County by county news for Friday

He has a hearing set before Judge James Bodiford on Nov. 4. He is arguing that state law overrides the county’s zoning ordinance and makes backyard chickens legal.

Jeffry Scott

Opponents stand up Smyrna mayor

Smyrna Mayor Max Bacon showed up this past Tuesday night at Brawner Hall in Smyrna and was prepared to debate two candidates running against him for mayor. But then Alex Backry and Donna Woodham were no-shows. So Bacon said Thursday morning he had no intention of attending the second debate Thursday night in Marietta, hosted by the Marietta-Cobb League of Women Voters. Bacon said he had family obligations. He also disagreed with the location. “Why are they having a debate in Marietta for an election that’s in Smyrna?” he said. Jeffry Scott

Marietta Museum asks for a rent reprieve

The Marietta Museum of History has asked for a rent reprieve to keep the museum off the Marietta Square and Aviation Wing on South Cobb Drive afloat financially. The museum is falling about $8,000 short each month said director Jan Galt Russell. Board members have asked the landlord, the Downtown Marietta Development Authority, to forgive the rent for two years. Museum founder Dan Cox said he is also talking with Georgia National Guard officials about the Guard building a state museum on Aviation Wing property. The museum receives $10,714 monthly from Marietta’s car rental taxes and income from ticket and retail sales, grants and fund raisers. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Library foundation hosts masquerade gala

The Cobb Library Foundation is hosting its “Booked for the Evening…a Literary Masquerade” black-tie gala Saturday at the Marietta Country Club. The festivities start at 6:30 p.m. and include a silent auction, cocktails, dinner and entertainment. A wide range of masquerade masks, created by Southeastern artists, will be up for bids in the silent auction. Author Melissa Fay Greene will be honored with the Jim & Carol Ney Literary Award. Proceeds go to the Cobb County Library System. Info: www.CobbLibraryFoundation.org. Nancy Badertscher

Today is deadline to enroll for math tutoring

Today is the deadline for interested students to take an online test for a new math tutoring program in Austell that begins Monday.

Students in the third through ninth grades are invited to the four weeks of classes at the South Cobb Recreation Center, 875 Six Flags Drive.

Classes will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:15-8 p.m. through Nov. 16.

Cost is $25 for the eight sessions. Information: info@countmeingeorgia.org or Dennis Jeter at 404-680-9074, Elliott Hennington at 678-438-2461 or Ricky Mims at 770-351-6552. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Take a ride on a 1940 Douglas DC-3 Saturday

The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 690 will host retired Air Force and Delta Airlines Capt. Ron Alexander and his fully restored 1940 Douglas DC-3 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Lawrenceville’s Briscoe Field.

Alexander will take passengers on flights leaving from the Aircraft Specialist Jet Center at 500 Briscoe Blvd. Fewer than 100 DC-3s remain airworthy in the United States.

The cost is $60 per person. For flight reservations call 678-770-1877 or e-mail LNOR_L@bellsouth.net. David Wickert

Gwinnett GOP to hold fall barbecue

The Gwinnett County Republican Party will hold its fall barbecue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Bethesda Park, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville.

U.S. Reps. Rob Woodall and Paul Broun, Secretary of State Brian Kemp and other elected officials will attend. Advanced tickets are $12 for singles and $20 per couple. The price will be $15 per person at the door. . For more information visit www.gwinnettrepublicans.com or call Chairman Bruce LeVell at 404-409-5400. David Wickert

Chamber to host leadership reception

The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce will host a Key Leadership Reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at The River Club in Suwanee.

The informal reception will honor local and state elected officials. Tickets for chamber members are $250. The registration deadline is Oct. 21. To register, visit www.gwinnettchamber.org. David Wickert

Duluth vacant house fire ruled arson

Gwinnett County Fire Investigators have ruled arson as the cause for a vacant house fire in Duluth. Firefighters responded just before noon Wednesday to a neighbor’s report of smoke pouring from a house in 2300 block of Edge Court.

Heavy smoke and flames were visible upon the arrival of fire crews. Fire investigators said it was the second blaze to occur at the home, which has been vacant for the past five or six months.

Anyone with information should contact the Georgia Arson Control Hotline at 800-282-5804. Andria Simmons

SPCA to offer low-cost pet vaccinations

The Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is offering low cost vaccinations for cats and dogs on Saturday.

The vaccinations will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. at its adoption center at 1175 Buford Hwy. in Suwanee. Vaccinations are $10 each.

Info: www.GeorgiaSPCA.org or 678-765-2726. Andria Simmons

Snellville fall festival on Saturday

The Snellville Tourism and Trade organization will host the second Snellville Fall Festival on Saturday.

The event will run from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Snellville Town Green, located opposite City Hall.

Information: http://www.snellvillepride.com/content/fall-festival-exhibitor-information.html. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Dental discounts offered to Fulton residents

Through a pilot program, Fulton residents can get 5 percent to 50 percent discounts on dental cleanings, 15 to 20 percent discounts on orthodontic work and 15 to 20 percent fee reductions on oral surgery, among other savings. The county is offering the National Association of County Officials’ Dental Discount Program, which is for all Fulton residents regardless of income or insurance coverage so long as they use approved providers. Membership costs $59 per year per person or $69 per year for families. Information: 877-354-6226. Johnny Edwards

GGC president to address chamber

Daniel J. Kaufman, president of Georgia Gwinnett College, will be the keynote speaker Tuesday at the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce monthly Eggs & Enterprise breakfast. The event is at 7:30 a.m. at Mount Pisgah UMC, 9820 Nesbit Ferry Road, Johns Creek.

Kauffman, a retired brigadier general, was named president of the new college in 2005 after serving as dean of the Academic Board and chief academic officer at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Registration is required. Visit www.gnfcc.com or call 770-993-8806, ext. 306. Patrick Fox

Shredding event in Alpharetta Saturday

Alpharetta residents seeking a safe method to discard documents can take advantage of a shredding event Saturday. The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon in the Alpharetta Crossing Shopping Center at Haynes Bridge Road and Old Milton Parkway. There is a five-box limit per resident.

Eco Shredding, a co-sponsor, is requesting participants bring one can of food per box brought for shredding. All food items will be dispersed to neighbors through the North Fulton Community Charities Food Bank. Information: 678-297-6200 or tporter@alpharetta.ga.us. Patrick Fox

Library launches Lego Club for kids

The Roswell Library has launched a Lego Club for children ages 6 and up. It will meet Tuesday from 4 to 5 p.m. at 115 Norcross Street.

The library provides the Legos, and the children build things related to a given theme. October’s theme is robots. Registration: 770-640-3075. Johnny Edwards

Ball Ground seeks parade participants

Ball Ground plans to kick-off the 2011 Christmas season by hosting a Christmas parade on Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. starting at Ball Ground Elementary School, located at 480 Old Canton Road. Organizations interested in participating should contact Nancy Butterworth at ncbutterworth@bellsouth.net or 770-924-2176. Veronica Fields Johnson

Genealogy workshop Nov. 1 at Forsyth library

The Forsyth County Public Library will conduct a free genealogy workshop at the Cumming Branch, 585 Dahlonega Road, on Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. Participants will learn how to use Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest Online. Registration is required. Information: 770-781-9840 or “Ask a Librarian” at www.forsythpl.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

ATLANTA

Event partners Atlanta with France

The Consulate General of France in Atlanta and Georgia Tech are teaming up for the second time to present “France-Atlanta: Together Towards Innovation.” From Oct. 26 through Nov. 12, there will be more than a dozen events designed to build new French-American partnerships in science, economics, culture, and humanitarian work. Topics will range from nuclear power to graphene, an ultra-thin carbon material. Last year, “France-Atlanta 2010” brought together almost 3,500 participants. Information: www.france-atlanta.org. Jeremiah McWilliams

Code enforcement work session on Monday

The Community Development/Human Resources Committee of Atlanta’s City Council has scheduled a work session on code enforcement on Monday The meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Committee Room 2 of City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave. The public is invited. Jeremiah McWilliams

Annual battle of the artists Saturday

Local artist Fabian “Occasional Superstar” Williams will host his 5th “World Wide Arts Federation Presents -- The Studious Study Of Stuntin’: An Artist Battle and Art Battle” on Saturday.

Billed as a “ball” and a “battle,” Williams, as he has done in the past, gathers leading local and national artists and pits them against each other in a round-robin, pro wrestling-style battle of styles and artistic mediums.

The battle will be Saturday from 6 p.m. until midnight at 431 Fair Street in Atlanta. Information, including tickets: www.thewwaf.com. Ernie Suggs

Health screening, workshops on Saturday

The 14th Annual Interfaith Health and Human Service Conference will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam, 560 Fayetteville Road, S.E. The event, featuring free health screenings and workshops, is sponsored by Sisters United In Health Service, Inc. Information: www.sistersunited.org or call 770-465-2995. Mea Watkins

DEKALB

DA’s office adopts former Army dog

Andy, a four-legged war veteran, will be a regular at the DeKalb County Courthouse.

The DeKalb District Attorney’s Office has adopted a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois discharged from the Army after his handler was wounded in Afghanistan. For three years, Andy tracked bombs, explosives and people.

Now Andy help with courthouse security and law enforcement agencies with tracking people and searching cars and buildings.

Assistant District Attorney Jason Beato worked with Andy while his Army unit was in Afghanistan in 2010 and will now care for him. Rhonda Cook

Pet advocate group hold fundraising event

A nonprofit that helps people with pets escape domestic violence will host a fundraising event this weekend at Lenox Park in Brookhaven.

The Walk N Wag event will feature community outreach in addition to games for kids and pets, as well as a pet parade of animals in costume.

The free event runs from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the park, 2180 Lake Blvd. NE, Atlanta. There is a fee for participants in the parade. Information: www.ahimsahouse.org or 404-496-4038. April Hunt

Decatur approves plan to create land bank

Decatur approved an agreement with DeKalb County this week establishing the DeKalb Regional Land Bank, to help combat the county’s loss of over 100,000 homes to foreclosure since 2000. Land banks purchase distressed properties, clear titles, extinguish tax liens and code violations to return properties to the private market. By state law a land bank can only be created through a county/city partnership. Decatur city manager Peggy Merriss points out the city’s foreclosure rate falls far below the county, with Decatur averaging roughly 60 foreclosures annually over the last few years. Bill Banks for the AJC

Elaine Clark Center to get roof repair

DeKalb County recently agreed to use $150,000 of federal money to repair the roof at the Elaine Clark Center for Exceptional Children.

The county is using money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the repairs, since more than half of students at the center are from low- to moderate-income families. April Hunt

Friends of Stonecrest Library needs members

The Friends of Stonecrest Library, volunteers who help support the new library and plan events there, are looking for new members. Those interested can meet with members between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday at the lower-level of Macy’s at the Mall of Stonecrest. Information also will be available about an upcoming exhibit, 40 Acres And a Mule, in November. Information: 770-482-3828 or www.friendsofstonecrest.org. April Hunt

Decatur to celebrate Food Day Saturday

Decatur will celebrate Food Day Saturday at its farmers market downtown. The free event features samples and recipes using fresh foods. It begins at 10 a.m. at the market, 163 Clairemont Ave. Information: www.foodday.org or 678-553-6541. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Clayton NAACP holds event tonight

The Clayton County branch of the NAACP will hold its “State of the Branch” address tonight at 7 p.m. at the National Archives at Atlanta.

The Rev. Curtis Gatewood, second vice president of the NAACP’s North Carolina State Conference, is the keynote speaker. C. Synamon Baldwin is the president of the Clayton branch. The archives is at 5780 Jonesboro Road in Morrow. Details: 770 471-0669 or claytoncountynaacp@gmail.com. Tammy Joyner

Program targets sex trafficking issue

A program on child sex trafficking called “Breaking the Silence” will be held Saturday at the Riverdale Centre. Riverdale Councilman Kenny Ruffin and representatives from several county agencies are sponsoring the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. program which is aimed at telling parents about the dangers of sex trafficking and how to avoid it. The Riverdale Centre is at 7210 Church St. in Riverdale, within the Riverdale Town Center complex. About 400 girls are sexually exploited each month in Georgia according to the Governor’s Office for Children and Families. Tammy Joyner

Farm Heritage Day at Southern Belle Saturday

Step back in time at Farm Heritage Day with Southern Belle Farm on Saturday. from noon to 5 p.m. at 1658 Turner Church Road, McDonough. Exhibits will include: blacksmithing, dairy cow milking, spinning wool, sewing handmade clothes and more. General admission: $12 for ages 3-64 and senior citizens 65+ $10. Information: 770-288-2582 or www.SouthernBelleFarm.com. Sandra Marshall Murray

Family to hold memorial for drowned teen

The family of a Clayton County teenager who drowned last year will hold a 4 p.m. memorial Saturday to honor Henri-Christophe Bourget. The event will be at Atlanta Beach, part of Clayton’s International Park, a site of one of the 1996 Olympic events. The 15-year-old died trying to get a ball that had fallen into the lake. Participants should gather near the baseball field in the park at 3:45 p.m., said Jean-Claude Bourget, Henri’s father. The event coincides with a fall festival at the park. Tammy Joyner

Clayton needs river cleanup volunteers

Clayton County Water Authority is looking for community volunteers to help with the county’s annual Rivers Alive Stream Cleanup being held at Swint Elementary on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

The elementary school is at 500 Hwy. 138 in Jonesboro. To volunteer: call 770 960-6972. Tammy Joyner

Residents can sign up for emergency info

Fulton County residents who want fast information in the event of disasters or emergencies can register for CodeRed, a high-speed notification system that allows emergency responders to send out time-sensitive messages via voice mails, e-mails and text messages.

To register, log onto www.fultoncountyga.gov and click the CodeRed link on the right side of the page. Johnny Edwards