cerrato, who had failed previously as a San Francisco personnel boss. That’s not exactly nepotism, but it works about the same way. Granted, there is no sure-fire way to find the next great coach or general

manager. The normal path is to look at the best teams, but Belichick has not done a good job of developing a coaching tree because he has his finger in so much of what the Patriots do that his assistants rarely have been able to develop. Several of Belichick’s assistant coaches have flopped as head coaches. Meanwhile, Gibbs and the late Bill Walsh, another Hall of Fame coach, traced their lineage back to the late Hall of Famer Sid Gillman. The late Chuck Noll learned under the great Paul Brown. One difference was that, in those days of yore, coaching staffs were so small that assistants had to take on more responsibility than some do today. Nonetheless, the job that Jim Bob Cooter has done with Matt Stafford in Detroit, or Kyle Shanahan (son of Mike) in Atlanta, seem certain to get them some looks as prospective head coaches, and if the 49ers, for example, want a Shanahan, maybe they ought to look at the one who used to run around the field shagging balls for his dad’s players. All we know with any certainty is there will be a lot of names floated in the weeks to come. The bad teams are often more interesting than the good ones, especially this time of year. Ira Miller is an awardwinning sportswriter who has covered the National Football League for more than five decades and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee. He is a national columnist for The Sports Xchange.

Norman ‘stabbed in back’ by GM The Sports Xchange Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman said he felt “stabbed in the back” when Carolina Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman decided to part ways with him last April by rescinding the franchise tag. The Redskins host the Panthers on Monday night and Norman wasn’t shy about the bitterness that remains when he was on a conference call with reporters on Thursday. “When that situation came up it was totally out of left field,” said Norman, who played with the Panthers from 2012-15. “It just went downhill from there. It almost felt like I was stabbed in the back in a way. “At the same time, I’m not saying he probably meant to do that in that way. It was just probably the business aspect of it and the money factor and what he believed and how he

Washington cornerback Josh Norman (24) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Arizona on Dec. 4 in Glendale, Ariz. (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA Today Sports)

learned how to do things.” Two days after the tag was rescinded, Norman signed a five-year, $75 million deal with the Redskins. Norman was a key player for the Panthers, who reached the Super Bowl last season before losing to the Denver Broncos. Norman was hoping to receive a long-term contract from the Panthers. But after the franchise tag

was removed — one year at $13.95 million — Gettleman stated the decision was reached because he didn’t foresee a long-term deal before reached. That didn’t sit well with Norman. “He ain’t been nothing but nice to me until that came about,” Norman said. “I was like, ‘Wow, smile on your face and go behind your back and do

something behind your back and do something like that.’ It’s kind of like, ‘Geez. That’s tough.’” Norman is taking glee of the playoff scenarios for the two clubs. The Panthers (5-8) have been one of the NFL’s most-disappointing teams and could be eliminated this Sunday. The Redskins (7-5-1) are among a pack of teams fighting for a wild-card spot. “It looks like we’re going to the playoffs, and I don’t know if anybody else is,” Norman told ESPN. “It looks like we’ve got a good shot more than they do.” Norman was a fifthround pick out of Coastal Carolina in 2012 and he emerged as a star player for the Panthers. He had four interceptions in 2015 — returning two for touchdowns — as the Panthers went 15-1. This season, Norman has just one interception but has forced two fumbles.

ondeck Prep Schedule

BASKETBALL

Today

• Commerce at Hebron • Dacula in Spartan Shootout • Shiloh girls in She Got Game in Smyrna, Tenn. 6 p.m. — Discovery at Mountain View 6 p.m. — Duluth at Collins Hill 6 p.m. — Grayson at Archer 6 p.m. — Lakeside-Dekalb at Parkview 6 p.m. — Meadowcreek at Lanier 6 p.m. — Mill Creek at Peachtree Ridge 6 p.m. — North at Brookwood 6 p.m. — Providence at Athens Christian 6 p.m. — St. Francis boys at Wesleyan 7 p.m. — Buford at Flowery Branch 7 p.m. — GAC at East Hall

SWIMMING

5 p.m. — Dunwoody at Wesleyan 7:20 p.m. — Shiloh, Berkmar and Discovery at Collins Hill 7:20 p.m. — Parkview and Collins Hill at Mountain Park 7:20 p.m. — Peachtree Ridge and Norcross at West Gwinnett

WRESTLING

• Buford, Archer, Collins Hill in Kansas City Stampede at Hale Arena • Mountain View in Bradley (TN) Invitational 3 p.m. — Blessed Trinity at Wesleyan 5 p.m. — GAC, Meadowcreek in War Eagle Tournament at Woodward Academy 5 p.m. — Grayson in King of the County at Harris Co. 5 p.m. — Parkview at North Forsyth 5:30 p.m. — Westlake at Shiloh

The Home Teams

TODAY NEXT UPCOMING

Gladiators

at Florida at Florida Greenville 7:30 p.m. Sat, 7 p.m. Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m. 102.9-FM 102.9-FM 102.9-FM

Hawks

at Toronto Charlotte at Oklahoma City 7:30 p.m. Sat, 7:30 p.m. Mon, 8 p.m. FSSE/92.9-FM FSSE/92.9-FM FSSE/92.9-FM

Falcons

Georgia

Tech

San Fransisco at Carolina Off Sun, 4:05 p.m. Dec. 24, 1 p.m. FOX/92.9-FM FOX/92.9-FM vs. TCU^ Off Dec. 30, noon ESPN/750-AM vs. Kentucky# Off Dec. 31, 11 a.m. ESPN/93.7-FM

FSSE = FOX Sports Southeast, FSSO = FOX Sports South; ^Autozone Libert Bowl in Memphis, Tenn; #TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.

On TV

Today

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

7 p.m. — NCAA FCS, James Madison at North Dakota State. Semifinal. ESPN2

NBA

7:30 p.m. — Atlanta at Toronto FSSE 8 p.m. — Los Angeles Lakers at Philadelphia ESPN 10:30 p.m. — Dallas at Utah ESPN

NHL

7 p.m. — Los Angeles at Pittsburgh NBCSP

SOCCER

2:30 p.m. — Bundesliga Soccer TSG 1899 Hoffenheim vs Borussia Dortmund FS1 Saturday

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Noon — Georgetown at Syracuse ESPN Noon — Texas A&M vs. Arizona ESPN2 Noon — Wagner at Providence FS1 Noon — Eastern Kentucky at Louisville FSSO 12:30 p.m. — Memphis at Oklahoma CBS 2 p.m. — Notre Dame vs. Purdue ESPN2 2 p.m. — Chicago State at DePaul FS1 3 p.m. — Ohio State vs. UCLA CBS 5:30 p.m. — North Carolina vs. Kentucky CBS 7 p.m. — Davidson vs. Kansas ESPN2 8 p.m. — Wake Forest at Xavier FS1 11 p.m. — UNLV vs. Oregon ESPN2

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Noon — Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, North Carolina Central vs. Grambling State ABC 2 p.m. — Gildan New Mexico Bowl, New Mexico vs. Texas-San Antonio ESPN 3:30 p.m. — Las Vegas Bowl, Houston vs. San Diego State ABC 4 p.m. — NCAA Division II Championship, North Alabama vs. Northwest Missouri State ESPN2 5:30 p.m. — Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, Appalachian State vs. Toledo ESPN 9 p.m. — R and L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, Southern Mississippi vs. Louisiana-Lafayette ESPN

NBA

7:30 p.m. — Charlotte at Atlanta FSSE

SOCCER

7:25 a.m. — Premier League Crystal Palace FC vs Chelsea FC NBCSP 9:30 a.m. — Bundesliga RB Leipzig vs Hertha BSC Berlin FS1 12:30 p.m. — Premier League West Bromwich Albion FC vs Manchester United FC NBC

WINTER SPORTS

2:30 p.m. — Team USA Winter Champions Series. U.S. Grand Prix Big Air snowboarding from Copper Mountain, Colo., and luge from Park City, Utah. NBC

WOMEN’S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

9 p.m. — NCAA Tournament, Final: Teams TBA. From Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. ESPN2

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

4:30 p.m. — USOC Winter Festival. NBCSP

Feedback

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016 • 3B

Pumphrey to make run at history By Steve Guiremand The Sports Xchange

LAS VEGAS — Standing 5-foot-9 and weighing 165 pounds, Donnel Pumphrey was considered too small to play running back by many schools coming out of Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas. Rivals.com rated Pumphrey the fourth-best prospect in the state of Nevada. Scout.com gave him a two-star ranking. San Diego State had to beat out schools such as Oregon State, Duke and lukewarm interest from hometown UNLV to garner his services. But the spotlight will be a big one shining on Pumphrey in the 25th annual Las Vegas Bowl when Mountain West champion San Diego State (10-3) plays Houston (9-3) on Saturday (3:30 p.m., ABC) at Sam Boyd Stadium, only an 18-mile drive from Pumphrey’s old high school. Pumphrey (6,290 yards) needs 108 yards to surpass Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne (6,397) as the all-time leading career rusher in FBS history. Dayne, however, speaking on the Wisconsin State Journal’s “The Red Zone” podcast last month, said he believes he’s getting shortchanged. “He’s gonna have (an asterisk) by his name if he breaks the record anyway,” said Dayne, who starred at Wisconsin from 19961999. “They didn’t use

San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) runs for a touchdown as Colorado State’s Tyree Simmons (5) and Tre Thomas (52) defend during their game Nov. 26 in San Diego, Calif. (Photo Jake Roth-USA Today Sports)

none of my bowl games.” Valid point. The NCAA began counting bowl games toward regular season and career statistical totals in 2002, but it did not go back and add bowl totals for players who played before 2002. If it had, Dayne’s total, counting bowl games, would be 7,125, including 200 yards in the 2000 Rose Bowl. “Records are made to be broken,” Dayne said. “Good luck to him, and I wish him the best.” Pumphrey, a first team All-American by Walter Camp and Sports Illustrated, ranks second in the country in rushing yards (2,018), rushing yards

per game (155.2) and all-purpose yards (2,229) despite not playing in the fourth quarter in four of the past seven games. He is the only player in NCAA history with at least 5,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards. Despite all those glossy numbers, he wasn’t one of five players invited to New York for the recent Heisman Trophy ceremony, another reason for him to play with a chip on his shoulder. “I’m very disappointed. I think he deserves to be there,” San Diego State coach Rocky Long said last week. “I knew all along that it was a long shot

because of a lot of things, us being a non-Power 5 program and being on the West Coast. Those are two big deterrents for him being invited, but it’s very disappointing. But he’s the Heisman winner in our minds and heart.” Houston promoted offensive coordinator Major Applewhite to become coach after Tom Herman departed to become Texas coach. Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando, who had been serving as the interim coach since Herman accepted the Texas job Nov. 26, assumes his usual duties as defensive coordinator and then is expected to join Herman at Texas.

Harbaugh insists he’s staying at Mich. The Sports Xchange Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh made it clear he is not leaving the Wolverines after speculation surfaced this week he might return to the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams. “I’m not leaving Michigan,” Harbaugh said

Tuesday night at Michigan’s annual football bust program, via the Detroit Free Press. “Not even considering it. A lot of this talk is coming from our enemies, from coaches, you know the names. You probably know the names of the top three I’m referring to. They like to say

that to the media. They like to tell that to the recruits, to their families, try to manipulate them into going to some other school besides Michigan. “We know them as jive turkeys. Say it like it is. That’s the way it is.” Various reports linked Harbaugh as a candidate

to replace Jeff Fisher, who was fired by the Rams on Monday after a 4-9 start. MMQB.com’s Albert Breer told Fox Sports Radio’s Colin Cowherd that a Harbaugh return to coach the Rams is reportedly a “very real thing.” Harbaugh owns a 78-32 record as a college coach.

2016 COLLEGE BOWL GAMES Saturday Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl North Carolina Central vs. Grambling Noon, ABC Georgia Dome, Atlanta Play Now Gildan New Mexico Bowl New Mexico vs. UTSA 2 p.m., ESPN University Stadium, Albuquerque, N.M. Las Vegas Bowl Presented by Geico Houston vs. San Diego State 3:30 p.m., ABC Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas Raycom Media Camellia Bowl Appalachian State vs. Toledo 5:30 p.m., ESPN Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Ala. AutoNation Cure Bowl UCF vs. Arkansas State 5:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla. R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Southern Mississippi vs. Louisiana-Lafayette 9 p.m., ESPN Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans Dec. 19 Miami Beach Bowl Central Michigan vs. Tulsa 2:30 p.m., ESPN Marlins Park, Miami Dec. 20 Boca Raton Bowl Memphis vs. Western Kentucky 7 p.m., ESPN FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Fla. Dec. 21 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl BYU vs. Wyoming 9 p.m., ESPN Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego Dec. 22 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Idaho vs. Colorado State 7 p.m., ESPN Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho Dec. 23

Popeyes Bahamas Bowl Eastern Michigan vs. Old Dominion 1 p.m., ESPN Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Louisiana Tech vs. No. 25 Navy 4:30 p.m., ESPN Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas Dollar General Bowl Ohio vs. Troy 8 p.m., ESPN Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala. Dec. 24 Hawai’i Bowl Hawai’i vs. Middle Tennessee 8 p.m., ESPN Aloha Stadium, Honolulu Dec. 26 St. Petersburg Bowl Miami (Ohio) vs. Mississippi State 11 a.m., ESPN Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla. Quick Lane Bowl Maryland vs. Boston College 2:30 p.m., ESPN Ford Field, Detroit Camping World Independence Bowl N.C. State vs. Vanderbilt 5 p.m., ESPN2 Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La. Dec. 27 Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl Army vs. North Texas 12 p.m., ESPN Cotton Bowl, Dallas Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman No. 24 Temple vs. Wake Forest 3:30 p.m., ESPN Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Md. National Funding Holiday Bowl Minnesota vs. Washington State 7 p.m., ESPN Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego Motel 6 Cactus Bowl Boise State vs. Baylor 10:15 p.m., ESPN Chase Field, Phoenix

Dec. 28 New Era Pinstripe Bowl No. 23 Pittsburgh vs. Northwestern 2 p.m., ESPN Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y. Russell Athletic Bowl No. 16 West Virginia vs. Miami 5:30 p.m., ESPN Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla. Foster Farms Bowl Indiana vs. No. 19 Utah 8:30 p.m., Fox Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif. AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl Texas A&M vs. Kansas State 9 p.m., ESPN NRG Stadium, Houston Dec. 29 Birmingham Bowl South Florida vs. South Carolina 2 p.m., ESPN Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala. Belk Bowl Arkansas vs. No. 22 Virginia Tech 5:30 p.m., ESPN Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C. Valero Alamo Bowl No. 12 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Colorado 9 p.m., ESPN Alamodome, San Antonio Dec. 30 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Georgia vs. TCU 12 p.m., ESPN Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tenn. Hyundai Sun Bowl No. 18 Stanford vs. North Carolina 2 p.m., CBS Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl Nebraska vs. No. 21 Tennessee 3:30 p.m., ESPN Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn. Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl South Alabama vs. Air Force 5:30 p.m., Campus Insiders Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz.

Capital One Orange Bowl No. 6 Michigan vs. No. 11 Florida State 8 p.m., ESPN Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. Dec. 31 Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl No. 20 LSU vs. No. 13 Louisville 11 a.m., ABC Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla. TaxSlayer Bowl Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky 11 a.m., ESPN EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla. College Football Playoff semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl No. 4 Washington vs. No. 1 Alabama 3 p.m., ESPN Georgia Dome, Atlanta College Football Playoff semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Clemson 7 p.m., ESPN University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz. Jan. 2 Outback Bowl No. 17 Florida vs. Iowa 1 p.m., ABC Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla. Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic No. 15 Western Michigan vs. No. 8 Wisconsin 1 p.m., ESPN AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual No. 9 USC vs. No. 5 Penn State 5 p.m., ESPN Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif. Allstate Sugar Bowl No. 14 Auburn vs. No. 7 Oklahoma 8:30 p.m., ESPN Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans Jan. 9 College Football Playoff National Championship 8 p.m., ESPN Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.

4B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016

Lovelace

•From Page 1B Bob Sphire said Lovelace was not only important to the locker room from a production standpoint, but he also served as the team’s heart. “He was important to us offensively, but also inspirationally,” Sphire said. “He’s a true leader. He’s a hard-nosed runner and he’s got great zone vision. “He’s an explosive runner, he’s got 14 touchdowns for us. Averaged right at seven yards a carry, catches the ball really well also, so he gave us really a multifaceted attack from that position.” In addition to leading the Bulldogs in rushing, Lovelace was awarded the Kevin Maloof Award at the Touchdown Club of Gwinnett banquet on Monday as the North player who puts the team above himself. Sphire said that Lovelace is a Division I FCS qualifier and thinks he’s got the talent to play at that level. Savannah State has shown interest lately and Sphire has also reached out to the Coast Guard and The Apprentice School in Virginia about Lovelace as well. This season Lovelace began to garner attention with his ability to finish runs with toughness into the end zone. “Running between the tackles,” he said on where his game grew the most. “I used to be more of an outside zone kind of guy, but now I’ve learned to stick my nose in and just be physical.” Lovelace started playing football in the third grade. He always had a passion for the game that his older brother played, as well as his late father, but his mother would only let him play football in video games. When he reached the third grade, she relented and let him sign up. When he got to high school, he was working hard to move up the Bulldogs varsity program when his mother became ill. She was bed-ridden for extended periods due to exhaustion. On Dec. 14, 2014, while Lovelace and his brother were staying with family in Douglasville, his mother passed away from the blood clot in her lung. “Obviously it was overwhelming,” he said of his mother’s death. “Because I had so many questions. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know where I was going to live or who I was going to stay with. I didn’t know what really was going to happen to me. I didn’t know if I was going to have to switch schools

gwinnettdailypost.com

•From Page 1B

TEAM MOBBS ROSTER 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 28 40 41 42 43 44 48 50 51 52 53 55 60 61 62 63 64 65 70 71 72 73 80 81 82 83

Gwinnett All-Stars Jasen Johnson Jr. RB Mountain View Jamar Hall DB Mill Creek Drew Dinsmore QB Collins Hill Noah Fritz QB Lanier Matthew Winston DB Mill Creek Christian Pinkney DB Duluth Des Howard DB Collins Hill Cole Williams DB North Gwinnett Monty Montgomery LB Norcross Ryan Lovelace RB North Gwinnett Zane Ashley DB Peachtree Ridge Connor Heyward WR Peachtree Ridge Jonathan Postell RB Collins Hill Juwuan Jones LB Lanier Ethan Wilson DB Lanier DeAndre Byrd LB Peachtree Ridge Victor Heyward LB Mill Creek Dixon Yellott LB North Gwinnett Josh Johnson DL Peachtree Ridge Jalen Pinkney LB Norcross Brian Eberhardt LB North Gwinnett Brenton King K Mill Creek Airon Buick DL Meadowcreek Zaniel Phillips K North Gwinnett Chrinovic Mukulu DL Discovery Michael Allen DL Lanier Kendarius Davis DL Hebron Colin Scott OL Hebron Dean Powell DL Buford Devin Stevenson DL Norcross Nathaniel Wellington OL Collins Hill Sam Dingle OL Norcross Chris Sibilia OL North Gwinnett Hank White OL Buford Sean Mangin OL North Gwinnett Jonathan Stewart OL Mountain View Braxton Curry WR Collins Hill Dhante Hill WR Mountain View Dondre Sanderson WR Peachtree Ridge Jacobe Burrell WR Norcross

Simmons

hard in the offseason to diversify her game and be AAAAAAA state title more than just a spot-up contender Archer this shooter,” Phillips said. month, following up a “She’s scored really well 27-point effort the same off the drive. She’s always week in the Hawks’ only been a good offensive loss, to powerhouse Wes- rebounder, getting one or leyan. two stick-backs a game. “(Simmons) lit it up,” She’s always been a good Wesleyan girls coach Jan shooter. But she’s done Azar said after the game. a good job of getting her “She did a great job. She shots off quicker. And shoots the ball very, very she’s not just shooting well.” it every time she gets it. Mill Creek asks more She’s being efficient.” of Simmons this season in Simmons hasn’t put up her new position, which 20 points or more every involves heavier contribu- night, not that she has to tions offensively and ball in a balanced offense that handling against press features proven players defenses. It’s a position like Wynter Webb, Kim Tulane sophomore MerForbes, Bridget Mukasa edith Schulte played so and Alex Bolling. Varsity well in the past. newcomer Kayla Mulkey, Head coach Ashley a sophomore, also has Phillips told Simmons added scoring punch with before the summer that a 19-point game Tuesday she would have the same against Duluth. role. Through 10 games But the consistent in that spot, she averscoring from Simmons ages 16 points, up from has been a huge boost, a 7.8-point average as a comparable to what junior. She has made 81 Schulte gave the Hawks percent of her free throws two seasons ago. and 36 percent of her “We kind of run a lot of 3-pointers, in addition to our offense through (my averaging 5.3 rebounds, position),” Simmons said. 1.6 assists and 1.7 steals. “(That position) throws “Morgan worked really the ball in and helps get

everything going offensively. … I get a lot more shots off of it, being the trailer coming behind (the point guard). It gives me more flexibility. A lot of teams press us, so I help with that. … I think I’m just starting to figure out everything as far as my position, calming down, slowing things down. Sometimes we get in a hurry a lot. I can help calm it down. And taking the right shots. And knowing when to take them.” Even without the knee brace, Simmons said she doesn’t feel any ill effects from her middle-school injuries. The only impact it has these days is on her major — the 3.9 GPA student plans to pursue sports medicine and physical therapy at Wingate. Before she focuses on college basketball, she wants to lead Mill Creek to another state playoff run. “Our first goal is to win region,” Simmons said. “We have a really good chance of doing that. Since I’ve been on varsity we’ve been to the Sweet 16 for state. We hope to make it further this year.”

TEAM HARDY ROSTER 10 12 14 15 16 17 18 20 23 24 25 28 40 41 43 44 48 50 51 52 55 60 61 62 64 65 70 71 72 80 81 82 83

Gwinnett All-Stars Seth Johnston QB South Gwinnett JT Amaya K/P Parkview Bryce White WR South Gwinnett Julian McDuffie DB Shiloh Jaylon Jones DB Dacula Josh Samuel RB Central Gwinnett Cantorian Weems DB Brookwood Justin Gardner DB Shiloh Davis Markham DB GAC Ty Harris RB Dacula Malik Robinson LB South Gwinnett Brandon Nixon DB Central Gwinnett Adam Moon LB Wesleyan Guillermo Luna LB Brookwood Blake Chavis TE Brookwood Connor Artime LB Brookwood Devin Thomas LB GAC Cameron Sample DL Shiloh Khalil Raymond OL Berkmar Sam Wright DL Archer Marcus Ricks DL South Gwinnett Steven Banks DL Grayson Ellison Hubbard DL Grayson Tyler Brown OL Dacula Tristan Carryl OL Archer Luke Seale OL Grayson Tim Wilkins OL Central Gwinnett Dez Ikpa OL Dacula Jalen Jackson OL Grayson Josh Miller WR Berkmar Donavan Grier WR Shiloh Hunter Sims WR Central Gwinnett Deion Slade WR Parkview

to live with my aunt. It was pretty overwhelming.” With Darrien working to keep the two boys in their home, Ryan was able to stay at North. He said they got a lot of support from family and people in the Suwanee community. Whether it was just stopping by the house to check on them, or bring over cooked meals for the boys, Lovelace said it was a tremendous lift. At school and in football

workouts, Sphire said you would have never known that Lovelace was dealing with so much. He just always kept his head down and got his work done. “He’s very quiet,” Sphire said. “Very unassuming, but really kind of lights up the room with his smile and his eyes. Very engaging. He’s not really a man of a lot of words. He’s more, ‘Let’s go play, then let’s talk about playing.’”

Mill Creek’s Morgan Simmons (33) looks over Duluth defender Endia Banks (4) to find an open person to pass to on Tuesday. (Photo: Craig Cappy)

Lamb

Meeks

•From Page 1B

per game off the bench for the Hornets. Lamb scored 16 points in the Hornets’ second game of the year, but then strained his left hamstring in the next outing and was sidelined until late November. The 6-foot-5 guard had games of 18 and 21 points early in his return, but has reached double figures in just half of his eight December games. Lamb was the 12th overall pick in the 2012 draft by Houston and immediately dealt to Oklahoma City, where he played his first three seasons. Al-Farouq Aminu, the third current Norcross grad in the NBA, will play in Atlanta with Portland in March. Gani Lawal, who spent time with Phoenix a few years ago, is playing professionally overseas.

Angeles Lakers during the 2013-14 season, the former University of Kentucky standout signed a three-year deal worth nearly $19 million as a free agent with Detroit. A stress reaction in his lower back wiped out the early part of his first year with the Pistons, then he missed almost all of last season because of a broken right foot. Seemingly finally healthy, Meeks was excited about a trade to Orlando before he suffered another blow this summer. More surgery was needed on his foot and the 29-year-old missed the start of the season. “It’s been a roller coaster for sure,” Meeks said before the game against the Hawks. “It was a big blow when I found out I had to have surgery again. “What I’ve had to go through is unfortunate, but I believe that adversity builds character. I’m just grateful to be back out there moving around. Hopefully my shot hasn’t left me.” It certainly hadn’t against the Hawks. Meeks went 4 for 6 from

Charlotte guard Jeremy Lamb (3), a Norcross grad, grabs a rebound in front of teammate Roy Hibbert (55) during a game in Dallas on Dec. 5. (Photo: Kevin Jairaj-USA Today Sports)

Carter among four staying at UGA Norcross grad not leaving for NFL From Staff Reports ATHENS — Norcross grad Lorenzo Carter was one of four Georgia Bulldogs who announced he would be returning to school for his senior season on Thursday. Carter, a junior linebacker, was

joined by running backs Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and Davin Bellamy when they made their announcement after practice. All four Bulldogs along with head coach Kirby Smart met with the media, and Smart expressed his appreciation to their families and to the student-athletes for the first class manner in which they reached their decision. “I’m excited about the future

of the Georgia Bulldog program, this means a lot to me and for our program that they all made this decision,” Smart said. Michel said he was excited to come back as the Bulldogs are a young team, and he’s looking forward to his senior year. Carter said he sees big things happing for the Bulldogs going forward, and he wants to be a part of it.

3-point range and was 7 for 10 shooting overall, getting his 20 points over 20 minutes in his seventh game with the Magic. “We need shooting, and that’s what he does,” Vogel said. “That’s his specialty.” The 6-foot-4 guard had 18 points in his third game back, when he hit 4 of 5 from behind the arc at Philadelphia on Dec. 6. But he also had a couple of rough shooting nights as he gets used to the rigors of the NBA again. “I do think he’s going to have some ups and downs,” Vogel said. “It takes a while to get your legs under you and work through the grind.” The day-to-day of the NBA is actually something that Meeks is very much looking forward to after missing so much time the last couple of years. “It’s tough to have any expectations about how many points I’m going to score or anything like that,” Meeks said. “I’m going to enjoy myself out there and the rest will come. It’s exciting just to be playing again. It was hard not being out there. Now I’m having fun again.”

gwinnettdailypost.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016 • 5B

Getting to Know ... Kermit Robinson GDP Challenge

lines up some of area’s top teams

Kermit Robinson is in his first season as the Central Gwinnett head wrestling coach and an assistant football coach. Robinson shares how his transition from Newton County has been, as well as how he met his wife and how living in Germany shaped his musical tastes with staff writer Paul Thomas in this week’s edition of “Getting to Know.” PT: What brought you to Central Gwinnett? KR: Actually the teaching/coaching position. I was at Newton County doing the same thing I’m doing here, except I was doing social studies. I was looking to get into health and P.E., and they had a position open up over here, so I ended up out here. It’s a long way, but just getting my foot in the door and trying to figure out all that. Kermit Robinson is in his first season as the Central Gwinnett head wresPT: How did you get into coaching to begin with? KR: I coached football for a while. I played football, did a little wrestling in high school — tried to, I wasn’t that good. I always liked it and I always kept up with the sport. My son (Kellan, 12) was doing USA so I was coaching him. I was coaching in the middle school, coaching USA wrestling and just working my way around doing it that way and got to the high school level a few years ago and just been doing it ever since.

tling coach. He coached outside linebackers for the football team this fall. (Staff Photo: Paul Thomas)

Oct. 26 made 14 years. PT: What position do you coach in football? KR: Outside linebackers. That was what I did this year. I used to do D-Line for most of the year, but this year once I came out here they moved me to outside linebacker. PT: Have you always coached defense? KR: Yes. Even though I played both (offensive and defensive line), I’ve always been on the defensive side as far as coaching goes.

PT: Where did you grow up? KR: Originally from For Lauderdale, Florida. My dad was military, so I (lived in) Germany, Texas, California — I’ve been all over the place. PT: Did you play in college? Last stop, we were in Alabama. Last KR: I went to college to play but stop before I headed off to college. tore my knee up that summer. Blew it out. Never even hit the field. Never PT: Where did you go to college? had a chance. I think that’s what KR: Alabama State. I went there drives me and pushes me so hard to for undergrad, I’ve been to college coach these guys and try to make four times. I went to Alabama State, them understand, “You never know Georgia State, Piedmont College what could happen. Things could and Grand Canyon University. The change. You think you’re going more degrees you get in this field the somewhere in football and all of the better it is. sudden that’s gone. Then that education becomes key. That’s your whole PT: What degrees do you have? life there.” That’s one thing I like to KR: Psychology, Special Educatry to give back to them. Sharing my tion, Leadership and Teaching and story. Learning. So I have my Ed.S. PT: What’s it been like coming PT: What’s fatherhood been like over here and shaping the Central for you? program the way you want it to KR: I enjoy it. It’s tough doing be? what I do. I am not there as much KR: It’s different. Different as I want to be. I miss so much all culture, different atmosphere. A lot the time. Because like I said, I do of the kids here seem to work. A lot football also. Like my daughter of kids have jobs and are involved (Addison) told me last night when I in different things. There’s a heavy came home, “Daddy I miss you and I soccer culture here. You don’t find want to spend some time with you.” as many athletes as far as guy’s who And she was sad about it. So this do football and wrestling as you do weekend, I know we have a tournaat some of the different schools. But ment Saturday, but after that it’s all that’s just the way it is. It just varies. about her. I just miss so much all the Some schools have different sports time, since they were little because that they gravitate toward based on I’ve always been gone on the road what they have going there. That’s doing either this or football. But the been the thing that’s been different. times I am there it’s good. Coaching Trying to get these kids to buy in my son and going to his matches and and enjoy the sport. Learn about the things that helps and being able to do sport. that. Not so much with her, but I get That’s the thing, and then I was to her dance or her swim or whatever talking with my A.D. (Eddie Hood) when I can. a couple days ago, I’m trying to get out into the middle school and get PT: How did you meet your wife those kids in. Because one thing I (Melba)? didn’t know is there’s no sports in KR: I was working in Snellville. I the middle schools (in Gwinnett was over a group home in Snellville County). They don’t have football, and she was a social worker then and they don’t have wrestling and all she was coming out working with that. You either have to do it thorsome of the kids that I had in the ough the parks and rec, or they have home out there. We met that way and youth clubs — certain neighborwe used to go out a lot doing things hoods that have the coaches and the with the kids and it just blossomed funding. It’s been so different. Where from there. Almost like a little famin Newton, we had middle school ily thing we had going, taking the wrestling. kids out and doing things with them. So the kids when they came to And we ended up married and going me, they already knew (what to do) strong ever since. and we were just hitting the ground running already. They had been doPT: How long have you been ing it. We had them coming over and married? working with the high schools in the KR: It was 14 years in October. summer, going to camps with us and

stuff. It’s just totally different here. So, you’ve really got to build from the ground up out here. PT: What was your first season of Gwinnett County football like for you? KR: It was different. This area and South Georgia seem to be the best areas for football in the state. There’s just so many good schools out here and athletes, it’s just unbelievable. Where I was before we had a lot of them and you would see certain ones, but every team you see out here has these SEC guys or these D-I guys. It’s just so much. It just seems like, how can any school just get ahead of the other schools? But it happens. It works out. They do. We had several schools go the playoffs and end up ranked in the Top 10 from Gwinnett County, which always happens, it’s just different to see that much talent in one little area. PT: What do you like to do when you’re not coaching? Is it just catching up with the kids? KR: Definitely going to whatever they have going. Like I said, dance, or swimming, or wrestling, or band or whatever they have going. For myself I like to fish. PT: What kind of music do you like to listen to? KR: Everything. Since my parents were traveling and we were traveling I’ve been places and listened to everything. Hip-hop, alternative, R&B, country, pop, some of everything. Even indie, some of everything I’ll listen to. Stuff all over the place. It’s always been that way. We lived in Germany for about six years and we didn’t get a lot of the stuff from (America) and what we did (get), it came late. So I was listening to mostly what they had over there so you just develop a taste for different things like that. PT: What did your dad do in the military? KR: He was in the Army. Was Airborne at first, then he went chemical towards the end of his career. He finished up out at Fort McClellan doing chemical. PT: Are there any TV show you always make sure to have saved on the DVR? KR: There’s tons. I have so much in there right now that I haven’t had a chance to watch. But I make sure I watch “The Walking Dead.” Got to see that. Outside of that it’s hard, because I’m trying to watch football, I’m trying to watch wrestling. But definitely I’ve got to catch up on “The Walking Dead” and make sure I see that. Everything else is just in there and I’ll probably get to some it over Christmas break. Some once the season’s over.

Dacula resident Tatum pledges to UGA From Staff Reports

verbally committed to play baseball the University of Dacula resident and Georgia. Prince Avenue Christian The 6-foot-8, sophomore Cain Tatum has 178-pounder is a right-

handed pitcher and infielder. He plays for the travel ball for the Georgia Jackets 16U Nationals. Even though he’s just a

sophomore he also had offers from Clemson and Georgia Tech. Last season as a freshman on varsity he posted a 1.89 ERA.

Hall of Famer Carew getting new heart The Sports Xchange Baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew is set to receive a heart transplant on Thursday, 15 months after a massive heart attack nearly killed him. A suitable donor was identified and the procedure will be performed in

last of Gwinnett’s holiday showcases and tournadavid.friedlander@ ments by running the gwinnettdailypost.com weekend after the New For the second straight Year’s holiday, today’s season, the Gwinnett games will make this Daily Post is partnering season’s GDP Chalwith several high school lenge among the last this boys and girls basketball season. teams around the county Pierce said logistics in presenting the Gwindictated the change for nett Daily Post Challenge this year, though response Saturday at three different could affect the timing of future events. Gwinnett schools. “It would’ve been New There are a few changYear’s weekend if we ran es for this year’s event when play tips off at 1:30 it the same weekend we did last year,” Pierce said. p.m. at Archer, Central “And we were worried Gwinnett and Grayson about people being out high schools. of town and all that. So, For one thing, there (the organizers and the will be a handful of new coaches) got together and participants among the 26 teams representing 17 said, ‘Let’s just do it the weekend before (semesdifferent county schools ter) exams.” taking part. Meanwhile, one of the “I think it’s going to keep getting better,” said elements that will remain the same is the number of Grayson boys coach intriguing matchups for Geoffrey Pierce, one of Saturday’s event, includthe tournament organizing boys games pitting ers. “We have a lot of Greater Atlanta Chrishigh-quality items in Gwinnett, and we love the tian against Discovery, Mountain View against opportunity to matchParkview, Central Gwinup teams that wouldn’t necessarily see each other nett against Mill Creek and Grayson against in the regular season because they’re in different Peachtree Ridge, plus girls games involving regions. Mountain View against “Ultimately, our goal GAC and Buford against is that we want it to be Duluth. countywide. We’ve got “Keith always does a so many good teams out really good job with his there that we could have team,” Pierce said of his some great match ups in counterpart, Lions coach the future.” Keith Arrington. “They’re The bigger change to always one of the top this year’s event is its defensive teams in the timing. After being among the county.” By David Friedlander

Los Angeles. Carew also will undergo a kidney transplant. “We appreciate your thoughts and prayers for Rod and the medical team,” Carew’s wife, Rhonda, told American Heart Association News. “At the same time, our sympathy and appreciation

goes to the donor’s family.” Carew, 71, suffered the major heart attack while playing golf on Sept. 20, 2015. He underwent six hours of surgery and was close to death before stabilizing for a few days but then suffered heart failure on the left side of his heart. Doctors implanted a

ventricular assist device to regulate blood flow and keep Carew alive. But a transplant was needed for his long-term ability to live. Carew spent 12 seasons with the Minnesota Twins and seven with the California Angels during a career that ended in 1985.

Peachtree Ridge’s Shaz Molu (33) blocks the shot of Sandy Creek’s Evan Jester (1) in the Jared Cook Classic earlier this season at North Gwinnett. (Photo: Craig Cappy)

GDP CHALLENGE What: Gwinnett Daily Post Challenge basketball showcase When: Saturday Where: Archer, Central Gwinnett and Grayson High Schools Schedule: at Archer High School 3 p.m. — Berkmar vs. Discovery (girls) 4:30 p.m. — GAC vs. Discovery (boys) 6 p.m. — Archer vs. Lanier (girls) 7:30 p.m. — Archer vs. Lanier (boys) at Central Gwinnett High School 1:30 p.m. Hebron vs. Wesleyan (boys) 3 p.m. — Mtn. View vs. GAC (girls) 4:30 p.m. — Mtn. View vs. Parkview (boys) 6 p.m. — Central Gwinnett vs. Mill Creek (girls) 7:30 p.m. Central Gwinnett vs. Mill Creek (boys) at Grayson High School 3 p.m. — North Gwinnett vs. Meadowcreek (girls) 4:30 p.m. Buford vs. Duluth (girls) 6 p.m. — Grayson vs. Peachtree Ridge (girls) 7:30 p.m. — Grayson vs. Peachtree Ridge (boys)

FANS CHOICE WINTER ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Who: Obumneme Godson Osele School: Discovery Sport: Wrestling Class: Senior Highlights: Became his school’s firstever Gwinnett County wrestling champion with a victory in the 182-pound division Coach Jonathan Clifton’s take: “Godson is deserving of this award because of all his hard work and dedication to the sport. He is an exemplary example of what it means to be a Titan here at Discovery High School.”

6B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016

gwinnettdailypost.com

Norcross girls stay undefeated From Staff Reports

rolled to a 70-43 Region 7-AAAAAAA win at LAWRENCEVILLE — Central Gwinnett on Vanessa Blagmon scored Thursday. 17 points and added five Hammonds finished assists as Norcross’ girls with 16 points, followed remained unbeaten on closely by Joseph Toppin the season with a 72-38 with 14, Lance Thomas win at Central Gwinnett with 12 and Jordan in Region 7-AAAAAAA Ferguson with 10 to help girls basketball action on the Blue Devils remain Thursday. undefeated at 10-0 overall Tiana Carter added 10 and 4-0 in region play. points and eight rebounds Jaylen Hillery posted for the Blue Devils (12-0, a game-high 21 points to 4-0), while Tehya Lyons lead the Black Knights. chipped in 10 points and To report scores, call five steals. 770-339-5850. Scores must be reported before 10:15 Norcross boys 70, p.m. every day with the Central Gwinnett 43 exception of Tuesday and LAWRENCEVILLE Friday to be included in — Rayshaun Hammonds the next edition. Deadline led four players in double for Tuesday is 10:30 p.m. figures as Norcross and Friday is 10:45 p.m.

Milwaukee Bucks players remember sports broadcaster Craig Sager before game against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday at BMO Harris Bradley Center. (Photo: Benny Sieu-USA Today Sports)

Heels, ’Cats set Sideline reporter Sager dies at 65 for top-10 clash The Sports Xchange

back on defense 100 times Saturday as Kentucky Two of the most averages 94.4 points and storied college basketthe Tar Heels 88. ball programs who are Calipari also said he also on the short list of must utilize his best favorites to win the 2017 rebounders regardless of NCAA Tournament meet how it affects other asSaturday when No. 6 pects of the game because North Carolina and No. North Carolina grabs an 7 Kentucky tangle in Las amazing 48.1 percent of Vegas. its misses and is tied for North Carolina junior the lead nationally with Joel Berry II (14.8 points, Indiana in rebound dif4.7 assists) could return ferential at plus-14.8. to the lineup after missing The Wildcats and Tar the last two games with Heels each started 7-0 this an ankle injury, setting up season before losing to a showdown between elite then-No. 9 UCLA 97-92 point guards with Kenand current No. 9 Indiana tucky freshman De’Aaron 76-67, respectively. NeiFox (15.1 points, 6.9 ther lost since, but North assists). Carolina recorded closerWildcats coach John than-expected victories Calipari told reporters over Davidson 83-74 on Wednesday that he and Dec. 7 and Tennessee North Carolina’s Roy 73-71 on Sunday without Williams probably will Berry in the lineup. yell at their players to get TV: 5:45 p.m., CBS

Woods switches to Bridgestone balls largest footwear maker decided to exit the golf It has been all change club and ball business in on the equipment front August. for Tiger Woods on his Following the deparreturn to competition after ture of Nike, Woods an absence of almost 16 switched to a TaylorMade months and on Thursdriver and fairway metday, Bridgestone Golf als, reverted to his Scotty announced that he has Cameron putter, and he signed a multi-year agree- selected the Bridgestone ment for exclusive use of Tour B330-S ball after its golf ball. testing it in competition at The former world No. the Hero World Challenge 1 had previously played earlier this month. with Nike golf balls, dat“Finding the right golf ing back to 2000, but he ball is extremely imporwas forced to look elsetant,” Woods, 40, said in a where when the world’s statement. Reuters

Basketball National Basketball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Toronto............... 18....7.....720...... — New York............ 14.. 11.....560........4 Boston............... 13..12.....520........5 Brooklyn...............7..17.....292...10.5 Philadelphia.........6..19.....240......12 Southeast Division W L Pct GB Charlotte............ 14..12.....538...... — Atlanta............... 12..13.....480..... 1.5 Washington........ 10..14.... .417........3 Orlando.............. 11..16.....407.....3.5 Miami...................9..17.....346........5 Central Division W L Pct GB Cleveland........... 18....6.....750...... — Chicago............. 13.. 11.....542........5 Detroit................ 14..13.... .519.....5.5 Indiana............... 13..13.....500........6 Milwaukee.......... 11..12.....478.....6.5 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct GB San Antonio.......20....5.....800...... — Houston............. 19....7.....731..... 1.5 Memphis............ 18....9.....667........3 New Orleans........8..18.....308...12.5 Dallas...................6..19.....240......14 Northwest Division W L Pct GB Utah................... 16..10.... .615...... — Oklahoma City... 15.. 11.....577........1 Portland............. 13..14.....481.....3.5 Denver.................9..16.....360.....6.5 Minnesota............7..18.....280.....8.5 Pacific Division W L Pct GB Golden State......22....4.....846...... — L.A. Clippers...... 19....7.....731........3 Sacramento.........9..16.....360...12.5 L.A. Lakers......... 10..18.....357......13 Phoenix................8..17.....320...13.5

“Whatever I might’ve imagined a terminal diagnosis would do to my spirit,” Sager said, “it’s summoned quite the opposite — the greatest appreciation for life itself. “So I will never give up. And I will never give in. I will continue to keep fighting, sucking the marrow out of life, as life sucks the marrow out of me. I will live my life full of love and full of fun. It’s the only way I know how.” Sager also was known for his in-game exchanges with San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who isn’t a big fan of being interviewed during a contest. “He was a way better person than he was a worker, even thought he was amazing,” Popovich said in a statement Thursday. “He loved people. He enjoyed pregame, during the game, postgame and he loves all the people around him. Everybody felt that. The most amazing part of him is his courage. “What he’s endured and the fight he put up and the

courage he displayed during the situation is beyond my comprehension. If any of us can display half the courage he has to stay on this planet, to live every (day) as it is his last, we’d be well off.” Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird, an NBA legend, and Minnesota Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau were among the NBA personnel expressing condolences. “I’m saddened to hear of the death of Craig Sager,” Bird said in a statement. “He was as identifiable with the NBA as any player or coach. The league will not be the same without him. The Indiana Pacers express sincere condolences to his family.” Thibodeau, who doubles as president of basketball operations for Minnesota, often dealt when Sager during his five seasons as coach of the Chicago Bulls. “I am truly saddened by the news of the passing of one of the NBA’s great personalities in Craig Sager,” Thibodeau said in a statement. “I always enjoyed our interactions together and, like many, looked forward to seeing what particular suit he had on that given night. “I will remember Craig for his infectious smile, his will and determination and the upbeat spirit he lived his life with every day. We will forever be Sager Strong. On behalf of the Minnesota Timberwolves, our thoughts and prayers are with the Sager family during this difficult time.” Sager worked in broadcasting for 40 years, including three decades for Turner.

LHP Mike Dunn to a three-year, $19 million contract. MILWAUKEE BREWERS—Signed 2B Eric Sogard, LHP Andy Oliver, and RHP Hiram Burgos to a minor league contract. NEW YORK METS—Signed RHP Cory Burns and RHP Ben Rowen to a minor league contract. BASKETBALL National Basketball Association MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES—Assigned PG Wade Baldwin to Iowa (NBADL). ORLANDO MAGIC—Assigned SG CJ Wilcox and C Stephen Zimmerman to Erie (NBADL). PHOENIX SUNS—Recalled PG Tyler Ulis and PF Alan Williams from Northern Arizona (NBADL). UTAH JAZZ—Assigned PF Joel Bolomboy to Salt Lake City (NBADL). COLLEGE BASKETBALL MOREHEAD ST.—Announced head coach Sean Woods has resigned. FOOTBALL National Football League BALTIMORE RAVENS—Added DB Sam Brown to the practice squad. BUFFALO BILLS—Added LB Bryson Albright and RB Cedric O’Neal to the practice squad. CHICAGO BEARS—Added DB De’Vante Bausby to the practice squad. CLEVELAND BROWNS—Added DT Trevon Coley to the practice squad. NFL suspended OL Alvin Bailey two games for an incident that occurred off the field. DENVER BRONCOS—Added LB Kevin Snyder to the practice squad. DETROIT LIONS—Acquired LB Corey Lemonier off waivers from Cleveland. Waived DB Adairius Barnes. HOUSTON TEXANS—Placed LB Brennan Scarlett on IR/Designated

for Return. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS—Activated T Jeremy Vujnovich from the practice squad. Added G Kitt O’Brien to the practice squad. LOS ANGELES RAMS—Activated G David Arkin and DE Morgan Fox from the practice squad. Placed RB Benny Cunningham and DE Robert Quinn on IR. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS—Acquired WR Michael Floyd off waivers from Arizona. Waived WR Griff Whalen. COLLEGE FOOTBALL CALIFORNIA—Fired defensive coordinator Art Kaufman. FRESNO STATE—Named Orlondo Steinauer defensive coordinator. NOTRE DAME—Announced WR Torii Hunter Jr. has left the program and will pursue a baseball career. Announced CB Devin Butler has left the program and will transfer to Syracuse. HOCKEY National Hockey League BOSTON BRUINS—Assigned C Danton Heinen to Providence (AHL). Recalled LW Anton Blidh from Providence (AHL). CAROLINA HURRICANES—Assigned G Alex Nedeljkovic to Charlotte (AHL). Recalled G Michael Leighton from Charlotte (AHL). MONTREAL CANADIENS—Recalled RW Sven Andrighetto and D Mark Barberio from St. John’s (AHL). OTTAWA SENATORS—Announced D Mark Borowiecki has served his suspension. Assigned D Andreas Englund to Binghamton (AHL). SAN JOSE SHARKS—Assigned D Mirco Mueller to San Jose (AHL). Recalled RW Timo Meier from San Jose (AHL).

The Sports Xchange

Turner Sports NBA sideline reporter Craig Sager has died at the age of 65, the network announced Thursday. Sager waged a public battle with cancer over the past two years after originally being diagnosed with leukemia in 2014. The cancer went into remission after a bone marrow transplant but returned in March 2015. Sager, who was always recognizable on TNT’s NBA broadcasts by his colorful wardrobe, re-entered the hospital last month. “Craig Sager was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than three decades and he has been a true inspiration to all of us,” Turner president David Levy said in a statement. “There will never be another Craig Sager. His incredible talent, tireless work ethic and commitment to his craft took him all over the world covering sports. “While he will be remembered fondly for his colorful attire and the TNT sideline interviews he conducted with NBA coaches and players, it’s the determination, grace and will to live he displayed during his battle with cancer that will be his lasting impact. Our thoughts and prayers are with Craig’s wife, Stacy, and the entire Sager family during this difficult time. We will forever be Sager Strong.” NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that teams will be observing a moment of silence in Sager’s memory prior to games. “I — along with the entire NBA family — am

Broadcaster Craig Sager is given the ball by Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field in Chicago on June 1. (Photo: David Banks-USA Today Sports/Files)

deeply saddened by the passing of Craig Sager,” Silver said in a statement. “Craig was as vital to the NBA as the players and coaches. A true original and an essential voice on Turner Sports’ NBA coverage for 26 seasons, Craig chronicled some of the most memorable moments in league history and was a ubiquitous presence with his splashy suits and equally colorful personality. “Craig earned widespread respect for his insightful reporting and inspired so many most recently with his courage. Our hearts go out to his wife, Stacy; his children, Kacy, Craig Jr., Krista, Riley and Ryan; and his friends and colleagues.” Earlier this week, Sager was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Sager worked his first NBA Finals game last June due to TNT’s partnership with ESPN. Shortly thereafter, he received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the 2016 ESPYs and delivered a moving speech.

SPORTS AT A GLANCE Wednesday’s Games Toronto 123, Philadelphia 114 Washington 109, Charlotte 106 L.A. Clippers 113, Orlando 108 Miami 95, Indiana 89 Brooklyn 107, L.A. Lakers 97 Memphis 93, Cleveland 85 Houston 132, Sacramento 98 Detroit 95, Dallas 85 Utah 109, Oklahoma City 89 San Antonio 108, Boston 101 Thursday’s Games Chicago at Milwaukee, late Indiana at New Orleans, late Portland at Denver, late San Antonio at Phoenix, late New York at Golden State, late Today’s Games Detroit at Washington, 7 p.m. Brooklyn at Orlando, 7 p.m. Charlotte at Boston, 7:30 p.m. Atlanta at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. Milwaukee at Chicago, 8 p.m. Sacramento at Memphis, 8 p.m. New Orleans at Houston, 8 p.m. L.A. Lakers at Philadelphia, 8 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Miami, 8 p.m. Dallas at Utah, 10:30 p.m. Saturday’s Games Phoenix at Oklahoma City, 5 p.m. Indiana at Detroit, 7 p.m. Charlotte at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. L.A. Lakers at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Houston at Minnesota, 8 p.m. New York at Denver, 9 p.m. Portland at Golden State, 10:30 p.m. College Thursday’s Games EAST G. Washington 74, Central Florida 59 SOUTH Rice 93, St. Edward’s 64 Tennessee 92, Lipscomb 77 Georgia Southern 75, Florida International 68 N.C. State 97, Appalachian St. 64 Charleston 53, East Carolina 35

N. Florida 110, Thomas University 80 Wofford 96, Austin Peay 77 WEST Cal. State-Bakersfield 105, Bethesda University 78

Football National Football League AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF PA New England.11... 2... 0...846...349...230 Miami.............. 8... 5... 0.. .615...281...301 Buffalo............. 6... 7... 0...462...325...301 N.Y. Jets.......... 4... 9... 0...308...229...324 South W L T Pct PF PA Tennessee...... 7... 6... 0...538...321...306 Houston.......... 7... 6... 0...538...229...274 Indianapolis.... 6... 7... 0...462...328...333 Jacksonville.... 2. 11... 0.. .154...240...338 North W L T Pct PF PA Pittsburgh........ 8... 5... 0.. .615...317...256 Baltimore........ 7... 6... 0...538...279...237 Cincinnati........ 5... 7... 1...423...268...269 Cleveland........ 0.13... 0...000...207...375 West W L T Pct PF PA Kansas City.. 10... 3... 0.. .769...302...255 Oakland........ 10... 3... 0.. .769...358...320 Denver............ 8... 5... 0.. .615...296...242 San Diego....... 5... 8... 0...385...350...347 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF PA Dallas............ 11... 2... 0...846...340...238 N.Y. Giants...... 9... 4... 0...692...255...244 Washington..... 7... 5... 1...577...330...317 Philadelphia.... 5... 8... 0...385...290...272 South W L T Pct PF PA Atlanta............ 8... 5... 0.. .615...428...345 Tampa Bay...... 8... 5... 0.. .615...293...296 New Orleans... 5... 8... 0...385...358...351 Carolina.......... 5... 8... 0...385... 311...337 North W L T Pct PF PA Detroit............. 9... 4... 0...692...295...268

Minnesota....... 7... 6... 0...538...258...225 Green Bay...... 7... 6... 0...538...333...312 Chicago.......... 3.10... 0...231...221...290 West W L T Pct PF PA Seattle............ 8... 4... 1...654... 274...232 Arizona........... 5... 7... 1...423...299...277 Los Angeles.... 4... 9... 0...308...194...304 San Francisco.1.12... 0...077...251...393 Monday, Dec. 12 New England 30, Baltimore 23 Thursday, Dec. 15 Los Angeles at Seattle, late Saturday, Dec. 17 Miami at N.Y. Jets, 8:25 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 Green Bay at Chicago, 1 p.m. Jacksonville at Houston, 1 p.m. Cleveland at Buffalo, 1 p.m. Philadelphia at Baltimore, 1 p.m. Tennessee at Kansas City, 1 p.m. Indianapolis at Minnesota, 1 p.m. Detroit at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m. Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. New Orleans at Arizona, 4:05 p.m. San Francisco at Atlanta, 4:05 p.m. New England at Denver, 4:25 p.m. Oakland at San Diego, 4:25 p.m. Tampa Bay at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19 Carolina at Washington, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22 N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia, 8:25 p.m.

Transactions BASEBALL American League MINNESOTA TWINS—Signed 2B Benji Gonzalez, C Dan Rohlfing, SS Leonardo Reginatto, C Eddy Rodriguez, 2B Tommy Field, and RHP Drew Rucinski to a minor league contract. OAKLAND ATHLETICS—Released RHP Ryan Brasier. National League COLORADO ROCKIES—Signed

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Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.

Solution to today's Sudoku

WHATZIT SOLUTION:

Today’s Answer: Portion

1216_GDP_FRI_CLASS_Classifieds 12/15/2016 4:52 PM Page B8

B8 â&#x20AC;˘ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016

CONSTRUCTION/ SERVICE BIDS CITY OF SUWANEE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES The City of Suwanee seeks Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) with fee proposals, until 3:00 p.m. local time Friday January 20, 2017, for an individual, firm, or team of firms to assist in developing and adopting the City of Suwanee 2040 Comprehensive Plan that meets or exceeds all State of Georgia requirements per the Minimum Standards and Procedures for Local Comprehensive Planning. Selected Consultant shall 1) assess Needs and Opportunities, 2) identify public participation techniques and lead the public participation process, and 3) develop and assist with adoption of the Community Work Program of the Comprehensive Plan. A total of ten (10) hard copies and one (1) electronic version of the proposal must be delivered to the attention of Ms. Alyssa Durden, Planning Division Director, at 330 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, GA 30024. Submittals received after the established deadline will not be considered. No faxed submission will be accepted. A presubmittal meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall, 330 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, GA 30024. Parties interested in securing a copy of the RFQ package may do so by contacting Ms. Alyssa Durden at the address noted above, or by calling City Hall at (770) 9458996. 902-460274, 12/15,29

INVITATION FOR BID #2017-21 FOR MILLING, PATCHING AND RESURFACING OF APPROXIMATELY 3.99 MILES ON VARIOUS CITY STREETS, ETC. SUWANEE, GEORGIA The City of Suwanee is soliciting competitive sealed bids from qualified contractors for MILLING, PATCHING, AND RESURFACING WORK ALONG APPROXIMATELY 3.99 MILES ON VARIOUS CITY STREETS, ETC. Sealed bids will be received by the City of Suwanee, Public Works Department, 330 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, Georgia 30024, until 10:00 A.M. local time on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, and then publicly opened and read aloud at the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Public Bid Openingâ&#x20AC;? at 10:10 A.M. at City Hall Meeting Room, 330 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, Georgia 30024. Any bid received after 10:00 A.M. will not be accepted. Bid envelope must be marked on the outside with Bid Number, Name of Bidder, date and time of opening and Contractorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s License Number. A 5% bid bond is required as part of the bid submittal. Work required under the Contract generally includes traffic control, asphalt milling, asphalt patching, leveling, resurfacing, adjusting sewer manholes, shoulder work, turf establishment, curb repair, and installation of pavement markings along approximately 3.99 miles on various City streets, Suwanee, GA. Bids in the case of Corporations not chartered in Georgia must be accompanied by proper certification stating that said Corporation is authorized to do business in the State of Georgia. Award will be made to the vendor submitting the lowest responsive and responsible bid. The City of Suwanee reserves the right to reject any or all bids as deemed in its best interest. Interested parties should contact Nicole Schnepper at NSchnepper@suwanee.com

CONSTRUCTION/ SERVICE BIDS

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE

or 770-945-8996 to request a bid package, or additional information is available at the City of Suwanee Public Works Department, 330 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee GA 30024. CITY OF SUWANEE GWINNETT COUNTY, GA 902-460275, 12/16,28

NOTICE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE REQUEST An application for a retail beer wine and Sunday sales has been filed with the City of Norcross Georgia by the following location to wit: Applicant/Owner: FAIZ A CHOUDHURY Business Name: CITGO FOOD & GAS Location: 1804 BEAVER RUIN RD., NORCROSS GA 30071 904-459491, 12/16, 21,22,23,28,29,30,1/4,5,6

PROBATE COURT ADMINISTRATION

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS City of Peachtree Corners 147 Technology Parkway, Suite 200 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 SIDEWALKS ALONG JAY BIRD ALLEY & TECHNOLOGY PARKWAY Separate sealed Bids for the construction of Technology Parkway Pedestrian Improvements will be received by the City of Peachtree Corners, Georgia at Peachtree Corners City Hall located at 147 Technology Parkway, Suite 200, Peachtree Corners, Georgia 30092 until 2:00 P.M. local time, January 13, 2017, and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud. The project generally consists of sidewalk improvements including shoulder grading and concrete sidewalk. The Contract Documents, consisting of Advertisement for Bids, Information for Bidders, Bid, Bid Security, Agreement, General Conditions, Supplementary Conditions, Payment Bond, Performance Bond, Notice of Award, Notice to Proceed, Change Order, Drawings, Certificate of Substantial Completion, Specifications and Addenda may be examined at the following locations: City of Peachtree Corners McGraw-Hill Online Plan Room 147 Technology Parkway www.construction.com/projectcenter/ Suite 200 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 AGC Builders Exchange 4485 South Atlanta Road Keck & Wood, Inc. Smyrna, Georgia 30080 3090 Premiere Parkway Suite 200 CMD (formerly Reed Construction Data) Duluth, Georgia 30097 (Online Plan Room) Phone: (678) 417-4000 www.cmdgroup.com In order to assure that Bidders receive all addenda and or clarifications to the bid documents in a timely manner, it is highly recommended that all bidders obtain at least one complete set of Bid Documents directly from the Engineer. Entities that do not purchase Bid Documents from the Engineer will not be on the Engineerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plans holder list and will not receive addenda and or clarifications to the bid documents directly from the Engineer. Bidders relying on plans rooms or other services to obtain the Bid Documents, rather than purchasing them directly from the Engineer, are doing so at their own risk. Sets of the Bid Documents may be obtained at the office of Keck & Wood, Inc., the Engineer, upon payment of a nonrefundable fee of $100.00 for each set. Bidders may also purchase a CD containing Bid Documents in PDF format for a nonrefundable fee of $25.00. S/ Greg Ramsey P.E., Public Works Director City of Peachtree Corners December 1, 2016 902-459593, 12/9,16,23

IN THE PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF GWINNETT STATE OF GEORGIA GEORGIA GWINNETT COUNTY ESTATE NO. 16-E-001599 IN RE: ESTATE OF JABARI KIREE PETTWAY, DECEASED PETITION FOR LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION NOTICE TO: HEIRS OF SAID DECEDENT, ALL INTERESTED PARTIES, AND TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: CASANDRA LASHAWN MOSLEY, has petitioned to be appointed Administrator of the estate of JABARI KIREE PETTWAY, deceased, of said County. The Petitioner has also applied for waiver of bond and/or grant of certain powers contained in O.C.G.A. Â§53-12-261. All interested parties are hereby notified to show cause why said petition should not be granted. All objections to the petition must be in writing, setting forth the grounds of any such objections, and must be filed with the court on or before JANUARY 9, 2017. BE NOTIFIED FURTHER: All objections to the Petition must be in writing, setting forth the grounds of any such objections. All objections should be sworn to before a notary public or before a Probate Court Clerk, and filing fees must be tendered with your objections, unless you qualify to file as an indigent party. Contact Probate Court personnel for the required amount of filing fees. If any objections are filed, a hearing will be scheduled at a later date. If no objections are filed, the Petition may be granted without a hearing. CHRISTOPHER A. BALLAR PROBATE JUDGE By:-s- KATY STANSBURY Clerk/Deputy Clerk of the Probate Court 75 LANGLEY DRIVE LAWRENCEVILLE GA 30046 770-822-8315 9 1 9 - 4 6 0 3 1 1 , 12/15,22,29,1/5

PUBLIC HEARINGS NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLE The following motor vehicle, advertised pursuant to O.C.G.A. Code Section 4011-2, is being stored at: (Address) 2200 LEE PATRICK DR, DACULA GA 30019 2003 DODGE RAM 2500 VIN# 3D3KU28C83G850716 This vehicle is deemed abandoned and will be disposed of if not claimed by the legal owner or lienholder by (Date) 12/13/2016. 928-460337, 12/16,23 NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLE The following motor vehicle, advertised pursuant to O.C.G.A. Code Section 4011-2, is being stored at: (Address) 3878 BUFORD HWY, NORCROSS, GA 30093 2010 KIA RIO VIN# KNADH4A38A6647218 This vehicle is deemed abandoned and will be disposed of if not claimed by the legal owner or lienholder by (Date) 12/13/2016. 928-460336, 12/16,23

PUBLIC HEARINGS NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE OF RIGHT OF REDEMPTION STATE OF GEORGIA COUNTY OF GWINNETT To: 1) All Residents/Tenants/Occupants 2) All persons known or unknown who may claim an interest in property known as 1517 Holly Brook Road 3) Mack Tony Shed aka Tony M. Shedd 4) Theresa Ann Shed 5) Bank of America, NA 6) City of Snellville 7) Gwinnett County, Georgia 8) State of Georgia Take notice that: Pursuant to O.C.G.A. ?Âş 48-4-45 and ?Âş 48-4-46, the right to redeem the following described property, to wit: Property Location: 1517 Holly Brook Road Map Reference No./Parcel No.: R5009 155 will expire and be forever foreclosed and barred on January 16, 2017 The tax deed to which this notice relates is dated July 7, 2015, and is recorded in the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia, in Deed Book 53722 at Page 471. The property may be redeemed at any time before the close of business on the aforementioned barment date, by payment of the redemption price as fixed and provided by law to Tuan Nguyen at the offices of the law firm of Clark Law Group, LLC, 17 Executive Park Drive, Ste. 480, Atlanta, Georgia 30329. 9 2 8 - 4 6 0 2 7 3 , 12/15,22,29,1/5

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY Notice is hereby given that Extra Space Storage will sell at public auction at the storage facility listed below, to satisfy the lien of the owner, personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at location indicated: 2044 Old Norcross Road, Lawrencville GA 30044, 770845-1926 on 1-10-17 at 3PM Unit 108C Theodore Ntegmi Bikes, Large Printers, Mattress, Box springs, Sink, Shelving, Kitchen Chairs Unit 129D Ashiya Wright Couch, Shelving, Boxes, Mattress, Box Springs, Totes, Chair Unit 335 Antwanette Hasan Mattress, Stereo, Boxes, Bags, Totes, Cooler, Table, Shelving Unit 340 Cynthia Fabela Mattress, Box Springs, Toys, Bike, Large Mirror, Totes, Boxes, Clothes, Bags Unit 520G Tiffani Porter Chair, Bags, Boxes, Clothes, Appliances, Bed, Lamp Unit 523H Alquan Shakur Boxes, Clothes, Totes, Chairs, Pots and Pans, Bags Unit 6C03 Candida Figueroa Mattress, Box Springs, Bags, Boxes, Fica Tree, Bags, Luggage The personal goods stored therein by the following may include, but are not limited to general household, furniture, boxes, clothes, and appliances. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property. 929-460083, 12/16,23 NOTICE OF SALE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DATE OF AUCTION JAN 6, 2017 AT 11:00AM According to the lease by and between: Unit 283 Daniel Gay Unit 356 Tiffaney Jackson Unit 629 Chikinia Jackson and TKG-StorageMart, DBA StorageMart #701, and its related parties, assigns and affiliates. In order to perfect the lien on the goods contained in the storage unit the manager has cut the lock on their units and upon a

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS cursory inspection the units were found to contain microwave, tool box, boxes, TV, vacuum, desk chair, lamps, mattress, box springs, pots, stools, couch, step ladder, tools, football helmet and pads, child toys, clothes and many other items used in and around the home. ITEMS WILL BE SOLD OR DISPOSED OF AT THIS SITE ON, Jan 6, 2017 AT 11:00 AM AT THE ADDRESS LISTED BELOW TO SATISFY OWNERS LIEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE STATUTES. TERMS OF SALE ARE CASH ONLY, NO CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED. ALL GOODS ARE SOLD IN â&#x20AC;&#x153;AS ISâ&#x20AC;? CONDITION. TAX MUST BE PAID OR RESALE NUMBERS FURNISHED. BUYERS MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN LOCKS IF NEEDED. SELLER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO OVERRIDE ALL BIDS. ALL ITEMS OR SPACES MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE ON DATE OF SALE. 929-459587, 12/9,16 PUBLIC AUCTION UNCLE BOBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S STORE #413 PUBLIC SALE In accordance with the provisions of State Law, there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to satisfy an owner and/or managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lien of the goods hereinafter described and stored at Uncle Bobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Self Storage located at: 875 Marathon Parkway Lawrenceville, GA 30046, 678-242-1441; And, due notice having been given, to the owner of said property and all parties known to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in such notice for payment of such having expired, the goods will be sold at public auction at the below stated location(s) to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of AUCTION DATE: Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 10:30 AM Space No. C u s t o m e r Name Inventory 1070 Holy Bethel Chruch Office Furn / machines Eqip 1114 Holy Bethel Chruch Office furn / machines Equip 2086 Schmidt, Michael Household Goods Furniture 2169 Addison, Tekla Household Goods / Furniture tools / appliances 3014 Thompson, Jerome Household Goods / Furniture / TV/Stero Equip tools / appliances 3158 Davis, Jason Household Goods / Furniture / TV / Stero Equip/ Acct. Records / Sales Samples/ Other Boxes 3180 West, Kia Other - Suitecase 4016 Johnson, Jerome Household Goods / Furniture 4154 Marrero, Juan Household Goods / Furniture 929-459559, 12/9,16 PUBLIC SALE In accordance with the provisions of State Law, there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to satisfy an owner and/or managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lien of the goods hereinafter described and stored at Uncle Bobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Self Storage located at: 2655 Langford Rd. Norcross, Ga. 30071, 770-2420468; And, due notice having been given, to the owner of said property and all parties known to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in such notice for payment of such having expired, the goods will be sold at public auction at the below stated location(s) to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27th, 2016, @ 10:00 AM. SPACE NO.; CUSTOMER NAME; INVENTORY Space No. Customer Name Inventory 252 Alfredo Ambrosini Household Goods/Furniture. 268 Eden M. McClure Household Goods/Furniture. 429 Alfonzo Mendoza Household Goods/Furniture, B

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS Boxes. 484 Tamika Crutchfield Household Goods/Furniture; Boxes. 504 Ricky Pippins Household Goods/Furniture. 929-459560, 12/9,16

ZONINGS

FINANCIAL

THE CITY OF NORCROSS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING A Public Hearing will be held before the Norcross Mayor & Council on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 6:30 pm in the City Council Chambers for the Purpose of due process of the following: 1- Public Hearing for REZ2016-0006, rezoning of property at 417 Webb Drive, Norcross, GA 30071 For further information please call the Community Development Department at 678-421-2067. 934-460556, 12/16

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MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

PRISCILLAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S COTTAGE Memory Care Day Program A social day program for people with Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, stroke, congestive heart failure, and other memory conditions. 1180 McKendree Church Road Suite 107 Lawrenceville, GA 30043 770-822-0092 www.priscillascottage. com info@priscillascottage. com

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404-697-9116

All Major Credit Cards Accepted 459927-1

404-670-3087

Advertorial Content Sponsored By: NAMAR

NEWSS F For or Buy Buyers Buyers â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 77Reasons Reasonstto ot O Own Own aa Home Home

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3. EEquity. quity. Money paid ffor or rrent ent is money that that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never never see again, but mor mortgage tgage pa payments yments let yyou ou build equit equityy 7. SStability. tability. Remaining in one neighborhood for for o several several wnership hi interest i ter in t estt in i your your home. ho home. 1. Tax ax CCode Tax benefits. benefits. The The U.S. U.S. TTax ode lets you you deduct deduct the oownership years years allows allows you you and your your family time ttoo build long-lasting interest interest you you pay pay on your your mortgage, mortgage, your your property property taxes, taxes, and 4. SSavings. avings. BBuilding uilding equit equityy in your your home is a ready-made ready-made relationships relationships within the ccommunity. ommunity. It also off offers ffers ers childr children en some of the costs costs involved involved in buying aahome. home. savings sa vings plan. And And when you you sell sell,, yyou ou can can generally generally take take up the benefit of educational educational and social ccontinuity. ontinuity. o a married couple) or couple) as gain 2. Appreciation. Appreciation. Historically, Historically, real real estate estate has had a longlong- ttoo $250,000 ($500,000 ffor wing any any federal feder federal income income tax. term, term, stable growth growth in value. value. In fact, fact, median single-family single-family without oowing existing-home existing-home sale prices prices have have increased increased on average average 5.2 5. Predictability. Unlikee rrent, fixed-rate Predictability. Unlik ent, yyour our fix ed-rate mortgage mortgage KICK KICKOFF OFF 2017 a att the NAM NAMAR AR Exp Expo o on JJanuary anuary 19, 2017! 2017! per percent cent each yyear ear frfrom om 1972 thr through ough 2014, according according to to the pa youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interested interested in having For more more information inffor ormation or if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re having a booth at at the Expo, Expo, payments yments don donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rise oover ver the yyears ears so yyour our housing costs costs For contact Ron Ron Hawley Hawley at at rron@namr.org contact on@namr .or g or 770-670-6417. National National Association Association of REAL REALTORSÂŽ. LTTORSÂŽ. The The recent recent housing crisis ma mayy ac actually tually decline as yyou ou oown wn the home longer longer.. However, Howeverr, Booth Booth space space is still av available va ailable on a first ccome ome basis basis.. has ccaused aused some to to question the long-term long-term value value of real real kkeep thatt pr property eep in mind tha operty taxes t es and insurance tax insurance costs costs will estate, esta te, but ev even en in the most rrecent ecent 10 yyears, ears, which included lik likely ely l incr increase. i ease. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------quitee a ffew quit eew vvery ery bad yyears ears ffor or o housing housing,, vvalues alues ar aree still up 7.0 6. FFreedom. reedom. TThe he home is yyours. ours. You You can can decorate decorate any any way way In the Gwinnett County County area, area, the local al REALTORÂŽ REALLTTORÂŽ Board Board is the Northeast Northeast percent percent on a ccumulative umulative basis basis.. In addition, the number of Atlanta Atlanta Metro Metro Association Association of REALTORSÂŽ REALLTTORSÂŽ (NAMAR). (NAMAR). Located Located at at 2145 yyou ou w want ant and choose the ttypes ypes of upgrades upgrades and new Duluth Duluth H Highway ighway (Suit (Suite e B), D Duluth uluth GA 30097 and on the web web at at UU.S. .S. households is eexpected xpected ttoo rise 10 to15 to15 percent percent over over the www.namar.org. w ww.namar.org. amenities that that appeal toto your yourr lifestyle. liffest estyle. ne next xt dec decade, ade, cr creating eating ccontinued ontinued ued high demand ffor oor housing housing..

1216_GDP_FRI_CLASS_Classifieds 12/15/2016 4:53 PM Page B9

gwinnettdailypost.com

HOUSES FOR SALE

LAKE/RIVER/COASTAL PROPERTY FOR SALE

MONROE, GA 30656 2300 ACORN WAY

EATONTON, GA 31024 210 RIVER LAKE DR.

CONYERS, 30013 1361 TRAVERS CREEK TRAIL

PENDING OFFER APPROVAL! HUD CASE #105-355426 5BR/3 Full Bath Traditional with â&#x20AC;˘ 2-Story Entrance that is Very Elegant! â&#x20AC;˘ Formal Living & Dining â&#x20AC;˘ Oversized Kitchen â&#x20AC;˘ Fireside Family Room $162,750 â&#x20AC;˘ EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

DRASTICALLY REDUCED! Brick Front 2-Story On Huge .66 Corner Lot â&#x20AC;˘ New Carpet â&#x20AC;˘ Formal Living / Dining Rooms â&#x20AC;˘ Open Kitchen â&#x20AC;˘ Family Room â&#x20AC;˘ 2nd Kitchen in Finished Basement EHO â&#x20AC;˘ $229,900 Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR SALE

MONROE, GA 30656 506 MORGANS LANDING

MONROE, GA 30655 242 N. HAMMOND DR.

GORGEOUS LAKE LOT! Beautiful Shaded Lake Lot With Hardwoods With Great Views of Lake Oconee. EHO â&#x20AC;˘ $245,000 Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

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

One on Singleton Road & One on Lawâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ville-Suwanee Road! 2BR & 3BR, 2BA, Fireplace, Vaulted Ceilings, Off Street Parking. Starting @ $900/mo. B.C. PROPERTIES 770-446-1550 770-995-8828

NEW COMMERCIAL PROPERTY!! Great Commercial Location For Your New Church, Daycare, Hair Salon Or Office Space. Space Has 3 Large Rooms, Utility Room, & 1 Full Bath & 4 Half Baths. $120,000 â&#x20AC;˘ EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING DEADLINES

MUSICAL EQUIPMENT

LINERS

KIMBELL PIANO Approximately 18 years old. Very good condition, well cared for. $550. 770-483-5550

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

PETS/LIVESTOCK

PUBLICATION DAY

DEADLINE

Wednesday Thursday Friday Sunday

Tuesday 3 pm Wednesday 3 pm Thursday 3 pm Friday 3 pm

ADOPT A PET CAT Free to a good indoor home, 1-1/2 yr old female cat. Spayed, sweet cat & has all shots. Lawrenceville. 470-255-4413

ROOMMATE WANTED /ROOM FOR RENT

ELEGANT TRADITIONAL! Lovely 4BR & 2.5BA 2 Story is Simply Elegant!! Open floor plan, family room with firplace and includes an above ground pool. EHO â&#x20AC;˘ $175,900 Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com

GWINNETT

FIREWOOD

GWINNETT DUPLEXES

LAWRENCEVILLE ROOM FOR RENT $130/wk. Sugarloaf Mills area. Near Gwnt. Transit. Quiet nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;hood. 678-8252656; 678-353-9483

RECYCLE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

COMMERCIAL RENTALS

LAWRENCEVILLE OFFICE/ WAREHOUSES SPACE AVAILABLE 750 to 3600 sf Mike 404-375-5438.

DISPLAY ADS PUBLICATION DAY

DEADLINE

Wednesday Thursday Friday Sunday

Friday 3 pm Monday 3 pm Tuesday 3 pm Wednesday 3 pm

GARAGE SALES

FARMS, LOTS & ACREAGE FOR SALE CONYERS, GA 30094 3604 Sand Hill Drive

BRING ALL OFFERS! .51 Acre Beautiful Lot Which Has Privacy Fence On Each Side and Chain Link Across The Back. Previous Home Burned Down But This Lot Has Gas, Sewer, Water, Phone, and Electric. Access To Honey Creek Clubhouse & Amenities Available For Additional Fee $19,500 Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com

AUBURN Moving Sale, Fri., 12/16 & Sat. 12/17, 8:30-2:30 4032 Duran Ln, Mineral Springs Crossing subd. Furn., accessories, kit items, books etc. VEHICLES

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT HOUSES FOR RENT

GRAYSON, GA 30017 1688 SILVERGRASS LANE

STUNNING NEW LISTING! Beautiful 2 story with massive space and extensive moldings & trim. Sits on full unfinished basement. 5BR/4.5BA. A must see! $415,900. EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com

FIREWOOD

2 Communities!

CONYERS, 30013 1452 STEAM ENGINE WAY NE

UNDER CONTRACT! HUD CASE #105-684634 3BR & 2.5BA 2-Story Traditional Home with Brick Front. â&#x20AC;˘ Fire-Side Family Rm. â&#x20AC;˘ Spacious Kitchen w/ Huge Breakfast Eat-In Area. $100,000 â&#x20AC;˘ EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

APTS/DUP/CONDOS/ Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;HOMES FOR RENT

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ B9

GWINNETT, DACULA 3BR/2BA Ranch With Sunroom, New Paint/Carpet, Fenced. Near Mall of GA & I-85. $1200/Mo. S/T NBHD. 770-307-7354

APPLIANCES APPLIANCES 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

Gwinnett, Grayson 3BR/2BA $1100/month plus $900/deposit. Call 678-313-9190.

ALL OAK FIREWOOD FOR SALE $120 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heaping Truckloadâ&#x20AC;?, Stacked, Gwinnett Area. 404-805-1783

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to speak with a Sales Rep. or you can place an ad online at www.gwinnettdailypost.com

CHEVROLET MALIBU, 2010 All power, garage kept, new tires. Exc. cond. 4 door, 50k miles. $12,000. 770-490-3265

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$64,900

$120,000

$39,000 ,

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770-236-9988

. 35,&( 5('8&7,21 . 35,&( 5('8&7,21

$140,000

Anita Robertson Peters

To place a Classified ad please call

FIREWOOD

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uite 226 Lawrenceville R Road, oad, S 4402 Lawrenceville Suite Log anville, Ge orgia 30052 Loganville, Georgia Multi-Million Dollar Producer Direct 770.317.0400 Of ffice 770.466.2885 Â&#x152; Direct Office www. .petersrealtyprofessionals.com www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

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HOME BUYERS EDUCATION WORKSHOP SATURDAY, DEC. 17TH FROM 10AM TO 11AM AT PETERS REALTY PROFESSIONALS 4402 Lawrenceville Road, Ste. 226 t t Loganville, Loganville, GA 30052 Call 770.466.2885 to reserve your seat or email us at adminassistant@petersrealtyprofessionals.com

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Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to errors & omissions. Some of the featured homes are HUD homes. To vie view w all HUD homes for sale visit www.HUDHomeStore.com. Any HUD registered agent can show & sell you any home you find of interest.

www. www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com petersrealtyprofessionals.com

10B • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016

gwinnettdailypost.com

SUBARU

share the love

INSPECTED

EVENT

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*Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 17, 2016, through January 3, 2017, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. Certain participating retailers will make an additional donation to the Hometown Charities selected. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 31, 2017. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details, or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc.

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e we w Gwinnett Daily Post

weekend entertainment FRIDAY DEC. 16, 2016

Gift from the stars Disney offers ‘Rogue One’ as early Christmas present, Page 8C

10 spot the

With a new Star Wars movie “Rogue One” opening in theaters this week, let’s look back and see how the 11 previous films compare. As ranked in Crave magazine, here are “Star Wars” universe movies from best to worst. Where will the new one fall?

1. Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (1980) 2. Episode IV — A New Hope (1977) 3. Episode VII — The Force Awakens (2015) 4. Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983) 5. Episode III — Revenge of the Sith (2005) 6. Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985) 7. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) 8. Episode I — The Phantom Menace (1999) 9. Episode II — Attack of the Clones (2002) 10. Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure (1984)

a look ahead

Friday, Dec. 23 • Eddie Owen Presents: Banks and Shane Xmas Show!: The Atlanta mainstays will be on the stage in Duluth to provide some Christmas cheer, playing a pair of shows that will feature the songs their fans have come to expect along with Christmas favorites at the Red Clay Music Foundry. Show times are 5 and 8 p.m. Tickets start at $10. • Aurora Theatre Festival of Trees: From the whimsically clever to the breathtakingly spectacular, the Festival of Trees decks the halls of Aurora Theatre with almost 30 trees decorated by local businesses. As part of the attraction, toys for Toys for Tots have been collected along with items for the local food pantry. Saturday, Dec. 24 • The Ice Rink at Sugar Hill: Looking for something to get you in the perfect Christmas mood? This could be the Christmas Eve ticket for you. You can enjoy the largest real outdoor rink in the Southeast for the cost of $10-12 for a 90-minute session.

dinner & a movie New theater offers full menu, bar to complement screening Page 2C

COME OUT AND PLAY IN SUWANEE

454282-3

SMILING FACES MEEt

UNIQUE PLACES

THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING FUN TO DO!

SUWANEE.COM

2C • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016

gwinnettdailypost.com

dining

dish the

Ovation Cinema Grill 11 1210 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville, Ga. 770-985-6967

Boom Boom Shrimp, with its hand-breaded fried shrimp tossed in a house “Boom Boom” sauce, is a popular item on the menu at Ovation Cinema Grill 11 in unincorporated Lawrenceville. (Staff Photos: Curt Yeomans)

BY CURT YEOMANS

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

Owners: Carmike Cinemas Open Since: Dec. 8 Location: Next to Hobby Lobby in the Snellville Exchange shopping center, which is just north of the Shoppes at Webb Ginn shopping center. Hours: Noon until the last movie screening ends Atmosphere: Ovation Cinema Grill 11 is a movie theater that offers moviegoers a more upscale dining and entertaining experience — although the people in charge prefer to view it as a restaurant that happens to show the latest movies. It offers diners two ways to enjoy their meals: At a bar in the lounge before or after a movie, or while they are watching one of the films shown at the theater. The lounge offers plush seating with couches where visitors can socialize while they enjoy a meal, while the adjoining bar provides a modern design akin to a look one would find at a trendy in-town bar. The bar and lounge area also features a fireplace to make guests feel at home. The theaters offer visitors plush leather reclining seats with swivel tabletops attached so diners can have a place to put their food and drinks during a movie. Buttons on the inside of the armrest cause the chairs to recline and fold back up. A third button on the front of the armrest summons a waiter to your chair to take your order on a tablet device in the theater. The aisles between each row are designed to be wide enough to let waiters get by fully reclined chairs during the movie, and a wall separates each row so diners don’t have to worry about reclining into the lap of the person behind them. Customers can also place their food and drink orders at the bar before the movie, and have it delivered to the

ON THE MENU • Boom Boom Shrimp: $10.95. Hand-breaded fried shrimp tossed in a house “Boom Boom” sauce and served on a bed of citrus slaw and garnished with black sesame seeds and thinly sliced Fresno peppers. • Hummus Plate: $8.95. A made-from-scratch hummus served with a side of pita chips and veggie crudite. • Funnel Fries: $7.95. Funnel cake fries that are dusted in powdered sugar and served with the customer’s choice of caramel, strawberry or chocolate dipping sauces. • Caramel Corn: $4.95. Twenty-four ounce tub of popcorn that is coated with a sugar-based caramel candy shell. • Bone-in Pig “Wings:” $10.75. Three bone-in

assigned seat number on their ticket. Menu: The menu is based an American bistroinspired collection of original dishes. “We tried to get away from what you would think of as a corporate idea where most of it is ‘How could we do this simpler, easier and cheaper?,’” Kitchen Manager Paul Lirette said. “We said, ‘How can we make this more like a fine dining restaurant and still keep it approachable and welcoming for everybody?’” Popular menu items include sliders, Boom Boom Shrimp, Pear and Gorgonzola Flatbread and spicy turkey burger. There are also desserts, such as Funnel Fries, Chocolate Lovin’ Spoon Cake and Blue Bunny Specialty Ice Cream Cups. The theater also offers a limited children’s menu with items such as chicken tenders and mini corn dogs. “We try to incorporate all sorts of things that people like to eat,” Lirette said. “One of the things people like about watching a movie

pork shanks that have been flash fried with a honey garlic drizzle and covered with fresh scallions and white sesame seeds. • Pear and Gorgonzola Flatbread: $10.95. Sliced fancy pears, cherrywood bacon, caramelized onions, mozzarella and gorgonzola cheese topped with aged balsamic glaze on flatbread dough. • Turkey Burger: $10.95. A half-pound housemade turkey patty with pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise served on a toasted whole wheat bun. • Buffalo Chicken Wrap: $10.50. A hand-breaded fried chicken tossed in our house-made buffalo sauce, mixed with field greens, bacon, celery, cucumbers and gorgonzola cheese crumbles.

at home is that they can eat whatever they want while they do it. Our approach is ‘What if you have that type of meal at the theater?’” The most expensive dish on the menu is a meat lovers flatbread that costs nearly $13, but most items on the menu cost less than $10.95. Ovation also has traditional movie theater staples, such as Twizzlers, M&Ms and Buncha Crunch, for theater purists. It also has three types of popcorn — butter, cheddar and caramel. The bar also has a certified mixologist on staff in the form of Food and Beverage Manager Paul Torrini. It serves mixed drinks, including cocktails, martinis and margaritas. It also has a limited set of specially themed drinks tailored to fit prominent movies showing at the theater at that time. Its range of beers also includes drinks from local brewers, such as Abbey of the Holy Goats Brewery, Creature Comforts and Three Taverns Brewery. “We’ll always have locals on draft,” Torrini

At top, the Bone-In Pig “Wings” at Ovation Cinema Grill 11 includes three bone-in pork shanks that have been flash fried with a honey garlic drizzle. Above, Ovation Cinema Grill 11’s lounge area gives moviegoers a place to hang out and grab a bite to eat before or after they see a film.

said. “I’m a very big fan of supporting all of my local distilleries and breweries, so I like to bring in as much local stuff as possible, including spirits.” Something You May Not Know: Ovation’s menu is largely brand new, having been overhauled and tested out at the chain’s Athens location before being unveiled at another recently opened Ovation theater in Holly Springs, N.C., and now in Lawrenceville. Lirette said the Law-

renceville location will now be the testing grounds for new menu items for Carmike’s entire Ovation Cinema Grill chain. The previous menu featured items with more pun-filled, movie-inspired names (such as a turkey sandwich called “The Dude,” the “Lord of the Boneless Wings” and the “Salmon L Jackson”). Lirette said he and other kitchen staff decided to drop the puns, however, because they were provoking too many laughs from

customers and not giving them a sense of what they were getting. “A lot of the names (prevented) people from seeing what they were actually getting,” he said. “It was kind of like, ‘Oh, look at this, what a cute name.’ Then they’d get it and be like, ‘Oh … I got this, but I like the name.’ So we’re trying to let the food speak for itself now.” For more information, visit www.carmike.com/ ga/ovation-cinema-grill11-snellville-ga.

GWINNETT TASTES A selection of local eateries recently featured in the Gwinnett Daily Post: Atlanta Gom BBQ Atlanta Gom BBQ is owned by the same people who own Atlanta Shabu Shabu. Its family- and group-friendly atmosphere serves as a backdrop to its high-quality meats, which can be cooked right at the table. The restaurant claims to be the only Korean BBQ in Atlanta offering Wagu beef, a high-end beef raised in Japan and butchered locally. 1291 Old Peachtree Road N.W., Suwannee, 470-231-2534 SPLAT! (Cakes N’ Such) SPLAT! has a relaxed, rusticmeets-modern feel. There are benches to sit on, as well as table seating and countertop seating. There’s even a blue couch with green splats of paint all over it in a tribute to the eatery’s name. SPLAT! offers more than 200 flavors of cupcakes, although not

all at the same time. It also sells single-serving cheesecakes, full-size cakes and espresso. Some flavors are labeled “Kid Friendly” while others are intended for the adult with a “more mature palate,” Nunn said. One example of the adult flavors is “Date Night,” a dark chocolate and red wine cake, she said. Popular flavors include Date Night, Red Velvet, Salted Caramel, Strawberry Shortcake and SPLAT’s gluten free options. SPLAT! has one set daily lineup of cupcakes for each month, so certain cupcakes will only be available on one specific day of each week in a month. 2590 Hamilton Mill Road, Suite 107, Buford, 470-326-3198 Chow King The upscale Asian buffet offers 650 seats and serves 250 food items daily. The restaurant has been busy since opening, and on a recent Tuesday afternoon well past the lunch hour, the lobby was full of the

hustle and bustle of employees and customers. This is the 25th restaurant that owner Yun Da Chen has opened in 30 years, General Manager Gene Leong said. Chen passed by the formerly vacant shopping center space and saw an opportunity, Leong said, so he invested $2 million to remake the space and offer an upscale environment with plenty of seating to keep wait times short. Chen said each weekend since opening, the restaurant has turned over those 650 seats twice each day. The restaurant serves food from around the world, including Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and American, including pizza, crawfish, sushi, soup and dessert. Other seafood includes snowcrab, oyster, clam on the shell and flounder. 2055 Beaver Ruin Road, Norcross, 470-395-3333 Kremo Kremo’s shop takes a minimalist approach to the traditional ice cream

shop layout with white walls, wood furniture and wall decorations. An open kitchen approach is also used at the counter where customers place their orders and see their ice cream being prepared. Kremo serves gourmet ice cream that is rolled in a manner similar to Little Debbie Swiss Rolls (albeit without the coating). Co-owner Tom Nguyen said rolled ice cream originated in Thailand and has been around for a couple of years. Each ice cream roll is made when the customer places his or her order, which means the preservative-free ice cream is fresh when customers receive it. Employees use natural ingredients to make each flavor, which means if a customer orders strawberry ice cream, the employee will mix in actual strawberry with the cream. Customers get three toppings and one sauce on their rolls, and the finished product can be served on a waffle cone, a waffle bowl or a soft dough “Kremo Bun.”

2180 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 470-375-8185 The 5 Spot Cafe The 5 Spot Cafe has the look of an upscale all-American cafe with an open layout, but at the same time, the yellow exterior its owners added helps it stand out in a business area where a restaurant is a rarity. Lovers of breakfast foods will be in luck at The 5 Spot Cafe because it serves breakfast all day. Of course, it also serves lunch and dinner menu items all day, and everything on the menu is under $13. The owners say a wide range of dishes have been hits with customers. Favorites include the Hawaiian French Toast (it has pineapple baked into it), various omelettes, breakfast burritos, chicken Parmesan, chicken cordon bleu, meatloaf ciabatta, French dip, corned beef dip, lobster mac and cheese and the Reuben sandwich. 555 Progress Center Ave., Lawrenceville, 470-294-1456

gwinnettdailypost.com

Friday, december 16, 2016 • 3c

arts&entertainment

Holiday gifts available all around Gwinnett Many people approach holiday shopping as a challenge. Not for them are items from the usual stores found in every mall in America. Not for them are catalog items, convenient but commonplace. Creative shoppers crave one-of-a-kind, personal gifts that speak from the heart. If you are one of these “perfect gift” hunters, Gwinnett is definitely the place to be. Gifts created and offered by area artists are abundant. If Norcross is close by, stop in the Kudzu Art Zone Gallery at 116 Carlyle Street. “We have a ‘wall of small’ that features smaller sized artwork,” says Kudzu’s Melonie Weatherford. “These pieces are very affordable, starting at $50, and they are all created by local artists.” The Kudzu Gallery is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Art Beat

Holley Calmes and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Another opportunity awaits shoppers in Suwanee. “smallWORKS Affordable Gifts by Local Artists” is an exhibit in place until Jan. 7. Located in the main gallery of the North Gwinnett Arts Association’s Center for the Arts in Suwanee Town Center, this exhibition showcases artwork priced to sell for the holidays by the NGAA members. Mediums include photography, pottery, painting, Giclée prints, sculpture, fabric and jewelry.

Many beautiful gifts created by local artists are available throughout Gwinnett. This ornament can be found at North Gwinnett Arts Association’s Center for the Arts in Suwanee’s Town Center. (Special Photo)

NGAA’s Vickie Johnson says, “Buy a piece of jewelry or a beautiful hand-made scarf for someone special. Put it into an origami pop-

up box/card and place it on the tree. You can buy magnets, cards, beautiful pens, exotic pottery … there is no limit to your imagination at

this shopping adventure.” Performing arts are another option. John Berlo of New London Theatre says, “We believe the perfect holiday gift is the gift of the arts. Season tickets are available and price-adjusted for the remainder of our season. They are $50 for children/ seniors and $60 for adults. This includes five shows plus one Broadway Bound Children’s Theatre production. All season tickets include popcorn and a drink at each show plus reserved seats. If anyone wants to purchase season tickets as a gift, we can provide a custom gift note to print, email or mail. We have the musical ‘Godspell’ Jan. 20 through Feb. 5 and the comedy ‘Sylvia’ from Feb. 24 through March 12.” Call New London Theatre at 770-559-1484 or visit NewLondonTheatre.org. The clients of Creative Enterprises, Inc. can also

offer unique gifts, says spokesman Karl Heisman. “We have handmade Christmas and all-occasion cards for $5 for a five-pack. No two cards are alike. We have Christmas tree ornaments made from recycled materials for $3-$5. Our elves have been busy making pendants, key chains and refrigerator magnets. We have original art pieces starting at $10, and when a painting sells, the artist is paid for their art. We also have Christmas cactuses grown in our greenhouse, potted in client-painted pots, for only $6!” Creative Enterprises is located at 701 Hi Hope Road in Lawrenceville. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Holley Calmes is a freelance writer and public relations consultant specializing in the arts. Email her at hcalmes@mindspring. com.

Mickey, Minnie bring Disney magic to Cobb Energy Centre By Jon Gallo

Staff Correspondent

If you can’t make it to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, head to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, which will welcome “Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic” for four shows Saturday and Sunday. “This show is about bringing to life the magical places and moments that exist with the world of Disney in a very authentic and modern way,” said Disney Live! Producer Alana Feld, who is also the vice president for Feld Entertainment, which puts on the show. “By using magic and illusions, we’ve reimagined iconic scenes and enhanced them, creating a great connection to the characters and stories for our audiences.” More than 25 Disney characters, including Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Goofy, Donald, and Rapunzel, step into mysterious portals as they wander throughout the Disney universe. The show is filled with dancing and the singing of famous Disney songs, making it enjoyable for children and adults. “What makes this show extraordinary are the adventures Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy have every time they enter a dif-

ergizes the show, including during the Buzz Lightyear’s laser performance that would • What: “Disney Live! please even the biggest “Toy Mickey and Minnie’s Story” fans. Doorway to Magic” • Where: Cobb Energy “Christine Peters has Performing Arts Centre provided a beautiful set that • Shows: 2 p.m., 6 p.m. doesn’t require much colorDec. 17; 11 a.m., 2 p.m. ing to make it show ready,” Dec. 18 Doty said. “Instead, we were • Tickets: $20-$80 and able to focus on incorporatcan be purchased by ing a variety of methods visiting http://www.cobto draw awareness to the benergycentre.com. choreography and general flow of the production, fur“Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic” will be at the Cobb Energy Perther enhancing the naturally as “Disney Live! Mickey forming Arts Centre for four shows from Dec. 17-18. (Special Photo) magical stories.” and Minnie’s Doorway to Feld said the show is Magic” takes the audience ferent whimsical doorway geared to put smiles on liams, a 31-year-old cast also behind making “Tanfrom “Snow White and the and the amazing things they member who is part of the gled’s” Rapunzel and Flynn Seven Dwarfs” — Disney’s children’s faces. do in each world they visit,” ensemble. “There are people Ryder levitate in floating “What’s exciting about first animated feature — to Fred Tallaksen, the show’s this show for me personally in the audience who may be lanterns. “Tangled,” which was Disdirector and choreographer, experiencing Disney for the is that it’s the first Disney “When the Disney charney’s 50th. said. “One moment Mickey first time, so we always have acters present the illusions “For this show, it was the Live! I have produced and Minnie are jumping rope to make it special.” since becoming a mom,” rather than a magician, image of doorways and the alongside the ‘Toy Story’ she added. “Now when The show is easy to something special happens,” hints they give as to what gang in Andy’s room and follow; if you know DisSteinmeyer said. “Not only adventures lie behind them,” I’m deciding on content, I the next they have traveled ney’s stories, you’ll have is the audience experiencing Christine Peters, the show’s automatically think how my to Agrabah to unleash the daughter will respond to it no trouble following along this genuine moment within scenic designer, said. From power and comedic antics of to the script written by the and how everything crethe Disney stories, but the the asymmetrical shapes of ‘Aladdin’s’ Genie.” ated by our amazing team brother-sister team of Adam characters add to it with the doors themselves to the The show offers a bufWilson and Melanie Wilson- their presence and unique way the curved portals frame of professionals is geared fet of Disney magic, from toward making ‘Mickey LaBracio. The audience will personalities.” the stage, we are able to Cinderella turning into a be treated to the illusions A massive, 75-foot convey a fun-house vibe full and Minnie’s Doorway to princess to Mickey’s ability created by Jim Steinmeyer, rolling curtain is used to of intrigue and excitement.” Magic’ a way for families to to command an army of who puts the magic in keep up with the show’s Meantime, Sam Doty, the fall in love with Disney all brooms as he did in “Fanta- Tinkerbell’s pixie dust. He’s rapidly-changing scenes, show’s lighting designer, en- over again.” sia.” The characters interact with the crowd, just as they do at Disney World and Disneyland. “Our goal is to bring the Disney experience to the audience,” said KJ Wil-

Santa Claus and his elves will visit the Red Clay Music Foundry in Duluth for the Cookies and Cocoa with Santa event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. (Special Photo)

Spend time with Santa at Cookies and Cocoa

“(The city of Duluth) loves hosting this event,” Santa Claus is getting event coordinator Madison ready for a night full of spe- Chucci said. “The kids have cial deliveries on Christmas, a great time chatting with but first he’s stopping in Santa and creating ornaDuluth for the community’s ments for their Christmas Cookies and Cocoa with tree. This event helps create Santa event Saturday. pleasant memories for Mr. Claus and his elves many.” will visit the Red Clay MuProfessional pictures will sic Foundry at 3116 Main be taken on site and later St. from 10 a.m. to noon. posted on the city’s FaceSanta’s asking visitors to book page for free downarrive early before the line load. cuts off so he can leave Main Street merchants on time to get back to the will be open with festive North Pole. items available for purDuring the event, chilchase. dren can share their letters For more information, to Santa and participate in visit www.duluthga.net/ arts and crafts projects. events. From StaFF reportS

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4C • Friday, deCember 16, 2016

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arts&entertainment 3 Christmas shows give Aurora Theatre holiday trinity By Jon Gallo

IF yOu GO

Staff Correspondent

Mary Connell’s holiday season is off to a disastrous start — and her next 12 months don’t look so good, either. It’s Thanksgiving and Connell, 30, is watching the Macy’s Parade on TV when she sees something that kills her holiday spirit: her fiancé kissing another woman. Instead of planning on walking down the aisle, Connell spends the next year wandering from one date to the next in “The 12 Dates of Christmas,” one of three holidaythemed shows at Lawrenceville’s Aurora Theatre, along with “Christmas Canteen 2016” and “A Christmas Carol.” “The shows are significantly different in the way they are done,” said Anthony Rodriguez, Aurora Theatre’s co-founder and producing artistic director. “But they all share the themes that make Christmas and the holidays special.” Rodriguez should know. For the 10th straight year, he’s the oneman show behind “A Christmas Carol,” where he tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Jacob Marley and the remarkable ghosts that define Charles Dickens’ classic tale that has defined the holiday season for decades. “What makes ‘A Christmas Carol’ keep resonating with the audience year after year is that its themes are universal,” he said. “How can we be better to our fellow man? How can we be more unselfish? How can we make sure we are doing things for the right reasons?”

“Christmas Canteen 2016” • Where: Aurora Theatre, Lawrenceville • Shows: The show will start at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday nights, with 2:30 p.m. performances offered Saturdays and Sundays. The last performance is Dec. 23. • Tickets: Range from $30 to $65, but start at $20 for discount matinees scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 21 and 23.

At left, “The 12 Dates of Christmas” is being performed at the Aurora Theatre during the Christmas season. Center, for the 10th straight year, Anthony Rodriguez is the one-man show behind “A Christmas Carol,” which is being performed at the Aurora Theatre. In its 21st consecutive year, “Christmas Canteen 2016,” at right, is family-friendly show that bills itself as “Gwinnett’s longest-running theatrical extravaganza,” fills the air with festive tunes. (Special Photos)

While Rodriguez tries to answer those questions in “A Christmas Carol,” which runs through Dec. 23, Renita James, who plays Connell in “The 12 Dates of Christmas” takes the audience on her own journey to find the answer to her love life. Connell, as the name of the show implies, goes on 12 dates as she tries to find Mr. Right after almost marrying Mr. Wrong. “What’s special about this show is that it shines a light on themes that we as society don’t talk about during the holidays,” said James, who is headlining the 80-minute show for the first time. “There are people who are lonely during the holidays, people looking for love and those who are out there hoping just to find joy and happiness after going through what (Connell)

goes through.” In the “The 12 Dates of Christmas,” a love story with adult themes, James gives the audience an up close and personal look at the dating life of a woman trying to find love after losing it. Some dates are good, some are OK and others, as James puts it, “are terrible.” “Mary is relatable because when you are single and dating, you just have to go out and try to find that special someone and it’s not easy,” she said. “When you go through something like Mary has, it’s all about how you respond.” Aurora Theatre’s holiday season wouldn’t be complete without “Christmas Canteen 2016.” In its 21st consecutive year, the familyfriendly show that bills itself as

“Gwinnett’s longest-running theatrical extravaganza,” fills the air with festive tunes sung by plenty of familiar faces, including Brandon O’Dell, Jen MacQueen, Diany Rodriguez and Lyndsay Ricketson Brown, who all return. They are complemented by Christian Magby and Cecil Washington Jr., who will be performing for the first time in the show, which ends its run on Dec. 23. Co-directed by Anthony Rodriguez and Jen MacQueen, “Christmas Canteen 2016” comes to life through the design team of Julie Allardice Ray (set), Daniel Pope (sound), Ryan Bradburn (props), Mary Parker (lights), Alan Yeong and Suzanne Holtkamp (costumes) and MacQueen (choreography). Aurora co-founder Ann-Carol

“The 12 Dates of Christmas” • Shows: Dec. 16, 20, 22, 23: 8 p.m.; Dec. 17: 2:30 p.m. • Tickets: $20-$30 “A Christmas Carol” • Shows: 8 p.m. Dec. 17, 21; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 18; 10 a.m. Dec. 23 • Tickets: $20-$30 Tickets for all shows can be purchased by visiting tickets. auroratheatre.com or by calling the box office at 678-226-6222.

Pence (keyboard) provides musical direction to band members Mark Biering (percussion), Greg Armijo (bass) and Jim Stallings (guitar). “‘Christmas Canteen’ has it all: a great deal of music and singing, and it also has dialogue and comedy to move the show from act to act,” Anthony Rodriguez said. “It’s very entertaining and has something for everybody, which is why the audience keeps coming back to it year after year. The show is our Christmas present to our community.”

By Venue — ARTS & enTeRTAInMenT GWINNETT GWINNETT

6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 300, Duluth 770-623-6002 www.thehudgens.org • Through Dec. 30: Juried Member’s Exhibition • Through Dec. 23: Sordid & Sacred: The Beggars in Rembrandt’s Etchings Exhibit

AuRORA THeATRe 128 E. Pike St., Lawrenceville 678-226-6222 www.auroratheatre.com • Through Dec. 23: Christmas Canteen 2016 • Through Dec. 23: A Christmas Carol • Through Dec 23: The 12 Dates of Christmas • Through Dec. 23: The 12 Dates of Christmas • Through Dec. 29: Jingle Bell Rock • Dec. 17: Trouble in Toyland • Dec. 17: Sensory Friendly Canteen • Jan. 12 — Feb. 11: The Mountaintop • Jan. 13-14: Dad’s Does the Burbs

InFInITe eneRGy ARenA 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth 770-813-7500 www.infiniteenergycenter.com • Dec. 16: Christmas with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith • Feb. 14: Andrea Bocelli with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra • Feb. 23 — March 5: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey presents Circus Xtreme

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InFInITe eneRGy THeATeR 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway,

Duluth 770-813-7500 www.infiniteenergycenter. com • Through Dec. 18: The Nutcracker • Jan. 12 and 13: School House Rock Jr. • Jan. 15: YMCA Camp High Harbour • Feb. 10: Gwinnett’s Got Talent KuDZu ART ZOne 116 Carlyle St., Norcross 770-840-9844 www.kudzuartzone.org • Through Jan. 12: 10 Year Celebration Exhibit • Jan. 26: Member Meeting NEW DAWN THEATER Mall Corners, 3650-A Satellite Blvd., Duluth 678-887-5015 www.newdawntheatercompany.com • Through Dec. 18: A Not So

Silent Night • Jan. 7: Mark Pitt’s Tribute to Elvis-Birthday Concert • Jan. 28: Farewell Performance of Kurt Sutton’s Mark Twain and Mr. Clemens NEW LONDON THEATRE 2338 Henry Clower Blvd., Snellville 770-559-1484 www.newlondontheatre.org • Through Dec. 18: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever • Jan. 20 — Feb. 5: Godspell • Feb. 24 — March 12: Sylvia SYLVIA BEARD THeATRe Buford Community Center, 2200 Buford Highway, Buford 770-945-6762 www.bufordcommunity center.com • Through Dec. 18: It’s a Wonderful Life • Jan. 27-28: Squirm Burpee: A Vaudevillain Melodrama • Feb. 16 — March 5: Barefoot in the Park presented by Gypsy Theatre Company ATLANTA ATLANTA ALLIANCE THEATRE 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta 404-733-4650 www.alliancetheatre.org • Through Dec. 24: A Christmas Carol • Through Dec. 24: Courtenay’s Cabaret

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www.atlantabg.org • Dec. 17: Botanical Saint Nick • Through Dec. 24: Ride-OnTrain • Through Jan. 7: Garden Lights • Through Jan. 7: Holiday Model Train Show • Feb. 11: Valentines in the Garden • Feb. 25: The Inspired Gardener • Feb. 11 — April 9: Orchid Daze ATLANTA HISTORY CenTeR 130 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta 404-814-4000 www.atlantahistorycenter. com • Dec. 16: Candlelight Nights • Jan. 8: Fulton County 4-H Monthly Meeting • Jan. 9: Magic Monday: Welcome to Atlanta • Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day • Jan. 17: Elizabeth Cox, A Question of Mercy • Jan. 19: Kathryn Smith, The Gatekeeper • Jan. 21: MABA Beekeeping Short Course • Jan. 31: Susan Rivers, The Second Mrs. Hockaday COBB eneRGy PeRFORMInG ARTS CenTRe 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta 770-916-2800 www.cobbenergycentre.com • Dec. 17-18: Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic

• Jan. 5-8: SMITE Console Championship • Jan. 12-15: Shen Yun: Conncecting Heaven and Earth • Jan. 27-28: Wild Kratts Live FOX THeATRe 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta 404-881-2100 foxtheatre.org • Through Dec. 31: Holiday Tours • Through Dec. 24: Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker • Dec. 19: Mighty Mo and More! • Dec. 27: 12 Nights of Christmas, R. Kelly • Dec. 30: Anthony Hamilton and Friends • Dec. 31: Dancing with the Stars Live • Jan. 12-17: The Little Mermaid • Jan. 21: Lee Brice and Justin Moore • Jan. 22: Don Henley • Jan. 27-29: The ELEAGUE Major • Feb. 14-19: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater FeRnBAnK MuSeuM OF NATURAL HISTORY 767 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta 404-929-6300 www.fernbankmuseum.org • Dec. 17: Holly Jolly Film Festival • Dec. 17: Fernbank Forest Winter Tree ID Tour • Dec. 24: Tadpole Tales • Dec. 31: Noon Year’s Eve • Through Jan. 2: The World’s Largest Dinosaurs • Jan. 14: Pirate Day

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music By Venue • Jan. 21: Songwriters in the Round

37 MAIn 37 E. Main St., Buford 678-288-2030 www.buford.37main.com • Through Dec. 17: The Purple Experience — Prince Tribute • Dec. 22: Departure — Journey Tribute • Dec. 23: Nevermind — Nirvana Tribute with Guest American Idiots — Green Day Tribute • Dec. 30: Moby Dick — Party Rock • Dec. 31: Klaus Band Camp — Gagging You with a Spoonful of ‘80’s 40 WATT CLUB 285 W. Washington St., Athens 706-549-7871 www.40watt.com • Ongoing: DJ Immuzikation, Twin Powers • Dec. 17: The Heap, Stoni Taylor and Miles of Stones Taxicab Verses • Dec. 29: The Dictatortots, Nick Mallis, Los Cantares, Metric Crap Ton • Dec. 31: of Montreal, Yip Deceiver, DJ Princess • Jan. 10: Alejandro Escovedo, The Minus 5 • Jan. 13: Danny Hutchens, Dave Marr, Junker • Jan. 19: David Lowery — Johnny Hickman, Edward David Anderson, Peter Case • Jan. 19: Camp In featuring Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven • Jan. 20: Camper Van Beethoven, The Darnell Boys, Daisy, Ike Reilly • Jan. 21: Cracker, Eric Bachman, The Heap, The Drapes • Jan. 28: Kurt Vile and the Violators, Luke Roberts • Feb. 10: Hiss Golden Messenger • Feb. 13: Joyce Manor • Feb. 16-18: Drive By Truckers AARON’S AMPHITHEATRE AT LAKEWOOD 2002 Lakewood Ave., Atlanta 404-443-5000 www.livenation.com/venues/14086/aaron-s-amphitheatreat-lakewood • June 13: Dead and Company ATLANTA SYMPHONY HALL 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta 404-733-4900 www.atlantasymphony.org • Through Dec. 17: A Very Merry Holiday POPS! • Dec. 20-21: Cirque de la Symphonie • Dec. 31: University of Georgia • Jan. 5, 7: Stuart Stephenson performs Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto • Jan. 7, 8, 21, 22: Music for the Very Young: Meet the Woodwinds • Jan. 12, 14, 19: Donald Runnicles leads the Orchestra in Shostakovich and the World Premiere of a New Work by Marc Neikrug • Jan. 20: The Music of David Bowie • Jan. 24: The Last Waltz 40 Tour • Jan. 27-28: Raiders of the Lost Ark Movie with the Orchestra performing the Score Live • Jan. 31: An Evening with Pat Metheny, Antonio Sanchez, Linda Oh and Gwilym Simcock

SMITH’S OLDE BAR 1578 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta 404-875-1522 www.smithsoldebar.com The Lumineers, pictured performing at Music Midtown earlier this year in Atlanta, are scheduled to play • Dec. 16: Boy Named Banjo and at the Infinite Energy Arena on March 8. (Staff Photo: Jason Braverman) The Vegabonds • Dec. 17: Lily Rose • Jan. 17: Riff Raff • Jan. 14: Tyler Childers with • Jan. 20: Aaron Lewis • Dec. 17: Interstellar Echoes • Jan. 19: Safetysuit Truckstop Waterfall, Charlie Starr • Jan. 21: Greensky Bluegrass • Dec. 19: Moose Kick and The • Jan. 24: Sevyn Streeter • Jan. 15: An Evening of Songs Orange Constant among Friends with Becky Shaw, • Jan. 25: Dave East CENTER STAGE THEATER • Dec. 22: Chinua Hawk presents: • Jan. 28: J Boog DeDe Vogt and Sonia Tetlow, 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta “Waiting On Christmas” Riley Green 404-885-1365 • Dec. 22: Blacklight Crush, The THE MASQUERADE • Jan. 17: Zale with Sami, Sean www.centerstage-atlanta.com Vagabond Summer 695 North Ave. N.E., Atlanta and Anna • Ongoing: Afton Showcase • Dec. 23: MC Such and Such 404-577-8178 • Jan. 18: Aledo • Dec. 16: Reverned Horton Heat • Dec. 24: B.O.B. www.masqueradeatlanta.com • Jan. 19: Ike Reilly, Rudy Cur• Dec. 17: Shadmehr • Dec. 28: Connor Reed, Car• Dec. 16: Saliva • Dec. 18: Peace and Love Christ- rence rington Kelso, Karlie Dobbs • Dec. 17: Sonata Arctica • Jan. 20: David Wilcox with Jusmas Celebration • Dec. 29: Nathan Nelson, Hayley • Dec. 17: Future Thieves tin Farren • Dec. 29: Waka Flocka Flame Gray and the Medicine, James • Dec. 18: The Ataris • Jan. 21: Carrie Newcomer, • Dec. 30: KZ Atwell • Dec. 20: The Funeral Portrait Jackson, County Line • Dec. 30: Drivin’ N Cryin’ • Dec. 29: Simo and Thomas • Dec. 21: Hefna Gwap • Jan. 22: Fred Eaglesmith • Jan. 21: Tom Segura Wynn and the Believers • Dec. 23: Big Jesus • Jan. 24: Dead Horses • Jan. 24: Sevyn Streeter • Dec. 30: Andrew Kahrs • Dec. 26: Eddie Rascal • Jan. 25: Billy Joe Shaver • Jan. 25: Chippendales • Dec. 30-31: Runaway Gin • Dec. 27: The Red Jumpsuit Ap• Jan. 26: Steve Poltz • Jan. 27: Christopher Titus • Dec. 31: Sempre Soul, McCall paratus • Jan. 27: Eliot Bronson, Caleb • Jan. 31: Atmosphere • Jan. 4: Michigander, Young • Dec. 29: Afton Presents Caudle Edison, Pleasance House, Ben • Jan. 6: Within the Suffering, • Jan. 28: Susi French ConnecCOBB ENERGY Brinker Jynzo, Lurkgang tion PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE • Jan. 5: Poison Coats, Von • Jan. 9: Jesus Piece, Regulate • Jan. 29: Will Kimbrough and 2800 Cobb Galleria Strantz, Pat Kiloran, God Bless • Jan. 10: Spur Brigitte Demeyer CD Release, Parkway, Atlanta Relative • Jan. 12: Wednesday 13 Michael Malarkey 770-916-2800 • Jan. 5: Captial Arms and 32 • Jan. 13: Atlas Greene www.cobbenergycentre.com Pints • Jan. 14: Tiger Sex EVERETT’S MUSIC BARN • Jan. 22: In the Mood — A • Jan. 6: Sam Holt Band, Crowfly, • Jan. 15: Forthteller 4055 Stonecypher Road, 1940’s Musical Review Kenny Howes and The Wow • Jan. 17: Machine Supremacy Suwanee • Jan. 25: The Beach Boys • Jan. 7: Ezra Jacob, Farm Dog • Jan. 18: Powerman 5000, Orgy 678-858-5363 • Jan. 7: The Charlie Fog Band • Jan. 19: 10 Years everettsmusicbarn.net EDDIE’S ATTIC • Jan. 7: The Merky Muttheadz, • Jan. 22: Earth Groans 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur • Dec. 17: Second Annual ChristDiet December, Under the Hood mas Music Special with Joy Smith • Jan. 25: Words Like Daggers, 404-377-4976 • Jan. 8: Atlanta Bar Church, Brujeria and Friends www.eddiesattic.com Pokemon Whoah! • Jan. 14: Larry Stephenson Band • Jan. 27: Homesafe, Reel Big • Ongoing: Eddie’s Attic Song• Jan. 11: Benjamin Button ExFish, Anti-Flag writer’s Open Mic periment, Wrinkle Neck Mules • Jan. 29: A Rockabilly Riot INFINITE ENERGY ARENA • Dec. 16: Seventh Annual Christ• Jan. 12: Cooper Casale, James • Jan. 30: Knockout Kid 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth mas Extravaganza of Mosaics, Sydney Baker 770-813-7500 • Dec. 17: Elsie Davis, Connor • Jan. 12: The Eli Project Benefit PHILIPS ARENA www.infiniteenergycenter.com Christian of the Southern Gothic Concert: Supporting Families with 1 Philips Drive N.W., Atlanta • Dec. 16: Christmas with Amy • Dec. 18: Jacob Bryant, Brent Special Needs 404-878-3000 Grant and Michael W. Smith Cobb • Jan. 13: The Young and The www.philipsarena.com • Jan. 28: Alan Jackson • Dec. 19-21: Ed Roland and Elder, Jude, Paper Arcadia, Ben • Feb. 14: Andrea Bocelli with the •Dec. 16: Jingle Ball Friends Grant •Dec. 31: Old School Hip Hop Atlanta Symphony Orchestra • Dec. 22: Paul McDonald • Jan. 13: Porch 40, Injured PenFestival • Feb. 16: Eric Church • Dec. 23: Joe Gransden’s Big guins • Feb. 3: Katt Williams • March 8: The Lumineers Band Christmas • Feb. 10: Bon Jovi • March 9: Tobymac • Dec. 26: David Ryan Harris THE TABERNACLE • March 10: Green Day • Dec. 27: 4 Wheel Drive 152 Luckie St., Atlanta RED CLAY MUSIC FOUNDRY • Apr. 12: Panic! At the Disco • Dec. 28: Ella Collier 404-659-9022 3116 Main St., Duluth • July 14: New Kids on the Block • Dec. 29: Parker Gispert tabernacleatl.com 678-957-7283 • July 16: Roger Waters • Dec. 30: Eve of the Eve with • Dec. 29-31: The Disco Biscuits www.eddieowenpresents.com • July 29: Shawn Mendes Moontower • Jan. 10: Lukas Graham • Ongoing: Songwriters Open Mic • Jan. 13-15: Umphrey’s McGee • Dec. 31: Michelle Malone • Dec. 16: The 2016 Kerrville New • Jan. 20: Circa Survive On LetINFINITE ENERGY THEATER • Jan. 1: Jared and Amber Folk Winners 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth • Jan. 4: Mark Miller ting Go 10 Year Tour • Dec. 17: Jennifer Daniels’ 770-813-7500 • Jan. 5: Clay Evans and Connor • Jan. 21: Run the Jewels: Run Christmas Concert with Stephanie the World Tour www.infiniteenergycenter.com Rand of the Cumberland • Jan. 6: Amplify presents Marvin • Jan. 12-13: School House Rock Staples • Jan. 22: Alter Bridge — The • Dec. 18: Big Dreams Concert Jr. Gaye vs. Al Green Last Hero Tour with Dana Rice and Students • Jan. 7: Rust, American Young • Jan. 23: Breaking Benjamin • Dec. 21: Joe Grandsen’s Big THE LOFT • Jan. 8: Emisunshine, The Honey • Jan. 24: Falling in Reverse, IsBand Holiday Show with Laura 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta Dewdrops sues and Motionless in White Coyle 404-885-1365 • Jan. 10: Matthew Perryman • Dec. 23: Banks and Shane, www.centerstage-atlanta.com/ Jones VERIZON WIRELESS Family and Friends Christmas! shows/the-loft • Jan. 11: David Berkeley AMPHITHEATRE AT • Jan. 7: Callaghan’s Birthday • Jan. 12: Robbie Fulks, Southern • Dec. 20: Arctic Lights Tour ENCORE PARK Show with Granville Automatic • Dec. 31: Dance Yourself Clean Avenue 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta • Jan. 20: Missy Raines and the • Jan. 13: John Cowan with Jesse New Year’s Eve Party www.vzwamp.com New Hip • Jan. 14: D.R.A.M. Kramer, Charlie Starr No events scheduled at this time

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Portman shines as ‘Jackie’ despite drab ensemble casting Jackie Jackie (R) (R) 3 1/2★★★★ out of 4 stars

the journalist, Jackie is understandably bitter, leery and paranoid, and Portman personifies these feelings with equal servings of charm BY MICHAEL CLARK and disdain. On the flip side, Movie Critic Larrain also shows Jackie in happier times while focusWith the possible exceping on her unease in the tion of Eleanor Roosevelt, spotlight. Her navigation of no First Lady has ever had a the position of first lady was higher public profile or made a delicate high-wire act that a greater social impact than few could have pulled off Jackie Kennedy. It is worth more convincingly. noting that Roosevelt had 12 While lending the years in the White House to unelected office the exmake her mark and left on pected, but high-pressure, relatively soft conditions. photo-friendliness, she was Kennedy, on the other hand, also expected to keep armswas ripped out in a flash af- length inapproachability. ter less than three years and The Kennedy family wanted under the most abhorrent of Jackie to be what she fought circumstances. fiercely against: to become Like “The Queen” with a Stepford Wife mannequin Helen Mirren as Queen who looked good on camera Elizabeth II, this new film and could be counted on for from Chilean director Pablo a few calculated, quotable Larrain is not a full-blown sound bites. biography, but rather a Of the 50 or so women glimpse into a small sliver (and one man) who have of time. Set a week after the portrayed Kennedy in previassassination of Kennedy’s ous big- and small-screen husband, the bulk of the productions, none have gotnarrative is presented via ten as close to the genuine flashback as told by Jackie article as Portman does here. (Natalie Portman) to an A tad shorter, with slightly unnamed journalist (Billy sharper features than KenCrudup), a de facto stand-in nedy, Portman more than for “Life” magazine writer compensates for any physiTheodore H. White. cal differences by the perfect Screenwriter Noah rendering of voice and Oppenheim (“The Maze speech patterns, as well as Runner,” “Allegiant”) takes Kennedy’s stilted, finishingseveral risky chances with school gait. It also helps a his choices, but they mostly great deal that Portman was pan out. The Journalist does the same age (34) at the time his job by gently pushing of filming that Kennedy was Jackie into saying things in November of 1963. she’s willing to reveal with Portman has many trithe caveat that it’s “off the umphs throughout the film record.” What she allows but none better than the 15 him to quote her on is barely or so minutes she’s alone in more than what would have the White House living quarbeen culled out of generic ters on the night of her huspress releases, but because band’s assassination. After this is a movie, the audiremoving the blood-stained ence gets all of it unfiltered. coral pink dress and stockJackie was keenly aware ings, she showers and starts of how to use the media to drinking Russian vodka. She her full advantage but more plays the original cast album importantly knew that after of “Camelot,” makes dozens the death of her husband, her of wardrobe changes, chain words would have a short smoking and making the shelf life. most of her last night in the During her time with rooms she shared with the

late president. Depending on your perspective, Portman’s throttling performance is made all the better, or worse, because of the majority of the supporting cast. Apart from Crudup — and in small but crucial roles, Greta Gerwig as Jackie’s personal assistant, Nancy Tuckerman, and relative unknown Caspar Phillipson as a spot-on JFK — every other casting decision was flat-out wrong. The most glaring was the choice of Peter Sarsgaard as Robert Kennedy. An otherwise fine actor, Sarsgaard looks nothing like the man he plays and doesn’t even bother attempting his thick native accent. Also failing for the same reasons are John Carroll Lynch as Lyndon Johnson and Max Casella as Johnson’s righthand man and future major Hollywood player, Jack Valenti. Avoiding the typical first, second and third act narrative structure, the filmmakers — due in large part to the heavy use of flashback — are still able to compartmentalize the movie into Natalie Portman, top and above right, stars as Jackie Kennedy and Peter Sarsgaard as three distinct groups. There’s Bobby Kennedy in “Jackie.” (Special Photos: Fox Searchlight) life before Nov. 22, the day of the assassination and the week afterward. To some it may appear that Larrain and editor Sebastián Sepúlveda merely slapped together random scenes with neither rhyme nor reason, yet, thanks in large part to composer Mica Levi’s haunting score, it all works. As sympathetic as “Jackie” is to the title character, there will be some — mostly Kennedy devotees — that will think it is somewhat less than flattering. Do the filmmakers play fast and loose with the truth? Of the truth that is known, no, not one bit. Do they take too many artistic liberties with the MAIL COMPLETED ENTRY TO: unknown? Few — if anyone GDP/Lego Star Wars • P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 — knows that answer to that or gwinnettdailypost.com/contests to enter at question, and they’re not Name _______________________________________________________ talking. (Fox Searchlight) Address _____________________________________________________

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Jeff Barger, Loganville

★★★★

Lauren Barger, Loganville

‘Office Christmas Party’ EDITOR’S NOTE: Film Fans features local residents reviewing the movie of the week:“Office Christmas Party.” To be a film fan, email features@gwinnettdailypost.com.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCE

PASS/FAIL

WHO WILL LIKE THIS...

SEE IT NOW OR WAIT

OVERALL IMPRESSION

Pass: This film actually made me laugh, for real. With so many holiday comedies that I’ve seen in the past, the jokes were barely funny and forced at times, but this film genuinely caused me to laugh. Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn and T.J. Miller seemed to have great chemistry as a group and pulled this film off. It wasn’t the funniest movie I’ve ever seen, but it was funny. It could have been that my expectations were extremely low going into it, but I was surprised that it was more funny than stupid. Fail: My only real criticism is the movie was predictable. All the plot points were things we’ve all seen before, so there weren’t any real surprise moments. Again, I went into this movie with very low expectations, so that’s probably why I’m not finding a laundry list of faults to name here.

Jennifer Aniston and T.J. Miller both had pretty good performances. T.J. was full of one-liners and had his standard quick delivery of his lines, but there were some scenes where he showed an acting range that I didn’t know he was capable of, so that was a nice surprise. Aniston was a “B” and a half, and did a fantastic job of showing it with this character. Kate McKinnon as Mary, though, was probably my favorite performance. Her character was so strange and crazy, and so much like what I think a human resources generalist is like. As the movie went on, I began to really like her character.

Of course this is a comedy. I wouldn’t say it was a raunchy comedy, although there were some scenes that would definitely be categorized as “raunchy.” Just wait ’til you see the egg nog luge. There was some foul language as expected, but not so much that I would call it gratuitous. Overall I think anyone who likes to laugh will probably enjoy this film, at least a little bit.

If you’re going out with a bunch of friends for a night of hard-core partying and you need a little something to start the night off, then maybe a trip to the theater to see this movie before you go might be in order. You’ll probably get a few ideas and end up having a pretty memorable night. If you don’t have any partying plans, though, you can definitely wait for Blu-Ray.

This was your typical holiday comedy, but in this case, it didn’t completely suck; it was actually pretty funny. At the heart of this comedy is a strong case of sibling rivalry between Carol Vanstone (Jennifer Aniston) and Clay Vanstone (T.J. Miller). This topic usually causes tense drama, but this film was able to take that drama and poke fun at it in a way that was fairly entertaining. Overall it was decent and I didn’t feel like I completely wasted my money, so that’s something, right?

Pass: The movie delivers exactly what I expected — some laugh-outloud moments with a few raunchy, over-the-top attempts. There were lots of comedic actors in this packed cast, but the writers did a pretty good job of interweaving all the characters’ story lines. The party scenes were progressively wild and crazy, unlike any office party I’ve ever attended but always secretly wanted to see. Fail: The movie doesn’t really deliver anything unexpected or different from other films in this same type category, like “The Hangover.” There was plenty of alcohol, partying, drugs and even hookers — the standard areas of debauchery that many people find funny.

I really enjoyed Courtney Vance as Walter Davis in this film. I felt like his acting was great; he wasn’t trying too hard, and he was just committed to his role. I enjoyed his scenes immensely. He didn’t need to be crass to be funny.

Adults only, please. This is not a children’s movie, and some adults may not enjoy the cursing and sexual innuendo/glimpses of nudity weaved throughout the film. Understand that it earns its R rating. As mentioned above, fans of the “Hangover” should enjoy this film.

This is a holiday-themed movie, so take the time and go enjoy it. It delivers laughs and distractions from the crazy consumer driven shopping surrounding Christmas. Just know its not a feel good Christmas movie like “Elf,” but more along the lines of Bad Santa.

Overall, “Office Christmas Party” was a well-made film. Cinematography was great. I felt like I was at the party for some of the scenes, and the soundtrack was packed with upbeat songs. The sets were well done and even over the top for the party scenes. I can only imagine the fun they had filming this one. The actors all delivered their parts well and were able to carry the underlying plot as believable. Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston have paired up before, and this time was just as good. Both are top caliber actors and their comedic timing is spot on. Olivia Munn surprised me in this film. Kate McKinnon was surprisingly funny as the HR person we all love to hate for constantly spouting office policy and procedures. In comparison to other comedies of the day, I’d say this film delivers.

Pass: Great ensemble cast. Lots of familiar faces for fans of “Saturday Night Live,” plus Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston to boot. This movie will give you plenty of creative ideas to enliven your own holiday party. Fail: Some poor editing with several continuity issues that were easy to spot. In some ways, it feels like “Office Christmas Party” was done in a rush, without a lot of attention to tiny details. With such a strong bunch of comedic actors, I was surprised it wasn’t a better movie, overall.

T.J. Miller, who plays the lead role, was new to me, and I found his performance as the airheaded-but-lovable boss to be believable. Bateman and Aniston are always solid, but their roles don’t give them a whole lot of range or depth within which to work. Kate McKinnon, who is becoming one of America’s favorite comediennes, has some funny moments here as the company’s HR person. And Jillian Bell makes the most of a few short scenes where she portrays a high-strung pimp.

If you are a regular SNL viewer, this is right up your alley. Definitely not a movie for children, as there is much drug use, profanity and sexual situations. Most of the violence is comical but quite over the top.

It’s fine to wait for this one for private home viewing, although I bet catching this one in a crowded theater could be fun, too (I was at an afternoon showing with just a handful of people where it always feels awkward to laugh loudly).

Given the timing of the release of this movie, I think it will do well during the holiday season, as it has a sweet enough mixture of heart and laughs (especially as folks attend their own December parties). In the long run, though, I don’t think it will have the same success of “The Hangover” or “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” It comes up a little short of being one of those movies you’ll want to pull out and watch again every holiday season. Do be sure and stick around to the end, as there are some funny outtakes and bloopers as the credits roll.

★★★★

Paul Tate, Sugar Hill

★★★★

COMING SOON TO OWN

• “Sully” (Dec. 20): Tom Hanks has the title role as the airline pilot who landed a damaged plane in the “Miracle on the Hudson” in director Clint Eastwood’s true drama. (PG-13) • “The Disappointments Room” (Dec. 20): A woman (Kate Beckinsale) finds a hidden room in her family’s new home, leading to terror. (R) • “Hitchcock/Truffaut” (Dec. 20): The impact that the two iconic filmmakers had on other directors is discussed by many of them. (PG-13) • “The Magnificent Seven” (Dec. 20): The remake of the classic Western casts Denzel Washington as the leader of an oppressed town’s hired defenders; Chris Pratt also stars. (PG-13) • “The Dressmaker” (Dec. 27): A stylish woman’s (Kate Winslet) return to her Australian hometown is tinged with a taste for revenge against those who maligned her. (R) • “Snowden” (Dec. 27): Oliver Stone’s drama casts Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the source of the leak of many classified documents. (R) • “Blair Witch” (Jan. 3): In a familiar premise, several young people enter a Maryland forest to search for those who vanished in “The Blair Witch Project.” (R) • “The Lion Guard: Life in The Pride Lands” (Jan. 10): The legend of “The Lion King” continues in episodes from the animated Disney Channel and Disney Junior series. (Not rated) • “Mr. Robot: Season 2” (Jan. 10): The sophomore round of the acclaimed USA Network series, starring Emmy winner Rami Malek and Christian Slater, comes to home video. (Not rated)

DISC SPOTLIGHT MICHAEL CLARK

• “The Light Between Oceans” (Jan. 24): A childless, island-bound couple (Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander) claims an infant they find as their own. (PG-13)

NOW SHOWING

Recently reviewed films now playing in metro area theaters. Ratings are out of 4 stars. • Office Christmas Party (R) — 3 1/2 out of 4 stars Although rife with sex and drugs, ‘Party’ is surprisingly cohesive and consistent in its story and humor. The film fills the comedy gap in a season filled with Oscar contenders. — Michael Clark • Miss Sloane (R) — 2 1/2 out of 4 stars While Jessica Chastain does well portraying a cold lobbyist knee-deep in the swamp on Capitol Hill, the film trips over its breakneck speed and use of out-of-sequence storytelling. — MC • Manchester by the Sea (R) — 2 1/2 out of 4 stars This deliberate film about grief is a bit of a mess, doling out flashback after confusing flashback. But the performances are spellbinding, especially from lead Casey Affleck. — Khari J.

Sampson • Allied (R) — 3 out of 4 stars Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard star in this period romance/thriller as WWII spies who fall for each other during a mission but find trouble off the battlefield. Effective but a bit lacking in art. — KS

• Moana (PG) — 3 out of 4 stars “Moana” carves out its own space in the Disney collection by delving into the great Pacific Island storytelling culture. The title character Princess Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) strives to find herself by journeying across the sea. Besides a

strong-female lead, the audience also gets to meet the comic-relief sidekick chicken Heihei (Alan Tudyk) — one of the stupidest and funniest Disney has created. — Kristen Hansen • Bleed for This (PG-13) — 3 ½ stars At first, it’s every “Rocky” movie you ever saw. But this biopic of the comeback attempt of true-life boxer Vinny Pazienza (Miles Teller) takes the genre title. It’s something of a comeback for director Ben Younger, too. — KS • The Edge of Seventeen (R) — 3 ½ stars Funny and raw, “The Edge of Seventeen” perfectly captures the awkwardness of one of the most vulnerable periods in life — the teen years. Starring Hailee Steinfeld (Nadine), Haley Lu Richardson (Krista) and Woody Harrelson (Mr. Bruner), the film is a breath of fresh air for the coming-ofage genre. — KH

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Blu-ray (PG-13) Movie: ★★★★ Disc: ★★★★ Equal parts “Groundhog Day,” “Harry Potter” and “X-Men,” this decidedly unstuffy British action period piece from director Tim Burton takes chances where it shouldn’t, pays off on almost all of them and even when it doesn’t exactly click, it recovers quickly and gathers its bearings. It’s an imperfectly great movie. Eva Green plays the title character, the headmistress at a remote island boarding school for mutant children in the warravaged 1940s visited by a 21st-century teen boy (Asa Butterfield) on a mission. Technical specs: aspect ratio: Widescreen (1.85:1/1080p), audio: English (DTS-HD MA 7.1), French and Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1), subtitles: English, French and Spanish. Special features include: • 4 featurettes • Additional DVD disc + Digital copy • Florence + the Machine “Wish That You Were Here” music video • Galleries • First edition slipcover packaging (Fox, $39.99)

8C • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016

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FOR THE FAITHFUL ‘Rogue One’ appeals to superfans, unlikely to sway those on fence

Rogue One: A Star A Rogue StarOne: Wars Story Wars Story (PG-13) (PG-13) 2 1/2★★★★ out of 4 stars

In what has to have been intended, every villain whose face is seen and has a significant speaking role is played by a white man with a European-sounding speaking voice and is dressed BY MICHAEL CLARK with a Third Reich-inspired Movie Critic wardrobe. Every protagonist is played by actors who Let’s get straight to the aren’t white men; Latino point. If you embrace all actors, Asian actors, white things “Star Wars,” you will women or white actors love “Rogue One” as well. made up as or voicing unIt contains all the necesspecified nonhumans. This sary, needed ingredients as is not opinion — this is fact. the previous seven feature If there is a white man on films; the studio and filmthe protagonist side of the makers took zero chances playing field, he’s there only with anything. This is the temporarily or is one not first “Star Wars” movie con- 100 percent on board with ceived after the $4 billionthe Jedi program. plus sale of LucasFilm to After a full hour of new owner Disney, and it tedium, snail-like exposimakes all kinds of sense tion and repetition, Jyn and that the Mouse isn’t about her “Millennium Falcon” to fix something that’s not band of rebels become broke. fully assembled. There’s the On the other hand, if possible double-agent, Han you’re indifferent or have Solo-ish Cassian (Diego yet to ever be impressed Luna), defected Imperial/ by the rest of this sci-fi Empire pilot Bodhi (Riz franchise, “Rogue One” will Ahmed), the blind Obi-Wan do absolutely nothing to Kenobi knockoff Chirrut change your mind — al(Donnie Yen), his sidekick, though that hasn’t stopped freelance assassin Baze the studio from trying to (Jiang Wen), and (in spirit sway nonbelievers. In what only) Forest Whitaker as could rightfully be tagged Saw Gerrera, the man who as questionable marketing, saved Jyn from certain Disney has labeled “Rogue death years earlier. One” as a “standalone” Also present in the film, something it most mix is K-2SO (voiced by surely is not. Alan Tudyk), an Empire As it relates to movdroid captured and later ies, “standalone” means a reprogrammed by the good movie can be viewed by guys. Arguably the most someone totally unfamiliar interesting and entertaining with films from the same character in the entire film, family stable and be easily K-2SO is the source of all understood. That is simply of the comic relief. The de not the case here. There are facto stand-in/replacement a handful of characters from for C-3PO, K-2SO is bubother installments of the bling over with deadpan, franchise that show up in bone-dry humor but never this film without the incluin a hammy, “look at me” sion of back story. There’s sort of way. also an equal number of Veteran screenwritevents and plot points that ers Chris Weitz and Tony no one who hasn’t seen all Gilroy (working with a of the previous films will be story by John Knoll and able to fully grasp. If anyGary Whitta) do the best job thing, “Rogue One” could imaginable given the likely easily have been subtitled stringent studio-imposed “Episode ?.5,” as it acts as guidelines. They stretch a bridge between two of the but do not go too far, get previous seven installments. glib but not sarcastic, and With that out of the way service the material as well … as two hired guns possibly As a child, lead Jyn Erso could. (Felicity Jones) is forcibly The biggest gamble separated from parents. Her Disney took was hiring father, Galen (Mads Mikdirector Gareth Edwards, kelsen), is a former scienwhose only past feature tist/engineer who lost the credits are the 2010 undercalling but is being drafted rated indie gem “Monsters” back into service by Orson and the umpteenth remake Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn), of “Godzilla” from 2014. a higher-up for the burTo his immense credit, geoning Empire. We know Edwards has a great eye; evOrson is a bad guy because erything here looks spectache kills Jyn’s mom, speaks ular and emulates previous with a British accent and “Star Wars” installments dresses like a Nazi. Which without downright imitatleads to … ing them. From a technical

From left, Diego Luna (Cassian Andor), Felicity Jones (Jyn Erso) and Alan Tudyk (voice of K-2SO) star in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” (Special Photos: Disney)

Death Troopers are shown in a scene from “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”

Above, Mads Mikkelsen stars as Galen Erso in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Below is a battle scene from “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” featuring X-wing starfighters and walkers.

standpoint, he has all of the makings of a master filmmaker and, if given the similar high budget of another future blockbuster — as well as script and cast approval — he could become a legend.

Edwards and the writers also deserve hearty kudos for ending the story in a most unexpected, if not unpredictable manner. They wrap it up far better than it begins and get closer to the true definition, if not the

actual spirit, of “standalone” as it is defined. It leaves no room for conjecture, and the fates of all of the characters are far beyond clear — and maybe not all of them are happy. (Disney)

Friday, december 16, 2016 • 9c

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movies

‘Collateral Beauty’ expected holiday fare Collateral Beauty (PG-13) Collateral Beauty (PG-13) 2 outHHHH of 4 stars

By Kristen Hansen

kristen.hansen @gwinnettdailypost.com

Star-studded “Collateral Beauty” feels like a fancier Hallmark Channel Christmas special. It is what you expect during this time of year: a movie that gives you the “feels” and doesn’t leave a dry eye in the place. Harkening back to Christmas classics “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “A Christmas Carol,” “Collateral Beauty” hopes to carve out a position as a modern holiday hit. While it may join the ranks of “The Holiday” and “The Family Stone,” it misses the mark as a movie to go back to year after year. The cast includes lots of big talent: Will Smith (“Suicide Squad,” “Concussion”), Edward Norton (“Birdman,” “Grand Budapest Hotel”), Kate Winslet (“The Reader,” “Steve Jobs”), Helen Mirren (“The Queen,” “Trumbo”) and Keira Knightley (“The Imitation Game”), to name a few. Generally the rule is if there are too many stars

Above, Helen Mirren, from left, stars as Brigitte, Keira Knightly as Amy and Jacob Latimore as Raffi in “Collateral Beauty.” At right, Will Smith stars as Howard in “Collateral Beauty.” (Special Photos: Warner Bros)

it will either be awesome or terrible. Surprisingly, this film is an exception to the rule and manages to fall squarely in average territory. Howard, played by Smith, is an advertising executive in New York who is struck by tragedy. His daughter dies and the terrible event breaks him. Howard stops operating in the real world by no longer holding conversations, doing his job, etc. He still goes into work, but instead of actually working he spends all his time building elaborate domino setups. This behavior, of course, hurts his company

and those who also work there: White (Norton), Claire (Winslet) and Simon (Michael Pena, “The Martian”). His colleagues worry that they are about to lose years of hard work as the company loses business and worth. To combat the inevitable, they try to reconnect with Howard and bring him back to his usual charismatic self, but when all else fails, they go to plan B. In the meantime, Howard seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Death, Time and Love. Thinking that these would just be lost in the universe, he is surprised when the

letters provoke real-life responses which Howard can’t help but address. While Howard is dealing with his own demons, the journey is also helping his co-workers. Everyone is battling with life choices or obstacles of their own, be it family struggles, health struggles or otherwise. Knowing director David Frankel’s other work, including “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Marley & Me,” it’s not really surprising what is delivered on screen. The finished product is heartfelt, but

feels a little canned. The death of a child has to bring unimaginable pain and the audience has to sit through this with the main character and it comes off a bit draining — perhaps the very point. On the title of the film, collateral beauty is about finding your way back even in the darkest of times. “It’s those things we sometimes take for granted or don’t notice all the time, but that might be there every day, like a sunset … or fleeting, like a child’s smile,” Frankel

said. “There are millions of examples of collateral beauty; they’re unique, and we all have different ideas about what they could be. They’re the reason that we go on, and I think what’s really compelling about this story is that it reminds us to take notice of those brilliant fragments of life that make it worth living.” Hitting bittersweet notes, “Collateral Beauty” is a journey of one man through the landscape of loss, but one to which we can all relate to. (Warner Bros.)

‘La La Land’ boasts appeal beyond musical realm La La Land (PG-13) La La Land (PG-13) 3 out ofHHHH 4 stars

By MicHael clarK Movie Critic

At left, Ryan Gosling stars as Sebastian and Emma Stone as Mia in “La La Land.” At right, the cast of “La La Land” peforms a number. (Special Photos: Lionsgate)

it is clear that neither of the leads possesses a great singing voice. Each can carry a tune, something that Chazelle recognized by providing them with pitch-simple songs. If “La La Land” was a Beatles album, Sebastian and Mia would be almost slightly better than Ringo. On the upside, Gosling and Stone each act their hearts out and have chemistry that’s off the charts. Having played love interests to each other previously (“Crazy, Stupid, Love”), they’ve already gone through the tougher “getting to know you” learning curve, and even when their characters are at odds here, they are thoroughly convincing in the romance department. The second issue comes with the first act. With Mia given 30 minutes and Sebastian about 15, Chazelle devotes about half

the time repeating scenes from different perspectives and fills the rest of the time with quasiimpressive song-and-dance numbers. The songs are all proficient in a generic sort of way but none will likely be remembered by even die-hard musical fans a year or even a month from now. Divided into five segments (spring, summer and fall bookended by two winters), “La La Land” finally kicks into high gear in the middle of the second season when Sebastian and Mia are on their first real date while visiting a planetarium, where they literally dance on air. It’s Rogers and Astaire and Gene Kelly for the millennium, and it is magic. Nearly an hour after it starts, “La La Land” finally hits paydirt. With the love angle firmly established, the plot mostly abandons the musical mindset

ENTER

and gets down to brass tacks. Both Sebastian and Mia are more committed to their careers than to each other. While one goes the “pure” route (meaning little to no money), the other more or less goes the other way by lowering their standards for the bucks. This is the point where Chazelle makes his most poignant statements. Is it possible for two creative/ artistic people to sustain a long term relationship when at least one of them is absent most of the time? Can two people who are initially drawn together by art survive when one drifts away from it and the other becomes even more firmly entrenched? All one has to do to find these answers is to look at the marriage history of entertainment-based celebrity couplings since, well, forever. Almost none of them

last for the duration and the few that do come with questionable sidebars (the long-term marriages of Jimmy Stewart and Bob Hope are good examples). Is fidelity and lifelong love the price that is paid for success in the entertainment industry? Chazelle achieves the zenith of the narrative while not providing an exact answer in the extended final montage scene. A recap of sorts, it concludes the story in an unexpected manner with something that will equally thrill and disappoint but ultimately stays true to everything that precedes it. It is a perfect ending to an imperfect film that, despite many glitches and ebbs, concludes on something that might not quite be a high note but will nonetheless be remembered both months and years from now. (Lionsgate)

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After receiving virtually universal critical acclaim for his low-budget, Oscar-winning debut indie flick “Whiplash,” filmmaker Damien Chazelle was likely inundated with major studio offers for his followup. But instead of completely selling out, he landed somewhere near middle ground. “La La Land” is only sort-of an indie, comes with a larger (but not obscene) budget and is also rooted in music. Technically “La La Land” is a musical, but not in the traditional sense. There are scenes where people break into unexplained song and dance for no reason whatsoever but they are minimal — a half dozen or so. However, a solid hour of the slightly overlong 128-minute movie includes instrumental-only jazz music which, to many uninitiated or untrained ears, isn’t even considered “music.” For 45 minutes, “La La Land” fits squarely into traditional musical territory. Set in present day Los Angeles, it tells the story of two struggling artist types (Ryan Gosling as Sebastian and Emma Stone as Mia) trying to break into their respective fields. He’s a pianist and she’s an actress. Both are talented, but not enough to knock anyone’s socks off. The first problem arises when

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The new fournight miniseries “Terry Crews Saves Christmas” begins Tuesday on The CW. (Special Photo)

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television Tony Bennett celebrates 90th birthday with special By GeorGe Dickie Your TV Link

Terry Crews to save Christmas on The CW By Jay BoBBin

time problems that I had to solve myself. And I love “Terry Crews Saves the holidays, so this was Christmas” is more than an perfect for me.” attention-grabbing title: For Indeed, Crews knows several families, he really “the holidays are a big deal. does. I don’t care where you are The “Brooklyn Nineor who you are, you can’t Nine” co-star and NFL vet- ignore it. You can try to eran travels to several cities avoid it, but that Christmas — along with designer party is coming to your job. Vanessa Deleon and chef For those who are intimiDean Sheremet — to help dated by it, we try to help people who have hit snags them get with it or lean into in planning holiday celeit. We come in and pick brations in a new miniseries out what the problems are, that The CW will air over and in 48 hours we revamp four consecutive nights their home and their food starting Tuesday. Crews and the way they do everyputs his big personality to thing. The families have amusing work for citizens the love, but a lot of times, who are quite surprised they just don’t know what when he shows up at their to do.” doors, sometimes in guises The situations in difsuch as a ballet outfit. ferent households are “The producers from a quite varied, as Crews has group called Electus had learned anew from making an idea to put a series of the show. “There are very holiday specials together,” young families, then there the affable Crews explains, are others who have grown “but they didn’t know who kids who are now out of to go after. Someone said, the house, and how do ‘Terry Crews,’ and it got those empty nesters work revamped to be me savChristmas? We’ve been ing holiday disasters. And to Chicago, L.A., all over I was with it, man. I’ve the place. And I want to do got five kids and I’ve been more.” married 27 years, so I’ve While entertainers are had my share of Christmas used to making Christmas disasters and faux pas, big- shows out of season so

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they’ll be ready to air at the appropriate time, the civilians involved in “Terry Crews Saves Christmas” had to make a pact with Crews and his crew to play along. Still, he admits there are telltale signs. “It’s awesome,” he says. “We started filming before Halloween, so we were like, ‘What are all these Halloween decorations doing up at Christmas time?’ And we just kept going with it. One good thing is that we break the fourth wall here, and I talk to the camera. It’s like a reality show of a kind you’ve never seen, showing you all the behind-the-scenes things while we’re doing it. It’s just a free-for-all. (Those visited) might have expected a Martha Stewart type, but to see a 250-pound African American wearing an elf costume … they take a lot of pictures.” Not only does Crews maintain he’d be game to do “Terry Crews Saves Christmas” again, he says he’s ready to spread the concept to other holidays, as in “Terry Crews Saves Mother’s Day” or “Terry Crews Saves the Fourth of July.”

Tony Bennett recalls a piece of sage advice from vocal coach Mimi Speer that set the young jazz singer on a path to success: don’t imitate another singer, imitate an instrumentalist. “Art Tatum was the greatest piano player at that time,” Bennett explains. “In fact, he still is and I loved the way he phrased his recordings. And then (saxophonist) Stan Getz had a beautiful melodic sound that I liked. So I got those two things. “In other words, she said, ‘If you imitate another singer, you’re just going to be one of the chorus. You’re never going to make it.’” he says. “… But if you just be yourself and get influenced by great musicians that are performing well and just be yourself no matter what, she said, by being yourself you’re automatically different from anybody else.” No one can argue that Bennett isn’t a unique American talent, one whose career spans more than 60 years, multiple gold and platinum records and 19 Grammy Awards. His career and his life are celebrated in “Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet to Come.” Airing Tuesday on NBC, the two-hour special that was taped in September at New York’s Radio City Music Hall marks Bennett’s 90th birthday (which was actually on Aug. 3) with an evening of music from an all-star lineup of performers that includes Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Aretha

Alec Baldwin, left, pays tribute to the legendary singer in “Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet to Come” on Tuesday on NBC. (Special Photo)

Franklin, Billy Joel, Elton John, Diana Krall, Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga. Others who appear include Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey, Steve Buscemi, John Travolta, Bruce Willis and Homer Simpson. One of the highlights of the evening came from Gaga, his collaborator on the hit 2014 release “Cheek to Cheek,” who wowed the crowd and Bennett with a knockout version of “The Lady Is a Tramp.” “It couldn’t have been better. … it was so beautiful the way she performed,” Bennett says. “Last year, we did quite a few shows internationally, throughout all of Europe and then America and she did wonderful wherever we went.” Bennett recalls first meeting Gaga at a benefit concert in New York and being impressed by her talent and the crowd’s reaction to her. “I never heard an audience adore anybody as

much as they adored Lady Gaga. …,” he says. “So I went backstage and she was backstage with her mother and father and we really hit it off. And right from the beginning, she said, ‘Let’s do an album together.’ And I said, ‘Great, that’s terrific.’ And we did.” The special returned Bennett to his favorite venue, Radio City, the historic Midtown Manhattan theater known for its perfect acoustics. In the birthday show, Bennett put down the microphone to perform “Fly Me to the Moon” without amplification of his voice. But in a night of tributes, perhaps the most fitting of all for Bennett came courtesy of a quintessentially New York landmark. “(That was the) moment the Empire State (Building) put up the Italian colors. … celebrating my 90th birthday,” he said. “That was pretty wonderful. It was unbelievable. … That’s New York.”