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Area women’s clubs promote education ► PAGE 3 M a r c h 1 2 , 2 0 2 6 | 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 5 , N o . 1 1

City adds provisions for water flow rates on new construction By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com

meals at this year’s first gathering Feb. 20. Last year, the total reached a record 8,500. “We moved to the gymnasium, built additional kitchen space in 2013 and added more serving lines for speed and efficiency.

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Planned apartment projects and certain other developments in Sandy Springs must now complete water supply tests before construction can begin. The City Council approved the new requirement at its March 3 meeting. Fire Chief Keith Sanders told the council the amendment to the city’s Fire Prevention and Protection ordinance requires documentation for adequate water supply and fire flow to ensure the city can provide safety services. A Feb. 23 memo from Sanders to the council said the new requirement would target “larger or higher -impact projects,” including commercial and mixeduse developments to ensure their water usage does not strain the city’s supply. The memo was changed prior to the meeting, however, to require the study from “multiunit and single-unit attached projects.” A city spokesperson said the language was changed to “reflect the language in the ordinance, so it is consistent with our development code language.”

See FISH, Page 6

See WATER, Page 6

JILLIAN DIMARCO/APPEN MEDIA

From left, Becky Craven, Fran Vickey, Lynda Salley, Debbie Hall, George Hall and Bill Callaway of Chamblee Methodist Church gather Feb. 27 for a Friday night tradition they’ve enjoyed for more than a decade.

Fish fry nets huge following By JILLIAN DIMARCO newsroom@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — There was no shortage of patrons Feb. 27 when All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody hosted its Friday Lenten Fish Fry. For 30 years, the Knights of Columbus has served up thousands

of meals that have drawn crowds from throughout Metro Atlanta. Organizers say the event, running every Friday this season from 5-8 p.m. through March 27, has grown in size and impact. What began as two men cooking on a stove in the church’s social hall has grown into a large-scale operation. Volunteers served 1,301

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Woman’s clubs aim assistance toward education ROSWELL, Ga. — Fulton County high school seniors and educators north of the Chattahoochee River have until March 6 to apply for funding through the Roswell Women’s Club, a nonprofit supporting education. The club will award students with a one-time $2,000 scholarship in recognition of their academic strength, leadership qualities and community focus. Scholarship eligibility requirements can be found online at roswellwomansclub.org. Recipients will be announced in late spring and awarded before graduations in May. Educators in the same area of the county are invited to apply for grants designed to support creative classroom projects and educational initiatives that enhance student learning experiences. The grants provide money for innovative programs across various subjects and grade levels that might not otherwise receive support through traditional channels. All applications are due online by 5 p.m. on March 6. Since 1997, the Roswell Woman’s Club has awarded more than $2.9 million to scholarship and grant recipients. Last year, 38 teachers received grant funding, and 21 graduating high school seniors received a scholarship. — Hannah Yahne

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Dunwoody group offers scholarships DUNWOODY, Ga. — College-bound high school seniors can apply for two $2,500 scholarships to be awarded by the Dunwoody Woman’s Club. Applications for the Student Achievement Scholarships are being accepted through March 23. Applicants must live or attend school in ZIP codes 30328, 30338, 30346, 30350 or 30360. The scholarships are presented to students who “demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, school and community involvement and an exceptional desire for higher education,” according to the club. For more information or to apply, visit dunwoodywomansclub.com/ourwork/scholarships or email scholarship chair M.J. Hollander at scholarships@ dunwoodywomansclub.com. — Dyana Bagby

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BUSINESS

Cumming pilot forges business selling fictional fighter robots By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Something inexplicable awoke inside David Leyva when the Forsyth County resident saw a toy robot sitting in a Tokyo shop. Specifically, it was an RX-78 from the Japanese science fiction anime Gundam series, a franchise that has spawned numerous television shows, movies, novels, manga and plastic model kits. For Leyva, who grew up making models of military jet aircraft, the robot was simultaneously familiar and electrifyingly new. “It’s weird to explain, but it just really inspires you,” Leyva, 46, said. “It really opens your imagination, like, ‘Wow, imagine if this was real. How gigantic this thing would be.’” That experience started Leyva on a path that would hijack his free time, lead him to an enormous like-minded fan community and inspire him to start a business that now outearns his job as an airline pilot. Looking back, Leyva said he could never have guessed the model robot would open so many doors. But he admits the pieces were always there inside him. More than a decade after his fateful experience in Japan, Leyva, a husband and father of two, is the proud owner of The Gundam Place, which boasts a storefront at

PHOTOS BY: DAVID LEYVA/PROVIDED

The Gundam Place owner David Leyva builds a model.

580 Atlanta Road in Cumming, warehouse and almost a dozen employees. As a kid, Leyva was fascinated by military aircraft, painstakingly assembling the plastic parts with glue. He spent many hours building the kits, which included some of his favorite aircraft like the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-14 Tomcat. That childhood interest developed into a dream to one day fly, and as Leyva grew older he left behind the models and pursued the rigorous training to become a pilot. He now flies for a major airline in a senior role. “I worked all my life to be where I am as a professional,” he said. “It took me 40 years to become a captain.”

Model kit enthusiasts mingle and dive into their work during a building session at The Gundam Place in Cumming. Building obsession But amid his career and life goals, Leyva found a pleasant distraction in the world of Gundam, a hobby he admits became an obsession. After long days spent as a father and pilot, he often would recede to his desk to build Gundams. “Once everybody at home goes to bed, and I have a couple hours on my own, I start building,” he said. “I just forget everything. There’s nothing else at that point.” As a pilot, Leyva said he appreciates the realistic detail of the robots. Unlike the more fantastical fictional machines like Transformers, Gundams are grounded in rational technology and engineering. A pilot sits at the controls within an aircraft-like cockpit. The metal-alloy chassis are covered in removable armored plating. Each weapon-covered limb is movable, allowing the builder to imagine they are assembling a real, futuristic piece of military hardware. “You start putting it together, and you start seeing how it’s transformed into an arm or a leg, and everything moves like it would in real life,” he said. “Those pieces are becoming like a freaking machine, like pistons and so many details. Everything works, and it starts looking like a robot.” Leyva, who now has built almost 50 of the models, quickly became hooked. “It was weird. I even thought, ‘Wow, I have never been like this,” he said. “It was like holy cow, I can’t stop buying these things.” Model opportunity Leyva admits his wife, although supportive, shared no part of his interest, leading him to seek out others who shared his interest. After connecting with some groups on Facebook, he learned his experience was hardly unique. That

realization sparked an idea inside him. “Everybody was desperate to get the new model kits,” Leyva said. “I started thinking, ‘Well, this could be an amazing business.’” He started buying the kits wholesale and selling them online, using Google and social media to advertise. Customers were eager to take them off his hands, and some who lived in the Atlanta area began messaging him if they could avoid shipping costs with in-person pickups. Leyva obliged, meeting local fans in person in shopping mall parking lots. The meetups became so frequent he decided to purchase a warehouse to store the robots, doing retail business out of a small storefront there. A promotional partnership with a popular Gundam influencer and burgeoning word-of-mouth notoriety led him to finally open a shop dedicated to instore purchases. Leyva never looked back, and his business has since found a level of success that still surprises even him. “Every year, I get surprised,” he said. “It just keeps happening. We grew at least 30-40 percent every year.” Robot shop Tucked into an unassuming strip mall, the shop is easily overlooked, customers said. But once found, Gundam aficionados have found it represents a kind of home to them. On a February afternoon, first-timevisitor and Cumming resident Chris Holte said he had no idea the shop existed in his backyard. Holte, who works in sales for a traffic control safety company, said he was pleased to find such a wide selection of models and customers and staff who share his interest.

See GUNDAM, Page 6

Puzzles

er 3/12/26 Connect-It

PuzzleJunction.com

Connect-It

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 4, 5 and 5 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!

Sandy Springs Crier..............................March 12, 2026 | 5

YOU CERTAINLY CAN

1. Tennis move. Chicken, e.g. You can wear ‘em. 2. Road sign. You can kick ‘em. Farm machine. 3. You can throw ‘em. Slightly open. Bar buy. 4. Wanderer. It’s got you covered. You can spend ‘em. 5. Seed covering. You can shoot ‘em. Kind of jet. 6. Busybody. Night stalker. You can steal ‘em. 7. Pillow covering. You can lose ‘em. Stinging insect. PuzzleJunction.com

2 3 4 5 6

/12/26 Sudoku7

Can How to Solve: Each lineYou in the Certainly 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 1. Tennis move. Chicken, e.g. You can wear letter ‘em.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 3 answers on You the puzzle, line. Butkick here’s‘em. the catch! Theand clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually Tothe solve the Sudoku each row, column 2. Road sign. can Farm machine. be formust the second or the thirdnumbers answer in 1that line. Got it? Good luck! box contain to 9. 3. You can throw ‘em. Slightly open. Bar buy.

4. Wanderer. It’s got you covered. You can spend ‘em.

5. Seed covering. You can shoot ‘em. Kind of jet.

6. Busybody. Night stalker. You can steal ‘em.

8 1 5 4 4 9

7. Pillow covering. You can lose ‘em. Stinging insect.

8 9 2 1

7 3 8 1

8 2 6 7 9

How to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

Solution 5 3 4 6 1 7 2 9 8

9 6 7 2 4 8 5 3 1

2 1 8 5 9 3 7 4 6

7 2 1 4 5 6 9 8 3

6 5 3 7 8 9 4 1 2

8 4 9 1 3 2 6 5 7

4 8 6 9 7 1 3 2 5

1 7 5 3 2 4 8 6 9

3 9 2 8 6 5 1 7 4

How to Solve: Kakuro, also known as Cross Sums, is a challenging number puzzle, solved in a crossword style grid. The rules are easy: A number above the diagonal line in a black square is the sum of the white squares 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.

Dunwoody Crier 3/12/26 Crossword

Across

PuzzleJunction.com

15 16 14 1 Secret society 6 Come clean, with 17 19 18 “up” 21 22 20 10 Neighbor of Senegal 23 24 25 26 14 Big dos 15 Wagon part 29 30 27 28 16 Director Reitman 31 32 33 34 35 17 Like the press, maybe 37 38 39 36 19 Lady of Spain 20 Circle segment 41 42 43 40 21 Delhi native 44 45 23 Honor 26 Blast from the 49 46 47 48 past 27 Founder of 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 Scholasticism 58 59 60 57 29 Hawk’s opposite 31 Sushi condiment 62 63 61 32 Spanish sparkling white wine 65 66 64 33 Blunder Copyright ©2026 PuzzleJunction.com 36 Anon’s partner 37 Chivalrous 13 Ludicrous 65 Ship part 39 Gawk at 39 Diamond Head 18 Depot 66 Auto pioneer 41 Deadly poison locale 22 Astronomical Citroën 43 Canal site 40 “Get the picture?” sighting 44 Distraught woman 41 Prohibits 24 Have on Down 46 Line to the 42 Rue 25 Priest’s robe audience 44 Drone, e.g. 27 Dazzles 1 Baby’s first word, 47 Leave the straight 45 Opera soprano 28 Church section maybe and narrow Maria 29 Metric unit of 2 At a distance 48 Boiling mad 46 Kind of flu volume 3 Chicken dish 49 Inhumane 49 Comedian Drew 30 Clouded 4 Charged particle 51 Hike 50 Trolleys 32 It keeps an eye 5 Pack animal 52 Waxy covering of 54 Lingerie item on TV 6 Electrical unit a bird’s beak 57 Tehran’s land 33 Restaurant 7 Former spouses 53 Basilica part 58 Good name promotion 8 Bed support 55 Engine sound 61 Facts and figures 9 Highway hauler 34 Moon of Saturn 56 ___ meridiem 62 Gaelic language 35 Dead-end jobs 10 Center 59 Letters before an 63 Fort Knox unit 11 Skirt 38 “The loneliest alias 64 Spotted 12 Hawaiian veranda number” 60 Beachgoer’s goal

See puzzle solutions on Page 13

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6 | March 12, 2026 | Sandy Springs Crier | AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs

Gundam: Continued from Page 4 At home, Holte said he has little opportunity to talk about the robots with his wife, who often rolls her eyes at his niche interest. “It mostly goes in one ear and out the other,” he said, chuckling. “She likes to make fun of it.” The shop’s walls are lined with shelves of more than a hundred model kits, providing an impressive selection, sales advisor Jason Tang said. The space also includes plenty of stimulation for the imagination. A 6-foot-tall robot costume stands at the entrance, and numerous dioramas and models, some valued in the thousands of dollars, sit behind clear display cases. Gundam community But The Gundam Place also offers something less tangible than kits and perhaps more important, a sense of community, Tang said. While assisting Holte, Tang was pleased to see long-time customer Smeet Patel, who has spent almost $10,000 at the shop over several years. Patel, who now counts as one of his friends, often stops by to visit and enjoy a bit of friendly banter about Gundams or otherwise. Like Patel, many have found the shop

Fish: Continued from Page 1 Every year, we adjust to keep up,” said Bob Mitchell, a team captain for the fish fry and a Knight since 1997. Today, the gym holds 60 tables and nearly 400 seats, along with a to-go section that accommodates about 30 guests at a time. Two kitchens and three serving lines help move crowds through quickly. Organizers say the event’s success is not measured only in meals served. “The fish fry reflects one of our order’s

Water: Continued from Page 1 The revised ordinance states: “A Water Supply and Fire Flow Adequacy Study indicating sufficient water flow and pressure to serve both fire protection and domestic needs is required before the city will issue any of the following approvals: (a) A development, land disturbance, or building permit for any multi-unit and single-unit attached projects.

NEWS

to be a place to connect with others. The models are available for purchase from internet vendors, but many local Gundam fans prefer to stop by in person, Leyva said. An after-hours monthly model building meetup routinely attracts anywhere from a 20 to 40 or more. Tables fill the floorspace during those nights, allowing customers to spend long hours chatting and forging friendships. An annual gathering night attracts hundreds, requiring the shop to sometimes rent out additional space next door. “Those are on another level,” Leyva said. Leyva said he never could have imagined a chance encounter with a model robot could enrich so many aspects of his life. He is deeply thankful for the business opportunities the hobby has created for him, and he still finds time to revel in the world of Gundam. But perhaps most of all, he is glad to be a part of a warm community that forges real relationships through an imaginary world. “It makes me think it was worth all the effort,” he said. with a popular Gundam influencer and burgeoning word-of-mouth notoriety led him to finally open a shop dedicated to in-store purchases. Leyva never looked back, and his business has since found a level of

From left, long-time customer Smeet Patel, sales advisor Jason Tang and first-time visitor Chris Holte chat at The Gundam Place in Cumming Feb. 24.

Robot shop Tucked into an unassuming strip mall, the shop is easily overlooked, customers said. But once found, Gundam aficionados have found it represents a kind of home to them. On a February afternoon, firsttime-visitor and Cumming resident Chris Holte said he had no idea the shop existed in his backyard. Holte, who works in sales for a traffic control

Gundam community But The Gundam Place also offers something less tangible than kits and perhaps more important, a sense of community, Tang said. While assisting Holte, Tang was pleased to see long-time customer Smeet Patel, who has spent almost $10,000 at the shop over several years. Patel, who now counts as one of his friends, often stops by to visit and enjoy a bit of friendly banter about Gundams or otherwise. Like Patel, many have found the shop to be a place to connect with others.

central pillars of charity,” said Charles Lynch, a Knight and team captain. “All proceeds support local charitable causes.” Lynch said the original vision came from Msgr. R. Donald Kiernan, who wanted to create a social gathering for parishioners and for the broader community. The Knights brought that vision to life, and it continues today. Parishioners and neighbors from across Dunwoody and surrounding communities have made the fish fry a longtime Friday tradition. “It’s good fellowship that we look forward to every year,” said Becky Craven, who has attended for nearly a decade with friends from Chamblee Methodist Church.

“The food is fantastic and it’s become our Friday tradition during Lent.” John Heneghan, a Dunwoody City Council member and longtime church member, said the fish fry brings together people of different faiths and backgrounds. “It serves the entire community,” Heneghan said. “Neighbors sitting with neighbors and that’s what makes it special.” More than 100 volunteers help each week, beginning preparations on Tuesday and continuing through Friday night service. Some are drawn by faith, others by fellowship. “It’s Lent, and in the Catholic Church

it’s the most sacred season,” said Tom Simon, a Dunwoody resident and main event organizer. “We want everyone to come here, enjoy the food and enjoy the camaraderie.” As lines form and tables fill each Friday, organizers say the growth of the fish fry has never been just about numbers. “It’s the camaraderie of the guests and the staff that makes this all happen,” Mitchell said. “We couldn’t do this without them.” To learn more about the All Saints Catholic Church Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, visit allsaintsdunwoody.org/ programs-events/events/fish-fry/.

(b) Any approval for a project that includes new or extended public water mains. (c) Any approval for a project that the city engineer or fire marshal determines may significantly affect the water system.” Sanders also noted in the memo that the City of Atlanta owns and operates the water system in Sandy Springs. Because of this, he said, “the City of Sandy Springs must manage development responsibly.” Sandy Springs has purchased water from Atlanta since its incorporation in

2005. The relationship has often been contentious. Over the years, Sandy Springs has filed several lawsuits regarding water service and infrastructure reliability. Sandy Springs is also challenging Atlanta’s 21 percent water surcharge. In June, a special master ruled Atlanta could not charge Sandy Springs residents the surcharge. Atlanta appealed, and in December, a DeKalb County Superior Court judge ruled the surcharge was legal. Sandy Springs is now appealing that decision. Also at the March 3 meeting, the

council: • Unanimously approved awarding a $421,809 contract to R&B Developer to construct the 6445 and 6450 Powers Ferry Road stormwater maintenance and repair project. The site is at an office park near I-285 and I-75, near the Chattahoochee River. • Unanimously approved awarding an $872,574 contract to Massana Construction for the bridge maintenance and repair project. Bridges scheduled for work in 2026 are roadway bridges and also include work to Windsor Parkway pedestrian bridge over Nancy Creek.

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

success that still surprises even him. “Every year, I get surprised,” he said. “It just keeps happening. We grew at least 30-40 percent every year.”

safety company, said he was pleased to find such a wide selection of models and customers and staff who share his interest. At home, Holte said he has little opportunity to talk about the robots with his wife, who often rolls her eyes at his niche interest. “It mostly goes in one ear and out the other,” he said, chuckling. “She likes to make fun of it.” The shop’s walls are lined with shelves of more than a hundred model kits, providing an impressive selection, sales advisor Jason Tang said. The space also includes plenty of stimulation for the imagination. A 6-foot-tall robot costume stands at the entrance, and numerous dioramas and models, some valued in the thousands of dollars, sit behind clear display cases.

AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs | Sandy Springs Crier | March 12, 2026 | 7

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Come join the fun at Wesleyan! Brought to you by – Wesleyan School All children in our community are welcome, regardless of if they go to school at Wesleyan or not. Our hope is that all children in metro-Atlanta would know that they are loved, valued, and welcomed at Wesleyan. Wesleyan offers summer camps during June and July and clinics throughout the year for every member of the community. Come be a part of the fun, friendship, and fellowship!

We believe that Jesus came so that we might have life abundantly, and He delights in our joy, laughter, silliness, and smiles! Located in Peachtree Corners, Wesleyan Summer Camps allow children an opportunity to explore interests and learn new skills in a fun, engaging, Christ-centered environment. Camps range from arts to athletics, STEM to life skills, and morning, afternoon, and fullday programming are offered. All children ages 3-14 are welcome to attend. www.wesleyanschool.org/camps

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GARDEN BUZZ

OPINION

The many benefits of home rain barrels Rain barrels provide financial, environmental and practical benefits to homeowners. Rain barrels offer a free resource for watering your lawn, garden and container plants. During the JERRY VELTRI hot summer months, Guest Columnist water consumption can become a significant portion of the city water usage and costly to many homeowners. Rain barrels offer water during critical summer months free of unnecessary chemicals, such as chloride, fluoride and salts. It is a naturally soft water source with nutrients that are beneficial to your plants, providing an optimal growing environment. Rain barrels reduce stormwater runoff by capturing water from your roof, thus reducing storm water drainage issues. Pesticides and unabsorbed fertilizers do not get carried away into our waterways when less water is flowing from your home into the stormwater drainage system. Ground erosion is impeded since it

reduces water rushing down from your drainage system. How to get started Rain barrels are easy to install. Just follow a few steps. First, you should find a suitable location to source your rainwater. Identify a gutter downspout that will provide a good supply of rainwater. A roof area of 250 sq. ft. can fill a 50-gallon container in less than two hours of moderate rainfall. Place the barrel on level, sturdy ground. Next, determine the type of rain barrel you want to use. You can either build or buy, depending on your needs. To build a rain barrel you will need, at a minimum, a 30- to 50-gallon barrel, a way of collecting water from a gutter downspout and a spigot to get the water from the barrel. Next, you need a way of funneling the water into the barrel. This can be as simple as redirecting your downspout into an opening at the top of the barrel or implementing a water diverter. Lastly, you need a way to drain the water by installing a spigot near the bottom of the container. These materials can be purchased at your local hardware store or online, usually sold in kits with

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Rain barrel with solar irrigation

all the materials and instructions needed for basic installation. If you want more guidance, there are several online articles and videos showing you how to make one. Rain barrel-making workshops are offered by local municipalities as well as City of Atlanta Watershed Management. These are fee-based workshops typically offered in spring and summer months, requiring pre-registration. Be on the lookout for a workshop near you. Part of home landscape Some gardeners have shied away from rain barrels because they do not fit in their home’s landscape. The good news is that there are plenty of attractive barrels that can complement your home. Designs ranging from attractive terra cotta, Tuscan stone and modern containers are available from home stores or dedicated e-commerce shops. Take it up a notch If you are into home automation, you can really go wild with your beautiful rain barrel by adding an irrigation system. This will provide hands-free watering for your outdoor plants. During the summer months, you will not have to worry about when to water those precious summer blooms. I implemented solar-powered, programmable irrigation systems, drawing water from the rain barrel, to supply over 10 plants per system. The programmable systems power the water pumps to distribute the water to the plants and have day and time duration settings, so the watering is automated. This is especially helpful when I am away from home for an extended period. Considerations There are some considerations that you may want to address. Many homeowners are concerned about the infestation of mosquitos

during the growing season. Because the containers have water that may remain in the barrel for several days (or weeks), there is the possibility of a mosquito breeding ground. Mosquito dunks are doughnut-shaped, biodegradable tablets containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), a naturally occurring bacterium that kills mosquito larvae in standing water without harming pets, fish, wildlife or humans. The rainwater that deposits in the containers contains natural bacteria, aiding plant nutrition and possible contaminants from the roof. However, some horticulturalists advise harvesting three weeks after rain barrel watering on the soil surface, as bacteria may get absorbed into your fruit and vegetables. To remediate, you can add a small amount of unscented bleach or calcium hypochlorite and let the chlorine smell disappear before watering (maintain a chlorine level of 0.2 mg/L of water). Avoid overhead watering onto crops, especially leafy greens, etc., with rain barrel water. Some barrels could crack during winter freezes. To avoid potential damage, you should drain the container before a forecasted cold spell or just empty for the winter months. So, when you are watching the Georgia rain from the comfort of your home, think about how you can capture this free resource from mother nature. You help your plants grow healthy, improve the environment and save money. All while having a Rain Barrel of Fun! Happy Gardening! North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https://appenmedia.com/ opinion/columists/garden buzz/. Save the date: 25th Annual Garden Faire, April 11, 2026 at Wills Park in Alpharetta About the author: This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Jerry Veltri, a Sandy Springs resident. Jerry became a Certified UGA Master Gardener Volunteer after a lifetime of household gardening. He enjoys growing many types of plants and trees, especially citrus and fig trees, using rain barrels as the main source for watering many of his garden plants.

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8 1 5 4 4 9

Solution

M A L I F E S S M A F I A I V A N A X L E A F R O S D O N A M A I N S T R E A M E A S T I N D I A N A R C O L D I E A W A R D D O V E A N S E L M E R R C A V A W A S A B I O A H U N O B L E E V E R R E G R E T B A N S S E E C A L L A S M A L E C A R E Y A S I A N B R A S T R E E T C A R S R E P U T A T I O N I R A N K A R A T E R S E D A T A A N D R E K E E L E Y E D

9 2 1

8 2 6 3 9 7 3 Solution 8 1 Connect-It 7

2 H A B I T S T O P L O W

3 A J A R O U N D A R T S

4 C O I N S K I N O M A D 5 A R I L E A R A P I D S 6 B A S E S N O O P U M A

Solution

7 W A S P O U N D S H A M

5 3 4 6 1 7 2 9 8

9 6 7 2 4 8 5 3 1

2 1 8 5 9 3 7 4 6

7 2 1 4 5 6 9 8 3

6 5 3 7 8 9 4 1 2

8 4 9 1 3 2 6 5 7

4 8 6 9 7 1 3 2 5

1 7 5 3 2 4 8 6 9

3 9 2 8 6 5 1 7 4

8 5

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DEATH NOTICES Joanne Curnyn, age 91, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on February 25, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Roxianna Draper, age 79, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on February 24, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Loretta Donnelly, age 79, of Roswell, GA passed away on February 27, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

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Ross: City should have residents pick fiscal fate

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Wills Park brims with area visitors on Fourth of July By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

A girl waves an American flag as she dances to music by Davis and the Love at Roswell Area Park July 4.

PHOTOS BY: SARAH COYNE/APPEN MEDIA

Kendall, from left, John, Brooks and Reid Hill sit on a picnic blanket at Roswell Area Park to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Roswell crowd celebrates America’s 249th birthday By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Food trucks, live music and fireworks were on the menu for America’s birthday in Roswell. A crowd of over 1,000 piled into Roswell Area Park July 4 to celebrate America’s 249th birthday.

Kendall and John Hill travelled from East Cobb to bring their two little ones to the show. “The kids love it,” John Hill said. Baseball fields and multi-use fields were filled with families and friends awaiting the firework show at dusk.

See FOURTH, Page 23

OPINION

See FIREWORKS, Page 24

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From left, Traci Foreman, Chris Foreman and John Hanley watch fireworks in Wills Park July 4.

► PAGE 8

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By JON WILCOX | jon@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The heart of the holiday was shining through the music, food and fun of Creek’s Juneteenth celebration. As the sun set on a warm Saturday evening, Midway grandmother Matilda Riles sat in a lawnchair, watching her grandchildren play on the park lawn amid the sound of booming live music and mouthwatering aroma of food trucks. Before the fun started, Riles, who attended with three generations of family, educated the kids about the reason for Juneteenth. “It's a point in time when enslaved people no longer had to be enslaved, and certain places did not relay the message at the time that it should have been relayed,” Riles said. “And, therefore this is a celebration as to when the final group of people were told you no longer had to be enslaved.” Several thousand visitors descended on the city’s annual celebration at Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, doubling last year’s attendance. The celebration resembled a giant block party with live music performances, chatting neighbors, plenty of food and rows of arts and craft vendors.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The perfect biscuit is like a warm hug, said Brandy White, owner of Sawnee Mountain Biscuit Company. “It kind of warms your soul,” White said. “It feels like home to me.” Since 2001, the Sawnee Mountain Biscuit has operated out of a renovated mobile home at 104 13th St., serving perfect pillowy biscuits wrapped around eggs, cheese, bacon and other breakfast staples. With dozens of items on the menu, the restaurant features other tasty offerings from French toast to a house-made pimento cheese. Tucked into a sleepy neighborhood on the edge of Cumming, Sawnee Mountain Biscuit might easily be taken as another house, but locals say the squat, blue-clapboard building is one of the town’s best breakfast spots. Over the decades, the restaurant has earned a cult following in Cumming and the north Atlanta area, serving as many as 400 orders some mornings.

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Brandy White holds her 1-year-old daughter, Lennon, at the entrance to her Sawnee Mountain Biscuit Company on 13th Street just outside Cumming.

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is working to complete converting an old elementary school into a law enforcement training center. Since October, the training center has hosted a public safety academy as part of a partnership between the sheriff’s office and University of North Georgia. The academy, funded by the

ROI

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sheriff’s office, provides training for law enforcement officers in Forsyth County and surrounding jurisdictions, Capt. Rob Heagerty said. At an April 22 work session, the County Board of Commissioners discussed a proposal to allocate $47,993 for design services with ar chitectural firm Wiley Wilson to create plans, conduct inspections and

make changes to water heaters. The sheriff’s office wants to install showers and locker rooms at the building at 4805 Atlanta Highway, Heagerty said. The improvements are important because exercise and physical conditioning are essential in maintaining capable deputies, he said. The building already houses classrooms, meeting rooms, a cafeteria,

gym, simulator room and an empty wing where deputies can conduct building-clearing and other training exercises. The work is part of a second phase to transform former Midway Elementary School into a law enforcement training center.

See SHERIFF, Page 12

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Greenhouse complex- Across from the Skate Park in Brookrun Park, Dunwoody

S e p t e m b e r 2 5 , 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 0 , N o . 3 9

County restores original funding to cultural arts

Children play in the lawn at Newtown Park during a Juneteenth celebration in Johns Creek June 21. JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

ATLANTA — The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to restore funding for a program within the Arts & Culture Department to $3 million a year Sept. 17. While the unanimous vote reflects unity and bipartisanship, some commissioners criticized colleagues for the delay. The item, sponsored by Democratic commissioners Khadijah AbdurRahman and Marvin Arrington Jr. and Republican commissioners Bob Ellis and Bridget Thorne, includes an increase of $1.7 million for a previously requested program and its full $3 million in funding set aside in the 2026 budget.

See JUNETEENTH, Page 10

ATLANTA — Fulton County Jail employee has been indicted in federal court for allegedly using excessive force against prisoners. The 47-year-old sergeant is accused of repeatedly using tasers on compliant, nonresisting pre-trial detainees on three occa-

sions last January and writing false reports about each of the incidents. “The (Justice Department’s) Civil Rights Division has zero tolerance for law enforcement officers who abuse public trust through excessive force and concealing their misconduct,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “We will vigorously safeguard the constitutional

Dunwoody opens doors to refine future land-use By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

PHOTOS BY: HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Front center, Ann Hanlon, executive director of the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, holds the ribbon for phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path April 3 while City Councilman Tom Lambert, front right, gets ready to cut it. The Perimeter CIDs and Dunwoody split the project’s $1.5 million construction cost.

Commercial partners and city celebrate new path By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

See FULTON, Page 20

Fulton jail staff faces civil rights indictments By DAVE WILLIAMS Capitol Beat

April 10, 2025 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

By JON WILCOX | jon@appenmedia.com

County considers funding for sheriff’s training facility Two-year-old Cameron holds a beach ball at the City of Roswell Fourth of July celebration at Roswell Area Park.

► PAGE 5

2024 DR. JOHN REYES

Residents celebrate, remember meaning behind Juneteenth

See BISCUIT, Page 6

County delays closing Alpharetta jail site

Pitts: Raising millage rate would be mistake

► PAGE 4

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Thousands filled Wills Park to celebrate July 4 with a bang. Hours before darkness fell, friends and families filled the park’s lawns, Equestrian Center, trails and athletic fields. Everywhere, children played, cartwheeling, running, tossing balls and waving glow sticks. Alpharettan Lindsey Landis, her husband, two children and two dogs were part the crowd, passing the golden hour on a blanket laid out on the grass.

J u n e 2 6 , 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 . 2 6

M ay 1 , 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 . 1 8

Biscuit eatery rises to meet high demand

rights of all individuals, including those in custody.” “Abuses of power of this kind are unconstitutional, erode our community’s trust, and will be prosecuted,” added Theodore S. Hertzberg, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. Solomon faces up to 10 years in prison for each federal civil rights violation and 20

► PAGE 4

Summer Veggies Annuals Pollinator Plants and So Much More! Friday April 11- Sunday April 13

years behind bars for each false report. The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case based on a referral from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.

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RACHEL PROVOW

Doggie-paddle Pets enjoy cool, pool party at Last Splash Puppy Bash

2025

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Miniature goldendoodle Lexi cools off at the Milton city pool on Sept. 13. Canine companions gathered there to celebrate summer’s end. See the story and more photos from Sarah Donehoo on page 18.

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RONY GHELERTER C: 703.899.6663 | Rony@HOMEgeorgia.com | @ronygsellsatlanta

A look down the completed phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path April 3 shows the two-way cycle track parallel to the revamped sidewalk.

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody elected officials, city staff and Perimeter Community Improvement Districts Executive Director Ann Hanlon cut the ribbon April 3 on phase one of the Ashford Dunwoody Road path. “We’re super proud to partner with the city of Dunwoody on building this trail project,” Hanlon

said. “And we’ll look forward to many more phases to come.” A little over two years ago, the group gathered at the same spot near the corner of Ashford Dunwoody Road and Hammond Drive for phase one’s groundbreaking. Phase one of the corridor’s path includes a two-way raised cycle track separated from traffic by a wide landscape buffer

See PATH, Page 17

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The City of Dunwoody is streamlining development rules and updating its vision for the city’s future as part of a state-mandated overhaul. City officials and representatives from consulting firm TSW Design, which was tasked with creating a plan, gave a two-hour presentation about the changes April 1 during a special meeting at Vintage Pizzeria on Chamblee Dunwoody Road. Residents received and discussed the creation of a unified development ordinance and changes to the city’s comprehensive plan. Dunwoody is updating its comprehensive plan as part of a state mandate that requires an overhaul every five years, said Allison Stewart-Harris, an associate principal and planner at TSW. Stewart-Harris presented the changes to about 30 residents who attended the meeting.

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By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs announced that the Billboard Music Award-winning band Lit is headlining Friday night Sept. 26 at the third annual Blue Stone Arts & Music Festival. The festival will take place in the heart of Sandy Springs Friday, Sept. 26, from 4-10 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Lit is an American rock band from Orange County,

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California, formed in 1988. They are best known for their platinum-selling 1999 power-pop punk album “A Place in the Sun” and its massive hit single “My Own Worst Enemy.” The band is set to headline the main stage Friday night at 8 p.m. In addition to Lit, the family-friendly festival features music all day long across multiple stages, an artist market with more than 80 vendors and a Kids Zone.

See LIT, Page 9

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Motorists line up at the Boylston Drive signal to turn left onto Hammond Drive Aug. 14. Sandy Springs will begin work in September to realign Boylston to the east and eliminate a nearby traffic light.

Realignment construction begins on Hammond-Boylston intersection

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Sandy Springs said Billboard Music Award-winning band, Lit, is headlining this year’s festival Sept. 26-27 at City Springs.

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SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs contractors are set to begin work in September on realigning the intersection of Boylston and Hammond drives and removing a redundant traffic light. The city says work will last around 15 months, and the intersection will remain open during construction, but there will be occasional lane closures so crews can get the work done safely. Initially, city officials expected the project

to begin in mid-August. No explanation was given. Currently, there are two separate sets of traffic lights less than 100 feet away from one another, one at the Hammond Glen Retirement Community’s driveway and another at the office building next door. The new configuration will shift Boylston Drive to the east, aligning it with the Hammond Glen driveway and eliminating the traffic light at the driveway to the office building at 325 Hammond Drive.

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About 30 residents fill a dining room at Vintage Pizzeria on Chamblee Dunwoody Road April 1 to hear a presentation by TSW Design planner Allison Stewart-Harris, who spoke on the city’s future land-use strategy.

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Billboard Music Award winner to headline Sandy Springs fest

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