COBB
Automobile accident victims identified
Cobb County Police have identified the two drivers who died in a crash on Wednesday morning in Austell as 29-year-old Chrystina L. Stanford, of Roswell, and 41-year-old Gary V. Sheppard, of Marietta.A police officer was attempting to stop Stanford, who was driving a silver 2005 Acura TL, on Pontiac Circle for a traffic violation. However, Stanford allegedly sped away. While driving on the wrong side of Maxham Road to elude police, the fleeing motorist collided head-on with a 2000 Gold Acura 3.5RL driven by Sheppard. The investigation is ongoing and no charges are expected to be filed in the case, police said. Andria Simmons
Race to benefit family of slain soccer coach
The North Atlanta Soccer Association is hosting the second annual 10K, 5K and 1 mile run to benefit Kate’s Club and the Jay Ingram Family on Sunday morning.
Kate’s Club helps children and teens face life after the death of a parent or a sibling. A portion of the proceeds will also go towards the family of Ingram, a girls soccer coach at the Kennesaw Charter Science and Math Academy who was killed while running on Jan. 27, 2012.
The race will be held at United Quest Park at 605 Hawkins Store Road in Kennesaw. Info: coachjay5K.com. Andria Simmons
Enthusiasts advocate Silver Comet Trail
A three mile stretch of the Silver Comet Trail that remains incomplete and on Saturday about 20 people gathered for a guided walk along the unfinished path to raise awareness and advocate for the completion of the trail. If completed, the Silver Comet Trail would connect to Atlanta's Beltline. Information: www.riverline.org/Pages/Trails.aspx Melissa Abbey
Cumberland Mall to award best teacher
Cumberland Mall is honoring teachers with a Facecbook competition: Six finalists, less than two weeks to vote, a $500 mall gift card at stake. The mall will award the gift card to the winning teacher on May 7, which is National Teacher Day. Voters can cast one ballot each day. Information: www.cumberlandmall.com/events Melissa Abbey
GWTW museum to mark 10th anniversary
Marietta's Gone With the Wind Museum will celebrate 10 years on the Marietta Square today through Sunday with programs that include the three actors who portrayed Beau Wilkes in the classic movie, a black tie dinner, auction and autograph session and the annual "windies" awards. The event will also recognize Chris Sullivan whose Gone With the Wind collection is featured at the museum. Information: www.gwtwmarietta.com or 770-794-5145. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Kennesaw to open new fitness station on today
Kennesaw will open a $35,000 fitness station, donated by Life University, 11 a.m. today at Swift-Cantrell Park off Old Highway 41, Kennesaw. The outdoor equipment system can handle 14 users at a time at five stations, and offers 120 excercises.
The system will have two additional stations featuring low-impact exercises.
Information: www.kennesaw-ga.gov. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
Online class registration extended for fall
Gwinnett parents who are interested in the online learning options for their students have additional time this spring to register for the 2013-14 school year. A spring registration period for Gwinnett County Online Campus (GOC) is open and extends to May 3.
Gwinnett's full-time, online learning option will expand next school year and serves students in grades 4-12. Because Gwinnett Online Campus is a system charter school, enrollment is open to all current school-aged children who reside in the county. Nancy Badertscher
Snellville hosting business summit
The Snellville Economic Development Office's free second-quarter Entrepreneur Summit is at 6 p.m. April 23 at City Hall, 2342 Oak Road. The event focuses on starting and sustaining businesses. Register at snellville.org/summit or by calling 770-985-3502 or e-mailing economicdevelopment@snellville.org. Michael Alpert for the AJC
Norcross hosting activities day
Norcross' Family Fun Day to benefit sick children begins with a 5K run at 8 a.m., followed by a 2K run/walk, then food, children's games and activities, a bounce-house and live music until noon on April 27 at Thrasher Park, 93 Park Drive. A free concert by folk band von Grey highlights more fun from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Lillian Webb Park, 5 College St. Information: Mary Beth Bender, 678-421-2000, mbender@norcrossga.net. Michael Alpert for the AJC
UGA Day coming to Gwinnett July 29
The University of Georgia Alumni Association and the UGA Athletic Association will bring UGA Day to Gwinnett County on July 29. A buffet dinner begins at 6 p.m. followed by the official program at 7 p.m. The event will be at the Gwinnett Center and will feature incoming President Jere Morehead, head football coach Coach Mark Richt and Fox. Information: www.alumni.uga.edu/ugadays. Nancy Badertscher
Norcross unveils Safe Routes project
The city of Norcross and the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District have announced that the design of its $1.2 million Safe Routes to School project will begin this summer. The project is intended to increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists along Beaver Ruin Road, between Buford Highway and Indian Trail-Lilburn Road. The project was funded with a $976,000 grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission. The city and CID pitched in $244,000. Completion of the design is expected in late summer. Dan Klepal
17 schools earn welding certification
Seventeen Gwinnett County Public Schools students have earned their national certification in welding through Maxwell High School of Technology. Maxwell, the school district's technical education charter school, was named a certified training center for the National Center of Construction Education and Research this year. Maxwell will recognize its nationally-certified students today. Nancy Badertscher
NORTHSIDE
‘Snack Wars’ encourages healthy eating habits
To encourage healthy eating habits for kids as part of the YMCA’s annual Healthy Kids Day, teams from Cherokee County middle and elementary schools will have 12 minutes to create delicious, healthy snacks using a tub of mystery ingredients 1 - 3 p.m. Saturday at G. Cecil Pruett Community Center Family YMCA, 151 Waleska Street, Canton. The competition will take place before a live audience and three-judge panel.
Information: 770-345-9622 Staff
One dead in Forsyth wreck
A 77-year-old man was killed Wednesday in a two-vehicle crash in northeast Forsyth County. The sheriff's office says Lee Franklin was traveling westbound on Ga. 369, crossed the center line, and struck a tractor-trailer unit which was traveling east. Authorities say the truck driver was not injured. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Senior athletes to compete in games
Johns Creek is looking for competitors age 50 and up to represent the city in the 19th annual North Fulton Golden Games, an Olympics-style series of games to be held May 1-23. Deadline to register is Friday, April 19. Categories include swimming, track-and-field, bowling, shuffleboard, billiards, bridge and poker. Registration fee is $15, which includes a t-shirt, lunch and entry into several Golden Games competitions. Some sports carry additional fees. Information: www.roswellslc.org/ramblers/golden_games_2012.htm or 770-667-5030. Veronica Fields Johnson
Highway widening planned
A project widening just over one mile of Ga. 20 to four lanes in Forsyth and Gwinnett Counties is expected to start in early smmer. The Georgia DOT awarded the $10.2 million contract to C.W. Matthews Contracting, Inc. of Marietta.
The project, including two parallel bridges over the Chattahoochee, is set for completion in May of 2016. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Woodstock has new communications app
The city of Woodstock has launched Connect Woodstock, a new communications app designed to give residents access to important city info and as way to submit service requests. The city partnered with software company PublicStuff to create the app, which can be used by iPhone, Blackberry and Android, among other devices. Residents can submit requests, add photos and comment, and track requests.
Information: www.PublicStuff.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Woodstock planning citywide yard sale
As part of the Great American Clean-up, the city of Woodstock will hold a citywide yard sale beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday. Residents can hold individual yard sales or rent a table for $10 at the William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road.
Information: www.woodstockga.gov or call 678-445-6518. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Energy for life walkathon
The Atlanta Chapter of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation will hold its Energy for Life Walkathon on Saturday at Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Avenue West N.W. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the Walk starts at 10 a.m. All proceeds raised will provide support, education and research towards a cure. Walkers of all ages are invited to participate. Information and to register www.energyforlifewalk.org/atlanta or www.umdf.org. Sandra Marshall Murray
Sorority to host scholarship luncheon
The Epsilon Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. will host their 2nd annual Sadye Watson Potter Scholarship Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Atlanta Airport Marriott Hotel, 4711 Best Rd. Donation is $50 and proceeds will benefit the chapter's scholarship fund. Information: Carolyn Goodman at 404-344-0481. Veronica Fields Johnson
Surgeon General to speak at Spelman
U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin will deliver Spelman College’s commencement address, school officials announced this week.
Benjamin will receive an honorary degree during the May 19 ceremony at the Georgia International Convention Center. More than 500 students are expected to graduate.
College officials will also give civil rights advocate Rev. Joseph Lowery the National Community Service Award.
Information: www.spelman.edu Laura Diamond
Film screening to mark Autism Awareness
Actor Tommy Ford will host a screening and panel discussion of Colored My Mind: Diagnosis, at 7 p.m. April 27 at the Georgia-Pacific Center, 133 Peachtree St. N.E. The short film documents the stories of five powerful women who explore the often overlooked world of autism in Black and Latino communities.
Tickets are $5 and available at www.bronzelensfilmfestival.com.
Information: www.bronzelensfilmfestival.com. Mea Watkins
DEKALB
Decatur schools to hold growth meetings
Decatur Schools will host four public-input sessions discussing construction and renovations on Renfroe Middle and Decatur High. Current master plans call for nearly doubling the size of both schools by August 2017. The Renfroe sessions are 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 25 and 8 to 9 :30 a.m. May 3 at Renfroe. Decatur High meetings are 9 to 10:30 a.m. May 1 and 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 2 at the school. The school board is set to vote on the $58 million project May 14. Bill Banks for the AJC
Agnes Scott names graduation speaker
CNN special correspondent Soledad O’Brien will serve as Agnes Scott College’s commencement speaker.
The ceremony will be held May 11 on the Decatur campus.
Agnes Scott is a private, liberal arts women's college. Information: www.agnesscott.edu Laura Diamond
County to offer summer food program
The county’s parks department will host a summer youth food service program.
The federally funded program runs from June 3 to July 26 and ensures children up to age 18 have access to nutritious meals during the summer.
Agencies with summer camps who would like to be a site for the program should call 678-698-1114. The deadline to apply for the program is April 19.
Applications also can be found at the Tucker Recreation Center, 4898 LaVista Road in Tucker, at the Manuel Maloof Center, 1300 Commerce Road in Decatur or at www.Dekalbcountyga.gov/parks. April Hunt
Decatur to participate in drug take-back
Decatur police departments will accept prescription drugs for safe disposal at a special event 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. April 27 at the police communications center, 314-C Church St.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Take-Back Day allows residents to safely get rid of unwanted, unused or expired medicines.
Information: 404-373-6551. April Hunt
Learning for Life Family Series continues
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension’s Learning for Life Family Series will continue through June with monthly events aimed toward healthy living, safety and more at the DeKalb Cooperative Extension, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur. The series is free and open to DeKalb County residents. Upcoming workshops include: Survival in the City, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday; and An Ounce of Prevention, 10 a.m. to noon, May 18.
Information: 404-298-4080 or www.ugaextension.com/dekalb. Mea Watkins
Registration open for 5K on PDK runway
Registration is now open for a 5K and 1K race that includes parts of the runways at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport.
The Chamblee Run and Rotary Roll is designed for runners and walkers of all levels, and is open to people in wheelchairs.
Race day is April 27. Registration is $20, with proceeds split between the Shepherd Center in Atlanta and Chamblee’s Huntley Hills Elementary.
Information: 770-986-5016 or www.chambleega.com. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Fayette parents ask school board to save bands
Parents and students representing Fayette County’s school bands packed Monday’s Board of Education meeting hoping to stop proposed program cuts.
Nineteen speakers spent nearly an hour urging for assistant high school band directors and fifth-grade bands to be saved.
They emphasized the critical role of music education and the need for budget cuts to be spread more equitably among arts and athletics. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Family Services board position open
Fayette County has a volunteer vacancy on its Board of Family and Children’s Services.
Members are appointed by the Board of Commissioners to five-year terms, and help disadvantaged individuals and families progress toward independence.
Applications, available from Floyd Jones at fjones@fayettecountyga.gov or 770-305-5102, are due May 17. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Spring ArtFest April 21 in McDonough
The Spring ArtFest on the McDonough Square is from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The annual festival hosted by McDonough Arts offers many opportunities for community participation, including a diverse artists market, children's activities, a "tastiest pound cake" contest and live entertainment. Information: www.mcdonougharts.net. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Applications open for Taste of Fayette
Vendor applications are now being accepted for the 12th annual Taste of Fayette taking place May 19 in downtown Fayetteville. The event showcases food from local restaurants as well as information about other area businesses and charitable organizations. Booths range from $50 to $100; deadline is May 15. Information: www.fayetteville-ga.gov or 770-719-4173. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Nominations asked for community awards
Girls and Guys Organized for Anointed Living (GOAL) is accepting nominations for its annual community service awards. The nonprofit group honors Fayette County students committed to educational excellence and youth leadership, along with the mothers who support them. Awards will be presented at the Youth Gala on May 25. Forms and details are at www.anointedliving.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Cultural celebration to be April 27
The Clayton County Cultural Celebration 2013 will be April 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center, 2530 Mount Zion Parkway in Jonesboro.
The event features the Hawaiian Children’s Dance Lei Hua, Eve Hao Chinese Dance, Lyrika Holmes NYC, Drum Dance, Cordao de Ouro and others. Admission is $10, with limited complimentary tickets available.
Details: contact Media Savvy Consulting at 404-207-3817 or email ann@mediasavvyconsulting.com or Rep. Mike Glanton, glantonm@bellsouth.net or 678-479-7730. Tammy Joyner
