County by county news for Saturday

For $62,953, Fortified Fence Group will install security fencing around the senior center and Ford Center, which is behind the senior center, and two security gates at the city’s Public Works facility, 3006 Springs Industrial Drive.

Then for $19,638, Knine Technologies will install 24 security cameras at both locations.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Marietta to use eminent domain

Marietta will use eminent domain to acquire rental property at 343 and 349 Allgood Road for a 2009 parks bond project that will replace the Elizabeth Porter Recreation Center with a larger facility. The city has bought other property for the $3.75 million project, but was unable to reach an agreement for the two homes. The new center will be about double the exisisting size and have frontage on North Marietta Parkway. Information: www.mariettaga.gov.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Update Smyrna session on Wednesday

A public meeting on projects in Smyrna will be 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday Nov. 20 at Smyrna City Hall, 2800 King St. Residents will have time to ask questions at the Update Smyrna 2013 session. A video of the meeting will also be available on the city’s web site or live broadcast, Channel 19 on Charter Cable. Information: www.smyrnacity.com.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs OKs money for center

Powder Springs officials will spend an extra $79,000 on audio-visual and lighting equipment for the new Patricia C. Vaughn Cultural Arts Center at 4181 Atlanta St. behind the library.

City Manager Brad Hulsey said the total for the center, not including this new expenditure, is nearly $695,000.

Of that amount, $393,316 was for construction.The 2006 Downtown Development Authority bond paid $340,000. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Marietta taking school choice applications

Marietta City Schools is accepting applications through Jan. 17 for its elementary school students interested in the Choice Academy Program. The program at the district’s eight elementary schools offers a different area of learning at each school. Students can choose a school that fits their interests, including communications, arts, science and math, literacy and leadership. Information: www.marietta-city.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Cobb schools seek input on plan for future

The Cobb County School District is looking for input on a Vision 2026 plan that is considering future options that include charter, performance-based or status quo systems. The 6:30 p.m. meetings will be Monday at Campbell High School in Smyrna, Nov. 21 at South Cobb High School in Austell, Dec. 3 at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Kennesaw and Dec. 5 at Lasster High School in east Cobb. Information: www.cobbK12.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Sugar Hill names new city manager

The Sugar Hill City Council has named Paul Radford to replace retiring current City Manager Bob Hail. Radford has most recently served as deputy executive director of the Georgia Municipal Association.

Radford will assume the city manager’s position on July 1. Prior to July he will become familiar with Sugar Hill community, downtown and economic development issues and work with Hail to learn city policies and procedures. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Sugar Hill time capsule essay competition

The Sugar Hill 75th Anniversary Committee is seeking submissions of original essays about “Life in Sugar Hill Today (2014)” and “What I Think Life in Sugar Hill Will Be in 2089.” The top 5 winning essays will be placed in the Sugar Hill time capsule to be buried as part of the City’s 2014 75th anniversary celebration. Deadline is 4 p.m. Nov.29. Information 770-945-6716 or dkelemen@cityofsugarhill.com.Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Kid’s grief awareness event scheduled

Carry On Youth will mark Children’s Grief Awareness Day with a meet and greet for new program participants from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Sky Zone Suwanee, 560 Old Peachtree Rd. N.W., No. 300.

Carry On Youth is a non-profit organization that provides recreational and mentoring services to youths who have lost a parent. Free.

Information: 770-540-3170 or carryonyouth@gmail.com.

Mea Watkins

Lilburn to relocate Public Works

Lilburn will move its Public Works Department to 4428 Lilburn Industrial Way, opening up property across from City Park for future development. The $715,000 project will be fully funded by 2009 SPLOST funds. Information: 770-921-2211 or bjohnsa@cityoflilburn.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Final public meeting to review Norcross plan

The last of three interactive public workshops to update Norcross’s Comprehensive Plan is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Norcross Community Center, 10 College St.

Input will help shape the program and 5-year action plan. Community members are also encouraged to participate in a survey being carried out to support the Comprehensive Plan Update at www.surveymonkey.com/s/norcross2034..

Information: Chris McCrary 770-421-2027 or cmccrary@norcrossga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Hudgens has Spanish/English workshops

The Hudgens Center for the Arts will hold two workshops taught in Spanish and English this fall.

The first Mosaic Workshop will focus on fall/winter garden décor 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 16 for adults and children 14 and up. The second Creating Experimental Artwork in Mixed-Media will be 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 7 for children 8 and older. Details: www.thehudgens.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Sandy Springs shooting death under investigation

Police are investigating a fatal shooting of a Sandy Springs man Friday morning.

A man was discovered shot dead on the sidewalk in front of a shopping plaza at 215 Northwood Drive, police said.

Witnesses told police they saw a man running from the scene of the shooting, but a description has not been provided by police.

The motive is unknown, and police are not identifying the victim. Marcus K. Garner

Energy assistance enrollment open

The Fulton County Housing and Human Services Department’s Office of Aging, in partnership with the Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority, are accepting applications from seniors age 65 and older for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Seniors interested in enrolling in the program can schedule an appointment by contacting the Dorothy C. Benson Center, 6500 Vernon Woods Dr., Sandy Springs. Appointments will be available Tuesday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Information: 404-613-4900.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Johns Creek Poetry fest today

The Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library Branch will host the fifth annual Johns Creek Poetry Festival from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the library, 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek.

Poets of all ages will learn about and read poetry at the family-friendly event. Information: 770-360-8820. Veronica Fields Johnson

Nature center asking residents to take a hike

The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell is inviting you to come out Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. with your waking shoes.

In conjunction with National Take a Hike Day, the center will offer guided naturalist hikes at 1 and 3 p.m., as well as a scavenger hunt and prizes for tramping the trails.

The center’s at 9135 Willeo Road.

Information: chattnaturecenter.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee ethics group seeks new member

The Cherokee County Board of Ethics is looking to fill a vacancy immediately. Prospective candidates should be Cherokee County residents and Democratic Party members.

The position opened up when the incumbent moved outside the county, and the term expires in January of 2016.

Information: lbahrens@cherokeega.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Road work set on Cherokee highways

The Georgia Department of Transportation has awarded a $4.1 million contract for safety improvements to Ga. 20 and Ga. 140 in Cherokee County.

The project will include improving signage and pavement markings on both highways, guardrails and edge line/centerline rumble strip installations.

Work is set to be complete by the end of June 2014, but no start date has been set.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Superintendent may be chosen in February

Atlanta’s next school superintendent will probably be picked in February by the city’s newly elected school board, said Ann Cramer, chairwoman of the Superintendent Search Committee during a meeting Thursday. The current school board will review a short list of candidates to pass on to the next board, which takes office in January.

The search has contacted more than 400 sources and potential candidates, and meetings have been held with at least 20 people. Mark Niesse

Chili cookoff to raise funds for charities

The eighth annual Chili for the Children, a cocktail party and chili cook-off that supports Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Literacy Volunteers of Atlanta, returns to Buckhead’s 103 West 5 - 7 p.m. Monday. Chef Todd Mussman, of Muss & Turners and Local Three restaurants, will judge creative chili recipes cooked up by local amateurs.The event, includes a silent auction. Tickets: $25. Information: 404-848-8596 or www.chiliforthechildren.com Arlinda Smith Broady

APS cuts a teacher furlough day

The Atlanta Board of Education planned Monday to abolish a teacher furlough day that was scheduled for Jan. 6. It will be a professional development day.

Board members said they wanted to restore staff pay and improve morale by eliminating one of four furlough days, costing the district about $1.5 million. Atlanta Public Schools employees already took one furlough day, and the remaining two are scheduled for March 17 and May 27. Mark Niesse

International Black Man Film Fest today

The Auburn Avenue Research Library, in collaboration with the family of Yemi Toure, founder of The Center for Blacks in the Media, will host the 2013 International Black Man Film Festival at 2 p.m. today at the library, 101 Auburn Avenue, N.E. The festival mission is to encourage open discussion on issues facing black men. Information: 404-730-4011 x100. Veronica Fields Johnson

DEKALB

New Oakhurst principal named

City Schools Decatur named its first new principal since 2009 when Robin Fountain was chosen this week to lead Oakhurst, the city’s largest elementary school with 445 students. A 17-year teaching veteran, Fountain’s spent the last five years as Clairemont Elementary’s instructional coach, and before that taught third grade at Oakhurst. She replaces Mary Mack, Oakhurst’s principal for 22 years, named the school system’s Director of Elementary Education back in August. Oakhurst is the city’s second oldest school, founded and built in 1915.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Brookhaven to begin sidewalk, paving work

Starting as early as this month, Brookhaven will get new sidewalks and paved roads. The city council announced the sidewalk plans at last month’s council meeting, approving an amended 2013 budget of $400,000 to build new sidewalks and connect existing ones. Weather permitting, the construction will begin after Thanksgiving and continue through early next year.

Haley Castillo

DeKalb hosting canned food drive

DeKalb County parks department is hosting a canned food drive to help the community’s needy.

Donations will be accepted through Nov. 21 at county recreation centers, the Port Sanford performing arts center and the Maloof government building in downtown Decatur.

Information: 404-371-3643.

April Hunt

Annual Tree of Love kicks off today

The annual charity effort to make the Christmas season better for disadvantaged kids in DeKalb County starts at noon today at South Dekalb Mall, 2801 Candler Road.

The Tree of Love program creates wish lists of holiday gifts for low-income children as well as those in foster care. Residents can select names from the tree, to help make sure the children have something to open for the holidays.

Gifts are due back by Dec. 14.

Information: 404-964-4936.

April Hunt

Chamblee seeks input for town center

Chamblee will host a meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad St., to gather public input for its town center and 10-year-plan.

A Livable Centers Initiative grant is helping to fund the study, which will focus on development, walkability and transportation.

Information: 770-986-5010, extension 223. April Hunt

Info meeting on zoning code updates planned

DeKalb County Commissioners Larry Johnson, Stan Watson and Jeff Rader, along with the DeKalb Planning Department, will host a public information meeting on recommended changes to the DeKalb County Zoning Code at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts & Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Dr., Decatur.

The public is invited to give comments.

To view updates go to www.planningdekalb.net, click on zoning code then zoning code updates.

Information: 404-964-4936.

Veronica Fields Johnson

SOUTHSIDE

Energy assistance available for seniors

The Fulton County Housing and Human Services Department’s Office of Aging and the Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority, are accepting applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program for seniors.

Schedule an appointment by contacting the H.J.C. Bowden Multipurpose Facility, 2885 Church St., East Point. Appointments will be available 1 to 5 p.m.Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Nov. 25.

Information: 404-762-4821. Veronica Fields Johnson

Riverdale hosts transportation forum

Will Clayton County restore bus service?

What is the county’s master transportation plan?

These and other questions will be discussed Thursday, Nov. 21 at a forum hosted by The Partnership for Southern Equity.

The “Moving People and Communities Forward” forum will be 6 to 9 p.m. at the Riverdale Town Center, 7210 Church St., Riverdale.

Information: Karen Askew at 404 293-7260. Tammy Joyner

Online gallery features student art

Paintings, pottery, sketches and other artwork created by Fayette County students are now viewable on a newly created online gallery.

The project was started by Bennett’s Mill Middle School art teacher Melissa Raymer and other teachers as a way to more widely share and promote art.

The gallery is at http://tinyurl.com/FCBOE-Art.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Peachtree City boards need volunteers

Three municipal boards in Peachtree City have vacancies for volunteers.

The Recreation & Special Events Advisory Board and the Airport Authority each need one new member and one alternate; the Convention & Visitors Bureau needs three members and one alternate from local business and hotel/motel companies.

Information: www.peachtree-city.org/jobs through Dec. 6. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette promotes black pet adoptions

The Fayette County Humane Society is offering pet adoption specials as part of the national “Back in Black” event during November.

Adoption fees will be reduced for black or mostly black cats and dogs, who are often the least chosen.

Fees include vaccinations and spay/neuter.

Information: www.fayettehumane.org for details. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fulton commissioner hosts meeting

Fulton County District 7 Commissioner William “Bill” Edwards will hold a quarterly Community Listening Session at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at the South Service Center, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park.

The public’s invited to give feedback on services in unincorporated South Fulton County.

Staff will be on hand to answer question and follow up on inquiries. Mark Woolsey for the AJC