Suwanee Fun Stuff Category
Great New Restaurant In Nearby Buford
August 25th, 2008 Categories: Gwinnett County, Suwanee Fun Stuff
If you are looking for a new place to enjoy some very fine food, great wine and incredible atmosphere, then you should check out Bella Vita Italian Bistro. Bella Vita is Laurie Attaway’s newest restaurant and is comparable in atmosphere and style to her signature restaurant, Aqua Terra Bistro in historic Buford, with the same focus on excellent food, service and presentation.
Just a short drive up Buford Hwy, you will find Bella Vita in the midst of the Buford Village, the mixed-use development at the corner of Hamilton Mill Rd and Buford Highway. The restaurant is one of the first businesses to open in this new development, which hopes to gain the same level success as Madison Park at Suwanee Town Center. Laurie Attaway’s restaurant fits very well with stylish “live, work, play” environment being created by these new community centers. Bella Vita, like Olde Towne Tavern and Ippolito’s in Suwanee, will provide a community gathering place and fine dining for Buford Village residents, employees and customers of the other surrounding shops, and visitors from nearby communities like Hamilton Mill and Suwanee. I hope to see more businesses and residents moving into the Buford Village soon to support this life-style concept.
My wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary at Bella Vita and had such a great time that we went back two nights later with my wife’s parents to share the experience with them. On both nights, every member of the staff serving us was exceptional in their efforts to make everything about the experience memorable. We were especially impressed with Laurin (with an “i”), our waitress for the anniversary dinner, because she was such a pleasant, fun person to meet. We will be back again soon.
Read more about Bella Vita by Lori Johnston (8/1/2008) - AJC AccessAtlanta
Originally posted on Hamilton Mill Dwellings
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Watching Suwanee City Hall Rise With The Sun
August 15th, 2008 Categories: Suwanee Fun Stuff, Suwanee Real Estate
As construction continues on the new Suwanee City Hall building, the view over the park changes daily. This morning the sunrise followed the rising hook of the huge crane as it lifted the last huge steel arch being placed on the front of the building.
The building was designed specifically to point back to Suwanee’s days as a railroad stop. The huge arching roof and clock tower are reminiscent of grand historic railway stations. Sunrise at these railway stations always preceded a rush of activity, and the rising arches of the new Suwanee City Hall precedes the new growth and opportunity for the future of Suwanee’s residents and businesses.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
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Suwanee Promotes Youth in Performing Arts
August 7th, 2008 Categories: Suwanee Events, Suwanee Fun Stuff
The Suwanee Academy of the Arts is presenting a two-night theatrical treat for Suwanee residents. Tomorrow night, the performance troupe hits the amphitheater stage with a fun, energetic and youthful performance of Disney’s musical “Aladdin” followed on Saturday night by “Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves - The New Musical.” Final rehearsals were completed Thursday night before a slowly growing, curious crowd in preparation for the real audiences Friday and Saturday nights.
Once again the City of Suwanee is providing a great opportunity to experience live theater on a fantastic stage and for free. Don’t miss this opportunity.
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Edwin McCain In Concert at Suwanee Town Center Park
August 5th, 2008 Categories: Suwanee Events, Suwanee Fun Stuff
Suwanee’s big event concert of the summer is coming up on Saturday, August 16th when platinum-selling singer/songwriter, Edwin McCain hits the amphitheater stage with his own blend of folk, soul and rock. If you’re already a fan of Edwin McCain, then you probably have this date marked on your calendar because you know that the opportunity to see him perform live for free is just to good to miss. For those few people who are not familiar with Edwin McCain’s music, he is a singer-songwriter from Greenville, SC who is now best known for his hit song “I’ll Be” which has been played at thousands of weddings in the past few years. He also received Top 10 honors for the song “I Could Not Ask For More.” As a native of South Carolina, most of his songs have a hint of southern story-telling style blended
with wonderfully soulful vocals. The Suwanee concert will probably include songs from his newest CD, “Nobody’s Fault But Mine,” which is a collection of cover songs from old soul music. Edwin is currently working on a new project for Vanguard Records at OMG Studios, which he co-owns in his hometown of Greenville, SC.
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Suwanee Life is Good Concert with The Wailers
June 24th, 2008 Categories: Suwanee Events, Suwanee Fun Stuff
The Life is Good Festival on Saturday (6/14/08) at Town Center Park featured a concert by the legendary reggae band The Wailers, Bob Marley’s band. Hundreds of people returned to the park after the short downpour which ended the other festival activities and they were treated to a fantastic performance by The Wailers. Enjoy this short video slideshow from the performance. Since The Wailers music is copyrighted and I was not able to obtain permission for its use, I’ve chosen to use Creative Common Licensed music, “Havana Rules” from artist Adam Burns.
Suwanee, GA Community Video - Suwanee, GA 30024
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Beautiful Morning Walks on the Suwanee Greenway
June 23rd, 2008 Categories: Suwanee Fun Stuff, Suwanee Real Estate
Take a break from the heat with a refreshing look back at scenes from some cool, morning walks during this past fall on the Suwanee Greenway. These were taken just after the completion of the walk-over bridge connecting Town Center Park and the Greenway.
Any walk (or jog) on the greenway paths is a treat, but during the fall you get the added visual effect of brilliant colors and cool morning breezes. The greenway trails are a great place to walk, run, jog or bike anytime of year because many areas of the trails are shaded from direct sunlight and surrounded by the beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers preserved for our enjoyment. Most of these excursions are is often enhanced by encounters with local wildlife such as squirrels, rabbits, deer and birds of many different varieties. Get out an enjoy the fun, but be sure to come back during the fall.
Suwanee, Georgia Community Video - Suwanee, GA 30024
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Impromptu Fun and Entertainment - Town Center Park, Suwanee, GA
June 20th, 2008 Categories: Suwanee Fun Stuff, Suwanee Real Estate
One of Suwanee’s greatest attributes is the genuine small-town neighborhood feeling that fills the area and creates a friendly, inviting atmosphere. Town Center Park serves as a catalyst for that friendly atmosphere and the community pride that invites people to come play in the park. As a result, people from all walks of life mingle in the park everyday enjoying the wonderful scenery and opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Many times the groups that gather to enjoy themselves attract the attention and curiousity of the other visitors, who are treated to unexpected entertainment or totally new experiences.
A recent example of this occurred when a group of friends gathered in the center of the park
for a “Meet Up” drum circle in the early evening. Area residents and park visitors were treated to about an hour of rhythmic sounds and movement as the group of 20-30 people played their various drums and percussion instruments while belly dancers moved through the circle to their enticing beat. The impromptu gathering drew about 40-50 spectators, with some joining the fun as drummers or dancers.
Other such gatherings include occasional bagpipes practicing in the park, some amazing kite flying demonstrations, or weekend games of Cricket being played by small groups of young men, who actually understand the game and play well.
Sometimes it just pays to be in park because you never know what you might see. Suwanee plays hard, lives well and smiles more, because of the friendly people who live here….come join us.
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Suwanee Takes Progressive Step with New Arts Commission
June 19th, 2008 Categories: Suwanee Events, Suwanee Fun Stuff, Suwanee Real Estate
Suwanee’s list of innovative and progressive initiatives continues to grow with the addition of the recently formed Public Arts Commission. Council members on a selection committee evaluated potential candidates for the commission, who were then approved for appointment by the city council. Placing this level of emphasis on public art is an approach typically found only in much larger metropolitan cities, but Suwanee maintains its lead as a sophisticated small town with a keen eye on the future.
The commission intentionally includes a very diverse group of local residents and business people with active business or personal involvement in creative art. Vanessa Boggs, owner of vBoggs Galleries at Town Center, is proud to be part of the commission as Suwanee positions public art as a priority initiative. Vickie Johnson, local artist and long-time Gwinnett teacher, says it is an honor and great responsibility to be part of helping our award-winning city also become the “best-dressed” city.
The role of the commission will include creating a mission statement which will serve as a guide for the city council for future commission members, developing consistent criteria for considering public art projects, improve resident’s awareness of the community benefits from public art, and involve the overall best interest of the community in art selection.
Art Commission Appointments
Vanessa Boggs, appointment expires December 31, 2009
Dick Goodman, appointment expires December 31, 2009
Vickie Johnson, appointment expires December 31, 2008
Linnea Miller, appointment expires December 31, 2009
Earl Mitchell, appointment expires December 31, 2009
Alison Nalley Starnes, appointment expires December 31, 2008
A seventh member may be appointed at a later date
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Suwanee Town Center Park - Popular for Early Morning Workouts
June 18th, 2008 Categories: Suwanee Fun Stuff, Suwanee Real Estate
Boot Camps are a growing trend in the fitness and personal training market, and Suwanee’s Town Center Park and other area parks have become very popular locations for many area gyms, fitness centers and trainers to “torture,”……I mean exercise their clients. Town Center Park’s close proximity to many surrounding neighborhoods and fitness facilities makes it a perfect place for these daily sessions. Local residents, men, women, young and old, with various levels of physical fitness show up, usually during the early morning hours, to run through 45 minutes of rigorous exercises using the many features of the park’s landscape to enhance fitness, lose weight and build stamina. Xtreme Transformations, a neighbor of the park, is one of the primary fitness centers using the park and they have been offering free sessions on Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM for anyone willing to show up. Other programs include the North Atlanta Boot Camps (women’s program) as well as several independent personal trainers in the area. This is a great way, and a great place, to jump start your workout program or step it up a notch, if you’ve already started. See you in park……maybe.
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Suwanee Has Many Great Connections to Professional Sports
June 9th, 2008 Categories: Suwanee Events, Suwanee Fun Stuff, Suwanee Real Estate
Suwanee has a tremendous connection to professional sports, which many residents and neighbors may not know about. The Suwanee Sports Academy has a well-respected staff of former professional and college athletes and coaches from several different sports, including ties to the NBA, WNBA, MLB, and even European Professional Soccer. The facility and commitment excellence in training young athletes continues to attract the attention of their former professional friends and colleagues in basketball, soccer and volleyball.
On June 27-29, Suwanee Sports Academy will host the NBA Development League Pre-Draft Camp for aspiring basketball stars. The camp participants must be 18 years of age. There will be 200 participants hoping to catch the attention of the many NBA D-League scouts and coaches in attendance, as well as NBA scouts and league management.
At the end of the camp, a few lucky participants will join the player pool for the November league draft. The D-League draft is held in Orlando where players put through a variety of drills and are placed on a team for at least two games to show their skills. For more information see Sam Amico’s article in Pro Basketball News.
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