COBB
Marietta to regulate abandoned buildings
The Marietta City Council this week approved changes in the city code that will require property owners to register abandoned and boarded-up buildings and fine the owners if it takes longer than six months to fix their property. The fine for non-compliance will be $500 the first day and $50 a day there after. Marietta will send the proposed changes to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for recommendation before a final vote by the council. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Pace Academy adding new stadium
Pace Academy plans to complete construction of a stadium and track in time for the school’s first home football game of the 2014 season in August.
The stadium will be named Walsh Field in honor of Leigh and Tim Walsh, who contributed to the school’s $35 million capital campaign that raised money to build a new Upper School. Mark Niesse
Tree keepers to end season today
The Marietta Tree Keepers will wrap up its tree planting season 9 a.m.-11 a.m. today in downtown Marietta at Hill Pocket Park, 144 Lemon St. Volunteers can register starting 8:30 a.m. Refreshments and tools will be provided. Information: www.mariettga.gov/committee/treekeepers. Tucker McQueen
East Cobb Y to hold free day Sunday
The McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA will hold a free day for families, 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, at 1055 East Piedmont Road, Marietta.
Director Becky Shipley said the Healthy Kids Day is a national initiative to promote healthy living and physical activity.
Information: www.ymcaatlanta.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Taste of West Cobb today
Hillgrove High School Bands will host the seventh annual Taste of West Cobb from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the school, 4165 Luther Ward Road, Powder Springs in the band parking lot.
Food samplings from West Cobb restaurants and bakeries will be available for $10 a pack, including 10 taste tickets, which also may be used for beverages or children’s activities - bouncy houses, bungee jump or train.
Profits will support the school’s band program.
Information: cobbk12.org/Hillgrove, tasteofwestcobb.com Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
‘Citizen’nominations due Monday
Nominations for the South Cobb Citizen of the Year are being accepted through noon Monday.
This award was created by the South Cobb Rotary Club in 1986 and is co-sponsored by the South Cobb Area Council of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.
Forms may be downloaded at clubrunner.ca/Data/6900 /7535/HTML/216267//SCCOYNomination2014.pdf and mailed to Jason L. Bowman, 3818 Powder Springs Road, Powder Springs, Ga. 30127.
Information: Nancy Arnold, 770-943-5392 or email southcobbrotary@gmail.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Lilburn CID seeks support for improvement plan
The Lilburn Community Improvement District is seeking professional support to improve one of Highway 29’s busiest sections. The CID is accepting qualifications from consultants to create a detailed plan for improving the roadway, bicycle and pedestrian environment along four miles of Highway 29 from Rockbridge Road to Ronald Reagan Parkway. Qualifications must be submitted to the Lilburn CID by 2 p.m. on April 18.
Information: www.lilburncid.com, www.glga.org.
Molly Bloom
Center to honor Earth Day with festival
The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center celebrates Earth Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford. Games, guided nature hikes, crafts, “edible” insects, solar t-shirt screening, movies, face painting will be offered
Information: 770-904-3525 or www.gwinnettEHC.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Help needed to define consolidated plan
The Gwinnett Community Development Program asks residents to help identify needs and funding priorities for its Consolidated Plan 2015-2019. Input is requested to help develop a new Analysis of Impediment to Fair Housing Choice. Eight community meetings are being held to receive public input with the next at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Loganville City Hall, 4385 Pecan St., Loganville. A survey is available through May 30 for those unable to attend one of the meetings: www.surveymonkey.com/s/7YL8YL3 Information: gchcd@gwinnettcounty.com or 678-518-6008. Karen Huppertz
Mobile food bank helping this Saturday
The Overcomers House and The Atlanta Community Food Bank are hosting the Truckload Food Giveaway Mobile Pantry for families in need at 9 a.m. today at Healing Place Church, 781 U.S. Highway 78 in Loganville. The Overcomers House is a Snellville-based nonprofit that works to fight hunger in Gwinnett and surrounding areas.
Information: 678-575-6608. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Duluth launches information app
Duluth has launched a new app for searching restaurants, retail shops, etc., check an event calendar, report issues, and find information about city parks.
The app is also expected to add components with future updates. Duluth’s app is available in the Apple and Google Play stores. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Georgia Cities Week tours in Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville has planned tours during Georgia Cities Week: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. Monday tour Georgia Gwinnett College and Gwinnett Tech; 9 a.m. to noon or 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday tour city projects and facilities; and 9 to 11 a.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday tour City Hall Chambers. The same tour will be offered twice each day by trolley.
Reservations: 678-407-6576.
Information: www.lawrencevillega.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Waleska council sets vote on Sunday booze
Waleska City Council voted this week to set a general election vote on whether to allow Sunday sales of package beer and wine and Sunday by-the-drink sales of beer, wine and spirits. City manager Aimee Abernathy says the vote was driven by businesses saying that they were at a competitive disadvantage with neighboring jurisdictions. Council also decided to move forward with a seperate ordinance that would allow per-drink distilled spirit sales Monday through Saturday. A vote is scheduled later this spring on that proposal. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Aviation design competition today
The Georgia Model Aviators Airfield in Ball Ground will host the annual SAE Aero Design competition today and Sunday. In the competition, university teams from around the world research, design, build, present and fly radio-controlled aircraft. Spectators are invited and admission is free. Georgia Tech engineers practice on the Georgia Model Aviators airfield and have placed first in the competition for the past two years. Information: gmarc.com.
Kelly Yamanouchi
Man, child safe after river ride goes awry
Sandy Springs and Roswell officials rescued a man and child from the Chattahoochee after they fell out of a canoe Friday. The two fell in the river at Azalea Park in Sandy Springs and floated into Roswell.
Roswell and Sandy Springs rescue worked together in the effort. Michelle E. Shaw
Voter registraton deadline approaching
Forsyth County Voter Registrations and Election officials say the deadline to register to vote in the May 20 primary/non-partisan general/special election is 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 21. Residents wishing to register or change their name and/or address can do so at the elections office, 110 E. Main St., Cumming from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays. Applications can also be downloaded from forsythco.com. More information: forsythco.com or 770-781-2118, ext. 9.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Pre-K registration set in Cherokee
The Cherokee County School District begins registration for 2014-2015 pre-kindergarten classes 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 28-May 9 at Ball Ground, Canton Hasty, Oak Grove and R.M. Moore elementary schools, Little River Preschool and the Ralph Bunche Center. Students who are four years old on or before Sept. 1 are eligible to enroll. Parents need proof of: age, immunization and health screening, social security number, parent/guardianship and residency. Names will be drawn May 15 at each school. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Alpharetta to host food truck event
Alpharetta officials are inviting you to feast on the street with their weekly Alpharetta Food Truck Alley.
It kicks off 5-9 p.m. April 17 on Old Roswell Street downtown, and will continue each Thursday through Oct. 23. Six to eight rotating food trucks and live music will be featured each week.
Information: awesomealpharetta.com
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Red Cross event at Mitchell House
The Atlanta Red Cross will host its annual Tiffany Circle Centennial Celebration 6: 45 p.m. April 22 at The Margaret Mitchell House, 990 Peachtree St NE. Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, incoming President of Morehouse School of Medicine, will be the featured speaker. The Tiffany Circle Centennial Celebration event is the second in a series of events marking the Atlanta Red Cross’ 100-day Centennial celebration.
Information: 404-575-3109 or rosalyn.hines@redcross.org
Gracie Bonds Staples
Civil rights forum on civil rights center
“This is Our Atlanta,” a forum and artistic tribute commemorating the opening of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights this year, will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 24 at Park Tavern, 500 10th St. NE.
The event’s moderator will be Doug Shipman, the chief executive officer of the Center for Civil and Human Rights. The 42,000-square-foot building is under construction at Pemberton Place, adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park.
Information: ccmurray@atlantaga.gov
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Annual ‘Sheep to Shawl’ set for Saturday
The annual “Sheep to Shawl” event is 10:30 a.m. to 4:30p.m. today at the Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road NW to show how cloth is made through shearing, spinning and weaving.
Admission is $16.50, adults; $13, seniors, 65 plus and students, 13 plus; $11, children, 4 to 12; and free for children under 4. Information: atlantahistorycenter.com/program/sheep-shawl or 404-814-4000. Carolyn Cunningham
Run to benefit Historic Oakland Foundation
The 5K Run Like Hell: Pushing Up Daisies Edition to benefit the Historic Oakland Foundation is 9:30 a.m. today through historic Oakland Cemetery, 248 Oakland Ave. SE.
Information: www.oaklandcemetery.com/?event=run-like-hell-pushing-up-daisies-edition-2014 Kent A. Miles for the AJC
DEKALB
‘Parkwoods’ one step closer to annexation
In a recent public hearing representatives of “the Parkwoods” – including East and West Parkwood Roads, Parkwood Lane and Upland Road in west Decatur — gave oral petitions mostly favoring their neighborhood’s proposed annexation into the city.
The area includes 18 school-aged children, a total 77 parcels, with 15 of those properties half in Decatur and half in DeKalb County.
If approved by the city commission on April 21, this would be the city’s largest single annexation in at least 10 years. Bill Banks for the AJC
Civic association sponsors candidates
The Civic Association Network is hosting an event for residents to meet, greet and ask questions to candidates appearing on the May 20 election ballot at 1:30 p.m. April 27 at the Thalia N. Carlos Hellenic Community Center, 2500 Clairmont Road.
The Civic Association Network is a coalition of civic associations in central DeKalb County.
Information: www.can-dk.org Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Ride for fallen police officers on April 26
The 23rd annual ride for fallen officers will take place at 11 a.m. April 26 at Turner Field, 755 Hank Aaron Drive SE, Atlanta.
DeKalb County officers and other employees will participate in the Georgia Police Memorial Ride, organized by the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. Four law enforcement officers statewide died in the line of duty in 2013, among them DeKalb police Officer Ivorie Klusmann.
Registration: $35, rider; $15, passenger. Information: blueknightsga7.org Kent A. Miles for the AJC
IMH School hosts Work of Human Hands sale
Immaculate Heart of Mary School will be selling fairly traded tea, coffee, chocolate, jewelry, scarves, and other hand-crafted items from farmers and artisans living in developing regions.
The Work of Human Hands Sale is set for April 29 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. It takes place in the IHM school library, 2855 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta, 30329.
Information: www.crsfairtrade.org/crafts
Nancy Badertscher
Disability group to hold gala April 26
The 15th anniversary gala for disABILITY LINK will take place at 5 p.m. April 26 at the Courtyard Marriott, 130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur.
The event will honor the efforts of individuals and organizations that work to improve the lives and protect the rights of people with disabilities. Individual tickets to the event are $100.
Information: www.disabilitylink.org, cjames@disabilitylink.org, or 404-687-8890, Ext. 113.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Southern Ghosts at ART Station
ART Station, 5384 Manor Drive, Stone Mountain presents “Southern Ghosts,” an evening Southern storytelling April 23 - 27. Thursday-Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m. Sunday shows begin at 3 p.m. Tickets: $15 Information: www.artstation.org or 770-469-1105.
Arlinda Smith Broady
SOUTHSIDE
SPLOST information session Tuesday
Learn more about the capital projects to be funded by the proposed 2015 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax at an information session 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Representatives from the cities, county departments and Southern Regional Medical Center will be on hand to answer questions. The session will be held before the county commission meeting at the Board of Commissioners Office, 112 Smith St. in Jonesboro. Information: 770 477-3208 or www.claytonSPLOST.com. Tammy Joyner
Lake Peachtree refilling is delayed
Work on Peachtree City’s Lake Peachtree will delay the refilling of the lake. The water level was drawn down in January to allow property owners to do shoreline and dock maintenance. A safety inspection of the spillway that regulates the water level showed a need for repairs, which will take about three weeks.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Peachtree Cityseeks input for signs
Following a city council discussion about what to do about deteriorating subdivision entrance signs, Peachtree City’s administration is asking for public input.
At issue is who should pay to repair or replace nearly 200 signs and whether to set price limits and/or standardize sign materials.
An online survey is at www.peachtree-city.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=805.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Motorcycle ride will benefit autism group
A charity motorcycle ride from Lawrenceville to Fayetteville will start at 9:30 a.m. today at Cycle Gear, 722 Collins Hill Road in Lawrenceville. Proceeds benefit Southside Support Inc.’s efforts for families coping with autism.
A free family festival at Fayetteville’s Southern Ground Amphitheater will run 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Information: www.uptopriders.com and www.southsidesupport.org.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Clayton schools golf tourney April 25
Clayton County Public Schools will host its 5th Annual Golf Tournament on April 25 at Lake Spivey Country Club, starting with 11 a.m. registration. Cost: $125 per player. Proceeds go to scholarships for Clayton County Public School students.
Information: Teri Rodgers at 770 473-2712. Tammy JOyner
College Park getting improved street signs
Public works crews in College Park have been installing new and improved street signs citywide.
Officials say the signs feature upper- and lower-case lettering and improved reflectivity to enhance readability.
The city is making the signs in-house as part of the $32,000 project. The city’s public works director says installations are being done in the historic district first, and then will proceed by ward, with arterial streets getting the new signage upfront.
The project is expected to take up to 36 months. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
