To kick off the Fabulous Fourth festivities, the Kids Zone opens at 2 p.m. with family-friendly activities including games of cornhole, water balloon toss, duck pond and jump time in the bounce house. An entertaining concert lineup featuring the Brent Gafford Band, the Vintage Boogie Band and The Woody’s will keep the crowd dancing until the fireworks spectacular begins at dusk. In addition to fun and fireworks, this year’s Independence Day bash will feature summer snack favorites including Sweet Monkey Frozen Yogurt, Skip’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice, Healthy Nut Food Truck, funnel cakes, dippin dots, popcorn, cotton candy and more!

Show off your patriot pride by purchasing a small American flag for $1 in support of Simon Youth Foundation or spin the Prize Wagon for a chance to win amazing prizes from Gwinnett Daily Post and Mall of Georgia stores. To enter, sign up at the registration table located near the stage beginning at 2 p.m. Winners must be present and claim the prize within 30 minutes after the drawing, or that prize will be added to the next hour’s giveaway. The drawings will take place at the Village Amphitheatre stage at the top of each hour beginning at 3 p.m.

Mall of Georgia has teamed up with the Gwinnett County Fire Department and the Gwinnett Department of Transportation to ensure this event is both fun and safe for all guests. Because the famed fireworks display will launch from the Nordstrom Overflow Lot, some sections of the Nordstrom Parking lot will be closed to event attendees. These areas will be clearly marked, and guests are free to park elsewhere on the mall property. For the easiest entrance and exit, mall management recommends that attendees park in the Dillard’s Lot.

The fun doesn’t end with the last fireworks burst! As part of its Movies Under the Stars series, Mall of Georgia invites local families and friends to stay into the evening for a free post-fireworks screening ofPlaying for Keeps (rated PG-13). Settle down and enjoy the film on an impressive 42-foot screen. As always, guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs!

For more information, visit www.mallofgeorgia.com.

Avoid 10 to 4
Stay indoors during the peak hours of the sun. Its rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so try to schedule outdoor activities before or after those times.

Slather on the Sunscreen
Liberally apply sunscreen about 20 to 30 minutes before going outside. Because the sun emits two types of harmful rays-UVA and UVB-your sunscreen should provide broad-spectrum protection against both, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.

Reapply, Reapply, Reapply
Reapplying sunscreen may be the most neglected step in the sun-safety regimen. Sunscreen should be reapplied about every two hours while you’re outdoors, and every 45 minutes if you’re swimming.

Hat’s It!
Head out with a hat that protects your face, neck and ears. Choose one with a wide brim at least three to four inches around for suitable coverage. The bucket and wide-brimmed farmer’s hats, in a lightweight straw or cotton twill, are two classic, stylish choices.

Seek Shade
Seek shade, but do so with caution. While trees and umbrellas provide protection, you still need to protect yourself under them. The sun’s rays can scatter, penetrate and reflect to reach you.

Dress for the Occasion
Covering up in dark, tight-knit fabric is the best way to protect your skin, but it’s no fun in the summer heat. Fortunately, some companies now make lightweight clothing with effective sun protection. These items bear an ultraviolet protection factor or UPF (think of it as an SPF for fabric) of 15 to 50 on their labels.

Play Movie Star
Forget paparazzi cameras; you’ve got a better reason to shield your eyes. The eye area is incredibly vulnerable. Prolonged sun exposure can damage your eyes and increase your risk of developing eye disease. Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation.

Stay Hydrated
Start out hydrated each day, especially when you’re planning to be outdoors. While sports drinks can be helpful, be sure water is your main beverage.

Add It All Up
“Though each of these tips is important,” says Simmons, “following one or two isn’t enough.“ Doing just one thing won’t adequately protect you against the heat and sun exposure you get in the summer months. Drink water, wear the hat, the clothing, the sunglasses and the sunscreen. They’re all essential…for everyone.

When summer activity revs up, so do the sports injuries. Learn the symptoms and treatments for a variety of common sports-related injuries.  Download your own copy of the Sports Injury Toolkit from Gwinnett Medical Center’s Sports Medicine Program at gwinnettsportsmed.com/toolkit.

When did life get difficult at home?
In 2009, my adoptive parents’ son– who was always like a brother to me– died. We all had a hard time with it. My parents were grieving and paying less attention to my brother Mason and me. I felt a little like I was being abandoned again, as I had been by my birth parents.

I was in middle school and getting into my first relationships with boys. I stopped participating in school, and my grades suffered. I was sneaking out, going to parties, and I just shut down.

My parents tried everything to get me to behave. They took away my phone and my computer to keep me from texting and off of social media. They grounded me from everything possible and threatened to put in an alarm system so I couldn’t sneak out. My mom was like “I’m making my own house a prison, and that’s not ok with me.” They were micromanaging everything I did.

Why did your parents seek help from the Ranch?
The breaking point came when they found out I was seeing an 18-year-old when I was just 14. My parents saw me going down a path where I would end up pregnant or even dead.

When they first told me about Eagle Ranch, I didn’t believe them. I thought they were just trying to scare me. When we came for our interview, I didn’t speak the whole way there and refused to get out of the car. I thought, “Oh, I’m the problem child. You want to send me away. You don’t really love me.”

What was it like when you first came?
I couldn’t believe it was actually happening. My roommate helped a lot. She had already been at the Ranch for a year, and she helped me understand how things worked.

Describe the change in your life.
The change Eagle Ranch has made in my life has been a complete turnaround from where I was three years ago. I am secure in who I am as a person. I feel better equipped to deal with the challenges that life throws my way. There also has been a huge change in my family. I feel like we all work together and communicate now.

Eagle Ranch put people in my life that really cared about helping me. They taught me ways to deal with my feelings, and helped me be true to myself.

How was Eagle Ranch beneficial?
The most beneficial thing I think the Ranch offers is that it works with the whole family. The child doesn’t just feel like they are the problem. The best gift you can give a child is a family. I know this personally. The Ranch helps family members rebuild and connect so they can truly be a family.

This year, Aurora Theatre presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’sSouth Pacific. Well known for its extraordinary score, the songs include Some Enchanted Evening, Younger Than Springtime, Bali Ha’i, There Is Nothin’ Like A Dame, and I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair.

Based on James A. Michener’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 book Tales of the South Pacific, the musical took home the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1950. South Pacific has stockpiled a staggering 17 Tony Awards, ten for the original run and seven for the 2008 revival. It’s a perfect choice for this patriotic celebration because its portrayal of Americans stationed in an alien culture in wartime is as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences in 1949.

Following the performance is a fireworks display, accompanied by the Aurora Theatre orchestra playing the patriotic anthem Stars and Stripes Forever in a moving tribute on the eve of our country’s Independence Day.

Freddie Ashley, Actor’s Express artistic director, directs a cast of Atlanta’s top musical theatre talents, and Aurora Theatre Associate Producer and Resident Musical Director Ann-Carol Pence conducts the 20-piece orchestra. Bring the whole family for a picnic dinner and a show. Reserve a table for the best view and a chance to order exclusive catering packages from local restaurants.

For more information or to reserve a table contact Lawrenceville Tourism and Trade Association at 678.226.2639 or www.visitlawrenceville.com

Each year in the United States, nearly 300,000 people have a STEMI, or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, the most severe form of heart attack. A STEMI occurs when a blood clot completely blocks an artery to the heart. To prevent death, it’s critical to immediately restore blood flow, either by surgically opening the blocked vessel or by giving clot-busting medication. Hospitals involved in Mission: Lifeline are part of a system that makes sure STEMI patients get the right care they need, as quickly as possible. Mission: Lifeline focuses on improving the system of care for these patients and at the same time improving care for all heart attack patients.

As a “STEMI Receiving Hospital,” GMC meets high standards of performance in quick and appropriate treatment of STEMI patients to open the blocked artery. Before they are discharged, patients are started on aggressive risk reduction therapies such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, aspirin, ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers and they receive smoking cessation counseling if needed. Hospitals must adhere to these guidelines-based measures at a set level for a designated period of time to be eligible for the achievement awards.

“With our full continuum of cardiac care – beginning even before a patient arrives in our emergency department and continuing throughout the Strickland Heart Center,” said GMC President and CEO Phil Wolfe, “we are dedicated to making our cardiac services among the best in the country.  The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program is helping us accomplish that by making it easier for our professionals to improve the outcomes of our cardiac patients. We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in cardiac care, and I am very proud of our team.”

About Gwinnett Medical Center
Gwinnett Medical Center is a nationally-recognized, not-for-profit healthcare network with acute-care hospitals in Lawrenceville and Duluth. Offering cardiovascular, orthopedic and neuroscience specialty care as well as a full continuum of wellness services, GMC’s 4,500 associates and 800 affiliated physicians serve more than 400,000 patients annually. To learn more about how GMC is transforming healthcare, visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org or follow us at facebook.com/gwinnettmedical, twitter.com/gwinnettmedical or youtube.com/gwinnettmedical.

About Mission: Lifeline
The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps hospitals and emergency medical services develop systems of care that follow proven standards and procedures for STEMI patients. The program works by mobilizing teams across the continuum of care to implement American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology clinical treatment guidelines.  For more information, visit heart.org/missionlifeline and heart.org/quality.

“There’s nothing to stop anyone who wants a garden from having one,” says Roy Joulus, CEO of Greenbo, a company that designs award-winning innovative products for urban gardening including the new Greenbo XL flowerbox.

“Plants add a great deal to our quality of life – from cleaning the air we breathe to keeping us in touch with nature. Fresh, home-grown herbs and vegetables not only taste so much better than supermarket produce, they’re convenient, and you know exactly where they came from and what was used, or not used, on them.”

While hydroponic and vertical gardening systems have been developed to maximize the yield in small spaces, Joulus says starting a balcony garden needn’t cost much. Start with the right materials and choose plants that are right for your conditions, and you’ll soon be eating from the pots on your porch.

He offers these tips especially for balcony gardeners:

Plant the right plants for the amount of sunlight you have:

Most herbs and vegetables require six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. So what do you do if you have just one balcony and it doesn’t get that much sun?

Choose edibles that can take partial sun/shade (three to six hours of sun in the morning or early afternoon) or light shade (two to three hours of direct sun or lightly shaded all day.)

Some partial shade herbs: cilantro and parsley (both prefer cooler weather); dill, bee balm, spearmint chamomile.
Some light shade herbs: garlic chives, peppermint, rosemary.
Some partial or light shade veggies: lettuce, broccoli, green onion, collards, cabbage, peas, carrots, strawberries, beans, sweet potatoes.

Remember, pale-colored surfaces increase the light your plants receive. Plants in regions with short growing seasons usually need the full six to eight hours of light per day.

Choose the right pots:

• Bigger pots require less water and are less likely to blow over on high-rise balconies where the winds can be fierce. Terra cotta allows moisture to escape fairly quickly, which is helpful for people who like to water a lot. Non-porous plastic or glazed pots hold water longer and are better for windy balconies, where soil dries out quickly. Use brightly colored containers to add style and visual interest to your garden.

• Most vegetable plants require even watering – don’t let them dry out completely and don’t keep them soggy. Apply water directly to the soil.

• Make sure your containers have drainage holes or a drainage system. If they have an attached tray to catch excess water, don’t allow the plants’ roots to sit in the water, which promotes rot and fungus. Either empty the tray regularly, or use a design that holds the water away from the roots.

Use the right dirt:

• It’s important to use dirt that allows for good drainage. Most edible plants don’t like to sit in wet dirt, and soil without good drainage tends to become compacted – a difficult medium for plants that like to stretch their roots out. You can buy a sterile soilless potting mix, a soil-based potting mix, or mix up your own batch using 1 part compost, 1 part perlite and 1 part potting soil.

• Don’t use garden soil or top soil, which won’t allow adequate drainage.

• On windy balconies, top-dress your container with small rocks to keep the soil from drying out so quickly.

Joulus offers one more tip for high-rise dwellers: Rely on self-pollinating plants, or plants that don’t need pollination by insects, unless you’re willing to hand-pollinate.

“You likely won’t see many bees buzzing around the 40th story,” he says.

Don’t worry about pollination for root vegetables, like carrots and potatoes. Some self-pollinators include beans, peas, tomatoes and peppers.

About Roy Joulus
Roy Joulus is CEO of Greenbo, which was founded in 2012 in Florida with a focus on simplicity, efficiency and innovation in creating urban agricultural products. Its Greenbo XL flowerbox, designed to hang securely on any balcony railing up to 6 inches wide, won the prestigious 2012 Red Dot Design Award. Greenbo products are manufactured in a multi-cultural Israeli-Arab setting using sustainable and recyclable materials, and with safety the No. 1 priority. Find Greenbo products at garden centers and independent nurseries in the United States and Europe, and online at amazon.com.

“People from all walks of life are looking for proven ways to lose weight, energize, sleep better, strengthen their immune systems, and have brighter skin and a younger appearance. They’re also juicing to help their bodies heal from a variety of ailments,” says Calbom, author of a new book full of juicing tips, tricks and recipes, “The Juice Lady’s Big Book of Juices and Green Smoothies,” (www.juiceladycherie.com).

“No matter your diet, juicing offers a shot of goodness – nutrition, minerals, phytonutrients and more – that you might not otherwise get,” Calbom says.

Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been juicing awhile and want to optimize the experience, Calbom shares some important pointers that will help.

Fruits & veggies happiness studies: Plenty of new research shows that adding more produce to your daily diet can benefit your mental health and sense of well-being. In one analysis of the eating habits and moods of 80,000 British adults, researchers at Dartmouth and the University of Warwick found that those who consumed the most fruit and vegetables every day rated themselves as significantly happier and more satisfied with their lives than those who ate lesser amounts. Research shows that the well-being score for people who ate seven to eight servings of vegetables and fruits per day was consistently three points higher than for those who ate little or none.

More studies … Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health concluded from a study of 982 Americans that those who exhibited the most optimistic outlooks on life also had the highest blood levels of carotene, a key antioxidant that’s delivered by a colorful array of produce: dark green spinach and kale, carrots, and sweet potatoes, and vibrant yellow or orange fruits like peaches, papayas and cantaloupe, among others. And “juicers” should consider starting at a young age. A study of 281 adults with a mean age of 20, conducted at the University of Otago, New Zealand, showed that those who reported the highest daily intake of fruits and veggies also declared they were happier, calmer and more energetic than those who ate less.

“Do I need to juice; can’t I just eat produce?”: This is a common response, but the reality is that most people in today’s society – especially those who are booked from morning to evening with a busy lifestyle – rarely get an optimal amount of produce throughout the day. A half-cup of veggies is a serving and ¾ of a cup of juice equals one serving; chewing seven to eight servings of produce every day requires much more effort and time than drinking fresh juice for some of the servings. That makes people much more likely to benefit from juice, she says.

Flavor diversification: Some people soon fall into creative ruts because they stick to the same basic ingredients, and that can be a disincentive for sticking with juicing. Diversify! Try gourmet and exotic juice blends, or even plant-based ingredients you simply haven’t yet considered, some of which may include: butternut squash, one-inch ginger chunks, beets with leaves and stems, Brussels sprouts, and fennel bulbs with fronds. “Juicing is not about just using common fruit ingredients – spice it up and experiment with healthy vegetables; it works!” Calbom says.

An exotic example: A fennel-watercress-cucumber blend juice is an excellent way to mix up your typical cocktail. It includes: 1 handful of watercress; 1 dark green lettuce leaf; 1 cucumber, peeled if not organic; ½ fennel bulb and fronds; 1 lemon, peeled if not organic. Cut produce to fit your juicer’s feed tube. Wrap watercress in lettuce leaf and push through the juicer slowly. Juice all remaining ingredients. Drink immediately; this portion serves one.

About Cherie Calbom, MS
Cherie Calbom, MS is the author of 21 books, including the best-seller “Juicing for Life,” with 2 million copies sold in the United States and published in 23 countries. Known as “The Juice Lady” for her work with juicing and health, her juice therapy and cleansing programs have been popular for more than a decade. She holds a Master of Science degree in nutrition from Bastyr University. She has practiced as a clinical nutritionist at St. Luke Medical Center, Bellevue, Wash., and as a celebrity nutritionist for George Foreman and Richard Simmons.

Andy Sandford

Aurora Theatre Funny Fridays celebrates another great year of club comedy performances on the square in downtown Lawrenceville as headliner Andy Sandford is joined on the main stage by comediennes Mia Jackson and Debra Cole. See them all in one big show in the “big room” on Aurora Theatre’s Mainstage Friday, June 21 at 8 p.m. It will be like attending an HBO Comedy Special, live and right in your back yard.

About The Comedians

Andy Sandford is a stand-up comedian who cut his teeth in the clubs of Atlanta and is now based out of New York City. Andy can be seen playing himself on Adult Swim’s Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Andy is a founding member of the nationally acclaimed “The Beards Of Comedy,” who have recorded their sophomore album, Cardio Mix, with Comedy Central Records; and whose web series, Beards Across America, has racked up over 1,000,000 views on msn.com. A rapidly rising force on the national comedy scene, Andy was bestowed Rooftopcomedy.com’s 2011 Silver Nail Award, given to the “8 best upcoming comics in the country.” Andy has shared the stage with comedy legends such as Brian Regan, Jim Gaffigan, Emo Phillips, Greg Proops, Margaret Cho, and Bobcat Goldthwait.

Columbus, Georgia native Mia Jackson is a self-proclaimed know-it-all, who often finds herself the center of attention among family and friends. So, after graduating from the University of Georgia she took her confidence and sharp wit and hit the local comedy scene where she has thrilled audiences since day one. Recent television appearances include Oxygen’s Girls Behaving Badly and TLC’s Wild Weddings. She was also a writer on BET/Centric’s re-launch of the Soul Train Awards. A diverse comedienne with an original voice and perspective, Mia’s refreshing, energetic and conversational style leaves an audience feeling as if they’ve known her forever.

Debra Cole, host of Aurora Theatre Funny Fridays, is known to Atlanta comedy enthusiasts for her wry humor and rapid-fire style. Born on April Fool’s Day, Debra’s sassy audience interaction and left-hook delivery are sure bets to bring the laughs and set the pace for visiting comedians, making Funny Fridays the best comedy show in the metro area.

Tickets are $15. For more information, call 678-226-6222 or visit www.auroratheatre.com.

JUNE

Snellville Beach Blast
June 1, 2-10 p.m. at Towne Green
snellvillepride.com

Food Truck Friday
June 7, 7 p.m., at Town Center Park
suwanee.com

An Engaging Affair Bridal Show
June 9, 1-4 p.m., at Gwinnett Historic Courthouse
All ages, $6/person if pre-registered by 6/8
or $7/person at the door.
gwinnettparks.com

“A Night at the Wax Museum” presented by New Dawn Theater
June 13-16, 20-23, 27-30
Adults $15, seniors & children $12
newdawntheatercompany.com

AtlantaFest
June 14-16 at Stone Mountain Park
Prices vary
atlantafest.com

“Romeo and Juliet” presented by New London Theatre
June 14-30
$12 advance, $15 day of the show,
$10 seniors & children
newlondontheatre.org

Cops & Robbers 5K and 10K Run
June 15, 7 a.m., at Briscoe Park
$25-30, 13 years old and up
snellvillepride.com

Gwinnett Fire 5-Alarm 5K
June 15, 8:30 a.m., at Town Center Park
$22-25
5alarm5k.blogspot.com

Bluesberry Festival and Brew Fest
June 15 at Downtown Historic Norcross
norcrossga.net

Princess and Me Father/Daughter Dance
June 21, 6:30-8 p.m., at Gwinnett Historic Courthouse
$10/person, Must pre-register by 6/19.
gwinnettparks.com 

Georgia Bridal Show
June 23, 12-5 p.m., at Gwinnett Center
Tickets $10
eliteevents.com

JULY 

Summer at the Rock!
July 01 – August 4, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. / 9:30 p.m. lasershow at Stone Mountain Park Adventure Pass $27 for adults and $21 for children ages 3-11
stonemountainpark.com

Three Dimensional Art Exhibit
July 01 – August 15, 6 p.m. at Gwinnett Historic Courthouse
gwinnettparks.com

The Art of Cynthia Frigon
July 03 – August 17 at ART Station
artstation.org

Norcross Summer Concert Series
July 05 – August 30 at Thrasher Park
aplacetoimagine.com

Movies Under The Stars
July 06 – 27, 5 p.m. movies start at dusk
simon.com

Scrapbook Expo
July 12- 13, 7:30 a.m. at Gwinnett Center
gwinnettcenter.com

“Cabaret” presented by New London Theatre
July 12 – 28
$12 advance, $15 day of the show,
$10 seniors & children
newlondontheatre.org

International Film Festival
July 27- 28 at Gwinnett Center
gwinnettcenter.com

Flicks on the Bricks
July 21, 7 p.m. at Duluth Festival Center
duluthga.net

Les Miserables
July 25 – September 8 at Aurora Theatre
auroratheartre.com

Broadway in the Park
July 26 – 27, 8 p.m. at Suwanee Town Center Park
suwaneeperformingarts.com

Repticon – A Reptile & Exotic Animal Expo
July 27- 28 at Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
$10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children and free admission for under 4 gwinnettcountyfair.com

AUGUST

Brown Bag Concert
August 2, 11 a.m. at Gwinnett Historic Courthouse
gwinnettcounty.com 

National Night Out Event
August 6 at Thrasher Park
aplacetoimagine.com 

August Concert
August 10, 7 p.m. at Suwanee Town Center Park
suwanee.com 

Gwinnett Chamber Button Down Dash – 5K & Fun Run
August 10, 6:30 a.m. at Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
5K Race & Diaper Dash – $30, Fun Run – $20
buttondowndash.com

Duluth’s 3rd Annual City Council Chili Cook-Off
August 15 at Duluth Festival Center & Amphitheatre
duluthga.net 

20th Annual Slotin Folk Fest
August 16 – 18 at North Atlanta Trade Center
slotinfolkart.com

Blimpie Fit Fest
August 17, 7:30 a.m. at Suwanee Town Center Park
suwanee.com 

Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show
August 17 – 18 at Gwinnett Center
gwinnettcenter.com 

All That Jazz on Main
August 24 at Historic Buford Main St. Square
visitbuford.com 

Moonlight & Music Concert Series
August 30, 8 p.m. at Gwinnett Historic Courthouse
visitlawrenceville.com 

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