POTTERY: A distinctive workshop is to be held at the Hudgens Center for the Arts on June 26, featuring Korean pottery techniques. Kwangmoon Kim, who is a professor of pottery trained in Korea, will lead the workshop. For more details, see below.

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TODAY'S FOCUS
Hudgens workshop to focus on Korean pottery techniques
By KELLY HAGGARD OLSON
Special to GwinnettForum.com

DULUTH, Ga., June 18, 2010 -- A special workshop on traditional Korean pottery techniques will take place on Saturday, June 26 at The Hudgens Center for the Arts. The workshop will consist of a demonstration period from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., then break for lunch and resume at 2 p.m. with a hands on period for the students until 4 p.m.

Kwangmoon Kim, a Korean pottery professor, will lead the class. He will teach in Korean, assisted by a translator present for the English-speaking students. Kim graduated from the Fine Arts and Pottery Department at Hongik University in Seoul, Korea, and served as a pottery teacher at the Jungsoo Apprentice School in Korea and as a professor at the National Art College in Gabong, Africa.

Kim later founded and managed the Oori Pottery Institute in Korea. He has worked in clay for over 30 years and is formally trained in traditional Korean pottery techniques. Kim will focus on the traditional pottery techniques of Sanggam and Bunjang.

Sanggam, or inlaid celadon ware, is unique to Korea. It utilizes translucent glazes over carved and inlaid clay pieces, so that the design shows through the outer layer of glaze. The technique was first developed in the early 12th century.

Bunjang, a technique described as "bold, earthy, dynamic and modern," was developed in the 1300-1500s. The term bunjang translates as "Gray-green ceramics decorated with powder," and refers to a type of ceramics that uses a relatively coarse gray body embellished with white 'slip' and covered in a green-tinted semi-translucent glaze.

Students are encouraged to prepare clay pieces ahead of time and to bring "Leather hard" unfinished works in for the hands on period in order to try out these techniques during the workshop.

Cost for the workshop is $75 for members of The Hudgens, and $95 for non-members. Registration for the workshop can be made either online, by visiting the Workshops page under Education on The Hudgens' website, or by calling The Hudgens at 770-623-6002.

The Hudgens Center for the Arts is located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 300, in Duluth, in the Gwinnett Center complex. Visitors along Interstate 85 should take the Satellite Boulevard entrance, and head west. The Arts Center is in the southwestern quadrant and on the south end of the Gwinnett Center complex. To learn more about workshops or to register online, please visit , or call 770-623-6002.www.thehudgens.org

EEB PERSPECTIVE
Voters get whole change in statewide races in 2010 election
By ELLIOTT BRACK
Editor and publisher

JUNE 18, 2010 -- For the 2010 election, Georgia voters will get a chance at wholesale change in the leadership of virtually every statewide office. No incumbents are on the ballot, with the exception of the lieutenant governor, who himself has no challengers within his party, though has two Democratic challengers.

Brack

In most years, one or two or more incumbents seek to retain their offices. For more than 40 years, Georgians have seen the name of Tommy Irvin on the ballot for commissioner of agriculture. But Tommy's hanging it up after this term, and two Republicans and one Democrat is seeking that office.

The top job in Georgia, that of governor, has 14 candidates on the ballots, seven on both the Democratic and Republican primary races, with the incumbent governor not eligible for re-election. However, a former governor Roy Barnes, is seeking the office again.

The office of secretary of state has a semi-incumbent, Brian Kemp, though he came to the office recently when Karen Handel resigned to run for governor. Kemp, who has been appointed, but not elected to the office, faces one Republican opponent, and five opponents from the Democratic Party.

For the last 60 years or more, there has not been a wide-open election for attorney general without an appointed incumbent in office. But this year there are three Republican candidates, and two on the Democratic side.

The story goes on. Both the offices of the insurance commissioner and labor commissioner will find newly elected officials in these offices come January. On the insurance side, John Oxendine has served there for 16 years, while Michael Thurmond has been in the labor commissioner's post for years. With Oxendine running for governor, and Thurmond seeking the U.S. Senate post, out came a load of candidates in these races.

Altogether, there are nine Republican candidates for the insurance job, while one Democrat seek the slot. For the Labor Commissioner position, there are two Republicans and two Democrats running for this job.

For a while, it appeared that an incumbent would be running for State School Superintendent. But then after qualifying opened, Kathy Cox decided to quit the school position and take a plum of a job in Washington in the private sector, leaving two surprised Republican candidates, and three people on the Democratic tickets seeking the top school job.

Another race, mighty important to Gwinnett, is for the seat in the U.S. Congress, representing the seventh district, after the relatively-startling announcement that John Linder would not seek re-election. So out came the candidates, a total of eight Republicans all vying for the primary nomination. One Democrat faces no opposition in his primary race to go up against the Republican primary winner in November.

Another race for Congress which touches Gwinnett, that for the Fourth District seat, has six candidates, including the Democratic incumbent, Hank Johnson. He faces two relatively strong Democratic opponents, and finds four Republicans seeking to become their party's nominee for this slot. However, political observers say that the race will mostly be decided in the Democratic primary, since the District has voted heavily Democratic for years.

In general, in these statewide and Congressional races, voters don't get much chance at "throwing the incumbents out," since there are so few incumbents in these races. Georgia voters will send basically a new team to the statehouse next January.

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FEEDBACK
Applause for legislature on cell phoning while driving

Editor, the Forum:

The cell phone usage ban while driving, in principle, is good law. However, as Governor Perdue noted, the enforceability of this law will be tested when cases come before the judicial system. Prosecution of the law will be challenged by defense attorneys similar to seat belt law enforcements.

At least the law will make parents and kids discuss limitations and consequences of actions. If that succeeds then congrats to the Georgia Legislature.

Just finished reading the June 15th edition of GwinnettForum. Really enjoy the Georgia Encyclopedia section about the history of Georgia, and also enjoy the political discussion on candidate interviews.

I agree with you on the elected officials who are on "shutdown" to issues and will not negotiate. Principles are one thing, but, as the saying goes, and I substitute principles for intentions, the road to hell is paved with good intentions/principles. Keep up the good work.

-- Gray Terry, Peachtree Corners

Dear Gray: We agree the ban is good, though it may not go far enough. As for defense attorneys attacking it, so be it. One challenge on appeal ought to smack that defense down, or else the legislature can come back with an even stronger bill. We also thank you for the comment on the Georgia Encyclopedia. We enjoy it too. Realize that Georgia is the first (and I think only) to have its state encyclopedia both online, and updated immediately as evens occur.--eeb

Throws in his 2 cents worth on rash statement about taxes

Editor, the Forum:

I like your piece about the issue of raising taxes. I'm not in favor if increased taxes. (Who is?) But I realize that taxes are part of the price of our form of government.

I would not vote for anyone who makes such a rash statement as "I will not vote for any tax increase." without knowing the facts, the reason for such an increase, and other issues. A proper statement, in my opinion, would be "It depends on the situation and purpose of the increase."

Anyone who makes such a sweeping, rash statement as the first would not, in my opinion, be intelligent enough to hold office. That's my two cents worth.

-- Robert H. Hanson, Loganville

Another thought on voting against some candidates

Editor, the Forum:

As you toss your support behind the candidates for the state and the county offices, I ask that you consider one thing. Don't support those that allow their campaign "staff" or supporters to trash up our streets with their signs placed illegally.

Just about reached the breaking point yesterday when I counted about 30 signs in a three mile stretch from my office to my favorite lunch location. I figured I would look up if there was a code/law and sure enough there was. It just irked me that much more.

Georgia Code 32-6-51 states that "It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, place or maintain within the right of way of any public road any sign, signal or other device except as authorized by subsection (d) of this Code section." Any person who violates the advertising restrictions of Georgia Code 32 "shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in Code Section 32-6-91."

• More at this link

For this reason, there is a fine line between getting your name out in public and just trashing our streets. Add to that the fact of how often are they left there for MONTHS following an election.

In addition signs are appearing in obviously foreclosed lots, houses, and developments it has just gotten to be too much. Keep Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful! Keep the political signs off the streets! And clean up after the election! Don't force the county to spend money cleaning up after the candidates that don't follow the state code!

Vote wisely this election season...not just based on whose sign you saw before turning into the polling place!

-- Scott Phillips, Dacula

Dear Scott: Had not considered signs as an endorsement consideration, but it makes sense. You make a good point, and we appreciate this viewpoint. --eeb.

Doesn't like government making garbage decision for him

Editor, the Forum:

Again the Gwinnett County government has decided it knows better than "We, The People of Gwinnett" in what we need for a trash service. It is time to show them at the ballot box how right they are NOT.

The only way politicians learn is to fire them. I want my private company to handle my trash pick-up. I do not want another fascist government program making decisions for me. We must get together and fire the ones that voted for the takeover of the private services.

What is next. Government roofers, carpenters, plumbers? Maybe Just one store to shop in? We, The People, must put a stop to the Intrusion!

-- Frankie Miller, Lilburn

Dear Frank: Too late. You won't get a shot at two of the commissioners who voted in the plan this year, since they are not running for re-election. But really: this is not fascism. This is democratic government, which has a view different from you on how to handle this problem. And the way we understood the new service, for many it's cheaper than the previous way with private collectors being paid directly. --eeb

SEND YOUR LETTERS: We encourage readers to submit feedback or letters to the editor. Send your thoughts to editor at elliott@brack.net. We will edit for length and clarity. Make sure to include your name and city where you live. Submission of a comment grants permission to us to reprint. Please keep your comment to 200 words or less. However, if you write 500 words, we'll consider it for Today's Focus.

UPCOMING
Archers get OK for county-owned land use

A group of Gwinnett residents interested in archery approached the county with a proposal to provide private funding, through partnerships, sponsorships and member fees, to establish and operate an archery program if the County could provide land. An former firing range site behind the Fire Training Academy off Braselton Highway near Dacula met the needs. The three-year land-use agreement requires the archery group to maintain the site and provide their own insurance.

Another community partnership will provide a hockey scoreboard at Pinckneyville Park in Norcross. Commissioners accepted a $3,500 donation from Peachtree Boosters Club, one of 26 volunteer-run youth athletic associations that partner with Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation. The club offers programs in roller hockey, soccer, and basketball and had 225 youth participants in roller hockey last year. This donation will improve the hockey experience for both players and spectators" Almost 49,000 youth participated in sports leagues throughout the County in 2009.

More information about all recreation opportunities offered by Gwinnett County can be found at www.gwinnettparks.com.

NOTABLE
Sugar Hill resident to be first African-American in Gwinnett SAR

On June 29, history will be made as the first African American in the state of Georgia will be inducted into the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR). Michael Nolden Henderson of Sugar Hill, a retired U.S. Naval Officer and graduate of Xavier University, will be acknowledged by induction into the Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia Society SAR, for his efforts in tracing his lineage to a Revolutionary War patriot. The ceremony will be at 11:30 a..m. at the State Capitol.

Henderson

Henderson, a native of New Orleans, discovered his unique lineage while researching his Louisiana Creole ancestry. His fourth generation great-grandfather, Mathieu Devaux, a French National, served as a militiaman under the command of the Spanish Governor General Bernardo de Galvez, who led troops in several major battles in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast. Devaux had a relationship with his former slave, Agnes Mathieu, in Spanish Colonial Louisiana. Henderson is descendent from one of their seven children, all of whom were born free prior to the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

Henderson first learned of the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution in 2006 when Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., director of the W.E.B. DuBois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University, discovered his own ancestral link to the Revolutionary War and one year later was himself inducted into the national lineage organization.

Henderson says: "I'm the first in my family to pursue membership in the NSSAR, so the process was especially detailed for me," says Henderson, who had to compile birth, marriage and death certificates, as well as other documents from the 1700s and 1800s to prove his connection to Devaux. "It was truly a labor of love and it's an honor to have my family tied to an American Revolutionary War patriot. I'm proud to be an example to others that they too can be a part of the narrative of America's history."

The story of Henderson's fourth generation great-grandparents and their connection to General Galvez is the subject of an upcoming segment on the PBS series, The History Detectives.

RECOMMENDED TREAT
Dutch Monkey Doughnuts, Cumming

"When I was growing up in Mississippi, the best morning pastry I ever had was my grandmother's hot biscuits with Karo syrup (that wonderful clear syrup that tastes mostly of vanilla.) But rivaling those long\-ago biscuits are the doughnuts in the Dutch Monkey Doughnut Shop in Cumming, Ga., just off Peachtree Parkway east of Georgia 400. First, where else can you buy doughnuts baked fresh every day by two culinary school graduates? And second, these doughnuts are truly amazing. Go and try the Dutch Monkey (chocolate glazed with banana filling); the chocolate sour cream cake doughnut; the raised glazed; and many more to be found on their daily menu. Learn more at dutchmonkeydoughnuts.com."

-- Pam South, Norcross

• An invitation: What Web sites, books or restaurants have you enjoyed? Send us your best recent visit to a restaurant or most recent book you have read along with a short paragraph as to why you liked it, plus what book you plan to read next. --eeb

GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA
Lockheed employees formed early soccer league in Georgia

An organizing entity for amateur soccer, the Georgia State Soccer Association (GSSA), formed in 1967. The impetus again came partly from international sources. Before the GSSA's founding, amateur teams consisting of Scottish and South American migrants had competed informally with teams from Lockheed-Georgia (later Lockheed Martin). Lockheed, which opened its Marietta plant in 1951, had its own league. The 360 players registered in the GSSA's first season represented 35 countries. Separate soccer programs for women and girls took hold in the 1970s through a recreational league at the Decatur-DeKalb YMCA.

Youth soccer sustained its development over the years despite fickle attitudes toward the professional game. The indoor soccer variant with which the Chiefs and other teams experimented also failed to thrive. Yet youth soccer participation has increased steadily, from 200 statewide registrants in the Georgia Youth Soccer Association's first year (1974-75) to a peak of more than 80,000 in 2001.

The game's popularity has resulted in the development of multifield soccer facilities in Athens, Columbus, Macon, and Rome. More than 100 youth teams compete in an annual spring tournament in Augusta. Immigration to Atlanta and other Georgia cities has also generated scores of Hispanic leagues and competitions among other ethnic groups. In 1989 Soccer in the Streets, a nonprofit organization, began in Atlanta to bring soccer and other activities for disadvantaged youth to urban areas. The program has expanded and is nationwide.

The large interest in soccer has been sustained in part through the 1994 World Cup finals, held in the United States, and the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. More than 1.8 million people attended the men's and women's soccer events at the 1996 Games. Preliminary matches took place throughout the Southeast, with the medal rounds decided in Sanford Stadium at the University of Georgia. Nigeria won the men's gold medal, and the U.S. women's team garnered attention for its two-to-one victory in the final against China. In what was the first year of women's soccer as an Olympic medal sport, 76,481 spectators attended the gold medal match on August 1, a record crowd at that time for a women-only sports event in the United States.

Enthusiasm for women's soccer generated by the 1996 Olympics and the 1999 Women's World Cup, also held in the United States, led to the formation in 2001 of the Women's United Soccer Association. Georgia was represented by the Atlanta Beat, which twice lost the league championship game. Atlanta served as league headquarters after a financial restructuring, which could not prevent the league's collapse after the 2003 season.

• Click here to access the Georgia Encyclopedia

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© 2010, Gwinnett Forum.com. Gwinnett Forum is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA.

TODAY'S QUOTE
How some office holders come into office

"We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office."

-- Aesop (620 B.C. To 560 B.C.)

CANDIDATE PROFILES

For the 2010 primary season, GwinnettForum asked all candidates facing primary opposition in Gwinnett County to provide answers to a few questions. You can read their answers below by clicking on the links. (Not all responses have been added yet; with responses from more than 80 candidates, we'll get the rest of them online by next week.)

Candidates with no primary opposition are noted. They'll be asked in the fall by us to fill out issues surveys, which we'll publish before the November election.

If a candidate did not respond to our survey, it is marked "DNR."

2010 FEDERAL CANDIDATES

U.S. Congress, District 4

Democrats

• Hank Johnson Jr.
  
• Vernon Jones (DNR)
  
• Connie Stokes

  Republicans

• Victor Armendariz
  
• Lisbeth "Liz" Carter
  
• Larry Gause
  
• Cory Ruth

U.S. Congress, District 7

Republicans

• Clay Cox
  
• Chuck Efstration
  
• Jef Fincher
  
• Ronnie Grist (DNR)
  
• Jody Hice
  
• Tom Kirby
  
• Tom Parrott
  
• Rob Woodall

  Democrat Doug Heckman has no primary opposition in this congressional race.

2010 STATEWIDE CANDIDATES

Georgia Governor

Democrats

• Thurbert Baker (DNR)
• Roy Barnes
  
• DuBose Porter
  
• David Poythress

Republicans

• Nathan Deal
  
• Karen Handel (DNR)
  
• Eric Johnson (DNR)
• John Oxendine

Georgia Lieutenant Governor

Democrats

• Tricia Carpenter McCracken (DNR)
  
• Carol Porter

  Republican Casey Cagle faces no primary opposition.

Georgia Attorney General

Democrats

• Ken Hodges
  
• Rob Teilhet

Republicans

• Sam Olens
  
• Preston W. Smith
  
• Max Wood

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture

Republicans

• Gary Black
  
• Darwin Carter (DNR)

Democrat J.B. Powell faces no primary opposition in the Agriculture Commissioner race.

Georgia Commissioner of Insurance

Republicans

• Dennis Cain
  
• Rick Collum
  
• Seth Harp
  
• Ralph Hudgens
  
• Tom Knox (DNR)
  
• John Mamalakis
  
• Stephen Dale Northington
  
• Gary Purcell (DNR)
  
• Maria Sheffield

Democrat Mary Squires faces no primary opposition in the Insurance Commissioner race.

Georgia Labor Commissioner

Democrats

• Terry L. Coleman (DNR)
  
• Darryl Hicks

  Republicans

• Mark Butler
  
• Melvin Everson

Georgia Secretary of State

Democrats

• Gail Buckner
  
• Gary Horlacher
  
• Michael Mills
  
• Angela Moore
  
• Georganna Sinkfield

  Republicans

• Brian Kemp
  
• Doug MacGinnitie

Georgia State School Superintendent

Democrats

• Beth Farokhi
  
• Joe Martin
  
• Brian Westlake

  Republicans

• John D. Barge
  
• Richard Woods

Georgia Public Service Commission

Republicans

• Joey Brush (DNR)
  
• John Douglas
  
• Tim Echols
  
• Jeff May

Democrat Keith Moffett faces no primary opposition in the race for Public Service Commission.

2010 LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES

Georgia State Senate, District 9

Republicans

• Joe Anderson (DNR)
  
• Don Balfour
  
• Travis Bowden

Democrat Rashid Malik faces no primary opposition in this Senate race.

State Senate, District 40

Republicans

• Jim Duffie
  
• Fran Millar
  
• James Scott Sibold

  Democrat Eric Christ faces no primary opposition in this Senate race.

State Representative, District 51

Republicans

• Tom Rice
  
• Neal Towey

State Representative, District 88

Democrats

• Simone Joye
  
• Billy Mitchell

State Representative, District 95

Democrats

• Toney Collins (DNR)
  
• Andre Cooper
  
• Pam Dickerson

  Republican Rodney Upton faces no primary opposition in this House race.

State Representative, District 96

Democrats

• Pedro "Pete" Marin
  
• Brian Mock

State Representative, District 98

Republicans

• Josh Clark
  
• Wayne Hill

State Representative, District 101

Republicans

• Buzz Brockway
  
• Jesse Jones (DNR)

State Representative, District 102

Republicans

• Steve Allen
  
• Linda Carsten
  
• B.J. Pak (DNR)
  
• Keith A. Royal

Democrat Porter D. Deal faces no primary opposition in this House race.

State Representative, District 103

Republicans

• David Casas
  
• Steve Ramey

Democrat Allan Burns faces no primary opposition in this House race.

State Representative, District 104

Republicans

• Valerie Clark
  
• Timothy Swiney
  
• Gary H. Webb (DNR)

Democrat Lee Thompson faces no primary opposition in this House race.

State Representative, District 106

Republicans

• Warren Auld
  
• Brett Harrell

Democrat Steffini Bethea faces no primary opposition in this House race.

2010 GWINNETT COUNTY CANDIDATES

Gwinnett County Commissioner, District 2

Republicans

• Lynette Howard
  
• Jose R. Perez
  
• Keith Shewbert

Democrat Robert Lee Byers faces no primary opposition in this commission race.

Gwinnett County Commissioner, District 4

Republicans

• Gerald Cagle (DNR)
  
• John Heard
  
• Tommy Hunter
  
• Ron Silver
  
• Tim Sullivan
  

MORE EEB PERSPECTIVE

	8/17: Civility and society
	8/13: Good ole boys got pick
	8/10: GGC opens new facilities
	8/6: Sophisticated scam
	8/3: Howington celebrates
	7/30: Humor in books
	7/27: Runoff endorsements
	7/23: Looking beyond primaries
	7/20: What price freedom?
	7/16: Early voting concerns
	7/13: UGA headline-maker
	7/9: On Bannister incident
	7/6: On classic movies
	7/2: Malcolm Gwinnett
	EEB index of columns

MORE RECENT COMMENTARY

	8/17: Morrison: Artistic collaboration
	8/13: Pirello: Culinary center
	8/10: Mock: Sharing worthwhile
	8/6: Sherman: Opp zone
	8/3: Morrison: Brenau's plans
	7/30: Heaven: Federal tax info
	7/27: Nelems: Media surveys
	7/23: Urrutia: Fish vaccines
	7/20: Paul: Norcross group
	7/16: Stilo: Aurora's 15th season
	7/13: Jackson: PCOM's new school
	7/9: Jones: Energy audit
	7/6: Callina: Vacation rentals
	7/2: Williams: Gwinnett Place
	COMMENTARY INDEX

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.

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