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GACS dedicates training center to former
student Shanil Naik
By
Jill Morris
Special to GwinnettForum.com
NORCROSS, Ga., Aug. 28, 2007 -- Since the first day that the doors
of Greater Atlanta Christian School opened in 1968, former President
Jesse Long announced that it was going to be a 'school of champions'.
Many champions have come and have graduated...and GAC has enjoyed
great moments in the field of athletics. As GACS enters its 40th
year in Gwinnett County, great things continue to happen.
Shanil
R. Naik Athletic Training Center |
The new Shanil R. Naik Athletic Training Center was dedicated on
August 23.. The Center is in part possible because of a gift in
memory of GAC student Shanil Naik, who grew up and found faith on
the GAC campus.
Naik died in an auto accident on June 13, 2005. He was a rising
ninth grader at GACS, where he had attended since kindergarten.
His parents are Manju and Ramish Naik of Duluth. The parents and
Gaylord and Sandra Coan provided funding for the Naik Center.
With high levels of fitness crucial to health and excellence in
athletics, the 12,900 square foot Training Center brings extensive
weight training and conditioning to hundreds of Spartan athletes.
The second floor is dedicated to Softball/ Baseball athletes with
batting and pitching cages. Three new dressing rooms make the facility
a complete addition to both physical education and a school-wide
philosophy of total fitness.
Performance Training Director, Gary Schofield is the catalyst
for staging a dramatic re-birth of our athletic program. He is nationally
certified as an athletic trainer and in strength and conditioning.
He brings 15 years experience, including eight years owning and
operating a training business. He has worked with amateurs, professionals,
recreational and Olympic athletes. He was also director of Outpatient
Rehabilitation for Eastside Medical Center. Past jobs include working
with the Atlanta Hawks as an assistant and a coach of Georgia Force.
There is a strong emphasis on functional training through body movements
and it is a 'results driven' program. Athletes have greater flexibility
from participating in the performance training workouts because
the training center is heavily utilized during the school day, and
also is available before and after school. This is a huge benefit
for those athletes who are unable to enroll in a performance training
class during the day because their academic schedules are full.
GACS has been blessed with a rich tradition in athletics. This
past spring, 19 athletes from the class of 2007 received scholarships
for their athletic talents. GAC students have a great desire and
work ethic, coaches are knowledgeable, and administrators are fully
supportive, living an example of excellence in all things. This
'New Era' will allow students to maximize their athletic gifts while
at the same time build character and unity among all GAC sports
programs.
What architectural structures in Gwinnett
are your favorites?
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
AUG. 28, 2007 -- The opening this weekend of a Hindu temple in
Lilburn, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, begs a question: what
are your favorite architectural structures in Gwinnett?
Brack |
We ask those reading GwinnettForum to ponder this, and submit to
us your list of favorite Gwinnett buildings to us. We'll compile
them and let you know what others think are architectural marvels
in Gwinnett.
We can think of two or three favorites of our own, but won't prejudice
you now with them. Think about any type of structure, residence,
church, commercial building, public building…..to include on
the list. So put that thinking cap on and send us your favorite.
* * * * *
Speaking in Gwinnett recently, Curtis Branscome, CEO of the Stone
Mountain Memorial Association, was asked about a past problem in
the park of people "cruising" the two-lane road around
the mountain in their automobiles. His answer was a classic in solving
a problem with creativity.
"We realized this was happening, and also recognized that
what these drivers liked to do was to pull up alongside one another,
and admire each other.
"So we decided to make the road around the mountain a one-way
road. We took half of the other lane and dedicated it to walkers,
and the rest of that lane and made it for bicycle riders. That left
one lane for people to drive, and those cruising didn't like the
idea of having to line up one behind the other, for they couldn't
pull alongside one another. So they left, and we don't have that
problem any more."
It's beautiful creativity, without even having to say "No"
to those cruising. Attaboy, Stone Mountain!
* * * * *
Move quickly if you want to catch a dazzling performance at the
Aurora Theatre
of "Annie, Get Your Gun!" The current run only
goes through September 9.
It is a breath-taking performance of the time-honored musical,
with great casting and wonderful moments throughout the show. Never
have the two hours of staging passed so fast, as theater-goers obviously
roundly enjoyed this production.
Natasha Drena steals the show as Annie Oakley, with her stage presence
and good voice. The other cast members, from Rob Lawhon as Frank
Butler, Annie's nemesis and eventual husband; Ricardo Aponte, Sims
Lanson, Barbara Uterhardt, Geoff Uterhardt and the rest of the cast
give spotless performances. And if ever there was a character created
for an actor, it is the role of Buffalo Bill, which Anthony Rodriquez
performs with oblivious glee. He even looks like the buffalo man.
It's amazing how many well-known songs came out of staging of this
Irving Berlin production. Familiar words and music spring out: There's
No Business Like Show Business; Doin' What Comes Naturally; The
Girl That I Marry; You Can't Get a Man With a Gun; I Got the Sun
in the Morning; Anything You Can Do; and They Say It's Wonderful.
You seldom see such a well-known mass of hit songs in a single musical.
That's just one reason to attend. Overlay that with sterling performances,
set in the new Aurora playhouse, and it's a standing ovation success.
Call 770 476 7926 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and get your tickets
for Annie Get Your Gun now!
 The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's featured sponsor is The
Gwinnett Center, which is home to three distinct facilities
right here in Duluth. The Convention Center offers patrons the opportunity
to host or attend a wide variety of events; from corporate meetings
to trade shows, to social occasions. The Performing Arts Center
has an intimate capacity of 700 guests, which is home to many local
events, family shows and even the occasional comedic performer.
The Arena, coming up on its fifth year, has experienced tremendous
success. The fall lineup includes American Idol, The Cure, Bob Dylan,
So You Think You Can Dance, Maroon 5, The Blue Man Group, Casting
Crowns, Hannah Montana, and the ECHL American Conference Champions
Gwinnett Gladiators. We are also proud to announce that the Gwinnett
Center is now completely wireless to meet your technological needs.
Visit www.gwinnettcenter.com
for updates on events at the three great facilities.
Paring down key inventions to what is really
important
Editor, the Forum:
About inventions, your issue of August
21: Conservative/humor columnist Dick Boland says the two greatest
inventions of all time are the wheel and the television remote control.
-- Marshall Miller, Lilburn
Snellville to dedicate historic cemetery fence
on August 28
The City of Snellville will dedicate its Snellville Historical
Cemetery Fence on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 4 p.m.. The ceremony
will be at the Snellville City Center, at the new gate to our Snellville
Historical Cemetery located behind the Senior Center. Parking available
in the City Center lot. This renovation project was funded by personal
contributions from many citizens of Snellville to beautify this
historical landmark. The city plans for a commemorative plaque to
be erected honoring those individuals whose contributions helped
make this possible.
New London Theatre
to locate in Snellville Plaza space
From the very beginning in 2000 with "Charlotte's Web"
and ending with "CATS" in July 2007, The New London Theatre
has dreamed of having its own place to call home. Recently Kirk
Buis, executive director for the New London Theatre, announced that
the theatre has moved into the Snellville Plaza, at 2485 East Main
Street, Snellville. He said: "This is a culmination of hard
work from hundreds of volunteers both in front of the curtain and
behind it.. Without all their contributions this theatre would not
exist."
Work is underway to refurbish the space for the theatre. Chad Alexander
Smith, LEED® AP CAS Architecture, is requesting permits to build.
Sparks Grizzard Construction is the commercial contractor and Judy
Stubbs of Timeless Interiors will be the interior designer. The
New London Theatre is a 501(c)3 non profit organization. Persons
interested in a tour of the facilities and/or a presentation of
plans should contact Tony Webb, (770) 318-1793, or via email at
custompictures@msn.com.
Historic courthouse
exhibit of art features Anita Stewart work
The Pinckneyville Park Community Center will sponsor an exhibition
of paintings titled "Anita Stewart: 1984 - To Present,"
by artist Anita Stewart. The exhibit will be held at the Gwinnett
Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville from August 31 to November
28. An opening reception will be held on Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. Exhibition
hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday
from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.. Admission is free.
The exhibition will be a showcase of Stewart's award-winning paintings,
many from art organizations in the Atlanta area. It will include
paintings recently done in South Africa, inspired by 33,000 year-old
cave paintings, guinea fowl, kootie birds, and much more. The media
used by Stewart varies, and includes oil, acrylic plastic, galkyd,
and interference pigments.
Stewart graduated from the University of Memphis with a major in
art and a minor in art education. After moving to Atlanta in 1983,
she worked to advance as both an artist and an art teacher. As an
artist she has achieved awards nationally, internationally, and
locally, and her solo shows have graced the walls of various universities
and colleges. She founded the Buford School of Art in 1998, which
has quickly become a crown jewel in Buford.
Suwanee offers teen
driving course and police academy
The Suwanee Police Department is offering two community programs
this fall, one designed for new teenage drivers and the other for
individuals interested in a better, first-hand understanding of
policing.
On Saturday, September 29, the department will offer a two-hour
parent/teen driver education program. Georgia Teens Ride with PRIDE
(Parents Reducing the Incidence of Driver Error) will begin at 9
a.m. at the Suwanee Crossroads Center, 323 Buford Highway. The program
is designed to diminish the high number of crashes, injuries, and
deaths involving teenage drivers.
The department's popular Citizens Police Academy will begin October
2. Classes for this eight-week program will be held at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesdays each week at the George Pierce Park Community Center. Topics
covered included crime scene investigations, firearms safety, traffic
stops, crime prevention, and motor vehicle enforcement. Participants
also have an opportunity to run radar, ride along with an officer,
practice traffic stops, and search buildings.
Applications for both programs are available at www.suwanee.com
and are due by September 14. For more information, contact Sgt.
Elias Casanas at elias@suwanee.com
or 770/945-8995, ext. 327.
Gwinnett
Tech at top in state post-secondary training
The latest report from the Technical College System of Georgia
puts Gwinnett Technical College at the top in several key categories
- graduate awards, student enrollment and the level of post-secondary
training among its students.
Gwinnett Technical College conferred the greatest number of graduate
awards -- certificates, diplomas and associate degrees -- of any
of the 34 technical colleges across the state of Georgia for the
2007 fiscal year.
Gwinnett Tech conferred 1,924 certificates, diplomas and associate
degrees in the 2007 fiscal year.
In addition, Gwinnett Tech also ranked as number three in the state
for credit enrollment, with a total of 7,102 students, a four percent
increase from last year. The college serves an additional 13,000
each year through its adult education and continuing education programs.
The report also shows that Gwinnett Tech students have the highest
level of post-secondary education in the state. Forty-five (45)
percent of GTC students have one to three years of post-secondary
education prior to enrolling, while seven percent have already earned
a bachelor's degree.
President Sharon Rigsby says: "We serve adults of every age
and stage. While many students enroll directly from high school,
these statistics show the large number who choose Gwinnett Tech
to further their existing education and advance their career, update
their skills or launch a new career. We work in very close partnership
with area business and industry as the county's leader in workforce
development to provide employers the highly skilled employees they
need."
Gwinnett Technical College, one of Georgia's largest technical
colleges, offers more than 45 associate degree, diploma and certificate
programs, and hundreds of seminars and workshops offering specialized
training each quarter.
Book on environment
suggesets energy efficiency policies
SAVANNAH, Ga., Aug. 27, 2007 - - Georgia can reap great economic
benefits by working to enact strategies to cut electricity use and
create more mature energy policies, according to a new book of environmental
recommendations released today by the Center for a Better South.
Center for a Better South President Andy Brack says: "Georgians
use 18 percent more electricity per capita than the national average.
In fact, the state ranks 10th nationally in home electricity use
and has the nation's 11th highest residential electricity bills.
The Center made 15 substantive environmental policy recommendations
for state and local governments today as it released a new book,
Getting Greener: Progressive environmental ideas for the American
South. The book, written for the Center by Arkansas law student
Eddy Moore, also provides a dozen ways that consumers can make their
lives greener without government intervention. To view the book
for free, go to the Center's new
Web site.
Brack adds: "Southern policymakers have generally been timid
in leading the way in adopting proactive environmental policies.
Without a broader effort to meet the most basic environmental challenges,
we won't make a growing South greener. Only by doing something fresh
can Southern leaders ensure that we continue to live in a region
that respects the land we love while continuing to grow responsibly."
S.C. Sen. Phil Leventis, a Sumter Democrat who accompanied Brack
on an 11-state book tour, said the Getting Greener book would help
to demystify preconceived notions that it was hard to be green and
responsible at the same time.
"This book offers an environmental policy blueprint for every
legislature in the South," Leventis said. "Its pragmatic
recommendations are backed up with more than 250 footnotes from
sources around the country."
The policy book includes ideas on confronting global warming, improving
Southern air quality; relying on more efficient appliances, better
cars, better buildings, increasing land conservation and improving
environmental justice laws.
Among the ideas for Georgia policymakers to consider:
- BETTER CLIMATE: Like all Southern states,
Georgia ranks among the world's top emitters of carbon dioxide
gases when state economies are treated as country economies. Georgia
ranks 35th. The Center recommends that Georgia policymakers appoint
a global warming leadership agency, a measure that was introduced
earlier this year, and adopt a global warming emissions reduction
plan.
- BETTER AIR: Metro Atlanta ranks among
the top places in the country for child health problems from diesel
particulate pollution. The state ranks 11th nationally in child
health problems from particulates and 13th in adult deaths from
particulates. The Center recommends that states clean up air pollution
more quickly than required by federal law and enact a diesel clean-up
fund to reap maximum health benefits.
- BETTER POWER: Georgia homes rank 10th
nationally in home electricity consumption by using 27 percent
above the national. The Center recommends state policymakers find
ways to reduce electricity consumption, through enacting a Public
Benefits Fund, adopting energy-efficient appliance standards,
and adopting renewable energy standards.
- BETTER LAND: Georgia spends $2.25 a year
per person on public land conservation. If it spent $1 per month
per person, it would generate $109 million a year to conserve
and protect residents' heritage with land.
- BETTER BUILDINGS: The book recommends
that Georgia and all Southern states require new and retrofitted
buildings and schools to be built to green standards, a move that
would save money over the long run. Local governments in Athens,
Chatham County and Tybee Island have implemented green standards
for building. According to the book, green public buildings makes
fiscal and environmental sense, since they generally cost only
two percent to five percent more to build than traditional buildings.
The Center
for a Better South is a pragmatic, nonpartisan think tank dedicated
to developing progressive ideas, policies and information for thinking
leaders who want to make a difference in the American South.
- 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
Upper Chattahoochee
Riverkeeper advocates for clean river
The Upper
Chattahoochee Riverkeeper was established in 1994 by a group
of Atlanta environmentalists, scientists, and community activists
to protect the Chattahoochee River basin. The group's primary focus
begins at the river's headwaters in the Chattahoochee National Forest
in the north Georgia mountains and continues downstream through
the city of Atlanta to West Point Lake in Heard County, encompassing
more than 200 miles of the Chattahoochee River.
Chattahoochee
River |
The mission of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is to advocate
and secure protection and stewardship of the Chattahoochee River
and its tributaries and watershed in order to restore and conserve
their ecological health for the people, fish, and wildlife that
depend on the river system. Riverkeeper actively uses advocacy,
education, research, communication, cooperation, monitoring, and
legal actions to protect and preserve the Chattahoochee and its
watershed.
The Chattahoochee River has been named one of the most endangered
rivers in the United States due to poor water quality, which has
resulted from sprawling development and growth. With a team of experts
from the fields of ecology, science, law, and engineering, Riverkeeper
takes strategic and aggressive actions to protect the Chattahoochee
River, which is the primary drinking source for about 4 million
Georgians, Alabamians, and Floridians. The organization uses its
resources to determine the health of the waters through monitoring,
to secure compliance with clean water permits, to promote protection
of streamside buffers, to advocate environmentally sound planning
and zoning, to strengthen state and federal water-quality programs,
and to increase community involvement through public-awareness campaigns.
Riverkeeper also promotes river stewardship through outreach programs.
These programs include:
- Educational school programs for K-12 students focusing on water
quality and "hands-on" protection of the river basin;
- A stream-monitoring network promoting the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream
Program within the Chattahoochee River watershed;
- Educational school programs for K-12 students focusing on water
quality and "hands-on" protection of the river basin;
- A "floating classroom" created at the Lake Lanier
Aquatic Learning Center, where students board the Chota Princess,
a forty-four-person pontoon boat, and conduct water-quality tests
and learn about the lake environment;
- Hosting canoe and hiking river adventures for members to learn
about the many faces of the Chattahoochee.
- To access the Georgia Encyclopedia, go to
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Being paranoid has
nothing to do with reality
"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're NOT out
to get you."
-- Radio personality "Skinny Bobby" Harper, circa
1970, via Bob Hanson, Loganville.
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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