COBB
KSU opens $21 million science building
Kennesaw State University has opened a $21 million science laboratory addition that will focus on scientific teaching and research.
The 73,000 square-foot building has six labs on one floor that will be used for teaching and 17 research labs on two upper floors.
The new space will allow the university to increase the number of specialized courses in the college of science and mathematics.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
New theater company to open today
A new theater company will open Nov. 1-25 at the former Theatre in the Square with a production of “The Summer of Daisy Fay,” through Nov. 25 at 11 Whitlock Ave.
The Marietta Theatre was started by former Theatre in the Square house manager Gene Bradley and “Tuna” plays co-author and director Ed Howard.
“A Tuna Christmas” will follow on the main stage Dec. 4-23. Information: 470-255-0074.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Cobb voters can check wait times online
Cobb County voters can check wait times at advanced voting locations by going to http://elections.cobbcountyga.gov/WaitTimes.php. The site lists the waiting times at each of the county’s nine early voting locations, and is updated four times daily. Information: cobbelections.org
Jaime Sarrio
Mabry Park offers sneak peek next weekend
Cobb families are invited to experience Mabry Park at the Park Preview event 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 10. Participants will learn more about the 26 acres of park land.
Activities will include a walking tour of the park, exploring the fire truck and meeting Diesel from the K-9 patrol. Mabry Park is located in northeast Cobb near the corner of Sandy Plains Road and Wesley Chapel Road.
Information: mabrypark.org or text “22828” to sign up for the monthly newsletter.
Staff reports
Meals on Wheels needs volunteers
Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver hot meals to homebound seniors in Marietta, Smyrna, Austell, Mableton and Powder Springs.
Cobb Senior Services is also looking for groups to adopt a delivery route.
Meals are delivered from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Information: Volunteer Services at 770-528-5381.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Marietta picked for recycling challenge
Marietta is one of 50 communities from around the country selected to participate in a recycling competition that could add $100,000 to the city’s conservation efforts.
The city with the most residents reporting their recycling efforts will win the six-month, SC Johnson Green Choices Recycling Challenge through Dec. 31.
Information: www.recyclebank.com/greenchoices.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
Gwinnett posts wait times for early voting
Gwinnett County has posted wait times for satellite voting locations on its web site as early voting winds up this week.
County residents can vote from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the county elections office in Lawrenceville and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at four satellite voting locations through Friday. Wait times ranged from 15 minutes to 75 minutes Wednesday morning, depending on the location.
For more information on early voting and to view the wait times, visit www.gwinnettcounty.com.
David Wickert
Festival to celebrate diversity
Local international talent will be featured at the Gwinnett Village Community Alliance’s Gateway International Food and Music Festival. The free event, aimed at celebrating diversity is 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Lillian Webb Park, 5 College St., Norcross.
Information: www.gwinnettvillagealliance.com.
Mea Watkins
Grayson to hold chili cookoff
The City of Grayson will host a Hot Tamale Chili Cookoff 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Grayson City Park, 475 Grayson Parkway. Produced by the Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce, the cook-off will feature over 35 chili competitors, arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities and musical performances. Admission is $5. Free for children 6 and under. The event benefits the Grayson Care Groups, which aims to provide material and financial support for children in the community. Information: www.eastsidechamber.com.
Mea Watkins
Suwanee seeks citizen input on quality of life issues
The City of Suwanee will solicit community feedback with a survey of local households.
Over the next several weeks a randomly selected representative sample of households will be asked to participate in the National Citizen Survey, an effort to seek public feedback in communities in more than 40 states. The survey solicits feedback on community quality, environmental sustainability, recreation, public safety and other areas.
Survey responses are due Dec. 7. Suwanee officials say the survey will help in community planning, policymaking and other efforts.
David Wickert
Meet Gwinnett’s Human Relations Commission
Join the Gwinnett County Human Relations Commission for an open house 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at Jagrala Food Palace, 851 Oak Road, Lawrenceville. Learn about the purpose and role of the Gwinnett HRC, meet commission members and find out how to get involved. Event is free, but reservations encouraged to gwinnetthrc.sung@gmail.com or 404-889-6458.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Suwanee looking for your best photos
Residents of Suwanee are invited to submit photos capturing the spirit of the community for the 2013 Snap Suwanee exhibit. Photographers may submit up to five high-resolution photos each. Deadline is Dec. 31. Complete guidelines for submission available at www.suwanee.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
School board seeks input on boundary proposals
The Cherokee County Board of Education will hold a public hearing 6:30 p.m. today at the school board auditorium, 120 Academy St., Canton on proposed boundary changes for the 2013—2014 school year.
At issue are several schools where grade configurations and feeder patterns will be impacted by the opening of the new/replacement E. T. Booth Middle School in August of 2013. The hearing will also cover future grade configurations for Ball Ground Elementary School.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Fulton holds final focus groups for seniors
Fulton County’s Office of Aging will hold its last focus groups on Friday for seniors and their caregivers to give feedback on programs and service needs.
The focus groups stem from findings of the county’s State of Seniors Survey, conducted in April and May, which found transportation was the most often-reported need.
Two two-hour “Join the Conversation” meetings will be held starting at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex, 6500 Vernon Woods Drive, Sandy Springs.
Information: 404-613-6000.
Johnny Edwards
Woodstock Friday Night Live event set
The Woodstock Downtown Development Authority invites the public to spend the first Friday of each month in downtown Woodstock and take in the restaurants and stores.
Merchants will stay open late, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Participating merchants will have activities for each theme of the Friday Night Live series, with the “Main Street Woodstock Art & Wine Festival” theme this month.
Information: 770-924-0406.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Roswell and Milton to hold Bulky Trash Amnesty Day
Free disposal of large items will be offered to Roswell and Milton residents 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 10 at the City of Roswell Public Works Division, 1810 Hembree Rd.
Acceptable items include: sofas, tables, chairs, refrigerators, washers, dryers, televisions, electronics, deactivated cell phones and automobile tires, limit of four, off the rim.
The following items will not be accepted: paint, hazardous waste, fluids, including motor oil and antifreeze, batteries, construction materials and yard waste.
Proof of residency is required.
Information: Roswell residents, 770-641-3715, jliberman@roswellgov.com and Milton residents, 678-242-2509, cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us, or www.keeproswellbeautiful.org.
Mea Watkins
Holistic center to offer free sample classes
Free sample bodywork classes in yoga, belly dance and zumba will be offered 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 17 at The Open Mind Center, 1575 Old Alabama Rd., Suite 213, Roswell.
The center aims to create and inspire a sense of hope, health and community through holistic health and wellness services.
Information: 678-243-5074, www.theopenmindcenter.com.
Mea Watkins
ATLANTA
Benefit set for Police Athletic League
The 2012 Mayor’s Cup Amateur Boxing Championship & Benefit will be 5 p.m. Saturday at the Civic Center to raise money for the Atlanta Police Athletic League, which provides activities for youth at two centers.
The event will feature 10 fights pitting APD officers against firefighters and other public safety officials. A silent auction, including a chance for lunch with Chief George Turner, allows bids at www.32auctions.com/PAL.
Bill Rankin
Shuttle service offered to early voters
Fulton County early voters can park for free at the downtown Atlanta government center and use a shuttle service. Shuttle buses, from Turner Field’s Orange Lot, are normally for jurors and employees, but voters can ride them until advance voting ends Friday.
Ballots can be cast early at five other locations throughout Fulton County. Information: 404-730-7020.
Johnny Edwards
Seniors, caregivers offered help finding services
Service providers will be at Fulton County’s senior multipurpose centers offering advice on legal, financial, housing, social and health issues, as well as information on support services and financial assistance. Register for programs, submit paperwork and get counseling.
The first Assisting Customers Through Information and Networking, or ACTION, initiative will be9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Facility, 677 Fairburn Road, Atlanta. Registration: 404-699-8580.
Johnny Edwards
Exhibit set to open with artist’s reception
“Missiles, Plastics and a Bear,” a mixed-media exhibition featuring work by Atlanta artist Kevin Byrd, will open with a free artist’s reception 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at One Twelve Gallery, at The Stove Works, Inman Park, 112 Krog St. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The exhibit runs through Jan. 20. Information: www.onetwelvegallery.com.
Mea Watkins
DEKALB
Neighborhood Summit this weekend in DeKalb
Registration is still open for a neighborhood summit and green expo being held 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Courtyard by Marriott Decatur, 130 Clairemont Ave.
The summit features workshops and resources available from the county for everyone.
The expo will have local green businesses demonstrating eco-friendly products and services.
Both events are free.
Information: 404-371-3689 or onedekalb@dekalbcountyga.gov.
April Hunt
DeKalb rape crisis center in jeopardy
A nonprofit organization that offers assistance to rape victims in DeKalb County is in jeopardy of closing.
The DeKalb Rape Crisis Center has already begun to stop accepting new clients because of lack of funds.
The facility counseled more than 600 people last year and gave hotline help to more than 1,500 callers.
However, center officials said the facility will close its doors by year’s end if it does not receive additional financial support.
Information/to help: 404-377-1429 or www.dekalbrapecrisiscenter.org.
April Hunt
Clarkston city manager earns credentials
Clarkston’s city manager recently earned the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association.
Keith Barker is one of 1,225 professionals to receive the voluntary credential through senior management experience, education and adherence to ethics.
Barker was named the DeKalb County city’s first city manager in 2011.
He had been the county’s chief operating officer before being fired after admitting to a sexual relationship with a water department secretary.
April Hunt
Tax volunteers needed in DeKalb
The nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service is looking for volunteers to help DeKalb County taxpayers with their 2012 returns.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers will receive free training and be reimbursed for qualified program-related expenses.
Volunteers do not need to be AARP members or retirees.
Deadline for application is Dec. 15.
Information: 1-888-687-2277 or www.aarp.org/tavolunteer8.
April Hunt
Single parent workshop to focus on empowerment
The Touch One Touch a Generation Single Parents Workshop will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at The Exchange Park Intergenerational Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur.
The free educational event, hosted by the National Leadership Group, Inc. and sponsored by DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, will feature information on parenting skills, credit counseling and money management, as well as activities for children ages 6-12.
Information: 770-997-6868 or info@touchonetouchageneration.com.
Veronica Fields Johnson
SOUTHSIDE
Peachtree City authority seeks board applicants
Peachtree City’s Water & Sewerage Authority is accepting applications for volunteer board members to oversee the system’s operations.
Applicants for the five-year terms must have lived in the city for at least six months and submit forms by Nov. 16.
The mayor and city council will make final appointments.
Information: www.peachtree-city.org/jobs.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fayette promoting pet adoptions
The Fayette County Humane Society is working with PetSmart Charities this weekend to encourage pet adoption.
Animals needing homes will be available 3-7 p.m. Friday, noon-4 p.m. Saturday and 12:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday at the PetSmart in Peachtree City.
FCHS will receive $35 for each pet adopted.
For information and to see animals: www.fayettehumane.org.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Henry police officer elected to GPAC board
Officer Joe Hencely of the Henry County Police Department was elected by the membership to the Board of the Georgia Police Accreditation Coalition Oct. 19.
GPAC is a professional association of policing agencies dedicated to leadership in meeting organizational objectives for compliance in national accreditation and/or state certification.
Hencely guided the HCPD to its recent initial state certification in 2010.
He is a 24-year law enforcement professional, all in Henry County, and a 20-year Navy Reservist.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Kiwanis Mustang Drawing to benefit abused children
The Kiwanis Club of McIntosh Trail is hosting a Mustang Drawing benefit for The Children’s Village at Christian City in Union City.
Tickets are $100 for a chance to win a 1968 Mustang GT convertible.
The drawing will be Dec. 6 at the sixth annual Chair-ity Event at the Dolce in Peachtree City.
Tickets can be purchased by mailing checks to: Kiwanis Club President Kay McInroe, c/o Prudential Realty, 246 City Circle, Peachtree City.
Purchase online at www.mcintosh-trail.kiwanisone.org.
Proceeds from the drawing will help support and care for the abandoned, abused, and neglected children at Christian City.
Information: Kay McInroe at 678-570-0717.
Kenneth Musisi
Veterans Day service at McDonough’s Heritage Park
A Veterans Day service will be held 11 a.m. Nov. 12 at the Veterans Wall of Honor at Heritage Park in McDonough, one day after the official holiday.
The ceremony will be hosted by the American Legion Post 55.
The program features a number of local dignitaries as well as special music by a local high school band, with retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant John Pierson scheduled to be the keynote speaker.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
