County by county news for Thursday

The three-day job fair will take place: 5 to 7 p.m. today; 3 to 6 p.m. Friday; and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at 1650 Airport Rd. NW, Suite 101, Kennesaw.

Applicants must be 16 or older to apply. Job applications are available at www.skyzonesports.com/kennesaw.aspx.

Kenneth Musisi

School raised $16.5 million for arts center

Mount Paran Christian School has raised more than $16.5 million to complete the 2007 purchase of the adjacent Murray Arts Center off Stilesboro Road in Kennesaw. Developer and school donor Don Dozier opened the building in 2006 as a $38 millionoriginal construction costperforming arts venue, and it closed less than a year later. Dozier sold the 12-acre property to the school, and the late Stuart and Eulene Murray donated $10 million towards the purchase. The center has a 600-seat theater, dance and video production studios, a black box theater and classroom space. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Schools head to hold public forum

Marietta City Schools Superintendent Emily Lembeck will talk at a public forum at 7 p.m. Monday at Hickory Hills Elementary School, 500 Redwood Drive. The forum is part of a series of open meetings during the school year about the district’s plans and progress. A Spanish-language interpreter will be available.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

YWCA program hosts fundraiser

The YWCA of Northwest Georgia’s 100 plus Women Against Domestic Violence will host a fourth annual “Boots, Bluejeans & Country Music” fundraiser 6 p.m. Saturday Jan. 12 at Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. Information: www. ywcanwga.com.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Democratic Committee to meet

The Cobb County Democratic Committee will host a breakfast meeting and celebration for President Obama’s reelection from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at 3 Amigos Mexican Bar & Grill, 1000 Whitlock Ave., Suite 400, Marietta. State Rep. David Wilkerson is the guest speaker. Information: www.cobbdemocrats.org.

Kenneth Musisi

Powder Springs plans for 175 years

Powder Springs Mayor Patricia Vaughn announced during Monday night’s City Council meeting that the 175th anniversary of the city’s 1838 founding will be celebrated this year.

The major emphasis will be on Powder Springs Day in October. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

‘Modern Millie’ auditions set

The Theatre Project, a community theater for children ages 9-18, is accepting registrations to audition for “Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr.” The musical takes place in New York City circa 1922. To register, call the Mable House Arts Center at 770-819-3285. Jaime Sarrio

GWINNETT

Peachtree Corners church to host aging seminar

Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5575 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross, will host a free seminar on aging at 10 a.m. Jan. 17.

The seminar will address caring for an aging parent or partner and help answer some of the questions related to the challenges and opportunities.

Laurie Hamilton, an expert specialist in the area of aging, will cover a broad array of topics including the resources available in Georgia. This session is particularly helpful for those ages 40-60 as they face helping their aging parents. Information: 770-449-1211. Kenneth Musisi

Ashworth College a “Best of 2012” winner

Ashworth College, an accredited online college based in Peachtree Corners, has been named a “Best of 2012” winner among Atlanta businesses in the College and University cagegory on Kudzu.com.

Over 5 million businesses competed across 30 categories on Kudzu.com; winners were awarded based on the highest number of votes received.

Ashworth College has been a member of the Atlanta business community for more than 25 years, with 2,250 students enrolled across the state of Georgia. Dan Klepal

Driver safety program for seniors

Seniors can learn defensive driving techniques, adjusting to age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15 at Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road in Snellville. For seniors 50+, but anyone with valid drivers license welcome. For possible insurance discount, contact provider. Cost: $12 for AARP members with membership card; $14 non-members. Pre-register by calling 770-985-4713.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth’s Flat Shiner photo contest ongoing

The “Flat Shiner” photo contest, an opportunity for Duluth residents to highlight businesses, schools, parks and civic organizations within the city limits, is ongoing through Monday.

The contest has four categories and it’s part of the annual City of Duluth’s “State of the City” Address on Jan. 22 which will highlight “Duluth Local”, an entertaining and informative presentation to citizens and businesses.

Winners of each category will receive two free tickets to the “State of the City” Address. Information: duluthga.net. Kenneth Musisi

Lilburn Art Alliance to host art exhibition

The Lilburn Art Alliance will host its first art exhibition 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at 107 Main St. in Old Town.

Sprig restaurant will provide complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine, and Music on Main Street will provide musical entertainment. Kenneth Musisi

Fitness and nutrition classes starting

Ines Beltran, Cooperative Extension Agent, teaches healthy cooking and eating habits while exercising and losing weight 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 27 at Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road. Cost: $15 for seven weeks. Registration required by calling 770-985-4713. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Detectives investigating death of 3-week-old girl

Deputies responded to a 911 call Monday morning from an Alex Street home about a 3-week-old girl who was not breathing, the sheriff’s office said. They performed CPR on the infant before she was transported to Northside Cherokee Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The cause of death has not been determined, but there is a possibility that the infant was potentially smothered by accident while co-sleeping, officials said. An autopsy was performed Tuesday and toxicology reports are pending. Angel K. Brooks

Outstanding Cherokee educators recognized

The Cherokee County School District paid tribute to its outstanding educators during a December banquet.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo and school board members honored the county’s 2013 Teacher of The Year, Sandy Giudice, a teacher at Macedonia Elementary School.

School-level winners of the same award were also recognized. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Driver involved in head-on collision dies

A 61-year-old Canton man involved in a head-on collision on Ga. 20 in Forsyth County Friday has died.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office says Howard Nichelson died Tuesday morning at a Roswell hospital.

He’d been on life support since the crash, which also left Linda Pollard. 75, of Big Canoe, in critical condition. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Fulton education boardto hold meetings

The Fulton County Board of Education is sponsoring meetings for the community to share their issues and concerns with board members.

The sessions are as follows: -

– Gail Dean, District 3, 9:30 a.m. Jan. 10, Lake Forest Elementary School;

– Linda Bryant, District 4, 6 p.m. Jan. 14, Langston Hughes High School; and

– Catherine Maddox, District 6, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 14, Heritage Elementary School.

Kenneth Musisi

Alpharetta Community Development moving

Alpharetta’s Community Development office is moving Friday from leased space at 287 South Main St. to 217 Roswell St.

Community Development’s services include enforcement of zoning and development codes, issuing building permits and business licenses, enforcing sign and property maintenance codes, and coordinating the city’s short- and long-term land-use planning efforts.

Community Development is scheduled to be integrated into Alpharetta’s new City Hall in the City Center Project slated to be complete in summer 2014.

MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Roswell conducting housing surveys

Roswell is asking residents to participate in a survey to assess fair housing perceptions.

Go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/RoswellFairHousing this month.

Surveys can be mailed to Roswell Grants Manager Danny Blitch, 38 Hill St., Suite 115, Roswell, Ga. 30075. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

ATLANTA

Smash-and-grab burglars hit liquor store

Theives drove an SUV through the glass doors at Mac’s Beer and Wine on Peachtree Place at West Peachtree Street about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Owner Mac Thurston told the AJC that the stolen SUV got stuck in the side of the building, so the theives stole a van from the neighborhood to make their getaway.

Thurston said he didn’t yet know what was taken in the burglary. Mike Morris

MLK Day 5K set for Jan. 21

The MLK Day 5K, a Peachtree Race Qualifier and celebration on Martin Luther King’s Day, is set for 9 a.m. at Piedmont Park.

The 5K walk/run with a drumline on the race course, will start and finish across 10th street from Grady High School in Piedmont Park.

Five dollars of each registration will go towards supporting community-oriented initiatives by Atlanta organizations.

Bring old sneakers to donate to Green Sneakers. Tickets: $25

Information: mlkday5k.com. Kenneth Musisi

‘Year of Boulevard’ initiative continues

District 2 City Councilman Kwanza Hall will join the Fourth Ward Alliance neighborhood association to kick off the 2013 edition of Year of Boulevard, an effort to improve an area that contains some of the highest concentrations of poverty in the Southeast.

The event is 6:30 p.m. today at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 475 Boulevard.

Refreshments will be served before the communtiy meeting. Jeremiah McWilliams

Senior housing community opening

National Church Residences, a nonprofit organization, will host a grand opening for Baptist Gardens, a senior housing community, 11 a.m. today at 1881 Myrtle Dr.

Residents have begun moving into the 100-unit four-story building.

The $8.56 million project was built using Low-Income Housing Tax Credit financing.

Information: www.nationalchurchresidences.org. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Fundraiser for Handy Hardware workers set

The Tucker Business Association announced that Greater Good BBQ will host a fundraiser for Handy ACE Hardware employees from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. today at 4431 Hugh Howell Road, Tucker. Live music starts at 7 p.m.

The Handy ACE Hardware store on Cowan Road, a longtime Tucker community institution was destroyed by fire last month. Information: 770-908-8164. Kenneth Musisi

Stone Mountain Village dedicates public art

A dedication ceremony for Stone Mountain Village’s latest work of public art will be 5:30 p.m. Saturday at 875 Main Street, between the Visitors Center Caboose and the City Municipal Building.

Main Street Stone Mountain and Mayor Patricia Wheeler will conduct the brief ceremony. A reception will immediately follow at ART Station, 5384 Manor Drive, Stone Mountain.

The new art work by artist John Thigpen is a double-sided pictorial tribute to the historic Atlanta to Stone Mountain Electric Trolley which ran between the two cities from 1913-1948.

Information: www.stonemountainvillage.com. Kenneth Musisi

Little League registration open

The Belvedere Little League will hold registration for baseball for boys and girls (ages 4-12) from noon to 4 p.m. each Saturday starting Jan. 19 through Feb. 23 at Shoal Creek Park, 3640 Glenwood Road, Decatur.

Registration is available online at www.eteamz.com/belvederelittleleague2. Volunteer coaches are also needed. Information: 404-289-3073.

Kenneth Musisi

Lecture series to start at Dunwoody UMC

Increase your awareness and understanding of global issues through an eight-week lectures series hosted at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.

The “Great Decisions” lecture series encourages people to develop an informed opinion on the role of the United States in world affairs. The lectures are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays beginning Jan. 24 through March 14. Register at www.gciv.org/programs/gd/dunwoody.

The Jan. 24 lecture is about the “Future of the Euro” presented by Dr. Vicki Birchfield, Associate Professor at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Andria Simmons

Nature center ready for winter classes

The Dunwoody Nature Center is now registering children for winter classes. Twenty-two acres and four distinct habitats allow children to explore nature in a structured environment. Classes begin Jan. 14.

Information: Alan Mothner, (770) 394-3322 or alan@dunwoodynature.org or www.dunwoodynature.org/ Nancy Badertscher

Decatur rec center opening planned

Residents can get a sneak peak at the lobby of Decatur’s new rec center. The city began fixing up the 54-year-old facility on Sycamore Street last year, spending $6.9 million for a new gym, elevated running track, catering kitchen and computer lab.

The lobby will be open during January to take registrations and payments for upcoming classes. The facility is set to re-open on Feb. 4. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Muslim house of prayer shot at in Fayette

Aan alarm was triggered around 2 a.m. Tuesday at the H.H. Prince Aga Khan Shia Ismaili Jamatkhana on Flatt Creek Trail in Fayetteville. When deputies arrived, they found four windows had been damaged by bullets. Detectives said no one was inside the building at the time of the incident and there was no forced entry. The privately held house of prayer, which the sheriff said is not a mosque, has been at the location for five years. Anyone with information should call the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office at 770-461-6353. Christopher Seward

Clayton Chamber to host Jan. 26 banquet

The Clayton County Chamber of Commerce’s 59th annual banquet will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, 1900 Sullivan Road, College Park. The event will feature award presentations, installation of the 2013 board of directors, entertainment and a raffle. Cost: $100. Information: (678) 610-4021. Tammy Joyner

‘Ambassadors’ to witness inaugural

The Stockbridge Elementary Ambassadors, a group of 20 second and third graders, travel to Washington D.C. this month for a four-day lesson in American government and history that will be highlighted by President Barack Obama’s inauguration. This diverse group of academically strong students leaves Jan. 19 with a jam-packed itinerary, including the inaugural ball. Nancy Badertscher

Contests open to Henry students

The Henry County Emergency Management Agency is encouraging local elementary, middle and high schools to participate in one of several severe weather awareness contests in conjunction with Severe Weather Awareness Week Feb. 4-8.

There is a poster contest for elementary students, an essay contest for middle-schoolers and a public service announcement video contest for high school students.

Deadline is Jan. 28 for posters and essays, and Feb. 28 for PSAs. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org/911. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Holmes to host town hall meeting

Henry County District 5 Commissioner Bruce Holmes will host a town hall meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at Light of the World Church in Stockbridge. The focus will be legislative updates and introduction of the county’s legislative delegation. Special guest speakers include state Sen. Emanuel Jones and state representatives Pam Stephenson, Sandra Scott, Demitrius Douglas and Brian Strickland.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Storm Spotter classes offered in Henry

The Henry County Emergency Management Agency is offering Storm Spotter classes to teach people to be the eyes and ears for the National Weather Service and assist them in spotting storms when they occur.

Participants can choose from two classes, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 19, at the Emergency Operations Center in McDonough. Classes are free, but participants must pre-register. Contact Shelita Broomfield at 770-288-7865 or sbroomfield@co.henry.ga.us. Monroe Roark for the AJC