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Editor's Note: Since this is Thanksgiving week, there will be no edition on Friday of this week. The next GwinnettForum will be issued November 28. Happy Thanksgiving! -eeb

Shoppers will find Gwinnett Place CID areas spruced up
By Mark Williams, Duluth
Chairman, Board of Directors
Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District
Special to GwinnettForum.com

DULUTH, Ga., Nov. 21, 2006 -- The greater Gwinnett Place area is entering its busiest time of year - the holiday shopping season. For some retailers and services located in the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District (CID), the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas are when they do the most business.

During this season of holiday fun and festivities, I would like to invite everyone to come see all the exciting things happening in Gwinnett County's central business district.

In the last 12 months, the CID combined the efforts of private businesses with county, state and federal officials to make numerous improvements throughout the area. We believe that when you visit the most well established business community in Gwinnett, you will find a lot has changed for the better.

One of our most beneficial upgrades is the addition of improved transportation options. The CID has worked closely with the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation to make significant upgrades for drivers and pedestrians.

The recently completed expansion of Satellite Boulevard from Steve Reynolds Boulevard to Old Norcross Road offers drivers extra lanes and new traffic signals. These improvements make traveling from one business to another much faster than using Pleasant Hill Road. Smooth driving will also be available as paving projects resurfaced the roadways entering and surrounding Gwinnett Place.

Once shoppers are in the District, there are new sidewalks along Venture Parkway, Crestwood Parkway and Market Street, making it easier to access points along Pleasant Hill Road and all around Gwinnett Place.

And the area is now even more aesthetically pleasing. We completed significant landscape improvements along some of our more traveled roads to create a park-like atmosphere. By the time this year ends, the first gateway monument and pocket park will be open at the intersection of Commerce Avenue and Satellite Boulevard (near the automobile dealerships).

Additionally, we have increased communications between businesses and the Gwinnett Police Department to ensure we are doing what is best to keep the area safe for our families. District businesses also contract to provide more than 200 hours per week of extra security provided by off-duty police officers.

In short, Gwinnett Place is truly the place to be this holiday season. I am incredibly proud of the opportunity I have to serve as a leader in this vital and vibrant community.

This holiday, my family will be shopping, eating and enjoying all the entertainment amenities available virtually in our backyard---all within the CID. I encourage your family to come out and join us for all the fun and excitement.

Those sneaky Monday holidays can cause consernation
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

NOV. 21, 2006 -- Many of us think of Thanksgiving as our "best" holiday. It focuses on one aspect, giving thanks, and that is enough.

Other holidays are sometimes problematic, as we found out last Columbus Day. People all across America took time off that Monday holiday to remember a person born in Italy over 500 years ago to mark his achievement of discovering the "New World."

Also this year we've taken time off to honor specifically two of our former presidents, guys who lived years ago: Washington and Lincoln, and by office, all past presidents.
From time to time, we also take time out of our days or our business to remember those who have died in wars, or to mark the ending of a terrible war.

Other holidays, as we call them, are more obvious, such as New Year's, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

However, those "sneaky" holidays sometimes get to us. Back on Columbus Day, we left our office mid Monday morning specifically with two destinations in mind: the post office and the bank.

"Gotcha," the holiday must have said to us. Yep, it was only when we got to the post office that we remembered, when we saw the inside doors to the stamp window closed, that indeed, it was Columbus Day. So we mailed letters, but could not approach the postal counter that day.

For sure, we were not alone. Time we walked out the door, there was a lady beelining it for the post office, package in hand to mail. "Wrong day for mailing," we said to her, confusing her. "What do you mean?" was the look on her face.

"Don't you remember it's Christopher Columbus's birthday?" we asked, grinning at what we had finally figured out, and realizing that she had not come to that realization yet. In a moment, the light dawned, and she smiled, turning to leave saying, "Oh, well, I guess it can wait another day."

Still on a mission, we headed to the bank, never giving a thought at the moment that we would be rebuffed there, too. Luckily, on the way, we realized the bank would be closed, as we remembered passing our bank on the way to the post office, and that there were no cars in the bank parking lot.

As we drove by the bank, however, we saw several cars pulling into its parking lot, only to make a u-turn when they also realized the bank was not open. Meanwhile, at least one guy was lucky, using the bank's cash machine to get some dough. Maybe he was like us, having business inside the bank that day, but taking advantage of the cash machine to at least get some money.

We're pleased to honor Senor Columbus, and our former presidents, and others at holidays. At least with Thanksgiving, there's enough hype to it beforehand to make you realize that it is on the way. But on those other sneaky holidays, especially the Monday ones, we are sometimes put out with ourselves for not realizing just what day it is!

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is Just Emissions, a firm performing State of Georgia emission testing as certified by the Georgia Clean Air Force (GCAF). We eliminate the potential conflict of interest in the test and repair facility by performing only the test, never the needed repairs. For our commercial accounts we offer charge accounts and a single source of record keeping eliminating the need to "scramble" when it is time to purchase vehicle tags. Just Emissions offers certified emission testing in minutes by our courteous, trained technicians. In Gwinnett, we are located at the corner of Scenic. and Grayson Highways in Lawrenceville. There are also locations at 1830 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, close to Emory University. No appointment is needed.

GwinnettForum and The Brack Group (Ga.) Inc. have announce the release of their first book, a collection of cartoons from Bill McLemore. He provides the Friday cartoons for GwinnettForum.com.

The book, A Gift of Laugher, is also a fundraiser for Rainbow Village of Norcross, a cooperative ministry of several area churches that addresses the problems of homeless families in Gwinnett County. Stories from Rainbow Village, and an explanation of its program, are sprinkled throughout the cartoons.

McLemore is a retired Episcopal priest, who has used his gift of drawing cartoons throughout his ministry.

The 174-page hardback book is priced at $20. Copies are available at Rainbow Village, 400 Holcomb Bridge Road, or from the offices of GwinnettForum at 40 Technology Parkway, Suite 225, Norcross. Copies may be ordered by mail in time for Christmas with an additional $3 handling and mailing fee by check or money order. To order, call 770 840 1003, or 770 446 3800, or email to info@gwinnettforum.com.

Years ago I had thought that one day the marketing of Christmas would eliminate any reference to the Thanksgiving Day holiday. It was so obvious to see when even my own family gathered together for Thanksgiving. Everyone wanted to go shopping after the big brunch the Friday after Thanksgiving. Since all the husbands had spent the day watching football and eating, they had little to say as virtually none of them helped in the preparations for the feast of the previous day.

The Friday after Thanksgiving has long been the day Wall Street uses to gauge how much money will be made in the retail sector each year. It is the supposed biggest shopping day of the year, according to marketing firms and retailers alike. It is the day that Thanksgiving Day decorations come down and Christmas decorations go up. Or so that used to be the case.

This year for the first time in my life (I'm 43 years old) there were no Thanksgiving Day decorations going up anywhere. Immediately after Halloween, the Christmas decorations went up in virtually every store I visited. No turkeys pasted to windows, no pictures of Pilgrims sitting with Native Americans sharing a feast. No horns of plenty sitting on long tables decoratively set with fine china, silver and crystal goblets.

I guess it has finally happened. Will we forget to be thankful this year? Have we allowed the marketers to dictate what we celebrate and how? It would seem to me that we are fast becoming sheep led by the nose through life by those who want our "discretionary" income for their own wallets.

I say take a stand and buy only what you can afford with cash. I personally have no discretionary income. I continue to support those charities I believe in and whose finances I have investigated myself. I avoid those charities whose "executive" staffs make large sums of money now.

With both political parties now getting their money from the same people, I recommend that people begin to vote with their wallets and "Just Say NO!!" to the marketing bombardment aimed at our children.

Don't forget Thanksgiving, for we here in America have much to be thankful for. (None of this, you may recognize, is brought to you by marketing agencies.)

A Buford bank is hosting "Hometown Heroes Appreciation Day" on Saturday, November 25, to highlight local public servants and military personnel.

Mike Allen, president and chief executive officer of Georgia Trust Bank, Buford, also said that Santa Claus will arrive at the bank. Refreshments will be sold that day with net proceeds donated to benefit the Georgia Burn Victims Funds and Operation One Voice, an organization which provides financial assistance to families of fallen Special Operations Forces soldiers.

In addition, the bank will be collecting new or slightly used stuffed animals from guests who wish to donate them, with all donated items going to the Gwinnett County Fire Department and Gwinnett County Police Department for distribution to children in traumatic situations.

"We're getting our arms around a number of important issues on one day," Allen said. "First and foremost, we wanted to express our appreciation...and that of the community, we believe...to the Gwinnett County law enforcement officials, Gwinnett County Fire Services and to the local National Guard unit, both of which will have equipment on site for our guests to see.."

Allen also said "We'll have door prizes and gifts for our guests," Allen noted. "As a true community bank with locations in Buford and in Kennesaw, our Hometown Heroes Appreciation Day is just another reflection to friends and neighbors throughout this area."

Events kick off on Saturday, December 2, with the third Annual Holiday Festival. There will be booths for arts and crafts, others with food, and a holiday atmosphere. The annual tree lighting is set for 6:30. p.m. that night.

Another activity scheduled will be on December 16: a Father/Child winter magic dinner with Santa. This will be from 6-9 p.m. at the Duluth Festival Center. On hand will be a turkey dinner, while Mom has the night off for Christmas shopping. The dinner is $15 for adults and $8 for children under 12. The dinner includes a photo with Santa. Reserve your seat now! Call 678-475-3512 or email bsamples@duluthga.net.

On two Saturdays, December 16-23, the Movie Bus comes to Duluth from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Parents may drop their children off while shopping. Admission of $12 includes popcorn, candy and a drink. Visit www.duluthga.net or call 678-475-3512 for more information.

Gwinnett Technical College has gained a seasoned business professional from the high-tech world with the addition of Douglas G. Meyer, president, Sage Software Small Business Division (SBD), to the college's board of directors.

Rounding out the board of 10, Meyer is the latest addition to the college's board of directors . It is the role of the Board members to maintain awareness of local industry and community needs for technical college programs, and to communicate those needs to the college's president and administrative staff.

As president of Sage Software SBD, Meyer operates in a dual role, managing both the company's SBD division in North America as well as its company's fastest growing business worldwide, CRM. Before joining Sage Software, Meyer worked with the NCR Corporation, the Georgia Institute of Technology and Martin Marietta. Meyer has lived in Gwinnett for the past 18 years, where he resides with his wife and two-year-old daughter.

Meyer joins other community and business leaders on the Gwinnett Tech board, including:

Atticus G. Haygood, an editor, author, and educator, was a distinguished president of Emory College and a progressive bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He gained national prominence as a spokesman for the New South, promoting business and commercial development, and he fearlessly preached reunion, reconciliation, and educational opportunity for African Americans. He also championed such causes as federal aid to education and prohibition.

Atticus Greene Haygood was born on Nov. 19, 1839, in Watkinsville, the eldest of Martha Ann Askew and Greene B. Haygood's eight children. Educated at home, he entered Emory College in Oxford in 1856 and graduated in 1859. That year he married Mary Yarbrough, with whom he had eight children (four of whom survived to adulthood), and was admitted into the Georgia Methodist conference. (He and Mary also adopted and raised a grandson.) He served as a circuit rider and intermittently as army chaplain during the Civil War (1861-65).

After the war Haygood quickly assumed leadership roles in the Methodist establishment. He became presiding elder in the North Georgia Conference, and in 1870 the General Southern Conference selected him as Sunday school secretary. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and edited and published church school materials. His book Our Children (1876) resulted from the experience.

In 1875 he was elected president of Emory College, where he reformed the curriculum, worked to make the college more affordable, and generally helped raise Emory's profile in the region. From 1878 to 1882 he edited and contributed to the Wesleyan Christian Advocate.

Haygood's rise to national prominence began with his 1880 Thanksgiving sermon, during which he spoke of the positive impact emancipation and industrialization would have on the South, and with his book Our Brother in Black: His Freedom and His Future (1881), an account of the role played by freed slaves during Reconstruction (1867-76). His work caught the attention of the directors of the John F. Slater Fund, an agency created by northern philanthropists to underwrite projects for southern African American education. Haygood was the fund's agent from 1883 to 1890.

His book The Case of the Negro (1885) advocated racial and national reconciliation, and he was a key figure in the founding, in 1882, of Paine Institute (later Paine College) in Augusta. Elected bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, that year, he declined the position, citing his unfinished work at Emory. In 1884 he resigned the Emory presidency, and when re-elected bishop in 1890, he accepted and was assigned to California. In 1893 the Haygoods returned to Oxford, where he died in 1896.

"What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?"

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