southwestgwinnett magazine - May - June 2023

MAY 15 – AUG. 15

A summer of fun including Storytimes in area parks and splash pads, camp inspired crafts and programs, a week of magic shows, and much more!

Log how much you read and win prizes!

Learn More: gwinnettpl.org

Where authentic Christian mission and academic excellence aren’t mutually exclusive

SCAN THE QR CODE

Ongoing

Events, concerts and theatre

with CrossFit PPG for a strength and conditioning workout every Thursday, May through September. Students should bring water (no glass containers), a small towel or two, and a mat if possible; plan to wear workout attire and good shoes. Find out more at peachtreecornersga.gov.

Every Thursday Thursday Night Live

6-8 p.m.

The Forum

5185 Peachtree Pkwy., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

Seoul of the South Food Tour Ticket Sales

11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Tickets: $69 per person

Explore Gwinnett’s Seoul of the South Food Tour tickets are available for the 2023 season. Tickets sell quickly, so don’t wait. Dates are set for May 20, June 24, July 8, August 12 and September 16. The tour runs for four hours.

Tickets include food at four local Korean restaurants and bakeries; transportation is provided. For more tour information and to get tickets, visit exploregwinnett.org/seoulofthesouth.

Dates to Remember

May

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Jewish American Heritage Month

Older Americans Month

Teacher Appreciation Day | May 2

Star Wars Day | May 4

Cinco de Mayo | May 5

Mother’s Day | May 14

Memorial Day | May 29

June

Pride Month

Flag Day | June 14

Father’s Day | June 18

Juneteenth | June 19

July

Independence Day | July 4

Every Tuesday Yoga on the Green

8-9 a.m.

Town Green

5140 Town Green Blvd., P eachtree Corners

Admission: free

This class runs May through September and is taught by instructors from Sunny Street Yoga for beginners to experienced yogis. Students are asked to bring water (no glass containers), a small towel or two and a mat — and wear comfortable clothes. Visit peachtreecornersga.gov for details.

Every Wednesday Forum Fit

6-7 p.m.

The Forum

5185 Peachtree Pkwy., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

This weekly fitness session combines strength conditioning, cardio and mindfulness, leaving participants feeling balanced and empowered. Earn a loyalty stamp for every completed class. Check out theforumpeachtree. com/events to find out more.

Every Thursday CrossFit at the Green

8-9 a.m.

Town Green

5140 Town Green Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

Everyone is invited, regardless of age or fitness level, to join Terrance Fox

On Thursday evenings, April through October, The Forum brings in favorite local musicians. Everyone is invited to relax and groove to the smooth sounds. Check online for the latest musical lineup and details at theforumpeachtree.com/ events.

The bands: May 4, East & Ward; May 11, Chris Cauley; May 18, Hughes Taylor; May 25, Jacob Harshman; June 1, Taylor Harlow; June 8, Nathan Angelo; June 15, Chris Cauley; June 22, The Bourbon Brothers; June 29, Hughes Taylor; July 6, The Human DJ.

Every Friday Yielded Men

Fridays weekly, 7-8 a.m.

Moe’s Original Barbecue

5005 Peachtree Pkwy., Ste. 810, Peachtree Corners

Yielded Men (YM) is a weekly safe, small discussion group focused on building relationships and encourag-

ing men in their walk with God. Each week the group addresses a specific issue that most men face in life. All are welcome. Visit yieldedmen.org to find out more.

Every Friday Fridays-N-Duluth

6-9 p.m.

Downtown Duluth

3142 Hill St., Duluth

Admission: free

Friday evenings, May 26-July 28, brings food trucks, live music and family-friendly entertainment to downtown

Duluth. Weekly themes include Eureka! Science Night (May 26), Pride Night (June 2), Dog Days of Summer (June 16), Kickoff to the Fourth (June 30), Decades Night (July 14) and International Night featuring the Lantern Parade (July 28). Food truck and entertainment lineups will be released the Wednesday before each event; check out duluthga.net/ events for updates.

May

May 5

Bi-lingual Storytime

10:30-11:15 a.m.

OneStop Norcross

5030 Georgia Belle Ct., Norcross

Admission: free

There will be bilingual fun with an epic story and sing-along. Children 8 and under will experience stories in both English and Spanish. Get more info at GwinnettParks.com or by calling 678225-5400.

May 5

Kids Night: Pizza and Play

5:30-8:30 p.m.

OneStop Norcross

5030 Georgia Belle Ct., Norcross

Admission: $12 per Gwinnett resident, $24 per non-resident

Parents can drop off their kids, ages 7-12, to have a blast at a pizza party with games galore while they enjoy a night out. Visit GwinnettParks.com or call 678-225-5400 for further details.

May 5-14

Norcross High School Student Show

The Rectory

17 College St., Norcross

“Reflections at the Rectory” features a selection of works from the portfolios of Advanced Placement art students at Norcross and Paul Duke STEM high schools. The exhibit also includes work by International Baccalaureate students at Norcross. Receptions will be held on May 7 and are open to the public. Get more info at norcrossga. net/598/The-Rectory.

May 5-21

Jeffrey

Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 2 p.m.

Lionheart Theatre

10 College St., Norcross

Tickets: $18, $16 for seniors and students

About the show: Jeffrey, a gay actor/ waiter in New York, has reconciled himself to celibacy. Then his friends introduce him to the man of his dreams, who happens to be HIV-positive. Go to lionhearttheatre.org to learn more and reserve tickets.

May 6

Public Policy Issues

that Affect

AAPI Communities in Georgia

11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Gwinnett County Public Library — Norcross Branch

5735 Buford Hwy., Norcross

Admission: free, registration is recommended.

As part of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the non-profit organization Asian-Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta will present a program about policy issues that affect Asian/ Pacific Islander and other immigrant communities in Georgia in the areas of civil rights, voting rights and access to education and healthcare. Find out more at gwinnettpl.org.

May 6

▲Duluth Derby Day

2:30-7:30 p.m.

Parsons Alley

3530 Lawrenceville St., Duluth

Admission: free

Dress in wide-brimmed hats and bow ties for the ultimate Kentucky Derby viewing party. There will be lounge seating and pre-show activities before the large screen lights up with the race. Need more info? Go to duluthga.net and click on the calendar.

May 6

Cross-Culture Street Fest

5-9 p.m.

Best Friend Park

6224 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross

Admission: free

Bring the family to celebrate an evening of international experiences including food, vendors and performances. Go to GwinnettParks.com or call 678-2770222 to learn more.

May 6

Flicks on the Green — Spirit Untamed

7 p.m. (starts after the Kentucky Derby ends)

Town Green

5140 Town Green Blvd., Peachtree

Corners

Admission: free

Flicks on the Green is a movie series featuring iconic movies on the first Saturday of each month through October. Additional info is at peachtreecornersga.gov.

About the film: The computer-animated adventure film by DreamWorks follows a young girl who bonds with a wild mustang.

May 11 and June 8

Second Thursdays

10:30-11:45 a.m.

Southeastern Railway Museum

3595 Buford Hwy., Duluth

Tickets: Adults, $18; seniors 65+, $15; children ages 2-12, $12

On the second Thursday of each month, the museum presents an interactive, educational program for children ages 2 to 4 years old. The May program is “Flight, Rockets & Drones”; in June, it’s “Ice Cream Trucks!” Get tickets and learn more at train-museum.org.

May 11

Bingo for Seniors

12-2 p.m.

Lucky Shoals Park Recreation Center

4651 Britt Road, Norcross

Admission: $5 per Gwinnett resident, $10 per non-resident

Adults aged 50 and up are welcome to enjoy a game of bingo on the patio. May’s theme is “Senior Spotlight Bingo” in honor of Older Americans Month. For more info, visit GwinnettParks. com or call 678-277-0860.

May 11

May 8

Create Your Own Book

6-7 p.m.

Gwinnett County Public Library — Peachtree Corners Branch

5570 Spalding Dr., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

Celebrate Children’s Book Week by constructing a book and writing an original short story. All ages are invited, from kids to seniors. Go to gwinnettpl. org for more info.

May 9

Sakura Cherry Blossom: A Shared Asian Tradition in America

6-7:30 p.m.

Gwinnett County Public Library — Duluth Branch

3180 Main S., Duluth

Admission: free

Asian American Heritage Month is a month to celebrate and pay tribute to the contributions of generations of Asian / Pacific Americans have made to American history, society and culture. Learn the history of Sakura Cherry Blossom trees and create a paper Cherry Blossom tree to decorate your home. There’s more info at gwinnettpl.org.

Domino Day

1-3 p.m.

Shorty Howell Park

2750 Pleasant Hill Rd., Duluth

Admission: $5 per Gwinnett resident, $9 per non-resident

Older adults, ages 50 and up, are welcome to play traditional dominos, chicken foot or Mexican train. Meet new friends, enjoy light refreshments and win some prizes. To get the details, click on GwinnettParks.com or call 678-277-0900.

May 12

Mindful and Healthy Families

10:30-11:15 a.m.

OneStop Norcross

5030 Georgia Belle Ct., Norcross

Admission: free

Designed for families with young children, this program focuses on mindfulness activities to include breathwork, meditation, self-care practices, as well as health education on relevant parenting and child topics to promote healthy family lifestyles. Ages 3 and up are welcome. Details are at GwinnettParks. com or by calling 678-225-5400.

May 13

Walk the Talk — Mental Health Awareness

8-9 a.m.

Pinckneyville Park

4758 S. Old Peachtree Rd., Norcross

Admission: free

Take a walk with knowledgeable health professionals at an enjoyable, easy pace. Walks are held on park trails, last about an hour and are open to all ages. Experts will discuss diverse health and wellness topics while helping you build and maintain physical activity. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle. Find out more by contacting Live Healthy Gwinnett at 770-822-3197.

May 13

Songs and Rhymes

10:30-11:15 a.m.

OneStop Norcross

5030 Georgia Belle Ct., Norcross

Admission: free

Children ages 8 and under enjoy an enriching experience through music, games and oral literature, presented in English and Spanish. Learn more at GwinnettParks.com or call 678-2255400.

May 13

Resale Market

11 a.m.-2 p.m.

OneStop Norcross

5030 Georgia Belle Ct., Norcross

Admission: free for shoppers. Vendor fee is $15 for Gwinnett residents, $30 for non-residents.

Do some spring cleaning and make some easy money — or find the treasure you have been searching for. For details, visit GwinnettParks.com or call 678-225-5400.

May 13

Sadako and the Paper Cranes

3-4 p.m.

Gwinnett County Public Library — Peachtree Corners Branch

5570 Spalding Dr., Peachtree Corners

Hear the story of Sadako, a Japanese girl injured in the Hiroshima bombing, and her message of peace. Children are invited to make a paper crane to continue her legacy. For details, visit gwinnettpl.org.

May 13

Family Field Day

3:30-5:30 p.m.

Lucky Shoals Park Recreation Center

4651 Britt Road, Norcross

Admission: $5

Bring the family out for a family field day and enjoy games of tug-of-war,

kickball and more. Click on GwinnettParks.com or call 678-277-0860 to find out more.

May 13

Night Music — Geek Squad

7 p.m.

Town Green

5140 Town Green Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

Night Music features live, local bands at the Town Green on the second Saturday of every month through September. Check out peachtreecornersga.gov for more.

About the band: The Geek Squad is a party band that can range from a three-person trio to a massive ninepiece band.

May 13

Gwinnett Multicultural Festival

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Gwinnett Place Mall

2100 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth

Admission: free

This family-friendly event for all ages includes traditional performances, face painting, bounce houses, obstacle courses and car seat checks. A naturalization ceremony will be held to welcome the County’s newest citizens. For more info, contact the Gwinnett Police Community Affairs Section at PDCommunityAffairs@GwinnettCounty.com or call 770-513-5119.

May 16

Exploring Social Media with Seniors

1-2 p.m.

Gwinnett County Public Library — Peachtree Corners Branch

5570 Spalding Dr., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

Using a self-paced tutorial from the Computer Skills Center of the digital resource Learning Express, seniors will get tips and tricks to help them connect comfortably on social media. Visit gwinnettpl.org for additional info.

May 17

Table Talk

11 a.m.-12 p.m.

OneStop Norcross

5030 Georgia Belle Ct., Norcross

Admission: free

This interactive program for ages 50 and up features discussions based on the Older Americans Month theme, “Aging Unbound.” Participants will share what aging unbound means to them. For more info, visit GwinnettParks.com or call the Norcross Senior Center at 678-225-5430.

May 17

Learning Labs: Create Your Own Podcast Workshop

6-7:30 p.m.

Gwinnett County Public Library — Norcross Branch

5735 Buford Hwy., Norcross

Admission: free, registration required. Everyone, ages 12 and up, are invited to join the podcasting workshop. It will cover the basics on equipment, recording/editing, and publishing podcasts. Check out gwinnettpl.org for additional info.

May 20

Kids to Parks Day

10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Jones Bridge Park, 4901 E. Jones Bridge Rd., Peachtree Corners

Best Friend Park, 6224 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross

Shorty Howell Park, 2750 Pleasant Hill Rd., Duluth

Admission: free

Celebrate Kids to Parks Day with games, crafts and outdoor activities. Kids of all ages will connect with nature while engaging in memorable outdoor experiences. Visit GwinnettParks.com for more information or call the Shorty Howell Park Activity Building at 678277-0900.

May 20

Celebration of the Authentic Car

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Southeastern Railway Museum

3595 Buford Hwy., Duluth

Tickets: Adults, $18; seniors 65+, $15; children ages 2-12, $12

Don’t miss the opportunity to check out all the authentic, unmodified, historic cars that will be showcased at the museum. Visit train-museum.org for details and tickets.

May 20

Sports on the Screen — Atlanta United v Chicago Fire

8:30 p.m.

Town Green

5140 Town Green Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

Tailgate with fellow fans. Sports fans are encouraged to bring their own coolers or purchase food and drink from one of the many restaurants in the Town Center. To learn more, click on peachtreecornersga.gov.

May 26

Southern Railway Museum

Presents Steam Locomotives

2-3 p.m.

Gwinnett County Public Library — Duluth Branch

3180 Main S., Duluth

Admission: free

Jim Polihronakis visits from Southeastern Railway Museum for a presentation on how steam drives the locomotives. This event is designed for ages 6-18. Get details at gwinnettpl.org.

May 26

Summer Concert Series — Creedence Revived

7:30-9:30 p.m.

Thrasher Park

93 Park Dr., Norcross

Admission: free

The sweet sounds of summer are unleashed at free concerts that run May through September in downtown Norcross. For more info, click on the norcrossga.net calendar.

About the band: The Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) tribute group makes listeners forget they’re not watching the original band. The band made up of four of Chicago’s and Los Angeles’ most talented and eclectic musicians.

May 27

Summer Concert Series — Who’s Bad, a Michael Jackson Experience

7-9 p.m.

Town Green

5140 Town Green Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

The fifth annual Summer Concert Series brings in bands from across the country on the last Saturday of the month, May through October. More info is at peachtreecornersga.gov.

About the band: Dedicated to recreating authentic live experiences, Who’s Bad performs an unparalleled tribute to Michael Jackson’s musical legacy.

May 29

Memorial Day Ceremony

11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Town Green

5140 Town Green Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

The Peachtree Corners Veterans Monument Association hosts a memorial event in honor of veterans. Watch ptcvets.net for the latest info.

May 29

Memorial Day Remembrance

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Thrasher Park

93 Park Dr., Norcross

Admission: free

Honor those fallen in the line of duty as Norcross remembers their sacrifice with a special tribute. Visit the norcrossga.net calendar to learn more.

May 30

Little Peaches

4-6 p.m.

The Forum

5185 Peachtree Pkwy., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

Children enjoy an ultimate playdate with kid-friendly crafts, games and en-

June

June 3

Flicks on the Green — Soul

7 p.m.

Town Green

5140 Town Green Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

Iconic movies are presented on the first Saturday of each month through October. Learn more at peachtreecornersga. gov.

About the film: A computer-animated comedy-drama by Disney and Pixar, Soul centers on a jazz pianist who dies before his big break and tries to reunite his body and soul.

June 3

Jazz in the Alley

7:30-9:30 p.m.

Betty Maudlin Park

1-63 Lawrenceville St., Norcross

Admission: free

Jazz at its best takes over Betty Mauldin Park in downtown Norcross. Jazz in the Alley features some of the best jazz artists from Atlanta and surrounding cities. Visit the norcrossga.net calendar and thejazzinthealley.com for the latest updates.

June 9

Summer Concert Series — Bogey and the Viceroy

7:30-9:30 p.m.

Thrasher Park

93 Park Dr., Norcross

Admission: free

Summertime fun is easy to find in downtown Norcross. Free concerts are held on select dates, May through September. Find out more at the norcrossga.net calendar.

June 10

Family Health and Fitness Day

11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Jones Bridge Park

4901 E. Jones Bridge Rd., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

Bring the family to enjoy free games and activities for ages 3 and up. Learn about health and receive free screenings. Want more info? Go to GwinnettParks.com or call 678-277-0920.

June 10

Gwinnett Pride

12-5 p.m.

Thrasher Park

93 Park Dr., Norcross

Admission: free

Show up and show support. Singer-songwriter E-Jay Mills is scheduled to appear. Keep up with the latest info at gwinnettpride.org.

June 10

Night Music — Her Majesty’s Request featuring Amazing Mongooses

7 p.m.

Town Green

5140 Town Green Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

Live, local bands perform at the Town Green on the second Saturday of every month through September. Check out peachtreecornersga.gov for more.

About the bands: Her Majesty’s Request brings the British rock experience through music that ranges from the British Invasion through to Brit Pop. The opening band, Amazing Mongooses, is a trio of Decatur locals who perform blues, classic rock and original rock.

June 13

Norcross Gallery and Studios

116 Carlyle St., Norcross norcrossgalleryandstudios.org, 770-840-9844

Exhibits and Events

Georgia Spring, a collaborative show

April 20-May 27

Pigments of Imagination, a juried show

June 8-July 22

Meet the Artist of the Month

May 31 — Kathy de Cano

June 28 — Angelika Domschke

tertainment on the last Tuesday of the month. The theme for May is Party Animals. Go to theforumpeachtree.com/ events for additional info.

May 31

Games & Trivia Challenge

OneStop Norcross

5030 Georgia Belle Ct., Norcross

Admission: free

Residents aged 50 and up are invited to enjoy a variety of games, including trivia challenges, word puzzles and even a mini scavenger hunt. Participants can earn points and win prizes.

About the band: Dance the night away with Bogey & the Viceroy, masters of soul, R&B, rock, and pop. The groovin’ crew always brings a party with their infectious energy, smooth vocals and tight musicianship.

June 10

Household Hazardous Waste Event

8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Parking lot across from Summerour

Middle School

321 Price Pl., Norcross

Admission: free

Norcross residents are invited to dispose of waste — such as old paint, pesticides, solvents and other hazardous materials — in a safe, environmentally-friendly way. The norcrossga.net calendar has details.

Entrepreneurship | How to Become an Entrepreneur

12-1 p.m.

Gwinnett County Public Library — Duluth Branch

3180 Main S., Duluth

Admission: free; registration is recommended

Entrepreneur Aysha Treadwell, a seasoned entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience and a pioneer in the senior care industry, will explain what it takes to start your own business and create a lender-ready business plan. The workshop includes: organizational structure of the business; the importance of including industry information; how demographics determine location; know your competition and how you plan to market; and understand your cash flow for the funding request. Visit gwinnettpl.org to find out more.

4:30-6:30 p.m. 45 South Café 45 S. Peachtree St., Norcross

Open Studios

Evening Open Studio

Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m.

Cost: $5 members, $10 non-members

Moderator: Patty Grewe-Mullins, pgrewemullins@gmail.com

Daytime Open Studio

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

Cost: $5 members, $10 nonmembers

Moderator: Anne Labaire, labaireart@gmail.com

June 14

Culinary Arts | Juneteenth

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Gwinnett County Public Library — Norcross Branch

5735 Buford Hwy., Norcross

Admission: free

Celebrate Juneteenth by preparing items from a traditional Juneteenth menu. Participants will also learn about the cultural significance of food and community in Southern Black culture. For additional info, go to gwinnettpl.org.

June 15

Ladies Night Out at the Forum

5-7 p.m.

Grab your girlfriends and indulge in a night of strolling, sipping, snacking and shopping for an exclusive Forum experience. Watch theforumpeachtree. com/events for details.

June 17

Duluth Rotary Car Show

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Downtown Duluth

3140 Main St., Duluth

Admission: free

Hosted by the Rotary Club of Duluth, the car show features exotic cars, antique classics, foreign sports cars, hot rods and muscle cars. For more info, click on duluthga.net/events.

June 17

Juneteenth Celebration

12-5 p.m.

Thrasher Park

93 Park Dr., Norcross

Admission: free

Honor the end of slavery in the U.S. with a day of community, history and celebration. There will be live music, food, vendors and activities for all ages. Check the norcrossga.net calendar to find out more.

June 17

Sports on the Screen — Braves v Rockies

4:10 p.m.

Town Green

5140 Town Green Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

Sports fans are invited to tailgate and cheer on their favorite teams. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own coolers or purchase food and drink from one of Town Center’s many restaurants. For more info, go to peachtreecornersga.gov.

June 22

Little Peaches

4-6 p.m.

The Forum

5185 Peachtree Pkwy., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

There are kid-friendly crafts, games and entertainment at this “ultimate playdate” held on the last Tuesday of the month. June’s theme is Welcome to the Carnival. There’s more info at theforumpeachtree.com/events.

June 23

Summer Concert Series — Purple Madness

7:30-9:30 p.m.

Thrasher Park

93 Park Dr., Norcross

Admission: free

May through September, free concerts are performed by talented bands and musicians in downtown Norcross. Visit norcrossga.net calendar for details.

About the band: Purple Madness is in town! Bobby Miller and his crew bring the ultimate tribute to the one and only Prince, complete with all the hits and iconic dance moves.

June 24-25

Model Railroad Days

Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

Southeastern Railway Museum

3595 Buford Hwy., Duluth

Tickets: Adults, $18; seniors 65+, $15; children ages 2-12, $12

Metro Music Makers Spring Showcase

May 7, 2:30 and 5:30 p.m.

Tickets: $10

Red Clay Music Foundry

3116 Main St., Duluth eddieowenpresents.com

Hosted by Yoshee

May 5, 8 p.m.

Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 day of the show

A first-generation Nigerian immigrant, Yoshee stepped away from his successful marketing career at age 30 to pursue improv and become a stand-up comedian.

An Evening with Mary Fahl

May 6, 8 p.m.

Tickets: $30-$33 in advance, $35-$40 day of the show

Mary Fahl is an emotional singer-songwriter who first achieved fame as lead singer and co-founder of the NYCbased October Project. She’ll share the stage with a full band.

This one-day events allow Metro Music Makers students to celebrate spring with friends and family while showcasing their musical progress.

Siren Songs

May 12, 8 p.m.

Tickets: $30 in advance, $35 at the door Folk / Americana duo Siren Songs — Jenn Grinels and Merideth Kaye Clark — present an evening of gorgeous acoustic music celebrating the spring season.

Songwriters in the

Round: Michelle Malone, Sonia Leigh and Hannah Thomas

May 18, 8 p.m.

Tickets: $22-$28 in advance, $27-$32 day of the show

Michelle Malone’s songs unfold cinematically, and her remarkable voice can capture human vulnerability. So-

nia Leigh is a prolific songwriter and musician whose music is powerful and fluid. Hannah Thomas has shared the stage with the Indigo Girls, Pat Benatar, Melissa Etheridge and other music legends.

Broken String Band and Vilai Harrington & The Hamptones

May 19, 8 p.m.

Tickets: $22 in advance, $27 day of the show

The Broken String Band redefines what it means to play folk music, with hard-hitting lyrics and iconic harmonies mixed with a thrashing banjo, stand-up bass, fiddle and drums. Vilai Harrington grew up in the sandhills of South Carolina. Complemented by The Hamptones, they capture their Appalachian musical roots and add a modern Americana spin.

The Brave Collide with Chloë Agnew and Brian McGrane

May 20, 8 p.m.

Tickets: $30, $50 for meet and greet Contemporary folk-pop Irish singers / songwriters Chloë Agnew and Brian

The model train layout at the Southeastern Railway Museum will be highlighted. Other attractions include classic trains on display, model layouts, cab and park train rides, model railroad surplus sales and the souvenir shop. Find out more at train-museum.org.

June 24

Bluesberry Beer Festival

3-10 p.m.

Betty Maudlin Park

1-63 Lawrenceville St., Norcross

Admission: free

Father’s Day weekend features a celebration of blueberries, beer and local bands in Norcross. Local restaurants offer special blueberry dishes and drinks and bands from all over Georgia come to perform. Keep up with the latest info at bluesberrybeerfestival.com. https://bluesberrybeerfestival.com

June 24

Summer Concert Series — Guardians of the Jukebox

7 p.m.

Town Green

5140 Town Green Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

Enjoy warm weather and hot musical acts on the last Saturday of each month through September. Visit peachtreecornersga.gov for details.

McGrane joined forces in 2017. They have just released their third single, “The First Time.”

Sarah Clanton with Smith & Calvert

Opener: Caitlyn Jahn

May 26, 8 p.m.

Tickets: $20-$24 in advance, $25-29 day of the show

Sarah Clanton defines her own style of music with intuitive songwriting and memorable voice paired with her unique style of playing her carbon fiber cello. Leah Calvert and Michael D. Smith bring together wo instruments, two voices, beautiful songs and captivating harmonies.

Scan the QR code to find more great shows and events

About the band: Guardians of the Jukebox is “a five-star nostalgia ‘80s juggernaut.” They love the 80s and consider themselves more of a high-energy time macihine than just a tribute band.

July

July 1

Flicks on the Green — Back to the Future

7 p.m.

Town Green

5140 Town Green Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Admission: free

Families are invited to stretch out on the lawn and enjoy Flicks on the Green, presented on the first Saturday of each month through October. Go to peachtreecornersga.gov for more info. About the film: Set in 1985, the sci-fi classic follows Marty McFly and “Doc” Brown as they accidentally travel into the past. McFly must fix things so his parents fall in love and he can get back to his own time.

July 3

Red, White & Boom!

5-10 p.m.

Lillian Webb Park / Downtown Norcross

5 College St., Norcross

Admission: free

Food, live music, face painting and family fun kick off the Independence Day celebrations. An amazing fireworks

display will light up the night sky in shades of red, white and blue. Bring blankets and chairs. The norcrossga. net calendar has more info about this and other events.

July 7

Summer Concert Series — Az IzZ

7:30-9:30 p.m.

Thrasher Park

93 Park Dr., Norcross

Admission: free

Free summer concerts, held May through September, bring sweet music to downtown Norcross. Go to the norcrossga.net calendar for more info.

About the band: Az IzZ is known as one of the best dance bands not just in Georgia, but maybe even in the entire country. From jazz and swing to Motown, beach, 80s, 90s and even top 40 hits, this band has something for everyone.

July 8

Viva Las Duluth

6-9 p.m.

Downtown Duluth

3167 Main St., Duluth

Admission: free

The main stage of Downtown Duluth sparkles with the glitz and the glam of Las Vegas. Performers include magicians, cirque-style dancers and impersonators. The event also features casino photo-ops, a 360 photo booth, free slot machines and meet-and-greets with some impersonators. The duluthga.net calendar has additional info.

Broadway Comedy, winner of the 1993 Obie Award and the John Gassner Award for Outstanding New American Play

Dane Scott — Racing Toward a Dream

Words by Patrizia Winsper

Photography by RTD Media (@rtdmediaandmanagment) and StayReelMedia (@stayreelmedia)

“If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.” – Mario

Andretti

The deafening sound of roaring engines is muted by custom-poured ear molds allowing the engineer’s voice to come through, keeping you abreast of your competitors’ positions. Imagine losing a pound or two of sweat between the adrenaline rush of 165 mph speeds and 100 to 120° F temperatures while covered from head to toe in protective gear and strapped into a cockpit so confined, the steering wheel must be removed to get in it.

From start to finish, you push the car to the limit as though racing in a video game, only you have real skin in this one — your skin. A feeling of barely having control as you clutch the wheel — no power steering here — and the fear of spinning out and hitting a wall around each bend is conquered only by the desire to shave off even a fraction of a second from your lap time.

“If you’re afraid the whole time, you know you had a good lap. You have to mentally calm yourself and remain in control,” Peachtree Corners teen Dane Scott said.

A little boy who once fancied go-karting on family vacations, Scott watched NASCAR with his grandpa and rode in a vintage car at the Indy 500. He was never able to shake his urge for life in the fast lane. Today, the 18-year-old is a Formula 4 (F4) racer pushing the pedal to the metal in pursuit of his dream – competing in the highest class of open-wheel, single-seater racing in the United States.

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines

Dane Scott

Having raced for the first time this past February, Scott is a novice, but he’s determined to blaze a trail to the pinnacle of American motorsport.

“There’s a ladder: F4, USF 2000, USF Pro 2000, INDY NXT, then INDYCAR,” Scott said. Scott said he would speedily entertain offers to compete in Europe’s highly competitive Formula 3. The F4 category was created by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) — the international sanctioning and administrative body for motorsport. As such, a universal set of stringent rules and specifications apply to the countries who host championships. It’s not exactly an easy sport to break into.

“It’s hard to find the right connections,” Scott shared. He got his lucky start after meeting F4 racer Joe Ostholthoff through an acquaintance. Ostholthoff got Scott started on a simulator and became his trainer in 2022.

“He helped me learn a lot about racing and find a team. We had meetings about what I was getting into,” Scott said. With three years of F4 experience, a father who was a Porsche Club President and driving instructor and raced in the Sports Car Club of America, Ostholthoff has proven to be a terrific mentor for Scott.

Jay Howard Driver Development Team

It’s advantageous for drivers to belong to a team. They provide more affordable and easier access to everything required. “Cars, mechanics, a pit crew, transportation, food, storage facilities, changing rooms — they bring all that to the track,” Scott said.

Among the conveniences provided by a team like Jay Howard Driver Development are having access to multiple mechanics and Howard’s valuable IndyCar experience. “He gives great insight into how to get your car positioned and how to do everything right,” Scott shared.

There are currently eight drivers on Howard’s team, seven of them racing in the 2023 F4 US Championship. The first race took place at NOLA Motor Park in New Orleans.

“That was fun. I had a couple of great races. We have 18 races over the year at six different locations — three per location,” Scott said.

Total points determine a driver’s ranking in the

championship. The competition is fierce. Prizes include money, trophies and endorsements. Drivers contribute to their team’s points. Team prizes are typically something like 10 sets of new tires.

Changing gears

Next year, changing FIA regulations will necessitate new F4 cars that meet the latest requirements for safety belt, crash and rollover tests. The most important specification is the addition of a halo — a carbon frame suspended around the driver’s head and able to withstand thousands of pounds of force to prevent head injuries.

The team boss foots the bill for new cars. Howard may elect to advance his team from F4 to US F2000 cars. One can pay to move up to US F2000. Or the team boss decides based on a driver’s talent.

“The US F 2000 car is significantly harder to drive. It’s lighter and more powerful. It spins around quicker and it’s about seven seconds

Dane Scott, on the track, attacking the corners.

Dane Scott heading to the racetrack after pre-grid.

faster. That’s a big difference. One tenth of a second is huge. If someone is one tenth of a second faster, after 10 laps they’re gone. You can’t catch them anymore,” Scott said.

Don’t mow the lawn

Tires form a grip with the road. The greater the contact patch, the greater the traction and steering ability. When things go wrong and cars go into a spin, drivers are good-humoredly said to be “mowing the lawn,” suggesting they resemble gardeners circling on the grass, mowing.

When spinning, the car goes around backwards. Rolling back with a manual transmission destroys the gearbox. The gears grind; it’s a $12,000 extensive repair.

“We’re taught to move our feet all the way to the left, stomp on the brake with our right foot so the car stops, and push in the clutch fully with our left foot so the gears don’t crunch. The clutch takes the shaft out of the gearbox, preventing it from destroying everything,” Scott said.

Scott shared a personal lawn-mowing moment: “The left side of my front wing got crunched in by someone. Wings create 80 to 100 pounds of downforce from the airflow, keeping the suction to the road. I lost several pounds of downforce from that hit. My car became unstable, and I spun off the track.”

Howard’s team sustained $45,000 of damage in New Orleans. “We had to replace three engines and a transmission due to an opponent’s reckless driving,” Scott said.

Race ready

Endurance is the focus. It takes strong arms to turn the steering wheel, but Scott avoids bench-pressing as it can damage joints. Instead, the iRacing simulator keeps drivers primed. AI allows for the hostility to be turned up for wheel-banging fights. The turning force can be cranked up to 120 pounds.

“The more downforce on a car, the harder it is to turn. If you get to Indy, cars have bigger wings. It gets pretty hard to turn,” Scott said. Maintaining an ideal weight is also essential; too heavy and you slow down, too light and weights need to be placed under the car seat. At 5’10” Scott weighs in at 142 pounds.

“Drivers should weigh 150 to 155 pounds with gear on, including helmet and fire suit,” Scott explained. Weight gain would also make for a difficult fit in the custom-made car seats. They’re molded to each driver’s body for minimal sliding around.

Familiarizing themselves with their cars and the tracks is vital for drivers. While the cars have the same specifications, each one handles a little differently.

“Some are heavier in the rear, so they turn more. Some are front-heavy, so they don’t turn as easily,” Scott said.

Practice time before races helps drivers learn the idiosyncrasies of each track. Any mishap gets the track closed for 10 minutes. Usually a month before a race, Howard rents the racetrack for a few days giving drivers unlimited practice.

“I tested in New Orleans in February. It’s super valuable. You tell the engineer how the car is handling on the track. The rear end might be sliding, for example. He learns how best to set up your car. You don’t have to deal with that come race weekend,” Scott shared.

Besides counting on their abilities and quick reflexes, some drivers adopt luck-enhancing superstitions. Scott steers clear of odd habits he’s observed.

“They’ll snap five times on their left hand, four times on their right hand, click their heels and spin around twice before they get in the car. I enter always from the left side of the car and pray for safety and victory,” he said.

Double podium

Scott glowingly shared some close calls and successes during the pre-season races in Sebring, where he twice finished third.

“After spinning over a tricky bump, I went down to seven out of 10 drivers. I was starting almost from the back of the field. I managed to climb my way up to sixth,” Scott recounted.

“A group of four were fighting for third place. I’d be in front by the next lap. In front of me, an incident happened. I barely avoided crashing, went past and around this guy’s front wing as he spun and finished third,” he continued.

“Race three was my most impressive. I started in fifth position [P5]. I missed the start a bit

and fell back to P7. Then I was in P5 again. I overtook them. P4 broke away by a huge seven-second gap. I made that up, overtook him.”

P3 was out of sight, 14 seconds ahead of Scott with 15 laps to go in the race. Scott embraced the challenge, gaining 1.2 seconds on his opponent.

“I was lapping quicker and quicker. I finally caught up and passed him with one lap remaining. Unfortunately, he sent it too hard into the hairpin turn, hit me in the rear, breaking my wing off,” Scott said.

With diminished downforce due to a missing rear wing and unable to corner fast, Scott managed to “limp” around the track and finish in P3.

Sponsorships welcome

Securing sponsors is a crucial part of this costly sport. Scott hopes to add to the supporters showcased on his website. Sponsors benefit from the image enhancement and brand exposure the spectator sport provides.

Backing a motorsports team helps solidify professional relationships and incentivize employees with merchandise, paddock passes for behind the scenes access to the garages, cars and a chance to meet the team owner.

Perks like heightened visibility and positive publicity exceed most advertising budgets, considering the exposure companies receive in electronic media and print.

“Each race weekend we stream across platforms and get up to 20,000 views [live people] per stream. It’s not just the organization and drivers sharing. Accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers post about smaller teams knowing we need a boost to get to IndyCar,” Scott explained.

Whether it’s an exclusive sponsor or a small army, benefactors can come from anywhere in the world. A $5000 donation gets a company’s logo painted on the car. The contribution amount corresponds to the size and placement of the logo.

“It can cover the whole side of the car,” Scott said.

To help fuel the ambitions of this talented, home-grown youngster, contact Scott via email at danescottracing@gmail.com, on Instagram @danescottracing and visit his website, danescottracing.com.

Keeping up his momentum

On May 18-21, look out for number 4 when Scott will be racing at the Road America SpeedTour in Wisconsin. You can follow this dedicated IndyCar hopeful the rest of the season at Midway Speedway in Crooksville, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Virginia International Raceway and Circuit of the Americas in Austin.

Here’s wishing our local speedster plenty of straights, long corners and minimal breaking zones on his journey. Keep up the good pace, Dane Scott! ##

Dane Scott at the F4 United States Championship, at NOLA Motorsports Park

Known as the best upscale tavern in the Peachtree Corners area. The Tavern at Medlock is a well-established, proven venue to dine, drink and have fun with family and friends. For more information please contact us

Exquisite Timeless Home

‘Silicon Orchard’ Blossoms

Technology giants and startups are seeking out the offerings at Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners.

Words by Arlinda Smith Broady

As the term “Silicon Orchard” is becoming more recognized in tech circles, Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners is becoming more recognized as a hot spot for startups and international companies that utilize smart technology. It is unique in that it’s a publicly-funded living lab designed to provide a real-world test environment to advance next-generation intelligent mobility and smart city technology.

The proof is in the caliber of its collaborations with established powerhouses and emerging masterminds that put to work its all-electric autonomous shuttles, e-scooters, world-class solar roadway and mammoth EV charging

hub to implement solutions that help build a greener, cleaner future for the planet.

If it ever really was a “hidden gem,” the word is out that Peachtree Corners is a place for innovation. The city recently announced that it was named the winner of the IDC Government Insights’ 6th Annual Smart Cities North America Award in the category of economic development, tourism, arts, libraries and culture open spaces.

To illustrate its diversity and commitment to supporting visionaries, take a look at two companies— one that’s locally born and been around since Curiosity Lab’s inception and another that is new to the “orchard” but has garnered international praise and has its applications in use across the globe.

Left, Erika Tyburski, CEO and co-founder of Sanguina, a company that spun out of Georgia Tech and Emory University in 2014 and Rob Mannino, Chief Technology Officer

Top middle, Rob Mannino

Top right, the Sanguina team

Above, screenshots of the company’s app

Sanguina

For her entire life, Erica Tyburski has had to keep tabs on the level of iron in her blood.

“I’ve had iron deficiency anemia my whole life. I’ve been working with it,” she said. “It’s pretty common for women to experience some sort of nutritional deficiency anemia. And I happen to be one of those people that, throughout the phases of life and different growth spurts, has had symptoms that would be a little bit scary.

“I’ve been to the emergency room a couple of times for this and have passed out during PE in grade school,” she shared.

While working on her degree in biomedical engineering from Georgia Tech, Tyburski started working on what she calls a “passion project” that turned into a technology startup — Sanguina.

“I was inspired to work on a solution that could help me better manage anemia at home,” she said.

Serendipitously, she was partnered with another student who also had an iron deficiency.

Robert Mannino, Sanguina’s chief technology officer, has anemia brought about from a genetic condition called beta thalassemia.

“He’s actually transfusion reliant. He’s anemic for a very different reason that I am, but we came together with the same passion and the same desire to create solutions for better anemia management at home,” said Tyburski.

The pair worked with Professor Wilbur Lamb, who is now chief medical officer in the company.

They started as a student/teacher group at the Georgia Institute of Technology with Mannino working on his PhD and Tyburski working on her bachelor’s degree.

“We worked on our technologies, and we now have a single-use disposable. We also have a smartphone app that can estimate hemoglobin levels,” said Tyburski. “We formulated the company out of the Georgia Tech and Emory University system. And we’ve done a number of things to really graduate to this point.

They moved the project out of the university, licensed their technology and IP from the university and were able to incorporate in 2019.

Home-grown talent

The Sanguina story is similar to many successful businesses in the Peachtree Corners area. Technology Park’s founder, Paul Duke, wanted to reduce the brain drain that was sending the best and brightest local college graduates out of the state.

“At our core, our company really goes to that initial founder’s passion. Our mission is to create and launch accessible tools for health and wellness. And our initial platform is all about anemia,” said Tyburski.

For people with anemia, this kind of breakthrough gives them a freedom they didn’t have before. Anemia affects many different types of people for different reasons. Hemoglobin levels are similar to vital signs like blood pressure or pulse heart rate, Tyburski explained.

“The first platform is our smartphone side,” she said. “We’re positioned just like other wear-

ables. You see that there are smartwatches and apps out there that track these things, purely in the wellness arena, to give you another piece of information about your health, and for people struggling with nutritional deficiencies.”

The platform can also be used for someone who may be changing diets or for extreme athletes who need to carefully watch their regimen.

“It’s nice to be able to check and see if your symptoms match what’s going on in your body,” said Tyburski. “One of the things that was always so frustrating to me is to have your symptoms get to the point of needing an ER or an urgent care visit.”

She said she would have loved to be able to better track and monitor her condition prior to getting to the point where intervention from a medical practitioner was needed. Up until now, the only way to test iron levels in the blood has been through a lab.

Technology provides more equity of care

“I think the pandemic has certainly put us in a position to have these things more at home and in telemedicine practice as compared to before, but it really is about creating access for people and taking some of that burden off the healthcare system,” Tyburski said.

“If you think about it, the whole ‘get sick, feel bad and then get care’ model is breaking in the United States, and we really can’t afford using urgent cares and ERs for something completely preventable,” she added.

With low-income and rural patients unable to just drop into a lab or doctor’s office whenever they’re in need, the implications for such a breakthrough are immense.

“We’ve already reached 150,000 users with our app in the U.S. alone. We have over 750,000 uses on the app,” said Tyburski. “We’re starting to make a difference and we’re definitely seeing usage in areas that are underserved.

“Personally, that’s a huge win for me because that is part of the problem,” she continued.

“I think a lot of people with infinite resources and the best healthcare can just drop in whenever they want to get checked out. I think there’s a huge equity situation going on with people in rural and urban communities that I’d like to address. Anemia is very prevalent in those communities.”

Besides the app, Sanguina also has a single-use disposable blood test. It takes a small amount of blood from a finger stick, similar to blood glucose monitoring.

“We have a device cleared already with the FDA for laboratory use. And it’s a simple two-minute test,” said Tyburski. “It has a color result. You compare it to a color card. …This is the one that we’re hoping to get through the FDA for home use this year.”

Opportunity to help millions

The technology could be used for more people that have diseases that they’re managing. Anemia is the most common blood disorder, and according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. It affects more than 3,000,000 Americans.

“When I was growing up, I saw that diabetics were able to test themselves at home and I was like, ‘Gosh, why can’t I have something like that?’” Tyburski said.

A combination of having the right people supporting them and the right resources available is turning this dream into a reality. The team of Tyburski, Mannino and Lamb worked hard to obtain grants and win awards through Georgia Tech and Emory University, as well as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

“We’ve worked with Georgia Research Alliance quite a bit. We’ve kept a lot of things local, and I think having a really early start on that allowed us to create the resources in order to take this thing from a concept in a lab to fullon testing to an FDA clearance,” Tyburski said. To date, Sanguina has accumulated about $3.5 million in non-diluted grant funding. With that type of financing, they didn’t have to give up shares of the business.

“It wasn’t until spring of 2020 that we brought on any private investment and our company had been around a while before that,” she noted.

Finding a home

Another stroke of luck was the connection with Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), Georgia Tech’s technology business incubator. Sanguina was among the first businesses involved with the satellite location that became Curiosity Lab.

“They have a system where it’s a ‘build it, scale it and grow it’ kind of thing, and we started out with the very, very lower tier of membership — just a dedicated desk for me,” Tyburski said. “Then we were able to get several desks, and then I got a private office. Then we had a large office. We’ve been there pretty much since the inception.”

With her husband being from Dunwoody, Tyburski had planned to settle in this part of metro Atlanta.

“He actually picked out Peachtree Corners and, in parallel, this ATDC connection was happening. It’s almost a perfect storm of where we ended up. …I live five minutes away from the office and I’m huge into supporting Peachtree Corners,” she said.

“I’m very proud of our address here at Peachtree Corners. It’s a great place and a great bed of technology and brilliant minds.”

Continued on page 20

Sanguina has launched a premium subscription for AnemoCheck, the first health app that estimates hemoglobin levels with a fingernail selfie.

The company is currently offering a free 30-day trial. No code is needed, and it is available on iPhone and Android.

Seoul Robotics

In March, Seoul Robotics, a leader in 3D perception software, established its United States office in Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners. Its presence in Curiosity Lab will fuel further development of its groundbreaking platform, while providing the company with a real-world testing environment along Peachtree Corners’ city streets.

“With our 3D smart infrastructure solutions already deployed in areas across the Southeast, establishing an office within Curiosity Lab was the logical next step as we continue to expand our U.S. presence,” said William Muller, Vice President of Business Development for Seoul Robotics in a press release.

“Our sensor-agnostic solutions provide 3D models and real-time perception of intersections, roadways and more. Peachtree Corners’ smart city and Curiosity Lab ecosystem is the ideal environment to deploy and test our tech-

the Curiosity Lab ecosystem,” said Peachtree Corners Assistant City Manager and CTO and Curiosity Lab Executive Director Brandon Branham, in a written statement. “Their cutting-edge technologies not only support city managers in improving everyday lives but will also work to enhance our smart city streets through actionable 3D insights.”

Founded in 2017 with a mission to unlock unparalleled insights and capabilities by capturing the world in 3D, Seoul Robotics uses AI deep learning and weather-filtering capabilities to provide accurate environmental insights. The software delivers transformative intelligence and capabilities across a wide range of industries, including Intelligent Transport Systems, security, smart cities and autonomous mobility.

The company is pioneering a new approach to automating vehicles called ‘Autonomy Through Infrastructure,’ providing infrastructure-based autonomous driving systems that do not require any hardware changes to vehicles themselves. Seoul Robotics has offices in Seoul, Korea, Munich, Germany, Irvine, California and now in metro Atlanta.

Partnerships add new levels

Seoul Robotics partnered with BMW in 2022 to develop LV5 CTRL TWR, a mesh network of sensors and computers that are installed on infrastructure and use telematics and 5G connectivity to operate regular cars as autonomous vehicles. This technology can be applied in controlled environments and has the power to transform operations for logistics, automated valet parking and warehousing.

“All of our solutions are powered by our core technology SENSR which is the industry’s most accurate 3D perception platform,” explained Muller. “The advanced software leverages deep learning AI to seamlessly track, detect and identify objects within four-centimeter accuracy for unparalleled reliability in all ITS deployments.”

He noted that with its dynamic weather-filtering capabilities, SENSR guarantees the highest level of accuracy in any condition, day or night, and despite the weather.

nologies in a real-world environment.”

Although the Korean company could have chosen just about anywhere in the country to base its U.S. operations, Curiosity Lab met all its criteria.

“We’ve already deployed our 3D smart infrastructure solutions in numerous locations across the Southeast United States, so it made sense for us to establish an office at Curiosity Lab and extend our reach,” said Muller. “Our solutions are sensor agnostic and enable us to provide 3D models and real-time perception of intersections and roadways.”

One system, many applications

This technology uses deep learning to identify, track and predict hundreds of objects at once. Seoul Robotics has developed a system called SENSR which powers a wide range of infrastructure-based products and solutions. The company’s smart city-focused technologies make managing roadways simple, while improving safety, reducing traffic and decreasing vehicle emissions.

“We are honored to have Seoul Robotics join

The company recently announced an expanded partnership with the Center of Urban Informatics and Progress (CUIP) at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to deliver 86 new smart city intersections which will be the largest urban IoT deployment of its kind in the United States.

“By utilizing 3D data from our new intersections, we will gain quantifiable insights to help us prepare for the transition to electric vehicles, improve driving mobility and optimize our traffic management system. These insights will enable us to map ideal locations for EV charging stations, monitor infrastructure utilization and optimize routes to alleviate congestion and reduce emissions,” said Muller.

“Another safety-focused deployment is our Wrong-Way Detection solution which detects and alerts instances of wrong-way driving on freeways and highways and is currently deployed in California, Florida and Tennessee, as well as in Europe and Asia,” he added. “This ITS solution will help alert drivers to correct course and notify authorities to intervene when needed in order to prevent incidents and ultimately, save lives.”

It recently announced a partnership with Temple, a leader in the intelligent transportation systems industry.

“The distribution partnership with Temple will expand access to our 3D sensor-based traffic and ITS solutions within public sector departments in the Southeast. By deploying our smart infrastructure systems in cities, we can provide more detailed insights into pedestrian and vehicle interactions, improving traffic mobility and enabling informed city planning decisions,” said Muller.

But as anyone familiar with smart technology knows, you’re only as good as your most recent innovation. That’s why Seoul Robotics isn’t resting on this particular breakthrough.

“We’re constantly working to enhance our SENSR platform, increasing accuracy, ease of use and scalability,” said Muller. “As a company, Seoul Robotics works closely with global partners to collaborate on solutions and deployments across industries — and we’re always looking for innovative ways to leverage 3D perception to make real-world impact.”

Seoul Robotics’s staff visit to The Curiosity Lab

A Selection of International and Start-Up Companies at Curiosity Lab

Many local, national and international technology businesses have found a home base at Curiosity Lab. Whether they’re well-established or just beginning, the hub provides a strong and dynamic foundation to partner with other tech companies as they grow their businesses.

International companies

All seven of these businesses are headquartered in Israel.

across neighborhoods to provide inner city, outdoor connectivity. With this switch, ACiiST provides a robust ethernet to enhance security, improve efficiency and upgrade metropolitan functionality.

without face masks and to the relevant safety authorities. Moreover, the system records the events pre- and post-alerts to analyze the impact of warnings.

Government organizations and public authorities leverage this solution to ensure the safety of people in public spaces.

cally small traffic samples from every network device or VPC, no matter if it’s a legacy router, a private cloud or a public cloud. It uses standard sampling protocols that are built into every network device.

Brodmann17 has revolutionized safety in mobility. It has brought AI to new verticals, including mass-market passenger vehicles, video telematics and micro-mobility.

ACiiST technologies allow any outdoor area to become a fully merged, smart connectivity platform. ACiiST Smart edge network connects outdoor cameras and sensors by leveraging the existing street or highway lighting infrastructure. Such networking is the key to smart cities and smart roads.

“Our network finds the optimal route for communication across integrated units, making the survival rate its most competitive advantage. This technology works as a modular, outdoor switching system used as a networking platform to connect various, rich content devices,” said CEO and co-founder Sagi Gurfinkel.

“ACiiST offers seamless, scalable, secure ethernet networking infrastructure technology for smart cities,” Gurfinkel continued. “ACiiST’s distributed switching technology upgrades cities with broadband networks and electricity ready to connect rich content sensors, cameras, displays or any other IOT device with a secure high performing network everywhere without the disruption and costs typical to alternatives.”

Consisting of a single fiber daisy chain managed by serverless, distributed software, ACiiST distributes points of communication cross-city. The technology serves as a modular switch spanning

Brodmann17 has developed Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology which saves 95% of compute power, enabling it to work on the edge. Brodmann17 used Curiosity Lab’s Level 3 autonomous test vehicle to test its state-of-the-art software-only perception technology for assisted driving in real-world conditions, leveraging critical data generated at the city level.

Along with real connected infrastructure and data analysis, Brodmann17 is part of 5GOIL. Being in alliance with Peachtree Corners has helped the company forge valuable relationships with partners like T-Mobile, benefitting its long-term business objectives.

“5G-enabled technologies open the door to a wide variety of new use cases, and we feel strongly that hybrid cloud-edge solutions play a critical role in the future of the automotive industry,” said Co-Founder and CEO Adi Pinhas.

Cyber 2.0 provides total defense against the spread of cyber-attacks within organizational networks. The latest Information Security Systems are based on anomaly detection, AV signatures and more to study the behavior of the various malware and their methods of operation to prevent them from damaging your information.

Cyber 2.0 is the only system in the world that uses accurate mathematics models, and the heart of the system is based on Chaos Theory.

The company is so confident that its technology is foolproof that it has launched “The Big Hackers Challenge,” inviting anyone to break into its system for a reward of $100,000. During four consecutive years, over 5,500 hackers from 30 countries attacked the system and have all failed.

Cynamics is the only next generation network detection and response solution that uses standard sampling protocols built into every gateway, providing organizations with advanced technology capabilities with a minimal burden on their resources.

Cawamo has a patent-pending AI-based video analytics technology that delivers the highest detection accuracy possible. Its special algorithms detect events even in the harshest visual conditions.

Founded in 2016, the Israeli startup enables social distancing video monitoring. The company uses AI and a deep machine learning engine that detects people gathering in public areas. It sends voice alerts to the gathering crowd

The Cynamics mission is to help organizations protect their networks and stay safe. By providing threat prediction and visibility quickly and at scale, they deliver elite cyber defense to networks of any size and complexity.

The Cynamics SaaS-based solution doesn’t require any changes to the client’s network. No appliances or agent installation is needed. It’s non-intrusive, so there’s no risk. The solution is agnostic to network hardware and architectures and collects radi-

IPgallery provides tailored integrative IoT and AI/ML-based solutions that allow cities, municipalities, telcos and mobility service providers to better serve by means of enhanced safety, improved day-to-day and during emergency efficiencies, and real-time predictive insights from IoT / data sources, new revenue streams and digital transformation.

IPgallery’s real-time AI data platform allows users to gain strategic insights and context-based intelligence. The company specializes in the design, architecture, development, implementation and deployment of mission-critical and time-critical real-time IoT AI/ML data-driven smart city and urban mobility solutions, along with professional services and expertise in data science, edge compute and 4G/5G.

Solutions support data privacy and protection (GDPR-ready) through the full life cycle of data. This allows IPgallery to provide robust Big Data analytics, predictions and reporting tools essential for urban planning and future urbanism developments.

RoadSense enhances the development of cities worldwide by monitoring and analyzing public spaces in real-time. With this, it

improves safety and security, enhances well-being, reduces energy consumption and helps cities achieve their Net-Zero goals.

The company’s mission is to collect data and by using cutting-edge technologies to make cities truly smart. It aims to do that without the need to infringe upon privacy in any way, without databases, without tracking smartphones and without even knowing license plate numbers.

It has ever-learning RoadBox technology that can track and count people and vehicles in a public space. Through micro-mobility it can ingest the data in the cloud and deliver new and insightful information, through API or directly to the client’s desktop with an accurate, real-time dashboard.

RoadSense devices are easily installed as roadside units, tracking the traffic in real time, while identifying incidents —accidents, debris on the road, vehicles stopping on the shoulders, black ice, etc. — in a fraction of a second. Drivers are visually alerted when approaching the danger zone.

National and local start-ups

Florida-based Beep offers Mobility-as-a-Service through careful planning, deployment and management of shared autonomous vehicles. Beep provides first and last-mile solutions to communities, campuses and transit agencies.

It leads the process from concept to launch by planning successful routes, securing regulatory approvals, addressing all community requirements and managing end-to-end service for safe and reliable mobility implementations.

Beep powers the all-electric, autonomous shuttle that operates within the Peachtree Corners lab campus. If you had to give an advanced autonomous service a name, “PAUL” — short for Piloting Autonomous Use Locally — is a good one.

PAUL delivers “unprecedented safety” through Beep Command Center (BCC) capabilities with continuous human monitoring. The new technologies are developed leveraging T-Mobile 5G C-V2X infrastructure, vehicle data and collaboration with other Curiosity Lab companies.

Peachtree Corners is just one of several Beep installations across the country. Other locations include the Mayo Clinic, Yellowstone National Park and Lake Nona, Fla.

to the mass adoption of electronic vehicles. Since fast charging is a crucial element for it to happen, i-charging looked at how it can combine its core technical skills with a passion for building new, disruptive solutions. Its new approaches can bring investment optimization, better infrastructure utilization, unlimited scalability, intelligent management, integration with different power sources, renewables and energy storage, improved interface and better user interaction.

The company i-charging was born from the desire to create technology-based products, enhancing innovation, differentiation, design and quality, within the most sophisticated segments of the infrastructure for electric mobility. i-charging wants to be a technological reference for the electric mobility sector and believes it can do more, sustainably, adopting new tools and methodologies and leveraging know-how with global ambition.

The company plans to contribute

35 Years of Helping People with their Money

Intelliterra is a next-generation platform for AI-designed wireless remote area connectivity: affordable, high-speed, IoT-friendly (surface and drone-in-flight). Its connection with the Curiosity Lab is sure to advance drone technology.

SkyMul is automating a backbreaking physical task performed on concrete construction sites: rebar tying. It developed SkyTy, a swarm of modular robots that flies over the rebar installation, detects rebar intersections and ties the intersection autonomously.

The platform leverages machine learning and computer vision to map the work area and locate rebar intersections. Each drone can land, tie and take off independent of the others. If a drone or its tie tool breaks, it can be swapped out for a spare, forming a modular, flexible and robust system. This technology combines the tenets of flexible automation and smart tools from the manufacturing industry for the construction field.

base station, which automatically uploads it to the cloud.

The units are fully integrated and measure soil moisture tension (how hard the plant has to work to extract water from the soil). Users can measure soil moisture at two, three or four depths.

The core purpose of ZONO Technologies is to provide safe disinfecting and sanitizing solutions that protect the health and welfare of all people and the earth. The company serves the childcare, museum, sports, public safety and military industries.

The ZONO Disinfecting and Sanitizing Cabinet kills 99.9% of common viruses on non-porous surfaces and common bacteria on non-porous, porous and semi-porous surfaces. It utilizes a combination of process control, ozone concentration, humidity and time to achieve consistent and U.S. laboratory-confirmed disinfection and sanitization levels.

Trellis helps farmers grow more and use less with the easy-to-use on-farm sensor network and online intelligence platform. The sensor stations record data every two hours and send it to a cellular

With its open and collaborative environment where startups and established global companies are consistently interacting and crossing paths, fostering innovation and curiosity, Peachtree Corners is excited about the collaborations to come. ##

Canadian Zero-Emission Concept Car Launched in Peachtree Corners

A collaboration with Curiosity Lab enabled Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association of Canada to introduce its $20 million vehicle for the first time on a public street.

hy would a consortium of manufactures unveil the first publicly viewed test drive of its Canadian-built electric vehicle in the Atlanta suburb of Peachtree Corners?

If you’re asking that question, you probably haven’t paid much attention to the synergy emit-

Wting from the city’s Technology Park. By providing testing facilities and opportunities for collaboration among disparate entities, the city has changed the way innovation meets the real world.

The Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) of Canada presented its first, original, full-build, zero-emission concept vehicle named Project Arrow at CES, an annual trade show organized by the Consumer Technology Association, in Las Vegas in January.

Opposite page top, the concept car (photos Courtesy City of Peachtree Corners)

Opposite page, from left, Mayor Mike Mason, Scotty Greenwood, James K. Hill (Canada’s Consul General to Atlanta), Jag Badwal (Ontario Trade and Investment Office)

Words by Arlinda Smith Broady

Photos by George Hunter

Above left, Colin Singh Dhillon, chief technical officer at APMA in front of the zero-emission concept vehicle named Project Arrow, at City Hall.

Above, APMA President Flavio Volpe

Then the $20 million wonder car made its street debut on April 11 at Peachtree Corners City Hall.

Challenge accepted and met

In response to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s call for zero-emissions in that country by 2050, Project Arrow has brought together the best of the best of Canada’s electric-drive, alternative-fuel, connected and autonomous and light-weight technology companies. When it all came together, 58 businesses were part of the production.

“I was reminded of a comment from [Albert] Einstein — not one of his scientific quotes, one of his nerdy [ones],” said APMA President Flavio Volpe at the street launch. “He said, ‘If you do what you’ve always done, you get what you’ve always got.’”

He congratulated the collaboration. “You guys took that challenge and …look where you are today,” he said.

He also applauded the city’s vision for cultivating invention. “When we talked to Curiosity Lab, [we realized most] cities don’t do that. Cities don’t create learning laboratories where you can test smart city technology and intelligent mobility. Cities don’t go up to their clientele and say, ‘What would it take if we built it here for you and provided it at no charge? Would that encourage

you to come?” Volpe added.

He went on to explain why Project Arrow is a perfect fit right here, right now. “When I arrived here a little over one year ago, …I really didn’t understand the scope and the depth of the automotive sector and the ingenuity and the dedication and the strategic focus that this state has brought to that that sector. It’s been impressive to see that sector develop into something that is a formidable force,” Volpe said.

Peachtree Corners has placed itself as a leader in nurturing development. The city has accomplished that with: a live 5G wireless environment; a lack of red tape when deploying/testing/ developing IoT technologies; no charge for use of the smart city ecosystem; no requirement for intellectual property rights when companies invent, develop, etc. technologies here; respect of proprietary data; and the highest level of cybersecurity available.

“Just as unique as this project is this area. What you guys have done on the roads here is absolutely unique. It’s a great moment for Canada/U.S. technology relations,” added Volpe.

Besides being very friendly for technology growth, Peachtree Corners’ location in the U.S. Southeast is well-situated among automotive manufacturers. The six states that the Canadian consulate covers from its base in Atlanta represent a market valued at more than $60 billion.

According to Volpe, that’s a 20% increase over 2021 figures.

“Pandemic aside, COVID aside, this sector is dynamic and it’s continuing to evolve,” said Volpe. “And the electrical vehicle element is an element that we want to see Georgia embrace together with the Canadian technologies.”

The $20 million car

There’s a lot more to an all-electric car than just the battery. Everything must be just as durable but weigh less. All the systems — radio, air, etc. — must work just as efficiently but use less energy. And the design must be able to endure extreme of temperature to maintain power.

“The most important part of this project is everything that’s on it,” said Volpe. “And a lot of these companies are investing on both sides of the border and in the region.”

For example, the original chassis was produced on a 3D printer. The manufacturer got the thickness down to .8 millimeters. Brakes were made of graphite because it’s a lighter material than the metal typically used. And even the paint was a consideration. It was tested to withstand minus 20-degree weather without weighing more.

“[This project] has been a labor of love for a lot of us in this room for three years,” said Colin Singh Dhillon, chief technical officer at APMA. Beyond what a typical car requires, one compa-

ny came up with an internet protocol (IP) for a trunk. It has a sliding drawer that can carry up to 500 pounds. Parts of the interior may look like aluminum, but they’re actually magnesium. That metal isn’t typically used a lot in car manufacturing, but it may become a staple out of necessity.

“We also built a virtual model of this and an extended reality model,” added Dhillon.

Besides being environmentally friendly, safety considerations were built into the design. Electronic control unit computers work toward collision avoidance and cybersecurity. Dhillon explained that seven Canadian companies, such as Blackberry, were involved to create the ultimate security protection.

Car tours set

Although Volpe joked that anyone with $20 million to spare can buy the car outright, the goal is to showcase Canadian ingenuity that can be integrated in vehicles manufactured anywhere.

“This car is going to go around the world over the course of the next year — automotive capitals, technology capitals and some places where we just want to wave the flag,” said Volpe. “But more importantly, it’s going to go places like Ohio for Honda, Kentucky for Toyota, down here for all of the assembled German and Korean companies.

City of Peachtree Corners and Curiosity Lab Celebrate Their Success Two National Awards –Welcomes New Partners

A special message from Mayor Mike Mason

Over the past couple of months, the City of Peachtree Corners and Curiosity Lab have had a lot of reasons to celebrate.

Designed to enhance economic development in the area and capitalize on the technological history of the City, Curiosity Lab has been internationally recognized for several years. That said, recent months may be seen as a bellwether for the City and Curiosity Lab.

In March, the Curiosity Lab welcomed two new partners to their environment. Seoul Robotics has established its United States office in Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners. The company’s presence in Curiosity Lab will fuel further development of its groundbreaking 3D perception platform while providing the company with a real-world testing environment along Peachtree Corners’ city streets.

Smartmile’s delivery ecosystem connects all last-mile stakeholders in the delivery space for an efficient and simplified experience. Their network of software-powered parcel lockers allows all delivery companies, retailers, restaurants, couriers, and more to have access to the same parcel ecosystem hubs. This simplified structure centralizes nearly all types of deliveries to create fewer stops and fewer failed deliveries, giving connected partners the opportunity to collaborate on future-proof sustainable solutions.

Over the years, it is these types of partnerships that continue to allow Peachtree Corners and Curiosity lab to continue building upon their City Street of the Future. With this continued growth, they continue to be recognized by the community.

We’re going to Detroit; we’re going to Palo Alto; we’re going to Germany; we’re going to Japan.”

Dhillion echoed that sentiment, letting the crowd assembled at the launch know that although Canada doesn’t have any car manufacturers, it has plenty of companies that make excellent car parts.

“[This car] is here to represent Canada’s capabilities,” he said. “[The major manufacturers may only know about] 20 of the companies, but by the end of this tour, they will get to know all 58 of them. And that’s the objective.”

Dhillion added that APMA has already gotten feedback. “Because of our association with the project, we’ve actually gained business. And that means that we’ve actually done our job,” he said.

Seoul Robotics has developed the most robust 3D perception software on the market, SENSR™, which uses deep learning to identify, track and predict hundreds of objects at once, powering a wide range of infrastructure-based products and solutions. The company’s smart city-focused technologies make managing roadways simple, helping city managers improve safety, reduce traffic and decrease vehicle emissions. This partnership reinforces Curiosity Lab’s international smart city presence and Peachtree Corners’ ever-growing, innovative environment.

On April 5th, Curiosity Lab announced a collaboration with Smartmile, whose mission is to create neutral, sustainable, and effective last-mile delivery services through parcel locker ecosystems. This collaboration brings Smartmile’s delivery solutions to Peachtree Corners to evaluate if the American market would be suitable to launch their solutions in the United States.

At the beginning of April, Peachtree Corners Curiosity Lab was named a winner in the 2023 IDC Government Insights’ sixth annual Smart Cities North America Awards (SCNAA) in the Economic Development category. Winners in the SCNAA illustrate best practice examples of how forward-thinking municipalities are effectively leveraging technology and innovation to offer sustainable, new services and economic opportunities to meet the needs and expectations of diverse communities.

Later in April, the City received notification that the City and Curiosity Lab had been awarded a Smart 50 Award. We received the award for our entry, “Defining The Blueprint For Smart Cities In The US: Peachtree Corners’ “City Street of the Future”. The city’s application represents an innovative project with current or future municipal-scale impact and application.

Find out more about Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners by visiting http://www.curiositylabptc.com.

Above, from left, Racquel Asa, Beep Inc.; Jay Sinclair, Driven360; Kelsey Neely, Driven360; Chuck Martin, IoT World Today

Business Organizations and Events

Atlanta Tech Park

107 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners 30092

atlantatechpark.com, 404-797-1221

AITP Meet Ups

May 18, 6-8 p.m.

This is an opportunity to network with IT professionals in the Atlanta area. The meet ups are held the third Thursday of every month. Register and learn more at aitpatlanta.org.

SWGC First Friday

Breakfast

May 5, 7:30-9 a.m.

Hilton Atlanta Northeast

5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Peachtree Corners

The May 5 breakfast will feature 2023 Georgia Legislative News. Register at southwestgwinnettchamber.com.

SWGC Coffee Connections

PCBA Lunch Club

May 4 and June 28, 11:30-1:30 a.m.

Check online for locations.

Open to PCBA members and their guests. Online registration is required.

Meet up with PCBA members for an enjoyable way to network and save 15% off your lunch check.

PCBA Connecting Over Coffee Morning Meetup

May 9, June 13 and July 11, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

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

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

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

PCBA Business After Hours / Speaker Series

May 18 and June 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Rotary Club of Peachtree Corners

The Crossing Steakhouse 40 South Peachtree St., Norcross peachtreecornersrotary.org, 770-330-7477

www.peachtreecornersrotary.org

Club Meeting

May 8, 15, 22; June 5, 12 12-1 p.m.

Special guests speak at some of the meetings, which are generally held on Mondays. Upcoming meetings feature:

• Dave Moorman of NovaTech CISO on May 8,

Emory Entrepreneur Speaker Series

May 23, 12-1:30 p.m.

The May session features Robin Bienfait, CEO and Founder of Atlanta Tech Park and Emnovate.

Atlanta Tech Meet Up

June 6, 6-8 p.m.

The monthly meet up, sponsored by Resolvit, is held on the first Tuesday of every month in the Atlanta Tech Park Café. It’s a great opportunity for anyone to network and join a good group of people discussing anything related to technology.

Summer Cook Out

June 20 and July 25, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Atlanta Tech Park members are welcome to drop in for burgers, ice cream and community.

Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

Office in Atlanta Tech Park

107 Technology Pkwy., Peachtree Corners

southwestgwinnettchamber.com, 470-482-1899

May 11 and 18, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Free admission for SWGC members and visitors.

Meet up with local business professionals over coffee. Meetings are normally held in the large meeting space behind the SWGC office at Atlanta Tech Park.

The April 20 meeting is a Spotlight on Autism Acceptance Month with Ventures ATL. On May 18, Gwinnett County Commissioner Kirkland Carden will be the Special Guest.

Southwest Gwinnett Nonprofit Roundtable

May 18, 9:45-11 a.m.

Stay in the Atlanta Tech Park Café after Coffee Connections for an opportunity to get to know other nonprofit organizations serving the area. Contact Alli Neal, 678-526-3335 for more info.

Peachtree Corners Business Association

4989 Peachtree Pkwy., Ste. 215, Peachtree Corners peachtreecornersba.com, 678-969-3385

Hilton Atlanta Northwest

5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Peachtree Corners

Event registration is $35. Advanced registration is $25 for members and $30 for guests. Registration includes appetizers and drinks.

• Dr. Bill Blum of Emory University, presenting “Curing Leukemia with Immune Cells, Bone Marrow Transplantation, and Other Cool Stuff,” on May 15, and

• Joe Connor of Elam Ministries, discussing “The State of Affairs in Iran,” on June 5.

Robin Bienfait Kirkland Carden

New Life for Gwinnett Place

Words by Glenn Boylan

hen it opened in 1984, Gwinnett Place Mall was an icon and a point of pride for Gwinnett County. But for years now it’s been mostly vacant. It’s been pushed to the wayside by new malls in the area and the rise of online shopping.

Fortunately, the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District is going to give it new life.

Earlier this year, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved the Community

WImprovement District (CID) plan to redevelop the mall area. The CID developed the plan over the course of several months with input from local businesses and many Gwinnett County residents.

Community input was key

The input from the county’s residents was crucial to the CID’s plan.

“They had fond memories of the mall,” Joe Allen said. Allen is the Executive Director of the Gwinnett Place CID. “That’s where their first job was, or their first date. They love those memories, but it was also interesting that overwhelmingly people said it was about time. They were glad to see something

Renderings from Gwinnett Place Mall Site Revitalization Stragtegy plan

starting to move forward.”

With such great support for redeveloping the site, the next step was to determine what it should become.

Since 2012, over a dozen plans had been developed for the mall site. The CID reviewed them all with regard to land use, mobility, infrastructure and parks. An analysis was completed to understand what market forces would drive development in the area. The result was a vision to convert the site to a

Photos courtesy of Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District

Above, Global Village Rendering Opposite page, top down, Complete streets, Global Village concept map, 20-year timeline

vibrant, well connected, green and walkable mixed use site.

Two draft proposals

The CID came up with two draft concepts. The Town Center concept had a lower density and was similar to existing Gwinnett town centers such as Suwanee and Lawrenceville. The Cultural Center concept had about twice as much business space and 1,400 more housing units. It also had a larger emphasis on culture and the arts.

They took these two draft concepts out to get public input. Allen and the CID staff spent many days reaching out to the public for their ideas. They didn’t have midweek meetings at some obscure hotel meeting room. They went out to the citizens.

“We have always tried to go to people,” Allen said, “at fall festivals or holiday festivals. We really wanted to get people’s input. Chairwoman Hendrickson really challenged us to go to where the people are, and not expect them to come to us. And it was just amazing.”

Allen estimates that since fall of 2021 through the early summer of last year, the CID staff interacted with thousands of people. He remembers many 10 to 12 hour days at some of the festivals because, he said, “my voice was sore.”

After input from the residents, the Cultural District was the clear choice.

The Global Villages plan

With that direction, the CID went to work on the specifics for the site. They worked with contractors and consultants who had been involved with mall redevelopment across the nation.

“We really challenged them,” Allen said, “to

make a plan that was data-driven, market feasible and economically sustainable. The plan needed to be based on community engagement, but equally based on market reality.”

The final design is the Global Villages concept, comprising seven different phases — referred to as villages — all built around a central green space. It taps into the diversity of Gwinnett County.

“That to us was just a natural because of Gwinnett being the most diverse county in the Southeast,” Allen said. “That’s something we heard a lot from folks, people who lived in the area and businesses in the area, that they wanted to keep it authentic. They wanted this to really reflect the community.”

Centered around a four acre park

The Global Villages will be centered around a 4.4 acre park, with flexible spaces for gatherings and play areas for children. The villages themselves will focus on housing, with plans for 2,700 to 3,800 new units. It will include retail and business space, and an International Community Cultural Center that will emphasize the arts.

Transportation is an integral part of the development plan. New roads in and around the Villages — a total of 1.9 miles — will be what are known as “complete streets.” Complete streets are designed to safely accommodate driving, walking, bicycling and transit options.

Those transit options will include two new projects at the site: the Gwinnett Place Transit Center and a bus rapid transit (BRT) line on Satellite Boulevard. Allen noted that improving transit throughout the county is something that’s being worked on, even separate from the mall site. His CID, along with the Gateway 85 CID and the Sugarloaf CID, have been working on transit options with the county and the Atlanta Regional Commission.

While transit, walkability and bikeability are vital components of the plan, the CID realizes that cars are still going to be the predominant transportation mode for quite a while, so of course, automobiles are being accounted for in the Global Villages. The plan recommends several improvements to the main roads leading into the development and has a large parking deck included for the site. In addition to the functionality of holding cars, the parking deck will also provide opportunities for murals and other public art.

Plans, implementation and timeline

Now that the Gwinnett County Commission has approved the redevelopment, the initial planning phase is over. Allen and the CID are moving into the implementation phase.

“Getting that Commission vote really just got us to the starting gate,” he said. “And now we’re off to the races. We are having meetings with the economic development team, the transportation team and the SPLOST committee. They have started putting in some funding for it. It’s really underway right now.”

The overall plan has an estimated timeline of 20 years. Phase 1, which is underway now, includes putting the development team in place, negotiating property agreements and demolition of the site. The demolition is not going to be a simple process because mall occupants Macy’s, Mega Mart and Beauty Master are going to continue to operate their stores and be part of the new development. Demolition will have to be done around these stores.

Allen and his team are working full speed to implement the plans, but he noted that the public should not expect to see construction activity on the site immediately.

“I do want to caution people,” he said, “there may be a year or two that you don’t see anything happen, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing happening behind the scenes. We’re having to get into the reciprocal easement agreements and conduct negotiations. All of that has to be worked out before you can see the first bulldozer show up on site.”

Once that background work is completed, the Transit Center and Central Park will be the first parts of the Villages to be constructed.

The county and its residents can look forward to the former Gwinnett Mall site once again becoming a proud landmark for Gwinnett County — this time as the Global Villages development. ##

GWINNETT PLACE MALL SITE REVITALIZATION STRATEGY

An

Peachtree Corners Law Firm Celebrates Four-Year Anniversary

Pendergrass Law stands by core values of integrity and community well-being.

Words by Arlinda Smith Broady

Photos by George Hunter

The decision to start your own business is never an easy one. Philip Pendergrass graduated from law school in 2014 and expected to work for a firm like many of his classmates. After clerking for a judge one summer and working in a large firm, he came to the realization that he wanted to be in a smaller firm, getting to know staff and clients on a personal level. “I like the idea of working with people as opposed to corporations. Instead of answering to a big corporation …It’s fun to have individual clients and get to know them,” he said. “One thing I took away from both firms is I thought I could do things differently and do things better [on my own.]”

In March, Pendergrass Law celebrated its four-year anniversary with offices in Peachtree Corners — just minutes from where Pendergrass grew up in Lilburn. What started out by maxing out credit cards and clearing out their savings has become a firm with about 15 employees and over $35 million in judgements. Although the company isn’t a household name yet, Pendergrass has garnered recognition in a short time.

■ Pendergrass Law was selected as one Gwinnett County’s Best Personal Injury Firms for 2022.

■ The firm was nominated by the Gwinnett Chamber as a finalist in the Small Business Awards Category.

■ Owner Philip Pendergrass was selected as a recipient of the Gwinnett Young Professionals 35 Under 35 Award.

Not an easy job

Personal injury lawyers don’t have the most sterling stereotypes. Images of the Emmy-winning series “Better Call Saul” and “Seinfeld” character Jackie Childs may come to mind for many people. But Pendergrass and his staff are working to thwart those myths.

“I want to give back to the community, but I don’t want to give back to the community [to enhance my business],” said Pendergrass. “We don’t publicly announce what we do, but we’ve paid off student lunch debt at a high school and we support local high school sports teams. We’ve supported the giving center and stuff like that because it’s part of being a good neighbor.” He admitted he’s in a complicated business

■ The business has collaborated with Anderby Brewing on a new beer called “Punitive Damages.”

Back row L R: Hayden Melson, Philip Pendergrass, Nicci Pendergrass, Ben DuBose

Front row L R: Carol Ann Binion, Joanna Siv, Kayleigh Rogers, Zan Nicely, Joanna Warnock, Adonay Morales Philip and Nicci Pendergrass

where he benefits from tragedy.

“People might focus more on the image when you’re in court,” he said. “They might forget that there’s a heart and a brain inside of that suit. …

At the end, when your clients are winning these big settlements, everybody is doing cartwheels, but they don’t take into consideration all the effort and energy and research that went into it.”

But a necessary job

Personal injury cases can be overwhelming and confusing to those who are unfamiliar with the legal system. That’s why having an experienced attorney by your side is imperative. As a personal injury lawyer, Pendergrass said his main goal is to assist clients in navigating the legal system and pursuing proper compensation for catastrophic injuries.

Pendergrass and his firm handle a wide range of legal cases, including:

■ Motor vehicle accidents — This includes car, truck and motorcycle accidents, as well as accidents involving bicycles and

pedestrians.

■ Slip and fall accidents — This includes accidents that occur on someone else’s property due to a dangerous condition, such as a wet floor or uneven pavement.

■ Medical malpractice — These cases involve a healthcare professional who has been negligent in their treatment of a patient, resulting in injury or harm.

■ Product liability — This includes situations where a product has caused injury or harm due to a defect or design flaw.

A plan for future growth

At the end of the day, Pendergrass is a father, a husband, a community member and a lawyer. When he started his career, he was doing some mass tort class action work and really liked that. “We’re finally getting to a position where we can take on something bigger like that,” he said. As he looks to the next four years and beyond, Pendergrass plans to continue on the same tra-

jectory that have brought success — increasing his client base, growing his firm and contributing to his community. He’s already brought in interns and staff members from colleges and law schools in the area to continue that “keeping local talent local” aspect that keeps Gwinnett County strong.

“I’ve heard some old attorneys say the easiest way to get a million-dollar result is to have a $2,000,000 case, so you’re not maximizing the recovery for clients. Those are the people who are in it for quick gain,” he said. “I had a $9,000,000 settlement in the fall. We had to walk away from the settlement table at one point when they were only offering $3,500,000, which was a ton of money. But we knew it wasn’t enough.”

Pendergrass shared that everything goes back to the philosophy of putting the client’s best interest first and focusing on the core values. “Everything else seems to fall into place, or where it should, when you have your priorities straight,” he said. ##

Philip Pendergrass, Preston Smelt - Punitive Damages Beer, co-created/inspired by Pendergrass Law

Hayden Melson & Family Zan Nicely, Ben DuBose

Adonay Morales, Joanna Siv, Zan Nicely, Joanna Warnock, Kayleigh Rogers

Judge Kristina Blum Keeps Justice on Track

The Gwinnett County Chief Magistrate uses practical processes to maintain law and order.

Words by Arlinda Smith Broady

s the person in charge of the largest court in Georgia’s second largest county, Gwinnett County Chief Magistrate Judge Kristina Blum is always looking for ways to make life easier to manage for her constituents. She presides over one of the busiest courts in the State of Georgia, which handles approximately 100,000 matters a year.

AAs the largest court in the Gwinnett Judicial System, the Magistrate Court hears a vast breadth of cases in criminal and civil matters. It serves as the county’s “Boots-on-the-Ground” court. That makes it important for Blum to consider its investments of time and resources. With her staff, she has enacted programs to facilitate dispute resolution and to process the vast number of cases heard in the Gwinnett County Judicial System.

Judge Blum began her legal career in 1994. After spending seven years as a Senior Assistant County Attorney for Gwinnett County, she was appointed to the Magistrate Court in 2005 and became the Chief Magistrate on January 9, 2013.

Blum participated in a candid discussion at the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday breakfast in April. Due to the Spring Break holiday, the event was held on the second Friday, April 14.

Magistrate Court resources and responsibilities

The Magistrate Court has six full-time judges and 15 part-time judges, Blum said.

“The difference between full time and part time is really just an HR code in my world, be-

Members of SWGC

cause our full-time judges primarily provide judicial assistance to the other courts,” she explained. “Our community has probably the most efficient court system in the state, if not in the southeast.”

If a Superior Court judge is in a long murder trial and can’t handle other duties, such as a modification of custody case, child support, divorce or contempt matters, Blum has to assemble a kind of ‘musical chairs’ scenario to get legal matters handled.

“There is no difference in qualifications. In fact, some of my judges are actually some of the most experienced judges in the county, so we handle all of those matters,” Blum said. “My 15 part-time magistrates run the court. They are the ‘ER doctors’ — and they’re amazing at it.”

Civil Division

■ Civil claims involving contract disputes, personal injury, property damage and any other disputes where the amount in controversy does not exceed $15,000.

■ Dispossessory action which are landlord/tenant matters and evictions.

■ Personal property foreclosures which are actions seeking the return of personal property pursuant to security agreements, contracts retaining title, vehicle titles, commercial contracts or lease agreements.

■ Trover which is actions for the recovery of damages for the wrongful taking of personal property.

■ Garnishments which are post-judgement collection actions filed against a third party, usually an employer or bank, to gain access to money or property owed to a judgement debtor, where the judgment does not exceed $15,000.

■ Abandoned motor vehicle actions where towing and storage firms are authorized to remove vehicles from public and private property at the request of law enforcement officers and/or private property owners.

Criminal Division

■ Arrest warrants for the arrest of a person based on a judicial determination of probable cause.

the accused in jail on the warrant(s) issued and where authorized, the court may consider motions related to setting or modifying bond.

Judicial Assistance Division are all the cases and calendars handled for other courts by special designation. They can include State Court, Family Violence Division, State Court Garnishment Division and Superior Court judicial assistance as well as miscellaneous judicial assistance.

Although she considers herself a “process driven person,” Blum peppers those processes with common sense. She knows that even though a resident can obtain an arrest warrant for a neighbor who doesn’t return borrowed tools or money, the chances are they just want their money or belongings back — not to see their neighbor behind bars.

Blum has a process where both the plaintiff and the defendant are present and have the opportunities to work things out.

“I have mediators there. Then [the plaintiff] says, ‘I’m not going to go forward with this if you just figure out how to pay me and we can do a payment plan right there on the spot.’ So we’re looking at ways …to divert people away [from lawsuits]. We do the same action with child support,” Blum said.

Even through the pandemic, Blum kept the judicial train on the tracks. She’s famous for quoting, “Justice delayed is justice denied.” ##

Magistrate Court 2022 Numbers

In 2022, the Gwinnett County Magistrate Court processed 103,392 cases (not including judicial assistance).

26,350 dispossessory cases

20,574 general civil cases

25,348 Magistrate garnishments

There’s also an executive director who keeps everyone on track, which is no small task, according to Blum.

In addition to a staff attorney, the office has four calendar coordinators that handle all of the civil cases. There is also a Clerk of Court who assigns court processes to about 30 clerks. With all those people, you might think that Blum’s job is easy. You’d be wrong.

Blum’s Magistrate Court handles a large caseload covering a variety of legal issues.

■ Search warrants for the search of a person, property or location based on a judicial determination of probable cause.

■ Civilian warrant application hearings where a private citizen can obtain an arrest warrant against another person only if a judge finds probable cause.

■ First appearance hearings where the accused is brought before a judge for an explanation of their charges and rights and bond review. The accused may apply for appointed counsel.

■ Preliminary or committal hearings where the court determines whether probable cause exists to continue to hold

5,028 State court garnishments

20,550 arrest warrants 1,395 search warrants

953 warrant applications

193 shoplifting citations

3,001 temporary protective orders

Source: Gwinnett County Magistrate Court

Chief Magistrate Judge Kristina Blum

The Duluth Police Department’s Community Approach

Words

Glenn Boylan

The Duluth Police Department actively works at community policing. It’s a way to incorporate the department and its officers into the town’s community while they are doing their work.

They’re very good at it. Just last fall and winter, the Duluth PD was recognized by several organizations for their outreach and professionalism. Georgia Advocates for Crime Prevention, GUIDE, Inc. and the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police all presented the department with awards for their work and approach.

Outreach is integral to the department

Community outreach is an organic part of how the department works, but recently they made it even more intentional with the appointment of Corporal Ted Sadowski to the position of Community Outreach and Public Information Officer.

“What we’ve done,” Sadowski said, “with social media and the news media, as well as getting out there in the public, is to showcase the department and blur the lines between law enforcement and the community.”

Sadowski had been working with the media for several years, but with the backing of Chief Jacquelyn Carruth, his new position was created that specifically adds community

by

Photos courtesy of Duluth Police Department

outreach to his responsibilities. The plans are to add a few more officers to the unit in the near future to further expand their work.

“Then we can get out there more,” Sadowski said, “into subdivisions, HOAs, the businesses, apartment communities and pretty much any fabric in the community.”

But the emphasis on positive interactions with the city’s residents doesn’t begin and end with Sadowski. Although there is no formal training for it, everyone in the department is expected to contribute to the relationship.

“It’s obviously encouraged in this line of work,” he said. “We’re dealing with the public on a daily basis. So we’re always trying to get out on a good foot during our interactions with the community.”

Strict standards

The department is always looking for the most qualified people when they are hiring. Sadowski estimates they select only about 2% of the folks that apply.

“The Chief has very strict standards,” he said. “She looks at what a person will do in the long term, including talking to the public.”

Left, Participants in the Citizens Police Academy are introduced to the basics of CPR.

Middle row starting on opposite page, Corporal Byung Kang, Chief Jacquelyn Carruth and Corporal Ted Sadowski receive the awards from Georgia Advocates for Crime Prevention in December.

Chief Carruth accepts the Silver Meritorious Award from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. Classes for the Citizens Police Academy learn directly from officers in the department.

Bottom, Duluth’s Criminal Investigations Division received the Community Recognition Award from GUIDE, Inc. for their alcohol compliance checks.

The Duluth PD gets a lot of positive feedback about their interactions with the public. But obviously the police aren’t just there for good things. More often they are called to stressful situations, sometimes resulting in arrests.

“We’re trying to make the best of the situation in light of what’s going on,” Sadowski said. “Obviously, if someone is being arrested it probably isn’t the best day of their life, so we try to make it as professional as possible. Honestly, the last thing we want to do is take someone to jail. It’s mostly just trying to get these people some help.”

Citizens Police Academy

The department has several official outreach programs, with the most visible one being the Citizens Police Academy. It’s a chance for residents to learn the ins and outs of what a Duluth officer’s job entails.

In the Academy, citizens learn about patrol techniques, the K-9 units, drug enforcement, even an introduction to CPR techniques. Academy participants get an introduction to the department’s Crime Scene Investigation Unit and have the opportunity for a ride-along with an officer in a patrol car. They get to see the department’s Camera Room and learn about how the police use the over 300 cameras installed throughout the city.

“We’re trying to make the best of the situation in light of what’s going on. Obviously, if someone is being arrested it probably isn’t the best day of their life, so we try to make it as professional as possible. Honestly, the last thing we want to do is take someone to jail. It’s mostly just trying to get these people some help.”

Corporal Ted Sadowski

An undercover officer from the Gwinnett Metro Task Force speaks at the Academy, wearing a mask to protect his identity. An officer from Gwinnett County Police’s Gang Task Force comes to educate the participants on gangs in the county — what they look like, what they wear, what they drive, even the graffiti they use.

And citizens can even participate in a video simulation of a shoot / don’t shoot scenario.

“We get rave reviews about it,” Sadowski said. “It’s an eye-opening experience when you’re not in this field. People tell our officers that they learned a lot.”

There are usually two sessions per year. The first 2023 offering began in April and runs for 10 weeks with classes held one night per week. Recognizing Duluth’s diverse population, the Academy is offered in separate English and Spanish classes. Detective Bahamundi teaches the Spanish class completely in that language. Last December, the Citizens Police Academy had 12 graduates from the English class and 25 from the Spanish class.

Outreach efforts recognized

The emphasis on outreach is a lot of work, but it pays off for the department in its relationships with the citizens and businesses of Duluth.

And they’ve been officially recognized for it as well.

Last November, the department was presented

with the “Silver Meritorious Award” from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, recognizing that Duluth has continuously maintained its state certification for 10 years. Only one in five departments in Georgia attains this certification.

Sadowski explained that this is not an easy certification to obtain. The department performs mock assessments throughout the year to make sure they’re in compliance.

“We really harp on that,” he said. “We have to provide a lot of proof and data constantly throughout the year to meet their strict guidelines.”

In December, the department’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) received the ‘Community Recognition Award’ from GUIDE, Inc. for their alcohol compliance checks throughout the city. Several times each year, the department checks all the establishments in the City of Duluth that have alcohol permits.

They actually bring in an underage person who tries to buy liquor at those establishments. In the most recent check, 20 businesses were checked and only one failed, resulting in them getting a citation. And now that people also have to be 21 to buy cigarettes, the department will start to check that as well.

Also in December, the Georgia Advocates for Crime Prevention presented their “Best Leadership and Most Talented” award to the department and Duluth’s own Corporal Byung Kang was awarded “Officer of the Year.”

Planning to do even more

As hard as the Duluth Police already work at their community policing approach, they’re planning to work even harder. Current plans are to hire more officers for Sadowski’s Community Outreach Unit.

“We’re looking at further developing the outreach programs down the road,” he said. “Our whole plan is to get in the community even more than we are now. When we get more people, then we’ll get out there more.”

One program they’re planning to implement is the Explorer program. Explorer brings young people, ages 14 to 20, into the police department to meet regularly. They participate in things like traffic stops and attend classes similar to the Citizens Police Academy classes. Many times Explorer graduates end up becoming police officers or civilian employees of the department.

As with a lot of employees these days, the Duluth Police Department is having trouble getting people to apply for open positions. That, combined with some of the things that have been in the news recently about policing, makes recruiting even more difficult.

But Sadowski is confident they’ll find the right folks. “Duluth backs us,” he said. “The City Council backs us, the Mayor — they’re all for us.”

No doubt the community policing approach helps. “We always try to be transparent,” Sadowski said. “We just hope we have the backing of our community.” ##

The Duluth Police Camera Room monitors video from over 300 cameras in the city.

10 Fun, Special Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a special occasion to celebrate the important men in our lives and create lasting memories together. Whether you’re in Gwinnett County or the Atlanta area, there are many fun and unique ways to make the day special. Here are ten ideas to consider.

Enjoy a delicious meal

One way to celebrate Father’s Day is to treat your dad to a special meal. There are many great restaurants and food places in Gwinnett County, offering a range of cuisines to suit any taste. In Peachtree Corners, Union Brothers Meat Market is a great option for grilling at home. Also, Jinbei West at Town Center is a Japanese steakhouse that offers teppanyaki and sushi, while Mojito’s Cuban American Bistro in The Forum offers a unique fusion of Cuban and American cuisine and Peche Coastal Kitchen for seafood, focusing on sustainable agriculture with a uniquely modern approach to old world cooking. In Duluth, check out Local on North for Southern-style dishes. In Norcross, The Crossing Steakhouse is a classic option for steak lovers.

Shoot the Hooch

For outdoor enthusiasts, a relaxing trip down the Chattahoochee River with Shoot the Hooch can be a great option. You can rent canoes, kayaks, or stand-up paddleboards and spend the day on the river enjoying the beautiful scenery and wildlife. The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell is another great option for nature lovers, where you can learn more about the local flora and fauna.

Play golf at TopGolf

For those who love golf, TopGolf is a fun and unique experience that offers something for everyone. With over 100 climate-controlled bays, you can hit microchipped golf balls and track your score electronically while enjoying food and drinks.

Attend a Father’s Day grilling dinner

If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with your dad on Father’s Day weekend, consider attending the Big and Little Chef Yummy in My Tummy event hosted by Publix Aprons

Cooking School. This event is perfect for dads and their children who love to cook and want to learn some new recipes. The event is held on June 17th and includes a hands-on cooking class where you and your dad will learn to make various delicious dishes. The menu includes grilled shrimp with avocado salsa, charred corn and black bean salad, and chocolate peanut butter bars. Not only is this event a fun way to bond with your dad, but you’ll also leave with new cooking skills and some tasty treats to enjoy together.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

If your dad is a baseball fan, consider taking him to see the Atlanta Braves play at Truist Park on June 18th, which is Father’s Day weekend. The Atlanta Braves have a tradition of honoring fathers during their Father’s Day game, making it a perfect way to celebrate the special day. Truist Park is a state-of-the-art stadium that offers great game views and a lively atmosphere. In addition, there are plenty of food and drink options, including local favorites like Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q and Antico Pizza. Watching a baseball game together can be a great bonding experience and is sure to create lasting memories for both you and your dad.

Celebrate Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The Atlanta History Center hosts an annual Juneteenth celebration, which includes performances, discussions, and family-friendly activities. This is a great way to celebrate the occasion with your dad while learning more about African American history and culture.

The Need for Speed

►For dads who love high-speed thrills, the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta is a must-visit. The center offers a range of driving experiences, including the Porsche 911 GT3 Experience, where you can learn to drive the iconic sports car on the center’s test track. The center also offers a driving simulator, a fine-dining restaurant, and a gift shop where you can pick up Porsche-themed souvenirs.

In addition, the Atlanta Motor Speedway offers a variety of driving experiences and ride-alongs,

where you can drive like a NASCAR pro, a Formula One-style race car, or a drift car. It’s an exciting and memorable experience that your dad is sure to love.

Take a brewery tour

For beer lovers, exploring local craft breweries is a fun and unique way to spend Father’s Day. In Duluth, Slow Pour Brewing Company and Good Word Brewing & Public House offer great options. In Peachtree Corners, Kettlerock and Anderby Brewing are must-visit spots. In Norcross, you’ll find Social Fox.

Go fishing

Another great option for a relaxing Father’s Day activity is to go fishing at Jones Bridge Park in Peachtree Corners. The park is located on the Chattahoochee River and offers great fishing opportunities, with a variety of fish species found in the river. The park also has a picnic area, hiking trails, and scenic views of the river, making it a perfect spot to spend the day with your dad. Other options include Lake Lanier, Stone Mountain Park, and Sweetwater Creek State Park.

Visit a museum or gallery

For dads who love history, art, or science, a trip to a museum or gallery can be a great way to spend Father’s Day. The High Museum of Art in Atlanta has a wide range of exhibits and events, while the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth offers a look at the history of trains in the Southeast. The Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta is another great option, offering exhibits on dinosaurs, Georgia’s natural history, and a 3D theater. For aviation enthusiasts, the Delta Flight Museum at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers a look at the history of Delta Airlines and the evolution of aviation. Whatever your dad’s interests may be, there will surely be a museum or gallery in the area that will make for a memorable Father’s Day activity. ##

Amy Rader: From Small Town Girl to Large-Scale Artist

Words by Patrizia Winsper

Photos courtesy of Amy Rader

Amy Rader

Local artist Amy Rader’s neighbors must question why U-Haul trucks regularly come and go from her property. The self-professed introvert works out of her serene home studio and office near Town Center. “They probably wonder what I do for a living,” Rader chuckled.

The evolution of an artist

Despite a lack of artistic influences in smalltown Dalton, Ga., Rader was a highschooler with fervid creativity. “I was obsessed with art. That’s all I cared about. When you’re young you don’t really understand ambition, you don’t think that far into the future or know what you want to do for a living,” Rader said.

Creating art was Rader’s singular focus. “I had a great teacher that gave me a lot of independence because I was so self-driven. She encouraged me to apply for the Art Institute of Atlanta scholarship. They awarded one a year,” Rader said.

It would end up being her one-way ticket out of small-town life.

Her father had asked what a degree in graphic design would bear. “He just had no concept, and I really didn’t either,” Rader said, adding, “It’s easier now. You can get on the internet and research.”

Today, 28 years into her career, the gallery-represented, full-time artist would tell you that it was her destiny to move to Atlanta for art school. She attributes her success to “hard work and dumb luck.”

Baby steps

The Art Institute of Atlanta scholarship occasioned a Best Portfolio award and a degree in graphic design, allowing Rader to bypass the zero-appeal-struggling-artist stereotype. As a fine artist with digital know-how, she had a unique skillset that would send her career soaring.

Initially, Rader designed websites and logos for Fortune 500 companies while creating her art on the side. Eventually, she shifted to artwork full-time. “It’s more fun and gratifying,” she said of the natural progression.

It was sensible to make the big move so cautiously. It set the stage for her next “baby step,” spring-boarding from more traditional drawing and painting to creating imaginatively engineered, super-sized artwork — her biggest move yet.

Fine art

Rader’s use of unconventional materials — including illuminated acrylic domes shielding responsibly sourced preserved butterflies from around the world, feathers, real crushed gemstones and quartz crystal points — add texture and characterize her nature-inspired, multimedia artwork. Additionally, acrylic

paints, resins and the unexpected combination of provocative wilderness with vintage female forms merge to evoke a sense of boundless wonder.

Interior designers, curators, collectors and homeowners enlist Rader for unique projects. Her works are available at the Buckhead Art Company and on her website, raderdesigns. net.

Going big

It was 2011 when Rader segued into adding large-scale art to her repertoire. An interior designer who was working on Vanquish Lounge in Atlanta commissioned something massive for the nightclub.

“I didn’t really know how to tackle it, but took that challenge,” Rader recounted. She believed she could figure it out — and she did. Her first large-scale digital murals were born of this project.

These aren’t murals painted on walls as one might imagine. Rather, Rader creates them digitally in a carefully planned, highly detailed and intricate, multi-layered process. The

time-intensive work results in file sizes measuring several gigabytes that are then printed onto panels of varying types, depending on the project.

Once assembled, they become seamless, massive, story-telling murals gracing commercial walls and huge architectural columns. Internationally sought after, Rader’s fanciful artwork can be found adorning ships, stately private homes, galleries, luxury residential buildings, restaurants and nightclubs. New projects are ever on the horizon, each one presenting a new set of logistical tests. Rader chronicles the complicated behind-the-scenes details in her blog.

Norwegian Prima

An elaborate yet remarkable project, Rader adored working with Norwegian Cruise Line. Unable to conduct site visits because the ship was built in Italy, she relied solely on architectural renderings, collaborating with teams across the globe from Miami to London. This was the first of six vessels in the Prima fleet. Think: floating boutique hotel — not a stan-

5Church Buckhead Restaurant

Icon Midtown

dard cruise ship — characterized by high-end finishes, furnishings and art.

“They commission artists from all over the world. It’s not mass-produced art. It’s just stunning. They challenged me to create five different designs that were then reproduced in 1500 state rooms,” Rader said.

Launched in 2021, Norwegian Prima caters to a sophisticated clientele of museum frequenters, world travelers and art collectors. Her murals span the accent wall behind the bed. Varying room sizes demanded images that could be scaled and cropped accordingly.

“You would think a drawing for a ship has to have water and that sort of thing. But you can create that feeling without hitting somebody over the head with it,” Rader said, as she described her more subtle and elegant interpretation.

Icon Midtown

Since 2018, the 39-story Icon Midtown, a luxurious apartment building, has been part of the Atlanta skyline. Rader was commissioned to create modern murals for its common spaces: the lobby, the pool and the gym.

Each project requires extensive research and attention to detail. The mural in the outdoor pool area was installed with the help of a general contractor on the 11th floor. It was created on panels that could fit in the service elevator, withstand harsh elements and be safely secured to prevent any accidents.

With the help of a specialized printer, Rader had signage-quality metal panels made with a special laminate.

“I did site visits with my hard hat and steeltoed boots. You have to figure it out. It’s way more than just creating beautiful images. So

much work goes into everything I do, but I love learning new things,” Rader shared.

Solis Sugar Hill

For the high-rise building Solis, Rader is teaming with an architecture firm, interior designers and a New York based art consultant, all contributing to the aesthetic of the space. Her installation of 72 life-like Monarch butterflies in the Club Room is scheduled for next month.

“I’m printing to metal then bending them. I’ll apply them all over the wall. I’m constantly problem-solving new things like how to attach these,” Rader said. In addition to having them look real, Rader must ensure their longevity since they’ll be in a commercial space.

Lake Nona

For BACAN, a family-friendly restaurant in

Norwegian Prima project

Norwegian Prima project

Saule

an artsy new hotel near Orlando, Rader was inspired by the surrounding lakes. She studied the native flora and fauna, incorporating birds, grasses and flowers in her mural. A tasteful nod to children can be seen in her whimsical silhouettes of butterflies flying above a child on a swing.

Peachtree Corners’ personality

Rader champions an injection of panache into her own backyard, hoping to create pieces for the new hotel and apartments soon to alter the landscape at the Forum. In a meeting with North American Properties, she made an appeal to ramp up the “cool factor” to better reflect our community.

According to Rader, nice stores, restaurants and more original art add personality that would act as a draw to the city, just as quaint places like Avalon, Buckhead Village and Virginia Highlands have become destinations.

Loving what you do

Walking through job sites with business owners and interior designers, taking notes, examining swatches, crafting a space’s identity, navigating wrangling opinions — it’s not easy. Yet there’s something about a raw space being transformed that Rader finds intoxicating. It all begins with an in-depth investigation. Understanding her clients is paramount. “You’re

designing for them. Sometimes an artist’s job is to figure out what people want,” Rader said. Every element in her work is intentional. Rader lights up when sharing the stories behind her pieces. Whether it’s with a computer mouse on a digital mural or a paintbrush on a wood panel, Rader is still as passionate as ever about creating art.

There’s a movement one perceives in her stylish work. It flows rhythmically. The skillful translation of her limitless imagination is beautifully executed in all of her pieces.

Works that have been installed in the most incredible locations one can imagine all started right here, in Rader’s tranquil Peachtree Corners studio, where her puppy’s tail can be seen

happily wagging about until he falls asleep. Then, his snoring resonates off the hardwood floors.

Worldwide recognition is reserved for a select few, like our brilliant local artist. However, my wish for readers is that you’re inspired to achieve the very best part of Rader’s success, that of being an independent woman who knows herself well and has crafted — literally with her own hands — exactly the life she wants to live. ##

Mellow Mushroom East Cobb

Charity event

“They [Norwegian Cruiselines] commission artists from all over the world. It’s not mass-produced art. It’s just stunning. They challenged me to create five different designs that were then reproduced in 1500 state rooms.”

Amy Rader

Photos: United States

West Point Gospel Choir

The United States Military Academy at West Point Gospel Choir was in Peachtree Corners this April. The choir sang at Salvation and Deliverance Church

City Council Member

Phil Sadd invited the choir to visit Peachtree Corners City Hall for a special event that included introductions, a proclamation presentation and a challenge coin presentation.

Cadet Skye Williams, a Peachtree Corners resident, a senior at West Point and the President of the choir, received the proclamation.

Photos by Tracey Rice

City Manager Brian Johnson speaking to the cadets

From left, Captain Kelvin RIddle, Cadet Skye Williams and City Councilman Phil Sadd.

Left to right, Dr. Alexis Williams, Cadet Skye Williams, Bishop D.A. Williams, pastor at Salvation and Deliverance Church and City Councilman Phil Sadd.

Skye Williams walking into city hall with the choir. Cadet Daffin

ENGAGING IN RICH SOCIAL EXPERIENCES AT EVERLEIGH DULUTH

Everleigh has introduced a visionary standard of 55+ living and is taking the term “active adult” to an exciting place along the way. Their goal is to provide residents with maintenance-free living in premium apartment homes, while creating endless activities for residents in a similar phase of life.

By encouraging an interconnected community culture, Everleigh Duluth seeks to break the outdated perspective of senior living. Through their EverWell program, active adults can embrace the 7 Dimensions of Wellness - Fitness, Wellbeing, Spirituality, Intellect, Social, Eco-life, and Pursuits. By collaborating with like-minded neighbors, welcoming new forms of joy into their lives, and pursuing invigorating challenges of their choosing, residents lead a purpose-driven life.

The Lifestyle Coordinator at Everleigh Duluth will be dedicated to filling the community’s monthly calendar with contests, movie screenings, fitness classes, cooking

demonstrations, educational seminars, and more highly diverse events that are sure to keep residents engaged.

The emphasis at Everleigh Duluth is fostering an environment where residents can carve out their niches, living every moment well, with the freedom to take the day on whatever way they see fit. Families can be rest assured knowing their loved ones are benefiting from a broad menu of activity options orchestrated by experienced and friendly team members.

Everleigh Duluth is centrally located in downtown Duluth, neighboring the Duluth Festival Center, Parson’s Alley, Publix, Northside Hospital Duluth, and excellent walkability to shopping, local restaurants, and entertainment.

To discover more about Everleigh Duluth’s engaging 55+ lifestyle, be sure to visit their website at EverleighDuluth.com, give them a call at (470)482-6890, or visit their Welcome Center at 3215 Hill Street.

You’re invited to a fun-filled evening of salsa dancing and complimentary refreshments! Bring a friend and enter to win raffle prizes. Explore our 55+ active adult community firsthand!