County by county news for Friday

Pearlberg, also deputy chief assistant district attorney for the Cobb Judicial Circuit, will run in the July 31 special election for retiring Judge Dorothy Robinson’s seat on the bench.

Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin and the city council recognized the two-term council member at the April council meeting. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Big Shanty festival to shut down roads

Several downtown Kennesaw roads will close Saturday and Sunday this weekend for the annual Big Shanty Festival, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The city expects more than 70,000 people to attend the event that starts with a parade from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Information:www.kennesawbusiness.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Lockheed honors volunteering workers

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company recognized its Marietta employees this month for providing 50,000 volunteer hours to local community organizations in 2011. Seventy employees completed more than 250 volunteer hours and received a company community service award with a $250 donation to the non-profit organization of their choice. More than 150 other workers completed more than 100 volunteer hours and received the President’s Volunteer Service award.

Companywide, Lockheed Martin employees logged 1.3 million volunteer hours last year. Janel Davis

‘High School Musical:On Stage’ at Mable House

The Theatre Project production of Disney’s “High School Musical: On Stage” will be presented this weekend in Mableton.

Performances will begin at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, 5239 Floyd Road. Tickets are $5 but free for children 12 and younger. VIP tables, seating four, cost $30. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Mable House Arts Center in front of the amphitheatre or at the gate. Information: www.mablehouse.org/arts-center-contact.html or 770-819-3285. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

School to host chili cook-off

Chattahoochee Technical College Culinary Arts will host the annual Chili Cook-Off from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday.

The event is at the Mountain View Campus, 2680 Gordy Parkway, Marietta. RSVP to 770-529-2319 or e-mail Rebecca.Long@ ChattahoocheeTech.edu. Kenneth Musisi

Donkey basketball game to raise funds

South Cobb High School’s football team will host a donkey basketball game at 7 p.m. April 26.

Proceeds from the event will help in the purchase of new helmets and shoulder pads. The game will take place in the gym at South Cobb High School, 1920 Clay Road, Austell. Tickets are $6 before game day, or $8 at the door.

For information: http://www.cobbk12.org/southcobb. Laurie Hoffman

GWINNETT

Gwinnett students score well on writing test

Gwinnett students -- particularly minority students -- outperformed their counterparts across the state on the 2011-12 eighth grade writing assessment, members of the school board were told Thursday.

Ninety-three percent of Gwinnett’s students met or exceeded standards on the test, compared to 82 percent statewide. Twenty-eight percent of the county’s 1,215 Asian students exceeded standards on the test, compared to 22 percent of all of the state’s Asian students. Nancy Badertscher

‘Tomatoes 101’ class on Saturday

Area residents are invited to the Harvest Farm Community Garden Saturday morning for a free class about tomatoes, spring planting and a plant sale.

The event is scheduled for 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at White Street park at 752 White Street. Harvest Farm Education Chairperson Julie Chahboune will present the “Tomatoes 101” class at 9 a.m. at the garden’s demonstration plot. Joel Anderson

ZOOMA race Sunday in Buford

The ZOOMA Atlanta Half Marathon and 5K will debut at the Lake Lanier Islands Resort in Buford on Sunday.

The ZOOMA is a women’s race series that was created to “celebrate fitness, motivation and sisterhood.” Registration is available through Saturday. Information: http://zoomarun.com/atlanta/atlanta-registration/.

The run is scheduled to start at 7:30 a.m. at the Lake Lanier Islands Resort at 7000 Lake Lanier Parkway. Joel Anderson

Sugar Hill’s Earth Day celebration is Saturday

As part of its Earth Day celebration at E.E. Robinson Park, Sugar Hill will hold its third annual “Touch a Truck” event from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, when kids can climb in and explore vehicles including fire engines, police cars, construction equipment and garbage trucks. Also part of the celebration is the city’s Trash to Treasure community yard sale, a fundraiser for White Oak Elementary School’s outdoor classroom and garden. Students from the Lanier High cluster also will perform in the park’s amphitheater. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Yard sale to benefit homeless families

The IMPACT! Group will host a yard sale from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday at 604 Beaver Ruin Road in Norcross . The sale will offer a range of office furniture and décor, including shelves, desks, chairs, home items and clothing. All proceeds from the sale will support services for homeless families in the IMPACT! Transitional Housing Program.

Information: www.theimpactgroup.org or 678-808-4477. Kenneth Musisi

Lost cost pet shots this weekend

The Georgia SPCA and Girl Scout Troop 1195 is hosting a low cost vaccination clinic on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. and a free dog wash on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at 1175 Buford Hwy., Suite 109, Suwanee.

For information: http://georgiaspca.org call 678 765-2726. Sandra Marshall Murray

NORTHSIDE

Edwards demands fair treatment of workers

Without naming names, Fulton County Commissioner Bill Edwards blasted department heads for threatening employees with their jobs, making promises they don’t keep and never saying thank you. At a commission meeting, Edwards said he has received anonymous e-mails complaining about working conditions. He asked the county manager to come up with a plan for showing workers how much they’re valued. Taxpayers will benefit, he said. “If my employees are treated fairly,” Edwards said, “then my customer is going to be treated fairly.” Johnny Edwards

Cherokee special ed teacher honored

Charlette Green, the director of special education in the Cherokee County School District, has been named the 2011 Outstanding New Special Education Administrator by the Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education.

Green was given the award by the council at its spring meeting in Athens on March 20. She was awarded for her “motivating, energetic and dynamic” attitude and for having high expectations for her students.

Green has worked in special education for 14 years, including the past two as director of special education for the Cherokee County School District. Wayne Washington

Relay participants can take part in study

Participants in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Roswell on April 27, have the opportunity to participate in Cancer Prevention Study 3. Enrollment will be at Roswell High School from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Men and women, ages 30-65, who have never been diagnosed with cancer are needed. To enroll, visit www.roswellrelayforlife.org to complete an interest form located at the “CPS-3 Interest Form” tab. Information: www.cancer.org/cps3. Kenneth Musisi

New Forsyth school ready to open

Forsyth County Schools officials say construction is complete on the latest elementary school. Kelly Mill Elementary School, west of Cumming, will open Aug. 9 close to its capacity of 1,137 students. The $12.6 million campus was designed to take growth pressure off of nearby Sawnee, Cumming and Vickery Creek elementaries. Boundaries for those schools were redrawn last fall. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Woodstock to mark historic store’s birthday

A bluegrass concert and cake and other refreshments will make the 106th birthday of the historic Dean’s Store in downtown Woodstock Saturday. The free event will last from 1-3 p.m. at the store, 8588 Main St. Dean’s operated as a general store and community gathering point for decades. Since 2002, it’s housed the Woodstock Visitors Center. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

St. Benedict Church needs vendors, artists

St. Benedict Catholic Church is seeking artists and vendors for its annual holiday bazaar.

The bazaar will run from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10. Entry deadline for applications is May 31. St. Benedict Catholic Church is at 11045 Parsons Road, Johns Creek. Information: 770-623-5718. Laurie Hoffman

ATLANTA

Winfrey to address Spelman graduates

Oprah Winfrey will serve as Spelman College’s commencement speaker, officials announced Thursday.

The ceremony will be held May 20 at the Georgia International Convention Center. About 550 students are expected to graduate. Laura Diamond

Earth Day clean-up for District 9

Atlanta City Councilwoman Felicia Moore will host a District 9 Earth Day clean-up on today and Saturday. The two-day event will be held, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will allow residents of the southwest Atlanta district to dispose of household computers and televisions, as well as abandoned tires from cars and light trucks. Neighborhood organizations can register for the clean-up by emailing Donald Jumper at dbjumper@atlantaga.gov. Information: 404-330-6044 or fmoore@atlantaga.gov. Jeremiah McWilliams

Electronic recycling event on Saturday

Atlanta residents can register to win one of three refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad laptop computers or a garden rain barrel from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at an electronics recycling collection hosted by City Councilwoman Carla Smith. The collection will be held in the Gold Lot at Turner Field off Hank Aaron Drive. Computer monitors, microwave ovens, telephones, laptops, VCRs, camcorders, copiers and other electronics will be accepted. Information: www.District1Atlanta.com or 404-330-6039. Jeremiah McWilliams

Sweet Auburn market to help hospital

Sweet Auburn Curb Market at 209 Edgewood Avenue S.E., Atlanta is hosting a Let’s Lunch for Children’s at Hughes Spalding event from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. today. There will be music, prizes and food. Participating vendors of the Sweet Auburn Market will donate a percentage of their sales to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding. Information: www.choa.org/letslunch. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Renfroe students to compete in science bowl

Renfroe Middle School will compete in the National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., April 26-30.

Renfroe’s appearance in the competition will be the first for any Georgia middle school, according to a press release from City Schools of Decatur.

Four Renfroe students earned spots in the competition by winning the Georgia Middle School Science Bowl in January, which was coordinated by Donna Mullenax, a physics professor at Armstrong Atlantic State University. Wayne Washington

Decatur to pursue more annexation

Decatur city manager Peggy Merriss said the city will pursue an annexation referendum next year on two unincorporated areas, Suburban Plaza and the Publix shopping center at Clairemont Avenue and North Decatur Road.

She said she hopes the state legislature can approve a referendum next session, and that a vote can be held by Nov. 2013. “We don’t want to overburden the school system,” Merriss said.

“But [annexation] gives us a commercial diversity and expands the tax base while giving us some say over development which could affect Decatur.” Bill Banks for the AJC

Taxpayers group holds class in Brookhaven

The Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation will hold another tax appeals workshop Saturday at Brookhaven Christian Church. The class is for both Fulton residents and Atlanta residents on the DeKalb County side.

“How To Appeal Your Property Tax” will last from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the church at the corner of Lanier Drive and Peachtree Road in Brookhaven. The workshop is free, with donations requested. Registration: 404-869-6066. Johnny Edwards

Senior Connections to hold ‘prom’ June 9

Senior Connections will honor Jim Martin, chairman and CEO of Fidelity Southern Corporation at its Senior Prom later this year.

Martin has been selected for the Community Connections Award, which honors long-time business and community leaders for their efforts.

The award ceremony will take place during the group’s fourth annual ‘Senior Prom’ on June 9.

The ‘black-tie optional’ fundraiser will be held at the Thalia N. Carlos Hellenic Center on Clairmont Road and for $150 includes a reception, silent auction, dinner and dancing to a big-band orchestra will top off the evening.

Information: 770-455-7602 or www.seniorconnectionsatl.org. April Hunt

County seek code enforcement volunteers

DeKalb County is looking for resident volunteers to help identify and report code violations.

The four hours of training for the Neighborhood Ambassador program will begin on April 23 and includes information such as an overview of code violations and DeKalb’s illegal sign ordinance.

Volunteers are needed to help because the county has just 25 code enforcement officers in the field to serve about 700,000 residents.

Applications for the program are at www.onedekalb.com. More information: 404-687-3700. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Clayton employees allowed to run for office

Clayton County has cleared the way for county employees to run for elected office, ending a nearly decade-old ban. Clayton commissioners recently voted unanimously to remove the law, which was largely ignored. The commissioners’ action comes as this year’s election season heats up. A number of county employees are seeking office. Clayton County Police Lt. Tina Daniel and Jon Antoine, an investigator in the county District Attorney’s Office, are both running for sheriff. At least five county workers have run for office in the past without retribution. Tammy Joyner

Hope Ministries block party on Saturday

Center of Hope Ministries is hosting a Safe Summer 2012 Parade and Block Party on Saturday. The parade begins at 9 a.m., departing from Drew High School and Riverdale High School parking lots. The block party is until 4 p.m. at 492 Roy Huie Road, Riverdale.

Center of Hope Ministries is raising awareness of the need for safe activities and academic review for children over the summer months. Information: safesummer2012@gmail.com or Alethea Bonello at 404-428-8597. Kenneth Musisi

Ramsey to speak to Fayette Tea Party group

Rep. Matt Ramsey will speak to members of the Fayette County Issues Tea Party at the group’s April 24 meeting at 7 p.m. at Whitewater Creek Amenities Center. Ramsey will discuss several key legislative actions and how he voted. Tammy Joyner

College Park seeks volunteer coaches

The College Park Recreation Department is looking for volunteer coaches for its youth football program. The ideal coaching candidate must be able to teach the game of football with patience and must be able to interact with players, other coaches, parents, and city staff with tact. Applicants must pass a criminal background check. Information: Bryant Anderson at banderson@collegeparkga.com, or 404-669-3773, extension 6203. John Thompson for the AJC

New location for Hearts to Nourish Hope

Hearts to Nourish Hope will host an 11:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 24 to mark its new location at 640 Hwy. 138 S.W. in Riverdale. Chief Executive Officer Deborah Anglin will host several dignitaries and government officials as she celebrates the new 63,000-square-foot space acquired in the old Progressive Lighting Building. Hearts has been a leader in youth-based community development for more than 15 years in Clayton, Fayette and Henry counties. Hearts is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit that employs 24 people and offers life, educational, and career skills. The ceremony is opened to the public. Tammy Joyner

Henry to auction surplus online

The Henry County Board of Commissioners have authorized an agreement to have surplus county property listed for sale with GovDeals.com. The agreement is non-binding and will be utilized at no cost to the county, as GovDeals.com will make its profit through a buyer’s premium. Monroe Roark for the AJC