August 2017 Gwinnett Citizen | Buford, Sugar Hill, Dacula, Braselton, Lawrenceville

Gwinnett’s oldest locally owned newspaper - established 1988 Covering Braselton, Buford, Dacula, Lawrenceville, Sugar Hill

Vol. 29, No. 10

Never too late

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Thrombosis

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Sugar Hill Bowl the place to see and be seen

By Dan Brown Staff Correspondent Once upon a time, anybody who was somebody flocked to the Limelight in Buckhead, or the old Omni in downtown Atlanta.

A generation ago, for coming of age Baby Boomers, the Limelight was the place to see and be seen, and the Omni was Atlanta’s only major concert venue.

The Limelight was the South’s Studio 54.

But that was another lifetime ago and Boomers have come of age and gone, approaching retirement age, and the Limelight is but a ghost… a memory. The Omni is gone and around Atlanta several other major concert venues have sprouted like dandelions.

Atlanta’s club scene, also, has expanded beyond Peachtree Street in Midtown and Buckhead to the

See BOWL on Page 18 Full moon over Tybee page 16

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Downtown Sugar Hill is in the midst of a $250,000 revitalization project that includes a new city hall, its signature amphitheater, The Bowl, and a new mixed-use development The EpiCenter, slated to open in June 2018.

No Longer the Face

Sugar Hill Boom

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INSIDE

AUGUST 2017

www.gwinnettcitizen.com

Right place, at right time for heroic beach rescue

Photo by Carrie Jean Photography

No Longer the Face Board members and survivors. (From L to R) Necole F. Turner, President; Alex Le, Secretary; Angela McCargo; Tierra Styles; Sheila Bailey, Executive Director/CEO; LaWanda Peters; Breezee Morrison; Sonya McKinzie; Tiffany Hill; Mona Bennett Johnson,Vice President.

By Katie Hart Smith Staff Correspondent No Longer the Face Foundation is a non- profit organization based in Norcross, Georgia that assists survivors and victims of domestic violence – physical, emotional, and/or verbal – with resources and support to rebuild their lives.

“You may feel weak but within you is the strength to leave, within you is the strength to overcome and achieve what you deserve,” said Sheila Bailey, CEO and Founder, a domestic violence and sexual assault survivor. After develop-

ing an exit strategy, she bravely walked out of her abusive marriage with her two children on August, 22, 1999. “I call that ‘The Day’,” recalled Bailey. “That’s the day that my life began again.”

In 2013, the Buford native decided to return to school and during that time she met Fay Joseph, the Founder of Sister’s Circle, a philanthropic organization in Lawrenceville that provides community assistance and an array of services to those in need. After conversing with Joseph about her life, without sharing that she was a survivor, Bailey was invit-

See NO LONGER on page 8

Photo by Emmett Clower

(L-R) Ellen takes pride in her son’s swimming abilities. “It all started with me!” she said (laughter).

By Carole Townsend Staff Correspondent Art and Tina Totten both have demanding jobs; both are respiratory therapists at Gwinnett Medical Center. Art works in Adult Intensive Care, and Tina in Neonatal Intensive Care. So when they headed down to the beach in June for a little rest and relaxation, they were both ready to unwind and enjoy some peace and quiet. Fate, (and Tropical Storm Cin-

dy), on the other hand, had different plans.

On the second day of their trip to the Gulf Coast, Tina wanted to head over to the area known simply as “the jetty,” an area of water protected from the open Gulf by rocks. The water there is calmer, and she wanted to be able to swim without fighting the big waves churned up by the storm.

Art –a former lifeguard, life-saving instructor, and competitive swimmer

See

RIPTIDE on page 13

The Gwinnett Citizen

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Co-Publishers/Editors Carolyn Ekenstierna Bagheri Auveed Bagheri Cawthon

August 2017

State of the art Buford City Gymnasium utilizes old Bona Allen baseball park

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The Gwinnett Citizen is a monthly community newspaper that has been providing community news for the past 28 years. It is Gwinnett’s oldest locally owned newspaper. Our readers know how to love life and have a passionate interest in the well being of our community. Through our stories and photos we bring to life the passion of living, working, playing, living healthy, and worshiping in Gwinnett. We help to connect readers with local businesses and services to promote shopping and buying local. We are a free and direct mailed publication with 3 geographic zones (newspapers) that contain hyper-local news pertinent to each community. Each zone distributes 20,000 copies via direct mail with a few select local businesses for rack distribution to total a distribution of 60,000 in Gwinnett County, Ga.

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© Copyright The Snellville Citizen, Inc dba Gwinnett Citizen, 2017. All rights are reserved, including those to reproduce this printing or parts thereof in any form without permission in writing from Gwinnett Citizen. Gwinnett Citizen is a monthly newspaper publication covering all of Gwinnett County. The publication was established November, 1988 as The Snellville Citizen. The views expressed in articles, columns and Letters to the Editor published in Gwinnett Citizen, do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Gwinnett Citizen.

For years, an eerie and uncommon pall of silence blanketed this onetime piece of heaven on earth nestled among a tall stand of hardwoods just above the bend of the railroad tracks running through downtown Buford.

This six-acre plus tract – part of a near 20-acre parcel that extends to Peachtree Industrial Road – was once the home ballpark for the Bona Allen Shoemakers, a textile league championship baseball team sponsored by the old Bona Allen Tannery.

The Shoemakers folded in 1941 and since then, the old ballpark has been abandoned… forgotten. The tannery closed following a 1981 fire at its downtown manufacturing plant.

During summer, the sounds of nature serenaded those who dared tread through the waist-high grass and weeds, briars snagging on pants and scratching arms in search of home plate. In winter, the wind hissed a woeful whisper through the dried husks of this same unkempt grass, now dormant and brittle in the frosty

morning air.

This was a place long forgotten.

Even the ghosts had moved on.

Not anymore.

For the past seven months, the sounds of construction have shattered the tranquil calm as the City of Buford is in the process of restoring life to the old ballpark with the construction of its new gymnasium.

Buford City Manager Bryan Kerlin said building the new gym on the site of the old Bona Allen Shoemakers baseball field kept the spirit of sports alive.

“The site of the Bona Allen Shoemakers baseball park had been idle and abandoned since the end of World War II,” Kerlin said. “By deciding to build the fitness center on such an historic site, we kept the spirit of sports and sportsmanship alive at that location.”

For years, the old ball park butting up to the railroad tracks on Buford’s north side was a repository for discarded tires. The site was abandoned and long forgotten, except for the most die hard of baseball disciples. Caught in the shadows of the an-

cient light standards rising above the growth of trees encircling the ballpark site where the old grandstand once stood, thatches of weeds and grass grew wild and unkempt, about the approximate six-acre parcel.

Construction should be finished by the end of the year, according to Kerlin.

“The old gymnasium was outdated and old,” Kerlin said. “There was no air conditioning and the heating was suspect, so it was time to build a new city gymnasium.”

The $5.9 million community/fitness center is owned by the City of Buford and encompasses more than 35,000 square feet that is divided among meeting rooms, two full court gymnasiums, and exercise rooms.

“This is as much a community center as it is a fitness center and gymnasium,” Kerlin said. “Included in the plan is also a new playground adjacent to the gymnasium, in right field of the old ballpark.”

Requests for Proposals (RFP)

See PARK on Page 3

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The Gwinnett Citizen

August 2017

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PARK continued from page 2 went out on a city gym playground and walking trail in May, according to Kerlin. The project consists of the construction of an outdoor activities area for the city. Included are playground equipment, picnic tables, wood fiber surfacing and a new concrete sidewalk, according to the RFP. The bids, which closed June 29, all came in over the City’s budget and were addressed in a City Commissioners’ meeting July 17.

“We need to review how we want to proceed with the submitted bids moving forward,” Kerlin said.

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The site of the old Bona Allen ballpark in downtown Buford had been a source of curiosity for baseball fans for nearly 80 years since the Shoemakers ceased play in 1941.

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The new Buford Gymnasium is part of a larger, nearly 20-acre parcel of land stretching to Peachtree Industrial Road.

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The Gwinnett Citizen

August 2017

City of Dacula honors members of Georgia Thrombosis Forum for thrombosis sufferers in proclamation

By Dan Brown Staff Correspondent Sometimes the best medicine is in knowing others empathize with your situation.

This was what Dacula Mayor Jimmy Wilbanks had in mind when he brought members of the Georgia Thrombosis Forum (GTF, www.gtfonline.net) before City Council during its Feb. 2, 2017 meeting.

Wilbanks and City Council recognized members of Georgia Thrombosis Forum thrombosis in a mayoral proclamation that declared February as Thrombosis Awareness Month in Dacula.

“GTF is doing a phenomenal work in the Georgia communities by saving lives of the citizens of Dacula, and I am very thankful to the members of GTF for taking this unique lead in our community,” Wilbanks said.

Thrombosis is a deadly medical condition that results from formation of blood clots in blood vessels. Forms of thrombosis kill more than 300,000 people annually in the U.S. and affect more than 900,000 people annually, according to the GTF website.

Mahesh Athalye, public relations officer with Georgia Thrombosis Forum, said the proclamation was awarded to area high school students Samarth Mishra, a 10th grader at Alpharetta High School, and Nimish Kadam a seventh grader at Riverwatch Middle School, in Suwanee.

“The proclamation of thrombosis awareness month by the City of Dacula is another flagship activity of Georgia Thrombosis Forum that gets GTF one step closer to its mission of spreading the awareness of thrombosis in Georgia communities,” Athalye said in a press release.

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Dacula Mayor Jimmy Wilbanks reads from a proclamation declaring February Thrombosis Awareness Month in Dacula.

Nimish Kadam and Simarth Mishra address Dacula City Council during a recent council meeting on raising thrombosis awareness.

The students receiving the mayoral proclamation appreciated the City of Dacula’s efforts in naming February Thrombosis Awareness Month in Dacula.

“Receiving a proclamation is an honor, and it is great to know that now, the citizens of Dacula will be more educated about the dangers of thrombosis… I am very excited about this. I hope that this proclamation will save several precious lives,” Athalye said.

Samarth said he was thrilled to receive the proclamation.

“The citizens of Dacula will now be able to take precautionary, and informed decisions regarding their health and lifestyle choices.”

Athalye echoed the students’ sentiments and expressed his appreciation as well.

“The City of Dacula has worked very closely with the Georgia Thrombosis Forum, and I would like to thank the mem-

bers of the city council along with Honorable Mayor Jimmy Wilbanks.”

Georgia Thrombosis Forum is an affiliate of the North American Thrombosis Forum (NATF, www.NATFonline. org). “The mission of GTF is to spread the awareness of thrombosis, network with various groups involved in thrombosis, train young volunteers for writing, presenting, and gaining knowledge of thrombosis, arrange publications in various media involving GTF’s efforts in the community, and allow the youth volunteers to organize, plan, and handle all the activities”, Athalye said.

For more information about thrombosis and GTF, visit their website at www.gtfonline.net. For more information about the North American Thrombosis Forum (NATF), visit their website at www.natfonline.org.

Gwinnett at 200: Planning a Year-long Celebration of Community

Charlotte J. Nash

County Business

You’re invited to a birthday party.

With a million or so other people. And it will last for an entire year. How’s that for a celebration!

Gwinnett County will be 200 years old next year – on December 15, 2018, to be exact. We have organized an advisory committee to start a celebration countdown this December, ending with the big day a year later. We are inviting everyone who lives or works in Gwinnett to participate in some way.

A good place to start is the new

website for the bicentennial, www.gwinnett200.com. It has a calendar of bicentennial events and a form you can use to register related events. Any event that builds community spirit and celebrates the strengths of Gwinnett County is welcome. The easy, online form prompts you to provide the basic details of your event.

We’ve also started assembling a Story Vault of videotaped recollections of life in Gwinnett as told by people who were here. Some stories are seen through the eyes of a child while other stories, still vivid many years later, speak to the perseverance, determination, and problem-solving of Gwinnett County residents. For newer residents, we want to hear your stories about how you chose Gwinnett. All stories are welcome whether you were born here or moved here last week.

TVgwinnett, our government-access

cable channel, is providing the cameras and crew – and even a studio to tape in.

All we need is you. We’ll edit the best stories together to make a video portrait of Gwinnett to show at the closing celebration 17 months from now. Information on the website explains how you can volunteer to tell your stories and get them recorded for posterity.

The new website also lists the members of the advisory committee along with photos, resources, and ways to get involved in the celebration.

When Gwinnett County was formed by the state legislature in 1818, they named it for Button Gwinnett, one of three men from Georgia who signed the Declaration of Independence. We have a fascinating history, but everyone who lived through our first century is gone.

Now it’s up to each of us to take part in documenting and celebrating our second century and looking ahead with optimism to our third.

Let’s celebrate how far our remarkable community has come and make some memories that they’ll still be talking about a hundred years from now.

The Gwinnett Citizen

August 2017

Page 5

It’s never too late, or too soon to plan for retirement kets,” he said. “I’ve invested during the 1987 crash and the 2008 downturn.”

The key to successful investing is to avoid the big hit. “When you invest money in retirement, there are fender benders and accidents,” Hansen said.

“While you may lose a little with your investments from time to time, you want to avoid a big accident that may change your lifestyle.”

If you have questions about your financial future, whether you’re retired, a Baby Boomer nearing retirement, or a Gen X’er just getting started, it’s never too late, or too early to talk to a financial advisor about your investing options. For

Wealth Advisor Jerry Hansen

By Dan Brown Staff Correspondent It is never too late or too soon to plan for retirement.

So says Wealth Advisor Jerry Hansen of Hansen Financial Services in Suwanee.

Given today’s workplace environment, it is a different world than the world of your parents and grandparents.

Today’s professionals are changing jobs more often, enjoying their mobility. You don’t see many who spend their entire working careers with just one company.

A casualty of this new work trend is the corporate retirement plan.

“Getting into some kind of formal retirement plan is important, regardless of your age. You want to maximize earnings in any way possible. A lot of people are working well beyond the age of 65 these days. The key is to have a ‘game plan’, budget and put something away each month. No matter how little,” Hansen said.

“In 1983, I went to a seminar as a young man, and I could still see the speaker today, and the man conducting the seminar was silver haired and in his 70s and he said, ‘If you take nothing away from this seminar, take this, save 10 percent.’ It was the most-sound financial advice I had ever heard, and remember it to this day.” The lack of a retirement plan is not that uncommon as many Baby Boomers approach retirement. Hansen said establishing a plan, and sticking to it, is important. “Financial plans need to be written,” he said. “There is something that happens during that hand-eye process that makes the plan stick.”

It’s important to have goals and these goals need to be reviewed every year, Hansen said. “The key is to save, but if you can’t save 10 percent, save five percent. Put something away, anything that won’t take food off the table.”

Sooner is better, Hansen said, but it’s never too late to start saving.

“If you defer your social security beyond the age of 65, your benefits may increase by seven percent each year you defer. They say the new 70 is the old 65.

Because people are living longer, some need to work beyond 65 as long as their

health permits and it’s enjoyable. Budgeting is important. You have to be cognizant of your expenses.” Hansen said if someone’s budget is tight, they need to distinguish between what they want and what they really need.

“People are living very actively well into their 80s and even into their 90s.

Retired folks need to understand their retirement may be lasting 25-to-30 years, and they need ongoing financial planning.”

A common planning mistake among retirees is they overspend for their dream home in retirement, and in 12-to-15 years they realize they overspent on that home, according to Hansen.

The days of paying off your mortgage and living mortgage free are waning.

“With interest rates today being as low as four percent, there is nothing wrong with entering your retirement with a mortgage,” Hansen said. “Many of us are changing the way we think about where we live and how we pay for it.”

With the change in the job market in the past generation or two, professionals have taken over control of their own retirement plans as opposed to the corporate pension. Gone is the lifetime job where you retire at age 65 after more than 40 years of working for the same company.

Gone is the retirement party and the gold watch. Gone also, is the pension on which your grandparents lived during the years of their retirement. Families lived in one town, one house and worked one job over the course of a lifetime. This isn’t your grandparents’ world anymore.

“Pensions are becoming a thing of the past,” said Hansen. “Boomers are approaching retirement age and the days of having a company based pension are waning.”

Hansen said, the 401K plans or other retirement savings funds has replaced his parents’ and grandparent’s pensions of a generation past.

“Today’s professionals want to be in control of their own financial investments.”

A Midwest native, who earned a Masters’ Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1995, Hansen started his

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career in insurance, eventually focusing on investment management.

Hansen, who has been a part of the financial planning industry since graduating from college in 1983, has weathered the ups and downs of market over the years. “My father was wealthy, but he eventually lost his fortune and died broke. I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor, and I don’t want to see others live in financial desperation.”

Hansen knew early on he wanted a career in finance and before the days of the Internet, spent a lot of time in his local library studying up on the trade and researching investments.”

“I lived through several bear mar-

more information, visit www.jthlpl.com, or give Jerry a call at (678) 407-4445.

Jerry Hansen is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ and President of Hansen Financial Services Inc. His offices are located at 1325 Satellite Blvd., Suite 1406, Suwanee, GA. Securities and Financial Planning offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

The Gwinnett Citizen

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August 2017

Guest Editorial: Kindness Is Not Just a Southern Thing

By Leigh McIntosh Maybe every person believes they came from a great generation, but as an Atlanta native, I am so grateful I had the opportunity to grow up in Lawrenceville in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The values I learned have helped me navigate through many difficult life challenges. When I was growing up, Gwinnett was a slow paced, friendly county of about 45,000 where everyone knew everyone, and they also knew everything about each other. This taught me that my actions had consequences that usually involved my parents, so accountability was introduced to me at a young age. People were always watching, and that meant children were generally safe. We ran around town without worrying about someone harming us, and if we needed help, someone lent a hand. People were respectful of others. I knew that people had differing views on politics and religion, but my father taught me that those were not things to be discussed because it could cause dissension.

(I wonder why we stopped teaching that.)

I was a teenager before I knew one of my parents was a Republican and the other a Democrat. They never argued about politics, they just joked about canceling each other’s vote. I remember my dad saying that more wars had been fought over religion than anything else. He said God allowed us to have free will and we needed to respect a person’s right to decide what they believed.

In those years before air conditioning and technology, we spent our days

playing outside, swimming in the river, reading books, visiting friends and avoiding chores. When I discovered transistor radios, I begged for one for my birthday.

I thought it was the greatest thing to listen to the music I wanted to hear, even though we were mostly listening to static due to the poor reception. This was an era when the Youngbloods sang, “Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another, right now.” Popular mantra’s included: “Flower Power,” “Make Love, Not War,” “Give Peace a Chance”, and “Love is all you need.” The radio and television brought the world into our homes, and we realized the world was less safe than our community. We had to worry about the war in Vietnam and whether or not Russia was going to annihilate America. But through it all, we had time to be bored in the summer, and that boredom inspired contemplation and creativity.

Being kind to people and respecting our elders was expected even if we did not agree with them. Punishment for disrespect was as certain as punishment for breaking one of the Ten Commandments.

I believed that with education and hard work I could do anything I wanted to do.

My dad and I were both animal lovers and our bonding time was spent riding horses accompanied by our dogs, on long, lazy days while discussing philosophical issues. My love for animals and philosophy made me realize how deeply I felt about the sacredness of all life. I embraced several Gandhi quotes including: • “The greatness of a nation can be

judged by the way its animals are treated,” • “The greatness of humanity is not in being human but in being humane,” • “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.”

I knew from a very young age that I wanted to help people and animals in need because those less fortunate, many times, do not have a voice and it is our obligation and responsibility to love and advocate for humanity.

My father used humor much of the time, and I still gravitate to people who can diffuse situations by making me laugh. He taught me that everyone is valuable and that we should not look down on individuals or groups of people.

Kindness is vital, and as I witness the current tensions in our country, I believe that if we collectively model kindness for our children, we will positively change the future of our world. I am not sure when the news stopped being truthful. I was taught in school that communists used propaganda to distort the truth as a way to control their citizens. I had no idea America would be condoning propaganda 50 years later. When President Reagan told Gorbachev to “tear down that wall”, I thought the world was safer again because freedom had won. Have we forgotten that using violence, intolerance, intimidation and fear tactics is not humane, but evil?

We must be vigilant if we want to protect what is great about America.

In my lifelong quest to help people, my career has been to work with people with disabilities and to educate about the

natural benefits of high-quality essential oils. Recently, the number of people sharing their feelings of anxiety and depression with me has skyrocketed because people feel less safe and more insecure. As a result of people being attacked for their opinions, they have stopped expressing them. Is that the kind of society we want to live in? What happened to our safe community where individuals were respected, and a very long history of southern hospitality encouraged good manners? Have we forgotten we are uniquely made and individually have something to offer? The recent election should have taught us that if nothing else, being quiet to avoid intolerance does not mean people do not have an opinion.

Recently, I have talked with concerned leaders of nonprofit agencies across Gwinnett County, and we envision something better for our community.

Happiness and peace come when what we think, say and do align positively so that good works can be accomplished. This is how we can develop confident adults who will one day be benevolent leaders.

Gwinnett County is fortunate to have inspirational leadership, but it is not enough. The entire community must work together so that everyone can be safe and feel secure. I would love to hear from readers about their ideas to make our community kinder. It only takes a few of us to create massive change, and I have great faith in this community that I have spent a lifetime calling home. In recent weeks the people we serve at Creative Enterprises, Inc., started a campaign called

“Creative Acts of Kindness.” I am humbled when I see a person with a severe disability helping someone in need, and I, fortunately, get to watch this happen every day. These beautiful people want to be part of something that changes lives and are willing to do their part. They also pass out “hero” cards to folks they catch being kind.

Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County has a long history of leading the way, setting an example and helping others in need. That is a legacy we can all choose to share with our children and those in need so they may one day reminisce about the great generation they came from.

Let’s bring civility to our communities by encouraging kindness and respect for all. We do not have to agree with everyone, but being kind will allow us the freedom we should feel as Americans to express our beliefs. We have an opportunity to create a future that produces caring and responsible adults, and in the process, we will be making history. Our freedom and our children’s future is at stake and will be determined by what each of us does today. In our own way, we can change the world. What will you choose to do?

Leigh McIntosh is the CEO of Creative Enterprises, a not for profit, training, and employment, community rehabilitation program for adults with severe disabilities. To learn more visit www. creativeenterprises.com

The Gwinnett Citizen

August 2017

Skydiving.

It just isn’t natural

Carole Townsend

(Not So) Common Sense A dear friend of mine just turned age 55, a milestone I glimpsed in the rear view mirror more than a year ago.

The big 5-5 bothered her, I’m afraid. She worried about 50’s approach for a full year before it arrived, and for some reason, 55 has bothered her even more. “But stores offer 55-year-olds senior discounts!” she cried, as I patted her hand and made a mental note to find out which stores she was talking about. I’m nothing if not a bargain hound.

I’ve tried to be a good friend to her, to listen when appropriate and to offer some cheerful advice to prop her up when appropriate. I don’t think I’m helping much.

Reaching age 50 did not bother me.

Age 55 didn’t bother me. The way I see it, every day spent above ground is a good one. I celebrated both milestones with my family and moved on, or at least I think I did. The biggest thing on my mind at the time was making sure I got signed up for all the supermarket and AARP deals that surely awaited me after I crossed this golden bridge. Boy, was I disappointed.

My girlfriend called me early last week with a proposition. She said that she wants to go skydiving, but she’ll only do it if I go with her. Frankly, I was stunned by her proposition. Where on earth did she get the idea that I had any inclination to go skydiving? I do not. I’m not even sure I have what it takes to jump off of a plane that’s safely parked on the tarmac, much less jump from one in flight. My fear has nothing to do with my age, mind you. I

have been a self-preservationist chicken for as long as I can remember.

I’ve gotten myself into a pickle though, because I may have led my friend to believe that I’d do it if she’d snap out of her funk. I thought that surely I’d exceed the age or weight limit, or perhaps I thought that she’d come to her senses if I just played along. As luck would have it, my weight is well within the guidelines (go figure), and while many people claim the honor of being the world’s oldest skydiver, they all far exceed my own age.

My friend is determined to follow through with her reckless goal, and I have to figure out how to break it to her that I will not be participating, no matter what I may have said up to this point.

I thought about taking the coward’s way out and sharing this column with her on social media. But I can’t be sure she’d read it, and then I’d just double my anxiety worrying about that.

We are supposed to talk about the specifics of the plan this coming weekend. I have a few days to figure out how to either talk her out of skydiving or talk her out of skydiving with me, her best friend. I think honesty may be the best approach. If she didn’t already know that “Carole” and “skydiving” do not belong in the same sentence, I suppose it’s time she learned.

Wonder if she’d be up for a girls’ weekend at the beach instead? Now that I can do.

Carole Townsend is a Gwinnett author and freelance writer. Her fourth book, BLOOD IN THE SOIL, was published in 2016. It is the true tale of a crime that took place in Gwinnett County nearly 40 years ago. Her previous three books are written with Southern humor. Carole often appears on network television talk and news shows, as well as on national true crime radio shows. Her books can be found in bookstores, on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and at www.caroletownsend. com. When she’s not writing, Carole travels throughout the southeast, talking to groups about women, writing, family, and life in her beloved South.

Page 7

County making strides in becoming voter compliant as elections draw near

By Dan Brown Staff Correspondent The bulk of responsibility regarding the addition of Spanish to Gwinnett County election ballots, and the way county voters cast their votes will initially rest on the shoulders of Gwinnett’s individual municipalities.

According to Gwinnett County Communications Director Joe Sorenson, the municipalities in Gwinnett County will convene city elections before there is another county wide election.

“Implementing the new bilingual voting method in Gwinnett County will first fall on the shoulders of Gwinnett’s cities as they will hold elections before the county has another one,” Sorenson said.

Sorenson told the Gwinnett Citizen on July 7th, the County is set to implement a website wide translating service for Spanish speaking citizens.

“We had hoped to implement some changes earlier this month, but we’ve had to push them back a bit,” Sorenson said. “The enhancements we had hoped to add in early July may happen near the end of July or the first of August.

A feature has been added to the Gwinnett County website that can be found at the bottom of each web page. An icon simply saying “TRANSLATE” will, upon clicking, translate the appropriate text from English to Spanish, Sorensen said.

“We would like to put the icon in a more prominent place on each page to make it easier to find for those of Hispanic heritage,” he said.

Sorensen added that voters should keep visiting the county website for new updates, news, and press releases.

“We will have further announcements in a couple weeks,” he said.

On December 5, 2016, the Director of the Census Bureau determined that Gwinnett County met the coverage formula under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, 52 U.S.C. § 10503, concerning persons of Hispanic heritage. The coverage formula under Section 203 is based upon the number of voting age citizens of a single language minority with limited-English proficiency and the illiteracy rate of the citizens in the language minority.

The purpose of Section 203’s requirements is to provide the voting age citizens in the language minority group who are limited-English proficiency the opportunity to participate fully and effectively in the covered jurisdiction’s registration and election process. To accomplish this objective, Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act requires a covered

jurisdiction to provide bilingual voter registrations and elections in the language of the language minority population meeting the coverage formula as well as in English.

As the Director of the Census Bureau determined that Gwinnett County met Section 203’s coverage formula with respect to persons of Hispanic heritage, this means that Gwinnett County is now required by the Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act to provide for voter registrations and elections in both English and Spanish.

To comply with the requirements of Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act and to provide effective language assistance to those voting age citizens of Hispanic heritage with limited-English proficiency, Gwinnett County has begun a comprehensive bilingual voter registrations and elections program. As part of this program, Gwinnett County voters will now be provided and/or offered registration and election information in both English and Spanish, including but not limited to registration applications, forms, instructions, signage, and ballots. Spanish language assistance will also be available at polling locations, satellite polling locations and the Office of the Gwinnett County Board of Voter Registrations and Elections.

The introduction of the Spanish language into Georgia’s second largest county comes as a result of a spike in the Gwinnett’s Spanish speaking voter population, Sorenson said.

“The addition of Spanish-language ballots was the result of a spike in minority voter registration across Gwinnett County,” Sorenson said. “We hit a population threshold where this applies to us now.”

So far, Gwinnett County is the only Georgia County included on the new Census Bureau designation list released last December. An estimated 171,000 of Gwinnett County residents – about onefifth of the county’s population – are Latinos, according to the latest census figures.

In the November 2016 presidential election, Hispanic voters helped Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton win Gwinnett County for the Democratic Party in her unsuccessful bid for the White House. Up until then, Gwinnett had voted Republican in every presidential election since the Reagan/Bush years, according to election records.

While President Donald J. Trump carried Georgia, he did not win in Gwinnett County, where Clinton defeated Trump by a 51-to-45 percent margin.

Sorenson said each municipality

would be responsible for becoming compliant with the merging of the Spanish language onto local voting ballots and providing voter assistance at the polling booth with translators and monitors to ensure each registered voter, regardless of the language they speak, has an equal opportunity to cast a vote for its respective candidate.

Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO) Executive Director Jerry Gonzalez said voting is an equal right for all U.S. citizens regardless of language.

“Voting is an important right we have as U.S. citizens, regardless of English language proficiency,” Gonzalez said when the announcement about introducing Spanish into Gwinnett’s voting process was made in December 2016. “As we had mentioned over one year ago, the need for Spanish language assistance and information is certainly a reality.”

The U.S. Census Bureau designation is part of Section 203 of the U.S. Voting Rights Act requiring jurisdictions to offer bilingual ballot access if more than 5 percent or 10,000 voting-age citizens are members of a single language minority and have difficulty speaking English.

Gwinnett County officials intend to comply with any new voting requirements as stated in the Voting Rights Act. “As soon as the order came down, we had to work to be in compliance with the new order,” said Sorenson. “We don’t have a deadline we’re working against other than being in compliance with the U.S. Voting Rights Act as quickly as possible.”

The new process will also affect registration materials and other daily operations, in addition to the new ballots, he added. “We’re working on being in compliance, not just the county, but each individual city needs to be in compliance as well. The cities have their own individual elections. On a very high level, everything that touches voters and potential voters happens in Spanish as well as English. We’re working on total compliance.”

The County’s latest announcement guarantees Gwinnett County voters, regardless of the language they speak, be it English or Spanish, they will have an equal opportunity to cast a ballot for the candidate of their choice.

With November elections over four months away, the clock is ticking and time is quickly running out.

The transition is still a work in progress, Sorenson said. “We have been working hard toward total compliance for the past couple weeks.”

DACULA Mayor: Jimmy Wilbanks Council: Wendell Holcomb and Donna Peairs August 21 - 23, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

442 Harbins Road, Dacula, GA 30019 (770) 963-7451

SUGAR HILL Mayor: Steve Edwards Post 4: Curtis Northrup, Post 5: Mike Sullivan Begins August 21 4988 W. Broad Street, Sugar Hill, GA 30518 (770) 945-6717

Qualifying for these positions are in August BUFORD City Commissioner: L. Chris Burge and Michael Smith School Board Member: Bruce Fricks and Pat Pirkle August 21, 9:00 a.m. - August 23, 4:30 p.m.

Address: 2300 Buford Highway, Buford, GA 30518 (770) 945-6761

LAWRENCEVILLE Post 3: Robert Clark, Post 4: Keith Roche August 21 - 23, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

70 S. Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 (770) 963-2414

The Gwinnett Citizen

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August 2017

Focus on Cuba…

A Photographer’s View

NO LONGER continued from page1 Carolyn Wright

Art Matters

Logo by Sheila Bailey

No Longer the Face Foundation assists survivors of domestic violence with resources and support.

ed to speak to the group of women. Bailey learned at the event that the women she would speak to were survivors as well.

Touched by how the women were moved by her story, Bailey decided that she would finally come out about her past. She had her son take a photo of her and she posted it on Facebook, captioned, “Rape and abuse survivor.” “From that moment on, people reached out to me privately via email and messages to share their own personal stories of abuse, asking for help and guidance. When someone wrote to tell me that her husband beats her silently in the night, I remember getting angry, saying ‘We are no longer the face of abuse.’” This became the inspiration for the company name. Bailey’s desire to do something was ignited and she knew she had to take action. The organization was conceptualized in October, 2013 and No Longer the Face Foundation was officially launched eight months later in June, 2014.

Since 2014, No Longer the Face Foundation has expanded, providing resources, promoting advocacy, and hosting community events that offer opportunities for action. Bailey is backed with the support of her Foundation’s Board - Necole F. Turner, President; Mona Bennett Johnson, Vice-President; Dana Rossell Perryman, Treasurer; Alex Le, Secretary.

“Having a team of strong women who are passionate about your passion drives you.

I am truly grateful for their support and belief in the path that I’ve been blessed with. Beyond providing hope and a voice for helpless victims of domestic violence, our vision is to tirelessly work toward the prevention and the elimination of these senseless abuses.”

Bailey and No Longer the Face Foundation volunteers partner with local organizations and churches to help victims and host a variety of fundraising events throughout the year. “We also collect gently used purses that we fill with toiletries and personal care items for our Pack A Purse Project and distribute the purses to various women’s shelters. We are even connecting with similar international organizations in an effort to expand No Longer the Face Foundation worldwide.”

At the latest community event held on June 23, 2017, No Longer the Face Foundation distributed $2,000 to assist a local domestic violence organization and to support survivors who were struggling financially. “We awarded our 2nd Face of the Survivor award this year. It was such a

Photo by Carrie Jean Photography

Sheila Bailey’s Circle of Accountability, an intimate gathering held with survivors and the Board of No Longer the Face Foundation. The women celebrated their stories – from victims to becoming victors. In this photograph, the women took a moment to pray. Hands entwined with purple ribbon show that each woman, although different, they are all connected.

Bailey emphasized, “Regardless, if you were birthed in the same blood, you are a sister to every woman. It is by uniting together we can, together we will end domestic violence.”

difficult decision to select from the seventy nominations we received. All the nominees were amazing and we look forward to continuing to bless one woman with a story of survivorship!” Bailey added. The event is in its third year and has contributed to changing, empowering, and connecting women of diversity, uniting them as one.

The organization’s mission is clear – “We firmly believe the lives of women and children existing in the shadows of domestic violence matter. Our mission is to assist in saving the lives of those most vulnerable by providing support, resources and unified voice for survivors and victims of this widespread problem. In doing so, we aspire to promote community awareness and to foster hope by assisting victims in reclaiming a life of happiness, free from domestic violence.”

“God made me stand up and walk with purpose. I am humbled that He chose me and I will tirelessly continue to fight until He changes my path. If only one life is saved, I am being obedient.”

Bailey shares her personal testimony on No Longer the Face Foundation’s website and in her autobiographical trilogy, Willow Silent Cries.

For more information, volunteer opportunities, a complete listing of community resources, events and fundraisers, or to make a donation to No Longer the Face Foundation, visit: http://nolongertheface. com.

It’s not every day that you meet someone who has traveled from the US to Cuba. Photographer Lara Mealor had that rare opportunity earlier this year. When we met a few months ago, Lara showed me some of the pictures she took, and I just had to find out more about this adventurous woman and extraordinary photographer. Here’s what I learned.

Me: I’m always interested in the stories of local artists and how they got started. Tell me a little about yourself.

Lara: “My family moved around a lot when I was young. We moved from South Carolina to Puerto Rico when I was in middle school which was my introduction to Hispanic island culture and stories of Cuba. In the middle of ninth grade we moved from San Juan to Lilburn, Georgia. I graduated from Brookwood High School in 1996. After getting married and living in Lawrenceville for 8 years, my husband, young daughter, and I recently relocated to Flowery Branch to be closer to Lake Lanier where we like to spend time and recharge as a family and with friends.”

Me: Lara, what led you to chose photography to explore professionally and as an art form?

Lara: “It was divine intervention, really. A friend asked me to do head shots for her new realtor business card. We were so excited how the pictures turned out that I looked up photography classes that night. I started the next week at our local university, taking continuing education classes at night. My teacher is now a dear friend and has helped me so much. I got my certificate in December.”

Me: Okay, so now you’re a trained photographer with the ink barely dry on your certificate. How did your trip to Cuba come about, was it on your bucket list or was it serendipity?

Lara: “It was definitely serendipitous. A friend of mine and past instructor was showing her images from a photography workshop she attended in Cuba. I was instantly entranced with the colors, the people and overall culture of Cuba.

When she mentioned she was looking for a travel companion to return to Cuba for a long weekend, I jumped at the chance.

My husband has always been encouraging and supportive of my artistic spirit – I usually jump first and ask questions later!”

Me: What was your first impression of Cuba?

Lara: “Overwhelming. I was of course there to observe and capture, but I was in complete visual overload. The female security employees at the airport wore fishnet stockings with heels. Ev-

erywhere I turned, something different and unusual was happening. It took me a while to even process just the trip from the airport to our Airbnb! Luckily I was able to find my own internal filter so that I could focus on the stories I wanted to capture.”

Me: Here in the United States the rare images of Cuba we see are usually of old buildings, American cars from the 50’s and people living with limited goods and services. What did you like most about Cuba and how were you treated by the Cuban people?

Lara: “The people. After I got over the shock of it all, it was easy to feel the sweetness of the people. When we settled into our own peace, they embraced us. We felt welcomed and safe. It was truly amazing how respectful they were.

There were people loitering the streets on every corner, yet there were no cat calls or offensive looks. They had kind eyes and sweet smiles—very lovely people as a whole.

Me: Did you come away with any negative impressions of Cuba?

Lara: “It’s easy to see things as negative that really are just different.

The roads were awful, dust and dirt everywhere, but more so there were spots where safety was precarious. It was a busy place, a variety of cars, pedicabs, and motorcycles zooming by constantly.

It was exhausting managing all of it. The food was not as great as I imagined. Although I had a delicious meal at Hotel Nacional De Cuba. I always try to approach life looking for the positive.

We will inevitably find it when we search.

So those differences, even the ones that affected me negatively, had a beauty to them when I let myself search for it.

Me: I can see from your photography and our conversations that you like to tell a story, how does that play into how you shoot your pictures?

Lara: “Storytelling comes naturally to me. I see the world through connections. Daily life and community appeal to me, so those moments are what catch my eye. I like to use a wide angle lens to capture the sense of place. Although I am new to ‘Street Photography, it appears as though we were made for each other.

It seems I lose myself in certain compositions and feel like I become a wonderful servant to those moments. There have been times when I was caught off guard by what I was able to capture and wasn’t aware of the depth until I got back to the quiet of my room. I don’t feel like I am learning a trade or skill—I feel like I am learning a part of myself that has been there waiting all along.

Me: What is your favorite image from your photographic adventure in Cuba and why?

Lara: Isabella! Hands down she will always be my pride and joy image. When I firs saw her, we locked eyes. She was an ornery woman, tiny too, probably no more than 5 feet tall. She was reluctant to agree to my request for an image until my travel partner flashed a peso. Our cameras started flashing away. Afterward, I handed her a packet of aspirin as a token of thanks; she hugged my neck and did not want to let go. I hope to find her again one day and make sure she gets a copy of her priceless image. It is one of those images that you just feel like there was intervention beyond oneself. It was

Photo by Lara Mealor

Photographer Lara Mealor captures this gentleman early in one morning standing on a street corner with his flower cart as men flocked to him to buy bouquets.

like we both lived our lives to be perfect for each other at that moment. I feel like I was just a vehicle to get that image to the world.”

Me: Many of your images from Cuba will be on display beginning August 12th at The LONA Gallery. What do you want people to take away from experiencing your impressions of Cuba?

Lara: Travel is difficult for many people. I want to fulfill a curiosity and give the sense of being there. It is a unique place. A world of extreme contrasts. For many people, they will not have the opportunity to visit, and if they do, it will probably change a lot in the next few years. I would like them to see the goodness in the faces of the Cuban people. They inspire me. For people who have been there I want them to think ‘Yes!!! Exactly!!! And for those who have never been, I want them to feel, even if just for a moment, that they experienced an authentic moment in Cuba.

Me: If you had to describe Cuba in one word, what would it be?

Lara: Wild!!!

Carolyn Wright is an Atlanta native and resident of Snellville, Georgia since 1987. Carolyn describes herself as a lover of art, world traveler and a student of life.

She and her sister Sylvia Culberson own The LONA Gallery located on the square in Historic Downtown Lawrenceville.

The Gwinnett Citizen

August 2017

GCPS to delay dismissal by one hour on August 21 to help ensure safe viewing of eclipse On August 21, 2017, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) will delay dismissal by one hour to help ensure the safe viewing of the eclipse and a safe dismissal of students. On this day, all of North American will experience an eclipse of the sun. This means that Earth, the sun, and the moon, which all orbit in space in predictable paths, will align. The moon will move between the sun and Earth blocking the light of the sun. Thus, the moon will cast a shadow on Earth. Here in Gwinnett, we will experience a near total eclipse between 2:35 and 2:40 p.m. that will last approximately two minutes.

This alignment of the sun, the moon, and Earth will mark the first time this phenomenon has occurred coast-to-coast in our country in nearly 100 years.

As dismissal for Gwinnett County Public Schools high school students occurs shortly after 2 p.m. and the first tier of elementary school students are released at 2:45 p.m. the district felt a one-hour delay in dismissal would allow for better supervision of students during the eclipse. NASA has issued guidelines for watching the eclipse that advise that children should be carefully supervised when using solar filters to view the eclipse. “GCPS has made the decision

Special Photo

to dismiss one hour later than usual as a safety precaution, explains Dr. Jonathan Patterson, associate superintendent for Curriculum and Instructional Support.

“It would be difficult to monitor students who are being dismissed or those who are riding on school buses during the eclipse. Ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. In addition to addressing safety concerns associated with the eclipse, the delay will provide more time for us to make this a special educational event for our students, allowing us to organize safe and engaging viewing experiences for students.”

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Page 9

The Gwinnett Citizen

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August 2017

Health, Beauty & Wellness Are You And Your Child Ready For Back To School?

This time of year, nearly every parent starts feeling mildly overwhelmed as the back-to-school rush starts. Between school-supply shopping, scheduling routine wellness exams and picking out a wardrobe for the school year, there almost too many things to keep track of.

So, to help you navigate this hectic time, Howard Ellis, MD, a pediatrician with Gwinnett Medical Group’s Mason Pediatrics, provides key ways to make this the best school year yet—not just for your child, but for you, too. Keep these expert tips in mind to conquer this school year like a pro!

Early to bed, early to rise.

Summertime and sleep routines don’t usually go together. However, to help children and teens adjust to the earlier wake-up times that school demands, start by making slight changes to their

sleep schedule. Even moving their bedtime back in 15 minute increments each night will make a difference.

Keep in mind that school aged children need nine to 12 hours of sleep, while teens need more like eight to 10 hours.

Dress for success.

While your student may think that picking out the most stylish clothes should be the top priority, it’s important to not overlook things like backpacks and shoes. Surprisingly, these two things can have a big impact on the health and comfort of your child.

When it comes to picking out backpacks, focus on shoulder straps. Make sure that they are durable and will evenly distribute weight across your child’s back. Between their textbooks and electronic gear, backpacks can easily weigh your child down.

As far as shoes go, it can be tricky to find a pair that can keep up with your child’s growing feet. If shoes don’t fit well, this can irritate their feet and lead to a number of issues, like bunions, corns, hammer toes and pain.

When picking out shoes, remember, your child should be able to wiggle their toes freely inside the shoe and shoes should be slightly loose so that as feet swell throughout the day, they don’t feel too tight.

Keep it delicious—and nutritious.

Despite your best intentions in trying to keep your child’s diet balanced and healthy, it’s often easier said than done.

Ideally, children should be eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy.

So what’s the secret to getting your child to eat all of these different foods?

Let them pick it out. Instead of taking them to the store with you, which can be notoriously dangerous with endless unhealthy options, give them a list of choices in each of these healthy food groups and let them select their favorites. This is a great technique to use for both breakfast and lunch.

Arrive in style.

Surprisingly, recent studies have shown that riding the bus is 13 times safer than riding in the family vehicle and 10 times safer than walking to school. While school buses are designed with safety in mind, remember these tips: • While waiting for the bus, make sure your child stays away from traffic, alleys or private property.

• Make sure they avoid roughhousing or other distracting behavior—like playing with toys or looking at their cellphone.

• When on the bus, remind your child

Special Photo

that they should stay in their seat, keep aisles clear and don’t make loud noises that could distract the driver. Also, make sure they don’t put their head, arms or hands out the windows.

If you plan to drive your child to school, utilize the National Safety Council’s safety tips.

Confidence is key.

Self-esteem and confidence may not be an issue for younger children, but for older ones, middle school and high school students, self-image can take quite a hit. There are a number of factors that can contribute to self-doubt at this age, but the good news is, there are simple ways you can give them a much needed confidence boost.

While your child may go through a bit of a learning curve when it comes to curfew or other rules at home and school, focus on what they do right instead of wrong. Praise their good choices and things done well.

Seek your child’s opinions, and include them in family decisions.

This is a time for self-discovery, so encourage your child to find their strengths and things they enjoy doing.

Whether that’s participating in sports, drama club or art programs, there is no shortage of options.

Support your child’s efforts to make friends. Help them stay socially involved and offer to organize get-togethers as desired.

Your child + GMG Primary Care = A healthy school year.

With a never-ending list of things to do before the start of the school year, let Gwinnett Medical Group Primary Care take care of all things health. At Mason Pediatrics, a GMG Practice, your child will receive customized care that grows with their needs. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit gwinnettmedicalgroup.com/mason.

Need your medical records but your doctor’s office is closed?

By Staff Reports You need your medical records but learned your doctor’s office closed down.

What do you do now? Aren’t these records supposed to be kept on file for several years?

The following information is provided by the Georgia Department of Law, Consumer Protection Unit.

State laws generally govern how long medical records must be retained.

In Georgia, a provider must normally retain records for 10 years from the date the record item was created. However, there are exceptions. For instance, an individual provider who has retired from or sold his or her professional practice is exempt from the 10-year retention requirement if the provider has notified the patient of the retirement or sale and offered to provide the records (or copies of the records) to the patient or another provider of the patient’s choice.

Although your doctor’s office is now closed, you may still be able to get the information you need. You might want to first consult with an attorney before taking any action. If you choose to do it yourself, there are various steps you can take to try to find your records. The

Medical Association of Georgia (“MAG”), an industry group that advocates for physicians, provides a guide which includes the following suggestions: * Mail a letter requesting a copy of your medical records to the practice’s last known street address and any other addresses that may be associated with the practice, such as the registered agent (you can get this information from the Secretary of State). * Let your new doctor know that you haven’t been able to obtain your medical records. * Request a copy of the claims that have been submitted on your behalf from your health insurance company. * Contact hospitals in your area that you believe might have access to your medical records. * Contact MAG. Although MAG

does not have the legal authority to compel a provider to produce a patient’s medical records, it may be able to contact the provider on your behalf. * Submit a letter of complaint to the Georgia Composite Medical Board (the agency that licenses physicians in the state).

Other laws may also apply, particularly if you were receiving services under Medicare or Medicaid, in which case you may also try reaching out to the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights at: https://www.hhs.gov/ocr.

For more information, please contact BBB Serving Metro Atlanta, Athens & Northeast Georgia at 404-766-0875 or info@atlanta.bbb.org.

August 2017

The Gwinnett Citizen

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The Gwinnett Citizen

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August 2017

Gwinnett Medical Center Provides Tourniquet Kits For Use at Prominent Locations in the County Georgia Gwinnett College, Infinite Energy Center and Coolray Field now equipped with new life-saving tools

By Staff Reports As part of its commitment to the national _Stop the Bleed_ campaign, Gwinnett Medical Center (GMC) recently announced that it has donated lifesaving tourniquet kits to Georgia Gwinnett College, Infinite Energy Center and Coolray

Field. Purchase of the kits was made possible by the generous support of the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation.

The noted entities represent three of Gwinnett County’s most prominent public facilities which are collectively visited by hundreds of thousands each year.

Tourniquet kits offer the ability to provide immediate treatment to individuals facing bleeding emergencies.

Injuries that result in heavy bleeding may be life-threating and often the greatest threat comes from loss of blood.

Thus, it is important to control bleeding

as quickly as possible through application of a tourniquet.

The ‘Stop the Bleed’ campaign was launched by the White House in 2015 and is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped and empowered to help in bleeding emergencies before professional help arrives.

“As a busy trauma center in metropolitan Atlanta and north Georgia, we see cases where tourniquets can and do save lives,” said Gina Solomon RN, Trauma Program Manager at GMC. “While we

never want to see anyone suffer an injury, we know accidents happen and hope by equipping the college and the arenas we can help ensure more positive outcomes for trauma care patients.”

The donation of tourniquet kits is part of GMC’s ongoing effort to support the community through public outreach initiatives that promote health and wellness for all citizens.

“We are truly grateful to GMC for providing the tourniquet kits,” said Buck Buchanan, Director of Emergency Management at Georgia Gwinnett College.

“With nearly 12,000 students and more than 1,000 faculty and staff, our institution is one of the fastest growing colleges in the Southeast. That growth places increasing importance on our ability to address emergency situations, and the tourniquet kits from GMC fill one vital area of need.”

Earlier this year, GMC teamed up with the Gwinnett Department of Fire and Emergency Services and Gwinnett Police Department to offer life-saving tourniquet application training for its 5,000 employees and interested citizens.

Walk To End Alzheimer’s®2017 - the nation’s 6th leading cause of death Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research

By Staff Reports The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at Duluth Town Green in Duluth. Nearly 800 people from the Gwinnett County area are expected at this year’s event to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease.

Walk participants will complete a 3 mile walk and will learn about Alzheimer’s disease, advocacy opportunities, clinical studies enrollment and support programs and services from the Alzheimer’s Association.

A tribute ceremony to honor those

affected by Alzheimer’s disease will also be held.

In Georgia alone, there are more than 140,000 people living with the disease and 519,000 caregivers. In the United States, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, the sixth-leading cause of death in and the only disease among the top 10 causes that cannot be cured, prevented or even slowed. Additionally, more than 15 million family and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Register at georgiawalk.org to participate, join a team, or become a team captain.

Girls Are More Vulnerable to Concussion Than Boys

Paige Havens

The Concussion Discussion

Ongoing research continues to reveal that gender may actually be a risk factor for injury and/or influence injury severity when it comes to concussion.

Female athletes suffer more concussions than men in the sports that both play, with an injury rate 50 percent higher.

Boys and girls play by the same rules, using the same equipment, on the same fields, yet girls have higher concussion rates than boys. Many researchers are actively working to help determine why.

Below are some interesting findings that are worthy of note.

Physiology is the first big factor.

Girls’ neck and torso muscles are formed differently and are simply not able to handle forces as well as males. On average, women have shorter and thinner necks than men and approximately 50 percent less neck strength. In general, that means females have smaller heads,

hence less of a buffer against anything their heads might hit, whether it’s a ball, another player’s body or the ground.

Biomechanically girls’ skulls experience greater acceleration when their bodies whiplash and often it’s that motion that jars their brain and leads to a concussion.

This begs the questions - Do we need to make protective equipment, strengthening exercises, training techniques and game strategies different for girls than boys? Are we taking into consideration the very basic design of their bodies as they play?

Now I know that some of you are gasping and thinking. “Women have fought hard for equality and competitive respect on the field for so many years, I can’t believe you are saying this,” but the reality is women ARE built different.

Maybe they need to play different. I’m not implying women need to play less aggressively or be less competitive. I’m saying we need to be honest with ourselves about the biological realities and do everything we can to protect our girls from harm.

The sad truth is that many sports advocates have resisted gender-focused research related to concussion because they don’t want any implication that girls are weaker than boys. But, research continues to unveil realities that we all need to take seriously like - once concussed, girls are more symptomatic than males; they take longer to recover; and their symptoms are often more subtle and more easily missed or attributed to other

causes than concussion.

The good news is that girls are more likely to report symptoms when they do suspect something is wrong. Unfortunately studies show that their reporting of symptoms is often not taken as seriously as their male counterparts. Culturally girls are believed to be more dramatic and over-emotional. They are more likely to be given a “shake it off” attitude even more than boys. Hence, all too often, concussions in women are not diagnosed and treated with the same diligence as males and it’s setting our girls up for a worse result.

Studies also show that we aren’t doing as good of a job educating our girls about concussion. Since women and girls are less educated about female brain injury, many of them are not prepared to cope with more severe symptoms and often have unrealistic expectations of recovery time.

Despite the growing evidence that females are built and affected differently when concussed, the sport and medical communities have yet to develop any female-specific medical guidelines, return to school/play/work protocols or education resources designed for women. Concussions can no longer be treated with a one-size-fits-all approach. Change is coming, but it takes time. For now, educate yourself and always seek the care of true concussion specialists when concussion strikes.

The Gwinnett Citizen

August 2017

Yes, ma’am!”

RIPTIDE continued from page1

Photo by Emmett Clower

Art Totten was recognized by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office & Citizens for saving the lives of five individuals from drowning on the beaches of Panama City Florida on June 24, 2017. Tina was thanked as well for helping the victims onto shore and monitoring their medical conditions until help could arrive.

– wanted to enjoy the challenge that the churning waves present to a strong swimmer. Tina acquiesced, still looking forward to reading a Fannie Flagg book she had brought along for some light beach reading.

“We were really surprised to see that, when we got to St. Andrews State Park near the pier, there were double red flags posted,” said Art. Double red flags signify to beach goers that the water is too dangerous for swimming. “Not only were the flags posted, but airplanes were flying overhead warning people to stay on the shore, out of the water,” Art added. “I’ve never seen that before.”

Most people heeded the warnings and stayed on the sand, with a few only wading shin-deep in the water. The couple both took notice of five people, two teen boys and three adult men, in the water pretty far off the beach. Thinking nothing of the men in the water or the double red flags, Art left Tina on the beach and went for a swim – a challenge for even the best of swimmers, which he happens to be.

“I hadn’t been out there long, when I saw one of the boys looking toward the beach, waving his arms and yelling for help. Normally, I would have just thought they were playing around, but both the riptide and the undercurrents were strong, so I swam closer to check it out,” said Art. Sure enough, the boys were in trouble. One of the men (in the same group) that was nearby was yelling out to the boys, “You’d better swim, or you’re going to drown.”

Art grabbed the teen closest to him and swam to shore, with the young man hanging onto his back. “Even when I got him to the shallow water where he could stand up, he was so afraid, he wouldn’t let go of me,” Art said, “but I knew I had to get back out there.”

Tina, by then, had seen what was happening. She rushed to the young boy and was talking to him, telling him he was okay and that he could stand. “He was so exhausted. We had to pull him to the sand, and he just collapsed.”

Fighting the rough waves and deadly currents, Art swam back and got the

Page 13

Katie Hart Smith From the Heart

Photo by Emmett Clower

Art Totten’s saved the lives of five swimmers in the Gulf by acting quickly and without thinking of his own safety. other teen, pulling him to safety. Then he went back a third time and pulled one of the adult men to safety. “I kept talking to all of them the entire time, telling them they’d be OK, that I had them. But both boys seemed to be in shock. They never said anything back to him. “When I got to the first adult, I was talking to him too, and he just kept saying ‘Thank you, Jesus,’ and things like that.

When there were two men still left in the water, Art could see that one of them had been pulled further out into the Gulf. While he had been fighting and trying to swim earlier, he had stopped.

“I knew he was in trouble, so I swam freestyle straight to him, something that lifeguards are always warned not to do, but it was the fastest way to get to him.”

Another swimmer came far enough out to throw Art a blow-up swimming inner tube, and while he fought to get to the man who was in dire trouble, another swimmer rescued the other adult.

“When I got to the man who was so far out, I could see he was in need of serious help. He was flailing erratically and struggling very hard to breathe. Having that inner tube to help drag him in was a great help,” said Art. “By this time, Tina was at the water assisting the swimmers being pulled to shore. When Art had the last swimmer to safety, Tina stepped in. “There was chaos, really. Some of the man’s family members were yelling at him, telling him how foolish he was to be swimming in such rough water,” she said. “I signaled to a little girl to call 9-1-1, and one of the man’s family members said, ‘No, he is not going to the hospital.’ I pulled her aside and said that the man was having difficulty breathing and that he was very likely having a heart attack. She was not his wife, so I made the decision to get professional medical help.”

A soon as the EMTs arrived, they took the man immediately to the nearest hospital. All five swimmers survived the harrowing incident, thanks to the help of a couple who hadn’t planned to even be on that beach that day. “A woman told me later that God put me there on that beach

that day, and I guess she was right,” Art said, noting that the EMTs and several onlookers shook his hand and thanked him for his heroic acts that day. To this day, he does not know the names of the people he rescued. Probably because they were in a state of shock, none of them talked with him or even thanked him. “You never know how people are going to react when they’re in a situation like that. But I didn’t need a thank-you. I was just glad that I was there.

When asked if she feared for her husband’s safety while all this was going on, Tina replied, “Not once. I know what a strong swimmer he is.” Art’s mom Ellen added, “What a blessing that he has kept up with all of his lifeguard training, and that he is still such a strong swimmer after all these years.”

To say that Art is a strong swimmer is an understatement. For his 57th birthday, his wife gave him the present of swimming with the whale sharks and many other “toothy creatures” at the Atlanta Aquarium. “It was an incredible experience,” said Art. That’s right; Art is 63 years old. He braved dangerous conditions and battled exhaustion to save a couple of teenagers, a couple of men in their 30s, and a man in his mid-50s. Did God put him and Tina on that beach that morning? No one can answer that question for sure, but there are probably at least 5 people who would answer, “Yes, He did.”

Incidentally, after having breakfast that morning and before heading to the beach, Art swam 120 laps in the condominium pool for his morning exercise.

“When all the excitement was over, I was looking for Art, just to make sure he was OK,” Tina said. “I found him in our beach tent, eating the sandwiches I had packed for our relaxing day by the water!”

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office presented Art with a certificate, thanking him for his bravery and heroism that day.

“That is now going to be a family heirloom, handed down from one generation to the next,” said Ellen.

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Contact the GWINNETT CITIZEN today to share your community news & inquire about advertising and partnering.

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“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” ~ Proverbs 18:21.

My husband, Jeff, and I visited my parents in New Hope, Pennsylvania last month. Early one Saturday morning, we went shopping with Mom. During our transaction with the sales clerk, Mom asked me a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question. I responded, “Yes, ma’am.”

The sales clerk – we learned earlier in our conversation with her that she was from New Jersey – replied, “Oh! I just love your accent. You must be from the South.

It’s so nice to hear your polite way with words.”

Afterwards, her words caused me to pause and reflect.

We live in a country that honors the freedom of speech. Do we not owe it to ourselves to use our words responsibly, respectfully, and carefully?

How we communicate with each other is learned and role modeled – it begins at home.

When one is brought up to learn that should everything get stripped away at the end of the day, all you have is your name, faith, and reputation. What are you going to be in this world? How do you represent yourself – your best self?

Simply put, your words and actions define your reputation. How do you want to be remembered - foul words + foul actions or kind words + kind actions?

Words and actions are so important; we are going to have to give account of what we have said and done in this lifetime when we stand before God. Jesus said, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37).

In the current climate of “fake news” and misinformation, words are purposely careless, mismanaged, carefully crafted to mislead, and thrown into a jumbled word salad, mixed and tossed for freshness. The result creates undue drama, conflict, and spurs rage and anger to fuel the ratings fire. It’s time to extinguish that fire.

Can you imagine if you ran your life or business’ strategic plans on fake facts and misinformation? What would the end result be for you – personally or professionally?

Strive to be honest, forthright, and to have integrity to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. That’s how you build a reputation of trust. I believe each one of us has a responsibility to be truthful and the ability to choose our words with love.

Do you tend to open your mouth and let the words fall out without thinking of the consequences? Do you ask yourself, “How will my words impact another – positively or negatively?” By practicing

empathy - by putting yourself in someone else’s shoes - ask, “How would I respond if I heard those words spoken to me?”

The value of words, emotions, and interpersonal relationships are being lost on today’s youth – unless it’s being taught at home. Social media devices replace the written word (LOL!). Abbreviations, emojis, swipes right or left, or a quick tap to give a thumbs up – such responses create an environment that devalues the written and spoken word, emotions become non-essential.

Sound familiar?  While building interpersonal relationships learn to create opportunities to listen without interruption rather than just listening to respond, meaning you aren’t taking the time to hear the other person’s intended message, but instead are formulating a response in your mind while the other person is talking. When someone else speaks, allow their words to be heard and understood. Pause before responding. Clarify if needed. If you are not on the same page about a topic, agree to disagree with courtesy and tact.

In Emily Post’s, Etiquette, originally published in 1922, she outlines the proper etiquette for a myriad of topics - how to properly converse at every social occasion, welcome newcomers in the community, write and address letters, set the table, and how to teach young children about the rules of social engagement through their interactions with each other. Yes, this book is priceless and etiquette is becoming a lost art. Post writes, “Good taste or bad is revealed in everything we are, do, or have. Our speech, manners, dress and household furnishings – and even our friends – are evidence of the proprietary of our taste...The truly considerate person has many qualities – tact, graciousness, charm, hospitality, kindness – that are apparent in every detail of his life.”

Be an example of good behavior – speak kindly of yourself and others. Let’s take the opportunity to skill-build the younger generation, remembering – it begins at home and by the example of those of us in our culturally diverse community when we interact with each other in public. Don’t tolerate the exhibition of bad behavior. If ignored and unaddressed, it becomes acceptable.

Take these words off the bookshelf, dust them off, and begin using them again - “Please”, “Thank you”, “I’m sorry”, “Excuse me”, “Pardon me”, “No, sir”, and “Yes, ma’am”. Kind words and good manners will always take you far – personally and professionally.

Be a reflection of your good words and deeds.

“Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: At the first gate, ask yourself, ‘Is it true?’

At the second gate, ask, ‘Is it necessary?’

At the third gate, ask, ‘Is it kind?’” ~ Rumi About Katie Hart Smith “Words, written or spoken, have power.” Katie Hart Smith’s column, “From the Heart,” touches the heart, inspires, entertains, and speaks to one’s heart and soul.

With over 20 years of experience, Smith has written for a wide array of audiences. Her latest historical fiction novel, Aspirations of the Heart, has been placed in the Governor’s Mansion Library by Georgia’s First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Deal. To learn more about this Southern author, visit www.katiehartsmith.com.

The Gwinnett Citizen

Page 14

August 2017

Often Overlooked Retirement Planning Questions

Roger Green, MSFS,CFP ® Green Financial Resources

When planning for retirement, often the focus seems to be almost entirely on “how much can I save?”, but there are some other significant questions to consider.

How long will I live? U.S. life expectancy is increasing – advances in medicine and other factors are allowing us to live longer. This means you need to plan to accrue more asset to last through a potentially longer retirement period.

As an alternative to saving more, you may think you will simply work longer, however, health issues or loss of job combined with trouble finding new employment as a senior may prevent you from doing so. Make sure you plan for these potential realities.

How much do I want to be able to spend in retirement? It is very important to determine what you plan to spend annually in retirement. Project too high and

your goal may seem unattainable, but too low and you may run out of money. Generally you should plan that you will spend more on travel, hobbies, and entertainment early in retirement when you have the time and better health to enjoy those activities.

How will inflation impact my retirement? Inflation can be defined as an overall upward price movement of goods and services in our economy as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). To illustrate inflation’s negative impact, say you are 52 now, plan to retire at 70, and anticipate needing $25,000 a year from your assets based on today’s figures. In that 18 years until you reach age 70, the amount you need to withdraw to provide the spending power of $25,000 currently would be double that figure ($50,000 annually), assuming a 4% average inflation rate.

What will my tax bill be in retirement? You will have to pay taxes on the money you withdraw in retirement from your tax-deferred assets, such as from your 401(k) and IRA accounts. These are the ones that helped you reduce your tax bill when you were actively working, but since you didn’t pay the taxes on that money then, you now have to do so.

On an account worth $500,000, you may pay more than $65,000 in taxes during retirement at a 15% tax bracket, but more than $130,000 if you are in the 33% tax bracket. This can be challenging, and planning early for this eventuality by using tools like Roth IRA investments as a part of your overall portfolio may help your retirement dollars last longer by lowering your

tax bill in retirement.

How will I afford health care?

Health care costs are increasing significantly – and out pacing inflation. The median health care cost for a 65 year old today is $4660, which is 6% more than the median costs just one year ago. At the current growth rate, according to projections, by 2036 the same senior can expect to be paying over $18,000 annually in health care costs (JP Morgan/ERBI/Select Quote).

These costs will include Medicare Part B premiums (doctor and hospital), Medicare Part D (drug) coverage, as well as Medicare Part F (Medigap) and vision, dental and miscellaneous costs.

Keep in mind that with age generally comes greater potential you will develop chronic health issues and illnesses. This is likely to require a higher percentage of your income in retirement be devoted to paying for health care and prescription drugs. This increased usage of healthcare, coupled with the inflationary growth occurring in overall healthcare costs is a “double whammy” you will need to be prepared to handle. What you are spending now is likely not a good guide for what you may be spending in retirement. And don’t forget inflation applies to healthcare costs as well.

Will I need Long Term Care? According to the U.S. Congressional Budget Office, on average, about one-third of people age 65 or older report functional limitations of one kind or another. Among people age 85 or older, about two-thirds report functional limitations. One study estimates that more than two-thirds of 65-year-olds

will need assistance to deal with a loss in functioning at some point during their remaining years of life. So unless you are at an asset level so low that spending down your assets to qualify for Medicaid assistance make sense for you; then yes, you probably do need to consider some form of long term care insurance in your retirement planning.

What returns can I expect on my investments? Is your money sitting in cash or very low return investments, such as some bonds; where you may actually be losing money net of taxes and inflation?

Are you one of the rare individuals who has saved enough that you don’t need to invest your money for potential compounded growth over time? Most people today will need to achieve long term growth on their assets to have a chance at building a nest egg capable of meeting their needs throughout their longer retirement periods.

For most, this will be achieved through investments where they have a chance at that long term growth that has historically been best achieved through stock market investments*. Even with the potential opportunity for growth in the stock market, most investors will need to plan to save more prior to retirement and spend less while in retirement to be able to achieve their goals.

Does it matter how I withdraw my money in retirement? An emphatic “yes” to this one. You need a plan for using your assets in retirement, especially if you are one of the many who have not saved enough, so you need that continued

potential for growth throughout retirement. I teach clients about my “retirement harvesting plan”, a model that helps you strategically allocate and withdraw from your assets in retirement. This plan allows for the potential for continued growth on a portion of your retirement assets, sets aside reserves for immediate needs, and keeps you from having to pull from your stock market investments during down markets. This can potentially help to stretch your assets or to increase the amount you can draw annually to increase your chances of living comfortably and securely in your retirement.

No matter where you may be in terms of your age, income, and accumulated assets, we strongly recommend you work with a professional to help get your planning on track to maximize your assets.

There are just too many factors to consider doing this on your own. If you already have a retirement plan in place, it may be time to seek a second opinion of that plan to see if there is anything else you should consider doing. Hear what we have to say with no obligation by calling us now at 770.931.1414 for a free retirement planning consultation or visit www.rogersgreen. com for info on the retirement planning classes I have been teaching since 1997.

Roger S. Green is a Registered Representative with Cetera Advisors LLC, FINRA/SIPC, with his office located at 3700 Crestwood Parkway, Suite 140, Duluth, GA 30096. Hear more “Your Green”, Saturdays at 10:00 AM, on 970 AM or live at www. faithtalk970.com. *Historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.

The Gwinnett Citizen

August 2017

Dan Cowan and the Dan Random Band

By Staff Reports

Join the Gwinnett County Public Library and Eddie Owen Presents for this book talk and musical performance by the Dan Random Band. Grammy nominated Dan Cowan is the author, composer, and producer of the unique reading and listening experience weaving science fiction with original music. Joining him will be his six-man band playing songs from the album Somewhere Called Now. This book talk and performance with Dan Cowan will be held Friday, August 25

at 8:00pm at the Red Clay Music Foundry, 3116 Main Street, Duluth, GA 30096.

This event is free and open to the public.

Seating for the show is limited and is firstcome, first-serve. For reservations, visit https://public.ticketbiscuit.com/EddieOwenPresents/Events/310140. Tickets not picked up by 7:30pm will be given to the public.

For more information, please visit www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/GwinnettLibrary and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GwinnettLibrary.

Classifieds

HELP WANTED

HIRING

LICENSED COSMETOLOGIST VIP studio on the Lawrenceville Square is currently looking for someone to join us @ #peacelovehairsalon (station/ space for rent).

Must be mature, responsible, self-motivated, drama free, organized and dedicated (plus have own clientele).

Any questions regarding the position, please call

770.820.8420

NOW HIRING Advertising Sales Executive

Advertising Sales Account Executive for established, 28 year community newspaper that is growing rapidly. Candidates must be extremely articulate with strong communication skills and a team player. The ideal candidate will be professional, highly motivated, competitive, and energetic.

Experience in advertising sales a plus but not necessary.

To apply please email your resume to jobs@gwinnettcitizen.com

SOFTWARE PROGRAMMER Develop Android applications; create & test user interface for web pages by HTML/CSS, .asp, Javascript through Visual Studio; create & manage SQL server & store procedures; manage web pages, fix the current bugs & customize software for client use; Req’d. Bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering; 9AM-5PM, Mon.-Fri., 40 hrs/wk; Mail resume to EsolutionTG, LLC 3235 Satellite Blvd.

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Page 15

A Full Moon Over Tybee

Dan Brown

Fanfare for the Common Man While I enjoyed spending weekends with my grandkids, nothing matched a recent weekend visit to Tybee Island where I decided it was as good a time as any to show my grandson Carter how Pappaw could boogie board.

Decked out in my American flag bathing suit and with the boogie board lashed to my wrist, I charged into the surf, imagining I’m with the Baywatch gang, David Hasselhoff on a mission to save a drowning Pamela Anderson. The Baywatch reboot with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Zac Effron had been filmed on Tybee Island, so we were in full Baywatch spirit that weekend.

The waves were big, 5 and 6 feet high. Great for body surfing and boogie boarding, but not so good when you’re standing in three feet of water and treading deeper into the dark abyss.

There is an old maritime saying that warns every fifth wave is a monster wave.

If you want a wave to ride, be patient. One will come. If you are trying to avoid those big waves, keep count; a really, really, big one will be heading your way soon.

Sadly, this was advice I did not heed.

I did not keep count.

I sensed it coming. I turned around.

And I looked.

To my growing horror, I saw the mother of all waves rise-up to blot out the sky. Seven feet tall, and I’m not lying. It looked like it could be 20 feet high in my fearful heart. ... Oh no ...

The wave hit in the center of the back and threw me to the ocean floor like a discarded child’s toy.

I landed on my knees, forgetting that ocean sand is 100 percent crushed seashells and sand is not soft or smooth.

Skidding across sand is like skidding across asphalt. Also, I had this boogie board lashed to my wrist, and the wave took that and tried to send it the long way back to China where it was made, along with my left arm.

I landed on all fours – well, all three, because there continued to be the issue with the boogie board lashed to my wrist and my left arm trying to dislodge from my shoulder socket.

I discovered something about the power of water that day. There’s this thing called undertow. And another thing called my pants.

I felt a slight tug right as the onslaught of pounding waves hit.

I went down for a third time and ate some ocean floor.

The surf and undertow continued to yank at the boogie board, which made any support function with my left arm a wasted effort. Any support here came from my right arm.

But then, a real cold wave of fear hit – not a fear of drowning but worse.

A harder tug yanked at my pants, but when I reached to hold on to the waist band, I fell flat on my face and sucked in some sea water.

This was a tug of war, sadly, I would

not win.

Wave after wave continued to try to bury me in the Tybee sand without the benefit of a shovel, and I was shoved into shallow water to the north, while my American flag swimming trunks were yanked out to sea to the south.

I know now what people who have endured tsunamis feel as they stand there in its wake of ruin while CNN films all the action, how they lost half their clothes. I’ve seen the same thing watching tornado footage. How did that guy lose a shoe? It was securely tied to his foot just a moment ago.

My swim trunks were securely tied about my waist.

Lying there with the other flotsam and jetsam that had washed ashore, scraped and battered, I slowly rose to all fours in about 10 inches of water, hacking and coughing up seawater and the last shred of dignity to which I desperately clung.

I heard a gasp from somewhere, “Oh my!”

The beach goers on Tybee Island that Saturday early afternoon didn’t have to wait until sunset to see the full moon rise over a picturesque Atlantic Ocean.

They could make other plans. Perhaps, enjoy a quiet dinner in Savannah.

No, at 11:33 a.m. on Saturday a full moon rose over Tybee.

Carter, who observed all this at the water line, said, “Pappaw, where’s your ‘babin soot’ at?”

Where was Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff when I really needed them?

Dan Brown is an award-winning humor columnist, and it is days like these that always give him something to write about.

The Gwinnett Citizen

Page 16

Right Now is the Best Time to Prepare for the Unexpected

August 2017

Summer Sale on Motorized Window Coverings

“We have no way of knowing when the next stage of life will begin for our family.”

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 and standing in the check-out line.

Fortunately, the schools publish a supply list for each grade so parents know exact-

ly 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 “todo” 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 every 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.

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 offers 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.

Joan Miller

The Blind Ladies

Smart Phone, Smart Home, Smart Window Coverings. All of the conveniences right at your fingertips. You don’t even have to be on location to control your electronics from your hand held devices. From your doorbell to your windows and everywhere in between is where it’s at today. Just download the app and set up your personal programs. Imagine you have 4 windows in your Master Bedroom. You like to open the shades at sunrise. Set up & name the room: Master Bedroom. For time schedule, use the sunrise setting. The program will automatically adjust to the time of sunrise.

More specifically, the actual time of day can be set. Then, on the back end, set up a time schedule to close the shades.

If you don’t want to raise/lower all of the shades, just select each shade individual-

ly or group them as desired. The app will guide you through the process. Multiple rooms can be added along with multiple time schedules. If you’re familiar with Nest or IFTTT, we can integrate with either platform.

If you travel or have a busy schedule, set the days and times to raise and lower your shades or tilt your blinds. If you’re at work when the sun is on the west side of your home, set the time to close those window coverings. This feature helps with your energy bills. If you’re out of town, program the window coverings to open and close at your designated times giving the appearance that you’re home.

You may choose to run different schedules for each day of the week.

For those intimidated by this technology, I assure you it’s easier than you think. If you can use your Smart Phone or tablet, you can do this…OR just consult with any teenager. Just think how convenient it will be to operate those hard to reach windows with Smart Technology!

Hunter Douglas is offering mail-in rebates for purchases made on many of their motorized products now through September 11th, 2017. Of course, certain restrictions apply. If you’re interested or curious about how these products can work for you, please give Joan a call for a free in-home consultation. The Blind Ladies: 404 918-5288 or visit the website: www.theblindladies.com

The Gwinnett Citizen

August 2017

Rotary Club of Gwinnett Honors Nearly 2,000 School Bus Drivers 4th Annual Event Recognizes Bus Drivers, Supports “Unsung Heroes” Campaign The Rotary Club of Gwinnett will kick off a new school year honoring nearly 2,000 Gwinnett County Public School Bus Drivers and monitors as part of its “Unsung Heroes” initiative. The celebration took place at Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, Georgia, on July 31. This year marks the fourth year that the Rotary Club has held this appreciation event.

Chuck Warbington, past president of Rotary Club and current City Manager for Lawrenceville, said, “This annual event is a small way to say thank you for taking care of our most precious cargo – our children.

Knowing that these drivers have a 99-percent success rate of delivering students safely and on time is no small feat! That tells me that these folks take their jobs seriously and that deserves all the recognition we can afford.”

This year, Gwinnett Cities have joined forces with the Rotary Club of Gwinnett to support this special group of professionals. Butch Sanders, Snellville City Manager, added, “”This program is just a great op-

portunity to bring attention and affirmation to a group of community servants who are often overlooked and undervalued.”

Gwinnett County Public School buses travel over 132,000 miles a day.

That is equivalent to 32 round trips to Los Angeles from Atlanta. Driving a fleet of around 1,000 buses, Gwinnett Schools’ bus system is currently the third largest in the Country.

“As the school year begins, we are quick to show appreciation for the teachers in the classroom and we often overlook the fact that our bus drivers are responsible for those same very children and pull off an extraordinary feat each day school is in session,” said Jennifer Hendrickson, President, Rotary Club of Gwinnett.

“They contribute to Gwinnett’s ageold adage of being “Great” and we look forward to continuing this new tradition and honoring these fine civil servants for their contribution to our community.”

For more information, please visit the Rotary Club of Gwinnett’s website at www.gwinnettrotary.com.

Page 17

The Gwinnett Citizen

Page 18

August 2017

Sugar Hill going all out in ambitious downtown development

BOWL continued from page 1

By Dan Brown Staff Correspondent

Special Photo

Sugar Hill Mayor Steve Edwards snags a selfie with some longtime disco fans.

suburbs and points of the compass beyond I-285.

Today, in Gwinnett County, the place to see and be seen is The Bowl at Sugar Hill.

The Bowl at Sugar Hill, voted Gwinnett County’s top concert venue, is the City’s signature amphitheater, which serves as the downtown centerpiece, seating approximately 1,750 people – all chairs, with tables for a picnic dinner if patrons so desire, and suites at the top of The Bowl complete with tables and chairs, to watch a lineup of acts people want to see. The venue has hosted the likes of Boz Scaggs, Collective Soul, and in July, KC and the Sunshine Band since opening in 2014. Ben Folds and Atlanta Rhythm Section are slated to perform in September and November.

Mayor Steve Edwards wanted to provide a place for people to come see a good show for an affordable price.

“There isn’t a bad seat in the house, and it’s a great ticket. This venue is top notch, being compared to Greenville’s.

The shows are good shows. That says a lot about what we’re doing here.”

City Manager Paul Radford said, The Bowl helped make Sugar Hill a place for people to come and enjoy a good show, some wine, and a picnic dinner without having to fork out an arm and a leg, or drive all the way into Atlanta.

“You can bring your picnic baskets and coolers and enjoy a drink and dinner, if you’d like. We sell tables. You can bring in your own alcohol and food, and we also sell alcohol and food here to enjoy the concert. We want to make Sugar Hill a downtown destination.”

The Bowl, a $3 million-dollar investment in Sugar Hill’s downtown revitalization project’s phase, followed the city’s $13 million city hall, which opened in 2013, and awaits the $36 million E Center to open in June 2018. The Bowl is the centerpiece of an ambitious $250 million plan when all is said and done will fill 16 acres of land nestled into the corner of Peachtree Industrial Road and State Road 20 with mixed-use residential and retail developments to include restaurants,

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The Bowl at Sugar Hill is an approximate 1,750 seating capacity venue that has hosted the likes of Collective Soul, Boz Scoggs, and in July, KC and the Sunshine Band. shops and housing that should be complete by 2020.

All surrounding The Bowl.

“Other similarly sized venues closer to downtown Atlanta charge almost twice as much as what we do,” Radford said.

“We have found our niche and we are able to bring on some nice acts. Our goal is to break even.”

July’s headlining act, KC and the Sunshine Band, was a sold-out show. The standing room only crowd braved the threat of rain and summer heat. Whether their first time or their fourth, Sugar Hill’s Bowl was a breath of fresh air.

“What a wonderful venue,” said Barbara Clark of Flowery Branch of her first trip down McEver Road to Sugar Hill. “I’m an Atlanta native and it used to be, if you wanted entertainment of any kind, you had to drive to Atlanta. It is so refreshing to have a beautiful place such as this, just a short drive away, where you can come and enjoy an evening out.”

Other music fans echoed praises for Sugar Hill’s signature entertainment venue, and didn’t mind the construction.

“What a great place to see a great show,” said David Tanek, who had traveled from Franklin, NC to catch the show.

“They say they want this to be a destination spot? It is. This is a blast.”

“There’s not a bad seat in the house,” said Jill Martz of Atlanta, “I grew up with KC and the Sunshine Band. This brings out all the young people in us, makes us want to get up and dance.”

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KC and the Sunshine Band has been singing hits since 1973 and played to a sold out crowd at The Bowl in July.

There is a saying that has often been coined to describe Small Town America.

“If you blink twice, you’ll miss it.”

Other euphemisms include: “It’s a one stoplight town,” or “Just a wide spot in the road.”

Such sayings used to describe the town of Sugar Hill, a city of just under 21,000 residents, located a stone’s throw from big brother Buford at the corner of State Road 20 and Peachtree Industrial Road.

Not anymore.

This quaint Southern town may be small, in size, but plenty big in ambition, planning to invest more than $200 million dollars in public and private funds over the next two years to revitalize its downtown area and make Sugar Hill a place everybody wants to be.

Mayor Steve Edwards said if you’re going to dream, dream big.

“We live by the motto, ‘Go big, or go home,’” Edwards said. “If we’re going to go, we’re going to go all out.”

Sugar Hill gives the term “Go Big” a whole new meaning.

“We had the good fortune to have a mayor and city council over the past 10 years that really got along,” said Edwards. “You can get a lot accomplished that way.”

Edwards, in his first term as mayor, gave kudos to former Mayor Gary Pirkle, who retired after 12 years in office in 2014, and laid much of the foundation for what Sugar Hill enjoys today.

“Mayor Pirkle and his City Council did a lot of the foundation work 10 years ago, that is coming to fruition now. Had it not been for their work in purchasing the property and deciding where they wanted the new downtown Sugar Hill area to go, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

There is another, more contemporary saying, more attributed to baseball, but the same fundamental premise that applies to Sugar Hill: “If you build it, they will come.”

Well, the City of Sugar Hill is building it, and everybody’s coming.

Founded in 1939, Sugar Hill joined hundreds of other cities around the Metro Atlanta area, the state and the Southeast in search of an identity, that took matters into their own hands and transformed a sedentary, oftentimes floundering downtown area – or in the case of Sugar Hill, no downtown area at all – into a municipal gem.

A renaissance, if you will.

And that’s just for starters.

“We want to do something different with Sugar Hill,” Edwards said. “We want to be a destination downtown. We don’t want the chains. We want the single-location restaurants and shops. Sugar Hill does not want to be like anywhere else.

We want to be unique.”

The City invested about $50 million to acquire nearly 16 acres of land to improve, create and expand its downtown area, spending $11 million on City Hall, which opened in 2013, and another $3 million on upgrading its amphitheater.

“We had to buy the property piecemeal over the years and that cost us some time,” Edwards said. “Sugar Hill has an unusual city limits configuration because we did have to buy a little bit here and a little bit there, but we are in an area where we really want to be.”

Curious how that gamble paid off?

Stop in any day of the week, especially on weekends, and check out the crowd.

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E Center 3 CUT: A rendition of the new E Center that will open in June 2018 and will feature an indoor performing arts theater located adjacent to The Bowl.

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A splash park comprises the City Hall plaza adjacent to The Bowl for young and old alike to beat the summer heat.

Something’s always happening.

A splash park, walking trails, and a 1,750-seat amphitheater affectionately called “The Bowl,” which opened in 2014.

The amphitheater has transformed the downtown area into a place where people want to be.

“With the Bowl, Sugar Hill is a destination place,” Edwards said. “We want to give our taxpayers what they asked for, a downtown where they could visit, shop, eat and be entertained, and they get that with The Bowl.

Coming soon is the perfect complement to the city’s entertainment venue, an adjacent, $36 million mixed-use development nicknamed the E Center.

“We have the luxury of being able to pick and choose the developers,” Edwards said. “We can afford to be patient and find the right partner who would be committed in our vision.”

Included in the development, which should be completed by June of 2018, is a 387-seat performing arts theater, 40,000 square feet of commercial, retail and restaurant space, and a 70,000 squarefoot gymnasium.

The gymnasium will feature basketball and pickle ball courts, meeting rooms, some exercise equipment, but nothing that will compete with the area’s fitness centers.

City Manager Paul Radford said the public/private partnership allows the City of Sugar Hill to control its downtown development.

“We want an area where people can gather and have a good time, but we’re not going to compete with the area’s fitness centers.”

The E Center will complement the Bowl, which draws the consumer traffic, who will spend their money in downtown Sugar Hill, and not somewhere else. This is all part of the City’s master plan.

“We have a say as to what we will have in our downtown area,” he said.

“The City paid cash for its city hall and we continue to invest in the amphitheater behind city hall.”

With construction wrapping up on GA highway 20 between Sugar Hill and Cumming, Sugar Hill finds itself in a prime location for scores of visitors com-

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Construction continues on the $36 million mixed-use development dubbed the E Center, which is scheduled to open in June 2018.

ing and going.

Radford said ultimately, GA20 will be four-lanes from Sugar hill to Cartersville, an unofficial version of the doomed outer arc.

“We’re blessed with the finishing of construction on Highway 20,” he said.

“We are drawing the traffic into Sugar Hill, and we are building a destination for them to come and visit, shop, eat and enjoy a nice concert.”

The City currently owns the property earmarked for its downtown mixed-use development, but will ultimately turn the property over to their private partner.

Radford echoed the mayor’s sentiment, saying Sugar Hill is in no rush.

“By owning the property, we have options available,” he said. “We can find the development partner we’re looking for; we can be patient with what we’re doing.

Historically, Sugar Hill has been a residential community, but the city is working hard to change that.

“It’s great to have a dynamic personality like Mayor Edwards as your main cheerleader,” Radford said.

Over the next two years private developers plan on investing nearly $200 million in a mixed-use development to include office space, hotel, an anchor grocery store and hundreds of residential units targeting seniors.

Edwards isn’t content with gathering the crumbs of commerce from nearby Mall of Georgia or Lake Lanier. No, Edwards has his sights set on nearby Greenville, a little more than an hour up I-85 and 15 miles inside South Carolina.

“We don’t want to be like every other city in Gwinnett or the area. We want to compete with the Greenville, South Carolinas of the world… Go big, or go home.”

Radford said when a recent act saw Sugar Hill’s amphitheater for the first time, they remarked how much the Bowl looked like Greenville’s.

“To be compared to Greenville is something, and our goal is to have something on the same scale as what they have,” he said.

Go big, or go home.

For the City of Sugar Hill, it’s the only way they know how to play.

The Gwinnett Citizen

August 2017

Page 19

Effective Study Skills: Each Student’s KEY to Academic Success!

Carol Wood

Total Learning Concepts

As an educator and educational consultant, it has become clear that the reason many students do not earn high grades or reach their full academic potential is due to less than ideal study skills.

Not all students innately know how to approach their school work in the most effective and efficient ways. Students often tell me they know what to do, but just aren’t doing it. Well, it’s not quite that simple!

Good study techniques are comprised of many components; such as, organization, goal setting, motivation, notetaking, test taking, memorization, reading strategies, communication skills, pos-

itive attitude and more. Effective study techniques must first be taught, then understood and practiced by the student in order to be successful. It is not enough to study “harder”. Students need to learn how to study “smarter”!

SOUND STUDY ORIENTATION is comprised of two components; Study Habits and Study Attitudes. Study Habits consist of the manner in which a student approaches academics and the promptness in which he/she works.

This includes notetaking, listening skills, memorization techniques, methods of test preparation, test taking strategies and more. Study Attitudes reflect how a student “feels” about teachers, texts books, course curriculum, and school expectations. Whether a student agrees with or likes the teacher or school, in order for him or her to have optimum study orientation, all areas of effective study habits and attitudes are to be properly executed.

To further describe the importance of good study orientation and what is necessary to enable students to reach their academic potential, there must be three areas in place; a solid reading, writing and math foundation, good grasp of current course material, and excellent study

Lawrenceville High School Class of 1956

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The Lawrenceville High School Class of 1956 met May 25, 2017. Those in attendance were: L-R Ken Hood, Vivian Herrington Gunter, Bruce Still, Willard Swanson, Barbara Haney Fricks, Jimmie Young Swanson, JoAnn Davis Clark, Sarah Dunson Briscoe, Barbara Chadwick Williams, Lorene Fountain Johnson, Gerald Lord, Carolyn Patton Alford, Jim Hood, Ester Wilkerson Edwards and seated Evelyn Chadwick Carlisle.

Birthday Celebration

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First row: Danny Wallace, Sandra Loggins Rountree, Becky Welch Jimison, Kay Smith Payne; Second row: Ronnie Simpson, Terry Green, Linda Lovin Hays, Dare Rigdon Domico, Marilyn Thompson Parks, Linda Lee Davis Berry, Sharyn James Gunter, Richard Gunter, Judy Fuqua Stegall, Jim Walker, Gene Wells; Third row: Brent Thomas, Lathan Nichols, Richard Sells, Craig Bowman, Dennis Garner, Jim Pate Members of the Central Gwinnett Class of 1965 recently celebrated their 70th Birthday Party.

At some time during this year, the members turn 70 years old. The party was held on May 20, 2017.

orientation. If any of the three areas are weak or neglected, it is probable the student will not reach his or her full academic potential. Thus, college and career opportunities could be missed.

If you want your student’s academic situation to improve and college and ca-

reer goals realized, then help him or her to assess, repair, and then maintain their academic foundation, current course material, and sound study orientation!

Carol Wood is the Founder & CEO of Total Learning Concepts, Inc. Visit www. totallearningconcepts.com for information

about their tutorial and test preparation services. For more information about Total Learning Concepts, Inc. please call 770-381-5958 or visit their website at http://totallearningconcepts.com

Page 20

The Gwinnett Citizen

August 2017