COBB
Police investigating death near Kennesaw
Cobb County police are investigating the suspicious death of a man at a home near Kennesaw, Channel 2 Action News reported.
The man, who is in his 60s, was found dead before 8 a.m. Monday in the driveway of his home on Paul Samuel Road, according to Channel 2.
Cobb police spokesman Mike Bowman told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an e-mail early Monday afternoon that the "only info we can release is that we are working a death investigation of a deceased white male." Mike Morris
Firefighters to hold annual boot drive
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services will be out in the community the next three Fridays to collect money for the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation.
The "Give Burns the Boot" funds go toward educating the public in burn awareness and preventio, support of the Burn Center at Grady Memorial and the M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, care of burn survivors as well as Camp Oo-U-La, the State's only camp held exclusively for burn-injured children. Andria Simmons
Outdoors columnist featured speaker
The Cobb Library Foundation presents AJC outdoors columnist Charles Seabrook, for a Booked for Lunch event 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Marietta Country Club, 1400 Marietta Country Club Drive, Kennesaw. Cost: $30.
Information: www.cobblibraryfouindation.org or 770-528-2196 Mea Watkins
May 1 is deadline for business award
The Austell Business Association seeks nominations for the L. Lamar Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented at noon, May 21 at the Collar Community Center, 2625 Joe Jerkins Blvd.
Nominees should be Austell residents or business owners who have greatly impacted the community. A nomination form, due May 1, may be printed at austellbusinessassociation.org and mailed to P.O. Box 975, Austell, GA 30168.
Information: felicia@servproswcobb.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Dine out to support senior meals
Eat out the next two Wednesdays and help ensure meals for the elderly.
Ruby Tuesday’s will donate 20 percent of purchases on April 24 and May 1 to Cobb Senior Services Meals on Wheels. The three participating locations are in Cobb Town Center, Woodstock and Marietta.
Diners must present a flyer, which can be downloaded at communications.cobbcountyga.gov/downloads/GB2.pdf for April 14 and communications.cobbcountyga.gov/downloads/GB1.pdf for May 1 Melissa Abbey
Golf benefit planned for Bullock Hope House
The annual Golf Fore Hope Tournament will begin at 7 a.m. Monday at Creekside Golf and Country Club, 591 Westchester Club Drive, Hiram.
Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society and the Bullock Hope House in Powder Springs, providing free private housing to cancer patients and their families.
Information: bullockhopehouse.org/golf-fore-hope. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Sugar Hill promoting downtown development
Sugar Hill’s Downtown Development Authority is inviting business owners to a networking night at 6:30 p.m. April 30 at its new 33,000-square-foot city hall, 5039 West Broad Street. The city has purchased several nearby properties and rezoned them to urge business development.
The city has created an overlay district to shape development downtown, along Broad between Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Ga. Highway 20.
Information: 770-945-6716. Michael Alpert for the AJC
Duluth seeking resident’s input
Duluth is hosting a Big MAC, Mayor's Advisory Council, focus group at noon April 30 in the Community Room of City Hall. Bring your lunch and join the discussion. Topics will include, "Should the city plan more events with Food Trucks in Downtown Duluth?" Information: www.duluthga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Self Defense class offered for women
The Centerville Community Center will host self-defense classes for women 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through May 20 at 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville. Learn to anticipate, recognize and deal with dangerous situations. Learn to block punches, break loose from holds, and striking techniques. Cost: $10 per person for four weeks. For any age or fitness level. Information: bscurlock@bdindustrial.com or 770-985-4713. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Seniors named Achievement scholars
Out of 800 students named National Achievement Scholars nationwide, 17 are from Gwinnett County high schools. They are from Archer, Berkmar, Brookwood, Central Gwinnett, Grayson, Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Mountain View, Parkview and Shiloh high schools. They are: Itoro Sarah Atakpa; Adila Abdulwahid; Eden Hailemichael; Michelle Ramos; Naana D. Obeng-Marnu; Ruth Amsel Melka; Jamani Iasha Smith; Naomi R. McAllister; Dkeama V. Alexis; Hollis G. Cuffie; Danielle T. McKeiver; Kevin O. Edwards; Troy Daniel Morrow; Tionne N. Pete; Hannah-Dulya Menelas; Laura Marie Anderson; and Hermoon A. Worku. Nancy Badertscher
Dacula accepting credit and debit cards
Dacula will begin accepting credit and debit cards from MasterCard, VISA and Discover — either by swiping cards at City Hall or remotely by telephone — for a transaction fee of 2.99 percent. The city will keep no card numbers or personal information, and debit cards will require no PIN. Residents may receive receipts in person or by e-mail. Information: 770-963-7451. Michael Alpert for the AJC
Suwanee Farmers Market opening soon
The Suwanee Farmers Market opens 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Oct. 5 and 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 6 beginning May 4 at the Town Center, 330 Town Center Ave. Featured products include produce, jams, breads, honey, meat, eggs and flowers.
Information: 770-945-8996. Michael Alpert for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Holly Springs okays downtown plan
The Holly Springs City Council this week approved a so-called schematic plan for redevelopment of its downtown corridor.
Plans for the slightly-more-than-20-acre, government-owned plot include a new city hall, senior residential living, multi-family apartments and retail shops.
The city has been in talks with a developer, but no timetable's been set for construction. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Tennis event to benefit preschool charity
Soleil Laurel Canyon, an active adult master-planned community in Canton, will host its third annual Soleil Tennis Charity Event, benefitting the Ralph Bunche Center, a non-profit that provides resources and services to Head Start pre-K students and pre-school intervention. The event is 6 – 11 p.m. May 3 and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. May 4.
Information: www.charity.soleiltennis.com. Mea Watkins
Centennial High seeks softball players
All rising 6th, 7th and 8th grade girls zoned for Centennial High School, 9310 Scott Rd, Roswell who want to play softball must register by July 15. Softball season begins in August.
Information: Marty at alymart@att.net or 678-230-5155. Veronica Fields Johnson
SAT test prep series offered at library
Connective Tutoring will offer a six-part series of SAT prep classes, covering both verbal and math components, at 6 p.m. today and April 30 at the Northeast/Spruill Oaks Branch Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek.
Information: 770-360-8820. Mea Watkins
New garden kicks off Georgia Garden Week
The Roswell Garden Club has installed a welcome garden at the Roswell Visitors Center to greet guests as they tour the historic district.
The new garden marks the start of Georgia Garden Week, which is observed through Saturday and sponsored by the Garden Club of Georgia to promote garden-related activities throughout the state.
Information and volunteer opportunities: www.roswellgardenclub.com. Mea Watkins
Forsyth firefighters hosting youth camps
May 1 is the deadline for middle schoolers to apply for summer camps sponsored by
The Forsyth County Fire Department is hosting a camp for middle schoolers to learn what it’s like to be a fire fighter.
Sessions vary by age. Registration is due May 1.
Information: 770-781-2180. Michael Alpert for the AJC
Historical society plans 10th annual fundraiser
The Cherokee County Historical Society will hold its 10th annual Kentucky Derby Day at 3:30 p.m. May 4 at the Rock Barn, 658 Marietta Highway, Canton.
Tickets are $50 and include food, a bourbon tasting, and a hat parade and contest.
Information: www.rockbarn.org or 770-345-3288. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
MARTA Police honored for excellence
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies singled out MARTA, the 350-officer agency with its “Accreditation with Excellence Award.”
The organization first accredited MARTA in 1996, which signified that the agency met or exceeded standards for police departments.
CALEA reviews a department's success in developing and implementing contemporary policies and procedures and collecting, reviewing and analyzing organizational data for public safety service improvement. Steve Visser
Earth Day cleanup events today
Mayor Kasim Reed, EPA Region 4 Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming and consumer advocate Clark Howard will mark Earth Day today with a city-wide cleanup at 8:30 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. project led by Reed and Fleming at Mims Park, 641 Spencer St. At noon, Reed, Fleming and Howard will host a rally at Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Ave. Ernie Suggs
Search for new Atlanta superintendent begins
The search committee for the next superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools will start deciding what kind of leader it wants.
PROACT Search, the company that will help find a successor to Superintendent Erroll Davis, will work to set a timeline, recruit applicants, talk with community members and hear suggestions at 6 p.m. today at district headquarters. Mark Niesse
‘Choice Bus’ visits Atlanta
The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation’s Choice Bus, a half-classroom, half-prison cell bus designed to show students the power of their choices – choosing to stay in school and pursue their education or choosing to drop out and risk their future, will be at Benjamin Mays High School, 3450 Benjamin E. Mays Dr. SW 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. today.
Information: www.mattiecstewart.org. Sandra Marshall Murray
DEKALB
School board member seeks reinstatement
Days before deadline, the second of six suspended DeKalb County school board members has sent the governor a letter asking for his job back.
Jesse “Jay” Cunningham and five other DeKalb school board members were sidelined by Gov. Nathan Deal in February after the district was threatened with accreditation loss. Cunningham said he mailed a reinstatement petition to Deal.
Pam Speaks already filed a petition. The remaining members have until Friday to file or face automatic removal.
Petitioners will get a hearing and will be to reinstated or removed. Ty Tagami
Concert to benefit homeless this weekend
The Decatur Emergency Assistance Ministry, a non-profit that provides help for those facing homelessness and hunger will hold a benefit concert 3 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church in Decatur. The Decatur Civic Chorus, Avondale Children's Choir and choir from the DeKalb School of Fine Arts will be featured. Cost: $10 for adults; two canned goods for kids. Information: deamdecatur.org. April Hunt
Edgewise series features Broadway
The Marcus JCC at Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody continues its Edgewise weekly speaker series 10:30 a.m. to noon May 2 where MJCCA's Broadway chorus will perform Broadway melodies and old time favorites. Free. Information: Lilly Mahana at lilly.mahana@atlantajcc.org or 678-812-4064. Sandra Marshall Murray
Doraville “state of the city” Thursday
Doraville Mayor Donna Pittma will deliver the State of the City address 7 p.m. Thursday. at City Hall on Park Avenue. Information: www.doravillega.us. April Hunt
Training for Night Out this week
DeKalb County will hold a community training session Thursday for the upcoming National Night Out.
The Night Out event is designed to bring communities together to fight crime and decay through unity. That event will be held later this summer.
The training workshop begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Dr. April Hunt
DeKalb hosts autism resource event
A resource fair for people to learn more about autism and connect with agencies and groups that provide service and support for those with the disease will be held Saturday.
The free event , sponsored by DeKalb County and the Center for Leadership in Disability, runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Dr. Information: 404-413-1427. April Hunt
Superintendent to speak in Tucker
Interim DeKalb County schools superintendent Michael Thurmond is scheduled to speak to parents in Tucker on April 23.
Thurmond will meet with the Tucker Parent Council at Brockett Elementary School, 1855 Brockett Rd., Tucker. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.
The public can ask spontaneous questions or e-mail them in advance to tuckerparentcouncil@gmail.com. Ty Tagami
SOUTHSIDE
‘Barn hall meeting’ May 7 in McDonough
Henry County Commissioner Gary Barham, state Sen. Rick Jeffares, state Rep. Dale Rutledge and Henry County Board of Education member Mike Griffin will host a "Barn Hall Meeting" at 6 p.m. May 7 at Southern Belle Farm, 1767 Turner Church Road in McDonough. Citizens are invited to come out and have hot dogs and ice cream and have an open discussion about state and local issues. Information about county government projects and initiatives, legislative updates and news about school system projects will be given at the event. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Peachtree City celebrates Earth Day
Fayette County's Earth Day Festival will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Shakerag Knoll in Peachtree City. The event includes educational exhibits, an eco-friendly Green Market, entertainment, food, games and crafts. Free document shredding and a pill drop for unused prescription medication. Information: www.fayettecoearthday.org Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Miles for Meals Walk set for May 4
The Henry County Council on Aging is hosting its annual Miles for Meals Walk beginning at 10 a.m. May 4, at the Jason T. Harper Event Center at Heritage Park in McDonough. The event is a fundraiser to benefit Henry County Senior Services' various programs, including Meals on Wheels. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org/seniorservices. Monroe Roark
Piedmont Fayette hosts blood drive
Piedmont Fayette Hospital's Auxiliary Services will host a Red Cross blood drive from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the hospital's parking lot at 1279 Highway 54 West in Fayetteville. Donors must be 17 or older and weigh 110 pounds or more. Information: 770-719-7098. 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
Family Services board position open
Fayette County has a volunteer vacancy on its Board of Family and Children’s Services.
Members are appointed by the Board of Commissioners to five-year terms, and help disadvantaged individuals and families progress toward independence. Applications due May 17. Information: fjones@fayettecountyga.gov or 770-305-5102 Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Nominations asked for community awards
Girls and Guys Organized for Anointed Living (GOAL) is accepting nominations for its annual community service awards. The nonprofit group honors Fayette County students committed to educational excellence and youth leadership, along with the mothers who support them. Awards will be presented on May 25. Information: www.anointedliving.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
