Hey neighbor!
Happy Monday — and welcome to the first full week of 2026.
If you're like me, you're somewhere between "let's crush this year" and "wait, where did winter break go?"
Either way, I've got a few things to put on your radar this week — including one local resource you might not be using that could save you serious money in 2026.
Let's dive in.
📅 2 EVENTS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS WEEK
1. Three Kings Day Celebration at Plaza Las Americas 📍 733 Pleasant Hill Rd, Lilburn 🗓️ Tomorrow — Tuesday, January 6
Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) marks the end of the Christmas season in many Latin American traditions — and Plaza Las Americas is hosting a FREE celebration for the whole family. Expect live music, traditional entertainment, kids' activities, and the chance to try Rosca de Reyes (a sweet bread with a tiny baby Jesus hidden inside — whoever finds it hosts the next party!). It's a beautiful way to experience Gwinnett's cultural diversity.
2. Atlanta Gladiators Hockey — Military Night 📍 Gas South Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth 🗓️ Friday, January 9 @ 7:10pm
Gwinnett has its own professional hockey team — and if you haven't been to a Gladiators game yet, this is your sign. Friday's game honors military members with in-game tributes, special jerseys, and recognition of local heroes. Fast-paced, affordable, family-friendly, and way more fun than you'd expect. Tickets start around $20.
💡 SOMETHING YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW
Your Gwinnett Library Card Is a Hidden Goldmine
Seriously. If you don't have a Gwinnett County Public Library card — or you have one collecting dust — 2026 is the year to change that.
Here's what you get for FREE with your card:
Libby App — unlimited ebooks and audiobooks
Kanopy — stream thousands of movies and documentaries (think indie films, classics, and educational content)
LinkedIn Learning — full access to professional courses (coding, Excel, marketing, you name it)
NY Times Digital — 24-hour access passes to the full newspaper
Mango Languages — learn 70+ languages on-demand
PressReader — digital magazines and newspapers from around the world
All of this. Completely free. Just for living in Gwinnett.
👉 Don't have a card? Apply online at gwinnettpl.org/get-a-library-card or stop by any branch with proof of address.
🌟 ONE IDEA TO KICK OFF 2026
Here's a simple challenge for you this week:
Pick ONE local spot you've never been to — and go.
Maybe it's a coffee shop you've driven past a hundred times. A park you've been meaning to explore. A restaurant that's been on your list forever.
Don't overthink it. Just pick one and go this week.
Sometimes the best adventures are five minutes from your front door.
💬 YOUR TURN
What's one local spot you've been meaning to check out?
Hit reply and let me know — I might feature it in a future email (and maybe discover my next favorite place in the process).
Here's to a great first week of 2026, neighbor. Let's make it count.
— Gus Your neighbor at Gwinnett Best
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