County by county news for Friday

Austell to present new floodplain maps

Austell will hold an open house on new floodplain maps from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in Suite 175, Austell Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell Powder Springs Road. Information: operations manager Duane R. Demeritt, duane@austell.org, apwsm.org or map.GeorgiaDFIRM.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Native American stories at library today

South Cobb Regional Library will hold a Native American Heritage Month story time today. The event will feature Native American stories, songs and cultural information for children over five years old.

The free story time is set for 3:30 p.m. at the library, 805 Clay Road in Mableton.

Information: 678-398-5834 Janel Davis

Gobble Jog registration ends Sunday

Close to 10,000 walkers and joggers are expected to participate in the annual Gobble Jog from 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day on streets around the Marietta Square. The 10K run, 5K and 1K run/walk and Tot Trot is the largest fundraiser for MUST Ministries, a program that helps families in need in Cobb and Cherokee counties. The Thanksgiving day race has raised more than $100,000 in eight years. Online registration ends Sunday at midnight. Information: www.gobblejog.com.

MUST Ministries needs donations for Toy Shop

MUST Ministries is seeking donations for its Toy Shop for children up to age 18. Toys, sports equipment, books, new socks and underwear, hats, gloves, scarves, blankets, school supplies, stocking stuffers and clothing can be donated.

There is a particular need of gifts for older children. Items can be dropped off at the Donation Center, 1210B Kennestone Circle, Marietta. Volunteers can sign-up to work in the Toy Shop by e-mailing Paula Rigsby at prigsby@mustministries.org. Put “Christmas” in the e-mail subject line. Information: 770-427-9862.

Kenneth Musisi

Group, church join to get bikes for kids

Bikes or Bust will partner with Freedom Church in Acworth to raise money for children in need of bikes during the Christmas season. The third annual Bikes or Bust event runs from 5 p.m. Dec. 8 to 5 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Walmart parking lot located at 3826 Cobb Parkway N.W. in Acworth.

The price of purchasing a bike is $40. Festivities include a free petting zoo, family photos with Santa and BMX bike stunt shows. Information: www.bikesorbust.tv or call 770-529-6006. Mea Watkins

GWINNETT

Credit union donates $50,000 to schools

The Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund has received a $50,000 donation from a long-time community partner.

The contribution was made by Gwinnett Federal Credit Union to benefit the district’s academic initiatives over the next decade.

The donation was presented during a surprise announcement at the 2011 Teacher of the Year banquet and comes as the credit union celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The Gwinnett Federal Credit Union sponsors more than $85,500 a year in teacher and student scholarships. D. Aileen Dodd

Beaudreau to meet with constituents

Gwinnett County Commissioner Mike Beaudreau will meet with constituents from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Dacula Park Activity Building, 2735 Old Auburn Ave., Dacula.

Beaudreau represents commission District 3, which covers the eastern part of Gwinnett and includes the cities of Snellville, Loganville, Grayson, Dacula and Auburn. David Wickert

Fox in Loganville positive for rabies

Gwinnett County has issued a rabies alert after a fox found in Loganville tested positive for the disease.

The fox was found Nov. 11 on Hoke O’Kelly Mill Road. Previously, a cat found Oct. 25 in Lawrenceville also tested positive for rabies.

County officials advise anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a stray animal to call Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement at 770-339-3200, ext. 5576. David Wickert

Mall beefs up security for holidays

The Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District is increasing the public safety presence in the Gwinnett Place Mall area for the holiday shopping season.

Private security forces contracted by the CID will expand upon the current seven-day patrols. The added measures will continue for a six weeks through the end of 2011.

Andria Simmons

County hosts holiday craft market Nov. 19

Gwinnett County will host a holiday craft market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 19 at Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center, 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross.

The free event will feature hand-crafted gifts, children’s activities and raffle prizes. David Wickert

Pose with Santa with your pets

Santa “Claws” is coming to town and he will be at the Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 1175 Buford Hwy. in Suwanee on Sunday and Dec. 4.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Santa will sit for photos with pets and family members. For a $10 donation, pet owners will receive a printed photo of their pets with Santa and a CD with more photos.

At the same time, Sadie’s Place, the Georgia SPCA resale shop, will host a Holiday Open House to showcase Christmas merchandise.

All sales benefit the Georgia SPCA. Andria Simmons

NORTHSIDE

Community leaders

to be principal for a day

Fulton County community and business leaders helped the district celebrate American Education Week by serving as principal for a day at local campuses. The annual “Principal for a Day” program gives the public an opportunity to experience a day in the life of an educator. The leaders stepped into the front office of 64 Fulton public schools to tackle the daily duties of a principal from attending staff meetings and observing classrooms to monitoring carpool lanes and meeting with parents. The program helps to promote school partnerships. D. Aileen Dodd

Horse show this weekend in Alpharetta

The Georgia Hunter Jumper Association is hosting its Grand Finale and Finals Horse Show this weekend at Alpharetta’s Wills Park, 11925 Wills Road. Proceeds benefit the Decatur Equine Impound.

The show opens at 8 a.m. today, Saturday and Sunday with competitions in Hunter and Jumper Classes running throughout the day.

The Association is selling green armbands in the show office for $10 to benefit the impound. Patrick Fox

Race raises $6,600 for Holcomb Bridge school

The Holcomb Bridge Hustle 5K drew more than 340 runners and raised more than $6,600 for academic programs in the classrooms of Alpharetta’s Holcomb Bridge Middle School last weekend.

Helping to make it a winning event were the 50 volunteers and 26 sponsors who helped make it a success with pre- and post-race activities, including entertainment and an awards ceremony.

The City of Roswell was a critical sponsor and the city’s police department made sure it was a safe event.

“I am so proud of this community and so proud of our school,” Principal Joy Schroerlucke said. Nancy Badertscher

Dunwoody police collect toys for kids

The Dunwoody Police Department is bringing cheer to special children in Dunwoody with its annual Christmas for Kids (CFK) program.

The department, local businesses, and the community will collect new, unwrapped toys and gifts for children up to 15 years old. The kids will be invited to a private Christmas festival where Santa and his helpers will personally deliver their gifts.

Last year, CFK helped nearly 70 local children and their families, and donated extra items to shelters, hospitals, schools and churches.

Info: www.DPDChristmas4Kids.com. Andria Simmons

National BBQ Cup starts today in Cumming

The National BBQ Cup is today and Saturday , at the fairgrounds in Cumming. The event is the largest Kansas City Barbeque Society contest ever in Georgia.

Ninety professional BBQ teams and 30 amateur teams are participating.

Gates open from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults. Children under 12 are free.

Proceeds from the event will benefit local Cumming and Forsyth County charities.

Information: Visit www.nationalbbqcup.com or call 770-886-6290. Kenneth Musisi

ATLANTA

Mayor Reed names interim COO

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has named Duriya M. Farooqui interim chief operating officer for the city, effective Dec. 9. Farooqui is the city’s deputy chief operating officer.

As planned, chief operating officer Peter Aman will end his two-year stint with the city and return to Bain and Co. Reed said he would announce a permanent COO next summer after conducting an executive search. Jeremiah McWilliams

United Way kicks off auction program

The United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta kicks off its second “Gift Back: An Online Auction” program. The auction opens at 9 a.m. today and closes at 10 p.m. on Nov. 30. Items include an Arizona vacation package for eight people and guitars autographed by Paul McCartney and Jay-Z.

Funds will go toward reaching the United Way’s 2011 fundraising goal of $80.4 million. To bid, go to unitedwayatlanta.org/giftback. The site goes live on today . Shelia Poole

GSU to lease Lakewood Stadium

The Atlanta school board Monday voted to allow Georgia State University to lease Lakewood Stadium for track and field practice. The university will use the field on agreed upon dates throughout the year. The lease is for one year with options for renewal. The district will receive an annual rental payment of $7,000. Information: www.atlantapublicschools.us Jaime Sarrio

District 9 tire cleanup begins today

On today and Saturday, residents of Atlanta City Council District 9 will be able to dispose of scrap tires in their neighborhood in a districtwide effort launched by Councilwoman Felicia A. Moore. The clean-up is designed to collect abandoned tires and will take place at various locations throughout District 9, which includes much of West Atlanta. Residents should contact Moore’s office at 404-330-6044 for details about locations and volunteer opportunities at 404-330-6044. Jeremiah McWilliams

DEKALB

School wants to clarify board protocol

In a DeKalb Board of Education meeting Wednesday, Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson proposed a policy that would govern how both board members and staffers interact. Atkinson doesn’t want board members to give staff instructions or make information requests without going through her. Also, she doesn’t want board members to drop by schools without notice and a reason stated. She also doesn’t want staffers to make work related inquiries to board members directly. She said she wants the district’s policy of governance to be clear for all. No vote was taken. Rich McKay

Decatur High inducts two to Wall of Honor

Decatur High will add two athletes to its Wall of Honor at a 7 p.m. ceremony in the school’s arena. Clarence Scott and Larry Morris are only the sixth and seventh inductees to the Wall. Scott, a 1966 graduate of Trinity High was later an All-American at Kansas State before playing 13 years with the Cleveland Browns. Morris, a 1950 Decatur grad, was a four-time All-SEC performer at Georgia Tech before his 12 NFL seasons. Bill Banks for the AJC

Oglethorpe receives $5 million grant

Oglethorpe University has received a $5 million grant from the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation in Atlanta. The grant will support potential construction of a new campus center. This grant is the largest individual gift in the school’s history.

The Foundation has a particular focus on supporting private secondary and higher education, arts and culture, and museums and historic preservation in Georgia. Kenneth Musisi

Decatur gets ARC grant for improvements

Decatur was recently awarded a $2,109,430 Livable Centers Initiative grant by the Atlanta Regional Commission for pedestrian safety improvements to the Clairemont Avenue-Commerce Drive and Church Street-Commerce Drive intersections, and for bicycle lane improvements on Church Street in downtown Decatur. Although the money’s now in place for this total $4,161,790 project – the city will contribute $1,152,360 -- Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon said it could be another five years before construction begins. Bill Banks for the AJC

Clarkston launching new website

Clarkston is launching a new website designed to strengthen ties in the community.

The site, www.Clarkston.OurCommonPlace.com, will feature everything from lost pets to government announcements. Registration is free.

More information: Kim@CommonPlaceUSA.com. April Hunt

Baseball, fitness camp for kids on Saturday

Inspiring Kids Academy is sponsoring a free baseball and fitness camp for kids ages 5-16 on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5051 Snapfinger Woods Drive, Decatur. Activities include evaluations of arm strength, fielding drills, batting practice and hitting lessons with MLB players and baseball professionals. Registration is required and the first 100 players to sign up will receive an invitation to a free baseball camp in December. Information: www.ikacademy.org or 678-851-1005. Veronica Fields Johnson

SOUTHSIDE

Park sale proceeds go to south Fulton fund

Despite objections from north Fulton Commissioner Liz Hausmann, the county will put $2.1 million earned off the sale of Duncan Park to Fairburn into the South Fulton Special Services District fund. An audit found the district spent about $3.5 million on upgrades and upkeep since 1994. Hausmann argued when the special services district took over the park, the new cities of Chattahoochee Hills, Johns Creek, Milton and Sandy Springs were still paying taxes into it. The panel voted 4-1 to give the money to south Fulton, which faces a budget deficit. John Edwards

Fayette Tea Party to meet on Tuesday

Fayette Local Issues Tea Party will conduct a meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Whitewater Amenities Center, Birkdale Drive at Redwine Road. The agenda includes a review of the group’s participation in the major events of 2011 and collectively identifying issues to tackle in 2012. Candidates from the last elections have been invited to provide insight on the previous elections. Kenneth Musisi

Peachtree City tree ornaments go on sale

Peachtree City Convention & Visitors Bureau is selling its newest Christmas ornament which features the city’s iconic golf cart and the inscribed 2011 date. The ornaments sell for $15 and can be purchased at the visitors center at 201 McIntosh Trail or at City Hall, 151 Willowbend Road. Last year’s ornaments also are available for purchase. Details: 678 216-0282. Tammy Joyner

Speedway to open Christmas light park

Atlanta Motor Speedway will open “The Inaugural Gift of Lights”, a drive-through Christmas light park today . Display hours which include New Year’s Day and Christmas Day, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Admission is $15 per car and $1 per person with a minimum of $20 for buses. Guests receive a $5 discount per vehicle when they donate a new toy to Toys for Tots on Nov. 23. Information: Visit www.georgiagiftoflights.com or call 1-888-926-7401. Kenneth Musisi

Fayette parents can award teachers,

Fayette County parents can show appreciation for special students and teachers using certificates from by the Fayette County Education Foundation.

For a minimum $5 donation, anyone can honor a special person with either a Most Outstanding Student or a Teacher Honor Roll award. Donations support an annual fund that gives teachers grants ranging from $200 to $750 to fund classroom programs not covered by the county budget. Forms are online at www.fcboe.org under the General Information and Fayette County Education Foundation links. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Holmes to host town hall meeting

Henry County District 5 Commissioner Bruce Holmes will host a town hall meeting Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Fairview Recreation Center, 35 Austin Road in Stockbridge. Citizens will receive updates from Fire Chief Bill Lacy and E-911 Communications Director Don Ash about their respective departments. Monroe Roark for the AJC