Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Houseplants Promote Healthy Living and Eliminate Harmful Toxins

Houseplants are most commonly used to add color and life to homes and offices, but there’s an even better reason for homeowners to stock up on flowers and ferns – to keep their homes healthy. Recent NASA findings under the Clean Air Study have discovered that adding houseplants to indoor environments can reduce pollutants in enclosed areas up to 87 percent in just 24 hours. Pike Nurseries takes the guesswork out of gardening by summarizing the details of the study and offering plant suggestions for homeowners to get started.

According to the Clean Air Study, the three most common toxins that are found in homes and offices are benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene (TCE). These pollutants enter our homes through asbestos, chemical cleaning solutions, synthetic fibers, carpets and insulation. Luckily, houseplants offer a simple and beautiful way for homeowners to remove harmful airborne toxins naturally and without much effort.

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Seven Easy Ways to Save Big at Department Stores

JCPenney recently announced a permanent markdown of at least 40 percent on all it’s merchandise – a preemptive move to introduce a tiered strategy of ongoing promotions to offer consumers more value.

Wouldn’t it be nice if all department stores followed suit? Since it’s likely they won’t, now is a good time to brush up on your department-store shopping skills with these seven tips to save at your favorite stores.

1. Befriend Sales Associates
Though your knee-jerk reaction to eager salespeople may be “I’m just looking,” consider taking them up on their offer to serve you. Better yet, seek them out every time you shop the store. Building a rapport with a sales associate leads to the inside-track on upcoming sales and yields better customer service.

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

New London Theatre Presents “Cheaper by the Dozen”

Suppose you’re an attractive high school girl and you’re not only a member of a large and unique family but your father is, in fact, one of the great pioneers of industrial efficiency. Then suppose he decides, for no apparent reason, to apply his unorthodox methods to you and to the rest of your big family. The results are terribly embarrassing, funny and—it must be admitted—extremely effective!

New London Theatre presents “Cheaper by the Dozen,” made famous by the biographical book written by Frank Bunker Gilbreth, Jr. and the well-known blockbuster movie, on February 17 through March 4.

 

Dates and times are as follows:
February 17 – 8 p.m.
February 18 – 8 p.m.
February 19 – 2:30 p.m.
February 24 – 8 p.m.
February 25 – 8 p.m.
February 26 – 2:30 p.m.
March 2 – 8 p.m.
March 3 – 8 p.m.
March 4 – 2:30 p.m.

 
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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Physician Assistants Prescribe Healthy Hikes in Georgia’s State Parks

Unicoi State Park

Everyone knows that exercise is one key to being healthy, but not everyone enjoys going to the gym.  Georgia’s State Park system has teamed up with the Georgia Association of Physicians Assistants (GAPA) to make healthy living a bit more fun.  Through the new “Rx for Fitness” Program, physician assistants can prescribe healthy hikes in the great outdoors, and patients can turn in their “prescriptions” for free park passes.

“Rx for Fitness” is part of the State Park system’s new Tons of Fun Fitness Challenge which encourages citizens to use outdoor recreation as part of their regular exercise.  Park visitors may find that exploring a canyon is more fun than a step machine, and that hiking along a waterfall burns more calories than a treadmill.  The parks also offer less traditional exercise, like lake swimming, geocaching and disc golf.  Even some state historic sites offer walking trails in beautiful settings.

 
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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Dance Your Family’s Way to Healthy and Happy Hearts

With the invention of computers, video games and electronic toys children have become increasingly less active. Childhood obesity and the need for more physical activity are increasingly critical issues in America. One way you can encourage your children to become more physically active is by dancing!

The American Heart Association recommends that children ages two and older participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Dance is a simple activity that doesn’t require complicated equipment and can be done just about anywhere.

“I recommend dance as a fun physical activity for the whole family because it doesn’t require a lot of time, money or resources,” said Dr. Mary Zurn, vice president of education for Primrose Schools. “Dancing is a creative form of self-expression that helps build self-confidence. Plus, it provides time well spent with your family.”

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Swing with Your Sweetie at the Aurora Theatre Valentine’s Day Concert

Metro Jazz Club at Aurora Theatre Courtesy of Aurora Theatre

Aurora Theatre can help to create the perfect Valentine’s Day memory for any romance with the Swing Night at Aurora Theatre Valentine’s Day Concert on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 8:30 p.m. This special edition of the popular concert series will feature the Metro Jazz Club, a smokin’-hot 17 piece band performing an array of songs designed to get couples swinging with their sweetie this Valentine’s Day.

The evening hostess will be the incomparable Ann-Carol Pence, Aurora Theatre associate producer and resident musical director. Dedicated to the preservation of some of the best music ever composed, Metro Jazz Club is led by jazz sax man Gary Dalton. The concert will also feature real-life romantic couple and two of Atlanta’s busiest musical theatre performers, Laura Floyd (A Catered Affair, and upcoming as Bonnie Parker in Bonnie & Clyde: A Folktale) and Jeremy Wood (Singin’ in the Rain, A Catered Affair).

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Five Ways to Minimize Wedding Party Expenses

For many, the wedding is no longer a one-day affair — it’s grown into a wedding weekend with expensive festivities lasting three days or more. It’s estimated that guests alone will spend $500 to attend one and that figure doesn’t even include the wedding gift, according to EngagementExperts.com. Bridesmaids can plan on spending up to $1,400 to be a part of a friend’s big day, according to TheKnot.com.

Getting together a game plan before the wedding season kicks off will ease the strain on your closest friends’ and families’ wallets — and help alleviate your stress levels. Since you’re already looking to save money wherever you can, here are some unique ways you can save your guests and your wedding party money as well.

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Take Your Child on a Stroll Down Dr. Seuss’ Mulberry Street

Simon Kidgits Club, Dr. Seuss Enterprises L.P. and Random House Children’s Books together are celebrating the 75th anniversary of Theodor Seuss Geisel’s first-ever published children’s book, “And To Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street.” As part of the celebration, nearly 100 Simon malls across the country are hosting a special event for families to explore all the fun of Dr. Seuss.

Both Mall of Georgia and Gwinnett Place invite area kids and parents to celebrate “75 Years of Imagination” at special Dr. Seuss event. Families can wander Dr. Seuss’s whimsical world of imaginary wonder by participating in the event’s fun-filled activities:

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Gwinnett Medical Center Hosts Take the Pledge for a Healthy Heart

GMC Sports Medicine staff provides tips on a heart-healthy lifestyle and appropriate exercise routines at the February 2011 Health Forum.

Gwinnett Medical Center (GMC) will host a community celebration to recognize the opening of the new Strickland Heart Center on Saturday, February 18, from 8-11 a.m. at Gwinnett Center. Take the Pledge for a Healthy Heart is a free educational event open to the community, where attendees will be encouraged to sign-up to take a pledge to live a heart healthy lifestyle.  After taking the pledge, they will receive a pedometer.

Highlights from this interactive event include screenings and educational booths, health risk counseling, cooking demonstrations by an award winning chef, complimentary chair massages and fitness classes led by certified fitness instructors including Yoga, Pilates, Zumba and Cardio Dance. All who participate in a Yoga or Pilates class will receive a free yoga mat courtesy of GMC. Attendees will have an opportunity to win an iPod or iPad 2 every 30 minutes. An assortment of health and wellness inspired gift certificates and giveaways will be awarded throughout the event as well. Special guests of the event will include  9.49 The Bull and 640 AM. A complimentary breakfast will be provided to attendees.

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

How to Score Super Bowl Savings on Game-Day Gadgets

Super Bowl XLVI kicks off in a few days and in addition to soaring chicken-wing prices, delectable dip recipes and the season’s best football, the big game brings with it some of the lowest prices of the year on electronics (save for Black Friday, of course).

If you’ve wanted to upgrade your big screen, enhance your surround sound or switch to a smartphone for instant play updates, now is a better time than ever. However, intercepting the best deals takes a smart shopping strategy.

Review this play-by-play buying guide to learn how to tackle super savings on game-day gadgets:

1. Do Your Homework
Research is key when making any purchase, so be sure to read product reviews to determine the best make and model for your needs. If you’re in the market for a new HDTV, Lifehacker offers helpful advice on comparing specifications. Once you’ve determined what you want to buy, compare retail prices on sites like PriceGrabber.com to score the best deal.

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