By DOUG NURSE / Atlanta Journal
Friday, January 30, 2009
The city of Alpharetta is studying a way to eliminate property taxes in the future.
It would take an act of the General Assembly to make it happen, so its prospects are uncertain. But Alpharetta is doing its homework in advance on the so-called municipal option sales tax, or
The sales tax rate would remain the same, so residents would not see any of their taxes increase. But the way the sales tax revenue is allocated would change.
As envisioned, the city would be allowed to opt out of a countywide one-cent sales tax, and keep all the sales tax revenue generated within the city limits.
With North Point Mall and other commercial centers, officials believe a city-based sales tax would surpass what the property tax brings in, about $16.6 million. The city has $56.5 million general fund budget.
The reason Alpharetta wants out of the county sales tax, called a special local option sales tax or SPLOST, is because all sales tax revenue is put in a county pot and distributed by population. City Councilman Doug DeRito, an advocate of a MOST for Alpharetta, said the city is 60 percent commercial but has a small population. He said that means Alpharetta is losing money.
“We’re being penalized for creating a favorable commercial climate,” DeRito said.
However, the city faces an obstacle in the Legislature. A general bill allowing cities to enact their own sales taxes has already been filed, but it requires the cities to apply the proceeds to water and sewer projects. Alpharetta’s water and sewer service is provided by Fulton County.
Currently, only Atlanta has been allowed to enact a MOST, which is dedicated to repairing and upgrading its own water and sewer systems.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Gesher L'Torah celebrates opening in Alpharetta
by Jennifer Chapman / Appen Newspapers
January 29, 2009 You could tell by the smiles on their faces that the members of Congregation Gesher L'Torah were excited. The newly constructed building which houses their sanctuary, preschool and social rooms unlocked its doors for a grand opening celebration Jan. 25.Members gathered at the site on Kimball Bridge Road for the building dedication celebration, followed by remarks from distinguished speakers.
Congregation Gesher L'Torah has about 130 member families, according to Jill Sorkin, vice president of marketing. The construction was made possible through donations from members and other fundraising efforts."Now we're all home...we're just so proud," said Sorkin.
Members previously met for services in trailers at the same location as well as at the North Metro Jewish Community Center.The building also houses a piece of history - a Holocaust Memorial Wall that is located toward the rear of the building. The nine large, interconnected walls have enough space to hold the names of 6,000 Holocaust victims on engraved bricks.Congregation Gesher L'Torah is located at 4320 Kimball Bridge Road, Alpharetta. For more information, call 770-777-4009 or visit www.gltorah.org.
"Smoke On The Mountain" Makes Alpharetta Debut
by Hatcher Hurd / Appen Newspapers
January 29, 2009 The word is out, "Smoke on the Water" is back for two performances in Alpharetta. That means you had probably best get your tickets quickly."Smoke on the Water" first appeared around four years ago at the Cumming Playhouse and hasn't left an empty seat in all of its appearances. Produced by PlayRight Productions, its members combine comedy, gospel and bluegrass to make a two-hour treat that is truly original."Smoke" will be performed Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30 and 32, at Alpharetta First United Methodist Church at 69 N. Main St. as fundraiser for the church's new grand piano that accompanies the choir.
January 29, 2009 The word is out, "Smoke on the Water" is back for two performances in Alpharetta. That means you had probably best get your tickets quickly."Smoke on the Water" first appeared around four years ago at the Cumming Playhouse and hasn't left an empty seat in all of its appearances. Produced by PlayRight Productions, its members combine comedy, gospel and bluegrass to make a two-hour treat that is truly original."Smoke" will be performed Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30 and 32, at Alpharetta First United Methodist Church at 69 N. Main St. as fundraiser for the church's new grand piano that accompanies the choir.
The piano is also to honor the memory of Brandon Roberts who was the church music director for 27 years."He was my mentor and my sounding board," said Barbara Holbrook, the current AFUMC music director and 23 years music director at Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church.And what better fundraiser can there be to honor a church music director than a play about church music?
"Smoke" is the story set in 1938 of a small country church that makes a giddy decision to have a church sing on Saturday night. The mythical Sanders Family has been contracted to come and play for the church.And not only is it on a Saturday night – cover the children's ears – they will play the guitar, too, right there in the church. Pretty daring for 1938.
But the cast are not stereotypes drawn from "Green Acres" or "The Dukes of Hazard." Instead, the characters are richly drawn form experiences in real life."It's very clever, very funny. It takes you back in time, and back to all that quirkiness you find in a small church," said Holbrook. "Yet these actors are very good musicians as well. Every voice is good, top-notch. This is great family entertainment."
PlayRight Productions is Christian performing arts company comprised of local performers and showcases " their God-given gifts and talents" to provide quality, family-friendly theater.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Suwanee Adopts 2030 Comprehensive Plan
Courtesy Accessnorthga
By Matt Lampert Staff-->
SUWANEE – More than a year and a half in the making and with the help of hundreds of residents, Suwanee’s long-term vision of its future was adopted Tuesday night at the city council’s monthly meeting.The 2030 Comprehensive Plan is an update to the city’s 2020 plan that was written in 1999. It lays out in detail goals and strategies in the areas of housing, transportation, land use, community facilities, and economic development, among others.“It really is a different direction for the city than we’ve had over the last decade or so. It focuses on protection of established neighborhoods; it looks at redevelopment for the first time and for high quality growth and development in the future,” explained City Manager Marty Allen.
Allen emphasized that community involvement was key to the plan’s creation. In addition to traditional methods of holding a series of open houses and public meetings, the city employed technology to solicit feedback and allow residents to get plugged into the planning process.“We put our plan on the Web. We took comments on the Web. It was a very citizen-involved process,” said Allen.The full plan remains available on the city’s Web site.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA
At its monthly meeting on Tuesday night, the Suwanee City Council authorized Mayor Dave Williams to execute a pair of change orders totaling $37,215 to J.J.E. Constructors, Inc. associated with work on the construction of a pedestrian underpass. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the underpass will be held Saturday, Feb. 21 at 8 a.m. The council authorized Mayor Williams to execute a change order in the amount of $8,294 for work related to the installation of voice/data, audio-visual and security equipment in the new city hall building.Mayor Williams will execute a lease agreement with MSA Inc. for two copiers for the new city hall.The council granted an alcoholic beverage license to PIB Superstore, LLC.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Home Depot Closing Alpharetta EXPO Store
Courtesy Appen Newspapers
January 26, 2009 The Home Depot's EXPO store on Davis Drive in Alpharetta, near the Ga. 400-Mansell Road interchange, will close as part of the company's decision to exit its EXPO business. This and other cost-cutting measures will cut 7,000 jobs, or 2 percent of its total workforce.
Special Note to EXPO customersThe Home Depot will complete any construction projects that have been started.In cases where product has been ordered but the construction project hasn't been started, the company will refund the price of installation and the design retainer. The customer can then arrange for their own installation.In cases where a design retainer has been paid but product has not yet been ordered, the customer will receive a full refund of the design retainer, as well as a 10 percent off coupon that can be used for a product and services discount at a local Home Depot store.All special orders will be completed. Any back orders will be refunded to the customer.Customers with questions should contact their local EXPO or one of the company's call centers at 1-800-259-1042 or 1-800-797-1745.
No "orange box" Home Depot stores are closing.Company officials said the EXPO business has not performed well financially and is not expected to anytime soon. Even during the recent housing boom, it was not a strong business and weakened significantly as the demand for big ticket design and decor products declined with the economy.The Alpharetta EXPO store will be one of 34 EXPO Design Center stores to close, with five YardBIRDs stores, two Design Center stores and HD Bath, a bath remodeling business with seven locations.
Approximately 5,000 workers will be affected at these locations, their support functions and distribution centers."Exiting our EXPO business is a difficult decision, particularly given the hard work and dedication of our associates in that business and the support of our loyal customers," said Frank Blake, chairman and CEO. "At the same time, it is a necessary decision that will strengthen our core Home Depot business."
Store closingsOnly two EXPO stores are scheduled to close in Georgia:• Alpharetta (10700 Davis Drive, Alpharetta, GA 30004)• Atlanta - Perimeter (1201 Hammond Drive, Atlanta, GA 30346)
Restructuring support functions, including continuing to shift to a region-and district-based support model and reducing head count in administrative functions in store support centers, will better align Home Depot's cost structure. These support reductions will affect approximately 2,000 associates and will result in a 10 percent reduction in the Company's officer ranks. They will not impact any customer-facing positions in Home Depot stores.All officers will have a salary freeze. Merit increases to non-officer associates, as well as earned bonuses and the company's existing 401k matching contribution for all associates, including officers, will continue.
The company will offer severance, earned bonuses and other benefits to all impacted associates."We're very fortunate that the soundness of our company lets us live our value of taking care of our people, even in this time of unprecedented economic hardship," Blake said. "These changes will make us a stronger company and will allow us to continue to grow associate employment over the long term to benefit our customers."
January 26, 2009 The Home Depot's EXPO store on Davis Drive in Alpharetta, near the Ga. 400-Mansell Road interchange, will close as part of the company's decision to exit its EXPO business. This and other cost-cutting measures will cut 7,000 jobs, or 2 percent of its total workforce.
Special Note to EXPO customersThe Home Depot will complete any construction projects that have been started.In cases where product has been ordered but the construction project hasn't been started, the company will refund the price of installation and the design retainer. The customer can then arrange for their own installation.In cases where a design retainer has been paid but product has not yet been ordered, the customer will receive a full refund of the design retainer, as well as a 10 percent off coupon that can be used for a product and services discount at a local Home Depot store.All special orders will be completed. Any back orders will be refunded to the customer.Customers with questions should contact their local EXPO or one of the company's call centers at 1-800-259-1042 or 1-800-797-1745.
No "orange box" Home Depot stores are closing.Company officials said the EXPO business has not performed well financially and is not expected to anytime soon. Even during the recent housing boom, it was not a strong business and weakened significantly as the demand for big ticket design and decor products declined with the economy.The Alpharetta EXPO store will be one of 34 EXPO Design Center stores to close, with five YardBIRDs stores, two Design Center stores and HD Bath, a bath remodeling business with seven locations.
Approximately 5,000 workers will be affected at these locations, their support functions and distribution centers."Exiting our EXPO business is a difficult decision, particularly given the hard work and dedication of our associates in that business and the support of our loyal customers," said Frank Blake, chairman and CEO. "At the same time, it is a necessary decision that will strengthen our core Home Depot business."
Store closingsOnly two EXPO stores are scheduled to close in Georgia:• Alpharetta (10700 Davis Drive, Alpharetta, GA 30004)• Atlanta - Perimeter (1201 Hammond Drive, Atlanta, GA 30346)
Restructuring support functions, including continuing to shift to a region-and district-based support model and reducing head count in administrative functions in store support centers, will better align Home Depot's cost structure. These support reductions will affect approximately 2,000 associates and will result in a 10 percent reduction in the Company's officer ranks. They will not impact any customer-facing positions in Home Depot stores.All officers will have a salary freeze. Merit increases to non-officer associates, as well as earned bonuses and the company's existing 401k matching contribution for all associates, including officers, will continue.
The company will offer severance, earned bonuses and other benefits to all impacted associates."We're very fortunate that the soundness of our company lets us live our value of taking care of our people, even in this time of unprecedented economic hardship," Blake said. "These changes will make us a stronger company and will allow us to continue to grow associate employment over the long term to benefit our customers."
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Synergy Home Care Provides Alternative To Assisted Living
There’s an elderly lady living on her own, losing pounds of weight almost by the day. Her kids haven’t seen her in awhile and when they finally pay her a visit they see a startling change in her appearance.Concerned, they ask her what’s going on. Is she sick? Or, even worse, dying? The woman’s children are relieved to find out that the woman, once an avid cook, has grown weary of the effort required to prepare full meals and is subsisting on cookies and tea three times a day.Another elderly mother walks around her house covered in powder to mask her un-cleanliness because she’s afraid to use the shower for fear that she will slip and fall if she tries to bathe by herself.It’s stories like these that make a place like Synergy Home Care in Alpharetta such a vital part the lives of the elderly or disabled. “What we do is we go into the homes of anybody – primarily seniors – but anybody that needs our help in assisting them with their daily living activities,” said Synergy co-owner Sue McCormick.Those activities can range from cooking meals and doing light housekeeping to helping those with limited mobility get around the house to accomplish everyday tasks.
Synergy uses certified nursing assistants to go into the homes of its clients and take care of some of the basic tasks that many people take for granted. It’s a viable alternative for the elderly who are not quite ready to take the plunge into full time assisted living.“We want to keep them at home as long we can,” McCormick said. “It’s a proven fact that once they do leave their home, their health usually deteriorates.”
McCormick’s business partner and best friend Stacy Korosec was the driving force behind opening the facility in November of last year. Korosec has been a lifelong volunteer and has spent countless hours working with the elderly and the needy. “I started volunteering when I was 16 at an assisted living facility,” Korosec said. “I’d do bingo night or popcorn night, read people’s mail to them, visit people that weren’t getting visited, that kind of thing.”
In her years of volunteer work she developed a sixth sense for building a quick rapport with the elderly, and now she has decided to use that sixth sense to help her make a living.She and her husband began looking at different types of businesses to open up after they had their second child. “So this is something that jumped out at me because I like to help people,” Korosec said. “It’s just something that comes natural to me.”Korosec shared the idea with McCormick, who saw it as an opportunity to switch over from her real estate career into something more rewarding.
As the began getting serious about the idea they realized that their skill sets were a perfect complement to each other.“It was something that was just really perfect for the two of us because I have a marketing background,” McCormick said. “And she has that background of volunteering for seniors and that kind of stuff.”“We’re two pieces of a puzzle that sort of fit together,” she said.
They already have a roster of 25 care-givers that they can call and assign to clients. When a client calls, Korosec will do an evaluation and create a care plan. They’ll then look at their list of care-givers and try to find the one that will mesh most easily with client’s needs and personality. “Because you have to match them, it’s a lot harder than you think it would be,” Korosec said.Once that match is made and the client signs on, the objective is clear.“The goal is to provide really good care and have caregivers that are really good and that match,” Korosec said. “The goal is to keep the elderly the most independent that they could possibly be.”
Synergy’s services are not limited to the elderly. They offer care plans for people of all ages who have been temporarily disabled by, say, a car accident or a work injury. And their service is non-medical, so they’ll work in conjunction with a nurse or therapist that may be tending to a client’s home medical needs.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Restaurant Wants To "WOW" Alpharetta
by Bob Pepalis / Appen NewspapersJanuary 23, 2009Chilly weather didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the staff, managers and owner of the new WOW (World of Wings) Cafe and Wingery at the ribbon cutting for the restaurant in Alpharetta.Eddie Spencer of Spencer Franchise Services opened the restaurant in the Windward Crossing Shopping Center, at the corner of North Point and Windward parkways. He picked Alpharetta because of its strong demographics, and this location because of the many corporate officers nearby, with many residential developments nearby.
The restaurant is a sports bar/lounge with a family focus. Wings, and the 17 sauces available for them, are just part of the menu. Appetizers, soups, quesadillas, tenders, fajitas, burgers, ribs, seafood, salads wraps and sandwiches fill the menu.Spencer has carved out a two-story restaurant, complete with a second-story patio, at the location.TVs are at every table upstairs and next to many tables downstairs. Larger screen TVs are mounted throughout the restaurant also.WOW opened Jan. 24 with 25 employees.Another WOW franchise already was open in Cumming.
Spencer owns the franchise rights for WOW in Georgia, giving him the ability to open his own stores, or sell franchises to other people and help them open their own restaurants.Spencers said franchisees are encouraged to have liquid assets of $220,000 before trying to open a store. He also suggests previous restaurant experience.
Now serving Hours Sunday-Tuesday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Wednesday & Thursday: 11 a.m.-midnight
Friday: 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
Entertainment Wednesday: Killer Karaoke, 8 p.m.-midnight
Thursday: Knock Out Trivia, 8-11 p.m. DJ Dance Party: 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Saturday: Acoustic Live Music
WOW operates in 16 states, with approximately 80 stores. In Georgia, three universities are sites for stores: Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State University and Georgia College & State University. Those three stores do not serve alcohol. Eleven other stores operate in Georgia.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Suspended Alpharetta Officer Back At Work
By DOUG NURSE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
An Alpharetta police officer suspended in the shooting of a fleeing suspect is back on the job, although she has not returned to patrol duty.
Officer Jennifer Howard was put on adminstrative leave in November while Alpharetta investigators reconstructed the shooting and gathered evidence to be presented to Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard, no relation to the officer. She now is doing community relations work for the department. When officers fire their weapons, they routinely are placed on administrative leave until an internal investigation is completed.
The prosecutor’s office has yet to determine whether any laws were broken when Jennifer Howard fired at a passing car as the driver fled pursuing officers.
The driver, Warren Price, was hit twice in the abdomen and treated at North Fulton Regional Hospital. His wounds were not considered life threatening.
The chase started in Forsyth County after deputies saw Price wearing an ankle bracelet during a Nov. 6 traffic stop on Ga. 400. He was being sought for violating parole, police said.
The pursuit continued into Alpharetta, where Price was shot. A Forsyth deputy used his patrol car to nose the vehicle off the road. It then rolled, stopping upside down, as police closed in.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
An Alpharetta police officer suspended in the shooting of a fleeing suspect is back on the job, although she has not returned to patrol duty.
Officer Jennifer Howard was put on adminstrative leave in November while Alpharetta investigators reconstructed the shooting and gathered evidence to be presented to Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard, no relation to the officer. She now is doing community relations work for the department. When officers fire their weapons, they routinely are placed on administrative leave until an internal investigation is completed.
The prosecutor’s office has yet to determine whether any laws were broken when Jennifer Howard fired at a passing car as the driver fled pursuing officers.
The driver, Warren Price, was hit twice in the abdomen and treated at North Fulton Regional Hospital. His wounds were not considered life threatening.
The chase started in Forsyth County after deputies saw Price wearing an ankle bracelet during a Nov. 6 traffic stop on Ga. 400. He was being sought for violating parole, police said.
The pursuit continued into Alpharetta, where Price was shot. A Forsyth deputy used his patrol car to nose the vehicle off the road. It then rolled, stopping upside down, as police closed in.
Alpharetta SouthCare Funeral Home Opens
Courtesy Appen Newspapers
January 21, 2009 Alpharetta SouthCare Funeral Home & Cremation Service opened its doors for business recently, which makes it the only funeral home within city limits.
Chris Nuzum, president and owner of the business, said his company spent $370,000 renovating what previously had served as a public health office. A chapel, private rooms and reception areas were created. A courtyard was built with flagstone walk, a planted garden area, benches and ambient heating to provide family members a place to collect their thoughts.
"We try to give it a home-like appearance," he said, with the interior decor intended to more resemble a home than a business.Nuzum said the funeral home only schedules one service or visitation at a time so families and friends can grieve and remember their loved ones in private.
His company posts its prices online so family members can make decisions at home without pressure from funeral home staff.The company provides free valet service if more visitors are expected for a service or visitation than its lot allows. Most large services are held at churches and other locations, Nuzum said, keeping traffic light.
January 21, 2009 Alpharetta SouthCare Funeral Home & Cremation Service opened its doors for business recently, which makes it the only funeral home within city limits.
Chris Nuzum, president and owner of the business, said his company spent $370,000 renovating what previously had served as a public health office. A chapel, private rooms and reception areas were created. A courtyard was built with flagstone walk, a planted garden area, benches and ambient heating to provide family members a place to collect their thoughts.
"We try to give it a home-like appearance," he said, with the interior decor intended to more resemble a home than a business.Nuzum said the funeral home only schedules one service or visitation at a time so families and friends can grieve and remember their loved ones in private.
His company posts its prices online so family members can make decisions at home without pressure from funeral home staff.The company provides free valet service if more visitors are expected for a service or visitation than its lot allows. Most large services are held at churches and other locations, Nuzum said, keeping traffic light.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Alpharetta-based company manufactured Obama's invitations
Alpharetta-based company manufactured Obama's invitations Charles Edwards
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href="/wabe/news.mediaplayer?STATION_NAME=wabe&MEDIA_ID=815650&MEDIA_EXTENSION=mp3&MODULE=news&ext=.mp3"> ATLANTA, GA (2009-01-16)
Courtesy Public Broadcasting
If you got an official invitation to attend President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration, what you have was made by an Alpharetta paper company.Neenah Paper manufactured a million invitations for next week's event.Neenah made the invites for outgoing President George W. Bush and his father George H.W. Bush. So, Obama's Presidential Inauguration Committee knew where to go for theirs. And Obama's invitations look the same, even though they're not. Neenah's design director Thom Wright says these are green.
WRIGHT: "That means all the fiber that has been used to make up this particular paper has already been used by a consumer in the marketplace, has been brought back, de-inked and recycled and made into paper again."Wright says it's the first time Presidential invitations have been made with recycled paper. He says it goes along with Obama's theme of change.It's also the first acid free invitation meaning they'll last over time.
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href="/wabe/news.mediaplayer?STATION_NAME=wabe&MEDIA_ID=815650&MEDIA_EXTENSION=mp3&MODULE=news&ext=.mp3"> ATLANTA, GA (2009-01-16)
Courtesy Public Broadcasting
If you got an official invitation to attend President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration, what you have was made by an Alpharetta paper company.Neenah Paper manufactured a million invitations for next week's event.Neenah made the invites for outgoing President George W. Bush and his father George H.W. Bush. So, Obama's Presidential Inauguration Committee knew where to go for theirs. And Obama's invitations look the same, even though they're not. Neenah's design director Thom Wright says these are green.
WRIGHT: "That means all the fiber that has been used to make up this particular paper has already been used by a consumer in the marketplace, has been brought back, de-inked and recycled and made into paper again."Wright says it's the first time Presidential invitations have been made with recycled paper. He says it goes along with Obama's theme of change.It's also the first acid free invitation meaning they'll last over time.
Dave Matthews Band Coming to Alpharetta's Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Courtesy Appen Newspapers
Box office Tickets for the Dave Matthews Band concerts will go on sale Saturday, Jan. 24 at Noon. Tickets will be available at all Ticketmaster outlets, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone 1-800-745-3000, and the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park Box Office. The AMEX pre-sale begins on Tuesday, January 20 at 10:00 a.m. (EST) through Friday, January 23 at 10:00 p.m. (EST). Visit: www.davematthewsband.com or www.VZWAMP.com
January 16, 2009Dave Matthews Band will perform live at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, located just off Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for two nights on Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m., along with special guests The Avett Brothers.2009 season sponsors include: Verizon Wireless, Bud Light, AirTran Airways, Georgia Natural Gas, and Belvedere.The band's yet-to-be-titled album is being produced by Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) and will be released by RCA Records. The record is the follow-up to 2005's Stand Up, the fourth consecutive Dave Matthews Band studio album to enter The Billboard 200 at No. 1.Formed in Virginia in the early 1990's, Dave Matthews Band has sold a collective 35 million units (CD and DVD combined). With more than 15 million tickets sold, the group has been named the top-drawing American band in the world by Billboard."Their set delivered the goods at Rothbury, and few would argue they didn't make the festival their own," said The Detroit News of Dave Matthews Band's headlining performance at last summer's first-ever Rothbury festival. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette praised the group's show there as "nothing short of inspired and inspiring" while The Oklahoman said: "this is a band that stretches out and thrives in the open air and under the stars." "Mr. Matthews' trade is to stir up a mélange of approaches – from rock and folksy pop to bluegrass and smooth jazz – to make doubt positive, make loss again, and make depression a celebration," observed The Dallas Morning News.Dave Matthews Band is Carter Beauford (drums), Stefan Lessard (bass), Dave Matthews (vocals, guitar) and Boyd Tinsley (violin). Saxophonist LeRoi Moore, the fifth original founding member, passed away during the band's summer 2008 tour. Joining the group on the road this spring will be Tim Reynolds on guitar, Rashawn Ross on trumpet and Jeff Coffin on saxophone. They are also featured on the new album.
Box office Tickets for the Dave Matthews Band concerts will go on sale Saturday, Jan. 24 at Noon. Tickets will be available at all Ticketmaster outlets, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone 1-800-745-3000, and the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park Box Office. The AMEX pre-sale begins on Tuesday, January 20 at 10:00 a.m. (EST) through Friday, January 23 at 10:00 p.m. (EST). Visit: www.davematthewsband.com or www.VZWAMP.com
January 16, 2009Dave Matthews Band will perform live at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, located just off Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for two nights on Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m., along with special guests The Avett Brothers.2009 season sponsors include: Verizon Wireless, Bud Light, AirTran Airways, Georgia Natural Gas, and Belvedere.The band's yet-to-be-titled album is being produced by Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) and will be released by RCA Records. The record is the follow-up to 2005's Stand Up, the fourth consecutive Dave Matthews Band studio album to enter The Billboard 200 at No. 1.Formed in Virginia in the early 1990's, Dave Matthews Band has sold a collective 35 million units (CD and DVD combined). With more than 15 million tickets sold, the group has been named the top-drawing American band in the world by Billboard."Their set delivered the goods at Rothbury, and few would argue they didn't make the festival their own," said The Detroit News of Dave Matthews Band's headlining performance at last summer's first-ever Rothbury festival. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette praised the group's show there as "nothing short of inspired and inspiring" while The Oklahoman said: "this is a band that stretches out and thrives in the open air and under the stars." "Mr. Matthews' trade is to stir up a mélange of approaches – from rock and folksy pop to bluegrass and smooth jazz – to make doubt positive, make loss again, and make depression a celebration," observed The Dallas Morning News.Dave Matthews Band is Carter Beauford (drums), Stefan Lessard (bass), Dave Matthews (vocals, guitar) and Boyd Tinsley (violin). Saxophonist LeRoi Moore, the fifth original founding member, passed away during the band's summer 2008 tour. Joining the group on the road this spring will be Tim Reynolds on guitar, Rashawn Ross on trumpet and Jeff Coffin on saxophone. They are also featured on the new album.
Alpharetta Company Charged in $25M Ponzi Scheme
By PAUL DONSKY
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, January 15, 2009
An Alpharetta-based financial firm has been charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission with operating a Ponzi scheme worth at least $25 million.
According to the SEC, CRE Capital and its president, James G. Ossie, 48, wooed investors to a currency trading program last year by guaranteeing returns of 10 percent every 30 days, or a 120 percent annual rate. Some clients were promised 20 percent monthly gains, the SEC said. The Associated Press reported that Ossie lives in Dawsonville.
The SEC said Thursday that the company’s trading has lost $12 million and that returns were paid with funds taken from later investors.
The SEC has obtained an emergency federal court order freezing the program’s assets and appointing a receiver to take over control of the company. The SEC’s investigation is ongoing.
“The SEC’s emergency action in this case will protect investors from further harm,” said Katherine S. Addleman, director of the SEC’s Atlanta regional office. “We also want to remind investors to be skeptical of promoters promising exorbitant returns. Such claims should be red flags to investors.”
The scope pales in comparison to the massive, $50 billion Ponzi scheme allegedly orchestrated by New York money manager Bernard Madoff.
Bill Leonard, an attorney for CRE and Ossie, said that Ossie “maintains that he acted with good faith at all times and intended to act with integrity for his clients.” He said that Ossie and CRE have been “cooperating fully” with the SEC, opening all records for review.
The SEC said at least 120 investors signed up for the program. The agency did not name the investors, though it did say that CRE Capital and Ossie required that investors be business entities, not individuals.
CRE and Ossie told investors the trading program carried little risk because the company had created a large “defensive” reserve fund that would be able to cover the monthly returns.
The SEC also has charged CRE and Ossie with falsely claiming that the program was audited by an outside accounting firm. The agency also says that CRE and Ossie told investors that the company planned on making a $100 million stock offering this year.
According to the Georgia secretary of state, CRE Capital registered with the state in March 2007 and has offices on Mansell Road in Alpharetta.
A news release issued last October announced that CRE had selected a California company to provide its customer relationship management software. The news release described CRE as a “distinctive, high-end private investment company offering a progressive and low-risk, high-yield opportunities to investors.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, January 15, 2009
An Alpharetta-based financial firm has been charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission with operating a Ponzi scheme worth at least $25 million.
According to the SEC, CRE Capital and its president, James G. Ossie, 48, wooed investors to a currency trading program last year by guaranteeing returns of 10 percent every 30 days, or a 120 percent annual rate. Some clients were promised 20 percent monthly gains, the SEC said. The Associated Press reported that Ossie lives in Dawsonville.
The SEC said Thursday that the company’s trading has lost $12 million and that returns were paid with funds taken from later investors.
The SEC has obtained an emergency federal court order freezing the program’s assets and appointing a receiver to take over control of the company. The SEC’s investigation is ongoing.
“The SEC’s emergency action in this case will protect investors from further harm,” said Katherine S. Addleman, director of the SEC’s Atlanta regional office. “We also want to remind investors to be skeptical of promoters promising exorbitant returns. Such claims should be red flags to investors.”
The scope pales in comparison to the massive, $50 billion Ponzi scheme allegedly orchestrated by New York money manager Bernard Madoff.
Bill Leonard, an attorney for CRE and Ossie, said that Ossie “maintains that he acted with good faith at all times and intended to act with integrity for his clients.” He said that Ossie and CRE have been “cooperating fully” with the SEC, opening all records for review.
The SEC said at least 120 investors signed up for the program. The agency did not name the investors, though it did say that CRE Capital and Ossie required that investors be business entities, not individuals.
CRE and Ossie told investors the trading program carried little risk because the company had created a large “defensive” reserve fund that would be able to cover the monthly returns.
The SEC also has charged CRE and Ossie with falsely claiming that the program was audited by an outside accounting firm. The agency also says that CRE and Ossie told investors that the company planned on making a $100 million stock offering this year.
According to the Georgia secretary of state, CRE Capital registered with the state in March 2007 and has offices on Mansell Road in Alpharetta.
A news release issued last October announced that CRE had selected a California company to provide its customer relationship management software. The news release described CRE as a “distinctive, high-end private investment company offering a progressive and low-risk, high-yield opportunities to investors.”
Police ID Teen Killed In Alpharetta Chase
By DOUG NURSE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Danielle Brown said the two older-looking teenagers stood over her Wednesday night, yelling and demanding money, when she saw the young-looking teen standing beside the dark Toyota.
He was watching, not speaking.
One teen ran to her car, where her 1- and 3-year-old sons sat wide-eyed, and grabbed her purse, Brown said. The three teens climbed into the Toyota and sped off. The silent one looked out the back window, a strange look on his face.
Minutes later, after a brief chase by Alpharetta police, the driver lost control of the car and crashed, injuring two of the youths.
The watcher was killed. He was identified late Thursday as 19-year-old Marcus Mahomes of Stone Mountain.
“Wow,” Brown said Thursday. “We made eye contact. I’m sad. If they hadn’t been out doing this, this wouldn’t be the outcome, but I hate that he got killed.”
Mahomes died of head injuries, according to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The other two, Montreal Devon Gray, 19, and Jaree Devon Beatles, 17, both of Decatur, are refusing to cooperate, police said. They are under guard at North Fulton Regional Hospital in Roswell, awaiting charges of armed robbery as well as charges related to the death.
About 10 p.m. Wednesday, Brown had just arrived at the Rosemont apartments in Roswell after picking up her boys from day care. She went to the mailbox when someone hit her from behind, knocking her down.
Two men yelled at her, demanding money, and one had his hand in his pocket as if he had gun, she said.
Minutes later, Roswell officers received a call saying two men jumped and robbed a man at nearby Eagle Crest Village apartments. They fled in a dark Toyota Camry.
An undercover officer, in the neighborhood as a part of an effort to reduce crime there, spotted the vehicle and started tailing it. Alpharetta police joined the chase. While speeding up North Point Parkway near Preston Ridge Road, the driver lost control of the car on a curve and rolled it.
The car was stolen June 9 from a Decatur man who left the car running as he went back inside his home for something. Alpharetta and Roswell police would not disclose whether they believe the men are suspects in other crimes, nor would they disclose what was recovered in the car.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Danielle Brown said the two older-looking teenagers stood over her Wednesday night, yelling and demanding money, when she saw the young-looking teen standing beside the dark Toyota.
He was watching, not speaking.
One teen ran to her car, where her 1- and 3-year-old sons sat wide-eyed, and grabbed her purse, Brown said. The three teens climbed into the Toyota and sped off. The silent one looked out the back window, a strange look on his face.
Minutes later, after a brief chase by Alpharetta police, the driver lost control of the car and crashed, injuring two of the youths.
The watcher was killed. He was identified late Thursday as 19-year-old Marcus Mahomes of Stone Mountain.
“Wow,” Brown said Thursday. “We made eye contact. I’m sad. If they hadn’t been out doing this, this wouldn’t be the outcome, but I hate that he got killed.”
Mahomes died of head injuries, according to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The other two, Montreal Devon Gray, 19, and Jaree Devon Beatles, 17, both of Decatur, are refusing to cooperate, police said. They are under guard at North Fulton Regional Hospital in Roswell, awaiting charges of armed robbery as well as charges related to the death.
About 10 p.m. Wednesday, Brown had just arrived at the Rosemont apartments in Roswell after picking up her boys from day care. She went to the mailbox when someone hit her from behind, knocking her down.
Two men yelled at her, demanding money, and one had his hand in his pocket as if he had gun, she said.
Minutes later, Roswell officers received a call saying two men jumped and robbed a man at nearby Eagle Crest Village apartments. They fled in a dark Toyota Camry.
An undercover officer, in the neighborhood as a part of an effort to reduce crime there, spotted the vehicle and started tailing it. Alpharetta police joined the chase. While speeding up North Point Parkway near Preston Ridge Road, the driver lost control of the car on a curve and rolled it.
The car was stolen June 9 from a Decatur man who left the car running as he went back inside his home for something. Alpharetta and Roswell police would not disclose whether they believe the men are suspects in other crimes, nor would they disclose what was recovered in the car.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Police Chase With Suspects Ends With Boy's Death
Courtesy Fort Mills Times.
(Published January 15, 2009)
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A juvenile passenger has died after a car in which robbery suspects were being chased by Alpharetta police overturned.
Alpharetta police spokesman George Gordon says an undercover Roswell detective spottted the suspects' car just before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and began following it.
He says the suspects saw the detective following them and fled. He says Alpharetta police continued the pursuit with marked police cars.
Gordon says the driver of the fleeing car lost control and overturned. A boy in the back seat was killed in the crash.
The driver and a second passenger were injured and were taken into custody. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's office has not identified the boy.
(Published January 15, 2009)
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A juvenile passenger has died after a car in which robbery suspects were being chased by Alpharetta police overturned.
Alpharetta police spokesman George Gordon says an undercover Roswell detective spottted the suspects' car just before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and began following it.
He says the suspects saw the detective following them and fled. He says Alpharetta police continued the pursuit with marked police cars.
Gordon says the driver of the fleeing car lost control and overturned. A boy in the back seat was killed in the crash.
The driver and a second passenger were injured and were taken into custody. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's office has not identified the boy.
Alpharetta First To File For Green Recognition
by Bob Pepalis / Appen Newspapers
January 14, 2009ALPHARETTA – The city put down its green roots years ago and plans to become even greener in the future.Alpharetta Community Development Director Diana Wheeler said it was the first city to submit an application for the Atlanta Regional Commission's Green Communities program.Alpharetta Mayor Arthur Letchas put making Alpharetta a "greener" city his top goal for his final term as mayor.
"We are doing fine the way we are now, but the future is in question," he said. "I think to protect our environment for the future generations, we need to protect and do all we can for the environment."
Wheeler said she and her staff, who prepared the ARC application, feel Alpharetta is "more than qualified to be a green city."Some of the criteria used in determining a city's status as a Green Community include energy efficiency, water use and conservation, trees and greenspace efforts."We have addressed every one of their items with the programs and the policies that we already either have in place or have adopted as a result of this effort," Wheeler said.
Alpharetta has one of the strongest tree ordinances in the state, Letchas said, and will strive to keep it that way.This year the Public Safety Department took delivery on its first hybrid cars for administrative-type positions and positions not likely to be involved in high-speed chases.
Letchas said the 34-plus miles per gallon make the hybrids obviously greener than other vehicles."It's proving out to be a good decision," he said.Recycling is a goal for the city and something that is pushed for residents."It's doing what we can for the environment as far as taking less to the landfill. I encourage people to get the bigger recycling containers so they can recycle more and dump less," Letchas said.Alpharetta's waste hauler offers a 35-gallon recycling container that can replace the standard 18-gallon container by calling 678-407-6216 to schedule the exchange of bins. The larger bins have lids, wheels and handles to make them easier to use.
The city encourages developers to be part of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design [LEED] program for energy efficiency, encouraging green roof designs that help with heating and cooling, and water runoff. Developers can be rewarded for energy efficiency.In an idea brought by a code enforcement officer, if a developer agrees to install a timer to shut off a commercial development's sign, Alpharetta will allow that sign to be up to 20 percent larger.The city is making plans to save energy in its buildings wherever it can."And we've got some ordinances that we passed on the first reading that encourage [going] green," Letchas said.
January 14, 2009ALPHARETTA – The city put down its green roots years ago and plans to become even greener in the future.Alpharetta Community Development Director Diana Wheeler said it was the first city to submit an application for the Atlanta Regional Commission's Green Communities program.Alpharetta Mayor Arthur Letchas put making Alpharetta a "greener" city his top goal for his final term as mayor.
"We are doing fine the way we are now, but the future is in question," he said. "I think to protect our environment for the future generations, we need to protect and do all we can for the environment."
Wheeler said she and her staff, who prepared the ARC application, feel Alpharetta is "more than qualified to be a green city."Some of the criteria used in determining a city's status as a Green Community include energy efficiency, water use and conservation, trees and greenspace efforts."We have addressed every one of their items with the programs and the policies that we already either have in place or have adopted as a result of this effort," Wheeler said.
Alpharetta has one of the strongest tree ordinances in the state, Letchas said, and will strive to keep it that way.This year the Public Safety Department took delivery on its first hybrid cars for administrative-type positions and positions not likely to be involved in high-speed chases.
Letchas said the 34-plus miles per gallon make the hybrids obviously greener than other vehicles."It's proving out to be a good decision," he said.Recycling is a goal for the city and something that is pushed for residents."It's doing what we can for the environment as far as taking less to the landfill. I encourage people to get the bigger recycling containers so they can recycle more and dump less," Letchas said.Alpharetta's waste hauler offers a 35-gallon recycling container that can replace the standard 18-gallon container by calling 678-407-6216 to schedule the exchange of bins. The larger bins have lids, wheels and handles to make them easier to use.
The city encourages developers to be part of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design [LEED] program for energy efficiency, encouraging green roof designs that help with heating and cooling, and water runoff. Developers can be rewarded for energy efficiency.In an idea brought by a code enforcement officer, if a developer agrees to install a timer to shut off a commercial development's sign, Alpharetta will allow that sign to be up to 20 percent larger.The city is making plans to save energy in its buildings wherever it can."And we've got some ordinances that we passed on the first reading that encourage [going] green," Letchas said.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Bathroom Humor No Laughing Matter In Alpharetta
Courtesy Appen Newspapers
January 13, 2009 ALPHARETTA - Alpharetta police arrested a 28-year-old Marietta man Jan. 1 and charged him with disorderly conduct after he pulled a little bathroom prank that backfired. His big mistake was doing it in the presence of an off-duty police officer at the Windward Parkway Wild Wing Cafe on New Year's Eve.What's worse, he then confronted the officer - who clearly didn't approve of the joke but hadn't told anyone - and allegedly began harassing him until the uniformed officer who was on New Year's duty stepped in.
According to the incident report, the off-duty officer and suspect were waiting in line for the bathroom when the suspect allegedly tired of waiting and began urinating in the sink while laughing.The off-duty officer told him what he was doing was "nasty" and informed him people need to wash their hands in the sink.
"Other men in the rest room were visibly disturbed, as they too articulated how unsanitary [the suspect's] act was," wrote the officer.Once out of the bathroom, the suspect allegedly began chest bumping the off-duty officer, telling him he didn't "want any static."
This warranted the attention of the uniformed officer on duty. As that cop walked up, the suspect reportedly told the off-duty officer - who had not mentioned he was a law enforcement officer - that he "better not speak up about his public indecency manner in the rest room."
Of course the two officers spoke, at which point the suspect accused them of lying. As a final act of stupidity, as he walked away, the suspect made sure to bump his shoulder into the off-duty officer to show his disapproval."I then informed [the on-duty officer] I would handle the paperwork if he would arrest him for disorderly conduct," wrote the off-duty cop.
January 13, 2009 ALPHARETTA - Alpharetta police arrested a 28-year-old Marietta man Jan. 1 and charged him with disorderly conduct after he pulled a little bathroom prank that backfired. His big mistake was doing it in the presence of an off-duty police officer at the Windward Parkway Wild Wing Cafe on New Year's Eve.What's worse, he then confronted the officer - who clearly didn't approve of the joke but hadn't told anyone - and allegedly began harassing him until the uniformed officer who was on New Year's duty stepped in.
According to the incident report, the off-duty officer and suspect were waiting in line for the bathroom when the suspect allegedly tired of waiting and began urinating in the sink while laughing.The off-duty officer told him what he was doing was "nasty" and informed him people need to wash their hands in the sink.
"Other men in the rest room were visibly disturbed, as they too articulated how unsanitary [the suspect's] act was," wrote the officer.Once out of the bathroom, the suspect allegedly began chest bumping the off-duty officer, telling him he didn't "want any static."
This warranted the attention of the uniformed officer on duty. As that cop walked up, the suspect reportedly told the off-duty officer - who had not mentioned he was a law enforcement officer - that he "better not speak up about his public indecency manner in the rest room."
Of course the two officers spoke, at which point the suspect accused them of lying. As a final act of stupidity, as he walked away, the suspect made sure to bump his shoulder into the off-duty officer to show his disapproval."I then informed [the on-duty officer] I would handle the paperwork if he would arrest him for disorderly conduct," wrote the off-duty cop.
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