FOR GWINNETT’S BICENTENNIAL, the Georgia Nature Photographers Association had a competition and exhibit recently at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center. One of the winners was this “Just Resting” photo from Mikki Root Dillon. For more photos and a list of winners, see Lagniappe below.
IN THIS EDITIONTODAY’S FOCUS: Keeping Church and State Separate Is Best for our Nation for all Sakes
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Looking at the Races for Governor, 7th District Congressional Seat
ANOTHER VIEW: Southern Custom of Stopping for Funerals In Danger of Disappearing
SPOTLIGHT: Heaven and Associates, P.C.
FEEDBACK: Watch Out! That Former Lilburn Web Site Is Now an Escort Service
UPCOMING: Tickets Ready August 14 for Annual Decatur Book Festival
NOTABLE: Three in Entrepreneur Competition Got Start in Snellville Shark Tank
RECOMMENDED: The Only Story by Julian Barnes
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Bleckley County Named for Extraordinary Jurist Logan Bleckley
MYSTERY PHOTO: Creature Rising out of Water is This Edition’s Mystery Photo
CALENDAR: Annual Button Down Dash Will Be at Chamber on August 11
TODAY’S FOCUS
Keeping church and state separate is best for our nation for all sakes
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” –United States Constitution, First Amendment.
By Jack Bernard, contributing columnist
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. | Some Georgia politicians are actively promoting the role of religion in politics. Apparently, they don’t understand either how this nation was formed during the “Age of Enlightenment”…or the Constitution, which states: “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”
At least one Georgia politician has been running July 4th advertisements headed “In God we trust,” a phrase that no Founding Father ever asked to be on our coins and was not added until the Civil War. These ads show four founding fathers (Washington, Jefferson, Franklin and Adams) plus, oddly, Ronald Reagan. Each is quoted saying something positive about God. But, those quotes are most selective.
For example, Jefferson also wrote: “Question with boldness even the existence of a god.” “But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods, or no god.”; and “The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus by the Supreme Being in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter.”
Adams was a Unitarian who also did not believe in the Trinity, stating: “The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” And: “This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it.”
As for Franklin, he wrote: “Lighthouses are more helpful than churches.” “The way to see by Faith is to shut the Eye of Reason” “I have found Christian dogma unintelligible. Early in life, I absenteed myself from Christian assemblies.” And “To Follow by faith alone is to follow blindly.”
Washington instructed his agent when hiring people to build Mount Vernon: “If they be good workmen, they may be from Asia, Africa, or Europe; they may be Mohammedans, Jews, or Christians of any sect, or they may be Atheists.”
Jesus said: “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”
Our own Declaration of Independence says: “to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
It will serve us well to continue to keep government and religion separate for all our sakes.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Looking at the races for governor, 7th district congressional seat
Georgia’s governor’s mansion
By Elliott Brack
Editor and publisher
AUG. 7. 2018 | Today let’s look at the November election.
But first, how about a nice applause for Sen. David Shafer for the gracious way he handled his surprising loss to Geoff Duncan in the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor.
Getting 49.9 percent of the vote, and with this less than 1 percent difference in the vote, he could have demanded a recount. He did not, saying: “The Good Lord has a plan for each one of us. With the counting of the provisional ballots complete, it is clear that His plan for me does not include being Lieutenant Governor of Georgia.”
Some candidates might have complained about a voting machine snafu that could have cost them the race. Or they could have said the election was unfair for a number of reasons.
But Gwinnett’s David Shafer did none of those. Instead, he graciously exited the contest. This ought to stand him in good stead for running for office in the future. Attaboy, David.
NOW, LET’S LOOK to the November election in two races.
For governor, with Georgia being considered these days a Republican state, Brian Kemp must be considered the favorite. The Democrat, Stacey Abrams, while exciting some people as her party’s nominee, seems to have a long way to go to topple the GOP.
Having said that, still Mr. Kemp should be a little on edge at the tremendous outpouring of votes for Ms. Abrams in the Democratic primary. In doing so, she defeated her well-thought-of opponent by a 3:1 margin! She has Democrats buzzing, and brought along many newcomers to win Democratic races.
Mr. Kemp also can no longer absolutely count on the big Metro Atlanta suburban counties going the Republican way. The 2016 presidential race showed Gwinnett and Cobb in favor of the Democrats. And the growing diversity in other suburban counties brings them into question.
One of Brian Kemp’s hopes is to carry conservative South Georgia. Yet that is the very place where Ms. Abrams has spent a lot of time and money, visiting all these counties, and racking up big vote margins in the primary.
While we still question if Georgia is ready to turn Democratic for the governor’s race, this may be a closer race than many had anticipated. Not only that, but will disillusioned Trump supporters go again with the GOP, or vote against Trump’s endorsement? Lots can happen in three months. It’s a long way to go.
LOCALLY, ANOTHER RACE of interest is the contest for 7th District Congress, with a majority of the district in Gwinnett. Similar to the governor’s race, again the Republican incumbent, Rob Woodall, may be almost unworried about his chances, especially since he also represents a big bloc of voters in Forsyth County, considered GOP territory.
Yet his Democratic challenger, Carolyn Bourdeaux, has heavily spent in this race, and plans even more. She also has the endorsement of the candidate she beat 52-48 in the runoff, David Kim. With Democrats on the rise in Gwinnett, the question may become can Ms. Bourdeaux win enough Gwinnett votes to more than offset what is expected to be a Republican majority in Forsyth County?
It appears that right now Mr. Woodall will return to the Congress. Yet the overall Democratic turnout throughout the state may turn several elections.
For both Ms. Abrams and Ms. Bourdeaux, they may remember how Sonny Perdue, virtually unknown and without a lot of money, surprised Roy Barnes by coming out of nowhere and beating him.
Now, your turn. Give us your thoughts.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Southern custom of stopping for funerals is in danger of disappearing
By Debra Houston, contributing columnist
LILBURN, Ga. | My cousin Jill commented after the funeral of her mother, and then a beloved aunt, that Gwinnettians no longer pull off the side of the road when they meet a funeral procession. To Southerners, violating this custom is a sign of disrespect.
When Gwinnett was rural, we natives followed the tradition our ancestors established in honoring the deceased en-route for burial. Earlier generations travelled by horse and buggy down two-lane dirt roads, but I’m confident the driver drew the reigns on his equine at the sight of a procession. In all likelihood, he knew the deceased.
Today we don’t know our neighbors as our county swells with newcomers. We natives are in the minority along with our cultural norms. We don’t expect those who speed through school zones or run red lights to pull over. The infusion of immigrants from around the world haven’t learned our customs. Likewise, “transplants” from outside the South may not care about Southern proclivities.
I’ll confess I wouldn’t imperil my life for a motorcade. Sometimes it’s dangerous to pull off, especially if you can’t find a spot or if a speed demon is riding your tail. Sometimes we find ourselves on busy six-lane roads. That makes it near impossible to stop. What to do? If I can, I drive into a shopping center to park until the final motorcycle cop signals the procession’s end.
It may seem peculiar to wait for a passage of cars filled with mourners. But when two sisters died within two months of each other and we witnessed the usual show of highway discourtesy, the behavior struck a raw nerve. It seemed as if we’d lost another standard of civility.
Gwinnett, are you with me on this?
I believe we can decelerate our lives on and off the road and demonstrate basic human dignity — often without uttering a word. Like listening to your child. Or smiling at a stranger. Or waving at your neighbor.
Violet Dalton of Lawrenceville lived long enough to delight in 17 great-great grandchildren. Her sister, Bernice Moon, lived in Gainesville but grew up in Gwinnett. Her daughter, Nancy, told me her mother loved reading the Gwinnett Forum. So it feels appropriate to dedicate this piece in loving memory of my aunts’ magnificent lives.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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Another consideration about Truman’s “The Buck Stops Here”
Editor, the Forum:
Yes, I’m a little surprised that your usually erudite readership hasn’t come up with the truth about the fabled sign on President Truman’s desk.
“The Buck Stops Here” refers to the common phrase “pass the buck,” as in shifting the responsibility onward to someone else. When Truman said that the buck stops here, he meant that the responsibility for decisions ended at his desk. He was, to use a newer, clumsier version, “The Decider.” The cute little references to money from previous writers have missed the point.
I could go on for a while about the accepting of responsibility for one’s actions being a fading characteristic, but I fear it would fall on deaf ears. After all, it’s never your fault!
Truman was certainly in a tough spot when he had to pick up the pieces of the Roosevelt war effort. Folks can argue the finer points, safely removed by time as we are, but it took a tremendous courage to do what he did.
I’m sure the awesome responsibility weighed on the rest of his life. Taking a little heat for political decisions in the aftermath of his wartime experience was probably a walk in the park!
— Rick Hammond, Lawrenceville
Watch out! That former Lilburn website is now an escort service
Editor, the Forum:
Some people are not aware that SafetySmart Lilburn has dissolved as of February 2018. This was not an easy decision to reach, but life changes did not allow the board members to continue with this community effort.
We have recently been informed that our website has been taken over by an escort service, so we respectfully ask, if you had a link for safetysmartlilburn.org on your website, that you remove it.
Thank you for the wonderful partnership that we have had over the last eight years.
— Margaret Ashley, Lilburn
Send us your thoughts: We encourage you to send us your letters and thoughts on issues raised in GwinnettForum. Please limit comments to 300 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Send feedback and letters to: elliott@brack.net
UPCOMINGTickets ready Aug. 14 for annual Decatur Book Festival
Internationally acclaimed director and actor of stage, film and television, Kenny Leon is the 2018 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival (DBF) keynote speaker on Friday, August 31. This year, Leon is releasing his first memoir, Take You Wherever You Go.
DBF executive director Julie Wilson says: “We are truly thrilled and honored to have Kenny Leon. His creativity and vision bring to life what we hope inspires our festival attendees. His work is true magic.”
Another author to appear at the 2018 Festival will be Armistead Maupin, one of America’s most important literary voices and storytellers. He will appear at two events – a screening of a documentary about his life on Saturday, September 1, and speaking during the festival on Sunday, September 2.
Maupin will take part in a question and answer session Saturday evening following the screening of the award-winning film The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin at 7 p.m. at the Decatur Public Library. He will then speak on Sunday of the festival discussing his new memoir, Logical Family. The documentary won the Audience Award at the 2017 Out On Film festival as well as the same award during the 2017 SXSW Film Festival in Austin.
Tickets for the Keynote are required, but free and limited to two per person. Tickets will be available beginning at noon on Tuesday, August 14 through the Arts at Emory Box Office at 1700 North Decatur Road, with limited tickets also available at Charis Books and More, Eagle Eye Books, Tall Tales Books and Little Shop of Stories.
Tickets also may be obtained by calling the Arts at Emory Box Office at 404-727-5050 or online at Tickets.Arts.Emory.edu. Phone and online orders include a $6 order processing fee. Arts at Emory Box Office hours are noon to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 2018 U.S. publication of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone, this year’s Kidnote event will feature a star studded group of popular middle grade and young adult authors, including local authors Becky Albertalli, Laurel Snyder, and Nic Stone, talking about how The Sorcerer’s Stone changed the literary landscape for both readers and writers. For more information on DBF Children’s and Young Adult programming highlights, click here.
Kidnote tickets are free to the public but limited to four per person. Tickets will be released at noon on Tuesday, August 14 at Charis Books and More, Eagle Eye Books and Little Shop of Stories.
The 2018 AJC Decatur Book Festival poster is illustrated by Caldecott Honoree, R. Gregory Christie, who will also be presenting at DBF. Mr. Christie is an illustrator with over 60 books to his credit and he owns GAS-ART Gifts (Gregarious Art Statements), an autographed children’s bookstore, gallery, and open art studio located in Decatur.
The illustration was inspired by the concept of people expanding their horizons and thoughts, and finding new voices to learn about and learn from. Elements of festival scenes and City of Decatur express the joy of embracing the discovery that comes from reading in a welcoming community.
NOTABLEThree in entrepreneur competition got start in Snellville Shark Tank
Three of the winners in Partnership Gwinnett’s first-ever Amazing Student Entrepreneur competition got their start in Snellville’s Shark Tank student entrepreneur competition.
Mya Swaby, a rising senior at Brookwood High School, won Snellville’s competition in May and then took the top prize for the county’s first-ever event August 2. Swaby runs ContraBand Clothing, an apparel company that designs and produces augmented reality clothing.
Eric Van Otteren, director of Economic Development for Snellville, says: “The City of Snellville works rigorously to support student entrepreneurs because they are fundamental to the future of our small business community. The success of these young entrepreneurs shows the true value in nurturing emerging talent.”
AkeyJah Charles, a rising senior at South Gwinnett High School, who owns a photography business called The Key Images, placed second. Komlan “CJ” Amousou, a recent graduate of Grayson High School, who will attend Gwinnett Tech in the fall and major in Photography, finished third for his photography business.
The first, second and third place winners were awarded cash prizes for supporting their business ventures. The first-place winner received $500, second place $300 and third place $200.
Cindy Quinlan, Entrepreneurship Pathway Lead for Gwinnett County Public Schools and a Brookwood High School entrepreneurship teacher, says: “Thanks to partnerships between Gwinnett County Public Schools and our local communities, our students are equipped with the soft skills and training necessary to start and operate a successful business. We are committed to meeting the demand of our student entrepreneurs who desire a classroom experience that encourages experiential learning.”
Launched this year, the Amazing Student Entrepreneur competition is the student edition of the established Amazing Entrepreneur Contest. The student contest encourages young entrepreneurs in high school and college to introduce a practical business model that is created, owned and managed by students only. The competition requires contestants to submit a business plan summary and demonstration video for judging, with finalists earning the opportunity to present before a panel of business leaders.
Snellville Police get training in driving simulator program
Snellville Police Department Officer Aaron Devries takes a turn on a decision-based public safety driver training simulator presented by Local Government Risk Management Services, a service organization of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association.
It’s called a “driving simulator” and it allows a police officer to be put into everyday driving and emergency response situations without actually being out on the road and in their vehicle. Not only that, the simulator is mobile and it comes, literally, right to the doorstep of the Snellville Police Department to provide the training.
Last week, several officers took part in decision-based public safety driver training presented by Local Government Risk Management Services (LGRMS), a service organization of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association.
The simulator is the key component of the training program. Drivers first attend classroom training that covers applicable Georgia requirements on regular, as well as emergency response driving, vehicle handling characteristics, physical driving conditions and driving techniques to use during emergency response situations.
After the classroom training, comes the actual hands-on training in the simulator. One student observes while the other sits in a realistic driver’s seat where they are put through a series of driving situations from a list of more than 80 available scenarios. When a driver makes an incorrect decision, the instructor can back the program up and replay it showing the driver the situation, discussing driving techniques that would apply, and then can have the driver repeat the same scenario using the techniques learned.
The primary LGRMS Instructor is Mike Earl, who started with LGRMS on June, 2011. He has been in law enforcement for 27 years and has over 2,300 hours of law enforcement training. His career has included working as a patrol officer, investigator, detective, special crime attack team, DUI Task Force officer, and training sergeant. He is a Georgia POST general instructor and a firearms, defensive tactics and TASER instructor.
ACCG and GMA’s risk management workers’ compensation and property/liability self insurance funds are financially supporting this program because of the unique and high risk driving situations that local government employees, specifically public safety personnel may be involved with on a daily basis.
RECOMMENDEDThe Only Story by Julian Barnes
Reviewed by Karen Harris, Stone Mountain | This book tells of two people at different arcs in their lives, who form a bond when they meet and begin playing tennis together. Susan is a 48-year-old married woman with two teen daughters, whereas Paul is a 19-year-old as he returns from the university. Told from the point of few of Paul, it conveys the budding interest conveyed by bantering and repartee which leads them to becoming lovers. The author’s style can be tiresome and agonizingly repetitive; almost like reading a journal. It is painful to read but also underscores the fact that love is not easy and does not guarantee happiness. Only one other character, Susan’s friend Joan, had any real presence in the story. I longed to hear Susan’s voice. Read if you are a Julian Barnes fan though this did not have the poignancy or resonance of his previous novel, A Sense of an Ending.
- An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send us your recent selection, along with a short paragraph (100 words) as to why you liked this, plus what you plan to visit or read next. Send to: elliott@brack.net
Bleckley County named for extraordinary jurist Logan Bleckley
Through extraordinary service as chief justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia during the last part of the 19th century, Logan Bleckley attained a legendary status not ordinarily bestowed upon members of that tribunal. In addition to being a judge and an attorney, Justice Bleckley also established a reputation for his work in philosophy, poetry, and mathematics.
Bleckley
Logan Edwin Bleckley was born in Rabun County on July 3, 1827. He was the second son born to Catherine Lutz and James Bleckley, whose service as a clerk of court in Rabun County exposed his son to the law at an early age. Despite having almost no formal education, Bleckley decided at age 11 to study law and began reading statutes in his father’s office. By age 18 the self-educated Bleckley was admitted to the Georgia bar.
After two years of practice in Rabun County, Bleckley obtained employment in Atlanta as bookkeeper for the state railroad, where he remained for three years. In 1853 he was elected solicitor of the Coweta Judicial Circuit, where he served until 1857.
In 1857 Bleckley married Clara Caroline Haralson, and together they had five children.
In 1861 he joined the Confederate military but was discharged because of ill health prior to combat. In 1864 Bleckley was chosen as reporter for the state supreme court, and he served in this role until 1867.
Bleckley accepted an appointment as associate justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia in 1875. There Bleckley displayed a brilliant legal mind and an ability to explain complex legal doctrines in concise and vivid ways. His opinions circulated nationwide because they were often humorous or contained a stanza of Bleckley’s poetry, and he gained a reputation as one of the finest jurists in the country. Serving on an overburdened court, Bleckley resigned due to health concerns in 1880. Despite the consensus that he was one of Georgia’s finest justices, the humble Bleckley wrote that he was “not sufficiently learned in the law” to serve on the court.
In 1887 Governor John B. Gordon appointed Bleckley chief justice of the state supreme court. His service was exceptional, though short. In 1894 poor health once again prompted Bleckley’s retirement. Twice voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have added two justices to the court, thus reducing the workload for the chief justice. Losing Bleckley inspired voters to approve the very amendment (although with three additional justices) that was twice before rejected.
Bleckley was famous not only for his legal talent but also for his eccentricities. In annual speeches to the Georgia Bar Association, he eloquently analogized law to his other interests—poetry, philosophy, and mathematics. In 1892 Bleckley’s first wife died, and in 1893 he married Chloe Herring, who was almost 40 years his junior. They had five children. In his later years Bleckley kept busy, enrolling at age 73 in mathematics courses at the University of Georgia.
Bleckley died in Clarkesville on March 6, 1907. He is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. In 1912 Bleckley County was created and named in his honor.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Creature rising out of water is this edition’s Mystery Photo
The question for this week’s Mystery Photo is simple: what’s this, and where is it?” Send your thought to elliott@brack.net, and be sure to include your hometown.
Three regular responders recognized last issue’s Mystery Photo. First in was Bob Foreman of Grayson, who told us: “The mystery photo is the entry gate to the Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain, N.C. Nearby towns include Linville, Boone, and Lenior. I believe the four flags are representative of the countries of the participants.” The photo came from Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill.
George Graf, Palmyra, Va., recognized it as Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, adding “The Grandfather Highland Games were started in 1956. Since then, they have become one of the most popular and colorful events in the nation. Across one of the entrance gates is a banner, proclaiming Fàilte gu Beinn Seanair (‘Welcome to Grandfather Mountain’) in the Gaelic language, which was spoken by Highland immigrants and their descendants in North Carolina up to the First World War.
“One of the finest of Gaelic poets, John MacRae lived in North Carolina, as did Scotland’s great heroine, Flora MacDonald. Because Mr. MacDonald modeled the Games after the Royal Braemar Gathering, which he attended in 1954, Grandfather is often referred to as ‘America’s Braemar’. The Games are held beside and within a 440 yard oval track, because running foot-races was always the most traditional aspect of Highland Games. Grandfather is one of the few Games in the U.S. to have its own track. Other ‘children’ of the Grandfather Games concentrate on the so-called ‘Heavy” Events,’ with no foot-races involved.”
Allen Peel of San Antonio, Texas, also recognized the photo, telling us: “ The mystery photo from 8/3was taken at the main entrance to the Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, at the base of Grandfather Mountain in Linville, N.C.
“A Highland Games event has been held each year at this location since 1956. The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is one of the largest such events in the country, continuously drawing a crowd of over 30,000 over the four days that it runs. The games are held at this location each year since Grandfather Mountain is reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands, and so many immigrants of Scottish descent choose the High Country Region as their home and celebrate their heritage with the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. Note the numerous tents erected on the grounds. These are set up by the individual ‘Scottish Clans’ that participate in the event. At most tents, clan organizations have sign-up forms for membership and often have clothing and memorabilia with the clan’s crest.”
LAGNIAPPEIn celebration of Gwinnett’s 200-year anniversary the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center has been host to a Photography Competition and Exhibit organized by the Georgia Nature Photographers Association. “Native Wildlife, Native Flora, Landscapes, Historic Structures and Cultural Imagery” is an Amateur Photography Competition and Exhibit.
- To see the list of winners and their photos, click here. (2.5 MB PowerPoint)
- To see the overall list of winners, try this link.
LILBURN’S NINTH ANNUAL National Night Out is Tuesday, August 7, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Plaza Las Americas, 733 Pleasant Hill Road. Sponsored by the Lilburn Police Department, it will feature exhibitions and 40 participating vendors. The Georgia Law Enforcement Moving Memorial will be on display at the event.
SEPTIC TANK MAINTENANCE workshop will be on August 9 at 1 p.m. at the Five Forks Branch of the Gwinnett Public Library, 2780 Five Forks Road. Participants may qualify for a five percent Stormwater Utility Fee credit.
AUTHOR VISIT: Julie Hedgepeth Williams is an award winning journalism professor at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. She will speak at Liberty Books, 176 West Crogan Street in Lawrenceville, on August 9 at 7 p.m. under the auspices of the Gwinnett County Public Library. She is the author of the 2014 Ella Dickey Literacy Award winner, A Rare Titanic Family, and Wings of Opportunity: The Wright Brothers in Montgomery, Alabama 1910. Her latest book, Three Not-So-Ordinary Joes, traces an extraordinary tale that focuses on the curious intersection of the lives of Joseph Addison, Joseph Addison (J.A.) Turner, and Joel Chandler Harris, and the circumstances leading to the publication of Harris’ Uncle Remus stories.
LUNCH AND LEARN about the history of the Atlanta Braves on Friday, August 10 at noon at the Georgia Archives in Morrow. Carolyn Serra, of the Braves staff, will talk of the heritage of the team and its Hall of Fame members. Lunch and learn programs are free and sponsored by the Friends of the Georgia Archives. No advanced registration is required.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE recycling will be held August 11 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Department of Water Resources Central Facility at 684 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville. Gwinnett residents can drop off five containers each of household hazardous waste for free. The event is limited to Gwinnett residents and proof of residency may be required. Materials accepted at the event include cleaners, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs and ballasts, lawn care products, oils, paints, and pesticides.
AUTHOR VISIT: Meet graphic novelist Kyle Puttkammer, owner of Galactic Quest comic shops in Buford and Lawrenceville, Saturday, August 11 at 11 a.m. at the Suwanee Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library, 361 Main Street. Current graphic novels include Hero Cats of Stellar City, Midnight Over Stellar City, and The Adventures of Galaxy Man and Cosmic Girl.
BUTTON DOWN DASH will be Saturday, August 11 at the Gwinnett Chamber, sponsor of the race. It is a rolling 5K/10K course that starts and finishes on Sugarloaf Parkway. The finish is in the parking lot of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. It is also a Peachtree Road Race qualifier. Registration begins at 6:30. The 10K race begins at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K race begins at 7:45 a.m.
SOUTHERN WINGS BIRD CLUB will meet Monday, August 13 at 7 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center. Speaking will be Terry Johnson, wildlife biologist with the Department of Natural Resources for 35 years. He is the author of A Journey of Discovery, and reveals that there are really black blue birds, and whether animals can predict the weather. His talk will center on hummingbirds and how to attract them to your back yard. For more information, visit www.southernwingsbc.com.
GROUNDBREAKING at Graves Park Expansion, 1540 Graves Road, Norcross, will be Tuesday, August 14, at 9:30 a.m. Directions: From I-85 at Jimmy Carter Boulevard, go east to McDonough Drive, turn south until dead end. Turn left on Graves Road. Park is on the right.
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