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Park Place area gets sidewalks through
Evermore CID
By
Frances Smith
President, Park Place Community Association
Special to GwinnettForum.com
SNELLVILLE, Ga., Dec. 7, 2007 -- The Evermore Community
Improvement District (CID) and Gwinnett County have collaborated
to move forward with sidewalk improvements for the Park Place area.
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners agreed to support the
proposed community revitalization project.
In addition to the Park Place Community Association's formation,
this project is another tangible result of the Evermore CIDs Park
Place Activity Center Study completed earlier this year. Area residents
who participated in the study's focus groups identified sidewalks
throughout the Park Place community as an enhancement with significant
appeal.
Project construction is set to begin in early 2008. Upon completion,
the project will connect new sidewalks to existing sidewalks along
West and East Park Place Boulevard from Bermuda Road to Eastford
Trace, and Rockbridge Road from Pounds Road to East Park Place Boulevard.
The project also includes pedestrian signals at crossings to improve
safety for pedestrian travelers.
Evermore CID Executive Director Brett Harrell said with the rapid
implementation of improvements identified in the study, "This
project not only enhances the Evermore Community, but will also
improve safety and mobility within the Park Place Activity Center
study area".
The project is ultimately the result of a partnership between the
Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, Evermore CID and the Park
Place Community Association, with funding provided by Gwinnett County
SPLOST. Gwinnett County Commissioner Mike Beaudreau comments that
"This is one of the first visible signs of the hard work that
the newly formed Park Place Community Association has achieved by
working with the Evermore CID and my office. I am proud of the progress
that we have made as a team."
* * * * *
The Evermore Community Improvement District is an association of
property owners along U.S. Highway 78 in Gwinnett County from Snellville
to the DeKalb County line that voluntarily tax themselves in order
to recreate their community as a great place to live, work and shop.
The CID seeks to establish a vibrant, upscale destination, improve
business development opportunities, and enhance property values
by developing and promoting coordinated transportation and community
character improvements to benefit property owners, business owners,
and residents along the Highway 78 corridor. The CID represents
469 properties; 1,585 businesses; nearly 16,000 jobs; over $1 billion
in annual sales; and $485 million in property value.
Argentina's spectacular Iguazu Falls stir
comparison to Niagara
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
IGUAZU FALLS, Argentina, Dec. 7, 2007 -- Visit these falls, between
the northern tip of Argentina and Brazil, and you will remember
it. They're spectacular, with the Iguazu River tumbling 240 feet
in 275 different cascades straight-down ledges…..for more than
two miles wide.
Brack |
While you will remember the majestic scenery, you will also remember
that seeing these falls is no easy task. You must walk and walk
and walk over metal ramps for up to a half a day to get a feel for
these falls. Couple that with your being about as far north of the
equator as Miami is south, and you can understand that the heat
and humidity become a factor.
In one word, after checking out the falls for about five hours,
you are "bushed." Or Tired. Famished. De-energized.
Immediate comparison for Americans is to Niagara Falls. Where Niagara
is about 150 feet high, at points Iguazu tumbles more than 240 feet.
Niagara is 3,660 feet wide, while Iguazu is two miles wide. Where
Niagara has basically two wide plunging cataracts (United States
side and Canadian), Iguazu has 275 places where water cascades over
the edge and boils up clouds of constant vapor. It's huge!
But the comparison we like best: Niagara is easily seen. On the
American side, you park your car, walk maybe 100 feet at best, and
there are the falls.
Not so at Iguazu. After about a half mile walk, you take an open-air,
narrow gauge train (sitting four abreast) into the tropical forest
for about 10 minutes. That's just the jumping off spot. From here
on, it's foot power. To get to see the largest of the falls, you
then walk nearly another half mile along a catwalk about a meter
wide, with meter-high side panels. Its hand rail is made of three
inch bamboo, slicked by many hands.
Iguazu
Falls in Argentina |
Along this catwalk, built over the river, and connecting the many
small islands along the way, are trees on the island…providing
relief of shade. But 85 per cent of the route is in the hot, tropical
sun. Essential are sunscreen, hats, umbrellas and bottled water.
At the falls, the catwalk floor is wet from the constant mist the
falls throw up. Cameras gets blobs of water on the lens. Now we
understand why many women have worn bathing suits, with a light
covering, to this area. After all, your clothes are damp with mist.
After the long, hot walk and train ride back, the next destination
is the widest series of falls, again with more than a mile of walking
back and forth. The views here are also spectacular, though falling
only 150 feet in some places, or bouncing toward the bottom in several
leaps.
IF YOU GO: The falls are a two hour jet plane ride north of Buenos
Aires. A minimum of one night is needed, but two days would be best.
But the trip is relatively expensive.
The Brazilian views allow you to see the falls from one spot in
their entirety, but not as "up close" as the Argentine
side. However, Brazil requires US citizens to get a $100 visa, since
we charge Brazilians that much to come to our country. It wasn't
worth it, we felt, and stayed on the Argentine side. The Sheraton
Hotel is the only one within the park itself, though the city of
Puerto Iguazu has many small hotels. Tours are not seated-on-a-bus
rides but more of a walk-til-you-drop forced march.
 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.
A
dying breed
The latest great cartoon from Bill McLemore:
Finds
alternate routes easily on Google maps
Editor, the Forum:
I found this new little trick about Google maps. If you go to Google
maps click on "Get Directions", enter a "start address"
and an "end address." Google will give you a map with
a blue line showing you the way to your desired location.
However, if you roll the mouse over the blue line and drag it up
or down, if you see a more direct route, the line will attached
itself to the nearest road or route. Keep on dragging the line and
the direction on the left side will change as well. I have found
this to be really useful when there are delays on the main highway,
such I-85 or I-285.
-- Bill Roa, Lawrenceville
Sees daily demonstrations
of problems with cell phones
Editor, the Forum:
Right on concerning people driving and using cell phones. I have
been guilty of taking a call hands-free when in the truck, and it
has made me aware that my driving skills decreased during the call.
Why? Because my mind was not on my driving, but on the conversation.
I have observed drivers' speed and lane control go out the window
when the phone is in use. Heck, I see at least one a day, while
working at Hartsfield-Jackson, of people walk into walls, windows
or columns while using cellphones! If you can't walk and talk, how
can you expect to drive and arrive?
-- Howard N. Williams, Jr., Snellville
On fast growth, blue
halogen lights and good manners
Editor, the Forum:
Let me I comment on the letters by two of your readers in the last
issue. The first, by Paul Alexander, dealt with the unbridled
development in Gwinnett county, and the lack of water in that area
of the state. I couldn't agree with him more. I have a son who resides
in Acworth, and I have commented to you in the past about the appalling
growth I witness in Cobb County every time we drive up there for
a visit.
The second letter, written by Kelly Olson, was well taken. I have
witnessed blue halogen auto headlights here in rural Georgia. They
are distracting, to say the least, but my main peeve is these drivers
who run down our highways with their FOG lights on. And, on a perfectly
clear, fog free night! This, in addition to their running lights!
If there isn't a law against this, there should be! Not only is
it distracting, it is dangerous!
The county cops in Wayne county will turn around and write you a
ticket if you meet them on the road at night and don't dim your
lights when they signal you. No, they haven't written me one, but
I know this to be a fact. Just plain old common courtesy goes a
long way nowadays! Seems to me, we need to brush up on our manners!
-- David Earl Tyre, Jesup
Dear David: For sure, few can disagree with you
on the manners point. Except, of course, if they don't possess
them to begin with.-eeb
Two
area student-authors have book signing Saturday
Rebecca Wilson of Flowery Branch, a freshman at Georgia State,
and Travis Hardin of Lawrenceville, a freshman at Berry College,
are published authors under their own names. This year each had
their first books published by The Benchmark Group LLC Publishing
House in Nashville, Tenn.. Each of them has been invited to a book
signing at the Borders Bookstore at the Mall of Georgia on Saturday,
December 8, at 6 p.m.
Rebecca Wilson is the author of White Star, a timeless fantasy
about two young people reaching out to each other, though separated
by nearly a century and a wide ocean. Rebecca is the oldest of five
children and has been writing stories since she could hold a pencil.
She first wrote White Star when she was 15.
Travis Hardin is the author of Called to Serve, a story of a young
man drafted in 1944 to fight in the final days of World War II,
who wonders if he will live to return home. His great-grandson tells
this battlefield story vividly. Travis, 17, is studying Animal Science
and Biology with plans to attend veterinary school upon graduation.
County considering
getting tougher about water use
Gwinnett commissioners are requesting the public's input on a proposed
water conservation resolution aimed at achieving a 10 percent reduction
in water withdrawal from Lake Lanier as requested by Gov. Dr. Sonny
Perdue. A copy of the proposed resolution and ordinance will be
available for review at www.gwinnettcounty.com
through Monday, December. 10. Comments may be e-mailed to waterconservation@gwinnettcounty.com.
The commissioners will vote on the measure on December 11.
Under the proposed resolution, irrigation-only meters in Gwinnett
may be locked off until the state lifts its mandate and repeat violators
of the ban on outdoor water use may be fined up to $1,000. Wholesale
water customers who use more than 90 percent of their average monthly
usage from Dec. 1, 2006, through March 31, 2007, would be subject
to an excessive use charge that doubles the base water rate and
high volume water users would be subject to audits. Additionally,
individual households would be subject to a drought surcharge on
all water usage above 50,000 gallons per month.
Single-family households in homes built before 1993 would be eligible
for a cash rebate if they replace high-usage toilets with ultra-low
fixtures. The amount of the rebate is up to $100 per toilet with
a maximum of $200 per household per year. The Water Resources department
would also continue to distribute free water conservation kits.
The proposed resolution also would add new restrictions through
March 31 to existing commercial outdoor water use exemptions. Pressure
washing of parking lots and driveways would be prohibited until
further notice. Car dealers could wash new or used vehicles only
if they have a water recycling car wash.
Lynn Smarr of Gwinnett's Water Resources department said, "We
don't want to impose any major inconvenience on people but we do
want folks to realize that the drought is serious and everyone needs
to help save water."
Suwanee
wins top budget presentation award for second time
The City of Suwanee's finance department continues to receive national
recognition for outstanding reporting and budget presentations.
Most recently, the finance department received the Distinguished
Budget Presentation Award for the second consecutive year from the
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).
The award was presented for Suwanee's current/fiscal year 2008
budget document, which can be found on the Reports & Regulations
page at www.suwanee.com Earlier this year, GFOA recognized Suwanee's
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (2006-07) with a Certificate
of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, an award the
City of Suwanee has earned for four consecutive years.
Jackie Ginn joins
American United Bank of Lawrenceville
American United Bank, in Lawrenceville, announces that Jackie O.
Ginn has recently joined the bank as vice president of public relations
and sales. She was previously at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.
She was also the founding chapter president of the South Gwinnett
American Business Women's Association. She is on the board of Gwinnett
and Metro Atlanta communities, serving on the boards of the Foster
Children's Foundation and of Notre Dame Academy, the Annual Gala
Fundraising Committee for Peachtree Christian Hospice, and Gwinnett
Gladiators for Kids.
Quiet
Strength by Tony Dungy
"Right now my husband, Mark, and I are reading and enjoying
Tony Dungy's (Superbowl championship coach of the Indianapolis Colts)
first book, Quiet Strength. It is a chronicle of his athletic
and coaching career, interspersed with sharing about his family
and his faith. His character and integrity and discipline really
show through the pages. It is a good read for football fans and
non-football fans alike. Put it on your Christmas gift list for
the booklovers in your life. "
-- 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
Loyalist
Savannah woman wrote graphically of Revolution
Elizabeth
Lichtenstein
(or Lightenstone) Johnston was a fervent Loyalist who lived
through the upheaval of the American Revolution (1775-83) in Georgia.
At the age of 72, she wrote graphic recollections of her experiences,
providing the most detailed firsthand account of the ways in which
the Revolution affected women in colonial Georgia.
Johnston, an only child, was born beside the Little Ogeechee River
on May 28, 1764, to parents who reflected the diverse roots of Georgia's
earliest immigrants. Her father, Johann Lichtenstein, had emigrated
from St. Petersburg, Russia, and was employed as a scout-boat pilot
by the royal government. Her mother, Catherine Delegal, whose father,
Philip Delegal, had commanded a company under James Oglethorpe,
was of French Huguenot stock. On the death of her mother in 1774,
she was sent, reluctantly, to be schooled in embroidery by an elderly
aunt in Savannah.
Johnston held bitter memories of the oncoming Revolution, describing
how the rebels (including some of her teachers) were a "ragged
corps" and how "everywhere the scum rose to the top."
Johnston was indignant at the treatment of Loyalist women and children,
some of whose lands were confiscated, and she was terrified during
the Siege of Savannah in October 1779, when Continental Army forces
under General Lachlan McIntosh and their French allies shelled the
town for several days.
With the exception of this failed allied counterassault, British
occupation of the Lowcountry between December 1778 and July 1782
brought some limited respite for Johnston and her fellow Loyalists,
while Patriots, in turn, suffered confiscations and depredations.
At the tender age of 15, she was courted by officers in the Tory
militia and married 25-year-old William Martin Johnston (a captain
in the New York Volunteers) on November 21, 1779.
The Johnstons, like thousands of other Georgia Loyalists, were
forced to evacuate Savannah and begin the search for a new home
upon Britain's defeat. Elizabeth would bear ten children, seven
of whom survived beyond infancy, and their places of birth pay testament
to her repeated upheavals: Savannah; Charleston, S.C.; St. Augustine,
Fla.; Edinburgh, Scotland; Jamaica; and finally Nova Scotia. Little
wonder that she signed her letters to her husband as "your
once truly happy, tho' now afflicted wife."
While her Recollections are unique in the historical record,
there were many women of strong character, clear intellect, and
deep religious and political convictions on both sides of the conflict.
They profoundly influenced the course of the Revolution in Georgia
and how that war would be remembered by subsequent generations.
Voltaire on two amusements
which would do no harm
"Let us read and let us dance - two amusements that will never
do any harm to the world."
-- Author and philosopher Voltaire, born Francois-Marie Arouetsaid
(1694 - 1778).
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
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Forum for future publication.
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