GwinnettForum | Number 22.58 | August 11, 2023
NEW SIGNAGE REFLECTS the new name of the corridor linking the City of Lawrenceville to Georgia Gwinnett College. It’s now “Grizzly Parkway,” replacing “Collins Hill Road” within the city. GGC President Jann Joseph and Lawrenceville Mayor David Still show off the new signs while in lift buckets. The renaming of the road reflects the city’s close association with Georgia Gwinnett College, which was founded in 2006 as the first four-year college established in over a century and the first four-year public college created in the USA in the 21st century. Over the years, the City of Lawrenceville has been a staunch supporter of GGC athletics, embracing the college’s athletic teams nickname, “The Grizzlies.”
TODAY’S FOCUS: Sit back and watch the birds that come into your yard
EEB PERSPECTIVE: It’s real! Gwinnett tops one million people as of June 15
SPOTLIGHT: Comet National Shipping
FEEDBACK: Now we want your thoughts on the problem
UPCOMING: Gwinnett’s 2023 property tax bills are in the mail
NOTABLE: Jackson EMC communications wins national recognition
RECOMMENDED: Eucharistic Miracles of the World by Rafaello Martinelli
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Contaminated soils are improved by bio-remediation
MYSTERY PHOTO: Here’s a different photograph to identify this time
LAGNIAPPE: Gwinnett sets new record in national awards program
CALENDAR: Peachtree Corners’ Light Up the Corners road race will be August 11-12.
Sit back and watch the birds that come into your yard
Carolina wren, via Unsplash.
By Raleigh Perry
AUG. 11, 2023 | The other day, I just saw my first black and white warbler. It came to a perch not two feet away from me, like it wanted to talk. It is an incredibly beautiful bird. Where I live, it is a migratory bird, so I will not see many of them.
Perry
I took an online test about birds and got nine out of ten questions right. I missed the European Starling, which is one bird that does not make my yard as part of their habitat.
Red-breasted grosbeak
Being a migratory bird basically means that they are not a year-round in attendance, but that they go from one place to another, depending on the seasons and just chanced upon my feeder. Some fly great distances in a year, migrating from South America to the Arctic. The black and white warbler has a territory that goes from pretty far north of and then all the way to Peru.
My favorite bird is the Carolina Wren. It is your basic brown, but it is small, spunky, gutsy, afraid of nothing and will nest in about anything where it can find a spot. Unlike most birds, it sings all year and is an all-year bird here in Gwinnett. It is very friendly bird. It will sit on a fence post near where I am and sing its heart out. It has a strong voice and warbles many songs.
Black-and-white warbler
Watching it on the fence post, it will sing its song of the day first in one direction, then change direction, then change direction yet again, singing all the time. It is very tame: it will eat out of your hand.
The secret of watching birds is to sit in one place, and simply be quiet. There is one place in my yard where I smoke my pipe and watch them all. You hardly ever see Carolina Wren when their tail is not up. The Carolina Wren can be a hundred yards away, yet it will sound like it is right in front to you. So far, I did not mention several bird species. Coming into my yard, I have blue birds, gold finches, house finches, purple finches, and it seems like a zillion more named birds.
Bald-headed cardinal
The birds are molting out of their mating colors as I write. I have a bald-headed Cardinal and another cardinal whose feathers look like he has been in a fight with a cat and won. My Goldfinches are changing color and soon you will not be able to tell the males from the females. I always look forward to the males molting for mating.
I get a kick out of the man who writes about birds in the AJC. We have different experiences. I am not a bird watcher per se, I enjoy watching them to find out their natures.
Think about the birds and the butterflies. Sit in your own yard, or in a park, and you will see plenty of birds and butterflies. Study their habits and migratory patterns. They take my mind off politics. While the black and white warbler has a huge migratory territory, so do the butterflies and they take treks of thousands of miles twice a year.
Sit still and be quiet. You will enjoy and be amazed at what you see and hear from the birds.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
It’s real! Gwinnett tops 1 million people as of June 15
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
AUG.11, 2023 | For years, Gwinnett officials and even its citizens have been realizing that with the population growing in the county, Gwinnett would some day total 1,000,000 people.
Now based on the April 1, 2023, population estimates by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), released this week, Gwinnett now has 1 million residents. We figure that the 1,000,000th person moved into the county on June 15, 2023. One of your new neighbors may be that person!
The ARC’s population estimate as of April 1, 2023, shows that Gwinnett on that date had 997,212 people. That was up from the 2022 population estimate by 13,510 people from the 983,702 residents of 2022.
Gwinnett’s change in population for 2023 is only 1.4 percent, but the total number of people moving in is second in the 11 county Metro Atlanta population area at 13,510.
Here’s how we came about that when the county reached a million people. With the new population totals as of April 1, Gwinnett needed only 2,788 more residents to reach 1 million citizens, according to the ARC figures. With its past year’s growth at 13,510 people, that averaged out to 1,125 per month. If that same growth has continued, it would take 2.4 months to reach the million figure.
That means that the date Gwinnett County became 1,000,000 residents was June 15, 2023.
And if that same growth rate still applies, with today being August 11, Gwinnett now totals 1,002,140 people!
Most Gwinnett residents won’t be astounded by that figure. They see more crowded conditions everywhere, and see people moving in all the time. The single-family and the multi-family housing continues to be red-hot, and as they build more housing units, more people fill them, so one million people makes sense!
All these newcomers gotta go somewhere!
Fulton County is the most populated county in Georgia, now having 1,105,670 residents. It also grew the fastest in the last year as it counted 18,500 more citizens, a 1.7 percent growth rate.
Why so much growth in Fulton? It’s because Fulton is a big county geographically, the largest in Metro Atlanta, with 534 square miles, compared to 437 square miles for Gwinnett. And it has lots of vacant land still, primarily in south Fulton County, while its north Fulton area is filling fastest around the towns of Alpharetta and Milton. Remember, too, that Fulton is today made up from three counties, when two counties went bankrupt during the Depression. Milton County (on the north) and Campbell County on the south were consolidated into Fulton.
About 45 years ago, doing what many from around here do, our family had a big trip, as we like to say, “Out West.” We traveled up through Kentucky and Missouri, on to Kansas (I thought we would never get out of Kansas), via Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho and on to Oregon, before heading back on a more southerly route.
In those days, Gwinnett had about 150,000 people. While driving in Colorado, we all became excited when we spotted another automobile from Gwinnett County! Since then, I suspect more local travelers to distant parts of our country see more and more cars with a Gwinnett license plate. It might not even excite them, as it becomes more common. But even last year, in a parking lot of the Bucksport bridge across the Penobscot River, in what is uncrowded Maine, we saw another vehicle with a Gwinnett license plate.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Comet National Shipping
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Now we want your thoughts on the problem
Editor, the Forum:
OK, the problem has been discussed.
Now let’s hear some solutions. If anyone has an idea about how this country is going to recover, without a civil war, I´m sure many people would be interested. Let us all hear your thoughts. We will thank you for your efforts.
— Mike Eberlein, Peachtree Corners
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, and include your hometown. The views of letters are the opinion of the contributor. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Send feedback and letters to: elliott@brack.net.
Gwinnett’s 2023 property tax bills are in the mail
The 2023 Gwinnett property tax bills were being mailed starting Thursday, August 10. The bills are due to be paid October 15, says Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner Denise R. Mitchell.
As of August 10, taxpayers will be able to view, print and pay their bills online with an e-check, credit card or debit card at www.GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com/Pay.
Mitchell encourages citizens to pay their property taxes online.
She says: “Paying online with an e-check is safe, secure, easy and free. It is the best way for Gwinnett citizens to pay their property tax bills. It eliminates concerns about mail delivery, the need to stand in line, use gas or look for postage.” Payments made online with debit and credit cards incur added convenience fees. The debit card fee is $3.95. The fee for using credit cards and PayPal is 2.25 percent of the total paid.
Individuals who sold homes this year will still receive a tax bill, along with the buyer – click here to learn why. Although mortgage companies have access to property tax information, owners with tax escrow accounts are responsible for ensuring their taxes are paid on time.
Aurora Theatre presents The Carole King Musical next
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is set to take the Aurora Theatre Grand Stage from August 17 to September 17. The Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical revue features classic Carole King hits like You’ve Got a Friend, One Fine Day, Up on the Roof, On Broadway and Natural Woman as the audience follows the legendary songwriter on a journey through her illustrious career.
This touching rock-n-roll story is brought to life with a cast of top local actors. Carole King is played by Bethany Irby, who recently returned to Atlanta after a six year stay in India. Carole’s husband, Gerry Goffin, is played by Ben Thorpe. Rounding out the cast is Chloe Cordle as Cynthia Well, Jon Hacker as Barry Man, Cory Phelps as Don Kirshner and Jennifer Pagnard as Genie Klein.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays.
Remember, the City of Lawrenceville’s free Parking Deck is attached to the Lawrenceville Arts Center at 153 Crogan Street in Lawrenceville.
Suwanee Art Center Member’s Exhibit will be Aug. 12
Rene and Celia Gonzalez of Lawrenceville are the winner of best in show category for the previous exhibit of the summer.
The Suwanee Arts Center invites the community to its Saturday, August 12, Member’s Exhibit opening reception. The exhibit features a diverse collection of art from paintings, graphite drawings, mixed media, fiber, and photography. Approximately 50 participating artists are exhibiting over 105 new pieces of art on display.
This Exhibit is sponsored by Top Shelf Beverage, the city of Suwanee, the Gwinnett Creativity Fund and Suwanee Towne Florist.
Saturday’s reception will also feature the ‘world premier’ of two short films created by the Suwanee Art Center summer campers. The Clay-mation stop motion animation camp produced the film Bethany for President and the Junior Filmmakers camp created the short film, Moonlight.
Annandale plans 10th annual Extra Mile runs Aug. 26
It’s time to lace up those athletic shoes once again and get moving for a great cause! Annandale Village’s 10th Annual Extra Mile 5K and One Mile Run/Walk is about to hit the streets, beginning 8 a.m. on August 26 in Suwanee Town Center.
Happiness lives at Annandale Village, which is the only nonprofit in the southeastern U.S. providing progressive life assistance to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities or acquired brain injuries. From community-based independent living to on-campus independent and semi-independent housing, all the way up through assisted living and skilled nursing, Annandale allows these extraordinary individuals to achieve life goals and maintain independence in the least restrictive environment possible.
Proceeds from the Extra Mile runs go directly to Annandale’s operations.
Along with running, walking or wheeling the 5K or one mile options, there is also a virtual option. People of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate, and leashed dogs are also invited (dog water bowls will be stationed along the course).
Annandale Village CEO and President Adam Pomeranz says: “With it being our 10th anniversary, we’d love for this to be our largest event to date. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather and a great turnout!”
- You can learn more about the Extra Mile 5K and One Mile Run/Walk at annandale.org/extramile5K.
Jackson EMC communications wins national recognition
Jackson EMC’s communication department was recently recognized for its outstanding work during the Cooperative Communicators Association’s (CCA) annual national awards ceremony.
Jackson EMC’s monthly member publication, JEMCO News, won second place in the large member publication category. Judges said, JEMCO News is “a very personable publication that has personality and an accurate tone.” Jackson EMC communication team members honored with these awards included: Eden Bentley, Karen Ewing, Wendy Jones, Dekotah Mathis and Kerri Testement.
The co-op also received an honorable mention in the documentary video category for a video featuring former board member Bill Carpenter and his observations over several decades of serving Jackson EMC members. Judges said Carpenter’s “perspective and insights added depth and credibility to the video, making it a worthwhile and meaningful viewing experience.”
Professional communicators representing more than 40 cooperatives from across the U.S. and Canada submitted nearly 400 entries in this year’s competition. The awards recognize the best in writing, photography, programs and projects, and publications.
Eucharistic Miracles of the World, by Rafaello Martinelli
From Karen J. Harris, Stone Mountain: This book is a version of an exhibition that presents eucharistic miracles that have taken place throughout the world over centuries all over the world. All evidence of the Host being the sacred body of the Lord Jesus Christ have been fully researched including one case where the blood that was seeping, was tested and found to be AB-negative. Reading the reports of the different events is very compelling and will support the faith of devout Catholics and even in two cases, reversed the atheism of one. Equally compelling are accounts of Saints who experienced encounters with Christ through the Eucharist. Among these are St. Catherine of Siena, St. John Bosco, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Mary of Egypt, and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Rich with history, researched accounts, and gorgeous visuals, it is a journey through faith and hope for all of us living in the world today.
- An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Contaminated soils are improved by bioremediation
Many types of soil and water pollutants that pose a serious risk to human and environmental health can be removed through a process known as phytoremediation. Phytoremediation is a type of bioremediation (the removal of toxins from the environment using microorganisms) in which plants are used to break down and remove unwanted or dangerous toxins and contaminants that might otherwise persist in the environment for hundreds or thousands of years.
Soil and water can become contaminated through pesticide use, oil and chemical spills, and improper disposal of chemicals and industrial waste. Additionally, many chemicals can seep into groundwater and spread great distances from the original site of contamination. These contaminants are often harmful to humans and other life forms, as they can cause cancer, blindness, loss of organ function, severe illness, and death.
Traditional cleanup of contaminated soil is expensive and difficult because it usually involves the physical removal of all toxic soil from the site. The soil is then cleaned in a factory and returned to the site, or new soil is brought in to replace the old. This arduous process has led scientists to seek a more economical and natural method of cleanup that does not involve the removal and replacement of soil.
The bioengineered techniques of phytoremediation offer cleanup solutions that can be applied to large areas and are less expensive and less destructive to the environment than conventional physical removal methods. While bioremediation involves placing specific kinds of bacteria or fungi directly into the soil or water, phytoremediation (“phyto” is derived from the Greek word for “plant”) involves transferring specific genetic traits found in bacteria and fungi directly into trees or other plants. The genetically altered plants are then placed in the soil or water, where they take up specific contaminants and either store them or transform them into less harmful forms.
Transgenic plants can be designed to clean up specific toxins, depending upon the type of pollutant present at the site. For organic pollutants, or those that contain carbon, plants can be engineered either to degrade the compound themselves or to provide nutrients and support to the microorganisms that do the work. Inorganic pollutants, which consist mainly of metals, can be absorbed from soil or water and then stored within the plant.
Because of its potential usefulness, phytoremediation has been the subject of much research. The genetics and forestry departments at the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens are working together to develop plants that can clean up soils contaminated with such metals as mercury and arsenic. People suffering from mercury or arsenic poisoning may experience nausea, vomiting, pain, altered states of mind, or be at increased risk of developing several forms of cancer, so this area of research has many potential benefits for human health. As of 2009 researchers at UGA had succeeded in making eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) trees capable of growing in mercury-contaminated soils. These trees convert the mercury into forms that are less harmful to humans, animals, or other plants.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Here’s a different photograph to identify this time
Today’s mystery is, yes, a photograph, though the setting is somewhat irregular. That’s all we’ll say, but surely some readers will easily recognize where this photograph was taken, and will inform us. If you think you know the answer, send to elliott@brack.net, and include where you live.
The last Mystery Photo was difficult, and few people got it. But some recognized it, including Fran Worrall of Lawrenceville, who wrote: “Not sure about this Mystery Photo, but I’m going to take a stab at it. I think it might be Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam, which consists of a dense cluster of more than 1,500 limestone monolithic islands rising from the water, each topped with thick jungle vegetation. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves. The limestone in the bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments resulting in enormous geo-diversity. Hạ Long Bay is home to 14 endemic floral species and 60 endemic faunal species.” Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
She is right. The photo came from Paige Havens of Hoschton, after a recent trip to Vietnam.
Others recognizing this mystery include Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill; George Graf, Palmyra, Va.; Lou Camerio, Lilburn; and Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex.
- SHARE A MYSTERY PHOTO: If you have a photo that you believe will stump readers, send it along (but make sure to tell us what it is because it may stump us too!) Send to: elliott@brack.net and mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
Gwinnett sets new record in national awards program
Receiving the 2023 Best in Category Achievement Award are Chairwoman Nicole L. Hendrickson, Community Services Director Tina Fleming and District 3 Commissioner Jasper Watkins, III. At the left is Denise Winfrey, Chairwoman if NACo.
Gwinnett County is once again being recognized as a national benchmark community – with more than 20 ways to prove it. The county won a record-breaking 22 National Association of Counties Achievement Awards for various programs implemented in 2022 – exceeding its previous record of 11 awards last year, which at the time was the highest award count the county had received since the program began in 1970.
The winning programs include Gwinnett’s Mobile Food Distribution program, Black History Month exhibit, the county’s online donation app and its watershed cleanup. The County also received the Best in Category Achievement Award for the mobile food program. A full list of Gwinnett’s 2023 NACo Achievement Award-winning projects can be found on NACo’s website.
Light Up the Corners road race will be Aug. 11-12
Light Up the Corners in Peachtree Corners will be held two nights, Friday and Saturday, August 11-12. This is a four mile run and twilight trot, to benefit the Robert D. Fowler YMCA. They begin at the Forum, 5145 Peachtree Parkway, at 5:30 p.m. both nights. For more details, visit https://lightupthecorners.com
The Lionheart Theatre Company will support Project Chimps by hosting an evening of entertainment featuring song and dance, comedy, theater, and DRAG QUEENS. Attend its Bananarama II production, This Time It’s for Fun! This will be on August 11-12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lionheart Theatre, 10 College Street in Norcross. Come out for a night of fun and to support a great cause – learn more at projectchimps.org. Note that this event is appropriate for ages 16+ and is not for kids!
Author Talk: Come hear Terah Shelton Harris speak about her debut novel on Tuesday, August 15, at 7 p.m. a the Lawrenceville Branch of Gwinnett Public Library. She will talk of her book, One Summer in Savannah, a story about motherhood, unconditional love, and forgiveness. Books will be available for sale and signing.
Supplier Networking: Gwinnett County’s 15th annual Supplier Network Event will be Wednesday, August 16, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Gas South Convention Center, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. Prospective business vendors are invited to drop in and meet with buyers and contracting officers from 14 county departments, Gwinnett County Public Schools, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia and other metro counties and cities. For more information, call 770-822-8723.
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