|
Bird feeder provides world of wonder
from kitchen window
By
Bunny Drueke
Special to GwinnettForum.com
SNELLVILLE, June 29, 2007 -- For years, the only bird feeders I
owned were the peanut butter-and-seed-covered pine cones that my
children made. Recently, a simple $8 bird feeder caught my eye.
I hung it in my flower garden (a hopeful term used to describe that
patch of weeds I see from my kitchen window), filled it with song
bird seed, and stood back skeptically to see if anything happened.
Tufted titmouse |
Almost immediately, a tiny bird appeared. It circled the feeder,
then darted in and grabbed a seed. Within half an hour, the news
was out that a new restaurant had opened and birds of all varieties
were circling my backyard. I stood mesmerized at the darting bodies,
flashing colors, feathered wings.
I was still at the window hours later when my husband came home
from work. He stood quietly beside me for a few minutes, watching
the birds flit to and from the feeder. Turning, he asked, "What
kind are they?"
So I bought Birds of Georgia Field Guide by Stan Tekiela.
He is savvy enough to group the birds by color and has filled his
book with interesting facts presented in an easy-to-read format,
along with great photos of both male and female birds. My copy already
is worn, the pages dog-eared where I've identified a bird dining
at my feeder. In the index I carefully note the date I first saw
a particular bird. Since February I have identified over 20 different
birds.
I've learned to recognize the "regulars," the Carolina
Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch and Cardinal.
I know which ones like to eat at the feeder and which ones prefer
"ground floor seating." I've observed mating dances and
dominance stances. One morning I marveled at the glorious sight
of two male Goldfinches who stopped by and left me breathless with
their beauty.
Birds are not the only visitors. I now believe that squirrels belong
in Cirque du Soleil. They will hang upside down and chew through
plastic to get to bird seed. After my little feeder was destroyed,
I replaced it with a metal, weight-sprung feeder and promptly learned
that even "squirrel-proof" feeders are no match for those
agile, determined creatures.
And so my morning coffee grows cold as I stand at my open window,
clapping to scare the squirrels away and watching the birds rush
in to dine in peace.
A Tufted Titmouse is raising a family in our old bluebird house.
She scolds me when I come out to put water in the birdbath or fill
the feeder with fresh seed. I watch her busily flying back and forth
with to her little family, reminding me of my own busy mothering
days and my four little "birdies." Soon they will leave
the nest and join their parents at the feeder. I'll be there to
watch them and quietly cheer them on.
As Proverbs says, "To everything there is a season."
This is my season to enjoy the birds from my kitchen window, Birds
of Georgia in hand.
Ben Franklin exhibit at Atlanta History Center
is a "must see"
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
JUNE 29, 2007 -- These hot days of summer, cool off with the air
conditioning at the Atlanta History Center by seeing a blockbuster
exhibit about one of the keenest minds the United States has ever
produced, Ben Franklin.
Brack |
Entitled Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World,
the exhibit was organized by the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary.
It started seven years ago in planning, and has only been open for
the public before in Philadelphia, St. Louis, Houston and Denver.
Atlanta is the final stop in the United States for this major exhibit,
with its only other showing starting in Paris, France later this
year, as a symbolic token to Franklin's role in securing financing
for the American Revolution through his years of living in Paris.
The exhibit starts July 4 at the Atlanta History Center, on West
Paces Ferry Road, and continues only through October 14. We suggest
you go early in the run, for the exhibit is so complete and large
that you may want to return to devour more of it with your friends.
(You can stay the whole day but we suggest taking it in for about
two hours at a time.)
The exhibit is unique. The largest collection of Franklin works
have come together from around the world for this exhibit, with
these artifacts never to be together in such an exhibit again. It
shows what an organized and extensive mind Ben Franklin had, staying
interested and curious about what went on around him in virtually
every aspect of man's surroundings. Franklin was a businessman,
politician, inventor, promoter of civic enterprises, early retiree
(at age 42), diplomat, humorist and sage. Seldom has American produced
anyone with his distinctive abilities.
A few items that you will see at the exhibit:
- Franklin founded several key philanthropic, educational and
civic institutions, from hospitals, to universities, to fire insurance
companies and the first lending library. He even sold lottery
tickets to raise money to help establish a militia.
- Trained as a printer, he published pamphlets and newspapers,
an almanac, and had a chain of printing offices throughout the
new nation. He was also the first postmaster of the country, with
an amazing coincidence of the postal routes and his private business
enterprises.
- His exploration into several scientific fields produced amazing
results, such as working with electricity, inventing a glass armonica
(for musical selections), and even discovering the Gulf Stream
and all that it meant to sailing.
- Always involved with politics, Franklin's greatest achievement
may have been with helping to finance the American Revolution
through his contacts with people in Europe. He was, in effect,
ambassador without portfolio as he became the unofficial representative
of this new upstart group in the United States, to the amazement
and admiration of people in Paris, London and Amsterdam.
Remember this exhibit on Franklin is only open until October 14
in Atlanta. Go visit and enjoy.
* * * * *
If you have never been to the Atlanta History Center, you will
find an extensive re-counting of not merely Atlanta's history, with
several exhibits going on concurrently. At present, they include:
- Turning Point: The American Civil War.
- Centennial Olympic Games Museum.
- Metropolitan Frontier.
- Shaping Traditions: Folks Arts in a Changing South.
- Down the Fairway with Bobby Jones.
- Philip Trammell Shutze: Atlanta Classicist, Connoisseur, and
Collector.
The Atlanta History Center is located at 130 West Paces Ferry Road,
and open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., and Sundays
from noon until 5:30 p.m. For more information, go to http://www.atlhist.org.
 The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is Graphic Communications
Corporation of Lawrenceville, a dynamic full-service print,
large-format inkjet and photographic output, fulfillment, point-of-purchase
and multi-media communications company. The firm has a digital media
and graphic design department for both print and Internet use. Graphic
Communications' biggest strength is its ability to meet tight deadlines
along with the ever-present demands for high quality and attention
to detail. This ability makes the printing process seamless for
its clients. Three of its greatest competitive advantages are: 1)
listening, 2) being organized for speed, and 3) being detail fanatics.
All of its associates are committed to giving customers exactly
what they want, when they want it. Simply, at Graphic Communications,
the customer's needs are the driving forces behind everything it
does, from investment in technology to the friendly voices that
still answer the telephone. For more information, go to http://www.gccprint.com.
With
Grady Hospital in trouble, this raises a question
Editor, the Forum:
Which pocket will the politicians attempt to pick in fixing Grady
Hospital? Will it be a new sales tax or the lottery? Both will be
wrong! But watch out!
-- Brian F. Luders, Duluth
Mystery
meal
Another great cartoon from Bill McLemore:
Lawrenceville
has Oklahoma! for July 3 at historic courthouse
The Lawrenceville Tourism and Trade Association will present "Oklahoma!"
at Lawrenceville's third annual Prelude to the Fourth celebration
to be held on the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse lawn. The event kicks
off Gwinnett's two days of Fourth of July festivities in downtown
Lawrenceville.
The one-time-only presentation of Oklahoma! on Tuesday, July 3
will be at 7:30 p. m. This is a free outdoor lawn event. Reserved
seating (tables for six) can be purchased for $150 by contacting
the LTTA at 678-226-2639. Catering of food is available from local
restaurants. The event is open for picnic dinners and lawn seating
at 5:30 p. m.
Following the concert will be a fireworks. For more information
about Prelude to the Fourth and other event information, visit www.visitlawrenceville.com
or contact Rebekah Cline at Rebekah@visitlawrenceville.com
or (678) 226-2639.
Precaution will be the word of the day in Duluth as the City plans
its fireworks display on July 3 at Scott Hudgens Park.
Precaution is byword
for Duluth's July 3 fireworks show
The precautions, because of the dry conditions, include having
Gwinnett Fire Department personnel on hand with extra personnel,
in case of any problems.
The lineup includes entertainers, lots of food vendors and tons
of family fun. Activities begin with the gates opening at 4:30 p.m.
with fireworks around 9:30 p.m.
The entertainment will begin at 6 p.m. with Abbott's Bridge, an
up-and-coming local acoustic group. They will be followed by performances
from Nick Pallas, Lori O'Brien and the Army Ground Forces Concert
Band. In addition, the North Georgia Live Steamers Train will be
on site for train rides beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Then, at 7 p.m., those attending are in for a treat. This will
be a "Salute to a General" and Duluth's part of a bicycle
ride from Fort Bragg, N.C. to MacDill AFB, Fla. On July 2, Duluth
Police Officers Liz Strickland, Cpl. Steve Walker and Lt. Bill Stevens
will participate in the ride. They will be joined by four Special
Forces soldiers for the ride. Duluth's 'Salute to a General' honors
General Bryan D. Brown's 40 years of service in the United States
Army and his planned retirement as Commander of all Special Operations
Forces on July 9, 2007.
The bikers will have 12 hour shifts in making the two-day ride
from Fort Bragg to Duluth. For more information contact Bebe Samples,
downtown manager, at 678-475-3512 (work) or 678-873-0419 (cell).
Movies in park continue
this summer in downtown Norcross
The weekly movie in Thrasher Park continues this summer in Norcross.
American classic movies are being shown, with Audrey Hepburn being
on the screen in three different movies for the remainder of the
summer.
Here is the line-up of movies to be shown for this summer:
June 30: Rebel Without a Cause, with James Dean, Natalie
Wood, Sal Mineo.
July 3: Yankee Doodle Dandy, James Cagney, Joan Leslie.
July 7: Sabrina, Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn.
July 14: An American in Paris, Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron.
July 21: Breakfast at Tiffany's, Audrey Hepburn, George
Peppard, Patricia Neal.
July 28: From Here to Eternity, Burt Lancaster, Deborah
Kerr, Montgomery Clift.
August 4, Roman Holiday, Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck.
August 11: North by Northwest, Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint.
August 18: Casablanca, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman.
August 25: Rear Window, Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly.
September 1: Twelve Angry Men, Henry Fonda, E.G. Marshall
New
retail, condos coming as southside gateway to Snellville
Snellville will soon have a new Class-A office and retail development
on the south side of Scenic Highway 124 at Henry Clower Boulevard.
The 7.5-acre mixed-use development will have 24,000 square feet
of retail and 60,000 square feet of office condo space.
Called, "The Boulevards", it is a creation of developer
Darren Harper of Boulevards Development Group, LLC. Harper expects
this project will be a key element in the redevelopment of Snellville's
downtown district. It will create a gateway to a newly revitalized
downtown district in Snellville.
Economic and Community Development Manager, Alison Nalley Starnes,
states that the project "brings new life to the office professional
realm of Snellville." Starnes believes that the Boulevards
features high-quality office space and an "aesthetically pleasing"
appearance that goes well with the Town Center's overall design.
Gwinnett Relay for
Life passes $2.5 million fund goal for 2007
Gwinnett County's Relay For Life has been declared a resounding
success, as it has passed its goal of raising $2.5 million for the
American Cancer Society. Through efforts of a community who is dedicated
to finding a cure for cancer, this year 368 teams, 8,542 participants,
and 1,843 survivors participated in the world's largest relay!
Diana Preston and Phil Hoskins were co-chairs of the 2007 Relay
for Life. They issued a statement saying: "To say 'Thank you
hardly seems adequate enough to express the tremendous impact your
participation has made in the fight against cancer. In addition
to exceeding our $2.5 million goal, your support of this event provided
for opportunities for newly diagnosed cancer patients to meet others
at Relay who have faced cancer with triumph and for caregivers to
meet other caregivers who have traveled down the same path in caring
for a loved one."
The money raised will assist in funding research, prevention and
early detection education, and patient services and programs. The
Gwinnett office of the American Cancer Society is available 24 hours
a day, seven days a week to meet the needs of cancer patients and
their families through its 1-800-ACS-2345 call center and the web
site at www.cancer.org.
Those with additional donations should send them to the American
Cancer Society, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 260, Duluth, Georgia
30097. Donations can be made online or delivered to the office by
August 31, 2007.
Gwinnett Police open
Quality of Life office in Norcross
After two years of cleaning up neighborhoods all over the county,
Gwinnett Police moved their Quality of Life Unit into a new home
of their own. A dedication ceremony for the 7,843-square foot headquarters
marked the occasion this week at the offices at 5555 Oakbrook Parkway
in Norcross. The unit began after an initial campaign called Operation
Fixing Broken Windows in 2005. The new space became necessary after
code enforcement officers formerly with the Planning and Development
department joined the unit earlier this year.
Police Chief Charles Walters defined the unit's mission as "utilizing
available resources to enforce laws and ordinances to improve the
safety, security and livability for the citizens of Gwinnett County"
The Gwinnett Village CID is both host and financial partner for
this initiative.. The CID looks upon the unit as a critical component
in its overall mission to revitalize the southern part of Gwinnett
County, says Chuck Warbington, director.
- 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
Carter
Center to mark 25th anniversary on June 30
On June 30, 2007, the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum in Atlanta
opens an exhibit commemorating the 25th anniversary of The
Carter Center. Scheduled to remain on display until Nov. 25,
2007, the exhibit showcases the achievements of The Carter Center,
a not-for-profit organization founded by U.S. President Jimmy Carter
and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, to promote international human rights
through initiatives advancing peace and health in the poorest regions
of the world. According to President Carter, "Self-governance,
freedom from political persecution, adequate food, and access to
health care-these rights give people self-respect, human dignity,
and hope for the future. Without them, we will never see a world
at peace."
The Carter Center has fulfilled its mission in myriad ways, including
nearly eliminating Guinea worm disease in Africa and Asia, observing
democratic elections in twenty-six countries, providing agricultural
education to farmers in fifteen African nations, and working to
improve mental health care and education.
The exhibit comprises photographs and artifacts that tell the story
of The Carter Center's past and ongoing efforts to promote human
rights. The artifacts on display include a preserved Guinea worm,
ballots from elections around the world, African planting implements,
and Jimmy Carter's Nobel Peace Prize medal.
"The exhibit presents a vision for how to build a more peaceful
world," according to
museum director Jay Hakes. "It can be both a teaching tool
for students and an inspiration for families seeking values of global
citizenship and humanitarian opportunity. The exhibit also promises
to be of special interest to Georgians. Jimmy Carter has been perhaps
the foremost proponent of human rights for oppressed and disenfranchised
people worldwide, and the roots of that are right here in Georgia."
In addition to the exhibit, a special section of The Carter Center's
Web site is devoted to the anniversary. The site features video
documentaries of the center's work, interviews with both Jimmy and
Rosalynn Carter, and a publication entitled "25 Stories for
25 Years," which details the center's involvement with specific
projects and issues
How perfect people
see imperfection in others
"It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect.
The more perfect we are, the more gentle and quiet we become toward
the defects of others.
-- English essayist and politician Joseph Addison (1672-1719),
via Brian Luders, Duluth.
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
===========================================
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.
|
