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TODAY'S
ISSUE
Gwinnett mother learns,
becomes spokesman for epilepsy
By
Stephen Rodriquez
For the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia
Special to GwinnettForum.com
JAN. 21, 2005 -- When Kara Colquitt's daughter, Chandler, was diagnosed
with epilepsy at age three, Kara was in shock, overwhelmed and did
not know where to turn. This prompted the Snellville mother to do
what any concerned mother would - she quickly began learning more
about the condition. What Kara did not realize is that she would
need to understand more than just the medical complications but
also the social stigma and misunderstanding that surrounds the condition.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects one in 50 children
and one in 100 adults in the United States.
Since Chandler's diagnosis more than three years ago, Kara has
helped her daughter face numerous obstacles surrounding the condition,
including Chandler's need for medication to keep the condition under
control. The side effects of the medication resemble a learning
disability, because they cause Chandler to become tired and to lose
focus. Her teachers and the school staff recommended special education.
Kara did not want Chandler to feel different or singled out. She
had Chandler tested and the results showed she did not have a disability.
Kara sought outside tutoring and has worked with the school to demonstrate
that Chandler is able to perform just as other students.
With this personal connection to epilepsy and the drive to educate
more about the disorder, Kara became involved with the Epilepsy
Foundation of Georgia. Kara, who was Mrs. Georgia 2003, lives in
Snellville with her daughter, husband and two sons. In 2003, the
Foundation asked Kara to tell her daughter's story at their largest
charity event. Soon after, she was asked to join the Board of Directors
and is now an official spokesperson.
Kara used her Mrs. Georgia platform and all she's learned about
the condition to help educate Chandler's teachers and school staff
in order to foster a sense of acceptance for Chandler.
"I want to bring attention to the condition, so people that
don't know where to turn and don't know what to do have a place
to go," said Kara. "The foundation's resources and programs
are there for them."
Kara continues to dedicate her professional and volunteer time
through speaking engagements and planning for the Foundation. Additionally,
The Atlanta Menu Collection, a business run by Kara and her husband,
donates a portion of its proceeds to the Foundation.
"I believe in education, awareness and advocacy for the Epilepsy
Foundation," said Kara. "I want to continue speaking on
their behalf and inform the public of how we can make a difference."
The Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia is a non-profit organization
based in Atlanta that is dedicated to helping more than 100,000
Georgians with epilepsy and seizure disorders. More information
on the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia can be found at www.epilepsyga.org.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
One
restaurant opts not to get liquor-by-drink license
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
JAN. 21, 2005 -- Back when proponents were pushing the City of
Norcross to pass a liquor-by-the-drink vote, one of the arguments
you heard was that restaurants needed to serve alcoholic drinks
in order to survive, or turn a profit. That same argument has been
put forth in many areas facing a voter referendum on the mixed drink
or liquor question.
 Norcross,
back in June, 2003, passed the proposal to serve mixed drinks, by
a vote of 352 to 319. Since that time, four city establishments
have indeed, taken out liquor-by-the-drink permits.
But not all Norcross restaurants. The popular Norcross Station
Restaurant continues to have a beer and wine permit, but not a liquor
permit.
Owner Ken Weatherford says: "We didn't feel it was necessary
for our business to have liquor. Alcohol makes up less than 10 per
cent of our sales, and we didn't think it would greatly increase
our business to add mixed drinks."
Weatherford felt that if he got the pouring permit, "People
would trade off, but not come in more because we had a license for
mixed drinks. We are a family-oriented restaurant, and we don't
think liquor is a necessity for us to thrive here."
Norcross Station Restaurant is surely a popular place. If you don't
want to stand in line at Norcross Station, at lunch be sure to get
there about 11:30. For the business is crowded. And on some nights,
there is waiting for a table. People like the restaurant, for its
good food, ample portions, and atmosphere. Trains regularly rumble
by.
Weatherford also feels: "You don't need liquor to make a profit
in a restaurant," he says, rebuffing the claim made before
the election. "I've operated high volume restaurants before,
some of the highest in Atlanta. (He ran the popular hangout Houlihan's
off Ashford Dunwoody Road in the 1980s.) Even there, we had a liquor
permit, but our beverage sales amounted to only 17 per cent of our
business, even with a full bar."
He adds: "If you have good food, and atmosphere, people don't
need to be inebriated to enjoy the outing. However, for a bar to
succeed, it needs mixed drinks. A good restaurant does not.
"Just look around our area. Ted's Montana Grill,
located on expensive real estate, only serves beer and wine. And
Hooter's doesn't have a liquor license, nor will the new Ippilito's
on Highway 141. We feel beer and wine are sufficient to meet the
needs of our guests."
* * * * * *
By the way, we asked Ken Weatherford what foods his
customers liked best at his Norcross Station Restaurant. His answer:
"Chicken fingers, followed by ribs, and Lowcountry fried shrimp."
He offers two vegetables with his dinners. As for us, we like his
turnip greens and a great combination of cranberries and apples,
topped by Granola-like crumbles. Hmmm, good.
And we like one more item: his fried onion strings. A combination
of fresh oil for frying, good onions, slicing them fresh, and battering
on site, plus delicious spices, makes for a mighty tempting mixture.
Writing this, my mouth is watering! Yours too?
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 Howard Brothers,
which has outlets in Duluth, Norcross and Oakwood. John and Doug
Howard are the owners/operators of the Howard Brothers stores, which
specialize in hardware, outdoor power equipment and parts and service.
Major trade brands are a hallmark of Howard Brothers. And did you
know that Howard Brothers is the largest seller of Stihl products
in the United States? Visit the web site at www.howardbrothers.com.
For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm.
McLEMORE'S
WORLD
1/21: The winter sports
scene
Another great cartoon from Bill McLemore:
FEEDBACK
1/21: Raises question
of name of new Gwinnett 4-year college
(Editor's note: while we prefer to use namesof
letter-writers, the following was written by a state employee,
who wishes to remain anonymous. The subject is worthy of being
heard, and we run this without attribution. -eeb)
Editor, the Forum:
What's in a name?
Gwinnett County and the State of Georgia may miss out on an opportunity
that only happens once every 35-40 years. Soon, the General Assembly
will vote on a resolution establishing a new state college in Gwinnett,
making it the first four-year institution in the state in 40 years.
The Board of Regents has already approved the college and has deemed
that it will be "unlike any other" college in the state,
using innovation and technology to deliver the best education available.
Unfortunately, while the Board and General Assembly hope to create
a 21st century college, it appears as though not much thought has
gone into assigning a name to the institution that invokes more
meaning than a geographic location. Gwinnett State College is an
obvious choice, yet lacks the inspiration and meaning that a name
can convey.
Another college with "Gwinnett" in its name will just
cause more confusion. Gwinnett Technical College is just a couple
miles away on the same road. Move outside of Lawrenceville to Lilburn
and you'll hit (the private) Gwinnett College. Shouldn't the new
college have a name as unique as its programs? A number of Georgia
colleges have just gone through the process of eliminating specific
geographic references in their names (most notably the change of
DeKalb College to Georgia Perimeter College), so why bother with
establishing a name that will need to be changed in a few years?
If not Gwinnett State, then what would be an appropriate name?
Georgia has a long enough history with several notable figures to
pull names, from Lyman Hall (one of the original signers of the
Declaration of Independence) to Martin Luther King, Jr. to Jimmy
Carter. The state also has enough benefactors that one might be
interested in making a sizable contribution (Ted Turner, Bernard
Marcus, or Arthur Blank) in exchange for their name on the college.
This option also allows the institution to create a program of study
centered on the benefactor's success, e.g: Turner = Marketing/Media,
or Marcus = Business.
And of course, the General Assembly has a tradition of naming roads
after themselves, so why not name the college after someone in the
state government? There's Perdue, Balfour, Meredith, etc.
Often, people make choices on what is easiest to do. Gwinnett State
College is an easy out, but the state is losing a great opportunity
to create a name that has meaning; to create a name that confers
a message to the citizens of the future. A name that can inspire,
motivate and excite. Georgia and Gwinnett: take time to do this
right, and you'll reap the rewards.
-- Wishing to remain anonymous
Dear Anon: We disagree. We think Gwinnett State
College will have more notoriety than naming it for individuals,
and especially don't like the "naming right" idea of
someone buying their name onto a college. Look at what Kennesaw
State University has done….it's well known, and denotes an
area. We like Gwinnett State College better than Lawrenceville
State…or Turner State…or Hall State College, which would
be confused with Gainesville. Might be leaving well enough alone
is the route here, with Gwinnett State College going forward.
--eeb
CALENDAR
Bannister
presents State of County Jan. 26 at Marriott
New County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister will present the
State of the County Address on January 26 at 11:30 at the Atlanta
Marriott Gwinnett Place. The event is presented by the Gwinnett
Chamber and the Council for Quality Growth.
Sponsors are Gwinnett Medical Center, BellSouth Shared Web Hosting,
Jordan Jones and Goulding, Inc. and Richardson Housing Group.
General Membership Meetings are held once a month providing an
opportunity for Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce members to stay abreast
of important issues in Gwinnett, network with other business professionals,
and have an opportunity to hear renowned speakers from all types
of industries. Advanced registration is required by January 21,
2005.
Gwinnett Chamber's
57th annual meeting set for next Friday
January 28, 2005 promises to be a great night in Gwinnett as the
Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce celebrates its past successes and prepares
for the future at the 57th Annual Meeting. The Annual Dinner will
be held at the Gwinnett Center's Thomas P. "Tommy" Hughes
Grand Ballroom. A Reception/Cash Bar begins at 6 p.m., followed
by dinner and program at 7:30 p.m.
By invitation of the Board of Directors of the Gwinnett Chamber
of Commerce, Chairman Bill Russell, Chair-Elect Richard Tucker and
President/CEO Jim Maran, members and guests will enjoy a night of
recognition and accomplishment as the Chamber announces the 2004
Citizen of the Year, the 2004 Volunteer Ambassador of the Year the
Legacy Award, D. Scott Hudgens Humanitarian Award, and the 2004
Public Service Award recipients.
For further information, please contact Alicia Krogh at 770-232-8809
or email alicia@gwinnettchamber.org.
BOOK
RECOMMENDATION
- 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
1/21: R.E.M rock band
has deep roots in red clay of Georgia
R.E.M., one of the most critically honored rock bands in America,
has its roots deep in the red Georgia clay. The group's rise from
the college rock scene to international fame was long and steady.
Formed in Athens in 1980, R.E.M. has become one of the most commercially
successful of the 1980s alternative rock bands. Despite this success
the band has maintained a reputation for hard work and an independent,
no-compromise approach to their music.
 In
1979 Michael Stipe, an art student at the University of Georgia
(UGA), befriended Peter Buck, an Emory University dropout, who worked
at the Wuxtry record store in Athens. At a party the pair met Mike
Mills and Bill Berry, friends from Macon, who were also students
at UGA. Around March 1980 the four formed R.E.M. and began rehearsing
in an abandoned Episcopal church, with Stipe handling vocals, Buck
on guitar, Mills on bass, and Berry on drums. By the summer of 1980
R.E.M. was playing shows in Athens at Tyrone's and the 40 Watt Club
. Their single "Radio Free Europe" met with critical acclaim
in 1981; Village Voice named it as one of America's best-ever singles,
and the New York Times placed it among their top ten singles of
the year.
Chronic Town , the band's five-song extended play (EP), was released
by I.R.S. Records in 1982 to solid reviews. The EP was followed
by the richly textured and obliquely lyrical Murmur (1983), hailed
by Rolling Stone magazine as Album of the Year. Within a year it
had sold 200,000 copies and reached number thirty-six on the Billboard
charts. Over the next four years the band released four albums:
the cryptic Reckoning in 1984; the folksy, narrative, Deep South-influenced
Fables of the Reconstruction in 1985; Lifes Rich Pageant in 1986,
their most successful album up to that point; and Document in 1987,
a cynical, more overtly political work that gave R.E.M. another
hit single, "The One I Love." In this time frame the band
also released two collections: the album of B-sides and outtakes
entitled Dead Letter Office (1987) and the collection of I.R.S.
hits named Eponymous (1988).
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Some unsuspecting authors'
books deserve this fate
"This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should
be thrown with great force."
-- Dorothy Parker (1893 - 1967), American critic, satirical
poet, and short-story writer.
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