COBB
Initiative helps residents adopt healthier lifestyles
Cobb County wants to help residents stick to their New Year resolutions to get healthier. Cobb2020, an initiative to promote a healthier lifestyle in Cobb County, provides resources for families and individuals looking to lose weight, get fit, eat healthier or quit smoking. Resources include body and budget friendly meal planning and activity ideas — and much more.
Information: Cobb2010.com.
Melissa Abbey
South Cobb showcases historic sites
For the conclusion of Historic Preservation Month, historic sites in South Cobb will be spotlighted on Saturday and Sunday.
Sites, open free, will include First Baptist Church Rock Chapel, the Gautschy House (Honeybee Store), Williams Park Neighborhood Tours, Shoupade Park, the Hooper-Turner House, the Historic Mable House, Concord Covered Bridge Historic District and Seven Springs Museum.
Drive-by only sites will include the Taylor-Brawner House and Brawner Hall, Aunt Fanny’s Cabin, Smith-Smitt House, Clarksdale Mill Village, Solomon and Penelopy Pace House, the Old Pavilion, the Yarbrough House, the Gann House and the Butner-McTyre General Store.
Information, including open times for each location: cobblandmarks.com/calendar.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Chamber hosts military affairs luncheon
The Cobb Chamber will host an annual luncheon 11 a.m. May 20 at the Cobb Galleria Centre to celebrate the county’s men and women in the armed forces.
Dennis McCarthy, the former assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, will give the keynote speech and the 2013 USO Patriot of the Year Award will be presented.
Information: www.cobbchamber.org/chamber/military_affairs_luncheon.aspx Melissa Abbey
Session on doing business with county
The Cobb County Purchasing Department and the Keep it in Cobb initiative will host an informative session 5 p.m. May 21 at the West Cobb Senior Center discussing how to do business with the county.
The meeting will highlight vendor opportunities and provide a chance for attendees to meet and network with department representatives.
Reservations: 770-528-3317 or Inger.Eberhart@CobbCounty.org Melissa Abbey
Registration open for ‘Into the Woods’
Registration is open for the Summer Stock Experience for ages 9-18 at the Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.
“Into the Woods” will be presented at 7 p.m. June 14 and July 19, the last days of the two camps, at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre at the same address.
Cost: $150 for Cobb residents; $175, out-of-county residents.
Information: MableHouse.org or 770-819-3285. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Duluth hosting good-living photo contest
Submit your best photos to Duluth’s new Capture the Spirit of Good Living Photo Contest by 5 p.m. June 7.
Photos can include anything in Duluth from shops, events, parks, people, or historical sites. The winner’s photo will be featured on the cover of Duluth Life. Top photos will be hung in City Hall and potentially used in other promotional items.
Submission details: www.duluthga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Providence Christian holds graduation
Providence Christian Academy in Lilburn has announced that, for the Class of 2013, Amanda Piehler is the valedictorian and Brittany Dubay is salutatorian. The school has 94 graduates this year, including 58 who will graduate with honors. The school’s graduation ceremony is set for 10 a.m. May 25 at Mount Carmel Christian Church. The church is at 6015 Old Stone Mountain Rd., Stone Mountain. Nancy Badertscher
Garden tours spread spring fever
Gwinnett County Master Gardener Association will host their 2013 Tour of Gardens 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Featured gardens include 5 certified National Wildlife Habitats, sun and shade gardens, a Nature Center and a circa 1930's farm. This year's tour will showcase 5 private gardens and one Master Gardener project in the Duluth/Norcross area and 5 private gardens and one Master Gardener project in the Grayson/ Snellville area. Tickets are $20. Info: gmggardentour2013@gmail.com or www.gwinnettmastergardeners.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Lilburn Farmers Market to open June 7
The Lilburn Farmers Market will open for the 2013 season on June 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. The market is located in the Greenway Trail parking lot across from City Hall. Applications are currently being accepted for vendors and not-for-profit organizations interested in participating in the market. All items must be made and grown by the applicant. No reselling permitted. For more information please visit www.lilburnfarmersmarket.org or call 678-667-2592. Sandra Marshall Murray
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
Classic car show returns to Norcross
Over 300 classic cars and vintage motorcycles are expected at Norcross's car show 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in Downtown Historic Norcross. Event is free. Contact Dodger DeLeon at 770-316-0073, norcrosscarshow@bellsouth.net
Proceeds go to medical school scholarships for local students. www.norcrossga.net.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Officers participate in ‘torch run’
Members of the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office,Woodstock Police Department and the Cherokee County Clerk’s Office participated in the Law Enforcement “Torch Run” Tuesday morning benefiting the Georgia Special Olympics. The torch was carried from the Oak Grove Precinct on Highway 92 through Acworth and Kennesaw before making its way to the Marietta City Hall. Officers from the Acworth, Kennesaw and Marietta also participated. The torch will travel approximately 1,000 miles across the state before the opening ceremonies Friday at Emory University. Staff
Cherokee school gets character award
Carmel Elementary School in Cherokee County has been named a National School of Character by the Character Education Partnership.
The award was bestowed on only 29 schools and school districts nationwide.
It lauds the school for fostering a positive environment for social and academic learning, and for its character education programs. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Boating safety meeting set for Lake Lanier
The Lake Lanier Water Safety Alliance, the Lake Lanier Association and other groups will hold a boating safety awareness day 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday at the Sunset Cove area of Lake Lanier Islands.
Law enforcement, lake agencies and retailers will be on hand with promotional and informational items.
The U-S Coast Guard Auxiliary will do complimentary vessel safety inspections.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Woodstock hosts town hall meeting
Woodstock officials – both elected and staff – will be on hand for a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. today at The Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main St.
Officials will update such items as the city’s new dog park, the under-construction outlet mall and downtown development projects and will answer questions
Information: www.woodstockga.gov/
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Holly Springs to consider chickens
The Holly Springs City Council will take up the issue of whether to allow laying hens — not roosters — in residential backyards, after a group of supporters of the idea squawked about it recently.
Current zoning law bans livestock-including chickens-from residential areas.
City Manager Rob Logan says the Council will probably consider an ordinance modification in June.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Stories from grave in Roswell
The Roswell Historical Society presents “Beyond My Stone,” first-person stories of historical figures told graveside 7 p.m. June 1 at the Roswell Presbyterian Cemetery Ticket: $10, adults; $5, children; $30, family.
Patrons should bring a flashlight. The event may not be suitable for young children, those who can’t stand for long periods or those who can’t walk on uneven ground.
Information: societyrhs@bellsouth.net Mea Watkins
ATLANTA
School evacuated for bomb threat
A bomb threat prompted the evacuation of a middle school in the West End late Wednesday morning.
Atlanta Public Schools spokesman Steven Alford told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution early Wednesday afternoon that the Atlanta police were bringing in bomb-sniffing dogs to go through Brown Middle School.
The school, on Peeples Street in southwest Atlanta, was evacuated after the telephoned bomb threat, Alford said.
Mike Morris
Council using social media for public input
Atlanta will hold a combined public hearing and virtual town hall meeting on the 2014 budget 6 p.m. Thursday in Counil Chambers, 55 Trinty Ave. and live on City Channel 2.
Questions can be submitted three ways: via email at atlantacouncil@atlantaga.gov; through Twitter using the @ATLCouncil and the hashtag #atlbudget; or by calling in at 404-330-6309.
Information: www.atlanta.ga.gov.
Ernie Suggs
Intown Academy celebrates playground
Intown Academy marked the completion of the first phase of its $56,000 playground project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday.
The playground was built with the help of volunteers from intown Atlanta neighborhoods, Emory University’s Goizueta School of Business and Ernst & Young.
Intown Academy is a public charter school in Atlanta’s Fourth Ward neighborhood.
Mark Niesse
Bereavement club to hold anniversary gala
Kate’s Club celebrates its 10th anniversary with a gala 6:30 p.m. May 18 at the Loews Atlanta Hotel, 1065 Peachtree St. N.E. The nonprofit organization aims to help children and teens cope with the loss of a parent or sibling.
Information: katesclub.org. Mea Watkins
DEKALB
Medicaid provider gets prison time for fraud
The former owner of Nurse Management Services has been sentenced to one year in prison for Medicaid fraud, the state Attorney General’s Office said.
A DeKalb County judge also gave Michelle Maylene Cooper probation and ordered her to pay $641,350 in restitution. From Oct. 1, 2009, to Dec. 15, 2011, Cooper concealed the fact she was not providing the required nursing care by signing the name of a registered nurse she knew but without that nurse’s permission on documents required by the Department of Community Health, authorities said. Bill Rankin
Justice decides against seeking death
The Justice Department has decided not to seek the death penalty against two men charged with the killing of an armed car guard outside a DeKalb County Kroger.
Federal defender Jeff Ertel, who represents Ashley Henderson, and Atlanta attorney Paul Kish, who represents Stacey Dooley, said they have been notified of the department’s decision. In federal court in Atlanta, Henderson and Dooley are accused with others of committing a number of armed robberies, including the 2011 shooting death of guard Gary Castillo in Toco Hills shopping center.
Bill Rankin
Decatur Library to hold book sale
The Friends of the Decatur Library will host a book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 25 on the front lawn of the library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. Thousands of gently used fiction, nonfiction and children’s books, DVDs and CDs will be available for purchase. Prices start at $.50 and only cash and checks will be accepted. All proceeds benefit the programs and collections of the library. Admission is free.
Information: 404-370-3070. Veronica Fields Johnson
Church to sponsor job and health fair
Kingdom Investment Ministry Outreach will sponsor a job and health fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 1 at the church, 2219 Idlewood Road, Tucker.
Job fair attendees will be able to apply directly to participating corporations, temporary agencies and the U.S. military. Information: 770-934-9994. Veronica Fields Johnson
Summer program offered at Art Institute
The Art Institute of Atlanta — Decatur will offer a four-day summer program aimed to help high school juniors build new skills in the fields of design, culinary, media arts or fashion June 10-14.
The deadline for registration is May 31.
Information: www.summerstudio.com/decatur, or contact Mavia Fleury, 404.942.1807, mfleury@aii.edu.
Mea Watkins
Brookhaven Beer Fest scheduled for June 8
The third annual Brookhaven Beer Fest will be 3 to 8 p.m. June 8 at Apple Valley Road behind the Brookhaven Marta Station, 4047 Peachtree Road, N.E. The festival will feature more than 150 beers from around the world, live music, and food vendors. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Atlanta Fundraising Foundation. Admission price of $35 includes a commemorative driving glass and unlimited beer tastings.
Information: www.brookhavenbeerfestival.com Mea Watkins
SOUTHSIDE
Employees pistol-whipped during robbery
East Point police are investigating a violent robbery Tuesday night that sent two fast food restaurant employees to the hospital.
Channel 2 Action News reported that the robbery happened about 11:30 p.m. at the Church’s Chicken in the 3200 block of Camp Creek Parkway. The masked gunman pistol-whipped two employees during the robbery, hitting them in the head, according to Channel 2. The restaurant’s dining room was closed, but the drive-thru window was still open, and detectives were trying to determine how the gunman got into the building. Mike Morris
Henry gets $1.4 million in road funds
The Georgia Department of Transportation presented a check for $1,403,536.48 to the Henry County Board of Commissioners at a May 9 special called meeting. The money is an award of Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant funds, which will be used to complete 19 road resurfacing projects totaling about 8 miles located throughout the county.
Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Fayette promises to fix smelly water
Fayette Water System workers are still trying to get rid of the foul-smelling, ill-tasting tap water that’s been coming through local faucets for more than a week. Fayette County Commission Chairman Steve Brown said Wednesday that “there was more affected water in the system than they previously thought” and that the county was taking “aggressive steps to flush the system at a much higher rate.” Brown reiterated that there are no health hazards associated with the drinking water.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fayette textbooks available for review
The Fayette County Public School System is about to adopt new textbooks for all grade levels of math and for Advanced Placement Spanish. A briefing about the books was given to the Board of Education May 13, and sample texts are available for public review at the BOE office at 210 Stonewall Ave. West in Fayetteville through June 17.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Edwards hosts community meeting
Fulton County Commissioner Bill Edwards will host a community meeting at 7 p.m. May 23 at the South Fulton Government Service Center, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park.
Edwards represents commission District 7, which includes south Fulton County. The meeting is a chance for the public to express opinions about county issues and services.
Information call 404-612-8230 or 404-612-3079. David Wickert
Spots open in summer music camp
Clayton State University’s Spivey Hall has a few spots left in its Summer Music Camp 9:30 a..m. to 3:30 p.m. daily June 10 -14. It is open to rising 4th to 7th graders who can sing in tune. Teacher recommendations required. Cost: $150 due by registration deadline June 3.
Information: www.spiveyhall.org/education, or email EducationManager@SpiveyHall.org, or call (678) 466-4481. Tammy Joyner
