---News Flash! Minor League (AAA) professional baseball has come to Gwinnett County! Opening Day was April 17, 2009 at 7:00 PM. Braves say prices are as low as $7 a seat and, since the stadium is new but smaller, every seat is close to the action. Enjoy dinner by the Mall of Georgia strip before the game and drive just 2 miles and you're at the ball park    The brand new stadium/hotel/shopping complex is underway on Highway 20 (Buford Drive) just East of I-85. The stadium is finished and holds about 10,000 fans. The complex will soon offer shopping and will include a 150 room hotel. The team was known as the Richmond Braves and had been an Atlanta Braves farm club in Richmond, VA since 1966. The new name of the team is the Gwinnett Braves and is still a farm club of the major league Atltnta Braves. Ticket prices are reasonable and AAA Baseball is just one step below major league in status. The city of Lawrenceville, located in the center of Gwinnett County, is the county seat of what was, at one time, named the fastest growing County in the the U.S. And yet, home prices in Gwinnett have maintained a reasonable level of appreciation unlike other parts of the Country where great homes at reasonable prices are a thing of the past. You can still get most homes in Gwinnett at 1/3 the cost of comparable homes in other inflated areas of the U.S. Lawrenceville has a historic, small-town flavor to it. The tallest building is only three stories and there's only one of them. On a clear day, you can actually see Stone Mountain Park, famous for it's rock carvings of the old South's Civil War heros on it, as well as Downtown Atlanta from many spots in Gwinnett County. In early Spring, the white-flowered Bradford pear trees and red or pink azaleas are in full bloom literally everywhere. Then there's the magnolias... One of the newest and largest shopping Malls, the Mall of Georgia, is only 15 minutes from Lawrenceville. It has a three-story food court, the NASCAR racing experience and a large theatre complex featuring a giant IMAX theatre. Outside the main entrance you'll find a circular water fountain that kids love to run through on hot-lanta summer days. Bring towels. An outdoor bandstand that has free concerts featuring some great local talent rounds out the courtyard. If you enjoy walking in air-conditioned comfort, you'll get plenty of exercise in another unique Mall also only 15 minutes from Lawrenceville, Discover Mills. All the stores are one story high but they are arranged in a huge oval. Kids can skateboard at one indoor facility and there is a large food court with a play area for small children. One of the newest facilities in Gwinnett County, located only 15 minutes from Lawrenceville, is The Arena at Gwinnett Center, a beautiful, modern, multi-functional entertainment/sports center that has featured mega-stars like Bette Midler, Neil Diamond performing live on stage. My favorite Arena attraction is the Gwinnett Gladiators, a minor league hockey team which is affiliated with the NHL Atlanta Thrashers. What is so great about the arena is that it is in Gwinnett County; you don't have to drive all the way downtown to experience exciting hockey action or big-name entertainers. Last season, the Gladiators had several nights where over 10,000 fans were in attendance. Your kids will be in the best of care as Gwinnett County has one of the best school systems in the state. Ask anybody. And I won't even mention the fabulous French-style winery and golf courses at Chateau Elan, Country Club of the South or the other more than 30 golf courses in the county. How about some lakefront property in north Gwinnett right on Lake Lanier where you can own your own dock and go sail or power boating. My Wife and I have lived in Gwinnett County for over 10 years now and have bought two homes there. We can't think of a nicer place to live. Y'all come on down. You just may want to stay awhile... |