County by county news for Friday

Local fashion designers will create unique and vintage pieces with formerly owned clothing selected from local Goodwill stores. Various designer pieces will be available for auction following the show.

Tickets are $25 and group discounts are available for parties of six or more at $20 a person. Proceeds will support Goodwill of North Georgia’s mission to put people to work.

Information: goodwillng.org. Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Comment on grant proposal by May 30

Fulton County is accepting comments from on a grant proposal to help pay for local crime prevention activities.

The county is applying for the 2014 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs funds local initiatives to help governments thwart crime.

Copies of the application are at the county Department of Finance, 141 Pryor St. SW, Suite 7001. The deadline for comments is 5 p.m. May 30.

Information: www.fultoncountyga.gov or christopher.boyd@fultoncountyga.gov. Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Nighttime bicycle tour through city for a cause

The Atlanta Moon Ride, a 6.5-mile nighttime bicycle ride through local neighborhoods for enthusiasts of all skill levels and ages, will take place at 10 p.m. June 13 starting from Park Tavern, 500 10th St. NE.

Cost: $25, $30 after midnight tonight. Atlanta Moon Ride is partnering this year with Bicycle Tours of Atlanta and Atlanta Beltline Bicycle to offer on-site rentals: $25.

Proceeds from the ride will benefit Bert’s Big Adventure, a local charity that provides trips to Walt Disney World for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families.

Information: www.atlantamoonride.com. Kent A. Miles for the AJC

COBB

Austell reschedules budget meeting to June 2

The Austell City Council will delay its meeting scheduled for Monday, because of Memorial Day, to 6 and 7 p.m. June 2 at City Hall, 2716 Broad St.

Council will hold a public hearing and final vote on the budget, taking effect July 1, and on 20-percent pay raises for elected officials, taking effect January 2016 after the November 2015 city election. The budget may be viewed at City Hall 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. weekdays. Information: austellga.gov, 770-944-4300. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Smyrna Memorial Day service set Monday

Smyrna will hold a Memorial Day service 9:30 a.m. Monday at the 20th Century Veterans Memorial, 2800 King St., next to City Hall. The program, sponsored by the city, Smyrna Veterans Committee and American Legion Post 160, will honor military service members from Cobb County who have died while on active duty since 2000. Information: www.smyrna.city.com. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Interim head appointed for Southern Poly

Southern Polytechnic State University will get a short-term president to lead the school until its consolidation with Kennesaw State University is completed in January 2015.

Ron Koger, currently SPSU’s vice president for student enrollment services, will take over as interim president when current president Lisa Rossbacher steps down this summer. He was appointed to the position Thursday by University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby. Rossbacher, who led the college for 16 years, will become president of Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif.

Koger has been an administrator at the Marietta college since 1997, and has served in his current position since 2000.

He takes over as president on July 1. Janel Davis

Marietta seeking WWII veterans for parade

Marietta and the Georgia Military Vehicle Preservation Association are looking for World War II veterans to participate in the city’s Let Freedom Ring parade July 4.

A military vehicle will be provided for vets to ride in along the 1.5 mile parade route.

Applications for all participants will be accepted through 5 p.m. May 30. Info: Maggi Moss at 770-794-5609. Tucker McQueen

Food truck Tuesdays through fall in Smyrna

Food trucks are back in Smyrna from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Sept. 30 at Taylor-Brawer Park, 3180 Atlanta Road. More than a dozen food trucks will set up each Tuesday in the park’s lower parking lot adjacent to the playground. The event will include live music. Information: www.smyrnacity.com. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Kennesaw farmers market opens

The Kennesaw Farmers Market opens 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Adams Park soccer field parking lot, 2753 Watts Drive. The market will sell local vegetables, fruit, herbs, plants, flowers and baked goods on each Tuesdays, rain or shine, through Oct. 28. Info: www.kennesaw-ga.gov. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

DEKALB

Civil rights leader to address graduates

C.T. Vivian, the iconic civil rights leader and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, will deliver the spring commencement address at Georgia Piedmont Technical College.

Vivian worked with Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement, and served as a national president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

This year, more than 2,600 GPTC students will graduate with a degree, diploma or certificate.

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. May 31 at The House of Hope Atlanta, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway in Decatur.

Info: 770-786-9522. Janel Davis

Apartment complex to be done by next spring

Dirt was broken earlier this month on the development tentatively titled “Paces on Clairemont,” a projected five-story, 174-apartment complex, and should finish by next spring.

It is one of several Decatur apartment projects currently under construction, spurring the city’s most intense residential building boom since 1999-2007.

This Clairemont Road/ Commerce Drive complex next to Fidelity Bank, will feature 28 studio, 105 one-bedroom and 41 two-bedroom apartments. Bill Banks

DeKalb Medical to host stroke prevention class

DeKalb Medical is hosting a discussion on stroke prevention at 6 p.m. May 29, at 2701 N. Decatur Road, Decatur.

The panel of experts will give advice on preventing stroke, recognizing possible signs of a stroke and finding available treatment.

The discussion is taking place during National Stroke Awareness Month.

Information: 404-501-9355.

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Two construction projects to coincide

Decatur Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon said that two major construction projects surrounding Decatur High will likely coincide for most of the 2015-16 school year.

The long-planned streetscape improvements on North McDonough Road reducing the corridor to two lanes, begins in summer, 2015, while additions to the high school — mostly new classrooms — could start around the same time.

Saxon said the city’s currently working on temporary routes for students and other pedestrian and car traffic. Bill Banks

Animal welfare group offering summer camp

PAWS Atlanta, a DeKalb County animal welfare group, will offer summer camps for kids aged 8 to 13 this year, to focus on being responsible pet owners and humane animal treatment. There will be two sessions: June 16–20, 2014 and June 23–27.

Each camp will also include several hands-on sessions with animals. Information: www.pawsatlanta.org. April Hunt

County launches Smart911 service

DeKalb County launched a new emergency service system that includes additional

information to help responders during a crisis.

The Smart911 system includes information about how many people live in homes or their medical conditions.

Residents can volunteer the information in a profile at www.Smart911.com. April Hunt

GWINNETT

Tiles with veterans’ names go missing

With construction of Snellville’s Veterans Memorial nearing completion and ready for dedication, a box of tiles with eight war veterans’ names on them has gone missing. The tiles, which were in the process of being installed, went missing between 6 p.m. Tuesday and before 8 a.m. Wednesday. The ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday in front of City Hall, 2342 Oak Road will continue with the missing tiles to be replaced after the ceremony.

Information on missing tiles: Tom Witts, 770-891-1612. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Arts event to raise scholarship money

Tickets are now on sale for the Duluth Fine Arts League Arts at Twilight Hooray for Hollywood fundraising event to be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 21 at the Duluth Festival Center, 3142 Hill Street.

Proceeds will benefit high school scholarships and arts in Duluth. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. Information:

www.duluthfineartsleague.org or 770-476-7328. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Free program to improve driver safety

Gwinnett will host a free AARP CarFit program 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road in Snellville.

This 20-minute interactive, customized education program improves driver safety by ensuring the safest fit for drivers in their vehicles.

Learn about recommended adjustments, adaptations and local resources to improve driver safety.

No pre-registration required. Open to individuals with a valid driver’s license. Information: 770-985-4713. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Community garden plots still available

The Duluth Historical Society and Museum has a few community garden boxes remaining for rent. Raised bed/boxes are available in 4x4 and 4x8 sizes.

The museum is also encouraging residents to share native plants and bulbs along the newly completed nature/woodland trails. Information: www.duluthhistorical.org or comgarden@duluthhistorical.orgKaren Huppertz for the AJC

Farmers market to open in Duluth

Duluth will kick off Parsons Alley Farmers Market 4 to 8 p.m. every Thursday June to September on Main Street, next to New Dawn Theater. The market hopes to establish a relationship between consumers and local farmers and provide fresh, local produce. Info: www.duluthga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Suwanee Day to become two-day event

After 30 years, Suwanee Day is being rebranded as Suwanee Fest and will be celebrated Sept. 20 and 21 at Town Center Park. Applications are being accepted for exhibitors, who will be selected through a jury process. Food vendors and entertainment applications also are being accepted. Guidelines and applications: www.suwaneefest.com. Deadline: June 1. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Kaplan presentation to focus on ACT, SAT

A discussion on the ACT and SAT standardized tests will take place at 6 p.m. June 9 at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library’s Northeast-Spruill Oaks branch, 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek.

The presentation by Kaplan for teens 12 to 18 will focus on

helping students decide which test they want to take during the college application process.

Registration for the workshop is requested. Information: trina.bell@kaplan.com Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Application deadline for arts group grants

Today is the deadline for local/regional art providers wanting to apply for grants to be given out by the Forsyth County Arts Alliance. Arts Alliance board member James McCoy said that as of Thursday, 20 groups had filed letters of intent. He said past recipients under the nearly decade-old program have included the Forsyth County Festival of the Arts,

library public art exhibitions and literacy programs. Grants will be announced during a July 17 awards luncheon. To apply: forsythartsalliance.com. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Food bank to screen film on hunger issue

The Atlanta Community Food Bank will host a screening of the documentary “A Place at the Table” at 7:30 p.m. June 5 at AMC Mansell Crossing 14, 7730 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta.

“A Place at the Table” offers an in-depth look at the complex issue of hunger in the United States. Viewers will hear from experts in the field on the causes and solutions to the problem.

A brief question-and-answer session with Atlanta Community Food Bank staff will follow the screening. Tickets to the screening are $12. Information: www.tugg.com/events/9270. Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Canton middle school wins music prize

Teasley Middle School in Canton has been presented with $20,000 worth of Yamaha musical instruments it won in Yamaha’s Quest for Music Education contest. Teasley was one of eight schools nationwide scoring top honors, based on the school’s participation and involvement in music programs. Teasley officials selected two tubas, two base clarinets and one French horn, which they say will greatly improve the quality of their music program. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth gardening group plans tour

The Forsyth County Master Gardeners will host their Bi-Annual Garden Tour 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 7. The tour includes seven gardens (six of them private) and will demonstrate how to plant for sun, shade, drought tolerances, privacy screening and other facets of maintaining a southern garden. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 the day of the event.

Proceeds will benefit demonstration gardens at county public library branches and other facilities and will also support educational training programs for both children and adults. For more information: 770-887-2418 or fcmg.sharepoint.com. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Two Fayette boards have openings for volunteers

Fayette County has openings for two volunteers on its Recreation Commission and three on its Public Facilities Authority.

The recreation board meets monthly to advise the county on programs and operations needs; the facilities authority meets as needed to discuss buildings and property.

Contact Floyd Jones at fjones@fayettecountyga.gov or 770-305-5102 by June 13 for details and applications. Jill Howard Church

Southern Conservation Trust seeks comments

As part of its effort to gain national accreditation with the Land Trust Alliance, the Southern Conservation Trust is seeking public comments about its performance. Information pertaining to the SCT’s standards and operations can be submitted at www.landtrustaccreditation.org or info@landtrustaccreditation.org by June 1. Jill Howard Church

Piedmont Henry sets Walk With a Doc

Piedmont Henry Hospital is coordinating Walk With a Doc events at 8:30 a.m. the fourth Saturday of each month through July at Heritage Park in McDonough. A different physician will be participating each month and available to answer general health questions.

Each participant will receive a free pedometer and T-shirt.

Register at piedmont.org under the “Search Classes & Events” tab or by phone at 1-877-527-3712. Monroe Roark

Application deadline Friday for youth board

The Fulton County Office of Children and Youth is accepting applications for the Fulton County Youth Commission, a leadership program for future leaders. Participants become familiar with how local government resolves youth issues and make suggestions for the best solutions. Deadline: Friday. Info: Andre.Danzy@fultoncountyga.gov, www.fultoncountyga.gov or 404-612-3099. Kent A. Miles

Town hall meeting set for Saturday

Henry County Commissioner Bruce Holmes’ next town hall meeting is at 9 a.m. Saturday, at Crossroad Christian Church, 5365 N. Henry Blvd. in Stockbridge. Special guests include new county manager Jim Walker, who will discuss and share his vision and goals for Henry County, along with county planning and zoning director Cheri Hobson-Matthews, who will inform citizens of the progress on the Fairview Overlay District plan and the SR 138 North Henry Blvd. Community Improvement District. Info: henrycounty-ga.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Applications open for junior police academy

The Fayetteville Police Department’s Junior Police Academy is accepting applications for its summer program, which runs July 28-Aug. 1. Recruits must be in upcoming grades 7-10, and will learn first-hand about vehicle stops, crime scene processing and defensive tactics.

Applications are due June 2 and are available at the police headquarters or Bennett’s Mill Middle School.

Information: 770-461-4441. Jill Howard Church for the AJC