We are on a mission to unmask Duluth heroes who have made an impact during the COVID-19 pandemic and we need your help! These heroes have been working hard to help keep our community moving forward and we think they deserve a bit of recognition.

Heroes comes in all forms including (but not limited to) healthcare workers on the frontline, first responders, small businesses using creativity and ingenuity to meet urgent needs, everyday citizens spreading positivity and teachers who are going above and beyond to inspire their students through digital learning.

Help us share their stories by nominating your favorite hero(es) through the linked form below by May 22, 2020. Four heroes will be selected to receive a $25 gift card to a local business. If you have any questions, please send an email to events@duluthga.net.

Nomination Application: https://www.eventeny.com/events/vendor/?id=1065

Duluth, GA (May 1, 2020) In an effort to further reduce the community spread of COVID-19, the cities of Duluth, Lawrenceville, and Suwanee have collectively agreed to halt hosting large-scale public events on city properties through July 10, 2020.  These actions are being taken because large public events can create the types of close gatherings that are not recommended by health professionals at this time.

“With summer quickly approaching, we have to make hard decisions regarding large scale events now.  We hate to cancel our July 3^rd celebration, but for an event of this scale the planning needs to happen now and there are simply too many unknowns.” said Nancy Harris, Duluth Mayor.

“As a result of the requirements to maintain physical distance, we are taking further actions to safeguard our community,” said Lawrenceville City Manager Chuck Warbington. “We greatly appreciate the ongoing cooperation and support of our citizenry in order to reduce the risk.”

City officials continue to closely follow events associated with the outbreak and spread of COVID-19, as well as recommendations from public health officials and state and federal government.

“The need to modify this date will be evaluated in mid-June,” said Suwanee City Manager Marty Allen. “Should circumstances change we will respond appropriately and adjust accordingly.”

Please check individual city listings for event postponement, rescheduling, and cancellations.

https://www.duluthga.net/events

 

To help bring spark joy and creativity during this time, the City of Duluth is excited to announce the very first Duluth Shines virtual talent competition!

This competition is open to amateur participants of all ages. There will be two rounds with the first round being judged by Mayor Nancy Harris, Eddie Owen of Eddie Owen Presents at the Red Clay Theater and Jordan Sasser from season 15 of American Idol. In the second and final round you, the audience, will choose the winner! Winner(s) will receive a $50 gift card to a local business.

All applications must be submitted by end day on May 1, 2020. The contestants that make it to the final round will be notified by May 8, 2020 and the winner will be chosen via Facebook Live on May 13, 2020.

“We think this is a great way for our community to stay connected from a distance and we can’t wait to see all of the talent submissions” said City of Duluth Events Coordinator Kristin Edwards.

Complete Contest Rules:
1. No professional entries allowed. Contestant has never been paid for performing this talent.
2. All talent submissions must be family friendly.
3. Videos must be less than 5 minutes long.
4. All contestants must be of 18 years of age or older or have consent from a parent/guardian.
5. Group submissions are permitted.
6. Winner(s) will receive a $50 gift card to a local business.

How to Enter:
1. Record a video of you performing your talent and upload to YouTube.
2. Fill out the application HERE and be sure to include a direct link to your YouTube video.
3. All applications must be submitted by May 1, 2020.
3. Our three judges will review the video submissions by May 8, 2020. The final round will consist of no more than 20 contestants. The contestants that make it to the final round will be notified by May 8th.
4. The winner will be chosen by the public via Facebook Live on May 13, 2020.

 

If you have additional questions, please send an email to events@duluthga.net.

Pleasant Hill Animal Hospital has been serving the animals of Duluth since 1986. They offer a complete range of veterinary services including vaccinations, routine, major, and emergency medical, surgical and dental. They also have hospitalization, critical care, grooming and boarding services available.

When asked what sets them apart, they said, “Our family-oriented staff provide the best customer service around. Our staff will always go above and beyond and treat your pet as their own.”

You can find them at:
2982 Pleasant Hill Rd
Duluth, GA, 30096

Online at: www.pleasanthillanimalhospital.com

Facebook: @pleasanthillah

Instagram: @pleasant_hill_animal_hospital

Want to be featured as our next Local HotSpot? Click HERE for more information.

On March 2, Governor Brian Kemp and Dr. Kathleen Toomey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and chair of the governor’s COVID-19 task force, confirmed two cases of the virus in Fulton County. The coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has since been detected in more than 35 locations internationally, including cases in the United States.

According to DPH, symptoms of COVID-19 may resemble the common cold or seasonal flu, which is a far greater risk this time of year. The best way to prevent infection with any respiratory virus is to use the same preventative strategies used during a normal cold and flu season. It is important to remember that viruses cannot target people from specific populations, ethnicities or racial backgrounds and this type of stigma should be avoided.

Rosemont Berkeley Lake is a 660 unit apartment home located on Pleasant Hill Road. Rosemont first opened their doors in 1996, and they have been providing a great place for Duluthians to live ever since. One of the perks of being so close to Downtown is that their residents get to enjoy all of the events and restaurants that Duluth has to offer.

When asked what makes them stand out they said “We pride ourselves on being responsive to our residents. We want Rosemont Berkeley Lake to be a place our residents are proud to call home.”

Bonus! Mention “Local HotSpot”  and receive $300 off upon move-in with a new12-month lease required.

You can find them at:

3475 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, Georgia, 30096

Online: www.rosemontberkeleylake.com

Facebook & Instagram: @rosemontberkeleylake

Want your business to be featured as our next Local HotSpot? Click HERE for more information.

 

Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry can be found in the heart of Downtown Duluth and they have become known as the “songwriter’s best friend.” What many people don’t know is that they are more than just a music venue with a 260-seat listening room. They are also a music school and venue rental.

At this music venue, an eclectic group of patrons routinely gather to relish the talent on display. Founder Eddie Owen likes to say “Life is in the song” and he has a particular talent for spotting emerging artists. After all, he did help John Mayer, The Indigo Girls and Sugarland get their start! His rapport with the grassroots music scene and credibility in the industry is unmatched.

Fun Fact: A few years ago, Sugarland played a secret, midnight show at EOP after their sold-out performance at Duluth’s Infinite Energy Center.

 

BONUS! Use the promo code HotSpot to get 50% off a ticket to this Friday’s show!

You can find them at:

3116 Main Street, Duluth, GA 30096

Facebook & Instagram: @eopresents

Online: www.eddieowenpresents.com

Want your business to be featured as our next Local HotSpot? Click HERE for more information.

 

 

Vom Fass and Violas’ is one of the newest shops in Downtown Duluth and they offer a wide selection of oils, vinegars, spices, soup and rice mixes, gourmet foods and wine. With knowledgeable staff, this food lover’s boutique is great for those who love to cook and those who are still learning to play with flavors! They are also experts at helping you find the perfect gift for any occasion.

What makes this shop unique is that they are always giving their guests a customized experience. Whether that is through private after-hours events, wine tasting or experimenting and sampling the products in store, you can guarantee you are in for a one-of-a-kind experience. Have you ever tried Pumpkin Seed Oil and Sea Salt on ice cream? Or White Truffle Oil and parmesan cheese on popcorn? If not, you better run to Vom Fass!

Bonus! Mention “Local HotSpot” at your next visit and receive 10% off your first purchase (excluding wine).

You can find Vom Fass and Violas’ at:

3131A Main Street, Duluth, GA 30096

Online: https://www.vomfassusa.com/

Facebook & Instagram: @VomFassDuluth

Want your business to be featured as our next Local HotSpot? Click HERE for more information.

Spool School is a sewing and craft studio in Downtown Duluth for absolute beginners and social sewists alike and they are one of the few sewing studios of their kind OTP! They work to create a non-intimidating, fun environment to learn needle arts through a variety of useful make and take projects by offering classes, workshops, camps and parties. What makes them unique is their skill at bridging the generational gap with relevant projects in a beautiful, relaxed environment. And don’t forget to show off your newly made projects in their brand-new photo station! Your friends and followers will be amazed at your skills (and their giant scissors and spools.)

When asked what they love most about being in Duluth Owner, Jamie Stepic responded with “I’ve lived and worked in Duluth for a long time, waiting tables (and meeting my husband) at Park Cafe and coordinating events at Payne-Corley House. I love the community here and the great support from City of Duluth. Relocating my business here was a huge priority for me.”

Bonus! Mention the code word “HOTSPOT” and receive 20% off the 4 week Into to Sewing (adults) or Stich School (kids)

You can find them at:

3112 Main St. Ste. 50, Duluth, GA, 30096 (Below Duluth Yoga)

Facebook & Instagram: @spoolschool

Online: www.spoolschool.com

Want your business to be featured as our next Local HotSpot? Click HERE for more information.

Planned Pethood is the only low-cost high-volume spay-neuter clinic in Gwinnett County and they see nearly 200 animal for survey per week. They offer a 360-degree approach to protecting the health and security of pets with proactive life-saving solutions and have spayed/neutered 55,000 cats and dogs since they opened their doors in 2010.

One of Planned Pethood’s main goals in to ensure everyone can afford to keep their pets healthy and at home. To do this, they offer low-cost vaccinations and spay/neuter services to anyone in need. They also offer free community cat assistance and humane trap rentals. If you are looking to add any new furry friends to your family, the team at Planned Pethood also facilitates pet adoptions.

When asked what they love most about being in Duluth, Planned Pethood responded with: “We love working together with other Duluth businesses. It is great to form relationships with neighbors and work with local businesses that give back! Almost every business in downtown Duluth has helped our organization in some way. We are so lucky to have so many friends!”

Fun Fact: Planned Pethood has lobby cats you can visit while you are there! There is never a dull moment in their lobby!

Special Promotion: Make sure to visit the vaccine clinic on February 1 from 9am to 1pm for low-cost vaccinations, heartworm testing, flea medication and microchips.

Where you can find them: 2860 Buford Highway, Duluth, GA 30096

Online: www.PEThoodGA.org

Facebook: @PlannedPEThoodGA

Instagram: @plannedpethood

Want your business to be featured as our next Local HotSpot? Click HERE for more information.