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Editor's Note: With
the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, the next edition of GwinnettForum
will be Wednesday, May 30. Enjoy your holiday. --eeb
One Gwinnettian finds way to cut gasoline
cost in half
By
Jim B. Grant
Special to GwinnettForum.com
(Editor's Note: With gasoline costing more than
$3 a gallon, we asked a recent new car purchaser to tell what
led him to purchase a more fuel-efficient automobile. -eeb)
MAY 25, 2007 -- Recently in the market for an automobile, I decided
to try and do my part for the environment and the oil crisis by
purchasing a hybrid. I had ridden in a Toyota Prius and while impressed,
that make just seemed too small. I've been driving Ford Explorers
for the last several years and liked the bulk as well as the view
from higher off the ground.
This led me to look closely at Ford's Escape Hybrid, which has
been available for several years. It is a few inches shorter and
a few inches narrower than an Explorer, but is higher off the ground
than a sedan.
Part of the problem with hybrids these days is that they are scarce.
I found a couple on the CarMax site, but none local to Atlanta.
I expressed interested in one CarMax had in Maryland, but could
not get them to hold it until I could get up there to see it.
I then moved on to local Ford dealers. After calling five of them,
I found a dealer in Roswell that had a couple of 2008 Escapes available.
After my test drive, I was convinced that this car would be great
for me. It was peppy and the handling was smooth and responsive
with the front wheel drive.
Of course, the gas mileage was impressive. The Escape Hybrid gets
30 to 33 mpg around town in my mostly stop-and-go driving. Since
my Explorer got around 12-15 under the same conditions, I've basically
cut my fuel cost in half for the same amount of driving.
My Escape has a 2.3 liter Atkinson Cycle engine. Most internal
combustion engines today run on the Otto cycle. Ford uses Atkinson
because it is more efficient in fuel use, and combining it with
an electric assist motor, counteracts the Atkinson cycle's tendency
to be less powerful than an Otto cycle engine.
When you first start the car, the gasoline engine runs for about
five minutes. Apparently this is primarily for winter driving to
allow the car to warm up enough to produce heat in the cabin. After
that, the gas engine shuts off when you stop, say, at a traffic
light. From that point, if you are driving less than 25 mph or unless
you need to accelerate quickly, the car is propelled by the electric
engine alone. As you might expect, it is very quiet.
When you do accelerate, the gasoline engine starts and provides
power quickly. You can just barely feel the engine kick in. The
car also has regenerative systems, which means that when you coast,
the engine becomes a generator to charge the battery and when you
brake, that energy is also transferred to battery charging. You
don't even have to plug it in. The battery has a 100,000 mile warranty.
I have taken it out on the Interstate for a couple of trips. No
problems there. It drives comfortably moving in and out of traffic
normally. No, you can't accelerate from zero to 60 in two seconds,
but you can accelerate safely and comfortably.
Interestingly, I was able to purchase this 2008 for about the same
cost as I've seen 2007's advertised. Ford Hybrids still qualify
for tax credits. Mine will be $3,000 on my 2007 return. I'm well
satisfied with my purchase.
Civil War spelled tremendous impact on Gwinnett
young men
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com
MAY 25, 2007 -- Many old-time Southerners were regarded as fine
storytellers. Perhaps it was the heat of the area that sent people
to the shade of a porch, during the daytime and even as night was
approaching. Rocking in chairs, going to and fro in the swing, or
leaned up against a pillar of the porch, the people moved little,
but kept their minds and mouths going, and their ears open.
Brack |
Many Southern authors say that's where they got many of their incidents
for novels, short stories and other writings.
Back several generations, often the talk would focus on the days
of the Civil War, which was a terrible waste of manpower on both
North and South. Even sometimes it pitted neighbor against neighbor,
and at its extreme, fighting against your own folk.
In the South, virtually every family had great loss from the war.
Those in the path of battle suffered far more, and even those off
the beaten path felt their losses to the marauding armies of both
sides.
There's no better indication of just how much of an impact the
Civil War made on a community than to consider a memorial to those
who fell in the War from Gwinnett County. If during this Memorial
Day weekend you have a chance, stop by the Fallen Heroes Memorial
at the Gwinnett Justice and Administrative Center.
Fallen
Heroes Memorial Dominated by Civil War Deaths |
A memorial to "fallen heroes" who were from Gwinnett
was erected at the Gwinnett Justice and Administrative Center in
2003. Thirteen elegant gray granite monoliths list the names of
those from Gwinnett killed in the various wars.
One person from Gwinnett was killed in the Spanish-American War;
33 in World War I; 73 in World War II; four in the Korean Conflict;
25 in Viet Nam; and eight persons were listed in the 21st century
War on Terrorism. (Three persons are listed as prisoners of war
or missing in action.)
Three of the monoliths are absolutely filled with names of people
from Gwinnett killed in the Civil War. Altogether, there are the
names of 502 Gwinnettians who lost their lives to that war.
It took a grievous toll on Gwinnett of the 1860s. Yet this war
took a heavy toll on communities throughout the growing nation,
but particularly in the South, which had a higher percentage of
its men fighting what most considered a "just" war. This
impact on Gwinnett is typical of many southern communities, and
no doubt resulted in oldtimers recounting the troubles during and
after the Civil War. Now you newcomers know why Southerners have
talked so much about this war. It hit their families hard!
Remember that in 1860, Gwinnett counted 12,940 people. By 1870,
it had lost population for the first time since the census began
counting, down to 12,431 people. (But by 1890, Gwinnett had grown
back to 19,532 residents.)
But the point is: far more people were killed from Gwinnett in
the Civil War than the 144 people who have died in wartime circumstances
from all the wars fought for our country since.
This weekend, as you get a day off, take the time to remember those
from Gwinnett who have given their lives for us, and especially
remember the heartache and misery that 502 lives lost in the Civil
War had on this county.
And pray that the current war in Iraq will soon find resolution.
Pray that our men and women, who are currently in danger's way,
can soon return to our shores from this virtual civil war, and get
back to a normal life
 The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is First National
Insurance, located at 1689 Duluth Highway, Lawrenceville. The
firm, with roots going back to its founding in 1995, offers multi-lines
in insurance and financial services, including auto, home, recreational,
commercial and group benefits programs. It is the representative
of several old-line insurance companies, including Travelers, Hartford,
Auto-owners, Allied, Blue Cross-Blue Shield and Zurich firms. Call
First National Insurance at 770 513-2264.
Baseball
can be entertaining at virtually every level
Editor, the Forum:
The baseball team at Kell High School in Marietta is headed by
veteran coach Donnie English. Do you suppose his answering machine
message states: "Press 1 for English?"...
I've never seen this before, except in exhibitions. In a playoff
game last week, Brookwood had a no-hitter going, leading 4-0 against
visiting Kell in the fifth inning. The pitcher gave up two walks,
then an outfield error on a misplayed ball scored both runners,
cutting the score to 4-2. The coach then removed the pitcher and
the relief pitcher kept Kell hitless the rest of the game (seven
innings).
I'd have been afraid to do take a pitcher throwing a non-hitter
out, but the move worked out well for Brookwood, with the final
score 8-2. Thus, two pitchers combined on a no-hitter.
I've always been almost superstitious about taking a pitcher out
with a shutout going, certainly with a no-hitter working. Remember
complete games? It's amazing when it happens these days, at any
level of baseball.
-- Marshall Miller, Lilburn
Wants other government
improvement besides smarter traffic
Editor, the Forum:
I note in one of the letters to the editor that Gwinnett County
is apparently installing an intelligent traffic system.
If they succeed, it'll be the first time anyone in the Metro Atlanta
area has had intelligence involved in any aspect of traffic. Once
finished, maybe then they can move on to other areas of the county
government which, in my opinion, are in crying need of that commodity.
-- Bob Hanson, Loganville
Modern-day Paul Reveres
at Washington Whistleblowing Week
Editor, the Forum:
Paul Revere is America's most well known whistleblower. Present
day patriots who sound the alarm when danger threatens our society
rightly believe Paul Revere to be the founding father of whistleblowing.
Last week, a conference as unique as Paul Revere's ride took place
in our nation's capital. Whistleblower's Week in Washington had
a broad spectrum of government and private employers---health, environment,
national security, civil rights, veterans, and more---who were joined
by more than 50 eminent public interest organizations sounding the
alarm on dangers proven too real to be ignored. Hundreds of citizens
took part. The conference is completely bipartisan and has been
endorsed by both blue-chip conservatives and liberals. Among them:
- Republican Senator Charles Grassley as keynote speaker.
- Dr. Kanubhai R. Gandhi ,Mahatma Gandhi's grandson.
- Civil rights activist Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo.
- Coleen Rowley,who blew the whistle on the FBI's negligence preceding
the September 11 terrorist attack.
Like Paul Revere, they rode to Washington to be heard throughout
the land. New sons and daughters of liberty must rise to defend
our safety, our national defense and our honor.
-- James J. Murtagh, M.D., Atlanta
Surprised to find
himself in agreement with Forum on airport
Editor, the Forum:
Elliott, you and I finally agree on something! [Brack,
5/22] If you have to have a second airport, then down around
Macon works for me. Just as long as it and its flight paths are
not in my back yard!
-- Wayne Buchheit, Dacula
Navigating a lake
Another great cartoon from Bill McLemore:
Duluth
to recognize Korean War veterans on May 26
Duluth's Memorial Day service will be held May 26 at 7 p.m. on
the Town Green. The City of Duluth, in conjunction with American
Legion Post 251, is declaring May 26 as "Korean War Veterans
Day."
The American Legion Riders, a sanctioned organization of Veterans
and their motorcycles, will participate to "Honor" and
"Remember" those who served in the Korean War, for those
who are still missing and those who did not return. . Any Korean
War Veteran able to attend should contact BeBe Samples by phone
(678-475-3512) or email (bsamples@duluthga.net).
Chamber meeting to
hear Gwinnett Health System president
Healthcare will be the topic of the June 20 general meeting of
the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. Gwinnett Health System president
and CEO Philip R. Wolfe will be the speaker at the 11:30 a.m. meeting
at the Gwinnett Chamber Building.
Wolfe will address the importance of healthcare for Gwinnett and
Georgia's continued economic growth and quality of life. Among the
topics:
- How will the Gwinnett Health System help fulfill the goals and
vision of Partnership Gwinnett?
- What are their current and future plans for growth? What will
Gwinnett's healthcare community look like in 20 years?
- What is Wolfe's vision for the future?
- How can you help play a role in their success?
Cost is $35 for Chamber/Council members; and $55 for non members.
Registration deadline is June 13. To RSVP, please email Laurie McKenzie
at laurie@gwinnettchamber.org.
Trail ride at Little
Mulberry Park on June 2; bring dogs!
Head outside and hit the trails as Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation
celebrates National Trails Day! The Trail Mix celebration will be
held on June 2, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Little Mulberry Park Hog
Mountain Road entrance in Dacula.
The day will begin with equestrian trail rides and nature hikes
at 8 a.m., followed by The Gwinnett Parks Foundation's two-mile
Trail Mix Fun Run/Walk, which begins at 8:30 a.m. The entry fee
for the fun run/walk is $10 per person, or $25 for a family of up
to five people, and includes a race day t-shirt.
Participants are encouraged to bring their dogs along for the run.
Following a celebration ceremony at 9:30 a.m., free activities will
be located throughout the park. Activities include hayrides, a petting
zoo, pony rides, make-and-take crafts, a rock climbing wall, scout
badge programs, as well as fun environmental, animal, outdoor, fishing,
and educational programs.
A shuttle to the park will be provided from Hamilton Mill United
Methodist Church, located across the street from the Hog Mountain
Road entrance.
To register for the Gwinnett Parks Foundation Trail Mix Fun Run/Walk,
call 770-339-0203. Participants can also register at 8 a.m. on the
day of the event.
Little Mulberry Park is located at 3900 Hog Mountain Road in Dacula.
For more information call 770-822-8840 or visit www.gwinnettparks.com
Lionheart plans Tom
Sawyer, and auditions for new play
Two entirely different plays are planned by Lionheart Theatre Company
of Norcross.
Lionheart will present the 55 minute musical, Tom Sawyer,
on July 19-21 at their theatre in Norcross. The 19 part cast consists
of actors of all ages, singing and dancing the nine musical numbers.
Meanwhile, Lionheart is holding open auditions for its August show,
God's Man in Texas. Auditions begin on June 1 at 7:30 p.m.,
and continue on June 2 at 1 p.m.
The auditions will consist of a "cold reading" from the
script. Needed are three men, ages 30 and up. Performance dates
are August 17-19, 24-26 and August 21 and Sept. 1-2.
First
Gwinnett medical school class begins clinical rotations
Students from the first class of Georgia Campus-Philadelphia College
of Osteopathic Medicine in Suwanee, begin two years of clinical
rotations this summer following two years of intense on-campus classroom
and lab study. The rotations pair these medical students with physicians
in both private practice and hospital settings, in both urban and
rural areas. The physicians serve as mentors and role models in
family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics/gynecology,
surgery, emergency medicine, and other medical specialties of interest
to specific students.
Designated physicians at local, state and regional hospitals and
medical centers will mentor students in specific areas of practice.
Students will observe, ask questions and participate in patient
care under the strict supervision of the mentoring physicians. Metro
Atlanta sites where PCOM students will be found include Gwinnett
Medical Center, Atlanta Medical Center and DeKalb Medical Center
as well as medical centers in Columbus, Rome and other areas of
the state.
The Campus's third incoming class of 86 medical students will arrive
in mid-August, joining the returning second year students. A class
of 50 biomedical graduate degree candidates will also be admitted.
County buys 90 acres
for park near new Dacula school
Gwinnett County has agreed to buy just over 90 acres in the Dacula
area to serve the new Mountain View High School being built on Sunny
Hill Road and the accompanying Twin Rivers Middle School. It will
be used as an active park serving the new school cluster.
The county will purchase the land for $16,260,000 from Sydney Investments,
LLC, using parks funding from the 2005 SPLOST program. Like all
county parks, citizens will help develop a master plan for the park
before any construction begins.
The new school cluster will provide relief for the Dacula/Collins
Hill/Mill Creek schools.
Blue Bay
Seafood, Duluth
"My husband and I had a nice night at the new Blue Bay
Seafood Restaurant in Duluth (2750 Buford Highway). We liked
the nautical theme decorations, including lighthouses. We were seated
in a comfy booth and given complimentary tasty hush puppies while
we looked over the tempting menu. We both ordered the Mahi-Mahi
for $12.95 (very good) and both had the included side salad and
a potato/rice choice, also delicious. For dessert we shared the
wonderful triple white chocolate cake! The service was very friendly
and timely and we enjoyed our entire eating experience there. Their
phone number is 770.497.3317 and they are open daily."
-- Cindy Evans, Duluth
- 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
Three Seminole
wars in south Georgia in Antebellum period
The three Seminole
Wars that commanded the attention and manpower of the U.S. Army
and Navy during the antebellum period intensified the violence and
chaos that had been characteristic of the Georgia-Florida frontier
since the early colonial period.
The engagements that took place between American troops and the
Seminoles in Georgia, particularly during the First (1817-18) and
Second (1835-42) Seminole Wars, were pivotal moments that crystallized
some of the major issues underlying the battles.
British, Spanish, and French colonists had been, at best, uneasy
allies with Native American nations in the Southeast since initial
contact in the sixteenth century. Conflicts over trade agreements
and land cessions resulted in small-scale skirmishes that ultimately
exploded into declared warfare.
The antebellum period Seminoles were a confederacy of multiple
clans that had splintered from various southwestern tribes (Lower
Creek, Oconee, Yuchi, Alabama, Choctaw, and Shawnee) and drifted
into southern Georgia and northern Florida in the early 1700s. These
disparate bands, without much in common but geography, began to
hunt, fish, farm, and herd livestock in the area.
By 1750 clans had built towns along the Suwannee River, linked
to other Native American and maroon (runaway slave) villages through
infrastructure (roads, shared outbuildings) and intermarriage. After
1767 Upper Creeks began to move into the area, increasing the native
borderland population to more than 2,000 by 1790. It was at this
point that Spanish and British American colonists commenced identifying
all of these clans as "Seminoles."
An 1890 census estimated that there were about 5,000 Seminoles
living along the Georgia-Florida border at the start of the First
Seminole War. (For details of the three wars, visit the encyclopedia
site below.)
Slogging through drudgery
required for achievements
"Achievements, seldom credited to their source, are the result
of unspeakable drudgery and worries."
-- Composer Richard Wagner (1813-1883).
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
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MORE: Contact Gwinnett Forum at: elliott@gwinnettforum.com
© 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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