Gwinnett Daily Post — January 25, 2015

SAVING MAN’S BEST FRIEND, 1C

Nonprofit works to rescue, rehab Great Pyrenees

Gwinnett Daily Post SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

www.gwinnettdailypost.com $2.00 ©2015 SCNI

Vol. 45, No. 76

Gwinnett Church moves to new home

By Steve Burns Staff Correspondent

A large Gwinnett faith-based organization with ties to one of the largest church groups in the U.S. is ready to move into its permanent home today.

Gwinnett Church will go into its new facility on a 50-acre tract in Sugar Hill, with services at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. It has been developing the site on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard since 2013. The land cost an estimated $8.7 million. For the past three years, the church has been meeting at the Arena at Gwinnett Center, and lately Cross Pointe Church in Duluth.

And its multimedia touch is evident by the large #FORGWINNETT sign along the road at Peachtree Industrial.

“In terms of reaching young families Fannie Golden drags a used Christmas tree to the chipper during the Bring One for the Chipper event hosted by Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful at Bethesda Park on Saturday in Lawrenceville.

See CHURCH, Page 9A

Dozens participate in Bring One for the Chipper

Gwinnett Church, an offshoot of Alpharetta-based North Point Ministries, will open today in Sugar Hill. (Special Photo)

Chipping away

By Keith Farner

keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com

LAWRENCEVILLE — Charlene Nnaife arrived at Bethesda Park bundled up and ready to help. And she had a plan to deal with the raw

Peachtree Ridge High. “Give each other hugs.”

Visit gwinnettdailypost.com for Nnaife came to help with a photo gallery and video. the 31st annual Bring One for temperatures Saturday morning the Chipper event with felthat were in the mid- to high 30s low Peachtree Ridge senior with 15 mph winds.

Jamila Dyer, and they did it to “We move around a little bit, collect three service hours as dance,” said Nnaife, a senior at part of their commitment to MORE ONLINE

the school’s Beta Club. It was the third year Nnaife and Dyer have participated, and they were among the 75 to 100 volunteers who helped recycle donated Christmas trees to be spread as mulch around Gwinnett parks.

See CHIPPER, Page 9A

Grimes a finalist for top award

By Keith Farner keith.farner@gwinnettdailypost.com

A Gwinnett high school principal who has been known for developing the academy model and fostering a relationship with the nearby business community is up for a statewide award.

Central Gwinnett High Principal Maryanne Grimes this week was named a finalist for the Georgia Principal Maryanne of the Year award by Grimes the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals. There are three high school and three middle school principals named finalists.

The other finalists are Gene Starr of Appling County High, Kevin Smith of Jefferson High, Brian Suits of Dalton Middle, Dwight Manzy of Coile Middle

Above, Scott Freeze helps push used Christmas trees into the chipper during the Bring One for the Chipper event hosted by Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful at Bethesda Park on Saturday in Lawrenceville. Right, chips of used Christmas trees fly out of the chipper during the Bring One for the Chipper event. (Staff Photos: David Welker)

See PRINCIPAL, Page 9A

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INSIDE Classified........6B

Crossword......7B

Lottery............ 4A

Perspective.....6A

Comics............7A

Horoscope......4A

Nation............ 5A

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

Community.....1C

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

Obituaries.......8A

Weather..........4A

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2A • SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

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GGC police seek man who exposed himself to students

By Tyler Estep

“As (the female) approached the car she observed he was fondling his exposed genitals,” Schneider LAWRENCEVILLE — wrote in the alert.

Georgia Gwinnett College The second incident officials are urging students happened shortly thereafto be extra vigilant after a ter in a parking lot outside pair of indecent exposure in- GGC’s A building. This cidents on campus Thursday. time, the perpetrator asked In an email alert sent a female student for directo students Friday aftertions to Walmart before she noon, GGC Police Chief approached his vehicle and Terry Schneider detailed made the same startling the incidents, both which discovery. occurred in campus parking Both victims called camlots between 1 and 1:30 p.m. pus police, but the suspect Thursday. In the first, a fewas nowhere to be found. male student was walking to Schneider said the her car in the Lawrenceville encounters were “the first school’s “L gravel parking ones” of their kind to occur lot” when “a male subject on GGC’s campus. sitting in a car asked her for “We’re increasing the directions to Sugarloaf Mills patrols in the area,” SchneiMall.” der told the Daily Post, “and we’ve asked to officers to be more vigilant in the parking

tyler.estep @gwinnettdailypost.com

lots.”

The suspect is described as a dark-skinned male between 18 and 25 years old with a medium build, short hair and dark clothing.

He was reportedly driving a gray or tan four-door sedan.

Anyone who witnessed the incidents, has information about the suspect or sees other suspicious activity is asked to contact the GGC Office of Public Safety at 678-407-5333.

Schneider said his department has also shared information about Thursday’s events with the Lawrenceville and Gwinnett County police departments.

He declined to speculate if the suspect was a student at the school.

“When we catch him I’ll let you know,” the police chief said.

Schools to reward teacher attendance

By Keith Farner

school with the highest overall teacher attendance rate will be awarded the Superintendent’s Cup. Gwinnett County Schools The school district this has rolled out two new month also changed a policy policies designed to reward regarding requirements for teacher attendance and substitute teachers. upgrade its requirements for Sid Camp, executive substitute teachers. director of human resources Associate Superintendent staffing, said the school Frances Davis on Thursday district reverted to its pre2010 policy where substitute told the Gwinnett County teachers were required to Board of Education that have 60 credit hours or the new Human Resources two years completed from objective is to recognize an accredited college or teachers with perfect attendance each school year, and university.

Because of the recesto recognize schools with the sion, the school district was highest teacher attendance flooded with applicants, rate each school year. and therefore in 2010 said Teachers with perfect atsubstitute teachers must have tendance would be recoga four-year degree. As the nized during the June BOE meeting, and trophies would economy has improved, the applicant pool has shrunk, be awarded to the elementary, middle and high school and this policy changed is designed to attract more apwith the highest teacher plicants, Camp said. attendance rate. The GCPS

keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com

Ga.-PCOM to go tobacco-free Feb. 1

By Keith Farner

date was chosen to coincide with the start of National Heart Month. Smoking sigAnother college in Geornificantly increases the risk gia is becoming smoke free. of coronary heart disease, The Georgia Campus of atherosclerosis and periphthe Philadelphia College eral arterial disease. The of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia campus will impleannounced this week that ment smoke-free signage to beginning Feb. 1, it would help enforce the rule.

This announcement comes become tobacco-free. The about 11 months after the new policy bans smokBoard of Regents of the Uniing and smokeless tobacco versity System of Georgia products completely on adopted its own tobacco-free all PCOM properties. The policy includes cigarettes, ci- policy, which went into effect gars, pipes and products such on Oct. 1.

PCOM officials have also as chewing tobacco, dip, snuff and electronic smoking encouraged its community to participate in smoking cessadevices. tion and wellness programs.

School officials said the

keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com

20,000 Square Feet of Great Finds for Your Home.

Gwinnett County

Furniture Household Goods Appliances Lighting Cabinets Building Supplies

The Store that builds Homes and Hope 2100 Riverside Pkwy, Ste 123A, in the Kroger Shopping Center at Riverside and Hwy 120, Lawrenceville Accepting Donations • Free Pickup Service

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GWINNETT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MOST WANTED

Jose Alonso Arguello-Vega AKA: Jose Alonso Vega

Wanted For: Felony Child Molestation

Wanted For: Felony Aggravated Assault

Timothy Dejuan Stone

Wanted For: FV Battery and Obstruction 911

Man convicted in ’76 murder dies in prison

By Tyler Estep

Milton Medina

Bryant Damar Williams

Wanted For: Felony Robbery

Nicolas Paniagua

Wanted For: Felony Child Molestation and Enticing Child

Randall William Finley

Wanted For: FV Battery

TIP LINE: 770-619-6838 OR 770-619-6840

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 • 3A

tyler.estep @gwinnettdailypost.com

Johnny Wright spent more than a quarter-century in and around Gwinnett County, masquerading under a pseudonym while avoiding arrest on charges stemming from the 1976 murder of a Missouri woman.

He spent less than four years in prison.

The Columbia Missourian newspaper reported Thursday that Wright, 70, died Jan. 15 at Missouri’s Jefferson City Correctional Center, where he’d been held since his 2011 conviction in the decadesold death of Becky Doisy.

Wright had served about three years and nine months of a 30-year sentence.

Doisy, a 23-year-old waitress, fiction writer and occasional student at the

University of Missouri, disappeared in the summer of 1976 and her body was never found.

Friends and coworkers quickly pointed to Wright, who was Johnny Wright a regular at the steakhouse where Doisy worked, as a potential culprit.

It took nine years, however, for Wright’s roommate to tell police that he’d seen Doisy’s body and that Wright had confessed. By then, Wright had disappeared.

Until 2009.

In September of that year, Wright walked into the Lawrenceville Police Department and asked for a background check as part of a job application. The check, run under

Wright’s real name, turned up murder warrants from Missouri and the then-65year-old was arrested the next day.

Authorities believe he’d lived in the metro Atlanta area for 26 years, primarily using the name “Errol Edwards.”

A few days before Wright’s death earlier this month, the Missourian reported, he had requested medical parole. He was denied.

Chris Egbert, the lead investigator on the case, had sent a letter to the parole board calling Wright a flight risk and a “master of manipulation,” the Missourian reported Thursday.

“He could manipulate anything, which is one of the reasons he went undiscovered for 35-plus years,” Egbert told the newspaper.

“I wanted to make sure they were aware of that so they weren’t manipulated.”

Gwinnett Tech faculty member honored for science contributions

By Keith Farner

keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com

234728-2

A 13-year faculty member at Gwinnett Technical College has been recognized for his contributions to the state’s life sciences industry.

Robert Powers, program director for bioscience and clinical research, was recognized this week at the Georgia

Bio Community Awards annual awards dinner.

Powers, a faculty member since 2002, initiated the clinical research professional certificate and bioscience associate degree programs at Gwinnett Tech in 2005.

“Dr. Powers was on the forefront here in Georgia of championing life sciences in both educational and economic development circles. His commit-

ment and passion to the field and to his students is truly commendable and has contributed to the growth of the industry in our region,” said Cathy Scholz, dean of Life Sciences at Gwinnett Tech.

Working with Georgia Bio, Powers assisted the governor’s office in recruitment efforts for bioscience companies with Projects Aardvark, Bamboo and Cactus.

He also served on the life sciences team of the Governor’s Commission for a New Georgia and presented to the state legislature as an advocate of greater state involvement in bioscience economic development.

Powers was on the senior leadership team for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce that put together the first two Clinical Research in Georgia conferences in 2012 and 2013.

Powers graduated from Wofford College and earned a doctorate in biochemistry from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C. Powers researched the role of intracellular calcium in pancreatic acinar cell function while working at Harvard and Beth Israel Hospital.

When he moved to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, he was awarded a five-year National Institutes of Health grant to continue his work on experimental models of acute pancreatitis. Powers continued his research on acute pancreatitis and was involved in studies about genotoxicity in gastric cancer when he relocated to Yale College of Medicine in New Haven, Conn.

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4A • SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 To Your Good Health

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TODAY

0%

Keith Roach

Cancer moves swiftly DEAR DR. ROACH: On a Monday, I took my 91-year-old mother out for a belated birthday lunch.

She has had a long and, until now, fairly healthful life. She still had her driver’s license and thought nothing of driving the 70 miles between her house and mine.

She mentioned that she was having a little trouble catching her breath after walking from my car, up a few steps, and into the restaurant. This is the first time that she has had this problem.

She went to the doctor on Thursday. He had my sister take her to the emergency room for some precautionary tests and blood panels. They said she had a touch of pneumonia and were keeping her overnight for observation.

Around 10 p.m., my sister called and asked if I could come because the news was worse than originally thought. She told me that Mom had acute T-cell leukemia and only had a few days to a week to live!

Later, when I called to check on Mom, my sister said they were sending her home that night on full oxygen and with hospice and 24-hour nursing care.

All this in a little over 30 hours! On Saturday, Mom passed away. Luckily she slept most of the day on medication to ease her breathing and wasn’t in any pain.

Her primary care physician (whom she had for over 20 years) told us that her blood work for the previous six months showed nothing out of the ordinary.

In less than a week, this vibrant woman went from enjoying lunch out with a daughter to passing away in her own home with her two daughters by her side.

I guess my question is: What can you tell us about this fast-acting leukemia?

Where does it come from, how does it strike?

— B.A. ANSWER: I am very sorry to hear about your mother. She had an unusual situation. Acute T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia is a rare leukemia of older adults. The word “leukemia” comes from “leuko-,” meaning “white,” and “heme,” which means “blood.” So, it’s too many white cells in the blood.

This is a type of cancer of white blood precursors in the bone marrow, and at the time people come to medical attention, the white cell count can be 10 or 20 times the normal amount. Unfortunately, the white cells, which normally fight off infection, are not normal and people are at higher risk for infection.

More importantly, the bone marrow is so full of cancer cells that the normal red blood cells and platelets made by the bone marrow are reduced.

Although many leukemias are curable now, this is not one of them. Most people with this condition have less than a year to live, but your mother’s course is unusually fast even for this rare disease.

We don’t know why this disease attacks certain people.

HOROSCOPES

WEATHER WATCH

57

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

20%

0%

0%

10%

10%

10%

45

51

54

56

49

50

29

38

28

31

SOLUNAR TABLES

The solunar tables for lakes are based on studies that show fish and game are more active at certain times during the lunar period.

MAJOR

The Gwinnett Daily Post (UPSP 921-980, ISSN 10860096) is published Wednesday through Friday and Sunday by SCNI, 725 Old Norcross Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30045. Periodical postage paid at Lawrenceville, GA 30044. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Gwinnett Daily Post, P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046-0603.

5:04-7:04 a.m.............5:30-7:30 p.m.

MINOR

................................ 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

POLLEN COUNTS Trees: Low Weeds: Low Grass: Low

Lake

36

36

30

LAKE LEVELS

Full Yesterday

Lake

Full Yesterday

Allatoona (840.0) ........ 826.97

Lanier

(1071.0) .......1070.08

Blackshear (237.0) ........ 236.97

Nottely

(1779.0) ........1761.11

Blue Ridge (1690.0) ....... 1667.98

Oconee

(435.0) ........ 434.95

Burton

(1865.0) .......1859.98

Seminole (77.50)............ 77.48

Carters

(1072.0) ....... 1071.31

Sinclair

Chatuge

(1927.0) .......1913.81

Thurmond (330.0) ........ 326.89

(339.8) ........ 338.83

Harding

(521.0) ........ 520.06

Tugalo

Hartwell

(660.0) ........ 655.97

Walter F. George (190)....... 187.90

(891.5) ........ 889.48

Jackson

(530.0) ........ 529.00

West Point (635.0) ......... 627.98

TODAY IN HISTORY

LOTTERY Saturday Cash 3 Midday: 3-9-3 Cash 4 Midday: 3-7-7-0 Ga. 5 Midday: 1-0-2-9-3 Friday Cash 3 Midday: 4-7-4 Cash 3 Evening: 5-4-6 Cash 4 Midday: 2-9-5-7 Cash 4 Evening: 4-6-0-9 Ga. 5 Midday: 0-3-8-9-9 Ga. 5 Evening: 7-4-9-2-0 Fantasy 5: 4-19-20-23-39 Mega Millions: 14-15-3268-72, Mega Ball: 8, Megaplier: 2X

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1533, King Henry VIII of England secretly married Anne Boleyn.

In 1787, Shay’s Rebellion broke out in Massachusetts.

In 1915, Alexander Graham Bell made the first transcontinental telephone call from New York to San Francisco.

In 1961, a few days after his inauguration, President John F. Kennedy held the first televised presidential news conference.

In 2004, NASA’s Opportunity rover landed on the surface of Mars.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Robert Burns (1759-1796), poet; W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965), author/ playwright; Virginia Woolf (1882-1941), author/essayist; Etta James (1938-2012), singer-songwriter; Paul Nurse (1949- ), biochemist/Nobel laureate; Steve Prefontaine (1951-1975), runner; Alicia Keys

(1981- ), singer-songwriter; Patrick Willis (1985- ), football player.

TODAY’S FACT: The Mars Opportunity rover continues to make scientific observations and report back to Earth in 2015, more than 10 years beyond the duration of activity for which it was designed.

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1924, the first Winter Olympic Games began in Chamonix, France. The Canadian ice hockey team dominated the games, winning all five of its contests while outscoring the competition 110-3.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise.”

— W. Somerset Maugham, “Of Human Bondage” TODAY’S NUMBER: 6 — wives of King Henry VIII. He ordered two, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Parr, executed by beheading.

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Wronged husband wants to tell the other wife DEAR AMY: My wife and I are separating after 13 years of marriage.

A few months ago she said she was unhappy.

Then I learned she had formed an “emotional and spiritual connection” with a married man from church, someone I know and whose children play with our children after church every Sunday.

I believe her lack of interest in working on our marital issues is tied to the fact that there is someone else already in her life, who has taken her focus away from “us.”

I am torn about telling the man’s wife about this “connection.” Some people have advised me to tell her, because I would want to know if my wife was being secretive.

Others have said to leave their marriage alone. My wife has told me that the other man has not told his wife; he has told her that I am suspicious of them, because I met with him to talk about his relationship with my wife, and he denied anything but friendship.

Then to cover himself he made me seem like an insecure, jealous husband who has strange ideas about their “friendship.”

My wife excused his behavior by suggesting that I cornered him, and what

marriage may also be at risk.”

DEAR AMY: I recently broke up with my boyfriend of almost three years. After our breakup, a friend, “Bob,” asked me out.

For the past two weeks, Bob and I have gone out multiple times and talked Amy Dickinson almost every day. He is very sweet and often else was he going to say? compliments me.

Should I meet with her We haven’t talked and tell her what I know, about any potential or leave it alone, in the relationship, but it seems belief that it will reveal clear that he likes me. itself eventually?

Four days ago Bob and — Wronged Husband I went to get drinks and DEAR WRONGED: the movies, and his sister You are not a disinand her husband came terested party to this along. I met them for the involvement — it has a first time. direct impact on your life We all had a good time and marriage, and so you and I ended the night by should disclose it. telling Bob to call me You did the right thing when he wanted to see by confronting the husme again, but I haven’t band. It did not go well heard from him. Now for you but, still, you did I am confused. I don’t your best to approach want to call Bob since I him and tell the truth. told him to call me, but Even if there is no hope I’m afraid he will lose to save your own marinterest or think that I am riage, you should still uninterested. tell the truth to the other What should I do? I person whose marriage is genuinely like him and affected. could see us having a You should say, “I relationship together. Do you think I’m moving too want you to know that fast? my wife and I are sepa— Single rating due to the fact that DEAR SINGLE: If she is involved with your you want to see “Bob,” husband. It gives me no or have questions about pleasure to tell you this, but I thought you should where things are headed, you should call (or text) know because your own

Ask Amy

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him. Thank him for the nice time you had and say you enjoyed meeting his sister. Ask him if he wants to meet for coffee and then wait to see if he responds.

He might be worried that meeting his family members set the two of you on a too-fast track; hearing from you could help. You should keep things semi-casual for a while after ending such a long relationship.

DEAR AMY: “Bad Choice Maker” said he wanted out of his marriage after only two weeks. I was disappointed in your answer to him. You should not encourage married people to give up so easily. You should have challenged him to stay with his wife.

— Happily Married DEAR MARRIED: When someone states that he “hates” his wife after only two weeks, I don’t think it’s wise to encourage him to stay.

You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.com.

You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or “like” her on Facebook. Amy Dickinson’s memoir, “The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter and the Town that Raised Them” (Hyperion), is available in bookstores.

Your financial situation will take an upward turn if you find inventive ways to bring in more cash. You may think you are ready to move forward, but someone is likely to call your bluff, so ensure that your information is complete before you make a move.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Establish what you want to do and position yourself accordingly. Ask questions and talk to people who can offer facts and positively influence your path.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — Be sincere about your needs and wants. Trouble will result if you don’t stick to the truth. Gather all the details before you put an offer on the table.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — You will entice others to join forces with you. Once you have all the facts and relevant information on hand, get whatever else you require to reach your destination.

TAURUS (April 20May 20) — Lighten up and don’t get rattled if someone creates a problem for you. You can easily finish any job if you stay calm and avoid overreacting.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Pick your direction and get moving. An unexpected diversion will slow you down, but if you stick to your plan and trust in your ability, you will excel.

CANCER (June 21July 22) — Do your best to avoid disappointment by relying on your wisdom and strength.

Let others do what they think is right, while you continue down the path best suited to your needs.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — You will gain the support necessary to complete a project from an interested party. With the right ally and assistance, significant strides can be made. A lastminute change will lead to unexpected results.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.

22) — You are sympathetic, but that doesn’t mean you should allow someone to curtail your freedom or plans. Respect others’ feelings, but stick to your own agenda.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — A onetime partner is likely to resurface.

Your creativity will lead to travel and a romantic encounter. You will feel energized if you get out and enthusiastically enjoy life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Travel will lead to increased knowledge. Spending time with new acquaintances will benefit you in more ways than one.

You should steer clear of a tumultuous emotional situation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You will receive a unique offer out of the blue. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Make the most of any opportunity to unite with people who share your interests.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Someone from your past can offer you insight regarding your next move. A problem surrounding a friend, relative or neighbor will catch you off your guard.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 • 5A

gwinnettdailypost.com

world&nation NATION Father kills three, himself in N.Y. A New York man shot and killed his 7-year-old daughter, his girlfriend and her mother inside their home early on Saturday before taking his own life, police said.

Jonathon Walker, 34, also critically wounded his 12-year-old daughter in the shootings in the borough of Queens, close to John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Officers arrived at the home around 5:40 a.m. and found four people shot in an incident that “underscores the human toll and horror of domestic violence,” Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement.

Walker killed his daughter Kayla, 7; the girl’s mother, who was his girlfriend, Shantai Hale, 31; and Hale’s mother, Viola Warren, 62, with shots to the head, police said.

Japan condemns ISIS execution

By Antoni Slodkowski and Nobuhiro Kubo Reuters

PEOPLE Group: Movie spurs threats against Muslims

CHICAGO — An Arab-American civil rights organization has asked “American Sniper” director Clint Eastwood and actor Bradley Cooper to denounce hateful language directed at U.S. Arabs and Muslims after the release of the Hollywood duo’s film about a Navy marksman.

The American-Arab AntiDiscrimination Committee said in a letter to Eastwood and Cooper that its members had become targets of “violent threats” since early last week, days before “American Sniper” went into general release.

The film is nominated Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, right, speaks to the media at his official residence for six Academy Awards, in Tokyo on Saturday. (Reuters/Kyodo) including best picture, and is a box office hit. with his foreign, defence Abe said on Sunday. “I Haruna Yukawa.”

The ADC said it was and other ministers after feel a strong sense of anger Yukawa, 42, was seized midnight in Tokyo. and firmly condemn this. I by militants in August, after working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and The sudden escalation again strongly demand the he went to Syria in what police to assess the threats. of the hostage crisis has immediate release of Mr. he described as a plan to become a test for Abe and Kenji Goto unharmed.” launch a security company. The letter said that Eastthe dominant news story in The Obama statement, is- Goto, 47, a veteran war cor- wood and Cooper, the film’s Japan since Tuesday when sued while he was en route respondent, went into Syria producer and star, could Storm spreads add credibility to the ADC’s Islamic State militants to India, said: “The United in late October seeking to snow, traffic woes message of tolerance. released a video showing States strongly condemns secure Yukawa’s release, in Northeast Goto and Yukawa kneelthe brutal murder of Japaaccording to friends and ing with a knife-wielding, nese citizen Haruna Yukawa business associates.

Strike against A winter storm spread masked man demanding a by the terrorist group ISIL,” The new recording, freezing rain and snow and $200 million ransom for using an acronym to refer which was released on You- commercial snarled traffic from the producers averted their release. to Islamic State.

Tube late on Saturday beMiddle Atlantic states into The 72-hour deadline set In a separate statement, fore being deleted, showed LOS ANGELES — New England on Saturday, in the first video expired on Secretary of State John an image of a gaunt Goto Members of the International and forecasters said they Friday.

Kerry also said Washington in an orange T-shirt with Brotherhood of Teamsters expected a second system “This act of terrorism is “strongly condemns ISIL’s audio of what appeared to to lash the region early an outrageous and unacdespicable murder of an be him making a statement have ratified two revised two-year agreements with next week. ceptable act of violence,” innocent Japanese citizen, in English.

Winter storm warnings the TV commercials induswere in place for much try, averting a strike that of Massachusetts, Maine could have started on Feb. 1. and New Hampshire. Up The revised deals — covworking for the charity Save the Children at a treatment to 8 inches of snow were ering drivers and location center outside the capital, expected in the area by managers — were approved Pro-Russian overwhelmingly on Saturday Freetown.

Saturday night as the storm rebels attack key morning.

Cafferkey was the first system headed east, said Ukraine port The vote comes five days person to have been diagNational Weather Service KIEV — Pro-Russian nosed with Ebola on British after a daylong negotiating meteorologist Brian Hurley rebels launched an offensive session revised the tentative soil. in College Park, Md..

With temperatures against the strategic port of deals.

“I am just happy to be mostly around the freezing Mariupol in eastern Ukraine Members of Teamsters alive,” she said in a statemark, “it is a wet snow. on Saturday, prompting the Local 399, which covers 14 ment released via the hosDrifting is not an issue at European Union’s foreign Western states, had voted pital. “I still don’t feel 100 this point,” he said. policy chief to warn of a 414-36 on Jan. 11 to reject percent, I feel quite weak, Winds from the storm further “grave deterioration” A man walks past a burnt-out vehicle after a shelling but I’m looking forward to the “last, best, final” offer could reach up to 55 miles in EU-Russian relations. on a new two-year contract by pro-Russian rebels of a residential sector in Mari- going home. I want to say per hour on Cape Cod in Mariupol’s city adminfrom the Association of upol, eastern Ukraine on Saturday. At least 30 people a big thank you to the staff were killed in shelling in the east Ukrainian port city of who treated me — they were Independent Commercial Massachusetts on Saturday istration said the rebels had Mariupol, Ukraine’s interior ministry said, an attack Kiev amazing.” night, the NWS forecast. killed at least 30 people Producers. The members blamed on separatist rebels and the Russian military.

In New Jersey, where and injured 83 others in the The Royal Free, Britain’s opposed the tentative deal (Reuters/Stringer) snow totals reached up to 9 offensive by firing rockets main center for Ebola cases, due to its provisions expandinches in some areas, state from long-range GRAD photographs surfaced on the with a prime minister who ing low-budget shoots, and also successfully treated police reported 126 crashes missile systems. until last year was persona Internet showing a line of the local had told members British aid worker William by mid-morning on SaturThe city of 500,000 on the glue around its chin, prompt- non grata in Washington. to sign up for picketing duty Pooley who contracted the day, but no major injuries, Sea of Azov is vital for east- ing speculation about the Obama will be the first with shifts starting Feb. 1. virus in West Africa. a spokesman said.

U.S. president to attend ern Ukraine’s steel and grain damage and questions over India’s Republic Day parade, Ruling coalition whether Egypt was able to exports and also straddles Teaser out for a show of military might care for its priceless artifacts. the coastal route from the 5 wounded, 3 Stewart’s comedy The beard broke off when long associated with the anti- in Kenya moves Russian border to Crimea, killed, in house Americanism of the Cold museum workers were the Black Sea peninsula in ‘Blunt Talk’ for single party War, and will host a radio changing the lights in its southern Ukraine seized by party shooting NAIROBI — Kenya’s LOS ANGELES — Starz display case and accidentally show with Prime Minister Russia last March. has released the first teaser Three people died and ruling coalition, which touched the mask, the antiq- Narendra Modi.

President Petro Poroshfive were wounded in a His presence at Monday’s includes former, bitter eth- for Patrick Stewart’s new uities ministry said. enko, pledging to protect shooting at a house party in Ukrainian territory, said he comedy “Blunt Talk.” nic and political rivals, on procession at Modi’s perChristian Eckmann, a Omaha, Neb., on Saturday Stewart stars as eccentric Saturday moved closer to would convene an emergen- German conservator brought sonal invitation is the latest in what might have been merging into a single Jubi- British broadcast journalist revival in a roller-coaster in to evaluate the damage, cy meeting of his country’s gang-related violence, police security council today. relationship between the two lee Alliance Party ahead of Walter Blunt, who moves told reporters on Saturday said. to Los Angeles to conquer largest democracies that just elections due in 2017. that the seriousness of the the world of American cable Between 40 and 50 Following a two-day a year ago was in tatters. damage had been exaggerEgypt museum news one talk show interpeople were at the party parliamentary retreat that ated. admits King Tut’s “The use of epoxy is not in an unoccupied house, view at a time. was attended by President British nurse The tagline “Some people when dozens of shots were Uhuru Kenyatta, the coalibeard broke off, the best, but it is a solution,” toe the line, others walk the fired around 1:40 a.m., tion said in a statement it he said at a news conference makes recovery was glued back Omaha Police Chief Todd would work on developing line. Walter Blunt will do a from Ebola alongside the minister of CAIRO — The Egyptian antiquities.

Schmaderer said during a a roadmap “towards the ul- line” appears in the teaser LONDON — A British Museum in Cairo acknowlnews conference. timate merger into the new against an outline of Stew“Witnesses describe nurse who had been criticaledged on Saturday that one art’s face. political outfit.”

Unlikely buddies people being both inside and of its greatest treasures, the ly ill with Ebola after workLike another smallscreen The coalition was outside the house when gun- mask of King Tutankhamun, Obama, Modi aim ing in Sierra Leone has been formed two years ago and Walter, Stewart’s character shots rang out,” Schmaderer had been crudely glued has a fondness for drugs. high on India trip discharged from a London triumphed in the 2013 The series, from executive said. “Multiple shooters hospital after making a full back together after being elections that saw Keproducer Seth MacFarlane NEW DELHI — In a exchanged gunfire.” recovery. damaged, but insisted the nyatta, a member of the Two women, ages 19 and item could be restored to its fresh bid to make India an Pauline Cafferkey was large Kikuyu ethnic group, and creator Jonathan Ames, 24, were pronounced dead recently added Richard enduring strategic partner, admitted to the Royal Free former glory. win the presidency, while at the scene. A third victim, Lewis to its cast. The “Curb Hospital in north London The golden mask’s beard President Barack Obama William Ruto, who is an a 26-year-old man, died sev- was detached in August, lands in New Delhi today on Dec. 30 after falling ill ethnic Kalenjin, became his Your Enthusiasm” star will eral hours later, police said. something the museum play Stewart’s therapist. for a highly symbolic parade on her return from Sierra deputy.

— From wire reports — From wire reports had not made public until and to nurture friendship Leone, where she had been — From wire reports TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday called for the immediate release of a Japanese journalist held by Islamic State after a video surfaced claiming that a fellow Japanese captive had been executed.

Japanese government officials said they had not confirmed the authenticity of the recording and an image of what appeared to be the decapitated body of Japanese captive Haruna Yukawa, who went missing in Syria in August.

President Barack Obama condemned the brutal murder of Yukawa in a statement released by the White House, which did not address how the United States had confirmed his killing. Earlier, U.S. National Security Council deputy spokesman Patrick Ventrell had said the U.S. intelligence community was working to verify the authenticity of the recording.

Abe called for the immediate release of the remaining Japanese captive, reporter Kenji Goto.

“We are using every diplomatic channel and means to work towards a release,” a grim-looking Abe told reporters in brief remarks after calling a meeting

WORLD

Bigwigs support Auschwitz 70th anniversary commemoration

By Cynthia Littleton Reuters

LOS ANGELES — Discovery Communications CEO David Zaslav and Steven Spielberg are heading to Poland this weekend to take part in the ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Zaslav, Spielberg and a number of other industry heavyweights have quietly worked

MUST READ with Spielberg’s USC Shoah Foundation, the Polish government and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum to bring a delegation of 100 Auschwitz survivors and their families to take part in the solemn ceremony on Tuesday.

The 70th anniversary commemoration is expected to be the last time that a large group

of Auschwitz survivors will be able to make the trip to the site of the Nazi concentration camp, because of their advancing years. As such, Zaslav and Spielberg recognized the importance of making sure that their voices were heard and that their families had the opportunity to share in the experience.

Zaslav and Spielberg spearheaded the fundraising effort to cover the costs of the trip. The

group will include 25 teachers from around the world who will take part in a four-day seminar on how to teach middle and high school students about the influence of genocide and hate on world history.

Zaslav is chair of the Auschwitz: The Past Is Present Committee, and he led the core leadership team comprised of Spielberg, Len Blavatnik, Haim Saban, Starbucks founder Howard Schultz,

investor Joel Citron, attorney Stephen A. Cozen, World Jewish Congress president Ronald S. Lauder and tech mogul Yuri Milner. Execs from across the media and entertainment spectrum also participated including Barry Diller, Ari Emanuel, David Geffen, Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Ron Meyer, Leslie Moonves, Eric Schmidt, Diane Von Furstenberg, Rob Wiesenthal and Jeff Zucker.

perspectives

J.K. Murphy, Vice President, SCNI jk.murphy@gwinnettdailypost.com

gwinnettdailypost.com

Todd Cline, Editor

todd.cline@gwinnettdailypost.com

PAGE 6 A • SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

Keep eye on emerging empire of Iran WASHINGTON — While Iran’s march toward a nuclear bomb has provoked a major clash between the White House and Congress, Iran’s march toward conventional domination of the Arab world has been largely overlooked. In Washington, that is. The Arabs have noticed. And the pro-American ones, the Gulf Arabs in particular, are deeply worried.

This week, Iranianbacked Houthi rebels seized control of the Charles Yemeni government, hereKrauthammer tofore pro-American. In September, they overran Sanaa, the capital. On Tuesday, they seized the presidential palace. On Thursday, they forced the president to resign.

The Houthi have local religious grievances, being Shiites in a majority Sunni land. But they are also agents of Shiite Iran, which arms, trains and advises them. Their slogan — “God is great.

Death to America. Death to Israel” — could have been written in Persian.

Why should we care about the coup? First, because we depend on Yemen’s government to support our drone war against another local menace, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. It’s not clear if we can even maintain our embassy in Yemen, let alone conduct operations against AQAP. And second, because growing Iranian hegemony is a mortal threat to our allies and interests in the entire Middle East.

In Syria, Iran’s power is similarly rising. The mullahs rescued the reeling regime of Bashar alAssad by sending in weapons, money and Iranian revolutionary guards, as well as by ordering their Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, to join the fight.

They succeeded. The moderate rebels are in disarray, even as Assad lives in de facto coexistence with the Islamic State, which controls a large part of his country.

Iran’s domination of Syria was further illustrated by a strange occurrence last Sunday in the Golan Heights. An Israeli helicopter attacked a convoy on the Syrian side of the armistice line.

Those killed were not Syrian, however, but five Hezbollah fighters from Lebanon and several Iranian officials, including a brigadier general.

What were they doing in the Syrian Golan Heights? Giving “crucial advice,” announced the Iranian government. On what? Well, three days earlier, Hezbollah’s leader had threatened an attack on Israel’s Galilee. Tehran appears to be using its control of Syria and Hezbollah to create its very own front against Israel.

The Israelis can defeat any conventional attack.

Not so the Gulf Arabs. To the north and west, they see Iran creating a satellite “Shiite Crescent” stretching to the Mediterranean and consisting of Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. To their south and west, they see Iran gaining proxy control of Yemen.

And they are caught in the pincer.

The Saudis are fighting back the only way they can — with massive production of oil at a time of oversupply and collapsing prices, placing enormous economic pressure on Iran. It needs $136 oil to maintain its budget. The price today is below $50.

Yet the Obama administration appears to be ready to acquiesce to the new reality of Iranian domination of Syria. It has told The New York Times that it is essentially abandoning its proclaimed goal of removing Assad.

For the Saudis and the other Gulf Arabs, this is a nightmare. They’re engaged in a titanic regional struggle with Iran. And they are losing — losing Yemen, losing Lebanon, losing Syria and watching post-U.S.-withdrawal Iraq come under increasing Iranian domination.

The nightmare would be hugely compounded

by Iran going nuclear. The Saudis were already stupefied that the U.S. conducted secret negotiations with Tehran behind their backs. And they can see where the current talks are headed — legitimizing Iran as a threshold nuclear state.

Which makes all the more incomprehensible President Obama’s fierce opposition to Congress’ offer to strengthen the American negotiating hand by passing sanctions to be triggered if Iran fails to agree to give up its nuclear program. After all, that was the understanding Obama gave Congress when he began these last-ditch negotiations in the first place.

“Why are you parroting Tehran’s talking points, Mr. President?” asks Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez. Indeed, why are we endorsing Iran’s claim that sanctions relief is the new norm?

Obama assured the nation that sanctions relief was but a temporary concession to give last-minute, time-limited negotiations a chance.

Twice the deadline has come. Twice no new sanctions, just unconditional negotiating extensions.

Our regional allies — Saudi Arabia, the other five Gulf states, Jordan, Egypt and Israel — are deeply worried. Tehran is visibly on the march on the ground and openly on the march to nuclear status. And their one great ally, their strategic anchor for two generations, is acquiescing to both.

Charles Krauthammer’s email address is letters@charleskrauthammer.com.

letters to the editor

Letters should be no more than 200 words and are subject to approval by the publisher. Letters may be edited for style and space requirements. Please sign your name and provide an address and a daytime telephone number. Address letters for publication to: Letters to the Editor, Gwinnett Daily Post, P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046-0603.

The fax number is 770-3398081. Email us at: letters@ gwinnettdailypost.com.

State of this column never stronger My fellow Georgians: In order to keep my national certification as a modest and much-beloved columnist, it is required that I submit to you at the first of every year my State of the Column message. (Yay! Clap! Clap! Clap!)

I do that gladly today. For one thing, this will be a lot shorter and less boring than the State of the Union address (Boooo!) and, also, we don’t have to endure a bunch of fawning politicians trying to be seen on national television.

(Yay! Ha! Ha! Ha!) Today, I am pleased to report that the state of this column has never been stronger.

(Yay! Clap! Clap! Clap!) Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night nor the fact that once again I narrowly missed getting the Nobel Peace Prize could stay me from the swift completion of my appointed columns. (Yay! Yay! Standing ovation!)

In 2014, I wrote more than 78,580 words, including many nouns, pronouns, some verbs, a few participles and a past perfect tense. (Clap! Clap!) There was even a vocative case or two that showed up, but I don’t know how that happened. I may have put a comma in the wrong place. Stuff happens.

(Yay! Ha! Ha! Ha!) Last year was a busy one for this column. (Serious nods of the head.) Under the leadership of my colleague, Junior

Dick Yarbrough E. Lee, general manager of the Yarbrough Worldwide Media and Pest Control Company, located in Greater Garfield and a certified pest control professional, we were able to provide invaluable strategic direction to a number of political candidates that proved instrumental in their successful campaigns, while at the same time making a dent in the termite population in Georgia. (Clap! Clap! Clap!)

It was Junior who suggested Gov. Nathan Deal announce his re-election bid at an ice rink (Ha! Ha! Ha!) He also encouraged newly elected Republican Sen. David Perdue to commit to funding an innovative program called “Go Fish, Bonaire,” to construct a concrete fishpond in the hometown of his cousin, former Gov. George E. Perdue, to remind all Georgians that it was Cousin George who first recognized that the future of our state’s role in the global marketplace of the 21st century would be closely tied to bass fishing! (Clap! Clap! A

smattering of boos!)

There were some disappointments in 2014. The most egregious was a unfortunate case of bad timing when a group of scholar-athletes from the University of Georgia (Yay! Yay! Yay!) discovered they were to be given a pop quiz on the mathematical modelling framework for biochemical systems based on the ordinary differential equations in which biochemical processes are represented using power-law expansions in the variables of the system.

(Whoa!) This occurred approximately one hour before they were to engage a local technical institution’s scholarathletes (Boooo!) in a weekend scrum.

Since the technical school (Boooo!) does not have the same academic expectations placed upon them as does the University of Georgia (Yay! Yay! Yay!), the outcome was inevitable. (Mumble! Mumble!) Of course, squib-kicking with 17 seconds left in regulation didn’t help, either! (Boo! Hiss! We want Herschel! We want Herschel!)

Speaking of the technical school, (Boooo!) let me pay tribute to all the other humorimpaired souls who helped make this column a success.

This job would be harder than I make it look had they not allowed me prick their oversized egos. They are the journalistic

equivalent of bear-baiting. (Ha! Ha! Ha! Clap! Clap!)

Time prohibits me from recognizing them all, but I would like to especially thank all the Bible-thumpers who believe guns in church is a “sanctity of life issue” and that Jesus would approve. (Ha! Ha! Ha!) Know-it-all Yankees who like to point out how unsophisticated we are in the South but wouldn’t think of moving back North because it snows there 10 months a year and all their buildings are rusted. (Ha! Ha! Ha!) Right wingnuts who believe the United Nations is plotting to take over Putnam County. (Ha! Ha! Ha!) Left wingnuts who blame George W. Bush for everything from the War of 1812 to the heartbreak of psoriasis. (Ha! Ha! Ha!) In closing, let me say it is an honor to serve another year as your modest and muchbeloved columnist. (Yay! Clap!

Clap! Clap!) God bless America. God bless the University of Georgia. And God help us.

I just learned the Legislature is back in town. I’ve got to get back to work. (Thunderous applause! A standing ovation. I love my readers.)

You can reach Dick Yarbrough at yarb2400@bellsouth.net; at P.O. Box 725373, Atlanta, GA 31139; online at dickyarbrough.com or on Facebook at www.facebook. com/dickyarb.

Some things don’t make a lick of sense We live in a funny world.

Yes, ha, ha funny, but strange funny, too. There are just so many contradictions in our world — things to me that just don’t make a lick of sense.

Take the president of the United States. Please.

The president will meet with just about anybody — he met with those representing the Ferguson protesters, for instance — and Al Sharpton, who owes millions to the government in unpaid taxes, is a regular in the White House.

Recently Obama met with someone called GloZell, who is a comedian of sorts and is supposed to be the “Queen of YouTube.”

And yet, Obama says that when Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Israel, who has always been one of our country’s staunchest allies, comes to visit in March, the Pouter-in-Chief says he will not meet with the prime minister. I guess he will stay upstairs holding his breath until he turns green, which is the color of the lipstick GloZell brought to the White House to give to Michelle.

Now tell me that makes sense!

Here’s another one. The national news media has spent countless hours this week discussing whether the New England Patriots let the air out of the footballs prior to their AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Colts

packages of 10 and buns in packages of eight. Why is that?

I did the math and to come out even you would have to buy four packs of wieners and five packs of buns.

Doesn’t make a lick of sense.

Here’s another one. A few Darrell years back airlines started Huckaby charging extra for luggage because they said they were Sunday. Oh, I know the Colts recovering losses due to play in Indianapolis now, but astronomical increases in fuel they’ll always be the Baltimore prices. Now gas in cheaper Colts to me. And Andrew than it has been in years, but Luck is good and all, but he’ll the airlines are still charging never be Johnny Unitas, even for checked bags — and would if he gets a crew cut and starts charge us for the air we breathe wearing black high tops. But if they could figure out how. back to Deflate-gate. Patriots’ P.T. Barnum said there was a coach and known cheater, Bill sucker born every minute, and Belichick, and his quarterback, we prove him right every day.

Tom Brady, both had press Speaking of suckers, every conferences and the whole time I go to the picture show affair has gotten 10 times I see people paying $8 for 32 the coverage of the State of cents worth of popcorn. In the Union address, in which what world does that makes Barack Obama — him again? sense?

— told multiple lies about his Logic is just a thing of the administration’s accomplishpast. ments and the state of the I have one more example economy. This is according of something that has puzzled to the Associated Press factme for two years now — and, checks, not Fox News. Why yes, this could be considered should we, the people, be more one of those shameless plugs, concerned about whether an but it fits the context. A couple overpaid football coach is lyof years ago I retired from ing than an overpaid president? teaching because the doctors Doesn’t make a lick of said I was about to die soon, sense. and who wants to die in the You ever have a cookout middle of a classroom full of in the summertime? Sure you teenagers? have. They sell hotdogs in Then I didn’t die, so I had to

find a new job. I started a tour company and over the past 20 months have taken nearly a thousand people to 15 foreign nations and 30 states. The further away the trips are and the more they cost and the less I know about the places we visit, the faster the trips fill up.

Now here’s what doesn’t make sense to me.

Twice we have offered tours of Georgia — about which I know everything worth knowing — and we had fewer than a handful of people wanting to go. Now that doesn’t make a lick of sense to me.

But if at first you don’t succeed! One more time, y’all.

One more time, I am putting together a nice relaxing tour of the Coastal South. We’ll visit Rhett Butler’s Charleston and Scarlett O’Hara’s Savannah and Pat Conroy’s Beaufort, as well as Eugenia Price’s St. Simons and the people of Georgia’s Jekyll Island. Sure, you might have seen these places, but until you experience the South through my eyes, you really haven’t experienced the South — and I’m not just whistling “Dixie.”

Missing an opportunity like this — well, that don’t make a lick of sense. Y’all come go with us. You know how to find me. Now I doubt the president will want to go with us, but there is always hope we can talk GloZell into coming along.

OBITUARIES

8A • SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 BLUE RIDGE

LAWRENCEVILLE

Carolyn Adams Carolyn Louise Adams, age 79, of Blue Ridge, GA passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2015. She was preceded in death by her son, Russell Scott Adams; parents, Cleo Peppers and Dora Peppers Morgan; sisters, Sally Anglin and Vernell Carlyle; brother, J. C. Peppers; and stepfather, Lewis Morgan. She is survived by her husband of sixty-two years, Ronald Clark Adams; children, Jeff Clark Adams and wife Diane, Blue Ridge, GA, and Steven Zachary Adams and wife Rachel, Dacula, GA; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Adams, Charlotte, NC, Tara Mayer and husband Tyler, Ellijay, GA, Lauren Adams and Zachary Adams, both of Dacula, GA; great granddaughter, Isabella Mayer, Ellijay, GA; aunt, Ola G. Adams, Buford, GA; one nephew; and several nieces and cousins. Mrs. Adams was born August 6, 1935 in Sugar Hill, GA. She was a 1952 graduate of Sugar Hill School and was crowned Miss Sugar Hill in 1951. She lived in many places in the United States during her early years and also in Germany. She settled in Dunwoody, GA until 2000 when she and her husband made their final move to Blue Ridge until her death. Mrs. Adams has been cremated and a memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Buford American Legion Post 127, 2640 Sawnee Avenue, Buford, GA. The family will receive visitors at Buford American Legion on Sunday prior to and following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army at www. salvationarmytoccoa.org or the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association at www.georgiasheriffs.org in memory of Carolyn L. Adams.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www. flaniganfuneralhome. com. Arrangements by: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA, 770-932-1133.

STEPHENS

Marie Beaty Marie Beaty, age 89, of Stephens, GA, passed away January 22, 2015.

Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company”, Snellville Chapel 770-979-3200. www.wagesfuneralhome. com

Phyllis Johnson Phyllis C. Johnson (Hunt), age 82, of Lawrenceville, GA., Passed away at her home in Lawrenceville surrounded by family on Thursday, January 22, 2015. She was born in Burlington, VT in 1933. She was the cherished wife of the late Robert F. Johnson.

She was the daughter of the late Winton S. and Lillian G. (Parker) Hunt.

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Deborah Brelinsky; brother, Richard Hunt; and sister, Valerie Matthew. She is survived by her daughter, Laurie Tamalone and her husband Michael of South Carolina; son-inlaw, Bill Brelinsky; son, Bob Johnson and wife Deborah of New Jersey; daughter, Karen Fitzpatrick and husband Tom of New Jersey; son, Keith Johnson and wife Michele of Florida; sister-in-law, Shirley Johnson, Mary Johnson and Marcia Hunt; brother-in-law, Father Ted Johnson; grandchildren, Jennifer, Michael, Bryan, Jana and late Allyson, Kaitlynn, Ashley, Christina, Thomas, Troy, and Trent; great grandchildren, Jack, Owen, Maleah, Adalyn.

Many nieces, nephews, and friends also survive.

Phyllis was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She derived her greatest pleasure from her family and her home.

Phyllis loved movies, music and entertaining family. Known as the “energizer bunny”, Phyllis was happiest when helping and supporting all of those around her. She touched many lives and these memories will last forever. Sensitive to the needs of others, Phyllis always put her family first.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, January 26, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. Wages and Sons Gwinnett Chapel with Father Ted Johnson and Deacon Nick Johnson officiating. Family with receive friends and family on Sunday, January 25, 2015 from 2:00 P.M.-4:00 P.M. and from 6:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. Wages and Sons Gwinnett Chapel, 1031 Lawrenceville Hwy., Lawrenceville, GA 30046. 770-2774550. Online condolences can be made at www. wagesandsons.com

LAWRENCEVILLE

Patricia Maloney LULA

Vickie Chambers Vickie Chambers, age 57, of Lula, GA, passed away on January 22, 2015.

Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA 770-932-1133 www. flaniganfuneralhome.com

JEFFERSON AND FORMERLY OF TUCKER

Raymond Duvall Raymond L. Duvall, age 73, of Jefferson, GA and formerly of Tucker, GA, passed away on January 23, 2015.

Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA 770-932-1133 www. flaniganfuneralhome.com

Patricia (Pattie) Palmer Maloney, age 55 of Lawrenceville, GA passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2015. She grew up in Decatur, attended Towers High School and was a member of Norcross First United Methodist Church.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Norcross United Methodist Church. Burial will take place afterwards at H. G. Wright Cemetery in Norcross, GA. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 23, 2015 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Crowell Brothers Funeral Home. Pattie is preceded in death by her father, Donald H. Palmer.

She is survived by her husband Joey M. Maloney; son, Mark D Maloney (Jennifer) of Winder, GA; daughter, Megan Franklin (Todd) of Cumming, GA; grandchildren, Rory, Aiden, Addison, Irelynn and Olivia Delaine; mother, Mary Ann Summers of Cumming, GA; sister, Donna Palmer of Atlanta, GA; special cousin, Linda Martin of Buford, li f fl

GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Atlanta Cancer Care Foundation www.atlantacancercarefoundation.org, 5670 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite 1100, Atlanta, GA 30342. On-line condolences can be made at www.crowellbrothers.com.

Arrangements by Crowell Brothers Funeral Home Peachtree Chapel, 5051 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Peachtree Corners/ Norcross, Georgia 30092.

770-448-5757.

BUFORD

Ellen McCoulf Ellen Marie McCoulf, age 79 of Buford, died January 24, 2015. Arrangements to be announced by Bill Head Funeral Home Duluth Chapel, 770-476-2535.

MONROE

Barbara Messer Barbara B. Messer, age 75, of Monroe, GA, passed away January 22, 2015. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company”, Snellville Chapel 770979-3200. www.wagesfuneralhome.com

GAINESVILLE

J. Harold Moon J. Harold Moon age 90 of Gainesville, Georgia formerly of Lawrenceville, Georgia passed away Saturday, January 24, 2015. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 PM, Monday, January 26, 2015 in the Lawrenceville Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Gwinnett Memorial Park, Lawrenceville.

Chaplin Richard Evans and Rev. Ruth Demby will be officiating. Mr. Moon was a member of First Baptist Church of Gainesville, and was a former member of the First Baptist Church of Lilburn. Also a member of the Sweetwater Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a Seamen 2nd Class, WWII Navy Veteran and served on the USS Louisville CA28, Heavy Cruiser.

He was part of the largest battle on record, RadioStriker, where he received the Purple Heart. He is survived by Wife: Bernice Jordan Moon of Gainesville, Georgia; Children: Richard & Debra Moon of Loganville, Georgia; Janice Moon of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Nancy & Brad Buckshorn of Roswell, Georgia; Brother and Sister-in-law: James & Dot Moon of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Grandchildren: Cindy Wood, Richie Moon, Robbie Moon, David Buckshorn, Melissa Buckshorn, and Bradford Buckshorn, III; and many other family members. Flowers accepted or memorials can be made to First Baptist Church of Gainesville, 751 Green Street Northwest, Gainesville, GA 30501, or First Baptist Church of Lilburn, 285 Main Street, Lilburn, GA 30047, or Spiritual Life Committee care of Chaplin Richard Evans 4000 Village Estate, Gainesville, GA 30506.

The family will receive friends from 2-6 PM, Sunday, January 25, 2015 at Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 300 Simonton Road, SW, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046.

7

, g 770-962-3100. Please leave online condolences at www.stewartfh.com

LAWRENCEVILLE

Marty Morris Marty Ann Morris age 68 of Lawrenceville, Georgia passed away Thursday, January 22, 2015. Memorial Services will be held at 1 PM, Sunday, January 25, 2015 in the Lawrenceville Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home. Pastor Jeffery Roebuck will officiate.

Family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service.

Mrs. Morris was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 521 in Mountain Park. Mrs. Morris is preceded in death by Son: Michael Ronald Allegood.

She is survived by Husband: Tommy Morris of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Children: Jim & Linda Allegood of St. Cloud, Florida, Dana Morris & Glenn Dodge of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Donna Morris & David Cribbs of Newnan, Georgia, Thomas William Morris, Jr. of Snellville, Georgia; Brother-in-Law: Justin & Teresa Morris of Palmetto, Georgia; Sister: Nita & John Pate of Warner Robbins, Georgia, Phyllis & Larry McKinnon of Columbus, Georgia; Sistersin-law: Diane Morris & Mike New, Sandy Meadows all of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Sandy Greathouse Morris of Chatsworth, Georgia; 12 Grandchildren; 4 Great Grandchildren; several Nieces and Nephews. In lieu of Flowers, memorials to Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 521 in Mountain Park or Gwinnett County Masonic Association Inc - Secret Santa- P.O. Box 688, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Arrangements made by Tim Stewart Funeral Home: 300 Simonton Road, SW, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046. 770-9623100. Please leave online condolences at www. stewartfh.com

LAWRENCEVILLE

Vincent Oakerson Vincent L. Oakerson, age 54, of Lawrenceville, GA, passed away January 23, 2015. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC “A Family Company,” Lawrenceville Chapel, 770-963-2411 www. wagesfuneralhome.com .

BUFORD

Brian Tunis Mr. Brian W. Tunis, age 47, of Buford, GA, formerly of Indiana, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at Gwinnett Medical Center.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church with interment following at Memorial Park South Cemetery. Father Eric Hill will officiate. The family will receive friends 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Monday, January 26, 2015 at Memorial Park South Funeral Home.

Mr. Tunis was born July 27, 1967 to Carol Ann Tunis and the late Harold Wayne Tunis in Hammond, Indiana and graduated from Purdue University with a Masters in Forestry & Natural Resources. He was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, and worked at Kroger in the Meat Department.

Mr. Tunis served in the Indiana National Guard for 6 years and was certified as a Master Gardner and Certified Arborist, and was a member of the Indiana Urban Forestry Council.

He loved his family and children. Loving life, he was an organ donor.

M

g Mr. Tunis is survived by his wife, Kim Tunis; son, Andrew Tunis; daughter, Kaelan Tunis all of Buford; mother, Carol Ann Tunis of Hammond, Indiana; brother, Keith Tunis of Indiana; sisters, Dawn Tunis, Kelly Middleborn, Sherry Meadows, Stephanie Mancilla all of Indiana, and Robin Ader of Maryland; and several nieces & nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association 1101 Northchase Parkway, Marietta, GA 30067, www.heart.org or to a scholarship fund for Brian’s children at http:// www.giveforward.com/ fundraiser/htf7/andrewamp-kaelan-tunis-collegefund.

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542 is in charge of arrangements.

Send on-line condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.

BUFORD

Christine Underwood Christine Sloan Underwood, age 66, of Buford, GA and the Ivy Creek Community passed away on Monday, January 19, 2015. She was preceded in death by her father, Johnie Sloan. She is survived by her husband of forty-five years, Lee Underwood, Buford, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Trisha Underwood, Pooler, GA; granddaughter, Siria Underwood, Pooler, GA; mother, Bernice Harris Sloan, Augusta, GA; sister, Shelia Ash, Evans, GA; brother and sisterin-law, Charles and Ann Sloan, Raleigh, NC; mother-in-law, Alma Underwood Mullen, Savannah, GA; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Melanie and Ron Phillips, Savannah, GA; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Underwood was born January 17, 1949 in Chamblee, GA. She was a 1967 graduate of East Atlanta High School and Valedictorian of her class and a 1971 graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. She was employed by various divisions of Southern Company Services Inc. including Georgia Power, Southern Electric International where she was the Controller, and Mirant from which she retired. She was a member of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. She was a member of Hebron Baptist Church where she was a member of the Joy Seekers Sunday School Class and a member of the Camp Branch Ladies’ Community Coffee Club in Buford, GA. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, GA with Rev. Mac Palmer officiating.

The family will receive friends at Hebron Baptist Church from 1:00 p.m. until time of service and then following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at http://support.themmrf. org/goto/christineunderwood in memory of Christine Underwood.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www. flaniganfuneralhome. com. Arrangements by: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA, 770-932-1133.

BUFORD

Sadie Wells Sadie M. Wells, age 89, of Buford, GA, passed away on January 22, 2015.

Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA 770-932-1133 www. flaniganfuneralhome.com

STONE MOUNTAIN

Ottley Wood Ottley Lee Wood, age 86, of Stone Mountain, GA, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2015. Mr. Wood was preceded in death by his son, Barry Ottley Wood. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lillian; daughters and sons in law, Landis and Jerry West of Loganville, GA, Barbara and Terry Thompson of Loganville, son and daughter in law, George “Butch” and Melanie Wood of Stone Mountain; sister in law, Kathleen Fann of Acworth; 14 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews as well as a host of other relatives. Mr. Wood grew up in Buckhead, Decatur and Stone Mountain, Ga. He proudly served in the US Navy, he was a member of Tucker Masonic Lodge, a Shriner, member of The Order of The Eastern Star and was a friend to everyone. He was a loving husband and father. He attended Sanctuary Baptist Church in Loganville, GA. The Funeral Service to Honor the Life of Ottley Lee Wood will be held on Monday, January 26, 2015 at 1:00 PM at Tom M. Wages, Snellville Chapel.

Interment will follow at Resthaven Cemetery in Decatur, GA. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 25, 2015 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, 1001 Johnson Ferry Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30342-1605. Condolences may be viewed or sent to www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company” Snellville Chapel 770-979-3200, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

DULUTH

Thomas Wood Thomas E. Wood, 86, of Duluth, GA, passed away January 23, 2015. The funeral service will be held Sunday, January 25, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. at Winters Chapel Baptist Church.

Burial will follow at Peachtree Memorial Park in Peachtree Corners, GA. The family will receive friends Saturday, January 24th, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Crowell Brothers Peachtree Chapel Funeral Home in Peachtree Corners, GA. Mr. Wood was a member of Winters Chapel Baptist Church for more than 30 years where he also served as a Deacon. He was in the United States Marines and served during the Korean Conflict.

He was a 1957 graduate of Tenn, loved Tenn Vols and was a Tenn Vol Alumni, and a member of Berkeley Hills Golf Club. Mr. Wood is preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Lottie Wood. He is survived by his children, Marianna (Ken) Yates, Tom (Libby) Wood; brother, Bob (Juanita) Wood and nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be expressed at www.crowellbrothers.com.

Arrangements by: Crowell Brothers Peachtree Chapel Funeral Home, 5051 Peachtree Ind. Blvd., Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 (770) 448-5757.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 • 9A

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Above, large piles of recycled Christmas tree chips are seen during the Bring One for the Chipper event hosted by Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful at Bethesda Park on Saturday in Lawrenceville. Below, Rayon Murray drags a used Christmas tree to the chipper during the Bring One for the Chipper event.

David Casper carries lumber and stumps away from the chipping area during the Bring One for the Chipper event hosted by Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful at Bethesda Park on Saturday in Lawrenceville. (Staff Photos: David Welker)

Chipper •From Page 1A “It’s one of the most fun events that we have all year,” Nnaife said. “It’s always good to help the community.”

Crews from Jackson EMC, Walton EMC and Georgia Power came with chipper trucks to help dispose of the trees. The event is organized by Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, and attracts volunteer groups from several local high schools.

GCB advisory board members and Gwinnett County Board of Education members Louise Radloff and Carole Boyce chipped in to help, as did Georgia Gwinnett College President Stas

Phi Nguyen, 18, sorts through used Christmas trees during the Bring One for the Chipper event hosted by Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful at Bethesda Park on Saturday in Lawrenceville.

Preczewski.

Radloff came to “just be a part of the team,” while Boyce enjoyed the fresh pine smell that engulfed the parking lot.

Lawrenceville resident

Rayon Murray was among the volunteers who came after he received an email on Friday about the event.

It was his first time working the event, but he said it was a good chance to volunteer

•From Page 1A

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and give back to the community.

One focus this year for the GCB was clean water and water conservation, which is aided by the recycled trees. This

Principal

ment and personalization of the school’s work to and Melanie Sigler of meet individual student Burney-Harris-Lyons needs.

Middle.

Each of the finalists The finalists were will participate in an selected by the GASSP interview process, and the selection committee announcement for Georfrom a pool of statewide gia’s Principals of the nominees. The criteria for Year will be made in late selection includes profes- February. sional and school excelCentral is one of five lence, as well as evidence Gwinnett schools that of exemplary work in recently launched an collaboration, curriculum, academy model to better instruction and assessprepare students for col-

•From Page 1A and kids in the digital age, it’s what they are used to,” said Bill Willits, executive director of ministry for the parent group, of the church’s use of multimedia in its services.

Gwinnett Church is an offshoot of Alpharetta-

process helps stabilize soil and reduce litter, said GCB advisory board member Jay Bassett.

With four children in school, Bassett said Gwinnett County Schools does a great job of instilling community service in the minds of students.

“People really respond because it’s where people can see the impact of what they do,” Bassett said.

“Here’s what it means for my community and environment.”

Fellow advisory board member Randy Dellinger said the turnout has a lot to do with the leadership and advisers at the respective schools, including Berkmar

lege and careers.

When she introduced the program to parents, Grimes wrote in a letter that this model would help accelerate academic work and improve the graduation rate.

Grimes has been the principal at Central since 2012, and previously was an assistant principal and principal at GIVE Center West. She’s worked in Gwinnett County Schools since 1986, and has also

High, Brookwood High, Phoenix High and Peachtree Ridge.

Dellinger, who works for Jackson EMC, said the crews working the trucks also look forward to returning year after year.

Mark Boggus, a groundsman for Townsend, said the work is different than a typical day where he normally works in subdivisions clearing trees from power lines.

He said the extra day’s pay is nice, but it wasn’t the sole motivation.

“We really want to help the community out,” he said. “Regardless of whether we’re getting paid or not, we would have volunteered for it.”

served as a teacher and counselor.

Along with Central, she’s also worked at Dacula High, McIntosh High and Georgia State University.

Grimes earned a Bachelor’s degree in special education from Dowling University, and a master’s and specialist degree in school counseling, along with certification in educational leadership all from Georgia State.

Church based North Point Ministries, which recently was called the largest church in America by Christianpost.com. About 33,000 people attend services each week at North Point’s eight Atlanta-area campuses, the article said.

Andy Stanley, the son of televangelist Charles Stanley, leads North Point.

Willits said about 900 adults and 600 children attend Gwinnett Church

services weekly. He added that the target is the “unchurched” — a person “who has not had a problem with God but with the church in the past.”

“We are focused on being relevant to families and the community.”

The site is no accident.

There are about 1,000 families within a 10-minute drive of the new campus who attend services at Gwinnett Church.

Willits praised city of

Sugar Hill officials for their work in cooperation with the new facility.

“We’ll be great neighbors to the community. This impacts all of Gwinnett.”

This is Phase One for Gwinnett Church. In the plans are more space for children and students, as well as converting a current theater (with seating for 1,300) to a permanent auditorium for adults.

There’s no timetable for these plans, Willits said.

Sign up to get Gwinnett Daily Post breaking news alerts and daily newsletters at www.gwinnettdailypost.com/newsletter.

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10A • SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

gwinnettdailypost.com

Johnson takes aim at grand jury in police shootings

By Joshua Sharpe

joshua.sharpe @gwinnettdailypost.com

For months, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson has been upset about the lack of charges against police officers for killing unarmed black men — and his feelings aren’t changing.

This week, the congressman, representing parts of Gwinnett County, announced a bill that would disqualify local district attorneys from prosecuting civilian deaths at the hands of authorities and eliminate grand juries from the initial charging process. A judge, rather than a grand jury, would make the decision whether to bring charges during a public court hearing, based on the findings of a third-party prosecutor.

Also this week, Johnson attempted to start a social media sensation with the “#HandsUpChallenge,” encouraging people to post photos of themselves with their hands up in front of locations of civil rights importance. Johnson picked the tomb of Martin Luther

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, who represents Gwinnett, posted on Facebook this photo of him taking the “Hands Up Challenge” at the resting place of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, the federal holiday remembering the civil rights icon. (Special Photo)

King Jr. to pose in front on Monday, the holiday for King’s memory.

These actions are spawned by the DeKalb County-based Democrat’s belief in the “Black Lives Matter” movement that sprung up in the aftermath of the deaths of Michael

Brown in Ferguson, Mo. and Eric Garner in Staten

Gwinnett’s Kids Got Talent Show applications open From Staff Reports Gwinnett students will again take the stage at Central Gwinnett High School to showcase a variety of talents. HiHope Service Center announced its second annual Gwinnett’s Kids Got Talent Show will take place on Saturday, March 28.

The show will include students from Gwinnett County Public Schools, elementary through high school. The event helps raise funds and awareness for local adults with developmental disabilities supported by the HiHope Service Center.

Auditions will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hi-Hope Service Center located at 882 Hi Hope Road in Lawrenceville.

Auditions are by appointment only. Those interested should complete the application online at hihopecenter. org/talentshow. Once the application is received,

applicants will be contacted by phone or email to schedule an audition time.

Applications must be received by Friday, Jan. 30. Any applications received after this date cannot be guaranteed an audition. For more information contact Reanna Singh at rsingh@hihopecenter.org.

Hi-Hope Service also offers a number of sponsorship opportunities tailored to any size business, group or individual.

Those interested should visit hihopecenter.org for details or contact Shannon Brabner, director of development, at sbrabner@hihopecenter.org.

Hi-Hope Service Center has a 55 year tradition of supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. Now focusing on adults, the Center provides support by connecting them with integrated opportunities for learning, work and leisure.

For more information, visit hihopecenter.org.

Fusion Awards on Monday will recognize contributors to the arts F S R rom

taff

eports

ArtWorks! Gwinnett will again honor some of Gwinnett’s most influential members of the arts community during the fourth annual ArtWorks!

Gwinnett Fusion Awards.

The nonprofit arts organization will hold the Fusion Awards on Monday, Feb. 2, recognizing the outstanding contributions of artists, arts organizations, arts educators and corporate supporters of the arts. There were more than 70 nominations for the 15 awards — the Fusion judging panel narrowed down the pool to no more than three nominees per category.

ArtWorks! Gwinnett announced this year’s nominees on Thursday. The nominees for the Lifetime Achievement Award are Anna Balkan, “Art” Lee Bivens and Lynn Urda.

The contenders for the Vision Award are Sherry Ingbritsen, Teresa Osborn

and Anthony Rodriguez and Ann-Carol Pence.

The Fusion Awards ceremony will be at 7 p.m. at the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville. It will feature performances by local artists from across the county, followed by a champagne and dessert reception in the lobby.

This year’s sponsors include Primerica, Andersen Tate & Carr, Jackson EMC, Gwinnett Village CID, Aurora Theatre, The McGarity Group and the ArtWorks Gwinnett Board of Directors. Tickets are $20 and available at eventbrite.com.

ArtWorks! Gwinnett is an nonprofit organization that strives to improve the economy and quality of life in Gwinnett by promoting and strengthening the arts, and connecting artists and arts organizations with the broader community and each other. For more information, visit artworksgwinnett.org.

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Island, N.Y. But just as in August, when he floated a bill attacking the “militarization” of police, Johnson might still have opposition to his attempts at reform.

“I think it would be a terrible knee jerk reaction to remove the local District Attorney from the decision making process on any particular group of our society based on recent events,” Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway said in an email Friday. “The process works as is.”

According to the sheriff, who took issue with Johnson’s proposed Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act, the congressman’s latest idea could take the power from the public’s hands.

“Recently there has been much conjecture across the country on the results

of Grand Jury decisions,” Conway said. “These decisions are made by citizens representing our communities that have listened to great amounts of evidence to which the general public has not been privy, leading to criticism by members of the public who have not heard the evidence which led to said decisions.”

Johnson disagrees.

“People demand an end to what is perceived as unequal justice, and that those who are responsible for the use of excessive force be brought to justice,” he said in a news release announcing The Grand Jury Reform Act. “They do not trust a secret grand jury system that is so clearly broken.”

Johnson’s bill, he says, will help restore trust and end the “secret and biased grand jury process.”

Trust in the system — or a lack thereof — has been a common theme for the congressman in recent months.

News of the decisions not to indict the officers named in the deaths of Brown and Garner was met quickly with press releases from Johnson’s office, expressing his shock and concern.

He even read a poem on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives about “black men and boys killed by police” and “impunity for the killers.”

Other Congress members have avoided such boisterous criticism. But Johnson says he has support. The grand jury bill, according to Johnson, has more than 20 co-sponsors, including civil rights leader and fellow Georgia Congressman John Lewis.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 • 11A

gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful commemorates 35 years Awards dinner held to honor environmental stewardship

By Chris Stephens Staff Correspondent

DULUTH — For 35 years, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful has served as a catalyst for caring individuals, organizations and businesses who wish to create a greener, cleaner Gwinnett.

On Friday night, the organization commemorated those 35 years with an Environmental Consciousness and Stewardship Awards dinner.

“It’s important that we take a moment to reflect on our past so it can help us prepare for the future,” said Gwinnett County

ON THE WEB To see more photos from this event, check out the Spotted gallery at spotted.gwinnettdailypost.com.

Magistrate Court judge Honorable Kristina Blum, who emceed the event.

“Our award recipients have strived for a greener, cleaner, more livable Gwinnett.”

The dinner honored various people in Gwinnett for their work in keeping Gwinnett beautiful.

Marsha Anderson Bomar received the Green Business Leader of the Decade award for her work as a transportation

The Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Founder’s Award was awarded to the Lawrenceville Women’s Club. The award was presented by Phil Wolfe and accepted by Paula Carroll and Sheila Jones at the 35th annual awards dinner on Friday night.

engineer. Bomar, who also serves as a councilwoman for Duluth, said it was an honor to receive the award.

“To think that I’ve done something noteworthy for this community is an incredible honor,” she said.

Bomar said she is proud of her work in helping redevelopment efforts that continue to clean up Gwinnett, including the Block in downtown Duluth.

“When people think of recycling, they think of recycling at home (cans, bottles, newspapers, etc.),” Bomar said.

“I like to think in bigger terms because I’m an engineer. I like for us to go into old buildings and redevelop them for new businesses. Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful started while the county was in growth mode. Now, we’re in redevelopment mode.

We have to incorporate the community in the conversation about how best to

The Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Green Business Leader of the Decade Award was presented to Marsha Anderson Bomar

by Ethel Anderson at the 35th annual awards dinner on Friday night.

(Photos: Chris Roughgarden)

redevelop.”

The Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District was named the Public-Private Partner of the Decade, an honor that Executive Director Chuck Warbington was proud to accept.

“Our big initiatives have

dealt with the uncleanliness of some areas,” Warbington said. “We’ve focused on litter pickup, graffiti removal and recycling.

“When we first came in, the area was unkept and a free-for-all. It seemed like the community didn’t care.

But through efforts of the community, people are now feeling better about the area and are wanting to invest in it.”

Throughout the event, education was stressed to the crowd, and is something that Warbington agreed wholeheartedly with.

“We’re teaching kids at an early age what they need to do,” he said. “It’s going to go with them the rest of their lives and they’re going to take that knowledge into other communities.”

Other award recipients on the evening included the Lawrenceville Women’s Club with the Founder’s Award, Okabashi Brands Inc. with the Green Industry of the Decade, the Lake Lanier Association with the Green Community Organization of the Decade, Mason Elementary School with the Green Educator of the Decade, Gwinnett County Government with the Green Government of the Decade, Eagle Rock Distributing Company with the Recycling Partner of the Decade, Kevin Bhimani with the Green Youth of the Decade, Butch Conway with the Volunteer of the Decade, and Louise Radloff with the Environmental Legacy of the Decade.

Part of the festivities of the evening included reliving the last 35 years of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful through photos and initiatives, as well as giving a history lesson about what was popular in 1980.

CEO Connie Wiggins stressed to the crowd that each person in attendance made a contribution in “time, talent and treasure,” helping ensure Gwinnett stayed clean and beautiful.

Suwanee man, 27, dies in fiery wrong-way I-85 wreck

By Keith Farner keith.farner @gwinnettdailypost.com

A 27-year-old Suwanee man was killed early Saturday morning after police and witnesses said he drove northbound in the southbound lanes of Interstate 85 in DeKalb County and triggered a three-vehicle crash.

The wreck happened at about 1:15 a.m. south of North Druid Hills Road near Cheshire Bridge Road.

Keith F. Smith of Suwanee was driving a 2001 Mercedes 300TDT when he hit head-on a 2015 Isuzu rental truck driven

by a 62-year-old Cumming man.

The collision caused the Mercedes to explode in flames, Smith was ejected and died at the scene, according to a DeKalb County Police incident report. Witnesses told police that they saw sparks and flames coming from the front of the rental truck. A third vehicle, a 2008 Toyota Corolla with three people inside, was struck by the Mercedes as it spun around.

The Cumming man was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. A passenger in the Corolla was

also taken to Grady after complaining of a headache.

All three vehicles suffered extensive damage and deployed air bags.

Other witnesses at the scene told police that Smith’s headlights were not on when he passed their vehicle.

Smith reportedly entered the interstate from the exit ramp at Cheshire Bridge Road and Lenox Road.

Investigators could not determine if Smith was driving under the influence, but they found suspected illegal drugs in his front right pants pocket.

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12A • SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

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sports

MORE INSIDE Auto/Classifieds • Pages 6B-10B

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SECTION B • SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

Broncos back

Brookwood’s Devan Sweeney competes in the Girls 100 yard Butterfly during the 2015 Gwinnett County swimming and diving championships at the West Gwinnett Park & Aquatic Center on Saturday in Norcross. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

Brookwood girls reclaim top spot in the county

By Will Hammock

Aquatic Center, returning to the top after watching Mill Creek win the girls title in 2013 and 2014.

• Girls County Diving NORCROSS — North Brookwood finished with Championship on Page 2B Gwinnett’s attempt at his1,023 points to hold off • Full County Swim results tory fell short Saturday as North Gwinnett (969.5), on Page 4B • More photos from the Brookwood’s girls swimwhich was runner-up for County Swimmng and ming and diving team the second straight year.

Diving Championships at added another chapter to its Mill Creek (799.5) was gwinnettprepsports.com already impressive legacy. third, followed by Parkview The Broncos won the onships for the 12th time in (624) and Peachtree Ridge Gwinnett County Swimthe last 16 years Saturday (610). ming and Diving Champi- night at the West Gwinnett Collins Hill (531), Nor-

will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

MORE COUNTY SWIM & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

cross (451), Archer (401), Grayson (333) and Duluth (312) also finished in the top 10.

The powerful Broncos, also favorites at the upcoming state meet, swept all three girls relay titles as well as five individual championships.

“That was very nice,” Brookwood head coach Greg Puckett said. “They were excited and they

performed well. We knew it would be tough competition from North Gwinnett and Mill Creek relays. We had good individual and relay performances as a team, all the way up and down.

Everybody that swam did very well.”

The Broncos won the meet-opening 200 medley relay in a county-meet record time of 1:45.85 — behind the foursome of

Maddy Cohen, Erin Scott, Devan Sweeney and Leila Taylor — and never slowed down. That record was set earlier by a Brookwood relay featuring Cohen, Scott, Sweeney and Megan Hansen.

Anna Jahns, Sweeney, Scott and Hansen teamed up to win the 200 free relay in 1:38.01, then the group

See BRONCOS, Page 4B

Bekemeyer, Delk lead Collins Hill boys to county title

By Will Hammock will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

NORCROSS — Cody Bekemeyer and several of his teammates donned green capes for Saturday night’s Gwinnett County Swimming and Diving Championships awards ceremony.

The Collins Hill swimmers weren’t heroes, but they were county champions again thanks to exceptional depth and outstanding days individually from Bekemeyer

and Taylor Delk.

The Eagles scored 1,006 points and pulled away from runner-up Parkview (885), repeating as the Gwinnett boys champions. It was the program’s fourth county title and matched its previous repeat in 2004 and 2005.

North Gwinnett was third with 775 points, Brookwood took fourth at 732 and Norcross was fifth at 636. Peachtree Ridge (570), Duluth (525.5), Mill Creek (426), Grayson (312) and

Archer (294.5) rounded out the top 10.

“Two in a row is important to us,” Collins Hill coach Paul Callis said. “Last year was exciting to just do it (for the first time since 2005). This year we’ve come in with lots of big goals and getting two in a row is one of those goals. We’re not done yet hopefully. We’re going to keep it rolling (at state).

We definitely wanted to prove we’re not a flash in the pan.”

Bekemeyer and Delk

were the Collins Hill stars, each winning a pair of individual titles. They also joined Andrew Winton and Wesley Hobbs on a first-place 200 medley relay (1:36.84).

For Bekemeyer, it was his second straight county meet sweeping the 200- and 500-yard freestyle championships.

He lowered his own county-meet record in the 500 free with a time of 4 minutes, 28.22 seconds Collins Hill’s Cody Bekemeyer competes in the Boys 500 and also won the 200 free yard Freestyle during the Gwinnett County swimming championships at the West Gwinnett Park & Aquatic Cen-

See EAGLES, Page 4B ter on Saturday in Norcross. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

Collins Hill’s softball coach North DC Andrews hired Pierce hired by Mill Creek as Bowdon’s head coach

By Will Hammock will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

Paul Pierce is headed from one Gwinnett softball power to another.

The successful Collins Hill coach has agreed to become the head softball coach at Region 7-AAAAAA rival Mill Creek for the 201516 school year. Pierce will complete the 2015 season as Collins Hill’s head baseball coach, then move to Mill Creek, where he also will be an assistant baseball coach for good friend Doug Jones. “(Pierce) is extremely organized and a very, very good coach,” Mill Creek athletic direc-

tor Gary Long said.

“He’s all about family and character.

All the attributes Paul Pierce we look for in our players, he has as a coach. He’s what I call a Mill Creek guy.”

Pierce said he could sum up the main reason for the move in one word.

“There were a lot of factors, but it all comes down to family,” said Pierce, who has guided the Eagles’ softball team to state championships in 2011 and 2013 and led the baseball team to postseason berths in five seasons. “It’s an oppor-

tunity to be at the school my boys (will) go to and watch them grow up and just be a dad.”

Pierce is one of Collins Hill’s longest tenured coaches. He was hired in 1997 out of Georgia Southern, where he played college baseball, as a baseball assistant.

He has coached with the Eagles’ baseball program since his first year at the school, taking over as head coach in 2004.

He also was a longtime football coach at Collins Hill until he joined the softball staff as an assistant in 2010, when the Eagles won the state title.

He took over as head softball coach in 2011, See PIERCE, Page 4B

From Staff Reports One of Gwinnett County’s highest-profile assistant football coaches is getting his first head coaching job at one of Georgia’s oldest and most storied smallschool programs.

North Gwinnett defensive coordinator Robert Andrews was introduced as the new head coach at Bowdon High School by the Carroll County school system on Friday.

For the past 14 years, Andrews has been on the staffs of successful programs, including stops at Wesleyan, Grayson and North.

His defense for the 2011 Grayson team, which included All-

American defensive end and current All-SEC Ole Miss lineman Robert Robert NkemAndrews diche, was a major catalyst for the Rams’ Class AAAAAA state championship team that season.

His defenses at Grayson and North have produced more than 25 shutouts over the past six seasons.

Andrews will have some large shoes to fill.

He succeeds Dwight Hochstetler, who retired after 37 seasons — the last 27 at Bowdon — as No. 4 on the state’s

all-time wins list with 345, including leading the Red Devils to 241 of those wins and the 1992 Class A state title.

However, he says he is looking forward to the challenge of keeping up the winning tradition there.

“I am so excited to join the Bowdon community and become a part of the Bowdon football family,” Andrews said Friday in a statement released on the website of a Carrollton radio station.

“Bowdon football is rich in tradition and success.

It is an honor to have this opportunity to join this community and lead the Bowdon High School football program.”

2B • SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

gwinnettdailypost.com

Grayson’s Rachel Wellington exceeds expectations to take Gwinnett County girls diving championship

By David Friedlander david.friedlander@ gwinnettdailypost.com

STONE MOUNTAIN — Rachel Wellington knew she had a chance to do fairly well in the diving competition of the Gwinnett County swimming and diving championships.

But coming into Saturday’s 11-dive meet, she kept her expectations rather modest.

“My goal was to place (in the) top three,” the Grayson sophomore said.

“I just came in with the mindset to just do that.”

She did that, and much more, taking an early lead and running with it to win the 2015 county title with an 11-dive score of 326.85.

Wellington was one of just two divers to break the 300-point mark — the other being runner-up Sarah Bitner of Mill Creek, who scored 306.10 — as she took the lead in the early round of dives and never let it go, though she said tried to keep that fact out of her mind despite constant reminders.

“I wasn’t paying attention to the scores,” Wellington said. “A couple of people came up to me and said, ‘Hey, you know you’re in first?’ And I kind of brushed it off. I stopped paying attention to the scores because they can change so much.

“About my third dive, I really hit (it well) after a very bad second one, and I was thinking, ‘I can do this.’”

Bitner had similarly modest expectations heading into Saturday’s competition, and like Wellington, she exceeded them.

The senior posted the best county meet finish of her career, and like Wellington, believes a singlemindedness on staying on the task at hand was the key.

“Coming in, I just wanted to finish in the top five,” Bitner said. “I

COUNTY FINALS Gwinnett County Girls Diving Championships Saturday At Mountain Park Aquatic Center Individual 11-dive results 1. Rachel Wellington, Grayson, 326.85 2. Sarah Bitner, Mill Creek, 306.10 3. Lyle Hoge, Norcross, 287.70 4. Faith Wilson, Dacula, 281.15 5. Francesca Reda, Peachtree Ridge, 273.05 6. Sydney Donohue, Mountain View, 272.60 7. Markiyah Davis, South Gwinnett, 268.15 8. Kamilah Manohar, Collins Hill, 261.40 9. Reecy Brown, Mill Creek, 257.75 10. Madison Franklin, Collins Hill, 255.30

MORE ONLINE Log on to gwinnettprepsports.com for more photos from the County Swimming and Diving Championships

never expected to finish second. I was just able to focus, take one dive at a time and ignore everything that went wrong, and everything that went right, too.”

Wellington, Bitner and three other divers in the top six — Faith Wilson of Dacula, Franchesca Reda of Peacthree Ridge and Sydney Donohue of Mountain View — had already qualified for the state meet before Saturday’s action.

They were joined by one first-time qualifier who came in as a bit of an unknown factor.

Competing in her first 11-dive competition of the season, Norcross’ Lyle Hoge posted a score of 287.70 to not only break the 270-point barrier needed to qualify for state, but to edge Wilson (281.15) by six points and finish third.

Reda rounded out the top five with a score of 273.05, less than a halfpoint ahead of Donohue, who took sixth at 272.60.

Grayson’s Rachel Wellington competes during Saturday’s Gwinnett County girls diving championships at Mountain Park Aquatic Center in Lilburn. (Photo: Kyle Hess)

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ondeck Gwinnett Preps BASKETBALL

Tuesday

5:30 p.m. —- Wesleyan at GAC 6 p.m. — Berkmar at Brookwood 6 p.m. — Buford at Monroe Area 6 p.m. — North at Collins Hill 6 p.m. — Commerce at Hebron 6 p.m. — Dacula at Central 6 p.m. — Duluth at Mill Creek 6 p.m. — Grayson at Parkview 6 p.m. — Meadowcreek at Mountain View 6 p.m. — Peachtree Ridge at Norcross 6 p.m. — Prince Ave. at Providence 6 p.m. — South at Archer

WRESTLING

5 p.m. — Duluth, Stephenson at Meadowcreek Central

The Home Teams

TODAY NEXT UPCOMING Reading 2:05 p.m.

at Indianapolis Wed, 7:05 p.m.

at Evansville Fri, 8:15 p.m.

Minnesota Brooklyn Sun, 6 p.m.

Wed, 8 p.m.

SS/92.9 FM ESPN/92.9 FM

Portland Fri, 7:30 p.m.

SS/92.9 FM

UGA hoops

Off

at South Carolina Sat, 4 p.m.

ESPNU/750-AM

Tech hoops

Boston College at Miami Sun, 1 p.m.

Wed, 9 p.m.

FSS/680-AM WATL/680-AM

N.C. State Sat, Noon ACCN/680-AM

GSU hoops

Off

Arkansas State Sat, 2 p.m.

88.5-FM

Gladiators

Hawks

Vanderbilt Tue, 7 p.m.

SECN/750-AM

at UT-Arlington Thur, 8 p.m.

88.5-FM

PTV = Peachtree TV, SS = SportSouth, FSS = Fox Sports South

On TV EXTREME SPORTS

Today

1 p.m. — Winter X Games Aspen. Snowmobile slopestyle; ski superpipe. ESPN

FIGURE SKATING

4 p.m. — U.S. Championships: Men’s Free Skate. From Greensboro, N.C. NBC

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

1 p.m. — Boston College at Georgia Tech FSS 1:30 p.m. — Indiana at Ohio State CBS 2 p.m. — Duke at St. John’s FOX 3 p.m. — Seton Hall at Butler SS 4 p.m. — Louisville at Pittsburgh CBS 7 p.m. — Creighton at Villanova FS1

NBA

1 p.m. — Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls ABC 3:30 p.m. — Oklahoma City Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers ABC 6 p.m. — Minnesota Timberwolves at Atlanta Hawks SS

NFL

8 p.m. — Pro Bowl From University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz ESPN

NHL

5 p.m. — All-Star Game From Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio NBCSP

TENNIS

9 p.m. — Australian Open Round of 16. From Melbourne, Australia. ESPN2

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

1 p.m. — Vanderbilt at Alabama SS 2:30 p.m. — Butler at Xavier FS1 3 p.m. — Connecticut at Cincinnati ESPN2 3 p.m. — North Carolina State at Syracuse FSS 4:30 p.m. — Iowa State at Texas FS1 5 p.m. — Duke at North Carolina ESPN2 5 p.m. — Miami at Louisville FSS Monday

BOXING

10 p.m. — Rocky Juarez vs. Robinson Castellanos FS1

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

7 p.m. — Syracuse at North Carolina ESPN 9 p.m. — Texas at Iowa State ESPN

TENNIS

3 a.m. — Australian Open Round of 16. From Melbourne, Australia. ESPN2 9 p.m. — Australian Open Quarterfinals. From Melbourne, Australia. ESPN2

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

7 p.m. — Texas A&M at South Carolina ESPN2 Tuesday

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

7 p.m. — Nebraska at Michigan ESPN 7 p.m. — West Virginia at Kansas State ESPN2 7 p.m. — Xavier at Georgetown FS1 9 p.m. — Florida at Alabama ESPN 9 p.m. — DePaul at Providence FS1

NHL

7:30 p.m. — Tampa Bay Lightning at Carolina Hurricanes NBCSP

TENNIS

9 p.m. — Australian Open Quarterfinals. From Melbourne, Australia. ESPN2

Sports Calendar

BASEBALL

Thursday: I9 Sports of Northwest Gwinnett and Hall County offers spring programs for boys and girls ages 3-18. Early registration deadline is Jan. 29. Location is E.E. Robinson Park. Open to all skill levels and everyone plays. No tryouts and same-day practices and games. Register online at www. i9sports.com or call 678-472-2142.

Feedback

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

www.gwinnettdailypost.com

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 • 3B

PREP BASKETBALL: HILTON INVITATIONAL ROUNDUP

Norcross overcomes one-man show

By Guy Curtright

away late for a 72-64 victory over the team from Huntsville, Ala. NORCROSS — All Ricky Madison, who eyes were on Madison has signed with High Academy’s (Ala.) Josh Point, scored 20 points Langford and the highly and Norcross (18-3) got touted college prospect key contributions from certainly didn’t disapsenior reserves Amir point.

Butcher and Octavious The 6-foot-6 junior Gage while running their had 27 points, nine winning streak to nine rebounds, three assists games. and three blocks, wowStill, it was Lanford ing the near-capacity who had fans talking and crowd Saturday night at the recruiters drooling. the ninth annual Hilton “As we progress in Invitational put on by the region playoffs and Norcross. state tournament, we’re “He’s a really good going to have to be able player, but I’m not too to stop players like that,” happy that we let a McMillan said. “That’s young man come into why we scheduled the our showcase against game and hopefully it us and turn it into his will prepare us. I’m just show,” Blue Devils coach happy we learned from Jesse McMillan said. this with a ‘W.’” One player couldn’t Langford had 14 beat Norcross, though, points in the third quarand the Blue Devils pulled ter and Madison AcadStaff Correspondent

emy briefly took the lead midway in the fourth.

But the Blue Devils than ran off 12 straight, six coming from Gage.

Butcher had come off the bench to give Norcross a spark in the first quarter, hitting a pair of 3-pointers and then putting in a rebound basket at the buzzer for an 1815 lead.

“Amir had been in a little slump, so it was key when he came in and hit those 3s on a big stage,” McMillan said.

Madison then took over in the second quarter, scoring 11 of his 12 first-half points as the Blue Devils led by as many as 13 points before going into halftime up 39-30.

Langford’s sensational third-quarter cut the Norcross lead to 55-51 going into the fourth.

Butcher finished with 14 points, while 6-foot7 sophomore Rayshaun Hammonds had 13 points and a team-best seven rebounds.

Senior Tim Cameron contributed nine points, three assists and two blocks. Freshman Dalvin White dished four assists and Gage had eight points. Myles Parker, a 6-foot-7 sophomore, had 16 points for Madison Academy (10-11), but he and Langford combined for all except 21 of the team’s points.

Now Norcross has to transition back to Region 7-AAAAAA play, where the first-place Blue Devils host Peachtree Ridge on Tuesday and Mill Creek on Friday.

“We want to keep playing hard and see how long we can keep this going,” McMillan said.

North Gwinnett’s turnaround continues

By Guy Curtright Staff Correspondent

NORCROSS — North Gwinnett, hoping for a late-season turnaround, were trying to build off a big Region 7-AAAAAA victory at Duluth on Friday night with impressive showing in the ninth annual Hilton Invitational.

Despite a quick turnaround, the Bulldogs were able to do just that.

Kam Calhoun scored 13 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter and North defeated North Carolina’s Christ School 59-48 on Saturday in a game that started at 11:30 a.m.

If the Bulldogs were a little sleepy at the start, they didn’t show it. After all, they’ve dealt with much worse this season.

Star guard T.J Howard transferred for his senior year, 6-foot-8 Malik Carter was suspended and Calhoun missed three games with a concussion.

Losses pilled up amid a rugged schedule, but North (9-11) has now won three games in a row and four of its past six.

The return of Carter has certainly helped, but he was quiet except for a big fourth-quarter 3-pointer

North Gwinnett’s Kamaran Calhoun (22) drives to the basket in this Saturday’s game played against Christ High School from Arden, N.C. He is defended by John Caldwell (10) and John Fulkerson (20) in the Hilton Invitational at Norcross High School. (Photo: Craig Cappy)

and the Bulldogs still beat a team that came in with a 16-6 record.

“The way we’re playing now, I think we can beat

anyone,” said Calhoun, a four-year starter.

North led 16-10 after the first quarter, 25-18 at halftime and was up 36-24

in the third quarter. Christ School went up by a point in midway in the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs regained control from there.

The 6-foot-4 Calhoun finished with a pair of 3-pointers and went 11for-14 from the foul line.

Senior guard Jack Stucke also hit twice from behind the arc and had 12 points, while 6-foot-6 senior center Dejean Tojcic came off the bench to contribute eight points and five rebounds.

Senior guard John Caldwell and 6-foot-8 junior center John Fulkerson each had 12 points for Christ School.

North, which reached the Elite Eight last season, has only lost to 7-AAAAAA leader Norcross and Class A power Greenforest in the past six games.

The Bulldogs play at Collins Hill on Tuesday as they battle for seeding in the upcoming region tournament.

“We don’t have the talent we had last year, but we’ve never given in,” Calhoun said. “We’ve stayed dedicated and played for the love of basketball.”

GAC’s upset bid of Lee (Ala.) falls short

By Guy Curtright Staff Correspondent

NORCROSS — Few of Greater Atlanta Christian’s victories in recent seasons could have been classified as upsets. The Spartans were too dominant for that.

If GAC would have been able to hold on against Alabama power Huntsville Lee, it would have certainly qualified, though.

Unfortunately, the Spartans couldn’t hang on Saturday in the ninth annual Hilton Invitational at Norcross. Lee (18-3) rallied after falling behind by seven points in the third quarter and edged GAC 54-50 as seniors Ashton Ray and Gerron Scissum each scored seven points in the final quarter.

Senior Cam Boyd’s 3-pointer drew GAC (128) within a point with 28.3 seconds left, but Lee was able to hold on against the two-time defending Class AA state champions.

Ray finished with 15 points and four assists, while the 6-foot-8 Scissum had 13 points and eight rebounds.

Senior Eric Jamison had 16 points and nine rebounds for GAC, while junior Garrett Covington contributed 14 points and nine boards.

Boyd had four 3-pointers en route to 14 points.

GAC’s Eric Jamison (2) drives against Lee (Ala.) defender Gerron Scissum (22) in the Hilton Invitational at Norcross High School. (Photo: Craig Cappy).

GAC played without starter Jacob Hoffman.

The junior spent time in the hospital during the week with an infection and sat on the bench with a bandage on his face.

reached the Class AAAAA Final Four last season, is 17-3, while the three-time North Carolina private school champ fell to 12-6.

52 on a 3-point play, but fouled out shortly afterward. DeMatha is in the Top 10 of some national rankings.

DeMatha (Md.) 61, Pebblebrook 54 Jenkins 70, D.J. Harvey, a Winston-Salem (N.C.) 57 6-foot-6 sophomore, Junior guard Dimescored 18 points and actri Chambers led five claimed DeMatha Cathodouble-figure scorers with lic of Maryland improved 18 points as Jenkins of to 17-1 with a 61-54 Savannah, ranked No. 2 victory over Pebblebrook in Class AAA, defeated (16-5). Clemson-bound Winston-Salem Prep Pebblebrook guard Ty 70-57. Jenkins, which Hudson tied the game at

Montrose (Md.) 80, Covenant 66 Junior guard Alani Moore scored 27 points to lead nationally ranked Montrose Christian of Maryland to an 80-66 victory over Cevenant Christian, a non-GHSA school from Marietta.

Montrose improved to 15-3 with the victory.

4B • SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

gwinnettdailypost.com

Broncos

•From Page 1B of Jahns, Haylie Dixon, Hansen and Cohen completed the relay sweep with a swim of 3:32.61 in the meet-ending 400 free relay.

Cohen broke a countymeet record in the 100 backstroke at 55.76 — the old mark was set in 2012

by Mill Creek’s Rachael Dudley — and won a second county title in the 100 free (51.35). It was her second straight county crown in the backstroke.

Scott won the 100 breaststroke (1:04.50) and Jahns won the 500 free (4:53.11), both repeat titles from 2014. Sweeney was the 200 IM champion for the second straight year as well, winning in 2:05.27 ahead of runner-up and teammate Scott. Jahns (third in the 200 free), Hansen (second in 50 free and 100 free), Sweeney (second in 100 fly) and Dixon (fourth in 500 free) also posted top-five finishes.

“They’re good kids, good, hard-working kids that went out and per-

•From Page 1B

Members of the Brookwood Broncos girls swim team cheer after being announced as the winner of the 2015 Gwinnett County swimming and diving championships at the West Gwinnett Aquatic Center on Saturday in Norcross. (Staff Photo: David Welker)

formed,” Puckett said.

Though it didn’t come away with an individual event title, North used its depth to challenge the Broncos. The Bulldogs were led by top-five finishers Hannah Terranova (fourth in 200 free), Marianne Allard (fourth in 200

IM and fifth in 100 breast), Abigail Duncan (fifth in 200 IM) and Maggie Anderson (fifth in 100 fly).

Peachtree Ridge senior Haley McInerny was one of the individual standouts in the girls meet.

The Kentucky recruit won the 200 free in

1:49.45 and the 100 butterfly in 54.32, setting a new county-meet record.

The time broke her own mark of 54.54 from last year.

Parkview sprinter Morgan Fleming also earned a county title in the 50 free with a time of 24.23.

Pierce

As much as he’s looking forward to that proswinning state that year, pect, as well as working and won a second state with his longtime friend Jones and the Hawks’ championship as head baseball program, he softball coach in 2013. says it will be hard to Collins Hill, which leave the Collins Hill went 23-7 and made program he’s invested the second round of so many years in. the state playoffs last “I’ve been at Colseason, has won five lins Hill for 18 years,” state titles the past 10 Pierce said. “I’ve been seasons. very blessed to develop “Paul’s a great guy amazing relationships and he’s done a treand blessed to have mendous job with the good players come thosoftball program,” rugh (both) program(s).”

Collins Hill athletics That includes one director Jason Dopson final baseball season, said. “He helped build our program into one of which he says he and the Eagles will go all the best around.” out for this spring.

Pierce replaces “I’ve committed all Brian Abernethy as Mill 18 years (as an assisCreek’s head softball tant and head coach), coach. Abernethy took over on an interim basis and this year will be no last summer when previ- different,” Pierce said.

“I’m looking forward to ous head coach Roger being fully committed Parham was hired at this season and reaching Gainesville. our goals.”

The new Mill Creek coach inherits a program — Staff Writer David that graduated just one senior and won the state Friedlander contributed to this report championship in 2008.

Eagles

•From Page 1B in 1:40.11, just off his record of 1:39.23 from last year.

Delk won the 200 individual medley in 1:52.62 and the 100 backstroke in 50.45, breaking the county-meet record in the latter event and unseating defending champion Alex Taylor of Brookwood. The old mark of 50.77 was set in 2011 by Peachtree Ridge’s Luke Upchurch.

“Cody and Taylor are not only leaders on our team but they’re leaders in the pool,” Collins Hill coach Jenny Weaver said.

“Cody has, and so has Taylor, gotten our team to believe that they needed to seek opportunities to either qualify for state or score at state, that they have to find a way to make it happen. This team believes.”

Winton (fourth in 200 IM and third in 100 breast) and Hobbs (third in 100 fly and fourth in 100 back) also contributed top-five finishes for the champion Eagles.

Parkview, winners of

Members of the Collins Hill Eagles boys swim stand atop the podium after being announced as the winner of the Gwinnett County swimming and diving championships at the West Gwinnett Aquatic Center on Saturday .

North Gwinnett’s JP Baselj competes in the Boys 100 yard Butterfly during the 2015 Gwinnett County swimming and diving championships at the West Gwinnett Park Aquatic Center on Saturday in Norcross. (Staff Photos: David Welker)

19 county titles in a 22year span before Collins Hill’s current run, got a great day individually from Dalton Vaux. Vaux swept the 50 (21.18) and 100 (46.48) free races and was on the first-place 200 free relay (1:26.23) with Jacob Finco, Gregory Paulukaitis and

Samuel Kim. Brookwood won the 400 free relay in a county-meet record time of 3:09.36, bettering the 2011 mark of Peachtree Ridge. The record-setting relay featured Andrew Huenniger, Hans Kind, Jacob Rees and Taylor.

The Broncos’ also got

a championship from Huenniger in the 100 butterfly (50.40).

Duluth went 1-2 in the 100 breaststroke, with J.P. Portillo (58.08) edging out teammate Jonathan Yang (58.31). It was a repeat county championship in the event for Portillo.

Parkview’s Dalton Vaux competes in the Boys 100-yard freestyle final during the 2015 Gwinnett County swimming championships at the West Gwinnett Aquatic Center on Saturday in Norcross.

2015 GWINNETT COUNTY SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS Gwinnett County Swimming and Diving Championships At West Gwinnett Aquatic Center Saturday’s swimming finals results (Distances in yards)

BOYS Team standings 1. Collins Hill, 1,006 2. Parkview, 885 3. North Gwinnett, 775 4. Brookwood, 732 5. Norcross, 636 6. Peachtree Ridge, 570 7. Duluth, 525.5 8. Mill Creek, 426 9. Grayson, 312 10. Archer, 294.5 11. Dacula, 251 12. Meadowcreek, 166 12. Shiloh, 166 14. Berkmar, 157 15. Lanier, 152 16. Mountain View, 124 17. South Gwinnett, 100 18. Central Gwinnett, 47 200 medley relay 1. Collins Hill, 1:36.84 (Taylor Delk, Andrew Winton, Wesley Hobbs, Cody Bekemeyer) 2. Parkview, 1:37.33 3. North Gwinnett, 1:38.61 4. Peachtree Ridge, 1:39.22 5. Duluth, 1:40.51 6. Mill Creek, 1:40.59 7. Brookwood, 1:40.66 8. Norcross, 1:44.08 9. Dacula, 1:44.61 10. Archer, 1:45.46 200 freestyle 1. Cody Bekemeyer, Collins Hill, 1:40.11 2. Reed Wynn, Peachtree Ridge, 1:40.52 3. Alex Taylor, Brookwood, 1:41.32 4. Christopher Pierce, Mill Creek, 1:42.44 5. Tyler Mazurek, North Gwinnett, 1:44.19 6. Zach Waldis, Norcross, 1:47.88 7. Gregory Paulukaitis, Parkview, 1:48.20 8. Josh Fountain, Parkview, 1:48.85 9. Tristan Sumpter, Peachtree Ridge, 1:50.27 10. Andy McCaffrey, Collins Hill, 1:54.90 200 individual medley

1. Taylor Delk, Collins Hill, 1:52.62 2. Jonathan Yang, Duluth, 1:57.04 3. Kent Yang, Peachtree Ridge, 1:57.19 4. Andrew Winton, Collins Hill, 1:57.22 5. Jacob Rees, Brookwood, 1:58.36 6. Samuel Kim, Parkview, 1:59.33 7. Driscoll Crabbe, Collins Hill, 2:03.72 8. Willy Lehner, Parkview, 2:05.44 9. Collins Sainovich, Mill Creek, 2:07.01 10. Christopher Nguyen, Berkmar, 2:08.75 50 freestyle 1. Dalton Vaux, Parkview, 21.18 2. Eric Strickland, Norcross, 21.46 3. Andrew Huenniger, Brookwood, 21.66 4. Jacob Finco, Parkview, 21.90 5. Kyle Shumeyko, North Gwinnett, 22.00 6. Matt Shelton, North Gwinnett, 22.58 7. J.P. Baselj, North Gwinnett, 22.69 8. Patrick Baughman, Norcross, 22.77 9. Grant McCord, Parkview, 22.78 10. Daniel Lammons, Collins Hill, 23.28 100 butterfly 1. Andrew Huenniger, Brookwood, 50.40 2. Reed Wynn, Peachtree Ridge, 51.12 3. Wesley Hobbs, Collins Hill, 52.07 4. J.P. Portillo, Duluth, 52.67 5. Carter Woodfield, Norcross, 53.26 6. Matt Shelton, North Gwinnett, 53.58 7. Jace Hamby, Collins Hill, 54.72 8. Drew Grier, Brookwood, 55.28 9. Maliq Williams, Peachtree Ridge, 55.71 10. Bradford Wyzykowski, Parkview, 55.98 100 freestyle 1. Dalton Vaux, Parkview, 46.48 2. Eric Strickland, Norcross, 47.17 3. Kyle Shumeyko, North Gwinnett, 47.90 4. Zach Waldis, Norcross, 48.48 5. Jacob Finco, Parkview, 48.84 6. Gregory Paulukaitis, Parkview, 48.98 7. Hans Kind, Brookwood, 49.66 8. Matthew Rollins, Parkview, 49.78 9. Andy McCaffrey, Collins Hill, 50.41 10. Eric Zimmerman, Collins Hill, 50.77 500 freestyle 1. Cody Bekemeyer, Collins Hill, 4:28.22* 2. Tyler Mazurek, North Gwinnett,

4:43.75 3. Kent Yang, Peachtree Ridge, 4:45.64 4. Jacob Rees, Brookwood, 4:45.72 5. Josh Fountain, Parkview, 4:48.18 6. Matthew Albers, Brookwood, 4:54.83 7. Daniel Brothers, Archer, 4:55.76 8. Bradley Dunham, Dacula, 4:56.99 9. Alex Norcini, Parkview, 5:11.18 10. Sebastian DenBrok, North Gwinnett, 5:12.99 200 freestyle relay 1. Parkview, 1:26.23 (Jacob Finco, Gregory Paulukaitis, Samuel Kim, Dalton Vaux) 2. Brookwood, 1:26.86 3. North Gwinnett, 1:27.30 4. Norcross, 1:29.06 5. Duluth, 1:30.67 6. Collins Hill, 1:31.38 7. Peachtree Ridge, 1:33.81 8. Mill Creek, 1:34.20 9. Dacula, 1:34.60 10. Lanier, 1:37.29 100 backstroke 1. Taylor Delk, Collins Hill, 50.45* 2. Alex Taylor, Brookwood, 50.95 3. Christopher Pierce, Mill Creek, 52.07 4. Wesley Hobbs, Collins Hill, 53.66 5. Keegan Walsh, Brookwood, 54.23 6. Hans Kind, Brookwood, 55.43 7. Tristan Sumpter, Peachtree Ridge, 56.20 8. Bryce Peden, Grayson, 56.21 9. Christopher Nguyen, Berkmar, 57.83 10. Bradford Wyzkowski, Parkview, 58.84 100 breaststroke 1. J.P. Portillo, Duluth, 58.08 2. Jonathan Yang, Duluth, 58.31 3. Andrew Winton, Collins Hill, 59.56 4. Samuel Kim, Parkview, 59.64 5. Willy Lehner, Parkview, 1:01.98 6. Collin Howard, Brookwood, 1:02.62 7. Raahul Soundappan, North Gwinnett, 1:03.41 8. Carter Woodfield, Norcross, 1:03.53 9. Cooper Villhauer, North Gwinnett, 1:03.94 10. Zach Greenwood, Collins Hill, 1:05.77 400 freestyle relay 1. Brookwood, 3:09.36* (Andrew Huenniger, Hans Kind, Jacob Rees, Alex Taylor) 2. Collins Hill, 3:11.38 3. Peachtree Ridge, 3:12.87 4. Norcross, 3:16.73 5. Mill Creek, 3:19.38 6. Parkview, 3:19.64

7. North Gwinnett, 3:22.80 8. Duluth, 3:29.38 9. Grayson, 3:35.56 10. Archer, 3:45.17 GIRLS Team standings 1. Brookwood, 1,023 2. North Gwinnett, 969.5 3. Mill Creek, 799.5 4. Parkview, 624 5. Peachtree Ridge, 610 6. Collins Hill, 531 7. Norcross, 451 8. Archer, 401 9. Grayson, 333 10. Duluth, 312 11. Lanier, 241 12. Mountain View, 212 13. Shiloh, 200 14. Dacula, 175 15. Meadowcreek, 106 16. South Gwinnett, 98 17. Berkmar, 78 18. Central Gwinnett, 66 200 medley relay 1. Brookwood, 1:45.85* (Maddy Cohen, Erin Scott, Devan Sweeney, Leila Taylor) 2. Peachtree Ridge, 1:49.32 3. North Gwinnett, 1:51.27 4. Mill Creek, 1:52.42 5. Grayson, 1:55.33 6. Archer, 1:55.67 7. Norcross, 1:56.02 8. Duluth, 1:57.42 9. Parkview, 1:58.17 10. Collins Hill, 1:59.74 200 freestyle 1. Haley McInerny, Peachtree Ridge, 1:49.45 2. Haley Arner, Collins Hill, 1:50.42 3. Anna Jahns, Brookwood, 1:52.27 4. Hannah Terranova, North Gwinnett, 1:56.97 5. Kelsey Bouwman, Mill Creek, 1:57.00 6. Haylie Dixon, Brookwood, 1:57.23 7. Tegan Sweeney, Brookwood, 1:57.40 8. Erin Lenius, Mill Creek, 1:59.78 9. Anna Siegfried, North Gwinnett, 2:00.33 10. Kyra Cortel-Fraser, Archer, 2:01.74 200 individual medley 1. Devan Sweeney, Brookwood, 2:05.27 2. Erin Scott, Brookwood, 2:07.53 3. Riha Moss, Peachtree Ridge, 2:10.96 4. Marianne Allard, North Gwinnett, 2:11.93 5. Abigail Duncan, North Gwinnett, 2:12.04

6. Klaudia Holt, Peachtree Ridge, 2:13.26 7. Nyota Edjidjimo, Shiloh, 2:17.22 8. Lauren McClelland, North Gwinnett, 2:18.38 9. MaryBeth Mahaffey, Archer, 2:18.68 10. Valerie Lin, North Gwinnett, 2:19.59 50 freestyle 1. Morgan Fleming, Parkview, 24.23 2. Megan Hansen, Brookwood, 24.35 3. Kara Powell, Mill Creek, 24.54 4. Sydney Story, Norcross, 24.65 5. Anna Guynes, Mill Creek, 24.73 6. Anna Calaicone, Grayson, 24.74 7. Becca Erwin, Duluth, 24.88 8. Zoe Walker, Parkview, 25.42 9. Megan Jones, North Gwinnett, 25.43 10. Sarah Gries, Norcross, 25.49 100 butterfly 1. Haley McInerny, Peachtree Ridge, 54.32* 2. Devan Sweeney, Brookwood, 55.81 3. Katherine Parker, Mill Creek, 57.77 4. Ashley Cesario, Lanier, 57.86 5. Maggie Anderson, North Gwinnett, 58.50 6. Hannah Mahaffey, Archer, 58.54 7. Lauren McClelland, North Gwinnett, 59.28 8. Nyota Edjidjimo, Shiloh, 1:00.06 9. Abigail Duncan, North Gwinnett, 1:00.08 10. Sarah Pierce, Peachtree Ridge, 1:00.44 100 freestyle 1. Maddy Cohen, Brookwood, 51.35 2. Megan Hansen, Brookwood, 51.96 3. Morgan Fleming, Parkview, 52.30 4. Kara Powell, Mill Creek, 53.25 5. Ashley Cesario, Lanier, 53.50 6. Maggie Anderson, North Gwinnett, 53.79 7. Hannah Terranova, North Gwinnett, 54.80 8. Anna Guynes, Mill Creek, 54.90 9. Anna Calaicone, Grayson, 55.26 10. Abby Hulsey, Mountain View, 55.63 500 freestyle 1. Anna Jahns, Brookwood, 4:53.11 2. Haley Arner, Collins Hill, 4:56.55 3. Klaudia Holt, Peachtree Ridge, 5:07.34 4. Haylie Dixon, Brookwood, 5:11.06 5. Sarah Pierce, Peachtree Ridge, 5:14.80 6. Lilah Davis, Lanier, 5:16.00 7. Kelsey Bouwman, Mill Creek, 5:18.66 8. Carlye McKillip, North Gwinnett,

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5:23.15 9. Chloe Mazurek, North Gwinnett, 5:25.22 9. Erin Lenius, Mill Creek, 5:25.22 200 freestyle relay 1. Brookwood, 1:38.01 (Anna Jahns, Devan Sweeney, Erin Scott, Megan Hansen) 2. North Gwinnett, 1:39.54 3. Mill Creek, 1:39.87 4. Parkview, 1:40.95 5. Peachtree Ridge, 1:41.82 6. Collins Hill, 1:42.60 7. Norcross, 1:43.65 8. Lanier, 1:44.88 9. Duluth, 1:45.02 10. Archer, 1:49.41 100 backstroke 1. Maddy Cohen, Brookwood, 55.76* 2. Katherine Parker, Mill Creek, 56.58 3. Hannah Mahaffey, Archer, 59.10 4. Kyra Cortel-Fraser, Archer, 1:00.04 5. Lilah Davis, Lanier, 1:00.96 6. Sarah Gries, Norcross, 1:01.36 7. Carlye McKillip, North Gwinnett, 1:01.96 8. Abby Culbertson, Brookwood, 1:02.34 9. Reagan Balog, Collins Hill, 1:03.82 10. Hunter Rummins, North Gwinnett, 1:03.98 100 breaststroke 1. Erin Scott, Brookwood, 1:04.50 2. Riha Moss, Peachtree Ridge, 1:07.12 3. Sydney Story, Norcross, 1:08.25 4. Becca Erwin, Duluth, 1:08.82 5. Marianne Allard, North Gwinnett, 1:09.69 6. Valerie Lin, North Gwinnett, 1:10.01 7. Megan Jones, North Gwinnett, 1:10.10 8. Chelsea Keown, Parkview, 1:10.59 9. Jessica Cathcart, North Gwinnett, 1:10.66 10. Zoe Walker, Parkview, 1:11.06 400 freestyle relay 1. Brookwood, 3:32.61 (Anna Jahns, Haylie Dixon, Megan Hansen, Maddy Cohen) 2. North Gwinnett, 3:35.06 3. Mill Creek, 3:37.08 4. Collins Hill, 3:42.66 5. Parkview, 3:43.57 6. Archer, 3:45.98 7. Grayson, 3:51.16 8. Peachtree Ridge, 3:55.30 9. Norcross, 3:57.61 10. Duluth, 4:03.64 *County-meet record

gwinnettdailypost.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 • 5B

Pierro-Zabotel scores hat trick Georgia wins at

By Christine Troyke christine.troyke@ gwinnettdailypost.com

DULUTH — Casey Pierro-Zabotel scored a hat trick and the Gwinnett Gladiators once again found a way to rally past the Florida Everblades on Saturday.

Down 3-2 for a second straight night to the division leaders, the Gladiators roared back on consecutive goals from Pierro-Zabotel.

Gwinnett’s leading scorer forced overtime and tipped home the game-winner 47 seconds into the extra period for a wildly celebrated 4-3 victory over reeling Florida.

Pierro-Zabotel’s effort matched linemate Greg Carey who had a hat trick in Friday’s win.

“It’s a testament to those two guys stepping up their games when the team needs them,” head coach Andy Brandt said. “But at the same time, their goals are a by-product of the other guys on the ice working hard and getting them the puck.”

Pierro-Zabotel forged a 3-3 tie with 1:42 left in regulation when he drove to the post to bang home a skittering puck.

“That was huge for us in the last two minutes to not have to pull the goalie and not worry about an empty-

netter,” Pierro-Zabotel said.

“We really kept with it right to the very end and it paid off.”

He was once more on top of the crease as overtime got going and deflected a blue-line blast from newly acquired Zach Yuen. The young defenseman had a goal and an assist in his Gwinnett debut.

“I think he shot it wide on purpose because he saw my stick there,” Pierro-Zabotel said.

“We definitely like what we see so far from him,” he added with a smile.

Showing a growing resolve, the Gladiators handed Florida a third straight loss.

The Everblades, with just one win in their last six games, are now tied with Greenville atop the Eastern Division.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to beat them especially because they’ve been beating us all year long,” PierroZabotel said. “It’s just good to see us get rewarded.”

Gwinnett is on a bit of a roll and won back-to-back games for just the second time this season. The Gladiators get no time to bask in the win though. Reading is here today for a 2 p.m. matinee.

“We stuck with the process,” Brandt said. “We were down and we just

stuck with it. We didn’t quit.

We didn’t make excuses.

We didn’t look for somebody else to do it. We stuck with it and it paid off.”

Following Friday’s scoring pattern, Florida again drew first blood. Mitch Wahl made up for missing a sure goal early in the second period with a tally at 9:27.

Wahl had Gwinnett goalie Adam Brown dead to rights on the far post and blew the shot wide less than four minutes into the period. He ripped his next good opportunity five-hole to give the Everblades a 1-0 lead.

Then Yuen began making an impression. On a sweet set-up from Garry Nunn, Yuen scored to tie the game at 17:46 of the second period.

Nunn swept behind the net and snapped the puck to Yuen, who was waiting in the slot. Yuen, acquired Saturday from Wheeling in exchange for fellow blueliner Tristin Llewellyn, buried the shot as he fell to one knee. The 21-year-old jumped up and pumped his fist in the air while the cheers rained down.

“There’s a reason we went out and got (Yuen),” Brandt said. “He skates well. He’s an offensive defenseman, but he’s also good in his own end. Definitely a good start for him

and a nice welcoming for him here in Gwinnett.”

The Gladiators kept pushing as the period wound down and got a go-ahead goal with just 30 seconds on the clock.

Defenseman Bo Dolan unleashed a blast from the blue line and PierroZabotel, on top of the crease, tipped it past goalie Daniel Altshuller for a big 2-1 lead.

But an unassisted shorthanded goal to start the third negated that advantage. Adam Brace beat Brown through the wickets at 2:45 of the third to tie it 2-2.

The Everblades grabbed a 3-2 lead on a fortunate bounce at 6:57. Brown kicked a rebound out just as Wahl was gliding by the crease. Tied up by the defense, Walh managed to keep his stick on the ice and guided the puck into the open side.

Brown held the fort for the rest of the period and allowed the Gladiators a chance to tie it up.

“It goes to show that we’re growing,” Brandt said. “That group in there has worked really hard the past two months at shoring up the details. The tide is starting to turn and I think they can feel it. The confidence is starting to build.”

Mississippi State The Sports Xchange J.J. Frazier hit all seven of his 3-point attempts en route to 37 points — the most by a SEC player this season — as the visiting Georgia Bulldogs held on to win their fourth in a row 72-66 at Mississippi State.

Frazier hit 12-of-14 attempts from the field in shattering his previous career high of 20 points, scoring 15 points during a 22-5 run spanning both halves for Georgia (13-5, 4-2). Georgia finished 11-of-18 from 3-point range and held on after a 12-point second-half lead dwindled to one.

Roquez Johnson scored a career-high 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting and added 11 rebounds to lead Mississippi State (9-10, 2-4), which hit 8-of-18 3-point attempts. Craig Sword added a seasonhigh 13 points and I.J. Ready hit four 3-pointers in scoring 12 points.

Frazier scored 23 points in the second half, including Georgia’s first 12 points after intermission for a 48-36 five minutes in, and his seventh 3-pointer extended Geor-

gia’s lead to 59-51 with 6:30 to go. Mississippi State drew within 65-64 on Ready’s 3-pointer with 2:18 to play before Georgia hit 7-of-9 free throws down the stretch.

Sword’s three-point play eight minutes into the first half gave Mississippi State a 17-9 advantage, but Frazier scored six of the next eight points to tie the game at 17. Sword’s 3-pointer with 5:30 left put Mississippi State up 29-24, but Georgia closed the half on a 12-2 burst — including back-to-back 3-pointers from Charles Mann and Frazier — to lead 36-31 at intermission.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Frazier became the first Georgia player to score 35 points since Trey Thompkins (35) against Florida Atlantic on Dec. 23, 2009, and the sophomore is 14of-19 from 3-point range in his past four contests. … Johnson’s previous career high was 20 points, achieved twice. …

Gavin Ware grabbed 12 rebounds for Mississippi State, which outrebounded Georgia 42-32.

Lamb keeps working for the Thunder North squad wins the Senior Bowl

By Paul Thomas

three 3-pointers, including two against Orlando last Sunday.

On the year he’s averagATLANTA — The oping 7.9 points per game, portunities for Norcross 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 grad and current Oklahoma assists with an average of City Thunder guard Jeremy 17.1 minutes per game.

Lamb have been few and “Just keep working hard, far between as of late. that’s my goal,” Lamb said.

Friday night he saw just Early in the season 48 seconds of action in a Lamb was a regular in the 103-93 loss to the Atlanta Thunder rotation as both Hawks at Phillips Arena; Russell Westbrook and a franchise record 15th Kevin Durant, as well as straight win for the Hawks Andre Roberson, were (36-8). sidelined with injuries.

Lamb made his action He’s made eight starts this count though, knocking season with his last comdown a 3-point shot with ing on Nov. 19 against the 40 seconds left.

Denver Nuggets.

Prior to Friday night, During one stretch he Lamb had played a total scored in double figures of 10 minutes in the last five straight games, includfive games for the Thuning a career-high 24 points der (22-21). The former against the Detroit Piston Connecticut star has on Nov. 14. been productive with his With both Westbrook playing time, scoring 11 and Durant healthy (they points in those previous 10 combined for 43 points minutes, knocking down Friday night), Lamb has paul.thomas@ gwinnettdailypost.com

seen his playing time dwindle. Roberson has entered the starting lineup as well.

“His role is just to be ready,” Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said of Lamb. “We have a good team and you can’t play them all. He’s been working hard, and he’s going to continue to do that, he’s a pro. He’s developed that work ethic over the years and you just have to be patient and be ready.”

The former 6-foot-5 guard has been mentioned as a possible piece the Thunder could trade before the NBA’s Feb. 19 trade deadline.

Most recently ESPN’s Chris Broussard listed Lamb in a potential threeteam between Oklahoma City, Brooklyn and Charlotte that never materialized. Broussard reported that Lamb and Nets guard and former Georgia Tech

Mountain View upsets St. Pius

By Chris Hillyard

mance from Louisville signee Asia Durr. The senior guard had 16 first half PEACHTREE CORpoints and finished with a NERS — Mountain View’s game-high 30, despite bethree senior guards led the ing held without a basket in way as the Bears extended the fourth quarter. their winning streak to Walker quelled the eight games on Saturday Golden Lions’ push with a afternoon at the Wesleyan big second quarter. She had Winter Showcase with a 61- eight points in the period 40 win over St. Pius X. and was also tasked with After a Friday night win guarding Durr, which she over Collins Hill in which did well even though Durr D’andra Pringle led the way consistently hit contested with 15 points but Aneysa shots. St. Pius X would Williams and Iceis Walker never get closer than six each scored in double points the entire second figures as well, Mountain half.

View head coach Jackie “This was a great team Lindquist challenged her effort,” Lindquist said. “We seniors to do it again. played great defense and They responded in a big just played our game. We way to take down a No. 3 pressed when we needed ranked team to and Arianna (Williams) “I was really proud and Lilian (Kennedy) did a of how all three of them great job on the boards and played,” Linquist said. “I calling out screens.” challenged them today to Mountain View (18-3, bring the same kind of en10-0) extended the lead in ergy today that they did last the third, and this time it night and hats exactly what was Pringle’s turn to turn they did.” on the scoring. She hit two Williams had the hot big 3-point shots to keep St. hand early as she hit three Pius X at bay and finished from beyond the arc in the with 16 points. Walker first quarter on her way to had 16 points as well, and a 13 point opening frame.

Aneysa Williams led the That helped the Bears build team with 17. Kennedy a 24-13 lead early on, but finished with five point and St. Pius X responded to six rebounds. bring the game within six The Bears will almost early in the second period. certainly be the top seed The Golden Lions were in the region tournament, able to hang around thanks but Lindquist knows that to a tremendous perforopportunities to play in Staff Correspondent

tournaments such as this while battling a Region 7-AAAAAA schedule will pay dividends down the road.

“This will be big for us come tournament time,” Lindquist said. “We played in a showcase last Saturday as well, and events like this are fun. They bring a level of excitement like we will see later on. So this will help us prepare to play a similar schedule then.”

Mountain View returns to action Friday at Peachtree Ridge.

Wesleyan girls 61, Kell 30 Wesleyan (15-5, 7-1) defeated Kell 61-30 at the annual Wesleyan Winter Showcase on Saturday afternoon.

Kell looked to keep the tempo up and use a full court pressure to defend the Wolves. Wesleyan struggled with it at first, but eventually found the passing lanes and positioning to break the press consistently and pull away for the win.

Nikki McDonald led the way with 20 points for Wesleyan while Natalie Armstrong added 15. The Wesleyan defense played strong all game and did not allow the Longhorns to scorein double digits during a single period.

Wesleyan returns to action on the road Tuesday at Greater Atlanta Christian.

start Jarret Jack would be headed to the Hornets in exchange for Brook Lopez, while the Nets would get Lance Stephenson.

Lamb said he’s just had to mature as a pro and keep working hard, even if he doesn’t see any time on the court during the game.

“I’m not getting any playing time, so yeah it’s tough,” he said. “You’ve just got to stay up and try to keep your confidence.”

Brooks said while Lamb isn’t currently a regularly contributor for the Thunder, that it doesn’t mean he won’t have an impact for the team in the future.

“You never know when it’s going to happen,” Brooks said. “But right now he’s not in the rotation, but that can change as we all know in this league. Things change sometimes very rapidly.”

From Staff Reports

period. The North also had a 10-yard scoring pass from MOBILE, Ala. — In Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion to Notre this year’s Reese’s Senior Bowl, the North scored 17 Dame tight end Ben Koyack in the second quarter. unanswered points in the The South opened the third quarter and went on scoring, taking the first to a 34-13 victory in the possession of the game and 66th annual all-star game marching 80 yards in 10 at Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles plays, the score coming on Stadium. a 19-yard run by Northern North Gwinnett’s C.J. Iowa running back David Uzomah, formerly of Auburn University, had one Johnson. The South’s other reception for nine yards for scores came on field goals of 24 yards in the third the South in the game. quarter and 29 yards in the Uzomah was joined on fourth period by Louisianathe South team by fellow Monroe’s Justin Manton.

North grad and Alabama Nebraska’s Ameer ofensive lineman Austin Abdullah was named the Shepherd. game Most Valuable Player The North received touchdown runs of 4 yards as he rushed for 73 yards on seven carries for the

by David Cobb of Minnesota in the third quarter and North.

Norcross grad Max a pair of scoring runs — 13 Garica, formerly a Florida and 7 yards — by Tyler Gator, played for the North.

Varga of Yale in the fourth

PREP ROUNDUP

Archer girls hoops wins again From Staff Reports LAWRENCEVILLE — Second place Archer defeated third place Central Gwinnett 54-43 in a Region 8-AAAAAA showdown on Saturday. The win keeps the Tigers (18-3, 11-1) one game behind first place Parkview in the region.

Autumn Newby led Archer with 20 points and eight rebounds. Amber Skidgel added 15 points while Madison Newby contributed six points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Tigers.

Alex Frazier led Central Gwinnett (12-7, 7-4) with 21 points. Keana Lee scored six point and had six rebounds while Maima Sonii and Tishawna Russell each scored five points for the Black Knights.

GIRLS BASKETBALL GIRLS HOOPS Parkview 66, Brookwood 24 SNELLVILLE – Parkview remained undefeated in Region 8-AAAAAA with a 66-24 win over Brookwood on Saturday. Vicki Harris led the Panthers (15-3, 11-0) with 18 points and seven rebounds.

Buford 55, Morgan County 36 BUFORD — Buford defeated Class AAA Morgan County 55-36.

Camille Anderson led the Wolves (18-3, 5-0) with 20 points while Chandler Hall added 10 points for Buford.

George Walton 40, Hebron Christian 33 MONROE — George Walton Academy held off Hebron Christian

40-33 in Region 8-A on Saturday. Jozie Lewis led the Lions (6-12, 3-6) with 12 points and nine rebounds while teammate Hanna Lentz added 11 points and eight rebounds.

Shiloh 40, Dacula 27 DACULA — Shiloh defeated Dacula 40-27 in a Region 8-AAAAAA matchup on Saturday. Racquel Cranston and Kierra Ward each had 11 points to lead the Generals (12-11, 6-8). Sharai Lay chipped in with 10 points for Shiloh.

BOYS BASKETBALL BOYS HOOPS Brookwood 47, Parkview 46 SNELLVILLE — Leonard Warner’s rebound and put back basket with 15 seconds left lifted Brookwood to a 47-46 Region 8-AAAAAA win over Parkview.

Donald Parham led the Broncos with 12 points while Micah Kinsey added nine points, seven steals and five rebounds. Warner totaled seven points and five rebounds for Brookwood (6-16, 3-10).

Shiloh 76, Dacula 63 DACULA — Shiloh’s Josh Okogie poured in 29 points to lead the Generals to a 76-63 win over Dacula. The victory keeps the Generals undefeated on the season and in Region 8-AAAAAA (20-0,14-0).

Four other General’s scored in double figures to help pick up the victory. Dejon Waters had 13 points and 12 rebounds, Malik Chandler had 12 points while Kareem Brewton added 11 points and Cedric Guillaume had 10.

Dacula was led by Keshawn Gibbs’ 21 points. Kevon Tucker had 18 points and eight rebounds while Derek St. Hilaire had 13 points and six rebounds for the Falcons (14-6, 8-3).

Wesleyan 44, Fellowship Christian 32 NORCROSS — Wesleyan defeated Fellowship Christian 44-32 on Saturday. Reggie Bynum led the Wolves (11-9) with 10 points while

teammates Banks Ramsey and Christian Mclean added nine and eight points respectively.

Hebron Christian 65, George Walton Academy 19 MONROE — Every player on the Hebron Christian Academy roster scored as the Lions defeated George Walton Academy 65-19 in a Region 8-A contest. Jackson Welch led Hebron Christian (12-8, 6-3) with 16 points while Stephen Rogers and Thomas Swift added 14 and 10 points, respectively.

Berkmar 63, South Gwinnett 56 LILBURN — Berkmar defeated South Gwinnett (12-9, 5-7) 63-56 in Region 8-AAAAAA on Saturday.

Al Durham led the Patriots with 13 points and eight rebounds. Leroy Jones added 12 points and five assists while teammates Jackson Lenyear and Caleb Smith also added 12 and eight points for Berkmar (10-10, 7-5).

Archer 67, Central Gwinnett 60 LAWRENCEVILLE — Archer’s Aleem Ford scored 19 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead Archer to a hard fought 67-60 Region 8-AAAAAA win over Central Gwinnett.

Kwei Lartey had 14 points, Cedric Walker scored 12 while Darrion Taylor had 11 points and Isaiah Daugherty dished out 10 assists for the Tigers (15-6, 7-5).

Buford 87, Morgan County 84 BUFORD – Buford hung on for an 87-84 win over Class AAA Morgan County on Saturday. Taylor Mills led the Wolves (11-10) with 26 points while teammate Tre Hansborough chipped in with 19.

Apalachee 51, Jefferson 46 JEFFERSON — Apalachee defeated Jefferson 51-46 in a nonregion contest. Kamar Baldwin had 21 points, nine rebounds and three steals to lead the Wildcats (16-5).

Kent Knowles had 10 points and Ricky Wonzon had a stong game defensively while contributing five points.

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SECTION C • SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

Right, Dexter, a Great Pyrenees, walks through Town Center Park with his owners, Bunny and Guy Reddick, on Thursday in Suwanee. Below, Dixie, a Great Pyrenees, is seen with other dogs at Town Center Park on Thursday in Suwanee. (Staff Photos: David Welker)

Saving man’s best friend

Nonprofit works to rescue, rehab Great Pyrenees

By Steve Burns

Staff Correspondent

Great Pyrenees Rescue of Atlanta is a well-organized, mature organization that annually finds homes for hundreds of the unique and specially bred canines all over the Southeast.

But the fact that the organization is so busy is a testament to tragedy, its founder noted.

“It’s bittersweet,” said John Heldrich, a retired executive who founded the Gwinnett County-based organization in 2009. “There are too many (homeless and physically ailing Great Pyrenees canines) out there.

“So many we rescue are on death row.”

And members of the breed, which is named for the mountain range in France and Spain, come to the Gwinnett Countybased rescue group from shelters, broken or transitional homes — and in one case, a gun range.

Now five years old, the group is very busy.

Heldrich estimates that the group rescues between 150 to 200 Great Pyrenees a year, and already rescued 15 in 2015. Naturally, the goal is placing a rescued dog in a permanent home.

But the process also involves physical rehab —

GREAT PYRENEES RESCUE OF ATLANTA • More info: www.greatpyratlanta.com • To help: Email info@ greatpyratlanta.com

extreme, in some cases — and foster homes. All pre-adoption costs are covered by the all-volunteer, nonprofit group.

“All the bugs are worked out” before a Great Pyrenees is placed in a home, explained Cyndi Blaine, group member.

Oscar and Kelli Rodriguez of Suwanee found a stray Pyrenees on a gun range in Hall County. They then found out about the rescue group via online search, and returned to find the dog still on the range.

After asking around about the dog’s ownership to no avail, they adopted the animal. They then fostered a second Great Pyrenees, and have adopted a third, named Bear Claw.

“These are amazing dogs,” said Guy Tessler of Lilburn, who has six Great Pyrenees, some of which were acquired before he found out about the group.

“They’re bred to be brave enough to guard sheep, yet they are

adoption, and director of medical, who vets the animals’ physical condition. Heldrich said the average cost to rehabilitate an animal is $1,300.

“Some are in horrible condition.”

Obviously, fundraising is important. The group holds an annual “night” with the Gwinnett Gladiators hockey team, as well as its annual Gentle Giants in the Park event at Pinckneyville Park in Norcross in April. But the need for financial donations is ongoing, said Lori Imhof, group spokesperson.

As pets often do, Savannah Grace Ingalls crawls under Dexter, a Great Pyrenees, at Town Center Park on some of the Great Thursday in Suwanee.

Pyrenees have become life-changing family members. Group member Pat Appleton-Cordell of Suwanee said that her dog Tess is being trained to be a therapy dog, and is making progress with Lori Imhof sits next to greeting children and old Ryder, a Great Pyrenees, people. at Town Center Park on Thursday in Suwanee.

She added that she and her husband formerly lived in a residence with no yard, but sold it and bought their current house so it would have a yard for the dog.

This is the scenario gentle, and can be trusted in need of rescue. Some- members with specific that drives the group’s around lambs and goats. times, he has been told duties, noted Heldrich, effort, founder Heldrich They’re wonderful with that he needs to get the who estimates that he noted. “To look at the small children.” animal that day, because puts in 70 hours a week joy” in the families when Tessler’s role with the it is scheduled to be put with the group. they adopt a Great Pyrrescue group is intake down the next morning.

There’s a director enees from the group — transport. He’s usually Great Pyrenees Rescue of intake, director of the first to see a Pyrenees of Atlanta has several foster homes, director of “that’s why we do this.”

2C • SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

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When it comes to favorite books, there’s no shortage I just read “12 Months of Reading,” an article in the Wall Street Journal that is subtitled “We asked 50 of our friends — from Lena Dunham to Paul Ryan — to name their favorite books of 2014.”

Not sure how “out of it” I should feel, but of those 50 names of writers, entrepreneurs, entertainers, politicians and pop culture figures, I recognized only 10, including Joseph Epstein, whose essays I love, and Monica Lewinsky, who named as a favorite Courtney Watson McCarthy’s “Gaudi Pop-Up.”

Susan Larson I’m also not sure what to say about the fact that of all the books these people read, there was not one I had even heard of.

That being said, I do read.

And my 2014 list includes books that maybe some of

these people never heard of.

For Christmas of 2013, I bought my husband “Thinking in Numbers” by Daniel Tammet, an autistic savant who holds a record for reciting pi from memory to 22,514 digits in five hours and nine minutes. His 25 essays with titles like “Counting to Four in Icelandic,” “Shakespeare’s Zero,” and “Poetry of the Primes” stimulated some lively discussions between us, but then he’s an electrical engineer and my masters degree is in science and math education, so maybe you’ll need to take that into account before go-

ing out to buy the book.

Speaking of lists, last year I discovered the Gutenberg Project, an online collection of more than 46,000 classic books, including many that are out of print. My latest read was “Adventures in Friendship” by David Grayson. The website also includes a list of the top 100 reads in the last month, the last week and as of yesterday.

This list I could relate to, especially in that I read quite a few of the books, including Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” which tops all three lists.

My friend Joel Hitt, a sort

of retired psychotherapist who practiced for years in Lawrenceville, recommended to me “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking,” by Susan Cain. I felt like the book was all about me. As Joel and I corresponded about how we related to Cain’s words, I shared with him that my favorite childhood book was “The Story of Ferdinand,” a bull who preferred smelling flowers over fighting.

Joel had never read it so I sent him my copy. In the meantime, I researched a bit and discovered that according to Wikipedia, the book

was released nine months before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, and was seen by many supporters of Francisco Franco as a pacifist book. It was banned in many countries, including Spain.

Adolf Hitler ordered the book burned, while Joseph Stalin granted it privileged status as the only noncommunist children’s book allowed in Poland.

However, Mahatma Gandhi called it his favorite book. List or no list. I think I’m in good company.

Susan Larson is a writer from Lilburn. Email her at susanlarson79@gmail.com.

Peachtree Ridge alum leading Emory team in $1M competition A Peachtree Ridge High alumnus is one step closer to winning $1 million by representing Emory University in a competition in Dubai.

Mehul Bhagat is a firstyear Robert W. Woodruff Scholar at Emory and leading a team from the College of Arts and Sciences and Goizueta Business School in the sixth annual Hult Prize Challenge. Bhagat’s team recently advanced to the regional finals of the competition, which is considered the world’s largest student competition and start-up platform for social good.

The Hult Prize gives entrepreneurs from around the world a platform to innovate and revolutionize the way society thinks about servicing the poor. Each team selected was chosen from more than 20,000 applications received from more than 500 colleges and universities in over 150 countries. The Hult Prize regional final competitions will take place on March 13 and 14 in Boston, San Francisco, London, Dubai and Shanghai.

The competition is in partnership with President Bill Clinton and the Clinton Global Initiative, the innova-

Good News from Schools

quality early education solutions to ten million children under the age of six in urban slums and beyond by the year 2020.

Following the regional finals, one winning team from each host city will move into a summer business incubator, where participants will receive mentorship, advisory Keith Farner and strategic planning as they create prototypes and set-up tive crowdsourcing platform to launch and scale their new identifies and launches ventures. A final round of disruptive and catalytic social competition will be hosted ventures that aim to solve

by Clinton and the Clinton the planet’s most pressing Global Initiative at its annual challenges. meeting in September, where “For so long I have CGI delegates will select a been drawn to the idea that winning team, which will be education is the silver bulawarded the prize by Clinton let,” Bhagat said in a press himself. release. “It’s such a beautiful Archer High to present idea. But it needs to be more Harlem Renaissance than just an idea. That means Cultural Festival we need to invest in educaArcher High students will tion, to prioritize innovation, host and present this year’s to tap into the entrepreneurial Harlem Renaissance Cultural spirit of people all across the Festival on Feb. 5 to Feb. globe.”

7. The scope of the HRCF Bhagat’s team will work is dedicated to arts educaover the next two months to tion and the reinvigoration prepare their pitch to expand of interest in music, art and access to early childhood cultural awareness among education. our youth.

The 2015 Hult Prize will For schools in the Archer focus on building start-ups cluster, elementary and that provide sustainable, high middle school students are

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invited to plan a field trip for 10 a.m. shows on Feb. 5 or Feb. 6. Discounted student tickets are $10 on a firstcome, first-serve basis.

For the public, an opening night show is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Feb. 6 and a 2 p.m. show on Feb. 7. Tickets are $12 and available at eventbrite.com.

Tickets for all shows are available in advance and can be purchased at Archer High School on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m.

The three-day event will start with “Cindy the Musical,” produced by Broadway veteran Stepp Stewart of the “Dr. Oz show.” This musical fairy tale, set in Harlem 1943, tells the story of Cindy, who is reunited with her father after traveling from down south to meet her new stepmother and sisters. She quickly finds herself in a house full of mean spirited relatives who don’t give her the reception she was expecting. Cindy rises above bullying and low self-esteem as she never stops believing in love and happiness. Based on the 1978 television special of the same name, Cindy is a different kind of Cinderella story now adapted for the stage.

There will also be an indoor festival on Feb. 7 with open stage performances, museum displays, children’s

activities, food and craft vendors. There will be a live museum from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with re-enactments of historical singers, poets, musicians and dancers along with artwork by professional artists sponsored by the Snellville Arts Commission.

At 2 p.m., general admission is open to the public for the Harlem Renaissance Fashion presentation and the final matinee show. There will be the Apollo Open Stage Concert from 4 to 6 p.m.

For school and group bookings contact Alisa Boykin, Archer High PTSA Black History Chair at 678-861-1815 or by email at ahsptsablackhistory@gmail. com. The deadline to reserve the seats for school groups is Feb. 2.

Dacula senior nominated for Congress of Future Medical Leaders Nathan Wallace, a senior at Dacula High, has been nominated to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Boston on June 24-26.

The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields.

The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country who aspire to be physicians or medical scientists, to stay true to their dream and, after the event,

to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.

Wallace was nominated

by Dr. Connie Mariano, the Medical Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists to represent Dacula High based on his academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.

During the three-day Congress, he will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science winners talk about leading medical research. Students will also be given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school and witness stories told by patients who are living medical miracles.

Georgia Highlands dean’s list honorees from Gwinnett Two Gwinnett students, Tiana Bailey of Snellville and Brittney Coon of Lawrenceville, were recently named to the Georgia Highlands College dean’s list for the fall semester. To make the dean’s list, students must complete a minimum of nine semester hours and achieve at least a 3.5 average.

Keith Farner writes about education. Good News from Schools appears in the Sunday edition of the Daily Post.

PET OF THE WEEK Meet Faith, a pure bred German Shepherd who was rescued from a local Animal Control facility. She is an adult dog, but still loves to play and cuddle. She would do best as an only dog and with a family knowledgeable about the German Shepherd breed. She is currently in fostercare with one of our trainers. Call Foster Mom, Amy, to setup a meeting at 678-3496699. Our dog and puppy adoption fees are $250. That includes spay/neuter surgery, disease testing (dogs testing positive for heartworms are treated; however, we do not add that charge to our adoption fee), up to date vaccinations, deworming, up to date flea/tick and heartworm prevention, a 24Petwatch microchip and 30 days of 24PetWatch pet insurance.

Each week the Gwinnett Daily Post will feature an animal available for adoption at the Georgia SPCA, which is located at 1175 Buford Highway, Suite 109, Suwanee, GA 30024. The hours of operation are Mondays through Fridays 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sundays 1 until 4 p.m. You can see the rest of the adoptable cats and dogs at www. georgiaspca.org.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 • 3C

Southerners love a good nickname The awful thing For some reason, Southerners, more than any other region, love nicknames. It’s really a show of affection when we care enough to bestow a nickname rather than call a person by his Christian name.

I know people who are called Hog, Frosty, Tater, Bug, Tackle Box, Tractor, and Hoss. Stripes is so named for the time, long ago, that he spent on the chain gang and once, when I was a teenager, we named sweet Jimmy “Big Star” because that was the name of the grocery store where he worked. He’s now grown into a respectable adult with children but those of us who knew him then still call him “Big Star.” He always laughs because it takes him back to a sweet moment in time and I always laugh because I can hear the sweet voices of our youth chiming, “Hey, Big Star.”

To be honest with you, a nickname well-given in the South is a badge of honor.

Just up the road from us lives a man with one arm.

Often, I have remarked on him as we drive past because he impresses me. He’s always working. Mowing grass.

Angeles where they tend to adhere to perfect political correctness to the point of being boring and dry. I don’t know a single person in L.A. who has a nickname.

When he chides me for things such as this, I always give him a look of absolute, Ronda exaggerated bafflement.

Rich “What?”

“That is NOT nice.”

Washing the car. Cleaning This happened several the yard. He used to work at times — to the point that I the small grocery nearby as almost stopped referring to a bagger. He’d always offer him that way lest I have to go to take my groceries to the through the chastisement and car but I’d, in turn, assured the expended energy of the him that I’d be fine, doing it exaggerated bafflement. One myself. morning, I was running and “You shore? Be glad to called out “hello” to him as he help.” stood at the edge of his yard, That neat, well-kept house smoking a cigarette and, no where he lives has become doubt, contemplating duma landmark of sorts. When mies who run when there are, I’m giving directions to Tink surely, better things to do. or such, I’ll often say, “You “Good day to run, ain’t it?” know where the one-armed he asked. man lives?”

That question began a conSometimes I forget that versation so I stopped to talk. my husband is an extremely I realized that through the well-mannered, well-raised years of seeing and speaking Yankee. But I certainly to him that we didn’t know remember when I mention each other’s names. I told him the one-armed man because mine. He nodded and exhaled he will rile up and say, “Baby! a puff of smoke. He told me That’s not nice. Don’t call his. him that.” He’s also from Los “Oh. Nice to meet you,

Warren,” I said.

“No.” He shook his head furiously. “Not Warren. One Arm.” It had to register. “One Arm?” I repeated.

“Yeah. One Arm.” He rolled his armless shoulder toward me as if to say “Idiot.”

“My real name’s Randall.

Ain’t nobody ever called me that. Always been called One Arm. Always.”

It is fair to say that I ran home much faster than I ran away from home. Boy, I couldn’t wait to put my chastising husband in his place. I was in the kitchen when he returned from an errand.

“Hey, come here,” I called out in smile-cloaked voice.

“I’ve got something to tell you. Remember the one armed man?”

“Baby…”

I held up my hand to stop him. “Before you chastise me, hear my story.”

He couldn’t believe it.

Then, he laughed.

“You Southerners sure are good sports.”

Yeah. That’s right. We are.

Unless, of course, you’re an outsider calling us names.

Then we’re not so nice about it.

Do you remember career counseling when you were in school? Someone probably presented a bunch of career options and then tried to help you decide what was the best fit based on how you had performed in school.

This is a huge, horrible problem.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with four high-achieving high school students to discuss college and career choices. They were petrified.

Pressure does not even begin to describe the sheer terror these four young people felt at the prospect of choosing a field of study. Was it going to be math, or science, or perhaps they should pursue creative arts or education? It wasn’t just a college choice, for them, it felt like they were scripting their entire lives.

I asked, “What do you think is the best fit for your personality?

Their response was one of curiosity. One asked, “What does your personality have to do with it?”

They had been eduance as a kind of equilibricated and assessed in all um; if they’re not exercising the academic subjects, enough or spending enough yet they had never once time with family, then been given the tools to they’re somehow “out of bal- examine their own perance.” If they can just bring sonalities. Their entire everything into balance, they education had been about think, then everything in mastering subjects detertheir lives will be perfect. mined by someone else.

But the fact is, being a At no point had anyone little “out of balance” isn’t put forth the idea that altogether a bad thing. It’s within their own personwhat makes us human — ality was the foundation and, more importantly, what for a happy and successdrives us. ful life.

For example, if your Over the course of the health is already in perfect next hour, I gave them all balance, why would you a simple Myers-Briggs need to exercise or eat Personality test, eashealthy food? The fact that ily found online and in you perceive some imbalseveral books. With 60 ance in your body or your minutes, we assessed that diet is what makes you want one was a born extrovertto strive for something better ed leader, one was an in— and ultimately leads to troverted creative, another better health. was an empathetic helper/ Similarly, if your knowlteacher, and the other was edge is already in balance an intuitive strategist.

— if you know everything As I read the potential you need to know when jobs that fit their personyou need to know it — why ality types, they were bother to keep learning? enthralled. When I told Life, Darwin noted, the strategist that there involves constant struggle. were professions that Indeed, one of the great required you to look into paradoxes of existence is that the future and create a life is always seeking and plan to get there, she was striving for balance — and elated, “They pay you for yet if perfect balance were that?” she marveled, “I ever achieved, life would thought that was just becease to exist, or at least ing bossy.” cease to be meaningful.

If we hadn’t done this As Holocaust survivor simple test, this intelliVictor Frankl put it in gent future leader might “Man’s Search for Meaning” — “What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him.”

Finding balance doesn’t require a circus act Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from Rob Jenkins’ forthcoming book, “The Nine Virtues of ‘Natural’ Leaders,” co-written with Atlanta-based leadership expert Karl Haden and due out this spring. This is from the chapter on Balance.

According to the popular media, we should all be seeking more “balance” in our lives. But what exactly does that mean?

Too often our concept of balance invokes mental images of a circus performer spinning plates—dozens of plates, balanced on multiple rods, all spinning precariously, constantly in danger of crashing to the ground. We

what balance is all about — and it’s certainly no way to live.

Instead, balance is more about being in the moment.

Those who cultivate the virtue of balance learn to be where they are at that moment, and not have their Rob mind, at least, someplace Jenkins else. They are content with what they have, even while striving for more — more sometimes feel as though, to growth, greater accomplishkeep our lives in balance, we ments, better relationships. have to run frantically from Another popular misconone thing to the next, making ception about balance is that sure this set of plates isn’t in it is actually obtainable, not imminent danger of falling to mention desirable. But before rushing over to steady that too is false. In an absothat one. lute sense, it is neither.

The truth is, that’s not Most people think of bal-

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never have realized that the ability to think five steps ahead is a skill, not an annoyance.

It infuriates me that schools don’t provide the time and tools to help kids understand their own personality. There are three reasons why most schools neglect this critical area: 1. There’s no place in the curriculum Most teachers are subject matter experts; their job is to fill the students with enough knowledge to pass the test. No one is assigned the job of helping students explore within.

If I were a middle school principal, I would have every single health teacher take one day to give the kids a Myers Briggs test and then read the careers for each personality type.

2. No one can agree on the assessment tool School principals are unlikely to implement Myers-Briggs because there would be a huge fight over whether it was the best instrument.

Myers-Briggs is not perfect, but it’s better than what we have, which is nothing. Would teachers implement it perfectly?

Of course not. But there are no consequences; it just asks you to assess your own personality, there’s no good or bad, or right or wrong.

3. Most adults don’t self-reflect Many adults don’t understand or appreciate their own unique personality until later in life.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if our kids started out adult life knowing that selfknowledge? A student can master the 3 R’s, Common Core, STEM, (fill in the blank), but if they don’t understand who they are deep inside, it’s hard to create a successful life.

Lisa McLeod is the author of the bestseller “Selling with Noble Purpose.”

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your community: city by city

City by City is a weekly look at the happenings in the places you call home MORE FROM BUFORD

AUBURN Museum looking for volunteers The city of Auburn’s museum is looking for a few good volunteers.

Volunteer shifts would generally be from 1 to 4 p.m. Anyone interested can contact Michelle Walker at 770-9634002, extension 204 or at mwalker@cityofauburn-ga.org.

BARROW COUNTY Coalition given car seat mini-grant The Barrow County Coalition, a working relationship between Barrow County Emergency Services and the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, was recently named a 2015 recipient of the Department of Public Health’s child passenger safety mini-grant.

The program will distribute a total of $161,000 to 137 Georgia counties to support the purchase of car seats in local communities. Since 2007, officials said, at least 283 children involved in Georgia crashes have been saved from serious injury or death by car seats, booster seats and education provided through the mini-grants.

For more information on the Child Occupant Safety Project in Barrow County, call the Barrow County sheriff’s traffic division at 770-867-1383.

BERKELEY LAKE Engineer receives honor for work on dam Rich Edinger, city engineer for Berkeley Lake, recently was honored for his work on the city’s dam.

Edinger won the 2015 Honor Award for Engineering Excellence related to work that began because of the 2009 flood. Edinger was expected to be honored in an upcoming issue of Engineering Georgia Magazine, and at the Engineers Week Gala at Georgia Tech.

Immediately after the flood, which damaged homes, buildings and infrastructure throughout metro Atlanta, the city had to drain the top 10 to 12 feet of water immediately.

ful in reducing crimes everywhere it’s been introduced.

For more information, contact Martinez via email at david. martinez@gwinnettcounty.com or by phone at 770-5607454.

Visitors will experience American history through the eyes of children with the Environmental and Heritage Center’s new exhibit Centuries of Childhood: An American Story. (Special Photo)

Environmental center offers glimpse into American history

By Keith Farner keith.farner@gwinnettdailypost.com

A new exhibit at the Environmental and Heritage Center offers a chance to learn about a range of American history, including learning how to be a colonial blacksmith and churn butter like a pioneer.

The exhibit opens on Monday and runs through April 30, and it’s called “Centuries of Childhood: An American Story.” In the display, attendees connect the stories of American history to their own experiences about the lives of five children and their families. Each character has its own environment based on the time period and location where they lived.

Replicas of artifacts, home settings and traditional dress bring their stories to life. Inter-

BUFORD Juggling comedian coming to community center Mark Nizer, billed as “one of the greatest entertainment comedians and jugglers performing today,” is coming to Buford.

Nizer will perform at 8 p.m. on Jan. 31 at the Buford Community Center. Tickets range from $10 to $20 and can be purchased at bufordcommunitycenter.com.

“Whether juggling laser beams at 1,000 rpms, or five ping pong balls being thrown 20 feet in the air using only his mouth, or even jugging a burning propane tank, a running electric carving knife and a 16-pound bowling bowl,” an event listing said, “you’ll disBRASELTON cover for yourself that Police chief Mark Nizer is truly ‘the honors pair juggler your mother of life-saving officers warned you about.’”

Braselton Police Chief Terry Esco DACULA recently recognized Library hosting two of his officers, winter craft day commending their The Dacula branch lifesaving actions of the Gwinnett County and honoring them Public Library is holdfor “exemplifying the ing a winter craft day highest standards of for kids ages 2 and up the Braselton Police on Wednesday.

Department.”

Set for between According to a news 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., release, Capt. Michael the event will give the Steffman and Officer children an opportuZack Tiller were at nity to make a wintera local restaurant in themed craft item to December when they put on display or take witnessed a patron home. choking on food. They The library is located “applied the emergen- at 265 Dacula Road. cy Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the food DULUTH and clear the breathCity to put on public ing passages.” art master plan Both men were honworkshop ored at a recent BraA meeting to deselton council meeting. velop the city of Du-

active stations allow guests to experience a sampling of each child’s personal story.

“When we think about American history, we often think of famous people, wars and important dates. We forget that history is really the story of everyday life as lived by ordinary men, women and children.” Jason West, EHC director of programming said in a press release.

“This interactive exhibit allows visitors to explore American history as experienced by everyday kids.”

The five children featured in the exhibit include Onatah, a seven-year-old Native American girl who recounts life in the Great Lakes Region during the 1700s; Gregory, a 10-year-old colonial apprentice who shares his story of working and living away from home; Clara, a pio-

neer girl who tells her story of traveling West in 1840; Jacob, a Jewish boy who recently immigrated to America; and Michael, a mid-20th century AfricanAmerican child who recently moved from the Deep South to Chicago.

Also at the center, there is a supplementary exhibit titled Georgia’s Sacred Soils that will on display through April 30.

It blends science and history through the exploration of Georgia’s geology and its colonial history. The exhibit includes soil samples from across the state taken from battle sites of the Revolutionary War as well as historical maps that compare the historic and present boundaries of Georgia.

Both exhibits are included in the price of admission to the EHC.

Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. Go to www. gwinnettextension.com or call 678-377-4010 to request an order form.

all other areas of the park will be open, but the city is asking residents to use caution near the construction area.

LILBURN The popular park City hosting feature went out of gardening event commission July 11 In honor of Arbor after a water line rupDay, the city of Lilburn tured and went undeis hosting a tree plant- tected as it flooded ing and maintenance the underground vault “lunch and learn” event housing electrical on Feb. 21. machinery, according Residents are invited to the city. to bring their lunch and For more informalearn from Gwinnett tion, visit www.norGRAYSON Master Gardener Kate crossga.net.

Grayson Cluster Pittman from 11:30 PEACHTREE Schools Foundation a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at CORNERS set for casino night City Hall. City Hall is City kicking up The Grayson Cluster located at 76 Main St. crime-prevention The registration Schools Foundation efforts deadline for the free will have a casual atevent is Feb. 13. To The city of tire casino night from sign up, call 770Peachtree Corners, 6:30 to 11 p.m. on 638-2225 or email along with the GwinSaturday at Summit rschmitt@cityoflilburn. nett County Police Chase Country Club. com.

Department, is movAll proceeds benefit ing forward with plans schools in the Grayson LOGANVILLE to combat crime in cluster. Tickets are American Legion apartment complexes. $50 and admission looking for wedding Some 50 apartment includes heavy hors vendors managers and landd’oeuvres and two American Legion lords signed up for a drink tickets. There will Post 233 in Loganville seminar this week to also be a silent auclearn about the “Crime tion, music and casino is looking for local Free Multi-Housing games. For more infor- vendors for a bridal event at the American Program,” a national mation, visit graysonprogram that has been clusterfoundation.org. Legion on Feb. 28. If you wish to set up a effective in other comLAWRENCEVILLE table and meet with munities across the Gwinnett Extension potential bridal parties country, according to plant sale contact info@lasoithe city. still ongoing reechicevents.com.

“We are happy to be The Gwinnett Exten- Tables are available for a part of this program,” $50. The event is from Mayor Mike Mason sion is offering varinoon to 4 p.m. at 4635 said in a news reeties of blueberries, Atlanta Highway in blackberries, rasplease. “Statistics show Loganville. berries, figs, apples, that communities have pomegranate, native seen a significant drop NORCROSS azaleas, and other in crimes by as much Repairs coming to landscape plants as as 16 percent in just park fountain the first year.” part of its annual sale.

Orders will be taken GCPD officer DaRenovations are now through March 11. coming on the Lillian vid Martinez, who is The one-day pick spear-heading the Webb Park fountain, up for orders will be which had mechanical program in Peachtree March 26 from 9:30 Corners, said it has issues in summer. a.m. to 6 p.m. at the been very successIn the meantime, luth’s Public Art Master Plan is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Mathias Street Smarts Building across from city hall.

City officials have established a plan to define the city’s character and display it through public art throughout the city. This event is the latest in a series of meetings about how to display the city and its artwork to the region and the world.

SNELLVILLE ARC to give assistance to DDA The Snellville Downtown Development Authority has been given the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Community Choice Award, which will also give the DDA help from the ARC on public-private partnerships.

“Public-private partnerships are the way projects are getting done today,” city economic development manager Eric Van Otteren said. “As the Snellville DDA works toward a development concept for The Towne Center @ Snellville, authority members feel it is critical that they have a good working knowledge of the best practices being used today.

That is the goal of this project.”

The DDA’s request is to conduct a survey of public-private partnerships to learn best practices and “dos and don’ts,” a process which the ARC can be of help with, according to the city.

SUGAR HILL ‘The Odd Couple’ coming to Sugar Hill The Players Guild at Sugar Hill’s next project will be the Tony Award-winning play “The Odd Couple.” The play will be performed March 20 through 22 and 27 through 29 at the Lanier High School theater.

“This classic comedy reveals hilarious results when the clean freak Felix Unger and the slob Oscar Madison ultimately decide to room together and The Odd Couple is born,” the city of Sugar Hill’s newsletter said.

Anyone interested in participating in the play should contact Ane Mulligan at ane@ anemulligan.com.

SUWANEE Design competition open for Suwanee Fest Suwanee Fest is hosting a design competition for a 2015 theme logo to be used on official festival Tshirts and marketing materials. The winning designer will receive $500. The theme for the 2015 festival, to be celebrated Sept.

19 and 20, is “For the love of Suwanee.”

The competition is open to professional and amateur designers of all ages.

Designs may be hand-drawn or computer-generated. Entries should be submitted in printed and electronic format. The deadline for submissions is May 1. See suwaneefest.com for additional guidelines and an entry form.

gwinnettdailypost.com

Woman receives Ferrol Sams Award

By Katie Morris

katie.morris @gwinnettdailypost.com

Mercer University recently honored Mary Anna Bryan with the 2014 Ferrol Sams Award for Fiction for her novel “Cardinal Hill.”

The award is given to the best manuscript that speaks to the human condition in a Southern context.

“Cardinal Hill” follows Margaret Norman who is growing up during the 1930s and ’40s, living in a family with secrets. No one will tell her about her mother, an artist who died

shortly after she was born.

Margaret determines she will find out about her mother if it takes her the rest of her life. But while she searches to uncover her mother’s secret, she must keep her own fearful truth buried deeply within.

Bryan said she wrote the novel to help inform people about what it was like to grow up in the South during the Silent Generation, a period of time she believes many don’t know about. The Lawrenceville resident also drew inspiration from her mother’s

experiences of growing up without a mother and being raised by her aunt.

Bryan began working on the novel after retiring from her job as an English teacher — she spent years writing, then stepping away for a while and eventually working with a critique group to perfect the novel. Once Bryan felt it was ready, she started submitting it for publication.

“It seemed hopeless because at first, I didn’t make the cut. You can’t just write beautiful sen-

tences — it needs to have a good plot, and I think I finally accomplished that.

I submitted and prayed a lot,” Bryan said.

“Cardinal Hill” will be available in 2016 — Bryan said she’s excited to see it finally published, adding she is also thrilled to be recognized with the Ferrol Sams Award for Fiction.

“I’m just thrilled I was able to win the award. I’m not sure how many people tried, and they probably won’t ever tell me, but I’m sure it was many,” Bryan said.

Seniors to take classes geared toward tech From Staff Reports

reconnected and back in control of their lives,” officials SNELLVILLE — A series said. There are five different of classes aimed at helping classes scheduled between seniors get in the technologi- Jan. 31 and Feb. 28: cal swing of things is coming — The Jan. 31 class will to a local community center. cover “tablet 101” — powThe “Mentor Up” proering on tablets, charging gram, a partnership between tablets, downloading apps Gwinnett County 4-H and and tablet settings.

AARP, “is a new way of — The Feb. 7 class will making a difference and cover Internet security. helps those 50 and older get — The Feb. 14 class will

cover photos and videos with iPads, showing students how to capture images, share them with others and view pictures sent to them.

— The Feb. 21 class will show students how to video chat with loved ones.

— The Feb. 28 class will cover Facebook basics.

All classes will be held between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on their respec-

tive dates at the Centerville Community Center, located at 3025 Bethany Church Road in Snellville.

Classes are free but limited to 15 students ages 50 and up.

Students can bring their own tablet or have one provided for class use.

Registration is required one week prior to each class and can be completed by calling 770-985-4713.

Businessman wins award at Entertainment gala From Staff Reports

The awards ceremony celebrates the state’s enterJason Moss, founder and tainment and manufacturing CEO of Lawrenceville-based players who have come Georgia Manufacturing together for a common goal Alliance, took home the of creating jobs.

“Georgia Community Lead“Keeping business ership Award” recently at the in Georgia and providGeorgia Entertainment Gala ing rapid response to the in Atlanta. demanding entertainment

community makes for a win-win relationship between the manufacturing and entertainment industry in Georgia,” Moss said in a news release. “GMA and our members are excited to play a role in this growing industry.”

GMA has been connect-

ENTER TO WIN A FAMILY 4-PACK OF TICKETS

ing manufacturers to a wide variety of industries including entertainment since 2008. The company hosts networking Jason Moss events and tours to make connections.

Moss was among a list of influential metro Atlantans players who were nominated for awards and honored at the event including television judge Glenda Hatchett to rapper Ludacris.

“The community leadership award was presented to Jason Moss because of his passion, his drive and his heart to really engage our communities and help people in Georgia,” said Autumn Bailey, the Georgia Entertainment Gala founder.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 • 5C

GAB Jackson EMC awards $90K in grants The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors awarded a total of $113,540 in grants to organizations during their December meeting, including $90,000 to organizations serving Gwinnett residents.

The Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry’s Emergency Food Assistance Program, the Norcross Cooperative Ministry’s Emergency Shelter Assistance Program and the North Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry’s Medication Assistance Program were each awarded $15,000.

The Eyes of Love Lighthouse Mission in Buford, the Lilburn Cooperative Ministry, I Am Inc. in Buford and NOA’s Ark were each awarded $10,000. The faith-based organization Nothing but the Truth was awarded $5,000.

The Jackson EMC Foundation has put more than $9.3 million back into local communities since it was founded in 2005, funding 928 grants to organizations and 305 grants to individuals.

Any individual or charitable organization in the ten counties served by Jackson EMC may apply for a Foundation grant by completing an application, available online at jacksonemc.com/ foundation-guidelines or at a local Jackson EMC office.

ing D of Your Extra Attic, 130 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. in Sugar Hill. Tiny Stitches is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit group organized in 1999 to help families with newborn babies. Over the years, the group has grown into a workforce of over 200 men and women across North Georgia sewing, knitting, crocheting and working together to provide for those in need. For more information, visit tinystitches.org.

Kidgits Club Book Blast

Mall of Georgia is promoting the importance of childhood literacy and reading with its annual Simon Kidgits Book Blast on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Families will be able to enjoy a read-aloud session of popular modern classics with local celebrities and will be eligible for drawings to win free books and special prizes. Attendees can also engage in bookbased activities that will help bring the stories to life. As part of the annual event, children are encouraged to bring new or gently used books to be donated to a participating charity.

The Simon Kidgits Club Book Blast will be Saturday, Feb. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Mountain Court at Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive in Buford. The event is free for Simon Kidgits Club Members, and $5 Knit fabric sale for nonmembers, which includes an entire year of Tiny Stitches Inc. is activities and a Kidgits hosting a knit fabric sale T-shirt. For more information, visit simonkidgon Saturday, Jan. 31, at Your Extra Attic in Sugar itsclub.com.

Gwinnett Gab appears Hill. Fabric will be offered for $1 a pound, and in the Thursday and Suncash will be the only pay- day editions of the Gwinnett Daily Post. To submit ment accepted. an item to Gwinnett Gab, The knit fabric sale email gab@gwinnettdaiwill take place from 10 lypost.com. a.m. to 2 p.m., in Build-

Gwinnett Daily Post Follow us on Twitter @gwinnettdaily

MEET CAST MEMBERS FROM THE SHOW!

AT L A N TA

SAT. JAN. 31, 2015 7:30 PM

For Tickets FoxTheatre.org 1-855-285-8499

Enter to win a family 4-pack of tickets and a $50 Marlow’s giftcard!

MAY 17TH & 18TH

Name _________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________ Phone ___________________ Email _______________________________ ENTER BY FEB. 8, 2015 MAIL COMPLETED ENTRY TO: GDP/Legends • P.O. Box 603, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 or enter online at gwinnettdailypost.com, rockdalecitizen.com, newtoncitizen.com, henryherald.com or news-daily.com.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. By entering you consent to receive limited promotional offers from the newspapers and their partners. Prize has no cash value and cannot be resold or exchanged. Winners will be notified. One runner up from each entries will receive a pair of tickets to one performance.

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COME OUT AND HAVE SOME FUN WITH ELVIS ON JANUARY 27!

AT THE FORUM 2-3PM 234474-1

6C • SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

LUNCH MENUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Monday Get Along Lil Doggies; Asian Rice Bowl; Cheesy Boat; Pinwheels; PBJ’wich; Steamed Carrots; Farm Fresh Produce Tuesday Chicken Nuggets; Mix & Match Mexi; Mexi Bean Pizza; Deli Fresh Subs; PBJ’wich; Mashed Potatoes; Farm Fresh Produce Wednesday Gwinnett’s Best Burger; Oven Breaded Chicken; Vegetarian Burger; Signature Salads; PBJ’wich; Sweet Potato Fries; Farm Fresh Produce Thursday Chicken & Waffles; Italian Meatball Sub; Vegetarian Burger; Deli Fresh Subs; PBJ’wich; Steamed Broccoli; Farm Fresh Produce Friday Fiesta Nachos; Fish Nibblers; Vegetarian Burger; Pinwheels; PBJ’wich; Roasted Asparagus; Farm Fresh Produce

style Sammies; Signature Salads; PBJ’wich; Farm Fresh Produce Thursday Seasoned Wings; Mix and Match Mexi; Falafel Wraps; Wrap ’n’ Roll Wraps; Signature Salads; PBJ’wich; Farm Fresh Produce Friday Pancakes and Sausage; Seafood Basket; Cheesy Grilled Cheese; Deli Fresh Subs; Signature Salads; PBJ’wich; Farm Fresh Produce

HIGH SCHOOL Monday Spaghetti Bolognese; Big Daddy’s Pizza; Crispy Chicken Sammie; Yogurt Parfait; Homestyle Croissant Sammie; Signature Salad; Mix and Match Mexi Tuesday Boneless Wings; Big Daddy’s Pizza; Mini Burgers; Vegetarian Burger; Deli Fresh Subs; Signature Salad; Street Tacos Wednesday Tortellini Alfredo; Stuffed MIDDLE SCHOOL Crust Pizza; Italian MeatMonday Gwinnett’s Best Burger; ball Sub; Pesto Tomato Cheese Sub; Wrap n’ Roll Asian Lo Mein Bowl; Mexi Layered Dip & Chips; Wrap Wraps; Signature Salad; Queso Nachos n’ Roll Wraps; Signature Thursday Salads; PBJ’wich; Farm Oven Breaded Chicken; Fresh Produce Big Daddy’s Pizza; BBQ Tuesday Sandwich; Falafel Wrap; Big Daddy’s Pizza; Deli Fresh Subs; Signature Asian Wings & Rice; Vegetarian Burger; Deli Fresh Salad; Peruvian Rice Bowl Friday Subs; Signature Salads; Brunch 4 Lunch; Big PBJ’wich; Farm Fresh Daddy’s Pizza; Catch of Produce the Day; Mexi Dip & Chips; Wednesday Homestyle Sammie; SigOld World Lasagna; nature Salad; Hawaiian Ultimate Hot Dog Bar; Vegetarian Burger; Home- Chicken Sammie

VOLUNTEER

OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEEK

gwinnettdailypost.com

ENGAGEMENT

ANNIVERSARY

Winkler — Lastinger

Weiss 50th anniversary

Barry and Ann Winkler of Lawrenceville announce the engagement of their daughter Staci Ann Winkler, of Peachtree Corners, to Robert Anthony Lastinger, of Peachtree Corners, son of Julie Lastinger, of Pembroke.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Joe and Mary Williams, of Snellville. She is a graduate of Collins Hill High School and is employed with The HoneyBaked Ham Company.

The future groom Staci Winkler and is a graduate of StateRobert Lastinger soro High School and is employed with James M. The wedding is planned Pleasant. for Sept. 25 in Atlanta.

Stanley and Virginia Weiss of Snellville recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married Jan. 9, 1965, in Rockford, Ill. Stanley is retired from the U.S. Post Office and Virginia was a homemaker.

They have six children; Diane Smith, married to Kevin Smith, Sandi Porter, married to Steve Porter, Laura Dearth, married to Steve Dearth, David Weiss, married to Michelle Weiss, Wendy and Michael Weiss.

They have nine grandchildren; Amelia and Ethan Porter, Thomas and Emily Dearth, Elijah, Caleb and Isaiah Weiss, and Daniel

Stanley and Virginia Weiss

and Ashley Weiss. They also have one great-grandchild Sandra Porter.

They celebrated with family at The Blue Willow Inn.

RESTAURANT SCORES Restaurant....................................................................... Address.............................................................................. Score Best Western Gwinnett Center...................................... 3670 Shackleford Road, Duluth.......................................... 77 Dillons Restaurant and Sports Bar............................... 850 Dogwood Road, Lawrenceville..................................... 94 Bucks Pizza..................................................................... 850 Dogwood Road, Lawrenceville..................................... 96 Salon De Eventos........................................................... 3750 Venture Drive, Duluth................................................. 90 Comfort Suites Duluth................................................... 3700 Shackleford Road, Duluth.......................................... 83 Havana South Cuban..................................................... 4060 Buford Drive, Buford................................................... 100 Uptown Cafe.................................................................... 117 Perry St., Lawrenceville................................................ 99 The Rustic Couch........................................................... 4500 Satellite Blvd., Duluth................................................. 92 Costa Del Sol.................................................................. 5265 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross.................................... 83 Georgia Diner.................................................................. 1655 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth......................................... 95 Myung Ga Won................................................................ 1960 Day Drive, Duluth....................................................... 84 Celebrate the Occasion, Inc........................................... 876 Winding Trail, Lawrenceville......................................... 99 Don Jose Taqueria Y Marisqueria.................................. 2369 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville........................ 95 Pings Place..................................................................... 2300 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth......................................... 100 Hong Kong Restaurant................................................... 1064 Old Peachtree Road, Lawrenceville........................... 100 Chick-fil-A at Sugarloaf Corporate Center.................... 2020 Satellite Blvd., Duluth................................................. 82 Thai Pad and Coco Sweets Eatery................................ 2180 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth......................................... 100 Kurt’s............................................................................... 3305 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Duluth.............................. 84 Sodexo Operations LLC at Merial Limited.................... 3239 Satellite Blvd., Duluth................................................. 84 Golden Seven, Inc........................................................... 2148 Duluth Highway, Duluth.............................................. 87

Gwinnett Sexual Assault and Children’s Advocacy Center The Gwinnett Sexual Assault and Children’s Advocacy Center is seeking individuals interested in becoming volunteer advocates. Volunteers must be at least 19 years old, pass a background check and undergo 29 hours of training prior to volunteering.

The center is also seeking Spanish-speaking volunteer interpreters.

Call 770-497-9122 or email volunteer@gsac.cac.org for more information.

— From Staff Reports