Black-tie gala: “A Night of Vietnamese Immersion”
May 15 — It’s Hayden with my weekly Norcross newsletter.
Remember my story last week on the Piedmont Pathway? Residents, business owners, and community stakeholders attended an open house earlier this week to learn more and provide input on the project. The 2.1-mile, shared-use path and linear green space along Beaver Ruin Creek will connect Jimmy Carter Boulevard to Mitchell Road.
Now let’s get to this week’s Norcross news.
🏞️ Norcross Public Works Director Len Housley talked with me about how the city plans to tackle the massive parks project in southeast Norcross. The city is working on finalizing a concept plan, necessary before staff tackles getting 80% of the project funded through the state and federal governments.
💸 Homeowners will be glad to hear that the city’s homestead exemption is increasing to $45,000 ($90,000 for residents ages 65 and up). The new amounts will be applied automatically and are separate from county exemptions. The deadline to file a City of Norcross homestead exemption is July 31.
🏛️ The Norcross City Council is meeting for its monthly policy work session on May 18 at 6:30 p.m. Check out the agenda here. Potential discussion topics include public art, business occupation taxes, and a city hall renovation.
🍑 Today is the last day to early vote ahead of the May 19 primary and nonpartisan elections. Check out what’s on your ballot and where your polling place is here.
🇺🇸 And Norcross released details on its annual Memorial Day Remembrance event on May 25 at Thrasher Park.
Now for the meat and potatoes,
Hayden
Norcross Housing Authority completes 5-year effort to boost affordable housing
🏘️ The City of Norcross celebrated the grand opening of The Legacy at Walton Crossing on May 8, part of a new community bringing more than 130 affordable housing units to Mitchell Road.
Walton Communities offers below-market rental options for families, individuals, and active adults 55 and older, helping more residents access the mixed-income city. By tripling the city’s affordable housing stock, the aim is to increase affordability around Norcross and address a long-running problem in the city.
👨👩👧 Read more about the redevelopment effort here.
An Evening of Purpose, Impact, and Hope
SPONSORED BY CHRIS 180
❤️ Join CHRIS 180 for the 2026 CHRIStal Ball, Sat., Aug. 15 at Curate. This elegant garden-party-inspired evening will celebrate healing, resilience and brighter futures while raising critical funds to expand access to mental health care for children, youth and families across metro Atlanta.
The gala will also honor Equifax’s Julia Houston and Georgia Power for their leadership, service and commitment to strengthening the Atlanta community.
Help CHRIS 180 bring healing, hope and life-changing support to more families across our community.
🎫 Tickets are on sale now, with sponsorship opportunities available.
Gwinnett Technical College sets enrollment records for third consecutive year
🏫 Gwinnett Technical College has set enrollment records each of the last three years, reflecting a nationwide surge in demand for faster, hands-on career paths that don’t saddle young people with debt.
The Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce invited Lawrenceville-based Gwinnett Tech to its Thursday Thought Leaders luncheon on May 14 to share the latest initiatives in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and advanced automotive technology.
Lauren Dodson, vice president of economic development at Gwinnett Tech, said more than 91% of students find an in-field job after earning their associate degree, diploma, or certificate.
🧑🏭 Read more about shifting trends in higher education here.
First Senior Center of Georgia to host Vietnamese Immersion gala
🇻🇳 The First Senior Center of Georgia is hosting “A Night of Vietnamese Immersion,” a first-of-its-kind, black-tie gala on May 16.
Attendees can expect cultural entertainment, authentic decorations, Vietnamese dishes, and a live auction. Performances include Vietnam’s famous “Lion Dance,” an opera, and traditional music.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit and its mission to provide services to Vietnamese senior citizens in metro Atlanta.
🇺🇸 Read more about the Gwinnett-based nonprofit here.
PICTURE THIS: Lionheart Theatre Company
🎟️ I snapped this photo of the College Street Playhouse, home to the nonprofit Lionheart Theatre Company.
The volunteer-backed community theater operates in the historic Old Methodist Church, built in 1877. Unfortunately, a combination of my photography skills and newsletter cropping does not show the 19th-century Southern Gothic steeple. Here’s an old photo.
Catch Lionheart’s production of “Where There’s a Will” by Joe Simonelli this weekend. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
🎭 Read more about Lionheart Theatre and its 2026 season here.
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