NEW for 2/11: Footsteps exhibit, federal judiciary, music, more

GwinnettForum  |   Number 25.12 |  Feb. 11, 2025

EXPANDED FACILITIES: Dacula Park’s activity building will get a new two-story 34,000 square foot expansion.  That will include a new gym, walking track, art studio, dance room, game room, classrooms, senior lounge and senior wing, serving kitchen, outdoor patio, and 76 additional parking spaces. It is the first jointly operated building with Health and Human Services and Parks and Recreation and will focus on multi-generational programming. Lose and Associates of Duluth designed the building, with Cooper Tacia Contractors of Atlanta winning the construction contract of $12.8 million. It is expected to be ready for occupancy by the third quarter of 2026. Funding comes from SPLOST monies and a Community Block Grant.

IN THIS EDITION

TODAY’S FOCUS: Ansel Adams’ Footsteps exhibit returns Feb. 15
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Federal judiciary is our hope in halting Trump madness
SPOTLIGHT: Peachtree Campus
ANOTHER VIEW: Music gives life to everything  
FEEDBACK: We must help young families find housing
UPCOMING: Lawrenceville proposing expanding city limits
NOTABLE: GGC professor looks at AI development ramifications 
RECOMMENDED: Sandlot Peanuts, by Charles Schultz
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Wassaw Island least disturbed of barrier islands
MYSTERY PHOTO: Long Distinctive Bridge is today’s mystery photo
CALENDAR: Art exhibit at Norcross Gallery and Studio opens Feb. 13

TODAY’S FOCUS

Ansel Adams’ Footsteps exhibit returns Feb. 15

The 2024 Best in Show, “Arches, Window, and Juniper,”  by Martin Bozone of Athens.

By Stewart Woodard

DULUTH, Ga.  |  The Gwinnett Chapter of Georgia Nature Photographers Association (GNPA) is proud to announce the 10th annual Walking in Ansel Adams’ Footsteps black-and-white photo competition and exhibition. This is one of the most anticipated events sponsored by GNPA for its members to celebrate the birthday and body of work of one of America’s greatest landscape photographers… Ansel Adams!!

The 10th annual “Walking in Ansel Adams Footsteps” exhibit of photography will be returning to Gwinnett’s Hudgens Center for Art and Learning, running from February 15 until April, 2025. The Gwinnett Chapter of Georgia Nature Photographers Association (GNPA)is again sponsoring the exhibit, which will have over 130 photographs.

GNPA members submitted their best black and white images which they feel best have the look and feel of an Ansel Adams photograph in an exhibition setting. 

Again judging the exhibit will be Peter Essick, who was the judge 10 years ago for the very first competition.  He and his family live in Stone Mountain, Ga. Essick was named by Outdoor Photography magazine as one of the 40 most influential nature photographers.  Peter has traveled extensively over the last two decades, photographing around the world. He is a working photojournalist, but his photographs move beyond mere documentation; they reveal the spiritual and emotional aspects of nature and the impact of development on the landscape. 

He has been a frequent contributor to National Geographic magazine for 25 years, where he has produced 40 feature articles on an array of topics. Some of his favorite and most rewarding stories have been on Inner Japan, the National Wilderness Preservation System, the carbon cycle, global warming, and global freshwater. 

His stories include an article on the Ansel Adams Wilderness in the June 2014 National Geographic, which Peter turned into his book, “The Ansel Adams Wilderness.”  Peter holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in photojournalism from the University of Missouri. He is represented by the Lumiere gallery in Atlanta and by Aurora Photos. He lives in Stone Mountain, Georgia with his wife, Jackie and son, Jalen.

Categories: for the exhibit include

  • Georgia landscape: historic structures acceptable. 
  • Landscape other than Georgia: historic structures acceptable. 
  • Flora (anything from the plant world): This category is intended to have plants as the subject so intimate landscapes of plant scenes will fit best. This category is specifically designed to be distinct from the landscape categories which may be of a grand scale landscape. 

There are three photographer divisions: for advanced photographers with four years of experience; for enthusiasts with two years of photo experience; and for novices with less than two years as a photographer.

EEB PERSPECTIVE

Federal judiciary is our hope in halting Trump madness

U.S. Supreme Court, via Unsplash.

By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum

FEB. 11, 2025  |  Our United States government has three branches, the legislative, the executive and the judicial. In effect, this three-way system of government means that we have checks and balances in our system. If one of the branches gets out of whack, another will eventually bring it back in line. 

So far since Donald Trump has been acting like a king and seeking to do anything he pleases, our legislative system has fallen over and played dead, virtually surrendering politically with their legs up. That’s because not enough Republican members of Congress, which has a majority in both chambers, are willing to stand up to this preposterous president. The Democrats, supposedly the Loyal Opposition, are pretty puny too, not making much racket when the Trump Administration takes another outrageous step.

So, what about the judicial element in this three-way form of government?

Therein lies some hope.

While justice is slow-moving, we are beginning to see some federal justices  take action on cases challenging the Trump Administration.

On January 23, a district judge in Seattle, John C. Coughenour, called Trump’s executive order  to unilaterally eliminate automatic U.S. citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants on U.S. soil “blatantly unconstitutional.” He temporarily blocked the plan, by imposing a 14 day restraining order. 

Then on February 5, in Maryland, another U.S. district judge took aim at the Trump plan on undocumented immigrants. Judge Deborah L. Boardman issued a preliminary ruling to block the Trump effort to eliminate automatic citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants within this country.  This ruling went far beyond the Coughenour order.  Judge Boardman said: 

“The executive order conflicts with the plain language of the 14th Amendment, contradicts 125 year old binding Supreme Court precedent and runs counter to our nation’s 250-year history of citizenship by birth.  The United States Supreme Court has resoundingly rejected the president’s interpretation of the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment. In fact, no court in the country has ever endorsed the president’s interpretation. This court will not be the first.”

Boardman asked Justice Department attorneys to name cases that helped the Trump administration interpretation of the 14th Amendment. She was firm in her views, and it was clear to those in attendance that the government would have to  overcome considerable obstacles to prevail before her. 

She went on: “Virtually every baby born on U.S. soil is a citizen upon birth. That is the law and tradition of our country. That law and tradition are and will remain the status quo pending the resolution of this case.”

Back in the days of the Civil Rights Movement, we saw similar attention to precedent in the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in the South.  Writing in The New York Times, Anthony Lewis said: “I think there has been no more heroic episode in American law than the work of southern federal judges in ending racial discrimination in the South. Jack Bass has brought this recent history to life, telling us much that we had not known.”   Bass’ award-winning book was called Unlikely Heroes.

We have faith that many of these federal judges will make the rulings necessary to usurp the current executive orders, and keep the United States under the Constitutional rule of law  as it was written by the Founding Fathers. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Peachtree Campus

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Peachtree Campus is North Atlanta’s campus for education, production, and events. Located in historic Norcross, with abundant parking and easy access to Peachtree Boulevard, Peachtree Campus should be on the short list when looking for a workspace with creative vision. It’s the home of Brenau University’s North Atlanta Campus and to Boswell Edward Academy, a Georgia Pre-K School and Daycare. The Veranda on Reps Miller provides flexible space for small events and larger community events. It annually hosts the annual Neighborhood Christmas Train Experience. Now available is 3159 Campus Drive, which has 27 classrooms and a large multi-purpose space, which can be the perfect location for a growing school, event facility, film/video production studio, or faith community. Learn leasing opportunities by contacting Jonathan Galucki, email jg@optimaproperties.net or texting 678-612-3385.

  • For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here

ANOTHER VIEW

Music gives life to everything 

“There is a chance, we can make it so far.  We start believing now that we can be who we are.”– Grease (by Bee Gees) 

By Jack Bernard

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga.  |  My Dad was a hard-working immigrant who was multilingual. He worked in factories in New York, Georgia and Puerto Rico his entire life until his retirement. The New York factories employed mostly Puerto Ricans.  

At home, he would play records in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Yiddish. As a child, I grew to appreciate a wide range of music. So did my brothers, two of whom became successful professional musicians, one in Georgia and another in Los Angeles. 

Musically, I had simply no talent when it came to instruments… although I sang exceptionally well (in the shower). At least I always thought so. But I loved to listen and to dance. I still get a lot out of both. 

I enjoy melodies, but also the words. When I was growing up, I really disliked Bob Dylan’s voice. But for a ‘60s kid trying to figure out his place in the world, Dylan’s words were moving. Who can forget- “Come mothers and fathers; throughout the land; and don’t criticize what you can’t understand; your sons and your daughters; are beyond your command.” 

Even Disco, which I still love for the sound, can impart wisdom. That is why I used the above quote that Barry Gibb wrote. The song “Grease” is a dance tune, like all Disco (“you should be dancing, yeah!”). But this one phrase can be deep. It inspires the listener to reach their full potential. 

As for dancing, my Italian mother was a great dancer who taught me to slow dance when I was a little kid. But it was when I became a teenager that I really fell in love with it. I could fast dance with the best of them; it is a release of energy for me. 

I go to many primarily black social events where I am one of the few white men dancing. And I am usually dancing with women who are younger and in much better shape than I am. Folks sometimes comment that I have more soul than most of the guys there. I had one black friend jokingly say that I was trying to be black. But that is not it; not at all. I am just being me, enjoying myself. It is called soul music for a very good reason. My “inner me” comes out naturally when I am on that floor. 

As I have gotten older, I have also become more accepting of types of music that I ignored in my youth. In my old age, I love Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and lots of newer country artists (like Beyonce). I even listen to Benny Goodman and other swing musicians. 

Better yet, music and dancing are a great exercise for both your body and mind. It reduces stress while getting you off the couch. As the AARP states: Engaging in music has the powerful potential to support brain health” as we get older. For more on this topic, explore research from the Global Council on Brain Health

As Plato said long ago: “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”  

FEEDBACK

We must help young families find housing

Editor, the Forum: 

It was with interest reading the article on housing affordability. As a father of four 20-somethings, I don’t see anything to suggest that they will be able to buy a home and raise a family in the metro Atlanta area. They might be able to rent; but this does not give them any line of sight for real security for their future family  and investment in their local schools and community.

We need to put focus on making it possible for young families to get their start, and that means practical 3-bed/2-bath single-family homes on a quarter-acre for $250,000.  

Don’t worry about public transportation or the homeless. Focus on young families and the rest will come, including employers wanting to hire them.

Joe Briggs, Senoia

Dear Joe: Could not agree more.  When we put them in a solid housing situation of their own, that leads to much more than  just housing, including building long-time wealth, making them ever more self-sufficient in the long run.—eeb

A per-capita comparison of cities would have been nice

Editor, the Forum: 

Hats off to the Forum for the city budget comparisons.  It was most interesting!

Another column in the table that would be nice is $$ per capita, so we would not have had to  do the math!

Mike Ososki, Atlanta

Dear Mike: Yes, we thought of doing it per capita, but the comparisons would be awkward, with some cities having enterprise funds, and others having police departments. Would  be comparing apples and oranges, etc.—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.  

UPCOMING

Lawrenceville proposing addition of 19,000 residents

By Alaina Tullis

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.  |  The Lawrenceville City Council will hold a special called meeting on February 12 at 4:30 p.m.to consider expanding the city’s boundaries. If adopted, the resolution would add more than 5,700 parcels and welcome an estimated 19,000 new residents into the Lawrenceville city limits. That would make Lawrenceville the largest city in Gwinnett, with approximately 50,000 residents.

Essentially, the new map configuration would add properties along the edges of the city, taking in areas to fill in gaps of the current limits. (see map.)

It would then seek approval from the Gwinnett Legislative Delegation to place the annexation question on the ballot for a public vote in May, 2026. 

This initiative aligns with the City of Lawrenceville’s vision of collaboration with county leadership to foster a unified, thriving community. It also reinforces the shared commitment of both the City and Gwinnett County to deliver efficient services, strengthen community identity, and ensure responsible governance.

The proposal brings economic benefits by decreasing the percentage of tax-exempt parcels within the city from 40 to 21 percent, increasing the taxable property base and supporting financial sustainability.

As the City of Lawrenceville moves forward with the annexation proposal, Mayor David Still emphasized the long-term benefits of annexation, reaffirming the City’s partnership with Gwinnett County, improving services, and unifying the city around a shared vision.  

Key highlights of the proposed annexation plan:

  1. Population growth: Annexation would increase the City of Lawrenceville’s population by an estimated 19,000, providing access to city services, including enhanced public safety and community programs. Just over 70 percent of the proposed annexed area is residential and already has a Lawrenceville zip code.
  2. Clear and logical boundaries: By redefining its boundaries to align with landmarks and major roadways, the city seeks to eliminate confusion for residents and enhance connectivity within the area.   
  3. Community and educational inclusion: Annexation incorporates well-known community spaces, including the Lawrenceville Methodist Campground, JM Tull Lawrenceville YMCA, and the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, into the city limits. Annexation also consolidates Central Gwinnett-Lawrenceville and Discovery High School clusters within the city limits, and strengthens ties to premier educational institutions, including the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology—Georgia’s #1 high school. All properties currently carry Lawrenceville addresses and are integral to the City of Lawrenceville’s identity.
  4. Empowering residents: The City of Lawrenceville is requesting approval from the Gwinnett Legislative Delegation to give residents in the proposed annexation area the opportunity to vote, ensuring they have a direct voice in their community’s future.

The anticipated annexation timeline:

  • Spring 2025: Gwinnett Legislative Delegation Approval and Governor’s Signature;
  • Fall/Winter 2025: Public Outreach and Annexation Education;
  • Spring 2026: Resident Vote on Annexation; and 
  • January 2027: Incorporation of Approved Areas (pending voter approval).

NOTABLE

GGC professor looks at AI development ramifications 

A Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) professor is taking a look at the ramifications of the efficiencies of Chinese development of a better artificial intelligence system (AI) .

Yang

What happens when a company like OpenAI invests over $100 million to develop and launch ChatGPT, only to find out another company has accomplished the same thing at a fraction of the cost? Most people would shrug their shoulders and say that’s competition. 

DeepSeek-R1, an AI model developed by the Chinese company, DeepSeek, is making headlines for performance that is comparable to ChatGPT but developed at a fraction of the investment cost.

Dr. Sean Yang, professor of information technology at GGC, says that ChatGPT was built using high-end Graphics Processing Units (GPU). This hardware allows systems to process large amounts of data at a much higher rate, which is critical for AI.

“This achievement raises concerns within the U.S. industry as most other leading AI models, such as Gemini by Google and Llama by Meta, closely resemble ChatGPT in their development and resource requirements,” said Yang. 

DeepSeek’s success, he added, demonstrates that effective AI development can be achieved even under constraints, highlighting the potential of China’s progress in this field despite international sanctions.

“It also challenges the perception that AI models can only be developed using the high-end GPUs,” says Yang.

DeepSeek’s success has raised privacy concerns.

“There is no concrete evidence that DeepSeek has collected data that could compromise privacy by transmitting sensitive data to foreign entities,” says Yang. “DeepSeek-R1, like ChatGPT, is a large language model capable of reacting to prompts and generating various types of content.”

The race for superiority in AI is similar to the Space Race of the 1960s between the U.S. and Russia. The U.S. wanted to be the first country to put a man on the moon, a goal achieved in 1969. 

Yang concludes: “Since AI has become a measurement of national power, people are worried about the progress that China made even under the sanctions.” 

RECOMMENDED

Sandlot Peanuts, by Charles Schultz

Quite by accident, we ran into this book by our famous cartoonist.  It is a large format book of his many daily and colorful weekend takes on Charlie Brown as a baseball manager, who never wins a game. Well, once they won a single game, but then found their own player had bet a nickel they would win, and the league commissioner took away the victory. (And who did the player bet with?  The shortstop, Snoopy, the beagle.) Charlie Brown keeps pitching, with many suggestions from Center Fielder Lucy, and Charlie keeps thinking that someday they will win a game. The introduction is written by Joe Garagiola. In one panel, Marcie told Patty: ‘I never thought I’d be traded for a beagle.’ Patty answered: ‘Be flattered; I could have traded you for Joe Garagiola.’ This was a great to read during the Super Bowl blowout by Philadelphia over Kansas City.—eeb

  • 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.

GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA

Wassaw Island least disturbed of barrier islands

Of Georgia’s coastal barrier islands, Wassaw Island is the least disturbed by human intervention. Only Fort Morgan, constructed during the Spanish-American War (1898), and a small housing compound have been built there since colonial times.

Unlike Georgia’s other barrier islands, Wassaw Island’s forests were never cleared for timber, cotton, or cattle. The island today is said to be the best representation of what Georgia’s barrier islands looked like before Europeans arrived. Since 1969 Wassaw has been a national wildlife refuge and recognized as a prime sanctuary for migratory birds and nesting loggerhead sea turtles.

Wassaw lies southeast of the geologically older Skidaway Island in Chatham County. About five and a half miles long and up to two miles wide, Wassaw has about six miles of deserted ocean beach.

Wassaw’s total of 10,050 acres includes surrounding tidal marshes, two smaller islands (collectively known as Little Wassaw Island), and several small hammocks. Together, they make up the Wassaw Island National Wildlife Refuge. More than 70 percent of the entire complex is composed of tidal salt marsh. The rest consists of maritime forest, dunes, mudflats, and sandy beach.

In 1866 George Parsons, a wealthy businessman from Kennebunk, Maine, purchased Wassaw, Little Wassaw, and the surrounding salt marshes. Parsons constructed about 20 miles of interior roads on the island, as well as a housing compound for his family and friends.

During the Spanish-American War (1898), a group of civilians under the supervision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a fort on Wassaw’s north end to protect the southern approach to Savannah, by way of the Wilmington River, from Spanish attack. Fort Morgan, built with concrete, tabby, and north Georgia granite, was equipped with two 4.7-inch rapid-fire guns. It was the largest single fortification built in Georgia specifically for the Spanish-American War. 

Today, only a part of the fort still exists, and those remnants are threatened by erosion.

The Parsons family and others in 1930 formed the Wassaw Island Trust to preserve the island in its natural state. In the 1960s the trustees, fearing that the state of Georgia might condemn the island and open it to public use or development, negotiated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to convey Wassaw to the United States for permanent preservation as a natural area. In the 1969 transaction, the Wassaw Island Trust sold Wassaw to the Nature Conservancy of Georgia for the bargain price of $1 million. A 180-acre portion in the center of the island, including the Parsons’ housing compound, was retained by the family and the trustees for their personal use.

Shortly after the transaction, the Nature Conservancy sold the island for the same amount to the federal government. Today, the island is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a national wildlife refuge. The service maintains a dock and small headquarters on Wassaw Creek. The refuge is open only to daylight visitors; no development is allowed.

Wassaw’s forest harbors rare old-growth stands of cedar, oak, and pine, along with cabbage palm, holly, and magnolia. A variety of other habitats on Wassaw, including the tidal marshes, sandy beach, dune systems, and freshwater sloughs between the dunes, support an abundance of wildlife species.

Bottle-nosed dolphins are common in the waters around Wassaw. Beginning around April of each year, Wassaw’s dark, deserted beach provides ideal nesting sites for threatened loggerhead sea turtles. More than eighty loggerheads nest each year on Wassaw.

MYSTERY PHOTO

Long distinctive bridge is today’s mystery photo

Today’s mystery is a beautiful bridge, but where  is it?    It may test your brain to determine its location. Send your answers to ebrack2@gmail.com and tell us which town you live in.

Matt Willis of Lawrenceville was the first one to recognize the waterfront at Vancouver, British Columbia, as the recent mystery photo. Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill provided the photo.

Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas, provided more detail: “This photo features the Vancouver city skyline, shot from Coal Harbor in Stanley Park. This park is Vancouver’s first, largest and most popular urban park. At 1,001 acres in size, it is the third-largest urban park in North America, and 20 percent larger than New York’s Central Park. The park is home to a rainforest, a nature center, an aquarium, and the famous Seawall and is visited by over 18-million people each year. Most of the structures and facilities in Stanley Park were built between 1911 and 1937.”

Others also recognizing the photo include Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C.; Chuck Papandrea, Norcross; George Graf, Palmyra, Va.; Lou Camerio, Lilburn; and Stew Ogilvie, Rehobeth, Ala.

Let’s also recognize again Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill, who sent in the Convenenters monument photo in Scotland mentioned in the previous edition. Her cousin, Gail Gause of Cramerton, N.C., took the photo.

  • 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!)  Click here to send an email  and please mark it as a photo submission.  Thanks.

CALENDAR

Art exhibit at Norcross Gallery and Studio opens Feb. 13

“The ABCs of Executive Presence” will be the title of the presentation at the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber on February 13 at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast at 8 a.m.  The presenter will  be Lynne Seagall of Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Register here!

A new juried art exhibit at Norcross Gallery and Studio opens February 13. The show will feature work from local artists and run through March 22. Admission is free. The gallery is open Thursday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Author Talk: Join New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict as she discusses her newest historical fiction novel, The Queens of Crime. This will be on Saturday, February 18 at 1 p.m. at the Duluth Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. The author of The Mystery of Mrs. Christie returns with a thrilling story of Agatha Christie’s legendary rival Dorothy Sayers, the race to solve a murder, and the power of friendship among women. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Food Giveaway is taking place on February 18 at 10 a.m. at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, 182 Hunter Street in Norcross. A total of 550 boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables will be available, on a first come, first served basis. Enter the Faith Hall parking lot via Jimmy Carter Boulevard to line up for the food. Partners in this include Volunteer Gwinnett and Helping Mamas.

Sugar Hill Preservation Society will meet on Wednesday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Room of City Hall. The Speaker will be retired Lt. Cmdr. Michael N. Henderson.  His book, “GOT PROOF! My Genealogical Journey Through the Use of Documentation” explores his family background and the social dynamics of French and Spanish Louisiana.

Postpartum Health Awareness: Are you a new or expecting parent? Gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate the joys and challenges of postpartum care, newborn care, and child safety. This will be presented on February 19 at 11 a.m. at the Duluth Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library.

Author Talk: Join author Tiffany L. Warren as she discusses her historical fiction novel, The Unexpected Diva, about the first Black prima donna, Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield. The talk will be at the Five Forks Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library at 6:30 p.m. on February 20. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

The Peachtree Corners Library will host Author Laura Elizabeth on February 21 at noon.  She will discuss her newest book in The Island Mysteries series, A Special Kind of Heartache. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

GGC Four Pillars scholarship gala will be February 21 at 5:30 p.m. (dinner at 6:30 p.m.) at the Georgia Gwinnett College Convocation Center. Awards will be presented. Those attending will honor and celebrate GGC’s 20  years of growth and success, and support its amazing students with scholarship support.

Art-Tiques Winter Market will return to downtown Braselton on February 21-23 with 150+ vendors offering vintage furniture, local artwork, boutique items, and more, plus food trucks and live music. Location: Historic Gym at 115 Harrison Street.  Times are Friday, 12-6 p.m.;  Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Researching African American ancestors will be the topic of a workshop on February 22 at 11 a.m. at the Snellville Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Learn how to research African American genealogy through courthouse records.

Horns galore! and The Chamber singers and Gwinnett Symphony will be in concert at the Norcross First Global Methodist Church on February 23 at 5 p.m. Jose Manuel Garcia will be featured at the piano as the Symphony presents Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 as well as Humperdinck and LoPresti’s “Tears of Joy.” Tickets on sale at Visit Gwinnettsymphony.org.

OUR TEAM

GwinnettForum is provided to you at no charge every Tuesday and Friday.   

Meet our team

More

  • Mailing address: P.O. Box 1365, Norcross, Ga. 30091
  • Work with us:  If you would like to learn about how to be an underwriter to support the publication of GwinnettForum as a community resource for news and commentary, please contact us today.

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE

Subscriptions to GwinnettForum are free.  

  • Click to subscribe.
  • Unsubscribe.  We hope you’ll keep receiving the great news and information from GwinnettForum, but if you need to unsubscribe, go to this page and unsubscribe in the appropriate box.
  • © 2025, Gwinnett Forum.com. Gwinnett Forum is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA.
Share