BRIDGE CONCEPT: Here is the conceptual drawing to the Interstate 85 bridge at Jimmy Carter Boulevard when the proposed diverging diamond interchange is completed. Contract for the work is expected to be let next spring, and the design open to traffic in the fall of 2012, and is to cost an anticipated $5 million.

Issue 11.60 | Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011

TODAY'S FOCUS
:: Myths, facts on P'tree Corners vote

ELLIOTT BRACK'S PERSPECTIVE
:: What happens if "no" on E-SPLOST

FEEDBACK
:: Peach Pass costly, tax increase

UPCOMING
Housing help, PugFest, sports mgt

NOTABLE
:: New London Theatre in trouble, more

ALSO INSIDE

IN THE SPOTLIGHT
:: Gainesville State College

GEORGIA TIDBIT
:: Fort Frederica

LAGNIAPPE
:: All smiles

GWINNETT CALENDAR
:: Lots of activities on tap

TODAY'S QUOTE
:: Thought for fall

OUR SPONSORS

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.

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TODAY'S FOCUS
Myths, facts from one guy about Peachtree Corners vote
By JIM NELEMS
Special to GwinnettForum

NORCROSS, Ga., Oct. 25, 2011 -- In discussing the pros and cons of Peachtree Corners becoming a city, residents have given many reasons for and against becoming an incorporated city. But how many of these are not valid reasons for becoming a city?

Nelems

Myth #1. "We will have more police protection."

Not true. Fire and police protection will remain the responsibility of Gwinnett County, as they always have. Unless residents vote later to take responsibility for police protection, and vote themselves taxes five to six or more times the projected city rate of 1.0 mills, this will not change.

Myth #2. "We can have Peachtree Corners as a mailing address."

If you live in 30092, you can do that now. In fact the post office is listed in Peachtree Corners, Georgia.

Myth #3. "I will vote for it because of the schools and the kids."

Becoming a city has nothing to do with schools or children. Gwinnett County will continue to provide public education, as they do in every city except Buford, which has always had its own school system.

Myth #4. "More sidewalks."

Not true. Roads and sidewalks will continue to be handled by Gwinnett County.

Myth #5. "It will keep the taxes down."

Not true. Taxes will be raised, not only for property taxes, but ad valorem on cars as well, plus franchise fees and a 2 percent city utility tax on all power bills, which we do not have now.

Myth #6. "It will keep out development and businesses we don't want."

This is nebulous and debatable. Zoning in place cannot change and current county zoning is totally adequate.

Myth #7. "It will raise our home values."

Pure speculation. The economy, the home itself and location determine home prices.

Myth #8. "Voting No is no option."

Of course it is.

Myth #9. "Peachtree Corners will disappear if we are not a city."

How can it? It's a recognized area, like Mountain Park or Tucker.

Myth #10. "Vacant buildings will fill up."

Really? Overnight? How would this happen?

Myth #11. "We will be annexed into Norcross."

Not unless a majority of residents vote to do this. Just look on voting day that the residents EAST of Norcross are voting on whether to be annexed. That would be the only way Peachtree Corners could become part of Norcross.

Myth #12. "We will get away from Gwinnett County."

Not true. Gwinnett County will continue to provide all services except planning and zoning, trash collection and code enforcement. County taxes will not go down.

Now, let's look at the facts.

Fact #1. "Taxes will go up."

VoteYes supporters admit this. Peachtree Corners residents have no city taxes now. The tax on power bills is zero now; it will go to two percent. Franchise and business license fees can and will be raised. City ad valorem taxes on vehicles will be raised.

Fact #2. "Another layer of government will be added."

What is another layer of government, if not a mayor, city council and dozens of city employees and the operational expenses they entail?

Fact # 3. "We don't need a city."

We don't need a city because Gwinnett County performs all the services the new city would perform, with no increase in taxes.

Become an informed voter. Read the facts, and ignore the myths.

EEB PERSPECTIVE
Tell your neighbors why Gwinnett needs to pass E-SPLOST
By ELLIOTT BRACK
Editor and publisher

OCT. 25, 2011 -- Let's look at the upcoming E-SPLOST vote in another fashion. What happens if the E-SPLOST doesn't pass in Gwinnett County?

Brack

Two possibilities emerge, neither of them good. There would either be double sessions for some schools, or large scale re-districting to equalize students to match facilities. Either would be devastating, and most disruptive, to the point of damaging student achievement.

The last time the school district had a school in double sessions was from 1979-1981 at Parkview High. The opening of Brookwood High relieved Parkview at a time when double sessions were necessary. Shiloh High opened in 1984, offering relief again to Parkview.

In past years, Gwinnett citizens have recognized the benefit of collecting an extra one cent on taxable retail sales in the county to help fund education. The E-SPLOST proposals have passed overwhelmingly, by 71, 79 and 66 percent in 1997, 2001 and 2006.

Most recently, E-SPLOST III (2006) has brought in an average funding of $11,126,425 each month! And good as that has been, back when the economy was sizzling along in 2006 when vote was proposed, it was anticipated that the program would be bringing in $23 million each month! Gwinnett is now collecting educational tax revenues at 63.7 percent of anticipation, or $310 million less than projected. That shows how much the Gwinnett schools have been hampered and under-funded by the slowdown in the economy!

But now in 2011, we will get to vote on continuing the one cent sales tax for educational purposes. It's no new tax. At present, the estimates are that it will bring in $876 million over the five years. Buford City Schools would get $17.1 million, and Gwinnett County Public Schools would get $858.9 million.

But note: that is projected to bring in an average of $14.6 million PER MONTH to the local schools. That's not chicken feed.

What infrastructure would these funds pay for?

Since Gwinnett County continues to grow its school population, it would anticipate building 433 new classrooms in the next five years. But it would also pay for maintenance items, such as re-roofing classrooms, HVAC upgrades, painting, carpeting and similar upgrades, plus adding air conditioning at gymnasiums and activity buildings. If Gwinnett is required to put off maintaining buildings, this will also result in higher replacement costs eventually.

Some critics point out providing air conditioning in gyms and activity buildings is operationally costly. But these also are areas of learning, and operational costs for these buildings amount to less than one percent of the county budget.

Perhaps the most innovative aspect of the new E-SPLOST would be technology upgrades. This would boost Wi-Fi and bring on technology to allow access for student mobile devices, I-Touch and I-Pads, cell phones and laptops. As Alvin Wilbanks has suggested, E-SPLOST passage would allow current students to "power up" when at schools, where now many students "power down" compared with the access they have at home. Even students on reduced-prices lunches would benefit from reduced rates on Internet services.

This new technology can also lead to focusing more on digital content, and allow more use of digital textbooks at a much lower cost than providing conventional textbooks. Overall, technology upgrades would allow classrooms to be "more robust" and continue Gwinnett moving forward.

Forcing Gwinnett students to either double sessions or major re-districting is not the way to go. Gwinnett parents want the best for their students. Continuing to help pay for schools through the fourth E-SPLOST sales tax will keep the Gwinnett Schools at their top attainment level.

* * * * *

SEVERAL PEOPLE recognized our Lagniappe Photo last week, realizing that the photo was from the campus of Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. Kellie Austin was the first to answer correctly and wins our very best wishes and an invitation for a Tour of Gwinnett. Thanks to all who entered!

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
Gainesville State College

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Gainesville State College has been educating the citizens of Northeast Georgia since 1966 and has an enrollment approaching 9,000. With 1,296 students during the fall of 2011, Gwinnett County is second only to Hall County in the number of students who attend GSC. The College awarded 892 degrees awarded during 2010-2011, students from Gwinnett County earned 202 of the degrees (22.6 percent). At GSC, students engage in a challenging learning experience in a supportive and nurturing environment. GSC offers associate of arts, associate of science, associate of applied science, certificates, and a limited number of bachelor degrees. Gainesville State College integrates academic and extra-curricular activities in order to emphasize development of the "whole person." GSC is a "student-focused, learning centered" commuter college where students can enjoy the "total college experience" by participating in student activities such as: intramurals, clubs and organizations, bands, chorus, publications, cultural affairs programs, fine arts offerings including theatre, extended orientation, and international-intercultural studies programs. The Gainesville Campus is located just off of Interstate-985 in Oakwood, and the Oconee Campus is located in Watkinsville. To learn more about GSC, visit www.gsc.edu.

FEEDBACK
New HOT lanes, Peach Pass too high and tax increase

Editor, the Forum:

I do not understand your efforts to discuss the Peach Pass rates on Interstate 85. Of course, they are too high, but more importantly, they are another tax increase.

The facts are that we already pay for the use of these roads via gasoline taxes. It is the misuse of those funds that are at issue. Those funds should be dedicated to roads and only roads as intended. You cannot argue that more fuel efficient cars result in less revenues because technology changes in highway construction should more than be offset by efficient design and construction techniques that increase the life of the roads.

These lanes are a simple reaction to obtain Federal Highway funds and make our state and local communities dependent on the federal government.

This tax is almost as ridiculous as those who vote and approved SPLOST dollars. Not that I dislike parks but the voters fail to realize that while SPLOST builds the parks, the operating revenues are taken out of the operating budgets that fund other county operations, such as police and fire.

What you should discuss rather than commute to Atlanta is what is Buford doing to attract jobs to Buford and provide incentives to Buford businesses to hire Buford residents for those jobs and keep Buford residents working in Buford.

-- Anthony F. (Frank) Telenta, Buford

Dear Frank: I believe you miss the point. The Peach Pass centers on an alternate way for people who need to get somewhere fast in heavy traffic, giving them the option to go into a lane with fewer cars. Some might be OK with paying a few dollars to get somewhere quicker than they could in the crowded lanes. I see it as a tax that people who choose to use the Fast Lanes will pay, not me, if I don't need to get there quicker. Thoroughly agree that people finding jobs closer to their homes would eliminate the traffic congestion, but this is not always possible. --eeb

• Send us your letters. Our policy: We encourage readers to submit feedback (or letters to the editor). Send your thoughts to the editor at elliott@brack.net. We will edit for length and clarity. Make sure to include your name and the city where you live. Submission of a comment grants permission for us to reprint. Please keep your comments to 300 words or less. However, we will consider longer articles (no more than 500 words) for featuring in Today's Focus as space allows.

UPCOMING
Commission moves to improve county's housing industry

Gwinnett County is taking action to improve housing. A new phase of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) will use approved asset managers to buy, rehabilitate and sell homes that are currently in foreclosure on the east side of Lawrenceville, one of the hardest hit foreclosure areas in the county. The three highest-scoring asset managers are Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc., The Macallan Group, LLC, and Gwinnett Window and Door, Inc.

The City of Lawrenceville will invest $727,000 in sidewalk and drainage improvements in the target area, and its Quality of Life and Crime Prevention units will also participate in the stabilization effort. The Lawrenceville Housing Authority will place qualified homeowners into the homes.

Lawrenceville Neighborhood Alliance will provide leadership and assistance in the improvement effort, and IMPACT! Group will provide homeownership classes and counseling. The NSP program uses state and federal funds to reverse the negative effects of foreclosures on Gwinnett neighborhoods. It has already purchased 96 homes, sold 66 to homebuyers and renovated a 92-unit low-income townhome development.

The Board also approved a 2012 Action Plan for the federal Housing and Urban Development Authority (HUD) for an anticipated $3 million in grants under three HUD programs next year.

Funds from the Community Development Block Grant program would provide about $2 million to expand and operate the Gwinnett Senior Services Center, tripling its capacity to prepare Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors. It would also pay $123,000 to help operate the Gwinnett Children's Shelter and $66,000 to help staff the Hi-Hope Service Center for severely disabled adults.

HOME Program funds would supply $504,000 for down payment assistance to 67 first-time homebuyers and more than $100,000 in Emergency Solutions Grants to help four agencies shelter at least 350 homeless people. Those agencies are Norcross Cooperative Ministry, Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Partnership Against Domestic Violence and the Salvation Army.

PugFest 2011 returns to Gwinnett Co. Fairgrounds on Oct. 29

On Saturday, October 29, PugFest returns to the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds at 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, just in time for Halloween.

At PugFest 2011, expect to see hundreds of pugs (and some of their owners) don scary, crazy and cute costumes for one of the fundraiser's most anticipated events--the costume contest. PugFest's entry fees are $8 per adult and $4 for children under 12 (no charge for pugs and other small pets). The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. After a pug parade with rescued pet introductions at 12:30 p.m., the contests begin.

First are the "best of" contests, including: oldest pug, farthest-traveled pug, curliest tail, most wrinkles, most gray, best kisser, best trick, most unique pug mix and longest tongue.

Emily Prato and pug Zoe, as Pugger Woods.

Next, at approximately 2 p.m., is a costume contest with two categories, homemade and store-bought costumes. (Just picture all the little "Pugs Bunnies", "lady pugs" and "hot dogs.") Many of the entrants for the homemade costumes have spent a year since the last PugFest painstakingly creating costumes that come complete with various props and/or elaborate backgrounds/scenery.

PugFest is the Southeast Pug Rescue and Adoption's (SEPRA) biggest fundraiser of the year. Monies gathered from Pugfest, are for rescued pugs and pug mixes alike. Typically approximately 1,500 people and 700 pugs are in attendance. Though many people enjoy the contests the best, the silent auction, raffles, bake sale, professional pet pictures, pet grooming, and other fundraising opportunities are not to be overlooked.

In addition to the fun and fundraising, PugFest also features vendors with items for purchase for both the pugs and pug owners. Go to www.rescuepug.com and click on the "Pugfest" tab for a full list of vendors. For more information on SEPRA, PugFest or the vendors, visit the Web site, email info@rescuepug.com or call 770-887-9741.

UGA master's in sports management offered at Gwinnett

A new sports management master's degree will be taught at the Gwinnett campus of The University of Georgia, starting in summer 2012. The department of kinesiology is now accepting applications for the program.

The program is the newest of 10 College of Education graduate degrees offered at the Gwinnett campus. The non-thesis track of study consists of 36 class hours, including 24 hours of required courses, six hours of electives and a six-credit-hour internship experience.

The multi-disciplinary curriculum incorporates real-world issues, blends face-to-face instruction with online and distance learning, and promotes a dynamic learning environment, according to Billy Hawkins, associate professor in kinesiology and the sport management and policy program coordinator.

• For more information about the sport management and policy program on the UGA Gwinnett campus, see this link.

NOTABLE
Snellville's New London Theatre in danger of closing

The sluggish economy is causing problems with non-profits, as evidenced by a plea from the New London Theatre in Snellville. Dawn Berlo, chair of its board, sent a message out last week saying that the financial position the board is now in "has now become greater than we can handle."

The theatre needs to raise $15,000 by the end of October to keep the doors open. She says: :"Please find it in your heart to help us continue to create wonderful shows for you to not only watch, but be in." The theatre has operated for 13 years in Snellville. A recent unexpected air conditioning emergency, to keep the facility up to fire code standards, drained the theatre's funds.

• To donate, click this link to go directly to the donation page at PayPal, or mail or drop off a check to 2485 Main Street East, Snellville, Ga. 30078.

Georgia Gwinnett College part of national collaboration

Georgia Gwinnett College has been named to a cohort of colleges and universities led by the American Council on Education (ACE) that will collaborate to create more globally engaged curricula, opportunities and campuses for their students.

Along with seven other institutions, GGC will work to increase global engagement on campus by forming leadership teams to work on strategic planning and student outcomes, attending community meetings in Washington, D.C., and participating in site visits, peer reviews and other activities.

Barbara Hill, project director and senior associate for internationalization at ACE, says: "We are very pleased to welcome a very qualified and energized cohort this year. Though they represent diverse geographic regions, institution types and sizes, the cohort will be able to share practical ideas and solutions that will ultimately enhance the student experience."

The other selected institutions are: Fielding Graduate University, California; Montana State University, Montana; Monroe Community College, New York; Universidad Metropolitana, Puerto Rico; University of Wisconsin River Falls, Wisconsin; University of Wyoming, Wyoming; and Webster University, Missouri. ACE has hosted 59 schools in the Internationalization Laboratory since 2003. GGC is only the second Georgia institution selected to participate.

Romig joins Jackson EMC as mechanical engineer

Brittany Romig, an engineer with a background in building structures, mechanical systems and energy efficiency, has joined Jackson Electric Membership Cooperation (EMC).

Romig

Romig will support commercial/industrial members throughout cooperative's 10-county service area, providing assistance with energy audits, efficiency improvements, process optimization, HVAC design, lighting and more. A native of Cumming, Romig is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering. As a student, she received the University of Georgia's R.H. Driftmier Achievement Award for the Highest Academic Achievement in Engineering. Romig previously worked as a mechanical engineer with Setty and Associates, a Fairfax-Va.-based engineering consulting firm.

RECOMMENDED

• 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
At one time, Fort Frederica had population of 1,000

(From previous edition)

Despite the smaller forts and batteries located to the south and west, the town's citadel and the heart of the frontier defense system was Fort Frederica. In his Journal, John Percival (the earl of Egmont) remarked that the "bay within was very secure for shipping" and the southern mouth of the Altamaha River "land lock'd from the Winds."

Oglethorpe had observed a high bluff in January 1734 while reconnoitering Georgia's coastal Sea Islands in search of a suitable fort site. The bluff's elevation and location provided a commanding view of inland waterways and the salty sea marshes as well as protection from invasion. The fact that the land had previously been cleared for an "Indian old field" made this strategically important location even more attractive.

Accompanied by 30 men, Oglethorpe returned to this setting by February 18, 1736. He traced out a fort with four bastions, "dug enough of the ditch and raised enough of the Rampart for a sample for the Men to work upon." Grass was cut into turf from the Indian old field and used in sodding the fort. By September 1738 Oglethorpe's regiment consisted of six companies, each with about 125 men. An imposing barracks was constructed to house them.

A total of 44 men and 72 women and children had settled at Fort Frederica by mid-March 1736. Less than ten years later, the number had grown to 1,000. Most of the early residents were tradesmen and their families who had braved a two-month voyage across the Atlantic. They prospered, supplying the needs of the regiment.

After an unsuccessful siege of St. Augustine by Georgia soldiers in 1740 during the War of Jenkins' Ear, Spanish forces launched a retaliatory invasion of Fort Frederica in midsummer 1742. Oglethorpe was outgunned and outmanned but not outmaneuvered. Over a two-week period he and his men engaged the invading Spanish forces in a skirmish at Gulley Hole Creek and on July 7, 1742, at Bloody Marsh, ambushed them in a drizzling rain. As a result, the Spanish retreated, never again to present a threat to English designs in the Southeast.

The British regiment disbanded in May, 1749. With its departure, many of Frederica's townspeople relocated. Nine years later, in April 1758, a great fire swept Frederica, reducing much of it to ashes. Today the Fort Frederica National Monument ruins stand as a silent reminder of colonial military struggles.

• Click here to access the Georgia Encyclopedia

LAGNIAPPE
Health Fair smiles

Having fun with Gwinnett Braves Mascot Chopper at the All About Wonder Women event last week were, from left, Samantha Dunn (Gwinnett Braves), Regina Vella (Gwinnett Technical College) and Ginger Powell (Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation). The health fair was put on by Gwinnett Medical Center. Sponsoring the event through Partnership Gwinnett were Gwinnett Technical College, Georgia United Credit Union and Garden Plaza.

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© 2011, 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

What takes place when fall is in the air

"Listen! the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!"

-- Italian-born English poet Humbert Wolfe (1885-1940), via Cindy Evans, Duluth.

MORE COPIES
Gwinnett history book going
into second printing

A second printing of Elliott Brack's modern history of Gwinnett County, entitled "Gwinnett: A Little Above Atlanta," is underway. The book should be available about November 1. The first edition sold out earlier this year.

Two versions of the book will be available. The hardback edition will be priced at $75, while a softback edition will be $40. The books will be available at selected local book stores and also available by purchase through www.elliottbrack.com.
People placing an order for the books before the delivery of the books will earn discounts of $10 off the price of the hardback version, and $5 reduction of the price of the softbound version.

SEARCH GWINNETT FORUM

GWINNETT CALENDAR

Colored Pencil Odyssey exhibition of six artists: Now through Nov. 25, St. Edward's Episcopal Church, 737 Moon Road in Lawrenceville. These 24 drawings are from members of the Atlanta chapter of the Colored Pencil Society. The gallery is free to the public, with viewing hours 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 770-963-6128.

Dracula: Through Oct. 30, Fridays through Sundays. The melodrama will be performed at the New London Theatre in Snellville. More.

PhotoMix Exhibit: Third Annual Kudzu/Atlanta Celebrates Photography Event Fridays and Saturdays, through Oct. 29 at Kudzu Art Zone in Norcross. This month-long exhibit of 12 Kudzu members seeks to expand the awareness of visual arts. The opening reception is Friday, October 14. Details here.

Open House to mark an expanded LEED Gold compute, data and recovery center: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Oct. 27, Corus360, 130 Technology Parkway, Norcross. Activities include a technology infrastructure leadership panel, educational sessions, hors d'oeuvres and door prizes. To register, visit online.

Fifth Annual Salvation Army Breakfast: 8 a.m., Oct. 28, Gwinnett Salvation Army Center, 3455 Sugarloaf Parkway. Speaker will be Jeff Foxworthy. This benefits the Army's "Home Sweet Home Gwinnett," an innovative program for emergency rapid re-housing of homeless families. Tickets at $125. More information via email.

Suwanee Trek or Treat: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 29, Suwanee Creek Park, 1170 Buford Highway. Costumed youth are invited to enjoy festival-style games, crafts and activities, and trek or treat along Suwanee Gateway. Event is free, with prizes and hot dogs available as supplies last.

Fall Historic Bus Tour to Snellville, Lilburn, Lawrenceville and Dacula, put on by the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 29. Cost: $20 per person. Narrators will be Elmer Nash and Mary Long. Tour departs from Female Seminary in Lawrenceville, and makes a stop for lunch in Lawrenceville (not included in price). Info: 770 822 5178.

Second Annual Fall Festival of Kingdom Now Ministries: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 29, 1805 Shackelford Court, Norcross. Games, food and entertainment are offered, as well as free health screenings. For more information, call 770 564 6792.

Take Back Day for prescription drugs: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 29, Norcross City Hall. This will be conducted by the Norcross Police Department as a venue for persons who want to dispose of unwanted or unused drugs. For more information call 770-448-2111.

(NEW) Suwanee "Take Back" unwanted, unused and expired prescriptions: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 29, Suwanee Police Station, 373 Buford Highway. For more information about Suwanee's participation in this program, contact Sgt. Bryan Hickey at 770/904-7609.

Masterworks Concert: Oct. 30. The first concert of the season by the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (GSO&C) is scheduled for Sunday, October 30 at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center. It will be a family concert entitled, "Masterworks 1: A Young Persons' Guide to the Orchestra and Chorus."

(NEW) Old Peachtree Road 5K, sponsored by Georgia campus, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine: 9 a.m., Nov. 5, to benefit Rainbow Village. The race will begin and end in the medical college's parking lot at 625 Old Peachtree Rd. NW, Suwanee. Click here for application.

(NEW) Celebrate America Festival: Noon to 5 p.m., Nov. 6, Catholic Church of Saint Monica, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. The Festival will honor the military, community fire, police, emergency personnel and governmental workers. More info: drfoodatwcdk@bellsouth.net.

(NEW) Fourth Annual LaJazz: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Nov. 13 at Footprints Cafe in Lawrenceville and the same time Nov. 20 at Purple Rain in Duluth. Both events benefit Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Gwinnett Pearls of Service Foundation. More info.

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