County by county news for Friday

The city’s Development Authority will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the second floor conference room, City Hall, 4484 Marietta St. instead of 6:30 p.m. this past Thursday.

Information: cityofpowdersprings.org.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Powder Springs revises sanitation schedule

Depending on road conditions, Powder Springs is planning to resume its sanitation schedule Friday morning.

Sanitation carts need to be out on the curb by 7 a.m. for emptying by Saturday evening as long as weather and roadways permit.

Information: cityofpowdersprings.org.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

African-American genealogy program set

Learn how to use online and Georgia Room resources to search for African-American ancestors from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St.

Information: Rhonda Lane, powdersr@cobbcat.org or 770-436-3600.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Harriett Tubman play in Mableton

All ages are invited to see a free play about Harriet Tubman from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton.

Christine Dixon, a professional actor and singer from New York City, will portray the leader of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War.Information: Jo Lahmon, lahmonj@cobbcat.org or 678-398-5831.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Cobb2020 hosts health plan lunch

The Cobb2020 Partnership will be the South Cobb Business Association luncheon topic 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Presbyterian Village, 2000 East-West Connector, Austell.Over the next five years, Cobb2020 involves developing a Community Health Improvement Plan to reduce chronic disease by promoting healthy lifestyles and better access to health and prevention services.

Costs: $12, members, online; $15, members, at the door; $20, guests.

Information: cobb2020.com or sc-ba.org.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Silver Comet Trail under maintenance

Maintenance work has started on six pedestrian bridges on the Silver Comet Trail.

The project will start with Smyrna’s Cooper Lake Road Bridge and continue west 11 miles one bridge at a time to the Powder Springs Creek bridge.

Tentative completion is late April. There will be no access across bridges under construction.

The trail will be open during Cobb County Schools spring break.

Information: www.cobbcounty.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Donations sought for parkway improvement

For a minimum donation of $10, residents can partner with the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association to continue landscaping maintenance and beautification efforts along Peachtree Parkway from Holcomb Bridge Road to the Chattahoochee River.

Participants receive a Peachtree Parkway Partners static window cling to display on car, home or business windows. Funds provide mowing and trimming with weekly trash pickup.

Information: www.upcca.org/peachtreeparkway.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Peachtree Corners gets development grant

Peachtree Corners has been awarded a Livable Center Initiative grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission. The $96,000 grant award will allow the city to develop a Town Center plan along Peachtree Parkway. Work on this project will begin in March and be completed in 6 months. www.peachtreecornersga.com. Karen Huppertz

Free income tax preparation available

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will provide services through IRS-certified tax preparers 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville. Attendees will have Free Application for Federal Student Aid support, benefits screening for food stamps, energy assistance, childcare assistance, and credit report analysis. Participants must make an appointment at 770-985-4713. Karen Huppertz

Free Valentine’s Day weddings

Judges from magistrate court are offering free Valentine’s Day weddings and special ceremonies to renew wedding vows 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, February 14 at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Couples getting married must obtain a marriage license from the Probate Court before Valentine’s Day. Information: 770-822-8250.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Bridge classes offered in Suwanee

George Pierce Park, 55 Buford Hwy NE, Suwanee offers bridge lessons for all levels. Class: $50. Textbook: $15.

Information: 770-831-4173.

Arlinda Smith Broady

Fire, EMS collecting heaters for seniors

Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services is accepting new portable electric heaters for seniors to be distributed through Project AWARE.

Drop off donations at fire stations until Feb. 28.

Monetary donations should be sent to Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services, P.O. Box 1680, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.

Information: 678-377-4150. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

The Hudgens free to families Feb. 8

The Hudgens Center for the Arts will host a free Family Day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 8 at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. Hands-on art activities available for kids 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All new exhibits and access to entire facilities included free. www.thehudgens.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth chamber sets economic forecast

The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Economic Outlook Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming.

Real estate expert Frank Norton Jr., will deliver his 2014 forecast. Registration is $20 for members, $30 for non-members.

Information and to register: cummingforsythchamhber.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC

College planning workshop in Alpharetta

A workshop on college and financial aid planning will be held at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Atlanta-Fulton County Library’s Alpharetta branch, 238 Canton St.

Guests will have the opportunity to learn from a representative of the Georgia Student Finance Commission about available resources regarding HOPE scholarships, how to fill out federal financial aid forms, college planning tools like gacollege411.org and career planning.

Information: 770-740-2425.

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Author Jana Oliver to share writing tips

Author Jana Oliver of Atlanta will appear at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek to share tips and techniques on writing young adult novels.

Registration required.

Information: 770-360-8820.

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Ga. 92 getting new signals in Cherokee

The Georgia Department of Transportation is installing new traffic signals at 11 Cherokee County intersections along Ga. 92, designed to help left-turning drivers.

The Four-Section Flashing Yellow Arrow signals will allow drivers to turn left at after yielding to oncoming cars and pedestrians.

They’ll go from just east of Interstate 575 to near Sandy Plains Road. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Ocee library to host financial planning fair

Experts from Wells Fargo will be on hand for a financial planning fair, 2 p.m. Saturday at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library’s Ocee branch, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek. The event is open to the public.

Information will be presented on how individuals and families can achieve their financial goals.

Information: 770-360-8897.

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Marlow, associates’ arraignment set

A 9 a.m. Feb. 5 arraignment has been set before Superior Court Judge Ellen McElyea for Cherokee County Board of Education member Kelly Marlow and two political associates. Marlow, her political adviser Robert Trim and Cherokee County GOP Secretary Barbara Knowles were indicted in October on felony charges of making false statements.

The trio had claimed superintendent Frank Petruzielo tried to run them down with his car after a board meeting last June. Mark Woolsey FOR THE ajC

ATLANTA

Local YMCA receives USTA grant

The charitable foundation of the United States Tennis Association, USTA Serves, awarded a $5,000 grant to the Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA, 1160 Moores Mill Road.

The grant will allow the YMCA to continue to expand the tennis component of its after-school enrichment program.

This is the third USTA Serves grant awarded to the Carl E. Sanders YMCA, totaling $20,000.

Information: www.ustaserves.com

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Buckhead library hosts poetry contest

The Buckhead Library, 269 Buckhead Avenue NE is hosting the Ida Williams Memorial poetry contest for children and teens where winner receive gift cards.

Entries due April 19.

Information: 404-814-3500

Arlinda Smith Broady

Compassionate cities campaign launches

Atlanta’s participation in the International Campaign for Compassionate Cities kicks off 2 p.m. Sundayat the Carter Center, 441 Freedom Parkway NE.

The event is free and open to the public.

Groups will engage in dialogue focusing on how to become more compassionate through local initiatives, policy and projects.

Information: www.CompassionateATL.com

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Library to hold talk about Coltrane

The life of jazz saxophonist John Coltrane will be the topic of a discussion at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library’s Central Library branch, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square.

“John Coltrane: The Beauty of Struggle” chronicles his early struggles, his redemption and seeks to shed light on the meaning of his music.

Information: 404-730-1700.

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

DEKALB

Chamblee Library hosts book sale

The Friends of the Chamblee Library, 4115 Clairmont Road, is hosting a book sale on 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. February 6 – 8, and Feb. 10.

Book donations will be accepted.

Proceeds will be used to enhance adult and children book collections and to support programs for adults and children.

Information: 770-936-1380

Arlinda Smith Broady

Edwards: New school likely needed

Decatur Schools Superintendent Phyllis Edwards said that given the city’s renewed focus on annexation, “It looks to me we’ll have to build another school or build on an existing campus.”

Last spring Decatur schools projected that total enrollment would swell to over 6,000 by 2018, but Edwards admitted those numbers are now outdated.

Neither annexation nor the city’s at least five planned mixed-use developments figured into those original projections.

Edwards added the only existing campus with room to build is Winnona Park Elementary. Bill Banks for the AJC

Little league registration underway

Belvedere Little League is holding registration noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Feb. 22 at Shoal Creek Park, 3642 Glenwood Road for boys and girls,ages 4-12, to play spring baseball .

Information: 404 289-3073 Arlinda Smith Broady

Children’s consignment sale set

Winters Chapel United Methodist Church Preschool, will sponsor children’s and teen consignment sale 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday Feb 6 , 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb 7, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb 8 at the church, 5105 Winters Chapel Road, Doraville.

Information: www.kidsclosetwinterschapel.com/, kidscloset@winterschapel.org or 770-393-3478

Arlinda Smith Broady

Gym getting converted to classrooms

Work has commenced on the old Renfroe Middle School gym, which is getting repurposed into seven classrooms to be completed by late March, although the classrooms probably won’t be put into use until August.

Total cost is $685,000 paid for by SPLOST.

The next major construction project is renovating Westchester Elementary beginning in May, including major upgrades to the kitchen and media center. Bill Banks for the AJC

Grant to fund study of potential bike lanes

Avondale Estates was recently awarded a $50,000 grant by the Atlanta Regional Commission to fund a feasibility study of a road diet along US 278 from Sams Crossings to just past North Clarendon Avenue.

The long-term goal is to make that stretch more bicycle and pedestrian friendly, including one scenario of reducing 278 to two automobile traffic lanes.

The study, which should last through July, also includes considering a possible roundabout at North Clarendon and 278.

Total cost is $62,500 counting the city’s 20 percent match.

Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Booth Middle team wins robotics tournament

In a rare victory for a rookie team, the J. C. Booth Middle School Tsunami Warriors won the Georgia FIRST Lego League competition at Georgia Tech.

The team also received the Robot Performance award, while the team from Kedron Elementary earned the Project Presentation award.

The Booth team will showcase their robots a regional competition in late March. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Housing and Human Services offers grants

The Fulton County Housing and Human Services Department’s Office of Grants and Community Partnerships is accepting applications for the 2014-15 Human Services Grants and FRESH Grants for nonprofits that provide services in the county are eligible to apply online. Deadline: 3 p.m. Feb. 21.

Information: fultoncountyga.gov/WebGrants

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Winter break camp Feb. 17-21

Registration is underway for the Henry County Parks and Recreation Department’s mid-winter break camp, scheduled for Feb. 17-21 at various recreation centers for ages 5-12.

Cost: $100 per child.

Information: www.hcprd.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Baseball/softball registration underway

Registration for youth baseball and softball in Union City is available 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday at Ronald Bridges Park Etris Building, 5285 Lakeside Dr.

Prices range from $65 for 3- and 4-year-olds to $120 for 13- to 14-year-olds.

Information: 770-964-1236

Arlinda Smith Broady

Clayton State hosts reading bowl

Clayton State University will host the sixth annual Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Competition 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday .

The annual competition is named for Ruffin, a former DeKalb County elementary school library media specialist and selection committee member for the Georgia Children’s Book Award nominee program.

Information: www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/hrrb

Janel Davis

Retired educators to meet

Fayette County Retired Educators Association will have a special program presented by Evercare Hospice and Palliative Care 10:30 a.m. Feb. at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church, 175 E. Lanier Ave.

Services available from hospice groups will be discussed. Open to the public.

Information 770-487-7731

Arlinda Smith Broady

Dam projects prompt road and path closings

Repair work on two Peachtree City dams will cause road and cart path closures for several months.

Portions of Kedron Drive will be shut down through October, and the path near Rockspray Pond will be detoured until mid-September.

Signs will be posted in both areas, and golf carts may not use Peachtree Parkway.Jill Howard Church for the AJC