About Mary Rennie

Mary Rennie is a public relations industry newbie – relatively -- with a zest for life and a streak for the creative (make sure you ask about her new pup, Tullah). Residing in Gwinnett for 18 years, she writes about everything you must know about living in this county.
Mary Rennie

Training and Continuing Education on the Upswing

Over the past few years, business conditions bordered on brutal – cutbacks, layoffs and losses began to feel commonplace. Now in 2012, business is on an upswing and many organizations have found the light at the end of the tunnel.

As the economy continues to rebound, business leaders are emerging from “survival mode” and are taking steps to grow and energize their business. Training, employee development and continuing education are once again back on the table as necessary business to-do’s. So, we asked some leading business brains: What’s the best thing you did for your business recently in terms of continuing education, professional development and corporate training?

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Mary Rennie

Take a College Road Trip!

Whether you’re a high school junior preparing to submit your applications or senior narrowing down your options, choosing the right college is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make.

To make sure your college decision matches perfectly with your personality and interests, it’s important to sit down and discuss with your family, trusted friends or even a school counselor your future academic endeavors. Do you want to attend a four-year or two-year school? Do you want to stay close to home or go out-of-state? What degree program are you thinking of pursuing? These are some of the serious questions you should ask yourself when researching colleges before making your choice. >>

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Mary Rennie

Buford Dentist to Give $10,000 through the Georgia School Spirit Award Program

Who’s got spirit? That’s what Buford dentist Ashley P. Curington, DMD wants to know. She has launched the Georgia School Spirit Award Program and will give $10,000 to the Georgia K-12 school that receives the most votes by midnight, Jan. 31, 2012. Anyone may cast unlimited votes for a specific school at Buford-Dentist.com or at facebook.com/BufordDentist and voters do not have to be one of Dr. Curington’s patients at the North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, P.C. However, only the State’s brick and mortar schools are eligible for the prize (no home or online schools will be considered.)

“I’ve been practicing dentistry for more than 15 years and have formed lifelong relationships with many people all across Georgia,” said Dr. Curington. “I created the Georgia School Spirit Award Program as a way to assist my patients and their schools in the place I live, work and love.”

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Mary Rennie

Don’t Be a Victim of Negligent Security!

Your safety and security is the number one priority, and many people are unaware that business owners, landlords and other property owners have an obligation to provide adequate security for their customers and guests. It is their duty to keep the premises safe by implementing measures to protect against violent crimes. This could include measures such as installing video cameras and appropriate door locks, providing adequate lighting and running background checks on tenants or employees.

Did you know that Gwinnett County had more than 23,000 crimes committed in 2010, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation? From 2009 to 2010, there was a 15 percent increase in rape crimes.

 
  •  
  •  
 
Mary Rennie

Gwinnett Celebrates America Recycles Day

Got an old TV set you just can’t seem to get rid of? Or maybe a collection of glass bottles and jars piling up? From books to cereal boxes, car parts to tennis shoes, there are more than 100 everyday items that you can recycle instead of throwing in the dumpster. Make Gwinnett the greenest and cleanest county by participating in these two free recycling events in honor of America Recycles Day.

The Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful is hosting a community recycling event on Saturday, November 12 from 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Residents can drop off over 60 different types of recyclables at the Recycling Bank of Gwinnett in Duluth. Recyclers can earn cash for their aluminum cans, shred their sensitive documents for free and have a chance to win cash prizes each hour. For a complete listing of recyclables and additional information, visit gwinnettcb.org.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Mary Rennie

Money Saving Beauty Tips

In today’s day in age, many people don’t have extra money to spare after expenses. Personal items like cosmetics, skincare, nail and hair products may get ditched for other necessary budget needs. But just because you have to tighten your wallet that doesn’t mean it has to cramp your style! It’s simple to be flawlessly beautiful on a budget. With just a few cost-effective beauty products and a lot what you already have on hand, you can create sexy, updated looks on a dime.

Below is a list of money-saving beauty tips we found helpful:

Out of Blush? Sweep some of that leftover summer bronzer onto the hollows of the cheeks to create a glow that is great for winter as well.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Mary Rennie

Hope Clinic Hosts Annual Awards Dinner

Hope Clinic staff

The Hope Clinic, a non-profit primary care internal medicine clinic will host its annual Circle of Hope Awards dinner on Friday, November 4, 6:30 p.m. at the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center in Buford.

The awards dinner honors physicians and healthcare service providers from the local community who have partnered with the Hope Clinic to provide care for their patients. The event also recognizes volunteers and citizens of the community for their contributions and volunteer work.

“The Circle of Hope Awards dinner serves many purposes. It’s both a way for us to thank the physicians and providers who make such a positive contribution to the Gwinnett community, and a way to help communicate our mission to the public,” says Jessica Geller, director of clinic operations at the Hope Clinic. “It’s our largest fundraiser and the money from the event goes towards patient care and operations at the clinic.”

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Mary Rennie

Gwinnett High School Football Kick Off Preview

Grab your shakers and cowbells and put on your favorite team’s spirit gear because Gwinnett’s high school football season is about to begin. Anticipating yet another exciting year of touchdowns and tackles, Gwinnett Magazine has kicked off this season with a schedule of all 17 Gwinnett high schools’ first big games. So whether you’re watching the head-to-head showdown of the Broncos versus the Eagles or cheering on newbie schools Archer and Mountain View, you’ll definitely have a great time hitting the field for some fabulous fall football.

**This schedule doesn’t include scrimmages, pre-season games or games with teams outside Gwinnett County.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Mary Rennie

Please Go To Sleep!

Bedtime can be a challenge for parents especially with small children, but it doesn’t always have to be. By creating an enjoyable and comfortable nighttime routine, your children will be less anxious about bedtime and mommy and daddy will be able to decompress stress free. The end of the day can also provide time for parents and their little ones to talk, bond and even learn together.

It’s very important (and helpful) to create a consistent routine. Although there are no set must-do rules, this routine has to be practiced nightly in order to be effective. The routine is set in place to allow your child to go to bed calmly and fall asleep with less fussing or rebelling.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
Mary Rennie

Teaching Outside the Bounds

Gwinnett County’s 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year Steve Kuninsky is an ambitious educator with his students’ best interest at heart

When describing your favorite teacher in school, the obvious qualities come to mind – helpful, friendly, understanding, compassionate, smart and always pushing their students to succeed. These tremendous traits and more are the definition of Steve Kuninsky, a nine-year veteran of Gwinett County Public Schools, a Parkview High School biology teacher and this year’s Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year.

Originally planning to be a doctor, Kuninsky realized teaching was his passion during his college days when his interest in helping people learn and understand science exceeded his desire to practice medicine. “I would always help my friends with their homework and problems with science. Along the way, I decided I would be happier teaching than in medicine,” he says.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •