JORO RESEARCH: Georgia Gwinnett College Professor of Biological Sciences Dr. James Russell and Nicholas Mizera have found that the Joro spider, which is taking over much of Gwinnett County and beyond, is infected with Wolbachia Bacteria. Wolbachia is considered by some the most infectious bacteria in the world of insects. For more details, see Notable below. (Photo by Daniel Melograna.)
TODAY’S FOCUS: You can help suffering hurricane victims
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Some scary thoughts should the wrong person win
SPOTLIGHT: Mingledorff’s
FEEDBACK: Feels “the fix is in” about transit referendum
UPCOMING: 11th annual Suwanee Wine Fest coming Nov. 2
NOTABLE: GGC team studying Joro spider genetic make-up
RECOMMENDED: The Tragedy of Hamlet, by William Shakespeare
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Nellie Black organized women for improvements
MYSTERY PHOTO: Who is this person immortalized in stone?
LAGNIAPPE: Movie location overkill in traffic cones?
CALENDAR: Gwinnett Ballet Theatre presents Dracula Oct. 18-20
You can help suffering hurricane victims
Devastation wrought in North Carolina by Hurricane Helene. Image by N.C. Department of Transportation via Wikimedia Commons.
By Randy Brunson
SUWANEE, Ga. | Hurricane Helene ranks as one of the worst natural disasters to ever have hit the Southeast United States. And it has devastated western North Carolina. Then in the last several days, Hurricane Milton has swept across Florida. According to reports we have read, continuing rescue efforts are being led by local and state residents, and a variety of non-profit organizations and church related organizations. It’s good to see neighbors helping neighbors.
Brunson
Several have asked if we had a list of organizations which you could give to, which are directly involved in restoration efforts in North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. The following list is not at all exhaustive. But it does include organizations which are on the ground, making a difference. You are welcome to use this list for your hurricane assistance giving, and be part of our communities helping our neighbor.
Samaritan’s Purse – You can both give and volunteer through their website, which is www.samaritanspurse.org
Hearts With Hands – This is a faith-based organization based in Asheville N.C. Find it at www.heartswithhands.org
Mountain Pet Rescue – For those of you who have a heart for pets, this is a pet rescue organization based in western North Carolina. You can find them at www.mountainpetrescueavl.org
Presbyterian Church of America – The PCA is one of several large church organizations with a significant presence in the Southeast. You can give to their disaster relief efforts through their website at www.pcamna.org
Southern Baptist Convention – The SBC is another church organization with a strong presence in the Southeast. In addition, they have had disaster relief teams in place at local churches for decades. You can give to their disaster relief efforts through their website at www.sendrelief.org
Assist International – Assist is a non-profit based in California with a worldwide reach. We know many people involved with Samaritan’s Purse, the SBC and the PCA and have every confidence these organizations are on the ground making a difference. In the case of Assist, we have had direct involvement with the organization. We can speak to both the heart and the operational acumen of those involved when it comes to relief efforts. Give through their website at www.assistinternational.org
Episcopal Relief and Development has updated its Hurricane Relief resources to include Hurricane Helene and Milton. It is not only about places that have been impacted, it is about people, wherever they may find themselves after the storm. Donate here.
Gwinnett Salvation Army: One hundred percent of what you give goes to this hurricane relief program. Go to www.helpsalvationarmy.org.
American Red Cross: You can help others through contributions to the Red Cross through this site.
Whatever you give, people you will never know in need from the storm damage will be thanking you for your generosity.
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Some scary thoughts should the wrong person win
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
OCT. 18, 2024 | Though we feel Vice President Kamala Harris will win the presidency with a big majority of the popular vote, the Electoral College still gives great strength to one candidate with a minority of votes.
There are 538 votes in the Electoral College. That means the winning candidate must get at least one more vote than half, or 270 electoral votes, to become president. Therefore, if a candidate sweeps the smaller states, and wins one or two key states, either candidate could become president in the Electoral College. We recognize that a minority of the popular vote could seat the next president of the United States.
If that were to happen, with all the bombast ex-President Donald Trump has hammered at the American people for years, you wonder if the democracy can survive.
Yes, we would hate to face four more years with Trump/Vance in the saddle, but our nation has survived questionable presidents, and questionable candidates before. One such radical was the populist, Tom Watson of Georgia, who some compare with an earlier-day Trump. But he didn’t remain popular for long, and the nation survived.
If there is one word that comes to mind with Trump in charge, it is “chaos.” We see nothing but all-out chaos should Trump be elected. He has stated time and time again that he would impose such frightful tactics as deporting many immigrants, even to the point of using the military against them. He has announced over and over that he would fire many current civil servants who do not stand the test of being a loyalist to his cause. He has said publicly that he would transform the presidency into a dictatorship—at least for a day. That worries us!
Think of what would happen in the financial arena! Do you think your money is safe with Trumpists in charge of fiscal policy? With chaos predominant, what would the economy do? We can’t see it continuing as it is now to being successful, which should cause all of us more worries.
Would you see your money and investments virtually disappear in one way or the other, through less value of the dollar, or the stock market falling, and your IRA losing value.
Who’s to say Trump wouldn’t raid the Social Security system, and cause it to fail before the end of his term. That would drastically harm lots of people, primarily senior citizens!
Then there’s the problem of the physical health, and certainly the mental health, of the 78-year-old Trump. Even his aides say he is not as sharp as he once was. We get reports almost on a daily basis, of his pomposity and rants not making sense. Even his own staff, try as hard as they may, can’t seem to keep him on track. Think how hard it must be to try to give him any advice about what to do? Do you think he listens to anyone? Do you ever think he has been told “No” in all his years?
Summing it up, we can see how the American people are frightened, downright scared, and overwhelmed with another four years of Trump. And that’s not even taking in consideration what his running mate, JD Vance, might try to pull off should Trump no longer be on the scene.
So we are pulling for Kamala Harris to be our next president. She’s steady. She’s not scary. Who would have thought it would be this frightening should the wrong guy win?
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Mingledorff’s
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s featured sponsor is Mingledorff’s, an air conditioning distributor of the Carrier Air Conditioning Company. Mingledorff’s corporate office is located at 6675 Jones Mill Court in Norcross Ga. and is proud to be a sponsor of the Gwinnett Forum. With 40 locations in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and South Carolina, Mingledorff’s is the convenient local source with a complete line for the quality heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration parts and supplies you need to service and install HVAC/R equipment. Product lines include Carrier, Bryant, Payne, Totaline and Bard.
- For all of your HVAC needs, and information on the products Mingledorff’s sells, visit www.mingledorffs.com and www.carrier.com.
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Feels “the fix is in” about transit referendum
Editor, the Forum:
The fix is in. Once again Gwinnett County is putting before us a referendum vote to add a special one percent tax to bring more public transportation to the county. The powers that be in Gwinnett County absolutely refuse to take NO for an answer. There have been four previous votes on transit, which took place in 1971, 1990, 2019 and 2020. And now again in 2024.
Notice the increasingly less time it takes for them to decide we really didn’t mean it? Each time the referendum aimed to add the one percent sales tax for up to 30 years. When we vote no, will our NO last 30 years? Absolutely not. It appears our democracy is only in effect when the people who vote agree with those in power.
Personally, when I decided to move to the Atlanta area, one of the reasons I chose to live in Gwinnett was to live void of public transportation and the higher taxes and problems that come with it.
So if you really want public transportation, move to Fulton, or DeKalb. They have plenty, so please, go be happy. Everybody else? Please vote “No” to the referendum this election season. And again when they try to shove it down our throats again in four years!
– David Simmons, Norcross
Dear David: You are wrong on at least one aspect. Each of the previous votes on transit had a five-year limit. By approving a 30 year transit sales tax, Gwinnett will not have to join MARTA, but can fund all the equipment, stations and road improvements and direct all from the county level. It also calls for $3 Microtransit rides throughout the county, for the many residents without their own transportation. A key feature will be direct routes from Gwinnett to the Atlanta Airport hourly. And talking about taxes, the 2023 tax rate for unincorporated areas in the Metro Atlanta counties is Clayton, 12.36 mills; Cobb 8.46 mills; DeKalb, 17.394 mills; Fulton, 8.872 mills; and Gwinnett, 6.450 mills. To read the source for this information, go to this site.–eeb
Thanks for uplifting story on Allentown
Editor, the Forum:
Regarding your article, Little Allentown sends help to Hazlehurst, “Little” Allentown has a big heart! What a wonderful and inspiring account of neighbors coming together and helping each other. Thank you for this uplifting article at a time when we all really need some encouraging news.
— Elizabeth Truluck Neace, Dacula
Elections should turn on who’s best qualified
Editor, the Forum:
Election endorsements should always be based on who’s the best qualified to do the job for the position they are running for regardless of race and gender.
– Karen Sanchez, Lawrenceville
Dear Karen: We agree. –eeb
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: ebrack2@gmail.com.
11th annual Suwanee Wine Fest coming Nov. 2
Raise your glass and get ready to sip, swirl, and savor at the 11th annual Suwanee Wine Fest on November 2. Whether you’re a seasoned sommelier or just enjoy a good pour, this festival is a great opportunity to explore an array of exquisite wines, enjoy gourmet bites, and dance to live music at the scenic Suwanee Town Center.
This year’s Suwanee Wine Fest offers wine lovers a chance to indulge in a global journey of flavors, sampling over 150 premium wines meticulously curated by TopShelf Beverage. From the crispest rosés to the boldest Cabernets, there’s a pour for every palate. The event runs from 1 to 4:30 p.m., with VIP guests enjoying early access starting at noon.
Beer aficionados won’t be left out, as craft beer samples from Crooked Culture Brewing and StillFire Brewing will be available at the Taco Mac Tailgate Tent, where you can catch live college football games on TV. Plus, ready-to-drink cocktails will be on-hand to keep the festivities lively.
The Suwanee Wine Fest isn’t just about the wine. Attendees can groove to live music by the band Reckless, explore distinctive products from local vendors and artists, and savor food from local food trucks. There is also a grape stomping station.
A portion of the proceeds from the 2024 Suwanee Wine Fest will support Annandale Village, a Suwanee-based organization dedicated to assisting adults with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injuries.
Tickets are on sale at SuwaneeWineFest.com.
- General Admission is $65: Enjoy unlimited wine and beer samples, ready-to-drink cocktails, live entertainment, delicious food for purchase, and a variety of vendor activities.
- VIP Admission is $150: Gain early access at noon and enjoy all General Admission perks plus exclusive entry to the private dining and tasting tent catered by Marlow’s Tavern, and a VIP goody bag featuring the official 2024 Suwanee Wine Fest T-shirt and souvenir wine glass.
County employees getting a 5.3% pay increase
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Tuesday approved a 5.3 percent market adjustment for eligible county employees that also raises starting pay and increases the pay ranges in both the current salary structure and the public safety step-structured plans. The adjustment is retroactive to September 28.
With recruitment a continuing challenge in the local strong job market, officials believe raising pay will aid in attracting qualified candidates to fill vacancies.
Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson voiced the concern of the board: “For several years now, I have emphasized the importance of bold compensation to maintain our status as a top public sector employer. In this competitive environment, we must continue offering attractive pay and benefits to hire and retain quality employees to deliver superior service to more than one million residents, our businesses and visitors.”
The Board’s action today also acknowledges the impact inflation has had on employees. Since 2017, the cost of living has increased 25.1 percent, while market pay adjustments have amounted to 23 percent. Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost of living increased 3.2 percent year-over-year between June 2023 and June 2024.
GGC team studying Joro spider genetic make-up
Ten years ago, Joro spiders traveled from Asia to the United States. Georgia is where they were first spotted. What scientists know is they are most visible starting in September. By mid-October, they are laying eggs that are within a white silk sac. Each sac, typically attached to a flat surface like leaves and tree bark, contains as many as 500 eggs.
Patrick Cain and a Joro in 2022.
What hasn’t been known is if they carry any diseases that could harm humans.
Georgia Gwinnett College’s professor of biology, Dr. James Russell, was studying the genetic makeup of the Joro spider to determine if there was any genetic diversification. Along with a GGC student, Nicholas Mizera, the pair took on the task of extracting genes from the spiders.
Dr. Russell says: “There was very little genetic diversity, so on a whim, we decided to look for the presence of Wolbachia. It’s a common bacteria found in about half of all insect species, like butterflies, moths and bees. We found that Joro spiders are infected with Wolbachia.”
Russell added that two questions would be the first to ask. “One, can Joro spiders transmit Wolbachia to humans? The answer is no,” he says.
The second question has to do with how Wolbachia affects Joro spiders.“We hypothesize it creates reproductive barriers and incompatibility issues for the spider, but more detailed experiments are needed to test that hypothesis,” he says.
According to this hypothesis, when an infected male mates with an uninfected female, the female is sterilized. However, he added, when both the male and female are infected, they can have offspring. Russell further explains that only female spiders can pass the bacteria along. “This particular Wolbachia effect can potentially be used to control populations.”
The idea of population control, he says, could be applied to other insects, like mosquitos, which are known to carry diseases that can infect humans. “Having this information could help us find a better and less harmful way to control insects that are known to harm humans.”
For Mizera, who graduated from GGC in 2023, the chance to do research assured him that a career in biology was the right path. “When Dr. Russell approached me to do actual research, I loved everything about it,” he says. “The work was meaningful, and that’s something I want to continue doing while I pursue my doctorate.”
Russell and Mizera are working on a paper to present their findings.
Dr. Russell adds: “One thing about research is a spirit of discovery and collaboration. Along with my colleague, Dr. Chris Brown, professor of biology, we had researchers from Clemson University, the University of Georgia and Columbus State University assist with the gathering of spiders. Our job was then to extract genes from the spiders so we could study the genetic makeup.”
New housing area opens named Forkview
A new affordable homeownership community is now operational in Lawrenceville, opened by Gwinnett Housing Corporation GHC). The community is called Forkview. A ribbon-cutting was held October 17.
As the cost of new single-family homes in Gwinnett County continues to rise, many have become unaffordable for low-to-moderate-income households. This new development provides first-time homebuyers with a more attainable path to homeownership. Currently, only 34 percent of the demand for single-family detached homes is being met for households earning between $50,000 and $100,000.
Forkview consists of 21 detached single-family homes, each featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms. These homes are available to first-time homebuyers with incomes at or below 80 percent of the area median income for Gwinnett County, through GHC’s Welcome Home Program.
Lejla Prljaca, Gwinnett Housing Corporation CEO, says: “With builders prioritizing higher-profit luxury housing, the shortage of starter homes has become a key factor in America’s housing crisis. According to Realtor.com, only 300,000 starter homes were available in 2022, a decline of 53 percent over the past five years. This issue is further aggravated by institutional investors purchasing significant numbers of these homes targeting specific areas. For example, in southern Gwinnett, corporate landlords own 30 percent of all single-family rental homes, contributing to reduced inventory and inflated prices. Through this program, we are breaking down barriers to homeownership in Gwinnett County, helping families build wealth and fostering community stability.”
GHC’s Welcome Home Program is designed to offer newly constructed GHC homes to eligible low-to-moderate-income buyers. Through this program, qualified homebuyers receive assistance in the form of a second soft mortgage with a one percent interest rate. Based on need, buyers may receive up to $80,000 in assistance. The loan requires no repayment or interest as long as the home remains owner-occupied during the designated affordability period. This program aims to address the gap in homeownership providing solutions for the missing middle and workforce housing.
The Tragedy of Hamlet, by William Shakespeare
From Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill: If you’re one of those people who enjoy reading weird and spooky stories during the month of October, you probably can’t go wrong with The Tragedy of Hamlet. Right off the bat, the play sets a creepy night-time scene when two castle guards are discussing “the dreaded sight” of the ghost of their murdered king. And the play’s creepiness doesn’t end there. This blood-thirsty revenge story has a high body count and also includes poisonings and stabbings (both accidental and deliberate), madness, suicide, swordfights and a bit of stalling for time. It also includes loads of phrases and vocabulary we use in our modern English language today. This play has too many levels and too many meanings to go into here, but I just wanted to point out that The Tragedy of Hamlet, as well as Macbeth, can make good reading during this Halloween hauntingly atmospheric time of the year.
- 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. Click here to send an email.
Black organized women for improvements
Mary Ellen Peters Black (known throughout her life as “Nellie”) personified the early club woman movement in the South. Black dedicated her life to organizing women for the purposes of benevolence, self-improvement, and social and civic reform.
Nellie Peters was born in Atlanta on February 9, 1851, the eldest of nine children. Her father, Richard Peters, emerged from the Civil War (1861-65) to become a financial and civic leader in postwar Atlanta. After graduating from finishing school, Nellie joined her family in their philanthropic and charitable endeavors. Devoutly religious and a staunch Episcopalian, she taught Sunday school and organized the city’s first mission. At age 26 she married George Robison Black, a congressman from Screven County. The couple had three children before George Black died in 1886.
Nellie Black belonged to numerous civic and social organizations, including the Pioneer Club of Atlanta, Colonial Dames, Daughters of the American Revolution, and United Daughters of the Confederacy. She held various positions of leadership in the Women’s Auxiliaries of the Episcopal Dioceses of Georgia and Atlanta. Through her membership in the Atlanta Woman’s Club, Atlanta Federation of Women’s Clubs, and the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), Black focused on social and municipal engineering. She served on the founding board of the King’s Daughters Hospital (the first free hospital in Atlanta) and the executive committee of the Woman’s Building at the 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition.
Intent on increasing statewide educational opportunities, Black lobbied the state legislature for compulsory education laws and the admittance of women to the University of Georgia. An ardent supporter of early childhood education, she served as president of the Atlanta Free Kindergarten Association for 20 years and helped establish numerous kindergartens throughout the city. Black persuaded the public school system in Atlanta to incorporate kindergartens into their schools in 1919.
In 1897 Black assumed management of the 1,400-acre Peters family farm in Gordon County. Interested in agricultural education and reform, she became one of the leading proponents in Georgia of the Country Life Movement, a rural reform movement inspired by U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt’s Country Life Commission
During her three terms as president of the Georgia Federation of Woman’s Club, Black vigorously supported U.S. president Woodrow Wilson’s thrift and conservation campaigns. In her official capacity as a representative for the U.S. Department of Conservation during World War I (1917-18), she organized canned-food drives to benefit military hospitals.
Upon her death in 1919, newspapers across the state praised Nellie Black’s service. The Atlanta Journal noted that “her name was a synonym for charity, for gentleness of spirit, for love of humanity, for constructive citizenship. No man or woman in the last century has exerted a stronger influence for the uplift and advancement of the state.” One editor claimed that “had [Black] been a man she would have been in the United States Senate.” In 1998 Black was inducted into Georgia Women of Achievement.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Who is this person immortalized in stone?
Today’s mystery is a stone carving of a religious figure. Tell us about this person and where the statue is located. Send your guess to ebrack2@gmail.com, and tell us where you live.
Sara Rawlins of Lawrenceville recognized the recent mystery: “The gardens and the green shutters on the pink house could only be Giverny, Claude Monet’s home near Paris, France. He lived there for 43 years and would paint the passage of time by painting the water lilies during the different times of day throughout the years. The water where the lilies grow is a part of the Seine River. When I look at his paintings I feel peace in this world of turmoil. His paintings are very calming.” The image came from Paige Havens of Hoschton.
Several others also spotted the scene, including Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C.; George Graf, Palmyra, Va.; Bill McLees, Norcross; Jim Cofer, Birmingham, Ala.; Ruth Ann Foster, Lawrenceville; Margo Ashley, Lilburn; and Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex., who sent a picture of the area, saying:
Monet’s studio
“Monet lived and painted here for 43-years, from 1883 to 1926. I have attached a photo that I took of Monet’s studio when my wife and I visited the house in September, 2018. Like everywhere else in the house, the furniture and objects in the room are exactly the same as they were when Monet lived and worked there. On the walls are some reproductions of Monet’s works, the originals of which can be seen at the Musée Marmottan-Monet in Paris.”
- 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: ebrack2@gmail.com and mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
Movie location overkill in traffic cones?
How many traffic cones does it take to shoot a television program? A lot for this one. Check it out and you’ll find 60 of these bright cones where the movie people were shooting part of another Will Trent episode recently in Norcross. By the way, it was shot from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m., hardly heavy traffic time on what is not a major thoroughfare.
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre presents Dracula Oct. 18-20
What’s On Your Ballot? will be presented on Wednesday, October 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Lilburn Branch of Gwinnett County Public library. New and seasoned voters will learn about what’s on their election ballot and will have an opportunity to have hands-on experience with a voting machine.
My child won’t go to school workshop will be Thursday, October 17 at 7 p.m. at the Norcross Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. School administrators and parents are struggling to respond to the chronic absenteeism crisis. Join Dyslexia Specialist, Katie Fowle, and International Parent Coach Sharoya Ham, as they discuss their new book, Help! My Kid Won’t Go To School!
Gwinnett Great Days of Service begins on Friday, October 18 and continues through Sunday, October 20. It is the largest community volunteer initiative in Gwinnett County. Each fall, thousands of volunteers, corporations, schools, civic organizations, and nonprofits come together for a weekend of community building, connection, and positive impact. To sign up for volunteering, visit VolunteerGwinnett.net.
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre presents Dracula, a ballet to die for, at the Gas South Theatre on Friday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, October 20 at 3 and 7 p.m. Sink your teeth into a thrilling vampire drama at the Gas South District theatre. Choreographed by Sara Elyse Sanford, this masterpiece features special effects, lavish costumes, and breathtaking scenery.
Healthy Aging and Caregiving Fair will be presented at the Duluth Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library on October 19 at 10 a.m. Join in for a family-friendly event with special speakers, health screenings, kid-friendly activities, and resources for caregivers.
Liveable Communities: Discover how Gwinnett Planning and Development is working to create a more livable community at the Gwinnett County Block Party on Saturday, October 19 at Alexander Park in Lawrenceville! From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees can explore long-range and current planning booths, show off their art skills with a placemaking project, learn more about County services, and enjoy food, fall-themed kids’ activities, and more. Register today for this free event, and bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a day of fun, discovery, and community spirit!
Fifth Annual Aurora Theatre 0.5K Fun Run is scheduled for October 19. Check-in at 11 a.m. at the Lawrenceville Arts Center. The race begins at noon. Like no other, this annual 0.5k Fun Run is a quick jaunt (or leisurely saunter if you prefer) from the Arts Center Courtyard to Slow Pour Brewing Company. There will be face painting, pre-race games and prizes. Proceeds from this event benefit the Aurora Theatre.
Pedal Downtown Norcross on Saturday, October 19, from 3 to 6 p.m. Bike for a 2.8-mile ride through Historic Norcross, led by Sustainable Norcross, and discover the joys of safe and sustainable biking. You could even ride away with the ultimate prize – an E-BIKE! We’ve got surprises, giveaways, snacks, refreshments and more in store, so bring your family and friends for a day filled with fun, fitness, and sustainability.
Grizzlyfest at Georgia Gwinnett College campus will be Saturday, October 19, from noon until 2:30 p.m. Join this afternoon filled with activities, food and live entertainment for all ages.
Capture the essence of Norcross in a snap! Norcross Gallery and Studios is hosting the ‘Our Home Is Your Home’ Photo Competition through Sunday, October 20. Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, they want to see the world through your lens. The Gallery is accepting photos from smartphones as well as professional cameras. Submitted photos will be displayed in Norcross City Hall and Norcross Gallery and Studio. Top photos will receive prizes and ribbons. Participants are not required to live in Norcross, but the pictures must showcase the city.
Oakbrook Parkway sidewalk ribbon-cutting will be held Monday, October 21, at 11 a.m. The event will be at 5500 Oakbrook Parkway, and inaugurates a 1.5 mile sidewalk funded by Gwinnett County. The event is hosted by Gwinnett85 Community Improvement District, which has been seeking sidewalks in the area for almost 20 years.
Picnic with the police in Braselton will be Tuesday, October 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the Braselton Town Green. Come and enjoy with police food, drinks and plenty of kid’s activities.
Norcross State of the City address has been rescheduled for Wednesday, October 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 6050 Peachtree Boulevard. Mayor Craig Newton will update those in attendance on current and future activities of the city.
Author talk and book signing is being planned for October 24 at 7 p.m. at the Norcross Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Join award-winning author Vanessa Riley as she discusses her newest mystery, Murder in Berkeley Square. Books will be available for sale and signing.
Trick or Treat Festival will be held on Saturday, October 26, from noon until 3 p.m. at the Yellow River Water Reclamation facility, 858 Tom Smith Road in Lilburn. Join Gwinnett Water Resources and multiple community partners and vendors for this annual Yellow River Trick or Treatment Fall Festival. Meet new officers of the Mountain Park Community Association.
Chamberworks music: Gwinnett Symphony, chamber singers and youth orchestra will present a concert at the Norcross First Global Methodist Church, 2580 Beaver Ruin Road, on Sunday, October 27, at 5 p.m. Music featured will be Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland, suite for 13 instruments. For tickets, visit GwinnettSymphony.org.
America Recycles Day is Saturday, November 2 at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville from 9 a.m. until noon. This popular annual event will give locals a “one-stop-shop” opportunity to drop off items that are typically more difficult to recycle, such as electronics, tires, clothing, sneakers, and latex and oil-based paint. Paper shredding will also be available. Make plans to join the group as a volunteer or participant!
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