COBB
Austell mayor proposes raises for elected officials
Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins is proposing 20-percent raises for elected officials that would take effect after the next election in January 2016 with approval expected at 7 p.m. June 2, at Austell City Hall, 2716 Broad St. Salary for the mayor/city manager position, that has been held by Jerkins for 25 years, would increase from $30,000 to $36,000 - among the lowest in the state for city managers but among the highest for mayors in its population group. Each of the five City Council members would go from $12,000 to $14,400. Information: austellga.gov, dca.state.ga.us/dcawss/reports.html. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Austell has 3 job openings
Austell is seeking to hire three full-time employees - a seasonal laborer and a landscaper, both for the Parks department, and a firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician-1.
Information: austellga.gov, see “Employment Opportunities” on the right panel, click “Position Details.”
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Marietta rec center may get redevelopment
The Marietta City Council on Wednesday will consider redveloping the Elizabeth Porter Center as a park with water features, walking trails, picnic shelters and a playground. The $3.5 million project will be funded by a $25 million parks bond voters passed in 2009. The council will also vote on another bond project, a $2.6 million expansion and renovation of a recreation building next to Custer Park off Fairground Street. Information: www.mariettaga.gov.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Drivers ed teacher on state commission
Gov. Nathan Deal has appointed Beth Graham to the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission. She has taught drivers education classes for Marietta/Cobb Driver’s Education for 10 years. She was sworn into office May 7. Tucker McQueen
Mableton Day celebration Saturday
The 9th annual Mableton Day Community Celebration is 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday at the Mable House Complex, 5239 Floyd Road, with free admission and free parking.
The 5K begins at 8 a.m., Mableton Jr. Fun Run at 9 a.m., then non-stop performances, food vendors, historic Mable House tours, vintage cars, arts and crafts demonstrations and the Kids’ Corner with inflatables, a rock wall, pedal cars, storytelling and puppet shows.
Proceeds are returned to the community as grants to winners of the Community Spirit Program challenge and through the work of the nonprofit Mableton Day partner organizations - Amateur Athletic Association, Mableton Improvement Coalition and South Cobb Arts Alliance.
Information: mabletonday.com.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Marietta art walkruns through fall
The First Friday Art Walk runs through Oct. 3 at 30 shops, arts galleries and museums around the Marietta Square. Maps for the free, self-guided tours are available at locations displaying an art walk banner. Painter Tommy Hunt will be featured at Avery Gallery, 390 Roswell St., Marietta. Information:www.artwalkmarietta.com.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
Snellville 2015 budget available for review
The proposed Snellville Fiscal Year 2015 budget will be available for inspection at City Hall during regular business hours: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Following public input, the mayor and city council will consider adoption of the 2015 budget at 7:30 p.m. June 9. Information: www.snellville.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
‘Foster Parent’ day in Lawrenceville
Judy Jordan Johnson, Mayor of Lawrenceville, has proclained Saturday ‘Gwinnett County Foster Parent Appreciation Day’ encouraging citizens to support the organization and its humanitarian mission. Gwinnett County DFCS is currently monitoring placement of 480 children in protective custody that have been removed from unsafe homes and depend on foster parents. Currently, there are only 50 county approved foster homes available. Information: www.gwinnettafpa.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Loganville fundraiser to battle cancer
Loganville, Fast Signs Snellville and Buffalo’s Café’ will sponsor a Parking Lot Party and Car Show 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 910 Athens Highway in Loganville to raise money for three-year-old Imogen Passman who was diagnosed a year ago with ganglioneuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer. Information: 770-554-0606 or www.gofundme.com/47bl0c.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Norcross gallery will support young artists
Norcross welcomes The Cotton Seed Gallery, a new arts venue that will exclusively showcase work by area artists under the age of 18 at a reception 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the historic Summerour Cotton Gin at 125 Lawrenceville Street. The new gallery, part of the Lionheart Performing Arts Centre, will host exhibits by local schoolchildren and young adults. The Gallery’s opening exhibit features work by the Summerour Middle School Art Club, including a 5-foot tall sculpture made from recycled water bottles and inspired by glass artist Dale Chihouly. Information: lionheart30093@yahoo.com or 678-365-6561. Karen Huppertz
Suwanee selling surplus city equipment
Suwanee is holding an online surplus sale now through Thursday. Items include a police car, lawn equipment, laptops and printers. Bids start at $5. To make a bid: www.govdeals.com. Search: Suwnaee. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Sugar Hill urges weeklong cleanup
Residents within Sugar Hill city limits are encouraged to participate in the 2014 Clean-Up Week through Friday. Advanced Disposal will collect broken or discarded lawn and garden equipment, appliances (no refrigerators or freezers), yard or basement debris and furniture. Information: www.cityofsugarhill.com
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Forsyth property assessments going out
The Forsyth County Board of Tax Assessors will send out state-required annual assessment notices to Forsyth County property owners beginning May 16. Officials stress that the assessment notice is not a bill and will go to all property owners, regardless of whether or not their property was reassessed, It’s based on the previous year’s millage rate, which could change before actual tax bills go out later in the year. Property owners will have 45 days to appeal the amount shown on the assessment notice.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Storytelling series to start in Roswell
The Roswell Cultural Arts Center is launching StorySLAM, a monthly competitive storytelling series. Storytellers will drop their names into the hat for a chance to tell a five-minute narrative based on that month’s theme. The first event is set for 7 p.m. June 16 at the center, 950 Forrest St. Admission: $10. Information: roswellgov.com Mark Woolsey
Cherokee students win rocketry competition
A team from Cherokee County’s Creekview High School won the National Team America Rocketry Challenge Saturday in Virginia. Amanda Semler, Austin Bralick, Nick Dimos, Bailey Robertson and Andrew White, who are part of the Creekview aeronautics club, beat out 712 other teams from across the country. The Creekview team will now head to London In July to compete with student teams from several other countries at the Farnborough Air Show.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Johns Creek to hold bulky recycling event
The city of Johns Creek will hold a “Bulky Items Recycling Day” from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday at the State Farm Operations Center, 11350 Johns Creek Parkway. Johns Creek residents only can recycle such items as furniture, appliances and electronics. Residents can also bring used clothing and medical equipment for donation to local charities. A commercial document-shredder will also be on hand for document disposal.
Information: johnscreekga.gov or 770-551-7766. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Chamber regional issues group to meet
The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Regional Issues Advisory Council will hold its quarterly meeting from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday at the city of Woodstock’s Magnolia Hall, 108 Arnold Mill Road. The session will focus on an update of the 2014 state legislative session by the Cherokee County legislative delegation.
Information: cherokeechamber.com
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Master Gardeners to hold workshops
The North Fulton Master Gardeners will host a class on pruning and maintaining shrubs and roses at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Alpharetta Engineering and Public Works building, 1790 Hembree Road, Alpharetta.
The class is free and open to the public. Another class will be held at 7 p.m. June 3 at the Bill Johnson Community Activity Building, 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell.
Information: www.nfmg.net
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
ATLANTA
Congregation Bet Haverim hosts speaker
Matt Nosanchuk, the White House’s liaison on Jewish issues, will be speak at a forum 7 p.m. May 20 in the Congregation Bet Haverim sanctuary at Central Congregational United Church of Christ, 2676 Clairmont Road NE.
Nosanchuk, the Director for Outreach for the National Security Council, will discuss his work with the White House, foreign policy and international affairs, and civil rights and social justice. Information: congregationbethaverim.org Kent A. Miles for the AJC
New conductor named for youth orchestra
Chris Thibdeau will take the baton as conductor and music director of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestras of Atlanta following its spring concert.
Thibdeau will succeed Dr. Marilyn Seelman, a founding member of the youth orchestra program who served as its leader for two decades.
The spring concert is 2 p.m. Saturday at the Salvation Army Worship Center, 2090 N. Druid Hills Road. Information: www.mysoatlanta.com
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Atlanta Ride for Kids registration underway
Registration is open for the Atlanta Ride for Kids fundraiser 10 a.m. June 1 at the Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming.
Registration is 8 a.m. Cost: $40 per motorcycle. Proceeds go to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Information: www.curethekids.org/events
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Event to bring mothers, daughters together
TeenAngels Society Inc. will host an event for mothers and daughters at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Croc Corps Community Center, 967 Dewey Street SW.
The event is part of a global initiative called the Be MAD (Mothers and Daughters) Movement that encourages mothers to boost daughters’ confidence and elevate their self-esteem.
Information: www.madinga.eventbrite.com or www.teenangelsrock.org
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
DEKALB
Decatur to get new chain hotel
Decatur is getting a new downtown hotel, a Hampton Suites to be built by Vision Hospitality out of Chattanooga, between the Marriott Courtyard and the 101 Ponce Plaza building on Clairemont Avenue.
Assistant city manager Lyn Menne said the Hampton will help the city attract larger regional conference to the Decatur Conference Center, previously unattainable since the Marriott only has 180 rooms.
Menne added she’s still uncertain when construction on the Hampton begins. Bill Banks for the AJC
Superintendent to discuss race, public ed
DeKalb County School District Superintendent Thurmond will talk about race and public education in a public address 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at The Commerce Club of Atlanta before the 60th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the historic U.S. Supreme Court order to desegregate schools.
Cost: $35. Information: 404-222-0191 or Roxanne.Vallone@ourclub.com. Ty Tagami
Early voting continues in DeKalb
The DeKalb County elections office reported that 5,138 voters had cast ballots during early voting or absentee voting through May 8 for the election on May 20,
In-person early voting will continue through May 16 at the elections office, 4380 Memorial Dr., near Decatur, and five other locations throughout the county.
Those unable to vote early or absentee must report to their regular polling place on May 20.
Information: www.dekalbvotes.com.
April Hunt
Chamblee Chamber opening today
The Chamblee Chamber of Commerce will officially open its new offices during the group’s monthly after-hours mixer this evening.
The mixer runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the new headquarters, 5382 Peachtree Road. Food and beverages will be provided.
Admission is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. First-time guests can attend for free. April Hunt
Weekly food trucks return to Brookhaven
Starting this Wednesday Brookhaven will against host a weekly food truck event this summer at Blackburn Park.
More than 12 trucks will attend the events, which run from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through October.
Limited seating will be available, so attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. April Hunt
Class for awareness of pre-diabetes offered
DeKalb Medical is sponsoring a class for people who want to decrease their risk for diabetes at 10 a.m. today at 2701 N. Decatur Road, Decatur.
Visitors will learn about the pre-diabetes condition and how to make lifestyle changes to delay its onset. The cost to attend the class is $25.
Information: 404-501-9355.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
Safety and Protection Night set for May 27
Henry County’s District V Safety and Protection Night is 5-8 p.m. May 27 in the Home Depot lot, 65 Fairview Road, Ellenwood. Similar to National Night Out, the event is an opportunity to meet with public safety personnel and learn about the programs and services offered, and talk to elected officials. The event is free and open to the public. McGruff the Crime Dog will make an appearance and there will be booths set up by local businesses.
There will also be a DJ, entertainment and free food and beverages. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Piedmont Fayette offers sitting course
Piedmont Fayette Hospital offers Safe Sitter babysitting training course 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 31 at the hospital. Instruction includes basic first aid, childcare and emergency procedures. The course is open to youths age 11 and up; the $45 fee includes materials. Register at 770-719-5815 or contact maria.lepage@piedmont.org.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fayetteville hosts food, art and history shows
Fayette Fine Art Show is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday in the downtown square. The Taste of Fayette food showcase is noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The nearby Holliday-Dorsey-Fife Museum will have costumed re-enactors and historic trade displays both days. Information:www.fayetteville-ga.gov. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Whitewater student wins French honors
A first-year French student at Whitewater High School in Fayetteville earned the highest score in Georgia on the 2014 Le Grand Concours national competition. Matthew Skibiel was among 93,718 U.S. students who took the test, administered by the American Association of Teachers of French.
His score also put him in second place nationally. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Blood drive at Piedmont Henry
Piedmont Henry Hospital and the American Red Cross will host a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, in the hospital’s Foundation Education Center, Classrooms A. If at least 36 pints are collected, there will be a drawing for four $25 gift cards.
To give blood, a donor must be in good health, age 17 years or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, not have donated blood within the last 56 days, and show a valid photo ID. It is recommended donors eat a snack or meal within two hours prior to donating blood.
To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org, click on “Enter a Sponsor Code” in the left center of the page and enter “piedhenry.” Monroe Roark for the AJC
Rose Show coming to Fayetteville
The South Metro Rose Society’s annual Rose Show will be open free to the public 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Fayetteville Church of Christ, 870 Redwine Road, Fayetteville.
Hundreds of flowers and arrangements will be displayed and judged, and experts will be available to answer questions.
The event also includes bouquet sales and a raffle.
Information: 770-631-3885. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
