COBB
Kennesaw State opens new law library
Kennesaw State University’s College of Continuing and Profession Education will unveil its new Joe R. Edwards law library today.
The library is named for the long-time Atlanta attorney known for defending blue-collar and poor clients who donated his law books to Kennesaw State. Edwards died of heart failure in 1999.
The new facility features more than 2,000 books worth about $35,000, and will serve KSU’s paralegal program.
Edwards grandson, Johnny Edwards, is an investigative reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Janel Davis
Streets to close for Taste of Marietta
Streets around the Marietta Square will close for the Taste of Marietta 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. More than 100,000 are expected to attend. Some 75 restaurants, caterers and food trucks will sell samples from 50 cents to $5. The annual event will also have children activities, a sports corner and entertainment on four stages. The Marietta Trolley Company will run a shuttle service from Marietta Middle School. Information: www.tasteofmarietta.com.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
More playground funds for Powder Springs
The Powder Springs City Council agreed Monday to pay $19,000 more to East Coast Grading for a rock-climbing structure at the Powder Springs Linear Park, Richard D. Sailors Parkway at Villa Springs Circle.
The total will be about $640,000 for a treehouse playground and sidewalks that should be open by August.Carolyn Cunningham
Marietta announces free concerts
Marietta is taking table reservations for a summer concert series in Glover Park on the Marietta Square. Six concerts, the last Friday of the month through Sept. 26, begin this week with the R&B 911 Band. The concerts are free, but tables provided by the city are $45-$65. Information: www.mariettaga.gov/concerts.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Golf Fore Hope for charities on Monday
The South Cobb Business Assocation and WellStar will host the third annual Golf Fore Hope charity tournament on Monday at Creekside Golf and Country Club, 591 Westchester Club Drive, Hiram to benefit the Bullock Hope House, WellStar Foundation and WellStar Cobb Pediatrics.
The Bullock Hope House in Powder Springs is a private home, offering free accommodations to one cancer patient at a time and his or her family from out of town.
Information: bullockhopehouse.org/golf-fore-hope. Carolyn Cunningham
Art groups to perform at Marietta High
The Marietta Performing Arts Center at Marietta High School, 1171 Winn St., has announced its 2014-2015 season with performances by the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, Georgia Ballet, Georgia Dance Conservatory and the Atlanta Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare Tavern. The arts groups will work with students in an educational partnership with Marietta City Schools. Shows will also be available to the public.
Information: www.marietta-city.org.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
Berkeley Lake to repave roadways
Based on the completion of a road paving projects assessment done in March, Berkeley Lake has identified city streets in need of resurfacing. Roads in Berkeley Walk, Berkeley Commons, River Mansions, Lakefield Bend, and sections of Habersham Lane, Peachtree Lakes Drive and Bayway Circle are identified for improvement. The city engineer has proposed a plan to obtain and manage bids and perform construction management for the projects at a cost of $6,900. Information: www.berkeley-lake.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Suwanee puts art on a limb
Artworks will soon be appearing in Suwanee as the city celebrates its annual finders-keepers Art on a Limb programwhere Suwanee hides two pieces of art along the Suwanee Creek Greenway or at Sims Lake and White Street parks each day in May. Those who find the art pieces get to keep them. This year potter and former music teacher Richard Shivers has created ceramic frog bowls decorated with phrases from Suwanee’s “Live Well. Play Hard. Smile More!” slogan. Information: www.suwanee.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Meet a scientist at Heritage Center
Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center will host Meet a Scientist Day 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday 2020 Clean Water Drive in Buford. Scientists from across the community will be on hand to answer questions about their careers. Event is included with regular admission. Information: www.gwinnettehc.org or 770-904-3500.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Volunteers needed for arts festival
Duluth is seeking volunteers for the 10th Annual Barefoot in the Park Festival to be held May 10-11. The two-day event includes an artist market, adult learning village, beer garden, children’s art park and student art exhibit.
Registration: www.barefootinthepark.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Mobile mammography coming to Snellville
The BelkGives on the Go Mobile Mamography Center will provide free mammogram screenings 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 3 at the Belk store, 2059 Scenic Highway in Snellville.
Women 40 and older with no breast concerns who have not had a mammogram in the last 12 months and have a primary care physician are eligible by calling 855-655-2662 to schedule an appointment.
Confidential results will be sent to the patient and physician. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Challenge to clean up neighborhoods
Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful challenges residents to observe Keep America Beautiful Month with Put Litter in its Place Day on Saturday by picking up trash in neighborhoods or favorite parks. Go one step further by gathering friends or co-workers to form a Put Litter in its Place party to remove cigarette butts, aluminum cans and other garbage along a stretch of road.
Information: www.gwinnettcb.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Roswell to collect old drugs for disposal
Roswell residents may drop off prescription drugs for disposal at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Roswell Recycling Center, 11570 Maxwell Road, Alpharetta. The Roswell Police Department is partnering with Keep Roswell Beautiful and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which is sponsoring the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
Information: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback or 770-640-4422. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Job fair Saturday in Cumming
The nonprofit MSG Foundation of Forsyth County will hold a job fair 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday at 1st Christian Church, 1270 Sawnee Drive, Cumming. The focus will be more on providing information about skills needed for specific jobs and how to acquire them, job searches on the Internet, funding for education and writing a resume. . Information; marcus-sharon-gunter-foundation.org
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth fire recruits graduate
The Forsyth County Fire Department graduated its newest recruit class this past Friday. Jared Andrews, John Crump, Justin Rogers, Luis Salazar and John Underwood III began the process of joining the department in the fall of 2013 and completed an intensive 14-week course that included truck and engine operations, structure fire control, and interior search and rescue. Mark Woolsey
Observance for those who lost loved ones
The second annual Our Children Our Children memorial observance will take place at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Mountain Park Recreational Area, 18 Lake Shore Drive, Mountain Park. Inspirational speakers will participate in the ceremony for families who had lost a loved one during the past year.
Information: gloria.parker@gmail.com
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Topping out ceremony held in Forsyth
A few hundred people, including top elected officials, gathered in downtown Cumming Tuesday for a “topping out” ceremony on the county’s new courthouse, jail and parking structure project. The event celebrated reaching the highest level in the project’s tallest structure, the five-story courthouse and thanked construction workers. The presentation was punctuated by a ceremonial concrete bucket being lifted by crane to the courthouse roof. The $100 million project was funded by a SPLOST levy approved by voters in 2011, and began in July of 2013. Completion is set for 2015. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Arts Streetfest in downtown Alpharetta
Over 80 artists from around the country will exhibit their works at the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest, a free festival at 10 a.m. Saturday and SundayApril27 in downtown Alpharetta.
The festival will also feature live jazz and acoustic music performances, children’s activities and festival cuisine.
Information: www.awesomealpharetta.com or 678-297-0102. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
ATLANTA
APS budget for next year approved early
The Atlanta Board of Education completed the school system’s $658 million budget two months earlier than last year, giving the city a head-start on teacher hiring.
The budget, covering 50,000 students and 6,600 employees, was approved Tuesday.
The system’s newly elected school board pushed for early passage of the budget so the school system could plan ahead as they prepare for the incoming superintendent. Mark Niesse
Applications taken for youth commission
The Fulton County Office of Children and Youth is accepting applications for the Fulton County Youth Commission, a leadership program designed to mentor future leaders. Participants become familiar with how local government resolves youth issues and make suggestions for the best solutions.
Fulton County students in grades 9 - 11 may apply. Deadline is May 23.
Information: Andre.Danzy@fultoncountyga.gov, www.fultoncountyga.gov or 404-612-3099. Kent A. Miles
Festival to celebrate Arab culture
The ninth Atlanta Arab Festival, featuring samples of the best of Arab cuisine and culture, will be held Sunday and Monday at the Alif Institute, 3288 Marjan Drive, Atlanta.
The institute is a nonprofit culture, education, arts and enrichment center focusing on Arab culture and Arab Americans. Admission is $2 a person, $5 a family.
Information: www.atlantaarabfestival.com Kent A. Miles for the AJC
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 at 6:30 p.m. today 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.
Information: ccmurray@atlantaga.gov
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
DEKALB
Annexation approved for west Decatur
Annexation of the Parkwoods neighborhood west of Decatur was approved by city commissioners Monday, the annexation becoming official July 1. If the approximately five rising seniors give city manager Peggy Merriss notice by June 1, they can finish their high school careers at Druid Hills High rather than transferring to Decatur High. The neighborhood is 35.2 acres with 75 homes (including 14 students who will move into the Decatur system), the city’s largest annexation in possibly decades.Bill Banks for the AJC
Disability group gala Saturday
The 15th anniversary gala for disABILITY LINK will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Courtyard Marriott, 130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur.
Tickets: $100. Information: www.disabilitylink.org, cjames@disabilitylink.org, or 404-687-8890, Ext. 113.Kent A. Miles
Ride for fallen police Saturday
The 23rd annual ride for fallen officers is 11 a.m. Saturday at Turner Field with registration at 8 a.m.
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 fundraising sale
Immaculate Heart of Mary School, 2855 Briarcliff Road NE. will sell fairly traded tea, coffee, chocolate, jewelry, scarves, and other hand-crafted items from farmers and artisans in developing regions.
The Work of Human Hands Sale is s 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday . Information: www.crsfairtrade.org/crafts
Nancy Badertscher
Animal welfare group offering summer camp
PAWS Atlanta, an animal welfare group, offers summer camps for kids 8 to 13 to focus on being responsible pet owners and humane animal treatment. It will also include hands-on sessions with animals.
Information: www.pawsatlanta.org. April Hunt
Keep DeKalb Beautiful holds open house
Keep DeKalb Beautiful hosts an open house and training workshop 4 p.m. today at 3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur.
Guests will learn about the organization’s events in their neighborhoods, as well as how to participate in Adopt-a-Road and Adopt-a-MARTA Bus Stop maintenance programs.
Information: web.co.dekalb.ga.us/beautiful/index.html Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Air show coming to PDK Airport
DeKalb Peachtree Airport, 2000 Airport Road, Chamblee, hosts the Good Neighbor Air Show and Open House noon May 17.
The event celebrates the 55th anniversary of the airport’s operation as a civilian aviation facility. Admission is free and open to the public; parking is $10 per vehicle.
Information: www.pdkairshow.com
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
Two charged in McDonough murder
Joseph Franklin Norris, 49, and Tonia Lynn Gantt, 44, planned to rob Michael Raymond Patton, 45, of McDonough on Sunday according to police, but Patton ended up getting shot in the head, Henry County police say. Norris and Gantt have been arrested on charges of murder and are being held in the Henry County jail.
Police responding to an emergency call in the 100 block of Highland Drive in McDonough found Gantt with a head wound and Patton dead. Gantt was also charged with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute Michelle E. Shaw
Fayette water council needs members
The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District seeks volunteers from Fayette County to serve on the Flint Basin Advisory Council. A total of six councils provide planning input by representing stakeholders that rely on the region’s water resources. Applicants must reside in the region for which they apply. Applications are due April 30 and are available at www.northgeorgiawater.com. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fayette CCRPI scores hold steady
Fayette County schools’ scores on the College and Career Ready Performance Index mostly stayed level or increased over last year. Overall scores for elementary and middle schools rose between 2012 and 2013, but the high school score decreased slightly. Achievement scores for all levels increased by less than a point, and progress scores were above average. Information: www.gadoe.org.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Spring art festival in McDonough
The McDonough Arts 2014 Spring Art Fest takes place at noon Sunday on the McDonough Square.
The festival will feature an artists market exhibiting works by Henry students, live music and a silent auction. Free.
Information: mcdonougharts.net
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
HCFD’s 40th anniversary cited
The Henry County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation at its April 15 meeting recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Henry County Fire Department. Founded in 1974 and made up entirely of volunteers, the department now serves 210,000. HCFD Chief Bill Lacy also took an opportunity to recognize former and current fire department employees as well as several past fire chiefs and officers. A reception was held prior to the board meeting and attended by some of the earliest members of the HCFD. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org/fire. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Locust Grove Women’s Club turns 100
The Henry County Board of Commissioners recognized the 100th anniversary of the Locust Grove Women’s Club with a proclamation honoring the group at the April 15 regular board meeting. Several members were on hand to accept the proclamation which gave a brief timeline of the club and its activities, detailing its history of charitable endeavors through World War I and II up to today. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
