COBB
Part of Austell Road to be closed Thursday
Austell Road will be closed between South Cobb Drive and Darnell Road from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday.
Georgia Power staff will close both lanes to set concrete poles, and detour signs will be posted.
Information: Cobb District 4 Commissioner Lisa Cupid, lisa.cupid@cobbcounty.org or 770-528-3312.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
KSU previews PBS Civil War series
Kennesaw State University’s Civil War Center, in partnership with the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park presents a special preview of “Civil War: The Untold Story” 7 p.m. today in the auditorium of the Social Sciences building. This is the final episode of a five-part series which will air nationally on PBS beginning in April. This free event requires no reservations. Free parking in the West Deck. Information: www.kennesaw.edu/civilwarera.
Arlinda Smith Broady
Writer’s workshop at South Cobb library
“Writer’s Workshop 2.0: Your Book Is Written, Now What?” will be offered 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton.
Author of 11 novels, Margaret Johnson-Hodge will lead the workshop for those who have finished writing their books and want to get them ready for publication.
Information: mjhodge.net/bio, library at 678-398-5828.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Book sale to benefit Cobb libraries
The Cobb Library system will sell more than 100,000 books and other items 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. Books, magazine, CD’s and DVD’s will go for 25 cents to $4 with proceeds benefitting the county’s 16 libraries. Information: www.cobbcat.org.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Silver Comet 10K registration open
The Silver Comet 10K will be March 8 with online registration for $30 ending Wednesday.
In-store registration is available at all locations of Big Peach Running Co. until 6 p.m. March 1 and at Silver Comet Cycles, 4342 Floyd Road, Mableton until 6 p.m. March 5.
Late registration will be $40
Information: silvercometraces.com, thesilvercometraces@gmail.com.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
KSU culinary director will be lunch speaker
Kennesaw State University’s director and professor of the Institute for Culinary Sustainability and Hospitality, Christian Hardigree, will be the guest speaker for the South Cobb Business Association luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 5 at Presbyterian Village, 2000 East-West Connector, Austell.
Costs: $12, members, online; $15, members, at the door; $20, guests.
Information: web.kennesaw.edu/news/category/tags/christian-hardigree, sc-ba.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Duluth Fall Festival wins digital media award
The Duluth Fall Festival garnered the Gold Award for Best Use of Digital Media from the Southeast Festival Events Association.
The non-profit, dedicated to strengthening festivals and events in the southeast, recognized the Duluth Fall Festival Committee for their redesigned, and more user-friendly website which includes separate menus for visitors and volunteers, festival history, a photo gallery and interactive maps.
Information: www.duluthfallfestival.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Norcross labor office temporarily closed
The Georgia Department of Labor’s Gwinnett Career Center at 2211 Beaver Ruin Road, Norcross will be closed due to roof damage. It is expected to reopen March 17. Job seekers may apply for employment, file unemployment insurance claims or find another career center at www.gdol.ga.gov.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Police academy taking applications
The Snellville Citizens Police Academy is accepting applications through March 24 to educate the public about the operation of the police department and how to help deter crime. The 12-week program meets 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays beginning March 27. One Saturday class will meet at a gun range. Topics include: domestic violence, drug awareness, traffic stops, firearms training and crime scene processing. Applications: www.snellville.org or 2315 Wisteria Dr., Snellville. Information: 770-985-3555 or rpendleton@snellville.org.Karen Huppertz
Boards get parliamentary training
A training class on parliamentary procedures for Snellville’s city boards will take place from 8 a.m. to noon March 29 in the Community Room at City Hall, 2342 Oak Rd. All Snellville boards, commissions and designated staff as well as affiliated supporting authorities and non-profit groups who are required to manage their official meetings using Roberts Rules of Order are urged to attend. Mail lists of attendees to Kelly McAloon, at Kelmca@comcast.net no later than March 21.
Information: 770-310-0429. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Color dash 5K planned for Suwanee
The Georgia Green Industry Association will hold its first Spring Into Color 5K Dash on March 29 at Town Center Park in Suwanee.
Participants can run, walk, crawl or otherwise propel themselves through the course amid a bombardment of color.
Race proceeds benefit Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, Trees Atlanta, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Information: www.springintocolor5kdash.com. Molly Bloom
Sugar Hill to host Medicare seminars
Residents approaching age 65 or retirement and in need of Medicare are invited to educational seminars 7 to 9 p.m. today and March 11 at the Sugar Hill Community Center, 1166 Church St.
Information: 770-831-7413.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Interim city manager takes over in Johns Creek
Johns Creek Finance Director Monte Vavra is now interim city manager, following the departure of John Kachmar, who submitted his resignation effective March 1. Kachmar negotiated a buyout after controversy over a confrontation with a resident following an October 2013 city council meeting. Mayor Mike Bodker appointed Vavra, who has been finance director since 2007, and will serve until a permanent replacement is found. A city spokeswoman says that the recruitment process to fill the job is underway, but there’s no word on a timeline. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee principal earns statewide honor
Cherokee High School principal Debra Murdock has been named 2014 Georgia High School Principal of the Year by the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals, becoming the first in the Cherokee district ever to earn the honor.
The award honors principals who foster high-quality learning and make exemplary contributions to the profession. Murdock, a graduate of Cherokee High School, is in her fourth year as its principal.
She’ll be formally recognized at a fall conference in Savannah, and will now compete for National Principal of the Year.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth senior expo set for mid-March
Forsyth County Senior Services will host the 12th annual Forsyth Senior Expo from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 15 at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming.
Experts and a variety of representatives from local businesses will offer information on such topics as home care, senior living, legal services for seniors and more.
Health screenings, door prizes and refreshments will also be featured at the event, which has been expanded from three to four hours this year.
Information: 770-781-2178.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Roswell releases summer park, rec guide
For those ready to start planning their summer, the city of Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department’s summer brochure is now available online.
It has information on how to participate in a variety of summer camps, classes, sports leagues and special events.
The resident registration date is March 24, with open registration March 31.
Information: www.roswellgov.com
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Gardening program seeks volunteers
The UGA Cherokee County Cooperative Extension Service is seeking applicants for the 2014 Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program.
Applicants must have an interest in gardening, take part in an intensive training program and be willing to share their knowledge with the community.
Application deadline is March 31.
Applicant selection is set for May 1, with training in June.
Information: 770-721-7803.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Registration open for Hunger Walk/Run
The 30th Hunger Walk/Run to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank and other local nonprofits with hunger relief programs will be held Sunday at Turner Field’s Green Lot, 755 Hank Aaron Drive. Gates open at noon, and the starting time for the 5 kilometer walk and fun run is 2 p.m.
Registration: $35,runners; $25, walkers. Information: www.hwr2014.org or 404-419-1723. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
CAU, Morehouse selected for innovation
Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College have been selected to join an inaugural innovation and entrepreneurship group of historically black colleges and universities.
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Collaborative, funded by The Lemelson Foundation, is a multi-year program aimed a providing new opportunities on the campuses of the 15 institutions in the group.
The schools were rated on a range of criteria including faculty innovation potential and federal research engagement.Janel Davis
Georgia Southern hosts family days
Georgia Southern University will host family days. Planned events for the Statesboro days on Saturday and April 19 will include basketball and baseball games.
Planned events for the Atlanta days on March 29 and April 12 will include a Gwinnett Gladiators hockey game and an Atlanta Braves baseball game.
Reservations and tickets: parents.georgiasouthern.edu; 912-478-7627. Janel Davis
Dental Dash at Dawn 5K race Saturday
The DDD Foundation, an organization that makes dental care available to people with developmental disabilities, is sponsoring the Dental Dash at Dawn 5K 8 a.m. Saturday at Historic Fourth Ward Park, 680 Dallas St.
The race is an AJC-Peachtree Road Race qualifier. Early registration is $25, $30 on race day.
Information: www.dddfoundation.org/2014-dental-dash-at-dawn. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
DEKALB
Bluegrass festival at Stone Mountain Village
Stone Mountain Village hosts its fifth annual Blue Grassroots Music and Arts festival 10 a.m. March 29, and 11 a.m. March 30, in the historic downtown area.
The festival is the first event celebrating the 175th anniversary of the founding of the city of Stone Mountain. Free.
Information: www.stonemountainvillage.com
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
South River focus of upcoming tour
The South River Watershed Alliance is organizing a tour and visit focusing on the river and its tributaries in DeKalb County.
The tour runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 19 at the Watershed Mural on DeKalb Avenue in Decatur. The tour runs along the campus of Agnes Scott College to Albert Shoals, the series of short falls spanning the river near Snapfinger Creek.
Information: www.southriverga.org or 404-862-0118. April Hunt
Construction starts on old DeVry property
Construction’s started on the old 100,000 square-foot DeVry University building in east Decatur, which is being renovated into a VA specialty care outpatient clinic, scheduled to open in mid-2015. Greenstone Properties owns the total 21 acres, annexed into Decatur in 2009.
Currently the city’s largest site for redevelopment, the area was once envisioned as a possible mini-downtown. But the clinic will occupy 14. 5 acres, with two parcels on either side totaling 6.5 acres remaining empty for now.
Bill Banks for the AJC
Grant to fund study of potential bike lanes
Avondale Estates was recently awarded a $50,000 grant by the Atlanta Regional Commission to fund a feasibility study of a road diet along US 278 from Sams Crossings to just past North Clarendon Avenue.
The long-term goal is to make that stretch more bicycle and pedestrian friendly, including one scenario of reducing 278 to two automobile traffic lanes.
The study, which should last through July, also includes considering a possible roundabout at North Clarendon and 278.
Total cost is $62,500 counting the city’s 20 percent match.
Bill Banks for the AJC
Lawyers vs. doctors in basketball game
The third annual “Jawbones vs. Sawbones” benefit basketball game between lawyers and doctors will be held at 6 p.m. March 15 at Decatur High School, 310 N. McDonough St. Game time is 7 p.m.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Side by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse in Stone Mountain, an organization committed to providing support to people with traumatic brain injuries.
Tickets are $10.
Information: www.sidebysideclubhouse.org or 770-469-9355 Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Discussion focuses on development
Advancing economic and community development will be the focus of a discussion 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Porter Sanford performing arts center, 3181 Rainbow Dr.
Commissioner Stan Watson expects up to 150 for the Soul of DeKalb forum, which features both community panels and open discussion. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Three finalists named for Henry County manager
The Henry County Board of Commissioners has selected three finalists for the position of county manager. They are Lyndon L. Bonner of Ocala, Fla.; Michael C. Harris of Stockbridge, currently the interim county manager; and James “Jim” Walker, Jr., of Orange Beach, Ala.
The board expects to make its final decision soon after the required 14-day waiting period. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Rep. David Scott to host job fair
Congressman David Scott is holding a job fair 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. March 28 at the Georgia International Convention Center, 2000 Convention Center Concourse, College Park. Local employers will be in attendance. Free. There also will be mortgage assistance resources for homeowners. Information: davidscott.house.gov. Tammy Joyner
Piedmont Henry hosts garden party
The 34th Annual Piedmont Henry Hospital Garden Party will be at Eagle’s Landing Country Club6 p.m. March 29. This year’s theme is “Rockin’ Pink” and proceeds go to Cancer Wellness programs at Piedmont Henry. Tickets: $125. Sponsorships are available from $2,500 to $10,000.
Cocktails are at 6 p.m. Contact the Marketing & Public Relations department at Piedmont Henry by calling 678-604-1026 or e-mail Michelle.Nunnally@piedmont.org to buy tickets or become a sponsor.
Information: piedmonthenry.org. Tammy Joyner
Piedmont Henry sets ‘Walk with a Doc’
Piedmont Henry Hospital is coordinating “Walk with a Doc” events at 8:30 a.m. the fourth Saturday of each month from March through July at Heritage Park in McDonough.
A different physician will be participating each month and available to answer general health questions.
Each participant will receive a free pedometer and T-shirt.
Register at piedmont.org under the “Search Classes & Events” tab or by phone at 1-877-527-3712.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
New health center to open in McDonough
LiveOn Health Centers will hold a ribbon cutting for its first primary and preventative care office at 5 p.m. today at 80 Vinings Drive, Suite 80, McDonough.
The facility will provide to patients a blend of modern technology and traditional personal care. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the doctor, Vik Modi, and the professional staff.
Information: www.liveoncenter.com Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Police offer women’s self-defense class
The Henry County Police Department is offering a women’s self-defense class this year. The next session is March 20-22. Classes are Thursday and Friday evening and Saturday morning. Information: jmiller@co.henry.ga.us or 770-288-8285. Monroe Roark for the AJC
