DULUTH
Gladiators to broadcast games on TV
The Gwinnett Gladiators announced last month that they have again teamed up with the Gwinnett Sports Commission and the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau and TVGwinnett Channel 23 to broadcast select Gladiators games during the 2008-09 season.
The Gladiators and TVGwinnett Channel 23 will tape delay the following five games during the 2008-09 season: Nov. 15 vs. South Carolina; Jan. 17 vs. Florida; Feb. 2 vs. Mississippi; March 7 vs. Trenton and April 3 vs. South Carolina.
All five games will be re-broadcasted on TVGwinnett Channel 23 during the week following the game date with the first airing on the Monday evening following the game.
Gladiators Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations Dustin Bixby will handle the play by play for the broadcasts while Christine Troyke will provide the color commentary for all five games.
BUFORD
BrandsMart USA to open new store off I-85
BrandsMart USA has purchased 30.6 acres of land near the Mall of Georgia in Buford from auto dealer Bill Heard Enterprises. The property is located the southwest quadrant of the I-85 and Route 20 interchange, from auto dealer Bill Heard Enterprises.
Atlanta Land Group's Mike Cahalan and Robert Armstrong represented the seller. According to ALG, BrandsMart paid $15.3 million dollars, or approximately $500,000 per acre.
BrandsMart USA's Jeff Kerker represented the discount appliance and electronics retailer, which plans to establish metro Atlanta's fourth BrandsMart USA at the site. This will be the company's first store in Gwinnett County. BrandsMart's other Georgia stores are located in Doraville, Kennesaw and Stockbridge.
"We continue to see strong demand for metro Atlanta and North Georgia parcels as the region maintains vibrant growth," says Armstrong, president of ALG. "Retailers, developers and investors can envision and unlock the possibilities and opportunities that these tracts offer."
Buford pair form gravesite business
Tesa Crysler and Jill Milton have formed a new company called Always Remembered Grave Care. According to the partners, Milton came up with the idea of forming a business that helps clients maintain the gravesites of loved ones.
"In this fast-paced world it is often difficult to regularly visit loved one's final resting places," Crysler says. "People may live too far away or find the work physically demanding. We checked around and could not find anyone in the area who offered this type of service. So we thought, 'Why not start our own business?'"
The company has a variety of services available and will place flowers, clean the markers or head stones, manicure around the markers and headstones and send before and after photos to clients. For more information, visit www.alwaysrememberedgravecare.com.
Chopper declared name of Gwinnett Braves mascot
The Gwinnett Braves today announced that the team's new mascot name will be "Chopper." Jim Bennett of Lilburn was the first to submit the winning name and Chopper was the overwhelming choice from the 5,109 fans that cast their votes during the team's "Name the Mascot" contest.
Chopper was officially welcomed to Gwinnett last month at Lawrenceville Elementary School in an event modeled after the recent Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Tony Schiavone, the voice of the Gwinnett Braves, Gwinnett Braves General Manager Bruce Baldwin, Atlanta Braves outfielder Josh Anderson and fifth grade students and teachers from Lawrenceville Elementary School were on hand to greet and cheer on the portly cartoon groundhog.
The mascot is inspired by General Beauregard Lee, Ph.D., star of the Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn.
Fans can get their first live glimpse of Chopper at the Gwinnett Braves Night at Turner Field on Thursday, Sept. 18 when the Atlanta Braves take on the Philadelphia Phillies at 7:00 p.m. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.braves.com/gwbraves.
DACULA
GMC imaging center opens in north Gwinnett
Gwinnett Medical Center recently opened a new, state-of-the-art imaging center in Hamilton Mill. As part of Project PATH – GMC's vision to plan, advance and transform healthcare in the community, this new facility will advance the level of care offered to residents in north Gwinnett.
An on-site board-certified radiologist directly linked to the hospital and will facilitate when necessary, second opinions and detailed health analysis in a quick and convenient manner. The all-digital imaging center provides the highest level of technology to serve patients and is staffed with specialty-certified technologists. The scope of services includes MRI, CT, diagnostic X-ray, mammography screening, bone density screening, ultrasound, EKG and lab.
GMC's expansion into north Gwinnett results from a physician survey reflecting a growing need for outpatient-imaging services. Currently, residents of this area must travel north or south no less than 20 miles to have an imaging exam.
DULUTH
Moms & Tots Program returns to Gwinnett Place Mall
Gwinnett Place Mall's Moms & Tots Weekly Program for "Simon Kidgits" returns this month for its fall season. The program provides a shopping treat for Moms and their little ones every Wednesday beginning Sept. 10 through Oct. 29. Moms and kids can come out and play at Gwinnett Place Mall from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. with a host of activities, including stories, music, games, crafts and more in the Belk wing. Each week will offer special themed activities. This weekly program is free of charge and designed for "Simon Kidgits" four years of age and under.
Bear's Best to host Agile on the Green this month
Agile announced in early August the celebration of its fifth year anniversary of Agile on the Green (AOTG), the Atlanta technology community's premiere golf charity. The tournament will be held Oct. 6 at Bear's Best in Duluth, and will include an 18-hole scramble format followed by a cocktail hour and dinner and awards reception.
Net proceeds from the event benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta Affiliate. Agile, a Gold Sponsor for the 2008 Race for the Cure, has raised more than $90,000 in proceeds over the last four years through AOTG and the Race for the Cure, and has announced its goal of raising more than $75,000 in net proceeds in 2008.
The event invites technology executives to play as VIP guests from local companies such as Bank of America, Cox Enterprises, McKesson Corporation and AT&T, and sells sponsorship opportunities to play with these VIP's in an 18-hole scramble format. Prizes are awarded for first, second and third place and there are a variety of contests during the day. In addition, local companies and individuals donate "Super Ticket" prizes such as vacation packages, event tickets and sport event memorabilia to be raffled off at the event.
Participants can register in one of four categories of sponsorship ranging from $500 for individuals up to $15,000 for a four-player team.
LAWRENCEVILLE
Gwinnett Tech offers only training class for Ground Source Heat Pump installers
The Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) Accredited Installer Training will be offered for the first time by Gwinnett Tech's Continuing Education Division from Oct. 16 – 18. This enables heating and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals to offer a low maintenance, economical and environmentally-friendly alternative to their customers.
The three-day workshop will be led by two Gwinnett Tech instructors accredited to teach this technology who have more than 50 years of combined experience. The course is designed for GSHP developers, architects, installers, HVAC contractors, trenching/drilling contractors, and others interested in this innovative technology.
Gwinnett Tech offers a hands-on approach to training made possible by access to two fully functional labs. Equipment and systems from multiple manufacturers are used so participants are familiar with a broad range of the products available.
Upon successful completion of the workshop, students are prepared to take the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) installer's exam to earn accreditation as an installer for GSHP systems.
Local entrepreneur creates plan for in-home senior citizen care
Local resident Yvette Bryant recently opened a Right at Home franchise in Lawrenceville area to help alleviate the difficulties with caring for aging adults. The concept offers in-home companion and personal care to seniors and other adults to help them continue to live independently in the comforts of their own home.
For as little as a few hours per week to as much as 24-hours a day, Right at Home offers a variety of highly personalized and flexible home care services provided by trained caregivers at reasonable rates. Services offered include light housework, meal preparation, medication reminders, personal hygiene, bathing, walking, local transportation, companionship and more.
For more information on Right at Home, visit the company's website at www.rightathome.net. To sign up for Right at Home's free adult caregiving e-newsletter, Caring Right at Home, please go to www.caringnews.com.
LOGANVILLE
Emory Eastside Imaging Center meets opposition
Walton Regional Medical Center has filed formal opposition with state regulators to Emory Eastside Medical Center's planned imaging center in Loganville. Emory filed an application with the Department of Community Health for a Certificate of Need in May 2007.
"Emory Eastside is disappointed in Walton Medical Center's decision to appeal the CON, which will delay the delivery of needed healthcare services to Loganville," says Dustin Greene, Emory Eastside's COO, and manager of this project. "The Department of Community Health approved the CON after a detailed review of the data and despite Walton Medical Center's previous opposition, and we were anxious to break ground and get this imaging center open."
DCH approved Emory Eastside's CON last month. After the CON was approved, Walton then filed an appeal, which means Emory Eastside can not proceed with the planning and construction until the appeals process is completed. This process is expected to take between 8 and 12 months.
"Walton recently filed an extension for their replacement hospital CON, which allows them to delay construction until December 2010," Greene says. "Looking at the growth in both Gwinnett and Walton County, we believe there is an immediate need for the services we plan to provide. Emory Eastside is committed to meet the needs of these growing communities and is concerned about these delays."
NORCROSS
Wells honors employee's military deployment
Reginald Mackey, senior acquisitions analyst at Norcross-based Wells Real Estate Funds, was given a fond farewell last month from company President Leo Wells. Mackey, a lieutenant commander in the Navy Reserve, was honored Sept. 17 by his colleagues at Wells as he prepared to deploy to Afghanistan.
The company's celebration featured a brass band, lunch from the Varsity and a rare appearance by the Ramblin' Wreck coupe from Mackey's alma mater, Georgia Tech.
SUWANEE
Taste of Suwanee coming Oct. 18
The second annual "Taste of Suwanee" will be hosted Oct. 18. There will be samplings of food from about 30 Suwanee area restaurants, live on-stage performances, arts and crafts in the artists' market, and an inflatable ride zone for children.
Sponsored by the North Gwinnett High School Tip-Off Club, Taste of Suwanee will take place from noon-5 p.m. at Town Center Park. Admission is free. Tickets for food samples (which require between 1 and 6 tickets) are 50 cents each and children's rides are an additional fee. In addition to the free performances by several community groups, Dish Network will provide a cheering zone where football fanatics can catch college games.
