Five Things You Need To Know July 19

Good morning, Lilburn. It's Tuesday, July 19. We're a little more than three weeks away from the opening of school. 

1. The Celebration of the Century: Today marks the 15th anniversary of the opening ceremony of the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. It was on July 19, 1996, during the Opening Ceremony, when Muhammad Ali’s lighting of the Olympic torch created one of the more lasting memories of the Games. Remember International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch? When he called he Atlanta Games “most exceptional,” and not “the best Olympics ever,” like he normally did at the closing ceremony? Remember, we didn’t like that? That was not awesome.
2. Congrats to Hanarry Swimmers: We’re told that the Hanarry Hurricanes of Lilburn took home the Margaret Gilbert Sportsmanship Award at the Gwinnett County Swim League Meet over the weekend. The award is voted on by all of the teams in the division for teams that make swimming fun. Interested in the results? Click here.
3. It’s Sum-Sum-Summer Time: Back to the 90s again, friends, but Monday night’s rainfall at Lilburn Patch HQ was a nice treat. Forecast says there will be a high of 93 with a 20-percent chance of precipitation today. Same for Wednesday and Thursday, too.
4. Bring Your Purple Purse: The storybook character Lilly makes a visit today at the two local branches of the Gwinnett Public Library.  Share a story, meet Lilly and stick around for photo ops. You have two chances today — 1:30 p.m. at the Lilburn branch and 3:30 p.m. at Mountain Park. Don’t know Lilly? Check this out.
5. Can We Complain Now? About gasoline prices? The ascent of gas prices has the pedal to the metal now. We found $3.63 Monday night on GeorgiaGasPrices.com as the “cheapest” gas price in town. That’s another  — just four days ago.