Savvy Citizen: A Gaston County Podcast

Juan Logan's art has been displayed all over the globe, from Germany to China to Italy to even the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. The Nashville-born artist who now lives and works in Belmont talks with Savvy Citizen about one of his largest pieces -- Pillar of Enlightenment -- and its move to a new home inside the Gaston County Museum of Art & History, as well as what has inspired his career in the arts that has spanned six decades (and counting).

The Carolina Thread Trail is a massive undertaking, with partnerships all across the Charlotte metro region and a focus on creating an interconnected system of trails for all to enjoy. CTT Director Bret Baronak stops by to talk about the work being done in Gaston County and why trails development may have actually benefitted from the pandemic. 

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and Hope United Survivor Network's Mollie Weakland talks with us about why this is a rising concern in Gaston County and across the country, as well as how you can talk to your teens about this issue. 

Registered Dietitian Linda Minges from the Gaston County Cooperative Extension dives into the Med Instead of Meds program, and how more than just a diet change, the Mediterranean Diet is about a lifestyle shift for the better. 

Your trash can be a powerful thing, if you do it right. Solid Waste and Recycling Administrator Marcie Smith talks about how trash at the landfill is turned into power, creating a self-sustaining operation. 

The Catawba Crossings Feasibility study looks at adding a new road across the Catawba River, connecting Belmont and the area near Charlotte Douglas International Airport. We talk with the experts on why your voice is critical to the process.

Gaston County Schools recently announced its five finalists for Teacher of the Year for 2022-23, and Savvy Citizen sat down with reigning Teacher of the Year Stacy Nezezon and Principal of the Year Tyler West to talk about what it was like being selected for the prestigious awards, and some of the unique challenges they've faced during the last two school years.

Hannah Hopper from the Hope United Survivor Network and Det. Jim Bliss with the Gastonia Police Department talk about Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Cyberstalking, and how much of this can be happening right under our noses. 

Gaston County Public Library Director Susan McDonald and Assistant Director Paul Ward join Savvy Citizen to talk about the main library's upcoming renovations, their favorite books, the "Library of Things" and why libraries are more important today than ever. 

In this episode of Savvy Citizen, we're chatting with folks from the Gaston County Cooperative Extension about getting healthy for the new year.