COBB
Whitlock intersection work under way
Drivers in Marietta can expect delays during a $540,000 road improvement project that started this week at the busy intersection of Whitlock Avenue and North Marietta Parkway. Workers will add raised islands to direct drivers and provide safety for pedestrians, and a traffic signal that will tell the visually impaired when to wait and walk. A change in traffic sensors at the nearby Whitlock railroad crossing will send a signal for a green traffic light to clear traffic before and after a train passes through the crossing.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Kindergartners make flowers to honor soldiers
Around 120 kindergarteners at Powder Springs Elementary School have been busy making more than 400 red paper poppies for Memorial Day weekend. “Project Poppy” also involved teaching the students from the World War I poem “In Flanders’ Fields” that wild poppies grew on the graves of fallen soldiers, said Lisa Morgan, a kindergarten teacher and the only teacher ranger at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Shallowford Falls school honors former principal
A new administrative suite at Cobb’s Shallowford Falls Elementary was named in honor of former principal, Cheryl Hunt Clements. An oil portrait by Jean Scanlin Wright, a former parent at Shallowford Falls, will hang in the front lobby. Clements was the first principal at Shallowford Falls in 1990, and led the school for 14 years. Under her leadership, the school received several state and national awards, including a U.S. Department of Education 2001 Blue Ribbon National School of Excellence honor. Jaime Sarrio
Preschoolers get history lesson on railroads
Preschoolers are invited to a short history of trains and animals that work on the railroad in a special presentation June 1 at Mountain View Regional Library. The Southern Museum will present the story of Owney, the dog who became mascot of the Railway Mail Service in the late 1880s. Owney’s legacy will be commemorated with an official United States Postal Service stamp that goes on sale July 27.
The free lesson, for children ages three to five, begins at 11 a.m. at the library, 3320 Sandy Plains Road in Marietta. Information: http://www.cobbcat.org Janel Davis
Cobb names P.E. teacher of the year
Cobb County’s Stephanie Lawson was named the district’s 2011 elementary physical education teacher of the year. Lawson works at Keheley Elementary School. District supervisor Mark Anderson presented Lawson with the award during a special assembly. Jaime Sarrio
Carjacked vehicle recovered in Fulton
A white Chevrolet Malibu that was stolen in a carjacking in Smyrna on Wednesday was recovered Thursday in Fulton County. A woman was carjacked at gunpoint Wednesday while parked on the 4500 block of West Village Place, near a Five Guys Burgers and Fries. The robber ordered her out of the car and told her to leave her belongings inside. He is described as a white male about 5 feet 10 inches tall with a muscular build, wearing a white or gray T-shirt, black ski mask and dark gloves. Andria Simmons
GWINNETT
County renews pact with Partnership Gwinnett
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners has renewed its relationship with the Partnership Gwinnett economic development initiative for another year. Commissioners voted Tuesday to contribute $500,000 to the initiative this year. It’s the fourth year of a five-year agreement. Partnership Gwinnett is a joint effort by more than 160 governments and businesses to recruit companies to the area. Among its biggest successes: luring NCR’s headquarters to Gwinnett in 2009. Partnership Gwinnett will hire a consultant to evaluate its effectiveness to date and outline economic development plans for the next five years. David Wickert
Dacula to hold Memorial Day parade
Organizers of the Dacula Memorial Day Parade are inviting people to come out and honor the nation’s military veterans.
The parade will start at 10 a.m. Monday at Hebron Baptist Church at 202 Hebron Church Road, proceed down Dacula Road, turn right on Second Avenue and end at Dacula High School.
Information: 770-367-7371, mda411@bellsouth.net, or www.daculamemorialday.com. Joel Anderson
Firefighters answer 123 calls during storm
Gwinnett firefighters were dispatched on 123 storm-related calls over a three-hour period Thursday evening.
Because of the volume of calls, the department staffed its Operations War Room, placed an additional engine in service and utilized staff from fire inspections and arson to assist on calls about downed live wires.
The most significant of those calls included a house fire in Lilburn caused by a lightning strike to the attic and five incidents where trees fell down on houses in Snellville, Duluth and Norcross. Joel Anderson
County to honor fallen soldiers Monday
Gwinnett County will honor active duty military personnel, reservists and veterans at 1 p.m. Monday at the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.
The memorial is behind the parking lot at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center. David Wickert
‘Teddy bear picnic’ on June 11
Gwinnett County will host a “teddy bear picnic” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 11 at George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee.
Children age 3 to 6 can bring their favorite stuffed animal, a blanket and lunch for the picnic. The cost is $5 per person. Pre-registration is required. To register call 770-831-4173. David Wickert
Skateboard, bike safety event for kids June 11
Gwinnett County will host a “ready to roll” skateboarding and biking event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 11 at Duncan Creek Park, 3700 Braselton Highway, Dacula.
Kids and teens can learn bike safety, get a helmet fitting and meet representatives of the Gwinnett County police and fire departments. Skateboarders can watch demonstrations and compete in a contest with prizes. Participants should bring their own bikes, skateboards and helmets. David Wickert
NORTHSIDE
Roswell officers to deliver goods to flood victims
Two Roswell Police officers will travel Wednesday to St. Landry Parish, La., Wednesday to deliver donations for flood victims and public safety personnel who are helping them. Donations can be dropped off at the department through May 31. Suggested items include gift cards, nonperishable foods, cleaning supplies, toiletries, bedding, bottled water and juice, small tools, paper towels, baby items, pet food, toilet paper, paper cups and plates, batteries, flashlights, socks, first aid items, charcoal and lighter fluid. Info: Officer Jamie Major 404-409-8735. Andria Simmons
Northern counties to hold transit summit
Chamber of commerce and county officials from Cobb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties will host a transit summit June 8 to make the business case for transit in the northern suburbs.
Pat McCrory, former mayor of Charlotte and Steve Banta, CEO of Phoenix METRO Light Rail will discuss successful rail projects in their cities. Also discussion of potential transit lines in the three metro counties and the impact on traffic and economic development.
The summit runs from 7 a.m. to noon at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Tickets: $40-$55.
Information: http://www.cobbchamber.org/transit
Janel Davis
N. Fulton educator named master teacher
Delrio Chiesa Carter, a Title 1 teacher at North Fulton’s High Point Elementary, has earned 2011 Master Teacher status. The Georgia Master Teacher Certification Program identifies and recognizes educators who have positively influenced student achievement in the classroom and consistently demonstrated excellence. Nancy Badertscher
Mute button spat cost taxpayers $714
Contractor International System Strategies Inc. did not charge Fulton County for moving commissioners’ microphone mute button a second time, so the tug of war over it has only cost taxpayers $714. Chairman John Eaves ordered the button moved from the clerk’s desk to his desk following a spat between him and Vice Chair Emma Darnell, but Commissioner Bill Edwards told the county manager to have it put back where it was.
The second re-wiring was done “as a matter of goodwill,” a county spokeswoman said in an e-mail. Johnny Edwards
Police investigate counterfeiting case
Alpharetta Police are investigating two men who passed counterfeit currency Thursday at the Target store at 6000 Northpoint Parkway. The two suspects entered the store and purchased two flat screen TVs and two Xbox game systems. They used fake $50 bills to pay for the items totaling $2,500. Then they left in a gray Pontiac Grand Am, according to an incident report. Police confiscated the money and placed in evidence. Andria Simmons
Lectures at Barrington Hall begin July 6
Roswell’s Barrington Hall will begin hosting a series of lectures at 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month beginning July 6. Barrington Hall is at 535 Barrington Drive in Roswell.
Information: 770-640-3855. Patrick Fox
ATLANTA
Storms damage screens on Coke tower
Thursday night thunderstorms damaged a portion of the fabric screen that have covered Coca-Cola Co.’s North Avenue tower since the company’s 125th anniversary party three weeks ago. Coca-Cola said no one was injured and there was no significant damage to the building. But the screens were removed and illuminations that were originally planned for this weekend were cancelled. Illuminations earlier this month were projected onto 210,000 square feet of the 26-story building, and used 45 projectors to produce 1 million lumens of light. Jeremiah McWilliams
Grant Park pool opens on Monday
Get your cannonball ready and sharpen your Marco Polo game.
On Monday, Atlanta City Councilmember Carla Smith will host the annual opening of the Grant Park swimming pool from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
The public is invited to enjoy live music, free hot dogs and games and the neighborhood pool in Grant Park, 625 Park Ave. Ernie Suggs
‘Shrek’ episode at movie in the park
The premiere of “Shrek: The Final Chapter,” has been rescheduled for 8 p.m. June 4 at West End Park, 1128 Oak Street S.W.
The community is invited to bring folding chairs, blankets, and snacks to watch movies under the stars. In the event of rain, the movie will be shown June 5. Ernie Suggs
Library sponsors Caribbean Film Festival
As part of Caribbean American Heritage Month, Atlanta-Fulton’s Central Library will have its fourth annual Caribbean Film Festival in June, showing movies Wednesday evening. The schedule: “Nana’s Paradise” from St. Lucia, June 1; “Blinded” from Grenada, June 8; “In the Time of the Butterflies” from the Dominican Republic, June 15, “Mas Man” from Trinidad and Tobago, June 22; and “The Lunatic” from Jamaica, June 29.
The library is at One Margaret Mitchell Square in downtown Atlanta. Johnny Edwards
DEKALB
Clarkston focuses on stormwater runoff
Clarkston is launching an effort to eliminate stormwater runoff from city businesses and homes by checking pipes that discharge flow during the dry weather. Crews are testing to determine if the flows contain pollution and will work to identify the source. The city will then work with property owners in correcting the problem.
Information: City Manager Keith Barker at 404-296-6489 or kbarker@cityofclarkston.com. April Hunt
County transfers funds for irrigation
DeKalb County has transferred money from its 2001 parks bond account to install an irrigation system in a performing arts center in the southern part of the county.
The $50,000 will cover the system at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts and Community Center, which was originally designed with low-maintenance landscaping that was not to require irrigation. April Hunt
DeKalb pays $109,520 for 911 software
DeKalb County’s commissioners recently agreed to pay $109,520 on software and storage for its 911 system.
The payment to Vion Corporation is for the second year of a three-year lease of equipment for the emergency center. Vion built the county’s current system, making it the only firm to able to provide the storage and network that matches.
April Hunt
$1.24 million for parking at senior center
DeKalb County recently agreed to spend $1.24 million to expand parking at one of its most popular senior centers.
The work will add 153 new parking spots at the Lou Walker Senior Center in south DeKalb. It also will add an elevator, stair tower and pedestrian bridge and sidewalks at the center. The county is spending federal block grant money on the project, which is slated to begin later this year. April Hunt
Two new art exhibits at Stone Mountain
An art stroll through two new exhibits at ART Station and other galleries will be held June 4 in Stone Mountain.
The stroll features a collage exhibit and recent juried exhibition at the ART Station as well as new work from studios of local artists Tracie Hawkins, Debbie Thigpen, Angela Williams and Susan Ryles.
The event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. and features light refreshments and music. More information: 770-469-1105 or www.artstation.org. April Hunt
Practice conversational English, Spanish
The Doraville Library, 3748 Central Ave., Doraville, invites you to practice conversational English and Spanish at the International Cafe, from 10:30 a.m. until noon. The event is free and open to the public. Information or to register, call 404-370-8450, ext. 2257
Michelle E. Shaw
Dance to big-band music at Northlake Mall
The chance to dance to big-band music is being offered the last Tuesday of every month at Northlake Mall.
The Atlanta-New York Connection provides the music at the free event held in the mall’s food court. The next dance will be from 6 to 8 p.m. May 31 at the mall, 4800 Briarcliff Road. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Fulton assessor to hold 4 public meetings
The Fulton assessor’s office will hold four public meetings in June to help taxpayers understand property assessment notices -- most of which are being re-mailed to correct errors and omissions -- and changes in the appeals process. The schedule: Friday at 10 a.m. at the Fulton County Government Center, downtown Atlanta; Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex, Sandy Springs; June 9 at 9:30 a.m. at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, downtown Atlanta; and June 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the Bowden Senior Multipurpose Facility, East Point. Johnny Edwards
Flood insurance premiums drop
Unincorporated south Fulton’s flood insurance rating has been lowered from a nine to an eight, meaning residents living in flood zones will get a 10 percent discount on premiums and everyone else gets 5 percent off, according to Public Works Director Angela Parker.
The new National Flood Insurance Program rating is estimated to save a combined $35,000 per year in premiums.
The county is working to buy and demolish two homes that flooded in 2009 and have had multiple insurance claims, which could lower the rating even more, Parker said.
Johnny Edwards
Fairburn Memorial Day observance Monday
The City of Fairburn, VFW Post 6449 and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary are sponsoring a Memorial Day Observance at 10 a.m. Monday at the Fairburn Freight Depot, at the intersection of Hwy.29 & Hwy. 92.
The ceremony will be followed by a parade through downtown Fairburn to Holly Hill Cemetery, a gun salute and taps.
The public is invited.
Staff reports
Peachtree City: Report storm debris
Peachtree City workers are already cleaning up storm debris on main roads, but residents who know of trees or limbs blocking golf cart paths should report the location to the Public Works Department at 770-487-5183. If possible, residents should note the number on the nearest yellow path marker.
The Recycling Center on Rockaway Road will be open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday to accept storm debris in addition to the usual items. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Glenloch Rec Center pool opens today
The Glenloch Recreation Center pool on Stevens Entry in Peachtree City will open to the public today for the summer season. Hours are Monday-Friday 1-7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 1-6 p.m.Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Girl Scouts help out animal shelter
A local Girl Scout troop wants to help visitors to the Fayette County Animal Shelter sit and stay. Scouts will be at the Peachtree City Dog Park today from 9 a.m. to noon collecting the $1 daily user fee, which will be earmarked to help buy benches for the comfort of volunteers and visitors at the shelter.
The scouts will also have a display at the park that teaches about responsible dog ownership. For information, visit www.ptcdogpark.com. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
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