THE HISTORIC GWINNETT COURTHOUSE is ready for the Christmas season, as Roving Photographer Frank Sharp shows in this scene. The bright sunshine adds to the sparkling scene. Meanwhile, during the Christmas season, the Salvation Army needs more bellringers this holiday season. If you volunteer, that means there is a double savings, since the Army will not have to hire a bellringer for the time you serve. To sign up for a two hour shift, call 678-502-8551.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Georgia Officials Learn and Soak Up Japanese Culture and Tradition
EEB PERSPECTIVE: While Revel Work Paused, $220 Million Underway around Civic Center
ANOTHER VIEW: Enjoying Costco Appetizers Before Going Out To Dinner
SPOTLIGHT: Walton Gas
FEEDBACK: Here’s Good Composition If You Want to Ponder Imponderables
UPCOMING: City of Loganville Announces $180 Million Main Street Redevelopment
NOTABLE: New GGC Chief IT Officer Begins Her New Role on January 13
NOT RECOMMENDED: A Warning by Anonymous (A senior Trump Administration official)
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Howard Coffin, Richard Reynolds Were Key Figures in Sapelo Island
MYSTERY PHOTO: Gorgeous Photo and Bright Colors Await Your Identification
CALENDAR: Georgia Gwinnett College Fall Commencement is December 12
Georgia officials learn and soak up Japanese culture, tradition
Fourteen Georgia officials attended a study tour of Japan from the Japan Foundation recently. From left are Rep. Mike Glanton, Rep. Bonnie Rich, Rep. Bill Werkheiser, Rep. Teri Anulewicz, Rep. Calvin Smyre, Rep. Jasmine Clark, Sen. Sally Harrell, Rep. Dave Belton, Rep. Matt Gambill, Liz Erikson, Sen. Donzella Johnson James. Kneeling in front are Rep. Erick Allen, Rep. Bert Reeves, and PSC Vice-Chair Tim Echols.
(Editor’s note: Tim Echols is the vice-chair of the Georgia Public Service Commission. Erick Allen is a state representative from the 40th district serving Cobb and Fulton counties. They were guests of the Japan Foundation on a recent study visit to Japan.—eeb)
By Tim Echols and Erick Allen
ATLANTA, Ga. | Recently, we joined a bipartisan group of legislators and officials on a study tour to Japan sponsored by the Japan Foundation. Not only did the trip help us understand Japanese cultural distinction, but being in Tokyo amidst 13 million Japanese gave us a first-hand look at three recurring traits of this great culture that is one of Georgia’s primary trading partners.
Allen, left, and Echols
Let’s start with precision. Whether it is making precision instruments, creating robots that do tiny precise operations, or supporting management systems that operate efficiently, the Japanese culture values precision. Think about something as simple as a Japanese-made writing pen or something as complicated as an embedded medical device, the Japanese attention to detail allows them to create superior products. Georgia’s first Japanese company was YKK, the zipper manufacturer located in Macon, who makes the world’s best fasteners.
The bullet train is another example. It has electric motors in every car instead of just the front car like European versions and moves at speeds upwards of 200 MPH. In the automotive sector, the Toyota Prius hybrid technology utilized in cars, vans and buses have cut fuel consumption in half. The Japanese love to take something like a car or train–and make it better.
Cleanliness is a Japanese distinction that only a trip to Japan can show in full magnitude. Litter is non-existent. Every toilet has special sanitary features. Many wear facial masks out of respect so to prevent the spread of illness. This cleanliness quality manifests itself in the way the Japanese do construction, how they park cars, and even in their willingness to carry their own personal litter home. It was difficult to find a trash can, yet you could eat off the streets. They do this out of respect for their community—not because of punitive action. Back home in the United States, we don’t even see the trash in front of us.
In fact, the Japanese cleanliness is striking. As a culture they revere aesthetic beauty. With a limitation of natural resources, the Japanese value what they do have and innovate with a focus of preserving and protecting it. We even learned that the companies compete on the reduction of various emissions…and do so without regulation. Self-regulation is always a good thing.
Finally, graciousness and respect abound. We think this aspect of Japanese culture is our favorite. It manifests itself through their gift-giving customs to how they queue up to get on their spotless subway. Their quiet demeanor respects the personal space of others and they defer to older people at every opportunity. Japanese people are humble. They value tradition, and their crime rate is very low. Grade school children ride the subway by themselves without fear of bodily harm. Even in the famous tea ceremony, they turn the cup design toward the person they are serving in order to honor them.
This trip has certainly made us appreciate Democracy and those who support it around the world. Sayonara for now.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Revel paused; $220 millions of work still around civic center
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
DEC. 6, 2019 | Gwinnett County got an unexpected kick in the teeth this week, when North American Properties reneged on its partnership agreement to build the $900 million “Revel” project at the Infinite Energy Center.
Meanwhile, the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCVB), which was guiding the development, said the project was being “Paused,” and a new partner would be selected. The 118 acre development had been anticipated to open in 2021. It was planned to become the entertainment focus for Gwinnett, 12 screen theatre, restaurants, retail activities and bowling lanes. It was expected to draw patrons from in reality, all of Northeast Georgia, as it was to become the closest big entertainment district in the area.
But that won’t happen any time soon now.
Yet the news isn’t all bad. CEO Preston Williams of GCVB, told us Wednesday that he is “more than confident about the overall entertainment district product long range. We’ll sit back during the holidays and see how it shapes out, but our phone has already rung on this today. There’s big interest out there in picking up where we stopped. We think it will move on quickly.”
The Revel project did not include the convention center hotel that Concord Hotels out of Raleigh, N.C. will break ground on in mid-January, 2020. Construction time will be for 22-24 months, meaning it will open in January, 2022.This will be a first class, four star Westin Hotel with 347 rooms and rooftop entertainment area adjacent to the Infinite Energy Center. The lease for this facility was signed two years ago. Williams adds: “Actually, with the hotel construction soon underway, this area will be more attractive to the next developer of the entertainment district.”
Another major aspect of the overall area is a new 50,000 square foot addition to the Gwinnett Convention Center. Williams says: “We’ve already got this addition designed and contracted for, and will break ground in February next year. It is fully committed and funded. With what we now have underway, plus this expansion, we are spending $220 million on the hotel, a 50,000 square foot addition, new entrances and roadways, a service drive, and stormwater retention. We soon will have lots of construction activity underway.”
Already opened last year are two giant parking garages, with space for 2,400 vehicles, among the largest, if not the biggest, in suburban Atlanta.
The now-lost “Revel” project was a mixed-use project. It had anticipated 300,000 square feet of retail space, and another 865,000 square feet of office space in several mid-rise buildings. It was also proposing 900 apartments to be built around all these activities, at several levels.
North American Properties developed the Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Avalon center in North Fulton County, and is re-developing Colony Square in downtown Atlanta. It often compared the new Gwinnett development to Avalon. It also has projects in Cincinnati, Tallahassee, Franklin, Tenn., Orlando, Texas and other places. It has been in business since 1954.
North American Properties, we have learned, also recently stopped work on the “High Street” project in Dunwoody and another major development in New Jersey.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Enjoying Costco appetizers before going out to dinner
By Debra Houston, contributing columnist
LILBURN, Ga. | Christmas shopping is in full bloom and that goes for Costco. I found myself pushing an empty cart in the wrong direction in that store. It was like an Alfred Hitchcock horror film. Never go against the flow in that store unless murderous looks make your day.
Eddie had said I would lose my empty cart if I parked it outside the restroom. Someone would steal it. Then off he went to the tire department. When I came out of the lady’s room, the cart was still there. How cynical we are when it comes to human nature. Cart stealing isn’t an existential threat.
I was starved, but eventually located the purveyors of samples. I tasted pimento cheese on a cracker, popcorn, a chunk of a warm cinnamon bun, and a piece of cheesecake. I always wish for another bite but am too embarrassed to ask for it. If I came back later, would they notice? We were going out to eat after we shopped, but Costco fed us well. Temporarily.
You have to be careful shopping there. I bought two pints of frozen soup once but could never finish eating it all. So I froze the remainder and forgot about it. I discovered it years later long past the expiration date. I had to dump it out. Some products you’re better off buying in small quantities.
I like to “people watch” at Costco. One man bought containers of bottled water stacked high on a flat cart. Either he owned a number of beverage vending machines or was preparing for the upcoming apocalypse no one informed me about.
I like to watch other nationalities shop at Costco. It’s sweet to see some of them bring along the entire family. If you’re behind them, it’s like driving behind a truck pulling a house. You’re moving, but not fast enough. Imagine shopping at Costco as a family outing. I prefer shopping alone unless my best friend, Andreas, is visiting. She says England now has Costco stores.
Each year Christmas sneaks up on me like a purse snatcher. I was smart enough not to shop on Black Friday, but I should have known that Saturday would be just as foolish. But I survived, and now if you will excuse me, I need to remove a spinach and artichoke quiche from the oven. Sure, I had sampled it at Costco. To sample is a great sales gimmick, especially when shoppers are starved.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Walton Gas
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Here’s a good read if you want to ponder imponderables
Editor, the Forum:
When inclined to ponder the imponderable, aesthetics can be helpful. In 1941, the Argentinian Jorge Luis Borges published a series of short stories under the title The Garden of Forking Paths. It was first translated into English in 1962. One of those stories was The Library of Babel.
In 2000 The Library of Babel was published with etchings by renown intaglio printmaker Erik Desmazières. His artistic interpretation of the library as universe alongside Borges’ “visionary prose” help our minds in its attempt to comprehend the universe and simultaneously the limits of what we know and what we can know.
In the infinite vastness of the “divine Library” Borges appears to refer to his own book. “This pointless verbose epistle already exists in one of the 30 volumes of the five bookshelves in one of the countless hexagons – as does its refutation.”
It is a fine bit of writing.
— Theirn 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
Loganville announces $180 million Main Street redevelopment
The City of Loganville is announcing a partnership with the investment and development firm Connolly to take the initial steps in a proposed $180 million revitalization project.
Loganville (in red)
Loganville Mayor Rey Martinez says: “This redevelopment project marks an important transformation for the city, bringing an infusion of energy into our downtown. With a long-held vision of returning to a time when Main Street was at the heart of our city, we are proud to offer our citizens and visitors alike a project that will create an inviting center of activity for all to enjoy.”
The project will combine expansion of public parks and greenspace, improved public infrastructure, a new city hall and library with new retail and community spaces, townhomes and luxury living units that will cater to everyone from the young professional to the active adult.
With work projected to begin in 2020, the revitalization project creates a pedestrian-friendly environment anchored by more than 90,000-square-feet of retail and office space, 200 active adult residences and 600 luxury living units.
Connolly brings to the table more than 50 years of experience as a premier real estate developer in Metro Atlanta. The firm has served as the lead developer for several urban mixed-use projects that emphasize walkability and transit.
Connolly CEO Timothy (J.R.) Connolly says: “The Loganville Main Street development will not only add to the quality of life of the area but add an authentic feel to downtown with locally-owned, high-quality restaurants and shops.”
Initial plans have been submitted to the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission for a development of regional impact study. The City of Loganville and Connolly will hold an informational meeting with a public presentation of project details on December 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rock Gym, located at 135 Main Street in Loganville. Doors will open for the meeting at 6 p.m. Additional information and updates on the project will be available at www.loganvillemainstreet.com.’
Kudzu Art Zone starts new showing of works Dec. 7
“Mermaid Pina” by Angelika Domschke
The new group art exhibit is now open at Kudzu Art Zone, “Looking Forward”is comprised of the fascinating and diverse works of a selected group of member artists.
This exhibit runs from December 7 through February 15. The Opening Reception is Sunday December 8 from 2 to 5 p.m. Kudzu Art Zone is located at 116 Carlyle Street in Norcross and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Among the artists on display will be:
- Susan Faircloth has lively, colorful semi abstracts in the show. She says she started with no intention except making interesting texture and color combinations and as she worked, an owl and lady began to emerge.
- Angelika Domschke’s work here is a relief of a mermaid who seems to float through the sea to enchant and delight us. Ms Domschke says her mermaid, in vivid colors on hydrocal, reflects life in harmony with all creatures.
-
“Grandpa and Reily Mae” by Mikki Dillon
Cynthia Corbin uses bold strokes of black to unify the two sides of the design.
- Mikki Dillon presents a pastel titled “Rainpool at Peggy’s Cove”, from a photo taken at a photography workshop. Ms Dillon also includes a photograph called “Grandpa and Reily Mae.”
- Katrina Yurko depicts a dove which the artist says represents both loss and hope. It is surrounded by smaller flocks of birds that represent the many ordinary events of life that lead to significant changes in our spirit.
- Jeannie Fortin was inspired by the heroic Holocaust survivor Cory Ten Bloom’s story to paint a colorful and powerful abstract that conveys the fears and turmoil of those hiding from persecution.
Peach State FCU offers $154,700 in scholarships for 2020 program
Peach State Federal Credit Union is now accepting applications for its 2020 scholarship program. The credit union will award $154,700 in scholarships and educational grants to seniors in high school and professionals seeking career advancement. The program was established to honor Peach State’s founders, past and present board members and employees, as well as the lifetime achievements of several notable school system and community leaders.
Scholarship winners will be announced in the spring of 2020 and will be invited to attend a reception in their honor. The following is a list of all available scholarships:
- Ten $2,000 Legacy Student Scholarships;
- Sixteen $2,000 school system and community honoree student scholarships; and
- Twenty-six $2,000 Career Advancement Scholarships.
Peach State supports the following organizations with a combined total of more than $50,700 in scholarships and educational grants. That includes Athens Technical College;
Georgia Gwinnett College; Gwinnett County Public Schools; Gwinnett Technical College; Toccoa Falls College; University of North Georgia; Walker County LAUNCH Program and REACH Georgia Scholarships at Franklin County Schools, Habersham County Schools, Oconee County Schools and Trion City Schools.
- Applications and eligibility criteria are available on the credit union’s website at www.peachstatefcu.org.
New GGC chief IT officer begins Jan. 13
Gwinnett College (GGC) has named Christine Miller Divine to serve as the college’s chief information officer and vice president of information technology. Divine begins her new role January 13.
Divine
GGC President Jann L. Joseph says: “As Georgia Gwinnett College embraces an era of growth and positive change, technological innovations and effective application of existing technology are key to supporting student success. We believe that Dr. Divine is the right person to lead our IT efforts consistent with our strategic plan.”
Divine has most recently been vice president for information technology and chief information officer at California State University in Sacramento, Calif. As a member of the president’s cabinet and referred to as a “change management leader,” Divine led the Division of Information Resources and Technology (IRT), guided strategic selection and adoption of technology in support of the school’s goals and administered IRT’s budget of more than $17 million.
Before her time in California, Divine served for 14 years in executive information technology roles in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia. She concluded her time at the college as IT executive director, where she served as a member of the dean’s leadership team, managed a $5 million budget and directed the college’s IT strategic planning, classification and compensation, performance management, security, continuity of operations and disaster recovery.
“I’m thrilled to return to my Georgia roots,” said Divine. “I’m excited about GGC’s growth, potential and direction under President Joseph and want to be part of the team that paves the way for GGC’s success.”
Divine earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at UGA. The recently married Divine and her husband, Mark, also in the technology field, spend their much of their free time participating in outdoor sports.
A Warning by Anonymous
(A senior Trump Administration official)
From Raleigh Perry, Buford: I was probably the first person to buy this book at my nearby Barnes and Noble. It was something similar to a waste of money. Ecclesiastes 1:9 says “There is nothing new under the sun.” I am in total agreement with that and, sure enough, this book provided me with little or no information of which I was unaware. What it turns out to be is a compendium of things that I have read before. There is no listing of tweets and no list of the myriad lies, mistruths, twisting of reality, etc. of which Trump has been accused. The New York Times states that it is now the No. 1 book on the non-fiction list, but for the life of me, I cannot understand why. It had a review before the book actually came out and it is in line with my thoughts.
- 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
Coffin,Reynolds were key figures in Sapelo Island
(Continued from previous edition)
The Civil War (1861-65) ended the plantation economy, and Sapelo Island remained home to a large African American community during the Reconstruction and postbellum periods.
The William Hillery Company, a partnership of freedmen, bought land at Raccoon Bluff as early as 1871. Over time, many of the former slaves purchased land on Sapelo and established permanent settlements, including Hog Hammock, Raccoon Bluff, Shell Hammock, Belle Marsh, and Lumber Landing. The First African Baptist Church was organized in 1866 at Hanging Bull, eventually moving to Raccoon Bluff, which was also the site of a black school. Sapelo’s blacks engaged in subsistence agriculture, timbering, and oyster harvesting in the Duplin River estuary.
Most of Sapelo was sold by Spalding descendants after the Civil War. In 1912 Detroit, Mich., automotive engineer Howard Coffin consolidated the various holdings on Sapelo and bought the entire island, except for the black communities, for $150,000. Coffin owned Sapelo for 22 years. Between 1922 and 1925 he rebuilt the south-end mansion—a tabby-stucco structure originally built by Spalding in 1810—into one of the most palatial homes on the coast. Coffin engaged in large-scale agriculture, sawmilling, and seafood harvesting. He also built roads, drilled artesian wells, and added other improvements to the island.
Many distinguished visitors were guests of the Coffins on Sapelo, including U.S. presidents Calvin Coolidge (1928) and Herbert Hoover (1932), and aviator Charles A. Lindbergh (1929). During this period Coffin and his young cousin, Alfred W. Jones, established the Cloister resort on nearby Sea Island.
In 1934, due to financial reversals brought on by the depression, Coffin sold Sapelo to North Carolina tobacco heir Richard J. Reynolds Jr., who utilized the island as a part-time residence for 30 years. During this time, he consolidated the black holdings on the island into one community at Hog Hammock. Reynolds’s most important contribution was establishing the Sapelo Island Research Foundation and providing facilities and other support for the University of Georgia Marine Institute, begun in 1954. His widow, Annemarie Schmidt Reynolds, sold Sapelo to the state of Georgia in two separate transactions in 1969 and 1976.
Approximately 115 people now reside on Sapelo, either permanently or temporarily, with the majority of them at Hog Hammock. That community still consists primarily of descendants of Thomas Spalding’s slaves, and their diminishing numbers are a source of concern. Cornelia Walker Bailey, the most prominent spokesperson for the community, championed the preservation of Sapelo’s rich West African Hoqwqwheritage, from spiritual beliefs and folkways to the Geechee dialect once spoken by the island’s African American residents. In 2000 Bailey published a “cultural memoir” of her life and the struggle to preserve these traditions, God, Dr. Buzzard, and the Bolito Man.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Gorgeous photo and bright colors await your identification
Here’s a beautiful photograph just waiting for your identification. Look at the gorgeous colors, the design, the blue-and-white squares, and the overall setting. It’s marvelous. Now, where is it? Send your answers to elliott@brack.net and be sure to include your hometown.
The last Mystery Photo didn’t fool many of our readers. Don Moore of Suwanee was soon in with the answer: “This week’s picture was taken at Munich’s Eisbach River break, in the city’s largest public park.” However, GwinnettForum lost the name of the person who sent in this picture. (Will someone step forward and take credit?)
There were several other interesting identifications, bring up several other neat revelations. Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill: “The river surfer is on the Eisbach, a channel of the Isar River, which runs through the Englischer Garten (English Garden), the central park of Munich, Germany, in the heart of Bavaria. This big whitewater wave was created by accident when engineers submerged concrete blocks in the canal to slow the flow of the water to create serenity in the English Garden. The move did slow down the water but it also created a whitewater rapid. The waves here are fierce and the water is cold, so it’s not for the faint hearted. If you would like to river surf closer to home, the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, Ga., supposedly has the longest stretch of urban whitewater in the world, about 2.5 miles. The Cartecay River in Ellijay also draws river surfers.”
George Graf of Palmyra, Va. recognized the photo: “An artificial wave in the Eisbach River at the southern tip of The Seehaus, which is in the center of the Englischer Garten in Munich, Germany.” Another person recognizing the photo was Lou Camiero of Llburn.
Allan Peel, San Antonio, Tex. wrote: “According to Wikipedia, the Eisbach (German for “ice brook”) is a small, 1.25 mile long, man-made tributary of the Isar River. The photo features a surfer on a standing wave called the Eisbachwelle (German for “Eisbach Wave”) that was created at the southernmost end of the tributary. The wave is about 3.3-feet high, in water that is less than 16-inches deep, making it only suitable for experienced surfers and whitewater kayakers. The water is quite cold and so surfers will typically wear wet suits as evident in the mystery photo.
“Wave surfing at this location has been a pastime for many folks since 1972, and several surfing competitions have been held there. However this activity has only been officially permitted by the authorities since 2010. More recently, the site has become home to a number of whitewater kayakers who also enjoy ‘shooting’ the standing wave.
“So far the number of kayakers are still relatively few, but there have been reports of fights breaking out between surfers and kayakers. The reason for the animosity between them stems from the fact that everyone must wait in line for their turn at the wave and the presence of the kayak boats strains the amount of space available to wait. Also, since this is a standing wave, it can be surfed for as long as one can hold their balance, and during busy times a queue of surfers forms on the bank of the river. It is far easier for a kayaker to maintain their balance than a surfer, and so the surfers feel that the kayakers take an extraordinary amount of time, beyond that which is considered fair to others who are waiting in line. As a result, tensions often mount between the two types of water sport enthusiasts.”
The Nutcracker by Gwinnett Ballet Theatre returns for its 39th annual production, to run December 6-22. Buy tickets by going to gwinnettballet.org/tickets or by calling 770 626 2464.
Tree Lighting in Norcross will be December 6 at 5:30 p.m. in Thrasher Park. Enjoy music from Norcross First United Methodist Church. The City of Norcross will once again be honored to have Norcross resident Steven Howington officially light the Christmas tree. For over 30 years, Howington, who has Down Syndrome, has lit the City of Norcross’ Christmas tree. Santa will be busy checking his list in his workshop in the park and will be available for photos. Enjoy free hot cocoa and cookies courtesy of the Norcross Masonic Lodge and the Norcross Lions Club, and s’mores courtesy of the City of Norcross. “Polar Express” will be playing on the big screen while you wait in line to meet Santa. A local group of Disney princess performers (as well as the one, the only, The Grinch) will also be on hand to add to the Christmas magic.
Job Fair: The Gwinnett County Department of Corrections is offering a job fair December 7 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Comprehensive Correctional Complex, 750 Hi Hope Road. The job fair will include a facility tour, background processing, role-playing scenarios and interview boards. Gwinnett offers benefits, paid training, educational incentives, tuition reimbursement and career advancement. Attendees are encouraged to apply online for the Correctional Officer position on www.gwinnettcountyjobs.com. To speed the process, applicants also should fill out a preliminary background packet at bit.ly/DOCBooklet before attending the event. Additional instructions will be emailed to candidates following completion of the application.
Real Snow in Duluth: Start the holiday season off right on December 7 with the annual Deck the Hall event on Duluth Town Green. Enjoy a giant snow slide, real snow playground, crafts, pictures with Santa, a train ride with Mrs. Claus and a laser show, all for free. The free event takes place on from 2-7 p.m.
Holiday Arts and Crafts Show will be at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center on December 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring local vendors selling handmade crafts, woodworking, jewelry, clothing and much more! There is no fee to attend the Holiday Arts and Crafts Show. However, Breakfast With Santa is $17 per person. To register for Breakfast with Santa, visit www.gwinnettEHC.com or call 678-765-4664.
An annual Christmas Pops concert by the Gwinnett Symphony Musical Arts Consortium will be Monday, December 9 at 7 p.m. at the Infinite Energy Theater, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. This is a family friendly event for all ages. Don’t miss this spectacular performance that is sure to entertain the hearts of all kids and every kid at heart! All children will be invited to the stage to conduct the orchestra in a whimsical “Sleigh Ride” led by The Grinch. Tickers at $13-$25.
Fall Commencement at Georgia Gwinnett College will be Thursday, December 12, at 10 a.m. at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth. Some 460 students are expected to graduate. Speaker will be senior nursing major Benjamin Coker.
Author Visit: Dale Cardwell’s debut book, Don’t Get Scammed: Get Smart! endeavors to empower consumers and expose scammers. In this consumer oriented handbook, the author shares his seven-step strategy to becoming a savvy consumer. This event is free and open to the public on December 12 at 7 p.m. at the Suwanee Branch Library, 361 Main Street in Suwanee.
Another author Visit: Children are invited to hear Author Nury Crawford reading from her latest book, Sofia and Vivi: Big Sister. This is a bilingual English/Spanish children’s book about two sisters and their family who are new to the United States. She will be at the Buford Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library, 2100 Buford Highway in Buford, on Saturday, December 14 at 10:30 a.m. The event is free, and the books will be available for purchase and signing.
Santa in the Garden will be Saturday, December 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Discovery Garden Park in Norcross. Join Santa for marshmallow roasting and hot cocoa around the fire pit!
Cookies and Cocoa with Santa will be on Saturday, December 14 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Duluth Festival Center (new location!). Free crafts, homemade cookies and hot cocoa will be available while supplies last. Letters to Santa are welcome. Professional pictures will be taken on site and later posted on the City of Duluth’s Facebook page for free download. Guests are asked to arrive early as Santa will leave promptly after the event to make it back to the North Pole.
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