County by county news for Friday

Parking is free and admission is $10 with proceeds benefiting Chattahoochee NOW.

Gates will open at 6 p.m.

Information: RiverviewConcerts.com,

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

YWCA chosen for nationwide challenge

The YWCA of Northwest Georgia is one of 141 charities chosen to compete in a nationwide fundraising challenge. The Allstate Foundation will give the group that raises the most money by Oct. 3 $100,000 for their program. YWCA CEO Holly Tuchman said funds raised to meet the Purple Purse Challenge will help the Y’s domestic violence shelter. Information: www.crowdrise.com/purplepurse-ywcanwgeorgia.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Mableton group meets with police

The Mableton Improvement Coalition and the Cobb County Police Department will host a Neighborhood Watch meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at the First Baptist Church of Mableton, 5385 Church St. SW with discussion on crime prevention.

Information: fbcmableton.com/new-here/contact-us, mableton.org.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Free nutrition workshops in Mableton

Eight free classes on nutrition will begin at noon Wednesday, on continuing Wednesdays and Fridays, at the Family Life Restoration Center, Inc., 6105 Mableton Parkway, Mableton.

Nutritionist and fitness trainer Victor Arnold will be leading the sessions.

Registration is open at the center on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Information: flrconline.org, 770-944-1066.Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Powder Springs wants to hire police officer

Powder Springs is seeking to hire a part-time police officer by Sept. 15.

Information: cityofpowdersprings.org/index.aspx?NID=119.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Food trucks return to Mableton on Thursday

Another Food Truck Event will be 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Mable House Complex, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton - also with live music and arts and crafts.

Sponsors are the South Cobb Arts Alliance and Cobb County P.A.R.K.S.

Information:

Carolyn Cunningham

GWINNETT

Parks, downtown gaining security cameras

Sugar Hill has approved up to $125,000 to install security cameras at Gary Pirkle Park, E.E. Robinson Park and downtown areas. Officials recommend the additional security measures to maintain a safe and secure experience for the increasing number of visitors to the areas. Funding for the capital expenses will be designated from SPLOST proceeds and operational expenses from general funds.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth names new community development director

On Monday, the Duluth City Council announced Nick Colonna will join the city as community development director. He takes over the position made vacant by James Riker, recently named Duluth’s city manager. Colonna has been the planning director for the past three years in Adams County, PA where he worked to bring collaboration and balance between historic preservation and economic development.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Grayson to host town hall meeting

Grayson officials will hold a town hall meeting about the city’s Main Street Program 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 at the Grayson Senior Center, 475 Grayson Parkway. In November 2013, Grayson was among 18 cities in Georgia chosen to participate as a Start-Up Community for the Main Street Program managed by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. The first year involves training geared towards providing cities with the tools to bring about historical preservation, quality growth, and sustainable economic development. Information: Gail@GraysonDDA.org or 678-395-4959.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lawrenceville seeking public input on plans

The Lawrenceville Downtown Development Authority invites the public to a Community Visioning Session at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22 at City Hall, 70 South Clayton Street. Participants will meet DDA board members, learn about the Main Street Program and provide input on downtown Lawrenceville’s vision for the coming year. Information: www.lawrencevillega.org or 678-226-2639.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Snellville police to host Public Safety Night

Snellville police will host a Public Safety Night 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30 on the Towne Green in front of City Hall, 2342 Oak Road. Event includes police vehicles, the Snellville Police Special Response Team, the Air-Evac Lifeteam helicopter, fire department equipment and personnel, animal control, the bomb squad van, UGA’s rollover demonstration vehicle and EMS technicians and first responders. Information on Code RED, the free emergency notification system, will be available along with activities for the kids. The Snellville Police K-9 officers will give demonstrations throughout the evening along with personal self-defense and “How to manage a traffic stop” demonstrations. Information: Officer Linda Nixon at lnixon@snellville.org or Citizens Academy alumni Kathy Emanuel at kae10@bellsouth.net or Tom Martin at twmartin50@yahoo.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Dacula sidewalk project approved

Gwinnett County and Dacula will jointly fund sidewalk projects using 2014 SPLOST funds. Sidewalks will be added to Harbins Road from Sanjo Road to McMillan Road, Harbins Road from the day care center to Harbins Oak Drive, Dacula Road from past Fence Road to Old Peachtree and Dacula Road across from Liam Avenue to AutoZone. The project will cost $876,915, with Dacula responsible for 19 percent or $142,854.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Milton to discuss intersection improvements

City of Milton officials want to hear from residents about plans to improve two of the city’s busier intersections. An open house is set for 5- 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at Milton City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, to explore concept alternatives for improving the intersection of Freemanville Road with Birmingham and Providence Roads. Both are currently four-way stops. A city spokesman says design concepts to be presented at the meeting could include roundabouts, signalization and widening.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Historic home fundraiser planned in Roswell

The Roswell Historical Society will hold its annual fundraiser to benefit the Historic Hembree Farm from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 on the grounds of the farm, 775 Hembree Road. The Flea Fling will feature antiques, handmade gifts, furniture, household items, toys, books and food. Admission is free. For more information: 770-992-1665.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Little River cleanup planned in Cherokee

Woodstock, Holly Springs, Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority, Rivers Alive and the Upper Etowah River Alliance team up to clean the Little River on Oct. 11.

Volunteers should wear old shoes, clothes that can get dirty or wet, and heavy work gloves. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, water and coffee will be provided.

Information: lori.forrester@ccwsa.com.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Canton warns of parking enforcement

Canton Police Chief Robert Merchant is warning that, following a grace period, timed downtown parking restrictions will be enforced/ticketed again Oct. 1. They had been suspended for roughly the past year. Downtown businesses had pressed for the re-emphasis, upset about long-term parkers in front of their establishments. The restrictions along Main and North streets mostly limit parking to two hours. Merchant says during August, 300 warning tickets were issued. After Oct. 1, fines will start at $10.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Johns Creek seeks festival volunteers

The city of Johns Creek and the Convention and Visitors Bureau are seeking volunteers for the Johns Creek Arts Festival, set for Oct. 25 and 26 at the Atlanta Athletic Club Fields, across the street from the club on Medlock Bridge Road. Volunteer duties include artist and sponsor check-in, first aid, lost and found, festival information distribution and hospitality. More information/signup: johnscreekga.gov or 770-500-8784

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Widening project set in Woodstock

The city of Woodstock says the contractor responsible for Phase IV of the Ridgewalk Parkway widening project will begin work on Monday. The road is being upgraded from Ridge Trail to Main Street, near the busy Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta. The city says delays are expected, but that travel lanes will be kept open at all times. Updates will be posted at woodstockga.gov

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Southwest Atlanta homeowners hold health and wellness fair

Sandtown Community Association and Sandtown Center Homeowners Association will host a “Health +Wellness Fair” and one-mile “Walk 4 Health” 9 a.m. Sept. 13, at the Sandtown Center Pavillion, 1510 Sandbay Drive.

The goal of the first annual event is to promote diet and exercise, and educate the community on screenings and preventative exams. The day includes nutritionists, fitness trainers, health vendors, games and prizes.

Organizers plan to partner with Sandtown Park for future wellness events.

Information: www.healthysandtown.com.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

DEKALB

Dunwoody Library hosts book sale

Thousands of low-priced books will be sold Sept. 25-29 at the Dunwoody Library, 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road.

Friends of the Dunwoody Library has organized books, videos, CDs, DVDs, magazines and puzzles for purchase. A silent auction will feature special value books.

Friends of the Dunwoody Library members only shopping is 1-4 p.m. Sept. 25. The sale is open to the public 4-8 p.m., that day; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sept. 26-27; and 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sept. 29.

Proceeds benefit Dunwoody Library and the DeKalb County library system.

Information: 770-512-4640.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

5K walk/run in Stone Mountain

The Winning the Battles in Your Own Mind 5K Walk/Run is at 8 a.m. Sept. 20 with 7 a.m. registration at Wade Walker Park, 5585 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain.. The $25 fee is tax-deductible. The fee drops to $10 per person for groups of five or more.

Atlanta Bread Company, Kroger and Sprouts Farmers Market will provide snacks.

The 5K is hosted by Winning the Battles In Your Mind, Inc., a Snellville-based non-profit that offers spiritual self-help seminars, and benefits local children battling Sickle Cell Anemia. The organization set a goal to raise $50,000 for children suffering from the disease through 2015.

Information: www.winningbattlesinyourmind.org

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

City postpones ‘diversity conversations’

Decatur’s commission tabled approval of a $25,000 contract with The Art of Community, a consultant firm that would create community-wide conversations centered on diversity. These proposed dialogues stem from ideas delivered last April by the Decatur Community Coalition for dealing with racial profiling, though city manager Peggy Merriss emphasized the dialogues would encompass a broad definition of diversity, including economic and lifestyle diversity. With two commissioners expressing concern over precisely what the city was paying for and why only one company was considered, the motion was tabled until Oct. 6.

Bill Banks

Organization for active and retire federal employees meet Tuesday

The National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees DeKalb Chapter 380 will meet 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Piccadilly Restaurant, at South DeKalb Mall, 2801 Candler Road, Decatur.

The association advocates for better health care and retirement benefits of federal employees and retirees.

The meeting is open to NAFRE members and non-members including spouses and surviving spouses of retired federal employees.

Information: www.ganarfe.com.

Adrianne Murchison

Tucker, Smoke Rise candidate forum

DeKalb Superior Court Judge C. J. Becker will moderate a forum for Tucker and Smoke Rise community candidates in local, state and federal races 6:30 p.m., Sept. 18 at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 4882 Lavista Road.

Tucker Civic Association, Main Street Tucker Alliance and Smoke Rise Community Association will host the forum. A list of participating candidates has not been announced.

In addition to the question/answer period, the program includes a “meet and greet” with the public, and brief candidate statements.

Information: www.tuckercivic.org.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Brookhaven Police Department receives federal grant

The Brookhaven Police Department received a federal grant that will be used as reimbursement for bulletproof vests.

The award of $11,117.63 was provided through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bulletproof Vest Partnership, and covers nearly half of the Brookhaven Police Department’s cost on vests.

The department became eligible for the award by requiring all officers to wear vests. Chief Gary Yandura describes the vests as essential to police operations.

Nationally, at least 33 police officers were saved by bulletproof vests in 2012, an increase of nearly 14 percent compared to 2011, according to the Department of Justice.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

‘BigPictureCon’ contest underway

Deadline for submitting short film entries to the “BigPictureCon” is today. The short film festival is part of next month’s Georgia Big PictureCon Film & Technology Conference, a networking and educational event for emerging and established filmmakers and industry technology professionals. The Oct 5-6 conference is co-sponsored by Clayton State University Visual & Performing Arts Department and Student Media Division. The short film festival will 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Clayton State. Entries must be no longer than 15 minutes and can include any “family-friendly” topic. No grotesque violence, nudity or other inappropriate content

Iinformation: www.bigpicturecon.com.

Tammy Joyner

Peachtree City approves new budget

Following a slew of recent amendments, the City Council of Peachtree City voted 5-0 Thursday to adopt a $30.7 million FY2015 budget. The council chose to cut or reduce programs and projects rather than raise the millage rate by 1 mill. Members Terry Ernst and Kim Learnard noted that adjustments to the budget, including pay raises for police, fire and other staff, can still be made later in the year.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Huddleston student creates app

Huddleston Elementary School in Peachtree City now has its own app, thanks to a fifth-grade student who developed it with support from his father. Dominic Tigue began working on the app last spring, and met with principal Heidi Pfannenstiel when it was finished. The app was unveiled at the school’s recent Parent Information Night, and is available for Apple and Android devices.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Friday hours restored at libraries

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners approved recently hours for the following branches starting Sept. 12: Adamsville, Adams Park, Buckhead, Central, South Fulton, Southwest, East Atlanta, East Point, Ocee, Roswell and Northeast/Spruill Oaks.

Information: www.afplweb.com.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Hearings set on school closing

The Henry County Board of Education will host two public hearing on a proposal that would close McDonough Elementary School and convert its campus for the relocation of Patrick Henry Academy. Elementary students would be dispersed to three other area elementary schools. The proposed new district map has been released for a three-month public review and comment period. Public hearings are set for Oct. 21 and Nov. 3, with the final vote expected to come in December. Information: www.henry.k12.ga.us.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Workshops focus on children at risk

The Fayette County public school system is sponsoring a series of free workshops for parents of students in the Children at Risk in Education program. The Systematic Training for Effective Parenting sessions will meet on Tuesdays from January through March in Fayetteville to discuss behavior, communication and discipline. Space is limited; contact your child’s school counselor to register.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC