County by county news for Saturday

Austell firefighters honored for service

Two Austell firefighters were honored Monday for their years of service by Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins and the City Council.

Capt. Brandon Merritt has been a city employee for 15 years and Firefighter Chris Chabot for 10 years.

Plaques were awarded to the men by Jerkins, and service pins were given by Councilman Scott S. Thomas, chairman of the city’s Fire Department Committee.

Jerkins credited Merritt with repairing the old fire truck and ordering a new one with expected arrival by January. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Recycling day at Jim Miller Park Saturday

Keep Cobb Beautiful will host an electronics recycling day on Saturday at Jim Miller Park.

Most electronics will be recycled at no charge. Televisions will be accepted for a $10 fee. Large household appliances, such as refrigerators, will not be accepted.

Volunteers will also be collecting new or gently-used shoes to benefit the Soles4Souls charity that has distributed 16 million pairs of shoes to people worldwide.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the park, 2245 Callaway Road in Marietta.

Information: www.cobbcounty.org/kcb; www.soles4souls.org Janel Davis

Meeting on Six Flags Drive needs Thursday

A Six Flags area community meeting will be held Thursday in Austell.

Cobb County Department of Transportation officials will seek comments on transportation infrastructure improvements and land use along Six Flags Drive. The meeting will be 6-8 p.m. at the South Cobb Recreation Center, 875 Six Flags Drive. A special presentation at 6:15 p.m. will include interactive exercises to discuss how the area should develop over time. Information: Planning Division Manager Laraine A. Vance, Cobb County Department of Transportation, 770-528-1679 or on Facebook at Six Flags Livable Centers Initiative. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Casino night event benefits foundation

Dream Makers Youth Foundation will host its annual Casino Night & Auction on Nov. 19 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Smyrna Community Center, 200 Village Green Circle. Proceeds from this black-tie affair will go toward the general operation of Dream Makers Youth Foundation which provides sports programming for children with mild to moderate intellectual delays, such as autism, Down Syndrome, and ADHD. Advanced tickets are available online at www.dmyf.info for $25 per person, must be at least 21 years of age to attend. Sandra Marshall Murray

GWINNETT

Ralston to address Gwinnett Chamber

Georgia House Speaker David Ralston will speak to the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 16 at the 1818 Club, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.

Ralston will preview the 2012 legislative session.

The cost is $45 for chamber members and $55 for non-members.

Advanced registration is required. Walk-ins are welcome but will not be guaranteed a seat. To register, visit www.gwinnettchamber.org/events. David Wickert

Leaders honor late NAACP activist

Gwinnett County civic leaders and community activists gathered Friday to honor the memory of the late Rev. John C. Stewart Jr.

Stewart, who died at age 49 in 2006, served as Gwinnett County NAACP president. Under his tenure, the Gwinnett NAACP held forums on education, economic empowerment and elections, among other things.

Friends, family and colleagues met to honor his memory at the Centerville Community Center in Snellville. D. Aileen Dodd

Legion post to ship care packages to troops

The Loganville American Legion Post will pack and ship care packages for soldiers in Afghanistan for the holidays. The Barrett-Davis-Watson, GA Post 233 at 4635 Atlanta Hwy. in Loganville will pack 66 boxes on Monday and 300 boxes on Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. until noon. The items being shipped are donated by schools, business and churches.

They include homemade goods, letters and pictures from school children and food from churches. Information: Anitia Owens at soldiersconnect@bellsouth.net and 770-846-4454.. Kenneth Musisi

‘Girls on the Run’ to race on Sunday

Minor Elementary students will participate in a race that promotes healthy lifestyles for girls. The 5K race, “Girls on the Run,” will be held at 9 a.m. Sunday in Atlanta.

The race starts at the Arizona Avenue Soccer Complex, 161 Arizona Ave. N.E. Atlanta.

For information, visit girlsontherunatlanta.org. D. Aileen Dodd

Suwanee opens annual photo competition

Suwanee is inviting area residents to submit their best photos for the annual Snap Suwanee photo competition.

The photographs should have been taken within the city limits of Suwanee, preferably with the past two years.

Submissions and applications are due by Dec. 31. Photographers may submit up to five high-resolution photos.

Information: www.suwanee.com. Joel Anderson

Gwinnett to host recycling event Nov. 19

Gwinnett County will host its second annual America Recycle Day celebration from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 19 at Coolray Field, 2500 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville. Residents are encouraged to bring canned food for the Salvation Army.

Information: www.sustainablegwinnett.com. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Johns Creek installs recycling receptacles

Now visitors to Johns Creek parks have access to recycling for their water bottles and soda cans. The city has placed 40 bottle-shaped recycling receptacles in city parks.

“We’ve had a number of people ask us about recycling at the park, but we didn’t have any recycling receptacles in the past,” said James Swope, solid waste manager. The 30-gallon containers, placed near trash cans, are expected to siphon 25 to 35 tons of recyclable waste a year from landfills. The containers cost about $100 each, and are made from recycled plastic. Patrick Fox

Nature Center to host holiday shop on Dec. 3

The Chattahoochee Nature Center at 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, will host its annual holiday shop on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The holiday market will include original art to ornaments, eco-friendly household items, toys, candles and clothing from more than 40 local artists.

Admission to the nature center will be free. Information: visit www.chattnaturecenter.org or call 770- 992-2055 ext. 236 or email r.gilbert@chattnaturecenter.org. Sandra Marshall Murray

Seniors can get help with energy bills

North Fulton seniors can get help Monday and Tuesday signing up for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which offers help paying energy bills.

Households with members age 65 or older who meet income guidelines, or any household facing a life-threatening crisis, are eligible.

Help will be offered both days from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Facility, 6500 Vernon Woods Drive, Sandy Springs.

Information: 404-613-6000. Johnny Edwards

Spring baseball registration kicks off

Online registration for Hopewell Youth Association’s spring 2012 baseball season is now open for Milton residents at the group’s Web site, www.hopewellbaseball.org.

Registration for non-resident, veteran players begins Nov. 14, and open registration kicks off Dec. 12. The final day to register without late fees is Dec. 29.

HYA, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, is a non-profit organization that schedules and programs baseball activities at Milton’s Bell Memorial Park through a joint agreement with the city. Patrick Fox

Wildlife Habitat Project to provide grants

The Johns Creek Community Wildlife Habitat Project has launched an effort to provide educational grants to local schools.

The new program is funded through grants from the Cox Conserves Heroes Award program and Whole Foods Market of Johns Creek.

One of the main goals is to educate the community about conservation and the importance of maintaining its natural environment.

The project has also partnered with the National Parks Service to provide schools extra assistance.

Information: E-mail jcwildlife@gmail.com or visit www.johnscreekwildlifehabitat.org.

Kenneth Musisi

ATLANTA

Veterans Day parade today in Atlanta

The Georgia Veterans Day Parade Association of Atlanta will host the 30th Annual Veterans Day Parade in Atlanta today. The parade starts at 11:11 a.m., beginning on Peachtree Street south of Ralph McGill/Ivan Allen Blvd. It will proceed south on Peachtree Street, turn right on Baker Street toward Centennial Olympic Park, and turn left on Centennial Olympic Park Drive toward CNN Center and Philips Arena. The reviewing stand will be at the corner of Baker Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive, near the World of Coca Cola. Jeremiah McWilliams

Ice skating rink to open Nov. 19

Installation of downtown Atlanta’s only outdoor ice skating rink began this week at Centennial Olympic Park. The process takes approximately two weeks and involves constructing a 30-by-40 meter tent, building the 108-by-60 foot rink and producing ice. The ice rink opens on Nov. 19 and will be open through Jan. 29. Admission is $7 per person for 90 minutes of skate time. Jeremiah McWilliams

APEX Museum to benefit from book sales

The APEX Museum and author Twala Mejú will hold the “Loving the Skin I’m In” Meet and Greet Book Signing event today. The free event is from 3-5 p.m. at 135 Auburn Avenue in Atlanta. Mejú is author of the critically acclaimed children’s book, “Mommy, Why Is My Skin So Dark?.” The book can be purchased for $10 with 10 percent of the sales benefiting The APEX Museum Expansion Experience. Information: 404-523-2739 or www.apexmuseum.org.

Kenneth Musisi

Author to discuss book on GWTW

John Wiley Jr., co-author of “Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind: A Bestseller’s Odyssey from Atlanta to Hollywood,” will discuss his book Saturday at Atlanta-Fulton’s Central Library. The discussion starts at 2 p.m. at One Margaret Mitchell Square, downtown Atlanta. Information: 404-730-1906. Johnny Edwards

DEKALB

DeKalb school board to meet Monday

The DeKalb Board of Education is scheduled to meet in its regular session at 6 p.m. Monday at the school administration building at 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. Among the items on its agenda, officials will decide on spending about $533,000 for 7 new school buses, finalize a land purchase with the City of Chamblee for the new Chamblee Charter High School. The board also plans to meet in an executive session starting at 4:30 p.m. Rich McKay

Tax center to fill 100 temporary jobs

Horizon Staffing will fill about 100 temporary positions at a Tucker tax payment processing center through a recruitment session on Monday .

The state labor department is helping with the recruitment effort. The session runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Horizon’s office in Chamblee, at 3350 Chamblee-Tucker Road. April Hunt

Lecture on Jewish history on Tuesday

David Rotenstein, a resident with a doctorate in folklore who has worked in historic preservation for decades, will present a lecture Tuesday on DeKalb County’s Jewish communities. Rotenstein will explain how Jewish leaders developed at least three enclosed communities in the county called eruvs. The presentation is part of the DeKalb History Center’s Lunch and Learn series. The free event begins at noon at Tuesday at the Old Courthouse on the Square in Decatur. April Hunt

Rep. Jacobs to discuss Brookhaven study

The DeKalb County state lawmaker who is responsible for introducing a bill to create a city of Brookhaven will host two informational meetings this week. Both meetings from state Rep. Mike Jacobs, R-Brookhaven, will discuss the findings of a recent study that showed a city could support itself financially with borders that stretch 12-square miles in north-central DeKalb.

The first meeting will be Tuesday at Cross Keys High School on Druid Hills Road, The second will be Thursday at Montgomery Elementary School on Ashford Dunwoody Road. Both sessions start at 7 p.m. April Hunt

Church to hand out Thanksgiving boxes

The Lord’s House Church of God in Christ and its outreach program The Hope Center will be handing out 750 free food boxes to families in need from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 22 and Dec. 22. at 3600 Snapfinger Road, Lithonia. Information: Kristi Keaton, President of the Hope Center at 770-864-3554. Sandra Marshall Murray

NETWorks Ministry to hold event

NETWorks Cooperative Ministry, a joint project of 17 local churches will be the focus of Tucker Civic Association’s “Give An Hour” project on today from 10 a.m. to noon at the old Wachovia bank building at the corner of 4th Street and Church Street. Individually packaged snacks, canned or microwaveable food that doesn’t require refrigeration can be donated. NETWorks food pantry will assist homeless families and individuals without access to a stove or conventional oven. Information: Evelyn Burkett at district4@tuckercivic.org or 770-846-4960. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

County negotiates for library property

Fulton County is negotiating to buy two properties for new libraries being built as part of a $275 million countywide construction program approved by voters in a 2008 bond referendum. The commission directed staff to acquire 1655 Hollywood Road for the Northwest Atlanta branch and 1332 Metropolitan Parkway for the Stewart-Lakewood branch. The board has also approved architectural and engineering contracts -- for $707,100 with Collins Cooper Carusi Architects for Northwest Atlanta and $676,350 with Smith Dalia Architects for Stewart-Lakewood. Johnny Edwards

Seniors can get help with energy bills

Fulton seniors having trouble paying energy bills can get help enrolling in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program this week at Atlanta and East Point senior multipurpose facilities. The program is for households with members age 65 or older who meet income guidelines, or any household facing a life-threatening crisis.

Help will be offered Monday at Atlanta’s Mills facility from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday at East Point’s Bowden facility from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursday at the Mills facility from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information: 404-613-6000. Johnny Edwards

Clayton launch campaign to clean up

Clayton County Board of Commissioners will kick off its pick up paper “Pup” campaign on Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. This is an opportunity to spruce your communities and neighborhoods before the holidays. You can register individually or in teams. The county will provide trash bags, disposable gloves and flyers. To register by phone call 770-477-3208 or visit http://www.claytoncountyga.gov/claytoncountypup. Sandra Marshall Murray

College Park starts canned food drive

The College Park Healthy City Initiative participants are hosting a can and non-perishables food drive for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Look for the drop-off containers at College Park City Hall, the public safety building, and other locations throughout the city. This effort is to support College Park families in need. For more information, call: 404-761-313, ext. 2005. John Thompson for the AJC

Holiday Festival of the Arts on Nov. 13

McDonough Arts is sponsoring its annual Holiday Festival of the Arts Sunday, noon-5 p.m. on the square in McDonough. The Grinch is scheduled to arrive by fire truck at 1 p.m. and will be available for photos until 4 p.m. There will be an artist market, live music, baked goods and more. This event coincides with the McDonough Merchants Holiday Open House. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Fayetteville’s last Market Day today

Downtown Fayetteville’s final Market Day of the season will be today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors will offer a variety of homemade and home-grown products, including fresh produce, jellies, soaps, breads, jewelry, children’s clothing and holiday items. The market is in the gazebo area of the Administrative Complex at 140 Stonewall Ave. West. Jill Howard Church for the AJC