COBB
Meals-on-a-budget series begins July 1
A free six-week program on preparing healthy, tasty meals on a limited budget will begin July 1 at South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton.
The sessions, offered under the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will be held on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. through Aug. 5.
Parents and children will be taught how to prepare meals in minutes.
Information: csrees.usda.gov/nea/food/efnep/efnep.html, Roxanne Magaw, magawr@cobbcat.org or 678-398-5831.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Monument dedicated at battlefield park
Members of the 15th Regiment Association will dedicate a new monument at noon Friday off Burnt Hickory Road across from Old Mountain Road in Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
The association raised $3,900 for the monument that honors four U.S. Army infantry regiments that fought at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain 150 years ago.
Information: wwww.15thinfantry.org/monumentproject.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Traveling museum stops in Kennesaw, Marietta
A traveling Civil War history museum, an interactive exhibit housed in a 53-foot tractor trailer, will stop in downtown Kennesaw and Marietta. Virginia’s 150 HistoryMobile will open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday at 2829 Depot Park, Kennesaw, and 1-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-7 p.m. Sunday on the Marietta Square.
Information: www.VirginiaCivilWar.org.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Tree Keepers event rescheduled
A Marietta Tree Keepers sip ‘n' stroll event, canceled May 30 by stormy weather, has been reset for 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Marietta Educational Garden Center, 505 Kennesaw Ave. Certified aborists and landscape architects will lead the free walking tour in the Kennesaw Avenue historic district.
Information: www.mariettaga.gov/committees/treekeepers.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Free Paddle Georgia program at river today
Paddle Georgia 2014 and the Georgia Water Coalition will commend certain Georgia legislators for their efforts to protect the state’s water resources and also host commentator Tom Baxter at 7 p.m. today at Riverview Landing, 6269 Riverview Road, Mableton. Baxter, a columnist and political correspondent, will discuss how Georgia’s political landscape has shaped its natural landscape. Free.
The program includes a seven-day, 110-mile canoe-and-kayak trip down the Chattahoochee River sponsored by Georgia River Network. Information: garivers.org/paddle_georgia.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Marietta to add names to memorial
Marietta will use $47,234 from a 2009 parks bond to add granite walls, hardscape and landscape improvements at Brown Park on West Atlanta Street. The Friends of Brown Park donated $7,000 to engrave names on the walls of 275 soldiers recently discovered to be buried in the adjacent Confederate Cemetery. Marietta voters approved a $25 million bond for park improvements in 2009.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
Snellville to settle mayor, council fight
Snellville Mayor Kelly Kautz and the City Council will meet at 8 a.m. Thursday at City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, to accept a settlement agreement reached in the lawsuit filed by Kautz. Mayor Kautz will appoint a new city clerk while City Manager Butch Sanders will retain his position through the end of 2015. The conflict began after the council extended Sanders' contract despite Kautz’s objections and Kautz appointed a new city clerk without the council’s vote.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Southwest chamber building committees
To continue Southwest Gwinnett Chamber’s mission concentrating on arts and education, support for existing businesses, economic development and business marketing, it needs volunteers. Join the events committee from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 1 at Brunswick’s, 6345 Spalding Drive, or the education subcommittee from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on July 8 at a location still to be determined.
Information: www.southwestgwinnettchamber.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Braselton names parade grand marshal
Braselton salutes armed forces with the selection of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Bart Womack as grand marshal in the town’s July Fourth parade. The festival begins at 4 p.m. July 4 in Braselton Park on Harrison Street featuring live music, food, crafts and children’s activities. Parade begins at 6 p.m., with fireworks at dark. Free.
Information: 706-684-0369 or www.braseltonevents.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Sugar Hill launches Facebook page
Sugar Hill now offers information on government and community activities through its Facebook page.
Information:
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Three new principals appointed
Gwinnett County school officials have appointed three principals: Howard “Gene” Taylor, who resigned from North Atlanta High School, will be the new principal at Sweetwater Middle School in Lawrenceville.
Laura Callahan will become principal at Ivy Creek Elementary School in Buford, taking over for Yvonne Frey, who retired.
Todd Hamilton will be the new principal at Lanier Middle School in Sugar Hill. Hamilton was previously assistant principal at Meadowcreek High School.
Eric Sturgis
SPLOST to help Suwanee transportation
Gwinnett has allocated approximately $12.6 million in SPLOST funding for four Suwanee-area projects: the construction of an interchange at I-85 and McGinnis Ferry Road, the widening of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard to six lanes between McGinnis Ferry and Moore roads, intersection improvements, including adding a turn lane and improving pedestrian safety at Peachtree Industrial and Suwanee Dam and intersection improvements at Suwanee Dam and West Price roads.
Information: www.suwanee.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Tax rate hearings coming up in Forsyth County
As part of 2015 budget planning, Forsyth County officials have set three upcoming public hearings to consider proposed millage rates. They’re set for 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. July 3, and 6 p.m. July 17 at the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming. The Board of Commissioners approved tentative millage rates last week that are unchanged from this year, meaning that property owners not re-assessed at a higher rate won’t see an increased tax bite. Tentative rates: maintenance and operations at 4.812, fire at 1.975 and bonds at 0.869.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee seeking new fire station home
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services officials seek a new home for Station 9 at 1398 Reinhardt College Parkway in north Canton. The Department is seeking about three acres near Ga. 140 and Sam Nelson Road, preferably not north of Sam Nelson.
For more information: 678-493-4000.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Woodall staging veterans open house
A veterans assistance open house hosted by U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall, R-Ga., is set for 10 a.m.-noon Friday at the Cumming Regional Readiness Center, 100 Aquatic Circle, Cumming.
Military veterans of the 7th District will be able to meet face to face with representatives from various government agencies and service groups to get information on programs and address difficulties they’ve had in getting benefits.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Georgia Department of Labor are among the agencies that will take part.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Johns Creek sets vets memorial deadline
Engraved brick pavers are on sale for the grand opening of the Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk on Veterans Day weekend in November at Newtown Park.
Cost:$50 to $100.
The pavers will be placed at 10 plazas spaced around the walk. Deadline: July 4.
Information/donations: johnscreekga.gov
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cancer screening event next month
Northside Hospital-Forsyth’s cancer center, 100 Northside Forsyth Drive, Cumming, hosts a cancer screening from 6 to 8 p.m. on July 23. Recommended screening attire is shorts and a T-shirt. Skin assessments will be done in a private setting, and qualified Spanish interpreters will be available free of charge, by request.
Information: 404-845-5555
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Blue and Gray in Sandy Springs
Heritage Sandy Springs is hosting the first Blue and Gray event 11 a.m. Saturday at the Heritage Sandy Springs Museum and in Heritage Green park, 6075 Sandy Springs Circle, to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil War and the community’s role in the conflict. Other events are scheduled July 26 and Aug 30. Admission is free.
Information: www.heritagesandysprings.org, curator@heritagesandysprings.org, or 404-851-9111, Ext. 2.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
ATLANTA
Financial seminar for future homebuyers
The Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta will host a seminar for prospective homebuyers 8:30 a.m. Saturday at West Hunter Street Baptist Church, 1040 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd. SW. Learn about purchase-renovation loans, an important way to expand the number of homes available and rebuild neighborhoods.
There will also be sessions on growing a small business, the basics of credit scores, banking and identity theft, and saving for retirement.
Information: www.concernedblackclergy.org or 404-755-4900.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Firefighters to make library visit
Atlanta firefighters teach fire safety and prevention 10 a.m. July 1 at Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library’s Southwest branch, 3665 Cascade Road.
Meet firefighters from Fire Rescue Station 23 and tour the Fire Safety House, where children can learn how to safely get out of a smoke-filled house.
Information: 404-699-6363.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
AARP Georgia to host community forum
AARP Georgia hosts a forum to talk about communities at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Adamsville Recreational Center, 3201 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Community residents are invited to join in the discussion on how the city can be a place for people of all ages to live by adopting features, such as safe walkable streets and affordable and accessible transportation and housing.
Information: 877-926-8300.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Urban League to hold gala, honor actress
DeMarco Morgan of WXIA will be master of ceremonies at the fourth annual Spirit of the League awards luncheon, noon June 27 at the Twelve Hotel at Atlantic Station, 361 17th St. NW. The Urban League of Greater Atlanta is hosting the awards ceremony, which will honor actress and philanthropist Terri J. Vaughn.
Information: ulgatl.org/sol or 404-659-6580.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
DEKALB
Grant will help refuel old gas station site
Nonprofit East Decatur Greenway received a $200,000 Brownfield Cleanup Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency that will help spruce up an old gas station site just outside city limits. The circa 1940s station on Columbia Drive (next to the Friends School) was demolished last December, and this grant will pay for soil and groundwater cleanup. Eventually the site will become community green space and a trial head for a 1-mile bicycle/pedestrian path to the Avondale MARTA Station.
Bill Banks for the AJC
Forum set for Brockett Heights residents
A community meeting for residents of the Brockett Heights neighborhood in Tucker is 6:30 p.m. today at the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders building, 1484 Brockett Road.
The focus of the meeting will be the economic development of the Northlake area and discussion of issues related to the Tucker community and DeKalb County’s future. DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon and school board member Karen Carter are the guest speakers for the evening.
Registration is recommended. Information: bit.ly/1nY2NWb or 770-496-4495.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
School election forum Thursday
Three seats on the DeKalb County school board will be filled at the July 22 runoff election, and community groups are planning a forum so voters can get to know the candidates.
The citizens group Leadership DeKalb is leading a coalition of community groups to host the “It’s For Them DeKalb” forum from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the theater of DeKalb Medical Center, 2701 North Decatur Road. The six candidates who made the runoff for school board districts 3, 4 and 5 have been invited.
Information: www.itsforthemdekalb.org.
Ty Tagami
Volunteers to clean up south DeKalb areas
The South DeKalb Improvement Association will hold its monthly community cleanup event on Saturday. Volunteers will meet at 10 a.m. at Everest Institute, 2460 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur.
This is the fifth event in a yearlong campaign by the association to improve the appearance of major thoroughfares in south DeKalb County. The association coordinates cleanup events in targeted, strategic thoroughfares to spread the message of how appearance affects business attraction and retention, neighborhood property values and community pride.
Volunteers are asked to wear an orange shirt or vest.
Information:
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Input sessions set for renovating schools
City Schools Decatur has set two dates for residential input sessions on the renovation and new construction of Renfroe Middle School and Decatur High.
Architects and design personnel, selected by CSD this week, will field questions and suggestions on Aug. 14 at the high school and Aug. 19 at Renfroe.
Design plans for both schools should finish by late fall/early winter, with Phase I construction on the high school — most likely new classrooms — beginning in January.
Bill Banks for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
Henry County police buying 15 new cars
The Henry County Police Department will be purchasing 15 new 2014 Dodge Charger vehicles from Akins Ford-Dodge-Jeep-Chrysler at a total cost of $346,715. The action was approved by the Board of Commissioners at its June 17 meeting. The new cars will replace older vehicles that have high mileage and are in constant need of repair, according to county officials. Sales tax funds will be used for the purchase, as the recently passed SPLOST allows for 30 police vehicles to be bought.
Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Fayette gets higher bond rating
Fayette County’s Public Facilities Authority has earned a higher bond rating from Standard & Poor’s. The rating was raised from AA+ to AAA based on what S&P called “very strong management conditions (and) strong financial policies.” The change will reduce the amount of interest the county pays on future bonds.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Henry accepts $248K in court grants
Henry County received about $248,000 in grants from the state’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for various local judicial initiatives. The funds — allocated for the county’s Resource Court, Adult Felony Drug Court, DUI Court and Juvenile Mental Health Court — were accepted officially by the Board of Commissioners at its June 17 meeting.
Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Host families sought for cultural exchange
World Heritage Student Exchange Programs is seeking families in Fayette and Coweta counties to host high school boys and girls from overseas.
The deadline for schools to place the cultural exchange students is July 1.
Families interested in opening their homes to foreign students can call 404-234-1548 or 1-866-277-2799.
Information: www.whhosts.com.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
College Park rail crossings now quieter
College Park residents and visitors can look forward to a quieter downtown. The city, working with the federal Economic Development Administration and the CSX railroad, has secured a quiet zone designation for the CSX tracks passing near the Main Street/Harvard Avenue and Main Street/Rugby Avenue intersections. Concrete median breaks have been placed perpendicular to the tracks to alert drivers, pedestrians and trains of the proximity of the crossings. In return, train engineers will not blow their horns as they pass through. The $670,000 project was funded jointly by the federal government and the city.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Give wildlife space in Peachtree City
Peachtree City is reminding residents to give local wildlife a wide berth. Sightings of coyotes and foxes are not uncommon in greenbelt and wooded areas, and the city does not trap or remove animals who are not posing a threat to anyone.
Homeowners should remove bird feeders if they attract mice and their predators.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
