Peachtree Corners Magazine October/November 2024

5 Questions to Ask

When Choosing a School for Your Child

1. How does the school prepare students for their future?

GAC prepares students with rigorous academics, 29 AP courses, 8 world languages, experiential learning, robust college counseling, and award-winning athletics and arts programs.

2. What are the school’s values and culture?

GAC’s Christian faith fosters a supportive culture for academic and relational growth. Engaged parents build community with one another, while a no-phone policy for students improves focus, relationships, and mental health.

3. What are the teachers’ qualifications and teaching methods?

GAC’s 100% Christian faculty, 81% with advanced degrees, build positive connections and provide individualized support through small classes and availability before/after school.

4. What innovative learning opportunities are available?

GAC embodies forward-thinking innovation through collaborative, modern learning environments and diverse learning modalities, including hybrid scheduling and GAC’s own AI tutor, TrekAI.

5. How stable is the school’s leadership?

GAC has enjoyed stable leadership since its founding in 1968, with only three presidents in its history. Dr. Scott Harsh leads with deep Christian faith and a commitment to excellence, fostering an innovative environment that ensures GAC remains a leader in education.

Get ready to brush up on culture and creativity!

Norcross and Explore Gwinnett bring you Artober— a month-long canvas of vibrant festivities. From the colorful rhythms of Hispanic Heritage Celebration to the lively hues of Dia De Los Muertos, we’re painting the town with artistic flair!

SCAN HERE FOR THE FULL EVENT LINEUP

PEACHTREE CORNERS MAGAZINE

EDITORIAL

EXECUTIVE EDITOR & PUBLISHER

RICO FIGLIOLINI

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

SHAWNE TAYLOR

EDITOR EMERITUS

KATHY DEAN

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

RITA FIGLIOLINI

ADVERTISING

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

JULIE DAVIS julie@livinginpeachtreecorners.com

TUKER DUKES tucker@mightyrockets.com

instagram.com/peachtreecornerslife facebook.com/peachtreecornerslife twitter.com/peachtreecrnrs www.pinterest.com/ PeachtreeCornersMagazine

PEACHTREECORNERS

PUBLISHED BY MIGHTY ROCKETS LLC.

P. O. BOX 923207 Peachtree Corners, GA 30010 678-438-5310 editor@livinginpeachtreecorners.com

Peachtree Corners Magazine is published six 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 does not fit in our guidelines.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2024 issue Volume 6 Number 35 ©2024 Peachtree Corners Magazine

The editors welcome submissions, event listings, achievements and photography. Please direct them to editor@livinginpeachtreecorners.com. This publication is independently and privately owned, and managedby Mighty Rockets LLC

RICO FIGLIOLINI

Publisher & Executive Editor

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.

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!

JULIE DAVIS

Account Executive

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.

HARRY J. PINKNEY, JR

Graphic Designer

Harry J. Pinkney, Jr is an accomplished Graphic Designer with over 25 years of experience. A Philadelphia native who now calls Atlanta his home. He enjoys his dog, Chloeé, working out, movies, and running his own freelance graphic/ web design business.

TRACEY RICE

Photographer

After a long career in global marketing for Fortune 500 companies like The Coca-Cola Company and Texas Instruments, Tracey earned a degree in Commercial Photography and now owns her own photography business. She specializes in portraits, events and real estate photography. She is the President of the Peachtree Corners Photography Club.

GEORGE HUNTER

Photographer

George Hunter is an IT professional from Alaska by way of Texas. His primary hobby is photography, covering a wide range of subjects from pets to cosplay, sports to fashion. Volunteering and fostering dogs brings him much joy. George, his wife Lila and their rescued dogs have made their home in west Gwinnett for almost 20 years.

SHAWNE TAYLOR

Contributing Editor / Newsletter Editor

Shawne Taylor is an experienced writer/editor specializing in travel, lifestyle and arts & entertainment. In her spare time, she’s learning Japanese and enjoys reading, anime, music, gaming and K-dramas. She’s lived in PTC with her family since 2014.

ARLINDA SMITH BROADY

Senior Writer

Arlinda Smith Broady is of the Boomerang Generation of Blacks that moved back to the South after ancestors moved North. With 30 years of journalism experience, she’s worked in tiny newsrooms to major metropolitans. She brings professionalism, passion, pluck, and the desire to spread news.

KATHY DEAN

Editor Emeritus

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.

PATRIZIA WINSPER

Writer

Patrizia hails from Toronto, Canada where she earned an Honors B.A. in French and Italian Studies at York University, and a B.Ed. at the University of Toronto. This trilingual former French teacher has called Georgia home since 1998. Catch her reporting about our vibrant city on the Peachtree Corners Network.

JENNIE BELL

Writer

Jennie Bell is a writer and editor who lives with her family in Decatur near her alma mater, Agnes Scott College. Throughout her more than 20-year career in publishing, she’s covered everything from fine art and fashion trends to business and the latest tech and environmental innovations.

RAINA LOGAN

Podcast Production

Raina Logan is a highly accomplished audio engineer, music producer, and talented writer. With over a decade of entrepreneurial experience as the owner of an esteemed audio production company, Raina seamlessly merges her creative writing skills with her technical expertise, shaping unforgettable auditory journeys.

FIRST UP - EVENTS Events, Programs & Fun Things to Do

ONGOING

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.;

Saturday & holidays:

9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.;

Sunday: 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Closed on Tuesdays.

Exhibition Hub, Atlanta Art Center 5660 Buford Hwy. NE, Doraville vangoghexpo.com/atlanta

Tickets: Adults (ages 13+), $39.90; children (4-12), $23.90; seniors (65+), students (13-26) and military, $33.90; VIP tickets and group or family bundles available.

Visitors of all ages are invited to step into Vincent van Gogh’s paintings in this touring immersive art exhibit. Van Gogh’s most compelling works are displayed as two-story projections filling 20,000 square feet. The sightand sound-experience lasts about 60 to 75 minutes.

Yielded Men

Fridays weekly. 7-8 a.m.

Moe’s Original Barbecue

5005 Peachtree Pkwy., Ste. 810, Peachtree Corners yieldedmen.org

Admission: free

Yielded Men (YM) is a weekly safe, small discussion group focused on building relationships and encouraging men in their walk with God. Each week the group addresses a specific issue that most men face in life. All are welcome.

OCTOBER

Atlanta Sci-Fi

Film Festival

Friday and Saturday, October 4-6. All day.

Town Green

5140 Town Green Blvd., Peachtree Corners

NCG Cinema

6135 Peachtree Pkwy., Ste. 501, Peachtree Corners

peachtreecornersga.gov

Admission: free with registration

A stellar selection of sci-fi films will captivate audiences with outdoor screenings accompanied by live performances that elevate the atmosphere. The 116th US Army Band will return with iconic sci-fi music from fan-favorite movies and TV shows.

Together We Thrive Community Fair

Friday and Saturday, October 4-6. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Talpa Supermercados

7050 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Ste. 118, Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

The health fair features free health services and educational workshops as well as giveaways for children and adults. Screenings include a Mammogram Unit (on October 4), immunizations and CPR training. Workshops cover childhood learning resources, job interview skills and water safety for children. For giveaways, there will be free food, children’s books, toys, dental hygiene supplies, clothing and shoes

Important Dates

OCTOBER

3 Rosh Hashana

1

for all ages, personal care items and school supplies.

Georgia Race for Autism & Fall Festival

Saturday, October 5. 7 a.m.-12 p.m.

Gwinnett County Fairgrounds 2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Lawrenceville

GeorgiaRaceForAutism.com

The Georgia Race for Autism is a USATF certified and Peachtree Road Race qualifying 5K. There will also be a 1-mile fun run, 100-yard dash and tot trot on the same day. Bring the whole family to enjoy the race and Fall Festival with plenty of vendors and resource tables.

Norcross Art Splash Festival

Saturday and Sunday, October 5-6

Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Downtown Norcross 45 S. Peachtree St., Norcross splashfestivals.com/events-festivals/norcross-art-splash

Admission: free

Talented artists from near and far will showcase their paintings, clay, jewelry, woodwork, metal art, fiber, mixed media, folk art, photography, glass and more. There will be live music as well as delicious culinary treats and drinks.

Peachtree Corners Photography Club Group Meet Up

Thursdays, October 10 and November 14. 6:45-8:15 p.m.

Atlanta Tech Park

School Open Houses

Greater Atlanta Christian School

Admissions Fall Open House

• Upper School (Grades 6 to 12) — Thursday, October 30, 9:30 a.m.

• Lower School (Infants to Grade 5) — Wednesday, December 4, 9:30 a.m.

Sign up to attend at gac.org/visit.

Cornerstone Christian Academy

• Annual Open House — Saturday, January 11, 2025. 5295 Triangle Pkwy.,

Peachtree Corners cornerstonecougars.org, 770-441-9222 Register online.

Pinecrest Academy open House

• Meet the Paladins — Tuesday, October 15, 9 a.m.

• Open House (All School) — Sunday, January 26, 2025, 1 p.m.

• Peek into PreK and Kindergarten

— Thursday, April 24, 2025, 9:30 a.m.

Pinecrest Academy 955 Peachtree Pkwy., Cumming pinecrestacademy.org,

107 Technology Pkwy., Peachtree Corners pcphotoclub.org

Admission: free

Photographers of all skill levels are welcomed; come early at 6:15 p.m. for social time.

Deutsche Klassic German Car Show

Saturday, October 26. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Downtown Norcross 45 S. Peachtree St., Norcross norcrossga.net

Admission: free

The family-friendly event features more than 250 classic German automobiles, including BMWs, Audis, Porsches, Mercedes Benzes, Volkswagens and Opels. There will also be traditional German cuisine and beer as well as a lively polka band.

Debbie Mason Memorial Garden Dedication

Saturday, October 26. 11 a.m.

Debbie Mason Memorial Garden 5006 Peachtree Corners Circle, Peachtree Corners peachtreecornersga.gov

Admission: free

The memorial garden dedication honors the late First Lady of Peachtree Corners. Light refreshments will be provided.

770-888-4477 Register online.

Wesleyan School

• Lower School — Tours available October 7, 2024-January 21, 2025

• Middle School — Tours available October 8, 2024-January 14, 2025

• High School — Tours available October 15, 2024-January 17, 2025

Wesleyan School

5405 Spalding Dr., Peachtree Corners wesleyanschool.org, 770-448-7640

HOLIDAY EVENTS

Atlanta Gourd Patch

Saturdays, October 12 and November 9.

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Pinckneyville Park 4758 South Old Peachtree Rd., Norcross gwinnettcounty.com, 678-277-0920

Admission: free

Residents aged 18 and up are invited to apply their creative talents to natural gourds.

Contact KMR01@aol.com for more info and the supply list.

Mt. Carmel Fall Festival and Trunk a Treating

Sunday, October 20. 4-5:30 p.m.

Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church

5100 Old Peachtree Road, Peachtree Corners

770-449-4498, mtcarmel-umc.org

Admission: free

Festivities include a bounce house, games, prizes and treats. Children and adults are welcome to wear Halloween costumes.

Mt. Carmel Cemetery and History Tour

Tuesday, October 22. 2 p.m.

Mt. Carmel Cemetery parking lot

5100 Old Peachtree Road, Peachtree Corners

770-449-4498, mtcarmelumc@comcast.net mtcarmel-umc.org

Admission: free

Local historian Gene Ramsey will guide visitors and share fascinating stories about Mt. Carmel and Pinckneyville’s past.

Train or Treat!

Saturday, October 26. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Southeastern Railway Museum 3595 Buford Hwy., Duluth train-museum.org, 770-476-2013

Admission: Adults, $18; students and seniors, $15; children 2-12, $12.

This family friendly event is making a return. Watch the website for details.

The Father’s House Church Harvestfest

Thursday, October 31. 6-9 p.m.

The Father’s House 6060 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners

770-840-0888, thefathershouseatl. org

Admission: free

The Harvestfest will feature food, music, hayrides, a bouncy house and loads of candy.

Check out the Holiday Events article on page 18 for more fall fun!

ELIZABETH KAY PINDER,

Town Green Calendar

5140 Town Center Boulevard, Peachtree Corners peachtreecornersga.gov

Scan QR for Calendar ►

CrossFit on the Green

Thursdays, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and November 7, 14, 21.

8 a.m.

Admission: free

All ages and fitness levels are invited to join Terrance Fox with CrossFit PPG for a strength and conditioning workout. Students should bring water (no glass containers), a small towel or two, and a mat if possible — and wear comfortable workout attire and good shoes.

Flicks on the Green — Big Hero 6

Saturday, October 4. 7 p.m.

Admission: free

About the film: Robotics prodigy Hiro’s closest friend is Baymax, a robot whose focus is caring for people. When Hiro is thrust into the middle of a dangerous plot, he transforms Baymax and his other friends into a band of high-tech heroes.

Night Music and Market

— Hot Licks & Rhetoric and Brian Nix & the Four Roses

Saturday, October 12. 4 p.m.

Admission: free

The Night Market runs 4-8 p.m., the show opens at 7 p.m. and the headline act takes the stage at 8 p.m.

About the bands: Hot Licks & Rhetoric is an electrifying Steely Dan tribute band. The evening opens with Brian Nix & the Four Roses, a true-to-form country rock band.

Sports on the Screen

Select Saturdays.

Cheer on your favorite teams while you tailgate with fellow fans. Bring your own cooler or purchase food and drink from one of Town Center’s many restaurants.

Admission: free

• October 19 — UGA vs. Texas

• November 2 — UGA vs. Florida

• November 9 — UGA vs. Ole Miss

• November 16 — UGA vs. Tennessee

• November 23 — UGA vs. UMAS

• November 30 — UGA vs. Georgia Tech

• December 7 — SEC Championship

• December 14 — Army vs. Navy

Summer Concert Series — The Evolution of Pop and G Clef & the Playlist

Saturday, October 26. 7-9 p.m.

Admission: free

About the bands: The Evolution of Pop presents a dynamic tribute to pop music, from 70s funk to 21st-century electro-pop. G Clef & the Playlist features top-notch musicians that perform everything from Motown to Metallica.

Veterans

Day Ceremony

Monday, November 11. 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Admission: free

The Veterans Day service will honor and extend heartfelt gratitude to the brave individuals who have served our nation. Join the community in a meaningful celebration, uniting to recognize the sacrifices and dedication of our veterans.

Holiday Glow Lighting and Concert

Thursday, December 5. 5:30-8 p.m.

Admission: free

Kick off the holiday season with the city’s annual festivities, including sparkling Christmas Tree and Menorah lightings. The joyful atmosphere includes live music, trackless train rides and holiday activities for all ages. There will be complimentary hot chocolate.

Our youngest and #1 Fan

5155 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners theforumpeachtree.com/events

Scan QR for more information ►

Forum Fit

Every Wednesday. October 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. 6-7 p.m.

Admission: free

This weekly fitness session, held through October at the North Plaza, combines strength conditioning, cardio and mindfulness. Participants earn a loyalty stamp for every completed class.

Fall Market at the Forum

Friday, October 4. 6-8 p.m.

Admission: free

Celebrate the season with an evening of fun that includes a market, live music and family-friendly fall activities on the all-new Plaza. There’ll also be a pop-up bar with signature cocktails.

Little Peaches

Every other Tuesday. October 8 and 22. 4-6 p.m.

Admission: free

Children enjoy an ultimate playdate with kid-friendly crafts, games and entertainment. On October 8, it’s the Fall Festival and October 22 is a Halloween Bash.

Friday Night Live

Every other Friday. October 4 and 18. 6-8 p.m.

Admission: free

The Forum’s North Plaza rings out with the music of talented local musicians every other week through October. Kick back and groove to the music.

October 4 — Emily Hearn October 18 — The Bourbon Brothers

Tree Lighting

Saturday, November 23. 5-7 p.m.

Admission: free

Ring in the holidays with entertainment and activities while counting down to the official lighting of its tree and arrival of Santa Claus. Activity Row runs 5-6:45 p.m. with face painting, holiday crafts and more. There will be performances on the main stage from 5-7 p.m. and the Tree Lighting Ceremony is set to start at 6:45 p.m.

Santa at the Forum

November 29-December 24

Santa will set up shop on The North Plaza and be available for photos all season long. Check online for Santa’s schedule. To guarantee time with him, book an appointment. Walk-ups will be accepted only if time allows.

Holly Jolly Hangout with Santa

Thursdays, December 5, 12 and 19. 4-5 p.m.

Tickets: available starting November 1.

Hang out with Santa and enjoy cocoa, cookies and a classic holiday tale read by the Big Man himself. Kids are encouraged to share their lists and get a photo with him before he heads back to the North Pole.

October 4-5

Local Theatre & School Performaces

Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Live Arts Theatre

Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, 3700 Pleasant Hill Rd., Duluth liveartstheatre.org

Tickets: Adults, $20; seniors and students, $17; Live Arts Theatre members, $14

About the show: Four neighbors gather to tell their best love stories: an angel falling in love, a woman searching a party full of monsters for her ghost boyfriend, an 80s slasher-flick girl making the ultimate sacrifice and small-town lovers racing to escape a falling sky. liveartstheatre.org

One Act Plays

Thursday, October 10

Greater Atlanta Christian School King’s Gate Theatre 1575 Indian Trail Rd., Norcross greateratlantachristian.org, 770-243-2000

About the plays: The Outsiders, based on S.E. Hinton’s novel about “greaser” Ponyboy and his world, is presented by GAC’s High School. Middle Schoolers perform The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, a comedy about the mythical figure of Sherwood Forest.

The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood

Thursday, October 10

Greater Atlanta Christian School King’s Gate Theatre 1575 Indian Trail Rd., Norcross greateratlantachristian.org, 770-243-2000

About the show: This one-act play, presented by GAC’s Middle School, centers on Robin, Maid Marian and the band of Merry Men.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Friday and Saturday, October 18-19

Norcross High School 5300 Spalding Dr., Norcross norcrosshigh.org, nhs-drama.com, 770-448-3674

About the show: America’s first great ghost story, Washington Irving’s classic, features the quirky schoolmaster Ichabod Crane, who is haunted by the Headless Horseman.

Fall Film

Saturday, October 26

Wesleyan School Powell Theatre

5405 Spalding Dr., Peachtree Corners wesleyanschool.org, 770-448-7640

About the film: This film features an original story by Dawson Zimmerman and Brooks Hanrahan, direction by Caroline Mitchell ‘15 and cinematography by Daniel Salyers ‘18.

Some Sixth Graders’ Spectacular Scenes

Wednesday, November 6.

Greater Atlanta Christian School

King’s Gate Theatre 1575 Indian Trail Rd., Norcross greateratlantachristian.org, 770243-2000

About the show: Scenes are presented by actors in GAC’s Middle School.

Chicken & Biscuits

November 8-16

Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Live Arts Theatre

Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, 3700 Pleasant Hill Rd., Duluth liveartstheatre.org

Tickets: Adults, $20; seniors and students, $17; Live Arts Theatre members, $14

About the show: Can rivaling sisters Baneatta and Beverly bury their father without killing each other? Baneatta’s pastor husband tries to mediate, but when a shocking family secret reveals itself, the sisters are faced with a truth that could either heal or break them. Recommended for audiences ages 16+ due to adult language and topics. liveartstheatre.org

Fiddler on the Roof and Treasure Island

Saturday and Sunday, November 9-10

Greater Atlanta Christian School

King’s Gate Theatre 1575 Indian Trail Rd., Norcross greateratlantachristian.org, 770243-2000

About the shows: GAC’s High School presents two classics. Fiddler on the Roof is a musical that centers on Tevye, the milkman, and how he adapts to his rapidly changing world. In Treasure Island, young Jim Hawkins embarks on a dangerous adventure, involving pirates and ghosts, to find buried treasure.

A Year with Frog and Toad

Tuesday and Wednesday, November 12-13

Greater Atlanta Christian School King’s Gate Theatre 1575 Indian Trail Rd., Norcross greateratlantachristian.org, 770-243-2000

About the show: GAC’s Middle School presents a musical based on the children’s stories by Arnold Lobel that follows the woodland adventures of two amphibious friends.

Disney’s Newsies JR.

Friday and Saturday, November 15-16

Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 4 and 7 p.m. Cornerstone Christian Academy 5295 Triangle Pkwy., Peachtree Corners

Cornerstonecougars.org, 770-441-9222

About the show: Disney’s Newsies JR. is a 60-minute version of the 2012 Broadway musical based on the 1992 film and inspired by the rousing true story of newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York City. When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys’

expense, Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions.

Chaos Theory Improv

Saturday, November 16. 7:30 p.m. Lionheart Theatre Company 10 College St., Norcross lionhearttheatre.org, 404-919-4022

Tickets: $12

Chaos Theory takes the stage for a hilarious night of improv. This show is recommended for ages 16 and older.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Thursday-Sunday, November 21-24

CYT Atlanta at Valor Christian Academy 4755 Kimball Bridge Rd., Alpharetta cytatlanta.org

Tickets: $20

About the show: Based on the animated feature, the stage version includes new and classic songs. The story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under a spell. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end — but time is running out.

Toddler Time

Peachtree Corners Library Branch Calendar Highlights

5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners 30092 770-978-5154 | gwinnettpl.org

Reptile Day

Tuesdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22; November 5, 13, 19; and December 3. 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Admission: free

For kids ages 2 and under, this program includes simple stories, fingerplays, rhymes, songs and movement activities to introduce story time in a fun way.

Voting 101

Tuesday, October 1. 1-2 p.m.

Admission: free

Diane Fisher of the League of Women Voters: Gwinnett Chapter provides information about voting rights and resources.

Preschool Storytime

Thursdays, October 3, 10, 17, 24; November 7, 14, 21; and December 5. 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Admission: free

The program, open to kids ages 3-5 and their caregivers, introduces story time to little learners through simple stories, fingerplay, rhymes, songs and movement activities.

READing Paws

Thursdays, October 3, November 7 and December 5. 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Admission: free

Children ages 6-11 can practice their reading skills with trained therapy dogs. Please see a staff member to sign up early.

Guitars

for Vets

Mondays. 12-3 p.m.

Admission: free

Saturday, October 5. 2-3 p.m.

Admission: free

Heidi Floyd, Director of Education for the Georgia Reptile Society, brings reptiles to the library. Children will learn fascinating facts about these creatures and their importance in the ecosystem — and get the opportunity to interact with them up close.

History and Science of Popcorn

Wednesday, October 9. 4-5 p.m.

Admission: free

Learn a brief history of popcorn and do a STEM experiment to find the best sized container to hold popcorn.

Chess Boards and Checker Crowns

Thursdays, October 10, 24; November 7, 21; and December 5. 6-7 p.m.

Admission: free

Learn how to play, learn more about and/or come enjoy the classic board games of chess and checkers. Ages 6 and up are welcome.

Real Monsters??

Tuesday, October 22. 4-5 p.m.

Admission: free

Fungus and leeches and octopi, oh my!! Learn many weird and cool facts about animals that can do the things we see in monster movies — and make your own blob creature.

GWINNETT COUNTY PARKS

Pinckneyville Park Community Center 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Berkeley Lake Open Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. GwinnettParks.com, 678-277-0920

Bridge

Act II

Fourth Monday of the month. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Recycled Engineering: Newspaper Towers

Wednesday, October 23. 4-5 p.m.

Admission: free

Come for an engineering problem solving event and make a paper tower that holds weight. Will your team make a structure that’s the tallest, strongest or a combination?

Day of the Dead Sugar Skulls Papercraft

Monday, October 28. 4-5 p.m.

Admission: free

Learn about the Day of the Dead, more commonly known as Dia de los Muertos. Find out about the history and tradition of the holiday, what it means to celebrate and then make your own sugar skull using paper plates.

Pumpkin Painting

Wednesday, October 30. 4-5 p.m.

Admission: free; registration is required.

Paint a pumpkin to represent your favorite book character. Express your creativity and demonstrate your love of books.

Bring Hygge to Your Home

Wednesday, November 6. 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Admission: free Hygge means an atmosphere of comfort and coziness, leading to a deep feeling of contentment. Explore Hygge and enjoy some cozy treats; blankets and slippers are encouraged.

National

Family Caregivers Month: Card Making for a Cause

Thursday, November 7. 1-2 p.m.

Senior Bridge Club

Thursdays. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Admission: free

Experienced Bridge players ages 50 and up are invited to participate in this trick-taking card game using a standard 52-card deck.

To register, contact Mary Fender at 678-357-6709 or maryrfender@ yahoo.com.

Gwinnett Chess Club

Admission: free

In honor of National Family Caregivers Month and the spirit of Thanksgiving, show your gratitude and support for caregivers in our community. You’ll create and assemble cards that convey a message of gratitude.

Strawberry DNA

Tuesday, November 12. 4-5 p.m.

Admission: free Humans are not the only ones with DNA. Find out about DNA and how to extract it from strawberries.

Native American Pottery

Wednesday, November 13. 4-5 p.m.

Admission: free

Learn about the importance of pottery in Native American culture and create your own small, coiled pot.

Native American Basket Weaving

Tuesday, November 19. 4-5 p.m.

Admission: free

Learn the importance of basket weaving in Native American culture and connect with it by making a small basket.

Homeschool Hangout: Balloons Over Broadway

Thursday, November 21. 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Admission: free It’s a monthly get together for homeschooling families. In November, the focus is learning about balloons and how they became a part of the Thanksgiving holiday.

This program helps Veterans cope with PTSD through music. Participants get 10 weeks of one-onone lessons. When finished with lessons, participants receive a free guitar.

To register, contact Cliff Meinhardt at 404-234-8040. Learn more at guitars4vets.org.

Admission: free

For more information, contact JoAnne Leisen at 571-330-4730.

Book Club

Last Tuesday of the month

Admission: free Join in on the reading fun.

Every other Saturday. 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Admission: free

Chess for all ages. All experiences are welcomed.

To register, contact Tom Emch at 770-605-0429 or ibemch@charter. net.

Atlanta Hobby Robotics Club

Third Saturday of the month. 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

All ages are welcome to share their robotics ideas.

To register contact Walter Burleson at 404-932-8108 or wlenbl@gmail. com.

Atlanta Gourd Patch

Second Saturday of the month. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Admission: free

Residents aged 18 and up are invited to apply their creative talents to natural gourds.

Contact KMR01@aol.com for more info and the supply list. Call 678277-0920 for details.

Stand Up Comedy at the Clay! Hosted

by Yoshee

October 4 and November 1. 8 p.m.

Host Yoshee So is an Atlanta-based comedian raised by immigrant parents and 80s and 90s TV sitcoms. He is also a founder of the Red Pill Players improv troupe.

Roberta Lea

October 5. 8 p.m.

Lea’s single “Sweet Baby Ray” drove her to record her very first country project “Just A Taste.” Now she’s been nominated for six music awards including Song of the Year.

Dean Owens

October 6. 8 p.m.

Award-winning Celtic troubadour Dean Owens is one of UK’s finest, with nine official solo albums, mostly recorded in the U.S.

Walter Parks & The Unlawful Assembly

October 9. 8 p.m.

As a full 6-piece band or a trio, The Unlawful Assembly reimagines and tributes historic spirituals and hymns which inspire, empower and unite.

Seven Days Band

October 11. 8 p.m.

Seven Days, a 7-piece band based in Atlanta, pays tribute to The Police and Sting’s body of work.

A Tribute to Dr. Ralph Stanley starring Nathan Stanley

October 12. 8 p.m.

“He Will Always Be Papaw to Me” is a tribute to Dr. Ralph Stanley starring Nathan Stanley, who will play his own material as well as some of his papaw’s.

Joe Wong

October 14. 8 p.m.

Joe Wong is a unique comedian who headlines live stand-up comedy shows and hosts TV programs in both English and Chinese.

Jill Sobule and Jesse Lynn Madera

October 18. 8 p.m.

3116 Main St., Duluth eddieowenpresents.com

This is an abridged list of events for this venue, please check their website for the full calendar of events

Sobule’s work is personal, socially conscious, funny and derisively tragic. Madera is celebrated for crafting musical tales with profound and relatable lyrics.

Jackson County Line

October 19. 8 p.m.

Jackson County Line has traversed many crooked roads reach their distinctive brand of Americana. Opener Morgan Rowe is a warm alto singer/ songwriter.

Nero Simon & the Sunsetters with The Explorers Club

October 25. 8 p.m.

Nero Simon & the Sunsetters is an 8-piece original rock band from Atlanta. American pop rock band Explorers Club features a rotating cast of musicians led by Jason Brewer.

Stone Mountain Chorus Presents Back to Barbershop

October 26. 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Keeping the classic sound of Barbershop four-part harmony alive, Stone Mountain Chorus has been on the Atlanta music scene since 1981. Also appearing is Full Effect, an award-winning young quartet.

Radney Foster — An Acoustic Evening

November 2. 8 p.m.

Foster has written eight number one hit singles, including his own “Nobody Wins” and “Crazy Over You” with duo Foster & Lloyd.

Rebecca Frazier

November 8. 8 p.m.

A bluegrass luminary, Frazier gained notoriety as the first woman to grace the cover of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine.

Pet Sounds Live!

November 9. 8 p.m.

The Beach Boy’s Pet Sound album was a revolutionary album. Pet Sounds Live! recreates each song with a live band and pairs it with well-crafted visuals and multimedia.

The Tim Shelton Syndicate

November 15. 8 p.m.

The Tim Shelton Syndicate transitions from hard driving Bluegrass tunes to heart wrenching Country ballads, even adding elements of Classic Rock.

Canyon Ladies

November 16. 8 p.m.

Canyon Ladies is a tribute to female singer/songwriters who contributed to the Laurel Canyon musical scene of the 1960s and 70s, such as Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris and Bonnie Raitt. The show opener is Caroline Aiken with Trina Meade and Michael Wegman.

Shawn Phillips

November 22. 8 p.m.

Phillips is a singer/songwriter who has produced 27 albums. He has worked with musicians like Joni Mitchell, George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood.

Becky Buller Band Christmas Show!

November 23. 8 p.m.

Buller is a multi-instrumentalist singer and songwriter from Minnesota who has traversed the globe performing bluegrass music.

Blair Crimmins and the Hookers

November 27. 8 p.m.

A multi-instrumentalist on guitar, banjo and piano, Crimmins writes songs and arrangements for a classic New Orleans style horn section.

Karen Mills

November 29 and 30. 7:30 p.m.

A self-proclaimed “crazy dog lady,” comic Mills has a straight-forward approach to the realities of life and shares her smart, funny, keen observations of life.

Louise Mosrie Coombe and Cliff Eberhardt

December 1. 8 p.m.

Classically trained singer Mosrie has a big pop voice (and a touch of twang) and is an award-winning songwriter. Eberhardt’s music has been influenced from masters such as James Taylor, Muddy Waters, Cole Porter and the Gershwins.

End Of The Line: Allman Brothers Tribute Band

December 12. 8 p.m.

With endorsements from the official Allman Brothers Museum — The Big House — End Of The Line carries on the legacy of The Allman Brothers with poise and power.

Norcross Gallery and Studios

116 Carlyle St., Norcross | norcrossgalleryandstudios.org, 770-840-9844 Check their website for costs and up to date information.

Exhibits

Shapes 2024

Silent Auction and Gallery Fundraiser

October 3-November 3

Norcross Art Splash Festival

October 5-6, Downtown Norcross Norcross. Our City in Photos

November 15-December 7

Holiday Packages

December 12-January 4, 2025

Ongoing Sessions

Figure & Portrait Study Sessions Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m.

Cost: $16 for members; $22 for non-members; package pricing available

Organizers: Lynda Ellis, lyndaellis@gmail.com; Anne Emerson Hall, annehallstudio@ yahoo.com

Evening Open Studio

Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m.

Cost: free for members, $5 for non-members

Organizer: Kathy Collins, mkcollinsart@gmail.com

Daytime Open Studio

Thursdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cost: free for members, $5 for non-members

Organizer: Anne Labaire, labaireart@gmail.com

HEADLIGHT RESTORATION

Stacy Murray has been professionally serving Peachtree Corners, Berkley Lake, Norcross and Duluth along with the Surrounding Areas in Georgia Since 2020

Your Guide to Scares, Crows

From spooky ghost tours and haunted houses to fun fall festivals and family-focused activities, there’s something on our list for every interest.

Fall festivals and craft fairs

Play by Day and Glow by Night with family-friendly park attractions and special fall entertainment featuring classic storybook characters at the Stone Mountain Park Pumpkin Festival. The festivities are included with all general admission tickets. Open Friday–Sunday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. through November 3.

The Suwanee Taste of BBQ & Music Festival is a family-friendly event featuring BBQ, live music, local vendors, an artist market and fun zone for children of all ages. The event is a fundraiser for Project Green (a local non-profit children’s charity), so guests can have a good time for a good cause. October 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Gather your friends and family and check out the delightful Peachtree Farm Fall Festival (Tailgate for Tomatoes) in Peachtree Corners. Located at 350 Research Ct., this community garden event will feature pumpkins, a tomato catapult, music, food tastings, a plant sale and more. Admission is free. October 19 starting at 12 p.m.

Every year, October’s cooler temperatures usher in the start of the holiday season, beginning with fall fairs and pumpkin patches, Halloween spookiness and the opening of festive outdoor markets. It’s a great time of year to get out and have fun. Whether you’re young-in-age or young-at-heart, looking for scary ghost tours or not-so-scary festivals, our list of events offers plenty of options for autumn treats (no tricks!) in and around Peachtree Corners in October and November.

By Shawne Taylor

Pumpkin patches, corn mazes and apple picking

BJ Reece Apple House in Ellijay is a great day-trip destination. They offer Pick Your Own Apples every day through October 31 as well as wagon rides, a farm slide, pig races, a corn maze scavenger hunt and more. While some activities are open daily, others are weekends-only.

The Buford Corn Maze is more than just a maze. This fall-centric destination also offers pony rides, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch and games for all ages. For older kids, there’s also a Scream Zone and a Haunted Forest to make your visit extra scary. Open daily in October and on weekends in early November.

All ages are invited to put on their favorite family-friendly costumes and bring a bag for a fun night of trunkor-treating at the Fall Glow Festival in Norcross. Held at the Lucky Shoals Park Community Rec Center, the event will also feature hayrides and glow games. Parents or guardians must accompany children. October 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Christ the King Lutheran Church in Peachtree Corners is hosting its 37th annual two-day Craft Fair on November 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and November 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Families are invited to come out and shop for handcrafted gifts and décor and enjoy a bake sale, raffle and community fun. All proceeds from the fair will be used to support local charities.

The Lawrenceville Harvest Festival is back this year to celebrate homegrown music and art on the Lawrenceville Lawn. This free, all-ages event features live music, food, art, games and more. November 9 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Experience the Dia de Los Muertos Festival in style with dance, live entertainment, authentic Mexican food, arts and crafts, a parade and more. This night of remembrance takes place at Thrasher Park in Norcross. November 2 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Jaemor Farms’ Harvest Celebration is an annual tradition. With a corn maze, hayrides, farm slides, games, apple cannons and more, it’s an excellent way to celebrate the season. Top off a visit with food from The Eatery and pick up fresh produce items or baked goods while you’re there to bring the fall flavors home. Open daily from October 1 to November 3.

The Mt. Carmel Pumpkin Patch opens October 6 and will run daily, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through October 31. Located at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church in Norcross, visitors can join in the fun by picking out their pumpkin and taking photos. There is also a Pumpkin Patch Storytime every Saturday at 10 a.m.

The 15-acre Uncle Shucks Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch in Dawsonville is home to tons of farm fun, good food and lots of kid-friendly activities. Pick-your-own-pumpkins, gem mining, a kids’ maze and tire mountain are just a few of things you’ll find. On Friday and Saturday nights in October, the Dark Rows (a haunted trail through the corn field) is a perfectly scary option for older kids and adults. Open daily in October and weekends in November.

Randy’s Pumpkin Patch in Lawrenceville features inflatable bouncy houses, carnival games, a tractor-pulled train and pony rides along with the pumpkins, making it a great spot for the younger crowd. Open daily from September 27 to October 31.

Crows and Fall Festivities 2024

Haunted houses and ghost tours

Netherworld Haunted House in Stone Mountain opened in September and will run on select days through November 9. This renowned walkthrough dark attraction is filled with special effects, live actors and spooky monsters for a terrifying (but safe) multi-sensory experience.

The Roswell Ghost Tour is a 2.5hour, one-mile walking experience exploring the city’s haunted history and paranormal phenomena. Offered on select days, year-round. Public and private group tours are available.

For grownups looking for Halloween fun, Brews & Boos Pub Crawl takes you on a haunted history walk full of tall tales, bawdy songs, games & prizes and drink stops at popular establishments around the Lawrenceville Square. Offered on select dates from October 3 to November 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Hear chilling tales of local history, explore one of the Southeast’s oldest and most haunted cemeteries and investigate a paranormal hotspot on the Haunted Cemetery Tour in Lawrenceville. Offered on select dates from October 3 to November 1. Tours begin at 8 p.m.

Lawless Spirits is a “scarifying” walking and performance tour through Norcross featuring spooky tales inspired by local history. Appropriate for ages 16+. Presented by Lionheart Theatre Company, October 24–27 at 6:30 and 8 p.m.

Halloween events and trick-or-treating

Kids ages 3–17 are invited to bring their skates and a bag to collect candy for Halloween fun at the Spooktacular Skate Party at the Pinckneyville Park hockey rink. There will be a DJ, crafts, games and costume contests to round out the fun. Admission is free. Pucks and sticks are not allowed. October 18 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Bring your family, friends and pets for a night filled with live music, roaming characters and a magical marketplace at Howl on the Green in Duluth. There will be a costume contest, trunkor-treat, a chance to win prizes and a fabulous finale with aerialists and fire dancers. Admission is free. October 24 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

All ages are welcome to howl at the moon while learning about wolves and coyotes at Howl-o-ween at McDaniel Farm Park. Participants will make a craft, take a short hike and enjoy story-time and s’mores around a campfire. October 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Space is limited; online registration is required by October 24.

Everyone is invited to come out for a frightful blend of carnival games, sweet treats and a fun costume contest at Shorty Spookfest. This family-friendly Halloween event takes place at Shorty Howell Park on October 26 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. All ages are welcome.

BOO Fest is a spooktacular evening of fun and frights on the Lawrenceville Lawn. Kids and adults are welcome to put on their favorite costume and come out for Halloween treats, food vendors, hands-on activities and spooky surprises. October 31 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

On-stage fun

Norcross High School is presenting three performances of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Considered America’s first great ghost story, this stage production of Washington Irving’s classic, tells the story of quirky schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, who is haunted by the Headless Horseman. Showtimes are 6 p.m. on October 28; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on October 29.

Bing! is a one-man-show that tells the story of a boy looking for his true family. Along the way, he encounters a blunt witch, mysterious dragon, vicious queen and a purpose he never expected. Ghosts, magic and more abound in this Off-Broadway Alliance nominated production. For ages 12+. October 12 at the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville.

Mind-boggling magic, tricks and Halloween fun come together in the all-ages Halloween Magic Show with Arthur Atsma at the Lawrenceville Arts Center. October 26 at 11:30 a.m.

Community, culture and holiday markets

Fall Market at The Forum in Peachtree Corners celebrates the season with an evening of fall fun, including a tenant market, live music, pop-up cocktail bar and more. October

4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on The Plaza. The whole family is invited to celebrate Diwali, the five-day Festival of Lights celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world. Learn about the history of the holiday, make paper lamps and enjoy cultural connection and community at this free event hosted by the Duluth branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. October 24 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Get in the holiday spirit at the Historic Norcross Holiday Open House. Downtown shops and restaurants will pull out all the stops with festive décor, door prizes, sales and

refreshments for a full-day shopping extravaganza in the heart of the city. November 16 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Bring the family to shop for unique gifts from talented artists and crafters, enjoy delicious concessions and take free photos with Santa at the Holiday Market at Pinckneyville Park. November 17 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ring in the winter holidays with the annual Tree Lighting at The Forum. This year’s event offers family-friendly activities, crafts and live performances on The Plaza’s main stage, all leading up to the lighting of the big tree. November 23, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. •

PTC Arts Inc. Furthers Mission to Provide Accessible Art

Not long after the incorporation of Peachtree Corners in 2012, city leaders envisioned an arts council that would ensure local arts and culture were given necessary attention. The Peachtree Corners Arts Council, now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was established in 2016 to bring that vision to life by creating an Arts & Culture Master Plan

and Public Art Initiative program for the city.

The council facilitates public art projects, such as a soon-to-be-completed mural on Peachtree Corners Circle by artist Bidwell. With another major endeavor, the independently funded Mason Memorial Garden, nearing completion, Peachtree Corners Magazine caught up with the organization — now called Peachtree Corners Arts Inc. (PTC Arts) — to learn more about the projects as well as the future of arts and culture in our city.

Debbie Mason Memorial Garden

By Arlinda Smith Broady

The Debbie Mason Memorial Garden is an aesthetic and con

garden space

the

Garden near Town Center. A group of Peachtree Corners residents, with a shared love for the city’s first first lady and an appreciation for all that she has done for the city, formed the Debbie Mason Memorial Committee (DMMC) to raise funds to build the oasis that will delight with flowering color each season.

The goal of the DMMC is to preserve Mason’s memory by transforming a space that will offer Peachtree Corners residents a quiet place to reflect, connect and rejuvenate among vibrant

templative

nestled in an area of

Peachtree Corners Botanical

Right, the late Debbie Mason. Below, the composition of walkers and pets is an early mock-up by artist Jonathan Bidwell. Bluebird

colored seasonal plantings and mosaic tiled artwork, according to the PTC Arts website.

Although the Debbie Mason Memorial Garden falls under the umbrella of PTC Arts Inc., it had its own committee in charge of design and fundraising goals.

“When they started getting going, because they were creating an artistic kind of installa tion in the city and were going to raise the funds for it, they worked with our council for ideas and input on the plan that they ultimately came up with,” said Marcia Catterall, a member of PTC Arts. “They really ran independently with that. Primarily, they used us as the nonprofit vehicle to raise the funds.”

Independent of PTC Arts, DMMC created all of its own publicity and had a committee tasked with handling all of the fundraising.

Building a master plan

Although the objective of PTC Arts Inc. is simple, the execution can be complicated.

“We had our hands in numerous things,” said Catterall. “We’ve created the city’s arts and culture master plan. We created a public art initiative. Our goal was to think about all of the ways that arts and cultural activities could impact the city and then to help facilitate the creation and the installation of arts

and culture in the city.”

The initiative, along with the master plan, took up the first several years of the council’s efforts. The master plan was formalized and officially adopted in 2018.

According to city records, “The resolution requires developers to meet with the Peachtree Corners Arts Council to discuss possibilities for public art on their property. Developers would also be asked to voluntarily set aside one percent of their project costs for public art, either by including public art on their site or contributing money to a public art fund administered by the city.”

“This Public Art Initiative and Vision Map is intended to help city officials, developers and the community at large visualize and implement the city’s public art future. It outlines a vision for public art, offers an inventory of opportunities for public art throughout the city and provides background on the types of projects that should be encouraged and prioritized,” the records continued.

“One of the things that we helped with initially was designing some of the activities and talking about how to host activities on the Town Green,” said Catterall. “Now that’s all handled separately by the city, but we were sort of the sounding board and created a lot of the ideas and the thoughts about how Town Green was to be used.”

The mural project and what’s ahead

The first big art installation project initiated from beginning to end by the council is a mural on the retaining wall at Peachtree Corners Circle.

“That’s going to be our first big project that we’ve started — soup to nuts — and have run with completely on our own,” said Catterall.

Jonathan Bidwell, a well-known artist out of Asheville, North Carolina is creating the mural, having designed several others in the past.

“He designed, for example, the playful foxes on the Social Fox Brewing Company in downtown Norcross,” she said. “He’ll be covering the big, long retaining wall that will border part of the Botanical Garden Walk around the Town Center area. And it will actually be near the Debbie Mason Memorial Garden.”

Funding for the mural project was covered partly through business donations.

“Part of our arts and culture master plan is to ask businesses, when they either develop or open up a new business, to donate 1% of their project value towards public art on their property or to give that to us,” Catterall said. “So, this is being funded mostly through the donation from QuickTrip’s new development.”

Since the company didn’t have a particular art installation in mind for its property, it allowed the money to go toward an effort elsewhere in

The mural’s background colors were scheduled to be painted by the end of September with the remaining details to be completed by late October, in time for the ribbon cutting for the Debbie Mason Garden. That event is set for 11 a.m. on October 26.

For more information about Peachtree Corners Arts Inc., the mural or the Debbie Mason Memorial Garden, visit ptcarts.org. •

Artist Jonathan Bidwell with his dog Buster.

Left, greyhound mockup; below, another working version — not a final rendering. Images courtesy of the artist.

Working hand in hand with parents to provide exceptional pediatric oral healthcare!

DR. GIA S. GRANNUM BOARD-CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST

Peachtree Corners to Roll Out Improved Land Use Policies

The widespread adoption of remote and hybrid work has led to a softening of demand for traditional office space.

This has created a surplus of more than 1 billion square feet of office space available for lease in the U.S., according to an estimate by Site Selection Group, an independent provider of global location advisory, economic incentive and corporate real estate services.

The phenomenon has created a bit of a frenzy with owners of office buildings seeking new and creative ways to utilize the structures. This

prompted the city of Peachtree Corners to enact a moratorium on zoning requests for a while.

“We had office product owners starting to come to the city with all sorts of unique, some of them you could maybe go so far as to say weird, uses,” said Peachtree Corners City Manager

Brian Johnson during the “Peachtree Corners Life” podcast on September 5. “But some of them were in a gray area because you’ve never had a situation where existing office product was envisioned to ever have some of these uses. So, our code doesn’t specifically speak to it.”

Johnson told host Rico Figliolini that the situation was becoming unwieldy, so the city decided to take a pause.

“This moratorium is, again, only for a certain area of the city and only for certain uses,” Johnson said.

Upcoming meetings

By Arlinda Smith Broady

In early October, the city will host a public engagement meeting to discuss potential improvements to code, zoning regulations, dealing with empty buildings and redevelopment issues.

“We knew we needed to relook at our code,” said Johnson. “We needed to add protections where we might need protections. We wanted to be flexible so that we weren’t sitting on office product that not only was vacant — and not generating revenue for the city through our occupational tax — but was also [being left vacant]. Vacant office product is not climate controlled. It starts to fall apart quicker when people aren’t in it, taking care of it. And you just run the risk of the building going down into a state of disrepair, such that then nobody would ever want it. And then you get problems beyond that.” City experts, as well as some external consultants and land use experts, have been working on this problem together. And they are going to present a plan for the public to scrutinize and weigh in on.

“There [will be] a little bit of time where we can take input from the public and tweak it, and then it will go in front of the planning commission and then ultimately in front of the city council,” said Johnson.

Website better explains process

To prepare residents for the changes, the city has added a section to its website that explains the process of granting or denying requests for zoning changes and other land use and development issues.

In numerous forums, residents and stakeholders have complained that the land use process wasn’t transparent enough. The city has addressed that by including a link on the website called “Current Land Use Cases.” The page lists cases that are currently filed and active, along with information about their application, the site plan, the staff report, when the first and second public reads will be and the case’s status. Not too unlike Schoolhouse Rock (though without the animation and catchy tunes), the site also features a colorful infographic that shows how an application becomes an approved project — or doesn’t.

“We created four different ways that somebody might be able to kind of see the process. And it is complicated,” said Johnson. “There’s a lot of law involved, a lot of public meetings and, you know, public hearing requirements.”

All 13 steps are explained — from the pre-application meeting, to how fees are paid, to public hearings and reports, all the way to city council involvement, ordinance and permitting.

“Hopefully this will make it a little bit easier to understand the process and make specific cases easier to find,” said Johnson. “I believe there are now seven different vectors in which you can get to the same land use document. You can get to it from the council agenda or a planning commission agenda. You can get to it from our calendar. And you can get to it from the Planning & Zoning department page.”

For more information, visit peachtreecornersga.gov/1409/ Land-Use-Application-Process or scan the QR code.•

Land Use Archive 2024

As of September 25, 2024

CIC2024-001 - PCC Lofts. 4779 Peachtree Corners Circle.

Applicant: DDCB Inc.

Request: Change in Conditions to RZ2021-004 (O2021-10-219) for a mixed-use project.

Status: WITHDRAWN

SUP2024-001 - Forum Art Gallery. 5161 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 905.

Applicant: Anderson Smith

Request: Special Use Permit to allow for an event space in an existing shopping center.

Status: APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS (O2024-05-282)

RZ2024-002 & V2024-003Day Building - Pine Grove. 4725 Peachtree Corners Circle.

Applicant: Pine Grove Communities, LLC c/o Melody Glouton (Andersen, Tate, & Carr)

Request: Rezoning of 6.89 acres from M-1 to MUD with associated variances to allow for a mixed-use development.

Status: DENIED (O2024-05-283)

SUP2024-002 - Safelite Fulfillment. 6649 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Suite M.

Applicant: Safelite Fulfillment, Inc.

Request: Special Use Permit to allow auto-glass repair, replacement, and recalibration services.

Status: APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS (O2024-07-285)

RZ2024-003 - 25 Technology Parkway S.

Applicant: E. Andrew Isakson

Request: Rezoning of 3.22 acres from M-1 to RM-13 to allow for a 13-unit condominium development.

Status: APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS (O2024-07-286)

RZ2024-004 - 5250 and 5390 Triangle Parkway.

Applicant: Greenleaf Investment Partners L108, LLC c/o Melody Glouton (Andersen, Tate, & Carr)

Request: Rezoning of 14.19 acres from O-I and M-1 to M-1 to allow for light industrial uses.

Status: APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS (O2024-07-287)

To find out more about these cases visit https://www. peachtreecornersga.gov/1407/ Land-Use-Archiveor scan the QR code below:

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Navigating Land Use Changes, Business Growth, and Community Engagement in Peachtree Corners [Podcast]

Land use changes, business growth, and community engagement shape Peachtree Corners’ future. From revitalizing office spaces to innovative mixeduse developments, the city is working to attract investments and meet the needs of its residents.

Peachtree Corners Life’s host Rico Figliolini is joined by Shaun Adams, Community Development Director, to discuss how the city adapts to new trends, assesses vacancy rates, and gathers public input to guide its growth. Learn about the city’s plans, including focusing on office renovations and diverse housing options, and how the community can get involved in the upcoming public meeting on October 3rd.

Scan the QR code to watch/listen to the podcast.

‘Norcross Shapes’ Art Exhibition and Silent Auction to Raise Funds for Community Gallery

Norcross Gallery & Studios, a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, invites the community to visit their recently opened exhibition, Norcross Shapes. The month-long fundraising event features amazing art pieces of all shapes and sizes, including paintings, ceramics

and jewelry created by local artists.

Visitors to the exhibit can view and enjoy the donated pieces, silently bid on their favorites or purchase artwork to take home the same day.

This special exhibition and fundraiser will help support the gallery’s many art projects including an annual exhibit of talented Norcross High School students, a free city-wide photo competition with awards and enrichment activities for persons with special needs.

Art enriches the viewer

As an IRS-recognized nonprofit, the gallery and studio must work to raise the funds needed to provide their services and the fine art exhibitions displayed not only in their main gallery, but in other locations around the Norcross/ Peachtree Corners area. It’s the gallery’s heartfelt belief that “art enriches the viewer, the artists and the whole community.”

The organization’s board and artist-members support the gallery’s ongoing commitment to being a place for local residents of all ages to view and study original art made by local and nationally recognized artists or to come and create art of their own. Fundraiser details

The Norcross Shapes fundraiser runs from October 3 to November 3. The gallery is open to the

public Thursday–Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for viewing, bidding and purchasing.

An opening reception will be held on Wednesday, October 9 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and their closing reception (and final bidding) will take place on Sunday, November 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Guests at the receptions can enjoy an assortment of tasty bites — in a variety of shapes to match the exhibit’s theme — and a sampling of beverages while supporting the arts and the local community.

For more information, visit norcrossgalleryandstudios.org. •

Cappai

Designs Opens

Pop-up Boutique at The Forum

By Shawne Taylor

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Cappai Designs has opened their latest pop-up shop at The Forum in Peachtree Corners. Known for their craftsmanship, the high-end boutique specializes in home goods, special keepsakes and personalized oneof-a-kind gifts.

“Each item is handmade with care, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal,” the Cappai team shared through a recent press release.

Founded locally in 2018 by owner, Sandie Cappai, the company quickly grew from an at-home start-up to a flourishing business. Today, Cappai’s luxury products are featured in over 300 upscale retail shops in addition to their own pop-ups and online presence.

The new space

The new 3,900-square-foot space in Peachtree Corners showcases some of Cappai Designs’ most popular items as well as new decorative pieces. Elegant drinkware, porcelain trays and bowls, charcuterie boards and Bougie de Luxe candles are just a few of the products shoppers will find in the cozy storefront.

Cappai Designs signed a six-

month license agreement with The Forum. Their Peachtree Corners location opened in early September next to Kendra Scott near The Plaza. A second pop-up is slated to return to the shops at Avalon in Alpharetta later this month.

The details

Cappai Designs at The Forum hours: Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.

For more information, visit cappaidesigns.com. •

From Brooklyn to Belfast: A Peacemaker’s Story

Many of us are consumed by the dayto-day of life’s hustle and bustle, doing our best to navigate our relationships, provide for our families and live comfortably. A select few meet with great success on all fronts.

Fewer still somehow manage to lead extraordinarily accomplished existences with gumption, energy and talent left to spare, positively impacting circles far larger than their own family unit.

One such exceptional person, and longtime Peachtree Corners resident, is Jim Gaffey. Al-

low me to introduce you to the most ex traordinary neighbor you never knew you had. I had the honor of speaking to him while he was spending time at his second home in the North Caroli na mountains.

With a charming wife, thriving children and grandkids entering the fold, the former Bell South executive is winning in the game of life. But it’s his heart for seeing others win that is something to behold.

He worked up from an entry-level installer pulling cables to a successful career in telecommunications, and from a first-generation Irish American teaching youngsters to read in Spanish Har lem to having a hand in peacemaking efforts in Northern Ireland.

With modesty, Gaffey would tell you that his work in Northern Ireland wasn’t remarkable because there were a plethora of well-funded protests taking place when he was a young man in the 1960s and 70s. I beg to differ.

Why The Troubles were troubling

By Patrizia Winsper

After gaining its independence in 1922, Ireland seceded from the United Kingdom to become

The Nationalists, largely Catholics, wanted Northern Ireland to become part of the republic of Ireland. The overwhelmingly Protestant Unionists wished to remain part of the United Kingdom. The violent sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland known as The Troubles erupt-

Left, Jim Gaffey in the oval office at the Carter Center. Photo courtesy of Carol Gaffey.

Below, Walking in Derry, Northern Ireland, Jim Gaffey (right) with his friend, Martin Luther King III and Martin McGuinness, former Chief of Staff of the IRA.

ities,” Gaffey explained.

The British Army began a policy of internment without trial in Northern Ireland in 1971 during Operation Demetrius which would last until 1975.

Skin in the game

In 1969, when Gaffey’s university paper was distributed to the head of the Transport Workers Union in New York City and to the National Council of Churches, it was decided he should be sent to Northern Ireland to learn what was going on and report back to the United States. The street smarts he’d acquired growing up in Brooklyn were about to be put to the test.

Gaffey first landed in Ireland on August 15, 1969 — the day after the British army had arrived. Armed only with legal writing pads, he was instructed to walk the streets, meet and live with the locals, observe, write weekly reports detailing his findings and send them through the postal system, as was customary then.

“When something big was happening, like the British army going into a certain area, we used telegrams,” he said.

testifying to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

An uncomfortable situation

Asked if he was fearful, Gaffey replied, “I was very cautious. I was stopped and frisked in the streets by British soldiers and held for a period of time until my paperwork could be approved by some officer at least six times,” he revealed. Anyone moving from one tiny community to the other in that area — no larger than Connecticut — or traveling with recognizable people as he was, was likely to be stopped, especially if they were obviously not dock workers or coal miners, the type of individuals one would expect to see there.

Observers knew to always carry their passports and visas, and say they were just visiting friends and relatives if questioned. “We were sent in with the cards of American diplomatic officials to call in case it got serious,” Gaffey said.

Gaffey recounts harrowing tales like that of the late John Hume being taken to meet the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in the trunk of a car to start the peace process because he wasn’t allowed to know where he was going.

ed in 1968 after having been stoked by hundreds of years of tumultuous history.

Gaffey described the rather draconian, anti-Catholic situation, which he prefers to view through the lens of “the haves versus the havenots” instead of joining the media in playing-up the battle of the religions. In truth, voting laws seemed fair; but in practice, they were very unfavorable to Catholics.

Local voting was subject to property qualifications which made matters even worse. Business owners — disproportionately Protestant — who owned multiple properties got multiple votes.

“You had some people with no vote at all and some people with overloaded gerrymandering of the districts and sitting in parliament,” Gaffey said. This would ensure a Protestant majority in as many constituencies as possible.

Hence, in Northern Ireland, the religious makeup of your community determined the quality of your housing, public services and the jobs available to you. Peaceful protests were not kindly received.

Understandably, those who had enjoyed centuries of unfair advantages wanted to keep things just as they were.

Brooklyn boy

The son of Irish immigrants, Gaffey was moved by the civil unrest going on across the pond. He authored an essay about the crisis while studying at City University of New York with a focus on the Special Powers Act passed by the Parliament of Northern Ireland in 1922. The act was meant to restore order but was ruthlessly used to suppress the Nationalists’ opposition to politics that significantly favored the Unionists.

“The Special Powers Act allowed the authorities in Northern Ireland to arrest without charge and hold indefinitely up to six years without a trial or any kind of a court hearing. People were placed in concentration camp facil-

“The Unionists began to attack and burn whole villages, trying to force out the Nationalists and stop the civil rights movement. The British government decided that too many people were being killed and driven out of their homes. Whole rows of homes were burnt down. All those families had to flee,” Gaffey said.

The U.S. didn’t want to interfere but craved a better understanding of what was going on with their close allies in the United Kingdom.

“People here, even people in Irish organizations, couldn’t understand why two Christian communities were attacking one another,” Gaffey explained.

Between 1968 and 1972, Gaffey traveled to Northern Ireland 12 times, living in both Unionist and Nationalist communities, learning from them. He shared what was unfolding with the U.S. by reporting to congressional officials and

Hidden under a blanket is how Gaffey was once driven speedily across the border into the Republic of Ireland when violence broke out in Derry. Besides developing an instinct for knowing when it was time to leave, when he wasn’t evading hostilities, he found himself in discussions with very aggressive, angry people resisting the push for change.

“Communities were devastated, people were beaten. It was a horrible

Above, A picture of Jim Gaffey (27 years old), taken for use on all identification documents.

New York City, Circa 1971

Left, top down, Jim Gaffey with First Minister Peter Robinson (left) and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness (right).

Jim Gaffey with Nobel Laureate, the late John Hume. Hume won the award for peace negotiations with the IRA.

Below, Jim Gaffey with First Lady Laura Bush (courtesy of Jim Gaffey) Bottom, The Special Powers Act, Northern Ireland

situation,” Gaffey stated. Forward, march!

“I was in three civil rights marches in Dungannon, Belfast and Londonderry: two in 1970 and one in 1971. I was pelted with rocks and stones by folks who did not like these marches in Northern Ireland,” Gaffey shared.

Just the thought of marching in such circumstances with 12 to 14,000 people organized by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) would strike terror in the hearts of most people. But men like Gaffey are a different breed.

“I was too busy ducking horse and cow manure to be terrified. When you were marching through these farmlands into cities where an election might

be coming up, they got pretty feisty,” he said.

According to Gaffey, Nationalist chants were met with cries of “No surrender!” by Unionists who had a monopoly on everything.

— “We shall overcome!”

— “No surrender!”

— “We want jobs!”

— “No surrender!”

When the guns came out and things got extremely violent, the observers were pulled out of Northern Ireland.

After Ireland

What Gaffey had witnessed in Northern Ireland motivated him to help even more. He became the National Student Organizer of the National Association for Irish Justice (NAIJ) and traveled across the United States speaking at numerous universities including Yale, Harvard and NYU.

His goal? To educate students about what was going on in Northern Ireland and encourage them to become involved by protesting the blatant discrimination against the Catholics.

“We were the financial supporter in the

New York. Other supporters of the cause were Arlo Guthrie and the group Peter, Paul and Mary, who entertained at rallies and fundraisers free of charge, as did Lennon.

The lyrics of U2’s signature song, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” evoke the horrors of one of the darkest days of the Troubles in Northern Ireland when British troops shot and killed 13 unarmed Roman Catholic civil rights supporters, injuring 14 others (one later died), during a protest march in Derry on Sunday, January 30, 1972.

The Good Friday Agreement

On April 10, 1998, Irish Nationalist politicians John Hume and David Trimble, the Northern Irish leader, steered the Protestant majority and their Catholic rivals into a peace deal known as The Good Friday Agreement.

“Unfortunately, Trimble

ern Ireland trying to settle things down to bring his friend Martin Luther King III with him to meet face-to-face with people on both sides. Gaffey followed through with King by his side.

“I think eventually, possibly within our lifetimes, we’ll witness the unification of Northern Ireland and Ireland into one country,” Gaffey stated. Despite the continued unrest, Gaffey maintains a vision of hope. Call it pollyannish if you must, but I think I’ll join him in his prediction of a better tomorrow.

Avocation life

Gaffey discusses avocations like they’re as essential as breathing. I suspect he assumes we all partake in multiple activities in addition to our regular occupations.

In 2002, he founded The Gaffey Group, an international trading company. He’s brought 47 companies out of Northern Ireland to the United States on trade missions. Today, he assists the successful ones by procuring investors.

“I’ve gone on trade missions to Northern Ireland with Governor Sonny Perdue and Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle. I also took Governor Bob Riley of Alabama and a team on a trade mission there,” Gaffey said.

United States for the NICRA who modeled themselves after the Civil Rights Movement in America,” Gaffey said. Able to garner support from the universities he visited, NAIJ chapters sprang up. Gaffey later served as the National Coordinator of the NAIJ.

As the Coordinator, Gaffey formally represented the NICRA in the United States at speaking engagements, public presentations and protests.

Over the years, Gaffey has met with four sitting U.S. Presidents about Northern Ireland: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. and Laura Bush and Barack and Michelle Obama. He served on a committee of 20 charged with organizing the Obamas’ first trip to Ireland.

Luck of the Irish

doesn’t get a lot of play because his community hated him for doing it,” Gaffey said.

John Lennon, who had participated in a march in London, backed the civil rights movement and supported the NICRA. Lennon attended NICRA meetings and spoke at rallies in the United States. Gaffey had dinner with both he and Yoko Ono.

“He carried around our first son,” Gaffey beamed. “He was one of the most empathetic people I’ve ever met. Anything that was happening around him affected him emotionally, almost physically. When he was associated with us, he was taking in every bit of information,” he added.

Lennon and Ono wrote “The Luck of the Irish” in 1971, donating all proceeds from the song to Irish civil rights organizations in Ireland and

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to Hume and Trimble that year “for their efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Northern Ireland.”

When it was all said and done, 3,720 people in a population of about 1.5 million were killed in Northern Ireland over a 30-year period during the Troubles.

With 21 miles of “peace walls,” separating Irish republican from British loyalist neighborhoods, increasing in number and size since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, it’s clear there is ongoing turmoil.

Martin Luther King III

In 2015, Gaffey was asked by those in North-

Gaffey serves on the Peace Harmony Joy Alliance which mirrors his own belief in leading a purposeful life.

As an advisor to The Carter Center on conflict resolution, Gaffey has investigated third world and local issues. In case you were unaware that it might need saving, Gaffey serves on the ad hoc committee to save the Good Friday Agreement. Deeming it necessary for future success, he calls it a pressure group. He explained, “It’s always in peril. Although everybody signed a peace agreement, they’ve found less than half of the weapons that were being used. There are still incidents. They’re still looking for people who were never found.”

Leaving a legacy

Gaffey plans to donate an archive of over 300 documents to The Linen Hall, the oldest library in Belfast. His records of fundraising and support include financials, what they did, who they were raising money from, who they supported as well as communications addressed by leaders of the NICRA.

“I can’t believe the news today,” Bono first crooned in the 1980s about the heightened conflict in early 1970s Northern Ireland. Regrettably, we can look at wars going on across the globe today and say the same.

It seems as long as humankind exists, so too will conflict. The only comfort is knowing there will also always be those upholding justice and equality. If you’re lucky enough to meet one such person committed to peace, seize the occasion to hear stories of hope that can emerge from even the deepest trenches of despair.

There you have it, Peachtree Corners! I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting our very notable neighbor Jim Gaffey as much as I have. •

Mamie Pridgen

Above, An original copy of the Good Friday Agreement

Right, Speaking at the Carter Center on civil violence in our elections. Jim Gaffey (right) with Reverend Gary Mason from Northern Ireland.

Conversations about our local community, issues and culture

Elliott Brack Talks About Journalism, His Life and Gwinnett History [Podcast]

Elliot Brack, a longtime journalist and resident of Gwinnett County, founded the Gwinnett Forum. The online forum has attracted a steady flow of content from various sources that Brack carefully moderates and publishes. This episode highlights the county’s transformation, local histories, and the importance of providing a platform for diverse public opinions and covering local news. Hosted by Rico Figliolini.

Scan the QR Code to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the live stream of podcasts.

224+ Episodes of Local Conversations That Matter—Watch or Listen Now!

From city development and candidate interviews to the latest startups and community events, Rico Figliolini has been the voice of Peachtree Corners since 2016.

With over 224 episodes of Peachtree Corners Life and Prime Lunchtime with the City Manager, our podcast delivers in-depth discussions with local leaders and insights that impact you. Whether you prefer to listen or watch, catch every episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or Facebook.

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Peachtree Corners is a place that is growing in reputation as a smart city, but it is also the home of innovators, entrepreneurs, and artists. This year’s Faces of Peachtree Corners highlights the students, artists, influencers, creators and everyday people that we should all know.

Ages 12 and up. We’re celebrating those that we feel express the best of who we are. We’re seeking nominations from you for those you think fit the description.

The deadline to nominate someone, or yourself, is Friday, November 1, 2024. Visit bit.ly/FacesofPTCNomination or scan the QR code for more information.

Faces of Peachtree Corners

Faces of Peachtree Corners

Pets & Their People 2024

If we’re honest, the animals in our lives are more than just pets. They’re companions, family members, sometimes even soulmates. That’s why Peachtree Corners Magazine takes the time and holds the space to celebrate our non-human friends each year.

The 2024 Pets and Their People Giveaway attracted a lot of submissions. We loved looking through all the photos that were sent our way.

Congratulations to the lucky three winners. Our generous local sponsors make sure they’ll get special treats. And we look forward to even more enjoyable pet and people photos next year. •

Thank you to Our Sponsors

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petwants.com/johnscreek

Grand Prize

Roxy with her human Adrienne

Third Prize Lucky with Romane and Benjamin

Second Prize

Enzo the kitty and his little boy, Adrian

SOMETIMES A PET IS THE BEST LISTENER.

READing paws happens at our Peachtree Corners branch. Dave and his dog, Fergus, patiently help kids get more proficient at reading. Check out our events calendar on gwinnettlibrary.org to see what days and times they’ll be there.

AI in the Classroom

Why Wesleyan and Greater Atlanta Christian Are Embracing New Tech

When OpenAI’s ChatGPT program was first announced in November 2022, the reaction among educators was, understandably, panic.

“Initially I thought, this is terrible. Academic integrity is going to go out the window,” said Josh Smith, dean of students at Wesleyan School in Peachtree Corners. Machine learning and artificial intelligence

(AI) have been employed by tech companies for decades to perform the hidden functions in our computer applications. But ChatGPT — and other large language models (LLMs), like Google Gemini — are able to process human language and “think” in a way never before seen.

For the academic community, initial fears focused on misuse — students could ask the program to write their assignments for them, for instance. And some questioned whether LLMs might replace teachers entirely.

But almost two years later, panic has subsided, and the realities — and advantages — of the technology are clearer. So, two of Gwinnett County’s top private K-12 institutions said they are leaning into AI, investing time and resources to understand its best usages and even reap the rewards of its many capabilities.

“It started with a huge concern, but definitely over time, my feelings shifted,” said Smith, pointing out that we’ve been here before. “It’s like the evolution of the calculator or the internet. Education is going to adjust.”

cross, had a similar pragmatic outlook. “We looked at large language models and came to some realizations,” he said. “One, you’re never going to be able to keep them out of the classroom. Even if you ban them from your physical campus, students will use them at home. So, we started to think, are there ways we can take advantage of these strengths, but mitigate the weaknesses?”

Educators get educated

At Wesleyan, leaders said their first task was to better understand AI and how it would impact its organization on all levels. “We realized that this would hit different fields in different ways,” said High School Principal Joe Koch. “It’s going to hit the humanities different than it’s going to hit mathematics or science or fine arts.”

By Jennie Bell

Josh Thomason, vice president of operations at Greater Atlanta Christian School in Nor -

Along with Smith and Wesleyan’s technology coach, Allison Berry, Koch initially formed a committee for the high school with representatives from each of its nine departments, including English, math, STEM, physical education, fine arts and others. A second group

Wesleyan’s new guide spells out when students can and can’t use AI

help them as teachers,” she said.

Creating an AI policy

That’s like the dream of any teacher — I wish I could have 20 of me to meet with all 20 of my students. It’s not possible, but with AI it’s possible.

Allison Berry

was later added for the middle school.

“It was really intentional that we got a teacher from every department, because we wanted them to hear about AI and see how it affected their department,” said Berry. “And then, in turn, they could go and teach their department members what was useful or what they didn’t like about it.”

Berry noted that as the committee gained more knowledge, something interesting happened: The people who came to the group intent on writing a policy to block AI in the school became its biggest advocates. “Because they saw how incredible this tool is and how it can really help their students and

According to the staff, one of the most valuable things to come out of their discussions is Wesleyan’s AI policy, which clarifies the proper and improper uses of the technology regarding schoolwork.

For instance, what’s always allowed: “The student utilizes AI to study class material independent of an assignment without citation.” What’s never allowed: “using AI to complete an entire assignment or passing off work from an AI source as your own.” For all other situations, it’s at the teacher’s discretion, and students must cite any usage.

To shape Wesleyan’s guide, Berry said the committee relied on a helpful piece of advice from author Matt Miller. “He said, when you’re talking about these policies, just replace the word ‘AI’ with ‘classmate,’ and if you can’t do it with a classmate, you can’t do it with AI.”

As Christian-based schools, both Wesleyan and Greater Atlanta Christian said that misuse of AI is a violation of their honor codes. Smith noted that, at Wesleyan, there have been violations related to AI in the past year, but not the sort of “avalanche” that some might have feared. Its policy is clearly posted in classrooms and handbooks and has been shared with parents as well as its wider community.

At this point, Smith added, teachers have a responsibility to educate students about this technology so they can be conscientious users in college or in their future careers. “We’re still educating kids on how to use the calculator appropriately and Google,” he said. “The education

will never stop.”

Building a better AI

Even with a clear policy in place, LLMs like ChatGPT still pose a problem for students. For one thing, many of them have been found to “hallucinate,” or provide false information, as much as 27% of the time, according to a 2023 study by the tech startup Vectara.

And then there’s the issue of privacy.

ChatGPT and Gemini, for instance, are public platforms, which is a concern if minors are sharing personal information there.

That was one of the motivators for Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC) to create its own AIbased program, called TrekAI, which functions as a tutor and has strict privacy controls.

Thomason said the team at GAC began building the engine in May 2023 by cloning the functionality of ChatGPT but giving it new source material, specifically the Christian-based curriculum from GAC’s online school, which included digitized content from 150 courses. The developers also used prompt engineering to ensure, for instance, that the tutor provided age-appropriate responses and that it encouraged students to think Socratically, by not only answering questions, but asking them as well.

And it can’t cheat. “If a student goes into TrekAI and asks it to write their essay, it will say, ‘I’m so sorry. I can’t write your essay, but let’s work on your thesis, let’s brainstorm your outline,’” said Thomason. He also noted that the program has a hallucination rate of only 2% thanks to the “contextualization” that GAC provided.

Expanding the use of AI

The software has been so successful that, earlier this year, GAC began licensing it to other institutions. It is now used in at least 27 schools, representing over 100,000 potential users.

And TrekAI continues to evolve. Thomason said this year the school invested around $2.25 million to introduce teacher tools on the platform. All told, GAC has spent roughly $7 million over the course of about six years on its online education programs.

Wesleyan brought together teachers from all its departments to form AI task committees

Greater Atlanta Christian School launched its own Trek AI tutor last year.

Wesleyan has also put AI to work in its school. To enhance the learning experience for students, it is using the tutor program from Flint, an AI education startup created by Georgia Tech grads Sohan Choudhury and Jinseo Park. And for teachers, the school is testing out Magic School, which helps with lesson plans, rubrics, worksheets, emails and other time-saving tasks.

“The one thing teachers are always asking for is more time,” said Meghan Smith, a fourthgrade teacher at Wesleyan who is part of the middle school AI committee. “It really helps extend our capabilities.”

High-tech learning

Both the TrekAI and Flint software have proven to be valuable tutors to help students study outside the classroom and gain a better understanding of the course material.

Sometimes at any hour. (Thomason recalled one GAC student logging in to TrekAI at 2 a.m. after a volleyball tournament went late.)

Sometimes in terms they can understand. (Berry gave the example of a student struggling with a physics problem asking the AI to put it in the context of football.)

And within the classroom, educators are finding unique ways to enhance the learning experience. With Flint, for instance, Wesleyan’s teachers can set up what’s called a “bot,” where the AI receives instructions to engage with students in a specific way. Think history students learning about Colonial America from a bot pretending to be George Washington. Or Spanish students using it to practice their conversational skills with a bot acting as a restaurant waiter.

Last month, to help teach fourth-graders about economics, Meghan Smith created a scenario on Flint where the students were managers at Starbucks, and the program led them through various real-world situations — a sort of choose-your-own-adventure learning experience.

“That’s the piece of education that often kind of goes missing in classrooms, the real-world application,” said Smith, who describes AI as a good co-pilot in her lessons. “Often, long-term things don’t stick for kids because they really need to apply what they’re learning, and that’s hard to recreate. But we were able to do it with AI.”

“That’s like the dream of any teacher — I wish I could have 20 of me to meet with all 20 of my students. It’s not possible, but with AI it’s possible,” she said.

Additionally, teachers have access to the students’ queries and can receive reports that highlight any trends in terms of their frustrations. In TrekAI, for instance, it’s called a “sentiment analysis” report.

“Now the teacher has a truer understanding of where students are,” said Thomason. “And because some of the low-level stuff is being handled by the tutor, the teacher has the opportunity to engage with the students who really need help.”

As a result, he said, “for students who are falling behind, using TrekAI has reduced their decline by 15%, which is pretty significant in education.”

A look to the future

In terms of how AI will impact academia in the long term, Koch was adamant that the technology will not replace the foundational aspects of teaching, but can help save time, provide richer learning opportunities and foster better understanding for educators.

And as institutions dedicated to preparing young people to be leaders in their communities, both Wesleyan and GAC acknowledge that this technology has only begun to shape the future.

“It’s clear that having a working knowledge of the proper way to use AI, both ethically and inside a field of study is what’s going to drive our world forward from a workforce standpoint,” said Koch. •

AI Education in U.S. K-12 Public Schools

18%

teachers reported using AI for teaching by fall 2023 (RAND) of school districts plan to provide AI training for teachers by the end of the 2023-2024 school year (RAND)

60%

Seckinger High School

in Gwinnett County is the first AI-themed high school in Georgia, which opened in 2022 (Pedagog.AI).

AI Education in Georgia Public Schools

In Georgia, AI education is rapidly expanding in K-12 schools, driven by initiatives like AI4GA (Artificial Intelligence for Georgia). Over the past three years, the AI4GA program has helped more than 1,500 students learn AI concepts, and has empowered teachers to integrate AI into their curriculum.

Adapting to students’ needs

Berry noted that one of the biggest advantages of the Flint program is that it can adapt to the needs of the student, so if they’re struggling with a concept, it can guide them along with further explanations.

Driven by researchers at Georgia Tech as part of the larger Artificial Intelligence for K–12 initiative funded by the National Science Foundation, the program is particularly focused on making AI education accessible to middle school students, helping them understand complex topics like algorithms, ethics and data privacy through creative, project-based learning.

One notable example is Seckinger High School in Gwinnett County, which became Georgia’s first AI-themed high school when it opened in 2022. The school focuses on integrating AI across various subjects, preparing students not just for AI-related careers, but also for the rapidly growing influence the technology has on industries across the board.

“Fifty-five percent of the workforce [by 2030] is going to be completely different than the way it looks right now,” said Scott Gaffney, a social studies teacher at Seckinger, in a 2023 Education

Week article. “Jobs are going to be converged, diverged, reclassified … Our young people need to understand how AI works, whether it’s data science, ethics, applied experience, mathematical thinking or creative problem-solving programming. All of these things are very useful.”

In addition to the AI focus at Seckinger, Georgia’s curriculum for AI in K-12 schools now includes an optional nine-week elective from AI4GA called Living and Working with Artificial Intelligence, which aims to build AI literacy among students in grades 6–8.

Programs like AI4GA are also training Georgia’s teachers, equipping them with the tools needed to teach AI, with a strong focus on reaching underrepresented communities, including African American, Latinx and rural students. The program is expected to continue expanding, with additional teacher training resources becoming publicly available across the state.

For more information about AI4GA, visit ai4ga.org. To learn more about Seckinger High School, visit them online at schools.gcpsk12.org/SeckingerHS.

Miyabiya Japan Brings Traditional to Life for Students at ICAGeorgia

The renowned performers wowed the audience with a thrilling presentation of dance, drama and fun.

Staff, students and board members of the International Charter Academy of Georgia were given a short-but-thrilling taste of Kabuki when dancers from Miyabiya Japan stopped by the school on September 16 for a special performance.

Offering a preview of the full show they’d

prepared for center stage at JapanFest 2024, the troop presented a special short section of a dance titled “Renjishi: The Two Lions.”

Considered one of the most famous pieces in Kabuki, Renjishi is known for its powerful choreography and dramatic expression. It tells the story of the relationship between a father lion and his young son. The powerful movements, dramatic expressions and percussive sound effects symbolize the passing of strength and legacy from one generation to the next. How the show came about

Miyabiya Japan last appeared at JapanFest in 2016 to great acclaim. This year, with the excitement of their return, the performers made plans to offer a few shorter performances at other places around town in the week leading up to the festival.

By Shawne Taylor

Bob Johnson, an advisory board member of ICAGeorgia and a long-time friend of JapanFest and the Miyabiya troop, knew the dual-lan-

Traditional Kabuki ‘Lion Dance’

ICAGeorgia

guage, Japanese immersion school would be a great place for one of the shows. He helped organize the day’s demonstration and was on-hand to talk to the crowd and introduce the performers.

The performance

It was the first time having a Kabuki performance at ICAGeorgia. And, as students filed into the school’s gym, the excitement was palpable. The room was humming with happy voices before the show even began.

Johnson greeted the kids with a smile before introducing the award-winning Kabuki troop in

both English and Japanese.

“This special group from Japan will be performing at JapanFest, but today they’re performing here for you,” he told the excited crowd.

He went on to explain, “Kabuki is a special form of very dramatic and traditional Japanese dance. Two dancers today will do the Lion Dance.” The youngest children in the crowd shrieked with delight when they heard the name.

“The Lion Dance is like the story of the Lion King,” he continued, “with an otousan (father) lion with a long white mane and his son with a

bright red mane.”

After the short explanation of what to expect, Johnson instructed the students (and the adults in the audience) to call for the performers to come out. To the sounds of “Miyabi-ya, miyabi-ya,” from the crowd, the dancers bounded out into the room, onto the space set up for their performance. They greeted Mr. Johnson and the students before getting into the story.

An interactive experience

The show started with a brief instruction of Kabuki movements that got the audience on its feet, following the red lion’s lead. It ended with a bang of confetti that thrilled (and surprised) everyone there.

In between, the story of the two lions was beautifully expressed through the performers’ detailed costumes, traditional kumadori makeup, exaggerated expressions and dramatic movements. At times, the dancers even made their way into the audience. Students and adults alike were riveted from start to finish.

“I’m happy to have the performers come to our school,” said Junko Jones, a founding board member and CFO of ICAGeorgia. “Not all of the students will be able to go to JapanFest. So, it’s nice that they can experience Japan here.”

About ICAGeorgia

The International Charter School of Georgia is a K-6 Japanese immersion school located in Peachtree Corners. They currently have 250 students, with plans to expand the school to offer Grades 7–8 in the future.

Eighty-one of the students took to the stage to sing at JapanFest on September 21. It was the school’s sixth time performing at the festival, having been there every year since the school opened. The students also performed at the state capital in January for Japan Day.

For more information about ICAGeorgia, visit internationalcharteracademy.org.

For more about JapanFest and Miyabiya Japan, visit japanfest.org. •

From left to right: Miki Ito, Junko Jones, Felecia Tucker-Jones, Carol Freeman, Daniela Britton, Yuriko Evett, Annie Varghese and Robert Johnson (with Miyabiya Japan performers).

Bob Johnson

GivingTuesday Spurs Circle of Philanthropy

Throughout the country, charitable giving has declined. The philanthropy research foundation Giving USA reported that fewer Americans are donating to nonprofits than they used to, and

By Arlinda Smith Broady

the total amount of giving is declining once inflation is taken into account. But there are many who are working to turn the tide. December 3 this year has been designated as GivingTuesday in the United States and is one way to encourage philanthropy.

GivingTuesday is a global donation movement that was created in 2012 to unleash

the power of radical generosity, according to its website. The simple idea is that on this day, people are encouraged to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate altruism.

Locally, Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer (GAABC), which was formerly called It’s the Journey, is one of thousands of organizations throughout the state that participates in the day — but also looks for community support every day.

“Our intention here is to lead with a mission of providing resources and connection to Georgia’s breast cancer community and — be it metro Atlanta or beyond — providing a place for survivors to connect,” said Kristen Petillo , executive director of Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer.

Al Simon

Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer

GAABC does a series of Survivor Breakfasts across the state and also sponsors panels and speaker series. Its big fundraiser is the Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer.

“This is an event that will bring together 800 or 900 folks,” said Petillo. “Each of them register and then commit to a set level of fundraising.”

The idea is that participants will walk 30 miles over two days — 10 or 20 miles on the first day, the rest on the second day.

“Not everyone does all the miles,” said Petillo. “But it’s fully supported by what we call the Crew. There are 150 volunteers that support and give their time over the course of the weekend to drive vehicles, sweep the route and pick people up that can’t make it.

People are out on bicycles and on motorcycles, wearing their pink. They’re out there to cheer and just support.”

Many of the participants are walking in honor of a loved one. Some are currently in treatment. Some are walking in memory of someone.

“A lot of these teams have been walking for many years, and they raise copious amounts of money for us,” she added.

The last half-mile of this two-day event is the survivor victory lap.

“These are people that are oftentimes still in treatment and not strong enough to do 20 or 10 or even two miles, so we help them to do that last half-mile and bring them in and celebrate them together,” said Petillo. “They speak about where they are in their survivorship — two weeks, four months, etc.”

Where the money goes

It’s no coincidence that “Georgia” is part of GAABC’s name.

“Every dollar raised here stays in Georgia,” said Petillo, adding that it helps fund many initiatives. Besides the myriad services for those going through breast cancer and helping improve the quality of life for survivors, GAABC also helps other nonprofits through grants.

“Last year, I think we funded 42 grants to organizations all across the state,” she said. “The idea is like our event might be in metro Atlanta, but the needs are well beyond that — especially in those rural pockets or where there are certain populations with financial hardship for getting a ride to treatment.”

The grants range from $2,500 to $25,000.

“Over the course of our 22 years, we have funded 554 grants to the tune of about $19 million,” said Petillo. “I mean, it’s substantial. And it looks like a lot of different things. Sometimes it’s financial assistance for food or rides to treatment. Or if you have a baseline screening and then you need a diagnostic that you can’t afford. All of those very rudimentary healthcare-related needs — wigs, end stage, cancer care and treatment and everything in between.”

Supporting local needs

One of GAABC’s grant recipients is TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation.

This nonprofit organization, founded 20 years ago by Jill Binkley, improves the quality of life for individuals impacted by breast cancer by providing and advocating for specialized, evidence-based rehabilitation while reducing socioeconomic, racial, cultural and geographic barriers to care.

While on her own cancer journey, Binkley, a two-time cancer survivor and physical therapist, found that there was no opportunity or option for any type of rehabilitation after you’ve had breast surgery.

“It can be very difficult, especially if you get lymphedema (a chronic condition that causes swelling in the body due to a buildup of lymph fluid), to even be able to raise your

arms to pick up your child, just do everyday tasks like combing your hair,” said Lois Rusco, executive director of TurningPoint.

Binkley was struggling and didn’t find any place that actually knew how to treat a breast cancer patient for rehabilitation. So, she started her own organization to provide physical therapy and holistic care for breast cancer survivors. TurningPoint started in a one-room location in Dahlonega and is now a clinic in Sandy Springs with a second, newly opened location in downtown Atlanta, aiming to help reduce socioeconomic barriers to care.

The organization offers physical therapy, lymphedema treatment, counseling, nutritional support and survivorship workshops, as well as telehealth services and a Georgia outreach program to provide care to rural communities.

Grants, donations and community events

Similar to what Petillo has found, Rusco mentioned that Medicaid and private insurance does not cover many types of services that breast cancer patients need. And Medicare only reimburses at 30% of the cost, leaving a significant gap.

The TurningPoint organization relies on grants and donations, including from Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer, to fund its operations and programs. It also hosts fundraising events like the Pink Affair and a new pickleball tournament that took place at the end of September.

Both women expressed gratitude to those that give of their money, time and talents, but the need is growing.

“In the sea of pink, especially during October, some organizations can get overlooked,” said Petillo. “We make sure local dollars go to local individuals, and we fund real life. Research is great, but when you need transportation to a treatment center, it’s good to know that there’s someone working to help you with that.” •

For more about the Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer, visit gaabc.org.

Information about TurningPoint can be found at myturningpoint.org.

For more information about Giving Tuesday, visit givingtuesday.org or scan the QR Code.

Opposite page, Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer 2023

Below, Kristen Petillo and Skye Smith, Star94 Atlanta

Giving Back and Getting Back

Local teen’s creative Cancer Card fundraising program continues to grow

Peachtree Corners teen, Lex Stolle, was ten years old and just starting fifth grade when he was diagnosed with high-risk, acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After the diagnosis, he underwent an initial round of chemotherapy to put the disease into remission, followed by 10 months of intense treatments and another two-and-a-half years of monthly maintenance and nightly medicine to keep it there.

The treatments were hard on his body, limiting his ability to attend school and participate in his usual activities. But his spirit and determination stayed strong. A close-knit

family, loving friends and excellent care from the Aflac Center and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta supported him every step of the way. And his own optimistic personality kept him going through even the most difficult moments.

“I claim I’ll live just like my blood type and ‘B positive,’” Lex said of his personal motto. “I value determination, optimism and a deep belief in the bigger plan for my life.”

Now, at 15-years-old, Lex says he’s doing better than ever and is committed to using his experience to help others. One way he’s doing that is through his nonprofit fundraising program, Cancer Cards.

A fundraiser that gives back and gets back

By Shawne Taylor

A simple but clever idea, Cancer Cards are discount cards connected to restaurants within the community. The participating businesses agree to be part of the program, offering a discount for card users. People buy the cards, which raises money for cancer treatments and research, and then they use the cards to save money when going out to eat — driving business to the local restaurants. It’s a winwin-win for everyone.

The idea for the program came to Lex in 2022.

“As a kid going through childhood cancer, I met a lot of other kids on the same journey as me,” said Lex. “Fortunately, so many of the friends that I made are now healthy and successfully in college or participating in sports in high school. However, I did have some friends that were not able to finish their journey. It made me so upset that a child could never get married, never go to college, never get a job and have kids. I knew we needed a solution to this. I’m not someone that likes just asking for money, so I brainstormed a way for everybody to benefit.”

He initially started out with a focus on Peachtree Corners businesses, selling the discount cards to his own friends and family. The fundraiser quickly grew beyond his immediate circle though, becoming an official nonprofit in 2023.

Since then, the program has grown even larger. This year, the fundraiser offers cards for five communities: Peachtree Corners, Dunwoody, Milton/Alpharetta, Marietta and Athens, with plans to expand beyond that as more and more people learn about the program.

“In the first year, we raised a couple hundred dollars,” Lex shared. “Then last year, we

Lex Stolle

Fundraising booth at The Peachtree Corners Festival 2023

brought in over $8,000, and we are projecting a much higher number this year!”

Ongoing challenges

Though the Cancer Card program has been a success so far, Lex shared that it’s a lot harder to get businesses to sign up than people might think.

“Last year, I reached out to over 340 busi -

nesses and went in person for many, yet got responses from less than 10%,” he said. “It’s especially hard to get corporations and chained restaurants.”

As far as getting people to purchase the cards, he said “it’s just about enlightening them of the benefit of it. So many people don’t understand that the card will quite literally save you money over the course of the year. As residents, we all eat at these places anyway, so why not get 10 or 15% off every single time you go?”

He continued, “There’s a common saying that goes, ‘there’s no such thing as a selfless act,’ and while I agree that it can be hard to not think about ourselves 100% of the time, when we do help out others, it carries love to our community that we all so desperately need right now. If we all tried to hold the door for one person a day or pick up a water bottle off the sidewalk, Peachtree Corners would become a much happier, safer and cleaner environment for us all.”

Looking forward

With an admitted passion for finding solutions to problems that are close to his heart, Lex shared that he enjoys speaking publicly for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. He hosts his own monthly radio show on WSB Radio called 95.5 WSB Presents: The Children of Children’s. And he likes keeping up with the latest politics.

“While those aren’t typical hobbies for a 15-year-old,” he said, “I wouldn’t change it for the world. Every day I look forward to seeing how many Cancer Cards I sold the day before or checking on the status of legislation

to benefit Americans going through cancer diagnoses.”

Looking to the future, this tenth grader at William and Reed Academy has big plans — for himself and for the Cancer Card program.

“It’s not a usual dream job for a sophomore, but I would love to become a federal politician or potentially a lobbyist — for good of course,” he shared. “My hope is that I can stay true to my morals and fight for people with a story similar to mine. I would love to continue Cancer Cards into college, or better yet, find my next passion project that can have an even larger impact not just in Georgia, but all over the United States. I’m excited to see what’s in store for the future of Cancer Cards.”

The details

2024 Cancer Cards are on sale now and active through May 25, 2025. Each card is $25. All proceeds go to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta — the same place where Stolle received his treatment.

Cards can be purchased for Peachtree Corners, Milton/Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Athens and Marietta. The discounts associated with the cards can be used at participating restaurants more than once until the expiration date. •

To purchase your cards (or make a tax-deductible donation), visit cancercard.net.

Scan the QR Code to listen in on The Children of Children’s.

Tremendous Civil Lawsuit Awards Prompt Call for Georgia Tort Reform

A2023-2024 report ranked Georgia at the top of its list.

The ranking isn’t something to brag about, however. The American Tort Reform Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to tort and liability reform through public education and the enactment of legislation, has named the Peach State — along with Pennsylvania — as the year’s No. 1 Judicial Hellholes.

This was the second year in a row that Georgia held the number one ranking due to what the American Tort Reform Association calls an environment of lawsuit abuse and excessive tort

costs.

To explain what that distinction means for Georgia residents and especially businesses, the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce invited Meagan Hanson, executive director of Georgians For Lawsuit Reform, to its Thursday Thought Leader breakfast held September 12 at Hilton Atlanta Northeast.

She shared insights into these critical issues and what legislation could potentially take the state towards a more balanced and efficient civil justice system.

Tort reform mission

The discussion shed light on the significant financial impact of Georgia’s litigation system

on consumers and businesses. Every household spends an additional $4,100 each year due to increased costs, with higher commercial liability rates also leading to the loss of 124,000 jobs, Hanson explained.

The state has lost $8.29 billion in personal income due to lawsuit reform inefficiencies. She also emphasized the need for comprehensive tort reform, including addressing phantom damages and third-party litigation funding, to mitigate these costs and protect businesses.

“It has been almost 20 years since we have had major lawsuit reform. The last lawsuit reform was passed in 2004 … and promptly started getting peeled back by the Supreme Court,” she said. “Since the passage of that legislation, one of the largest jury verdicts that we’ve seen was $1.7 billion awarded in a product liability case here in Georgia.”

By Arlinda Smith Broady

Photos by George Hunter

To combat the negative impact of incremental legislation that does not address the root causes of the problem, Georgians for Lawsuit Reform was formed by various businesses. Its main mission is to engage in lobbying efforts, file briefs and educate citizens about the impact of an imbalanced legal system.

“Our top priorities last year were premises lia-

Meagan Hanson

bility, third party litigation funding and phantom damages,” Hanson said before explaining what each of those terms means.

Premises liability

Premises liability covers a broad range of cases, from slip-and-falls to negligent security. And businesses are often held liable for incidents that

occur on their property, she explained.

“For example, if there was an incident on your property where two people get in a fight and somebody gets injured, you are held responsible for that,” said Hanson.

An example is the CVS Pharmacy, LLC. v. Carmichael case, where CVS was sued for a shooting that occurred during a Facebook Marketplace exchange, despite it taking place after hours and there being a security guard on duty.

Similarly, Pappas Restaurants, owners of Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, were sued over a shooting in the parking lot of one of their restaurants. The restaurant and security company were held liable, despite having multiple security guards onsite, adequate lighting and surveillance cameras.

Conversely, slip-and-fall cases are common and generally don’t amount to large settlements. But small businesses often face multiple settlements that add up significantly, Hanson pointed out.

Third-party litigation funding

“Third-party litigation funding (TPLF) is a growing industry, with Wall Street and foreign countries funding lawsuits to gain access to patents and technology,” said Hanson.

TPLF is a financial arrangement where a third party provides funding to a plaintiff in exchange for a portion of the settlement or judgment. TPLF is also known as litigation finance.

The practice originated in Australia in the 1990s as a way to help people and entities with valid claims access the justice system, especially when they don’t have the financial resources to pursue a lawsuit. However, TPLF is unregulated and secretive in the United States, making it difficult to know how much is invested in U.S. lawsuits each year.

Some critics worry that TPLF undermines the

judicial system by putting funders in control of legal strategy and injecting foreign capital into lawsuits against American companies.

“We’re also seeing other countries, such as China, Qatar, UAE and others fund litigation so that they can get access to things like our patents,” she said. “Companies like Johnson and Johnson, technology companies and car companies are all seeing these as major issues.”

Phantom damages

Phantom damages occur when the actual cost of an injury is much lower than the amount presented to a jury, leading to inflated verdicts, Hanson explained.

“Let’s say I was in a car accident and I broke my arm. I went to the emergency room and got a bill for $24,000,” she said.

With or without health insurance, the final ER bill will probably not amount to just $24,000 in the end, Hanson said. Other medical procedures could add up to another $200,000, but the attorney will inflate that number for their own gain. So, at the end of the day, the plaintiff may ask for $2.4 million for a broken arm.

“The plaintiff is entitled to be made whole,” said Hanson.” But being made whole is different from having a windfall.”

She added that most lawyers receive about 40% of the settlement and then add fees and expenses on top of that. When it’s all said and done, the injured party rarely sees much of the hefty sum, while their attorney is raking in big bucks.

State legislation

Lawmakers have listened to complaints of business owners and looked into tort reforms. Pushback from lobbyists for trial lawyers (who happen to contribute significantly to political campaigns) prompted them to take a closer look at the issue.

In February, the state legislature approved the Data Analysis for Tort Reform Act, which gives the state insurance commissioner the authority to collect information on tort claims and tort-related insurance risks. The roundtables are the next step in the process to controlling lawsuit abuse and excessive injury awards.

“They are doing the collection now,” said Hanson. “Insurance companies have been asked for their feedback, and they are providing that data that will be organized for the 2025 session.”

In closing, Hanson encouraged businesses to speak out and speak up. Georgians For Lawsuit Reform is working with people in just about every industry — healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, retail, utilities and more.

“Our priority is still premises liability, just because of the general risk awards that keep coming out of juries,” she said. “But ultimately, we’ll be supporting whatever the governor decides to be his initiative. We are very much hoping that we’re going to see more at the end than premises liability, because, quite frankly, there’s a whole bunch of stuff that needs to be addressed, and we’re going to have a fight on our hands.” •

PCBA Scores Touchdown with

Fall in Georgia isn’t necessarily signaled by cooler days, leaves changing color or the prohibition of wearing white shoes. Football and the hoopla surrounding it are the real harbingers of the season. So, Peachtree Corners Business Association dedicates its annual charity event around the sport.

Tailgates and Touchdowns is an opportunity for people to support their favorite football team, strike a pose in the photobooth with friends, play tailgates and touchdowns trivia, dance to the music from Music to Remember

with DJ Gary Braner all while enjoying great food and drinks (especially the peach cobbler bar) and bidding on silent auction items.

The event took place on August 22 and was once again hosted at Atlanta Marriott Peachtree Corners.

Supporting three worthy causes

Every year PCBA focuses on three nonprofits for its giving campaign.

“This year PCBA was proud to focus our fundraising efforts on health, education and providing food, necessities and community assistance,” said PCBA President Lisa Proctor.

• Spectrum Autism Support Group, which directly supports the autism community through a variety of ongoing programs, including respite programs, Saturday day camps, family camp, and monthly support groups; education programs such as the Autism Inclusion Symposium and the Spectrum Kommunity Inclusion Project (SKIP) and additional resources, events and clubs.

breast cancer programs throughout the state of Georgia. Since 2002, the Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer has raised over $18.2 million to fund 509 grants that provide breast cancer education, screening, early detection, support services and continuing care for Georgians. Their mission is to engage with Georgia’s breast cancer community to increase access to care and reduce disparities in cancer outcomes.

By Arlinda Smith Broady

• Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer (formerly known as It’s the Journey), which supports Georgia’s breast cancer community by raising funds to support breast health and

• Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries, which provides assistance to the community through a variety of programs, including immediate needs (emergency financial assistance, clothing assistance, medical/dental assistance, emergency housing assistance, food and groceries and more) and ongoing services (basic needs, job training assistance, health fairs,

Fall Fundraiser

vacation

Bible school, Christmas and personal empowerment).

Giving back to the community

In addition to the funds donated to this year’s three nonprofit organizations, The PCBA also donated $1,000 to sponsor the Peachtree Corners Festival.

“The PCBA is proud to donate a check for $1,000 to be used to positively impact the community and support the Peachtree Corners Festival and their efforts to further education and culture in our city,” said Proctor. “Our outreach committee and board are impressed with their mission and their ability to continue to provide a quality event for our community.”

“The PCBA is proud of our members and business community who have supported our mission to find ways to engage and bring the community together,” she continued.

A successful silent auction

The silent auction during the Tailgates and Touchdowns event helped in a big way.

“We sold a variety of items at the silent auction,” said Proctor, “including an all-inclusive, adult trip to Barbados, a signed Atlanta Falcons football, a signed Cordarrelle Paterson mini-helmet and a Kendra Scott necklace and bracelet.”

Tickets to the Georgia Aquarium and Medieval Times; deluxe facials and spa treatments; restaurant and retail gift cards; gift baskets; a Madison Reed gift bag; hotel stays at the Marriott and the Hilton; framed art; and a custom crafted birdbath were just a few of the other generously donated items up for bid.

“The items with the highest number of bids were the custom crafted bird bath, Ingles gift cards, Marlow’s gift cards and the Firebirds gift basket, as well as the Icebox therapy and leg compressions program,” Proctor shared.

Items that weren’t bid on, will go into a second chance auction pool.

“Some items from the second chance auction include Aurora Theater tickets; Stone

Top row, from opposisite page, Tailgates and Touchdowns group event

Toby Anderson, PCBA Board; Allison Reinert, PCBA Board; Suzanna Martinez, PCBA Board; Matt Collins, PTC Festival; Lisa Proctor, PCBA Board; Donna Linden, PCBA Board; and Michael Pugh, PCBA Board

Rico Figliolini, Peachtree Corners Magazine; Suzanna Martinez, PCBA Board; Mayor Mike Mason, City of Peachtree Corners

Les Harper, Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries Board Member, Kathy Harper

Middle row, from left, Kristen Petillo, Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer; Mayor Mike Mason, City of Peachtree Corners

Atlanta Marriott Peachtree Corners Team – Brunesha Deveraux, Roshun Gaddy, Johndolyn Webb, Rachael Graham

Audrey Boyce, PCBA Outreach; Claire Dees, Spectrum Autism Support Group

Charlotte Hinton, Britni Johnson, The Forum on Peachtree Parkway

Mountain tickets for four; a hotel date night stay at the Hilton; Mitsubishi 2025 Gulf Classic tickets; a Grand Canyon family glamping trip; Taylor Swift framed art and more,” said Proctor. “Many of the items have “buy it now” pricing, so items may sell out before the end of the second chance.”

To access the auction, visit charityauctionstoday.com/bid/7268 and sort by “ending soon” to see the available, last-minute items.

Final tallies and year-end event

Final tallies for the funds raised will be available when PCBA distributes the checks as follows:

Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer in October since it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries in November to make sure it has extra dollars before the holidays.

Spectrum Autism Support Group in December to ensure it’s able to finish the year on top and ready for next year.

All three charities will also be invited back in December for the PCBA year-end event. •

Peachtree Corners Resident Receives Berry College Entrepreneurial Spirit Award

Berry College recently awarded its annual Distinguished Alumni Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit to Leroy Hite, founder of Cutting Edge Firewood (and Berry College graduate, class of 2008). The annual award recognizes and honors alumni who have demonstrated a range of positive entrepreneurial skills — including a commitment to turning a dream into a reality, the vision to create an enterprise, the courage to assume risks and the ability to make changes and take advantage of new opportunities.

“This award holds a special place in my heart, maybe more than any other I’ve ever received,” said Hite. “Being recognized by my alma mater is incredibly meaningful to me.

My entrepreneurial journey began at Berry College. It’s where that initial spark was ignited, and honestly, I’m not sure I’d be where I am today without it. Berry nurtured my curiosity, drive and resilience — the key ingredients to entrepreneurship.”

Berry College professor and leader of the school’s Entrepreneurship Program, Dr.

Ritter, class of 1994. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also supported Hite’s nomination.

“As a small business owner myself, I have strong appreciation for and recognize the perseverance it takes to build a business from the ground up,” said Kemp. “Leroy’s innovative approach to the firewood industry, focusing on product quality and customer service, mirrors the entrepreneurial spirit that has long driven Georgia’s economic success.”

The company

When Hite founded Cutting Edge Firewood in 2013, he created the world’s first luxury firewood and cooking wood company. He reinvented everything about the firewood industry, from how firewood is dried and stored to how it’s packaged, shipped and delivered. When the company began, it was just Leroy with a one truck and a trailer. Now Cutting Edge Firewood employs 40, stocks enough inventory to fill its 40,000-square-foot Peachtree Corners warehouse and ships wood to all 50 states.

Paula Englis, said that Hite took every class she offered and when those ran out, he did directed studies with her.

“He always knew he wanted to run his own business, and the growth and success of his firewood enterprise has been a wonder to watch,” she said.

Hite was nominated by Berry alumni Alison

The wide variety of wood from Cutting Edge undergoes a special drying process to ensure that it’s free from unwanted pests, mold or fungus and provides an unmatched clean and bright burn with pleasant aroma. Their focus on process and the use of hardwoods such as oak, hickory, cherry, apple, pecan and maple ensures their customers receive the highest quality firewood, cooking wood and pizza wood possible.

For more information about Cutting Edge Firewood, visit cuttingedgefirewood.com.

To learn more about the Entrepreneurship Program at Berry College, visit berry.edu/academics/majors/entrepreneurship. •

Leroy Hite

City Adds Smart Lighting Solutions at Town Center

Smart lighting solutions create a safer, cleaner and more connected environment across Curiosity Lab and Peachtree Corners Town Center

Peachtree Corners recently partnered with Juganu, a leading provider of “smart lighting” to deploy a fully digitized and connected lighting system throughout Town Center and in other locations around the city. This marks Juganu’s first full smart city lighting deployment in the United States.

The innovative lighting solution eliminates the need for multiple devices on one light pole. Instead, multiple systems are unified in a single fixture. Each smart city fixture includes energy-efficient and high-quality LED lighting, environmental sensors to monitor air quality and an IoT (Internet of Things) framework that can be used for additional applications as needed. It also leverages a security camera that features AI and edge computing for enhanced capabil-

ities. In addition, each light fixture includes a wireless access point to provide free public Wi-Fi.

“Juganu’s smart lighting solution adds to our city’s goals of improving safety and quality of life for our residents while providing the efficiency of multiple smart city solutions in one sleek unit,” said Peachtree Corners city manager Brian Johnson. “This adds another element of security and safety to our Town Center, with bright lighting

and security cameras that can be accessed if an incident occurs.”

Johnson added that the city is also excited that the new system allows them to offer free public Wi-Fi across Town Center, providing greater connectivity for PTC residents and guests.

“Juganu’s solutions bring our city one step closer to being fully connected,” he said, “and we are thrilled to be the company’s first full deployment in the U.S.”

Expanding the project

There are currently 16 Juganu lighting units in use across the space-themed Tot Lot Playground in Town Center, four at the dog park and six at the Curiosity Lab Innovation Center. As the project expands, these high-tech lighting solutions will be used throughout Town Center’s parking lots, storefronts and parking deck, as well as in the parking lot at Curiosity Lab. In total, 80 units will be in use across the city.

“Peachtree Corners — and Curiosity Lab — was the perfect choice for Juganu to have our first full-scale deployment,” said Shayne Rose, Juganu VP North America, Smart Cities. “Between their bustling Town Center and, of course, the real-world smart city testing environment at Curiosity Lab, these are two unique locations that allow us to showcase and demonstrate how our smart city lighting solution brings additional elements of connectivity, safety, and environmental monitoring to our customers.”

Rose shared that Curiosity Lab has been extremely supportive throughout the process, including leading the efforts with Georgia Power, to ensure all communities across the state have access to Juganu’s systems, even if they lease their lighting infrastructure. They’re excited to see how their smart lighting solution improves residents’ lives as the full project is deployed. To learn more about Juganu’s smart city lighting solutions, visit juganu.com. •

Intuitive Surgical Steps up Recruitment

By Arlinda Smith Broady

Although it has had a presence in Peachtree Corners since 2011, Intuitive Surgical’s decision to make the city its East Coast headquarters significantly increases its impact on the area. The initial 15 employees here have grown to about 500, with plans for an eventual 1,200 or more.

“We still have our headquarters on the West Coast. We have our headquarters on the East Coast too. And we have operations all over the world to manufacture all the specific things [that make up the business],” said Public Relations Senior Director Peper Long. “It’s a pretty complex system with high-tech manufacturing and assembly jobs, which we really consider careers more than jobs. We want people to come and stay.”

Part of a larger mission

Intuitive highlights the importance of retaining employees by making them feel part of a larger mission, such as the da Vinci Surgical System, which is critical for global surgeries.

To let local residents get a feel for what Intuitive does, the company brought its Human Factors All-Mobile Experience to the Peachtree Corners Festival on September 21 and 22. This exhibit included an 18-wheel, 80,000-pound roving laboratory with a mock operating room, featuring the latest surgical platform, the da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system.

The Human Factors team was on-site to demonstrate the Intuitive technology, allowing participants the opportunity for a hands-on experience. It also proved to be an excellent recruitment tool so that potential employees could see first-hand how it takes many types of jobs to bring about such miraculous results.

“This is really complex technology for patients who need surgery that can lead to better patient outcomes, going home sooner and less blood loss,” said Long.

Every position is important

She emphasized that every position at Intuitive ultimately leads to the company’s success.

“There’s one piece of the da Vinci Surgical System called the master tool manipulator. It’s where

the surgeon’s hand meets the machinery and the machinery meets the patient. So, it’s kind of where everything’s got to go exactly right,” she said. “Our explanation of that, talking to some of the people who work to put it together, they understand that it is going to be used by a surgeon anywhere around the world on a patient. When you talk about how invested [our employees] are and enthusiastic to be here, it’s because they feel like they’re part of a bigger picture.”

In a testimonial about her experience at Intuitive, Kathryn Rieger wrote this:

“When I tell people about the Human Factors team at Intuitive, I start with this: We’re the usability people — we make things that matter easy to use. Of course, when it comes to medical devices, usability is critical because any misstep could have dire consequences. The providers using our surgical systems trust us to deeply understand their every move, so they can focus on what matters most — the patient.”

“It’s that kind of dedication, passion and ownership that Intuitive is looking for in its people,” Long said, adding that the “local talent pool is showing signs that it will fit the needs.” •

For more information about Intuitive, visit intuitive.com/en-us.

For careers, visit careers.intuitive.com/en.

A team of Intuitive Surgical people was handling an ongoing line of visitors at the recent Peachtree Corners Festival, along with questions about the innovative product and employment at the company.

Working the da Vinci 5 Surgical System

Transition with Purpose and Faith

As a business owner, your journey doesn’t end when you retire from your business—it transforms. For many, this is an opportunity to deepen faith, engage in community service, and pursue new ventures that create a lasting impact. At Transworld Business Advisors of Atlanta Peachtree, we understand that selling your business is more than just a financial transaction. It’s a step toward fulfilling your greater purpose.

Karl, Ann, and our dedicated team of professionals are here to guide you through this important transition. We work alongside you to ensure that selling your business aligns with your values and prepares you for what lies ahead. Whether you seek more time for philanthropy, mentorship, or new faith-driven endeavors, we help you navigate the process so you can move forward with confidence and peace of mind.

Your business has been a significant part of your life’s work and spiritual calling. Now, it’s time to steward your resources, talents, and time toward a future filled with new opportunities to make a difference. Let us help you take this important step, and together, we can prepare you for the next exciting chapter of your journey.

ANN BARHAM ABarham@tworld.com

KARL BARHAM KBarham@tworld.com

Call us today at 770-766-9855 or email us at atlantapeachtree@tworld.com to start the conversation. Selling your business is not the end—it’s the beginning of something greater. Let us help you transition with purpose and faith.

107 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners 404-797-1221 | atlantatechpark.com

Atlanta Tech Meet Up

Tuesdays, October 1, November 5 and December 3. 6-8 p.m.

Sponsored by Aditi Consulting, the monthly meet-up is held on the first Tuesday of the month. Tech admirers and professionals are welcome to meet and discuss all things emerging in technology in the café.

Transworld Lunch N Learn

Wednesday, October 2. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Three speakers share their insights. Ann and Karl Barnham of Transworld Business Advisors present “Mastering Strategic Planning: A Business Owner’s Guide to Exiting Successfully” for entrepreneurs looking to scale and exit their businesses with confidence. Laure Hoffman from Southwestern Consulting will deliver “Habits of Top Leaders” about the key habits that set successful leaders apart.

Tech Talk: Charlie Cichetti Thursday, October 3. 12-1 p.m.

October’s topic is “Behind the Scenes with an Investor and Entrepreneur with Charlie Cichetti, VP of Building Lifecycle Services at SIGEARTH.

TiE Atlanta High School Program

Sundays, October 6, 27, November 3 and December 1. 1-4 p.m.

TiE High School empowers high school students with the means of entrepreneurship. It’s a hands-on entrepreneurship, ideation, business model, financial and customer discovery program taught by entrepreneur mentors from the TiE Atlanta network. Orientation begins on Oct. 6.

Lunch N Learn with Dell Technologies

Monday, October 7. 11:30 a.m-1 p.m.

Admission: free to attend; registration required.

ATP Partner Dell for Start-Ups will discuss why community is important in Atlanta’s ever-growing tech ecosystem. Lunch is provided.

Lunch N Learn Workshop: How to Find, Engage and Sell to Your Target Audience with Social Media

Tuesday, October 29.12-1 p.m.

Learn how to increase your social media presence on a budget. Check online for upcoming details.

Pitch Night / Wine

Wednesday

Wednesdays, October 30. 5-6:30 p.m.

Registration required. Entrepreneurs can sign up for the opportunity to pitch their ideas to other area business owners and investors.

Tech Park Foundation Casino Night

Saturday, November 2. 6-10 p.m.

Tickets: Available through ATP website.

The first annual TPF Casino Night is a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament with proceeds going to help support the Tech Park Foundation, a group that helps to educate, advise and coach underrepresented entrepreneurs.

Marketing AI Pulse

Thursday, November 7. 2-5 p.m.

It’s an afternoon filled with great topics and info on all things marketing and AI.

ATP Pot Luck 2024

Tuesday, November 12. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sign up for a dish and enjoy.

State of Technology Summit

Thursday, December 5. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Tickets: check online to purchase when they become available. The event is sponsored by Partnership Gwinnett. Email maddie@ emnovate.com for information about sponsoring.

Thursday Thought Leaders: Essential Employment Law Changes in 2025

Thursday, October 10

Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

Hilton Atlanta Northeast 5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Admission: $28 for members, $35 for non-members; registration required

During an exclusive session with Atlanta attorney Tim Newton of Constangy, Brooks, Smith and Prophete, he will provide an outlook on the future of employment law. Discover how key labor issues such as union activity, immigration and the rise of AI in the workplace may evolve.

Thursday Thought Leaders: Navigating the Future of Transportation: Insights from GDOT

Commissioner Russell McMurry on Southwest Gwinnett and Beyond

Thursday, November 7

Hilton Atlanta Northeast 5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Admission: $28 for members, $35 for non-members; registration required

Traffic. Roads. Let’s face it, transportation dominates every conversation in Atlanta, particularly here in Southwest Gwinnett. On November 7, we welcome Georgia Department of Transporation (GDOT) Commissioner Russell McMurry talk about exactly that. As the Commissioner of GDOT, Mr. McMurry is responsible for implementing the department’s strategic plans and transportation improvements across the state.

Check out the latest podcasts from Peachtree Corners Magazine on our YouTube Channel

Hosted by Rico Figliolini, Prime Lunchtime with the City Manager is an informative monthly podcast that delves into city developments, news and issues with guest, city manager Brian Johnson.

UrbanEbb, features topics and interviews from start up companies and urban planning, to politics and cultures. Scan the QR to start today.

PCBA

Connecting Over Coffee Morning Meetup

Tuesdays, October 8, November 12 and December 10. 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, 5215 Town Center Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Free admission for PCBA members and their guests. Register online as space is limited.

Meet with other PCBA and business professionals over coffee in a positive atmosphere on the second Tuesday of the month. Business cards will be shared with all attendees.

PCBA Lunch Club

Thursdays, October 17, November 20 and December 5. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Marlow’s Tavern, Peachtree Corners Town Center, 5210 Center Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Club Meetings

Open to PCBA members and their guests. Advance registration is appreciated. Meet up with PCBA members for an enjoyable way to network and save 15% off your lunch check.

PCBA Business After Hours Speaker Series

Thursdays, October 24, November 14 and December 19. 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Hilton Atlanta Northeast 5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Event registration is $40. Early bird registration for members is $25. Advanced registration is $30 for members and $35 for guests. Includes appetizers and drinks.

Oct. 24, Lisa Anders, Chief Operating Officer at Explore Gwinnett, will share updates on tourism and the film industry.

Rotary Club of Peachtree Corners

The Hickory Room 5260 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard Peachtree Corners, GA 30071 peachtreecornersrotary.org

Meetings are held on most Mondays; check the website for more info.

• Oct. 7 — Club Assembly, no speaker, guests or prospective members

• Oct. 14, Nov. 11, Nov. 25, Dec. 9 — no meeting

• Oct. 21 — Tim Le, Upcoming Elections

• Oct. 28 — speaker TBA

• Nov. 4 — speaker Weare Gratwick

• Nov. 18 — Ashley Boggs, Classification Talk

• Dec. 2 — speaker TBA

• Dec. 12 (Thursday) — Holiday Banquet

Duluth Business Association

Meetings held the second Tuesday of every month. Meeting locations are announced monthly. duluthbusiness.org

Next Meeting is set for Tuesday, October 8, 6-7:30 p.m. at COHatch, 3509 Duluth Hwy. in Duluth. RSVP by emailing duluthbusiness@gmail.com.

Tim Newton

Strong Work Ethic, Emphasis on Customer Rags to Riches Restaurant Story

Entrepreneur and restaurateur

Chris Williams remembers growing up so poor in Jamaica that he didn’t even wear shoes until he was a teen.

“We came from extreme poverty,” he said. “Growing up as a kid, I never had shoes at all. So even up to nine and 10 years old, I didn’t have shoes.”

But that humble beginning set him on a path to starting his own trucking business then on to owning multiple food establish -

ments in metro Atlanta. He credits his mother’s strong work ethic and commitment to excellence as the framework for his success in opening his third signature restaurant, Irie Mon Café in Peachtree Corners recently. Along with the Caribbean eateries in Buckhead and at the West End near the Atlanta University Center, Williams has three food trucks and two vendor spots at Mercedes Benz Stadium.

“My mother would wake up at 3 a.m. and go eight to 10 miles away to buy fresh corn and fresh yams,” he said.

She would pick the corn and dig up the yams herself to ensure the freshest, best-looking produce, he added.

“So, the thing that made my mother different was the fact that she brings out fresh food every day,” he said. “She would bring it back to her shop by 7 a.m. so she could have fresh food to sell for that day, every day.”

She started out with those two staples, but made sure they were the best. Her stand was basically four poles with a tarp over it, but she had a reputation for quality. That helped her grow to a real restaurant where she branched out into dishes like oxtails as well as ackee and saltfish — the Jamaican national dish.

It’s his mom’s recipes that Williams uses to this day. Her dishes were famous across the island. Celebrities like Bob Marley would come

Continued on page 62

By Arlinda Smith Broady

Photos by George Hunter

Customer Service Is Basis of

Above from opposite page, Left to right, Payton Williams, Co-Owner; Chris Williams, Owner and Chef Marva “Debbie” Williams Brea Williams Everyting Kriss

Right, Brown Stew Salmon , Rice and Peas, Cabbage, & Plantains

Jerk Chicken, Rice and Peas, Cabbage, Jerk Sauce

Bottom row, Curry Goat, Rice and Peas, Cabbage

Jerk Chicken, Rice and Peas, Cabbage, Jerk Sauce

to her restaurant. So, despite the concept of fusing different cuisines being a growing trend in the food world, Williams said he wants his customers to get the most authentic Jamaican cooking this side of Kingston.

Turning a passion into a business

food space,” he said.

Williams eventually found his way to metro Atlanta in 2000, and in 2017 had an opportunity to buy a small restaurant in Buckhead.

Although his mom taught him about the food industry, Williams said his father taught him about being a businessman.

“My dad had multiple business going on,” said Williams. “He had a pig farm. He had a garage. He’d buy and sell cars. He’d fix cars. He was into a lot of different things.”

In his late teens, Williams moved to the states and lived first in New York, then Texas.

“I was there for a while, doing odd jobs, but in the background, I’ve always wanted to get into the

“I purchased the business with the help of family,” he said. “At the time there was a lack of good Jamaican food here in one place. I would have to go to one place for jerk chicken, one place for oxtail and just different places for my favorites. So, I decided right then that there was a need for all good items under one roof.”

And like his mother, he emphasized fresh ingredients, but he took a page from a local food magnate for his customer service techniques.

“I have modeled myself after the Chick-fil-A model,” he said. “We don’t want you to come in the line and wait one hour for

Continued from page 60

Bread Pudding

Pineapple Upside Down

your food.”

Serving good food fast at local festivals

Taking part in huge festivals like Music Midtown, One Music Fest and several other large draws in downtown has taught the Irie Mon team how to move 1,000 or 2,000 plates of food where others may be scrambling.

“We bring out an adequate amount of staff with this mobile system that takes your payment, and we move those lines within a very short period of time,” Williams said. “So, people really look forward to eating at Irie Mon because they’re going to get good food, and you’re not going to wait in line for two hours like you do at many events.”

Just as important as the food is the customer’s experience, he added.

“That’s very big for me, that you’re there to enjoy an experience, not to sit in a food truck line for two or three hours. That’s not what you’re there for.”

Changing with the times

The customers and the community are important to Williams.

“The first [restaurant] took some work,” he said. “I’m embedding in the community that lived there. I was beating the pavement just to get people in the space, because we’re a little bit off the beaten path.”

And just when things started to gel, the pandemic hit. When COVID forced many in the restaurant business to throw in the towel, he found a way to pivot. Instead of lamenting that their food wasn’t meant for carryout, he found a way to package it so that it stayed

intact and hot en route.

“We embraced the changes and set up a system to work with the apps and delivery partners,” he said.

Williams said Irie Mon Café is in the top 50 fastest selling restaurants in Georgia on Uber Eats with more than 4,000 reviews.

“And we’re just as popular on Door Dash and Grub Hub, too.” He added.

But to continue to be successful, Williams said he wants to get to know his new Peachtree Corners community.

“We definitely want to be involved in any charitable organization. We definitely want to add something to our community. That’s the goal,” he said.

Williams recalled his brush with stage-three gastric cancer that made him realize his mortality. He’s been cancer-free for four years and now has a daughter less than a year old. He said he wants to pay his blessings forward.

“We want to be an integral part of the diversity here. There’s a huge Caribbean community within a five mile radius of here, so we definitely want to serve our Caribbean people, but we want to serve everybody,” he said. “Community consists of everyone, and we definitely want to be an important part of this one.” •

The Irie (Passionfruit)

Volunteering: A Key to Building Stronger Communities and Personal Well-Being

In our busy lives today, it’s super easy to get wrapped up in our own stuff and overlook what our community needs. A study published by the Journal of Happiness revealed that volunteering is a win-win: it helps the community and boosts our happiness too.

The research looked at nearly 70,000 people in the UK and found that those who volunteered in the last year felt more satisfied with life and enjoyed better health than those who didn’t lend a hand. Plus, the more often someone volunteered, the bigger the benefits they experienced.

Volunteering isn’t just good for your mood; it’s also a great way for young adults to gain important skills and step into leadership roles. This is super important in today’s job market, where employers are on the lookout for candidates who excel in communication, teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, and time management—all skills you can develop through volunteering.

And let’s not forget about students! Volunteering can help them academically too. Research shows that students who volunteer tend to do better in school and are more likely to graduate. It helps them connect their studies to real-life situations, keeping them engaged and motivated.

Volunteering isn’t just great for personal growth and education; it also does wonders for our communities. It brings together folks from all walks of life and helps forge connections that go beyond race, class, and location. This fosters a sense of unity and understanding among everyone involved.

On top of that, when people volunteer, we get to see the real impact of nonprofit organizations in action, which helps strengthen ties between residents and these groups. It’s a fantastic way for everyone to pitch in and help create fairer, more resilient communities.

In Peachtree Corners, we have

many opportunities for our residents to volunteer. The Peachtree Corners Festival is a good example. The Festival has been put on since 2011 and is a staple in our community. Volunteers assist every year with vendor set-up, helping with the car show, and even filling in so vendors can take a break.

Recently, on September 17th, a resident of Peachtree Corners and a long-time volunteer was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for her service at the Peachtree Corners Library. Established in 2003, this award honors individuals and groups who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service for over 12 months.

Another great example, one that is close to my heart, is those who volunteer as poll workers during elections. Election workers have a tough job and are critical members of our community. They ensure voters can cast their ballots safely and successfully and often work 10-plus hour days to make our elections possible.

With the standing up of our City Marshal’s Office, we have also begun to see the importance of volunteers for public safety. Public Safety volunteers can act as ambassadors for the community. They help build

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 45,000 residents and 3,000 businesses.

trust and understanding between the community and law enforcement and can also assist with crime prevention efforts, such as community policing initiatives.

Getting involved in volunteer work is essential for driving positive change in our neighborhoods and supporting the well-being of both individuals and the entire community. It’s a chance for us to connect, make new friends, broaden our circles, and enhance our social skills. Let’s come together and strengthen Peachtree Corners through the power of volunteering!

Peachtree Corners

Mike Mason, Mayor

Volunteer Photo Credit - Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0

Celebrating 5 Years of Innovation and Growth

As September rolls in, we are thrilled to be celebrating 5 years of Curiosity Lab and innovation! This month we want to reflect all of the incredible milestones we have achieved, partners and members who have joined our ecosystem and all of the other incredible tech feats we have achieved through the Curiosity Lab journey. What began as an idea of creating new areas of economic development for the City of Peachtree Corners has become one of the leading smart city ecosystems in the United States, a leader of smart city innovation and a nurturing ecosystem for start-ups and established companies. Thank you to everyone who has supported us during our 5-year journey.

During the past 5 years we have achieved unimaginable world firsts and successes. Our unique achievements have put us not just on the national stage but the international stage and set the precedent for what a smart city blueprint looks like in the United States. Some of our firsts include:

• First city in the United States to have implemented a full C-V2X solution across public infrastructure, via Qualcomm/Jacobs.

• First IoT control room of its kind to be implemented in a U.S. city includes intelligent traffic cameras and traffic signals, along with smart streetlights and data sensors, push video, and invaluable data here where city managers can monitor, analyze and manage the data to make quick decisions.

• First traffic signal preemption by AV vehicles over 5G.

• First public deployment of teleoperated e-scooters.

• First installation of a solar roadway on a public street.

• First deployment of autonomous vehicles from multiple OEMs (original equipment managers/vehicle manufacturers) on a public roadway connected over 5G wireless.

• World’s first below-ground robot delivery system.

However, none of this could have been possible without the help of our partners. Our partners have brought their amazing one-of-a-kind technologies, guidance, support and leadership to help us further our mission. We want to take the time to thank our founding partner T-Mobile, Georgia Tech, UPS, Bosch, and every single one of our partners for being a part of our Curiosity Lab ecosystem. Together over the past five years, we have been able to see unthinkable change in the city and our members.

When it comes to technology testing and demoing, since the 2019, we have welcomed over 145 companies, both domestic and from abroad, to Curiosity Lab at all stages of growth. to deploy their technologies. It has been our pleasure to welcome and work with a variety of companies ranging from EV innovators such as i-charging to autonomous mobility leaders like beep to groundbreaking smart city lighting companies such as Juganu.

Over the past five years Curiosity Lab has had the opportunity to launch unforgettable collaborations with our partners and members. Some of our major projects have included:

• Deploying LiDAR solutions to improve VRU safety and traffic intersection efficiencies with our collaboration with Seyond.

• Collaborate with Bosch (Collaborating with) and deploying traffic video sensor technology in the City of Peachtree Corners to make better informed decisions on traffic management.

• Successfully holding two Curiosity Lab Criterium races– the annual US Pro Racing Cycling competition that brings together cyclists of all levels and showcases the latest in VRU technologies from private sector, V2X and sensor innovators, OEMs, hardware and software manufacturers, government transportation officials, bike companies, trade associations, advocacy groups and more that promote roadway safety.

• Collaborated with Clevon (Collaborating with) and T-Mobile on launching an autonomous robot carrier (ARC) designed to collect orders at warehouses, retail stores, dark stores and micro fulfillment centers, and then deliver those goods to people and businesses around the city.

• Launching the Curious Connection event series, aimed at bringing new startups, both local and international, into our ecosystem, while also educating our current startups on the resources the Curiosity Lab and our partners provide to help them succeed.

• Collaborating with Audi and Spoke in developing strategies to realize connected vehicle solutions in Peachtree Corners through advance C-V2X practical deployment pathways.

As we grew, so did our recognition and we are proud to have welcomed not just national startups and companies but as well as international companies that are revolutionizing the smart city space. From Canada to Europe to Asia, we have welcomed a variety of tech innovators that are testing and developing their technology here in the City of Peachtree Corners, revolutionizing

what smart city technology is today and what it will be in the future.

Our goal has been and still is to connect people working on cutting-edge technologies to one another and to opportunities to accelerate their growth. We’re honored to have launched our Connected Future Incubator program alongside ATDC and T-Mobile intended to rapidly scale high-potential startups leveraging the power of 5G. The program continues to offer early-stage startups an opportunity to receive curated access to startup coaches and a diverse team ranging from product developers to business leaders. Our startup program has welcomed over 80+ startups and counting, offering members access to all testing infrastructure, access to design and prototyping labs and facilitating introductions to investors and potential customers.

Through the years we have received multiple awards for our groundbreaking work including the Smart 50 Award, awarded to those launching transformative smart projects each year, the 2023 IDC Smart Cities North America Award for Economic Development, the IEEE Smart Cities 2022 Jury Award recognizing Curiosity Lab on a global scale as setting the blueprint for smart cities across the US.

To this day, we can still claim there is no other smart city environment like ours in the world.

Curiosity Lab has been on an exciting journey since 2019, and we can’t wait to share more on what’s to come for Peachtree Corners and Curiosity Lab through the ever-changing world of smart city innovation and continue to bring the best in safe technologies to residents and visitors.

To stay up to date on new collaborations and announcements by visiting https://curiositylabptc.com/curiosity-lab-adds-new-partners-and-ecosystem-collaborators-through-summer-2024/

Update: New Signage Installation on SR 141 (Peachtree Boulevard) Entering Peachtree Corners

The GDOT Project 0015598 will replace overhead and post-mounted signs along SR 141 from I-285 in Dekalb County to Holcomb Bridge Road in Gwinnett County, including access roads and the ramp from I-285 West to SR 141 North.

The project was initially set for completion on August 31, 2024. The project had some delays from the manufacturer and the Department has revised the completion date to December 31, 2024.

This project involves installing 10 overhead sign structures and 22 footings.

Currently, 60% of the outside footings are complete, with the timeline for outside footing work scheduled to be completed in late September 2024. The inside footing installation will begin in late September and will require lane closures from late September to mid-November 2024.

The installation of the overhead signage will occur after the inside footings are completed, tentatively scheduled to occur between mid-November through the end of the year. GDOT is scheduled to meet its December completion date.

Original Completion Date: August 31, 2024

Revised Completion Date: December 31, 2024

Final Items:

22 Footings for Overhead Signs

Outside footings: 60% complete –late September completion

Inside footings (barrier wall): Work to begin late September to Mid-November

Sign Installation: Work is estimated to begin in late November

Keep Autumn Leaves off the Ground and out of the Storm Drain

It is that beautiful time of the year again. The season of Autumn is when the tree leaves change from green to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. With this seasonal change, the deciduous trees begin to shed their leaves and consequently, bestow more yard work upon every household’s lawn maintenance designee.

How do you handle and dispose of the leaves in your yard?

For a lot of people, the easy solution to clear their lawn from the influx of leaves is by raking or blowing the leaves into the street and therefore, directly into a stormwater inlet such as a catch basin or curb inlet. What people do not know is that leaves, and landscaping trimmings, clog stormwater systems, preventing water from entering the drainage system. The redirection of the water

flow by preventing the stormwater runoff from entering its designed system can cause localized flooding and damage to property and infrastructure. Not only can the improper disposal cause flooding, but it can also impair our water resources. Leaves in the stormwater system begin to decay, releasing nutrients that encourage algae blooms and therefore, depletes oxygen content in water and suffocates aquatic life.

Advice: Never blow or dump leaves, grass clippings, needles, and other yard waste into the street, stormwater drain, drainage ditch, or surface water. Instead, dispose of yard waste by bagging it as solid waste.

Alternatively, you can recycle this organic yard matter by using a mulching mower, adding it to your compost bin, or spreading it as a protective mulch. Don’t wait until after

in their neighborhood. Do the

thing and keep our

free and our waterways clear!

the storm to do your yard maintenance.

Just remember – no one wants to be responsible for street flooding

right

storm drains