JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Boardwalk, Johns Creek’s yearsin-the-making gathering space, is about community, place and a sense of identity, Mayor John Bradberry said.
Debuted May 8, the event space and outdoor recreation area lies just behind City Hall, 11360 Lakefield Drive. City officials said the amenity will serve as an anchor for the walkable Town Center district, event venue and a place where families can enjoy some fresh air.
It also provides John Creek residents something less tangible but no less important, Bradberry said.
“People's pride in Johns Creek has been evolving as we've matured,” he said. “It's going to be the most important thing to happen for our community since we were incorporated.”
Between events, The Boardwalk remains open. On a late May Saturday evening, dozens of families stopped by. Throughout the space, kids pedaled bikes, happy dogs pulled leashes and adults stretched their legs.
Early voting begins June 6 for state, county runoffs
By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com
ATLANTA — Early voting in the primary runoff elections begins June 6 and ends June 12. Election Day is June 16. Races on the ballot include Republican candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and Public Service Commission District 5.
Locally, there are runoffs for the Fulton County Commission Chair and the District 3 seat.
There are also runoffs for state House District 47, which includes large portions of Milton, northern Alpharetta and northwest Roswell; state Senate District 14, which includes much of Alpharetta, Roswell and Sandy Springs; and Georgia’s 7th Congressional District, which represent
portions of North Fulton County. Fulton County will provide 20 polling locations and seven absentee ballot drop boxes. Fulton County’s poll locations will be open June 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 7 from noon to 5 p.m., and June 8-12 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Carissa McGee watches a gaggle of geese by the edge of the pond at The Boardwalk May 30.
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Ga. 400 express lanes worker killed in Sandy Springs
By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A Ga. 400 express lanes construction worker installing warning signs on the highway near Abernathy Road died May 21 after being struck by a motorist.
Sandy Springs Police have charged the driver of the Toyota Tacoma that allegedly struck the worker with Mover Over Law violations, second-degree vehicular homicide and speeding. The driver's name has not been released. An investigation is ongoing, police said.
Police were called shortly after 1 a.m. about a crash on Ga. 400 southbound near Abernathy Road and Exit 4.
About 250 yards south of the scene of the fatal collision, officers found a heavily damaged Toyota Tacoma against the right-side wall of the highway.
The name of the construction worker has not been released. Georgia Department of Transportation officials said he was a subcontractor performing sign installation on the inside median barrier wall as part of the massive
Police cite homeowner over graduation party
ROSWELL, Ga. — A party involving some 50-70 high school students at a house on Kingridge Court in Roswell ended after police arrived and cited the homeowner for a loud residential gathering.
Police heard loud music as they arrived on scene May 18 and entered the backyard to see the partygoers surrounded by containers of alcoholic beverages discarded on the ground. A variety of liquors and other beverages were observed on a folding table.
A juvenile told police that no one was 21 or older, and all individuals were detained on the property.
Ga. 400 Express Lanes project now underway.
“The worker was with a mobile traffic control operation with all appropriate safety protocols in place,” Kyle Collins, spokesperson for the project, said in an email to Appen Media. “There were two buffer vehicles and a law enforcement (blue light) support during the operation.”
GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry cited the crash and fatality at the May 21 State Transportation Board meeting. The fatality is the first of the Ga. 400 express lanes project, he said. He told the board that the worker was installing construction warning signs. Two buffer trucks and a police car flashing its blue lights were at the scene with the worker before the crash. Somehow the driver “ran through all of that and struck the employee, killing him,” he said.
McMurry noted that GDOT officials were wearing orange ties and ribbons when the ground was officially broken on the project in April. Orange is the color of National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 20-24. The week is an annual campaign held at the start of
POLICE BLOTTER
All 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.
An officer found the homeowner among the crowd of underage drinkers, who told police it was his daughter’s high school graduation party. The homeowner had slowed speech and appeared intoxicated, according to the police report, and said he had just arrived home drinking on Canton Street.
Police questioned the homeowner’s
construction season to promote safe driving and protect highway workers.
The $4.6 billion project will construct new express lanes in both directions along an approximately 16-mile section of Ga. 400 from the MARTA North Springs station at Exit 5C in Sandy Springs in Fulton County to approximately 1 mile north of McFarland Parkway at Exit 12 in Forsyth County.
Early construction preparations are underway near Exit 5 on Ga. 400, with activity along the southbound shoulder between the Spalding Drive bridge and Abernathy Road ramps to support future traffic shifts, according to GDOT.
Grubbing — the clearing out of stumps, roots, and buried logs after trees along the highway that were clear-cut — is currently ongoing to prepare for upcoming construction, including concrete barrier placement, lane striping, and new signage installation, according to GDOT. Earthwork operations and construction of retaining walls are scheduled to begin in these locations later this summer.
daughter, who said she told partygoers they were not allowed to have alcohol but that it got out of control when more people arrived.
All individuals were checked for their age and if they had been drinking any alcohol. Those who were drinking were transported from the home by a sober driver.
Police said there were too many people to cite or arrest for underage drinking.
Police found it unreasonable that the homeowner had no knowledge of the crime taking place and cited him for a loud and unruly gathering in a residential neighborhood.
— Hannah Yahne
Sandy Springs, Atlanta water fight seeps into countywide service talks
By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The longstanding feud between the cities of Sandy Springs and Atlanta over water supply and distribution has spilled over into service delivery negotiations with Fulton County.
The dispute could lead to the cities losing valuable state and federal dollars if an agreement is not reached.
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul was harsh in his assessment of how Atlanta has responded to his city’s water woes at a May 12 Fulton County Service Delivery Strategy meeting. The years long dispute is not just about water bills but is one of public safety, he said.
“This is beyond now just being concerned about how much we’re being charged for water,” Paul told county and city leaders. “It’s truly a health and safety issue.”
Sandy Springs has purchased water from the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management since before it incorporated in 2005. But in the two decades since, the two governments have never reached a formal agreement on an arrangement, Paul said. Without that agreement, Paul said Atlanta has allowed critical infrastructure to deteriorate without accountability.
Paul said the city’s own engineering assessments estimate that between $40 million and $100 million in upgrades are needed to meet current demand.
Paul listed litany of problems with the water system.
Hospitals in Sandy Springs, he said, are reporting
DRIVEWAYS & CONCRETE
Water fountains at City Springs flowed freely in early May, but city officials say the City of Atlanta’s neglect of water infrastructure has caused low pressure at hospitals and businesses, making it a public safety issue.
inadequate water pressure during peak hours. Some multi-story buildings cannot generate enough pressure to flush toilets above the third floor. Firefighters have raised concerns about whether sufficient flow is available to fight certain types of fires. And Atlanta’s lack of response to come up with any kind of solution is frustrating, he said.
“We’re down now to having utilized the water storage tanks to maintain pressures, and at certain times, particularly in the evening of high demand, those tanks are drawn down to a dangerously low
level,” Paul said. “We had a meeting with Watershed last week, where we raised these concerns, and they simply took notes. They have not brought any plans, or any ideas or any solutions to the table.”
Sandy Springs has been in litigation with Atlanta for 15 years over a 21 percent surcharge the city pays on water delivered outside Atlanta’s city limits. Paul said at the meeting the fee is unjustified because Atlanta draws from the Hemphill Water Treatment Plant to provide Sandy Springs with water. Paul said Sandy Springs is closer to the Tom Lowe AtlantaFulton County Water Treatment Plant in Johns Creek than the Hemphill plant on 17th Street in Atlanta.
The Tom Lowe plant serves the rest of North Fulton including Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Roswell.
Atlanta Chief Operating Officer Lashondra Burks pushed back against Paul, saying Atlanta is committed to having conversations and finding solutions. She said that after a recent meeting with Sandy Springs, Atlanta asked the city to submit a consolidated list of infrastructure concerns, but no list has been received.
“We are still waiting on the list,” Burks said. “We would like to have these conversations to address all your issues. That is what we are committed to.”
Looking for conversation
Burks told Paul that because Atlanta does not know what new development and growth is happening in Sandy Springs, it cannot determine infrastructure needs and water capacity.
See WATER, Page 19
DYANA BAGBY/APPEN MEDIA
Roswell community mourns San Diego shooting victims
By STANLEY LEARY newsroom@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — As members of Roswell Community Masjid grieved the deadly May 18 shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, they chose to respond by opening their doors to neighbors and people of different faiths.
On May 20, the mosque hosted a community vigil and Salat al-Janazah in absentia, an Islamic funeral prayer offered when the deceased are not physically present, honoring three men killed during the San Diego attack who community members said died while protecting children.
“We are first honoring the lives of the three men who gave their lives for protecting the children,” said Shannon Landry, development and communications representative for Roswell Community Masjid.
The gathering brought together faith leaders, city officials, law enforcement and residents from across Roswell in an expression of support and shared grief.
For Dania of Roswell Community Masjid, the tragedy felt especially personal.
Dania lived in San Diego for two and a half years and attended the Islamic Center of San Diego.
“This was my mosque,” Dania said, explaining that family members still live in the area, including a cousin who attends the school’s second-grade program.
“We are grieving and also asking
people to allow for our humanity in this time and recognize it for the hate crime it is,” she said.
Roswell Mayor Mary Robichaux reflected on relationships built between the mosque and the wider community over the years. She recalled helping plant a fig tree outside the masjid seven and a half years ago.
She said people told her the tree would take seven years to bear fruit, and last year it finally did.
For Robichaux, the tree represented something larger.
“The roots of the Muslim faith community are deep in our community,” she said.
Roswell Community Masjid Imam Abdullah Jaber encouraged those gathered to respond with resilience rather than fear.
Dr. Mona Megahed, a pediatrician, addresses parents during a community vigil at Roswell Community Masjid, urging them to speak openly with their children about the San Diego shooting and to seek support for themselves.
“Parents take care of yourself,” she said. “We have counselors available here at the Masjid for you.”
“Being resilient as a Muslim community because faith under pressure doesn’t break but deepens,” Jaber said.
He also urged attendees to continue making room for others.
“Every stride we make as a nation is making room for others in our hearts,” he said.
As the vigil ended, Jaber offered one final thought that captured the evening’s message.
“Learn to love your children as my children,” he said.
The event’s focus remained on honoring lives lost, but throughout the evening, another message surfaced repeatedly: grief shared across communities can become a bridge rather than a dividing line.
STANLEY LEARY/APPEN MEDIA
Roswell Community Masjid Imam Abdullah Jaber speaks during a community vigil Wednesday evening in Roswell, honoring victims of the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego in California.
Milton High rising senior wins 3D modeling contest
MILTON, Ga. — Shiven Sharma, a rising senior at Milton High School, won in 3D modeling at the Georgia Student Technology Competition in March as a member of the Eagle Labs engineering club.
In the category, competitors create original digital 3D models using specialized software. The projects involve designing objects, environments, prototypes or other creative and functional models without requiring physical construction. Competitors are expected to present their work digitally and explain the intended purpose of their model, along with the design process and the tools and techniques used.
For the competition, Shiven created a 3D model of a go-kart, which he built based on his full design.
“I’m thankful for the support from my teachers and school for providing
me with the foundation and opportunities to do what I’m passionate about,” Shiven said.
Shiven started the school’s first engineering club, Eagle Labs, last year. It provides more than 20 students the opportunity to collaborate during hands-on computing tasks.
Extending his impact on the Milton community, Shiven regularly volunteers at the Milton First Responders Foundation – a nonprofit that supports Milton police and firefighters. He also interns at Reimagine Robotics, where he enjoys teaching VEX Robotics and introducing young students to engineering concepts.
This summer, Shiven will be attending the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
— Hannah Yahne
SHIVEN SHARMA/PROVIDED
Shiven Sharma holds his first-place medal March 6 after representing Milton High School at the Georgia Student Technology Competition in 3D modeling.
Milton native to host art show, sale
MILTON, Ga. — Lauren Whitley, a graduate of Milton High School, will be returning to her hometown Saturday, June 13, for a studio sale of her career’s collection of works.
The studio sale will be from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at 15800 Birmingham Highway.
Whitley has been working out of Athens most recently since 2017. She originally moved to The Classic City from Asheville, North Carolina, after receiving her undergraduate degree in 2008.
“I was always drawn to the local art and music scene while growing up,” Whitley
said, “and joining that community was a dream come true.”
Art has allowed Whitney to travel across the Southeast in pursuit of a Master of Fine Arts degree and find inspiration in New Orleans for several years.
For a 2022 series, “Animals and Plants,” Whitley used common flora and fauna in the Southeast to create mixed-media pieces, oil paintings and drawings. She researched European folklore and indigenous cultural myths to bring animals and nature to life through vibrant
colors and symbolism.
While studying plants, trees and traditional medicine, Whitley said her imagination came to life in a new way.
“Then one day I just started painting them and haven’t stopped since,” Whitley said.
She takes elements from the real world to convey alternate meanings in a form she calls magical realism. Similarly, she said her work in sculpture and installation arranges commonplace items to take on greater significance.
To view her work, visit laurenjwhitleyart.com.
— Hannah Yahne
Milton-born artist Lauren Whitley will return to her hometown Saturday, June 13, for an exhibition and sale of her work at 15800 Birmingham Highway.
LAUREN WHITLEY/PROVIDED
MILTON, Ga. — In its first year, the computer programming team at Milton High School is reflecting on its accomplishments with two second-place finishes at top technology competitions this season.
The team consists of three members: junior Dev Daswani and sophomores Anish Daswani and Shanmuka Gottimukkala.
The trio began a season of competitions with the Fulton County Student Technology Competition in January, completing projects entailing game design and programming.
One month later, the team placed second among more than 40 teams
spanning various states in the virtual Code Quest competition hosted by Lockheed Martin. They solved a set of 30 problems based on real-life scenarios that challenged the group’s grasps on complex topics in calculus and knowledge of the Python programming language.
In March, Milton’s computer programming team competed virtually against 20 teams at the Georgia Student Technology Competition and earned second place using the same programming language. The competition was sponsored by the Georgia Educational Technology Consortium.
— Hannah Yahne
ANISH DASWANI/PROVIDED
From left, Anish Daswani, Shanmuka Gottimukkala and Dev Daswani hold the second-place trophy from this year’s national Code Quest competition hosted by Lockheed Martin in February.
Sponsored Section
Why do some homes sell quickly while others don’t
Brought to you by - Virginia Luquire Cooley | REALTOR | HOME Luxury Real Estate, North Atlanta | 770.833.0111 | Virginia@HOMEgeorgia.com | Instagram: @virginia.inatlanta
Two homes can hit the market at the same time in the same area, but one receives multiple offers within days while the other sits for weeks. In today’s market, buyers are more informed and selective than ever, and several main factors determine how quickly a home sells.
Pricing is everything
The biggest reason that homes sit on the market is overpricing. Buyers today have access to tons of comparable sales and market data, so an overpriced home is usually obvious. Homes priced correctly from the start tend to generate more interest, more showings, and have the best chance of receiving multiple offers, which can drive up the sales price.
Contrarily, homes that are overpriced tend to sit longer, generate less activity, and often end up selling for less than they should have after accruing excessive days on market and making multiple price reductions. In this case, buyers will either wait to see if the price drops or may offer drastically below list price because they assume the seller is desperate or more willing to negotiate. There is buyer for every home… at the right price. Pricing correctly the first time is crucial to getting the most value out of your home, while also selling as quickly as possible.
Photos and marketing make a huge difference
Most buyers begin their search
online, meaning high-quality photography and strong marketing are critical to making your home stand out. In real estate, photos are often what get buyers in the door. Dark photos, poor angles, or incomplete photos can cause buyers to skip over a home before ever scheduling a showing, even if the home itself is great, causing the home to sit. Highquality photos help showcase the home’s best features and create a strong first impression. However, good marketing goes beyond photos. Strategic marketing – such as social media promotion, open houses, agent networking, email campaigns, and of course, MLS exposure – helps get a home in front of the right buyers quickly. A strong online presentation is crucial to creating excitement and driving traffic to the property, resulting in a faster sale.
Move-in readiness is factored in Buyers today often prefer homes that
require minimal work. Properties with updated kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, paint, and systems tend to move quicker than homes needing major repairs or renovations. They appeal to a larger pool of buyers, as they require less cash, time, and stress after closing. The more turnkey it is, the more willing a buyer is to make an offer and pay a stronger price. Fixer-uppers can absolutely sell, but they usually attract a smaller amount of buyers, so need to be priced accordingly.
The big picture
Homes that sell quickly usually have a good combination of the right price, effective marketing, and move-in readiness. In today’s market, buyers move quickly when a home feels like a good value. Selling a home successfully is rarely about luck – it’s about strategy. Reach out to me if you’d like to discuss the right strategy for your home!
VIRGINA LUQUIRE COOLEY
The most dangerous place for seniors
Brought to you by – Bath and Kitchen
The bathroom, a place we take for granted, transforms into one of the most hazardous areas in the home for aging seniors. With slippery surfaces, high tub walls, and the need for frequent maneuvering, the risk of falls—the leading cause of injury among older adults—spikes dramatically. John Hogan, President of Bath and Kitchen Galleria and Aging in Place Expert says, “Proactive bathroom modifications are not merely an upgrade; they are an essential investment in the long-term safety, independence, and dignity of our seniors.”
To mitigate the dangers, several specific aspects of the bathroom should be modified to create a supportive and accessible environment:
Shower and Bathtub: The single greatest fall risk is often stepping over a high tub wall. The ideal solution is a curbless or low-threshold walk-in shower to eliminate this barrier entirely. For added security, install a permanent shower seat or bench and a handheld showerhead to allow for comfortable, seated bathing. Shower floor should have non-slip tile surfaces.
Grab Bars: Strategically placed sturdy, professional-grade grab bars are critical. They must be securely anchored into wall studs, not just
the drywall. Placement is key: near the toilet to assist with sitting and standing, and both inside and just outside the shower/tub for secure entry and exit. Modern grab bars come in a variety of stylish finishes to seamlessly blend with your décor.
Toilet Area: A standard toilet can be difficult to use for those with limited mobility. Installing a comfort-height or raised toilet seat reduces the strain on joints and makes the transition from sitting to standing much easier. Pairing this with well-placed grab bars provides a significant boost in stability.
Flooring and Lighting: Replace slippery tile or remove loose bathmats and throw rugs, which are tripping
hazards. Install slip-resistant flooring throughout the bathroom. Finally, good lighting is paramount. Bright, even lighting—including motion-sensor nightlights—helps seniors navigate safely, especially during middle-of-thenight trips.
By implementing these thoughtful changes, the bathroom can evolve from a high-risk area into a secure, comfortable, and accessible space that supports an aging senior’s desire to age in place safely at home. For more information visit Bath and Kitchen Galleria’s showroom at 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector in Alpharetta (no appointment needed) or call them at 678-459-2292.
Galleria
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Plumbing Fixtures
LLANE & Co is a boutique real estate brokerage founded by Lori Lane.
At LLANE & Co, we’re proud to represent an exceptional collection of builders and communities across Georgia. Featured here are a few of our new construction communities and partners.
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Trade traffic for charm — discover life in Senoia
Brought to you by - Gin Property
As more homebuyers search for communities that blend charm, convenience, and lifestyle, the spotlight is increasingly turning toward South Atlanta—and few places capture that appeal quite like the historic town of Senoia, Georgia. Known for its picturesque downtown, walkable streets, and vibrant small-town atmosphere, Senoia has become one of metro Atlanta’s most sought-after destinations for those looking to enjoy a more connected way of life without sacrificing modern conveniences.
Located approximately 35 miles south of Atlanta, Senoia offers residents an exceptional quality of life with locally owned boutiques, coffee houses, restaurants, entertainment venues, and year-round community events centered around its thriving downtown district. Sidewalk-lined streets and beautifully preserved architecture create a welcom-
ing environment where neighbors gather for farmers markets, festivals, and evenings on Main Street. The town’s accessibility to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and major employment centers only adds to its growing appeal.
At the center of this momentum is Gin Property, a thoughtfully planned mixed-use community that reflects the very best of what modern small-town living can offer. Positioned within walking distance of downtown Senoia, Gin Property combines residential living with walkable access to shopping, dining, and entertainment in a setting designed to foster connection and community.
The community is attracting some of the region’s most respected builders, including the renowned JW Collection by John Wieland and award-winning Baker Homes. JW Collection recently announced the groundbreaking of five additional luxury townhomes at Gin
Property, further expanding its presence within the community. Priced from the $799,900s, the Overlook at Gin Property Townhomes continue JW Collection’s legacy of design-driven living, quality craftsmanship, and timeless architecture built over more than 50 years and 30,000 homes.
Adding to the community’s appeal is a charming village of cottages by Baker Homes. Builders Brett and Belle Baker have brought their thoughtfully designed, award-winning cottage homes to Gin Property, currently priced from the $525,000s. The cottages provide an inviting blend of character, efficiency, and style that complements the community’s overall vision.
Together, the variety of housing options at Gin Property—from cottages to luxury townhomes to future singlefamily opportunities—creates a unique residential environment designed around walkability, lifestyle, and architectural character.
As development pressures and rising land costs continue to challenge growth in many northern Atlanta suburbs, communities like Senoia are becoming increasingly attractive to both builders and buyers seeking value, authenticity, and livability. Gin Property represents that shift perfectly—offering a refined yet approachable lifestyle in one of Georgia’s most charming towns. With momentum continuing to build and demand steadily increasing, Gin Property and Historic Senoia are proving that the future of metro Atlanta living may be found not in the city’s congestion, but in the communities that prioritize connection, character, and quality of life.
For more information visit www.GinProperty.com or call 770-790-0175.
79 Bourbon Street, Senoia, GA 30276. Sales and marketing by LLane & Co.
What happens to inheritance when passed to children without proper trust protections
70% of children use or lose their parents' inheritance within their own lifetime. And the number one reason right now is divorce. Here's what most people don't realize: if your assets pass to your children outside of a trust, those assets are not considered premarital property. That means if your child goes through a divorce after you pass, that inheritance could walk right out of your family.
The same applies if they get sued. Or if they die before their spouse.
Once it leaves your hands without the right trust structure in place, it can leave your bloodline entirely.
The goal of estate planning isn't just to pass on what you've built. It's to make sure it stays protected for the people you built it for.
We cover how to structure your plan to protect your children's inheritance in our free estate planning workshops.
HOLLY GEERDES
GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA!
There’s still gold in those thar Georgia hills
STEVE HUDSON
Turning on the TV these days is not much fun. I am reminded of that again just now when, out of habit, I punch the little button on the cable remote and the big screen over the mantle comes to life. It brings visions of talking heads talking, of wars and rumors of wars, and of scandal and deception. There’s a lot of talk about gold, too, and it’s all mixed up in a casserole seasoned with inuendo and outright lies.
What would Mr. Kitchens have had to say about all that?
I’m talking about the late Dan Kitchens, journalist extraordinaire. You won’t know anything about him unless you happened to have been in one of his classes at the good ol’ U-of-GA, where he took starry-eyed young writers like me and birthed them into the Way of Reported Words.
Mr. Kitchens (one always added the “Mr.”) had high standards, and woe to anyone who did not adhere.
“It is MISTER Kitchens, not DOCTOR Kitchens,” he’d say. “Do your research, Mr. Hudson, and always get it right.” There was no academic posturing in him, no holierthan-thouness, nothing like that. There was just a mantra of accuracy, completeness, and using one’s brain – and on reporting every story it like it really is.
What a concept.
“Yeah,” I think to myself. “Mr. Kitchens would have plenty to say about today’s journalistic landscape, and I think most of it would not be complimentary…”
Ahhh. Such reflection is fun. But inevitably reverie fades as the blather of the newsfeed creeps back in. A different talking head is at it now – different, but spouting the same stuff as the one before. The voice is prattling on about golden glitz in high places. There’s that gold thing again. Where is this noise coming from? I check the channel. Oh, well, yeah. How did it get switched over to that one?
It is enough to make one want to turn the darned thing off.
So I do. It requires just one click of the button, and peace again fills the room. I lean into the quiet and savor the silence. But then I realize that my mind has latched onto one of the words I’d just heard: Gold.
Okay. So gold is definitely in the news these days. Yesterday it was selling for upwards of $4,600 per ounce. That’s a lot of lunch money. Maybe that’s why I’ve been seeing more and more folks prospecting for it using gold pans in all sorts of colors, among them (though it pains me to say it) Auburn orange.
As it turns out, one of my favorite fishing streams just happens to be a popular gold panning stream too. It’s not unusual to see a prospector or two there on any sunny afternoon, working the gravel with high expectations. Sometimes, when I see someone panning for gold, I stop fish-
ing and strike up conversation. Once in a while, the prospector chats back. The exchange is usually cordial, at least until I acknowledge the little vial tucked into the prospector’s pocket and, pointing to it, ask the big question: “Are you finding anything?”
That’s when the poker face appears. The less it reveals, I figure, the more gold that bottle likely holds. But I’m not offended by the reticence. Heck, if I was finding gold, I’d play it close to the chest too.
Over time, in gold prospecting as in life, you learn things. The big thing you learn is that there’s still gold in them thar hills. Sure, those old-time prospectors found a lot of it. But they didn’t get it all.
Let me tell you a story about some of the gold they left behind.
Some years ago, a friend of mine – a classic man-of-the-mountains prospector type – took me into his confidence and showed me part of his personal stash of Georgia gold. This was gold he had found with his own hands, mind you, and it filled a large mayonnaise jar. It was so heavy it took two strong hands to pick it up.
Yeah, he eventually told me where he found it. Yeah, he swore me to secrecy.
And no (sorry), I will not violate that oath, not for love nor money nor even for directions to your most secret fishing hole. Some confidences just must be kept.
But there are plenty of other places where you can prospect. I’ve tracked some of them down, and I’ve found a little gold for my trouble. You can too.
How do you get into this prospecting game? Maybe you start at one of our state’s many tourist gold mines. They’re great places to learn basic panning and perhaps find a few flakes of color too.
As your panning skills develop, take it to the next level – perhaps by researching what’s known as the Gold Belt, a northeasttrending zone that starts near Villa Rica and stretches up through northeast Georgia and beyond. That’ll show you where goldbearing geology might be found. Just note the word “might,” for there are no sure bets when it comes to gold. Eventually, you must put your boots on the ground and check things out in person.
Finally, remember that there are rules regarding where and how you can look for gold. For instance, prospecting is not allowed in Georgia state parks. But you may be able to prospect in national forests or on Corps of Engineers land, though special regs may dictate where and how. To be sure you’re following the rules, it’s always a good idea to check with land administrators beforehand.
Finally, get written permission from the landowner before searching for gold on private land.
Prospecting for gold gives you a great reason to get outside and experience the natural world on its own terms. Will you find what you seek? You might.
But even if you don’t, the search yields a treasure of even greater value – a blessed opportunity, at least for a little while, to leave the talking heads behind.
Here’s how to get what you want, made simple
RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
"Never Split the Difference" by Chris Voss is a book that should probably be required reading for everyone. I am sure of this.
However, I am not sure if it should be read in elementary school, middle school or high school. Or maybe it should be required in every corporation at every level. It's not a new book. I read it almost 10 years ago and am rereading it now. I reread books that I think are important or magical — such as "One Hundred Years of Solitude" or "The Overstory." In "Never Split the Difference," Voss shares the methods he used as one of the FBI's top hostage negotiators. That was his job: talking people who had kidnapped others and held them for
ransom — under threat of death — into releasing their hostages alive. There may be no bigger ask than that. Failure is not an option.
The book is engaging, highly readable and filled with accounts of actual hostage negotiations from around the world — rebel armies, prison revolts and hijackings. But its lessons are not limited to dangerous or traumatic situations. At its core, hostage negotiation is really nothing more than advocating for your wants and needs to others. In that light, consider negotiating a major software contract with a Fortune 500 company, convincing your boss to promote you with a raise or persuading your child not to quit piano lessons or drop off the travel team.
At the end of the day, life is driven by wants and needs. This book is about how to recognize them and respond appropriately, efficiently and successfully.
What this book is not, however, is one of those formulaic bestsellers promis-
ing to teach you how to sell anything to anybody. It is not that.
Alongside "Never Split the Difference," another book has recently resurfaced in my memory — one I have read at least three times over the years: "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman. Both books are about how people make decisions, how they think, and how they process information. Think Malcolm Gladwell — "The Tipping Point," "Blink," "Outliers" and all his other books. To be clear, though, Gladwell rode to fame on the shoulders of Kahneman — as did Voss.
Voss's message is simple, profound and accessible. Getting your way with another person involves basic, teachable skills — listening better, practicing empathy, building trust and seeing the world through the other person's eyes. Step by practical step, Voss shares techniques for achieving these things, and most of what he suggests is little more than common
sense. The problem is that most of us have forgotten how to connect effectively with others because we are too busy, too distracted or not focused on what matters most to the other person. We are too selfcentered.
He brings the core pieces together and shows how each connects to the others — teaching both context and execution. It is not rocket science. It requires practice, focus and a genuine desire to achieve goals that depend on another person or organization.
Usually something happens that reminds me that wisdom from a past book needs to be revisited. Sometimes I am the one who needs the refresher course. Sometimes it is people in my orbit. In this case, it's the "other people" who sparked the memory and the motivation to reread it. They are dealing with life curveballs at the moment, and reading and internalizing the book will help them navigate forward more successfully.
Columnist
Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 6, 4 and 4 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
GAMES PEOPLE PLAY
1. Seaweed for sea urchins. Game on horseback. Large brown bear.
2. Saint topper. Racket sport. Supreme god of ancient Greece.
3. Horseshoes game. Neat. Highlander.
4. Spring purchase. Young pigeon. Lawn game.
5. Italian bowling game. Boredom. Measles symptom.
6. Greek sandwich. Water sport. Milky white gem.
7. Football game. White Cliffs place. Locate.
1 Seaweed for sea urchins. Game on horseback. Large brown bear
2. Saint topper. Racket sport. Supreme god of ancient Greece.
How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
3. Horseshoes game. Neat. Highlander.
4. Spring purchase. Young pigeon. Lawn game.
5. Italian bowling game. Boredom. Measles symptom
6. Greek sandwich. Water sport. Milky white
How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
to the right of it. A number below the diagonal line is the sum of the white squares in the sequence below it. You may only use the digits 1 to 9, and a digit can only be used once in any sequence.
Boardwalk:
Continued from Page 1
Near the water’s edge, a gaggle of geese and their fuzzy goslings attracted onlookers.
Johns Creek parents Colin Su and Lina Li were among the visitors that weekend. The couple sat by the stage with their two young children and Lumi, a large, furry Samoyed dog.
“It’s really nice,” Su said.
Finding opportunities to get out of the house on the weekend is important, they said. Weekends are delegated as family time, which their kids and especially their dog have learned to love.
“It's very important because we always need more space to hang out, and this is one of the nicer places,” Su said. “We were missing a place like this in Johns Creek.”
Vote:
Continued from Page 1
June 5 is the deadline to request an absentee ballot, and it must be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day. If voters mail in an absentee ballot, it must be received
Construction of The Boardwalk began in 2024 with costs totaling $39 million. The space includes an outdoor amphitheater, overlooks, pedestrian plazas, trails through wetlands and terraced seating.
With capacity for 4,000 people, The Boardwalk is a premier venue for concerts, city officials said. Already, it has hosted shows by the city’s Battle of the Bands winner.
Artificial turf and state-of-the-art sound equipment allow audiences to enjoy music in a unique way, Bradberry said. Unlike Newtown Park’s pavilion, The Boardwalk lets residents enjoy the show without being confined to one area.
At a recent concert, Bradberry said he witnessed something special — residents dancing, visiting and making new connections.
“You really had people participating with the music 360 degrees around that band,” he said. “It just kind of felt
by Election Day, not postmarked June 16. Absentee ballots can be hand-delivered to your county elections office during operational hours or at a drop box at an early voting location.
To request an absentee ballot, visit securemyabsenteeballot.sos.ga.gov.
Here are the North Fulton County early voting locations: The bold locations will have an absentee ballot drop box.
• Alpharetta Branch Library, 10 Park Plaza in Alpharetta.
• East Roswell Library, 2301 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell.
• Elections Hub and Operations Center, 5600 Campbellton Fairburn Road in Union City.
like you were together with your community.”
The mayor said there is more to come.
As one piece of a larger Town Center puzzle, The Boardwalk will realize its full potential with the completion of the nearby mixed-use center Medley and a pedestrian tunnel to link the areas.
With an opening slated for late 2026, Medley is a 42-acre, $560 million development headed by Avalon developer Mark Toro.
Together, the projects will create a center for the city, providing a recreational, shopping and dining destination while emphasizing their identity as Johns Creek residents.
“When you look at John's Creek from the perspective of not having a real community nucleus, the entire town center area is an important thing, from a sense of place and sense of identity,” Bradberry said.
• Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road in Milton.
• North Fulton Service Center, 7741 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs.
• Robert F. Fulton Library at Ocee, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road in Johns Creek.
• Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St. in Roswell.
• Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway in Sandy Springs.
For more information, visit fultoncountyga.gov/inside-fulton-county/ fulton-county-departments/registrationand-elections.
In DeKalb County, runoffs are being held for County Commission District 3, School Board District 4, House District 94 and Senate District 10, which
represent portions of DeKalb County. Polls will be open June 6 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 7 from noon to 5 p.m. and June 8-12 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Here are the DeKalb County early voting locations:
The bold locations will have an absentee ballot drop box.
• North DeKalb Senior Center, 3393 Malone Dr. in Chamblee.
• DeKalb Voter Registration & Elections Office. 4380 Memorial Dr, Suite 500, in Greater Decatur.
• Dunwoody Library, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road in Dunwoody.
• Emory University,1599 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta.
• Tucker Library, 5234 Lavista Road in Tucker.
For more information, visit dekalbvotes.com.
There are no local runoffs in Forsyth County, but polls will be open for the statewide runoff elections. Forsyth County polls will be open June 8-12 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Here are the early voting locations in Forsyth County:
• Voter Registration and Elections Office, 1201 Sawnee Dr. in Cumming.
• Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road in Cumming.
• Midway Park Community Building, 5100 Post Road in Cumming.
DEATH NOTICES
Janice McClean, age 65, of Roswell, GA passed away on May 21, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
• Sharon Springs Park Community Building, 1950 Sharon Road in Cumming.
Absentee ballots can be mailed, hand-delivered or returned to the drop box at the Voter Registration and Elections Office.
For more information, visit forsythco. com/Departments-Offices/Voter-Registrations-Elections/Current-Election.
Paige Murphy, age 40, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on May 17, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
The Boardwalk is anchored by a central pond and serves as a community gathering and recreational space behind Johns Creek City Hall.
HAVEAN ANNOUNCEMENT TOSHARE?
Water:
Continued from Page 3
“You don’t have to come to the City of Atlanta for permits, but if we have a great partnership [so that] we know you’re building hotels, we know that you’re building hospitals — those are the type of partnerships that we can work on the front end for water versus on the back end,” she said.
In short, Burks said, it’s difficult for Atlanta to address water needs when Sandy Springs provides no information on its development.
Paul shot back that Sandy Springs has handed Atlanta every engineering study it has commissioned.
“If you go back and read those
CITY OF JOHNS CREEK
PUBLIC NOTICE
PURPOSE
An Alcoholic Beverage License Application was submitted to the City April 1, 2026 for Consumption on Premises of Malt Beverage & Wine
BUSINESS NAME
Rocky Claws JC LLC
Dba
Rocky Claws
11300 Medlock Bridge Rd Ste 340 Johns Creek, GA 30097
OWNER/OFFICERS
Rocky Claws JC LLC
Dba
Rocky Claws
11300 Medlock Bridge Rd Ste 340 Johns Creek, GA 30097
Owner
Sun Won Kim
studies we’ve provided you, that’s the list,” he said.
The debate between Atlanta and Sandy Springs impacts negotiations between Fulton County and its cities. Every 10 years, the state mandates the county and its cities to reach agreement on which services the county provides and how much each city should be charged.
Fulton County, for example, provides senior services, animal control and operates the jail.
Failure to finalize a Service Delivery Strategy agreement by the end of the year means losing access to state grants and federal pass-through funding. A recently passed change in state law now limits that penalty to only the parties in dispute — in this case, Atlanta and Sandy Springs — rather than all of Fulton County’s cities. Paul said the threat of losing
funding should motivate both cities to reach a deal.
“I’m hoping with the sword of Damocles hanging over our heads, we’ll get some kind of agreement,” Paul said. “If not, then we’ll be in court until we can get this resolved, and in that period neither city will be able to get grants from the state or the feds.”
Several south Fulton mayors voiced similar frustrations with Atlanta over inadequate pressure and delayed development projects tied to water capacity constraints. A long-term solution may be a regional water authority, Paul said.
“The problems are so profound and affect so many of our areas of operation — economic development, health care, public safety,” he said. “It may be beyond the scope of the city of Atlanta to be able to fix.”
NOTICE OF LOCATION AND DESIGN APPROVAL
P. I. 0020927
FULTON COUNTY
Notice is hereby given in compliance with Georgia Code 22-2-109 and 32-3-5 that the Georgia Department of Transportation has approved the Location and Design of this project.
The date of location and design approval is: ______ May 4, 2026
The proposed project is located along the SR 141/Medlock Bridge Road corridor from the intersection with Bobby Jones Drive to approximately 0.3 miles north of the intersection with CS 119/State Bridge Road in the City limits of Johns Creek. The project includes traffic signal modifications, widening, and restriping for through lane and turn lane additions at the intersection of SR 141/Medlock Bridge Road and State Bridge Road as well as the intersection of SR 141/Medlock Bridge Road and Old Alabama Road. The project also includes the addition of shared-use path along the west side of SR 141 from Bobby Jones Drive to Old Alabama Road, and along the east side of SR 141 from approximately 350 feet south to approximately 650 north of State Bridge Road. The project is located entirely in Fulton County Georgia, GA Land District 1, and Land Lots 290, 296, 289, 297, 288, 298, 299, 330, and 300.
The project will be constructed using on-site traffic shifts. The roadway alignment will be approximately the same. The estimated construction time is 24 months. The City of Johns Creek would be responsible for acquiring property rights for this project.
Drawings or maps or plats of the proposed project, as approved, are on file and are available for public inspection at:
Riki Forney, Project Manager Public Works Department riki.forney@johnscreekga.gov 11360 Lakefield Drive Johns Creek, GA 30097
678-512-3219
Any interested party may obtain a copy of the drawings or maps or plats or portions thereof by paying a nominal fee and requesting in writing to: Kimberly W. Nesbitt, State Program Delivery Administrator Office of Program Delivery Attn: Franks Childs fchilds@dot.ga.gov
600 West Peachtree St NW, 25 th Floor Atlanta, GA 30308
478-553-3330
Any written request or communication in reference to this project or notice SHOULD include the Project and P. I. Numbers as noted at the top of this notice.
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Continued innovation in digital media has changed the ways in which people buy, sell and interact with products and services. It has caused businesses to reassess the ways in which it communicates with potential customers and advertises its products. It has been well documented that these changes have had a destructive impact on local newspapers, which continues to be a primary source for local news, but is no longer a primary source for local advertising dollars – historically the lifeblood for reporters and their coverage. At Appen Media Group we want to address this conflict head on, and build new and innovative approaches to monetizing local news and creating a sustainable future for local journalism in metro Atlanta.
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Lead Software Engineering needed by AT&T Services, Inc. in Alpharetta, GA to collaborate to gather and review software requirements/ user stories, provide estimates, create software design specifications, and work with engineers/ architects to assess and test hardware and software interactions. Apply at http://att.jobs/, select JOB SEARCH and APPLY and select Search by Requisition Number at the left bottom of the page and enter Job Number: R-110609.
Nuvia MSO LLC seeks a Dental Laboratory Coordinator. Req: 24 mos exp as Clinical Coordinator, Dental Lab Coordinator or Admin. Supervisor. Duties incl.: coord. daily lab workflow; communicate w/ dentists, patients & staff; monitor inventory & order supplies; assist w/ quality checks; ensure safety/hygiene compliance; maintain records & reports; promote teamwork. Worksite: Alpharetta, GA. Sal: $72,000/yr. Mail CV: Douglas Salazar, 11456 S Temple Dr, Ste 202, South Jordan, UT 84095
Midway Preschool is looking for an experienced Young 5’s/Prek teacher for the 2026-2027 school year. Contact Beth at beth@midwayumc.org.
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Sawnee EMC is seeking an Associate Vice President, Power Supply to support the Vice President, Power Supply in the development, evaluation, and execution of the cooperative’s power supply strategy. This role is responsible for supporting key initiatives related to load forecasting, resource planning, wholesale power cost analysis, contract evaluation, and long-range portfolio strategy. The position will also contribute to the assessment of power purchase opportunities, market options, renewable and demand-side resources, and emerging large-load requirements, while providing analytical support for executive decision-making and member-focused outcomes. Requires: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, Economics, or a related field is required; advanced degree preferred, with a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in electric utility power supply, financial analysis, resource planning, rate support, commodity markets, or related areas.
Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, June 12, 2026 . Apply online: www. sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.
Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled and Protected Veterans. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.
YOUTH DIRECTOR (Part-Time) Alpharetta Presbyterian Church — Alpharetta, GA
APC seeks a vibrant, relational leader to serve as Youth Director for middle and high school students. 20–25 hrs/week | Up to $25/hr. Ideal candidates have a passion for youth mentorship and a background in education, coaching, or youth leadership. Retired teachers and ministryminded professionals encouraged to apply. Strong volunteer team and pastoral support in place.
To apply: Submit a brief introduction and resume to jobs@alpharettapres.com.
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