GwinnettForum | Number 23.28 | April 9, 2024
IT IS NO LONGER A “FUTURE DOG PARK.” Now Peachtree Corners has its own doggie park. Michael Wright, whose mother, Loreen, came up with the idea for the dog park, is shown with his dog, Murphy, who turned three years old Monday. For more details on how it all came about, see Notable below.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Suwanee hosts annual Arts Festival this weekend
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Your delayed mail may be stuck in a truck in Palmetto
SPOTLIGHT: Sugarloaf Community Improvement District
ANOTHER VIEW: Four finalists chosen for $50,000 Hudgens Prize
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
UPCOMING: Most property owners to see hike in assessment
NOTABLE: Peachtree Corners now has its own doggie park
RECOMMENDED: Oath And Honor: A Memoir and a Warning by Liz Cheney
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Grants to focus on underwater archaeology programs
MYSTERY PHOTO: Few clues to go on for this Mystery Photo
CALENDAR: Campbell to speak at Men’s Civic Breakfast on Saturday
Suwanee hosts annual Arts Festival this weekend
By Cynthia Hill
Executive director, Suwanee Arts Center
SUWANEE, Ga. | Get ready for an extraordinary experience as the Suwanee Arts Festival prepares to dazzle as the largest and most culturally diverse event in its history! It will be at Suwanee Town Center Park Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 14, from noon to 5 p.m.
You can immerse yourself in captivating art exhibits, stage performances, a variety of activities for kids and pets, and indulge in an eclectic selection of international cuisine.
Saturday morning will start off with the lively beats of North Gwinnett High School Drumline and Jazz Bands. The day will culminate with a concert from 5:30-7 p.m. featuring Nero Simon and the Sunsetters. Numerous professional musicians, dancers and talented performing arts students from local schools and organizations will showcase their skills throughout both days.
This year, there will be over 120 talented artists showcasing handcrafted artwork. Get ready to explore a diverse array of paintings, photography, woodworking, fiber arts, ceramics, jewelry, and so much more. Plus, don’t miss out on the opportunity to witness several artists in action as they create pieces onsite during the weekend. Look forward to Jae Montano painting iconic Bob Ross images and Bembry’s Mill demonstrating the art of drink-smoking with their expertly crafted wood cocktail smokers. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to witness several artists in action as they create pieces onsite during the weekend.
There’s an exciting addition this year. Introducing the Pet Piazza, where furry friends are the stars. Explore our collection of pet-themed tents offering treats for your beloved companions. Step into the Bryan Galgano Pet Photo Shoot tent for a professional portrait capturing your pet’s unique personality. Each 20-minute session includes one digital portrait of your pet. Feel free to bring props or costumes for extra fun! Secure your session in advance on the Suwanee Arts Center website.
Join us in the Lantern Workshop Tent, where you can create your special lantern for the Suwanee Lantern Parade “Glow in the Park.” Purchase a lantern kit, decorate it with a fabulous design and be ready for the parade on Saturday, April 20 at sundown.
The Suwanee Arts Festival represents a fusion of civic pride with the vibrant cultural and creative energies that distinguish Suwanee as a prominent arts destination within the Metro Atlanta area. The Suwanee Arts Center orchestrates and proudly hosts this lively, family-oriented annual affair.
Join in on the fun at the art festival by becoming a volunteer! The Center is looking for individuals to lend a hand and make this event truly spectacular. Whether
you’re interested in greeting guests, assisting with setup, or helping out in any other way, there’s a role for everyone. Sign up to volunteer on the Suwanee Arts Festival web page.
The Suwanee Arts Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides opportunities for artists to thrive, fosters art appreciation through education and exhibitions, and serves as a catalyst for community interaction with the arts.
- For more information on the Suwanee Arts Festival, visit SuwaneeArtsCenter.org.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Your delayed mail may be stuck in a truck in Palmetto
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
APRIL 9, 2024 | Postal customers all around Atlanta and in other parts of the country are finding that the old, reliable post office isn’t what it used to be.
Mail is being delayed. Businesses are failing to get checks mailed by their customers, who often become past due. And passports are being delayed. Postal customers across the nation are feeling it, and normal postal services are in a mess.
It all started in the Atlanta area on February 24, when the post office opened its Palmetto “Regional Processing and Distribution Center,” one of 60 such centers from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s 10-year plan for improving mail service. From the start, at one of its first new centers in Richmond, Va., mail service has been seriously impacted. One of the most serious log-jams is at the Palmetto center, south of Atlanta.
Mail from downtown Atlanta, the Metro Center in Duluth, Macon and Augusta started going to Palmetto on February 24. The huge Duluth North Metro office on Boggs Road was opened on February 27, 2012, but no longer serves the area. The Post Office gives no reason for closing the Boggs Road operation, except to consolidate it with others in Palmetto.
This is what you may now encounter at a post office.
And the delays began.
GwinnettForum has several mail items lost in the process. As an example, one letter, mailed on March 1 and postmarked from Peachtree Corners, arrived on April 5 in Norcross. Additionally, GwinnettForum has several other letters that people have said were mailed since February 2 which haven’t arrived yet.
Other businesses report these serious delays.
Members of Congress early on reported problems with DeJoy’s new mail distribution system. That includes U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and Congressman Andrew Clyde of Georgia.
As one guy told WSB-TV’s Tyisha Fernandes: “(Trucks are) supposed to stay there (at the Palmetto center) for 30 minutes and be gone (but) are staying there for four hours. So when they get there, that pretty much ends their route.” Another guy said that there are 200 dock doors at Palmetto “to get trucks in and out quickly, but it’s still not enough….Every day the dock doors are full and you still can’t get trucks in and out.”
Another postal employee said of the operation: “There’s too much coming in. There’s too much automation. There’s no room to store the mail.” Another reported that “supervisors were having to step in, and that was slowing operations.”
Meanwhile, the Postal Service on March 11 launched an audit of the Palmetto center. But it will not be released until August 2024. You wonder if some of the mail that is delayed will still be undelivered by then.
One postal manager told NBC News: “It’s just a dumpster fire right now. If you’re in a business, you’re going to be discouraged from using the mail because you want your stuff to actually get there.” That person also called the Palmetto center “a complete house on fire.” On-time delivery went from 60-70 percent to roughly 20 percent.
The head of the Post Office, DeJoy, is a GOP donor who has been in his position since a Republican-controlled Board of Governors installed him in 2020. He might be in trouble. In March, President Biden appointed U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh to fill one of the postal Board of Governors seats. If confirmed by the Senate, that would make six Democrats on the nine-person board. It makes you wonder why that board has not acted sooner on replacing DeJoy.
The old excuse once was “the check’s in the mail.” That may still be an excuse used by many. Only now, if it’s in Palmetto, who can tell when it’ll eventually arrive, if ever?
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Sugarloaf Community Improvement District
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. The Sugarloaf Community Improvement District was formed in 2016 to ensure the long-term success of Gwinnett County’s premier business and entertainment district. The CID is made up of 115 commercial property owners that pay an additional property tax to advance transportation, security, and placemaking projects within the district. The CID then leverages these funds to enhance the value and quality of life for investors, businesses, residents, and visitors. Sugarloaf CID is home to the Gas South District, Sugarloaf Mills, and a thriving business community. The CID has 7% of Gwinnett County’s jobs, including 1,278 companies representing 26,669 employees. The Sugarloaf district has a $15.6 billion annual economic impact on Georgia’s economy.
Since its formation, the CID has leveraged over $28 million in funding for transportation improvements in the CID, advanced projects to help make the district connected, safe, and attractive, and expanded the CID to more than six times its initial value.
- To learn more, visit its web site at www.sugarloafcid.org.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
Four finalists chosen for $50,000 Hudgens Prize
By Cricket Elliott
DULUTH, Ga. | Four finalists have been selected for the 2024 Hudgens Prize, a prestigious visual arts award that carries a cash prize of $50,000 and a solo exhibition at the Hudgens Center for Art and Learning.
Dugger
Clark
The Hudgens Prize is one of the largest awards in the nation given to an individual artist. The purpose of the competition is to elevate and promote the arts throughout Georgia, while providing a transformational opportunity for the winning artist.
Laura Ballance, executive director of The Hudgens, reports: “The quality of the entries for the Hudgens Prize continues to get better every year. The finalists are all exceptional and the jurors face a difficult decision to determine the winner.”
The Hudgens Prize will be awarded based on visits by judges to the four finalist’s studios. Their works will be on view in the 2024 Hudgens Prize Finalists’ Exhibition. The $50,000 prize recipient will be announced at the Hudgens Prize Award Celebration in September.
The finalists are:
-
Suarez
Mabe
Krista Clark: A resident of Atlanta, her work incorporates new and repurposed materials to construct familiar forms in new spatial arrangements displaced from their accustomed sites and settings. She works in drawing, collage and sculptural installation.
- Victoria Dugger: A painter and sculpture, she was born in Columbus and a current resident of Athens, her practice spans painting, mixed media works and sculpture. Working across these forms, she produces objects that blur accepted categories, exploring novel modes of self-expression and embodiment.
- Joni Mabe: Born in Cornelia and a current resident of Athens, she is a huge fan of Elvis Presley, who often ends up represented in her work. She is creator of the Everything Elvis Museum and owns a large personal collection of Elvis memorabilia, artifacts and curiosities – including a wart. She also works in sculptural installations.
- Sergio Suarez: Born in Mexico City, he now lives and works in Atlanta. His practice, prompted by an interest in translation, uses different traditions of making to construct a visual language concerned with syncretism, temporality, and the porosity between objects, images, and structures. He works in woodblock carving, painting and ceramic installations.
The 2024 Hudgens Prize jurors include Annette Cone-Skelton, CEO and founding director, The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia; Floyd Hall, executive director, The Atlanta Contemporary; and Melissa Messina, curatorial and advisory services consultant, and curator, Mildred Thompson Estate.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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.
Most property owners to see hike in assessment
The Gwinnett County Board of Assessors has mailed approximately 306,000 Annual Notices of Assessment to residential and commercial property owners.
State law requires that annual notices be sent to property owners advising them of the assessed value of their property as of January 1. The Annual Notice of Assessment provides last year’s value and the 2024 value along with an explanation for any change in value from the previous year.
Roughly 69 percent of residential properties and 70 percent of commercial properties reflect new values this year. The Gwinnett County Assessors’ Office uses available market data to value each property in a manner that meets state regulations.
The Annual Notice of Assessment is not a tax bill but does include an estimate of 2024 property taxes. Of note:
- The estimate combines the 2024 property value with the 2023 millage rates and exemptions on file.
- The 2023 tax rates are used because the 2024 rates for county, cities and schools are not calculated until later in the year.
- The estimates on the notice do not account for potential changes to fees, such as stormwater, solid waste, streetlights or speed control devices.
The Board of Assessors recommends that property owners review their Annual Notice of Assessment to ensure it accurately represents their property and fair market value for Jan. 1, 2024. If property owners disagree with the 2024 value, they have 45 days from the date on their assessment notice to file an appeal online, in person or by mail.
Any taxpayer who wishes to view and print a copy of their annual notice of assessment, research market values, read frequently asked questions or submit an appeal online may visit Gwinnett-Assessor.com.
Lilburn Daze accepting vendor applications
The Lilburn Daze Arts and Crafts Festival is now accepting vendor applications. This year’s event will be held on October 12, 2024, at Lilburn City Park with over 150 arts and crafts vendors, a variety of food vendors and free art activities, a train ride, and lots of other fun for children. With an estimated 10,000 attendees, this family-friendly festival is one of the most popular in the area. Hosted by the Lilburn Woman’s Club and co-sponsored by the City of Lilburn. Visit www.lilburndaze.org for application forms and additional information.
Three Gwinnett schools up for Shuler Awards
Nominees for the 16th Annual Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards (the “Shulers) for the 2023-2024 school year have been announced by the ArtsBridge Foundation, in partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting.
The Shulers—named for the Marietta-born stage and screen star Shuler Hensley—will be highlighted at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre via live broadcast on Georgia Public Broadcasting television on April 18 at 8 p.m.
GHSMTA winners and nominees are recognized as the best of the state’s high school musical theatre students and schools. Over 3,000 students compete for the awards.
Gwinnett County has three schools nominated for the awards: Duluth High and Lanier High and Providence Christian Academy.
Local nominees include:
- DIRECTION: Brandy Carter, Duluth High, for “Godspell the Musical;” and Teri Lance, Lanier High, Sugar Hill, for “Tuck Everlasting.”
- CHOREOGRAPHY: Harry Faal and Julia Scoggins, Lanier High, Sugar Hill, for “Tuck Everlasting.”
- BEST PERFORMANCE BY A LEADING ACTOR: Viraj Ramgopal, Lanier High, Sugar Hill, for “Tuck Everlasting;” and DJ Horton, Providence Academy, for “Fiddler on the Roof.”
- BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER: Haley Binford, Duluth High, for “Godspell the Musical.”
Two students from Gwinnett won scholarships. They were Lorelei Osborne, Greater Atlanta Christian School of Norcross, a $799 scholarship from the Alliance Theatre Musical Theatre Summer Camp. Also winner of a scholarship of $1,000 was Brooke Edwards of Providence Christian Academy of Lilburn.
Several Gwinnett schools won honorable mention recognition. They are:
- For Overall Production: Duluth High for “Godspell the Musical,” and Lanier High for “Tuck Everlasting.”
- For Scenic Design, winning honorable mention was Brandy Carter of Duluth High for “Godspell the Musical.”
- For Costumes, honorable mention was won by Katherine Williams of Providence Academy for “Fiddler on the Roof.”
- In Music Direction, Ivy Overcash of Duluth High was recognized for “Godspell the Musical.”
- For Best Performance by an Actress, honorable mention went to Autumn Pere of Lanier High School for “Tuck Everlasting.”
- In Technical Execution, Sierra McCorkle and Trevor Dukat of Duluth High were honorable mentions for “Godspell the Musical.”
- In Lighting Design, honorable mention went to David Kimbro of Buford High for “Into the Woods;” to Jose Perez of Duluth High for “Godspell the Musical;” and to Kaitlyn Thames and Layne Schoell of Greater Atlanta Christian School, for “Into the Woods.”
Peachtree Corners now has its own doggie park
Peachtree Corners now has a doggie park, thanks primarily to the efforts of City Councilman Alex Wright. Back when a child, Wright had a dog, but when the dog died, Wright was devastated, and did not want to go through that again.
Jump forward to the pandemic. The Wright’s youngest son, Michael, sought to convince his family that they needed a dog. He even did a PowerPoint presentation (with music) explaining why he absolutely needed a dog. Afterward, Wright says: “I guess it was from being cooped up during Covid that my wife suggested maybe we should give in. Next thing I know we tell the kids we are going to get a dog,” Councilman Wright wrote in an email.
Their first dog, Murphy, an Australian Labradoodle, came in June, 2021. Wright says: “All of a sudden, we discovered this whole dog subculture that we had not really paid attention to before. All the things dogs liked to do, all the stuff you could buy them, all the people we met through walking the dog.”
In February, Wright and his wife were at Avalon when they saw the dog park there. Loreen Wright thought Peachtree Corners should have something like that in Town Green. After talking with city officials, they agreed such a park would fight into the Town Green plan. The city spent $526,000 on the park, which opened March 19.
The new dog park is situated behind the CineBistro building near the Town “Green. The Peachtree Corners Off-Leash Dog Park is approximately 9,000 square feet and is divided into sections for smaller and larger dogs, with natural and artificial turf areas.
Reason wins DAR state outstanding teacher award
Reason
Jim Reason, an AP History teacher at Brookwood High School in Snellville, has been recognized as the 2023-2024 Outstanding Teacher of American History by the Georgia State Society, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. This award was presented during the 126th Georgia Society State Conference. Mr. Reason was nominated for this state award by the Philadelphia Winn Chapter, NSDAR in Lawrenceville. Mr. Reason demonstrates the ability to relate history to modern life and events, has high academic standards, and requires excellence from his students at all times. His knowledge of American history is readily shared with students, fostering a spirit of patriotism, and displaying loyal support of our country and constitutional government. Having been a teacher in Gwinnett County for over 30 years. He taught previously at Duluth High School. At Brookwood, he teaches AP classes in government and history and is also the swim and dive coach.
Rabid raccoon spotted in Lilburn area
Another rabid raccoon has been spotted in Gwinnett County, this time near West Jones in Lilburn, when the raccoon attacked a dog. Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement and the Gwinnett County Health Department advise residents to use caution and avoid animals behaving in unusual ways after a raccoon tested positive for the rabies virus.
Diseases like rabies can be transmitted to humans and pets through bites or scratches from wild animals such as foxes and raccoons. Pet owners should ensure that their pets are current on rabies vaccination. According to the National Association of State Health Veterinarians, unvaccinated dogs and cats exposed to a rabid animal must be strictly quarantined for four months and vaccinated one month before being released.
Oath And Honor: A Memoir and a Warning. by Liz Cheney
From Lee Klaer, Duluth: Written by a former U.S. House of Representative member from Wyoming, and Vice Chair of the House Select Committee on the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, it provides an insider account from her time in the Republican party before and after January 6, 2021. She discusses the possible resurgence of threats to American democracy led by sympathizers of the 45th president of the United States. She gives us a gripping first hand account of the insurrection from inside the halls of Congress — from origins to aftermath. As Donald Trump and his enablers betrayed the American people and the Constitution, the author was one of the few Republican officials to take a stand which she had witnessed. She helped lead the Congressional Select Committee investigation whose actions preserved our constitutional framework and the risks we still face.A must read before the upcoming presidential election that many people do not want.
- 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
Grants to focus on underwater archaeology programs
Humans have lived in the area now known as Georgia for more than 12,000 years. Archaeology is the only means by which we are able to learn about the lives and achievements of most of them.
Because Georgia contains some of the most important archaeological sites in the country, the state legislature created the Office of the State Archaeologist, which is charged with directing research on state lands, surveying archaeological sites on state lands, giving technical assistance to private landowners and public agencies, protecting objects of archaeological significance, and establishing training programs. As part of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the state archaeologist bears added responsibilities in environmental review policy and the National Register program.
From the chocolate tabby ruins on Sapelo Island to the Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site in Cartersville, the DNR manages some of the most important reported sites in the state. One of the primary duties of the state archaeologist is to advise the DNR on the stewardship of such archaeological resources on state lands.
Looting destroys the integrity of archaeological sites and, thus, their scientific and historical value. The advent of web-based auction sites has turned an already serious resource-management issue into a critical problem. Most looting is carried out by people who use the stolen artifacts, often taken from private property, to underwrite other crimes—especially the purchase and manufacture of drugs. Looting, then, not only destroys the traces of our past but also fuels other violations. DNR has worked to enhance existing Georgia state law, which enables property owners to safeguard sites on their land.
Georgia currently has no underwater archaeology program. However, a variety of planning studies, some funded through federal grants, will set the stage for a productive underwater archaeology program. Archaeologists already know that Georgia’s underwater sites include everything from Revolutionary War (1775-83) shipwrecks to abandoned towns, from Indian canoes to early-twentieth-century side-wheel steamships. Such resources have the potential to reveal details about little-documented aspects of Georgia’s past. They also can serve as valuable ecotourism attractions.
Saving Georgia’s archaeological resources will take significant efforts on the part of the Society for Georgia Archaeology; its companion organization, the Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists; and related preservation interest groups such as the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries. It also will require increased cooperation with other DNR divisions. Because many of the same forces affect natural resources and archaeological sites, natural resources stewardship bears much in common with archaeological site stewardship, whether on land or underwater. As in so many other realms, cooperation between archaeologists and those with kindred interests will, in the end, help to conserve important parts of Georgia’s past.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Few clues to go on for this Mystery Photo
Today’s Mystery Photo (at right) is cropped heavily so that you’ll have a difficult time, since there are now few clues. It’s not every day you see a photo like this. Now, where is it? Send your ideas to elliott@brack.net and include your hometown.
The most recent Mystery Photo (at left, below) came from Randy Brown of Lawrenceville. Allen Peel of San Antonio, Tex. gave us good information. He said: “Today’s mystery photo is likely to be another easy one, since it is in Georgia … no, not Georgia, USA but the country by the same name in Eastern Europe and West Asia.
The photo is of the Virgin Mary Assumption Church of Metekhi, a Georgian Orthodox Christian church located on the left bank of the river Kura in the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi, one of Europe’s oldest capitals. Most of the existing structure was built between 1278 and 1289 AD. This historic landmark has been damaged and rebuilt many times over its long history and started out as a church, castle and palace built in the 6th century by King Vakhtang I Gorgasali.”
Others recognizing it were Stew Ogilvie, Lawrenceville; George Graf, Palmyra, Va.; Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C.; Lou Camerio, Lilburn; and Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill.
- 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.
Campbell to speak at Men’s Civic Breakfast on Saturday
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.
Upcoming breakfast: Speaking at Christ Episcopal Church Men’s Civic Breakfast will be Larry Campbell, president of Corners Outreach. The breakfast will be in the parish hall on April 13 at 8 a.m. Men of the community are invited.
“Reflections in Abstraction,” a talk by Robert Wa dell Cook, will be April 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Lawrenceville Arts Center’s Mary Kistner Gallery. Join the Hudgens Center for Art and Learning and Aurora for the talk by painter, R.W. Cook. The event will include light refreshments.
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.GwinnettRepublicans.org.
The Suwanee Arts Center celebrates the Suwanee Arts Festival April 13-14, as the city is transformed into a vibrant tableau of creativity, with art displays, live performances, interactive children’s activities, local author signings and a taste of international cuisine.
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.
Coming April 19 to the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center is “A Taste of Black Gwinnett—spring edition,” which will be from 6-10 p.m. It will feature culinary showcases and youth entrepreneur exhibits.
Republican Congressional meetings on April 20: The 4th District Convention will be at the Pine Creek Center, 4328 Cowan Road, Tucker. The 9th District Convention will be at the Dillard House Center, 768 Franklin Street in Dillard. The 10thDistrict Convention will be at the Oconee County Civic Center, 2661 Hog Mountain Road in Watkinsville; and the 13th District Convention will be at the Conyers First United Methodist Church, 921 North Main Street in Conyers. Doors open at 9 a.m. The party reminds those planning to attend that the doors for all conventions will close promptly at 10 a.m.
Clean-Up Day: the town of Braselton has scheduled a city-wide clean up for Saturday, April 20. The day aims to beautify the city’s surroundings, foster a sense of pride in the neighborhoods, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone. The town needs volunteers to join us in this important endeavor. Meet at 8:30 to 9:30 at the Asa Carlton building, 100 Highpoint Park Way in Braselton. Here, staff will hand out supplies and help you determine where you can make a difference!
Historic Cemetery Tour of Norcross will be two days, Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m and Tuesday, April 23, at 11 a.m. Join Gene Ramsey for an immersive tour where you’ll unravel tales of the town’s founders, decode the mysteries of street names, and hear stories spanning 1915 to 1923.
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