forsyth herald, march 25, 2015
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By KATHLEEN [email protected]
CUMMING, Ga. — Commu-nity blogger Nydia Tisdale’s longstanding federal lawsuit against the city of Cumming has finally reached a settle-ment, with the city agreeing to pay Tisdale $200,000.
Tisdale, of Roswell, was kicked out of a city of Cum-ming meeting April 17, 2012 while video recording. At the start of the meeting, Mayor H. Ford Gravitt asked the chief of police to remove the cam-era from the auditorium.
“We don’t allow filming inside of the City Hall here unless it’s specific reasons, so if you would remove the camera,” Gravitt said.
When Tisdale told the mayor of the state’s Sun-shine Laws, which had been updated that same day and give citizens the right to record open meetings, Gravitt said the matter wasn’t up for discussion and proceeded to have Tisdale and her camera removed from the meeting.
Tisdale filed a lawsuit in response. Now, over two years later, the case has been settled by the insurance company, said Dana Miles, city attorney.
“The city has no com-ment,” Miles said. “The insur-ance company has the right
to settle the case, and they did.”
Tisdale said the court recorded the settlement March 16. She said the senior superior court judge in the case told the two parties the reason to settle is finality. The settlement is “inclusive of all penalties, damages, attor-ney’s fees and expenses.”
“To me, it means it is over — it’s done,” Tisdale said. “The settlement is significant in that it stops the proceed-
March 25, 2015 | forsythherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 18, No. 13
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The 2013-2014 staff was, front row, Migle Miseviciute, Dori Butler, second row, Haley Irons, Sam Biondi, Madison West, Sidney Roan, back row, editor Rebecca Gerhard, Henley Lucas, Mad-die Krupica, Tiffany Smith, Taylor Ashcraft, Madison Proben and adviser Maureen Farry.
WFHS yearbook recognized nationally
By KATHLEEN [email protected]
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — High school yearbooks are keepsakes students save for years after graduating, but at one Forsyth County high school, their yearbook just be-came a little more unique.
The West Forsyth High School (WFHS) 2013-2014 yearbook, “Zephyr,” was recognized for excellence and featured in the 2015 Jostens Look Book, which celebrates the best-of-the-best in year-
book design and coverage.The Jostens Look Book is
a collection of spreads and photos from yearbooks featur-ing creative themes, cool cov-ers, dazzling designs, relevant coverage, storytelling copy and action-packed photography, said adviser Maureen Farry.
“Less than 5 percent of over 18,000 that publish with Jostens are chosen to be featured each year,” Farry said. “Of those, only 30 are considered Look Book books, which means multiple spreads are covered in the publication. This year the cover, as well as spreads from the divider, chronological and people sec-tions of the book are featured. It speaks volumes about the quality of work the staff mem-
bers produce.”The picks were announced
mid-March and in addition to design excellence, the annually published Look Book honors the important role well-crafted yearbooks play in helping schools chronicle the experi-ences, stories and achieve-ments most relevant to stu-dents and that academic year, Farry said.
One of the editors, Rebecca Gerhard, a senior, said last year’s theme was Burst.
“We focused on a vibrant movement and explosion in the book,” Gerhard said. “Our main point we were trying to make was the growth on an individual throughout high
Only 5 percent of Jostens yearbooks are chosen
See WFHS, Page 32
Federal lawsuit against city of Cumming settledNydia Tisdale receives $200K
The settlement is significant in that it stops the proceeding and we don’t have to go to trial or continue spending money, on both sides, for legal fees.”NYDIA TISDALERoswell resident
See LAWSUIT, Page 6
On the catwalkCats strut their stuff during cat show
► PAGE 12
Toyota Dealership coming to ForsythWill be onEchols Road
► PAGE 4
2 | March 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com PUBLIC SAFETY
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21 arrested in gambling ring bust
By JONATHAN [email protected]
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – On the evening of March 16, police from Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton and Johns Creek raided the Pepperoni’s Tavern restaurant on Old Milton Parkway. They were in search of an illegal gambling operation. Twenty-one people were arrested.
Police suspected a “Calcutta Auction” style gambling operation was taking place inside the restaurant in violation of Georgia law. A Calcutta Auction occurs when gamblers bid among themselves to “buy” each of the contestants, with each contestant being assigned to the highest bidder. The contestant will then pay out to the owner a predetermined proportion of the pool, depending on how it performs in the tournament.
The event was posted as a private party at the restaurant, with those inside there by invitation. In total, more than 60 people were detained in the restaurant.
At 9 p.m., police served the search warrant for the estab-lishment.
Upon entry, in plain view, was a large NCAA tournament brackets board. Patrons were seated at tables with their bet-ting paraphernalia and cash gambling.
Documents were seized that indicated an organized il-legal gambling operation. Over $135,000 in cash, two loaded handguns along with other gambling paraphernalia was seized. Eight attendees were arrested and charged with fel-ony commercial gambling, while 13 attendees were arrested for misdemeanor gambling for a total of 21 arrested.
Some of the attendees had been previously arrested in another city in 2007 while participating in a similar gambling
event. Additionally, some attendees have previous criminal records for offenses such as gambling, drug and weapons charges.
People arrested•Kelli Roveto – Felony commercial gambling •John Charles “Kicker” Roveto – Felony commercial
gambling •William Michael Gazdik – Felony commercial gambling •Robert Forbes Howe (restaurant manager) – Felony
commercial gambling •Phillip Scott Brown (co-owner) – Felony keeping a
place of gambling, felony commercial gambling •Phillip J. Campbell Sr. (co-owner) – Felony keeping a
place of gambling, commercial gambling •John Joseph Spagnolo – Felony keeping a place of
gambling, commercial gambling •Phillip J. Campbell Jr. (co-owner) – Felony keeping a
place of gambling, commercial gambling •John T. Rausch – Misdemeanor gambling •David W. Hoch – Misdemeanor gambling •Michael Ledford – Misdemeanor gambling •James Christopher Davenport – Misdemeanor
gambling •Michael T. Gibson – Misdemeanor gambling •Robert R. Eagar – Misdemeanor gambling •Dennis J. Sterk – Misdemeanor gambling •Lee L. Lichtenstein – Misdemeanor gambling •Todd D. Ryman – Misdemeanor gambling •Robert Joo Park – Misdemeanor gambling •Jessie P. Polosky – Misdemeanor gambling •David A. Terry – Misdemeanor gambling •Scott Fuhrman – Misdemeanor gambling
Alpharetta raids local restaurant
Police broke up an illegal gambling ring in Alpharetta March 16, seizing $135,000 in cash, weapons and arresting 21 people.
JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF
Pepperoni’s Tavern, on Old Milton Parkway, was the site of a police raid March 16, targeting illegal gambling.
Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015 | 3PUBLIC SAFETY
Man trying to help gets punchedFORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — After offering the use of his cellphone, a man was punched March 8 at QuikTrip, 2830 Keith Bridge Road.
The man said he was sit-ting in his car waiting for his ex-father-in-law to come out of the gas station when he was approached by a young male in his 20s. The young man reportedly asked the driver if he could borrow his phone to call his dad.
When the driver gave the man his phone through the window, the man yelled to an-other person he was trying to call his father. A second man reportedly ran up to the car and accused the driver of call-ing his 12-year-old sister. The second man then reportedly punched the driver’s mouth through the window.
The driver told officers the two men then started scream-ing and cursing at him, so he rolled up his window and they ran off. The driver was unable to get a vehicle description or
direction of travel of the two men.
The officer observed a large cut on the man’s lip with sev-eral stitches. He was referred to the Magistrate Court to pursue charges.
Woman looks for e-cigarette; gets arrestedFORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A woman was arrested March 11 after reportedly breaking into a car to look for part of her electronic cigarette.
According to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, the woman was parked next to another car at Matt Elemen-tary School, 7455 Wallace Tatum Road. She was smoking an electronic cigarette in her own car when the tip fell off. She reportedly told officers she believed it fell into the car next to hers.
The woman allegedly went into the other car and began looking for the tip. While inside the car, the other car owner caught the woman searching. The woman reportedly said she was not attempting to steal anything, only looking for the tip to the cigarette.
The other car owner report-edly saw the woman crouched down on the driver’s side with the door open. The other driver’s purse and wallet were reportedly open in the floor
on the driver’s side and the woman was allegedly going through them when the other driver walked up.
When questioned how her e-cigarette tip fell into another car with its windows up, the woman could not give an ex-planation.
The woman was arrested for entering automobile.
Woman hit by car in Sprouts parking lotFORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A woman was pushing her shop-ping cart with her son in it March 11 when she was hit by a car in the Sprouts parking lot, 4385 Idlewood Drive.
The woman reportedly told officers she was walking to her car when she noticed a car backing up toward her. The car reportedly struck her and the shopping cart where her son was sitting. She told officers out of instinct she pushed the cart away and took the brunt of the impact on her left side.
A male driver reportedly got out of the car and started yell-ing at the woman, asking her what she was thinking. She allegedly yelled back, and em-ployees and customers came over to see if she was OK.
She said she then became scared of the driver and de-cided to take her son home.
DUI arrests ► Stephen William Rice, 29,
of Dawsonville was arrested Feb. 28 on Buford Highway in Cumming for DUI, failure to maintain lane, obstruction of a police officer and pos-session of a schedule II con-trolled substance.
► Michael Paul Miles, 59, of Little John Circle, Cumming, was arrested Feb. 27 on Atlanta Highway in Cumming for DUI and failure to main-tain lane.
► Desirae Antuanette Bailey, 21, of Turning Leaf Court, Cumming, was arrest-ed Feb. 28 on Chattahoochee Road in Cumming for DUI, failure to maintain lane and too fast for conditions.
► Daniel Mauricio Mejia, 44, of North Trace Lane, Alpharetta, was arrested Feb. 27 on North Trace in Alpharetta for DUI, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, suspended license and duty upon striking a fixed object.
► Patrick Devay Portis, 31, of Dania Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested Feb. 28 on
Haynes Bridge Road in Alpharetta for DUI and speeding.
► Rhonda Christine Meyer, 36, of Kennesaw was arrest-ed Feb. 28 on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane.
► Gina L. Ignatowski, 30, of Rochester, New York, was arrested Feb. 20 on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI and expired license.
Drug arrests ► Carlos Bonilla, 34, of
Crow Drive, Cumming, was arrested Feb. 26 on Pendley Road in Cumming for pos-session of marijuana, pos-session of drug-related items and obstruction of a police officer.
► Michael Kay Perry, 23, of Freemanville Road, Milton, was arrested Feb. 27 on Mary Alice Park Road in Cumming for possession of marijuana and failure to maintain lane.
► Luis Alexandro Larios, 21, of Atlanta was arrested March 4 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana and speeding.
► Evan Nattiel Nix, 22, of Lexington Farms Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 4 on Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana.
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DUIS & DRUGSAll crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.
POLICE BLOTTERAll crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.
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4 | March 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com NEWS
By SHANNON [email protected]
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Education recognized students from Forsyth Central High School’s (FCHS) Science Tech-nology Engineering and Math (STEM) Academy for its STEM certification at their March 19 meeting.
Kim Head, FCHS assistant principal and STEM Academy administrator, said schools can only be STEM certified after four years.
“This is our fourth year for the STEM Academy,” Head said. “We pride ourselves in be-ing able to do this the quickest of any high school in the state of Georgia.”
Two STEM Academy stu-dents shared their experience.
“STEM is very rigorous, but it also opens up a lot of oppor-tunities that we wouldn’t have otherwise at our school,” said senior Trent Callan.
“I give the credit to Kim and the whole staff,” said Board of Education member Ann Crow. “You have created this incred-ibly close knit group of stu-dents that is the foundation of something that’s just going to get bigger and bigger.”
Also at the meeting, Super-intendent Jeff Bearden report-ed he has been asking stu-dents, teachers and parents for their thoughts on ItsLearning, the school system’s inclement weather program.
“We’ve had thousands of responses,” said Bearden. “I’m really pleased that we’re getting as many results as possible because it gives a very good perspective from stu-dents, teachers and parents.”
The BOE also awarded contracts for preconstruc-tion services at North Forsyth, South Forsyth and Forsyth Central high schools and up-dated transportation and dress sections of the code of conduct for next academic year.
FCS recognizes STEM Academy
By KATHLEEN [email protected]
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — After hearing multiple public comments from both sides, over 50 neighbors with signs saying “Protect Echols Road” and a petition with almost 950 signatures, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners ap-proved a rezoning application March 19 that could allow a car dealership to be built.
The rezoning changes the land at the corner of Echols Road and Ga. 20 from Highway Business District and Agricul-tural District to just High-way Business District for an automotive sales and service establishment. The establish-ment will also include a colli-sion center and car wash with 1,098 parking spaces.
A crowd packed the meet-ing wearing red in solidarity in hopes of showing commission-ers the building of a potential Toyota dealership would im-pact more than the family who lives on Echols Road.
“The petition was created to gather community concerns and create dialogue about the proposed development of a high volume car dealership and collision and repair center
at the corner of Echols Road and Highway 20,” said Kimber Williams, who said she rep-resented the petition signers. “Their concerns boil down to safety, and the well-being of the kids trumps all economic gain.”
Williams read some of the comments on the petition, including people being worried test driving along Echols Road might be dangerous and could cause more traffic.
“Let’s make no mistake,” Williams said. “Replacing what is now a quiet urban forest with concrete and asphalt of an automotive dealership is not the neighborhood wel-come mat many in my com-munity would like to see. It is a restrained sprawl of car dealerships popping up along Highway 20.”
John Lister, who spoke in favor of the rezoning and dealership, said the family who currently owns the property has had it over 30 years and wants to sell it.
“They have a good customer and buyer,” Lister said. “My taxes and everyone’s taxes have gone up and we want to try to keep them low and improve the services of the county. This is a solution to do
that.”Lister said this is a family
fighting to sell their property.“It’s important for the
county to look at revenue, but you also have to think of this family living on Highway 20,” Lister said. “It’s a nice house, but it’s on Highway 20. It’s not in a neighborhood and it’s time for them to develop it.”
Before voting, Commis-sioner Todd Levent said they are somewhat handcuffed by the state constitution.
“Zonings are not always just up to us. There are laws that govern us and it’s in our laws as well,” Levent said. “There are appellate court rul-ings we have to live by. If we do an unconstitutional zoning or it ever gets challenged, they’ll remand it back to us to make a better decision.”
The rezoning was approved 4-0, with Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills recusing herself.
Commissioners OK rezoning for future car dealership
KATHLEEN STURGEON/STAFF
Many came to the commission meeting March 19 both in favor and against a rezoning that could potentially be sold to a car dealership.
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forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015 | 5Recycled paper | Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
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6 | March 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com NEWS
All city departments at or under budgetBy KATHLEEN [email protected]
CUMMING, Ga. — At the March 17 Cumming City Council meeting, a 2014 audit presentation concluded all of the city’s departments came in under budget.
The report showed the city’s assets exceeded its liabilities at the close of the most recent fiscal year by more than $217 million. Of that amount, more than $46 million may be used to meet the government’s ongo-ing obligations to citizens and creditors.
The report also found the government’s total net position increased by $788,108 and the combined ending fund balance was $20,569,847, a decrease of $338,771 in comparison with the prior year. At the end of the current fiscal year, the city’s unreserved undesignated fund balance for the general fund was $13,701,648.
In all, the assets totaled to $226,983,942. Liabili-ties totaled $8,879,915 and the total net position was $217,396,608.
As for the budget general fund, revenues were budgeted for over $12 million, but ended at over $13 million. Expendi-tures were budgeted for over $9 million, but ended at $12 million.
“All departments were at or under budget,” said Mayor H. Ford Gravitt.
The total operating revenue equaled over $15 million, with operating expenses at over $15 million. The change in net po-sition was just over $1 million.
Also at the meeting, the council approved to pay Cruser and Mitchell law firm $340.
Gerald Blackburn, the city administrator, said the city received more open records requests than usual in the past few months and they had to bring in this law firm to help.
... The government’s total net position increased by $788,108 and the combined ending fund balance was $20,569,847, a decrease of $338,771 in comparison with the prior year.
ing and we don’t have to go to trial or continue spending money, on both sides, for legal fees.”
Although the judge urged both sides to settle, Tisdale said the city wouldn’t at first, and the lawsuit continued for quite a while.
“In my case, because it drug out over two-and-a-half years, the fees just kept growing over time because they kept fighting it tooth and nail and wouldn’t let it go,” Tisdale said.
Tisdale said the city now has an audio/visu-al policy, adopted in May 2012, that designates an area for tripods. She said all citizens have the right to record.
“It seems so surreal to be sitting at Cum-ming City Hall after being mistreated so rudely,” Tisdale said. “It was completely uncalled for and I had to defend and stick up for myself and assert my rights for myself and all citizens, be-cause the public has a right to know what their government is doing.”
Looking back, Tisdale said if she had been allowed to film that meeting, she probably would have not filmed any others because she wasn’t interested in the city of Cumming.
“I had been following Forsyth County for years, but after that ejection, I came to as many city councils as I could,” Tisdale said.
After paying her attorney, Tisdale said she would like to buy a new tripod.
“The fees were a significant portion of the settlement amount. The reason they were so high is because the city just fought this suit tooth and nail and wouldn’t let go,” Tisdale said. “I also want to do some home maintenance that has been neglected. I’ve been spending so much on attorney’s fees for so many years and that got put on the back burner.”
Although the case is now settled, Tisdale said she wishes she could have had her day in court to tell her side of the story.
“I was counseled the settlement was reason-able and to accept it, and I did,” Tisdale said. “And now it’s done. It’s like graduating. You
work so hard for years and you’ve prepared and done your homework and you’re ready and [have] taken your exams and now you’re done. Mission accomplished. It’s a good feeling.”
Continued from Page 1
Lawsuit:
KATHLEEN STURGEON/STAFF
Nydia Tisdale stands in front of Cumming City Hall, the place she was kicked out of over two years ago.
forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015 | 7Submit your news & photos to [email protected] NEWS
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County State Representative Mike Dudgeon spoke to a group of veterans March 2. He said education and transportation are getting most of the at-tention as the Georgia General Assembly moves toward its April adjournment.
With funding for Georgia’s road maintenance chronically underfunded, Dudgeon says it’s crucial that the legislature address the issue by fixing the gas tax formula - and for him that means converting from a sales tax on gas to an excise tax that is a fixed amount and revenue neutral.
According to Dudgeon, revenue derived at the pump alone will not resolve the funding shortfall.
“We just passed a $21.7 billion budget,” Dudgeon said. “I thought there should have been more money dedicated to transportation then there was.”
On education, the 25th district legislator said he traveled to New Orleans with the gover-
nor and a group of legislators to see first-hand, that state’s takeover of some poor performing schools and the improvement that has resulted. Governor Nathan Deal wants to do something similar in Georgia for failing schools by insert-ing personnel who could fix problems. Dudgeon said he supports the idea.
Dudgeon has stepped out of his usual areas of expertise in promoting a bill he called “The Right to Try Act.” It would allow terminally ill patients to use experimental drug treatments that have not received final FDA approval pro-viding the patient, physician, hospital and drug manufacturer agree to its use.
Dudgeon represents portions of southern Forsyth County and Johns Creek in North Ful-ton County.
The Cumming chapter of the Vietnam Vet-erans of America meets on the first Monday of each month at the Golden Corral Restaurant on Marketplace Boulevard. Dinner is at 6:00 p.m. with the meeting following at 7:00 p.m.
Rep. Dudgeon discusses focus of 2015 session
Rep. Mike Dudgeon spoke to the Cumming Vietnam Veterans chapter March 2.
By KATHLEEN [email protected]
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — After months of deliberating, Forsyth County and the city of Johns Creek finally reached an agreement March 19 on three separate intergovernmental agreements (IGAs).
Two of the IGAs concern the widening and maintenance of McGinnis Ferry Road. The third allows Johns Creek to construct a public safety radio tower on land in Forsyth County.
The tower was the most re-cent IGA. Ken Jarrard, county attorney, said before Forsyth would agree to the tower condi-tions, they wanted the McGin-nis Ferry IGAs completed.
Regarding the widening of McGinnis Ferry, Johns Creek has agreed to be responsible for paying its pro rata share of the design and engineering costs related to the project. That pro rata share has been established as 24.7 percent.
Jarrard said it’s currently estimated the project design and engineering will cost $2 million, meaning Johns Creek’s pro rata contribution would be about $494,000.
To ensure the tower con-struction gets started, Jarrard said Johns Creek wanted For-syth County to agree to com-mence construction within five days of the receipt of all neces-sary permits. In return, Johns Creek will tender $200,000 to Forsyth.
After the initial payment, Johns Creek agreed during each successive calendar year, they will make an additional payment toward their pro rata share, with installments no less than $100,000 unless the remaining balance is less than $100,000. These installments will continue, Jarrard said, un-til the city pays off its pro rata share to Forsyth.
If there is a land distur-bance in right-of-way or other property interests owned by Johns Creek, they will give ac-
cess to the property to include both temporary and perma-nent construction easements at no cost to Forsyth. Johns Creek agreed if they need to relocate utilities, they will do so in a reasonable amount of time with no cost to Forsyth. The city also agreed to work in good faith with Forsyth in advancing the property.
Forsyth agreed to com-petitively solicit and award the project design and engineer-ing contract and also to allow Johns Creek to be a party to and signatory on that contract.
For the McGinnis Ferry maintenance IGA, Forsyth and Johns Creek both agreed to maintain certain intersections and portions of right-of-way along McGinnis Ferry, as well as be responsible for certain projects and services conduct-ed within the right-of-way, in-cluding paving, signing/mark-ing and stormwater damage.
The tower IGA includes no conditional use permit au-thorization and allows Johns
Creek to construct a tower on the premises, as long as the tower conforms to Forsyth’s guidelines and building codes, doesn’t exceed 200 feet and isn’t lit.
In exchange for the tower, Johns Creek grants Forsyth County use of the tower to install a county tornado warn-ing siren weighing up to 400
pounds and a county public safety radio antenna.
One of the things the two parties couldn’t agree on ini-tially was who would receive the lease payment if a private vendor was allowed to co-locate and use the tower. The com-missioners agreed to a 50-50 payment between the Johns Creek and the county.
Forsyth approves IGAs with Johns CreekTo ensure the tower construction gets started, Jarrard said Johns Creek wanted Forsyth County to agree to commence construction within five days of the receipt of all necessary permits. In return, Johns Creek will tender $200,000 to Forsyth.
8 | March 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com Submit your opinions to [email protected]
I have been reading a lot about Uber.com and AirBnB.com – two darlings of the Internet business world and also two of the most visible, fastest growing and disruptive companies today. One involves transportation and the other involves lodging – but the new business model can apply to almost any sector, and it quickly is.
From what I can tell, we may be seeing the first waves of a tsunami. With the pos-sible exception of the creation of Google, I believe we haven’t seen anything like what is coming with this new busi-ness paradigm. It will change everything.
For those who may not be familiar with Uber or AirBnB, here is a quick prep course.
Uber has the potential to put taxi and car rental com-panies out of business – or at a minimum substantially threaten their viability. It could have untold impact down the road on all forms of transpor-tation and could even lead to a larger societal transformation toward a more sharing and renting economy. With Uber, we ultimately may see fewer
cars being purchased because not everyone will need to own a car and incur all the expenses that go with it.
Uber connects people who own cars with people who need to go somewhere – a mile or a thousand miles. You put the Uber app on your phone – including your credit card information – and whenever you need transportation, you just use the app to summon the closest driver. No money directly changes hands; Uber pays the driver. Riders and drivers evaluate each other, so the bad ones are weeded out quickly. The system is success-ful and is swiftly expanding worldwide. Transportation with Uber is safe, cheap and most importantly, personal.
To become an Uber driver, you simply register your car
with Uber, pass their fairly straightforward requirements and start earning money. Pri-vately held Uber was founded in San Francisco in 2010 and currently has a valuation of over $41 billion – more valu-able than Delta, FedEx or Viacom.
AirBnB is similar to Uber, except the segment of the economy that it disrupts is the lodging and hospitality indus-try.
Like Uber, it is enabling people to make money. AirBnB links homeowners who have a spare room, extra bed, loft or floor to people who need a roof over their heads at a low cost, anywhere in the world. Privately held AirBnB started in San Francisco in 2008 and currently has a valuation of $13 billion – roughly half the valuation of Hilton Worldwide.
AirBnB and Uber are driv-ing – pun intended – govern-ments crazy because they are in constant change and do not operate according to estab-lished norms and laws. That makes them hard to regulate and control. Regulate, control and maintain the status quo is what governments tend to
want to do. And here is the rub. What
Uber and AirBnB have really done is empower people. This empowerment threatens large tax-generating industries. When industry is unhappy, government tends to become unhappy too. To change that, government would have to take back what Uber and other web business models have created – which is a new form of economic freedom and opportunity supported by a growing number of people. Additionally the new models are in part driven by the desire of its supporters to conserve resources, live more efficiently and become better stewards of the world in general. It is not an easy platform to oppose successfully.
The issues are many with these new business mod-els, and include legitimate concerns such as consumer safety, zoning, health care and taxes.
The key is not to deny the validity of these issues but to embrace new methods to ad-dress them. It will be a battle between those who want to prop up the status quo and
those who recognize the new business models for what they are – the future that is already here and roaring down the track.
Look for attempts to pass new laws – lots of them that frequently will act to protect legacy businesses at your expense.
Florida passed legislation in July 2014 that appears to prohibit local governments from enacting new laws and statutes that restrict individual rights to rent their homes, or rooms, or beds. It will be interesting to see how the Georgia Legislature, which has been so staunchly “pro-busi-ness,” deals with the conflict-ing demands of businesses threatened by new models and a groundswell of Uber and AirBnB users who want more economic freedom, fewer government restrictions and a flatter playing field.
So I had an epiphany that seems to make sense to me. What do you think? Email me at [email protected] and we’ll print your thoughts in the next available issue, or you can comment directly on this on NorthFulton.com.
Here comes the next big thing…and it’s going to be a wild ride
Spring: New life and old suffering It is officially spring. Soon enough,
heaters will run their last cycles, jack-ets will be shoved into the far reaches of the closet, greenery will return to the trees, windows will slowly creak open and temperatures will rise. Yes, it is a time most people love and have looked forward to for months.
Not me. Sure, I certainly enjoy the mild
temperatures, the sense of new life ev-erything seems to take on and the fact that I will actually see my fiancée not wrapped in multiple blankets for the first time in months, but I have some issues with spring.
First and foremost, I am deathly, cripplingly afraid of tornadoes. I am not sure what founded this fear in me, but it is deeply rooted. As soon as the weather starts to warm and we Geor-gians enter the most tornado-prone season, I become a bumbling mess of fear. I have been made fun of by many people for tracking tornado-producing storms for days at a time, but I have two points to make. Remember those “snowstorms” we were supposed to get a few weeks ago?
I bet you watched the weather updates every chance you had; it’s just like the way I follow tornado-producing storms. Also, most people say you should not fear tornadoes because you can never predict where they will hit. Exactly! That is reason enough to be terrified of them! I am currently look-ing to purchase a home, and one of my biggest concerns is, “Does it have a basement?”
And while there may be days where I do not look to skies to scan for spin-
ning clouds, I see something else in the skies that is nearly as unpleasant. It is that yellow-hued, powdery monster that moves like the plague. Yes, the joys of pollen. The mild temperatures are why most people look forward to spring. However, when the pollen comes, open your window and you will soon know what it is like to be inside the nose of a cocaine addict. Keeping your windows open while you sleep is a dangerous matter, given that you will likely wake up and find that you are struggling to breathe under the weight of pounds of yellow powder. Everything from our cars to our comforters will become yellow-tinted and “poof” into a cloud upon being touched, ready to go find its next victim.
In case you have forgotten, we all reside in Georgia. Therefore, mild temperatures come and go like pol-len in the breeze. What we will have is a few cold days, a mild day and then temperatures hot enough to make me sweat just peeling an orange.
Of course, temperature swings lend themselves to tornado activity. That reminds me, if you have a basement, can I come over?
JOE PARKERAppen Internnews@appenmedia group.com
I’ve been interested in renewable resources and sustainability for a while now, but I don’t really know what it is about “sustainability” that appeals to me. Maybe it’s because I watch the “Walking Dead?” Am I a closet disaster prepper? Perhaps I simply like the idea that I can live a life mostly self-con-tained, relying as little as possible on outside influences. Should everything collapse – or even just a long power outage – my family would be fine.
Solar power, rain barrels and a little garden of veggies doesn’t sound like a big lifestyle change or a lot of hard work. But it could pay off in the long run. So it was with this in mind that I chose to attend a workshop on “Sus-tainable Gardening” at Alpharetta City Hall March 19. It was led by the North Fulton Master Gardeners and a mem-ber of the UGA Extension Office.
The UGA speaker Thursday night said the world cannot afford to stop using chemical fertilizers and pesti-cides. They are what allow our food to grow so fast and lush so that we can feed the world. Without them, we simply could not feed everyone. If we as a world decided to shift to organic and sustainable farming, nearly every per-son would need to grow a large portion of their own food.
While this sounds great at first blush, I imagine it’s woefully impracti-cal to achieve.
Chemicals are largely unavoidable. They feed the plant, not the soil, he said. In fact, over-using them can kill the soil, requiring yet more chemicals to keep growing plants. This is what the speaker meant when he spoke
about “sustainable.” Not that it is self-contained; rather that it is possible to keep using the land and the plants for years without using man-made chemi-cals.
Good soil is necessary for healthy plants and the fewer man-made goods put into the soil, the fewer problems there are down the road.
With a 4-by-8-foot plot of land filled with veggies, you can save between $400 and $600 a year. Think of all those vegetables you would not have to buy from the store! And they would taste much different as well.
It just makes sense, if you have the time and the inclination. And there is the rub. From what I gather, growing without chemicals or pesticides means a lot more TLC needed for the garden. Weekly, sometimes daily inspections and work are needed to keep things on the right track. That’s a lot of work. But maybe it’s worth it, not just for sustainability, but also peace of mind and a healthy hobby.
For those interested, the cities of Roswell and Alpharetta have many classes on how to grow gardens and planting. Check your city’s website for dates and times.
Seeking some sustainability in life
JONATHANCOPSEYRevue & News [email protected]
forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015 | 9COMMUNITY
LMS Principal Connie Stovall meets with members of Congress
CUMMING, Ga. – Connie Stovall, principal of Liberty Middle School, recently joined 200 elementary and middle-level educators and leaders from across the country in the nation’s capital for the Na-tional Association of Elemen-tary School Principals’ (NAESP) National Leaders Conference (NLC). Stovall advocated on behalf of principals, schools and students to ensure that lawmakers do what’s right for American education.
Stovall took the needs of Georgia’s schools directly to Congressional leaders, who were in the process of debating reauthorization of the Elemen-tary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), commonly referred to as No Child Left Behind. Providing access to early child-hood education, opposing the use of school vouchers and improving principal training and recruitment were priorities
that principals pushed for on Capitol Hill.
“Principals are on the front lines every day, working to improve schools for our stu-dents” said Stovall. “Congress should listen closely to what we are saying, especially when important decisions are being made about the future of our schools.”
With support from NAESP staff, Stovall called on federal lawmakers to oppose Title I “portability,” support the Prin-cipal Recruitment and Train-ing Act of 2015, oppose the House ESEA bill in its current form and encourage early pre-kindergarten programs and P-3 alignment.
Stovall also attended cutting-edge advocacy pro-gramming, including a panel discussion and Q&A session with Eleanor Clift, Newsweek and The Daily Beast contribut-ing editor, and Pat Buchanan, columnist and chairman of the American Cause Foundation.
Visit www.naesp.org/advocacy for more informa-tion about NAESP’s advocacy program.
—Kathleen Sturgeon
Pushes policies for schools and principals
Pictured, from left, are GAMSP Executive Director Bob Heaberlin, LMS Principal Connie Stovall, GA Rep. Doug Collins, Principal Kerry Coursey from Savannah, Ga., GAESP Executive Director Hal Beaver and Principal Lori Joiner from Brunswick, Ga.
10 | March 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
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Senior Services offers free wellness workshopFORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Senior Ser-vices will provide a ‘Living Well’ workshop designed to assist those suffering from chronic conditions such as arthritis, COPD, diabetes and heart disease.
The workshops are in-tended to help individuals ease issues relating to chronic conditions and take control of their overall health.
Caretakers are also encour-aged to attend.
The workshops will be held on Mondays from March 30 through May 4 from 1:30-4:00 p.m. at the Senior Service’s Center at Charles Place, 595 Dahlonega St.
The workshops will be held in a classroom setting and all course materials will be pro-vided. Registration is required. To register or for more infor-mation, call Senior Services at (770) 781-2178.
-Joe Parker
CUMMING, Ga. — North Forsyth High School (NFHS) senior Ashley Amukamara has been named a 2015-2016 Univer-sity of Georgia Foundation Fellow. The Foundation Fellowship is an undergradu-
ate scholarship which offers a stipend that approximated the cost of attendance, study abroad program at Oxford Univer-sity and research and academic confer-ence grants.
In addition, NFHS seniors Emma Browning and Brian Grasso have been named National Merit Scholarship Pro-gram finalists.
-Joe Parker
North Forsyth seniors earning academic recognitionAshley Amukamara was named a 2015-16 UGA Foundation Fellow.
Senior Brian Grasso has been named National Merit Scholarship Program finalists.
Senior Emma Browning has been named National Merit Scholarship Pro-gram finalists.
Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015 | 11Submit your news & photos to [email protected] COMMUNITY
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Local man wins big in lotteryBy KATHLEEN [email protected]
CUMMING, Ga. — Gerard Kaizer of Dawsonville walked out of Leon’s Food Mart, 5410 Matt Highway, a much richer man.
Kaizer bought a $30 Max the Money ticket and started crying when he realized he won the maxi-mum prize of $7 million.
According to the state lottery, the odds of win-ning are one in 2.4 mil-lion. Kaizer claimed his prize March 13.
Kaizer was the second winner in Forsyth County in two weeks. The other winner was John Car-rico of Woodstock, who claimed his $5 million top prize March 5. He played the Georgia Lottery’s 20th Anniversary Extravaganza instant ticket with a $5 million top prize at Publix Super Market #1227, 3120 Mathis Airport Park-way in Suwanee.
Kaizer could not be reached for comment.
The winning ticket was a $30 Max the Money.
Jersey Mike’s honors local groups
By JONATHAN [email protected]
ROSWELL, Ga. – The Roswell location of Jersey Mike’s subs has left a wide wake for the other stores in the region, donating tens of thousands of dollars to charity.
Dale and Ron Longo, owners of the Roswell Jersey Mike’s on Holcomb Bridge Road, lost their grandson, Benjamin, to cancer when he was just 5 years old.
Every year since 2007, the couple and their store have designated one day to donate proceeds from their store to charity. Whenever someone orders the signature sand-wich – the No. 13 – that money goes to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The first year of the donations, nine area sub shops pitched in. Together, they raised $23,000 for CHoA. Last year, they raised $89,000.
Now, more than 1,000 Jersey Mike’s stores nationwide take part in the mission to do-nate to charity, choosing their own local charities.
This year, the Longos and
their store joined with the 30 other metro Atlanta stores March 17 to raise money for CHoA.
“Jersey Mike’s wanted to do something for kids,” Dale said. “Because we saw how generous people were, it’s become our grandson’s legacy.”
On March 25, the giving will go even further – 100 percent of proceeds from all Jersey Mike’s stores will go to charity as part of a “Month of Giving.”
The Atlanta metro area is
raising funds for Bert’s Big Adventure, a nonprofit organi-zation that provides an all-ex-penses-paid, five-day journey to Walt Disney World for children with chronic and terminal ill-nesses and their families.
For more information on Bert’s Big Adventure, visit bertsbigadventure.org. For more about Jersey Mike’s or to find a local location, visit www.jerseymikes.com. The Roswell location is found at 665 Hol-comb Bridge Road, Roswell.
100 percent of proceeds to charity March 25
JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF
For the past two years, Steve Stroud of Roswell Inc and Jeff Mc-Coy of Technipower have manned the Roswell Jersey Mike’s Sub store to serve patrons. From left are Stroud, owners Ron and Dale Longo and McCoy.
12 | March 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
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Cat show comes to ForsythBy KATHLEEN [email protected]
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Brightly colored pet carriers, numerous award ribbons and meowing felines were abun-dant March 14-15 at the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) Cat Show at Lakewood 400 Antiques Market.
Contestants included kit-tens aged 4 to 8 months old and adults aged 8 months and older, said Donna Andrews with the CFA.
“We are a club show-ing pedigreed cats since the early 1970s,” Andrews said. “The show is licensed by CFA, which is the world’s largest cat registry. This show has eight judging rings, or eight concur-rent shows. We have six all breed rings and two specialty rings in which the judges judge longhairs versus longhairs, and shorthairs versus short-hairs. Each cat or kitten will be judged by each of the eight judges over the course of the weekend.”
In addition to those groups, the adults are split into the championship, for neutered and spayed cats, and premier-
ship, cats not altered, classes.“Exhibitors come from all
over the United States but primarily from the Southeast,” Andrews said. “Our judges are also from all over the country — from Arizona to Minnesota, Louisiana to South Carolina.”
Although attendees are from various locations, the show is in Cumming because they found a show hall here that was available at a reason-able price and that was big enough and would allow cats, Andrews said.
“That’s harder than you might think,” Andrews said. “This is an economic gain for the community, being food, hotel rooms and gas. It also is an opportunity to see breeds of cats not normally in the area.”
Shows like this are im-portant to promote pedigreed cats, Andrews said. There were about 44 kittens, 95 cats in championship and 45 cats in the alter class, with 10 of the top 25 cats running for a na-tional win entered.
“Each breed has a written standard and the judges evalu-ate each cat or kitten as to how closely it meets that standard,” Andrews said. “At the end of
class judging, the judges have their final, in which they an-nounce their top 10 cats or kit-tens. The competition classes are champion, premier, grand champion or grand premier. A champion must defeat 200 other champions in order to
become a grand champion. A premier must defeat 75 other premiers to become a grand premier.”
At the end of the show, there is no overall winner, An-drews said.
“We have nine concurrent
shows,” Andrews said. “Each judge will select his or her top 10 kittens, championship and premiership cats. So, you could have nine different ‘best cats.’”
To learn more about cat shows, visit http://www.atlan-tacatshows.org/.
KATHLEEN STURGEON/STAFF
Cynthia Lewis shows off her cat, Paccino.
Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015 | 13Submit your news & photos to [email protected] COMMUNITY
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Heart Screens for Teens coming to Pinecrest Academy CUMMING, Ga.- Heart Screens for Teens, a program of the Cor2Life healthcare company, will be providing discounted heart screens for
teenag-ers at Pinecrest Acad-emy, 955 Peachtree Pkwy., on March 28.
The screenings, which will also include an electrocardio-gram (EKG) and echocardio-gram, will take place in the Pinecrest High School lobby from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and will be open to anyone from over the age of 11 to high school seniors. The cost for the screening is $95.
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opathy (HCM), is the leading cause of Sudden Cardiac Death in teenagers that ef-fects one in 500 teenagers. The screenings are a way to detect causes of HCM.
To schedule an appoint-ment, contact Cheryl Farkas at (770) 826-9478.
-Joe Parker
If you goWhat: Heart screening for teensWhen: March 28 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.Where: Pinecrest Acad-emy, 955 Peachtree Pkwy., CummingCost: $95 for screeningMore info: Contact Cheryl Farkas at (770) 826-9478
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga.- Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Grant Falite, a student at South Forsyth Middle, has been named the non-commissioned officer Cadet of the Year. Falite was awarded by the Lawrenceville Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5255.
Falite is a member of the Civil Air Patrol and Gwinnett Com-posite Squadron GA-112.
-Joe Parker
South Forsyth student named Cadet of the Year
Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Grant Falite was named Cadet of the Year.
14 | March 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Georgia Mustangs 00 Red 14UA fast pitch softball team kicked-off the 2015 season March 8 with an undefeated run in seven straight games to capture the USFA Diamond Battle Championship 5-2 vs. the Georgia War Hawks in Gainesville, Ga.
Coached by Anna Danke-wich and Jim Sargent, the 11-member Mustangs played
complete team softball and swept the competition in a field of 15 teams from across the state.
Using a combination of strong pitching and defense with a dose powerful hitting, the Mustangs outscored op-ponents 48-14 during the two-day event at Lanier Point Park.
The team will travel to compete with 44 teams in the ASA Qualifier Warm-Up Cham-
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For more information, visit http://mustangsfp.com.
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South Cowboys win basketball championshipFORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The South Cowboys defeated the West Bears by a score of 31- 20 to win the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation 14U A bracket basketball championship. The championship game was held at Fowler Park on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Mustangs start season undefeated
The Cowboys proudly display their championship trophies. The team is made up of, back row, Head Coach Mark McEvoy, Ryan Simmons, Quinn O’Donnell, Justin Bartle, second row, Bennie O’Rourk, Brad McEvoy, Justin Shell, Assistant Coach John Bartle, front row, Brendan Wehman, Chase Mangum and Miles Wishart.
Back row, from left, head coach Anna Dankewich, Kelsey Schell, Natalie Fedel, Ashley Schell, Avery Wassilchak, Jasmin Henry, Assistant Coach Jim Sargent and Meredith Ficery; front row, Ryanne White, Karly Donaldson, Trinity Pizzuti, Jodie Smith and Jordan Campagnolo.
forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015 | 15Submit your news & photos to [email protected] SCHOOLS
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Forsyth represented at State Science Olympiad tournamentFORSYTH COUNTY, Ga.- Lakeside and Vickery Creek Middle schools competed at the State Science Olympiad tourna-
ment on March 21 at Lambert High School. About 24 schools competed for the state title.
Teams compete as pairs or trios in 23 different events. Study events in-clude anatomy and physiology and me-
teorology, and lab-based events, such as crime busters and bio-process lab.
-Joe Parker
Vickery Creek’s Olympiad team earned a spot in the state competition by winning the regional competition.
The Lakeside Olympiad team competed for the State Science Olympiad tourna-ment.
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Sunday school students from Oak Grove Baptist
Church led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance at the Forsyth County Board
of Commissioners meeting March 5.
-Joe Parker
Students participate at commissioners meeting
Oak Grove Baptist Sunday school students lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the Forsyth BOC meeting.
Forsyth student orators to represent county at competitionFORSYTH COUNTY, Ga.- Four Forsyth middle school stu-dents have been named to represent the county at the 2015 Optimist International Oratorical Contest zone com-petition.
Ananya Uday of South For-syth Middle, Riya Manchanda of Piney Grove Middle, Grant McMahon of Pinecrest Middle and Raymond Qin of Vickery
Creek Middle will represent Forsyth County. To qualify, the students spoke on the subject of “How My Optimism Will Help Me Press on to Greater Achievements of the Future.”
Winners of the zone compe-tition will move to the area and state competitions for a chance to win a $2,500 college schol-arship.
-Joe Parker
2015 Optimist oratorical finalists to represent Forsyth: (from left) Grant McMahon, Ananya Uday, Riya Manchanda and Ray-mond Qin.
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16 | March 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com
There has been a tremendous amount of interest. We are right where thought we would be.
Sponsored by
Avalon sees residential sales climbBy JONATHAN [email protected]
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – When the 86-acre Avalon develop-ment opened in October 2014, it touted itself as the next hot place to be in the north metro Atlanta area. Certainly, from a retail perspective that holds true – dozens of top-tier stores have populated the streets of the property, offering the “experiential” lifestyle Avalon’s developers, North American Properties, had hoped.
A key part of that experi-ence is not simply the many visitors walking the streets of Avalon. Rather, it is the resi-dents who live on-site.
Hundreds of apartments stack above the shops in a mixed-use fashion, and single-family detached and attached homes are being built on the periphery. These residents are the ones who will have to live on the property, walking be-tween shops on a daily basis.
Approaching six months since Avalon opened, how is the residential side doing?
The answer: progressing.The single largest hurdle to
populating the residential side of the development is that the homes are still being built.
Kelly Kingsfield, with Monte Hewitt Homes, the single-family home builder, said the site will ultimately have 101 residences for sale, 24 of which are traditional “detached” homes and 77 are “attached” – typically known as townhomes.
Each home will have its
own private space, with some including courtyards of up to 3,300 square feet – that’s large enough to fit a swimming pool.
Currently, there are 15 attached units complete. Of these, six are sold. A further three are under contract, but not yet complete.
The first single-family home is being built now with two more expected to break ground shortly.
The homes fetch between $579,000 to more than $2 million. No homes have been sold yet in the $500s, however. Kingsfield said all the sales so far are above the $700s.
The square footage ranges from 2,400 square feet to 6,700 square feet.
“The interest is going as we expected,” Kingsfield said. The model home has had continual foot-traffic, she said, with more than 1,000 people viewing the home some weekends.
“That’s not a problem a lot of homebuilders have had for a while,” she said.
With a total of just over 100 units expected, Kingsfield said it will take years to fully build out.
Beyond single-family homes, apartments are what people first think of when asked about “mixed-use.” In Avalon, this component is called “Haven.” There are 250 to be built in Phase 1, with about 200 completed to date.
Just over half are one-bed-room apartments, with the rest being two-bedroom.
The one-bedroom apart-
ments begin in price in the $1,500s per month, with two bedrooms going in the $2,300s. The premier two-bedroom apartments can fetch more than $5,000 a month.
Richard Munger, partner and vice president of devel-opment for North American Properties, said he expects the remainder of the apartments to be complete within 60 days.
All of the apartments are rentals. About 33 percent have been rented so far.
“There has been a tre-mendous amount of interest,” Munger said. “We are right where thought we would be.”
He said he expects more residents to move in once warmer weather sets in – the winter can slow the moving process.
Still, Avalon had what Munger called “considerable” interest from potential resi-dents. The first tenants moved in within two weeks of the property opening.
These families range in age from the 20s to 87, with the average age in the mid- to upper-40s, he said, which
is exactly what Avalon had hoped.
“We are looking at profes-sionals, empty-nesters and retirees,” Munger said.
One of those residents is Kevin Myers, who lives in Ha-ven. He rents a two-bed, two-bath apartment on the fourth floor near the iconic fire pit of Avalon.
“I absolutely love it,” he said.
He and his wife, Tammy, are both in their 50s and were living in East Cobb when they became empty-nesters.
“We decided we wanted to do something different,” Myers said. “We didn’t want a large house.”
While they were initially
skeptical about Avalon, the couple warmed to it as they saw it develop. They finally decided to commit. Myers said there is no looking back.
“Now we don’t have to worry about driving everywhere we need to,” he said. “We don’t need two cars anymore. Everything is right here at our fingertips.”
Kingsfield said this is the biggest draw of the residences.
“Where else can you walk out your front door and in your front yard is a Whole Foods and some of the most exclusive shopping available?” she asked. “This is a unique destination. Avalon is a desti-nation that sets us apart from everywhere else.”
Still building new homes, apartments
RAFTERMEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Avalon in Alpharetta is steadily growing its residential compo-nents, both single-family and apartments.
Avalon bythe numbers•86 acres•$600 million cost•2.4 million square feet total•750,000 squarefeet Class
A office•500,000+ square feet
retail•101 single-family houses•526 apartments•www.experienceAvalon.com
Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015 | 17Submit your business news & photos to [email protected] BusinessPosts
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Do you pursue business opportuni-ties that don’t have a good chance of happening? Are you still trying to mar-ket products and services that aren’t selling very well?
Have you given an employee too much time to improve their perfor-mance, yet they are still working for you?
As they say in card games, “Know-ing when to hold ‘em, and knowing when to fold ‘em” also applies to every aspect of running a small business.
While patience is certainly a virtue in allowing enough time to achieve success, sometimes you just can’t look a gift horse in the mouth if there is no horse!
Certain strategies, tactics, prod-ucts, services and even potential customers can only be allowed so much time to produce success for your business.
And knowing when to abandon ship and move on to something else is important.
If you establish timetables for each
of your major initiatives, and time runs out, maybe it’s time to just throw in the towel and move on to something more important. I am not advocating a “quitting attitude,” but just a prudent business mindset that sets some limits on how much time is required to see results.
Some of the best card players are successful when they fold their cards, knowing they have no chance of win-ning. Similarly, small business owners who know when to hold onto an idea or strategy, and certainly when to let it go, have a better chance of success.
Know when to hold ‘em…know when to fold ‘em
DICKJONESFounder & PresidentJones Simply Sales
Housing remains a linchpin to economic healthEditor’s note: This is part of
a series of excerpts from Frank Norton Jr.’s “Norton Native Intel-ligence Report for 2015.”
Each year, we present a host of micro trends on our radar. Last week, we spoke about the great divide in the housing market and the value of homeownership to individu-als and society as a whole. Here are a few moreobservations:
New homes – National Association of Homebuilders research says that the average price of a single-family home built for sale in 2013 (last year available) was $318,308 in the United States. The aver-age market value of a new custom home built in 2013 was $476,260 or 1.4 times the average of a single-family home in 2013. Seventy-five percent of the new homes built in
America were built “For Sale” versus custom built for owner occupants.
Investor buyers – Inves-tors have propped up the U.S. housing market through their buying efforts.
While the purchase activ-ity slowed in 2014, overall investment properties made up about 22 percent of home sales in 2013, down from 24 per-cent in 2012 and 27 percent in 2011. House flipping – that is buying a home and sell- ing it within three months for
an investment gain, dropped in the last quarter of 2014 to 3.7 percent of all homes sold, down from 6.5 percent a year earlier (Investor’s Business Daily 2014).
Impact – Clearing the way for more residential construc-tion of the variety that people want and need would be a con-sequential boom to the econo-my. Investment in residential property (any type of residence) remains a smaller share of the overall economy than at any time since World War II contributing even less to GDP growth than during the period of 20 percent interest rates in the early 1980s.
If the residential building engine returned to its post-war average, U.S. economic growth would currently be at 4 percent, and the additional employment created would
reduce the unemployment rate by 1 percent, according to research commissioned by the New York Times.
The Housing Economics Division of the NAHB estimates that in 2014, the average home in America created 2.97 full-time equivalent jobs and $110,957 in state, local and national taxes. The average rental apartment construction created 1.13 full-time equiva-lent jobs and $42,383 in taxes.
For every $100,000 spent on home remodeling, 8.9 jobs are created and $29,779 in taxes.
The tax estimate is used for revenue paid to all levels of government – federal, state, county, municipal schools and so on. The tax estimates also include various fees and charges such as residential permits and impact fees.
FRANK NORTON JR.
CEO and Chairman The Norton Agency
Investment in residential property (any type of residence) remains a smaller share of the overall economy than at any time since World War II...
The times are good for investors. Real estate values have dramatically improved, rents are way up and the economy is improving with the drop in oil prices.
Many homeowners during the recession were forced to stay in the rental market because they couldn’t, or wouldn’t, sell their house at a loss. The improved economy has been a huge relief for these landlords who have suffered under stagnant rents and fewer prospective tenants.
But, no matter how they wound up as investors, most fall into one of two camps: net worth investors or cash flow investors.
Many investors initially gravitate to single-family homes. This is an easy category to understand for most people and they are comfortable with the lingo of single-family homes. Whether they know it or not, this category of investor is generally a net worth investor. A net worth investor is one that makes mon-ey over a long slow period of time, and very little on a month-to-month basis.
They build “net worth” slowly while the property appreciates in value.
The single-family home simply isn’t going to produce a large return except in the long run. The reasons are many, but the simplest is that the average home will produce about .75 percent per month in rent of its value. This is my personal rule of thumb and it fluctuates according to market cycles. Based on this rule of thumb, a home valued at $150,000 will produce
Mailbox moo-la and the real estate cash cow
BRIAN PATTONCapitol Realty Advisorswww.capitallistings.com
See PATTON, Page 18
18 | March 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald Submit your business news & photos to [email protected]
REBRAND »
GoWaiter restaurant delivery rebrands as CitySpreeALPHARETTA, Ga. — GoWaiter restaurant delivery in North Atlanta now has a new name: CitySpree.
Customers can still place orders at GoWaiter.com, and now also at CitySpree.com.
CitySpree delivers for restaurants that do not normally provide delivery, including Altobeli’s Ital-ian, Bantu at Avalon and Smashburger.
The GoWaiter.com website will continue to oper-ate through mid-summer.
For more visit www.cityspree.com.
DONATIONS »
Realty firm donates checkto fight domestic violenceCUMMING, Ga. – Dan Parmer, president and chief executive officer of Harry Norman Realtors, recently presented a check for $1,707 to Forsyth County Family Haven, a nonprofit organization that pro-vides shelter, programs and community education to help stop domestic violence.
The Harry Norman Realtors Forsyth/Lake Lanier office in Cumming raised money for the donation by sponsoring the 13th annual Ticket 2 Ride, a benefit horse show held at the Wills Park Equestrian Center in Alpharetta.
Red Bandanna announces charitable donations ATLANTA — Red Bandanna Pet Food announced its 2014 charitable donations totaled almost $36,000 to local animal rescues and nonprofits.
Fundraisers included Round Up for Rescues, which rounded up in-store purchases to the next dollar for spay and neuter nonprofit Fix Georgia Pets, voting and sales of the 2015 Red Bandanna Calendar, an Angel Tree program and Feed the Fur-ries with Phillips Pet Food and Supplies.
Feed the Furries donated 25,802 meals. Red Bandanna also donated products totaling over $20,000 in retail value, along with over 10,000 more meals.
For more information, visit www.rbpetfood.com.
AWARDS »
Sam Russell (right) is awarded Top Individual Sales Associate for the North Fulton office by President and CEO Kevin Levent at the BHGRE Metro Bro-kers Awards Celebration.
BHGRE Metro Brokersawards sales associates ROSWELL, Ga. — Better Homes and Gardens Real
Estate Metro Brokers honored their top sales as-sociates in 2014 at their recent awards celebration. Twenty-five members of the North Fulton office received awards for their performance.
The North Fulton office top sales associates were Sam Russell and David Mills. Russell was named Top Individual Sales Associate for the North Fulton office while Mills was recognized for being the Top Team Sales Associate for North Fulton.
Russell with fellow office mates Mark Broyles and David Mills received the Platinum Award; Dan Jones and Stacy Carter were honored with the Gold Award; Ed Short, Rich Murray, Sandee Garihan, Giuliana Enriquez, Lauren Kermani and Devin Foy were honored with the Silver Award; and 14 sales associates were honored with the Bronze Award.
The North Fulton office includes 119 sales as-sociates.
For more information, visit metrobrokers.com.
UGA alumnus honoredfor business prowessATLANTA — Alpharetta-based 6 Degrees Group was recognized as the 22nd fastest-growing busi-ness owned or operated by a University of Georgia graduate during the 2015 Bulldog 100 Celebration Feb. 7 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta.
6 Degrees Group, co-owned by 1987 UGA graduate Tracy Manning Bates, along with Brian Risinger, is a full-service accounting and finance place-ment firm, matching top Atlanta employ-ers with skilled professionals.
The Bulldog 100, coordinated by the UGA Alum-ni Association, recognizes the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or operated by UGA graduates. More than 450 nominations were received for this year’s list.
To be considered for the list, each organiza-tion must have been in business for at least five years, experienced revenues over $100,000 for the calendar year 2012 and be owned or operated by a former UGA student.
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a monthly rent generally around $1,125. Given a down payment of 10 percent, a 7 percent 30-year mortgage, property taxes and insurance costs, that home will produce anywhere from $6 – $73 per month, depending upon the county location, in net cash flow before repairs and vacancies.
So, the net worth investor is banking on the fact that single-family homes in the past have appreciated in value and hopes to someday capitalize on that trend.
The second type of investor, the cash flow investor, looks to real estate investments that produce more cash flow on a monthly basis than in the long run. In other words, they may give up future appreciation for money in their pocket today.
Multiple-family units, such as duplexes, quads or apartments, generally fit this bill. The main reason is that the unit can be bought cheaper than a single-fam-ily home due to lower land and de-velopment costs per unit. Because of this, that lease rate ratio comes
closer to 1 percent. So, a multifamily unit that
is purchased for $75,000 might produce a rent of $750 per month. Using the same parameters from the single-family home example, this unit will produce cash flow of $170- $205 per month, depending upon the county location. As you can see, this small deviation in the lease rate ratio produces a size-able difference in monthly cash flow; thus, making the multifam-ily investor primarily a cash flow investor.
Another factor for the inves-tor to consider is the exit strategy, which is how to dispose of the investment when they are ready.
The net worth investor, who is buying single-family homes, will be selling his investment to a retail buyer. A retail buyer is someone looking to purchase the home to live in. This buyer market is gener-ally fairly stable since there are a lot of them in the marketplace. Thus, it provides a little more liquidity for the net worth inves-tor since the property is easier to sell. Additionally, this buyer may buy on emotion and doesn’t care how well the house produced as a rental or what the investor paid for it. So, the investor, in a good
market, can ask top dollar for the property no matter how well he managed it as a rental.
On the other hand, the cash flow investor is almost always sell-ing to another investor. This may be an investor who bases most of his decision on the income of the property. The cash flow investor won’t have the luxury of stretching the fair market value. The pur-chaser will only pay what the rents dictate.
So, while there are many op-portunities in this new market cycle, potential investors must decide which route they want to take.
Do they go with the direction of slow and steady and hope for a big pay day, or do they look to cash in the pocket today with less excitement in the end? These are questions that every investor, whether big or small, eventually must answer for themselves.
Brian Patton, CCIM is an au-thor of the book, “Mailbox Moo-la, How Real Estate Cash Cows Put Money in Your Mailbox.” He is a trusted advisor on commercial real estate investments and de-velopment. He can be reached at 770-634-4848 or via his website: www.BrianPattonCommercial.com.
Continued from Page 17
Patton:Email with pictures to:[email protected]
Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015 | 19CALENDARSubmit your event online at forsythherald.com appenmediagroup.com | Revue & News | March 18, 2015 | 1CALENDARSubmit your event online at appenmediagroup.com
EASTER:
OPEN ARMS FAMILY WORSHIP SERVICEWhat: All are welcome to attend this inclusive family worship service welcoming children, adults and families with disabilities and special needs. An Easter egg hunt follows the service.When: Saturday, March 28 at 4 p.m.Where: Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy Street in Alpharetta. Contact: 770-751-0033 or [email protected]: www.alpharettapres.com.
BIRMINGHAM EGG HUNTWhat: Egg hunt with thousands of eggs, petting zoo, jumpy houses, magic show, balloon twister, bubbles and of course the Easter Bunny.Where: Birmingham United Methodist Church, 15770 Birmingham Highway in MiltonWhen: Saturday, March 28Hours: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
EGGSTRAVAGANZAWhat: Egg hunt for children 2 to 7 years old. Other activities include inflatables, photos with the Easter Bunny and face painting.Where: North Park softball fields, 13450 Cogburn Road in AlpharettaWhen: Saturday, March 28Hours: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
MIDWAY EGG HUNTWhat: Super Slide, bounce houses, food, and fun for all.Where: Midway Community Church, 3365 Francis Road in AlpharettaWhen: Saturday, March 28Hours: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
NEWTOWN PARK EGG HUNTWhat: Easter egg hunt featuring 10,000 eggs, followed by face painting, a moonwalk, and photos with the Easter Bunny.Where: Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road in Johns CreekWhen: Sunday, March 29 at 1 p.m.
EVENTS:
SILENT AND LIVE AUCTIONWhat: The Fiesta Auction Night will include games, food, and both a live and silent auction. Where: Birmingham Falls Elementary School, 14865 Birmingham Highway in MiltonWhen: Friday, March 27Hours: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Web: supportbff.org
BEAUTIFUL BEYOND THE PAINWhat: BBTP’s first annual gala and silent auction. All funds raised will help BBTP send children with silent illnesses go to medically specific camps.Where: The Standard Club, 6230 Abbotts Bridge Road in Johns Creek
When: Saturday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m.Cost: $57Web: Register at beautifulbeyondthepain.ezevent.com
HIDDEN CORNERS BOOK SIGNINGWhat: Book signing of ‘Hidden Corners of My Heart’ by Terry Segal.Where: Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors, 670 North Main Street in Alpharetta When: Thursday, March 26 Hours: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Contact: 678-297-7571
FIRE AND POLICE FOUNDATION GALAWhat: Black tie–optional event will feature dinner, open bar, and entertainment provided by the band Yacht Rock Revue benefiting the Roswell Fire and Police Foundation.Where: Country Club of Roswell, 2500 Club Springs Drive in Roswell
When: Saturday, March 28Hours: 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.Cost: $150Contact: 678-756-2878 or [email protected]
CEMETERY SPRING CLEANINGWhat: The Roswell Historical Society will be hosting monument cleaning events at Old Roswell Cemetery.Where: Old Roswell Cemetery, 38 Hill StreetWhen: Saturday, March 28Hours: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.Info: Bring old toothbrushes, soft bristle brushes, and spray bottles of water.
MUSIC:
SINGING FOR A CUREWhat: Benefit silent auction and concert for Mary Bennett,
a NFHS graduate with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Featuring the Liberty Quartet and Saved By Grace.Where: Harmony Grove Baptist Church, 5470 Keith Bridge Road in CummingWhen: Saturday, March 28 at 5 p.m.Cost: $5 dinner plus auction and offeringContact: 678-878-5216
THEATER:
THE MUSIC MANWhat: South Forsyth Middle School presents Meredith Wilson’s “The Music Man,” featuring con man Harold Hill and librarian and piano teacher Marian.When: March 25 through 28Where: South Forsyth High School Performing Arts Center, 585 Peachtree Parkway in CummingCost: $5 adults, $3 studentsContact: James Rives, 770-815-2137 [email protected]: Nightly at 7 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m.
RACES AND BENEFITS:5K AND 1 MILE FUN RUNWhat: Race to benefit the Chattahoochee High School Soccer Booster Club.Where: Chattahoochee High School, When: Saturday, March 28Hours: Check in starts at 8:15 a.m., 5K at 9:30 a.m. and Fun Run at 10:30 a.m.Cost: $25 for 5K, $15 for Fun Run/WalkWeb: hoochsoccer.com
EDIT
OR’S
PIC
KS
SHANNON WEAVERCalendar [email protected]
Submit your event to northfulton.com or email with photo to [email protected]. For a more complete list of local events including support groups, volunteer opportunities and business meetings visit the calendar on northfulton.com.
Send me your event...
H2O 5K AND RUN5K hosted by Simple Charity at North Forsyth Middle School, 3845 Coal Mountain Drive in Cumming. Saturday, March 28, runner sign in at 7:15 a.m., race at 8 a.m. Cost is $25. Visit active.com for more info.
PANCAKE BREAKFASTBenefiting low-income Forsyth County residents at Central Park Recreation Center, 2300 Keith Bridge Road in Cumming. Saturday, March 28, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $6 in advance, $7 onsite. Visit Breakfastwiththeeaster bunny.com for more info
MARY POPPINS Spring Musical presented by Milton High School Theatre at 13025 Birmingham Highway in Milton. March 26-28 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 to $20. Visit Miltontheatrecompany.com for more info.
KATHY REEDFolk and bluegrass singer and story-teller Kathy Reed is the featured at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center, 9770 Autrey Mill Road in Johns Creek. Saturday, March 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15, $10.50 for Autrey Mill members or Johns Creek residents. Visit autreymill.org for more info.
20 | March 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
By ADAM [email protected]
ATLANTA – Roswell resident John Copenhaver is a proud Tesla Model S P85+ owner who said he truly gets a thrill out of owning and driving his car. He appreciates the car’s perfor-mance and likes the technol-ogy “under the hood.”
“The Tesla is truly the next generation of cars,” said Copenhaver. “Electric car technology advanced with the introduction of Tesla.”
Copenhaver is not alone. He is one of many drivers in Georgia who have made the switch from traditional, inter-nal combustion vehicles to all-electric-powered vehicles.
Electric cars are grow-ing increasingly popular in Georgia, and many consum-ers are caught in a whirlwind of information and opinions surrounding electric vehicles. On one hand, they can use less carbon-emitting fuel, but consumers are also wary about “range anxiety” and charging time, as well as the overall practicality of using an electric vehicle (EV) as a daily driver.
Still, the state has become a large market for electric vehi-cles. According to Clean Cities Georgia, which advocates for clean transportation in Geor-gia, the state is now second in the nation for registered EVs, with an ownership growth rate of over 600 percent between 2013 and 2014.
Jeff Cohen of the Atlanta Electric Vehicle Coalition (AE-VDC) says that when it comes to EVs on the road, “Georgia outpaces the na-tion by a factor of 3:1.”
Further, automaker Nis-san claims that Georgia is the largest market in the country for the all-electric Nissan Leaf.
As more electric ve-hicles appear on Georgia streets, public charging infrastructure is beginning to appear in cities across the state. Roswell recently announced the installation of four new charging stations around the city. At a relatively low cost of $1 per hour for the first four hours, the charging stations will allow Roswell EV drivers to charge while away from home.
In addition to Roswell, the
cities of Sandy Springs, Su-wanee and Peachtree Corners have received funding from the state to install EV charging stations. Georgia Power will also soon add 50 paid pub-lic charging locations across the state. The user-updated PlugShare mobile app, avail-able on most smartphones, allows EV drivers to find charg-ing stations and make use of the budding public charging infrastructure.
The popularity of electri-cally powered cars in Georgia is largely due to the $5,000 tax credit provided by the state on top of the $7,500 federal tax credit.
“We got to be the No. 2 state in the nation be-cause a tax credit dating back to 1998 permitted $5,000 for a ‘zero emission vehicle,’ which did not exist back then nor was it even contemplated,” said Cohen.
The tax credit was disputed within the state legislature as some members vied instead to use the credit money to main-
tain infrastructure. House Bill 122, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta), proposed the elimination of the current state tax credit on EVs, however, it did not meet the crossover deadline and will not be considered for voting. House Bill 170 did, in fact, meet the
crossover deadline and con-tains much of the same text as HB 122– proposing the elimi-nation of consumer EV tax-credits but keeping business tax-credits on EVs.
Martin also introduced legislation that would elimi-nate the prohibition of direct sale of automobiles within the state – necessitating Georgia registrants to pay the cur-rent ad valorem tax on some vehicles titled in other states, like Teslas (manufactured in California). This bill is alive as of press time.
Cohen said that abolishing the EV tax credit would be a mistake.
“EV sales in Georgia will decelerate fairly rapidly,” Cohen said. “Georgians will go from being incentivized to buy or lease EVs to actually being dis-incentivized.”
Electric vehicle drivers of-ten experience “range anxiety,” a phenomenon that explains the common worry of running out of electric charge. Whereas traditional vehicles are able to be completely refilled in a matter of minutes, EVs must charge for several hours, rendering it necessary for the driver to carefully plan trips. Range anxiety is often a main concern of those considering purchasing an electric vehicle.
Copenhaver says he experi-ences some degree of range anxiety even with the 200-plus mile range of the Tesla.
“I [experience range anxiety] because there aren’t more pub-lic charging stations, and the [long] time it takes to charge up the battery,” he said. “Be-fore EVs are widely accepted
as being a primary car, there must be more public charging stations.”
However, Peter Bron-ski, editorial director at the eco-centric Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), says that range anxiety is subjective, and those who believe it will conflict with their way of life shouldn’t pur-chase an electric vehicle in the first place.
“EV drivers do their re-search and thus know if an EV – and its range – is a good fit for them,” said Bronski on the RMI blog. “You don’t see a construction foreman with a need for a work truck buy a two-door Honda Fit and then complain about its extremely limited payload capacity. You get the vehicle that matches your needs and wants.”
In order to mitigate range anxiety, drivers should take advantage of home charging.
“The most important thing an EV owner can do is in-
vest in a 240V/30 amp home charging system,” said Cohen. “You can charge up your EV at home and keep the battery topped off.”
A home charging sys-tem gives the vehicle a faster charge than from a standard outlet, allowing the driver to more easily maintain maxi-mum range capability.
Cohen is optimistic about the future of EV battery tech-nology, and says innovation will make owning and using electric cars easier and more practical.
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Popularity for electric vehicles grows in Georgia
Pros and ConsPros•Very smooth driving
experience•Very quiet•Home recharging•Cheaper to operate
than traditional vehicles – no oil changes, etc.
•No tailpipe emissionsCons•Range anxiety/limited
range•Significant recharging
time•Higher initial cost•Lack of choice
Pending legislation may slow interest Charging station
address list*1. Kroger, 12870 Highway 9,
Alpharetta, Ga. 300042. Kroger, 5665 Atlanta
Highway, Alpharetta, Ga. 30004
3. Net Zero USA of Atlanta, 7565 Industrial Court, Alpharetta, Ga. 30004
4. Kohl’s, 13097 Highway 9 North, Milton, Ga. 30004
5. Kimberly Clark Office Building, 5405 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta, Ga. 30004
6. Lakeview 400 Business Park, 2575 Westside Parkway, Alpharetta, Ga. 30004
7. Duke Realty, 800 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta, Ga. 30022
8. 7 stations at Avalon, 2200 Avalon Boulevard, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009
9. Walgreens, 173 South Main St., Alpharetta, Ga. 30004
10. Hilton Garden Inn North Point, 10975 Georgia Lane, Alpharetta, Ga. 30022
11. Cousins Properties 100/200 Building, 100 North Point Center East Alpharetta, Ga. 30022
12. Cousins Properties 555/333 Building, 555 North Point Center East, Alpharetta, Ga. 30022
13. Sanctuary Park: The Falls garage, 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009
14. Sanctuary Park: Stonebridge III garage, 1130 Sanctuary Parkway, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009
15. Cherokee Ford Lincoln, 1575 Mansell Road, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009
16. Hennessy Porsche, 990 Mansell Road, Roswell, Ga. 30076
17. Regal Nissan, 1090 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell, Ga. 30076
18. United BMW of Roswell, 11458 Alpharetta Highway, Roswell, Ga. 30076
19. Roswell Mitsubishi, 11170 Alpharetta Highway, Roswell, Ga. 30076
20. Emory Johns Creek Hospital, 6325 Hospital Parkway, Johns Creek, Ga. 30097
21. Hilton Garden Inn, 11695 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek, Ga. 30097
22. Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, Ga. 30075
23. Roswell Area Park, 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell, Ga. 30075
24. East Roswell Park, 9000 Fouts Road, Roswell, Ga. 30076*According to PlugShare.com
Georgians will go from being incentivized to buy or lease EVs to actually being dis-incentivized.”JEFF COHENAtlanta Electric Vehicle Coalition
Religious Services
forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015 | 21Recycled paper | Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
Come, Make Yourself at Home this EasterMaundy Thursday • April 2 • 7:00 p.m
Service in the Chapel, Youth Choir, Intimate Communion
Good Friday • April 3 • 7:00 p.m.Sanctuary Tenebrae Service featuring John Stainer’s “Crucifi xion”
performed by the Chancel Choir and Grammy Award-Winning Soloists
Easter Sunday • April 5 • Sunrise Service • 6:15 a.m. • Soccer FieldsSanctuary Services • 8:30 a.m., 9:50 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Sanctuary Chancel Choir and OrchestraChildcare is available at Entrance D on Maundy Thursday,
Good Friday & Easter Sunday (Bell Road side).There will be no Sunday School on Easter Sunday.
Johns Creek United United Methodist Church11180 Medlock Bridge Road • Johns Creek, GA 30097
Dr. D.B. Shelnutt, Jr., Senior Pastorwww.JohnsCreekUMC.org
mountpisgah.org | 678-336-30002850 Old Alabama Rd. Johns Creek, GA 30022
Celebrate Holy Week withMount Pisgah United Methodist Church
Palm Sunday: March 29North Campus Sanctuary | 9:00amNorth Campus Sanctuary | 10:30am
Good Friday: April 3 (Seven Shadows)North Campus Sanctuary | 7:00pm
Easter Services: April 5Sunrise ServiceNorth Campus Amphitheater* | 6:33am
Family WorshipNorth Campus Sanctuary | 9:00amNorth Campus Sanctuary | 10:30am
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Religious Services
22 | March 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected] | Recycled paper
By Steve WoodwardJohns Creek Audiology
Hearing affects EVERY-THING between your ears. If you’re like most people, you’re used to thinking of hearing as something that happens in your ears. What people often don’t think about is what hap-pens between their ears, in the hearing part of their brain. That’s where sound becomes information that has meaning. Your brain has to work hard to make this happen.
When the sound signals from your ears are compro-mised, your brain has to work even harder to fill in the gaps. This extra effort can take its toll. In fact, studies have shown that, over time, hear-ing loss can lead to isolation and depression. That’s why it makes sense to take care of your hearing health the same way you care about the rest of your health: There’s a lot more riding on it than just your hearing.
What happens when you have a hearing challenge?
The natural relationship between your ears and brain is disrupted. This is why it takes so much more effort to follow what is being said and why you may feel so much more tired at the end of a busy day.
It’s your brain that hears - Not your ears.
Your ears and your brain work together as a system, with your brain doing most of the heavy lifting. Your brain is what uses the information from your two ears to orient you by figuring out which di-rection sound is coming from. It’s in the brain that sound waves become sounds that you recognize. And your brain is what helps you focus in on a conversation and separate out unwanted noise. Right now, all four of these tasks are happen-ing simultaneously and continu-ously inside your brain.
Give your brain exactly what it needs to hear.
Your hearing is as unique
as your fingerprint. And because no two are quite the same, no one else’s hearing profile is quite like yours.
The right devices profes-sionally selected and fit to your individual needs can:
Be virtually invisibleAllow you to hear in “3D” so
you can follow conversations that come from different direc-tions in a room.
Automatically select the best directional mode giv-ing you clearer more natural sound - even in difficult hear-ing situations.
Wirelessly connect to your Cell phone, tablet, TV, and car
Along with award-winning service, the Johns Creek Audi-ology and Hearing Aid Center offers revolutionary pricing with initial costs often 30% to 40% less than other places because patients can choose to pay only for hearing aids and not the 3-5 years of services “bundled” into the price. “We let our patients ‘unbundle’ services.
“This method allows you the ability to afford a more premium product than tradi-tionally offered.” says Steve Woodward, Director and CEO. Complete diagnostic testing is provided along with tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo, and ear wax management. All
major insurance plans are ac-cepted, and no-interest finance plans are available.
Contact Johns Creek Audiology at 770-814-1260 to schedule your life changing ap-pointment.
www.YourHearingLink.com
Trouble Hearing?
Hear More. Anywhere. Anytime.
Dr. Deborah WoodwardDoctor of Audiology
Hearing begins with YOUSee how easy it is to transform your quality of life! Schedule an appointment today and let us empower you with a hearing solution as individual as you are.
770-814-1260 4045 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite B • Johns Creek, GA 30024
www.YourHearingLink.com
Sponsored Section Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015
Hearing with your brain?
Call today for pricing & info! 770-442-3278 x100
319 North Main Street • Alpharetta • [email protected]
Put it in the paper! Your Engagement, Wedding, Anniversary, Birth, or Graduation!
forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015 | 23SCHOOLS
CUMMING, Ga.- South Forsyth Middle School Drama will feature Meredith Wil-son’s “The Music Man” from March 25 to 28. Shows on March 25 to 27 will begin at 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. on March 28. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students.
Performances will be held at the South Forsyth High School Performing Arts Center, 585 Peachtree Pkwy.
–Joe Parker
South Forsyth Middle presents “The Music Man”
Vickery Creek MS student to attend state geographic beeCUMMING, Ga. — Vickery Creek eight grader Abhay Chilakamarri will repre-sent the school at the state geographic bee at Georgia College of Arts and Sci-ences March 27.
Chilakamarri will be vying for the state championship and a chance to rep-resent Georgia at the National Geographic Bee Championship in Washington, D.C.
–Joe Parker
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga.- Lambert High sophomore Tess Kim placed second out of nearly 50 entries in the Seventh Congressional District Art Competi-tion. The competition was opened to high school students living within the seventh district. Kim was recognized by seventh district Rep. Rob Woodall at a reception at the Hudgens Center for
the Arts in Duluth.“We have amazing young people in
the Seventh District, and I was thrilled to be able to highlight their phenom-enal talent,” said Woodall.
Kim received a $5,000 scholarship from the Art Institute of Atlanta should she decide to attend.
–Joe Parker
Lambert student places second in art competition
Lambert student Tess Kim (right) joined by Rep. Rob Woodall and Marchell Pol-lard (right) of the Art Institute of Atlanta.
24 | March 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected] | Recycled paper
Sponsored Section
Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015
Parents call Camp SAY a “life-changing” summer camp where kids & teens who stut-ter develop self-confidence, build communication skills, and forge friendships to last a lifetime.
Camp SAY combines the highest-quality, traditional summer camp experience with activities and programs that empower young people who stutter.
This unique 2-week sleep-away camp is located on a 500-acre ACA-accredited facility in North Carolina (near Asheville) and welcomes children and teens who stutter, ages 8-18, and their young family mem-bers and friends (one-week & shortened stays are also avail-able). Young people from across the country attend Camp SAY year-after-year.
Camp provides a tremen-dous culture of acceptance and positivity, and each day camp-ers enjoy an important balance between structured activities and choice –discovering their unique talents and pursuing their personal interests and
goals. Activities include: arts
& crafts−painting, drawing, dance, dramatic arts, creative writing, pottery, video produc-tion & more; sports−basket-ball, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball & more; water ac-tivities−swimming in two lakes and heated swimming pool, canoeing, kayaking, waterslide, zip-line & more; outdoor−hik-ing, rock-climbing, animal center, campfires & more; equestrian−horseback riding in a certified Horsemanship Asso-ciation Accredited facility, with riding rings, trail rides, horse care & much more.
Camp SAY also offers a variety of speech therapy op-tions, personalized to fit each child’s unique goals and needs. If speech therapy is desired, individual and group therapy sessions are available with a certified speech-language pa-thologist with extensive experi-ence with stuttering.
Campers leave Camp SAY with lasting benefits, includ-ing increased confidence, new friendships, greater indepen-
dence, and the feeling of being much better prepared to begin a new school year. Learn more at: CampSAY.org. Download a
brochure at: bit.ly/campsay, email [email protected], or call 828.393.4244.
Financial Aid is available, on
a need-basis, for tuition & travel. Camp SAY is a program of
SAY: The Stuttering Associa-tion for the Young (SAY.org).
The wonderful summer every child deserves
Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com SUMMER CAMPS • Sponsored Section March 25, 2015 25
Preschool Summer CampJohns Creek United Methodist Church
Parents Morning Out and Preschool11180 Medlock Bridge, Johns Creek, GA 30097 770-497-8215 x1003
Register NowFive weeks of unique and exciting adventures
await the summer day preschool campers.Each camp will explore a new theme with arts and hands on projects designed to inspire the children. Your child can enjoy one week up to all fi ve weeks of enriched fun and meet new
friends at the same time.Monday-Friday 9:30am-1:30pm
June 8-12, 2015 Ahoy, Matey
June 15-19, 2015 Hooray for the USA!
July 6-10, 2015 Little Blue & Little Yellow
July 13-17, 2015 Dino-mite
July 20-24, 2015 Fish Tails & Sand Pails
Sunsational Summer
Have your camper join the fun and be part ofsomething special: an amazing summer fi lled withgreat learning opportunities and fun! Campers’ imaginations will be sparked by the caring counselors, weekly themes, fi eld trips, water activities and surprises!
Have your camper join us at McGin-nis Woods this summer for our Sunsa-tional Summer Camp 2015! An amaz-ing summer filled with fun themes, caring counselors, engaging activities, art, music, interesting weekly field trips and guest speakers, water play and lots of smiles has been designed for camp-ers ages 4-12.
Camp begins May 26 and runs weekly themed sessions ending August 7. Campers may attend individual weeks or the entire summer. Camp hours are from 9am-5pm daily at a cost of $225.00 weekly. Before and/or after camp care is available at an ad-ditional fee.
We will visit Zoo Atlanta, the May-field Dairy, the Art Barn and other local destinations and enjoy daily activities including water slides, nature walks, and group games in our beauti-ful new air conditioned gym.
Our Specialty and Academic Camps offer a variety of educational classes to sharpen your camper’s skills and mind. Campers wanting to learn to cook, swim, do gymnastics, or act can do just that at McGinnis Woods!
Have your camper join in on the fun and plan to attend our Sunsational Summer Camp.
For additional information or to reg-ister, please contact us at www.mcgin-niswoods.org or call 770-664-7764.
We look forward to seeing you this summer!
McGinnis Woods Country Day School
Five weeks of unique and excit-ing adventures await the summer day preschool campers. Each camp will explore a new theme with arts and hands on projects designed to inspire the children. Your child can enjoy one week up to all five weeks of enriched
fun and meet new friends at the same time. Monday-Friday 9:30am-1:30pm
June 8-12 Ahoy, Matey; June 15-19 Hooray for the USA; July 6-10 Little Blue & Little Yellow; July 13-17 Dino-mite; July 20-24 Fish Tails & Sand Pails
Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge, Johns Creek, GA 30097. 770-497-8215 x1003; [email protected]
Preschool Summer Camp!Parents Morning Out and Preschool
26 March 25, 2015 Sponsored Section • SUMMER CAMPS forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald
J O I N U S !
3 Convenient locations around Cumming770.781.4922
Summer is just around the corner, and it’s time for parents to start planning camp experiences for their children. Woodward North Summer Camps offer an exciting range of programs to educate and entertain aspiring artists, scholars, athletes, explorers, and performers.
Located on a 33-acre campus in Johns Creek, Woodward North is a satel-lite elementary school of Woodward Academy. Woodward North Summer Camps are open to all rising pre-K through sixth graders. Children do not have to be Woodward students to attend the wide range of camp offerings, including ath-letic, academic, and enrichment camps. Child care is available before and after camps, and lunch—provided daily during morning session camps—is included in camp fees. Camps are led by Woodward faculty and staff, who provide a rewarding summer experience that will educate and entertain. In addition, bus transportation is available to Woodward’s Main Campus in College Park, which offers a full range of camps to students of all ages.
For a complete listing of camp schedules and descriptions, visit www.wood-ward.edu/camps, select Summer Camp Information for 2015, and choose WA North Camp under Schedules and Descriptions.
Learning and Laughter: Woodward North Summer Camps
Life-long dancer Niki Jernigan-Watkins had a dream of turning her passion and talent for dance into a teaching career and bringing the magic of dance alive for others. Driven by her passion and talents, Miss Niki as she’s fondly known by students, is realizing that dream for a sixth year running as the owner and artistic director of Cumming Dance Academy. Given her professional history and ac-colades for performance and teaching, it’s no surprise that Cumming Dance Academy has succeeded with Miss Niki at the helm.
A marker of the academy’s suc-cess came in 2009 when Cumming Dance Academy’s new facility opened. The 7,000 square-foot facility located at 419 Tribble Gap Road in Cum-ming affords the academy more space for staff, students, and parents. In 2012, Miss Niki opened her second location with the addition of “CDA II Performance Academy”. Committed to the youth of this community, she has taught thousands of young ladies how to grow, dance and gain confi-dence through her academy, classes and guidance. Miss Niki opened the original CDA in 2003 and has enjoyed watching it grow and flourish into a place where many call home! In 2012, she expanded her second location at CDA II – to include three more stu-dio rooms. In July 2014, she opened CDA III – on the other side of town,
near Windermere inabling the studio to now reach even more children who may live closer to the Buford side of Cumming. At the helm of 3 loca-tion, 6 studio rooms and many young ladies, Miss Niki an-nounced in January of 2015 the introduction of the new Music & Theater Department of CDA. Now offering classes in vocal coach-ing, guitar, violin, and piano training as well as a wide range of broadway/musical theater styled classes.
In 2014, Niki was selected 1 of 11 business professionals by the Cham-ber of Commerce to sit on the Small Business Advisory Council. The coun-cil is a division of the Cumming-For-syth County Chamber of Commerce that is available to help local small business owners become successful! Of her beloved CDA, Miss Niki has been quoted: “I am incredibly blessed to work with an amazing group of women who not only share my love of dance, but also my love of children and young people. Over 75% of our students have been with us since we opened our doors; I think that speaks volumes for both our studio and staff. We teach these young ladies, we grow with them, we learn with them, but most of all – we love them.”
Cumming Dance Academy is a place of instruction for both serious
Cumming Dance Academy Bringing the magic of dance alive for others
WATKINS
See DANCE, Page 27
Small groups, so campers get great care and attention.
Lunch included in camp fee; free early drop off; extended care available until 5:30 pm.
Academic, enrichment, and adventure camps for kindergarten through seventh grade campers.
Woodward North Summer CampsMay 26 - July 24, 2015
www.woodward.edu/camps
From the Woodward neighborhood
on.
ggrade campers.
Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com SUMMER CAMPS • Sponsored Section March 25, 2015 27
Whether your child attends Catalina Sea Camp or Astro-Camp depends on your child’s
specific interest. If your child is interested in the wonders of the ocean world or just wants
to spend summer with friends on an island, Catalina Sea Camp is the best choice with scuba certifications, sailing courses, marine biology class-es, Island exploring, sea food cookery and lots of traditional fun social activities like Tal-ent/No Talent, carnival night, dances and color Olympics.
Our Island Campus has a unique charm with it’s Span-ish California architecture and private cove. Some activities are age specific and there are many more activities than are listed here so check out the sea camp website at catalinas-
eacamp.org If your child loves science
activities, space exploration, Astronomy, rock climbing, LARP, dungeons and dragons, and good old fashioned summer camp fun, AstroCamp is a great choice.
There are many more ac-tivities so check our website at astrocampsummer.org.
Whichever camp you choose, you can rest assured that your child will get the highest quality program, com-fortable accommodations, great food and memories that will last a lifetime.
All of our staff are hand picked for there fun loving per-sonalities and ability to work with young people.
Astrocamp and Catalina Sea Camp are owned and oper-ated by the non-profit corpora-tion Guided Discoveries.
Guided Discoveries hosts over 50,000 students, parents and teachers from over 1,000 schools annually in it’s outdoor education program.
Guided Discoveries has been running summer camps for over 35 years. For more information, go to our website at gdicamps.org.
A fun-filled summer of wonder and adventure!
and recreational dancers and offers classes for children from 2 year olds to adult. CDA classes are led by a profes-sional staff with decades of experience and impressive
performance credits. CDA has many perfor-
mance groups for the more dedicated who want to experi-ence more than the weekly dance class. Her performing companies travel and compete each season.
For more information on CDA – please visit www.cum-mingdanceacademy.com
Continued from Page 26
Dance:
28 March 25, 2015 Sponsored Section • SUMMER CAMPS forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald
Camp listingsDay CampsDance A summer of exciting theatre awaits your child at Off Broadway Performing Arts Center. Located in the heart of Crabapple, Camp Off Broadway offers 1 week and 2 week camps for kids ages 4-17 in a professional yet family oriented environment. Immerse your child in the worlds of “Legally Blonde Jr.”, “Junglebook Kids” and “Honk” as they learn life skills, make new friends and memories to last a lifetime. At Off Broadway, we give every child a chance to shine. To register, visit us online at offbroadwaydance.com or call us at 770-664-2410
Have a budding ballerina wanting to dance her way through summer? Metropolitan Ballet Theatre’sSummer Trainee Camp definitely fits the bill! Known for serious training of pre-professional dancers,
MBT has an exciting and informative summer camp tailored just for younger dancers – boys and girls –ages 4 to 8. Experienced instructors cover foundational technique while encouraging campers to have fun and build friendships, and a variety of enrichment subjects introduce campers to the wider world of Dance.June 15-19 & June 22 -26A day at Trainee Camp includes:• Ballet• Jazz• Dance-related crafts• Tales from dance history• Professional performance review
Learning and rehearsing ballet variationGet the details! MetropolitanBallet.org!
HorseWillow South Riding School, Celebrating 15 years of excellence in riding! NEW Johns Creek location with INDOOR ARENA. United States Pony Club Riding Center. We offer all levels of instruction. Ages 5-12. 9a.m.-1p.m. Learn to ride in a fun, safe program with skilled instructors and experienced horses. For the true horse enthusiast! www.willowsouth.com $375 includes camp shirt and horse show! Send email to [email protected]. Sign up early to reserve your spot! June 1-5, June 8-12, June 15-19, June 22-26, July 6-10, July 13-17, July 20-24, July 27-31.
MusicThe 8th Annual Vivace! Summer
Middle School Band Camp is for band students in the North Metro Atlanta area. Students experience full band, master classes, jazz band/improvisa-tion, marching band techniques, music composition taught by certified teach-ers. Eligibility: For current 5th-8th grade band students who have been in their public or private school band pro-gram OR have taken private lessons at least 1 school year. Also, we have recre-ation time, end of camp ice-cream party
& concert. $205 by May 1st, $225 thereafter. Sibling, District, & All State discounts are available. REGISTER AT www.vivacecamps.com. Location: June 15-19 at Mt. Pisgah Christian School in Johns Creek. Jay Hutcherson, [email protected]. 678-278-9210
Atlanta Celtic CampIrish Music and Language Camp for kids and teens ages 6 to 17 years. Fiddle, flute, song and more! June 8-12 (9am to 1pm) in Roswell; sponsored by The Atlanta Irish Music School. Register online at: www.atlantairishmusicschool.com. 770-712-9334
RowingLearn the Olympic Sport of Rowing with Atlanta Junior Rowing Association! Ages 12-18 co-ed, no experience necessary. Five 2-week sessions with USRowing certified coaches: choose from 2 morning or 1 evening sessions, $175/session. Also for 2015, back by popular demand, 3 1-week sessions are available for High School campers only, $125/session. Held at the Chattahoochee River, 245 Azalea Drive, Roswell. Learn the fundamentals of sweep rowing and begin a basic workout program with the largest and most successful youth rowing program in Georgia! All campers are grouped each session by age, size, and skill level. To register, or for more info: www.ajracrew.com, or Sarah Low [email protected].
ScienceScience Camp conducted by High Touch-High Tech, Inc. since 1994. Degreed professionals instruct fun science from CSI discoveries, Robotics, Bugs & Rockets, to Fossils, Flowers, Space,& Volcanoes- Your older child can experience science coming to life in the fields of Chemistry, Physics, Light, Sound, and Electrical energy. Does your younger child like dinosaurs, gemstones, or animal studies? Then our age appropriate camps are for them. Also- STEM camps- Science, Technology, Engineering & Math camps too! Snacks and recess games will be provided. ‘Pizza Fridays’ available at an additional charge. Completed K-5, 9am-3pm. 770-667-9443. Locations: Roswell, Cumming, Marietta, Lawrenceville,Vinings, and Dunwoody. www.sciencemadefunatl.org
SoccerSoccer Camps at Emory UniversityBoys CampsEagle Full Day Camps - June 8-12 / June 15-19 for boys ages 7-14, extended care availableEagle Elite Residential/Commuter Camp - July 10-12 for boys ages 15-18 Info available at www.eagleboyssoccercamps or contact: Sonny TravisEmory Men’s Head Soccer Coach [email protected] CampsFull Day Camps - June 1-5 / July 6-10 for girls ages 7-14, extended care available Info available at www.emorysportscamps.com and scroll to girls soccer or contact: Sue Patberg
Emory Women’s Head Soccer Coach 404-727-2839
[email protected] traditionally fill up so sign
up early, Day Camp cost for each week $320 includes lunch.
Overnight CampsAdventure & TravelCatalina Sea Camp and AstroCamp are two amazing adventure summer camps. Located on beautiful Catalina Island in Southern California, Catalina Sea Camp offers ocean adventure activities for boy and girls ages 8-17. We have 1-week sessions for ages 8-13 and 3-week camps for ages 12-17. Located in beautiful Idyllwild California, Astrocamp is a mountain adventure science summer camp for boy and girls ages 8-17. These two great summer camps were developed by the nonprofit corporation Guided Discoveries in order to provide boys and girls with summer opportunities that enrich and inspire their lives. Check out our websites at www.californiasummercamps.org for a list of activities.
MississippiCamp Iti Kana and Camp Wahi - Summer Camps for girls ages 6-17. Located in Wiggins and Brandon, Mississippi. Owned and operated by Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi. Non-Girl Scouts welcome. Three and four day overnight sessions. Traditional summer camp activities – swimming, archery, nature, crafts, science, trip units, games, leadership, hiking, cook-outs, campfires and sing-alongs. Contact: [email protected] or 601.660.2847. www.gsgms.org
Special NeedsCamp SAY: A Summer Camp for Young People who Stutter. August 3-17, 2015. Camp SAY builds Confidence, Communication & Friendships! Our 2-week sleep-away camp combines the highest-quality traditional summer camp experience with programs that empower young people who stutter, ages 8-18. In addition to arts & crafts, sports, water activities, outdoor activities, performing arts, equestrian program & more, Speech Therapy is available with an SLP, expert in stuttering. Camp SAY is located on a 500-acre, ACA-accredited camp facility (near Asheville). Financial aid is available for tuition & travel. Visit CampSAY.org, download a brochure: bit.ly/campsay, email [email protected], or call 828.393.4244. Camp SAY, 179 Blue Star Way, Hendersonville, NC 28793
Camp Lee Mar: For children and teenagers with mild to moderate learning and developmental challenges. Since 1953, A Special Camp in beautiful Pennsylvania Poconos, co-ed, ages 7-21, with mild-moderate developmental challenges. Our 63rd anniversary, 6/25 25-8/11. Fun, traditional camp activities. academics. speech & language therapy. daily living skills. weekly social dancing & end-of-summer “prom” for older campers. Therapeutic horseback riding and optional day and overnight trips during summer. Exceptional facilities featuring air conditioned bunks & buildings, Junior Olympic heated pool, caring, nurturing staff. In 2015 we are
excited about the launch of the Lee Mar L.I.F.E. program (Living Independently Functional Education). Visit us on the web at www.leemar.com. 215-658-1708. [email protected]
TennesseeVoted the No. 1 Summer Camp in Nashville for the past six years, the YMCA Camp Widjiwagan is an action-packed summer adventure where confidence is built through skill development, and new friends are made as a result of teamwork.
Camp Widjiwagan offers progressive Day, Resident and Equestrian one-week programs for children ages 5-17. We offer a wide variety of water activates such as swimming, ski and surf school, the Blob, and an advanced sailing program. Land activities include field sports, climbing, double zip line and archery. Arts, crafts and theme production are also offered at camp. Go to www.campwidji.org to learn more or call us at 615-360-2267.
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont offers nature, backpacking, science adventure and family camps inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Imagine splashing around in an icy-cold mountain stream, climbing ridges to an unbelievable view, or choosing from a variety of activities to discover nature through hands-on explorations, day hikes and crafts. Options for beginning campers as well as outdoor enthusiasts - ages 5 to 95. Tremont Institute creates space for discovery, personal development and opportunities to unplug and explore. Call (865) 448-6709 or visit www.gsmit.org/GA.html. Located on the Tennessee side of the national park.
Find us on Facebook @GSMITremont to see pictures and videos of the adventure that awaits!
Deer Run Camps & Retreats: 3845 Perkins Road. Thompson’s Station, TN 37179. 888-794-2918. Camps.DeerRunRetreat.org. [email protected]. Nondenominational, Christ-centered camp on 100 scenic wooded acres. Campers experience “Deeper Faith and Greater Adventures.” Age-graded sessions, grades 3 through12 plus 3-night Family Camps for ages 5 and up.. Exceptional staff lead a well-organized experience creating positive lifetime memories and building character, confidence and relationships. All-inclusive activities: lake fun (zip-line, water slide, kayaks, swimming, aqua park), horseback wooded trail rides, climbing tower, paintball, low and high ropes, cardboard boat regatta, archery, BB guns, wiffle ball, games, skits, fun songs. Daily small group Bible study plus nightly large group worship with an engaging speaker.
forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015 | 29Recycled paper | Submit your news & photos to [email protected]
In the last five years (2008-2013) which media use is increasing?
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AppenMediaGroup.comSurvey of Voter Attitudes in Johns Creek, Georgia
conducted from April 30 - May 2, 2013
by The Tarrance Group for the City of Johns Creek. Question #QD7.*Listed as Johns Creek Post in 2008 survey.
** Not included in 2008 survey.
AtlantaJournal
Constitution
17%15%
47% 48%
JohnsCreek
Patch*
5% 5%9%
TV StationsFrom
Atlanta
18%
13%
Internet
3%1%
Other
7%4%
Unsure orRefused
4% 5%
Survey Question:“Which of the following news sources
would you say that you rely on the mostfor news about issues and problems in
Johns Creek?
10/1/2008 5/2/2013
AJCWEEKDAY16,481
AJCSUNDAY29,241
NEIGHBOR43,250
APPEN75,000
Circulation Comparison
Data based on the following: 2013 CVC Audit for Appen, 2013 ABC Audit for the AJC, 2013 CAC Audit for the Neighbor. Comparison only of circula-
tion in Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, and Forsyth county.
Johns Creek Herald
JohnsCreek
Neighbor**
30 | March 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected] | Recycled paper
NFF Tip-Off Club 2015 announces year-end awardsALPHARETTA, GA — The North Fulton Forsyth Tip-Off Club honored the top eight 2015 year-end award winners at a banquet held at the Lanier Tech Forsyth Conference Cen-ter March 9.
Reporter, anchor and producer for 92.9 The Game, Tenitra Batiste, was the emcee for the evening’s festivities and Sam Hines, former profession-al player, was the special guest speaker.
NFF Tip-Off Club “Player of the Year” Winners are:
Female Underclassman of the Year – Siena Gore (Chat-tahoochee High School)
Sophomore Guard, Siena Gore, averaged 16.4 points per game and 3 steals per game for the 2014-2015 season. She was named to the 6-AAAAAA All-Region team.
Male Underclassman of the Year – Kohl Roberts (River-wood International Charter High School)
Junior power forward, Kohl Roberts, had season stats of 15 points, 5 blocks and 3 assists per game.
Female Academic Player of the Year – Wendy Oshinski (Pinecrest Academy)
Senior guard, Wendy Oshinski, was captain of her team and averaged 7 points per game. She has a 4.1 grade point average, scored a 33 on her ACT and is ranked 33 in her class.
Wendy is a member of four honor societies.
Male Academic Player of the Year – Grant Lancaster (Lambert High School)
Senior wing, Grant Lan-caster, is an AP scholar with distinction and is ranked in the top 5 percent of his class. He was a scholar athlete for his freshman, JV and Varsity teams and is a member of the National Honor Society. He has a 4.3 GPA and scored a 34 on his ACT.
Female Player of the Year – Jenna Staiti (West Forsyth High School)
Junior post, Jenna Staiti, had season statistics of 29 Points, 13 Rebounds, 5 Blocks, 68 percent field goal average and 74 percent average at the free throw line.
Staiti was the XL212 2014 underclassman of the year, 2nd team all Naismith, the Georgia Coaches’ Association Junior of the Year, the Region 6-AAAAAA player of the year and the all-state 1st team.
Male Player of the Year – Devontae Cacok (Alpharetta High School)
Senior post, Devontae Cacok, had per game season averages of 18.1 points, 2 steals, 1.5 blocked shots, and a 76.2 percent field goal per-centage per game. His career averages were 19.8 Points and
11.9 rebounds per game. He was selected to the 1st team all-region and Naismith all-metro teams, was an all-star team member for the XL212 All-Star Classic and for the Georgia North vs. South game and a runner up for Region Player of the Year.
Devontae is a 1,000 point scorer, who led his team to an 18-0 region record and the Elite 8. He has committed to play at UNC Wilmington.
Girls’ Coach of the Year – Keith Gravitt (South Forsyth High School)
Keith Gravitt’s, head coach of South Forsyth High School, team was the Region 6-AAAAAA champions, the Region 6-AAAAAA Region Tour-nament Champions and they went to the State Sweet Sixteen tournament.
The Lady War Eagles were ranked number one in the
state for three consecutive weeks by the AJC and were ranked as high as 21st in the nation in the Blue Star Media Poll.
The season ended with a 10 game regular season winning streak. Gravitt’s team had an overall record of 25-5, 21-4 in the regular season and 4-1 in post season play.
Boys’ Coach of the Year – Frederick Hurt (Alpharetta
High School)The boys’ Coach of the
Year, Frederick Hurt, head coach of Alpharetta High School, also had an outstand-ing year. His team was the Region 6-AAAAAA runner-up, made it to the Region 6-AAAAAA State Tournament Final 8 and was in the Class AAAAAA 2014-2015 Top Ten Ranking for three consecutive weeks.
Siena Gore, Underclassman of the Year
Jenna Staiti, Player of the Year
Wendy Oshinski, Academic Player of the Year
Keith Gravitt, Coach of the Year
Kohl Roberts, Underclassman of the Year
Devontae Cacok, Player of the Year
Grant Lancaster, Academic Player of the Year
Frederick Hurt, Coach of the Year
forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015 | 31Submit your news & photos to [email protected] SPORTS
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Alpharetta hosts ‘Pat’s Run’ April 25ALPHARETTA, Ga. – On Sat-urday, April 25, over 30,000 participants, volunteers and spectators scattered through-out major cities in the United States will unite to run, walk and honor Pat Tillman’s legacy, all while raising important scholarship funds that support Tillman Military Scholars, the military veterans and spouses who reflect Tillman’s values, strength of character and com-mitment to service.
Through a nationwide ef-fort composed of major cit-ies throughout the U.S. that simultaneously participate in Pat’s Run, a 4.2 mile charity
fun run. Pat’s Run in Atlanta celebrates the legacy of former NFL player Pat Tillman, who died in April 2004 while serv-ing with the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghani-stan.
Pat’s Run is held annually in late April to commemorate the day that Pat lost his life in Afghanistan. Symbolic of the number 42 that he wore as a Sun Devil football player at Arizona State University, Pat’s Run is 4.2 miles long, in each city where the event is sched-uled.
All donations from the Atlanta-based event Charity
Run will directly support the Tillman Military Scholars pro-gram, which provides scholar-ships to U.S. military veterans and spouses.
To register for Pat’s Run Atlanta, scheduled for April 25 starting at 9 a.m. at Rock Mill Park, 3100 Kimball Bridge Road, Alpharetta, Georgia, visit
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/atlanta-ga-pats-run-shadow-run-registra-tion-14788367405
For more background information regarding the Pat Tillman Foundation or to make a donation in kind, please visit www.pattillmanfoundation.org.
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Covenant Christian Academy student John Stafford Quinnelly has signed with Faulkner University to play baseball. Quinnelly plans to study business. He currently plays for the Georgia Baseball Academy.
For more on Covenant Christian Academy, visit them online at www.cov-enantrams.org.
Quinnelly signs with Faulkner
From left are: Covenant Christian Academy Assistant Coach Keith Gentry, mom Julie Quinnelly, siblings Brighton, Berklie, Emerson, John Stafford Quinnelly, dad Bo Quinnley and Head Coach James Friday. Quinnelly has signed to play baseball with Faulkner.
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Lambert High School’s lacrosse team recently traveled to South Carolina to play Greenville High School and dominated for a 17-4 victory.
As has been the case all season, Lambert had no trouble finding the net. Hayden Barnes scored three goals, while Trey Arnold, Hunter Shepherd, Conrad McEvoy, Eric Overbay and Air Force commit Matt O’Rourk all scored two goals each. Lambert is 4-0 this season and has outscored their opponents 47-11.
– Joe Parker
Lambert wins big in South CarolinaLambert senior Justin Blastick (21) attacks while Trey Arnold (26) blocks off a Greenville defender.
32 | March 25, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com Submit your news & photos to [email protected] | Recycled paper
Arizona State UniversityTEMPE, Ariz. - The following students were named to the spring 2014 Dean’s List at Ari-zona State University. Andrew Esparza, Milton; Lloyd Jar-rell, Cumming; and Christine Vanstrom of Roswell.
Villanova UniversityVILLANOVA, Pa. - Shannon Leigh Wynne of Milton has been named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2014 semester at Villanova University. Wynne is currently studying abroad at the National University of Ireland in Galway for the 2015 spring semester.
Graceland UniversityLAMONI, Iowa – Katrina Rad-
man of Duluth was named to Graceland University’s 2014 fall semester Dean’s List. Stu-dents with a GPA between 3.25 and 3.64 are named to the Dean’s List.
Keene State CollegeKEENE, N.H. – Bridget Goodwin was named to the fall 2014 Dean’s List at Keene State College.
Students must achieve a 3.5 or higher grade point average on a 4.0 scale to earn Dean’s List honors.
Valdosta State UniversityVALDOSTA, Ga. – The follow-ing students were named to Valdosta State University’s Dean’s List for the fall 2014 semester. Lucas Bell, Johns Creek; Bridget Brewer, Johns Creek; Taylor Carstarphen, Johns Creek; Erin Cole, Suwanee; Mason Currie, Alpharetta; Megan English, Alpharetta; McCall Gardner, Duluth; Melissa Goodman, Suwanee; Cody Hudson,
Johns Creek; Alexe Kalar-iotes, Suwanee; Sylvia Leong, Alpharetta; Emily Li, Duluth; Victoria Papadelis, Duluth; Joel Pollack, Alpharetta; Emily Raymond, Alpharetta; Karla Rodriguez, Suwanee; Ashley Smith, Suwanee; Sidney Steele, Duluth; James Stephens, Johns Creek; Tiffa-ny Tilaka, Alpharetta; Jamie West, Alpharetta; Courtney Whitenack, Duluth; and Kyle Wilkerson, Duluth; Maegan Abkemeier, Cumming; Nata-lie Ajarrian, Roswell; Wilson Anglin, Cumming; Caroline Baum, Roswell; Taylor Clark, Cumming; Natalie Craw-ford, Cumming; Stephanie Crawford, Alpharetta; Maci Fletcher, Cumming; Juli-ana Fortugno, Alpharetta; Alena Franks, Cumming; Tate Godwin, Cumming; Al-lyson Hayenga, Alpharetta; Joely Henriquez, Alpharetta; Daniella Hermoza, Roswell; Matthew Pirrello, Cumming; Patricia Price, Cumming; Rachael Ramirez, Cumming; Amber Rickman, Cumming; Melissa Simmons, Roswell; Jaclyn Stiff, Alpharetta; Tiffany Tilaka, Alpharetta; Kimberly Toscano, Roswell;
Shelby Varchmin, Cumming; Christopher Whelan, Cum-ming; and James Whelan of Cumming.
Belmont UniversityNASHVILLE, Tenn. - Belmont University announced their fall 2014 Dean’s List. Madi-son Barefield, Johns Creek; Nathan Childers, Cumming; Taylor French, Roswell; Chloe Gilligan, Roswell; Abby Janis, Johns Creek; Madison Kent, Milton; Anna Lackey, Johns Creek; Savannah Mor-row, Duluth; Anna Park, Duluth; Matthew Proctor, Al-pharetta; Carolina Rodriguez, Alpharetta; Andrew Salminen, Milton; Kylee Smith, Alpharet-ta; Haley Smith, Roswell; Caroline Snellman, Roswell; Suzanna Stapler, Alpharetta; Katelynn Taylor, Alpharetta; Sarah Terning, Johns Creek; Chandler Thornhill, Milton; and Allyson Bowen of Su-wanee.
Reinhardt UniversityWALESKA, Ga. - The follow-
ing students were named to Reinhardt University’s Dean’s List for the fall 2014 semester. Rachel Croce, Alpharetta; Samantha Croce, Alpharetta; Brandon Keith, Alpharetta; Joyce Nordell, Alpharetta; Natasha Robinson, Alpharet-ta; Audrey Vassell, Duluth; Jessica Lowenstein, Johns Creek; Jeremy Morris, Johns Creek; Theresa Razzini-Ross, Suwanee; Erika Szatmary, Suwanee; Matthew Trawick, Suwanee; Stephanie Goins, Alpharetta; Jarett Goree, Alpharetta; Haley Henderson, Alpharetta; Alexandra Mahan, Alpharetta; Savannah Teague, Alpharetta; Shatonya Young, Alpharetta; John Allen, Cum-ming; Dana Armstrong, Cum-ming; Stephen Clark, Cum-ming; Orly Coffey, Cumming; Michael Funk, Cumming; Katie Goodrich, Cumming; Matthew Hallowell, Cumming; Luke Madden, Cumming; Coleton Staton, Cumming; Katelyn Wienbarg, Cumming; Audrey Vassell, Duluth; Al-exander Arth, Roswell; Blake Hallman, Roswell; James Ma-jor, Roswell; Price Signaigo, Roswell; and Emily Smythe of Roswell.
VARSITY BRIEFSSend us your news!
Email to [email protected] Info: 770-442-3278
school. We used a lot of flame images and talked a lot about
starting from a small spark or ignition, and then moved forward into a burst of expres-sion at WFHS and how all the different groups and aspects of the student life help grow each person throughout their high
school career.”This year’s theme is Shift,
Gerhard said. The staff has completed the majority of the book and is currently coming up with themes for next year.
“We wanted to, again, evoke
a sense of movement, especial-ly with the fact our school just got a new principal this year and a lot of big changes,” Ger-hard said. “We really wanted to focus on that sense of shifting and movement. This year’s book has been the best book I’ve been a part of so far.”
The WFHS’s “Zephyr” was one of only 476 yearbooks selected from approximately 3,000.
The 2015 panel of judges, comprised of nationally recog-nized scholastic journalism pro-fessionals and award-winning yearbook advisers, selected the best examples of yearbook spreads and covers to make up the 344-page 2015 Look Book, Farry said.
Gerhard said they owe some of the success to the other two editors, her fraternal twin sister, Shannon, and Dori Butler. The three have worked hard and are happy to receive recognition, Gerhard said.
“It means a good deal to get recognized because there are 2,300 kids who go to this school and sometimes they don’t all realize how big of a role we play in recording the history of this school,” Ger-hard said. “For our program to get recognition outside of the school and to get it state/country wide puts our name out there in a positive light for the rest of the school to ap-preciate the work we put into creating the book.”
Continued from Page 1
WFHS:
Cristian Anghelescu, 86, of Alpharetta, passed away March 13, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.
Elaine Camacho, 92, of Cumming, passed away March 14, 2015. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.
Ted D. Echols, 84, of Cumming, passed away March 14, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Lorie Grove, 70, of Roswell, passed away March 6, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.
Vincent P. Hanke, 76, of Cumming, passed away March 13, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Bernice Corn Ivey, 83, of Forsyth County, passed away March 13, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Sylvia Jeanne, 71, of Alpharetta, passed away March 15, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.
Subbalakshmi Lakshmipathy, 81, of Suwanee, passed away March 11, 2015. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.
Jamie Lynn McBrayer, 36, of Forsyth County, passed away March 14, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Fred Dwight McClure, 66, passed away March 8, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Maria Neves, 94, of Alpharetta, passed away March 5, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.
Aaron Ostrozynski, 24, of Roswell, passed away March 3, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.
Robert Powers, 66, of Cumming, passed away March 11, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Dean Pruitt, 77, of Forsyth County, passed away March 15, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Jack Wayne Quarles, 72, of Cumming, passed away March 10, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
John Quintana, 72, of Roswell, passed away March 2, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.
Christopher Shane Reichrath, 49, of Cumming, passed away March 10, 2015. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.
Manuel Rodriguez, 85, of Alpharetta, passed away March 8, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.
Jill Slovak, 48, of Alpharetta, passed away February 27, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.
Dennis Spriggs, 78, of Roswell, passed away March 14, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.
Bernice Ray Tallant, 93, of Forsyth County, passed away March 10, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Charles J. Trott, 80, of Roswell, passed away March 12, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.
David Albert Whiteman, 74, of Alpharetta, passed away March 13, 2015. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.
Larry Zimmerman, 78, of Cumming, passed away March 12, 2015. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.
DEATH NOTICES
The man went into the store.Later that day, the woman
called officers because her side was starting to hurt and she was afraid she would have to go to the hospital.
She was able to provide a description of the driver, and officers told her they would be contacting him.
Suspicious box shuts down part of Freedom ParkwayFORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — On March 16, a suspicious box was delivered to Rite Aid, 2820 Keith Bridge Road.
A manager called the For-
syth County Sheriff’s Office to report the box and reportedly told officers it had been there for about 45 minutes.
Officers observed the box with some words on it inside a white plastic garbage bag. None of the employees witnessed who dropped the box off, accord-ing to officers.
Officers moved the box to the rear parking area and blocked the area off.
They called in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation bomb unit, and Freedom Parkway was shut down in front of the store so no one would enter the parking lot.
Once the bomb unit ar-rived, they reportedly deter-mined the box was liquid floor shine.
No other suspicious items were located.
Continued from Page 3
Blotter:
Forsyth Herald | March 25, 2015 | 33Submit your news & photos to [email protected] COMMUNITYDog of the week: DaffodilFORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Humane Society of Forsyth County’s (HSFC) calm and laid back lap dog Daffodil has a wonder-ful temperament for a dog that’s a year old. Daffodil plays very well with other dogs at the shelter and her kennel is always clean, every day.
She is one of those dogs that is caught between being consid-ered a small dog or a medium dog, but she plays well with both.
As for breed, she has the floppy ears of a hound but not the bark because she is yet to bark once at the HSFC.
She is a very sweet girl that would make a great com-panion for kids or folks of all ages. She’s at the HSFC adoption center 4440 Keith Bridge Road. Hours are noon to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Fill out an applica-tion online at www.forsythpets.org.—Kathleen Sturgeon
Cat of the week: PearlFORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Coming into the Humane Society of Forsyth County’s program as a sick mom, Pearl needed lots of care.
Her kittens were treated and adopted, but after taking care of her kittens, Pearl needed longer to get well. After lots of love and care from the Humane Society, she is now a healthy girl looking to make up for lost time. A little over a year-and-half, Pearl is due
for her turn at a loving home after sur-viving so much in her young life. She’s an incredibly friendly and affectionate kitty that has so much love to give.
Fill out an application at www.forsythpets.org.
Or visit the adoption center at 4440 Keith Bridge Road. Hours are noon to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
—Kathleen Sturgeon
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