3/19: Genealogy sites; Importance of transit vote; Hate crimes

ROUND UP GRANT: Lynn Robinette, front center, president of Wishes 4 Me Foundation, seeks to provide as normal a life as possible to those dealing with a disability. The residents and staff pictured with her will greatly benefit from a recent Walton EMC Operation Round Up grant.

TODAY’S FOCUS: Watch Out for the Dangers of Those Many Genealogy Websites

EEB PERSPECTIVE: Transit Question Is Gwinnett’s Most Important Vote of Recent Years

ANOTHER VIEW: No Matter what Tucker Carlson Says, Hate Crimes Are Real

SPOTLIGHT: Howard Brothers

FEEDBACK: Suggestion of a Utah Service That Might Help Gwinnett Traffic

UPCOMING: One Woman Erma Bombeck Show at Aurora from March 22 to April 14

NOTABLE: County To Get Four More Locations To Renew Auto Licenses

RECOMMENDED: These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore

GEORGIA TIDBIT: Grady Was President of First Professional Baseball League in the South

MYSTERY PHOTO: Another Handsome Statue Is Today’s Mystery Photo

CALENDAR: Panel Discussion on How Journalism Affects Democracy Coming Soon.

Watch out for the dangers of those many genealogy websites

By Raleigh Perry

BUFORD, Ga.  |  Scammers are out there always trying to get information on someone to get into their bank and credit card accounts.

If you have lost your wallet, some nefarious individual may soon steal your information to drain your accounts and make large purchases on your credit cards.  You may not know where they go to get the information that they need.  This might help.

Perry

Genealogy websites advertise constantly.  They are seemingly innocent.  They say they want to check your DNA so you can find out more about your family, but is this good?

A new neighbor talked to me the other day about an experience she is having.  A woman, supposedly in the Philippines, has contacted her on her Facebook to tell her that she is a half-sister.  My neighbor’s father was a sailor stationed in the Philippines during World War II and had a Philippine girlfriend, supposedly the woman’s mother.  So  by going on one of the more popular genealogy sites, she located my neighbor.

The woman, purporting to be her half-sister in the Philippines knows all of the genealogy information that is available on the website, thus she found my neighbor, knows my neighbor’s mother’s maiden name, and is claiming kinship.

Knowing the mother’s maiden name presents a major problem.  For eons, it seems, when you signed up for a bank account or credit cards, or about anything else that would ask pertinent information about you, you were asked for your mother’s maiden name.

It is common amongst those who are trying to steal identify to join all of the genealogy websites to obtain personal information so that they can get into a person’s bank accounts, or Social Security information. They can also file a false tax return—and get your refund—-using that information.

My advice to anyone signing up for anything that contains personal information is never tell them your mother’s maiden name.  I, for instance, use completely untraceable information if they ask for the specific identifying information.  There is no way that they can find such  information out.

There are companies that now want a sentence or a short phrase as a password.  The sentence or phrase does not have to be long. Three or four words is sufficient.  Like my neighbor’s father, I was in the Navy. I might well use the question “Where was my ship on my birthday in a specific year?” to produce the password that would positively identify me. Another suggestion:  I remember numbers, so I might use my 1945 address or use the first telephone number that our family had.  The possibility of anyone knowing any of that is as rare as hen’s teeth.  Don’t use birthdays: they could know birthdays from a genealogy site.

Let me strongly suggest you contact all banks which ask for a password.  Do the same for ALL of your credit cards.  The IRS now mandates PIN numbers for you to get into your tax returns.  If you do not use an accountant, contact the IRS and find out how to enter or change a PIN.  My PIN is five numbers. If you use numbers between 0 and 9, there are more possibilities that you could count.  Perhaps you use 57924 as your PIN. The possibility of a scammer coming up with your combination of those five numbers out of a hat at random is virtually impossible.

It’s up to you! Protect yourself!

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

Transit question is Gwinnett’s most important vote of recent years

By Elliott Brack,
Editor and publisher, GwinnettForum

MARCH 19, 2019  |  Yes, we know. We’ve virtually omitted several subjects on which we could have been writing lately in favor of comments of different kinds about the transit question. We’ve done this since we think the transit question is the most important vote that Gwinnett has taken in the last 30 years.

And yes, much of it has been one-sided. However, let me also point out that we have had virtually no one, except Debra Houston, to write an “anti” article.  We would have gladly printed such thoughts, but really, they didn’t arrive in our mailbox.

We’ve had some offhand comments against the transit question, but no other thoughtful comment.  We’re proud of Debra for her views, and appreciate her being tough-skinned in catching the devil from some about her thoughts.

All this, you might call, the First Amendment in action in GwinnettForum.

WHILE THE Gwinnett County Republican Party has been officially silent on the transit question for Gwinnett, we need to commend three elected Republicans for their leadership.

Charlotte Nash, the chairman of the county commission, has been most proficient in her negotiations with the MARTA board, and in her leadership on the county commission, to call for this transit vote. She, perhaps more than anyone else in Gwinnett, recognizes the need for this new phase of transit service in the county, and has worked long and hard to make sure that it could be voted on by the people of Gwinnett in good conscience and with great terms for the county.

While we would have been more pleased to see it voted on during the General Election (“Trust the people; always trust the people,” as Lincoln said.) Ms. Nash did not want the transit question to get overlooked with all the hoopla of a General Election, so chose to hold an election where transit would be the focused subject. We can only hope today, as the people of the county vote on it, that sufficient people will understand the consequences, and will turn out, so that it will pass handily.

The other two GOP office holders to come out publicly in favor of the big transit question have been Sheriff Butch Conway and District Attorney Danny Porter. Both of these office-holders could have ducked the question, one way or another. But both stood up firmly, and recognized the need for leadership on this question, and came out strong for the referendum. Perhaps they were trying to deflect criticism from the Gwinnett Republican leaders, who were so silent on the measure.

Let us not fail to recognize several non-elected residents, School Supt. Alvin Wilbanks for his endorsement, as well as that of Chairman Tom Andersen and President Dan Kaufman of the Gwinnett Chamber. Gwinnett Medical Center Hospital President Philip Wolfe also spoke out, as did many others. We thank them all.

For sure, commendations to all.  It is a feather in each of your caps to see you stand up so straight on this matter, especially so if you choose to seek another term in office.

OK, HERE’S OUT PREDICTION. We’ll know tonight, but I suggest the transit question will pass with 62 percent. That’s a high projection, I realize.

Here’s our reasoning: since we last voted in 1991, about half those who were then opposed to MARTA have died……and many others have moved out of the county.  So, I’m counting on the diversity in the county, its new voters, for the Democratic Party’s leadership, and for up-to-date Republicans, to  all join forces for transit. And while anticipating 62 percent, you-betcha, I’ll take 50.l percent!

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

No matter what Tucker Carlson says, hate crimes are real

By Jack Bernard, contributing columnist

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. | “There aren’t that many hate crimes occurring in the country.” -Tucker Carlson (Feb. 22, 2019).

The weird story of black and gay Empire star Jussie Smollett making up being attacked may have far reaching consequences, especially for Fox viewers. From now on, regardless of the facts, they will be told by Fox that all hate crimes are just “snowflake” mirages. And, because Fox viewers believe all other news sources are biased, don’t try to confuse them with reality.

The truth is much different. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is the national authority on hate crimes. The SPLC has documented the rise in hate groups over the last few years. Pre-Trump (2015) there were 892 groups. The number has grown every year since, with 2018 seeing 1,020 hate groups, with 41(black and white) here in Georgia.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has indicated the same thing. There were nearly 2,000 anti-Semitic incidents in 2017, up almost 60 percent from the year before. Some were very serious, such as the 163 reported bomb threats.

Statistics from 2017 from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which only include crimes reported to the authorities and thus under-reported, show the fallacy of Carlson’s statement. The FBI documented over 8,000 hate related offenses. The breakdown of these offenses was: 60 percent racial/ethnic; 21 percent religious (mostly against Jews); and the rest primarily sexual orientation. Over three fourths of these offenses were committed against individuals versus institutions.

Just one week before the Carlson TV rant, Coast Guard Lt. Chris Hasson was arrested by the FBI and accused of planning a mass terror attack. His target list included liberal TV news personalities and senators, among others. Advocating a “white homeland,” Hasson, who has been in the military for years, has written that he was a “skinhead” and wants whites to “wake up.”

And, he’s not the only one having been in our military with these abhorrent views. Look up Tim McVeigh, Michael Tubbs, and Louis Beam.

Carlson was correct in one way; hate crimes against white, old-money, upper-class Episcopalians like him are rare (especially in lily white La Jolla, Calif. where I worked and where he’s from). But he and others need to accept that this is an increasingly diverse country and folks like him are not in the majority…certainly not in Gwinnett County. The rest of us should be and are concerned about hate and violence, especially in the age of “both sides” are equally wrong Trumpism.

White supremacists are feeding off our President’s lack of awareness (or more likely, dishonesty) regarding racism. The recent New Zealand bomber looks upon Trump as a hero.

Once again, Trump is refusing to say that the white power movement is a rising problem. When asked about it, he said: “I don’t really. I think it’s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems.”

How someone with Jewish grandchildren can say this after seeing both New Zealand and the Tree of Life murders in Pittsburgh is beyond reason.

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

Howard Brothers

Today’s sponsor is Howard Brothers, which has retail stores in Alpharetta, Doraville, Duluth, Oakwood and Athens. John and Doug Howard are the “brothers” in Howard Brothers. This family-owned business was started by their dad, and continues to specialize in hardware, outdoor power equipment and parts and service.  Howard Brothers are authorized dealers of STIHL, Exmark, Honda, Echo outdoor power equipment and Benjamin Moore paint.  Howard Brothers is also an authorized Big Green Egg, Traeger Grill and YETI Cooler dealer.

• Visit their web site howardbrothers.com.
• For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.

Suggestion of a Utah service that might help Gwinnett traffic

Editor, the Forum:

A colleague was recently in Utah and told me about a new, free bus service in the Provo-Orem area that seems to be an effort to help get more cars off the road and improve the air quality. There are federal funds involved.   Granted that area is much smaller than Gwinnett, but perhaps over time there might be a version possible in Gwinnett County. Question might be is if “free” will encourage more ridership.

Here is an article I found on the beginning of the Utah service: https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2018/08/09/riding-new-provo-orem-bus/.

— Larry Zani, Kaiserslauten, Germany

Dear Larry: Thanks. Who knows?  Maybe Gwinnett can find a way to incorporate such a service in what it offers.—eeb

Begorrah, the Irish traditions and memories warmed his heart

Editor, the Forum:

Ah, Molly me lassie. Such a well written essay.(GwinnettForum, March 15); warms me heart.

As a descendant of two 100 percent Irish grandmothers, whose only sins were to marry Englishmen, I appreciate all you have written. I share your pride in our ancestry.

On this St. Paddy’s Day, I will consume more than my share of Guinness. One of them will be a toast to dear Molly. I know your Irish eyes will be smiling.

I am sure you know of the terrible Irish custom where if one member of a group buys a round for the entire group then each member must buy a round for the group. That’s why we always stagger home from the pub.

— Hoyt Tuggle, Lawrenceville

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

One woman Erma Bombeck show at Aurora March 22-April 14

Photo by Chris Bartelski

Guests are invited to downtown Lawrenceville for a relatable, humorous one-woman show from the pen of one of the funniest of columnists, the late Erma Bombeck.

Bringing biographical humor to the studio stage, Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End will leave Aurora Theatre audiences laughing from March 22–April 14. Based on the real-life tale of Erma Bombeck, it follows an Ohio woman turned self-made legendary humorist and provides a comic look into the woman who helped our nation learn that, as long as we remember to laugh, the crazy world is easier to handle.

Director Megan Rose-Houchins says: “Across the country, people have loved this show since it debuted in Washington D.C. in 2015. We’re eager to bring this show to Atlanta area audiences and honored to have the talented, local Lane Carlock starring. It’s bound to be a show that patrons will love and remember for a long time to come!”

“If life is a bowl of cherries, what am I doing in the pits?” Bombeck famously mused as she humorously gave voice to the frustrations of an entire generation of American women in her newspaper column “At Wit’s End.” Full of tongue-in-cheek relatable comedic observations, the biographical play reflects Bombeck’s influence on American culture in a manner sure to leave audiences – both familiar and non-familiar with the character herself – rolling in the aisles.

Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End will play at Aurora Theatre March 22 – April 14. Regular show times are Wednesday to Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

• Tickets are currently on sale; single ticket prices start at $20 and may be purchased online at bit.ly/ErmaBombeckAtWitsEnd or by calling the Box Office at 678-226-6222. For more information, visit auroratheatre.com.

Aurora Theatre hosts MicroTeatro Festival in Brookhaven

The Aurora Theatre will host Georgia premiere of Festival de MicroTeatro, March 21-30 the Northeast Plaza, 3307 Buford Highway in Brookhaven. Teatro Aurora and Latinas who lead in Media Atlanta have teamed up to present for the Festival de MicroTeatro: El Sueño Americano (The American Dream).

During this Georgia debut, adult audiences are able to create a personalized theater experience in a nontraditional setting, by selecting from a series of fifteen-minute plays running concurrently throughout the evening on location at Northeast Plaza while sampling bites from Latin cuisine and soaking in cultural fun.

Audiences will have the following five different short, mini-plays to experience in any order, each hosted in an intimate and non-traditional theater space:

• Colombian Dreams written and directed by Irma Cristancho: in this comedic one-woman play, a Columbian immigrant shares her dreams of becoming a bona fide American.
• A Volunteer by Marian Licha: Lilian is seeking help to gain her American citizenship when she meets Cecilia, a volunteer translator, who quickly discovers Lilian has bigger problems to tackle.
• No More Maids by Anne García-Romero: Two Latina actors meet as they prepare to audition for roles as maids on a new television comedy. Together, they fantasize about roles as biologists or 19th-century poets –anything but maids!
• Not Like Us by Desi Moreno-Penson and Noemi de la Puente: Cosita Una and Cosita Dos are both educated, entitled and elitist Latinas.. The two Cositas learn the value of respecting other people’s opinions and about friendship.
• To Build A Home by Sofia Palmero:The very same fateful day that Adriana hopes to become an American citizen, she meets Margarita – a woman requesting her green card. Adriana quickly discovers that not everything is black and white while Margarita begins to heal the wounds of exile.

Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/ATMicroTeatro and show times and pricing are as follows: Thursday – Saturday: 7:30 p.m. Individual show tickets: $7; Festival pass: $30 (includes attendance to festival for multiple days).

County to get 4 more locations to renew auto licenses

Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner Richard Steele is adding four more self-service kiosks where residents can renew their auto tags and walk away with a decal in hand. This makes six such kiosks in the county.

Following is a list of the Kroger stores with new kiosks, and their hours of operation:

• STONE MOUNTAIN: 1227 Rockbridge Road S.W.; 6 a.m. – 1 a.m.
• DULUTH: 3093 Steve Reynolds Boulevard,  24 hours.
• SUWANEE: 2121 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road., 6 a.m. – 1 a.m. and
• DACULA: 505 Dacula Road., 6 a.m. – 1 a.m.

Steele says: “Kiosks are a popular and convenient way for drivers to renew their tags. We’re excited to expand access to kiosks in these Kroger stores.”

To renew at a kiosk, drivers must possess a valid Georgia driver’s license and a renewal notice that reflects their correct address; liability insurance and, if applicable, a valid emissions inspection, must already be on file with the state. Kiosks accept debit and credit cards, and convenience fees apply. Title services are not available at kiosks.

Walton EMC Foundation grants total $220,678 for entire region

People living with disabilities struggle every day to live what the rest of us consider a normal life. Lynn Robinette set out to change that. When both her children were diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy, Robinette saw the importance of helping the disabled fulfill their desire of being as independent as possible and the Wishes 4 Me Foundation was born.

Starting with one home, Wishes 4 Me has now grown to seven homes. These homes are renovated and adapted to meet needs of residents. Caregivers round out the assistance.

These homes have allowed residents to transition out of nursing and personal care homes to be more independent. Says Robinette: “We work with families to create a network around the resident. Some of our residents have no family. Their parents are either deceased or too elderly to care for them anymore.”

Besides helping with everyday functions, Wishes 4 Me also enhances the residents’ lives by providing a myriad of activities including karaoke, bowling, participation in the Special Olympics, bocce ball, beach outings and trips to the movie theatre.

Wishes 4 Me recently received a $6,340 grant from the Walton EMC Foundation.  Robinette says: “We greatly appreciate everything Walton EMC has done for us. We hope they can see the benefits and be as blessed as we are by receiving this grant.”

Other organizations and individuals receiving part of the recent $220,670.58 allocation include:

• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (entire WEMC area) – $3,000.
• Penfield Christian Homes (entire WEMC area) ­– $10,000.
• Extra Special People (entire WEMC area) – $7,500.
• Interfaith Hospitality Network (entire WEMC area) – $8,000.
• Georgia Transplant Foundation (entire WEMC area) – $10,000.
• Rachel’s Gift (entire WEMC area) – $2,000..
• Eight families (entire WEMC area) – $33,061.81.
• American Red Cross, Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, Food Bank of Northeast Georgia,
• Judy House Ministries, Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry, Place of Seven Springs (entire service area) – $75,000.
• C2IT Equine Therapy (DeKalb, Gwinnett, Morgan, Rockdale, Walton) – $7,500.
• Gwinnett County Masonic Association (Gwinnett) – $4,000.
• NG3 (Gwinnett, Walton) – $10,000.

These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore

From John Titus, Peachtree Corners:  Lepore notes that the American experiment rests on three political ideas. Thomas Jefferson called them “these truths” – political equality, natural rights, and the sovereignty of the people. The author seeks to answer: have we, as a nation, honored these truths? She explores many topics – politics, law, journalism, and technology. Her answer is a mixed one as she covers topics where throughout our history we have often fallen short – slavery, Indian removal, Jim Crow laws, Japanese internment, the civil rights struggle women’s rights and others. This history is written from the viewpoint of the underdog. Even so, she points out that we carried out our vision of the rule of law, individual rights, democratic government, open borders and free markets to the world. This is not an easy read because the topics are often uncomfortable ones, but it is worthwhile and will give you a new perspective on our American experiment.

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

Grady was president of first professional baseball league in the South

The Southern League was the first professional minor league baseball association in the South, lasting on and off from 1885 until 1899.

The league was born on February 11, 1885, in Atlanta, under the direction of its first president, legendary Atlanta journalist Henry W. Grady. An avid baseball fan, Grady had insisted on including baseball scores in The Atlanta Constitution, even at his own expense. By then loosely organized teams and leagues were common throughout the South, but there was no uniform organizing body.

The original 1885 season consisted of teams from Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, and Macon; Birmingham, Alabama; and Chattanooga, Memphis, and Nashville, Tenn. At one time or another, teams were also fielded in several other towns, including Charleston, S.C.; Montgomery and Mobile, Ala.; New Orleans, La.; and Savannah.

The Southern League was baseball’s first minor league to launch a schedule of 100 games per season. Grady took his duties as league president very seriously, so much so that several teams threatened to withdraw before the inaugural season was over. He was strict in his demands that players refrain from associating with “questionable characters,” and he was determined to keep rowdy behavior by fans to a minimum. He wanted nothing to prevent baseball from becoming a wholesome, family-oriented entertainment medium, which would make the game all the more profitable.

Atlanta narrowly beat Augusta for the first Southern League pennant in 1885. Although Birmingham and Columbus did not return in 1886, the Southern League finished its second season with Atlanta winning another league title.

Southern League–brand baseball was similar to today’s fast-pitch softball. Pitches were underhanded and thrown from a distance of 50 feet. First and third bases were outside the foul lines, until they were moved inside the field in 1886, and bases were 90 feet apart. Catchers wore no protective equipment, and fielders’ gloves were flimsy and unsubstantial. One umpire officiated from 40 feet behind home plate, except when there were base runners, at which time he moved behind the pitcher. Only after seven balls was a batter awarded first base.

The Southern League suffered from a tremendous amount of franchise switching and financial instability. In 1887 Atlanta dropped out of the league, leaving Grady’s original Southern League to fold in 1888, after only four cities—Birmingham, Charleston, Memphis, and New Orleans—fielded teams.

In 1889 a newly reorganized Southern League was born, launched by Atlanta, Birmingham, Charleston, Chattanooga, Memphis, and New Orleans. Birmingham dropped out early in the season and was replaced by Mobile. By midseason only three teams were left, and the league dissolved. The “Great Minor League Failure of 1889” was the Southern League’s third collapse, and it wasn’t until 1892 that eight cities, including Atlanta, resumed competition. Every team played at least 120 games that season, the busiest in the Southern League’s history

The 1893 season was notable for the number of teams turned over to the league by their owners, including Birmingham, Chattanooga, and Nashville. The league president resigned on July 1; the 1893 season subsequently ended prematurely on August 12.

The 1894 season proved somewhat more stable, and baseball owners and players were optimistic for 1895. But the Southern League didn’t play a season in 1897, and the 1898 season lasted only a little longer than a month. The league officially disbanded in 1899.

Despite failures, setbacks, and ultimate collapse, the Southern League made baseball hugely popular in the South. In its place would rise the Southern Association, an organization that from 1901 to 1961 was professional baseball’s most stable minor league.

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

Another handsome statue is today’s mystery photo

Here’s another statue as the Mystery Photo for you to figure out. It’s quite a handsome statue, and has its own story. Send your answers to elliott@brack.net and include your hometown.

The stark art in the recent Mystery Photo was quickly identified by Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. The photograph came from Jerry Colley of Alpharetta. Peel wrote: “Founded on April 14, 1942, the American Ex-Prisoners of War, consisting of former POWs, their spouses, families and civilian internees, was formed to help those affected by their capture deal with the trauma through the friendship of those who shared a common experience. This organization partnered with the Andersonville National Historic Site to create and develop the National Prisoner of War Museum, the only museum solely dedicated to interpreting the American prisoner of war experience. Opened in 1998, the museum is dedicated to all prisoners of war in America’s past who have served their country with dignity and distinction. The museum has exhibits on wars since the American Revolution up through the recent wars in the Middle East. The older wars—the Revolution and even the Civil War—are the least represented. The bulk of the exhibits are on World War II, Vietnam, and the Korean War.

“As visitors exit the POW Museum, they enter a courtyard to see the POW Memorial that is shown in the mystery photo. Consisting of a large wall with scenes depicting the daily lives of POWs at the Camp Sumter Military Prison, the memorial also contains an arresting statue of a staggering and starving POW, on an island created by a small fountain that winds through the memorial much like the Providence Spring did at the Camp Sumter military prison. The Andersonville prison site  was one of the largest Confederate military prisons during the Civil War. During the 14 months the prison existed, more than 45,000 Union soldiers were confined here. Of these, almost 13,000 died here.”

Also identifying it was Bob Foreman of Grayson; Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill; Lou Camiero, Lilburn; and George Graf of Palmyra, Va., who contributed: “Many Civil War battlefields were originally preserved and governed by the United States War Department, including the Andersonville prison camp site. In 1933, all of these properties except for Andersonville became National Parks under the control of the National Park Service.

“The reason Andersonville was omitted was because Southern Congressmen feared that the federal government would create a park that would blame the South for the deaths of an estimated 13,000 Union soldiers, making the South look bad in the eyes of the nation (parks are created by acts of Congress). When Southern Congressmen finally agreed to vote for the creation of Andersonville National Historic Site in 1970, it was with the understanding that the park’s reason for existence was not to harp negatively on the South’s role at Andersonville, but ‘to provide an understanding of the overall prisoner of war story of the Civil War, to interpret the role of prisoner of war camps in history, to commemorate the sacrifice of Americans who lost their lives in such camps, and to preserve the monuments located within the site.’”

Lionheart Theatre in Norcross presents Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile, through March 24. The theatre is open Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. This comedy is directed by Scott King. The cast includes Grant Carden, Aaron Sherry, Daniel Cutts, Jamie Goss, Jessie Kuipers, Gregory Nassif St. John, Briana Murray, Doug Isbecque, Colton Combs, Cat Rondeau and Veronica Berman.

Beaver Ruin Creek Greenway concept public meeting will be Thursday, March 21 at 4 p. m. at the Gateway 85 CID office, 170 Indian Trail-Lilburn Road, Suite 150, in Norcross. Gateway85 Community Improvement District (CID) is undertaking a study to develop a concept for a greenway near Beaver Ruin Creek.  This proposed multi-use trail and greenspace will expand connectivity, improve accessibility, promote a healthy lifestyle and capitalize on available open space while complementing proposed mixed-use development in the district.

How journalists shape our democracy panel will be Thursday, March 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Suwanee Branch Library.  Hosted by CBS 46 Anchor Karyn Greer, the panelists will be Susanna Capeluto of WABE and former CNN’s Archith Seshadri. They will discuss the importance of journalism and a free press in our country and the role the public plays in an informed democracy.  There will be time for audience questions at the end of the program. For more information, please visit www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.

Alice in Wonderland will be performed by the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre at Central Gwinnett High School Theater on Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 24, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $16 for children. Groups of 10 or more pay $10.  Buy tickets now at https://www.tututix.com/client/gwinnettballet/.

Public Symposium commemorating the 130^th year anniversary of the Admadiyya Muslim community will be held March 23 at 3 p.m. at the Cisco Auditorium in Building C, Georgia Gwinnett College. A discussion will take place on several topics including the need for the Messiah from the perspectives of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic communities, and on the achievements of the Muslim community in the past 130 years.

Italian Car Show will be Saturday, March 23, at Lillian Webb Park in Norcross from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.Italian cars such as the Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Lamborghini, Lancia, Maserati and DeTomaso Pantera will be on display for visitors to see. Not only will guests get to view the cars, they will also have the chance to weigh in on which cars are the best during the car show’s People Choice award as well as Best Modified, Car I Would Most Like to Drive Home and Best Original Unrestored Car. This event is the rescheduled date from March 2.

Credit Repair Seminar will be hosted by the Psi Omega Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority  on Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. until noon at Norcross High School, in partnership with Regions Bank. The event is free. Attendees are asked to bring gently-used eyeglasses for donation to the Lions club International. Learn why all individuals should know their credit score and debt-to-income-ratio, engage in good credit practices, take steps to repair not so perfect credit, and monitor their credit in the effort to protect themselves against identity theft.

Photo Exhibit of Australia and New Zealand by Roving Photographer Frank Sharp is now on display through April 30 at the Tucker Library, 5234 LaVista Road. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This library is closed on Sunday.

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