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Black History Month at the Local Library and Online

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Peachtree Corners Branch Library, virtual and throughout the system

Black History Month activities for the whole family will be offered at the Peachtree Corners Library throughout Black History Month.

Janet Martin, Peachtree Corners Branch library assistant, with two picture books about the Underground Railroad quilts for her quilt block program. (Courtesy of GCPL)

Among them is a program called “Discover the Underground Railroad Codes in Quilt Blocks.”
“Participants in the program will learn about why the quilting squares were made and what the symbols meant,” said the program’s planner, Library Assistant Janet Martin.

“When runaway slaves left familiar territory, they needed signals to direct them through unknown areas to freedom. They needed directions, places to hide, places to stay, warnings of hunters in the area, and people to help them along the way,” Martin said. “These squares were a map used to highlight the way north. The participants in our library program will work together to make a quilt out of paper to display in our branch, showing how they would direct someone to escape on the underground railroad.”

Also on the Peachtree Corners Branch schedule:

■ Thursday, Feb. 10, 10:30 a.m. Preschool Storytime. This week’s story time is focused on the life and music of Louis Armstrong.
■ Saturday, Feb. 12, 1 p.m. Self Portrait Collages: Inspired by Deborah Roberts. Create a self-portrait in the style of artist Deborah Roberts.
■ Feb. 6-12. Discover the Underground Railroad Codes in Quilt Blocks. Children will be taught about the Underground Railroad and invited to make their own coded quilt blocks.
■ Feb. 13-19. Black Inventor Stations. Children will be introduced to Black inventors and their inventions and provided with a corresponding craft.
■ Feb. 20-26. Black History Scavenger Hunt. Children will be introduced to prominent Black people through a scavenger hunt with clues. Each child will receive a small prize when the completed list is returned to the staff.
For more information, visit the library’s events page at gwinnettpl.org.

Around the library system

Here’s a sampling of other Black History Month programs that will be offered in other Gwinnett County library branches or online. Find them on the events page at gwinnetpl.org.
■ Tuesday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m. The Black Power Movement: Reconsidered. This program is described as a “short look at one of the most misinterpreted, misunderstood, and least discussed parts of the Civil Rights Era.” Virtual.
■ Saturday, Feb. 5. 1 p.m. “The Imperfect Storm: Racism & a Pandemic Collide in America: How It Impacted Public Education and How to Fix It.” James A. Taylor, Ph.D., and Wandy W. Taylor, Ed.D. discuss their book. Lilburn Branch.
■ Monday, Feb. 7, all day. Black History Month Virtual Escape Room. Test your knowledge and learn about Black History Month as you solve clues to escape the virtual room.
■ Monday, Feb. 7, 6 p.m. Healthy Meals on a Budget: Black History Month Edition. Join a deep dive into healthy eating recipes such as okra and sweet potato gumbo. Lawrenceville Branch.
■ Tuesday, Feb. 8, 6 p.m. Pajama Storytime: Black History Month. This evening story time celebrates African American culture and heritage. Duluth Branch.

■ Saturday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m. Trace Your Roots: African American Genealogy. Learn how to start your research. Buford-Sugar Hill Branch.
■ Monday, Feb. 21, 5 p.m. Black Superheroes Showcase. All-ages event with games and activities celebrating Black superheroes. Lawrenceville Branch.

“As Brave as You,” by Jason Reynolds.

■ Friday, Feb. 25, 5 p.m. Page Turners: Diverse Book Club. Check out an online series designed to illustrate the importance of treating others with respect and dignity through diverse books. This week: “As Brave as You,” by Jason Reynolds. Virtual.

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■ Saturday, Feb. 26, 11 a.m. Black History Month: Katherine Johnson and Apollo 13. Learn about the mathematician Katherine Johnson and how her calculation helped save Apollo 13. Five Forks Branch.
■ Monday, Feb. 28, 2 p.m. Rightfully So!: Exploring the Encyclopedia of Human Rights. Each month a topic found in the Encyclopedia of Human Right
is examined. Virtual.

Donna Williams Lewis is a freelance journalist who covered metro Atlanta for decades as a writer and editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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City Government

The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners: Community Meeting

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Flyer for a community meeting regarding law enforcement in Peachtree Corners.

The City of Peachtree Corners will hold an important public meeting on May 8 to discuss the future of law enforcement in our community — including the potential creation of a city police department.

This meeting will feature a presentation by City Manager Brian Johnson on the findings of a comprehensive Police Analysis & Staffing Study that evaluated the feasibility and projected costs of forming a city police department based on current workload, crime levels and community demographics.

The presentation will also include budgetary considerations, comparative models and the advantages and disadvantages of a county vs. city police department.

Following the presentation, there will be time for a Q&A and open dialogue.

In-person attendance is limited to 300. First come, first served. A livestream option will be available for those who can’t attend in person.

After the meeting, a follow-up survey will be available on the city’s project page.

Meeting details

The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners

Date/Time: May 8, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church (5775 Peachtree Parkway)

For more information, visit peachtreecornersga.gov.

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Community

Registration Now Open for Light Up the Corners 2025

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The starting line of a community race with green, inflatable start archway and dozens of racers and specators.

It’s time to sign up for the best (and only) Glow Run and Twilight Trot in Peachtree Corners!

Registration is now open to participate in this year’s Light Up the Corners race, scheduled for Saturday, August 16 at The Forum. The 1k Twilight Trot will start at 8 p.m., and the four-mile Glow Run begins at 8:30 p.m. Once the runners have done their thing, a fun post-race party will follow.

This annual event is not only an exciting community tradition, but also a fundraiser for the Why It Matters campaign at the Fowler Family YMCA.

All proceeds from registration goes directly to helping struggling families and children in the community benefit from the life-changing programs and services offered at the YMCA.

Individual registration is $40 through July 31; $45 if you register between August 1–14; and $50 if you wait to sign up on August 15 or 16. Those registering as a team of four or more will save $5–$10 per registration.

Sponsorships available

In addition to individual and team registrations, organizers also rely on the generosity and support of local businesses to make each year’s fundraising event successful. And this year is no different. If you’d like to support their efforts through a sponsorship, information can be found on the Light Up the Corners 2025 website.

T-shirt logo contest

Another way to take part is to enter the t-shirt logo design contest. Artwork and entry forms are due by May 16, and judges will be looking for one dynamic image to represent the Light Up the Corners Glow Run on the race banner, t-shirts and all multi-media.

The winning artist will receive a $1000 check, presented during the event. An entry form and additional details can be found here.

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City of Peachtree Corners

Our Growing Deer Population: What to Do?

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Mayor Mike Mason of Peachtree Corners, wearing a white button up shirt and blue blazer

I want to take a moment to address an issue that has been increasingly affecting our community — the growing deer population.

Over the past few years, we have observed a significant increase in the number of deer within Peachtree Corners, leading to heightened concerns about public safety, property damage and ecological impacts. I want to share what we are doing to address these challenges and how you can be part of the solution.

The surge in the deer population poses several threats to our community:

1. Landscape damage: Deer feeding on ornamental plants, shrubs and trees results in significant property damage and costly repairs for homeowners.

2. Increased risk of deer-vehicle collisions: Frequent road crossings, often under low-visibility conditions, pose serious safety risks to drivers and passengers.

3. Adverse ecological impacts: Excessive browsing by deer diminishes plant diversity, impacting the availability of food for other wildlife.

4. Public health concerns: High deer densities contribute to an increase in ticks, elevating the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

To address these challenges, the City of Peachtree Corners is collaborating with wildlife officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) Urban Wildlife Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services.

These partnerships are vital, as GADNR holds primary authority over wildlife management, and USDA brings extensive experience in urban wildlife management. By working together, we aim to develop a comprehensive approach tailored to our community’s unique needs.

Based on recommendations from our partners, the City is actively developing a comprehensive deer management plan. The plan aims to mitigate the public safety, property damage, ecological and public health impacts caused by the growing deer population.

Here’s what we are doing:

1. Population surveys: Utilizing advanced tools like trail cameras and thermal imaging to accurately assess deer numbers.

2. Habitat assessments: Evaluating the impact of the deer population on local vegetation and biodiversity.

3. Community involvement: Updating the “PTC Report It” app to allow residents to report deer-related concerns and submit photographs.

4. Data analysis: Collaborating with federal and state partners to analyze data and determine a sustainable deer population for our community.

Once the assessment phase is complete, the city will adopt a deer management plan. Since many deer reside on private property, the plan will offer property owners city-supported options for managing deer. This includes educational programs, habitat modification techniques and access to targeted population reduction initiatives.

Our goal is to facilitate relationships between wildlife officials and residents to ensure a balanced approach that protects public safety, preserves property and maintains ecological integrity.

Here are a few ways you can help:

Complete the Deer Impact Survey: Available online. Your input will help us gather valuable data on deer population densities and their impact.

Report concerns: Use the “PTC Report It” app or go online to report deer-related issues and share photos.

Stay informed: Follow our updates and participate in any upcoming GADNR workshops to stay informed about deer management efforts.

I truly appreciate your support and cooperation as we work together to address these challenges and protect the quality of life in Peachtree Corners. Thank you for being engaged and committed to our community.

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