Peachtree Corners Magazine - Spring 2019

TOWN CENTER PREVIEW PULLOUT

INSIDE PEACHTREE CORNERS

PEACHTREECORNERS SPRING ISSUE 2019 LIVINGINPEACHTREECORNERS.COM

ISSUE 2 ■ FREE

sweets & treats

PET RESCUE

Local heroes come to animals’ rescue

HOT! HOT! HOT!

There are many options for homebuyers in Peachtree Corners, but more are needed

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770-350-7373 Meredith Blinder

Atlanta natives professionally connecting families to homes for 30+ years

Kellie Frazier

Maria Licata

Maria Licata & Associates 770-861-1009 marialicata@remax.net

Associate Broker

1835 Lockeway Dr Suite 306 Alpharetta, GA 30004 678-549-9371 www.nloans.net Neighborhood Mortgage Inc, #16837 A GA residential mortgage licensee NMLS 138234

6340 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 200 Duluth, Georgia 30097 404-566-4535 www.basattorneys.com

PEACHTREECORNERS THE TEAM & CONTRIBUTORS RICO FIGLIOLINI

KATHY DEAN

Publisher

Rico Figliolini is a creative director and social media strategist, three-time magazine publisher and podcast host. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York and is a political junky, sci-fi and anime fan, and avid reader and movie binger — thanks Netflix :).

Contributing Editor

Kathy Dean has been a writer and editor for over 20 years.

Some of the publications she has contributed to are Atlanta Senior Life, Atlanta INtown, Transatlantic Journal and The Guide to Coweta and Fayette Counties.

DONNA WILLIAMS LEWIS Writer

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

RITA FIGLIOLINI

Editorial Consultant

Rita Figliolini has lived in PTC for 23 years with her husband and life partner, Rico Figliolini.

Proud mom of 3 — Jason, Kinsey and Jack. Former Managing Editor of the original Inside Gwinnett, she’s now Advisor to PTC Magazine. Telling stories is in our blood!

JOE EARLE

MEREDITH BLINDER

Writer

Veteran newspaperman Joe Earle has covered Georgia and Atlanta and its suburbs since the 1980s. Before that, he worked for newspapers in Kansas and South Carolina.

Writer

Meredith Blinder is a Realtor with RE/MAX Around Atlanta and a native of Peachtree Corners. When she’s not serving her clients, Meredith enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading and trying out all of our community’s great restaurants.

ALAN KAPLAN

KINSEY FIGLIOLINI

Writer

Alan Kaplan is a Realtor with Atlanta Fine Homes, Sotheby’s International Realty and a Peachtree Corners resident for 18 years. He is married with two young boys who are working actors and students at Peachtree Elementary School.

Writer & Photographer

Kinsey Figliolini is in her senior year at Berry College studying Psychology with a minor in German. She has competed on the college’s Western Equestrian team for all four years. She considers herself a crazy cat lady and bookworm.

MARK MCGOVERN Photographer

JULIE DAVIS

Growing up in Montana, Mark McGovern began studying photography in 1993. He spent six years in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force, where he honed his attention to detail. Since 2004, McGovern has used his art professionally to capture his clients’ special memories.

Julie Davis is an accomplished sales rep with over 20 years of experience in the telecom industry. When not working or spending time with friends and family, Julie can be found melting glass, as she is an avid fused glass artist.

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

EDITORIAL

EXECUTIVE EDITOR & PUBLISHER

RICO FIGLIOLINI

Account Executive

KATHY DEAN EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

RITA FIGLIOLINI

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

JULIE DAVIS

CONTENTS 6

EVENTS FIRST UP

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BUSINESS LIFE New Peachtree Parkway Convenience Store Under Construction

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Hot! Hot! Hot! Clear Vision Brings Renewed Vigor

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COMMUNITY Local Heroes Come to Animals’ Rescue

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MOVE Park Yourself!

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BELIEVE

Mission Programs a Key Part of Christian Education

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TOWN CENTER PULLOUT

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COMMUNITY

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COVER - NOURISH

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COMMUNITY I’m Just a Guy Walking

julie@livinginpeachtreecorners.com

PUBLISHED BY MIGHTY ROCKETS LLC. 4305 River Stream CIrcle, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 678-358-7858 | editor@livinginpeachtreecorners.com

HOME & REAL ESTATE

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Out on the Town!

PC Mashers Gather Medals

Sweets & Treats

KNOWLEDGE

Paul Duke STEM High School Takes to the Skies

Peachtree Corners Magazine is published four times a year by Mighty Rockets LLC. Opinions expressed by the contributing writers and editors are not necessarily those of the publishers, editors or Peachtree Corners Magazine. The publisher will not accept responsibility for submitted materials that are lost or stolen. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of this publication. However, the publisher cannot assume responsibility for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement it seems unfit for publication or or does not fit in our guidelines.

Spring 2019 Issue / Volume 1 Number 2 ©2019 Peachtree Corners Magazine The editors welcome submissions, event listings, achievements and photography. Please direct them to editor@livinginpeachtreecorners.com.

This publication is privately owned and operated.

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OFFICIAL CITY NEWS

Inside Peachtree Corners April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

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FIRST UP

Library Giving Day April 10

Gwinnett County Public Library, Peachtree Corners Branch 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners 30092 770-978-5154 gwinnettpl.org/librarygivingday2019/ Gwinnett County Public Library is raising funds through this one-day, inaugural #LibraryGivingDay campaign. Libraries, small and large, serve as a cornerstone for our communities.

Events, Programs & Fun Things to Do

Great American Clean-Up

April 13, 9-11:30 a.m.

Peachtree Corners Baptist Church 4480 Peachtree Corners Circle, Peachtree Corners 30092 Contact Janice Crosby, 404-229-0350 peachtreecornersga.gov United Peachtree Corners Civic Association teams up with residents and city officials and residents to beautify the city by removing trash and debris from the streets.

Game Night at the Pool April 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

West Gwinnett Park Aquatic Center 4488 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Norcross 678-407-8801 gwinnettcounty.com There will be games in and out of the water, and prizes, at this new family game night.

All ages are welcome, cost is $3 per person.

Art on the Chattahoochee

April 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Jones Bridge Park 4901 East Jones Bridge Road, Peachtree Corners 30092 gwinnettcounty.com Fun for the whole family includes arts, crafts, food trucks and live entertainment. Celebrate Easter with egg hunts and pictures with the Easter Bunny. Sign up for the chalk art contest for ages 17 and under.

Free admission.

Mary Poppins The Broadway Musical April 25-28 and May 4 & 5

Norcross High School Auditorium 5300 Spalding Drive, Norcross 30092 770-447-2667 nhs-drama.com

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe April 12-14

Duluth Wildcat Theatre 3737 Brock Road, Duluth 30096 770-476-5206 duluththeatre.weebly.com Duluth High School’s Advanced Play Class presents the C.S. Lewis fantasy classic.

THEATER

Norcross High School Brings Mary Poppins to the Stage On April 25, theatre arts students at Norcross High School (NHS) will feel opening night excitement as they present Mary Poppins The Broadway Musical at the high school auditorium. And there are bound to be some butterflies in stomachs when characters actually fly!

“The NHS Drama Boosters Club is paying for an elaborate flying rig that will enable Mary Poppins to fly onstage, with her umbrella, of course,” said Jason Bernardo, NHS High School Drama Booster Club. Bert will also get the benefit of the rig as he walks up the wall and dances on the ceiling.

The actors have no reason to be nervous about their performances, however. Norcross High School won the Region 7AAAAAAA One Act Play Competition two years in a row (2016 and 2017), and several of the award winners are in the Mary Poppins cast, including Best Actress Cat Keeton and Best Actor Calvin Bernardo.

Furthermore, NHS Drama teacher Gina Parrish is in her 30th year of teaching. Her talents are well-known, and she has been inducted into three halls of fame — the EdTA Hall of Fame, the Georgia Thespian Hall of Fame and the Norcross High School Foundation for Excellence Hall of Fame.

“Ms. Parrish is famous for her elaborate sets, having won Best Set Design at the One Act Play competitions,” Bernardo said. He added that the students build all their own sets and sew most of their costumes. ■

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HONK! May 1-4

Wesleyan School Powell Theatre 5405 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners 30092 770-448-7640 wesleyanschool.org The Wesleyan Junior Wolf Players present the story of the ugly duckling — with music! Bring the whole family and enjoy the songs, colorful costumes, full orchestra and a tale with a wonderful life lesson.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream May 2, 4 & 5

Greater Atlanta Christian School 1575 Indian Trail Road, Norcross 30093 770-243-2000 greateratlantachristian.org One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays is presented by the King’s Gate Theatre. When troubled lovers and a group of performers escape to the woods, complications and confusion ensue.

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Arbor Day Celebration April 26, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Paul Duke STEM High School 5850 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross 30071 peachtreecornersga.gov Hosted by the city’s Green Committee, the Arbor Day event is open to the public. Students and residents will plant trees, learn about tree care and are invited to take home a tree seedling.

Pump Boys and Dinettes May 3-19

Lionheart Theatre Company 10 College Street, Norcross 30071 678-938-8518 lionhearttheatre.org In this musical set in Grand Ole Opry country, the ‘Pump Boys’ sell high octane on Highway 57 and the ‘Dinettes’ run the diner next door.

Together they provide an evening of country western songs that received unanimous raves on and off-Broadway.

Genealogy 101 May 4, 11:00 am

Gwinnett County Public Library, Peachtree Corners Branch 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners 30092 770-978-5154 gwinnettpl.org Learn how to begin genealogical searches, start a basic family tree and discover local genealogical sources.

Mother’s Day Extravaganza

May 11, 9:30 p.m.May 12, 2:45 a.m.

Royal Ballroom 6185 Buford Highway, Suite C2, Peachtree Corners 30071 678-755-8992 Enjoy a spectacular night with performers from the group Shleu Shleu and Skah Shah.

Peachtree Corners Festival June 7-9

6025 The Corners Parkway, Peachtree Corners 30092 770-367-3127

World-Class Marketing | World-Class Service We take great pride in using our expertise, resources and global connections to perfectly unite extraordinary homes with the extraordinary buyers who will cherish them as we do.

peachtreecornersfestival.com The 9th annual Peachtree Corners Festival runs from Friday to Sunday with live music, arts and crafts, carnival rides, food vendors, classic cars and much more.

ONGOING Yielded Men

Every Friday, 6:30-7:30 a.m.

J Alexander’s/Redlands in the Forum 5245 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners 30092 yieldedmen.com A non-denominational men’s group, Yielded Men holds a men’s meeting/Bible study every Friday morning. Each week, the group addresses a specific issue that most men face in life, with an opportunity to discuss it with other men, using God’s word as the standard to live by. Open to all men at no cost.

Passionate about serving our community.

Passionate about serving you!

ALAN K A PLA N c. 404.909.6000 o. 770.442.7300 alankaplan@atlantafinehomes.com atlantafinehomes.com | sir.com

©MMXIX Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Peachtree Corners Writers Group

April 11 & 25, May 9 & 23, June 6 & 20, 6 p.m.

Gwinnett County Public Library, Peachtree Corners Branch 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners 30092 770-978-5154 gwinnettpl.org If you write, join the Peachtree Corners Library Writer’s Group. Share your work and receive critiques, or just talk about your writing and learn some new tricks.

IMPORTANT DATES Easter: April 21 Passover: April 19 through April 27 Earth Day: April 22 Arbor Day: April 26 Cinco de Mayo: May 5 Mother’s Day: May 12 Memorial Day: May 27 Father’s Day: June 16 Independence Day: July 4

WESLEYAN

ARTIST MARKET APRIL 25-27, 2019

FREE ADMISSION & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.WESLEYANARTISTMARKET.ORG

April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

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BUSINESS LIFE

Peachtree Corners Firm to Manage Renovation of New ASHRAE HQs

New Peachtree Parkway Convenience Store Under Construction RaceTrac is constructing a new 5,000 squarefoot convenience store on Peachtree Parkway across from Engineering Drive.

In addition, a new extension of Engineering Drive will be added connecting Peachtree Parkway to Technology Parkway.

This will be one of the company’s newer store prototypes, featuring a frozen dessert station and large coffee area, indoor and outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi and 14 fueling positions.

The business is expected to open later this year. ■

Accounting Firms Merge The accounting firms of Heaven & Associates P.C. and Alvarez CPA & Associates have merged, effective January 1, 2019. The combined firm operates as Heaven & Alvarez, LLC and is located at 4720 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Ste. 201, in Norcross.

Now one of the largest independent accounting firms based in Gwinnett County, the firm has approximately 10 staff members, including 2 partners, Ranae Heaven and Carlos Alvarez.

“The merger brings together two established accounting firms and creates a genuine alternative to the regional and mid-sized accounting firms in the metro-Atlanta marketplace, said Ranae Heaven.”

Carlos Alvarez said that he sought to merge with a similarly growing firm to expand the services offered to his clients,“…and also have the added benefit of tapping into Gwinnett’s large Spanish speaking population.” ■

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Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

Collins Project Management of Peachtree Corners was selected to manage the renovation of the former Recall building in Atlanta Tech Park.

The space will be the new world headquarters for the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

ASHRAE intends the project to become a model for reducing carbon and environmental impacts from building operations, providing an exceptionally healthy working environment in a cost-effective manner. The ultimate goal is for the building to be “Net-Zero,” meaning it will produce as much energy as it consumes.

The team at Collins Project Management has completed 297 projects valued at $2.5 billion in the last 27 years. Recent projects include the Fox Theatre’s $10 million renovation in Midtown, the $125 million elevator Innovation and Qualification Center and a $35 million corporate headquarters for thyssenkrupp at The Battery Atlanta in the Cumberland area. ■

Wealth Management Firm Relocates Headquarters to Peachtree Corners MassMutual Perimeter, one of the region’s premier wealth management firms, has relocated its headquarters to Peachtree Corners. The firm hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its new headquarters on March 28.

After outgrowing its previous location, Peachtree Corners became an obvious choice when MassMutual Perimeter sought a location that was closer to where its advisors lived, served clients and spent their free time. The new headquarters, located at 3720 DaVinci Court, Suite 150, includes an innovative floorplan that encourages collaborations, and highly versatile technology-enhanced meeting spaces.

“We are delighted to join the innovative, vibrant and bustling community in Peachtree Corners that many of our advisors already call home,” said Jeffrey Bulvin, General Agent, MassMutual Perimeter. In addition to its new flagship location, MassMutual Perimeter has offices in Norcross and Kennesaw, Ga., as well as Knoxville, Tn. Mayor Mike Mason said that the city is delighted that MassMutual Perimeter chose Peachtree Corners to relocate its headquarters. “We welcome them to our innovative city which continues to attract new businesses every day because of our pro-business environment and great quality of life,” he said. ■

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Peachtree Corners Business Association Connecting over Coffee Tuesdays, April 9, May 14 and June 11 8:30-9:30 a.m.

On the second Tuesday of every month, PCBA hosts a morning meet-up at a new location: Black Walnut Cafe, 5242 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners 30092.

This is an opportunity to network with other PCBA members and business professionals in a positive atmosphere. No registration and no fee are required for PCBA members and their guests.

Speaker Series After Hours featuring Mayor Mike Mason Thursday, April 25 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason will share updates on the Town Center, 2019 Initiatives and Projects, and make himself available during a question and answer session. Held at Prototype Prime, 147 Technology Boulevard, Suite 100, Peachtree Corners 30092. Registration cost is $30 and includes drinks, appetizers, networking and fun. Advance registration runs $10 for PCBA members and $25 for guests through April 21.

Maximize Your Membership Tuesday, April 30 3:30-4:45 p.m.

Learn how to get the most out of the tools available to you as a PCBA member. Held at the PCBA Conference Room, 4989 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 214, Peachtree Corners 30092. The event is free for members, $5 for guests and future members. Registration is required.

Space is limited; walk-ins cannot APM Peachtree Corners 2019 Final copy.pdf be accommodated.

Peachtree Corners Business Association is located at 4989 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners 30092.

Learn more by calling 678-969-3385 or visiting peachtreecornersba. com.

Some Things are Better Left to the Experts

Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce First Friday Friday, April 12 7:30-9:00 a.m.

Dan Kaufman, President and CEO of Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, addresses “Gwinnett County Growth—Where are we headed?” at April’s First Friday Breakfast. Held at Hilton Atlanta Northeast, 5993 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Peachtree Corners 30092. Admission is $40; members’ early registration (before noon, April 11) is $30.

Launch Your Membership Marketing Tuesdays, April 9 & 23, May 14 8:30-9:30 a.m.

SWGC will help you learn how to use your Chamber membership effectively to increase your business’ visibility and growth. This free class is available on second and fourth Tuesdays by reservation. Held at Southwest Gwinnett Chamber, 107 Atlanta Technology Parkway, Suite 412, Peachtree Corners 30092.

The Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce is at 107 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners 30092.

For more events and info, call 678906-4078 or visit southwestgwinnettchamber.com.

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April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

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HOME & REAL ESTATE

T

he housing market in Peachtree Corners has been heating up. Real estate tends to move quickly as people flood into the city looking for homes. Who are these people…and what’s bringing them all here?

“There is an old adage in real estate — location, location, location — and Peachtree Corners has it,” explained Bob Martell, CEO of Martell Homes at Keller Williams Bob Martell Realty, Chattahoochee North. “Easy access to highways and business centers like Perimeter Center and Alpharetta/Windward help the area remain popular for buyers of any style home.”

He said that Peachtree Corners draws a healthy mix of homebuyers, from young professionals to empty nesters, including retirees who want to be closer to their children and grandchildren. “Young families are attracted by the variety of home styles and neighborhoods to choose from, award-winning schools and an abundance of family friendly amenities,” Martell said.

A lot of young families are moving into the area due to the convenience of being able to walk to Terri Hayes restaurants and shops, said Terri Hayes, Real Estate Broker with the Terri Hayes Team, “...as well as the easy access to I-285, GA-400, I-85 and the City of Atlanta.”

The schools have made Peachtree Corners incredibly

desirable, added Laura Hayes Reich, another Real Estate Broker with the Terri Hayes Team, “…

Laura Hayes Reich including the public and private schools, and the new Paul Duke STEM High School.”

Maria Licata, Associate Broker, RE/MAX Around Atlanta Realty, agreed that the schools are a real asset. “Simpson Elementary continues Maria Licata to be a big draw,” she said. “The last several homes I’ve sold in Peachtree Corners have been to young families.”

What is it that the millennials, seniors and young families are looking for here? Alan Kaplan, Realtor©, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, said that what they want depends on Alan Kaplan their stage of life and family status.

“Their point in life dictates where they look in Peachtree Corners,” he explained. “First time homebuyers are looking for affordability.”

Many millennials may prefer luxury apartments or condominiums, since they may not be ready for the more permanent housing solution of owning a home. Still, some young professionals want to invest in real estate and purchase a home, Kaplan said, “…but they need to find a point of entry into the market. That may be a townhome or a home they can renovate.”

While millennials may gravitate towards mixed-use housing and townhomes, he added, the demand for these housing types can hike the price out of their reach.

“Townhomes, such as those being

HOT! HOT! HOT!

There are many options for homebuyers in Peachtree Corners, but more are needed

“Their point in life dictates where they look in Peachtree Corners.

First time homebuyers are looking for affordability.”

Alan Kaplan

By Kathy Dean

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Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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built at the Town Center, likely will be taken by people looking for a lifestyle change who can afford a lateral financial move, such as empty-nesters. They can afford to pay the higher prices, which are driven up by the mixed-use location,” he said. “They can sell their $500,000 home and can afford to pay that for their next home.”

Single-family homes make up the majority of Peachtree Corners and are highly sought after, according to Hayes Reich, but she has also seen a lot of interest in townhomes. “There’s an influx of empty nesters who are looking for low maintenance living, such as townhomes. The areas surrounding The Forum shopping center and Peachtree Corners Town Center are very attractive to buyers.”

Kaplan noted that senior housing options are especially sparse.

“There’s not enough senior hous-

ing available for purchase to serve the seniors and empty-nesters who are thinking ahead,” Kaplan said. “The main things they look for is a master on the main floor and an elevator, or the option for an elevator, and very few homes have that. In the current housing stock, there are some ranch style homes, but not enough to meet the demand.”

Kaplan said that when developers first planned to build townhomes in Town Center, he surveyed people who were interested in living at the Town Center and learned that an overwhelming 72 percent of them wanted a master on main or an option for an elevator. “That shows just how high the demand is.”

The city did end up requiring the developer to build a certain percentage of the Town Center townhomes with an elevator option, Kaplan reported.

Licata shared the latest First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS) absorption analysis for Peachtree Corners. “There is zero months of inventory of homes priced under $350,000, four months for homes $350,000 to $400,000, one month for homes $400,000 to $500,000 and eight months of inventory for homes priced $500,000 to $600,000,” she said.

The Terri Hayes Team also commented about the problem of low inventory. “The demand for homes in Peachtree Corners is much higher than what is available for sale,” Hayes said. “We have a wait list of buyers who are wanting to live in the Peachtree Corners area.”

Martell reported that recent sales data indicates the highest buyer demand is in the core Peachtree Corners neighborhoods, in the areas around The Forum.

“Simpson Elementary School has long been a top ranked school and is a prime reason that area remains popular among buyers,” he explained.

“Most of these neighborhoods have swim/tennis clubs and many residents of these neighborhoods can walk to parks, shopping, restaurants and the new Town Center development.” Many neighborhoods in the Berkeley Lake Elementary School district have the same proximity to these

amenities and remain popular as well, he said.

“For homes in Peachtree Corners priced up to $600,000, it’s still a seller’s market, meaning there is less than six months inventory of homes for sale,” Martell said. “In some price ranges, there is only one to three months inventory of homes available.”

He shared several developments that are in the works to help meet the demand: ■ Lennar has broken ground on Stonington, a gated community of 30 two-story townhomes on Medlock Bridge Road near Spalding Drive.

■ 5200 Town Center, another Lennar project, will be a community of 70 three-story townhomes adjacent to the new Peachtree Corners Town Center.

■ Peachtree Residential Properties is now selling homes in Oglethorpe, a neighborhood of 19 single-family homes on Spalding Terrace across the street from Norcross High School, starting in the $500,000s.

■ Duke Reserve, another Peachtree Residential project, is a gated community of 25 two-story townhomes, now selling on Spalding Drive, just west of Peachtree Parkway; they start in the mid $500,000s.

Something that’s missing in Peachtree Corners is condominiums, Kaplan said. “There was a time when they’d fallen out of favor, but now condos are a good option for the lifestyle and affordability that they offer,” he continued. “Condos would give homebuyers another housing option.” And it’s a choice that would be especially fitting for millennials and empty nesters and single people.

“We’re blessed to be in a city that’s continuing to get better and better,” Kaplan said. “But the flip side of that is that housing affordability becomes an issue. It’s especially a challenge for first time homebuyers, and it’s a challenge we have to face as a community.” ■

April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

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CLEAR VISION BRINGS RENEWED VIGOR TO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

A

n important aspect of Peachtree Corners’ real estate market is found on the commercial side. While the city faces the same challenges as other areas throughout Georgia and the U.S., it has taken a proactive approach that’s making a big difference.

“The diversity of our real estate stock is the same as it is everywhere,” said Brian Johnson, City Manager of Peachtree Corners. “Nationally, right now, retail space is under duress because of what’s happening to brick and mortar retail everywhere.”

He was referring to the closures of national stores like Payless, Gymboree and Toys R Us, and the struggles of other big retailers like Sears.

The new shopping pattern of purchasing items online has resulted in less of a need for brick and mortar stores. After all, Johnson noted, people can compare a lot of merchandise and pricing from the comfort of their homes.

“Then online businesses ship the items right to them, often free of charge,” he said. “It’s resulted in a complete rethinking of how retail works, what’s doing well and what isn’t. Retail shopping is changing right under us.”

By Kathy Dean

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A variety of locations for retail

Johnson listed several things that are important for businesses. Retail businesses, especially, look for visibility, traffic count and good lease rates.

“We do have, within our local economy, a variety of developments. Some offer the local geography, traffic count and higher demographic that upscale stores look for,” he said. For example, The Forum, a large retail development off Peachtree Parkway, is located within a mile and a half of high-income families living in homes with a median value approaching a half million dollars.

“That location attracts higher-end shops and boutiques.

Other stores that cater to families with lower income are drawn to other locations closer to where those people live and work,” Johnson said.

Of course, commercial real estate can be anything from mom-and-pop shops and big box retail chains to service industries and white-collar businesses, like Scientific Atlanta and Honeywell Aerospace. While the larger businesses have similar needs, they also want housing and an easy commute for their employees.

Peachtree Corners has what companies are looking for Brad Kuehn, President of Atlanta Office Realty, said that walkability is one of the big catch phrases in commercial real estate.

“Being able to walk to work or to a restaurant is important to employees, and therefore, to employers,” he said. “The city has done a great job making it more of a walkable office market.”

He added that the vision of Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason and City Manager Brian Johnson has brought in more of a live/work/play lifestyle to the city.

“They’ve been responsible for a lot of road and transportation improvements, and quite a bit of technological improvements,” Kuehn said. “They had the vision to make the changes to the infrastructure.”

He pointed to the new lighting and sidewalks, and Peachtree Corner’s Town Center, which is bringing in more restaurants and

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

retail. “It’s brought a renewed energy to Peachtree Corners,” Kuehn said.

“Two years ago, we developed a master plan addressing how to revitalize the business landscape here,” Johnson explained. “Plans included building housing for millennials and constructing a multi-use trail system. Both of those goals have been realized, but we still have more work to do.”

Atlanta Tech Park

Many businesses have the need or desire to locate, or relocate, in an area that’s near others in the same business arena, Johnson said. “For example, financial and tech companies like to be near others who do the same thing; it forms symbiotic relationships. In that arena, the city has undertaken a comprehensive approach with our 500-acre Atlanta Tech Park,” he added.

According to Kuehn, whose business focuses on commercial office space, the primary marketplace is throughout Atlanta Tech Park. “It’s really a Peachtree Corners primary marketplace,” he said.

There are three incubators within Atlanta Tech Park that create environments to make it easier to start and grow businesses. “There’s a trend of collaborative workspaces, and several buildings have converted over to technology and entrepreneurial workplaces, such as ProtoType Prime,” Kuehn said. Covering 25,000 square feet, Prototype Prime is a non-profit technology incubator primarily funded by the city.

The city also created an attractive amenity — the Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners, a 1.5mile intelligent mobility test track that will be used to develop and test self-driving vehicles.

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These improvements began attracting companies based in the Smart City and Mobility fields.

Then, in January, it was announced that Sprint had signed on as a partner to the test track.

And the big news is that Sprint is bringing a 5G network to all of Atlanta Tech Park.

“We’ll be part of the first permanent 5G deployment in metro Atlanta,” Johnson said. “Atlanta Tech Park companies will have access to 5G in just a few months, making it hard for many businesses to say ‘no’ to locating or expanding here.”

Alex Wright of the Peachtree Corners City Council reported that, since the time of the Sprint partnership announcement, several companies and organizations have been in contact to learn about the autonomous vehicle track and discuss potential partnerships. The list includes Georgia Power, Delta Airlines, Kia Motors, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Government of Israel, Government of Hungary and Georgia Tech. A few are close to making a commitment, Wright said, summing up with, “Very exciting opportunities for Peachtree Corners on the horizon.”

Kuehn agreed. “Peachtree Corners has advanced technology to the point that it’s looked at nationally as one of the top smart

Brian Johnson

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Bureau 125 Tech Park New life and new tenant for ‘old Honeywell building’ healthcare IT companies in the U.S. The company will occupy 60,500 square feet of the Bureau, moving its headquarters to Atlanta Tech Park from its current location in Lawrenceville, Ga. “The plans to redevelop the old Honeywell property fits in well with the city’s vision to transform the technology campus into a center for innovation,” said Mayor Mike Mason. “The redevelopment of this property is another example that the city’s investment in Technology Park is paying off as we continue to see property vacant for years being purchased and redeveloped.”

Parkside’s development features new exterior windows and mechanical systems, enhanced facades, skylights, high ceilings and exposed brick.

Plans include an outdoor amenity space for Brightree’s employees and guests, as well as access to the Peachtree Corners Tech Park Trail, a 11.5mile multi-use trail connecting Atlanta Tech Park to the city’s new retail and housing projects.

Brightree CEO Matt Mellott said relocating to Peachtree Corners puts it close to the city’s new amenities.

One of the oldest buildings in Peachtree Corner’s Atlanta Tech Park is being converted into creative loft office space, and now bears the name Bureau 125 Tech Park.

Atlanta-based developer Parkside Partners is handling the two-phase project, which will redevelop the former Honeywell International Inc. office and warehouse space.

The Bureau has already drawn a prime tenant — Brightree LLC one of the 100

cities in the country,” he said.

“The 5G network will bring in a lot of new businesses.”

In fact, it already has.

The result of vision and hard work

Kuehn reported that about a year ago, Peachtree Corners was sitting at about 25 to 26 percent vacancy on office space. “It’s at about 21 percent vacant now,” he said.

This area used to have one of the highest commercial vacancies in Atlanta, Kuehn said. Now he is seeing significant momentum highlighted by the companies that are coming in.

“CarMax will be bringing approximately 300 employees to the Peachtree Corners market, and that’s a huge win. Crawford and Company has taken a large lease, and two others have committed to some significant space,” Kuehn said.

In December 2018, Hapag-Lloyd, a world-wide shipping company, announced an expansion of its space and an addition of over 360 jobs to the marketplace. The following month, ASHRAE, a global society advancing well-being through sustainable technology, decided

Brightree will occupy the first phase of the project. The second phase involves demolishing a 55,000 square-foot section of the building for additional parking and redeveloping an additional 40,000 square feet of office space for other tenants.

Renovations will begin in April, with a completion target date in December 2019. ■

to move its world headquarters to Atlanta Tech Park and renovate the building at 180 Technology Parkway.

“Brightree LLC has leased roughly 60,000 square feet, in the old Honeywell building at 125 Technology Parkway, and renovations are being done,” Kuehn said.

Many of the buildings in Atlanta Tech Park have been there for about 20 years and were being underutilized. Now the owners are making significant, permanent improvements and dressing up the exteriors… “and it’s making a positive difference to the city,” Kuehn said.

“Sometimes it takes a commitment to make all this happen,” Johnson said. “The city made the commitment for the business community and for the residents.” Since Peachtree Corners has a zero-millage rate, residents pay no property tax, he explained, so the services that the city offers are underwritten by the businesses through business license and sales tax revenue.

“We want to take good care of the businesses and business environment here,” Johnson continued, “and we’ve made some important steps that are starting to pay off.” ■ C

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April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

13

COMMUNITY

Samantha Shelton, CEO and founder of the Furkids animal rescue and shelter program, holds a puppy available for adoption while visiting Furkids’ new property in Cumming.

SPECIAL

Local Heroes Come to Animals’ Rescue

A

fter losing the German Shepherd rescue dog she’d loved for a decade when he died suddenly, Debbie Robinson said she’d never own another dog.

She decided that, when she was emotionally ready, she would instead foster homeless dogs at her Peachtree Corners home. She already had an organization in mind — Canine Pet Rescue (CPR), a Dacula-based nonprofit that rescues German Shepherds and other

By Donna Williams Lewis FEATURE PHOTOS BY MARK MCGOVERN

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herding breeds from kill shelters in the South.

Robinson and many other local residents are saving animals’ lives through CPR and other groups such as Furkids, an Atlanta-based animal rescue and shelter nonprofit that operates a thrift store in Peachtree Corners.

About a dozen Peachtree Corners residents, including CPR’s adoption coordinator Therese Aleman and foster coordinator Lila Hunter, volunteer or foster with CPR. Some of these volunteers and other local residents have adopted dogs through the organization, which helped find permanent homes for 100 dogs last year, Aleman said.

Meeting Maui

Robinson visited CPR two days after Dante died in July 2017 to donate his unopened medicine.

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

She let the group know she was interested in fostering but said she was not “100 percent ready.”

That resistance evaporated quickly. In September, she and her husband Barry accepted their first foster dog. In October, several foster dogs later, they took in the dog they could not part with — a thin, approximately 1-year-old German Shepherd they named Maui.

“For the first week, whenever she found a corner to hide in, that’s what she would do,” Robinson said.

The following week they got a call that someone was interested in adopting Maui. By that time, she had begun to allow the Robinsons to pet her and show her love.

“I just looked at Barry and said, ‘I can’t go through this again,“ Robinson said. Maui had found her new permanent home, and she’d brought with her a startling

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CONSIDER A SHELTER About 150,000 adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized every year in Georgia just because they are homeless, Furkids says.

Rescue groups want people looking to adopt specific breeds to know they have a good chance of finding them at shelters.

“It’s estimated that at least 25 percent of the dogs in kill shelters are purebred dogs,” said Canine Pet Rescue’s Therese Aleman, adding that there are rescue organizations specific to almost every breed.

Get help finding the animal you’re looking for on websites with searchable databases such as petfinder.com and furkids.org. ■

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Opposite page, far left, Debbie Robinson with Hobie and Maui.

Left, Debbie and Barry Robinson.

surprise.

Two weeks after arriving at the Robinsons’ home, Maui was at a vet’s office to be spayed when it was discovered that she was pregnant. She gave birth a week and a half later to 11 puppies. Eight males and one female, who was blind, survived.

CPR told the Robinsons they were willing to take the puppies off their hands, but the Robinsons chose to foster them all until they were old enough to be adopted out — a minimum of 10 weeks by CPR’s rules.

“We had a rip-roaring time,” Robinson said, of those days.

By last March, seven of the puppies had been adopted by families who regularly send the Robinsons pictures and news of them. The female dog was adopted by a service in Alabama that trained her to be a therapy dog.

The Robinsons kept one of the puppies and named him Hobie.

“I don’t think I would have made it through Dante’s passing if it hadn’t been for these dogs,” Robinson said. “I feel like Dante is back with me through Hobie.”

CPR always has about 20 to 24 dogs available for adoption, housing them in foster homes and in a kennel at the horse farm of Carla Brown, a Gwinnett County State Court judge who founded CPR 10 years ago, in April 2009.

Brown said the Robinsons are “amazing.”

“They really threw themselves into the organization in a way I know they didn’t intend to do, and they really went into it with their whole heart,” she said.

CPR is all-volunteer and privately funded through donations.

It’s a “a tiny rescue that does huge things,” including taking on large cases that some national rescues have turned their backs on, Brown said.

She then shared one of her organization’s mantras. “Saving one dog will not change the world,” Brown said, “but for that dog, the world will change forever.”

Second-hand savior

Furkids serves thousands of animals each year in what they say is the largest cage-free, nokill shelter in the Southeast for rescued cats and at Sadie’s Place, a no-kill shelter for dogs.

The group subsists on do-

nations and with proceeds from its thrift stores, including a 9,000-square-foot store in Peachtree Corners that sells a wide variety of donated, gently used, merchandise.

Samantha Shelton, the group’s founder and CEO and a Peachtree Corners resident, is grateful to her community for supporting the thrift store since 2007.

“It’s been a tremendous source of revenue to support our program and to help us save lives,” Shelton said. “Every time you donate an item from your home or come shopping with us, you’re truly saving an animal’s life.”

Furkids has rescued and altered more than 30,000 animals since its founding in 2002.

About 1,000 animals are in the program today in Furkids shelters, PetSmart and Petco adoption centers and more than 400 foster homes.

Last year, Furkids bought nine acres in Cumming, at 5235 Union Hill Road, to consolidate its shelters onto one property.

Also last year, the group launched its “TransFur” transport service, taking rescue animals from kill shelters across Georgia to no-kill shelters in Northern states, where there is high demand for adoptable animals. So far, 1,300 cats and dogs have been transported, Shelton said.

“We’ve done some amazing life-saving throughout metro Atlanta and all across Georgia and it’s really because of the community support that we’ve been able to save as many lives as we’ve been able to,” Shelton said. “We’re excited for the future.”

LEARN MORE Canine Pet Rescue — P.O. Box 248, Lawrenceville, Ga. 30046, 1-855-435-7473, caninepetrescue. com.

Furkids Thrift Store — 4015 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 400, Peachtree Corners, Ga. 30092, 770-817-1405, furkids.org.

Furkids’ cat shelter is just outside Peachtree Corners at 2650 Pleasantdale Road. Its dog shelter is in Alpharetta at 1520 Union Hill Road.

Furkids also has thrift stores in Marietta and Lawrenceville. ■

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April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

15

MOVE

Sports & Recreation

Park Yourself!

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n the first Sunday of daylight savings time, Simpsonwood United Methodist Church’s weekly youth group just couldn’t pass up some time outdoors.

Fortunately, there was an easy option: Simpsonwood, the huge county park across the street. A few dozen students and leaders, including me, marched across the street to the meadow where the church stages its “Walk Through Bethlehem” event each December. That Sunday night, there

By Meredith Blinder FEATURE PHOTO BY MARK MCGOVERN

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were no camels or wise men, just impromptu games of soccer, Ultimate frisbee and duck-duck goose.

Although Simpsonwood was the closest park for the youth group that day, it isn’t the only choice in our area. Peachtree Corners has four county parks — Holcomb Bridge, Jones Bridge, Pickneyville and Simpsonwood — that together offer almost 324 acres and nearly five miles of trails; they’re usually open from dawn to dusk.

“Connecting with nature is so important. It gives perspective and is calming,” said Sheila Fowler, a spokeswoman for the Gwinnett County Department of Community Services. “All of the parks are great for that.”

But each park is unique and has been a part of our communi-

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

One of the playgrounds at Pinckneyville Park.

Photo courtesy of Gwinnett County

ty’s fabric in different ways.

Jones Bridge, just past Simpson Elementary School, is familiar to generations of Peachtree Corners families who have spent their summer evenings or Saturday mornings there.

Holcomb Bridge, where the Pickneyville Arts Center once was located, is only 12 years old.

Simpsonwood, along Jones Bridge Circle, is even newer to the county park system, but it has seen tens of thousands of visitors across the decades.

And Pickneyville Park’s athletic fields, which include seven baseball and softball diamonds, are a hub for our community.

The nearby five-field Pickneyville Park Soccer Complex and the separate West Gwinnett Park Aquatic Center, which has two water slides, are both in Berkeley Lake.

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People often want to be close to parks, especially when they’re looking for great places to walk their dogs or pass the time when the weather is pleasant. That’s never a problem in Peachtree Corners.

HERE’S A QUICK GUIDE.

Holcomb Bridge

The smallest park in Peachtree Corners is just 12 acres, but its amenities are some of the most prized you can find at any park. Completed in 2006, it has two Chattahoochee River overlooks, and the park can be used for fishing and then grilling your catch while kids enjoy the playground.

“Holcomb Bridge is a hidden gem,” Fowler said. “When I visited, I was wowed. It’s small, but very nice and unexpected. It’s a little

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pocket of nature I really enjoyed.”

Jones Bridge Park

For Simpson parents looking for a park, Jones Bridge has always been a crowd favorite.

And I have many fond memories as a little girl playing soccer or splashing in the river.

I can walk by in the evenings now, especially at the end of a hot summer day, and still find families gathered along the river’s edge. Visitors can always find respite from the sun under the shade of the pavilion. Home to many cookouts and birthday parties, it was recently renovated along with the playground. Both the picnic shelter and restroom building were built with an A-frame style to mimic the large pavilion already on the site.

Beyond the river and the soccer fields, there’s also a volleyball court and a playground.

Picnkeyville Park

Pickneyville Park — the Peachtree Corners part and the section in Berkeley Lake — is among the area’s largest athletic

complexes. The Peachtree Corners section first drew attention for its baseball and softball fields.

But the 90-acre park also has two large pavilions, including one with a catering kitchen and picnic tables that can seat up to 400 people, along with a dog park, a pond and a meadow.

The park’s grounds also include the only outdoor roller hockey rink in the county, as well as a free-skate area. The roller hockey rink is home to roller hockey leagues organized by the Peachtree Booster Club. For more information, visit pbcsports.org.

Unlike many other county parks, Pickneyville Park doesn’t typically close at sunset. Instead, it’s generally open until 11 p.m.

Simpsonwood Park

Controlled until just a few years ago by the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, Simpsonwood became a county park after a legal battle and a sale. The result: a 223-acre park where it can feel like deer outnumber people.

The long-range plan is to keep

Simpsonwood as a passive park, so don’t expect the building of ballfields. Instead, the idea is to keep the park as a place of conservation where nature can be enjoyed without interruption.

Still, Simpsonwood Park may undergo some changes in the future. Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation has shared its $7 million preliminary master plan with the public.

While Simpsonwood Park has been master planned, there is no fund allocated for it in the current SPLOST program. There will be regular maintenance and the site will remain a conservation park. Any renovation project would be in the next SPLOST program, around 2020 at the earliest.

Proposed improvements in the master plan include river overlooks, a new pedestrian bridge and multi-use trail system. The existing meadowland will be re-vegetated with native wildflowers and native grasses to provide a wildlife habitat.

The park already has an unpaved trail that goes for about

three miles, along with a sand volleyball court and the meadow that can be used for picnics and games. Organized groups like scouts and churches can camp at the park, and the property’s old chapel remains available for weddings and similar events. A pavilion at the park can also hold more than 100 people. ■

SAFETY If there’s a sound of summer in parts of Peachtree Corners, it can be the roar of an emergency helicopter. The reason is almost always the same: Someone got trapped in the Chattahoochee, which just minutes before seemed like the ideal swimming spot.

County officials are most often called when the river’s water flow is increased, but there’s always a warning, if you know where to find it.

Please heed the reminder, “Before you go, check the flow.” To check for information about water releases, just call 770-945-1466 or check 1610 AM. ■

Peachtree Corners Business Association “Where Businesses Comes To Grow”

The Peachtree Corners Business Association is the premier networking organization for Gwinnett County and its largest city, Peachtree Corners.

PCBA hosts networking events, keynote speaker series, Connecting Over Coffee, grand openings/ribbon cuttings and more. In addition, PCBA actively supports charities, nonprofit organizations, and student scholarships raising over $73,000 since inception.

PCBA offers membership levels starting at just $125 / year.

Become a Member or Sponsor today and get a FREE TICKET to our April 25th PCBA Speaker Event!

Use Promo Code “PCBA419”. Call 678.969.3385 to redeem.

Already a member? No problem.

Use Promo Code “PCBA425” for $2 off when you register for this event.

678.969.3385 www.PeachtreeCornersBA.com

Pms 350 c Pms 369 c

April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

17

One Love Tennis Brings Tennis Championship to Peachtree Corners Young tennis talents will be competing this Spring right in the neighborhood.

One Love Tennis is set to host the 2019 Peach State Junior Closed Championship. The tournament is scheduled for May 24 through 28 and will bring more than 600 families to Peachtree Corners while top junior tennis players in Georgia — from ages 10 to 18 — compete in various age divisions.

Lifetime Athletic & Tennis in Peachtree Corners will be the main venue. Nearby satellite sites include Greater Atlanta Christian School, Hudlow Tennis Center, The Fields Club by the Forum, The Falls of Autry Mills in Johns Creek and Pro Tennis International.

“Partnering with United States Tennis Association Georgia (USTA Georgia), we’re making plans to ensure that this event becomes one of the premier junior tennis tournaments in America,” said Turhan Berne, founder and director of One Love Tennis.

Formerly named the Georgia State Closed Junior Qualifier, the tournament was hosted in Macon for over 30 years. Several professional players, including Melanie Oudin, Ashley Harkleroad, Robby Ginepri and Bobby Reynolds, have competed in the tournament through the years.

The event was renamed the Peach State Junior Closed Championship in 2016. That year, the Girls 18’s champion was Cori Gauff, who went on to become the 2018 French Open Junior Girls winner.

Established in 2000, One Love Tennis hosts youth tennis tournaments in Peachtree Corners and the Gwinnett area throughout the year, including the G12 USTA National Championship. For more information and a full list of tournaments, visit onelovetennis.com. ■

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GAC Coach named USTA Tennis Director of the Year

the Year Award sponsored by Signature Tennis. The annual awards are given to outstanding individuals in the tennis community. Winners are nominated by their peers and the USTA Georgia Awards Committee makes the final selections.

“Since our inception in 2017, the GAC Tennis Academy has focused on one primary goal: to provide a pathway for all abilities to learn, engage and develop as great tennis players,” Hutchinson said. “This award is a direct reflection of the passionate work that our staff has put into obtaining that goal. I couldn’t be prouder of the work we are doing to inspire young athletes.”

In February, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) awarded Scott Hutchinson, Greater Atlanta Christian School tennis director, with the 2018 USTA Tennis Director of

YMCA Festival Celebrates Healthy Kids The Robert D. Fowler YMCA in Peachtree Corners is one of

18 locations across metro Atlanta that will hold a free family festival — Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — to celebrate healthy kids, healthy families and healthy communities.

Healthy Kids Day Festival will feature games, activities and inflatables. And there will be music, healthy refreshments and smart snacks. Yoga and Zumba are some of the fun family exercises that will be demonstrated.

In collaboration with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the YMCA will offer vouchers for free swim lessons to the first 100 children at each Healthy Kids Day Festival location. Become a YMCA member at Healthy Kids Day, and your joining fee will be waived.

That’s up to a $100 value.

The Robert D. Fowler YMCA is at 5600 Jones Bridge Road, Peachtree Corners 30092. To find out more, call 770-246-9622 or visit ymcaatlanta.org. ■

Junior Tennis Academy Open at Life Time Tennis Academia Sánchez-Casal has partnered with Life Time Athletic and Tennis in Peachtree Corners to offer a venue for junior tennis players who aspire to play at the college or professional levels.

The tennis academy is led by coach and former No. 1 doubles player Emilio Sánchez Vicario.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Naples, Fl., Academia Sánchez-Casal has international hubs in China and Spain and has developed several elite players, including Svetlana Kuznetsova, Andy Murray, Grigor Dimitrov and Daniela Hantuchova.

“There are only a handful of tennis academies with an international reach,” said Bill Rennie, Life Time’s general manager. “With its strong ALTA presence, the metro area has long been known as the tennis capital of the South with a number of strong junior players. We are extremely pleased to partner with ASC on providing a premier junior tennis academy.”

Life Time Athletic and Tennis is a 90,000 square-foot facility that offers 28 indoor and outdoor tennis courts, six quick-start courts for kids, two paddle courts and a 2,600-seat tennis stadium.

Both Life Time and ASC have developed numerous tennis players of all levels and are well-known for their unique training systems.

“As the Executive Director of USTA Southern and as a member of Life Time – Peachtree Corners, it is most exciting to have a tennis academy of international acclaim coming to the area,” said USTA’s John Callen. “The Sánchez-Casal Academy will bring outstanding training opportunities to the most complete tennis and fitness facility in the state.”

Get more information at sanchez-casal.com and lifetime.life. ■

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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Have you done your research?

Use our School Comparison Guide to help you decide if GAC is a fit for your child.

Visit bit.ly/choosewell2019

Come visit GAC and learn why we’ve won Best Private School in Gwinnett since 2015.

Schedule a visit at bit.ly/tourgac.

April/June 2019 â– Peachtree Corners Magazine

19

BELIEVE Christ the King Easter and Spring Events Easter Eggstravaganza & BBQ Cook-off April 14, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

This free family event, open to the community, will have age-divided egg hunts for toddlers through 5th grade students. There’ll be a petting zoo, train rides, Easter Bunny pictures and much more. The Annual BBQ Cook-off offers free barbeque samplings and the opportunity to vote for your favorites.

Palm Sunday Worship Service April 14, 10 a.m.

Maundy Thursday Worship & First Communion April 18, 7 p.m.

Good Friday Worship Services April 19, 12 noon and 7 p.m.

Easter Breakfast April 21, 8-10:45 a.m.

Easter Sunday Services April 21, 8:45 a.m. (traditional) and 11 a.m. (contemporary) All events at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5575 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners 30092. Visit ctklutheran.org or call 770-449-1211 for details.

Peachtree Corners Presbyterian Church

5918 Spalding Drive, Norcross 30092 770-263-7005, pcarpchurch.org Palm Sunday Fellowship Luncheon and Egg Hunt Sunday, April 14, 12-2 p.m.

Faith, Belief & Purpose Simpsonwood United Methodist Chuch

4500 Jones Bridge Circle, Peachtree Corners 30092 770-441-2181, simpsonwoodumc.org

Easter Egg Hunt April 17, 4:30-7 p.m.

Good Friday Service April 19, 7-8 p.m., Sanctuary Building A Easter Sunday, April 21 Sunrise Service — 7 a.m.

Blend Service (traditional and contemporary) — 8:45-9:45 a.m.

Sunday School — 9:50-10:50 a.m.

Traditional Service — 11 a.m.-12noon

Peachtree Corners Baptist Church

4480 Peachtree Corners Circle, Peachtree Corners 30092 770-448-1313, pcbchurch.org Easter in the Corners April 21, 9:30 and 11 a.m.

At Easter at Peachtree Corners, everyone is invited to experience a creative, uplifting message along with powerful music. The Easter train will be available for the kids, as well as preschool activities and a special Easter Collide for elementary schoolers. There will be donuts and coffee and a special photo booth for the whole family.

Join us at Christ the King this Easter as we celebrate being Recreated in Jesus Christ.

Palm Sunday One Worship Service at 10 a.m.

Easter Eggstravaganza & BBQ Cook-off Sunday, April 14 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Rain or Shine!

Easter Sunday – April 21 Traditional Worship at 8:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship at 11 a.m.

5575 Peachtree Parkway Peachtree Corners 30092 770-449-1211 Ctklutheran.org

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Save the Date Vacation Bible School July 26-28, 2019

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

Mary Our Queen Catholic Church

6260 The Corners Parkway, Peachtree Corners 30092 770-416-0002, maryourqueen.com Holy Thursday, April 18 Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.

Good Friday, April 19 Stations of the Cross, 12 noon and 3 p.m.

Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 2 p.m.

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, 7 p.m.

Holy Saturday, April 20 Easter Vigil, 8 p.m.

Easter Sunday, April 21 Mass, 7, 8:30 and 11 a.m.; no evening mass

Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church

5100 S Old Peachtree Rd, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 770-449-4498, mtcarmel-umc.org Maundy Thursday Service April 18, 7 p.m.

Good Friday Service April 19, 7 p.m.

Egg Hunt April 20, 10 a.m.

Easter Services Sunrise, 6:45 a.m.; Worship, 9:30 and 11 a.m.

Passover and Shavuot Passover, Pesach in Hebrew, is an important Jewish observance that celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. This year, Passover begins at sunset on Friday, April 19 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, April 27.

In June, Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai, and is celebrated by the reading of the Ten Commandments in synagogues. Shavuot begins at sunset on Saturday, June 8 and ends at nightfall on Monday, June 10.

Learn more about Jewish holidays and community events at Congregation Beth Shalom, bethshalom.net, or Chabad Enrichment Center, chabadofgwinnett.org. ■

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Missions Program a Key Part of Christian Education Like all of us, the students and teachers at Wesleyan School enjoy their spring and summer breaks. For 270 Wesleyan School students and faculty members, however, the breaks allow them the opportunity to spend some of their time serving through mission teams.

During their spring break of March 18-25, Wesleyan School teams visited Clarkston, Ga., Chattanooga, Tn., Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Bulgaria. In June, a team will head to South Africa.

Wesleyan Head of School Chris Cleveland said that since 2005, the school has sent over 1,000 students and faculty “…to do what we believe Jesus Christ calls us to do — serve our neighbors. For our missions program, ‘neighbor’ can be right here in Atlanta, or in places like Bulgaria, South Africa, Ecuador or just up I-75 in Chattanooga.”

The program, which began with a handful of faculty and students on one trip, has become an annual tradition.

In addition to the spring break mission with teams traveling near and far, the school sends another team to more distant locations every other summer.

This year, a team will serve in South Africa.

“We find that not only does the missions program follow the command of Christ to serve our fellow man, but it also helps us fulfill what we are called to do as Christian educators,” said Wesleyan Director of Christian Life Greg Lisson. “When we travel with students to other places it helps students see who their ‘neighbor’ is, what service looks like and what other cultures

peachtreecornerslife

Bulgaria Jamaica

and life experiences look like.”

Cleveland added that the Wesleyan missions program is one of the most defining aspects of the school’s community.

“It’s a key part of our approach to Christian education,” he said, “and providing the opportunity for students to see firsthand what Christ-like service looks like is one of the most important things we do each school year.” ■ Puerto Rico

Mission Trip Succeeds in Helping Families in Kenya In July 2018, Peachtree Corners Baptist Church took part in a mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya.

Church members traveled there to serve people, including the orphans rescued by The Mully Children’s Family.

The Mully Children’s Family (MCF) in Kenya, founded in 1989, is a Christian-based charitable organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of thousands of children in need — street

children, orphans, abandoned, abused, HIV & AIDS affected and infected, desperate and neglected children — regardless of their religion, sex, color or tribe. MCF provides the children with food, shelter, clothing, education, medical care, spiritual guidance, mentorship and parental love.

Mike Small, the church’s Missions and Discipleship Pastor, shared a moving experience from the trip. “The mission team went

to a village to help a family that lost their father,” he said. “The family hadn’t had any food for four days, and the team brought enough food to feed the family for a month.”

The mother couldn’t work and even struggled to walk due to a problem with her left knee, Small explained. “After she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior, the team prayed over her and asked God to heal her knee and restore

her to good health. The Lord answered the team’s prayers and she was healed.”

He said the woman was able to walk without her cane and move about freely, “…and rejoice with the team.” With the help of The Mully Children’s Family, the mission team also rescued one of her children because, unfortunately, she could not afford to take care of him. ■

April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

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Out on the Town!

Town Center Opens this Spring

By Kathy Dean

T

he new Town Center will be a fitting centerpiece for Peachtree Corners.

The development brings together townhomes, office and retail space, restaurants and entertainment venues on more than 20 acres adjacent to Peachtree Parkway.

A few of the Town Center’s important features are a two-acre town green that includes two open air pavilions and a performance stage, a community of more than 70 upscale townhomes and a children’s play area. In honor of all past and present U.S. military veterans, a Veterans Monument is being

APRIL 27

constructed, with an official dedication scheduled for June 15.

There is a pedestrian bridge planned, at a total cost of $3.3-3.5 million, according to Councilmember Alex Wright. Construction of the two towers, one on each side of Peachtree Parkway, is set to begin in June. One tower will be located in the vicinity of the Lazy Dog restaurant, and the other will be near Chipotle and California Pizza on The Forum side of the street. The bridge span will be constructed off site and is expected to be installed in late 2019 or early 2020, he said.

Due to continued wet

MAY 4

Grand Opening Dedication of Town Center ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION will perform on stage.

KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY

May 25

weather this past winter, the Town Center’s opening date had been bumped back to later in the Spring. The opening date is set for April 27.

Grand opening celebration plans include a parade down Medlock Bridge Road and a concert by Atlanta Rhythm Section. Watch for more information as it becomes available at peachtreecornersga.gov and livinginpeachtreecorners. com.

Entertainment District

In May 2018, the Peachtree Corners City Council established an Entertainment District that includes the Forum shopping center area as

June 22

well as the new Town Center.

According to Diana Wheeler, the city’s community development director, the purpose of the Entertainment District designation is to relax some of the rules about alcoholic beverage consumption within the area of Town Center.

“This area is distinct and has outdoor entertainment and gathering spaces, so strict adherence to regulations about outdoor consumption would be impractical,” she explained.

“The city also may want to allow people to ‘brown bag’ for certain special events; the Entertainment District accommodates that.” ►

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April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

23

Out on the Town!

Several shops and restaurants are already open for business in the Town Center area, while others will be coming later this year. Here’s a rundown of some spots that you won’t want to miss.

Shops and services

We aim to eat well and eat healthy, so why shouldn’t our furry friends? Hollywood Feed is the place to get good food and good information about pet health and happiness. The specialty pet food/ supply shop offers high-quality foods and a wide variety of supplies made in the U.S., including treats, toys, beds and more.

At For Eyes, you’ll find an impressive selection of eyeglasses, sunglasses and contact lenses. They carry top brands in the latest styles and classic looks, so can look great and see even better.

There’s also an Independent Doctor of Optometry available for eye examinations by appointment.

The Boardroom Salon for Men ► boasts a relaxed grooming experience for men.

The salon provides professional haircuts, shaves and spa services in an elegant setting that features leather chairs and wood paneling. Clients even receive a complimentary drink.

You’ll look and feel gorgeous after a treatment at European Wax Center, a hair removal salon for men and women.

Their many waxing services include Brazilian, eyebrow and full body.

Some of the best

24

hair, nail and spa specialists are under one roof at My Salon Suite, a 5,100 square-foot community of independent salon owners. Each of the 26 private suite has top-of-theline equipment and luxury amenities.

Hand & Stone is the place to get relief from tight muscles, chronic pain, stress and athletic injuries. The Town Center location has therapists who are licensed, certified and registered in many massage techniques, including Swedish, Deep Tissue and Hot Stone.

The mission at Tipsy Salonbar is to help you feel your best every day. The wellness salon achieves this with their natural and organic products, and by offering a wide range of beauty and spa services in a serene, luxurious environment.

Looking for body care and make up? You’ll be amazed at the many choices at TONYMOLY. Skincare selections include lotions, mists and masks.

There’s a full range of makeup and collections such as The Black Tea London and Panda’s Dream.

Xfinity brings blazing high-speed internet, TV, mobile and voice services to your home. Drop into the store to see the many services and products available to you, as well as special offers.

ally and choose a variety of expressive coffees that showcase specific regions.

Known for quality and service, Gong Cha Tea ► offers freshly-brewed premium bubble tea. The tea

Eats and drinks

Revelator Coffee Company has a strong philosophy, simple offerings and an intentional menu to share with Peachtree Corners. The Revelator menu is fluid, since they source their coffee season-

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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is sourced from the finest Taiwanese tea estates and brewed fresh every four hours. Gong Cha’s specialty “Milk Foam” has a slightly salted cream topping above freshly brewed tea.

Start your day with freshly prepared breakfasts and lunches at First Watch.

Diners are met with a complimentary newspaper and pot of Project Sunrise coffee.

Breakfasts are made to order, with a menu that boasts the

classics, like omelets and French toast, to power wraps and quinoa bowls.

Eat well and eat healthy at Salata Salad Kitchen. ► Fresh fruits and vegetables are chopped daily, allowing you to choose a mix of lettuces and 50 different toppings, from tomatoes and cucumbers to pumpkin seeds and jicama.

Continued on the next page ►

April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

25

Top off your dish with a tasty, lean protein and housemade dressing.

Pokéworks ▼ brings the authentic taste of the Hawaiian Islands to Peachtree Corners. Build your own fresh poke, from base to topping, or

choose a signature work, like Wasabi Shrimp & Scallops or Sweet Ginger Chicken. Sides include hot miso soup and roasted seaweed.

The Latin-Asian fusion kitchen at Taqueria Tsunami uses fresh ingredients to bring together flavors from the Far East and South of the Border on one plate. A few menu samples are the Shrimp Tempura Taco and Dragonberry Mojito. It’s all served up in a fun, contempo-

buttermilk biscuits and an extensive bar menu.

Farm Burger features 100 percent grass-fed beef, as well as other local, sustainably sourced foods that are cooked from scratch with care. Side choices include onion rings, pimento cheese fries and seasonal salads. Finish your meal with a milkshake, wine or craft beer.

A contemporary, neighborhood feel is the setting for Marlow’s Tavern, where American tavern fare is updated and elevated. Enjoy a Tavern favorite, like the Roasted Vegetable Lasagna, while sipping a crafted cocktail. Brunch offerings include the delicious Lemon Ricotta Pancakes.

Upscale American dining in a polished casual atmosphere is the order of the day at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. Diners delight in the specialties of hand-cut aged steaks and fresh seafood prepared in a scratch kitchen.

There’s also a full selection of select wines and specialty cocktails. Don’t miss out on their choice desserts, like the crème brûlée cheesecake.

Lazy Dog is scheduled to open in Town Center this summer. The restaurant/bar with a small mountain town vibe has an extensive bar menu that features specialty and locally crafted beers. Look for the usual comfort foods like pizza and sandwiches, along with some more creative options.

For your sweet tooth

rary atmosphere.

Food Network celebrity Willie Degel is bringing Uncle Jack’s Meat House ▲ to Town Center this year.

As the name implies, the American bar and grill serves up steaks, chops and burgers.

But there’s more, like scratch

26

The mission at Tiff’s Treats is simple: make amazing cooking from high-quality ingredients and bake them when they’re ordered, so they’re delivered warm and fresh. Pick up is available, too. Place your order by phone or online and your favorite warm cookies will be ready in about 30 minutes.

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

Beard Papa’s began as a small bakery in Japan and is now known throughout the world for its fresh, flaky cream puffs. There are many flavors to choose from, such as honey butter and strawberry éclair. Watch for Beard

Papa’s delicious cream puff specials every month.

When it’s time for a frozen treat, it’s hard to do better than Kremo Ice Cream. ▲ Their hand-rolled gourmet ice cream comes in just about any flavor you could want, from basics like vanilla and chocolate to specialties like tiramisu and mocha latte. ■

An Elegant Twist on Dinner and a Show CMX CinéBistro Peachtree Corners has been described as a four-star restaurant that just happens to show movies. Now open at Town Center, the 35,132-square-foot theatre breathes new life into dinner-and-ashow date nights.

“Guests visiting our newest location can catch the latest releases while also enjoying superior cuisine and cocktails,” explained Matt Russell, vice president of operations for CMX Cinemas.

Diners arrive 30 minutes before showtime to place their orders as they settle in reclining leather loveseats in one of the six auditoriums. Swivel tables allow them to dine comfortably while watching the hottest Hollywood blockbusters.

The menu has a lot to offer, and it’s all prepared from scratch. Pastrami Spiced Wings and Crispy Cod Tacos are some of the Previews, and Features include Chicken and Churros, Pan Seared Scottish Salmon and Wagyu Skirt Steak.

Sandwiches, salads and sides round out the menu, as well as tempting desserts like the Chocolate and Hazelnut Mousse Cup. In addition to a long list of wine and beer choices, there are signature cocktails, including A Walk in the Clouds and High Noon. Guests are invited to enjoy drinks at the immersive bar before or after the show.

“While carefully crafting our menu, we kept the Peachtree Corners neighborhood in mind, making sure to include a variety of chef-driven options that will make every guest feel like they’re receiving a personalized experience,” said Isaac Stewart, vice president of culinary development for CMX Cinemas.

While guests aged three and older are welcome for all shows 6 p.m. or earlier, the children must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21. After 6 p.m., CMX CinéBistro Peachtree Corners becomes a 21-and-over-only theater.

Get information on shows and buy tickets at cmxcinemas.com. ■

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Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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COMMUNITY

Some, but not all, PC Mashers members from left to right: Tai Lynch, President Stephen Peet, Jim Blum, Dave Ratcliff, Jeff Scoggins, Dave Adelman, vice president Jay Brantley and new members Zach Voss and Paul McLanahan. SPECIAL

PC Mashers Gather Medals

M

embers of the local Peachtree Corners homebrew club, the PC Mashers, are dedicated to helping each other homebrew better beer. “The folks in the club are very welcoming and willing to share their experience,” said member Jim Blum.

“I went from relative newbie to award-winning brewer in a short time thanks to a great group of guys willing to share their knowledge.”

There’s plenty of friendly camaraderie around the making of beer, but there’s some serious competition as well. And the PC Mashers have received some well-deserved awards.

“When someone says your homebrew is good or great, are they being polite or is it true?

By Kathy Dean PHOTOS COURTESY OF PC MASHERS

When you win an award, a certified judge has said it meets the standards for that category,” explained Stephen Peet, president of the PC Mashers. There’s a practical aspect as well, he added, since “…when the beer is judged, you also get suggestions on how to improve it.”

For Jay Brantley, PC Mashers vice president, brewing is more of a passion than a hobby. “I strive to be the absolute best brewer I can,” he said, “and entering competitions is a great way to gauge my skill set. Truth be told, I’m actually more motivated by losing than I am winning, as it pushes me to work harder to perfect my craft.”

The 26th annual Peach State Brew Off, presented by Covert Hops Society, was held February 23, and the PC Mashers club tied for 9th place out of more than 15 clubs.

Several PC Masher members received awards, too. In the Pale Malty European Lager category, Dave Ratcliff won 1st place and Jim Blum took 3rd place. Dave Ratcliff got an Honorable Mention in a combined category that included his Irish Red Ale, and

Jay Brantley won 2nd Place in the Wood Beer category.

Brantley has been winning awards even before the PC Mashers club was formed two years ago, Peet said. In 2018, he received 16 medals in five different states with 10 different beers, including best of show for Suwanee Beerfest 2018.

Blum pointed out that Brantley was also named “2018 Best Homebrewer in Georgia” by followers of Beer Guys Radio (beerguysradio.com).

Another round of awards came to the club on March 9 at the Suwanee Beer Fest Homebrew competition. Dave Ratcliff received gold for his “My Vienna” Vienna lager; silver for his “Topper’s Irish Red” Irish Red Ale; bronze for his “Southern NEIPA” Specialty IPA; and he tied for 4th place overall of the 73 participating brewers.

Jay Brantley picked up gold for his “Gypsy King” Czech Premium Pale Lager; silver for his “St. James Nightcrawler” Irish Extra Stout; and he tied for 9th place overall. Jeff Scoggins got a gold for his “Mien Stein” Festbier;

bronze for his “Soggy Bottom Ale” English Golden Ale; honorable mention for his “Der Biergarten Pils” German Pils; and tied for 13th place overall.

Sterling Peet took home a silver for his “Simcoe Pale Ale” American Pale Ale, and Jim Blum claimed silver for his “Windsock Stout” Irish Stout. All those awards put the PC Mashers club in 1st place out of the 20 participating clubs.

“From a club perspective it’s completely awesome winning medals, as it’s a testament to our growth as a club and as individual brewers,” Brantley said. “We started out as a small group of homebrewing enthusiasts, most of us very new to homebrewing, and in a matter of a couple of years have grown into a top tier club.”

He added that PC Mashers’ success speaks volumes about the great group of members and their desire to teach, share and assist each other in perfecting their craft.

Peet agreed. “Going from

Continued on page 30

April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

29

COMMUNITY Continued from page 29 two members entering a homebrew competition last year and winning awards to having five members entering competitions this year and winning awards has been quite an accomplishment,” he said. “And that’s why our club was in first place for the Suwanee Beer Fest.”

Peet said two of his sons have been homebrewing for more than six years, and he started out by helping them. “We enjoy working together as a family, and literally drinking and sharing the fruits of our labor.”

For Blum, the biggest draw to homebrewing is that he likes beer.

“I enjoy entertaining at home and serving my homebrew to guests.

It always provides a unique addition to any party,” he said. “As a member with a bit less experience than others, winnings medals validates my brewing process.”

Brantley credited Sweetwater 420 as the beer that pushed him down the path of homebrewing almost 15 years ago. “The first time I had 420, I was absolutely amazed,” he said. “It was one of the best beers I’d ever had at that point and was so very different than the Budweiser-Miller-Coors type of beers that were pretty much the standard in Georgia.”

He became interested in exploring other non-mass-produced beers and eventually made his way to Belgian beers.

“The level of complexity, depth and nuance of Belgian beers are second to none, but they can also be very hard to come by and very expensive,” Brantley said.

So he and a couple of his college buddies looked into brewing their own Belgians, “…and the rest, as they say, is history. Not that I’m anywhere near to reaching the enlightened status of a Belgian monk, but I’m definitely trying my hardest!”

Brantley shared this advice: “If you enjoy craft beer and you’ve ever thought of brewing it yourself, it’s easier than you think. Come visit PC Mashers at our club meetings on the third Wednesday of every month at Peachtree Growler Company... you’ll be glad you did!” He also suggested checking out pcmashers.com. ■

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Crooked Creek Clean-Up Planned in May Crooked Creek is the principal watershed for Peachtree Corners.

Despite its natural beauty, the creek has suffered abuse. Local residents, The May 2018 cleanup included Bob and Lori Howard, Nancie and Bob Allen, Eric Christ, Bob Nebel and with help numerous employees from the Veritiv Corporation. from the city, ty. Veritiv Corporation is planning ners 30092, for a light breakfast. are taking to make the clean-up a company At that time, Howard will action to protect this important community service project, bringprovide instructions, garbage bags resource. ing about 20 employees to particiand gloves for participants before Bob Howard has planned a pate.

Howard believes another 30everyone heads to Crooked Creek. clean-up of Peachtree Corners plus Peachtree Corners residents, Once the clean-up is complete, the creek waterways on Saturday, May including elected officials, will be City of Peachtree Corners will pick 18, 9 a.m.-12 noon, weather permitinvolved. up all trash materials gathered ting. The event is organized by the Recently, he was contacted by a from the creeks and surrounding Peachtree Corners Green Commember of Mary Our Queen Catharea. mittee and Gwinnett Clean and olic Church who offered meeting To get involved and learn more, Beautiful, and Howard is coordispace prior to beginning the creek visit facebook.com/CrookedCreeknating the project on behalf of the clean-up.

Volunteers will meet at PeachtreeCorners or contact city with Jennifer Howard. the church, located at 6260 The Jennifer Howard at The project has been getting a Corners Parkway, Peachtree Corjhoward@peachtreecornersga.gov. ■ lot of support from the communi-

Birthday Celebration for Two Village Park Centenarians Two Peachtree Corners seniors recently celebrated their 100th birthdays with family and friends.

James Aguilar, a WWII veteran, was born March 3, 1919. Margaret Wischusen, born March 20, 1919, worked in a factory repairing airplanes during WWII. Both centenarians are residents at Village Park at Peachtree Corners, and they were recognized during a special birthday celebration at the senior living community.

Mr. Aguilar served in the U.S. Army during WWII coordinating civilian logistics during the reconstruction of Germany. There he met his future wife Norma Hayes; they married and raised five children. In his later years, he was a hands-on volunteer with

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

Habitat for Humanity for many years.

Mrs. Wischusen, a native of Malden, Massachusetts, spent her summers in Maine and attended Boston University where she studied Latin and Fine Arts. She met her husband during WWII. They married and were blessed with four children, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She enjoyed boating, gardening and traveling, and was a set designer for a local theatre.

Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason presented proclamations to each centenarian before a packed house of more than 75 people. Bob Ballagh, executive director for the Peachtree Corners Veterans Monument, presented each with a plaque, recognizing Mr. Agular’s service to our country and Mrs. Wischusen for her support for her husband during wartime. peachtreecornerslife

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Left to right, Mike and Debbie Mason, Mrs. Wischusen’s son, Henry Wischusen.

Seated, Margaret Wischusen.

SPECIAL

The event was followed by dinner, a live concert and a giant cake that was shared with friends and family. ■

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Book Notes

Save the date!

This list of the most often checked out library books in Peachtree Corners is provided thanks to Elissa Checov, Manager of the Peachtree Corners Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. The information covers January and February 2019.

Past Tense: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child

By Donna Williams Lewis Planning is in high gear for the ninth annual Peachtree Corners Festival, a free arts and crafts and concert event that draws about 15,000 people over three days. Always held on the second weekend in June, the 2019 festival is set for Friday to Sunday, June 7-9, at The Corners Office Park.

About a half mile of The Corners Parkway, from Holcomb Bridge Road to Mary Our Queen Catholic Church, will be blocked off for the event.

Long Road to Mercy by David Baldacci

What can you expect?

Peachtree Corners Festival Returns in June

What Our Neighbors Are Reading

MYSTERY Top 5 The Reckoning by John Grisham

1

A Delicate Touch by Stuart Woods

Author Katie Lester’s First Children’s Book Published Mascot Books has announced the release of Picky Pig Pete, written by Katie Lester. The adorable book is about a picky pig and his favorite meal.

Now a Peachtree Corners resident, Lester grew up on a South Carolina farm and graduated from Furman University with a degree in studio art. She works with many different types of art mediums, but her favorites are illustrations and children’s décor.

She lives with her husband, Mark, her son, Brandon, and their dog, Toby. Picky Pig Pete is Lester’s first children’s book, inspired by her son, who is a picky eater just like she was as a child. Brandon’s favorite meal, of course, is PB&J. ■

Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly

FICTION AND ROMANCE Top 10 Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks

1

A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens The Best of Us: A Sullivan’s Crossing Novel by Robyn Carr

5

Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella

Why have a festival?

Crucible: A Thriller by James Rollins The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris One Day in December by Josie Silver

NON-FICTION Top 10 Becoming by Michelle Obama

1

Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave by Joanna Gaines Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis Ship of Fools by Tucker Carlson

5

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover Killing the SS by Bill O’Reilly Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou Everyday Millionaires by Chris Hogan The Library Book by Susan Orlean

Headlining this year’s Friday night concert is Atlanta-based Rumours, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band that has appeared in major venues around the country. Runnin’ Down A Dream, an Atlanta-based Tom Petty tribute band, opens the concert.

Once again, the festival will feature more than 100 handmade arts and crafts booths representing vendors from across the South. Among other returning attractions are car and bike shows featuring classic cars on Saturday and British cars on Sunday and the “Kids Korner” with carnival rides.

Live music will be performed throughout the festival and the ever-popular lobster food truck will be back among the food vendors. Festival visitors can expect some new twists that weren’t ready for announcement at press time.

9

Peachtree Corners Festival is all about bringing the community together for a good time, but its ultimate goal is to foster community pride and civic involvement. The nonprofit festival costs about $80,000 to $100,000 to stage, a sum footed almost entirely by sponsors, including the City of Peachtree Corners.

Any proceeds from the all-volunteer effort are donated to area education and beautification efforts.

Dave Huffman is in his sixth year as president of the festival. The retired electrical engineer and his wife, Laura, both Georgia Tech grads, have been Peachtree Corners residents since 1986. Their son Matthew graduates from Georgia Tech in May. Huffman is an active volunteer, including longtime work in refugee resettlement and at Pinckneyville Middle School. Several years ago, the Festival Committee was asked to also take on the city’s holiday parade, usually held in late November, and work on the Peachtree Corners Festival begins in January every year.

“It’s a lot of work,” Huffman said of the festival. “But when you get there, and it’s going on, and you see people having a good time and eating and kids playing, it’s all worthwhile.”

Who makes it happen?

The Festival Committee roster currently includes President Dave Huffman, Vice President Debbie Mason and the following other members: Matt Collins, Lori Howard, Bonnie Marshall, Linda O’Connor, Karen Walkup, Cept Harden, Shara Crespo, Ayanna Graham, Becky Lyon and Patti Creasman.

The committee is looking for more festival volunteers.

To sign up, visit peachtreecornersfestival.com. ■ April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

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NOURISH

Food, Drinks & Music

sweets & treats Donut Bread Pudding A twist on your favorite breakfast treat comes in the form of this decadent dessert. Made in-house and from scratch, it’s the perfect balance of salty and sweet. The dough is soft and tender with lemon crème pâtissière and salted butterscotch — and to top it all off — a dollop of cinnamon whip cream.

Donut Bread Pudding is just one of CinéBistro’s tasty dessert options.

CMX CINÉBISTRO Town Center, 5180 Town Center Boulevard Peachtree Corners facebook.com/cmxcinebistropeachtreecorners cmxcinemas.com

Custom Cakes Don’t let the name fool you.

While cupcakes are Gigi’s signature treat, there’s more where that came from. Gigi’s is a full-service, family-owned bakery that specializes in custom cakes that come in various sizes and designs. They offer themed cakes fit for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday party or wedding.

Pictured here is a semi-naked vanilla cake decorated with beautiful hand-piped flowers. It looks so good you almost don’t want to eat it!

GIGI’S CUPCAKES The Forum, 4880 Peachtree Corners Circle Suite 1130 Peachtree Corners gigiscupcakesusa.com/norcrossgeorgia Image provided by Gigi’s Cupcake

Cream Puffs Cream puff? More like dream puff! Beard Papa’s which originated in Japan, has the most fresh and natural cream puffs in the game. The puff shells and custard cream used to fill the delicious puffs are made fresh every day from scratch right in the kitchen! The natural ingredients include Madagascar vanilla beans. There are a variety of cream puff flavors to choose from, ranging from your classic vanilla and chocolate to more extravagant flavors, like crème brûlée and espresso.

BEARD PAPA’S facebook.com/BeardpapaATL Town Center, 5215 Town Center Boulevard, Suite 620 Peachtree Corners Image provided by Beard Papas

By Kinsey Figliolini SELECT PHOTOS BY KINSEY FIGLIOLINI OTHERS SUPPLIED BY SOURCE

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Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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The Wonder Egg

Quesitos

Strawberry Tart

A traditional dessert from Puerto Rico, quesito is a puff pastry consisting of cream cheese and covered in sugar. The perfect shade of golden brown you see on the outside is a result of the caramelization of the sugar — absolutely mouthwatering! This treat pairs perfectly with a cup of hot coffee.

Pablo’s Bakery takes a unique approach to the classic strawberry tart dessert.

It’s prepared in-house, like many of their other treats. The dough is made like a cookie, then the tart and the frangipane are baked to perfection. It’s topped with cream and, of course, fresh strawberries with little sprinkles of chocolate.

The ultimate Easter treat is Peterbrooke’s Wonder Egg! While a chocolate egg is exciting enough, break the Wonder Egg open for a pleasant surprise – chocolate covered popcorn! Are you the lucky winner? One of the eggs has an additional surprise hidden inside: a $100 gift certificate. Chocolate eggs are not the only indulgent treats. Peterbrooke also has chocolate bunnies, and a diverse array of them — whether it’s vanilla, dark or milk chocolate you prefer. Most of their treats are made right in-house.

PETERBROOKE CHOCOLATIER The Forum, 5135 Peachtree Parkway Suite 930 Peachtree Corners facebook.com/PeterbrookeAtlanta (770) 817-8118

PABLO’S BAKERY & CAFE 5075 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 101 Peachtree Corners facebook.com/pablosbakerycafe (770) 676-5784

Tres Leches A traditional Latin specialty, tres leches consists of three milks: evaporated, condensed and heavy cream. This moistened sponge cake is made fresh and in-house at Mojitos daily. The cake is garnished with a lush red cherry to top it all off. It’s a sweet treat that will melt in your mouth. Delish!

Guava Cheesecake Cuban American restaurant Mojitos has cleverly taken the classic Cuban treat of crackers with cream cheese and guava paste and transformed it into a cheesecake! It’s their original, and also their signature, dessert — found nowhere else. The cream cheese is guava infused and the icing is made in-house as well.

Cheesecake is an American favorite, while the guava adds a brilliant Cuban flair.

MOJITOS AT THE FORUM 5161 Peachtree Parkway Suite 630 Peachtree Corners mojitosbistro.com April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

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P

COMMUNITY

erhaps you’ve seen him walking the streets of Peachtree Corners. He’s the guy wearing the floppy hat, shorts and sandals and carrying a 22-pound backpack. David Nixon is in training.

He’s preparing for a Big Walk this spring and summer and maybe fall, too.

The 53-year-old Nixon plans to hike the Appalachian Trial, which stretches from Maine to Georgia. That’s nearly 2,200 miles.

The average time hikers need to finish the full trail is five to seven months. Four out of five who start it don’t finish. Nixon is not deterred.

“People have done it before,” he said. “I’m just a guy walking.”

Besides, he likes nature and he feels he’s ready for the challenge the trail provides. He wants to make the hike while he’s still young enough to do it.

He’ll hike alone. He just wants to see what he can see. He may get to know other hikers along the way, but he’ll be dependent on himself. He likes the idea of self-reliance. Everything about the hike “feels right,” he said.

Nixon plans to start in Damascus, Va. (nicknamed Trail Town USA) and hike north to Maine, then return by car to Virginia and hike the southern portion of the trail back to Georgia.

He likes the idea of winding up in Georgia, he said. “It’s kind of neat for someone from Georgia to walk home,” he said.

He started thinking about hitting the trail after he retired in 2017 from a career as a software developer. Nixon describes himself as the kind of guy who likes to keep moving.

“I can’t sit still for long,” he wrote in his online blog. “I’m constantly bouncing back and forth between things. I read some, listen some, watch some. … I get antsy and have to make some progress on some things, I go on a long walk, do some pushups, pull ups, etc. There’s always something.”

He’d always liked competing in sports. “Basketball, running, golf, triathlons, tennis” he said. Even, for a time, roller hockey. But he

By Joe Earle PHOTO BY JOE EARLE

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‘I’m Just a Guy Walking’ Taking on the 2,190 mile, 14 state hike of the Appalachian Trail

could feel his body slowing down.

“Age happens,” he said. Running became walking.

At the same time, he says he’s not much of a joiner. “It’s all about freedom. At the end of the day, I just want to be free. … I call myself a proficient slacker. I’m the guy who sits in the back of the room. I’m not going to be engaged. I want a foot out the door.”

He likes to get away and visit new places. “My vision of retirement is just to be gone,” he said. “I want to live and do things.”

When his two sons were growing up, the family took road trips together. They’d hit the road for two to three weeks each summer. They stopped by national parks and saw the sights from Louisiana and Texas to Oregon and Canada. “Just being gone and seeing things from the van,” he said. “[We] loved it.”

But his sons are older now, in college and high school. They have their own interests and aren’t as eager to join in lengthy family vacations, he said. “The kids don’t want to be gone,” he said. “Our life was changing.”

And his wife still is working as a teacher and has no plans to retire for a few years, he said.

So, Nixon started thinking about taking long hikes. That led him to thinking about the Big Dog of long hikes, the Appalachian Trail. It would offer a chance to challenge himself physically while seeing new places.

“We all have such limited time on Earth, and it comes fast,” he said.

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

Now he’s deeply involved in preparing for the hike. He reads others’ discussions of trail life on the internet and listens to podcasts about the trail. He lays out his own plans and preparations on his blog, Dave’N It Up on blogspot.com.

The name, he said, came years ago when a friend accused him of “Dave’n it up” when talking about his buddies. Now he thinks that could become his “trail name,” the nickname hikers use on the trail.

He blogs periodically about his preparations for the hike. A couple of recent posts focused on his backpack. “My pack,” he said.

“I love it.”

After all, the pack will be his companion for months in the woods. It contains his “sleep system” (a sleeping pad and quilt, but no sleeping bag), his tent, his dried food, his emergency kit, a plastic bag to carry out his waste. He’ll wear his floppy hat, shorts, longsleeved shirt and sandals and carry a light-weight pullover for cold nights.

Everything is designed to cut down the weight he’ll have to carry, Nixon said one recent morning as he unloaded his pack and laid out its contents on the floor of his den.

“That’s the thing with a pack. You want everything to be accessible, but [at the same time] out of the way,” he said. “It’s contradictory.”

He’s thought carefully about every item he’ll carry.

The idea is to be ready for about anything, but to carry as little as possible. Things have multiple uses: a rain jacket also is a windbreaker. Things in the pack are

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wrapped in white plastic garbage bags to keep them dry. If it rains, the bags can double as rain gear.

While hiking, he plans to use the GPS on his phone to keep track of his progress. He may try to blog or post photos from the trail, he said. “The most important thing is hiking at your own pace,” he said.

He wants to keep things simple, he said. He read a bit of Thoreau and found himself asking his wife how “this guy got inside in my head.” The message: simplify. “I want, in a complicated world, to minimalize it,” he said.

And to keep moving. ■

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KNOWLEDGE

Education & Experiences Fall Registration Opens for Alefbet Preschool

Paul Duke STEM High School Takes to the Skies with STEAM Grant

Alefbet Preschool at Congregation Beth Shalom has opened its fall registration for 2019-20. The preschool, available to children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age, engages children in rich and creative learning opportunities.

Experienced educators nurture every child while sharing strong and enduring Jewish values. Full, extended and core day options are available.

Conveniently located in Dunwoody, Alefbet Preschool is a Bright from the Start Georgia State licensed preschool and an Alef Fund approved school. Visit alefbetpreschool.com to learn more and register.

Norcross Student’s Art Selected for Show The airspace around Peachtree Corners is about to get busier as Paul Duke STEM High School (PDSHS) students reach upwards in their education. The school was awarded the 2019 Infinite Energy STEAM Education Grant.

Thanks to a collaboration with the city and Prototype Prime, the school received the $2,000 grant, which will be used to launch an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Program (UAV). The drone program is designed to engage students in designing, building and operating drones for professional applications, as well as racing.

“The UAV Program is a natural extension of our STEM curriculum,” said Jonathan Wetherington, PDSHS Principal.

“Students apply their knowledge from classes in math, physics, engineering and the arts to specific real-world drone applications.

“We’re grateful for this generous award from Infinite Energy through the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation and hope we can help other schools

replicate similar programs in the future. Thanks to the support from the City of Peachtree Corners and Prototype Prime, our students have meaningful projects waiting for them.”

The award will allow the school to begin purchasing the specialty equipment, according to Stephen Cochran, Program Sponsor and Engineering & Computer Science Teacher. “In the first year, we hope to offer several professional services, including conducting aerial photography or videography for city planning and marketing projects and producing a live drone show.”

It was the students’ practical application that was the deciding factor in awarding the grant to the Paul Duke STEM High School.

With the city’s support, students will be working with the Public Works Department assisting with storm water inspections utilizing drones to photograph areas not easily accessible on foot.

The list of proposed 2019-2020 UAV student projects also includes an “Intelligent Corridors”

Front row, left to right: UAV Program Director Stephen Cochran; students Noah Budnitz, Josh Taylor and Smith Patel; Therman the Infinite Energy mascot; students William Tomsik and Seysla Chann-Hong; and School Technology Coordinator Lee Conger.

Selina Pena, a senior at Norcross High School, had a jewelry piece selected to be exhibited in a mini-show at The Art Institute of Atlanta. She also received an honorable mention for her work.

Back row, left to right: Paul Duke STEM HS principal Dr. Jonathan Wetherington and Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason.

Pena’s selected art will be on display at the institute in the Janet S. Daly Gallery. The Art Institute of Atlanta is located at 6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta 30328, and will hold an open house on April 27 beginning at 10 a.m.

documentary, which would detail the installation of the Intelligent Mobility Track by Prototype Prime and City of Peachtree Corners. Production of a 4th of July live entertainment light show in the new Town Center is also on the list.

“The students at Paul Duke STEM High School have an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason. “They are our future technology leaders.

The city of Peachtree Corners is thrilled to support their training and development, and we look forward to partnering on many exciting projects.” ■

NHS Reflections Winners Norcross High School has announced three student winners of the Georgia PTA Reflections program, a national PTA and state PTA cultural arts competition. They are Rachel Lee, 9th grade, Visual Arts; Anna Tomsik, 12th grade, 3D Visual Arts; and Amy Lokhorst, 9th grade, Music Composition.

Check out our podcast “The ED Hour” discussing educational issues. You can find it at LivinginPeachtreeCorners.com.

April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

35

KNOWLEDGE

Education & Experiences

Greater Atlanta Christian Students Gain Competitive Edge via Mock Trial A team of 20 students from Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC) had an exceptionally strong season at the Georgia Mock Trial Competition, thanks in part to superb coaching from attorney Joi Fairell, other members of the Fairell Firm and Judge Tangela Barrie of the Superior Court of DeKalb County.

With the support of the legal professionals and faculty coaches Gary Crane and Mary Lynn Huett, GAC students placed second in the region and several students earned individual awards: • Eunice Park, two Outstanding Attorney Awards • Parker Hallock, two Outstanding Attorney Awards • Jena Vo, Outstanding Witness Award • Jessica Israel, Outstanding Attorney Award, Championship Round, and • Vincent Huynh, Outstanding Witness Award, Championship Round.

The students advanced to the District Tournament on February 23. Eunice Park and Parker Hallock each received an Outstanding Attorney award, and Vanessa Huynh was honored with an Outstanding Witness award.

GACS Concert Choir Debuts at Carnegie Hall The Concert Choir at Greater Atlantic Christian (GAC) School made its first appearance at New York’s Carnegie Hall on March 23 as part of MidAmerica Productions’ 36th annual concert season. The choir was an integral part of a larger group performing Morten Lauridsen’s contemporary classic, Lux Aeterna, under the baton of conductor John Ratledge with the New England Symphonic Ensemble.

Several of the GAC Concert Choir students who performed at Carnegie Hall are Peachtree Corners residents: Autumn Clark, Bronwyn Bailey, Julian Fernandez and Katherine Kenworthy.

“This is something we’ve been working towards for a long time,” said Dr. Marcus Miller, Director of the Concert Choir, “…it’s important we show them that their artistic aspirations can take them anywhere, including to the greatest concert stage in America.”

Left to right, Ms. Mary Lynn Huett, Parker Hallock, Jenna Vo, Eunice Park, Joi Ferrell, Ellie Shaffer, Mary Grace Manton, Chloe Challas, Audrey Geib, Vanessa Huynh, Prinathi Singareddy, Victoria Nguyen, Parker Hallock, Jenna Vo, Vincent Huynh, Eunice Park, Ruth Park, Navya Sarikonda, Jessica Israel, Sarah Daye, Mr. Gary Crane and Judge Tangela Barrie.

High Museum Displays Art by Three Paul Duke Students

Paul Duke STEM Students Receive Reflections Awards

Three students of Paul Duke STEM High School have artwork on display at the High Museum.

The artists — Monica Sandoval-Garcia, 10th grade; Kimberly Hererra-Araujo, 11th grade; and Rachel Rodriguez, 11th grade — will have their artwork shown at the museum through April 21.

Two Paul Duke STEM students — Rijul Meta, 9th grade, and Nathan Haynes, 11th grade — have received awards through the Georgia PTA Reflections program. The program is a national PTA and state PTA cultural arts competition, and both Paul Duke STEM students are being recognized in the Music category.

Continued on page 38

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SESSION

Have to be Two by December 31st 2018

SESSION

Primrose School of Peachtree Corners

770.409.8732

PrimrosePeachtreeCorners.com

Each Primrose School is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools is a trademark of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2018 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved. “Ages for Summer Adventure Club program vary by location.

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Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

July 22 -26

Have to be Two by December 31st 2018

SESSION

At Primrose Schools Summer Adventure Club, children become engineers, artists, explorers and more as they discover the joys of design thinking, a fun and innovative way to learn. Engineering design challenges, experiments and themed activities await as children unlock new ways of thinking - all while having a blast!

June 24 -28

Christ the King Preschool Summer Camps for ages 2 - Rising Kindergartners

August 12 -16 Have to be Two by December 31st 2018

M-F from 9:30 - 1:00 $125.00 per session, $50 due by 5/10, remainder due on first day of camp

www.ctk-preschool.org ☼ 770.449.7217 5575 Peachtree Parkway, in Peachtree Corners

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W E S L E YA N

SUMMER

CAMPS

Summer Camps Play with a Purpose!

7:00am – 6:00pm*

Navigate around the world with Adventure Camps this summer.

Speciality Themes, Art, Music, Sports, and Swim camps available.

Register Today!

Locations throughout Gwinnett County

770.822.8840 gwinnettPARKS.com

Full-day

*

Adventure Camps

$126

Ages 4 – 13

JOIN US FOR A SUMMER OF FUN! Sign up today: WWW.WESLEYANSCHOOL.ORG/SUMMERCAMPS

April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

37

NHSFE Annual Gala to Be Held at Atlanta Tech Park

Wesleyan’s STAR student for the 2018-2019 school year based on her single-sitting SAT score and GPA. She is also a finalist for the Stamps President’s Scholarship Program at Georgia Institute of Technology.

The Norcross High School Foundation for Excellence (NHSFE) has announced that its 2019 Gala — set for Friday, May 3 — will be held at Atlanta Tech Park (ATP) again this year.

Spring 2019 Wesleyan School Events Open to the Public

NHSFE co-president Sandy Greenstein said that Atlanta Tech Park is an ideal location for the event. “We are thrilled to have access to technical resources that allow guests to remain engaged and support the success of our event,” she added.

The Gala will honor NHS Hall of Fame inductees: Bob and Jenny Chapin, NHSFE board members and past co-presidents; Angie Hembree, retired NHS teacher and Lady Blue basketball coach; and Dawn Muchow, NHSFE

Wesleyan School invites the public to several events this Spring.

Over 500 guests attended NHS Foundation for Excellence Gala 2018 at Atlanta Tech Park.

board member, past co-president and past treasurer.

Chef David will cater the Gala and Peachtree Growler Company will

Golf Tournament Supports NHS Football Program

football head coach Keith Maloof.

“Go Blue Devils!” Call the coach’s office at 770-582-7508 for more information.

Golfers are invited to take part in the Norcross Touchdown Club Golf Tournament on Tuesday, April 23 at Rivermont Country Club, 3130 Rivermont Parkway, Johns Creek 30022. Registration starts at 11 a.m., and play begins with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

National Merit Finalist

The cost — $150 per player or $600 for a foursome — includes 18 holes of golf, lunch, door prizes and silent auction. The tournament helps support the Norcross High School football. “Because of your financial support, our student athletes have an equal chance to be the best,” said NHS

Wesleyan Artist Market – April 25-27

Wesleyan School has announced that Jennifer Nolan (right) has been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, an honor that only 1 percent of high school seniors nationwide receive. She now moves to the final round of competition in the hopes of becoming a National Merit Scholar and earning scholarship money.

A four-year member of Wesleyan’s state-champion softball team, the varsity track team and Mock

Now Enrolling for the 2019-20 School Year Ages 1-5.

Play Based Half-Day Program Spanish, Music, P.E. and more

Over 100 artists from throughout the region will showcase and sell their art at Wesleyan in the 21st annual Wesleyan Artist Market.

Admission is free. More at wesleyanartistmarket.org.

provide beer and wine. Tickets to the Gala are $100 per person and are available for purchase online at norcrosshighfoundation.org. ■

Wesleyan Junior Wolf Players Present Honk! — May 1-4 The Wesleyan middle school theater will present Honk!, the musical story of the ugly duckling. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at wesleyanschool. org/tickets.

Wesleyan Summer Camps — registration now open Children can explore a wide range of interests at Wesleyan summer camps. Full- and halfday options are available. The one-week camps are open to the public and held on the Wesleyan campus. See wesleyanschool.org/ camps for details.

Trial, Nolan is also a three-year member of Team Omicron and Wesleyan’s math team and serves as a peer leader for freshmen.

Recently, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce named Nolan as

Summer Tech Camps

More Education Updates on page 44

New Location!

PEACHTREE CORNERS PROTOTYPE PRIME

Nationally Recognized Early Bird Special

(770) 441-9444

Alpharetta Lawrenceville

Located across from Simpsonwood Park in Peachtree Corners

Peachtree Corners

4500 Jones Bridge Circle, Peachtree Corners, Georgia 30092 simpsonwoodumc.org/sumc-preschool/

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Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

KIDS4CODING.COM

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Roswell

INSIDE PEACHTREE CORNERS

From the Mayor’s Desk

Town Center Grand Opening and More News Town Center Construction on our new Town Center continues. As some of you have probably already discovered, a number of restaurants and several retail shops are already open including the newly-opened Cinebistro. And there are more to come: You may find a complete list on the city’s website at www.peachtreecornersga. gov then click on the link near the top right side of the page titled “Town Center News.”

Work on the Town Green and Veterans Monument is underway, but the exceptionally rainy winter has delayed the progress. We are planning a Town Center Grand Opening on April 27.

Watch for more details in the coming weeks.

Our Town Center will be a wonderful gathering place for the community. The Town Green will include two open air pavilions, large ovalshaped lawn, performance stage, large screen TVs and café tables. Be sure to watch for a save-the-date announcement with details on the grand opening celebration.

New Planning Commission, ZBA Members Members who serve on the city’s Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and Downtown Development Authority (DDA) are all residents who volunteer their time and talent to these important municipal bodies of our city government.

At our last city council meeting, we announced and welcomed several new members. Joining the Planning Commission is Jim Blum, (who moved from the ZBA board). Also joining as a new Planning Commission member is Shanga White. Blum and White are replacing Mark Middleton and Italia Metts who have served on the Planning Commission for the past seven years. We thank Mark and Italia for their service to the City. Lance Campbell and Joseph Collins will serve as alternates on the Planning Commission.

The new ZBA members are James Kucik (replacing Jim Blum) along with Jed DeLong and Sherry Ferguson, both who will serve as alternates. Our thanks to Jim Blum, who served on the ZBA for the past seven years (and now serving on the Planning Commission).

grant to the city to expand Prototype Prime in recognition of the economic impact of a startup incubator in launching new businesses and creating new jobs.

This is exciting news for the city. This grant will allow the city’s incubator to further enhance the impact of economic development in Peachtree Corners. The grant will fund the acquisition of the property which, in turn, will allow Prototype Prime to further develop and attract early stage software and hardware startup companies.

Looking ahead We have much to look forward to in the coming year, the opening of the Town Center, the continued work on the multi-use trails. In March construction began on Technology Parkway to convert the 1.5-mile road to accommodate the Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners, an intelligent vehicle test track that will be used to develop and test self-driving shuttles.

New businesses continue to open and relocate in Peachtree Corners. CarMax just announced it will open a Customer Experience Center bringing over 300 new jobs to our city and Brightree, a cloud-based software company, is relocating its headquarters to Technology Park. The company will move from Lawrenceville into the former Honeywell property which is being completely renovated into trendy loft office spaces.

And just recently the city learned it had received a Smart 50 Award in the “Mobility” category by Smart Cities Connect, which promotes the adoption of smart technology solutions.

The award recognizes communities that are developing and adopting smart technology solutions for the betterment of communities and their citizens.

The City Council and I thank you for your continued support. Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns. Our contact information is located on the city’s website, www. peachtreecornersga.gov – just click on the link at the top of the page labeled “Contact Us.”

Prototype Prime Grant

Sincerely,

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration announced recently that it would award a $1.8 million

Mike Mason, Mayor

Be sure to visit the city’s new YouTube Channel Peachtree Corners Network at Youtube.com/peachtreecornersnetwork

Mike Mason, Mayor

Gwinnett County’s newest and largest city, Peachtree Corners, was founded July 1, 2012 and is located along the Chattahoochee River in the southwest corner of the county. The city is home to over 40,000 residents and 2,300 businesses.

Peachtree Corners City Hall 310 Technology Parkway Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 Telephone: 678-691-1200 April/June 2019 ■ Inside Peachtree Corners

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INSIDE PEACHTREE CORNERS New Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission Members, left to right: Jim Kucik, ZBA, Jed DeLong, ZBA, Sherry Ferguson, ZBA, Mayor Mason, Shanga White, Planning Commission, Jim Blum, Planning Commission, Joe Collins, Planning Commission, Lance Campbell, Planning Commission.

CarMax to Open Customer Center, Add 300+ Jobs CarMax announced recently it is opening a new Customer Experience Center in Peachtree Corners creating over 300 new jobs. Over the next few months CarMax will hire customer experience consultants, assistants and managers to work at the new center located at 5707 Peachtree Parkway.

CarMax, the largest retailer of used cars and Fortune 500 company, said the center will offer a customer-driven buying experience that the company plans to scale nationwide. Through the center, customers can buy a car on their terms, whether they want to buy a car completely from home, in-store, or both. Employees at the new Customer Experience Center in Peachtree Corners will assist customers over the phone or online to help them find their ideal vehicle, navigate financing, and provide any assistance needed.

“We are pleased to have CarMax’s new Customer Experience Center bring over 300 jobs to our city,” said Mayor Mike Mason. “As a regional job hub, our city continues to attract top-tiered businesses like CarMax.” CarMax has had an established presence in the Atlanta metro area for more than 20 years and currently employs approximately 2,000 Georgians. For 15 consecutive years, CarMax has been recognized as a “Fortune 100 Best Company to Work For.” The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. For employment information for the Peachtree Corners location, visit the CarMax website: jobs. carmax.com

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Inside Peachtree Corners ■ April/June 2019 ■ peachtreecornersga.gov

Veterans Monument Dedication Set for June 15 Progress continues on the Peachtree Corners Veterans Monument. The benches have been installed as well as most of the wall caps, and the granite facades for the sculptures. Progress is underway on getting the interactive kiosk and app developed and in production.

The sculptures will be delivered in June.

Except for the installation of the sculptures, construction will be complete for the Town Green grand opening. There will be a soft opening on that occasion that will include raising the flags, turning on the interactive systems, and conducting tours.

The formal unveiling and dedication will be on Saturday morning, June 15.

Donations and engraved paver orders are still being accepted. Pavers that have been ordered since January 3, 2019 will be installed before the June 15 dedication.

Visit the Peachtree Corners Veterans Monument website www.ptcvets.net for more information.

Attention Homeowners and Condominium Association Representatives The Code Enforcement Division staff would like to ensure everyone that they are able to provide timely and accurate information to the residents and representatives of the city’s neighborhoods and communities.

We are currently compiling a list of representatives’ names and contact information for the HOAs and communities within the city limits of Peachtree Corners. Please email your community’s representative contact information to our Code Enforcement Manager, Philomena Robertson at probertson@peachtreecornersga.gov If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Robertson via email or by telephone, 470-395-7026.

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INSIDE PEACHTREE CORNERS

City Receives Smart 50 Award for its 5G Test Track Project Incorporated just six years ago, the City of Peachtree Corners is already being recognized on the international stage as a smart city for its innovative plans to build an intelligent mobility and smart city laboratory.

The City recently received a Smart 50 Award in the “Mobility” category by Smart Cities Connect.

This award recognizes communities that are developing and adopting smart technology solutions for the betterment of communities and their citizens. Each year, Smart 50 Awards annually recognize global smart cities projects, honoring the most innovative and influential work.

The most innovative and transformative initiatives are spotlighted at the Smart Cities Connect Exposition, recognized as the

largest gathering of smart IoT (Internet of Things) Technologies, companies, and cities from around the globe. Construction of the City’s living laboratory, named Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners, began in early March and upon completion in mid-summer will consist of a 1.5-mile test track located on a section of Technology Parkway within Technology Park Atlanta. This state-of-the-art living laboratory will feature Sprint’s 5G and IoT technology and offer a unique opportunity for companies to explore the next generation of intelligent mobility and IoT applications in an environment that includes interaction with real-world vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The lab’s 5G wireless network coupled with its dedicated short-range

communications (DSRC) channels will also allow companies to test vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications.

“We are extremely pleased that the City has been recognized for its plans to develop Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners,” said City Manager Brian Johnson. “It will be an asset to the innovation community and provide economic development opportunities for Peachtree Corners.”

Mr. Johnson has also been asked to lead a panel discussion at the Smart Cities Connect Expo to discuss the options available to municipalities for building an IoT infrastructure that is efficient, fast, and reliable in the long-term. This panel discussion will walk attendees through the end-to-end infrastructure considerations for smart city implementations.

Prototype Prime Awarded $1.8 million Grant The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration announced recently that it would award a $1.8 million grant to the city to expand Prototype Prime. The grant is in recognition of the economic impact of the city’s startup incubator in launching new businesses and creating new jobs.

This is exciting news for the city. The grant will allow the city’s incubator to further enhance the impact of economic development in Peachtree Corners. The grant will fund the acquisition of the property which, in turn, will allow Prototype Prime to further develop and attract early stage software and hardware startup companies.

Prototype Prime Hosts Summer Coding Camp for Kids

Check Out the New ‘PCN’ YouTube Channel

For the first time a kids’ summer coding camp will be offered in Peachtree Corners

by Kids 4 Coding. The summer camps will be held at Prototype Prime. Full and half day camps will be offered June 10-26 for ages 7-16.

Students learn to create and code games, mobile apps, electronics, websites, robots, drones and more using programming languages like Python and JavaScript. For more information visit www.kids4coding.com

It’s full of fun and interesting videos about life here in “The Corners” and all of the shows are hosted by residents who live or work right here in Peachtree Corners.

Be sure to visit and subscribe to the city’s new YouTube Channel – Peachtree Corners Network at: Youtube.com/peachtreecornersnetwork.

Be sure to visit the city’s new YouTube Channel Peachtree Corners Network at Youtube.com/peachtreecornersnetwork

April/June 2019 ■ Inside Peachtree Corners

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INSIDE PEACHTREE CORNERS Peachtreee Corners Receives ‘Tree City USA’ Recognition Peachtree Corners was among 20 Georgia cities recently honored as one of the state’s “Tree City USA” communities. This is the fourth successive certification received by the 6-year-old city.

Peachtree Corners, which was incorporated July 1, 2012, was recognized February 7 during the 2019 State Arbor Day celebration at Trees Atlanta for its commitment to caring for and managing its public trees.

Residents Lorri Backer and Hilary Wilson, along with Salim Maalouf, the city’s Land Development Inspector, represented the city during the event.

Tree City USA provides the framework for community forestry management in cities and towns nationwide that meet certain requirements, including the establishment of a tree board or department, a community tree ordinance, specific spending levels for urban forestry and planned Arbor Day celebrations.

“Our citizens who make up the city’s Green Committee are to be commended for their efforts,” said Mayor Mike Mason. “It is indeed an honor that Peachtree Corners has been recognized for a fourth consecutive year.”

There are 155 Tree City USA communities in Georgia, and nearly 30 percent of the state’s population lives in a Tree City. Nationwide there are more than 3,400 Tree City USA communities.

“Trees connect all of us,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Chuck Williams. “Trees clean our air, filter our water, spur economic growth and provide countless opportunities to enjoy recreation, contributing to a better quality of life.”

Peachtree Corners will hold its annual Arbor Day celebration 11 a.m.

April 26 at Paul Duke STEM High School.

Peachtree Corners Land Development Inspector Salim Maalouf, resident Lorrie Backer, Georgia Forestry Commission Director Chuck Williams and resident Hilary Wilson.

How Do I Obtain a Building Permit?

If you are planning a building or remodeling project in the City of Peachtree Corners, chances are you will need to apply for a building permit. Applications for building permits are required to be submitted for installations regulated by the Georgia State Minimum Building Codes if any owner or authorized agent intends to: ■ construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure ■ erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system The Building staff reviews building plans and inspects all residential and non-residential structures built or remodeled within the City. Permits issued include, but are not limited to, the following:

■ buildings and accessory structures ■ decks/porches ■ pools/spas ■ demolition ■ interior finishes

■ remodeling and additions ■ retaining walls ■ electrical, plumbing,

HVAC, roofing or other

specialty trade ■ any additional

permits required

Depending on your type of project, you or your contractor will need to submit the appropriate applications and forms to obtain a building permit. These may include, but are not limited to, the following: Building Permits (residential and non-residential) ■ Building Permit Application (pools and retaining walls have

separate applications and requirements) ■ 2 sets of site plans and architectural drawings (drawn to scale)* ■ Electronic copy of all plans provided on a thumb drive* ■ State of Georgia Contractor License and Business License ■ Trade affidavits with required licenses *All non-residential projects require a Gwinnett Fire stamp of approval on all plans PRIOR to submission. Food service establishments also require a Health stamp of approval from Gwinnett Environmental Health.

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Inside Peachtree Corners ■ April/June 2019 ■ peachtreecornersga.gov

Trade Permits (such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing, etc.)

■ Trade Permit Application ■ Business License ■ State of Georgia Trade Contractors License (not required for Limited Service Specialty Contractors) Homeowners may act as a general contractor for their own property by submitting a Homeowner Affidavit in person, with proof of residency (you must live in the home as a full time resident).

Building permit fees vary according to the type and size of construction. General building permit fees are usually based on the valuation of the project, but always in accordance with the adopted schedule of fees located on the city’s website at https:// www.peachtreecornersga.gov/government/ community-development/building-permitting.

Building permits are required by City ordinance. Work without a permit may be subject to removal or other costly remedies. In addition, permits help protect property values and homeowners’ insurance policies may not pay for damages caused by work done without a permit. Lastly, when it comes time to sell your home, listing associations require owners to disclose any home improvements or repairs and whether permits were obtained. Many financial institutions will not finance a purchase without proof of a final inspection.

For a more detailed list of submittal requirements and access to the city’s forms, please visit the city’s website at https://www. peachtreecornersga.gov/government/community-development/building-permitting. Building permits are accepted Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at City Hall, 310 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092.

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INSIDE PEACHTREE CORNERS

Taking Care of Your Septic Tank Did you know that as a homeowner you’re responsible for maintaining your septic system and that you should periodically inspect your system and pump out your septic tank? If your septic system isn’t maintained, you might need to replace it, costing you thousands of dollars. A malfunctioning system can also contaminate groundwater that might be a source of drinking water.

Top Four Things You Can Do to Protect Your Septic System: 1. Regularly inspect your system and pump your tank as necessary ■ You should have a typical septic system inspected at least every 3 years by a professional and your tank pumped as recommended by the inspector (generally every 3 to 5 years). Average indoor water use in the typical single-family home is almost 70 gallons per person per day. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons each day.

City Provides Test Site for California-Based Remote Driving Technology Company

2. Use water efficiently.

■ The more water a household conserves, the less water enters the septic system. Efficient water use can improve the operation of the septic system and reduce the risk of failure.

3. Don’t dispose of household hazardous wastes in sinks or toilets.

■ What goes down the drain can have a major impact on how well your septic system works. What shouldn’t you flush down your toilet? Dental floss, feminine hygiene products, condoms, diapers, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, paper towels, and other kitchen and bathroom items that can clog and potentially damage septic system components if they become trapped. Flushing household chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, and paint can stress or destroy the biological treatment taking place in the system or might contaminate surface waters and groundwater. If your septic tank pumper is concerned about quickly accumulating scum layers, reduce the flow of floatable materials like fats, oils, and grease into your tank or be prepared to pay for more frequent inspections and pumping.

4. Care for your drain field. Your drain field is an important part of your septic system. Here are a few things you should do to maintain it: ■ Plant only grass over and near your septic system. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs might clog and damage the drain field.

■ Don’t drive or park vehicles on any part of your septic system.

Doing so can compact the soil in your drain field or damage the pipes, tank, or other septic system components.

■ Keep roof drains, basement sump pump drains, and other rainwater or surface water drainage systems away from the drain field.

Flooding the drain field with excessive water slows down or stops treatment processes and can cause plumbing fixtures to back up.

For more info, read the EPA’s 16-page Homeowner Septic System Guide: https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/homeowner_guide_long.pdf Keep a maintenance record: https://files.constantcontact.com/08b27db1401/7bf2ac49-f0ef-4212-b947-822c154293f8.pdf Georgia Department of Public Health Homeowner Septic System Guide: https://files.constantcontact.com/08b27db1401/5ec05776-a132-439e-a2c754029c00a10a.pdf

The city recently announced its partnership with Sprint to build Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners, a 5G state-of-the-art test track for developing and demonstrating self-driving shuttles as well as serving as a testbed for Smart City technologies. The living laboratory, located on Technology Parkway, is expected to be operational by early summer. The news has already attracted Curiosity Lab’s first customer even before the 1.5-mile track is complete.

Phantom Auto, a technology company that offers a teleoperation-as-a-service solution for autonomous vehicles (AV), recently visited Peachtree Corners to demonstrate its technology for a number of Fortune 100 and 500 businesses. The city provided the route that the Mountain View, California-based company used to test its remote driver teleoperation platform. From 2,500 miles away, a remote operator successfully drove a vehicle along a 10-minute route in Peachtree Corners.

“This was a terrific opportunity to demonstrate our technology to several major U.S. companies and show how they could integrate our technology into their businesses,” said Phantom Auto Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Elliot Katz. “We were extremely pleased to be able to work with Peachtree Corners. The city moved at ‘startup speed’ to make this possible.”

The technology to develop fully autonomous vehicles still has some gaps, which according to some may persist in perpetuity. Thus, Phantom Auto offers remote driving technology that would allow a tele-operator -- driving from up to thousands of miles away -- to take over when a situation arises that the autonomous vehicle is not equipped to manage.

As the future of AV technology continues to evolve, the possibility of remote operators assisting AVs traveling down the road, may be on the horizon.

“As the home of Technology Park Atlanta, Peachtree Corners has long been associated with being at the forefront of new technology,” said City Manager, Brian Johnson. “This was a chance to showcase our efforts by expanding and supporting innovative emerging technology.

Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners is a prime example of the type of real-world laboratory environment that allows emerging technology to be tested and demonstrated here in our city.”

The city expects the 5G testing laboratory to attract both startups and established companies to experiment and to use the track for testing software and hardware technology. Prototype Prime, the city’s startup incubator, will play an important part in the living-laboratory test track which houses an Intelligent Mobility accelerator that supports emerging AV technology businesses.

Be sure to visit the city’s new YouTube Channel Peachtree Corners Network at Youtube.com/peachtreecornersnetwork

April/June 2019 ■ Inside Peachtree Corners

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KNOWLEDGE Wesleyan Head of School Joins Georgia GOAL Board of Directors Wesleyan School Head of School, Chris Cleveland, recently has been named to the board of directors of the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program.

“Wesleyan has a long relationship with Georgia GOAL and the education tax credit program has been an important resource to families across Georgia since its inception in 2008,” said Cleveland.

In the group above left to right, Sufia Arifa, Sophia Pineros, Brianna Chann-Hong, Seysela Chann-Hong, Linh Dang, Cameron Potter, Anhvina Le, Connor Baltich, Anthony Figueroa, Konstans Litnevskaya, Victoria May, Dylan Rayfield, Philip Peavy, Richard Lee, Andrew West, Izaiaha Hayes, and Samuel Santa Cruz

Paul Duke Students Place Well at TSA Conference Students of Paul Duke STEM High School secured five places among the top ten finalists in their first year at the Technology Student Association (TSA) national conference.

The Georgia TSA State Conference was held in Athens in March 2019. Students from Paul Duke STEM High School placed five times among the top ten finalists and secured three semi-final spots among the 2,500 students who competed.

“I am honored to join the GOAL Board of Directors to continue to support an organization that has done so much to shape the futures of children across the state.”

• Torie May, Cameron Potter and Dylan Rayfield — 4th place in Technology Bowl • Cameron Potter — 4th place in Extemporaneous Speech • Torie May — 5th place in Prepared Presentation

The Georgia GOAL Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that the ongoing operations of the organization are consistent with its established mission, goals and policies. ■

• Cameron Potter — 7th place in Software Development • Torie May — 9th place in Photographic Technology, and • Linh Dang — semi-finalist in Future Technology and Engineering Teacher. ■

Left to right, Dylan Rayfield, Victoria May, Linh Dang, and Cameron Potter

Run & Read

Military Service Academy Day in April

Everyone is invited to the Gwinnett County Public School Book Mobile 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, May 4. The racing starts at 8 a.m. at Pickneyville Middle School, 5440 Jones Bridge Road, Peachtree Corners 30092.

Each year Senator Johnny Isakson and other members of the Georgia Congressional Delegation host a statewide event for students who are interested in learning about the application and nomination process for the military academies.

Runners 18 and under get a free book, and the school with the most participants will win a visit from the book mobile. Get times, cost and more info at fundracers.org/EventL.aspx.

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This year’s Military Service Academy Day will take place on Saturday, April 27, at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. Due to security requirements, those interested in attending must register to attend by 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 16. Go to norcrosshigh.org to learn more.

Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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Duluth High AD Receives Award Duluth High School Athletic Director Tessa Heaton was named Athletic Director of the Year in Region 6-AAAAAAA. The Georgia Athletic Directors Association presented the award at its annual convention in March. peachtreecornerslife

9TH ANNUAL

www.peachtreecornersfestival.org

Arts & Crafts Show • Classic/British Car Show Children’s Amusements • Live Music on Stage Ice Cold Beer • Great Food

Friday Concert Featuring...

Rumours - Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band

with Runnin’ Down a Dream - Tom Petty Tribute Band

Friday, June 7th – 7:00pm - 10:30pm (Concert) Saturday, June 8th – 10:00am - 6:00pm Sunday, June 9th – 12:00pm - 5:00pm On the Corners Parkway! One Block West of Peachtree Parkway, Behind Chick-fil-A

FREE PARKING 45 April/June 2019 ■ Peachtree Corners Magazine

First Friday Breakfast

features a notable speaker at our monthly breakfast. Upcoming dates and Speakers: April 12

Dan Kaufman, President Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

June 7

Stan Hall, Executive Director, Gwinnett Sports Commission

May 3

t nec

July 12

con age g n e e a ce k a m eren diff

Alvin Wilbanks Superintendent, Gwinnett County Public Schools The Mayors Panel, Berkeley Lake, Norcross, Peachtree Corners

Connect Over Coffee

Business After Hours

is our weekly morning networking group at the Atlanta Bread company at 8:30 – 9:30 am every Friday except the First Friday of each month. Join us for a casual networking session with other business professionals from around the Southwest corner of Gwinnett County.

This is your opportunity to meet members and guests at an evening networking session and our occasional Lunch & Learns offer a chance to network while learning about a hot Business topic served over lunch See the online calendar or sign up for our emails for details.

Looking for a place to eat?

Just check your phone. No app to download. Just scan the QR code (or type SWGCga.life in your browser) to go right to the interactive list of local restaurants.

For details on these and other events contact Southwest Gwinnett Chamber www.southwestgwinnettchamber.com | 678-906-4078

Everyone is welcome at

The 7th Annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival georgia’s Most diverse food festival and famous kosher bbq competition

Free Family Fun! Live Music!

Community Expo!

Silent Auction!

Sunday September 8th 2019 11 AM - 3:30 PM

City Green at City Springs 1 Galambos Way Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Admission is FREE! Team & Vendor Registration Open Now

www.theatlantakosherbbq.com

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Peachtree Corners Magazine ■ April/June 2019 ■ LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

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PEACHTREE CORNERS HAS A NEW PLACE FOR A DATE NIGHT.

The VIP Dinner-And-A-Movie experience is NOW OPEN at Peachtree Corners Town Center.

Book your tickets at cmxcinemas.com

April/June 2019 â– Peachtree Corners Magazine

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You never knew senior living could look like this.

Bungalows

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Cottages

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Independent Living

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Assisted Living

Learn more about our additional locations, services and amenities at villageparkseniorliving.com

Peachtree Corners Magazine â– April/June 2019 â– LivingInPeachtreeCorners.com

Memory Care

VILLAGE PARK PEACHTREE CORNERS 5701 Spalding Dr. Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 770-416-0502

Village Park Senior Living offers a carefree lifestyle where you can uncover new passions and enjoy doing more of what makes you happy.

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