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EDITOR'S NOTE: With the July 4
holiday on Monday this year, the next edition of GwinnettForum will
be posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005. -eeb.
TODAY'S
ISSUE
Prelude to Fourth fest
set July 3 on Courthouse Square
By Pam Ledbetter
Special to GwinnettForum.com
(Editor's Note: Pam Ledbetter is a member of
the Lawrenceville Tourism and Trade Association and chairman for
the Prelude to the Fourth concert event. She is the owner of Accent
Gwinnett Magazine and is founder of the Golden Triangle Community
Association and co-founder of Greater Lawrenceville Business Council.
Pam lives in Lawrenceville with her husband Greg and two young
boys, Nick (8) and Jacob (7).-eeb)
JULY 1, 2005 -- One of the many exciting changes and opportunities
created by the revitalization of Downtown Historic Lawrenceville
is the first "Prelude to the Fourth," on Sunday, July
3, a concert on the courthouse green featuring the Gwinnett Philharmonic
Orchestra. The Philharmonic will be performing from 8 p.m. to 10
p.m., with a grand finale of close proximity fireworks while vocalists
Joy Fowler sings "God Bless America" and Tommy Heaton
sings "God Bless the U.S.A."
 Come
early and browse the shops on the courthouse square or take a bite
to eat at one of the restaurants on the historic square, including
the newest restaurant on the square, Lil' River Grill. Their outdoor
patio is sure to be a popular site that evening, as well as the
tiny park recently constructed by Morsberger Group in front of the
parking lot. The restaurants will prepare picnic dinners for those
who want to take their dinner on the courthouse green or at one
of the VIP tables available for rental.
Food vendors also will be on hand from 6 p.m. for those who want
to enjoy some of their goods. The perfect spot is the courthouse
lawn, to listen to the music and enjoy the low-level fireworks display
later in the evening that will compliment the Philharmonic's encore.
Tables can be rented for only $100 and include six chairs (with
room for two more guests to join the party with their own personal
chairs). There are only 20 tables available for rental. Reserve
your table now by calling Tiffany Jones at 770-682-7508. Personal
tables, canopies, or tents will NOT be allowed at the concert. Lawn
chairs and blankets are welcome, but remember, alcohol is allowed
only inside restaurants that serve it. If it rains on our parade,
we'll go for the entire show on another date, July 5.
For more information and a table rental map go to www.visitlawrenceville.com
and after going to events, scroll down and click on the Prelude
to the Fourth icon.
Prelude to the Fourth will be a great way to celebrate our Independence
Day with one of the finest orchestras around. We hope to see you
there!
Farmer's Market Coming To Square
Beginning in July, from 8 a.m. to 12, Lawrenceville Farmers' Market
on the Square in downtown Lawrenceville, will sell locally grown
fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, jellies and jams. The market
dates will be planned in conjunction with Lawrenceville's neighboring
cities market schedule and will feature a friendly, market-shopping
environment.
CORRECTION
Teen workshop is part
of library presentations
"Runner's High" author Cheryl Ritzel will present
two Teen Workshops at the Gwinnett County Public Library:
- Thursday, July 7: at the Suwanee Branch Library from 2-4 p.m.
- Friday, July 15: at the Five Forks Branch Library from 2-4 p.m.
On Sunday, July 17 Ritzel will host a "Runner's High"
Release Party at the Suwanee Branch Library from 2-4 p. m. Ms. Ritzel
will discuss her career and book and take questions from the audience.
Books will be available for sale and can be signed by the author.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
Are American workers taking more three-four
day holidays?
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
JULY 1, 2005 -- Are we as Americans getting lazy, are we "working
the system more," or are we just goofing off more? Or all three?
There's a reason we bring this up now. After all, we all now look
upon this as a "holiday weekend."
Lots of us will take a few extra days off either this week, or
next. Some of us will count it as part of our annual leave, therefore
effectively getting more continuous days away from work, and taking
it easy.
It's getting a standard way for workers to act, no matter if they
are the lowliest of employees, or the top dog, the CEO, of the company.
Those of you who do not get extra days off, but hang in there steadily
at your work station, recognize this in a couple of ways. First,
you see the staff vacancies around you, and maybe even wonder how
those people can get away from their important jobs….where
you aren't able to do so.
And you recognize it in another way: during the run-up to the holiday,
you find that you get fewer telephone calls, less emails, and in
general, have fewer interruptions than normal. About the best part
of a holiday season, in one way of thinking, is that you can actually
get more done, for there are fewer people around to distract you.
It wasn't always this way. Americans 20 and 30 years ago didn't
notice the drop-off in activity in businesses and offices around
the country. But starting about 10 years ago, this "holiday
atmosphere" set in, with first one person after another suddenly
finding ways not to be at work in and around holidays.
There's nothing particularly sinister or unlawful about the situation.
It's just becoming part of the fabric of the work life, a tapering
off of intensity, that we think we have noticed. How about you?
Have you also seen this?
The situation reminds one of a more leisurely pace of life that
you see in some holiday resorts, or even some countries. It's more
like we are becoming more like the work forces in Italy or France,
where they work hard and are industrious, but they approach it in
a more sedate manner.
In the traditional pressurized American manner, where the United
States is recognized as being hard-charging and industrious, perhaps
this change of attitude is better for our individual health. "Don't
be so serious," might be another manner of speaking. One of
the Island songs has the phrase, "Don't worry….be happy….!"
That's not all bad.
Yet at a time when the American worker, aided by the onslaught
of computers, has dramatically increased his productivity, and when
he is being challenged oft times by off-shore firms and low-wage
Third World forces, it is a little bothering. Are we digging ourselves
into a new hole by our somewhat more cavalier attitude toward approaching
work?
We hope not.
For the moment, let's look at the bright side of this movement,
where the American worker is enjoying the rewards of holiday, because
of his good work, and perhaps aided by the ability to add a day
here….a day there…..to become a more contented citizen
and worker.
We hope so.
ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
 Today's
sponsor is the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. From answering
your questions and providing a host of useful information, to promoting
growth in our county, there are people working every day to help
make Gwinnett a place where businesses thrive and success lives.
For more detail, go to www.gwinnettchamber.org.
For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm.
McLEMORE'S
WORLD
7/1: What
intense heat from sparklers might do
The latest from cartoonist Bill McLemore:
FEEDBACK
7/1: Commission
denies apartments; saves valuable wetlands
Editor, the Forum:
I just wanted to give you an update on this issue. The Board of
Commissioners DENIED The developer's proposal for rezoning to build
apartments at their June 28 hearing by the Gwinnett County Board
of Commissioners.
The wetlands have been saved! What a victory for the homeowners!
Thank you for printing my earlier comments.last week.
-- Barbara Vaden, Duluth
7/1: Loving family
found sparklers part of their routine
Editor, the Forum:
Growing up on Long Island in a loving family that was part of a
loving community, we always had sparklers on the Fourth of July
as part of our summer fun. My dad was always careful and he instructed
us in the proper use of the sparklers.
Our eyes lit up as we, and our neighbors, watched the colors the
sparklers made magically dance before us. It was part of our heritage.
I was so surprised to find they were not allowed when I moved to
Georgia.
When my son got married a few weeks ago, now that sparklers are
legal in Georgia, everyone was given a sparkler to celebrate the
happy event. If we take care, we should be able to have sparklers
be a part of our celebrations. You can burn yourself on a gas grill
if you are not careful. You can run over your toe with your lawnmower
(my neighbor did) if you are not careful. We just have to exercise
caution. Have a wonderful July Fourth!
-- Barbara Grastat, Lawrenceville
Dear Barbara: Loving will only get you so far.
In our views, sparklers aren't worth the dangers involved, especially
since kids are so attracted to fireworks, but sometimes are not
mature enough to understand the problems associated with them.
-eeb.)
7/1: Family knows firsthand
problems fireworks can cause
Editor, the Forum:
Thank you! Thank you! for the article about fireworks. Let me give
our family history with fireworks.
- My grandfather (as a young man)was a victim of a so-called friend
who thought it was funny to throw firecrackers under a trailer
where my grandfather was working. He lost hearing in both ears,
wore hearing aids the rest of his 84 years.
- My brother hands me (when I was 10 years old) one Black Cat,
which exploded in my hand, resulting in injuries to hand, loss
of hearing right ear, and ringing in my ear constant for 35 years
and counting,
- Brother in law with unknown fireworks, meaning loss of vision
to one eye.
This is only what happened to one family when fireworks were not
against the law. It caused years of complications for all of us,
each from one "little" prank.
Were we sleeping when this new law was passed? I guess we were,
because I didn't hear anything about it.
Fireworks are on the shelves at Wal-Mart, Big Lots and Target.
Who can buy these? Anyone! Going into these stores, I feel like
I've walked into a cheap over-the-state-line store. Now with fireworks,
is gambling next, Senator Balfour?
I hope emergency technicians will over-staff, to be on hand. Fireman,
the emergency room doctors and nurses, EMT's, police etc. should
send the overtime bill to Senator Balfour's office. God help us
all if people mix a little booze and sparklers this holiday.
I guess the people that already know the damage that fireworks
can cause have to retreat indoors when the sun goes down. Are we
fuddy-duds? Certainly not. We have been affected first hand by the
carelessness of people with these vicious "little sparklers".
Tell Mr. Nubbin he can come over to our house and celebrate safely
with all us "abstinant sparklers". Maybe we'll call it
our 1st ever PRANKS (Party Right---Allow No Kind of Sparklers) party.
All the fun with none of the danger!
Kidding aside, these items are dangerous. Parents, keep your children
far away from them!
-- Debra Gibson, Snellville/Centerville
UPCOMING
Bay Creek
area to honor veterans at parade on July 2
Norbert Lorenz, 85, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, spent
two years in a German prisoner of war camp; George Ducra, 79, parachuted
into German occupied Belgium; Hillman Ryan, 86, fought as a U.S.
Navy Gunners Mate at Marshall Islands and Okinawa, and J.P. Smith,
85, saw service in two wars, WWII and the Korean War.
These four Americans, all residents of the Bay Creek neighborhood,
will be honored Saturday, July 2, along with veterans of the Vietnam
war and the Iraq/Afghanistan war, at the Bay Creek Homeowner's Association
third annual Patriot's Parade at 10:30 a.m. Gwinnett County Commissioner
Mike Beaudreau will be Parade Marshal.
Joining the four WWII honorees will be their neighbors, retired
U.S. Army Chaplain Bill Sampson, retired Lt. Colonel Julius Goodman,
and Colonel Bruce Berger, who is currently on active duty.
Sampson, a retired Methodist minister, was the most decorated Chaplain
in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Lt. Colonel Goodman served
for seven months at Camp Doha in Kuwait with the U.S. Army's 132nd
Engineer Detachment. Lt. Colonel Berger is currently serving with
the 265th Engineer Group (Combat) in the Georgia National Guard.
Also appearing in the parade will be police escort for the WWII
veterans, a color guard from the Civil Air Patrol, a riding lawn
mower brigade, plus tens of patriotically decorated wagons, strollers,
bicycles, scooters and pets. Hundreds of people were on hand for
last year's parade which featured over 150 neighborhood participants.
Estimated 70,000 ready for annual Gwinnett Glows fest
This Fourth of July make plans to join 70,000 of your friends and
neighbors for a spectacular Gwinnett Glows celebration. The event
takes place at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (GJAC)
in Lawrenceville and features arts and crafts, free children's activities
and a live band, Tim Purcell and The Mustangs. Games and live entertainment
will fill the area around GJAC starting at 4:00pm on July 4, 2005.
The fireworks display will take place after sundown.
Remaining true to its reputation as the largest fireworks display
in the Southeast, Gwinnett Glows 2005 will be bigger and better
than ever.
Children will enjoy clowns, face painting, a fire juggler, trackless
train rides, rock climbing wall, pony rides, and live appearances
from some of their favorite characters. Concessions will be available
for purchase from Arby's, Main Street Concessions, McAlister's Deli,
Papa John's Pizza, Sonny's BBQ, Supreme Vending, Tijuana Flats,
TNC Concessions, and The Varsity.
The event started in 1988 as a dedication party for the newly opened
Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center with just a small budget.
Now the event entertains tens of thousands of Gwinnett citizens
with a night of Fourth of July fun sponsored by area businesses.
A live cablecast of the Gwinnett Glows celebration will be shown
on the TV Gwinnett government access television, channel 23 on all
cable providers within Gwinnett County, for those who are unable
to make it to the event in person. For directions or more information
about Gwinnett Glows, call 770.822.7126.
RESTAURANT
REVIEW
Crossroads Grille,
Suwanee
(Editor's Note: We begin today an occasional
feature of a Restaurant Review, to be contributed by our readers.
It's the idea of the first contributor, Cindy Evans. We invite
other to comment, sending in no more than 150 words about a place
where you have dined within the last month. Choose expressive
descriptions, but be prepare for tight editing.---eeb.)
By
Cindy Evans, Duluth
Special to GwinnettForum.com
"My husband and I were in for a treat recently when we dined
at the new Crossroads Grille in Suwanee (5360 Peachtree Industrial
Boulevard.) After being warmly welcomed by the hostess and seated
by our upbeat waitress, we settled into our comfy, big booth. I
decided on the Crossroad Chicken (11.99) which was wonderful, along
with a basket of bread, scrumptious salad and awesome asparagus.
My husband especially liked his mozarella sticks (4.99). We splurged
on their delicious dessert of homemade cobbler (warm and blueberry)
made from scratch in their kitchen.
"Own of the owners/partners, Brad Merrill, even came to the
table to make sure everything was all right and to say hi. (The
other owner is Mike Harris. Their other location is in Flowery Branch.)
We felt like we were in very good hands as everyone was very personable
and professional. Cobbler at Crossroads, anyone?"
- An invitation: What restaurants have you enjoyed?
Send us no your thoughts about a restaurant where you have dined
within the last month. Limit yourself to 150 words. -eeb.
RECOMMENDED
READ
- An invitation: What Web sites or books have you enjoyed?
Send us your best recent read along with a short paragraph as
to why you liked it, plus what book you plan to read next. --eeb
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
The problem with trying
to make up stuff these days
"You can't make up anything anymore. The world itself is a
satire. All you're doing is recording it."
-- Columnist Art Buchwald (1925 - )
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