County by county news for Saturday

Both qualifying on Thursday, her contenders are Edith Page Gude and Rick Perry.

Neal is seeking a second four-year term for the at-large Post 1 seat.

Retired as an insurance agent and a real estate agent, Perry is a youth sports coach at his church in Powder Springs, McEachern Memorial United Methodist Church. Gude could not be reached for comment. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Visit Noshfest in Marietta this weekend

Visit the two-day Nibble and Noshfest Sunday and Monday to get a unique taste of Jewish life including the food, music, humor and culture of the community.

Visitors can sample foods from area restaurants, enjoy live performances and comedians and buy crafts from local artisans. Renowned Israeli musician Yair Yona will perform at 3 p.m. Monday. Noshfest is at Temple Kol Emeth at 1415 Old Canton Road in Marietta. Info: www.noshfest.com. Andria Simmons

Equipment collected to Uganda baseball team

Better Baseball in Marietta, a distributor of baseball equipment, has partnered with coaches of Uganda’s Little League Baseball team to donate equipment that will support children in Uganda. The retailer is accepting new or gently used baseball/softball equipment through September at 132 Carruth Dr. in Marietta.

Information: 1-800-997-4233, Adam@betterbaseball.com or www.betterbaseball.com. Kenneth Musisi

Vinings business group lunch Tuesday

A national speaker, business consultant and author will be the featured speaker for the Vinings Business Association lunch on Tuesday .

Kevin Hanville has started three companies, is a former franchise owner, and a former corporate vice president of sales. Register at least 24 hours in advance at www.viningsbusiness.com.

Lunch is $15 for members, $20 for non-members. It will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Social Vinings Restaurant at 3621 Vinings Slope Drive. Andria Simmons

Cobb high schools compete for $3,500

The RaceTrac Rivalry Bowl will offer fans of four Cobb county high school football programs the chance to complete and give back to their favorite schools. McEachern vs. South Cobb and Hillgrove vs. Harrison on Sept. 30. Participating schools will compete to win a $3,500 donation from RaceTrac. For information on how fans can earn points for their teams visit www.Racetrac.com/RivalryBowl. Sandra Marshall Murray

Benefit turkey shoot today in Austell

A benefit turkey shoot is planned for this afternoon in Austell. American Legion Post 216, 3914 Ewing Road, is the site and the sponsor for the noon to 5 p.m. event. All proceeds will benefit South Cobb children in need. Cost is $5. Information: 770-943-7030 or email adjutantpost216@comcast.net. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Citizen committee set to review county budget

A five-member citizen committee will begin reviewing Gwinnett County’s budget next week as the county prepares its 2012 budget.

The committee will advise County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash, who plans to present a proposed budget Nov. 15. The committee will meet Sept. 6, 7 and 12 to hear budget presentations from county department heads.

The presentations will be videotaped and broadcast on Gwinnett’s government access cable TV channel and at www.gwinnettcounty.com. David Wickert

Firefighters get a free lunch on Monday

The Olive Garden restaurant in Buford will treat Gwinnett County firefighters from their local station to a free Labor Day meal on Monday.

The restaurant’s aim is to make working on the holiday more enjoyable for the firefighters at station No. 24 at 2735 Mall of Georgia Boulevard. As part of Hospitaliano! Labor Day Event, professional servers, along with guests from the neighborhood, will provide a complete Italian meal for the on-duty fire crew and their families. Andria Simmons

Gwinnett high schools compete for $3,500

The RaceTrac Rivalry Bowl will offer fans of two Gwinnett county high school football programs the chance to complete and give back to their favorite schools. Archer High vs Central Gwinnett on Oct. 14. Participating schools will compete to win a $3,500 donation from RaceTrac. For information on how fans can earn points for their teams visit www.Racetrac.com/RivalryBowl. Sandra Marshall Murray

Treetop Quest grand opening next week

A canopy adventure course is celebrating its grand opening Friday .

Treetop Quest integrates educational quizzes, instructional tour guides, and environmental stewardship into a canopy tour reaching heights up to 55 feet, with zip lines stretching 200 feet. It consists of a series of platforms, zip lines, monkey bridges and Tarzan swings.

Treetop Quest is at the intersection of Plunketts Road and Clean Water Drive in Buford.

Info: www.treetopquest.com Andria Simmons

County to sponsor yard sale Sept. 10

Gwinnett County will sponsor a yard sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Best Friend Park Gym, 6224 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross.

Admission is free. The cost to reserve a space is $20 per space for Gwinnett residents and $25 for non-residents. To reserve a spot and for more information call 770-417-2212. David Wickert

County offer recreation programs preview

Gwinnett County will offer a preview of recreation programs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Mountain Park Activity Building, 1063 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain.

The public can meet instructors and get information on acrylic and oil painting, belly dancing, karate, Spanish and other programs. For more information call 770-564-4680. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth OKs church’s community center

A Forsyth County church group has won approval for a 2,000-square-foot community center in the Crystal Cove subdivision near Lake Lanier. The County Commission granted Bridgepoint Community Networks a permit to operate the center, which will offer tutoring and counseling to troubled and disadvantaged local youths. The service is offered with volunteers from a neighboring Seventh Day Adventist congregation.

More than two dozen people, representing both sides, attended the meeting. Patrick Fox

Roswell to hold meeting on Gateway Project

Roswell will host a public information meeting on the Historic Gateway Project at 5:30 p.m., Sept. 22 at the Atlanta Street Baptist Church Activity building, 340 S. Atlanta Street. The Gateway Project is designed to make transportation and safety improvements along the Atlanta Street corridor, improve operations and safety at Atlanta Street and Riverside Road/Azalea Drive and to improve the economic vitality of the area. Patrick Fox

Police take applications for citizens academy

The Fulton County Police Department is accepting applications for its nine-week-long Citizen Police Academy.

The class will meet each Thursday 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. beginning Sept. 29 and the sessions will be held at various county police facilities. Information: fultonpolice.org or by calling 404-346-7940.

Rhonda Cook

Library offers class in Bollywood Dance style

In a fitness class held on Saturdays at the Sandy Springs Library, instructor Rajni Sharma teaches the techniques and movements of Bollywood dancing. Bollywood refers to the Hindu-language film industry based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

“Indian Bollywood Dance style: Getting Fit Through Bollywood Dancing” starts at 11 a.m. at 395 Mt. Vernon Highway. Information: 404-303-6130. Johnny Edwards

Golf tourney raises money for scholarships

Committee Members of The Daniel Hager Memorial Scholarship Fund announce the 4th Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament at the Polo Golf and Country Club in Cumming onOct. 17 starting at 10 a.m. Bobby Cox, Atlanta Bravesformer manager, will chair the event. The tournament will raise funds that provide scholarships for incoming Georgia Tech freshman. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Kaye Litzinger at 770-380-7270. Information: www.SilentStormGolf.com. Kenneth Musisi

Group to give toys, diapers to sick children

The Ainsley Paige Higgins’ Dare To Hope Foundation, Inc. will distribute toys and diapers to children living with children with critical, rare and complex medical conditions from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 10. At Hearts & Hands Therapy and Bass Green Law, 424 Creekstone Ridge, Woodstock. Information: www.dare-to-hope.org or Gina Gareau-Clark, Executive Program Director, Dare to Hope Foundation. Gina@dare-to-hope.org. Sandra Marshall Murray

ATLANTA

Seven schools earn grants for tutoring

Seven Atlanta Public Schools have earned 21st Community Center Learning Centers grants to fund tutoring services for students and families. Each school is eligible to receive up to $350,000 during the 2011-12 year. Grant winners are Woodson, Cook, Dunbar and Dobbs elementary, Burgess Peterson Academy and Bunche and Sylvan middle schools. Information: http://talkupaps.wordpress.com Jaime Sarrio

CAU taps new dean of graduate studies

Bettye M. Clark, who has held several positions at Clark Atlanta University during her 28 years at the school, has been appointed the new dean of graduate studies.

During her stint at CAU, Clark has served as coordinator of the undergraduate program in mathematics; associate provost and executive director of distance learning; director of the mathematics resource and technology Center; and professor and chair of the mathematics department. Ernie Suggs

Diversity career fair to be Sept. 7

City Career Fair invites employers and job candidates to the 11th Annual Diversity Employment Day Career Fair event.

The event starts at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at the Decatur Hotel & Conference Center located at 130 Clairemont Avenue in Decatur. Information: www.citycareerfair.com or 562-409-0056. Kenneth Musisi

Suicide candlelight vigil Tuesday

Survivors of suicide and mental health advocates will join the Metro Atlanta Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for a candlelight vigil starting at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, in Piedmont Park, 12th Street Entrance, Atlanta. The vigil provides an opportunity for survivors of suicide to remember loved ones, and will bring attention to the alarming rate of suicide in Georgia and across the country.

Information: www.afsp.org/atlanta. Sandra Marshall Murray

DEKALB

Avondale Estates fire station on the way

After several delays, rebuilding the Avondale Estates fire station finally appears a certainty for next year. DeKalb County (which operates the station) recently received approval from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division, and once construction begins (probably early next year, though no definite date’s given) it’ll take eight months The station will be built next to the current 1947 building which will be subsequently demolished. The $2 million new station, a planned one-story, three-bay building of 11,635 square feet, will conform to the city’s Tudor Revival style. Bill Banks for the AJC

Dunwoody students have walk/bike day

The city of Dunwoody will kick off its 3rd annual walk/bike to school event on Wednesday. Last year, more than 1,200 students across Dunwoody participated. Each school has individual walking routes and schedules. Information for schools: Austin: Stacey Harris, staceyharris70@hotmail.com, Chesnut: Chris Newberry, newby211@gmail.com, Dunwoody Elementary: Rosemary Gorham, rosemary_gorham@hotmail.com, Kingsley: Tom Lambert, tldlshop@comcast.net, Vanderlyn: Kate Sweeney, kate1sweeney@gmail.com. Sandra Marshall Murray

Dunwoody Annual Home Tour is Oct. 5

The 39th Annual Dunwoody Home Tour, sponsored by the Dunwoody Woman’s Club, is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Five homes and three gift boutiques will be featured on this year’s tour. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on Tour day. Ticket proceeds support the charitable initiatives of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club. Information: sharondoyle@bellsouth.net or www.dunwoodywomansclub.org. Kenneth Musisi

Youth soccer signup deadline is Sept. 6

Youth soccer sign up for the Atlanta Spurs FC, has begun and will continue through Sept. 6. There are three divisions, for children ages 4- to 12-years-old. The cost is $100 for the season, which began with practice the week of Aug. 22 and games on Sept. 10. For more information, visit www.atlantaspurs.com or call Paul Smith, 404-432-2722. Michelle E. Shaw

Clarkston readies for International Festival

Clarkston is accepting vendors, sponsors and volunteers for its upcoming International Festival in October. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 in Clarkston Plaza at Montreal Road. Information: at 404-343-1452 or visit our website at www.StepupinGeorgia.org. April Hunt

Doraville court offers amnesty period

Doraville’s Municipal Court has scheduled an amnesty period for people who have past-due, unpaid traffic tickets, local ordinance citations and active Failure to Appear Bench Warrants. Ticket and citation holders can visit Municipal Court, 3765 Park Ave., Doraville, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. during September and October. Those with active warrants can only report on Tuesdays at noon. If you have an active warrant and report at any other time, you will be taken to jail. Information: 770-455-1001. Michelle E. Shaw

SOUTHSIDE

Debt refinancing gives county Aa3 bond rating

Refinancing debt from water and sewer projects, Fulton County has been given a Aa3 bond rating by Moody’s Investors Service for its $257.6 million water and sewerage revenue refunding bonds, which will be sold next week. Aa3 is the service’s fourth-best rating for long-term debt. Moody’s also affirmed its Aa3 rating on $504 million in debt related to the water and sewer enterprise system, as well as the A2 rating -- two notches lower -- on the Fulton Development Authority’s 2001 revenue bonds for the Cauley Creek Water Reclamation Facility project. Johnny Edwards

Peachtree City requires alarm registration

Peachtree City is requiring owners of residential and commercial security alarms to register their systems with the police by Oct. 1. The procedure is intended to reduce the large number of false alarms that require police response.

Permits are free and available either online at www.peachtree-city.org/alarm or at the Police Department at 350 S. Ga. Highway 74. System owners must forward their permit numbers to their alarm companies.

Fines will be issued for more than two false alarms in a 12-month period. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

College Park adds bike medic unit

The College Park Fire Department has added an additional service to the community by establishing a bicycle team. The bike medics unit will provide medical coverage for events that are held outside with anticipated large crowds, or in limited-access situations. The launching of this unit allows for the presence of medical staff without committing the larger emergency vehicles in a crowed area. For more information, please call 404-766-8248.

John Thompson for the AJC

Registration soon for youth basketball

Players aged 5-17 as of Jan. 1, 2012, can register now through Sept. 30 for the Henry County Parks and Recreation Department’s upcoming youth basketball season. Registration is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays at Heritage Park as well as the county’s three recreation centers. The cost is $85 for the first child and $75 for each additional child. Out-of-county players pay $127.50 each. Register online at www.hcprd.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Rainbow House fundraiser Sept. 10

Residents of Battlecreek Village will host their annual charity fundraiser for The Rainbow House from 7 p.m. to midnight Sept. 10. at the Battlecreek Village Apartments, 1174 Battlecreek Road, Jonesboro. The Rainbow House is a child advocacy and assessment center that helps to reduce the trauma experienced by child victims of abuse. Information: www.thebigevent2011.info. Sandra Marshall Murray

Children’s author to read in College Park

Children’s author Salom Rowe will read stories about friendship, self-confidence and creativity from her book, “Opening Vistas,” to children ages 7-13 today at the College Park Library, 3647 Main Street. The reading starts at 2 p.m., and reservations are required for groups of 10 or more. Information: 404-762-4060. Johnny Edwards