County by county news for Saturday

Police cited the Texaco Food Mart at 3129 Cobb Parkway in Kennesaw for selling alcohol to an underage volunteer who was cooperating with officers.

Two other businesses in Marietta passed the compliance check, but were cited for permits violations: The Sunoco Food Mart at 2315 Dallas Highway and the Sprayberry Bottle Shop at 2692 Sandy Plains Road. Andria Simmons

East Cobber festival set for today

The 17th annual East Cobber Parade and Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today down Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta.

The parade, which often draws 2,000 participants, runs one mile from Princeton Lakes Drive to Fountains of Olde Towne Shopping Center.

The festival is a venue for local civic groups and nonprofits and will feature entertainment, arts, crafts and carnival games.

Information: www.eastcobber.com, e-mail info@eastcobber.com or call 770-640-7070.

Patrick Fox

Austell’s new fire engine delivered

Austell’s new $390,000 fire engine was delivered Monday, said Fire Chief Tim Williams.

The engine is funded by the special purpose local option sales tax, or SPLOST.

An additional $60,000 paid for thermal imaging equipment and other apparatus from Pierce Manufacturing, said Councilman Scott Thomas, chairman of the city’s Fire Department Committee.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Show house will benefit art museum

The second Art & Design Show House, opening 10 a.m. today through Sept. 29 at 256 Hanson Way, Marietta, will benefit the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art.

The 5,000 square-foot traditional home at will feature the work of 28 interior designers, local artists and a jewelry and art gallery. Information: www.artanddesignshowhouse.com.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Austell holds benefit concert, car show

The City of Austell and the Austell Business Association will hold their sixth annual Concert and Car Show from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Collar Park, 2625 Joe Jerkins Blvd. next to Austell City Hall.

Rambunctious will perform at 6 p.m.

Profits will benefit the Christian Aid Mission Partnership in Austell, providing food and clothing to those in need.

Information: association president Felicia Jones at felicia@servproswcobb.com.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Jazz festival today in Mableton

The fifth annual Atlanta Smooth Music Festival will be held from 1:30 to 9:30 p.m. today at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.

The Sax Pack will be among the artists.

Tickets at $30, $58 and $62 plus tables for six at $510 are available at ticketmaster.com.

Information: mablehouse.org or 770-819-7765.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Gwinnett police offer teen driving class

The Gwinnett County Police Department will offer a safe driving class for new drivers and their parents from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the West Precinct in Norcross.

The free program is designed for teens drivers age 14 to 16. Officers will not offer behind-the-wheel training but will instruct parents and teens on what to expect during the 40 hours of supervised practice driving time required by Georgia law.

Information call 678-442-6553.

David Wickert

Woman brought loaded pistol to courthouse

A woman was stopped by sheriff’s deputies at the judicial center Tuesday with a pistol and 10 rounds of ammunition in her purse, the sherrif’s office said.

Lesley Lynn Fanning, of Dacula, was arrested at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center.

She also had oxycodone, hydrocodone, amphetamine, Prozac and Motrin, according to the incident report.

Fanning was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and carrying a deadly weapon to a gathering, along with a drug charge for not having the pills in their original containers. She was booked into the Gwinnett County jail and released Wednesday night after posting $24,800 bond, jail records show. Alexis Stevens

Gwinnett hosts Cyber Safety Summit

The Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office will host a free Cyber Safety Summit on Oct. 4 to educate the community on how to protect youths in today’s technological world.

The seminar will be in the auditorium of the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Registration is from 6 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the training.

Information: victimwitnessevents@gwinnettcounty.com or 770-822-8396. Andria Simmons

Morris elected to Gwinnett Village board

The Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District elected Kacey Morris to its board of directors Thursday.

Morris is a senior property manager for Prologis, an industrial property owner. Gwinnett Village is a business district representing about 550 commercial properties in the Norcross area. David Wickert

Suwanee holds citizens police academy

The Suwanee Police Department is offering its popular Citizens Police Academy. Classes are 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Oct. 2 at the police training facility, 2966 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road. Notorized applications are due Sept. 21. Information: www.suwanee.com Andria Simmons

Honeybee Festival attracting families

The Gwinnet Environmental and Heritage Center hosts the 3rd annual Honeybee Festival 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at 2020 Clean Water Dr. in Buford. Families can enjoy bee games, crafts, honey samples, cooking demonstrations and story time. Honey grown from hives at the center will be on sale. Information: www.gwinnettehc.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Woman hospitalized after wreck in East Cherokee

A 58-year-old woman was life-flighted to Atlanta Medical Center Friday morning after suffering injuries in a motor vehicle accident on East Cherokee Drive near Creekside Way in Ball Ground.

Mary Corridori’s vehicle crossed the center line while she was negotiating a curve around 7 a.m. and collided with a tractor trailer traveling in the other direction, law enforcement officials said.

Corridori suffered non-life threatening injuries. East Cherokee Drive was shut down for two hours in both directions while the accident was investigated. Andria Simmons

Teens can prepare for zombie apocalypse

Emergency specialists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will teach north Fulton teens how to survive a zombie invasion 2 p.m. Saturday at Johns Creek’s Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road as part of Emergency Preparedness Month.

The interactive class will use the fictional end-of-world scenario to teach students ages 12-18 how to be ready for more likely emergencies, such as tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes.

Information: 770-360-8820. Johnny Edwards

Dream Mile to benefit children’s causes

The 14th annual Dream Mile is Sept. 22 at the State Farm Campus, 11350 Johns Creek Parkway. The event benefits Vibha’s Child Development Projects in India and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

This year’s Dream Mile features a 5K walk, a 5K run and a 10K Run. There will be refreshments and games.

Information: http://thedreammile.org/atlanta

Patrick Fox

Tool collection drive to benefit charity

The Roswell Recycling Center and Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell will host a tool collection drive 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and Oct. 20 at the Center, 11570 Maxwell Road, Alpharetta.

New and gently used tools will be accepted. Information: www.atlanta.toolbank.org or contact Gina Chaves, at 404-880-0054 x11 or gina.chaves@toolbank.org. Patrick Fox

Workshop to focus on City Center plans

Sandy Springs will host the third in a series of public meetings 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall Council Chambers, 7840 Roswell Road to collect input for a master plan to transform its downtown area.

The public may ask questions and provide feedback during break-out workshops to be held throughout the evening. The first two sessions focused on the city’s strengths and key assets and garnered the public’s thoughts on their downtown vision. Patrick Fox

Forsyth water quality workshops set

Keep Forsyth County Beautiful will offer a pair of workshops educating residents how to monitor and protect local waterways through the Adopt-A-Stream program. The first, biological assessment, will be held at 9 a.m.today at the Fowler Park Recreation Center. The second, chemical and bacterial certification, will be Sept 22, same time, same place. Information: www.forsythco.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Buckhead Coalition aims for more police

In a second expansion of its Buckhead residence incentive for police, the Buckhead Coalition will now cover 16 officers. Announced last year, the $3,000 bonus for Atlanta police who relocate to Buckhead was originally limited to eight officers. The program was later expanded to cover a dozen officers.

The Buckhead Coalition, a civic group headed by former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell, said the program helps increase the visibility of law enforcement in the community. It is partly supported by the Atlanta Police Foundation. About 11 percent of all officers who have moved to Atlanta since the program’s inception have moved to Buckhead, according to the coalition. Jeremiah McWilliams

AHA’s governmental affairs chief retires

After a decade with the Atlanta Housing Authority, Barney Simms, the agency’s chief of governmental and external affairs, submitted a resignation letter citing a desire to attend to his health and well-being.

Simms currently serves as chairman of several organizations, including the Fulton County DFCS Advisory Board and the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA. Jeremiah McWilliams

Senior center holds decennial celebration

Fulton County’s Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility will celebrate a decade of service to Intown seniors with an evening of dining and dancing 7 to 11 p.m. Friday at 515 John Wesley Dobbs Ave.

Information: 404-523-3353. Johnny Edwards

Healing Hands for Arthritis Day

The Arthritis Foundation and Massage Envy have teamed up for Healing Hands for Arthritis Day to raise awareness and funding.

Schedule a discounted massage on Wednesday to support a good cause. Ten dollars from every one-hour massage and facial will go to the Arthritis Foundation.

Information: www.massageenvy.com.

Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

DeKalb holding voter workshop Monday

Voters who want updates on the changes in voting laws and voter ID requirements can attend a training workshop 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at DeKalb County’s elections office, 4380 Memorial Drive, near Decatur.

Maxine Daniels, the county’s elections head, will lead the sessions, which will also provide information about absentee and early voting.

Information: 404-371-3689.

April Hunt

Clarkston film to be screened Monday

A new PBS program examining demographics in America will be screened 7 p.m. Monday at the Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave.

The “America By The Numbers” show that features the city will be on television Friday.

It examines the change of Clarkston from 90 percent white into a majority-minority community of refugees from more than 40 countries.

The event begins with a reception at 6 p.m.

It is free and open to the public. April Hunt

Permit program to help partially-built homes

The county has launched a new permit process for partially-constructed homes in the hopes it will help those homes be completed by year end.

The county had been assessing between $1,500 and $2,000 in fees for those homes if the previously issued building permits expired. Under the new program, builders may lower costs based on the amount of work needed for occupancy.

As many as 2,000 homes may qualify. The program runs through Dec. 28. Information: 770-572-4830. April Hunt

Tucker to host planning academy

Tucker Civic Association and the Atlanta Regional Commission will host the first ever Community Planning Academy from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in the Tucker High School auditorium.

Participants will learn about the Tucker Lifelong Community initiative from survey results, hear from speakers, and sign up for focus groups. Information: www.tuckercivic.org.

Kenneth Musisi

Rain barrel workshop set for September

DeKalb County’s Department of Watershed Management will host a rain barrel workshop at 7 p.m. Sept. 26.

Participants will learn how to make a rain barrel. The workshop, which will be open to the first 30 registrants, will be at Wylde Center, 435 Oakview Road, Decatur.

Cost of the event is $35 for Oakhurst Community Garden members; $40 for non-members. The registration deadline is Sept. 21.

Information: 770-724-1456.

Laurie Hoffman

Clarkston holds Community celebration

Clarkston plans to turn last year’s Celebration of Community in an annual event..

The event will feature food and entertainment from the community. It runs 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Clarkston Community Center.

Tickets are $40 for individuals and $60 for pairs.

Information: 404-508-1050 or www.clarkstoncommunitycenter.org.

April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Fulton seeks Wolf Creek concert volunteers

Catch a free concert if don’t mind doing light work. Fulton County has started a volunteer program to support the Wolf Creek Amphitheater, a live entertainment venue in south Fulton. The county is looking for ushers, concert support staffers, etc.

The program — called People Aiding Concertgoers with Kindness, or PACK — already has all the help it needs for Saturday’s classic soul concert, but it still needs volunteers for the “2012 Gospel Explosion” on Oct. 6. To volunteer, send an e-mail to Wolf.Pack@fultoncountyga.gov. Johnny Edwards

Race to Restore set in Peachtree City

Wellspring Living will host its 7th annual Race to Restore 5K Run for Her Future today at The Bridge, 225 Willowbend Rd., Peachtree City. Proceeds go to programs to restore women and girls who have been sexually abused or trafficked.

Participants can have teams of 12 or more. The team with the most members receives a prize. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m. Information: www.wellspringliving.org. Tammy Joyner

Man dies after shootout with burglars

Ronnie Cantrell Sr., 68, died at 3:30 a.m. Friday after being shot Tuesday night in a shootout with burglars in his home, police said. One suspect in the shooting, 18-year-old Robert Price, is still sought by police.

Burglary suspect Brandon Terry-Hall, 20, was arrested after he showed up at Piedmont Henry Hospital Tuesday night for treatment of gunshot wounds sustained during the incident, police said.

Suspect Trey Cota, 21, was arrested Tuesday night at a home on Edison Drive in the Lexington Park subdivision near Stockbridge. David Ibata

Registration open for fall arts classes

Registration has started for fall classes at Fulton County’s four arts centers. Classes include dance, theatre, painting, drawing, printmaking, etc. The eight-week session runs Sept. 18 to Nov. 10, except at the Abernathy Arts Center where it’s from Sept. 22 to Nov. 17.

Dates and prices vary by center. To register, go to FultonArts.org or call the Abernathy Arts Center in Sandy Springs (404-613-6172), the South Fulton Arts Center in College Park (404-612-3087), the Southwest Arts Center in Atlanta (404-613-3220) or the West End Arts Center in Atlanta (404-613-6465). Johnny Edwards

Henry SPLOST to hold public meeting

The Henry County SPLOST Department will host a meeting 6-7:30 p.m. Monday at Locust Grove Recreation Center, 10 Cleveland St. to discuss the Lester Mill Road Transportation Improvement Project between Locust Grove-Griffin Road and Bill Gardner Parkway. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Fayette Expo invites exhibitors

The Fayette Chamber of Commerce is seeking exhibitors for an expo 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at New Hope Baptist Church, Fayetteville. The event will showcase local food providers that will compete for an award. It will also feature businesses offering a range of products and services. Call 770-461-9983. Jill Howard Church for the AJC