County by county news for Saturday

Everest Institute will be responsible for verifying service hours, nominating potential recipients and delivering the award.

Information: www.presidentialserviceawards.gov or 866-545-5307.

Kenneth Musisi

Enola Gay navigator to sign memoir

Maj. Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk, the last surviving crew member of the Enola Gay, will sign his book, "My True Course," 11 a.m.-3 p.m Saturday and Sunday Aug. 11-12 at the Marietta Museum of History's Aviation Wing at South Cobb Drive and Atlanta Road. Van Kirk, 91, was the navigator of the aircraft that dropped the Atomic bomb on Hiroshima. There is a $5 parking fee for this weekend's event.

Tucker McQueen

Cancer Society ball today

The American Cancer Society's 39th annual Swordsman's Ball is scheduled for Aug. 11 at the Cobb Galleria Center. The black-tie optional gala, themed "Warriors of the Fight" this year, will focus on people who surround cancer patients during their cancer battles. The event will feature a silent auction, musical performance by Atlanta variety band, Prime, and a video with cancer survivors and their "warriors" with them in the fight.

Gala proceeds benefit The American Cancer Society and its fight against cancer.

Information: Jessica Sweeney, 770-429-0089; Jessica.sweeney@cancer.org Janel Davis

Cancer Society sets 5K walk/run

The American Cancer Society has set Oct. 27 for the inaugural Cobb County Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk/Run in Marietta.

The Making Strides event is the Cancer Society's premier breast cancer event, and participants have raised more than $400 million nationwide to fight the cancer. The Cancer Society expects almost 227,000 new breast cancer cases to be diagnosed in women this year, with 39,510 deaths from the disease.

The Cobb event will begin at 8 a.m. in Marietta Square.

Registration: $25; www.stridesatlanta.org/marietta; CJ Jimerson 404-949-6474 Janel Davis

Cobb YMCA campers help others go to camp

Campers at the Northwest Family YMCA in Kennesaw are collecting change this week for donation to the Northwest Family Y Kids to Camp campaign.

Y kids have challenged the Rotary Club of North Cobb to match any change they collect. The campers and Rotary members will combine the money on Friday for a presentation to the Family camp.

The presentation begins at noon at the Northwest Family YMCA, 1700 Dennis Kemp Lane in Marietta.

This year 122 out of 425 campers received a total of about $10,000 in financial assistance at the Family YMCA summer camp.

Information: 770-423-9622

Janel Davis

GWINNETT

Duluth conducts leadership program

Applications are being accepted for the 5th Annual L.E.A.D. (Learn, Engage, Advance, Duluth) Academy. Participants will become knowledgeable about city operations, services, and the essential functions of Duluth government.

The 6-week program will be 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday Sept. 25-Oct 30. Applications, due Aug. 31, are available at City Hall or online at www.duluthga.net. Information: Alisa Williams at 678-475-3506 or awilliams@duluthga.net.

Kenneth Musisi

Norcross appoints new leader for recreation

Norcross has promoted longtime employee Mary Beth Bender to superintendent of the city's Recreation, Parks & Cultural Division. She has worked for Norcross over the 13 years in many roles, most recently as the executive assistant for the Public Works, Utilities & Parks Department.

Bender will be responsible for managing daily operations for the city's 11 designated parks and cultural arts facilities. Joel Anderson

Georgia SPCA to hold fundraiser

The Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will host its annual "You Ain't Nothin' But a Pound Dog" fundraiser on August 18.

The benefit, now in its third year, will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Gwinnett Center at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. Proceeds will benefit the Georgia SPCA shelter and pet adoption center at 1175 Buford Highway in Suwanee.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.georgiaspca.org. The last day to buy tickets is Tuesday. Kenneth Musisi

Duluth movie night this Saturday

Duluth's Flicks on the Bricks continues at dusk Saturday, August 11 on the Town Green in downtown Duluth with the movie, "Mamma Mia!" Preshow activities begin at 7 p.m. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Registration open for Suwanee Day races

Registration is now available for the annual Suwanee Day 5K and 10K Classic, which is scheduled for Sept. 8.

Participants can also register for a non-competitive 25-mile bike ride or 1K kids' fun run. All of the day's activities will begin and end at Town Center Park, 330 Town Center Avenue.

Information: www.suwaneeday.com or www.active.com. Joel Anderson

Georgia Gwinnett College receives grant

Cisco Systems Foundation has granted $74,950 to Georgia Gwinnett College's new Tutors Around the Campus program, which offers tutoring in locations such as dining areas, the student center and residence halls. GGC's pilot program provides students tutoring in familiar, comfortable environments and is designed to attract those reluctant to access services in the traditional lab environment. The grant will help expand the Lawrenceville School's new tutoring program, which John Muth, dean of GGC's School of Transitional Studies, said has served twice as many students as in the lab setting. Michael Alpert for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Marietta bans minors in bars

Minors 18 and under will no longer be allowed in bars and lounges in Marietta. The ban, approved by Marietta City Council on Wednesday, will not affect restaurants, pool halls or the bar's under age employees on duty. The Marietta Police Department asked for the ban after several incidents concerning minors at foam parties at bars on Franklin Road and Church Street Extension. The bars did not ask patrons for identification at dance parties in waist-high foam.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Citizens Police Academy upcoming

Johns Creek's nine-week Citizens Police Academy begins Monday at its police department, 11445 Johns Creek Parkway. The free course 6 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday explores department operations and is designed to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and residents. Limited to 25 people, the academy is open to city residents 21 and over who successfully pass a background check. Information: Kathy Shiplett, 678-474-1561, kathy.shiplett@johnscreekga.gov.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Chamber business expo set next week

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce holds its 2012 Business Expo from 1-5 p.m. Tuesday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency Recreation Center, 7545 Main St., Woodstock. Fifty local businesses and non-profit organizations will man booths to showcase their services and network. The event is free and open to the public. Info: cherokeechamber.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee school hits record enrollment

Less than a week into the school year, the Cherokee County School District reached a student enrollment milestone Wednesday , hitting 39,039. Officials say it's the first time the district has been above the 39,000 level, and exceeds the system's prior projected peak enrollment of 38,925. District officials say more than 800 students have enrolled since the first day of school. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cancer workshop scheduled in Forsyth

The Cancer Support Community of Atlanta will present a workshop on "The Art of Relaxation for Cancer Patients" from 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Wednesday at Northside Hospital-Forsyth, 1200 Northside Forsyth Drive, Cumming. The workshop is free to cancer patients and survivors and their caretakers. Information: www.cscatlanta.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Marietta group moves for historic district

Marietta's Historic Preservation Commission got the go ahead from the Marietta City Council Wednesday to take steps to create the city's first historic district on Kennesaw Avenue.

Preservation chair David Freedman said if the district is approved by 60 percent of its home owners and council, proposed home modifications would have to first meet preservation guidelines. The City Council approved the area as a historic district in 2010, but the vote was vetoed by Mayor Steve Tumlin. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

ATLANTA

Returning students can get free hair cuts

The Fulton County Office of Children and Youth and Hot 107.9 will hold "Hot Cuts and Curls 2012," 10 a.m. in the atrium of the Fulton County Government Center, 141 Pryor St.

The first-come, first-serve event is for students ages 7-17. The first 500 boys through the doors get haircuts and the first 500 girls get hair supplies, courtesy of local barbers and donations from hair care products manufacturers. Boys and girls get school supplies.

Information: 404-612-9521 or 404-612-7386, or go to hotspotatl.com/events/hot-cuts-curls-2012. Johnny Edwards

Forum examines 'Negro leagues' in baseball

Atlanta-Fulton's Auburn Avenue Research Library will hold a community forum Saturday on the legacy of baseball's "Negro leagues" and their impact on modern sports to tie in with Major League Baseball's upcoming 2012 Civil Rights Game, when the Braves play the Dodgers at home on Aug. 18.

"The Rise and Fall of Negro League Baseball" starts at 4 p.m. at 101 Auburn Ave., N.E. Information: 404-730-4001, Ext. 100. Johnny Edwards

Black journalists group meets Tuesday

The Atlanta Association of Black Journalists will conduct a meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Georgia Power Building Auditorium, 241 Ralph McGill Boulevard NE, Atlanta. Cost: $5 for non-AABJ members.

The AABJ will also collect back-to-school supplies to benefit the Georgia Military Retirees Association. Information: www.aabj.org.

Kenneth Musisi

Hosea Feed the Hungry offers giveaway

Hosea Feed the Hungry & Homeless are distributing fresh produce, food boxes, children's clothing and cleaning supplies noon to 3 p.m. today its Crisis Care Center, 1035 Donnelly Ave. SW. More than 4,000 of Atlanta's children live at or below the poverty level and start school without the basics. Hosea hopes to help up to 400 families.Information: www.hoseafeedthehungry.com. Staff

DEKALB

Back-to-School bash this weekend

Parents and students can receive free health screenings and school supplies at the Back-to-School Bash Sunday in DeKalb County.

Organizers hope to hand out 1,000 book bags and 50 school uniforms at the event. Donations of school supplies are being taken at all county recreation centers and the Manuel Maloof government building in downtown Decatur.

The event runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Dr., near Decatur.

Information: 404-687-3430.

April Hunt

Principal confronts man with gun

Authorities are looking for the man who was spotted with a loaded gun at a school's open house Wednesday night.

DeKalb school police said the principal at Towers High noticed a suspicious person after the event and asked him to leave. According to the police report obtained by Channel 2, Donevin Hoskins, the principal, saw the man drop a skull cap and a loaded pistol was inside it. Hoskins tried to grab the cap, a struggle ensued, and the man fled without the weapon.

Authorities have footage of the man and are working to identify him. Staff reports

Forecast allows roadwork to resume

A drier, sunnier forecast for this weekend over last could mean big delays on the top-end Perimeter where a major resurfacing project is expected to shut down the two left lanes of I-285 eastbound from Paces Ferry Road to Ashford Dunwoody Road and the three right lanes on the westbound side of I-285 will be blocked between Ga. 400 and Roswell Road. Paving ends 5 a.m. Monday. Mike Morris

Cops: Officer stole from lost wallet

A young boy found a wallet at a Cobb County bowling alley, handed it to his auntm who gave it to her husband, a DeKalb County police officer. Akii Isaac Myers took $500 from the wallet and the owner's identification, according to an arrest warrant obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Myers then handed the cash to his wife before turning the wallet in to bowling alley employees, police said.

The July 29 act was caught on surveillance cameras and Myers, who later confessed, was charged with theft by taking, a misdemeanor, Cobb County jail records show. He was released the following day after posting $1,000 bond. Alexis Stevens

Decatur City enrollment rises

Student enrollment in City Schools of Decatur has risen by 11 percent this school year, with more than 3,600 students signed up for this school year.

Wayne Washington

Volunteers help Decatur neighborhood

For the fourth consecutive year, Ashworth College in Norcross partnered with Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County to make a difference in the community as part of its graduation week activities on Aug. 3.

More than 20 Ashworth employee and student volunteers worked on a variety of repair, cosmetic, and landscaping projects in the Belvedere Park neighborhood of Decatur. The effort was part of Habitat's "A Brush with Kindness" project.

Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

Running club donates water fountain

Twenty-seven years after it first erected a drinking fountain outside Peachtree City's City Hall, the Peachtree City Running Club has donated $6,000 to replace it.

The original fountain, used by many runners, cyclists and other visitors, stopped working awhile ago.

The club presented the City Council with a check on Aug. 2 to install a new one.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Panola Mountain State Park to host Night Hike

Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge will host a Full Moon Night Hike event at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 and Aug. 25. Participants will meet at the nature center, head out just before sunset and enjoy the stroll as the moon begins to rise. Flashlights, water, and hiking boots are needed. Cost is $7, and $5 parking. Registration: 770-389-7801. Kenneth Musisi

Boyz Rock event set for today

The National Stylist Association and A Titus Man will conduct the second annual Boyz Rock event noon to 6 p.m. today at Mants Estate, 7755 Hall Road, Fairburn. The free outdoor event will help boys ages 8-12 building a firm foundation. Activities include horseback riding and fishing. Information: Henrietta Turnquest at 404-808-3937. Kenneth Musisi

Secure shredding, bulk waste disposal set

Free document shredding will be offered to Fulton County residents from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at Merk Road Transfer Station, 3225 Merk Rd, College Park.

Bulky waste items will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 18 at Creel Park, 2775 Creel Rd., College Park and South Fulton Service Center, 5600 Stonewall Tell Rd., College Park.

Acceptable items: Appliances, furniture, electronics, televisions, computers and tires. Unacceptable items: Paint, chemicals, batteries, construction debris and yard waste. Information: shaista.begum@fultoncountyga.gov or 404-612-1011. Mea Watkins

Free prostate screeenings

Piedmont Henry Hospital will provide free prostate screenings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 15, in the hospital's Foundation Education Center.

Candidates for the screening must be male, age 40 years or older who have never been diagnosed with prostate cancer and must not have had a prostate screening within the past year.

Men who wish to be screened will have both a prostate-specific antigen test and a digital rectal exam. Visit piedmonthenry.org or call 678-604-1040.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Book sale at Tyrone Public Library

Members of the Friends of the Tyrone Public Library, a nonprofit organization, invite the public to an ongoing book sale at the library, 143 Commerce Dr.

Hardback books, audio books, and CDs sell for $1 and paperback books cost 50 cents. Information: www.friendsofthetyronepubliclibrary.org.

Kenneth Musisi