North Fulton cities organize "Bulky Trash Day"

By Andria Simmons
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The cities of Milton, Alpharetta and Roswell are offering residents a chance to clean out their garages, basements and attics on "Bulky Trash Day."

From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 20, citizens can bring unwanted items to the Roswell Public Works Division at 1810 Hembree Road for disposal. Items to be accepted include automobile tires (off the rim), furniture, appliances and electronics. The cities will not accept paint, household hazardous waste including motor oil and anti-freeze, household batteries, construction and demolition materials or yard waste.

The Atlanta Furniture Bank will collect items in good condition and offer donation receipts upon request. For more information, contact the Milton Grows Green Committee at miltongrowsgreen@cityofmiltonga.us or call the City of Milton Public Works Department at 678-242-2500.

John Albers for State Senate.

Serving your community…

By- John Albers

Volunteering in the community to serve others is a passion of mine. It is an honor and privilege to use my God given talents for the sake of others. North Fulton is a great community and the opportunities to get involved are abundant. I serve on dozens of charitable organization boards and find an intense joy making a positive difference.

As a fourth generation volunteer firefighter, I serve side-by-side with my fellow public safety professionals protecting life and property. Active firefighters have to complete continuous training, physical fitness, time and effort. It is a unique opportunity to give back. You do not have run into burning houses to help. Others support our firefighters and police officers with our Public Safety foundation by raising money and taking care of our heroes in their time of need. No matter your talent or desire we have a place for you.

Both of my sons are scouts. My older son Will is working on his Eagle Scout project. This is a tremendous accomplishment of which we are proud. His project will benefit a local Roswell charity and bring benefits for decades to come. My younger son Ryan is helping to earn his world conservation badge by cleaning the river and stream banks. It is never too early to get your children involved with serving others and the community. Volunteering as family is time very well spent and builds life memories. I volunteer to lead by example and help continue Scouting for generations to come.

I have enjoyed serving at church since my childhood. Decades of serving has ranged from delivering meals, providing medical care, building houses, coaching, mission trips, computer help, governance, fundraising, painting, teaching and simply listening. I am blessed to be a member at Roswell United Methodist church and encourage you to explore your faith and service to others.

You may be asking, why would I want to spend my spare time helping the community? A better question would be, why not? You will never regret missing an hour of TV, but you will treasure positively impacting your community. You will network, learn new experiences and become a better person. Believe it or not, you will be the biggest benefactor of your volunteer time.

In summary, please consider serving others joyfully and more often. If you are looking for ideas, please drop me a line at john@votealbers.com.

I look forward to serving you as your next State Senator (www.votealbers.com).

NOTE: Accessjohnscreek.com encourages all candidates running for office both locally and state wide to share information with us on their campaigns. This type of information does not mean that Accessmilton.com is endorsing one candidate as opposed to another. Here, all are treated equally and with respect.

Israeli clown spreading goodwill

Courtesy Hatcher Hurd / Appen Newspapers

November 19, 2009

JOHNS CREEK – Itzik Ozery is known all over his native country of Israel as "Itzik the Clown."

But it's for a good reason: He is the Captain Kangaroo of Israel, hosting a daily radio program for children and appearing on Israeli television's youth channel. He also writes an advice column for children, answering the questions they send in.

Ozery has come to Atlanta under the sponsorship of the Israeli Consulate on a special mission to bring smiles and perhaps laughter to children in local hospitals. For 18 years, he has been a certified medical clown at The Schneider Children's Medical Center, the largest children's hospital in the Middle East.

At the hospital, the doctors recognize the therapeutic value of Ozery's rapport with severely ill or injured children so much he is considered part the staff. He helps children get through difficult procedures, then helps with the rehabilitation.

"For instance, Itzik uses balloons in his act a great deal. So he can get a child to blow up a balloon as part of respiratory exercises in the child's physical therapy. He can calm a child who is going through a difficult procedure," said Israeli Deputy Consul General Sharon Kabalo.

Dr. Enrique Freud, director of Schneider's Surgery Department, said Ozery's work is invaluable.

"Itzik succeeds in getting things from the children that no doctor or nurse can do," he said.

According to Freud, humor and laughter are positive influences on the recovery process of the child, helping encourage patient and his family.

"The level of anxiety and tension in the child and his family are diminished when Itzik comes into the room. Children hospitalized for prolonged periods just wait for the day that Itzik the Clown will arrive," Freud said.

Itzik the Clown is always "on alert" every day of the year. In the event of terrorist attacks or other critical contingencies, the department's head nurse has standing instructions to call him in and cheer up the children.

In Atlanta, however, he has not been so readily accepted into children's wards because of the fear of spreading H1N1 and a general lack of understanding about what Itzik the Clown does.

Meanwhile, Ozery asked if it could be arranged for him to entertain older adults. And so it came to pass that he was invited to The Cohen Home, a Jewish-oriented assisted living residence in Johns Creek.

Using magic, jokes and an endless supply of balloons, Ozery performed for about a dozen residents. While Itzik the Clown's English is not quite perfect, the language of his comedy is.

"In Israel, I volunteer two days a week at Children's Medical Center. One day I work in cancer ward, the other day I go to surgical ward," he said. "Sometimes I get call in middle of the night to come to hospital. It makes me good feeling when I can make children smile."

His next stop is Houston, Texas, as he visits America.

Connie Dodge, an activity director at The Cohen Home, said she was pleased to have Ozery entertain the residents.

"We were delighted when we got the call from the consulate asking us if he could make a stop at our facility. They just adored him. He knows how to make a connection with people, and he just makes them laugh," Dodge said. "And we all need that."

Have breakfast with Santa Dec. 12 at Newtown

Courtesy Appen Newspapers

November 18, 2009 Johns Creek — Join the City of Johns Creek Recreation and Parks Division for "Breakfast with Santa" Dec. 12 at the Newtown Park Community Clubhouse.Enjoy music, gingerbread cookie decorating, holiday crafts, and have the opportunity to write a letter and hand-deliver it to Santa. Parents have an opportunity take photos of their children with Santa.There are two seatings available: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 10 to 11 a.m. Space is limited to 20 children per seating and available only to Johns Creek residents. All children must be pre-registered and accompanied by an adult (limit of two adults per family). Registration deadline is Dec. 7. Cost is $15 per child. The Newtown Clubhouse is located at 3115 Old Alabama Road. For more information, call 678-512-3200 or visit www.johnscreekga.gov.

Barnwell Elementary donates coats, mittens to NFCC

Courtesy Appen Newspapers

2009-11-18 Students at Barnwell Elementary in Johns Creek held a Warm Coat Drive in October, collecting more than 250 coats, 150 pairs of shoes, and boxes of mittens and hats in just a two-day period. The coats were donated to North Fulton Community Charities and distributed during their Warm Coat Give Away on Oct 25. Wearable shoes were also donated to NFCC, while the worn-out athletic shoes will be recycled by Nike to become track, court and playground surfaces. Pictured: Third grade students in Heather Perlmutter’s class donated the most items during the Warm Coat Drive last month at Barnwell Elementary in Johns Creek. The items were donated to North Fulton Community Charities.The Coat Drive is the first of three Caring and Sharing events held at Barnwell each year. The students will hold a Canned Food Drive in November and a select special holiday gifts for needy children from Giving Tree in December.

Johns Creek Beautification raises more than $6,000

Courtesy Appen Newspapers

November 18, 2009

Johns Creek Beautification raised more than $6,000 at the Johns Creek Mayor's Ball Oct. 24. The Johns Creek Foundation recognized Johns Creek Beautification for second consecutive year as its designated recipient of proceeds from the silent auction at the ball.

Proceeds from the event will enable Johns Creek Beautification to provide matching funds of $5,000 to the city of Johns Creek as part of a continuation of the Medlock Bridge Median Beautification Project.

Future plans focus on landscaping installations at 10 areas in the city, including Abbotts Bridge/Jones Bridge roads intersection, Old Alabama/Buice roads intersection and initial plans for State Bridge Road corridor.

For more information, visit www.johnscreekbeautification.org.

Por Fin opens in Johns Creek

Courtesy Appen Newspapers

November 16, 2009 JOHNS CREEK – One of Georgia's newest cities has one of the state's newest restaurants, the upscale Por Fin. Restaurant operators say it offers affordable, "Creative Coastal Mexican" cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

Por Fin, meaning 'finally' or 'at last', will offer fresh, high-quality Mexican and coastal ingredients — both traditional and newly inspired flavors — served in a creative, healthier manner. With entrees ranging from $6 to $18, Por Fin's menu will offer signature items such as marjoram and tomato braised short ribs, Yucatan-style fresh fish crusted with chili adobo, wrapped in corn husk, grilled on an open flame, and marinated brick-weighted chicken with coriander jus, as well as traditional fare such as burritos, tacos and enchiladas.

Por Fin, located at 2100 Ray Moss Connector (at the Jones and State Bridge Intersection), opened on Nov. 6. No reservations are necessary.

Por Fin, Creative Coastal Mexican, is opened Tuesday through Sunday starting at 5 p.m. Owners Nancy Pingitore, a first-time restaurant owner and veteran Business executive, Jon Agri, a 30-year restaurant owner and mentor, are partners in the restuarant. Visit www.destinationporfin.com.

Suspect trashed victim with trash in Johns Creek

Courtesy Appen Newspapers

November 16, 2009

An Ogeechee Drive resident told Johns Creek police someone broke into his house Nov. 3 and spread trash in his house while stealing his computers and a gun.

The man said he'd returned from eating lunch when he noticed the trash dumped in the dining room and a smashed back window. He immediately called police.Among the items stolen were a .40 caliber handgun and two laptop computers.

The suspect apparently missed the other gun and $700 in cash, which were also in the same area as the .40 caliber pistol.

Northview holds International Night

Courtesy Jason Wright; Appen Newspapers

November 13, 2009 Johns Creek — Northview High School showed off the talents of its diverse student population Nov. 12 with its yearly and ever-popular International Night.

This year's event, dubbed "Starry night," featured food from around the world and a stage show packed with music, dancing and entertainments from the USA, India, Liberia, China, Iran, Spain, Venezuela, Africa and Korea. International Night is presented by the school's Kaleidoscope club, which promotes unity through student diversity.

Johns Creek selects Firefighter of the Quarter

Courtesy Appen Newspapers

November 11, 2009 Johns Creek — John Walton has been named Johns Creek "Firefighter of the Quarter" for the second quarter of 2009.

"John Walton is an outstanding firefighter. I've known him for many years and his attitude, work ethic and dedication to his job are exemplary and commendable. He represents the best of what a firefighter needs to be and he consistently gives his all, smiling all the way," said Fire Chief Joseph Daniels.

A native of Red Oak, Walton joined the Johns Creek Fire Department in its October 2008 launch, after serving 28 years with Fulton County Fire including several years based in North Fulton.

He followed in the footsteps of his father, who was a firefighter for 19 years with Fulton County while Walton was growing up.

"I wanted to be a firefighter since I was around 7 years old and I saw how much my father helped people. I like helping people and being a firefighter gives me many opportunities to do so," said Walton on receiving his award. "I come to work and do my job. If I can help someone, I'm happy."

Walton is an apparatus operator, driving an 80,000-pound, 100-foot ladder truck based at Station 63.