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 FORTY FOUR YEARS AGO. Tomorrow will be June 6, the date in 1968 that Robert Kennedy was shot in Los Angeles, Calif. Lawrenceville's Frank Sharp was an IBM computer operator in Detroit at the time. Sharp had been working on the night shift as an IBM computer operator at the Allen Park location on the Edsel Ford Freeway, and had the next day free, when Kennedy was to speak. Sharp says: "So I went down to see Robert Kennedy at Kennedy Square as he made his last stop on his tour before flying to L.A. Later I thought the policeman on the roof was almost a premonition of things to come." |
Issue 12.18 | Tuesday, June 5, 2012 TODAY'S FOCUS ELLIOTT
BRACK'S PERSPECTIVE FEEDBACK UPCOMING NOTABLE ALSO INSIDE IN
THE SPOTLIGHT RECOMMENDED GEORGIA
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TODAY'S
FOCUS DULUTH, Ga., June 5, 2012 -- The Hudgens Center for the Arts in Duluth will be the home to four new exhibits this summer, all opening today (June 5). They include: DRAWN: From Athens; Summer Sk8; the second annual Pulp Fashion: The Art of the Paper Dress; and the fourth annual Altered Books. Following an Exhibition Reception on Saturday, June 9, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., all four exhibits will remain on display through the summer, closing on August 25. The reception is open to the public. There are also several related programs and events scheduled in conjunction with the new exhibits; for a full listing, please visit the online Calendar. Here are details on these exhibits: "DRAWN: From Athens" presents works by 15 Athens-based or Athens-schooled artists who specialize in various media, illustrating that regardless of whether they are a videographer, a sculptor, a fabric designer or a photographer, drawing is at the heart of any artistic practice. The featured artists are: James Barsness, Jaime Bull, Adriane Colburn, Diane Edison, Laura Foster, Lauren Gallaspy, Susan Hable, Carol John, Alex Murawski, Clay McLaurin, Michael Oliveri, Kathryn Refi, Art Rosenbaum, Leslie Snipes, and Jessica Wohl.
"DRAWN" explores drawing in the second and third dimensions, including everything from pristine completions to a doodle using Bic pen and Whiteout. According to Didi Dunphy, curator for the exhibit, "this exhibit examines the minute and gazes at the monumental, going from an obsessively tiny grid to a floor-to-ceiling scroll." The companion "Summer Sk8" exhibit features skateboard designs by Didi Dunphy, and is the first time that all of her skateboard designs to date have been shown together. The boards vary in style from razor to fishtail, and in materials from upholstery and embroidery to ceramic and marble. States Dunphy, "I am interested in the intersection of art and design - fabricating objects that explore the nature of cooperative play. Thus, I have designed the 'See Saw,' the 'Swing' and the 'Inside Skateboards,' sculpture for interaction with the hopes that through this recess or play activity, cooperation, collaboration and good ideas will be born between people." "Pulp Fashion: the Art of the Paper Dress" and the "Altered Books" exhibits are on tap. Pulp Fashion was a highly popular exhibit last summer, featuring full-sized, wearable art fashioned from the pages of books and magazines by staff teams from several branches of the Gwinnett County Public Library. It returns this year, again transforming discarded print materials into paper fashions. The idea for "Pulp Fashion" was born from the GCPL's annual "Altered Books" competition. Winning and selected "Altered Book" entries from this year's competition will also be on display at the Hudgens for viewers to enjoy, and the winning entries announced at the Exhibition Reception. Guidelines for "Altered Books" state that entries may be concocted using any creative technique on an old book that is ready for recycling, but that library books are not to be used for the contest, and the competition was open to any Gwinnett County resident. The Hudgens Center for the Arts is located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 300, in Duluth, in the Gwinnett Center complex. For more information about art exhibits, events and classes at the Hudgens, visit the Web site at www.thehudgens.org or call 770-623-6002. ELLIOTT
BRACK JUNE 5, 2012 -- Just about time it appears that Gwinnett County is settling down and government is going smoother, suddenly matters are in an uproar because, of all things, nothing less than a bribery charge.
Who would have ever envisioned? One reason it appeared that all was going smoother was the fact that Charlotte Nash drew no opposition as she sought a four-year term as chairman of the county commission. Since coming into office, she had taken charge, smoothed matters out, and even taken the lead and settled the long-standing dispute between the city and county over service delivery. (As an aside, one way she did that was to ask the attorneys to leave the room. The two sides worked with each other to iron out matters. That was smart, not allowing legal minds to gum up the works from reaching a real settlement.) Now Gwinnett gets another black eye. No doubt many have said to Gwinnettians as we heard last week: "How could all this be happening in your county?" It doesn't bode well for good government. What it does is cause more distrust about government. We accept that government is not always perfect, nor is it always pretty to watch government in action. But by and large, for the most part, we feel we have elected pretty good people to serve us, and that they do as good as job as most of them can. Every now and then, something amiss happens. We all cringe. But then we get to the nut of the issue, and carry on as best we can, electing generally good people to settle the key questions of government.
Should the current commission, shy one member now, have a question before it where there was a 2-2 split on the issue, it amounts to a tabling of that issue, since there would not be a majority vote to move a question. The commission would be at a logjam. A split item could not pass, nor could it be killed. Such a question would simply be in limbo. It could, like a move to table until time certain, be brought back up at a latter date. As for the airport question, we see this virtual tabling as real now. Yet the best solution for the airport question, as we have advanced before, would be to allow the people of the county to voice their opinion on the matter. We think there is sufficient time to allow a straw vote on it during the July 31 primary. If that is too quick, then the matter could be put to the people in November. We understand that at least three other counties of Metro Atlanta are watering at the mouth about the possibility that Gwinnett might not move the airport question. These other areas have sent signals to forces seeking to develop a second limited airport that their communities would support such an effort. We hope Gwinnett can still come together and win this airport designation. It will be a shame if the forces of bad government destroy this possibility. Bad government is the people's worst enemy. ABOUT
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FEEDBACK Editor, the Forum:
For more information visit www.FlyGwinnettForward.com.
Prefers for writers to be identified in Forum Editor, the Forum: I was disappointed to see that you did not clearly identify "Sis" Henry as the Executive Director of the Georgia School Boards Association for your readers. The GSBA has a vested interest in opposing this amendment and your readers could have better judged for themselves if there was any bias in her position based on that additional information. Additionally the Vision Project she speaks of so glowingly is, in my opinion, in many respects a lowering of existing standards in order to make it appear school performance is improving. This is much the same as what Gwinnett schools did some years ago with the criteria for disciplinary panels in order to improve their reporting statistics.
UPCOMING Gwinnett Tech students Curtis Hayden of Sugar Hill, a North Gwinnett graduate, and Lian Xue, who lives in Buford, have recently boarded an airplane to Berlin to take their studies abroad, on full scholarships from the Global Institute of Comparative Studies (GICS) at Chancellor University.
Hayden and Xue will be participating in the World Capitals Summer 2012 program, where they'll study abroad in Berlin, Germany, and Strasbourg and Paris, France. They left June 2 and will study for one month in Berlin and then travel to Strasbourg, staying at The Château de Pourtalès, an 18th century castle on the Rhine River. They will end their studies in Paris. Hayden is studying Culinary Arts. Xue, originally
from China, has been in America for 10 years, but the study abroad program
will mark her first trip to Europe. She is enrolled in the college's Health
Sciences program. NOTABLE Amid the excitement of the state baseball championships, Providence Christian Academy (PCA) is announcing a new mascot, the "Storm," which was first revealed to the PCA community via the Internet and email.
According to Athletic Director Michael Woods, the goals behind picking a new mascot have been three-fold. First, the school wanted to visually enhance the emotion, action and competitive spirit of Providence athletics. Additionally, there was an effort to rally the Providence community to support student athletes, sports and the school with a new identity. Finally, the school wanted to project a team name and identity that was unique among all high schools in Georgia. Back in 1991, the incoming Senior Class devised the original PCA mascot, "The Stars," based on the scripture reference Daniel 12:3, "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." In selecting the Storm, PCA coaches, staff and families got to propose mascot ideas. The top names were selected from the submissions then tested for scriptural support. In the end, the school used an independent sports branding company to resource the final name and create the customized Storm logo, which has been trademarked, along with its active primary mark. Together, they make a "bold, confident statement wherever they are seen," says Mr. Woods. The school uses the scripture reference Zechariah 9:14 to support the Storm: "Then the Lord will appear over them; His arrow will flash like lighting. The Sovereign Lord will sound the trumpet; He will march in the storms of the south." Regents acclaim GSC's Rogers Institute for its high excellence Two University System of Georgia (USG) programs selected by the USG Academic Affairs office will share the distinction as this year's recipients of the Board of Regents' Teaching Excellence Award winners. The Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental Spatial Analysis at Gainesville State College (GSC) and the First Year Composition Program at the University of Georgia (UGA) were recognized at the USG's Board of Regents meeting today.
Teaching excellence in the USG is recognized on the departmental and program level by the System's Academic Affairs office while individuals are recognized at the USG Foundation's annual Regents' Salute to Education awards dinner. Five USG faculty members were presented with The Felton Jenkins Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award at the event held last March. The Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis at GSC is an interdisciplinary teaching, research and public service resource for the North Georgia Region. The Institute promotes environmental education using advanced technology, interdisciplinary instruction, collaborative learning and service to address social, human and environmental issues. The First Year Composition Program at UGA focuses on the training of writing teachers as well as instruction of first-year students. The program also strives to train future faculty members and writing program administrators. RECOMMENDED
GEORGIA
ENCYCLOPEDIA (Continued from previous edition) A few individuals in the Okefenokee Swamp still make the traditional poled boats, suited to maneuvering in tight water. Okefenokee families for years have taken advantage of the mild climate and large expanse of "honey plants" such as gallberry and tupelo gum to keep bees for honey. The counties surrounding the Okefenokee are now home to the state's largest commercial honey operations. Beekeepers usually apprentice with other beekeepers, developing a keen knowledge of the woods, the habits of bees, and the rhythm of the seasons.
The Chesser Homestead on Chessers Island (outside Folkston) and other historic sites, such as Traders Hill (Folkston) and Obediahs Okefenok (Waycross), are focal points for family reunions and special community events. At the annual Chesser Open House, for example, Chesser family descendants and neighbors gather to talk, eat a simple meal cooked on the homestead's wood-burning stove, and share with visitors customs associated with life on Chessers Island. Some demonstrations, such as making lye soap and washing clothes with a "battlin' stick," are nostalgic re-creations of past folkways. Others, such as quilting, palmetto broom making, turpentining, and Sacred Harp singing, are still practiced in the surrounding area.
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TODAY'S QUOTE "Everything is vague to a degree you do not realize till you have tried to make it precise."
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IN THE COMING WEEK Discussion on transportation and upcoming referendum: Noon, June 5, at the Snellville Commerce Club meeting at the City Hall. Moderator will be Trey Ragsdale, with speakers from the pro and anti-referendum sides. Art on the Wall at Snellville City Hall: Starting June 5. The inaugural exhibit's hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The art features local artist John Duke, best known for water colors and acrylics. Work was selected by Snellville Art Jurors Committee, which recently was activated. SOON AND ONGOING Book signing: 6 p.m., June 12, Norcross Welcome Center by Carole Townsend, author of Southern Fried White Trash. She is a former reporter for Gwinnett Daily Post. The Welcome Center is at 189 Lawrenceville Street in Norcross. Success Lives Here Breakfast: 7:30 a.m., June 15, 1818 Club, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. Featured speaker will be Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson. For more details, call 770 232-3000. Career and Job Fair at Gwinnett Village Community Alliance: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 22, Victory World Church, 50905 Brook Hollow Parkway, Norcross. Approximately 30 employers will be there. This is the Alliance's third Fair. Learn more by email or call 770-402-4697. Miles-4-Smiles Race/Walk: Beginning 9:30 a.m., June 23, Tribble Mill Park, Lawrenceville. This second annual Amanda Riley Foundation event consist of a 10K, 5K and Mile Walk/Run, with the course certified as a Peachtree Road Race qualifier. Details via email. Field Day of the Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society and Gwinnett Amateur Radio Emergency: Starting at 2 p.m. June 23 and lasting for 24 hours. The event is at Sweetwater Park, 800 Bethesda School Road near Lawrenceville. The public is invited to attend and see ham radio's new capabilities. For more details, go to www.gars.org or call 770 840 9664. MORE EEB PERSPECTIVE
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One
issue which may have initially been a victim of the bribery scandal in
Gwinnett is the airport question. However, it is far from being solved,
no matter if the Gwinnett Department of Transportation has recommended
against privatizing the airport. Here's why.
The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. The Gwinnett Village Community Improvement
District was formed in 2006, and is a self taxing revitalization district
that includes just under 600 commercial property owners with a property
value of over $1 billion dollars. Gwinnett Village CID includes the southwestern
part of Gwinnett County including properties along Jimmy Carter Boulevard,
Buford Highway, Indian Trail, Beaver Ruin, and Singleton Road. Gwinnett
Village is one of four CIDs to be created in Gwinnett County and is the
largest of all CIDs in the state. Gwinnett Village's mission is to improve
property values through increased security, a decrease in traffic congestion,
and general improvements to the curb appeal of the area. For more information
visit 
Recent
events surrounding a Gwinnett County Commissioner have saddened all of
us as Gwinnett County residents. Fly Gwinnett Forward believes the most
appropriate way to resolve the issue surrounding Briscoe Field is for
the County to release the proposal it received and for a referendum to
be placed on the November ballot by the Board of Commissioners regarding
Briscoe's future. This action would allow adequate time for the citizens
to properly analyze the proposal on its own merits and enables all of
the voting citizens of Gwinnett County to make an informed decision on
this matter via the ballot box. 
Dr.
Sean Chapman, high school principal, explains: "We wanted to pick
a mascot that was like Providence -- unique, meaningful and Biblically-centered."
"Irishman
Finn Coghlan lived his entire adult life in America and eventually died
there. In his will, Finn asked his American grandson, Cooper Coghlan,
to return his ashes to his native Ireland and release them in a place
"he will know when he comes to it." Cooper heads to Ireland
with his head filled with ancient Irish folklore and a curiosity as to
why his grandfather left Ireland so long ago and never returned. This
story is light, quirky, romantic and completely unrealistic. I enjoyed
it because, through it, I traveled all over Ireland, met colorful Irish
characters with the gift of blarney and experienced a bit of magic. Plus
it ends sweetly."
The
distinctive ecosystem of the great swamp is the subject of legends, tall
tales, and personal experience narratives about bears, 'gators, and other
encounters with the natural world. Georgia's best-known traditional storyteller
was fishing guide Lem Griffis. Griffis, who died in 1968, entertained
visitors to his fish camp outside Fargo with well-honed whoppers such
as this tale, called Odd Insects, told to Kay L. Cothran: "See that
honey a-sittin' up there on the shelf? Well, I crossed my bees with lightnin'
bugs so they could see how t' work at night, an' they make a double crop
o' honey every year." Stories about hunting and fishing, colorful
characters of the past, and memories of growing up on one of the "islands"
in the Okefenokee still abound in the region. In recent years, persons
whose families had connections to Billy's Island, for example, gather
for an annual potluck and exchange memories at the Stephen Foster State
Park outside Fargo.
