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Earth Day Events Happening in Gwinnett County

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Living Healthy Gwinnett

For the Beauty of the Earth Art Show
Continues through April 26.
Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Gwinnett Historic Courthouse
185 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville
770-822-5450
Debby Ollinger has been an Atlanta area artist since the 1970s. This collection of her work was inspired by the beauty of nature, but she is often motivated by the whimsy, humor and charm of everyday objects.


Gardening 101
April 13-June 23
678-277-0287, LiveHealthyGwinnett.com
All ages are invited to join Harvest Gwinnett for a free workshop and volunteer day to discover best gardening practices.
Vines Park Community Garden, 3500 Oak Grove Road, Loganville 30052 — April 13, 9-11 a.m.
Lenora Park Community Garden, 3195 Lee Road, Snellville 30039 — April 16, 9 a.m.-12 noon
Graves Park Community Garden, 1500 Graves Road, Norcross 30093 — May 14, 9-11 a.m.
Lawrenceville Community Garden, 225 Benson Street, Lawrenceville 30046 — May 19, 9 a.m.-12 noon
West Gwinnett Park Community Garden, 4488 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Berkeley Lake 30071 — May 21, 9 a.m.-12 noon
E.E. Robinson Park Community Garden, 885 Level Creek Road, Sugar Hill 30518 — June 2, 5-7 p.m.
Dacula Park Community Garden, 205 Dacula Road, Dacula 30019 — June 11, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Peachtree Ridge Park Community Garden,
3170 Suwanee Creek Road, Suwanee 30024 — June 23, 5-7 p.m.


Gwinnett County UGA Extension Office
April 14-June 23
750 South Perry Street, Suite 400, Lawrenceville 30046
678-377-4010
extension.uga.edu/county-offices/gwinnett/events-and-classes.html
The Gwinnett County University of Georgia Extension Office offers free virtual classes to help with health and gardening. Registration is necessary to get info to join at least one day prior to the session. Contact Timothy Daly at tdaly@uga.edu for gardening classes and Ines Beltran at inesb@uga.edu for health classes.

Vegetable Gardening — April 14, 12 noon-1 p.m.
Inflammation — April 21, 12 noon- 1 p.m. Virtual: Inflammation-Free. Have you ever wondered if you have body inflammation? Do you know what it is? Do you know about anti-inflammatory diets? This presentation will share ways to avoid inflammation through research-based information to clarify misunderstood conceptions about inflammation. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session. To register by April 20, contact Ines Beltran at inesb@uga.edu.

Home Garden Herbs — April 25, 6-7 p.m. Virtual: Home Garden Herbs-Free. Herbs are excellent garden plants that require minimal maintenance and come in a variety of scents, flavors, and colors. They can be used for culinary purposes, fragrance, ornamental plants, and indoor flower arrangements. Many herbs thrive in our area and climate. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session. To register by April 24, contact Timothy Daly at tdaly@uga.edu.

Common Landscape Pests — May 11, 6-7 p.m. Virtual: Common Landscape Pests-Free. Insect pests and diseases can affect the quality and attractiveness of our home landscape plants. The program will cover ways to control the damage they do and the prevention of them. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session. To register by May 10, contact Timothy Daly at tdaly@uga.edu.

Meal Portions — May 19, 12 noon- 1 p.m. Virtual: Meal Portions-Free. This class will show you how to eat healthy well-balanced meals, and it will give you methods to avoid consuming more calories than you need. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session. To register by May 18, contact Ines Beltran at inesb@uga.edu.

Plant Propagation — May 23, 6-7 p.m. Virtual: Plant Propagation-Free. Plants reproduce in other ways than just seeds. Stem cuttings and air layering are just a few of the easy methods of propagating plants. Some are easier than others. Learn how you can increase the number and variety of plants in your garden. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session. To register by May 22, contact Timothy Daly at tdaly@uga.edu.

Additional information on other classes https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices/gwinnett/events-and-classes.html

Vegetable Garden Pests — June 13, 6-7 p.m.
Air Quality — June 23, 12 noon-1 p.m.


E-Cycle Earth Day Event
Rocket IT
Sunday, April 22, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
3360 Martin Farm Road, Suwanee 30024
770-441-2520
Gwinnett County and North Fulton County residents are invited to invited to reduce, reuse and recycle outdated technologies at Rocket IT’s annual e-cycle event in honor of Earth Day. Stop by the Suwanee headquarters to drop off unwanted electronics.


Paper Shredding, Electronics Recycling Event
Saturday, April 23. 9 a.m.-12 noon, or until the trucks are full
Peachtree Corners City Hall
310 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners 30092
peachtreecornersga.gov
Residents of Peachtree Corners ONLY are invited to recycle electronics and shred unwanted documents at this free event. This is only for residential waste, no offices or businesses. Residents are limited to five medium-size boxes of paper materials. Please visit peachtreecornersga.gov and click on the calendar date for details on acceptable electronics and shredding guidelines.

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Peachtree Corners Councilman’s Journey to Opening a Dog Park Haven

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Peachtree Corners Dog Park by Louis Svehla

When Peachtree Corners City Councilman Alex Wright last had a dog, he was only a kid.

Young Alex was devastated when he died and did not want to get another dog because he did not want to endure that trauma again. 

As a result, his family has never had a dog, and even though the two youngest of his four children badgered him and his wife endlessly, they always said no. 

Then COVID-19 hit. The Wrights’ youngest son, Michael, was committed to convincing his parents to get a dog. He even did a PowerPoint presentation (with music) explaining why he absolutely needed a dog. 

Michael and Murphy courtesy of Councilman Wright

“I guess it was from being cooped up during Covid that my wife suggested maybe we should give in. Next thing I know we tell the kids we are going to get a dog,” Councilman Wright wrote in an email.

So, in June 2021, they got their first dog, Murphy, an Australian Labradoodle. 

“All of a sudden, we discover this whole dog subculture that we had not really paid attention to before.  All the things dogs liked to do, all the stuff you could buy them, all the people we met through walking the dog,” he explained. 

In February, Wright and his wife were at Avalon returning a purchase when they came upon a modest-sized dog park. Wright’s wife suggested having something like that at Town Green would be great. 

Dog Park Ribbon Cutting photos by George Hunter

“Later that day, I texted the City Manager [Brian Johnson] about the idea, and he really liked it.  At the time, the playground (the one that opened in August 2022) was under construction, and we were already discussing other ideas to create activation at the Town Center, so this fit right into that plan,” said Wright.

The assistant City Manager, Seth Yurman, was tasked with the nuts and bolts and worked with a contractor on location and design. 

“Can’t say enough about what a great job Seth did. We have definitely had some supply chain delays, which resulted in an opening maybe 9 to 12 months later than originally hoped for, but it is finally open,” he added.

Dog Park Ribbon Cutting photos by George Hunter

A couple more things are still left to do for the project, including installing a large sail cover over the stone entrance area. Construction of the Bone Bar is also on the agenda. This small bar will serve adult and non-adult beverages and likely…you guessed it? Treats for dogs. 

The new dog park is situated behind the CineBistro building near the Town Green. The Peachtree Corners Off-Leash Dog Park is approximately 9,000 square feet and is divided into sections for smaller and larger dogs, with natural and artificial turf areas.

Dog Park Ribbon Cutting photos by George Hunter

PTC Dog Park Rules

  • The dog park is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • The dog park is CLOSED for maintenance every Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
  • Use of the dog park is at your own risk.  You are responsible for your dog and any injuries or damage caused by your dog.
  • All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • All dogs must wear a collar with a valid license and have current vaccinations required by law.
  • Please call 911 for all emergencies.
  • The small dog area is for dogs 30 pounds and under.  Dogs over 30 pounds must use the large dog area.
  • Dogs must stay on a leash until they are in the fenced-in areas of the dog park and must be off-leash while in the dog park.
  • Professional dog trainers may not use the dog park to conduct business.
  • No person shall bring more than three dogs at one time.
  • Please dispose of your dog’s waste in the receptacles provided. Remind others to do the same.
  • Dogs must always be under the control and supervision of their handler.
  • If your dog becomes aggressive, please leash the dog and exit the park immediately.
  • Gates must be closed after entrance and exit.
  • Dogs under six months old and female dogs in heat are not permitted.
  • Food (human and dog) and glass containers are not permitted, as are smoking, vaping and drug use.
  • Cats and other animals are not permitted.
  • Bikes, scooters, skateboards and motorized equipment are not permitted.
  • Violation of these rules may result in a ban from the dog park.

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Memorial Park Planned to Honor Memory of Late Peachtree Corners First Lady

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To honor and remember Debbie Mason, the first and only first lady of Peachtree Corners, who passed away after a long battle with cancer, a memorial park is being built.
Debbie Mason with her Yorkie

To honor and remember Debbie Mason, the first and only first lady of Peachtree Corners, who passed away after a long battle with cancer, a memorial park is being built.

A Peachtree Corners Arts Council subcommittee was formed to plan, develop and execute the park. Debbie Mason Memorial Park committee members include Lynette Howard, Robyn Unger, Bob Ballagh, Dave Huffman, Gay Shook, Sarah Roberts and Pat Bruschini.

“Lynette Howard led us in some brainstorming and creative sessions about what the garden should look like,” said Bruschini. “We had pictures of her backyard. Some of us had been to her backyard. It took a couple of months until we got a handle and feel for what we wanted the garden to be and what we thought [Mason] would want.”

One unique feature will be a Yorkie statue, Mason’s favorite dog, perched on top of a coffee table-like boulder encircled by granite benches. The brochure for the fundraising campaign will feature a photo of Mason and her beloved pet.

After looking at a few possible locations, a tract of land near the city’s botanical garden was chosen.

“The area where the park is going had been semi-developed,” said Buschini. “If you’re standing on the sidewalk with your back to the new dog park or your back to Cinebistro, you’ll see a granite semi-circle wall and steps that come down from Peachtree Corners Circle. We are enhancing that area.”

Debbie Mason Memorial Garden Plan Pikes plan showing Phase 1 and Phase 2

Everyone involved wanted the park to be near Town Center and accessible to everyone. So, an offshoot of the botanical garden, a property owned by the Downtown Development Authority, made the most sense, Bruschini added.

The park will be connected to Town Center with one entrance off Peachtree Corners Circle across from Davini Court.

“We have a complete plot plan designed by a landscape architect from Pike Nursery. Jennifer Freeman, a Duluth mosaic artist, created a mosaic design of the city logo,” said Bruschini.

The Debbie Mason Memorial Garden will be the city’s first park. Although there are other parks within city limits, this is the only one that will be owned and maintained by the city. 

To improve its access, the city is working with the Solis Apartment Complex being built nearby.

The plan is to have an extensive sidewalk connecting to the park. Construction of the park is underway and plant material will go in this fall. There will be a ribbon cutting and dedication shortly after that. 

But for now, the committee wants everyone to know that it’s coming and contributions are welcome. Find the wish list for the Debbie Mason Memorial Garden at the end of this article.

The memorial is fitting because Mason really was Peachtree Corners, said Bruschini.

“She was a volunteer extraordinaire,” she said. I met her on the board of the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association, and she headed up the Peachtree Parkway Improvement Project for six years. That’s where she would contact all the businesses along 141 and ask them to make a contribution so that the median strip could be maintained.”

Garden Site Construction

In 2008, there was a tour of homes in Peachtree Corners, and the funds raised went to solar lights to light up the sign going into Peachtree Corners. Mason was front and center with that.  But she always had time for family, Bruschini said.

“Her son Nick was in drama at Norcross High School, and she was very involved in that. And she worked with the taste of Norcross High School going back, I’ll say, 20 years maybe,” she said.

“She and Mike started the Fox Hill Homeowners Association and she worked with the Peachtree Corners Yes campaign and served on the board of Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful as well as the City Arts Council and also the first City Green committee. This is fitting because she always wanted to make memories in Peachtree Corners,” she explained.

Garden Sponsorship Items

  • Mosaic Logo – $10,000
  • Mosaic River – (3) $5,000 each
  • Bronze Plaque – $3,000
  • Arbor – (3) $1,000 each
  • Japanese Maple – $800
  • Flowerpots full of color – (3) $500 each
  • Dogwoods (3) $500 each
  • Tea Olives – (6) $400 each
  • Yorkie Dog Statue – $300
  • Azalea/Hydrangeas (40) – $60 each

Garden Sponsorship Levels

  • $1000: Platinum
  • $500: Gold
  • $250: Silver
  • $100: Bronze
  • $50: Friends of the Garden

Ways to Donate
Checks are preferred and are payable to:
Peachtree Corners Arts, Inc. Attn: DMMC
PO Box 922469
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
PTCArts.org/donate

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Non-Profit Protecting Kids from Predators Hosting Beloved St. Paddy’s Event

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Revved Up Kids' training group courtesy of Alli and David Neal

Alli and David Neal and their non-profit, Revved Up Kids, have been working diligently for the past 14 years to address an issue that most would prefer to avoid altogether.

During that time, Revved Up Kids has equipped more than 45,000 Atlanta-area children and teens to be safer from sexual predators and traffickers.

“We recognize the challenge that this issue presents on so many levels,” said Alli Neal. “It’s scary, it’s horrible, it’s unsavory and it’s challenging for parents to talk about it with their kids.”

“That’s why we founded Revved Up Kids. We believe wholeheartedly that the easiest target for a predator is a child who doesn’t know predators exist. We want to help families with this difficult dialogue and equip kids with a response if they’re ever approached,” she added.

Revved Up Kids is uniquely positioned in the Atlanta metro area. It is the only Atlanta-based non-profit focused solely on sexual abuse prevention training.

Based in Peachtree Corners, they partner with youth-serving organizations, municipalities and private groups across the metro area to provide exceptional prevention training programs for children, teens, parents and other organizations.

Revved Up Kids charges tuition when groups can afford to pay, but one of the top priorities for its Board of Directors is ensuring that all children have access to this critical training. Whenever a group pays tuition for training, Revved Up Kids trains at least one other group at no charge.

Revved Up Kids relies on community donations, corporate sponsors and grants to provide free training programs for low-income and high-risk groups. Hosting special events is vital to their ability to reach more children.

“That’s where the community comes in,” said Neal. “Our signature fundraising event, Shamrock ‘n’ Roll, will take place at the Crowne Plaza in Norcross on Saturday, March 9, and we want to sell out this year.”

Shamrock ‘n’ Roll is an adults-only event that features casino-style gaming, dancing, an exciting raffle, auction items and exquisite food and drinks. Tickets are on sale now, and sponsorships are also available for the event. Visit revvedupkids.org/shamrock for details.

“The support of our community, including our amazing sponsors, has a huge impact on our ability to reach more children with our life-saving training. This event is a fun way for everyone to join Revved Up Kids in protecting children,” said Neal.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

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