JULY 2021 Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
Our Town GWINNETT
Lawrenceville Snellville Lilburn Stone Mountain Tucker
Up Close with True Blue Plumbing Services, see story on page 5.
9 10 12 12
Hometown Brag: Catching Up with Marcel Graham Business Spotlight: Read-Able Reopens with Learning & Fun City Talk: Exciting Things in the Works for Snellville Making a Difference: Show Your Ride for the Ribbons
Scan to Read Digital Edition6
The Village Corner
German Restaurant, Bakery & Tavern We are a full-service bakery, restaurant, and tavern specializing in German cuisine.
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Hours Of Operation: Tuesday - Friday 9am-10pm Saturday 8am-11pm Sunday 10am-9pm Closed Monday
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Before
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H e a lt H y • B e a u t i f u l • i n s p i r e d PAGE 2
John W. Simmons, IV, DMD, PC Robert J. French, DDS
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Jul ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
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Jul ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
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PAGE 3
FANCY FEATHERS
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Offering all parrot/bird supplies at wholesale prices. We sell hand fed BABY PARROTS and cockatiels. Please call 770-986-0661 or visit fancyfeathersstore.com. Featuring Zupreem, Pretty Bird and Dr. D’s pelleted diets, laAvian seed diets along with our own mix, Fancy Feathers, of seeds specialized for parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, finches and Gouldian finches.
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Jul ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
On the Cover: Keep the Plumbing Blues Away with True Blue Plumbing Services By Kristen Eleveld It’s not always easy to call the plumber. You might worry about the cost, the quality of service you’ll receive, or whether you can’t just fix the problem yourself. But when it comes to plumbing issues, you need an expert. And not just any expert – you need a company that wants to offer you great service for a fair price, all while making you feel like family. You need True Blue Plumbing Services. Founded in 2017 by James Guzman, True Blue Plumbing Services in Lilburn has quickly risen to the top of the plumbing industry and is becoming a household name for Gwinnett County. With an incredible focus on customer service, True Blue has shown its clients that they are not there just to make a quick buck, but to make a difference for everyone they meet. “Our clients are like my family,” said office manager Kelly Harvey. “We are so fortunate because all of our clients are amazing. They really are!” With Kelly manning the front desk and James and service technician Sean Nelson out in the field, this three-person operation is able to accomplish a lot for the community they serve. In fact, True Blue stays busy from early in the morning until their last call of the day. But even with the hundreds of service calls they manage during the week, the team at True Blue is always ready to answer the next phone call from someone who needs their help. “We’re like a triple-braided cord,” said James of the team’s incredible work ethic and teamwork. “We’re small, but we’re doing mighty things.” James and his team share the number one goal of making sure that every client and potential client understands that the group at True Blue genuinely cares about people. Their reliability has
spoken for itself as many clients are referred by friends or family who have had an unparalleled customer service experience with True Blue. “I love it when someone calls and tells me they are the mother of one of our current clients,” said Kelly. “You would only recommend the best to your own mother, and it really uplifts me to know people are referring us to their families.” While James has always been great with people, he didn’t grow up wanting to be a plumber. It was only when he was trying to decide on a path after high school that a cousin offered to let James work as an apprentice for his plumbing business in Miami. Within a year, James became the apprentice of the year for the company, and was running a crew of 20 people on his own. When he moved to Gwinnett four years ago, he realized he had a lot to offer people as a plumber and opened up True Blue Plumbing Services. Now, True Blue is making waves in the community as it continues to offer excellent service at fair prices while adding a personal touch that only a small business can. The True Blue team often finds themselves not only answering service calls but also listening to clients as they share about their lives. The authentic love of community and the desire to really learn about their clients have set True Blue apart, both in their industry and in customer service as a whole. “For us, plumbing is just the vehicle that allows us to get in front of people and make a difference,” said James. “It’s always been about the people. I like the challenge of doing a good job and being the best version of ourselves.” James added, “We’re just looking for connection with people. Every time you call, we will be there.” More information at www.trueblueatl.com or call (770) 5449223
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PAGE 5
Our Town Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine
Publisher/Owner Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultz.com Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultz.com
Editor Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultz.com Photography Aleen Karakashian Photography Distribution Coordinator
Wendy Head Feature Writers K. Coats Kristen Eleveld Amy Ney Emily Rubin Traci Sanders Beth Volpert Johansen
Gwinnett’s premier event destination for 23 years!
Contributing Writers Bill Crane Terie Hansen Pam Walker
— An EndResultz Media & Communications firm www.EndResultz.com Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett /NE DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyright 2021 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.
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IN THIS ISSUE
Weddings & receptions, holiday parties, anniversary celebrations, sweet 16 parties, corporate events and more!
(770) 972-6540 • www.vecoma1.com PAGE 6
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On the Cover: Keep the Plumbing Blues Away with True Blue Plumbing Services From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks Buy Nothing Facebook Group: Helping Lilburn Residents in Need Hometown Brag: Catching Up with Marcel Graham Business Spotlight: Read-Able Reopens with Learning and Fun City Talk: Exciting Things in the Works for Snellville Making a Difference: Show Your Ride for the Ribbons Home Improvement Ideas: Five Simple Indoor Projects One Man’s Opinion: The Evolving Story of Arlington House Snellville Spotlight: Police Chief Roy Whitehead Retires Gwinnett Tool Depot: Rebuilding Gwinnett One Tool at a Time Pet Perch: Does Your Dog Bark Too Much? Come Clean Gwinnett: Gets Citizens Involved in Litter Cleanups One on One with Cosmo’s Pizza + Social Travel Tales: Europe is Open: Let’s Go!
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Jul ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
From the Publisher:
1988
Eddie’s Automotive Service
Ryan’s Remarks
‘
By Ryan T. Sauers
@RyanSauers
@RyanTSauers
I hope everyone is off to a great summer. Man, I love the daylight hours being longer, warm weather, and time with my family as school is out. Moreover, I enjoy seeing everyone back together again (in person) and behaving the way human beings are supposed to. If I never hear the word “Covid” again, I will be a happy man. With that said, the more I catch up with people, the more common themes I observe. So many people are worn down/beaten up by our fast-moving world. They got used to a slower pace of life, working from home, etc. over the past sixteen months or so. Things never really slowed down a lot for me, but I know they did for so many. I am seeing people struggling to transition back to “pre- Covid” living. In some ways, we are “addicted to the technology” we have, and some face a difficult time (I know I do) putting it all away. This is a real issue. We are inundated with more information than we can ever consume. I force myself each night to finally shut it down and give my brain a rest. So, I think we need to take what we learned in the pandemic and apply it to post-pandemic living. Remember the quiet of a year ago and what we thought about or did during those times. Recalling this will make us better people and leaders in 2021 and beyond. You see, for many, assuming they have enough money to live their life, they simply want more time. They want more time to do what they really want to do in life. They want to spend more time with their family and friends and want the “never-ending” clock to slow down. I write this column each month, and it amazes me (every single time for so many years) how fast time goes. Our Town Gwinnett Magazine aims to provide you a well-deserved break from our constantly connected and impersonal world. We provide positive family and community news (and a 20-minute break from your screen and all the noise) about super people, events, groups, and organizations. On a personal note, I work hard to balance my time and the many things I do each week. However, I have room to improve as well. We are all human and have limits. My goal is to focus on putting first things first and last things last and hope you will do the same. In our media offerings you see the same positive themes, whether it is in our print version, online edition, digital channels, social media outlets, community forums, podcasts, award competition, and more. Please enjoy your precious time. Always remember none of us can get time back, buy it, save it, make it go faster, or slow it down. Time is a PRESENT and the PRESENT. And, the present is all any of us are guaranteed. So, I encourage you to Keep Pushing Forward (KPF) no matter what you face in life. Please inspire others with a kind word instead of a negative slight. Oh yeah, and SMILE again because you can with no mask! Always look for the best in others and seek to make their day special. All of this helps make our community the best it can be. I wish you a wonderful holiday and safe July. Until next time and as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town!
2021
5440 Webb Pkwy. Lilburn, GA
Give us a Call Get Ready for the Road ! 770-381-7574 er ,.. b m e m e R t Drop
igh Our Nou need to dro,p off s y When r after hour a your c e we open or or bef
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Jul ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
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PAGE 7
Buy Nothing Facebook Group: Helping Lilburn Residents in Need By Emily Rubin
Billy Graf lives in a family home filled with items left by his sisters who moved out, his late mother’s belongings, and things his father left behind when he moved out. Because of the pandemic, he could not hold a yard sale to clean out what he does not want. “A lot of it was just a clean out, stuff that had been sitting down there for decades in some way, shape, or form,” Billy said. “If somebody could use it, it was better than it ending up in a landfill.” Billy turned to a Facebook group called Buy Nothing Lilburn to rehome some of the items in his house. He was not the only one to join the group amid the pandemic in search of new homes for old belongings. Buy Nothing Lilburn was started in 2015 after a previous group sprouted when it reached an overwhelming number of members that made community connections difficult, according to Buy Nothing admin Elizabeth Thiel.
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The Buy Nothing Project is an international network of community gift economy groups. The project is aimed to promote a sense of community through the giving and receiving of items to neighbors. The group is larger than Lilburn, and even Georgia. There are groups in 44 countries and over three million members throughout the 5,500 plus groups, according to the Buy Nothing Project website. “We offer people a way to give and receive, share, lend, and express gratitude through a worldwide network of hyper-local gift economies in which the true wealth is the web of connections formed between people who are real-life neighbors,” the Buy Nothing Project mission statement reads. Members of the group post their items as gifts and select someone from the comment section to give their gift to. Members can also post an ask for a gift on behalf of them or someone else. “I ended up with a couple of bicycles that my kids had outgrown,” Billy said. “So, I posted those up and they went pretty quick.” Billy needed something to keep him busy, and using his hands since he could no longer handle the physical requirements of his old job due to a bad car accident. He asked the group for broken bikes and old lawn equipment that he could sit down and fix. His plan was to take the unwanted bikes, fix them, and then offer them up again in the group so others in the community could enjoy them. “That’s how it started, and it exploded,” Billy said. “I’ve got 72 bicycles down to repair now.” Continued on page 22
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Hometown Brag: Catching Up with Marcel Graham By K. Coats
The career survey seems pretty universal among American middle schools. Students answer many preference and informational questions, and a magical list of suitable career fields is generated. I’ll admit I never paid them much attention. My sister’s friend once scored a suggested career of “clown.” She cried. A lot. But South Gwinnett High School class of 2011 alumnus Marcel Graham thought differently. “When I was in the 7th grade at Snellville Middle School,” he remembers, “one of my teachers took the class to the computer lab to complete a careers builder survey. My results said being a pilot was in my top three best-fitting jobs.” And, unlike most of us, Graham thought seriously about the suggestion. “I said to myself that would be cool, and I can do that,” he continues. “So, I stuck with it ever since.” From there, Graham took advantage of the Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) Maxwell High School of Technology and their Aircraft Flight Operations program, which was taught by retired Delta Air Lines Captain Kenneth Phelps. “This class was my first big step in my career field that gave me more hands-on experience than I ever imagined,” Graham explains. “From learning the aircraft, flying the simulators, and taking job fair field trips, I couldn’t have wanted anymore.” The Maxwell High School of Technology has a unique place in the GCPS system that is irreplaceable and helps prepare students for some pretty wonderful career fields with hands-on experiences. During his high school years, when not using flight simulators, Graham was very active outdoors. “During my time in high school, I ran track as well as playing football at the same time,” he recalls. “I also spent some time volunteering and tutoring on off days.” But he also took advantage of Gwinnett County’s generous parks and countryside. Graham says, “I used to spend a lot of time outdoors. I owned an ATV and a dirt bike and would hit the trails daily to explore and relax my mind. I was also into hiking, biking, swimming, wakeboarding, and camping. Anything that kept me outside was right up my alley.” And he has pushed that love of outdoors so far as to leave the ground itself behind. “It is pretty cool seeing the world from 37,000 feet in the air,” he admits. “I’ve seen stellar views such as the Great Lakes, Grand Canyon, national parks, and mountain ranges.” That’s a far cry from Lenora Park! In fact, Graham attributes everything he’s experienced as leading up to his current situation. “I always knew I wanted to be a pilot, and I kept a laser focus on achieving that dream,” he says. “I always kept an open mind about which company I would end up working for or even where I would potentially live. I made sure nothing distracted me from my end goal. Every past experience was a learning event that helped shape me into the person I am today.” And with that in mind,
Graham would go on to attend Middle Georgia State University and officially became a pilot in 2017. Currently, he is a Captain at SkyWest Airlines on the Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) out of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. And Graham is still as much in love with his career as he was four years ago. “How many jobs provide you the opportunity to get paid to travel to a city at any given time while enjoying yourself?” he asks. But the skies aren’t always friendly, and Graham acknowledges that responsibility. “While we mostly have great days and blue skies, we also can have rough weather or mechanical issue days as well,” he explains. “Everything falls on my shoulders to be able to cultivate the talents of my team while inspiring all to strive for greatness as we are a customer-focused industry.” When asked about the best part of his job, Graham echoes the common understanding – everyone loves a uniform. “I think the best part of being an airline pilot is putting on the uniform,” he says. “There is a level of professionalism that is unmatched by any other job/career. It’s the best feeling when family and friends recognize you while you are on the job.” And although Graham has always had a strong, single focus, his plans for the future still have some further aspirations to fulfill. His next move came as a result of the pandemic. “I just recently uprooted twenty years of living in the Atlanta, Georgia area to move to Houston, Texas,” he explains. “The airline industry has been so consistently changing due to COVID that some job relocations have been necessary. I figured why not move and explore a new city. My ultimate dream career is to one day be the Chief Pilot for FedEx Express. I have always had a huge fascination with how one company can move thousands of customers’ packages throughout ‘The World On Time.’” But “soaring through the friendly skies” isn’t all that Graham is doing. He’s plenty busy outside of the cockpit as well. “Outside of my responsibilities at SkyWest Airlines, I spend much of my time volunteering with The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) and Professional Pilots Of Tomorrow (PPOT),” he says. “For OBAP, I am the Atlanta Solo Flight Academy Coordinator and Southeast Region Administrator. I assist in facilitating our events Continued on page 16
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PAGE 9
Business Spotlight: Read-Able Reopens with Learning and Fun By Kristen Eleveld
For almost a decade, Read-Able Learning Clinic has made a difference for families in Gwinnett and beyond as they seek ways to help children succeed both academically and socially. Now, after working virtually during the pandemic, the Read-Able team is back in person forging ahead with new opportunities for students to build success. Read-Able Clinic started out as a solution to a problem that Dr. Kate Crews saw over and over again: kids were struggling with reading problems that required in-dept assessment and specialized intervention. Now, thanks to the expert team at Read-Able, students with learning disabilities, dyslexia, autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and other challenges receive evidence-based instruction tailored to their individual needs. Read-Able also helps parents address the behaviors that negatively impact students at home and school. “We are open in person, and it feels good!” said Nancy, who provides counseling and attention training for students aged 4 to 15. “Many of our students need movement and sensory input to self-regulate and benefit from instruction. Children are often told to ‘Pay attention’ when they do not have the tools to do that.” In the clinic, the patients benefit from Read-Able’s multi-sensory approach, which combines cognitive material with motor activities in two fully-equipped sensory rooms. This year is an especially exciting one because the Read-Able team is welcoming a new therapist to their staff – Reece C. Jennings, MT-BC. Reece is providing music therapy to small groups throughout the year, enhancing the work they are doing with Nancy and Dr. Kate. In fact, Reece and Dr. Kate have been collaborating on a new project for the summer, which they have named Books and Beats. This program is designed to help kids work on their reading skills through music. To add even more fun to the summer, each week of Books and Beats has a different theme: Jungle, Space, Yummy Foods, Dinosaurs, and Silly Stories. Aside from small groups, Reece also offers individual music therapy and adaptive lessons for students with special needs, focusing on fun first, but also self-regulation and personal accomplishment. Looking to the future, Read-Able Clinic is planning small groups for children with similar learning or social struggles, as well as a group for young adults with developmental disabilities to continue life-long learning. The Read-Able team wants to give students as many opportunities as possible to practice their social skills through guided social relationships.
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With a master’s degree in reading and a doctorate in special education, Dr. Kate has a professional resume that is extraordinary. She is trained in Orton-Gillingham for dyslexia and in DIR FloorTime for Autism. She also has advanced training in Story Grammar Marker, a kinesthetic, hands-on method using icons to mark the parts of a story to present an oral or written narrative. Dr. Kate is a firm believer that not all methods work for all students, which is why she places so much focus on staying up-to-date on current research and evidence-based methods of instruction. “There are so many kids I see who are incredibly gifted, but they are labeled as being lazy or low-performing because of their reading difficulties,” said Dr. Kate. “It’s our job to find out why this student is having trouble, and then come up with a research-based plan to help him or her work through it.” It’s no surprise that Dr. Kate also spends time advocating for the students she teaches, working with their teachers in public and private schools, and helping parents navigate the Individual Education Plan (IEP) that many students already have. “At Read-Able, we want to partner with local schools to build a strong support net for students who are struggling with core skills, as well as emotional and behavioral challenges,” said Dr. Kate. A licensed clinical social worker, Nancy can always be found working with children who need guidance in sensory regulation, attention, and behavioral skills. She uses computer-based biofeedback/neurofeedback for attention training and self-regulation and offers solutions for handling emotions, following directions, and interpersonal communication. In addition to the academic demands of school, many students are dealing with issues related to adoption, divorce, frequent moves, and self-esteem. Nancy helps parents interpret difficult behavior to address the emotional needs of their children and teens and to reduce family conflict. “Our services keep getting better,” said Nancy. “We are always looking for more effective methods that will help us guide these students through their challenges.” More information at https://readablelearningclinic.com/
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Jul ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
Q: With so many options, who can be trusted with your real estate needs? A:
Karen Lickay is your outstanding solution.
Q: What sets Karen apart? A: Karen is a bold visionary. At the young age of 23, she immigrated to America from Argentina. With only a suitcase, she used her determination, tenacity and magnetic personality to cultivate a real estate business and life right here in Gwinnett County. Karen knows and loves her Lilburn community, which is why she brings a passion for helping others succeed. She has an attentive eye for detail and knowledge that can only come from two decades of experience. Karen’s dedication shows in her responsiveness and determination. Her ability to communicate thoroughly and effectively in both English and Spanish (with a dash of Italian) has proven invaluable to her clients.
Simply put, Karen has you covered. 770-776-6033 www.KarenAtlantaHomes.com 650 Hillcrest Rd NW #500, Lilburn, GA 30047 REAL ESTATE CLOSING ATTORNEYS 3190 NE EXPRESSWAY STE 310 ATLANTA GA 30341 770-951-2223 phone 678-680-7908 fax Email- closings@closingtoday.com
REAL ESTATE CLOSING ATTORNEYS 3190 NE EXPRESSWAY STE 310 ATLANTA GA 30341 770-951-2223 phone 678-680-7908 fax Email- closings@closingtoday.com
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Copyright © 2021. Homestar Financial Corporation 332 Washington St. NW, Gainesville, GA 30501. NMLS #70864. For licensing info: NMLSconsumeraccess.org. This is not a commitment to lend and not all customers will qualify. All terms, information, conditions, rates, and programs are subject to credit and property approval and may change without notice. Not all products are available in all states. Certain other restrictions may apply. Homestar Financial Corporation is an equal housing lender and is not affiliated with any government entity.
Jul ’21 Our Town Gwinnett
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PAGE 11
Show Your Ride for the Ribbons By Traci Sanders
CIty Talk: Exciting Things in the Works for Snellville By Traci Sanders
A joint venture between CASTO and MIDCITY is pleased to announce that it has closed on the purchase of the land for Phase I of The Grove at Towne Center with the City of Snellville. Construction on the project’s $85 million first phase commenced in March. General contractors Hodges & Hicks, Fortune-Johnson, and Winter Construction, TSW Architects, and Place Makers Design, along with architects Dynamik and Smallwood are leading the construction and design of the Towne Center. The project is expected to deliver in the fall of 2022. In addition to closing on the land, the CASTO/MIDCITY JV also closed on its loan with US Bank, leaving only the continuation of construction and securing the ideal mix of tenants. This process is already well underway. The Grove at Towne Center’s first phase will include over 50,000 square feet of shopping, dining, recreation, and business space. The Grove at Towne Center will also offer residential opportunities, a new Gwinnett County Library, a special use Mercantile Building, and significant common areas including The Grove town green. Two hundred sixty-two multi-family luxury apartments in The Grove will feature an upscale living experience that will appeal to a wide range of ages and life stages that wish to enjoy the convenience and luxury of an urban lifestyle. Offering walking Continued on page 18
Over 500 people showed up at Ironshield Brewing in Lawrenceville on Saturday, June 5th to support National Cancer Survivor Day and share their love of classic cars in the Show Your Ride for the Ribbons event. Bobbie Menneg, CEO and Founder of Beyond the Ribbon, a nonprofit organization that offers support and relief for cancer survivors and their families, hosted this event with little more than two months to prepare. A total of 225 car owners from all over the United States turned up to enter their cars to support this great cause and for the chance to win one of several prizes that included Best in Show, People’s Choice, Kids’ Choice, Top 15, Most Donations, and Survivors’ Choice. Trophies for each of these categories were distributed to the respective winners, as well as gift cards and baskets, and one lucky person received a raffle prize of $561. This was after splitting the winning 50/50 with Beyond the Ribbon organization. Car entries ranged from classics, such as the 1930 Hudson, to several 2021 models. There was even an exact replica of Lightning McQueen in the running. Each car owner submitted an entry fee of $20 (or $25 if after May 29) to secure a parking spot for the judging, and each entry was given a goodie bag that contained items such as hand sanitizer, sunglasses, an ink pen, a water bottle, and other memorabilia. The car exhibition spanned five parking lots, and the brewery bar, lounge, and deck were packed out with guests enjoying beer and live music. Despite the sweltering heat and crowded spaces, people enjoyed the beautiful cars and great conversation. Various vendors of t-shirts, car paraphernalia, and beauty items were set up in booths inside and tents outside during the event. Pin-up models posed in front of a few of the cars to contribute to a calendar that will be available for sale by the end of 2021. Stormtroopers and other characters wove their way through the crowd to the delight of all in attendance, especially since the temperature was in the mid-eighties. Continued on page 14
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Home Improvement Ideas: Five Simple Indoor Projects By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
There is no need to go out and buy all new furniture and décor or undertake a major renovation to give your current interior a fresh look and feel. Small tweaks can make just as big of an impact. Spruce up interior spaces with these five simple do-it-yourself projects that can be tackled over a weekend. 1) Restore and Reorganize Décor: An easy way to give your living space a mini makeover is to reinvigorate existing décor. Start by repairing any damaged or broken decorative pieces such as frames, vases, or display items using a gel control applicator. Providing a precise, clean, and controlled application on a variety of materials including plastics, wood, rubber, metal, ceramics, and more, this gel adhesive is perfect for uneven or vertical applications and sets in just 30 seconds for a completely mess-free repair. Finish up by finding new homes for your prized décor pieces for a completely new look. 2) Update Bathroom Hardware: Nothing dates a bathroom more than an outdated faucet. Give your vanity a facelift by swapping out old fixtures with updated designs to help revitalize the sink. But do not stop there. Replacing stained or worn-down caulk can give the entire bathroom a fresh look while preventing future moisture damage. Make sure to use a siliconized sealant when doing this. 3) Brighten Interior Walls: Whether you want your space to feel more spacious, a bit brighter, or even more soothing, a new paint color can do the trick. Everything from earthy, jewel tones to natural, more neutral aesthetics are trending this year. When selecting your color, sticking within the shade family of one of your longtime favorite colors will help guarantee the color brings you joy for years to come. Looking to ease in? Give an accent wall a shot! 4) Repair Holes in the Drywall: Before you start painting a room, make sure you take the time to repair any nicks, dents, or holes in the drywall for a polished and professional finished result. Whether the damage is small from a picture frame nail or anchor, or as large as doorknob damage, wall repair patches come in different sizes and make repairing holes in drywall fast and easy. Just apply and paint for a completely mess-free repair in minutes. 5) Upgrade Lighting If your ceiling is still sporting a decades-old light fixture, revitalize it with something a little more modern. The same goes for lampshades and light fixtures. Swapping these out with new, upgraded looks is a simple and budget-friendly way to update any room in an afternoon. To complete your lighting update, consider replacing your current light bulbs with LED bulbs, which will provide a cooler light while helping reduce your energy bill. (BPT)
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One Man’s Opinion: The Evolving Story of Arlington House By Bill Crane
On a rolling hillside overlooking the Potomac River – with the great Mall of Monuments, the US Capitol, and even the White House in the distance – lie more than 1,100 acres of some of the most hallowed and consecrated grounds in these United States: Arlington National Cemetery. Buried here are the remains of war veterans as far back as the Revolutionary War, including tribute to the unknown veteran in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Some of the most desired and few remaining veteran burial plots in our nation also contain at least one controversy – the Arlington House, a memorial to Robert E. Lee, Commanding General of the Army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War. The National Park Service maintains Arlington House in honor of Lee for his work in supporting the Armistice agreement at Appomattox and his ongoing later public support for peace and reunification of the Union. Arlington House reopens this month for public tours and visits, after seven years of planning and a $12.5-million restoration. Sitting atop a hill in the near center of Arlington National Cemetery, the building’s massive 5-foot-wide columns are visible from many points in the Federal District across the Potomac nearby. This latest restoration focused on recovering the stories of many of those who lived there, not only the Custis and Lee families and their descendants, but also of the many enslaved who built, maintained, served, and even became a part of the Lee family. Formerly known as the Custis-Lee Mansion, Arlington House was once a working plantation built by George Washington Custis, the step-grandson of General George Washington, and his wife, Martha Custis. Custis constructed Arlington as an intended monument to George Washington to house his papers and artifacts. The only Custis daughter to survive into adulthood was Mary Anna Randolph Custis. A distant cousin, Lieutenant Robert E. Lee, and frequent visitor to Arlington, married Mary Custis there in 1831, two years after his West Point graduation. George Washington Custis lived a long life for those times, dying at age 76 in 1857. He left Arlington to his daughter Martha and the manor house and plantation, with several hundred enslaved. This would make Rober E. Lee a slave-owner for the first time, just four years before the outbreak of the Civil War. In April 1861, Virginia seceded from the Union, and Lee resigned his commission in the US Army. Lee reported for duty to the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, which he would later
lead. On May 14, Mary Custis, now running the plantation on her own, learned from a cousin in Washington who worked for Union General Winfield Scott that Arlington would soon be seized due to its strategic location and its easy reach by long gun cannon to the US Capitol. Union troops seized Arlington without firing a shot on May 24, 1861. General Lee would never return to Arlington. Mrs. Lee returned only once. In 1874, nearly a decade after the Confederate surrender, Lee’s oldest son, George Washington Custis Lee, filed suit in Virginia against the US government for the illegal seizure of Arlington, by then a National Cemetery. The court battle would continue until 1882, nearly twice as long as the Civil War, with the US Supreme Court deciding in favor of the Lee family’s claim and awarding Custis Lee the sum of $150,000 in compensation ($4,166,250 in 2020 currency) for the roughly 1,100 acres now maintained by the US Department of the Army. The National Park Service manages Arlington House and twenty-eight surrounding acres. The scars of our Civil War may never fully heal, as so many feel the ongoing need to pick and pull at the scabs. Towards the end of that war, Lee would argue with the Confederate Congress and President Jefferson Davis to free and arm the enslaved to join Confederate forces fighting back superior and overwhelming Union forces. This correspondence is well documented. Lee did not win that argument any more than he won the war. But when you tell the story honestly and completely, you may never cease to be amazed at what you will find in turning each old page. One thing about war that has not changed since Lee’s day is that the soldier on the battlefield does not decide what the war is about, what causes are right versus wrong, or how historians may later view those choices. I am hopeful that those overseeing planned museum exhibits and updates to Georgia’s Stone Mountain Park are paying attention to the happenings at Arlington House. Crane is the senior political analyst with WSB Radio and TV and owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com
Show Your Ride for the Ribbons Continued from page 12 Local artist, Jose Pena, contributed by painting an original classic car in the lobby of Ironshield in honor of cancer patients. Jose is a huge supporter of cancer awareness through his program The Healing Arts Initiative at the Hudgens Center for Art, where he offers free monthly art classes to cancer survivors and their families as a coping and healing tool. Menneg’s monetary goal for this event was $5000. “But we crushed that goal in no time and ended up raising $10,000!” she shared. “This was my first time ever doing an event of this magnitude, and it went so well I’m already planning another one for the fall.” No doubt the next one will be a huge success as well. More information at https://beyondtheribboninc.org/.
EVENTS ON THE SNELLVILLE TOWNE GREEN
JULY 24
FREE CONCERT 6-9 p.m. • Towne Green The Ray Howard Band 6 p.m. - Motown Sounds 7 p.m. - Earth Wind and Fire Tribute
AUGUST 6
FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY Food • Beer • Wine available on site. No alcohol is allowed to be brought to the Towne Green. Reserve VIP seating at ExperienceSnellville.com. $125 for 6 people
4-8 p.m.
Music and Fun with DJ Lee!
Love at Wurst Site • The Patty Wagon Sunshine Alchemy • Atlanta Seafood Gyro Mediterranean • South of Philly Frozen Sweets • Kona Ice
www.ExperienceSnellville.com PAGE 14
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Snellville Spotlight: Police Chief Roy Whitehead Retires By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
After fifty years of service in law enforcement, and seventeen years as the chief of police for the city, Roy Whitehead retired effective July 1st. “I am thankful for the opportunity to have served this department, our city, and this community,” Whitehead said. “We are an award-winning department that is successful because of the job our people do and how they demonstrate their caring and professionalism daily. I’m also proud of our facility, equipment, and the successes we have enjoyed while creating opportunities for our people to excel and for an environment that encourages their growth.” Whitehead, 69, graduated Cum Laude at the University of Georgia, attended law school at Georgia State University, and took master’s courses at The Citadel. He has completed more than 4,000 hours of advanced training in law enforcement both in the military and as a civilian. As an officer, he has served in patrol, traffic, and investigations divisions, and spent twenty-seven years as a chief in Snellville and in Summerville, South Carolina. He served as vice chairman of the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council, chaired the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee for the Municipal Association of South Carolina, and served as a trustee for the South Carolina Insurance and Risk Financing Fund. Whitehead was also consultant to two independent contractors for the US Department of Justice, served on the Advisory Board for the Georgia Public Safety Training Center at Athens, the Advisory Board for Gwinnett Tech, the Advisory Board of South Gwinnett, and the support team for the Gwinnett County Treatment Court Program. He was also deputy coroner in Clarke and Oconee counties and Substitute Judge for the Recorders Court of Athens. “I am especially proud to be recognized for several lifesaving efforts, winning the Award of Valor from the 100 Club of Charleston for single-handedly capturing a bank robber, and being recognized as the Public Safety Person of the Year at the Gwinnett County Valor Awards in 2007,” he said. Whitehead also qualified as an expert witness for law enforcement in the Superior Courts of Georgia. In 2004, Whitehead was named chief of the Snellville Police Department (SPD), where he set out to make the department the best it could be. “Our goals included making the department one of the best in the nation,” he said. To do so, he wanted to implement various opportunities such as a K-9 unit, a motorcycle unit, and a Special Response Team among others. He wanted to improve the quality of life of Snellville residents by reducing crime and building partnerships with all segments of the community. Whitehead helped design the current police department and increased department salaries to draw more qualified officers. He bolstered the Citizens Police Academy (CPA) and CPA Alumni association which just completed its 30th class. He created programs such as Public Safety Night, Shop with a Cop, Tip a Cop, and others. Under Whitehead’s leadership, SPD won the Governor’s Cup awarded in the Governor’s Challenge under the auspices of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety the last two years. “This is the first time an agency won this award twice,” Whitehead said. “We are consistently recognized by winning local and national awards through our affiliation with the National Criminal Enforcement Association and other entities. Our implementation of Community Oriented Policing allows us to work coactively with our citizens and we had the lowest crime rate in 2020 in the last twenty years.” Assistant Chief Greg Perry will assume the duties of chief. Perry, a Brookwood High School and Reinhardt University graduate, started his career in law enforcement with the Stone Mountain Park Department of Public Safety and joined SPD in 2002. “I am humbled to have the opportunity to lead the Snellville Police Department as the chief of police,” he said. “Chief Whitehead has placed the department in a tremendous position to provide the highest level of public safety for our citizens, and we will do everything possible to continue the police department in a positive direction. All the men and women of the Snellville Police Department should know that I will work as hard as I can to provide them outstanding leadership in the chief’s position, and that I will support them 100 percent in doing their job professionally for our community. Our community members should know that our department will be responsive to their concerns, and will remain transparent in our activities.” Perry, 46, rose through the ranks working on the DUI Task Force, as a motor officer, serving in
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Police Chief Roy Whitehead Retires Continued from page 15
Marcel Graham Continued from page 9
leadership roles for the Special Operations Unit, the Accident Investigation Unit, and the Special Response Team, and has served as assistant chief since 2016. Perry has been named Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Officer of the Year, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Gold Medal of Valor winner, VFW Public Safety Officer of the Year, National Street Level Interdiction Officer of the Year – National Criminal Enforcement Association, National Largest Street Level Cocaine Seizure – NCEA and National Largest Street Level Methamphetamine Seizure – NCEA. “My ultimate goal is to continue to lead the Snellville Police Department in providing the highest level of professional policing for our community,” Perry said. “I have a desire to increase training for both the officers within the department as well as increase community outreach. There is also a desire to improve the equipment and technology that can be used by the Snellville Police Department to help reduce crime. We will be working on strategies to assist with recruitment and retention for the police department. We will also continue to build partnerships within our community.” More info https://www.facebook.com/Snellville.Police
such as Atlanta Solo Flight Academy, Aerospace Professionals in Schools, and Aviation Career Education. For PPOT, I am the SkyWest Airlines Lead Mentor, scholarship committee, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison. I am responsible for acting as a liaison between my airline group and the quality assurance department.” And those old days of flight simulators at Maxwell are never far behind. He says, “While at SkyWest, I am a Captain as well as a Simulator Seat Sub. I volunteer my time to assist the Training Department, Simulator Check Airman and Aircrew Program Designee by acting as a qualified Captain for First Officers Initial Line Operational Evaluations, Maneuvers Validation, Line Oriented Flight Training and Continued Qualification training events.” The next time you see a SkyWest plane in the sky or taxiing the runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, know it could potentially be a Snellville native in that cockpit. Captain Marcel Graham, on behalf of the Our Town Gwinnett staff and your hometown, know that we are all so proud of you and your accomplishments. You are a testament to your schools and community, and we wish you the best in all your endeavors. We hope, like Ella Fitzgerald once sang, “nothing but blue skies do [you] see.”
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Gwinnett Tool Depot: Rebuilding Gwinnett One Tool at a Time By Traci Sanders
The pandemic of 2020 forced millions of people to start working from home. More time at home with the family also resulted in many more home-improvement projects. Jennifer and Gabriel Gann saw a great opportunity to help locals in their DIY efforts. Gabriel had an extensive career in management in the telecommunications industry for over twenty-six years. Jennifer has over fifteen years of experience in DIY projects and home renovations and shares some of her projects and process on her website That Girl That Builds. The couple located a supplier and started purchasing liquidated pallets of tools, which they sold from their garage using online selling outlets such as Facebook Marketplace. Gwinnett Tool Depot was born. With a revenue of over $5,000 in their first month, and limited space for their growing list of supplies, the couple decided to lease a commercial space. Their first space was a 2,200 square foot building, and Gwinnett Tool Depot quickly became a well-known name in their community. Within one year, the business was thriving and moved to a 4,500 square foot space, where it is currently located. Gwinnett Tool Depot offers power tools, hand tools, lawn tools, and more to accommodate all
home-improvement needs. Ryobi, Milwaukee, and Rigid are a few of their top brands. Since they deal with overstock, RTV (returned to vendor), and last-year models, all tools are tested for quality and functionality before being made available for sale. Both new and gently used tools are offered, at an average of 20-30% off retail cost. This has been a blessing for many local families who lost their jobs or lost wages during the pandemic, but perhaps needed to upgrade their homes to sell or repair something. Many homeowners also found themselves needing power tools to do odd maintenance jobs around their homes due to lack of funds to pay professionals. And, homeowners needed tools as many were left to manage their own small projects as several service companies, such as lawn care and construction-based ones, were booked for weeks at a time. The company has grown into a full-fledged family business, with Gabriel and Jennifer’s teen girls offering administrative support and assistance in customer service, and Gabriel’s brother as a sales/warehouse associate. At the moment, the store functions as a retail space with the full walkin experience, but the couple plans to have an e-commerce site available, as well as a check-out service window, by the end of the summer 2021 and are considering the option of offering DIY tool rental services. Gwinnett Tool Depot strives to become the local go-to for all home-improvement needs on a budget! More information at www.gwinnetttooldepot.com.
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Exciting Things in the Works for Snellville Continued from page 12 access to retail, dining, the greenway system, and more, these apartments will combine the best of modern convenience with a quiet, peaceful setting. Atlanta-based Place Maker Design has been tapped by Mayor and Council to design the Mercantile building, a unique city market planned for The Grove at Towne Center. By a 6-0 vote, Mayor and Council agreed to pay the firm $118,500 for its services to create a signature, 25,000 square-foot, two-floor building that will be a centerpiece of The Grove. Place Maker Design has designed prominent buildings in Woodstock, Alpharetta, and Atlanta, among other locations. Costs cover schematic design, design development, and construction document services of the $6 million project. Also included are architectural, civil engineering, structural engineering, mechanical, plumbing, electrical engineering services, and administration services. The design will be completed by late summer in time to start construction this fall. It is scheduled to open in September of 2022. A city market eatery concept will be offered on the first floor, while event space will be offered on the second level. “Every item we check off the list brings us one day closer to seeing The Grove at Towne Center
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open to our community,” said Mayor Barbara Bender. “It’s especially exciting to see physical evidence of this long-awaited project now that construction has begun!” While Snellville residents await this development to be completed, several upcoming concerts can be enjoyed. The Ray Howard Band – Earth, Wind, and Fire Tribute and Motown Favorites – will be playing on July 24th from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be a Zac Brown Tribute event called 20-RIDE on August 21st from 7 to 9 p.m. And Purple Madness – Prince Tribute and Timeless Tina (a Tribute to Tina Turner) – will take place on September 18th from 6 to 9 p.m. Attendees can reserve a table at a concert for six people for $125. Tables are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. More information at www.experiencesnellville.com. In addition to these events, the award-winning Snellville Farmers’ Market takes place each Saturday on the Green from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through the end of September. Public Information Officer for the City of Snellville, Brian Arrington, stated, “As you can see, we are coming out of the COVID-19 doldrums and are looking forward to getting everyone back to normal – which includes all the fun they are used to on the Towne Green.” More information at www.snellville.org/the-towne-center-snellville.
Pet Perch: Does Your Dog Bark Too Much? By Terie Hansen
Just because your dog can bark, does not mean they should. Barking is a natural form of communication for dogs. It is your job to teach your dog what’s appropriate behavior and what isn’t, and that includes barking. When dogs live in a pack (without human intervention, stray or feral) they rarely bark. They may be surrounded by things happening, sights, sounds, etc., but they are calm and quiet. They may bark to alert their pack if an intruder is approaching, and they sense a threat but that is about it. So why then do so many dog owners struggle with dogs that bark incessantly? Mostly, because the dog hasn’t been taught not to. Dogs learn by cause and effect. When they try a behavior, and it works for them they will use it again. A puppy who whines/barks while in its crate and is then let out learns that whining/barking worked. If owners don’t share clear and consistent leadership signals and interactions with their dog, then the dog may assume the leadership role and bark to alert to whatever it deems to be a threat such as another dog, person, squirrel, sounds, etc. So how do you teach your dog NOT to bark at inappropriate times? Simple – by correcting the behavior. When your dog barks at something inappropriate, calmly say “no” and follow with a correction. When your dog barks at something appropriate (person stepping on your property), calmly say “Enough” (your dog does not yet know what this means). Then, when your dog barks again (because it will), calmly say “no” and follow with a correction. In doing so your dog can bark when you deem it okay but learn to stop when you say “enough.” A correction is simply something your dog doesn’t like, and doesn’t like enough to stop the behavior, not just in the moment but going forward (after a few corrections). Just because your dog can bark, doesn’t mean it should. It’s up to you to teach it when it is appropriate (or not) to bark. Terie Hansen is Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com
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Come Clean Gwinnett: Gets Citizens Involved in Litter Cleanups By Emily Rubin
One morning in early February, a handful of citizens gathered to clean a heavily littered road in Snellville. After a few hours of teamwork, volunteers had hauled in forty-four bags of trash and seven tires. The cleanup that day sparked an idea – why not expand this to the rest of Gwinnett? That evening, Gwinnett residents Laura Hernandez, Glori Hunter, Chad Livsey, and Donna and Dennis Swessel messaged one other and decided to create Come Clean Gwinnett, a group on Facebook, to empower other neighbors to tackle direct action on litter and blight. “It was pretty spontaneous,” Laura said. “It began that evening, that spontaneously.” Just two months after the group was created, it had reached over 1,400 members. The group has had over 200 cleanups and have picked up almost 2,000 bags of trash, hundreds of tires, and hundreds of illegal road signs. Because the group is so new, no patterns can be found in the frequency or locations of trash yet. Right now, the biggest issues are roadside litter and illegal dumping. Along with roadside cleanups, the group organizes what they refer to as “deep cleaning,” where members venture into the woods or into waterways to pull large items that have been dumped. Mattresses, sofas, and tires are among the items removed during cleanups. Laura says many of those items have been sitting for quite a while. “Our cleanups sometimes pull in more than 50 bags of litter, sometimes more than 100 bags of litter, along with lots of tires and usually a mattress or sofa or two,” Laura said. “It’s been some pretty intensive cleanups that are needed right now.” The most common items found are single-use disposable plastic. A Gwinnett Recycles Litter report from April 2021 shows that the top three plastic products in litter found in Gwinnett over the past nine months are plastic bottles, plastic bags, and snack wrappers. Other items the cleanup crews have found are motor oil, electronics, and lightbulbs. Glori, an admin of Come Clean Gwinnett, believes an unclean environment diminishes quality of life for those who live, work, and play in the community.
“It doesn’t feel good to be greeted with trash,” she said. Glori feels trash in the community lowers the quality of life for those in it. Cleaning up the community not only improves the quality of life, but the home values in the area as well. “I think it’s important to have a clean community because it instills pride and ownership,” Glori explained, adding that cleaning up the environment can have great lasting impacts if done correctly. “I think that definitely as a practice it’s really best for residents to have easy, super accessible, super convenient ways to dispose of waste of all kinds; otherwise, you invite trouble in how it gets disposed of,” Laura said. “Personally, I feel that in addition to convenient, low-cost trash disposal and curbside recycling, we also need a lot more recycling and hazardous waste recycling sites all around the county.” Currently, the only publicly accessible recycling center in Gwinnett County is the Snellville Recycling Center. The center accepts hard to recycle items that are not accepted by curbside pickup such as glass and electronics, but getting there could be a long drive for those who live elsewhere in Gwinnett. “In a county of our size, 437 square miles, we really need one of those centers in all districts for convenient access,” Laura said. “I would also add to the Snellville Recycling model that we need hazardous waste disposal.” The problem does not lie only with the people who may be littering on the side of the road, but with corporations who continue to push single-use plastics. “Where does that bottle come from?” Laura asked. “Why do companies think it’s a good idea to create all these bottles, bags, and single-use plastics, and how can we galvanize citizens to speak up, change their buying patterns, make their voice heard, call for legislation around this, and just change the world?” Change takes time, but citizen volunteers see a brighter, cleaner future for Gwinnett. By working with neighbors through organizations such as Come Clean Gwinnett and Gwinnett Recycles, they are making progress toward those goals. “I think my biggest goal as I look forward like twenty or thirty years in the future,” Laura added, “would be through these types of organizations to help Gwinnett County become a zero-waste community.” More information at https://www.facebook.com/groups/comecleangwinnett/
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PAGE 19
One on One with Cosmo’s Pizza + Social By Kristen Eleveld
Cosmos Pizza has been a staple of downtown Lawrenceville for nearly twenty years. So, when the previous business owners decided to sell, business partners Allisha Kelly and Dana Greene knew they had an opportunity to not only keep supplying the community with delicious food, but also expand the business to offer something for everybody. They purchased the restaurant and made it their mission to bring Cosmos into a new phase for the city of Lawrenceville. “There is an art form to running a pizzeria,” said Allisha of her approach to co-managing this new venture. “You might see some things change at Cosmos, but the great taste and quality ingredients
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will always be here.” While Cosmos is a familiar name to the community, the team is taking their plans a step further with an addition to Cosmos. It’s called Social, and it’s the perfect combination of sports bar and live music you have been waiting for. Newest partner Patrick Sullivan joined Allisha and Dana to help bring this expansion to life, and Social recently opened for business in May. Designed to appear to a more adult crowd, Social contrasts with the more family-oriented atmosphere of Cosmos. This expansion means that the restaurant is able to serve even more patrons as it, like so many other eating establishments, begins to welcome people back inside its doors. Between the atmosphere at Social and the delicious food at Cosmos, anyone who is looking for a delicious meal doesn’t have to go any further than the Lawrenceville Square. In fact, the Cosmos team is often surprised to learn just how many people aren’t aware of all the options that Cosmos offers its customers. Continued on page 22
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Cosmo’s Pizza + Social Continued from page 20
Travel Tales: Europe is Open: Let’s Go!
While the restaurant is famous for its pizza, it also offers a variety of food to appeal to anyone who walks through the doors. Salads, appetizers, and desserts are all part of the menu. Over at Social, they are excited to offer a small plate option that features authentic ingredients. And in the spirit of making those authentic ingredients available to those who want to try their own cooking skills at home, Cosmos has shelves in the store filled with some of their best ingredients. These are available for anyone to purchase and use for their own recipes. “I like that we can adapt to so many needs,” Alisha said. “You can come here for a quick lunch, make it a long meal, or even just grab something to go on your way home. We have something for everybody.” If you haven’t tried Cosmos Pizza, or you think Social sounds like a great choice for your next dinner out, it’s time to head to the Square in Lawrenceville. Even if you’re a Cosmos veteran, you might be surprised at how each dining experience can still be fun and new. “I love the happiness between food and people,” Allisha said. “Every day is exciting here. It’s never the same as the day before.” More information at pizzaoncrogan.com/cosmospizza/
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1172 Rockbridge Road Stone Mountain, GA 30087
By Pam Walker
While the news of Europe’s gradual reopening to American travelers is causing excitement, the lack of unity and clarity on the rules has translated into headaches for those who are anxious to start planning. We know so far that the welcome mat is being extended most enthusiastically to vaccinated travelers. That said, testing is still required in some countries, even with proof of vaccination. Moreover, a Covid test is still required of any traveler entering or re-entering the United States. While travel is booming in the USA and hotel rooms are hard to reserve wherever you want to go in the continental US, Europe’s hotels are begging for customers. It is summer, which is usually the “high season” in Europe with high prices and high airfares. But not this year. While prices are not as low as they are in the winter months, there are still bargains to be had. European countries are begging you to come and visit. Below is a list of countries that are currently open to US visitors, as well as some major destinations that we expect to open soon. Furthermore, as the regulations are shifting, it bears repeating that we all should stay abreast of the rules by visiting the CDC website, Reopen Europe, and individual US embassy and tourist office websites. Call your trusted Travel Advisor as they have all the up-to-date information. Open/Opening Countries: Albania, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Germany and several more. So, get out there and get going again. Enjoy Europe! Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. More information at pam@walkeradventures.com
Buy Nothing Lilburn Continued from page 8 So far, he has repaired and sent off at least 25 bikes to new homes since his initial post in December. He has also given a lawn tractor and some bush mowers, but the bikes have been the most popular items. When group members come to pick up bikes from Billy, they have conversations. Before the pandemic and porch pick-ups, members would regularly chat when giving or picking up their gifts. Conversations among group members whether in the comment section of a gift post or in person when picking up an item is what makes Buy Nothing a community. Making a community is something Buy Nothing admin Reshika Mendis sees as one of the most important parts of the group. “Community is what you decide you want it to be,” Reshika said. “It’s not your immediate surroundings, you build that community.” Elizabeth T feels community is one of the best parts of the group. She says people love to talk and giving gifts to others in the community opens up an opportunity for conversation. She sees other members of the group while out shopping and Buy Nothing gives them a reason to start up a conversation. Connecting with the community is a large part of Buy Nothing, but the items are a key component as well. Items such as food, clothing, decorations, and books are common gifts in the group. Usually asks line up with those gifts, but occasionally people post a gift or an ask for something unusual. “I personally have received and gifted breast milk on the group and I’ve enjoyed that,” Buy Nothing admin Elizabeth Vega said. No ask is too big or too small. Members have asked for shoes for a shoe drive, a mattress for a homeless family who had finally found a place to stay, and even an ask for grocery pickups when a member was sick and could not leave the house. One member needed a place to stay for a short period of time and another member was able to arrange something for them. “People like to feel like they’re helping each other,” Elizabeth V said. “People were clearing out their houses during the pandemic, so it was a natural way to get rid of a lot of stuff.” Admins of Buy Nothing agree that the pandemic was the cause for an increase in members and gift posts. The group grew so large it had to sprout into new, smaller groups at the end of March. The pandemic was not the only reason Buy Nothing Lilburn grew so quickly. “I think people in Lilburn are very generous and community oriented,” Elizabeth V said. “The whole point of the group is to build community and get to know your neighbors. I think in a pandemic where we’re all isolated, this is a way to do that.” More information at https://buynothingproject.org/find-a-group/#GA
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A ceremony not only gives your loved ones a sense of closure, it's a celebration of your life. Let us help you plan something that truly reflects who you are. It's what we do.
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