Broadway in the Park returns to Suwanee Town Center Park with heavenly productions of Sister Act JR. and The Sound of Music:Youth Edition. The family-friendly event is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm for one weekend only, July 29 and 30.
Based on the hit 1992 film, Sister Act JR. tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a high-spirited aspiring pop singer who witnesses a murder and is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won’t be a found: a convent!
“Raise your voice” is the central message of this musical about a willful “disco diva” who finds grace and fulfillment in the place she least expects it. Filled with powerful gospel songs Sister Act JR. is a sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship and community.
Based on the inspirational true story of Maria von Trapp, The Sound of Music is one of the most beloved musicals of all time! In Austria, 1938, an exuberant young governess brings music and joy back to a broken family, only to face danger and intrigue as the Nazis gain power. The von Trapps’ daring escape provides one of the most exciting finales presented in theater.
The final collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein, The Sound of Music is uplifting theater at its finest. The show teaches us that music, joy, and love can be effective weapons against fear, intolerance, and hate. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do Re Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide.
Premium seating in assigned areas is available in exchange for donations or sponsorship.
- For more information: suwaneeperforms.org.
Lawrenceville adopts $172 million budget for FY 2023
The city of Lawrenceville has adopted a $172-million annual budget for the coming year. The new budget represents a 17 percent increase over the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget of $147-million, because of increased capital expenditures, inflationary costs and salary/staffing increases.
The (FY) 2023 budget will focus on investments in three key areas – personnel, capital investments, and strategic planning. The city’s fiscal year begins July 1 and keeps the current millage rate unchanged at 2.228 mills.
Mayor David Still states: “As our city continues to grow, a sound financial plan ensures Lawrenceville will flourish and move forward according to our strategic plan. Each year, I continue to be amazed by the efficiency and critical planning expended by city staff to secure the future of the City of Lawrenceville.”
Chief Financial Officer Keith Lee made the FY 2023 budget presentation that incorporates investment in human capital with the inclusion of $2.1-million (salary and benefits) for an employee market salary adjustment to all staff; $452,000 to create five total new positions in the police, human resources, public works, and planning and development departments; and funding to create an employee residency incentive.
Additional highlights of the FY 2023 budget include $18.3-million invested in capital assets, which include roads, electric grid, natural gas distribution, stormwater system, public safety, and facility maintenance and improvement.
City Manager Chuck Warbington says: “Our three central budget initiatives are key to the continuing success of our city and support the budgetary vision of the Mayor and Council, who speak for the community. Investing in human capital through market salary adjustments and creation of new positions for our growing city ensures competitive compensation to attract and retain top talent in all departments.”
- For additional details and to view the full budget presentation, visit the agendas and minutes section of the city website. Visit Open Checkbook, the city’s financial transparency site, for details on city expenses.
Gwinnett expands mental health services for residents
Gwinnett County is enhancing its services for residents who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. The Board of Commissioners have approved an expansion of the mental health partnership between the Gwinnett Police Department and View Point Health.
The expansion means the addition of two licensed clinicians, bringing the number of providers in the behavioral health unit to three. A total of six clinicians will be in place by the end of 2022. The total cost of the contract with View Point Health is $539,820.
More than 160 mental health crisis calls were answered during the pilot program that began in 2021. In March of this year, the unit played a key role in both the release of passengers who were being held hostage on a Greyhound bus and getting the suspect off the bus safely.
GGC wins recognition for diversity and inclusiveness
Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) was selected to receive the Georgia Association of Colleges and Employers (GACE) inaugural Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Award.
GGC received the award for its program, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? A Conversation on Diversity in the Workplace. The event drew GGC student, faculty and staff participants, who heard from a panel of representatives from the government and private sectors. Over dinner, event panelists discussed their respective experiences and provided advice in navigating through diversity issues in the workplace.
Sherrie Goodman, acting director of GGC’s Career Development and Advising Center said that the Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner event allowed participants to share their own experiences in what she called a “safe space.” Goodman said that GGC will host another Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner event in early 2023.
Gwinnett Young Professionals spotlight 35 under 35
Billings
Gwinnett Young Professionals (GYP) hosted its second annual event celebrating the region’s top young business minds. This 35 Under-35 awards program named thirty-four winners and one ‘Young professional of the year’ as it furthered GYP’s mission to champion Gwinnett’s next generation of business leaders. More than two hundred young professionals attended the event to honor their peers.
Jasmine Billings, community development manager for the City of Lawrenceville, received the 2022 Gwinnett Young Professional of the Year recognition.
The 2022 35-under-35 winners included:
- Adriana Andrade, Precise Consulting;
- Charbel Aoun, Georgia First Generation Foundation;
- Heather Bellew, HB Consulting Co.;
- Vlad Bursuc, Georgia Gwinnett College;
- Kristen Cofelice, Catering Concepts;
- Benjamin Coker, Northside Hospital;
- Katie Corbett, Gwinnett County Animal Welfare;
- Dee Driver, Gwinnett County Government;
- Tommy Easley, Atlanta Gladiators;
- Ana Echeverry, Chemistry;
- Justin Estep, BECA, Inc.;
- Jared Estes, Colliers Engineering & Design, Inc.;
- Ashley Flagg, Mayvin, Inc.;
- Christabel Ghansah, City of Norcross;
- Michael Green, Green Financial Resources, LLC;
- Tyler Henry, Movement Mortgage;
- Stephanie Hernandez, Mosaic Georgia;
- Daniel Hwang, Twenty Five Marketing ;
- Sabina Khoja, Northwestern Mutual;
- Catrina Kmieciak, Atlanta Humane Society;
- Kyle Leineweber, Gwinnett County;
- Brittany Lowe, Rainbow Village Inc;
- Juan Mejia, JCM Ventures;
- Ikram Mohammed, Two and You Foundation;
- Muriam Nafees, Gwinnett County Government ;
- Jake Nguyen, Nguyen & Pham, LLC Attorney at Law;
- Shantel Nock, Empower With Words College Prep;
- Philip Pendergrass, The Pendergrass Law Firm;
- Kam Phillips, The Kam Phillips Group;
- Brooke Shultis, Gwinnett County Public Schools, Office of Academies and CTE;
- Kristan VandenHeuvel, The Water Tower;
- Owen Waits, J.P. Morgan Chase;
- Chad Wasdin, Gwinnett, Newton & Rockdale County Health Departments; and
- Aurielle Williams, Amatus Health.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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