Snellville GA tree lighting - Monday Dec 7

Don't forget!

SNELLVILLE, GA - On Monday, December 7 at 7 p.m., the City of Snellville will celebrate its 28th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on the lawn at City Hall. The theme this year is “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Snellville’s own Deborah Rich will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies. Featured performers include Jackie O. Ginn, Jackie Howard, Renee Walker, Britt Elementary School 4th-5th Grade Chorus, Snellville Middle School 6th Grade Chorus, South Gwinnett High School Choir and Marching Band, First Baptist Snellville Children’s and Joyful Sound Adult Choirs, and St. Oliver’s Catholic Church Ladies Quartet. Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer will lead the countdown to the lighting of the tree just prior to Santa’s arrival.

Children will have the opportunity to visit Santa. Picture packages will be available for a small fee. The Snellville Keenager Club will be hosting refreshments inside City Hall. Marines with Toys for Tots will be our guests and collecting toys for Christmas. We urge you to find the true meaning of the season and bring a small, unwrapped toy for a child in need or make a monetary donation to this worthy cause. In addition to collecting toys, the City will be collecting canned goods for the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry as part of the “Can Do” initiative with the Gwinnett Municipal Association.

The City of Snellville would like to thank Walton EMC, Snellville Downtown Development Authority, Summit Chase Country Club, Deborah and Harry Rich, United Community Bank, Georgia Property Restoration, Odd Job Bob, Beck Law Firm, Rotary Club of Gwinnett Sunrise, Akil A. Patel, D.D.S., P.C. and Niko’s Wine Corner for their generous donations to make this event possible this year.

Don’t miss this festive celebration! Please contact the Snellville Parks and Recreation Department for more information at 770-985-3535. This is a rain or shine event.

Snellville 28th Annual Christmas tree lighting

From a press release from the City of Snellville (I know I posted about this previously, but this has a little bit more detail so I thought I would share it too).

SNELLVILLE, GA - On Monday, December 7 at 7 p.m., the City of Snellville will celebrate its 28^th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on the lawn at City Hall. Snellville’s own Deborah Rich will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies. Featured performers include Jackie O. Ginn, Britt Elementary School’s 4th-5th Grade Chorus, Snellville Middle School’s 6th Grade Chorus, Snellville First Baptist’s Children and Adult Choirs, and St. Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church’s Quartet. Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer will lead the countdown to the lighting of the tree just prior to Santa’s arrival.

This event almost didn’t become a reality this year. Tough budget cuts eliminated all of the City’s special events except for Snellville Days in May. However, the Mayor and Council felt strongly that this important Christmas tradition in Snellville should continue on and the event was planned quickly with help from City staff, Council members, businesses, organizations and citizens. Newly elected City Council member, Mike Sabbagh said, “This annual City tree lighting ceremony presents a simple concept; a great new beginning to a hopeful new year. I am looking forward to a successful City Council aiming to move Snellville forward.

Children will have the opportunity to visit Santa. Picture packages will be available for a small fee. The Snellville Keenager Club will be hosting refreshments inside City Hall. Marines with Toys for Tots will be our guests and collecting toys for Christmas. We urge you to find the true meaning of the season and bring a small, unwrapped toy for a child in need or make a monetary donation to this worthy cause. In addition to collecting toys, the City will be collecting canned goods for the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry as part of the “Can Do” initiative with the Gwinnett Municipal Association.

Don’t miss this festive celebration! Please contact the Snellville Parks and Recreation Department for more information at 770-985-3535. This is a rain or shine event.

Victims of Lawrenceville plane crash identified

Gwinnett authories have identified the pilot of a small plane that crashed into a Lawrenceville house as James Wardlaw, 58, of Atlanta, and the woman who died in the house as Judith Kirchner, 62.

From: Pilot in home crash was flying to visit daughters (AJC)

Jimmy Gresham honored posthumously for volunteer services

Mary Jane Gresham, Terrell Gresham and Jennifer Cartledge

SNELLVILLE, GA – On Wednesday, October 21, the Georgia Recreation and Park Association’s 7th District recognized the late Jimmy Gresham as Volunteer of the Year for 2009 at the district’s annual awards banquet held in Gainesville at the Frances Meadows Aquatic and Community Center.

A life-long Snellville resident, Jimmy Gresham had served as a 20-year volunteer for the City’s annual Snellville Days Festival and had served on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for 5 years. Mr. Gresham passed away unexpectedly on August 13, 2009 due to a brief illness.

“It was nice to be able to honor Jimmy in this way,” said Cyndee Bonacci, Director of Snellville’s Parks and Recreation Department. “He loved Snellville Days and played such a vital role in the festival each year. He is and will continue to be greatly missed.”

His wife, Mary Jane, and his son, Terrell, accepted the award on his behalf. Also in attendance was Jennifer Cartledge (Terrell’s girlfriend), Kathi Clotfelter, Senior Recreation Program Supervisor, and Cyndee Bonacci.

If you would like information about the Snellville Parks and Recreation Department, please visit www.snellville.org or contact the T.W. Briscoe Park office at 770-985-3535.

Snellville General Election Nov 3

From City of Snellville newsletter:

November 3, 2009 General Election

A General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, to elect council members for posts 3, 4 and 5 and to vote in a Special Election on House Bill 1261 (“Redevelopment Powers Law”).

Information on the upcoming election, including advance voting and an application for an absentee ballot, may be found on the Elections page of the Snellville website. For questions about the election, contact Melisa Arnold at marnold[AT]snellville.org or 770-985-3503.

I have a few of the candidate's websites listed here, if you would like to check them out.

Vote November 3rd

These are the candidates up for election in the general election on November 3, 2009. I have linked the names to their election websites, if available.

I do not have a website for Robert Jenkins. If he does have a website, I would appreciate the information so I can add it.

Snellville City Council Post 3
Robert Jenkins (Incumbent) [website link added here on October 13, 2009]
Tom Witts

Snellville City Council Post 4
Niria Dominguez Baggett
Barbara Bender (Incumbent)

Snellville City Council Post 5
Jackie O. Ginn
Mike Sabbagh

Of note, some candidates have complained that their campaign signs have been taken out of yards. It's not only unethical to do this, but since the signs are on private property (put there by permission of the homeowner or by the homeowners, someone who does this is committing criminal trespass, and can be arrested for that. (Duh!) It would be considered a misdemeanor in Georgia, punishable with up to $1,000 in fines and up to 12 months in jail. Usually, it would mean a 6 month sentence. Consult your legal counselor though!

Yellow River Game Ranch post-flood update

"As you might expect, it has been a little crazy here at the Yellow River Game Ranch. As our name implies, we are literally perched on the banks of the Yellow River. And, with last week's rains, the Yellow River left its banks and came to visit us!
We were forced to close the Game Ranch for several days while we moved many of the animals to higher ground until the water receded. We are happy to report that we are open; most of the animals are back in their homes; and we did not lose a single resident.

We did not escape completely unscathed, however. While General Beau Lee's "Weathering Heights" mansion was well above high tide, some of the coyotes were not so fortunate. Their houses just floated away. Most of the trash cans along the park trail disappeared as well.

You can help us give the coyotes a new home! If you have a durable dog house sitting vacant, we can put it to good use. The coyotes really like the plastic ones that are shaped like igloos. We could also use a trash can or two.

If you would like to contribute, you can call 770-972-6643. Contributions to our non-profit organization are tax-deductible."

Yellow River Game Ranch's website - also, I'm working on finding out when the Yellow River Game Ranch will reopen, and I'll let you know what I find out!

It's open!

Octoberfest October 3rd

Trinity Lutheran Church in Lilburn will have their 7th Annual Octoberfest on Saturday, October 3rd from 10 am until 9 pm.

The Arts and Crafts Fair will take place from 10 am until 6 pm, a Health Fair from 10 am until 6 pm.

The Octoberfest will feature German and American foods, German beer (yes, at a church! Yay Martin Luther! I grew up Lutheran , so I know we can express our unworthiness and punish ourselves later to make up for it... lol), games, and live entertainment.

Music by the Atlanta Polka Band, Atlanta Sangerkreis, Alias Smith and Jones and the Dynamic Range.

There will be games and entertainment for kids. Bring 1 can of food for 2 game tickets. The food will be donated to local charities.

Admission to all events is only $3 per person, under age 4 admitted free.

Trinity Lutheran Church is located at 1826 Killian Hill Road, Lilburn GA 30047.

For more information, contact Trinity Lutheran Church at 770-972-4418.

Zoar United Methodist Church to celebrate 198 years

Zoar United Methodist Church in Snellville will celebrate 198 years in service to the Lord.

From Gwinnett Daily Post:

Historic church to celebrate 198 years

SNELLVILLE - When Zoar United Methodist Church opened its doors almost 200 years ago, some of its parishioners were older than this nation.

On Sunday, the Snellville church will celebrate 198 years of ministry.

"The history of our church stretches back to a time of people who lived through the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the first Gulf War and the present conflicts," said Pastor Kelly Brisendine. "What a blessing it has been for us to have God's house as a place of worship through these and many other difficult times."

Zoar will celebrate its 198th anniversary during an 11 a.m. service Sunday, with a covered-dish lunch to follow.

"It will be a birthday celebration not to be missed," Brisendine said.

Zoar United Methodist Church is at 3895 Zoar Church Road in Snellville. For more information on the church's worship services and other programs, call 770-972-5905 or visit www.zoarumc.org.

Scrapbooking craft making fundraiser event

Friends of Kim Corbin, a 2008 liver transplant recipient, are hosting a Scrapbooking/Craft-making event to help Corbin cover medical expenses.

Everyone is welcome to come and support the event - scrapbookers, quilters, card makers, and any craft you would like to work on.

The cost of the event is $20, and all donations collected will go to Kim Corbin.

Pizza, beverages, and desserts will be served.

Prizes will be raffled throughout the event. Raffle tickets will be $1.00 each.

Where:
Calvary Chapel Stone Mountain
1969 McDaniel's Bridge Road
Lilburn GA 30047

When:
October 2, 2009
6 pm until Midnight

Prize donations are needed and welcomed. Please call Donna Gibbs at 770-931-7802 or 770-313-7902 if you would like to make a donation.

Gwinnett Schools win $250K prize

Gwinnett Schools didn't win the big Broad (rhymes with 'road') award but did win a prize of $250,000.

Gwinnett Schools Awarded $250,000 Prize
WXIA-TV
district. Broad researchers noted that between 2006 adn 2008, the achievement gap between the county's Hispanic and white students narrowed by 9 percentage ...

Gwinnett Schools win $250k for scholarships
Access North Georgia
By Staff UNDATED - Gwinnett County schools win $250000 in scholarships as a finalist for the country's most improved urban school district. ...

Gwinnett schools get $250000 as Broad Prize finalist
Atlanta Journal Constitution
By Nancy Badertscher and D. Aileen Dodd Gwinnett County schools received a $250000 award Wednesday as one of the top five finalists for the "Nobel Prize" in ...

Gwinnett doesn't win ed Nobel Prize, but still gets bundle
Atlanta Journal Constitution
I have seen that firsthand at many of the Gwinnett schools I've visited over the years. If he believes employees are competent, he seems to allow them to ...

Related:

Gwinnett County Schools finalist in Broad prize for urban education excellence (April 2009)

Snellville candidates

Candidates who have filed qualifying papers for Snellville election. I have linked the names to their election websites, if available.

Council Post 3
Robert Jenkins (incumbent)
Tom Witts

Council Post 4
Niria Dominguez Baggett
Barbara Bender (incumbent)

Council Post 5
Jackie O. Ginn
Mike Sabbagh

Who is Tom Witts?

Snellville businessman announces candidacy for Snellville City Council post.

SNELLVILLE – Tom Witts, a Snellville business owner and Springdale Trace resident for the past seventeen years, announces his candidacy for Post three of the Snellville City Council, the seat currently held by Robert Jenkins.

Tom is a decorated combat veteran having served two tours of duty in Vietnam which included assignments on Navy Swift Boats. After completing his military service, he attended college under the GI bill, and then embarked on his business career.

Prior to opening his current company, Georgia Property Restoration, Tom established and operated WFS Mortgage Funding, a mortgage banking firm with offices in Atlanta and Tampa, Florida.

Tom and Carol, his wife of twenty years, have four adult children and one granddaughter. They are active members of St. Oliver’s Church in Snellville where he has served as President of both the church’s Men’s Club and Parish Council. He is also a former Junior Vice-Commander of VFW Post 4180 in Snellville.

Tom believes that owning his own businesses has given him the opportunity not only to experience a wide variety of economic situations but to learn how to quickly adapt to those changing economic conditions. From the high interest rates of the late 1970’s to the economic revival of the 1980’s to our current financial climate, each era brought its own set of business challenges with constantly changing parameters. Having to adapt to these different situations has been a matter of survival.

Tom learned to think on his feet and to make decisions knowing that the results of those decisions would have an immediate impact not only on himself and his family, but his company, and its employees. Errors in judgment can be financially crippling and have far reaching effects.

Tom believes that in our current economic environment your elected officials should be astute at reading and analyzing financial information. They must know the difference between an income statement, balance sheet, and a cash flow analysis and know how each one relates to the other.

Tom believes that it is not politics that make a city prosper.

“Politicians can paralyze progress. Politics can be a cataract on the vision of growth and improvement.”

“We have some very talented people on Council and on staff with the city; I would like to add my business experience to that team. It is time to empower the team of leaders to do the will of the citizens and make Snellville the place where everybody is PROUD to be somebody.”

Tom believes “Snellville is our City and its future is in our hands. The decisions we make in November will decide whether Snellville adapts and thrives in the 21st century or whether it becomes a series of red lights between Lilburn and Loganville.”

For more information: Visit Tom Witt's website at www.ElectTomWitts.com

Related links:

Veteran to vie for Snellville council seat
Gwinnett Daily Post
"It is time to empower the team of leaders to do the will of the citizens and make Snellville the place where everybody is proud to be somebody. ...

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Events at Snellville Borders bookstore

Wednesday, August 26th at 11 am:
Children's story time. Fun activities and a new story each week with Ms. Julie.

Thursday, August 27th at 5:30 pm:
Chess night - sharpen your chess skills at weekly club for beginners and advanced players. Bring your own chess boards/supplies.

Friday August 28th, 10 am:
Bean Friday. Buy a bag of beans and receive a free medium beverage.

Monday August 31st, 7 pm: Paul's Picks Book Club. Bookseller will show what's new, what's hot, and book recommendations.

For more information about Borders, visit www.bordersstores.com
In Snellville, Borders Books is located at the corner of Scenic Highway and Ronald Reagan Parkway, in the Presidential Market shopping center (same one as Target and Publix).