THE KAUFMAN LIBRARY at Georgia Gwinnett College soars in the background, as students take a break between classes. The Lawrenceville college and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Suwanee campus announced a benefit for pharmacy students this week that will not only save dollars, but one year of classes to successful students. For more, see Notable below.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Ramifications of What It Means About Being Left-Handed
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Alvin Wilbanks’ Good Leadership Is a Hallmark for Gwinnett Schools
ANOTHER VIEW: Feels That President Trump Is Selling Out Our Nation
SPOTLIGHT: PCOM Georgia
FEEDBACK: Briggs Was On Target Depicting Matters in the Middle East
UPCOMING: Deadline Approaching October 15 for Payment of 2019 Property Taxes
NOTABLE: PCOM, GGC Agreement Saves Pharmacy Students One Year’s Tuition
RECOMMENDED: Where the Souls Go by Ann Hite
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Chet Atkins Fashions Softer Style of Country Music in 1960s and 1970s
MYSTERY PHOTO: Today’s Mystery Photo Shows a Modern Windmill; Where Is It?
LAGNIAPPE: Climate Change Prompts This Poster at One Gwinnett Office
CALENDAR: Leif Erikson Day at Tribble Mill Park on October 5
Ramifications of what it means about being left-handed
By Raleigh Perry
BUFORD, Ga. | Sinister is the Latin word for left, like left hand. Left handed people are in a distinct minority all over the world. Perhaps only 30 percent of the population of the world is left handed.
Perry
For a long time there have been arguments as to whether left handed people are more intelligent or more talented than right handed people. It all depends on who is writing the story. If the author is left handed, then it is true, left handed people are smarter and more talented than right handed people. On the other hand, if it is written by a right handed person, then the results will reflect that.
The problem, however, is that sinister has more connotations than which hand is dominant. Left handed people have been persecuted for eons by teachers in schools who think that it is their sole responsibility to make them become right handed. Left handedness was thought by some to be the children of the devil. Take that concept to politics and “Left” to many means evil, or the people of the devil.
But the word for left in every language that I know, and I know a few, and in looking up those that I do not know that well, has this connotation of evil, basically in the political sense. In Paris, for instance, la rive gauche is the left bank of the Seine and la rive Droit is the right side of the Seine. That is OK, I guess, everything has a right and left side, but Gauche has more connotations and definitions than just the left side of the Seine.
Some of the other meanings of the word, when used in English, are awkward, clumsy, graceless, inelegant, rough hewn and others that are not very positive. So gauche has a lot of negative connotations. The same is true of the word links in German, which means left, and sinistra in Italian. It seems to be that way for almost every language.
Left Wing in politics in the United States is fraught with negativity. All you have to do is to listen to Fox News and President Trump. But should it be?
I do not think so. It equates to the word liberal in English, which is also fraught with negativity in the minds of many people. When you look at U.S. History though, the founding fathers were not conservatives, they were Liberals, they were on the left and rebellious of the English government. Right wingers at that time would have been Tories, because they supported the British government.
Also, there was nothing conservative about Jesus Christ. My reading of the Gospels tells me that he was a bit of a socialist, harder left than most, when he gave us His commandments, such as we are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick and a litany of others. If you tried to push bills through Congress on those commandments, they would be shot down by conservatives.
So is the Left good or bad? Of course, you will have your own opinions on that matter, but personally, I think that Conservatism is a bit harsh when you consider limiting social services, many of which Christ said that we should do.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Wilbanks’ good leadership is a hallmark for Gwinnett schools
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
OCT. 4, 2019 | The most pressing educational difficulty Gwinnettians face is that sometime in the future, Alvin Wilbanks will face retirement from his position as school superintendent. While we look forward to Mr. Wilbanks’ continued service, we recognize this as a major potential vacancy in our future.
Mr. Wilbanks, now age 77, has for 24 years been the Gwinnett superintendent of schools, giving yeoman years of service second to none. The system has been honored extensively as the best school system, not only in Georgia, but on two occasions as the best in the entire nation among large schools systems.
The pressing immediate problem will be who can succeed him and carry on this high-level of educational attainment. That person faces a daunting task of following such an accomplished leader.
This succession is also complicated by the fact that Gwinnett currently has two (of five) new school board members in their first term of office. And in the 2020 election, the other three school board seats will be in play. Beginning in 2021, Gwinnett could have a majority of its five board members as relatively new members.
Wilbanks
Before 2018, Gwinnett’s school board had not had a new board member in 20 years. The continuing leadership of these five persons was outstanding, guiding our system, supporting good policies, and providing Mr. Wilbanks with solid support.
We can only hope that the board will continue to be as sound and solid as it has been previously. Having an experienced board without any continuing ramifications and hubbubs creates good results. (We can see the opposite of that in nearby Atlanta, where its school board unceremoniously fired its superintendent this summer without transparency, after her five years in improving that system, which sorely needed it. No one wants a situation like that to develop in Gwinnett.)
We in Gwinnett know that we have a large system. We are constantly amazed that it runs so well. Remember, that many times the system enrolls students with no proficiency in English, and successfully guides and graduates those students with high achievement. That’s because the system has good leadership, good teachers, good facilities, good students and good outcomes. We all want this high-level of achievement to continue.
Take a look at just how big our system is. It has:
- 141 school facilities, including:
- 80 elementary schools
- 29 middle schools
- 23 high schools
- 9 special entity facilities;
- More than 22,000 employees;
- 1,830 new teachers hired for 2018-2019;
- 1,980 school buses safely transport more than 130,000 students twice a day; and
- Is the third largest transporter of students in the U.S.
Gwinnett’s schools aren’t excellent by accident. It took hard work on the part of lots of people. It also took the understanding by the voters of Gwinnett that its schools were in good hands, and they didn’t need major changes. This steady functioning allowed the system to achieve and to thrive.
We don’t want to see Alvin Wilbanks depart prematurely from the Gwinnett Schools. However, we recognize his steady leadership. We smile with pleasure that he has been at the helm for these many years. We look to his continuing in office, and thank him for his leadership.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Feels that President Trump is selling out our nation
By Jack Bernard, contributing columnist
“I just am embarrassed, almost, that the Speaker would take this document, having not seen it, and take it to an impeachment conversation,” — Georgia Senator David Perdue.
OCT. 4, 2019 | I was a Georgia Republican because I witnessed the obvious corruption of Speaker Tom Murphy and the Democrats way back when I was director of Health Planning for Georgia. I was in my boss’s office when she was told to approve a nursing home regardless of state regulations or need.
I thought the GOP must be better than those crooked Dixiecrats. I was wrong; same outcome, different party label.
Even worse, the national party is now the Trumpican Party. I left the GOP this year because of Trump’s misdeeds and the party’s defense of them, as well as the party’s total abandonment of fiscal conservatism. The deficit is back to over a trillion dollars annually.
But, like Trump, the GOP’s not worried about a bankruptcy. Only this time, he will not be sticking it to his clueless business partners and walking away via legal shenanigans. The American public is now his partner and our children get stuck with the bill, just like in Greece. You can only live on credit for so long.
So, now I’m waiting (in vain?) for my former party to get some courage and abandon him. Certainly, the revelations contained in the whistleblower complaint should be enough for any reasonable elected official to run from Trump (just read the whistleblower’s document). But evidently it isn’t for GOP politicians in red states who are running for office in 2020.
Certainly, Senator Perdue is still in the “it’s Trump or die” camp, regardless of the facts. Indeed, our Senator was part of a small group of GOP leaders examining the Ukraine call transcript before its release. Incredibly, given the damning nature of the call, Perdue told CNN (9-25-19) that no one had any concerns. That arrogance will certainly come back to haunt both Perdue and the President who, surprisingly, also thought that there was nothing amiss in the call.
A few GOP voices of reason remain. Senators Sasse and Romney, for example, at least had the courage to stand up and say the call and complaint is troubling. So did Gov. Kasich of Ohio. Hopefully, over the next few weeks, some others will follow.
However, my suspicion is that the broader GOP politician tide will only turn if people like Senator Perdue become convinced that the base will vote against them because of their support of President Trump. Given the knee jerk support of Trump by the base, that is doubtful. However, if independents (especially educated women) get concerned enough, Senator Perdue may yet regret his choice in 2020.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
PCOM Georgia
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Established in 2005, PCOM Georgia is a private, not-for-profit, accredited institute of higher education dedicated to the healthcare professions. The Suwanee, Ga., campus is affiliated with Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine which has a storied history as a premier osteopathic medical school. Doctoral degrees in Pharmacy (PharmD), Physical Therapy (PT) and Osteopathic Medicine (DO) are offered at PCOM Georgia. Graduate degrees at the master’s level can be earned in Biomedical Sciences and Physician Assistant (PA) Studies. Emphasizing “a whole person approach to care,” PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the wider community.
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Briggs was on target depicting matters in the Middle East
Editor, the Forum:
In regard to a recent letter by Joe Briggs, he accurately depicted the current situation in the Middle East. I personally have observed the way Palestinians, both Muslim and Christian, are being inhumanely mistreated by the Israeli government. They would not do that but for our government’s looking the other way. The good news is that just less than 50 percent of the Israelis are themselves opposed to their nations’ policies. Sort of like what is going on here.
In the case of Japan when they attacked us in 1941, we were cutting off their oil supply. I am sure you know this and meant to express it that way.
As to Iran; they are prepared to either join the world community or fight us for the next 100 years. It’s our choice and it appears President Trump has chosen the latter. If we think Afghanistan or Iraq were painful and costly in terms of human life and money, we haven’t seen anything yet. It will take nuclear weapons to defeat Iran’s 83 million people.
While we are addressing our misguided policies everyone should look up the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 and how it helped create a worldwide depression which lead to authoritarianism around the world and World War II. Thanks again, Joe.
— Hoyt Tuggle, Buford
Fellow Louisianan feels that Cokie Roberts did herself proud
Editor, the Forum:
Thank you for the nice perspective on Cokie Roberts. As an avid fan of Sunday morning programs, she made the ABC program a must watch for me.
I also felt a bit of kinship with her as I too hail from Louisiana. I saw her for the last time when she made her last appearance on “This Week” about a month ago. It was obvious that she was very ill as I was aware of her previous cancer diagnosis.
You did Louisiana proud, Cokie. Rest in Peace.
— Theirn (TJ) Scott, 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
Deadline approaching Oct. 15 for payment of 2019 property taxes
Gwinnett County homeowners are alerted that 2019 property tax bills are coming due soon. Tax Commissioner Richard Steele reminds homeowners that 2019 ad valorem tax bills are due October 15. Taxpayers may pay their bills online from any Internet-connected device at www.GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com/pay.
There are several ways to pay:
- Paying online via e-check is simple, secure and incurs no added convenience fee.
- Paying via debit card incurs a flat $3.95 fee and credit cards incur a 2.25 percent fee.
- Mailed payments postmarked October 15 or prior are accepted as timely; metered mail dates are not. The payment address is P.O. Box 372, Lawrenceville, Ga. 30046.
- Payments by check may be placed in drop boxes 24/7 at any tag office.
- Payments in person via cash, check, money order, debit card ($3.95) or credit card (2.25 percent) may be made during stated business hours at any Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner’s Office.
Property owners with escrow accounts are responsible to ensure their mortgage company pays the taxes by the due date and can verify they have been paid online at www.GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com/ViewPayYourTaxes.
For property owners who sold their homes this year, tax bills are mailed to both the former and current owners. Owners as of January 1 are responsible for the current year’s taxes, so sellers should monitor their accounts to ensure taxes are paid.
Property owners who have questions should telephone (770) 822-8800.
Lilburn Daze will open with Doggy Dazzle Paw-Rade on Oct. 12
What could be better than a good old-fashioned fall festival? A fall festival with a pet parade!
Pet lovers mark your calendar because the Lilburn Daze Fall Festival is returning to Lilburn City Park on Saturday, October 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the costumed Doggy Dazzle Paw-Rade will begin at 10 a.m. on the interactive stage directly across the park from the main stage.
There will even be a photo booth op to take a picture with your pet. The winners will be determined by a “People’s Choice Award,” where attendees will vote on the best costume by placing dog food in jars labeled for each contestant. An eyeball count will determine the winner.
The dog food will be donated, and prizes will be given to the winners and goodie bags to all the contestants! Proceeds from this event will be donated to Top Dogg Canine Foundation whose mission is to reduce the number of military families that are impacted by suicide due to mental illness. Applications to enter your pet can be found at LilburnDaze.org.
Lionheart Theatre plans Lawless Spirits Tour in October in Norcross
Make sure you don’t miss this October’s Lawless Spirits Tour – put on by Lionheart Theatre.
Lionheart’s annual Lawless Spirits Tour will be returning this October to Downtown Historic Norcross. This guided walking tour takes you on a journey through the mysterious streets of Historic Norcross where you can see the city’s past come to life through the tales of bank robbers, family feuds, gun fights, train wrecks and more based on Norcross’ colorful past.
This year’s show dates are from October 25 to 29. There are two tours run each evening at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. All tickets are $10.
PCOM, GGC agreement saves pharmacy students one year’s tuition
Aspiring pharmacists who are students at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) in Lawrenceville will be eligible to earn doctoral degrees a year early based on an agreement recently signed by GGC and PCOM Georgia, located in Suwanee.
GGC’s Dr. Joseph Sloop, interim dean of the GGC School of Science and Technology, says: “We have seen a steady pipeline of students who major in biology or chemistry with the intent to pursue a career in pharmacy or pharmacological research.” This agreement with PCOM Georgia will enable them to achieve their career goals more quickly and with less cost.”
According to Shawn Spencer, PhD, RPh, dean of the PCOM School of Pharmacy, the agreement will allow eligible students at GGC to enter the school of pharmacy after completing their junior year of college. Students who meet the pharmacy school’s requirements may enter the program before graduating from GGC, he said, and will have the opportunity to earn a combined bachelor’s and doctorate (PharmD) degree while at PCOM Georgia.
Dr. Spencer says: “Following their second year of pharmacy school, these students will be eligible to receive their bachelor’s degree from GGC having earned the required credits during their first two years of pharmacy school allowing them to begin their careers early while saving money. Our agreement with Georgia Gwinnett College exemplifies how the PCOM School of Pharmacy is working hard to help our students achieve their goal of becoming pharmacists. We applaud GGC for partnering with us as we support Georgia students who are entering the healthcare workforce.”
An articulation agreement similar to the agreement with GGC also is in effect at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Middle Georgia State University in Macon, and Valdosta State University in Valdosta.
Students enrolled in the doctoral program at PCOM Georgia have the option to enhance their credentials by pursuing concentrations in the pharmacy practice areas of acute, ambulatory and managed care. In addition, PharmD students have the opportunity to pursue one of three graduate business programs offered in partnership with Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Penn.
GGC President Jann L. Joseph adds: “This is an important development as we look to opportunities that provide expanded career opportunities for GGC students. We are delighted to partner with PCOM Georgia to offer a program that benefits our students, aligns with GGC’s mission and vision, and meets the healthcare needs of Gwinnett and beyond.”
Ortel of Dacula Is new director of Gwinnett Sports Commission
Ortel
A new director is now heading the Gwinnett Sports Commission. He is Monte Ortel, who for the last three years was the tournament director of the annual Mitsubishi Electric Classic, a PGA TOUR Champions event held in Gwinnett.
The appointment was announced by Stan Hall, Gwinnett Convention and Visitor’s Bureau chief operating officer. He states: “We are excited to expand Monte’s leadership role within our organization as executive director of both the Gwinnett Sports Commission and the Mitsubishi Electric Classic. Both divisions of our overall organization are connected in many ways and Monte’s leadership will create even more continuity. His background makes him ideal to serve in this capacity.”
The commission manages the economic development efforts through coordinating and developing Gwinnett’s role as a leading site for sports events involving youth, collegiate, amateur and professional organizations.
Ortel also serves on the PGA TOUR Champions Advisory Board, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Sports Network Advisory Board, and Gwinnett Championship Foundation Board.
Prior to work with the Mitsubishi Electric Classic, Ortel has spent 16 years managing PGA TOUR events as executive director of The Greenbrier Classic, director of operations for Turning Stone Resort Championship and tournament operations manager with the 84 Lumber Classic.
Ortel resides in Dacula with his wife Amber and three daughters. He was born in New Jersey, and graduated from high school in Charlotte, N.C. He is a graduate of Washington Adventist University, and has a master’s degree from Slippery Rock State University in Pennsylvania.
Where the Souls Go by Ann Hite
From Karen Harris, Stone Mountain: Annie Todd was visited by a ‘Ghost Girl’ when she was 10 years old. Her family legacy is a long chain of secrets which began when the ghost girl disappeared in the Black Mountain area of Western North Carolina. The girl was never asked about and never found. Annie’s mother Grace Jean and her mother Az Leigh hold the pain of the past close to their hearts and desire nothing more than to keep Annie away from the truth about her family’s past. The reader is then taken back decade by decade uncovering the tangled web of events that describe not only a family’s turmoil but the culture of Appalachia and the troubles that beset the women of those times. The effectiveness of this story lies in both the texture of the language, the characterizations, and the journey the reader takes as each piece of truth is uncovered.
- 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
Chet Atkins fashions softer style of country music in 1960s, 1970s
(Continued from previous edition)
During the 1960s and 1970s, Chet Atkins, who was born in Tennessee and raised in Mountain City, Ga. (Rabun County), led the country music industry into fashioning a softer style of music, which featured string arrangements and background vocal ensembles. This effort to appeal to a wider market by removing the twang and rough edges from the music was dubbed the “Nashville Sound.”
Atkins, an accomplished guitarist, became the most influential studio producer in the industry, but the tension between sticking to country’s rural working-class roots and appealing to a wider, more sophisticated audience has been a defining conflict in the music’s history.
The 1980s saw a return to traditionalism led by artists like Texan George Strait and followed by North Carolinian Randy Travis and Georgian Alan Jackson. These performers sang about traditional working-class themes in a straightforward musical style, featuring unembellished traditional instruments and production.
During the 1990s country music again experienced a boom in popularity. In fact, country gained the largest radio market share with the best-educated and highest-income audience of any radio format. The musician at the front of this market surge was Oklahoman Garth Brooks. Brooks’s musical style is influenced by George Strait’s country traditionalism as well as by rock music bands like Kiss and Boston and folk-rock acts like Don McLean and Dan Fogelberg.
Many Georgians have played important roles in the history of country music. The Albany native Ray Charles recorded Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music in 1962, paving the way for country’s appeal to wider audiences.
Brenda Lee (born in Lithonia) was a nationally known performer in the 1950s and 1960s and is best known for the hits “I’m Sorry” and “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree.”
“Whispering Bill” Anderson, who grew up in Commerce, is known as one of country music’s finest songwriters and was also a noted vocal performer during the 1960s.
Augusta native Pete Drake, and his pedal-steel-guitar performance on Tammy Wynette’s song “Stand by Your Man,” helped to revive the steel guitar’s popularity from its disrepute during the Nashville Sound years.
Travis Tritt of Marietta, a major country music figure since 1989, has revived the sounds of “southern rock” (a musical genre that Georgia can claim to have originated) and brought them into the mainstream of country music.
Trisha Yearwood of Monticello is part of the vanguard of female performers who transformed the role of women in country music during the 1990s. Songwriters Pat Alger of LaGrange and Tony Arata of the Savannah area played a major role in country music’s resurgence in the 1990s. Alger, named 1992 songwriter of the year by a number of organizations, had hits by several artists. Arata is the writer of Garth Brooks’s signature hit song, “The Dance.”
(To be continued)
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Today’s Mystery Photo shows modern windmill; Where is it?
Here’s something you don’t see everywhere, but what can be in many low-lying countries. Figure out where this wind mill is, and send your answers to elliott@brack.net, including your hometown.
The last mystery photo reminded us of cathedrals built in Europe. However, a few readers didn’t go down that path, but recognized it in another place. Don Moore of Suwanee got in first, identifying “ St. Dunstan’s Basilica in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.” The photo came from Bob Foreman of Grayson, while on vacation on PEI.
Several others followed, including Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill; Lou Camerio, Lilburn; and Jim Savadelis, Duluth;
Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. wrote: “St. Dunstan’s Basilica is named for St. Dunstan, the Anglo Saxon saint from Glastonbury. The present stone structure was built in 1916, after a fire destroyed the original cathedral in 1913. The two stone spires are 200 feet high. The original structure was started in 1896 and completed in 1907, before it was destroyed less than six years later.
“In October 1980 it was the site of a state funeral when Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau (the father of the current Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau) gave the eulogy during the funeral for Veterans Affairs Minister Daniel J. MacDonald (M.P. Cardigan). The Basilica was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990.”
George Graf of Palmyra, Va. added: “The cornerstone for the third of four cathedrals, the first built of stone, was laid in 1896. The hard Wallace stone foundation and lintels and softer Miramichi stone walls complemented the 25-year old rectory next door. Built in the form of a Latin cross with 200-foot twin spires and the finest pipe organ in the province, the new cathedral was a tribute to the growing Diocese of Charlottetown. Alas, on March 7, 1913, just six years after the Cathedral’s dedication, it was destroyed by fire.Scottish architect J. M. Hunter and contractors James Metcalfe and Company re-constructed the walls of the burned cathedral. Inspired by St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, they fashioned an elegant English Gothic interior that far surpassed the original cathedral in magnificence.”
Climate change prompts this poster at one Gwinnett office
Here’s what one display at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center thinks about the recent climate change in Georgia, giving the area much hotter temperatures than normal. This came from Jane LeMaster’s office in the Transportation Department at GJAC. Hopefully falling temps will be with us this weekend, and setting heat records will be bygone for Metro Atlanta.
Adopt-a-Pet in October at the Gwinnett Animal Shelter and save the adoption fee. All pets adopted at Gwinnett Animal Welfare have been vaccinated, neutered and microchipped, and are ready to join their new home. Gwinnett Animal Welfare is located at 884 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville. For more information visit www.GwinnettAnimalWelfare.com.
Leif Erikson Day will be marked at Tribble Mill Park, 2125 Tribble Mill Parkway near Lawrenceville, on October 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This living history festival will be a celebration of the customs and legacy of the Vikings of Scandinavia and the Scottish Highlanders. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in cool competitions and creative crafts to gain a glimpse into the lives of these ancient and vibrant cultures. Cost: $5 per person. Preregister online with code TMP41400 or call 770-814-4920 for more information.
Join Partnership Against Domestic Violence and Gwinnett Legal Aid, in partnership with Gwinnett County Public Library, to learn about domestic violence, how to fight against it, and how to get help. Two sessions are available: on Saturday, October 5 at 1 p.m. at Five Forks Branch, 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville, and on Monday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Buford Library Branch, 2100 Buford Highway in Buford. This workshop will feature legal information about the temporary restraining order process and how to navigate the judicial system. Both sessions are free and open to the public.
Club Tropicana at the Hudgens Arts Center in Duluth will be Saturday, October 5 at 7 p.m. Highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the 2019 Hudgens Prize for Georgia Artists. This is a $50,000 prize as well as a solo exhibition for the winning artist. Partygoers will be treated to a Cuban Night Club experience throughout the Hudgens with live music, a Cuban cuisine, a silent auction, games and dancing.
Season Finale for the Johns Creek Symphony will be Saturday, October 5, at 7 p.m. in the Burkhalter Amphitheater in Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road. The concert is presented by the city of Johns Creek. The concert will be conducted by JCSO Founder and Music Director, J. Wayne Baughman, with guest conductor Timothy Aucoin. Repertoire for the performance will include light classical and Pops favorites.
Domestic Violence 101: Attend one of two workshops to learn more about domestic violence, how to fight against it, and how to get help. Both sessions are free and open to the public. The first session is Saturday, October 5 at 1 p.m. at the Five Forks Branch Public Library, 2780 Five Forks Road in Lawrenceville. Another session is October 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Buford Library, 2100 Buford Highway in Buford. For more information, call 770 978 5154.
16th Annual Art Splash and Wine Festival is October 5-6 in downtown Norcross. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The area will come alive with both colorful artisan booths and lively tents and browse the artist displays.
Aurora Theatre Rummage Sale, October 5-6 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Aurora Studio. Fans of theatrical attire or thrifting can take advantage of this one-of-a-kind opportunity to dip into Aurora Theatre’s costume shop! Right in time for the Halloween costume season, attendees can stock up on a huge selection of clothing and trinkets from different eras – all for free. Items are mostly adult sizes. For more info, visit bit.ly/ATRummageSale.
Snellville Historical Society will meet on Sunday, October 6 at 2 p.m. at Snellville City Hall. The program will be on the history of Lawrenceville with Beverly Paff and Mary Long speaking. Visitors are welcomed.
Ribbon-Cutting and grand opening of the expanded facilities of the North Gwinnett Co-op will be Tuesday, October 8 at noon. The address is 4395 Commerce Drive in Buford. Following the ceremony, a barbecue lunch will be provided.
Veteran’s Park in Norcross will be opened and dedicated at a ceremony on October 9 at 10 a.m. The park is located at 160 North Norcross Tucker Road. Come and enjoy the festivities and Norcross’ latest park.
Author Nadeen Green will share her story Let There Be Dragons at the Norcross Branch Library, 6025 Buford Highway, on Thursday, October 10 at 10:30 a.m. It is a cautionary tale for children (and is bilingual in Spanish and English). The story is about fictional fairy tale dragons that are driven to the sea because people are afraid of them. The book highlights the need to share our planet with all creatures. The artist will also discuss the way illustrators make the story come alive in pictures. It is free and open to the public. Books will be available for sale and signing. For more information, visit www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.
Nationally-known author and wine expert Kevin Begos will appear at R. Alexander Fine Art, 5650 Peachtree Parkway in Peachtree Corners, on Friday, October 11 at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The author will discuss his travels along the original wine routes—from the Caucasus Mountains, where wine grapes were first domesticated 8,000 years ago, crossing the Mediterranean to Europe, and then America—and unearth a whole world of forgotten grapes, each with distinctive tastes and aromas. For more information, visit www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.
Harvest 10-10-10 will be presented October 11-13 at Lionheart Theatre Company in Norcross by Onion Man Productions. Celebrating Onion Man Productions’ 10th anniversary, this collection of ten, ten-minute original new plays explore the themes of new beginnings, letting go of the past and emerging from the ashes. Visit https://www.onionmanproductions.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
The 47th Annual Stone Mountain Highland Games will take place October 19-20 at Stone Mountain Park. The games feature a number of pipe bands, folk singers, Celtic rock groups, Scottish country dancing, Highland dancing, sheep dog herding demonstrations and, of course, the athletic games. More than 100 Scottish clan associations will host tents and other organizations will provide tents with information on all things Scottish. The games will also host related activities (free lectures, a Celtic concert and a ball) on Friday, October 18, at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast in Norcross. For the complete schedule and ticket information, go to www.smhg.org.
Juried Art Exhibit at the Tannery Row Artist Colony in Buford continues until November 1. Includes a variety of media, including painting, pastel, colored pencil, pen and ink, mixed media, printmaking, fibre arts, photography, digital art and three dimensional art, including ceramics, pottery and found object sculpture. The Colony is located at 554 West Main Street in Buford.
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