We've Moved!

As you can notice we have not been updating this blog for some time. That's because we have moved to Facebook. Like Sustainable Norcross on Facebook and follow us there. Contact. But before you go to Facebook, read the current post below "In Sync".

In Sync

Through an intergovernmental agreement Gwinnett County DOT manages the county and state roads inside Norcross city limits. Over multiple years and with federal grants, SPLOST, and other funding, several sets of traffic signals on busy Norcross roads have been synchronized for improved traffic low, less idling time, and quicker commutes. Less idling reduces fuel consumption for drivers and also reduces air pollution for everyone. On a per corridor analysis it has been estimated from before and after studies that annual fuel consumption can be lowered by 7% and CO/VOC emissions lowered by 17 & 12% respectively with these synchronized traffic signals. Here are some of the sets of synchronized lights in and near Norcross: 9 cameras, 15 traffic signals on 3.6 miles of Indian Trail Road between Beaver Ruin Road and US Highway 29/Lawrenceville Highway. Peachtree Industrial Blvd from Holcomb Bridge to Rogers Bridge and upgrade of existing infrastructure along Jimmy Carter Blvd from US 29 to Holcomb Bridge at the river. A similar project from Beaver Ruin Rd SR 378 from Buford Hwy SR 13/US 23 to Lawrenceville Hwy US 29 was completed around May 2010. Buford Hwy SR 13/US 23 from Global Forum Blvd to Sugarloaf Pkwy. The portion inside Norcross city limits includes 6 intersections of Buford Hwy with: Jimmy Carter Blvd, North Norcross - Tucker Rd, Cemetery St, Mitchell Rd, Beaver Ruin Rd/Lawrenceville St, Langford Rd/Old Norcross Rd. Construction started Fall 2009 and was finished in approximately April 2011. The Vision Statement of Gwinnett County Department of Transportation lists among its aspirations to “…be known as the place with …synchronized traffic signals…”among other things. To this end the division maintains over 700 signals, 170 flashers, over 200 miles of fiber optic communications cable, 207 CCTV cameras and the operation of the Traffic Control Center. Some of these signals are synchronized and we are pleased that some of them are in and around Norcross. They aid Norcross in becoming and remaining a Green Community.

Re-Cycle

Here's what you can do with those unused bikes you've been tripping over in the garage, basement and storage shed. You'll also be helping a kid Earn-A-Bike! Bicycle Recycling Drive

Re-Cycle For Summerour Middle School Safe Routes to School Program

Donate your old bike for use in the new Earn-A-Bike incentive Drop off your used (or new) bicycle during the semi-annual ONE DAY – FIVE GREAT EVENTS – RECYCLE!!! Saturday April 7 from 9 AM to 1 PM at 168 Wingo Street parking lot – former City of Norcross Public Works Facility Your old bicycle will be refurbished by a Summerour Middle School student under the direction of a volunteer to create transportation to school and beyond. Bike parts, new bikes, helmets and accessories (locks, lights, etc.) also accepted. Parts that cannot be used to assemble a "new" bike will be donated to area artists for innovative creations. Be among the first to participate in this special program. Help get bikes to students who otherwise can not afford them and who will use them to bike to school. This program will also teach students how to repair and maintain their bikes and to operate them safely. Don't have a bike to donate? Contributions accepted to cover supplies and parts. Volunteers needed to unload bikes on Re-Cycle Day and to work with experienced bike repairers, provide transportation and offer other support for students working to Earn-A-Bike. Contact sustainablenorcross@gmail.com or call 770-246-0083 Another Green Community Project

Vote for a Hero

You don't have to save a person from a burning building to be a hero. At least, not according to the Cox Conserves Heroes program. This is the third year the communications conglomerate has searched its service areas for unsung heroes who volunteer to “help create, preserve or enhance outdoor places for everyone to enjoy”. In the Atlanta viewing area, the program is co-sponsored by WSB-TV and The Trust for Public Land. Five finalists have been selected from the nominations received from the public. Those five volunteers are now vying for the top prize of $5,000 via online voting. The four other finalists will receive $1,250 each. All prize money goes to the environmental non-profit chosen by each of the five finalists. One of the finalists is Connie Weathers. Connie founded Sustainable Norcross, Inc. a non-profit environmental advisory and action group focused on innovative solutions and education regarding Trees and Greenspace, Land Use, Green Building, Recycling and Waste Reduction, Transportation and Air Quality, Water, Energy, and Green Power. Vote NOW for Connie and Sustainable Norcross.

Closing the Loop

We came full circle Wednesday, thanks to students and staff from Wesleyan High School and a bunch of other folks along the way. Volunteers from the school were at Norcross Community Garden as part of their annual Serve-His Day.

Twelve students and two staff spent the school day in a variety of chores to benefit the recently relocated community garden. They removed kudzu and other weeds and invasive plants in and around the beds, harvested produce from existing beds that are dedicated to charity, planted cold hardy seeds and plants and cover crops, installed hoops that will be draped with special landscape fabric when the weather turns cold that will aid in year round organic food production, and distributed donated wood chips for mulch. While this was the first visit by this group of students to Norcross Community Garden, it is not the first from Wesleyan High. A group of seniors assisted with site preparations for new raised beds in early April.

Since then a Norcross High Boy Scout, Kam Hopper, completed his Eagle Scout project of building and installing seven raised cedar garden beds. These joined four existing beds that were installed several years ago by Comcast Cares, an annual employee volunteer event of the cable company. Of the combined eleven beds, some are rented to private individuals in the greater Norcross area, some were planted by two different Peachtree Corners Girl Scout troops and tended by a variety of other volunteers, some were planted by additional volunteers and managed by the Board of Directors of Norcross Community Garden.

Wesleyan High volunteers were there from the beginning and back this week to harvest fresh produce donated to those in need and to enhance the garden completing the first cycle and closing the loop. A few beds are available for rent now for individuals who want to plant a row for themselves or a food bank or for sponsorship with volunteers doing the planting and tending. Contact us today. Stay in the loop with the blog or Facebook page. May the circle be unbroken.

Help Summerour Middle Celebrate International Walk to School Day

Summerour Middle School will hold it's second walk and bike to school day since the Kick Off of its Safe Routes to School Program in May 2011. This will be their first time participating in the International Walk to School event. Volunteers are needed to escort 6 - 8th grade students as they walk or bike to school the morning of Wednesday October 19. Groups will form at the normal bus stops near the school at targeted apartment and residential neighborhoods along busy Beaver Ruin Rd and Mitchell Rd. They will proceed together forming a walking school bus.

Bikers are also welcomed. Volunteer now.

Saturday October 15 - A Big Day in Norcross

There’s something for everyone in Norcross most any time, but especially Saturday October 15. The semi-annual mega recycling event sponsored by the City of Norcross will be held at various locations at or near City Hall starting at 9 AM. Each featured location and activity has proven extremely popular, drawing participants from over 20 communities. The only one not open to the public is the bulky item clean up for things like old refrigerators and sofas plus the usual materials accepted for recycling and yard waste. This service is funded by city taxpayers and therefore is open only to them. Paper shredding,

electronics recycling and

paint recycling

are all available to the general public. Please remember to bring non-perishable food products to donate to the food pantry. Oh, and remember to bring books to donate to Better World Books in the big green bin located on the north side of the new police parking lot.

This is the same spot as the paint recycling. Proceeds benefit literacy and education locally and globally. Books unfit for reuse will be recycled. This is a permanent collection site. Sustainable Norcross started recruiting volunteers to assist city staff and community service workers at these recycling events 3 years ago. Some of them still volunteer today. Contact Code Enforcement Supervisor Phil Robertson directly to volunteer. Paint Recycling, added this Spring, is back due to popular demand. Sustainable Norcross introduced the vendor, Williams Upcycling, to Ms. Robertson after observing a successful event in Roswell. They worked out the details and offered the service to gauge interest. About 2,700 containers of paint products were collected. While the small fee per paint container benefits the local community food pantry, some of the paint comes back to Sustainable Norcross to use in community service projects. While all this is happening around Lawrenceville St, a few blocks away a team of volunteers will be conducting the annual Rivers Alive clean up on a local stream. This year the city owned stream will be accessed from Everglades Trail just south of the Shell Station at the intersection with Mitchell Rd. Volunteers will serve from 9 AM until noon. For more info, contact riversalivenorcross@hotmail.com.

This is the 4th year that Sustainable Norcross has sponsored this event, part of the statewide campaign to remove litter and invasive plants from our waterways. Chair Betsy Hixson has participated in these events along with her husband Ken over the years since moving to Norcross. In the early days they were organized by the city. Now the city is a partner with volunteers taking the lead. The Public Works, Utilities and Parks Department assists with removal and disposal of the litter that cannot be recycled and the yard waste that includes kudzu, privet, English ivy and other non-native species that choke out beneficial plants. Sustainable Norcross Commission member Brian Mock and Hampton Inn Northlake are providing refreshments. You can free up space in your basement or attic, get your daily exercise, visit with friends and family and serve your community at these Norcross events Saturday October 15. Will we see you there? PS Have you voted for Connie Weathers and Sustainable Norcross in Cox Conserves Heroes contest. Help win $5,000 for our service projects. Thanks.