‘Stars and Strikes’ in Dacula, GA Hosts Family-Filled New Years Eve Celebration

On Friday, December 31, 2010, from 6 pm to 2 am, Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center in Dacula, located at 1700 Winder Highway, Building 100, Dacula, Ga. 30019, will host New Years Eve Celebrations with games, food and fun for all ages. Highlights of the celebrations include: games, bowling, food, door prizes, a champagne toast at midnight, and a special "Coaches Corner" festivities for adults, with karaoke and a DJ. Reservations are required and recommended be made by December 28, 2010.

More families are opting out of the traditional News Year's Eve party bash, and instead, are looking for ways to do something together with the family to ring in 2011. Stars and Strikes owners decided to "think outside the box," and offer some exciting, yet budget-friendly family packages that the local community can enjoy this year.

Stars and Strikes' first New Year's Eve package, "Make it a Family Night," runs from 6 p.m. – 1 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2010 and includes: bowling for the entire family, shoes, one session of lazer tag or bumper cars, snacks, pizza buffet, party favors, raffles and prizes – for only $140.00 per lane, for up to six guests. For groups larger than six it's only $15 for each additional person, according to Chris Ollila, general manager at Stars and Strikes Center in Dacula.

The second package, "Late Night Celebration" runs from 10 p.m. – 2 a.m., and includes the same perks as above with addition of a champagne toast at midnight. This package price runs $160 per lane for up to six guests and $15 for each additional person. For reservations, call 678-965-5707.

"Coaches Corner", a full service bar and restaurant, will run New Years Eve specials from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. for adults to come and mingle while the kids enjoy bowling and other festivities. Coaches Corner will stay open until 2 am.

"This is a great alternative New Year's Eve celebration for families who want to spend great, quality time together and ring in 2011 with a fun and festive time," general manager Chris Ollila said. "But don't wait too late to make reservations … last year we sold out several days in advance but those who joined us enjoyed quite a fantastic, memorable New Year's celebration with family and friends."

MIS Solutions’ Fruitcakes Make Children Happy

In lieu of their customary holiday fruitcakes to clients, MIS Solutions Inc. made an impact by donating $1,440 to the Gwinnett Children's Shelter. Jennifer & Lliam Holmes, owners of MIS Solutions, pooled their annual fruitcake dollars for their Greenlight clients and made a donation on each client's behalf directly to the Gwinnett Children's Shelter.

"God's hand is in so much of what we do here at MIS Solutions and we truly believe that he is using MIS and the clients involved to impact kids here in our community," Jennifer Holmes noted.

MIS Solutions is a full service computer and network support company. They have been servicing business customers in the Atlanta Area for over 14 years and all of their technicians are full-time employees that hold the most up-to-date certifications and expertise in every area of networking.

The team at MIS serves as a strategic partner for business owners that are profit focused and want to have a responsive team in place to handle that 'computer stuff'. After all, no one person can do it all when it comes to computers, security and backups. MIS Solutions provides complete IT service programs to small to mid-sized companies (defined as companies with 15 or more computers on their network) throughout metropolitan Atlanta and the Southeastern US.

For more information on ways you can help the Gwinnett Children's Shelter this year go to http://www.gwinnettchildrenshelter.org.

Aurora Theatre Hires New Director of Education

Aurora Theatre is delighted to announce the newest member of its full-time staff. Larry Ruth has been hired as Aurora Theatre's Director of Education, having succeeded Susan Reid who established the department three years ago.

Larry Ruth brings extensive theatrical, academic, and corporate experience to Aurora Theatre. Mr. Ruth received his Master of Fine Arts degree in theatre directing at the University of Minnesota in 1988 and has directed theatrical productions across the nation. In addition to teaching, acting and directing at the university level, Mr. Ruth has also taught classes for middle school and high school students, and has coached many professional actors. As an educator, he has developed acting and directing curricula, started a radio theatre company, and created college orientation plays based on current student issues.

At Aurora Theatre, he will hit the ground running, directing Aurora's upcoming educational production of Gary Grinkle's Battles with Wrinkles and Other Troubles in Mudgeville. This production is geared for elementary school students and is a part of Aurora Theatre's acclaimed Learning Library Series. Gary Grinkle's will be seen by 5,000-10,000 local school children beginning in January of 2011.

In the corporate arena, Mr. Ruth used his theatrical background for success in the position of Director of Creative Services for M²Creative, a multi-million dollar events management firm located in nearby Duluth, GA. While there, he conceived, wrote and directed corporate theatrical events and created dynamic sales presentations for high profile clients.

On what the community can expect from him in his new position, Larry said, "I'm excited to draw upon my unique mix of experience to provide dynamic and enriching educational events to Aurora's students and to create vibrant and fascinating children's theatre that makes a real impact on its audiences."

"I am thrilled to have Larry Ruth on board," said Aurora Theatre Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez. "What Larry brings to the table is the ability to make every show we produce a learning experience"

"With the success of the GGC Lab Series, we need to expand our education outreach, in order to have the same critical impact on our community's elementary and middle school students that we are having on our university level students. One of our chief goals is to strengthen the relationships with our education partners. Gwinnett County Public Schools, Georgia Gwinnett College and AIU are creating our leaders of tomorrow and Larry will help guide us into the future."

Lisa Anders Promoted To Deputy Director of the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCVB) has announced the promotion of Lisa Anders to Deputy Director of the GCVB, effective January 1, 2011. Anders will lead day-to-day operations of the GCVB and she will continue to direct all Marketing and Communications for the organization.

The GCVB is Gwinnett County's official tourism organization and is dedicated to strengthening Gwinnett County's economy by marketing the county as a destination for conventions, sporting events, meetings and leisure travel through sales, marketing and promotion. GCVB represents 93 hotels within the county and the cities of Suwanee, Norcross and Buford.

"Lisa is perfectly suited for this position because of her knowledge of, and passion for, the hospitality industry; hard-working management style and dedication to hoteliers needs," said Preston Williams, CEO of GCVB and Gwinnett Center. "Lisa has been instrumental to the success of the GCVB."

Anders has been with the GCVB for 13 years and has held various key positions in sales and marketing. Prior to joining the GCVB, Anders worked for the Cendant Corp. for 5 years and began her career in the hotel industry in suburban Atlanta in 1994.

"I am really looking forward to expanding my responsibilities. We have a great staff, strong board of directors and a supportive hospitality industry. We have already begun strategizing for a successful year in 2011."

Anders is active within the local and national tourism communities, serving as Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau Board member for 3 years, on Gwinnett Technical College's Hospitality Education Committee, Destination Management Association International Education Board and was a founding member of Duluth's Barefoot in the Park Fine Arts Festival committee.

Anders hails from Chattanooga, TN and moved to Atlanta in 1995 after graduating from University of Tennessee with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and Communications. Anders began her career in the hotel industry in suburban Atlanta in 1994. She enjoys volunteering in the Atlanta community and spending time with her 13 year old son Ben.

For more information on GCVB and Gwinnett County go to www.VisitGwinnettCounty.org.

Duke Realty Sells Druid Chase Office Building

Duke Realty Corporation has sold 6 West Druid Hills, a seven-story, 81,857-square-foot office building in its Druid Chase office park, located at I-85 and North Druid Hills Rd. in the Northlake submarket of metropolitan Atlanta.

Wes Hardy and Chris Brown of Duke Realty represented ownership in the sale.

The buyer was Crawford
Media Services Inc., a provider of creative, turn-key electronic media solutions for television, film and archival clients. The firm was represented in the transaction by Peyton Wimberly, Dean McNaughton, and Peter Glover, all of Cushman & Wakefield of Ga. Inc.

The building was 100 percent vacant at the time of sale. The purchase price was undisclosed.

Owned, leased and managed by Duke Realty since 1968, 6 West Druid Hills was originally marketed for lease to prospective tenants, according to Brown.

"But we knew that with its superior highway access and high visibility, the building could also be ideal for an owner-occupant – so when Crawford expressed serious interest, we made the decision to sell the asset."

Emory Eastside and Eastside Heritage Center Spread Christmas Cheer With Toys For Tots Campaign

The 1,400 employees of Emory Eastside Medical Center are getting in the holiday spirit by joining with the United States Marine Corp in their annual Toys for Tots gift-giving tradition. Donation boxes are strategically placed throughout both campuses.

"This is so much fun! Buying gifts for the children really puts me in the holiday mood," says Teresa Scoggins, Director of Critical Care.

The objective of the Toys for Tots campaign is to help less fortunate children by experiencing the joy of Christmas, and to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable resources – our children.

"Our commitment to Gwinnett County goes on throughout the entire year, but this particular event is very special to us," said Kim Ryan, Emory Eastside CEO.