3/9: A community develops; Expanding your boundaries

PLANNING A TRAIL: The Atlanta Regional Commission has recommended $100,000 in funding to be awarded to the Sugarloaf Community Improvement District to complete a scoping study for the Loop Trail project. This study is for a section of a trail that will connect the Gwinnett Place area and McDaniel Farm Park to the Infinite Energy Center, Peachtree Ridge Park, and Suwanee’s trail system, and is part of the proposed Master Trail Plan. The section that will be funded by the study is part of a larger 16-mile loop that will connect to the Western Gwinnett Bikeway on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Other sections of the Loop Trail have been completed or are in various stages of planning and implementation. This scoping study will form the basis for implementing the link to the Infinite Energy Center to complete the trail loop.

TODAY’S FOCUS: Here’s a View on How One Community in California Developed

EEB PERSPECTIVE: Find the Fun By Moving Outside Your Own Boundaries

SPOTLIGHT: Infinite Energy Center

FEEDBACK: Focus Should Be To Embrace Responsibilities as Strongly as Rights

McLEMORE’S WORLD: Lenten Discipline

UPCOMING: Deadline is March 26 for Upcoming Leadership Gwinnett Class

NOTABLE: Walton EMC To Supply Renewable Power for New Facebook Site

RECOMMENDED: The Making of FDR by Linda Lotridge Levin

GEORGIA TIDBIT: King and Prince Seafood of Brunswick Thriving Since 1924

MYSTERY PHOTO: Another Covered Bridge Asks You for Its Location

CALENDAR: Jones Bridge Park Renovation Work Now Complete

Here’s a view on how one community in California developed

Campus of the University of California at Irvine in 2006.

(Editor’s Note: This is the second of two parts by a former Gwinnettian who has lived for years in California, comparing life in that state to that in Gwinnett. –eeb)

By Ashley Herndon, Irvine, Calif.  |  Though a native of Georgia, and graduate of Georgia State with a degree in Urban Life, I now live in Southern California, where I have been in the sales training and automotive aftermarket business for 30+ years.  Having been a real estate appraiser prior, that field has my attention.

I have a constant hankering as to how and why a place is what it is.  I believe the village concept in Irvine, Calif. creates a micro allegiance that is coupled with the city, which makes a person feel different from someone living in another part of the city or the county.

Why?  The developer who performed a hostile takeover of the Irvine Company is Donald Bren. His dad was also a developer. Bren Sr. helped develop the Westwood area of Los Angeles, which has UCLA at its heart.

The University of California Irvine (UCI) is at the heart of Irvine.  Westwood created a special place in Los Angeles County.  When the Irvine Co. sold the State 1,000 acres for $1 to build UCI (followed by an additional 500 acres) they knew this would make the area different from any other development in the county.

The original plan was a city of 50,000 surrounding the University.  Oops, just like Westwood and Gwinnett County, places grow.  But it proves, Father Knows Best.  Irvine reminds me of growing up in the Morningside section of Atlanta, where we were so close to Emory University. Of course Druid Hills was the host community to Emory.  But both communities are still unique and symbiotic.  Universities do add so much to their communities.

Concordia University is also in Irvine, nestled in the village of Turtle Rock’s hills.  There are three community college districts as well. The population of Irvine was 266,000 in 2016.

Unless you need to go to a major shopping center, there is no need to leave your village, which sometimes leads to myopia (not unusual in many States).

Crowded?  Irvine has two large lakes that reduce the crowded feeling, even though there are over 3,600 people per square mile (2,100 per square mile in Gwinnett). However, several “super streets” reduce congestion.

Each Irvine village is distinct, which helps to create village identity.  This brings loyalty to the village first, then to the city.  When I was growing up in Atlanta if someone lived in, say Snellville, Duluth, or Grayson, and if they were asked by an “outsider” where they lived, the tendency was to respond… just outside of Atlanta.  Rumor has it there is a book with a similar title.

In California, that person would simply say, Irvine…presuming you knew where it was.  If questioned further, “Next to Newport Beach,” and if further quizzed, “About 12 miles south of Disney Land and 80 miles north of San Diego.”

In Gwinnett there are 11 cities entirely in the county and five shared with other counties. Orange County (As of the 2010 census, the population was 3,010,232) has 25 school districts and 34 cities. Gwinnett has two systems, GCPS and Buford today with 12 grades.  When my mother and father graduated from Snellville Consolidated High, there were only 11 grades while the big city schools had 12.

Yes, there is a difference.  The vast majority of Californians are immigrants, either from the Midwest, northeast, Asia, Mexico, and a lot more Canadians than people realize.  Not too many of us Southerners have ventured to stay.  In fact, many relatives (not just ours), ask…”when are y’all coming home?”

Been there, done that.

• Have a comment? Send to:  elliott@brack.net

Find the fun by moving outside your own boundaries

Little River Falls, Ala.

By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher  |  All too often we find it difficult for most of us to bust through our own boundaries.

Most of us don’t reach out to others, or try to look at a different viewpoint. We also see this in the political boundaries that hem us in. There are so many boundaries which limit us.

For instance, though Greenville, S.C. is said to be a snazzy place to visit, there’s that state boundary line that separates that city from Georgians. We’ve been meaning to visit that area for some time, but never seem to get there.

However, we broke out of our boundaries. We got outside our Georgia boundary line, dipping about 25 miles into Alabama, visiting friends at a home with a great view at Weiss Lake.  (Not “Lake Weiss” as we thought it was.)  This is near Centre, Ala., slightly past the border near Rome, Ga.

Now let me tell you what we found on an outing: Little River Falls, a gem of a natural scenic area, part of the Little River Canyon National Preserve. It’s located on Alabama Highway 35 in northeast Alabama, being an outdoorsman’s delight. This river for most of its length flows atop the Lookout Mountain, and is one of the wildest and cleanest rivers in the Southeast. The park preserve system here includes 15,286 acres, protecting many rare, threatened or endangered species.

The Little River Falls are gorgeous, with a width of about 100 feet, wider than any falls we know of in North Georgia. The river was boiling and sounding loudly, falling about 45 feet over a wide rocky ledge right in sight of Highway 35.  When we visited it was at one of its strongest flows of the winter season, sending mist up around it and down the river in the 50-degree temperature.  During summers, the falls becomes a much tamer stream over these falls.

But, there’s more. As this river has flowed for eons, it has cut through the Cumberland Plateau and etched one of the deepest and most extensive canyon and gorge systems in the eastern United States, at points 500 feet from the top to the river bottom. The Little River is a favorite of expert-level canoeists or kayakers, who test themselves by first falling over the 45 foot drop of the Little River Falls, then continuing to test themselves along the many massive rocks in the river as they maneuver downstream.

The canyon often has sheer rock walls, something climbers enjoy. Add to this that it is unspoiled, with modern noises and distractions seldom heard or seen. Fishing is allowed anywhere along the river in the preserve.

You can visit the entire length of the canyon from the falls to where it joins Weiss Lake, via a 11-mile scenic and winding drive, with many designated overlooks.

At the northern edge of the preserve boundary, the State of Alabama operates DeSoto State Park and Lodge, with a motel, cabins, chalets and campground, near Mentone, Ala. about 10 miles from the Little River Falls. Jacksonville State University operates a Little River Canyon Center across the highway from the falls, with extensive meeting and classrooms, a natural history library, exhibits, and programs. Be sure to see the film about the area. Attendants ran the film for the four of our group.

• To get an idea about the Little River Falls, visit https://www.nps.gov/liri/index.htm.

Consider getting outside any of your boundaries to visit this spectacular area, and other interesting places, then consider telling us about your adventure!

• Have a comment? Send to:  elliott@brack.net

Infinite Energy Center

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum to you at no cost to readers. Today’s underwriter is Infinite Energy Center, home to four distinct facilities in Duluth: Infinite Energy Arena, Infinite Energy Theater, Infinite Energy Forum, and The Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center For Art and Learning. Infinite Energy Arena has had 15 years of tremendous success hosting countless concerts, family shows and sporting events, and is home to the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators and the NLL’s Georgia Swarm.  Some past concerts include George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Beyoncé, Foo Fighters, Eric Clapton, Katy Perry, Kid Rock, James Taylor and Michael Bublé. Infinite Energy Arena also hosts many family shows including Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey, Cirque du Soleil, Disney On Ice and Harlem Globetrotters.  Infinite Energy Forum offers patrons the opportunity to host or attend a wide variety of events, from corporate meetings to trade shows to social occasions.  Infinite Energy Theater has an intimate capacity of 708-seats and is home to many local events, family shows and even some comedians. The Hudgens Center For Art and Learning showcases a range of artwork throughout the year along with offering a wide range of fine art classes.

• For further information visit InfiniteEnergyCenter.com.
• For a list of other underwriters of this forum, go to: Our underwriters.

Focus should be to embrace responsibilities as strongly as rights

Editor, the Forum:

Our country already has federal, state, and local gun control laws. These laws significantly restrict the purchase of automatic weapons made before 1986.  However, they typically permit the purchase, ownership, and use of semi-automatic weapons.  I don’t think many gun rights advocates want to repeal existing gun control laws that restrict ownership of automatic weapons.  Therefore, the current push by many Americans for more gun control focuses on semi-automatic rifles or handguns, and the pushback focuses on keeping the controls on such weapons as they exist or even relaxing them.

The recent mass shooting in Parkland Fla. involved a semi-automatic rifle, which the shooter obtained legally.  Some people assert that he perpetrated the mass shooting but he was mentally ill.  Personally, I believe he was alienated and troubled, in part because his mother had died recently, but not necessarily mentally ill.  The point makes little difference to the people he shot and killed or wounded and to their families and community members.  He had access to a semi-automatic weapon and he used it to shoot people.

Americans’ constitutional right to keep and bear arms is an important right.  The flip side of a right is not a restriction but a responsibility.  I believe our country’s leaders should debate the responsibilities of Americans regarding our Second Amendment right.

Perhaps examination of our shared responsibilities regarding guns will lead to balanced, enforceable legislation that restricts the presence of semi-automatic weapons in our society so that it’s much less likely that someone will use them in more mass shootings.

I want our citizens to embrace responsibilities as strongly as they do rights.  I further believe we should take as our guiding principles the language from the Declaration of Independence that “… we are endowed… with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Note that the founders placed life first.

–Michael L. Wood, Peachtree Corners

Likes seeing article in GwinnettForum about the God industry

Editor, the Forum:

I appreciate your courage displayed in the GwinnettForum article about Billy Graham by Jack Bernard.  Too many Americans are so naive when it comes to the God industry.  Thanks for having this as an item subject.

— Larry Gilleland, Snellville

• 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

Lenten discipline

• For more of Bill McLemore’s cartoons, see his page on Facebook.
• Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net

Deadline is March 26 for upcoming Leadership Gwinnett class

Applications are now being accepted for Leadership Gwinnett’s class of 2019. Leadership Gwinnett invites high-potential professionals to apply for its signature nine-month educational program. This program has graduated over 1,100 rising leaders since 1985 and serves as the catalyst that exposes our area leaders to the vibrant community of Gwinnett County.

Applications are open now through March 26, for the August 2018 – May 2019 term.

Leadership Gwinnett has been a resource for the community’s most influential leaders. The exposure to the community issues, perspectives, and connections is essential to success in today’s professional world. Leaders from all fields apply each year and 40 are selected to build a class representative of the community.

Leadership Gwinnett participants commit one day a month of exploring the community and discovering what makes it distinctive; including government, education, economic development, social services and the arts. Participants take exclusive tours and have hands-on experience with local leaders who take on our community’s biggest challenges every day. Armed with new knowledge, connections and perspectives, Leadership Gwinnett graduates are prepared to take their places as effective community leaders.

Leadership Gwinnett was created in 1985 and strives to cross economic and social boundaries to inspire individuals to build a stronger community. Dynamic programming and events develop, connect, and engage leaders into action toward social innovation and a brighter future for the Gwinnett community.

• Complete program and application details are available at www.leadershipgwinnett.com.
  For more information, contact Lisa Zaken at (770) 232-8803.

Gwinnett Stripers, Gladiators join forces on March 17 at Arena

The Gwinnett Stripers, Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, have joined with the Atlanta Gladiators hockey team to announce “Gwinnett Stripers Night” on Saturday, March 17 at Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth.

The Gladiators’ 7:05 p.m. game vs. the Jacksonville Icemen will include a variety of Stripers-themed and baseball-themed activities. The highlight of the evening will be the Gladiators donning hockey jerseys that imitate the Stripers’ recently unveiled green jerseys. These specialty jerseys will be worn during the team’s pre-game warmup, and will also serve to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Fans will have the opportunity to bid on the jerseys throughout the game via a silent auction, with all proceeds going to Jambos, a Buford, Ga.-based nonprofit organization supported by both the Stripers and Gladiators that supplies foster children in Gwinnett County with new pajamas. Fans will also be able to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win one or more of these one-of-a-kind jerseys, with the proceeds also being donated to Jambos.

• For tickets and more information on the Atlanta Gladiators, the ECHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins, visit AtlantaGladiators.com or call 770-497-5100.

Quince Girl EXPO coming to Pinckneyville Park on March 11

Quince Girl EXPO will be held on Sunday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center. Party planning professionals will offer interactive demonstrations and share ideas on planning a Quinceañera celebration.

The event is free to attend and will feature an expo hall with exhibitors for decor, bakery, fashion, accessories, makeup and more. Attendees can enjoy fashion shows by Cinderella’s Gowns, entertainment from Stella Entertainment, hair and makeup demonstrations, Alma Mexicana Dancers, Puro Party Entertainment, food concessions from Cuernavaca’s Grill and Mexican Restaurant and other events. There will be a grand prize drawing for a party room rental for a Quince girl and other door prizes.

Quinceañera is a celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday in the Hispanic culture, marking the transition, from childhood to young womanhood. The celebration often includes a lavish party that can feature entertainment, a meal, and a special dance. The Quince Girl EXPO will have party planning professionals to offer advice and demonstrate products. Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center is located at 4650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Berkeley Lake.

Walton EMC to supply renewable power for new Facebook center

Walton Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) is Facebook, Inc.’s choice to power its new Newton Data Center with 100 percent renewable energy.

Walton EMC will install hundreds of acres of solar panels on Georgia’s electric grid as part of an innovative power supply agreement with the technology company. Besides generating Facebook’s green energy, the solar energy project will create hundreds of jobs and boost both the local and state economies.

The power purchase arrangement designed for customer choice is an industry first, said Walton EMC CEO Ronnie Lee. Walton EMC is a national leader in renewable energy. The cooperative designed a community-supported solar energy program that has served as a model for electric utilities nationwide.

Lee says: “We are happy that we could guarantee the renewable energy solution that Facebook was searching for. And we are pleased to be partnering with them on a power supply arrangement that can serve as a positive economic and environmental template for future industrial developments throughout the nation.”

The renewable energy partnership was announced during a press conference today as Gov. Nathan Deal confirmed that Facebook is locating its newest data center adjacent to Interstate 20 in Newton County.

Rachel Peterson, vice president of data center strategy at Facebook, says: “We are committed to powering our data centers with 100 percent clean and renewable energy, and finding strong partners that can help us achieve that ambitious goal is a key part of our selection process. We are excited to work with Walton EMC to bring hundreds of megawatts of renewable energy to the electrical grid in Georgia.”

Essential in this process is another partner, Morgan Stanley commodities division. As Walton EMC’s wholesale energy supplier, Morgan Stanley is helping provide long-term cost stability and reliability from renewable projects to both Walton EMC and Facebook.

The Newton Data Center is Facebook’s ninth such state-of-the-art facility in the country. Three buildings totaling 970,000 square feet will comprise the data center’s campus.

Lawrenceville promotes Wallis to become new police chief

Captain Tim Wallis of the Lawrenceville Police Department has been named the sole finalist for the chief of police position following a nationwide search. More than 60 resumes were received from across 15 states and five federal agencies. The City elected to promote from within, elevating Wallis from Captain to Chief after serving the city over two decades.

Wallis

City Manager Chuck Warbington says: “Tim Wallis was chosen for his leadership in the department and in the community. The unique combination of education, diplomacy, relationships and respect from his peers made him the most qualified and abled candidate.”

Wallis served the Lawrenceville community for 20 years with 30 years in the law enforcement field. He holds a master’s degree in public safety administration from Columbus State University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Georgia Southern University. As Captain, Wallis led the entire uniform division for the local bureau, managing all uniform personnel. There are 72 sworn officers in the department,

The new chief says: “I am grateful for this leadership opportunity. This department is filled with strong, respectable men and women who put their lives on the line every day. I look forward to working closely with the City to support its vision for growth while working to keep our residents and visitors safe and protected in the process.”

Lawrenceville’s police department is responsible for just over 13 square miles of city limits and works in tandem with Gwinnett-wide law enforcement operations as the county seat and home to Gwinnett’s judicial and executive offices, magistrate court services and the County jail.

Chief Wallis will begin his new responsibilities on March 16, 2018.

The Making of FDR by Linda Lotridge Levin

Today’s modern presidential press briefings were largely initiated by Stephen Early, known as American’s first modern press secretary. He changed the way Franklin Delano Roosevelt handled the press, from his aristocratic New York Knickerbocker style, to making FDR easily available to the press and to the people of the country. Far more than anyone, Early helped shape the image that the American people saw in this polio-stricken president. Early is the person who made sure that the press never photographed the president in a wheelchair, while many Americans never realized the extent of FDR’s disability. Early was far more than just a press secretary, as he was so close to the president that one Georgia editor, Quimbly Melton Sr. of Griffin, once championed him the best person to replace Henry Wallace as vice president. Early originally signed on for two years, but remained closely advising the president until his death.–eeb

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

King and Prince Seafood of Brunswick thriving since 1924

Known for producing some of the most beloved seafood dishes served at American restaurants, the Brunswick-based King and Prince Seafood Corporation has capitalized on its easy access to sweet local shrimp by selling it to food-service professionals and consumers alike. Founded in 1924, the company has been successful largely because of its innovations, including the first breaded shrimp and the first seafood dip for mass retail.

The company’s beginnings were humble. Brunswick native Gerald Beach, working as an operator for fuel docks owned by Ocean Oil and Gasoline Company in 1924, saw an opportunity for himself in seafood wholesaling. At the time, Savannah, some 75 miles to the north, was the nexus of the southern fishing industry, with annual gross sales of fish, oysters, and shrimp at more than $2 million. Shrimp alone netted $800,000 a year.

Encouraged by the successes of companies like L. P. Maggioni and Company and Cannarella Brothers, both located in the commercial shrimping town of Thunderbolt, Beach began buying shrimp from local fishermen, freezing them, and shipping them off in large barrels to Chicago and New York City’s famed Fulton Fish Market. Overtime, Beach did his own shrimping, too, and little by little his business—then known as the King Shrimp Company—began to thrive.

After World War II (1941-45), the company sold its fleet of shrimp boats and took advantage of new technology that allowed it to process, package, and sell large quantities of frozen breaded shrimp purchased from local and regional fishermen to restaurants and retail outlets. The decision was a boon for business; in 1960 the company reached $1 million in sales for the first time.

As the demand for quality seafood products grew, King Shrimp Company realized that it needed to accelerate its research and development efforts to remain competitive. In the late 1960s its new research and development facility created Heat ‘n Serve Shrimp, the first frozen breaded shrimp that could be reheated at home.

After that, other products were developed, including the first frozen breaded oysters, the first breaded crawfish, and the first seafood dip. As it dabbled with coatings, flavors, and other refinements, the company was able to develop such popular dishes for its clients as Red Lobster’s Coconut Shrimp Bites and Olive Garden’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip. The company changed its name to King and Prince Seafood Corporation in 1986.

In the meantime, the company focused on environmental conservation, harvesting shrimp with nets equipped with escape hatches for sea turtles. It also began buying most of its shrimp from farms in Asia and Central and South America so that it would not contribute to overfishing in U.S. waters.

In the late 1980s King and Prince was bought by Clearwater Fine Foods, a subsidiary of Hillsdown Holdings Company of London, England. When Hillsdown sold its seafood holdings in 1991, King and Prince’s workers bought their company through an employee stock ownership plan. In 2005, after years of growth, the company was acquired by Gorton’s Inc. of Gloucester, Mass., for a reported $148 million, becoming part of one of the nation’s largest suppliers of frozen seafood. Gorton’s, an icon of the breaded seafood world, is a subsidiary of the Japanese company Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd. (Nissui). King and Prince had 400 employees at the time of the deal.

• To view the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org

Another covered bridge asks you for its location

Check out today’s beautiful covered bridge. Think of all the effort that was put into the stone walls, the pilings, and all the carpenter work. But alas, the bridge is closed now. Figure out where it is and send your idea to elliott@brack.net. and include your hometown.

The last mystery photo was something of a cream puff, since it had the county’s name on the building. It was, as Lou Camerio of Lilburn said, “The Dillon County Courthouse in Dillon S.C. Just off I-95 right before you get to the largest fireworks store in the world. Except maybe China.”  The photo came from Wikipedia.

Others readily spotted the photograph: Alan Peel, San Antonio, Tex.: writes: “The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the few remaining examples of buildings designed in the Beaux Arts/Classical Revival style. According to Wikipedia, it was designed by William Augustus Edwards who designed eight other South Carolina courthouses as well as academic buildings at 12 institutions in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Dillon County was created in 1910 and this courthouse, which was completed in 1911, is the only courthouse Dillon County has ever had.”

Someone (lost the name) writes: “I really like the architecture of this building.  Whoever was charged with contracting this facility to be built should be in the Dillon County Hall of Fame (if there is one).”  Others recognizing the building include Bob Foreman of Grayson and Elizabeth Nease of Dacula. Susan McBrayer remembers: “When I was young, we used to drive right by it on our way from N.C. to Myrtle Beach.”

George Graf of Palmyra, Va. tells us: “According to wikizero, Dillon prospered when the town’s founding fathers granted the railroad to have access through it. Little Rock, a smaller, neighboring town, was the original choice, but residents believed the railroad would do more harm than good. Dillon was a prosperous town at one time, as seen by its large and ornate courthouse. Dillon’s economy was based on profitable tobacco and cotton production and sales industries, which has slowly shrunk over the years as production and transport systems for these commodities have become more efficient and less centralized. Now, outside of service industry and state jobs, gainful employment is scarce in Dillon. Dillon is home to the second largest yarn producing factory in the United States.”

Jones Bridge Park renovation work now complete

Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation celebrated the completion of renovations to Jones Bridge Park with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday. The renovations included a new 840-square-foot restroom building and 860-square-foot pavilion near the playground. New sidewalk and stairs were also added to connect to the parking lot, playground and other park amenities. Funding for these renovations was provided by the 2014 SPLOST program.  Jones Bridge Park is located at 4901 East Jones Bridge Road in Peachtree Corners.

(NEW) Two Workshops on fixing leaks in your home. The first is on March 10 at 11 a.m. at the Suwanee Library, while the second will be March 13 at 6 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center. At these workshops, attendees will learn how to easily identify and stop leaks in their home. Licensed plumbers and water experts will be on hand to answer common questions and demonstrate simple repairs. Pre-registered attendees will receive a free, low-flow home retrofit kit. Space is limited, so pre-registration is recommended.  There are three ways to register: Visit  www.gwinnettH2O.com, or email your name, address, and phone number to DWRconserve@gwinnettcounty.com, or by calling  678-673-7126.

Free Photography Workshop at the Dacula Library Branch, 265 Dacula Road, on March 10, at 2 p.m. Join the Georgia Nature Photographers Association for this informal talk and Q&A photography workshop. Hear information about cameras, editing software, and tips for getting better photographs with the equipment you already have.

(NEW)  “Virtuoso Strings” is the theme of a performance by the Johns Creek Symphony on Sunday, March 11 at 3 p.m. at the Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road. Tickets for this performance are $32 for adults; $27 for seniors; and $16 for students. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. For tickets, call (678) 748-5802 or visit www.johnscreeksymphony.org. The price of admission includes a pre-concert talk beginning at 2:15 p.m. as well as a complimentary post-concert reception hosted by the Friends of the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra.

Norcross Bicentennial Stories: Sunday, March 11 at 3 p.m. at the Norcross Cultural and Community Center. Authors Edith Holbrook Riehm, Gene Ramsay, and Cate Kitchen have come together with historical stories of local city in their book, Images of America: Norcross, which tells of the town’s founders, residents, and visitors, combining everyday life with historical events that stretch over 140 years. This event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

(NEW) “Transformations” is the theme of the Gwinnett Symphony Wind Orchestra’s performance Sunday, March 11 at 7 p.m. at Discovery High School Theatre. The program will bring music by Schoenberg, Maslanka and Prokofiev. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children under 13.

Abstract workshop: Kudzu Art Zone in Norcross is presenting a workshop in abstract painting with noted artist Wan Marsh. entitled Intuitive Abstract Painting and Collage. It will be held Wednesday, March 14 to Friday March 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Ms. Marsh is an abstract expressionist painter and says her “work is inspired by nature and includes organic forms, cycles, seasons, growth, life and regeneration.” Kudzu Art Zone is located at 116 Carlyle Street in Norcross. For more information call 770-840-9844 or see the website: http://www.kudzuartzone.org.

Workshop on small business growth will be in Sugar Hill at its Community Center on March 15 at 11 a.m. Grow your business with help from Reference USA. In this session, you’ll learn how to access Reference USA for free from your home or office, plus learn other methods. Presented by Gwinnett County Public Library, lunch is provided. This event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. RSVP to events@gwinnettpl.org.

Paddy’s Day PathFest in Braselton will be held on Saturday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Last year’s event brought out nearly 1,000 people having fun along the Braselton LifePath for the Path Parade and Quest. The goal is to bring awareness of the stores and services available along the Path to local residents. To find out more information on the LifePath and the PathFest visit the event page at https://www.facebook.com/BraseltonLifePath.

Youth Summit: The Snellville Youth Commission will host a Youth Summit from 12-5 p.m. on March 17 at the City Hall, 2342 Oak Road. The event is free to all area high school-aged students. For more information, visit this site.

Coffee with a Cop: Wednesday, March 21 from 9 a. m until 11 a.m. at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Building, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, on the third floor. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Duluth, the public is invited. Please RSVP to 678 442 6504 or email this address.

Nature Center Bird Walk at Mill Creek Nature Center, coordinated by the Southern Wings Bird Club, Saturday, March 24. Park between the Bird Watchers Supply stores and Tuesday Morning. Walk begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. (There is no Monday meeting in March.)

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