County by county news for Thursday

The surplus money, about $3 million, came from utility savings incurred because of last year’s light winter.

Board members will vote on the issue at next Thursday’s board meeting.

Other options included giving teachers a $200 bonus.

Daarel Burnette II

Wilkerson will hold charter schools forum

State Rep. David Wilkerson, D-Austell, will hold his first forum on the Georgia Charter School Amendment at 7 p.m. today at Trinity Tabernacle Baptist Church, 592 Veterans Memorial Highway, Mableton.

Voters will decide on the Nov. 6 ballot whether or not to approve a constitutional amendment that he said would establish a new state agency to oversee charter schools.

Information: david.wilkerson@house.ga.gov or 770-891-9736.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Paper Mill Road Bridge reopened after repair

Paper Mill Road Bridge at Sope Creek reopened Sept. 16 after repairs to the foundation.

Cobb DOT closed the bridge on Sept. 14 to repair damage caused by recent storms and high water flows in the creek.

Kenneth Musisi

Board names Smyrna elementary school

Cobb County’s school board accepted a recommendation from a community of parents, teachers and administrators to name its new school Smyrna Elementary School.

The school will open next year. Other recommendations included Jonquil Elementary and Marion Worley Mitchell Elementary.

Daarel Burnette II

KSU student wins

state scholarship

Kennesaw State University freshman Leslie Berry won a $1,000 scholarship as the GeorgiaBest Student of the Year for 2011-2012.

Berry, a Conyers resident who graduated from Rockdale Career Academy, participated in the Georgia Department of Labor’s soft skills certification program, which is designed to give students an understanding of employer expectations.

Berry, now a pre-pharmacy major at KSU, was the first-ever recipient of the GeorgiaBest Student of the Year scholarhip, which was awarded by the Georgia Employer Committee.

Wayne Washington

Farmers market open on Thursdays

The Mableton Farmers Market is open each Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Sept. 27 at the Mable House Complex, 5239 Floyd Road.

Healthy eating habits and wellness also are emphasized through events and classes.

Low-income older adults may qualify for Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers worth $20 each.

Information: mableton.org/FarmersMarket.html, localharvest.org or Market Coordinator Cheryl Mayerik at cmayerik@atlantaregional.com or 404-463-3125. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Gwinnett hosts Cyber Safety Summit

The Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office will host a free Cyber Safety Summit on Oct. 4 to educate the community on how to protect youths in today’s technological world.

The seminar will be in the auditorium of the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Registration is from 6 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the training.

To reserve a space, contact victimwitnessevents@gwinnettcounty.com or call 770-822-8396 on or before Oct. 1.

Andria Simmons

Free car seat checks offered

Safe Kids Gwinnett and the General Motors Foundation, will host a National Seat Check 0 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Jim Ellis GMC Mall of Georgia, 4228 Buford Dr., Buford. Certified child passenger safety technicians will conduct inspections and assist with installation. Information: www.safekidsgwinnett.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

Artists sought for public art project

Duluth’s Gateway Art Project Committee is seeking an artist to create a piece of art for the roundabout at West Lawrenceville Street, McClure Bridge Road and Irvindale Road.

This is the first of many public art pieces the city hopes to purchase. The donation for this project will come from AGCO Corporation, an agricultural equipment manufacturer headquartered in Duluth.

Information: www.duluthga.net/community/publicart. Kenneth Musisi

Concert to benefit eating disorders cures

The Manna Gone Country Concert will be 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday at Wild Bill’s, Duluth. Tickets are $20. Erica Nicole, One Night Rodeo and The Cowboy Comedian will perform.

Proceeds support Manna Fund’s efforts to help people with eating disorders. Information: www.mannafund.org. Kenneth Musisi

Report illegal dumping with a phone call

Gwinnett County asks citizens to report illegal dumping on roads to Gwinnett Solid Waste and Recovered Materials Division at 770-822-7141. To report illegal dumping in storm drains call Stormwater Management Division at 678-376-7193. Have on hand the date and time of the dumping and description of the person and vehicle involved. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Citizens Police Academy offered

Believing that the best weapon against crime is an informed citizen, the Suwanee Police Department is once again offering its popular Citizens Police Academy.

Over the past eight years, more than 300 individuals have participated in the hands-on, eight-week program, where they can learn about crime scene processing, traffic stops, building searches, crime prevention, and narcotics identification.

Classes are at 6:30 Tuesday evenings beginning Oct. 2 at the police training facility at 2966 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road. Notarized applications are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 21. Info: www.suwanee.com Andria Simmons

NORTHSIDE

Some Sandy Springs streets closed for festival

Sandy Springs will close several streets Friday through Sunday night for the 27th Annual Sandy Springs Festival 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Police will close Sandy Springs Place between Sandy Springs Circle and Bluestone Road at 10 a.m. Sandy Springs Circle will close between Mount Vernon Highway and Sandy Springs Place at 2 p.m. Bluestone Road will close to southbound traffic beginning at 5 p.m., and Hilderbrand Drive will be closed between Sandy Springs Circle and Bluestone Drive at 6 p.m. Information: www.sandyspringsfestival.com.

Patrick Fox

Fulton school board meets today

The Fulton County school board will meet today at Dunwoody Springs Elementary School, 8100 Roberts Dr., Sandy Springs. The board’s audit committee will meet at 2:30 p.m., followed by an executive session at 4 p.m. At 6 p.m. the board will meet for recognitions, public comment and an agenda that includes updates on the district’s school governance teams and strategic plan. Board meetings can be watched live at portal.fultonschools.org.org/School_Board/Pages/Board_Videos.aspx Angela Tuck

Historical Society to hold meeting today

The Alpharetta Historical Society’s September meeting is 7 p.m. today at the Mansell House and Gardens, 1835 Old Milton Parkway. Connie Huddleston will present on the significance of the Hembree family to early family history along with the Society’s preservation efforts and plans for the Hembree Farm historic preservation site.

Information: Nan Harman-Dempsey at 770-475-9995 or Harman_dempsey@msn.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Manna Tee Golf Fundraiser set

The fourth annual Manna Tee Golf Fundraiser will start at 1 p.m. Monday at Lake Lanier Golf Resort. Participants can register online for sponsorship, volunteering or to play. Baseball hall of famer Phil Niekro and former Atlanta Braves player Mark Lemke, will be there.

Proceeds support Manna Fund’s efforts in helping people with eating disorders. Registration and tickets: www.mannafund.org. Kenneth Musisi

European Market to be held this weekend

The European Market on Milton Avenue will take place 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in Downtown Alpharetta. Vendors will offer handcrafted jewelry, furnishings, fashion, art, gifts and collectibles and the farmer’s market will be open Saturday. Admission and parking is free. Information: www.europeanmarketonmilton.com. Mea Watkins

Alpharetta kids molding clay

Alpharetta Recreation and Parks is holding creative clay works classes for kids age 6 and over 4 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays at the city’s Arts Center at Crabapple, 12624 Broadwell Road. Classes run through Oct. 22 and cost $90 for residents and $135 for non-residents, plus a $25 supply fee paid to instructor Mary Tussey.

Students will create fun, functional and decorative objects. Information: 678-297-6100, alpharetta.ga.us/recreation. MICHAEL ALPERT

ATLANTA

Fort McPherson open house Saturday

Atlantans are invited to an open house 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Fort McPherson, 1794 Walker Ave. Hourly presentations and tours will provide information on the timeline for negotiations and property transfer of the former Army garrison.

The city wants to redevelop the 488-acre site to create jobs and promote economic development.

Information: 404-477-6767 or www.mcphersonredevelopment.com. Jeremiah McWilliams

Task force on school services set to meet

A special task force formed to examine the use of outside support service in Atlanta Public Schools will meet noon Friday at district headquarters, 130 Trinity Ave.

The task force was announced at the school board’s July meeting in response to concerns about program cuts.

Information: 404.802.2200. Jaime Sarrio

UGA coach to speak at Atlanta Press Club

Legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley will speak at the Atlanta Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon today at The Commerce Club, 191 Peachtree St. Registration and book signing will be 11:15 a.m. with remarks and Q&A at 12:25 p.m. Admission: $30 members and $40 nonmembers. Information: tinyurl.com/8cqyz6u. Kenneth Musisi

Art exhibits to honor Hispanic Heritage

The Institute of Mexico, a nonprofit organization, is hosting free events in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. A collection of traditional outfits from different regions of Mexico will be on display through Sunday at No Mas Cantina.

Another art exhibition is ongoing through Oct. 26 at the Consulate of Mexico, 1700 Chantilly Dr.

The “Latin Influences” art exhibit is ongoing through Oct. 12 at Georgia State University’s Gallery Lounge.

A film festival will be 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Atlanta Fulton Public Library Auditorium. Information: www.institutodemexico.org. Kenneth Muisi

DEKALB

Emory chemistry center gets $20 million

The National Science Foundation has awarded $20 million to an Emory University chemistry center that brings together scientists from across the country working in the field of organic synthesis.

The university’s Center for Selective C-H Functionalization is working to have an important impact on the development of new drugs and other fine-chemical products. Many of the synthetic products people use daily, such as clothes and medications, are derived from organic synthesis.

The center has 25 scientists from 15 universities, according to Emory. Misty Williams

Register now for Recycle-Bowl

Registration for Keep America Beautiful’s second annual Recycle-Bowl competition is through Oct. 9. Schools can register at www.recycle-bowl.org to win prizes.

ONE DeKalb – Keep DeKalb Beautiful is offering assistance to schools that sign up for the competition and utilize the DeKalb Sanitation Division’s Commercial Recycling Program.

KDB will provide 22 gallon bins (ten per school) to help in calculating and transporting recyclables collected. Information: 404-371-2654 or kdb@dekalbcountyga.gov.

Kenneth Musisi

Decatur hosts cemetery conference

Decatur is hosting the Georgia Municipal Cemetery Association’s annual conference which includes seminars ranging from monument restoration, genealogy, ground-penetration radar to detect unmarked graves, landscaping, monument symbolism and sculpture.

There will also be a tour of Decatur’s cemetery which dates to 1828, the oldest municipal cemetery in metro Atlanta.

Information: Regina Brewer at 404-371-8386 or regina.brewer@decaturga.com.

Bill Banks for the AJC

‘Phlotes to the Top’ at Clarkston High School

The first phase of the PHLOTES to the Top initiative took place Sept. 10 at Clarkston High School. This rollout will address theliteracy and job readiness facets of the initiative.

Collaborative assistance in the areas of transportation, housing and social services will be addressed early next year.

While PHLOTES to the Top is focused on delivering services for the refugee and immigrant student population in the Clarkston High School area, the program will be expanded in the future to include additional high school clusters.

PHLOTES stands for Primary Home Language is Other Than English Students. Home to one of the state’s most diverse school districts, DeKalb County has nearly 17,000 students that meet this description. Kenneth Musisi

NAACP offers free credit repair workshop

The public is invited to a free economic education workshop, Rebuilding Your Credit, sponsored by the NAACP DeKalb County Branch, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Goodwill Career Center, 1295 Columbia Dr., Decatur.

Check in is 10:10 a.m. and materials will be provided by Bank of America. Reserve a spot at: naacpcreditrepair1-free@yahoo.com or 404-241-8006. Veronica Fields Johnson

SOUTHSIDE

Bell seeks funds for Clayton housing program

Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell Wednesday asked the Obama Administration to approve an additional $9 million for the county’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which has garnered praise from federal housing officials. Bell was in Washington attending a White House forum on economic development and job growth. He spoke to participants about Clayton’s award-winning housing program, which has put many new homeowners in foreclosed properties. Bell attended the forum as a member of the National Assocation Counties. Tammy Joyner

Black Lab Automotive grand opening Friday

Black Lab Automotive, 10364 Alpharetta St., Roswell will host a gala featuring furniture and classic car paint/restoration 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday.

A portion of BLA’s proceeds go to SOS Lab Rescue. Information: www.soslabrescue.org.

Information: Bridgette Yager at 678-209-2211 or www.blacklabauto. Kenneth Muisi

The Arc of Georgia to host Plane Pull

The Arc of Georgia’s annual Plane Pull will be Oct. 20 at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. A rope will be attached to a FedEx Airbus and teams of 25 participants will compete for a $1,000 donation to their organization by pulling the plane 12 feet.

Individuals can compete for a $40 donation. Registration deadline is Oct. 1.

The Arc of Georgia advocates for the rights of Children and adults with developmental disabilities. Information: Tarria Whitley at 678-733-8969. Kenneth Musisi

Volunteers needed for Rivers Alive cleanup

The Henry County Stormwater Management Department needs volunteers for the Annual Rivers Alive cleanup event 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 13 at Indian Creek Reservoir.

Volunteers will meet at Strong Rock Christian School, Locust Grove, for a hay ride to the cleanup site. There will be free bank fishing at the site 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monroe Roark for the AJC

‘Black Fridays’ at 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 $30 which includes microchipping, a pre-paid rabies vaccination certificate, and 30 days of pet health insurance.

On Microchip Mondays residents can get pets microchipped for $10 including registration with 24PetWatch, the company that maintains the registrations. Information: www.hcacc.org. Monroe Roark

New center helps unemployed in Fulton

Adamsville Workforce Development Resource Center, which recently opened inside the Adamsville Regional Health Center, 3700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta offers help to find work. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Job seekers can learn to sharpen interview skills, fill out online applications, update resumes, etc. Informationtion: 404-613-6381 or www.fultoncountyga.gov/divisions-and-programs/workforce-development. Johnny Edwards