County by county news for Tuesday

If approved in March, the Sunday sales would begin June 1.

Three of Cobb six cities — Kennesaw, Smyrna and Acworth — are holding Sunday sales referenda today . Like Cobb, Marietta plans to hold its referendum in March. Cobb has no countywide elections on Tuesday, and a special election for Sunday sales would have cost $400,000, which Commission Chairman Tim Lee has said was not worth the expense. Janel Davis

Free dental clinic in Marietta Nov. 19

Marietta Family Dental Care is offering free dental care -- cleanings, fillings and extractions -- to the first 150 Cobb residents, on a first-come, first served basis, who show up for registration 6:30 a.m., Nov. 19, at Dentistry From The Heart, 4720 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. A similar free dental clinic in Woodstock in August drew thousands of people who waited outside overnight. This is one-day event, over at 4 p.m. Saturday. Information: www.NaturalSmile.biz, 770-973-8222. Jeffry Scott

Marietta High to honor local vets

Marietta High School students will honor local veterans at its 11th Veterans Day Assembly at 9:15 a.m. Friday at the school on Whitlock Avenue. Air Force JROTC students will lead the program and read biographies of about 50 veterans who are invited to the event. School staff members who are veterans will also be recognized. The entire student body will attend. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Lassiter band to play in Rose parade

The Lassiter High School band will play at the 2013 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. The Marching Trojan Band was among the 20 selected from 475 applicants, according to Cobb County Schools. The New Year’s Day performance in Pasadena will mark the fourth in a quarter century for Lassiter. The school band also played the Rose Parade in 1988, 2001 and 2005, according to the school system. Ty Tagami

Smyrna to build biodiesel plant

Smyrna is turning a public works building into two 55-gallon biodiesel processing plants to cut fuel costs for city vehicles and reduce fossil fuel consumption. The city received a $208,000 Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant for converting the service fleet from diesel to biodiesel and also installing LED traffic signals at four major intersections. After the plant opens in early 2012, residents will be asked to help by contributing cooking oil, not grease. The program will be run by existing staff. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Civil War expert to speak Wednesday

Historian and author Brad Quinlin will discuss the Civil War on Wednesday in Powder Springs. He will speak at the West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Hwy. in Lost Mountain Park, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Quinlin’s books include last letters sent home by Union soldiers to their mothers and details about the 21st Ohio Infantry. Cost is free, but registration is required.

Information: 770-528-8200. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Teacher of the year overcame disabilities

Jennifer Dunn, Gwinnett County’s newest Teacher of the Year, credits her own teachers with helping her rebound from a learning disability. Dunn, a 5th grade teacher at Pharr Elementary in Snellville, lives to see her students overcome obstacles and become successful learners, knowing what it was like for her to be challenged by dyslexia. One of her teachers at Brookwood High raised the flag that Dunn’s struggles might be due to dyslexia, helping Dunn to realize she wasn’t a failure, but just facing a challenge. At Pharr Elementary, Dunn works with students who need help in transitioning from 4th to 5th grade. Nancy Badertscher

Schools recognized for conservation efforts

A national organization has put the Gwinnett County school system in the spotlight for its efforts at water and energy conservation. The Georgia chapter of the United States Green Building Council awarded the system the 2011 Leadership in Energy Efficiency Award a the “High Performance, Healthy Schools Regional Summit on Thursday and Friday in Atlanta. Among the county’s efforts recognized were its use of waterless urinals and its 100-plus ENERGY STAR certified schools. Nancy Badertscher

I-985 work to cause lane closures

Construction on I-985 will lead to lane closures from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in Gwinnett County. The right northbound lane will be closed for about a mile at about milepost 1.3 while workers removed and replace damaged concrete slabs. David Wickert

County schools appoint new executive

The Gwinnett County Board of Education has appointed a new executive to lead the division of curriculum and instruction. Mary Elizabeth Davis, Gwinnett’s director of science, was named executive director of curriculum and instruction.

Davis will work to support teaching and learning across subject areas.

She replaces Tricia Kennedy who was appointed as executive director of eClass Transformation, the district’s effort to increase online content. D. Aileen Dodd

Free memory screenings on Nov. 15

HOPE Memory Care Center will offer free, confidential memory screenings Nov. 15.

The event observes National Memory Screening Day, held annually by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America during November to mark National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Screenings will be offered 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

HOPE Memory Care Center is at 1200 Winder Highway, Dacula. For information: 770-963-4677 or www.hope memorycarecenter.com. Laurie Hoffman

Ethics talk at Sierra Club Nov. 17

The Greater Gwinnett Group of the Sierra Club will hold their monthly meeting on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at Berkmar High School, 405 Pleasant Hill Road, Lilburn. Katie Preston of Interfaith Light and Power will discuss the ethics and moral obligation of environmental preservation. Information: Dan Friedman at dan3688@aol.com. Veronica Fields Johnson

NORTHSIDE

North Fulton to get two new libraries

The Fulton County Commission has moved closer to building two new libraries in north Fulton, part of a $275 million countywide construction program approved by voters in a 2008 bond referendum. For the new 25,000-square-foot Alpharetta branch, the commission instructed staff to acquire a 3-acre site at Alpharetta City Center off Main Street. For the new 15,000-square-foot East Roswell branch, the county will acquire property at Fouts and Holcomb Bridge roads. Both sites are being donated by their respective cities. Johnny Edwards

Middle school students help fire victims

Students and faculty at Alpharetta’s Holcomb Bridge Middle School sprung into action after last month’s fire at Concepts 21 apartment complex. At least one Holcomb Bridge family and several former students were left without clothes, furniture or food after the fire. About 14 staff members boarded the school bus with students who live at the complex to ensure that the students were united with their families. The school’s ongoing iCare character education program was activated, bringing in money, clothing, furniture, household items and canned goods. Teachers borrowed a truck and delivered the items. Nancy Badertscher

Johns Creek mayor to host town hall meeting

Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker will host a town hall meeting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday on the north campus of Mount Pisgah School in Johns Creek. The meeting will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Town Hall will include a discussion of the Transportation Investment Act—both a regional and local perspective -- as well as an open question-and-answer forum.

Those wishing to submit questions in advance can email Mike.Bodker@JohnsCreekGA.gov.

The forum will be in Room S305, Building S of the church, which is at 2850 Old Alabama Road. Patrick Fox

Fluorescent bulbs accepted for recycling

Roswell residents can now recycle certain types of fluorescent light bulbs at the Roswell Recycling Center, 11570 Maxwell Road. Tube bulbs, like those found in overhead lights, and U-shaped bulbs are accepted. There is a five-bulb limit per day per person, and there is no charge.

The Recycling Center also accepts appliances, electronics, tires, waste vegetable oil, motor oil, anti-freeze, as well as the usual items -- glass, paper, aluminum, etc. Some fees apply for non-residents.

Information: 770-442-8822. Patrick Fox

Forsyth students hold autism event

West Forsyth High School students are hosting a autism awareness and fund-raising effort built around a student documentary, “Are You Aware,” and a student painting, “The Autistic Mind.” The film was written and directed by seniors Kaden Ochocki and Trevor White. Junior Willow Richison produced the painting. The video will be distributed to Forsyth County schools this month as wristbands ($1) and 8×10 posters of the painting for ($5) go on sale to students. Proceeds will be used to purchase sensory equipment for students with autism. Jeffry Scott

ATLANTA

APS recognized for efforts to be green

Atlanta Public Schools has been awarded the 2011 Leadership in Adoption of LEED honoring its environmentally friendly design, construction, operations and maintenance. The district was one of three finalists for the award, handed out by the U.S. Green Building Council of Georgia. Three APS schools have received gold or silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications since 2007, and 14 have been registered and slated for certification. Jaime Sarrio

Andrew Young to speak at church Thursday

Former Atlanta Mayor and civil rights veteran Andrew Young will deliver the 2011 Ann Evans Woodall Lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Atlanta.

Young will discuss “Civil Rights and Humanities” at the lecture, which is free and open to the public.

The event will be held at the church at 634 W. Peachtree St. N.W. Shelia Poole

Actor holds town hall meeting at Morehouse

Actor and activist Tommy Ford will hold a “Reverse the Lynch Curse” town hall meeting on Wednesday at Morehouse College.

Fore, best know for his role on the television series, “Martin,” has taken his message and documentary of the Willie Lynch letter, which taught slave owners how to control their slaves, on a nationwide tour. The town hall begins at 7 p.m. in Morehouse’s Sale Hall, 830 Westview Drive SW in Atlanta. Information: www.reversethelynchcurse.com Janel Davis

Foundation launches challenge for museum

The Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation has given a matching challenge grant toward Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s annual appeal: “Mission Possible.” The goal of the grant is to encourage new donations from individuals, which will be matched dollar for dollar up to $75,000, to support the museum’s mission. Information: www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org/support. Mea Watkins

DEKALB

36 students are scholarship semifinalists

In the DeKalb County School System, 36 students were recently recognized as National Achievement and National Merit Scholarships semifinalists.

Both the National Merit and National Achievement Scholarship programs identify talented students that participated in the PSAT during their 11th grade school year.

The National Achievement Scholarship is designed to recognize academically promising African American students throughout the nation and to provide scholarships to a substantial number of the most outstanding program participants. April Hunt

School board committee meets today

The DeKalb Board of Education’s Instruction and Board Policy Committee is scheduled to meet at 3 p.m. today in the cabinet room at the school administration building, at 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. Along with a discussion on the district’s annual operating budget, the committee is scheduled to hear a presentation about proposed changes in how the board interacts with the district staff. The meeting is open to the public. Rich McKay

Decatur to name teacher of the year

Superintendent Phyllis Edwards recently named Decatur’s top teachers: the Early Childhood Learning Center’s Allison Mansfield (pre-K), Clairemont Elementary’s Ann Guilfoile (Early Intervention), Oakhurst Elementary’s Argean Vokes (music), Winnona Park Elementary’s Laura Pitts (kindergarten), Fifth Avenue’s Bill Withers (Title 1 Math), Renfroe Middle School’s Robyn Tibbetts (7th grade humanities) and Decatur High’s Charlie Copp (social studies for students with disabilities). From these Edwards will name the district’s Teacher of the Year at tonight’s school board meeting. Bill Banks for the AJC

Volunteers needed for park cleanup

Organizers of an annual park cleanup in a DeKalb County park is again offering money to inspire volunteers.

Since 2008, Renewal Design-Build has given $1,000 to the team that uprooted the most ivy, privet and kudzu from Dearborn Park at Midway Road and Dearborn Drive near Decatur.

On Saturday, the firm will partner with Decatur and DeKalb County to host Park Renewal Day, which also features live music and food for the expected 150 volunteers.

Registration is available online at www.ParkRenewal Day.com and includes instructions for mandatory training on Nov. 10 at county offices.April Hunt

Students asked to watershed mascot

DeKalb County middle school students are being asked to help name the county watershed department’s new mascot.

The mascot is a male mallard duck, native to Georgia, designed to emphasize the importance of protecting water resources.

A photo of the mascot and entry form for the contest to name him is online at www.dekalbwatershed.com. The contest is open until noon Nov. 14.

The top five names will be placed online for final voting between Nov. 18 through Nov. 28.

More information: 770-724-1456. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Board of Education meets for work session

The Fulton County Board of Education will meet at a work session today Tuesday to discuss pending business including the adoption of language arts materials for schools. The session will be at 2:45 p.m. at Fulton’s Administrative Center, 786 Cleveland Avenue S.W. in Atlanta. The board will meet in executive session at 12:30 p.m. before the session. Following the workshops, the board may discuss the Nov. 15 business agenda. At 6 p.m., a recognitions ceremony for outstanding students, staff and schools will be held followed by a public comment session. D. Aileen Dodd

Fulton educates renters on their rights

Fulton County Housing and Community Development will hold an information workshop Wednesday teaching renters about their rights and responsibilities. Topics include understanding leases, security deposits, paying on time, reporting needed repairs and grounds for evictions.

The workshop will be from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Bethlehem Neighborhood Center, 87 Thayer St., S.E., Atlanta. Information: 404-612-3024. Johnny Edwards

College Park appoints new officers

College Park Police Chief Ronald Fears announced the appointment of five new graduates from the Fulton County Public Safety Training Center, bringing the total number of new recruits to 23 since April. The recruits completed their assignments at the Fulton County Public Safety Training Center in late October. John Thompson for the AJC

Fayette realtors host ‘Noel November’

The Fayette County Board of Realtors will host its annual “Noel November” fundraising event Saturday at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center in Peachtree City.

A free open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will feature performances by choral and children’s dance groups, plus photos with Santa. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door; proceeds benefit six local charities. For details see www.noelnovember.com. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

McDonough to hold Veterans Day ceremony

A Veterans Day Service is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Wall of Honor at Heritage Park in McDonough. This year’s ceremony is being hosted this year by the Marine Corps League. The keynote speaker will be Colonel (Retired) William B. Miracle, a 1985 graduate of the United States Military Academy, whose operational assignments include Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm; IFOR and SFOR in Bosnia; KFOR in Kosovo/Albania; Operation Iraqi Freedom; and Operation Enduring Freedom. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Holmes to host town hall meeting

Henry County District 5 Commissioner Bruce Holmes will host a town hall meeting Nov. 19, at 9 a.m. at the Fairview Recreation Center, 35 Austin Road in Stockbridge.

Citizens will receive updates from Fire Chief Bill Lacy and E-911 Communications Director Don Ash about their respective departments. Monroe Roark for the AJC