johns creek herald - may 19, 2016

May 19, 2016 | Nor thFulton.com | An Appen Media Group Publ icat ion | 50 | Vo lume 20, No. 20

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Former House Speaker Mark Burkhalter has been honored with a portion of Medlock Bridge Road named in his honor. But his lasting legacy can be found among the active lead-ers whom he encouraged to get into politics. They showed up to honor him. From left are Johns Creek Councilman Lenny Zaprowski, Fulton County School Board President

Linda McCain, Johns Creek Councilman Steve Broadbent, Fulton School Board member Katie Reeves, Speaker of the House Pro Tem Jan Jones, Burkhalter, state Sen. Brandon Beach, Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann, Johns Creek Councilwoman Cori Davenport and state Rep. Chuck Martin. Read more, Page 6.

HATCHER HURD/HERALD

Mark Burkhalters legacy of leadership

Who cant afford to live here?Downside of prosperity:Where to find workers

PAGE 9

Voters must weighE-SPLOST taxFulton Schools wants tax renewed for additional projects

PAGE 12

Fulton mulls genderidentity guidelinesNo policy in place that deals directly with the transgender issue

PAGE 4

Food and fun in AlpharettaTaste of Alpharetta drew over 30,000 people

PAGE 31

2 | May 19, 2016 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com PUBLIC SAFETY

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Woman exits store with $1.2K in clothesALPHARETTA, Ga. A woman was arrested May 2 for allegedly shoplifting

$1,200 worth of clothes and handbags.A local retail store alerted police

to a shoplifting incident after a loss prevention officer took a woman into custody.

The woman, Haritha Veluvolu, 24, was seen entering the fitting rooms multiple times.

The loss prevention officer saw that she was carrying fewer pieces of mer-chandise out than in. No items were left in the stalls, either.

Veluvolu was stopped by the loss

prevention officer when she attempted to leave the store without paying for any merchandise.

The missing items allegedly were found in the shopping bags Veluvolu was carrying, includ-ing 20 pieces of clothing and three handbags, a total value of $1,200.

Veluvolu was arrested by Alpharetta Police for theft by shoplifting.

DUI arrests Scott Alan Ackermon, 51, of Saxony

Lane, Johns Creek, was arrested May 5 on Northwinds Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane.

Nancy Franke Beak, 51, of Greatwood Lane, Alpharetta, was arrested May 5 on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane.

Heidi Anned Perez-Vidal, 36, of Woodstock, was arrested May 5 on Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane.

Buba Touray, 51, of Greenmont Circle, Alpharetta, was arrested May 5 on Haynes Bridge Road in Alpharetta for DUI, open container and failure to maintain lane.

Arturo Arteaga, 26, of Kilmington Court, Alpharetta, was arrested May 6 on Webb Bridge Road in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane.

Rakesh Girish Patel, 34, of Suwanee, was arrested May 1 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI, speeding and failure to maintain lane.

Andrew J. Robinson, 22, of Plantation Court, Johns Creek, was

arrested May 4 on State Bridge Road in Johns Creek for DUI, reckless driving and failure to use signal.

Stacie Ann Chapman, 39, of Norcross, was arrested May 4 on Medlock Bridge Road in Johns Creek for DUI and improper passing

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.

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.

Two salons threatened with fake utility chargesNORTH FULTON, Ga. Two businesses, on separate days, were called by people claiming to represent Georgia Power and insisting that the businesses owed thousands of dollars.

One man reported fraud May 3 when he was contacted by a Mr. Morales, who said he worked for Georgia Power. The business owner was told the power to his nail salon company would be cut off if he did not pay $1,000 within two hours to offset the $10,000 in overdue fees. Morales said the man could avoid disruption of service if he purchased two $500 Apple iTunes gift cards for the company within two hours. That should have been the tipoff.

Afraid for his business, the man purchased the cards an hour after the call and contacted Morales to pay off the balance with them.

A worker at the nail salon later informed the man that iTunes gift cards cant be used to pay off a company like

Georgia Power. He tried calling back Morales, but the num-ber was disconnected. The number he received from Morales did not match any official numbers for Georgia Power. A company representative confirmed that no one had contacted the man about an overdue balance.

The man contacted Johns Creek police to report the incident a few hours after the initial phone call. Apple was notified to track down the account that used the cards.

A similar case occurred May 6 in Milton when a salon worker was called twice by a woman claiming to represent Georgia Power. She told the worker that the salon was be-hind on their electrical bills and owed the company thou-sands of dollars. He refused to pay any money, since the salon uses another utility company, and was suspicious of the caller.

There are no suspects at this time.

See BLOTTER, Page 36

CorrectionGraduation ceremonies for Centennial High School will be held Friday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Mt. Pisgah Church. The 2016 valedictorian is Justin Kyaw Htay, and salutatorian is Mary Routh Stephens.

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 19, 2016 | 3

Am I candidate for LASIK or refractive surgery?Patients who wear glasses or contact lenses for nearsightedness (myopia), farsighted-ness (hyperopia), or astigmatism are all potential candidates for LASIK or refractive surgery. Patients have to meet certain criteria, such as a stable prescription and healthy eyes, in order to be considered as candidates for refractive surgery. Any individual considering LASIK requires a comprehensive consultation by an ophthal-

mologist specializing in laser vision correction surgery.

What exactly is LASIK?LASIK or Laser-Assited In-Situ Keratomileusis is an FDA-approved surgical procedure aimed to reduce dependency on glasses or contact lenses. A femtosecond laser, or less commonly a microkeratome blade, is initially used to create a thin fl ap into the cornea. After lifting this fl ap, an excimer laser is used to reshape the underlying corneal tissue. Then, the fl ap is care-fully laid back into place and the eye is allowed to heal. Patients note an immediate improvement in vision after the procedure within the fi rst day.

What should I expect during the LASIK consultation?In addition to a comprehensive dilated eye examination, specialized testing to evaluate corneal shape, corneal thickness, and pupil size will be performed. A refractive surgeon should review these tests with you to ensure that your eyes are healthy and that you are a good candidate for the procedure. If you wear contact lenses, you should stay out of your lenses for a few weeks prior to your consultation.

What if I am not a candidate for LASIK?PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, is an alternate procedure that uses the same excimer laser as LASIK to achieve excellent vision, and for some, it is a safer option than LASIK. Unlike LASIK, PRK avoids making a fl ap into the corneal tissue, and thus any risks associated with the fl ap are elimi-nated. Another option is phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs) to correct high myopia. These FDA-approved implantable lenses are surgically placed be-tween the cornea and iris or just behind the iris. Just like contact lenses, phakic IOLs correct myopia but do not require any maintenance.

What is the recovery like?While most patients report seeing well within a day after the procedure, their vision will improve gradually over few weeks to a month to reach peak quality. Visual recovery after PRK takes longer than LASIK because the cornea requires more healing time. Patients experience a dry, scratchy sensation immediately after LASIK or PRK. But these dry symptoms re-spond well to lubricating eye drops and eventually resolve as the eyes heal.

Will the surgery be covered by insurance?Health insurance typically does not cover the cost of laser refractive surgery because it is an elective procedure to treat vision conditions that are correctable with glasses or contact lenses. Individuals may be able to obtain discounts from their workplace, limited coverage through their employee health plans, or coverage through contributions to a fl exible spending account. Patients should check with their insurance carriers or benefi ts coordinator to fi nd out more information. The covered fees include the initial complete consultation, the surgery itself, and a full year of post-operative care. Laser re-treatments, which are rarely needed, are covered at no additional cost.

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Federal government weighs in on gender identity

By CANDY [email protected]

ATLANTA The federal government may be easing out of mandated testing requirements for local schools, but it is apparently getting into the bathroom business and any other area where sex segregation is in place.

In an announcement last week that took many public K-12 schools by sur-prise, officials with the Obama admin-istration directed local school systems to make restroom accommodations for transgender students, regardless of the sex they were assigned at birth, along

with locker rooms and other facilities.The letter released May 13 clarified

the federal governments interpretation of Title IX mandates which prohibit sex discrimination in educational programs and activities operated by re-cipients of federal financial assistance. The letter was sent by officials with the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Officials with the Fulton County School System noted they are in receipt of the letter, but currently have no policy in place that deals directly with the transgender issue and access to restrooms and locker rooms.

We are aware that the federal government has issued guidance to public schools on how to provide vari-ous supports to transgendered youth, said Susan Hale, spokesperson for the FCSS. [We] will comprehensively

review all federal guidance and utilize it in our continued support for students in our schools.

She noted, historically, each individ-ual school manages as appropriate for their student population without issue.

To clarify, up until this point it has been a school-by-school decision as the situation calls for it, said Hale. But now that there is federal guidance, we will use this informationto determine if additional supports are needed. Since this was [recently] released, our staff needs more time to review the informa-tion.

Though most commonly referenced in college sports programs where men and women sports must be equitably provided, Title IX also covers K-12 schools under the direction of the U.S. Department of Education essentially every public school in the country.

The letter stated the guidance does not add requirements to applicable law, but provides information and exam-ples to inform recipients about how the departments evaluate whether covered entities are complying with their legal obligations.

The underlying threat in the letter, confirmed by government officials in subsequent media briefings, is that schools not fully complying with the law as it relates to transgender stu-dents risk losing federal funding.

The FCSS relies on federal fund-ing primarily to support the free and reduced lunch program and services

Directive to school systems to provide transgender facilities

A transgender primerThe U.S. Department of Education and Department of Justice Depart-ment outlined gender terminol-ogy in the May 13 letter sent to school systems across the nation:

Gender identity: Refers to an indi-viduals internal sense of gender.Transgender: Describes those individuals whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth.Gender transition: The process in which transgender individuals begin to live and identify as the sex consistent with their gender identity. They may dress differ-ently, adopt a new name and use pronouns consistent with their gender identity.

GARAGE SALESSee more garage sales in the classifieds

ALPHARETTA: Mayfair; 720 Redlion Run 30022. Saturday 5/21, 8am-2pm. Cherry dining table, chairs, china cabinet. Sofa and love seat, maple coffee and end tables, 32 Tube TV, ornaments, books, etc.MILTON: Multi-family moving sale hosted by Girl Scout Troop 15405, 120 Quarrington Court 30004. Sunday 5/22, 8am-12pm. Proceeds benefit An-gels Among Us Pet Rescue and Homestretch.JOHNS CREEK/ALPHARETTA: Queensbury Subdivision; 3395 Marquess Moor 30022. Friday 5/20, Saturday 5/21, 9am-2pm. Tools, electronics, costume jewelry, collectibles...JOHNS CREEK: Bridgestone Farms; Ogeechee/Victory Gate/Windsor Park Drive. Yard sale. Many houses! 5/21, 8am-3pm MILTON: Multi-family Creek Crossing Subdivision; Creek & Freemanville Roads. Saturday 5/21, 8am-1pm; Kids toys, games, clothes, bikes, house-hold items, furniture, lawn equipment, more!MILTON: Hampton Manor Subdivision; 15770 Manor Trace. Friday 5/20 and Saturday 5/21, 8am-1pm. Treasures; moving! ROSWELL: Multi family. Kingsport Subdivision, 235 Portsmouth Court 30076. Friday 5/20, Saturday 5/21, 8am-2pm. Furniture, household, clothes and MORE!!! ROSWELL: Crabapple Lake & Parc Neighborhood Sale - 25+ sellers! Satur-day, 5/21, 8AM-2PM. Crabapple @ Etris. Map 5015 Baywood Dr 30076 . www.crabapplelakeparc.org/classifieds WOODSTOCK/ROSWELL/MILTON: Fernwood Creek Subdivision; 206 Fernwood Place 30188. Friday 5/20 and Saturday 5/21, 8am-3pm. Moving. Furniture, exercise equipment, piano, dining room table and buffet, home decor

DEADLINETo place garage sale ads: Noon Friday prior week

Call 770-442-3278 or email [email protected] GENDER, Page 33


Burkhalter can reflect on legacy of leadershipBy HATCHER [email protected]

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. Mark Burkhalter was a Republican long before being a GOP member was cool. Many say he is one of the driving forces that turned Georgia from blue to red.

Certainly, Burkhalter was a huge shaper of Johns Creek, the community he grew up in. He was instrumental in giving residents the opportunity to vote for cityhood. He was the mentor to dozens of politically active people today, and they wanted to thank him for being that force of change in Johns Creek, North Fulton and beyond.

You could say he was a one-man incubator of leadership. He could spot the potential for leadership in people, then tap into that potential. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich recognized something in that intern in his Wash-ington, D.C., office and gave him a paid position on his staff.

The Johns Creek Herald showed some prescience it didnt deserve when it chose Burkhalter for its Aug. 22, 1997, inaugural cover story. Of course, he was a newsmaker even then. The photo featured a youngish (37) busi-nessman standing in front of the War-saw Elementary School that he saved from the bulldozer.

He bought the old landmark school and preserved it by converting it into an office building. Like the good Republi-can he was, he made the proposition pay for itself.

Now it has come to pass that many of those he inspired to become active in their community and run for public office came back May 11 to that old schoolhouse to honor Burkhalter and say thanks in a special way.

That portion of Medlock Bridge Road (Ga. 141) from the Chattahoochee River north to Abbotts Bridge Road is now officially christened Mark Burkhalter Highway. Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston led a delegation to the old Warsaw School to make the formal proclamation before family and friends

State Sen. Brandon Beach was master of ceremonies at the afternoon event. Beach said Burkhalter was a leader in the paradigm shift for metro Atlanta in that he supported the cre-ation of Sandy Springs, Johns Creek and Milton. In turn, that led to a host of cities taking their own destinies in their own hands and incorporating.

He presented the case for cities to have local control and with such convic-tion, it could not be denied, Beach said.

Speaker Richardson noted how Burkhalter was one of the leaders who spoke to hundreds of groups all over the state, urging them to find a new path to political ends by joining the Republican Party. The effort ended with the election of a Republican governor, a Republican lieutenant governor and a Republican speaker of the House.

Burkhalter himself was elected speaker pro tem of the House, an office that came with considerable power in its own right.

Also speaking were former Speaker Glenn Richardson and Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones.

Jones said she didnt know what a

state representative was in 2001. But she had the idea of getting funding for an environmental classroom, and so she made her pitch to Burkhalter.

Mark was one who listened to me. I didnt get the funding, so we wound up selling a lot of cookie dough, Jones said. Then I found out after redis-tricting, we werent in Marks district anymore.

But a relationship was born, and she had a mentor as she became a state representative. They later collab-orated to get cityhood for Johns Creek and Milton.

Perhaps Burkhalters oldest friend there was state Rep. Chuck Martin. They went to high school together and then college. Would Martin have become an Alpharetta city councilman and then the citys mayor had he not met Burkhalter?

Well never know, but yet here is another leader who rubbed shoulders with him in early times.

We would talk about what we wanted to do. And Mark would say he wanted a place like where he was from. I remember sitting up in the Milton grandstands just talking, Martin said.

From such dreams can spring ac-tions. Many that day said it was Burkha-lters encouragement that gave them the spark to enter politics. Granted, these are all can-do and will-do personalities to begin with, but often a push in the right direction at the right time is needed.

Burkhalter was the kind of person who was looking for people to give that nudge.

A visibly moved Burkhalter rose to speak.

Its funny how life comes around, he said. I was one of seven students who graduated from [Warsaw Elemen-tary] and went to Milton. I was the first kid on the bus and the last one off.

He would ride his bike on Ga. 141 and not see a car. He didnt grow up in a small town, it was smaller than that. And it wasnt even a town yet. But he would change that.

While so many people know Burk-halter the politician, there was also Burkhalter the businessman. He dou-ble majored at the University of Georgia in global studies/political science and German/Slavic languages. Then he became a real estate broker.

As his political career took off, so did his business career. When he was presented with the opportunity his dream job, really to work for Dentons, a worldwide law office in 53 countries and the worlds largest law firm, he chose for his family, he took the job.

He said he is working currently on a four-year project in Gibraltar. He helps companies work their way through international red tape.

A door opened for me. Im glad I served, but Im glad to be where I am. It allows me to fulfill my dreams, Burk-halter said.

Johns Creek resident and former speaker receives kudos from his peers for service

PHOTOS BY HATCHER HURD/HERALD

Former Georgia House Speaker Mark Burkhalter watches as his family unveils the Georgia Department of Transportation sign that designates a portion of Ga. 141 as Mark Burkhalter Highway. From left are Burkhalter, daughter Olivia Burkha-lter, wife, Gina, and mother, Pat Akin.

Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston speaks about Mark Burkha-lters service to the state, to the Re-publican Party and to his community.


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Seeing is believing

8 | May 19, 2016 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com OPINION

As a local news reporter, I shouldnt be fazed when encountering other local journalists.

And yet I was a little star-struck last week when I had the chance to meet Jovita Moore, an anchor for Atlan-tas WSB-TV, at the Alpharetta Chamber

of Commerces Women Who Walk the Walk event.

Jovita spent the afternoon telling us about how she grew up in New York, went to college in Vermont and pursued her dreams, all while leaving her com-fort zone time after time. These experi-ences eventually led her to her current job, a position she probably wouldnt have been offered had she never left the comforts of home.

Her words really struck me on a couple of levels. First, I can obviously relate as a journalist. And, personally, I sometimes struggle with the issue of

leaving my own comfort zone.As I listed to Jovita talk about work-

ing in places like New York, Tennes-see, Arkansas and, finally, Georgia, I thought it took some major guts to be able to move around like that, and I admired her.

We spoke briefly after the event was over, and she told me to prepare for your opportunity. Meaning, if I wanted to achieve my goals in life, I had to be willing to break away from my comfort zone and really go after them.

Thats easy to say for someone who did exactly that and ended up success-ful, albeit with a few bumps along the way, but mostly achieving what she set out to do.

But it sounds scary to someone who has always classified herself as a homebody.

Nevertheless, I thought about her words some more. I wondered if, one day, I might want to write for news-papers like The New York Times or Washington Post? Or are those dreams too lofty?

No one knows what the future

holds, but I suppose its possible to think I might one day be a reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Or I could stay right here at Appen Media Group and continue covering the local news in my current job that I love so much.

In addition to work comfort zones, Im like many young professionals who still have plenty of other life events to look forward to: living on their own, getting married, having children.

Thankfully, Im at the very begin-ning of my career and still have the rest of my life to really go after what I want.

Jovita said it best when she was asked What do you say when people ask after being offered a break, Are they lucky or did they just deserve this opportunity?

She said people have to be prepared to get lucky. As in, yes, you might get lucky and receive that once-in-a-life-time call with a job offer, but you have to set yourself up to even get that call in the first place and then be prepared to fulfill expectations once you accept the challenge.

So I plan to prepare myself to answer that lucky call one day if it comes because, as the saying goes, Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

Thanks, Jovita, for inspiring me to go beyond my comfort zone.

Time to leave your comfort zone

KATHLEEN [email protected]

... I thought about her words some more. I wondered if, one day, I might want to write for newspapers like The New York Times or Washington Post? Or are those dreams too lofty?

Herald reporter Kathleen Sturgeon, left, picks up pointers from WSB-TV anchor Jovita Moore.

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 19, 2016 | 9NEWS

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Prosperity comes at a cost to many in workforceBy PATRICK [email protected]

ROSWELL, Ga. As economic condi-tions improve, particularly in north metro Atlanta, some businesses are finding it harder to field a workforce.

Thats especially true for jobs not requiring skilled labor, jobs like land-scaping, housekeeping, retail and restaurant workers.

Harry Nijenkamp, who has operated a painting business out of Roswell for more than 30 years, says he cant find enough workers to meet demand.

Theres too much work and not enough qualified people, Nijenkamp said.

Anybody in the construction indus-try or many other industries will tell you, he said, that it is a myth that peo-ple from south of the border are taking jobs from Americans.

Thats the biggest baloney Ive ever heard, he said.

Up until about 15 years ago, Ni-jenkamp said, all his employees were American.

We had phone calls all the time from people looking for jobs, he said. Now, there are no phone calls, not one

American person ever calls us looking for work.

He said he visited Roswell High School two years ago and spoke to the counselor about how young people could learn the trade while making good money, then, after several years, open their own painting business.

They can start off making good money, work their way up and make a lot of good money, more than most peo-ple do when they come out of college, he said. Not one person called.

Nijenkamp said he and his crews work 14-hour days, six days a week. He said he pays well, but its hard finding people willing to show up on time and work hard.

The labor shortage forces him to turn down thousands of dollars worth of work nearly every day, he said.

Ultimately, Nijenkamp said hed like to see the United States fix its immigra-tion problem and let those hungry for work take the jobs others dont want.

He also alluded to the fact that his labor pool is stifled by a shortage of affordable housing in North Fulton. People willing to perform manual labor jobs find it hard to find housing, he said.

The absence of affordable housing brings further disparity between the haves and have-nots, according to Frank Norton Jr., CEO of the Gaines-ville-based Norton Agency.

Norton, who has tracked and re-ported economic trends in the housing market for the past 25 years, warned recently that appropriate housing to supply industry is a growing problem in Georgia.

No one is going to drive from Co-lumbus, where they can buy a house for $134,000 and work in Atlanta, he said at a recent economic conference at Georgia State University. Were project-ing that affordable housing houses under $174,000 will evaporate by the year 2020 in metro Atlanta. You only have a 2.2 months supply of houses under $175,000 today, so evaporation could very well be next year.

Rajeev Dhawan, director of the Eco-nomic Forecasting Center at Georgia State University, said this is an age-old problem associated with success.

When an area is successful, it becomes expensive for the basic, un-skilled workforce to afford to live there, and the businesses cant pay the wages that would allow it, he said. So it

always becomes an issue of how to get the workers.

Dhawan said when he was in Cal-ifornia, in the late 90s, Silicon Valley could not get baristas for the Star-bucks. So the company ran its own buses from Upton, two hours away, to bring in workers.

There was no way they could afford to live in that area, no matter what you paid them, Dhawan said. So thats usually the byproduct of success.

When people live in a certain area, and they dont want high density, then they shouldnt have high density, he said. But the side effect, he added, is maintaining a workforce for basic, day-to-day jobs.

In these situations, prevalent in some areas of California, businesses must spend more to get workers to jobs..

Right now, Google is doing that, running in buses and ferries from San Francisco to bring in people to the Google headquarters, Dhawan said. Theyre not going to sit around and say the city needs to provide us transporta-tion and buses. Theyve got the money, theyre running it. The small business-man, individually, cannot do that.

10 | May 19, 2016 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com COMMUNITYCALL TODAY!

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Johns Creek to hear noise ordinance amendment JOHNS CREEK, Ga. The Johns Creek City Council will conduct a public hear-ing at the Monday, May 23 City Coun-cil meeting at 7 p.m. for a proposed change to the noise ordinance.

Mayor Mike Bodker there will be two ordinance changes for consideration.

One will refer to music generated from inside the building. Bodker said the substance of that is that sound should not be detectable beyond the property line.

The mayor will also propose stan-dards for outdoor music concerts. These would be subject to curfew limits one for week days and one for week-

ends.This one is mindful that we are

primarily a bedroom community, and therefore the standards should be re-spectful of that, Bodker said.

The amendments are proposed to address specific noise nuisances in the city including, but not limited to, music and amplified sound, landscaping and yard maintenance equipment, con-struction activity, domesticated animals and trash collection.

The proposed amendment is avail-able for review on the citys website at Johnscreekga.gov.

Hatcher Hurd

Johns Creeks Finest 5k Run helps Special OlympicsJOHNS CREEK, Ga. The Johns Creek Police Department will host May 21 its second annual Johns Creeks Finest 5k at Shakerag Park to benefit Special Olympics Georgia.

The race is a qualifier for the AJC Peachtree Road Race, which is billed as the largest 10k race in the world.

Times will be recorded automati-cally and displayed at the finish line. Awards will be given to the top male and top female finishers for each age group.

Johns Creeks Finest 5k is stroller- and dog-friendly. Following the 5k, runners can relax with healthy snacks and beverages. Participants receive a t-shirt and are automatically entered into drawings to receive gift cards from local restaurants and businesses.

Register at www.johnscreeksfin-

est5k.com. Registration costs $30. Minimum age for participants is 10 years old. For more information or to help sponsor the event, please call Cpl. Min Cha at 678-780-5432 or email him at [email protected].

If you runWhat: Johns Creeks Finest 5k RunWhen: Saturday, May 21, 8 a.m.Where: Shakerag Park, 10945 Rogers Circle, Johns Creek, 30097Who: Anyone 10 or older; 14 and under require adult super-visionCost: $30 per participant; sponsorships $250

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 19, 2016 | 11COMMUNITY

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Touch-a-Truck features heavy equipment, fun on May 21JOHNS CREEK, Ga. Kids can explore front-end load-ers, backhoes, fire trucks and other heavy equipment Saturday, May 21 at the Johns Creek Touch-a-Truck event at Newtown Park.

In addition to learn-ing about equipment that makes the city run, young-sters can enjoy childrens activities including bounce houses, face painting, a giant sandbox with toy trucks, and races. Free hot dogs and water will be avail-able while they last.

The first 100 children to arrive will receive a free safety vest.

The event is sponsored by the Johns Creek Public Works Department.

If you goWhat: Touch-a-TruckWhere: Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Rd.When: 10 a.m. Noon,Saturday, May 21Cost: Free

Turn lane extensions coming to State Br. Rd. at Medlock Br.JOHNS CREEK, Ga. Johns Creek has plans to ease traffic flow from westbound State Bridge Road onto Medlock Bridge Road heading north and south.

Construction crews are extending the right-turn lane on State Bridge Road a quarter-mile by removing island barriers in the far right lane from Whole Foods to Medlock Bridge Road.

One striped island at Camden Way diverts traffic right toward apartment com-plexes and Riverwalk Marketplace, which includes Whole Foods. A concrete island farther west directs traffic into Medlock Corners, anchored by a Publix Super Market.

Plans also call for removing part of a median to extend a left turn lane from westbound State Bridge Road onto southbound Medlock Bridge Road.

Lengthening the turn lane will accommodate more vehicles, which currently back up into the through lanes on State Bridge Road.

Construction has begun and is scheduled to be complete in mid-July.

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Save the Date

Voters to decide E-SPLOST fate for schools

By CANDY [email protected]

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. Fulton County voters heading to the polls on May 24 will be asked to extend the one-cent sales tax to support capital campaigns in both the Fulton County and city of Atlanta school systems for a fifth five-year cycle.

If approved, the Education Spe-cial Purpose Local Option Sales Tax is expected to bring in more than $1.5 billion countywide through June 2022 for school improvements and enhance-ments.

Based on school enrollment, the Fulton County School System will be the recipient of nearly $977 million, with city of Atlanta schools receiving approximately $527 million.

FCSS officials note a facilities assessment of all systems buildings determined nearly $542 million was needed to bring aging schools and other buildings up to acceptable standards. The remaining funds will be used for technology, security, land purchase and a host of other system needs over

the next five years.We are focusing on the facilities,

explained Deputy Superintendent Patrick Burke. Capital Plan 2022 becomes the blueprint for [the district] through 2022.

The E-SPLOST was first approved by voters in 1997, and has been re-newed by voters four times since then. Over the 20-year period ending in June 2017, the system will have built 46 new schools and additions at 37 other schools, resolving many overcrowding conditions that impacted many schools primarily in North Fulton - in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

If approved, E-SPLOST 5 will focus on keeping building safe and func-tional, noted Burke, with just three new schools planned over the next five years. One will be a science, technol-ogy, engineering and math-focused campus on the site of the old Milton High School in downtown Alpharetta.

The plan also allocates funding for a flexible school site, allowing the system to build a school where it is most needed instead of predetermining a location.

Funding options if E-SPLOST failsIf the renewal of the one-cent tax

fails, other financing methods will be considered to raise the $977 million needed through 2022, said Burke.

One is a millage rate increase of nearly six mills, added to the current 18.502 rate. That equates to a tax increase of nearly $600 a year for five years for a homeowner with a property assessed at $250,000. No voter approval would be needed to raise the millage rate.

The second option is to issue a 20-year general obligation bond. Burke

explained the bond would have to be approved by voters, and would obli-gate the system to pay $300 million in interest over the life of the loan, plus a bond issuance fee of nearly $10 million which would be covered by a debt millage increase.

The E-SPLOST, noted Burke, would not impact the millage rate, and allows the district to pay for projects as they are completed with no incurring debt. In addition, all residents and visitors to Fulton County, not just property own-ers, would participate in the E-SPLOST.

Nearly $980M needed BY FCSS through 20222022 Capital Plans Budget by CategoryProjected E-SPLOST 5 Revenue $976,291,998*Projected Facility Master Plan $541,800,000Technology $200,000,000Furniture & Equipment $42,000,000 Capital Seed Fund $10,000,000 Safety & Security $17,500,000 Transportation $39,500,000 Debt Service $60,400,000 Capital Operating Expenses $20,000,000 Project Management Expenses $20,000,000 Land / Reserves $25,091,998 Total Projected Expenditures $976,291,998

*For Fulton County Schools System only

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 19, 2016 | 13COMMUNITY

42430-P1-0416-ROP KS

2016 Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. All rights reserved. BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING and

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ROSWELL, Ga. If youre looking for your next career opportunity, Roswell United Methodist Church Job Network-ing is the best place to be Monday, May 23.

Job seekers can begin starting at 12:30 p.m.with 10 afternoon work-shops then dinner. There is much to learn and job leads to see. The event is led by Recruiters, Business Profession-als, Human Resource Specialists, and Job Coaches.

Workshops include how to write the best resume; how to capture the hiring managers eye with appropriate messaging on LinkedIn; and recruiters are available to review your resume in person at no cost.

Visit the website atwww.rumcjobnet-working.com for complete agenda details.

You can sign up to join the RUMC Yahoo Groups to be notified daily about new job openings and how to apply.

A complete closet of appropriate interview clothing available to men and women from 4 to 8 p.m.Update that interview dress or suit.

Plan to join us for dinner starting at 5:30 p.m.sponsored by the Rotary

Club of Roswell.No advance sign up is necessary,

just show up.There is a suggested donation $3 for dinner.Jerome Huff, principal of Roswell High School is the dinner speaker.

RUMC is at 814 Mimosa Boulevard, Roswell. Directions found atwww.rum-cjobnetworking.comand complete list of workshops.

RUMC Jobs Networking returns May 23

RHS Principal Jerome Huff


By PATRICK [email protected]

ROSWELL, Ga. With a new ordinance in place protecting established neigh-borhoods from high-density residential development, city leaders have turned their focus to other areas of the city.

Members of the City Council and the Roswell Planning Commission met last week to see whether Roswells uni-form development code should include parameters on the size and number of living units allowed in areas currently zoned for high-density residential.

But the effort drew pushback from some members of each board and the mayor.

Im just trying to figure out what youre trying to achieve, said Mayor Jere Wood, adding that the city has long committed to building a walkable community.

How do you create a walkable com-munity when you have people spread out all over? he asked.

Wood said he fears the city is bent on eliminating choice.

In some cases, density means qual-ity of life, and in other cases it doesnt, he said. Its a matter of choice.

The mayor said he, himself, lives

in some of the low-est-density residential in Roswell. At the same time, he added, Ive seen some of the best housing in Roswell in the Old Bricks. Its a wonderful quality of life and in a much higher density, 12 units per acre.

Council members Mike Palermo and Marcelo Zapata, who have led the drive to restrict high-density housing, argued that homeowners have a right to know the values of their homes and their quality of life are protected. One way to do that, they said, is to provide a clear picture of what possible development might occur near their homes.

Palermo said he thinks it is healthy to establish parameters for residential density, even if they extend to ex-tremes, so nearby property owners have some certainty what the future may hold. Setting a cap on density, he said, is a healthy conversation city leaders should have.

Zapata went further, saying that homeowners should not have to go to bed at night fearing the property next door might be overdeveloped. Nor, he

added, should they have to go through the stress of negotiating with a devel-oper to keep a nearby project below a certain density.

But Planning Commissioner Sid-ney Dodd warned against mapping out a geography that could lead to the extinction of the citys diversity. He said Roswell has an affluent but aging pop-ulation, and city leaders should guard against shutting out younger gener-ations from replenishing the diverse demographic.

By pursuing a policy exclusively protective of driving up residential property values, Dodd said, younger generations and middle-class workers might get shut out.

Councilwoman Nancy Diamond agreed, arguing that no one knows what the effect of codifying rigid density guidelines will be 20 years down the road. She said someone needs to study the long-term effects of the path the city seems to be pursuing. She said the city often draws criticism for hiring consultants, but experts are vital to paint a clear picture in order to make a reasoned decision.

Most agreed that the process should be discussed further before the city takes action.

Whether the analysis will be per-formed by city staff or an outside consultant will be discussed at future meetings.

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Drive to limit density in Roswell moves forward, but at slower paceIve seen some of the best housing in Roswell in the Old Bricks. Its a wonderful quality of life and in a much higher density, 12 units per acre.JERE WOODRoswell mayor

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We cordially invite Polo Players and Local Atlanta Area Horse Lovers toa black tie affair to help raise money

and awareness for

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Pick my Brain: Why healthcare and medical research go together

Today there are quite a few restric-tions placed on physicians in their practices. Insurance companies restrict options for treat-ment, often dictating protocols. Even the federal government creates restrictions on not being able to offer discounted

or free healthcare if the physician or practice accepts payment from Medic-aid or Medicare. I find it more reward-ing to be the physician I wanted to be by avoiding all of that chaos. How?

In 1998, I founded the Atlanta In-stitute of Medicine & Research (now the Institute for Advanced Medical Research), an organization that has grown to offer the residents of North Fulton, Cherokee, Forsyth and Cobb counties access to healthcare and medical research options across a breadth of clinical, personal and even family needs. Our approach has always been simple, using a medical model that addresses the Biological-Psy-chological-Social domains of the various neuropsychiatric diseases. While diagnos-tic evaluations and treatment or research planning follows the above mentioned models and domains, each patient has an opportunity to participate in our programs via several specialty teams and groups: Institute for Advanced Medical Re-

search, the medical research arm of the Institute;

Trek Medical Advanced Treatment Options, the substance abuse and dependence arm of the Institute;

Brain Health & Wellness, the private practice arm of the Institute and;

MilVetsHelp, the PTSD clinic for mil-itary veterans at the Institute.

As Medical Director at the Institute, I am proud to be a clinician involved in healthcare but also a researcher conducting medical studies with universities such as Duke, Harvard, Jefferson, and Medical College of Geor-gia along with various pharmaceutical companies. Medical research has a local impact because of the direct inter-vention in the local patient population followed by the positive changes due to alleviating symptoms on the family, workplace and social network. The data that is generated has an impact on healthcare and disease modification not only locally, but also nationally and internationally.

Clinical trials are not free of gov-ernment restrictions and regulations;

oversight comes from the sponsor of the trial (a university or pharmaceutical company), the Food and Drug Adminis-tration (FDA) and also from an indepen-dent ethical review committee overseeing the trial from a patients perspective. We focus on each and every patient as an individual, even as their information becomes clinical data reviewed globally to help regulatory authorities and clini-cians around the world.

Thousands of volunteers are needed to complete the clinical trials necessary to bring one new drug to market. On average, FDA approval of a treatment requires data from more than 4,000 study participants. The U.S. National In-stitutes of Health estimates that 80,000 clinical trials are conducted in the U.S. each year and according to Harris Inter-active, 83% of Americans say they are willing to participate in clinical trials, but still not enough actually do.

Why is medical research so im-portant? Medical studies can possibly identify new ways to treat disease, allow a participant in a clinical trial to access potentially new or innovative treat-ments and helps participants to play a more active role in their individual healthcare. Medical studies provide an opportunity for the individual as well as the potential of helping others and ben-efitting society from the data generated. The programs we run, the free after-study care that we offer, the knowledge that our programs benefit the individ-ual, the family, and the community as a microcosm as well as the knowledge that our programs benefit the global community of patients and clinicians makes for an exciting, interesting and gratifying clinical practice.

This brings us to the close of this se-ries of articles. We are planning a break for the summer and directing our atten-tion back to the work at hand. There are lots of new and unique programs coming and I encourage readers to contact the team at the Institute to learn more. Re-searching tomorrows treatmentstoday! Thats us. Have a great summer.

Angelo Sambunaris, M.D. is the Founder and Medical Director of the Insti-tute for Advanced Medical Research and clinical faculty member at Mercer Univer-sitys School of Pharmacy. Dr. Sambu-naris directed clinical research for Bayer and Solvay Pharmaceuticals and has led more than 200 neuropharmacological studies. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served as Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Public Health Service while complet-ing his fellowship at NIMH. Learn more at www.IAMResearch.org

ANGELO SAMBUNARIS, M.DDirector of the Institute for Advanced Medical Research

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16 | Johns Creek Herald | May 19, 2016 JUSTIN RUSCH, General Manager

By HATCHER [email protected]

ALPHARETTA, Ga. The newest Fire-birds Wood Fired Grill, one of 39 up-scale casual dining establishments, has opened on Old Milton Parkway across from Avalon.

Spacious (6,600 square feet) with soft dcor, the restaurant has an ear-nest if newly trained staff and a small but diverse menu that will satisfy a range of tastes.

Have your steaks, ribs and seafood prepared over an authentic wood-fired grill with lobster quiche queso or seared ahi tuna for appetizer. At the opening, steaks were done perfectly and the

crme brulee cheesecake was excellent.The restaurant has a Trump-sized

wine wall and its FireBar is a perfect social setting before dinner or a tete-a-tete for one featuring their signature martinis and other cocktails.

Customers enter a stacked-stone entryway that eases them into a dining area that has a soft, warm atmosphere with no loud music but with plenty of intimate tables.

We specialize in classic American cuisine grilled over an authentic wood-fired grill. Firebirds likes to heighten the guests experience with unexpected extras such as chilled salad plates, meticulous table manicuring and refreshed frozen martini glasses, said General Manager Justin Rusch.

Firebirds is proud of its robust wine list, including its own private labels, served at proper cellar temper-

atures. The scratch kitchen features a vari-

ety of selections including wood-grilled salmon and chile-rubbed Delmonico grilled over local hickory, oak or pecan wood, Rusch said.

Our mission statement is serve, enrich and exceed. We pride ourselves on providing real value to our guests, said Rusch. We look forward to serv-ing our guests and becoming part of the community. Thats whether youre relaxing after a long day, dining with family or enjoying a romantic evening fireside, we offer a versatile, full-spec-trum dining experience for everyone.

Firebirds was listed as one of the Top 10 Fast-Growing Chains in a restaurant industry magazine, and also received a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, among other national awards.

For information, go to firebirds-restaurants.com.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill opens near Alpharettas AvalonCasual chic is the ticket for areas newest bistro

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill on Old Milton Parkway across from Avalon makes a statement with its dramatic architecture.

Chef Steve works his magic around the wood-fired grill.

Warm hospitality is a hallmark of Firebirds Wood Fired Grill.

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 19, 2016 | 17BUSINESSPOSTS

Having worked with small-business own-ers for over 35 years, I have seen both positive and negative ways in which they manage their employees. How are you managing your employees? There are two extremes, and one of them is micromanag-ing your employees.

In many cases, small-business owners feel they need to micromanage their employees because it is the only way to ensure that they are doing their jobs correctly.

Micromanaging employees often in-cludes telling your employees what to do, how to do it and when to do it.

If youve been in the military, then this approach is well known. Its called a military model and it works real well in that environ-ment.

Conversely, a military model in a small business most often is a house of cards for employees as its not a very fun environment to work in.

A military model squashes creativity and an employees autonomy, and is a complete impediment to high-performing teams.

Just this year the baby boomer gen-eration was surpassed by the millennial generation, which has a very low tolerance for this type of work environment.

While micromanaging employees in the past may have worked, its not going to in the future.

Having the freedom to do your job and own your own performance is a much better environment to operate and grow your small business.

If youre a micromanaging small-busi-ness owner, you better think twice about continuing this behavior.

The consequences of micromanaging your employees

DICK JONESFounder & President Jones Simply Sales

GEOFF SMITHAssurance Financial, [email protected]

The Chattahoo-chee River is one of the most beau-tiful natural ame-nities in the metro Atlanta area, but stiff environmen-tal regulations on development along its shores have pushed many developers from taking advantage

of it. So what is a developer to do if the goal is to build a riverfront devel-opment? Why, build its own river, of course.

A Peachtree City-based developer calling itself ARW Group LLC has proposed a $700 million mixed-use development in Hall County that will run along its own man-made flowing river. According to the Gainesville Times, the project will include 265 single-family homes, 215 townhomes, 600 multifamily units, 242,000 square feet of retail space and 424,000 square feet of office space. Plans also call for a 200-room hotel, 20,000-square-foot convention center, 50,000-square-foot grocery store and 60,000-square-foot theater. This is a big project - espe-cially for Hall County.

Hall County sits just north of Gwinnett County along I-85 and along the eastern shores of Lake Lanier. With a past that earned it the nickname the Poultry Capital of the World, Hall has seen more and more residential growth on its southern borders as development climbs north through Gwinnett County. Hall also has Gainesville, which is off the beaten path, but is an incredibly charming and cosmopolitan little city. It hosts several college campuses including Brenau, University of North Georgia and Lanier Technical College.

The students help fuel the businesses that surround the rather large town square, which sits about a mile from Lake Lanier and the Lake Lanier Row-ing Club, which hosted those types of events for the 1996 Olympics.

Hall County is also home to the locally famous winery and resort Chateau Elan, and Braselton, which became well known when actress Kim Basinger owned most of it for a brief time. This is all to say that while Hall has done quite well considering its distance from metro Atlanta, the ARW project would be a massive addition to its landscape.

Developers are saying they are modeling the River Walk project after the San Antonio River Walk and the Oklahoma City Bricktown. They wanted to do a water-based develop-ment and looked at locations along the Chattahoochee, but ultimately found there were too many regulatory hurdles to overcome, saying environ-mental regulations prohibit the kind of development [ARW Principal Jorge Duran] wanted to do, which is dense, mixed-use projects that would show-case the water.

I can only imagine what state reg-ulatory authorities are going through

in trying to think about how to review this project. The language is pretty straight forward with what a devel-oper can and cannot do near a state waterway, but is it when the devel-oper creates its own waterway? It may be, but it will be an interesting story for at least me to follow.

The project would be on 508 acres just northwest of Chateau Elan off Ga. 211. It would also include a corporate and technology park as well as 30 acres of green space. At $700 million, the project would be a huge investment for Hall County and is a sign that at least some folks are willing to bet big that businesses and residents would support such a proj-ect so far outside of the perimeter.

Geoff Smith is a mortgage banker with Assurance Financial focusing on residential home loans for refinances and home purchases. Geoff Smith, [email protected]; Personal: NMLS#104587; Business: NMLS#70876

*The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily re-flect the views of Assurance Financial Group

Huge mixed-use proposed around man-made river in hall county

18 | May 19, 2016 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com BUSINESSPOSTS

By KATHLEEN [email protected]

CUMMING, Ga. Anyone looking to buy a new Toyota will soon have to go no farther than Forsyth County.

Ground was broken May 11 at 1875 Buford Highway for the new location of Beaver Toyota.

Partners Mike Beaver and Matt Calavan were offered the opportunity to open a new Toyota store in Cum-ming from Southeast Toyota. This new family-owned, state-of-the-art 130,000-square-foot facility is expected to open in the spring of 2017, which will mark the first new Toyota deal-ership built in the Southeast in more than five years.

In addition to the full-service center, there will be an outdoor area where customers can hang out or events can take place.

We are so excited about that,

Beaver said. There will be two fire pits, big-screen TVs and a big bar.

The Beaver and Calavan families are committed to the local communi-ties and, to prove that, they donated $100,000 to Forsyth County Schools for the Education Foundation before they even broke ground.

We have been loving and support-ing teachers and schools for a very long time and we will continue to promote and advocate them, Katie Calavan said. Not only do we feel a sense of re-sponsibility, but our hearts pour out to

the community and we are proud to be able to provide assistance to them.

As the group is comprised of many family members, they say they take

that aspect to work with them.We treat everyone like family,

Beaver said. We have great teams that truly love what they do.

Toyota breaks ground on new Cumming locationDonates $100Kto Forsyth County Education Foundation

KATHLEEN STURGEON/HERALD

Members of the Beaver Toyota team with local officials break ground on the new location.

PHOTO BY FACEBOOK.COM/BEAVERTOYOTACUMMING

The sign shows a mock-up of what the new store will look like.

NEWBUSINESSSPOTLIGHTS

Business: Puppy HavenOwner: Laura BryantAbout: Puppy Haven is a new breed of Atlanta-area dog day care that offers vast indoor and outdoor play areas, cli-mate-controlled guestrooms, three live web cameras, luxury suites and plenty of personalized attention. Opened: December 2015Address: 2854 Holcomb Bridge Road, AlpharettaPhone: 770-609-7483Website: www.puppyhavenatl.com

Puppy Haven opens in Alpharetta

Business: Comprehensive Internal MedicineWhat: Comprehensive Internal Med-icine and Dr. Jacqueline Pearson, MDVIP, aim to help patients achieve optimal health through preventative care, ongoing medical issues, or during illnesses or injuries. They have built a reputation for excellence in medical care through many years of service

and attention to patient needs.Opened: The Alpharetta location of Comprehensive Internal Medicine opened March 31. Address: 3180 North Point Parkway, Suite 303, Alpharetta, GA 30005Phone: 678- 205-9004, MDVIP 678-205-9006 Website: www.cimedicine.com, www.mdvip.com/jacquelinepearsonmd

Comprehensive Internal Medicine opens new Alpharetta office

Business: Kale Me CrazyOwners: Philip A. WahlAbout: Healthy habits start at Kale Me Crazy, a new superfoods caf and juice bar. Kale Me Crazy promotes healthy living through fresh organic and natural foods with made-from-scratch wraps,

salads, acai bowls, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, energy shots and soups. Opened: April 28Address: 1570 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 910, Roswell GA 30076Phone: 678-878-3188Website: www.kalemecrazy.net

Kale Me Crazy opens in Roswell


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20 | May 19, 2016 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com CALENDAR

TOUCH-A-TRUCK AT NEWTOWN PARKThe Johns Creek Public Works Department will present the annual touch-a-truck event featuring construction equipment and activities for the entire family Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m. till noon. Front-end loaders, backhoes, firetrucks and other heavy equipment will be at Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. For more information, visit johnscreekga.gov/RecreationandParks/Special-Events/Touch-A-Truck

Looking to get the word out about your event? Email us with photo and description of your event to [email protected].

EVENTS:

EASTERN STAR PANCAKE BREAKFASTWhat: An all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, served hot off the griddle, along with sausages, coffee, juice and all the trimmings, will help support charitable projects of the Order of the Eastern Star. When: Saturday, May 21, 8-11 a.m.Where: Alpharetta Masonic Lodge, 194 Milton Ave., AlpharettaCost: $6More info: [email protected], 404-276-4646

HAMZAH ISLAMIC CENTER OPEN HOUSEWhat: People of all faiths and beliefs are invited to learn more about Islam. Food and refreshments will be served.When: Saturday, May 21, 3-5 p.m.Where: Hamzah Islamic Center, 665 Tidwell Road, AlpharettaMore info: facebook.com/events/1083502678387266/

ROSWELL, MILTON BULKY TRASH AMNESTY DAY What: Roswell and Milton residents can dispose of large items for no charge on Bulky Trash Amnesty Day.When: Saturday, May 21, 8 a.m.-noonWhere: Roswell Public Works Division, 1810 Hembree Road, Roswell. Proof of Roswell or Milton residency required. (Utility bills preferred. Roswell residents with the window decal do not need any other form of identification.) More info: www.roswellgov.com

JOHNS CREEKS FINEST 5K RUNWhat: The Johns Creek Police Depart-ment will host its second annual Johns Creeks Finest 5K to benefit Special Olympics Georgia.When: Saturday, May 21, 8 a.m.; regis-tration begins at 7 a.m. near River Trail Middle SchoolWhere: Shakerag Park, 10945 Rogers

Circle, Johns CreekCost: $30 per participant; sponsorships $250More info: www.johnscreeksfinest5k.com

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS BOOK SIGNINGWhat: Michael E. Haskew, author of Aircraft Carriers, will be speaking and signing books.When: Saturday, May 21, 1-2:30 p.m.Where: Bookmiser, 4651 Sandy Plains Road, RoswellMore info: 770-993-1555

DATE NIGHT ON THE RIVERWhat: Come relax at Chattahoochee Nature Center on this adults-only, 2 -hour sunset evening paddle. Ages 21 and older.When: Friday, May 21, 6-9 p.m.Cost: $30 general public, $25 members; advance registration required by May 25 at 770-992-2055 x237 or [email protected]: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, RoswellMore info: chattnaturecenter.org/fami-ly-activities/canoe-programs/

ROSWELL DRINKING WATER FESTIVAL, NEW WATER PLANT CELEBRATIONWhat: The city of Roswell will celebrate the grand opening of its new water treatment plant with a free community festival.When: Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.Where: Roswell Water Plant, 100 Dobbs Drive, RoswellMore info: roswellgov.com

ROSWELL HISTORICAL SOCIETYS HOMECOMING CELEBRATIONWhat: The Roswell Historical Society will host an old-fashioned homecoming celebration for descendants of those resting at Old Roswell Cemetery. Families are encouraged to bring picnic

lunches as well as chairs or blankets.When: Sunday, May 22, noon-3 p.m.Where: Roswell Cemetery, Alpharetta and Woodstock streets, RoswellMore info: roswellhistoricalsociety.org

PCRF SECOND ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFFWhat: Plan on a day of fun at the park while tasting some amazing chili and pies, or bring your favorite recipe and possibly win a prize. Hosted by the non-political, nonprofit Palestine Childrens Relief Fund.When: Sunday, May 22, 2-5 p.m.Where: Settles Bridge Park, 380 John-son Road, SuwaneeCost: $15 adults, $5 kids; 10-and-under free.More info: RSVP by May 19 at [email protected] or by calling 770-355-5854 or 678-733-5493

RUMC JOB NETWORKINGWhat: Roswell United Methodist Church Job Networking will include 10 afternoon workshops.When: Monday, May 23, 12:30 p.m.Where: RUMC, 814 Mimosa Blvd.,Ros-wellMore info: rumc.com/job-network-ing-learn

LUNCH WITH AUTHOR MARY ALICE MONROE What: Bookmiser will host a lunch with New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe, author of A Low-country Wedding.When: Thursday, May 26, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.Where: Lucias Italian Restaurant, 4705 Woodstock Road, Roswell More info: 770-993-1555

TAI CHI DEMO CLASSWhat: A tai chi demo class will focus on improving muscle tone, balance and fall prevention.When: Thursday, May 26, 9:45-10:40 a.m.Where: Forsyth Parks and Recreation at Old Atlanta, 810 Nichols Road, Suwa-neeMore info: 770-205-4646

HERITAGE DAYS IN MAY: CIVIL WARWhat: Troublesome Times: The Civil War in Roswell, includes informational panels and display cases with items from the city of Roswells archives.When: Through May 28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., RoswellMore info: roswellgov.com

FARMERS MARKETS, FOOD TRUCKS:ALPHARETTA FARMERS MARKETWhat: The Alpharetta Farmers Mar-ket features fruits, vegetables, natural meats, fresh flowers and herbs, and a

variety of home goods. When: Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 29. Where: Old Canton Street in downtown Alpharetta.More info: alpharetta.ga.us

JOHNS CREEK FARMERS MARKETWhat: Held at the Newtown Park Am-phitheater, each market features more than 25 local farmers and vendors with organic and/or sustainable foods and produce. When: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, through Sept. 13.Where: 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek.More info: JohnsCreekGA.gov

ROSWELL FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET What: The Roswell Farmers & Artisans Market offers fresh, local farm, ranch and artisan foods direct from produc-ers, and much more. When: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon. Where: City Hall, 38 Hill St., RoswellMore info: roswellfam.com

FOOD TRUCKS N FORSYTH COUNTYWhen: Monday, May 23, 5-8 p.m. Where: Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Technical College, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., CummingMore info: web.cummingforsythcham-ber.org

ALPHARETTA FOOD TRUCK ALLEYWhat: Alpharettas Food Truck Alley on Thursday evenings offers a variety of six to eight rotating area food trucks along Old Roswell Street in the Historic District. When: Thursdays, 5-9 p.m.Where: Old Roswell Street in the Al-pharettas historic districtMore info: awesomealpharetta.com

MUSIC, ARTS & THEATER:AUTREY MILL UNPLUGGED CONCERTWhat: Kathy Reed, local singer/song-writer and teller of wonderful stories, will present Tears, Trains, and Twang: The Roots of American Country Music. When: Saturday, May 21, 7 p.m.Where: Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center, 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns CreekMore info: www.autreymill.org

SAWNEE ASSOCIATION OF THE ARTS MAY MEETINGWhat: Artist/painter/instructor Ross Horrockswill present a programfea-turing examples of his varied subjects, media and approaches to painting. When: Monday, May 23, 6 p.m.Where: United Way of Forsyth County Office, 240 Elm Street, CummingMore Info:SawneeArt.org

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | May 19, 2016 | 21CALENDARROSWELLS CLAY COLLECTIVE SPRING SHOW AND SALE What: Works in Clay, the spring show and sale for Roswells Clay Collective, features handmade ceramic artworks created by the organizations 40-plus members.When: Through Wednesday, May 25Where: Art Center West, 1355 Wood-stock Road, RoswellMore info: roswellclaycollective.com.

HERITAGE DAYS IN MAY: PHOTOSWhat: 13th Annual Roswell Heri-tage Juried Photo Exhibit presents a pictorial look at Roswell as captured through the lens of Roswell Photo-graphic Society photographers. When: Through May 28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., RoswellMore info: roswellgov.com

MY FAIR LADY AT CUMMING PLAYHOUSEWhat: The Cumming Playhouse will present the Tony Award-winning musi-cal, My Fair Lady.When: Through May 22, times varyWhere: Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., CummingMore info: playhousecumming.com

LIBRARY EVENTS:ALPHARETTA BOOK-TO-ACTION GROUPWhat: This book group is more than a simple book club; Each months books highlight a need in the commu-nity and offer a way for participants to help. In honor of Memorial Day, Mays books will focus the needs of military dogs with War Dogs: Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love by Re-becca Frankel and, for children, Dogs On Duty: Soldiers Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyondby Dorothy Hinshaw Patent.When: Saturday, May 21, 1 p.m.Where: Alpharetta Library,10 Park Plaza, AlpharettaMore info: 404-613-6735

FINAL EXAM STUDY CENTERWhat: High schoolers are able to use the study room for solitary or group studying for their final exams. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Ages 13-18.When: Monday- Wednesday, May 23-25Where: Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek More info: 770-360-8897

MYSTERY READERS BOOK CLUBWhat: The assigned book is Bangkok Tattoo by John Burdett.When: Tuesday, May 24, 6:30 p.m. Where: Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell More info: 770-640-3075

ALPHARETTA LIBRARY SF BOOK GROUPWhat: The book discussed will be Gor-menghast by Mervyn Peake. When: Thursday, May 26, 6 p.m.Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: 404-613-6735

PET ADOPTIONS:PICK A MAY FLOWER FOR $20 What: All dogs over 25 pounds and all cats may be adopted from LifeLines shelters for $20. The adoption includes the pets spay/neuter, microchip and vaccines, a $250 value at no cost.When: Throughout MayWhere: DeKalb County Animal Ser-vices, Fulton County Animal Services, LifeLines Dog House & Kitty Motel and LifeLines Cat Adoption Center More info: dekalbanimalservices.com, fultonanimalservices.com or lifelinean-imal.org

FORSYTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTERWhat: Pet adoptions When: Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: The Forsyth County Animal Shelter, 4065 County Way, Forsyth CountyMore info: 678-965-7185

FULTON COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICESWhat: Pet adoptionsWhen: Every Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m., PetSmart, 6370 North Point Parkway, AlpharettaAdditional adoptions: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Fulton County Ani-mal Services, 860 Marietta Blvd. NW, AtlantaMore info: 404-613-4958

OF INTEREST ELSEWHERE:BEER, BOURBON AND BBQ FESTIVALWhat: Admission prices includes a sampling glass for all-you-care-to-taste beer and bourbon.When: Saturday, May 21, noon-6 p.m.Where: Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive NW, AtlantaMore info: beerandbourbon.com

RED TOP MOUNTAIN MAKERS FESTIVALWhat: Experience the first makers festival in a Georgia State Park. Makers present will include jewelers, wood-workers, a telescope maker, soapstone carver, print maker, bat box builder, cider maker and many more. When: Saturday, May 21, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.Where: Red Top Mountain State Park, 50 Lodge Road SW, AcworthMore info: gastateparks.org/Info/236657

The saga of Atlantas Chattahoochee gator

You may have heard about it on the news: Atlan-tas legendary Chattahoochee River alligator has been captured and relocated from the Cochran Shoals Unit of the Chatta-hoochee River Na-tional Recreation

Area to more gator-friendly territory in southern Georgia.

Wait a minute. Did we say alliga-tor and Chattahoochee in the same sentence?

Indeed we did. Whats that? Gators in the wet-

lands around Atlantas Chattahoochee River? As it turns out, there was at least one that called Atlantas river-side wetlands home at least until it was captured and relocated early last week.

Alligators dont naturally live this far north, so how did this one end up in Atlantas Chattahoochee? It was probably a pet that was released when it got too big to keep.

This Chattahoochee gator had ap-parently been there for quite a while. Occasional sightings have been re-ported for eight or 10 years. Sightings gradually became more common in recent years as hikers on the Cochran Shoals Fitness Loop Trail caught occasional glimpses of this elusive creature.

According to the National Park Service, which administers CRNRA, alligators tend to exhibit a natural fear of humans and do not pose a threat unless provoked. In other words, sightings were rare and those who spotted the gator were encour-aged to leave it alone.

But earlier this year, in March, several sightings of the Cochran Shoals gator (which had by that time attained a length estimated to be in the 7- to 8-foot range) led to tempo-rary closings of part of the Cochran Shoals Fitness Loop Trail. That mul-tiuse trail, located off Interstate North Parkway just upriver from I-285, is popular with hikers, joggers and bicyclists, and the temporary closure was for the benefit of park users and alligator alike.

Following those most recent sightings, wildlife personnel set out to capture and relocate the Cochran Shoals gator. Early last week, on May

10, their efforts were successful. The gator was captured without harm and then relocated to more natural alli-gator habitat somewhere in southern Georgia.

How big was the gator? She (it was indeed a female) had a length of 6 feet 8 inches, but around 10 inches of her tail was found to be missing when she was captured. With her tail intact, the alligator would have had a length close to 8 feet, consistent with her estimated age.

Might there be other alligators i

johns creek herald - may 19, 2016

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