GUIDE TO HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS AND FALL
PETS & THEIR PEOPLE
southwestgwinnett
THE EDITORIAL & CREATIVE TEAM
Rico Figliolini Publisher and Executive Editor
Arlinda Smith Broady Senior Writer
Harry Pinkney Graphic Designer
Shawne Taylor Managing Editor
CONTRIBUTORS
Alex Chapman Social Media Manager
Tracey Rice Photographer
George Hunter Photographer
Glenn
Nathan Deen Writer
Bruce Johnson Photographer
Boylan Writer
ADVERTISING
Julie Davis Account Executive Rey Corpuz Business Development
Mighty Rockets LLC is the publisher of Southwest Gwinnett magazine, Peachtree Corners Magazine and producer of a family of podcasts. P. O. Box 923207 Peachtree Corners, GA 30010 678-438-5310
The editors welcome story suggestions, submissions, event listings, achievements and photography. Please direct them to editor@southwestgwinnettmagazine.com.
Advertising and corporate sponsorship inquiries can be directed to rico@mightyrockets.com
Pets & Their People 2025
Planned PEThood of Georgia: 15 Years of Serving Gwinnett and Beyond
Norcross Studios at the Heart of Atlanta’s Music Scene
Southwest Gwinnett Chamber Hosts Mayors Panel
Chabad Enrichment Center Entering Final Stretch to Completion
JR’s Log House: Old-fashioned Favorites, New Tastes Add to Staying Power
Quick Takes: A Snapshot of What’s Happening in Southwest Gwinnett
About the Cover
Our grand prize winner, Maddie Sumardi, and her rescue cat, Aubie Jean, were featured on the September/November 2025 cover of Peachtree Corners Magazine.
For Southwest Gwinnett Magazine, rather than repeating the same cover, we thought it would be fun to highlight Charlotte with her adorable cockapoo, Dolly.
Get ready to brush up on culture and creativity!
Norcross and Explore Gwinnett bring you Artober—a monthlong canvas of vibrant festivities. From the colorful rhythms of Bluesberry Beer & Music Festival to the lively hues of Dia De Los Muertos, we’re painting the town with artistic flair!
SCAN HERE FOR THE FULL EVENT LINEUP
Ongoing
Peachtree Corners
Photography Club Group Meet Up
October 9 and November 13
6:45-8:30 p.m.
Atlanta Tech Park
107 Technology Pkwy., Peachtree Corners pcphotoclub.org
Admission: free
Photographers of all skill levels are welcome to attend these monthly Thursday night meetups; come early at 6:15 p.m. for social time.
OCTOBER
October 2–4
Bites Over PTC
7 p.m-8:30 p.m.
Peachtree Corners bridge upper landing theforumpeachtree.com
Admission: $60 for two guests
The Forum and the City of Peachtree Corners have partnered to celebrate some of downtown PTC’s top restaurants. This exclusive evening event will feature lite bites, complimentary beverages, live music, sunset views and more.
October 2, 9, 16, 23
Cornhole Fall League
Thursdays, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
The Plaza at The Forum theforumonpeachtree.com
Admission: free to watch
This seven-week league meets Thursdays through October 23 on The Plaza. The season ends with a championship trophy and other prizes.
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Dates to Remember
October
2 Yom Kippur
9 Leif Erikson Day
13 Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day
20 Diwali 31 Halloween November
11 Veterans Day
27 Thanksgiving Day
28 Native American Heritage Day
30 First Sunday of Advent
Events, concerts and theatre
CrossFit on the Green
8 a.m.-9 a.m. through November
Peachtree Corners Town Center community.peachtreecornersga.gov
Admission: free
All ages and fitness levels are invited to join Terrance Fox with CrossFit PPG on Thursdays for a strength and conditioning workout. Students should bring water (no glass containers), a small towel or two and a mat if possible. Wear comfortable workout attire and good shoes.
October 3
Mount Carmel Fall BBQ & Sweet Shop
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church 5100 S. Old Peachtree Road, Norcross mtcarmel-umc.org; 770-449-4498
Stop by for pork BBQ (plates or sandwiches), Brunswick stew, coleslaw and lots of goodies baked by the Mt. Carmel women. Stay and enjoy lunch under the trees to get your order to go. All proceeds support local and international ministries.
October 3
Harvest Moon Camp Out
Friday, 5:30 p.m. to Saturday, 9 a.m.
Jones Bridge Park 4901 E Jones Bridge Road, Peachtree Corners gwinnettcounty.com/departments/ parksandrecreation
Admission: $15 residents; $29 non-residents
Enjoy a unique overnight camp out with Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation. Have fun making s’mores, telling stories and learning about Georgia wildlife under the harvest moon. Register online to attend.
October 3, 10, 17, 24
Friday Night Live
Fridays, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
The Forum at Peachtree Corners theforumonpeachtree.com
Admission: free
Kick back and groove to the smooth sounds of live music from favorite local artists every Friday night on The Plaza, through October 24. Check the website for weekly lineup.
October 4
Bluesberry Beer & Music Festival
5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Betty Maudlin Park, Norcross norcrossga.net
Admission: free
Get ready to have a ‘berry’ good time at this blueberry-focused festival hosted by the City of Norcross. Enjoy blueberry drinks and treats while listening to soulful blues music.
October 4
Flicks on the Green
7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Town Center community.peachtreecornersga.gov
Admission: free
Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the family-friendly movie, Hocus Pocus, under the stars. Rated PG. Running time 1hr 36m.
October 5
Daniel Nahmod Live Concert
1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.
Unity Atlanta Church 3597 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners unityatl.org; 770-441-0585
Admission: $35
Immerse yourself in the powerful and inspiring music of Daniel Nahmod. Through his Humanity Music independent recording label, his work spans diverse interfaith communities and is influencing the world. Tickets on sale on Eventbrite.com or at the door with cash or Venmo.
October 6
Power at the Polls
1 p.m.-2 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Library 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
Join Diane Fisher, president of the League of Women Voters, to learn about the history and importance of voting rights and how local elected officials impact your daily life. You’ll also get up-to-date information on upcoming elections and polling places. Ages 19+.
October 7, 14, 21, 28
Divine Connection Zoom Study Group
8 p.m.-9 p.m., August 12–October 14
Unity Atlanta Church unityatl.org; 770-441-0585
Admission: free; donation appreciated. The Spanish-speaking community is invited to this Zoom prayer and study group, led by Rev. Xiomara Malagon. For more info and to receive the Zoom link, email xioma735@gmail.com.
October 9
Books and Beyond with Gwinnett County Public Library Director
Charles Pace
1 p.m.-2 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Library 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
Whether you’re a passionate library user or simply curious about how the library serves the public, this engaging discussion will offer insight into the vital role the public library plays in strengthening communities.
October 10
48-Hour Film Fest Orientation
6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Norcross Public Library 5735 Buford Highway, Norcross gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
Filmmakers aged 12 and up are invited to take part in Gwinnett Public Library’s 48-Hour Film Festival challenge. Register online to hold your spot, and make plans to attend the orientation for details and the prompt for the challenge. You’ll then have 48 hours to write, shoot, edit and upload your film to be part of the festival.
October 10–11
“On the Exhale”
7:30 p.m.
Live Arts Theatre
Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church 3700 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth liveartstheatre.org
Tickets: $20 adults; $17 students and seniors; $14 LAT members
About the show: When a senseless act of violence changes her life forever, a liberal college professor finds herself drawn to the very weapon used to perpetrate the crime and the irresistible feeling of power that comes from holding life and death in her hands.
October 11
Live Band Karaoke
6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Town Green community.peachtreecornersga.gov
Admission: free
Get ready for an electrifying evening of music, fun and unforgettable perfor-
FRIDAY FLOWER
mances on the VoxStage. Step into the spotlight and belt out your favorite tunes backed by a live, professional band, or rock out in the audience, cheering on your faves and singing along.
October 11–12
Norcross Art Splash Festival
Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thrasher Park, Norcross norcrossga.net; splashfestivals.com
Admission: free
Make a splash at this annual festival celebrating all things art. Talented artists from near and far will showcase their best works in the vendor area. Live music, activities, food and more will also be part of the all-ages fun.
October 14
Forum Flicks
Starting at 6 p.m.
The Plaza at The Forum theforumonpeachtree.com
Admission: free
Gather on The Plaza to enjoy favorite family-friendly movies on the big screen. The October movie is Halloweentown (1998). Running time 1hr 24m. It’s the last movie of the season, so come out and have fun!
October 16
Cozy Book Club
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Duluth Public Library
3180 Main Street, Duluth gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
Join this month’s daytime cozy book club meeting to discuss the mystery novel “The House in the Pines” by Ana Reyes.
October 16–18
“Sergeant Brave”
Thursday-Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m.
Norcross High School Theatre 5300 Spalding Drive, Norcross
Tickets: starting at $10.61
gwinnettcounty.com/departments/ parksandrecreation
Admission: free
Discover practical home-cooked solutions to eating healthy and living well with live demonstrations at this program from Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation. Early registrations may be eligible for free meal prep kits. Ages 18+. Register online.
October 18
PTC Decathlon 2025
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Town Green community.peachtreecornersga.gov
Registration: $20
Participants will compete in 10 events at Fort Pain, with a rolling start every five minutes beginning at 8 a.m. An award ceremony to be held on October 20 at Curiosity Lab for the winners. Open to men and women aged 18 and older.
October 18
Pedal Norcross
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Downtown Norcross norcrossga.net
Admission: free
Pedal your way to fun and fitness on a 2.8-mile ride through Historic Norcross, and discover the joys of safe and sustainable biking. The event will also feature a special pop-up market, bike recycling station and a Bike Law 101 Clinic course.
About the show: Eugi Baker is a kid with an overactive imagination. When life gets rough, he escapes into his private universe of robots, ninjas and his imaginary best friend, Sergeant Brave. But when the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur, Eugi’s mom knows he needs a real-life hero to step in and save the day.
October 17
Food, Fun & Flavor
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
OneStop Norcross
October 18
Roswell FamilySearch Center Open House
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
500 Norcross St., Roswell 770-594-1706
familysearch.org
Admission: free
Everyone is invited to come learn more about the organization’s free one-on-one assistance with family history research. The Roswell Center
ATLANTA SYMPHONY HALL • PROGRAM 8:00 PM
PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2025
serves Peachtree Corners, Norcross and surrounding communities. They also offer personal assistance at the Peachtree Corners Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse by appointment.
October 23
Monthly Healing Sound Bath
7 p.m.-8 p.m.
Unity Atlanta Church 3597 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners unityatl.org; 770-441-0585
Admission: Free; donation appreciated.
Join certified Vibrational Sound Therapist, Raye Andrews, for a beautiful symphony of sound. This immersive, full-body listening experience can bring relaxation and a sense of calm to your mind, body and spirit. No registration required.
October 25
Deutsche Klassic German Car Show
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Downtown Norcross norcrossga.net
Admission: free
Rev your engines and come out to this classic car show in Downtown Norcross. Over 250 German vehicles will be on display, traditional German cuisine, beer and a lively polka band will add to the festivities.
October 25
Peachtree Corners Concert Series
7 p.m.-10 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Town Green community.peachtreecornersga.gov
Admission: free
Come out for another evening of live music from the VoxStage at Town Green. Close out the 2025 concert series in style with the legendary sounds of Interstellar Echoes: A Pink Floyd Tribute Band. It’s an epic concert you won’t want to miss.
October 26
STEM: Pumpkins Fight Pollution
3 p.m.-4 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Library 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free Pumpkins make wonderful decorations, but did you know they (and many other plants and vegetables) are also natural pollution fighters? Learn more about these helpful gourds, and decorate a small pumpkin to take home. Registration is required and opens October 5. All ages.
October 27
Learning Labs: Illustration Club
5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Duluth Public Library 3180 Main Street, Duluth gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the basics of traditional watercolor and mixed media and how to build a portfolio. This is a recurring program series with lessons that will carry over into following meetings. Ages 16+. Basic supplies will be provided, or you can bring your own. Registration is required and opens October 20.
October 28
Little Peaches Playdate
4 p.m.-6 p.m.
The Forum at Peachtree Corners theforumonpeachtree.com
Admission: free
Enjoy kid-friendly crafts, games and entertainment at this ultimate playdate for little ones held the last Tuesday of each month, April–October. This month’s theme is “Halloween Bash.”
October 29
Castlevania: Party
Like it’s 1691!
4 p.m.-5 p.m.
Norcross Public Library 5735 Buford Highway, Norcross gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
Come dressed as your favorite Castlvania character and learn about geometry and symmetry while making origami bats. Participants will also learn the science of viscosity and texture by creating edible “blood” slime. Ages 6–15. Registration is not required.
NOVEMBER
November 1
Rescue Dog Games and Festival
11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Town Green rescuedoggames.com
Admission: free
Come out and celebrate the joy of pet adoption and getting outside to play with your four-legged friends! The festival will feature a Halloween dog costume contest, a dog-lure chase, dog game stations, refreshments from the Bone Bar, live demos, vendor booths and more. There will also be adoptable dogs from local shelters and rescues, a kids play area and fun giveaways.
November 1
Local Author Day 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Norcross Public Library 5735 Buford Highway, Norcross gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
Come out and celebrate local authors from across Gwinnett County. Talk with authors about their work and
writing process, enjoy story time and purchase books. More than 25 authors of children’s books and various adult genres will be part of the event. All ages. Registration not required.
November 1
K-Pop Dance with GA Tech’s “Seoulstice”
12 p.m.-1 p.m.
Duluth Public Library 3180 Main Street, Duluth gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
All ages are invited to come out and watch or dance along to a live K-pop dance performance from Georgia Tech’s “Seoulstice” dance group. After the performance, they will also discuss being students at Georgia Tech.
November 3
STEM: Candy Engineering
4 p.m.-5 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Library 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
Come learn about structural engineering and build your own cool structure out of toothpicks and candy. Ages 6–18. Registration is not required.
November 5
Vegan Holiday Sides
6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Library 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
Learn how to add some new side dishes to your holiday meals with delicious recipes that friends and family may not even realize are vegan. All ages. Registration is not required.
November 6, 13, 20
CrossFit on the Green
8 a.m.-9 a.m. through November
Peachtree Corners Town Center community.peachtreecornersga.gov
Admission: free
All ages and fitness levels are invited to join Terrance Fox with CrossFit PPG on Thursdays for a strength and conditioning workout. Students should bring water (no glass containers), a small towel or two and a mat if possible. Wear comfortable workout attire and good shoes.
November 7
Sewing Machine Basics
1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Library 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
Do you have an idea for a sewing project, but you’re not sure how to use a sewing machine? In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the basics and even practice sewing a few seams on the library’s sewing machines. Registration is required and opens October 31. Ages 12-adult.
November 8
LEGO® Challenge Race
1 p.m.-2 p.m.
Duluth Public Library 3180 Main Street, Duluth gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free Grab some teammates and compete against other teams to see who can finish their LEGO set first. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team. All ages. Register your team of 1–4 people online to participate. Registration opens October 1.
November 11
Veterans Day Ceremony
10 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center norcrossga.net
Join Norcross city leaders and fellow
Wesleyan School Admissions Events
November 15
Campus admissions events are scheduled throughout the fall, including Family Open House on November 15. Check out the full listing of events and RSVP at www.wesleyanschool.org/admissions
residents to show gratitude and support for those who have served our country. With heartfelt speeches, patriotic music and the raising of the flag, the community will pay tribute to the brave men and women who have sacrificed for our freedom.
November 11
Veterans Day Ceremony
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Town Green community.peachtreecornersga.gov
Join city leaders and fellow residents in a meaningful celebration, as we come together to recognize the sacrifices and dedication of the military veterans who have helped safeguard our freedoms.
November 13
Monthly Healing
Sound Bath
7 p.m.-8 p.m.
Unity Atlanta Church 3597 Parkway Lane, Peachtree Corners unityatl.org. 770-441-0585
Admission: Free; donation appreciated. Join certified Vibrational Sound Therapist, Raye Andrews, for a beautiful symphony of sound. This immersive, full-body listening experience can bring relaxation and a sense of calm to your mind, body and spirit. No registration required.
November 14–22 “Trouble in Mind”
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Live Arts Theatre
Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church 3700 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth liveartstheatre.org
Tickets: $20 adults; $17 students and seniors; $14 LAT members
About the show: Comedy-drama from
November 15
Game Day & Market
12 p.m.-4 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Town Green community.peachtreecornersga.gov
Admission: free
Enjoy an afternoon of football and fun with a curated artist market filled with handcrafted goods, unique gifts and seasonal finds, along with interactive activities for kids and adults — all while catching college football action on the big screen.
Alice Childress about a cast of multigenerational Black actors rehearsing for racially charged Southern melodrama set to open on Broadway, written by a white playwright, under the purview of a white director and stage manager. As the rehearsal unfolds, theatre conventions and racial politics collide, resulting in a surprisingly funny yet piercing look at the entertainment industry.
November 15
Holiday Ornament Creations
10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Pinckneyville Park Recreation Center 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Peachtree Corners gwinnettcounty.com/departments/ parksandrecreation
Admission: $12 resident; $18 non-resident
Craft your own ceramic ornaments! Design a custom cookie cutter, use it to create your clay ornaments and paint your pieces. The cookie cutter and ornament are yours to keep. Ornaments will be ready for pick up by December 1. Light refreshments will be served.
November 15
Historic Norcross Holiday Open House
11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Downtown Norcross norcrossga.net
Get into the holiday spirit and shop ‘til you drop at the Heart of Norcross Business Association’s open house event. From festive décor and door prizes to sales and refreshments, Norcross’ downtown shops will pull out all the stops.
November 15–January 4
Southeastern Railway Museum Festival of Trees
Thursdays–Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Southeastern Railway Museum 3595 Buford Highway, Duluth train-museum.org
Admission: $19 adults; $13 children
This annual festival features over 70 holiday trees designed and installed by
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community-minded individuals and businesses, along with the arrival of Santa Claus by train on November 15. Guests enjoy train rides, the Festival of Trees and access to the entire train museum as part of their general admission tickets.
November 17
Author Talk: Karen White
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Duluth Public Library
3180 Main Street, Duluth gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
Join New York Times bestselling author Karen White as she discusses “The Lady on Esplanade,” the latest thriller in her Royal Street series. Books will be available for sale and signing from Poe & Company Bookstore. Registration is requested and open online.
November 18
Author Talk:
Raymond Santana
7 p.m.-8 p.m.
Duluth Public Library 3180 Main Street, Duluth gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
Join Raymond Santana, one of the Central Park Five, as he discusses his illustrated memoir, “Pushing Hope,” which reflects on his wrongful conviction and tireless fight for his 2002 exoneration. Books will be available for sale and signing from Charis Books & More. Registration is requested and open online.
November 19
Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas
7:30 p.m.
Gas South Theater
6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth gassouthdistrict.com
Tickets: $81+
The Rocky Mountain High Experience® starring Rick Schuler (America’s top John Denver tribute artist) brings an unforgettable holiday-themed show that features all of Denver’s hits as well as heartwarming stories from some of his memorable TV specials and appearances.
November 20
Author Talk: Jeannine A. Cook
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Duluth Public Library
3180 Main Street, Duluth gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
Join author Jeannine A. Cook as she discusses her debut novel, “It’s Me They Follow.” The book is a modern-day “Alchemist meets The Never Ending Story,” set in a world where a book shopkeeper becomes a reluctant matchmaker, bringing soulmates together. Books will be available for sale and signing from The Book Cellar. Registration is requested and open online.
November 22–30
Georgia Festival of Trees
Multiple times
Gas South Convention Center 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth gafestivaloftrees.org
Tickets: $16.39–$21.55
Get into the festive spirit at this annual, family-friendly event. Explore a forest of beautifully decorated trees that are up for auction. Enjoy live music and entertainment. And browse through charming vendor shops to pick up the perfect holiday gifts.
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November 23
Mt. Carmel
Thanksgiving Dinner
6 p.m.
Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church 5100 South Old Peachtree Road, Norcross mtcarmel-umc.org
Admission: free
Thanksgiving community meal hosted by the Mt. Carmel UMC Men’s Club.
November 26
Turkey Day Storytime
11 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Duluth Public Library 3180 Main Street, Duluth gwinnettpl.org
Admission: free
Join Ms. Sarah for a half-hour story time full of fun turkey stories, rhymes and songs, followed by a hands-on craft activity. Ages 0-5.
Norcross Gallery & Studios
116 Carlyle St., Norcross norcrossgalleryandstudios.org; 770-840-9844
Check the website for up-to-date information.
Exhibits and Events
October 2–November 2
Norcross Shapes 2025
Admission: free
This fundraising auction event showcasing the work of local artists includes an opening reception on October 5 and closing festivities on November 2. During the month-long exhibit, prospective buyers may bid on artwork or stop the bidding and purchase their preferred piece by paying the listed full price. Bidding will continue until the close of the exhibit in November. Learn more at the gallery’s website.
October 3–5
Contemporary Abstract Art with Paula Brett
Admission: $500 for members; $550 for nonmembers
Join internationally recognized artist Paula Brett for a dynamic three-day contemporary abstract art class tailored for all experience levels. Expect guided lessons, deep creative practice and community engagement. Register online to join.
November 28–30
The Nutcracker
Presented by Northeast Atlanta Ballet
Multiple showtimes
Gas South Theater
6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth gassouthdistrict.com
Tickets: $30+
Ring in the holidays with Northeast Atlanta Ballet’s classic rendition of the E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale, “The Nutcracker.”
End of November Tree Lighting at The Forum
Date and time TBA
The Forum at Peachtree Corners theforumpeachtree.com
Admission: free
Join friends and neighbors on The Plaza at The Forum for an official start to the holiday season. Live performances, activities, the arrival of Santa and the lighting of the tree are the highlights of this festive annual event. More information will be available soon. ##
Ongoing Sessions
Figure and Portrait Study Sessions
Tuesdays, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $16 for members; $22 for non-members; package pricing available
Organizers: Lynda Ellis, lyndaellis@gmail.com; Anne Emerson Hall, annehallstudio@yahoo.com
Daytime Open Studio
Thursdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: free for members, $5 for non-members
Organizer: Anne Labaire, labaireart@gmail.com
Saturday Open Studio
Saturdays, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: free for members; $5 for non-members
Organizer: Kathy Collins
Dynamic Critiques with Larry Hall
First Wednesday of each month 6 p.m. -8 p.m.
Moderator: Larry Hall
Business Organizations and Events
Atlanta Tech Park
107 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners 30092 atlantatechpark.com; 404-797-1221
October 7 and November 4
Atlanta Tech Meet Up
6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Monthly meet-up held on the first Tuesday of each month. Tech admirers and professionals are welcome to meet and discuss all things emerging in technology in the café. Beer and pizza are provided. Free to attend, but registration is required.
October 29
Wine Wednesday
5 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Meet up for an evening of networking, wine and beer in conjunction with ATP’s Pitch Night at this monthly event.
November 13
Marketing AI Pulse Training Workshop
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Learn to build AI-powered GTM workflows with Zapier in this hands-on session led by Phil Lakin, head of enterprise innovation at Zapier. Ages 21+. Cost: $317+. Register online to attend.
November 13
6th Marketing AI Pulse
1:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Get ready to embark on a journey into the realm of AI marketing at this hands-on workshop and livetech showcase with top marketers and tech leaders. Ages 21+. Cost: $24.57. Register online to attend.
Southwest Gwinnett Chamber
Office in Atlanta Tech Park 107 Technology Pkwy., Peachtree Corners southwestgwinnettchamber.com; 470-482-1899
October 9
Thursday Thought Leaders Luncheon
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Hilton Atlanta Northeast 5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Peachtree Corners
Admission: $34 members; $40 nonmembers
Members and guests are invited to come out for Creating a Culture of Care: Winning the Hearts of Your Customers. Consultant and author, Dee Ann Turner, will share her experience leading companies in customer service and help you learn how to create your own culture of care. Lunch will be provided. Register by October 7 to hold your space. Additional events for October and November will be announced soon. Check the SWGC website for updates.
Peachtree Corners Business Association
4989 Peachtree Pkwy., Ste. 215, Peachtree Corners peachtreecornersba.com; 678-969-3385
October 14 and November 4
PCBA Connecting Over Coffee Morning Meetup
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
5215 Town Center Blvd., Peachtree Corners
Admission: free for PCBA members and their guests.
Meet with PCBA and business professionals over coffee in a positive atmosphere on the second Tuesday of each month. Register online as space is limited.
October 16 and November 20
PCBA Lunch Club
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Marlow’s Tavern at Town Center 5210 Town Center Blvd., Peachtree Corners
Members and their guests are invited to attend monthly lunches at Marlow’s Tavern to meet and network with other PCBA members. Lunch is not provided, but participants receive 15% off of their bill. Advance registration is appreciated.
October 23
PCBA Business After Hours Speaker Series
5:30 p.m.-7:30 pm
The Ride Lounge
5250 Triangle Parkway, Peachtree Corners
Admission: $40 (includes appetizers and drinks)
Join members of the PCBA at this monthly after-work event. In October, the focus is on the intersection between business, community and car enthusiasts. Taylor Miller,
director of sales at NASCAR will discuss executing strategic partnerships to grow your business. David Codrea of Greenleaf Capital Partners and The Ride Lounge will share business insights. And PCBA will award a check to Paint Gwinnett Pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Advance registration is appreciated.
November 13
PCBA Business After Hours Speaker Series
5:30 p.m.-7:30 pm
Hilton Atlanta Northeast
5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Peachtree Corners
Admission: $40 (includes appetizers and drinks)
Join members of the PCBA at this monthly after-work event. Details will be available soon. Check the PCBA website for updates.
Norcross PDC
Wednesdays, 8:15 a.m.-9 a.m.
45 South Café
45 S. Peachtree Street, Norcross instagram.com/norcrosspdc
Norcross PDC (People Drinking Coffee/People Doing Community) meets weekly to discuss current events that are political, educational and community-focused. Open to the public. No dues or membership fees; anyone can attend.
• October 1 — Mary Dowdy, head of the Norcross Downtown Merchants Association
• October 8 — Christopher Hardin, director Suwanee Economic Development
• October 15 — Jon Valentine, Gwinnett County School/Dual Languages
• October 22 — Dr. Natalie Looney, principal, Summerour Middle School
• October 29 — Jack Cebe will discuss what is known as the Atlanta Stitch
• November speakers TBA
Duluth Business Association
3883 Rogers Bridge Rd., Duluth duluthbusiness.org; 678-636-9198
Monthly meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at various member locations. The next meeting is October 14 at COhatch, 3509 Duluth Highway.
To stay connected and informed about news and events happening in and around Peachtree Corners, sign up to receive our weekly curated newsletters tailored to your interests.
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Your 2025 Guide to Halloween
Ghost tours,
haunted houses and tons of spooky
fun!
By Shawne Taylor
Autumn is here, which means it’s time to usher in the holiday season, starting with pumpkin patches, community festivals and Halloween fun. Cooler temperatures make for pleasant afternoons exploring outdoor markets and corn mazes, though spooky indoor attractions and nighttime events may also beckon with seasonal thrills and chills.
Whether you’re looking for scary, historic ghost tours or not-so-scary festivities, our list of events offers plenty of options for autumn treats (no tricks!) in Southwest Gwinnett and beyond.
Fall festivals, markets and fairs
Through November 2
Stone Mountain Park
Pumpkin Festival
Weekends, 2 p.m.-9 p.m.
Stone Mountain Park stonemountainpark.com
Admission: $36.99+
Play by day and glow by night with fairy-tale inspired exhibits, live entertainment, pumpkin parade, nighttime light shows and more.
October 4
Taste of Tucker
1 p.m.-6 p.m.
Main Street, Tucker tasteoftucker.com
Admission: $10–$100
Downtown Tucker festival, featuring tasting booths from local restaurants and vendors, drinks, arts & crafts, live music and a KIDS’ ZONE.
October 4
Johns Creek Presbyterian Church Fall Festival
2 p.m.-6 p.m.
10950 Bell Road, Johns Creek jcpcusa.org/fallfestival
Admission: free; $10 donation for activity tickets
An afternoon of food, games, petting zoo, vendors, bounce houses and live
music.
October 5
OctoberFeast at PCBC
12 p.m.-2 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Baptist Church pcbchurch.churchcenter.com
Admission: free
An afternoon event filled with food, fun fellowship, games and inflatables.
October 10
Fall Market at The Forum
6 p.m.-8 p.m.
The Forum, Peachtree Corners theforumpeachtree.com
Admission: free
Celebrate the season with this fall market featuring an evening of shopping, live music and family-friendly activities on The Plaza.
October 11
Suwannee Taste of BBQ & Music Festival
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Suwanee Town Center Park bbqandmusicfestival.com
Admission: free
Annual event featuring BBQ, live music, vendors and family fun.
October 19
Mt. Carmel Fall Festival
4 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, Peachtree Corners mtcarmel-umc.org
Admission: free
Fall festival featuring games, prizes, costumes, trunk-a-treating and fun for all ages.
October 24
Howl on the Green
6 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Downtown Duluth duluthga.net
Admission: free
A costume contest, trunk-or-treating, roaming characters and themed activities highlight this annual Halloween celebration.
October 24
Lawrenceville Elementary PTA Fall Festival
5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Lawrenceville Elementary School lawrencevillees.gcpsk12.org
Admission: free
Community event with arts & crafts, local vendors, food and fun for all ages.
October 24
Lawrenceville BOO Fest
6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Lawrenceville Lawn downtownlawrencevillega.com
Admission: free
Annual festival featuring Halloween treats, family-friendly activities, spooky surprises, entertainment and more.
October 25
Fall Festival at Parkway Church
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Parkway Baptist Church, Duluth parkway-baptist.org
Admission: free
Family-friendly event with arts & crafts, baked goods, games and music.
November 1
Dia de Los Muertos Festival
5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Thrasher Park, Norcross norcrossga.net
Admission: free
Enjoy live entertainment, authentic Mexican food, arts & crafts, a parade and more at this annual night of remembrance celebration.
Haunted houses, hikes and ghost tours
Year-round
Roswell Ghost Tour
Nightly at 8 p.m. from October 10–31
Roswell Town Square roswellghosttour.com
Tickets: $20 adults; $10 children One-mile, 2.5-hour walking experience
exploring the city’s haunted history and paranormal phenomena.
October 3–30
Lawrenceville Haunted Cemetery Tours
8 p.m. on select dates
Lawrenceville Arts Center auroratheatre.com
Tickets: $25
Hear chilling tales of local history and explore one of the Southeast’s oldest and most haunted cemeteries.
October 11
Haunted Duluth Tours
3 p.m.-10 p.m.
Downtown Duluth duluthga.net
Admission: $5
Ghostly legends and chilling tales are shared on these 45-minute tours through the shadowy corners of the city. Family tours until 7 p.m., followed by after-dark tours for ages 15+.
October 24–26
Halloween Hikes
Fri-Sat, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sun, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Chattahoochee Nature Center chattnaturecenter.org
Admission: $25
Annual event highlighting the season’s cultural traditions from around the world. Includes hike, immersive scavenger hunt, glow-in-the-dark games, arts & crafts, food trucks and more.
October 26
Mt. Carmel Cemetery Tour
2 p.m.
Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, Peachtree Corners mtcarmel-umc.org
Admission: free
Afternoon cemetery tour led by historian Gene Ramsay.
Through November 1
Aurora Theatre’s Brews and Boos
8 p.m. on select dates
Lawrenceville Arts Center auroratheatre.com
Tickets: $40
Janine Kays and family
Happenings and Fall Festivities
Haunted history walk for guests 21+, featuring tall tales, bawdy songs, games and stops at popular establishments around Lawrenceville Square.
Through November 8 Netherworld
Haunted House
Select dates and times
1313 Netherworld Way, Stone Mountain netherworldhauntedhouse.net
Tickets: $25–$55
Award-winning, walk-through dark attraction filled with special effects, live actors and spooky monsters that create a terrifying (but safe) multi-sensory experience.
Halloween fun and tricks-or-treats
October 18
Train or Trunk or Treat
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Southeastern Railway Museum, Duluth train-museum.org
Admission: $19 adults; $13 children Fall classic car show, also featuring trick-or-treating for kids, music, costumes, games and trains.
October 26
Trunk or Treat at Unity Church
12:30 p.m.-2 p.m.
Unity Atlanta Church, Peachtree Corners unityatl.org
Admission: free
Family-friendly event with games, face painting, costumes, treats, a cake walk and more.
October 28
Little Peaches Playdate Halloween Bash
4 p.m.-6 p.m.
The Forum at Peachtree Corners theforumonpeachtree.com
Admission: free
Halloween crafts, games and entertainment are featured at this ultimate playdate for little ones.
October 30
Howl-o-ween
7 p.m.-9 p.m.
McDaniel Farm Park Pavilion, Duluth gwinnettcounty.com
Admission: $4 resident; $7 non-resident
Nighttime, all-ages celebration exploring the impact of wolves and coyotes in the Southeast, with a take-home craft, guided night-hike and stories and s’mores around a campfire. Register online.
Pumpkin patches, corn mazes and apple picking
Through October 26
BJ Reece Apple
Orchard & Corn Maze
Open daily; hours vary 9131 Highway 52 East, Ellijay reeceorchards.com
Admission: $8–$26
Day-trip destination featuring apple picking, wagon rides, games, activities and more.
Through October 31
Randy’s Pumpkin Patch
Wednesday–Sunday; hours vary 1460 Lawrenceville Hwy., Lawrenceville randyspumpkinpatch.com
Tickets: $1 each; 25 for $20
Annual kid-friendly pumpkin patch with inflatable bouncy houses, carnival games, a tractor-pulled train and pony rides.
October 5–31
Mt. Carmel Pumpkin Patch
Daily, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, Peachtree Corners mtcarmel-umc.org
Admission: free
Annual community pumpkin patch with photo opportunities and a Saturday morning story time.
Through November 2
Jaemor Farms Harvest Celebration & Corn Maze
Open daily; hours vary 5340 Cornelia Highway, Alto jaemorfarms.com
Admission: $17–$20+ tax
Annual event with corn maze, hayrides, slides, games, food and more.
Through November 9
Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze
Open daily in October, weekends in November 125 Bannister Road, Dawsonville uncleshucks.com
Admission: $17–$27
Fifteen-acre farm with pick-your-own pumpkins, gem mining, corn mazes, games and a nighttime haunted hiking trail (for older guests).
Through November 16
Buford Corn Maze
Open daily; hours vary 4470 Bennett Road, Buford bufordcornmaze.com
Admission: $18–$32
More than just a maze, this fall-themed destination features a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, slides, games and a scary Haunted Forest Scream Zone for older guests.
Spooky fun on stage and screen
October 4
Flicks on the Green: Hocus Pocus
6 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Town Green community.peachtreecornersga.gov
Admission: free
Meet up on the Town Green for Halloween fun starting at 6 p.m. Then, set up lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the PG-rated movie, Hocus Pocus, under the stars. Running time 1hr 36m
October 14
Forum Flicks: Halloweentown
Starting at 6 p.m.
The Forum at Peachtree Corners theforumonpeachtree.com
Admission: free
Gather on The Plaza to enjoy the family-friendly movie, Halloweentown, on the big screen. Running time 1hr 24m.
October 9–12
Bewitching
Thursday–Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
Lionheart Theatre Company, Norcross lionhearttheatre.org
Tickets: $18; $16 for seniors and students
Join Lionheart for its signature collection of spooky, 10-minute plays guaranteed to bring a few scares … and a few laughs.
October 25
Dinner & a BOOvie
5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Town Center Park, Suwanee suwanee.com
Admission: free
Special evening in Town Center with trick-or-treating, inflatables and games, food trucks and a family-friendly, double-feature movie.
Pets & Their People 2025
scenthound.com/johns-creek-ga-004
mypetsvetgroup.com/locations/
Grand Prize Maddie Sumardi with rescue cat, Aubie Jean.
Third Prize Wallis Wright with her kittens, Missy & Marco
Second Prize Jason Dew and his Arrow
Planned PEThood of Georgia: 15 Years of Serving Gwinnett and Beyond
By Glenn Boylan
“Rescue starts before the shelter.”
That’s how Planned PEThood of Georgia gets the message out that the most effective ways to keep dogs and cats from ending up at a shelter happen before sheltering is necessary. For well over a decade now, they have been doing exactly that in Duluth and around Gwinnett County.
Celebrating 15 years
The organization celebrated their 15th anniversary in August with an event at their location on Buford Highway. The crowd of supporters and customers heard comments from Planned PEThood CEO CJ Bentley, Duluth Mayor Greg Whitlock and Andrianna Butler of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Whitlock reminisced about when he adopted a cat from Planned PEThood, and he read a proclamation making August 21, 2025 Planned PEThood of Georgia Day in the city of Duluth. He encouraged all residents to support the organization’s mission.
CEO Bentley spoke about that mission. Planned PEThood performs lowcost spay and neuter surgeries — 90 to 100 per week. Their wellness program provides basic veterinary care at the facility in Duluth, with affordable appointments. The foster-to-adopt program places cats and kittens in forever homes. And they will soon re-start their Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for feral and community cats.
Bentley also spoke about the significant impact Planned PEThood’s outreach program has on communities throughout north Georgia.
“Part of what we’re trying to do is re-
Right, top down, Planned PEThood of Georgia CEO CJ Bentley speaks at their 15th anniversary celebration.
Duluth Mayor Greg Whitlock proclaimed August 21 as Planned PEThood of Georgia Day in the city of Duluth.
CEO Bentley is proud of the city’s proclamation.
move cost as a barrier to owning a pet,” she told the crowd. “But cost isn’t the only barrier. Transportation is a barrier, too, and oftentimes people can’t get here. So we take our show on the road.”
100,000 spay/neuter surgeries milestone
Amazingly, Planned PEThood will soon be performing their 100,000th spay/neuter surgery. In 2024 alone, they performed 5,426 such surgeries for clients, and more than 8,000 pets from shelters around the area were also fixed at the clinic. On the day of the anniversary celebration 22 animals from the Hall County shelter were sterilized.
It’s not uncommon for these surgeries to have to address pyometra, a life threatening infection of the uterus that occurs in unspayed animals, primarily dogs. There was a dog recovering from just such an operation in the facility during the anniversary event.
These surgeries are usually low-cost to the pet owners. Surgeries that may cost thousands of dollars elsewhere can sometimes be done for just hundreds at Planned PEThood. And their Spay It Forward
Fund can help reduce that cost even further for the owner.
Wellness clinic and rescue programs
Planned PEThood’s Wellness Clinic treated 6,751 pets in 2024, providing low-cost, 10-minute appointments for routine care. That includes basic vaccines, microchips and routine illnesses, such as ear and eye infections. The organization will be expanding this program in the future thanks to an Accelerator Grant from PetSmart Charities.
Last year, 650 dogs and cats were placed in forever homes thanks to the Rescue and Adopt program. An interesting aspect of that program are the “working cats” who get placed where pest control is needed — places such as barns, farms, factories and warehouses. In 2024, 183 working cats found jobs thanks to Planned PEThood.
Outreach program serves North Georgia
During a tour of the facility at the anniversary event,
Community Outreach Coordinator Victoria Burns spoke about the organization’s outreach program. “Our outreach program is where we bring vet care to our more rural communities,” Burns explained. “Our goal is to provide free vaccines, microchips, flea and tick prevention and other pet supplies to owners at no charge.”
Each one of these events sees numerous dogs and cats and requires a large team from Planned PEThood.
“We usually serve about 200 to 300 animals per event,” Burns said. “That’s in a single day. So it takes a lot of volunteers; it takes a good-sized medical team. We usually have three doctors, five or so vet techs and then countless volunteers to pull it all off.”
In 2024, the outreach program saw 1,081 dogs and cats in several counties, including Athens-Clarke County, and Hall, Gwinnett and Habersham counties. This year’s visits include Newton County, Gwinnett County, Athens-Clarke County and a return to Habersham.
Continuing to grow and serve
Through the first half of 2025, all of the numbers for how Planned PEThood’s programs reach and help the community are showing similar, if not growing, trends. The Wellness Clinic has already seen almost as many pets in the first six months of this year as it did all of last year.
It all adds up to the idea that rescue starts before the shelter.
“We can’t adopt our way out of the overpopulation problem,” Bentley said. “People that take animals to shelters are oftentimes very loving people who can’t afford to provide the care to the pets that they feel is necessary. And actually, by bringing them to a shelter, they are doing the best they can.”
“If we can just get folks to pay attention to the places like ours and the things that we do by sterilizing the animals and removing costs of veterinary care so that people can keep their pets in their homes, we can make a huge impact on reducing shelter overcrowding and the overpopulation problem,” she added. Planned PEThood relies on the generosity of donors, corporate sponsors and grant providers to fund its lifesaving programs. In addition, it relies heavily on volunteers for its foster-to-adopt program and outreach events.
To learn more about how you can help Planned PEThood, visit their website at pethoodga.org. ##
A large crowd celebrated Planned PEThood’s 15th anniversary.
One of the clinic’s cutest patients
Meatloaf needed a lot of care and quickly won over the hearts of the staff.
Pictures of ridiculously cute kittens. ‘Nuff said.
Tree Sound and Soul Asylum Norcross Studios at the Heart of Atlanta’s Music Scene
Words by Nathan Deen
Photos by George Hunter
For decades, recording studio owners Paul Diaz and Rafael Capone have made Norcross the epicenter of Atlanta’s music scene.
Whitney Houston, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Pharrell Williams, Beyonce, Drake, OutKast, Sir Elton John, Usher, Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz, Chance the Rapper, Wyclef Jean and R.E.M are just some of the major artists who have recorded albums in the area. That’s not to mention the innumerable Atlanta-based artists who got their start at Tree Sound Studios and Soul Asylum Studios.
Diaz owns Tree Sound, and Capone owns Soul Asylum. Both started their studios from scratch — Diaz in 1988 and Capone in 1993.
Diaz said many artists record at Tree Sound because of the studio’s reputation. Studio A, the primary studio in the facility, was designed by renowned recording studio designer George Augspurger. A legend in the industry, Augspurger has been designing recording studios since 1958 and is credited on the websites of several major studios in Los Angeles.
“There’s a vibe and a history,” Diaz said. “People come to us just because some record they really loved was made here. That has brought younger artists to us. They tell us they really loved the records that we made in the ‘90s and 2000s at Tree Sound, and they want their records to sound like that.”
Other artists see it as a chance to work somewhere a little more secluded than busy downtown Atlanta.
Tree Sound is equipped to host several artists working in the building at the same time, but there have been occasions when an artist rents out the entire studio for privacy.
“The reason we’ve stayed here so long is [that] we continue to be unique in our ability to provide a service,” Diaz said. “A lot of them like us because we offer privacy. You go into Midtown, you’re not going to get that. There’s no place to hide.”
“In the early 2000s, people would often stay two or three or four or five months,” he continued.
“There was nothing like us in town.”
Consistency in an evolving industry
While the music industry has evolved over the years, Capone said one thing stays consistent about the experiences of artists who record at Soul Asylum.
“When I got into the music business, I realized I was in the hospitality business,” he said. “A lot in the music industry has changed, but in that respect, we’ve been doing the same thing since 1993.”
Capone has moved the location of Soul Asylum three times — in 1999, 2009 and again in 2019. The current location, which he dubbed The Laboratory, is in Doraville, less than a mile from the Norcross city limits.
“We wanted to be in the city but also just outside the city,” he said. “We need about 100 parking spots, and it’s hard to get that in [Norcross].”
Capone said he changes the studio’s location
Paul Diaz
every 10 years because he’s always thinking 10 years ahead. He invests early in technologies before they become mainstream and predicts industry trends before they happen.
In the ‘90s, it was about creating a vibrant atmosphere inside studios.
“When I came into the business, studios were dark, gray, dull colors with million-dollar consoles,” he said. “We came in vibrantly. I was designing with colors and lighting and backlight.”
More than a recording studio
In 2009, as more artists started building home studios, Capone explored how he could meet the needs of artists beyond offering just a recording studio.
Soul Asylum now offers an event space, a dance studio and a film and photo stage for artists to film music videos and shoot album covers. Capone said his studio was the first in Atlanta to offer those services.
“We’re a multi-use facility,” he said. “We design our locations to where everything is filmable. We get a lot of TV networks, commercial shoots and video shoots.
One of our clients recorded his single here, and now he wants to shoot his music video here too. We offer more than just recording.”
Tree Sound has also adopted that philosophy and has had TV shows and commercials filmed on the premises, Diaz said.
“We’re uniquely suited for that,” Diaz said. “We have 250-amp disconnects for lighting crews so they don’t have to use generators. We have loading docks on both sides of the building for grip trucks, and we have access to 200 public parking spaces.”
Capone said Soul Asylum became one of the first studios in the world to offer Dolby Atmos in 2019. Dolby advertises Atmos as a revolutionary spatial audio technology that creates an immersive sound experience.
Atmos is now used in more than 1,200 studios and 8,000 movie theaters worldwide and has since been adopted by Apple Music, Netflix and Disney+.
Supporting local talent
Diaz said recent years have started reminding him of the early days of the studio, and he’s seen a surge of new local bands who want to sound like artists from the ‘90s and early 2000s.
Despite the famous artists that have already recorded within the walls of Tree Sound, Diaz said discovering something new and giving young talent a chance is what keeps him going.
“For me, if I see a writer or artist or a band I think is really good, I want to support them,” he said. “If I’m lucky, they’ll have a hit song or some form of success, and we’ll get to make some albums together and they’ll book my studio. I don’t go into it thinking about getting paid.”
For its part, Soul Asylum has helped launch the careers of numerous Atlanta-based hip-hop artists, including T.I., K-Major, Travis Porter, Rocko, Don Gritty and the Ying Yang Twins. Capone has worked to build Soul Asylum into an internationally recognized brand, but harvesting local talent and staying plugged into Atlanta is as important to that brand as anything.
“We were there when people were starting,” Capone said. “We’ve seen producers who are now world famous come through here. We are a part of Atlanta’s music scene.” ##
For more about Tree Sound studios, visit treesoundstudios.com.
To learn more about Soul Asylum, visit soulasylumstudios.com.
Opposite page, Paul Diaz at Tree Sound Studios
This page, Rafael Capone at Soul Asylum
Scan the QR code above for more on Tree Sound Studios
Scan the QR code above for more on Soul Asylum
Rafael Capone
Southwest Gwinnett Chamber Hosts Mayors Panel
Words by Arlinda Smith Broady
Photos by Rico Figliolini
During a time when some political discourse has led to ugly and frightening consequences, the mayors of Berkeley Lake, Norcross and Peachtree Corners stressed unity and common goals as defining the way they view business as usual.
“Our city is described as a very special place, a cohesive place that’s neighborly and safe,” said Berkeley Lake Mayor Lois Salter. “We have almost no crime, and it’s a joyful place to be. But I want us to find a way to move in other directions without losing that.”
Injecting a little humor into the sentiment, Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason encouraged residents to “stay off NextDoor.”
“There is no Republican way to fix potholes. There’s no Democratic way,” he said. “The less politics we have locally, the better.”
Norcross Mayor Craig Newton agreed.
“In this world today, there’s so much vitriol, there’s so much animosity, there’s so much division. … Norcross is stronger when we move forward together,” he said. “Everyone plays a role in shaping the city that we call home. And whether it’s investing in our neighborhoods or supporting our schools or building a thriving economy, we’re united by shared vision, and that’s to keep all of our cities a place where people … want to
live and to work and to grow.”
While the annual Mayors’ Panel, organized and hosted by the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber, is usually an early-morning affair, this year, attendees gathered for a luncheon at Hilton Atlanta Northeast. The nearly hour-long discussion highlighted economic development efforts, community engagement, downtown revitalization, public opinion on city initiatives and strategies for engaging citizens and businesses, as well as efforts to attract younger residents and address affordable housing challenges.
Top initiatives for Norcross
With Norcross being the oldest of the three cities, Mayor Newton outlined the top three initiatives for Norcross: enhancing community engagement, revitalizing historic downtown and sustainable development.
“We’re enhancing community engagement by creating more opportunities for residents to participate in local governance,” he said.
The city had limited success with town hall meetings, but surveys and workshops seem to work much better by inviting input on various projects and policies, he added.
“We’re able to tap into the needs and behaviors of our residents. And Norcross has a rich history, so a revitalized … downtown area is key to maintaining our historic character in our hometown field,” he said.
The city has ongoing plans through the
Downtown Development Authority to renovate historic buildings, improve pedestrian access and create more vibrant spaces — all while preserving the unique character and charm of the area.
“Our comprehensive plan includes sustainable development and green spaces,” he added. ”We’re focused on balancing our growth with environmental stewardship efforts, by enhancing existing green spaces and developing policies that encourage sustainable practices.”
Berkeley Lake’s overhaul of ordinances
Mayor Salter explained the overhaul of Berkeley Lake’s development ordinances, aiming to simplify and clarify them to meet current needs.
“The dam was built in 1948, and eight years later, the city came into being. And ever since then, we have just gradually added on ordinances … in an almost patchwork kind of thing,” she said.
With a city staff of just three full-time employees and one part-time, there is no economic development director in Berkeley Lake like there is in Peachtree Corners and Norcross. But the city has hired a team of advisors — with input from residents — to create what it’s calling the Unified Development of Ordinances (UDO). And, keeping an eye toward technology, Mayor Salter shared that the city is planning an update to its website as well.
Left to right, moderator Andrew Hajduk, owner of Vox-Pop-Uli, with Mayors Mike Mason, Lois Salter and Craig Newton.
“We are also looking at our commercial properties in the city more than we ever have,” she added. “People that [move] to [Berkeley Lake] very rarely leave, but a lot of people are unaware that we have some industrial and commercial properties.”
Peachtree Corners’ central business district redevelopment
In its 12 years as an incorporated city, Peachtree Corners has never had a defined downtown. But, with the overhaul of The Forum and Town Center, that area has emerged as a central business district — focusing on urban density and mixed-use development.
“That’s been the trick,” said Mayor Mason. “We have a mix of some apartments, some town homes up and down the strip, but that’s the challenge for us.”
Integrating office space and tech parks to drive economic development has been a successful formula.
“I want everyone to drive through Tech Park and drive in front of Curiosity Lab,” Mayor Mason said, beaming as he detailed the progress there. “It just made me feel proud because it’s really all about office space. It’s all
about economic development.”
Attracting younger residents
While Norcross may have the most initiatives for lowcost and affordable housing, Peachtree Corners and Berkeley Lake have ongoing analyses to interject economic diversity into both cities.
“Our big challenge is we don’t have any real affordable housing,” said Mayor Salter. “The average home in our community is like $700,000.”
As she has mentioned in the past, she has discussed zoning for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), such as garages or carriage houses, being converted into free-standing rental units.
Mayor Mason talked about townhouses and apartments being stepping stones for young couples looking to eventually raise families in the area.
But all three mayors touched upon amenities that make Southwest Gwinnett cities desirable for this demographic.
“Go to our town center and that playground equipment at eight o’clock in the morning,” said Mayor Mason. “There are moms and kids there. [At] eight o’clock at night, there are moms and kids. Christmas morning, same.”
And that same family-friendly vibe resonates throughout the area.
“We have some wonderful programs for kids that are generally managed by volunteers in our community,” said Mayor Salter. “We have kid fishing, which is just the cutest thing you ever saw.”
Mayor Newton pointed out similar attractions in Norcross.
“We have many family-friendly events. We have, of course, walkable parks, green spaces,” he said. “Young people love our breweries, and there are kid-friendly spaces at some of our breweries. And we have safe neighborhoods and great schools.”
Additional highlights
In addition to lunch and the discussion from the mayors, guests enjoyed meeting and networking with other business leaders and members of the community.
The Father’s House was the event’s non-profit highlight, and Cookie Fix at The Forum was the SWGC’s new member spotlight. Explore Gwinnett was a presenting sponsor of the panel event.##
Chabad Enrichment Center Entering Final Stretch to Completion
Words by Arlinda Smith Broady
Photos by George Hunter
When the founders of Chabad of Gwinnett contacted William T. Baker about designing a new center, he realized that he had to rely not only on his skills and years of experience as a professional custom residential designer, but also
on his research skills and love of the craft to truly build God’s house.
“I have a 40-year career designing classical and traditional style buildings,” he said. “Our primary focus is single luxury family residences, but we have also designed multifamily buildings. And this is my first synagogue.”
Although many use synagogue and Chabad synonymously, there are some differences. Chabad houses regularly hold religious services, including
Shabbat meals and holiday gatherings. This communal aspect of prayer and observance is a core function traditionally associated with a house of worship.
The Chabad movement emphasizes the study of the Torah and the performance of mitzvot (commandments), activities central to Jewish religious life that are fostered within Chabad houses, according to chabad.org.
While Chabad houses may not always be architec-
Photos by Rico Figliolini
Rabbi Yossi Lerman at the site of the Chabad of Gwinnett Enrichment Center.
turally identical to traditional synagogues, they fulfill a similar spiritual purpose by serving as centers for Jewish religious life, education and community.
Location, location, location
Rabbi Yossi Lerman and his wife Esther, along with their son, Rabbi Mendel Lerman and his wife Chana, are leaders of the center and have worked for years to establish a permanent home for the Chabad Enrichment Center that is now in a temporary location just a few minutes away.
“We’re at the corner of Spalding Drive and Crooked Creek, and we loved the fact that it’s actually a very quiet residential area,” said Rabbi Yossi Lerman. “What was so interesting to us is that this piece of land was already zoned for commercial, which was quite unusual.”
That meant there was no need to go through the
had a lot that was a triangle,” he said. “It forced us to build this shape.”
But that fit right into Lerman’s vision. He said the inspiration is the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
“What you have here is a kind of … wider face, and it gets narrow as it gets closer behind it — like the image of a lion,” he said. “It’s interesting symbolism here of the face of a crouching lion.”
He went on to explain that the Jewish people have always seen themselves as leaders holding the torch to light the world.
“Being the leader brings big responsibility,” Lerman said. “And like many religions, compass orientation is important as well.”
It’s important that the building is facing east — our service and our prayers face east,” he said. The symbol is you are sending all your prayers to Jerusalem, and from Jerusalem it goes up to heaven, back to the
city to seek rezoning or any kind of special use permit. And there were other pluses that made the spot ideal.
“When we bought the lot, it was full of trees. This was virgin land. It was never, ever touched since creation,” he said. “And because it’s a corner lot, it didn’t have an address, so we applied for a Spalding address.”
He pointed out that Spalding Drive runs through several communities — Dunwoody, Roswell, Sandy Springs — that will make it easily accessible from just about anywhere in the area.
“We have a good location and we’re surrounded by about four other churches in walking distance,” he said. “We feel like we’re very welcomed here.”
A perfect shape
Baker initially looked at the lot’s triangular shape as a challenge.
“This was a very interesting project, because we
dream that Jacob had that he saw a ladder — the door that connects heaven and earth. So the compass is really important and it worked out in creating this building.”
“I was trying to do some references to the original temple in Jerusalem,” said Baker. “There was a Holy of Holies, that was a cube room. And so, I took that inspiration for the synagogue’s sanctuary.”
The innermost and most sacred room of the ancient Jewish Tabernacle, and later the Temple in Jerusalem, housed the Ark of the Covenant and was considered the dwelling place of God, according to The Temple Institute, a non-profit educational and religious organization.
“Then we have the triangle that this is inserted into,” Baker continued. “We made good use of the space. Even though that’s a very challenging shape to work with, we were able to get a library and a congregation meeting hall and a kitchen for events and restrooms.”
Baker credited his long career as the reason why he was able to complete the task to the client’s satisfaction.
“There’s a huge advantage to hiring somebody who’s been in a career for 40 years, because when you hire somebody who’s seasoned and has experience, they can do something like this,” he said. “If they had come to me in my early career, I don’t know that I could have pulled it off.”
Getting everything just right
The bones of the 12,000-square-foot building that features two floors, a sanctuary room, a library, a ritual bath (mikvah), classrooms, kitchens and spaces for youth are solidly in place. And, while the neighbors saw a behemoth rising in a relatively short time, the process actually took years.
“We came back to the rabbi with a preliminary, and he and the building committee reviewed it, and then they had suggestions or tweaks,” Baker shared. “And then I would make that revision, come back again and let them review it again. Through several revision periods, we were able to come back to the building that we have built.”
The areas for rituals within the center required additional consulting.
“We had a consultant on the mikvah who just does mikvahs,” said Baker. “There was a rabbi involved in the design of that. I have designed a church before, and I have attended Jewish worship services, so I know the general program and what’s required.”
Utilizing lots of input, but ultimately relying on his own expertise is the way Baker approaches architecture.
“I take maybe a different approach than some designers and architects, because for me, it’s a conversation with the client, and I’m trying to get them what they want. It’s not so much what I want,” he said. “People hire me because of my reputation and my build portfolio. And so they’ll come to me, give me their program, and then I’ll come back with ideas on paper that they can respond to.”
Fundraising for the finish
The effort to raise funds for the building took some time from the project because Lerman didn’t want to begin construction until all of the upfront money was in hand. And now, getting the interiors finished will require another community fundraising effort.
“Some very special people have come forward and said, ‘We will match every dollar up to $250,000,’” said Lerman.
Called the ‘Let’s Finish It’ campaign, the fundraiser is set to run September 2–5, but donations will be accepted in advance of that period.
In his message to the community, Lerman reminded that “History is in the making, and this is the home stretch. We’re set to permanently shape Jewish growth in our region for generations to come.”
The new home at 5830 Spalding Drive will be the official Chabad Enrichment Center — capping 20 years of communal growth. Lerman expects the ribbon-cutting ceremony to take place in late winter — around January or February 2026.
For more information about the center, visit chabadofgwinnett.org.
To donate, visit charidy.com/chabadofgwinnett or scan the QR code. ##
Rabbi Yossi Lerman
JR’s Log House: Old-fashioned Favorites, New Tastes Add to Staying Power
Words and photos by Arlinda Smith Broady
It used to be that the South had as many down-home cooking spots as Carter’s had little pills. But, just as the once heavily advertised cure-all became extinct at the turn of the century, the number of mom-andpop restaurants has also lessened, making room for fast casual and other dining trends. Some favorites remain though. One such establishment is JR’s Log House in Peachtree Corners.
Although it was established in 1983, the barbecue restaurant was a kind of off-shoot of the Old Hickory House chain, where founder Jerry Romano [JR] cooked “real pit” barbecue. Back in the 1950s there were Old Hickory House restaurants throughout metro Atlanta. Perhaps the last one remaining (at least the closest in proximity to JR’s) is in Tucker off of LaVista Road.
Like Old Hickory House, JR’s has maintained consistency with its food quality, thanks to long-tenured cooks. The restaurant has a loyal clientele, as well, including multiple generations of families. And today, their menu includes re-worked Old Hickory House recipes alongside innovative additions like buffalo quesadillas.
A multi-generational neighborhood restaurant
Although he doesn’t consider himself retired or even semi-retired, owner Tim Shaw has deferred much of the day-to-day running of the restaurant to General Manager Brannon Roche. Shaw was with Romano when he opened the spot on the hill overlooking Highway 141.
“Over the years, as traffic patterns have changed a little bit, it’s not [as] easy to get here,” said Shaw. “I tell people, no one could build a restaurant here today, because nobody would know how to get here. But the fact that we’ve been here for so long, people [have] figured [it] out.”
The food, atmosphere and reputation has kept diners willing to defy the traffic and location that may have hurt other places. And JR’s hard-to-miss yellow sign with red lettering has become a landmark of sorts.
“We have kids who came in with their parents as youngsters, because we serve these really big pancakes,” said Shaw. “They’re now coming in with their kids. And that’s the fun part — seeing the next generation kids coming in with their little ones.”
From the kitchen to the dining room, everyone en-
joys the family atmosphere as much as the food. Something about the hospitality and community is also what compelled Roche to remain when he moved to the area from middle Georgia back in 2015.
Customer and staff loyalty
“My aunt was actually the general manager at the time, and I’d worked in the food industry since I was 14 years old,” he said.
A weekend stint filling in as a host eventually evolved into a management position.
“[My aunt] asked me to host and serve on Saturdays and Sundays, because I had a full time job already,” said Roche. “I just kind of fell in love with the place and eventually started doing deliveries, started working up at takeout, doing stuff in the kitchen. And 10 years later, here we are.”
That’s kind of the cycle of things with the business, Roche added.
“[Shaw] recognized me, and made sure that I knew he recognized me very early on,” he said of his rise to the top. “He’s always made sure that I know how he feels about the work and the commitment.”
Left to right, Tim Shaw and Brannon Roche.
That type of loyalty is prevalent throughout the establishment.
“The biggest thing that I think has contributed to our success is we have probably five cooks who’ve been with us 20-plus years,” he said. “So there’s consistency. Customers and employers love consistency.”
But the woes befalling almost every eatery of late have plagued JR’s as well. The struggle to maintain evening staff has recently forced Shaw to shorten the restaurant’s hours of operation. Where it once had a thriving dinner business, it now closes at 4 p.m. every day.
“I’d seen a lot of places that just do breakfast and lunch, and I wondered how they managed to stay in business,” Shaw said. “Now I get it. We’d begun to see a decline [at night].”
Changing with the times
Besides adjusting business hours, JR’s has moved toward adding a few new menu items as well. The Brunswick stew, barbecue sauce and baked beans are the same as they’ve always been, but as tastes
we already have the tables and we have good servers, we try to do something different without getting crazy,” he said.
A taste of the South
When I walked into JR’s, I wasn’t surprised by the décor, the folks dining in or the staff. I’ve lived in a few Southern towns and this had all the trappings of the traditional meat-and-three.
I don’t say this as a bad thing — it’s quite the opposite. The wooden fixtures, the décor of license plates, piggy-themed knick-knacks and the customary lunch counter was comforting. I knew that everything they served would let me know that I’d just put a little ‘South in my mouth.’
I wasn’t wrong.
The black-eyed peas were soft but toothsome, not overly flavorful, but also not bland. Everyone knows that you must sprinkle some pepper sauce (vinegar steeped with hot peppers) on the legumes yourself to get just the right level of heat.
The cornbread had the perfect mix of cornmeal,
Management transition
Good business is what’s kept JR’s Log House going since the 1980s and it’s what will keep the restaurant around for probably another 40-plus years.
“We own the building, so we’re in good shape there,” said Shaw, adding that most restaurateurs lease their space.
The fact that management roles have transitioned is also key.
“I work to support Brannon,” said Shaw. “We make some decisions together. He makes many, many, many decisions on his own.”
Having a young manager with a good work ethic is a plus in the restaurant industry.
“He wants to take ownership. He wants to make the decisions. He takes the responsibility of allowing me to try to work a little bit less, because that’s been my desire for a while,” said Shaw. “I will never stop working, but I am looking forward to the flexibility of working less.”
change — seeking fresher, lighter fare — the restaurant has learned to pivot.
“Over the years, we’ve added different items like a daily vegetable,” said Roche.
He added that they’ll tinker around with ingredients and flavors and offer new items as a daily special. “If it has traction, we put it on the menu,” he said.
One example is the buffalo chicken quesadilla. A nearby restaurant that was going out of business had served one, and many regulars suggested JR’s try it as well.
“We put it on the lunch special,” said Roche. “We now sell so many of these things, it’s silly.”
The act of balancing tradition and innovation is hard to accomplish, but Shaw and Roche believe they’ve found the best of both worlds.
“We tweaked it, played with it and made it our own, and it works,” said Shaw.
He added that rolling out something new and different every now and again, keeps things from growing stale — much like the periodic resurgence of the McRib or Chik-fil-A’s peach milkshake.
“We have so many regular customers, but if somebody can [come in and] get something a little different, maybe they’ll come one more time. Because
The Kinchen Family
flour and leavening to make it light, but not airy; substantive, but not dry. It was still warm when it came out, and I slathered it with butter. This wasn’t a dieter’s dish.
What surprised me, however, was the brightness of the potato salad. JR’s opted for redskin potatoes and didn’t peel them. Not only is that healthier, it adds flavor and texture. While the dressing was mayonnaise-based, it wasn’t squidgy with it. I was able to crunch happily on diced celery, bell pepper and onion that brought freshness to the dish. Although I’m not one to salt my food, it could have used a hit.
The stars of the meal, however, were the sliced brisket with its perfect smoke ring and the lip-smacking ribs. The meat was tender, but not so much that it literally fell apart. I know some people prefer that, but I’ve got teeth, and I like to use them.
Rounding out the meal was a serving of traditionally prepared peach cobbler with the required scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s a good thing my mom wasn’t nearby, or I’d have had to slap her. (If you’re for real Southern, you’ll know what I mean.) Although the peaches were from a can, they weren’t overly sweet. And the crust was flaky and tender — as it should be.
His wife recently retired, so the couple is looking forward to traveling more, golfing and enjoying life away from the business.
“We just went down to St. Thomas,” he said. “Instead of staying for just a week, my wife was like, ‘Can’t we go for a little longer?’”
With Brannon’s permission, they stretched it for a few extra days. Right now, he’s keeping the train on track.
“I had to learn very quickly. It’s not just coming in and supervising,” Roche said. “Tim taught me very early on. There’s a difference between being a leader and being a boss.”
Annual traditions
The weekend breakfast remains a big hit with families. And with tailgating season underway, there will be plenty of catering orders for barbecue. But most special of all are the Thanksgiving orders.
“JR’s sister Dot retired about two years ago. [But] at 79, she comes back every November for that busy week and makes all the dressing and all the gravy,” said Shaw.
Because she’s moved out of the area, he puts her up in a hotel for the week she’s visiting.
“She moves half speed, but she makes some extra money,” Shaw said.” For her, it’s like a vacation.”
And for the customers and staff, it’s one more piece of the past keeping up with the present. ##
JR’s Log House Restaurant
6601 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 jrsloghouse.com; 770-449-6426
Hours: Monday–Saturday 7a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Breakfast served until 11 a.m.
Monday–Friday; until 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
Photos courtesy of Simpsonwood UMC
Quick Takes
Quick Takes delivers snapshots of what’s happening in Southwest Gwinnett. From business updates and community milestones to noteworthy people and events, this section delivers short highlights at a glance.
The Corner Gathering Opens with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The Southwest Gwinnett Chamber hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for The Corner Gathering on September 18, prior to its official opening on September 21.
SWGC representatives, leaders and staff from The Corner Gathering and Peachtree Corners City Councilmembers Weare Gratwick, Joe Sawyer, Ora Douglass and Phil Sadd were in attendance for the mid-morning event.
In addition to the ribbon cutting, guests were invited to take a tour of the space, which bills itself as “a church without the trappings of church,” and hear from Pastor Chuck Allen.
The Corner Gathering 6625 Winters Chapel Road Atlanta, GA 30360 cornergathering.com
Pastor Chuck Allen (holding the scissors), councilmembers, Mauricio Menesses and Rick Karsten
Mauricio Menesses, Lead Pastor, Peachtree Corners Español and wife Laura. The three story building graphic was created and installed by Vox-Pop-Uli.
Norcross First Responders Honored For Lifesaving Heroics
The City of Norcross recently honored two officers for their heroic, lifesaving efforts. Communications Officer Carin Elmore and Police Officer Gabriel Veras — who were awarded the Scottish Rite, Valley of Atlanta Arthur M. Kaplan First Responder Award on September 4 — were recognized by the city for saving a child’s life earlier this year.
The officers’ commitment and teamwork was on full display on April 7 when, just after noon, Elmore received multiple RapidSOS calls from the Rails Way area. Acting quickly, she created a 911 call for service in the dispatch system, sending officers to respond before receiving any information from County 911. Officer Veras arrived to find a 3-year-old child unconscious in the front yard. Without hesitation, he began CPR, performing chest compressions and rescue breaths. Thanks to his swift actions, the child regained a pulse, began breathing independently
and was safely transported to the hospital in stable condition.
In a statement, the city expressed pride in the actions of the two officers. “The City of Norcross is honored to celebrate Elmore and Veras, whose quick think-
ing, courage and seamless teamwork exemplify the very best of our first responders. Their dedication gives our community hope, reassurance and a powerful example of service in action.”
Peachtree Corners Welcomes Studio 6 with Ribbon Cutting
The Peachtree Corners Business Association and the City of Peachtree Corners officially welcomed Studio 6 – the newest and most recently renovated Studio 6 in the area – with a ribbon cutting ceremony in September.
Members of the city, PCBA and local community gathered to enjoy light refreshments, meet the Studio 6 team and learn more about the motel’s modern updates and amenities.
Lisa Proctor from the PCBA kicked off the event, thanking Studio 6 for investing in Peachtree Corners and recognizing its commitment to providing affordable, comfortable stays for both travelers and locals’ visiting guests.
Mayor Mike Mason followed, noting the importance of new, affordable hospitality options that help make Peachtree Corners a welcoming place for visitors. “With renovations like these, Studio 6 shows that great value and great comfort can go hand-inhand,” Mason said.
The Studio 6 management team shared their excitement at becoming part of the community, highlighting the motel’s brand-new renovations, on-site laundry service for guests and its prime location.
For more about Studio 6, visit studio6.com.
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Scan the QR code or visit livinginpeachtreecorners.com/newsletters to subscribe.
Carin Elmore
Gabriel Veras
The City Welcomes Solis Peachtree Corners with Ribbon Cutting
The official ribbon cutting ceremony for Solis Peachtree Corners was held September 3. In attendance were Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason and other city officials; Peachtree Corners Business Association board members, Lisa Proctor and Donna Linden; and representatives from Terwilliger Pappas and property management company, Greystar.
The invitation-only, afternoon event included VIP tours and time for guests to meet and network after the ribbon cutting. Several prominent guests, including Proctor, Mayor Mason, Derek Hutchinson, executive VP at Terwilliger Pappas, and Mary Allen, community manager for Solis Peachtree Corners (Greystar) also made short remarks to the assembled crowd to commemorate the event.
Located at 4936 Peachtree Corners Circle, the new high-end apartment community, created in partnership with Terwilliger Pappas, features one- and two-bedroom homes in the heart of the city’s retail and entertainment district.
For more about Solis Peachtree Corners, visit solispeachtreecorners.com.
Also in attendance at the ribbon cutting Vice Mayor Weare Gratwick, City Councilmember Joe Sawyer, Peachtree Corners City Manager Brian Johnson and Economic Development Director Bertrand Lapoire.
From Terwilliger Pappas: Alan Dean, CEO-Southeast region, Chris Herrlinger SVP and Todd Cooper, vice president construction.
Representing Greystar: Regional Property Manager Taylor Scalera, Assistant Community Manager Justin Nevarez and Christina Sprott.
The 2025 Atlanta British Car Fayre
The Atlanta British Car Fayre returned to Norcross on September 6, with an impressive display of British vehicles — along with themed food, drinks and music — transforming the historic downtown area for a day of fun and festivities.
This annual celebration of classic cars, motorcycles and all things British offered an immersive, family-friendly experience for all ages.
Live music from The Atholl Highlanders Pipes & Drums and classic Brit-rock tribute bands, WHOZ ROLLING and The Return kept guests dancing and entertained throughout the day. Some of the city’s local restaurants added fish & chips and other British items to their menus just for the fayre. And Taste of Britain and The Daughters of the British Empire sold British Tea Boxes packed with “an assortment of delicious sandwiches, scones, treats and a proper Yorkshire tea bag,” with proceeds benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association of Georgia.
To round out the half-day event, Owners Choice and Best in Show awards were presented to some of the top cars and bikes on display. And fayre organizers reintroduced the People’s Choice Award, allowing attendees to use their smart phones to cast their vote for their favorite classic vehicles as well.
Photos by Bruce Johnson
Christina Sprott, Justin Nevarez and Mary Allen Solis Peachtree Corners Staff
