County by county news for Tuesday

The peacock has resided in the Concord Road area for the last few years.

However, a new subdivision, Wilkins Walk, will be bounded by Floyd, Hicks and Concord Roads in the peacock’s neighborhood.

The nonprofit Noah’s Ark is home to around 1,500 animals of 100 species.

Information: noahs-ark.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Wreaths will be placed at Marietta cemeteries

Volunteers plan to place 3,000 wreaths at gravesites at the Marietta National Cemetery after a ceremony starting noon Saturday at 500 Washington Avenue.

The memorial service is part of a national Wreaths Across America program that remembers veterans.

Wreaths will also be placed at the Marietta Confederate Cemetery. Mile Shaffer will speak at a ceremony noon Saturday at the cemetery, Brown Park, 358 West Atlanta St.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Prinicpal named citizen of the year

The Northwest Cobb Area Council of the Cobb Chamber has named Phillip Page, principal at North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, citizen of the year.

Page was recognized for his work and service in the Acworth community. Acworth City Manger Brian Bulthuis also received the council’s community impact award. Bulthuis has been city manager for 17 years. Information; www.acworth.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Volunteers needed for tree planting

Marietta Tree Keepers is looking for volunteers of all ages to plant trees at Marietta’s Lake Park, 311 Lake Drive, 9- 11 a.m. Saturday. Refreshments and tools will be provided. Registrations starts at 8:30 a.m.The group has planted more than 5,000 trees is public places around the city. Information: www.mariettga.gov/committee/treekeepers.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Kennesaw names members to new board

The Kennesaw City Council on Monday named seven members to a new arts and culture commission. They include city business owner Matt Matthews and residents John Hillier, Nicholas Palfrey, David Shock and Cindy Meadows.

Valerie Dibble, Kennesaw State University visual arts professor, and Sally Macaulay, Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art executive director, will also serve on the board.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Historic Mable House open through Saturday

The Historic Mable House will be open for tours 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Saturday at 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.

Docents will lead visitors through the 170-year-old house and outbuildings, explaining life on this 19th-century farm that is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Information: southcobbarts.org, mablehouse.org/historic-house.html or

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Water and sewer rate increase for 2014

Effective January 2014, water and sewer rates will increase an average of 35 cents per 1,000 gallons and remain in effect through 2014. Single-family residential rates will range from $4.85 to $9.70 depending on water usage tier. Sewer rates will increase from $7.11 to $7.82 per 1,000 gallons. Commercial and multi-family residential rates will be billed at $4.85 for water and $7.82 for sewer. All irrigation and builder accounts will be billed at two times the tier-one volumetric rate for all water that passes through the water meter per billing period. Information: 678-376-6700 or www.gwinnetth2o.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth sign ordinance talk set

Duluth will examine sign ordinance changes 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 3167 Main St. There is a working draft, including proposed updates, of the sign ordinance from the city’s consultants. Public comment encouraged. Information: contact William Aiken at waiken@duluthga.net or 678-475-3519. Karen Huppertz

Recycle Christmas tree to benefit parks

Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, in partnership with Gwinnett County, will host the annual Bring One for the Chipper event Dec. 26 to Jan. 18 at various locations for trees to be chipped into mulch and used for County parks and facilities. After the holidays, drop off your live, undecorated Christmas tree at locations listed at www.gwinnettcounty.com. Fire stations will accept trees 24-hours-a-day, with other facilities accepting them during normal business hours. Unless you have a yard waste contract with your hauler, trees will not be collected curbside. For info about the 2013 holiday trash pick-up schedule, visit www.sustainablegwinnett.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Suwanee wants photos with community focus

Amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit their best community photos for the annual Snap Suwanee Photo Contest. Winning photos will be displayed at City Hall. Deadline for the 2014 competition is Dec. 31. Submit digital photos to Suwanee City Hall, 330 Town Center Ave., or email to SnapSuwanee@suwanee.com. Information: www.suwanee.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Operation One Voice helps military families

Gwinnett-based non-profit Operation One Voice will help provide children of wounded or fallen Special Operations Forces with gift cards this holiday season through the organization’s Operation Saint Nick program.

Working through the US Special Operations Command’s Care Coalition, Operation One Voice will provide $100 gift cards to the parents of 362 children. To contribute contact Bill Stevens at bill@operationonevoice.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Bridge classes offered starting in January

Learn to play bridge 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays at George Pierce Park, 55 Buford Hwy NE, Suwanee.

Classes begin Jan. 11 and run for six weeks.

Information: 678-277-0910.

Arlinda Smith Broady

NORTHSIDE

Cherokee fire training complex dedication today

The grand opening and ribbon cutting for the new Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services training complex is set for 12:30 p.m. today at 3985 Holly Springs Parkway.

The new complex features a concrete “live fire” training structure, a search-and-rescue training tower and classroom.

The public ribbon cutting will feature an open house and demonstrations, plus remarks by county officials. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Man found shot to death near Woodstock

A 47-year-old Cherokee County man was found shot to death late Sunday inside his home near Woodstock, authorities said.

Christopher Pierce had last been seen by family members on Saturday, according to Cherokee County sheriff’s Lt. Jay Baker.

Pierce’s father called 911 after finding his son dead Sunday night at the Misty Hollow Way home where he lived alone, Baker said. Mike Morris

Child advocacy non-profit seeks volunteers

Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, Inc. (CASA) in Cherokee County seeks volunteers, with two orientation meetings set in Canton: Thursday 9 a.m. at Chick-fil-A, 2048 Cumming Highway, and 6:30 p.m. Monday (Dec.16) at Cherokee County DFCS, 105 Lamar Haley Parkway. CASA volunteers advocate for children in the foster care system, gathering information and making recommendations on specific cases. Training starts in January. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Holiday event to benefit children’s home

The second annual Holiday Lights of Hope gears up Thursday in Woodstock and runs 6-10 p.m. nightly through Dec.21 at Hobgood Park, 6688 Bells Ferry Road. The Cherokee Child Advocacy Council Inc. project benefits the Anna Crawford Children’s home and includes a holiday lights display, children’s activities, shopping and more. Adults $10, kids 14 and under free. More info: www.cherokeechildadvocates.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Teacher of year nominations due

Forsyth County Schools officials have announced the semi-finalists for teacher of the year honors. Eleven elementary teachers made the list, plus four from district middle schools and two at the high-school level. Essay and interview scores will determine three finalists, who will be announced on Jan. 7. The winner will be announced Feb. 14. To see the list: forsyth.k12.ga.us.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Input meetings set for Ga. 20 improvements

The Georgia Department of Transportation seeks public input on proposed improvements to Ga. 20 from I-575 in Canton to Ga. 400 in Cumming. Two meetings are set: 5-7 p.m. today at Calvary Baptist Church, 137 Hightower Road, Ball Ground and 5- 7 p.m. Thursday at Otwell Middle School, 605 Tribble Gap Road, Cumming. DOT officials say potential improvements include additional lanes and intersection upgrades.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Man fatally shot at Boulevard apartment

Atlanta police are investigating a shooting late Sunday night at an apartment building east of downtown that left a man dead.

The victim was visiting a friend at the Auburn Glenn apartments on Boulevard when he answered a knock on the door, Channel 2 Action News reported.

The identity of the victim, who was in his 30s, was being withheld until relatives could be notified.

Police have not released a motive for the shooting or a description of the suspect.

Mike Morris

Missing disabled woman found

An Atlanta woman, missing since Friday, has been found and is safe, according to police.

The Atlanta Police Department issued a Mattie’s Call for Judith Beadle, 30, who has some mental disabilities. She was last seen at 842 Peachtree St. in Atlanta.

Police said the Beadle was found Sunday night, but did not release any information on her whereabouts since Friday, or her current location.

Michelle E. Shaw

Israel ambassador to speak here

Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer will speak at the annual Eizenstat Memorial Lecture 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is requested at eizenstatlecture@aasynagogue.org.

Information: 404-355-5222 or AASynagogue.org

Arlinda Smith Broady

Museum hosts holiday bazaar

Hammonds House Museum, 503 Peeples St. offers jewelry, small works, CDs, books, prints, scuplture, ceramics, photography and more in its holiday bazaar of 1 - 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Information: www.hammondshouse.org or 404-612-0481. Arlinda Smith Broady

DEKALB

Avondale wants high school property

Avondale Estates has reiterated the city’s desire to purchase the old Avondale High properties totaling 19 acres from the county. Rumors recently surfaced regarding an unnamed private school’s intentions to buy one of the parcels. “It’s DeKalb County and state policy that when you dispose of public property, the public has priority over private concerns,” said Mayor Ed Rieker. Bill Banks for the AJC

Emory offers new mother resource

Emory University School of Medicine has launched MotherToBaby Georgia, a free statewide counseling service that connects experts in the field of birth defects research with expectant moms, health care providers, and the general public. For counseling, call 866-626-6847. MotherToBaby GA is funded by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Information: www.MotherToBaby.org or www.emory.edu/msacd.

Arlinda Smith Broady

Juvenile court judges appointed

The Superior Court Judges of the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit appointed Linda Bratton Haynes and Vincent C. Crawford to serve as full judges at the DeKalb County Juvenile Court. The newly created positions begin Jan. 1 and continue for four years.Arlinda Smith Broady

Decatur to replace parking meters

Given a city commission vote, which should come Monday, Decatur will replace all of its approximately 300 downtown parking meters next February or March.

All the new meters will take cash, credit, debit card or allow customers to pay by cell phone.

Some will be single-head meters and others – where multiple spaces are crammed into tight areas—will be solar-powered kiosks providing, among other things, time remaining via text message.

Most of the city’s current meters are over a decade old.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Dunwoody group to discuss city schools

A Dunwoody group will meet to discuss a proposal to carve a city school system from the DeKalb County School District.

The Dunwoody Parents Concerned about Quality Education will review a report, commissioned by the City of Dunwoody, that assesses whether county educational services could be provided more efficiently by an independent city school district.

The meeting is 2 p.m. Sunday in the Great Hall of St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, 1978 Mt. Vernon Road, Dunwoody.

Information: dunwoodyga.gov. Ty Tagami

School has last dance for its old building

Chamblee Charter High School is sponsoring a dance to commemorate the old school building before it is demolished, and to raise money for the new.

The “Last Dance,” as the event is being called, is 8 to 11:30 p.m. Friday at the campus, 3688 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road. It will be preceded by a “jazz cafe” at 6:15 p.m.

Proceeds will go toward equipment and supplies for the new building, opening in January.

Tickets: ChambleeHighBulldogs.com. Ty Tagami

SOUTHSIDE

Henry fire department receives trauma grant

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved acceptance of a grant on behalf of the Henry County Fire Department in the amount of $19,103.84 from the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission.

The grant will be used to purchase trauma equipment and there is no required match. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Fayette Ethics Board looking to fill 2 posts

Fayette County Ethics Board is looking to fill two alternate positions on the volunteer panel. The appointment have terms that end Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2016.

Fayette Commissioners are accepting applications with resumes for the two positions. Applications can be obtained by contacting Floyd Jones at 770 305- 5102 or at fjones@fayettecountyga.gov.

All applications must be returned to Jones at 140 Stonewall Ave. West, Suite 100, Fayetteville by 5 p.m. on Dec. 27. Tammy Joyner

Clayton chairman Turner to host toy drive

Clayton County Commission Chairman Jeff Turner is hosting a holiday fundraiser and toy drive on Thursday at the Skybox Restaurant and Lounge, 2190 Mt. Zion Parkway in Morrow from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit children of the Ambassadors Behind CASA program.

Please bring new and unwrapped toys. Monetary donations will also be accepted.

Information: 770 473-5965. Tammy Joyner

Fayette seeks “visioning” input

A group of citizens and business leaders is asking individuals who live and/or work in Fayette County to offer input about the area’s future.

The Fayette Visioning Initiative Steering Committee has posted a short survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/fayettevisioning through Dec. 31.

Information: www.fayettevision.org.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Project Harvest accepting donations

Project Harvest is collecting nonperishable items through Monday. Donations can be made at: Frank Bailey Senior Center, 6213 Riverdale Road, Riverdale; J. Charley Griswell Senior Center, 2300 Hwy 138 SE, Jonesboro and Clayton County Board of Commissioners, 112 Smith Street, Jonesboro.

Information: Aging Program at 770 603-4050.Tammy Joyner

Peachtree City starts Santa Run

Peachtree City’s annual Santa Run will be held Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22. Santa will ride atop fire trucks through the city’s neighborhoods to collect donations of nonperishable food and Toys for Tots.

Schedules are posted at www.peachtree-city.org.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC