GBJ Staff

New Snellville retailer saves local theatre

A scene captured from New London Theatre's performance of "Children of Eden."

Welcome to the neighborhood! Margins Charity Thrift and Variety Mall has yet to officially open, but this new Snellville retailer has already has the distinct honor of saving a beloved community theatre.

Dawn Berlo, board chair for New London Theatre, believes in second chances. Due to financial hardship, this troupe was poised draw its final curtain at the end of March. However, when new Snellville retailer Margins Charity Thrift and Variety Mall learned the theatre was in trouble, this friend and patron offered the local non-profit rent free space – 6,000 s.f. doubling the theatre’s current space!

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GBJ Staff

Gwinnett Braves unveil non-profit partnership series

Participating organizations will have the chance to raise awareness for the non-profit cause of the game.

The Gwinnett Braves have a new community initiative for the 2012 season aimed at helping local organizations raise awareness and funds for their causes. The Non-Profit Partnership Series, an all-inclusive program that allows multiple organizations who volunteer for a common cause to rally together, will debut this April and run through August.

The series will follow the monthly themes of the Gwinnett Braves Grant Program. Although grant recipients from 2011 and 2012 will get special recognition, the series is not just limited to grant applicants. All non-profit groups that fall under the event theme are invited to participate.

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GBJ Staff

Gwinnett treasures its arts assets

(L-R) Judy Waters, Teresa Osborn and Sally Corbett with Artworks! Gwinnett Vision Award honoree Margaret Parsons Andrews

Artworks! Gwinnett honored the local arts community at its inaugural awards event in January for achievements spanning decades as well as the community impact of individuals and organizations from Dec. 1, 2010 through Dec. 1, 2011.

Margaret Parsons Andrews received the evening’s highest honor, the ‘Vision Award,’ to celebrate her lifelong commitment to the arts and her vision for what is now the Hudgens Center.

“The inaugural ArtWorks! Gwinnett awards showed the strength and diversity of Gwinnett’s arts community,” said Sally Corbett, executive director, ArtWorks! Gwinnett. “The process of creating this arts celebration had a galvanizing effect for many participants…It is already inspiring future collaborations and a greater awareness of the scope of Gwinnett’s arts assets.”

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GBJ Staff

27th Annual Candlelight Ball is March 17

Reserve your seat for the Mar. 17 Candlelight Ball benefiting CADEF: The Childhood Autism Foundation.

The Annual Candlelight Ball will be held on March 17, 2012 at the InterContinental Hotel, Buckhead celebrating twenty-seven years serving children, adults and families affected by autism

The Candlelight Ball is the major fund-raising event for CADEF: The Childhood Autism Foundation. Proceeds fund programs and services for individuals and families affected by autism throughout Georgia.

Cindy Simmons and Heather Branch, Star 94 radio personalities, will act as co-mistresses of ceremonies. The black-tie event begins with a cocktail reception at 7 p.m., followed by a three-course dinner and dancing to the high-energy music of the The Grapevine Band playing songs of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Guests will be able to bid on an array of desirable items in silent and live auctions during the evening.

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GBJ Staff

Sports far more than just a game

by Stan Hall

Who doesn’t love sports? Sporting events have gained a more prominent stature as a very integral part of our economy. Although many of us have made drastic cuts in our personal budgets to adjust to a stagnant economy, sports marketing and related event venues continue to flourish.

This is especially true as it pertains to ‘new money’ that sporting events inject into a local economy. Everyone benefits as event attendees need a place to stay and eat and the miscellaneous costs for an out of town event are spent in local retail outlets.

While it’s true that an event does not necessarily have to involve sports to be this economic driver, trends from recent years tell us that sporting events are financial catalysts. This phenomenon is compelling many government agencies to look at the concept of establishing sports commissions to identify and recruit events to their venues. Gwinnett County is far ahead of the curve in this matter and has had its Sports Commission in place for several years through the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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GBJ Staff

Renowned 80-year-old artist to exhibit in Lawrenceville

“First Light” is an oil on canvas, ©Robert Christie – all rights reserved.

Legendary artist Robert Christie will greet patrons at the opening reception of his one-man show from 5 to 7 p.m., January 24 at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville, Ga.

The exhibit runs through Apr. 10, 2012 and is open to the public weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Robert Christie has become one of the best-known dog and sporting artists in the South. A graduate of Pratt Institute where he studied illustration, Christie concentrated his post-graduate study of portrait painting at Pratt and at The Art Students League, both in N.Y.

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GBJ Staff

Lifeguard and instructor opportunities

Gwinnett Parks and Recreation will hold an ‘in pool’ interactive job fair Feb. 3, 2012 from 6-9 p.m. at Bethesda Park Aquatic Center in Lawrenceville to share details about lifeguard and instructor opportunities. The fair is free and is open to both certified and uncertified lifeguards.  Be sure to wear or bring a swimsuit.

Teens 15 years of age prior to the last day of the last certification course are eligible to become certified lifeguards for the 2012 season. Parents are also welcome to attend the job fair.

For further information about certification training or for questions about the County’s aquatics program visit www.gwinnettparks.com or call 770-822-8849.

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GBJ Staff

Stay and play in Gwinnett

Lisa Anders, executive director of the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau

Newly promoted Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCVB) executive director Lisa Anders’ 2012 business outlook highlights key five areas for growth to ‘bring the events to Gwinnett.’

“Tourism is a big part of Gwinnett’s economy,” says . “I look forward to seeing what 2012 brings.”

A 14-year veteran at the GCVB, Anders is an asset to the area’s economic growth through her active role the local and national tourism communities. Having served four years as a Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau Board member, she is also on Gwinnett Technical College’s Hospitality Education Committee, sits on the Destination Management Association International Education, ArtWorks! and Aurora Theatre Boards and was a founding member of Duluth’s Barefoot in the Park Fine Arts Festival committee.

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GBJ Staff

Suwanee’s new trampoline park first in Georgia

Young patron jumping in the foam pit, one of many fun activities at Sky Zone Atlanta Indoor Trampoline Park.

Are you ready for next dimension in sport, fun and fitness? Sky Zone Atlanta Indoor Trampoline Park offers 32,000 square feet of wall-to-wall trampolines. Just as much fun for adults as for kids, Sky Zone is suitable for just about anyone. The company has brought 60 new jobs to Gwinnett County and is rapidly becoming a destination site drawing visitors from around Georgia and surrounding states.

The Open Jump experience is for individuals or groups wanting to zip across the court, take a gigantic leap vertically, bounce off the walls or participate in 3-D Dodge ball. SkyRobics fitness classes combine a low impact yet highly effective, three-dimensional cardio and strength-training program with pure fun. Parents can even bring younger children to SkyRobics 4Kids or Toddler Time each Tuesday and Thursday.

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GBJ Staff

Work habits that spur business

Today’s economy has created two classes of business owners: those with the drive to keep their business growing despite the difficult economic scene and those who are struggling despite their “best” efforts. So what work habits are translating into business success?

Work hard, play hard. Owners who work more hours balance that time by taking more vacation time to recharge and refocus.

Keep talking to customers. Owners who spend more time in direct contact with their customers stay on top of what matters most to them.

Always think about tomorrow. Owners who spend time reviewing company performance and deliberately plan for the future are more able to respond more quickly to changing circumstances.

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