County by county news for Thursday

Art in the Park in Marietta this weekend

The 25th Art in the Park juried fine arts show is Labor Day weekend, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday through Monday, on the Marietta Square. The show will have work by 150 artists from 16 states including paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, graphics and sculpture. This year’s show will have an interactive art alley and a chalk art competition. Information: artparkMarietta.com. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Love the Lake Festival this weekend

Acworth’s Love the Lake Festival will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday and noon-6 p.m., Sunday. The festival, sponsored by the Acworth Business Association and the City of Acworth, will start with a parade through Downtown Acworth at 10 a.m. The arts and crafts festival will have food,entertainment and a kids zone with inflatables. Parking will be available in downtown Acworth with free shuttle rides to the festival at Cauble Park. Information: 770-917-1234. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs council incumbent opposed

Powder Springs City Councilman Tom Bevirt will be opposed in his re-election bid on Nov. 8. On Monday, Dr. Chris Wizner resigned his chairmanship of the Powder Springs Planning and Zoning Commission to run against the three-term, at-large incumbent.

Wizner confirmed to the AJC on Wednesday that he has served as chairman for six of the last 13 years on the commission. He said he is a family physician at the WellStar Powder Springs Medical Center and homeowners association president for Warren Creek Subdivision. City qualifying ends at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Sen. Tippins to speak to retired educators

Sen. Lindsey Tippins, R-Marietta, will speak at the Sept. 8 meeting of the Cobb Marietta Retired Educators Association.

The meeting is 11:30 a.m. in the Freeman Poole Multipurpose Center, 4025 South Hurt Road, Smyrna. Lunch is $9. Reservation: email debbybob@comcast.net. Information: www.cmrea.org. Ty Tagami

Teachers of year to give handprints

The ceremony to celebrate teachers of the year in Cobb County has been scheduled for Oct. 5. The Cobb Chamber of Commerce will unveil the handprints of the system-wide award winners for the county and the city of Marietta schools at the event, which starts at 10:30 a.m. in Glover Park on the Marietta Square. After their selection, the two honored teachers will become the 23rd pair to leave their handprints. Ty Tagami

GWINNETT

Regular customer nabbed after store robbery

Gwinnett Police on Monday arrested a woman who made off with more than $2,000 after allegedly robbing the Nu Energy Foods store. A woman entered the Herrington Road store in Lawrenceville at 10 a.m. Friday, pointed a gun at the cashier and demanded money.

The employee recognized her as a regular customer. Police were able to identify the woman because she participated in the Georgia WIC program, which provides food money for low-income families, so her personal information was saved in the store computer system. Andria Simmons

Police look into mugging in Norcross

Gwinnett County police are investigating a mugging that occurred Monday near a bus stop on Singleton Road and Thompson Parkway near Norcross.

The victim was walking past the bus stop around 2 a.m. after leaving the Corona Billiards Bar when two men suddenly accosted him, according to a police report. The suspects kicked and punched him, stole his wallet and cell phone and ran away. The victim said one of the attackers was a Hispanic man about 5 feet 6 inches tall and 150 pounds with a tattoo of a female figure near his left bicep. Andria Simmons

County recycling event to be Sept. 10

Gwinnett County will sponsor a “9/11 Days of Service” recycling event from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 10 at Rhodes Jordan Park, 100 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville.

Volunteers will paint a mural and install landscaping at the community recreation center. Residents can bring electronics, tires and paper for recycling. Paper shredding is $5 per box. Electronics recycling is free, but there is a $10 charge for televisions. Tire recycling also is free, but there is a limit of eight per vehicle. David Wickert

Cisco donates $75,000 to Gwinnett Tech

Cisco has donated $75,000 to Gwinnett Technical College to help launch a new health information technology program.

The donation also will support the college’s new life sciences center. The 78,000-square-foot, three-story center recently opened and will be dedicated in September. It will serve 3,000 students a year and allows Gwinnett Tech to admit more students to healthcare and life science programs.

The college recently launched programs in cardiovascular technology, diagnostic medical sonography and patient care. For more information visit www.gwinnetttech.edu or call 770-962-7580. David Wickert

Latino Elected Officials luncheon Oct. 14

The Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials has opened registration for its 2011 Hispanic Heritage Month Luncheon. The event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Busbee Center (Building 700) at Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville. The guest speaker will be Martin Castro, who was appointed chairman of U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in January 2011 by President Barack Obama. Castro is the first Latino chairperson in the history of the Commission. Info: http://bit.ly/2011HHLuncheon_Info Andria Simmons

NORTHSIDE

Cherokee water board: Reopen reservoir talks

The Cherokee County Water and Sewage Authority board voted Tuesday to reopen talks with the City of Canton and Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority over the sale or restructuring of management of the Hickory Log Creek Reservoir, which is 25 percent owned by Canton. Canton is trying to unload its estimated $30 million debt on the reservoir, which has been ten years in development and while the initial projected cost of $20 million is now $120 million. Canton Mayor Gene Hobgood said the Cobb water authority must agree for talks to continue. Jeffry Scott

Milton tax bills and be paid online

Milton has reestablished its online payment system for 2011 tax bills.

Tax bills will be mailed today and are due Oct. 31, said Finance Director Stacey Inglis. Residents who wish to pay online may go to the city’s Website, www.cityofmiltonga.us, then navigate to the online payment home page.

Taxpayers may also pay their bill by phone, 678-242-2500, in person at City Hall or by mail, 13000 Deerfield Parkway Suite 107G, Milton, GA 30004. Cash, check, money orders, certified checks or credit cards are accepted. Patrick Fox

Cherokee service to honor 9/11 victims

Cherokee County Public Safety is sponsoring a Patriot Day Remembrance to honor those killed in the 9/11 attacks. The event is free and open to the public and will take place on Sept. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Public Safety Memorial in downtown Canton. Veronica Fields Johnson

AARP Georgia food drive today in Cumming

AARP Georgia is sponsoring a food drive with area BJ’s Membership Clubs today from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. as part of the organization’s national Drive to End Hunger campaign.

Non-perishable food items can be donated at the following stores: at 1800 Dogwood Dr. SE in Conyers; at 105 Long Dr. in Woodstock; and at 1725 Market Place in Cumming.

Jeff Gordon’s Drive to End Hunger show car will be on display at the Conyers location. Those wishing to participate can also text the word HUNGER to 50555 to make a $10 donation to the campaign. Veronica Fields Johnson

Sandy Springs PD to hold open house

The Sandy Springs Police Department invites the public to an open house on Sept. 15 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the new headquarters administrative and operations buildings, both located in the Morgan Falls Office Complex at 7840 Roswell Road.

Information: www.sandyspringspolice.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

Milton outdoor movie ‘Tangled’ Sept. 10

The City of Milton will present the family film “Tangled” at dusk Sept. 10 at Birmingham United Methodist Church, 15770 Birmingham Highway, as part of B98.5 FM’s “B at the Movies” outdoor film festival.

The free event begins at 6:30 p.m. Residents can bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnics. Refreshments will be available on the lawn.

Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

St. Pius X dedicates athletic complex

Archbishop of Atlanta Wilton D. Gregory visited St. Pius X Catholic High School recently to dedicate its new sports complex.

The dedication of the Seaver Family Sports Complex completes the initial phase of the school’s “Expanding Our Legacy” capital campaign. It is the first expansion of the St. Pius X campus in Atlanta since the school opened in 1958.

D. Aileen Dodd

Anti-obesity rally kicks off at school Friday

The Georgia School Nutrition Association will kick off a year-long effort to promote health and fitness to students with a rally on Friday , at a local high school. The event, which will include NFL Hall of Famer Franco Harris and the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders among other guests, is aimed at supporting First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to combat childhood obesity. The event will be held at 2:15 p.m. at R.E. McNair High School, 1804 Bouldercrest Road, in Atlanta. Misty Williams

Ice cream festival at Piedmont Park

It’s time to get your “scoop” on. The annual Atlanta Ice Cream Festival will be held at Piedmont Park on Sept. 10.

Part of the proceeds will benefit the Lupus Foundation of America, Georgia Chapter. The event will feature food vendors, live entertainment, health screenings and other activities for all ages.

The event will be held from noon until 6 p.m. at 10th Street and Charles Allen Drive. Shelia Poole

Trade Center artifacts at Turner Field

Metal artifacts from the World Trade Center Twin Towers will be on display today at 4 p.m. on the brickpavers in front of the main Turner Field gates, on the corner of Hank Aaron Dr. and Ralph D. Abernathy Dr. The artifacts are scheduled for inclusion in a permanent 9/11 memorial planned at the University of Southern Mississippi.

For more information on the twisted steel project visit www.NCS4.com. Veronica Fields Johnson

DEKALB

Watson hosts breakfast on Saturday

DeKalb County Commissioner Stan Watson will host his monthly breakfast with constituents this Saturday at Chapel Hill Middle School on Dogwood Farms Road in Decatur.

Watson’s office expects 75 to 100 people to come to the two-hour meeting that starts at 9 a.m.

It’s free to attend and reservations are not required.

The September Legislative Community Cabinet Breakfast is sponsored by AECON. Rhonda Cook

Workshop to focus on economic development

DeKalb County’s Community Development Department will host a workshop in early September on how residents can help with economic development.

The workshop will show how residents can help create a vision for their area, possibly create a community improvement district and ultimately help create jobs.

The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 10 at the Clark Harrison Building, 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur.

More information: 404-371-3689. April Hunt

Retired educators to meet in September

The Georgia Retired Educators Association in Decatur and DeKalb will focus its September meeting on an upcoming silent auction benefiting its scholarship program.

Retirees from Decatur and DeKalb schools, both public and private, as well as retirees of other districts who live in the county, are welcome in the group.

The meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 15 at Decatur First Christian Church fellowship hall, 601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur.

More information: 770-498-9493. April Hunt

Disaster preparedness festival Sept. 10

The DeKalb Emergency Management Agency is sponsoring the second annual DeKalb County Disaster Preparedness Festival on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 5073 La Vista Road in Tucker.

County agencies and private organizations will focus on giving advice to families on protection during man-made and natural disasters.

Information: Jonnie Johnston at publicsafety@tuckercivic.org. Kenneth Musisi

Tucker Civic Association meeting Sept. 20

All are welcome to the Tucker Civic Association (TCA) fall membership meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Ministry Center, Main Street Fellowship Hall, 2367 Main Street in Tucker.

The meeting will include a discussion covering zoning and redistricting issues. Information: Tom Lawrence at president@tuckercivic.org. Kenneth Musisi

Chamber offices to move to Decatur today

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce is moving across the county.

The chamber’s offices move on today from Tucker to a spot in downtown Decatur. The new address is 125 Clairemont Ave., Decatur.

Phone and fax numbers for the chamber will remain the same.

Information: www.dekalbchamber.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

ADA offers mortgage assistance today

Today the Atlanta Development Authority will begin offering 30-year, fixed rate mortgages at 3.5 percent interest. Coupled with up to $50,000 in down payment assistance, also offered by ADA, officials say it is one of the most aggressive homeownership programs currently being offered in the state.

Since 2007, the ADA has provided mortgage assistance to over 850 home buyers with an average income of $45,000 and representing a total of more than $130 million in residential real estate sold within the Atlanta city limits.

For more information, log on to www.atlantada.com. Ernie Suggs

Spectrum of fun for Labor Day weekend

Looking for Labor Day weekend fun? Try the Clayton County Water Authority reservoirs and Newman Wetlands Center. The Blalock and Shamrock Reservoirs, 2610 Shamrock Road in Jonesboro, will be open Saturday-Monday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The J.W. Smith Reservoir, 143 Northbridge Road in Hampton, is open the same days and time. Cost: $5 for residents; $10 for nonresidents. Newman Wetlands, 2755 Freeman Road has a nature trail and picnic area and is open Saturday through Monday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Details: 770-603-5605, reservoirs; 770-603-5603, Newman Wetlands. Tammy Joyner

Study recognizes middle schools’ achievement

Forest Park and Morrow middle schools are two of 12 schools identified by the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education in a recent study that found them to be not only achieving in their own right but contributing to the success of the high schools they feed. The study updates research from a 2009 Partnership report of 15 high schools that had at least an 85 percent graduation rate in 2008, increased their grad rate by at least 10 percentage points over five years and sustained the 85 percent rate and the 10 percent improvement through 2009. Tammy Joyner

Fayette schools need input on two surveys

Two surveys are now on the Fayette County Board of Education website to get stakeholder input. The first concerns changes to offset a possible $10 million deficit for the 2012-13 school year. Under consideration is the closure of two elementary schools and/or one middle school. Options include shortening the school year and allowing out-of-county students to pay tuition to attend Fayette schools. The second regards possible changes to the high school schedule to allow students to earn more credit hours. Both surveys are at www.fcboe.org until Sept. 15. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Woodruff Arts centers honors educators

Woodruff Arts Center is recognizing two Fulton County educators for outstanding leadership in arts education. Kevin Cole, chair of fine arts at Westlake High, and Katina Krass, art education specialist at Lake Forest Elementary, will receive $2,500 to donate to their favorite arts organization and will be honored at the 4th Annual Woodruff Salutes Georgia Arts in Education Leaders recognition ceremony Sept. 17. Local recognition ceremonies are set for Cole today from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Westlake and for Krass from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Sept. 8 at Lake Forest. Nancy Badertscher