COBB
Strand to raise funds to reduce debt
The Earl Smith Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square will hold a fund-raiser from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday July 10 to reduce the theater's $1.5 million debt. Friends of the Strand board members hope to raise $75,000 during a 12-hour call-a thon at the theater, and local artists will peform at the top of each hour. After being closed for 30 years, the theater reopened in 2009 after a $5.7 million renovation. Information: www.earlsmithstrand.org.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Police meeting for south Cobb residents
Cobb Police officials will hold their first community meeting of the year for south Cobb residents at 7 p.m. today in the community room, South Cobb Government Center, 4700 Austell Road, Austell. They want to listen to concerns and comments from residents about area crime.
South Cobb crime statistics and “sexploitation” of youth also will be discussed.
Information: Lt. Carole King, 770-499-4169.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Meeting on battlefield preservation scheduled
There will be a public meeting to discuss preserving the Chattahoochee River Line Battlefield 7 p.m. July 16 at Whitefield Academy, 1 Whitefield Drive, Mableton. The meeting will discuss reasons for preserving the historic battlefield, potential tax advantages and tourism and recreation possibilities. Information: Robin Meyer: 770-948-5394 or infor@mableton.org. Hannah Morgan
East Cobb Park celebrates anniversary
East Cobb Park will celebrate its 10th anniversary 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 13. Food, games, guest speakers and music will fill the park, at 3322 Roswell Road, Marietta. Information, visit eastcobbpark.org. Hannah Morgan
Kids can sign up for musical theater camp
Curtain Call Youth Players will hold a musical theater summer camp at The Art Place – Mountain View, 3330 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta.
The weeklong camp for rising third- through fifth-graders will be July 15-19. The camp for rising sixth- through eighth-graders will be July 22-26.
Both camps end with a performance for family and friends. Tuition is $215. Information: 404-692-CCYP or ccyp.org. Jaime Sarrio
Cobb chairman’s meeting is moved
The town hall meeting for Cobb Chairman Tim Lee has been moved to Pebblebrook High School Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts, 991 Old Alabama Road, Mableton.
The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 13. Information: 770-528-3305. Jaime Sarrio
Marietta walking tour explores black history
A new walking tour in the Marietta area features 13 sites of historical significance to the city and the black community, dating to the Civil War. The brochure is available at several locations, including the Marietta Visitors Bureau, the Marietta Museum of History and online at www.mariettasquare.com. Information: 770-429-1115. Jaime Sarrio
GWINNETT
Meeting today on county milage rate changes
Gwinnett County commissioners have proposed cutting the 2013 milage rates, which will change how resident’s property tax bills look this year. Residents are invited to a public hearing 6:30 p.m. today, where they can ask questions, give comments and learn about the tax changes.
The meeting will be at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center auditorium at 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, 30046.
Information: www.gwinnettcounty.com, or 770-822-8000.
Hannah Morgan
Norcross park to close for maintenance
Grass areas, walkways, the gazebo and splash fountain are scheduled to close through Friday at Lillian Webb Park, 31 College St. The five days of annual maintenance began Monday to spruce up following Independence Day celebrations there. Information: 678-421-2000, mbender@norcrossga.net.
Michael Alpert for the AJC
Lawrenceville seeking award nominations
The Lawrenceville Hammer Awards recognize individuals and businesses for renovation, remodel and construction projects that enhance the city's esthetics and contribute to its overall vision. Nominations accepted through July 19. Information: Jenny Savoy at jenny@visitlawrenceville.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Duluth Civitans host membership drive
The Duluth Civitan Club is holding its Annual 2013 Membership Drive 7:30 a.m. today at J. Christopher's, 3294 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. in Duluth. The Duluth Civitan club hosts the Duluth Mayor's State of the City Address, a booth at the Duluth Fall Festival and supports Annandale Village along with other local charities. The group also supports the Civitan International Research Center in Birmingham, Alabama, to expand current knowledge about human development and developmental disabilities. Info: duluthcivitan.org, or contact Terry Crouch at 678-242-0445.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Art show exhibit runs through August
Some people have an eye for creating art from trash. Bree Sauers, from Tannery Row Artist Colony, has created an entire dress collection from paper and plaster, landscapes and still-life created from discarded items. The exhibit will be on display 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Aug. 16 at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 West Crogan St., Lawrenceville. Information: 770-822-5450.
Hannah Morgan
Cost of pet adoptions reduced in July
The cost of animal adoptions will be reduced at the Gwinnett County’s Animal Welfare department.
During the “Adoption Explosion” event, through July 27, the department will waive adoption fees and reduce veterinarian fees.
The normal cost of $90 for adopting dogs and puppies will be cut to $40; cats and kittens will cost $30. Two cats can be adopted for $40.
Those costs include spay/neuter of each animal, a microchip and the first round of shots. Dan Klepal
NORTHSIDE
Hearing planned on toll lanes proposal
The Georgia Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on proposed reversible toll lanes on Interstate 75 and Interstate 575 in Cobb and Cherokee Counties 4-7 p.m. today at the Woodstock Public Library, 7735 Main St., Woodstock.
The DOT is soliciting comments on the executive summaries of three proposals for the project State officials plan to select a preferred proposal later this month. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Schools announce open house schedule
The Cherokee County School District has determined its open house and walk-through schedule for district schools for the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year.
The schedule is posted on the district's home page at www.Cherokee.k12.ga.us. Class schedules and teacher assignments will be available at each school's event. School begins Aug. 5, and individual schools' front offices will be open daily starting July 23. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Northside hospitals make honor roll
Northside Hospital’s campuses in Forsyth, Cherokee and Atlanta have been named to the Georgia Hospital Association’s Partnership for Health and Accountability Core Measures Honor Roll. The facilities are among the state’s 17 in the Chairman’s category, the honor roll’s highest. The honor roll is created from clinical data from the federal Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services. Michael Alpert for the AJC
GDOT wants input on Ga. 20 project via Web
The Georgia Department of Transportation is taking to the Web to get input on proposed improvements to Ga. 20 from I-575 in Canton to Ga. 400 in Cumming.
A survey's been posted to http://sr20.metroquest.com asking about the need to upgrade the over-capacity road and alternatives for improvements and their impact. The survey will be active until July 15. A series of public meetings was held on the project in May.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee exhibit traces history of mills
The Cherokee County History Museum and Visitors Center presents the temporary exhibit “Life with the Mills: The Canton Cotton Mills” through Sept. 14.
The free exhibit traces the mills from 1900 to 1981 and features documents, artifacts and photographs.
The museum is at 100 North St., Suite 140, Canton.
More information: rockbarn.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Johns Creek offering arts grants
Johns Creek arts organizations with at least three years of 501(c)3 status have until 5 p.m. July 31 to apply for a portion of the city’s $30,000 of competitive grant funding.
Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk at 12000 Findley Road or emailed by then to grants@JohnsCreekGA.gov. Information: 678-512-3200.
Michael Alpert for the AJC
ATLANTA
Clark Atlanta receives gift to beautify campus
Clark Atlanta University recently received an anonymous gift of more than 22 trees, valued at $32,000, from the Legacy Tree Project to help beautify the campus.
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, over the course of 50 years, a single large shade tree can generate more than $160,000 in environmental benefits. This includes $31,250 worth of generated oxygen, $62,000 worth of air pollution control, $37,500 worth of recycled water and $31,500 worth of soil erosion control. Nancy Badertscher
Whitfield Academy names academic dean
Michael Fernandes has been named the academic dean of Whitefield Academy. He is a former assistant headmaster of a for-profit, PreK -12 independent school of 1,080 students and has extensive experience with rigorous testing and academic programs. Founded in 1996, Whitefield Academy, located at 1 Whitefield Drive, Mableton, is a Christ-centered college preparatory school for grades PreK-4 to 12. Veronica Fields Johnson
Georgia’s Jewish beginnings celebrated
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Georgia meets 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Breman Museum, The Selig Center, 1440 Spring St. NW. “Georgia’s Jewish Beginnings 280 Years Ago” celebrates the arrival of Georgia’s first 41 Jewish colonists.
A "Beginning Genealogy" class that is co-sponsored by the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Georgia, will follow. Admission is $15 or free to Breman Museum members. Information: thebreman.org or 678-222-3700. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Haitian photo exhibit at Auburn library
In recognition of National Caribbean American Heritage Month, “Smile Haiti! Photographic Exhibit by Shaina Oliphant” will run through Aug. 25 at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, 101 Auburn Ave., NE. Information: 404-730-4001 ext. 100 Veronica Fields Johnson
DEKALB
Boykin, two others, seek re-election
Businessman Fred Boykin, Decatur commissioner since 2001 announced Monday he’d seek re-election Nov. 5. Last month Patti Garrett, commissioner since 2009, also said she’d run again, along with Bernadette J. Seals, school board member since 2007. But longtime school board members Mark Wisniewski (since 2001 and chairman the last two years) and Valarie Wilson (since 2001 and chairman 2005-11) said they’re stepping down run. Decatur attorney Annie Caiola recently declared she’d run for Wilson’s spot. Qualification is Aug. 26 to Aug. 30. Bill Banks for the AJC
Esperanto Society to meet this weekend
The monthly meeting of the Esperanto Society of Metro Atlanta will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Athens Pizza, 1341 Clairmont Road, Decatur. Esperanto is an international, planned language created in the late 1800s for the purpose of overcoming racism, discrimination and war through a common world language. The meeting is open to the public. Information: www.esperanto-atlanta.org/.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Water quality workshop Saturday
DeKalb County’s Adopt-A-Stream program will host a training workshop this weekend at Stone Mountain.
There is no charge but registration is required for the session, which will train volunteers how to collect water samples from county streams and how to interpret the data.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Stone Mountain's Confederate Hall Historical and Environmental Education Center, 2003 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. Registration/information: Michael O'Shield at 770-724-1456 or msoshield@dekalbcountyga.gov. April Hunt
Mall to host black history exhibit
North DeKalb Mall will host an African American History Exhibition Museum through July 27 in the Macy’s wing at the mall, 2050 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur. The free exhibit houses over 8,000 artifacts and will feature meet and greet sessions with storytellers, local authors and historical leaders and other activities. James Horton, the collector, will greet visitors and answer questions. Mall hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. To schedule group tours call 404-454-1462. Veronica Fields Johnson
Storytelling program at History Center
A storytelling series for children returns to DeKalb History Center 10 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday through July 31 at the historic Biffle Cabin, 720 W. Trinity Place. The programs, for children ages 6-12, are $4 for children of members and $6 per session for others.
Information: 404-373-1088, ext. 22 or www.dekalbhistory.org. April Hunt
Service board seeks volunteers
The DeKalb Community Service Board, a non-profit group that supports behavioral health and developmental disability services is seeking new board members. Would-be members must be county residents, not employed by a provider and have an interest in the services.
Information: 404-508-7875 or www.btfdekalb.org. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Contract awarded to build I-75 toll lanes
The Georgia Department of Transportation awarded a $176.2 million contract to C.W. Matthews for construction of variable-rate toll lanes along I-75 through Henry County from Exit 216 (Hwy. 155) in McDonough to Exit 228 (Hwy. 138) in Stockbridge.
Initial work is likely to begin later this year and the lanes are expected to be open to traffic by the end of 2016.
Information: www.dot.ga.gov. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Pedal for Pets benefits spay/neuter efforts
The annual Pedal for Pets charity bike rides will be held Saturday in Senoia to support spay/neuter programs in the Fayette-Coweta area.
Rides of 99, 66, 33 and 12 miles will start between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. for all ages.
Registration is $35.
Information: www.southsidecycling.com/p4p or www.pedalforpets.org.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fayette Chamber has internship program
The Fayette Chamber of Commerce has a new partnership with Internships.com to provide more career-related opportunities for students.
The free program will connect local businesses with young people seeking job experience and training.
Employers and students can sign up at www.internships.com/group/fayette-chamber.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Henry meeting to discuss SPLOST list
The Henry County Board of Commissioners has set a meeting 6:30 p.m. Thursday to discuss the project list recently submitted by the SPLOST committee.
A referendum to extend the current SPLOST, which expired next year, may be on the November ballot.
Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Church to host free summer camp
Handley Helping Hands Inc., an outreach ministry of Mathalama AME Church, will host a free, one-week summer camp from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 15-19 at the church, 5570 Handley Blvd., Morrow, for ages 5-14.
The camp will offer academic enrichment, social skills, physical activities and character building. Breakfast, lunch and snack will be served.
Fifty slots are available at no cost. Before and after care available for small fee. Registration ends today at mathalamaamec@bellsouth.net or www.mathalamaame.org.
Information: 404-366-7302.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Peachtree City holds summer photo contest
The Friends of the Peachtree City Library is sponsoring a “Summer in the Bubble” photo contest for children and adults.
Photos must be taken within the city limits and will be judged based on theme, quality, composition and personality. Winners will receive awards. Entries are due July 12.
Information: Events page at www.peachtree-city.org for details. Jill Howard Church
