COBB
Austell ready to rent office spaces
Austell is ready to rent two 5,000-square-foot suites in a 25,000-square-foot building behind its Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell Powder Springs Road. Almost $150,000 has been spent with SPLOST dollars by the city to install a new roof, replace rotten wood and paint the porch of the accessory building, said Jim Graham, the city’s director of the Community Development and Parks departments. Also, the city has nine suites available for lease inside the complex with electricity, water and sanitation service included. Information: Austell’s leasing office, 770-944-4309. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
National Day of Prayer observance Thursday
Powder Springs will host a service to observe the 62nd annual National Day of Prayer at noon May 2 outside City Hall, 4484 Marietta St., Powder Springs.
This observance was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
Information:
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWTW museum to mark 10th anniversary
Marietta’s Gone With the Wind Museum will celebrate 10 years on the Marietta Square through Sunday with programs that include the three actors who portrayed Beau Wilkes in the classic movie, a black tie dinner, auction and autograph session and the annual “windies” awards. The event will also recognize Chris Sullivan whose Gone With the Wind collection is featured at the museum. Information: www.gwtwmarietta.com or 770-794-5145. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
County to help dispose of unused medications
Keep Cobb Beautiful invites residents to safely dispose of old or unused medications 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Cobb County Police Precinct 1 Super Station, Kennesaw.
Liquid and pills, sharps and needles, diabetes materials, catheters and tubing are accepted, but do not bring durable medical equipment.
Information: 770-528-1135
Melissa Abbey
Spring Jonquil Fest in Smyrna this weekend
Smyrna’s annual Spring Jonquil Festival will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday on the Village Green, 200 Village Green Circle.
The free event will feature 175 arts and crafts booth, a puppet show, music and an artists market including watercolor, folk art, pottery, jewelry and metal sculpture. The 5K Jonquil Jog starts at 8 a.m.
Information: www.smyrnacity.com. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
‘Keep Austell Beautiful Day’ is today
Austell Public Works will hold a “Keep Austell Beautiful Day” in celebration of Earth Day and the Great American Cleanup event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at George E. Beavers Park, corner of Joe Jerkins Boulevard and Broad Street.
A free lunch and drinks will be given to registered participants.
Registration: austellga.gov/gac. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Snellville encouraging student entrepreneurship
The city of Snellville and two local high schools have partnered to form the Entrepreneur Alliance, with the goal of engaging the city’s next generation in entrepreneurship while creating new employment opportunities in the community. As part of that initiative, students from South Gwinnett High and Brookwood High will be pitching their business ideas to a panel of local business owners at Snellville City Hall on May 1 and 2. A total of $2,000 in “venture capital” will be awarded. On May 8, two start-up companies form each school will compete for the title of “Best Young Entrepreneur” in Snellville. Nancy Badertscher
Applause for Duluth High music students
More than 300 students from Gwinnett’s Duluth High recently demonstrated their musical talent at Lincoln Center in New York during the National Band and Orchestra Festival. The students, enrolled in the school’s music program, earned 1st place in the national event.
The Duluth High Chamber Orchestra earned top honors in competition with colleges and high school ensembles in the U.S. And Canada on April 21 in New York. Nancy Badertscher
Prescription drug take back initiative
The Snellville Police in partnership with the DEA will accept unwanted or expired prescription pills and over the counter medications to be destroyed 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Snellville Police building, 2315 Wisteria Drive. By participating residents can help make sure potentially harmful drugs do not land in the hands of people abusing prescription narcotics or medication not prescribed for them.
Email Lt. Sullivan at asullivan@snellville.org with questions. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Lilburn sponsoring day of disposal, recycling
Secure document shredding, scrap metal, bulk trash disposal and tire and electronics recycling highlight Lilburn’s annual Great American Clean Up 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at City Hall’s overflow parking lot, 76 Main St.
Information: 770-921-2210. Michael Alpert for the AJC
Leadership institute accepting applications
The Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute trains and empowers local citizens and community leaders to promote change in their neighborhoods and communities. Organization leaders address growth and development issues, helping youth succeed, preventing violence and crime, environmental concerns and much more.
To apply: www.gnli.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Norcross hosting activities day
Norcross’ Family Fun Day to benefit sick children begins with a 5K run at 8 a.m., followed by a 2K run/walk, then food, children’s games and activities, a bounce-house and live music until noon today at Thrasher Park, 93 Park Drive. A free concert by folk band von Grey highlights more fun from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Lillian Webb Park, 5 College St.
Information: Mary Beth Bender, 678-421-2000, mbender@norcrossga.net.
Michael Alpert for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Deputies seek Cherokee County flasher
Cherokee County deputies are hoping to find the man accused of flashing a 10-year-old after she got off the school bus Thursday afternoon.
The girl told police the man exposed himself and made multiple inappropriate comments in the Twin Pines subdivision off Kellogg Creek Road, police said. The girl screamed and ran home. Deputies seached the neighborhood but could not locate the suspect. The suspect is a heavy-set white male with “salt and pepper” hair, driving an older model, white, foreign-made sedan. Alexis Stevens
Johns Creek schedules drug disposal event
Johns Creek will host a program to safely dispose of pharmaceutical drugs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today in the Target parking lot, 5950 State Bridge Road. Since the first event in 2011, the DEA and its local partners have removed 2 million pounds of expired or unused prescription medications from circulation. Information: 678-474-1606. Patrick Fox
Milton police to hold golf tournament
The Milton Police Department will hold a “K-9 Support” golf tournament Wednesday to raise funds for a new K-9 officer to replace a retired police dog.
The tournament will be at Echelon Golf Club at 501 Founders Drive in Alpharetta. It includes registration and breakfast at 8 a.m., a shotgun start at 10 a.m., and a reception and awards ceremony at 3 p.m.
Cost to play is $125 per golfer or $500 for a team of four. Sponsorship levels include $7,500 (platinum), $3,000 (gold) and $1,500 (silver).
To register, sponsor or make a donation, call 678-242-2570 or email ara.baronian@cityofmiltonga.us. Andria Simmons
Forsyth schools set budget timeline
The Forsyth County Board of Education has adopted a timeline for consideration of the 2014 budget. Chief financial officer Dan Jones says initial budget recommendations will be presented May 9, with tentative approval May 16. Final approval is set for June 20. The fiscal year begins July 1. Last year’s budget was $270,523,482. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee aquatic center sets events
The new Cherokee County Aquatic Center will have a ribbon-cutting May 9 and an open house May 11, with both events starting at 10 a.m. Director Kim Baker says the outdoor pool will first be open on the latter date.
The new center will feature two indoor pools and one outdoor, and is located at I-575 and Sixes Road. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Woodstock launches communications app
The city of Woodstock has launched Connect Woodstock, a new communications app designed to give residents access to important city info and as way to submit service requests. The city partnered with software company PublicStuff to create the app, which can be used by iPhone, Blackberry and Android, among other devices. Residents can submit requests, add photos and comment, and track requests.
Information: www.PublicStuff.com
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
ASO to host spring recital
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program Spring Recital will be 4 p.m. today at the Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road.
The free event will serve as a juried performance of every participant as well as a recruitment effort for the program, which supports the musical development of young African-American and Latino students.
Information: www.atlantasymphony.org/EducationAndCommunity/TDP.aspx Veronica Fields Johnson
Professional basketball league holds tryouts
MGBA, a new professional basketball league, will hold tryouts for men and women 9 a.m to 9 p.m. today at the Campus Recreation Center at Georgia Tech.
Top players from the Atlanta area are encouraged to participate in this league, which will have coed teams.
Information: www.mgbainc.com or 800-753-3964. Nancy Badertscher
Film screening to mark Autism Awareness
Actor Tommy Ford will host a screening and panel discussion of Colored My Mind: Diagnosis, at 7 p.m. April 27 at the Georgia-Pacific Center, 133 Peachtree St. N.E. The short film documents the stories of five powerful women who explore the often overlooked world of autism in Black and Latino communities.
Tickets are $5 and available at www.bronzelensfilmfestival.com.
Information: www.bronzelensfilmfestival.com. Mea Watkins
Kosher Day at Turner Field
All are invited to Kosher Day at Turner Field 1:30 – 4:30 p.m May 5 as the Atlanta Braves play the New York Mets. This annual event will include a pre-game patio party featuring live music with Rabbi Karmi Ingber, a visit from the Brave’s Mascot, door prizes, and more. Cost: $14; $26
Information: Atlanta Kashruth Commission, akc@kosheratlanta.org or 404.634.4063. Mea Watkins
DEKALB
Consultant: school trailers inevitable
During a community meeting Thursday Jeff Prine, master planning consultant for City Schools Decatur, said that both Decatur High and Renfroe Middle schools will reach capacity by the end of 2014-15.
Without renovations or new classroom construction, Renfroe will need 17 trailers through 2018 while the high school will require 32.
Cost is $35,000 per trailer or $600,000 total for Renfroe, $1.2 million for Decatur. CSD projects that by 2018 Renfroe will have 1666 students (current enrollment’s 788) while Decatur will have 1891 (now 920). Bill Banks for the AJC
Clarkston offering ticket amnesty
Clarkston’s Municipal Court will offer amnesty for one week for people who have past due, unpaid traffic tickets and bench warrants.
The amnesty period runs from April 29 through May 3 and will waive the warrant fee for those who pay overdue fines.
Ticket and citation holders can visit the Clarkston Police Department between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to pay fines.
Information: 404-292-9465.
April Hunt
Wal-Mart opens job center
Now that construction is nearly done on a new Wal-Mart Supercenter in DeKalb County, a job center has opened to help fill jobs there.
The 149,000-square foot store at Hairston Road and Memorial Drive remains on pace to open this summer.
A hiring center at in Building A at Georgia Perimeter College’s Clarkston campus is open weekdays to take applications and provide information for the store’s 250 part-time and full-time jobs.
A similar store proposed about six miles away north of Decatur, meanwhile, remains the subject of a lawsuit by residents trying to stop the retail giant from moving in.
April Hunt
Decatur to participate in drug take-back
Decatur police departments will accept prescription drugs for safe disposal at a special event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the police communications center, 314-C Church St.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Take-Back Day allows residents to safely get rid of unwanted, unused or expired medicines.
Information: 404-373-6551.
April Hunt
Driver in drunken rampage charged
Michael Owen Snider, 70, of Stone Mountain was indicted on 29 counts Wednesday, including criminal damage to property, homicide by vehicle, serious injury by vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and failure to stop at the scene of an accident for allegedly intentionally ramming a series of vehicles during a drunken driving rampage.
Snider had a .184 blood-alcohol level, more than twice the legal limit of .08, when he caused four wrecks in DeKalb County and 11 in Gwinnett on Jan. 23, police said.
Snider stopped only when his 2006 F-250 Super Duty pickup truck crashed into Johnboy’s Home Cooking restaurant in unincorporated Snellville.
Andria Simmons
SOUTHSIDE
Fayette commission reimburses Brown
The Fayette County Commission voted Thursday to reimburse Chairman Steve Brown $2,128 for legal expenses he incurred defending an ethics complaint.
Former commissioner Robert Horgan claimed in January that Brown improperly ordered an investigation of former county attorney Scott Bennett.
The Fayette Ethics Board dismissed the complaint in March.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Drug disposal set up in Fayetteville
As part of a national effort to “Take Back” unused and surplus prescription medications, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office will set up a drive-through depository from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at 155 Johnson Ave., Fayetteville.
The free, anonymous service will safely dispose of materials.
Needles or other hazardous items cannot be accepted.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Comic honors mothers with Friday show
Riverdale comedian K.C. Cristian will present a comedy routine in honor of Mother’s Day called “The Gospel According to Grandma Presents Ain’t That A Mother” 7 p.m. Friday at The Thrift Store, 383 Fayette Place in Fayetteville.
Tickets can be purchased at The Thrift Store, $15 a person, $20 for two and $25 at the door. A portion of the proceeds will go toward Fayette High senior fees.
Information: 404 437-1309.
Tammy Joyner
Hazardous waste drop set in College Park
College Park will hold a household hazardous waste drop off event in conjunction with the city’s April Cleanup Month 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the John Calvin Avenue Recycling Center and Jamestown Plaza located behind Charles E. Phillips Park.
Information: 404-669-3778.
Lisa Gibson for the AJC
Poetry workshop at Peachtree City Library
The Friends of the Peachtree City Library will host a Poetry Workshop 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. today at the library. Students in grades 11-12 and adults will be led by Alexa Selph.
Space is limited; advance registration (including lunch) is $10.
Information: ptc.library.friends@gmail.com or www.peachtree-city.org/library. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Cultural Celebration
to take place today
The Clayton County Cultural Celebration will be 6:30 p.m. today at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center, 2530 Mt. Zion Parkway, Jonesboro.
Film producer Marion Campbell and comedian Malachi Blaque will serve as masters of ceremony.
Admission: $10
Information: Media Savvy Consulting, 404-207-3817 or ann@mediasavvyconsulting.com or Rep. Mike Glanton, glantonm@bellsouth.net or 678-479-7730. Tammy Joyner
