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TODAY'S ISSUE
Groundbreaking of new Aurora Theatre set for Thursday
By Virginia Harrison
Special to GwinnettForum

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., July 18, 2006 -- The City of Lawrenceville and Aurora Theatre will have groundbreaking of the new Aurora Theatre on the historic square in downtown Lawrenceville on Thursday, July 20, at 11 a.m.

Since 1996, Aurora Theatre, a non-profit arts organization, has served Gwinnett County as its only professional theatre company. In an effort to meet the growing needs of Gwinnett and with a strong focused vision for the redevelopment of the downtown Lawrenceville business district, the organization is relocating to Lawrenceville square.

The Lawrenceville City Council awarded the general contract for renovation and construction of the new Aurora Theatre to Lusk and Associates. The facility is scheduled to open in Spring, 2007.

Anthony Rodriguez, Aurora Theatre producing artistic director, says the theatre goal is "To become the premier theatre company in the North Georgia Region. Our new facility supports that goal in many ways. While much of Atlanta's Alliance Theatre serves the immediate in-town Atlanta community, we are uniquely positioned to serve the northeast suburbs, exurbs and beyond. As a family oriented organization, our mission is to create a new generation of theatergoers and enhance the quality of life in the region. We are confident this move supports all of our goals."

Over the years, Aurora Theatre has grown from 120 to 2,100 season ticket holders. During the 2005-2006 season, performances averaged 85 percent capacity.

Inspired by the history and architecture of the nearly 100-year old former Methodist Church, the existing structure will be renovated to house a grand lobby, offices, classrooms and a 100-seat black box theatre. A new structure, on the site of the Church's parsonage, will be home to the 250-seat main stage. It will host larger productions and more amenities, yet retain the intimate feel that Aurora Theatre patrons have come to appreciate.

Having a complex with two performance venues will enable the Aurora Theatre to expand children's programming, add acting classes, grow existing outreach programs, and encourage the creation of new programs.

As one of the largest additions to downtown Lawrenceville, many expect the Aurora Theatre to contribute to the continued economic growth of Gwinnett's county seat. Aurora Theatre is expected to work closely with downtown Lawrenceville businesses and restaurants to help make this a destination market. Lawrenceville Tourism and Trade Association Executive Director Jay Markwalter feels, "Our research indicates that a significant percentage of the metro Atlanta population is attracted to live theatre events held in outlying population centers. The recruitment of Aurora Theatre was one of the shrewdest economic development moves that the city could have made. Visitors and locals will experience a new level of performing arts with the Aurora Theatre's many spectacular productions. Our business district and tourism efforts will definitely benefit from the season ticket holders who can now add a variety of great dining and shopping to their theatre experience."

With that in mind, the city is building a parking deck adjacent to the theatre to help support all the business in Lawrenceville. The public-private partnership is highlighted by the fact that the Morsberger Group, who sold the building to the city for the theatre, donated the land for the city's use allowing the city to construct a parking deck to make Lawrenceville more accessible for all.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Most citizens tacitly accept decisions political pros give them
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

JULY 18, 2006 -- There's one ironic and distinctive aspect of Georgia political primaries, which is taking place today. (We would call it "funny," but it is too serious a political aspect to be so labeled. It's serious.) Here it is: people don't vote as heavily in the primaries as they do in the General Election. And it has wide-ranging ramifications.

Interestingly, when something goes wrong in politics, everyone screams. Then we find out that some of the people screaming the loudest are not registered to vote. Many of those Loud Screamers who happen to be registered don't even bother to vote.

It's gotta be. After all, official projections are that if we get more than 25 percent of Georgians voting today, that'll be a good turnout. But that's only 25 percent of those registered, not 25 percent of the people.

What it amounts to is that Georgians allow minorities within their particular party to pick the nominees for the offices that are open any year. And in many cases, where the particular candidate within a party is a strong politician, that means virtual automatic election in the November voting. In effect, the non-voters are allowing the select few who vote in primaries to do their thinking for them for the General Election.

In a few offices in this fall's election, there may be a real horse race, where those voting on that day in November will determine the true winner. But in lopsided outcomes, it means that the real decision on who represented that party in the General Election came not in that day's election, but in the primary.

There are no better examples than the present races for governor among the Democrats, and lieutenant governor among the Republicans. Both races seem, prior to the primary, to be tight races.

What the outcome of the primary means is that the core Democrats and Republicans, an estimated 25 percent of each party, will effectively nominate the persons for the other 75 percent to have a crack at being elected in the fall.

It shows how much our so called representative government is mostly run by the small segment that is active in politics. Not referring to the office-holders, but this amounts to "yellow dog Democrats" on one side, and I suppose "true-red-white-blue" Republicans on the other, as being the real movers and shakers of any election.

In one race this primary, we'll be picking the nominees for the office of superintendent of education for Georgia. Only 13 other states elect the state school superintendent. Most are appointed by either the governor, or a statewide board.

With education often being a key plank in any governor's race, you might wonder if Georgia would be better-served allowing the governor to pick his or her own person to head Education. At least that way, it would make students outcomes and educational attainment more accountable to the policies the governor candidates champion.

Often we hear of the lack of creativity in politics. That's not true in Arizona today, as voters there will vote on a proposition to give $1 million to such lucky voter. It's a lottery, in effort, for those who vote. Say what you want, but that's a creative way to address the problem of poor voter turnout.

Perhaps some Georgian can be as creative in producing better turnouts at elections!

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. . Today's sponsor is the Gwinnett Philharmonic which will begin its second decade of offering great music to the community on October 18, 2006, in the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center. The Gwinnett Philharmonic's upcoming seven-concert season will present events featuring the full orchestra and a variety of acclaimed chamber ensembles. The October 18 concert will feature the full orchestra and is titled From Russia With Love. Pianist Brent Runnels will perform Prokofiev's First Piano Concerto, and the program will also include music by Khachaturian, Borodin, and Tchaikovsky. For tickets call Ticketmaster at 404-249-6400 or visit the Web site for information on the Gwinnett Philharmonic's exciting new season: www.gwinnettphilharmonic.org.

Thank you for your article of the protected and endangered species in Georgia. You mentioned Georgia's Department of Natural Resources' Georgia Natural Heritage Program, but I didn't see anything about the current Protected Species List review process, the first major review since 1992.

The next public meeeting is Tuesday, July 18 in Rome. There is still opportunity for public comments through the end of September. Those interested should contact the Georgia DNR / Wildlfe Resource Conservation Center in Social Circle, at (770) 918-6411 or (706) 557-3032 or visit the website: georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/ and click on the Non-Game Animals and Plants area to find the Protected Species Update.

Public comment is a very powerful tool. It helps provide direction to our elected and non-elected government officials and workers. The more we know about what's going on, and communicate our educated opinions, the better results we will see from our taxpayer funded government agencies.

Please help protect our Georgia Natural Heritage by participating in the Protected Species List Review process.

I have been very blessed growing up to be a part of a large extended family. As a child I assumed everyone had hundreds at their family reunions like me, but I have come to understand what I have is very rare and precious.

You see, my great-grandparents, A.D. and Rubeye Herndon, had a farm in Snellville. My grandmother, Edna, was one of their 11 children. I was blessed to have loved and learned from nine of them. There was never any divide between generations, we were all one and the word "family" really and truly meant something to all of us. You always knew family would be there, and in droves, in times of thick or thin, whether you wanted them there.

Well, seven of the eleven are now gone from this earth. While sitting at my Uncle Don's funeral this past week, it really hit me that our family's core generation is rapidly fading. It was my grandmother's generation that has kept the family web so tight. But now, with each passing, that family safety net I've always known is starting to feel rather thin and vulnerable. The family structure just isn't the same today and demands on our time seem to pull us farther and farther apart, versus allowing us to cling together.

The numbers at the reunions continue to dwindle and there's almost a need for name tags to be sure we know who the little ones are these days. I long to find a way to hold on to that precious past, but accept that a new age will dawn and it will soon be up to my generation to keep the family strong.

The monthly meeting of the Gwinnett Sierra Club will feature "Vacations that make a difference" on July 20 at 7 p.m. at the Willow Run Condos off Club Drive across I-85 from Gwinnett Place Mall.

Sierra Club National and International Outings offer more than 350 exciting trips to a variety of locations around the globe, from Tahoe to Tibet. From whale-watching in Hawaii to trail maintenance in Maine, there are trips of all kinds. For more information, go to http://georgia.sierraclub.org/gwinnett/ or phone 404-294-6686.

Georgia Perimeter College's Center for Continuing and Corporate Education will launch a healthcare interpreter certificate program (HICP) on July 31, 2006 on GPC's Clarkston Campus, 555 North Indian Creek Dr. from 6-9 p.m.

HICP is designed to increase the pool of trained interpreters in the state's ethnically diverse communities and will train bilingual students to develop the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary for effective language interpretation in healthcare settings.

Students will learn the roles and responsibilities of a healthcare interpreter; basic knowledge of common medical conditions, treatments, and procedures; insight into language and cultural nuances for specific communities.

Other program content includes an application of interpreting skills in English and the language of service. Initial languages of service include English and Spanish. Additional languages are planned for future programs.

Gwinnett Hospital System's Joan Glancy Rehabilitation Center has been awarded the Three-Year Accreditation and a designation as a Stroke Specialty Program from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The Center earned this distinction after CARF conducted an on-site review in early May 2006.

With this accreditation for inpatient rehabilitation services, Gwinnett Hospital System becomes the first and only healthcare system in Georgia to have a fully accredited continuum of acute stroke care. In 2005, Gwinnett Medical Center and Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital earned the Gold Seal of Approval* for stroke care when the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations awarded "Primary Stroke Center Certification" to these two GHS hospitals.

The CARF report highlighted many of the Center's strengths, including its dedicated treatment team. It states: "Glancy Rehabilitation Center provides quality rehabilitation services to the populations served, and services are provided in a beautiful facility that is very conducive to the rehabilitation process. Care is provided by a competent and caring interdisciplinary team, and many staff members have long tenure within the organization."

Jennifer H. Stephens has been named director of public affairs at Georgia Gwinnett College. Stephens, former director of marketing and public relations at Georgia Perimeter College, will oversee all strategic communications, brand development and media relations for the new college.

Dr. Gordon Harrison, vice president for advancement, says: "We are building a strong leadership team in communications and fundraising." Ms. Stephens' experience in marketing and higher education will be of tremendous value as we get the word out about the first four-year college created in Georgia in more than a hundred years."

Stephens' responsibilities will include media relations, advertising, marketing, publications and development of the GGC website. "She will also work closely with the Gwinnett community and the region of northeast Georgia to communicate the innovative teaching programs at GGC. Ms. Stephens will create new partnerships and awareness of the unique mission of Georgia Gwinnett College.

Stephens holds a bachelor's degree in graphic design from Auburn University and a master's of divinity degree from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Georgia Gwinnett College is now accepting applications for fall 2006, its inaugural class. Current college students with at least 45 college credit hours who are interested in completing a bachelor's degree in biology, psychology or business should apply online at www.ggc.usg.edu or www.gacollege411.org. Classes for freshman begin fall 2007.

"Let me highly recommend this book for anyone that ever wonders just where your daily bread comes from. The author takes four meals and traces the items on the plate back to its origins.

"The first is a fast food meal purchased at the drive-thru window. Next up is what the author calls "Big Organic" a meal made from ingredients purchased at the fastest growing organic food store in America today. The third is a beyond-organic chicken meal purchased directly from a self sustaining farm using no synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics or pesticides. The fourth and last meal is what I call the Ted Nugent meal; all shot and foraged for by the author in the wild.

"The author has done some amazing research and gone places most people are not allowed to go in doing so, such as large agri-business slaughtering facilities. The results of all this research will both shock and educate the reader in things most of us never realized about the food we eat today.

"Everyone ought to know what is being put into your children's bodies and all parents should read this book for a proper education on modern day nutrition and our food supply chain. This book has prompted me and my family to rethink the way in which we eat as well as where we purchase our foods."

In any given period of history, most people living in the same place and sharing a common culture prefer that their homes be laid out in ways considered appropriate or fashionable at that time. Their choices in residential design, such as the preference for striking horticultural displays characteristic of many late-nineteenth-century landscapes, give expression to personal and communal values. Such values evolve and change over the years as new interests, ideas, or needs inspire alternative forms of design expression for subsequent generations of designers and homeowners.

The distinctive traditions of landscape design in the South developed as a response to the particulars of geography and climate, as well as to a range of social, economic, and political institutions that informed southern identity and experience. This largely conservative regional tradition favored stylistic models derived, however remotely, from European Renaissance and Baroque practices. Thus, while the neat, small yards of the first Georgia colonists, illustrated in the 1734 engraving "A View of Savannah as it Stood the 29th of March, 1734," suggest the democratic idealism of the Trustees' charter for the colony, they also reflect the imposition of European ideas about order and civilization on the threatening disorder of wild nature.

"All I hope to say in books, all that I ever hope to say, is that I love the world."

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