Gwinnett Forum.com -- Gwinnett County's community forum and idea exchange

New community of Moms organization pops up here
By Pam Pillon
Special to GwinnettForum.com

There is a new community of moms in Gwinnett, Barrow and Walton Counties. This group welcomes all types of moms! This is a free resource and a chapter of The Mommies Network, a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping moms find support and friendship in their local community.

This website is run by Site Administrator Tracy Rodriguez, Promotions Manager Pamela Pillon and Events Manager Jennifer Norris. With seven children between them, they have plenty of advice to offer and jokes to tell.

But GwinnettAreaMommies is more than just a community of moms. It's moms in and for the community. Their members work full time, stay home full time, work part time, represent many races, are pregnant for the first time, are adoptive moms, recently moved to the area, have lived here all our lives, have twins, are happy with one, are single moms, and are step-moms.

These moms are searching out schools and have watched their kids graduate. They have survived potty training and teething, or are weathering those storms right now. In other words, they are a reflection of mothers in the real world.

This is a place where mommies can go to be understood. There is no judgment, only support. If you are having one of those days where you just aren't sure mommyhood is your calling, someone here understands. They've been there and can make you laugh about it.

Or maybe your budding Picasso just adorned your walls with his latest masterpiece---someone has the way that really works to get it off! These mommies feel each other's worries and laughs, understand the nerves and joy, and are able to freely talk about all of the feelings associated with motherhood.

The mommies chat online in a private forum and meet-up regularly at member-driven events around the area. They share jokes, sale dates, and recipes, tell about kid-friendly restaurants, share experiences with local businesses and help each other survive the trip down Parenting Lane. The members also help out their neighbors through organized fundraisers and other charity events - all to support non-profit organizations that are specifically focused on providing for mothers and their children.

One mom from Buford said: "Being a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom, I needed to find a way to connect with the outside world, other than just my husband when he comes home from work! GwinnettAreaMommies has allowed me to connect with other moms on a level where I can talk to other moms who are going through the same things I am, and can answer my questions and share my experiences. That is exactly what I was looking for. What I was not expecting to find were the incredible friendships I have made!"

No one should have to pay a fee to make a friend, so they offer free membership to any mother within the community who wishes to join. Visit www.gwinnettareamommies.com to register today!!

Two bowls on Super Sunday, service stations and septic tanks
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher

Or else how can you explain the attraction of old movies, and the better re-runs such as Gunsmoke or Andy Griffith? It's simple: they are far better than some of the drivel offered by the networks these days.

However, Sunday offered something different. I don't know how long it's been since I have enjoyed anything so much, actually cackling out loud laughing, at the Puppy Bowl IV, presented by the Animal Planet channel, before and during the Super Bowl. It was hilarious, though nothing more than a bunch of puppies running around and roughhousing it with one another.

Some 33 different pups, though only about six or seven at one time, were in the thick of things.

The Animal Planet channel also had the good sense to simply follow the movement of the dogs, with little voice-over comment.

The Puppy Bowl also featured instant replays of particularly good moments, such as nice tackles of one dog by another. Apparently Puppy Bowl been going on prior (and during) the Super Bowl before, but this was our first time watching.

Yes, it's dumb to sit and simply watch puppies play (or see the kitty half time show), but we enjoyed it. A Parson Russell terrier, Abigail, was the channel's choice of Most Valuable Pup, but viewers preferred an all white Westie, Jackson. You can learn more by going to: http://animal.discovery.com/tv/puppy-bowl/puppy-bowl.html.

Television executives should take note at the success of Puppy Bowl. Many viewers want good entertainment, not always laugh tracks, constant crime solving shows, heavy drama, bad language, or cheap survivor shows.

Say what you want, but Puppy Bowl was better than the insufferable Super Bowl Pre-Game show. What a waste of TV time, though we know it made money for the networks!

This time the Super Bowl lived up to its name. There was good drama the entire way. About the only drawback for us was the ever-present call-of-the-game, with too much jawing. We simply turned the volume real low.

But the game on the field was superb. For once, the referees didn't get in the way, and I don't think there was but one…am I remembering right?…challenge by a coach of the referee's call. Another aspect; few penalties. Both teams seemed to be in top mental shape for the game, though you might say the Giants won the Mental Bowl, too, upsetting a heavily favored team.

It will be a long time, we suspect, before we see the likes of such a good Super Bowl, what with the possibility of a "perfect" season.

Yet next year we'll look forward to this Sunday…..and the Puppy Bowl prior to the Super Bowl.

We knew our readers would come through, and yes, you can see by the letters that follow that there is, indeed, what we used to call "filling" stations. The two letters printed here, plus another from Tom Fort, told of at least three gasoline outlets in Gwinnett that will pump gas for you. The telephone book has about two columns of listings for "service" stations, but we know that most of them do not pump gas for you. Besides the two listed below in Lilburn, Jim and Stuart Head have operated Howard's Service Station on Buford Highway in Doraville for 46 years and offer full service. The full service stations charge extra for pumping gas, and some people appreciate it.

We also found out an unrelated tidbit in the service station inquiry. Adjacent to the service station Yellow Page listing we saw another phenomenon: there are 27 pages of listings in the book with advertisements for septic tank services.

After all, when a county has 90,000 operating septic tanks, there exists a tremendous need for their services.

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is Howard Brothers, which has outlets in Duluth, Norcross and Oakwood. John and Doug Howard are the owners/operators of the Howard Brothers stores, which specialize in hardware, outdoor power equipment and parts and service. Major trade brands are a hallmark of Howard Brothers. And did you know that Howard Brothers is the largest seller of Stihl Outdoor Power products in the United States? Howard Brothers also carries Makita Power Tools. Visit the web site at www.howardbrothers.com.

The answer to your question "Is there a full service station left in Gwinnett?" is "Yes."

Lilburn Chevron on the corner of Lawrenceville Highway and Killian Hill Road has been there offering "full service" since the 1970s. The station is fully staffed and also offers auto repairs.

We pride ourselves in being the only full service station left in Gwinnett. We do everything from pumping fuel, tire repairs, and all automotive repairs with the most up-to-date equipment.

Regarding full service gas stations, I like Cole's Service Station on U.S. Highway 29 in Lilburn, across from the First Baptist Church. I've been going there for 25 years or so. They do oil changes and minor car repairs and always have been great to me, and are good, honest and dependable folks

You're right---there seem to be few such places around any more. I remember as a kid many years ago ( I grew up in Kirkwood , not far from the East Lake Golf Club ) the gas stations pumped it, checked oil, etc. I remember how odd it looked at first when people in suits began filling their own tanks.

Editor, the Forum:

I read your note about the temporary metric conversion from 1975 to 1982 with great interest: I never knew that it was former President Reagan's fault that I and others of my generation have such trouble measuring things!

Truly, I have always had difficulty, because the change back from metric happened just at the time that we were learning weights and measurements: they started to teach us the metric system, but then everything suddenly switched to the other system (does it even have a name??) of inches, pints and pounds.

We never did get sufficient teaching on those measurements, as it was already time to move on to other topics. Since then I have never been able to get it quite straight: just how many pints ARE in a quart??

The metric system is so much more simple and easy to use: no rote memorization of odd numbers, just straightforward decimals and 10s. I miss it. Gee, thanks, Mr. Reagan!

"CBS television is planning to bring the Showtime series "Dexter" for broadcast starting on February 17. I urge you, as a responsible member of this community, to pre-empt Dexter. This community does not need a series that glorifies a sadistic serial killer coming into our homes. Along with your broadcast license comes a responsibility to use the publicly-owned broadcast airwaves to serve the public interest. A series that asks viewers to empathize with a ruthless killer does not serve the public interest.

Persons who are not familiar with this program, should go to http://www.parentstv.org for more information.

Tax season is here … and help is on the way! Gwinnett Technical College is partnering with AARP Tax-Aide to offer free income tax preparation and tax counseling for community residents and Gwinnett Tech students, faculty and staff.

Volunteers with AARP Tax-Aide will be on the college's campus from February 6 to April 11. Counseling and assistance will be available in the college's Busbee Center, Building 700, Room 2.108. Counseling will be conducted each Wednesday and Thursday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., as well as on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Note: No counseling on Feb. 7, Feb. 29, March 12.,13, and 21.)

Clients are asked to bring last year's income tax return, proper identification and all necessary documents for this tax year. Electronic filing will be available through this free service at Gwinnett Tech.

AARP Tax-Aide is administered through the AARP Foundation in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. For more information about free income tax preparation and tax counseling available at Gwinnett Tech, call 770-962-7580.

Suwanee artist Dennis Assayac invites viewers to escape the hectic pace of everyday life and breathe in the beauty reflected in his eight oil paintings currently on display at the City of Suwanee Crossroads Center. The paintings include a reproduction of a neo-classical panel originally owned by Marie Antoinette, contemporary scenes of Paris, garden settings, and landscapes.

Born in Paris, France, Assayac discovered his artistic talent at a young age and nourished it with private tutoring with masters from the acclaimed Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He moved to the United States in 1971 and has lived in Suwanee the past 14 years.

Today Assayac enjoys sharing his artistic skills with students and watching their talents grow. He offers painting and drawing classes (as well as guitar and French lessons) for children, teens, and adults. In addition, Assayac performs classical guitar locally, using the stage name Francini. More information about Assayac and his artwork is available on his website, www.epicgallery.com.

The "Time Escape" exhibit is free and open to the public and will be on display for approximately the next three months. The Suwanee Crossroads Center, located at 323 Buford Highway, is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. The exhibit is in the court/meeting room.

Start planning now to either go to or participate in the Historic Buford Arts and Jazz Festival, coming on Saturday, May 10, 2008. The location will be at the downtown Buford city amphitheater from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.

The Buford Business Alliance is sponsoring its first jazz and arts festival. The amphitheater in front of the historic Bona Allen Mansion will be the stage for the jazz music, which will include local middle schools' and high school's jazz bands, along with college and professional talent, says Tim Koenning, president of the Alliance.

Local artists and galleries will set up around the amphitheater and on Main Street and will have their art available for sale. The festivities will include food vendors and Main Street restaurants with many aspects of this event still to be announced.

Details can be found at www.VisitBuford.com as they become available.

Gwinnett Medical Center has announced the hiring of two new executive staff members.

Alan Bier, M.D., is the new executive vice president and chief medical officer. Jeffrey D. Nowlin, CHE, is now executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Dr. Bier comes to GMC from Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London, Conn., where he has served as vice president for medical affairs and chief medical officer since 1998. He completed medical school at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York, and completed his master's in medical management at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care. He will begin his new duties in early March.

Nowlin comes to us from Memorial Hermann Healthcare System in Houston, Tex., where he has served as chief operations officer for two hospitals in the system, most recently at the 520-bed Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center. Prior to joining Memorial Hermann, his previous healthcare experience included executive roles in Tulsa, Okla. and in St. Louis, Mo.

Nowlin earned his BBA in management and marketing from Baylor University and his MHA from the Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis. He will being his new position in late February.

The Church of God is an evangelical Pentecostal denomination that has emerged in recent years as one of the most prevalent Pentecostal denominations in Georgia. Early missionary work in the state led to the establishment of several churches between 1903 and 1920, and the Church of God retained steady appeal among both black and white populations for the better part of the twentieth century.

In 2006, 522 congregations in Georgia were members of this denomination. The vast majority of churches are located in rural areas of the state, although several urban areas, particularly Atlanta and Augusta, have substantial concentrations of Church of God congregations as well.

Several denominations fall under the moniker "Church of God," but most often it denotes the Church of God (Cleveland), a denominational movement with roots in an 1886 meeting of Christians at the Barney Creek Meeting House on the Tennessee and North Carolina border. The denomination's name originally referred to Cleveland, Tennessee. Richard Spurling, a Baptist minister, founded the denomination as a reaction against what he described as "man-made" Baptist creeds and argued that the New Testament should be the sole authority for church doctrine and practice. The denomination aligned itself with Pentecostal and Holiness churches during the 1900s and 1910s, affirming such tenets as the inerrancy of the Bible; the process of sanctification; glossolalia, or speaking in tongues; divine healing; and the pre-millennial second coming of Jesus Christ.

Evangelism also emerged as a particularly important goal of congregations affiliated with the Church of God. Indeed, the work of missionaries has contributed directly to the growth of the denomination from a few thousand at the beginning of the twentieth century to about 1 million members in the United States and more than 6 million members in 150 countries at the end of the twentieth century.

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