County by county news for Friday

Produce, arts, crafts and more merchandise will be available for purchase at Jefferson and Mulberry Streets in the downtown district from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Food vendors, music and children’s activities will be other attractions.

Vendor applications are still being accepted.

Information: 770-944-4309 or Austell Community Affairs Department, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Suite 101.Carolyn Cunningham

Town hall meeting to focus on Trayvon Martin

Prompted by the Trayvon Martin shooting, the Cobb County United for Change Coalition, will hold a town hall meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday at the BTT FunSupport center, 5055 Austell Road in Austell. Racial profiling and Stand Your Ground laws will be discussed.

The meeting is sponsored by the Cobb Immigration Alliance, New Order, the Cobb County of Nation of Islam, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Ernie Suggs

Smyrna to host festivals

The 24th annual Smyrna Spring Jonquil Festival will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at The Village Green in Smyrna. The 10th annual Crawfish and Shrimp Boil is at Atkins Park and the Smyrna Market Village on at 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 1 -- 8 p.m. May 1. Admission is free for both events.

The Jonquil City Jog 5K Race will be 8 a.m. Saturday at the City of Smyrna Municipal Building. Registration is required. Call 770-319-5401 or visit www.smyrnacity.com.

Information: 770-423-1330.

Kenneth Musisi

Shrine Circus opens

The 70th Yaarab Shrine Circus with aerial and animal acts and Shriner clowns opens today Friday through May 6 at Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. Today’s Friday circus shows are at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. A carnival midway with more than 40 rides and attractions is also open. A fun zone with games and arcades for children is new this year. Information on tickets and show times: www.circus2012.com.

Tucker McQueen

Power Springs club holds 5K

The Powder Springs Woman’s Club will hold a charity race, “Run for the Ages” at the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St. at 8 a.m. May 5.

Registration on race day will be at 7:30 a.m. for the 1 Mile Fun Run at 8 a.m. for children and parents and for the 5K Run and Walk at 8:30 a.m.

Fees are $10 for children, $20 through Tuesday and $25 after Tuesday.

Proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Association and scholarships for McEachern High School.

Information: 678-687-5286 or 404-992-6524. Carolyn Cunningham

Austell holds monthly work session on Monday

Austell City Council members will hold their work session at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 2716 Broad St. SW.

Their voting meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 7.

Information: clerk@austell.org or 770-944-4326.

Carolyn Cunningham

GWINNETT

Tax appeals due by May 1

The deadline for appealing Gwinnett County 2012 property assessments is May 21.

The county recently mailed notices to property owners informing them of their property’s value for tax purposes. Owners who believe the county’s value is wrong can appeal the value. For appeal information and an interactive appeal form, visit www.gwinnett-assessor.com.

The Tax Assessor’s Office also answers questions about the notices and appeals via e-mail at assessor@gwinnettcounty.com, by phone at 770-822-7200 or in person at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.

David Wickert

Four lanes of Ga.324 open Monday

The state Department of Transportation will open all four lanes on Ga. 324 over I-85 in Buford Monday.

The highway has been under construction as the department builds a new bridge over the interstate. The opening of the lanes will begin after morning rush hour and will be finished by 5 p.m. Work will continue in the area until the end of May.

David Wickert

Credit union awards scholarships

Gwinnett Federal Credit Union announced Wednesday that it has awarded $92,500 in scholarships and educational grants in honor of the credit union’s founders, past and present board members and employees. Scholarships also were awarded in honor of the lifetime achievement of several notable school system and community leaders, including Gwinnett school board member Louise Radloff and Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks. They include $2,500 scholarships to nine high school seniors who will be pursuing education degrees and plan to teach in Georgia. Nancy Badertscher

Hopewell debuts ‘Carousel’

Hopewell Christian Academy of Norcross will host an evening of cultural arts in a new show featuring the talents of students and teachers with the debut of “The Carousel” 7 p.m. Monday.

The show, created by third grade teacher Herbert Bowens, combines music, poetry and theatre in a story about homework that follows the adventures of a girl who is struggling with a poetry-writing assignment. Admission is a $15 donation. Information: 770-903-3387. D. Aileen Dodd

County solicits memories

Gwinnett County is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its park system by collecting photos, videos and oral histories from local residents. Memorabilia can be brought to recreation centers during April and May. To schedule an interview, call 770-614-2060. For more information visit www.gwinnettparks.com. David Wickert

March for Babies in Suwanee

Gwinnett County residents will kick-off the annual March for Babies event at Suwanee Town Center on Saturday. The 4-mile walk, sponsored by the March of Dimes will help raise funds for research and programs that help babies begin healthy lives. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with the walk beginning at 10. For more information and to register visit www.marchforbabies.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Woodstock allows new crematorium

The Woodstock City Council voted 4-2 Monday night to allow Lakeside Funeral Home to operate a crematorium at their location on Claremore Drive. More than a dozen signed up to speak against the plan, several citing concerns about pollution and proximity to neighborhoods. Co-owner Kyle Standridge contended there would be no harmful emissions. He said state officials would have to okay the plan before any cremations are done. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Fulton tax offices expand hours

The Fulton County Tax Commissioner’s Office has started keeping its satellite offices open 2 1/2 hours longer on weekdays, which will last through the summer. The offices are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., instead of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The branches are at 7741 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs (North Fulton Government Service Center), 3155 Royal Drive in Alpharetta, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road in College Park (South Fulton Government Service Center) and 2841 Greenbriar Parkway in Atlanta (Greenbriar Mall). Johnny Edwards

Forsyth rec centers alter hours

Forsyth County residents can now get an earlier weekday jump on using two of the county’s recreation centers. The Fowler Park and Old Atlanta Park rec centers will now open at 7 a.m.Monday through Friday instead of at 8:30 a.m. Park officials say public feedback indicated a preference for the earlier start. Mark Woosley

Cherokee unviels new elementary school

Cherokee County School District officials welcome its newest elementary school for the 2012-2013 school year. Clark Creek Elementary School is a $15.4 million project on Hunt Road in Acworth and is on 43 acres with the capacity to serve 1,250 students. The first day of school is August 1. Mark Woosley

Family adoption picnic Saturday in Roswell

The Georgia Chapter of America World Adoption Association in Cumming hosts its a Family Adoption Picnic noon -- 3 p.m. Saturday at Northside Baptist Church, 11125 Houze Road in Roswell.

The family-centered picnic will celebrate and share the joy that families have been through in bringing their children home from China, Russia and Ethiopia.

AWAA has placed orphans in Christian families all over the country since 1994. Information: www.awaa.org. Kenneth Musisi

Cherokee foundation presents charity with $3,300

The Cherokee County fire department and sheriff’s office presented a check for $3,300 to Stephanie Miller of the Hope and Light Foundation. The donation was from winnings at this year’s Guns and Hoses Run. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office solicited registrations from runners to raise money for the foundation. The Hope and Light Foundation assists children with spinal muscular atrophy. Kenneth Musisi

ATLANTA

APD announces command changes

The Atlanta Police Department has reassigned some top commanders .

Maj. Robert Browning was moved from commander of Zone 2 -- Peachtree Hills, Buckhead and neighborhoods north to the city limits -- to special operations, where he will oversee SWAT, mounted patrol and the DUI task force. Maj. Lane Hagin was transferred from Zone 2 to the position of commander at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

And Van H. Hobbs Jr. was promoted to major and replaces Browning in Zone 2 . Until Thursday, Browning was an assistant commander in the zone for Piedmont Park, Grant Park and Atlanta neighborhoods in DeKalb County. Rhonda Cook

UN tour makes local stop

The Unite for Girls Tour, part of the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up campaign, will stop in north Atlanta on Monday in hopes of inspiring action on problems girls face around the world. The stop at Atlanta Girls School, 3254 Northside Parkway, N.W., will focus on child marriage.

Hundreds of teens are expected to attend, as well as teen pop singers Megan and Liz, actress Tika Sumpter, Spelman College President Beverly Tatum and Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Liberia Cynthia Nash. The event lasts from 4 to 6 p.m. Information: GirlUp.org. Johnny Edwards

Tire amnesty on Saturday

Atlanta City Councilwoman Joyce Sheperd will host a city-wide Tire Amnesty Day on Saturday, April 28. Participants will be allowed to drop off abandoned for free at specific locations between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday only. For more information on drop-off locations, residents should call 404-330-6053. The city-wide event is expected to collect 15,000 tires for processing and recycling. It is being held in partnership with Liberty Tire Recycling and Keep Atlanta Beautiful. Sheperd called illegal dumping of tires, trash, and other debris “a huge issue in our communities.” Jeremiah McWilliams

DEKALB

Dunwoody schedules beer festival

The Dunwoody Restaurant Group is co-sponsoring the 11th Annual Dunwoody Beer Festival from 2 to 7 p.m. May 12 at the northeast corner lot at Perimeter Mall. Proceeds benefit Georgia’s Camp Twin Lakes.

The festival offers 150 beers and has raised more than $248,000 over the past 10 years. Admission, for 21 and older, is $30 in advance and $40 at the door. Tickets: www.zorbia.com. Information: 770-671-9758 or andragdrg@aol.com. Patrick Fox

Community event set for homeowners

Congressman Hank Johnson is hosting a HomeSafe Georgia community event to help homeowners avoid foreclosure at Salem Bible Church, 5460 Hillandale Drive, Lithonia, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.

Attendees will meet with counselors at the free event to see if they qualify for HomeSafe Georgia or a loan modification. Homeowners can pre-qualify and register at www.depower.org; call 877-790-1831. Kenneth Musisi

Decatur commission explores walking paths

Decatur’s city commission agreed to explore potential construction of pedestrian/biking paths in Oakhurst. A neighborhood proposal asks for three paths connecting Olympic Place with Mead Road, Ansley Street and Oakhurst Elementary School, as an alternative to a busy stretch of College Avenue. Commissioner Kecia Cunningham said, “This will open up the neighborhood again. It’s one of those life-changing projects.” The next step is evaluating what materials will comprise the paths and the source of funding. A final plan should be submitted to the commission by mid-summer. Bill Banks

Clarkston Community Center holds benefit

The “Together as One” benefit concert for refugees will be from 2 – 5 p.m. Saturday at the Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Avenue, Clarkston. Admission is $10. Refugees will be invited to sell crafts outside the auditorium. For information or to buy tickets: Eric at 404-308-1326 or Haywood at 404 523-0699. Kenneth Musisi

Free clinic marks fifth anniversary

A free clinic near Lithonia that has helped an increasing number of uninsured and poor people get health care recently celebrated its fifth year with little fanfare.

The South DeKalb Center for Healthy Living helped more than 1,500 patients receive care in its first year in 2007.

It has since helped give free care to nearly 6,500 other uninsured and low-income residents, while struggling to maintain volunteers and donations to stay open.

For information or to make a donation, contact the center at 2699 Klondike Road, Lithonia or at 770-484-2777. April Hunt

Clarkston needs volunteers for clean-up

Clarkston and Keep DeKalb Beautiful are teaming up in a clean-up effort.

Volunteers will help remove litter and debris from city streets or the South Fork Peachtree Creek at Friendship Forest. Volunteers also can help install curb markers on storm drains, reminders not to dump into the waterways.

All crews will meet at 9 a.m. the Woman’s Club on Church Street. Information: 404-296-6489. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Fayetteville makes gambling arrest

Fayetteville police arrested a second person Tuesday in connection with an illegal gambling operation.

Sameer Syed, 32, of Peachtree City turned himself in after warrants for his arrest were obtained. He is charged with felony commercial gambling and misdemeanor keeping a gambling place.

Corina Venegas-Corral, 21, of Riverdale was also charged with commercial gambling following a raid on the Fayette Gift Shop on April 17. Jill Howard Church

Clayton hosts “girls only” conference

Clayton County Public Schools hosts its first “For Girls Only” Conference 8 a.m. Saturday at Mundy’s Mill High School, 9252 Fayetteville Rd., Jonesboro. The event is similar to the 500 Men Standing in the Gap program the district hosts for young men. Details: Rhonda Burnough, 770 473-2760 or 770 630-1584.Tammy Joyner

Exhibition basketball set in Henry County

Henry County law enforcement personnel will take to the court 4 p.m. Saturday at Dutchtown High School for the 9th annual Blue vs. Brown Basketball Memorial Exhibition Game, featuring the Henry County Police Department against the Henry County Sheriff’s Department. The exhibition is a way for law enforcement officers in Henry County to recognize and remember their fallen brethren, and is also played in honor and remembrance of public safety officers around the country, as well as fallen military, who have paid the ultimate price. Admission is free. Information: 770.288.8200 or 770.288.7071. Monroe Roark

Peachtree City to hold Monopoly tourney

The Fourth Annual Peachtree City Monopoly tournament is set for April 28 at the Towne Club.

Sponsored by Hasbro Inc., the event is open to players ages 12 and up. Case by case exceptions will be considered for those under 12. The first round will start at 10 a.m. There is no entry fee. Players will compete for cash prizes, gift certificates and other awards.

Players are urged to register by visiting PTCMonopoly@yahoo.com. The Towne Club is at 201 Crosstown Road, Peachtree City. For information: http://www.peachtree-city.org.

Laurie Hoffman

Henry Co. changes surveyor office status

The position of Henry County surveyor has officially been changed from elected to appointed. After a resolution was approved by the Board of Commissioners in January, House Bill 823 was passed in the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Nathan Deal April 11. The surveyor post is an unpaid, four-year term of office required by the state, but Georgia law authorizes local governments to make the change from elected to appointed through local legislation. County officials said the election was costly and unnecessary, with candidates having to pay qualifying fees even though the position is unpaid. As of January, only ten counties in Georgia still had an elected surveyor.

Monroe Roark