GwinnettForum | Number 23.25 | March 29, 2024
FAMILY REUNIONS are one way Explore Gwinnett is promoting the county by filling hotel rooms in Gwinnett. The Freeman-Johnson family was all decked out in red t-shirts when they held a reunion in Gwinnett a few years back. Look for Gwinnett as a destination for more family gatherings because of its superior accommodations.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Duluth shifts to rolling carts for garbage on May 1
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Your good habits can be quite comforting
SPOTLIGHT: The Piedmont Bank
FEEDBACK: GwinnettForum comment made him guffaw!
UPCOMING: Gwinnett’s third Costco may come to Olympic site
NOTABLE: GGC launches fermentation science program
RECOMMENDED: History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Flint River flows unimpeded more than 200 miles
MYSTERY PHOTO: Where is this Fallen Heroes memorial located?
CALENDAR: Two Easter egg-hunts in Norcross on Saturday
Duluth shifts to rolling carts for garbage on May 1
By Talore Ruedt
DULUTH, Ga. | In partnership with Republic Services, the City of Duluth will upgrade its waste management system and begin using rolling carts for trash collection. Beginning May 1, 2024, Republic Services will implement the transition from designated trash bags to the standard rolling carts.
As of March 26, over 75 percent of residents have already received their new trash and recycling collection carts. All residents are expected to have their carts by April 1.
Republic Services’ decision to adopt cart-based trash collection within Duluth city limits was made in response to industry trends and safety considerations. The former purple bag system is being phased out industry-wide , plus staffing of two-man trucks has been increasingly difficult. Add in increased traffic concerns, making workers riding on the back of trucks more and more unsafe, so the benefits of this transition include increased capacity for larger households, enhanced recycling capabilities, and improved convenience in waste disposal.
Residents will find the rolling carts give them more capacity, are easier to get to the curb, keep odors contained and materials dry, and keep animals from getting into the trash.
In addition to the transition to cart-based trash collection, Republic Services will be implementing a change to its collection schedule. Starting April 29, weekly trash collection will be five days a week. To assist residents with the transition, Republic Services will be sending out postcards to every resident the week of April 15, providing details on their designated weekly pickup day. This notification will be sent to all residents, even if their pickup day remains unchanged. A color-coded map outlining the service days for each area will also be made available for reference on the City of Duluth website at //duluthga.net/trashservice.
Residents are reminded that cart collection will begin on May 1, 2024. Until then, the purple Duluth trash bags must continue to be used.
Still have questions? Mayor Greg Whitlock will be hosting a special edition of Connect Duluth on Monday, April 1 at 6 p.m.. Connect Duluth is a virtual meeting hosted on Facebook and Youtube where elected officials answer community questions. A representative from Republic Services will join Mayor Whitlock and they will be discussing all things trash! Learn more at //duluthga.net/connectduluth.
For more information on the transition and to review the frequently asked questions, residents are encouraged to visit the City of Duluth website at //duluthga.net/trashservice. The website offers translation options, allowing residents to access the information in over 70 languages.
Residents with further inquiries or in need of assistance are encouraged to contact Republic Services by emailing cityofduluth@republicservices.com
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Your good habits can be quite comforting
Via Unsplash
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
MARCH 29, 2024 | It’s not all bad that we are all creatures of habit. If nothing else, habits are comforting. You feel at home with some of your habits, relaxed and calm. You don’t feel threatened by them. They also give you a certain stability, guiding your life.
And all of us have habits, even some we don’t recognize.
But how often when you go to regular activities, do you find yourself sitting in the same area? We first recognized this at church, where you will most likely see your other regular attendees parking themselves in about the same place each time they attend. And should you attend another church as a visitor, you somehow gravitate to about the same location among the pews in that church.
Or you attend a Gwinnett Stripers game occasionally at Coolray Field. Don’t you sit in about the same area each time?
There’s nothing wrong with that. As stated above, it makes you comfortable.
The great scholars have written of habits. Gandhi elaborated:
“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.”
One of the most respected men of our country, Warren Buffett, cultivated habits that the rest of us should practice. His thoughts: “I insist on a lot of time being spent, almost every day, to just sit and think. That is very uncommon in American business. I read and think. So I do more reading and thinking, and make less impulse decisions than most people in business. I do it because I like this kind of life.”
Perhaps all of us should do more simple, quiet thinking. At the least, it won’t hurt us. (Try to do it in a quiet place, not in a car on a crowded highway. Thinking deep thoughts on the road might be dangerous.)
As for me, some of my best ideas come on those mornings when you wake up about 3 a.m., and find you can’t quickly go back to sleep. First thing you know, here you go off into tangents, some of them quite different. And from time to time, you come up with new ideas that you have not had before. Your job then is to remember them (or write them down then) in the morning.
Of course, many of us have less wholesome habits that can threaten our very lives. These are the habits we hope to break, but find it difficult. For some, it’s smoking, or drinking, or eating too much. For others it’s always being late, or acting harshly toward others. Often you are ashamed of these bad habits, but find that they seem to stay with you, no matter what you do. “An over-indulgence of anything, even something as pure as water, can intoxicate,” were the thoughts of modern author Criss Jami.
Working against your bad habits is the best thing you can do, but it is difficult. You just hope you can overcome them. But for most of us, that becomes something we must tackle over and over and over. But you must keep trying. It’s hard, as Samuel Johnson observed, ““The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.”
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The Piedmont Bank
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GwinnettForum comment made him guffaw!
Editor, the Forum:
Haven’t commented in quite a while on your fine publication!
But I actually guffawed out loud as I read Raleigh Perry’s article on news sources when he said “Not to be political” when he mentioned FOX News!
He had already been political with listing Huffington Post, Salon, The Daily Beast, CNN, MSNBC, etc.! And then (and I am not a defender of her) says “clacking-mouth of MTG”!
Ha!… “not to be political.” Yeah. Right.
– BJ Van Gundy, Peachtree Corners
Yes, B.J., welcome back. Glad he tickled your mind. At least we got a rise out of you–eeb
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Gwinnett’s third Costco may come to Olympic site
The former Olympic Tennis Center near Stone Mountain may become Gwinnett’s third Costco location. Costco has locations now in Duluth and Buford.
On Tuesday, Gwinnett commissioners set in motion the sale of the Stone Mountain Tennis Center site to Fuqua Acquisitions II, LLC for approximately $5.6 million. The sale will open the door to the site’s long-anticipated redevelopment.
The County acquired the 26-acre property in 2016 as an opportunity to revitalize the underused site and stimulate redevelopment in one of the major gateways into Gwinnett County. Through a competitive solicitation process, the county partnered with Fuqua Acquisitions II, LLC, to redevelop the property.
Last October, the land was rezoned for a regional mixed-use development that will encompass wholesale retail, four restaurants and multifamily residential, including 50 dedicated affordable housing units. The project is expected to create 520 permanent retail and dining jobs, and approximately 400 construction jobs will be created during the two-plus years the redevelopment will be in progress.
Community greenspace, transit enhancements and additional transportation improvements are amenities planned for the site.
Jeff Fuqua, principal of Fuqua Acquisitions II, LLC, says: “I am excited about this development and what it will mean for current and future residents to be able to access shopping, dining, and employment opportunities right in their backyard.”
Fuqua and its development partners will invest an estimated $158.8 million to redevelop the tennis center site. Fuqua Development is a real estate development firm specializing in urban retail mixed-use supercenters. The company has developed such notable local projects as Peachtree Corners Town Center and The Exchange @ Gwinnett near the Mall of Georgia, as well as the retail portion of The Battery at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves.
Deadline near for Gwinnett Youth Commission
High school-age students in Gwinnett County are invited to apply to the Gwinnett Youth Commission (GYC), a year-long leadership development program. GYC focuses on personal and professional development, civic engagement, and public service. Youth Commissioners are representative voices of the County’s youth and serve as representatives to elected officials.
The application deadline is Friday, April 5. Learn more and apply at GwinnettYouthCommission.com.
GGC launches fermentation science program
Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) has launched the first bachelor-level fermentation science program in Georgia and one of the few in the nation. The program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the rapidly expanding field of fermentation science.
Fewer than 20 bachelor-level fermentation programs are available in the U.S, mostly in Northern and Western states. GGC’s program is the first one south of North Carolina.
StillFire Brewing brewmaster Phil Farrell leads GGC fermentation science students on a tour. Provided.
Dr. Omar Villanueva, chair of GGC’s Chemistry Department, said the fermentation science concentration, offered through GGC’s Bachelor of Science in chemistry program, will provide students with a comprehensive curriculum encompassing the science, technology and business aspects of fermentation across various industries, including food and beverage production, pharmaceuticals, biofuels and more.
He says: “Fermentation is a fundamental process with countless applications, from producing craft beer and artisanal cheeses to developing life-saving pharmaceuticals. Our fermentation science concentration will provide students with a unique, interdisciplinary education that combines biology, chemistry, microbiology and business, preparing them for diverse career opportunities in this dynamic field.”
The curriculum will cover a range of topics, including microbial physiology, fermentation technology, quality control, product development, regulatory affairs and entrepreneurship. Students will also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through laboratory work, internships with industry partners and collaborative research projects.
The average salary of a fermentation scientist is $105,651 per year, according to the Glassdoor job and recruiting site.
Dr. Chavonda Mills, dean of GGC’s School of Science and Technology, says: “The fermentation concentration exemplifies our dedication to innovation in providing students with the education needed for outstanding career opportunities and meeting the evolving needs of industries. We are confident that graduates of this program will be well-equipped to make meaningful contributions to the fermentation field.”
Applications for the fermentation science concentration at Georgia Gwinnett College are now open for the upcoming academic year. Prospective students interested in pursuing a career in fermentation science are encouraged to apply and join the ranks of future industry leaders.
- For more information about the fermentation science concentration within GGC’s Bachelor of Science in chemistry program, visit www.ggc.edu/chemistrydegree.
Explore Gwinnett wins gold award for its visitors’ guide
Explore Gwinnett has earned a Gold Award as part of the 32nd Annual North American Travel Journalists Awards (NATJA) Competition in the visitors’ guide (printed or digital) or website category. The destination marketing organization for Gwinnett County was recognized for the Explore Gwinnett Magazine, which it produces annually in partnership with Atlanta Magazine Custom Publishing.
The Explore Gwinnett Magazine is an annual publication highlighting the unique attributes and experiences that Metro Atlanta offers. The publication features a team of 11 contributors who work together to capture the essence of Gwinnett County’s charm in compelling stories. Visitors can read the digital edition of the magazine HERE.
Lisa Anders, executive director of Explore Gwinnett, says: “We take immense pride in our visitor magazine as it showcases the rich tapestry of experiences our vibrant destination has to offer. Each page is meticulously crafted, and it brings me great joy to see our team and our partners at Atlanta Magazine recognized for the unwavering dedication that went into producing this year’s 87-page publication.”
- For more information on Explore Gwinnett, visit ExploreGwinnett.org. Stay up-to-date on the latest news by following @ExploreGwinnett on Instagram or ExploreGwinnett on Facebook.
History of the World in 6 Glasses, by Tom Standag
From Rick Krause, Lilburn: The book was from a friend’s de-cluttering. I didn’t think I would be interested, but I’m glad that I read it. It is an utterly fascinating read, non-fiction of course. Although I didn’t think much could be made of the subject, the history of beer, wine, spirits, tea, coffee, and Coca Cola, but there was plenty. The author delved into the history of the drinks in detail, and pulled from it, the history of mankind at the time(s). In it he described Greek and Roman history, Asia, and the Western world as it related to the various drinks. Regarding tea only, the author states that the independence of America (Boston tea party) and the ruin of China (Opium wars) was the legacy of tea’s influence on British imperial policy and on the course of world history. And there’s much more! I rate it as highly recommended.
- An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send us your recent selection, along with a short paragraph (150 words) as to why you liked this, plus what you plan to visit or read next. Send to: elliott@brack.net
Flint River flows unimpeded more than 200 miles
The Flint River, which stretches from the Piedmont to the Chattahoochee River in southwest Georgia, is one of only 40 rivers in the nation’s contiguous 48 states that flow unimpeded for more than 200 river miles.
The length of the river depends on how one defines length: a boater would cover nearly 350 miles in the Flint’s meandering channel within a basin measuring only 212 miles in length. The river passes through two power-generating lakes—Lake Blackshear near Cordele and Lake Chehaw near Albany—before it meets the Chattahoochee River 265 miles downstream from its headwaters at the Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam and creates Lake Seminole in the southwest corner of the state. The single river that leaves Lake Seminole is known as the Apalachicola, which flows through Florida to the Gulf of Mexico.
The Flint River has an unusual source. It begins as groundwater seepage in west central Georgia at what is today the mouth of a concrete culvert on the south side of Virginia Avenue in Hapeville, an Atlanta suburb. The water that collects there quickly disappears under the runways of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as it flows southward through the culvert. It is joined by water from such tributaries as Sullivan, Mud, and Camp creeks. Fifty miles downstream, this water has transformed itself into one of Georgia’s most scenic and diverse rivers. Near Culloden, the Flint crosses the fall line, dropping 400 feet over the next fifty miles as it journeys down the Coastal Plain.
Between the Flint’s urban beginning and its reservoir ending, its watershed—which includes the cities of Jonesboro, Thomaston, Montezuma, Marshallville, Cordele, Americus, Albany, and Bainbridge—drains some 8,460 square miles. This watershed can be divided into three distinct regions, the Upper, Middle, and Lower Flint, based on landscape, channel characteristics, flora, and fauna.
(To be continued)
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Where is this Fallen Heroes memorial located?
Today’s mystery is a memorial to fallen heroes, so the question becomes, where is it? Make this identification to win our prize of your name in print in the next issue. Send your thoughts to elliott@brack.net and include your hometown.
Jay Altman of Columbia, S.C. was among the many who who both identified the recent Mystery Photo and provided the recent story. She wrote: “It’s the Marshall Point Light in Port Clyde, Maine. In the Tom Hanks movie, Forrest Gump, Forrest ended his cross-country run on the walkway leading from the lightkeeper’s house to the light itself.”
Others getting it right included Kay Montgomery, Duluth; Stew Ogilvie, Lawrenceville; Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill; and Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex., who added that the Marshall Point Lighthouse was first established in 1832 to assist boats entering and leaving Port Clyde Harbor. The original lighthouse was a 20-foot tower lit by seven lard oil lamps with 14-inch reflectors. This tower was replaced with the present structure in 1857. Now it is a 31-foot tall white brick tower on a granite foundation. The original keeper’s house was destroyed by lightning in 1895 and replaced with the Colonial Revival style house shown in today’s mystery photo. The lighthouse was automated in 1980 and the original Fresnel lens was replaced with a modern set of 12 inch optics.”
Editor adds: “Seems like others sent answers but we can’t find them. If so, let us know.”
- 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.
Two Easter egg-hunts in Norcross on Saturday
The traditional Easter egg hunt at Rossie Brundage Park in Norcross will be Saturday, March 30. There will be two hunts, the first at 10 a.m. with surprises and photo opportunities. The second will be an Eggs-tra Special Needs hunt at 1 p.m., offering an inclusive experience with assistive devices and beeping eggs. Both events are free and sponsored by the City of Norcross.
Snellville Commerce Club will meet Tuesday, April 2, at noon at the City Hall. Speaker will be Nick Masino, president of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and of Partnership Gwinnett.
Nutrition for a Healthy Life Series will be April 9 at 11 a.m. at the Duluth Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Learn about healthy lifestyle changes and healthy recipes to cook. This program will have Korean translation available.
Authors to visit: Bestselling authors Denny S. Bryce and Eliza Knight discuss their new book, Can’t We Be Friends, a novel that uncovers a friendship between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe. This will take place on Tuesday, April 9, at the Snellville Branch of Gwinnett Public Library at 7 p.m.
Memoir Writing Workshop will be at the Five Forks Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library on April 10, 17 and 24. The event will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Learn how your experiences and life lessons can entertain and inspire others in this 3-part writing course taught by local author Fran Stewart.
Wills Legal Clinic will be April 13 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Lilburn Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Get free assistance with filling out a will form and advance directive. Attorneys will be available. Registration is required as space is limited.
Gwinnett Republicans will have an April 13 breakfast meeting at 70 Boulderbrook Circle in Lawrenceville at 8 a.m. Candidates expected to attend include Arefeen Chowdhury, Justice Nwaigwe, B.T. Parker, Tim Le and Elvia Davila. Purchase Chick-fil-A breakfast tickets in advance at purchase@www.GwinneettRepublicans.org.
Author appearance: Laura Elizabeth discusses her debut cozy mystery book, All is Now Lost, rooted in the South Carolina Lowcountry home of Carr Jepson and her Books & Brew bookstore – where teas are not the only things brewing. She will appear on April 16 at 7 p.m. at the Lawrenceville Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library.
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