|
Library system sets reading festival
Oct. 20 at fairgrounds
By
Eddie Suttles
Special to GwinnettForum.com
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. Oct. 5, 2007 -- The Gwinnett County Public Library
(GCPL) will present the first Gwinnett Reading Festival on Saturday,
October 20, 2007 at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. The event is
free to the public and will take place from 10 am to 4 pm.
The Festival will also feature workshops, panel discussions, a
Starbucks coffee shop, food, a bookstore by Barnes and Noble, and
a temporary library branch. There will be events for children and
teens, including story tellers and battling knights from Medieval
Times.
The event is to promote books and a love of reading. It will feature
approximately 30 local, regional and national authors of fiction,
non-fiction, adult and children's titles, who will read, discuss,
and autograph their works.
The authors, illustrators and performers participating in the Festival
represent the broadest range of genres, styles, talents, and personal
stories. A few highlights about those participating:
- Illustrator Mark Braught is an award-winning children's
book illustrator whose books include P is for Peach: A Georgia
Alphabet. He and his wife, award-winning illustrator Laura
Knorr, will also be conducting an illustration workshop for
children.
- National bestselling novelist Mark Childress is the author
of Crazy in Alabama, which was turned into a major motion
picture.
- Author Jackie Cooper is a regular on Georgia Public Radio.
- In addition to his writing, Brian Corrigan is currently
working on an encyclopedia of Harry Potter. He and his North Georgia
students will be playing an actual game of Quidditch during the
Festival.
- Carmen Agra Deedy is a nationally recognized author of
children's books, including the acclaimed Library Dragon.
- Author Renee Dodd is a professor of English at Georgia
College and State University and the granddaughter of football
legend, Bobby Dodd.
- Terry Kay is one of the most popular Georgia authors
writing today. Three of his novels have been turned into motion
pictures, including his national bestseller, To Dance With
the White Dog.
- Lisa Earle McLeod is a syndicated columnist who calls
Gwinnett County home. She has been called a modern day Erma Bombeck
- Author Judson Mitcham is the only writer to have been
honored for his literary endeavors by being twice awarded the
prestigious Townsend Prize for Fiction.
- Bill Osinki's book Ungodly: A True Story of Unprecedented
Evil has drawn both critical acclaim, as well as generated
controversy due to its subject matter.
- True crime author and novelist Jaclyn Weldon White is
a former Gwinnett County police detective.
- Author and poet Philip Lee Williams is the author of
eleven books. His novel, A Distant Flame, won the Michael
Schaara Award for Civil War fiction.
A special ticketed event will be taking place during the evening
and will feature Georgia Writers Hall of Fame inductee and perennial
favorite Terry Kay reading from his new novel The Book of Marie
at the Historic Courthouse in downtown Lawrenceville. This event
is being sponsored jointly by GCPL and the Lawrenceville Trade and
Tourism Association.
Webb's response indicates dropping property
tax is doomed
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
OCT. 5, 2007 -- Worry not. Efforts coming out of the Republican-controlled
Georgia legislature aimed at an 180-degree change in the way we
are taxed is doomed.
Brack |
That's our conclusion after reading of Norcross Mayor Lillian Webb's
opposition to the change in the way we are taxed. House Speaker
Glenn Richardson is proposing elimination of all property taxes---a
Populist political ploy. However, he would raise other taxes, and
have all these taxes sent to the State of Georgia first, before
distributing them back to counties. It's a lame-brained idea.
Now Lillian Webb has put it in focus, as reported in Gwinnett
Daily Post: "I have great concern about this," Webb
said while reading from a prepared statement. "In my 34 years
in government, I have yet to meet a state official that's any smarter
than a local one," Webb said. "We can't afford to miss
the mark in tax reform. It would take us years to recover."
She adds perspective and insight from her many years serving at
the city and county level, plus her yeoman work with statewide groups.
She says all this from her political background as a Republican
when it was not always popular to be a Republican.
We suspect one local official after another is quietly opposing
Rep. Richardson's proposal, realizing that local governments will
lose their ability to tax and control local funds.
Citizens all across Georgia should be up-in-arms about this newly-minted
state official seeking to take away local autonomy, in effect wresting
local decision making from officials closest to the people. Not
only that, it is downright un-Republican.
Most sane Georgians realize that the best-run government is the
one closest to the people. Tell your legislator to bury this proposal
to eliminate property taxes. Should you eliminate local taxes, you
also eliminate having input in how your community tax dollars are
spent and give too much control to the state government.
* * * * *
Congratulations to a relatively new institution among us, the private
Wesleyan School. It announced recently that it had completed the
construction of its Master Plan when it opened a 12,000 square foot
building for Administration, Gillfillan Hall.
The remarkable aspect is that Wesleyan School has built and paid
for all the buildings in its overall plan on its massive 75 acre
campus in 11 years, or in "one generation of students"
in the k-12 school. Estimated cot of this construction is $95 million.
It has 429,694 square feet in buildings on its campus.
Congratulations to the Wesleyan School Board and its headmaster,
Zack Young, on this singular achievement, providing another element
to the diverse Gwinnett community.
* * * * *
Good to hear that the "fly-over" bridge at Interstate
85 and Georgia Highway 316 will be open before Christmas, well ahead
of schedule. For traffic coming from the Lawrenceville area toward
I-85 in the last few years, the opening of the bridge will mean
the end of the vast pile-ups of traffic. The faster construction
came, in part, came because of the recent dry weather.
* * * * *
Congratulations, also, is extended to the Gwinnett Environmental
Heritage Center, hosting a "green benefit" Saturday night,
on the first anniversary of its opening. The design of the building
to LEED standards, points the way that other new buildings should
be built. The tip of our hat to the county and architect, Lord,
Aeck and Sargent for this exemplary example of how to properly construct
a "green" building.
 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.
Alarmed about commuter flights to Hartsfield-Jackson
airport
Editor, the Forum:
Today's Gwinnett Daily Post has a front page article stating
Wings Air at Briscoe Field, Gwinnett County Airport, has applied
for shuttle flights to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Airport, whereby passengers would be screened at Lawrenceville and
transferred directly to outgoing flights from the concourses at
H-J without further screening. I can't help but think this is not
new, as there may be other commuter airlines doing the same thing
now. I'm just not aware of it.
Isn't this the same Briscoe Field where at least one of the 9/11
terrorists took flight lessons? Not take off and landing, just flying
(and eventually, deliberate crashing). I wonder who will conduct
the screening and/or have the oversight. A nine passenger plane
can put over 50 percent of the known number of 9/11 terrorists into
Hartsfield/Jackson on just one flight. Now there's efficiency to
make one proud!
-- Howard N. Williams, Jr., Snellville
Dear Howard: And it makes me wary, too! -eeb.
Bar talk
Another great cartoon from Bill McLemore:
This is weekend for Eight annual Great Day
of Service
Two days to make a difference in any community. That's all it takes.
From Friday, October 5 through Saturday, October 6, Gwinnett will
kick-off the eighth annual Great Day of Service, as thousands of
volunteers will be giving up their time to assist non-profit agencies
by renovating facilities, provide landscaping and a variety of services
for those in need.
No matter how big or small, anyone can get involved in the Great
Day of Service. From youth groups to businesses, individuals can
make a difference in where we live, work and play. This year some
of the projects involve canned food drives for homebound seniors,
school supplies and toys for tots to larger items, such as building
materials, landscaping or donation and planting of trees are needed
for the vast range of projects. Last year over 150 projects were
completed within a two day period. It is estimated that at least
60,000 volunteers are needed to satisfy the manpower needed to complete
this year's projects.
The Gwinnett Great Days of Service was formed under The Gwinnett
Coalition for Health and Human Services to increase community awareness
about the 800 plus health and human service agencies and organizations
that the Gwinnett Coalition represents and supports. Ellen Gerstein,
director of the Gwinnett Coalition, explains, "We are able
to get caring volunteers within the community and match them with
valuable resources and tools to get projects completed at these
particular agencies that are in need."
For more information on Great Days of Service you may visit the
website at www.gwinnettgreatdaysofservice.org.
Possibility for I-285
restructure topic of Chamber meeting
Hear a comprehensive approach to creating a transportation solution
for I-285 on the north side of Atlanta, at a meeting on October
29 at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. The meeting will be an environmental
forum featuring Tim Preece, deputy project manager. It will begin
at 5:30 p.m. at the Gwinnett Chamber building, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway
in Duluth.
The primary purpose of revive 285 top end is to take a comprehensive
approach to creating a transportation solution for I-285, between
Interstate 85 and Interstate 75. GDOT is required, under the National
Environmental Policy Act, to carefully consider potential social,
environmental and economic impacts of any construction projects.
The outcome of the project is an environmental document that will
incorporate appropriate solutions for the entire project area.
The program is free. To RSVP, call 770-232-8807 or email joanne@gwinnettchamber.org.
Crooked Creek watershed
to get environmental expansion
The Crooked Creek watershed in southwestern Gwinnett County is
listed as one of the most in need of protection and cleanup. This
month, construction will begin on expanding two retention ponds
to help protect the channel and remove pollutants.
The ponds are located behind the Conifer Crossing Apartments near
the intersection of Jimmy Carter Boulevard and are nearly double
their current size and will include erosion control measures, water
quality features and wetland plantings.
Water Resources Director Frank Stephens said a majority of the
roughly $589,000 cost will be paid by a grant from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. The Board of Commissioners awarded the contract
to the low bidder, The Dickerson Group.
Perimeter College
Chinese photography show opens Saturday
The works of 12 distinguished photographers from China will be
on display at Georgia Perimeter College in conjunction with "Atlanta
Celebrates Photography." The work is by members of the renowned
Chinese Photographers Association (CPA). A visiting delegation of
14 photographers and officials of the CPA will be present during
the reception for the show this Saturday, October 6 as part of a
cultural exchange coordinated by the GPC Center for International
Education and Fine Arts Department.
The show is free and runs from October 3 until November 7 at the
Jim Cherry Learning Resource Center Gallery. A free reception will
be held 5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. on October 6. The photographs presented
in the exhibit capture diverse scenes from life in China, including
school children in class, country dwellers practicing traditional
dance to graphic and colorful landscapes. Many of the photographers
are accompanying the show.
Notre
Dame Academy purchases second building on campus
Notre Dame Academy has recently purchased the 48,000 square footing
building at 4635 River Green Parkway in Duluth which houses its
elementary and middle schools.
The purchase is another step in the school's five year strategic
plan for growth and expansion. Debra Orr, president and founder
of the school, says: "We have seen many landmarks in the two
short years since opening Notre Dame Academy. The purchase of this
building, however, is a big one. We were able to remove the last
of all personal guarantees which were essential to the start up
of a new school. The financing awarded was based solely on the credence
of our school."
The purchase comes just two years after the school opened and a
year after the purchase of Notre Dame Academy's Early Years campus.
The school, which has seen tremendous growth since opening, welcomed
almost 500 students back to school in August.
John Findley, principal for Notre Dame Academy's Elementary and
Middle schools, credits that growth to a variety of factors, but,
he says "It all boils down to the parents of our students being
happy - happy with the International Baccalaureate curriculum, happy
with the faith-based learning their children are experiencing, and
happy to see their children enjoying their learning environment."
Notre Dame Academy is an independent, Marist-sponsored Catholic
school serving students in Pre-K3 through 8th grade. Information
about the school can be found at www.ndacademy.org
or by calling (678)387-9385.
Sandra Dunn joins
board of Atlanta builders' marketing group
Dunn |
Sandra Dunn, president and CEO of Five Star Mortgage, was recently
elected to the 2008 Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association Sales
and Marketing Council Board of Directors. Dunn is also treasurer
for the Gwinnett Women's Council of REALTORS® for 2008. Five
Star Mortgage has three offices in Atlanta, including one in Duluth.
Park Place area forms
its own community association
The recent Park Place Activity Center Study completed by the Evermore
CID, is already producing tangible results! The study, completed
earlier this year, recommended the formation of a community association.
With the support of Evermore CID leadership and guidance from Gwinnett
County District Three Commissioner, Mike Beaudreau, the community
association is now a reality.
The Park Place Community Association (PPCA) is comprised of homeowners,
business owners, clergy and those interested in working as a team
toward revitalizing and enhancing the Park Place community. Its
primary service boundaries include the Stone Mountain portion of
Gwinnett County east to Stone Drive, north to Brownlee Road and
south to DeShong Road.
Frances Smith, president of the PPCA, says: "The idea to create
an association for the Park Place area is actually a direct result
of the Park Place Activity Center Study conducted by the Evermore
CID. This study stated that an association could help enhance and
maintain quality of life, help give Park Place a sense of place,
and become a destination rather than a pass-through area."
 Playing
for Pizza, by John Grisham
"In his latest work, author John Grisham departs from legal
thrillers and heads for the world of sports. Based on a real-life
league, Playing for Pizza tells the story of an aging American
football player who joins an Italian team; the players are paid
in food."
-- Larry Zani, Kaiserslauten, Germany
- 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
Wetland
center shows complex ecological relationships
Kinderlou Tower |
The Robert
Patten Grand Bay Wetland Education Center, located 10 miles
north of Valdosta in Lowndes County, teaches and demonstrates the
complex ecological relationships between plants and animals. A partnership
between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Coastal
Plains Regional Educational Service Agency, the center concentrates
on the contributions of a functioning wetlands ecosystem to a healthy
natural environment. Its educational activities, including guided
trips into the Grand Bay Wetland; working with live mammals and
amphibians and reptiles; and interactive ecological experiments,
correlate with the state of Georgia's Quality Core Curriculum. Approximately
6,500 schoolchildren visit the center annually.
The center also offers to the public an interpretative experience
of the Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area, which includes the 18,000-acre
Grand Bay/Banks Lake ecosystem. The size of the Grand Bay ecosystem
is second in Georgia only to the Okefenokee Swamp.
Interpretive experiences include access to the wetland along a
half-mile boardwalk, which ends at the Kinderlou Tower, a gift of
local businessman Harley Langdale Jr. The boardwalk takes the visitor
through many features of the wetland, beginning with a wet savannah
and coursing through shrub bogs, a blackgum/cypress pond, and a
prairie with various herbaceous plant communities.
Since 1988, the M.A.R.S.H. Project, a partnership between the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources, Ducks Unlimited, Moody Air Force
Base, and local landowners, has allowed for the ongoing restoration
and maintenance of this wetland. As a result, Grand Bay has become
a regional nesting site for wood ducks, with more than 850 wood-duck
boxes in annual use. Grand Bay also serves as the winter home of
migratory sandhill cranes, as well as the year-round home to some
crane populations.
Mind control determines
who are intellectual snobs
"An intellectual snob is someone who can listen to the William
Tell Overture and not think of The Lone Ranger."
-- Commentator Dan Rather
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.
|
