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Issue 9.05 | Friday, April 17, 2009 | Forward to your friends! |
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McLEMORE'S
WORLD ARCHIVE FEEDBACK UPCOMING NOTABLE ALSO INSIDE ___::
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Meet a sponsor |
ABOUT US GwinnettForum.com is a twice-weekly online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA. Contact us today. SEARCH GWINNETT FORUM |
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TODAY'S
FOCUS SUWANEE, Ga., April 17, 2009 -- On Saturday, April 25, Gwinnett County residents will kick-off the annual March for Babies event -- helping to save lives, encourage education and research, and increase awareness for all babies. Bridgette Smith, 2009 March for Babies Chair, says: "Helping babies to be born healthy is vital to the hope and future of Gwinnett County. One day, all babies will be born healthy, but we're going to have to walk to get there."
Located at the Duluth Festival Center and Amphitheater Duluth, this year's event will be a fun-filled day for the entire family. Along with music, food and fun, the event will also include appearances by radio and television talent from all of the March for Babies media sponsors. "In addition to the fun activities, the walk is an opportunity to teach children the value of volunteering - how their bits of time, energy and money, no matter the size, can have a big impact when they're part of supporting a worthy cause," said Smith. Why March for Babies? It's America's key walking event! When you walk, you give hope to the families of babies born too soon or sick. The money walkers raise supports programs in communities that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the serious problems that threaten babies. The walk has been taking place since 1970 and has raised $1.8 billion since then. In 2009 national March for Babies sponsors are Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter; CIGNA; Continental Airlines; Famous Footwear; Farmers Insurance Group of Companies; FedEx; First Response; Liberty Tax Services; Mead Johnson Nutrition; and Ther-Rx. In Gwinnett
County the key sponsors include State Sponsor Macy's, Presenting Sponsor
Kids 'R' Kids, Metro Presenting Sponsor Kaiser Permanente, Platinum Sponsor
AirTran Airways and Picnic Sponsor Publix Super Markets. The March
of Dimes is the leading non-profit organization for pregnancy and baby
health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies,
the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing
birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources
and information, visit www.marchofdimes.com
or www.nacersano.org. ELLIOTT
BRACK APRIL 17, 2009 --Last year, we bumped across this item from Garrison Keillor in The Writer's Almanac, which we quote in full today. Enjoy:
*
* * * * "It was on yesterday (April 16) in 1789 that George Washington took office as the first president of the United States. Two weeks earlier, he had begun his journey from his home in Mount Vernon to New York City, where the inauguration would take place. He wrote in his journal on April 16th:
"It took him seven days to travel the 300-mile route to New York City, then the nation's capitol. He passed through crowds of cheering well-wishers along the way, following a path that went through Alexandria, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Trenton, Princeton, and New Brunswick. When he reached Bridgetown, New Jersey, there was waiting for him a large barge built just for the occasion and manned by 13 pilots all dressed in white. A Spanish vessel anchored in the harbor fired 13 guns as a salute and displayed the flags of nations all over the world.
"It took the House and the Senate a few more days to work out the details of the inauguration, including how to address the president. Vice President John Adams thought it should be, "His Highness, the President of the United States and Protector of their Liberties." Others thought "His Serene Highness" or "His Excellency" or "Mr. Washington" were better choices. The ad hoc Congressional Committee finally decided on "The President of the United States." "The Oath of Office took place at Federal Hall on the corner of Wall Street and Nassau Street, on a balcony outside so that many people could witness it. Washington wore a dark brown suit, white silk stockings, shoes with silver buckles, and a sword. New York Chancellor Robert Livingston administered the Oath: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." "Washington appended the words "so help me God" to the Oath and then kissed the open Bible, which had been missing moments before the ceremony, and when found for the oath had been hastily opened to a random page, which turned out to be Genesis 49. In his inaugural address, Washington asked for the divine blessing of the "benign Parent of the Human Race" on the new government." * * * * * To this
piece, we at GwinnettForum add: George Washington set the standard by
which other presidents should have been diligent in following his example:
in his detachment from the Congress, in the manner in which he received
people; and in his insistence that he should serve only two terms. (We
understand the nation's move to keep Franklin Delano Roosevelt as president
during his terms.) Washington, who had no previous measurement on how
to "be president," we hold in deepest respect for his adroit
handling of the eight years at the helm of what was then an infant nation.
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Fifth Third Bank is one of the largest and most reputable banks in the nation. It's been helping people build financial confidence for 150 years. Now, it has come to metro Atlanta and Gwinnett to help make all your hard work today mean more for tomorrow. We are often asked "Where does that name come from?" Our name is a result of a history of growth and expansion. We trace our origins back to the Bank of the Ohio Valley which opened its doors in Cincinnati in 1858. In 1871, that bank was purchased by the Third National Bank. With the turn of the century came the union of the Fifth National Bank and the Third National Bank and we eventually became known as Fifth Third Bank. With four Gwinnett County locations and plans to grow, we hope that you'll stop in and visit us in person or at www.53.com. Call Karen Rosenberg, senior vice president, retail executive, at 404-279-4540 for more information. Fifth Third Bank - Member FDIC.
McLEMORE'S
WORLD ARCHIVE
FEEDBACK Recently our daughter (who is over 20 years old) was pulled over by police in Loganville. The officer asked her if she knew that he could ticket her for running a yellow light. She was very scared but polite. Regardless, he gave her a ticket for running a RED light. She was obviously upset but we have taught our children to respect authority because the Bible says, "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority." But now we have lost respect for law and government. Being an adult, our daughter wanted to go to court alone. We assumed she would just pay a fine. We were wrong! Judge Brad Brownlow of the Municipal Court of the City of Loganville informed her that she could only plead guilty or not guilty. If not guilty there would be at least a $1,000 fine and possible jail time. She was scared to death! With only $350 (which was supposed to be college money), she pleaded guilty and paid $325, had to buy a book and write an essay on it, take a court approved driving course ($100), and attend a "panel" at the Gwinnett County Courthouse in Lawrenceville. But the most unbelievable thing was that she was put on probation for a year and would have to submit to three random drug tests. This was the most humiliating experience to be drug tested when she has never taken drugs or alcohol and to not be allowed to leave Georgia without permission. All of this for a first offence! She had never had ANY previous encounter with the police, never even gotten a detention or missed a full day of school! How can one judge be allowed to have this much arbitrary control over our kids. He treats them all the same regardless of the circumstances or their age. We believe that our kids rights are being abused!
Finds grad who needed something different in high school Editor, the Forum: Today I want to write to you about Edward, a service representative for an upscale appliance company. There was a recall of a part on the machine that I heard about, and arranged for a repair. I was told someone would be out to repair it in an afternoon on a specific date. So I made plans to be at home all afternoon. The night before Edward called, saying he would be here between noon and 2 p.m. Yeah, right, I thought, sure he will. The next day exactly at noon, he came, changed out the defective part and was readying to depart. I had learned that he was from Gwinnett County, living here all his life. I found he went to Brookwood High, and said, "Oh, that's a good school." "If you say so," he replied. I thought about it, and said, "You didn't like regular stuff, wanting to work with your hands?" He brightened. It was obvious. Now, why is college-bound better than vocational? It really is just merely different. I had more need for his skill that having someone explain a poem. The best thing about the experience was that he showed up when he said he would, then quickly fixed my machine. And that work ethic he worked out for himself. He is much appreciated. And while I appreciate a poem interpretation, it could not solve my mechanical problem. We need both, those who work out things with their head, and with their hands. Where is the high school education for those who work with their hands for the people like Edward, that I need?
UPCOMING Suwanee's Big Backyard Bash on April 25 will offer thrills and chills for participants of all ages. Parents can chill as their children participate in an array of wacky interactive games and discover a variety of summer options to be offered through area camps. And, American Idol-wannabes can enjoy the thrill of performing onstage with the rock band Metalsome, Inc. The fun begins at Suwanee's Town Center Park at noon Saturday, April 25. Suwanee Events Coordinator Amy Doherty says: "The whole idea behind the Big Backyard Bash is to create an event so interactive and fun that those in attendance feel a little bit tired when they leave the park. We don't want our backyard athletes to be the only ones who break a sweat." Area camps will be on hand to offer information about their summer programs and to provide a variety of wacky games in which attendees can participate. Think playing horseshoes with toilet lids, oversized Twister, or shooting hoops with a rubber chicken. In addition, a Wii interactive gaming center will be open for those who enjoy virtual competition. The World's Greatest Backyard Athlete contest, which begins at 1 p.m., will feature about a dozen backyard warriors competing in Frisbee and water balloon tosses and an obstacle course that includes racing on hippity hops, building burgers, and a Wii homerun derby. Money raised by the athletes will support Gwinnett United Way summer camp scholarships. Metalsome and area residents ready for their chance to sing their hearts out with a live rock band will take the Town Center stage at 6 p.m. Pre-registration to perform will be available during the event. Admission to the Big Backyard Bash and participation in interactive activities are free. Food will be available for purchase. No beer or wine will be sold nor may alcoholic beverages be brought into Town Center Park. Area Junior League plans fashion show for April 25
"High Heels and High Times", a fund raising event for the Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton counties will be held on April 25, from noon until 3 p.m in Alpharetta at the Metropolitan Club. The Junior League will offer an opportunity to enjoy a wine-tasting while shopping at a marketplace of shoes and accessories from local boutiques and vendors. In addition,
there will be a luncheon during which a fashion show of spring shoes will
be modeled by League members. NOTABLE Standard
and Poor's, the bond rating agency which rates more than 80 percent of
the nation's municipal and corporate bonds, raised the Town of Braselton's
rating from BBB+ to A- in March. The rating is for the town's water and
sewerage system revenue bonds.
GEORGIA
ENCYCLOPEDIA Savannah's remarkable city plan is distinguished from those of previous colonial towns by its repeated pattern of connected neighborhood, multiple squares, streets, and designed expansion into lands held by the city (the common). It is unique in the history of urban planning in a number of respects, not the least of which is that the squares allow for more open space in Savannah than in any city layout in history.
Founded
in 1733, Savannah is situated on a 40-foot-high bluff overlooking the
Savannah River, 18 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Laid out by General
James Edward Oglethorpe, it was the last colonial capital to be established
by Britain in America. The basic
plan unit is a ward, 600 feet to a side in the north-south direction,
and 540 feet to 600 feet in the east-west direction. Streets and building
lots are organized around a central open space or square. Each ward has
a name. Wards were originally organized as urban neighborhoods with direct
correlation to garden and farm lots in Oglethorpe's expanded regional
plan system. The streets bounding the wards allow uninterrupted movement
of traffic. Internal streets are interrupted by the squares to create
a pedestrian-friendly scale. The resulting
pattern features eight blocks to a ward. The larger four blocks on the
north and south sides of the square are called tything blocks and are
further divided by east-west lanes. Four smaller blocks front the squares
on the east and west. These are called trust blocks. Tything blocks are
subdivided into lots 60 feet in width that are sometimes further divided
into increments of 20 or 30 feet, thereby creating a diverse pattern of
building sizes and types. Savannah's
plan reflects political and organizational considerations of the day.
Each ward had tythingmen, who shared guard and other duties. Wards
were tied to a larger regional plan of garden and farm lots. The repetitive
non-hierarchal placement of wards, squares, and equal-sized lots points
to the utopian ideals of the colony. The regularity of these lots controlled
the size and rhythm of development in the third dimension to create a
visually diverse and humanly scaled city.
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SPECIAL
NOTE GwinnettForum, as publishers of the book, Gwinnett, A Little Above Atlanta, has been asked repeatedly "How are the book sales going?" They are going well. This week the last 75 books from the warehouse were put in circulation. Along with perhaps a similar number at retail establishments, this means that anyone who wants a First Edition of the history needs to begin moving fast…..right soon! For a list of where books are on sale, click here. Or to obtain a copy direct from the publisher, go to www.elliottbrack.com. -- eeb TODAY'S
QUOTE "Nobody wants to play really good teams nobody knows are really good."
MORE RECENT COMMENTARY
MODERN HISTORY OF GWINNETT
NOW IN STORES! You can purchase the book now at several locations:
Or order directly from elliottbrack.com and get a signed copy. The book consists
of 850 pages, including more than 143 demographic and historic tables,
with more than 4,000 names in the index, and 10,000 names in the appendix. Here are some other good reads that you might want to consider reading:
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