County by county news for Saturday

The 14-week program is free, and classes are held at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday beginning March 26. Applicants must be 21 or older and a resident of Cobb County or work for Cobb County Government. Information: 770-590-5650 or e-mail Renee Cameron at renee.cameron@cobbcounty.org. Andria Simmons

African American Heritage Event held

Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society is hosting an African American Heritage Event 5 p.m. Feb. 23 at Acworth’s Gallery 4463 on Cherokee Streetin Historic Acworth. The event featuring a soul food dinner, gospel music and special art exhibit will continue on to Bethel AME Church and end at Rosenwald School. Information: Abbie Parks, 770-975-1930, abbie.parks@gmail.com or Lee Waller, 770-235-5549, lwa121695@aol.com Meghan de St. Aubin

Schools hosted science fair

Cobb recently hosted one of its largest district-wide elementary school science fairs. Around 140 students submitted projects for the fair, which took place at Kennesaw Mountain High School. Oliver Long, a 9-year-old fourth grader at Murdock Elementary, won the first place prize. Daarel Burnette II

County offers vegetable garden class

This February, the Cobb County Extension Office will offer “Seed Starting for the Vegetable Garden”, an upcoming class about affordable ways to start your own vegetable garden.

The event will be held 6:30-8 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the Extension Office, 678 South Cobb Dr., Marietta.

There is a $5 fee (cash or check) to cover material costs. Information: 770-528-4070 or uge1067@uga.edu.

Meghan de St. Aubin

Kennesaw Mountain HS to host job fair

Kennesaw Mountain High School’s PTSA will host a job fair 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 22. The organization is asking local businesses to reserve a presentation spot by visiting www.tinyurl.com/kmhsjobfair.

Daarel Burnette II

District 4 to hold town halls

Cobb’s new District 4 Commissioner, Lisa Cupid, will host two town halls this month, 7 p.m. Tuesday at Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Austell and 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at South Cobb Community Center, 620 Lions Club Dr., Mableton. Cupid represents south Cobb. Information: www.cobbcountyga.gov Jaime Sarrio

Free “Do-It-Herself” workshop planned

The Home Depot will hold a free workshop aimed at helping women with Pinterest-inspired home décor projects 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 21 at its Kennesaw location, 449 Roberts Ct. N.W.

Attendees will receive instruction on creating a mosaic-tiled mirror frame and advice from design experts on home decorating projects. Mea Watkins

GWINNETT

Duluth mayor honored for public service

Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris has been honored with a Public Service Award at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce’s 65th Annual Dinner. Harris is in her second term as mayor and is active with the Duluth Fall Festival, Barefoot in the Park Fine Arts Festival, the Duluth Fine Arts League, and the Duluth Civitan Club.

A life-long Duluth resident, Harris also serves as president of the Gwinnett Municipal Association.

The Gwinnett Chamber award recognizes individuals for their service, volunteerism and commitment to the community. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth event offering poster contest

BeerFest Duluth: Brews and Tunes is holding two contests for two event posters. The first poster requires traditional marketing information and the second will look for eye-catching artwork along with event information.

The two winners will receive two free passes each to the festival along with city-wide exposure of their talents. Deadline for submissions is Friday, Feb 22.

Information: www.duluthga.net.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Volunteers Needed for Senior Center

The Snellville Senior Center needs volunteers to fill in at the front desk and to help decorate the center each season. Volunteers also assist with the center’s newsletter assembly and mailing.

Volunteers donating 25 or more hours a year receive their next year’s Senior Center membership for $5.

Interested volunteers are invited to meet at 9 a.m. Feb. 26.

Information: 770-985-3580.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Peachtree Corners leaders to meet

The Peachtree Corners Business Association will hold a meeting at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 11 at the Atlanta Marriott Norcross, 475 Technology Parkway. The speaker will be entrepreneur and author Joyce Bone, who will discuss the economy.

Information: membership@peachtreecornersba.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Extension service plant sale taking orders

The Gwinnett Cooperative Extension Service has announced March 21 as the date for its 2013 plant sale, featuring blueberries, raspberries, figs, apples, camellias, azaleas and other locally grown plants.

Pre-paid orders are being accepted through March 12 at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds.

For information about each plant and to pre-order, visit www.gwinnettcounty.com and look for the Extension Service under Community Services.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Yancey House open for Valentine Tea

The Grayson Arts and History Center is hosting a Valentine Tea from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Yancey House, 385 Grayson New Hope Road.

Cost: $20 per person.

Make reservations by calling Barbara at 404-862-1313 or 678-985-7775. www.graysonartsandhistory.blogspot.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

City opens preschool gymnastics center

The Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department has opened its new preschool gymnastics center at Hammond Park.

Designed for children ages 5 and under, the facility provides more intimate space for closer supervision, as well as smaller scaled bars, rings beam, trampoline and mats. With the extra space, student capacity can now reach 600 students. The renovations cost the city $60,000 to complete.

Information: www.sandyspringsga.gov; 770-730-5600. Patrick Fox

Cherokee chamber gives top award

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce presented the 2013 First Citizen of Cherokee County award to retired judge Frank Mills Thursday for service to the community. Mills retired in December as Chief Superior Court Judge of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, had previously been district attorney and was the longest-serving elected official in Cherokee history. He also volunteered for a number of community groups. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

School registraton set in Cherokee

Registration for Cherokee County School District kindergarteners and first-graders entering school for the first time in 2013-14 is 3:30 - 6 p.m. April 4 and 9 a.m. to noon April 5 at schools.

Children currently enrolled in kindergarten don’t need to registered for first grade.

Information: www.cherokee.k12.ga.us Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Johns Creek to hold shredding event

Johns Creek residents securely can destroy sensitive documents in a shredding drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Panera Bread Company, 11715 Medlock Bridge Road. All paper will be recycled from the event, which is sponsored by restaurant chain, the city and Johns Creek Beautiful. Information: 678-512-3200, johnscreekga.gov. MICHAEL ALPERT

Milton names firefighter of the year

Captain Ryan James was named the Milton fire department’s firefighter of the year. The 16-year veteran joined the city’s department at its inception in 2007, after two years in Dawson County and eight as a paramedic. MICHAEL ALPERT

Forsyth traffic camera project on schedule

Georgia Department of Transportation officials say a project extending the Georgia 511/Navigator traffic camera system nearly eight miles further north on Ga. 400 to Ga. 20 remains on schedule for July 31 completion. The system providing real-time traffic information currently ends at McFarland Parkway. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

British cars on display at Alpharetta event

A collection of iconic British cars will be featured at the Great British Car Fayre from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 23 on Milton Avenue in downtown Alpharetta. The family-friendly event will also include food and a musical performance from 5 to 7 p.m. by Abbey Road Live, a Beatles tribute band. Information: www.awesomealpharetta.com. Mea Watkins

ATLANTA

Student removed from school for having gun

Atlanta police removed a middle school student from class Friday morning after other students warned he had been seen with a gun before school.

The Brown Middle School student, a 6th-grader, was seen with a BB gun while walking to school in West End, said Atlanta police.

Other students reported seeing the gun to school administrators, who removed the student from the classroom. The gun was found about a block away from the school.

Atlanta Public Schools spokesman Steven Alford said the gun was unloaded, but this was not a minor issue.

The student’s name was not released and he was not arrested, but the school board will take action, said Alford. Mike Morris

Cortland Partners to hold career fair

Cortland Partners and the National Apartment Association Education Institute will hold a career fair 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 27 at Monarch Tower, 3424 Peachtree Rd. in Buckhead.

Cortland Partners, a multi-family real estate firm, seeks candidates for open manager, assistant manager, leasing associate, maintenance supervisor and maintenance technician positions.

A resume and proof of residency is required for all applicants.

Information: www.cortlandpartners.com.

Mea Watkins

Black History photography at Capitol

The work of five African-American photographers will be featured at a history photography exhibit at the Georgia State Capitol, 206 Washington St. S.W.

State Representative Roger Bruce will host the exhibit, which takes place 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 20, and will honor Jim Alexander, Horace Henry, Susan J. “Sue” Ross, Clyde Bradley, and Arthur “Bud” Smith for their contributions to the arts and the preservation of African-American History.

Information: 770-362-0123. Mea Watkins

DEKALB

DESA fundraiser set for today

The DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts will host “Mardi Gras Auction Magic,” its first ever auction fundraiser 5:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Lou Walker Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia.

The event will begin with cocktails and a silent auction, followed by heavy hors d’oeuvres, live auction and dancing. Tickets: $10 per person. Festive wear and masks are encouraged.

Proceeds support student achievement at DESA. Seating is limited to 200. For tickets, contact DESA PTA at dekalbesapta@gmail.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Transportation plan meetings next week

DeKalb County’s public works department will hold two meetings in the next week to gather resident input on the county’s transportation plan.

The first meeting will be held 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Exchange Park Rec Center, 2771 Columbia Dr.

A second meeting will be held 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Doraville Civic Center, 3770 Central Ave., Doraville.

Information: www.dekalbcountyga.gov/transportationplan2014.

April Hunt

Dearborn Park focus of Monday meeting

The future of Dearborn Park will be the topic of a community meeting 6 p.m. Monday in the community room of Columbia Presbyterian Church, 711 S. Columbia Dr..

The county’s parks department wants input for possible development and activities at the park, just outside Decatur on Deerwood Drive. April Hunt

Chamblee networking event Tuesday

The Chamblee Business Association will hold its monthly After Hours event 5:30 to 7:30 p.m Tuesday at 300 Bowling on Savoy Drive.

The networking event is free to the general public.

Information: www.chambleebusinessassociation.com April Hunt

Decatur seeking Beacon Hill artifacts

Decatur is asking citizens to donate memorabilia, stories and photos from the 1955-1977 Beacon Elementary and Trinity High School era for display when the Beacon Hill Center renovation is complete. Deputy city manager Hugh Saxon said Friday that demolition and construction of the new complex, featuring a new police station, new city schools administrative offices and a new gym, begins in “mid- to late-March” and is still scheduled for a May, 2014, completion. Information: Teresa Taylor, 404-370-4102 or teresa.taylor@decaturga.com.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Decatur offering free smoke detectors

Decatur’s fire department recently received $83,505 in grant money from Fire Prevention and Safety Assistance to Firefighters to provide free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to city residents.

Decatur firefighters will install new detectors, test existing detectors and replace inoperable ones in an effort to ensure homes are safe.

Firefighters will also provide a free home fire-safety check during the smoke detector installation.

Information: 404-373-5092, or email stephanie.burton@decaturga.com. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Henry SVU gets $246K grant

For the fourth year in a row, the Henry County Police Department has been awarded a STOP Violence Against Women Criminal Justice Systems Improvement Grant.

The $246,833 grant provides for the continuation of a Special Victims Unit to more effectively handle crimes against women from the initial report through prosecution. Since the program originated in 2010, more than $1 million in grant funds has come into Henry County for this initiative. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City raises stormwater repair fees

Damaged dams and corroded culverts prompted the City Council of Peachtree City Thursday to raise stormwater utility fees to pay for urgent repairs. A combination of rate increases and new bonds, effective April 1, will initially fund $7.45 million of projects at four major sites and begin a more comprehensive inspection process. Said Councilman George Dienhart, “We’re not just fixing the pipes, we’re fixing the process.”

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette school meeting switched to Sams

The Fayette County Board of Education’s Monday meeting will be held at Sams Auditorium at 205 Lafayette Ave. in Fayetteville to accommodate a larger audience. The agenda includes discussion of redistricting boundaries. The next public hearing on school closures is 7 p.m. Thursday at the same location.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Church to host community events

St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church will host a financial aid mentoring session 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 16 at the church, 2870 Headland Dr., East Point.

High school students and their parents will meet with mentors who will provide information on preparing for college, understanding financial aid and exploring scholarship possibilities.

Interested students should bring a copy of their official transcript and a letter from their school’s guidance counselor.

A blood donation drive will also be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Information: 404-349-0660. Veronica Fields Johnson

Morrow alerts drivers as parade nears

Morrow Police announces a shutdown 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today for a portion of Jonesboro Road (Ga. 54) for the Clayton State University Homecoming Parade. The northbound lanes of Jonesboro Road will be diverted at Adamson Parkway. The northbound lanes from Adamson Parkway to Clayton State Boulevard will be shut down to vehicular traffic for the parade. Lisa Gibson

Fayette County delays pre-K registration

Registration for Fayette County’s state-funded pre-kindergarten program for 2013-14 has been suspended due to pending redistricting issues.

Registration was originally set to end Feb. 28, but will restart after the Board of Education makes a final decision on school closures and related district boundary changes.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC