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Issue 10.11 | Friday, May 7, 2010 |
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TODAY'S FOCUS SNELLVILLE, Ga., May 7, 2010 -- While spring is a beautiful time of year, it can also be miserable and frustrating for allergy sufferers. Allergies affect as many as 60 million Americans, or one in every five adults and children. Spring
pollens are a common cause of allergies that result in respiratory symptoms.
The most common allergic responses are breathing problems like congestion,
sneezing and wheezing, along with itchy eyes and skin irritation, redness,
hives or itch. If you suffer from allergies, you may have only one of
these symptoms or several.
The first course of treatment is avoiding the allergen. Unfortunately, short of staying indoors when pollen counts are high--and even that may not help--there's no easy way to evade windborne pollen. Tina A. Thompson, M.D., is a family practitioner with Rockbridge Family Practice and is on the medical staff at Emory Eastside Medical Center. She says: "if it is necessary for you to be outside, choose a day after rain has fallen and take a shower as soon as you can to rinse off the pollen." Your physician may also prescribe medications, recommend over-the-counter remedies, or suggest allergy shots. Although there is no cure for allergies, one of these strategies or a combination of them can provide varying degrees of relief from allergy symptoms. Antihistamines counter the effects of histamine that is released in response to the allergen. Antihistamines relieve sneezing and itching in the nose, throat, and eyes; reduce nasal swelling and drainage; and are used to treat hives. Some antihistamines
can cause drowsiness and increase risk of vehicle and occupational injuries.
But there are now newer medications that have fewer side effects. Also, if
you are pregnant, keep in mind that some of these antihistamines' effects
on an unborn baby are untested; similarly, their effects on breast milk
or nursing infants are in some cases not known. Always tell your physician
if you are, could be, or could become pregnant, and discuss your situation
with your doctor before taking any medications. EEB PERSPECTIVE MAY 7, 2010 -- The late John Mattox was a family friend, Southern gentleman and attorney. He once told us that you could tell a lot about a community by simply observing how well it kept up its court house and graveyards.
We'll add another element: how communities located along interstate highways keep up the exits. Are they littered with everything from beer bottles and cigarette butts to old mattresses and washers? Or are they pristine and obviously cared for by the community? Along Interstate 85 in Gwinnett, from Jimmy Carter Boulevard to Pleasant Hill Road, are what we feel are the nicest ramp beautification projects in the nation. It's no happenstance, as they are projects funded by the two Community Improvement Districts, the Gwinnett Village and Gwinnett Place CIDs. Such projects take time, good planning and proper funding. The two CIDs provide the majority of the upkeep funding, with monies also coming from the Georgia Department of Transportation. Gwinnett Place CID maintains eight quadrants on I-85 at Pleasant Hill Road and Steve Reynolds Boulevard, and originally spent $657,145 on the beautification. The weekly maintenance costs $40,000 annually. Gwinnett Village CID spent $800,000 on the interchanges at Jimmy Carter boulevard, Indian Trail Road and Beaver Ruin Road. Chuck Warbington, executive director of the Gwinnett Village CID, feels the exits "are our signature project. It's a re-branding, showing that people here care about their area. It's part of the county that was once written-off, but now is well-maintained, thriving and welcoming." Both CIDs also maintain pristine upkeep of roads within their boundaries. Gwinnett Place CID keeps up 10 miles of roadway within its borders with weekly service, while Gwinnett Village CID has ongoing road maintenance on Beaver Ruin Road from Norcross to I-85, Buford Highway from Norcross to the DeKalb border, on Jimmy Carter Boulevard; on Indian Trail Road; Mitchell Road; and portions of Oakbrook and Live Oak Parkways. Gwinnet Village CID's total cost for the interchanges and another 30 miles of roadway within the district, is $135,000 annually.
Joe Allen of Gwinnett Place CID says that "...people like to go to an area that looks nice, and is kept up. They feel safer there, so it's also an economic development issue. People comment when they come into the county and note these five intersections on I-85 have their act together and people are willing to make the investments to make their area look good." All anyone has to do is look at some other parts of the county, where later on, if not now, they will see weeds growing tall with medians uncut, trash abounding, and a general lack of care. A key to keeping the interstate exits in good shape is preparing the soil adequately, Warbington says, and selecting drought tolerate shrubs and plants. "That soil along I-85 was red, hard clay. We put our effort in preparing the soil well, adding materials to greatly improve it. After all, we could not run water lines there. Some thought the plants would die, but with good preparation and select plants, the exits are thriving and neat." A BIG ATTABOY, to these two Community Improvement Districts for having such great entrances to their areas. John Mattox would approve. ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
The public spiritedness of our underwriter allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. The Georgia campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, on Old Peachtree Road N.W. in Suwanee, is now in its fifth year and continues to expand its healthcare educational opportunities. The branch campus began by offering a four-year osteopathic medical (DO) degree. A year later, both a certificate of graduate studies and a master's degree in biomedical sciences were added. Now, PCOM is accepting applications for a four-year PharmD degree program with classes beginning in August, 2010. PCOM has also partnered with Brenau University in Gainesville, to offer a five year Physician Assistant degree as well as an optional MBA with a healthcare focus for DO and PharmD candidates. Call 678-225-7500 or click here for additional information.
McLEMORE'S WORLD ARCHIVE
FEEDBACK
UPCOMING Step back
in time and join Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation for the Grand Opening
Celebration for Freeman's
Mill Park on Saturday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities during
the day includes guided tours of the mill area, historical displays, kid's
crafts and old-fashioned lawn games. Food concessions will be open. The
mill is located at 1401 Alcovy Road ,east of Lawrenceville.
This park,
along the banks of the Alcovy River, includes a unique playground that
replicates a gristmill, picnic pavilion, half-mile multi-purpose trail,
parking and restroom facilities, as well as the historic Freeman's grist
mill. The park officially opened to the public in December 2009. In years
past, local farmers who would bring their wheat and corn to the miller
to be turned into flour and meal at the mill. The nearby Alcovy Baptist
Church used the mill pond for baptisms. Buford's Black and White + One Show to be held May 15 Saturday, May 15, beginning at 6 p.m., the Tannery Row Artist Colony in Buford is hosting the Black and White +1 show. All art will have only these three colors, combining the drama and intensity of stark contrast and the bold vibrancy of one added color. It will be a distinctive show, as the artists at Tannery will all limit their palettes while still expressing their style. There will also be a live charity auction, plus a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit the Hi Hope Service Center in Lawrenceville, which supports adults with developmental disabilities in Gwinnett County. There will
also be food and wine. The judging will be from 6 until 9 p.m. on May
15. The Black and White + 1 show hangs at the Tannery Row Artist Colony
until mid-July. The Lionheart Theatre in Norcross will present Mack Hyman's No Time for Sergeants beginning tonight (May 7) and continuing on weekends through May 23. The production will be at the Norcross Community Center. Direction is by Joseph McLaughlin. Shows will be Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for seniors and students. There are complimentary desserts served at intermission. During this production, Lionheart will donate $1 of every ticket to the Gwinnett Relay for Life. Aurora Theatre announces program for summer theatre classes With the
end of school nearing, Aurora Theatre reminds parents that it is time
to reserve spots in its summer programs. There will be camps and intensive
classes for students from rising first through the 12th grades. Aurora
Theatre Director of Education Susan Reid has a team of teaching professionals,
including a voice instructor with Broadway experience.
There is a $25 application fee. Pre-booking guarantees your spot in one of our classes. There is a limited enrollment in each class to 15 students. A non-refundable deposit of $100. is required. NOTABLE The Barefoot-in-the-Park Fine Arts Festival will take place on Duluth's Town Green this weekend, May 8-9. A new element for the festival's sixth year, organizers have added a wine and beer tasting tent, complete with live artist demonstrations. Festival-goers can browse the juried Fine Artist Market, made up of 50 hand-picked artists with diverse mediums, including: glass, metal, jewelry, printmaking, ceramics, watercolor, photography, wood, sculpture, painting, and mixed media.
The festival offers something for everyone on Mother's Day weekend. Find a special gift for Mom at the silent auction, in the Artist Market or bring your Mother out on Sunday for a free keepsake Mother's Day photo at the festival. Barnes
and Noble (from The Forum) will bring literary arts center-stage at the
Barnes and Noble Book Bistro. The Book Bistro will feature both children's
and adult authors. Authors will be signing books and discussing their
works with festival attendees in the Book Speak area. Adult authors include:
Haywood Smith, Jennifer Cheek-Collins, Lauretta Hannon, Laura Knorr, Joshilyn
Jackson and others. Families can drop the kids off at the Legacy Academy Children's Art Park, which features free art projects from Legacy Academy, Pinckneyville Community Center, Hudgens Center for the Arts, Young Chefs Academy (Johns Creek), Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, Georgia Aquarium, and Big Thinkers Science Exploration. Live performances throughout the weekend include: Drake School of Irish Dance, Awalim Belly Dance Company, Atlanta Harmony Chorus, Atlanta Chinese Dance Company, Metro Jazz Club and Peachtree Band of Jazze. For a complete entertainment schedule visit www.barefootinthepark.org. For additional festival information or pictures, please contact Lisa Anders, Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau, 770-814-6044 or landers@gcvb.org. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed to speak at GGC Spring Commencement U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) will give the keynote address to Georgia Gwinnett College students who graduate in May. Sixty students are expected to receive their diplomas following the spring 2010 semester, and the commencement ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 28 at 7 p.m. on the quadrangle adjacent to Building B.
Reed is a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, member of the Appropriations Committee and senior member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. Before being elected to serve in the Senate in 1996, Reed was a three-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District. After graduating from West Point and receiving an active duty commission in the United States Army, Reed attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University where he received a master's of public policy. An Army Ranger and a paratrooper, Reed served in the 82nd Airborne Division as an infantry platoon leader, a company commander, and a battalion staff officer. He returned to West Point in 1978 as an associate professor in the Department of Social Sciences. The 2009 spring commencement will mark the college's fifth graduation ceremony since opening its doors in 2006. The college was accredited in 2009 by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). As of May 28, GGC will boast more than 180 graduates.
GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA
The dish known in northeast Georgia as "chicken mull" is a stew of chicken meat (ground or cut into bite-sized or smaller pieces), broth, milk, butter, vegetables, and seasonings, thickened with crumbs of soda crackers. It is also called chicken stew, chicken soup (rarely), and in south Georgia, chicken jallop. Because grinding, cutting, and lengthy cooking can tenderize tough meat, chicken mull may have originated as a way to make tough old roosters and spent hens palatable. Mulls are served in bowls and eaten at home, in restaurants, in hunters' camps, and at special events such as church socials, community gatherings, and fund-raisers. Like other regional stews served to large groups (for example, Brunswick stew, Kentucky burgoo, Carolina hash, and Virginia sheep stew), mull can be prepared in large pots, outdoors or under a shed. Mull is traditionally a cold-weather dish. Northeast Georgians speak of the "mull season." According to local lore, almost any meat or combination can be used, including goat, dove, squirrel, and it is rumored, rat and roadkill. In rabbit mull or crow stew, rabbit or crow replaces chicken. Turtle mull contains chicken as well as turtle and sometimes such additional meats as beef, pork, and even beaver. Jallop is sometimes made from catfish. To make chicken mull, pieces of chicken are simmered in water in a kettle or Dutch oven about one hour, until done. When the pieces are cool, the skin and bones are removed and the meat is ground or cut, then restored to the broth. Milk and butter are added and cracker crumbs are stirred in until the desired thickness is achieved. The consistency varies, but typically mull is similar to cooked oatmeal. Other ingredients may include baking soda; such vegetables as celery, onion, tomato sauce or paste, tomatoes, ketchup, lemon, and garlic; and such seasonings as salt, red and black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce, and hot pepper sauce. Traditional side dishes include sweet pickles; onion rings, cucumbers, and tomatoes marinated in vinegar; slaw or salad; and green beans. Chicken jallop is sometimes served over hamburger buns. CREDITS GwinnettForum is provided to you at no charge every Tuesday and Friday. If you would like to serve as an underwriter, click here to learn more. Send
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