LOGANVILLE/GRAYSON: State Department of Education hosts k-5 textbook review.

Public gets say in language arts

> What: Grayson High School was chosen by the Georgia Department of Education as the site for the congressional district 7 review of language arts textbooks. Parents can peruse the textbooks and curriculum materials that publishers have submitted for consideration and share their opinions during the review at 50 Hope Hollow Road, Loganville.

> When and where: The textbook review is open to the public 8 a.m.-3 p.m. through July 18.

> What it means to you: Parents have an opportunity to improve the language arts program in Georgia elementary schools. Information collected at the review will be shared with the state learning advisory committee, which makes recommendations to the state Board of Education about textbook selections. For more information about the instructional review process, contact the Georgia Department of Education's office of Policy and External Affairs by calling 404-463-1487.

—- Aileen Dodd

ATLANTA: City Council meeting.

Vehicle 'boot' fee may be increased

> What: The council may raise the cost to remove a boot from illegally parked vehicles. They're also considering overriding Mayor Shirley Franklin's veto of the council's legislation that sets guidelines on transitional housing for the homeless.

> When and where: 1 p.m. Monday in the City Council Chamber, 55 Trinity Ave.

> What it means to you: The cost to remove a boot would rise from $50 to $75 a day. Franklin argues the homeless housing guidelines will segregate them to nonresidential neighborhoods.

WASHINGTON: The National Transportation Safety Board meeting.

Inquiry looks into fatal I-75 bus plunge

> What: The board will consider its final report on the March 2, 2007, bus accident that killed five members of the Bluffton University baseball team and the bus driver and his wife, all traveling from Ohio. The bus, with 35 people headed to Florida, exited the HOV lane of I-75, shot across the overpass, jumped a bridge wall and fell 19 feet onto southbound lanes of the highway.

> When and where: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the NTSB Conference Center, 429 L'Enfant Plaza, Washington. The meeting should be Web cast at www.ntsb.gov/events/boardmeeting.htm

> What it means to you: The NTSB has the power to decide the probable causes and make recommendations, but not to enforce them. Some recommendations, like installing seat belts in all buses, have been made before and ignored. But the federal government already has proposed changes to the rules on HOV exit signs and new signs may be installed by the Georgia Department of Transportation.

KENNESAW: Depot park "master plan" downtown.

Council considers downtown revamp

> What: The Kennesaw Depot park study outlines a project to develop a "cultural campus" downtown that includes a proposed regional library, amphitheater, children's garden and playground, train viewing platform and replica of the pre-Civil War Lacy Hotel. A pedestrian underpass is also planned. There is a five-year implementation schedule.

> When and where: The Kennesaw City Council takes up the plan today at 6:30 p.m. at Kennesaw City Hall, 2529 J.O. Stephenson Ave., Kennesaw.

> What it means to you: The project could create more of a community hub in downtown Kennesaw. Visitors and residents would enjoy expanded cultural and recreational opportunities in more park-like settings. The pedestrian underpass would make the downtown area more walkable and connect the depot area to the downtown business area.

—- Karen Rosen

LITHONIA: City Council meeting.

Dispute over rental housing halts project

> What: The city's previous mayor and council in December approved an affordable housing project by Mercy Housing. The current mayor and council have objected to submitting the necessary paperwork to DeKalb County so the loans can close on the 90-unit Terraces at Parkview, saying Mercy misled leaders into thinking there would be a mix of renters and owners in what is now entirely a rental renovation. Mercy's deadline to close on its loans was July 1, and agency President Pete Walker said if the city doesn't sign the necessary paperwork by July 11, the plan may fall through.

> When and where: The City Council meets at 7 p.m. today at the police station conference room, 6980 Main St., Lithonia. Although Mercy is not listed on the agenda, the council is expected to discuss and may vote on the issue.

> What it means to you: Lithonia's mayor and City Council have been locked in a power struggle since April but have come together on the issue of rental housing in a city where only a quarter of residents own their homes. The city teetered on bankruptcy in recent years and must improve its tax base with more homeowners and development if is to escape its financial woes.

MCDONOUGH: The Henry County Joint Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

Residents to review guidelines for growth

> What: This will be the first of five scheduled public hearings between now and Aug. 19 to gauge public sentiment before Henry County and its four municipalities adopt the new land-use plan and send the signed resolution to the Atlanta Regional Commission.

> When and where: 7 p.m. today in the City Council chambers of the McDonough City Hall.

> What it means to you: The land-use plan will be key in deciding the future of development within the county.