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Aurora Theatre $20,000 away from hitting
fund-raising goal
By
Al Stilo
Special to GwinnettForum.com
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., Feb. 2, 2007 -- After an overwhelming outpouring
of support with gifts small and large coming in everyday, Aurora
Theatre is fast approaching its $750,000 fundraising goal, and
looks to surpass it.
Activities now focus on a $100,000 Challenge Grant issued by an
anonymous donor to be fulfilled by Feb. 28, 2007. Having raised
$80,000 over the holidays, Aurora Theatre needs only $20,000 more
to achieve success.
The new Aurora Theatre continues to be a revolutionary undertaking
with a historic partnership between the City of Lawrenceville and
Aurora Theatre. It is critical to achieve or exceed this goal in
the next month as we grow close to the completion of the theatre
in the late spring.
The scope of this project is hard to imagine until a person actually
sees the work now in progress at the theatre inside and out. When
finished, the venue will be an impressive addition to the community.
For the City of Lawrenceville's part, they are contributing $3.5
million for renovation and construction.
Aurora Theatre will equip the theatre with state-of-the-art theatrical
equipment. Two manufacturers, J.R. Clancy of Syracuse, N.Y. and
Peavey of Meridian, Miss., will supply their equipment at cost in
order to use the new facility as a demonstration house for their
state-of-the-art power lift and sound systems. The total retail
value of Aurora Theatre's investment for outfitting the entire facility
is $1.2 million.
When completed, Aurora Theatre will maintain and manage the new
facility, which promises to bring in a variety of cultural arts
including music programs, dance, and comedy to ensure an ongoing
stream of activity.
The financial commitment of the community to make this building
great is an investment in creating a higher quality of life. It
will ensure more arts and entertainment choices closer to home,
more educational programs for local children and more revenue for
the local economy with the activity from this myriad of events creating
higher property values. Just like good schools and hospitals, a
vibrant arts community benefits everyone. Every donation inspires
Aurora Theatre to work harder for the community.
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The Challenge works in this manner: When Aurora raises the full
$100,000, not only will the donor match that sum dollar for dollar,
but the donor will also add an additional $50,000 to the general
operating fund.
All donations will be recognized for posterity in the new theatre,
destined to be the premiere performance facility in North Georgia.
Special named gift opportunities are still available starting at
$5,000. Name a dressing room for that special someone, perhaps in
memory of a teacher that filled you with a love of the arts, or
as a Valentine's gift that will last forever.
Completion of $750,000 goal will help ensure Aurora Theatre's strength
and stability as it embarks upon this great transition.
A clearly moved Anthony Rodriguez, producing artistic director for
Aurora Theatre, says: "Every day I pinch myself to convince
myself this is not just a dream. I am amazed with the level of support.
Our dear friends have been more generous than I could have imagined
and I found friends and support I never knew I had."
As a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, donations to Aurora Theatre
are tax-deductible.
Tour de Georgia bike race to roll into Gwinnett
for first time
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
FEB. 2, 2007 -- Gwinnett is in for a treat this spring, as the
Tour de Georgia rides through the county for the first time in the
five years of the bicycle race. The event runs over seven days,
from April 16-22, with Gwinnett on the route on April 21.
Brack |
The route for Day Six on April 21 begins at 11 a.m. at Holiday
Point at Lake Lanier Islands, then wheels through downtown Buford,
where there will a sprint line. The Tour then moves across the top
of Gwinnett County, along Hamilton Mill Road, dips into Barrow County,
and goes through the towns of Carl and Bethlehem, then into Walton
County through the towns of Gratis and Social Circle, before it
swings west through parts of Newton and Rockdale.
Toward the end of Day 6, the Tour will again touch Gwinnett near
its southern rim, entering south of Centerville along Norris Lake
Road, and, crossing the Yellow River on Georgia Highway 124, and
then going south of Stone Mountain on Rockbridge Road. The tour
enters the West Gate of Stone Mountain Park, and makes two laps
around the park before the finish line on Old Hugh Howell Road at
approximately 3-4 p.m.
The next day, on April 22, the race begins and ends at Centennial
Olympic Park in Atlanta, following a nine lap route through downtown.
The Tour de Georgia is one of 14 races of the USA Cycling Professional
Tour. Georgia's part is one of the highest ranked stage races outside
Europe. Last year there were 120 athletes riding, from 22 countries.
Day Six of the race will roll through Gwinnett. |
It's big business, estimated to have a $26 billion economic impact
this year. Beneficiary of the race revenue is the Georgia Cancer
Coalition, with the Georgia Department of Economic Development the
sponsor.
This year's tour begins April 16 in Peachtree City, and then heads
for Macon. On Day Two it takes a clockwise direction in a Thomaston
to Rome leg; on April 18 it's Rome to Chattanooga, followed by Chickamauga
to Lookout Mountain in a time trial for April 19. The fifth stage
Friday is Dalton to Brasstown Bald, before the Lake Lanier start
on Saturday. Altogether, the race covers 667 miles, the longest
total distance in the five year history of the event.
If you have never seen the Tour de Georgia, let me suggest you
take a better way than I did the first time I saw the event. Knowing
it would come along the Cleveland to Dahlonega route at a certain
time, we arrived at a nice stopping point along Georgia Highway
52 about 30 minutes prior to the cyclist's arrival. Eventually,
we first saw the outriders, blue lights of law enforcement vehicles,
then motorcycles, then event vans….and finally the riders themselves,
all bunched up together.
In about two minutes, all the riders passed us. A few more members
of the support team followed closely, and it was over, maybe three
minutes for everything. We felt so let down and disappointed it
went so quickly!
The other time we saw the riders was, I believe, last year, when
one of the segment finishes was in Dahlonega. We arrived about an
hour before the tour was to finish, and met a virtual carnival atmosphere
in the downtown square area. Booths were selling all sorts of food,
drinks and race trinkets. A loud, loud loudspeaker was telling the
crowd where the racers were at the moment, as they headed toward
us. It was a real party atmosphere.
Just before the riders came into town, people started seriously
gathering along the straight-away south of the square to get a good
view of the finish.
Then the cyclists came turned the corner by the Smith House and
headed the two blocks toward us, and poof! It was over. Someone
"won," and one of those guys pedaling furiously down the
stretch was the winner of the day's event. We never caught his name.
It was a lot of fun watching near the finish line in Dahlonega.
If you go to the Tour de Georgia, pick your spot carefully. If the
racers come by your house, be sure you don't answer your cell phone,
or glance away for a moment, or you might miss them.
To learn more about the tour, go to this web site: www.tourdegeorgia.com.
 The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is Brand Banking
Company, headquartered in Lawrenceville, where it has three
offices, with additional branches in Snellville, Grayson and Flowery
Branch. It is the largest privately held bank in Gwinnett, with
assets of $840 million. The bank will open branches in Duluth and
Buford this year. Member, FDIC and Federal Reserve System. More:
www.thebrandbank.com
"Honest officer, it's not what you think"
Another great cartoon from Bill McLemore:
Woe be us about the state of the president's mind
Editor, the Forum:
In the coming months, President Bush may defy Congress, the U.S.
public, leaders in his own party, most of the military brass and
even some of his closest advisers by attacking Iran.
This could have a spillover affect in Iraq by further boosting
terrorist recruitment, have an adverse impact on the oil market,
further sour U.S. relations with allies, and escalate human casualties.
Bush was similarly warned about the war in Iraq. His grand plan
for remaking the Middle East---and solidifying U.S. unilateralism---was
impervious to sensible critique.
With the Bush administration Iraq policy failing, its popularity
at home and abroad is about as low as it can go. There's no hope
of salvaging its larger aims for the Middle East. However, the administration
might launch a "Hail Mary" barrage of air and sea power
against Iran.
That the president could be considering just such a play, never
mind the consequences, speaks poorly of the state of his mind and
the state of our democracy.
-- Ralph Greene, Snellville
Ballet
fund-raiser benefits live music for coming presentation
"Backstage Pass," an elegant black tie fundraiser for
the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, returns on Saturday, February 3, 2007
at 7 p.m. in the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center for a second year
with a "look behind the scenes." Patrons who attend will
be treated to an evening full of fun, food and beauty with exciting
raffle prizes, "Balloons for Ballerinas," a chance to
win a half carat diamond, his and her Longine watches, beautiful
music, and of course, an opportunity to be onstage. All this is
available for a ticket price of only $50 per person and can be obtained
by calling 404-831-1048.
The major thrust of this year's event is to raise funds for the
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra, under the direction of Predrag
Gosta, ensuring next year's live music for "The Nutcracker."
The orchestra's participation in the 2006 "Nutcracker"
production delighted the community and drew record crowds. Patrons
have contacted both the Ballet and Gwinnett Center to encourage
the continuation of live music for future GBT productions.
Partygoers will arrive at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center to
be greeted by a quartet of Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra Musicians
and beautiful ballerinas in costume who lead them "backstage."
Patrons will also be treated to a special entertainment where they
will be able to meet Gwinnett Ballet Theatre's beautiful ballerinas
in a unique and beautiful way.
Snellville seeks input
on 2030 comprehensive plan
Snellville citizens have another opportunity to weigh in on the
2030 Comprehensive Plan update. The Scenario Workshop, to be held
on February 6 at the Snellville City Hall in the Community Room,
will offer an opportunity to review information from the visioning
workshop and to discuss the pros, cons, and possible impacts of
possible future land use concepts.
Three development scenarios will be presented and citizens will
be asked to discuss the merits of each. The meeting will have interactive
exercises and discussion groups. Citizens are encouraged to attend
the February 6, Scenario Workshop. The meeting will begin at 6:30
p.m.
The Comprehensive Plan serves as the official long-range policy
for guiding future decisions on land use, zoning, and public facilities
for the City of Snellville. As part of this Comprehensive Plan Update,
Snellville is seeking your input as local residents, business owners,
and other community stakeholders.
A community survey to prioritize issues and opportunities that
Snellville faces in the future is available on the project website
www.jjg.com/snellvilleplan/.
The information gathered on the survey is important in creating
short-term and long-term planning goals.
Lionheart Theatre
to present one-man show on Barrymore
A larger-than-life personality will take to the stage again through
Lionheart Theatre in downtown Norcross. This one-man production
will be Barrymore's Ghost, a play by Jason Miller, starring J. Michael
Carroll, in the title role.
Add in music of the period and photographs of those who were influential
in Barrymore's life, and the audience will feel like they have delved
inside the man and his theatrical dynasty.
The name Barrymore is a famous one in Hollywood. Younger audiences
will immediately think of Drew Barrymore, the young blonde who has
grown from the little sister in E.T. to more sophisticated roles.
But back in the earlier days of cinema, and before that on the great
stages of the world, it was her grandfather, John Barrymore, who
captivated the public with his good looks, his drinking, his womanizing
and his monumental talent.
Barrymore's life was cut short by his profligacy. Even his funeral
was turned into a practical joke. Legend has it that after Barrymore's
funeral, director Raoul Walsh, took the corpse back to Errol Flynn's
home, where it greeted the inebriated and profoundly shocked actor
on his return.
Gwinnett
Chamber picks Masino for economic development
Masino |
Nick Masino is the new vice president of economic development for
the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. He will oversee the business recruitment
and retention efforts for Gwinnett as well as the implementation
of the Partnership Gwinnett Strategy. He will officially begin in
this capacity on Monday, February 5, 2007.
He is currently in the last year of his second term as mayor of
Suwanee. One of Georgia's youngest mayors, Masino has served as
mayor of Suwanee since 2000. He will end his second term of mayor
in December of 2007.
Masino for 12 years has been in the recruiting and staffing industry.
He is a graduate of the Ohio State University with a BA in Interpersonal
and Organizational Communication, Masino was a founding board member
of the North Gwinnett Schools Foundation and its current president.
His is also a member of the Gwinnett County Schools Superintendent's
Community Advisory Board and member of Saint Monica's Catholic Church.
Mayor Masino and his wife, Suzanne, are the parents of three children,
Anna, Vincent and Julia.
Rep. Scott named to
foreign affairs panel
Scott |
Congressman David Scott (D-Ga.) announced his committee assignments
for the 110th session of Congress. Scott will serve on the House
Agriculture, Financial Services, and Foreign Affairs Committees.
This is the first year he will have served on the Foreign Affairs
Committee.
In addition, Congressman Scott will serve as a regional whip and
was recently appointed to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly as a voting
member by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Congressman Scott will travel
to Belgium, France and Italy February 17-25, 2007 to participate
in the 2007 opening session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
- 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
Ferrol
Sams tells stories in Southern oral history tradition
A physician, humorist, storyteller, storyteller, and best-selling
novelist, Ferrol
Sams is the author of seven books. Most notable is his trilogy
of novels in which an eccentric and quixotic hero, Porter Osborne
Jr., mirrors Sams's own Georgia boyhood in Fayette County. All of
his works are rooted in the oral traditions of southern humor and
folklore.
Sams |
One of four children born to Mildred Matthews and Ferrol Sams Sr.,
the Fayette County school superintendent, Ferrol Sams Jr. (nicknamed
"Sambo" by his father) was born on September 26, 1922,
in Fayetteville, in the house built by his great-grandfather in
1848.
He graduated from Mercer University in Macon in 1942 and attended
Emory University School of Medicine for two quarters before joining
the U.S. Army Medical Corps, serving from 1943 to 1947 and seeing
action in France, Sams returned to Emory to continue his medical
studies. He received his M.D. in 1949.
It was at Emory that he met his future wife, Helen Fletcher, also
a physician. They married on July 18, 1948. Sams and his wife have
been in private practice together in Fayetteville since 1951, and
in 1987 they established the Fayette Medical Center. They have four
children.
In 1982, at age 60, Sams published Run with the Horsemen,
the first of the semi-autobiographical adventures of his antihero
Porter "Sambo" Osborne Jr. Porter is a prank-playing farm
boy and aspiring doctor whose misadventures make up a comic memoir
of childhood in the South. The Whisper of the River, published
in 1984, continues Porter's adventures during the 1930s, as he enrolls
in a Baptist college. It is a picaresque tale of a young man's coming
of age that also examines serious moral issues.
Sams returned to Porter Osborne Jr. in 1991 with the publication
of When All the World Was Young, which won the Townsend Prize
for fiction that year and was performed in 1992 for American Public
Radio's Radio Reader. This final volume of the trilogy finds the
self-indulgent, practical joker Osborne, obsessed with sex and dating,
returning home a wiser man, having maintained his code of honor
and compassion.
With wit, humor, and old-fashioned moralizing, Sams's stories are
about unlikely encounters and what people learn from them. A natural
storyteller whose works have made him a popular writer in the South
and garnered favorable national attention, Ferrol Sams was honored
in 2001 for 50 years of commitment and service to the people of
Fayette County. In 2006 Run with the Horsemen was selected
by Atlantans as the inaugural text in the Atlanta Reads: One Book,
One Community program.
Even back then, Hollywood
wasn't very much different
Hollywood in the 1930s: "A dreary industrial town controlled
by hoodlums of enormous wealth, the ethical sense of a pack of jackals,
and a taste so degraded that it befouled everything it touched."
-- Humorist and Author S.J. Perelman (1904-1979.)
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
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© 2007, 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.
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