GDP Script/ Top Stories for November 4th
Publish Date: November 4th
PRE-ROLL:
From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.
Today is Tuesday, November 4th and Happy Birthday to Puff Daddy
I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia.
- Gas South District to host Gwinnett Glows tree lighting event
- Dacula teen and Gwinnett business owner join forces to spread warmth and hope this winter
- Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Luzia’ offers a dreamlike escape
All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe!
Break 1: 07.14.22 KIA MOG
STORY 1: Gas South District to host Gwinnett Glows tree lighting event
The Gas South District is kicking off the holiday season with its annual tree lighting on Nov. 21, right in front of the Gas South Convention Center.
“Gwinnett Glows,” presented by Amazon, runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and is totally free. Expect food trucks, live entertainment, and all the festive vibes. Oh, and hot cocoa—because what’s a tree lighting without it?
They’re also teaming up with Rainbow Village to help families in need. Bring a gift to donate to their Amazon Christmas Wishlist, or donate online if you can’t make it.
What else? Handmade crafts, photo ops with the Pink Pig, and performances by local choirs. It’s going to be magical.
STORY 2: Dacula teen and Gwinnett business owner join forces to spread warmth and hope this winter
Fifteen-year-old Caden Jackson from Dacula High isn’t your average teenager. For the past decade—yes, since he was five—he’s been collecting coats, hats, gloves, and scarves to help kids stay warm in the winter. Through his nonprofit, Loved & Protected, he’s handed out nearly 9,000 pieces of winter gear to those in need.
This year, he’s teaming up with Millie Habtemariam, owner of Full Circle Salon & Spa Suites in Suwanee, for the Winter Warmth Drive 2025. Their goal? Collect 5,000 coats, hats, and gloves by Dec. 31. Habtemariam’s salon is a drop-off spot, and she’s even giving donors a free “manifest candle” she makes herself.
For Caden, it’s all about the joy. “Seeing kids’ faces light up when they get a new coat—it’s amazing,” he said.
Caden’s dream? To take Loved & Protected nationwide.
For more info, visit lovedandprotected.org or fullcirclecandle.com
STORY 3: Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Luzia’ offers a dreamlike escape
Olivia Aepli and Terrance Jr. Robinson may be relatively new to Cirque du Soleil’s touring family, but they’re no strangers to the grind of life on the road. So, the chance to stay put for a while? They’re loving it.
Both performers are part of “Luzia,” Cirque’s stunning “waking dream of Mexico,” running at Atlantic Station from Nov. 6 to Jan. 25. That’s over 50 shows in one spot—an absolute luxury for these road warriors.
“Luzia” is Aepli’s first Cirque show, and she’s living her childhood dream. She plays the running woman, performs swing-to-swing, hoop diving, and even pole dancing.
Robinson, a Cirque veteran, appears as a hummingbird and also performs hoop diving and acropole.
For tickets, visit cirquedusoleil.com/luzia.
We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info.
We’ll be right back
Break 2: Ingles Markets 1
STORY 4: Parkview Grad Matt Olson Wins Third Gold Glove Award
Parkview grad Matt Olson just added another piece of hardware to his already impressive career. On Sunday night, the Atlanta Braves’ first baseman snagged the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for the National League—his third overall.
Olson beat out Bryce Harper and Spencer Steer for the honor, which was announced live on ESPN. He’s no stranger to this award, having won two Gold Gloves back in 2018 and 2019 with the Oakland A’s.
This season? Olson was a rock. He played all 162 games, made just five errors in nearly 1,300 chances. Oh, and he’s now only the second Braves first baseman to win a Gold Glove, joining Freddie Freeman.
Drafted straight out of high school by Oakland in 2012, Olson’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. And now, he’s cementing his legacy with his hometown team.
STORY 5: Lawrenceville may add more downtown parking near square
If you’ve ever circled downtown Lawrenceville looking for a parking spot—especially during an event at the Lawrenceville Lawn—there might be some relief on the horizon. Maybe.
The city just bought two properties on South Perry Street, near the AutoZone, for a combined $835,000. What’s the plan? Well, that’s still up in the air. Assistant City Manager Barry Mock hinted at a possible parking lot, saying the southwest side of downtown could use more spaces. But City Manager Chuck Warbington isn’t ruling out redevelopment either.
Meanwhile, the city also snagged a truck repair shop on Reid Street for $300,000. It’s been there for decades, but officials want to “clean up” the area and hold the property for future redevelopment.
As for the AutoZone? No plans to buy it—yet.
Break 3:
STORY 6: Gwinnett's Co-ops bracing for increased demand as SNAP benefits end
Jackie Wells Smith, director of the Lilburn Co-op, says they’ve seen a steady uptick in families seeking help, especially seniors and working parents who rely on food stamps to make ends meet. “For these families, losing SNAP is like losing a paycheck,” she said.
Other co-ops, like Southeast Gwinnett and North Gwinnett, are scrambling too. North Gwinnett is shifting to a twice-a-month food distribution model to manage demand.
Gwinnett County is stepping in with $250,000 to help co-ops handle the surge, but the need is overwhelming. “We’re planning for a 25% increase,” Smith said, “but honestly, I think it’ll be more.”
Donations of food, hygiene items, and money are desperately needed. Co-ops are asking the community to step up—because the families coming through their doors have no other options.
STORY 7: Aurora Theatre ready to celebrate 30 years of Christmas Canteen
Thanksgiving’s still weeks away, but the Aurora Theatre? They’re already decking the halls.
Their beloved holiday tradition, *Christmas Canteen*, returns Nov. 28 through Dec. 21, and this year’s show promises something extra special: a horn section joining the orchestra for the first time. Think big, brassy, and festive.
Now in its 30th season, *Christmas Canteen* is a high-energy mix of dazzling dance, laugh-out-loud comedy, and music that’ll stick in your head long after the curtain falls. But this year’s show is bittersweet—it’s the final one under the musical direction of Ann-Carol Pence, Aurora’s co-founder.
What started in 1996 as a WWII-era tribute has grown into a multigenerational tradition, blending Big Band nostalgia with modern carols, comedy, and heartfelt moments.
Tickets are on sale now at auroratheatre.com. Don’t wait—this one’s a holiday must-see.
We’ll have closing comments after this
Break 4: Ingles Markets 1
Signoff –
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com
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