County by county news for Tuesday

The award is presented to an EMS educator who has contributed significantly to EMS education at the community, regional, and state level. The person must not only do the job, but far exceed the expectations of the employer and the community. Causby was selected as a true role model and community hero.

Andria Simmons

Driving seminar for teens, parents

The Powder Springs Police Department and the University of Georgia will host a free, 2-hour P.R.I.D.E. seminar to help Cobb County parents prepare their teens to drive 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 28 at the Powder Springs Police Department, 1114 Richard D. Sailors Pkwy. A teen and a parent must register to attend. Forms: www.cityofpowdersprings.org/DocumentCenter/View/2199. Deadline May 17.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Sorority hosts empowerment summit

The Marietta-Roswell Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will address preserving the value of your home, improving your credit, and finding a job at The Fourth Annual Community Empowerment Summit 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 18 at the Smyrna Community Center, 200 Village Green Circle

Information: mracdstpublicity@gmail.com Sandra Marshall Murray

Marietta seeks inputon redevelopment

Marietta will hold a public meeting 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. today at Marietta Center for Advanced Academics, 311 Aviation Road, about redeveloping a section of Cobb Parkway and South Marietta Parkway. Proposed improvements include making Life University and Southern Polytechnic State University Marietta more visible to the community. Information: www.mariettaga.gov.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Gun safety seminar in Powder Springs

With the dramatic increase in the public’s escalating desire to learn more about gun safety, the Powder Springs Police Department will host a free gun safety seminar May 21.

This program is intended for civilians and will be focused on safety, Georgia laws, and the use of alternative weapons. The seminar will be at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of Tapp Middle School at 3900 Macedonia Rd. in Powder Springs.

To register, email SSlay@cityofpowdersprings.org or call 770-943-1616. Participants should not bring any firearms or weapons to the seminar.

Andria Simmons

Senior Idol to include songs, dance, comedy

Cobb County seniors will perform musical, comedy and dance acts at 1 p.m. today at the Jennie T. Anderson Theater for the ninth annual Cobb Senior Idol. Judges will select five finalists and the audience will determine the winner.

Event tickets are $5 at senior centers or at the door. Applications to perform are available at senior centers, and a rehearsal will be Monday.

Information: 770-528-1445 Melissa Abbey

GWINNETT

Peachtree Corners adds development authority

Peachtree Corners has formed a Downtown Development Authority to revitalize and redevelop the city’s central business area from about Peachtree Corners Circle east to Medlock Bridge Road and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard north to nearly Everett Court.

The Authority plans to access financing tools, grants, and other resources to promote business development, strengthen the tax base and enhance property values.

DDA members are Mike McLaughlin, David Willey, Bob Saville, Gene Witkin, L.C. Johnson, Dan Graveline and Ruth Strickland. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Norcross unveils Safe Routes project

The Norcross and the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District’s $1.2 million Safe Routes to School project will begin this summer. It is intended to increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists along Beaver Ruin Road, between Buford Highway and Indian Trail-Lilburn Road. The project was funded with a $976,000 grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission. The city and CID pitched in $244,000. Dan Klepal

12 Gwinnett students named Gates scholars

Gwinnett County Public Schools has its largest class of Gates Millennium Scholars this year, with 12 members of the Class of 2013 receiving college tuition for their entire college careers.

Seniors from Central Gwinnett, Meadowcreek, Mill Creek, Mountain View, North Gwinnett and Shiloh high schools are receiving the scholarships for their high academic performance. They are: Earl Hughes; Yonnatan Manmektew; Yong Lee; Victor Mata; Hannah-Dulya Menelas; Adrianne Osorio; Nyles Pollonais; Yonas Takele; John Koh; Ha Truong; Wendy Yang; and Desiree Aighobahi. Nancy Badertscher

Camp set for Gwinnett middle school students

A camp for middle schoolers is offered June 10-13 through the Grayson High Technical Education Program. Registration ends May 15. Students can explore careers in culinary arts, digital medial design/animation, robotics, music technology, photography and video broadcast journalism.

Information: 770-554-7083 or www.graysontech.org

Nancy Badertscher

UGA Day coming to Gwinnett July 29

The University of Georgia Alumni Association and the UGA Athletic Association bring UGA Day to Gwinnett County on July 29. A buffet dinner begins at 6 p.m., followed by the official program at 7 p.m. Headlining will be incoming President Jere Morehead, head football coach Coach Mark Richt and basketball coach Mark Fox.

Information: www.alumni.uga.edu/ugadays. Nancy Badertscher

Suwanee adds to permanent collection

Suwanee’s Public Arts Commission has added to the city’s permanent art collection with Audubon by Tennessee artist Jim Collins and Wind Sculpture Weathervane by Blairsville artist Al Garnto.

Information: www.suwanee.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth official describes county as ‘vibrant’

Forsyth County Board of Commissioners chairman R.J. “Pete” Amos says the county is poised to become a leader in the global marketplace.

During a state of the county address to chamber members last week, Amos pointed to the county’s triple-A bond rating, low taxes and dramatic growth in residential dwelling units permitted last year as evidence.

Amos says the county hosts more than 8,000 businesses, including dozens of international firms. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Holly Springs offers job fair this week

Holly Springs is sponsoring a job fair from 11 a.m -4 p.m. Wednesday at the Holly Springs Train Depot, 164 Hickory St. Local companies and recruiters will be on hand, along with the Atlanta Regional Commission Mobile Career Unit, which will offer interviewing and job networking tips. Information: www.hollyspringsga.us Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Health center received $50k grant

TurningPoint Women’s Healthcare, a non-profit breast cancer rehabilitation organization, has received a $50,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation for its financial assistance program and educational events. Grants funded will be used to provide rehabilitation, exercise and educational programs for under-insured and uninsured women with breast cancer. Johns Creek-based TurningPoint recently announced plans to move to a larger, more centrally located facility in 2013. Staff

Forsyth mailing water quality report

The Forsyth County Water and Sewer Department will mail a water quality report with its bills beginning Wednesday. Based on 2012 data, the report details where the county’s water comes from, what it contains and its conformity to regulations. The report is available at the County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming,. Information: 770-781-2160. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Canton offers recycling Saturday

The city of Canton has scheduled an electronics recycling and document shredding event for 9.a.m-2 p.m. May 11 at Canton City Hall, 151 Elizabeth St. Computers, printers, CD-Roms, fax machines and other items will be accepted for no charge. There will be a charge for televisions and CRT monitors. Information: www.canton-georgia.com Mark Woolsey

Engraved pavers available for memorial

Engraved brick pavers are being sold for the Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk at Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Alpharetta as part of the $300,000, handicap-accessible park’s walking path commemorating military conflicts.

There will be an entrance plaza with a sitting wall and flags for each branch of service. Pavers 4 inches by 8 inches cost $50, and 8-inch square ones, which can accommodate a military branch logo, cost $100.

Groundbreaking is scheduled for July 4, with opening set for Veterans Day 2014. Information: johnscreekga.gov/JCVA. Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

Wimberly to be CAU baccalaureate speaker

Edward P. Wimberly, acting president of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, will deliver Clark Atlanta University’s baccalaureate address 5 p.m. May 19 in the Vivian Henderson Center.

Wimberly’s career as an academician has spanned more than 30 years and includes a rich background in pastoral care and counseling. Nancy Badertscher

Bereavement club to hold anniversary gala

Kate’s Club celebrates its 10th anniversary with a gala 6:30 p.m. May 18 at the Loews Atlanta Hotel, 1065 Peachtree St. N.E. The nonprofit organization aims to help children and teens cope with the loss of a parent or sibling.

Information: katesclub.org. Mea Watkins

Festival raises funds for educational center

The 12th annual Draft on Taft festival will be 3 to 10 p.m. May 18 along Charles Allen Drive in Midtown. Entrance is $35 and includes drinks, food, and music from local bands. Each year the event organizers select a local charity as the beneficiary of the event’s proceeds.

This year’s charity is GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta, a local Midtown nonprofit that provides free resources, educational and therapeutic programs, and support for Atlanta’s Down syndrome community.

GiGi’s will use the money raised to fund operations, expand educational and therapeutic programs, and increase support for Atlanta’s Down syndrome community.

Mea Watkins

CAU hosts Spirit of Greatness gala

Clark Atlanta University will host its annual Spirit of Greatness Gala 6 to 11 p.m. May 18 at the Hyatt Regency, 265 Peachtree Street N.W.

This event is held to raise funds for deserving CAU students and honors alumni and community members. Tickets to the black tie event are $150 each.

Information: www.cau.edu or call 404-880-8022.

Sandra Marshall Murray

DEKALB

Education focus on Northlake meeting

The Northlake Community Alliance Inc.’s annual meeting 7 p.m. May 23 at Briarlake Baptist Church, back lot building at 3715 LaVista Road will focus on what the new leaders of DeKalb County Schools will do to get the system back on top. Acting Superintendent Michael Thurmond and Board member, Dr. Karen Wheel-Carter are scheduled to speak. Information: www.nlake.org Staff

Applicants sought for service board

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners is seeking candidates to serve on the planning board for the state Department of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities.

The board helps direct care offered by the service board beyond DeKalb, into the nearby counties of Gwinnett, Fulton, Clayton, Newton and Rockdale.

Interested candidates should send resumes by e-mail to Nichell Moore at nimoore@dhr.state.ga.us or call 770-414-2609. April Hunt

Teacher featured at speaker series

Susan Roseman, a retired Jewish school teacher who taught immigrant Muslim children English, will share her experiences during the Edgewise Speaker Series, 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday at MJCCA at Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Information: Lilly Mahana, lilly.mahana@atlantajcc.org or 678-812-4064. Sandra Marshall Murray

Horizon production will benefit libraries

The Horizon Theatre production of “The Book Play,” a comic look at friends in a book club, will benefit DeKalb County’s 22 libraries for one night’s showing May 15.

Tickets are $30 online at www.dekalblibrary.org and www.afpls.org. They also are available at the Horizon box office, 1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta. Information: 404-584-7450.

April Hunt

Northside sponsors free screenings

Northside Hospital will offer free health screenings including cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, medical weight, body composition analysis, osteoporosis, cancer risk, etc. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 14 at MJCCA at Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody

Information: Sandra Bass, sandra.bass@atlantajcc.org or 678-812-3798. Mea Watkins

Schools technology plan underway

The DeKalb County School District has undertaken a fast-paced technology plan to make 123 schools and centers wireless by the end of November. With a total price tag of $4.5 million, the project is funded through the Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax.

Currently, 14 schools and centers are completed, with an average of one access point per two classrooms.

The completed schools are Cedar Grove High, Chamblee Middle, Clarkston High, Coralwood Center, International Student Center, Kittredge Magnet School, Lithonia High, Lithonia Middle, Margaret Harris Comprehensive School, Miller Grove High, Peachtree Middle, Redan Middle, Tucker Middle and Warren Technical School. The cost for the 14 so far is $487,556.

An update of all SPLOST technology projects can be found at www. dekalb.k12.ga.us/splost-iv/projects/ Mea Watkins

SOUTHSIDE

Superintendent seeks input on Fayette schools

Newly hired Fayette County Schools Superintendent Dr. Joseph “Jody” Barrow, who assumes his new job July 1, is seeking community input on education issues.

Students, parents, employees and residents are asked to complete a 10-question online survey posted at www.fcboe.org.

Responses will help develop organizational plans and procedures. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Stockbridge council sets called meeting

The Stockbridge City Council has a special called meeting at 6 p.m. today to invite citizen input on the city’s interest in securing a block grant to build a community swimming pool adjacent to the new Multiplex facility. The regularly scheduled work session follows at 6:30.

Information: www.cityofstockbridge.com. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City revises council schedule

The City Council of Peachtree City will hold a workshop regarding a needs assessment report and potential SPLOST projects at 6:30 p.m. tonight (May 7) at City Hall. Its regular meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday as part of a consolidated May schedule. Topics will include a traffic study for Hwy. 54 West. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Clayton schools seek public input for budget

The Clayton County Board of Education will hold a public hearing on Thursday regarding its proposed 2014 school budget. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the Administrative Complex, 1058 Fifth Avenue in Jonesboro. The public is urged to attend. Information: www.clayton.k12.ga.us/administration/boardofeducation/ Tammy Joyner

Nominations sought for community awards

Girls and Guys Organized for Anointed Living (GOAL) is accepting nominations for community service awards.

The nonprofit honors Fayette students committed to educational excellence and youth leadership, along with the mothers who support them. Awards will be presented May 25. Information: www.anointedliving.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Applications open for Taste of Fayette

Vendor applications are now being accepted for the 12th annual Taste of Fayette taking place May 19 in downtown Fayetteville.

The event showcases food from local restaurants as well as information about other area businesses and charitable organizations. Booths range from $50 to $100; deadline is May 15.

Information: www.fayetteville-ga.gov or 770-719-4173. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

North Fayette school starts fathers group

North Fayette Elementary School has launched a program called the Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) aimed at getting fathers more involved in student activities.

Information: Bethany McIntosh, 770-460-3570. Jill Howard Church for the AJC