Gwinnett Technical College’s Environmental Horticulture program is hosting its 17th annual community plant sale on April 20 and 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the campus greenhouse facility (Building 600). On opening day of the sale, GTC and the Gwinnett County Public Library (GPL) will present a slate of gardening experts and authors from 10 a.m. to noon.
“The spring plant sale is always a much anticipated event. Our students have been working hard since last fall to fill up our greenhouse with a beautiful variety of plants,” said Aaron Poulsen, Environmental Horticulture program director. “Our partnership with the Gwinnett County Public Library brings some outstanding gardening experts on campus to provide attendees some gardening tips and insights for their own home.”
The author’s line-up includes Erica Glasener, horticulturist, author, lecturer and host of HGTV’s A Gardener’s Diary; Vince Dooley, former University of Georgia football coach and an avid gardener; Jim Wilson, author of five bird identification guides and past president of the Atlanta Audubon Society; and Jane Bath, a writer for Southern Living and Better Homes & Garden Magazine as well as author of the popular Landscape Design Answer Book. This event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
The Gwinnett Tech Environmental Horticulture program holds a community plant sale annually to sell the plants the students have grown to the community. Plants for sale include:
- Summer Flowers: petunias, impatiens, salvia, lobelia, coreopsis, calibrachoa, euphorbia, geranium, coleus, angel’s trumpet, zinnia, begonias.
- Perennials: sedum, shasta daisy, setcresia, phlox, hosta, crinum, guara, huechera, amaryllis, calla lily, canna lily, elephant ear, succulents, black mondo, and ornamental grasses.
- Herbs: oregano, thyme, lavender, rosemary, dill, basil.
- Vegetables: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, beans, sunflowers.
- Tropicals: night-blooming cereus, cordyline, pothos, philodendron, wandering jew, spider plant, ficus.
- Shrubs: gardenias, fatshedra, shaped boxwoods, spiral junipers, abelia, spirea,
The GTC greenhouse is located adjacent to Building 600 on the Gwinnett Tech campus, 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043.
Gwinnett Tech offers an associate degree and a diploma program in Environmental Horticulture, plus certificate options that train students for employment as a landscape design technician, landscape/greenhouse installation technician and in floral design.
]]>
“Will design for an internship!” say Gwinnett Technical College Interiors students. Stone Connection in Norcross is sponsoring a design competition for GTC students, awarding an internship opportunity and cash prizes to the winning students
Design students have been invited to submit either a kitchen or bath project featuring Stone Connection products for the chance to win one of three monetary awards. The competition will give clients of Stone Connection a visual image of how their products can be combined with other materials, such as lighting, furniture and window treatments, to create beautiful, functional environments.
“It takes a special talent to be able to visualize what a specific natural stone color will look like when combined with other materials, so what better way to do this than have these up- and-coming designers showcase their talents,” explains Jonathan Houghton, corporate sales manager, Stone Connection. “It also allows us to give back to our industry, and we hope the competition will grow in strength and numbers in the coming years. We have a number of prominent designers judging the competition, so it will also be a great networking opportunity for the students.”
The first place winner will receive an internship with Stone Connection, plus a $700 cash prize. A reception announcing the winners and honoring the students and faculty will be held at Stone Connection, 3045 Business Park Drive, Norcross, on February 24 at 6 p.m.
Gwinnett Tech’s Interiors program offers an associate degree, diploma and certificate in interior design, as well as additional certificate options in painted and faux finishes and in kitchen and bath design. The kitchen and bath design certificate is supported by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).
In all, GTC offers more than 45 degree, diploma and certificate program options that you can finish in two years or less. For more information on all programs, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.
Get the latest news about Gwinnett Tech: http://www.gwinnetttech.edu/news
###
]]>
Mary Beth Byerly (left), executive director, Gwinnett Tech Foundation, and Judy Waters, executive director, Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia, on the site of Gwinnett Tech’s new Life Sciences Center
The Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia (CFNEG) has gifted the Gwinnett Tech Foundation with a $50,000 donation to support the Legacy of Lives capital campaign for the college’s new Life Sciences Center.
The gift from the CFNEG, disbursed over five years, will be used to equip the Nursing Skills Suite in GTC’s Life Sciences Center with exam beds and state-of-the art nursing station technologies. Additionally, the Center’s microbiology classroom will be named for the Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia.
“Gwinnett Tech consistently serves the greater good of the community and the county, and the Legacy of Lives campaign is another strong example of this. We’re proud to help support the new Life Sciences Center and the positive impact this center of learning and innovation will have on our region,” said Judy Waters, executive director, Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia. “Our partnership with Gwinnett Tech began 25 years ago, and as our endowments grow, we’ll continue that partnership. Gwinnett Tech has always offered much to the business community of this great county.”
The Legacy of Lives campaign supports the education and training of healthcare professionals for the area through the construction of the Gwinnett Technical College Life Sciences Center and expansion of GTC’s existing healthcare and life sciences program offerings. When complete in the fall of 2011, the three-story, 78,000-square-foot center will serve 3,000 students. Currently, nearly 43 percent of GTC students are enrolled in one of the college’s health science programs.
“The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia is a long-term supporter of Gwinnett Tech and has been the lead donor for many of GTC’s most important initiatives and expansions,” said Mary Beth Byerly, executive director of the Gwinnett Tech Foundation. “The Foundation’s donation to the Legacy of Lives campaign will help us provide high-wage job training in the healthcare industry, an investment that will enhance economic sustainability for our graduates, their families and ultimately, the community.”
In the past, the CFNEG has also provided funding for the D. Scott Hudgens, Jr. Early Education Center on the GTC campus, the GTC Learning Success Center and the Gwinnett Advancement Program.
Over the past five years, the CFNEG has grown by more than $18 million. In March, the CFNEG enters another phase of expansion, adding seven new board members and crafting a new strategic plan to guide the foundation in the future and embrace the region’s new philanthropists.
Gwinnett Tech currently offers degree, diploma or certificate options in registered nursing, bioscience, radiologic technology, respiratory care, surgical technology, dental assisting, medical assisting, dental lab technology, health studies, veterinary technology and EMT/paramedic technology, many of which will be expanded. The new Life Sciences Center will enable the college to introduce new programs in cardiovascular technology, diagnostic sonography, and health information technology, as well as a patient care technician program and bridge programs for practical nursing to registered nursing and for paramedic to registered nursing.
GTC offers more than 45 degree, diploma and certificate program options that you can finish in two years or less. For more information on all programs, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.
Get the latest news about Gwinnett Tech: http://www.gwinnetttech.edu/news
]]>
For most Gwinnettians, it was a long, cold winter indoors. So get out of the house and celebrate spring with your children by escaping to all of the wonderful things the metro area has to offer. Spending time together is the best way to create a strong family.
Picnic in the park
There is nothing better than a good, old-fashioned spring picnic in the park, and a great way to celebrate being together as a family. Pack the PBJs, favorite snacks and drinks – and of course a great big blanket to spread on the grass and head out to one of Gwinnett’s gorgeous parks. There are more than 40 to choose from, ranging from serene natural settings with trails and fishing ponds to historic sites. Explore a park: www.gwinnettcounty.com
Go fly a kite
If there was an ever-lasting childhood memory it’s kite flying. Whether you caught wind or not, there was no better fun than running with your string held tight hoping to get that kite up in the clouds. Kids get good exercise and – compared to most toys these days– kites offer hours of inexpensive thrills. All you need is a windy day.
Zoobie, doobie, doo
When’s the last time you took your children to the zoo? Zoo Atlanta is one of Georgia’s most beloved family destinations – just 30-45 minutes away. Your kids will ooh and ahh over more than 1,000 animals representing 200 species from around the world. Stroll through 40 acres of natural habitats and lush landscapes…take a train ride…and don’t forget to visit the world-famous pandas. Head to the zoo: www.zooatlanta.org
Experience a wildflower hike
Longer days, warmer weather, eye-catching spring blooms. Three reasons to take the fam on a wildflower hike. You’ll find several guided hikes at Georgia State Parks to give your novice nature enthusiasts a close-up look at spectacular blooms. Some even offer wild-flower-themed kids crafts as part of the tour. Find a hike: www.georgiastateparks.org
Take ‘em out to the ballpark
It’s the greatest American past time, and a great way to spend a spring day outside. Give ‘em some peanuts and Cracker Jack while they experience one of the hottest teams in Minor League Baseball – the Gwinnett Braves. From Chopper the mascot to player appearances, a spring outing to Coolray Field is major league fun: www.gwinnett.braves.milb.com
Learn to live green
The Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center offers a Green Living Series on Saturdays almost year-round, but this spring you and your children can learn about transportation, gardening & landscaping and backyard wildlife habitats. Introduce the entire family to green living choices: www.gwinnettehc.org.
The award-winning, revolutionary program created to teach children how to avoid and resist abduction and harm, radKIDS, has successfully trained thousands of children to avoid and escape bullying, an epidemic that causes 160,000 children a day to stay home from school, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Renowned child protection advocates Ed Smart, Steve Daley and Diena Thompson will be in Atlanta on Feb. 10 to 13 to join Keep Georgia Safe to raise awareness of radKIDS and its success in child safety and protection.
The nation’s leading personal safety empowerment program for children ages 5-12, radKIDS provides hands-on learning for children on how to recognize, avoid, resist and escape violence, bullying, abduction and harm. Keep Georgia Safe, the Georgia non-profit organization dedicated to child safety and crime prevention, sponsors and facilitates radKIDS certified instructor training and program implementation into schools and community centers.
Smart, the father of Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted and miraculously rescued nine months later, Thompson, the mother of seven-year-old Somer Thompson, who was abducted and killed in 2009 and Daley, founder and director of radKIDS, are passionately working to educate parents, educators and lawmakers of the critical importance of proactive child protection.
The radKIDS bullying prevention model curriculum combines self-esteem building with realistic physical skills to escape bullying violence. A curriculum that not only stops bullying behaviors, but also empowers children to stop violence physically when absolutely necessary – all with the intent to escape and then report, not hide, the encounter. Current research indicates that the only effective way to stop a bully is to make them stop.
The radKIDS program is the only nationally certified curriculum that teaches and empowers children to not only reject bullying in their lives, but to stop physical violence when necessary. The radKIDS curriculum is the foundation to changing the ineffective zero tolerance policies in our schools to much more effective and expected policies of zero victimization. Our children deserve the right to be safe in their education and radKIDS empowers both the children and the educational system to truly stop the violence and victimization that has reached pandemic proportion in our schools today.
To date, 73 children have used their radKIDS skills to escape an attempted abduction, and thousands more have escaped the bullying, abuse and violence in their lives. Due to Keep Georgia Safe’s efforts, radKIDS programs are currently in place at six schools and community centers in Georgia.
For more information, visit keepgeorgiasafe.com
]]>Over 700 business and community leaders who were in attendance got the chance to hear Governor-elect Deal’s vision and plan for the state of Georgia in 2011 and get an update on the state’s efforts in education and workforce development, infrastructure and small business growth and economic development. The Governor-elect also gave insight on his plans to improve the overall quality of life for Georgia citizens.
“Support from local communities, such as Gwinnett County, is what makes this state a strong and vibrant option for business growth and overall quality of life,” said Governor-elect Nathan Deal. “It is through this unified mindset that Georgia will be able to come out of the recession and once again maintain the stability, strength and rapid growth it has witnessed before.”
This luncheon marked the beginning of a strong relationship with the governor-elect to support statewide legislative priorities through the Chamber’s 2011 public policy initiatives including job creation, education, water and transportation.
“Collaboration at the local, regional and state level is essential in order to grow job opportunities and create wealth in Gwinnett and the state of Georgia,” said Jim Maran, president & CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber. “This luncheon presented a wonderful opportunity to join forces with Governor-elect Nathan Deal and our statewide partners to achieve the goal that we all share which is the economic success of our state.”
As a follow-up to the Georgia Leadership Luncheon, the Gwinnett Chamber, along with several statewide partners, will present the Georgia Leadership Welcome Reception featuring the new Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey on Jan. 18. The reception will be held at The 1818 Club from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The reception will be followed by Gwinnett Day at the Capitol Feb. 23 and the Public Policy Summit in May.
For more information on the Gwinnett Chamber’s Government Relations efforts, visit www.gwinnettgovernmentrelations.com
]]>