County by county news for Saturday

Applications: cityofpowdersprings.org/index.aspx?NID=119 or call 770-943-1666 to request an application by mail.

Submissions: City of Powder Springs, Rosalyn Nealy, Human Resources Director, P. O. Box 46, Powder Springs, GA 30127 or rnealy@cityofpowdersprings.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Performing arts center hosts opening

Marietta High School will open its $8.5 million performing arts center to the public for a dedication and tour 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at 1171 Whitlock Ave. Students will perform and a free concert by the Georgia Symphony Orchestra will be at 7 p.m. Tickets for the concert are required at www.georgiasymphony.org or MPAC@marietta.city.K12.ga.us. . Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Smooth Jazz festival at Mable House

Jazz Grooves presents the its Annual Atlanta Smooth Music Festival 1:30 p.m Sept. 14 at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheater, 5239 Floyd Rd. SW, Mableton. The eight hours of nonstop smooth jazz festival will features performances by international, national, and local smooth jazz recording artists. Guitarist Nick Colionne; keyboardist Alex Bugnon; saxophonists Eric Darius and Jeff Sparks; flutist Kim Scott, and, bassist Julian Vaughn are scheduled to appear.

Information: www.SmoothJazzGrooves.com. Sandra Marshall Murray

KSU to hold leader lecture series

The Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University will kick off its annual Tetley Distinguished Leader Lecture Series at 2 p.m. Sept. 11 in Prillaman Hall at Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Rd N.W. The featured speaker will be John Dewberry, chairman and CEO of Dewberry Capital.

KSU’s lecture series offers free monthly talks from top business executives on a variety of business and industry topics. All of the lectures are free and open to the public.

For information or to RSVP for the lectures, visit http://coles.kennesaw.edu/tetley-event/history.htm. Mea Watkins

Town Center at Cobb to host blood drive

Town Center at Cobb will host a Red Cross blood drive to mark the Labor Day weekend from noon to 5 p.m. today through Monday at the mall, 400 Barrett Parkway, Kennesaw, in the Sears Court. Veronica Fields Johnson

Marietta seeks civil service board member

Marietta residents 25 and older can apply 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 9 through Sept. 20 for a position on the city’s Civil Service Board. Marietta Fire and Police civil service workers will select a member in October to fill the Post 4 vacancy. The appeals board hears civil service workers issues.

Applications are online or at the clerk’s office, 205 Lawrence St.

Information: www.mariettaga.gov. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Suwanee keeps millage rate from rising

The Suwanee City Council voted to keep the 2013 millage rate at 4.93 mills. Last year the City implemented a 0.72-mill reduction. Suwanee began its new fiscal year July 1 with a $12,164,990 balanced budget in place. Property taxes, which include real and personal property as well as motor vehicle, mobile homes, and intangible taxes, account for approximately 39 percent of the City’s FY2014 budgeted revenue. Suwanee anticipates a 1.2 percent decrease in property tax revenue for the current budget year. Suwanee will issue property tax notices in October with payment due by December 20. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Barge to visit Head Elementary

State Superintendent John Barge will visit and salute Gwinnett County’s Head Elementary at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Head Elementary is one of four Gwinnett County schools named this year as a Georgia School of Excellence. Statewide, 28 schools received the honor. Nancy Badertscher

Duluth offers warrant amnesty program

The Duluth Municipal Court has initiated a Warrant Amnesty Program. Anyone having an outstanding warrant for failure to appear may have the warrant fee of $150 waived, and avoid the possibility of arrest by taking the following steps, no later than close of business Sept. 30: Contact the clerk’s office, prior to appearing to determine the total amount of the warrant(s);

Appear in person at the Clerk of Court, in The Duluth Public Safety Building, 3276 Buford Highway; Post a bond in the amount of the fines and fees applicable to the charges. The person will then be given a new court date, if the charges require a court appearance.

Information: 770-623-2771, or email warrants@duluthga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Fireworks at Lilburn City Park on Sunday

Labor Day Weekend will be star-spangled in Lilburn, as the city celebrates Sparkle in the Park 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday at Lilburn City Park. Postponed from July 4, the festival will feature fireworks, music, food, and kids’ activities. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Lawn chairs, blankets and coolers welcome, but only alcohol purchased at the event is permitted in City Park. Information:www.cityoflilburn.com  Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Snellville memorial breaks ground

The Snellville Veterans Memorial Committee will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 7 p.m. today at the site adjacent to the Senior Center near Oak Road and Highway 78.

The ceremony will precede Snellville’s Star Spangled fireworks program, originally scheduled for July 4.

Information: www.snellvilleveteransmemorial.org or 770-891-1612. Karen Huppertz

Citizenship classes at Lawrenceville library

The Lawrenceville branch of the Gwinnett Public Library will offer classes to help pass the U.S. Citizenship test 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursday through Sept. 12 at 1001 Lawrenceville Highway. Information: www.gwinnettpl.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Online payment available for Forsyth traffic offenses

The Forsyth County Clerk of Courts office says that an online payment option for some traffic fines is now available. Court clerk Greg Allen says while not all citations can be paid online, tickets for such things as speeding up to 23 miles over the limit, most other minor traffic offenses, seatbelt violations and expired tag offenses are covered.

To access the payment portal: www.forsythclerk.com  Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Nonprofit to hold celebration in Roswell

Second Wind Dreams, a nonprofit providing services to the elder community, will hold a celebration in Roswell 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sept 7 at Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Road. The free event’s part of National Second Wind Dreams Day and will events and booths for elders, music and raffles. More info: www.secondwind.org  Veronica Fields Johnson

Theater night at Roswell arts center

The Roswell Historical Society will host a theater night featuring the dress rehearsal of Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St.

A reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Roswell Archives. Showtime is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20, available at the Roswell Historical Society. Tickets may also be purchased, by check only, at the Roswell Visitors Center, 617 Atlanta St.

Information: www.roswellhistoricalsociety.org or www.get.org.  Mea Watkins

Forsyth fall basketball instruction set

Forsyth County Parks and Recreation says junior athletes ages 5-12 can register for their Fall Basketball Academy. Both first-time and returning players are welcome to work on improving fundamental basketball skills. Classes are set from Sept. 8 to Oct. 27 at the Central Park and Old Atlanta Park Recreation Centers. Cost: $125 for county residents. More info: forsythco.com  Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Funds raised for brain tumor foundation

The second annual Tumor Trooper Run/Walk will be held Sept. 7 at the Mansell Crossing Shopping Center, 7730 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta. The walk begins at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K Run begins at 8 a.m. Registration is $25 through Aug. 31 and $30 from Sept. 1 until race day. Proceeds will benefit the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children, a Sandy Springs-based organization that provides emergency financial assistance and support for families and funds research projects to find a cure. Information: www.braintumorkids.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

Canton work to cause parking problems

Canton officials say downtown construction will cause parking problems starting the first week of September. Cherokee County officials will be stripping the exterior facade off the Jones Mercantile Building (former county offices) as it is sold. Access to nearby parking spots on both Main and North Streets will be blocked for at least 30 days. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Teachers furloughed on Labor Day

Atlanta public school teachers won’t be paid on Labor Day because it’s the first of three scheduled furlough days this year.

A statement from Atlanta Public Schools said the school system’s administration decided to use a combination of one holiday and two working days for furloughs as a result of this summer’s budgeting process.

Some administrators will be required to take a fourth furlough day on a working day later in the school year. Mark Niesse

Students’ historical fiction at book festival

A student-written book of historical fiction about seminal moments in civil rights history is being released Saturday at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival.

The book, “Into Bright Tomorrows,” compiles short stories from students at KIPP Strive Academy, which collaborated with local authors and The Wren’s Nest on the project.

Cost: $10. Mark Niesse

APD to offer citizen police academy

The Atlanta Police Department seeks participants for its citizen police academy. The academy will educate citizens on the operations of the department and provide the opportunity to give valuable feedback, which can be used to enhance police and community relations.

Classes will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday, beginning Oct. 2 at the Herbert T. Jenkins Atlanta Police Academy, 180 Southside Industrial Pkwy. S.E.

To apply, contact Lieutenant J. Durant, 404-209-5250 or jdurant@atlantaga.gov.

The deadline for application is Sept. 23. Mea Watkins

Library to show Otis Redding movie

The Central Library will host a showing of The Legacy of Otis Redding documentary from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at the library, One Margaret Mitchell Square.

Information: 404-730-1700. Veronica Fields Johnson

DEKALB

Recent burglaries similar to earlier crimes

Two daytime Decatur burglaries earlier this week appear related to the run of 16 city-wide burglaries from May 30 to July 1, Sergeant Jennifer Ross said during a Thursday community meeting at the Church at Decatur Heights.

After nearly seven weeks of quiet, there was a burglary last Sunday on Superior Avenue (laptop, iPod, cell phone and cash among other things were stolen), and another Monday on Oldfield Road (flat screen TV, laptop).

One arrest has been made in the earlier crimes, but Ross said “we know who all the players are” in all 18 burglaries, adding that more evidence is required for arrests. All suspects live in South DeKalb County.

A Wednesday cell-phone snatch on West Howard Avenue isn’t related, but two suspects have been identified. Bill Banks for the AJC

Police to host recruitment fair

The DeKalb County Police Department will host a recruitment fair from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Fire Rescue Headquarters, 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker. The department seeks applications to fill approximately 80 officer positions for an upcoming police academy class. Applicants must be at least 20 years old, a U.S. citizen, have no felony or domestic violence convictions, have a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver’s licence. Veterans should have received an honorable discharge. Information: 770-724-7445. Veronica Fields Johnson

Park Pride names new executive director

Park Pride, a nonprofit organization that works with communities to develop and improve their parks, has named Michael Halicki as it’s new executive director. With an 18-year career in communications, Halicki is an experienced leader in Georgia’s nonprofit environmental community. Halicki will be leading the Park Pride team in improving park conditions in Atlanta and DeKalb County. Haley Castillo

MJCCA auditions for Glory Days

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta will hold auditions for the community production Glory Days: The Music You Grew Up With, at MJCCA Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody. The show celebrates the music of the ’50s and ’60s and will feature performers age 50 and older. Participants should come prepared with two minutes of two songs, one fast and one slow.

Auditions take place from noon to 2 p.m., Sept. 15 and Sept. 22, and from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 16 and Sept. 23.

Performances will be March 26-31, 2014. Information: atlantajcc.org/pldb-live/527726/, or call Brian Kimmel at 678-812-4072. Mea Watkins

Clarkston offering weekly farmers market

With the help of a federal grant, a monthly farmers market in Clarkston is becoming a weekly affair.

The $89,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant paid for an expansion of both the market and a subscriber-based fresh food program.

The weekly market will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays at the Clarkston Community Center’s activity field off College Avenue. Updates are available on the community center’s Facebook page. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Fayette honors the late Judge Floyd on Sunday

The Fayette County Board of Commissioners has designated Sunday as “Judge Charles Floyd Day.”

The late chief magistrate was the first African-American judge to serve in Fayette, having been appointed in 2002 and winning elections in 2004 and 2008.

He was a native of St. Mary’s, Georgia, and attended Georgia Tech and Suffolk University.

Judge Floyd passed away in 2010. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Healthier lunches earn Fayette credits

Implementing new federal guidelines for healthier school lunches will pay off even further for Fayette County. The school system’s self-supporting nutrition program will receive a six-cent reimbursement per meal as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. The menu changes include more whole grains, fruits and vegetables and lowering sodium and fat. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fire academy for Henry residents

Henry County Fire Department will be offering a ten-week program, “A Citizen Fire Academy,” for the citizens of Henry County. The Citizens’ Fire Academy will begin on Thursday, September 19 to Thursday, November 21, 2013. The class will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Henry County Fire Headquarters located at 110 South Zack Hinton Parkway. The program increases awareness and generates a more informed community of the inner workings of the fire department. Program participants will graduate and receive a certificate of completion. Application deadline is Thursday, September 5 at 5:00 p.m. For more information or to obtain an application please visit us online at www.co.henry.ga.us/fire or call 770-288-6620. Sandra Marshall Murray

Palmetto changing residential trash pickup

The City of Palmetto is changing its trash pickup schedule effective Sept. 1. Previously residents of the eastern half of the city had Monday as their pickup day, with the western half on Tuesday. Beginning Sept. 10, Waste Management will collect all garbage on Tuesday. City officials say pickup times and pricing will not change. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Festival, fireworks reset for Labor Day

Henry County fireworks, originally set for July 4 but rained out, will take place Labor Day at Nash Farm Park near Hampton. Information: www.hcfireworks.com. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Fayette will honor anniversary couples

Couples who have been married 50 years can have their anniversary recognized by the Fayette County Board of Commissioners with a county record and a proclamation.

The marriages will be noted in the commission meetings for posterity. The county would like to have: date of wedding, location of wedding, how they met, names of children. Contact county clerk Floyd Jones at 770-305-5102 or email at fjones@fayettecountyga.gov. Tammy Joyner