TODAY'S ISSUE
Here's a list of numbers to make Gwinnett more beautiful
By Heather Sawyer
Communications division, Gwinnett County
Special to GwinnettForum.com

(Recently, Gwinnett County Government and Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful distributed a list of key phone numbers to call as part of its Operation Fixing Broken Windows campaign. We thought many in the county would find this list helpful, and re-print it for your use. -eeb)

JAN. 6, 2006 -- Whom to call when you have a problem, or see a problem. Working together, Gwinnett County government and Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful has prepared this list of telephone numbers you can call to report items that will make our community better.

The following issues affect you, your property values, and your quality of life. You can help by being another pair of eyes looking for problem areas. By working together, we can make a difference.

• If you see graffiti, littering, illegal dumping, trash problems, call Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful 770.822.5187
  
  
• If you see junk cars, property maintenance, front yard parking, zoning, occupancy, fences, swimming pools, yard sales, illegal signs, livestock, or buffer zone violations, call Gwinnett County Code Compliance 678.518.6032
  
  
• If you see unsafe/dilapidated buildings, building code violations, call Gwinnett County Building Inspections 678.518.6032
  
  
• If you see fire hazards, illegal burning, fireworks, explosives, hazardous materials, call Gwinnett County Fire Services 678.518.6100
  
  
• If you see abandoned or illegally parked vehicles in street, noise, unlawful behavior, call Gwinnett County Police 770.513.5000
  
  
• If you see trees or vehicles blocking a road, illegal right-of-way use, call Gwinnett County Transportation 770.822.7400
  
  
• If you see dead, stray, rabid, abused, or wild animals, call Gwinnett County Animal Control 770.339.3200
  
  
• If you see rats, mosquitoes, stagnant water, pollution, call Environmental Health 770.963.5132
  
  
• If you see erosion, sediment control, construction mud, call Gwinnett County Erosion Control 678.518.6099
  
  
• If you see stormwater/drainage problems, broken sewers, water mains, fire hydrants, call: Gwinnett County Public Utilities 678.376.7000

Note: Anonymous reports cannot be accepted. Gwinnett County does not regulate or enforce neighborhood covenants, deed restrictions, roof-gutter drainage, wetlands, or state and federal projects.

For more information about Operation Fixing Broken Windows, visit www.gwinnettOFBW.com.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Yangtze River trip provides insight into land of China
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

JAN. 6, 2006 -- It may be the most impressive river trip you can make: up the Yangtze River in China. Last fall, we spent four days on a river cruise ship going about 400 miles upriver, from Yichang (600 inland miles from Shanghai) all the way to the World War II capital city of Chungking. (Today, it's "Chongqing.")

Barbara and Elliott Brack during the Yangtze River trip. More photos.

Part of the allure of the trip was to see and pass through the Three Gorges Dam, which will be complete in 2009. (Today it is in partial operation). Yet the dam pales in comparison to the beauty of the river, especially the gorges themselves, where the river cuts through mountains up to 4,000 feet tall.

China's growing demand for electrical energy is the reason for the dam, first envisioned by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in 1919. It was authorized in 1992, though engineers had been working on the design since 1954. It will produce 17 million kilowatts, 50 per cent larger than the current world's largest dam. It is 1.3 miles wide, is 525 feet deep behind the dam, and creates a reservoir more than 400 miles long. Its estimated cost will be $10 billion, of which one third will be for relocation of the 142 towns and cities, 1,351 villages and 1.2 million people.

Our trip began below (east) of the dam at Yichang. The next morning we were bused to the site. That afternoon we traversed the locks ("ship elevators"), which are in five stages, and normally takes 4-6 hours to be lifted to the reservoir. Eventually ships up to 10,000 tons can pass through the locks. (Currently ships of only 1,500 tons can make it up the Yangtze.)

That's the statistical aspect of the trip. Now to the part of the journey that makes it worthwhile: the awesome beauty of the trip. (For a glimpse at the beauty, click here to see additional photos of the Yangtze River trip.)

We chugged westward upriver for three more night, and soon were in the first of the Three Gorges. The river creates its own weather pattern, and we often had heavy fog to obscure the way. We were zigzagging our way through layers of gaps in the mountains, which shoot up on each side at 60-80 degree angles of sheer precipice from the water. The rocky canyons of limestone were like paintings on a wall, rising 3,000 feet. If on deck, it was relatively quiet as we cruised.

Meanwhile, you could see how the Yangtze is a working river, with barges and ships hauling freight, often containerized units, sometimes bulk cargo, on the river.

A side trip up the Daning River gave us glimpses of the Lesser Gorges, also sheer cliffs up from the water. This trip was made in small sampans, with the water line inches away from the deck.

A benefit of being on the river all day: when you need to rest, you can retire to your stateroom. Even there, we often were on the balcony, taking in the ever-changing sights along the river.

A trip to China would not be complete without getting a feeling of the impact that the Yangtze has provided all these years, a virtual lifeline to the people of the area. Now with the completion soon of the Three Gorges Dam, it will give China the additional electrical energy it will need. And all along, the Yangtze, the third longest river in the world, will be the star, as it provides its varied life, and now electricity and a new commerce, to the people of China. If you ever get a chance to visit China, you won't regret the greatest of river trips!

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers Today we welcome Haven Trust Bank as a new supporter of GwiinnettForum. Originally "Horizon Bank," the bank became "Haven Trust Bank" in December of 2005 so not to be confused with an out-of-state bank expanding into Georgia using a similar name. From a single branch in the Duluth/Sugarloaf area of Gwinnett, to a second branch in Decatur, the bank will soon have a third location in the Johns Creek-Alpharetta area in 2006.

With assets of over $250 million, Haven Trust Bank is one of the top 10 lenders in Georgia of federal government Small Business Administration (SBA) funds. Charles Yorke, bank president, says: "We have the ability to identify with small businesses. Our personal and responsive attitude toward them has elevated us as a leader in the community. We're different and - we make all our decisions quickly and locally. That enables us to make a real difference in the lives and businesses of our customers." Visit its web site at www.haventrustbank.com.

For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm



McLEMORE'S WORLD
1/6: Bowled over

The latest from cartoonist Bill McLemore:

FEEDBACK
1/6: One ball, one pitcher, two pitches, two home runs

Editor, the Forum:

Two home runs were hit on two consecutive pitches using the same baseball. It happened on July 10, 1943.

The Cubs' Phil Cavaretta hit a home run off the right field foul pole against Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Johnny Allen. The ball came back on the field. Someone retrieved the ball on the field and threw it back into play.

On the next pitch, Cubs' player Bill Nicholson hit the ball out of the park, thus one ball, one pitcher, two pitches, two home runs.

The Cubs won the game 13-2. I can't recall where I read the story but I wrote it down on August 24 of last year. Maybe it was on www.baseballlibrary.com

-- Marshall Miller, Lilburn

(Dear Marshall: There's more to this story than you might think. We understand that one of the players who hit a home run, Phil Cavaretta, is retired and when we last heard, was living in Lilburn. -eeb)

UPCOMING
Gwinnett Chamber's 58th annual meeting set for Jan. 27

On January 27, 2006, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce will celebrate one of its most successful years at the 58th Gwinnett Chamber Annual Dinner. Held at the Thomas P. "Tommy" Hughes Grand Ballroom at Gwinnett Center, with a cocktail reception beginning at 6 p.m., a 7:30 p.m. dinner and program to follow, the event celebrates Gwinnett's success and honors those who make a difference in the community.

For more information about the Annual Dinner, contact Alicia Krogh at 770-232-8809 or via email at Alicia@gwinnettchamber.org.

Quality Council, Chamber to hear State of County address

A joint meeting of the Quality Growth Council and Gwinnett Chamber will hear Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister on Thursday, January 19, 2006, at the Gwinnett Place Marriott. The meeting will start at 11:15 a.m.

The chairman will give the annual "State of the County" address. Chairman Bannister will review the County's 2005 achievements and lay out his vision for 2006 and beyond. Included will be an overview on the County's efforts in economic development, revitalization, public safety, and transportation. In addition, the audience will learn how the county is working to improve the overall quality of life for Gwinnett citizens.

Cost is $35 for Chamber and COG members; $45 for non-Chamber members. Pre-payment is required. Registration deadline is January 17. To RSVP, call Meghan Schroder at 770-232-8807, or contact by e-mail meghan@gwinnettchamber.org.

NOTABLE
Two more from Gwinnett win Naval Academy nominations

Two more Gwinnett youths have been identified as winning nominations through Congressman John Linder to military academies. The two are Owen Keller of Duluth, who is a student at McCallie School in Chattanooga, and William Chauncey of Buford, a student at New Mexico Military Institute, who both won nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy.

Nominations are based on a variety of criteria ranging from a candidate's high school academic ranking, SAT or ACT scores, athletic ability, and leadership potential as demonstrated by extra-curricular activities, and community service or part-time employment.

A nomination from Congressman Linder does not guarantee an appointment to a service academy. It is the decision of the individual academies to issue appointments

Holcomb Bridge Park to get $968,000 in improvements

River corridor protection and passive recreational opportunities will result from Holcomb Bridge Park improvement plans approved by Gwinnett County commissioners on Tuesday. Chairman Charles Bannister said the project is "the first of several new or improved parks that will open this year thanks to funding from the voter-approved SPLOST sales tax."

Located along the Chattahoochee River at Holcomb Bridge Road, the site formerly housed the Pinckneyville Arts Center that has relocated to the new Community Center building at Pinckneyville Park. The County purchased a six-acre expansion parcel in 1998 from the Trust for Public Land, bringing the total site to 11.63 acres.

District 2 Commissioner Bert Nasuti said: "This will be an open space park that allows public use while preserving greenspace and protecting this section of the Chattahoochee River corridor." Improvements will include two river overlook structures, a soft-surface walking trail, a playground, picnic pavilion, restrooms, landscaping and parking. The Board awarded the almost $968,000 contract to Astra Group, Inc., with a groundbreaking to be held later this month.

Major corridors to get TV cameras to help traffic flow

New TV cameras to be added this spring will help Gwinnett County engineers adjust traffic lights in response to changing traffic conditions. The Board of Commissioners approved a plan on Tuesday to install the new camera equipment at 15 existing locations plus four new ones.

The work will take place soon along sections of U.S. 29 (Lawrenceville Highway), Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Holcomb Bridge Road. Cameras will be monitored at the Gwinnett Traffic Control Center, where operators will have remote control of traffic lights in the area. By coordinating the timing of the lights in response to actual traffic conditions, engineers hope to keep traffic flowing smoothly and reduce congestion on the three heavily traveled roads.

The work will include installing new concrete poles as well as new cameras, cabinets and data relay equipment. The winning bidder for the $897,000 project is RJ Haynie and Associates. The County's transportation and information technology departments are also playing key roles in the system development.

This traffic-control strategy was outlined in the County's Comprehensive Transportation Plan several years ago. Prior to the 1996 Olympics, the state installed some of the earlier equipment that is now being updated.

Similar equipment is already in place at a few locations on Peachtree Parkway, U.S. Highway 78, and Steve Reynolds Boulevard. Plans call for traffic-control monitoring to be installed over the next few years on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Georgia Highway 20 (Buford Drive), Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Scenic Highway, Beaver Ruin Road, Old Norcross Road, Satellite Boulevard and Georgia Highway 120 (Duluth Highway).

RECOMMENDATION

• 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 TIDBIT
SCAD architecture program has grown to 420 students

Established in 1985, the architecture program at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) attracts students from around the world. In 1991, the program received accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board to award the bachelor of architecture degree. In 1995, a master's of architecture degree program was initiated, and conversion of the five-year bachelor's degree into a five-year master's degree took place in 2000. SCAD architecture students established a chapter of the American Institute of Architectural Students by 1990 and a chapter of the architecture honor society, Tau Sigma Delta, in 1993.

SCAD students

As with most SCAD facilities, the architecture department occupies a rehabilitated historic building. First housed in the former Henry Street Elementary School, designed in 1892 by William Gibbons Preston and built by Gottfried Normann, the department moved in 1989 to Eichberg Hall. The former engineering department building of the Central of Georgia Railway Company, Eichberg Hall (1887) was designed by Alfred Eichberg and Calvin Fay. In 1994, the college received the National Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and in 1998 it received the American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Urban Design.

By 2004, the SCAD architecture program had grown to more than 420 students. The program benefits from strong interdisciplinary ties with the departments of architectural history, historic preservation, and interior design. A quarterly study-abroad program in Lacoste, France, established in 2002, further broadens the educational experience for students in the program.

• To access the Georgia Encyclopedia, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
  
  
  

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
With material like this, who needs clever writers?

"There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you."

-- Will Rogers, via David Earl Tyre, Jesup.

• Another invitation: What's your favorite saying? Share with others through GwinnettForum. Send to elliott@gwinnettforum.com.
  

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