CITIZEN
Vol. 31 No. 10
Back to School
page 4
.COM
N o rt h
gwinnett Est. 1988 Covering Dacula, Suwanee, Lawrenceville, Buford, Sugar Hill, Braselton
FREE
AUGUST 2019
www.gwinnettcitizen.com
Artist Jacqui Miller paints to bear witness to racial equality By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com
A measure of clay page 10
“I had no clue what I wanted to paint when I got started. I read somewhere that a good way to figure that out is to start art journaling, so I started sketching every day, and this is where that process lead me,” said Jacqui Miller, whose work was displayed with the Clay and Canvas exhibit this summer at the City of Sugar Hill. A neo-pop artist based out of Lawrenceville, Jacqui started painting only about a year ago, although her background in fashion design is evident in her work, which is distinguished by the use of bold lines and pristine patterns on large canvas using bright, neon acrylic paints and pens. “Pop art is about using familiar images of popular culture and society, like Andy Warhol, who did images of soup cans. But neo-pop, is an adaption of that, incorporating other aspects of culture and life,” said Jacqui. Even before developing an aesthetic, Jacqui used her work to visualize pressing current events. Dabbling with abstracts, Jacqui painted “Car Fire”, an interpretation of the wildfires that ravaged California in late 2018. She’s since abandoned abstract painting and
See WITNESS on Page 18 Nursing Scholarship page 14
Special photo
Jacqui Miller is a Lawrenceville-based artist who aspires to show the beauty of racial equality and ethnicity through her work.
Hearts to Nourish Hope Timothy Jones walks by helps wayward youth in faith and not by sight onto Gwinnett find purpose Georgia State Campus
Delta Community page 15
INSIDE Citizen Connection 4 Gwinnett Pulse 6 Health & Wellness 12 Classifieds 15
PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ABC DIRECT ECR-WSS POSTAL CUSTOMER
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 1
Photo by Julie Thompson
Hearts to Nourish Hope staff. L-R: Ericka Leslie, Career Case Manager; Kevin Vu, Intern; Oscar Parada, Intern; Patrice Wuerth, COO; Royale Schoepf, Counselor, and Timothy Whailen, LMSW.
By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com Patrice Wuerth, COO and Co-founder of local non-profit “Hearts to Nourish Hope”, is on a mission to provide work and education opportunities to troubled youth in the community. With a new center in Lawrenceville that focuses on ages 16 to 24, Patrice sees all kinds of possibilities to make a difference for those in DEFACS, the Juvenile
Court system and out-of-school teens in Gwinnett. “We’re always looking for new partnerships and work experience opportunities to help the kids,” Patrice said. As a theater graduate from New York University, Patrice found her way to Georgia about 30 years ago. She and her sister, Deborah Anglin, shared a vision to start their own organization after years
See HEARTS on Page 16
Special photo
Timothy Jones, crossing Beaver Ruin Rd. independently at the new crosswalk with Hawk Signal created by Gateway85 and funded by the Georgia DOT and the Gwinnett DOT, among others.
By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com This fall, Timothy Jones begins his first semester at Georgia State University pursuing a Master’s in Piano Pedagogy. Blind since birth, Timothy is something of a keys prodigy, and it’s his dream to help others who are visually impaired find a place in society through music. “I’ve been fortunate,” Timothy
said. “Many blind people today are going to have to live on welfare the rest of their life because they were not given the tools and resources at the time they needed them. Now, there are a lot of blind seniors out there who went blind either in their teenage or early adult years, and because no one was able to give them a chance, there’s no way they are ever going to be able to find work.”
See FAITHon Page 10
8/19/19 9:16 PM
2
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 2
gwinnettcitizen.com
August 2019
8/19/19 9:16 PM
Local community joins Holtkamp Heating & Air to celebrate new headquarters & 25th Anniversary
Matthew Holtkamp Holtkamp Heating & Air
Holtkamp Heating & Air was thrilled to open the doors of their brand new office to the public for a recent open house. The event took place in their new, energy efficient headquarters on I-85 in Suwanee. Attendees enjoyed tours of the new facility, hot food right off the grill, ice cold drinks, kids face painting and more. As part of the Open House, the Holtkamps also celebrated the arts by having a gallery of art-work throughout their office, all created by some of the area’s most talented artists. Their large mural project was well under way, giving the public a chance to see this incredible art piece and meet Jason Watts, the mural artist. “We truly appreciate the Holt-
August 2019
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 3
Special Photo
kamp’s for their leadership and commitment to the arts in Gwinnett,” said Jonathan Holmes, Chair, Artworks Gwinnett. “We hope this mural project, as a welcoming sign into the county, will inspire other business leaders to incorporate creative placemaking pro-jects in their development and redevelopment.” “Since our founding nearly 25 years ago, we’ve always been committed to the arts and our community, and we thank Artworks Gwinnett, the North Gwinnett Arts Association and the Hudgens Center for Art & Learning for helping us connect citizens with beautiful, inspirational art through this fun family event.” said Suzanne Holtkamp, VP of Marketing & Operations.
Special Photo
Special Photo
To learn more about Holtkamp Heating & Air and how they can keep your family and your busi-ness comfortable, visit Holtkamphvac.com.
gwinnettcitizen.com
Special Photo
3
8/19/19 9:16 PM
GWINNETTCITIZEN
connection
“What is your favorite or least favorite part about going back to school?” By Rachel Shaw & Julie Thompson Citizen Connection is a random sampling of opinions regarding various subjects. Visit our Facebook page to add yours and see a whole lot more!
“[My least favorite part is] now it seems they’re starting too early.” ~ Jay Lyle, Loganville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“My favorite part is knowing the kids are getting to learn and knowing they’re getting a good education.” ~ Tim McIntyre, Grayson, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“That would be getting new school supplies. Especially a trapper keeper.” ~ Lauren Heidler, Lawrenceville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“Back to school shopping is the worst part. The best part is probably the meeting of new people.” ~ Rachael Harrison, Loganville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“Long hours studying [would be my least favorite part].” ~ Joshua Richardson, Lithonia, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“The structure, more schedule. That’s my favorite part, and it’s also my least favorite part because there is less time to just kick back and relax. Schedule is good, but it can be nice to just hangout and be together.” ~ Kim Williams, Grayson, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“[My favorite part is that] she’ll get to learn and be around kids and be social. The bad thing is she’s growing up too fast. She’s going into Pre-K.” ~ Humberto Chavez, Loganville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“My favorite part would be seeing friends. Back then, you didn’t see them in the summer. And my least favorite part would be getting up early.” ~ Lisa Culver, Loganville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“There’s nothing I don’t like about my grandkids going back to school. I like it because they are finishing school.” ~ Jean Waldrip, Grayson, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“My favorite thing is knowing I’m gaining more knowledge to meet the changing society. There’s always more to learn. And the hard part is trying to find the time as a parent and giving them the time need.” ~ Ann Garcia, Loganville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“It’s been so long . . . I guess my favorite part is [going back to school] helps you remember every year. With my son, I’m going to do a video diary of when he’s three, four, [etc.], so he can look back and remember some of those years.” ~ Ashley Lanier, Lawrenceville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“I loved school. I guess [my favorite part] was knowing I was learning and being with the teachers. If it wasn’t for the teachers and what they did, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much. They just give of themselves, and I don’t think they get enough credit.” ~ Sy Raymond, Lawrenceville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
I grew up in the city, and up until the second grade, my grandmother always had me wear these high stockings. When we moved to the suburbs, all the other girls wore little socks, and I was so embarrassed because I stood out, and it took my grandmother a while to realize no one else wore them. That was my least favorite part, but that was about 70 years ago.” ~ Delsie Barton, Jacksonville, Fl. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“My favorite part was always seeing people. We didn’t grow up with all these parks, so you didn’t get to see other kids unless you were in school. As a dad, it’s going back to routine, back to schedule after it gets crazy in the summer time. I definitely have a different perspective on it as a dad.” ~ Christopher Bailey, Grayson, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
“[My least favorite part is that] I work and finding a work/life balance is tough. My wife usually does the school stuff, and it’s hard not to be able to see [our daughter] off to school every day. We’re new to the whole public-school system. She’s going into Kindergarten, and I worry about teachers communicating with us. As long as they do that, we’re going to be good!”
4
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 4
gwinnettcitizen.com
~ Ladarian Raymond, Lawrenceville, Ga. (Grayson Park, Grayson, Ga.)
August 2019
8/19/19 9:16 PM
Belonging to a Community You’ve got to love those TELEMARKETERS
Special photo
We’re here! Carcoustics USA South located at 4620 Thompson Mill Road in Buford GA, opened its doors to their 130,000 square foot facility on October 9, 2017. Since the opening we have grown in staff and are looking for more vibrant, fast paced, flexible employees to get the job done. We are an innovative, medium-sized company on course for continued growth both domestic and international. The company develop and produce solution-oriented acoustic and thermally-effective components for the automotive industry. Each of our 2,300 employees worldwide contribute to the success of our company – at our headquarters in Leverkusen Germany and 14 other locations in Europe, Americas and Asia.
Now Hiring We held an Open House / Job Fair on August 10, 2019 at our facility. If you missed this event, no worries. Email your resume usbuf-hr@carcoustics.com We are always seeking great talent to add to our fast pace production floor. The current openings on various shifts are: Machine Operator Maintenance Technician Logistics Specialist Team Lead Stop by our lobby and pick up an application. You can place the application in the lobby drop box for review. If you choose a future at Carcoustics, you are making the right choice. We offer you a variety of perspectives for your personal success story! Come share your story with us.
Bill York
Nonagenarian 10:05 PM. Exhausted after a hard day, had just dozed off. Telephone jangles. Sleepily, “Hello, it’s your dime, talk.” Syrupy voice, “Is this William York?” “I’m sure it is.” “Hi. May I call you, Bill?” “Sure,” I said, wondering. “Bill, congratulations, you have been selected to receive 4 free dance lessons from Artistic dance studio.” I said, “So?” “Bill, Artistic is the premier dance studio in this area.” “What’s your name, honey?” “My name is Ann,” real sultry voice. I took the phone to the kitchen and plugged in the coffee. “So, what’s this great freebie?” “Bill, you must come in to our studio and meet our luscious instructors.” I grabbed a stale doughnut.
“Are they real purty?” My redneck talk shows up sometimes. “You’ll see when you come in,” she purred. “I’ve been thinking about purty girls ever since my wife left.” “Sorry about your marriage.” “Oh, she just went to the grocery.” “I thought you were serious.” “I’ve been thinking about learning to tap dance. That would be cool.” “I tap dance. I enjoyed watching Gene Kelly.” “How much to learn to dance in the rain?” I poured a cup. “We have options. 10 lessons will be $100, but remember 4 are free.” “That’s great. We are wealthy. I can afford anything.” “You really will enjoy dancing so much you might want a longer series.” “What else goes with that series?” I giggled. “You’ll find out.” She giggled too. She was teasing me. “When can I start?” “Anytime. How many lessons will you want?” “I’d like two a week for a year.” I could sense joy in her voice. Bingo! Big commission. “Bill, you can join our girls on world cruises.” “My wife won’t like that.” “You can bring her along.” “She’s not that much fun.” “You can Samba, Tango and Charleston. Think of being in a line of exquisite girls doing the Bunny Hop.” I chuckled again. “Can I learn to waltz?” My eyelids are droopy. She was vamping me like Lorelei got to Jason.
11:10. One hour of professional hustling. The coffee was cold. “For someone special like you, I suggest the five year plan.” “How much will it cost, honey?” “Going to parties and world trips with our voluptuous girls it will cost you only $7500.” “What does that word voluptuous mean?” “You know, chesty, Bill.” She really giggled. I said, “OOOOHHH! When do I pay?” “You can bring a cashier check when you come in for your free lessons.” I emptied the coffee pot. “Bill, did you hear me?” “Yes, ma’am, I did.” I checked the time. It was getting late. “My wife just came in. Let me check with her.” “Why.” “She’s a tightwad and awfully jealous.” Maybe a minute went by. It was 12:15. Two hours of great entertainment but it was time for Taps. “Bill?” “Bill?” I turned on the TV. A piece of doughnut got stuck in my throat “Bill?” I hung up the phone. Telemarketers are great fun. Bill is a 93-year old WW II Navy veteran and retired President of York Furs in Buckhead. You can contact him by email at Sioux2222@gmail.com
9-DAY Baltic Cruise from Copenhagen
SAIL WITH GWINNETT CITIZEN GREAT ESCAPES GROUP
Book Now at www.GwinnettCitizen-GreatEscapes-2020.com
Ships’ Registry: Bahamas & USA Day
Cruise Ports
Arrive
Depart
---
5:00 pm
7:30 am
10:00 pm
---
---
Mon
Copenhagen (EMBARK)
Tue
Rostock (Berlin)
Wed
At Sea
Thu
Tallinn Estonia
9:00 am
4:30 pm
Fri
St. Petersburg
7:00 am
Overnight
Sat
St. Petersburg
---
7:00 pm
Sun
Helsinki
7:00 am
4:00 pm
Mon
Nynashamn (Stockholm)
7:00 am
7:00 pm
Tue
At Sea
---
---
Wed
Copenhagen
7:00 am
---
* All itineraries are subject to change without notice.
RATE PER PERSON* Jul 13 - 22, 2020 MON - WED
Category 1D -
ADDITIONAL NCL FREE AT SEA OFFERS Earn 2 to 4 offers depending on your cabin and booking date • Premium Beverage Package** • Four (4) Meal Specialty Dining Package** • Internet Package (per cabin) • $50 per port shore excursion credit (per cabin)
** Applies only to the 1st & 2nd Guest sharing the same cabin – additional guests in the cabin do not qualify. Guest is responsible for 20% gratuities on the retail value of package. Terms & Conditions apply as per Norwegian Cruise Line.
OUR GROUP ARRANGEMENTS: • Meet and Greet/Travel Documents Party prior to cruise • Onboard Welcome Cocktail Party • Exclusive Shore Excursions available for our group • Group Air option with pre-cruise hotel package available in September 2019
Inside
Oceanview
Category OB -
Category BF -
Category MC -
Mini-Suite
Haven Suite
$1,489
$1,949
$2,199
$2,499
$4,999
Balcony
Category H9 -
*Rates are based on double occupancy. All rates and categories are subject to availability at time of booking. Alternate cabin categories and suites available. RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY
ADDITIONAL COSTS: Approximately $163.31 taxes & port fees | Airfare/Hotel (if arriving early) | $50 booking: Recess 4 Grownups Travel, our exclusive travel agent | Gratuities onboard
August 2019
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 5
gwinnettcitizen.com
5
8/19/19 9:16 PM
Gwinnett Pulse
Gwinnett-based Athletic Club wins National Title in U.S. Youth Soccer Championship By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com Last month, the Kalonji Soccer Academy (KSA) sent two teams to the US Youth Soccer Association Nationals held in Kansas. Returning to Gwinnett on July 28, the boys came home champions, with the KSA 2001 team taking home the National Title after scoring 7-0 in their final match. The 2004 team finished fourth place in their age rank. “It was a huge accomplishment,” said Coach Bruno Kalonji, who founded KSA as a nonprofit in 2014. He’s proud but hardly surprised by how well his boys performed. The boys had been pushing their limits all summer. Almost every morning, they ran Stone Mountain at 7 a.m. and finished practice at Central Gwinnett Park by 9 a.m. Then at 6:30, they were back at the park, practicing until 10:30 at night. The rigor of their training may seem a little unorthodox to some, but as parent-volunteer Kisha Cameron says, “This is what champions do. And these kids are champions.” Kisha’s son attends Woodward Academy in College Park and joined the team only a few weeks before Nationals. She’s one of five parents who can afford to pay membership fees, and even though her son didn’t start early enough in the season to compete with the others, she’s glad her dues helped pay for some of the travel expenses. About half of KSA’s players are refugees who live in the areas around Clarkston, Stone Mountain, Tucker and parts of Lawrenceville. Most of the kids come from low-income households. “We take kids that cannot afford to play, and we give them an opportunity so, the developing of the kids. We’ve won a lot of games; we’ve won a lot of titles. Of course, people are always hung up on the title, but we’ve also put a lot of kids in college and get them out of the street and driven to do something positive. That’s really the bigger picture,” Coach Bruno said. Coach Bruno is accustomed to incurring most of the Academy’s expenses. But with costs for hotels, charter buses, and their week-long trip to and from Kansas, Bruno estimates their travel expenses came up to $20,000. Taking into account they had just sent five teams to Louisiana for Regionals in June, it seems the team is quickly outpacing their bank account. Coach Bruno tries to keep a glasshalf-full perspective in all this. “[At times, it seems] we don’t want to win more, because we don’t want to pay more. But the only way you get that exposure is by playing in those high leagues. [There you get] exposure in terms of college scouts and sponsors, so it’s important that we get there because of the exposure.” For many of the boys, their success in competitive soccer may be their only ticket to college and out of their crime-ridden neighborhoods. “They gave us a better chance to show our dream and to make our dreams come true, you know and to make our parents proud,” said Siem Beraki, their Central Midfield who attends Clarkston
6
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 6
gwinnettcitizen.com
Photo by Julie Thompson
The Kalonji Soccer Academy’s 2001 team took home the National Title at the 2019 US Youth Soccer Championship held in Kansas this summer. L-R: Coach Santino Jerke, Siem Beraki (Central, Midfielder), Coach Bruno Kalonji, Daniel Vahnie, (Right Defender) and Coach Borfor “Bof” Carr.
High School. Slowly he admitted, “We live in Clarkston . . . there is a lot of gangsters in there. It takes about five minutes to be on the wrong side. But soccer keeps us busy to get out of the place, and we come here every day about four days, and on Saturday and Sunday we have games and stuff, so we don’t be in that place a lot, and sometimes we go to Coach Bruno’s house to have sleepovers and stuff.” Fifteen-year-old Siem is a refugee from Eritrea. He now lives with his four siblings and aging father. His oldest brother, who is 24, is the family’s main breadwinner. The details of their trek from Eritrea into Ethiopia are blurry. It was an eighthour journey, and there was about a seven-month wait in a camp before they could come to the U.S. And shortly after they arrived, his mom left suddenly. “My mom had to leave from the house because there were some problems. I don’t know what happened,” Siem said. Coach Bruno came as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, while head coach Borfor Carr, or just “Coach Bof” as the kids know him, came with his family from Liberia. Both he and Coach Santino Jerke started playing for Coach Bruno at young ages. Having been through the program, they know just how much winning Nationals means to the kids. “It’s huge. It puts them in the spotlight and to be recognized by a lot of college coaches. We’re already getting looked at by some of the major schools, and that’s the goal for the majority of them,” said Coach Bof, who came to the U.S. as a refugee from Liberia. Coach Bof lead a successful career as a professional soccer player for years before returning to Gwinnett to give back to the kids in KSA. “There is no better feeling,” he said. Coach Santino fled Sudan after his father was taken from their home by Rebel Forces. He reunited with his father in Egypt and United Nations assisted their family in coming to the U.S. Coach Santino began playing for Coach Bruno at age 14, and after years of mentorship, and he received a scholarship to Brewton-Parker College in Mnt. Vernon, Ga. He, too, wanted to come back and help other refugee kids find success through soccer. “I grew up loving this sport and this game, and that’s how I ran into coach Bruno . . . I got into college through his program. I’m back, now, helping him with everything
he needs because he needs all the help,” Santino said. “We’ve graduated a lot of kids every year, so we’ve definitely grown, and believe it or not, we’re growing more and more in underprivileged kids because we have vans that go out and pick up the kids in Clarkston and Stone Mountain, and more and more kids want to jump in the van, and kids went to come and play. We start struggling a bit on that because, I guess, for now, we’re limited in how many kids we can help,” Coach Bruno said. Coach Bruno admits their dynamic is different. He has three of his own kids, and he’s adopted six more who stay with him in his home in Snellville. Their house is full as they host and feed many of the kids who come over. “Being part of KSA, I think it’s like a pretty big thing for me, you know. It’s like, it’s not the same club as other clubs. It’s very welcoming. It’s like we are a family. The team is so good. I don’t know how to say it, but it’s just so good. KSA is like . . . Coach Bof, Coach Bruno, they like my dad, you know,” said Daniel Vahnie, KSA’s Right Defender. Daniel fled Burma on foot with his family as a small child and now attends Tucker Middle School. Envistacom is the Academy’s title sponsor, although a few undisclosed individuals have been more than generous over the years. But as KSA keeps growing, they are going to need more help in the way of volunteers and sponsors. To help sponsor the regional champions, donate to their go-fund-me: https://dm2.gofund.me/ksa-u15-fundraiser-for-usys-national-championship. With the post- Nationals excitement coming to a lull, the coaches are preparing for the regular season to start in late August. By September, they’ll be back on the road competing in regional matches. “I realized when we started here that what my son had been doing on other teams was just average as far as developmental training,” Kisha Cameron said. “Once we came to this team, it was a whole different ball game — no pun intended. But it was totally different. These kids work hard.” KSA has mentored numerous players who have gone on to play for well-known international and domestic teams including Atlanta United. Learn more at https://kalonjisoccer.com.
August 2019
8/19/19 9:16 PM
Your Green: What Women Need to Know About Retirement
Roger Green, MSFS,CFP ® Green Financial Resources
A report released in March 2016 by the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) finds that across all age groups women have substantially less income in retirement than men. By age 65, 80% of women are more likely than men to live in poverty. Women age 75 to 79 were three times more likely to fall below the poverty level than men. Here are some factors creating the problems women are facing compared to men in successfully planning for retirement: Women are more likely to work parttime in jobs with no benefits, including retirement accounts. A Transamerica study from 2015 showed that 28% of women work part-time compared to only 14% of men. Women are more likely to stop working to take care of family members, resulting in lower lifetime savings rates due to fewer years generating income. These breaks then also impact their overall salary gains, earning potential and results in them making less money during their working years in total. Women live longer than men on aver-
August 2019
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 7
age. A woman retiring at age 65 can expect to live another 20 years – about 2 years longer than a man’s life expectancy (DOL). However, the 2015 Transamerica study found women estimate their retirement saving needs to be less than what men estimate they will need ($800,000 versus $1mil). Only 44% of working women participated in a retirement plan (Department of Labor), a plan that allows you to earn interest and compounded growth on your money over time. Women tend to invest more conservatively than men, potentially causing them to lose out on growth opportunities needed to make their money last through their longer retirement years. Even though the household incomes of individuals age 65 and older has increased in recent years, women have 26% less income than men during these years (NIRS). Of the women who are offered a 401k or similar plan, only 77% participate, versus 82% for men. And men contribute higher percentages of their income than women. (Transamerica 2015). Additionally, 40% of women are “not too confident” or “not at all confident” in their ability to fully retire with a comfortable lifestyle, compared to only 33% of men. Among baby boomers (born 1946 to 1964), only 26% have a back-up plan if they are forced to retire earlier than expected; such as due to health issues or job loss (Transamerica 2015). Women need to be more aware of these statistics and trends and take action to ensure they work to get their retirement on track as early as possible. What steps can you take to better control your financial future? Take full advantage of the benefits offered to you through your employer. Join
as soon as you can and contribute as much as the plan allows or as much as you can afford. Look for ways you can sacrifice elsewhere to put more toward your future if not able to save the maximum. If there is a 401k match, make certain you contribute no less than what is needed to earn the full matching amount – or you will be giving away free money!! Do not draw from your retirement assets prior to retirement unless you have absolutely no other financial options. If you leave a job, leave your assets untouched or roll them over into your new plan or an individual IRA. Resist the temptation to spend the assets you have worked hard to save simply because they have become available to you. Figure out what you will need in retirement and develop a strategy to get there. Make sure you include things like the cost of retirement living and medical expenses when doing so. I strongly advise that everyone seek the advice of a financial professional. You wouldn’t put a filling in your own tooth or perform surgery on yourself. Your financial future is no less important. If you rely on your income to support yourself, make sure you are properly insured to protect yourself from disability and loss of income. Where financially feasible, obtain long term care insurance to provide for your needs in the event of lengthy illness or disability, especially as you get older. Whether a single parent, a family caregiver or a working spouse, make certain your spouse has adequate life insurance to provide for your needs and the needs of your family in the event of the death of one of you. Many underestimate these needs. If the family caregiver were to die unexpectedly, how would you pay for the need for child care and other contributions that per-
gwinnettcitizen.com
son is making currently? If both spouses work, would you be able to afford all of your bills in the event of the death of your spouse? When faced with decisions about reducing work hours or leaving a job to become a caregiver, weigh the financial impact those decisions may have on your future, and plan wisely to mitigate the impact. One way to mitigate the impact would be to take advantage of the Spousal Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account) provision that allows a non-working spouse to contribute to a Roth IRA based on the income of the working spouse. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can open a Roth IRA in your name and have your working spouse contribute to it from their income/assets while you are not working. The Roth IRA can be especially important to your overall retirement planning, as it allows you to make withdrawals during retirement that are not subject to income taxes, increasing the portion of your money you may have to spend in retirement. There are more restrictive guidelines for making the same type of Spousal IRA contribution into a traditional IRA account. Traditional IRA contributions would reduce your taxable income for the year for which the contribution is made, however, because you didn’t pay taxes on those contributions when you made them, withdrawals from those accounts will be taxable as income in retirement. Learn all you can about Social Security and Medicare so you are prepared for the choices you will need to make in those areas. If you are divorced, you may be entitled to a higher Social Security benefit under your ex-spouses record. Think in terms of planning for “worst
case scenarios”, such as divorce or the early death of a spouse. These are not pleasant thoughts, but careful retirement planning needs to consider these often sudden life changes that can occur to all of us. In the event of divorce, you may be entitled to a portion of your spouse’s retirement benefits. In the event of death, you may also be eligible to receive a survivor benefit. Be aware of the rights you may have under a spouse’s retirement benefits. If forced into an early retirement situation, or if your retirement benefits are being exhausted too quickly in retirement, consider cost-cutting changes such as moving in with a relative, downsizing your home, or even taking a roommate to help you defray your costs. Most of us cannot possibly save enough for a comfortable retirement without obtaining growth on our assets, especially considering the negative impact of inflation and taxes. Make sure your retirement plan is one that provides you with an increased probability of obtaining long term growth to increase your odds of achieving your retirement goals. If you are a woman wanting to review your retirement future – whether on your own or as part of a couple, please contact our office at 770.931.1414 to schedule a no-cost appointment. Or visit www.RogerSGreen.com to learn more about the retirement planning classes I’ve been teaching for over 20 years at local colleges. We are here to help, and I’ve been helping women plan for a better future for more than 30 years! Roger S. Green is a Registered Representative, offering securities and advisory services through Cetera Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. His office is located at 3700 Crestwood Parkway Duluth, GA 30096.
7
8/19/19 9:16 PM
How much do window coverings cost?
I will answer that question with more questions. The pricing is approximate, per window.
Joan Miller
The Blind Ladies
1) What is your expectation for durability and quality? You can buy a stock size vinyl mini-blind for about $15 or you can go with a value priced 2” custom blind for about $65. The difference in performance and durability is commensurate with price. If you don’t want to replace your blinds or shades again, then consider the difference an investment. 2) What is your expectation for aesthetics? If the overall look is important, you may be thinking about more decorative treatments. Higher end Roller Shades, Roman Shades,
8
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 8
or an equivalent type treatment can start at $250 and go up to $750 or more, depending on size, material selection, and operating features. Automation adds about $250-$300. 3) What is your expectation for installation and service? If you want to do it yourself, consider measuring, ordering, and installing. Mistakes can cost more in the long run. If you prefer professional guidance, the additional cost is well worth the end result. Installation costs vary from dealer to dealer with applicable minimum charges. Expect somewhere from $12-$20 on a manually operated window treatment at floor level, more for over 10 feet high windows. These are very basic costs provided to prepare you in your search for cost on blinds and shades. We are a full-service window treatment company, offering professional consultation, installation, and service after your investment. Call Joan at 404 918-5288 or visit our website: theblindladies.com
Live oaks are the state tree of Georgia If you have ever been to Savannah or Charleston, one thing you are sure to have noticed is the large oak trees lining the streets. These trees are called live oaks (Quercus virginiana) and are the state tree of Georgia. Live oaks are native to the sandy soils near the coast but can also grow in the moist, fertile soils of woodland areas, along stream banks, and in a variety of other site conditions. Live oaks are magnificent trees for street plantings and large estates, but they are not well suited for small properties. The trees have broad spreading horizontal limbs with trunks up to six feet in diameter. They have the potential to grow 40 to 80 feet in height, 60 to 100 feet in width, and can live for centuries. During the earlier years of the tree’s life, it can grow two to three feet a year, and up to one inch in width per year. They should be planted in large open areas, such as parks and large yards, to accommodate their wide-spreading limbs. The tree is evergreen in warmer areas, but it drops its leaves in colder climates. Its wood is one of the heaviest of the native hardwoods and can weigh as much as 55 pounds per cubic foot. In
gwinnettcitizen.com
Tim Daly
Gwinnett County Extension Agent
the days of wooden ships, the wood from live oak was the preferred source for the framework for them. Live oak trees provided much of the lumber used in the construction of the U.S.S. Constitution — “Old Ironsides.” Birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and deer love the sweet tasting acorns of the live oak; a mature tree can produce thousands of them. The waxy leaves increase their tolerance to the salt water spray, which gives them the ability to thrive along saltwater marshes and beaches. They prefer the milder climates of the coastal plain but will also grow in North Georgia. However, the live
oaks will not grow to the size they can become in the coastal plains due to the colder winters and clay soils in the northern part of the state. Once established, they are remarkably hardy and can survive in almost any location. Although live oaks prefer sandy, loamy soils, they can tolerate more compacted clay soils. Once established, they are very tolerant of drought conditions. The trees prefer to be in full sun but can tolerate some shade. It can survive construction activities and root damage better than most trees. The deep roots of the tree and its durable wood increase its resistance to toppling over in the high wind. Live oaks generally have minimal pest problems. If you decide to plant a live oak, remember it will grow very large, so in small yards, choose another tree that will better fit your needs. If you have the space to grow these trees, then in time, you will have a beautiful gigantic shade tree. Timothy Daly is Agricultural and Natural Resource Agent with the UGA Extension Gwinnett. He can be reached at 678-377-4010 or tdaly@ uga.edu
August 2019
8/19/19 9:16 PM
Right Now is the Best Time to Prepare for the Unexpected
James Miskell
Estate Planning
In the middle of a Georgia summer, the days are long and it seems like we’ve got more time for the things we enjoy. The kids are out of school, and work slows down a little. If we’re lucky, we get some extra time with our family, spend lazy days at the pool, and vacation with children and grandchildren. It can feel like summer will last forever. But all along know that September is just around the corner. Another school year has begun and work will kick back into high gear. The kids will need school supplies and new clothes for school. All too soon, parents will find themselves crossing off items on the back-to-school list
August 2019
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 9
and standing in the check-out line. Fortunately, the schools publish a supply list for each grade so parents know exactly what is needed to be prepared on that first day of school. Unlike the predictability of the end of summer and the back to school routine with its checklists, we have no way of knowing when the next stage of life will begin for our family. Will it be the death of a spouse or a long illness? Will it be the marriage of a child, the start of a new business, or an auto accident or lawsuit? Unfortunately, we don’t get a timetable with these events penciled in and a “to-do” list to guide us through how to handle them. Failing to plan before these events occur is one of the most serious threats to family financial security. Big events and big changes require big decisions. A family that has not planned in advance will face those decisions in the heat of the moment, subject to the pressure of time and emotion--and perhaps with limited information. If you plan while you can--while you are healthy and have time--you can give your
family a playbook to follow when life altering events occur. What should your plan look like? Do you need more than a will and a power of attorney? Does your family know your wishes for medical treatment? As you age or become ill, what benefits (Medicaid, VA) are available to you? Can you protect what you have earned from predators without losing control of your assets? Is a trust the best way to protect your assets? If so, what kind of trust? The answers to these questions are different for ever y family. The first step is to begin the conversation with one another about what is most important for your family’s future. Knowing that fall is coming shouldn’t make summer less enjoyable--the knowledge that fall is coming allows you to be prepared for all the events that fall brings. So enjoy your summer! Make the most of your time with the family. There is no better time to start a conversation about what is important to you when life’s changes unpredictably--but inevitably--occur.
gwinnettcitizen.com
James M. Miskell received his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1993. His Asset Protection, Estate Planning and Elder Law practice has offices located in Lawrenceville and Johns Creek. He of fers educational workshops
and free consultations to assist clients as well as fellow professionals in creating individualized solutions. Visit his website: www. LetsTalkEstatePlanning.com. For more information, see his ad in this issue.
9
8/19/19 9:16 PM
FAITH continued from page 1 At an early age, Timothy exhibited exceptional musical ability. He had what musicians call “perfect pitch,” meaning he could aptly distinguish notes without training. When he was two, his mom, Nancy Jones, caught Timothy picking out the tune to “Lamb of God” by Twila Paris. Following the suggestion of a friend, she decided to put him in music lessons immediately. But finding someone to teach him was easier said than done. “A lot of people were scared to take me on at that time for a twofold reason. One, because of my blindness and, two, because of my age,” Timothy said. So, his parents enrolled him in the Kindermusick program at Norcross First Methodist right down the road from their home. They tried private lessons with a few teachers, but their first break-through moment arrived after meeting Patti Bennett, a woman who Timothy has affectionately dubbed his personal “Anne Sullivan.” “She was a pianist for our new church in Lilburn, and she was a pioneer in taking me on as her student. Bear in mind, this was the year 1999 going into 2000. All we had was dial-up internet, and there certainly was not much information in the library about how to teach a blind student to play piano, and to be honest, I don’t think there is much today,”
Timothy contemplated. It took much innovation on Ms. Bennett’s part to bring Timothy’s skills to a master level in only a few years. She practiced playing, while blindfolded, pieces she had memorized and developed a method to coach him. Years later, Timothy will vouch the method worked. “She was a trailblazer in getting me to where I am today,” said Timothy. Ms. Bennett introduced her prodigy to organ playing in his preteen years, and he picked up lessons wholeheartedly with Ms. Karen Bunn, whom the family found through the Atlanta chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Hoping to bring his organ-playing skills to the same level as his piano playing, Timothy decided to study Organ Music Performance at Mercer University, where he graduated with honors with a Bachelor’s degree in May 2019. Timothy now begins his post-graduate journey with the confidence that he can achieve anything he sets his mind to. Earlier this year, Nancy Jones caught wind that Gateway85 Community Improvement District (CID) was building a crosswalk across Beaver Ruin Road, not far from the Marta stop where Timothy would catch a ride to GSU. Wondering if the crosswalk was to include an audio feature for the visually impaired,
Special photo
Timothy Jones playing the organ at his home in Norcross, Ga.
Nancy walked to the site and met the project overseer as he was checking progress on the project. “She asked if the system was audible. It was not,” said Michener, Robert Michener, the Director of Operations for the Gateway85. Michener and the other developers took Nancy’s suggestion to heart and invested $15,000 towards a Hawk Signal System to add a sound feature to their project, which cost $205,000 total. Gateway 85 celebrated the project’s completion on Timothy’s 26th birthday on July 16th, where he was recognized as a guest of honor at an event attended by two of the project’s primary sponsors Georgia DOT and the Gwinnett DOT. “It gives me hope,” he said, knowing it makes his commute to the Atlanta campus that much easier. “I had told my mobility instructor that I will never cross this walk unsu-
Special photo
Nancy Jones and Timothy Jones celebrating Timothy’s birthday during Gateway85’s presentation of the Beaver Ruin Mid-Block crosswalk on July 16, 2019.
pervised. I’ll either have a stranger or a family member come out and walk me across, or I’ll ride the bus all around the block. Thanks to this crosswalk, it will do a lot of things. It will aid in independence.” While working towards his master’s, Timothy hopes to continue playing music at his church and to perform the odd paid gig on the side. “I’ve done a lot of things from informal to very formal. I played at something as informal as Lunch on the Lawn in Loganville to playing at the State Convention of the Georgia Council of the Blind and the National
Convention of the American Council for the Blind, both in 2014. I’ve done a little bit of everything, “Timothy said. Bookings inquirers can message Timothy through the contact page on his professional website: Byfaithnotbysight.net. Timothy also plans to hone the use of various access technology programs. He hopes that one day, he can develop more digital resources for the 267,100 visually impaired citizens who live in noninstitutional residences in the state of Georgia, as the National Federation of the Blind’s latest report shows. “I’m hoping I can combine teaching piano and braille music to blind students with something with access technology for the blind. So, working as a tech support agent or doing some basic training for young children on how to use Jaw Screen Reader and perhaps the Good Feel music software by Dancing Dots.” It’s all lining up for him, and Timothy is hopeful that at the fast rate technology is progressing, work opportunities for those living with disabilities will also expand. And he is taking steps to be part of the solution. “We need more advocacy going on, especially for those blind people who are in the public school system. Those students need all the resources they can get,” Timothy said.
Corrections’ welding program offers a A measure of Clay by Richard Shivers — second chance at life for inmates Landing a job is one of the hardest and most critical Pottery for the soul pieces needed to start life over after getting out of prison.
Charlotte J. Nash
County Business
When Gage Bryant was 13 years old, he fell in with some older kids who were in and out of trouble. One night, the group was involved in a robbery in which an elderly couple was killed. Gage didn’t commit the murder but he was arrested, charged and convicted as an accessory. He received a 35-year sentence, but it might as well have been a life sentence. His future looked bleak. But he kept his nose clean, behaved himself, and impressed the staff at the Gwinnett County Department of Corrections where they keep medium- and minimum-security state inmates and county inmates sentenced to full-time incarceration. When it was time to select inmates for the 14 slots for the department’s
10
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 10
second welding classes offered with Gwinnett Technical College, Gage was chosen. At end of the 16-week program, Gage held certifications in multiple welding techniques. More than that, Gage, 25, holds a shot at reclaiming his life when he gets out, possibly in a year for good behavior. The Corrections welding class, now in its second year, allows inmates like Gage to get a good-paying job upon release and break the cycle of recidivism that keeps so many in the penal system. In the first graduating class, all 11 of the graduates released found jobs immediately. Landing a job is one of the hardest and most critical pieces needed to start life over after getting out of prison. Employers are often skittish about hiring a convicted criminal, leaving some newly released inmates feeling like crime is their only real option. But thanks to the welding program, Gage and his fellow graduates can show prospective employers that they have what it takes to be productive. Before release, the inmates also go through a 12-week course on
day-to-day survival on the outside. The curriculum covers opening accounts, paying bills, using computers, and other critical life skills. Some inmates are allowed to transfer to a transitional center where they stay at night but leave for regular jobs during the day. The money they earn is put in a special account waiting for them when they are released. The nest egg gives them a head start when the re-enter the world. The welding program is a relatively new innovation at Corrections. It got started in 2018 when the ARC contacted Shontese Renfroe-Wilson, Gwinnett’s vocation/ education coordinator, about helping fund a new program to help inmates find gainful employment. Renfroe-Wilson started researching job skills and learned there is a great need for welders. She reached out to Gwinnett Technical College, which readily agreed. The result is a program that offers young men like Gage a way out of the life of crime. It’s a program that offers opportunity, dreams, and hope.
gwinnettcitizen.com
By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com
Whether singing in the church choir or molding clay behind the wheel, Richard Shivers hopes that his work will inspire and enrich those who experience it. Richard was employed as a music educator by Gwinnett County Public Schools, until 2011, when he gave up his nine-to-five in pursuit of a long-held dream to become a potter. He began dipping his toes in the water in 2004 by taking lessons at the Hudgens Center and learned from various artists across the Metro Atlanta area, spending six years to master the skill. Eventually, he decided to start a studio right at his home in Buford. Using “A Measure of Clay” and a dose of positive intentions, Richard now creates and sells a variety of items from Christmas ornaments to hand-made kitchenware — various sized bowls, mugs, platters, trays, plates, tumblers, etc. — that is all food-safe and can be used in the microwave, dishwasher and cold oven. Over the years, Richard created a process that emphasizes artistry over commercial production so that each is a “one-of-a-kind” statement piece. He selects the best clays he can find, his preference being a speckled brown clay; he molds or ‘throws’ the vessel on the wheel, fires it, sands and glazes it and fires it again. Depending on the detail of the design before the first firing, he might add elaborate de-
Photo by Julie Thompson
Richard Shivers of “A Measure of Clay” creates and sells unique pottery out of his home studio in Buford. Here he holds his leaf tray, hand-built by stamping a real leaf onto the clay and adding attachments.
tail to the clay, carving into the clay or leaving impression marks with odd household objects like coins, nails and tools. After applying glazes in a multi-step process, waxing, layering of various hues of glazes, he might repeat the firing to create the look he’s trying to execute. It’s a process that can take days, Richard admits. With the freedom of having his own studio, Richard enjoys pushing his limits creatively. “I really couldn’t get this complex with my designs when I was working at a community studio, but with my home
See SOUL on Page 11 August 2019
8/19/19 9:16 PM
SOUL continued from page 10
Photo by Julie Thompson
Richard Shivers’ Quilted pottery series at the “Clay and Canvas” exhibit at the City of Sugar Hill.
studio, I can take my time adding layer after layer into the design,” Richard said. His unique work includes plant and floral designs, such as his Vine Tea bowl — recognized in the 2019 National Cup Show — as well as statement pieces, marked by the level of care he invests in detail, pattern and color. Richard now teaches classes at the North Gwinnett Art Center in Suwanee, and he regularly displays work at festivals and exhibits. This summer, The Sugar Hill Art Commission selected Richard’s pottery for a “Clay and Canvas” exhibit at the City of Sugar Hill. There, Richard displayed some of his finest work, including a large leaf tray, hand-built by stamping a real leaf onto the clay and adding attachments. He also exhibited his Quilted series, which he displayed earlier this year at the Festival of Arts in Cumming. “I don’t know of anyone who is doing something like this,” said Richard. “I based this design off my Dad’s old quilt when he went to college in 1939. I’ve kept it all these years, and it was what inspired these designs,” Richard said, holding up one his Quilted trays. The vibrant object’s designs include painted patterns and textured imprints made from old gadgets Richard stowed for just that purpose. With the time required to glaze each color separately, the design took days to complete. But Richard’s favorite designs are often simple, incorporating “negative space” through a combination of simple glazes and naked clay. Lately, Richard produces a high quantity of minimalist-style pottery, as in the case of his “word bowl” and “word mug” designs, which serve both decorative and culinary purposes. For these, Richard chooses to call attention to a single word. “Love”, ‘Serve” and “Bless” are popular choices, although Richard has tried phrases and once carved an entire Irish Blessing on one of his bowls. Hoping to inspire those who come to possess his art, Richard considers his work with clay to be not unlike musical expression. He still sings in a choir at church worship services every week, directs a Men of Praise ensemble at the church, and hopes that his pottery will bring those who experience it to a similar state of reverence. Sitting and breaking bread is, arguably, one of the most fundamental aspects of any culture, and Richard believes his pottery can enrich that experience by engaging friends and family as they gather. “My work is great as conversation pieces around the dinner table. It can be used as décor and on your table,” said Richard. Come see the A Measure of Clay pottery at the 2019 Suwanee Fest at Town Center Park on September 21 and 22. “I will be there with all of my pottery pieces,” Richard said. To learn more, Richard at ameasurofclay@yahoo.com.
August 2019
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 11
gwinnettcitizen.com
11
8/19/19 9:16 PM
Health, Beauty & Wellness When should you replace your toiletries We’ve all been there—you pull out a bottle of dipping sauce or salad dressing and it’s (way) past the expiration date. Yikes! Even though many perishable items, like those of the food variety, have the date clearly printed, it’s still surprisingly easy to overlook or forget about. And that’s not even including other items, like toiletries, that don’t always have a clear expiration. Case in point: your razor. Not only is it a missing an expiration date, but it’s up to you to remember precisely when you started using it and when to throw it out. Now you may be one of the few out there who knows exactly when to change out their razor, but more than likely, you’re struggling to keep track (just like the rest of us). And that’s just one of the many toiletry items that you should be regularly replacing. For example, hair brushes should be replaced every 6 months to a year— who knew? So in the name of good health, Barbara Joy Jones, DO, the lead primary care provider at the new GMC Primary Care & Specialty Center-Peachtree Corners, provides a quick refresher on the lifespan of personal health items. From razors and toothbrushes to loofahs and tampons, here’s how often you should replace each item: Razor. Depending on how frequently you shave, your hair type and where you store it (hint: it shouldn’t be in the shower), you may have to
12
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 12
replace it more or less frequently. • Typically, after 5 to 7 uses, your razor has had enough. Not only is it full of bacteria, which can cause irritation, it’s also dull and less effective. Medicine cabinet. In the interest of being economical, you’ve likely held onto medications that are either expired, you no longer use or both. • However, by holding onto old medications, you could be putting your child at risk as many of them may unknowingly misuse them. Also, many drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, lose potency after their expiration date. It’s likely that this won’t cause any serious health issues, but the medication won’t be as effective. And let’s face it, when you’re taking something for headache relief, you’re counting on it to work. Toothbrush. You may not want to hear this, but your mouth can be a pretty dirty place. Between old food, bacteria and germs, your toothbrush has the tall task of cleaning away all of these things on a daily basis. • So, to ensure your toothbrush can effectively do its job, and isn’t full of yucky particles, make sure to replace it every 3 to 4 months. Old makeup. Maybe you’ll wear that bright turquoise eyeshadow someday, or maybe you’ll give that vibrant lip color another try on your next date night. All of a sudden, several more months (or years) have passed, and so has the use-by date. To avoid irritation, or possible infec-
tions, remember these guidelines: • Liquid foundation: 6 months • Powder foundation:1-2 years • Mascara and liquid eye liner: 3 months • Powder eye shadow and eyeliner pencils: 2 years • Skin care products: 6 months – 1 year • Lip color: 2 years Loofah. That helpful shower pouf of yours that makes your body wash extra sudsy and keeps your skin extra soft can quickly accrue bacteria if you don’t replace it regularly. Thanks to the moisture in the bathroom and shower, bacteria can easily thrive and cause irritation and infection. • To ensure that you and your loofah stay so fresh and so clean, make sure to replace it every 2 months, or more frequently if it’s made of natural material (3-4 weeks). Tampons. This is one of those health essentials that you always want to have on hand. Thankfully, because tampons are primarily made of cotton and are sanitary products, they have a lengthy shelf life. Make sure you don’t mistake sanitary for sterile, they can expire. • Depending on the brand, tampons can be safely kept for upwards of 5 years. However, it’s important to note that depending on how they’re stored, they can be exposed to dust and bacteria. A clean start. It isn’t just your personal toilet-
gwinnettcitizen.com
Special photo
ries that could benefit from routine refreshers—your health could, too. It’s important to make sure you stay up-to-date on all of your health and wellness needs by working with a Gwinnett Medical Group Primary Care provider. Even if you haven’t been regularly seeing a health ex-
pert, now’s the perfect time to start. With convenient locations, like the new GMC Primary Care & Specialty Center-Peachtree Corners, you can receive a first-class health experience in a luxurious and healing environment. Learn more by visiting gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/ptc.
August 2019
8/19/19 9:16 PM
August 2019
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 13
gwinnettcitizen.com
13
8/19/19 9:16 PM
Buford native awarded $1000 National Nursing Scholarship By Staff Reports The team at Platinum Educational Group understands the struggles and obstacles that are presented to students obtaining higher education in the healthcare industries. In 2015, Platinum Educational Group launched its inaugural scholarships program geared at Emergency Medical Services (EMS) students. In 2016, the company expanded its product line to include the nursing and allied health fields. It only seemed fitting to expand its scholarships program to include the hardworking and dedicated students in those fields as well. The 2019 nursing scholarship was awarded to student Caroline “Autumn” Carlson. Ms. Carlson is a Buford, GA native and is enrolled at Liberty University’s nursing program located in Lynchburg, VA. Autumn’s thesis described the burn out feeling experienced in the nursing sector. “It is possible to alleviate the “burn out” feeling that professionals experience in the field of nursing,” stated Ms. Carlson. “Working to improve nurses’ emotional intelligence is one of the best ways to prevent the epidemic of burnout and decrease the negative effects that this problem creates.” Platinum’s goal is to provide students entering the EMS, nurs-
10 Things to Do on a Rainy Day By: Katherine Mazour and Grace Doherty, both students of North Gwinnett High School Ever been bored on a rainy day in Gwinnett and wanted to make good use of your time? Here’s a list of 10 things under $10 that you could do! Some of our examples include: becoming viral, leveling up on Pokémon Go, and going to see movies for under $5 in a theater. 1. Go to Venture Cinema An easy way to beat the high prices of commercial theaters and still see recent movies, is by going to the Santa Fe Mall at 3750 Venture Dr suite e4, Duluth, GA 30096. The regular tickets are only $3.50, and the 3D movie tickets are $5. Currently in their theaters, they have Avengers: Endgame, Captain Marvel, Shazam!, and many more. Also, why go to the movies alone when you can bring a friend? Ever since discovering this cinema, we’ve chosen to watch all of the biggest Blockbuster films there due to how inexpensive it is. 2. Have a Self-Care Day! If you have any bath bombs, face masks, lotions, or other bath products, have a spa day. But, if you don’t have any of those things, go to your local pharmacy and pick up some supplies for under $10. Walgreens sells Soap & Glory products for $5, and CVS has the ME Unicorn Magic Single Bath Bomb. 3. Visit the Mall of Georgia If you’re really bored, you can window shop at the mall or whip out your phone and play Pokémon Go. It is chalked full of Pokéstops and Gyms, and you never know what you might catch while you’re there.
Caroline “Autumn” Carlson.
ing, and allied health fields with assistance in funding their education. Former high school teacher, paramedic, and now Platinum CEO Doug Smith states “With the rising costs of tuition and program fees, it’s an honor to assist others in embarking on the dream of providing
Special photo
needed healthcare services to our communities.” For full details of Platinum Educational Group’s Scholarships Program contact Director of Marketing, Jeremy M. Johnson, at marketing@platinumed.com.
4. Post a Video on Tik Tok As silly as it sounds, Tik Tok could be really fun if you’re with your friends. You can also duet with famous creators such as @nicemichael and @benjikrol. Who knows, you might go viral and end up on the For You Page, but don’t let that internet fame get to your head! Follow us at @gracecampbell2021 and @ luekwarm and send us a message if you’ve read this article while you’re there! 5. Curl Up with a Good Book A good way to pass the time and exercise your brain is to read a book. Whether that’s finding a book online from Amazon or on a Kindle, finding a book in your house that you’ve never read, or going to 2nd and Charles to pick up a free book. During one visit to 2nd and Charles at 1705 Mall of Georgia Blvd, Buford, GA 30519 We picked up Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, and it was a spectacular read. 6. Watch a Movie or Binge a TV Show Invite your friends over for a movie day and marathon your favorite series whether that’s Twilight, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Marvel Cinematic Universe, or whatever. Netflix has great shows like Black Mirror, Parks and Recreations. Twin Peaks, The Office, Stranger Things, and plenty more. We can’t even tell you how many times we’ve done this on a rainy day snuggled up in a warm blanket with hot chocolate. 7. Play a Game Take out a board game that has been lying around your house and challenger a friend or family member to a match or two. Play a classic game of Trouble, Sorry, and Candyland and revel in the nostalgia. If you don’t like or don’t have board games at your house, make up a game or play a video game. One rainy day, we played the Game of Life with our friends for 4 hours and have so many fond memories from that day. 8. DIY Crafts Browse Pinterest and find a craft that you could do with the materials in your own home like make a photo wall or homemade stickers. If you invite your friends, you can start a band by crafting instruments out of the things that you have and jam out. 9. Listen to Something while Cleaning the House The Jonas Brothers released a new album, Happiness Begins, not too long ago, and it is the perfect music for getting your life together. If the JoBros aren’t your style, turn on a podcast, listen to your own music, or don’t listen to anything at all. Listen to anything or nothing as long as it allows you to be productive enough to stay on task. 10. Listen to Music You’ve Never Heard Before On Spotify, there is a tab called Discover Weekly, which suggests new music based on an algorithm that tracks your history of listening to music on their app. A YouTube Mix is a great way to find new music that is your taste and that you’ve never heard before. You can also look up your favorite music video and scroll through the recommended music and fall down a rabbit hole of new possibilities. Hopefully one of these things has sparked your interest so you’ll never be bored again in Gwinnett. At the almost impossible event that none of these interest you, here’s a bonus suggestion: take a nap. There’s nothing quite like listening to the rain pitter patter on your window as you fall asleep.
14
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 14
gwinnettcitizen.com
August 2019
8/19/19 9:16 PM
Gwinnett Medical Center’s Delta Community names new manager of its Buford Branch new Primary Care and Specialty Center is now open in Peachtree Corners By Staff Reports
Special photo
Gwinnett Medical Center’s new Primary Care & Specialty Center center is located at 5277 Peachtree Pkwy., Peachtree Corners, Ga. 30092 and is now open to the public.
By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com Gwinnett Medical Center recently celebrated the opening of its second Primary Care & Specialty Center in Gwinnett. The new state-ofthe-art facility is located in Peachtree Corners and conveniently provides corporate health services, primary care, 3D Mammography and X-Rays, as well as a full suite of specialty services, all in one building. Following a precedent established two years ago with the Primary Care & Specialty Center in Suwanee, the new facility on Peachtree Pkwy. is designed to provide comprehensive, accessible healthcare services to the community. “We’re trying to provide a system where a patient can receive primary care and see a specialist in one building. This kind of model really wraps services around the patient, rather than doing it the traditional way where services were based on what was more convenient for the provider,” Mike Boblitz, GMC’s Vice President of Planning and Business Development, said. The Peachtree Corners center now offers specialty services, including orthopedics, cardiology, OB-GYN, and gastroenterology, and neurology “is coming soon.” Boblitz explained, “If a patient has a primary care visit and that patient has to see a cardiologist, it can be handled right here.” GMC also provides corporate services, such as drug tests, flu shots and immunizations and a range of other services in a convenient, stress-free, spa-like, one-stop environment. Dr. Kathryn Parris, MD, is the Medical Director of the Gwinnett
August 2019
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 15
Physicians Group and will be providing OB/GYN services at the new center. “I’m coming here every Wednesday, and what we intend to provide is comprehensive OB/GYN services. We encourage women to come here for their annual physical exams and, if needed, to take advantage of our 3D mammogram-capabilities. The 3D Mammogram is very exciting because it will allow sameday visits where women can come in and get a complete physical and mammogram on the same day,” Dr. Parris said. Meanwhile, Dr. Barbara Joy Jones, DO, will provide primary care all week long. As a graduate of GMC’s Graduate Medical Education Program, she is committed to GMC’s mission to enhance customers’ experience by providing friendly, whole-person care in Peachtree Corners. “Having those full services available right here is great. They will be offering drug testing and other kinds of services for the corporate users. We have a large employer base, so there are a lot of employers who can take advantage of this center for physicals for their employees,” said Mike Mason, Mayor of Peachtree Corners. “We think we have a pretty good model,” Boblitz said. “This is our second Primary Care and Specialty Center, and the Suwanee location has been very well-received, so we hope to see the same here.” The new center is located at 5277 Peachtree Pkwy., Peachtree Corners, Ga. 30092 and is now open to the public. Appointments can be booked by phone (678) 312-8430 and online at gwinnettmedicalcenter. org/ptc.
Carisa Buffington is new to the Delta Community Credit Union retail branch in Buford, but she is not new to the role of manager, or to serving credit union members in Gwinnett County. Since joining Delta Community in 2012, she has worked at three different branch locations all of them in Gwinnett. “I loved working in Duluth and Suwanee, and now I’m grateful for an opportunity to get to know our members in Buford and serve their financial needs,” said Buffington. Buffington was tapped to lead the Buford branch last month, after its former manager, Emily Browning, was transferred to a job in the Credit Union’s corporate offices. Delta Community has about 30,000 members in Gwinnett County. More than 4,600 of them call the Buford branch, located inside the
Special photo
Branch Manager Carisa Buffington, left, and Member Service Agent Karen Harmon at the Delta Community Branch in Buford. Kroger on Hamilton Mill Road, their ‘home’ bank. “Our members here are unique,” said Buffington. “For example we offer more boat loans here than
CLASSIFIEDS
HELP WANTED
DO YOU HAVE AUTOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE EXPERIENCE?
Seeking 2nd shift Maintenance Technician Immediate consideration DUTIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO: • Maintaining all company assets at the highest level of availability by executing PM schedules. • Diagnose & troubleshoot root cause on our equipment in a professional and timely manner. • Work with operators on process improvements and train operators on routine preventative maintenance. • Support engineering & continuous improvement projects including trials and installation • Adhering to all plant safety and environmental guidelines, policies, and procedures. Please send resumes for immediate consideration to usbuf-hr@carcoustics.com For more information call 470-399-0147. We look forward to hearing from you!
gwinnettcitizen.com
TEAM LEAD WANTED! Manufacturing and Leadership Experience Needed Great resumes will be up for immediate consideration! Shift: 4 days a week, 10 hours a day - First Shift Position DUTIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
• Adhering to all plant safety and environmental guidelines, policies, and procedures
in most other Delta Community branches,” said Buffington. “I’m excited to get to know all our members, and to continue investing in this vibrant, growing community.”
SERVICES
AMERICAN PAINTING AND ROOFING Serving Atlanta area since 1986
• CARPENTRY • PAINTING • SIDING • ROOFING
770-717-1707 PO Box 450311 Atlanta, GA, 31145
AmericanPaintandRoof.com
• Participates and contributes to continual improvement objectives • Monitors production workflow and reports any trouble shooting issues • Ensures required processes are being implemented at work stations. • Maintains duties given by shift supervisor Please send resumes to usbuf-hr@carcoustics.com
For more information call 470-399-0147. We look forward to hearing from you!
TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD EMAIL
advertising@ gwinnettcitizen.com
CALL 770-963-3699 15
8/19/19 9:16 PM
HEARTS continued from page 1 of working together in youth camps. In 1995, they co-founded Hearts to Nourish Hope or just “Hearts” as they’ve come to refer to it. “We wanted to make sure everything goes straight to the kids,” Patrice said. So, they started with high school suspension centers, working to get students back on track. As the organization grew, the sisters were able to expand their reach, providing court-mandated counseling, career guidance and educational support. They offer transitional housing and a variety of vocational programs out of their center in Clayton, and Patrice hopes the Gwinnett center will follow a similar trajectory. Now funded by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), they started the Clayton Center with a $5,000 grant and opened a food pantry where they “struggled”, as Patrice recalls, to feed 33 people a month. “Now we feed over 300 people each week in our Clayton center,” she said. The sisters are still overwhelmed when they step into the 74,000 square foot building in Clayton. “We just grew. My sister and I walk into the center and giggle. Just, holy smokes! Look at where we are now! And we want the same thing for this center in Gwinnett,” Patrice said. Upon their funders’ request, Hearts began looking for a center in Gwinnett. They started holding GED classes, as well as parenting and work skills courses in Norcross
about two years ago. Now, many of those students have followed them to the center on Old Norcross Rd. where they celebrated a ribbon-cutting on July 22, 2019. “We’ve already almost outgrown the space,” Patrice admits. Over 100 students participate in programs at the Gwinnett center, and while many spend most of their time in the community at jobs and internships, resources do not meet the demand. There is a waiting list for the new center, and the transportation budget is depleted. But the center hardly reflects these woes. Positive quotes and art are posted on the walls as colorful reminders of the kind of attitude students need to be successful at Hearts. “You have to have the right attitude to come to class. You have to have your pants pulled up, and you have to be this high,” Patrice said, pointing at a line made of construction paper taped against the wall. “It’s a reminder to set their minds straight so they can better participate.” And Patrice encourages participants to make their own mark by splattering a colorful handprint on a wall by the front desk. The Gwinnett facility features two classrooms, both a large and a small one; a counseling center; a kitchen, which they hope to remodel in the near future; a computer lab and a workshop where students take construction class with the opportunity to receive maintenance certifications for hotel management or other maintenance work.
Working with teachers from Gwinnett Technical College, Hearts offers GED classes where participants can receive one-on-one attention from tutors who either volunteer or intern from Georgia Gwinnett College. Through the program, 37 Gwinnett locals have graduated with a GED, and ten more are close to completing their final classes to take the test. “It’s really our partners who make this great,” Patrice said. “We work with different organizations, and they scholarship the kids into different things like CNA class and different programs where they have options for certifications and exposure to different work environments.” Patrice explained the nonprofit’s finance model allows them to pay students for their work in the community. “It gives the opportunity to get that work exposure to youth who don’t have a career path or don’t have a realistic idea of what it’s like day-day. Some chose other fields they hadn’t thought of before.” Seniors from Discovery and Central Gwinnett High School have had similar opportunities with Hearts’ Summer Impact program. Through a collaboration with Impact 46, Hearts extended opportunities for students to be paid for eight weeks of work during the summer. “Some of our kids worked for the City of Lawrenceville, the Aurora Theater and even for Impact 46. And this was our first summer to work with the Gwinnett Drugs pharmacy.
Photo by Julie Thompson
Students at Hearts to Nourish Hope have opportunity to receive maintenance certifications through their Maintenance Classes. In addition, the center will be launching an entrepreneurship program in the near future.
Photo by Julie Thompson
Nathan Peña working on a mural at the Hearts to Nourish Hope center in Lawrenceville.
It was such a great opportunity! The pharmacy showed kids everything so many have made the decision that’s what they want their career to be. Many have jobs for when they’re out of college,” Patrice said. When he moved to Georgia from Washington last year, Nathan Peña wanted to be a tattoo artist. Now at Hearts, he’s able to live out his dream of being an artist while completing court-ordered work experience credits. Working with wellknown Atlanta artist Miriam Robinson, Nathan helped paint and design an abstract mural by the front office. He’s currently working on a larger mural by the large a classroom, an interpretive piece that visualizes his belief that the power to create change comes from within. “I figure it’s a great idea because it’s bold. It
makes a statement. And that’s what I’m in it for,” Nathan said. Patrice is on the lookout for new and unique opportunities that will motivate her students. Gwinnett Tech offers higher education opportunities, although not all students want to attend college, as some would prefer to gain experience working. “We’re always looking for new opportunities, for professionals to come speak at the center about their career, and for volunteers,” Patrice said. Having a support system to explore his interests gives Nathan hope that he can turn his life around and make something of himself. “Honestly, I thought my life was ruined when I was locked up, but they were like, ‘Hey, this is a second chance for you!’” Hearts to Nourish Hope is located at 585 Old Norcross Rd. and sits a few doors down from the Camp Bow Wow of Lawrenceville. Visit http://www.heartstonourishhope. org, or call (770)910-7733 for more information.
Co-Publishers/Editors Auveed Bagheri Cawthon Chris Cawthon 107 W Crogan St • Lawrenceville, Ga 30046 • Office (770) 963-3699 www.gwinnettcitizen.com • info@gwinnettcitizen.com The mission of gwinnettcitizen.com newspaper, a publication of Media Maker Group Inc. dba gwinnettcitizen.com, is to provide our readers with stories about their communities and people. Our stories and photos bring to life the passion of living, working, playing, living healthy and worshiping in Gwinnett County. We help connect readers with local businesses to facilitate and promote shopping and buying local. The newspaper, a free publication, is direct mailed to 3 geographic zones in Gwinnett County containing hyper-local news pertinent to each community for a total monthly distribution of 60,000 printed copies in Gwinnett County.
HAVE A STORY TO SHARE?
Community news is our passion and we look to our readers for great stories. Email story ideas to sharing@gwinnettcitizen.com.
SPECIAL MILESTONES AND ACHIEVEMENTS?
There’s no greater joy than to celebrate big accomplishments with our readers. (Weddings, Births, Anniversaries, Birthdays, etc.) Email announcements to info@ gwinnettcitizen.com by the 25th of the month and we’ll weave them in where we can.
HAVE AN EVENT TO PROMOTE?
We offer free event postings via our online calendar. Upload your event today at gwinnettcitizen.com/events/calendar
BUSINESS PROMOTIONS OR PRESS RELEASES?
We offer promotional space for purchase in our printed edition, including a non-profit discount. Email us at advertising@gwinnettcitizen.com or call 770963-3699 for a quote.
The viewpoints of columnists, advertisers, submissions are not necessarily those of gwinnettcitizen.com. GwinnettCitizen.com is not responsible for errors or omissions. Publishers reserve the right to accept or reject all advertising material. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without permission from the Publishers. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2019. Media Maker Group Inc, dba GwinnettCitizen.com.
16
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 16
gwinnettcitizen.com
August 2019
8/19/19 9:16 PM
September Adult Programming Events
SMALL BIZ MARKETING SERIES: DRIVE NEW BUSINESS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA Registration required: gwinnettpl.org/calendar Tuesday, September 3 at 6:00 pm Suwanee Branch 361 Main Street, Suwanee 30024 Accredited small business consultant Stephanie Sokenis will answer your common questions about different social media platforms, how to build your network, and what to say and share with your followers.
FREE N-400 NATURALIZATION APPLICATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Friday, September 6 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Lawrenceville Branch 1001 Lawrenceville Highway Lawrenceville 30046 Tuesday, September 17 from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Lawrenceville Branch 1001 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville 30046 Friday, September 20 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Lilburn Branch 4817 Church Street, Lilburn 30047 Legal permanent residents will be offered free legal assistance with filling out the N400 citizenship application form. This event is free and on a first come, first served basis. AARP DEFENSIVE SMART DRIVER COURSE Reservations requested: events@gwinnettpl.org Monday, September 9 from 10:30 am - 5:30 pm Collins Hill Branch 455 Camp Perrin Road, Lawrenceville 30043 Thursday, September 12 from 10:30 am - 5:00 pm Snellville Branch 2740 Lenora Church Road Snellville 30078 Learn defensive driving techniques and how to compensate for age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time. Cost is $15 for AARP members (bring your card) and $20 for nonmembers – cash or check only. Pay at the door. Please bring a bag lunch. DON’T LET CANCER STOP YOU Tuesday, September 10 at 1:00 pm Buford Branch 2100 Buford Highway, Buford 30518 Ines Beltran, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with the University of Georgia - Gwinnett Extension, and Olga Jimenez, Senior Manager of Community Outreach with the American Cancer Society will oversee this seminar. Coupons for a free mammogram and exam will be available for those who qualify after the program. UNDERSTANDING CANCERRELATED GENETIC TESTING Tuesday, September 10 at 6:30 pm Suwanee Branch 361 Main Street, Suwanee 30024 Gwinnett Medical Center’s Dr. Cindy Snyder, DNP, APNG, FNP-C, will talk about why genetic testing is important to a person with a family history of cancer, OR to a person who already has cancer. BOOKS, BITES, BEVERAGES, AND BESTSELLING AUTHORS LYNN CULLEN AND PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY
August 2019
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 17
Tuesday, September 10 at 7:30 pm Peachtree Corners City Hall 310 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners 30092 Lynn Cullen is the bestselling author of Mrs. Poe and 15+ award-winning childrens’ and adult books including Twain’s End. Patti Callahan Henry is the New York Times bestselling author of fifteen novels including the historical fiction Becoming Mrs. Lewis. We will be celebrating the release of Lynn’s newest novel The Sisters of Summit Avenue. Books available for purchase and signing. Silent auction and wine bar sponsored by the Friends of the Library. VETERANS ROUNDTABLE In partnership with Goodwill Industries of North Georgia Meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month Wednesday, September 11 at 1:00 pm Buford Branch 2100 Buford Highway, Buford 30518 Meet with experts on Veterans resources. Discuss your needs and get real help on filing VA claims, medical care, housing, and job resources. Newly discharged or senior retirees welcome! SOCIAL SECURITY PRERETIREMENT PROGRAM Saturday, September 14 at 11:00 am Collins Hill Branch 455 Camp Perrin Road, Lawrenceville 30043 Join us for facts from a Social Security Public Affairs Specialist, and receive information about benefits and tools for you and your family. This is a great opportunity to hear a Specialist and get answers to your questions. Great for pre-planning. SENIOR CITIZEN SAFETY AND CRIME PREVENTION Tuesday, September 17 at 1:00 pm Five Forks Branch 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville 30044 Learn how to be more alert, cautious, and confident to defeat crime. Presented by a Gwinnett County Crime Prevention Officer. DUAL ENROLLMENT - EARN FREE COLLEGE CREDIT IN HIGH SCHOOL In partnership with Gwinnett Technical College Tuesday, September 17 at 6:30 pm Suwanee Branch 361 Main Street, Suwanee 30024 Learn about this tuition-free program that includes free courses online or on campus, free textbooks, the ability to earn an Associate’s Degree while in high school, credits that transfer to University System of Georgia colleges, and more. FALL IS FOR PLANTING Registration requested: gwinnettpl.org/calendar Tuesday, September 17 at 6:30 pm Dacula Branch 265 Dacula Road, Dacula 30019 Join Tim Daly, from UGA Extension Gwinnett, to learn the proper technique of planting and maintaining landscapes, trees, and shrubs this fall. HEART HEALTH Wednesday, September 18 at 1:00 pm Five Forks Branch 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville 30044
Join Gwinnett Medical Center’s Heart Failure Program Coordinator, Jolly Parayil, MS, APRN, ACNS-BC, FNP-C, CHFN to learn the signs and symptoms of heart attack and heart failure and lifestyle modifications to promote better heart health. FOSTER PARENT INFO SESSION Thursday, September 19 at 6:30 pm Lilburn Branch 4817 Church Street, Lilburn 30047 Join the Gwinnett Division of Children Services to learn how to become a Foster Parent. Help children in your community who are victims of their circumstances. These children are in great need of compassionate, committed, and caring people like you. TRACE YOUR ROOTS: A LATINO GENEALOGY WORKSHOP Thursday, September 19 at 6:30 pm Dacula Branch 265 Dacula Road, Dacula 30019 Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by uncovering your Latino ancestors and family. Learn how to overcome the challenges of tracing Latino genealogy through free genealogy databases–including Ancestry.com. This workshop will concentrate on resources for Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Colombia.
Thursday, September 26 at 6:30 pm Collins Hill Branch 455 Camp Perrin Road Lawrenceville 30043 Are you having trouble hearing or communicating on the telephone or internet? Andrea Kemp of the Georgia Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing will discuss assistive hearing devices and other resources for the hearing impaired. AN EVENING WITH KYLE MILLS: A MITCH RAPP - VINCE FLYNN SERIES NOVEL Monday, September 30 at 7:30 pm Peachtree Corners Branch 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners 30092 Kyle is fascinated with the dark side of politics and well connected to the intelligence community. He has authored 13 books under his name and is finishing the Vince Flynn series from notes left by Flynn for the six published books. Lethal Agent is his current novel.
SCBWI WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS WORKSHOP Saturday, September 21 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Five Forks Branch 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville 30044 This program’s goal is to cultivate future writers and illustrators of amazing children’s books! New and aspiring writers and illustrators will join international author and speaker Rhonda Knight and a group of four SCBWI panelists for a Q&A and interactive activities. Be prepared to share your first page of writing or an illustration. SENIOR FITNESS ASSESSMENT AND EXERCISE DEMO Monday, September 23 at 10:00 am In partnership with Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation Bethesda Park Senior Center (Preregister by 09/20 online at www. gwinnettparks.com with code BEP41905 or call 678-277-0179) 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville 30044 Tuesday, September 24 at 1:00 pm – no pre-registration required Lawrenceville Branch 1001 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville 30046 Enjoy learning ways to optimize your fitness level and health with a Certified Sportsmetrics Instructor! Receive a brief Senior Fitness Assessment, watch exercise demonstrations to improve mobility limitations, and learn how to help prevent falls and injury. THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO - PARTNERSHIP TESTED Tuesday, September 24 at 7:30 pm Lawrenceville Branch 1001 Lawrenceville Highway Lawrenceville 30046 Alexander Wisnoski III, Ph.D. will address the reasons for increased friction in the bilateral relationship between the US and Mexico. This event is part of the 2019 Great Decisions - Globe Issues Series and a National Hispanic Heritage Month Program. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
gwinnettcitizen.com
17
8/19/19 9:16 PM
Announcing JapanFest Atlanta 2019
WITNESS continued from page 1
Theme: “Get Ready to Travel Japan - Olympics 2020!” By Staff Reports
Experience Japan like never before at this year’s JapanFest Atlanta! Our 33rd JapanFest this year is all about “traveling” to Japan to enjoy the traditions, natural beauty, and pop culture of the nation that is hosting the 2020 Olympics! JapanFest 2019 will provide visitors with plenty of ways to get ready for the 2020 Olympics by learning about Japan through a wide array of performances, presentations, and authentic national cuisine that will entertain, educate, and delight. JapanFest Weekend is on September 21-22, 2019, from 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday) and 10am to 5pm (Sunday) at the Infinite Energy Center, located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097. Tickets for an entire day are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. This year’s headlining performers include Nozomi Takeda, Marie Kondo’s senior executive consultant who has worked with Kondo since the very beginning in teaching the KonMari “Spark Joy” Method of tidying up homes across America. Also coming from Tokyo will be Tomomi Kunishige, well-known for her dramatic art exhibition-style of Japanese calligraphy that includes English words. The ever-popular Matsuriza Taiko Drummers, a Japanese taiko drum troupe of five powerful drummers, will perform and conduct workshops. Samurai Sword Soul will show off their dramatic sword techniques and demonstrate the “Way of the Warrior.” Street Theater Artist Mariko
18
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 18
Special photo
Iwasa, an accomplished actress in an array of theater genres including kabuki, clowning, and mime, will show us that, “We can say anything without words.” Minyo Station, a Japanese Folk Music Troupe from Los Angeles, combines traditional and western instruments for an eclectic, original jazz sound. Motoko the Storyteller will mesmerize children and adults alike with both funny and scary Japanese tales told in English. The traditional Japanese tea ceremony, sumo wrestling, karate and ninja performances, Japanese flower arranging, traditional Japanese dancing and more will all be a part of the festival entertainment program as well. Two of JapanFest’s most popular areas are its Japanese Food Court and Anime Village. Visitors can also head down Ginza Dori, named after Tokyo’s famous shopping district. This main street will feature Japanese festival-style games, Japanese ceramics, traditional Japanese clothing, accessories, and toys. In the “Olympic Village,” more vendors will display their wares and art products, for a total of over 120 vendors. In addition, visitors can experience both the old and new
of Japanese culture by trying on a kimono, or, for those who want to dress up as their favorite animation character, participate in a Cosplay Contest. The recently released and highly acclaimed family-friendly film, Mirai, will be screened twice each day, once in English and once in Japanese. Visitors can purchase tickets to the film Mirai onsite during festival days at the box office for just $6. As the largest Japan-related event in the Southeast, thanks to the generous involvement of the Japanese community and Japanese businesses in Georgia, this is an opportunity to share all things Japanese with Georgia and the surrounding states. Many of the approximately 550 Japanese companies based in Georgia will display their products in the “Japanese Businesses in Georgia” exhibition (JBiG) including their latest in Japanese technology, such as automobiles, tractors, and electronics. Tickets for an entire day are $10 in advance, $12 at the door and cover all performances except the film Mirai ($6) for those who wish to attend. Teachers (K-12) can bring their students to JapanFest for free by applying via their educational institution online at www.japanfest.org. College student discounts are available, and other organizations can save money by purchasing advance ticket packages online. Original JapanFest designer t-shirts will be on sale for $20 to help support our educational programs.
gwinnettcitizen.com
Special photo
Jacqi Miller’s “Sisterhood of the Covered Head” on display at the City of Sugar Hill. Jacqui’s work was displayed alongside Richard Shiver’s pottery at the “Clay and Canvas” Artist of the Month exhibit curated by the Sugar Hill Arts Commission.
found her own unique style, which often depicts female subjects with almost doll-like features. Her trademark is that each of her subject’s faces are split evenly down the middle, painted in equal parts of black and white. “I focus on Black and White with a mixture of races,” Jacqui admitted. “I don’t know where the idea came from. I guess it was my subconscious, or just my reality because my family is so mixed. It’s pretty cool, the things we do without really understanding why, and that’s how I started with my split figures.” Having studied art history in high school and college, Jacqui was exposed to a plethora of modern artists, including Pablo Picasso known for his cubic works. While she wouldn’t compare her work to that of Picasso, his work was an influence on hers, along with that of Amadeo Modigliani and Romero Britto. Jacqui also studied the human form while in fashion school but considers her figures more of a “cartoonish” style with elongated necks and limbs and large, animated eyes. “My art is definitely contemporary. It’s not mimicking the classical style or portrait studies. It’s not meant to be realistic,” said Jacqui. But she does hope her work will draw its viewers into reality in a way they never experienced it before. “I like to depict cultures and the beauty of ethnicity. I want my work to bear witness to racial equality and the beauty of ethnicity,” said Jacqui. She grew up with Jamaican parents; her great-grandmother was Jew from Portugal, and her extended family includes a mix of ethnicities. “Race wasn’t a big deal in my family. We all just see each other as family and as equal,” she admits. Her depiction of the Holy Family captures this sentiment. Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus are all painted with her distinctive split features, uniting people across hemispheres with a common message. “You see Byzantine iconography where Christ is depicted one way, but if you consider that he did come from Palestine, you’ve got to imagine he might have had a bit of melanin and pigment in him too.”
In other works, Jacqui challenges prejudice by focusing on unifying themes across cultures and races. “Sisterhood of the Covered Head” depicts three women of different racial and religious backgrounds — one wears a nun’s habit, the other a hijab, and one drapes a silk scarf over her head. “It’s to show racial equality and also ethnic equality. Muslim women wear hijabs, and meanwhile, other women also wear headcloths — Indian women, even the Queen of England, might wear a headscarf on a hot day. It’s really to show community and that all should be treated equally.” Jacqui’s figures often embody love, peace and harmony, as in the case of “The Three Graces”, where three women represent the virtues mentioned in I Corinthians 13:13. For a piece entitled, “Me Too” Jacqui painted a snake slithering through three cherries, which represent the virginity of three female figures. But the purity of their hearts and thoughts is made visible through a garden of flowers planted the minds of each. “These are three women with holes in their hearts. When someone’s been victimized, there’s that loss of control factor. But these women still have beautiful thoughts, they are still thinking of peace,” said Jacqui, who then explained she paints circles to depict the innerworkings of an overthinking mind. Now a prolific painter, Jacqui works daily out of her home studio, choosing to paint on flat surfaces rather than an easel. Like many artists, Jacqui expects she will enter phases over time but her intent will hold firm. She dedicates her art to upholding equality and will accept commission work, so long as it aligns with her style and mission. For contact information or to see more of her work, visit FineArtByJacqui.com. “Art is not what you see. It is what you make others see,” Jacqui quoted the words of nineteenth century artist Edgar Degas. “I only hope my work is a reflection of that.” The Sugar Hill Arts Commission features local artists each month with their “Artist of the Month” exhibits at City Hall. Visit https://www.sugarhillarts.com to learn more.
August 2019
8/19/19 9:16 PM
School lunches then and now — A look at the history of school lunches in Gwinnett By Julie Thompson GwinnettCitizen.com Lunches have come a long way since the first meal was served in Gwinnett County Public Schools. The first documented school lunch was served in January 1944, at what was then called “Lilburn High School”. That first lunch consisted of a one-option menu — “Chicken and Dressing and Lima Beans.” The chicken had been donated by a staff member and was prepared by a “Mrs. Peevy” who managed the program and prepared daily lunches with the help of three other “neighborhood ladies.” Records show 34 students were fed that day in what was the genesis of the school lunch program. In its infancy, the program was a true community effort. Almost all items were donated, either by the kitchen staff, or by local farmers who typically brought items like cornmeal, eggs, potatoes and milk. In those days, milk was only served occasionally, as the school didn’t own a refrigerator. Even water was rationed, and students received it by request only. The lunch ladies would haul the water from a well across Highway 29 every day, and it was served at room temperature. With such unwavering support and dedicated staff, the school nutrition program blossomed. Today, more than 180,000 students are enrolled in Gwinnett County Public Schools, and about 70 percent of that population eats lunches served in the school cafeterias. According to Karen Hallford, Director of GCPS Nutrition Program, the cafeteria operates at a high level of professionalism and caters to its customer base, much like “A restaurant in a school.” Café Gwinnett, as the nutrition program has been coined in recent years, does, of course, follow federal nutritional standards and adheres to those regulations to serve fresh, healthy meals. But program coordinators aim to give students as much choice as possible. “We try to find a balance between serving compliant meals and serving kids what they are wanting. So, we hold focus groups with 8 to 10 students asking questions to find what they love and
Special photo
Pictured are Harvest Pumpkin Bars served at Gwinnett County Public Schools cafeterias.
lunch staff is the largest it’s ever been with 1,500 employees who ensure students have hot meals and fresh options every day throughout the school year. A far cry from the days of water-rationing, the school cafeterias also serve breakfasts where students have an array of beverage choices. To Hallford, the best part about the program’s expansion is that schools are helping students with healthy diets so they can do their best in class and in their extracurriculars. “School lunch is truly healthier than ever before,” she said. More information about Café Gwinnett can be found through the School Nutrition page. Visit online at www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us.
Special photo
Special photo
Salads galore are presented at Gwinnett County Public Schools cafeterias.
what they don’t,” Hallford said. From there, the coordinators work to find more nutritious alternatives to what the students requested. “Menus today are very different than when they started. There are 180,000 students in the system, and while not all students eat lunch with us each day, we strive to provide options that will appeal to them and bring more customers in,” Hallford said. The current nutrition model incorporates a farm-to-school process where school cafeterias purchase fresh produce one to two times each week. “With our farm-to-school program, we purchase as much local produce as possible. One of our many farmers is Jaemore Farms where we get our New England
The Gwinnett County Public Schools Nutrition Program incorporates a farm-to-school process where school cafeterias purchase fresh produce one to two times each week.
Special photo
A school lunch tray served by Cafe Gwinnett.
Cheddar pumpkins every fall. They also grow pickling cucumbers and strawberries for us throughout the year,” Hallford said. GCPS serves an average of 120,000 lunches daily, and their
Live Local, Shop Local, Support Local Thank you to all our advertisers and community partners.
Share your community news by emailing sharing@gwinnettcitizen.com. BUSINESS PROMOTIONS OR PRESS RELEASES? We offer promotional space for purchase in our printed edition, including a non-profit discount. Email us at advertising@gwinnettcitizen.com or call 770-963-3699 for a quote.
August 2019
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 19
gwinnettcitizen.com
19
8/19/19 9:16 PM
AUG19 NORTH GC PAGES.indd 20
8/19/19 9:16 PM