COBB
KSU to acquire former electronics store site
Kennesaw State University is finalizing the $9.9 million purchase of the former BrandsMart USA site on Busbee Drive east of the main campus. The site has 722 parking spaces and a 113,000 square-foot building the schools plans to use for a new student health center, additional laboratory space, a marching band program and storage. The 17-acre property will link the school’s continuing education center and sports and recreation park, creating 120 contiguous acres of KSU property on Busbee Drive.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Marietta High to hold parent/teen summit
Marietta High will host a community symposium for Cobb parents and teens 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the school, 1171 Whitlock Ave. Law enforcement, medical personnel, first responders and educators will talk about the rising use of prescribed narcotics and heroin. Information: www.impact.marietta-city.org.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Civil War battle commemoration
Kennesaw’s Civil War Center commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Pickett’s Mill 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. today and 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday at the Pickett’s Mill historic site, 4432 Mt. Tabor Church Road, Dallas. Tours, artillery demonstrations, living history encampments, reenactors, etc. Information: www.gastateparks.org/PickettsMillBattlefield. Staff
Marietta to hold budget hearing
Marietta will hold a public hearing noon Wednesday at City Hall, 205 Lawrence St. on a proposed budget of $348.2 million including a $50.6 general fund budget. No service reductions, tax or fee increases are planned for the fiscal year starting July 1. The council will vote on the budget June 11.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Acworth Main Street to close Saturday
Main Street in downtown Acworth will close 4-9 p.m. today from Lemon Street to Morningside Drive for a Classic Car Cruises event sponsored by the city of Acworth and Lake City Cruisers.
There is no admission fee for the show that features vintage cars. A $2 donation to a local charity is requested.
Information: wwww.cityofacworth.org.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Powder Springs seeks property sale
Powder Springs officials want to sell 1.6 acres, not needed for public road purposes, south of Richard D. Sailors Parkway between Florence Road and U.S. 278.
Sealed bids must be submitted before 10 a.m. June 13 at City Hall, 4484 Marietta St., Powder Springs when they will be opened and read by City Manager Brad Hulsey in the City Hall second floor conference room. Information: cityofpowdersprings.org.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Anti-bullying program on Wednesday
Youth advocate Reec Swiney and his anti-bullying mascot “Ice the Bully” will present a program for ages 5 and up 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton. Information: warnerl@cobbcat.org or 678-398-5836.Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Input wanted on dog park improvements
Duluth Parks and Rec is considering maintenance options for replacement of sod at Chattapoochee Dog Park at 4291 Rogers Bridge Rd. Options include 1) planting sod in July and roping off the area or 2) closing the large dog park for the month of August. Email jkeating@duluthga.net or call John Keating at 770-814-6981 to recommend option 1 or 2. The department would like to hear from large dog owners. The small dog park will not be a shared area with large dogs during maintenance. Other improvements will include additional benches, entrance signage, and improved landscape in common areas. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Theatre needs worn out furniture
Aurora Theatre is looking for wooden furniture to recreate the Les Misérables set for a 2015 production. Items accepted in any condition, even falling apart. Needed: chairs, headboards, footboards, cabinets, tables, fencing, columns, crates, etc.
To schedule drop off contact Katie Pelkey at katie@auroratheatre.com. All Items considered a donation.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Kid’s learn to fish free next Saturday
Gwinnett Parks & Rec will offer a free Kid’s Fishing Day 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 7 at Jones Bridge Park, 4901 East Jones Bridge Road in Norcross. Event includes food, prizes, and fishing for beginners to advanced. Rod and bait provided on first come, first served basis. No fishing license necessary. Event is open to all ages.
Information: 678-277-0920.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Free household budgeting basics class
Learn how to get a handle on your personal finances1:30 to 2:30 p.m. June 11 at Gwinnett Community Alliance, 5855 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Suite 122 in Norcross. Class will explore money management styles, goals, and how to use money effectively. Class is free, but pre-registration required.
Contact Linda Lozada at 770-449-6515 or linda@gwinnettvillage.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Class helps prepare drivers, parents
Gwinnett Police Officer Shane Kelly will teach a Georgia Teens Ride with P.R.I.D.E. driving course 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 25 at the Central Precinct in Duluth. The Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error program is a free two-hour course designed to help parents and their soon-to-be-teen drivers ages 14-16 learn what they need to do during the 40 hours of supervised practice time required to obtain a driver’s license.
Information: 678-442-6572 or Shane.kelly@gwinnettcounty.com Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Snellville 2015 budget available for review
The proposed Snellville Fiscal Year 2015 budget will be available for inspection at City Hall during regular business hours: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Following public input, the mayor and city council will consider adoption of the 2015 budget at 7:30 p.m. June 9.
Information: www.snellville.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Forsyth animal shelter to open in August
Forsyth County’s new 13,700 square-foot, $3 million animal shelter will open on County Way off Ga. 400 in northern Forsyth County on Aug. 1. It replaces an arrangement under which county officials contracted out shelter operations. Deputy County Manager Tim Merritt says plans are still being firmed up for opening ceremonies. He says as many as 200 animals housed in the existing shelter on Old Atlanta Road will be moved to the new facility a few days before, to give both staffers and animals time to acclimate before throwing open the doors. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee marshal resigns abruptly
Chris Collett, Cherokee County’s Chief Marshal and E 9-1-1 director for the past several years, has abruptly departed. County Manager Jerry Cooper says Collett met with him Tuesday and informed him of his plans to retire, effective immediately. Cooper says he’s appointed current deputy marshal June Killian to interim marshalCollett had been top marshal since 2011. Mark Woolsey
Cancer society event rescheduled
The American Cancer Society has rescheduled the 2014 Relay for Life of Cherokee County to 5:30 p.m.-midnight June 13 at Woodstock High School, 2010 Towne Lake Hills S. Drive, beginning with a reception for survivors. Information: cherokeerelay.org
Marfk Woolsey for the AJC
Roswell starting special needs camps
The city of Roswell will inaugurate its first-ever adaptive needs camps this summer, open to any child ages 5-15 who has a special need. The full-day Monday- Friday camps will run from the weeks of June 2 -July 25 at Roswell North Elementary School and will focus on communication, social skills and adaptive skills.
Due to the higher cost of such camps, the Friends of the Roswell Parks is starting a “100 campaign” to raise money to defray costs. Donations can be sent to the Roswell Parks and Recreation Department at City Hall, 38 Hill St. Additional information: roswellgov.com or 770-641-3950. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
North Fulton gardeners to teach free class
North Fulton Master Gardeners will teach a free class on pruning and maintaining shrubs and roses.
The class will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Bill Johnson Community Activity Building at Roswell Area Park, 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell.
Information: www.nfmg.net
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Food bank will screen hunger documentary
The Atlanta Community Food Bank will host a screening of the documentary “A Place at the Table” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday 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 question-and-answer session with Atlanta Community Food Bank staff will follow the screening. Tickets: $12. Information: www.tugg.com/events/9270 Kent A. Miles for the AJC
ATLANTA
History Center hosts Tuesday lecture
Author Jeff Shaara will discuss “The Smoke at Dawn,” his third novel in his Civil War series, 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road. Reservations required. Cost: free for members; $10 for nonmembers.
Information: AtlantaHistoryCenter.com/Lectures or 404-814-4150.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Census data class for grant writers
A workshop for grant writers who want to effectively use census data in preparing proposals is 2 p.m. Thursday at the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library’s Central library branch, One Margaret Mitchell Square.
Free.
Information: 404-730-1900.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Color-filled run to be at Turner Field
Color Fun Fest, a color-filled 5-kilometer run, will take place at 3:30 p.m. today at Turner Field, 755 Hank Aaron Drive.
The event is inspired in part by South Asia’s Holi festival, in which participants are doused with plumes of colored powder. Participants at this event will experience the dousing at five stations on the course, with a final colorful toss to come at the finish line. Information: colorfunfest5k.com Kent A. Miles
Firefighters to host wrestling fundraiser
The Progressive Firefighters of Atlanta is hosting a wrestling fundraiser in June to benefit the families of three fallen firefighters.
“Rescue Mania! 911” will raise funds for the families of Capt. Cynthia Wright, Jermaine Hall and Sgt. Frank Guinn. The event features wrestlers including Robert Gibson, Manny Fernandez and Teddy Long, who will host an autograph party. The event will be at 7 p.m. on June 7 at the Rosel Fann Center, located at 365 Cleveland Ave. S.E.
Tickets cost $10 per adult; children 12 and younger may enter free with a paying adult and a can of food to donate. For tickets or information, contact 404-908-2975 or email tsimon010@gmail.com.
Katie Leslie
DEKALB
Avondale fire ruled ‘undetermined’
After seven weeks investigation official cause of the April 12 Avondale Estates fire killing a mother and her daughter has been ruled “undetermined” with the case now closed. Capt. Eric Jackson, spokesman for DeKalb County Fire and Rescue said that criminal or “incendiary” causes (like arson) were ruled out early, as were accidental and natural causes. Jackson said that rumors of candles possibly igniting the fire couldn’t be substantiated.
Jackson said the engine normally serving Avondale Estate was on another call when the fire erupted, and the next available engine took seven minutes reaching the scene. Only two weeks earlier firefighters had moved out of Avondale’s circa-1940s Fire Station No. 3 which is just 0.8 miles from the 5,624 square-foot Lakeshore Drive home. That station is being rebuilt and won’t open until February at the earliest.
Bill Banks for the AJC
Microsoft awards grant to King Center
The King Center for Nonviolent Social Change has been awarded a $50,000 software grant from Microsoft.
Bernice A. King, CEO of the King Center, will accept the donation at the opening of Microsoft’s new retail location, 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Perimeter Mall, 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road NE. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Task force to hold inaugural meeting
The Task Force on DeKalb County Operations will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.
The 15-member committee was created in March by Interim CEO Lee May and the county commission to explore and study issues affecting the quality of life of DeKalb residents.
Information: www.onedekalb.com
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Church fund-raiser to benefit housing
Holy Cross Catholic Church will hold its annual charity benefit event, Taste of Life, at 8 p.m. June 7 at 3773 Chamblee-Tucker Road, Chamblee.
The event is a fund-raiser for the Living Room, which provides supportive housing services for individuals and families impacted by HIV and AIDS. The Living Room assists over 2,000 individuals each year.
Tickets are $50, $55 after Sunday. Information: www.livingroomatl.org/newsandevents Kent A. Miles
Customers to get water quality report
DeKalb residents will be receiving the annual water quality report from the county Department of Watershed Management.
The report, officially the 2014 Consumer Confidence Report, provides detailed information on monitoring data gathered from water quality testing done last year. State and federal regulations require that tap water be tested to ensure that it is safe to drink.
The report is being distributed to residents through county water bills. It will also be available at local libraries, apartment complexes, and the department’s website. The Department of Watershed Management serves more than 700,000 customers in DeKalb County.
Information: www.dekalbwatershed.com
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
Information session on pedestrian bridge project
An open house on the Global Gateway Connector Project in College Park is 5 p.m. June 16 at city hall, 3667 Main St.
The Global Gateway Connector Project is a proposal to build a pedestrian bridge across Camp Creek Parkway to connect the Georgia International Convention Center with downtown College Park. The project also calls for construction of a multi-use trail to connect the proposed bridge to the convention center and downtown. The public may view the proposal, ask questions and comment. Information: www.collegeparkga.com. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Farm market to open in south Fulton
The Fulton County Cooperative Extension is opening a new farm market ThursdayJune 5 at the entrance to the Camp Fulton-Truitt 4-H center, 4300 Herschel Road, College Park.
The Fulton Farm Stand will provide fresh, locally grown produce available to south Fulton residents. The market will be open from 4 to 7 p.m.
Information: 404-762-7085.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Give wildlife space in Peachtree City
Peachtree City is reminding residents to give local wildlife a wide berth. Sightings of coyotes and foxes are not uncommon in greenbelt and wooded areas, and the city does not trap or remove animals who are not posing a threat to anyone.
Homeowners should remove bird feeders if they attract mice and their predators.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Henry arts camp coming in June
This summer marks the 20th year for the Henry Arts Alliance’s summer Performing & Visual Arts Camp. It will be June 16-19 at McDonough Presbyterian Church and June 20 at the Henry County Performing Arts Center, where campers will be featured in a Friday night performance.
Various programs are offered during the camp, based on age and interest.
Information: henryartsalliance.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 firsthand 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
Piedmont Fayette offers sitting course
Piedmont Fayette Hospital l offers Safe Sitter babysitting training course 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today at the hospital.
Instruction includes basic first aid, child care and emergency procedures.
The course is open to youths age 11 and up; the $45 fee includes materials.
Register at 770-719-5815 or contact maria.lepage@piedmont.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
