Walk through Norcross and it looks like a typical small town. A closer look reveals a very special place to imagine. But what exactly does that mean? I can tell you what it means to me, as an artist who moved here about a year and a half ago.

To be honest I didn't know much about Norcross. Boy was I in for a BIG surprise. Here's what I found:

• Kudzu Art Zone - a 125-member artist consortium with monthly art presentations, various workshops, classes and a gallery to display member's work.
• Lionheart Theatre Company - an award winning theatre company that skillfully produces a wide variety of plays. Not only do they offer affordable entertainment but they also encourage the participation of community members in all aspects of theatrical production. Lionheart continues to elevate the spirit of community by enriching the cultural experiences of its members. Reasonable prices, quality productions - WOW!
• Norcross Arts Alliance - an 11-member board dedicated to helping Norcross become a destination for art and artists. Their goal is to support the performing and visual arts through funding and planning.
• Historic Norcross Arts Incubator, the soon to be home for six new small creative businesses.
• A Community Committed to Imagination - from our very own Imagination Proclamation to our recent Im-agination Task Force we are committed to embracing and cultivating the spirit of creativity through art, history and lifestyle.
• Merchants Who Embrace Art - Visit any of our seven restaurants or various shops and you'll see over 100 pieces of art of all kinds for show and sale and most evenings, hear live music playing.

Add to all that a gallery of fine crafts, our Cultural Arts and Community Center, our art gallery, and concerts in the park.

Simply stated, Norcross has become a destination for Art and Artists. Whether you're buying art, selling art, or just appreciating it, Norcross has something for everyone.

I am delighted that I moved here and can honestly say that Norcross has exceeded my expectations by becoming a place to imagine living, working, playing and thriving as an artist!

-Elsie Porter

The school crossing guard -you're likely to see one as you travel back and forth in your busy day. Their basic duty is to make sure that children get safely across the street to and from the school. But there are some, like Mary Marks, who go beyond the call of duty and become something no less than a guardian angel.

Marks, a DeKalb County crossing guard, retired in 2006 as a food service employee for the Atlanta Public School system where she worked for 17 years. Marks, who has lived in the Belvedere neighborhood for several years, has served the past two years as the school crossing guard at Midway Elementary School in Decatur.

Having raised four boys herself and the grandmother of two, Marks knows a thing or two about kids.

"I became a crossing guard because it was something I really wanted to do, she said. "It's the kids that keep me coming back here each day."

She is concerned about some of the school children in the community and explained why she goes the extra mile to help them. "[Some of the kids] need things like clothes, socks and shoes and I get it for them, and at Christmas time I give [some] of the children book bags and purses," Marks said, quietly. She added that she has started quilting project with some of the classes at Midway Elementary School.

So the next time you see a crossing guard, think of Mary Marks and slow down, wave and say thanks.

-Deanna Cauthen

Pictured (l-r) are: Councilmember Billy Jones, ARC Chairman Charles Krautler, and Mayor Pro Tem Marsha Anderson Bomar.

The Atlanta Regional Commission recognized five local governments on February 17th for their efforts to achieve key regional goals and make the Atlanta region a better place. The CREATE Community Awards are given annually to commend and share outstanding programs by local governments in the Atlanta region.

Local government initiatives were awarded in the areas of Community Building and Involvement, Regional Prosperity & Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability, Application & Innovation in Technology, Educational Excellence. Duluth was awarded the CREATE Community Award in the Community Building and Involvement category for its Citizens Budget Committee.

Facing a budget shortfall and the possibility of the first tax increase in many years, City officials decided to involve Duluth citizens in the budget process. It was felt that citizen confidence would only be achieved if there was full disclosure of every penny in the City's current budget and proposed next budget. In the end, the Citizens Budget Committee made recommendations for increased fees in several areas and charging fees for services that had previously been free. With these recommendations, budget cuts by departments and using a small amount of reserve funds, the FY10 budget was balanced with no tax increase. Duluth will again engage a Citizens Budget Committee to make recommendations on the FY11 budget.

The DeKalb History Center's Lunch and Learn Lecture Series continues in March with a presentation on the Ranch House in DeKalb County. Richard Cloues, unit manager & deputy state historic preservation officer for Georgia's Historic Preservation Division will begin the presentation with the history of the Ranch House in Georgia.

Melissa Forgey, Executive Director for the DeKalb History Center, will present the results DHC's recent look at this mid-century housing type. The "Ranch House Initiative" was developed by the DeKalb History Center with the support of Commissioner Jeff Rader in an effort to understand the ranch house boom that occurred in nearly every part of DeKalb County throughout the mid to late 20th century. In addition to an overview of the county's history during this time period, the presentation will focus on four notable ranch neighborhoods in DeKalb: Northwoods, Sargent Hills, Briarpark Court and Belvedere Park.

The lecture is Wednesday, March 24 at 12:00 noon at the Old Courthouse on the Square and is free of charge. Guests are encouraged to bring a lunch to eat during the program.

For more information, call Ben Zdencanovic at 404-373-1088 ext 23.

Spring is almost here - so time has come to search out those special outdoor places for long rambles with the dogs. One of the best is Yellow River Park in southeast Gwinnett County.

Local Lilburn artist Jill Bates told me about her inspiring visits to this park, so I had to see in person all the wonders she described. This is one of the largest local parks I have visited. It winds sinuously along the banks of the Yellow River where ancient [and more modern] floods have left a deep sandy soil. This proved perfect for the dogs who tend to run fiercely at each other; knocking themselves down at times. In the sandy soil, no one gets hurt.

For people, there are wide asphalt walkways along the riverside with branching side paths into the woods and to the very edge of the swift flowing waters. The river is full of rapids, rocks, tiny sandspit islands and various trees clinging, desperately but always picturesquely, to the banks.

The paved paths are excellent for bicycles, rollerblades and baby buggies. Wooden observation decks also extend above the banks in places so you can get great views of the river safely and also some exceptional pic-tures. There is also a brand new children's playground.

If woodlands are more your speed, the eastern end of the park and a hilly section across Juhan Rd. have even more paths to explore - all very well marked. Some of these are excellent for biking and horseback riding.

The park has several areas for access to the river itself but swimming is not allowed. However, you can fish or use canoes and kayaks. What more can you ask of a park on all these perfect spring days?

Yellow River Park is located at 3232 Juhan Rd. just 1.5 miles from West Park Place. Take Highway 78 past Stone Mountain to the West Park Place exit and then go 3.5 miles to Juhan Rd. - and enjoy!

-Dick Funderburke