IN THE UTAH SUN: The sun-glassed Nasutis prepare for more hiking at Zion National Park. From left are Bert Nasuti and “the girls”: Rachel, Sara Jo, Rebecca and wife, Betty. Their son, Nick, was unable to be with the family this year, but hopes to make it next year, when the family is thinking toward Alaska!
IN THIS EDITIONTODAY’S FOCUS: Family Enjoys Trip to Utah, But Also Loves Being Together Again
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Never Thought Before of Visiting Casablanca, in Distant Morocco
SPOTLIGHT: Peach State Federal Credit Union
FEEDBACK: Asks for Prayer in Comfort that God Will Eventually Heal Our Land
UPCOMING: CEO of The Carter Center in Atlanta To Speak to Gwinnett Rotary
NOTABLE: Georgia Archives To Mark 100th Anniversary Celebration on August 18
RECOMMENDED: Visit Gibbs Gardens
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Study of Astronomy Began Relatively Early in Georgia
MYSTERY PHOTO: Watch Out about Jumping to Conclusions for This Mystery Photo
LAGNIAPPE: Crepe Myrtle Blooms Welcome Shoppers These Days at Mall of Georgia
CALENDAR: Several Different Workshops Upcoming in Gwinnett
TODAY’S FOCUSFamily enjoys trip to Utah, but also loves being together
By Bert Nasuti
PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. | Who says family trips end when the kids grow up and leave? Since our kids have left, we have tried to plan one exciting trip per year. We have found that if you plan it and pay for it…….they will come !!!
Nasuti
This year we decided to visit the Utah national parks. We flew into Denver, and headed west to Vail. Anyone that believes the Colorado ski towns go dormant in the summer would find out just how vivacious they are by visiting in summer.
Leaving Vail we headed for Arches National Park, home to many natural arches formed over millions of years. And while you can see the best known, Delicate Arch from several vantage points in the park, to really see it, you have to hike. The hike is long, steep, and hot with no shade.
Next we booked a back country four wheel tour of Canyonlands National Park.
The highlight of our Canyonlands visit was our tour guide, full of stories and folklore. In his early 60s, he had lived in Moab for 29 years, being a uranium miner, a cowboy, a bartender, and a back country tour guide. John took us to the “Thelma and Louise” cliff scene shot and also told us the “real story” of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (far removed from anything covered in the famous movie from the 1960s).
John also took the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service to task for outlawing back country camping and otherwise restricting access to parts of the park. At one point, it was close to 105 degrees, bone dry and you could see nothing except what looked like the surface of Mars. He exclaimed “Someone is worried about man hurting this place. Are you kidding me? This place can hurt man!” While John’s complaints were probably more in jest then anger, it was obvious he loved the backcountry.
Bryce Canyon National Park looks like a semi-circle of a canyon with sand castles and tall peaks all around called “Hoodoos”. The hike between the canyon walls is invigorating and the views postcard worthy. We spent a half day of hiking in Bryce.
Bryce is a place with clear skies and no surface light at night. The views of the Milky Way were spectacular. I only wish I had paid closer attention in Astronomy class so I would have known exactly what we were looking at.
The most majestic place I have ever seen is Zion National Park. It is hard to describe the majesty of Zion. Its peaks and canyon walls rise almost straight up with the Virgin River cutting through them.
If you desire to stay in the National Park Lodge, you book a year in advance. We initially chose some of the lower hikes. The second day we were more daring and hiked the Narrows. Our children did the most famous hike of all there, Angels Landing. Sixteen people had died there, and the last quarter of a mile required you to hold onto a chain and scale the last rise with 1,000 foot drops on each side, I passed! Our girls made the hike, took some breathtaking photos, and debated if they would do it again!!
After returning to our respective realities, I know how much I miss having our once little kids at home. While it will never be that way again, we at least had some of that feeling for the 10 days we were together. Now I can start planning next year’s trip….possibly to Alaska!
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Never thought before about visiting Casablanca in distant Morocco
By Elliott Brack
Editor and publisher, GwinnettForum
JULY 10, 2018 | Yes, travel of any kind, either international or to visit the Varsity, is something that I enjoy. But somehow, I had never thought I might be interested in the city of Casablanca, in darkest Africa.
Yes, we’ve enjoyed that movie, one of the best ever, a propaganda piece released in 1942 before the United State entered World War II on African soil. And yes, Casablanca the city sounds exotic, but it also reeks of sand and a third-world underbelly that doesn’t have a deep appeal.
That is, until recently, when we read a snazzy story about a former American diplomat who is making a business of re-creating Rick’s Café, from that presentation in the film.
There is a problem with that idea. You see, there never was a Rick’s Café in Casablanca. It’s merely a fictional set of the movie, but actually never existed as a café.
That didn’t stop Kathy Kriger, originally from Portland, Ore. She had a career in the U.S. State Department, and at one time was posted to Casablanca as the commercial attaché in this Atlantic Ocean port town, the largest city and business center in Morocco. That’s when she was surprised to realize that there was no Rick’s Café there. She saw this as a missed marketing opportunity, and eventually began to think about creating a real café, and to call it Rick’s….in Casablanca.
She also thought of the idea as a way to show that an American woman, even one operating alone in a Muslim world, could succeed. She considered her idea as an example of tolerance in this different world. She cashed in her 401-k, but didn’t have enough to fund it. Eventually, she even brought in friends of hers in the United States, with this pitch: “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, this is the one.”
It worked. That was in 2002. She bought a house in the run-down old city, which had two palm trees in the front, and began remodeling what was a run-down house, but something of a gem to re-do similar to the depiction of Rick’s Café in the movie. It opened in 2004.
When looking for a local manager, she met a guy who in the interview played on the piano “As Time Goes By.” He got the job. His name is Issam Chabaa…….and yes, people ask him to “Play it again, Sam.” He tells them: “My name is Issam.”
Today a real Rick’s Café is successful for Ms. Kriger, age 71. She calls her venture her “assisted living center.” And she quotes the Humphrey Bogart character of Rick: “I’m going to die in Casablanca. It’s a good place for it.”
You can see why now I now have Casablanca, Morocco, and the continent of Africa as a prospective travel venture. It’s sounds like a neat adventure!
Wouldn’t it be great to hear Issam play “As Time Goes By?”
DETAILS ARE from a July 2 New York Times article. This is just one example of why I enjoy reading stories in the print-edition of the newspaper at home each day.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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Asks for prayer in comfort that God will eventually heal our land
Editor, the Forum:
In response to George Wilson’s column’s comment on counting the number of lies President Trump has made, it is not up to him or any one else to keep count (Romans 12:19). God made that accountability a personal one (Leviticus 19:11).
But the Bible does say, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3) In the words of former prime minister Andrew Kuyper of the Netherlands, “There is not one square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!'” (See John 16:15.)
To all Christians whether Republican or Democrat, pray hard those in positions of authority will have wisdom to govern and God will heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
— Cynthia Anderson, Dacula,
Remembers the days of Harry Truman and where the buck stopped
Editor, the Forum:
President Trump obviously has not heard of nor does he espouse the belief of President Harry Truman: “The buck stops here!”
— G.G. Getz, Duluth
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
UPCOMINGCEO of The Carter Center in Atlanta to speak to Gwinnett Rotary
Peters
The CEO of the Carter Center, Ambassador (ret.) Mary Ann Peters, will speak to the Gwinnett Rotary Club on Tuesday, July 10 at 12:15 p.m. at the 1818 Club in Duluth.
As CEO, Ambassador Peters provides vision and leadership for The Carter Center and oversees all program implementation and operations. She joined The Carter Center as its chief executive officer Sept. 2, 2014.
Ambassador Peters was provost of the U.S. Naval War College from September 2008 to July 2014. Previously, she was dean of academics at the College of International and Security Studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Prior to becoming dean of the college, she served as associate director for international liaison at the Marshall Center.
Ambassador Peters spent more than 30 years as a career diplomat with the U.S. Department of State. From 2000 to 2003, she was U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, leading the mission’s efforts in support of the war on terrorism and other key U.S. foreign policy goals. She received a Presidential Meritorious Service Award in 2003 for her work there. Prior to her posting in Dhaka, Ambassador Peters was the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, responsible for the management of the embassy and supervision of the six U.S. consulates general in Canada. From 1995 to 1997, Ambassador Peters served in the White House as director for European and Canadian affairs at the National Security Council. Among other portfolios in this position, Ambassador Peters worked on the diplomatic and security aspects of the search for peace in Northern Ireland.
Previously Ambassador Peters served as deputy assistant secretary of state with oversight responsibility for U.S. relations with 19 Western European countries and Canada, as deputy chief of mission in Sofia, Bulgaria, as economic counselor in Moscow during the Soviet era, and as the last U.S. consul in Mandalay, Burma. From 1988 to 1990, Ambassador Peters was the deputy director of the Office of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh Affairs in the State Department. She began her career as a vice-consul in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1975.
Ambassador Peters holds a Bachelor of Arts from Santa Clara University and a master’s degree in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Her formal education also included courses at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris. Ambassador Peters is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and Women in International Security.
Norcross Episcopal church to present bluegrass play in August
The Christ Church Players’ upcoming summer show, a production of Smoke on the Mountain, will be on two nights, August 24-25, at 7 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 400 Holcomb Bridge Road in Norcross.
This production tells the story of a Saturday Night Gospel Sing at a country church in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains in 1938. The show features two dozen rousing bluegrass songs played and sung by the Sanders Family, a traveling group making its return to performing after a five-year hiatus.
Pastor Oglethorpe, the young and enthusiastic minister of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, has enlisted the Sanders Family in his efforts to bring his tiny congregation into “the modern world.” Between songs, the family members “witness” – telling stories about important events in their lives. Though they try to appear perfect in the eyes of a congregation who wants to be inspired by their songs, one thing after another goes awry and they reveal their true – and hilariously imperfect – natures. By the evening’s end, the Sanders Family has endeared themselves by revealing their weaknesses and allowing us to share in their triumphs.
Tickets are available for $10 through the church office at 770-447-1188 or their website at www.ccnorcross.org.
This production is also in honor of the year long celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the founding of Christ Church Episcopal in Norcross August, 1987, in the home of the former Mayor, Gary Cobb on North Peachtree Street.. Since that start, the congregation has grown to more than 300 families with over 30 different ministries.
NOTABLEGeorgia Archives to mark 100th anniversary on Aug. 18
The Friends of Georgia Archives and History will host an event celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Georgia Archives on Saturday, August 18, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Archives in Morrow.
The celebration will begin in the Georgia Archives lobby, located at 5800 Jonesboro Road with a reception, tours, and a chance to see the current exhibit on Georgia’s earliest land records. Attendees will then move next door to the National Archives at Atlanta, for a program featuring dinner and special speakers.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal will speak at the event, as will United States Archivist David Ferriero. Other speakers will include Deputy State Archivist Steve Engerrand, Georgia State Senator Valencia Seay, and Dr. Steve Wrigley, chancellor for the University System of Georgia.
After its founding in 1918, the Georgia Archives occupied a small area in the state Capitol. In 1929 it moved to Rhodes Hall on Peachtree Street which housed the state’s records until Georgia opened a new Archives and Records Building in 1965. The Archives moved to its current home in Morrow, adjacent to the National Archives Atlanta and Clayton State University in 2003.
Reservations are required and the deadline for purchasing your tickets is August 8. Tickets are $60 per person.
As the repository for official state government records, the Georgia Archives collects, provides access and preserves the permanently-valuable public records of the State of Georgia. The Georgia Archives also collects and maintains papers of private citizens and organizations which complement the government records collection and are relevant to Georgia’s history. For more information about tickets, please visit www.fogah.org.
RECOMMENDEDVisit Gibbs Gardens
Reviewed by Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill | If you ever long for an escape from the stress of your everyday life, don’t reach for a pill bottle. Reach for your car keys! A natural balm to the cares of the world is the peaceful retreat of Gibbs Gardens near Ball Ground. Mostly wooded parkland, Gibbs Gardens could easily be called Gibbs Park because of all the trees—-which is a splendid thing on a hot summer day. There are flower gardens scattered throughout the 300 acres but, luckily, you are not required to walk to them all. A tram transports you to the Japanese gardens and up to the private home and gardens of founder Jim Gibbs. And signs actually tell you to ‘walk on the grass’! Go early to avoid the hottest time of day and have lunch at the quaint snack shop. Gibbs Garden is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. For details see: http://gibbsgardens.com.
- 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
Study of astronomy began relatively early in Georgia
Archaeologists believe that locations for studying astronomy emerged very early in Georgia, and they have identified such potential sites as Rood Creek Indian Mounds, which are located along the Chattahoochee River and are tantalizingly reminiscent of ancient astronomical observatories found around the world.
By the early 19th century more formal astronomy programs had been established at Georgia’s colleges and universities. Today the state has an enviable record of professional astronomers participating in world-class research, much of which has been recorded since the 1920s in the Georgia Journal of Science, published by the Georgia Academy of Sciences. In addition to professional astronomers, Georgia also boasts a number of amateur astronomers, many of whom are members of the American Association of Amateur Astronomers. Both amateur and professional astronomers belong to the state’s many astronomy clubs, which have made significant contributions to astronomy education in the second half of the 20th century.
The University of Georgia (UGA) and Valdosta State University(VSU) are currently the only universities in Georgia to offer an undergraduate degree in astronomy. UGA also offers a doctorate in astronomy, as does Georgia State University (GSU) in Atlanta. In 1989 several academic institutions with relatively small astronomy departments and with faculty engaged in astronomical research, including UGA and VSU, formed the Southeastern Association for Research in Astronomy (SARA). Since the summer of 1995, SARA has provided research experiences for undergraduates who are sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
At UGA astronomy was taught in the late 1800s to juniors or seniors through the Department of Natural Philosophy, which became the Physics and Astronomy department in 1887. A 24 inch reflecting telescope was purchased in the early 1960s, and by the end of the decade doctoral degrees in physics were being awarded.
During the 1960s, the planetarium and large telescope at Valdosta State University (VSU) attracted undergraduate astronomy students from across the country. In 2003 VSU obtained a 16-inch telescope.
GSU currently boasts several advanced astronomical research programs: the Program in Extragalactic Astronomy, which concentrates on the astrophysics of active galactic nuclei; the Research Consortium on Nearby Stars, which seeks to understand the nearest of the sun’s neighbors; and the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA), which analyzes the astrophysical properties of stars. It consists of an optical/interferometric array of six telescopes located on Mount Wilson Cal.
(To be continued)
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Watch out about jumping to conclusions for this Mystery Photo
The major clue for this Mystery Photo is: be careful about jumping to conclusions. If you think you know where this river scene was photographed, send your idea to elliott@brack.net, and be sure to include your hometown.
The most recent Mystery Photo was a little tricky. You see, the statuary in it is part of a larger setting, in Rembrandt Square in the center of Amsterdam, Netherlands. But the Rembrandt statue was omitted in the photo submitted by Jerry Colley of Alpharetta.
First in was James Savedelis of Duluth. Then George Graf of Palmyra, Va. submitted this detail: “The sculptures of the Night Watch in 3D at the Rembrandtplein in central Amsterdam. An honored artist of Russia, and Corresponding Member of Russian Academy of Arts, Alexander Taratynov is the famous master of easel and monumental sculpture. The masterpiece of world famous artist Rembrandt Nightwatch completed by the artist in 1642, has become an inspiration for the sculptor. And now, created in 3D, 400 years after the birth of Rembrandt, it appeared in Leide, transported from Moscow to Holland.
Inspiration: “the Night Watch,” by Rembrandt. Click to see a larger image.
“It was a part of the celebrations around the Rembrandt year in 2006. An ambitious project in bronze brought to life 22 characters from Rembrandt’s painting. Taratynov was not the only artist who worked on the project. His two friends – Mikhail Dronov (Moscow), and Alexander Taratynov (now living in Maastricht) helped conceive and realize the project.”
Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. sent not only details, but the photo of the original Rembrandt painting which inspired the statues. (See at right). He adds: “The mystery photo is of a bronze-cast representation of Rembrandt’s famous painting ‘The Night Watch.’ Located in Rembrandt Square (Rembrandtplein) in Amsterdam, these sculptures are collectively called ‘The Night Watch in 3D,’ and was created by Russian artists Mikhail Dronov and Alexander Taratynov in 2006 as part of the celebration of Rembrandt’s 400th birthday. Although not visible in the mystery photo, these works are congregated around a statue of Rembrandt created by Louis Royer in 1852 and moved to the square in 1876. This bronze-cast representation of the famous painting was on display for three-years (2006 – 2009) before traveling to New York City, Moscow and Oranienbaum, Russia. In 2012, the bronze Night Watch sculptures returned to the square where they serve as a magnet for visitors.”
Additionally, Jerry Colley also sent in a photo of the entire statuary, showing Rembrandt in the foreground.”
Crepe myrtle blooms welcome shoppers at Mall of Georgia
What may be the biggest concentration of crepe myrtle trees in Gwinnett are fully abloom at the Mall of Georgia in Buford. Roving Photographer Frank Sharpe caught this scene recently. And yes, that distant statue atop the cupola at the center of the Mall is supposed to be the namesake of the county, Button Gwinnett.
CALENDAR
SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP will be Saturday, July 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the Lilburn Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. Learn the fundamentals of starting a business, and test your business idea. Identify the key factors that influence start-up success. Learn financial realities, success factors, business plan elements, and more. This workshop is free and open to the public. Registration is required at www.atlanta.score.org. For more information, visit www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.
The state of the City of Peachtree Corners address will be on July 19 at the City Hall. The Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA) will be hosting the state of the city reception, which begins at 5 p.m. in the Community Chest room, with the state of the city address by Mayor Mike Mason at 7 p.m. The PCBA will announce news about its August charity event. The reception will be a catered event including food and beverages. Gwinnett Medical Center is the sponsor for this event.
WORKSHOP: The Evolution of Data Security will be held July 19 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Peachtree Corners City Hall, 310 Technology Parkway, by the Partnership Gwinnett Technology Forum. Ed Pimental, chairman of AgileCo Labs, will be speaking. Learn about steps banks are taking to reduce fraudulent activity, what e-commerce is expected to continue to grow, and how block chain technology supports the industry. The cost is $10. Register at http://web.gwinnettchamber.org/events/Partnership-Gwinnett-Technology-Forum-2612/details.
MANUSCRIPT WORKSHOP, Saturday, July 21 at 1 p.m. at the Lilburn Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. In partnership with the Atlanta Writers Club, the Library will host Emily Murdock Baker for this Writers’ Workshop. Writing a query letter has been known to strike fear into the heart of even an experienced writer. Emily Murdock Baker will decode the querying process and provide a special focus on choosing the correct comp (comparative/competitive titles) for your manuscript. She will discuss best practices for querying, deciding which agencies to query, understanding guidelines, how to write your query letter, and more. For more information, visit www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.
Free Photography Workshop at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Drive in Buford on July 28 from 1 to 3 p.m.. Join the Georgia Nature Photographers Association for this informal talk and Q&A photography workshop. They will provide information about cameras, editing software, and tips for getting better photographs with the equipment you already have.
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