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TODAY'S
ISSUE
Joint enrollment program
offers seniors many benefits
By Carol Pennington Lynn
Special to GwinnettForum.com
LAWRENCEVILLE, March 30, 2004----Before Kristin Hunter began her
senior year last fall at Grayson High School, she took steps to
avoid contracting a case of "senioritis": she applied
to take all of her senior-year classes at Georgia Perimeter College's
Lawrenceville Campus at the Gwinnett University Center through the
Joint Enrollment (JE) program.
"As much as I enjoyed my high school experience, I was ready
and eager to move on to the next level," she explains. This
fall, Hunter will enter Berry College with the advantages of having
completed (at no tuition cost to her) many of her core courses and
of being acclimated to what is expected in a college classroom.
Nationally, Joint Enrollment programs have mushroomed in the past
10 to 15 years. The bonuses to students are numerous: greater academic
challenges, more course options, "free" college credits
(the state pays the bill), early start on college, more freedom
and responsibility.
Georgia Perimeter is a JE pioneer; having launched its program
in 1968. Today, of GPC's six locations, Lawrenceville boasts the
largest on-campus JE Enrollment, with many JE students taking a
full load of college classes.
Joint Enrollment students generally excel in college classes, says
Donald Singer, JE coordinator at Lawrenceville. "They have
to study harder and work more independently, but they are most often
successful in earning transferable college credit. All in all, the
Joint Enrollment experience offers an ideal bridge between high
school and college."
Snellville resident Taylor Jones, who expects to graduate from
the University of Georgia this spring (a year early), thanks to
JE credits he earned at GPC, agrees. "[JE] helped prepare me
for the teaching styles of college professors and become accustomed
to the privileges and responsibilities of college, while at the
same time I was still near my parents and high school friends,"
says the 2001 Shiloh High School graduate. "Thus, it allowed
me to deal with the academic side of college first, rather than
having to deal with both the academic and social changes at the
same time."
Hunter says she particularly enjoys the flexibility of a college
schedule in which classes don't meet daily. "I wanted the freedom
and flexibility to use my time each day as I felt would be most
useful. I don't miss the long [high school] day where too much time
was wasted." And, she adds, "I don't miss all of the restrictions
of high school. I enjoy being treated like an adult instead of as
an adolescent."
Students applying to highly ranked colleges and competing for scholarships
may find their JE experiences provide a boost to their applications.
Hunter feels the initiative she showed in taking college classes
helped her to earn a merit scholarship to Berry. Other former JE
students have gone on to earn scholarships and attend such prestigious
schools as University of Pennsylvania, the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology and Emory University.
Joint Enrollment credits are fully transferable to other Georgia
public colleges and are often accepted by private and out-of-state
schools as well. Singer advises students to check with their individual
schools.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
Arrival
of spring means activities pick up in Gwinnett
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
MARCH 30, 2004 -- Oh, glorious spring! The colors of the flowering
trees add to the beauty of the season! It makes you feel so alive.
The coming of warm weather always means activities get cranked up
several notches in Gwinnett. There's a lot going on. Just read on
and see.
 *
* * * *
But first, a Gwinnettian has been honored with a distinctive designation.
He is Winford "Buck" Lindsay of Lawrenceville, named a
fellow of the American Institute of Architects. He was one of only
five in the Southeast, and the only one in Georgia, to be so honored.
That's quite an honor. Attaboy, Buck!
* * * * *
The first United Way Legacy Awards for women is set for April 30
at the Gwinnett Place Marriott. It's a black-tie optional evening,
to benefit Gwinnett based programs assisting women and children.
For more on this distinctive new program, call United Way at 678-417
6434.
* * * * *
The Duluth Festival Center and Amphitheater is becoming more and
more a focus of activity in that Gwinnett city. For instance, on
April 2, the city will present the "Downtown Diner Oldies Concert
and Movie Classic."
From 5-7 p.m., there will be a classic oldie's concert on the stage/dance
floor in the lower Town Green. Then at 7 p.m, the classic movie,
"Grease," will be shown on the upper Town Green.
Outdoor diners will have a choice of foods to eat during this event.
They are invited to bring a blanket and chairs, or rent a chair
at the site. Parking is available at three adjacent lots oh Hill
Street, on Main Street and West Lawrenceville street.
* * * * *
The Hispanic Contractors Association of Georgia will host a safety
workshop for contractors in the framing industry. Alex Torres with
Paslode Tools, a leading manufacturer of automatic fasteners, is
conducting a safety seminar on Wednesday, April 7 at 7 p.m. at the
Hispanic Contractor Association's headquarters. HCAG is located
at 5750 Brook Hollow Parkway, Suite 207, in Norcross.
* * * * *
Gwinnett Tech will have a singular event April 2, one of 51 such
events in the nation.
It will showcase automotive choices, cleaner transportation and
preserving America's energy independence. It is the National Alternative
Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Day Odyssey. The event is from noon until 3 p.m.
It will focus on the economic and environmental advantages offered
by various clean, advanced-technology and alternative-fuel vehicles.
Hybrid Electric vehicles including the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight
will be on hand for inspection, as well as an alternative fuel powered
Gwinnett County Transit bus. Visitors will even have an opportunity
to win a water-powered vehicle and cash prizes.
* * * * * *
WABE public radio in Atlanta is in the midst of a fund drive, and
surprise, surprise: they are running more behind than ever before.
Could it be that the abrupt announcement from National Public Radio
that it was taking "Morning Edition" Host Bob Edwards
away from his regular morning spot---after something like 24 years….had
something to do with it? After all, for many, public radio and Bob
Edwards are said in the same breathe.
You wonder if the ones who will get hurt with Edwards off his morning
slot won't be local public broadcasting affiliates, not NPR! That
would be a reason that WABE, and maybe other public radio stations,
are not doing so well this spring fund drive.
One more aspect: for NPR to remove Edwards just before the 25th
anniversary of his show, "Morning Edition", is crass,
and not class at all! Shame on you, NPR, for not recognizing this
anniversary, which now won't be so much of a celebration!
ABOUT
OUR SPONSORS
 The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is The River Club.
In the tradition of Sugarloaf Country Club, The River Club, a premier
gated community, is springing up in Suwanee, offering the convenience
of life in Gwinnett County with the beauty of the Chattahoochee
River. Residents of The River Club will enjoy shaded walks by the
Chattahoochee, as well as the full range of amenities and community
activities that have become Crescent's hallmark. When complete,
The River Club will include an 18-hole championship golf course
designed by Greg Norman. The first homeowners have moved in and
are anticipating the summer opening of the Lakeside Sports Center.
Homes are priced from the high $900s. The average homesite in Phase
1 is nine-tenths of an acre. To view the internet site, go to:
http://www.crescent-resources.com/communit/atlanta/riverclub/default.asp.
For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm.
FEEDBACK
3/30: Yearns sausage
from Blakely and needs and address
Editor, the Forum:
I suppose you could say my peeve is not being able to get a fix
for my craving for Stripling's sausage except when I go home to
visit at Christmas. I've never seen Stripling's but my mom in Blakely,
Ga. serves the sausage along with her cornbread dressing.
My son and I, in Homestead, Florida, decided to see if perhaps
they were online so that we could make an order. The only reference
however, that my Google search pulled up was a brief mention in
an old column of the Gwinnett Forum.
Is there anyone on staff who could possibly send me an email address,
phone number, or snail mail address for Stripling's? We've searched
for years and there is just no substitute for their sausage! Thanks
for any help,
-- Anne Marshall, Homestead, Fla.
3/30: Some ruminations
concerning use of the letter "S"
Editor, the Forum:
Are others interested in the time change of Sunday, April 4? I've
wondered for some years what to call it. Is it "saving"
or "savings" time? I've maintained that it is not "savings,"
as though it were something you put in the bank.
Some years ago I took the counsel of the UPS style guide which
named it "daylight-saving time" (daylight-saving being
an adjectival phrase modifying "time"). My Webster Dictionary,
Unabridged, 1979 edition, supports the designation of "daylight-saving
time."
What thinkest thou? The public press does not seem to be sure since
it appears differently in many publications. Perhaps no one really
cares, but it bugs me. I'd like to call it correctly.
In some circles, it appears that "saving" and "savings"
have both been dropped so that we have only "Daylight Time"
and "Standard Time." That doesn't seem quite right since
we have daylight on Standard Time most places in the world.
Help me, if you can, or care to. Here are some links to interesting
articles on time.
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/daylight_time.htm
and http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/daylight_time.html.
--Bill Crosland, Sandy Springs
NEWS
3/30: Leadership group
seeks applicants and ideas for projects
The Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute (GNLI), is currently
recruiting applicants and community projects for its 10th annual
community leadership training program kicking off in late August
2004 through May 2005. Training is provided for Gwinnett residents
who are interested in learning more about resources available
in the community so they can take an active role in community
affairs.
Day long sessions are held one Saturday a month for nine consecutive
months. Each session is focused on topics ranging from government,
education, crime prevention, economics, land use, health, community
partnerships and media, to social services. Interested residents
can download an application for enrollment and '04/'05 program
schedule from the leadership's website at www.gnli.org.
An effective part of the training requires students to complete
a community project. The Institute is also recruiting for various
community projects that address a specific need in the county.
The leadership training program would like to partner with
organizations that can benefit from community support to enhance
their efforts. Therefore, GNLI is seeking community projects
that include raising awareness, educating the community, research
and development, enhancements of existing programs and events.
The scope of topics can revolve around the youth, seniors, crime
prevention, environmental, technical (websites) and health and
safety. Projects that strengthen families and the community
are also needed.
Each year, the leadership program reaches out in an effort to
address the needs and concerns of the community and its residents.
Completed projects provide a positive impact and benefit on
the student's training as well as benefiting the broader community
at large.
For more information on the leadership training or submitting
a project proposal, visit www.gnli.org
or call/email Trish Joyner, Director at 678-377-4137, tjoyner@mindspring.com.
ENCYCLOPEDIA
TIDBIT
3/30: Telfair Museum
in Savannah dates back to 1875
 The
Telfair Museum of Art in Savannah was founded in 1875 through
the bequest of Mary Telfair, who willed her home to be transformed
into the South's first public "academy of arts and sciences,"
as it was originally known. The Telfair's permanent collection
contains nearly 4,500 objects from America, Europe, and Asia
and is particularly strong in American Impressionist and Ashcan
School paintings, and early 19th-century decorative arts. This
gallery contains highlights from the Telfair's exceptional permanent
collection of American paintings. To access the Georgia Encyclopedia,
go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Home.jsp.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Thoughts about the
wit, the satirist and the humorist
"The wit makes fun of other persons; the satirist makes
fun of the world; the humorist makes fun of himself."
-- James Thurber, via Roy McCreary, Dacula.
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is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible
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