Gwinnett Daily Post — January 12, 2018

‘IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR,’ 8A Lawrenceville Police Chief Randy Johnson to retire

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Gwinnett Daily Post FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

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Vol. 48, No. 52

Hunter threatens BOC with $5M lawsuit

BY CURT YEOMANS

commissioners for sanctioning him over the remarks.

Attorney Dwight Thomas sent the Ante Litem NoNearly a year after Gwin- tice to county attorneys in nett County Commissioner November, informing them Tommy Hunter sparked con- that Hunter would be filing a troversy by calling U.S. Rep. federal lawsuit over the writJohn Lewis a “racist pig” on ten reprimand county comFacebook, a document has missioners leveled against emerged showing that his the District III commissioner lawyer threatened to file a $5 last June. Hunter’s lawyer million lawsuit against other said the reprimand caused curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

ongoing and permanent economic and non-economic damage to Hunter.

That sanction was based on a recommendation from an ethics panel that heard a complaint filed because of the Facebook comments.

Thomas called the reprimand “an effort to restrain, chill and otherwise curtail” Hunter’s free speech.

“Free speech and political

Deceased woman at Gwinnett Place ID’d

BY TREVOR MCNABOE

Commissioner Tommy Hunter sits in the ethics hearing held May 31 because of posts he made on Facebook about Democrats and U.S. Rep. John Lewis. (File Photo)

Moved south

See HUNTER, Page 7A

Groundhog Gen. Lee gets relocated to Butts County

trevor.mcnaboe@gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett County Police have identified the body of the woman found in Gwinnett Place Mall’s food court on Dec. 21.

On Wednesday, the Gwinnett Medical Examiner identified the body as 19-yearold Lawrenceville resident Silling A. Man. On Jan. 2, police urged the public to help identify the victim and sorted through tips before identifying Man. Man’s body was found by a mall maintenance worker doing a routine check before discovering the decomposing body in a back room of a vacant Subway shop in the Duluth mall, according to Gwinnett County Police.

Previously, Man had been reported as a missing adult on Oct. 8 by a famSilling ily member before returnMan ing home. Two days later she was removed from missing persons before disappearing again.

Following her disappearance, no additional missing persons report was filed, according to police.

According to the police report, Man’s family did not have any contact with her following her second disappearance on Oct. 10.

Detectives say Man had visited Perimeter Mall around Nov. 20 to pick up her last paycheck and was a student at Georgia State University, although her status as a student was unknown.

The Medical Examiner’s Officer has not ruled the case as a homicide as details are still being investigated. At the time Man was found her body was described as “being in an advance state of decomposition,” according to the incident report filed on Dec. 21.

Officials believe that Man was dead two weeks prior to being found.

“Right now we’re waiting on the toxicology report to come back to see if that will lead to the cause of death,” said Michele Pihera, spokeswoman for the police department. “With this being back in the news, we’re hoping that this will help people come forward with additional details.”

GCPD requests if anyone has information about Man from mid-October to mid-December, they should call Gwinnett detectives at 770 513-5300.

expression under the Georgia and Federal Constitution is a clearly established right,” Thomas wrote in the notice. “My client intends to bring an action for damages against the Gwinnett County commission, individually and officially, for violation and continued violation of his constitution rights pursu-

BY MICHAEL DAVIS Special to the Post

At top, Gen. Beauregard Lee, the famous weather-predicting groundhog, has been relocated to Dauset Trails Nature Center in Butts County, which will host a Groundhog Day celebration Feb. 2. (Special Photo: Dauset Trails Nature Center) Above middle, from left, Annabelle Henry, 12, Aisley Milton, 11, Evie Henry, 10, and Natalie Nixon, 11, cheer on groundhog Beauregard Lee, above, at Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn on Feb 2, 2016. (File Photos)

Gwinnett’s groundhog has found a new home.

Gen. Beauregard Lee, the weather prognosticator who once resided at the Yellow River Game Ranch near Lilburn, has moved to Butts County. The groundhog is now housed at Dauset Trails Nature Center, which will carry on the Groundhog Day tradition with a ceremony on Feb. 2.

The Yellow River Game Ranch closed suddenly in mid-December after 62 years in operation as a home to injured and neglected animals, including some wild game animals that couldn’t be released into the wild. It also let the public come in and interact with the animals in a petting zoo format.

“Since they had to close, we offered to transfer some animals to Dauset Trails, including Gen. Lee,” said Gordon Respess, a naturalist at Dauset Trails Nature Center near Jackson.

Respess said the workers there are still finishing the exhibit where the general will live, so he is not yet on public display. Respess said Lee will make his debut during the Groundhog Day celebration, which will be held at sunrise, around 7:30 a.m.

The Groundhog Day celebration was a longstanding tradition at Yellow River Game Ranch and Georgia’s answer to Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil.

According to tradition, if a groundhog emerges on Groundhog Day and sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If there’s no shadow, there will be an early spring.

Dauset Trails is a nonprofit outdoor education and recreational center that got its start in the 1980s, like the Yellow River Game Ranch, primarily caring for injured and orphaned animals, some which could not be returned to the wild. Dauset Trails houses a number of wild animals along with many that would’ve been found on early farms in the area.

Loganville’s Martinez becomes first Hispanic mayor in Georgia New Loganville Mayor Rey Martinez addresses residents after taking his oath of office as his wife, Ana, looks on. Martinez is believed to be the first Hispanic mayor of a city in Georgia. (Staff Photo: Curt Yeomans)

BY CURT YEOMANS

and Lisa Newberry. It was

An overflow crowd showed up at Loganville City Hall on Thursday night and saw history made at the local and state levels.

The large gathering was there for the swearing in of a new mayor, Rey Martinez, and three council members, Danny Ford, Anne Hutsinger

his wife, Ana, at his side, that made things a little more attention-grabbing than past swearing in ceremonies might have been.

Martinez, who was born in Puerto Rico to Cuban parents, became the first Hispanic mayor of a city in either Gwinnett or Walton counties — Loganville straddles

curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com Martinez’s swearing in, with

the line between both. He is also believed to be the first Hispanic mayor of any city in Georgia.

“I have to pinch myself,” Martinez said. “Who would have thought 10 years ago, five years ago, even a year ago that I would be standing here — a young man who came to the States at the age of 8 with English as my second language?”

Loganville’s history-making night was a big draw. Not only were several residents in attendance, but several mayors, city council members and county officials from Gwinnett and Walton counties, state Rep. Tom Kirby, former state legislator Melvin Everson, and Secretary of State Brian Kemp were in attendance.

See MARTINEZ, Page 7A

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Report raises legal questions of Peachtree Corners charter “Overall, my biggest concern is we were told, we were sold, and the referendum put to the voters was About 60 Peachtree Corfor a model of governance ners residents debated sevthat would be limited by the eral questions and concerns voters,” Peachtree Corners about the legality of the city resident Alex Ward said. charter and their ability to “My concern is making sure have a say in matters, such that we’re conforming to as millage rate increases, the Constitution while also during a forum at City Hall making sure that the people on Wednesday night. who were asked to vote on The forum was held to this city under the guise of a answer questions about the limited model are still able to charter after a Carl Vinson adequately have their voices Institute report, which was heard in any change that commissioned by the city, takes place in the city.” revealed there were several The report from the Carl issues in the charter that Vinson Institute was conneeded to be addressed. ducted as a review to give The issues ranged from the the charter a look over as setup of Peachtree Corners’ the city reached the halfway government to whether items point in its first decade. The such as millage rate caps goal was to get feedback should be addressed in the about where the Charter charter or by ordinance. could be revised, City ManBY CURT YEOMANS

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

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ager Brian Johnson said.

Among the issues outlined in the report were the creation of a city manager position by ordinance, rather than through the General Assembly; in 2012, the creation of a property tax cap of one mill; and questions over the legality of so-called “citylite,” or limited government, municipalities.

“It is clear, as explained in the preceding analysis, that the current city charter is legally deficient and that due to the nature of municipal law in Georgia, it needs to be rewritten by the General Assembly,” Carl Vinson Institute officials wrote in the report.

State Sen. Fran Millar, whose district includes the Peachtree Corners area, said there is no need to worry about the legality of the city’s existence. Millar was part of a legislative committee that looked at the growth of new cities in 2015 and discovered there may be problems with the limited services municipal model.

“If anybody thinks the city would be abolished because of this provision, they would be dead wrong,” he said.

The situation involving the city charter is an outgrowth of a larger issue in the state over the legality of city lite municipalities. Several cities created in Georgia since 2005 have gone that route, where they only offer three services, the bare minimum needed to be a city.

Peachtree Corners’ charter specifically says that it will only offer planning and zoning, code adoption and enforcement, and solid waste management services.

The Carl Vinson Institute recommended changing the language to be more vague, saying that the city will offer services that the state allows it to provide but not specifying which services that will be.

Some residents at the forum said they feared the changes will lead to an expansion of city government beyond what they were willing to go along with

position was created by an ordinance in 2012, but the institute said it should have been created by an act of the General Assembly to amend the charter.

“All indications through everything is that at the time this was being discussed, the cityhood movement was being discussed, everybody’s intentions were pure,” Johnson said. “This was the leader in this type of government and so it had just not been in existence enough for there to be opportunities for implementation to potentially cause problems.”

The City Council will vote on some ordinances to address some of the issues at its meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, located at 310 Technology Parkway.

Many of the questions about the constitutionality of Peachtree Corners would be addressed through a new charter that would address issues raised by the Carl Vinson Institute, though.

State Rep. Scott Hilton said he wants to hold off as long as possible on filing a bill to rewrite the charter to get as much public feedback as possible. A bill may not be filed until early March as a result, he said.

“Personally, I’d like to wait as long as possible in the session to make sure we get it right,” Hilton said. “I don’t want to be back here next year trying to fix this again.”

J.Crew closing Mall of Georgia, The Forum locations

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BY CURT YEOMANS

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

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Two J. Crew stores in Gwinnett County are among several locations that the clothing retailer is planning to close later this

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Peachtree Corners City Manager Brian Johnson, center, talks about issues in the city charter during a forum at City Hall on Wednesday. (Staff Photo: Curt Yeomans)

when they voted in favor of forming the city in 2011.

Mim Harris said the outcome could have been different if voters had known about the legality issues being raised now.

“It absolutely would not have passed,” Harris said.

“I think if you even ask the ‘Yes City’ people, they would tell you if people realized what we were getting, it would not have passed. It was a close referendum as it was and I don’t believe — the real selling point was the ‘lite’ aspect.”

Millar said he hadn’t heard of questions about whether city lite municipalities were legal until it was mentioned to the study committee that he served on in 2015.

“At that time, they said the city was going to continue anyway, then when they do their charter review, which everybody does after five years, then you fix it, and that’s what is happening right here today,” Millar said.

But there are other issues as well, particularly concerning whether Peachtree Corners should have dealt with certain items through ordinances or charter amendments.

One example is the millage rate cap. It was written into the original charter, but the Carl Vinson Institute said it should it have been by ordinance instead. A reveral of that issue is the city manager situation. That

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The local business tracking blog, Atlanta Tomorrow’s News Today, reported the stores at the Mall of Georgia in Buford and The Forum in Peachtree Corners were among five locations in metro Atlanta that would close. The retailer announced in November that it planned to close

about 39 stores nationwide as it struggles financially, according to CNN. A J.Crew spokesperson could not be reached for comment Thursday. Employees at both Gwinnett stores confirmed they are scheduled to close Jan. 27, though.

J. Crew joins a growing list of national retailers

who have closed locations in Gwinnett in recent years, some as part of scale-backs and others as part of corporate bankruptcies. Some of the retailers who have closed locations in the county in recent years include JC Penney, HH Gregg, Sports Authority, Radio Shack and MovieStop.

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Editor – Todd Cline to start your subscription. and hands-on help, but cancer should continue 770-963-9205, ext. 1300; Main Office – 770-963-9205 Classified Ads: Classiand noon Sunday. not a cash donation. to have close follow-up, Sports Editor Will Hammock fieds can be placed at the If your paper delivery is GEMINI (May 21-June including a speculum and main office 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; is at 770-963-9205, ext. missed, we no longer rede- 20) — Keep your emobimanual gynecologic The Gwinnett Daily Post phone lines open 24 hours, 1310. To request a photo, liver on each delivery day. tions in check when exam as part of the comcall 770-963-9205, ext. 1327. invites your input. Here are seven days a week by callWe only redeliver on Sundealing with professional plete physical exam. This Administration/Finance: some guidelines to help you ing 770-236-9988.

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339-5845 from 8 a.m. to 5 22) — Follow through p.m. Monday through Friday 8082. Reach the legal I agree with Dr. A.F.S. the customer. customer service line, 770in that adding cervical if you make a promise. cytology (the Pap smear) Ask questions if you feel to the gynecologic exam someone isn’t being commay not add much benefit: pletely up-front with you.

Dear amy: I’d like In a recent study, only 6 Dear amy: I had when you’re both in the Being frank will help you Ask Amy to know how to get over percent of women with been married for just nine same city? avoid distress. Partnera lifetime of embarrassa recurrence of cervical months when my in-laws Your in-laws seem hellships are favored. cancer were diagnosed by ment. I was raised by visited us. My husband and bent on babying their son LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) the results of the Pap test. self-absorbed and often I had been living in one of and breaking up your mar- — Be realistic and willing cruel parents. Both of However, it seems to me, their homes in London. riage. However, we can’t to work hard to keep the them took delight in as a non-specialist, that it My husband and I had blame it all on them: Your peace and live within may still be worthwhile to humiliating me as a child. been arguing a lot and he husband is the one who let your means. Don’t share obtain the Pap smear dur- My father would stand up told his parents about our his parents send you away, personal information or ing the speculum exam, as at my birthday parties and problems. He said he was and now he won’t talk to lend or borrow money or even a 6 percent improve- tell jokes about me in front overwhelmed. My in-laws you. He is making a choice, possessions. Resist tempAmy Dickinson ment means that some of my friends. He would then insisted that I leave and he is choosing them. tation. women will be diagnosed make fun of me until I and visit my parents so that You should “keep calm and VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. earlier than they otherwise cried, and then laugh at Dear embarwe could have some space carry on.”

22) — Listen to comwould. me. rasseD: What you are and re-evaluate our marIf, despite all of this, you plaints carefully. You’ll My strongly held While working one describing is emotional riage. During the next two do decide to go through discover something about opinion is that women of my first jobs, I had a abuse, and I am so sorry months we did just that. with your trip, you will someone that will help with a history of cervical strong crush on my boss that you had to experience We spoke every day. We have to take responsibility you make the changes cancer continue to need (that I never acted on). My that. discussed our problems in for what happens next. you know you should be screening for some period mother knew about it. One You don’t mention if depth and were both more Dear amy: Thank putting into play. Personal of time after treatment. day, she showed up at my you’ve discussed your open to hearing criticism. you so much for advocatimprovement is favored.

This includes a complete job, found my boss and anxieties with your spouse, We apologized for the past. ing for childhood literacy LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. gynecologic exam. Most went on and on to him, but they are there to love We agreed that I should through your “Book on 23) — Don’t let anyone experts feel that this laughing, about how much and support you, and they return to London, but then Every Bed” holiday camconfuse you or make should be done at least I “loved” him. There were can be a source of guidhis parents showed up in paign. decisions for you. It’s imannually for at least five many other incidents. ance if you’re feeling London again. He stopped This year, not only did portant to take better care years (some groups recomNow, I am a married, overwhelmed. I would also speaking to me after their we do this with our own mend lifelong screening). working woman and I live recommend visiting your arrival and then asked me children, but we “adopted” of your health and to base the choices you make on I would leave the decision far away from my parents. therapist again. Treatment not to come back after a local family and made what’s best for you in the to obtain cervical cytology However, I am still haunt- is a process, and being all. Clearly, this was all sure their children also to the gynecologic oncolo- ed by these memories, and open and honest is an because of his parents’ had books on their beds on long term.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24gist treating the patient.

I am so hypersensitive to important first step to seeinfluence.

Christmas morning.

Nov. 22) — Speak up, reaDers: Recurpossible embarrassment ing results. Tell them what My question is, should — Loving Literacy share your feelings and ring vaginal infections are that I live in a constant you’re going through, and I go to London anyway, or Dear loving litmake suggestions that often troubling to women. state of anxiety. I have describe the anxiety you’re should I accept it is over eracy: I am so proud will bring about a lifeThe booklet on that topic been to therapy, and while experiencing. between us because of to have spread this simple explains them and their my therapist was lovely, If you’re still unable to their meddling? He refuses idea. Thank you for spread- style change that you’ve wanted to make for some treatment. Readers can nothing much has changed connect with your therato speak to me now and I ing it further. time. Embrace the future. order a copy by writing: for me. I’m not sure if pist, ask for help finding don’t know if I should keep You can contact Amy Romance is highlighted.

Dr. Roach I need more therapy or different treatment. Your fighting for our relationship Dickinson via email: SAGITTARIUS (Nov. Book No. 1203 something else. Confront- therapist’s job is to help or just accept and move on. askamy@amydickinson.

23-Dec. 21) — You’ll tend 628 Virginia Dr. ing my parents does noth- you, so that you can get — Meddled with com. Readers may send to be emotional today, Orlando, FL 32803 ing, because they remain better at helping yourself. by in-laws postal mail to Amy DickEnclose a check or just as unapologetic of The elements required to Dear meDDleD inson, c/o Tribune Content making you an easy target for someone who money order (no cash) for their behavior. They do not cope with the legacy of With: I love London and Agency, 16650 Westgrove $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with care what I think or feel. abuse are: time, patience, would never advocate not Drive, Suite 175, Addison, wants to take advantage the recipient’s printed How do I navigate through talk therapy and meditation going there, but don’t you Texas, 75001. You can also of you. Be on guard and name and address. Please don’t offer any informathis?

— or possibly medication want a husband who is follow her on Twitter allow four weeks for — Embarrassed — to deal with your more going to fight for you and @askingamy or “like” her tion that might incriminate delivery. daughter serious anxiety symptoms. work on your relationship you. on Facebook.

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Page 4 a • Friday, January 12, 2018

If ignorance is bliss, Trump must be happy WASHINGTON — If you want to know President Trump’s position on any given policy issue, the last person you should ask is President Trump. He has no idea what he thinks.

Seriously, no clue. In office nearly a full year, evidently he has only the most tenuous grasp of the issues that come before him — including the issues that were central to his campaign. Usually, a president’s pronouncements set policy. Trump’s words — however provocative or bizarre — are often irrelevant.

Eugene It was an Robinson astonishing moment Tuesday, at Trump’s televised “negotiation” with congressional leaders on immigration, when Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., asked whether the president would support a “clean” or stand-alone bill providing relief for the estimated 700,000 “Dreamers” who were brought to the United States illegally when they were children. Legislation that would let them stay is known in Washington acronym-speak as DACA. “I have no problem … We’re going to do DACA, and then we can start immediately on the phase two, which would be comprehensive,” Trump said. When Feinstein asked again if he would be agreeable to this approach, Trump said, “Yeah, I would like to do that. I think a lot of people would like to see that. But I think we have to do DACA first.”

Republicans around the table freaked out.

Trump had adopted the Democrats’ position and abandoned his own, which is, or was, that any action to help the Dreamers had to be accompanied by tough-on-immigration measures — such as funding for Trump’s border wall. (Never mind that Mexico was supposed to pay for the wall, if you believed Trump’s campaign rhetoric.)

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, RCalif., quickly jumped in to clarify that what the president obviously meant by “yes” was “no.”

The televised part of the session lasted 55 minutes, and the president seemed uncharacteristically agreeable throughout. As in, agreeable to anything: He actually said at one point that he would sign whatever immigration bill the assembled legislators managed to pass.

On another issue, the White House made clear what it wanted Congress to do about the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: reject a measure that would restrict the government’s ability to conduct domestic surveillance of Americans. But on Thursday, Trump undercut his own position with a morning tweet: “‘House votes on controversial FISA ACT today.’ This is the act that may have been used, with the help of the discredited and phony Dossier, to so badly surveil and abuse the Trump Campaign by the previous administration and others?”

So it sounded as if Trump might be in favor of limiting potential FISA abuses. But a couple of hours later, the president tweeted again to say, basically, never mind. It was widely speculated that the first, rogue tweet had been prompted by a headline crawling by on “Fox & Friends.”

When Trump convened a cabinet meeting Wednesday, he had an odd greeting for the media pool that had been admitted to cover the session: “Welcome back to the studio.”

Could he actually see the West Wing as a television studio? Or as being similar enough to a studio that he confuses the two? In December, the New York Times reported something that made my jaw drop: “Before taking office, Mr. Trump told top aides to think of each presidential day as an episode in a television show in which he vanquishes rivals.”

I want to be fair here. Of course all presidents would rather win fights than lose them; and, since they’re politicians, they want to be seen as winning those fights. But seeing each day as an “episode” of a reality-show presidency is a recipe for chaos, inconsistency, discontinuity, incoherence — a recipe for what we’ve seen in the first year of the Trump presidency.

Tuesday’s immigration summit was “the episode in which Trump shows he’s a serious leader involved in weighty issues, not the looneytunes airhead depicted in Michael Wolff’s book.”

Wednesday’s cabinet meeting was “the episode in which Trump shows his leadership but this time doesn’t contradict his own policy.”

Needless to say, this is no way to run a country. But it may be all the Trump administration is capable of.

Trump had no ideas for reshaping the health care system, with the result that Obamacare is still in place. He had no ideas for reshaping tax policy except “cut, cut, cut,” with the result that Republicans came up with a bill that balloons the national debt while offering caviar to the rich and peanuts to the middle class.

They say ignorance is bliss. Trump must be very happy.

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

Country music is truth in poetry People say that poetry has gone out of vogue. I’m not sure if that is true, but it is true, at least by my way of thinking, that the poetry of the 21st century has kind of left me behind — like most of the rest of the cultural norms of this century.

I’m a 20th century man who has overstayed his welcome, I think.

A few years ago I was nominated for an award as one of Georgia’s favorite authors.

It was a slow year, I guess.

We had a nice reception, and the guest of honor was a poet from Georgia who now lives and writes in New York City.

He sat on a stool and read what was supposed to be poetry. It was horrible. It was so blasphemous and putrid and full of foul language that I couldn’t sit in the room and listen. This person made the guy who did the halftime show at the national championship game sound like Conway Twitty.

Which brings me to what I have to say today in the first place.

There are still some great poets out there and a lot of them are writing country music songs. If you don’t think Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson are poets, you just haven’t been paying attention. How is it

my head that it didn’t hurt. The beer I had for breakfast wasn’t bad, so I had one more for dessert. Then I fumbled in my closet through the clothes and found my cleanest dirty shirt …” That was Kris again. Pure genius.

“She put him out like the burning end of a midnight Darrell Huckaby cigarette.” Tell me that doesn’t paint a picture in your mind.

We’ve all been there — or at they describe country music? least most of us. The song, “Three chords and the truth?” written by Whispering Bill Oftentimes “the truth” in the Anderson, who once lived in stories that make up country Scottdale, is called “Whiskey music songs is related in some Lullaby” and also contains, of the most poetic lines ever “He put that bottle to his head penned. Consider a few with and pulled the trigger.” Walt me.

Whitman ain’t got a thing on “Freedom’s just another Whispering Bill. word for nothing left to lose.”

It’s one thing to pick a Kris wrote that one. It’s special line or two out of a from “Me and Bobby McGee.” song and call it iconic, but I And it’s not even the best line think the best country music in the song. That would be “I’d song ever written doesn’t have trade all my tomorrows for a a single wasted line. single yesterday … ” I’ve had “He said, ‘I’ll love her ’til days like that. I bet you have, I die.’ They told him, ‘You’ll too. forget in time.’ As the years “I’ll be looking for 8 when rolled slowly by, she still they pull that gate and I hope preyed upon his mind.” And so that judge ain’t blind.” Terry forth and so forth and so forth.

Stafford wrote those words.

“He stopped loving her George Strait made them today. They placed a wreath famous. upon his door. Soon they’ll “Well I woke up Sunday carry him away. He stopped morning with no way to hold loving her today.”

Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman are the poets who penned those words, but I don’t know if any of us would have ever been aware of them without the haunting voice of George Jones to bring them to life.

Let’s don’t forget recently retired Kenny Rogers while we are remembering poetic country lyrics. “You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, know when to run.”

Actually, that whole song is one great line after another.

“Son, I’ve made a life, out of readin’ people’s faces, and knowin’ what the cards were by the way they held their eyes. So if you don’t mind my sayin’, I can see you’re out of aces, for a taste of your whiskey, I’ll give you some advice.”

“Somewhere in the darkness, the gambler he broke even …”

Credit where credit is due.

Don Schlitz is the songwriter.

Shoot, y’all can have Claudia Rankine and Charles Simic.

I’ll take Willie Nelson any day.

“Roll me up and smoke me when I die.”

Darrell Huckaby is an author in Rockdale County. Email him at dhuck008@gmail.com.

Trip to Bostwick proof of cotton’s comeback BOSTWICK, Ga. – In December when the weather was balmy and the Dawg Nation was celebrating, across the state, Georgia’s splendorous advancement into a playoff opportunity in the Rose Bowl, I took a long lunch break. I went to Morgan County to enjoy a nice barbecue plate with Ricky Cochran at Crowe’s BBQ, run

by Phillip and Sandra Crowe.

Not in Bostwick, but in Madison, one of my favorite communities — a cozy place where the living is easy and good feelings wash over those who are only passing though.

My stop was all too brief.

Wish I could have lingered longer with the Crowes, classic Bulldog fans. Time constraints were also an issue when Ricky introduced me to John Ruark, who along with his father, Marvin, and his cousin, Mark Ruark, own and operate Bostwick Cotton Gin. If you haven’t heard, cotton has made a comeback, which is not only good news for cotton farmers, it rings positive across our entire society. You may not have considered this salient fact, but when you buy cotton products, you are aiding and abetting the environment in a big way.

While it is a topic for another day, we are killing our planet with synthetic materials

Loran Smith and plastic. A cotton garment will deteriorate and decompose in a few months, but those handy grocery bags housewives tote to their kitchen each week are choking us to death.

It takes dozens of years for one of those grocery bags to decay in a landfill. Buy cotton, live longer.

The Ruarks took me back to my youth when they cranked up their Lummus gin (corporate headquarters in Savannah), which then began to do what it has done for years — separate the fluffy cotton fibers from the seeds. The cotton goes one way for baling purposes and the seeds another for such products as cottonseed oil, cattle feed and seed for a future cotton crop.

The Bostwick Cotton Gin is housed in the same building where it was installed in the early 1940s. The building, weathered and airy, is old, and it looks it. There is debris about

and lint clinging from rafters, support posts and cross beams.

The place looks like it might be where Spider-man takes respite. A cotton gin doesn’t have to look pretty to function, however. I watched as the Ruarks and Buster Peters fed raw cotton into the gin, which sang out with a roar that makes conversation difficult. To talk, you have to raise your voice like a seasoned football coach yelling encouragement and epithets on a practice field.

If you happen to have grown up on a cotton farm, the roar of a cotton gin is the sweet sound of music. That roar means that the cotton has been picked and has gone to processing, which means that life is suddenly compatible with relaxation. It also means that debt obligations can be met, bills can be paid and Santa Claus might be more generous than expected.

John Ruark, who has been farming all his life, is a member of the Georgia Cotton Commission. He is a beneficiary of cotton’s comeback as Georgia, with over 1.3 million acres of cotton planted, is second only to Texas in cotton production.

There are roughly 60 cotton gins in our state and fortunately no boll weevils, those dastardly insects having been eradicated except for a few counties deep

in southern Texas.

With the boll weevil menace and the coming of synthetic fibers — along with backbreaking labor to pick cotton — cotton went on a decline for years. The boll weevil starts hibernating in the fall, which led to farmers in North Carolina spraying the cotton fields as winter approached, which led to eradication. This routine first took place in the 1980s and spread across the South, which has allowed cotton to flourish.

Driving home to Athens, I saw fields of cotton being picked by mechanical cotton pickers. This brought about recall of bygone days when the fields had to be sprayed during the summer to control the weevils when cotton was picked by hand. It was a hard life. Wish my daddy and granddaddy were around today to plant cotton seed in the spring with confidence that better days lay ahead come fall.

While I no longer have a vested interest in cotton, I can cheer for the cotton farmers and appreciate that I can give synthetics and plastic the back of my hand. The most sobering news is that the boll weevil no longer has a home.

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

Friday, January 12, 2018 • 5A

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world&nation World Protests erupt over murder, rape of 7-year-old girl in Pakistan Protesters marched for a second day Thursday in the Pakistani city of Kasur over the rape and murder of a 7-year-old girl whose body was found dumped on a garbage pile.

Zainab Amin’s killing has angered local people who say the authorities in Punjab province have done too little to keep their children safe after a series of similar killings.

At least two people died Wednesday as protesters clashed with police.

Punjab’s Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif ordered police to arrest the girl’s killers in the next 24 hours and offered a 10 million Pakistani rupee reward (over $90,000) for anyone who helps identify those responsible.

5 Mexican states hit with ‘do not travel’ advisory Mexico — long a destination for world-class museums, archeological sites and beach resorts — now has five states tagged with the U.S. State Department’s most severe travel warning.

The new advisories this week place the states — Sinaloa, Colima, Michoacan, Guerrero and Tamaulipas on the Texas border — on the same danger level as countries such as Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq.

The advisories cite drug cartel activity and violent crime, and the Tamaulipas warning was very blunt.

“Do not travel due to crime,” it states. “Violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, extortion, and sexual assault, is common.

Gang activity, including gun battles, is widespread.

Armed criminal groups target public and private passenger buses traveling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers hostage and demanding ransom payments. Local law enforcement has limited capability to respond to violence in many parts of the state.”

Trump to host prison reform meeting

By Dan Merica, Abby Phillip and Eli Watkins CNN

President Donald Trump, looking for a bipartisan win in 2018, will host a prison reform listening session Thursday, taking on an issue championed by former President Barack Obama.

The meeting will include an array of prison reform stakeholders, according to one White House official, and will “discuss ways to equip nonviolent prisoners with the skills and opportunities needed for an honest second chance to correct their course in life and return to society as productive, law-abiding citizens.”

The effort has been spearheaded by Jared Kushner, Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law, and Kushner’s Office of American Innovation.

The message to Trump is that you can be tough on crime but still for these reforms. He has been presented with data showing that in states that adopt reforms and reduce the prison population, crime decreases and so does recidivism.

And the push appears to be working. Trump addressed the issue at Camp David earlier this month during a meeting with top Republican lawmakers, casting it as something his White House will push this year.

nATION Mo. Governor Greitens admits to affair but not blackmail

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens confronted bombshell allegations of sexual misconduct and blackmail Wednesday night — salacious charges that forced a rising Republican star to acknowledge that he had had an extramarital affair but also vehemently deny that he had resorted to blackmail.

CNN affiliate KMOV published an investigation alleging that Greitens, who is married, had a sexual relationship with an unidentified woman.

The woman’s ex-husband cooperated with KMOV, providing what he said Dinosaur bones was a recording from 2015 of his former wife found in Australia describing in detail disScientists have discovturbing interactions she ered a species of dinosaur had with Greitens. Greitthat roamed between Aus- ens was elected to office tralia and Antarctica 113 in 2016. million years ago.

In the recording aired The discovery of

by KMOV, the woman Diluvicursor pickeringi, says she went to Greitens’ published Thursday in house, where a sexual the biological and mediencounter took place. cal journal Peer J, tells “And he used some sort more about how Australia of tape, I don’t what it and Antarctica were once was, and taped my hands connected and the differto these rings and then ent kinds of dinosaurs that put a blindfold on me,” lived there. she said in the recording, “Skeletons of dinosaurs recalling that Greitens from Australia are very told her that “‘you’re rare,” Matthew Herne, the never going to mention lead paleontologist on the my name,’ otherwise there study, wrote in an email. will be pictures of me (the This discovery shows for woman) everywhere.” the first time that there In the recorded converwere at least two closely sation, the woman said related dinosaur species Greitens apologized to her living in southeastern afterwards and told her he Australia. had deleted the picture, — From wire reports KMOV reported.

President Donald Trump, looking for a bipartisan win in 2018, will host a prison reform listening session Thursday, taking on an issue championed by former President Barack Obama. (Photo: CNN)

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who largely opposed the Obama administration’s prison reform efforts, is also slated to attend Thursday’s meeting.

Sessions recently announced that the Justice Department would not leave states that have legalized marijuana alone, a move that one source close to the prison reform deliberations said may unwittingly galvanize conservatives to act faster on reforms based on the states’ rights argument and a desire to reduce the prison population in the U.S. But the White House is looking for a political win and sees prison reform as

an issue that could garner bipartisan support, even if they sell the changes as a conservative solution to reduce crime and save money.

In addition to Sessions, Thursday’s meeting, according to another White House official, will include Gov. Matt Bevin, R-Ky., Gov. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Mark Holden, the general counsel of Koch Industries, the company run by prolific Republican donors Charles and David Koch. No Democratic leaders were included in the listening session, according to the list provided to CNN. Koch Industries, through its nonprofit political orga-

nizations, has made criminal justice reform a major push in recent years. The issue is one area that the Kochs find agreement with Democrats, and Holden worked closely with the Obama administration during his push for prison reform.

But the listening session will also include pro-Trump Republican operatives like Matt Schlapp, Chairman of the American Conservative Union and two Trumpaligned faith leaders, Paula White, senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center, and Darrell Scott, cofounder of the New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

lar team,” said Trump in a statement.

The hires bring the number of full-time staffers on Trump’s official payroll to 12, still a relatively lean office for a first lady one year into her tenure. Michelle Obama and Laura Bush both had approximately 25 staffers by the time their husbands left office.

In October, Trump’s communications director, Stephanie Grisham, discussed the first lady’s Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens delivers the annual State of bare bones employment the State address to a joint session of the House and strategy, telling Fox News, Senate on Wednesday in Jefferson City, Mo. (Photo: CNN) “as with all things that she does, she is being very GOP lawmaker Intelligence Surveillance deliberate in her hiring, focusing on quality over won’t challenge Act, which is a key tool of the U.S. intelligence quantity.”

Dem senator in community, despite North Dakota President Donald Trump’s 3 inmates in Rep. Kevin Cramer, a tweeted criticism of the North Dakota Republican, government’s surveillance hospital after announced Thursday he program. fight at Utah will not challenge sitting The vote was 256-164. It State Prison Democratic Sen. Heidi now goes to the Senate for Three inmates were in Heitkamp in the Senate consideration. race this fall.

House Republican lead- the hospital late WednesDuring an interview with ers and top administration day after a fight at the Utah State Prison’s maximumKFYR radio, Cramer said officials believed early security area. he and his family decided Thursday morning that The Utah Department of the best decision was for they were in good shape to Corrections didn’t immedihim to just run again for pass the plan even though ately say what sparked the his House seat. The move it faced opposition from is seen as a blow to Repub- the right and the left and is fight or release the extent licans who hope to pick up always a heavy legislative of injuries.

One inmate was flown the seat in the traditionally lift. to a hospital by helicopter deep red state. and two were driven by “We’ve decided that the Melania Trump ambulance, corrections best thing for our famstarts new year spokeswoman Maria Peterily and me and really for son said.

North Dakota … is to seek with new hires The scuffle broke out re-election to the House of Melania Trump is staff- sometime after 8 p.m. in Representatives,” Crathe prison’s Uinta facility, mer said, according to the ing up in anticipation of her second year as first which houses death-row inGrand Forks Herald. lady of the United States. mates and others, Peterson On Thursday, the first lady said. The conflict involved House passes announced she has hired fewer than 10 inmates, all FISA despite a director of operations, a men. Their names have not policy director and a com- been released.

Trump criticism munications coordinator.

No prison employees The House of Represen“I am very excited to were injured, Peterson tatives passed legislation add these quality professaid. reauthorizing the Foreign sionals to my already stel— From wire reports

pEOPLE James Franco denies sexual misconduct allegations

James Franco once again addressed allegations of sexual misconduct hours before more women came forward to accuse him.

The actor addressed the controversy surrounding him during an appearance Wednesday on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”

“The Deuce” star has been answering allegations after his appearance at the Golden Globes Sunday stirred some women to criticize him via Twitter for wearing a Time’s Up pin in support of the organization created to combat sexual harassment.

Franco told Meyers he has read the tweets but has not responded “I think, well, the ones I read were not accurate,” the actor said. “But one of the things that I’ve learned is that this is a conversation that obviously needs to be had.”

On Sunday night, actress Violet Paley tweeted: “Cute #TIMESUP pin James Franco. Remember the time you pushed my head down in a car towards your exposed penis & that other time you told my friend to come to your hotel when she was 17?

After you had already been caught doing that to a different 17 year old?”

Filmmaker Sarah Tither-Kaplan tweeted: “Hey James Franco, nice #timesup pin at the #GoldenGlobes, remember a few weeks ago when you told me the full nudity you had me do in two of your movies for $100/day wasn’t exploitative because I signed a contract to do it?

Times up on that!”

Actress Ally Sheedy also took to Twitter during the Golden Globes to post about Franco in since deleted tweets: “James Franco just won. Please don’t ever ask me why I left the film/tv business.”

“Why is a man hosting?

Why is James Franco allowed in? Said too much.

Nite love ya,” Sheedy wrote.

Journalist says she started list of inappropriate men in media

A journalist has come forward to say she was the person who started a high-profile list of men in the media industry who are alleged to have acted inappropriately towards women.

In a first-person account published late Wednesday by The Cut, a New York Magazine website focused on women, Moira Donegan said she initially compiled the S***ty Media Men spreadsheet in October.

“The anonymous, crowdsourced document was a first attempt at solving what has seemed like an intractable problem: how women can protect ourselves from sexual harassment and assault,” Donegan wrote.

CNNMoney wasn’t immediately able to reach Donegan for comment.

— From wire reports

American Airlines to give extra miles to people with complaints

By Chris Isidore CNN

Is your plane seat broken?

Perhaps the meal you ordered isn’t available or your entertainment system isn’t working.

American Airlines is rolling out a program this month that lets its flight attendants award frequent flyer miles to passengers who run into problems.

American, the nation’s largest

vation, the customer typically needed to file a complaint to be compensated. The airline says airline, says it has long had a the new program allows flight policy to compensate passengers attendants to take immediate with miles when they run into action. service problems. But the abil“We wanted to provide this at ity to issue those rewards was the point of first contact” so that limited to gate agents and other passengers don’t have to file a reservation agents, rather than complaint, American spokesman the flight attendants.

Ross Feinstein said. “We want If a problem occurred on a the customer to get off the plane flight rather than with a reserfeeling good about their experi-

Must read

ence. It makes the customers feel good and it makes the flight attendant feel good.”

Feinstein declined to say how many miles a passenger might receive.

“It depends on what the issue is and its severity,” he said. It might be different for a crosscountry flight than it would for a short flight.

The flight attendants at American and Delta can award

frequent flyer miles to the passengers using computer tablets they carry on every flight.

Feinstein said if passengers don’t have a frequent flyer account, they can supply their email address in order to receive another form of compensation.

Delta Air Lines says it has had a similar program for five years, while United and Southwest did not reply to a request for comment.

6A • friDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 CLOSE TO HOME John McPherson

gwinnettdailypost.com FAMILY CIRCUS Bill Keane Today’s Solution

BEETLE BAILEY Mort & Greg Walker

BLONDIE Dean Young & John Marshall

DILBERT® Scott Adams

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE Chris Browne

Zits Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

PEANUTS Charles M. Schulz

GARFIELD Jim Davis

POOCH CAFE Paul Gilligan

PICKLES Brian Crane

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: Flyby

Friday, January 12, 2018 • 7a

gwinnettdailypost.com

Hunter

•From Page 1A ant to the first, fifth, sixth, eighth and fourteenth amendments of the U.S. Constitution and state law claims per the Georgia Constitution and the laws of Georgia.”

The revelation that the notice was sent comes days before the one-year anniversary of Hunter making the remarks on his Facebook page. In addition to posting the statement about Lewis during the weekend before last year’s Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the commissioner also referred to Democrats as “Demonrats” and “Libtards” on Facebook.

News that he had posted the comments generated

months of protests at commission meetings, as well as the filing of an ethics complaint by Atlanta resident Nancie Turner, which ultimately led to an ethics board hearing, the recommendation for a written reprimand and the Board of Commissioners ultimate decision to issue that reprimand.

The notice sent to county officials said Hunter would seek a settlement for damages of “not less than” $5 million. Although the notice was dated Nov. 13, no lawsuit could be found in the online federal court case system.

Attorney Ken Jarrard, who sent the county’s response to Thomas notice denied Hunter had any

basis for a lawsuit over the reprimand and asserted the commissioner was not retaliated against for his actions.

Jarrard said the Board of Commissioners also had free speech protections under the First Amendment, which allowed it to issue the reprimand.

“Such resolutions are simply the expression of political opinion and preference,” Jarrard wrote.

“These resolutions do not control the conduct of citizens or create public rights and duties as compared with regularly enacted laws.”

Jarrard wrote that the commission’s resolution to issue the reprimand would not be considered adverse

or retaliatory under the ordinary firmness test created by the The 11th Circuit federal court.

That test requires a person to show the government retaliated against them for their speech and stipulates that there are different standards for private citizens and elected officials.

“As you are likely aware, and as embraced by the Eleventh Circuit, public officials must tolerate more significant actions taken in response to their exercise of First Amendment rights than an average citizen before such actions are considered violative of their constitutional rights,” Jarrard wrote.

obituaries Flowery Branch, GA

Bradley Alexander Arnold Bradley Alexander Arnold, age 36, of Flowery Branch, GA peacefully passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2018.

Funeral services will be Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. in the Buford Chapel of Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory. Burial will follow at Broadlawn Memorial Gardens, Buford, GA. The family will receive friends Friday, January 12, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Bradley graduated from North Gwinnett High School in 2000. Bradley is survived by his parents, Gary and Jean Arnold; sister; Beth Richter; niece; Hannah Jean Richter and nephew; Logan Robert Lane Richter. On-line condolences can be made www. crowellbrothers.com.

Arrangements by Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory, 201 Morningside Drive, Buford, GA 30519,(770-945-9999.

Sugar Hill, GA

James Randal Corbin James Randal Corbin, age 81, of Sugar Hill, GA passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2018.

He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-seven years, Sue Higgins Corbin; parents, Dewey and Christine Corbin; and sisters and two brothers. He is survived by his daughter, Cyndi Corbin, Sugar Hill, GA; sisters and brotherin-law, Patsy and Tommy Thornton, Buford, GA and Barbara Corbin Sudderth, Jefferson, GA; sistersin-law, Rose Corbin, Buford, GA and Patricia Corbin, Sugar Hill, GA; brothers and sister-in-law, Larry and Gloria Corbin, Carnesville, GA and Gerald Corbin, Buford, GA; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Elise and Ottis Bennett, Buford, GA and Barbara Higgins, Buford, GA; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and

cousins. Mr. Corbin was born December 7, 1936 in Buford, GA. He went to Buford High School where he received his education. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army; He was a retired cabinet maker and he enjoyed woodworking.

He was a member of West Buford Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home with Rev. Arthur Southerland and Rev. Jerry McCormick officiating. Interment will follow at Broadlawn Memorial Gardens in Buford, GA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, January 12, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Gainesville

Christine H Deaton Christine H. Deaton, age 95, of Gainesville, GA, went home to meet her heavenly father Wednesday, January 10, 2018. She was born in Gainesville, Georgia on January 22, 1922. She was a homemaker, where she loved, cooking, canning, crocheting and flowers. She was a devout Christian, where she spent most of her life devoted to the Buford and Doraville Church of God, then continued membership with New Haven Church, Gainesville, Ga. She was loved by all whom met her. Funeral services for Ms. Deaton will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in the Peachtree Corners Chapel of Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory. Interment will follow at Peachtree Memorial Park, Peachtree Corners, GA. The family will receive friends on Friday evening January 12, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Ms. Deaton is preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years, Leonard Turner Deaton; parents, Herman and Odessa Hosch; grandson, Joel Deon Deaton; greatgrandson, Destin Brooks; brothers, Charles H. Hosch, Winfred Hosch, Otis Hosch, Leon Hosch; she is survived by her sons and daughter in-laws, Michael and Bernice Deaton, Joel and Joyce Deaton; daughter and son in-laws, Joyce and Clarence Crim, Janice

and Leonard R. Meeks, Jr.; brother, Garland Hosch; sisters, Virginia Ivey, Martha and husband Leroy Pass; grandchildren, Michelle Brooks Golder, Farrell Adams and wife Dena, Bradley Adams, Rondre Earwood Raines and husband Gary, Rodney Earwood, Jeffrey Deaton; great-grandchildren, Lane Adams and wife Liz, Macey Raines, Maddie Raines, Jackson Earwood, Rylee Earwood and Brandon Deaton, Damien Brooks, Alexis Brooks, Isiah Deaton, Makayla Deaton, Ian Deaton. She is also survived by her dear friend of 30 years, Rosalyn Ragu and her daughter Alicia. A special thanks to Capstone Hospice especially Karen and Janet for the love and care of mother in her last days. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to Capstone Hospice, 5672 Peachtree Pkwy J, Norcross, GA 30092. www.capstonehospice.com/. Online condolences may be expressed at www.crowellbrothers. com. Arrangements entrusted by Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory, 5051 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, GA, 30092. 770-448-5757.

Stone Mountain

Robert Stone “Bob” Duggan, Jr. Robert “Bob” Duggan, Jr of Stone Mountain, GA., passed away Monday, January 8, 2018. Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel Grayson

Margaret Kay Francke Margaret Kay Francke age 78 of Grayson, GA, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel.

Jefferson

Kevin Gibson, Jr. age 40, of Jefferson passed away Saturday, January 6, 2018. Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton.

Suwanee, GA

Yvonne Alta Gilmore Yvonne Alta Gilmore, age 81, of Suwanee passed away January 7, 2018.

Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford, GA. Flowery Branch

Boyd Clayton Gravitt age 82, passed away January 9, 2018.

Pet Crematory 524848-1

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Taylor A. Howard Taylor A. Howard, age 25, of Suwanee, GA passed away on Monday, January 8, 2018. He is

Martinez

Martinez is a retired member of the U.S. Navy who has lived in Loganville for 10 years and served on the City Council from 2011-17. He was the city’s vice mayor in 2015, and served as chairman of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee from 2012-17, and chairman of its Public Works Committee from 2011-12.

Gov. Nathan Deal appointed him to serve on the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity in 2015, and he served as the head of Hispanics for Trump during the 2016 presidential election.

Martinez said his election as mayor should serve as an example to young men about what they can achieve through hard work. He singled them out during his swearing in remarks

and urged them to keep working toward their goals.

“I’m going to tell you something: If this young man can do it, if he can fulfill all of his dreams, so can all of you,” he told them. “I appreciate all of the things you guys are doing.

Keep doing the right job.”

With the ceremonial celebrations behind them, Martinez said he and the council will now turn their attention to addressing the issues facing Loganville.

“Me and my council are going to do our best and keep our word,” he said. “We’re going to work on transportation, we’re going to do our best to work on transportation. We’re going to do our best to get this downtown revitalized, and we’re going to work hard. That’s what we said, and that’s what we’re going to try to do every single day.”

For more obituaries, visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com.

survived by his parents, Robert and Pamela Howard, Suwanee, GA; sister, Avery Howard; grandparents, Joan Bomar, Ft. Walton, FL, Lt. Colonel William A. Beebe, Gadsden, AL; girlfriend, Anastassia Summers, Buford, GA; and son, Andrew Shane Howard, Buford, GA; grandparents, Rann Thomas, Columbus, OH, Sandi McCaskil, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mr. Howard was born September 27, 1992 in Ft. McClellan, Alabama.

He was a 2011 graduate of North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, GA and his career was in Graphic Arts. He enjoyed skate boarding and Kendama. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home in Buford, GA. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 12:00 noon until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Victory Home http://victoryhome. org/ in memory of Taylor Howard.

Winder

Suwanee, GA

$ HPrivate Pet Cremations Start at 115

•From Page 1A

Danny Clenton Hughes Danny Clenton Hughes, age 67, of Winder, GA, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Mr. Hughes was a native of Atlanta, GA and served his community for over 25 years in law enforcement. Mr. Hughes served as Police Chief in both Auburn and Suwanee, GA. He also served in the Hall County Sheriff’s office. He was preceded in death by his parents: Birl and Bonnell Rakestraw Hughes brother Timothy Hughes. Mr. Huges is survived by his children: Clent Hughes of Hoschton, GA, Jonathan Ross of Buford, GA, and Ashley Hughes of Marietta, GA; brothers and sisters: Kay Fowler, Vicki Braselton, Rita Craig, Mary Watkins, Mark Hughes, all of Georgia, and five grandchildren. A Celebration of Danny’s life will be held at 11 am on Saturday, January 13, 2018, in the Chapel of Byrd and Flanigan Funeral Service, Lawrenceville, GA with Pastor Danny Newbern officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10 am until service time. Arrangements by Byrd & Flanigan Crematory and Funeral Service, Lawrenceville, GA. (770) 962-2200. ByrdandFlanigan.com.

Lawrenceville, GA

Stevan Kerpics age 86, of Lawrenceville, GA passed away Jan. 9, 2018. Wages and Sons Gwinnett Chapel.

Watkinsville, GA

Wanda Landress age 79 of Watkinsville passed away January 8, 2018.

Duluth

The family will receive family and friends Friday, January 12, 2018 beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at H.M. Patterson & Son - Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road, NE, Sandy Springs, GA. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a donation to the Hope Children’s Home at www. hopechildrenshome.org.

The Hope Children’s Home has cared for over 5,000 abandoned, abused, neglected, and orphaned children since 1968.

Oakwood

Laura W. McCullough

Daisy Irene Reed (Deaton)

Mrs. Laura W. McCullough of Duluth, GA died peacefully in her sleep on January 8, 2018 just a few days shy of her 87th birthday. Born in Norfolk, VA in 1931 to Charles and Laura Wharton, she spent most of her young life growing up in Atlanta. After graduating from Druid Hills High in 1948 and attending Ga State University, she worked at Retail Credit in Atlanta where she made many lifelong friends.

She was a devoted wife of 51 years to the late Hugh McCullough (Ga. Tech, IM, 1950) and was a wonderful, loving mother to the family she raised with him in Dunwoody, GA. Laura spent some time working alongside her husband before finally retiring with him in 1986.

In retirement she was a very active member of the Northside Hospital Auxiliary for over 25 years and was recognized many times for her service. She was a lovely lady who was cheerful in all weathers, fun and adventurous, supportive, loving, and monumentally generous.

She was a Christian who will now be reunited with her husband Hugh of Dunwoody, parents Charles and Laura of Atlanta, and brother, Charlie Wharton of Woodstock, GA, who all preceded her in death.

She is survived by daughter Jennifer Baker and husband Jim of Canton, GA; son Steve McCullough and wife Amy of Johns Creek, GA; and son Todd of Duluth, GA. At the center of her life were her 4 grandchildren who in return loved her deeply and were very devoted to her. She leaves behind grandchildren Christopher Baker and wife Ashley of Marietta, GA; Lyndsey McCullough of Duluth, GA: and Madison and Murphy McCullough of Johns Creek, GA. The family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff at The Parc at Duluth where she was an 8-year resident. Her time there was wonderful due to her many lovely friends and the care provided by tremendous staff. Laura wished to be cremated.

T

age 99, passed away January 9, 2018 Snellville, GA

Andrew “Andy” Stickell

STICKELL - Andrew (also known as “Andy”) Stickell, age 49, of Snellville, GA, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Andrew was a Licensed Master Plumber and worked as a Facilities Maintenance Supervisor for Emory University for 17 years. He was a member of Cannon United Methodist Church and coached baseball for many years at Brookwood Athletic Association. Andrew was also an Assistant Scout Leader and Chaplain with Boy Scout Troop 504 in Lilburn. Surviving are his Wife of 23 years: Laura Stickell; Sons: Zachary and Grayson Stickell of Snellville; Parents: Joe and Nancy Stickell of Grayson; Mother-in-Law: Trudy Eakin of Cleveland; Step Mother-in-Law: Jean Eakin of Madison; Sister-inLaw and Brother-in-Law: Carol and Damon Hunt of Cleveland, and Susan and Peter Abken of Redding, CT; Nieces: Elise Abken and Paige Healey of Atlanta, and Carol Abken of Raleigh, NC; Nephew: Brennan Healey of Lula; and many more loving relatives. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Andrew’s memory to “The Andrew Stickell Family Ed Fund” on GoFundMe. com. Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 2246 Wisteria Drive SW, Snellville, GA. 770-979-5010. Please leave online condolences at www.stewartfh.com.

Suwanee, GA

Marilyn L. Wright Marilyn L. Wright, age 78, of Suwanee passed away January 8, 2018.

Flanigan Funeral Home, Buford, GA. Johns Creek, GA

Houqing Xu age 87, of Johns Creek, GA passed away on Jan. 9, 2018. Wages and Sons Gwinnett Chapel.

8A • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

gwinnettdailypost.com

Lawrenceville chief of police announces retirement

BY TREVOR MCNABOE trevor.mcnaboe @gwinnettdailypost.com

Randy Johnson is hanging up his badge after 33 years of service, the last 21 as Lawrenceville’s chief of police.

“It has been an honor to serve my hometown and my local community

all these years,” Johnson said. “Most importantly, it has been a privilege to serve with my fellow officers, my work family and my friends. It is an awesome responsibility to serve as a law enforcement officer, and I am proud to have done so with some of the finest by my side.”

Police: Snellville dad brands son with heat gun

In the past two deIn 2015, cades, Johnson has Johnson focused on daily operareceived tions, special operations, both the criminal investigations, Georgia crime prevention and Assocommunity outreach efciation forts as well as continued of Chiefs Randy education and advanced of Police Johnson training for all officers on (GACP) the force, a press release Chief of the Year award from the city said. and the Gwinnett Cham-

ber VALOR Award for Public Service and Leadership.

“Chief Johnson has always been dedicated to excellence within the Lawrenceville Police Department. Under his leadership, Lawrenceville experienced a much stronger, safer and thriving local community, and

we are grateful to him for his service,” Lawrenceville City Manager Chuck Warbington said.

There has not been an announcement on who will take over Johnson’s position, said Lisa Sherman, spokeswoman for the city.

Johnson’s last day of work will be March 22.

HEALTH BRIEFS N.E. Ga. Medical Center-Winder gets new chief nursing officer

in the inpatient rehabilitation unit.

From there, she Nurses at Barrow joined the an arrest warrant.

County’s Northeast GeorWomen

BY ISABEL HUGHES Heather The crime, which is said gia Medical Center camand isabel.hughes Standard @gwinnettdailypost.com to have occurred sometime pus have a new leader at Children’s between June 6 and Nov. their helm with the recent staff as a registered nurse A Snellville man remains 17, was investigated by the appointment of a new before being promoted in the Gwinnett County Jail Gwinnett County Police chief nursing officer. to charge nurse and unit without bond after allegDepartment after the boy On Monday, the hosmanager. As part of that edly burning his son with a entered into Division of pital announced Winder department, she was heat gun, police say.

Family and Children Sernative Heather Standard, influential in bringing the Tory Gentry, 36, was vices care.

MBA, BSN, RNC-OB, nitrous oxide program to booked into the detention “(The victim) also came CEFM, had accepted the the hospital — a non-narcenter on Sunday after into DFCS custody with position at its Winder cotics pain relief option being apprehended by the multiple unexplained rib location. for mothers in labor.

Gwinnett fractures, was diagnosed “I am excited to return In July 2016, Standard County with ‘failure to thrive’ and to my community and was named director of Sheriff’s had multiple unexplained help fulfill Northeast the women and children’s Office bruises which disappeared Georgia Health System’s services unit, where she Fugiafter being taken from the mission of ‘improving the oversaw of a vast array of tive Unit, custody of Melanie and health of our community services including labor which had Tory Gentry,” the warrant in all we do,’” said Stan- and delivery, postpartum, been look- said. “(The) accused mali- dard, who is a graduate lactation, the neonatal ining for the ciously caused the victim, of Winder-Barrow High tensive care unit, pediatTory Gentry man since a child under the age of 18 School. rics and women’s health. a judge issued the warrant years, cruel or excessive Nearly a quarter of a She also served on the on Jan. 4. physical pain or mental century ago, after receiv- leadership team providGentry is charged with pain.” ing her master’s in health ing oversight for the aggravated battery and first Failure to thrive is a care administration from development and impledegree cruelty to children, medical condition indicated Brenau University — she mentation of Northeast both felonies, stemming by insufficient weight gain first received a BachGeorgia Medical Center’s from an incident in which or inappropriate weight elor of Science in nursBraselton’s 10-bed labor he is accused of “maliloss, which can be caused ing — Standard started and delivery unit. ciously causing body harm by neglect or abuse. at Northeast Georgia’s “Heather is an incredto (his son) by seriously Gentry was previously Gainesville campus as a ible asset to Northeast disfiguring (the boy) by booked into the Gwinnett certified nursing assistant Georgia Health System, branding (him) with a heat County Jail in March 2017 gun, causing a large burn on charges of possession of on (his) side,” according to methamphetamine.

and we are thrilled to welcome her back home to the Barrow community,” said Chad Hatfield, president of NGMC Barrow.

Standard and her husband, Keith — a fellow Winder native — have two children and live in the Jefferson area.

New cardiologist added to N.E. Georgia Medical Center locations North Georgia heart patients now have one more doctor at their disposal at Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s Braselton and Dahlonega locaStephen Prater tions.

Cardiologist Stephen Prater, MD, FACC, FHRS, who recently joined the hopital’s heart center, began accepting patients Monday at the Gwinnett and Lumpkin campuses.

“As a cardiologist who has practiced electro-

physiology in Georgia for more than 20 years, I’m familiar with the stellar reputation The Heart Center of Northeast Georgia Medical Center has earned in northeast Georgia and throughout the state,” Prater said.

“I look forward to being a member of this elite group of physicians who provide the heart care that has been recognized as number one in Georgia.”

After receiving his medical degree from University of South Alabama-College of Medicine in Mobile, Ala., Prater completed an internship and residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, where he also finished two fellowships in cardiovascular disease and cardiac electrophysiology and pacing.

Prater has received several awards in both Illinois and Georgia, including being named to Atlanta Magazine’s 2016 Top Doctors list.

He is board-certified in cardiovascular disease and clinical cardiac electrophysiology.

— By Isabel Hughes

www.gwinnettdailypost.com

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SECTION B • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Teams prep for state dual clashes

By David Friedlander

david.friedlander@ gwinnettdailypost.com

BONAFIDE

Atlanta Gladiators forward Phil Lane (29) hits the brakes as goaltender Sean Bonar makes a save against Florida on Sunday at Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth. (Photo: Taylor Trebotte)

Gladiators goalie Bonar learns to balance ups and downs of pro hockey

By Christine Troyke Atlanta Gladiators captain Derek Nesbitt remembers what he thought the first day goaltender Sean Bonar practiced with the team in November.

“This kid never quits on a puck,” Nesbitt said.

Bonar was signed by the Gladiators on Nov. 2 when Dan Vladar, a Boston Bruins prospect, was called up to AHL Providence.

Two days later, Bonar made 34 saves to beat Kansas City in his Atlanta debut.

Four days after that, he was returned to Pensacola of the SPHL. And five days later, Bonar was back with the Gladiators when Matt Ginn was injured.

If four years in the pro ranks have taught him anything, it’s how to deal with the ups and downs.

“My first two seasons, it was a lot of shuffling around,” the 26-year-old

christine.troyke@gwinnettdailypost.com

start thinking too much if they make a bad play or they let in a bad goal that it’s the end of the world.

But it’s four years later and I’m still here. You give up a lead, make some mistakes and life keeps going. Those years taught me you just have to keep going about your job day by day.”

Bonar has been with the Gladiators since Nov. 13 and is 6-1-0-1 with a 2.06 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage.

But there was a stretch in December when he was sitting in the stands.

Atlanta had another goaltender, Matt O’Connor, assigned by Nashville (not Atlanta goalie Sean Bonar makes a save with Gladiators its primary affiliate) and defensemen Ben Danford (11) and Rick Pinkston (7) tying up South Carolina’s Joe Devin on Dec. 29 at Infinite he teamed with Vladar for the first 10 games of Energy Arena. (Photo: Amanda Bingham) December. said. “I played for someyears definitely got me The Gladiators did thing like five or six teams used to being comfortable something out of the my first year, mostly in the being uncomfortable. ordinary, though, and kept East Coast League. Those “A lot of guys maybe Bonar on the roster.

“From my standpoint, it wasn’t easy carrying three goalies,” head coach Chuck Weber said. “But I knew in my heart Bones had earned the chance to stay. (Majority owner) Toby (Jeffreys) has allowed me to do what I feel is best for the team and if that is paying three goalies when only one is playing each night (so be it).

“We went into the season thinking Ginn and Vlady would be our goalies. With Matt’s injury, it opened the door for Bones and he ran with it. I always promise the guys from the SP they’ll get a chance.

I’m not going to bring them up to sit.”

But with the arrival of O’Connor, Weber had to sit Bonar.

Bonar also had a decision to make. He was 4-0 with Pensacola. He could See BONAR, Page 4B

s

GLADIATORS UPCOMING GAMES: Today at South Carolina; Saturday vs. Greenville ($5 Frenzy), 7:05 p.m.; Monday vs. Florida, 12:35 p.m.

As much as any other sport, wrestling is all about matchups, and that dynamic only increases during a dual-meet tournament like the GHSA’s State Dual Wrestling Tournament, which got underway Thursday at the Macon Centreplex.

With wrestling getting underway Thursday in most classifications, it didn’t leave much time for adjusting lineups and scouting potential opponents for Gwinnett’s eight teams that qualified as a champion or runner-up from they respective areas.

That even includes Buford, which got off to a good start defending last year’s Class AAAAA title with a 77-6 first-round victory over Miller Grove.

The Wolves then found themselves facing a not-sofamiliar foe in Carrollton in the second round, which coach Tom Beuglas admits forced him to do some adjusting on the fly.

“I know there were two very good teams that didn’t make it (to the state duals) in Woodland (of Cartersville) and Union Grove,” Beuglas said of the two teams his Wolves beat in the finals and semis respectively en route to last year’s title when reached by phone Wednesday.

“Carrollton must have some really good kids.

Them and Locust Grove and a few other teams, I haven’t seen them this year. I was really preparing for Woodland and Union Grove, so now I have to try to watch them down there and look at some stuff on the internet to get an idea about them. Cass and Ola could (eventually) be another good matchup on the other side of the bracket.”

Facing the unknown in terms of opponents didn’t seem to bother Buford, which followed up its firstround win with a 62-18 victory in the second-round meet with Carrollton, propelling the Wolves into a semifinal meet with either Locust Grove or Veterans today at 5:30 p.m.

The better news is that they head into the weekend with a nearly full lineup.

Despite battling illnesses See WRESTLING, Page 4B

Krossover Classic Seasoned Longhorns on region roll showcases talent

By Taylor Denman

wife, who just welcomed a new baby.

“I think it’s all more difficult than you realize In Josh Link’s first until you’re in that situaseason as the Lanier girls tion,” Link MORE said. “One basketball team’s head INSIDE thing that’s coach, the former assistant is making the job look easy. Boys and girls easy for me basketball stat Lanier stands at is I know leaders, 3B 14-3 and 3-0 in Region the girls.

8-AAAAAA play heading That definitely does help, into tonight’s game against but there are things you set into that you never think Apalachee, having won about but you have to deal 10 of its last 11 games, with it.” including its last four.

That familiarity comWhile it may look easy, bined with experience it hasn’t always been seems to be paying off smooth, according to the for the Longhorns. Lanier Longhorns’ new head Lanier’s Bailey Bassette (3) drives to the basket as Dacula defender Nyle Moore (23) defends during a game this coach. Double that this See LANIER, Page 4B week for Link and his season. (Photo: Craig Cappy) taylor.denman@ gwinnettdailypost.com

By Taylor Denman

taylor.denman@ gwinnettdailypost.com

Archer High School’s Krossover Classic returns this weekend with a sixgame slate that features three Gwinnett County girls basketball teams and three programs from neighboring states.

The showcase starts at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Archer High School with a pair of surging programs, 13-8 Center Point High School hailing from Birmingham, Ala.,

against Class AAAAA Woodland High School, which stood at 10-6 with a 6-3 region record before its Friday night contest.

The Tigers are scheduled to close out their own showcase against North Cobb, which had won five consecutive games before a loss to Hillgrove on Tuesday.

Norcross High School, which started out the new year by decisively defeating three region opponents, returns to the See CLASSIC, Page 4B

2B • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

ondeck

gwinnettdailypost.com

GWINNETT GRADS

Prep Schedule

Today

BASKETBALL

5:30 p.m. — Wesleyan at Galloway 6 p.m. — Archer at Newton Co. 6 p.m. — Berkmar at Parkview 6 p.m. — Brookwood at Norcross 6 p.m. — Central at Lakeside-Dekalb 6 p.m. — Discovery at Duluth 6 p.m. — GAC at North Hall 6 p.m. — George Walton Academy at Providence 6 p.m. — Grayson at Rockdale Co. 6 p.m. — Habersham Central at Dacula 6 p.m. — Mountain View at North 6 p.m. — Peachtree Ridge at Collins Hill 6 p.m. — South at Shiloh 7 p.m. — Apalachee at Lanier 7 p.m. — Buford at Cedar Shoals 7 p.m. — Hebron at Towns Co.

SWIMMING AND DIVING

6:30 p.m. — Shiloh and Discovery at Collins Hill 6:30 p.m. — Archer and Parkview at Mountain Park 6:30 p.m. — Peachtree Ridge and North at West Gwinnett

WRESTLING

• State duals at Macon Centreplex Saturday

BASKETBALL

• Grayson girls in Archer Krossover Classic • Duluth girls in Inner City MLK Classic at SW Dekalb • Peachtree Ridge girls at Riverwood 2 p.m. — Lithonia at Discovery 3:30 p.m. — Norcross girls and Bearden, TN in Krossover Classic at Archer 4:30 p.m. — Buford at Harrison 4:30 p.m. — North Paulding girls at Mountain View 5 p.m. — Mill Creek at Dacula 5 p.m. — St. Pius at Wesleyan 6 p.m. — Berkmar at Shiloh 6 p.m. — GAC at Union Co. 6 p.m. — Lambert at North

SWIMMING AND DIVING

7:15 a.m. — Berkmar, South and Central at Mountain Park 7:15 a.m. — Mountain View, Meadowcreek and Lanier at Collins Hill 7:15 a.m. — Norcross and Mill Creek at West Gwinnett 6:30 p.m. — Dacula and Collins Hill at Collins Hill Brookwood and Johns Creek at Mountain Park Duluth, Grayson and Buford at West Gwinnett

WRESTLING

• State duals at Macon Centreplex 9 a.m.— GAC Round Robin Tournament

The Home Teams

TODAY NEXT UPCOMING

Hawks

Brooklyn San Antonio New Orleans 7:30 p.m.

Mon, 3 p.m.

Wed, 7:30 p.m.

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

Falcons

at Philadelphia Off Sat, 4:35 p.m.

NBC/92.9-FM at S. Carolina 7:05 p.m.

Florida Mon, 12:35 p.m.

Greenville Sat, 7:05 p.m.

Gladiators

UGA hoops

at Coast. Carolina Georgia Southern Off Sat, 3:30 p.m.

Jan. 20, 2:15 p.m.

88.5-FM

South Carolina at LSU Off Sat, 1 p.m.

Tue, 7 p.m.

SECN/750-AM ESPNU/750-AM

Tech hoops

Off

at Pittsburgh Virginia Sat, 2 p.m.

Thu, 8 p.m.

ACCN/93.7-FM ACCN/93.7-FM at Calgary Sat, 9 p.m.

Swarm

Off

GSU hoops

at Vancouver Jan. 27, 10 p.m.

FSSE = FOX Sports Southeast, FSSO = FOX Sports South;

On TV

Today

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Ohio State guard Linnae Harper (15) defends against Notre Dame forward Kristina Nelson (21) in the semifinals of the Lexington Regional of the women’s NCAA Tournament last season at Rupp Arena. (Photo: Aaron Doster-USA Today Sports)

Back home, Nelson stars for Irish

By Will Hammock

The guard made 10 of 17 field goals and 8 of 9 free throws in her efficient effort. Her previous high Kristina Nelson has was 23 points, established played a lot of college earlier this season vs. basketball — 107 games South Florida. as of midweek — but one Cummings has made of her best outings came 66 of 74 free throws (90.4 at an ideal time over the percent) on the season. weekend.

For her big game vs.

The Buford grad filled George Mason, as well as her usual role as one of a 14-point game against the top reserves for Notre Virginia Commonwealth, Dame, ranked second Cummings was named the nationally, and provided a school’s Colonial of the very productive 19 minutes Week as its top performer Notre Dame forward Kris- in any sport. in a 77-54 victory over tina Nelson (21) smiles in Georgia Tech. The game the second half against was played in Atlanta, alWayne named Michigan State on Dec 6. at lowing the fifth-year senior the Purcell Pavilion in South player of the week to compete in front of fam- Bend, Ind. (Photo: Matt Archer grad Tatiana ily and friends.

Cashore-USA Today Sports) Wayne, a junior at ColumNelson finished with bus State, was named the 10 points on 5 of 6 shootBASKETBALL Peach Belt Conference ing, grabbed five rebounds Player of the Week on and had four assists as the UVA awards Monday.

Fighting Irish improved to Bartley scholarship Wayne had two big 15-1 on the season.

Junior walk-on Justice games the previous week, The 6-foot-4 forward, Bartley, who played at the first a 31-point, eight-rewho has already graduated, Buford, was awarded a bound outing against North is working on a master’s scholarship last week by Georgia. She followed that degree in her fifth year Virginia men’s basketball up with 28 points and nine at the South Bend, Ind., coach Tony Bennett. rebounds at Augusta. school.

Bennett broke the news Wayne leads the Peach She missed the 2014-15 to Bartley following the Belt in scoring (22 per season while recovering Cavaliers’ 78-52 win over game). from shoulder surgery and Virginia Tech. He has had the option of forgoing played in eight games as a Duluth’s McGriff her final season of athletic reserve for 15-1 Virginia. earns school award eligibility.

Duluth grad Alyah McInstead, she returned Big games net Griff was named Tuesday for a talent-laden program award for Cummings as the Bobcat Athlete of with national title aspiraGreater Atlanta Christian the Week, given to Georgia tions. She averages 4.3 grad Brianna Cummings, a College’s top performer in points and 11.7 minutes, senior at George Washing- all sports for the previous but surpassed both in her ton, had a career-best 28 week. return trip to Atlanta last points Sunday in a 62-52 The senior averaged 18 weekend. win over George Mason. points, 8 rebounds and 2.5

will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

assists in two Bobcat wins last week.

FOOTBALL Neal shines in Chick-fil-A Bowl Buford grad Tre Neal had a triumphant return to Atlanta in Central Florida’s victory over Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

The senior defensive back made seven tackles, had a 36-yard fumble return and broke up a pass in the victory. Lanier’s Derrick Brown, a sophomore at Auburn, had seven tackles (one for loss) and a blocked field goal.

BASEBALL Bart an All-American choice at Tech Georgia Tech junior catcher Joey Bart, a Buford grad, was named to the Perfect Game/Rawlings Preseason All-American Team this week. He was previously selected to the Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-American Team.

Bart was a second-team All-ACC selection last season, when he hit .296 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs despite missing the last 11 games with a hand injury.

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

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

6:30 p.m. — Marquette at Butler. FS1 7 p.m. — VCU at Dayton. ESPN2 8:30 p.m. — Providence at DePaul. FS1

Kugbila to host free clinic Saturday

7:30 p.m. — Brooklyn at Atlanta. FSSE 8 p.m. — Golden State at Milwaukee. ESPN 10:30 p.m. — Houston at Phoenix. ESPN

Edmund Kugbila’s miserable luck in the NFL was put into words by Dave Gettleman back in 2014.

“I feel awful for the kid,” Gettleman, then the general manager of the Carolina Panthers, said in a team release. “This kid has done absolutely everything we’ve asked him to do. He just can’t catch a break.”

Kugbila showed lots of talent and promise with the Panthers, who made him a fourth-round selection in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Valdosta State, where he was a Little All-American selection as a senior. He was 6-foot-4, 325 pounds and athletic, showing the kind of ability that would have him protecting franchise quarterback Cam Newton for years.

Injuries dictated otherwise for the Central Gwinnett alum.

A hamstring pull in training camp was followed by a knee injury leading up to his rookie season in 2013, the latter injury requiring surgery.

During offseason rehabilitation, a back injury forced surgery that put him on the

NBA

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 5:30 p.m. — Xavier at DePaul. FSSO 9 p.m. — Miami at Florida State. FSSO Saturday

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Noon — Michigan at Michigan State. FOX Noon — Wake Forest at Duke. CBS Noon — Purdue at Minnesota. ESPN2 Noon — Georgetown at Seton Hall. FS1 1 p.m. — Florida at Mississippi. CBS 2 p.m. — Creighton at Xavier. FOX 2 p.m. — Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh. CBS 2 p.m. — Oregon at Arizona. ESPN2 4 p.m. — Kentucky at Vanderbilt. ESPN 4 p.m. — Virginia Tech at Louisville. ESPN2 5 p.m. — TCU at West Virginia. FSSO 6 p.m. — North Carolina at Notre Dame. ESPN 6 p.m. — Missouri at Arkansas. ESPN2 7 p.m. — Iowa State at Texas Tech. FSSO

NFL

4:30 p.m. — Atlanta at Philadelphia. NBC 8 p.m. — Tennessee at New England. CBS

Sports Calendar LACROSSE

Ongoing through Jan. 15: Registration for the spring 2018 boys and girls lacrosse season is open through Jan. 15. Find the athletic association closest to you and sign up at www. gwinnettlax.com. No experience necessary. Boys and girls in first through eighth grades are welcome.

RUNNING

Feb. 3: The fifth annual Stampede in The Park 5K Trail Run, a benefit for Meadowcreek’s cross country program, will be held Feb. 3 at Yellow River Park. For registration or more information, go to stampedeinthepark. wixsite.com/5k1kfunrun or email to stampedeinthepark@gmail.com.

He is excited that the event takes place in the community where he What: 70KG Elite Performance Free Offenhoned his football skills sive Line Clinic after moving to the U.S. When: Saturday, 1 to from Ghana as an elemen2:30 p.m. tary-school student. He Where: U48 Fitness, plans to keep working loLawrenceville, 372 cally with young offensive Will Swanson Drive linemen, both individually Noteworthy: Former Hammock and in small groups.

Valdosta State All“I helped out a lot at American and Carolina injured reserve list for the Central this past couple of Panthers lineman Edmund Kugbila, a Central entire 2014 season. The years with the offensive Gwinnett grad, will host Panthers put him on the line and I felt like I could a free clinic for offensive waived/failed physical list do more and spend more linemen in May 2015, and spinal time developing offensive For more information: fusion surgery forced him linemen, getting them Email ultimate48fitinto retirement last year. ready for high school or ness@gmail.com His NFL career was over college technique-wise,” before it began.

Kugbila said. “I want the “It hurts (to have my That plan is to give back (young linemen) who show up to get some little details career cut short),” said to youngsters, providing to improve themselves. If Kugbila, now 27. “It’s bit- them with the knowledge they want to keep coming tersweet because the game he acquired over his col(for sessions), I can draw has taught me so much, so lege and pro career. up a program for each many values of life from His current focus is individual guy. the game, how to approach Saturday, when he hosts “Football means a lot life and be successful and a free session for young to me. I came from Africa not give up in life. Injuries offensive linemen — it’s when I was 10 years old, teach you a lot about your- open to eighth-graders self. When you fall, you’ve through 12th-graders. The started football in middle school and I’ve been playgot to get back up. At the 70KG Elite Performance same time, the injury was Free Offensive Line Clinic ing ever since.”

Will Hammock can be tough. But I know God’s will be held in Lawrencevgot a different plan for ille at U48 Fitness, which reached via email at will. hammock@gwinnettdailyme. And I keep my faith is operated by Central post.com. strong.” grads.

FOOTBALL

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • 3B

gwinnettdailypost.com

Getting to know ... Stacey Bennum Brookwood High School volleyball coach Stacey Bennum had already racked up 100 career wins as a coach before she came to Brookwood in 2016. The Broncos have a 58-32 record, including a 35-11 season last fall when Brookwood advanced to the sweet sixteen of the Class AAAAAAA state tournament.

Her husband, Jeff Bennum, is an assistant basketball coach at Brookwood.

They have two daughters, Cheyenne and Berkeley, and one son, Cannon. Staff writer Taylor Denman talked to Bennum about making it as an undersized volleyball player, her mother playing rec volleyball at 70 years old and songs she requests on her team’s practice playlist.

TD: What was your childhood like, and when did volleyball enter the picture?

SB: I’m from Bellingham, Wash., and my parents were P.E. teachers, so I was around sports all the time. My dad was an elementary school teacher, so I played in his gym all the time. I started as a competitive gymnast and moved on to soccer. I was really obsessed with soccer, and soccer and volleyball are at the same time. When I got to high school I had to pick, so that’s when I switched to volleyball. My soccer team was going to Europe and my parents didn’t want to pay for me to go there, so I felt left out, and I also loved volleyball. I think that kind of pushed me toward volleyball.

I played every sport, though. I played basketball for two years in high school, and then I trained for track, because I also did track really competitively. My dad ran at Oregon, so he ran in the same national championship as O.J. Simpson, so track was big in our family. I just loved sports and I always knew I wanted to be a P.E. teacher because I loved being around it all the time.

My whole life revolved around (volleyball) in college when I was trying to decide what to be. I felt like volleyball was chosen for me because that was all I knew.

TD: Do you have any siblings?

SB: Yeah, I have three brothers and one sister.

TD: And they were all athletic as well?

SB: Yeah, they all played sports in high school. My brother ran track at West Point, and my sister ran track as well, but she was always really into dance.

She was on the clogging team at her college. My other two brothers played sports in high school but not college.

TD: Was it pretty competitive in your house growing up?

SB: I was like the acci-

Stacey Bennum and her husband, Jeff, pose with their children, from left, Cheyenne, Cannon and Berkeley.

(Special Photo)

dental child that came five years after everybody else.

For them, I think it was more because they were born really close together. I was kind of almost an only child because I was a baby.

TD: I guess that would give you someone close to look up to when you’re watching them play sports as a kid.

SB: For sure, I was always going to all their games and playing in the gyms and stuff while I was there. My mom also ran everywhere and played in all of these adult sports leagues. Any time I met someone, they would be like, “Wow, your mom is so athletic.” My dad was from that town, so he knew everybody. I felt like with my parents being athletic, people expected me to be.

I wonder now — having my own kids — if I was given opportunities more because my parents are athletic. I don’t know.

TD: What sports did mom play growing up?

SB: She was on a softball team, and she always ran or rode her bike to work. She barely drove.

She played on a soccer team. Now she’s 70, and she plays on a little volleyball team. It’s so funny, every time I talk to her she says, “Well, I could come visit, but I’d have to miss the volleyball game.”

I thought it was a really good example, especially as I got older. It just goes to show you that sports are for life, and a lot of people think you only play sports when you’re young, but it can help you stay in shape forever.

TD: You mentioned you stuck with volleyball over soccer when you went to high school.

When did volleyball become an option for you after high school?

SB: Probably not until my senior year. I always knew I wanted to play something in college, but I was actually probably better at track, but I didn’t

love it. I wish I would have worked harder. Now that I don’t play a team sport anymore, I run and think, “Ugh, I could have worked so much harder.”

I think my passion for it and thinking about running track in college, it sounded terrible having to run all the time. With volleyball, I enjoyed being out there and being with my teammates. I had always wanted to go to BYU but realized I wouldn’t be good enough to do that at around my freshman year, because I was small, and they were all really big. I played at a junior college (Dixie State College). It was a higher level junior college in St. George, Utah, so you have a lot of athletes who don’t have the grades to go Division I or a lot of them end up going Division I. It was good competition at a high level.

TD: Were you a distance runner in track?

SB: I ran the mile as my main event. The mile, 800 and 400.

TD: It sounds like you stuck with it for all four years, though.

SB: Yeah, I think I was better when I was younger.

That happens to girls a lot, you hit puberty later. I ran my fastest time when I was a freshman. Then my sprinting times got faster, but distance got slower, probably because I didn’t put the miles in that I should have.

But I did track club in the offseason, and I worked hard but could have worked harder, probably.

TD: What are some of the standout memories from your high school career?

SB: In high school, my senior year, I had a really good year in volleyball and I got most valuable player in the league. My team had a successful year, so that was a great memory.

In college, my freshman year, I didn’t play at all, and I was frustrated. But I

worked really hard during the season. We would have three-hour practices, but I stayed after for extra reps. In the summer, I went home and worked in this factory for my summer job.

But I would lift weights for two hours a day and play at the local community college all summer. The next year, I was a starter and my coach made me captain, and that was a really big accomplishment for me.

He said when he recruited me he’d never have thought I would get as good as I was. Whenever things don’t go our way, we have two options, you can complain and be frustrated or — I had this mindset of “I’m going to be a starter or die trying.” I’m glad for that experience, because I can totally empathize with girls who aren’t getting a lot of playing time, I totally understand how that feels and it’s so frustrating. I try to connect with them a little bit and encourage them.

TD: You mentioned you were a little undersized as a volleyball player. What was your main position?

SB: I played, in club and high school, outside hitter, setter, a bunch of different positions. Pretty much everything but middle (blocker). In college, since I set so much in high school and club, I tried out for setter at some colleges, but the one I went to, I played hitter.

In retrospect, it probably would have been better if I went to school as a setter because it’s challenging being small and being a hitter, because the blockers were big.

TD: Did you transfer to BYU after junior college?

SB: Yeah, I was at Dixie for two years, and I had always wanted to graduate from BYU. Both my parents went there and are Mormon, so I always wanted to go there. I could have gone to some different schools and kept playing, but I really wanted to get my degree from there.

TD: It seems like you decided early on you wanted to be a P.E. teacher and coach, so did that make deciding what you studied in college easier?

SB: I always thought it would be awesome, so I definitely wanted to. My sister was in the accounting program at BYU, and I loved math too, so I thought about going into that. People advised me to find something I’m passionate about that I love.

My first year coaching was in Utah. Then I moved to Georgia and stayed at home with my kids for eight years. At that point, I didn’t think I was going to go back to teaching or coaching, but opportunities kept coming up that steered me in that direction, so I’m very grateful for that.

TD: When did you make

your way to Georgia?

SB: I married my husband in college, and he wanted to be a head football coach and I wanted to stay at home with our kids.

He applied to schools in Texas, Florida and Georgia. We didn’t know anyone here and he was hired at Elbert County High School. So we moved out to Elbert County and lived in Elberton for a year — pretty crazy. After a year, we bought a house more toward Athens in Madison County and he stayed at Elbert coaching football and basketball.

TD: How did you get to North Oconee?

SB: I would stay at home and needed some extra income, so I found a local club and coached there for five years. I coached a bunch of players at North Oconee and they said, “We really need a high school coach,” so that’s how it started because I thought they were so talented and I wanted them to have a good coach. I did that at North Oconee and loved that. I ended up staying there for three years, just staying at home and coaching.

TD: How did you take to coaching at first? Was it something you were comfortable with right away?

SB: Yeah, for sure. I don’t know why. When I was still in college, I coached club and it was good to have income as a student. It’s almost easier when you’re a player because you watch your coach and kind of mimic what they do. That experience I had of being a player was still very fresh.

I think it was almost easier back then than it is now when I try to go back home and be a mom. It’s like two different roles, you know?

TD: You had a lot of success at North Oconee — 100 wins in three seasons and an area championship. Looking back, how did it happen so quickly for you there?

SB: I had a lot of talent, for sure, that was nice. I had worked with a lot of the girls in club, coaching there. I already had a good relationship there with them. The biggest thing was creating expectations and pushing them. Their philosophy was very different before I got there.

Just giving them expectations and goals and teaching them to work hard in practice.

TD: What led you to Brookwood a couple years ago?

SB: I was coaching at North Oconee and I was also coaching club. I received a random phone call from (Brookwood athletic director) Jason Dopson. He wanted a volleyball coach and he’d heard about me and wanted me to come interview. I came and interviewed, and actually

GWINNETT COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL LEADERS BOYS SCORING Name School GP Pts PPG Devin Vassell P’tree Ridge 10 252 25.2 Marcus Watson Buford 13 303 23.3 Kyle Sturdivant Norcross 14 272 19.4 Brenden Tucker Dacula 15 286 19.1 Jamir Chaplin Meadowcreek 14 260 18.6 Christian McLean Wesleyan 12 222 18.5 Adam Flagler Duluth 17 301 17.7 Arusha Hunter Dacula 15 255 17.0 Kalu Ezikpe Discovery 17 272 16.0 Travis Anderson Grayson 14 220 15.7 Spencer Rodgers Mtn. View 16 243 15.2 Alex Calvert Hebron 15 225 15.0 David Viti Buford 14 210 15.0 Mekhail Bethea Dacula 15 222 14.8 Brandon Boston Norcross 16 235 14.7 Donell Nixon Buford 14 195 13.9 Nick Edwards Grayson 15 206 13.7 Ahmir Langlais Parkview 18 239 13.3 Will Huzzie Duluth 17 225 13.2 Nahiem Allenye Mtn. View 16 204 12.8 Aldain Dorsey Providence 14 178 12.7 Christian Kelly Duluth 12 143 11.9 Matthew McDowell Mill Creek 14 159 11.4 Dalvin White Norcross 16 178 11.1 Cory Hightower Meadowcreek 14 154 11.0 Troy Allen Hebron 15 164 10.9 Quincy Ademokoya Dacula 15 160 10.7 Chris Connor Parkview 18 189 10.5 Kendall Latney Mill Creek 16 168 10.5 REBOUNDS Name School GP Reb RPG Kalu Ezikpe Discovery 17 179 10.5 Ahmir Langlais Parkview 18 166 9.2 Cory Hightower Meadowcreek 14 125 8.9 Christian McLean Wesleyan 12 106 8.8 Will Huzzie Duluth 17 135 7.9 Marcus Watson Buford 13 97 7.5 Leslie Nkereuwem Discovery 17 119 7.0 Devin Vassell P’tree Ridge 10 67 6.7

Shayne Buckingham Dacula 9 58 6.4 Amari Kelly Meadowcreek 14 86 6.1 Jamir Chaplin Meadowcreek 14 84 6.0 ASSISTS Name School GP Ast APG Alex Jones Buford 10 79 7.9 Lamont Smith Duluth 17 95 5.6 Dalvin White Norcross 16 85 5.3 Mekhail Bethea Dacula 15 63 4.2 Dequarious Nichols Meadowcreek 14 55 3.9 Mitchell Miller Providence 14 53 3.8 Kyle Sturdivant Norcross 14 53 3.8 Jack Kostel Mill Creek 16 50 3.1 Donell Nixon Buford 14 43 3.1 Miles Long Mtn. View 15 45 3.0 STEALS Name School GP Steal SPG Donell Nixon Buford 14 38 2.7 Lamont Smith Duluth 17 45 2.6 Grant Summers Wesleyan 12 25 2.1 Alex Calvert Hebron 15 30 2.0 BLOCKS Name School GP Blk BPG David Bowling Hebron 15 33 2.2 Amari Kelly Meadowcreek 14 27 1.9 Kalu Ezikpe Discovery 17 29 1.7 Joseph Toppin Norcross 16 26 1.6 Devin Vassell P’tree Ridge 10 16 1.6 GIRLS SCORING Name School Jazmine Robinson Grayson Robyn Benton GAC Myra Srickland Norcross Kamryn Collins Mtn. View Devyn Wilson Norcross Amaya Register Wesleyan Lillian Kennedy Mtn. View Taylor Sutton GAC Asia McCoy Archer Morgan Rob.-Nwagwu Norcross

GP Pts PPG 14 246 17.6 10 171 17.1 16 307 16.6 16 261 16.3 17 267 15.7 14 216 15.4 16 245 15.3 14 214 15.3 18 270 15.0 17 253 14.9

A.C. Carter Wesleyan 14 198 14.1 Bianca Fizouaty Grayson 14 195 13.9 Malia Fisher North 14 191 13.6 Caria Reynolds GAC 13 152 11.7 Alea Spears Mtn. View 15 167 11.1 Alanni Brown North 14 154 11.0 Aiyana Hamilton Dacula 14 153 10.9 Kendall Bollmer Dacula 14 143 10.2 Mary Martha Turner GAC 14 143 10.2 Reina McCoy Archer 18 162 9.0 REBOUNDS Name School GP Reb RPG Clara Hammel Providence 11 151 13.7 Jazmine Robinson Grayson 14 168 12.0 Lillian Kennedy Mtn. View 16 176 11.0 Asia McCoy Archer 18 198 11.0 Makayla Schymanski North 14 126 9.0 Caria Reynolds GAC 13 106 8.2 Sutton West Wesleyan 15 113 8.1 Devyn Wilson Norcross 17 134 7.9 Helena Lee Dacula 9 69 7.7 Mary Martha Turner GAC 14 107 7.6 ASSISTS Name School GP Ast APG Kennedi Williams GAC 14 69 4.9 Alea Spears Mtn. View 15 68 4.5 Morgan Rob.-Nwagwu Norcross 17 71 4.2 Nyla Moore Dacula 13 48 3.7 Taylor Sutton GAC 14 50 3.6 STEALS Name School GP Steal SPG Robyn Benton GAC 10 45 4.5 Morgan Rob.-Nwagwu Norcross 17 66 3.9 Kennedi Williams GAC 14 48 3.4 Myra Strickland Norcross 16 50 3.1 Taylor Sutton GAC 14 41 2.9 BLOCKS Name School GP Blk BPG Lillian Kennedy Mtn. View 16 42 2.6 Clara Hammel Providence 11 26 2.4 Sutton West Wesleyan 14 28 2 Robyn Benton GAC 10 17 1.7

the same thing happened at Jefferson High School. I was about to take a job at Jefferson High School.

TD: Having lived and coached in Georgia for a few years now, how does volleyball culture compare to what it’s like out west?

SB: It’s a lot different.

In the west, volleyball has been around a lot longer.

High schools here got it way after it was in the west. It was a little more established in the west, we had cheerleaders in the game. It’s totally set up different in Georgia, so we’ll play two teams on one night instead of one team.

I think it’s hard, when you try to get people to come to the games, when you think about business and the art of promotion, usually you want to promote one game, but if you’re playing at 5 and 7, not too many people are going to go if you promote two things at once.

(At Brookwood) it’s a little better because we play on one court, but at North Oconee, we played varsity and JV at the same time.

It just didn’t feel like a varsity sport because you’d have two games going on and it’s not as exciting as it is with one game going on.

But I will say, from the time that I moved here in 2008, volleyball has grown so much. The level has risen and there are a ton more clubs. I think there’s a lot of people working really hard here to make volleyball better. Some of the best youth volleyball is played here, and it’s been fun to watch.

TD: Since you have young kids, what’s the movie that always seems to be on in your house?

SB: “Descendants” is the big one right now. My kids are obsessed with “Descendants.”

TD: Now you’re next in my quest to find out what the best sports movie is.

Do you have a favorite sports movie?

SB: I don’t know if this counts as a movie, but part of the reason my husband and I moved out here was because of “Friday Night Lights.”

TD: Sure, that counts.

SB: We like that movie too, and we watched every episode.

TD: Before you go on a run, what’s one of the first songs you queue up?

SB: I usually just listen to top hits or whatever’s popular on the radio. When I’m coaching — I always try to get my girls to put it on the playlist, but it’s not even cool anymore — that song “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons.

TD: Really, that song isn’t cool anymore?

SB: I don’t know! I always say, “You guys, that song gets me so pumped up,” but I let my seniors make the tape because I want them to be pumped up, not me.

IN BRIEF

Dacula’s Hunter hits 1,000-point milestone

Dacula senior Arusha Hunter reached the 1,000-point milestone for his career Tuesday night in a 79-56 victory over Winder-Barrow.

Hunter, who scored 18 points in the victory, averages 17 points and 5.6 rebounds. He averaged 17.4 points and 4.6 rebounds as a junior.

Massengill to compete for USA Football team

Gwinnett’s Miles Massengill has been named to the Stripes roster for today’s U.S. Under-14 Stars and Stripes Game, part of International Bowl IX, a USA Football event at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.

The wide receiver played last season for Grayson’s eighth-grade team.

Buford’s Watson reaches 1,000 career points

Junior Marcus Watson scored his 1,000th career point Wednesday night in the Buford’s boys basketball team’s 80-51 win over Loganville.

The 6-foot-6 Watson, a top college prospect, was the top scorer (18.6 per game) and rebounder (9.1) on the Wolves’ state championship team last season.

4B • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Classic •From Page 1B classic after last year’s loss to Riverdale. That loss turned out to be the last one for the Blue Devils until facing McEachern in the state finals in 2017.

Grayson joins the fold as the third Gwinnett squad to play in this year’s edition of the Krossover Classic, matched up against Bearden (Tenn.), which edged the Collins Hill girls team 41-39 on Dec. 12.

Saturday’s slate is the second Krossover Classic for Archer head coach Bob Westbrook, who took over the program in 2016. Westbrook said his fingerprint is left on this year’s schedule in the form of a handful of teams from northwest of Atlanta in Cobb, Cherokee and Fulton counties, where he built a network as Etowah High School’s girls basketball coach.

“I think any chance you get to get high school kids, especially girls, exposure like this is a good thing,” Westbrook said. “Really good teams I had played against over in Cobb and Cherokee gave it a little more of a North Georgia flavor to it.”

Hoover High School (Ala.) makes the third outof-state team in the mix at Saturday’s showcase.

The Krossover Classic gets its name from sponsor Krossover Intelligence, a company that specializes in sports analytics by breaking down game film relayed by coaches and providing them with statistics and shot charts — valuable data that otherwise would have been charted manually without that assistance a few years ago.

Girls basketball in Gwinnett County has drummed up a reputation, Westbrook said, that has helped attract talented programs around the Southeast. The already well-established Gwinnett County girls basketball culture flexed in last year’s state tournaments with three AAAAAAA teams and one AAA team (Greater Atlanta Christian) reaching the semifinals and Wesleyan’s A-Private state

GIRLS HOOPS What: Archer High School Krossover Classic When: Saturday Where: Archer High School Schedule: 11:30 a.m. — Center Point (Ala.) vs. Woodland Stockbridge 1 p.m. — Hoover (Ala.) vs. Holy Innocents’ 2:30 p.m. — Bearden (Tenn.) vs. Norcross 4 p.m. — Grovetown vs.

Cherokee 5:30 p.m. — Heritage vs. Grayson 7 p.m. — North Cobb vs. Archer

title over Holy Innocents’.

Not to mention, last year’s A-Private runner-up is also participating in this year’s Krossover Classic.

“Gwinnett County is known for basketball and I think this event pushes that to the forefront,” Westbrook said. “We have three out-of-state teams and a lot of Georgia competition from different classifications. It’s a good opportunity for girls and Gwinnett County to showcase talent in high school girls basketball.”

Archer’s game against North Cobb is the final non-region game for the Tigers before it closes out the regular season with five region contests. The Tigers were 9-5 before four consecutive losses in the new year dropped them to a 9-9 record heading into a region contest against Newton. While the showcase game has no effect on Archer’s region tournament seeding, Westbrook would like to see his squad find some stability as it braces for the final stretch run.

“We’ve got to get on the right foot,” Westbrook said. “I don’t know if the Krossover is where that necessarily needs to happen. We certainly want to play well and win the basketball game, but we’ve got to get on the right foot going forward for the rest of the season. We need to get back to the kind of basketball we were playing before Christmas.”

gwinnettdailypost.com

Swimmers, divers of month honored From Staff Reports

Archer: John Murphy, Jayla Gillis Berkmar: Carlos VillagoThe Gwinnett County Public Schools Swim and mez-Dominguez, Yoselin Montes Dive Booster Club anBrookwood: Evan Bowers, nounced its athletes of the Jordan Wolfe month for December this Central Gwinnett: Remy week.

Miantezila, Mireya Garcia Each GCPS high school Collins Hill: Bo Meeks, had one boy and one girl se- Katie Zindel lected for the honor. Those Dacula: Jordan Harrison, winners are as follows: Mallory Horton

Discovery: Abhi Kottapali, Kayla Giles Duluth: Nico Finol, Brittany Arbaugh Grayson: Daniel Myrick, Christina Price Lanier: Grant Walter, Lilah Davis Meadowcreek: Ronaldo Bolanos, Lizeth Ordonez Mill Creek: Collins Sainovich, Abigail Tashlein Mountain View: Hayden

Bonar •From Page 1B have opted to return and see what happened in Atlanta.

He talked to his agent and they saw things the same way.

“He’s said, ‘It’s a pretty great situation there, you should stay,’” said Bonar, who called Nesbitt and fellow veteran Ryan Lannon the rocks of the locker room. “I love it here. I love this group and I saw a real group of guys who can win some games.

“That’s not every day you come across that. I’ve been on enough teams to know by now.”

Bonar, a native of British Columbia, played four years at Princeton.

Orlando called him up at the end of his senior season in 2013-14, but he didn’t play a game for the Solar Bears.

As a rookie in 2014-15, Bonar bounced around the ECHL with Indy, Orlando, Wichita and Cincinnati.

He played a collective nine games, including four with Fayetteville in the SPHL. The following year, he played 13 games for the FireAntz and was loaned to Brampton, Fort Wayne and Wichita for a total of 18 games.

Last year, he was with Fayetteville, played 49 games and was voted the league MVP. “That taught me a lot as well,” he said. “There was a stretch last year in the Southern Pro where we didn’t have a real backup goalie for almost three months. We had emergency backups and they couldn’t pull me — even if they wanted to.

“But in those situations, you learn that, all right, I let in bad goals, but I get to go play again tomorrow and fix it.”

A Zen-like mental approach has been hard won.

like that, goalie is such a hard position,” Nesbitt said. “There’s two on every team. There’s a big learning process for goalies. Look at the goalies that have played in the NHL, even just the ones I’ve played against, like (Braden) Holtby, (Jonathan) Quick, (Jason) LaBarbera. You could go on for days. It’s definitely a different process for goalies than it is for skaters.

“He’s one that respects that process. He’s willing to put in the work. He was willing to sit here because Atlanta Gladiators goalie Sean Bonar makes a save he wanted to be in this against Kansas City’s Shawn Pauly (9) during a game Nov. 4 at Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth. (Photo: Aman- league, because, deep down, I think he knew he da Bingham) belonged. He was patient with the process and was “I look back on how Dec. 20. super positive the whole I went about the mental “To Bones’ credit, he time. He’s always a guy game at school and I don’t was kept around because who is ready to go when know how I got through of the person he is first called upon.” four years,” he said. “Just and the goalie he is secBonar has a degree in in terms of white-knuckond,” Weber said. “The mechanical and aerospace ling it when things aren’t work ethic, the detail. going your way.”

He’s the only goalie in 19 engineering from Princeton. He could be making Working hard isn’t years that I’ve seen who a lot more money in the always enough. He’s likes to play the game learned to think and talk ‘Rebound’ on a game day. real world.

“I love this job,” Bonar through the lows all goal- Other goalies look at him said. “I’m starting to learn ies suffer. and it’s like, ‘What are to love the crappy parts as “Goaltending, once you you doing?’ He’s in the much as the good parts. have a given amount of gym every day he’s not skill, it’s 95 to 99 percent playing. There’s a lot that I love coming to the rink mental,” Bonar said. “Ev- can be learned from what every day. And I am so much better at this than I ery mistake a goaltender he does in preparation. makes, sure maybe there’s “He’s one of those guys am at engineering.”

Balance is the key, on a technical thing they did you want to have around.” and off the ice. wrong, but it’s not like Bonar has been a good “When you think you’re that goalie doesn’t know resource for Vladar, who is just 20 years old and in a good goaltender and what they did wrong. It’s things go well, maybe his second pro season. all just mental.

“Both goalies are really that’s expected of you and “So there’s absolutely you don’t celebrate that,” easy guys to be around,” things I do, techniques Nesbitt said. “I think they Bonar said. “But you have I use, books I read and to learn to celebrate your get along really well. I people I talk to. After I started playing pro, I real- think they really challenge successes and learn from those just as much as you each other, too. ized these sorts of things do from your failures.

“It’s nice to see and I and I’d say I spend as “If all you think about much time thinking about think that helps a young are the times you made guy like Vlady. Neither the mental side of the mistakes, that’s not going game and working on the wants to be outdone — to get you very far. You remental side of the game as and I think it’s a healthy ally need to lean on those I do my technique and my competition, which is times you played well a huge positive for this skills and my strength.” and forget the bad things. group.”

The mental maturity is Learning to forget is just It’s not just the no-quit one of the biggest reasons attitude Nesbitt saw on the as important as learning Weber found a way to to remember your sucfirst day now. carry three goalies until cesses.”

“Climbing the ranks O’Connor was reassigned

Wrestling in action Thursday, Mountain View claimed a 59-12 win over and injuries since the holiday East Coweta in first round action break, the Wolves were nearly at in Class AAAAAAA, while Colfull strength heading into Thurslins Hill (37-35 over Newnan) and day’s action.

Archer (64-9 over Lassiter) also “We had a bunch of guys out advanced to today’s second round, in December,” Beuglas said. “We which will begin at 10 a.m. had one with mono, another with Brookwood and Meadowcreek the flu, an ankle here and there. wound up in the consolation But everyone’s back now except bracket after dropping meets to demaybe our heavyweight (Quentin fending champion Camden County Skinner).” and North Paulding, respectively.

And with a lineup that includes In Class AAAAAA, Dacula Super Six selections Logan edged Effingham County 36-34 Ashton, Nick Stonecheck and in Thursday’s first round, and Charlie Darracott in the lower advanced to take on Alexander in weight classes, complemented by today’s second round, with action lightweight Kyle McCullough and also getting underway at 10 a.m.

Cooper Roberts heading into the Wesleyan will begin its tourupper weight classes, Beuglas was nament in Class A today with a quite confident to take his chances. match against Mt. de Sales at 3 Among Gwinnett’s other teams p.m.

•From Page 1B

Archer’s Asia McCoy (22) shoots over McEachern defender Lyndsey Whilby (5) in last year’s Class AAAAAAA state semifinal at the University of West Georgia. (Photo: Craig Cappy)

Brown, Maggie Hennebaul Norcross: Arion Solomon, Andie Thornell North Gwinnett: Tommy Cangelosi, Julia Rummins Parkview: Trevor Harbin, Sydney Walker Peachtree Ridge: Oliver Stephan, Zada Streeter Shiloh: Parker Allen, Emily Koschella South Gwinnett: Andrew McFarland, Maniah Stallworth

FANS CHOICE WINTER ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Who: Tegan Sweeney School: Brookwood Sport: Swimming Class: Senior Highlights: Won the 200 individual medley and the 100 freestyle races, and also swam on 200 and 400 free relays that took first, in the Broncos’ win over rival Parkview Coach Jack Gayle’s take: “Tegan is awesome. First of all, I think it might be physically impossible for her not to smile. Even when she’s serious, discussing upcoming meets, relays and entries, she’ll still break out into an enthusiastic smile that displays her passion for swimming and for Brookwood. She is a great captain and leader, and I can’t wait to see how she closes out her senior season here at Brookwood.”

Lanier •From Page 1B

Bassette said it’s easy to be unselfish when you’re congraduated just one senior fident in all of your teamlast year, leaving the start- mates’ ability to handle the ing five and most of the basketball. core of the team intact.

“As the year has gone Senior guards Jamyah on — a lot of the girls have Montissol and Bailey Bas- known each other since sette are averaging roughly middle school, so we were 16 and 12 points per game, already close in that aspect respectively, and display an — but this year we’re all unselfishness on the court getting better and we trust that has helped Lanier’s of- each other’s skills,” Basfense click in the first half sette said. of the season.

Lanier’s junior class also After a full season in the has made significant constarting lineup as juniors tributions on the offensive and time to build trust and defensive ends of the during summer league, court. Bassette pointed out

forward Mya Williams’ rebounding abilities, which she said have been remarkable as if the ball is searching for her hands after each miss.

She said guards Mekala Fuller and Kalen Surles are two of the team’s best ballhandlers.

A few games this season stand out to Link as moments the Longhorns proved their maturity and depth were going to be keys during region play.

On Dec. 16, Lanier edged Brookwood in a backand-forth battle that was

decided by two points, 4846. Then Lanier opened the new year with Archer and edged the Tigers by two points in overtime 52-50.

Last season, Lanier lost five games by five or fewer points, but Link said his team has proved its ability to finish late in games. The win over Archer, Bassette said, was a big confidence boost for the senior class that suffered a 66-46 loss to the Tigers at last year’s Gwinnett Daily Post Challenge.

“We have this goal of making it to state and

being region champs,” Bassette said. “Even if we don’t win state, we want to go far and set a name for this school. The past years we haven’t been big in those areas, so now we’re taking control of that to be the best we can be.”

Prior to tonight, Lanier has a one-game lead over Dacula and Winder-Barrow in the region standings, with 6-10 Apalachee next up at home. Lanier is yet to face Dacula and WinderBarrow, but those games on Jan. 16 and Jan. 23, respectively, are shaping

up to be critical regarding the region standings.

Lanier also closes out the season with a Feb. 2 game at Dacula.

Bassette said Lanier has ambitions to be one of the best defenses in the county and holds lofty goals of running the table in seven region games.

“We have a great group of girls here,” Bassette said. “We’re a whole family and we don’t let anything set us aside.

When someone goes down, someone is always there to pick up the slack.”

gwinnettdailypost.com

FALCONS AT EAGLES NFC Divisional Playoffs • Saturday, 4:35 p.m. (NBC) • Philadelphia

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • 5B

Titans vow to fight vs. heavily favored Patriots Field Level Media

Miami running back Jay Ajayi (23) breaks a tackle by Atlanta strong safety Keanu Neal (22) during their game Oct. 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Photo: Dale Zanine-USA Today Sports)

Falcons set for Eagles’ run game

By Colin Hubbard Staff Correspondent

FLOWERY BRANCH — When the Atlanta Falcons lost three consecutive games after starting the season 3-0, many thought the Super Bowl hangover was alive and well.

That proved to be an inaccurate representation of this year’s team. The Falcons stand as one of the last four remaining teams in the NFC, and the only NFC team to make the playoffs from a season ago, which puts them just two wins away from a chance at another title shot.

Despite the colossal dropoff from an offensive standpoint, from the NFL’s best to middle of the pack, the tide has started to turn in the eyes of the players and coaching staff.

Atlanta is coming off arguably its best offensive and defensive performance of the season after dominating the Los Angeles Rams 26-13 in the wild card round.

An even bigger task stands in the way Saturday.

The road dogs are wheels up for Philadelphia to take on the top-seeded Eagles.

They were nothing but cool,

calm and collected as they wrapped up a rainy, cold practice Thursday.

“Last week helped us because we’re still here at work,” Julio Jones said. “Every week, nothing changes for us. It’s championship preparation.

We’re just trying to go out here and take advantage of the opportunity and win the game.”

As for Falcons head coach Dan Quinn, he pointed at the ground game as being one of the biggest factors Saturday.

Quinn’s defense allowed just two players to rush for more than 100 yards in a game this season, but one was Jay Ajayi, who the Falcons played earlier this season when he was with the Miami Dolphins.

In that game, Ajayi rushed for a season-high 130 yards on 26 carries. In his time with the Eagles, his numbers haven’t come close to that.

The 24-year-old is averaging just 58 yards rushing in his seven games with the Eagles, and hasn’t scored a touchdown since Nov. 5.

This bodes well for Atlanta, which has seen its rush defense rise up as the NFL’s ninth-best at just

104.1 yards per game.

“Our run defense has improved as our season has gone on,” Quinn said. “We take a lot of pride in that.

(Philadelphia) is excellent at running the football. It’s not the only thing that they do, but I think it’s one of the very best things that they do.”

The Falcons will also have to scheme for Eagles running back LeGarrette Blount, who led the team in rushing with 766 yards.

But much like Ajayi, his numbers have been on the decline.

Since the acquisition of Ajayi, Blount’s average carries dropped from 14 per game to nine, and in those eight games, he failed to find the end zone.

Stopping the run will force the Eagles to use backup quarterback Nick Foles in the passing game, and that is something that would play into the Falcons game plan, too.

After replacing an injured Carson Wentz in Week 15, Foles has struggled, while the Falcons secondary has flourished as the playoffs begin to heat up.

Running the ball is something the Falcons will try to do themselves,

but what stands in the way is the top-ranked rush defense in the NFL. The Eagles allow just 79.2 yards per game rushing, but it’s something that Quinn and the Falcons aren’t going to shy away from.

Atlanta is 6-0 on the season when it carries the ball 30 or more times in a game, and is 11-1 when it carries the ball 23 or more times.

The two-headed monster of Devonta Freeman (865 yards rushing) and Tevin Coleman (628 yards rushing) will likely play a huge role in the outcome, especially if the weather rears its ugly head.

The forecast is calling for temperatures in the high 40s and a solid chance of rain, but after getting to practice in near identical conditions Thursday, the team is ready for anything, Quinn said.

“I’m glad that we had some weather today,” Quinn said. “If it’s dry, then that’s fine, too. But if it’s going to be wet, I’d rather have a day like this.

You can practice with a wet ball, and throw water on it, and we do, but when you have the footing, I think it’s an added benefit.”

Healthy Jones spells trouble for Philly

By Colin Hubbard Staff Correspondent

FLOWERY BRANCH — When Julio Jones stepped out onto a soggy practice field Thursday, he didn’t look like most of his teammates.

And his 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame wasn’t the reason why.

Amidst the chilly air and rainy conditions, Jones jogged out with short sleeves, while 90 percent of his teammates were decked out in long-sleeved attire to combat the weather.

If there was ever a sign to point at whether or not the 28-year-old is ready for the Philadelphia Eagles to feel his wrath when his Atlanta Falcons face off with them in the divisional round of the playoffs on Saturday, it’s that.

Through all of the nagging injuries Jones has dealt with this season, it appears he is as healthy as can be heading into the game, and that’s a welcome sign.

Jones has a history of putting up big numbers against the Eagles.

He has gone over the 100-yard mark in receiving in each of his past three games against them, and has a combined 399 yards and three touchdowns in that span.

And while the Falcons will look to hand the ball off to Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman as much as possible, Jones will likely

Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half in the NFC Wild Card playoff Jan. 6 in Los Angeles. (Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA Today Sports)

be needed at some point during the game.

How much will be up to Matt Ryan and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. Ryan is coming off of a great game against the Los Angeles Rams in which he completed 70 percent of his passes, but none were bigger than his 8-yard TD pass to Jones to put the game on ice.

It was just the fourth TD of the season for Jones, but he will be the first one to tell you that stats don’t matter to him.

“It’s win or go home,” Jones said. “I have the same mentality for each and every game. I’m not a numbers guy. Whatever it takes to get the win, you know.”

Jones was also asked if he was prepared for the ball to come out of Ryan’s hands more quickly than usual with an Eagles team that likes to rush the quar-

terback, and his answer was stern.

“Well, for me it’s just letting the offensive line do their job,” Jones said.

“You’ve got to have all the trust in them and not assume that the ball is going to come out quick. That’s like me not trusting and believing in them to go out there and do their job.

But, you know, we’ve got a quick game, and we’ve got quick shots like that in the game plan. We’ve just got to stay the course and just play our style of ball and go out there and execute and make them come to life.”

One thing Jones is eager to find out is how the Eagles defense will elect to play him throughout the game.

That includes double teams, as well as what the Eagles will do with their safeties.

“They’ve got a great defense,” Jones said. “Their front seven is really, re-

ally good. What I look at, though, is how much they’re going to play man-to-man and things like that. So we’ll see when we get to the game. If they’re going to cheat the safety to my side because they’re a single high team. They’re going to do what they do. They’ve been highly successful based off of their record.”

Despite Jones going to the sidelines to take plays off quite often, Dan Quinn said that he isn’t anywhere near as hurt as he has been in the past, and that he knows how to mentally and physically prepare himself week after week to make sure injuries don’t hold him back.

“Generally almost every day we have a long walkthrough portion of practice and he’s always able to participate in those,” Quinn said. “So he’s getting the reps and the timing as far as the game plan goes. And then at practice when he’s limited, we really try to feature him on the plays that are so unique for him and Matt (Ryan) to be at full speed. So it’s familiar for him because we do it the whole year. We’re pretty consistent and it’s familiar with him on how to get back and get ready. He just has a way of healing and knowing how to get his body right back to it.”

Jones will play in his eighth playoff game when the Falcons take the field against the Eagles at 4:35 p.m. Saturday.

In this corner, the NFL’s flagship franchise, winner of five Super Bowls since 2001 and in prime position to make a run at a sixth.

And in this corner, a team that won its first playoff game since 2003 last week.

The contrasts between the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans couldn’t be more stark.

Some would suggest that not even a star director with a bronze tan could devise a script under which Tennessee upsets New England on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.

The fifth-seeded Titans (10-7) are a 13-point underdog in this AFC divisional playoff for good reason. They were outscored by 22 points during the regular season and needed a Week 17 win over Jacksonville to earn their first playoff berth in nine years.

It appeared the Titans would be one-and-done last week in Kansas City when the Chiefs established a 21-3 halftime lead. But in a stunning turnaround, Tennessee dominated the second half, holding Kansas City to 61 total yards and scoring three straight touchdowns to pull out a 22-21 win.

Marcus Mariota and Derrick Henry led the charge. Mariota threw two touchdown passes — one to himself and the other to Eric Decker for the gamewinner — and Henry shredded the Chiefs’ poor run defense for 156 yards and a touchdown in 23 carries.

“We go as Marcus

goes,” Decker said. “He has shown his personality the last couple of weeks and how tough he is, and how much of a leader he is.”

Now comes the ultimate test for Mariota and the Titans: Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots. Add in the ESPN.com story that suggests Brady, Belichick and owner Robert Kraft aren’t seeing eye-to-eye, and the ingredients seem to be in place for a command performance by a New England team which seems to thrive on turning controversy into motivation.

Belichick sure wasn’t in much of a mood to discuss rumors of the crumbling football Camelot earlier this week.

“We’ve dealt with some non-Tennessee subjects here over the past few days,” Belichick said. “At this point, I’m all in on Tennessee. We know we’ll need to have our best game Saturday night.”

The matchups look good for the Patriots (13-3), as long as their offensive line can keep the Titans from generating pressure on Brady, who led the league in passing yardage with 4,577 yards and boasted an impressive 32-8 touchdown-interception ratio.

Rob Gronkowski (69 catches, 1,084 yards, eight TDs) will be a handful for a team that usually struggles to cover the tight end. Brandin Cooks (65-1,082-7) has offered a big-play threat on the outside to complement the team’s endless supply of slot receivers and passcatching running backs.

Vikes unconcerned with QB’s resume Field Level Media On paper, Sunday’s NFC divisional playoff matchup of Drew Brees and the Saints and Case Keenum and the Minnesota Vikings would appear to favor the former league MVP and Super Bowl champion from New Orleans.

Keenum started the regular season as the expected No. 3 quarterback in Minnesota.

Brees started the season as a 5,000-yard passer five times over — only nine such seasons are on record in NFL history — and was selected to 10 Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl XLIV, a game in which he also claimed MVP honors.

“You’d like to have a Hall of Fame quarterback playing for you,” Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said. “All of these guys at one point in time never had playoff experience.

That part is important, but once you get into it, it doesn’t really matter on game day. We have some experience from the playoffs two years ago. Does it really matter? No, what matters is how we play on Sunday. At the end of the day it still comes down to football.”

Keenum climbed into the starting role somewhat by default. Sam Bradford (knee) was hurt and Teddy Bridgewater wasn’t ready to return in September after missing all of last season recovering from a devastating knee injury of his own. Keenum, a castoff from the Los Angeles Rams after being unseated by No. 1 overall

pick Jared Goff, took the controls and steered the Vikings to a 13-3 record, NFC North championship and the second seed in the conference playoffs.

Zimmer said not all of Keenum’s strengths are tangible.

“He’s pretty much charged up all the time,” Zimmer said. “He’s an excitable guy. But he’s always excitable. The thing I appreciate about him, besides his big balls, is that he pays attention to detail. He studies. He works real hard in preparation. ... I had to get that (anatomy reference) in.”

Keenum was no slouch, ranking seventh in the NFL in passer rating (98.3; Brees was at 103.9) and completing 67.6 percent of his passes (Brees, 72.0).

The battle of quarterbacks, of course, is impacted by defense.

While Brees hit on almost 70 percent of his passes for 376 yards with two touchdowns in the wild-card win over the Panthers last week, Carolina dedicated more attention to stopping the Saints’ running back tandem of Mark Ingram and Norcross grad Alvin Kamara. Each back cleared 1,500 yards from scrimmage this season.

“I’ve been telling you all year that you don’t sleep on Drew,” Ingram said. “If you are going to stack the box, try to stop the run and take us out of the game, then he is going to hurt you. We have been telling you that he is the best quarterback in the league. He is still Drew Brees.”

B6 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

6B • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

gwinnettdailypost.com

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Buford’s Roof transfers from Tech to Indiana From Staff Reports

sity of Charlotte.

“T.D. Roof is a young The Indiana football man that we recruited program announced heavily in the previous Thursday the addition of recruiting cycle,” Indiana linebacker T.D. Roof, a coach Tom Allen said 5-11, 215-pound transfer in a IU release. “We are from Georgia Tech. The thrilled to have him join Buford grad played in all us as a transfer from 11 games as a true fresh- Georgia Tech. man in “We’re really excited 2017. about what he will bring Roof, to our linebacking corps who and ultimately to our enrolled football program.” at Indiana Roof totaled 17 tackles for the with a pair of sacks for 2018 the Yellow Jackets. He T.D. Roof spring posted a season-high six semester, stops at Duke on Nov. 18 will begin practicing with and collected both sacks the Hoosiers this spring against Jacksonville State and will have three years on Sept. 9. of eligibility, starting in Roof earned first team the fall of 2019. all-state and all-county Roof’s father, Ted, has honors twice at Buford.

31 years of collegiate He helped the program to coaching experience and four consecutive state title is currently the associate appearances, winning in head coach, co-defensive 2013 and 2014. coordinator and safeties Roof made 94 tackles, coach at North Carolina seven for losses, four State University. sacks, two forced fumTed Roof was Georgia bles, one fumble recovery Tech’s defensive coordiand seven quarterback nator last season. Roof’s hurries as a senior. He twin brother, Mic, is a also rushed for 459 yards quarterback at the Univer- and 11 touchdowns.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams (23) shoots against Golden State forward Jordan Bell (2) during Wednesday’s game in Oakland, Calif. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA Today Sports)

Williams drops 50 on Warriors South grad scores career high in win From Staff Reports The most prolific scoring season of Lou Williams’ NBA career added another major highlight late Wednesday night.

The South Gwinnett grad scored a career-best 50 points and added seven assists to help the Los An-

geles Clippers snap a 12game, head-to-head losing streak against Golden State by dispatching the Warriors 125-106 in Oakland, Calif.

Williams scored 27 points in the third quarter — the most by any NBA player in any quarter this season — as the Clippers rallied from a nine-point deficit to spoil a milestone night for Kevin Durant.

The Golden State standout scored a season-high 40 points on 14 of 18 shooting to become the secondyoungest player in NBA

history to reach 20,000 career points.

Williams shot 16 of 27 from the floor and made 8 of 16 3-point attempts while notching his third 40-point outing of the season. The Clippers were without forward Blake Griffin (concussion) for the second consecutive game, while the Warriors played without point guard Stephen Curry (ankle) and shooting guard Klay Thompson (rest).

Williams, last week’s Western Conference Player

of the Week, has carried the offensive load for the injury-plagued Clippers. He ranks among the NBA’s best scorers at 22.2 per game, along with averaging 4.9 assists. He has made 40.7 percent of his 3-point shots and 90.3 percent of his free throws, both the best percentages of his career.

The 31-year-old, in his 12th NBA season and on his sixth team, always has provided a scoring punch to his teams. He won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2014-15.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CITY OF LAWRENCEVILLE APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOL LICENSE AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN FILED ON DECEMBER 12, 2018 WITH THE CLERK OF THE CITY OF LAWRENCEVILLE FOR A LICENSE TO SERVE Alcohol. BY THE FOLLOWING APPLICANT AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATION, TO WIT: APPLICANT/OWNER: Patricia A. Brown REGISTERED AGENT: Patricia A. Brown BUSINESS NAME: Brushstrokes and Corks, LLC DBA Masterpiece Mixers Paint & Party Studio LOCATION: 162 E Crogan Street Suite D Lawrenceville Ga 30046 A DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO GRANT OR DENY SUCH A LICENSE WILL BE MADE BY THE CLERK OF THE CITY OF LAWRENCEVILLE NO LATER THAN THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THE DATE THE FILED APPLICATION IS DETERMINED TO BE COMPLETE. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO NOTE ANY OBJECTIONS, IN WRITING, THAT THEY MAY HAVE TO THE GRANTING OF SUCH A LICENSE BY FILING SAID WRITTEN OBJECTIONS WITH THE CLERK OF THE CITY OF LAWRENCEVILLE. 9 0 4 - 5 2 7 1 7 9 , 1/10,12,17,19

PUBLIC HEARINGS NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE THERE WILL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC OUT CRY AT 5580 NEW PEACHTREE RD. CHAMBLEE, GA 30341 ON 12-19-2017 AT 12:10 pm THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE, DECLARED ABANDONED AND FORECLOSED VEHICLES PURSUANT TO OCGA SECTION 40-11-5 AS FOLLOWS: YEAR MAKE MODEL V.I.N. # WAUGL78E77A014557 928-527892, 1/17,24 NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLE The following vehicle, advertised pursuant to O.C.G.A. Code Section 40-11-2, is being stored at: 525 HURRICANE SHOALS LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 30046 07 STRICKLAND TRAILER AVW-5357-S-C-AR VIN# 1DW1A532X7S945316 Is deemed abandoned and will be disposed of if not claimed by the owner by 1-26-18 928-527750, 1/12,19

NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLE 2007 JEEP COMMANDER VIN: 1J8HG48P17C577628 The above automobile was initially removed and presently stored at 5402 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross, Ga 30093, in possession of DANZ Auto Repair. Attempt to locate the owner(s) of this vehicle’s have been unsuccessful. The vehicle is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A.40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia law.

928-527563, 1/12,19

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE INC. 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE NORCROSS, GA 30071 PHONE: 770-381-1140 FAX: 770-935-9651 ABANDONED VEHICLES: RE: Stripped ATV VIN NO VIN LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR GREY TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above all-terrain vehicle was initially removed from 3747 Rosebud Park Drive located in Snellville, GA. It is presently located at 770-381-1140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The all-terrain vehicle is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. RE: Panterra 50cc Dirt Bike VIN NO VIN LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR WHITE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above dirtbike was initially removed from 2530 Beathany Church Road located in Snellville, GA. It is presently located at 770-3811140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The dirtbike is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. RE: Utility Trailer VIN NO VIN LICENSE PLATE NO. 239664J (Texas) COLOR BLACK TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above trailer was initially removed from Brick Lodge, 2050 Willow Trail Parkway located in Norcross, GA, Brick Lodge. It is presently located at 770-3811140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The trailer is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. RE: 2014 Zhejiang Jonway Denali. YY50QT-22 Scooter VIN L8YTCAPY6ES600136 LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR BLUE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above scooter was initially removed from Clifton Glen Apartment Homes, 600 Hambrick Road located in Stone Mountain, GA. It is presently located at 770-3811140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The scooter is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. 928-525415, 12/29,1/5,12

CERN: The above boat was initially removed from Willowrun Condominiums, 1015 Country Court located in Lawrenceville, GA. It is presently located at 770-381-1140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The boat is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 52-7-71 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law.

ing: EPD Contact Person: Tom Brodell, 2 Martin Luther King Jr Drive, SE Suite 1056 Atlanta, GA 30334.

Phone: 404-657-8600.

Gwinnett County Contact Person: Richard Schoeck, Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, 684 Winder Highway, Lawrenceville, Georgia, 300455012. Phone: 678-3766700.

A copy of the Compliance Status Report is available for review and copy at the Gwinnett County Public Library, Peachtree Corners Branch, 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners, Georgia.

928-527561, 1/12

STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE INC. 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE NORCROSS, GA 30071 PHONE: 770-381-1140 FAX: 770-935-9651 ABANDONED VEHICLES: RE: 1997 Kawasaki JetSki HIN KAW02200E797 REGISTRATION NO. GA1039EV COLOR RED TO WHOM IT MAY CON-

RE: Yamaha Engine VIN NO VIN LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above listed engine was initially removed from 3178 Meadow Point Drive located in Snellville, GA. It is presently located at 770-3811140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The engine is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. RE: 2005 Bashan Mini Chopper Motorcycle VIN LHJPCAL335B002225 LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR ORANGE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above motorcycle was initially removed from 1775 Logan Ridge Circle located in Loganville, GA. It is presently located at 770-381-1140 at 263 Luxomni Road in Lilburn, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The motorcycle is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. 928-527949, 1/12,19,26 PUBLIC NOTICE The Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Department of Natural Resources, State of Georgia (EPD) has placed this site on the Hazardous Site Inventory pursuant to its authority under the Hazardous Site Response Act and Rules promulgated thereunder. As required by the Rules for Hazardous Site Response, the responsible party for this site was required to investigate the site and submit a compliance status report to EPD summarizing the results of that investigation. EPD is currently reviewing the compliance status report to determine if corrective action is needed for regulated substances that have been released at this site. Before EPD decides whether corrective action is needed, the public has the opportunity to review the compliance status report and provide comments to EPD about the report.

Site Information: North Berkeley Lake Road Site, Gwinnett County, Duluth, Georgia 30096, HSI # 10844.

HSI # 10844 currently consists of four (4) parcels held by separate owners. This public notice is being made on behalf of one property that is owned by Gwinnett County, as listed below: Property Owner Information: Gwinnett County Fire Station 16, 3275 North Berkeley Lake Road, Duluth, Georgia 30096.

Parcel Identification Number R6267-028.

Written and oral contact can be made to the followi

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS NOTICE THESE VEHICLES WILL BE SOLD FOR PUBLIC OUTCRY FOR CASH AT STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE LOCATED AT 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE, NORCROSS, GEORGIA AT 10:00 A.M. ON JANUARY 13, 2018. THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES ARE DECLARED ABANDONED AND FORECLOSED VEHICLES PURSUANT TO OCGA 40-11-5.

ESTOS VEHICULOS SERAN VENDIDOS AL PUBLICO POR DINERO EN EFECTIVO EN STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE LOCALIZADO EN 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE, NORCROSS, GEORGIA A LAS 10:00 A.M. EN 13 ENERO 2018 . LOS SIGUIENTES VEHICULOS AN SIDO DECLARADOS ABANDONADOS Y CERRADOS DE ACUERDO A OCGA 40-11-5 NUEVA LOCALIZACION 770-381-1140 www.swsatlanta.com 1958 Thunderbird Boat Trailer T012026 1958 Thunderbird Boat NO HIN 2007 Nissan Altima 1N4BL21EX7N446293 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 3B7HC13Z7WG243741 2006 Chevrolet Uplander 1GNDV23L16D191621 2002 Mercedes-Benz S430 WDBNG70JX2A273204 2010 Ford Focus 1FAHP3FN0AW139388 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 4M2ZU86K13UJ04653 2002 Nissan Xterra 5N1ED28T72C604484 2006 Hyundai Tiburon KMHHN65F46U188569 2005 Toyota Avalon 4T1BK36B55U009950 2003 Nissan Xterra 5N1ED28T83C663657 2008 Chrysler Sebring 1C3LC45K18N668169 *** SALVAGE *** 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 4M2ZU66K13UJ03216 2000 Ford Focus 1FAFP33P7YW135054 2001 Ford Expedition 1FMRU17L61LA43514 2000 Dodge Neon 1B3ES46C3YD823004 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander JA4LX41F44U035555 1996 Honda Accord 1HGCD5636TA199412 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan 1B4GP44G8YB528469 1994 Toyota Corolla 2T1AE09B6RC070812 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt 1G1AK15F677147449 2003 Chevrolet Venture 1GNDX03E43D142103 1998 Toyota Tacoma 4TAVL52N7WZ059811 1996 GMC Safari 1GDDM19W6TB515768 1999 Saturn SC1 1G8ZE1282XZ187517 2005 Chevrolet Impala 2G1WF52E059173201 1996 Chevrolet Lumina 2G1WL52MXT9249620 2002 Jeep Liberty 1J4GK58K62W228283 1999 BMW 540i WBADN6337XGM61237 1996 Geo Prizm

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

1Y1SK5261TZ032663 2003 Chevrolet Impala 2G1WH52K839331796 2015 Homemade Trailer T946818 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt 1G1AD5F59A7197714 *** REBUILT/SALVAGE *** 2001 Mercury Cougar 1ZWHT61L615612433 *** REBUILT *** 2006 Chevrolet Malibu 1G1ZS51F06F302291 2005 Ford Focus 1FAFP34N35W209983 2000 Hyundai Tiburon KMHJG35F1YU180670 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser 3C8FY4BB01T696516 1995 Infiniti J30 JNKAY21DXSM213364 *** FLOOD DAMAGE/REBUILT *** 2000 Nissan Xterra 5N1DD28T5YC516215 2004 Volvo V70 YV1SW64A742439097 2001 Honda Civic 1HGEM22921L056511 *** TOTALLOSS REBUILT *** 1997 Nissan Pickup 1N6SD11S3VC430658 2008 Honda Civic 2HGFA16958H523705 929-525416, 12/29,1/5,12

1B3EL46X35N525588 7 2006 Kia Spectra KNAFE121865366269 8 2007 Saturn ION 1G8AJ55F07Z186781 9 2006 Scion tC JTKDE177060137744 10 2010 Chevrolet Malibu 1G1ZC5E0XAF174511 11 2001 Mazda 626 1YVGF22D315212253 12 1999 Toyota Corolla 1NXBR12E4XZ146476 13 2005 Hyundai Elantra KMHDN46D25U925069 14 2001 Ford Focus 1FAFP36321W295602 15 2006 Pontiac G6 1G2ZG558464151685 16 2017 Toyota Camry 4T1BF1FKXHU290544 17 2006 BMW 325Ci WBABD33436PL09195 18 1999 Infiniti QX4 JNRAR07Y8XW061058 19 2003 Honda Odyssey 5FNRL18903B022545 20 2002 Ford Explorer 1FMZU73E92UB87046 21 2005 Cadillac CTS 1G6DP567450139685 22 1999 Toyota Camry JT2BF28K1X0230481 23 2005 Scion xB JTLKT334850209739 24 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix 2G2WP552X81157195 25 2008 Chevrolet Impala 2G1WB58K089255054 26 2004 Buick Century 2G4WS52J041182005 27 2013 Lexus GS 350 JTHCE1BL8D5020032 28 2001 Ford Explorer Sport 1FMYU70E41UB01771 29 1995 Honda Civic del Sol JHMEG1241SS006144 30 2005 Infiniti G35

JNKCV51E55M201168 31 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan 1D4GP24R37B253183 32 2008 BMW 335i WBAVB73508VH23622 33 2004 Oldsmobile Alero 1G3NL52F44C114356 34 1996 Nissan Sentra 3N1AB41D0TL021464 35 2004 Mercury Sable 1MEHM50U84G602437 36 2001 Infiniti QX4 JNRDR09X51W200975 37 1998 Hyundai Sonata KMHCF34T5WA070142 38 1999 Toyota Camry 4T1BG22K0XU502262 39 2004 Nissan Sentra 3N1CB51D24L882595 40 2000 Dodge Stratus 1B3EJ46X9YN137243 41 2001 Mitsubishi Galant 4A3AA46H11E149721 42 2005 Kia Sedona KNDUP131956646455 43 2005 Toyota Matrix 2T1LR3E85C347344 44 2002 Toyota Sienna 4T3ZF13C82U446784 43 2005 Toyota Matrix 2T1LR32E85C347344 2013 Nissan Versa 3N1CN7AP6DL893001 929-526628, 1/5,12,19

PUBLIC SALE Pleasantdale Storage of Doraville shall conduct an online auction on www. selfstorageauctions.com to conclude at Thursday, January 20th, 2018 at 12:00pm Unit # C62 – Joe D. Bryant Unit is said to contain: Office Desk & Chair. Latter. Utility Cabinet. Bed Rails. Shelves.

30 plus Boxes. Jump Cables.

Spray Paint.

929-526393, 1/5,12 NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE In accordance with Georgia Law Chapter 40-11-5 the following vehicles have been deemed abandoned and will be sold at a public sale on 1-24-18 @ 11:30 Said Vehicles are located at: 3840 Brindlewood Drive Duluth, GA 30096 VIN# WBSCK9342YLC90788 2000 BMW Z3 VIN# 2G1WT57K291131317 2009 Chevrolet Impala Sale will be held at 10:00 on 1-24-18 Location: 1386 Indian TrlLilburn Rd #100 Norcross, GA 30093 929-512559, 10/6,13 There will be sold at public outcry for cash at Willard Wrecker Service, 719 Shadburn Avenue, Buford, GA 30518, on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 11:00 AM the following vehicles declared abandoned or foreclosed vehicles pursuant to O.C.G.A Section 40-1105, as follows: #; Year; Make; Model; VIN 1 2008 Ford Focus 1FAHP35N68W138189 2 1996 Honda Civic 1HGEJ6120TL020730 3 2001 Ford Expedition 1FMRU15L81LB83017 4 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1GCEK19T64E403587 5 2015 Nissan LEAF 1N4AZ0CP2FC321392 6 2005 Dodge Stratus 1

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OCGA 40-11-2 QUALITY AUTO CARE CENTER, WILL HOLD AN AUCTION FOR THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE(S): 1999 BMW 528i WBADM6335XBY20939 WILL BE AUCTIONED ON JANUARY 31, 2017 AT 10 AM. AT 3222 LENORA CHURCH RD SNELLVILLE, GA 30039 *7764 929-527282, 1/12,19 MCCULLOUGH TOWING AUCTION LIST 785 BROGDON RD. SUWANEE, GA 30024 770-263-8483 SATURDAY, JANUARY 27TH 2018@ 1:00PM 2009 BMW 328i WBAPH775X9NL82391 2009 Chevrolet Impala 2G1WT57N091301104 2015 Chevrolet Cruze 1G1PG5SB3F7111494 1997 Chevrolet C1500 1GCEC19W5VE213451 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 2G1WK15K379115625 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 2G1WW12E159286101 2010 Chevrolet HHR 3GNBABDB5AS508852 2

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS 2005 Chrysler Pacifica 2C4GM68465R305271 2005 Chrysler Pacifica 2C4GM48L75R268792 2006 Dodge Magnum 2D4FV47T26H262287 2003 Ford Expedition 1FMPU17L63LA91993 2003 Ford Explorer 1FMZU63K43UA92637 2001 Ford E250 1FTNS24211HA03922.

2005 Ford Expedition 1FMPU15575LB05729 2007 Ford Explorer 1FMEU64E97UA78620 2001 Ford F150 1FTRX17W81NA38731 1999 Ford F 350 Super Duty 1FTWW32S8XEA89287 2001 GMC Savana 1GTGG25R111150482 2005 Honda Civic 2HGES16585H531301 2001 Honda Civic 1HGEM21571L030792 2000 Honda Accord 1HGCG2250YA036811 2012 Hyundai Sonata 5NPEB4AC2CH500586 2004 Infiniti G35 JNKCV51E64M611413 2004 Infiniti G35 JNKCV51E34M616701 2001 Jeep Cherokee 1J4FT48SX1L627359 2001 Mercedes Benz C320 WDBRF64J51F082316 2001 Mercedes Benz C240 WDBRF61J01F093163 2000 Mercedes Benz E320 WDBJF65J7YB117192 2009 Mitsubishi Galant 4A3AB36F29E024955 2005 Nissan Xterra 5N1AN08W75C630968 2000 Nissan Frontier 1N6DD26S8YC434216 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1G3GM11Y8JP313447 2008 Pontiac G6 1G2ZH57N184193038 2001 Toyota Corolla 1NXBR12E21Z484465 2000 Toyota Camry Solara 2T1FF28P3YC406278 1999 Toyota Camry 4T1BG22KXXU446766 929-527734, 1/12,19,26 LIFE STORAGE # 413 875 MARATHON PARKWAY LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 30046 678-242-1441 AUCTION DATE: TUESDAY, JANUARY 30TH 2018 @ 10:30 AM 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 manages’s lien of the goods hereinafter described and stored at the Life Storage location (s) listed below.

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, JANUARY 30th 2018 @ 10:30AM 875 Marathon Pkwy Lawrenceville, GA 30046 678-242-1441 Space No. C u s t o m e r Name Inventory 1033 Christine Ceasar Household Goods/Furniture; TV/Stereo Equip.; Office Furniture/ Machines/Equip.; Account Records/ Sales Samples.

1154 Lamarr E Allen Household Goods/Furniture; Tools/ Appliances.

3031 Christine Ceasar Household Goods/Furniture.

4105 Laroyce Nelson Boxes 929-526877, 1/12,19

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION “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 manager’s lien of the goods hereinafter described and stored at the Life Storage location(s) listed below.

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, January 30, 2018 @ 10:00 AM. 2655 Langford Road Norcross, GA 30071 (770) 242-0468 Space No. C u s t o m e r Name Inventory 037 Shatarra Anderson Houshold Goods/Furniture/ Boxes/Patio Furniture 131 Erica Crews Household Goods/Furniture 145 Dionisio Baptiste Household Goods/Furniture 190 Milad Golshan Household Goods/Furniture 195 Trena Gamble Household Goods/Furniture 252 Alfredo Ambrosini Household Goods/Furniture 259 Randall Johnson Household Goods/Furniture/ Sporting/Goods 322 Lavon Vaughn Household Goods/Furniture/ TV/Stereo Equipment/Tools/Appliances 437 Trena Gamble Household Goods/Furniture/ TV/Stereo Equipment/Tools/Appliances 929-527287, 1/12,19 NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLES: K.O. TOWING, 344 KATHLEEN DR SE, MARIETTA, GA 30067. 770650-1413.

In accordance with OCGA Section 40-11-2, the following described vehicles/ vessels have been towed/ deemed abandoned and will be sold at Public Auction if not claimed. The vehicles are being stored at K.O. Towing, 344 Kathleen Dr Se, Marietta, Ga 30067. 770-650-1413 2000, Lexus ES 300, Gold, Vin#JT8BF28G3Y0257829, no Tag#. From 259 Mediterrianean In, Lawrenceville GA 30046 929-528025, 1/12,19 STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE INC. 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE NORCROSS, GA 30071 PHONE: 770-381-1140 FAX: 770-935-9651 THESE VEHICLES WILL BE SOLD FOR PUBLIC OUTCRY FOR CASH AT STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE LOCATED AT 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE, NORCROSS, GEORGIA AT 10:00 A.M. ON JANUARY 27, 2018. THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES ARE DECLARED ABANDONED AND FORECLOSED VEHICLES PURSUANT TO OCGA 40-11-5.

ESTOS VEHICULOS SERAN VENDIDOS AL PUBLICO POR DINERO EN EFECTIVO EN STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE LOCALIZADO EN 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE, NORCROSS, GEORGIA A LAS 10:00 A.M. EN 27 ENERO 2018 . LOS SIGUIENTES VEHICULOS AN SIDO DECLARADOS ABANDONADOS Y CERRADOS DE ACUERDO A OCGA 40-11-5 NUEVA LOCALIZACION 770-381-1140 www. swsatlanta.com Boat Trailer NO VIN 1994 Monark 16ft Boat

0112_GDP_FRI_CLASS_Classifieds 1/11/2018 4:41 PM Page B7

gwinnettdailypost.com

NO HIN 2008 Sunl Moped L8YTCKPF68Y012128 2000 Wabash Trailer 1JJV532W9YL630594 2005 Isuzu NQR/NRR JALE5B16157902109 2016 Kia Forte KNAFK4A61G5487735 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport SALSF25456A974714 2010 Chevrolet Impala 2G1WA5EK0A1103108 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320 WDBUF65J93A172870 2011 Mazda Mazda3 JM1BL1VF6B1495837 2001 Ford Taurus 1FAFP55U81A172034 2007 Chevrolet HHR 3GNDA13D67S509717 1998 Acura 3.2 TL JH4UA3641WC006289 2001 Ford Ranger 1FTYR14VX1TB07495 1994 Nissan Quest 4N2DN11W5RD802218 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx 1G1ZT64824F169367 2011 Ford Fusion 3FAHP0HA7BR149980 2005 Chrysler Pacifica 2C4GM68485R655582 2000 Chrysler Town and Country 1C4GP44GXYB644629 2003 Honda Accord 1HGCM56363A070408 2003 Toyota 4Runner JTEZU14R130010711 2003 Acura MDX 2HNYD18633H522167 2001 Lincoln Town Car 1LNHM83W11Y688840 1994 Chevrolet C1500 1GCDC14H8RZ185227 2006 Hyundai Sonata KMHEU46C06A148960 2004 Ford Expedition 1FMRU15W44LA15616 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 WDBRN47J72A269929 2004 Infiniti G35 JNKCV51E84M106487 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 3C8FY68B42T241236 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 WDBLJ70G1YF142347 1998 Ford F-150 1FTDF17W5WNA08042 2002 Dodge Caravan 1B8GP45312B599207 2004 Hyundai Sonata KMHWF35H54A958670 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier 1G1JC1242Y7246867 1993 Honda Accord 1HGCB765XPA025819 2000 Honda Accord 1HGCG5550YA071510 *** REBUILT *** 1995 Honda Accord 1HGCD7133SA030546 1994 Toyota Corolla 1NXAE04B0RZ215994 2002 Volkswagen Jetta 3VWSB69M42M102135 1997 Isuzu Rodeo 4S2CK58V3V4309471 2016 Gator 50-S Scooter LYDY3TBB9G1500272 1995 Lexus ES 300 JT8GK13T4S0122883 1997 Honda Civic 1HGEJ7125VL114417 2003 Honda Odyssey 5FNRL18973B040220 1999 Volkswagen Passat WVWNA63B9XE352915 1999 Toyota 4Runner JT3GN87R5X0118692 1999 Nissan Maxima JN1CA21D5XT217112 2008 Honda Civic 2HGFA16958H523705 929-527951, 1/12,19,26

THE GWINNETT DAILY NEWSPAPER AD PUBLISH DATE: 1/12/18 AND 1/19/18 LIFE STORAGE # 861 420 GRAYSON HWY LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 30046 770-682-7717 AUCTION DATE: TUESDAY, JANUARY 30TH 2018 @ 10:45 AM Note: 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 manager lien of the goods hereinafter described and stored at the Life Storage location(s) listed below. 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.

Below you will find the Space Number(s), and Customer’s Name for the next auction at Life Storage (861).

This printed list is provided in addition to the signed Form F-026, and is intended to clarify the spelling of all names submitted for the requested ad.

Space No. C u s t o m e r Name Inventory 1084 Selena Harris Household Goods/Furniture; TV/Stereo Equip.; Tools and appliances 1238 Colette Rollins Household Goods/Furniture 1340 Demetrice Williams Household Goods/Furniture; TV/ stereo equipment; Tools and appliances; Office Furn/ Machines/ Equipment 1344 Ralph Tull Household Goods/Furniture; TV/ stereo equipment; Tools and appliances 1345 Demetrice Williams Household Goods/Furniture; TV/ stereo equipment; Tools and appliances; Office Furn/ Machines/ Equipment; Acct records/ Sale Samples 929-526634, 1/12,19

ZONINGS

ZONINGS

THE CITY OF NORCROSS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING A Public Hearing will be held before the Norcross Mayor and City Council on Monday, February 5, 2018 at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers for the Purpose of due process of the following: 1- Public Hearing for Zoning Map revisions 2- Public Hearing for the Revision of Section 115-76 Location and Boundaries of Zoning Districts of the City of Norcross Zoning Ordinance 3- Public Hearing for the Revision of Sec. 115-93 RAOD, Redevelopment Area Overlay District of the City of Norcross Zoning Ordinance 4- Public Hearing for the Amendment to Sec. 115-89 DCD, Design Concept Development District of the City of Norcross Zoning Ordinance 5- Public Hearing for Revision of the Design Concept Development Zoning District The case(s) will be presented before the Mayor & Council at the policy work session on Tuesday Janurary 16th, 2018 at 6:30 pm in City Council chambers.

A following public hearing will be held by Mayor & Council on Monday February 5th, 2018 at 6:30 pm in City Council Chambers.

For further information please call the Community Development Department at 678-421-2067.

934-527247, 1/12

feet to a ½” rebar found on the southern right-of-way of Grayland Creek Place, said point being THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING; thence North 66° 11’ 02” East for a distance of 63.81 feet to a point on said right-of-way; thence along a curve to the left having a radius of 50.00 feet and an arc length of 52.37 feet, being subtended by a chord of South 84° 10’ 36” East for a distance of 50.01 feet to a X mark on a power box on said right-of-way; thence leaving said right-ofway South 23° 54’ 16” East for a distance of 95.57 feet to a ½” rebar found; thence South 61° 50’ 17” West for a distance of 107.38 feet to a ½” rebar found; thence North 23° 58’ 16” West for a distance of 128.44 feet to a ½” rebar found on the southern right-of-way of Grayland Creek Place being THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING. Together with and subject to covenants, easements, and restrictions of record.

A Public Hearing of the Board of Appeals will be held on January 22, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Assembly Room at Lawrenceville City Hall, which is located at 70 South Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

934-527250, 1/12

LEGAL NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CITY OF LAWRENCEVILLE AR-17-11 Notice is hereby given of an application for a Variance (AR-17-11) by Michael Kohler on behalf of Special Kneads and Treats requesting a Variance from the architectural requirements for a sign for the property located at 156 Scenic Highway (Tax Parcel Number: r5 147 006), more particularly discribed by the attached legal description.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION 156 Scenic Highway All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lot 147 of the 5th District, Gwinnett County, Georgia, being in the City of Lawrenceville and containing 1.02 acres according to a plat of survey prepared for G.R.A.C.E. Inc., Goleta National Bank and Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company, dated May 18, 200, prepared by W.T. Dunahoo and Associates, certified

by W.T. Dunahoo, G.R.L.S. No. 1577, and being more particularly described as follows: To locate the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING, begin at a point on the southerly rightof-way line of Georgia S.R. Highway 124 (a.k.a. Scenic Highway)(right-of-way varies), and running along the right-of-way line of Georgia S.R. Highway 124 South 40° 28’ 54” West a distance of 98.0 feet from the centerline of Carver Circle (having a 30 foot right-of-way) to an iron pin set and the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING; thence leaving the right-of-way line of Georgia S.R. Highway 124 South 33° 19’ 09” East a distance of 184.65 feet to an iron pin found; thence South 40° 22’ 16” West a distance of 250.51 feet to an iron pin found; thence North 33° 05’ 48” West a distance of 185.27 feet to an iron pin found on the right-of-way line of Georgia S.R. Highway 124; thence along the rightof-way line of Georgia S.R. Highway 124 North 40° 28’ 54” East a distance of 249.96 feet to the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING. A Public Hearing of the Architectural Review Board will be held on January 23, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Assembly Room at Lawrenceville City Hall, which is located at 70 South Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

934-527252, 1/12

LEGAL NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CITY OF LAWRENCEVILLE V-17-11 Notice is hereby given of an application for a Variance (V-17-11) by John Garrett requesting a Variance to allow an increase in the required maximum square footage of an accessory use structure from 250 square feet to 1,100 square feet for property located at 292 New Hope Road (Tax Parcel Number: r5 173 001), more particularly discribed by the attached legal description.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION 292 New Hope Road All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lots 147, 148, 173, and 174 of the 5th District, Gwinnett County, Georgia, as shown in that plat of survey for William King Drummond, dated November 12, 2002, prepared

by Miles H. Hannon, Georgia Registered Land Surveyor Number 1528 of Hannon, Meeks & Bagwell, Surveyors & Engineers, Inc. and being more particularly described as follows: To find THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING, commence at the center line of the right-of-way (80’R/W) of Lawrenceville-New Hope Road (a.k.a. Jackson Street), said point being measured 1,055.52’ from the center line of Ezzard Road; thence North 58° 35’ 20” East, a distance of 40.88’ to a ½” rebar found; said rebar being THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING; thence North 58° 35’ 20” East, a distance of 176.13’ to a ½” rebar found at 1” pipe; thence North 42° 23’ 00” West, a distance of 90’ to a ½” rebar found at 1” pipe; thence North 58° 35’ 20” East, a distance of 217.07’ to a ½” rebar found; thence South 40° 22’ 01” East, a distance of 118.50’ to a 5/8” rebar found at 1” pipe; thence South 38° 52’ 05” West, a distance of 383.58’ to a ½” rebar found; thence North 43° 20’ 52” West, a distance of 161.63’ to a ½” rebar found; said rebar being THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING. A Public Hearing of the Board of Appeals will be held on January 22, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Assembly Room at Lawrenceville City Hall, which is located at 70 South Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

934-527251, 1/12

FORECLOSURES LEGAL NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CITY OF LAWRENCEVILLE AR-17-12 Notice is hereby given of an application for a Variance (AR-17-12) by Lee Merritton requesting a blanket variance from the architectural requirements for the property located at 324 South Clayton Street (Tax Parcel Number: r5 146D 093), more particularly discribed by the attached legal description.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION 324 South Clayton Street All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lot 146 of the 5th District, Gwinnett County, Georgia, and being more particularly shown as a 10-foot alley on survey for Owner dated March 26, 1997, last revised May 11, 1999 prepared by J. Ronald Hannon, Georgia Registered Land Surveyor No. 1027.

To find the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING, begin at the southerly right-of-way of Lucky Street where it intersects the westerly right-of-way of Highway 20 (a.k.a. South Clayton Street); thence a distance of 250.4 feet South along the rightof-way and the centerline of the alley; that being the the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING; thence leaving said right-ofway, travel South 81° 29’ 20” West a distance of 138.19 feet to an iron pin set and consisting of five feet North of said line, the forgoing constituting half of the alley to be abandoned to Grantee.

A Public Hearing of the Architectural Review Board will be held on January 23, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Assembly Room at Lawrenceville City Hall, which is located at 70 South Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

934-527253, 1/12 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CITY OF LAWRENCEVILLE V-17-10 Notice is hereby given of an application for a Variance (V-17-10) by MA Laura Duran requesting a Variance to allow an increase in the required maximum square footage of an accessory use structure for property located at 1420 Grayland Creek Place (Tax Parcel Number: r5 083 233), more particularly discribed by the attached legal description.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION 1420 Grayland Creek Place All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lot 83 of the 5th District, Gwinnett County, Georgia, and the City of Lawrenceville Georgia, containing 0.29 acres and being more particularly described as follows: Commencing at a point which is located at the southeasterly right-of-way intersection of Grayland Creek Drive and Grayland Creek Place; thence northeasterly along the right-of-way of Grayland Creek Place 267.92 f

NOTICE OF SALE Pursuant to the August 10, 2016 Order of the Gwinnett County Superior Court entered against the below described property in Civil Action File Number 13-A10332-10 issued by Judge Deborah R. Fluker, Petitioner Trintec Portfolio Services, LLC will on the first Tuesday of February, 2018 during the legal hours at the courthouse door of Gwinnett County, sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash the following property: All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lot 254 of the 6th District of Gwinnett County, Georgia, being known and designated as Lot 9, Block A, Norcross Hills Subdivision, Unit One, according to plat recorded in Plat Book K, Page 3, Gwinnett County, Georgia Records, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at a point formed by the intersection of the Southwesterly side of Ridgecrest Drive and the Northwesterly side of Valley Road; thence Southwesterly along the Northwesterly side of Valley Road, 221.7 feet to an iron pin; thence Northwesterly along the Northeasterly side of Lot 8, said block and subdivision, 185.9 feet to an iron pin on the Northwest line of Land lot 254; thence Northeasterly along the Northwest line of Land Lot 254, 204.7 feet to an iron pin on the Southwesterly side of Ridgecrest Drive; thence Southeaseterly along the Southwesterly side of Ridgecrest Drive, 211.7 feet to an iron pin and the point of beginning.

Being property known as 487 Ridgecrest Drive, TPID: R6254 110 Said property will be sold to satisfy the first priority lien established in the order.

For information regarding this foreclosure, including payoff amounts, please contact: 678-999-8045 9 5 0 - 5 2 7 9 6 5 , 1/12,17,24,31

FULL TIME

CDL DRIVER FULL TIME DUMP TRUCK DRIVER NEEDED. MUST BE ABLE TO PULL AN EQUIPMENT TRAILER TO JOB SITE, THEN START HAULING MATERIALS TO JOB. NEED TO HAVE OWN TRANSPORTATION TO SHOP IN SUGAR HILL. Call 678-641-1928 or 770-945-7884.

FULL TIME

FULL TIME

15 temp FT Landscape Installation Laborers SKB Industries, 467 Inland Wy NW, Lilburn GA 30047. 15 temp FT Landscape Installation Laborers 4/1/18-11/1/18.

No min edu reqd. 1 mo Landscape Installer exp reqd. Prep site for landscape installation; install/remove landscape, drainage, planting, move dirt, mark beds, rake, dig w/ shovel, fertilize, water, mix soil, spread grass seed, lay sod, install sprinkler heads, install irrigation. Use handtools such as shovel & marking wheel. Lift 50 lbs. Min 35 hrs/wk.

M-Thu 6a-5p, may vary w/ weather. $13.96/hr.

OT poss/not guar at $20.94/hr. Increased wage/addtl pay poss w/ exp, performance, tenure. Single wrkwk used to compute wages. Wkly pay. Emplyr makes all deductions reqd by law & deducts housing cost if wrkr elects. Opt emply shared housing approx $60/wk. Transp prvded b/w emplyr housing, main worksite & wrksites in Gwinnett, Clarke, Hall, Oconee counties & Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell GA MSA. Emplyr provides wrkr at no charge all tools, supplies, equip reqd to perform job.

Reqd uniform prvded.

Emplyr guar to offer wrk for hrs equal to at least 3/4 of wrkdays in each 12-wk period of total emplymt period.

Transp (incl meals, lodging if nec) to place of emplymt prvded if wrkr completes half the emplymt period. Rtrn transp prvded if wrkr completes emplymt period or dismissed early.

Visa/border fee reimb 1st wrkwk, trvl expns reimb 1st pay period.

Rcpts reqd. 4 day sched incl wknds/holidays.

Emplymt app reqd.

Post-emplymt drug test reqd, pd by emplyr.

Apply at Gwinnett Co. Career Ctr, 2211 Beaver Ruin Rd #160, Norcross GA 30071-3328 (770) 840-2200 EOE/M/F/D/V JO# 1905208906

COST ESTIMATOR Decorating and Coating Applications LLC is hiring 1 Cost Estimator in Norcross, GA. See job detail at: dacaspecialty services.com/careers.

To apply, mail resume to 6550 McDonough Dr., Norcross, GA 30093.

AUTOMOTIVE

Family Owned and Operated Auto Dealership in Lawrenceville and Gainesville

Come Grow with Our Team

• Service Advisor • Service Technician • Collision Estimator • Collision Technician • Warehouse Help GOOD BENEFITS • Health Insurance • Dental • Vision • AFLAC Call Ted Hayes at Hayes Chrysler Dodge Jeep 770-963-5251 for an appointment.

Landscape Laborer Temporary, full-time 4/1/18-11/16/18. 30 jobs w/Unlimited Landscaping & Turf Management, Buford, GA & job sites in Cobb, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett & Hall cntys.

Use hand/power tools/ equip. Lay sod, mow, trim, plant, water, fertilize, dig, & rake. Entry lvl/req’s suprvsn. No exp req’d/will train. Lift/ carry 50 lbs, when nec.

Sat work req’d, when nec. Post-accident drug test req’d. 40 hr/wk 6:30AM-3:30PM M-F. Wage is no less than $13.83/hr (OT varies @ $20.75/hr). Trans. (incl. meals &, as nec, lodging) to place of employ provided or pd to wkrs residing outside normal commute dist. by completion of 50% of job period. Return trans. provided or pd to same wkrs if wkr completes job period or is dismissed early.

Wkrs are guaranteed offer of 3/4 of work hrs each 12-wk period.

Tools, supplies, equip, uniform & daily trans. to/ from wksite from central loc provided at no cost.

Potential deduct for advances, reasonable cost of lodging and/or vol. health ins may apply. Emplr may assist to secure wkr-pd lodging if needed. Emplr provides incidental trans. btw job sites. Interview req’d.

Fax resume to (770) 271-7853 or apply at: Career Center, 2756 Atlanta Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30504, (706) 5355484. JO#1894296530.

jasgari@ trusstech.com or www.trusstech. com

DRIVER CLASS A CDL DRIVER NEEDED. Monday through Friday, 2nd shift 3pm - midnight.

Great Pay!!!

Call 770-965-1790.

COMPUTER/IT: NCR Corporation seeks f/t Oracle SOA Analyst in Duluth, GA to develop & implement technical procedures, standards & security for Oracle SOA Suite. Up to 5% domestic travel req’d.

Telecommuting benefit available. Send resume: Viktorija.Stevanovic@ ncr.com, ref req: Oracle SOA Analyst GCP -2017_15.

CONSTRUCTION

PROJECT

The successful candidate will be required to have the following: Hardscape experience (pavers, concrete, etc. .)

Strong project management skills Ability to drive company pick-up truck and haul equipment.

Experience using equipment (mini-ex, skid steers, lulls, etc...).

Computer literate with experience in MS products (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc...); ability to learn and navigate new software.

Comprehension and understanding of deciphering architectural and blueprint drawings..

Ability to manage multiple contracts concurrently with each potentially having different clients, vendors and subcontractors.

Ability to travel 30% of time (overnight stays required).

Valid driver’s license with clear driving record.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Email resume to: masonryhr1@gmail. com

CALL LARRY, 678-614-1230 HOME REPAIR/ REMODELING

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

SMITH GRADING COMPANY SPECIALTY IN HOME SITES AND CLEARING NEED WORK Free Estimates

POWER WASHING

PRESSURE WASHING

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

4433 BEAVER TREE STREET

2 STORY On Full Finished Basement.

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

404.886.3587 Established 1989

Oak Delivered & Dumped

FOREST REMODELING, INC.

LICENSED

•Finished Basements •Bathroom Remodeling •Kitchen Remodeling •Custom Cabinets •Room Additions •Garages/Carports •Screened Porches •Custom Decks •Siding All Types

770-932-1751 Cell 770-313-5751

Call John

770-962-2071 Credit Cards Accepted FARMS, LOTS & ACREAGE FOR SALE LOGANVILLE, GA 30052 ETCHISON RD

MAKE OFFER! Beautiful 2.68 Acre Wooded Tract of Land.

200 feet of road frontage.

Not divisible.

Per planning and development mobile homes are permitted.

No metal type storage container structures are not permitted on parcel. $65,000 Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com MONROE, GA 30656 JIM DAWS RD

LAKE/RIVER/COASTAL PROPERTY FOR SALE

VEHICLES

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

Approximately 120 ft water frontage.

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

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

Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

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

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

DODGE WORK VAN, RAM 2500, 1995, 1 owner, like new, custom cabinets, loaded, V8, AC, heat, customized seats. $1995. 770-616-7399

LOGANVILLE, GA 30052 4665 ATLANTA HWY

COMMERCIAL SPACE 4665 Suite 100 & 800

APTS/DUP/CONDOS/ T’HOMES FOR RENT ACREAGE PRICE REDUCTION! Great 32.53+/- acre tract zoned A2, perfect for livestock, farming, hunting, or build your dream home.

Property has a 20 foot easement for access.

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

COMMERCIAL RENTALS

EATONTON, GA 31024 210 RIVER LAKE DR.

SUITE 100 1,319 Sq. Ft. $1648 per month & $492 per month CAM SUITE 800 1,479 Sq. Ft. $2300 per month $548 per month CAM

GWINNETT DUPLEXES

Both end units and have GREAT visibility on busy Hwy 78 in Loganville, GA

2 Communities!

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

Starting @ $950/mo.

B.C. PROPERTIES 770-446-1550 770-995-8828

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

MOBILE HOMES & LOTS FOR RENT

REFRIGERATOR:

FRIGIDAIRE GALLERY 26 Cu. Ft., Side-By-Side, Almond, Ice Maker, $325.00.

Call 770-483-4771

ROOMMATE WANTED /ROOM FOR RENT GWINNETT, LAWRENCEVILLE:

HOUSEMATE-Prvt entry, XL rm & closet, micro kit, lounge/dining area. $430 mo. 678-6898821/ 678-848-8872

FIREWOOD

FIREWOOD Seasoned Oak & Hickory.

Delivery or Pick Up. Call For Prices.

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

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

Warranty on motor/trans. $7550.

CALL NOW! 678-322-9302

770-962-8744

GWINNETT CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING DEADLINES

LINERS

MONROE, GA 30656

1155 Jim Daws Rd. SNELLVILLE, GA 30078 BIRD LANE

ACREAGE Older 4 Sided Brick Ranch Home On Wooded 39+ Acre Parcel.

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

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

CALL OR TEXT

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

APPLIANCES

LOGANVILLE, GA 30052

For a FREE Estimate

Summer Seasoned

BARROW-AUBURN 1-2-3 BEDROOMS IN MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY. Rent Starting at $100/ week. Large Lots.

770-513-3151 HOUSES FOR SALE

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

Bucket Truck

678-654-8329

MONROE, GA FORRESTER CEMETERY ROAD

MANAGER Contractor specializing in masonry and hardscapes has an opening for motivated Project Manager with at least 2 years’ experience.

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

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

CLEARING/GRADING /EXCAVATION

LOGISTICS MANAGER Truss Systems Co. in Buford GA. seeks Logistics Manager for customers in Caribbean, Central & South American regions.

Responsibilities: • Plan, direct, co-ordinate sales and shipment of pre-engineered roof structures • Calculate export costs.

• To become familiar with policies, rules, procedures, laws governing imports in selected countries.

• Knowledge of export trade, must negotiate with brokers and shippers.

• Book shipments, issue invoices, packing list.

• Tramite Phytosanitary Certificates and other pre-requisites for export Must have: • 3 years experience in international trade, warehousing, customs and shipping.

• Degree in Foreign Commerce preferred.

• Knowledge in Construction Engineering preferred.

• To travel locally and internationally.

• Spanish preferred.

Respond to HR Director:

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

SERVICES

PUBLICATION DAY

DEADLINE

Wednesday Friday Sunday

Monday 3 pm Thursday 3 pm Friday 11:30 am

DISPLAY ADS BROOKWOOD SCHOOLS 1.03 Acre Wooded Zoned RS180.

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

No disclosure.

Owner purchased as investment property.

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

PUBLICATION DAY

DEADLINE

Wednesday Friday Sunday

Friday 3 pm Tuesday 3 pm Wednesday 3 pm

To place a Classified ad please call 524852-1

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • B7

770-236-9988

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

8B • Friday, January 12, 2018

gwinnettdailypost.com

Monday-Saturday 9-8 • Closed Sundays

we Gwinnett Daily Post

weekend entertainment FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2018

Gwinnett grad shines as Nala in ‘Lion King’

QUEEN

— Page 4C

OF THE

10 spot

STAGE

the

On Monday, we mark the life of a legendary civil rights leader. Here are 10 thought-provoking films to watch on Martin Luther King Jr. Day according to Reader’s Digest:

1. “Selma” (2014) 2. “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (2013) 3. “The Long Walk Home” (1990) 4. “Mississippi Burning” (1988) 5. “The Help” (2011)

6. “Four Little Girls” (1997) 7. “The Black Power Mix Tape” (1967-75) 8. “Ghosts of Mississippi” (1996) 9. “The Rosa Parks Story” (2002) 10. “Ruby Bridges” (1998)

FUR-RAISING a look ahead ADVENTURES Paddington is back for more hijinks Page 8C

the dish Noona offers raw bar Page 2C

Jan. 20 Atlanta Model Train and Railroadiana Show and Sale — Over 350 tables representing dealers from all over the nation will have model items in all gauges and Railroad Antiques for sale at the Infinite Energy Center. Event starts at 9 a.m. Cost is $12. Children under 12 are free.

Children’s Author Carmen Agra Deedy and Musician John 4th Mc-Annual Sunday, Feb Cutcheon — Deedy and McCutcheon will appear onstage together at North Georgia Kids Read Register at 4 no p.m. at the Christ the King Lutheran Early regist Church Fellowship Hall, 5575After Dec 3 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Race day - $ Corners. For more information, visit www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-9785154.

Elizabeth Cook — The country singer comes to Eddie Owens Presents in Duluth for an 8 p.m. show.

Tickets are $22. For more information, go to www.eddieowenspresents.com.

Sunday, February 11

suwanee gateway half marathon 524653-2

SaVe! reGISTer earLy aT SuwaneeHaLF.com

Before December 31 $50 After January 1 $60 Race day $70

SUWANEE.COM

2C • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

gwinnettdailypost.com

dining

dish the

Noona

3550 W. Lawrenceville St. Suite 310, Duluth www.noonaduluth.com 678-404-5001

Noona also serves traditional steakhouse classics, such as this steak and twice baked potato. (Staff Photos: Isabel Hughes)

BY ISABEL HUGHES

ON THE MENU

isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

Owners: Michael Lo and George Yu Open Since: Dec. 29 Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Oyster Happy Hour is 4 to 6 p.m. daily Location: In Parsons Alley, located in historic downtown Duluth.

Atmosphere: Even before entering the restaurant, patrons catch a whiff of Noona’s wood-burning hearth, a smoky aroma hanging in the air in Parsons Alley.

While the nine-foot stove, the centerpiece of the restaurant’s openconcept kitchen, stands impressively in the back right corner of the room, it is only half of Noona’s appeal: The other draw is a raw seafood bar carefully arranged next to the kitchen.

The eatery, a Korean steakhouse and oyster bar, combines old and new, raw and cooked, and sea and land to give it its flavor.

“We wanted it to be like a neighborhood steakhouse, but the beautiful thing about historic downtown Duluth is that it is historic and what drew us to the project is that the city and the developer and the downtown are doing historic preservation and reclaimed use,” Michael Lo said. “The developer has a history of doing adaptive reuse, and basic things like maintaining the old church wall was (important.)”

The wall, which has stood in downtown since the late 1800s, towers on the left side of the restaurant, a stone backdrop for the room’s otherwise modern feel.

Originally a church, the building has been used

Oysters: Chunu — Smith Island Bay, Va.; Bass Master — Cape Cod, Ma.; Beausoleil — New Brunswick, Canada, $1.90-$2.30 Poke: market salmon, yuzu ponzu, salmon chip, shisho and sesame, $14 Dry-aged bone-in New York strip: 18 ounces, $55

as Duluth’s City Hall, its police station and even a consignment store, Lo said, making it a key part of the city’s history.

“We were able to preserve that and use it for our interior wall,” he said. “Everything was built around two main things: one was the wall being the backdrop of the whole dining room and then we definitely wanted an aesthetically modern place but with a lot of old-world cooking and techniques, so thus the hearth. The hearth is the centerpiece of the kitchen; we don’t have gas in the kitchen, so everything is cooked on the hearth.”

Laughing, Lo said the pile of firewood stacked neatly at the front of the room isn’t for show.

“The overall restaurant concept is a traditional American steakhouse but with Korean nuances,” he said. “Korea is a peninsula and the northern half is pretty much all forest, which is why Koreans have this love affair with Korean barbecue and wood-fired things. The bottom half of Korea is essentially the main part of the peninsula, so it’s all seashore and surrounded by ocean on all sides with islands and everything.

They eat tons of oysters, mussels, shellfish and raw fish, so Koreans have as much of a culture of raw fish as Japanese do, it’s

just Korean ‘sushi’ is less (well known.)”

Though Noona serves traditional American steakhouse items — filets, strips, bone-in New York strips, ribeyes and porterhouses — the eatery’s bright colors differ it from the often dark, leather-clad and cigar smoke-filled steakhouses of the U.S. “We wanted it to have an almost feminine feel,” Lo said. “The restaurant is called Noona, which means big sister in Korea, but is also a term of endearment — something you would call any person that is an older female in your life. Both my business partner and I have big sisters, so this was kind of a homage to them, but the

NOW OPEN

other back story is we’re both Chinese-American and both our wives are Korean-American, so the name of our restaurant group is actually called Korean Wives Hospitality Group because we met through our wives.

The restaurant is kind of a homage to all the women in our lives — our Korean wives, our mothers who taught us how to cook and our big sisters.”

Added Lo: “Because of the name of that, we really wanted it to have this more sensible, feminine aesthetic as opposed to a traditional steakhouse that is leathery and manly and dark.”

Menu: Noona’s menu, in addition to having

can get.”

What makes the experience unique, however, are the the Korean sauces and sides.

“The sauce for your steak could be a Gochujang butter, which is a Korean spicy chili butter, or a shiso, which is a Korean herb butter, and things of that nature,” Lo said. “Our sides really highlight the Korean side of it; we have kimchi fried rice, cheesy corn, kimchi-collard greens — a lot of things that scream Korea. There’s lots of great Korean food in Duluth and in Gwinnett in general, so we definitely didn’t want to re-create that. What we wanted was to have a local oyster bar and steakhouse but also Above, Noona, a steakhouse with that Korean influence and oyster and Korean flair that would bar, opened be a very easy introduction Dec. 29. Left, for most of our customer the poke base that isn’t Korean.” appetizer Something you might is made of not know: In Korea, maret salmon, Haenyo — or “mermaids yuzu ponzu, salmon chip, of the sea” — are wellshisho — a known, older women who Korean herb free dive off the coast of butter — and Jeju Island, the largest sesame. island off the coast of the Korean peninsula.

“They’ve been doing American classics, is this for three generations,” peppered with Korean influences, from sauces to Lo said. “What (started it) was in WWII, the Japanese butters to vegetables and occupied Korea, and they sides. put a tax on male income, “The hallmark of our so the men couldn’t go to menu is essentially the work — it was a way to raw bar, which allows us suffocate the economy. to showcase the raw fish, the oysters, the clams and What the Korean people figured out is the women things like that,” Lo said. could go to work, so the “Then the hearth — the women all became a lot wood-burning nature of that — includes steaks and of the fishermen and the divers and have been dothe roasting of vegetables and the roasting of chicken ing so since the 1950s.

They’re called the Haenyo and pork. We want the and their nicknames are menu to offer somebody basically mermaids of the looking for a traditional sea and thus the mermaid steakhouse experience to get that without trying very is our logo, as a tribute to hard, so we have the strips, those women. Also, note the porterhouses, potatoes, that she is holding a flame, so it’s like the mermaid broccoli, beef tartare — meets the fire.” any of those things you

20% OFF YOUR CHECK

Sunday thru Thursday Dine-In Only

Lunch or Dinner

Not to be combined with any other offer.

Good through January 31, 2018.

e rat Celeb Your thdusay Birwith

Get a free meal with the value of less than $12.00 Official Photo ID Required

Same shopping center with Belk and Kohl’s 2059 SCENIC HIGHWAY - Suite #117 - SNELLVILLE

Sun - Sat 10 a.m. -10 p.m.

678-647-8888

Location & Hours Sun - Thurs: 11 am - 10 pm Fri - Sat: 11 am - 10:30 pm

3170 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Suite 195, Duluth, GA 30087

(770) 232-9848

armandoscariberestaurant.com

524637-1

526791-1

Opening Hours:

Friday, January 12, 2018 • 3C

gwinnettdailypost.com

arts&entertainment

Love & Loss in ALAbAmA

Aurora brings Cefaly’s ‘Maytag Virign’ to the stage

By Jon Gallo

Staff Correspondent

Lizzy Nash and Jack Key need one another, even if they don’t realize it.

Lizzy’s alone after the death of her husband when Jack, who’s also grieving the loss of his spouse, moves next door to start a new life in rural Alabama.

The two certainly have their differences, as Lizzy believes clothes should be dried on a line, while Jack chooses to throw them in the dryer he’s installed on his porch.

Lizzy’s never used a dryer, so she’s truly a “Maytag Virgin,” which is the title of Audrey Cefaly’s story that will take the stage at the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville through Feb. 11.

The two-act, nearly two-hour show directed by Melissa Foulger explores the themes of love, death and the pursuit of happiness through the eyes of two neighbors looking to get on with their lives after losing loved ones.

Lizzy (played by Suzi Bass award nominee Courtney Patterson) and Jack (Brad Brinkley) have very little in common except that their dealing with tragedy, which serves as their bond. Still, this isn’t a match made in heaven, at

IF YOU GO What: “Maytag Virgin” Where: Aurora Theatre, Lawrenceville When: Through Feb. 11 Showtimes: 8 p.m.

Tuesdays through Saturdays, 2:30 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays Tickets: $20-$55 and can be purchased at auroratheatre.org Note: There is a 10 a.m. performance Jan. 23, with tickets starting at $16.

least at first. Lizzy, who’s taking a break as a teacher in the wake of her husband’s death, is prim and proper, while Jack is quite the odd ball.

“Part of what makes ‘Maytag Virgin’ such a great production is its relatability and raw emotion,” Foulger said. “The show connects with audiences because it keeps them cracking up. It balances between approaching sad situations in an uplifting way while it allows audiences to see the good and feel the humor. I’m sure it will resonate with everyone who has ever experienced love and loss on the rollercoaster of romance.”

But since Lizzy and Jack are neighbors, they can’t avoid each other, especially in rural Alabama, which will never be mistaken for

a dating hotbed.

“It’s a story about two people who experience loss and find love and the balance in life,” Foulger said. “We casted Courtney first, and when we saw the chemistry she had right away with Brad, we knew they were the perfect match and the audience was going to fall in love with them.”

“Maytag Virgin” opens the year at the Aurora Theatre, where expectations couldn’t be higher after the Lawrenceville venue won 10 Suzi Bass Awards, which are Atlanta’s equivalent to the Tony Awards, in November.

The Aurora Theatre’s biggest winner was “The Bridges of Madison County,” which took home seven awards — more than any other theater won for their productions combined.

The Aurora Theatre’s rendition earned Suzi Bass Awards for Kevin Frazier (Outstanding Lighting Design Musical), Daniel Pope (Outstanding Sound Design Musical), Kristin Markiton (Outstanding Lead Female in a Musical), Travis Smith (Outstanding Lead Male in a Musical), Justin Anderson (Outstanding Direction of a Musical), Ann-Carol Pence (Outstanding Musical Direction) and the show won for Outstanding Production

Royal Dance Academy anticipates eventful year Art Beat

Gwinnett County is commemorating its bicentennial year in 2018 by honoring our shared history, recognizing the people who make our community great, highlighting the vision for our promising future, and holding events to bring residents together.

UPCOMING GWINNETT 200 EVENTS MLK Day of Service Workday Celebration Monday, January 15 • 9:00am – noon 550 Rock Springs Road, Lawrenceville Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by joining in the National Day of Service. Make an impact in your community by helping clean up Rock Springs Park. Bring gloves, a water bottle, and sturdy shoes. Visit www.VolunteerGwinnett.net to register.

Holley Calmes January will find Suwanee’s Royal Dance Academy a very busy place. Dancers are preparing for the annual Youth American Grand Prix Competition and looking forward to a special Master Class conducted by a very prestigious, internationally known teacher.

The Royal Dance Academy is located at 105 Satellite Blvd., Suite B, in Suwanee. The school has sent many beautifully trained dancers out into the world for approximately a decade. This is due in large part to the Royal Academy of Dance training system, taught by Sarah HaslockJohnson.

Another reason is the scheduling of master teachers from all over the world who come to the academy to give further instruction at special teaching events. Instructors from such renowned dance programs as Julliard, American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey, Washington Ballet and Houston Ballet have guested there as ballet teachers.

One of those events happens Jan. 13. Christopher Hird of the Sarasota Ballet will conduct a Master Class from noon to 2 p.m.

Hird is the Director of Education and Principal of The Margaret Barbieri Conservatory. The class is open to dance students ages 12 and up with pre-pointe and pointe experience.

The fee for taking the class is $20. Hird will teach and also observe students for placement and scholarship opportunities for Sarasota Ballet’s sum-

of a Musical.

Valerie Payton was nominated for Outstanding Featured Female Actor in a Musical for her work in “The Bridges of Madison County,” while Rob Cleveland and Matt Lewis were nominated for Outstanding Featured Male Actor in a Musical for their roles in the performance. Julie Allardice Ray was nominated for Outstanding Scenic Design in a Musical for her contribution to the show.

The Aurora Theatre won Suzi Bass Awards for Outstanding Theatre for Young Audiences Design Team and for Outstanding Theatre for Young Audiences Production for “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.”

The Aurora Theatre also claimed the Suzi Bass Award for Outstanding Courtney Patterson plays Lizzy and Brand Brinkley plays World Premier for “Singles Jack in the “Maytag Virgin,” which will play at the Aurora Theatre through Feb. 11. (Photo: Chris Bartelski) in Agriculture.”

Royal Dance Academy student Kalliyan Johnson will compete in the 2018 Atlanta Youth America Grand Prix Competition.

(Special Photo)

mer program. For more information and to register, call 678-926-3373.

January in Atlanta also offers dancers the opportunity to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix.

This highly prominent international event has become a way for dancers ages 9 to 19 to gain recognition and scholarships.

It is a breeding ground for the next generation of professional ballet and contemporary dancers.

Placing in the top 12 in several age and discipline categories assures dancers of a stepping stone to their dreams.

The Royal Dance Academy has had a student recognized in the top 12 at every regional YAGP competition for the past 8 consecutive years.

Tamon Uruno, 16, will compete again this year, having placed second last year in the senior men’s division which earned him an offer to live and study at the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow.

Kalliyan Johnson, 13, has finished in the top three for the last two years, winning numerous scholarships to such schools as the Royal Ballet in London.

“Events such as YAGP provide me with the opportunity to push myself to new levels while measuring my own personal growth over the year,” she said.

Other Royal Dance Academy competitors include Natalie Bumgarner, 10, who will be experiencing her first YAGP. Two other first-time participants are April Hattori, 12, and Oliver Keane, 11.

Royal Dance Academy students under the direction of Haslock- Johnson have earned over $500,000 in scholarships and are routinely accepted into training programs at American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Gelsey Kirkland, Julliard, Kirov Academy, Ellison, Alvin Ailey, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Orlando Ballet and North Carolina School of the Arts, among others.

For more information about The Royal Dance Academy’s programming, visit www.goroyaldance. com.

Holley Calmes is a freelance writer and public relations consultant specializing in the arts. Email her at hcalmes@mindspring.com.

Honoring the Past and Empowering the Future – 2018 MLK Parade Monday, January 15 • 12:00pm – 1:00pm Parade route: Fallen Heroes Memorial to Moore Middle School 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville to 1221 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville The 18th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade begins at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center’s Fallen Heroes Memorial at noon. After the parade, the celebration will continue at Moore Middle School with performances, vendors, and a display of artwork created by students.

1-18-18: Two Become One Mass Wedding Ceremony and Reception Thursday, January 18 • 1:18pm Gwinnett Historic Courthouse • 185 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville Ceremony: Free • Reception: $15 per guest At exactly 1:18pm on 1-18-18, a free mass wedding ceremony will take place in the original courtroom to honor the County’s creation in 1818. Each couple may bring six guests to watch the ceremony unfold, followed by an optional reception in the Superior Court Ballroom. To participate, couples must already have a marriage license. Preregister for the ceremony and reception by Tuesday, January 16 by calling 770.822.5450.

Senior Trip: Bicentennial Bus Tour Wednesday, January 24 • 7:45am – 5:00pm Pickup at Rhodes Jordan Park Community Recreation Center 100 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville Admission: $36 Learn Gwinnett County’s past and present by visiting historic sites around the county, including the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, Lawrenceville Female Seminary and Isaac Adair House, McDaniel Farm Park, and more! The tour provides time for lunch and shopping on your own in historic downtown Norcross. Preregister at www.GwinnettParks.com by January 15.

Night @ the Museum Friday, January 26 • 5:00pm – 9:00pm Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center • 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford Admission: $8 Do you ever wonder what happens at the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center after hours? Join us for a special festival to see how our exhibits come to life after dark. Preregister at www.GwinnettEHC.com.

Uniformed Ball Saturday, January 27 • 6:30pm – 9:30pm Gwinnett Historic Courthouse • 185 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville Admission: $40 per person or $75 per couple All current and former military, police, firefighters, and persons from any other occupation who wear a uniform are invited to attend the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse’s first-ever Uniformed Ball. The evening will begin with light appetizers in the Gallery Hall, followed by a catered dinner, live entertainment, and dancing in the Superior Court Ballroom. Preregister by Friday, January 19 at www.GwinnettParks.com.

Visit www.Gwinnett200.com for a full listing of bicentennial events, photo gallery, historic site locator, and ways you can participate in the celebration!

4C • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

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PRIDE IN PERFORMING

Nia Holloway, far right, was a member of the Norcross High state champion girls basketball team in 2013. (Photos: Deen van Meer)

Former Norcross Blue Devil heating up stage as Nala in ‘Lion King’

BY JON GALLO

Staff Correspondent

Whether it’s been performing at Harlem’s historic Apollo Theatre, on the TV singing competition “Majors and Minors” on The Hub network or helping lead the Norcross girls basketball team to a state title, Nia Holloway has never shied away from the spotlight.

“Everything I’ve done has led me to this,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to perform in front of big crowds, whether it’s on the basketball court or on the stage.”

Five years after teaming with Shayla Cooper, who was drafted in the second round by the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun this past spring, and Diamond DeShields, a projected top WNBA pick this year, on Norcross’ Class AAAAAA 2013 state title-winning team, Holloway still has audiences watching her every move.

For the past four years, Holloway has played the lioness princess Nala in the national tour of “The Lion King,” a Broadway musical based on the 1994 animated Disney film that took home nearly $970 million at the worldwide box office.

But the story of King Mufasa, his son, Simba, mandrill Rafiki, meerkat Timon, warthog Pumbaa and the evil lion Scar really took off when it moved from the silver screen to the stage and opened at Disney’s Times Square showplace, the New Amsterdam Theatre, on Nov. 13, 1997. It became an instant hit and won six Tony Awards in 1988 — Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical.

“The Lion King” has gone on to become the highest-grossing film or Broadway show of all time, as its Broadway, touring and international productions surpassed $6.2 billion in 2014, knocking “The Phantom of the Opera” from the top spot. “‘The Lion King’ always has had such a special place in my life, and I remember watching it on VHS tape,” Holloway said. “I’ve seen it at least 200 times and

Gerald Caesar, pictured at center, plays the role of Simba.

IF YOU GO What: “The Lion King” When: Through Jan. 28 Where: Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta Shows: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m.

Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets: Start at $34 and can be purchased at FoxTheatre.org/TheLionKing, by calling 1-855-285-8499 or at the Fox Theatre Box Office

I know every word. I’ve always had to be strong to accomplish what I have and I can relate to Nala because she’s a warrior princess who is very tough, but she’s also loyal.”

Holloway, 22, will bring the story that’s known for the timeless songs “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to be King,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Hakuna Matata,” to the Fox Theatre through Jan. 28.

“It’s a universal story because you have good and evil, family, friendship and love, and everyone can relate to those themes — that’s a reason why ‘The Lion King’ has been so popular for as long as it has,” Holloway said. “But since so many people have seen it, it’s a lot of

“The Lion King” has gone on to become the highest-grossing film or Broadway show of all time, as its Broadway, touring and international productions surpassed $6.2 billion in 2014, knocking “The Phantom of the Opera” from the top spot.

pressure to be in it because everyone in the audience has such high expectations.”

The show’s North American touring productions have been seen by more than 19 million theatergoers and have stopped in more than 70 cities throughout the continent. “The Lion King,” which has been seen by more than 90 million people since its premiere more than two decades ago, has been the only show in to generate six productions worldwide running 15 or more years. It’s been performed in eight other languages — Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch,

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Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese — and has been staged in every continent except Antarctica.

Mark Campbell plays Scar, Gerald Ramsey is Mufasa, Buyi Zama plays Rafiki, Nick Cordileone is Timon, Greg Jackson plays Zazu, Ben Lipitz is Pumbaa and Gerald Caesar plays Simba.

“There is nothing in theater or Broadway like it,” Holloway said. “When you see all the cast in their animal costumes run through the crowd for ‘The Circle of Life,’ it’s like everyone in the audience is part of the story they grew up watching.”

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movies

Neeson turns into geri-action star in ‘Commuter’ The Commuter (PG-13) ★★★★ 2 out of 4 stars

what had been a great career into a legendary one, as it led to the Irishman landing starring roles in two more “Taken” films, “The ATeam,” “Unknown,” “They Grey,” “Non-Stop,” “Run All Night” and “A Walk Among The Tombstones,” among others.

They all performed between above average to good at the box office, and even when he provided his voice for the animated film “The Nut Job” a few years ago, the cartoon grossed more than $120 million at the box office. There was a time, not too long ago, where Neeson’s name meant box office success.

Now, Neeson is at a crossroads as those days are winding down — if they

BY JON GALLO

Staff Correspondent

At 65, Liam Neeson is showing no signs of slowing down with the number of movies he’s doing, but it’s time today’s greatest geriaction star should consider changing the types of roles he accepts.

It’s no longer 2009, when Neeson burst onto the scene to prove he could carry an action movie, which is exactly what he did by taking “Taken” to more than $226 million at the worldwide box office. Neeson’s role as Bryan Mills turned

Liam Neeson stars as Michael in “The Commuter.”

(Special Photo: Jay Maidment/ Lionsgate)

aren’t already over.

He’s like the former allstar who tries to play a few more years with the hope of rekindling his youth. He’s like John Smoltz pitching for the Cardinals or Tom Glavine taking the mound for the Mets when each should have hung up their spikes after leaving the Braves.

Like Glavine and Smoltz, Neeson won’t beat Father

Time; nobody does. But Neeson can tarnish his legacy if he continues trying to carry movies like “The Commuter.” It’s a film he would have elevated five or six years ago, but instead he gives a performance that leaves moviegoers scratching their heads, wondering if they’ve seen the last of a man who was once one of Hollywood’s biggest draws.

In “The Commuter,” which is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, Neeson plays Michael MacCauley, an insurance salesman who commutes by train from upstate New York into the city, day after day. But his life changes one evening on the way home, when he’s approached by the mysterious Joanna (Vera Farmiga), who offers him money if he tracks down a fellow passenger.

The offer couldn’t come at a better time for MacCauley, who has just lost his job a few months shy of retirement and is wondering how he’s going to pay his children’s college tuition. But he soon realizes Joanna’s offer comes with a price. He can’t back out because Joanna’s death threats against those he holds

dear would become a reality.

What transpires over the next 104 minutes is basically MacCauley channeling his inner Bryan Mills and trying to beat everyone up and save the day. The problem is he’s a step slower, and it shows — badly.

Neeson isn’t terrible by any means, but he’s not the Neeson who moviegoers have become accustomed to seeing, which is a problem that consistently plagues the film.

Neeson has a strong supporting cast in Sam Neill and Patrick Wilson, who play veteran policemen, and Elizabeth McGovern, who plays his wife, but Neeson is simply too old to carry the film.

(Lionsgate)

‘Phantom Thread’ bears all of Anderson’s signature flourishes Phantom Thread (R) ★★★★ 3 out of 4 stars

BY MICHAEL CLARK Movie Critic

Over the past two decades, writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson has made nine feature films, and while none have done much at the box office, he is considered by many people in the movie industry to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. He’s one of the few filmmakers ever to have the “final cut” luxury and seems to take great pride — and glee — in irritating as many people as he pleases. He marches to his own drum beat and doesn’t care a whit if you like him or not.

Although a period piece set in England, “Phantom Thread” bears all of Anderson’s signature flourishes, both good and bad. Like everything else in Anderson’s canon, “Phantom Thread” is low on plot and heavy on a character-driven narrative, with a mission to force the audience into thinking things they’d rather not and presenting humanity in a mostly unfavorable light. While some of the people that populate his stories are painted with broad strokes, most are not, and it is when Anderson is understated in his approach that he’s the most effective.

For a second time, Anderson casts Daniel DayLewis (“There Will Be

between states of euphoria, empowerment, paranoia and cruelty.

The wishbone not only between the two female co-leads but also himself, Reynolds is faced with being in the universal and time-tested position of the “be careful what you wish for” mindset. He was a man content with finding supreme satisfaction solely through his work, but when offered the opportunity to find true love, he tries to have it both ways. He can Blood”) in the lead role, low. This all changes durthan earn their keep. Cyril love Alma as long as it fits this time playing Reynolds ing a trip to the seashore stays (mostly) silent when in with his professional traWoodcock, an unlikewhen Reynolds notices the contemplating which battle jectory yet is dumfounded able and driven creative unglamorous and less-than- to pick when concerning when she doesn’t robotibusinessman whose blind graceful waitress, Alma Reynolds’ elusive and mer- cally fall into lockstep with ambition, exacting modus (Vicky Krieps). He orders curial private life coupled his preferred path. operandi and low opinion enough food for four with his slight downtick of Long established Anof those around him domi- people — and finishes all creativity. derson fans — meaning nates the story. of it — and then asks her Having been the only 99 percent of the people A fashion designer to go out that night. From woman to ever chip away who will see the film in catering to royalty and the this point on the pair are at Reynolds’ otherwise theaters on first run — will filthy rich, Woodcock is inseparable. impenetrable veneer, Alma be very pleased with how the textbook “tortured artAt first Cyril views finds herself in a place of it all pans out. They’ll be ist” — a man utterly conAlma as just another minor power she isn’t quite sure reminded of the lethal and sumed by his creations and blip in Reynolds’ string how to navigate and teeters throttling partnership of oblivious to the thoughts of conquests, but when or feelings of everyone Cyril realizes Alma will be in the world, save for his around longer than usual, sister and business partner, she makes something of an Cyril (Leslie Manville). attempt appear “warm” to A woman of immense her. This quasi-reach-out is strength and fortitude, even received and returned with Cyril walks on egg shells the same trepidation, and when in the company of both women acknowledge her brother and chooses life in the Woodcock uniher words carefully when verse has forever changed. addressing him.

In keeping with his past In an early scene includ- patterns, Anderson aping Cyril, Reynolds and proaches the second half a love interest of his on of the narrative with even her way out, we get the less attention to plot and impression this is a regular even more emphasis on occurrence and his need for character, and this is where love and human contact is the three principals more Vicky Krieps stars as Alma and Daniel Day-Lewis as Reynolds Woodcock in writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Phantom Thread.”

(Special Photo: Laurie Sparham/Focus Features)

Anderson and Day-Lewis in “There Will Be Blood” and how this film eschews — almost to the point of contempt — the very idea of a traditional and/or tidy ending.

Day-Lewis has emphatically stated that “Phantom Thread” will be his last film, a statement few if any performers have ever made with such clarity and finality. If this is indeed the case — and there’s little reason to believe it isn’t — he’s exiting on a high note.

Reynolds Woodcock isn’t Day-Lewis’ finest role, but if attempted by any other actor would be considered phenomenal and careertopping. For Day-Lewis, it ends a calling marked with subtle understatement and an overabundance of class and finesse. The craft of acting will somewhat suffer because of the early departure of this truly dedicated and unique thespian.

(Focus Features)

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movies

Telling a piece of history

Biggest misstep of ‘The Post’ is crafting modern-day parallel The Post (PG-13) ★★★★ 3 out of 4 stars

From left to right, Meryl Streep, Director Steven Spielberg, and Tom Hanks on the set of “The Post.”

(Special Photo: Niko Tavernise/ Fox)

BY MICHAEL CLARK Movie Critic

With the 1971 leaking of the Pentagon Papers, the Washington Post was immediately transformed from being a provincial, family-owned newspaper into a national one and two years later with Watergate — an internationally recognized and highly respected news outlet. “The Post” is a film that shows reporters and their bosses making decisions under immense pressure with extreme time constraints and legal considerations that could not only mean the end of their careers but also could have resulted in criminal prosecution and prison time.

Leaked by RAND corporation analyst Daniel Ellsberg (Matthew Rhys), the Pentagon Papers contained the dirty secrets of five presidential administrations of both parties propagating a war they knew could never be won, and the Washington Post (almost in tandem with the New York Times) made it public under great duress.

This was world class reporting under the direst of circumstances.

In director Stephen Spielberg’s rushed-tomarket film, Post publisher Katherine Graham (Meryl Streep) and chief editor

Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) wrangle throughout, debating freedom of the press and national security issues while acknowledging their own individual connections to powerful politicians past and present.

They shouldn’t be the main part of the story (it should have been Ellsberg and the Post reporters) but Spielberg and screenwriters Liz Hannah and Josh Singer (“Spotlight”) are attempting — without success — to connect “The Post” to the Trump administration and its contentious relationship with the Post, the New York Times and every other left-leaning news outlet in the country.

As a movie, “The Post” is very good, which, considering the caliber of talent both in front of

and behind the camera, makes it something of a net disappointment. The hotly anticipated first onscreen pairing of Hanks and Streep yields only a couple of scenes where both excel. Each fares far better when working as part of the crack supporting ensemble.

In February, Steven Spielberg was preparing to start production on another film when producer Amy Pascal — who purchased the rights in October 2016 (a month before the presidential election) — showed him the screenplay. When recently asked

by The Hollywood Reporter as to why he quickly agreed to direct the picture and put it into production immediately, Spielberg said, “When I read the

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first draft of the script, this wasn’t something that could wait three years or two years — this was a story I felt we needed to tell today. I could not believe the similarities between today and what happened with the Nixon administration against their avowed enemies, the New York Times and the Washington Post. I realized this was the only year to make this film.”

It has been more than suggested that Pascal first wanted to make “The Post” as an allegory to the presidential run of Hillary Clinton. This supposed parallel tale of Graham’s plight of surviving and ultimately triumphing in the “Boys Club” world of publishing and Clinton’s all-but-guaranteed victory as the first

female U.S. president was a perfect fit. This is a plausible enough theory, but in February when Spielberg was brought into the mix, Donald Trump was already president, so with the Clinton comparison now a nonstarter, where would the filmmakers put their spin?

The heavy drumbeat behind this movie’s release is just another attempt by the left-tilting media and the entertainment industry to discredit President Trump by any means necessary.

Richard Nixon suing the New York Times on the grounds of alleged “national security” concerns is not even close to the same thing as Donald Trump tweeting and labeling that same publication as “failing” or the bulk of information outlets he rightly

refers to as “fake news.”

The laughable strain from the left in comparing Trump to Nixon just shows how uninformed and desperate they’ve become.

If there were any group that could immediately benefit from watching “The Post,” it would be the thousands of today’s whining, delusional snowflake journalists who need constant reminding of what they’ve been hired to do: report. Do not opine or fabricate and above all leave your own politics out of it. You don’t make the news; you report it.

Also recommended is the 2003 FX cable movie “The Pentagon Papers” with James Spader as Ellsberg and “All the President’s Men” from 1976 starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman as Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein and their methodical, ethical and truthful reporting of the Watergate scandal.

That film also features the Oscar-winning performance of Jason Robards as Bradlee — one that puts the miscast Hanks’ rendering to shame. The only thing that could have made that film better would have been the inclusion of Robards’ then-wife Lauren Bacall as Graham. She was hired but it was later determined by some guys in the Boys Club that the Graham character wasn’t needed.

Oh, how wrong they were.

(Fox)

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movies

‘Hostiles’ film fans

EDITOR’S NOTE: Film Fans features local residents reviewing the movie of the week:“Hostiles.” 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: The realism in this movie is extremely well done. As the story develops, it is both involving and believable in an authentic setting telling a grim, honest story with great scenery and very effective acting as the various characters draw you into their individual roles.

Fail: The movie is a bit too long and slightly dragged out. The message, however, is very clear and effectively delivered; it is just dragged out a bit longer than necessary.

Without a doubt, this is one of Christian Bale’s best performances to date. It kept me involved with his feelings and personal turmoil from the very first scene.

Rosamund Pike also gives an outstanding performance and added a great deal of compassion to her role as the widowed prairie wife and mother.

Any fan of authentic Western movies that tell their story honestly including all of the grit and realism involved in the daily life of the period will like this film.

I put this movie on a scale with only a few others, such as “The Searchers,” “Dances with Wolves” and “The Wild Bunch.”

Some of the scenery is better seen on the big screen, but the story itself would do well in any platform, and the message would be there regardless. Worth the price of admission to enjoy the individual performances, otherwise the DVD would do just as well.

This is a captivating, involving and authentically harsh story about resentment, hatred, bravery and eventual redemption that will be one of those movies to be seen more than once. The relationship between the various characters develops so well that I was drawn into each one of them. Good acting by all, with a supporting cast including Wes Studi, an authentic Native American, who made his usual excellent contribution. Good movie, but much too violent for the kids.

Pass: Outstanding cinematography; great acting by the entire cast; a gutwrenching story line that provokes a lot of thoughts and feelings.

Fail: Nothing really. “Hostiles” is a cinematic gem that grabs you by the throat and just doesn’t let go. It’s one of the best Westerns in recent years (and perhaps EVER).

Christian Bale is superb as Capt. Joe Blocker, a U.S. Army soldier who is legendary for “taking more scalps than Sitting Bull” as America mops up the last Indian resistance during the 1890s.

Bale captures the bitterness and weariness of a soldier who’s seen way too much bloodshed for even half a lifetime, a man who has absolutely no regard for the non-human “savages” he must reluctantly take on an odyssey of several hundred miles through hostile territory.

Western fans will especially enjoy “Hostiles,” particularly those with a raw, gritty side such as the recent remakes of “True Grit” and 2007’s “3:10 to Yuma” (which also starred Christian Bale). Be aware that “Hostiles” is brutal and bloody, so it’s not for the squeamish.

Absolutely catch “Hostiles” while it’s still on the silver screen.

The cinematography alone is breathtaking, and the film is shot in a way that takes advantages of wide vistas and primitive landscapes. This is already one of the best flicks of a young 2018.

“Hostiles” is proof that Hollywood can still crank out a thoughtful, well-directed and well-acted Western drama that evokes a wide range of feelings among its viewers — just who ARE the “hostiles” in this film? Are they they Cheyenne and Comanche warriors whose land was stripped away through shady dealings?

Or are they the soldiers and settlers who brutally retaliate against these indigenous peoples and thus act out their anger in fits of rage?

Pass: The cinematography and scenery are great. They make it easier to enjoy some of the longer, dialoguedriven scenes.

Fail: For the most part, it came off as just another Western to me — especially Western that depicts the relationship (or hatred) between pioneers and the Native Americans.

As you’ve come to expect, Christian Bale was great.

It’s a Western, so fans of Westerns would enjoy this.

The scenery makes for a great theater experience, but I’d say it doesn’t matter too much either way.

“Hostiles” is a well-made drama that depicts the tension between Native Americans and those trying to take their land. It’s not a completely revisionist take on those type of Westerns, but still serves to offer a different perspective. It’s violent and gritty, but so was that period.

It’s a good, solid viewing experience.

Steve Kalberg, Lawrenceville

★★★★

Tim Weekley, Suwanee

★★★★

Jake McLaren, Athens

★★★★

COMING SOON TO OWN

DISC SPOTLIGHT MICHAEL CLARK

It 4K Ultra HD (R) Movie: ★★★★ Disc: ★★★★ Taking in close to $700M worldwide, “It” is not only the highest-grossing Stephen King adaptation ever, but also one of the finest horror movies ever made. Based on just the first half of the novel with a 135-minute running time, “It” should feel padded yet left most viewers wanting more (which they will get Sept. 6, 2019). Besting the only-OK 1990 TV mini-series in every way, Argentine director Andy Muschietti (“Mama”) and his three screenwrit-

lodge itself securely inside the darkest corners of your psyche.

Technical specs: aspect ratio: Widescreen (2.39:1/2160p), audio: English (Dolby Atmos), subtitles: English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.

Special features include: • Additional Bluray and digital copy • Three featurettes • Deleted and ers hold nothing back extended scenes and take the violence and • First edition slipcovgore as far as the R rater packaging ing will allow. “It” will (Warner Bros., $44.95)

• “Blade Runner 2049” (Jan. 16): The 35-years-later sequel finds another futuristic police detective (Ryan Gosling) questioning his existence; Harrison Ford returns. (R) • “Happy Death Day” (Jan. 16): On her birthday, a slain college student (Jessica Rothe) relives her murder again and again until she determines the killer’s identity. (PG-13) • “The Snowman” (Jan. 16): The title character provides clues as a detective (Michael Fassbender) seeks a serial killer in this version of the Jo Nesbo novel. (R) • “Goodbye Christopher Robin” (Jan. 23): Domhnall Gleeson plays “Winnie-the-Pooh” creator A.A. Milne, whose son (Will Tilston) was the real Christopher Robin. (PG) • “Ray Donovan: The Fifth Season” (Jan. 30): A round of the Showtime series that features Susan Sarandon in a major guest role also sets up the Liev Schreiber-starring drama’s forthcoming sixth year. (Not rated) • “The Deuce: The Complete First Season” (Feb. 13): James Franco plays dual roles in the HBO drama series about the birth of the pornography business in early-1970s New York.

(Not rated)

NOW SHOWING Recently reviewed films now playing in metro area theaters. Ratings are out of 4 stars.

Pitch Perfect 3 (PG-13) — 2 stars The last in the trilogy following the singing a cappella group the Barden Bellas, “Pitch Perfect 3” is a sequel that I can’t imagine a lot of people were clamoring for. Does it hit all the right notes? No. Is it still entertaining to watch? Yes. And it is entertaining enough that I think most will enjoy it.— Kristen Hansen

disconcerting results. Also starring Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan, it’s part “The Goonies,” part “Tron,” and part “The Breakfast Club” — and all escapist fun. — Khari J. Sampson

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (PG-13) — 2 1/2 stars Episode VIII of the Disneyrevived space fantasy picks up where 2015’s “The Force Awakened” left off, with the Resistance on the run from the evil First Order while new heroine Rey (Daisy Ridley) seeks training in the Force from Jedi master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). It’s Jumanji: Welcome to the a different sort of Star Wars movie, one that refuses to Jungle (PG-13) — 3 stars This Dwayne Johnson-led answer fans’ questions and subverts their expectations. sequel/reboot of the Robin Williams classic is better than You’ll either love it wildly or be wildly disappointed.— KS expected. Instead of a supernatural board game, the Coco (PG) — 4 stars young heroes are trapped in Disney/Pixar brings the a video game jungle as the Land of the Dead to life characters they selected, to

with this story surrounding Miguel, an aspiring musician, and his family on Dia de los Muertos. Set in Mexico, Miguel accidentally is transported to the Land of the Dead where he must get his family’s blessing to play music to return to the living world. Filled with beautiful animation, an authentic score and funny, clever jokes, “Coco” will entertain all generations and hopefully start a conversation about family and heritage. — Alex Tostado A Bad Moms Christmas (R) — 2 1/2 stars Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn return in this holiday-themed sequel.

This time, the trio are beset by their own mothers and the heightened expectations of the Christmas season.

Though not as good as the late summer 2016 original — it’s a bit too broad this time

— “BMC” continues to have fun with the premise. — KS Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri — 4 stars This smoldering drama works better than the super-clunky title. Frances McDormand is brilliant as a single mom who makes a bold statement to call fresh attention to her daughter’s death. What happens next, no one is ready for. At once cathartic and troubling, it’s one of the best films of the year. — KS Mudbound (R) — 3 1/2 stars Director Dee Rees and Netflix have provided a sobering look into the American south during and after World War II. With an ensemble cast that includes a wonderful Mary J. Blige in her debut, Mudbound tells the story of two families, one white land-

lords and one black tenant farmers. Both have members fighting in and returning from Europe. The two families’ stories come together to form an honest, gritty look into 1940’s Mississippi that will certainly earn Netflix an Oscar nomination. — Kyle Dawson • Justice League (PG-13) — 3 stars After four years of commercially profitable but critically panned films in its superhero stable, DC Comics’ teamup of Batman and Wonder Woman (and Superman, sort of) with newcomers Aquaman, The Flash and Cyborg is a triumph at least as good as the average Marvel Studios flick.

The story’s a little thin but it’s a definite crowdpleaser. — Michael Buckelew and Khari J. Sampson • Last Flag Flying (R) — 3 stars

Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston and Laurence Fishburne put on a master class of acting in this Richard Linklaterdirected tale of Vietnam War vets reuniting when one of their sons perishes in Iraq.

Part road trip, antiwar film and “Unforgiven” remake, it teeters between being contemplative and boring but the performances save it. — KS • Thor: Ragnarok (PG13) — 3 stars Marvel’s godly hero Thor (Chris Hemsworth) returns for a third solo outing. Tons of humor — a little too much, actually — makes “Ragnarok” great fun despite a high-stakes plot where he’s stripped of his iconic hammer and cast far away from the homeland he’s sworn to defend (this time from Hela, goddess of death played

by Cate Blanchett). Co-star Tessa Thompson nearly steals the movie. — KS

8C • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

gwinnettdailypost.com

movies

SURPRISING SEQUEL

Paddington voiced by Ben Whishaw stars in the family adventure “Paddington 2.” (Special Photo: Warner Bros.)

‘Paddington 2’ proves to be better than the original film Paddington 2 (PG) 3 out of 4 stars ★★★★

BY JON GALLO

Staff Correspondent

This much is clear: “Paddington 2” already is a winner at the box office before it opens in the U.S. today. But what remains to be seen is how big of a winner the bear will be when the sequel to 2014’s “Paddington” ends its run in America in a few weeks.

“Paddington 2” has already earned more than $95 million overseas according to Forbes, putting it on track to surpass the $268 million its predecessor earned three years ago. If it does, this will be clearer than ever: There

will certainly be a “Paddington 3,” in a few years, and if it’s as good as the franchise’s second film, the bear will live on for eternity.

The first “Paddington” was good, nothing really special. But everything that made “Paddington” good has been elevated, making the sequel better than the original, which doesn’t happen very often.

Director Paul King chose the right story to position all the characters to shine. Paddington (voiced

by Ben Whishaw) has his sights set on buying a very expensive, unique pop-up book as a gift for Aunt Lucy’s (voiced by Imelda Staunton) 100th birthday. But before he can get his paws on it, Phoenix Buchanan — played extremely well by

stealing the book. While behind bars, he brings light to a dark place and earns the respect of the convicts after they realize he shouldn’t be there.

Paddington’s bond with Knuckles McGinty (Brendan Gleeson), the prison cook who knows a thing or two about cracking a safe, carries much of the film. It’s easy to cheer for Paddington and his fellow convicts who help him break out of prison so he can bring the sinister Buchanan to justice.

On the outside, Paddington’s interactions with Mr. Brown (Hugh Bonneville) and Mrs. Bird (Julie Walters) provide witty dialogue that kids and adults will enjoy as the couple fights to clear to Paddington’s name.

“Paddington 2” is

Paddington finds himself in prison in “Paddington 2.”

Hugh Grant, whose career received a much-needed boost — steals it and frames Paddington for the crime.

Now Paddington must fight to clear his name — a

journey that takes him on police chases, prison and of course, his fair share of marmalade sandwiches.

The 95-minute movie is at its best when he’s wrongly sent to prison for

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entering U.S. theaters at an extremely competitive time, which may hurt it at the box office. “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” which stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, just overtook “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” atop the box office and has made about $245 million, making it 2017’s ninth-most successful film, just ahead of “Justice League” ($227 million).

The $245 million already ranks second in Johnson’s career, trailing only the $353 million “Furious 7” made domestically. “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” also has already cleared more than $500 million at the worldwide box office and hasn’t even opened in Japan yet and just opened in China this week.

(Warner Bros.)