County by county news for Thursday
COBB
Railroad crossings closed through Friday for repair
Three CSX Railroad crossings in Marietta are closed this week for repaving and repair work.
The Polk Street crossing between Church Street and North Marietta Parkway is closed through Friday.
Marble Mill Road from Church Street Extension to Kennesaw Avenue and East Dixie Avenue from East Atlanta Street to West Atlanta Street are closed through Thursday.
Tucker McQuteen for the AJC
Ford Elementary to host garden workshop
Ford Elementary School in Acworth will host “How Does Your Garden Grow”, a gardening workshop 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Sept. 14 and 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 15.
Educators, administrators and volunteers involved in school gardens should attend. Registration due Friday is $35 and is limited to the first 100 participants. Information: http://tinyurl.com/98zyqyq. Kenneth Musisi
Marietta plans arts festival on square
The 26th Art in the Park fine arts festival will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday at Marietta Square with a children’s art alley, paintings to photography, sculpture, jewelry and woodworking. A car show, Artcar Palooza, will be on Atlanta Street. Free parking at the Cobb County parking deck. Information: www.artparkMarietta.com.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Love the lake this weekend in Acworth
Acworth will start a Labor Day weekend Love the Lake Festival with a parade at 9:30 a.m. Saturday Sept. 1 on Main Street in downtown Acworth. An arts and crafts festival on Lake Acworth will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at Cauble Park on Beach Street.
The event will have 100 arts and crafts booths, food vendors, family entertainment, beach activities and a ski boat show.Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Ribbon cutting canceled for garden
A ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday for the Green Meadows Preserve Community Garden, 3780 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs has been cancelled due to impending thunderstorms.
The ceremony will be rescheduled, said Hope Warren, director and county extension coordinator of the University of Georgia/Cobb County Cooperative Extension.
Information: 770-528-4095 or email greenmeadowscg@gmail.com. Carolyn Cunningham
Dock diving dogs to visit Cumming
Dixie Dock Dogs and Rucker Horse & Pet will host a regional dock diving competition Friday through Monday at 3540 Keith Bridge Road, Cumming. Some of the top ranked dogs in the sport of dock diving will jump, splash, and amaze the crowd at the 4-day event. There is no entry fee.
In addition, attendees can bring their pets to learn diving strategies and getting started in the sport. Register online at www.dixiedockdogs.com.
Dixie Dock Dogs is a nonprofit organization that benefits different canine charities. Kenneth Musisi
GWINNETT
Suwanee recognized for management
For the 4th year, the International City/County Management Association for superior performance management has recognized Suwanee with a Certificate of Distinction.
The honor is awarded based on the city’s staff training, reliability and accuracy of performance data used in strategic planning, operational decision-making and accuracy of information provided to the community. www.suwanee.com
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Blood drives to honor 9/11 victims
The Georgia Chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA will host blood drives noon to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday at the Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Dr., Buford and 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Discover Mills Mall, 5900 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Lawrenceville.
The events are part of the second annual “Muslims for Life,” a nationwide campaign to collect 11,000 units of blood from Aug. 11 to Sept. 11 to honor the victims of 9 /11 and to stress that Islam values life.
Information: 404-510-3399, ami_georgia@yahoo.com or http://muslimsforlife.org/.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Aurora Theatre announces fall classes
The Aurora Theatre Academy announced their fall classes for ages preK through adult with some beginning Sept. 6.
Information: Jaclyn Hofmann at jaclyn@auroratheatre.com, or visit their website at www.auroratheatre.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Meet Author Caroline Starr Rose
Gwinnett Public Library will host children’s novelist, Caroline Starr Rose, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Suwanee Branch, 316 Main St. Rose is the author of “May B,” a fictional tale of a 12-year old girl trapped in a snow covered house during a Kansas winter.Karen Huppertz
Norcross concert series continues
Jimmy Buffett tribute band A1A is playing at Norcross’ free Summer Concert Series 7:30 p.m. Friday at Thrasher Park, 93 Park Drive. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome, as are blankets, chairs and coolers. The evento is a CAN Do collection site for non-perishable items for local food banks.
Information: Chris LaFleur, 678-421-2025, cglafleur@norcrossga.net. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC
Swing dance party Friday
Lawrenceville will host a 17-piece Swing Band Capitol City Express at their Summer Roaring 20s Big Band Swing Dance Party 7:30 until midnight Friday at 550 Trackside, 550 North Clayton St. Swing dance lessons available 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. $15/person in advance, $20 at the door. www.visitlawrenceville.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Target gives $25,000 each to two schools
Bethesda Elementary, and Annistown Elementary are being awarded $25,000 grants from the Target Corp. The two are among 100 in-need schools collectively receiving $2.5 million. Nancy Badertscher
NORTHSIDE
Cherokee solicitor-general takes office next week
Cherokee County’s new Solicitor-General will be sworn in next Tuesday in Governor Nathan Deal’s office.
Deal appointed Jessica Moss to the post Aug. 22.
Moss, a Cherokee County resident, most recently served as Chief Assistant Solicitor-General in Cobb County State Court.
Moss will serve out the term of former holder of the office David Cannon through the end of 2014.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Woodstock finalizes 2013 property tax rate
The Woodstock City Council voted 3-2 Monday night to finalize the millage rate fund the 2013 city budget. The increase from 7.292 to 7.889 is considered “revenue-neutral”, because most property owners saw their values decrease by the same amount as the millage increase. Officials say the tax digest decreased 5.8 percent from last year.Mark Woolsey
Lake Lanier shore cleanup scheduled
Keep Forsyth County Beautiful and the Lake Lanier Association host the 24th annual Lake Lanier Shore Sweep 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 29 will be held at the Bald Ridge, Habersham and Port Royale marinas. Volunteers will be given trash bags and a shoreline trash pickup assignment. Information: www.lakelanier.orgMark Woolsey for the AJC
Alpharetta kids making art on Mondays
Alpharetta Recreation and Parks is holding creative clay works classes for kids age 6 and over from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays at the city’s Arts Center at Crabapple, 12624 Broadwell Road through Oct. 22 and cost $90 for residents and $135 for non-residents, plus a $25 supply fee paid to instructor Mary Tussey. Information: 678-297-6100, alpharetta.ga.us/recreation. MICHAEL ALPERT
Input sought on federal funds spending
Fulton County seeks public input on how to spend 2013 federal Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships and Emergency Shelter Grant funds. A comment period is required by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The county usually gets about $3 million per year, mainly intended to improve living conditions of low- and moderate-income residents.
Send email to Lolita.Collins@fultoncountyga.gov by Sept. 14. Information: 404-613-7944.
Johnny Edwards
Survival preparedness retreat offered
The American Heritage Society of Georgia Inc. will host a survival preparedness retreat Sept. 7-8 at Alpharetta’s Milton Center, 86 School Dr.
The event is open to individuals, families, organizations, businesses and churches wishing to prepare for a natural or manmade disaster. Topics will include survival preparation before, during and after a disaster, and what to do if there is no access to food, fuel, doctors, hospitals, transportation and electronic communication. The first 100 registrants will receive a survival backpack.
Information: www.americanheritagesocietyofgeorgia.com.
Laurie Hoffman.
ATLANTA
Mayor’s events director resigns
Stacii Jae Johnson, entertainment and special events director in the office of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, has resigned days after she was arrested for driving under the influence on I-85.
Johnson was arrested late Thursday night and charged with DUI, reckless driving, speeding and failure to maintain her lane after an Atlanta police officer saw her driving a white Porsche at 82 mph in a 55 mile zone near the I-75/I-85 split.
She refused to submit to a field sobriety test, according to a police report obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Johnson, 41, has worked as a political fundraiser and managed a small staff of about six people in the special events office.
That office is responsible for overseeing the permitting process for outdoor festivals and large events such as movie shoots. Jeremiah McWilliams
South Metro Career Center remains closed
The Georgia Department of Labor’s South Metro Career Center at 2636-14 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Atlanta, will remain closed through Friday because repairs for damage caused by a main water leak.
Customers who have workshops scheduled should keep appointments at the center.
Others can visit other GDOL career centers. Information: 404-699-6900.Kenneth Musisi
Forum calling for peace begins today
Caravan for Peace with Justice and Dignity will host events today and Friday, calling to end the drug war and remember lives lost on both the U.S and Mexican border. The Caravan is led by Mexican poet and journalist Javier Sicilia who will be joined by 40 family members who lost relatives and supporters from diverse communities.
A forum with free dinner ist 7 p.m. today at the Latin American Association, 2750 Buford Highway NE. It will address immigration, money laundering, gun trafficking, drug policy and more. Information: www.caravanforpeace.org for the other events.
Kenneth Musisi
DEKALB
Chamblee police offering driving class
The Chamblee Police Department will hold a free driving course for soon-to-be driving and current teen drivers 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Chamblee police station.
The Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error, or PRIDE, program is designed for teens 14 to 16 and their parents. The class runs fromInformation or to register: 770-986-5005, x. 229. April Hunt
‘Black Friday’ specials at animal shelter
DeKalb County Animal Services has launched a “Black Friday” event that discounts black animals up for adoption.
Black pets are the least likely to be adopted, contributing to the high euthanasia rate at the shelter on Camp Road near Memorial Drive and I-285.
Fees for black animals will be $40 on Fridays, a discount of 36 to 57 percent. Information: www.dekalbcountyanimalservices.com. April Hunt
Decatur police to offer public safety classes
Decatur’s police department will offer a weekly Citizens Public Safety Academy for eight weeks Sept. 13 through Nov. 1. Classes cover police procedure, how the community can respond to emergencies, crime prevention and fire safety. Students will get to ride with patrol officers. Tentative class times are 7 to 9:30 p.m. Applications must be in by Friday.
Information: Deputy Chief Keith Lee at 678-553-6620 or keith.lee@decaturga.com. Bill Banks for the AJC
Minority organ and tissue donation event
“Praise with Purpose Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness Day,” will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the Kerwin B. Lee Family Life Center at Berean Christian Church, 2197 Young Rd., Stone Mountain. The event, aimed at raising awareness for minority organ and tissue donation, will feature gospel artists, musicians, vendors and more. Information: 678-408-1171 or 678-750-3233. Mea Watkins
DeKalb names animal services board
DeKalb County recently named 12 community members to its new Animal Services Advisory Board, an oversight committee designed to help improve services and help with long-range plans.
The board’s members are Robert Dennis, Ashley Derek, Rebecca Guinn, Cynthia Houston, Susie Jensen, Dr. William Mangham, Susan Neugent, Sonali Saindane, Yvonne Samuels, Leesia Teh, Catharine Tipton and Torrence D. Williams,
DeKalb’s Public Safety Director William Miller and Acting Animal Services Director Tim Medlin will serve in an ex-officio capacity.
County Commissioners Sharon Barnes Sutton and Lee May have yet to name the final two board members to the committee, which is expected soon.
April Hunt
Emory holding community meeting
Emory University will host its quarterly community meeting for nearby residents 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at the North Decatur Building on the college’s campus.
The sessions are designed to allow property owners to ask questions and discuss concerns with the university, which stretches between mostly residential areas in central DeKalb County. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Henry resident awarded Congressional medal
Southern Nixon, an employee of Woodland Middle School, received the Congressional Gold Medal Aug. 28 at the school. Nixon is retired from the Montford Point Marines, the first black Marines to be recruited after President Franklin Roosevelt signed an executive order in 1941 to help end discrimination in armed forces enlistment. A congressional resolution to properly honor them passed in 2011, and members of the group unable to make the trip to Washington for the official award ceremony are being honored with local presentations. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Historical tour comes to Jonesboro
Historian and author Peter Bonner will present a free history program 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Confederate Cemetery in Jonesboro. Bonner’s talk which commemorates the two-day, 1864 Battle of Jonesboro, will include the information about soldiers and civilians.
The two-hour program includes a short intermission. Bring your own seating. Children must be accompanied by a parent. Information: www.peterbonner.com.
Kenneth Musisi
Hampton cancels Holiday Tour of Homes
Hampton has canceled the 2012 Holiday Tour of Homes. A tour is planned for next year. Information: Candy Franklin at cfranklin@cityofhampton-ga.gov or 770-946-4306. Kenneth Musisi
Classic soul music at Wolf Creek
The Wolf Creek Amphitheater at 3025 Merk Road in Atlanta presents “An Evening of Classic Soul” at 7 p.m. Sept. 15. Gates open at 5 p.m.
Concert goers will enjoy a night of smooth classic soul music. They will listen to songs from The Whispers, Russell Thompkins Jr. & the New Stylistics, and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.
Guests are allowed to bring food and beverages.
Tickets can be purchased at 800-745-3000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Information: www.WolfCreekAmphitheater.com. Johnny Edwards
‘Black Fridays’ for Henry animal control
Henry County Animal Care & Control will host “Black Fridays” each Friday in September. All solid black cats and dogs can be adopted for just $30 – more than 50 percent off the regular adoption fees – which includes the standard microchipping, a pre-paid rabies vaccination certificate, and 30 days of free pet health insurance.
Information: www.hcacc.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Free prostate screeenings
Piedmont Henry Hospital will provide free prostate screenings 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
