COBB
Kennesaw to open new fitness station on Friday
Kennesaw will open a $35,000 fitness station, donated by Life University, 11 a.m. Friday at Swift-Cantrell Park off Old Highway 41, Kennesaw.
The outdoor equipment system can handle 14 users at a time at five stations, and offers 120 excercises.
The system will have two additional stations featuring low-impact exercises.
Information: www.kennesaw-ga.gov.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Marietta to hold homeowners forum
Marietta agencies will advise low to moderate-income residents on becoming homeowners at a forum 6:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 205 Lawrence St. Representatives from the city's Community Development Division, Marietta Housing Authority, Cobb County Neighborhood Stabilization and Cobb Community Development Block Grant program plan to attend. Information: www.mariettaga.gov.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Expect crowds at Taste of Marietta
More than 70 restaurants, caterers and food trucks will sell samples from 50 cents to $5 at the Taste of Marietta 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 28 on streets around the Marietta Square. More than 100,000 attended last year. The annual event will also have children activities, a sports corner, car show and entertainment on five stages. The Marietta Trolley Company will have a shuttle service from Marietta Middle School and parking lots around the Square. Information: www.tasteofmarietta.com.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Museum taking submissions for show
The Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, 30 Atlanta St. off the Marietta Square, is accepting submissions for a yearly juried exhibit of work by local and nationwide artists. Metro Montage XIII will open July 20 to Sept. 15. Each artist can enter up to three works by April 24. Information: www.mariettacobbartmuseum.org.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Registration open for ‘Into the Woods’
Registration is open for the Summer Stock Experience for ages 9-18 at the Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.
“Into the Woods” will be presented at 7 p.m. June 14 and July 19, the last days of the two camps, at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre at the same address.
Cost: $150 for Cobb residents; $175, out-of-county residents.
Information: MableHouse.org or 770-819-3285.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Spring garden party set for next month
Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society, Inc. will host the Oakton Spring Garden Party 4 to 8 p.m. May 4 at 581 Kennesaw Ave NW in Marietta.
Enjoy a Victorian carriage photo opportunity, Maypole dance by the Root House junior docents, Civil War reenactors, a tour of Oakton's gardens, and, for the first time ever, a tour of Oakton's 1890 carriage house, and scrumptious food and drink. Information: www.showclix.com/event/OaktonSpringGardenParty2013
Meghan de St. Aubin
GWINNETT
Mitsubishi to cut ribbon for new headquarters
Mitsubishi Electric U.S. Cooling & Heating Division will cut the ribbon on its new headquarters in Suwanee on Wednesday. The new facility is 550,000 square feet and will include the division’s business headquarters, engineering center, a training center and warehouse.
The company, which makes ductless cooling and heating systems, plans to hire 100 new employees — engineers, warehouse workers and others — over the next three years. It’s old facility also was located in Gwinnett. The division has about 300 employees in the U.S.
Dan Klepal
Norcross unveils Safe Routes project
The city of Norcross and the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District have announced that the design of its $1.2 million Safe Routes to School project will begin this summer. The project is intended to increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists along Beaver Ruin Road, between Buford Highway and Indian Trail-Lilburn Road. The project was funded with a $976,000 grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission. The city and CID pitched in $244,000. Completion of the design is expected in late summer.
Dan Klepal
UGA Day coming to Gwinnett July 29
The University of Georgia Alumni Association and the UGA Athletic Association have teamed up to bring UGA Day to Atlanta on May 15 and to Gwinnett County on July 29. A buffet dinner begins at 6 p.m., followed by the official program at 7 p.m. Headlining UGA Day in Atlanta will be President Michael F. Adams, head basketball coach Mark Fox and football defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. The event will be held at the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel and hosted by Chuck Dowdle, former WSB-TV sportscaster. UGA Day in Gwinnett County will be at the Gwinnett Center and will feature incoming President Jere Morehead, head football coach Coach Mark Richt and Fox. More info, registration: www.alumni.uga.edu/ugadays.
Nancy Badertscher
Online class registration extended
Gwinnett parents who are interested in the online learning options for their students have additional time this spring to register for the 2013-14 school year. A spring registration period for Gwinnett County Online Campus (GOC) is open and extends to May 3. Gwinnett’s full-time, online learning option will expand next school year and serves students in grades 4-12. Because Gwinnett Online Campus is a system charter school, enrollment is open to all current school-aged children who reside in the county.
Nancy Badertscher
17 schools earn welding certification
Seventeen Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) students are now career ready, having earned their national certification in welding through Maxwell High School of Technology. Maxwell, the school district’s technical education charter school, was named a certified training center for the National Center of Construction Education and Research (NCCER) this year. Maxwell will recognize its nationally-certified students on Friday.
Nancy Badertscher
NORTHSIDE
Fired Canton police official finds job in Hiram
A former Canton assistant police chief fired last year has landed a new job: police chief in Hiram. Todd VandeZande began work Monday.
VandeZande, a 23-year law enforcement veteran, was terminated last August after the Canton department faced criticism over how it conducted the Jorelys Rivera murder probe. VandeZande says the move stemmed from run-ins with the city manager.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
New Canton group organizes
The newly-created Commission Canton’s Future now has a chair and a structure. Group members appointed an executive committee and picked retired businessman John Rust to head the group at an organizational meeting this week. Mayor Gene Hobgood, who fostered creation of the 21-member body, said the group will create a vision out to 2050 in such areas as city service delivery, tax structure and infrastructure needs.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Woodstock planning citywide yard sale
As part of the Great American Clean-up, the city of Woodstock will hold a citywide yard sale beginning 9 a.m. April 21. Residents can hold their own individual yard sales or can rent a table for $10 at the William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. For more info: www.woodstockga.gov or call 678-445-6518.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Volunteers to clean up Forsyth roadways
Littered Forsyth County roadways will get some attention this weekend as Keep Forsyth County Beautiful pitches in with the Great American Cleanup. Volunteers meet at 9.a.m. Saturday at Fowler Park, 4110 Carolene Way, fan out for litter pickup for two hours, then return to the park for food and fun. Pre-registration deadline is Thursday. Info: 770-205-4573 or forsythco.com.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Prescription drugs disposal of in Milton
The Milton Police Department is participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s sixth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27, at the Target in Milton, 13055 Ga. Highway 9, where prescription drugs can be taken for safe disposal. On a previous disposal day, citizens turned in a record-breaking 488,395 pounds of medication at 5,263 take-back sites nationally. Information: Community Outreach Officer Ara Baronian, 678-242-2527, ara.baronian@cityofmiltonga.us.
Michael Alpert for the AJC
New garden kicks off Georgia Garden Week
The Roswell Garden Club has installed a welcome garden at the Roswell Visitors Center to greet guests as they tour the historic district. The new garden marks the start of Georgia Garden Week, which is observed from April 21-27, and sponsored by the Garden Club of Georgia to promote garden-related activities throughout the state.
Information and volunteer opportunities: www.roswellgardenclub.com.
Mea Watkins
ATLANTA
Court upholds murder, rape convictions
The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday upheld convictions against a man who remained undetected for years after he raped and strangled a 39-year-old woman.
In 2010, Michael Harvey was convicted of the 1994 murder of Valerie Payton, whose mutilated body was found in a vacant lot in southeast Atlanta. The Fulton County Cold Case Squad solved the crime through DNA evidence after swabs were sent to a private lab in Dallas, which developed a distinct male profile. This was sent to the GBI, which matched it to Harvey.
Bill Rankin
Atlanta student’s cake business honored
An Atlanta high school student who created a cake business is being honored with a national award.
JuShawn Carter, a senior at Benjamin E. Mays High School in southwest Atlanta, will receive the Global Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Atlanta region on April 23 at the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Gala in New York.
Carter launched her business, CakesbyFourteen, when she was 14 years old.
Mark Niesse
Charter group directors to meet Thursday
The Charter System Foundation Inc. will hold a meeting of its interim board of directors on Thursday at 2 p.m. The meeting will take place in Room 450 of the state Capitol. Interim directors are: Emily Lembeck, superintendent, Marietta City Schools; Chuck Ledbetter, superintendent, Dublin City Schools; and Allen McCannon, superintendent, Madison County Schools. The director is Dan Weber.
Nancy Badertscher
Fashion show will benefit kids
Steve Hightower's Hair Artists Studio will hold a runway fashion show, benefiting the Childkind, Fragile Kids Foundation and The Center for Children & Young Adults 7 p.m. April 26 at 200 Peachtree St. Tickets: $75 and $175 for VIP. Information: atlthrivingchildren.org or 404-248-1988 ext. 238.
Sandra Marshall Murray
DEKALB
Brantley to serves as interim attorney
Overtis Brantley will serve as DeKalb County’s interim county attorney while a search is on for a permanent replacement.
Brantley, who served as chief legal counsel for Fulton County for eight years and has served in her current private practice for almost six years, will serve a six month term and be paid based on a $190,000 per year salary.
The county’s law department provides legal advice on local laws, contracts, litigation and other issues.
April Hunt
County to offer summer food program
DeKalb County’s parks department will again host a summer food service program for county youth.
The federally funded program runs from June 3 to July 26 and ensures children up to the age of 18 have access to nutritious meals during the summer.
Agencies with summer camps that are interested in becoming a site for the program should call 678-698-1114. The deadline to apply for the program is April 19.
Applications also can be found at the Tucker Recreation Center, 4898 LaVista Road in Tucker, at the Manuel Maloof Center, 1300 Commerce Road in Decatur or at www.Dekalbcountyga.gov/parks.
April Hunt
Crosswalk training session on Wednesday
DeKalb County will host two training sessions on crosswalk safety for residents in the north and south ends of the county.
The demonstrations, featuring county police and transportation officials, will be held at high-intensity activated crosswalks, of HAWK signals that help alert vehicles to pedestrians.
The first session will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the HAWK signal at Candler Road and South DeKalb Mall, 2801 Candler Road, near Decatur.
A second session will be held at 3:30 p.m. April 24 at the HAWK signal at Buford Highway and Pinetree Plaza, 5200 Buford Highway, Doraville.
April Hunt
Meetings coming for DeKalb transit plan
DeKalb County’s public works department will hold several meetings later this month to gather resident input on the county’s transportation plan.
The next session will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at McNair High School, 1804 Bouldercrest Road, Atlanta.
A second meeting that week will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 18 at the Emory University Winship Ballroom in the Dobbs University Center.
Information about other upcoming meetings: www.dekalbcountyga.gov/transportationplan2014.
April Hunt
Decatur to participate in drug take-back
Decatur police departments will accept prescription drugs for safe disposal at a special event 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. April 27 at the police communications center, 314-C Church St.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Take-Back Day allows residents to safely get rid of unwanted, unused or expired medicines.
Information: 404-373-6551.
April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Peachtree City teacher chosen for Dream Team
A teacher at Peachtree City Elementary School is among 200 educators chosen for the national LearnZillion Dream Team.
April Mobley, who teaches fifth grade, will attend the TeachFest event in San Francisco next month for intensive professional development.
She was selected based on qualifications related to state standards and creating high-quality conceptual lessons.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Used book sale at Peachtree City Library
The Friends of the Peachtree City Library will hold a “trunk sale” of used books 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday in Room 3 of the library, 201 Willowbend Road. The large selection includes popular hardcover titles in like-new condition. Both the public and dealers are welcome. Information: 770-631-2520.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Sandy Creek student wins scholarship
A senior at Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone is among 700 students who won a $2,500 scholarship from the National Achievement Scholarship Program. Julien Brinson became a finalist by virtue of high academic performance, an endorsement from his school, his PSAT score and an essay. Achievement Scholars are recognized for outstanding accomplishment and potential for college academic success.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Invitational meeting set for Relay for Life
The next team meeting for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event will be held 6:30 p.m. today in the Clayton State University Student Activities Center. Attendants will learn more information, such as forming a team and supporting fundraisers, during the meeting leading up to the Relay for Life on May 3-4 at Charles Drew High School stadium, 6231 Garden Walk Blvd., Riverdale. Information: www.RelayForLife.org/ClaytonGA.
Lisa Gibson for the AJC
Spring ArtFest April 21 in McDonough
The Spring ArtFest on the McDonough Square is set for noon-5 p.m. April 21. The annual festival hosted by McDonough Arts offers many opportunities for community participation including a diverse artists market, children’s activities, a “tastiest pound cake” contest and live entertainment. Information: www.mcdonougharts.net.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Cultural Celebration to be April 27
The Clayton County Cultural Celebration 2013 will be April 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center, 2530 Mt. Zion Parkway in Jonesboro.
The event features the Hawaiian Children’s Dance Lei Hua; Eve Hao Chinese Dance, Lyrika Holmes NYC, Drum Dance, Cordao de Ouro, and others. Admission is $10, with limited complimentary tickets available. Details: contact Media Savvy Consulting at 404-207-3817 or email: ann@mediasavvyconsulting.com or Rep. Mike Glanton, glantonm@bellsouth.net or 678-479-7730.
Tammy Joyner
About the Author
