Put On Your Dancing Shoes and Get Ready for ‘Dance With the Stars of Atlanta’

American Cancer Society Gala Presented by Scana Energy

American Cancer Society's 36^th Annual Crusaders' Ball to Feature Local Stars and Community Leaders in Dance Competition

What do a news anchor, a CEO, a former Atlanta Brave, and a community relations manager by day/R&B musician by night have in common? They're all dancing at 'Dance With the Stars of Atlanta'!

Th American Cancer Society will host the 36^th Annual Crusaders' Ball - Dance with the Stars of Atlanta at the Thomas P. "Tommy" Hughes Grand Ballroom at the Gwinnett Center on October 30, 2010.

Alongside professionals from Academy Ballroom are this year's Stars:

• JaQuitta Williams – Anchor, CBS Atlanta
  
• Clyde Strickland – CEO, Metro Waterproofing
  
• Brian Jordan – former outfielder, Atlanta Braves
  
• Herman Pennamon – Community Relations Manager, Georgia Power, and R&B Musician

Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society and its fight against cancer. The gala will once again feature live entertainment, silent and live auctions, an elegant dinner provided by Outback Steakhouse, and many opportunities to meet and greet the Who's Who of Atlanta.

For more information on Dance with the Stars of Atlanta- sponsorships, tickets, or to volunteer, please go to www.dancewithstarsatlanta.org or call your American Cancer Society at (770) 814-0123.

Atlanta area transportation consulting firm Street Smarts joins Stantec

North American design firm Stantec has acquired the assets of Street Smarts, a 60-person transportation and civil engineering company headquartered in Duluth. The addition of this well-respected Atlanta-area firm further develops Stantec's existing transportation practice in Georgia and the southeastern United States.

"Street Smarts is a very good fit for our transportation practice," says Bob Gomes, Stantec president and chief executive officer. "It has an impressive 20-year track record in Georgia spanning commercial development to statewide transportation projects and will help build our capabilities in this growing transportation market."

Street Smarts has worked on projects throughout Georgia, winning an ACEC Award for a guidebook it developed for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and its role as a subconsultant on the 22-mile (35-kilometre) Atlanta Beltline, traffic engineering and analysis for the GDOT Transportation Management Center, the automated people mover system at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, and an addition to the Winn Army Community Hospital at Fort Stewart..

"Stantec's reputation in transportation and sustainable design connects us to a whole new system of resources for our clients," says Street Smarts president Marsha Anderson Bomar. "We'll be able to leverage its extensive design resources with our experience, weaving our networks together to branch into new areas and markets that we could not have reached on our own."

Over the years, Stantec has completed hundreds of transportation projects—from major expressway and rural highway assignments to bridge rehabilitation, public transit system, and airport assignments. Stantec is currently ranked #21 on Engineering News-Record's listing of top transportation design firms in the United States.

Toast of the Town

Suwanee's Toast of Town Center this Thursday, October 28, from 5-10 PM. This will be the last Toast of Town Center for the year….so don't miss out!

During the event, patrons will be able to bring drinks purchased at Town Center restaurants - coffee, sodas, beer, and wine - from shop to shop and within the park. An art walk will feature the work of local artists as well! And this month, Olde Towne Tavern has live entertainment planned. They will have a five man band playing in front of the restaurant. Enjoy good meals, good deals, and good times in the heart of downtown Suwanee!

For more information, please contact me at astarnes@suwanee.com or 770-265-2906.

Last Chance to Enjoy Lake Lanier’s Haunted Nights of Lights

Resort Gives Atlanta Families an Entirely New Reason NOT to be Afraid of the Dark This Halloween

During a month most commonly associated with fall leaves, pumpkins, Halloween, and the commemoration of all things frightening the world over, Lake Lanier Islands Resort is giving Atlanta families a whole new way to celebrate this October.

Well-known throughout the Southeast as the host to the animated holiday light extravaganza – The Magical Nights of Lights – for the past 17 years, the talented team of event planners at Lake Lanier Islands is setting the stage for its First Annual (not too scary) Haunted Nights of Lights. The month-long celebration features a three-mile drive through the biggest Halloween light display the South has ever seen.

As twinkling light replicas of Dracula, Frankenstein, Ghosts and Goblins give an eerie glow to the night, they light the way to a stop-over at The NEW Haunted Village. Designed to delight, rather than cause fright, this family-friendly theme park showcases a fun house, carnival amusement rides, pumpkin patch, pony rides, concessions, and enormous fire pits for roasting marshmallows. The Haunted Maze at the Village will rank high on the scare factor for small guests, and is the only venue recommended for big kids and adults only.

Tickets to Haunted Nights of Lights are just $20/car Monday through Thursday and $25/car Friday through Sunday. Admission for vans (10-19 passengers) is $40 and buses (20+ passengers) is $80. Admission is per vehicle and is based on vehicle capacity, not the number of passengers. Activities at the Haunted Village require additional charges. All-inclusive packages that combine vehicle pass to the Haunted Nights of Lights, admission to the Haunted Maze and FunHouse, and unlimited carnival and pony rides are also available for purchase. Discount coupons to Haunted Nights of Lights are obtainable through participating McDonalds and QuikTrip locations. Additional discounts offered by purchasing a combination of Haunted Nights of Lights and Magical Nights of Lights passes online (online transactions are subject to a $1.95 convenience charge). Special accommodation packages are available for those families wishing to extend their fun into an overnight stay at the resort.

Opportunity Knocks at Rocket IT

Chairman's Club member is hiring again

Founded in 1995, Rocket IT provides technology guidance, implementation, and support – empowering businesses and other organizations by making technology attainable, useful, and reliable.

Rocket IT CEO Matt Hyatt is searching for the perfect people for four positions:

Field Support Technician – responsible for providing support to clients and employees, setup and deploy computers, firewalls, network antivirus software, wireless access points and desktop applications

Sales Associate – business professionals with expert knowledge of Rocket IT services; rewarded for the ability to launch new client relationships

Marketing Specialist

Service Manager

Visit www.rocketit.com/careers for more information on these opportunities or to apply.

2010 Broad Prize Awarded to Gwinnett County Public Schools

District Wins $1 Million in Scholarships

On October 19, 2010, the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation announced that Gwinnett County Public Schools won the 2010 Broad Prize, honoring large urban school districts that demonstrate the strongest student achievement and improvement while narrowing achievement gaps between income and ethnic groups. The money goes directly to graduating high school seniors for college scholarships.

As the winner of the largest education award in the country, Gwinnett County Public Schools will receive $1 million in college scholarships for its high school students.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined philanthropist Eli Broad at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City to announce the winner, which was selected by a bipartisan jury of eight prominent leaders from government, education, business and public service, including three former U.S. secretaries of education.

"Gwinnett County has demonstrated that an unwavering focus across a school system – by every member of the district and the community – can lead to steady student improvement and achievement," said Secretary Arne Duncan. "Districts across the country should look to Gwinnett County as an example of what is possible when adults put their interests aside and focus on students."

More than half of Gwinnett's students are African-American or Hispanic, and half are eligible for subsidized lunches.

"Gwinnett County's stable leadership and singular commitment to ensuring every student has the skills and knowledge to be successful in college and in life makes it a model for other districts around the country," said Eli Broad, founder of The Broad Foundation.

Each year, 100 of the largest school districts in America that serve significant percentages of low-income and minority students are automatically eleigible for The Broad Prize. Districts cannot apply for or be nominated for this award.

Gwinnett County was selected as a finalist this past spring by a review board of 18 prominent education researchers, policy leaders, practitioners and executives from leading universities, national education associations, think-tanks and foundations that evaluated publicly available student performance data.

Because Gwinnett County won this year's Broad Prize, its high school seniors who graduate in 2011 will be eligible for $1 million in college scholarships. Broad Prize scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate significant financial need and show a record of academic improvement during their high school career. Scholarship recipients who enroll in four-year colleges will receive up to $20,000 paid out over four years ($5,000 per year). Broad Prize scholars who enroll in two-year colleges will receive up to $5,000 scholarships paid out over two years ($2,500 per year).

Bring the 'Taste of Home' to Your Home

The Taste of Home Cooking School is coming to the Gwinnett Center on Thursday, October 28! This 21/2 hour show provides a stage demonstration of 10-12 recipes and offers valuable cooking tips.

Culinary specialists will provide step-by-step instructions on how to create satisfying and flavorful dishes. You'll also have the opportunity to register for door prizes, including the recipes created on stage that night!

Each student will receive a gift bag filled with great products and coupons, as well as a Taste of Home cookbook. In addition, attendees at the Gwinnett Center Taste of Home Cooking School will receive a free one-year subscription to Taste of Home or Taste of Home Holiday magazine.

The doors of the Gwinnett Center open at 4:00 p.m. for the vendor show, and the cooking demonstrations begin at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at www.gwinnettdailypost.com or by calling 770-963-9205 at extensions 1208 or 1100. Mention that you're a member of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and receive an exclusive member ticket rate of $12!

Celebrating a Decade

The 1818 Club Commemorates Ten Years in Gwinnett with Celebration

Duluth, GA – October 18, 2010 – Featuring champagne, caviar, live entertainment, and the usual movers and shakers who make up the membership, The 1818 Club is set to celebrate its 10^th anniversary with an event members will be talking about for another decade.

Nearly 10 years ago, The 1818 Club opened its doors as Gwinnett's first private business and social dining club. On Wednesday, October 20, over 300 members and guests will enjoy first-class treatment with exquisite food stations throughout, generous door prizes, complimentary champagne and a wonderful reunion of the members in commemoration of ten very successful years.

"The 1818 Club continues to be the leading venue in the county to network with the decision makers of Gwinnett," said Bill Russell, President & CEO, Russell Landscape and 1818 Board Member. "The food is outstanding and the exceptional service is what you would expect from a fine private club."

Named for the year Gwinnett County received its charter, The 1818 Club is located on the third floor of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce headquarters building on Sugarloaf Parkway adjacent to the Gwinnett Center and Arena.

Over 700 members entertain important clients, hold business meetings in private rooms, network, and simply relax after hours at The 1818 Club. Over the last ten years, the club has become the focal point for local business and social networking events within Gwinnett County and surrounding areas.

For information about The 1818 Club or the 10^th Anniversary Party, visit www.the1818club.org or contact Lisa Zaken at 678-584.2254 or lzaken@the1818club.org.

Finally – a chance to wear those old bridesmaids dresses!

California Dreaming to Host Rally for the Cure Event

California Dreaming will host a Rally for the Cure® 27 Dresses Style Party on October 22 at 7:00 pm at their location on Old Peachtree Road.

The evening's festivities will include a complimentary appetizer buffet with California Dreaming favorites, pink martinis, photographers, and prizes – not to mention the opportunity to wear that old bridesmaid's dress one more time! Guests will receive a goody bag filled with rally items, breast health information and subscriptions to Condé Nast magazines such as SELF, Golf Digest and Bon Appétit.

Rally for the Cure is a grassroots program to spread awareness about breast health and breast cancer in support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® through volunteer organized golf, tennis and social events. More than 1.65 million people have participated in Rally for the Cure events across the nation since its inception in 1996. This year marks the premier year California Dreaming has rallied against breast cancer.

"The success of Rally is attributed to volunteer ambassadors like, Meghan Anderson, who have said 'Yes we can have a Rally at our restaurant. It is their enthusiasm, energy and support we value in our commitment to support Susan G. Komen," says Diane Perillo, Program Manager, Rally for the Cure.

Since 1996 Komen has received over $50 million from Rally events to support their mission. Rally for the Cure® is based in Wilton, Connecticut. For further information about the California Dreaming Rally event, contact Meghan Anderson, 770-813-9240 or to host a Rally event of your own call 800.327.6811 or visit the website: www.rallyforthecure.com.

Gwinnett Tech to Host Vince Dooley Book Signing and Workshops at Fall Plant Sale

Gardening enthusiasts and Bulldog fans alike will want to flock to Gwinnett Technical College on Friday, October 15. The college is hosting several gardening and horticulture events that day including:

Vince Dooley Book Signing – Avid gardener and former University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley will be signing and discussing his new book, Vince Dooley's Garden: A Horticultural Journey of a Football Coach at 10:00 a.m. Signing is free and books will be for sale.

Planting Workshops – The Continuing Education Division will host two gardening workshops immediately following Dooley's presentation. The workshops – Kitchen Gardens–Vegetables in the Landscape and Flower Show Blue Ribbons Made Easy – will be held at 12:30 and 1:30 p.m., respectively. The registration fee for the workshops is $10 per session.

Fall Plant Sale – The Environmental Horticulture program will host its annual Fall Plant Sale from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Gwinnett Tech Greenhouse, adjacent to Building 600.

Those interested in attending the book signing for Dooley or the gardening classes must register by visiting www.GwinnettTech.edu/ce and selecting the Hobbies and Personal Enrichment class schedule, or by calling 770-995-9697.

Dooley's engagement will be the auditorium of The Busbee Center, Building 700, on the Gwinnett Tech campus, at 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043. Please use the north entrance to campus.