County by county news for Tuesday

The store could legally hold wine tastings in Marietta if it did not charge customers.

The grocery wants the law changed so it can charge.

Jeffry Scott

Smyrna Academy plans for charter school

The Smyrna Academy of Excellence has obtained a $50,000 Race to the Top Innovation Fund Grant from Georgia and is pushing ahead with plans to build a charter school in Smyrna. The backers of the charter school said they will submit an application to the Cobb County Board of Education May 1. If the board approves the school, the plans now are to build the school on land that used to be Hickory Lakes apartments, which is owned and being razed by the city to sell to a developer. Jeffry Scott

Marietta City Schoolsto have forum on bond

Marietta City Schools Board of Education will have a public forum at 7 p.m. today at West Side Elementary School, 344 Polk St. Board members plan to talk about the $7 million general obligation bond to build an auditorium at Marietta High School. District Superintendent Emily Lembeck also will talk about the project that’s up for a vote March 6.Tucker McQueen for the AJC

County offers course for entrepreneurs

Cobb County’s Cooperative Extension office will hold a free basic personal financial workshop today for people interested in starting a business.

The four-hour class will cover spending and business plans, improving credit scores and setting and achieving goals.

The class runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cobb Extension office, 678 South Cobb Drive, Suite 200 in Marietta.

Information: 770-528-4070 Janel Davis

Political awareness forum in Marietta

Cobb County residents are invited to a political awareness forum on Thursday in Marietta to discuss 2012 election issues with members of the county’s state delegation.

The Marietta-Roswell Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will host the forum on issues including education, unemployment, health care and redistricting. Reps. Alisha Thomas Morgan, Stacey Evans, Sam Teasley and Ed Setzler are expected at the forum.

The free event begins at 6 p.m. at Marietta Middle School, 121 Winn St. NW. Information: www.dstmrac.com Janel Davis

Bridge tournament Jan. 31 in Powder Springs

A bridge tournament will be held on Jan. 31 at the West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs.

The registration deadline for teams to buy tickets is Jan. 27.

Breakfast and lunch are included in the cost of $8 for Cobb residents and $10 for non-residents. Information: 770-528-8200. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Berkeley Lake gets $2.6 million to repair dam

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Friday that it will award $2.6 million to Berkeley Lake for repairs to its flood-battered dam.

The money will come from FEMA’s Public Assistance program, and the grant also reimburses the city for costs associated with maintenance and continuing project management. The total cost for repairs is estimated at $3.6 million, with FEMA providing 75 percent of the eligible project costs.

Berkeley Lake’s dam suffered major damage during the storms of September 2009. Joel Anderson

Board extends school chief’s contract

The Gwinnett County school board approved a contract extension for Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks.

The board voted 4-0 to renew his contract starting July 2012 through June 2014. No information was available about the superintendent’s salary or benefits package.

D. Aileen Dodd

County to holdtransit forums

The Gwinnett County Department of Transportation will seek public input on its study of I-85 transit alternatives at two public hearings next month.

The county is studying light rail, bus rapid transit and other means of getting drivers off I-85. Public information meetings will be held:

-- From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Gwinnett Village CID office, 5855 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Suite 122, Norcross.

-- From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Gwinnett Place Marriott, 1775 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth. David Wickert

Trickum scores in academic contest

Trickum Middle tied for first place at the Region Five PAGE Academic Bowl recently.

The Lilburn school will advance to the semi-final PAGE Academic Bowl for Middle Grades at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville on Jan.21. The teams coaches are Trickum Middle Teachers Linda LaPerre and Cary Sell. D. Aileen Dodd

Child safety seat checks offered for free

Parents interested in ensuring their children’s safety can have their car seat checked or installed for free by a certified technician. To schedule an appointment, contact these agencies: Gwinnett County Police at pdcarseatchecks@gwinnettcounty.com; Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services headquarters in Lawrenceville at fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com; Hayes Chrysler in Lawrenceville at 770-963-5251; Lilburn Police/City Hall at 770-921-2211; Snellville Police at 770-985-3555; Suwanee Police at 770-945-8995. Andria Simmons

Barbershop chorus offers singing Valentine

Quartets from the Stone Mountain Barbershop Chorus are offering their Singing Valentine program for 2012.

The Singing Valentine delivery includes two songs sung live by a barbershop quartet, a faux rose and a personalized Valentine’s Day greeting card. Deliveries will be made throughout the metro Atlanta area on Feb. 14.

Information: 770-623-4786 or www.stonemountainchorus.org. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Pitts wants county to change budget calendar

Fulton Commissioner Robb Pitts wants the county to stop using a January to December budget calendar, saying it’s causing too much guessing since property taxes usually aren’t due until fall. The year should start in October, Pitts said in a statement, and he is seeking support from Fulton’s state legislators. Pitts, who serves at large, said using revenue projections makes the county vulnerable, and it’s why Fulton issues tax anticipation notes -- short-term loans -- to bridge a cash flow gap each year. Last year’s loan was $120 million, costing $109,400 in interest. Johnny Edwards

Sandy Springs to add sidewalks

Sandy Springs is adding sidewalks on Spalding Drive, Roswell Road and Glenridge Drive.

Sidewalk is being added on Spalding from Pitts Road to the Dunwoody City Limits.

The city is adding sidewalk on Glenridge on the north side of Glenlake Parkway and on the south side of Northridge Road from Roswell Road to the Georgia 400 west side ramps. These projects were funded by MARTA. As part of the Community Development Block Grant-Funded Sidewalk Project, sidewalks and pedestrian scale lighting will be added along Roswell Road from Dalrymple to Northridge Road. Patrick Fox

Winter campfire and night hike on Saturday

The Environmental Education Alliance will kick off its 20th anniversary celebration with a winter campfire and night hike from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center on Barnwell Road in Johns Creek.

The free event will feature a marshmallow roast, hot apple cider and chocolate, guided hikes and a naturalist journal with wildlife lists and paw prints. Attendees are encouraged to bring a pot luck dessert to share.

Information, registration: 678-538-1200. Patrick Fox

Kids can learn the art of valentines

The Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department will hold an art workshop for children ages 3–6 who want to learn how to create a unique valentine. The class will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 9 at the Alpharetta Arts Center at Crabapple Government Center, 12624 Broadwell Road. Registration is required by Feb. 7 for the free parent-participation workshop.

Children will use cut-outs, markers, crayons, colored pencils and cut paper to make love birds. All supplies are included.

Information: Nancy Suttles, arts coordinator, 678-297-6165 or nsuttles@alpharetta.ga.us. Patrick Fox

Orchestra to give Valentine’s Day concert

The Ludwig Symphony Orchestra will present “A Beethoven Romance For Valentine’s Day” gala concert at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. The performance will feature internationally renowned violinist Bin Huang interpreting the Dvorak Violin Concerto and world class baritone Jose Sacin singing arias by Rossini, Gounod, and Mozart. Tickets are $19 for adults, $17 for seniors and $10 for students under 22. Information: 770-623-8623 or www.ludwigsymphony.org Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Sorority to honor domestic violence group

This Saturday, several local chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will recognize the Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV) with its first AKA Metropolitan Atlanta Founders’ Day Community Service Award. The Legacy of Service Award, which includes a $1,000 contribution to the recipient, recognizes an organization whose mission aligns with the initiatives of Alpha Kappa Alpha. The event will be 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the Marriott Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Ave. Ernie Suggs

Centennial Place named distinguished school

Centennial Place Elementary, a year-round Atlanta Public School, was named a Title 1 Distinguished School this year, for consistently meeting state academic targets even with its large enrollment of economically disadvantaged students. The school is one of 14 APS schools to earn the recognition. It was left off a previously released list of schools. Some 824 Georgia schools earned the designation this year. Jaime Sarrio

Archives preservation group breakfast today

The Coalition to Preserve the Georgia Archives and Friends of Georgia Archives and History are hosting an 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. breakfast open house today at the Georgia Capitol. Legislators have been invited to attend, which gives supporters the chance to meet with meet with lawmakers to ask that enough funding be restored to the archives budget to keep the facility open five days a week. The event will be in Room 214 at the Capitol. Tammy Joyner

City to hold seminar on fibroids

Atlanta will hold a free “Freedom from Fibroids” seminar today at noon in the City Council Chamber inside City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue. The free seminar, hosted by Dr. John C. Lipman, will focus on uterine fibroids and what women can do to prevent and care for the tumors. City Councilwoman Felicia Moore will be presenting the seminar in an effort to create awareness of a less invasive method of treatment. Jeremiah McWilliams

DEKALB

Gresham Park upgrade contract approved

An upgrade to Gresham Park is one step closer now that DeKalb County has approved a deal with a local contractor.

The county will pay Lichty Commercial Construction up to $633,700 to replace part of the roof, overhaul the air conditioning and electrical system and upgrade restrooms at the Gresham Recreation Center, a centerpiece of the 126-acre park. The firm also will make wall repairs, add a picnic pavilion and resurface the parking lot.

The project will take about six months to complete once crews begin work. Funding for the project comes from the 2001 parks bond. April Hunt

County to spend $120,000 on toilet paper

DeKalb County recently agreed to put a price on toilet paper: $120,000 for the coming year. The county’s contract with Dade Paper of Austell actually extends an earlier contract that called for spending that same amount in 2010 and 2011. The spending, which comes out of the general fund, covers TP as well as seat covers, facial tissue and cups in departments as diverse as the medical examiner’s office to Dekalb-Peachtree Airport and the police department. April Hunt

County to replace fallen helicopter

Nearly a year and a half after a crash left DeKalb County’s police department with just one helicopter, the county is buying a second chopper.

The $1.6 million price tag for the 2005 Euro Copter from Jetstream Escrow is being covered by the county’s insurance on the helicopter that crashed in Covington during a recertification flight in September 2010. A police officer and instructor were not hurt. April Hunt

Audit: Decatur finances strong

In presenting its audit for Decatur in fiscal year 2010-11, the accounting firm Mauldin & Jenkins gave the city a “clean, unqualified opinion.” The firm’s report revealed the city added $655,000 to its savings, or fund balance, for a total $8,360,136. Further, though budgeted to spend more than it brought in, Decatur’s revenues were $18.5 million while it spent only $18.1 million. “To do that in a continuing struggling economy is huge,” said Assistant City Manager Andrea Arnold. Bill Banks for the AJC

Registration begins for youth soccer, baseball

Registration is underway for youth soccer and baseball leagues in Doraville.

The city’s’ recreation department runs baseball leagues for children between 4 and 14. It partners with the Atlanta Spurs Football Club for a youth soccer program for children between 6 and 19. Information: 770- 936-3850. April Hunt

Stephenson to host robotics tourney

The Stephenson High School Robotics Team and SHS Parent Teacher Student Association of Stone Mountain will be hosting the VEX Robotics tournament qualifier on Saturday starting at 8 a.m. The robotic teams which include high schools from the DeKalb County school system and surrounding counties will work together on a variety of challenges and obstacles, to design a robot to compete in one of many tournaments throughout the year. Information: www.shsptsa.com. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

County approves $1.3 million for ground testing

The Fulton commission has approved spending $1.3 million for ground testing at the sites of eight new libraries and two renovations included in a $275 million construction program approved by voters in 2008. Three contracts, each for $429,158, went to Marietta-based ATC Associates, Kennesaw-based MC Squared and Atlanta-based Willmer Engineering. The work includes subsurface exploration and materials testing. Commissioner Liz Hausmann, who dissented, balked at paying extra and requested clarification on which contractors cover which services. Johnny Edwards

38 schools recognized for achievement

Thirty-eight Fulton County Schools have been recognized for high performance or improvement on state standardized tests.

More than one-third of Fulton Schools were recognized for their test achievement by the Georgia Department of Education and the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement.

The schools won awards in the “Greatest Gains” and “Highest Performance” categories of the Single Statewide Accountability System recognition program. The number of Fulton Schools recognized has increased from 31 in 2009 to 38 in 2011, a jump of nearly 23 percent. D. Aileen Dodd

Henry County schools achieve honors

The Henry County School System placed four schools on the recent list of award recipients from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement for greatest gains and highest performance on state assessments.

In the greatest gains category, Stockbridge Elementary and Dutchtown Middle schools were recipients of Platinum Awards, the highest award ranking.

McDonough Elementary was the recipient of a Silver Award. In the category for highest performance, Union Grove High School received a Silver Award for its assessment results.

Information: www.gaosa.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Grady Avenue construction this week

Plans to improve traffic flow in Fayetteville will continue this week with more construction on Grady Avenue.

Installation of a new right turn lane from eastbound Grady Avenue onto southbound Ga. Highway 85 will also include lengthening the left turn lane on Grady. The construction is expected to last about a month.

The city says the project will help move traffic from the roundabout onto the highway more efficiently. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

AARP to seniors with income taxes

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) will prepare senior citizens’ taxes from Feb. 1 to April 13 at the Frank Bailey Senior Center, 6213 Riverdale Road in Riverdale. You must be 55 or older.

Tax preparation are Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment.

To schedule an appointment, call 678-479-5505. If you are under 55 years old, please contact AARP 1-888-227-7669 or go to the following website http://www.aarp.org/taxaide to find an alternate location. Tammy Joyner