FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Farewell to a true Southern lady
Please bear with me today while I take a moment to say a public goodbye to a woman who, as it turns out, was a very dear friend to me.
Norcross rezoning denied for automotive station
A rezoning request for property located at 3415 Medlock Bridge Road in Norcross was denied Monday, with Community Development Director Chris McCrary outlining several reasons for concern.
INSIDE THE PERIMETER: Tony-Award-winning 'Spamalot' returns to Fox
Monty Python's "Spamalot," the Tony-Award-Winning musical comedy spun off from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," returns to the Fox Theatre this weekend for five performances only.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Love for pets doesn't come cheap
It's a dog's life, and it's a good one.Our family just ended a week-long, much-needed stay at the beach. We returned home this past weekend, and part of our settling-back-in ritual always includes picking up our two dogs from their stay at the kennel.
Orchestra gets new name, sets sights on Gwinnett
For 60 years, one of the best kept secrets of metropolitan Atlanta has been the Cobb Symphony Orchestra. This well-established group of superbly talented musicians has been delighting and mesmerizing audiences for two generations with the symphony orchestra, the jazz band and the chorus.
Growing up: Suwanee's community garden increasing in popularity
An idea that was planted just a couple of years ago sprouted first into a plan, then a full-grown reality in White Street Park in Suwanee's Old Town district. The Harvest Farm Community Garden, an intelligently planned and artistically pleasing seven-acre plot of land that used to be known as the Williams farm, is bursting with color -- flowers, vegetables, herbs and dirt so rich you can smell it. Smiling faces can also be found there at just about any time of day. Photo slide show inside
One Walton asks Loganville to join marketing efforts
LOGANVILLE -- Lee Garrett and Debra Smith, both representing One Walton, presented the organization's marketing and branding plan to Mayor Ray Nunley and City Council members Thursday evening, asking city leaders for their support of the countywide initiative.
Broadway revival of 'Hair' coming to the Fox Theatre
A new generation of theater lovers can experience one of the best-loved musicals ever to hit Broadway, thanks to the revival of "Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical." Slated to play at the Fox Theatre from Tuesday through May 22, this Tony Award-winning musical features a score that will take a whole new generation back to the time of a cultural upheaval that changed America forever.
THE DISH: Rey's Cuban Cafe
If you're in the mood for genuine Cuban food and not concerned with plush surroundings, check out Rey's Cuban Cafe in Loganville.
Snellville leaders bring in new garbage service after 20 years
SNELLVILLE -- City Council members and Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer voted to hire a new solid waste contractor for city residents and businesses Monday evening, awarding a 5-year contract to lowest bidder Waste Pro.
Days of fun: Snellville festival offers music, crafts
Bright sunshine, a light breeze, the scent of freshly made funnel cakes and the rhythmic stomp of cloggers on a distant stage -- must be Snellville Days, one of the most anticipated annual events in Gwinnett County.
Funny Family: Aurora starts summer off with comedy
As a final salute to its 15th anniversary season, and a side-splitting welcome to summer, Aurora Theatre offers patrons the hilarious family comedy "Over the River and Through the Woods" Thursday through June 5. This candid, comical look into family relationships, growing old and the generation gap is both poignant and comical.
Dacula amends regulations
DACULA -- City officials amended Dacula's development regulations during Thursday night's council meeting, now requiring manhole safety ramps for newly-constructed or repaired roads where the topping has not been installed within 3 days.
Winder to charge for credit payments
WINDER — City council members voted to approve, beginning June 1, charging city customers a 3 percent convenience fee for using credit cards to pay bills, fees, taxes and fines.
Norcross welcomes summer with popular community events
NORCROSS — Warm weather in Norcross means fresh foods, music and lots of outdoor activities. Mayor Bucky Johnson announced Monday during the City Council meeting that the Whistle Stop Farmers Market, the annual Car Show, the Strawberry Stroll and the city’s first official outdoor concert all take place this month.
Country star Tracy Lawrence at Wild Bill's this weekend
Tracy Lawrence, the Atlanta-born country music star whose career has spanned 16 years, is playing Wild Bill's tonight. With 17 No. 1 singles to his name, Lawrence keeps his music fresh, relevant and from-the-heart.
Strawberry lovers descend on pick-your-own farms
For as far as the eye can see in either direction, row after row of deep green strawberry plants mark the landscape. Step a bit closer, and you'll see that each plant is laden with fat, ripe, juicy strawberries.
Suwanee PD earns CALEA certification
Lou Dekmar, a member of the LaGrange Police Department and chairman of the Commission for Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies was on hand during Tuesday's City Council meeting in Suwanee to present police chief Mike Jones, Mayor Dave Williams, the police department, and other city staffers with a plaque honoring the city's recent CALEA certification.
Snellville leaders say no to business tax hardship ordinance
A majority of city council members and Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer voted down a proposed occupational tax hardship ordinance, a law that would allow small businesses with $2 million and less in gross receipts to get a one-time 20 percent reduction in the occupational tax owed to Snellville.
Suwanee Sculptour to feature work by a dozen artists
City leaders, artists and art lovers came together in Suwanee this week to listen to Joseph Bankoff, president and CEO of Woodruff Arts Center, speak on the benefits and necessity of making art a part of any community. Also announced at that meeting were the dozen artists and more than 15 sculptures that will be on display in and around Town Center through March.
Berkeley Lake approves looking into annexing watershed properties
BERKELEY LAKE — City Council members gave Mayor Lois Salter the go-ahead Thursday to explore the possibility of annexing as much watershed properties into the city as possible.
Woman leading McDonald's after her rise from fries
Everyone loves a success story, a "local girl does good" story of hard work, dedication and reward. Karen King appears to have written her very own version.
Woman leading McDonald's after her rise from fries
LAWRENCEVILLE — Everyone loves a success story, a “local girl does good” story of hard work, dedication and reward. Karen King appears to have written her very own version.
Loganville to let its voters decide controversial Sunday sales issue
LOGANVILLE — During a special-called council meeting at 11 a.m. Monday, Loganville council members voted to let city residents decide whether Sunday retail sales of alcohol will be allowed in the city.
Snellville city manager summarizes third quarter financial state
SNELLVILLE — City manager Russell Treadway delivered his quarterly financial report to Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer and city council members Monday, summing up the city’s third quarter financial position. According to Treadway, revenue is coming in to the city as expected, and expenditures have remained “relatively consistent” up through the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2011.
Artists flock to Suwanee to work magic outdoors
SUWANEE -- Vickie Johnson looks from the quaint old house to her canvas and back again, placing a brush stroke here, a flick of color there.Photo slide show inside
Dacula leaders explore making Second Avenue two-way street
DACULA — City council members voted 2-2 Thursday evening over whether to commission engineering plans to make Second Avenue a two-way street.
Winder water, sewer rate policies to change
WINDER -- City officials, led by the efforts of councilman David Maynard, have revised a couple of policies that will work in property owners' favor.
Mom, teen join with G-Braves to raise MS awareness
LAWRENCEVILLE -- Dawn Stone's life, and the lives of her family, changed forever in October 2006. That was when she was handed the sobering diagnosis of having multiple sclerosis.
Norcross to advertise relocations
NORCROSS -- Moving ahead with a plan to either move or demolish the houses located at 155 N. Cemetery St. and 183 N. Cemetery St./183 Bostic St., city leaders Monday said that the two houses will very soon display advertisements stating that they are available for relocation.
Snellville Tourism and Trade Association looking toward summer
SNELLVILLE — During Monday night’s city council meeting, Snellville Tourism and Trade Association President Don Britt updated Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer and the City Council on plans his organization is making for spring and summer events and celebrations.
Feeling the heat: GTC hosts high school chef competition
The Busbee Center at Gwinnett Technical College was a beehive of activity Friday, with 200 high school chefs from all over Georgia and even some from Tennessee competing for first prize in the 10th annual culinary cookoff.
Suwanee citizen survey shows upward trends
SUWANEE — City manager Marty Allen on Tuesday presented the results of the 2010 National Citizen Survey during the city council meeting.
Fans get chance to meet 'Days of Our Lives' stars
SUWANEE -- Fans of the daytime drama "Days of Our Lives" lined the sidewalks around Suwanee City Hall on Monday, all waiting for a chance to meet some of their favorite cast members of the popular show.Photo slide show inside
'Burn the Floor' brings history of dance to Fox
"Burn the Floor," the spectacular Latin and ballroom dance production, was heating up stages all over the world well before the TV phenomenons "Dancing with the Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance" ever hit the airwaves.
Mayor pans GCPS redistricting proposal
Mayor Nancy Harris addressed a packed house Monday during the City Council meeting, reading a unified statement to residents voicing her and the council members' opposition to a proposed GCPS redistricting plan.
Loganville to only use city funds for required training
LOGANVILLE — Councilman Rey Martinez suggested during Thursday’s City Council meeting that elected officials pay for their own training, unless taking classes required by the city or state. Though councilman Mark Kiddoo stated that $3,500 has been set aside in the budget to pay for mayor and council training, Martinez said that he doesn’t want taxpayers to pay for training that is not required.
'80s icon Rick Springfield to perform at Wild Bill's
You can take a step back in time Saturday night at Wild Bill’s when ’80s icon Rick Springfield takes the stage. The former soap star and singer of hits like “Jessie’s Girl” comes to Duluth having more fun as a performer than he did in the early days.
Just dance: Broadway hit 'A Chorus Line' coming to Cobb Energy Centre
“A Chorus Line” — one of the most beloved contemporary musicals to ever hit Broadway — is coming to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The choreography has been restaged and the musical numbers re-energized, earning this production the distinction of being called “Michael Bennett’s Masterpiece” by respected critics. Bennett conceived and directed the original choreography of “A Chorus Line” more than three decades ago.
Norcross mayor pleased with state of the city
NORCROSS — Mayor Bucky Johnson addressed a large crowd of Norcross citizens, business owners and partners Tuesday evening as he delivered the 2011 State of the City address.
Norcross plans to annex Carmax
NORCROSS — City leaders voted to proceed with plans to annex Carmax on Beaver Ruin Road, pending approval of a sign requirement by the city’s Architectural Review Board.
Snellville artist uses talents for family memories, preservation
SNELLVILLE -- Darla Dixon is a Jack -- make that Jill -- of all trades.
Snellville adopts events ordinance
SNELLVILLE — Snellville city leaders adopted a special events ordinance Monday night that allows businesses to buy special permits to sell alcohol outside their places of business or off site at special events in the city.
THE DISH: Babalu Cuban Joint
Situated in the corner of a new outparcel development on Dacula Road in Dacula, this small, quaint Cuban restaurant offers healthy, fresh authentic fare with a nod toward local farmers, wineries and breweries.
Gwinnett Extended Care Center crowns Spring Queen
LAWRENCEVILLE -- The Gwinnett Extended Care Center, affiliated with Gwinnett Medical Center and home to patients and residents not quite ready to live at home but well enough to leave hospital care, hosted its 10th Annual Ms. GECC pageant Thursday evening. Photo slide show inside
Caring for circus animals requires time, respect
The Arena at Gwinnett Center has hosted some exciting events in the past, but this week for the first time it is home to Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Photo slide show inside
Suwanee mayor: 'Look for exciting things here'
SUWANEE — Mayor Dave Williams delivered the annual State of the City address during the February city council meeting. In it, Williams listed several accomplishments that happened in 2010.
Berkeley Lake selects company for tax study
BERKELEY LAKE — City leaders Thursday selected Government Enterprises to be the company to conduct a tax equity study for the city of Berkeley Lake.
Snellville leaders to sign off on Town Center visioning plan
SNELLVILLE — Residents and city leaders will reconvene again Tuesday to adopt a visioning plan for the city’s much-publicized Town Center. Tuesday’s presentation and reception will follow three previous public meetings and workshops in which city leaders, staff and planners offered and listened to ideas from anyone who wished to contribute.
