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Issue 12.47 | Friday, Sept. 28, 2012 TODAY'S FOCUS ELLIOTT
BRACK'S PERSPECTIVE FEEDBACK UPCOMING NOTABLE ALSO INSIDE IN
THE SPOTLIGHT RECOMMENDED GEORGIA
TIDBIT LAGNIAPPE GWINNETT
CALENDAR TODAY'S
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TODAY'S
FOCUS LAWRENCEVILLE,
Ga., Sept. 28, 2012 -- Aurora Theatre
continues its 17th season presenting master playwright Harold Pinter's
most famous work, Betrayal, opening October 4 and continuing through
October 28. Betrayal explores the seven-year infidelity of married
couple Emma and Robert and their "close friend," Jerry. Told
in reverse chronology, this classic drama exposes the wounds displayed
by narcissistic competition, dishonesty and self?deception. It heartlessly
shows that the very capacity for love itself is sometimes based not only
on betraying loved ones, but even ourselves. In the role of the not-entirely-blameless husband, Robert, is Aurora Theatre Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez. He returns to the Aurora main stage in a play for the first time since he was in Noises Off in 2008. Making his Aurora Theatre debut is Adam Fiddler, a member of the Aurora Theatre's inaugural Apprentice Company, a post-graduate professional development program now offered at Gwinnett's only professional theatre. Directing this production is Actor's Express Artistic Director Freddie Ashley, back for his 11th show at Aurora Theatre. Harold Pinter is one of the most influential modern British dramatists with a writing career that spanned more than 50 years. A playwright, screenwriter, director and actor, his best-known plays include The Birthday Party (1957), The Homecoming (1964), and Betrayal (1978), each of which he adapted to film. Betrayal was inspired by Pinter's seven-year affair with television presenter Joan Bakewell.
ELLIOTT
BRACK SEPT. 28, 2012 -- You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that America's media is quickly changing, and going down hill fast. All media seem more and more of a pawn of the appetite of the lowest common denominator of consumer.
The only bright spot on the media horizon is that there are more media than ever. What was once seen as a limited horizon, today there is a wider scope than ever before. The problem with the proliferation of the media is that you have to search far and wide to find high quality products, and ones that have credibility. That's what we try to do at GwinnettForum: distribute items of high quality, and at the same time, earn the confidence of the readers. We use what we call a "moderated forum," meaning any material must get past the editor (eeb), before it goes in the Forum. An indication of the low level some media can stoop to happened in Atlanta this week, as the venerable WSB Radio, owned by the Cox Corporation that also publishes the major daily newspaper and owns the prime local television station, has added none other than Rush Limbaugh to its WSB offering each afternoon. He will be on from noon until three starting October 1, taking the place of one hour of Neal Boortz and two hours of Clark Howard. Limbaugh is leaving the Clear Channel-owned WGST station after being there for 20 years. That's bad enough.
But WSB is also shifting Clark Howard from his 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. slot and moving him to 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. No longer will long-time WSB listeners get to hear Mr. Howard in daytime hours. We suspect many of them who might listen to him during the day won't be on their radios at night, but prefer television at night. Mr. Howard has become quite a force in broadcasting as he offers advice to listeners about scams, ways to save money, and save the environment. His program has become national in scope, heard now on 220 stations. He has also become a new television personality on HLM cable channel, videotaping his radio show, and presenting the best parts of it on the cable. Mr. Howard is doing a great service. We will miss him not being on during the day, and lament him not being on WSB in the afternoon. All this means is that WSB radio seems desperate to keep its ratings high. However, what was once the Number One radio station in Atlanta according to many, has slipped to what some say is the Number Nine position now. The station seems more and more geared toward the right wing elements of society in the line-up of its media personalities. In other words, their move is toward a lower common denominator, no doubt all in the guise of higher profits. What a shame for the station that once promoted itself as "Welcome South Brother," and was one of the finest stations in the nation. (We remember tuning to WSB for the 10 p.m. (CST) news when we lived in Atlanta. There's not that much to tune in for any more.) We lament the moves announced this week, and especially will miss hearing Clark Howard in Atlanta in the afternoon as we come back from lunch. These changes we suspect will be pleasantly accepted by the lower common denominator of the population. But let's look at the bright side: perhaps good radio, such locally-produced WABE or nationally satellite radio, like Sirius, can gain a better foothold.
FEEDBACK
Editor, the Forum: Here's why I'm voting NO to constitutional amendment on charter schools. I fully support the continued creation of high-quality charter schools for Georgia's students.
Writer wants State Archives restored to public access Editor, the Forum: Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp has announced that the Georgia Archives will be CLOSED to all public access beginning November 1, 2012. He cites as reason the requirement for a three percent budget reduction for all state agencies. Secretary Kemp has chosen to take the required cut of $750,000 entirely and only from the State Archives.
This action further cripples an institution that was among the first state archives established (1918), has won many awards for its programs and state-of-the-art archival facility, The Georgia Archives, and has been a respected leader in archives, government records programs, newspapers and research use. Over the past decade, however, the Georgia Archives has been eviscerated by regular budget cuts, reductions in staff and reductions in public hours to two days a week. Now Secretary Kemp wants to eliminate even those few hours of access for Georgia's citizens, making the Georgia Archives the only state archives without public access hours. Business owners, authors, students, professional researchers, professional genealogists, archivists, historians and attorneys are just a few of those that will be directly affected by the closing. The last
reasonable annual budget (2010) for the Georgia Archives amounted to 55
cents per person in the state of Georgia. Over the last five years, the
Archives has taken a disproportionate amount of cuts compared to other
state agencies. The citizens of Gwinnett, and Georgia, need to be aware of the importance of the records at the archives. These records:
What should the citizens of Georgia do? Contact
the Georgia General Assembly, now. Tell them the decision must be reversed.
Go to www.legis.ga.gov. Gov. Nathan
Deal told a group at the capitol last Wednesday that he would keep the
Georgia Archives open. He must keep his promise. The governor must find
funds to replace those Secretary Kemp is cutting from the Georgia Archives
budget to keep the archives open and protect the jobs of the employees.
UPCOMING Lawrenceville
Ghost Tours celebrates its seventh Halloween as Gwinnett's longest-running
and most-visited ghost tour. The spooktacular holiday schedule includes
tours every night in October. Come to the oldest city in metro Atlanta
for an evening of history, haunting and horror like no other. Join Gwinnett Relay For Life team captains at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce on October 2 at 6 p.m. to learn more about leading a Relay For Life team.
For more
information, visit www.gwinnettrelayforlife.org
or contact Kelly Smith at
the American Cancer Society at 770-814-0123 (Press 3). NOTABLE The 2012
General Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 6 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
at all precincts in Gwinnett County. Before residents can cast a ballot,
they must be registered to vote. The deadline to register to vote in the
November election is Tuesday, Oct. 9. Saturday voting will be available at the elections office and satellite voting locations on October 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about absentee and advance voting, visit www.gwinnettelections.com. Four nominated for Gwinnett Superior Court judgeship The Judicial Nominating Commission has submitted recommendations to fill a vacancy within the Gwinnett Superior Court Judicial Circuit. The vacancy was created by the appointment of the Honorable William M. Ray, II to the Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia. Governor Deal will fill the vacancy from among the list. The following names were submitted to Governor Deal:
Georgia Gwinnett College names White as Health Science dean Georgia Gwinnett College has named Dr. Diane E. White as dean of its new School of Health Sciences. The school will be housed in the college's recently approved $25 million Allied Health and Sciences building, scheduled for completion in 2014. Georgia Gwinnett previously received approval from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to develop a nursing program.
White received her master's degree in nursing in 1993 and her doctorate in nursing in 2005, both from Georgia State University. She comes to Georgia Gwinnett from Georgia Perimeter College, where she has served as dean of Health Sciences since 2009. In that position, she oversaw programs in nursing, dental hygiene and six collaborative programs with Georgia Health Sciences University, the DeKalb Medical Center Radiology Technology Program and the Grady Health Systems School of Radiology. She was responsible for strategic planning and the development of new degree and non-degree programs. Before her service as dean, White was Georgia Perimeter's department chair of nursing for three years. She managed 23 full-time faculty, 40 part-time instructors and several staff members in serving 300 students. White has taught nursing courses at Georgia Perimeter since 2007, and for the previous 10 years at Georgia Baptist College of Nursing at Mercer University in Macon. Gwinnett Tech names Keith as adjunct instructor of the year Gwinnett
Technical College (GTC) has named Joyce Keith its Adjunct Instructor of
the Year. Keith, who teaches in GTC's Early Childhood Care and Education
program, has been a GTC adjunct faculty member for seven years.
Dr. Priscilla
Smith, Early Childhood Care and Education program director, nominated
Keith for the honor. "The relationship Joyce develops with students
is a model for all of us. She helps students look within themselves to
see strengths and to assist them in addressing areas where improvement
is needed. She has mentored students and provided valuable connections
with Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) for them," says Smith. RECOMMENDED
GEORGIA
ENCYCLOPEDIA As part of the Union naval strategy to blockade Southern ports during the Civil War (1861-65), the U.S. Navy closed access to the Chattahoochee River system at Apalachicola, Fla., on June 11, 1861, and maintained its coastal presence there for the remainder of the war. In response, the Confederate Navy built both a steam-powered gunship, the CSS Chattahoochee, and an ironclad, the CSS Jackson (pictured below; also known as CSS Muscogee), to descend to open seas and break the blockade.
Within a year of the Union navy's arrival, military and civilian life on the lower Chattahoochee ground to a frustrating standstill while engineers, officers, politicians, and businessmen upriver struggled to convert industrial strength into naval might for the Confederacy. The strategic importance of the blockade was threefold: Columbus, Ga., one of the most industrialized cities in the Deep South, sat at the head of the navigable portion of the Chattahoochee River; Apalachicola, a major shipping center, lay on the coast; and a fertile cotton-growing region, the lifeblood of the Southern economy, sprawled between the two. Apalachicola became a ghost of its antebellum self as farmers and industrialists to the north began using the railroad system to ship their goods. Columbus, meanwhile, expanded its industrial production and began manufacturing many of the Confederate Navy's steam engines. The overall effect of the blockade was to swiftly shift economic and military importance elsewhere for the remainder of the war. Although the U.S. Navy never ascended the Chattahoochee River to attack the Naval Iron Works at Columbus, it held the blockade of Apalachicola successfully, thereby circumscribing Confederate movement in and out of the port. Despite this success, seamen serving in the blockade experienced the desperate boredom of their duty and recognized the marginality of their contribution to the war effort. As the war dragged on, the Union ships stationed off Apalachicola became less likely to chase blockade runners and more likely to take on refugees, Confederate deserters, and runaway slaves looking for transport out of the area.
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TODAY'S QUOTE "History is a strange teacher. It never repeats itself exactly, but you ignore its lessons at your peril."
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You can also order
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to place your order. For mail orders, there is a $5 shipping and handling
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THIS WEEK Harvest Ball: 7 p.m., Sept. 28, Northeast Atlanta Hilton in Peachtree Corners. This benefits the Norcross Cluster Schools Partnership. Live music, dancing, food and silent auction. At 7 p.m. there will be a special presentation by the Norcross High School Quintet. Price is $50 per person. For more details, contact rheaven@norcrosscsp.org. Genealogical workshop: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 29, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Lawrenceville at 3355 Sugarloaf Parkway. Sponsored by the church, and the Daughters of the American Revolution, William Day Chapter, and Sons of the American Revolution, Atlanta Chapter. Learn how to use census records, courthouse records and other sources, many on the Internet, to start to research and document your family history. Take Back Initiative in two locations in Gwinnett: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 29. In cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Agency, the City of Suwanee and the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department are accepting prescription medications for safe disposal. Get rid of expired, unused or unwanted prescriptions of over-the-counter medications in this safe manner. Medications may be dropped by the Suwanee Police Station, 373 Buford Highway, or the Sheriff's Department, 2900 University Parkway in Lawrenceville, anonymously. (NEW) Around the World visits Snellville: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sept. 29, at Briscoe Park. Designed to represent the heritage present throughout the community, this will feature an array of international art, cultural displays, traditional costumes, dances, music and some global flavors to entice the palate. There will be main stage performances and demonstrations, along with global bazaars.(NEW) Enjoy art and meet Aimee Copeland: 6 p.m., Sept. 29, Norcross Welcome Center. Refreshments, music, art, and an appearance by Aimee Copeland is on tap in a fundraiser for her health care. Children's author to appear: Gwinnett Kid's Read, Too! features children's author Carmen Deedy. She will appears on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. at the Lawrenceville Library Branch, 1001 Lawrenceville Highway. She will greet fans and promote her newest book Return of the Library Dragon. Illustrator Michael White will also make an appearance. Third Annual Gala of the Northeast Atlanta Ballet: Sept. 29, Northwood Country Club. Now in its 16th season, the goal of the night is to raise $25,000 toward providing high quality, affordable arts programming, with live orchestra for all performances, and unsurpassed performing opportunities for aspiring dancers. More. COMING SOON (NEW) Learn about Amanda Riley Foundation: noon, Oct. 2, Snellville Commerce Club. Barbara Riley will be the speaker. Amanda Riley was a Brookwood High student who died 17 years ago after a fight with cancer. Meeting is at the Snellville City Hall. Sign-Up Time for Gwinnett Great Days of Service. This year's event will be held on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 5-6, 2012 with over 300 different projects to choose from. This annual event offers Gwinnett residents the opportunity to donate their time and energy to doing community service and helping those in need. For more information and to sign up, visit this site. Ninth Annual Suwanee Music Festival: Oct. 6, Town Center Park, sponsored by Amigos for Christ. Music begins at 10 a.m. and continues through beginning of The Lovin' Spoonful presentation at 7:30 p.m. Events for all ages at $10 per person. Details. (NEW) Poet laureate to speak: 5 p.m., Oct. 7, Georgia Gwinnett College Student Center. Natasha Trethewey will focus on her works. Books will be for sale at this event, light refreshments will be served, and music will be provided by harpist Joyce Parks, director of the B.J. Chorale. Girl Scout engineering careers for women: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 13, Alpharetta campus of DeVry University, 2555 Northwinds Parkway. Women in engineering careers will help lead girls in a variety of hands-on science activities about science careers. Lunch will be provided to all registered. Halloween-for-Haiti Carnival: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Oct. 27, Christ Episcopal Church, 400 Holcomb Bridge Road, Norcross. Music, food, kids' activities throughout the event. Costume parade with prizes at 5 p.m. Haunted trail from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Proceeds benefit the children of Jasmin, Haiti. MORE EEB PERSPECTIVE
FOCUS
ARCHIVES
CONTINUING OBJECTIVES FOR GWINNETT Gwinnett Forum publisher Elliott Brack suggests that Gwinnett County needs a long-range list of continuing objectives for improving the county. Read more.
© 2001-2012, Gwinnett Forum.com is Gwinnett County's online community forum for commentary that explores pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA.
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The
production team for this play features Artistic Directors from two of
Atlanta top theatres as well as many Suzi Award-winning performers and
designers. Aurora Theatre welcomes back real-life husband and wife Mark
Kincaid and Tess Malis Kincaid, who in an interesting twist, portray illicit
couple Jerry and Emma. Not only are the pair two of the region's busiest
actors, they are both nominated for 2012 Suzi Bass Awards for Outstanding
Lead Actor/Actress respectively. 
Aurora
Theatre Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez says: "We have
produced many of the 20th century's great playwrights, so it is high time
we take on a modern classic from Harold Pinter. For our season ticket
holders we always try to offer a good balance of comedy, drama, new works
and modern classics. We have two great new comedies coming up after the
holidays. This play is an exquisitely written drama that audiences will
adore." 
The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is EMC Security,
headquartered in Lawrenceville. EMC Security provides residential and
commercial security with the same service and values that its parent companies,
Jackson EMC, Walton EMC and GreyStone Power, have delivered for over 70
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their website, 
But
after careful consideration of what is best for all of Georgia's students,
I am opposing the constitutional amendment that will be on the Nov. 6
ballot.
This
team captain meeting is for new team captains, team captains who would
like a refresher for themselves or co-captains, or anyone who is interested
in learning more about how a Relay For Life team operates. Topics that
will be covered include team and participant registration, fundraising,
accounting procedures, and other tools to help participants have a successful
2013 Relay For Life fundraising season. 
Voters
in Gwinnett County have a variety of options for casting a ballot this
year. Registered voters may request an absentee ballot by completing an
application available on the Elections website at 
"This
is a book about travel, history, endurance and overcoming physical obstacles.
It's also about Ireland's people and its quirks. Oh! It's also about golf.
At age 30, American golfer Toy Coyne set out to walk around the entire
island of Ireland playing as many courses as he could. Hiking from one
course to the next, he called it "the greatest round of golf ever
attempted." His adventure covered more than 1,000 miles and took
four months. He played more than 60 courses, sometimes on blistered feet
and under dangerous conditions. People thought he was crazy. This is a
great book if you plan to go to Ireland because Coyne gives his opinions
of towns, hotels, restaurants, scenery and especially pubs. It's filled
with subtle humor, and I loved it. The full title is A Course Called
Ireland: a Long Walk in Search of a Country, a Pint, and the Next Tee."
AFTER
A YEAR of working and planning the Duluth
Fall Festival will be here this Saturday and Sunday,
September 29-30. It is definitely going to be the best and
biggest held in the 30-year history (if the weather cooperates!).
Be sure to plan to visit several times over the weekend because
there is too much to see in just one trip, and it is FREE! Go to
the website 