The judicial processes are constantly changing. New laws are created, and the court processes and procedures must be adj
official newsletter of the city of suwanee, ge rgia
inside this issue…
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Art where it matters most
suwanee.com
september2015
celebrate c mmunity!
Spook-tacular fall events
Suwanee takes home two national awards
Check out pages 12-19 for all the details!
Updated Downtown Master Plan focuses on new opportunities
Big ideas often come out of planning efforts like this downtown update, notes Campbell, adding that Town Center is a product of the 2002 Old Town Master Plan.
With its roots well-grounded in previous downtown plans and building upon the realized achievements of previous planning efforts, the Downtown Suwanee Master Plan update, which was expected to be adopted by City Council at its August 25 meeting, sets out four big ideas for the City of Suwanee to consider and perhaps pursue in the next few years. This renewed vision for downtown Suwanee suggests: • focusing more intense development and extending mixed uses around Town Center • developing the former DeLay property, near the library and PlayTown Suwanee, as a park • extending and constructing new roads to improve access in and around downtown • recognizing Old Town’s distinct character and its capacity to support destination-type uses. “One thing to keep in mind about this plan,” says Planning and Inspections Director Josh Campbell, “is that it builds upon prior planning efforts. After years of implementing aspects of these previous plans, it’s now time to look at opportunities that in some cases are new ideas and in others are part of the long-term vision that as of yet hasn’t been implemented.”
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New Town Center development, Campbell says, will focus on the context-sensitive, complete-street reconstruction of Buford Highway, which will include bike lanes, wide sidewalks, street trees, medians and turn lanes, and street furniture. This project, funded in part by a Livable Centers Initiative grant, is moving forward, but construction is likely more than a year away.
Another big idea relates to extending Town Center. The Suwanee Downtown Development Authority is in the early stages of undertaking a public-private partnership; initial plans call for a five-story mixed-use building to include commercial/retail and residential uses on a nearly 3.5-acre tract adjacent to Chicago Avenue. The former DeLay property in the Old Town area, suggests the plan, is prime to be developed as Suwanee’s next great park. Before undertaking this future project, the City would first create a master plan for the approximately 20-acre property. The updated master plan also identifies several opportunities for improving the downtown street network and calls for potentially extending Suwanee Avenue to King Street, extending a road through the former DeLay property from Main Street to Suwanee Dam, and extending continued on page 10
Public Art Master Plan seeks to put art where it matters most Suwanee’s first Public Art Master Plan, expected to be adopted by City Council at its September 22 meeting, calls not for placing public art everywhere, but rather for putting art where it matters most. The plan, developed over the past six months in consultation with Todd Bressi, an independent art consultant from Philadelphia, and Meridith McKinley, a public art planning and programming professional in St. Louis, suggests that Suwanee focus its efforts on public art that is “engaging, fun, memorable, and distinctive;” helps strengthen community connections; and that, in many cases, is temporary. “Over the last few years,” says Assistant City Manager Denise Brinson, “the City has worked through its Public Arts Commission and with private developers to collect many pieces of public art; create SculpTour, our walkable public art encounter in and around Town Center; and establish our community as a regional leader in public art. Now seemed the right time to take our program to a more strategic, next level through a Public Art Master Plan.” The master plan suggests two themes for future projects: art + play and art + identity/City image. Art + play projects are creative, likely pedestrian-focused, and encourage community engagement. “Think about art that you can interact with,” says Bressi, “things that are related to sound and light, things that are kinetic or related to STEM education. People will see fun and interesting things, things that they’ve not necessarily seen before or are expecting.” Art + identity projects promote a sense of arrival within
Now seemed the right time to take our program to a
more strategic, next level.... Suwanee in general or
perhaps to the downtown district. Such projects could strengthen the physical connections between areas of the City. “Art can create scale, break down distances, and make those connections more interesting for people,” notes Bressi. “Art can help make the connections between different areas of the City more inviting and visible and let you know when you’ve arrived at an important place.” Overall, the plan suggests a variety of art projects that could be rolled out over the next decade as opportunities arise and funding becomes available. Some key locations to be considered, according to the plan, are the Norfolk Southern pedestrian tunnel, a potential future park on the former
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City property tax rate remains the same
City Council at its August 25 meeting approved a fiscal year 2015-16 millage rate of 4.93 mills, the same rate adopted by the City over the past three years. The 4.93 rate is slightly higher than the calculated rollback rate of 4.769 mills – this is the rate that would be expected to generate the same total revenue as the previous year – and is anticipated to generate a 3.38 percent increase in property tax revenues, due to rising property values. The City of Suwanee mails residential property tax notices in October. Payment is due December 20. The City’s millage rate has been the same or reduced each year since 2002, when the millage rate was raised to 5.99 mills to support the award-winning open space bond referendum that resulted in acquisition of more than 300 acres of open space and creation of six new parks.
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Let’s play: Suwanee’s street piano project As part of its growing public art program, the City of Suwanee has installed a temporary interactive public art experience – a street piano – at Town Center Park. The donated piano, painted with a colorful tree theme by the North Gwinnett Arts Association, is located at the back of the park (along Town Center Avenue close to Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road) in the area where the Farmers Market is held each Saturday.
The project was coordinated by Suwanee’s Public Art Commission, a six-member board appointed by City Council that manages Suwanee’s public art initiatives, including SculpTour and working with developers to include public art as part of their new construction projects. Over the past seven years, more than 60 temporary artworks and more than 20 permanent pieces have been displayed throughout Suwanee.
Area residents are invited to view and especially play the piano and then post photos or video to the City of Suwanee’s Facebook and/or Instagram pages. Use the hashtag #letsplaysuwanee.
Suwanee’s street piano project is inspired by British artist Luke Jerram’s Play Me, I’m Yours program, through which more than 1,450 pianos have been installed in public places in 46 cities across the globe.
Fall offers spook-tacular mix of events Summer may be coming to a close, but the City of Suwanee’s event calendar certainly is not. Fall offers some of the community’s favorite events along with some of the best weather for events. Perhaps the favorite event of the year with the younger-than-10 set is Trek or Treat. Your little princesses, monsters, sports heroes, and celebrities will be able to put on their costumes early this Halloween as Trek or Treat will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, October 31, at Suwanee Creek Park. The event, designed for children 10 and younger, includes fall festival-style games, music, contests, and a free hot dog lunch while supplies last. Costumes are strongly encouraged. Other you-don’t-want-to-miss fall events:
(Final 2015) FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
OCTOBER 2 • 5:30-9:30 PM Town Center Park Anticipated food truck line-up: Bustin’ Butts, Five Finger Philly, Ibiza Bites, Island Chef, King of Pops, Loaded Burger, A Movable Feast, Nana G’s Chicken and Waffles, Rey’s Cuban Café, Tex’s Tacos, and Wow! Music starts @ 7 pm with Book Club and The Quarks
PEACH STATE CHILI COOKOFF
EXTRA MILE RUN/WALK 5K
NOVEMBER 7 • 8 AM Town Center Park For more information, call 770-932-4885 or visit extramileclub.com.
SUWANEE WINE FEST
NOVEMBER 7 • 1-5 PM Town Center Park For tickets and more information, visit suwaneewinefest.com.
SUWANEE CLASSIC CAR SHOW
OCTOBER 3 • NOON-5 PM Town Center Park For more information, visit peachstatechili.com.
NOVEMBER 8 • 10 AM-5 PM Town Center Park For more information, visit ngaa4arts.com or call Lee Martin at 678-478-6582.
TASTE OF SUWANEE
FOODIE 5K
OCTOBER 10 • NOON-5 PM Town Center Park For more information, visit tasteofsuwanee.com.
ALIVE! FESTIVAL
OCTOBER 24 • 10 AM-6 PM Town Center Park For more information, visit aliveexpo.com/alive_festival.php or call 770-806-7492.
NOVEMBER 14 • 8 AM Town Center Park For more information, call 770-271-9793, visit northgwinnettcoop.org, or email
[email protected].
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Summer intern spends an afternoon in
Editor’s note: Economic and Community Development summer Intern Lindsey Carpenter, a senior at the University of South Carolina, is continuing a project started last summer in which an intern shadows employees in specific departments and “lives” to write about the experience. Carpenter, in the photo above, spent an afternoon in a place most people dread going: Suwanee’s Municipal Court.
are either lawyers, family members, or spectators like me. An officer explains that each of the defendants will be taken into a “pretrial conference” with a solicitor (that’s the prosecutor) and that they will be seen by the judge in the order in which they are seated.
I’ve never been to a municipal court, so I was not sure exactly what kind of cases I would hear. It turns out that the Municipal Court of Suwanee, which is located across the street from City Hall at 323 Buford Highway, hears and adjudicates traffic offenses and violations of City ordinances that occur within the City limits as well as Gwinnett County Animal Control violations and Georgia State Patrol traffic offenses. Court Services Administrator Mariza Abdeljawad says that working at Municipal Court is “very detailed and meticulous…but never boring. The judicial processes are constantly changing. New laws are created, and the court processes and procedures must be adjusted accordingly, making our job interesting. There is always something new to learn or implement.”
A “pretrial conference,” according to Abdeljawad, can be held to facilitate a settlement, help the court establish managerial control over the case, minimize unnecessary pretrial activities, or improve the quality of the trial.
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I arrive in the parking lot, being one of only two cars there. I get out and walk to the door of the courthouse. I know it technically does not open until 12:30 (and court does not actually begin until 1:30), but I figure they might open the doors early since there are a handful of us standing outside waiting. But, alas, they do not. I definitely should have waited in the car (cue 95 degree heat).
The doors open, and I walk through airport-style security, I’m worried that I won’t be allowed to bring my computer in, but when I tell the police officer that I’m just observing he lets me through and points me to a chair in the front. I ask if I can sit in the back because my anxious self would rather not be seen. He says “no.” Alright then. I take my place in the second row of chairs next to the lawyers and in front of the defendants. The room fills up with about 50-60 people, around 40 of whom are defendants and the rest of whom
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: 01 PM 1pm 1:01 “Fine, you can move to the back. I’m running out of seats for the lawyers.” Score, and with that permission from the officer, I take a seat in the last row. The officer turns on a TV in the corner of the room, and a video made by the City starts playing with information about Municipal Court procedures and how one may plead: guilty, not guilty, or no contest (no contest or nolo contendere is a legal term that It is easy to means “I do not contend” and occurs police officers when the defendant neither admits who run Mu nor disputes a charge; this serves as Court as the an alternative to a plea of guilty or but I now see not guilty.) Maybe, like me, you have learned something new today. The work they do e video continues, explaining what keep us safe a offenses may have brought these dangerous p defendants here today and how charges the roa differ for those defendants under the age of 18, under 21, and over 21. It goes over the defendants’ rights – a speedy trial, innocent until proven guilty, and so on. The video ends, and people continue to file into the solicitor’s office one by one. AM
1 :pm 29 PM 1:29 All rise for Associate Judge Angela Duncan. “Please be seated,” she says. AM
1 :pm 31 PM 1:31 The first defendant takes the stand without a lawyer present and pleads guilty to DUI, but then returns to his seat. The second defendant asks for a later court date, which he is granted. The third person to appear before the judge is a lawyer appearing on behalf of two clients, neither of whom is present. AM
About this point, I notice that, after sentencing, each defendant signs an electronic keypad at the podium, agreeing to their sentence or fines. Government is getting high-tech, and Suwanee’s paperless court is a prime example. The first defendant returns to the podium for three more charges: failure to maintain a lane, driving without insurance, and another DUI. He pleads guilty to the first two charges and no contest to the third; the judge hands down a sentence, part of which includes 15 days in jail as well as 12 months’ probation. Ouch!
o look at s and those unicipal bad guys, how much each day to and to keep people off ads.
After hearing so much talk about DUIs and jail time, it is hard to maintain my usual happy mood; I keep thinking how draining it must be to work here every day. But Abdeljawad says: “Rarely do people thank us for the job we do. We don’t get our feelings hurt, we understand. Our job rewards,” she adds, “are when we make a positive impact on people’s behavior, such as helping a defendant start the process to correct drug or alcohol abuse. We sometimes hear from a defendant who says: ‘It was a turning point in my life. After I got the citations, I entered a recovery program’ or ‘The class that the court ordered me to attend has made me change the way I drive. I am more careful now.’” Abdeljawad adds: “These are the moments that make me feel satisfied with the work I do.”
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A defendant who does not speak English approaches the bench. He has a woman with him who says that she will translate, but the judge declines and calls on a courtappointed Spanish translator for the defendant.
At this point less than 10 people are left in the room waiting to appear before the judge. The next defendant pleads no contest to a texting-while-driving violation, which is the first of this kind I have seen today. The next-to-last person to go before the judge is the first to say that he is unable to pay his fine in full today. The judge puts him on probation until he can pay his fine in full and completes his 40 hours of community service.
Court dismissed. Having never been to Municipal Court before, I learned a lot from just these few hours sitting in. One thing I noticed was that prosecutors seem willing to work with first-time offenders, particularly those who commit minor offenses. Yet some people just don’t seem to learn and continuously end up back in court. It is easy to look at police officers and those who run Municipal Court as the bad guys, but I now see how much work they do each day to keep us safe and to keep dangerous people off the roads. Editor’s footnote: Suwanee Municipal Court hearings are held at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays as well as the fourth Thursday of the month and also at 9:30 a.m. on the second Thursday of the month. Each month, about 700 defendants appear before a City of Suwanee magistrate.
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photo courtesy of Emily Oakes
Suwanee takes home two national awards thanks to high resident ratings The City of Suwanee has been named a winner of two Voice of the People Awards for Excellence – in community engagement as well as recreation and wellness – from the International City/County Management Association and National Research Center. Suwanee is the lone community among 21 jurisdictions being recognized nationally to win multiple awards. Voice of the People awards are the only awards given in local government based on community opinion. Ratings by residents on customized National Citizen Surveys determine local government nominees in a variety of service and community characteristic categories. Suwanee administered its most recent National Citizen Survey last November. In survey results, released in March, Suwanee residents rated the City higher than other participating communities across the nation on eight questions, and
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Suwanee scored among the top 10 communities nationally in 27 percent of the questions. Suwanee residents reported extremely high levels of satisfaction, compared to the more than 300 other participating jurisdictions, with community engagement, recreation and wellness, built environment, and economy. The City also is a finalist for Voice of the People Awards for Excellence in the built environment and economy categories. The City of Suwanee was ranked #1 compared to other benchmarked communities on questions that addressed: • City-sponsored events • job Suwanee government does welcoming citizen involvement • overall built environment • availability of affordable quality childcare • overall confidence in local government • generally acting in the best interest of the community • being honest • treating all residents fairly. Managed by the National Research Center, the National Citizen Survey reports resident opinions and satisfaction
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Suwanee offers a charge for electric vehicles A dual-head, level three, fast-charging station for electric vehicles is now operational at Suwanee Town Center. This is the first fast-charge station to be installed by a municipality in Gwinnett County. Located along Savannah Square Street at the back corner of City Hall, the station is capable of providing an 80 percent charge to most electric vehicles in less than half an hour and is available 24/7 on a first-come firstserved basis. The current rate is $1.50 to connect plus 10 cents per minute. Only credit card payments are accepted; electric vehicle network membership is not required.
Miller. “This effort continues the City’s commitment to sustaining our environment, as The City of Suwanee contracted with EnviroSpark Energy signaled previously by LEED [Leadership Solutions of Atlanta to install the charger system, which has in Energy and Environmental Design] two connectors, one that serves SAE J1772-enabled vehicles -certification for City Hall as well as and the other CHAdeMO-enabled vehicles. The total cost certification as a Green Community through was nearly $49,000. A grant received through the Georgia the Atlanta Regional Commission. But the Environmental Finance Authority’s Charge Georgia program will electric vehicle station also serves to give folks cover half of the cost. another reason to come to Town Center and further promotes downtown Suwanee.” “It’s really exciting to be able to offer an environmentally sensitive service such as this,” says Public Works Director James
Seminar provides one-stop business essentials Being a small-business owner or entrepreneur can sometimes feel like an overwhelming proposition. The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce wants area entrepreneurs to know that there are many resources available to assist them. To that end, the chamber is hosting a Small Business Essentials seminar at Suwanee City Hall from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, October 21. The free seminar will cover business and marketing plans, finances and lending assistance, licensing and taxes, minority certification and disadvantaged business assistance, training and mentorship programs, growth, and doing business with the City of Suwanee. Representatives from the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center, SCORE Association, Gwinnett Chamber, City of Suwanee, and Gwinnett County will be part of the panel of experts on hand.
“A lot of times, small-business owners and entrepreneurs don’t have time to seek out information that can help them out,” says Adam Edge, Suwanee’s downtown and business development manager. “This seminar offers a one-stop forum where they can get that critical information and connect with mentors.” While the seminar is free, advanced registration is required. Register on the Events page at gwinnettchamber.org.
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Updated Downtown Master Plan… continued from page 2
for business
The following companies received new business licenses from the City of Suwanee in July: • All Brand Motors 4411 Suwanee Dam Road
• Cranor Construction 3700 Burnette Park Drive
• Courtyard Suwanee 310 Celebration Drive
• Import Auto Specialists 3600 Windsor Park Drive
• Inspire Hope Counseling 1275 Buford Highway
• Once Again Kids 4140 Moore Road
• Relaxx Mind Body 3461 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road
• Steadfast Management Company 4021 McGinnis Ferry Road
• Triangle Chemical Company 3670 Burnette Drive
• Verizon Wireless 315 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
• zpizza 1039 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
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Stonecypher Road from Suwanee Dam to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Such projects, says Campbell, could be considered as elements of potential private developments or City projects undertaken as funding becomes available. As part of this master plan update, a market analysis was conducted. The analysis indicates that, at this time, destination-type, rather than retail uses, are more appropriate for Old Town. “We anticipate that the Russell Street roundabout [which is part of the Buford Highway reconstruction project] may cause traffic patterns to change,” says Campbell, “and perhaps coax more people to venture into historic Old Town. Once that happens, we can re-evaluate what kinds of uses would be successful in the Old Town area. For now, we know that destination-type uses can be successful there.” The City has worked since early this year with planning consultant TSW to develop the update. A public meeting, visioning workshop, and open house were all available to the public as part of the process. The 2015 Downtown Suwanee Master Plan update is available on the Docs & Downloads page at suwanee.com. The City of Suwanee updates its downtown master plan approximately every five years.
Public Art Master Plan… continued from page 3 DeLay property, PlayTown Suwanee, I-85 area, Buford Highway, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, and Town Center. The plan emphasizes strategic use of temporary art pieces, which Bressi notes, may be more cost effective, allow for experimentation, and keep things fresh and different. “The plan suggests taking the SculpTour model and adapting it in a couple of different ways so that more examples of temporary art are in more places throughout the City,” he adds. Bressi found Suwanee’s public art partnership with developers, through its voluntary 1 percent of construction for public art program, to be unique, effective, and interesting, and the master plan suggests continuation of that program. “Public art is already accepted as part of the recipe that makes Suwanee great,” says Bressi. “This master plan is designed to help the Suwanee community leverage the most fun, the most bang, and the biggest impact it can through its public art program.” Suwanee’s Public Art Master Plan is available on the Docs & Downloads page at suwanee.com.
Suwanee takes home two national awards… continued from page 8 with local government and services using a scientific, representative approach. Suwanee has administered the survey every two years since 2008. Survey results are used to inform budgeting, performance measurement, and program planning. “This is a unique opportunity to see evidence of best practices quantified by survey results,” says National Research Center President Tom Miller. The awards will be officially presented in Seattle later this month at the 101st annual International City/County Management Association conference.
GET FRESH AT THE SUWANEE
FARMERS MARKET 8AM-NOON SATURDAYS
FINAL MARKET OCTOBER 3 TOWN CENTER PARK
connections Welcome to City Hall Alyssa Shank Durden joined the City of Suwanee last month as planning division director. A member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, Durden has worked with planning and design firms Urban Collage and GreenbergFarrow. Most recently she was selfemployed as a planning consultant and residential designer working on projects with Gwinnett Village CID, Urban Collage, and the City of Decatur, to name a few. Durden has master’s degrees in architecture as well as city and regional planning, both from Georgia Tech.
Applications for 2016 events due December 1
By the end of this year, more than 150,000 people will have attended one or more of the 44 races, festivals, concerts, and movies on Suwanee’s 2015 event calendar. Want to get in on the fun in 2016? The City of Suwanee will post 2016 event applications to suwanee.com in early October; applications must be returned to the City by December 1. Once the City’s event calendar is approved at the beginning of the year, no additional events are added.
Better connections
Construction to fill in sidewalk gaps along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Suwanee Dam Road/LawrencevilleSuwanee Road is anticipated to begin before the end of the year. The projects are expected to be completed in the spring. Survey work and design of sidewalks along Smithtown Road also is nearing completion. Construction is expected to be complete by next fall. Adding sidewalks and filling in gaps in the sidewalk system is a long-term City goal and part of Suwanee’s capital improvements program.
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Saturday, September 19 Free shuttle transportation from/to off-site parking.................................................................. 8 am-8 pm Parade...............................................................................................9 am Arts & craft exhibitors, inflatable rides, Family Fun Zone, food vendors................................... 10 am-7 pm Face-to-Face: Billy Joel/Elton John Tribute.....................5:30 pm Free on-stage entertainment................................10:30 am-7 pm
Sunday, September 20 Free shuttle transportation from/to off-site parking.................................................11 am-6 pm Arts & craft exhibitors, inflatable rides, Family Fun Zone, food vendors, entertainment..... noon-5 pm 12
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Sept. 19&20 Town Center Park
Parade kicks off Suwanee Fest @ 9 am When Suwanee Police Chief Mike Jones slowly eases his car onto Main Street September 19 at the head of a 40-plus group of parade participants, Suwanee Fest 2015 will be officially underway. This year’s parade, with a theme of “For the love of Suwanee,” begins at 9 a.m. The parade route travels up Main Street to Suwanee Dam and then down Buford Highway, ending at Chicago Street.
Please note that Suwanee Dam Road (from Peachtree Industrial to Buford Highway) Main Street, and Buford Highway to McGinnis Ferry Road will be closed from approximately 8:45-10 a.m. Saturday, September 19, for the parade. Cash prizes will be awarded to parade participants who are judged the best in a variety of categories, including best of show, most entertaining, most creative, and best use of theme.
Run like a superhero in Suwanee Fest Classic Sept. 12 You can still participate in the Suwanee Fest Classic 5K & 10K hosted by Georgia Fitness on Saturday, September 12. Race-day registration will open at 6:30 a.m. Superhero costumes are encouraged as the races support Cure Childhood Cancer. The 5K race will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Town Center with runners in the 10K race taking off at 8:30 a.m. There also will be a fun run at 8:35 a.m. For more information, contact Georgia Fitness at 770-614-6140. suwanee.com
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Shop for items that sparkle, swing, shimmer, and spruce up gardens at Suwanee Fest Whether you’re shopping for yourself or your home, shopping early for Christmas or finding a belated birthday gift, shopping for a new baby or a fur-baby, shopping for fun or as a sport, you’re likely to find what you’re looking for – or perhaps what you hadn’t even realized you were looking for – at Suwanee Fest. About 100 arts and crafts vendors will offer an array of handmade items sure to tempt you to break out your wallet and to put a smile on someone’s face – yours or the gift recipient’s. The artists interviewed for this story are nearly as excited about meeting festival attendees as they are selling their creations. So c’mon out to Suwanee Fest and chat up an artist, learn something about how they create their pieces, and buy something! Exhibitor booths will be open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 12-5 p.m. Sunday.
Sparklin’ with spirituality by Courtney Rutledge Inspired by the colors that she sees in nature, sunsets, and gardens, Jeanni Davis’s jewelry reflects vibrant colors and offers enlightening messages. Davis notes that she particularly loves to hike and what she sees on treks through nature inspire her to push the boundaries of what is possible in her artwork. Davis has been creating spiritually inspired and uniquely handcrafted jewelry for 35 years. Her jewelry design career began, after she graduated from high school, at a hippie bead shop in Ocean City, Maryland. She loved being able to make things that she could wear and give to friends. Now a Suwanee area resident, Davis began working with fiber eight years ago and has added fiber scarf necklaces to her offerings. Davis who devotes full time to her jewelry-making business regularly uses ice packs to soothe the hard-working tendons in her hands. She says that she works hard to keep up her mental clarity as well, staying positive and healthy both physically and emotionally so that she can keep making new and beautiful creations.
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This will be Spirit Jewels’ (spirit-jewels.com) 10th Suwanee Fest appearance. Davis says that the kind words and supportive feedback of festival attendees are what keep her going. Be sure to stop by the Spirit Jewels booth not only for spiritually inspired jewelry pieces, which range in price from $5-$75, but also to enjoy conversation about loving the Earth and the beauty of nature.
A swingin’ idea by Courtney Rutledge A kid at heart, Matt Morgan was struck as he strolled along the Battery in Charleston a few years ago that the treelined seawall would make a picturesque spot to enjoy a good swing. Specifically, according to his website (GoSwing.net), he thought: “It’d be nice to have a swing you could hang up, swing for a while, and then bring back down to take with you.” Thus was born the idea for GoSwing, Morgan’s portable swing company, founded in 2013. Handmade in Morgan’s Jefferson, Georgia, home, GoSwings are designed to be easily assembled, quickly tied to a sturdy tree branch anywhere, and quickly removed. The swings have a wood base and attached rope and bag for portability. A physical therapist, Morgan soon hopes to mass produce his unique product and pursue the swing business full time; he’s auditioned for the television show Shark Tank. GoSwings are $49.95 each and come in a wide variety of colors and can be customized to match favorite sports team or school colors. The best thing about creating the swings, says Morgan, is receiving photos back from families who have used them on vacation and other travels. “So much of our lives are consumed by technology,” notes Morgan. “The GoSwing helps parents coax their kids to spend more time outdoors enjoying simple pleasures and awesome vistas.” Morgan looks forward to his first Suwanee Fest and seeing folks’ reaction to his there’snothing-else-like-it product.
Hand-stamped jewelry shimmers with personal messages Sometimes Linda Logue’s customers walk away with tears in their eyes – and that’s a good thing or at least a meaningful thing. Logue and her daughter, Gena Pipping, are Mom & Me Hand-Stamped, and they work with their customers to create customized necklaces, rings, bracelets, and ear rings. “It’s very personalized and it’s all one of a kind,” Logue says, “because they’ve put things together and created the piece themselves.” Using charms, pendants, and stamped pieces with unique words or phrases, customers can create personalized jewelry, often in memory of a loved one or in honor of someone serving in the military. “Customers cry when they walk off,” Logue adds, “because it’s so extremely personal.” Logue works with stainless steel elements, and her pieces range in price from $10-$30 (letterbylinda.etsy.com). Pipping works with sterling silver and 14 karat gold elements (everythinginitials.etsy.com), which are available for $30$80. The mother-daughter duo participates in about 35 festivals annually. Currently living in Monroe and Auburn, respectively, Logue and Pipping hail from an entrepreneurial, crafty family. “We love crafts,” notes Logue, who worked as a professional seamstress at one point and has a sister who is a professional painter. This is the first year that Mom & Me HandStamped is participating in Suwanee Fest. “We’ve heard excellent things,” Logue
says, adding that: “We just love festivals. Everybody no matter where they come from or what age bracket they’re in, everyone is in such a good mood at festivals. It’s like sunshine…. Festivals bring out the best in people.”
Spruce up your garden with yard art for the birds
When sisters get together they might go shopping, enjoy a spa day, cook a meal, or even head out on a walk. Not Barbara Vergara of Woodstock and Andrea North of Marietta. On a typical Sunday afternoon, this duo can be found in Vergara’s garage enjoying “sister time” while making 12-18 handcrafted birdfeeders. North designs the birdfeeders, using repurposed plates and bird or frog ceramic pieces. “She has a flair for it,” says Vergara. “I’m responsible for sourcing the plates, obtaining and spray painting the staircase wrought iron balusters and vases that are used as bases, and staffing festivals and shows. It’s a lot of work, but we enjoy it.” Vergara says that she falls in love with each of the birdfeeders the sisters create and has to force herself to sell them. The price range for the pieces, designed aesthetically as yard art and also functionally as a bird bath or bird feeder, is $25-$55. This is the third year that Vergara has operated her Yardstix (yardstix.wix.com/stix) business and participated in festivals; it’s the first time that she’s been at Suwanee Fest. Of the sisters’ creations, Vergara says: “People are so happy with them. I’ve never had anyone say anything other than that they really love it.”
Take home a wearable reminder of Suwanee Fest
items from arts and craft Along with a couple of can’t-resist ival food, be sure to exhibitors and your fill of yummy fest ve t-shirt from the 32nd take home with you a commemorati festival. Suwanee Fest celebration of Suwanee’s community each at the Festival $10 2015 t-shirts will be available for only Hall. Information booth in front of City
be available as well for $10. Miniature stuffed Parker dolls will suwanee.com
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Piano men headline festival entertainment schedule Two of the biggest and most beloved names in music are piano-dueling it out (well, sort of) at Suwanee Fest this year. Face-to-Face, a Billy Joel and Elton John tribute band, will headline the festival entertainment with a 5:30 p.m. performance Saturday, September 19. Big Shot/Piano Man Mike Santoro will be in a Suwanee State of Mind when he takes to the Town Center stage as Billy Joel while Rocket Man Ronnie Smith may play Your Song or break into the Crocodile Rock. Face-to-Face performances are energetic, interactive, and often unpredictable – just like Joel and John in their prime. “A full 2 1/2-hour set of classic Joel that sounded so much like the original that our patrons were in disbelief,” says Travis Woodall, a club owner in Johnson City, Tennessee, of a Santoro performance. “Every note and every beat were spot on, and when you are playing music that’s as recognizable as his, you just can’t wing it. It’s obvious that a ton of time and preparation goes into their performances….”
Suwanee Fest Entertainment Schedule Town Center Stage
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
North Gwinnett High School Chorale........................ 10:30 am Sir Crazy Pants.......................................................................11:10 am Alma Mexicana...................................................................11:40 am NGSF 15 Minutes of Fame Winner: Daniela Melgar.......noon Cornelia School of Ballet..................................................12:30 pm Victoria Canal...............................................................................1 pm 13fifty.............................................................................................. 2 pm Careless Souls........................................................................ 2:45 pm Soulhound..............................................................................3:40 pm Home Town Glory Dance Exhibition.............................4:45 pm Face-to-Face: Billy Joel/Elton John Tribute Band....... 5:30 pm
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Atlanta Harmony Celebration!.............................................noon CheerDawgs.........................................................................12:45 pm Southeastern Reptile Rescue..................................................1 pm No Komment..........................................................................1:30 pm Shades of Gray......................................................................2:30 pm Home Town Glory Dance Exhibition............................. 3:30 pm Kazual............................................................................................4 pm 16 suwanee.com
13 hours of on-stage entertainment is sure to wow The 2015 Suwanee Fest entertainment line-up offers an eclectic array of performers sure to make you sing along, tap your toes, shake your hips, clap your hands, and/or cheer along!
NORTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL CHORALE SATURDAY, 10:30 AM
A highly selective auditioned women’s ensemble, the North Gwinnett High School Chorale is comprised of 40 female students in grades 10-12. The chorale consistently receives superior ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Association annual conference and recently performed at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. The chorale will host another community performance October 6 in the high school theatre.
SIR CRAZY PANTS SATURDAY, 11:10 AM
Families tend to lose their minds at Sir Crazy Pants’ full-on, bang-your-head, rockyour-socks-off rock ’n’ roll shows – and that makes Sir Crazy Pants one very happy performer. Come forget about the outside world and go a little crazy while enjoying Sir Crazy Pants’ comedy and music.
ALMA MEXICANA SATURDAY 11:40 AM Audiences of all ages will be dazzled by the colorful costumes and traditional dances of Alma Mexicana, which means “Mexican soul.” Based in Atlanta, the group performs dances
from the Mexican states of Veracruz, Chihuahua, Michoacan, Sinaloa, and Guerrero.
NORTH GWINNETT SCHOOLS FOUNDATION 15 MINUTES OF FAME WINNER SATURDAY, NOON
Thirteen-year-old soloist Daniela Melgar will enjoy her “15 minutes of fame” on the Town Center stage, a popular item auctioned off each year as part of the North Gwinnett School Foundation’s annual fundraiser.
CORNELIA SCHOOL OF BALLET SATURDAY, 12:30 PM
Dancers from the Cornelia School of Ballet will perform three traditional cancans in an upbeat, entertaining performance that is sure to dazzle. The Cornelia School provides classical ballet training in a noncompetitive atmosphere.
VICTORIA CANAL SATURDAY, 1 PM
A singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for her intimate and poignant performances, Victoria Canal also happens to be just 16! She was winner of Eddie’s Attic Bi-Annual Shootout in November 2014 and selected as one of six Young Arts National Finalists this past January. Under development with Grammy-nominated producer and vocal coach “Mama Jan” Smith, Canal is currently recording her debut album.
13FIFTY - SATURDAY, 2 PM
Specializing in pop-country and rock genres and playing music in live settings for more than 10 years, 13fifty was brought together originally at The Journey Church in Buford. The band’s six members reflect eclectic musical backgrounds, including gospel, country, jazz, rock, and pop and put their own fingerprint on today’s modern music.
CARELESS SOULS SATURDAY, 2:40 PM
Careless Souls has been performing classic rock from all eras
with a modern edge and fresh attitude in and around Atlanta since 2009. With support from guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, and saxophone, the group features three powerful lead singers.
SOULHOUND SATURDAY, 3:40 PM
With a deep foundation of soul at the heart of its sound, Soulhound has been described as “the Meters meet Hendrix and Steely Dan.” The band offers a potent concoction of genres, including R&B, soul, and funk, but also enjoys surprising audiences, sometimes throwing in a jam-band vibe or a few Beatle-inspired tunes. Soulhound has shared stages with the likes of The Temptations, Mofro, Zac Brown Band, and Blues Traveler. The band’s latest album, Kudzu Rising, will be available later this year.
FACE-TO-FACE: BILLY JOEL AND ELTON JOHN TRIBUTE BAND SATURDAY, 5:30 PM Enjoy an evening with The Stranger and The Rocket Man when Mike Santoro and Ronnie Smith and their band bring the music of two of the world’s most beloved – and successful – performers to life on the Town Center stage.
ATLANTA HARMONY CELEBRATION SUNDAY, NOON
Catch the energy and enthusiasm – not to mention the great music – of Atlanta Harmony Celebration, an award-winning group of female a cappella singers specializing in barbershop harmony style. Founded in 2003 and performing under the direction of Kathy Stone, the group’s repertoire consists of traditional barbershop, gospel, show, and contemporary tunes.
CHEER DAWGS SUNDAY, 12:45 PM
The Elite and Premier teams from USA Cheers will offer a demonstration that’s worth, well, cheering about. Both competition cheering teams have won national awards. Last season, the Elite team took third place in Cheersport Nationals and were Universal Spirit regional champions and American Royale national champions.
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SOUTHEASTERN REPTILE RESCUE SUNDAY, 1 PM
This hands-on show features Jason Clark, a nationally recognized reptile handler with more than 25 years of wildlife experience with snakes, alligators, and other reptiles. A natural comedian, Clark takes his audiences on a hysterical thrill ride, detailing some of the crazy things that happen at his Southeastern Reptile Rescue. For those who enjoy up-close and personal encounters with all things reptilian, be sure to visit the Reptile Wagon in the Family Fun Zone.
NO KOMMENT SUNDAY, 1:30 PM
An Atlanta-based teen blues and rock band, No Komment was formed in 2010 when the drummer was only 9. Twotime winner of Atlanta Parent Magazine’s Talent Showdown, No Komment has a fan base that spans all ages. The band performs its mix of blues, funk, rock, and originals at venues and festivals throughout the metro area.
SHADES OF GRAY SUNDAY, 2:30 PM
Come sing and dance to all the songs you love masterfully played by slightly “gray” musicians who have 30 years’ experience performing on stages all over the country, sometimes with the likes of Rare Earth, Sly & the Family Stone, Mothers Finest, and the Zombies. Shades of Gray plays music from the 1960s-80s with favorites from Van Morrison, Chicago, Jimmy Buffett, James Brown, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Joe Cocker, and more.
Parking is no fuss when you take the bus! You can definitely expect lots of FUN in the Town Center area Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20, but you should also anticipate traffic congestion. Avoid the congestion and parking hassles and take the free Suwanee Fest shuttle from one of three off-site parking areas: Shadowbrook Baptist Church 4187 Suwanee Dam Road Shawnee North Business Center 305 Shawnee North Drive (at Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road) Southeastern Freight 3655 Windsor Park Drive (Near the intersection of Buford Highway and McGinnis Ferry Road) IMPORTANT: Enter from Buford Highway Only Shuttle buses will run from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, September 19, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, September 20. Please note that bus service will be limited and busses will be running alternate routes during the parade Saturday, from approximately 8:30-10:30 a.m. Parking for those with disabilities Limited parking for guests using motor scooters or wheelchairs will be available at the Suwanee Police Department at 373 Buford Highway, across the street from Town Center Park, except during the parade Saturday from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Additional parking for those with disabilities will be available at Shadowbrook Baptist Church, which will be served by wheelchair-accessible busses.
KAZUAL SUNDAY, 4 PM
An a cappella quartet of four Atlanta-based young men, Kazual first came to fame in 2008 after competing on America’s Got Talent. Performing a blend of contemporary hits and classics from the Doo-Wop era, Kazual’s song-and-dance performances are inspired by Michael Jackson, Boys2Men, and NSYNC.
ily Fun Zone More entertainment in Fam ted along Town Center g at heart. The Family Fun Zone will be loca
” for the youn This year’s festival offers a new “fun zone uctions, Southeastern y Pants, Dr. Magical Balloons, Parrot Prod Craz Sir de inclu will area the in t men Avenue. Entertain , Georgia Bubbleman. Rescue, a photo booth, and, on Sunday only Rep 18 tilesuwanee.com
Community magic-makers Thanks to the extraordinary group of people – otherwise known as the Suwanee Fest Planning Committee – who knock on doors, stuff envelopes, coordinate busses, put out signs, assist vendors, schedule entertainment, coordinate volunteers, and wave a magic wand in order to make another successful Suwanee Fest happen!
We
our sponsors!
Thank you, thank you to the generous businesses whose financial support puts the “community” into our fall festival. Please help us thank our sponsors with your patronage.
Signature
Platinum
Chair Cris Koenigs Sponsors Paul Beavin Entertainment Michelle Budd, Chair Olubukola Otu Parade Scott Quady, Chair Ryan Nielan Sandra Quady Transportation Eric Wolman, Chair Mauro Marcillo Vendors Robin Sullivan, Chair Janis Beavin Donna Copeletti David Sullivan Volunteers Pascha Shepard At-Large Dawn Hudson Dan Koenigs David Ouimet
Gold
ChoicesToYou.com Cross Pointe Church Jim Ellis Buick GMC Mall of Georgia PNC Bank Road Atlanta Vacation Village
Silver
PeachSkin Sheets Pinnacle Home Improvements Power Home Remodeling Group Pre-Press to Printing, Inc. Quantum National Bank Renewal by Andersen Southern Remodeling State Farm Stepping Stone Montessori School Sugar Hill Spine and Wellness Suwanee Dental Care Suwanee Magazine Suwanee Sports Academy Taylor Construction Tiger Tails Animal Hospital Whitney Orthodontics
Friends of the Festival
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Shadowbrook Baptist Church
Children & Teen Dental Group Christian Brothers Automotive Costco CubeSmart Delta Community Credit Union EverDry Waterproofing Food Should Taste Good Free Chapel Freedom Family Chiropractic Georgia Fitness Gwinnett Gladiators Gwinnett Medical Center Dr. Rhonda Hogan, DMD Imagix Dental of Suwanee Ippolito’s Larabar LeafFilter North Lowe’s Home Improvement Madaris Siding & Windows Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating North Atlanta Primary Care North Georgia Pediatric Dentistry Omega Learning Center suwanee.com
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SUWANEE, GA PERMIT NO. 242
330 Town Center Avenue Suwanee, GA 30024
upcoming events
official newsletter of the city of suwanee, ge rgia
S September
7 10 10 12 12 14 14 15 15 19 20 22 26
Holiday: City Hall Closed City Council Workshop Suwanee Fest Parade Meeting Suwanee Fest Classic 5K & 10K (TCP) Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) Harvest Farm Managing Board Suwanee Fest Planning Committee Downtown Development Authority Zoning Board of Appeals Suwanee Fest (TCP) Suwanee Fest (TCP) City Council Meeting Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP)
O October
2 Food Truck Friday (TCP) 3 Suwanee Farmers Market (TCP) 3 Peach State Chili Cookoff (TCP) 6 Planning & Zoning Commission 6 Big Peach Runners Anniversary Walk/Run (TCP)
City of Suwanee Georgia
MAYOR COUNCIL
Jimmy Burnette Dan Foster Dick Goodman Beth Hilscher Doug Ireland Linnea Miller
5:30pm 6:30pm 8am 8am-noon 4:30pm 6:30pm 7:30am 6:30pm 9am-7pm 12-5pm 6:30pm 8am-noon
5:30pm 8am-noon 12-5pm 6:30pm 6:30pm
7 10 12 15 20 20 24 27 31
Public Arts Commission Taste of Suwanee (TCP) Harvest Farm Managing Board City Council Workshop Downtown Development Authority Zoning Board of Appeals Alive! Festival (TCP) City Council Meeting Trek or Treat (SCP)
N November 3 4 5 7 7 8 9 17 17 17 26 &27
770/945-3492 678/404-9641 678/446-7520 678/546-3388 770/265-0880 678/592-4150
Planning & Zoning Commission Public Arts Commission City Council Workshop Extra Mile Run/Walk (TCP) Suwanee Wine Fest (TCP) Suwanee Classic Car Show (TCP) Harvest Farm Managing Board Downtown Development Authority City Council Meeting Zoning Board of Appeals Holiday: City Hall Closed
6pm 12-5pm 4:30pm 5:30pm 7:30am 6:30pm 10am-6pm 6:30pm 11am-1pm
6:30pm 6pm 5:30pm 8am 1-5pm 10am-5pm 4:30pm 7:30am 6:30pm 6:30pm
ITY MANAGER Marty Allen C 770/945-8996 POLICE CHIEF Mike Jones 770/945-8995 EDITOR Lynne Bohlman DeWilde 770/945-8996 Unless otherwise noted, City of Suwanee public meetings are at City Hall, 330 Town Center Avenue. Dates subject to change; check suwanee.com for updates.
