County by county news for Tuesday
COBB
Police chief and library director plan to retire
Smyrna has received 53 applications to fill the city police chief’s position held by Stanley Hook.
Hook plans to retire at the end of December after 22 years as chief and 49 years in law enforcement.
The department has 92 officers. Smyrna’s library director, Michael Seigler, also plans to retire at the end of the year after 18 years with the city.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Marietta YELLS to host networking dinner
A Marietta youth mentoring organization is putting on its 4th Annual Youth Empowerment through Learning, Leading, and Serving networking dinner on Wednesday. A group of high school “bigs” (who are mentors to younger “littles”) will meet adult professionals and talk about their progress in serving the community.
The event allows youths to practice networking skills in an authentic environment. Information: www.YELLSinc.org Andria Simmons
Powder Springs holds agenda meeting
Powder Springs mayor and city council will begin their agenda meeting 5 p.m. Wednesday in the second floor conference room, City Hall, 4484 Marietta St. Information: 770-943-1666. Carolyn Cunningham
Marietta choice school deadline Jan. 18
Marietta parents will have until Jan. 18 to apply to Marietta City Schools’ choice academies.
Each of the district’s elementary schools offer different magnet programs that cater to a child’s talents and needs, administrators said.
Administrators are also encouraging parents and their children to take tours of the schools.
Information: www.marietta-city.org/curriculum/programs/choice.php.
Daarel Burnette II
10 picked to march in Rose Parade
Ten musicians from Cobb County’s high school marching bands were recently selected to participate in the Band of America Honor Band which will march in the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade.
Students include Samantha Stammen from Allatoona High School, Lena Paradiso, Kenneth Hubbard, Ethan Thompson, Rachel Thompson and David Boughter from Harrison High School, Sarah Grayburn from Hillgrove High School, Meredith Lipman from Kennesaw Mountain High School, Sydney O’Donnell from Pope High School and Walker Cook from Walton High School.
Kennesaw Mountain High School band director David McGrath was chosen to serve as one of the band’s assistant instructors.
Daarel Burnette II
Designer to speak at Marietta Country Club
James Farmer, a floral, landscape and interior designer will speak 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Marietta Country Club, as part of the Cobb County Library Foundation’s Booked for Lunch series.
Farmer was raised in Georgia, in a lifestyle that emphasized using materials from the family farm for food, décor, and flavor. Tickets are $25, which includes lunch.
Information: cobblibraryfoundation.org
Jaime Sarrio
GWINNETT
Gwinnett Police bring back Holiday Task Force
The Gwinnett County Police Department is forming a Holiday Task Force again this year to place additional officers in shopping districts throughout the county to help reduce crime against holiday shoppers.
The task force will operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through December 31.
Police typically see an increase in entering autos, robberies, financial fraud, and DUIs during the holiday season. Citizens are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and report suspicious behavior or loitering persons.
Andria Simmons
Low cost pet vaccines available Saturday
Planned PEThood will offer vaccines for dogs and cats from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, no appointment needed.
The clinic is at 2860 Buford Highway in Duluth. If your pet is not already spayed or neutered, Planned PEThood also offers affordable surgeries during the week. Rabies vaccination is free with surgery. No income qualification is needed.
Information: 678-561-3491 or www.PlannedPEThoodGA.com for pricing and surgery appointments.
Andria Simmons
Exhibit to inspire young architects
The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Dr., Buford hosts “Young Architects: Designing the Future,” an exhibit highlighting famous architects and will include various block building media for a hands-on interactive learning experience The exhibit runs through Jan. 19.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Osteosarthritis forum held today
The Arthritis Foundation and OrthoAtlanta host a community education forum 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at OrthoAtlanta’s offices on Old Norcross Road.
The Better Living with Osteoarthritis forum will provide tips on osteoarthritis treatment and prevention techniques, including weight management. The event is free to the public with advance registration.
Information: 1-800-933-7023 or www.betterlivingOA.kintera.org.
Andria Simmons
Barge to visit Britt Elementary School
Students at Gwinnett County’s Britt Elementary School plan to show state Superintendent John Barge just how family-friendly their school is. Barge will visit the school today to recognize them for winning the inaugural Georgia Department of Education’s Family-Friendly Partnership School Award. Britt and two schools in Houston County are receiving the honor.
Nancy Badertscher
Canvas café painting for the cure
In partnership with the American Cancer Society of Gwinnett, the Gwinnett Parks and Rec hosts an inspirational art session with a skilled resident artist 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., Wednesday at Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center, 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages served as guests paint their own 14-inch by 8-inch masterpiece to take home. Ages 21 and up, $15/person. Preregistration required at 770-417-2200 or www.gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Stream project receives Urban Forest award
Forsyth’s first stream restoration project has received the 2012 Outstanding New Initiative Grand Award by the Georgia Urban Forest Council. The stream restoration project, completed in May, is located in Midway Park.
The work was designed to improve overall downstream watershed conditions by stabilizing and restoring approximately 1,000 feet of degraded stream bank, using natural channel design methods.
Patrick Fox
Grey named Officer of the Year
The city of Milton Police Department has named Keenan Grey Officer of the Year.
Grey, a 26-year-old Milton resident and native, was nominated by his peers and selected by command staff for his kind demeanor and for going beyond expectations to work more hours than are required.
Grey has been a police officer for three years, all of them in Milton.
Andria Simmons
Slain Cherokee County girl to be remembered
A candlelight vigil 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Canton YMCA, 151 Waleska St. will mark the one-year anniversary of the abduction, sexual molestation and murder of Jorelys Rivera. The 7-year-old girl was killed Dec. 2, 2011 by a maintenance worker at the Canton apartment complex where she lived. Ryan Brunn, 20, committed suicide in prison after drawing a life-without-parole sentence.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Mountain Park hosts annual fundraiser
The annual Holiday Extravaganza, a school fundraiser and day of fun at Mountain Park Elementary, Roswell, is 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. It includes a basket-themed raffle with 100 percent individual class participation; Delightful Deals, a Group-On type offering of services, tours, tickets to events, etc. with special pricing from local vendors; a Sweet Shoppe of homemade baked goods; entertainment; and a holiday marketplace with specialty gifts to purchase.
Information: www.mpes.org.
Nancy Badertscher
Canton recycling program starts
Canton has begun a household grease recycling program to hopefully reduce sewer clogs. Residents are encouraged to collect cooking fats, oils and greece and pour them into collection tanks at City Hall, 151 Elizabeth St., or the city’s Public Works Department, 2525 Ridge Road. The waste will be recycled to make cleaner-burning biodiesel fuel to power city vehicles.
MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC
Johns Creek building gazebos
Johns Creek is installing two gazebos along its greenway trail on State Bridge Road, overlooking the city’s namesake creek.
Funded by state and federal grants, the multi-gabled, 10-foot-square gazebos along the creek north of State Bridge are expected to be complete by year end. Part of the city’s beautification of its greenway trail system, the gazebos supplement 12 seating plazas already on Medlock Bridge Road, six on State Bridge and another on Bell Road.
MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC
ATLANTA
Summer food programs seeks sponsors
The Summer Food Service Program is looking for eligible sponsors to serve nutritious meals to children throughout Georgia next summer. The SFSP, administered by Atlanta-based Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Information:www.decal.ga.gov or 1-855-550-SFSP or SFSP@decal.ga.gov
Nancy Badertscher
Toys for Tots campaign begins
United Way of Greater Atlanta and Publix Super Markets are partnering again with the U.S. Marine Corps for the 2012 Toys For Tots campaign. Through Dec. 22 new and unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any Publix.
United Way is providing a link for families to request help at 211online.unitedwayatlanta.org or by dialing 2-1-1. Families can be connected to authorized agencies in their community to request toys.
Gifts for ages 11-12 typically experience shortages, so please consider board games, basketballs, electronics, watches, etc.
Nancy Badertscher
EPS takes applications for grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking applications for $1.5 million that will be awarded as small environmental justice grants of up to $30,000. The grants enable non-profit organizations to conduct research, provide education and develop solutions to local health and environmental issues in communities overburdened by harmful pollution. Information: www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/grants/
Nancy Badertscher
Immaculate Heart of Mary hosts open house
Immaculate Heart of Mary School hosts an open house 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at 2855 Briarcliff Road. This is an opportunity to meet teachers and administrators, tour the campus, and learn why IHM is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
Information:www.ihmschool.org.
Nancy Badertscher
DEKALB
Avondale Roads closed for movie shooting
Tyler Perry Studios is filming portions of the feature film “Single Mom’s Club” throughout Avondale Estates, and several roads will periodically shut down until Dec. 5. The Waffle House was closed nearly all day on Monday. But upcoming road closures include the two westbound lanes of E. College Avenue, between Pine and Olive Streets, the turn lane along E. College Avenue will be made into a westbound lane and the two east bound lanes will operate as usual.
Bill Banks for the AJC
Dearborn Park to get new all-weather trail
Dearborn Park, one of Decatur’s oldest in-town parks, will get a new, quarter-mile long, all-weather trail that should be finished by February. The trail will be located between Chevelle Lane and West Dearborn Circle, following the West Dearborn Circle right-of-way along the greenway running next to Shoal Creek. The trail will be built with crushed slate and will include a small boardwalk area over a wet section of the greenway. Total cost is $59,061.
Bill Banks for the AJC
Libraries seek public input on plans
The DeKalb County Public Library wants public input on its priorities for the next three years. Residents can attend meetings 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. today at the main library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur; 7 p.m. Thursday at the Wesley Chapel library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road; 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Chamblee library, 4115 Clairmont Road; 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Tucker library, 5234 LaVista Road or 7 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Hairston Crossing library, 4911 Redan Road.
Information: 404-370-8450, extension 2228.
April Hunt
Community project receives funding
Tucker Civic Association is among four communities that will benefit from a $150,000 grant given to the Atlanta Regional Commission by Pfizer Foundation and Grantmakers in Aging.
The Community AGEnda grant is part of a $1.3 million initiative to aid communities prepare for an aging population.
Information: www.tuckercivic.org.
Kenneth Musisi
Annual “Tree of Love” program underway
The Tree of Love creates wish lists for holiday gifts for low-income children as well as those in foster care. Residents can select names from the tree so the children have something to open for the holidays.
The tree is set up at South DeKalb Mall, 2801 Candler Road. Gifts are due back by Dec. 15. Information: 404-964-4936.
April Hunt
Santa breakfast to benefit nonprofit
Santa Claus will visit the Stone Mountain Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 8. at to help raise money for Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, Too, a non-profit that provides crutches, walkers and wheelchairs to children and seniors with disabilities.
Tickets for breakfast with Santa are $30 for adults and $20 for children 5 -11 and include a buffet breakfast, parking fees, park admission, a toy and photo with Santa. Children under 5 are free. Information: 770-491-9014, extension 112, pamholley@fodac.org or www.fodac.org
April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Fulton officials mull sweeping budget cuts
Fulton County officials are considering major cuts to balance the budget without a tax rate increase. A plan presented by Finance Director Patrick O’Connor would cut most offices by 5 percent. Commissioner Robb Pitts has asked the county manager to justify continued funding for communications, intergovernmental affairs, economic development and the chaplain’s office.
The proposed budget totals $569.4 million in expenses, a 6 percent decrease from 2012. Expected revenues are $528 million, with $41.4 million coming out of reserves. Johnny Edwards
Fayetteville parade, tree lighting Saturday
Fayetteville’s annual Christmas Parade and tree-lighting festivities begin at 5 p.m. Saturday at the historic downtown square. The ceremony will include music from local church groups as well as free popcorn and hot chocolate.
Students and staff from the Joseph Sams School will assist with tree lighting. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Clayton State to open film school next year
Clayton State University plans to open a film training program with hopes to open a full-fledged film school. The university’s Center for Continuing Education will oversee the first phase which will be an introduction to the film industry. That program is set to open fall of 2013. The second phase will be a degreed program and focus on digital media, film production and other skills.
The program is being created at the request of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which is partnering with the university.
Tammy Joyner
Clayton ministers host school board debate
The Clayton County Ministers will host a runoff debate for District 2 and District 7 school board seats 7 p.m. today at Community Fellowship, 107 Highland Hills Road, Riverdale.
The candidates are Mark Christmas and Wanda Smith for District 2; Trinia Garrett and Judy Johnson for District 7.
Tammy Joyner
Position open on mental health board
The Fayette County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications for a position on the Region Six Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases Regional Planning Board. The group consults with families, providers, customers and advocacy groups to identify needs and services. Contact fjones@fayettecountyga.gov by Dec. 21.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Kiwanis drawing to benefit abused children
The Kiwanis Club of McIntosh Trail is hosting a drawing for a 1968 Mustang GT convertible to benefit The Children’s Village at Christian City in Union City. Tickets are $100.
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 will help support and care for abandoned, abused, and neglected children. Information: Kay McInroe at 678-570-0717.
Kenneth Musisi
