n e w s

For Immediate Release,
April 15, 2005

Contact:
Chris Schroder, Schroder Public Relations, 404-872-7289, chris@schroderpr.com

SANDY SPRINGS TOWN TURTLE, BRAVES PLAYER, LOCAL DEVELOPER:
A PERFECT MATCH

ATLANTA (April 15, 2005) - Adam Orkin and Deas Arnold have been going to Atlanta Braves baseball games since they were kids growing up in Sandy Springs in the late 1960's, long before Turner Field or a World Series Championship. Braves first baseman and living legend Julio Franco was just a kid then too. Now, at age 46, with no signs of slowing down, Franco is one of the more fit players in baseball.

“He's an inspiration and hero to a lot of people,” said Arnold, “especially guys like us.”

The two business partners with commercial developer DEVIN Properties have a passion for Atlanta Braves baseball. And Franco is one of their favorite players. To say they are avid fans is an understatement.

For example, the Sandy Springs Society, a nonprofit organization of volunteers, asked DEVIN Properties to sponsor a turtle in The Town Turtles of Sandy Springs, a popular public art event and charitable fundraising project. (Think Cows on Parade…only turtles.) The Society decided on turtles because the native box turtle is indigenous to the area.

A long-time supporter of the Sandy Springs community, Orkin and Arnold agreed that DEVIN Properties would be one of the businesses to sponsor its own turtle. As they flipped through a series of artists' sketches to pick out a turtle they liked, one in particular stood out. It was designed to resemble a Braves baseball player. Sure enough, it was none other than #13 Julio Tortuga (Spanish for “turtle”), modeled after #14 Julio Franco.

“It was a no-brainer,” said Orkin of their choice.

Tortuga's artist, Roswell resident David Carlton, worked with a group of National Art Honor Society students at Alpharetta's Milton High School to paint the fiberglass turtle, which stands 56 inches tall and is 49 inches wide.

“They did most of the painting based on my design,” said Carlton, “then I added the finishing touches.”

Just like the real Julio, Carlton's creation is even holding a baseball in his hand and comes complete with a “turtle” neck jersey. But those aren't the only similarities. Box turtles are known for their long lifespan, much like the age-defying Franco. While most turtles live to reach 30-40 years old, there are reports of individuals over 100 years old, and the oldest on record lived 138 years.  

DEVIN Properties has developed several locations in Sandy Springs, including Nseya Salon & Spa at 6090 Roswell Road, which is where Julio Tortuga will be displayed after appearing in a parade with the more than 75 other Town Turtles of Sandy Springs this Saturday, April 16.

The turtles will be on public display around the area through September and will be sold at auction in October.

For interviews, more information or photo opportunities at the Saturday parade, call:

• Deas Arnold, DEVIN Properties, 678.297.2700, cell: 404.234.1961
• David Carlton, Artist, 770.640.1747, artbones@bellsouth.net
• Jan Collins, Town Turtles, 770.955.1759
• Ingrid Brunt, Sandy Springs Society, 770.995.0395

DEVIN Properties is a commercial and residential developer in properties in Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, GA and in Cashiers, NC. For more information, visit its Web site at www.devinproperties.com or call 678.297.2700.

TURTLE TROT PARADE: Sandy Springs artists, the business community, groups and entertainers will take part in an April 16 parade to celebrate the unveiling of more than 75 painted fiberglass turtles. Grand marshal is "Mark Trail" cartoonist Jack Elrod. The turtles then will be placed on display throughout Sandy Springs. The parade starts at 9 a.m. at Parkside Shopping Center,at Cliffwood Drive and Sandy Springs Circle, and ends at City Walk Shopping Center.