Gwinnett Daily Post

G-Braves to hold national anthem auditions

LAWRENCEVILLE - Oh say can you sing?

The Gwinnett Braves will hold auditions Saturday for those interested in singing the national anthem at games. Auditions will begin at noon at 12 Stone, a church located at 1322 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville.

Auditioners will need to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" a cappella in less than 90 seconds and may not use a lyrics sheet while singing. Participants under 18 years old must have a guardian present to try out.

Interested applicants can register for an audition by visiting the Gwinnett Braves Web site at www.gwinnettbraves.com or by calling 678-277-0300. Walk-ups are welcome until 1 p.m., but only those who are registered are guaranteed an audition.

Junior Duck Stamp contest accepting entries

LAWRENCEVILLE - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting student entries for the 2009 Junior Duck Stamp competition.

"This contest is really a neat way for kids to learn about wildlife, art, biology and ducks and other waterfowl in particular," said Resee Collins, Junior Duck Stamp coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Georgia.

The competition will recognize Georgia's top student waterfowl artists. Public, private, home-schooled and art studio students from kindergarten through high school will compete for recognition, prizes and scholarships in an activity that promotes the conservation of America's wetlands and waterfowl habitat.

For contest information, rules, eligible species, entry requirements, entry forms and waterfowl curriculum, visit www.fws.gov/juniorduck. All entries must be postmarked by midnight Saturday.

YMCA accepting submissions for writing contest

NORCROSS - The Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA is now accepting entries for its Youth Speak 2009 writing competition.

Young writers enrolled in a Gwinnett County elementary, middle or high school can choose one of the following themes:

· Who am I?

· My goals

· My role model

· How I hope to make a positive change in the world

All styles of writing, including poetry, personal essays and short stories, are welcome. Middle and high school students must write between 250 and 750 words. Elementary school students must write between 200 and 400 words.

A $5 entry fee is required with each submission. Checks should be made payable to the Fowler Family YMCA. All entries must be postmarked by March 20.

Prizes will be awarded to the writers for the top three entries in each of the three divisions.

For more contest information, including registration forms, visit http://fpy.ymcaatlanta.org.

Doctor teams up with Apalachee High School for fundraiser

DACULA - Dr. Nick Tedder of Upper Cervical Health Centers in Dacula is donating his services to help the Apalachee High School girls' basketball team raise money.

Students are selling certificates for $30 in exchange for a one-hour massage and health and wellness evaluation from Tedder. All of the proceeds will go to the school.

Tedder is a member of The National Academy of Physicians, a group of doctors dedicated to helping the community through donating their time and talents to help raise funds for deserving causes.

"We must raise funds each year to keep our program going and to give our girls opportunities to excel," said Clay Kelly, president of the team's boosters.

Certificates can be purchased directly from Upper Cervical Health Centers before March 26 by calling 770-614-9444.

Lawrenceville VFW post receives national recognition

LAWRENCEVILLE - Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5255 and Ladies Auxiliary of Lawrenceville were selected to receive the VFW National Citation certificate in the organization's Community Activities National Awards Program for Special Projects.

The Citation certificate is given in recognition of the time and effort members of the Post and Auxiliary gave in completing a project of value to their community. The Post and Auxiliary were specifically cited for hosting a silent auction with the proceeds divided between the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville and the VA Hospital in Decatur.

The VFW is a nonprofit veterans' service organization composed of combat veterans and those who currently serve on active duty or in the Guard and Reserves.

Gwinnett Gab appears in the Thursday and Sunday editions of the Gwinnett Daily Post. To submit an item to Gwinnett Gab, e-mail gab@gwinnettdailypost.com.