GWINNETTOur Town HamiltonLawrencevilleLoganvilleDaculaGraysonMillSEPTEMBERGwinnett/WaltonCommunity&FamilyMagazine2022
Up Close with Mellow Mushroom Snellville, see story on page 5.
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September 2022 Our Town Gwinnett PAGE 3 PIZZ A! Hand-tossed NY Style P I Z Z A H O U R S M O N T H U R S 1 1 A M 9 P M w w w . p i z z a o n c r o g a n . c o m S O C I A L H O U R S M O N T H U R S 1 1 A M 1 2 A M PASTA FEATURE MINI STROMBOLI H ALF SUB SOUP PASTA SALAD FRIES Mon: Tues: Wed: Thurs: Sat: Sun: Introducing Lawrenceville’s very first Prohibition era inspired speakeasy 21 & up Traditional speakeasy featuring high end liquors, wines, and craft cocktails Cosmo's is expanding! W E E K L Y H A P P E N I N G S A T C O S M O ' S S O C I A L M O N : T U E S : W E D : T H U R S : F R I : S A T : S U N : 1/2 PRICE CHARCUTERIE & ANTIPASTO, $20 WINE KARAOKE NIGHT WITH LIVE DJ | 9 PM MINUTE TO WIN IT GAMES | PRIZES & GIV ADULT TRIVIA AND LIVE DJ NIGHT | 8 PM LIVE DJ & LIVE BANDS | O CT 7, NOV 11 UFC FIGHTS | AUG 20, SEPT 10 , O CT 22, NOV 12 SERVICE INDUSTRY NIGHT | 9 PM Proud member of Georgia Grown Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @GraysonFarmacy IN ALL SEASONS. RAIN OR SHINE. EAT. SHOP. LIVE. LOCAL.
PAGE 4 Become an Advertising Partner: Info@OurTown Gwinnett.com or 678-825-2049 love your selfies GRAYSON 2402 Loganville Hwy, # 100 ATHENS770-236-9660 705 Oglethorpe Ave. 706-549-0110 • Schedule visits with your kids • Master level clear removable aligners • Shorter treatment time and fewer visits—Same awesome results! SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION—NO REFERRAL NEEDED russell-orthodontics.com Get Your High School Smile Back with a Smile Touch Up! Hey Parents! russell-orthodontics.comGRAYSON/ATHENS GRAYSON 2402 Loganville Hwy, # 100 ATHENS770-236-9660 705 Oglethorpe Ave. 706-549-0110 with your removablekidsalignerstimeandfewervisits—Same awesome results! FREE CONSULTATION—NO REFERRAL NEEDED russell-orthodontics.com Your High School Smile with a Smile Touch Up! Hey Parents! 3050 Amwiler Road Suite 200-C Atlanta, GA 30360 167 Lee Street Jefferson, GA 30549 CIVIL • CRIMINAL ESTATE PLANNING & WILLS Email:404-228-2629info@wblegal.net
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To tackle this task, a new curbside area on the store’s west side has been created with large, groovy signs to help instruct customers to use the easy and efficient text-based pick-up system.
“We prefer our patrons call in and pick up their orders as we love to see and hear from our fans,” said Greg. “But with people staying home more, delivery and curbside are here to stay.”
The addition to the building will be completed in September, allowing for much-needed storage and a space to operate curbside to allow the
On the Cover: Start Your Weekend with Mellow Mushroom in Snellville John W. Simmons IV, DMD Robert J. French, DDS 2381-B Main Street East • Snellville, Georgia 30078 770-985-2437 • SmilesBySimmons.com Before After H ealt H y • B eautiful • i nspired Dr. John Simmons and Dr. Robert French combine a blend of experience, wisdom and advanced knowledge to affordably serve their patients with healthy, beautiful smiles. Our experienced team provides 5 star service, personalized care, and an extraordinary commitment to your health and well-being. Please join our family by scheduling a new patient visit today!
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Nothing makes for a fantastic weekend than the perfect pizza, and Mellow Mushroom Snellville has been gearing up to deliver. With new storage and a dedicated pickup and curbside area, the Mellow Mushroom will be able to serve its loyal patrons no matter how they would like to dine.
Closing their doors was never an option. It took immediate action to maintain pandemic regulations while serving guests in a way this Mellow Mushroom team had never done before. Greg and co-owner Barbara Rosselle changed things up and implemented delivery powered by DoorDash and Uber Eats, as well as a curbside system to meet the demands of hungry patrons.
“The growing pains have been a real struggle, but we are blessed to be able to come out of the pandemic stronger than ever,” said Greg Merkle, one of the owners of Mellow Mushroom Snellville.
September 2022 Our Town Gwinnett PAGE 5
“It was no easy task, but we were not going down after twenty years of service to the community,” said Greg. “Mellow Mushroom Snellville is here to stay and always looking for ways to improve its standards as we grow to meet the community’s need.”
The shift to curbside and delivery made for a considerable challenge.
By Kristen Eleveld
Operating efficiently is always on the minds of Mellow Mushroom Snellville, with their health score of 100 a testament to that. By using some business creativity, they have been conquering the challenges needed to fully open their dining room to guests on Friday and Saturday evenings and the return of Hump Night Trivia with Tony!
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14 The
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5 the Cover: Start Your Weekend with Mellow Mushroom in Snellville From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks Lessons: Encouraging Daily Physical Activity for Foundation Spotlight – The SagerStrong Foundation Parrot Talk: Adult Birds Are Governor Kemp’s Environmental Address in Gwinnett Artworks Gwinnett Asks for Community Feedback for Create Gwinnett Conflict Corner: Hurry, Hurry, Hurry… Tales: Las Vegas Revisited! – Helping Families Stay Safe in the Water Gift of Kirksey Named School Social Worker of the for
Gwinnett County 17 Push: A Word for Your Day! 17 Fun Growth in Atlanta: $12 Million Renovation for Omni Hotel at CNN Center 18 One Man’s Opinion: Cryptocurrency’s Kryptonite 18 Health Matters: Women Help Men Take Better Care of Their Health 21 Moving Forward with Cosmos + Social + Cellar 22 Fun and Fellowship: Why Not Start a Book Club? 23 BSA Scout Troop 506 Snellville – Pouring into Our Youth @OurTownGwinnett Stay Connected! OurTownGwinnett.com Publisher/OwnerOurTownGwinnettOnline.com@OurTownGwinnett@OurTownGwinnett Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultz.com Creative Director Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultz.com Editor Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultz.com Photography AleenPhotographyKarakashian CoordinatorDistribution Wendy Head Cover Story Feature Writer Kristen Eleveld Feature Writers K. BethVictoriaCoatsR.CrosbyTanaPoncsakTraciSandersVolpertJohansen Contributing Writers Barbara A. Bailey, PhD Brenda Bean Jane Bishop Bill TanishaCraneTurnerPamWalker Homecoming B A L L O O N S F O R Details by Gerri's Daughter Event Decor & Design 3130 Sugarloaf Parkway Lawrenceville Ga, 30045 678 250 8607 detailsbygerrisdaughter.com LIFE EVENTS VENUE Rental $999 HOMECOMING DANCES FLOWERS, DRESSES & TUXEDO RENTALS TOO! Your Homecomin Headquarte Homecoming B A L L O O N S F O R Details by Gerri's Daughter Event Decor & Design 3130 Sugarloaf Parkway Lawrenceville Ga, 30045 678 250 8607 detailsbygerrisdaughter.com LIFE EVENTS VENUE Rental $999 HOMECOMING DANCES FLOWERS, DRESSES & TUXEDO RENTALS TOO! Your Homecoming Headquarters
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More information at https://mellowmushroom.com/contactless/snell ville-ga/ or call (770) 736-9396
Everyone has a brand. Yes...everyone. Thus, the question is NOT if you have a brand, but what do you do with your brand? Your brand is not defined by what you say it is, but is indeed characterized by what others say it is. To that end, successful individuals/organizations work hard to develop their brands through effective communication. Perception is a reality when it comes to your brand.
Ryan’s Remarks
From the Publisher:
@RyanSauers @RyanTSauers
“It’s so good to be back,” said Barbara. “It’s going to be a little crazy here, but we are still the same great team we’ve always been, and we can’t wait to see everyone.”
Mellow Mushroom in Snellville
CMYCYMYCMYMCK
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Hello, everyone. Happy September. The fall season is almost here, and I always look forward to the fall weather. I love all sports, football is back, and baseball will be fun to watch down the stretch. As you can see, I am excited about this time of Iyear.have worked with many individuals and organizations on the best way to build their brands. So, this month I decided to focus on how you (an individual or organization) can best communicate your brand and story.
It is key to remember that building a strong, recognizable, and con sistent brand takes time, effort, and commitment. And it requires a deliberate, purposeful, and intentional strategy. We live in a constantly connected world, making it vital to keep your name and story in front of people through all mediums they look forward to using. Our company helps people in organizations do this every day, so please connect if you want to know more.
entire dining room to operate at max capacity. Hiring additional staff is also on the horizon to keep up with the growing demand for the delicious pizza you have come to know and love. Greg prides himself on employ ee retention, with many working for him for over ten years. Laying off staff was not an option during the pandemic; instead, Barbara and Greg figured out a new system to retain their team. Reworking their budget to allow servers to retain their jobs while increasing wages was crucial so that everyone at this store could meet their needs, and it worked out better than expected.
To help simplify this subject, I have developed a BRAND acronym. A BRAND can be considered the Baseline (measurement) of one’s Reputation, Attributes, Name, and Distinctiveness. Reputation is all you or your organization stands for. Attributes are the characteristics others use when describing you. Your Name suggests something (good, bad, or indifferent) when one hears it. Your Distinctiveness answers the ques tion, “What makes you unique?” Or, “So What, Why You, Who cares?”
Reopening to capacity will be another hurdle, but they are ready for the challenge. Amazing food and a fun atmosphere will always be a staple at Mellow Mushroom Snellville, but now they also have the ability to offer their fantastic food to the fans who prefer a quiet night at home. Don’t miss your opportunity to be one of the first to join them on Friday and Saturday night, or for trivia night on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.! Follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/mmsnell ville to get the latest updates and to be ready for the Mellow experience you have grown to love!
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By Ryan T. Sauers
September 2022 Our Town Gwinnett PAGE 7
Learning Lessons: Encouraging Daily Physical Activity for Children
Children, however, do not necessarily learn physical skills on their own. They need guidance from adults and challenging activities and opportunities to practice and refine physical skills. To help your child develop physically, use the tips below to create a fun, active, and healthy environment for your family.
When children come into the world, physical activity is at the very center of their lives. They are on a mission to learn to crawl, walk, run, throw, catch, and kick. Nurture that desire to be active that begins in infancy by playing with your child each day to ensure he or she devel ops a love for fitness and healthy habits for years to come.
The SagerStrong Stadium Fun Run at Truist Park will take place on Sunday, September 11th at 8:00 a.m. Sponsored in part by Walmart and Northside, the Fun Run is a family friendly event that includes a 3K Stadium Fun Run/Walk and a Kids Dash (ages 7 and under). This year, the Atlanta Braves 2021 World Champions Trophy will join in the fun
as participants finish the race on the warning track at the fourth annual event. Visit runsignup.com/sagerstrong to Theregister.SagerStrong Foundation
If you have a toddler or preschooler in your family, chances are you have more trouble getting them to sit still than be active. But even with all of their natural energy, it’s still important for parents to encourage and support children’s physical development. Research shows that daily physical activity may help increase atten tion span and improve cognitive process ing. Children who develop basic physical skills, such as throwing, catching, and balancing, are more likely to grow into healthy, active adults. In short, learning basic physical skills is essential to your child’s healthy growth and development!
Foundation Spotlight – The SagerStrong Foundation
• Blowing bubbles then chasing them around the yard to see who can catch them
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
• Playing lawn games like Red Light, Green Light
The Foundation has raised over 2.5 million dollars to help fund blood can cer research, including two clinical tri als at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. These important trials support Dr. Naveen Pemmaraju’s (Craig’s doctor) research with current Myelofibrosis patients and patients with Advanced Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.
Celebration Braves Game will take place on October 2nd at Truist Park. Participants in the run and non-participants can purchase discounted tickets to the Braves vs. Mets game to support the Foundation. Everyone purchasing tickets in the SagerStrong section that day will be a part of a pre-game parade on the field and will get the opportunity to be the first to see the SagerStrong Bentley when it debuts in Atlanta!
With Blood Cancer Awareness Month kicking off in September, the SagerStrong Foundation has a series of events coming up to create awareness and to fundraise in memory of Craig to support the organi zation’s mission.
The SagerStrong Foundation is working with the American Red Cross on a blood and platelets drive for the month of September as well. Please visit https://sagerstrongfoun dation.org for more information.
Promote a feeling of success for your child. Skills are acquired incrementally, and children who do not experience success tend to lose interest and quit trying. Try to create some easy victories for your child. For example, if he or she is not yet able to successfully throw and hit a target, encourage your child to move a little closer. Regardless of your child’s skill level, be a supportive coach and acknowledge effort with specific, encouraging comments.
Finally, the SagerStrong Bentley will head out on a nationwide tour to be autographed by athletes. It will be auctioned off in early 2023 to raise funds for blood cancer research. The organization is honored to work with Bentley Motors on this important project.
By Tanisha Turner
More information at www.sagerstrongfoundation.org .
problems. It requires the proper materials or equipment. For infants, soft blocks and rattles promote fine motor skills like pinching and grasping, and toddlers may use shape sorters, puzzles, and nesting toys to develop fine motor skills. Balls of various sizes will help preschool ers practice gross motor skills like throwing, rolling, catching, and kicking. Regardless of your child’s age, be sure that the equipment is soft, lightweight, and age-appropriate. Watch how your child naturally plays with the equipment and feel free to change the game to help him or her enjoy the activity.
Tanisha Turner is Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway. More information at www.PrimroseSugarloafParkway.com or 770513-0066.
The SagerStrong Foundation was founded in 2016 by former Hall of Fame and two-time Emmy Award Sportscaster Craig Sager and his wife Stacy, to fund and support blood cancer research, trials, and programming, so that one day blood cancer patients and families will not have to go through the battle they endured.
“We cannot wait until September and October to bring the SagerStrong mission to life here in Atlanta,” said Stacy Sager, the Foundation’s president. “We’re excited to share both the Stadium Fun Run and the SagerStrong Bentley with our hometown next month, to continue to build Craig’s legacy in Sager Style!”
Provide safe spaces for physical activity. Designate safe spaces inside and outside of your home for your child to be active. Take a moment to see the world through his or her eyes to identify any poten tial hazards in the space. For example, are there any cords to trip over when playing inside? Similarly, before playtime begins, address any rules like staying in the yard and out of the road, and discourage any negative behaviors such as throwing a ball at another child’s face. Make age-appropriate equipment available. Developing motor skills and other physical skills is like learning to read, write, or do math
Be active with your child. Rather than sending your child outside to play, be a role model and get some exercise at the same time by partici pating in games and other activities that require physical exertion. Easy and fun activities include:
• Playing four-square or hopscotch, using sidewalk chalk to create the grid
• Running through the sprinklers, weather permitting
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Adult birds are intelligent creatures. Be aware of the species’ mannerisms BEFORE you purchase. It is UNFAIR AND DETRIMENTAL to these creatures to be taken home only to be returned or sold again because you were uninformed.
It is ALWAYS a good idea to quarantine any new bird before intro ducing it to your existing flock. Parrots will not show signs of an illness until they are quite sick, well beyond the contagion phase. No one wants to introduce an illness to existing pets. Treat new birds as if they are contagious, using proper quarantine measures: hand washing before and after handling; housed in a separate area of home; and no sharing of toys and spaces.
If the bird refuses to step onto your hand (covered or bare) and leave the cage, you must take a towel and physically remove the bird from the
When adopting an older bird, you need to give it a little time to observe how your household works. Coming out of the cage may be a challenge. If so, please be patient but FIRM. It is better to wait until the bird has observed your household before attempting to get the bird out of the cage. Spend this time sitting next to the cage and offering treats. If the bird shows aggression when you open the cage door, sit with the door open to acclimate the bird to no barrier.
Parrot Talk: Adult Birds Are Intelligent
September 2022 Our Town Gwinnett PAGE 9
Continued on page 20 470-775-2081 www.aftertaste-atl.com 706 Grayson Highway Ste 212 | Lawrenceville TheAfterTasteSMOKEHOUSE&GRILLE BBQ+ Now Open for Online Ordering, Carry Out & Delivery Order online: www.aftertaste-atl.com$5offanypurchaseof$30ormore.
Adult parrots require a longer period to settle into a new home. Change is ALWAYS difficult and sometimes fright ening. Like any human child you may foster or adopt, these adult parrots may come with baggage. Baby parrots have no baggage; but an older bird may have been abused or neglected, or it may have never learned manners. All these issues can be resolved with knowledge, patience, and the correct reinforcement. Each bird is different.
By Brenda Bean
In a new environment, with everything different, a parrot may feel safer inside the cage. It is better to talk slowly and in a low voice before slowly offering your hand for the bird to step onto. Most older parrots know the “Step Up” command. Distractions by children and pets will increase the bird’s desire to stay safe inside a cage. Remember, birds step UP not down, so the position of your hand is crucial. Place your hand at the top of the bird’s legs for a good step up. Even though the thought of getting a nip may make you leery and hesitant, it is important for you to display a confident alpha persona when offering your hand to step on. If you are afraid, the bird will be afraid. Sometimes covering your hand with a towel will make you braver and the bird less likely to absorb your energy.
Governor Kemp’s Environmental Address in Gwinnett
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
A fourteen-year tradition for eco-fo cused nonprofit Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful (GC&B) was realized on August 12th. Four hundred community, business, educational, and environmen tal leaders packed the convention center at Gas South District to hear Governor Brian Kemp’s thoughts on the state of the environment in Georgia. In addition to the speech from Georgia’s 83rd gov ernor, attendees were treated to a rousing rendition of the National Anthem from Gwinnett Police Department MPO Dustin Martin-Young, the awarding of several scholarships to up-and-coming environmental stewards, and the presentation of the 2022 Environmental Consciousness and Stewardship (ECoS) Awards. Introduced by Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson, Governor Kemp spoke to the fact that Georgia has emerged from the pandemic even stronger than before, setting new records for job growth and economic development. With 51,332 jobs and $21 billion in investments on the horizon, he asserted his belief that Georgia is the best state to work, live, and raise a family. The governor insisted that even though Georgia, Metro Atlanta, and Gwinnett have been heralded for their efforts with a number of accolades, it’s important not to rest on their collective laurels. With qual ity of life – spanning from the North Georgia mountains to the Golden Isles – as one of Georgia’s greatest appeals, Kemp pointed to invest ments in state parks, as well as water and air quality infrastructure. Highlighting its impact on economic growth, Kemp believes the state of Georgia’s environment makes the state attractive to a growing number of companies. Recognized as a national leader in the Electric Vehicle industry and designated as #3 in the country for environmen tal sustainability by Site Selection Magazine, Georgia has gained the attention of companies like Rivian and Hyundai Motor Group. Late last year, Rivian announced the expansion of its manufacturing operations with the opening of a second plant in Georgia – with a $5 billion site east of Atlanta in Morgan and Walton Counties – set to create 7,500 jobs. In May 2022, Hyundai announced a $5.54 billion investment in the opening of its first state-of-the-art U.S. smart factory in Bryan County, delivering an estimated 8,100 new jobs to Georgia’s coastal region. The creation of the Georgia Electric Mobility and Innovation Alliance in July 2021 will continue to pave the way for electric mobility infrastruc ture in the state.
To round out the event, a number of scholarships were presented to recent high school graduates and Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) students. GGC’s Brian Land and Ngoc Lan Thanh Le were each award
“We were so honored to have Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, their daughter Lucy, and members of his office staff join us for the 14th Environmental Address,” said Schelly Marlatt, Executive Director of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. “This was his second time before the GC&B podium, and he did not disappoint. His speech was fifteen pages long – that’s fifteen pages of amazing strides being made in Gwinnett County and throughout the state of Georgia. By the time he was done, every guest in that room was swelling with collective pride over the accomplishments that have been made and those yet to come. Before he was an elected official, he was an agriculture grad from the University of Georgia and an entrepreneur. He connected with our audience on so many levels, and he has a deep understanding of the environment’s role in economic success. We applaud the advances he and his administration are making on behalf of the environment and the people of Georgia.”
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Conflict Corner: Hurry, Hurry, Hurry…
Holmes described it similar to how a community builds an athletic program that starts with a youth league. From there, with the help of coaches and others, communities are able to develop talent and foster a
It just seems to me that the demands on time and the pace have picked up since a few weeks ago when I found myself in more control of my schedule. And I don’t know about you, but when this shift happens for me, I must take some breaths, some breaks, and some reality checks.
leaders understand the connection and importance of art in the community, and cities around the county continue to enhance their communities with a variety of public art.
Maybe, you have decided to look for a new job, continue to look for a job, or decided to open your own place. I know around my community that new busi nesses have opened, and I haven’t had the time yet to visit them for a taste of new food or hear some live music or just browse for support and welcome.
Conflict lurks when stress occurs. It has its own agenda and can erupt when time is short (real or perceived) and too much needs our attention (all at once). We get in the car and find ourselves distracted, gripping the steering wheel, and not paying attention and before we know it, we’ve run a stop sign, a red light, or a school zone. Hopefully, no one has been hurt by our actions, but it can happen “out of nowhere.”
Now the county is taking the notion of public art to the next level with Create Gwinnett through Artworks Gwinnett, a nonprofit organization with a mission to strengthen the cultural quality of life for the citizens of Gwinnett County by identifying talent, businesses, and community leaders who advocate for a creative economy.
Artworks Gwinnett Asks for Community Feedback for Create Gwinnett
Community art has been around since ancient civilizations. Even early societies understood the importance of art and what it could do for society as a whole. According to Bold Business in an article by Imelda Rabang entitled Art And Its Impact on Society: Art Districts Revitalizing Communities, community art can help cities attract tourists and diverse talent, can bring about innovation, and can help grow the economy.Gwinnett
Leading the organization and Create Gwinnett is Jonathan Holmes, chair of Artworks Gwinnett and cofounder of Mighty 8th Media in Buford.Holmes
By Tana Poncsak
said the driving force behind art as part of a thriving econ omy was penned by John Howkins and his idea of a creative economy. The notion substantiates a community that intentionally marries the ideas of economic development with a plan to drive creative expression within the community.
By Barbara A. Bailey, PhD
Has the pace of life picked up lately forForyou?many, school has started back for you and yours. That schedule alone can bring a faster tempo of life in your home, your work, and all the other activities that we find ourselves constantly juggling.
You find yourself short-tempered. Your neighbor gives you a look and probably doesn’t realize he or she has done so across the parking lot or backyard. So much for a friendly wave or nod of the head, right? It’s not just you or me. It’s many of us and we need to think about it now.
Think about your plan of action when you get under stress from increased time pressure in your life. It will happen. It.will.happen. So, to keep the conflict gremlin at bay, what is your plan of action?
Exercise. Take stretch breaks. Eat (not the time to skip meals) or eat without reckless abandon if stress eating becomes your coping behav ior. Talk it out. Journal your thoughts. Maintain your sleep schedule (a big one that many of us shortchange ourselves). Say “no” a bit more. Remember, as said often, “No.” is a complete sentence. What works forIfyou?you don’t have a plan, now is the time to craft it (How do you like that one? I added another item on your to-do list!). If you have a plan,
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September 2022 Our Town Gwinnett PAGE 11 831 Auburn Rd, Ste 300 | Dacula GA 30019 Mulberry Village Shopping Center 678.694.8718 www.mygreenpetpals.cominfo@mygreenpetpals.commygreenpetpals
PAGE 12 Become an Advertising Partner: Info@OurTown Gwinnett.com or 678-825-2049 Understanding VA Aid & Attendance Program Benefits Thursday, September 29 | 11 a.m. 1900 Tree Lane Snellville, GA 30078 If you’re a veteran or spouse eligible for a VA pension, you may qualify for additional benefits to subsidize your housing in an assisted living or memory care community. Join us for an informative discussion on VA benefits. You’ll learn who qualifies, what documents are necessary and how to get started on the application process. We’re here to support you. RSVP by September 26 to 678-841-0030. For the safety and well-being of all residents and guests, all recommended safety precautions will be taken. Please call to inquire about our safety measures for this event. PRESENTED BY WILLIAM J. KIERNAN, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care SHERIDANEASTSIDE.COM
AFGA believes in a “force No child/ do No harm” philosophy, viewing each child as unique. All AFGA instructors are experienced swimmers, Red Cross WSI instructors, lifeguard and/or competitive swimmers, and most importantly, Swim Angelfish ® Adaptive Methodology Certified. This last vital link sets them apart from other organizations. As a representative shared, “It’s not enough to simply ‘want’ to swim with children with special needs. You must know how to do it. It takes an average of four to six months to train to become an AFGA instructor.”
for shampoo and conditioner as well. Where baths used to be loaded with designer specialties and soaps, now there are “no name” brands.
Warm weather is still with us and families will be spending time around large bodies of water. Awareness and safety around water is important to protect young children in these situations, especially those with physical or mental learning disabilities.AngelFishGA–Adaptive Aquatics (AFGA) currently provides weekly swim ming lessons for over 200 children of all ages and skills, from little babies to Special Olympics traditional swimmers. Working together with Gwinnett County Aquatics, AFGA provides the greatest access to all aquatic’s lessons offered by the county to these children, many of whom are from low or fixed-income homes.
Minnows and Mommas is a class for the youngest swimmers to help them become strong and capable in water and also to practice water safety. Many of these students have physical delays, and water helps improve their strength and gross motor skills. WWB Play Group is for angelfish working through roadblocks of cerebral palsy and other similar physical impairments, using special equipment in the warm river at Bethesda Park to help themSwimthrive.lessons are offered eleven months out of the year. June and July are considered summer lessons, with the rest of the months categorized as non-summer. Most of their year-round swimmers opt out for August to prepare to return to school, and no les sons take place between Thanksgiving and Christmas.Traditional clinics through Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) are also offered. Swimmers must be able to swim one length (25 yards) independently and follow direc tions. SOGA clinics are offered in four levels of swimming readiness measured by stroke proficiency and racing protocols. If your child is on the ASD spectrum, you are encouraged to connect with the Spectrum Autism Support and Resources organization.
The world is returning to normal, and Las Vegas is trying to get back, too. I am going to be so happy to see all those friends and contacts from Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa! What a great time for us all. But if you ever wanted to enjoy Las Vegas without the crowds, now is the time to visit!
Shows are back, headliners are back – but restaurants and things seem to be OK. Afterhours fun spots are not full and live music is hard to find. The blackjack tables and “one-armed bandits” are not full either. Vegas is still hurting.
Moms and dads are also invited to join their children in the water to learn how to understand the why and how these instructors teach swimming and to give them the tools to use when swimming unassist ed with their angelfish (a term of endearment AFGA uses to reference theirAFGAstudents).offers the same cost of services as Gwinnett County, and this
I have a sign in my home office: “Peace. This We Choose Each Day.” When the clock races, when my mind tries to race with it, and when the pace quickens, I find myself repeating this phrase. Maybe it will help you to practice proactive conflict management of yourself “in times like these.”
AngelFishGA – Helping Families Stay Safe in the Water
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Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. More information at pam@walkeradventures.com
is one of their core values. They work toward safety, proficiency, and inclusion for all of their swimmers with the hope they can join in a typical swim group class one day, if they have that desire. Prices range from $51 per person (for four 45-minute lessons) in small groups, up to $120 per person (for four 30-minute private sessions).
Live it up. Love Vegas! Love Travel!
The No Limits TRYathalons (NLT) have returned as well. The fall NLT will be on Saturday, September 24th at Bogan Park Aquatic Center. Be sure to mark your calendar and watch for registration infor mation via Facebook and Instagram. This is open for athletes ages 4-21, and is hosted by AFGA and its partners Gwinnett County Aquatics, All About Kids Therapy Services, and Freedom Concepts.
work it and adjust it as needed to maintain focus, health, productivity, and perspective.
Conflict Corner
By Pam Walker
Even traffic is not what it used to be in this desert town. Where are all those people looking forward to getting into the gambling scene again and playing the tables and seeing the shows? The hotels have had two years to spruce things up and get back into the meeting mode that used to prevail and when tourists flocked to the casinos, too.
Every year since 2000, I have attended a meeting of 5,000 travel providers from around the world, held at Bellagio in Las Vegas. For the last two years, the meeting has been held virtually because of Covid. Enter 2022 and here I am arriving at Bellagio Hotel & Casino for the live version of Virtuoso Travel Week! My flight was full of people, excited to have a great time again. The Harry Reid International Airport (formerly known as McCarran International Las Vegas) was fairly empty on arrival compared with pre-pandemic crowds.
More information at https://angelfishga-adaptiveaquatics.com/.
Barbara A. Bailey, PhD is the co-founder and CEO of The Healing Bridge Foundation.
But times have changed. As I check in, I hear from staff that they, like so many industries, are low on staff. Gone are the room amenities and turn down service. You must ask for those now. When you do, they apologize saying that due to low staff levels it could be an hour or more to have that bathrobe and slippers delivered. You also must ask
By Traci Sanders
September 2022 Our Town Gwinnett PAGE 13
Travel Tales: Las Vegas Revisited!
By K. Coats
Continued on page 20
Since becoming a parent, stories have become even more important. My kids love to hear stories about themselves as babies; but even more so, they love to hear about stories from my childhood. Sometimes they’ll ask for specific stories. “Mom, tell us the story about you and Aunt Alena and the Vegemite!” The stories become as familiar to them as their own experi ences. And many years from now, when I’ve gone on to my reward, my kids will know that story well enough to tell their own children. “Do you want to hear about the time Grandma and Great Aunt Alena tried Vegemite?”Icantell
When families get together, it isn’t long before the stories start pop ping up. And what’s neat is that they aren’t always new. There’s a com fort in old, repetitive stories as well. And one of my favorite things about stories is that one leads to another. They string along, and we sit back
So, as we begin to gather again and see loved ones we’ve missed, in addition to your signature potluck item, don’t forget to bring your best stories to share. Dust off old ones. Share those stories and give the gift of a memory passed down. And cherish each one you hear because that story will endure when pictures fade. It will anchor us in the minds of others and live longer than anyone can predict.
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The Gift of Stories
and soak them up. Stories let us relive past experiences or learn about the experiences of others. Honestly, it’s the closest to time travel we’ve gotten.
*To those curious about the “Vegemite story”, here it is. Growing up my sister had heard about the Australian product called Vegemite. She’d heard how Australians were the only ones who could stand it, and she really wanted to step up to the challenge. While in college, I found some at an international market and brought it home to her. We toasted
There’s a lot of talk about things that all humans do. Academics refer to them as “universal norms” because they occur across the globe and across cultures without influences from one another. One of these that seems to take shape the earliest is story-telling. There’s a magic in it that is unlike anything else. And the best thing about story-telling is anyone can do it. Some might be more adept at it than others, but no one asks for your certification or credentials. No one is issuing story-telling licenses. There is no one stopping you.
you a family story as far back as my great great grand mother. She passed away a long time ago, but I still know that when she was sixteen, her youngest sister was born. She was so excited that she ran out to the road by their house, stopped cars, and told everyone she saw that she had a new sister. My great grandmother told me of how she and her brother schemed to sell some hay in town so they could get some money to go to the cinema, and it was her job to distract her grandmother (my great 3x grandmother) from going outside to see the absent brother. My grandfather passed away only a few years ago, but I remember his story of how he played with the German POWs as a little boy during WWII as they worked the fields. There are so many stories I’ve learned over the years, and it’s those stories that keep my loved ones near even when they’ve gone. Truth be told, it’s the greatest gift they could have given me.
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With just three years until retirement, Kirksey has one more goal for her career: “I’d love to sponsor and mentor more social work interns before I walk away from this industry.”
Ryan’s Remarks
Continued from page 7
Christa Kirksey was recently hon ored as Gwinnett County School Social Worker of the Year for the 2021-2022 schoolKirkseyyear. serves several school sys tems in the Parkview Cluster, including Parkview High, Trickum Middle, Arcado Elementary, Camp Creek Elementary, Knight Elementary, and Mountain Park Elementary. Holding a master’s degree from the University of Georgia in social work, Kirksey has been employed with the Gwinnett County school system for twenty-seven years, serving the Parkview Cluster for the last sixteen years.
Remember, we all have a brand, and there is no better time than now to address it. Thank you, as always, for your support and for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN
scottpressurewash@gmail.com
Christa Kirksey Named School Social Worker of the Year for Gwinnett County
By Traci Sanders
September 2022 Our Town Gwinnett PAGE 15
This is not the first time Kirksey has been recognized for her out standing work in her field. She was also named School Social Worker of the Year for 2010 by the School Social Workers Association of Georgia. One thing Kirksey would like people to understand about her work is that the social workers in her group are trained mental health clini cians. “Our work focuses on crisis intervention support with youth that involves both the student and their family,” she said. “We call it the Tri-A process, focusing on Achieving, Attending, and Adjusting in a school environment. We provide the link between the home, the school, and the Kirkseycommunity.”doesn’tfeel comfortable being in the spotlight for some thing she does simply because she loves working with youth, but she’s excited for this award to shed more recognition on her industry in gen
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scottpressurewash@gmail.com
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You see, price is price. Value is about your brand. Thus, value is = goods/services + price + you (your brand). Nobody else can be you. Only you can be you. This is what your brand is all about. If people are only looking for the lowest price – well, wish them good luck and let themOncelook.you know what your brand is, you can determine the ways you want to purposefully grow, change, re-frame, promote, and/or strength en your current brand position. So, how do you define your brand? Does it matter? You bet!
When asked if she’s ever had to apply her social work processes to her own children, ages 19 and 22, Kirksey replied, “I’ve been blessed in that department as we’ve never had anything of major concern to address, thankfully.” However, Kirksey stated that she realized many other children in her community were struggling and she wanted to support them to reach their potential. Kirksey’s husband and children are very proud of her work.
More information at https://www.sswaa.org.
eral. “There used to be just one social worker per cluster in Gwinnett County,” Kirksey explained, “but thanks to the awareness that’s been created around the need for these types of services due to awards such as this, we now have at least two professionals per cluster. In the last two years, we’ve doubled our staff.”
ed $2,500 scholarships from Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. Former Green Youth Advisory Council members, Daniel Jung and Logan Zimmerman, were each awarded $2,000 Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Jim Steele Environmental Education Scholarships.
keeping her community clean and beautiful, including the adoption of four roads through the Adopt-A-Road program
• Green Community Partner of the Year: Gwinnett County Police Department for its efforts to help GC&B combat graffiti, illegal dumping, and urban camping
• Connie Wiggins Legacy Award: Jim Steele – longtime COO of Gwinnett County’s Board of Education, as well as Charter Member, former Board Chairman and Emeritus Board Member of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. Awarded posthumously, it was accepted by Adele Steele, who created and funded the Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Jim Steele Environmental Education Scholarship in honor of her late Nowhusbandthat the 14th Environmental Address is one for the history books, the next events on Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful’s calendar are the Yellow River Trash Bash on Saturday, September 10th, Great Days of Service in late October, and America Recycles Day at Coolray Field on Saturday, November 5th. More information at www.GwinnettCB.org.
• Green Government of the Year: The City of Lawrenceville for its citywide sanitation and recycling efforts
Governor
Kemp Continued from page 10
The winners of the 2022 ECoS Awards were also announced:
• Jim Steele Education Award: Lovin Elementary School for its tex tiles recycling, composting, and community garden initiatives
• Volunteer of the Year: Angela Hamlet for her tireless devotion to
PAGE 16 Become an Advertising Partner: Info@OurTown Gwinnett.com or 678-825-2049
All Omni Hotels and Resorts follow the Safe and Clean program in collaboration with Ecolab, which includes extensive cleaning guidelines and procedures as set by the Center for Disease Control, and meets
By Victoria R. Crosby
Continued on page 20 Continued on page 21
By Jane Bishop
Sustainable change/shift doesn’t take root or gain traction overnight. The word until implies time. Research supports my 30-60-90-day prac tice. It takes 30 days to consistently interrupt our brain’s current neural pathways and replace them with new habits; a second 30 days to rein force them; and a third 30 days to continue reinforcing what’s gaining traction. After the 90 days and you are experiencing “shift happens,” the PUSH continues. As you reinforce these changes, they will become part of your lifestyle.
Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center, a four-diamond luxury hotel, is close by to many other historic attractions such as The Fox Theatre, Georgia Aquarium, the High Museum of Art, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, and the World of Coca Cola.
The Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center recently completed a $12 million renovation to the South Tower located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta. The ren ovations include four new food and bever age concepts, including Top Draft Sports Lounge, which is within walking distance of the Mercedes Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena; Centennial Grounds, a cof fee bar with spacious working areas and ample connectivity; New South Kitchen, which embodies the Southern charm and flavors of Atlanta; and the Vues Lobby Bar, a sophisticated bar with unparalleled views of Centennial Olympic Park. The lobby has also undergone a transformation which is both sophisticated and comfort able.“The ultimate goal with the renovations was to create inviting and fun spaces for every type of guest to enjoy while showcasing our Southern hospitality and Omni’s signature service,” said Ramon Reyes, General Manager of Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center. “We are primarily a convention hotel, but our business changed due to COVID-19, and these completed renovations, along with our prime location in downtown Atlanta, will lead to a great place for both visitors to Atlanta, as well as locals to Beginningenjoy.”on
Fun Growth in Atlanta: $12 Million Renovation for Omni Hotel at CNN Center
Memorial Day the Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center introduced the History and Heritage Package, which will be available all summer and includes a curated History and Heritage Experience App, a discount on the best daily room rate, valet parking, a $20 dining credit, and exclusive value savings to the following cultural attractions: College Football Hall of Fame (ticket offered per adult listed on the reservation), the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the King Center and Park. The Experience App also highlights minority-owned businesses, restaurants, and history of the Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta.
September 2022 Our Town Gwinnett PAGE 17
What do you think of when you hear the word, PUSH? Is it negative or positive? Push can be exerting force to move someone/something, or moving others aside to move for ward, or a “vigorous effort to do or obtain something.” In the con text of “obtaining something,” I offer one of my Janeisms to pon der: Practice Until Shift Happens. This acronym encapsulates the idea of how PUSH is a method that creates change. How does it work? Consider an area in your life that you want to shift: i.e. time allocation, healthy eating, self-care, etc. Whatever you are considering, follow the acronym as your Makingguide.achange/shift requires practice, so now connect a descrip tive word with it that relates to you and your situation (i.e. intentional practice, strategic practice, planned practice, appropriate practice). Next, identify the practice that will best help you make the shift. For example, if you want to build in a brain break three times daily, what action will you practice that begins to create the new neural pathway for the shift? One action could be to set an alert on your phone or device. When it notifies you, stop, and take your brain break: 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes. A brain break can be as simple as doodling for your defined time! There are some days I take multiple 1-minute doodle breaks to clear my brain. You will be amazed how developing this habit with practice helps you PUSH!
Push: A Word for Your Day!
When you are stuck and not moving forward, I encourage you to implement PUSH: Practice Until Shift Happens. Over time, the shifts
Just as you do regular maintenance on your car to keep it running well, like oil changes and tire rotations, here’s what men need to do to minimize their own health issues down the road:
An endless string of coding, mostly Zeroes and Ones, moving
There are times in life when a moment crystallizes in your mind, and increas ingly, at least for me, when you can antic ipate when that latest “hot topic” is about to Jump the Shark.
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My father, an astute businessman and longtime savvy investor, is many things. However, he is not the guy up to speed on all things new and different. A few months back, he pulled me aside to apparently share something of great value in confidence. In a near whisper, he offered, “They are going to stop using paper currency soon, Son; probably time to start moving some dollars into that crypto-currency stuff.”
towards infinity – in supposedly limited supply, while still being mined and manufactured daily in data farms across the globe. International regulation is all but non-existent. The market is new enough that the federal government is still figuring it out, and extensive passcodes, which can get lost, create intricate access to even your own crypto holdings.Cryptocurrency miners run computers in large warehouses on racks at top speed 24/7 and consume vast amounts of electricity, comparable to Norway’s domestic energy consumption. That electricity can’t all come from sustainable sources, meaning that the industry is also a net polluter. And whether your cryptocurrency of choice is Bitcoin, Luna, Ethereum, or some lesser-known e-currency, they all share one thing in common at present. After hitting peak prices in 2021, their values are all down by more than 50 percent. In fact, the only part of the e-cur rency industry operating in the black is the e-currency exchanges. They each make a small commission whether prices are going up or down.
• Know your numbers. Learn about key health indicators including your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and body mass index (BMI). All this information can help you understand your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other serious conditions – and help catch problems in early stages when they are much more treatable.
Here’s the story of the high-flying funny money that flew too close to the sun, and then...
By Our Town Gwinnett Staff
Continued on page 20
Men also are more likely to smoke, drink, and take more risks. Yet a sur prising 84% of men rate their health as “excellent” or “good” in a Men’s Health Survey conducted by MDVIP and Ipsos, suggesting that they mistakenly believe they’re healthier than they really are. “Men are typically on the defensive, waiting for an emergency to happen before seeking medical care – when it’s sometimes too late,” said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP. “What they need is to play better offense.”
Health Matters: Women Help Men Take Better Care of Their Health
partner really listens to you. Make sure you bring up any observations or concerns you have about his health, even if it may feel difficult or uncomfortable at first. It could be a matter of life and death. Here are things you can do: Partner with him to make healthier choices such as going for daily walks, cooking nutritious meals, and stocking the pantry with healthier snacks. Watch for unusual symptoms or changes that might indicate a serious issue, such as a mysterious mole on his back, or unexplained pain or fatigue. Urge him to see his primary care doctor when something’s amiss or help him find a physician if he doesn’t already have one.
One Man’s Cryptocurrency’sOpinion:Kryptonite
By Bill Crane
The Federal Trade Commissioner also reports that more than 46,000 Americans have been stung by Crypto scams since January 2021. Many still believe the myth, much more than current market dynamics. And, of course, crypto boosters will tell you that all markets are cyclic and their pricing and value will recover. For those crypto cheerleaders, I have five words for you to ponder: Electro-magnetic pulse and blackouts.Global faith in our U.S. economy and dollar are not what they once were. The mighty dollar’s days as a global reserve currency may be numbered. Those who doubt that might take note of the steep plunge in the value of the Euro, primarily brought about by the Russian attacks onDomestically,Ukraine.
the newest Green Energy bill to be soon signed into law is expected to expedite massive market shifts, pushed forward by government policy and tax credits toward electric vehicles and more sustainable energy sources. Those are worthy goals, but as we are see
Women make 80% of the health care decisions for their households. If you are a woman, know that you have a lot of influence and that your
Men are notorious for avoiding the doctor and ignoring warning signs when it comes to their health. New research confirms this isn’t just a myth with two in five men saying they’ve put off seeing a doctor until their symptoms were urgent, and with one in three men avoiding the doctor altogether out of fear of finding something wrong.
What, or rather who, is the key to helping men be more proactive about their health? Women. An impressive four in five men say their spouse/partner plays an important role in their health and nearly half say they have gone to see a doctor because their spouse/partner insisted on it. Whether you’re a man who wants to take steps to improve your health, or you have an important man in your life who needs encour agement, here are tips to get the journey started.
• Take the Men’s Health IQ Quiz to find out what you know, and learn what you don’t know, about important factors relating to your health and Helpingwellness.menbecome more proactive about their health can empower them, and their significant others, to enjoy better wellness and quality of life for years to come. And having women in their corner to support them may be just the prescription men need. (BPT)
• See your primary care physician for regular preven tive care. Schedule an annual check-up where you can ask questions and discuss any health concerns you may have. Make sure you’re up to date on routine lab work and important screenings based on your age and medical history.
At that precise moment, I knew, that if Dad was even aware that cryptocurrency existed, that investment bubble was about to burst. Thanks for the tip, Dad. You were on the money using reverse logic. I am admittedly NOT a savvy investor. Real estate has always performed pretty well for me. I am a steady saver, and my investing leans hard to the more conservative side of the ledger: money market CDs, municipal bonds, and blue-chip stocks. The risks of electronic cryptocurrency have primarily kept me away, but I can also admit that I don’t entirely get the concept.
cage. Allowing the bird to remain in the cage is rewarding bad behav ior. If allowed, the behavior will become a habit and become an issue over time. “Toweling” a bird is not cruel or excessive. It only shows the bird you are in charge. Many times birds become accustomed to being toweled and stop fighting, submitting to grooming or scratches from their owners. Always keep a towel nearby in case of emergencies. An injured bird will bite hard. The towel will enable examination of any wound, etc.
Yes, the more reliable cryptocurrencies and data mining farms do have onsite backup generators, but even fail-safes fail. Who knew that the Kryptonite for high-flying cryptocurrencies might be a combination of green energy policy and sporadic and unpredictable power outag es? Innovation can still save or turn any industry apparently heading for a quick exit or downturn. And again, I am no expert, but perhaps add an endless string of Xs to all of those Zeroes and Ones. It certainly seemed to work well for another industry.
Continued from page 16
There is much out there on the internet. Remember, you can make a better choice if you have more information. Use your common sense and gather several sources of information before forming your own opinion. Having a parrot means you must avoid non-stick pans (the fumes from these will kill your bird). And avoid chemicals: insecti cides, paint fumes, and cleaning chemicals. Self-cleaning ovens must only be done when you have removed the bird from the home. If you can smell it, it is not good for your bird.
ing globally and domestically with brown-outs and black-outs during this summer of record heat, those “green” energy sources typically can not provide high-demand baseload in the same fashion as coal, natural gas, or nuclear generated electrical power. Our grid is also not designed for the increasing pull of E-vehicles in every home garage, and unless we commit soon to a much larger new nuclear energy reactor fleet, we will not be able to meet base power production demand in many urban areas during summertime.
TRUST is never given immediately. Be patient, move slowly, and give your new friend time to become acquainted with you, how you move, and your household. BAD MANNERS, however, must be dealt with immediately. Some older parrots will not want to go back inside the cage. They will fly down, crawl up your arm to your shoulder, and/or nip you to avoid going back inside the cage. Some older parrots will scream to get attention. There are many ways to deal with these mannerisms. Do not give up on a friend because there are times you don’t get along.
Renovation for Omni Hotel Continued from page 16
a slice of bread for each of us and put a thin layer across it. My little brother, about six years old at this time, stood by and watched. My sis ter went first and took a bite of the bread. Apparently, her initial expe rience was mostly toast because she nodded and said, “It’s not that ba…” The end of that word never came because she started gagging, having finally hit the actual Vegemite layer. I tried my slice with similar results. We both turned towards our brother who decided it was a good time to start running. Needless to say, no one went back for seconds.
Brenda Bean is the owner of Parrot Productions and Fancy Feathers. More information at https://fancyfeathersstore.com/ or call 770-986-0661
Parrot Talk Continued from page 9
NEVER give chocolate or avocado. Limit salt, sugar, and everything that you would not give a baby human. Birds do not dig in the ground to get to root vegetables in the wild, so they should be very limited in the offering of onions, potatoes, carrots, rutabagas, and turnips. Otherwise, an omnivore can eat a little bit of everything you eat. Offer a bite of your hamburger, a spoon full of your oatmeal, or a taste of your roast, chicken, or any other meat you are having for dinner. If you feed your bird when you sit down to eat, they will be entertained while you eat your dinner in peace.
More information at omnihotels.com/hotels/atlanta-cnn-center.
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Cryptocurrency’s Kryptonite
or exceeds the “Stay Safe” initiative set by the American Hotel and LodgingOfferingAssociation.Southernhospitality and charm with cosmopolitan elegance and sophistication, the Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center provides their guests with a truly memorable experience.
The Gift of Stories
Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm, CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com
Continued from page 18
will weave seamlessly into what you’re trying to accomplish. How we influence/lead others flows out of how we lead self. Using this acronym as a guide can strengthen our self-leadership. My call to action for you this day is to ask yourself this question: what can I PUSH with “vig orous effort” so that I experience change? You may be surprised at the results!
Moving Forward with Cosmos + Social + Cellar
Cellar will have it all: craft cocktails and whiskey, room for holidays parties, and the option for regular customers to store their personal selection right on site in liquor and cigar lockers. Three tiers of mem bership options give customers the opportunity to customize their expe rience, while the restaurant’s well-crafted décor and atmosphere will transport right back to the 1920s. Members can expect to experience benefits like tasting events, free room rentals for private events, and reserved seating on the weekends – perfect for those times you want a nightcap but don’t want to wait for three hours for a table.
Oneout.year
Cosmos has it all. Delicious pizza and other Italian food – check. Sports bar complete with games and theme nights – check. Live bands drawn from local artists – check. And, of course, the addition of Cellar means the Lawrenceville community and surrounding areas can enjoy the exquisite ambiance of a truly cultivated and tailored dining experi
September 2022 Our Town Gwinnett PAGE 21 WATC is a non-profit television station serving Metro Atlanta and beyond with family, christian, and educational programming for over 25 years! Available on all platforms: ContactFollowus:us: Including cable, satellite, digital antena, Roku, live streaming and through our app in the App Store, Google Play and more! **WATC TOO does not air currently on Xfinity or Direct TV** (770)www.WATC.tv300-9828info@WATC.tv DO YOU WANT TO PROMOTE YOUR ORGANIZATION OR AIR YOUR TV SHOW? WATC@watctvatlantafacebook.com/watctvatlantaTV57Atlanta
By Kristen Eleveld
the Cosmos updates are exciting, perhaps the most antic ipated change is the opening of Cellar, a true speakeasy inspired by the 1920s era of prohibition in Atlanta. With an entrance off historical Honest Alley, Cellar is designed to give people a unique experience that will put the perfect finishing touch on a date night or post-dinner drinks
ago, owner Allisha Kelly and her team decided to take the restaurant to the next level by adding Social, a brunch sports bar that caters to a casual crowd looking for a place to be, well, social with their community members. Social boasts a host of events that anyone can enjoy, and this addition has been a welcome one for the Lawrenceville neighborhood.
“Thisstop.isthe first speakeasy in Gwinnett County, and we’re excited it’s right here in Lawrenceville,” said Allisha. “We’re focusing a lot on the history and giving people a fine dining experience.”
Jane Bishop is a Positive Interrupter and Leadership Coach. More information at www.janebishop.live
Cosmos’ Pizza is as much of a staple in Lawrenceville as the old historic courthouse in the square. But, while this beloved pizza joint is still providing you with the best lunches and dinners you could ask for, they are working on expanding into something even greater – and you won’t want to miss
Whilething.allof
Push: A Word for Your Day! Continued from page 17 Continued on page 22
This year, Allisha and her crew are going even further – literally. First up is their expansion into the building next door to their own, which will become the new site for Cosmos Live. The restaurant already features live bands and will soon become a place for patio games and activities designed for families to enjoy. Cosmos Live should be opening in the fall, so be sure to check out the games and band schedule so you don’t miss a
If you’re a reader and are thinking of joining a book club, you can start by asking around at your local bookstore or library about existing book clubs in your area. But if that isn’t an option, then why not consid er starting a book club of your own?
For now, Holmes calls it a grassroots effort and he’s asking people who “live, work, and/or play” in the county to be involved and engaged and to share their ideas.
If you didn’t get the opportunity to attend one of the county meetings, there are ways to get involved. You can still have a voice by participat ing in the survey on the Create Gwinnett website and/or signing up to volunteer. The survey will be available until September 30, 2022.
Here are a few things to think about if you decide to start a book club. Weigh the options and choose what’s best for you and what you •envision.Sincetechnically we’re still in a pandemic, you may want to consider whether to have a virtual book club that meets online, hybrid, or one that meets locally and in person. Some book club meetings are held in each member’s home on a rotation basis. Others prefer to meet in a public setting such as a restaurant, a coffee house, a wine bar, a library, or other public venue.
Continued from page 21
love for the game. By high school, athletic programs can be filled with athletes who are passionate and have cultivated their talent for the sport. But not everyone is athletically inclined. What about those who are artistic and creatively inclined? Building a community where residents can grow and use their talents can also be a vital part of a community and its economy. And perhaps there’s not a better place to promote and recognize art as part of economic development other than Gwinnett County.“The county has been amazing for me,” Holmes said. “I started my own business here. The county has helped with growth and support. We’ve been able to be successful by being involved in the county.”
• The first and most obvious way to find book club members is through your sphere of influence – your friends, neighbors, coworkers, and other acquaintances. Don’t be offended if some come for the wine, food, and friendship at first. After a few months and a few good books, they may fall in love with reading.
and more. The goal is for all cultures to be represented. Holmes also stressed that all artworks will be planned, not haphazard, and will adhere to the guidelines and stipulations set forth in the master plan.
AtCommerce.itscore, Create Gwinnett focuses on how arts and culture help foster economic prosperity in the county. Once established, it will be the first comprehensive plan for a culture and creative economy in Gwinnett.Currently a comprehensive inventory of all the assets in the county is taking place and they’re looking at opportunities for future projects such as painted crosswalks, bridges, school curriculums, and where to put public art.
• As with anything else, starting a book club can take time. So give your book club time to grow.
More information at https://www.artworksgwinnett.org/create-gwin nett/ ence.But Cosmos isn’t just feeding its community. They have worked hard to come alongside the people they have grown to love as family. Events like the Cosmos Classic, a benefit designed to raise funds for cancer patients, was a smashing success earlier in the year. You may have also recognized the Cosmos team at the Family Promise of Gwinnett Bed Race in downtown Lawrenceville. Coming up, Cosmos is excited to partner with the Lawrenceville Co-op for Christmas in July, where they will help to host and run a food drive to aid underserved people in the area.No matter where you’re going or what you’re in the mood for, Cosmos is a must on your list of stops to make. Try some of their authentic Italian food or catch a game with some friends – whatever you do, do it at Cosmos.
According to Holmes, Create Gwinnett is “simply our way of giving back where there’s a legacy that kids are developed, educated, and suc cessful. And that’s really our mantra for the kids coming up behind us.”
• Do you want to stick to one genre or theme? For example, if you enjoy cozy mysteries, then a cozy mystery book club may appeal to you. Some other genres include romance, fantasy, sci fi, women’s literature, historic fiction, and contemporary fiction.
Cosmos + Social + Cellar
Other areas of service for Create Gwinnett will include volunteers to help with the locations of artwork and the resources needed, from the artists who will perform or create the artwork, to the supplies used,
And there you have it – a start to new books and new friends. Happy reading!
• How often will you meet? Not everyone reads at the same speed, so some may need more time than others to finish a book, especially if it’s a longer book.
Once you decide on how you want your book club to run, you can focus on acquiring members.
Create Gwinnett began by getting county leaders and officials involved. With their continued support, as well as the engagement and support of the municipalities that make up Gwinnett County, the idea is to create a plan that will feed into both the county’s 2040 Unified Plan and the Economic Development Plan created by the Gwinnett Chamber of
More information at pizzaoncrogan.com or call (770) 338-9274
PAGE 22 Become an Advertising Partner: Info@OurTown Gwinnett.com or 678-825-2049
By Tana Poncsak
Fun and Fellowship: Why Not Start a Book Club?
• If virtual is the better option, will you use Zoom, Google Hangout, Teams, Facebook, etc.?
• How many participants would you like to have? Some book clubs have started with as little as three readers, while others have started with as many as twenty or more. And speaking of numbers, do you want to have a cap on the number of members to keep a smaller, more intimate group, or are you thinking “the more the merrier”?
• Use social media – Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms – to promote your book club, especially if you’re looking to start a virtual book club.
• Your local bookstore, library, or coffee shop may be willing to give your book club information to patrons who inquire about book clubs.
A series of county meetings were held in August for residents to give their feedback and ideas as the plan is developed to enhance the coun ty’s overall master plan.
Create Gwinnett Continued from page 11
• How will the books the group reads be selected? You can make all the selections at the beginning, or you can hold a discussion and take a vote by the members, so everyone decides. Or perhaps each mem ber can take a turn and pick the book they want all members to read.
Perhaps after spending time reading a good book, the best thing afterward is finding someone else who has also read it so you can talk about it. For many, half the fun of reading the book is then talking about it, dis cussing the plot, the characters, the structure of the novel, the writing, and more. But with so many people and so many books, finding the person who has read a particular book and willing to chat about can be difficult. That’s why book clubs were created!
More information at https://troop-506.trooptrack.com.
By Traci Sanders
Find out if Scouting is right for your child by visiting a local unit. Troop 506 is part of the Northeast Georgia Council and meets yearround on most Mondays at 7 p.m. on the campus of Cannon Methodist Church.
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was founded in 1910. Today, there are dozens of BSA Scout troops throughout Gwinnett, both all-male and all-female units. For many of these youth, Scouting is an outlet for creativity and socialization. But, at its core, Scouting is about leader ship, integrity, helping others, caring for the community, and learning survival skills. Scouting provides a positive influence and safe space for youth that often helps them become resilient in tough times by focusing on ways they can provide service to their local community, ultimately impacting the world around them.
The leadership and accountability skills acquired in Scouts become fundamental core values for those who remain committed to the pro gram. The Scout Oath and Scout Law become a way of life, and many of these youth become powerful influencers in their communities and the world. President Gerald Ford, Astronaut Neil Armstrong, Director Steven Spielberg, Homerun King Hank Aaron, and countless other politicians, actors, athletes, and CEOs have all participated in Scouting during their youth.
One of these local troops is Troop 506 in Snellville. This all-male, ages 10-18, troop currently has thirty registered scouts. Scouts focus on learning leadership and outdoor skills by progressing through seven achievement ranks, and along the way, they earn merit badges in multiple areas. Collectively, Troop 506 scouts have earned 492 Merit badges since 2017 and celebrated 132 Rank Advancements, including the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Only about 2% of all scouts achieve this rank. Troop 506 has had over 100 scouts attain the rank of Eagle Scout since the troop’s inception.
This scout-led troop plans monthly outdoor activities, and the current scouts have enjoyed over 1,100 nights of group camping. Recent camp ing and outdoor activities have included whitewater kayaking, cooking competitions, horseback riding, and campground service projects. They recently returned from a week of summer camp and have several more campouts planned for this summer, including whitewater rafting and ziplining activities.
BSA Scout Troop 506 Snellville – Pouring into Our Youth
These bright young scouts are continually finding ways to serve our community. The current Troop 506 scouts have provided more than
2,530 hours of community service. Some of their recent service proj ects include: a “Little Library” and reading bench at Craig Elementary School; a “Little Library” at Gwin Oaks Elementary School; picnic tables for the visitors’ side concession stand at Brookwood High School stadium; Outdoor Classroom refurbishment at Craig Elementary School; a Prayer Garden installation at Cannon United Methodist Church; sensory picnic tables for the special needs students and coat kiosks for the playground at Craig Elementary school; and a playground refurbishment at Gwin Oaks Community Pool.
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