Solar panels to provide lessons for students
Marietta Power and Water is installing two solar panels at a new greenhouse at Southern Polytechnic University in Marietta.
The city utility company is using a federal $54,000 grant to partner with the university to teach students about alternate-energy sources and evaluate solar technology.
The solar panels including five that have been installed beside the greenhouse will provide electricity and heat during the winter.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Teens honored as Police Explorers
Powder Springs city officials honored three teen Police Explorers for completing the Georgia Law Enforcement Explorer Academy this summer.
Joshua Brady, Zack Johnson and Stephon Wosely received proclamations and congratulations Monday from Powder Springs Mayor Patricia Vaughn and the City Council.
Police Sgt. Jody Matthews, new director of the city's Police Explorers program, said the military-style camp involved "a surprise active shooter training scenario" and weapons training at the Glock training center in Smyrna. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Kennesaw gardens to open growing plots
Kennesaw will lease vegetable plots for the fall season starting Aug. 1 at Smith- Gilbert Gardens, 2382 Pine Mountain Road. The veggies plots at the city's public garden are 4 by 4 square-feet raised beds. The $150 fee includes 10 educational classes on sustainable gardening from September to mid- November.
Information: 770-919-0248.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Austell City Council will hold Monday meeting
Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins and the City Council will hold a pre-agenda meeting 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 2716 Broad St. SW.
The voting meeting will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 6.
Information: clerk@austell.org or 770-944-4326. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Athletes to raise funds for fallen soldiers
Athletes at CrossFit 285 in Smyrna will complete a grueling partner workout on Saturday, Aug. 4 to raise funds for the families of fallen military heroes. The 31 Heroes Project was created in 2011, following a helicopter crash in Afghanistan that killed 31 service members. Last year's event drew more than 10,000 participants and raised $300,000, which was given directly to the affected families. Registration is $31. For participating locations and information: www.31heroes.com.
Mea Watkins
Mableton concert series continues
Country singer Lorrie Morgan will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.
Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. for this summer concert series presented by Amazon Tickets and Events.
Tickets are $15, $35 and $48 with tables, seating six in front of the stage, at $402.
Information: ticketmaster.com, mablehouse.org or 770-819-3285.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Largest youth sports expo comes to Lawrenceville
Gwinnett Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a Youth Sports Expo 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday with valuable information sessions for coaches, parents, volunteers, league administrators and other community youth sports leaders covering topics in financial and risk management, marketing, volunteer management, and more. Event includes an Expo Hall with sports products, lunch and a silent auction benefitting the Gwinnett Parks Foundation. Age 18+. $20/person or $80/group of five. Call 770-822-8886. Rhodes Jordan Park Community Recreation Center, 100 East Crogan Street in Lawrenceville. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Gwinnett Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a Youth Sports Expo 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday with valuable information sessions for coaches, parents, volunteers, league administrators and other community youth sports leaders covering topics in financial and risk management, marketing, volunteer management, and more. Event includes an Expo Hall with sports products, lunch and a silent auction benefitting the Gwinnett Parks Foundation. Age 18+. $20/person or $80/group of five. Call 770-822-8886. Rhodes Jordan Park Community Recreation Center, 100 East Crogan Street in Lawrenceville. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Georgia 400 roadwork set in South Forsyth
Overnight roadwork will be in place the next two weeks on Ga. 400 northbound at McFarland Parkway-part of a project to extend a third northbound lane from near McGinnis Ferry Road to the Big Creek Greenway Bridge.
One mile of the left lane will be closed beginning a half-mile south of McFarland, from 8 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays, with work lasting until 8 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Canton mayor vetoes fire ordinance
Canton Mayor Gene Hobgood has vetoed a City-Council-passed ordinance creating a separate fire protection district within the city. Hobgood says the plan eliminates more than 40 percemt of the senior homestead tax exemption-which he says can only be done by citywide vote.
Proponents of the plan maintain it will improve fire protection services. The council's expected to consider overturning the veto at a meeting sometime in early August.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Historical Society to hold July sale
The Roswell Historical Society will be hosting a holiday sale featuring vintage, new and gently used holiday decorations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Historic 1903 Hembree Family Home at 780 Hembree Road, Roswell.
All proceeds from the sale will go toward the restoration of the Hembree Farm Historic Site. Information: www.roswellhistoricalsociety.org or e-mail hembreefarm@bellsouth.net. Sandra Marshall Murray
National Dance Day event at Wills Park
Studio 13 Fitness is hosting a free public event celebrating National Dance Day 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Wills Park on the Alpharetta Community Center Event Lawn, 175 Roswell Street. Attendees of all ages and dance levels are welcomed.
Fitness instructors will teach the two official National Dance Day routines. Following the instruction, there will be a videotaped session for all participants.
Information: info@studio13fit.com or www.studio13fit.com.
Kenneth Musisi
Cherokee school board okays budget
The Cherokee County School District Board of Education has given final approval to a $518 million budget for the 2012-2013 school year.
Approval had been set in late June for the budget covering the year starting July 1, but the board tabled the document because of a delay in final approval of the tax digest.
The budget is funded by a millage rate of 19.85, unchanged since 2010.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Johns Creek hosts free shredding event
Panera Bread Company, the City of Johns Creek, and Keep Johns Creek Beautiful are hosting a free document shredding event for residents and businesses from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 11715 Medlock Bridge Road.
All shredded paper will be recycled. Kenneth Musisi
ATLANTA
Jury rejects firefighters discrimination claims
A federal jury on Monday rejected race discrimination claims brought by three white firefighters who were not promoted to deputy and assistant chief positions in the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department in 2005.
The plaintiffs contended that the city had a policy of promoting less qualified blacks to achieve what the plaintiffs called "racial balancing."
Former Fire Chief Dennis Rubin testified that the sole consideration in each appointment was putting the best person in the job. Jeremiah McWilliams
Greenbriar Mall to host giveaway
To mark the beginning of a new school year, Greenbriar Mall will host a "Back to School Jam," where 1,000 students in grades 1-12 will receive backpacks filled with school supplies 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday in the mall's South parking lot, 2841 Greenbriar Parkway.
Registration begins at 8 a.m.; the child must be present to register.
The event will also include a resource fair, live entertainment, a Kid's Corner with arts and crafts, bouncers, face painting, video game truck and lots of giveaways. Ernie Suggs
Women for Obama host supporter event
The Women for Obama United to Win event is set for 10 a.m.Saturday at Georgia Railroad Freight Depot, 65 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Atlanta. The event will empower Obama supporters to act now and learn how to make an impact in their communities.
The fun and energetic family event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Kenneth Musisi
Back-to-school festival to offer free supplies
The Assembly of Truth Family Worship Center is sponsoring a back-to-school festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 28 at the church, 350 Hills Ave.
The event will feature music, food and family fun. Free school supplies will be provided to 200 students.
Information: 404-228-6969.
Veronica Fields Johnson
DEKALB
Munich 11 remembered with event
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta and the Consul General of Israel will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the massacre of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympic games. The event is at 2 p.m. today at the center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Remembrance of the Munich 11 will coincide with the opening day for the London 2012 Olympics.
Kenneth Musisi
Railroad clubs sponsor free model train exhibit
North Georgia Modurail and other railroad clubs are sponsoring a free operating model train exhibit at the Smoke Rise Baptist Church gymnasium, 5901 Hugh Howell Rd., Stone Mountain. Viewing times will be Saturday, July 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, July 29 from noon to 3 p.m. Information: locoengr@bellsouth.net.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Police identify man killed in weekend crash
DeKalb County police have released the name of the man killed in a wreck around 5 a.m. Sunday on I-20 eastbound near Panola Road.
The driver of a Toyota Camry had stopped on the side of the roadway, and the Camry was struck by a Ford Mustang.
A rear passenger in the Camry, 19-year-old Michael Kennedy, was killed.
The Camry driver and two other passengers were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.
The Mustang driver, 36-year-old Karen Belmar, and an 8-year-old passenger were also taken to the hospital.
Policeh said Belmar is facing charges of vehicular homicide and failure to maintain lane.
Mike Morris
Mother, daughter get White House invite
Haley Matthews, 12, of Dunwoody and her mom, Tracy, will be guests at a state dinner with First Lady Michelle Obama Aug. 20 at the White House. Haley's recipe for stuffed zucchini boats was among 54 top entries in the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge sponsored by Epicurious.com and the departments of Education and Agriculture.
A free cookbook with all the winning recipes will be available online in August. Patrick Fox
Neighborhood gets mid-century signs
Northwoods neighborhood, the first large-scale, planned suburban community in Georgia, recently unveiled new signage at an entrance. The mid-century inspired signs, designed by resident Michael Halbert, will mark all of the community's main entrances. Eighty-nine percent of the community's homes were originally built in the mid-century architectural style. Northwoods has been nominated to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mea Watkins
Tucker man honored for volunteer work
Jim Vacheenas of Tucker has been honored by a national non-profit organization for his volunteer work to raise funds to help others save and restore their sight.
The Foundation Fighting Blindness honored Vacheenas with its Volunteer of Year Award for the southern region. His efforts have included serving as the team caption of a fund-raising run and leading a support group for people with low vision. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
I-75 south reopens 6 hours after hazmat crash
The southbound lanes of I-75 in southern Henry County reopened nearly six hours after a tractor trailer hauling methyl bromide, a hazardous chemical used in pesticides, overturned south of Ga. 155. The 5:30 a.m. crash also caused extensive damage to the guardrail. Henry County authorities said the driver of the truck was taken to Piedmont Henry Hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening. Authorities forced southbound traffic off the interstate and onto Ga. 155 at Exit 216 until about 11:20 a.m., when I-75 was reopened. Mike Morris
Hospital opening in Stockbridge
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is opening a new 8,000-square-foot urgent care location in Stockbridge at the Hudson Bridge Crossing retail center, just west of I-75 at Exit 224.
According to a statement from Children's Healthcare, this is a relocation of immediate care services, including lab and X-ray, from the existing Children's Healthcare at Mount Zion.
Rehabilitation services will continue to be offered at the Mount Zion location.
The Stockbridge facility is scheduled to open Aug. 1.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Fayette school director gets certification
Curt Cearley, director of technology for the Fayette County Public School System, has received the Certified Education Technology Leader designation from the Consortium for School Networking.
The award shows he has mastered the knowledge and skills needed to bring 21st-century technology to K-12 schools. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Atlanta Quilt Festival this weekend
The opening reception for the 2012 Atlanta Quilt Festival is set from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at South Fulton Arts Center, 4645 Butner Road, College Park. The reception will have over 50 quilts and dolls, a book fair, quilt demonstrations, children activities and a silent auction.
The Doll and Quilt Exhibition starts July 30 through Aug. 11. Information: 404-612-3087.
Kenneth Musisi
Speedway extends ticket office hours
The Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office will extend its hours, including opening on weekends, beginning Saturday in advance of the track's three nights of NASCAR racing during Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 2.
The AMS ticket office will open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
The extended days of weekend availability will last through race weekend.
Information: 770-946-4211 or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com. Kenneth Musisi
Peachtree City library hosts book sale
The Friends of the Peachtree City Library's "buy one, get one" used book sale will be held 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the library.
The sale books will be near the reference desk. Proceeds benefit the Children's Summer Reading Program and other library functions.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
