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SNELLVILLE – Gwinnett County Transit is taking a comprehensive look at the future of transit in the county and it wants to hear from Snellville residents.

Talks on the Connect Gwinnett Transit Plan will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. April 24 at City Hall, 2342 Oak Road. The meetings are formatted for drop-in attendance.

For more information, visit www.ConnectGwinnettTransit.com.

SNELLVILLE – The Snellville Days Festival is returning to T.W. Briscoe Park May 5 and 6.

Crowds of more than 30,000 are expected to pack the two-day arts and crafts festival to get a glimpse of the diverse talents of local artisans and entertainers.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 5 and from 12 to 5 p.m. May 6.

There will be a free shuttle from First Baptist Church from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Plenty of food options will be available from local civic and non-profit organizations that will be serving up everything from barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, to peanuts and popcorn.

Some of the best local entertainment – including school student acts - will fill the stage near the food court all day Saturday and Sunday.

Wolves of the World are new this year and will be presenting the mystical, enigmatic wolf pack. The show features a hero wolf that saves a young girl from drowning, showing that wolves can be intelligent and empathetic animals.

Also debuting this year is Wildlife Wendy. Wendy and her tropical birds provide an up close and personal encounter with the most entertaining species of the bird world. Audiences will be intrigued by the majestic macaws as they present their physical abilities and personalities. Roaming the grounds will be Robocars, a range of brightly colored, life-sized, transforming robot vehicles. Operator driven, they walk and drive, creating excitement and photo opportunities for families.

Don't miss the Walking TreeMan and Cowboy Woody. Barely distinguishable from real trees, Walking TreeMan moves slowly and deliberately down the street, and can be seen from 150 yards away. There will be also someone dressed as a 10-foot-tall Woody from "Toy Story" performing lasso tricks.

Dozens of arts and crafts vendors will be selling their wares and information about local nonprofit and city organizations will also be on hand.

For more information visit www.snellvilledays.com.

SNELLVILLE – A group of small business owners had a direct line to President Donald Trump Tuesday and used it to voice their questions and comments about issues facing their businesses.

Trump appointee Bruce LeVell, the Small Business Association's Office of Advocacy's Region 4 advocate, was the first guest speaker at the Snellville Business Dinner Series. The event was held at GarageWorx where attendees enjoyed dinner and conversation with LeVell, a retail and real estate company developer and former chairman of operations at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.

"Often small business owners do not think anyone cares or is listening," said Economic Development Director Eric Van Otteren. "Mr. LeVell said one of the most difficult things he hears from small businesses is that they have to just accept burdensome federal regulations. Tuesday evening at the Snellville Business Dinner, city leaders proved they care and are listening and local business owners felt like their pain was heard."

LeVell said the Trump Administration is "serious" about the repeal of "bogus" regulations which hinder the millions of small businesses owners in the country, repeating Trump's campaign mantra of cutting two regulations for every one created.

FastSigns of Snellville owner Edward MacFarlane said he has already seen an increase in aluminum costs from his suppliers after Trump's recent talk of increasing tariffs on Chinese imports. And while the tariffs are only talk right now, LeVell said there will be "bumps and bruises" but to "hold on and stay tuned" as the climate for business owners will improve once the already approved tax cuts and regulation repeals take hold.

Conversation drifted from talk of future drone regulations, to lobbyists, to payroll taxes.

LeVell said a key to getting changes made to help small business is discussion between owners and lawmakers on all levels of government.

"We're the job creators," LeVell said of the small business owners, "and that is the economic engine for the country."

Van Otteren said he hopes to continue the series in the near future.

"The Office of Economic Development is looking forward to continuing meaningful conversations that support small businesses," he said. "Stay tuned for the next business dinner and conversation with leaders."

SNELLVILLE - Snellville Police Department announced today it has been awarded a grant for a drug collection unit as part of CVS Health's Medication Disposal for Safer Communities Program. The new unit will be located at the Snellville Police Department, 2315 Wisteria Drive, and will provide residents with a safe and environmentally responsible way to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired medication, including controlled substances.

"CVS Health is dedicated to helping the communities we serve address and prevent prescription drug abuse," said Tom Davis, R.Ph., Vice President of Pharmacy Professional Services at CVS Health. "Reducing the amount of unused and unwanted medication in the home is critical to preventing prescription drug abuse. We are proud to work with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids and local leaders to increase convenient access to safe medication disposal."

The new drug disposal unit will help to reduce the amount of unneeded medicine in residents' homes and decrease the potential for prescription drug abuse, which has soared in recent years, especially among teenagers. More than 70 percent of teenagers say it is easy to get prescription drugs from their parents' medicine cabinets, according to a Partnership for Drug-Free Kids study. Proper drug disposal also helps to prevent the contamination of local landfills and water supplies from unused medication.

"Safely disposing of unused medication is critical to preventing prescription drug abuse and keeping pharmaceuticals out of our waterways," said Asst. Chief Greg Perry. "The Snellville Police Department is proud to partner with CVS Health and we thank them for their commitment to helping residents reduce the amount of unneeded medicine in our community."

"The Snellville Police Department will still participate in the National Drug Takeback initiative twice a year. This new program allows us to provide service 365 days a year enhancing our willingness to partner with our community to properly dispose of these substances," said Chief Roy Whitehead.

The Medication Disposal for Safer Communities program has donated more than 800 drug collection units to police departments across the country, which have collected more than 100 metric tons of unwanted medication. CVS Health also assists law enforcement by supporting local drug take back events and promoting local drug disposal collection sites. CVS Pharmacy locations have taken part in more than 800 events sponsored by local law enforcement as part of National Drug Take-Back Day.

The Medication Disposal for Safer Communities program builds on CVS Health's overall commitment to help communities address and prevent drug abuse, including through education and prevention. Launched in 2015, CVS Health's Pharmacists Teach program gives its pharmacists the opportunity to volunteer to speak to students at local schools about the dangers of drug abuse. More than 300,000 students have already benefitted from the program. CVS Pharmacy's website also provides patients with resources to prevent prescription drug abuse and ensure safe use of medication.

Snellville Police Department's new Drug Collection Unit site is open to the public 24/7 but encourage members of the community to make use of the location from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The medications can be dropped off with no questions asked. Snellville residents and CVS Pharmacy customers can also inquire about the Medication Disposal for Safer Communities Program at the toll-free phone number 1-866-559-8830 or visit http://www.cvs.com/content/prescription-drug-abuse.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its 9,700 retail locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

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SNELLVILLE – Modeled after the city's highly successful regional Civic Dinners, Snellville has announced plans to host a series of Business Dinners which will serve as a forum for discussion of a variety business-related topics.

"City Councilman Dave Emanuel has had great success with the Civic Dinners he has hosted, so his suggestion to use a similar format to discuss topics of interest to local business owners, fit perfectly with our efforts to develop innovative ways to help Snellville business owners," said Eric Van Otteren, director of Economic Development.

Snellville's first Business Dinner is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. April 10 at GarageWorx, 2385 Clower St. Bruce LeVell of the Office of Advocacy for the U.S. Small Business Administration will be attending and will be listening to suggestions and insights regarding the challenges facing today's small businesses. This is your opportunity to voice concerns and provide feedback that will assist the Office of Advocacy in voicing the region's small business concerns before the White House, federal agencies and Congress.

LeVell, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, brings more than 25 years of experience as a successful small business founder and owner to the job of regional advocate. He has operated and developed a retail and real estate company, both of which received SBA loans. For seven years, he served as the chairman of operations at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, the regional mass transit system that moves 450,000 passengers daily. LeVell is based in SBA's Region 4 Office in Atlanta.

The dinner is on a first come first served basis. Space is limited. If you'd like to take part, contact Van Otteren at 770-985-3502.

SNELLVILLE – The city is proactively addressing the growing problem of those who aggressively approach residents in retail parking lots asking for money.

The council approved the Aggressive Solicitation Ordinance Monday after police Chief Roy Whitehead said police have dealt with several reports of people asking shoppers for money in an aggressive manner in city shopping centers. Many of those asking for money travel from other cities and are not telling the truth when they tell citizens they need money for basic needs such as food or gas, he said. The ordinance closely tracks Gwinnett County's version of the law.

The measure was approved 4-1.

The ordinance is designed to keep those asking for money in store parking lots from having physical contact with the person being solicited, following the person and generally scaring or intimidating those they ask for money.

Unless a property owner gives someone permission and they have documentation saying so, solicitors are also prohibited from asking for money within 15 feet of any entrance or exit of any financial institution, check cashing business, or within 15 feet of any automated teller machine.

It is illegal for any person to solicit from drivers on a public street in exchange for blocking, occupying or reserving a public parking space, the ordinance reads. Solicitors are also prohibited from being under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, soliciting in a public parking lot or public parking structure or within 10 feet of an entrance to a public building.

Also under the ordinance, it is unlawful for any person to knowingly make a false or misleading representation during a solicitation including claims the solicitor is homeless when they are not, claims the solicitor is physically disabled when they are not and claims the solicitor is a U.S. military veteran when they are not.

Any person convicted of a violation of this ordinance may be punished by imprisonment or a fine not to exceed $1,000 or both.

SNELLVILLE – Artifacts dating back millions of years are now on display at City Hall.

Owned by Steve and Deedie Golden of Grayson, the collection of fossils and other rare geologic artifacts are located in the display case in the lobby of City Hall, 2342 Oak Road.

They will be on display for six months.

Deedie has been collecting rocks and seashells her entire life and Steve has been collecting for 14 years. Steve cuts, shapes and polishes the specimens while Deedie takes his finished products and creates jewelry and art.

The couple can be found at the Snellville Days Festival May 5 and 6 and the Snellville Fall Festival Oct. 20 at the Pop's Rocks and Pegasus Custom Creations booth.

"We truly enjoy participating in the local festivals where people get to experience minerals and fossils in person, possibly for the first time," Deedie said. "We love sharing the experience and educating people about them."

The Goldens also take their collection to area schools to share with students.

Petrified Wood Slice - Petrified Wood is a type of a fossil where all the organic materials have been replaced with minerals while retaining the original structure of the wood. These minerals are most often Silicates such as Quartz. The many minerals that are washed through the wood over time gives the petrified wood its many colors. Structures such as tree rings and the various tissues are often observed features. Although Petrified Wood can be found worldwide, it is rather rare in larger quantities and can be difficult to obtain museum quality pieces by the average collector.

Crinoid - Crinoids, also known as sea lilies or feather stars, are marine animals that belong to a class of Echinoderms. They lived in both shallow and deep water. They are characterized by a mouth on the top surface that is surrounded by feeding arms. They usually have a stem used to attach themselves to a substrate. There are only a few hundred known modern forms, but they were much more numerous both in species and numbers in the past. Some thick Limestone beds dating to the mid- to late-Paleozoic are entirely made up of their fragments.

Ammonite - Ammonites are perhaps the most widely known fossil, possessing a typically ribbed spiral-form shell. These creatures lived in the seas approximately 300 million years ago. Ammonites belong to a group of predators known as cephalopods, which includes their living relatives the octopus, squid, cuttlefish and nautilus. They ranged in size from less than an inch to about 9 feet in diameter. These specimens come from Canada.

Amethyst Geode - "Mexican Coconut" geodes are mined at The La Choyas Mine in Chihuahua, Mexico. These geodes were formed in a hollow space left by gas bubbles in a cooling lava flow, approximately 44 million years ago. This allowed minerals to line the interior and crystals to grow as groundwater flowed through it. Sometimes agate forms inside, other times it can be any number of iron-oxides, silicates, or calcites. These geodes are mined from clay about 200 feet below the surface of the earth.

Sphere - This sphere is a black agate with a quartz inclusion. Agates are extremely common and found worldwide.

Shiva Lingam - Shiva Lingam Stones are only found in the Narmada River high in the mountains of Mandhata, India and are considered to be sacred. The stones are "Crypto Crystalline Quartz", and are said to contain the loftiest vibration of all stones on Earth. The stone represents both the male energy of knowledge and the female energy of wisdom. No two stones are alike. Think "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" - these are the sacred stones that he rescued and return to their village.

Ammonite pair - Ammonites are perhaps the most widely known fossil, possessing a typically ribbed spiral-form shell. These creatures lived in the seas approximately 300 million years ago. Ammonites belong to a group of predators known as cephalopods, which includes their living relatives the octopus, squid, cuttlefish and nautilus. They ranged in size from less than an inch to about 9 feet in diameter. These specimens come from Canada. This specimen has been cut open and polished to reveal the beautiful interior structure.

Fish Fossil - This fish fossil is a Mioplosus Lapracoides, a true perch. It was collected in the Green River formation in Southwestern Wyoming. Fossils from this location are approximately 40 - 60 million years old.

Middle shelf – from left to right

Eagle Geode - "Mexican Coconut" geodes are mined at The La Choyas Mine in Chihuahua, Mexico. These geodes were formed in a hollow space left by gas bubbles in a cooling lava flow, approximately 44 million years ago. This allowed minerals to line the interior and crystals to grow as groundwater flowed through it. Sometimes agate forms inside, other times it can be any number of iron-oxides, silicates, or calcites. These geodes are mined from clay about 200 feet below the surface of the earth. When this geode was cut open it revealed the eagle like formation, this was a once in a lifetime chance, had it been turned any other way when cut the eagle would have been lost.

Pyrite Sun, Pyrite Cubes and Pyrite with Clear Quartz - Pyrite, or Iron Pyrite, is an Iron sulfide with many forms - such as these cubes and the flat disk. It is brittle and can break or powder easily. Its metallic luster and brassy yellow hue have earned it the nickname of "fool's gold" due to many miners mistaken it for the real thing. Ironically, small quantities of actual gold are sometimes found in Pyrite. It is the most common of the sulfide minerals and is usually found with other sulfides or oxides in Quartz veins, sedimentary or metamorphic rocks. It is found worldwide. Quartz is the second most common mineral in the Earth's continental crust. It is mainly composed of Silica or Silica based minerals.

Septarian - Septarians were formed during the Cretaceous period, 50 to 70 million years ago when the Gulf of Mexico reached what is now Southern Utah. Decomposing sea life killed by volcanic eruptions, had a chemical attraction for the sediment around them, forming mud balls and as the ocean receded, the balls were left to dry and crack. As decomposed calcite from the shells was carried down into the cracks in the mud balls, calcite crystals formed. A thin wall of calcite was transformed into aragonite separating the bentonite heavy clay exteriors from the calcite centers.

Double Geode - "Mexican Coconut" geodes are mined at The La Choyas Mine in Chihuahua, Mexico. These geodes were formed in a hollow space left by gas bubbles in a cooling lava flow, approximately 44 million years ago. This allowed minerals to line the interior and crystals to grow as groundwater flowed through it. Sometimes agate forms inside, other times it can be any number of iron-oxides, silicates, or calcites. These geodes are mined from clay about 200 feet below the surface of the earth.

Pyrite Cubes - Pyrite, or Iron Pyrite, is an Iron sulfide with many forms - such as these cubes and the flat disk. It is brittle and can break or powder easily. Its metallic luster and brassy yellow hue have earned it the nickname of "fool's gold" due to many miners mistaken it for the real thing. Ironically, small quantities of actual gold are sometimes found in Pyrite. It is the most common of the sulfide minerals and is usually found with other sulfides or oxides in Quartz veins, sedimentary or metamorphic rocks. It is found worldwide.

Megladon Tooth - This tooth is from the largest shark ever known to live. The Carcharocles Megalodon sometimes ranged in size up to 60-feet in length and weighed more than 52 tons. This huge monster is the largest predatory fish that ever lived, second only in size to the sperm whale. Fossil teeth have been found that exceed 7 inches in length. These sharks lived in the Miocene period some 23 million years ago to the Mid Pliocene times, 3.6 million years ago. This specimen is from South Carolina.

Fairy Quartz Plate - Fairy Quartz also called cactus quartz, barnacle quartz, pineapple quartz or porcupine quartz. It was discovered around the year 2001, and is only found in South Africa, in the Magaliesberg Mountain region. It consists of a single crystal that terminates in a faceted point and is surrounded by hundreds of similarly shaped but smaller crystals.

Megladon Tooth – This tooth is from the largest shark ever known to live. The Carcharocles Megalodon sometimes ranged in size up to 60' in length and weighed over 52 tons. This huge monster is the largest predatory fish that ever lived, second only in size to the sperm whale. Fossil teeth have been found that exceed 7 inches in length. These sharks lived in the Miocene period some 23 million years ago to the Mid Pliocene times, 3.6 million years ago. This specimen is from South Carolina.

Bottom shelf – from left to right

Citrine Cathedral - Citrine is any Quartz Crystal or cluster that is yellow to brown in color. Fine, clear specimens are used for faceting and ornamental stones.

Smokey Quartz Plate - Quartz is the second most common mineral in the Earth's continental crust. It is mainly composed of Silica or Silica based minerals.

Citrine Plate - Citrine is any Quartz Crystal or cluster that is yellow to brown in color. Fine, clear specimens are used for faceting and ornamental stones.

Wooly Mammoth Tooth - This tooth is from Sibera and is approximately 1 million years old. It shows the external chewing surface of the tooth.

Petrified Wood Stump - Petrified Wood is a type of a fossil where all the organic materials have been replaced with minerals while retaining the original structure of the wood. These minerals are most often Silicates such as Quartz. The many minerals that are washed through the wood over time gives the petrified wood its many colors. Structures such as tree rings and the various tissues are often observed features. Although Petrified Wood can be found worldwide, it is rather rare in larger quantities and can be difficult to obtain museum quality pieces by the average collector.

Trilobite - Trilobites are hard-shelled, segmented members of Arthropoda and the class Trilobita that existed throughout almost all of the Paleozoic era, flourishing in the earlier part of it and slowly declining in the later part. The most common trilobites were about 2-7 cm (1-3.5 in) in length, but over their long history they ranged in size from 1 mm-72 cm (.04 in-28 in). The smallest species are presumed to have been part of the free floating plankton, while the more common, mid-sized species probably walked along the sea floor filtering mud to obtain food, and the larger varieties may have been swimming predators.

Blue Calcite - Calcite is a very common mineral that is found worldwide. This specimen is a blue calcite geode.

Trilobite - Trilobites are hard-shelled, segmented members of Arthropoda and the class Trilobita that existed throughout almost all of the Paleozoic era, flourishing in the earlier part of it and slowly declining in the later part. The most common trilobites were about 2-7 cm (1-3.5 in) in length, but over their long history they ranged in size from 1 mm-72 cm (.04 in-28 in). The smallest species are presumed to have been part of the free floating plankton, while the more common, mid-sized species probably walked along the sea floor filtering mud to obtain food, and the larger varieties may have been swimming predators.

Amethyst Plate - Amethyst is a purple variety of Quartz that is found in large geodes that occur in veins underground. It is found all over the Earth, with the best varieties coming from Brazil and Uruguay. It occurs in color from a light, slightly pinkish violet to a deep grape purple. It has been used throughout time as a symbol of royalty.

Clear Quartz Plate - Quartz is the second most common mineral in the Earth's continental crust. It is mainly composed of Silica or Silica based minerals.

Amethyst Cathedral - Amethyst is a purple variety of Quartz that is found in large geodes that occur in veins underground. It is found all over the Earth, with the best varieties coming from Brazil and Uruguay. It occurs in color from a light, slightly pinkish violet to a deep grape purple. It has been used throughout time as a symbol of royalty.

Fairy Quartz Plate - Fairy Quartz also called cactus quartz, barnacle quartz, pineapple quartz or porcupine quartz. It was discovered around the year 2001, and is only found in South Africa, in the Magaliesberg Mountain region. It consists of a single crystal that terminates in a faceted point and is surrounded by hundreds of similarly shaped but smaller crystals.

SNELLVILLE - The Community Garden @ Snellville has raised beds available for rental for the 2018 gardening year which begins April 1.

The beds can be rented by city residents as well as those who live outside the city limits and are available in two sizes – 4-by-8 feet and 4-by-12 feet.

The beds are partially filled with composted soil, to which gardeners may add garden soil and organic amendments. Water is also provided. Annual rental rates for the 4-by-8-foot beds are $35 for city residents and $50 for those who live outside the city limits. The 4-by-12-foot beds rent for $50 and $65 respectively.

The garden is located next to T.W. Briscoe Park at 2500 Sawyer Parkway.

For additional information and an application go to www.snellvillecommunitygarden.com.

SNELLVILLE – The Snellville Police Department is hosting a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day April 28.

The event, which allows residents to drop off unwanted or expired prescription drugs, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the police department, 2315 Wisteria Drive. Residents can pull up to the police department and hand off the drugs from their vehicle.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency sponsors the event twice a year. The SPD partners with PCOM School of Pharmacy at Georgia Campus - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine during the event. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day allows police to foster relationships with future pharmacists that will work in the community and educate citizens in the proper disposal of prescription medication.

"The Snellville Police Department will continue to host and support this event as we recognize the importance of providing a safe method to discard prescription medication in an attempt to prevent and deter the abuse of medication that may otherwise be converted to use by others whom the medication is not prescribed," said SPD Lt. A.L. Sullivan. "We ask for the community's continued support in this endeavor."

SNELLVILLE – The city is proud to announce the creation of its Tactical Urbanism Program, an effort to get residents and business owners more involved with the planning of the city.

"In one sense, tactical urbanism has been happening as long as there have been cities and towns," said City Planner Austin Shelton. "Any time you see someone making a small improvement to the built environment is likely an example of tactical urbanism. Tactical urbanism projects are low-cost, small-scale and temporary changes to the built environment. They are often demonstrative, meaning that they are meant to demonstrate how a small change or addition to the built environment can help improve the safety, health and visual appeal of a place or community."

Common examples of tactical urbanism projects include: public art, bike lanes, crosswalks and street furniture.

Snellville's program is modeled off a similar one in Fayetteville, Ark. The hope is that it will be community-led, with residents and business owners in the city coming forward to propose projects they feel are necessary and important to their community. The city's Planning Department will advise and guide the process, but the initiative to create and follow through on an idea begins with residents.

In addition, anyone wishing to create their own project can also apply for a small grant through the city's Downtown Development Authority, Development Authority and Urban Redevelopment Agency of Snellville to help pay for the materials for their project. There is no guarantee of a grant, but the low-cost ideal of the projects will hopefully make them easily attainable for most applicants. "The City of Snellville is very excited about getting this program off the ground," Shelton said. "The city's hope is that this program will allow applicants to showcase how small changes to the built environment can have a big impact on the health, safety and beauty of their community."

To learn more about the program and to apply to start a project, visit www.snellville.org/tactical-urbanism.

If you have any questions, or want to set up a meeting to discuss your project idea, contact Shelton at ashelton@snellville.org.