County by county news for Friday

Imagine International Academy of Mableton’s charter renewal request was denied by the Cobb school board last week. On Monday, Principal Marcus Barber quit, said Henry Stephens, a regional director with school manager the Imagine Company.

Barber suffered from a health condition and learned last week that it had worsened. “I guess it was his doctor’s recommendation,” Stephens said. He said the school was still trying to renew its charter. Ty Tagami

Tech band to perform at exhibition

Georgia Tech’s Yellow Jacket Marching Band will play for a Cobb County crowd Monday on the last evening of the annual Cobb-Marietta Marching Band Exhibition. Nine bands from public and private high schools in Cobb will also perform at the event, which begins at 7 p.m. at the McEachern High School stadium in Powder Springs. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students; children 4 and under get in free. On Monday, the first day of the event, the Jacksonville State University Southerners played the closing notes after nine county high school bands performed. Ty Tagami

Powder Springs breakfast delayed

The Powder Springs Day parade on Saturday and a restaurant closing have led to the delay of monthly breakfast meetings with Powder Springs elected officials. Since November, city residents have been meeting with their elected officials on the second Saturdays -- first at Bailey’s Diner on Marietta Street, then at Off the Bone BBQ on Brownsville Road.

Officials are seeking a new location. Information: City Hall, 770-943-1666. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Fundraiser in memory of Cobb judge

The Cobb County Bar Association will host the inaugural Judge Debra Halpern Bernes Memorial Scholarship Fund “Day at the Park” fundraiser Oct. 15 at East Cobb Park in Marietta. The event from 2 to 5 p.m. will feature food from Sam’s BBQ-1, live music and children’s activities. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Money raised will fund scholarships for the University of Georgia School of Law and Georgia State University School of Law. Info: judgebernes.org. Andria Simmons

Goreham to host town hall meeting Oct. 13

Cobb County’s District One Commissioner Helen Goreham will host a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at West Cobb Senior Center at 4915 Dallas Highway in Powder Springs.

Information: 770-528-3313 or cobbcounty.org/goreham. Andria Simmons

St. Andrew invites public to its Pumpkin Patch

St. Andrew United Methodist Church of Marietta invites everyone to shop for Halloween pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn and more at the church’s 26th annual Pumpkin Patch. The patch will be open Monday – Saturday from 9:30 a.m. -- 8 p.m. and noon- 8 p.m. on Sundays though Oct. 31.

All proceeds from the patch support the Youth Ministry and Missions of the church.

Information: 770-926-3488 or visit www.thepumpkinchurch.org. Kenneth Musisi

GWINNETT

Schools’ media centers gain recognition

Two Gwinnett elementary school media centers received state recognitions for supporting students.

The media center at Parsons Elementary was named as an “Exemplary Library Media Program” by the Georgia Department of Education. The honor is given to libraries that offer a variety of services to support student learning.

The Peachtree Ridge Cluster elementary school media center also was selected based on the role it plays in helping to meet school improvement goals and improve student achievement. D. Aileen Dodd

AARP offers drivers course in Chinese

AARP is offering a monthly driver safety course taught in Chinese. After completing the course participants may be eligible for a 10 percent discount on auto insurance.

The course is designed for people age 50 or older, but it is open to all ages. The cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for others.

The course will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17 at 5030 Georgia Belle Court, Norcross. To register, call 770-638-5661. David Wickert

GMC opens Gwinnett Breast Center

Gwinnett Medical Center this week announced the opening of the Gwinnett Breast Center.

The center will provide screening and diagnostic services in a spa-like environment at the Gwinnett Physicians Center, 631 Professional Drive, Suite 250, Lawrenceville. The center is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.

To make an appointment call 678-312-3444. David Wickert

Snellville to hold fall festival Oct. 22

The Snellville Tourism and Trade organization will host the second Snellville Fall Festival on Oct. 22.

The event will run from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Snellville Town Green, located opposite City Hall.

The festival boasts live music, more than 60 arts and crafts vendors, hay ride wagons, a Kid’s Zone and an antique car show.

Information: http://www.snellvillepride.com/content/fall-festival-exhibitor-information.html. Joel Anderson

Want to be a Gwinnett columnist?

You can join eight other AJC community columnists from around metro Atlanta. Send us:

-- A short essay (400 words or less) pegged to a topic in Gwinnett County.

-- Additional paragraph (100 words or less) on yourself and why you should win.

-- A brief list of five topics that you might write about.

You must be a resident of Gwinnett.

Entries will be judged on the basis of writing style, intelligence and freshness of topic, but not on whether AJC editors agree or disagree with your point of view. The first column will appear in November. Send entries to newstips@ajc.com. Please put “Gwinnett Columnist” in the subject line and include your daytime contact information.

Only finalists will be contacted by the AJC. Deadline to submit your entry is Friday, Oct. 14.

NORTHSIDE

Commission: Let inmates work jail kitchen

Trying to shave jail costs, Fulton commissioners balked when the sheriff’s office asked to add $170,000 to a $3.5 million food services contract with Aramark Correctional Services to cover meal prices rising from $1.14 to $1.20. Chairman John Eaves asked why inmates can’t cook and serve meals, which could lower costs to less than 70 cents. Sheriff’s officials said there aren’t enough inmates who can make trustee status, which commissioners said they doubted. The board asked the department to look for alternatives. Johnny Edwards

Sandy Springs to hold meeting on bridge

Sandy Springs will hold a public information meeting on the pedestrian and bicycle enhancements to Ga. 9 over the Chattahoochee River from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Council Chambers at Sandy Springs City Hall, 7840 Roswell Road, Building 500. The meeting will focus on a plan to connect the cities of Roswell and Sandy Springs via a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the river. The meeting is at 7 p.m. Information: www.sandyspringsga.gov; 770-730-5600. Patrick Fox

Milton residents asked for input on road work

Milton residents have until Tuesday to add their comments about proposed transportation improvements to intersections in the Crabapple area.

Project information, including descriptions and the display, is online at www.miltonintersectionprojects.com.

Comments may be e-mailed to sara.leaders@cityofmiltonga.us or on the Web at www.dot.ga.gov. Residents may also visit City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 107E, or write: Glenn Bowman, P.E., State Environmental Administrator, Georgia DOT, 600 West Peachtree Street NW, 16th Floor, Atlanta 30308. Patrick Fox

Tut exhibit runs in Woodstock

“Carter’s Quest for Tut,” a display of Egyptian-themed items, will run through Nov. 18 in Woodstock.

The show is at Dancentre south, 1000 Woodstock Parkway, Suite B, Woodstock. Admission is $8. Proceeds are to support a new home for Arts Alliance of Georgia Inc.

For information: 678-778-5517, or www.artsalliancega.org. Laurie Hoffman

Rotary Club delivers school supplies

The Rotary Club of North Fulton delivered school supplies during August to 150 students in need as part of a tradition to help support the local North Fulton community. Principals of Mimosa Elementary, Hillside Elementary, Esther Jackson Elementary, and River Eves Elementary in Roswell, received bags with supplies valued at $1,400. Information: www.northfultonrotary.org. Kenneth Musisi

Alpharetta girls softball camp Oct. 29-30

The Alpharetta Youth Softball Association will host the Jennie Finch Softball Camp Oct. 29-30, open to girls third grade and up.

The camp will be at North Park, 13450 Cogburn Road, Alpharetta. For registration information: www.alpharettasoftball.com or 337-274-3435. Laurie Hoffman

ATLANTA

Atlanta Tech reaches out to jobless

Atlanta Technical College will hold an open house Saturday targeting unemployed or underemployed people searching for new skills or preparing to switch careers. The college offers more than 100 programs and will waive the $20 application fee for anyone who attends the event. The open house will run from 10 am to 2 p.m. at the Atlanta campus, 1560 Metropolitan Parkway. Laura Diamond

Event to benefit kids with Down Syndrome

Former Atlanta Falcon Jamal Anderson will be master of ceremonies for Saturday’s opening of Gigi’s Playhouse Atlanta. Located in Midtown’s Amsterdam Walk shopping complex, the center will offer early intervention programs for children with Down Syndrome. At the playhouse, families will benefit from free customized tutoring, support groups, therapies to improve motor skills, self-esteem and literacy and a referral network. Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Info: http://www.gigisplayhouse.org/ or on Facebook via:

Nancy Badertscher

Fun run for kids at Dunbar school today

Children’s Healthcare’s Strong 4 Life program, the group responsible for the childhood obesity billboards, will host a Fun Run today morning for students at Dunbar Elementary School. The fun run will begin at 10 a.m. at Dunbar, 500 Whitehall Terrace SW. Ernie Suggs

Kickball team competes in championship

Atlanta’s kickball team, Flying V, is heading to Las Vegas to compete in Kickball365’s Circuit Cup Championship on Sunday. The most competitive kickball tournament of the year in the Circuit will feature 20 teams from across the country, and will ultimately crown its 2011 champion. Brickford “Brick” Faucette and Joseph O’Keefe are captains of the team. Flying V currently ranks as Georgia’s number one kickball team for 2011. To register a team for the 2012 Circuit, please visit www.thisiskickball.com. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Museum School may move to new building

Principal Katherine Kelbaugh said that her Museum School of Avondale Estates may move into the old Forrest Hills Elementary, although she added it’s not a done deal yet. The school is still waiting on the DeKalb County School Board to offer it a formal lease. The Board probably won’t vote on the lease until its November meeting. Now in its second year, the K-4 charter school with currently 198 students (it’ll eventually go to the eighth grade) meets at the Avondale Estates First Baptist Church. Forest Hills, which closed several years ago, has 18 classrooms. Bill Banks for the AJC

Oakhurst Arts & Music Festival Saturday

The 14th annual Oakhurst Arts & Music Festival, presented by the Decatur Arts Alliance, is Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., in Harmony Park. Events include an 8 a.m. 5K run, a 2 p.m. parade beginning at Oakhurst Elementary, art exhibits, food and drink. There’s also a full lineup of musical groups beginning at 11 a.m. Groups include Tea for Two, Morgan Rowe, Amy Gerhartz, Sehwe Village Percussion, Buck Buckley Band, Hill Roberts and The Bitteroots. Bill Banks for the AJC

School candidates at forum on Sunday

The Church at Decatur Heights and The Decatur Heights Neighborhood Association invite residents to hear from Peg Bumgardner and Garrett Goebel, both candidates for the District 1 School Board seat on the Nov. 8 ballot. The event is on Sunday at 1:30-3:30 p.m. at 735 Sycamore Drive, Decatur. For candidate information, please visit http://tinyurl.com/5thchcr or http://tinyurl.com/69hlhgy. Kenneth Musisi

Cancer Society exec receives honor

John Daniel of Dunwoody, the American Cancer Society’s Vice President for Federal, Georgia and Emerging Issues in the South Atlantic Division, is the recipient of the prestigious national Alan Mills Award. Daniel was honored by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Washington, D.C. for his work to help make cancer a national priority. The Alan Mills Award recognizes a staff person who has consistently demonstrated leadership and excellence in the area of advocacy and public policy. Kenneth Musisi

Rotary Club to hold flu shot project

The Northlake Rotary Club will host its annual Immigrant Influenza Vaccination Project in partnership with DeKalb Medical Center. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Clarkston International Bible Church, 3895 Church Street, Clarkston. The program targets persons aged 50 years and older. Information: www.rotarynorthlake.org. Sandra Marshall Murray

Sorority focuses on breast cancer awareness

Stone Mountain-Lithonia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. presents its annual Just for You Eternal Love & Support Day, 7 p.m. Oct. 20, Fairfield Baptist Church- Family Life Center, 6133 Redan Road, Lithonia. The program provides support to the Women of Sister’s By Choice breast cancer survivors and their families. Information: Zenna Farley – Williams at 404-226-5011 or courtesy@smlacdst.org . Sandra Marshall Murray

SOUTHSIDE

Commission approves loitering ordinance

The Fulton County commission unanimously approved an ordinance against loitering, suggested by Commissioner William “Bill” Edwards to stop open-air drug dealing and keep pimps and prostitutes from soliciting business along thoroughfares. It will apply only to unincorporated south Fulton. The ordinance defines loitering as lingering in public places after being told to move along by a police officer, or lingering somewhere “in a manner not usual for law-abiding citizens.” It will be punishable by up to 60 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 or both. Johnny Edwards

McDonough councilmen arrested in shooting

A McDonough city councilman was arrested overnight for allgedly shooting his son following an argument.

According to Henry County Sheriff’s Office records, Rufus Frank Amis, 64, was booked into the county jail early Thursday, charged with aggravated assault.

The GBI was called in to investigate the shooting, which happened around 9 p.m. after an argument between Amis and his son, Orlando Amis, 41, at the family’s home on Phillips Drive in McDonough.

Orlando Amis was taken to Atlanta Medical Center in stable condition. Mike Morris

Lake City educator teacher of the year

Lake City Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Melissa Sloan is 2011-2012 Clayton County Teacher of the Year. Sloan is a nine-year teaching veteran who spent her first six year teaching in Ohio. “Melissa absolutely deserves this honor,” Principal Erica Johnson said. “She is a wonderful teacher who challenges her students and keeps them engaged at all times.” Sloan earned her bachelor’s at the University of Dayton in Ohio, masters at the University of Cincinnati, and specialist degree at Lincoln Memorial in Cleveland, Tenn. Tammy Joyner

Health fair focuses on domestic violence

Healing Through Hope, the anti-domestic violence ministry of Open Word Christian Ministries in Fairburn will hold a domestic violence walk and health fair on Saturday.

The event, which is free, runs from 10 a.m. until noon at 6230 Highway 92. Mario Avery, the mayor of Fairburn, is scheduled to speak. Shelia Poole

Southern Belle Farm honors public servants

Southern Belle Farm is honoring local public servants Saturday with free admission to the 200-acre working farm in McDonough. Active military, law enforcement, fire and emergency medical technicians will be admitted free if in uniform or with valid identification.

The noon-6 p.m. festivities include fire safety and a pink fire truck.

The event will end with live music from a local Henry County band. The farm is at 1658 Turner Church Road. Tammy Joyner

Early voting in College Park begins Oct. 31

Advance voting for the Nov. 8 election begins Oct. 31 and runs until Nov. 4 at College Park City Hall at 3667 Main Street. Voters will be able to cast their ballots from 8:30a.m. -- 4:30p.m.

John Thompson for the AJC