County by county news for Friday
COBB
Bridge to improve traffic around KSU
Construction has started on a $17.8 million bridge that is expected to reduce traffic congestion around Kennesaw State University. The connector, north of Chastain Road, will bridge Frey Road, I-75 and Busbee Drive.
The bridge, expected to open in two years, is funded by the Town Center Area Community Improvement District, Cobb and Georgia Departments of Transportation and the university. The bridge will also have access for cyclists and pedestrians. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Mableton volunteer meeting on Monday
A meeting for those interested in serving as Mableton Day volunteers will be 7 p.m. Monday at the Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.
The ninth annual Mableton Day will be May 17, also at the Mable House Complex, including the Mableton 5K at 8 a.m., Mableton Jr. Fun Run at 9 a.m., performances, tours of the historic Mable House, vintage cars, food vendors, the Kids’ Corner and arts and crafts demonstrations.
Admission to Mableton Day and parking are free.
Information: mabletonday.com.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Austell seeks seasonal employee by May 9
Austell Public Works is accepting applications until May 9 for a summer labor position.
The full-time employee primarily will be responsible for litter pick-up, mowing and weeding throughout the city for $8 an hour.
Information: austellga.gov, click “Position Details” under “Employment Opportunities.”
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Sign up now for Marietta July 4 parade
Marietta is looking for bands, military units, scouts, beauty queens and businesses to participate in the July 4 Let Freedom Ring parade. Applications accepted through May 30 for the 1.5-mile parade from Roswell Street Baptist Church to Cherokee Street and North Marietta Parkway. Information: www.mariettaga.gov or 770-794-5601. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Warsaw ghettophotos on exhibit
“In the Ghetto of Warsaw: Heinrich Jost’s Photographs” are on display 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays through April 30 at the Lovett School Galleria, 4075 Paces Ferry Road, NW.
Jöst’s 40 pictures are among the few of Warsaw ghetto corpses during World War II - some with graphic, disturbing content so that parental and teacher guidance and supervision are advised for young children.
Information: Karey Walter, karey.walter@lovett.org.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Historic cemetery cleanup on Saturday
Volunteers are invited to join River Line Historic Area volunteers 10 a.m. to noon Saturday to restore the historic Turner Sewell Cemetery, 1490 Veterans Memorial Highway, Mableton.
The cemetery is being cleaned in preparation for the unveiling on May 10 of an interpretative sign.
Reservations: riverlinega@gmail.com.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Reps update community on recent legislation
The United Peachtree Corners Civic Association will host the 2104 Legislative Update & Ice Cream Social at 7:30 p.m. Mondayat Christ the King Church, 5575 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners. Representatives include Sen. David Shafer, Sen. Fran Millar, Rep. Tom Rice, Gwinnett County Commissioner Lynette Howard, Gwinnett County School Board Member Mary Kay Murphy and Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason. Budget and tax information will be presented along with updates on new family friendly legislation and recent DUI legislation. Q&A to follow panel. Information: 404-825-8788 or www.upcca.org..Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Norcross Garden Club holding plant sale
The Norcross Garden Club will hold their annual Spring Plant Sale, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday across from Lillian Webb Park, 33 College St. Proceeds will benefit the Norcross Garden Club building-improvement and community service funds. Information: www.norcrossgardenclub.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Walking program promoting wellness
The UGA Cooperative Extension’s eight-week Walk-a-Weigh program will begin Thursday through June 26 at Collins Hill Library, 455 Camp Perrin Road in Lawrenceville.
This free program emphasizes nutrition education and physical fitness to control weight and promote wellness.
Pre-registration required. Call Mark Woodard at 770-277-6008. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Park event will support healthy living
Gwinnett County Parks and Eastside Medical Center will launch Live Healthy Gwinnett with a POP-UP Park event 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 at Eastside Medical Center, 1700 Medical Way, Snellville with fitness demonstrations, inflatables, music, free medical screenings, giveaways and a movie at 8 p.m.
Proceeds support the Live Healthy Gwinnett scholarship fund.
Information: www.livehealthygwinnett.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Grayson Day Parade grants kids’ wishes
The city is Grayson is hosting its 35th annual Grayson Day Festival and Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday at the community park, 1 Park Drive, and also making the wishes of children come true.
Four local children will serve as grand marshals at the parade and lead the marchers on individual floats provided by businesses and sponsors.
The Make-a-Wish Foundation, which works to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, partnered with the city of Grayson this week on behalf of local children on the registry.
Information: www.georgia.wish.org
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Bunten Road Park playground to open
Duluth Parks and Recreation will celebrate opening the new mega playground at Bunten Road Park at 10 a.m. Saturday. The new playground was funded by SPLOST.
Information: Kathy Marelle at kmarelle@duluthga.net.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Autopsy shows Waleska woman drowned
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office says autopsy results show that a Waleska woman found floating in Lake Arrowhead drowned. The body of Cindy Naterman, 70, was pulled from the lake by fire department divers Monday night after she was spotted by a boater. Naterman lived at the lake. Sheriff’s Lt. Jay Baker says investigators are still looking into what led up to the drowning, but says foul play is not suspected. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Part of Big Creek Greenway to close
The City of Alpharetta Recreaton and Parks Department will close a portion of the heavily-used Big Creek Greenway trail system May 12 - 16 while repairing aging bridges from Rock Mill Park south to the intersection with Roswell’s portion of the trail. For status updates on the work: www.alpharetta.ga.us
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
School budget firmed up in Cherokee
Cherokee County School Superintendent Frank Petruzielo says the tentative 2014-2015 budget to be presented to the school board next month will feature no millage rate increase, districtwide class size reductions through hiring about 50 additional teachers, and continuation of the complete restoration of the full 180-day student calendar. The Superintendent says he’ll also recommend complete restoration of the employee work calendar through elimination of three current furlough days. Petruzielo says an ad-hoc budget committee has been working on zero-based budget recommendations for the past four months.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Sandy Springs to collect unwanted drugs
Sandy Springs residents may bring unwanted prescription drugs to police headquarters, 7840 Roswell Road, Building 301, on Saturday during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.Information: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Family reunion workshop in Alpharetta
The Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau is hosting a free family reunion workshop at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 12505 Cingular Way, Alpharetta.
A visitor’s bureau specialist will be available to offer insight into the reunion planning process and show why Alpharetta is the perfect location for group events.
Information: www.awesomealpharetta.com or 678-297-2811.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Forsyth run to benefit ALS
Metro runners are being invited to celebrate Cinco De Mayo by taking part in the a 8th annual Fiesta 5k/15k Challenge Race May 3, at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming. The 15K race starts at 7:45 a.m., the 5K at 8:05 a.m., and a fun run is set for 9 a.m. All proceeds go to support t the Center for ALS at Emory Hospital.
Information and registration: www.fiestarunga.com
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Holocaust event on Sunday
Yom HaShoah, the 49th Holocaust remembrance program, is t 11 a.m. Sunday at the Memorial to the Six Million in Greenwood Cemetery, 1173 Cascade Circle.
Norbert Friedman, survivor of 11 concentration camps, will speak.
“The Holocaust Exhibition: Absence of Humanity” will be free with tours 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at The William Breman Jewish Heritage and Holocaust Museum, 1440 Spring St.
Information: thebreman.org, Judy Schancupp at 678-222-3707 or jschancupp@thebreman.org. Carolyn Cunningham
Law School invites prospective students
John Marshall Law School hosts an information session for prospective students 10 a.m. Saturday at Blackburn Conference Center, 1405 Spring St.
Professors, current students and key staff will be in attendance to answer questions.
Information: admissions@johnmarshall.edu or 404-872-3593, Ext. 261. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Academic center for teen parents to open
Favor Academy of Excellence Inc. is opening its first teenage parent academic center with a ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday at 412 Sawtell Ave. SE.
The academy provides an environment for teen parents to complete their high school diploma or GED requirements through mentoring, empowerment sessions and consistent monitoring to ensure their academic, career and parenting success.Information: www.favoracademyofexcellence.org
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Women’s Day at Mount Olive Baptist set
Evangelist Angela Jones will be the keynote speaker at a prayer breakfast celebrating Women’s Day at Mount Olive Baptist Church, 10 a.m. Saturday at 2174 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
The annual Women’s Day observance culminates on Sundaywith a 10:45 a.m. morning worship service led by radio personality Twanda Black. Information: 404-696-5497. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
DEKALB
Glennwood celebrates 100th anniversary
Decatur’s Glennwood Elementary, the city’s oldest public school, celebrates 100 year 5 p.m. in the school’s auditorium, 440 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. The event includes creating a time capsule that’ll be opened on the 125th anniversary, student-led tours for alumni and the display of past scrapbooks, artwork and artifacts. Founded in 1913, the building also housed Decatur High from 1913 to 1915. Bill Banks for the AJC
Small crowd for school board candidate event
The first of two high-profile DeKalb County school board candidate forums drew a sparse crowd of 60 despite the importance of the May 20 election.
The nine-member board is being reduced to seven seats, and all are up for election in the non-partisan race that will be decided without a primary. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which nearly stripped DeKalb of accreditation and only eased its dire warnings after Gov. Nathan Deal replaced most of the board last year, has said this election is crucial.
There are 22 candidates. The forum for the rest is 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. Information: www.itsforthemdekalb.org. Ty Tagami
Garden club to hold plant sale
Mountain Shadow Garden Club is holding its annual plant sale at 8 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 5801 Hugh Howell Road, Stone Mountain.
Club members will be on hand to help customers make selections and learn about caring for purchases. Information: 770-923-9762. Kent A. Miles
Workshop to promote healthy cuisine
Chef Femi Boma Ibin will present a workshop on how to prepare healthy meals using raw and organic foods at 10 a.m. Saturday in the community room of Worshippers Interceding for Excellence Church, 266 Robin St., Decatur.
Mothers Voices Georgia is sponsoring the event. Registration is $25 per person.
Information: 678-476-3791.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Day of Holocaust Remembrance set
A ceremony commemorating the Day of Holocaust Remembrance will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday in the Besser Holocaust Memorial Garden of the Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody.
Atlanta author Jim Barfield, writer of the historical novel “Boxcars,” will give remarks at the event. The event is open to the public, and will take place rain or shine.
Information: www.atlantajcc.org or 678-812-4161. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Disability group to hold gala April 26
The 15th anniversary gala for disABILITY LINK will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Courtyard Marriott, 130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur.
The event will honor the efforts of individuals and organizations that work to improve the lives and protect the rights of people with disabilities. Individual tickets to the event are $100.
Information: www.disabilitylink.org, cjames@disabilitylink.org, or 404-687-8890, Ext. 113. Kent A. Miles
SOUITHSIDE
Event celebrates native American heritage
Demonstrations of native American life will be on display at the 31st Native American Heritage Day, 10 a,m, SaturdayApril 26 on the grounds of the Stately Oaks Plantation, 100 Carriage Lane, Jonesboro.
Visitors may tour a replica of a Muscogee village, watch demonstrations of basket weaving and other crafts, and view other reenactments. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and $3 for children under 12.
Information: 770-473-0197. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Fayette celebrates Earth Day Saturday
Fayette County’s Earth Day celebration will take place 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday on the Courthouse Square in downtown Fayetteville. Educational exhibits, Green Market vendors, entertainment and free document shredding are among the activities.
Information: www.fayettecoearthday.org.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Registration starts for summer driver’s ed
Registration for summer driver’s education classes in Fayette County begins 8 - 9 a.m. Saturday in the LaFayette Educational Center cafeteria, 205 LaFayette Ave. in Fayetteville.
Registration will continue starting Monday until classes are full.
Information: fayettecs.org or call 770-460-3990, ext. 470.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Community festival in East Point
The ninth annual East Point Fire Department Community Awareness Festival starts at 11 a.m. May 3 in front of Fire Station No. 1, 2757 East Point St.
A parade at 10:30 from Tri Cities Plaza, 1618 Willingham Drive, precedes the festival.
Visitors will have access to a variety of free health screenings. T
here will also be an area for children to participate in activities.
Information: www.eastpointcity.org
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Volunteers to train in aiding injured wildlife
The Georgia Wildlife Rescue Association is offering a course on emergency care for injured or orphaned wildlife at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Morrow Conference Center at Southlake Mall in Morrow.
Participants will learn how to safely secure and care for the animals for transport to a rehabilitation facility. After completing the course, volunteers will be added to an on-call list to act as first responders to wildlife emergency calls.
The fee for the class is $40 for GWRA members and $60 for non-members.
Information: www.georgiawildliferescue.org
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Kidney transplant options available
Piedmont Fayette Hospital will host a “Lunch and Learn” event from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Dietary Conference Room (near the cafeteria), 1255 Hwy. 54 West in Fayetteville.
Doctors will answer questions about kidney transplants and living donor options. Register at 877-527-3712.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
