Gwinnett Daily Post — March 2, 2018

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Vol. 48, No. 73

Ex-officers indicted in traffic stop beating

BY ISABEL HUGHES

isabel.hughes@gwinnettdailypost.com

A grand jury has indicted two former Gwinnett County Police Department officers who were allegedly caught on camera last year beating a man following a traffic stop. The men were indicted on numerous charges — including a felony — in connection with the incident.

Former Master Police Officer Robert McDonald and former

Sgt. Michael Bongiovanni were indicted Wednesday on a total of 10 counts, which range from the most serious charge of aggravated assault to violation of oath of office and battery.

The men were fired in April after video was taken of them allegedly assaulting Demetrius Hollins, who they had pulled over near the Lawrenceville-area intersection of Sugarloaf Parkway and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.

Former Sgt. Michael Bongiovanni, left, and former officer Robert McDonald were indicted Wednesday by a Gwinnett County grand jury on 10 counts stemming from an incident last April when they allegedly beat a man following a traffic stop.

(Photos: Gwinnett County Police Department)

“I’m literally sick about it,” Gwinnett County Police Chief Butch Ayers said at the time.

“Literally sick. These aren’t the

initially charged with battery and violation of oath of office, Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter added the aggravated assault charge in a draft of the indictment earlier this month.

That charge stems from the men pointing a gun at Hollins, a copy of the indictment states.

The bill, which was obtained standards that we have and this is by the Daily Post, also includes violation of oath of office not the culture that we promote within this department.”

See OFFICERS, Page 8A Though the officers were

‘I could give back’

Inmate authors book about county’s jail dogs program

BY ISABEL HUGHES isabel.hughes@gwinnettdailypost.com

BY ISABEL HUGHES

isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

S

hane Hawkins smiled as Lee, a pit bull mix, peered through Gwinnett County Jail cell 1B104’s glass, the dog enamored by one of the deputies walking through the common area.

Raising his hand, Hawkins gestured to the pup for a highfive, which Lee enthusiastically returned — a trick the inmate had taught the dog over the past several months.

No, Lee wasn’t Hawkins’ service animal, nor was he a deputy’s pet.

Rather, the 9-month-old is one of 14 dogs that are part of the jail’s Operation Second Chance, or more colloquially known, Jail Dog, program, and Hawkins is his handler.

“Someone told me (the jail) had the dog program and I thought it was a rumor,” Hawkins said. “I thought, ‘Dogs in jail, yeah right.’ But they said, ‘No, you really can work with dogs,’ and sure enough, the application was there. I filled it out — that was about 10 months after I’d been here — and it wasn’t too much longer that they brought me down to (this housing unit.) I remember coming through those doors and feeling the atmosphere and thinking, ‘This is it.’”

Hawkins, who entered the jail Oct. 9, 2014, after his bond was revoked for a driving under the influence of drugs — serious injury by vehicle charge, has trained multiple dogs in his time at the detention center, recently publishing a book about his experience.

Though it has only sold a modest number of copies thus far, Hawkins said his goal isn’t fame or fortune — it’s about

Bust yields $500K of medical equipment

Shane Hawkins sits inside the Gwinnett County jail with his jail dog, Lee. (Staff Photo: Isabel Hughes)

an addiction came from it,” he said. “I had gone to the hospital Visit gwinnettdailypost.com for and they had prescribed me the a photo gallery. medicine, and when I took the medication, it helped with the helping others while also repain that I was dealing with, but minding himself of his progress. it also helped, I later realized, ‘If I knew what I know now’ with the deep pain and hurt I When he was first prescribed had as a child, and it stopped pain medication nearly a decade that. It took away the deep hurt ago, Hawkins couldn’t have and rejection I felt, and when imagined that he would spend it was time to come off that, I his 30th birthday — or the past was having to deal with all these three-and-a-quarter years — in emotions that I’d had.” jail.

Though he said he wanted “I used to be prescribed a to be rid of the medication, the medication and, long story short, medicine was the only way MORE ONLINE

Hawkins said he knew of to deal with his emotions.

“I didn’t know any better — I was lost, I was hopeless, and I didn’t know how to live,” he said. “That medication seemed to be the answer at the time and I just started taking more and more of it. The addiction started rising. I had to take more as my body got used to it. The stronger stuff started coming around, and before I knew it, I had gotten myself into something I had no way out of.”

See TRAINER, Page 7A

Gwinnett deputies found more than they were looking for when they raided a Snellville warehouse last week.

On Friday, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at Alpha and Omega Shipping on Eastgate Place, where they found approximately $500,000 worth of medical equipment, construction tools and “nuGregory merous electronics” in adBland dition to the $12,000 worth of microscopes they were intending to find, according to Deputy Shannon Volkodav, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office.

“The investigation began after a microscope manufacturer in California Temitayo contacted the sheriff’s David office notifying us of a fraudulent order they processed after receiving an email from what appeared to be an existing customer’s email account,” Volkodav said. “When the invoice wasn’t paid, a call Toyosi was placed to the existing Ogunleye customer, who stated that they had not placed the order.”

The order, which was for 40 microscopes totaling $11,555, was determined to be part of a business email compromise scheme, a financial cyber crime that the FBI says is on the rise.

At the warehouse, deputies first found 55-year-old Gregory Bland, who told them that he lives at the location in exchange for accepting packages on behalf of his employer, Temitayo David, a 55-year-old woman.

Bland allegedly led investigators next door, where the microscopes, as well as other stolen items, were being kept.

Bland, David and another employee, 43-year-old Toyosi Ogunleye, were arrested at the scene, and investigators notified federal authorities of their find.

A joint investigation between the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is ongoing.

House, Senate each pass regional transit oversight bills tion, House Bill 930 and Senate Bill 386, would create a regional transit body in metro Atlanta that would Two pieces of legislation guide transit projects in 13 that could affect the future counties, including Gwinof transit in Gwinnett nett. The Senate bill would County — one bill out of also allow 30-year transthe state House of Repportation special purpose resentatives and another option sale taxes, also out of the state Senate — known as T-SPLOSTs. passed out of their respecGwinnett County leaders tive chambers Wednesday. are expected to put forward Both pieces of legislaa transit referendum to

Cars travel in the toll lanes while the southbound traffic on Interstate 85 is backed up during a morning rush hour.

The state House of Representatives and the state Senate each passed separate bills that would create a regional transit governance system on Wednesday. (File Photo)

BY CURT YEOMANS

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

voters either in November of this year or November 2020, when voter turnouts are expected to be at their highest levels.

Gwinnett County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash said she and other county leaders will be closely watching how legislation fares going forward.

“I am pleased that both the Senate and the House

passed their respective transit bills with very strong votes,” Nash said. “I appreciate the hard work by many different folks.

(Senate Transportation Committee) Chairman Brandon Beach has been ringing the bell on regional transit for years.

“Then, there is the extraordinary effort that

See BILLS, Page 8A

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2A • FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

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Police ask for help with Brookwood student arrested identifying armed robber following social media threat

BY TREVOR MCNABOE

“Brookwood has dealt with this student from a school distrevor.mcnaboe cipline standpoint, and legal @gwinnettdailypost.com authorities have criminally A Brookwood High School charged him,” Ford said. student has been arrested after Ford said the incident with making terroristic threats on the student began Tuesday social media on Wednesday, when two students in a classaccording to Gwinnett County room were threatened.

Public Schools officials.

In the letter, Ford stated Brookwood principal Bo the student made a series of Ford sent a letter to parents unsettling posts on social and faculty addressing the media, resulting in the school situation. contacting its school resource

BY ISABEL HUGHES isabel.hughes@gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett police are trying to identify a man who robbed a local fast food restaurant at gunpoint in mid-February.

Shortly before 10 p.m. Feb. 18, officers responded to the Popeyes on Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Peachtree Corners after receiving a 911 call about an armed robbery that had just occurred.

There, victims told police that a black man came in with a silver handgun and demanded money, allegedly telling the employees to “shut up” multiple times before ordering them to go to the back of the restaurant.

As the employees were complying with the robber, police said he told them he wasn’t going to hurt them and apparently tried to explain his actions by saying, “it ain’t your money, it’s the cracker’s money.”

Surveillance video also shows the suspect calling one of the employees “Auntie” as he leads her to the back of the restaurant and then to the front counter.

While the employee was in the midst of loading a bag with cash for the suspect, a customer pulled into the drivethrough.

The suspect thought the cutomer was calling 911, police said, and told the employee not to shove the money in the bag out in the open while the customer was there.

Once he had the money, which was estimated to be about $400, the suspect walked out of the restaurant and left the area running in an unknown direction, police said.

The suspect is described as a black man wearing a camouflage bandana around his face, a black skullcap, a blue

officer, who made the arrest on Wednesday.

“We take the safety of our students here at Brookwood High very seriously,” Ford said. “Accompanying our normal security precautions, we have arranged for additional SROs to be on campus to provide reassurance to our school community.”

According to Ford, there was never a threat to “shoot up the school.”

Pizza Hut customer allegedly brandishes gun at employee

BY ISABEL HUGHES

After apologizing, the employee A Norcross Pizza Hut took Tate’s employee got the scare of his pizza and life after a customer allegmade him edly pulled a gun on him for a new one, Trontavious telling the customer to have telling Tate D. Tate a nice day. to “have a Gwinnett police are great day” as he was leaving. enlisting the public’s help In response, Tate allegedly in locating 19-year-old turned around and said, “Do Stone Mountain resident you think this is funny?”

Trontavious D. Tate, who before walking outside to his has warrants for aggravated vehicle and grabbing a gun assault and financial transac- from his car. tion card theft as a result of After re-entering the store, the incident, which occurred surveillance video shows Feb. 11 at the Singleton Tate shoving two computer Road Pizza Hut. monitors out of his way Shortly before 11:30 a.m. and pointing the gun at the that day, Tate walked into the employee. restaurant to complain about He left soon after in a a recent order, police said. black, four-door Honda,

isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

The suspect is described as a black man standing approximately 6 feet tall. (Special Photo)

hooded sweatshirt with a “distinctive white emblem,” blue pants, black gloves and dark shoes. He was estimated to be about 6 feet tall and weighing between 160-175 pounds.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Gwinnett detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit crimestoppersatlanta.org.

Tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case by referencing case number 18-016125.

though not before again pointing the gun on his way out the door, the video shows.

The lead detective assigned to the case followed up on leads about the customer’s identity and determined that Tate was the aggressor, though his current whereabouts are unknown.

Anyone with information about Tate’s location is asked to contact detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit crimestoppersatlanta.org.

Tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case by referencing case number 18-013634.

Sex video results in public indecency charges for 2 students

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students or teachers, and had sex,” said Bernard Watson, Gwinnett County Public Schools director of community relations. “Another student filmed the act and posted it.”

Watson said administrators

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Two Gwinnett County high school students have been charged with public indecency after a video was

posted showing them engaging in sexual acts on school grounds, according to school officials.

“On Monday, two students from Archer High School skipped class, went to an area of the school not used by

less LL A , S E Y CS I R B A F IMS R T D AN

Tu e s d a y - F r i d a y : 10 a.m-7 p.m.

S a t u r d a y : 10 a.m-6 p.m.

CLOSE D Sunday and Monday

at the school became aware of the incident after it was air dropped to a number of people on Tuesday.

“They (administrators) began an investigation and have taken disciplinary action with all three of the students,”

Watson said. “In addition, the two who were having sex have been charged criminally with public indecency.”

Archer principal Ken Johnson stated in a letter that the students were in a vestibule near a freight elevator

that is not used by either staff or students.

“We have determined that this area of campus will be locked in the future to ensure that this type of situation does not occur again,” Johnson said.

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Friday, March 2, 2018 • 3a

$2 Sex Pill From China Does Peachtree Ridge’s Gilman What $50 Sex Pills In The is Media Specialist of Year U.S. Cannot Advertisement

By trevor mcNaBoe

Approved by top doctors; proven in 13 U.S. clinical trials to turbo charge libido levels, trigger harder, longer lasting erections and give men “mind blowing” orgasms

By J. Whitsed National Media Syndicate

NMS—A pill that restores a man’s sex drive and triggers strong, long lasting erections without side effects has been used in China for 63 years. It is now available in the United States.

This amazing pill contains ingredients that not only resolve sexual health problems in men, but also boost lost testosterone levels in the body.

It also cuts your sex pill costs up to 82% less than using medications like Viagra.

An improved version of this pill is now being offered in the United States by the American Institute of Longevity under the brand name Viotren.

Viotren restores male libido levels. It relieves performance anxiety. It triggers powerful erections that are easier and faster to achieve, too. It even contains an ingredient that “switches off” the chemical in a man’s body that causes his erections to go soft.

Viotren is also safe and good for your overall health. It does not cause harmful side effects associated with Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis.

Triggers a massive release of testosterone in the body

535610-1

Viotren contains ingredients that trigger a massive release of testosterone in the body. As a result, your sex drive is quickly restored. So is your ability to get and maintain an erection.

Thirteen clinical studies have now been conducted on Viotren’s active ingredient here in the U.S. The results show men report being more easily aroused.

They report harder, longer lasting erections, too. They also report being more passionate during love making.

The pill even improves muscle strength, energy levels, and physical stamina.

Kiernan Mills, Director of the American Institute of Longevity said, “The origin of Viotren is in ancient Oriental medicine.

Scientists now know that there are many remedies from Oriental medicine that are proving very effective in clinical studies.”

This particular Oriental remedy was brought to market commercially by a Chinese pharmaceutical company in 1953.

New Sex Pill: Top doctors are now recommending new Viotren to men; 13 clinical studies show active ingredient boosts sexual desire; triggers stronger longer-lasting erections.

But they took it a step further.

They took the ingredients in the remedy that triggered the amazing sexual benefits in men and they put them into a pill.

When the pill absorbs into the body, the ingredients are released into the blood where they begin restoring testosterone and libido levels.

The American Institute of Longevity has developed an improved pill which includes more potent and faster absorbing forms of each ingredient. The former pill, while incredibly effective, was slower to work in the body.

Stronger, Longer Lasting Erections In 72-Hours

There are many benefits to a sex pill that restores testosterone levels.

First of all, the sexual improvements are felt in days. You don’t have to wait weeks or months.

Improvements in your sex drive and ability to get and maintain an erection start within the first 72-hours.

Going directly to the source of male sexual problems — i.e., low testosterone — has this major health benefit: you don’t have to take risky drugs that cause harmful side effects anymore. By restoring lost testosterone levels, you simply “reset” your sex drive to the way it used to be when you were a younger man.

Not only is Viotren safe to use, but, it also helps to improve blood circulation throughout the body. This further improves your ability to get an erection and maintain it for the entire duration of sex.

What Doctors Are Saying

“Many Viotren users note an increased sense of well-being, vitality, and sexual performance in the first 30 days,” said Dr. Holly Lucille, who has appeared on award winning T.V. shows like The Doctors, and PBS’s Healing Quest.

“I recommend Viotren to men who find it difficult to become aroused. It does wonders for your sexual appetite.

Your sexual sensitivity.

Even for your staying power and stamina,” said Dr. Vincent Leaper, M.D. “Viotren is a good choice for men who feel they have passed their peak. The results of using this pill can be an in- crease in energy levels, vigor, and a decrease in depressive mood,” said Dr. Decker Weiss, Integrative Cardiologist and Professional Committee Member of the America Heart Association.

Double Money Back Guarantee

In addition, the makers of Viotren claim this pill works for almost every man. And so, they are willing to put their money where their mouth is to prove it.

“If men use Viotren exactly as directed, they will see a huge spike in testosterone… a massive increase in sexual desire… a boost in bedroom performance… and stronger, longer lasting erections that are faster and easier to achieve,” said Mills.

“And if for any reason that does not happen, which is highly unlikely, we’ll go ahead and issue each man a double your money back refund. We can only offer a guarantee like this because we know Viotren works and men love it,” he added.

How To Get Viotren

This is the official nationwide release of Viotren in the United States. And so, the company is offering a special discount supply to any man who calls within the next 48-hours.

Starting at 7:00 AM today, the order hotline will be open for 48-hours. All you have to do is call TOLLFREE 1-800-206-3662 and provide the operator with the special discount approval code: BRF179. The company will do the rest.

Important: Due to Viotren’s recent media exposure on CBS, CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News, phone lines are often busy. If you call and do not immediately get through, please be patient and call back.

Those who miss the 48 hour deadline may be forced to pay full price for Viotren.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All doctors mentioned are remunerated for their services. All clinical studies on Viotren’s active ingredient were independently conducted and were not sponsored by the American Institute of Longevity.

trevor.mcnaboe @gwinnettdailypost.com

For the past 11 years, Joni Gilman has walked into Peachtree Ridge High School with an expectation that each day will bring something different.

On Monday, students and administrators surprised her with a party in celebration of her winning Gwinnett County Public Schools Media Specialist of the Year.

“It was overwhelming because there are so many media specialists in the county at all three levels,” Gilman said. “I’ve learned from so many of them. To be nominated and then chosen as the winner is overwhelming and I’m still in shock.”

Gilman, a 2004 graduate of Brookwood High School, returned to Gwinnett in 2007 as a language arts teacher at Peachtree Ridge for six years before transitioning to a media specialist.

“It’s been wonderful to come back to where I grew up,” Gilman said. “This is what I’ve wanted to do ever since I was in first grade — I’ve wanted to be a librar-

Gwinnett County Public Schools Media Specialist of the Year Joni Gilman and Peachtree Ridge principal Jeff Mathews are pictured at the award announcement on Monday. (Staff Photo: Trevor McNaboe)

ian.”

One of the reasons she enjoys the role she currently has is the amount of people she is able to help.

“You work with students, teachers, custodians, administrators,” Gilman said.

“I’ve had an interaction with pretty much every single person in this school.”

Peachtree Ridge High School Principal Jeff Mathews said they found out last week about her winning the award and began putting together a celebration for her as soon as they could.

“The planning had to be very strategic because Joni has her finger on the pulse of

the school,” Mathews said.

“She’s so deeply intertwined in the fabric of our school.”

Her passion and dedication to the job is one that not only has been recognized by the school district, but also by employees at the school.

“Joni is a self-starter and takes initiative on things when nobody is watching,” Mathews said. “In her field she’s a true innovator and pushes the boundaries so that the students are benefiting at high levels. She’s a true champion of literacy and someone that underpromises but overdelivers and changes the culture in this building.”

Food left on stove may have been cause of apartment fire From StaFF reportS

Rutledge said. “Additional units were assigned to check Firefighters believe unat- for extension and secure the tended food on a stove may utilities.” have led to a fire Wednesday Firefighters had to pull night that left residents in part of the sheetrock in the eight units displaced at a adjoining units to make sure Norcross apartment comthe fire was completely out. plex.

The blaze gutted the origin Crews responded about apartment and caused water 10 p.m. to an occupant and smoke damage in four report of a fire at the Sumother units. mit at Dawson Apartments “The quick actions of the along the 1400 block of first-arriving crews, and the Chase Lane N.W. in uninpresence of a firewall, kept corporated Norcross. the flames from spreading According to Gwinnett throughout the building,” Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge, Rutledge said. crews arrived to find heavy The fire penetrated the atsmoke and flames comtic directly above and part of ing out the front door of a the roof near an overhang, second-floor apartment unit. officials said. Smoke stainResidents in the multi-unit ing was visible across the apartment building were exterior balcony and roofline already in the process of of the building. evacuation when fire trucks Two adult occupants, arrived and no injuries were identified as a mother and reported, he said. daughter, were home asleep “Firefighters quickly inside the apartment and deployed attack hose lines were awakened by the and immediately entered smoke alarm. They discovthe burning apartment to ered the kitchen ablaze as extinguish the flames and they exited the apartment. conduct a primary search,” According to Rutledge,

they were reportedly cooking prior to going to bed, and the cause of the fire appears to be accidental, according to the fire investigator.

The American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance for a number of people from eight apartment units on the affected side of the firewall. All other residents on the opposite side of the firewall were allowed to return to their apartments and were not displaced.

According to fire officials, unsafe cooking practices are a leading cause of residential fires. Firefighters say you should never leave food on the stove unattended.

Make sure the stove burners are off before going to bed or when leaving the home.

Install working smoke alarms on every level of the home and in each of the bedrooms. Have an escape plan and practice fire drills regularly. Keep a portable (multi-purpose ABC) fire extinguisher close at hand to douse a small fire.

Proper pruning of roses helps keep them healthy, attractive Roses are among the most commonly planted ornamental plants in the landscape. They come in a multitude of colors, shapes, sizes and growth patterns. If given proper care, roses will provide excellent color with their fragrant flowers. One of the most critical components for keeping roses healthy is pruning, which encourages new growth and removes dead or diseased parts.

Periodic cosmetic pruning can be done throughout the growing season. More intense pruning should be done in the late winter and early spring for most types of roses.

Different roses have different pruning requirements. The hybrid tea roses, floribundas, grandiflora roses and roses such as Nearly Wild and Knockout can bloom throughout the growing season. Make sure you have clean, sharp pruning snips and loppers before starting. Begin pruning the roses in the early spring when the buds begin to swell and before the new growth begins. Remove all dead and diseased wood. Dead rose canes have a dried, black appearance as opposed to living ones, which are green to light brown. Make the

Gardening in Gwinnett

Tim Daly pruning cut at a 45-degree angle roughly 1/4 of an inch above a bud facing outward.

Remove all but four to six of the most vigorously growing canes. Cut out any branches with a diameter smaller than a pencil. Prune them back to within 24 to 30 inches from the ground. Remove any suckers arising from the base of the plant.

Certain climbing roses, such as Lady Banks that bloom only once a year are pruned after they have finished blooming in the spring. Do not prune early in the spring before they bloom as they produce flowers on old wood from the previous year’s growth.

After they finish blooming, remove the oldest canes and leave five to seven of the most vigorous canes.

Some of the old garden rose varieties need minimal

pruning to preserve their shape. Hard pruning can cause them to lose their form. Remove only the oldest stems that are no longer productive. Most of these types of roses bloom only once a season in the spring and should be pruned shortly after flowering.

Proper pruning at the appropriate time will improve the overall shape of the rose bushes, and promote new and healthier growth. It will ensure abundant, attractive roses for a long time to come.

The 2018 Annual Gwinnett County Extension Plant Sale offers several plants, including blueberries, apples, figs, native azaleas and other plants at affordable prices. To download an order form, go to the Extension website at www. ugaextension.org/gwinnett/ and go to the middle of the page to download an order form. You can also contact the Gwinnett County Extension office for one to be mailed to you.

Timothy Daly is an Agricultural and Natural Resource Extension Agent with UGA Extension Gwinnett. He can be contacted at 678-377-4011or tdaly@ uga.edu.

4A • FridAy, MArch 2, 2018 To Your Good Health

Keith Roach

Thigh a possible area for vaccine injection Dear Dr. roaCH: I have a badly torn rotator cuff on my left shoulder, so that arm is basically a constant problem. In January 2017, my physician suggested that I would benefit from the pneumonia vaccine and that it would take two applications, one year apart, to complete. I agreed to have the vaccine, which was administered into my upper left arm. Ever since then, I have had pain in the muscle area and at times do not have use of that arm. I have talked with the nurse, the physician assistant and also with my orthopedic doctor about this problem. They all have given me blank looks and no answer to the situation.

Do you have any suggestion or remedies for this?

Should I have the second injection?

— M.P. aNSWer: I think the problem is the torn rotator cuff, and that it was exacerbated by your reaction to the vaccine.

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that keep the arm in place in the shoulder during movement of the arm. If the rotator cuff is damaged, either by inflammation or from a mechanical tear, the arm will not move normally.

Complications, including a frozen shoulder, are common.

I suspect that the temporary sore arm from a vaccine immobilized your arm long enough that you developed further inflammation in the shoulder. Although I have seen cases where the vaccine is given near a nerve and causes temporary numbness or pain, it should not last for longer than a few days — certainly not weeks or months. A sore arm for a day or two is a typical reaction to a pneumonia vaccine. However, even a day of not using your arm can reduce mobility in someone with a rotator cuff tear.

My advice is to speak to the orthopedic doctor about the torn rotator cuff, but I would not get the second pneumonia vaccine in the bad arm. It can be injected into the good arm; or, if you have rotator cuff problems on the other side too (many people do), the pneumonia vaccine also may be given in the thigh. The pneumonia vaccine saves lives.

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

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Make changes to your life if you aren’t happy.

Don’t wait for someone else to push you in a new direction. It’s up to 10% 0% 70% 10% 0% 0% you to discard what isn’t 0% working and replace it with whatever brings you 35 35 38 48 40 34 comfort, satisfaction and joy. Take the initiative and responsibility.

PISCES (Feb. SOLUNAR TABLES 20-March 20) — Put The solunar tables for lakes are more into your perLake Full Yesterday Lake Full Yesterday based on studies that show fish The Gwinnett Daily Post sonal and professional and game are more active at (UPSP 921-980, ISSN 1086Allatoona .............(840.0) .....830.56 Lanier .................(1071.0) ...1070.61 certain times during the lunar relationships. Set the 0096) is published WednesBlackshear ...........(237.0) .....236.89 Nottely ...............(1779.0) ...1763.84 period. day, Friday and Sunday by standard and expectaMAjOR Blue Ridge ........(1690.0) ...1676.67 Oconee ...............(435.0) .....434.88 SCNI, 725 Old Norcross tions, and stick to what’s 1:03-3:03 a.m. ...........1:30-3:30 p.m.

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Carters .............. (1072.0) ...1075.05 Sinclair ................(339.8) .....338.55 mirror others. Be who paid at Lawrenceville, GA Chatuge .............(1927.0) ... 1919.19 Thurmond ...........(330.0) .....325.88 30044. POSTMASTER: Send you are to find happiaddress changes to Gwinnett POLLEN COUNTS Harding ................(521.0) .....519.70 Tugalo...................(891.5) .....888.80 ness.

Daily Post, P.O. Box 603, LawTrees: Moderate Hartwell ...............(660.0) ..... 657.70 Walter F. George . (188.0) .....188.15 ARIES (March renceville, GA 30046-0603.

Weeds: None 21-April 19) — ObservaJackson ...............(530.0) .....528.70 West Point...........(635.0) .....629.80 Grass: None tion will help you avoid being caught in sometoday in history lottery one else’s blunder. Don’t feel the need to back (1971-), rapper/actor; Chris Martin TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1836, Thursday up someone who has (1977-), singer-songwriter; Rebel Texas declared its independence from proven to be untrustCash 3 Midday: 1-9-1 Wilson (1980-), actress; Bryce Dallas Mexico.

Cash 4 Midday: 8-4-3-5 Howard (1981-), actress; James Arthur worthy in the past.

In 1877, the U.S. Congress declared TAURUS (April 20(1988-), singer-songwriter.

Rutherford B. Hayes the winner of the Ga. 5 Midday: 5-2-8-5-2 TODAY’S FACT: “King Kong,” which May 20) — Getting 1876 presidential election, despite the along with others will be opened at Radio City Music Hall in fact that Samuel J. Tilden had won the Wednesday New York City on this day in 1933, popular vote. key if you want to get Cash 3 Midday: 3-2-2 was made for about $12.4 million (in In 1917, the Jones-Shafroth Act was things done. Don’t feel today’s dollars). The 2005 remake cost you must pay for others enacted, granting U.S. citizenship to Cash 3 Evening: 5-6-3 $207 million to produce. the people of Puerto Rico. or put up with someone Cash 3 Night: 4-8-3 TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1962, Wilt TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Sam Housasking for a handout.

Cash 4 Midday: 1-0-8-3 Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warton (1793-1863), soldier/politician; Dr. GEMINI (May 21-June Cash 4 Evening: 8-6-4-2 riors set the NBA single-game scoring Seuss (Theodor Geisel) (1904-1991), 20) — Group efforts will record with 100 points in a win over author; Mel Ott (1909-1958), baseball Cash 4 Night: 7-5-0-6 be difficult. Either somethe New York Knicks. player; Desi Arnaz (1917-1986), actor/ Ga. 5 Midday: 6-0-2-2-8 one you are close to will TODAY’S QUOTE: “If you care musician; Mikhail Gorbachev Ga. 5 Evening: 9-5-8-0-8 complain about where about something you have to protect (1931-), former Soviet leader; Tom Fantasy 5: 8-17-19-23-30 you are spending your it — If you’re lucky enough to find a Wolfe (1931-), author/journalist; John way of life you love, you have to find Irving (1942-), author; Jon Bon Jovi Powerball: 12-30-59-65-69, time, energy or money, the courage to live it.” — John Irving, (1962-), singer-songwriter; Daniel or you’ll be taken advanPowerball: 16, Power Play: 5X “A Prayer for Owen Meany” Craig (1968-), actor; Method Man tage of by someone.

CANCER (June 21reader’s guide July 22) — Positive changes can be made resource center at 770-963- 339-5845, or email the cirat home or work. What 9205, ext. 1161 or 1162. culation department at cirTo Report a News Item: culation@gwinnettdailypost. someone does to annoy Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., com between 6:30 a.m. and you will be a blessing Mon.-Sat. Call 770-33910 a.m. Wednesday through in disguise. Follow your heart and prepare to 5850.

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A romantic encounter Dear amy: My famfor seniors. The most ob- contributions, both good will lift your spirits and Ask Amy ily lives next to a very vious reason for seniors and bad. With the counencourage you to make sweet elderly woman who driving long past the selor’s advice, I let this a commitment. lives by herself and also time when they should son know we would no LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. still drives. She appears is because they don’t see longer hold him to any 23) — Getting along in good health, but has any alternative. Perhaps family expectations. I with your peers or emtrouble seeing and hearyour family can be more stopped calling, emailployer will make your life ing. She’s 94 years old. helpful by offering to ing or texting (which he easier.

Do what’s exA few months ago, drive her occasionally and saw as intruding). I told pected of you and posishe drove onto our front helping to set her up for him we’d love to see him tive change will come lawn. The car stopped a grocery delivery. and would let him initiate your way.

Don’t underesAmy Dickinson few feet from hitting our Dear amy: You that. And, when we did timate the competition’s house. She was shaken receive many letters from get together, we would ability. up, but unhurt. There was ance company might have parents who are unhappy accept only respectful SCORPIO (Oct. 24significant damage to our gotten the ball rolling. in their relationships with behavior from him.

Nov. 22) — Make love lawn, several bushes and The son will not act. their adult children, and It was a huge relief, a priority and do somea fence post.

You should report your they frequently wonfor everyone. He reaches thing nice for the people After the incident, I neighbor’s unsafe driving der what they are doing out every now and then, saw her son visiting her to the DMV. wrong. we meet occasionally and you care about. Personal house, so I went to ask When I checked at my I was among them until fortunately he’s very gen- changes will boost your morale and give you the how she was doing. I state’s DMV website, I I had a recent “light bulb erous about making sure necessary momentum in recommended that she found a very easy-to-file moment.” Being with one we see our grandkids. not drive anymore, and he “concerned citizen’s” of our four adult children Our relationship with the a romantic pursuit.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. grew very defensive and form for a “request for was often uncomfortable; other adult kids is better 23-Dec. 21) — Problems said that was her decidriver review.” This form we were usually walking without the stress their with friends, relatives sion, not ours. He said asks for the individual’s on eggshells, afraid we’d brother usually brought to and authority figures that she needs to be able name, address, make and upset him without really the mix. to drive herself to run model car and license knowing why and worSometimes letting go is will be emotionally and financially costly. Arguerrands and to go to doc- plate number. It also asks ried he’d get angry and the only sane answer. tor’s appointments, and for your information, and create a scene. I would — Happier Now ments will not solve the problem, but common that he lives too far to be gives you an opportunity then stew for weeks about Dear Happier: able to drive her around to explain your concerns. what I had done wrong.

Ninety percent of my ad- sense and practicality will. Do what’s right. daily.

Presumably, this informaAnd then the light vice to questions regardCAPRICORN (Dec. She is back to driving tion is not revealed to the bulb went on: He really ing family challenges is 22-Jan. 19) — Take care herself again. She backed driver. The form also has doesn’t like being with to urge people to detach. into her own mailbox opportunities to list othus. So why was I forcing Your experience provides of matters that require commitment, like perabout a month ago. ers who will verify your this issue with him? And the perfect example of sonal contracts, negotiaI am terrified to let my concerns.

— here’s another watt how detachment works. tions and joint finances. kids play in our front yard If the DMV is doing in that light bulb: This Good for you.

A romantic gesture will for fear she’ll have anits job, they will follow particular son has longYou can contact Amy encourage unity, greater other accident. I just can’t through with the driver standing issues that HE Dickinson via email: stability and a promising seem to bring myself to to ask for a reassessment. needs to resolve. askamy@amydickinfuture. call the police on her.

Let’s hope she doesn’t After meeting with a son.com. Readers may AQUARIUS (Jan. 20What do you recomdrive herself there. family counselor, I realsend postal mail to Amy Feb. 19) — Situations mend? How can I get her Understand that you ized that our relationship Dickinson, c/o Tribune will escalate quickly and son to take action? are not only saving your was more important to me Content Agency, 16650 get blown out of propor— Worried children (and others) who than to him, and I needed Westgrove Drive, Suite tion if you aren’t willing Dear WorrieD: might be injured, but you to let go of unrealistic 175, Addison, Texas, to compromise and neWhen your neighbor are also doing this out of expectations of how our 75001. You can also damaged your lawn and gotiate fairly. The ability concern for her safety. family should function. follow her on Twitter @ almost drove into your I hope your town offers to give and take will be I had to take a hard askingamy or “like” her house, your own insuralternative transportation look at myself and my necessary. on Facebook.

36

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PAGE 5 A • FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

Trump’s presidency isn’t normal

WASHINGTON — The ceaseless barrage of news — both real and fake — from the Trump administration can be numbing, so it’s important to step back every once in a while and look at the big picture: Never have we seen such utter chaos and blatant corruption.

None of what’s happening is normal and none of it should be acceptable. Life is imitating art: What we have is less a presidency than a cheesy reality show, set in a great stately house, with made-for-television histrionics, constant backstabbing and major characters periodically getting booted out.

Hope Hicks, the White House communications director, decided Wednesday to self-eject. Was it because she spent the Eugene previous day testifying Robinson on Capitol Hill and was forced to admit having told “white lies” for President Trump? Was it because the man she had been dating, Rob Porter, lost his important White House position when The Daily Mail revealed he faced multiple allegations of wife-beating? Or was Hicks simply exhausted?

Porter’s job involved controlling the flow of paperwork, some of it classified and extremely sensitive, to the president. Because of those abuse allegations, however, he couldn’t get a permanent top-secret security clearance. That was bad enough, but later we learned that dozens of White House officials, perhaps 100 or more, were working with only interim clearances, not permanent ones. Their access to secret information was cut off by Chief of Staff John Kelly — but only after all of this had become public.

Among those now with limited access is Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, whose heavily indebted real estate empire and grudging disclosure of his many foreign contacts worried FBI investigators. Kushner is a senior adviser to the president whose many assignments include forging peace in the Middle East — but who now is not cleared for documents or meetings that discuss what’s really happening in the Middle East or anywhere else. So why is he still there?

Why was he there in the first place? Because of Trump’s appalling nepotism.

Trump also brought his daughter Ivanka into the White House as an adviser. What does she do?

What qualifies her to do it? In a real administration, conservative or liberal, Jared’s office and Ivanka’s office would be occupied by experienced professionals who actually know something about diplomacy or administration or some government function.

According to The New York Times, Kushner set up White House meetings for two business executives whose private equity firm and bank later made loans to the Kushner Companies real estate firm totaling more than $500 million. Trump’s promise to “drain the swamp” was a cruel joke.

He has expanded it into a vast protected wetland, to be enjoyed by friends and family.

Never before have we had a president openly at war with his own attorney general. The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating whether Trump’s attempts to force Attorney General Jeff Sessions out of his job last summer were part of a pattern of attempted obstruction of justice. According to The Post, Trump’s private name for Sessions is “Mr. Magoo,” a baby-boomer reference that younger readers will have to Google.

Trump began his day Wednesday by tweeting that a decision Sessions recently made was “DISGRACEFUL!” Sessions responded by issuing a statement strongly rebutting Trump’s criticism.

And that evening, Sessions was photographed at a posh Washington restaurant dining with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein — who oversees the Mueller investigation — and Solicitor General Noel Francisco. If it wasn’t a deliberate display of unity at the Justice Department, it sure looked like one.

Also on Wednesday, Trump convened a televised negotiating session with members of Congress on the subject of gun violence. To the escalating horror of Republicans present, he heartily endorsed several Democratic gun control proposals — and then went much further, saying that in the case of individuals who are mentally unstable, authorities should “take the guns first, go through due process second.”

If Barack Obama had ever said such a thing, we’d be in the middle of Civil War II. Any other president who displayed such cavalier disregard for previous policy positions and total ignorance of basic facts would have provoked an uproar. Trump barely gets a shrug.

Nobody expects him to be consistent. Nobody expects him to know anything about anything. He is defining the presidency down in a way that we must not tolerate.

I spent years as a foreign correspondent in Latin America. To say we are being governed like a banana republic is an insult to banana republics.

It’s that bad, and no one should pretend otherwise.

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

Boycotting the NRA is senseless WASHINGTON — A few weeks before the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar, Texas, invited a special guest to attend the State of the Union address: Stephen Willeford, the hero who just months earlier had stopped a mass shooter at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

An ordinary citizen who heard the shots from his home across the street, Willeford grabbed his weapon, ran to the scene barefoot (knowing every second he delayed could mean another life lost) and exchanged fire with the gunman, wounding him in the leg and torso. When the killer jumped into his vehicle to escape, Willeford stopped a passing vehicle and followed in hot pursuit until the shooter crashed his car and shot himself in the head.

Willeford says he’s not a hero.

“I’m no brave man. I was terrified,” he said after the shooting. But, he added, “I was there when nobody else was.”

Thank God he was.

Here’s something else you need to know about Willeford.

First, he is a longtime National Rifle Association instructor; it was his NRA training that allowed him to subdue the shooter. Second, the weapon he used to stop the killing spree

“NRA Carry Guard,” which provided insurance for NRA members who faced lawsuits for using their weapons in selfdefense.

When companies do this, they are not boycotting lobbyists in Washington; they are boycotting upstanding citizens Marc such as Willeford. He and his Thiessen fellow gun owners deserve better. in Sutherland Springs was an The NRA is a grassroots orAR-15 — the very weapon ganization made up of millions gun-control advocates now of decent, patriotic Americans want to ban. Without an ARwho believe that guns in the 15, he says, he might not have hands of law-abiding citizens stopped the killer. make our country safer, not “If I had run out of the house more dangerous. To sugwith a pistol and faced a bulgest that it is responsible for letproof vest and Kevlar and what happened in Parkland is helmets, it might have been obscene. futile,” he said.

Police officers were called to Because of his weapon, shooter Nikolas Cruz’s house his training and his courage, on 39 separate occasions since countless lives were probably 2010. The FBI was warned saved. They could have used a about the shooter in January Stephen Willeford in Parkland. and failed to adhere to its own Keep his story in mind as procedures to follow up. An you watch the current movearmed sheriff’s deputy was ment to boycott the NRA and on the scene at the shooting, ban so-called assault weapons. but he failed to act. And yet In the wake of the Parkland somehow the NRA is at fault? shooting at least a dozen Please. companies — including United The NRA is far from perAirlines, Delta, Best Western fect. I’ve criticized the NRA and First National Bank of leadership’s resistance to legisOmaha — have joined the lation banning “bump stocks.”

NRA boycott. Chubb Limited And there is nothing sacrosanct insurance even announced about the age of 18 for buying it would cancel a program, certain guns (or voting for that

matter).

But NRA members have done more to prevent gun deaths, and promote firearms safety, than any other citizens’ association in the country.

When Democrats respond to shootings like the one in Parkland by demonizing the NRA and calling for a ban on weapons such as the AR-15 that are critical to Americans’ right to self-defense, they send a clear and unmistakable message to millions of gun owners across the country: We don’t respect you or your gun rights.

This makes it harder to reach bipartisan agreement on solutions that could improve public safety without threatening the fundamental constitutional right of Americans to keep and bear arms.

We all want to keep guns out of the hands of mentally unstable people such as Nikolas Cruz. But we should all want to keep guns in the hands of responsible citizens such as Stephen Willeford. That’s not the case today. Willeford deserves a medal, not a boycott.

If corporate America can’t figure that out and continues capitulating to the NRA boycott movement, maybe it is time for gun owners to boycott them.

Follow Marc A. Thiessen on Twitter, @marcthiessen.

Whisperin’ Bill headed to Songwriters HOF Bill Anderson, the South-Carolina-born-Decatur-raised-University-ofGeorgia-educated-countymusic-aficionado-who-becamea-star-in-a-profession-in-whichhe-has-prospered, has always been good at songwriting, dating back to that hot summer evening in Commerce, when he wrote his first hit as a teenager.

Whisperin’ Bill was enrolled at the University of Georgia and was working at WJJC, which let him play country music without restraint. (You may or may not know that it was a big issue when he played a country platter when he was working for the late Randolph Holder at WGAU, which resulted in a pink slip.)

The enterprising and aspiring disc jockey took a room at the Andrew Jackson Hotel, which was as austere as “Old Hickory’s” canvas tent when the old general was making his way to New Orleans on the way to making history.

With no air conditioning, Bill went out on the roof of the old hotel for relief from the heat and stripped down to his skivvies. He walked over to the railing and looked down Broad Street, which was almost as barren as the Sahara. Street lights were glistening with

make you laugh.

For years, he has called when a new joke has come his way. There was a time when a genuine rib-tickler would have him react with urgency, “I gotta hang up and let my buddy Jimmy Dean enjoy that one.”

Making you laugh has Loran always made his day. Spend Smith time with him backstage at the Opry, and you see him cockloneliness as he was moved to ing an ear in the direction of a compose lyrics that would turn good story. He will let out a big county music heads. laugh and file it away. The next When Ray Price sang “City day his cellphone spreads the Lights” to No. 1 in 1958, doors punch line. began to open for Bill AnderThe subtitle of his book, “An son, who has been a Grand Ole Unprecedented Life in Country Opry luminary almost as long Music,” provides insight into as Martha White Flour has his autobiography. “Whisperin’ been around. He has been on Bill Anderson” has become stage for generations and has one of UGA’s most successful no plans to park his tour bus. books. He has plenty of people Inducted into the Country who continue to approach him Music Hall of Fame in 2001, and ask him “to endorse” their he has enjoyed songwriting copy of his book — which success for seven decades. That brings to mind the comment a success has brought him to the lady made to him after a recent pinnacle of the profession. On concert: “We remember you June 14 in New York, he will when you were popular.” be inducted into the SongwritSome folks know how to ers Hall of Fame. That has to keep one humble, he noted. be something of a signature The roster of inductees into honor for Anderson, a happy this hall of fame class has a guy who can wax sentimental, stunning list that includes Paul philosophical and insightful McCartney, Paul Simon, Henry with his lyrics. He can make Mancini, Irving Berlin, George you cry, but he would prefer to M. Cohan, Hoagy Carmichael,

Meredith Wilson, Duke Ellington and Neil Diamond.

And, Johnny Mercer, the Savannah native who was the founding president of the organization. The Academy Award-winning writer is one of five Georgians who have been elected. In addition to Mercer, James Brown and Otis Redding have been recognized.

In June, along with Whisperin’ Bill, Newnan’s Alan Jackson will be inducted.

There was a lull in his career in the ’80s, but he eventually turned to co-writing with the younger performers, earning Grammy nominations. He has teamed with Vince Gill, Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley, among others.

The song that has flourished and never experienced retreat was “City Lights.” For sure, it outlasted Commerce’s Andrew Jackson Hotel. Listen to the lyrics and you would think his girlfriend just left him, causing him to be compromised by misery.

Truth is — it was too hot to sleep, which cause most men to drink. With Bill Anderson, he wrote a hit song.

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

6A • FridAy, MArch 2, 2018

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Michael Bolton to highlight Sugar Hill 2018 concert series Michael Bolton is coming to Gwinnett County for a concert in Sugar Hill.

The crooner who has sold more Michael than 65 Bolton million records worldwide, won two Grammy’s and six American Music Awards

and created such hits as “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You,” “How Can We Be Lovers” and a popular cover of “When A Man Loves A Woman” will perform at The Bowl at Sugar Hill on Aug. 25.

Bolton’s upcoming concert is part of this year’s concert series line up for The Bowl, which was announced Thursday.

He’s not the only recognizable act coming to The Bowl this summer, though. Some of the other familiar names in the lineup include a 70’s double act of The Village

People and Sister Sledge on June 23, late 90s and early 2000s alt-rock band Vertical Horizon on July 14 and former Eagles member Don Felder on Oct. 26.

Other recognizable names in this year’s concert series lineup include Grammy Award winner Colbie Caillat on May 18 and country music singer Easton Corbin on June 2.

Tickets for concerts go on sale at 10 a.m. March 8. Additional information about each concert www. thebowlatsugarhill.com.

Mountain View hosts Ga., French educational partnership signing

By Trevor McNaBoe trevor.mcnaboe @gwinnettdailypost.com

The Georgia Department of Education and the Academy of NancyMetz in France reaffirmed its educational partnership on Thursday morning at Mountain View High School.

The memorandum, signed by Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods and Consul général de France à Atlanta Louis de Corail, signifies a continuance in educational exchange that started back in 2010.

“This is a big day for us,” said Woods. “There is a great importance to share foreign language because it opens up opportunities not only as a student, but also later on in life when you are applying for jobs.”

Gwinnett County has hosted students from France in previous years at North Gwinnett High School. This year the county shifted hosting duties to Mountain View, with one of the reasons for the change being the hiring of French teacher Rhonda Archer.

Archer, an advocate of the student exchange program, said it is important to continue the exchange not just of language, but culture as well.

“When we hired her, it was important to keep this student exchange program going,” said Mountain View High School Principal Keith Chaney. “She is so passionate about it and wanted to make sure it was going.”

Archer said she has been a part of the program since its inception in 2010 and participated in it while she was a teacher at North Gwinnett.

“It is a life-changing experience for these students,” Archer said. “I’ve had students go over to France and come back with brand new experiences, as well as had

Soaring demand expected for new scientific advance made just for older men. Works on both men’s physical ability and their desire in bed.

By Harlan S. Waxman Health News Syndicate New York – If you’re like the rest of us guys over 50; you probably already know the truth… Prescription ED pills don’t work! Simply getting an erection doesn’t fix the problem” says Dr. Bassam Damaj, chief scientific officer at the world famous Innovus Pharma Laboratories.

As we get older, we need more help in bed.

Not only does our desire fade; but erections can be soft or feeble, one of the main complaints with prescription pills. Besides, they’re expensive… costing as much as $50.00 each Plus, it does nothing to stimulate your brain to want sex. “I don’t care what you take, if you aren’t interested in sex, you can’t get or keep an erection.

It’s physiologically impossible,” said Dr. Damaj.

Both Consul général de France à Atlanta louis de Corail, left, and Georgia State Superintendent richard Woods, right, were present for the partnership signing on Thursday at mountain View. (Staff Photo: Trevor mcnaboe)

more online Visit gwinnettdailypost.com for more photos of the event.

French students in our class having the opportunity to learn. It’s a truly special program.”

Patrick Wallace, GaDOE program specialist for world languages and global work initiatives, was optimistic about the bridges being built between the two groups.

“In my line of work, we build bridges that consist of the work of many hands,” Wallace said. “This bridge between the two of us is here from the work of many different people.”

One of the purposes behind the program is to allow both American and French students to interact on a personal level and get better insight into each group’s culture.

“As we celebrate today, I hope that it is something that will continue to be a benefit to our partnership,” Wallace said.

“There is an importance to be globally competent and be engaged in a world that seems to be getting smaller each passing day.”

In the past eight years, French students have spent a month in high schools in Georgia. This year, 12 French students were selected to spend

time with a current Mountain View student and their family. As part of their month of taking in the culture in America, they also had a specific topic of study they would research for a project.

Sixteen-year-old French student Mèlissa Bachi chose to study global warming in Georgia, while Emma Wagner chose to get more in-depth knowledge on American icon and Georgia native Ray Charles.

Both foreign students and hosts had the opportunity to share the experience they had over the past month. For some, it drew tears having to say goodbye to someone they had spent the last month with. For others, it was a life-changing experience that broadened their horizons.

Gwinnett County Associate Superintendent Jonathan Patterson praised the reaffirmation, not only for the Gwinnett school district, but also education as a whole.

“It’s so important for our students to experience interacting with other students from different backgrounds,” Patterson said. “It teaches them to become better citizens.

Today is a celebration of partnership, but it is also a day of you coming into our home and allowing us to show you our culture.”

MADE JUST FOR MEN OVER 50 But now, for the first time ever, there’s a pill made just for older men. It’s called Vesele®.

A new pill that helps you get an erection by stimulating your body and your brainwaves.

So Vesele® can work even when nothing else worked before.

The new men’s pill is not a drug. It’s something completely different Because you don’t need a prescription for Vesele®, sales are exploding. The maker just can’t produce enough of it to keep up with demand. Even doctors are having a tough time getting their hands on it. So what’s all the fuss about?

The City of Buford, Georgia is the owner of the closed Peachtree Industrial Boulevard / McEver Road Landfill located in Gwinnett County (Permit Number 067-008D(SL) / 067-030D(SL).

According to the requirements of the new legislation amended into Article 2 of Chapter 8 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) 12-8-24.3 and incorporated into EPD rules in Sections 391-3-4.17(6), 391-3-4.01(19), 391-3-4.01(65) and 391-3-4.01(71), the City is hereby notifying the local governing authorities of the City of Buford and Gwinnett County of the release from the site of contaminants which are likely to pose danger to human health, as defined in EPD Rule 391-3-4.01(19).

THE BRAIN/ ERECTION CONNECTION Vesele takes off where Viagra® only begins.

Thanks to a discovery made by 3 Nobel-Prize winning scientists; Vesele® has become the first ever patented supplement to harden you and your libido. So you regain your desire as well as the ability to act on it.

In a 16-week clinical study; scientists from the U.S.A. joined forces to prove Nitric Oxide’s effects on the cardio vascular system. They showed that Nitric Oxide could not only increase your ability to get an erection, it would also work on your brainwaves to stimulate your desire for sex. The results were remarkable and published in the world’s most respected medical journals.

THE SCIENCE OF SEX The study asked men, 45 to 65 years old to take the main ingredient in Vesele® once a day. Then they were instructed not to change the way they eat or exercise but to take Vesele® twice a day. What happened next was remarkable.

Virtually every man in the study who took Vesele® twice a day reported

100 80 60

With Vesele 88.1%

With Vesele 82.0%

40 20 0

Baseline 41.1%

Baseline 47.9%

SATISFACTION

DESIRE

Vesele

Satisfaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88.1% Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79.5% Desire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82% Hardness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85.7% Duration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79.5% Ability to Satisfy . . . . . . . . . . . . .83.3% WORKS ON YOUR HEAD AND YOUR BODY

Public Notice

New men’s pill overwhelms your senses with sexual desire as well as firmer, long-lasting erections. There’s never been anything like it before.

JAW-DROPPING CLINICAL PROOF SATISFACTION RATE (% Patients)

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

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Unlike the expensive prescriptions, the new pill stimulates your sexual brain chemistry as well. Actually helping you regain the passion and burning desire you had for your partner again. So you will want sex with the hunger and stamina of a 25-year-old.

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Baseline 41.4% 44.9% 47.9% 36.2% 35% 44.1%

a huge difference in their desire for sex. In layman’s terms, they were horny again. They also experienced harder erections that lasted for almost 20 minutes. The placebo controlled group (who received sugar pills) mostly saw no difference.

AN UNEXPECTED BONUS: The study results even showed an impressive increase in the energy, brain-power and memory of the participants.

SUPPLY LIMITED BY OVERWHELMING DEMAND “Once we saw the results we knew we

had a game-changer said Dr. Damaj. We get hundreds of calls a day from people begging us for a bottle. It’s been crazy. We try to meet the crushing demand for Vesele®.”

VESELE® PASSED THE TEST “As an expert in the development of sexual dysfunction, I’ve studied the effectiveness of Nitric Oxide on the body and the brain. I’m impressed by the way it increases cerebral and penile blood flow. The result is evident in the creation of Vesele®. It’s sure-fire proof that the mind/body connection is unbeatable when achieving and maintaining an erection and the results are remarkable” said Dr. Damaj.

HERE’S WHAT MEN ARE SAYING • I’m ready to go sexually and mentally.

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HOW TO GET VESELE® This is the first official public release of Vesele® since its news release. In order to get the word out about Vesele®, Innovus Pharma is offering special introductory discounts to all who call.

A special phone hotline has been set up for readers in your area; to take advantage of special discounts during this ordering opportunity.

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The discounts will automatically be applied to all callers.

The Special TOLL-FREE Hotline number is 1-800-573-2932 and will be open 24-hours a day.

Only 300 bottles of Vesele® are currently available in your region.

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THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. RESULTS NOT TYPICAL.

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2/22/18 9:40 AM

Friday, March 2, 2018 • 7a

gwinnettdailypost.com

Fort Daniel Foundation, GARS hosting lithic ID workshop

By Curt yeomans

Society will host a workshop on lithic identification at the Fort Daniel archaeology lab from 10 a.m. to 3 Gwinnett residents will p.m. March 10. The worksoon have an opportunity shop is free to participate to learn how to figure out in, although no one under how long an arrowhead 13 will be allowed to parthey may have found buried ticipate and attendees must in their backyard has been bring their own lunches. there.

If a person is wondering The Fort Daniel Founwhat lithic identification dation and the Gwinnett is, the explanation is not as Archaeological Research daunting as it might sound. curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

•From Page 1A Even with the drug overtaking his life, Hawkins said he thought he was OK. “I bought a house when I was 21, I had a job — I thought I was doing good,” he said. “But that addiction started to creep into everything and I tried to do everything to live life and be responsible, but that addiction started overtaking it. I wanted out so bad.”

Finally, Hawkins called his mom, who then lived in California, for help. That day, she told him if he came to California, she would get him help.

“She bought me a plane ticket and I remember I got on the plane and got to (treatment) and it was the craziest thing I’d ever experienced in my life,” he said. “The withdrawal I went through, the detox — I didn’t understand how horrible (addiction) is. (Withdrawal) put me through emotional distress, it took its toll on my body. I was going through the most sickness I ever felt, and I hated what the drug had done to me.”

Still, Hawkins stayed for about a month.

“My insecurities started creeping up, though, and in my mind, I said, ‘My house payments are due, my truck payments are due,’” he said.

It’s simply the process of identifying how old something from the preEuropean settlement period is based on its shape, the way it’s cut and the material from which it’s made.

“We’re limiting it to projectile points, what people might commonly call arrowheads — but they’re not all arrowheads — and identifying them, the tool stone, what period

they are from, what they were used for,” Fort Daniel Foundation President Jim D’Angelo said.

Environmental resource management archaeologist Bill Stanyard will lead the workshop. The class is part of the Fort Daniel site’s bicentennial-related programming, which will also include its annual archaeology open house in May and the Frontier Faire in the fall.

Participants in the workshop will have the option work with items from Gail Sayler’s projectile point collection or with items that they had themselves.

D’Angelo said stones were used for a number of different purposes, including everything from spear points and bow and arrow points to knives and drills.

“The size and the form tells you what period it was

from and also what it was to used for,” he said.

The registration deadline is March 7, and anyone interested in participating in the workshop can send an email to gwinnettarchaeology@gmail.com with “Workshop” in the subject line.

The Fort Daniel site and archaeology lab is located at 2505 Braselton Highway in Buford.

book idea didn’t come about until 2017,” Hawkins said.

“I’ve never been good at school, but I started thinking of all that I’ve learned over the years and what God gave me — people may not think of it that way, but man, He really gave me an opportunity — and I realized I could give back with these dogs.”

Part of that giving back, Hawkins said, is due to the fact that he sees a lot of himself in the dogs.

“I understand what they’re going through — that they’re hurt and they’re scared,” he said, “so it was like, let me try to help you overcome what you’re doing through, because I’d experienced the same thing. After all the understanding I developed, I said, ‘I want to be able to give this to people because they don’t understand why their dogs do what they do,’ but if I could give a simple, straight-to-the-point explanation, maybe it would make a difference.”

After months of work with his mom, who wrote the manuscript with Hawkins over the phone, the book was published on Amazon in December.

“I remember one of the last things I said to my mom (about the book) was I’d like to have Roxy on the cover, because she taught me more than I probably taught her,”

he said. “She (taught me) what it took to have patience and the discipline and trust, so I even put a short story of her in there.”

From December through January, the book sold 12 copies, then more than doubled that number in February, for a total of 40 copies.

The money from the book, Hawkins said, is going to his mom and the jail dogs program — to help pay his mom back for the help she gave him during treatment and for the help the jail dogs program has given him.

Though he only has several more weeks with the dogs — on Tuesday, a judge sentenced Hawkins to 15 years in prison — he said he hopes to continue helping others when he enters his new facility.

“It was hard (hearing that), it’s still hard, and emotional,” Hawkins said.

“I don’t understand because I am truly, truly sorry that I did what I did — I don’t know how else to express how remorseful I am. But I can’t let (this sentence) stop me from (moving forward), and I gotta keep going.”

Hawkins’ book can be found on Amazon, titled “Troubled To Trained: All Dogs Need a Leader They Can Trust.”

Trainer Jail records show that Hawkins was arrested five times between May 2013 and October 2014.

“I went to court in my suit and tie to try to explain to the judge how much I wanted to do right, but they revoked my bond,” he said.

“I came here and I’ve been here since.”

‘I could give back’ After being accepted into the jail dogs program, Hawkins said he initially was unsure of how he would do.

“I started understanding what it took to get a dog and that these dogs, just like inmates, have been society’s outcasts,” he said. “Basically, society is saying, ‘We don’t want them anymore.’

There was this dog, Roxy, who came in. She came Shane Hawkins, who recently wrote a book from jail in so troubled — she was about his time in the jail dogs program, plays with Roxy, aggressive, she was barking his current dog. (Staff Photo: Isabel Hughes) through the doors, and I remember thinking she didn’t “I said, ‘I need to go back couple of my prescriptions know any better. and save all that I’ve worked just to deal with what my “She kind of reminded for.’ But my body really mind was going through, I’d me of me in a way because wasn’t equipped to be able stop,” Hawkins said. “So I I used to be angry at things to go back and handle it, and did, and I took the amount and I experienced a lot of if I knew what I know now, I I had normally taken, but emotions that I didn’t know would have let all that go.” because my body had been how to deal with, so she kind Against his mother’s deprived of it for so long, of helped me in a way.” wishes, Hawkins returned to I had a bad reaction to it. I Slowly, Hawkins started his Buford home and shortly remember maybe five, 10 introducing himself to Roxy thereafter started using minutes after I took it and — not all inmates housed again. after that, I don’t remember in the jail dogs pod are This time, however, it was a thing. I woke up in this handlers — and before long, different. jail and realized I had a DUI she was his.

“I said if I could just get a charge.”

“That was 2015 — the

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gwinnettdailypost.com

Officers

business briefs Pond and Company named Engineering Employer of Year

circuit analysis reports, and the Georgia Power Valdosta Headquarters Master Plan.

Meanwhile, the company A well-known Peachtree said its culture of giving back Corners-based architectural, en- to communities, supporting the gineering and construction firm ACEC Georgia Future Leaders was praised by the American Program and providing mentorCouncil of Engineering Compa- ship to engineers was a factor in nies of Georgia last weekend for its being chosen as the Engiits work in several areas. neering Employer of the Year Pond and Company receives Award winner.

ACEC Georgia’s Engineering Pond also won the same Employer of the Year Award award last year. during the council’s second “The key to Pond’s sucannual Georgia Engineering cess is reflected in our vision Awards event. The company statement: To be our client’s also received Design Merit first choice for comprehensive Awards for projects it did with project delivery by always the FAA, Georgia Power and providing exceptional customer the city of Mableton. service and care,” Pond Chief “Our Engineers, Architects Operating Officer Jeff Meier and Planners worked countless said in a statement. hours on these award-winning projects. The dedication and Snellville sign store hard work shows when you’re is runner-up for recognized by industry peers and appreciated by your national charitable clients,” Pond Vice President support award of Marketing and CommunicaA Snellville FASTSIGNS tions Erik Grandowski said in a store recently received some statement. recognition from its national Among the Design Merit Awards that Pond received was parent company for its charitable efforts — and a local nonprofit recognition for its Mableton that works with people who Town Square project, which have special needs is benefiting was designed to revitalize the from the recognition. area around Mableton’s downFASTSIGNS announced town square, the Arc Flash Risk during its annual convention Assessment with the FAA that included power study and short that the Snellville store was the

Lithonia

region Transit Link, or the “ATL” for short. The Senate Bill refers to it as The ATL Commission.

Essentially, it would be a body whose footprint includes Gwinnett, Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Henry Paulding and Rockdale counties. A 14-member Board of Directors would develop a multi-year regional transit plan that would outline how transit services would be provided

Lawrenceville

Henry A. McDonald

Derek R. Oxford

age 77 of Lawrenceville, died February 25, 2018.

Bill Head Funeral Homes and Crematory Duluth Chapel

Henry A. McDonald, age 70 of Lithonia, GA, passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2018. Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel.

Age 34, passed away on Saturday, 02/24/2018.

Arrangements by Tim Stewart Funeral Home, Lawrenceville.

Patrick Ray Davis, age 33, of Winder passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2018. Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton.

Lilburn

Revekka Finkelshteyn Age 97, passed away 2/28/18. Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel.

Loganville

Amie Gresham , age 95 of Loganville, passed away 2/28/2018.

Tim Stewart Funeral Home Loganville.

Buford, GA

Marie Adele Huber Marie Adele Huber, age 95, of Buford passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

Buford

Linda Lou Johnson Linda Lou Johnson, age 80, of Buford, GA passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Flanigan Funeral Home Stone Mountain, GA

Frederick Douglas Latimore, Jr. Frederick D. Latimore, Jr. , age 93, of Stone Mountain passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018.

After being closed for nearly six months, Buffalo’s Cafe is open again in the Hamilton Mill area.

The restaurant opened its new location at 3450 Braselton Highway in Dacula on Tuesday. It had been closed since Sept. 10 while work was performed on its new location in the area.

Although the building is new, longtime patrons don’t have to worry about its fresh wings with 18 homemade and signature sauces. Officials said those will still be served in addition to other entrees and appetizers including the Canyon Burger and Garlic Parm Fries.

The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Although the restaurant will close at 10 p.m. during the week, its cantina will stay open until 11 p.m.

Mondays through Thursdays.

— From staff reports

Lawrenceville

throughout the region.

“This measure would create a seamless, unified transit governance and funding structure across metro Atlanta, and I’m proud that after years of work on this measure, it passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support,” Tanner said in a statement.

“I’d like to thank Speaker Ralston for his leadership on this issue and his commitment in creating a statewide transit commis-

obituaries

George Bruwer

Mr. Patrick Davis

Buffalo’s Cafe reopens location in Hamilton Mill area

charges and a “false official certificate of writing” charge against Bongiovanni for allegedly lying about the incident, as well as several battery charges against both men for allegedly kicking Hollins while he was handcuffed on the ground.

Bongiovanni’s attorney, Mike Puglise, told the Daily Post on Wednesday that the indictment “makes it absolutely clear” that Gwinnett police officers are “dispensable pawns in a game of political chess.”

“These officers are being crucified by a firing squad to appease mass hysteria regarding police use of force,” Puglise said.

Walt Britt, attorney for McDonald, said he and his client will file for immunity.

“We will be filing for discovery at our earliest opportunity and will also be filing an immunity motion that Mr. McDonald’s actions were reasonable under all the circumstances as he perceived them to be,” Britt said. “Pursuant to the applicable law, standard operating procedures, rules and regulations and training, he reacted appropriately to a scene that he was dispatched to under an emergency code.”

Britt added that McDonald’s “involvement in this matter was very brief” and “should be considered separate and distinct from any acts of Sgt. Bongiovanni before (his) client’s arrival on the scene or his subsequent acts in any reports.”

“To that end, we will be seeking a separate trial,” Britt said.

No date has yet been set for the officers’ arraignment, a legal procedure following an indictment in which charges are read to the defendant or defendants in court.

Defendants usually enter pleas at their arraignment.

Snellville

Larry Richardson

Call for details

770.963.9205

Ext. 1161 or Ext. 1162

ity to put forward a T-SPLOST referendum to voters that would allow the commission to pay for transit projects in that county. The bill passed after nearly an hour of discussion on the Senate floor, during which three amendments were added and then removed from the legislation.

“Let’s send a message that we want regional transit,” Beach told his colleagues shortly before the vote.

For more obituaries, visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com.

Duluth

Klara Virskus Rugys

Klara Virskus Rugys, age 94, died peacefully TuesLarry Richardson, 66, Moore- Allen Moore, day, February 13, 2018 in passed away Saturday, age 77, of Lawrenceville Johns Creek, Georgia with February 24, 2018 at East passed away on Wednesfamily by her side. Born Side Hospital in Snellville December 15, 1923, Klara day, February 28, 2018.

Georgia. He was born in Funeral Services will was one of four children Washington, D.C. to the be held at 11:00AM on born in Siaulai, Lithuania late Joe and Odessa RichSaturday, March 3, 2018 to Barbora (Parokaite) ardson. in the Lawrenceville and Pranas Ponelis. She He is survived by his Chapel of Tim Stewart was preceded in death by companion Patricia Craw- her parents Barbora and Funeral Home. Pastor ford Richardson; children Adam Moore will officiPranas; her first husin heart, Donte Crawford ate. Interment will follow band Juozas Virskus. her and Amber Dillard; grand- second husband Antanas at Gwinnett Memorial Park. Mr. Moore was pre- children in heart, Amaiya, Rugys and her infant son ceded in death by; Parents: Avery, and Aria Dillard; a Algimintas. Klara will very special friend Sheila Dallas & Vesta Moore; be remembered by her Brother: Larry Moore. He Dillard; aunts Brenda family and friends as an is survived by; Wife: Betty Davis (Larry), Lois Silver energetic, fun-loving and (Willis), Sharon Brown Moore of Lawrenceville; multi-talented mother, Children: Wayne & Cheryl (Jimmy), Carolyn Auston grandmother, great grand(Ervin); uncles Melvin Moore of Mooresville, mother, wife, aunt and Richardson (Carolyn), NC, Jeff & J Moore of friend. Klara is survived Charles Richardson (BarLoganville, Christie & by her daughters Audrone bara), James Richardson Jeff Burton of Snellville, (Mark Browning) and Kenny & Karen Mattox of (Alberta); and a host of Danute (Paul Mahady), Miami, FL, Gerry & Janet cousins and friends. her son Vytautas (CathA memorial service will Mattox of Buford, Susan erine Lessard) Virskus; be held Saturday, March & Randy Sims of Snell8 beloved grandchildren 3, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at ville; Sister: Lottie Davis and 3 great-grandchildren; Cornerstone Funeral Home numerous nieces and of Loganville; Brother & with Rev. Thomas Richard- nephews.

Sister-in-law: Lamar & son officiating. The family Sharon Moore of OakA Memorial Mass will will receive friends one wood; 17 Grandchildren; be held at St. Benedict hour prior to the service.

11 Great Grandchildren Catholic Church, 11045 Cornerstone Funeral with 2 on the way; NumerParsons Road,Johns ous family & friends. The Home is honored to be Creek,GA30097-1769 at family will receive friends caring for the Richard10:30 am on Saturday, son family and words of from 6-8PM on Friday, April 14, 2018. In lieu of comfort may be shared at March 2, 2018 at Tim flowers, donations may be www.cornerstonefuneralStewart Funeral Homemade in memory of Klara homeandcremations.com 300 Simonton Road S.W. Rugys to St. Benedict Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Cornerstone Funeral Home Catholic Church, 11045 1052 South First Street, 770-962-3100. Please Parsons Road,Johns Nashville, NC 27856. leave online condolence Creek,GA30097-1769 and Arrangements by Corner- directed to Pastor: Rev. at www.stewartfh.com. stone Funeral Home Paul A. Flood. Questions m $15 photos are available with all Obituaries and Death Notices

Allen Moore

sion. I’d also like to thank the commission members and all local leadership around the metro Atlanta area who have provided valuable input throughout this process.”

Transit providers that already exist, such as Gwinnett County Transit or MARTA, would be allowed to keep their operational and funding autonomy under this regional setup under the House bill.

The Senate bill also gives counties the abil-

may be sent to office@ stbenedict.net or directed to the front office by phone at (678) 992-2501.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.billheadfuneralhome.com. Bill Head Funeral Homes & Crematory Duluth Chapel (770)476-2535.

Lawrenceville, GA

Henry D. Smith, Sr. Henry D. Smith, Sr., age 84, of Lawrenceville passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

Lawrenceville

Donald Taylor Donald “Don” Taylor, Jr, 60 years young, passed away peacefully at home on 02/23/18 surrounded by family and friends, ending a four year battle with leukemia. His passions were his family, playing drums, riding his Goldwing motorcycle with his GWRRA friends, and driving his dream car, a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car. He is preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his wife of nearly 35 years, Colleen, his daughter’s Caitlyn (Cheshire), Courtney, his granddaughter Maken-

zie Cheshire, his mother Carol, son in law Jimmy Cheshire and many close friends. Don was born in Oceanside, New York and moved to Florida during his youth in 1968. He relocated with his young family in 1989 to Georgia.

Don worked many years in retail, but his last job as a maintenance director in a nursing home gave him the most satisfaction. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 2:00pm at Tom M. Wages Lawrenceville Chapel. The family will receive friends on Saturday March 3rd from 1pm until the time of service at 2pm. Condolences may be sent to or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome. com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service LLC, “A Family Company” 120 Scenic Hwy Lawrenceville, GA 770-963-2411.

Duluth

Sara Edna Williams (Huffman) Age 93, passed away February 27, 2018.

Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory Cumming

Haley Marie Wood age 18 of Cumming died February 28, 2018. Tim Stewart Funeral Home, Snellville.

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on the crucial Crossover Day deadline for major (House Transportation legislation. House Bill 930, Committee) Chairman which was introduced by Kevin Tanner has put into Tanner, R-Dawsonville, this issue — I can’t say passed by a 162-13 vote. enough good things about Meanwhile, Senate Bill the approach he has taken 386, which was introduced to building consensus. I

by Beach, R-Alpharetta, also am grateful for the im- passed in the Senate by a portance that State leader- 51-4 vote later in the day. ship across the board have A main part of both bills placed on moving transit would be the creation of a forward.”

13-county metro Atlanta The passage of both bills regional transit governance in their respective chamstructure. In the House bers came down to the wire bill, it is called the Atlanta-

Winder

opportunities to be involved in our community and the tremendous support from our customers for making it all possible,” MacFarlane said.

Bills

•From Page 1A

Lawrenceville

•From Page 1A

runner-up for its Show Us How You Care award. As part of the recognition, the national company is making a $250 donation to a nonprofit that was chosen

by Kareen and Edward MacFarlane, who own the Snellville store.

They chose Special Kneads and Treats Bakery, which offers employment to adults with special needs.

“As local business owners, we believe it’s so important to be involved and give back to the community in any way we can,” franchisee Edward MacFarlane said in a statement. “Whether it’s through signage donations, event sponsorships, monetary donations or volunteering, our team is proud to work on the various charitable projects that we provide and make an impact in the community.”

The Snellville FASTSIGNS store has worked with Special Kneads and Treats, Gwinnett Life Run, Creative Enterprises and the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance’s Rise Against Hunter, as well as several school groups, corporate officials said.

The store is also a supporter of the Barrow County Veterans Resource Center and creates “Welcome Home” are used to greet military service men and women who are returning home from active duty.

“We are truly grateful for the

ptreepc.com

770-817-1030

TOM M. WAGES FUNERAL SERVICE, LLC GDP-FRI-3/2/2018

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018 • 9A

gwinnettdailypost.com

Deal: Savannah Harbor expansion at halfway point curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

The state’s work to expand the Savannah Harbor reached a key milestone recently as the project that is expected to dramatically impact freight movement in Georgia hit the halfway mark, Gov. Nathan Deal announced Wednesday.

The first half of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project — or SHEP as it’s known for short — included deepening the outer harbor so it is now 49 feet deep at low tide and 56 feet at high tide. The expansion, which will allow Nathan Deal the port of Savannah to handle the larger Neopanamax ships coming through the Panama Canal, has been a high priority for state leaders for years.

“The completion of outer harbor dredging marks the midpoint for SHEP and represents a crucial milestone for the Savannah community, the State of Georgia and the nation as a whole,” Deal said in a statement. “The Port of Savannah is already the second-busiest port in the nation for exports and the timely completion of this project will be a major step forward for our nation’s infrastructure.”

The remainder of the project will include deepening the inner harbor channel so that its low tide depth will go from 42 feet to 47 feet. During high tides, the inner harbor would have a depth of 54

Members of the media watch the Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. dredge Padre Island work at the Savannah Harbor entrance channel Wednesday in Tybee Island. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers marked the completion of outer harbor dredging at the Port of Savannah on Wednesday as it reached the midpoint of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. (Photo: Georgia Ports Authority/Stephen Morton)

feet.

The Georgia Ports Authority also plans to spend $2 billion over the next decade to install new cranes and terminal infrastructure that can handle the increased cargo that is expected to come through the port.

Deal said he is putting $35 million in his fiscal year 2018 budget proposal to offer additional support that is intended to keep the project on schedule.

President Donald Trump’s 2018 budget request also included $49 million for the project, although the governor’s office said Georgia’s representatives in Congress are trying to get that increased to $100 million per year.

“Deepening the port, along with other investments to create the nation’s strongest statewide logistics network, will make American exports

more competitive abroad and benefit businesses in every corner of the state,” Deal said.

“Georgia is currently investing $1 billion per year in transportation projects to widen interstates, add truck-only lanes and improve trucking routes between ports and interstates so that cargo may move across our state and the Southeast faster, without adding to traffic congestion.”

By comparison, ports in Georgia generate $4.5 billion in federal tax revenues each year, according to University of Georgia Terry College of Business figures provided by the governor’s office. The ports also generate $1.3 billion in state tax revenue and their 370,000 full- and part-time jobs represent 8.4 percent of employment in Georgia.

The economic impact

on the state also includes $84.1 billion in sales and $33.2 billion in state gross domestic product, according to the numbers provided by the governor’s office.

Those kinds of figures play a role in why the state sees the Savannah port project as being important for Georgia’s economy.

“Just as we have been ranked the top state in which to do business for five consecutive years, Georgia will continue to make investments that will help us lead the way in transporting goods to the global marketplace,” Deal said.

Cargo and freight movement has been an area that officials, even locally in the metro Atlanta area, have been keen to see increase.

Early in this decade, Atlanta officials made a push to increase freight traffic at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Then-Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said at the time that although Hartsfield-Jackson is the world’s busiest airport for passenger traffic, it lagged behind several other airports in cargo traffic. Even as recently as last year, Atlanta remained outside the top 20 busiest airports in the world for total air cargo traffic, according to figures released by the Airports Council International.

State officials said there are other reasons to expand the harbor to handle the larger ships beyond the belief that it will lead to more cargo and freight movement through Georgia. The governor’s office said Neopanamax ships, while larger than other cargo ships, burn less fuel than multiple smaller vessels burn cumulatively, thereby reducing the cost of transporting goods.

A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study projects deepening Savannah’s harbor will lead to a net transportation savings of $282 million annually for shippers and consumers.

The governor’s office said the corps determined that there will also be a net benefit of $7.30 to the national economy for every $1 spent on the expansion project.

“In Georgia, we’re making the investments necessary to support U.S. producers well into the future,” Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch said in a statement. “Similarly, the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is crucial to keep U.S.-made products competitive globally, because the heavier goods require deeper draft to take advantage of cost savings from Neopanamax vessels.”

535466-1

BY CURT YEOMANS

® Optimal Hearing The Hearing Technology Company Why Do I Hear, But Not Understand?

Study by Cambridge University in England Reveals Key Answer

ntil recently, there was no practical way to U identify dead regions of hearing cells in the ear.

However, a new British-developed procedure using standard test equipment now allows for identification of dead hearing cell regions. The study suggests that the presence or absence of dead regions may have serious implications in the fitting of hearing aids.

This research reveals that amplifying dead cells is a mistake which will result in poorer speech understanding in noise. A new type of digitally programmable microcircuit is now being released from Optimal Hearing Systems that can be programmed to bypass the dead cells.

As a result, the patient’s usable hearing cells receive amplification, thereby improving speech understanding in noise.

“We are employing a like method in our diagnostic sound booths using a sound field speech in noise procedure”, said Dr. Gabriel Pitt of Optimal Hearing Systems. “This test simulates hearing in a noisy crowd. We are able to determine maximum speech understanding by frequency shaping this new hearing aid.”

The results have been phenomenal. For the first time, a patient is able to actually realize the exact percentage of speech understanding improvement in noisy listening environments.

These new products come in all shell sizes, including the smallest digital models, with low introductory prices available.

During its release, Optimal Hearing Systems is offering this new frequency-shaping hearing instrument on a 30-day satisfaction trial. “Your satisfaction is absolutely guaranteed,” Pitt said.

Call the Optimal Hearing office closest to you for a free, no-obligation appointment and to learn about your hearing loss.

Hearing Computer Unnoticed in Ears

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If you hear, but are having trouble understanding conversation, you owe it to yourself to take advantage of the free demonstrations offered this month. Call us at Optimal Hearing Systems today for a no-obligation appointment.

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We accept most insurances. You may be eligible to use your Flex Spend account for hearing aids. Hurry in and check before time runs out. We Service All Makes and Models and Offer Audiometric Screenings and Video Ear Inspections.

10A • FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

gwinnettdailypost.com

Eastside holds ribbon-cutting for new heart clinic services like the new heart clinic are essential. isabel.hughes “As we all age, especially @gwinnettdailypost.com when we reach Medicare Though the practice has age of 65 and older, we been open since October, have a significant increase Eastside Medical Center in heart disease,” Sharma officially introduced its new said. “Even here in Gwinheart and vascular clinic to nett County there’s an aging the Snellville community population, so we’ve got a at a ribbon-cutting event lot of heart disease, which is Wednesday evening. generally two types: blockThe event, which was ages or electrical problems. held on the last day of Blockages lead to a heart American Heart Month attack, so you need to have — February is a federa facility that offers premier ally recognized month that services for people who are stresses cardiovascular having a heart attack, which awareness — also served as (Eastside) does. an open house, giving com“The other aspect is that munity members a chance if you have cardiac arrest to tour the facility and meet and the paramedics revive a number of the location’s you, you need to be able doctors — Niraj Sharma, to come to a hospital that Marcus Sims, Michael Eastside Heart and Vascular held a ribbon-cutting event with the Gwinnett Chamber of can implant a defibrillator.

Lipsitt, Marc Unterman and Commerce on Wednesday at the practice’s Snellville location. (Special Photo) That’s what we’re going to Demir Baykal. be doing.”

“This whole vision Sharma said the clinic, started with trying to create side’s CEO. “The beauty interventional cardiology Sharma, who specializes which Eastside officials a comprehensive cardiology of it is we have not just our and electrophysiology. To in cardiac electrophysiology said ideally should have group in Snellville and the general cardiology services have those services here and — the electrical operations been built years ago, largely surrounding communities covered, but we also (have) based out of our Eastside of the heart — said with the focuses on prevention.

— really, Gwinnett Counspecialized services when operations was just a really country’s, and Gwinnett’s, “That means making ty,” said Trent Lind, Eastit comes to heart failure, great opportunity.” aging population, having sure you’re not overweight,

BY ISABEL HUGHES

your cholesterol is good and those kinds of basic preventative measures,” Sharma said. “Patients can come here and really get a full package — this (clinic) is for our community and our patients.”

Tom Morris, market administrator for Eastside Medical Group, said the clinic is a “new beginning” for the hospital.

“We’ve been here 35 years at the Snellville center but never had this before,” Morris said. “People had to drive 25 miles for cardiac services, which is a real problem when you have something that needs timely attention, and Snellville really deserves this full-service hospital and clinic.”

“This allows our patients to stay fully inside our community and receive the care they should receive at Eastside,” Lind added. “I think we’re really ensuring now that they can receive that care, and close to home.”

Gwinnett Medical Center event stresses colorectal cancer awareness

BY ISABEL HUGHES

isabel.hughes @gwinnettdailypost.com

Standing just inside a 10-foot inflatable colon, a group of Gwinnett County firefighters laughed as they posed for a photo, telling each other it’s not every day they get to have their picture taken inside a giant organ.

While an unusual, albeit amusing, visual, the men represented a common sight for doctors: firefighters coming into hospitals and clinics with colorectal and other specific cancer diagnoses.

“For the longest time, our culture has allowed (firefighters) to do (occupational) things that aren’t great for us,” said Webster Marshall, Southeast regional director for the Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation. “Since the early 2000s, we’ve been looking at the mortality rate and have noticed that it’s too high and too young. As we started doing research and more information started coming out, we’ve found that there are a lot of things we can do to improve.”

On Thursday, Gwinnett Medical Center partnered with the foundation to raise awareness about colorectal cancer as part of March’s National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Though this is the third year GMC has held the awareness event, it was the first time the hospital has worked with the foundation and centered its day on firefighters.

“The more that we can do to educate, the more that we can do to get these guys where they’re able to protect themselves and their families from the (occupational) problems we deal with on a daily basis, the better,” Marshall said. “The stuff that we come in contact with (fighting fires) is stuff no one should ever come in contact with, and we’re trying to keep from bringing to our families now, too.”

According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, 61 percent of line-of-duty firefighter deaths from 2002-16 were caused by occupational cancers, which Georgia classifies as more than a dozenand-a-half various types, including bladder, brain, esophageal, intestinal, lymphatic, lung, prostate, rectum, respiratory tract and skin cancers.

Though there has been a push in recent years to offer better protections for firefighters — on Jan. 1, a Georgia law providing insurance benefits to firefighters should they contract cancer on the job went into effect — officials stress there needs to be more of a focus on preventing these cancers.

“It’s a very large organizational and cultural change that we’re trying to drive,” Marshall said. “Unfortunately, our culture has not been the best for us, but the fire service in the United States is now actively doing something about it.

Here in the metro Atlanta area, all the large fire departments — including Gwinnett — are working on programs to make this better for their people and trying to raise awareness.”

GMC gastroenterologist Dr. Mehul Parikh said it’s not just firefighters who need to be aware of colorectal and other intestinal cancers, though.

“When you look at overall screening rates for colorectal cancer, they’re poor,” Parikh said. “If you look at rates in the early 2000s compared to now, they’re tremendously better, but they can still (improve).

Everybody age 50 that’s an average risk individual should get screened, because most colon cancers — more than 90 percent — are diagnosed over the age of 50. But (prevention) is also about having a healthier lifestyle.”

That healthier lifestyle, Parikh said, means eating more fruits and

vegetables, choosing whole grains, avoiding processed and red meats while also engaging in vigorous physical activity.

Maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol and tobacco use is also important, he said.

“The most important thing, though,” Parikh said, “is to get screened.”

Calendar of Events

March 2018

www.gwinnettdailypost.com

The Diabetes Education and SelfManagement Program at NGMC strives to provide people with diabetes with a wealth of information, knowledge and support. Here you will find informative topics on the most current diabetes care. We offer a time of fellowship and education through our free Diabetes Support Group, which meets the third Thursday of every month, except July and December.

GAINESVILLE:

675 White Sulphur Road Blue Ridge Room Thursday, March 15; 11 a.m.

GAINESVILLE:

WINDER:

675 White Sulphur Road Suite 260

NGMC Barrow, Conference Room Suite 380

Tuesday, March 13; 5 p.m.

Instructor: Sue Bunnell, RN

Monday, March 19; 6 p.m.

The facilitator is a Registered Nurse as well as a fourteen year RNY, gastric bypass, patient. The forum is transparent and the goal is to provide you with insight to the path of the successful weight loss surgery patient.

GAINESVILLE:

675 White Sulphur Road Suite 260 Monday, March 12; 6 p.m.

Friday, March 9; 10 a.m.

Instructor: Sue Bunnell, RN

Kate’s Club – Information Only Kate’s Club is an Atlanta-based non-profit that provides support for children and teens ages 5-18 after the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. Kate’s Club offers social, recreational & therapeutic activities at 675 White Sulphur Rd in Gainesville one Saturday morning each month. Please visit www.kate’sclub.org to sign up.

GAINESVILLE:

675 White Sulphur Road Suite 260 Saturday, March 10; 9 a.m.

Going Green Get ready for St. Patrick’s Day with healthy and delicious green food.

WINDER:

NGMC Barrow, Cafeteria – Main Floor Tuesday, March 13; 6 p.m.

From Root to Stem Join us for a free, fun and tasty cooking demonstration to learn the importance of utilizing as much of your ingredients as possible!

GAINESVILLE:

South Patient Tower Café Cooking for a Healthy Heart Thursday, March 15; 5:30 p.m.

Life After Stroke

Hospice Volunteer General Training This training session will cover: Hospice Care, Volunteer Role and Infection Control. Lunch is provided.

Training classes for a new volunteer include a TWO DAY Volunteer General Training Class. An additional Position Specific training day is also required.

NOTE: Some volunteer roles require less training than others. Training classes are held MONTHLY at Hospice of NGMC’s Lanier Park office.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

GAINESVILLE:

675 White Sulphur Road Suite 115 Day 1 of 2: Wed., March 21; 9 a.m.

Day 2 of 2: Wed., March 23; 9 a.m.

Spring into Spring with a Heart Healthy Diet Join cardiologist Dr. Veerappan Subramaniyam (Ramesh) at The Heart Center of NGMC in Cumming for a presentation and Q&A session on improving your heart health. You’ll sample heart healthy appetizers and side dishes from our chef at NGMC Braselton, and will go home with these recipes that are sure to please the palate! Arrive at 5:30 to meet the cardiologist, tour the office and sample the first appetizer.

CUMMING:

The Heart Center of Northeast Georgia Medical Center – Cumming 900 Sanders Road, Suite A Cumming, GA 30041 Thursday, March 29; 6 p.m.

A monthly event intended to empower Childbirth Classes Prepared Childbirth stroke survivors and caregivers to The Prepared Childbirth class covers lead a satisfying and active life. natural pain control methods, differ• Exchanging information, stories, ent types of deliveries and the coach’s ideas, and potential solutions to role. A tour of the OB Unit is included. common challenges Breastfeeding • Discussing coping mechanisms Breastfeeding is important to you and • Learning about stroke prevention, home modifications, local resourc- your baby’s health. Our Breastfeeding class is taught by Board Certified es, etc. from caring professionals Lactation Consultants. Dads are GAINESVILLE: welcomed and encouraged to attend.

NGMC Gainesville, Auxiliary Newborn Parenting Conference Room Taking care of a newborn can be Thursday, March 8; 6 p.m. overwhelming! Being prepared can reduce stress and increase the enjoyment of bringing baby home.

Newborn Parenting class covers the basics of baby care including recognizing illness, feeding, bathing, diaper changes, and more.

Register today!

536174-1

2176 Oak Road, Suite C, Snellville 855-875-2842 • www.audiologysnellville.com

Diabetes Support Group

This group is similar to the Bariatric Support Group, but is designed for those at least six months post-surgery. The focus of this group is to provide a nonjudgmental environment to safely share your weight loss surgery journey. The forum is transparent and the goal is to provide you with insight to the path of the successful weight loss surgery patient. This event will be recurring the second Tuesday of each month through November of 2018.

Registration not required. Bariatric Support Group and Alumni Support Group will meet together for the December meeting.

This group is open to anyone considering bariatric surgery and those who have had weight loss surgery.

The focus of this group is to provide a nonjudgmental environment to safely share your weight loss surgery journey.

536377-1

Samuel F. Vaught, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology

Alumni Support Group

Bariatric Support Group

The Audiology Center of Snellville Providing personalized hearing healthcare that connects you to your family and your world.

Call us today and experience the difference a personalized hearing solution can make for you!

Gwinnett firefighters stand in front of a 10-foot inflatable colon at Gwinnett Medical Center’s colorectal cancer awareness event Thursday. (Special Photo)

800-347-1416 | nghs.com/events

For more information about Childbirth Education Classes, visit: www.nghs.com/ob-classes

sports

gwinnettdailypost.com

SECTION B • FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

Three of a kind Three Gwinnett teams in the boys AAAAAAA semifinals make for ...

Edwards’ basketball IQ earns trust of the Rams

Defense key in Meadowcreek’s first Final Four

By Will Hammock

will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com

Giving up 57 points is a satisfying effort, but Wednesday night’s performance wasn’t up to the Meadowcreek boys basketball team’s standards.

It had held South Gwinnett to 32 points in a first-round win, then shut down high-scoring Lambert in the second round. Lambert, which had reached the 80-point mark 15 times this season and scored 85 in the state opener, managed only 47 against the Mustangs.

Meadowcreek (23-6) won its quarterfinal game 67-57 over Campbell to reach Saturday’s Final Four, but the defensive effort wasn’t completely satisfying. It hopes to improve on that outing with Grayson up next MORE Saturday at 8 INSIDE p.m. in the Class • Buford’s Audrey AAAAAAA Weiner expands the semifinals at Bufloor and her basketball ford City Arena. repertoire, 5B “We were • Driven GAC boys disslacking a little bit patch No. 2 Johnson, now face top-ranked on defense, letting Morgan County, 3B penetrations come • Wesleyan girls bidwithout help ding for 15th straight side,” Meadowtrip to state final, 3B creek defensive stopper Jamir Chaplin said. “But in the end, we pulled it off.”

Campbell hit a trio of 3-pointers in the third quarter, but Meadowcreek’s biggest defensive issue was stopping penetration.

Terrell Burden did most of the damage in racking up 25 points, scoring repeatedly on drives to the basket either with makes or drawing fouls.

Burden was 11 of 14 from the freethrow line because of his aggressive drives, which also played a pivotal role in foul trouble for the Mustangs. He hurt them more than recent opponents, who often have struggled with Meadowcreek’s ball pressure backed up by shot blocks like Amari Kelly and Cory Hightower.

“It was just the simple fact they were able to get to the line,” Meadowcreek boys coach Curtis Gilleylen said of Campbell. “It seemed like they were at the line the whole game. We’ve got to do a better job of containing because the Grayson guards will be very similar with being able to get to the basket. We’ll be working on containment and keeping guys out of the lane.”

That is a major concern when defending Grayson and its high-scoring guards, Travis Anderson and Nick Edwards.

“Guard play, superior guard play,” Gilleylen said of Grayson. “They’re experienced. They’ve been there. I think this is their third or fourth year in the Elite Eight or Final Four. We’re going to have to value our possessions. They’re kind of like Norcross with good guard play See MEADOWCREEK, Page 4B

By Taylor Denman

taylor.denman@ gwinnettdailypost.com

Since his mom put at basketball in his hand at three years old, Grayson point guard Nick Edwards has taken steps to make himself more valuable as a basketball player.

Edwards is listed at 6-foot-2 on the Rams’ roster, not extremely undersized for a high school point guard, but his thin frame could give him a disadvantage when tangling with bigger assignments on defense or slashing toward the lane against forwards.

Grayson head coach Geoffrey Pierce said Edwards spent the offseason before his senior season trying to put on weight to become more well-rounded, and it’s apparently paid off during Grayson’s run to the Class AAAAAAA Final Four.

“You can see he started doing a couple push ups,” Pierce said. “Nick’s worked hard all year, and he deserves to come through in moments like this.”

One of those moments was near the end of the first quarter in Grayson’s quarterfinals game against Pebblebrook on Wednesday night. Edwards held the ball in his hands for the last shot and surveyed his four options. As time ticked down, Edwards decided to create his own shot. He drove toward the basket and bounced off a much bigger defender before tossing up his shot.

His contact didn’t draw a foul, but the shot rolled in

See GRAYSON, Page 4B

AAAAAAA BOYS SEMIFINALS

Grayson guard Nick Edwards shoots a three-pointer in the first round of the Class AAAAAAA playoffs against Berkmar. (Photo: Colin Hubbard)

Saturday Buford City Arena 4 p.m. — Norcross vs.

Newton 8 p.m. — Meadowcreek vs. Grayson

Norcross earns statement win over McEachern

By David Friedlander

“Out of 100 people that you ask, one person might have given us a chance to win this game. You’d best believe that NORCROSS — If it wasn’t our kids heard that all week long, and we’ve got a group of abundantly clear Norcross’ competitors, and we’ve got a boys had a bit of a chip on group of talented kids. So we their collective shoulder by used every bit of that.” the way they played in their That’s not to say Norcross Class AAAAAAA state hasn’t earned a bit of respect basketball quarterfinal game over the course of this season, against McEachern, it was just as they have as being one soon after it was over. of the top programs in GeorThen didn’t hide their gia for the better part of the satisfaction of proving many doubters wrong with Norcross’ Brandon Boston (11) drives baseline as McEachern’s last two decades.

Still, there was plenty of their resounding 75-55 win Babatunde Akingbola (11) tries to defend against him during Wednesday night at the House Wednesday night’s quarterfinal Class AAAAAAA playoff game doubt expressed about their at Norcross High School. (Photo: Craig Cappy) chances against a McEachof Blue. ern (26-3) that was ranked in “With high school kids, and nearly every set of national competitors in general, you going to lose,” Norcross coach date with Newton in a state can’t sit around all week and Jesse McMillan said after his semifinal game Saturday at See NORCROSS, Page 4B hear people say that you’re Blue Devils (27-3) earned a 4 p.m. at Buford City Arena.

david.friedlander@ gwinnettdailypost.com

Meadowcreek’s Jamir Chaplin (24) goes up for a shot against Campbell’s Brandon Deravine (1) during Wednesday’s Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals. (Photo: Karl L. Moore)

ondeck 2B • FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

Prep Schedule

Today

BASEBALL

TBA - Brookwood, Buford in LaGrange Invitational 4:30 p.m. — St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) at Parkview 5:30 p.m. — Loganville Christian at Discovery 6 p.m. — Duluth at Chattahoochee 6 p.m. — Hebron at King’s Ridge 6 p.m. — Johnson at Meadowcreek 6 p.m. — Peachtree Ridge at Alpharetta 7 p.m. — Archer at Madison Co.

LACROSSE

5:30 p.m. — Collins Hill girls at Brookwood 5:30 p.m. — Forsyth Central girls at Buford 6 p.m. — Blessed Trinity girls at Wesleyan 7:30 p.m. — Collins Hill boys at Chattahoochee 7:30 p.m. — North Forsyth boys at Brookwood

SOCCER

5 p.m. — GAC at Savannah Arts 5 p.m. — Lovett at Wesleyan 5:30 p.m. — Berkmar at Riverwood 5:30 p.m. — Brookwood at Walton 5:30 p.m. — Dacula at Winder-Barrow 5:30 p.m. — Discovery at Peachtree Ridge 5:30 p.m. — Kell at Mountain View 5:30 p.m. — Lakeside at North 5:30 p.m. — Lanier at Habersham Central 5:30 p.m. — Meadowcreek at Rockdale Co. 5:30 p.m. — Mill Creek at Duluth 5:30 p.m. — Norcross at Archer 5:30 p.m. — North Springs at Shiloh 5:30 p.m. — Parkview at Collins Hill 5:30 p.m. — Providence at Eagle’s Landing 5:30 p.m. — South at Central 6 p.m. — Buford at Northview

TENNIS

• Duluth, Lanier in South Forsyth Tennis Invitational 4 p.m. — Hebron at Tallulah Falls

TRACK & FIELD

TBA - Shiloh, Archer in Nike Panther Relays at Starr’s Mill 4 p.m. — Dacula High Community Classic 4 p.m. — Mill Creek in Milton Ivitational 4 p.m. — Parkview 9th Annual Need for Speed Invitational Saturday

BASEBALL

• Brookwood, Buford in LaGrange Invitational • South and Northview at Norcross 10 a.m. — Lee Co. at Parkview 11 a.m. — Shiloh and Franklin Co. at Emmanuel College 11 a.m. — Wesleyan at Brookstone 11 a.m. — Westlake at Grayson Noon — GAC at Providence (DH) Noon — South at Norcross 1 p.m. — Habersham Central at Central (DH) 1 p.m. — Shiloh and Jefferson Co. at Emmanuel College 1:30 p.m. — Wesleyan and Pinecrest Academy at Brookstone 2 p.m. — North and Starr’s Mill at Newnan 5 p.m. — North at Newnan 5 p.m. — Northview at Norcross 6 p.m. — Grayson at Walnut Grove

LACROSSE

Noon — Dacula at Evans Noon — Lanier girls at Trinity Christian 1 p.m. — Buford boys at McIntosh 1 p.m. — Duluth boys at North 2 p.m. — Lakeside-Evans boys at Grayson 2 p.m. — Lanier girls and Northgate at Trinity Christian 7:30 p.m. — Mill Creek boys at Lassiter

SOCCER TENNIS

• Duluth, Lanier in South Forsyth Tennis Invitational

The Home Teams Hawks

TODAY NEXT UPCOMING Golden State Phoenix Toronto 7:30 p.m.

Sun, 3:30 p.m. Tue, 7 p.m.

FSSE/92.9-FM FSSE/92.9-FM FSSE/92.9-FM at Norfolk 7 p.m.

at Norfolk Sat, 7 p.m.

Orlando Wed, 7:05 p.m.

South Alabama Sun Belt Tourney Sat, 2:15 p.m.

Wed, TBA 88.5-FM 88.5-FM

UGA hoops

Off

Off

Tech hoops

Off

Wake Forest ACC Tourney Sat, noon Tue, TBA ACCN/93.7-FM 93.7-FM

Colorado 7:35 p.m.

at Toronto Sat, 7 p.m.

Gladiators

GSU hoops

Swarm

at Tennessee SEC Tourney Sat, 6 p.m.

Wed, TBA SECN/750-AM 750-AM

at Rochester Sat, 7:30 p.m.

FSSE = FOX Sports Southeast, FSSO = FOX Sports South

On TV Today

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

9 p.m. — Iowa State at Oklahoma. ESPN2

MLB

1 p.m. — Atlanta at New York Yankees. FSSE

NBA

7:30 p.m. — Golden State at Atlanta. FSSE 8 p.m. — Toronto at Washington. ESPN 10:30 p.m. — Minnesota at Utah. ESPN

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

11 a.m. — ACC Tournament -- TBA vs Duke. First Quarterfinal. FSSO 2 p.m. — ACC Tournament -- TBA vs Louisville. Second Quarterfinal. FSSO 6 p.m. — ACC Tournament -- TBA vs Notre Dame. Third Quarterfinal. FSSO 8 p.m. — ACC Tournament — TBA vs Florida State.

Fourth Quarterfinal. FSSO

Feedback

GWINNETT GRADS

Small now a 2-time national champ

By Will Hammock

will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

Where Todd Small continues his college wrestling career remains a mystery, but he certainly has options.

“My phone’s been ringing pretty steadily for him,” said Luke Moffitt, the North Gwinnett grad’s coach at Iowa Central Community College.

College coaches liked Small’s resumé already — he was a two-time state champion in high school — but he has boosted it even more in two years of junior college wrestling. Small won his second straight National Junior College Athletic Association title last week.

His 2017 national title was at 125 pounds, and his most recent win was at 133.

“Coming into the season, I was not expecting anything less than (another national title),” Small said. “I really hoped to get a second team title (Iowa Central was third), but that didn’t work out. … It means a lot (to be a two-time champion). It goes to show all the work I put in is paying off. And to do it in a different weight class was nice.”

Moffitt punctuated his latest championship with a second-period pin in the finals against Northwest Kansas’ Munkhbat BatErdene. He posted earlier major decisions over Pratt’s Justin Hershberger (16-3) and Barton’s Gage Gomez (18-7), as well as an 11-5 win in the semifinals over Colby’s Ottis Rollins that was his closest match of the tournament.

“I think I wrestled really well,” Small said.

With his second national championship behind him, Small has begun talking with recruiters from fouryear wrestling programs.

He plans to sign in the near future.

“I’m getting phone calls and taking visits,” said Small, who has visits coming up to Iowa State and Appalachian State.

TRACK AND FIELD Locals shine at SEC meet Tennessee’s Nathan

2 p.m. — GAC at Richmond Hill

gwinnettdailypost.com

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

(2:03.99) and second in the 200 IM (2:07.11), in addition to swimming on a first-place 400 medley relay and a runner-up 800 freestyle relay.

Mahoney named All-Big East Xavier freshman Nick Mahoney, a North Gwinnett grad, earned All-Big East Conference honors at last weekend’s conference championship meet.

Mahoney placed secNorth Gwinnett grad Todd Small of Iowa Central won his ond in the 1,650 free in second straight National Junior College Athletic Asso- 15:41.08, and added a ciation championship. (Special photo) seventh-place finish in the 500 free (4:35.26).

Strother, a Norcross grad, fifth-place distance medley BASKETBALL led a solid showing from relay.

Gwinnett athletes at the Caitlan Tate, a freshman Southeastern Conference at Virginia Tech, was eighth Powell gets league honor Duluth grad Katie Powell Indoor Track and Field in the 60 (7.40) and on a fourth-place 1,600 relay was named the Mountain Championships last weekand fellow Brookwood grad West Conference player of end. the week Monday, the third Strother was runner-up in Brianna Isles was 16th in time she has earned the the 400-meter run in 45.59 the triple jump (39 feet, 2 inches). Isles competes for award this season. seconds. He also ran on a The 6-4 junior averaged North Carolina. fifth-place 1,600 relay.

17 points and nine rebounds Duke’s Erin Marsh, a The other locals with last week in a pair of freshman from Buford, top finishes were Georgia UNLV victories. She made finished seventh in the Bulldogs, including North Gwinnett’s Jeramey Hamp- pentathlon. She was fourth 13 of 25 shots (52 percent) in those two games, which in the 60 hurdles (8.70), ton and Shiloh’s Bryan Kamau. Hampton was sixth tied for seventh in the high were highlighted by 20 jump (5-2), sixth in the shot points, eight rebounds and in the 800 in 1:51.59 and put (34-7), tied for seventh three steals in a victory over Kamau was seventh in the in the long jump (17-9) and New Mexico.

3,000 (8:08.27) Hampton Powell averages 16.3 12th in the 800 (2:28.41) and Kamau also were on a third-place distance medley against her fellow pentath- points and nine rebounds this season with 12 doubleletes. relay. doubles for a team that is in Camp fourth in Big 12 Teammate Eric Westog Archer grad Ryan Camp first place in the conference.

(Mill Creek) was seventh Cooks earns placed fourth in the weight in the 5,000 (14:27.97), pair of awards four spots ahead of UGA’s throw at last weekend’s Big Zach Cooks, a Berkmar 12 Indoor Track and Field Jon Moses (Collins Hill) grad, was named the New Championships. at 14:38.31. The Bulldogs Jersey Institute of TechnolThe Texas Christian also got a 16th-place finish ogy’s athlete of the week sophomore’s best throw from Peachtree Ridge’s on Monday, in addition was 63-7 3/4.

Addy Lippitt in the 5,000 to earning a spot on the (17:20.64).

Atlantic Sun Conference’s SWIMMING Solomon leads locals all-freshman team. in ACC meet The freshman guard Mahaffey wins Shiloh grad Nahom Soloaverages 8.5 points and conference title mon, a Georgia Tech senior, leads the team with 62 Archer’s Hannah Mawas fourth in the 5,000 at assists and 47 steals. He haffey, a freshman at the the Atlantic Coast Conferearned the athlete of the ence Indoor Track and Field Massachusetts Institute week award after putting up Championships, headlining of Technology, fared well 11 points, four assists and in her first New England some top performances two rebounds in a win over Women’s and Men’s Athfrom Gwinnett products.

USC-Upstate. letic Conference ChampiSolomon’s time of Gwinnett Grads is a col13:59.71 broke the previous onships. umn that runs on Fridays Mahaffey earned allTech record, set in 2003, by almost 15 seconds. He also conference honors and was spotlighting achievements of past Gwinnett standouts.

NEWMAC champion in took fourth in the 3,000 Coaches and parents are the 400 individual medley with a time of 8:05.55. with an NCAA B standard urged to send suggestions Another Tech runner, via email to will.hamtime of 4:28.45. She also Andres Littig of North mock@gwinnettdailypost. was second in the 200 fly Gwinnett, was seventh in com. with another NCAA B cut the 800 (1:50.03) and on a

Shiloh, Tech supporter Lozano dies

By Will Hammock

have been some pretty good people go through there.

Thomas was right up there at the top. Probably the most At both of his alma beloved out of all of them to maters, Shiloh High School be honest.” and Georgia Tech, Thomas Lozano, whose father “T.J.” Lozano was beloved. Tom was a longtime football He was popular for his coach in Gwinnett, had warm personality and his fallen ill with pneumonia enthusiasm for the sports in recent weeks, Jordan teams at both places, whose said. Through those exams, communities went into doctors discovered cancer in mourning Thursday when his throat. He passed away word spread that Lozano around 10 a.m. Thursday had passed away after a under hospice care. brief illness. The longtime Georgia Tech planned a Georgia Tech Athletic Asmoment of silence in Losociation employee was just zano’s honor prior to Thurs38. day night’s home basketball “(Lozano) was by far one game against North Carolina of the better-known graduState. He joined the Yellow ates of Shiloh High School, Jackets’ athletic associawhen he was there and also tion in 2004 and worked in after he graduated,” said the athletic department in longtime Shiloh athletic student services, compliance director and football coach and communications over Charlie Jordan said. “And the years. we’ve had some good ones.

He graduated from Tech We’ve got one running for in 2002 with a bachelor’s governor this year (Clay degree in management and Tippins). We’ve had one be was a huge Yellow Jackets a first-round draft pick in the fan.

NFL (Davey Pollack). There “Today is a sad day for

will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

Georgia Tech,” Tech director of athletics Todd Stansbury said in a school release.

“Thomas was a huge part of our GTAA family. His dedication to Tech as an alumnus, a staff member and a fan was unrivaled. He leaves behind an enduring legacy of great courage and character that has touched everyone he has ever come in contact with, including all of the student-athletes and athletics staff that were fortunate to know him. On behalf of the entire Georgia Tech athletics family, I offer our most sincere condolences to Thomas’ family and his countless friends.”

While at Shiloh, Lozano helped with the basketball programs as a manager. He didn’t work with the football program — Jordan said the logistics of moving around campus would have been tough for Lozano, who used crutches to walk because of a health condition — but he didn’t miss a Generals game.

“Thomas was the tough-

est one at Shiloh High School,” Jordan said. “He struggled all his life (with health issues), but I never heard him complain one time about the cards he was dealt. He had more strength and character than anybody I know. He was a great kid and a great man.”

Lozano is survived by his father Tom and his younger brother, Jeff. His mother, Latain, died of cancer in 2012. Tom Lozano also fought cancer, but it is in remission.

Donations can be made in Lozano’s memory to the International Myeloma Foundation at www.myeloma.org or the Atlanta Area Multiple Myeloma Support Group at P. O. Box 49041 Atlanta, 30359.

Visitation with the Lozano family will be held Sunday at Tom M. Wages Funeral Home’s Snellville Chapel from 4 to 7 p.m. His funeral will take place at Briarcliff United Methodist Church on Monday at 1 p.m.

Simpson reportedly headed to Miami From Staff Reports Former Buford head football coach Jess Simpson is expected to be the Miami Hurricanes’ new defensive line coach, according to a report from 247Sports’s InsideTheU site.

Simpson just finished his first season as a defensive assistant with the Atlanta

Falcons. He worked with the NFL team’s defensive line.

The Miami job would be the third coaching stop in a 14-month span for Simpson since he left Buford after 22 years, the last 12 as head coach. Shortly after the 2016 season at Buford, he joined Georgia State’s coaching staff in December, but left in February, 2017 when the

Falcons offered a position on staff.

Simpson coached the Wolves to 10 of their 11 alltime state championships, the last seven as head coach.

He also won three state titles as the high school’s defensive coordinator under former head coach Dexter Wood.

Buford played in the state

championship game for an astonishing 10 consecutive seasons under Simpson, winning four straight titles from 2007-10 and three more in a row from 201214. Simpson’s defenses also were pivotal in state titles from 2001-03, helping the Wolves establish a new state record with 47 straight victories.

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018 • 3B

gwinnettdailypost.com

GAC’s Turner delivers in first year Wesleyan girls

By Will Hammock will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

MaryMartha Turner doesn’t always look the part of what Greater Atlanta Christian girls basketball coach Lady Grooms said she provides to the team.

Off the court, the senior is friendly and engaging, regularly flashing a smile.

She wants to be an engineer after college basketball at Wofford. No clues point to Turner’s toughness, until a game begins.

“She’s our enforcer,” Grooms said. “Now she’s sweet as ever. Not on that floor. She’s our enforcer.”

Turner filled that role perfectly earlier this week for the Spartans, who travel to Armstrong Atlantic for the Class AAA Final Four on Saturday. She fought and scrapped with a physical, athletic Beach team that had eliminated GAC from the postseason a year earlier.

Afterward, the 6-foot-2 standout wore the battle scars, her arms covered in scratches. Her tripledouble of 14 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks had fueled a 55-45 victory, and her biggest plays came late with key rebounds, blocks and converted free throws.

Grooms called her the obvious player of the game.

“In the last minutes or seconds, you have to have somebody step up,” the former Georgia standout and WNBA player said.

“And MaryMartha stepped.

She stepped. It’s like three rebounds. It’s like three blocks. It’s not just one.

It’s consistently. And it becomes contagious.”

Greater Atlanta Christian senior MaryMartha Turner has filled an important role for the Spartans this season.

(Photo: Glenn Martin)

The 10 blocks statistic had perhaps the biggest impact on the game as she repeatedly swatted Beach’s drives to the basket. She has improved as a shot blocker but still averages just 1.5 per game.

“I think I grew a little bit last summer,” Turner said.

“Since last summer, I’ve been blocking quite a few shots.”

She brings much more to the GAC lineup, though.

She averages 10.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.6 steals, and her court awareness is easy to see. “(Turner’s) strength is her toughness,” Grooms said. “She has a basketball IQ. She’s smart. She’s not 20 or 30 (points per game).

She’s smart, though. She’s looking all the time at what’s going on on that floor. She’s almost like a point guard in her mind.

How are they spaced out? Move, move. She’s

constantly talking. She’s the leader on our team.

Her and (Auburn signee) Robyn (Benton) were going to lead us. Robyn went down (with a seasonending injury) and (Turner) continued. She’s the one that’s the voice. You’ve got Coach Lady and you’ve got MaryMartha.

“You’ve got to have it.

What she gives us is leadership. She gives us a base and gives us stability. And she’s humble. It’s not like she’s arrogant. MaryMartha doesn’t even care if she scores. MaryMartha is trying to get the ball to whoever’s open. That matters on a team. She does all the little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet.”

Turner has become that leader despite a limited time in the Spartans’ program.

She has lived in Atlanta, down the road from Emory University, for years but moved to Bradenton, Fla.,

as an eighth-grader to attend the prestigious IMG Academy. She lived in the on-campus dorms there through 10th grade, then moved back home and enrolled at GAC as a junior.

She practiced with the Spartans in 2016-17, but wasn’t able to play varsity because of the transfer.

She played in a few junior varsity games, though she mostly concentrated on academics and becoming comfortable in a new school.

“I definitely love the academics here (at GAC),” Turner said. “The teachers are great. The coaching staff is amazing. I love Coach Lady and all the other coaches.”

Turner carved her role in the Spartans’ lineup quickly this season, adding yet another part to a team with state championship aspirations. That goal took a big hit when Benton, who averaged a team-high 17.9 points, suffered her injury in December.

But Turner and senior teammates like Middle Tennessee State-bound Taylor Sutton (16.8 points) and Caria Reynolds (12.2 points, 8.9 rebounds) have elevated their play. They haven’t changed their main goal, either. The next step comes Saturday against Franklin County, unbeaten at 30-0.

“I always thought it was a realistic goal for us (to win state) to be completely honest with you,” Turner said. “We have so much talent and we work hard every day. It’s nice to see our hard work paying off, especially after we lost such a big piece of our team (in Benton). It’s a great feeling.”

Driven Spartans set sights on No. 1 GAC boys clash with top-ranked Morgan County in semis

By Christine Troyke

christine.troyke@ gwinnettdailypost.com

The Greater Atlanta Christian boys led by nine at the half against secondranked Johnson of Savannah in Wednesday’s night basketball quarterfinals, but it had been a close contest for much of the game.

The Spartans came out of the half and quickly hit a trio of 3-pointers. The lead ballooned to 15 and it’s no surprise which three guys were responsible.

Hunter McIntosh went first, canning a shot from well behind the arc.

Roy Dixon hauled in a rebound and dished it to Ben Sheppard in the corner. Sheppard drained it and then Dixon capped the run with his own trey just 2 ½ minutes into the third quarter.

Those three and fellow junior Chris Hinton all finished in double figures as GAC advanced to Saturday’s Class AAA semifinals. GAC shot 41 percent from 3-point range and had 11 turnovers. Johnson had 17 turnovers and was just 15 percent from behind the arc.

“Watching the game film, we really played a physical game in many ways,” head coach David Eaton said. “We drove to the basket and created

contact. We hit and boxed out for rebounds. They did a lot of pressuring and trapping, but we stepped through it and found the open guy.”

McIntosh, who passed the 1,000-point mark in his prep career this season, led the way with 26 points.

“Hunter is good at getting open, but it also comes from our other players beating Johnson’s pressure,” Eaton said. “The goal for the game was to be unselfish and we were.”

GAC took down the No. 2 team in the state. Now it’s on to No. 1.

The Spartans (26-3) drive down to Savannah to play top-ranked Morgan County (29-1) at 4 p.m.

Saturday on the campus of Armstrong Atlantic.

Morgan County’s lone loss is to Class AAAAAAA semifinalist Newton. The Bulldogs are led by coregion players of the year, juniors Tyrin Lawrence and Alec Woodard.

“The best thing they do, besides those two, is they don’t beat themselves,” Eaton said. “They don’t give a lot of open looks.

It’s hard to drive by them and they don’t leave guys open.

“On offense, they’ll be patient and work to get the shot they want.”

Morgan County went to the state finals last year,

falling to Pace Academy. GAC dispatched the defending champions in a second-round nail-biter, advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time in four years. The Spartans won four straight state titles from 2010-14, but haven’t been past the second round since.

“The reason we’re back is because we’re so driven,” Eaton said. “We have a loaded ‘19 class and all of those guys have been playing together for years.

They were around for the past success. Recently we’ve been good — we’ve been winning 20 games a year — but it bugs them to lose in the first or second round. They are driven.”

McIntosh gets a lot of attention, and rightly so.

But Sheppard, Dixon and Hinton, a five-star football recruit headed to Michigan, present a significant threat as well.

“Ben can score in the 20s and that’s star player status,” Eaton said. “He’s just as capable of running the floor like Hunter and his shooting really puts other teams in a tough situation. He gets labeled as a shooter, but he’s also a playmaker — and probably the most unselfish guy on the team.”

Eaton doesn’t have to tell Dixon, or McIntosh, to shoot.

her cross country and track career at Augusta University.

Davis was fifth in the Region 8-AAAAA Championships and Collins Hill junior Nadia 43rd at the Class AAAAA state Basto has made a commitment to meet as a senior. the Truett-McConnell University women’s soccer program.

Wheelchair hoops Basto is a midfielder for the semis, featuring Eagles.

Buford senior Sarah Davis has made a commitment to continue

By Christine Troyke

christine.troyke@ gwinnettdailypost.com

The Wesleyan girls basketball team has played in 14 straight state finals, but getting there for a 15th time won’t be easy.

The Wolves meet another perennial power, St. Francis, in today’s 6 p.m.

Class A Private semifinals at Columbus State University. St. Francis is loaded with talent that transferred in after the Knights lost a bevy of starting seniors, including a pair of All-Americans, from last year’s semifinal team.

“They’re a big, physical team,” Wesleyan head coach Jan Azar said.

“They have a couple of kids who can shoot the 3 and they want to speed the game up.”

St. Francis (26-4) is led by 6-foot-2 forward Jordan Isaacs, regarded as one of the top 25 juniors in the nation. She played at North Paulding last season. The Knights also got two sophomore transfers in shooting guard Chandler Davis (Alpharetta) and 6-footer Kennedi Philson (Chattahoochee).

Arynn Eady, a 6-1 post, came to St. Francis last season from Riverwood.

Senior Olivia Swanston and sophomore Eliza Snyder are outside threats.

Amirah Abdur-Rahim, 6-2, played minutes for the Knights last season as a freshman. Kennedy Powell starts at point guard.

“We’re going to have to do a good job boxing out,” Azar said. “Our offense has to stem from playing really good defense. We have to stop them to start us.”

The press is a staple for the Wolves (25-4), who have won 12 state championships in the past 16 years. Azar deploys it as necessary in games.

“We’re always prepared to press,” Azar said, “but it depends on our opponent.

“It’s definitely going to be a really good game.”

Wesleyan rallied to beat Holy Innocents’ in last year’s final, but graduated eight seniors from that

roster, including McDonald’s All-American Mikayla Coombs. Three of the Wolves’ four losses this season have come to Holy Innocents’, though the most recent was fairly close. Wesleyan’s other loss was to Class AAAAA semifinalist Buford.

St. Francis, winners of the Class A Private title in 2013, 2015 and 2016, also played Holy Innocents’ this season and lost.

“Especially with us, we’re so young, from one night to the next, you can’t tell who’s going to show up to play,” Azar said. “But our seniors are playing really well right now. We need to remember what we do. We’ve always been the team that makes the other team come to us.”

Wesleyan’s seniors, Amaya Register and Sutton West, are the catalysts.

They, along with sophomore A.C. Carter, are the ones with big-game experience on the roster.

“I’m very confident in our kids that they’re going to bring their best to the table,” Azar said.

The Wolves have freshman Paige Lyons back from injury, which allows Azar more flexibility as she platoons bench players in and out. Lauren Hill stepped into a starting role with Lyons out and plays smart defensively. Another sophomore, Izzy Larsen, gives Wesleyan some size while junior Callie Weaver plays a physical role inside, including drawing a couple of crucial charges against Holy Innocents’.

Azar’s daughter, Nicole, is a freshman who has hit some big 3-pointers this season.

“We’ve had quite a few kids come in and earn their time,” Azar said.

“We’ve got some depth players — I just have to figure out when and where we need them.

“Our kids have played together a long time and it means something to them to play for Wesleyan.

We’ve been in the finals (16 of) the last 17 years.

That experience helps, but it also puts pressure on us.”

Wesleyan’s Amaya Register (14) shoots over Holy Innocents’ Shai Blanding (32) during last year’s state championship in Atlanta. (Photo: Karl L. Moore)

IN BRIEF

Collins Hill’s Basto commits to Truett-McConnell

Buford’s Davis to run for Augusta

“Roy is great at the catch-and-shoot 3-pointer, but he can still beat the press and get us into the press,” Eaton said. “A lot of teams only have one guy. Roy gives us a third option.

“He’s a gamer. All of the close games we’ve been in the last two years, Roy always makes a big play. He’s one of the most mature players and has a focus, and a fierceness, about him.”

Hinton provides power inside. He showed off his footwork against Johnson on a slick baseline move early in a tight second quarter and also makes good passing decisions.

Hinton set up Dixon on a pivotal bucket in the fourth quarter after Johnson had finally gotten the deficit into single digits.

“When Hunter, Roy, Ben and Chris are in double digits, that’s going to be a pretty good game for us,” Eaton said. “We’ve watched a lot of (Morgan County’s) recent game film and it all points to the same thing: They’re really good at handling any type of defense. Whether it’s big athletes from AAAAAAA or the first round of state in AAA, they do them and they don’t waver from it. That’s why they’ve been so successful.”

bidding for 15th straight finals trip

Gwinnett Heat, are Saturday at Hull

The American Association of Adapted Sports Programs and Gwinnett County Public Schools

will host the Wheelchair Basketball State Tournament on Saturday at Hull Middle School.

The 10 a.m. game will be a junior varsity semifinal between the Houston County Junior Sharks and the Henry County Hurricanes. The GCPS team, the Gwinnett Heat, then faces the West Georgia Wolverines in a noon varsity semifinal.

The winner of the JV semifinal game plays the DeKalb County Silverstreaks at 3 p.m. for the championship, while the varsity semifinal winner advances to

next week’s championship game in Macon.

Buford’s Strickland headed to Newberry to play lacrosse

Buford senior Jaylan Strickland announced his commitment this week to the Newberry College (S.C.) men’s lacrosse program.

Strickland, a defensive midfielder, also was a defensive back and wide receiver for the Wolves’ football team.

Buford’s Bozoian commits to Reinhardt

Buford senior Tristan Bozoian made a commitment this week to the Reinhardt University wrestling program.

Bozoian helped the Wolves sweep the traditional and duals state championships this season.

He earned first-team, all-county honors at 182 pounds by the Gwinnett Takedown Club after finishing with a 33-0 record this year.

— From staff reports

4B • FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

gwinnettdailypost.com

Barkley up for challenge of leaving lasting legacy Something bigger than you,” Barkley said. “If you go to a team like that, INDIANAPOLIS — To obviously, they’ve had Penn State running back some rough years. But I Saquon Barkley, the 2018 think they’re just a couple NFL Draft is about being of pieces away. They do part of something bigger have a lot of young talent. than himself.

They’ve brought in a new Even if, Barkley said offensive coordinator. with a smile, that means he They only won one game, winds up with a team that but they were in a lot of has only one victory in the games. You want to be a past two seasons. part of something like that.

The Cleveland Browns Something that’s bigger own the No. 1 pick in than yourself. Something the NFL draft and also that will leave a legacy. pick fourth overall, with Being a part of something the New York Giants and special.”

Indianapolis Colts in Barkley’s father and between. grandfather were boxers, “That’d be awesome. and he isn’t averse to get-

By Jeff Reynolds Field Level Media

ting in the ring on occasion but the lifelong New York Jets fan intends to absorb blows on the football field.

Barkley is touted as a franchise-altering prospect, the type of player that can change a team’s fortunes significantly as a rookie. Seeing similar success stories from top10 picks in the past three drafts — Todd Gurley of the Rams (No. 10 overall, 2015), Ezekiel Elliott of the Cowboys (No. 4, 2016) and Leonard Fournette (No. 4 overall, last season) in Jacksonville — helped shape Barkley’s outlook on turning pro.

“Confidence,” said

Barkley. “It gives you a lot of confidence. Especially Ezekiel Elliott. Seeing the success he had coming from the same conference.”

Penn State posted a video this week of Barkley preparing for the combine and running a hand-timed 4.33 in the 40-yard dash — at 232 pounds.

He expects to deliver the real thing during running back workouts in Indianapolis.

He caught 54 passes in 2017 and rushed for 1,271 yards while also making cameos returning kicks.

“I’m competitive. But I don’t care if I’m drafted 1, 5 or 72 or the last pick,”

Barkley said. “I’m gonna come in with my head low ready to work. That’s not going to change me. No matter where I’m drafted or who I’m drafted by, they’re going to get the same person. They’re going to get the guy who’s going to be a competitor, who’s passionate about the game. Even thought I’ll be a rookie, I’m going to try to be a leader to the best of my ability and continue to work.”

New Browns general manager John Dorsey called this a “pivotal” offseason for the franchise and is open to all possibilities with the team’s

top picks in the draft next month.

“My door is wide open,” Dorsey said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday when asked if he would consider trading one or both picks to acquire more selections. “My job is to do what’s best for the organization, and I’m going to do that.”

Part of the process in determining what to do with the No. 1 overall pick is evaluating the long-term potential of 2017 rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer, who threw for 2,894 yards and 11 touchdowns with 22 interceptions in 15 starts last season.

Norcross •From Page 1B high school rankings, including as high as No. 5 in the USA Today Super 25, and boasted a line-up that features two four-star college prospects, a fivestar prospect and three-star prospects.

But while said five-star (guard Sharife Cooper), both four stars (wings Isaac Okoro and Charles Smith) and the three-star (Babatunde Akingbola) had an impact on the game, Norcross’ own high-profile players had an even bigger one.

The most high-profile impact came from five-star wing Brandon Boston, who led a third-quarter charge that helped the Blue Devils pull away for good and finished with game-high 25 points, admitted that the pregame chatter definitely gave him and his teammates a little extra motivation.

“Nobody thought we were going to win,” Boston said. “Everybody was agreeing, ‘McEachern’s No. 1. McEachern’s No. 1.’

We’re not having it. We’re competitors. We’ll never stand down to (any opponent). We’ve been practicing hard all year, and we just come out ready to play every game.”

Norcross’ other highprofile players made a differences in their own rights in Wednesday’s win, with four-star junior Kyle Sturdivant and three-star Georgia signee Joseph Toppin each contributing 12 points and 6-9 junior post Issa Muhammad finished with a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds, plus four blocked shots.

But perhaps the most unsung hero from Wednesday’s win was senior guard Davlin White, who finished with eight points and a game-high eight assists and generally directed traffic as Norcross negotiated McEachern’s full-court pressure defense, which had caused havoc with plenty of other opponents this season.

“We came into practice (leading into the game)

with the mentality of … (being) a little more aggressive,” White said. “We knew it was going to be a fast-paced game. We knew whoever was going to be more disciplined was going to win the game. We came out with the focus of running our plays. We knew if we stayed patient, we were going to win.”

But as satisfying as Wednesday’s win was, the Blue Devil know all too well that two big obstacles still remain in the path towards their ultimate goal.

And the next obstacle is quite a formidable one in the form of Newton (27-3), which features a five-star prospect of its own in point guard Ashton Hagans.

McMillan remembers how his team passed a big emotional test in last year’s quarterfinal by going on the road to beat a powerful Pebblebrook team, only to come up just short in the title game two rounds later against Tift County.

And with the turnaround between the quarters and semis only three days, he is challenging his players to quickly transition from one game to the next.

“That’s the biggest task now, the short turnaround,” McMillan said. “This can’t be our state championship. They’ve got to realize that they don’t play state championships in the third round. But I think we’ll be ready.”

Besides, with the other semifinal featuring two fellow county teams — Region 7-AAAAAAA rival Meadowcreek and Newton’s Region 8-AAAAAAA foe Grayson — the Blue Devils want to do their part in trying to set up an allGwinnett final. “(Having three teams in the Final Four) shows how good the county is this year,” White said “We’ve just got to stay focused.

We’re not really looking at our opponent right now.

We’re worrying about ourselves right now. We just want to win a state championship, so we’re just going to keep pushing in practice.”

Norcross’s Dalvin White (12) drives baseline as McEachern’s defender Quinton McElroy (3) tries to stop him during Wednesday night’s quarterfinal Class AAAAAAA playoff game at Norcross. (Photo: Craig Cappy)

Meadowcreek’s Jamir Chaplin (24) tries to get the rebound away from Campbell’s Terrell Burden (3) during Wednesday’s Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals at Meadowcreek High School in Norcross. (Photo: Karl L. Moore)

Meadowcreek •From Page 1B play that can control the game. We’ve got to come out focused and ready to play and contain their guards.”

Grayson also has the experience edge on Meadowcreek, which is in the Final Four for the first time in school history.

Grayson made a run to the semifinals last season, while the Mustangs, coming off a 7-20 season, returned to the state playoffs in 2016-17, Gilleylen’s first season with the program.

Meadowcreek lost early in last season’s state playoffs, but it has reached a new level in the head coach’s second year in charge. Though the Final Four is new to his players, it isn’t to Gilleylen, who led Stephenson to the state semifinals in 2013-14.

“Whatever you do, don’t be scared,” the coach said of his message to his team heading into the Final Four. “If you’re going to make a mistake, let it be an aggressive mistake. Don’t be afraid of the moment. Let’s go

out there and see what we can do.”

The atmosphere is expected to be fitting of a state semifinal game with a big crowd, which likely will be boosted by three Gwinnett County teams in AAAAAAA’s semifinals.

“It will be a tough game,” Hightower said.

“It’s the last four teams, so everybody’s going to be tough. We just have to keep our heads up and play our game. … Some people get nervous, but it’s all fun for me because I know my team’s ready

and I’m ready.”

The Mustangs should be battle-tested by a tough schedule, both in and out of region play. Half of their six losses are to fellow semifinalist and region rival Norcross, the last two by a point each on buzzer-beaters.

Another close game is expected against Grayson.

“It’s going to be tough, but we’re ready for the competition,” Chaplin said. “We’re ready to fight and give it our all. I don’t think any of us are ready to go home.”

Grayson •From Page 1B at the buzzer. In a game Grayson won by mere seven points, converting that late opportunity with poise gave the Rams an important buffer to work with in the first half.

Pierce trust Edwards with the ball in his hands in crunch time. Grayson led 69-66 with less than one minute left on Wednesday night and began to stall out Pebblebrook. Edwards didn’t panic when the Falcons tried to trap him at half court, nor did he panic when he went to the line with 26 seconds left to put the Rams up by a crucial two possessions.

“Nick, I’ve known since he was in seventh grade,” Pierce said. “The skillset you see now, that’s something he’s put in work with. Myself and the coaching staff, we put a lot of pressure on him to run the show and make good decisions. And he did that tonight.”

Pressure, Edwards said, is his perfect motivator. “(Teammates are) pushing me hard and practice and my coaches are pushing me hard,” Edwards said. “As the season progresses, I’m getting better, the team’s getting better and everything is flowing well.”

Edwards found something through playing basketball that inspired

Grayson’s Nick Edwards (1) shoots and scores over Peachtree Ridge’s Izu Onyekachi (1) during last week’s second round Class AAAAAAA playoff game at Peachtree Ridge. (Photo: Craig Cappy)

him to dedicate himself to improving his game and basketball I.Q. He’s never considered the training he puts in as a labor and was determined at a young age to use basketball to help him reach his career goals.

“Ever since I’ve been playing basketball I’ve just loved the game,” Edwards said. “All through elementary, middle and varsity I’ve been going hard. I want the game to take me a long way.”

Edwards is receiving interest from schools such as Georgia Southwest-

ern and Tusculum, but said he may hold out on his college decision and play AAU as an unsigned senior to test the waters further.

From his junior year to senior year, Edwards said his mental composure is perhaps the aspect of his game that he’s sharpened the most.

“I’ve definitely grown mentally,” he said. “From what the coaches have installed in my head, things they’re teaching me on and off the court. I’ve been in the weight room

and gotten a little bit bigger and stronger.”

Edwards has provided good scoring and defense at point guard that compliments shooting guard Travis Anderson throughout the Rams’ playoff run this season. He’s a leader on a squad that is visiting the state semifinals for the second straight time. Grayson lost to state runner-up Norcross, and there is a state championship scenario that includes a Grayson-Norcross rematch if both teams fare well Saturday night.

Edwards is one of Grayson’s three senior starters, and this year’s Rams have featured four of the team’s five starters from last season. Experience is certainly on Grayson’s side, and that composure showed Wednesday night, when Pebblebrook rallied to pull within one possession of Grayson late in the game. Meadowcreek, Grayson’s semifinal opponent, boasts height to match that of forward Terance Porter. Experience will meet innocence, as Edwards will likely match up with the Mustangs’ freshman guard Kendrick Green.

“It really doesn’t even matter who you play, every team you play is going to give you their best shot, no matter who it is,” Edwards said. “It’s going to come down to that one game.”

gwinnettdailypost.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018 • 5B

Getting To Know … Jamie Gleeson As few as seven years ago, Jamie Gleeson was playing soccer for head coach Mike Burrell at Dacula High School. Now, after a collegiate career at the University of North Georgia, Gleeson is back in Gwinnett County in his third season serving as an assistant coach to Burrell at Collins Hill. He recently spoke with staff writer David Friedlander about a variety of subjects, including the transition from being a player to now an assistant to his former coach, how much the high school soccer landscape has changed in a relatively short time and the direction he sees his career going DF: You had many different experiences playing for Mike Burrell at Dacula not too long ago. I have to think the successes the team had in those years have to be among your most fond memories there.

JG: Yeah, we’d never won a region title (before 2010). Really, we were struggling before Mike took the program. He started some new stuff and we had some good guys who could come through and we ended up doing really well. It was the first region championship we ever had at Dacula.

DF: So how cool was it to not only come back home to Gwinnett County right after college, but to be coaching under Mike?

JG: I’ve had a really good blessing of having some really great coaches in my life. Mike has

definitely been one of them. He helped me get to college, helped me play in college. So it was good stuff to be able to come back and coach with him.

DF: What do you think that helps you bring to your job now? I guess you have to know what he’s looking to accomplish and stuff like that.

But what specific advantages to you feel like playing for him brings to now being one of his assistants?

JG: It gets us to be honest with each other, I think. One of the biggest things, me being the assistant coach and him being the head coach, is offering new ideas. I know that Mike and I trust each other coming from those playing days. He trusted me enough as a player and I trusted him as a coach.

And we have that same trust now to offer different opinions and not butt heads, but do it appropriately and be able to understand each other. I definitely know what gets him to tick and what doesn’t. I remember that from when I was a kid, and I remember it now. It’s nice for me to be able to pass that along to the guys.

DF: I guess by definition, the relationship has to be a little different from what it was back then, but still, he’s the coach and you were the player, and now assistant.

Is there still part of that dynamic there?

JG: No. We honestly really share everything.

He and I are extremely close. I remember when I

winning last year and a couple of years ago, Berkmar winning. Generally, all these programs that weren’t always in line. It used to be the Brookwoods and the Parkviews. Now all of a sudden, it’s like you say, more of a level playing Jamie Gleefield, … which is a good son is in the middle of his thing at the end of the day. third season DF: Even with the serving as landscape having an assistant changed a bit, it still has coach to to be nice to be back Mike Burrell home in Gwinnett, and at Collins really close to where you Hill. (Photo: grew up just a little bit David Friedup (Ga.) Highway 316. lander) JG: Growing up in (the Dacula) program was was in (college), he’d ask high school soccer. Now always the best. Every time me what I was majoring that you’ve come back I can remember, I was alin, what I’m going to do as a coach, how do you ways making some kind of (afterwards), We kind of think that decision has run in the playoffs, it was kept that relationship going affected the high school always Collins Hill who ever since then. As soon as scene here? came up and, unfortunateI got into coaching and go JG: I think high school ly, overcame us. But it’s into teaching, he brought and club offer different me down here. I couldn’t things. I think high school good to come to a program where just the excellence be any happier about that. definitely offers a sense is standard. … Carrying DF: What do you feel of community, a sense of it on here is just continulike you learned most fighting for your school, ing a tradition in Gwinnett from him as a player? a sense of physicality and soccer.

JG: Probably to be playing against guys who DF: I don’t know what physical. I think that’s one are older. But having that of the things he’s really D.A. program has made it reminded me of this, but as I was doing some demanded, and it really a little bit different. Some research on your career helped me out in college. of our players who would What to move on and to be be quite good for our pro- for this, I did a Google able to use our bodies. Re- gram and for others around search on your name.

Are you aware there is ally, that was back before the county don’t end up a professional player in we were getting a lot of being able to play high the United Kingdom who college exposure, and that school soccer. shares your name? was one of the biggest DF: It certainly apJG: (Laughs) Yes, I am. differences between high pears to have leveled the school and college. That playing field a bit consid- I wish I had that man’s and the speed. ering how many different success.

DF: Well looking at DF: Now that reminds teams have won state me up another interesting championships in recent his career, that Jamie years, doesn’t it?

Gleeson hasn’t exactly subject you might have JG: It’s definitely a been a superstar, but he some insight on. Just after you left for college, more open field for people has played professionally to fight for state chamfor several teams. the U.S. Developmental pionships. You’ve seen JG: Right, exactly. You Academy no longer althat with Meadowcreek know, that actually was me lowed its players to play

Mill Creek soccer hires Brookwood’s George

(laughs).

DF: Do you get a lot of teasing from the players about that?

JG: No, actually. That’s actually the first time someone’s brought that up besides myself. Every now and then, you just Google your name for some reason, and that keeps on popping up for me.

DF: I’m a little surprised that these kids, who know about pro soccer overseas, haven’t picked up on that.

JG: They will now, for sure.

DF: Back here in the states, and now looking ahead, being such a young coach, do you harbor any thoughts about following in Mike’s footsteps and pursuing a head coaching opportunity some day in the future?

JG: Of course. That’s kind of what we’ve working towards, Mike giving me good insights as to what it takes to be a head coach, especially in such a competitive place like Gwinnett County. Obviously, I want to be a head coach (one day). I want to go on in his footsteps and just continue the excellence this county and this school especially have brought.

DF: And I guess you can’t ask for a better role model?

JG: No, obviously not.

He’s a fantastic guy and he’s been somebody I’ve looked up to since I was a kid, and working with him now is giving me some good insight as to what I can do.

By Will Hammock

gone from our house in Lawrenceville to Stockbridge and to Kennesaw Mill Creek has announced a change in and to Atlanta. Now she’s the boys soccer program after this season, working up in Braselton a shakeup necessitated when current head and just to be fair to her, coach Brett Godwin accepted another job we wanted to potentially Stephen for the 2018-19 school year. make a move up there.

George Godwin will become the head boys socAnd it’s a good place to cer coach at Denmark, a new high school live, a good place to raise a family. in Forsyth County. His replacement at Mill “When the opportunity (at Mill Creek) Creek will be current Brookwood head was presented to me, it’s not a great time coach Stephen George. ever to leave Brookwood, but at this point “Stephen’s an excellent coach, an outand time it’s the right thing to do. … Mill standing teacher, exactly the kind of guy Creek’s a newer school in comparison to we were looking for,” Mill Creek athletic Brookwood, but they’ve had success over and activities director Gary Long said. the years and made it to the state champi“We’re going to miss Brett. He’s going onship when they played against us. They to the new Forsyth high school Denmark, have a wealth of talent with the amount which is basically like going home for of students they have. And I’m very good him. He’s a Lambert grad. And it’s much friends the the girls coach Vince (Hayes) closer to home for him. … He’s a great and I think we’ll work together really well. guy. We’ve really enjoyed his time here.

We’ll work as a team to improve the boys He’s a great coach and he’s been a great side and the girls side as well.” role model for our kids.

Mill Creek is 27-14 under Godwin, in “Stephen was the clear-cut choice for his third season as head coach. His Hawks us (to replace Godwin). I think he’s just an reached the second round of the state playoutstanding coach. He’s going to bring an offs last year and went 15-3 in his debut excellent level of expectations that we’ve season in 2016. come to expect at Mill Creek High School George is also in his third season as for a coach and a teacher. I know he’s an head coach. He has a 33-12-1 record at excellent teacher. He’s been working with Brookwood, including a quarterfinal apAP government classes (at Brookwood) pearance last season and a semifinal trip in and his students have done well on their 2016. He was an assistant on the Broncos’ test scores. It’s the same thing in soccer.

2014 state championship team and was His kids are always extremely competitive a player when Brookwood won the 2004 and well-coached.” state title.

George’s decision to leave his current “I care about the program obviously, beprogram wasn’t easy — he broke the news ing a player there and coaching there now to his players Wednesday at practice — in for seven years,” George said. “I care about large part because of his long connection the guys. It’s never going to be easy to to Brookwood, from which he graduated leave. But sometimes at the end of the day, in 2006. He has been on the Broncos’ you have to do what is best for your famcoaching staff for seven seasons, the last ily. And Brookwood will be fine. There’s three as head coach. going to be a laundry list of coaches who His current team is 4-2 and ranked ninth want to come in there. in Class AAAAAAA. “I’m sure they’ll get the experience the “Me and my family have been lookprogram deserves. I know Coach (Jason) ing to move up toward that (Mill Creek) Dopson (Brookwood’s athletic and activiarea,” George said. “My wife has had to ties director) and (principal) Mr. (Bo) Ford commute quite a bit over the years. She’s will find a good coach to come in there.” will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com

NASCAR goes west to Las Vegas

IN BRIEF 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Jimmie Johnson is the most successIn the spirit of the “numbers game” ful driver at the 1.5-mile speedway with that characterizes the Las Vegas area four wins – the last in 2010 - six tophosting NASCAR’s three national series fives and nine top-10 finishes and he this weekend, here are some jackpot also tops the series in driver rating (112), trends and statistics to consider as NAS- laps led (582), laps running in the top-15 CAR starts its three-race western swing (76.7 percent), fastest laps (445) and (#NASCARGoesWest) with the Pennzoil quality passes (496) at the track.

Buford’s Audrey Weiner (23) goes up for a 3-pointer in front of Eagle’s Landing’s Jaleah Storr (10) during Tuesday’s Class AAAAA quarterfinal playoff game at Buford Arena in Buford. (Photo: Karl L. Moore)

Buford benefits from its versatile shooting guard

By Taylor Denman taylor.denman @gwinnettdailypost.com

Audrey Weiner is a basketball player first, but her talents as a singer come out during both Buford’s chorus concerts and on the team bus.

The well-rounded Buford senior tries to take the same approach to basketball.

Weiner is a 5-foot-11 guard for the Wolves, who can typically be found spreading out opposing defenses from the corner during Buford’s offensive possessions. Weiner’s range is valuable to Buford, but she’s also honed her ability to drive, draw defenders and kick to open players.

This tatic works even on nights when she may not be shooting efficiently.

“Audrey does a great job stretching defenses for us,” Buford coach Gene Durden said. “When you have a shooter with great range, it creates a lot of driving lanes for our penetrators.

She draws a lot of attention because they know she can shoot it.

“She definitely plays a part of our defensive system. She’s got to be able to rebound because she is a good size for a guard.”

Weiner, who committed to play college basketball for the Air Force Academy, said third-year head coach

Chris Gobrecht also values her size as a third guard that can provide the Falcons defensive versatility when she checks into the game. She can stretch defenses by shooting 3-pointers like she does at Buford, but also box out and defend bigger players at the three position.

“They have me set up to be a stretch three and versatile, not just be a shooter,” Weiner said.

She knows she’ll have to become even more versatile to create an immediate impact at the college level, and Durden said she’s taken steps during the second half of Buford’s season to expand her basketball resume.

“They’re going to want her to be more than a shooter and scorer,” Durden said. “At the college level, you’ll have to be able to do it all.”

Weiner comes from a family of athletes. Her mother and aunt both played basketball at Kansas State, so Weiner’s interest in basketball began as a second grader. She has three brothers, one adopted, and enjoys going on mission trips when she’s out of school. Her father also played football in the NFL. “Athletics is kind of what my family does,” Weiner said.

Weiner wrapped up her official college visits last

summer and settled on Air Force based on the opportunity, which seemed both rigorous and beneficial for her interest in mechanical engineering. She’s also eager to be the first in her immediate family to commit to serving in the military.

“I know it’s going to be challenging and a completely different lifestyle,” Weiner said. “I know it will be really challenging at first, but when I graduate I’ll be able to get a good job, and it will be worth it in the long run.”

Weiner’s senior season has led her to her fourth Final Four berth, and the opportunity for a third state title with the Buford girls basketball team. The Buford class of 2018 is 16-1 in playoff games, the lone loss coming in Weiner’s sophomore season to eventual state champion Americus-Sumter in the semifinals.

Weiner shot 1-for-8 Tuesday night in the quarterfinals against Eagle’s Landing, but that’s where her ever-improving versatility is critical. When shots don’t fall, Weiner steps up in other ways.

“Defense is one of the controllable factors,” she said. “Playing defense is what we need to do to win, not just rely on scoring because scoring can sometimes be inconsistent.”

6B • FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

gwinnettdailypost.com

ATLANTA UNITED 2018 SEASON PREVIEW

Troy sends Panthers to fourth loss in five games

By David Friedlander

Atlanta United’s Julian Gressel (24) trips over Columbus Crew SC’s Harrison Afful during the second half of their playoff match against Columbus Crew SC at MercedesBenz Stadium in Atlanta. (Staff Photo: Jason Braverman)

Re-United MLS club opens season with new expectations

By Taylor Denman taylor.denman @gwinnettdailypost.com

Atlanta United FC’s inaugural season set the club up for nothing but an optimistic opening to its second campaign in 2018.

The Five Stripes, who lost two starters from last season, had filled in the gap in their lineup left

by Yamil Asad by adding 18-year-old Argentinian phenom Ezequiel Barco, whose $15 million deal is the most expensive in MLS history.

That debut, to the dismay of fans and members of the club, will now be delayed four to six weeks. Barco suffered a quad injury during training Tuesday that will scratch him from the active roster for Atlanta United’s season opener against Houston Dynamo on Saturday. The loss left manager Tata Martino tinkering with his lineup during training on Thursday, searching for the right fit to bridge the interim between Barco’s recovery and his debut.

Martino didn’t indicate with whom or how he would replace Barco after training Thursday afternoon.

“It’s a shame because he’s been working hard in training,” Martino said through a translator. “We just have to have patience and try to fill the needs of the team as best we can.”

While Martino was not forth coming, players suggested there are several options — like midfielders Miguel Almiron and Darlington Nagbe — who can change positions to cover for Barco.

Barco’s injury just days before his debut is disappointing, but comes with an early-season silver lining.

In some respects, United looks very similar to the way in appeared at the start of last season (the squad lost starting defensive midfielder Carlos Carmona in addition to Asad, and goalkeeper Brad Guzan will open the season one year after Alec Kann did so in 2017). Atlanta returns young offensive sparkplugs Josef Martiniez — who led the squad with 19 goals despite missing 14 games to injury — and Almiron — third on the team with nine goals last season and first with 14 assists. Atlanta’s youth permeates to the midfield with the return of MLS Rookie of the Year Julian Gressel, who made 24 starts for Atlanta in 2017,

2018 SCHEDULE MARCH March 3, 3:30 p.m. — at Houston Dynamo March 11, 3 p.m. — vs. D.C. United March 17, 7:30 p.m. — vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC APRIL April 1, 2 p.m. — at Minnesota United April 7, 5 p.m. — vs. LAFC April 15, 6 p.m. — vs. New York City FC April 21, 10:30 p.m. — at LA Galaxy April 28, 1 p.m. — vs. Montreal Impact MAY May 5, 6 p.m. — at Chicago Fire May 9, 7:30 p.m. — vs. Sporting Kansas City May 13, 6 p.m. — at Orlando City SC May 20, 7 p.m. — vs. New York Red Bulls May 30, 7:30 p.m. — at New England Revolution JUNE June 2, 7 p.m. — vs. Philadelphia Union June 9, 12:30 p.m. — at New York City FC June 13, 7:30 p.m. — at Columbus Crew SC June 24, 4:30 p.m. — vs. Portland Timbers June 30, 7 p.m. — vs. Orlando City SC JULY July 4, 8 p.m. — at FC Dallas July 7, 7 p.m. — at Philadelphia Union July 15, 2 p.m. — vs. Seattle Sounders FC July 21, 3:30 p.m. — vs. D.C. United July 28, 7:30 p.m. — at Montreal Impact AUGUST Aug. 4, 4 p.m. — vs. Toronto FC Aug. 19, 4 p.m. — vs. Columbus Crew SC Aug. 24, 8 p.m. — at Orlando City SC SEPTEMBER Sept. 2, 5:30 p.m. — at D.C. United Sept. 15, 3:30 p.m. — at Colorado Rapids Sept. 19, 10:30 p.m. — at San Jose Earthquakes Sept. 22, 7 p.m. — vs. Real Salt Lake Sept. 30, 1 p.m. — at New York Red Bulls OCTOBER Oct. 6, 3:30 p.m. — vs. New England Revolution Oct. 21, Noon — vs. Chicago Fire Oct. 28, 4:30 p.m. — at Toronto FC

as well as second-leading goal scorer Hector Villalba (13). The back line is anchored by team captain Michael Parkhurst in addition to experienced starters Greg Garza and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez.

Parkhurst’s veteran experience is matched by that of 13-year veteran Jeff Larentowicz in the midfield, whom Atlanta worked to resign in the offseason.

Atlanta United made a few additions during the offseason, besides adding Barco. Nagbe spent the last seven seasons with the Portland Timbers.

The veteran midfielder — teammates with Guzan and Garza on the U.S. Men’s National Team that failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia — is less of a scoring threat (27 career goals and 30 assists) than an efficient passer and safety valve for Atlanta’s offense.

“It feels good … (the hardest adjustment is) just (learning) movement, knowing where they want me to be when I have the ball and don’t have the ball,” Nagbe said. “Just getting to know my teammates better.”

Atlanta United’s youth could also be in the spotlight. Homegrown midfielder Andrew Carleton has trained with the first team and saw

minutes during the club’s preseason. He may be a logical fill-in for Barco, but Martino has been extremely cautious not to rush Carleton’s development, though he will travel with the team to Houston.

Houston features speedy attackers, including forward Alberth Elis, that led the Dynamo on a deep playoff run before being swept by the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference final. Gonzalez Pirez said Atlanta will have to protect from dangerous long balls by maintaining possession. Atlanta plays its first home game March 11 against D.C. United, which beat the club three times in 2017.

Garza acknowledged United probably exceeded most expectations last year with a Knockout Round finish in the MLS Playoffs. The Five Stripes’ goal this season is more ambitious: win the MLS Cup. “We have some new faces that might see the field on Saturday, but other than that everything is the same,” Garza said.

“We have the same objectives, same goals and then hopefully we can finish better this season than we did last season. I think we set the bar pretty high last year, hopefully, we build off that same image.”

coach Ron Hunter said.

“Give credit to Troy. … david.friedlander@gwinThey’ve had our number. nettdailypost.com No team in the (SBC) has ATLANTA — Defense kind of had our number has been the biggest islike that. sue for the Georgia State “Like I told the (playmen’s basketball team for ers), we haven’t been the the better part of the last same since the second month. half of the (Louisiana-) That issue reared its Lafayette game (a 106-92 head again Thursday win Feb. 8). We’ve lost night, as visiting Troy an edge. Something we bombed away from took pride in was our 3-point range in the first defense. … We’ve just half to stay close, and not been that team.” made their move on the Troy attacked the Paninside in the second half thers’ 1-3-1 zone from to roll to an 83-70 win the perimeter in the first before 1,793 fans at the half, hitting 8 of 17 shots GSU Sports Arena. from 3-point range in While the Trojans the opening 20 minutes (15-15, 9-8 in Sun Belt to stay close even after Conference) shot 46.4 another big performance percent (12 of 26) from from D’Marcus Simonds.

3-point range on the The 6-foot-3 sophoevening, it was the inside more wing, who started game, led by Jordon his high school career at Varnado’s game-high 26 Buford before graduating points and Alex Hicks’ from Gainesville, scored double-double (12 points, GSU’s first seven points 11 rebounds) that helped of the game on his way to the Trojans overcome 17 points in the first half. a four-point halftime And an 8-2 run late in deficit. the first half, capped by It also helped send the a 3-pointer from Collins reeling Panthers (20-10, Hill grad Devin Mitchell, 11-6) to their fourth loss helped the Panthers take the last five games. a 42-38 lead into inter“We’re struggling a mission. little bit right now,” GSU But in the second

half, GSU shot just 33.3 percent from the floor (10 of 30), while Troy began to pound the paint after Mitchell’s layup with 19:12 to play matched the halftime lead of four points at 44-40.

A four-point play by Javan Johnson after being fouled in the act on a bucket from beyond the arc ignited a 17-3 run, which Varnado capped with a three-point play with 13:54 remaining to give Troy a 57-47 lead, and GSU never got any closer than seven points after that.

“This wasn’t the conference tournament,” Hunter said. “So if we’re going to play bad, let’s get it over with now. … One thing about this group, they don’t like to lose. So maybe that choppiness will come back.”

Wesley Person (15 points) and Kevin Baker (17 points) also reached double figures for Troy.

Meanwhile, Simonds poured in a game-high 27 points to lead GSU, while the Panthers also got 14 points form Mitchell and 10 points and six rebounds from Jeff Thomas.

Seniors lead Jackets to comeback over NC State From Staff Reports

minutes to go. Okogie’s go-ahead three capped a ATLANTA — Georgia 21-9 run for the Yellow Tech men’s basketball Jackets. never led in the first 30 From there, the lead minutes of the game but changed hands nine times rallied to stun visiting NC in at 8:12 span before State, 78-75, on ThursGeorgia Tech (12-18, 5-12 day night at McCamish ACC) scored seven of the Pavilion. game’s final 10 points to NC State scored the first end its seven-game losing seven points of the game skid. The Yellow Jackets’ and maintained the advan- first victory since a 55-51 tage until a Josh Okogie win over Syracuse on Jan. three-pointer gave Georgia 31 also snapped a fourTech a 58-55 lead with 10 game winning streak for

NC State (20-10, 10-7 ACC).

Playing in the penultimate home game of their Georgia Tech careers, Yellow Jacket seniors Tadric Jackson and Ben Lammers led all scorers with 22 and 20 points, respectively. Lammers also added a career-high seven assists.

The win was the 200th of Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner’s nineyear head-coaching career.

PREP ROUNDUP

Buford gymnastics shines From staff reports ATLANTA — Buford topped five other teams in a gymnastics meet held Thursday at Westminster.

Kelsey Schulman led the Wolves by taking the AllAround title. Schulman placed first on vault, bars and floor while placing third on beam. Mackenzie Buffo was first on beam, third on

floor and placed second in the all-around. Caroline Snell took third in allaround behind third place finishes on beam and floor.

RIFLERY RIFELRY

Buford 1124, White County 1020 BUFORD — Buford improved its record to

8-0 with a 1124-1020 win over visiting White County on Thursday. Jacob Etheridge led the Wolves with a 283 while Morgan Adams and Austin Cole each recorded a 281. Taylor King scored 279. The Wolves will shoot at the Area 6 championship next week at the University of North Georgia.

Browns listening to offers for No. 1 overall draft pick Field Level Media

Jim Kelly announced in a statement released by the New Cleveland Browns team that his oral cancer has general manager John returned.

Dorsey called this a “pivotal” Kelly, 58, was diagnosed offseason for the franchise with squamous cell carciand is open to all possibilinoma in his upper jaw and ties with the team’s top picks had surgery to remove it in in the 2018 NFL Draft next 2013. The cancer returned in month.

2014 and Kelly underwent That includes potentially chemotherapy and radiation trading the No. 1 or No. 4 treatment. overall picks the Browns “As our family has faced currently hold. many trials and triumphs “My door is wide open,” throughout the years, you Dorsey said at the NFL have blessed us with your Scouting Combine on prayers. We are asking for Thursday when asked if those prayers once again. he would consider trading The oral cancer we hoped one or both picks to acquire would be gone forever has more selections. “My job returned,” Kelly’s statement is to do what’s best for the read. organization, and I’m going • To Penn State running to do that.” back Saquon Barkley, the “There’s a lot of things I 2018 NFL Draft will be could do at No. 1,” Dorsey about being part of someadded. “Right now we’re thing bigger than himself. early in the process. You Even if, Barkley said with can’t have enough good a smile, that means he winds football players.” up with a team that has only • Pro Football Hall one victory in the past two of Famer and legendary seasons — the Browns, Buffalo Bills quarterback who own two of the top four

picks.

“That’d be awesome.

Something bigger than you,” Barkley said at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“If you go to a team like that, obviously, they’ve had some rough years. But I think they’re just a couple of pieces away. They do have a lot of young talent. They’ve brought in a new offensive coordinator. They only won one game, but they were in a lot of games. You want to be a part of something like that.

Something that’s bigger than yourself. Something that will leave a legacy. Being a part of something special.”

• The Seattle Seahawks are open to trading Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Bennett, according to a report from ESPN. Bennett, 32, signed a three-year, $30.5 million extension with Seattle in December of 2016. He’ll carry a cap hit of nearly $7.4 million in 2018, which is notable for the cash-strapped Seahawks.

gwinnettdailypost.com

world Ghani: Women must be in ‘every part’ of Taliban peace process

Friday, March 2, 2018 • 7B

world&nation Tariffs to be put on steel, aluminum

By Jeremy Diamond CNN

President Donald Trump said Thursday his adminisAfghan President Ashraf tration will impose tariffs Ghani says women must be on steel and aluminum part of any peace process imports next week, a with the Taliban, a factor that highly controversial move could dash hopes for historic that Trump framed along talks with the militant group. national security lines.

“Our women have Trump said the U.S. will emerged to speak for themimpose a 25 percent tariff selves, to take great public on steel imports and a 10 positions. We have 10 deputy percent tariff on aluminum, ministers, five women amcapping a fierce, monthsbassadors, three ministers. long internal debate They’re increasingly acthat divided some of the tive. They are going to be president’s top advisers. engaged in every part of the Anticipating the move, peace process,” Ghani told experts have said the move CNN’s Christiane Amanpour is likely to invite retaliaon Thursday in an exclusive tory measures from foreign interview. countries.

However, the Taliban’s It was not immedifundamentalist interpretaately clear whether Trump tion of Islam treats women would exempt some as second-class citizens, and countries from the tariffs, including women in any as his national security attempts at talks could keep advisers have urged him the militant group from the to do to avoid hurting key negotiating table.

U.S. allies.

That leaves Ghani with Trump announced the the delicate task of trying to move during a hastily ardraw in the Taliban while ranged listening session keeping the country’s liberal with steel and aluminum Western allies on board. executives, even though the policy he announced is Nigeria hits record not yet ready to be implemented. high with 72 dead The president told aides from Lassa fever on Wednesday to lay the groundwork for him to anNigeria is facing its worst nounce new tariffs on steel Lassa fever outbreak on and aluminum imports the record, with 72 people connext day, sending them firmed to be dead from the scrambling to determine virus and 317 infected, acwhat specific policy he cording to the World Health Organization.

A further 764 are suspected to be infected, and 2,845 contacts have been identified.

Pruitt says flying On average, Lassa fever is deadly in 1 percent of all coach is under individuals infected, with consideration higher rates of 15 percent Environmental Protection morbidity among people Agency Administrator Scott hospitalized for the illness.

As of Sunday, the case fatal- Pruitt said Thursday he’ll be ity ratio was 22 percent, acseeking alternative accomcording to the Nigeria Centre modations — including for Disease Control. potentially flying in coach Although it’s endemic to class — on his “very next the country, Lassa fever num- flight” amid an internal probe bers have never reached this into his government travel. proportion before, according Pruitt told CBS News’ to the WHO. “The Takeout” podcast that Nigeria’s Centre for Dishe’s instructed the agency to ease Control said Wednesday accommodate security needs that it was facing an “unprec- — a frequent reason why edented outbreak” that has the EPA justified his flight spread to 18 states since it upgrades — “in all ways, began in January. alternate ways, up to and including flying coach, and that’s going to happen on my KFC still trying very next flight.” to keep chicken Pruitt said that “there have been incidents on planes” stocked in U.K. and in airports that resulted It’s been nearly two in the previous decision to weeks since fast food fans permit his first-class travel. first raised the alarm: KFC “These threats have been restaurants in the U.K. were unprecedented from the very running out of chicken. beginning and the quantity The chicken shortage, and type are unprecedented,” caused by a logistics snafu, he said. forced hundreds of restauHenry Barnet, director of rants to temporarily close. the EPA’s Office of Criminal KFC apologized to outraged, Enforcement, recounted to and amused, customers.

Politico an example of the But the crisis has not yet threats Pruitt is facing. Barnet been fully resolved. KFC said Pruitt was approached said Thursday that roughly at the airport in Atlanta 3 percent of its 900 stores in October several times, in the U.K. remain closed. including an incident with Hundreds of other locations one individual yelling “‘Scott were open, but offering only Pruitt, you’re f---ing up the a limited menu. environment,’ those sort of Lettuce was in short terms,” while recording the supply on Thursday, but incident on his cellphone. customers also complained on social media about a lack U.S. ambassador of corn, beans and wraps. to Mexico is One Twitter user ordered a “Tower” burger, but it came stepping down without hash browns, cheese The U.S. ambassador and lettuce.

— From wire reports to Mexico has announced

nation

people Unreleased Winehouse demo surfaces

A demo recorded by a then-17-year-old Amy Winehouse has been released online.

“My Own Way” was recorded in 2001 by composer and musician Gil Cang when the singer visited his London studio.

Winehouse died from alcohol intoxication at the age of 27 in 2011.

Cang told the Camden New Journal he co-wrote the song with co-composer President Donald Trump said Thursday his administration will impose tariffs on steel James McMillan. and aluminum imports next week, a highly controversial move that Trump framed along He said Winehouse renational security lines. (Photo: CNN) corded it as a part of a demo could announce and others Counsel made clear to whether an announcement to try and attract record companies to give her a deal. racing to contact execupolicy staffers that they was feasible.

“It was September 2001 tives and union representa- needed more time — perThe president, meanand her first album hadn’t tives from the industry to haps several more weeks while, continued to press come out,” he said. “She attend the announcement at — to turn the Commerce on via Twitter: “Our Steel hadn’t signed for Island the White House, multiple Department’s recommenand Aluminum industries Records then.” sources said. dations into a proclama(and many others) have Some of the aides who tion that would impose the been decimated by dehave been crafting the tariffs Trump has sought to cades of unfair trade and Bobby Brown policy were caught off levy on steel and alumibad policy with countries guard by the plans for an num imports. from around the world. We doesn’t think drugs killed announcement, which The “Maybe he wants to must not let our country, Washington Post first remake an announcement, companies and workers Whitney Houston ported Wednesday night. but the proclamation isn’t be taken advantage of any Six years after WhitThe White House added ready,” one White House longer. We want free, fair ney Houston’s death, her a last-minute event with official said. “Without the and SMART TRADE!” ex-husband says he doesn’t Commerce Secretary Wil- proclamation, nothing has It wasn’t immedithink drugs played a part in bur Ross and steel and alu- legal force.” ately clear what sparked the superstar’s accidental minum industry represenAs of mid-morning Trump’s sudden desire to tatives at the White House on Thursday, a White make the policy announce- drowning, which a coroner ruled also owed in part to the on Thursday morning.

House official said there ment within 24 hours, but Earlier on Wednesday, were no firm plans for an his directive for a next-day effects of “cocaine use.”

“I don’t think (Whitney) lawyers in the White announcement, and one announcement came as the House Counsel’s Office White House official said White House was engulfed died from drugs,” singer and the Justice Departthe discussion was goin its latest string of nega- Bobby Brown told Rolling Stone in an interview ment’s Office of Legal ing “back and forth” on tive headlines. published Wednesday. “She was really working hard on herself to try to be a sober terrorist organization and person.” obstruction of justice for Brown, who was married allegedly misleading law enforcement agents investi- to Houston from 1992 to gating the massacre on June 2007, rejected the notion that drugs were a factor in her 12, 2016. death, even after his wife and Salman has pleaded not manager Alicia Etheredgeguilty to all the charges. If Brown noted during the convicted, she could face interview that there were life in prison. drugs in Houston’s system Prosecutors believe when she died in 2012 in a Salman was aware of her Los Angeles hotel bathtub.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott husband’s plans and will Asked what he believes Pruitt said Thursday he is considering flying coach after argue that she could have led to Houston’s death, criticism of his use of first-class seats to conduct busi- tipped off authorities to Brown said: “Just being prevent the mass shootness. (Photo: CNN) brokenhearted.” ing at the gay nightclub, that she is stepping down in Daniel Frisiello, 24, was which left 49 people dead May. charged with five counts and more than 50 others Oprah gave Roberta Jacobson made of mailing a threat and five wounded.

Mindy Kaling a the announcement in a counts of false information tweet in Spanish on Thurs- and hoaxes. The announce- NYT: Kushner’s large baby gift day, “I will be departing at ment said Frisiello was You can either do things the beginning of May, in arrested Thursday morning business got the regular way, or the Oprah search of other opportuniand is scheduled to ap$500M in loans way. Take gift-giving, for ties.” pear in federal court in the after meetings example.

The resignation comes at afternoon.

White House senior Mindy Kaling recently a time when U.S. relations The complaint said adviser Jared Kushner’s told USA Today that her with Mexico have been investigators were able to strained over issues related identify Frisiello by tracing family real estate group ob- “A Wrinkle in Time” costar tained business loans after went big to celebrate the to trade and migration and, a glitter bomb he ordered Jacobson ended her tweet with his name to one of the Kushner met with the com- birth of Kaling’s daughter, pany heads in his official Katherine, in December — stating, “We are Stronger people who also received government capacity, The way big, as in a hand-carved Together!” the suspicious powder. bookcase.

“I do it knowing the “You are an awful, awful New York Times reported “I got a call from my U.S.-Mexico relationship is person,” court filings accuse Wednesday.

According to the Times, assistant. She said, ‘Oprah’s strong and vital and that this Frisiello of writing to Presiassistant contacted me, she’d amazing Mission Mexico dent Donald Trump’s eldest Kushner met with Joshua Harris, one of the founders like to drop off a present,’” team will continue to ensure son. “I am surprised that Kaling told the newspaper. of Apollo Global Manageit remains so. At this time, your father lets you speak “I’m thinking, that’s so nice, I have no news to share on on TV. You make the family ment, on multiple occalike, (it’s) probably flowers. sions while advising the my successor.” idiot, Eric, look smart.”

“Two men are going to be Trump administration on coming to your house, they infrastructure policy, three Feds announce Trial opens for said, with a U-Haul truck.” people familiar with the arrest in Trump Jr. widow of Pulse Suffice it to say, Kaling was meetings said. excited.

The topic of a job at threat letter case club shooter When the truck arrived, the White House was also A Massachusetts man has Survivors of the 2016 brought up, though it never the gift was hardly a boubeen charged after Donald Pulse nightclub shooting are materialized. In November, quet.

Trump Jr.’s family and opening old wounds to seek Apollo’s real estate group The delivery was “a others received threatenjustice as the trial of the hand-carved bookcase, pretlent Kushner Companies ing letters with suspicious gunman’s widow opens in tier than any professional $184 million to refinance powder last month, the U.S. Orlando. dollhouse you had ever seen the mortgage of a Chicago attorney for Massachusetts Jury selection began that contained a hundred of skyscraper. The size of announced Thursday.

Thursday in the federal the classic essential books in the loan, according to the The criminal complaint trial of Noor Salman, who Times, was triple the size of children’s literature,” Kaling filed by U.S. attorney is charged with providing their average property loan. said.

— From wire reports Andrew Lelling’s office said material support to a foreign — From wire reports

Selfies make taker’s nose look 30 percent bigger, study claims

By Mark Lieber CNN

Taking selfies at a distance of about 12 inches from the face increases perceived nose size by nearly 30 percent, according to a report published Thursday in the journal JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.

Researchers now are cautioning that patients interested in cosmetic procedures should not turn to selfphotographs as guidance when

Must read considering making changes to their faces.

“Patients, people, even my family have to be aware that if you’re taking a selfie, it’s not really how you look,” said Dr. Boris Paskhover, a facial plastics and reconstructive surgeon at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and a leading author on the study.

“Selfies make your nose look

wider and thicker when it really isn’t, and people like a smaller nose,” Paskhover said. “My fear is that the generation out there now doesn’t know. All they know is the selfie.”

Selfies have quickly become emblematic of our time, thanks in part to the popularity of social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. Within its first year of existence, Google Photos saw more than 25 billion selfies uploaded onto its servers, according

to Anil Sabharwal, vice president of Google Photos.

To put that into perspective, there are about 8 billion people living on the entire planet.

The selfie phenomenon might be causing people to engage in surgeries based on photographs that distort their features, Paskhover said.

According to a 2018 poll conducted by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, 55 percent of

surgeons reported having patients who said they were seeking cosmetic procedures to improve their perceived appearance in selfies or other photos posted on social media in 2017, up from 42 percent in 2016.

The JAMA study relied on data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to approximate the facial dimensions of individuals from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds in the United States.

8B • friDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

gwinnettdailypost.com FAMILY CIRCUS Bill Keane Today’s Solution

BEETLE BAILEY Mort & Greg Walker

BLONDIE Dean Young & John Marshall

DILBERT® Scott Adams

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE Chris Browne

Zits Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

PEANUTS Charles M. Schulz

GARFIELD Jim Davis

POOCH CAFE Paul Gilligan

PICKLES Brian Crane

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers.

The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.

Solution to today's Sudoku

WHATZIT SOLUTION:

Today's Answer: Reserves

0302_GDP_FRI_CLASS_Classifieds 3/1/2018 4:20 PM Page B9

gwinnettdailypost.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018 • B9

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018 CONSTRUCTION/ SERVICE BIDS CONSTRUCTION/ SERVICE BIDS ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Residential and Commercial Solid Waste & Recycling Collection Services: RFP 18-003 The full solicitation document for this project is available here: https://www. peachtreecornersga.gov/ businesses/doing-businesswith-the-city/rfp-bidding The City of Peachtree Corners (the City) will receive sealed technical and fee proposals until March 30, 2018, 12:00 EDT, for the above referenced services which are described in the schedules attached hereto. The City invites service providers to submit proposals responsive to the specific requirements set forth in this request for proposals (RFP).

Any questions and/or specifications that may need clarification should be submitted in writing, according to the attached schedule, and submitted to the City’s representative electronically only at gramsey@peachtreecornersga.gov. It shall be the Service Provider’s responsibility to seek clarification as early as possible prior to the opening of Proposals.

The envelopes containing the Proposal must be sealed and addressed to: Greg Ramsey, P.E. City of Peachtree Corners 310 Technology Parkway Peachtree Corners, Georgia 30092 And plainly marked “Commercial and Residential Solid Waste and Recycle Collection Service.” The envelope must bear on the outside the name of the Service Provider, the Service Provider’s address and the number assigned to this RFP. No proposal may be withdrawn or modified in any way after the deadline for proposal openings. The envelope should also contain one electronic version of the submittal on a flash drive.

Proposals must be valid for ninety (90) days following the opening date. The Service Providers’ response shall include a technical proposal and fee proposal with all other information requested in this Request for Proposal (RFP). The City may request additional information by suppliers, including a presentation if needed, to clarify elements of their bid proposals. The City also reserves the right to make independent investigations as to the qualification of each Bidder, including contacting existing customers or site visits to existing operations.

The City anticipates making a single award; however, it reserves the right to make multiple awards should it deem in the best interest of the City. Such an award, if any, is projected to be accomplished within 30 days from the proposal due date.

The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive technicalities and make the award in the best interest of the city.

902-536461, 3/2,4,7,9,11 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RFP NO: PWUP 18-01 Cured-in-Place Storm Pipe Relining Project VARIOUS LOCATIONS: Norcross, GA 30071 Proposals for Storm Pipe Relining will be received by the City of Norcross at the Department of Public Works, Utilities & Parks, 345 Lively Avenue, Norcross, GA 30071 Friday, March 30, 2018 by 10:00am. Any proposals received after the designated closing time will be returned unopened.

This project intends to address metal storm pipes that are in need of repair in the City of Norcross and will extend the life of the storm pipes and culverts in the following vicinities: 1. Lanier Boulevard 2. Atlantic Boulevard 3. Cochran Drive 4. Queens Court 5. Exeter Circle The storm pipes are located on the accompanying maps. The quantities and sizes are summarized on the accompanying bid sheet.

The pipes are intended to be rehabilitated in place by the cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) method following the accompanying specifications.

Full details can be found at the following link: http:// www.norcrossga.net/bids. aspx?bidID=80 An original and one (1) paper copy a total of two (2) plus 1 copy of the proposal on CD in PDF or other electronic format of the proposal shall be submitted in sealed envelopes/packages addressed to Mary Beth Bender, Director of Public Works, Utilities & Parks / ACM, City of Norcross and marked Cured-in-Place Storm Pipe Relining Project / PWUP 18-01.

Proposers desiring information for use in preparing proposals may obtain a set of such documents from the Department of Public Works, Utilities & Parks Office, 345 Lively Avenue, Norcross, GA 30071 Telephone (678) 4212069 or copies of the RFP NO: PWUP 18-01 requirements may also be obtained by sending an email request to Melissa Zeigler at melissa.zeigler@norcrossga.net.

The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals and to waive any technicalities or irregularities therein. The City further reserves the right to award the contract to the proposer whose proposal best complies with the RFP NO: 18-01 requirements.

Proposers may not withdraw their proposal for a period of ninety (90) days from the date set for the opening thereof.

902-536230, 3/2,9 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RFP NO: PWUP 18-05 Discovery Garden Park Phase II Location: 219 Lawrenceville St NW, Norcross, GA 30071 Proposals for Discovery Garden Park Phase II Reissue will be received by the City of Norcross at the Department of Public Works, Utilities & Parks, 345 Lively

Avenue, Norcross, GA 30071 Friday, March 23, 2018 by 12:00pm. Any proposals received after the designated closing time will be returned unopened.

The City of Norcross is seeking the services of a qualified and responsible Design-Build Contractor (DBC) to perform services listed in RFP PWUP 18-05 at Discovery Garden Park in the City of Norcross, GA, 30071. The proposed project scope includes work that is graphically depicted in the master plan attached to the RFP. Full details can be found at the following link: http:// www.norcrossga.net/bids. aspx?bidID=79 An original and one (1) paper copy a total of two (2) plus 1 copy of the proposal on CD in PDF or other electronic format of the proposal shall be submitted in sealed envelopes/packages addressed to Mary Beth Bender, Director of Public Works, Utilities & Parks / ACM, City of Norcross and marked Discovery Garden Park Phase II Project / PWUP 18-05.

Proposers desiring information for use in preparing proposals may obtain a set of such documents from the Department of Public Works, Utilities & Parks Office, 345 Lively Avenue, Norcross, GA 30071 Telephone (678) 4212069 or copies of the RFP NO: PWUP 18-05 requirements may also be obtained by sending an email request to Melissa Zeigler at melissa.zeigler@norcrossga.net.

The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals and to waive any technicalities or irregularities therein. The City further reserves the right to award the contract to the proposer whose proposal best complies with the RFP NO: PWUP 18-05 requirements.

Proposers may not withdraw their proposal for a period of ninety (90) days from the date set for the opening thereof.

902-536229, 3/2,9

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE NOTICE February 20, 2018 Pursuant to the City of Buford Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance of 1995, please be advised that Rahim Lakhani has applied for a license to sell beer and wine by the package at Lakeside Shell located at 2380 Buford Dam Rd, Buford, GA 30518. The City of Buford shall take public comments on such application until March 2, 2018, at which time the City Manager will determine whether to issue the requested license.

This 23rd day of February 2018 City of Buford, Ga A Ga. Municipal Corp.

904-534391, 2/23,3/2

ELECTION NOTICES EXHIBIT “A” NOTICE OF ELECTION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF GWINNETT COUNTY, GEORGIA IN WHICH THE GWINNETT SCHOOL DISTRICT IS LOCATED: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on the 22nd day of May, 2018, an election will be held at the regular polling places in all the election districts of Gwinnett County, Georgia, in which the Gwinnett County School District is located at which time there will be submitted to the qualified voters of Gwinnett County in which the Gwinnett County School District is located for their determination the question of whether general obligation d.ebt of the Gwinnett School District in the principal amount of not to exceed $350,000,000 (the “Gwinnett Bonds”) should be issued, the proceeds of which are to be used and applied for projects for educational purposes of the Gwinnett County School District (the “Gwinnet School District”) and for the payment of costs of issuance of such Gwinnett Bonds as described below.

The projects of the Gwinnett County School District to be funded in whole or in part by the proceeds of the Gwinnett Bonds in accordance with the established priorities in its five-year building and technology program are as follows (collectively, the “Projects”): (a) developing, constructing and equipping new schools, support facilities and athletic facilities specifically including, but not limited to, the following: (i) New Cluster High School (Mill Creek); (b) adding to, renovating, modernizing, improving and equipping existing schools, properties and support facilities of the Gwinnett School District including specifically but not limited to, the following: (iv) Discovery High School buildout, (v) Central Gwinnett High School Fine Arts Theater, and (vi) System-wide capital improvements including, but not limited to: (A) High school athletic facility improvements, (B) General building renovations and improvements, (C) Upgrades to labs and instructional spaces at middle and high schools, (D) Intercom replacements, and (E) Artificial turf for athletic stadiums; (c) acquiring school buses and other transportation vehicles; and (d) improving and modernizing technology and making system-wide technology improvements.

The Gwinnett Bonds, if so authorized, may be issued by the Gwinnett County School District from time to time in whole or in part and in one or more series. The Gwinnett Bonds shall be dated their date of issuance, or, at the option of the Board of Education of the Gwinnett County School District (the “Gwinnett Board”), on the first day of any month thereafter prior to the date of issuance of the Gwinnett Bonds, shall bear interest from such date, paya

ELECTION NOTICES

ELECTION NOTICES

able semiannually on the first days of February and August in each year, commencing February 1, 2019, or the first February 1 or August 1 following the date of issuance of each such series of the Gwinnett Bonds, at an interest rate or rates not to exceed 5.50% per annum (the exact interest rates to be determined by supplemental resolution ofthe Gwinnett Board prior to the issuance of the Gwinnett Bonds), until paid, and shall mature (serially or, at the option of the Gwinnett Board, by mandatory sinking fund redemption) on the first day of February in the years and maximum principal amounts per annum, as follows: Maximum Principal Payable in Such Year 2021 $2,800,000 2022 4,780,000 2023 6,860,000 2024 9,070,000 2025 8,150,000 2026 9,375,000 2027 10,350,000 2028 10,660,000 2029 10,980,000 2030 11,310,000 2031 11,650,000 2032 12,000,000 2033 12,360,000 2034 12,730,000 2035 12,730,000 2036 4,195,000 2037 50,000,000 2038 50,000,000 2039 50,000,000 2040 50,000,000 Total $350,000,000 The maximum annual debt service on the Gwinnett Bonds in any year shall not exceed $52,750,000.

Any brochures, listings or other advertisements issued by the Gwinnett Board or by any-other person, firm, corporation or association with the knowledge and consent of the Gwinnett Board, shall be deemed to be a statement of intention of the Gwinnett Board concerning the use of the proceeds of the Gwinnett Bonds. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Gwinnett School District will not conduct any performance audit or performance review with respect to the Gwinnett Bonds as such terms are described in O.C.G.A. Section 36-82-100.

Voters desiring to vote for the issuance of the Gwinnett Bonds shall do so by voting “YES” and voters desiring to vote against the issuance of the Gwinnett Bonds shall do so by voting “NO” as to the question propounded below.

The ballots to be used at such election shall have written or printed thereon substantially the following: D YES D NO Shall general obligation debt of the Gwinnett County School District in the principal amount of not to exceed $350,000,000 be issued for the purpose of funding (i) all or a portion of the following projects for Gwinnett County School District (A) developing, constructing and equipping new schools, support facilities and athletic facilities; (B) adding to, renovating, modernizing, improving and equipping existing schools, properties and support facilities of the Gwinnett School District; (C) acquiring school buses and other transportation vehicles; (D) improving and modernizing technology and making system-wide technology improvements; and (E) otherwise improving and equipping facilities for educational purposes (collectively, the “Projects”); and (ii) paying costs of issuance of such general obligation debt?

The several places for holding such election shall be at the regular and established voting precincts of the election districts of Gwinnett County, Georgia, i,n which the Gwinnett County School District is located and the polls will be open from 7:00a.m. to 7:00p.m. on the date fixed for the election.

The last day to register to vote in this election shall be April24, 2018, through 5:00p.m.

All residents of Gwinnett County in which the Gwinnett County School District is located which are qualified to vote at such election shall be determined in all respects in accordance with the election laws of the State of Georgia.

This notice is given pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Education of Gwinnett County and a resolution of the Gwinnett County Board of Registrations and Elections.

-sChairman, Board of Education of Gwinnett County -sChairman, Gwinnett County Board of Registrations and Elections SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE I, the undersigned Secretary of the Board of Education of Gwinnett County, Georgia DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing pages of typewritten matter constitute a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by the Board of Education of Gwinnett County, Georgia on February 8, 2018, at a meeting which was duly called and assembled and open to the public and at which a quorum was present and acting throughout, which resolution has not been modified, repealed, revoked or rescinded as of the date hereof.

This 8th day of February, 2018.

(SEAL) 917-535827, 3/2

con fines educativos del Distrito Escolar del Condado de Gwinnett y para el pago de los gastos de emisión de dichos bonos (denominada en lo sucesivo la “Resolución”), la Junta de Inscripción de Electores y Elecciones del Condado de Gwinnett (denominada en lo sucesivo la “Junta”), el Superintendente de Elecciones del Condado de Gwinnett, está a cargo de convocar a elecciones especiales que se celebrarán el 22 de Mayo del 2018.

Por lo tanto, la Junta convoca a dichas elecciones especiales que se celebrarán el 22 de Mayo del 2018. El propósito de dichas elecciones especiales es presentar a los votantes del Condado de Gwinnett, para su aprobación o rechazo, la cuestión que se señala en la Resolución, relativa a la emisión de bonos de obligación general por el monto de capital que no exceda $350,000,000: (SÍ) (NO) ¿Debe emitirse la deuda de obligación general del Distrito Escolar del Condado de Gwinnett por el monto principal que no exceda $350,000,000, con el propósito de financiar (i) todo o parte de los siguientes proyectos para el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Gwinnett (A) el desarrollo, construcción y equipamiento de nuevas escuelas, instalaciones de apoyo e instalaciones deportivas; (B) la adición, renovación, modernización, mejora y equipamiento de las escuelas, propiedades e instalaciones de apoyo existentes del Distrito Escolar de Gwinnett; (C) la adquisición de autobuses escolares y otros vehículos de transporte; (D) mejoramiento y modernización de la tecnología y mejoras tecnológicas en todo el sistema; y (E) mejora y equipamiento de instalaciones con fines educativos (colectivamente, los “proyectos”); y (ii) pagar los costos de la emisión de dicha deuda de obligación general?

Todas las personas que deseen votar a favor de la emisión de los bonos de obligación general para el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Gwinnett para los fines descritos deberán votar “SÍ” y todas las personas que se oponen a la emisión de los bonos de obligación general para el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Gwinnett para los fines descritos deberán votar “NO”.

Las elecciones especiales se llevarán a cabo en todos los precintos del Condado de Gwinnett. Las urnas se abrirán a las 7:00 a.m. y se cerrarán a las 7:00 p.m. El último día para que los residentes calificados del Condado de Gwinnett se inscriban para votar y puedan votar en las elecciones especiales es el 24 de Abril del 2018 hasta las 5:00 p.m.

Esta convocatoria se emite y se publica de conformidad con el Código Oficial Anotado de Georgia, secciones 21-22(3) y 21-2-540, y de acuerdo con la Resolución.

Hoy de Febrero del 2018.

MIEMBROS, JUNTA DE INSCRIPCIÓN DE ELECTORES Y ELECCIONES DEL CONDADO DE GWINNETT POR: [firma] POR: [firma] Stephen W. Day John Mangano Presidente Vicepresidente POR: POR: Alice O’Lenick Ben Satterfield Miembro Miembro POR: [firma] CERTIFICO: [firma] Beauty P. Baldwin Lynn Ledford Miembro Directora de Elecciones MUESTRA “A” NOTIFICACIÓN DE ELECCIÓN A LOS VOTANTES CALIFICADOS DEL CONDADO DE GWINNETT, GEORGIA, EN DONDE ESTÁ UBICADO EL DISTRITO ESCOLAR DE GWINNETT: POR ESTE MEDIO SE NOTIFICA que el 22 de Mayo del 2018 se celebrará una elección en los lugares de votación habituales de todos los distritos electorales del condado de Gwinnett, Georgia, en donde esté ubicado el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Gwinnett. En ese momento se presentará a los votantes calificados del Condado de Gwinnett en donde esté ubicado el Distrito Escolar de condado de Gwinnett, para que se pronuncien ante la consulta de si debe emitirse la deuda de obligación general del Distrito Escolar de Gwinnett por un monto principal que no exceda $350,000,000 (“bonos de Gwinnett”), cuyos ingresos se utilizarán y aplicarán en proyectos con fines educativos del Distrito Escolar del condado de Gwinnett (el “Distrito Escolar de Gwinnett “) y para pagar los gastos de emisión de los bonos de Gwinnett, tal como se describe a continuación.

Los proyectos del Distrito Escolar del Condado de Gwinnett que serán financiados, en todo o en parte, con los ingresos provenientes de los bonos de Gwinnett, de conformidad con las prioridades establecidas en el programa de construcción y tecnología de cinco años son (en su conjunto, los “proyectos”): (a) el desarrollo, construcción y equipamiento de nuevas escuelas, instalaciones de apoyo e instalaciones deportivas, que específicamente incluyen, sin limitación, los siguientes: (i) Nueva escuela secundaria agrupada (“cluster”) (Mill Creek); (b) adición, renovación, modernización, mejora y equipamiento de las escuelas, propiedades e instalaciones de apoyo existentes del Distrito Escolar de Gwinnett, que específicamente incluyen, sin limitación, los siguientes: (iv) Construcción de Discovery High School, (v) Teatro de Bellas Artes en Central Gwinnett High School, y (vi) Mejoras de capital en todo el sistema, que incluyen, sin limitación: (A) Mejoras a las instalaciones deportivas en las escuelas secundarias, (B) Remodelaciones y mejoras generales a los edificios, (

ESTADO DE GEORGIA CONDADO DE GWINNETT CONVOCATORIA DE ELECCIONES ESPECIALES (EMISIÓN DE BONOS DE OBLIGACIÓN GENERAL PARA EL DISTRITO ESCOLAR DEL CONDADO DE GWINNETT) A LOS VOTANTES CALIFICADOS DEL CONDADO DE GWINNETT: En virtud de una Resolución del Consejo de Educación del Condado de Gwinnett aprobada el 8 de Febrero del 2018, que convoca a elecciones especiales para determinar la cuestión de si debe emitirse la deuda de obligación general del Distrito Escolar de Gwinnett por el monto de capital que no exceda $350,000,000 (los bonos de Gwinnett), cuyos ingresos van a utilizarse y aplicarse para proyectos c

ELECTION NOTICES

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC HEARINGS

(C) Modernización de los laboratorios y espacios de enseñanza en las escuelas intermedias y secundarias, (D) Reemplazo de intercomunicadores, y (E) Césped artificial para los estadios deportivos; (c) la adquisición de autobuses escolares y otros vehículos de transporte; y (d) el mejoramiento y la modernización de la tecnología y mejoras tecnológicas en todo el sistema.

Los bonos de Gwinnett, si se autorizan, podrán ser emitidos por el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Gwinnett, de vez en cuando, en su totalidad o en parte, y en una o más series. Los bonos de Gwinnett deberán tener la fecha de su emisión, o, a elección de la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar del Condado de Gwinnett (la “Junta de Gwinnett”), el primer día de cualquier mes subsiguiente, antes de la fecha de emisión de los bonos de Gwinnett, devengar intereses a partir de esa fecha, pagaderos cada seis meses, en los primeros días de Febrero y Agosto de cada año, a partir del 1 de Febrero de 2019 o el primer 1 de Febrero o 1 de Agosto siguiente a la fecha de emisión de cada serie de bonos de Gwinnett, a una tasa o tasas de interés que no superen el 5.50% anual (las tasas de interés específicas serán determinadas mediante resolución suplementaria de la Junta de Gwinnett antes de la emisión de los bonos de Gwinnett), hasta su pago, y vencer (en serie o, a elección de la Junta de Gwinnett, por redención obligatoria del fondo de amortización) el primer día de Febrero de cada año e importes de principal máximo anual, que se indican a continuación: Fecha Principal máximo Pagadero en dicho año 2021 $2,800,000 2022 4,780,000 2023 6,860,000 2024 9,070,000 2025 8,150,000 2026 9,375,000 2027 10,350,000 2028 10,660,000 2029 10,980,000 2030 11,310,000 2031 11,650,000 2032 12,000,000 2033 12,360,000 2034 12,730,000 2035 12,730,000 2036 4,195,000 2037 50,000,000 2038 50,000,000 2039 50,000,000 2040 50,000,000 Total $350,000,000 El servicio de la deuda anual máxima de los bonos de Gwinnett en cualquier año no excederá de $52,750,000.

Todos los folletos, publicaciones u otros anuncios emitidos por la Junta de Gwinnett o por cualquier otra persona, empresa, corporación o asociación, con el conocimiento y consentimiento de la Junta de Gwinnett, serán considerados una declaración de intención de la Junta de Gwinnett sobre el uso de los ingresos provenientes de los bonos de Gwinnett. TAMBIÉN SE LE NOTIFICA que el Distrito Escolar de Gwinnett no realizará una auditoría del rendimiento o revisión del rendimiento con respecto a los bonos de Gwinnett, debido a que dichos términos se describen en O.C.G.A. Sección 36-82100.

Los electores que deseen votar a favor de la emisión de los bonos de Gwinnett deberán hacerlo votando “SÍ” y los electores que deseen votar en contra de la emisión de los bonos de Gwinnett deberán hacerlo votando “NO” a la pregunta presentada a continuación. Las boletas que se utilizarán en dicha elección deberán tener por escrito o impreso sustancialmente lo siguiente: • SÍ • N O ¿Debe emitirse la deuda de la obligación general del Distrito Escolar del Condado de Gwinnett por el monto principal que no exceda $350,000,000, con el propósito de financiar (i) todo o parte de los siguientes proyectos para el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Gwinnett (A) desarrollo, construcción y equipamiento de nuevas escuelas, instalaciones de apoyo e instalaciones deportivas; B) adición de renovación, modernización, mejora y equipamiento de las escuelas, propiedades e instalaciones de apoyo existentes del Distrito Escolar de Gwinnett; (C) adquisición de autobuses escolares y otros vehículos de transporte; (D) mejoramiento y modernización de la tecnología y mejoras tecnológicas en todo el sistema; y (E) mejora y equipamiento de instalaciones con fines educativos (en su conjunto, los “proyectos”); y (ii) pago de los costes de emisión de dicha deuda de obligación general?

Dicha elección se celebrará en los centros de votación habituales establecidos en los distritos electorales del Condado de Gwinnett, Georgia, en donde esté ubicado el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Gwinnett. Las urnas estarán abiertas de 7:00 a.m. a 7:00 p.m. en la fecha programada para la elección.

El último día para inscribirse para votar en esta elección es el 24 de Abril del 2018 hasta las 5:00 p.m.

Todos los residentes del Condado de Gwinnett en donde esté ubicado el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Gwinnett que cumplan los requisitos para votar en dicha elección se determinarán en todos los aspectos de conformidad con las leyes electorales del estado de Georgia. Se publica esta notificación en virtud de una resolución de la Junta de Educación del Condado de Gwinnett y una resolución de la Junta de Inscripción de Electores y Elecciones del Condado de Gwinnett. [firma] Presidente, Junta de Educación del Condado de Gwinnett Presidente, Junta de Inscripción de Electores y Elecciones del Condado de Gwinnett

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE THERE WILL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC OUT CRY AT 5580 NEW PEACHTREE RD. CHAMBLEE, GA 30341 FREBRUARY 17/2018 AT 10:00 am THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE, DECLARED ABANDONED AND FORECLOSED VEHICLES PURSUANT TO OCGA SECTION 40-11-5 AS FOLLOWS: YEAR MAKE MODEL V.I.N. #

PUBLIC NOTICE: Notice is hereby given that the Partnership Gwinnett Public Funding Entity (501c6) shall hold a board meeting on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. The meeting shall take place at Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, Jackson EMC Conference Room, 2nd Floor, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097. The public is invited to attend.

928-536098, 3/2,4

2006 BMW X3 /WBXPA93466WD29778 928-534354, 2/23,3/2

NOTICE The Mayor and Council of the City of Norcross annual Retreat: Thursday, March 8, 2018 5:30 pm City Hall, 2ndfloor Community Room And Friday, March 9, 2018 7:30 am Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center 928-535903, 3/2

O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. RE: Car Hauler Trailer VIN NO VIN LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR BLACK TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above trailer was initially removed from Residence Inn, Gwinnett Place located at 1760 Pineland Road in Duluth, Georgia. It is presently located at 770-3811140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The trailer is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. RE: Dual Axle Metal Frame Trailer VIN Z204399 LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR SILVER TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above trailer was initially removed from 2774 Laurel View Drive located in Snellville, GA. It is presently located at 770-381-1140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The trailer is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed.

This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. 928-534776, 2/23,3/2,9

PUBLIC NOTICE GWINNETT COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DRAFT CAPER 2017 PUBLICATION DATE: MARCH 2, 2018–PUBLISH IN: GWINNETT DAILY POST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: MARCH 2, 2018 – MARCH 16, 2018 Gwinnett County publishes for public comment its Draft CAPER 2017 for the period January 1 – December 31, 2017. The CAPER 2017 will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

by March 31, 2018.

The Draft CAPER 2017 represents Gwinnett County’s Annual Performance Reports for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and the Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG). HUD requires that the document include specific narratives, tables, and financial/ services reports produced by the HUD Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS). Also included are HUD-required performance assessments for the Continuum of Care for homeless activities, Fair Housing, Section 3, for the Gwinnett County Consolidated Plan, and public comments received during 2017.

Copies of the Draft CAPER 2017 are available, as follows: Gwinnett County Community Development Program 678-518-6008 Email: gchcd@gwinnettcounty.com One Justice Square 446 West Crogan Street, Suite 275 Lawrenceville, GA 300462439 A Public Hearing will be held to receive citizen input for the Draft CAPER 2017: Public Hearing Location Address Date Time Gwinnett County Community Development Program Office One Justice Square 446 West Crogan Street, Suite 275 Lawrenceville, GA 300462439 Tuesday, March 13, 2018 10:00 AM The public comment period for the document referenced above is March 2, 2018 – March 16, 2018. A summary of all comments received at the Public Hearing will be provided to HUD upon submission of the CAPER 2017 document.

Written comments on the Draft CAPER 2017 must be received by 5:00 PM March 16, 2018, at: Gwinnett County Community Development Program One Justice Square, 446 West Crogan Street, Suite 275 Lawrenceville, GA 300462439 Phone: 678-518-6008; Fax: 678-518-6071; Email: gchcd@gwinnettcounty.com Inquiries/Questions/Comments Contact the Gwinnett County Community Development Program at One Justice Square, 446 West Crogan Street, Suite 275, Lawrenceville, GA 30046-2439; Phone: 678518-6008; Fax: 678-5186071; Email: gchcd@gwinnettcounty.com with any questions or comments pertaining to this Public Notice.

Section 504–Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 [ADA], As Amended Gwinnett County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Any requests for reasonable accommodations required by individuals to participate in any open meeting, program or activity of the Gwinnett County Community Development Program should be directed to Gwinnett County Community Development Program, One Justice Square, 446 West Crogan Street, Suite 275, Lawrenceville, GA 30046-2439; Phone: 678-518-6008; Fax 678-518-6071; Email: gchcd@gwinnettcounty. com.

Fair Housing Act of 1968, As Amended, Section 800 Accommodations, and Federal Register, Feb. 3, 2012; Page 5662 In an ongoing effort to provide housing services and activities in a nondiscriminatory manner, Gwinnett County has a strong commitment to affirmatively furthering fair housing by working to ensure that equal housing opportunities and access to HUD grant funded programs, projects, and activities are available for all persons, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. If you think your rights have been violated, please contact the Gwinnett County Community Development Program, One Justice Square, 446 West Crogan Street, Suite 275, Lawrenceville, GA 30046-2439; Phone: 678518-6008; Fax: 678-5186071; Email: gchcd@gwinnettcounty.com.

928-536476, 3/2

NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLE The following motor vehicle, advertised pursuant to O.C.G.A. Code Section 4011-2, is being stored at: 4550 MEMORIAL DR, DECATUR GA 30032 2004 JAGUAR VANDEN PLAS VIN# SAJEA74C24SG04695 This vehicle is deemed abandoned and will be disposed of if not claimed by the legal owner or lienholder by (Date) 02/22/18.

928-535667, 3/2,9 NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLE The following motor vehicle, advertised pursuant to O.C.G.A. Code Section 4011-2, is being stored at: 4075 LILBURN INDUSTRIAL WAY, LILBURN GA 30047 2006 KIA SPORTAGE VIN#KNAFE121265237637 This vehicle is deemed abandoned and will be disposed of if not claimed by the legal owner or lienholder by (Date) 02/27/18.

928-536255, 3/2,9 NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLE The following motor vehicle, advertised pursuant to O.C.G.A. Code Section 4011-2, is being stored at: 4075 LILBURN INDUSTRIAL WAY, LILBURN, GA 30047 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY VIN#4T1BK46K67U047504 This vehicle is deemed abandoned and will be disposed of if not claimed by the legal owner or lienholder by (Date) 02/27/18.

928-536254, 3/2,9 NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLE The following motor vehicle, advertised pursuant to O.C.G.A. Code Section 40-11-2, is being stored at: 5875 BUFORD HWY STE A, NORCROSS GA 30071 2008 SAAB 2 S VIN#YS3FB79Y086003178 This vehicle is deemed abandoned and will be disposed of if not claimed by the legal owner or lienholder by (Date) 02/22/18.

928-535670, 3/2,9 NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLE The following motor vehicle, advertised pursuant to O.C.G.A. Code Section 4011-2, is being stored at: 4305 BUFORD HWY, PEACHTREE CORNERS GA 30071 2015 JEEP COMPAS SPORT VIN#1C4NJCBA5FD418775 This vehicle is deemed abandoned and will be disposed of if not claimed by the legal owner or lienholder by (Date) 02/22/18.

928-535671, 3/2,9 DENTAL OFFICE RELOCATION This shall constitute notice that the Coast Dental practice located at 650 Gwinnett Drive SW, Suite 210, Lawrenceville, GA 30046, is relocating within the same shopping center effective March 19, 2018. All dental records will transfer to the new Coast Dental Lawrenceville location next to Kroger, at 455 Grayson Hwy, Suite 4B, Lawrenceville, GA 30046, which is where continued dental services including emergency dental care will be available. The Coast Dental Lawrenceville phone number remains (770) 963-5999. After March 19, 2018, patients can request dental records by sending a written request to the new Coast Dental address listed above. The patient may be billed for the actual costs incurred for copying, mailing, or delivering the records as permitted by law. Records will be sent without charge to any Coast Dental practice.

Visit CoastDental.com or call 1-800-32-SMILE, to locate other convenient Coast Dental locations.

928-536392, 3/2,7,14,21 STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE INC. 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE NORCROSS, GA 30071 PHONE: 770-381-1140 FAX: 770-935-9651 ABANDONED VEHICLES: RE: 2014 SYM Lance PCH Scooter VIN RFGBS1D05EXAE2113 LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR GREEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above scooter was initially removed from Intown Suites, 4142 Stone Mountain Highway located in Snellville, GA. It is presently located at 770-381-1140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The scooter is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed. This notice is given pursuant to Georgia Law. RE: 2015 TaoTao Scooter VIN L9NPEACB9F1006323 LICENSE PLATE NO. NO TAG COLOR SILVER TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The above scooter was initially removed from Centerville Rosebud Road and Mink Livsey Road located in Snellville, Georgia. It is presently located at 770-3811140 at 2775 Simpson Circle in Norcross, Georgia, in possession of Statewide Wrecker Service, Inc. Attempts to locate the owner have been unsuccessful. The scooter is deemed abandoned under O

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS MCCULLOUGH TOWING AUCTION LIST 785 BROGDON RD. SUWANEE, GA 30024 770-263-8483 SATURDAY, MARCH 10TH 2018@ 1:00PM 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 1GCHC24U07E192780 1997 Chevrolet C2500 Pickup 1GCFC29R1VE143709 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer 1GNDT13S622455364 2002 Chevrolet Express 1GBFG15R121149165 2005 Chrysler Pacifica 2C4GM68425R353933 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 1D7HA18276S564307 2001 Ford Expedition 1FMRU15L41LA25094 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 1FMZU77E91UC39011 2002 Honda Accord 1HGCF86662A130630 2001 Honda Civic 1HGEM222X1L004059 2004 Honda Accord 1HGCM56314A125140 2000 Honda Accord 1HGCG2252YA015295 2009 Hyundai Accent KMHCM46CX9U288265 2002 Isuzu Axiom 4S2CE58X324615848 1977 Jeep CJ5 JBF9BEH006351 2008 Kia Spectra KNAFE122285549551 2007 Mazda Mazda3 JM1BK323X71751400 2002 Mercedes Benz S430 WDBNG70J12A280798 2010 Mercury Mariner 4M2CN8H72AKJ19120 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder 4A3AE55H23E170799 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander JA4MS41X77U007894 2005 Nissan Quest 5N1BV28U55N112022 2008 Suzuki Forenza KL5JD56ZX8K880822 2000 Toyota Camry 4T1BG22K9YU639721 Yamaha Motor Corp Waverunner YAML6041A494 929-534773, 2/23,3/2,9 NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY In accordance with the GA Self Service Storage Facilities Act notice is hereby given that the undersigned will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder in order to satisfy lien of the owner. The auction will be held at www. lockerfox.com with bids finalizing on March 14, 2018 at 10am for the Space Shop Self Storage facility located at 2350 Ronald Reagan Pkwy Snellville GA 30078 UNIT:1119 Paulk, April Bar stools, tubs, ceiling fan, twin mattress. bed frame, picture frames, workout equipment, lounge chair, office chairs, end table UNIT: 1017 Robinson, Dominique Office Chair, Dresser, Mattress, Bed Frame, Wood, desk The auction will be listed and advertised on www. lockerfox.com. Space Shop Self Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

929-533519, 2/23,3/2 NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Advance Mini Storage, pursuant to the “Georgia Self-Service Storage Facility Act” shall conduct a public, sealed-bid sale of the contents of the storage space listed below at the location and on the date shown below. All sales shall be conducted between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and will be for cash to the highest bidder. All successful bidders shall take possession and remove contents of the space at once. Advance Mini Storage reserves the right to reject any bids and to withdraw any items from such sale.

Location: 95 East Crogan Street, Suite B, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 Date 3/15/18 Name: Enes Kebo Contents: Miscellaneous Houshold Building and Bin: Bldg D Bin 27 929-536468, 3/2,9 NOTICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OCGA 40-11-2 RICK HENDRICK CHEVROLET OF BUFORD, WILL HOLD AN AUCTION FOR THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE(S): 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2CNDL737486041868 WILL BE AUCTIONED ON MARCH 21, 2018 AT 10 AM. AT 4490 SOUTH LEE ST BUFORD, GA 30518 *7846 929-536120, 3/2,9

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

ESTOS VEHICULOS SERAN VENDIDOS AL PUBLICO POR DINERO EN EFECTIVO EN STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE LOCALIZADO EN 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE, NORCROSS, GEORGIA A LAS 10:00 A.M. EN 10 MARCO 2018 . LOS SIGUIENTES VEHICULOS AN SIDO DECLARADOS ABANDONADOS Y CERRADOS DE ACUERDO A OCGA 40-11-5 NUEVA LOCALIZACION 770-381-1140 www.swsatlanta.com 2005 Polaris Phoenix FourWheeler 4XAPB20A15T000311 2013 Jonway Sunny Scooter L8YTCAPP2D4803079 Camper NO VIN 2004 Freedom Scooter L4BSDE2944Y007515 1997 Great Dane Trailer 1GRAA9626VS033116 1992 Wabash Trailer 1JJV281X1NL166423 2006 Hyundai Sonata 5NPEU46F76H054162 2007 Chrysler Pacifica 2A8GM68XX7R336982 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 3GNEK12T14G254497 2013 Kia Optima 5XXGM4A76DG095786 1998 Acura Legend JH4KA3242JC008381 2001 Chrysler Sebring 4C3AG52H11E185201 2001 Nissan Sentra 3N1BB51D91L106729 1999 Cadillac Seville 1G6KS54Y2XU939866 Univega Prestige Bike M9E34288 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier 1G1JC1240X7271877 2000 Mercedes-Benz S430 WDBNG70J8YA112326 2001 Audi A4 WAUAC68D11A105791 1995 Mercedes-Benz C220 WDBHA22E8SF192660 *** REBUILT *** 2000 Toyota Camry 4T1BG22K6YU952418 2008 Nissan Versa 3N1BC11E78L356415 1997 Acura CL 19UYA1250VL019217 2004 Jeep Liberty 1J4GK58K14W273635 1992 Honda Prelude JHMBB2159NC024102 1998 Ford Explorer 1FMZU32E5WUC60171 2016 Harley Davidson XG750 1HD4NBB17GC501219 2002 BMW 325i WBAET37402NG78583 *** REBUILT *** 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1J4EX58S9TC133941 2005 Mazda Mazda6 1YVFP80C055M76879 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander JA4LZ41G93U042180 2003 BMW 325xi WBAEU33483PM54922 1994 Ford Ranger 1FTCR10A1RUA97524 2006 Hensim Mini Bike Scooter LUAHYB10261008601 1996 Honda Accord 1HGCD7250TA003693 1960 Homemade Trailer T228154 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer 1GNDT13S252106383 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1J4FX58S4WC366926 2008 Ford Crown Victoria 2FAFP70V78X123842 2007 Chevrolet Malibu 1G1ZS58F27F103377 2004 Honda Civic 2HGES16544H552743 2002 Dodge Durango 1B4HS48N42F214295 2004 Honda Odyssey 5FNRL18684B120875 2001 Mazda Tribute 4F2CU09131KM44525 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser 3A4FY48B97T619090 2007 Honda CR-V JHLRE38767C036105 1997 Honda CR-V JHLRD1846VC009738 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320 WDBUF65J93A172870 929-534780, 2/23,3/2,9 NOTICE PREMIER STORAGE AT HAMILTON MILL 3220 Sardis Church Rd. Buford, GA 30518 Notice is Hereby Given that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property pursuant to the Georgia Self-Storage Facility Act, Georgia Code Section 10-4210 to 10-4-215. The undersigned will sell by competitive online bidding beginning March 2, 2018 at 12:30 pm at www.selfstorageauction. com. Online bidding will end at 12:30 pm on Friday, March 9, 2018.

UNIT #204, Paula Blackburn: washing machine, dryer, 2-night stands, bed frame, box spring and mattress, Misc. bags, plastic containers, boxes, 4 chairs, large planter, ladder, Christmas decorations, table, large head board, cabinet, trash cans with misc. items.

Purchase must be paid for on the day of the auction with cash or a credit card with valid ID at the location of the unit. All items are sold as is and must be removed from the property within 72 hours, unless otherwise approved by the Manager, after the time of the sale. Sale is subject to cancellation in the event of a settlement between the owner and the obligated party.

929-534769, 2/23,3/2 NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION: The following vehicle will be up for public auction at Tran’s Auto Repair, 4757 Buford Hwy, Norcross, Ga 30071, on Saturday 03/03/2018 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

2008 Mercury Millan PR VIN: 3MEHM08Z88R617215 929-534887, 2/25,3/2 There will be sold at public outcry for cash at Willard Wrecker Service, 719 Shadburn Avenue, Buford, GA 30518, on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 11:00 AM the following vehicles declared abandoned or foreclosed vehicles pursuant to O.C.G.A Section 40-11-05, as follows: Year

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PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

Make Model VIN 1 1998 Ford Escort 3FAKP113XWR239458 2 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 3B7KC26Z32M316185 3 1997 Buick LeSabre 1G4HP52K2VH443765 4 1998 Toyota Corolla 1NXBR12E4WZ113248 5 2007 Toyota Camry 4T4BE46K87R011505 6 2013 Hyundai Accent KMHCT4AE6DU453359 7 2005 Mercury Sable 1MEFM50215A625066 8 2006 Chevrolet Equinox 2CNDL73F066072054 9 2002 Acura 3.2 TL 19UUA566X2A041421 10 1988 Volvo 760 YV1GA8747J0037609 11 2011 Nissan Sentra 3N1AB6AP2BL620029 12 2000 Toyota Corolla 2T1BR12E4YC349354 13 2004 Mazda RX-8 JM1FE17N340130251 14 1998 Mazda B2500 4F4YR16CXWTM05216 15 1998 Buick Century 2G4WS52M1W1467602 16 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 4JGAB54E91A241192 17 2005 Chevrolet Uplander 1GNDV33L35D226986 18 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2CNDL13F256045532 19 2000 Honda Civic 2HGEJ6612YH927256 20 1994 Mercedes-Benz E420 WDBEA34E7RC123198 21 2003 Toyota Echo JTDBT123035052216 22 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 2GTEC19RXV1524479 23 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1G1FF1R70G0176595 24 1998 Ford F-150 2FTZX072XWCA79978 25 1999 Honda Accord 1HGCG5644XA147198 26 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe 1GNEC13T51R147332 27 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 2GTEC19T3X1503889 28 1999 Volkswagen Golf WVWGC31J6XW591652 29 1999 Lexus ES 300 JT8BF28G2X0224190 30 2002 Jeep Liberty 1J4GK58K52W161448 31 1999 Chevrolet S-10 1GCCS1442X8101255 32 2004 Nissan Altima 1N4AL11D24C191272 33 2006 Pontiac G6 1G2ZF55B664235182 34 2006 Acura MDX 2HNYD18896H520090 35 1996 Toyota Camry 4T1BF12K3TU139737 36 2006 Ford Freestar 2FMZA52296BA17706 37 1999 Honda Civic 1HGEJ6671XL037563 38 2009 Honda Accord 1HGCS22869A004990 39 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander JA4MS31X57U008293 40 2004 Toyota Camry 4T1BE32K04U804433 41 2007 Saturn Aura 1G8ZV57757F144654 42 2003 Ford Mustang 1FAFP42X43F357227 43 2008 Saturn Astra W08AT671985068401 44 2001 Honda Civic 2HGES16531H580402 45

2001 Hyundai Santa Fe KM8SC83D71U091853 46 2001 Ford F-150 1FTRW07W21KD57945 47 2007 Ford Taurus 1FAFP53U47A181213 48 2008 BMW 550i WBANW53578CT48233 49 2006 Pontiac G6 1G2ZH558064275174 50 2001 Nissan Xterra 5N1ED28T71C598670 51 4-Wheeler LW0XCMKCX51041739 52 2017 Toyota Camry 4T1BF1FKXHU290544 63 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 1G2JB52T817317511 929-536484, 3/2,9,16

776028 Warren Williams 1386 776028 CHRISTY PARK AA0773T 776028 Tyheisha Carpenter 1599 776028 michelle lett 1042 776028 MARANDA WELCH AA0736T 776028 MARANDA WELCH 051568 776028 STARLENE ANDERSON AA0979T 776028 DANA BLE AA0796T 776028 MATTHEW STONE AA0874T 776028 Lucie lane 2205 776028 DAVID SAYRES AA0999T 776028 issac tucker 1040 776028 DANA BLE AA0793T 776028 MATTHEW STONE AA0812T 776028 CHRISTY PARK AA0804T 776028 GLENN TEAGUE AA0905T 776028 robert pintor 2160 776028 GLENN TEAGUE AA0906T 776028 leatecia williams 2241 776028 MARANDA WELCH AA0741T 2951 NE Expressway Chamblee Ga, 30341 770458-8353 776058 JARVIS FARLEY 2504 776058 Erwin Johnson 1408 2885 Clairmont Rd Ne Atl Ga, 30329 404-315-0681 776034 BROOKE VAN DYKE B399 776034 Who Room A348 776034 MAHBUBUR MIAH A380 776034 DAVID GRANT A409 2175 Piedmont Rd Ne Atl Ga, 30324 404-815-0262 776035 amber hayes A752 776035 who who A738 776035 sye kidane A597 776035 MATTHEW CUTBILL A227 776035 chris purvis A751 776035 antywone brewster A527 776035 brenda COPELAND A106 300 Peters St Sw Atl Ga, 30313 404-681-0502 776053 SHANTEAL WEBB 4995 776053 Deangelo Cromer 4858 776053 who room 2420 776053 who room 1517 776053 alfred edwards 3131 776053 CHRISTINA CARROLL 6004 776053 LAKKIA WHITE 6170 776053 Joseph Brown 1119 776053 Avery Fears 6497 776053 Tameka Johnson 6180 776053 PATRICIA BANKS 3136 776053 CHAKA CAMPBELL 6184 776053 sherrie thompson 3178 776053 marlener perkins 6082 776053 DAVID CASTLE 6473 776053 Todd Jenkins 6524 776053 Jimmy Jackson 6626 776053 JOEL MOGWERA 2500 776053 Mike Owens 4008 776053 chanel allen 6027 776053 Kareal Corynn 3060 776053 SEKINAH BROWN 3049 776053 STEFIN JACKSON 3054 776053 PATRICIA BANKS 6179 776053 Kanilya Walker 4622 2866 Forest Hills Dr Sw Atl Ga, 30315 404-47680781 776060 lisa gardner 3109 776060 KILEY BARNES 0140 776060 Annette Amey 3177 776060 Jamie Hancock 3181 776060 Joseph porter 0190 776060 KEYHONA CAMPBELL 3214 776060 LARQUIETTA GRADY 3080 776060 360 CAFE 3124 776060 willy faust 2015-16 776060 nelson moon 3142 776060 patrick holmes AA4454C 4374 Thurman Rd Forest Park Ga, 30297 404-3663620 776054 ABRAHAM COROMA

1303 776054 Chiquitta McDowell 1608 4540 Washington Rd College Park Ga, 30337 404763-0000 776084 DANYSHA MOORE 0117 776084 mario roscoe 0911 776084 Lorain Dilworth 0535 776084 FELICIA GRIGGS 0346 776084 james ross 0505 776084 BERNITTA KENNEBREW 0728 776084 LEJON WILKERSON 0170 776084 karland robinson 0818 776084 RONALD THOMPKINS 0645 776084 ANTHONY ZEIGLER 0421 776084 james ross 1193 776084 Gina Chambers 0416 776084 karland robinson 0706 776084 Jennifer Turner 1183 776084 leon glenn 0149 776084 LISA BASSETT 0641 776084 ARIKA ANDERSON 0906 776084 zanthea heflin 1008 776084 keilisha jackson 0218 776084 takenya patrick 0854 776084 Shannon Wimberly 0449 776084 Khan Singleton 0212 776084 TONYA WOODS 1107 776084 DEMONTRE WALKER 0630 929-532656, 2/23,3/2

NOTICE There will be sold at public outcry for cash at Willard Wrecker Service, 719 Shadburn Avenue, Buford, GA 30518, on Saturday, MARCH 3, 2018 at 11:00 AM the following vehicles declared abandoned or foreclosed vehicles pursuant to O.C.G.A Section 40-11-05, as follows: ear Make Model VIN 1 2001 Buick LeSabre 1G4HP54K31U215045 2 2000 Saturn SL2 1G8ZK5272YZ182066 3 1993 Toyota Previa JT3AC12R2P1073439 4 2007 Chevrolet Malibu 1G1ZS57F47F249040 5 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe KM8SC73D92U227380 6 1999 Volkswagen Passat WVWMA63B3XE169862 7 2005 Audi A 4 WAUDG68EX5A459941 8 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 3GNFK12338G258223 9 2005 Dodge Durango 1D4HB38N25F613937 10 2005 Nissan Sentra 3N1CB51D05L504700 11 2002 Ford Focus 3FAFP37322R176340 12 2007 Chrysler Sebring 1C3LC46R37N604595 13 2008 Chrysler 300 2C3KA43R68H189370 14 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle 3VWRF31Y17M400701 15 2003 Ford Mustang 1FAFP40443F307954 16 2002 Chevrolet S-10 1GCCS145X28227171 17 2006 Nissan 350Z JN1AZ36A66M480447 18 2001 Wabash Trailer 1JJV532W41L737042 19 2000 Jaguar S-Type SAJDA01D8YGL51517 20 2009 Honda Accord 1HGCP26349A170215 21 1993 Chevrolet Blazer 1GNCS13W0P2113174 22 2004 Hyundai Sonata KMHWF35H34A956075 23 2012 Nissan Sentra 3N1AB6AP3CL661528 24 2012 Nissan Sentra 3N1AB6AP2CL717474 25 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt 1G1AK15F777313834 26 2006 Mercury Mountaineer 4M2EU47E06UJ08133 27 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt 1G1AK15F277282976 28 2006 BMW 330i WBAVB33516PS19801 29 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid KMHEC4A43BA002792 30 1997 Honda Accord 1HGCD568XVA176200 31 1999 Ford Crown Victoria 2FAFP71W5XX239997 32 1999 Toyota Camry JT2BF28K1X0168757 33 2007 Honda Civic 1HGFA16857L039493 34 2004 Dodge Stratus 1B3EL36X04N255115 35 1992 Toyota Corolla JT2AE94A3N0293714 36 2004 Acura T L 19UUA66234A034817 37 2004 Honda Accord 1HGCM66844A024255 38 2007 Hyundai Sonata 5NPET46C77H258468 39 2015 Kia Rio KNADM4A38F6520620 40 2002 Mercury Sable 1MEFM50U32A636812 41 2006 Audi A 4 WAUAC48HX6K008243 42 2008 Nissan Xterra 5N1AN08U18C519285 43 2006 Pontiac G 6 1G2ZH558464109370 44 2000 Volkswagen J e t t a 3VWTE29M8YM120795 45 2006 Hyundai Sonata 5NPEU46F26H030299 46 2016 Gator Scooter 1YDY5TBBXG1500064 47 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1J4GW58N02C169358 929-532865, 2/16,23,3/2 PUBLIC SALE The following rooms will be sold at the public auction on March 6, 2018. The auction will be starting at 3657 Memorial Dr Ste A Decatur Ga, 30032 it starts at 8:30a.m.

3657 Memorial Dr Decatur Ga, 30032 404-286-9752 776028 BELINDA ADAMS V050 776028 Janese Scott 1238 776028 FRED DYER AA0825T 776028 DANA BLE AA0959T 776028 Cheryl Oates 1101

NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLES: K.O. Towing, 344 Kathleen Dr Se, Marietta, Ga 30067. 770-650-1413.

In accordance with OCGA Section 40-11-2, the following described vehicles/ vessels have been towed/ deemed abandoned and will be sold at Public Auction if not claimed. The vehicles are being stored at K.O. Towing, 344 Kathleen Dr Se, Marietta, Ga 30067. 770-650-1413 1998 Pontiac Transport Green, Vin# 1GMDX03E7WD342658, No tag#.

From 5476 Jimmy Carter, Norcross GA 30093 -K.O. Towing 344 Kathleen Dr. Marietta, Ga 770 650 9169 929-536139, 3/2,9

ZONINGS request under Section 11514 to allow the installation of two modular classroom buildings; VAR2018-0006, located at 5250 Brook Hollow Parkway, parcel identification number R6213 081, a request to modify an existing ground sign approved under VAR1999-0347.

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

934-536354, 3/2

LEGAL NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CITY OF LAWRENCEVILLE LAWRENCEVILLE CITY COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2018 AT 7:00 P.M. LAWRENCEVILLE CITY HALL COUNCIL ASSEMBLY ROOM 70 SOUTH CLAYTON STREET LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA 30046 THE FOLLOWING REZONINGS, SPECIAL USE PERMITS AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS, WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF LAWRENCEVILLE, ARE SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE STATED ABOVE. STAFF REPORTS, SITE PLANS, LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS, AND OTHER INFORMATION ARE AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 70 SOUTH CLAYTON STREET, LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA. OFFICE HOURS ARE 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY (PHONE 678-407-6583).

RZ-18-01 – APPLICANT: LS MEDICAL PARTNERS LLC; OWNER: LS MEDICAL PARTNERS, LLC; AN APPLICATION TO REZONE PROPERTY FROM OI (OFFICE INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT) TO HSB (HIGHWAY SERVICE BUSINESS DISTRICT); THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN THE 500-600 BLOCK OF LAWRENCEVILLE-SUWANEE ROAD (TAX PARCEL 5113 153); CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 5.5 ACRES. SU-18-01 – APPLICANT: LS MEDICAL PARTNERS LLC; OWNER: LS MEDICAL PARTNERS, LLC; FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN HSB (HIGHWAY SERVICE BUSINESS DISTRICT) ZONING FOR AN ASSISTED/INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING FACILITY; THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN THE 500-600 BLOCK OF LAWRENCEVILLE-SUWANEE ROAD (TAX PARCEL 5113 153); CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 5.5 ACRES. SU-18-02 – APPLICANT: GANN ENTERPRISES, INC.; OWNER: GANN ENTERPRISES, INC.; FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN BG (GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT) ZONING FOR GRAVEL PARKING (AUTO SALES); THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 45 EAST CROGAN STREET (TAX PARCEL R5174 042); CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 2.03 ACRES. P&D CC NEW BUSINESS: 4-11-2018 934-536165, 3/2

ZONINGS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE GWINNETT COUNTY BOARD OF CONSTRUCTION, ADJUSTMENTS & APPEALS GWINNETT JUSTICE & ADMINISTRATION CENTER 75 LANGLEY DRIVE, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 30046 PHONE NUMBER 678.518.6000 HEARING DATE: MARCH 14, 2018 PUBLIC HEARING AT 3:00 P.M. Case Number RDV201800001 APPLICANT Wen Georgia, LLC LOCATION 1615 Pleasant Hill Rd ZIP CODE 30096 ZONING C-2 MRN (DIST, LL, PARCEL) 6203004 VARIANCE REQUEST FROM THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE SECTION 800-90 TITLED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, TO CONSTRUCT A WENDY’S RESTAURANT. COMISSION DISTRICT 1.

934-534397, 3/2,9 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The City of Peachtree Corners Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at City Hall, 310 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners, Georgia beginning at 7:00 PM on March 20, 2018 to consider the following: SUP2018-002 & V2018002. US Express Auto Sales.

Request to approve a special use permit to accommodate a used auto sales facility and associated variance at 4745 South Berkeley Lake Rd., Dist. 6, Land Lot 258, Peachtree Corners, GA. PH2018-001. Village Park at Spalding. Request to approve additional buildings to the Village Park senior living facility located at 5701 Spalding Dr., Dist.

6, Land Lots 302 and 303, Peachtree Corners, GA PH2018-002. Town Center Townhomes. Request to approve elevations for the Town Center townhomes located in the Peachtree Corners Town Center at the southwest corner of Peachtree Parkway and Medlock Bridge Rd., Dist.

6, Land Lots 183 and 195, Peachtree Corners, GA PH2018-003. Sign Ordinance. Consideration of amendments to the sign ordinance home-based business requirements to clarify the regulations pertaining to temporary signage and signage for home-based businesses.

This item will also be considered by the City of Peachtree Corners City Council at City Hall, 310 Technology Parkway, beginning at 7:00PM on March 27, 2018 and a public hearing will be held beginning at 7:00PM on April 24, 2018.

KYM CHERECK, CITY CLERK CITY OF PEACHTREE CORNERS 934-536497, 3/2 THE CITY OF NORCROSS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING A Public Hearing will be held before the Norcross Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 6:30 PM in City Hall at 65 Lawrenceville Street for the purpose of due process of the following: VAR2018-0001, located at 3159 Campus Drive, parcel identification number R6272 091, a special exception

FULL TIME

AUTO SERVICE TECH To do oil changes & light mechancial work. Some driving & light clean up work. Must be willing to learn & work M-F w/a valid GA license. Call John, 770-934-4679

FULL TIME

PLUMBERS

NOW HIRING! PLUMBERS for Residential Roughing and Finishing.

Starting at $24/hr.

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

Starting at $17/hr.

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

FARMS, LOTS & ACREAGE FOR SALE SNELLVILLE, GA 30078 BIRD LANE

BROOKWOOD SCHOOLS 1.03 Acre Wooded Zoned RS180. Lot located in Snellville in older established neighborhood in Brookwood Elementary School district.

Water, gas, and electric available.

No disclosure.

Owner purchased as investment property. $29,900 Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

ANNOUNCEMENTS

APTS/DUP/CONDOS/ T’HOMES FOR RENT

ANNOUNCEMENTS

GWINNETT DUPLEXES

2 Communities!

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

Starting @ $950/mo.

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

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR SALE MONROE, GA 30655

North Broad St.

HOUSES FOR SALE

JEFFERSON, 30549 109 WOODS WAY

1 ACRE LOT 2 Story with Master On Main!

Entry foyer, formal dining room, vaulted family room with fireplace.

Breakfast area and bar. ½ bath on main.

2 bedrooms up with shared bath plus bonus. Full basement, partially finished w/rec room & bath. $239,900 Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com FARMS, LOTS & ACREAGE FOR SALE

COVINGTON, GA 30014 1750 Georgia Highway 138

WALNUT GROVE AREA 11.57 ACRES Of Land with +/-411 Feet of Road Frontage On Busy Highway 138.

Sewer is available to this property.

Suitable for grocery store or any type business. $2,225,000 Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

DACULA, GA 30019 DROWNING CREEK RD.

ZONED COMMERCIAL Drastically Reduced, Bring All Offers!

Commercial Property in Monroe City Limits Zoned B-3. This piece is suitable for any type business. All utilities are available including sewer. $175,000.

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

MONROE, GA 30656 1730 River Bluff Rd

RIVER FRONT 3BR/2.5BA 2 Story on 1.92 acre river lot with above ground pool.

Formal living & dining rooms, spacious kitchen.

Master with sitting area. Full finished basement with kitchenette.

Motivated sellers! $216,995 Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com

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

770-513-3151

ROOMMATE WANTED /ROOM FOR RENT

THANKSGIVING NOVENA TO ST. JUDE O Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kins¬man of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition.

In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked.

St. Jude pray for us all who invoke your aid. Amen. Say three Our Fathers, three Hail Mary’s and Glorias. Publication must be promised.

This Novena has never been known to fail.

I have had my request granted.

Publication promised.

VEHICLES

DODGE WORK VAN, 1995 1 owner, 150K, custom cabinets, seats, sound system, & great cond. $1,995. 770-616-7399

GWINNETT, LAWRENCEVILLE:

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

MERCEDES-BENZ C-300, 2011 4 Door Sedan, Excellent Condition, Always Garaged, Gold, Mileage 46,725.

Call 10AM-8PM est.

470-558-8579. $21,900

HEAVY EQUIPMENT

WOOD CHIPPER VERMEER 620 WOOD CHIPPER, motor has only 536 hrs. $4000.

770-271-7127 770-714-8250 MUSICAL EQUIPMENT PIANO Lowery upright piano in very good condition with bench. $200.

Call (770) 932-3880

MOTORCYCLES HARLEY-DAVIDSON 883 SPORTSTER, 2004, 11,000 mi., good running cond., gar. kept, $4000. 770-271-7127 770-714-8250

CEMETERY LOTS FOR SALE

GWINNETT, SNELLVILLE Eternal Hills Memorial Gardens: 2 Burial Plots w/2 vaults, opening & closing in the Dogwood Estates, section B, Spaces 1 & 2.

Orig. $15,000, asking $7,500. 404-392-1842

BARBERS New Barbershop Opening in Norcross is looking for friendly barbers. For more information email: navell.28@hotmail.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE Atlanta based company is in need of a Business Development Associate.

Sales experience is desirable. Automotive Sales experience would be helpful.

Persistence and willingness to follow a proven method of prospecting is necessary. Candidates must be self motivated and enjoy working outside of the office making face to face contact with prospective customers.

GREAT ROAD FRONTAGE! +/- 15.87 acre tract zoned RA200 in Dacula waiting for you to build your dream home. Development Property is currently in conservation use.

Property has some flood plain. $350,000 • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealty professionals.com LOGANVILLE, GA 30052 ETCHISON RD

Salary plus bonus, expenses, benefits and Company car provided.

Must have GED or high school diploma, a valid Georgia drivers license and a clean driving record.

Email resume to commtruckequip@ gmail.com COMPUTER/IT: NCR Corporation seeks f/t Senior Software Engineer in Duluth, GA to serve as technical lead for SelfServ Check Out integration projects for retail markets. Telecommuting benefit available.

Send resume: Viktorija.

Stevanovic@ncr.com, ref req: Senior Software Engineer GCP -2017_12.

DRIVERS Truss company in Buford seeking CDL DRIVERS with knowledge of tractors, trailers, and wide loads, CDL Class A a must, and clean MVR. Deliver roof trusses to subdivisions in the Atlanta Metro area.

Wide loads.

Awareness of safety procedures. jevans@trusstech. com --------------------------------------------------

ESCORT DRIVER (PILOT) Needed to escort wide loads.

Must have clean MVR. Age 25 & older.

Call 770-271-1347

SERVICES

MONROE, GA 30656 OLD ATHENS HWY

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

FOREST

COUNTRY BOY TREE REMOVAL

CLEARING/GRADING /EXCAVATION

REMODELING, INC.

LOADER WORK •Lot Clearing •Cut out for Basements •Grading Out for Building Pads •Underbrush Clearing •GRAVEL DRIVEWAYS• •All Types of Hauling & Tractor/Trackhoe Work • Fill Dirt •Bobcat Work

678-836-9398 MAKE OFFER! Beautiful 2.68 Acre Wooded Tract of Land.

200 feet of road frontage.

Not divisible.

Per planning and development mobile homes are permitted.

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

HOME REPAIR/ REMODELING

ELECTRICAL

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

770-962-2071 Credit Cards Accepted LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE COMPLETE CHOICE LAWN SOLUTIONS

4blsmarthomesolutions. com Call 678-790-2127

HOME REPAIR/ REMODELING

I CAN HELP WITH • ELECTRICAL • PLUMBING • CARPENTRY • ETC. I Am A Retired Contractor

CALL MIKE AT 770-962-3333

Summer Seasoned

Oak Delivered & Dumped LICENSED

“Making Lawns Beautiful” MOST RESIDENTIAL LAWNS $45.00 Includes • Cutting • Edging • Weed Eating • Hedge Trimming Is Extra Give us a call today for a FREE ESTIMATE

678-896-1481

770-932-1751 Cell 770-313-5751

POWER WASHING

PRESSURE WASHING

FOR ALL THOSE MINOR REPAIR JOBS NO SUBDIVISION Beautiful 2.89 Acre Tract of Land close to vicinity of Athens. The front is open with a small, shared pond & the back is heavily wooded.

County water is available at the street. $32,900.

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

Bucket Truck

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

4BLSmartHome Solutions Cameras and CCTV Home theaters Multi Room Audio Tv Installation Alarms and security BBB Acredited businnes Licensed and Insured

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

M&M Lawn Maintenance All Types of Yard Work * Lawns starting at $30 CALL

770-780-9786

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

CALL OR TEXT

404.886.3587 Established 1989

we Gwinnett Daily Post

Movie critic Michael Clark makes award predictions,

weekend entertainment

Page 5C

ALL ABOUT OSCARS FRIDAY MARCH 2, 2018

10 spot the

Jimmy Kimmel is set to again host the Oscars on Sunday. How does he rank among the top hosts in the event’s history? TV Guide says pretty well. Here is the magazine’s rankings of the top 10 all-time Oscar hosts: 1. Ellen DeGeneres 2. Billy Crystal 3. Whoopi Goldberg 4. Jon Stewart 5. Johnny Carson 6. Chris Rock 7. Hugh Jackman 8. Bob Hope 9. Jimmy Kimmel 10. Neil Patrick Harris

a look ahead

March 8 MAMMA MIA! — The musical opens at Lawrenceville’s Aurora Theatre and runs through April 22. For ticket prices and more information, go to www.auroratheatre.com.

March 10 Gwinnett County Community Health Fair —The Daily Post, in conjunction with Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation and Live Healthy Gwinnett, presents the Gwinnett County Community Health Fairs series starting with one at Rhodes Jordan Park Recreation Center in Lawrenceville. For more information go to www.SCNIevents.com/ healthfairs.

March 17 Suwanee Kiwanis Shamrock 5K — The race, which starts at Suwanee Town Center Park, is the last qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race. Prizes are given for the best St. Patrick’s Day costumes. For more information, go to www.runsignup.com.

more inside “Death Wish”

the dish

page 2C

Cafe Songhai “Red Sparrow” page 8C

page 6C

GWINNETT’S BIGGEST ST. PADDY’S DAY PARTY

MARCH 17th

532679-1

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

SuwaneeBeerFest.com

2C • FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

gwinnettdailypost.com

dining

dish the

Cafe Songhai 3380 Holcomb Bridge Road Peachtree Corners https://www.facebook.com /CafeSonghaiATL 470-359-2969

A mound of Ghanian Jollof rice with tender chunks of beef, fried sweet plantains and greens is one of the menu items at Cafe Songhai. (Photos: Michael Allen)

BY MICHAEL ALLEN

ON THE MENU

Open Since: April Owners: Matthew and Catherine Owusu Location: At the edge of the Corners Court Shopping Center near the intersection where Jimmy Carter Boulevard meets Holcomb Bridge Road Hours: Monday: Closed Tuesday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday: 11 a.m. to Midnight Saturday: Noon to Midnight Sunday: Noon to 9 p.m.

Atmosphere: Like the fictional nation of Wakanda featured in “Black Panther,” Cafe Songhai seems to be one of the best kept secrets on the Gwinnett County dining scene.

Married owners Matthew and Catherine Owusu describe the restaurant’s atmosphere as “modern West African dining” and a great place to bring a family. Tribal masks and artwork from Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria serve as decor throughout the restaurant.

High-backed booths and polished wooden tables give this location an upscale feel without upscale prices. The walk-up bar is decked out with multiple TVs and makes a great place to come grab a beer and watch a game.

The outdoor patio is another gem. When the temperatures are right, it’s the perfect spot to have dinner with family on a cozy Sunday afternoon or link up with friends after work during the week.

“We wanted it to be very homely, welcoming and a place that you could come and feel free, eat with your fingers, chat with your friends, hang around and listen to good music,” Matthew Owuso

Beef Suya: Seasoned grilled beef brisket. $10 Grilled Tilapia: Grilled whole wild tilapia seasoned with spices and topped with Ivorian salsa. $14.50 Jollof rice: Parboiled or jasmine rice cooked in tomato sacue served with chicken, beef or fish and fried sweet plantain. $12.50 Red Red: Black-eyed pea stew served with fried plantains. $12.50

said.

Cafe Songhai’s staff adds to that down-home feel. Since many folks on this side of the Atlantic ocean aren’t familiar with West African cuisine, the staff is well-versed on the menu and more than willing to help you select a dish to satisfy your taste buds.

Speaking of music, Owusu has likely assembled one of the best music playlists in the business.

The playlist seamlessly switches from catchy, uptempo African pop to a bit of reggae, pop, rock and roll, and even old school and modern R&B without feeling out of place.

You’ll randomly catch yourself toe-tapping to the beat of West African Kizomba music or Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You.” Even the staff appreciates it as you’ll notice them moving around the restaurant to the rhythm of the beat.

If you’re looking for a place to unwind during the work week, be sure to bring your significant other or a friend from 7 p.m. to midnight on every first, second and fourth Friday for Kizomba Friday.

Kizomba is a popular style of dance and musical genre originating in Angola. The dance style

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High-backed booths and polished wooden tables give Cafe Songhai an upscale feel without upscale prices.

is West Africa’s version of ballroom dancing.

“People enjoy it, and it’s definitely a sexy, electric vibe,” Catherine Owusu said.

Cursed with two left feet? Don’t worry. There’s a free Kizomba dance class that starts at 7:30 p.m.

The cover is $5, and the restaurant offers happy hour drink specials as well.

If dancing is not your speed, come and have a laugh as Cafe Songhai features family-friendly comedians each month.

Menu: Matthew Owusu’s motto for Cafe Songhai is “West African cuisine for the discerning.” You’ll certainly feel wise after having a meal here.

Owusu learned how to cook many of the menu items from his mother as a child and his love for cooking carried on to adulthood.

“I’ve always cooked, I started almost from infancy with my mother, and it’s something I’ve always known how to do,”

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Cafe Songhai is located at 3380 Holcomb Bridge Road in Peachtree Corners.

he said.

If you’re not familiar with West African cuisine, you’ll regret having missed out for so long.

Many of the dishes are similar to what you would find in Caribbean food but with a different flair.

On the appetizer menu, the Beef Suya is the way to go for your protein.

The grilled chunks of beef brisket are seasoned to perfection and served with sliced onion slivers and a powdered spice for added flavor.

If you’re craving something a bit sweeter, the Puff Puff is the way to go. Immensely popular in West African countries such as Sierra Leone and Nigeria, Puff Puff is lightly sweetened fried dough balls that make a great snack before or after your meal.

One of the biggest hits on the menu is the grilled tilapia. Served whole, the wild tilapia is seasoned with an array of mild spices, coated with a tomato-based Ivorian salsa, topped with slivers of steamed tomato and onions, then served with a side of fried sweet plantains.

Chef Owusu prepares the dish so well that the flaky white meat of the tilapia literally slides off

The beef suya at Cafe Songhai is seasoned grilled beef brisket chunks served with sliced onions and powdered spice.

the skeleton making it worth getting your hands dirty.

It’d be a shame to dine at Cafe Songhai and not join the Jollof rice debate.

Cafe Songhai offers both the Nigerian and Ghanian styles, and if you haven’t heard already, there’s a big rivalry over which country makes the better version. The Nigerian version of Jollof is made with parboiled rice, while the Ghanian version is made with Jasmine rice.

Both are cooked in tomato sauce and served with a side of fried sweet plantains with your choice of chicken, beef or fish.

“Everybody who tries it loves the Jollof,” Owusu said.

Since Owusu was raised in Ghana, he’s admittedly

biased toward the Ghanian version but won’t judge you if choose the Nigerian style.

For diners on a plantbased diet, Cafe Songhai caters to you as well.

The menu is littered with delicious veggie-based soups and stews. One of Owusu’s top orders is the Red-Red. This Ghanian dish is a ground blackeyed pea stew cooked in palm oil and served with fried plantain.

Something you might not know: Palm wine is served at the restaurant. It is a West African alcoholic beverage made from the sap of palm trees.

Think of aloe vera water with a little bit of a kick.

Cafe Songhai’s version is imported directly from Ghana.

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018 • 3C

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Tannery Row juried exhibition breaks participation record The spring juried exhibition at the Tannery Row Artist Colony will be bigger than ever this year. The show will feature 91 artists who have submitted more than 250 works that will be considered by judges for the show that will run through April 7.

“This is the highest level of participation we have ever had for our Spring Juried Exhibition,” Tannery Row Artist Colony spokesperson Debra Barnhart said of the exhibition, which will open with a special reception from 5 to 8 p.m. March 10.

Tannery Row Artist Colony, a collective of 15 artists and their studios, is located at 554 W. Main in Buford. The exhibition will be open to the public from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

The works selected were judged based on overall artistic merit and originality.

“The overall strength of this year’s entries was incredible. It means that wonderful works of art will be competing with wonderful works of art,” said Tonya Haswell, Tannery artist and this year’s chairperson for the spring exhibit. The show will consist of approximately 50 pieces of artwork.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. The juror is Donna Krueger, who is the owner of dk Gallery in Marietta.

Kruger is an experienced fine art juror who has judged national and international exhibitions for organizations such as the National Colored Pencil Society and American Women Artists.

“The number of entries this year means a wide variety of media used in exceptional ways that represent a number of unique visual styles and expressive artistic voices,” Barnhart said.

Connie Reilly, whose oil painting “Artistry” will appear in the spring exhibit, is a well-known figurative artist. Reilly’s work is part of many private, public and museum collections, including the Booth Museum and Atlanta History Center.

arts&entertainment

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Art Beat

Holley Calmes “Painting portraits and the human figure is my greatest passion, and I’ve always been inspired by historical and nostalgic themes perhaps because it reminds me of my Southern heritage,” Reilly said.

With her piece “Artistry,” Reilly depicts a woman from the back, wearing a flower wreath and a flowing white dress.

As with many of her compositions, there is an air of mystery about the subject.

Cynthia Corbin’s mixed media piece, “Feel Like Dancing,” is a boldly colored abstract composition using paint and collaged paper.

“Yellow is not a color I use very often,” Corbin said. “So this was an experiment. I had a small graphic design sketch I wanted to translate into collage using that color, so I selected all my papers in blues, turquoises and some purples, glazed my canvas in shades of yellow and slowly built up the design.”

Kathy Kitz creates large abstract expressionist works on canvas.

She enjoys the process of applying and lifting the paint to create depth and movement in her work.

Her painting in the Spring Juried Exhibit, “Edge of the Wall,” was inspired by nature. “I used the muted colors of a foggy rainy day to create this piece,” Kitz said.

For more information about the exhibition and this unique arts community, visit Tannery Row Artist Colony’s website at www.tanneryrowartistcolony.net Holley Calmes is a freelance writer and public relations consultant specializing in the arts.

Email her at hcalmes@ mindspring.com.

The Monster Energy American Motorcyclist Association Supercross event will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the first time on Saturday. (Photo: Jeff Kardas)

New Atlanta stadium to host Supercross

BY JON GALLO

packed with fans there was nothing like it.”

This season, Monster Kyle Chisholm is ready Energy AMA Supercross, to be part of history Satan FIM World Championurday. ship, has revised the way it “I can’t wait to compete will crown a champion, as at the Mercedes-Benz Sta- it has instituted a revised dium,” he said. “This will points system, the addibe a first event there for all tion of three Triple Crown of us, so you don’t know Monster Energy Cup-style what to really expect.” events, two East/West Chisholm will be among 250SX Shootouts, four a highly Supercross Amateur racing competievents and the elimination tive field of semifinal races in qualithat will fying for the Main Event. compete in For the first time in more a Monster than 20 years, the series Energy will allocate points over American all 22 finishing positions.

MotorWhile the gaps between Kyle Chisholm cyclist first, second and third Associaplaces remain the same, tion Supercross event for the new points system the first time at the new will ensure that the race to stadium that replaced the the championship will be Georgia Dome, which for much more competitive years had been the sport’s throughout the season as home in Atlanta. the reward is greater for a Now, two months after better finish.

Alabama’s victory over “There’s not a favorite Georgia in the College because there are a lot of Football Playoff National riders who have a chance Championship game, the to win,” said Chisholm, stadium will be transa 30-year-old native of formed from an artificial Clearwater, Fla., who now turf field to a competitive resides in Valrico, Fla. motorcycle track made of Monster Energy AMA tons and red clay.

“I hope it is like the Georgia Dome because the dome was great,” said Chisholm, who estimated he competed at the Georgia Dome eight times as a professional. “The track was wide open, and when we raced, the stadium was

Staff Correspondent

automatically qualify for the Main Event, with the rest of the competitors What: Monster Energy have to compete in the AMA Supercross semifinals.

Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Saturday’s event will When: Saturday; be the tour’s nine stop of Pit party: noon, Openits 17-race schedule, but ing Ceremony: 6:30 it’s also the second event p.m., Racing: 7 p.m. in the inaugural three-city Tickets: Start at $20 showdown, and can be purchased In the Triple Crown, via ticketmaster.com or the 250SX and 450SX by calling 800-745-3000 classes compete, with the Note: The Pit Party is at qualifying races used to the Georgia World Congress Center and costs reduce the field to the top $20, but admission is 22 riders in each class. The free with an empty can 250SX Class will compete of Monster Energy that in 6-, 10- and 12-minute can be recycled.

Main Events, while the 450SX Class will compete in 8-, 12- and 15-minute Main Events.

Supercross also has An Olympic-style scoreradicated semifinal races ing method determines with the intent of adding an overall winner in each pressure to early rounds, as each rider will have just class from all three Main two chances to earn a spot Events, where the lowest combined score will be in the Main Event. This year, the top nine finishers awarded the overall win.

“All the riders get along, in each heat will qualify directly into the Main Event and we want our fans to while positions 10 through have a great time,” Chisholm said. “But at the 20 will have one last end of the day, everyone chance to make it through a last chance qualifier race. has a job to do. It’s a different kind of job, but it’s In previous seasons, a job — and that job is to only the top five finishers win.” during heat races would

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music

A family affair

out and see the show,” O’Connor said.

He said he chose to play What: Mark O’Connor Band at the Red Clay Music When: 7:30 p.m.

Foundry after the intimate March 7 venue was referred to him Where: Red Clay Music by the Zac Brown Band Foundry, Duluth while he was touring with Tickets: General adthe group last summer. The mission is $20 and can concert will also serve as be purchased via eddiethe kickoff to the American owenpresents.com.

String Teachers Association National Conference, which talented to begin with, had will be held in Atlanta the almost no performance next day. experience, let alone studio He’ll also perform at experience, so the whole the conference, which is thing has shot way up. They honoring him for creating are remarkably confident, “The O’Connor Method,” a nothing really phases their 10-book series for teachers performances. Every time I and students, to help in the step on stage, I have come to development of pedagogiexpect fireworks and beauti- cal and musical techniques ful music-making out of this necessary to become a proficient, well-rounded musician band.” through a carefully planned O’Connor said the consuccession of pieces. cert will mix his past with “’The O’Connor Method the band’s present, which took me 10 years to author, includes plenty of songs and a lifetime of study and from the band’s two albums, “Coming Home” and experience that went into it beforehand. When I started “O’Connor Band Live!” to become more success“The set list for us is goful in my Nashville music ing to be exciting in Duluth career by the early 1990s, I in that we added in several wanted to give back in the of my own most successful music education area more tunes from my past,” Mark and began to host annual said. “Audiences are really string camps,” he said. going to get a charge out “Witnessing 7,000 stuof our new Dolly Partondents coming to my camps inspired ‘Muleskinner Mark O’Connor, forefront, has teamed with wife Maggie and, in the background, son Forrest and daughterin-law Kate, along with National Flatpick Guitar Champion Joe Smart and double bassist/old-time banjoist over a period of several Blues,’ and we are going to Geoff Saunders, to form the Mark O’Connor Band. (Special Photo) years led to the realization bring back the rockabilly that America doesn’t really classic from Carl Perkins’ ‘Restless,’ which is a song I have a good methodology had a hit with from my ‘New for violin students when it comes to creativity, culNashville Cats’ album.” tural diversity in the music The show will also

BY JON GALLO has worked with some of the Joe Smart and double basssecond straight summer, the include Mark’s guitar solo, literature, various ensemble Staff Correspondent biggest names in the busiist/old-time banjoist Geoff Mark O’Connor Band will playing experiences, learn“Slopes,” and he’ll pick ness, including Johnny Cash, Saunders to rejuvenate stop at the Red Clay Music ing to improvise, which is up his fiddle for his ode to What began in Mark Wynton Marsalis, Dolly the Americana genre. The Foundry in Duluth at 7:30 Charlie Daniels’ “The Devil a prerequisite for most any O’Connor’s imagination has Parton and Yo-Yo Ma. band’s debut album, “Com- p.m. March 7. kind of American music, went down to Georgia.” spawned into a career that More than four decades ing Home,” ascended to the “The band performances and, of course, American Mark’s “The Devil Comes has been hard to believe. later, he’s made it a family top spot on Billboard’s Top have really developed over music itself was left out of Back to Georgia,” from The former child prodigy affair.

Bluegrass Albums chart en the last 2 1/2 years when we his “Heroes” album, was violin lesson plans across on the fiddle, guitar and this country. For hundreds of He’s teamed with wife route to earning a Grammy first formed,” said O’Connor, originally recorded with mandolin has become a mul- Maggie, son Forrest, daugh- for Best Bluegrass Album.

56. “But the sheer perforDaniels, Cash, Marty Stuart years, the American hoedown, blues, African-Amertitime Grammy and Country ter-in-law Kate, National Before going on tour with mance abilities of everyone and Travis Tritt. ican spirituals, ragtime, folk Music Award winner and Flatpick Guitar Champion the Zac Brown Band for the in both the singing and “If you are a fan of the songs, jazz and so forth have instrumental departments fiddle and great acoustic been inspiring musicians have skyrocketed on stage. music and you are in the around the world.”

My family, although hugely vicinity, you gotta to come

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movies

MOVIE MANIA

Oscars to feature best group of films since ’99

BY MICHAEL CLARK

semi-watershed event.

The Bottom Line: Neither Anderson, Gerwig nor Peele have a snowball’s chance of winning, but each could siphon enough votes from the director voting pool base to keep the race between Golden Globe, BAFTA and Director’s Guild winner del Toro and Nolan close. In the end it will be del Toro by nose.

Movie Critic

From a pure quality perspective, 2017 was the best year for movies since 1999.

In that year we had “The Matrix,” “Fight Club,” “Being John Malkovich,” “The Sixth Sense,” “The Green Mile,” “Go,” “Toy Story 2,” “The Iron Giant,” “Office Space,” “The Blair Witch Project,” Payback,” “Magnolia,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” “The Red Violin” and Best Picture winner “American Beauty.”

While the bulk of nominees for Oscars this year still skew toward artsy, many of these same movies enjoyed mass commercial success (“Get Out” and “Dunkirk” in particular).

Each and every one of the titles up for Best Picture is fully deserving of the industry’s top prize, and the field covers a slew of genres. There’s fantasy (“The Shape of Water”), horror (“Get Out”), black comedy (“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”), coming-of-age (“Lady Bird”), politics (“The Post,” “Darkest Hour,”) war (“Dunkirk”), twisted costume period piece (“Phantom Thread”) and alternative lifestyle romance (“Call Me by Your Name”).

This past year also revealed a darker side of Hollywood that many knew about but rarely spoke of, and it finally reached critical mass. While far from over, the revelations of sexual abuse and harassment that began with a Ronan Farrow expose about Harvey Weinstein in October has led to the rightful end of many careers not only in the movie industry but also in TV and music.

In the new age of hashtags, #MeToo has risen to the top of the heap, and as long as it stays focused and doesn’t stray off path, it will remain one of the few great and long-lasting ideas social media has ever conceived.

This “year of enlightenment” has also seen those in the movie industry further distancing themselves from the people who pay most of their bills (Red State Middle Americans) with their relentless, largely misinformed political commentary. It doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat, a Republican, a Libertarian, nonpartisan or completely apolitical, most people do not want to hear the political opinions of entertainers, pro or con. Most individuals wish to keep their choices in entertainment and politics separate entities.

TUNING IN What: 90th Academy Awards When: 8 p.m. March 4, with red carpet coverage starting at 6:30 p.m.

Where to watch: ABC At top, from left, Woody Harrelson and Frances McDormand star in the film “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” (Special Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures) Above, from left, Saoirse Ronan and Lucas Hedges star in “Lady Bird.” Both films are nominated for the Best Picture award, among others. (Special Photo: Merie Wallace courtesy of A24)

For second-time returning Oscar host and third tier late night host Jimmy Kimmel, this would mean scrapping most of his shtick, and that simply won’t happen.

Unapologetically biased and increasingly unfunny during his late night TV monologues, Kimmel was the exact wrong person to host this show this year. His pointed and blunted jabs at the right will likely be met with fawning approval from those in the audience and viewers on both coasts, but will also further distance the elite left and those living in “flyover” states.

As ABC has the TV rights for the Oscars for at least the next couple of years, they might want to possibly consider bringing back someone who can sing, dance, tell a joke and look good all at the same time without offending or polarizing anyone — Hugh Jackman, for example.

A bit of trivia before it all starts …

This is the first time in AMPAS history when the same four people nominated in the four acting categories have each all already been awarded the Golden Globe, Screen

Actors Guild and British Academy Awards going in.

Here are this year’s nominees and my guesses on who will be the probable winners.

Best Actor in a Lead Role The Nominees: Timothée Chalamet in “Call Me by Your Name,” Daniel Day-Lewis in “Phantom Thread,” Daniel Kaluuya in “Get Out,” Gary Oldman in “Darkest Hour” and Denzel Washington in “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” The Skinny: The only thing interesting is here is that James Franco — winner of the Golden Globe in the comedy/musical category — wasn’t even nominated.

Many feel this is because he became a suspect of the #MeToo movement within hours of winning, although AMPAS firmly denies this.

The Bottom Line: This will be the most noncompetitive of a bunch of noncompetitive races of the night. With only his second nomination in a 40-year career that warranted at least five more, Oldman will finally get his rightful due.

This one is a landslide lock.

Best Actress in a Lead Role The Nominees: Sally Hawkins in “The Shape of Water,” Frances McDormand in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” Margot Robbie in “I, Tonya, ” Saoirse

happen this year. Expect the extremely deserving Rockwell to emerge victorious.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role Ronan in “Lady Bird” and The Nominees: Mary J. Meryl Streep in “The Post.”

Blige in “Mudbound,” Allison The Skinny: You know it’s Janney in “I, Tonya,” Lesa primo line-up when Meryl ley Manville in “Phantom Streep is the weakest link in Thread,” Laurie Metcalf in the chain.

“Lady Bird” and Octavia The Bottom Line: Before Spencer in “The Shape of the awards season started Water.” in earnest, Hawkins, and to The Skinny: Easily the a lesser extent Ronan, were most volatile acting category the co-favorites, but McDorin any year, winning a Best mand has changed all of that Supporting Actress Oscar is and will come out on top. also viewed by some to be a curse, as many who’ve won Best Actor in a have then seen their careers Supporting Role take a nose dive after claimThe Nominees: Wiling the brass ring. lem Dafoe in “The Florida The Bottom Line: As with Project,” Woody Harrelson Hawkins in the Lead Actress in “Three Billboards Outside category, Metcalf topped Ebbing, Missouri,” Richard multiple critics group lists but Jenkins in “The Shape of has had zero luck since then.

Water,” Christopher Plummer Janney — an actress who in “All the Money in the World” made her mark mostly in TV and Sam Rockwell in “Three at the same time as fellow Billboards Outside Ebbing, baby boomer nominee MetMissouri” calf — will win walking away.

The Skinny: Another tremendously strong roster Best Director of contenders — perhaps The Nominees: Paul the best of the night — each Thomas Anderson for “Phancapable of winning without tom Thread,” Guillermo del anyone being the least bit Toro for “The Shape of Wasurprised. ter,” Greta Gerwig for “Lady The Bottom Line: While Bird,” Christopher Nolan for Dafoe fared well with multiple “Dunkirk” and Jordan Peele critics’ groups, he’s been left for “Get Out.” out in the cold with his voting The Skinny: For just peers. It is quite rare for perthe second time in history, formers from the same film a woman and a black man to be nominated in the same have been nominated in this acting category, and this usu- category in the same year, ally results in them cancelling and although not exactly each other out, but that won’t groundbreaking, it’s still a

Best Picture The Nominees: “Call Me by Your Name,” “Darkest Hour,” “Dunkirk,” “Get Out,” “Lady Bird,” “Phantom Thread,” “The Post,” “The Shape of Water” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”

The Skinny: Even after over a decade of doubling the number of nominees from five to 10 (or nine or eight) to infer “inclusion,” the top award still comes down to what has always generally been a two-horse race, and this year is no different.

The Bottom Line: Despite being nominated for 13 Oscars (second only to three others with 14 in Academy history), “The Shape of Water” is still the clear underdog here. “Three Billboards” won the Golden Globe and BAFTA, and by all logic it should win here as well, but it is nowhere near a slam dunk. This will be the last award of the night and the hardest to pick with certainty, which will be great for the ongoing suffering TV ratings. No movie receiving 13 or more nominations has ever not won this award, but — apart from del Toro’s win streak — “The Shape of Water” has lost whatever momentum it had going in and just doesn’t have enough juice to stop the “Three Billboards” juggernaut.

Probable winners in other categories: • Best Adapted Screenplay: “Call Me by Your Name” • Best Animated Feature: “Coco” • Best Animated Short: “Dear Basketball” • Best Cinematography: “Blade Runner 2049” • Best Costume Design: “Phantom Thread” • Best Documentary Feature: “Faces Places” • Best Documentary Short: “Traffic Stop” • Best Editing: “Dunkirk” • Best Foreign Language Film: “A Fantastic Woman” • Best Live Action Short Film: “Dekalb Elementary” • Best Makeup: “Darkest Hour” • Best Original Screenplay: “Get Out” • Best Original Song: “Remember Me” from “Coco” • Best Production Design: “The Shape of Water” • Best Score: “The Shape of Water” • Best Sound Editing: “Dunkirk” • Best Sound Mixing: “Dunkirk” • Best Special Effects: “Blade Runner 2049”

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movies

BAD MEMORABILIA

Depressing ‘Nostalgia’ too focused on physical objects

BY MICHAEL CLARK

Dealing with the aftermath of family death is not pleasant, and most people wish to get through it with the least amount of stress Jon Hamm possible. If the departed have stars as specific wishes that can be Will in reasonably met, honor those “NosIf you’ve ever be given wishes as best possible. If talgia.” the unenviable task of you’ve been willed some(Photo: settling the affairs of a thing and don’t want it and Bleecker recently deceased loved one, it’s worth something, sell it Street) “Nostalgia” will have great if you wish. It’s now yours — that’s your right. Hanging impact ,but probably not in a on to physical objects once way you’d like. It is monuowned by someone else no mentally depressing on so longer with us shouldn’t many levels, but being sad does not make a movie bad; about to go, and Daniel (Jon ing from Daniel’s company, they agree on a price. record player, and she’s kind come with strings attached.

Ortiz), an insurance adjuster Helen is in possession of an Watching a movie about some of the greatest films This scenario bleeds into of, sort of, right. This “less is ever made are downbeat, but of some sort. Ronnie doesn’t old autographed baseball Will traveling back to his more” observation is coming people debating such issues is a waste of time and almost all of them are often seem to care if everything treasured by multiple past childhood home, where from a representative of a he owns goes into the trash money, and robs the soul. offset by some ray of hope generations. Without being he and his sister, Donna generation which feels that heap, even if some of it Address it, get over it, move or modicum of uplift. You crass about it, Helen lets (Catherine Keener), have getting a driver’s license is might be worth something. won’t find any of that here. on that she would part with to sift through old belongno longer needed because of on and dedicate your attenIt is suggested this might tion and future efforts to the This movie is relentlessly the ball if the price is right ings of their parents. Will Uber and Lyft, but it makes be in an effort to slight his land of the living. grim from start to finish, and she decides to go to Las has no “keepsake” interest sense. Do you want the granddaughter, Bethany Webster’s defines and, thanks to only two or Vegas to get the opinion of in any of it except for some records because of an emo(Amber Tamblyn). three fleeting observations memorabilia retailer Will old vinyl blues albums. The tional connection or possible nostalgia as “a sentimental Daniel next visits Helen longing or wistful affection by a couple of clear-eyed (Jon Hamm). most astute observation of financial windfall?

(Ellen Burstyn), a widow for the past, typically for a characters, it would be a Turning in the best the entire film comes from This is the closest to whose house has just burned performance of the film, period or place with happy complete waste of time.

Donna’s millennial daughter, “light” as director Mark Not quite an antholdown, leaving her homepersonal associations.” This Hamm’s Will is a shark with Kathleen (Mikey Madison), Pellington (“The Mothman ogy, “Nostalgia” is instead is a perfect interpretation and less but far from destitute. a conscience. He lets Helen regarding the vinyl.

Prophecies,” “Arlington something that identifies a a series of sometimesHelen’s son, Henry (Nick know what she has is indeed Not recognizing (or Road”) and his co-writer, state of mind and not objects connected and overlapping Offerman), wants her to rare and valuable and he will understanding) the value of Alex Ross Perry, ever get, vignettes featuring people move into a senior commu- give her a fair price for it, but the messenger and only the and it’s not nearly enough to or wealth. Remember your coming to terms with recent nity, but all Helen hears is also counsels her on possible message, Kathleen essential- offset the cavalcade of bum- lost family with fond memories and not what it might net or impending loss. The first “old folks home” or “God’s fallout regarding the sale, ly says that the music can all mer emotions, misplaced you after they are gone. involves Ronnie (Bruce waiting room.” In addition to i.e., blowback from Henry be downloaded without the regret and negative energy (Bleecker Street) Dern), a man certain he’s a sizeable check forthcomand her own regrets after need of a bulky and arcane contained throughout.

Movie Critic

Nostalgia (R) ★★★★

Bruce Willis breathes life into ‘Death Wish’ remake

BY JON GALLO

Staff Correspondent

Death Wish (R) ★★★★ Bruce Willis is no Charles Bronson.

Bronson, of course,

starred in the original “Death Wish,” a 1974 vigilante action film that spawned four more films, all featuring Bronson, with the last, “Death Wish V: The Face of Death,” released in 1994.

Now it’s up to Willis to keep the legend of Hollywood’s favorite vigilante, Paul Kersey, alive. Willis’

“Death Wish” isn’t the next chapter in the saga — it’s a remake in which Willis takes his turn playing Kersey, a mild-mannered surgeon who snaps after his wife, Lucy (Elizabeth Shue), and daughter, Jordan (Camila Morrone), are brutally attacked during a home invasion.

The attack, which leaves

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police stumped and with no suspects, triggers a colossal change in Kersey. He goes from saving victims of violent crimes as a surgeon to avenging their deaths by doing a lot more than just bringing their perpetrators to justice.

Instantly, Kersey turns into judge, jury and executioner. He buys a gun, puts on a hooded sweatshirt and begins to hunt down criminals throughout the city in the name of justice. His killings are controversial, as some who see footage of his deadly actions call him a killer, while others think he is more of a guardian angel than Grim Reaper.

If you saw the original “Death Wish,” you know how it ends. But that’s irrelevant. When a film is remade, what makes it a success is when the new cast, director and cinematic technology elevate the film.

In this case, the answer is a resounding “yes.” Willis is

Bruce Willis stars as Paul Kersey in “Death Wish.”

(Special Photo: MetroGoldwyn-Mayer Pictures)

every bit as good — and at times better — than Bronson, and advances in cameras and computer-generated

imaging make the film much easier on the eyes, and give director Eli Roth the chance to succeed.

And does he ever. Roth’s biggest strength is death — the gorier the better. He brings the same carnage to the screen as he did in “Hostel” and “Hostel II.” Those films, which had a combined budget of $15 million, proved people love dismemberment and decapitation, as the films combined to take home more than $115 million at the worldwide box office.

Kersey claims plenty of victims, but can he slay his biggest adversary? No, it’s not the men who hurt his family — it’s the “Black Panther,” who has destroyed every film at the box office since it was released two weeks ago.

The fight will be close, but it seems that finally, after 34 years, Paul Kersey may have finally met his match.

(MGM)

‘Vanishing of Sidney Hall’ an entertaining indie mystery The Vanishing of Sidney Hall (R) ★★★★

Logan Lerman stars as Sidney Hall in “The Vanishing of Sidney Hall.” (Special Photo: A24)

BY KRISTEN HANSEN kristen.hansen @gwinnettdailypost.com

While it features the overwrought cliche of a writer’s tormented life, “The Vanishing of Sidney Hall” tries to put a new spin on it and mostly succeeds by interweaving a narrative of flashbacks with a sense of mystery.

While some may feel the mystery boils down to a series of revelations in the end, the journey to get to the answers is an entertaining one. Kind of contrite, “Vanishing” is definitely an arthouse, indie film with the requisite amount of tragedy and sadness.

“Vanishing” stars Logan Lerman (“Perks of Being a Wallflower,” “Indignation”) as the title character, Sidney Hall. Sidney decides to write a book at the prompting of his teacher and mentor Duane, played

by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (“The Greatest Showman,” “Baywatch”). With his book, “Suburban Tragedy,” Sidney

finds success while still in high school that propels him on a literary journey.

Eventually this unexpected fame forces Sidney to disappear without a trace.

Kyle Chandler (“Manchester by the Sea,” “The Wolf of Wall Street”) is on a journey to find the renowned author.

The trail? A string of mysterious arsons stretching from one coast to the other. Most of the key plot points are part of the mystery, so the fewer details, the better.

Lerman is a loveable main character. There is a sense of realness from his actions, and nothing he does seems contrived for the sake of shock and awe. Elle Fanning (“Live by Night,” “The Beguiled”) is also radiant as Melody, Sidney’s high school love interest. She’s quirky and spunky with a dash of the right amount of weird. Their interactions seem raw and unscripted.

“Vanishing” is director Shawn Christensen’s

sophomore effort. His first film was “Before I Disappear,” which he also starred in. Christensen also co-wrote the movie with Jason Dolan (“Enter Nowhere”). The camera angles and such are interesting and keep the story moving. Lots of wide, long shots help to convey the openness and vastness of one’s life that Sidney feels throughout his journey.

A24 has been putting out movies lately that have gotten attention, including Best Picture Oscar-nominee “Lady Bird” and critically acclaimed “The Killing of a Sacred Deer.” “Vanishing” falls more into the middle of the spectrum, but expect more good things to come from this studio.

“Vanishing” may not be a movie that you watch multiple times, but it is worth watching once.

The film opens in Atlanta today exclusively at AMC Snellville 12.

(A24)

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018 • 7C

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movies

‘Game Night’ film fans

STANDOUT PERFORMANCE

PASS/FAIL

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

WHO WILL LIKE THIS...

SEE IT NOW OR WAIT

OVERALL IMPRESSION

Pass: I thought it was a fun idea and concept to have friends who normally have a game night enter into a whole new situation. I liked the acting and the friendships and the way it was unpredictable — and the humor.

Fail: Some may complain that it was too unbelievable, but part of the reason you go to the movies is to escape, so it didn’t bother me.

This was a tie between Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, who were both spot-on in their roles. They played a competitive married couple who were in love and very compatible and also thrown into unexpected situations.

I liked the way they joined forces, and they had great comedic timing.

If you like comedies, game nights, Jason Bateman or Rachel McAdams, you’ll like this movie.

There’s no reason to rush out and see this in the theater.

Although not an amazing movie, it is an enjoyable film. It has some fun twist and turns and was a likeable adventure.

It was also the right length. Overall a fun one.

Pass: Excellent ensemble cast; good scripting; very witty dialogue; plenty of comedy throughout.

Fail: The first 15 minutes are a bit slow in order to set up the movie’s premise. And there are a few times where the movie gets a little too full of itself in terms of plot and dialogue; overall, however, “Game Night” is a crowd-pleasing hoot.

Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams are both quite good as married couple Max and Annie, trivia and game nerds who regularly host board game parties at their suburban home.

But who really steals the film in many ways is relative newcomer Jesse Plemons as the creepy cop neighbor of Max and Annie.

“Game Night” will tickle the fancy of those who are into witty, slapstick comedy as well as whodunit films like “Clue.” Also, if you’ve ever been a part of a contemporary murder-mystery “escape room” experience, you will really enjoy this flick. “Game Night” is also reminiscent of the old British comedy farces that I especially am fond of.

Clear your calendars, gather your board game pals together and make a beeline to the cinema to see “Game Night.” You’ll be rewarded by a film that’s very witty and funny without having to resort to cheap poop-joke gags.

“Game Night” is the funniest thing I’ve seen come out of Hollywood in a very long time. It’s hilarious at times yet very smart and plays to a number of movie plot stereotypes in a LOL way. It does have a fair amount of violence and bloodletting at times, which is where it earns its “R” rating. Push past those distractions and you’ll find yourself in the middle of a laugh-riot with several plot twists. You’ll never look at Pictionary, Clue or Trivial Pursuit in the same way after seeing “Game Night.”

Pass: “Game Night” was a clever and fun comedy. The plot was not as predictable and contrived as I thought it would be. It actually had some twists that I was not expecting. I laughed a lot, and the story moved at a good pace. The jokes were original, and the cast had the comedic timing to pull them off.

Fail: The third act went a little off the rails, but in the end, things all came together, and it didn’t end up ruining what was an otherwise engaging film.

Rachel McAdams did a great job. It was nice to see her in a comedic role. She has great comic timing and seemed to really enjoy playing her character. I also enjoyed Jesse Plemons as one of the secondary characters. He played the creepy neighbor, and he had me rolling with laughter.

If you enjoy an adult comedy that doesn’t find the need to be completely raunchy you will enjoy “Game Night”. I think it would make a great date night movie.

It’s worth it to see the movie at a matinee or one of the other discounted times at a theater. It is definitely worth getting a baby sitter and having a date night to see it.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the movie. I went in thinking it would be another silly comedy movie with no originality, but it was actually pretty original. It didn’t take itself too seriously, but it also didn’t play to the lowest common denominator. It felt like a comedy made for adults and not just an adult comedy.

Don’t miss the end credits for some final laughs.

Cindy Evans, Duluth

★★★★

Tim Weekley, Suwanee

★★★★

Laurel Grams, Lawrenceville

★★★★

NOW SHOWING Recently reviewed films now playing in metro area theaters. Ratings are out of 4 stars.

• A Fantastic Woman (R) — 3 stars This modern-day drama follows a transgender woman in the aftermath of her much older boyfriend’s death. Daniela Vega turns in a strong performance as the lead and carries almost every scene. The cinematography slips on a couple of occasions due to decisions by director Sebastian Lelio. Fans of realism will enjoy this film, and it is a good place to start if you’re looking to leave your social bubble.

— Alex Tostado • Black Panther (PG13) — 4 stars As much a political thriller as it is a top-flight superhero film, “Black Panther” (starring Chadwick Boseman as the title character) is easily among Marvel Studios’ finest movies. Director Ryan Coogler’s third feature is whip smart without being pretentious and subtly political without being heavy-handed. With an almost entirely Africandescended cast yet devoid of stereotypes, it’s like nothing we’ve seen on this scale. — Khari J. Sampson • Peter Rabbit (PG) — 2 1/2 stars

The classic children’s book character gets a 21stcentury update, mixing its animated anthropomorphic animals with live action leads Rose Byrne and Domhnall Gleeson. Though predictably cute, it bears an unexpectedly adult wit. It’s not nearly as terrible as it

DISC SPOTLIGHT

looked at first. — KS • Call Me By Your Name (R) — 2 1/2 stars Set in the early 1980s Italy, this same-sex summer love story is nearly sunk by a first act whose central conflict is as deeply closeted as its leads, 17-year-old Elio (Timothee

COMING SOON TO OWN • “Lady Bird” (March 6): Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf are Oscar nominees for their performances in writer-director Greta Gerwig’s portrait of a high-school senior grappling with her selfidentity and her demanding mom. (R) • “Planet Earth: Blue Planet II” (March 6): In the documentary sequel, Sir David Attenborough offers a journey across — and within — the planet’s oceans. (Not rated) • “Wonder Wheel” (March

6): Woody Allen’s drama casts Kate Winslet as an unfulfilled 1950s wife who gets involved with a younger man (Justin Timberlake). (PG-13) • “The Handmaid’s Tale: Season One” (March 13): The acclaimed Hulu series based on Margaret Atwood’s novel stars Elisabeth Moss as an oppressed member of a future society. (Not rated) • “Thor: Ragnarok” (March 6): The Norse god (Chris Hemsworth) has family problems and a showdown with the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo)

as he tries to save his home world. (PG-13) • “Major Crimes: The Complete Sixth and Final Season” (March 13): Switching to a more serialized format for its concluding round, the “Closer” spinoff stars Mary McDonnell. (NR) • “The Good Fight: Season One” (March 13): In the sequel series to “The Good Wife,” the disgraced, financially strapped Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) joins another law firm. (Not rated)

Chalamet) and visiting professor’s assistant 24-year-old Oliver (Armie Hammer). Gorgeous but too often boring, it’s still worth toughing out to the end. — KS • The Shape of Water (R) — 3 1/2 stars A mute janitor (Sally Hawkins) befriends The Asset (Doug Jones), a mysterious being that is held captive at a secret government facility in this excellent film. Known for his playfully quirky pop-horror fare, director Guillermo del Toro makes perhaps his first grownup movie with this Cold War sci-fi thriller romance that delivers on all those descriptors without collapsing into a puddled mess. — KS • The Post (PG-13) — 3 1/2 stars This film about the Washington Post newspaper’s 1971 decision to publish the then-still-topsecret Pentagon Papers might look like a pointed jab at today’s politics, but in truth it is in every way merely a period piece.

Featuring a crack ensemble cast led by Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep as, respectively, the editor-inchief and publisher of the paper, this movie serves as an important reminder of the power and responsibility of a free press. — KS

MICHAEL CLARK

“Coco” Blu-ray (PG) Movie: ★★★★ Disc: ★★★★ All but guaranteed the Academy Award for Best Animated Film on Sunday night, “Coco” was an unlikely choice for a Disney/Pixar feature but one that struck a mighty strong chord with both audiences and critics. Miguel (Anthony Gonzales) is a singer/guitarist with dreams of greater things. Soon present in the “Land of the Dead” (based on an actual annual Latino observance), Miguel eventually crosses paths with Hector (Gael Garcia Bernal), a smoothtalker who may or may not have Miguel’s best interests in mind as they discover the mysterious history of his family.

Technical specs: aspect ratio: Widescreen (2.39:1/1080p), audio:

English (DTS-HD MA 7.1, 5.1, 2.0), French and Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1), subtitles: English, French and Spanish.

Special features include: • 12 featurettes • Commentaries • Deleted scenes • Trailers • Additional DVD + HD copy • First edition slipcover packaging (Disney, $24.99)

8C • FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

gwinnettdailypost.com

FALLING FLAT Red Sparrow (R) ★★★★

in-between is 75 minutes of bloated exposition, narrative repetition, extreme graphic violence, rape, torture porn and traditional soft porn.

Why this movie didn’t

BY MICHAEL CLARK receive an NC-17 rating is Movie Critic astounding.

After the polarizing If there was ever a movie debacle that was “mother!” that proved that star power, (which earned Jennifer brains, beauty and talent can Lawrence her first ever overcome weak direction “Razzie” award nominaand an uneven screenplay, it tion), “Red Sparrow” goes would be Jennifer Lawrence far in re-establishing her in “Red Sparrow.” Showstreet credibility that began ing up in practically every in earnest with the 2010 scene, Jennifer Lawrence is “Winter’s Bone.” Not only is brunette then blonde, regal Jennifer Lawrence perfect for then drab, then naked — and the role, there is not another all the while plucky — as her living actress of her caliber character, Dominika, navi(with the possible exception gates a brutal male political of maybe Amy Adams) who hierarchy that makes Harvey could or would possibly dare Weinstein and his ilk come to take it on. off looking like fumbling Directed by Francis Lawprepubescent boys at a rence — Jennifer Lawrence’s middle school dance. previous collaborator on Adapted from the farall but one of “The Hunger better novel by retired Games” installments, the American CIA agent Jason raw and titillating content Matthews, the screenplay by of “Red Sparrow” would Justin Haythe (“Revolution- have been released as an ary Road,” “The Cure for expensive art film had two Wellness”) jettisons all of people without pedigree and the nuance and humor from the last name Lawrence been the book and instead delivinvolved. ers a Russian origin “Jane Francis Lawrence is way Bond” flick. Haythe does out of his league here. Apart well with the first 15 and last from the teen lit smash 15 minutes, but sandwiched that was “Hunger Games,”

movies ‘Red Sparrow’ a barely serviceable spy flick

Francis Lawrence did just an OK job with “I Am Legend” (popular mostly because of Will Smith) and helmed two other major commercial and critical flops (“Constantine” and “Water for Elephants”).

If “Red Sparrow” tanks, Francis Lawrence will immediately be regulated to B, C or cable-grade projects, while Jennifer Lawrence will emerge largely unscathed.

Again, the opening is superb. Prima ballerina Dominika is at the top of her game, but at a major premier at the Bolshoi Ballet, a nasty mishap ruins her career. Now just a regular citizen, she is petrified at the idea of losing the perks associated with her former position: free room and board in a primo area of Moscow along with government health care for both her and her ailing mother (Joely Richardson).

Swooping in to save the day is Dominika’s creepy Uncle Ivan (the movie’s de facto Vladimir Putin doppelganger played by Matthias Schoenaerts), a high-level SVR (Russian CIA) operative.

Ivan arranges a clandestine meeting between Dominika and one of his scumbag enemies, which is presented as merely

covert and seedy but shortly morphs into something far worse, at least for her.

Now fully immersed in a twisted scheme, Dominika becomes her uncle’s pawn and must attend a “school” led by the Matron (Charlotte Rampling in full-tilt slum mode). It is here where Dominika and others — selected solely because of their physical beauty — are trained to flirt and seduce their undercover counterparts. This portion of the film is a mix of 1950s Red Scare and mid-1970s Z-grade porn.

After surviving this sadistic boot camp, Dominika is given her

mission: meet and bed Nate Nash (Joel Edgerton), a CIA agent who recently “saved” his Russian mole by doing something incredibly stupid — at least by spy standards.

Dominika accidentally on purpose meets Nate, and this is the point where the movie goes from almost good to totally implausible. Dominika and Nate exhibit zero sexual chemistry, and each reveals their hands (and private parts) far sooner than any astute spy would.

Arriving at the start of the third act is Stephanie Boucher (Mary-Louise Parker) as the perpetually drunk assistant of a U.S. political representative who provides some much

NOW OPEN

welcomed comic relief.

Exactly what Boucher is offering for $250,000 will remain mum, but it comes in the form of computer software that essentially became obsolete in the late 1990s.

Based on all other indicators, the story is set in present day, and this blatant technical faux pas only adds to the film’s many easily avoidable shortcomings.

Given Jennifer Lawrence’s high profile, the multiple instances of her scant or total undress and the whole international intrigue thing, “Red Sparrow” should fare quite well on opening weekend, but it will be fleeting and short-lived. Lots of people will see it but few will recommend it to their friends, and the film’s overall status on social media will start to head south before the Thursday night sneaks have even ended.

If another director — say, Ridley Scott or maybe Martin Scorsese — had gotten a hold of the book and left it largely intact, “Red Sparrow” could have been a perfect view of the Cold War 2.0.

As it is now, it’s just a barely serviceable spy flick with nothing very interesting to say or a novel way to say it.

(Fox)

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