TODAY'S ISSUE
Philharmonic helps bring a little more beauty to our lives
By Holley Calmes
Special to GwinnettForum.com

OCT. 12, 2004 -- It seems like only yesterday that Monte Nichols and I were setting out chairs for the Gwinnett Council for the Arts' Chamber Music Series in the Fowler Gallery. One special evening, Monte told me that there were plans for a professional orchestra to be based in the new Gwinnett Performing Arts Center. It was a dream shared by Monte and other Gwinnett visionaries, a dream that was about to come true.

Now it is ten years later, and tonight, Tuesday, October 12, Monte Nichols will be lifting his baton to conduct the first concert of the Gwinnett Philharmonic's 10th Anniversary Season.

How proud we all are! For 10 years the Gwinnett Philharmonic has been a community treasure, sharing the beauty of Great Music and utilizing the talents of professional musicians from Gwinnett and surrounding areas.

Mr. Nichols has many memories of the past decade, high points during a history that has enriched many lives. One of these high points was in October of 1995 with the first concert of the Inaugural Season.

Beginning with that first concert, Mr. Nichols remembers other musical triumphs, particularly William Sheal's narration of Aaron Copeland's "Lincoln Portrait" accompanied by the Philharmonic in the Spring of 1996. "We've had so many great moments with great soloists, the music of great composers. But when the audience would erupt with enthusiastic appreciation at the end of a particularly moving performance, the musicians and I were always grateful for their response."

The Philharmonic has reached out to the community in many ways. The organization has worked closely with the "Make A Wish Foundation." Student musicians benefit from a special program titled "Music to the People," and some have even shared the stage with mentors, playing side by side for a portion of a concert.

Yet it is in the concerts themselves that the Philharmonic makes such an impact on individual lives. Monte says: "In almost every concert there are those treasured, transcendent artistic experiences when the conductor and musicians are united with the audience. In these moments of inexplicable beauty or furious energy, you know that God has enriched us with a gift of inestimable value, and this great gift of music is meant to be shared."

Sharing the gift of Great Music is simple for the audience. Purchase a ticket. Bring your family, your friends, your business associates. The October 12 concert will be thrilling. It will start with the piece that was the first music performed by the Gwinnett Philharmonic at its debut 10 years ago, Beethoven's "Consecration of the House Overture." This stirring work will be followed by Holst's "St. Paul's Suite," Vivaldi's "Concerto in C Major for Two Trumpets and Orchestra," and Dvorak's beloved "New World Symphony."

Tickets are available by calling 404-249-6400 or by visiting the Gwinnett Center Box Office.

The Gwinnett Philharmonic also welcomes new members and patrons to its family of friends. Visit the Web site at www.gwinnettphilharmonic.org and read how you can be a part of this marvelous, irreplaceable community asset. It is an asset that becomes more valuable as time goes by in both a community spirit and for each of us as individuals. As Mr. Nichols so aptly says, "We all need a little more beauty in our lives."

ELLIOTT BRACK
Bugged by "safe" political states and electoral college
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

OCT. 12, 2004 -- They are unrelated, but two points bug me about the 2004 national election: the shunning of "safe" states by the presidential contenders, and the move by some to attack the Electoral College.

Just because the political consultants put a state in the "safe" column for one of the two candidates, both candidates virtually shun the state in the run-up to the election. It's as if the voters in these states do not exist.

Georgia is included in the "safe" states, being viewed as safe for President Bush. And so neither the president, nor his challenger, pays any attention to the state. That means that the state receives little television advertising pitches of either candidate. We also hear that the Kerry campaign has not shipped sufficient yard signs to the Democratic loyalists in Georgia!

All this, mind you, because of the decision by the political advisers that there's little chance that campaign appearances will change Georgia and other safe states. And the flip side: each of the candidates has a good chance in "swing" states, so they both make 30 or more appearances in Ohio, Florida, or whatever state you find the candidate in this last month.

The logic is there. We understand the wisdom. Yet it bugs us at the same time.

For we suspect that one or two so-called "safe" states could surprise the campaign consultants. In a way, we hope so, so that in the future, candidates will have to pay more attention to people in all states.

* * * * *

Should the fall national election turn out to be as close as most predict, you can bet you will hear a lot more before and after the election about the Electoral College.

Many say it is an outdated means of actually electing a president.

Others point out that with its "winner take all" system of giving the highest vote winner all the electoral votes of any state, that therefore this is particularly bad. "It means the votes of the minority don't count," they say, "No matter how close the vote in any state."

(What these people want is what Maine and Nebraska have: a proportional system, meaning you would divide the electoral votes by the percent of votes for each candidate. In Georgia, should the vote percentage be 51-49, that would mean one guy would get right electoral votes, the other seven. Currently, the winner would get all 15.)

What they eventually want is for their vote to count directly for president, rather than using voting by states in the electoral college.

Yet what is overlooked are the checks and balances of our government. The state with larger populations cannot dominate the election of presidents, because of the electoral college.

Population is a factor in the number of electors, with each state having an elector based on their representation in the House of Representatives. But so is geography, with each state having two more electors based on having two senators per state, regardless of population.

And, in case no candidate wins the electoral majority, the vote then reverts to the House of Representatives, where each state would have one vote.

During the 2000 election, by winning Florida, President Bush had 271 electoral votes, to 265 for Al Gore. It was the closest Electoral College vote since 1876.

Over 700 proposals have been introduced in Congress to eliminate the Electoral College.

We question changing the electoral college. For its checks and balances are mighty bulwarks in our democracy. Keeping it is better than giving the popular vote the basis for electing a presidents.

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

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FEEDBACK
10/12: Congress scores another victory for Big Tobacco

Editor, the Forum:

Big Tobacco won again on Wednesday when Congress chose to disregard almost 14,000 faxes/emails and more than 6,000 phone calls by cancer advocates and turned down the FDA bill to control tobacco products..

This was a historic opportunity for our nation's health, but Congress ignored these messages from voters because they feel more accountable to Big Tobacco!

The issue is dead for 2004, but the fight continues. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is working to get 10,000 signatures on a petition that will be presented to Congress asking them to pass FDA authority over tobacco

We need your help. Now more than ever it is important for you to join the ACS CAN to make sure that Congress can't ignore our voices anymore.

Please make your $5 donation to ACS CAN so you can help ask the candidates what they will do to win the war on cancer. We must hold them accountable. Go to ican@acscan.org and join the war on cancer. Then add the email address to your address book so you can get mailings to keep you informed.

-- Phylecia Wilson, Snellville

Devastation in Haiti creates unusual need, CARE official says

Editor, the Forum:

I've just visited Haiti - devastated by Hurricane Jeanne. In the northwest city of Gonaïves, so many people have lost everything. The need is so great, I felt compelled to write and ask for your help. So far, the death toll exceeds 1,600 - and more than 1,000 remain missing.

Water sources are contaminated and pose an immediate health risk to hundreds of thousands of people. More than 130,000 people are in desperate need of food, shelter and medical attention.

A minimum three-month supply of food, clean water and basic survival items for the people of Gonaïves will cost roughly $3.6 million. U.S., European and Canadian governments have helped us meet much of that target, but we still need your help.

CARE must raise an additional $1 million to help the Haitian people, and I'm asking for your support.

Despite their own loss and trauma, CARE's staff in Haiti is already on the front lines. Your generous donation will help them reach more than 100,000 people in the next few months.

Please make your donation today, and forward this message to as many people as possible. Lives depend on it.

On behalf of the people we serve, thank you!

-- Peter Bell, Atlanta

(Editor's Note: Mr. Bell is president of CARE, inc., which is based in Atlanta.)

CALENDAR
Lucky Shoals Park Fall Celebration set for Saturday

Norcross residents experiencing fall fever will have the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the Lucky Shoals Park Fall Celebration on Saturday, October 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation (GCPR) will host a free festivities at Lucky Shoals that day. It's being held to showcase its youth athletic offerings and numerous recreational amenities. In the activities will be the Meadowcreek High School Drama Club and Band, various school chorus groups, a moonwalk, a giant slide, face painting, and temporary tattoos. Sport clinics for tennis, basketball, baseball, track, softball, football, cheerleading, swimming, soccer, wrestling, track and golf will also be offered by the Meadowcreek High School Athletic Department.

Kids age 8 to 15 can test out their skills at the Punt, Pass & Kick competition from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event is free and will include complimentary hotdogs from the Meadowcreek School Cluster Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and complimentary beverages from the Coca-Cola Bottling Company..

The Meadowcreek High School French Club will host a make-and-take craft area for children, and mascots including Maximus of the Gwinnett Gladiators and The Chick-fil-A cow will greet families throughout the day.

Set on 68 acres, Lucky Shoals Park offers four baseball/softball fields, one adult softball field, two lighted tennis courts, an outdoor multi-purpose court, open play areas, a one-mile, paved walking trail, a playground, two pavilions, and a picnic area. Lucky Shoals Park is located at 4651 Britt Road in Norcross. For more information call (770) 822-8840.

GOP planning barbecue and rally for Saturday night

The Gwinnett Bush Campaign and Georgia State GOP are sponsoring a Bush Barbecue and Rally, on the Green at Suwanee Station in Gwinnett on October 16 at 7 p.m.

"It's time for the candidates and volunteers to take a break and stop the campaigning for one evening!" said Gwinnett GOP Chairman Buzz Brockway. "Before the final weeks of this campaign season, we want to give our candidates, volunteers, and friends a night of family fun to energize the troops for the final campaign push before Nov. 2."

Tennessee-based band The Right Brothers will provide lively entertainment, Sweetpea the Clown will entertain the kids, and food will be provided. Admission is free. Dinner is $5, and ice cream is $2.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION
From Laura Dennison, Lawrenceville

"The last book I read was the latest by Janet Evanovich, Ten Big Ones. New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum and her wonderful crew of characters always get me laughing and are an easy read when you don't have much time and need a little stress relief.

"Another must read for women who like to laugh is Jill Connor Browne's The Sweet Potato Queen's Book of Love and The Sweet Potato Queen's Big Ass Cookbook and Financial Planner. I am currently reading John Grisham's The Brethren."

• An invitation: What books have you enjoyed? Send us your best recent book along with a short paragraph as to why you liked it, plus what you plan to read next. --eeb
  

ENCYCLOPEDIA TIDBIT
10/12: Walton County named for one of three signing Declaration

George Walton was one of three Georgians to sign the Declaration of Independence. He served in numerous capacities for the state of Georgia after the American Revolution.

The exact year of Walton's birth is unknown; it is believed that he was born in 1749 in Virginia. In 1769 he moved to Savannah, where he pursued a legal career. By the eve of the American Revolution he was one of the most successful lawyers in Georgia. Active in Georgia's Revolutionary government, he was elected to the Provincial Congress and then became president of the Council of Safety in 1775. In 1776 he served as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, where on July 4 he signed the Declaration (along with Button Gwinnett and Lyman Hall of Georgia).

Returning to Savannah, Walton was elected governor in 1779, having switched allegiances from the conservative to the radical faction. He served for two controversial months before reelection to Congress.

After the Revolution Walton served as chief justice of Georgia, as a delegate to the state constitutional convention in 1788 that ratified the new federal constitution, as a presidential elector in 1789, as governor that same year, as U.S. senator (appointed by the legislature when James Jackson stepped down to fight the Yazoo Land Act), and as a justice of the state superior court. He eventually retired in the 1780s to his Augusta home, where he died on February 2, 1804. Walton is buried in Augusta. Walton County is named for him.

• To access the Georgia Encyclopedia, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
  

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Consideration on comparing humans and mutts

"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person."

-- Andrew A. Rooney.

• Another invitation: What's your favorite saying? Share with others through GwinnettForum. Send to elliott@gwinnettforum.com.
  

MORE: Contact Gwinnett Forum at: elliott@gwinnettforum.com

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