Board advances $14 million to upgrade Autrey Mill Middle ► PAGE 3 N ov e m b e r 2 0 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 9 , N o . 4 7
Johns Creek Symphony gives Vietnam a show By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra's recent trip to Vietnam was anything but a simple vacation. In mid-October, the orchestra was invited to the country as part of a week-long visit to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of strategic diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam. Johns Creek musicians, accompanied by “The Voice” contestant Mikaela Ayira, marked the visit with two performances at the Hanoi Opera House. “It was a diplomatic celebration,” JCSO Music Director Henry Cheng said. The Johns Creek Orchestra was the only one from the U.S. to participate. Cheng tossed the orchestra’s hat into the ring shortly after he joined the organization in the spring of 2025. After completing several rounds of interviews, the orchestra was selected, beating about 50 other groups.
See ORCHESTRA, Page 21
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger speaks to Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce members and visitors from the Czech Republic during a Nov. 11 meeting business group’s headquarters on Johns Creek Parkway.
City courts Czech business interests By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA/PROVIDED
Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra members participate in a goodwill mission to celebrate diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Vietnam in October.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek is opening its doors wider for international commerce — that was the message to a delegation of Czech business leaders. “We're not just the best place to live because we have nice homes,” City Manager Kim Greer said at the gathering held Nov. 11 at the business group’s
headquarters on Johns Creek Parkway. “We're the best place to live because we have a thriving economy, and we're always looking for new partners to add to that.” City and state officials and local business representatives met with about 10 visitors from the Czech Republic. Hosted by the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce, the meeting was designed to create dialogs and forge new business relationships.
At the same time, nearly 5,000 miles away, Fulton County Commissioner Bridget Thorne was doing the same, meeting with Czech business leaders in Prague. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who opened the Johns Creek summit, said the city and the State of Georgia are ready to explore opportunities with businesses around the globe.
See VISIT, Page 20
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