County by county news for Wednesday

Austell resident to run for commission

Austell area resident Lisa Cupid has announced her candidacy for the Cobb County Commission.

Cupid, a Georgia Tech engineering graduate and facilitator of the Austell Community Taskforce, is vying for the district 4 seat in southwest Cobb currently held by Woody Thompson. Cupid has lived in the south Cobb area for nine years.

In addition to Cupid, Michael Rhett, a sergeant in the Air Force Reserves who has a doctorate in education from the University of Georgia, has said he will run for the post. Janel Davis

Teens invited to carpentry workshop

Teens are invited to a free carpentry workshop and a free Thanksgiving luncheon on Saturday in Austell.

The last one for this year, the carpentry class will begin at 10 a.m. at the South Cobb Recreation Center, 875 Six Flags Drive.Open to ages 14 to 18, the sessions are hosted by Serenity House Training and Development, Inc..

Information: 770-635-7790, serenityhousetraininganddevelopmentinc.org or serenityhousecc@yahoo.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Meetings focus on communities’ plans

Residents in the Six Flags area are invited to a meeting on Thursday to discuss transportation infrastructure improvements and land use along Six Flags Drive. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the South Cobb Recreation Center, 875 Six Flags Drive in Austell. Also Thursday, Vinings area residents are invited to a meeting about that community’s master plan. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Vinings United Methodist Church, 3101 Paces Mill Road in Atlanta. Information: 770-528-1679 or www.cobbcounty.org/dot Janel Davis

Special Olympics volunteers needed

Special Olympics volunteers are needed to teach basketball team skills for the Cobb Parks and Recreation Department. Information: Facility manager Wendy Collins, Ward Recreation Center, 4845 Dallas Hwy., Lost Mountain Park, Powder Springs, 770-528-8885. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Dyslexia discussion for parents Nov. 19

Parents of children with dyslexia can learn about the condition and strategies to manage it at a discussion led by Brenda Fitzgerald, a board member of the Georgia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association.

Admission to the 3-hour event is $30. It’s at 9 a.m. on Saturday, at the School Box at Town Center, 50 Barrett Parkway, Marietta. Register at www.georgiaeta.com. Ty Tagami

GWINNETT

Gwinnett gets vote on Sunday sales March 6

Residents of unincorporated Gwinnett County will decide on March 6 whether to allow alcohol package sales on Sunday.

On Tuesday the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the vote the day of Georgia’s presidential primary.

If voters approve Sunday sales, they would be legal beginning next June 1.

Residents of 13 Gwinnett cities approved Sunday alcohol sales last week. David Wickert

Duwell to run for probate judge in 2012

Marlene R. Duwell, an 18-year court veteran, announced this week that she will run for a judicial seat upon the retirement of a probate judge in 2012.

Duwell was hired in 1995 and judicially appointed as Chief Clerk in 1997.

Duwell manages the daily administrative functions. She has also been appointed to hear hundreds of mental health cases, adult guardianships, guardianships of minors, and probate matters. A resident of Peachtree Corners, Duwell earned a law degree from the University of Georgia in 1993. Andria Simmons

Police investigate fatal shooting in Lawrenceville

Gwinnett County police are investigating a fatal shooting in a neighborhood near Lawrenceville. The incident happened in the 500 block of Simonton Ridge Trail, according to Gwinnett police Cpl. Edwin Ritter. The victim, Jose De Manuel Alfaro, 18, of Lawrenceville, was found dead in the street around 11:30 p.m. Monday.

Alfaro did not live in the neighborhood, Ritter said. He said detectives were interviewing witnesses. Mike Morris

Ralston to address chamber today

Georgia House Speaker David Ralston will speak to the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the 1818 Club, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. The cost is $45 for chamber members and $55 for non-members. Advanced registration is required. Walk-ins are welcome but will not be guaranteed a seat. To register, visit www.gwinnettchamber.org/events. David Wickert

Gwinnett holds tree-lighting on Nov. 24

Gwinnett County will host a tree-lighting ceremony from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 E. Crogan St., Lawrenceville. The free event will feature live music, kid’s crafts, live entertainment and a visit with Santa. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Santa arrives at 6:45 p.m. David Wickert

Ludwig Symphony Orchestra opens season

The Ludwig Symphony Orchestra will present an “International Gala Festival” for the opening of its concert season on 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Gwinnett Center’s Performing Arts Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth.

Tickets are $19 for adults, $17 for seniors and $10 for students. Call 770-623-8623 or purchase online at www.ludwigsymphony.org. Mea Watkins

NORTHSIDE

Fulton moves to start anti-smoking campaign

Fulton County’s Health and Wellness Department wants to use federal grant money to pay $65,000 to the Georgia State University Research Foundation for an anti-smoking media campaign. The goal is to convince businesses to prohibit smoking on their own, according to department Director Patrice Harris, not to push for a county-enforced ban as was tried unsuccessfully in DeKalb. The proposal is on today’s commission agenda. State law bans smoking in enclosed workplaces but exempts bars and restaurants where people under 18 cannot enter. Johnny Edwards

Milton wants grants to restore building

Milton officials will pursue grant money to refurbish and repair the historic Hopewell House, purchased earlier this year for $250,000. Local architect Lew Oliver told City Council members Monday the house needs more in structural work to bring it up to safety specifications. Depending on how extensive the work, project estimates run up to $200,000.

The 3,683-square-foot building sits on 3 acres near the corner of Hopewell and Birmingham roads and is considered one of the oldest structures in Fulton County, dating back to the 1820s or 1830s. Patrick Fox

Class for teens to cook Thanksgiving dinner

A culinary class Saturday at the Sandy Springs Library will teach teens to whip up a Thanksgiving meal and “be a rock star in the kitchen.” “Basic Cooking Skills for Teens: Thanksgiving Edition” starts at 2 p.m. at 395 Mt. Vernon Highway.

Registration: 404-303-6130. Johnny Edwards

Nature Center to host Craft Week Nov. 21

The Chattahoochee Nature Center will host Craft Week starting Monday, Nov. 21, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. for ages 4 – 12 years. Visitors will be able to reuse and recycle common items to make fun, take-home projects. General admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for children 3-12 and free for children 2 and under and members. Information: visit www.chattnaturecenter.com or 770-992-2055 ext. 224 Sandra Marshall Murray

Sandy Springs to present new flood maps

Sandy Springs will its second presentation to review new flood risk maps. The maps include flood insurance rate maps used to help establish flood insurance premiums.

The presentation, to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7, will show the extent to which parcels are at risk for flooding, taking into account changes in topography, land use and drainage patterns.

The meetings are at Sandy Springs City Hall Council Chambers, 7840 Roswell Road, Building 500. Information: www.sandyspringsga.org, or 770-730-5600. Patrick Fox

Nature Center to host holiday shop on Dec. 3

The Chattahoochee Nature Center at 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, will host its annual holiday shop on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the nature center will be free. Information: visit www.chattnaturecenter.org or call 770- 992-2055 ext. 236 or email r.gilbert@chattnaturecenter.org. Sandra Marshall Murray

ATLANTA

Groups hosts fair for homeless kids

On any given day in Georgia, there are an estimated 2,500 homeless children, according to Atlanta’s Children Shelter.

In effort to raise awareness about their plight, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta will join other organizations Saturday in hosting the 4-UTH Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Salvation Army Bellwood Boys and Girls Club in Atlanta. The event is free to homeless children, teens and families.

Other sponsors also include Covenant House, the Salvation Army, StandUp For Kids and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta Guild. Gracie Bonds Staples

Housing Authority chief receives honor

Mercy Housing Southeast’s president Charice Heywood presented Atlanta Housing Authority President and CEO Renee Glover with the Legacy Award on Nov. 9 at The Biltmore Hotel in Atlanta.

The award was in recognition of the creative innovative partnership between the two organizations that assists families in need by making affordable housing a reality and also helps to restore the regional economy. Kenneth Musisi

David Brooks to speak at synagogue

New York Times columnist David Brooks, author of “The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character and Achievement,” will lecture and sign book copies Thursday at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave., N.W., Atlanta.

Brooks is the featured guest for the synagogue’s 2011 Eizenstat Family Memorial Lecture, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Information: 404-355-5222. Johnny Edwards

CAU Jazz Orchestra to perform Sunday

The Clark Atlanta Jazz Orchestra presents a “Tribute to our Ancestors”, a jazz orchestra performance on Sundayat 7 p.m. at Clark Atlanta University’s Davage Auditorium, 223 James P. Brawly Dr., Atlanta. Admission is $2.

The event includes a special performance by the Stephenson High School Dance Ensemble. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

DeKalb launches anti-smoking campaign

DeKalb County will unveil today a print advertising campaign focused on the dangers of second-hand smoke.

The county’s health department director and other elected officials will be at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts and Community Center at noon for the preview of Picture DeKalb Healthy campaign.

There also will be a display of students’ artwork that depicts their visions of a healthy, smoke-free DeKalb County. Rhonda Cook

Emory Lavista Parent Council to meet

The Emory Lavista Parent Council is scheduled to meet at 9:15 a.m. today at Evansdale Elementary School, 2914 Evans Wood Drive, Doraville. The group represents 16 DeKalb County schools with more than 10,000 students including the Druid Hills and Lakeside communities. The meeting will focus on curriculum changes and state mandates in education. The meeting is open to the public. Information: www.emory-lavista.org. Rich McKay

Students to release baby trout into river

Nine students from DeKalb County schools will help release thousands of baby or “fry” rainbow trout into the cold waters of the Chattahoochee River this morning. This is a culmination of a 12-week environmental project called “Small Fry To Go” in which children help raise trout from eggs smaller than a pea to two-to-three inch fry. Along the way, the children learn concepts of math, science and biology. Children from nine DeKalb elementary and middle schools are involved. The event starts at 10:30 a.m. at Paces Mill National Park, off Cobb Parkway. Rich McKay

DeKalb celebrates GIS day today

There will be food, contests and demonstrations for the public of DeKalb County’s geographic information systems, which will help officials digest census data, manage natural resource and analyze crime and business trends. The event is planned for today -- GIS Day -- from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Manuel Maloof Auditorium at 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur. Rhonda Cook

Retired educators to meet Thursday

The Georgia Retired Educators Association in Decatur and DeKalb will host a discussion about current affairs at its monthly meeting this week.

Retirees from Decatur and DeKalb schools, both public and private, as well as retirees of other districts who live in the county, are welcome in the group. The meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Decatur First Christian Church fellowship hall, 601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. Information: 770-498-9493. April Hunt

Youth symphony to perform today

The honors orchestra for DeKalb County Schools will perform today in the Cole Fine Arts Auditorium at Georgia Perimeter College in Clarkston.

The DeKalb Youth Symphony perform locally three times a year and have held concerts in Europe and Canada. In the coming year, they will travel to Ireland to perform.

today’s performance begins at 8 p.m. and is free, though donations are encouraged. Information: www.dekalbyouthsymphony.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Fayette board to vote on revised school calendar

Fayette County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bearden and a 10-member committee are recommending a 2012-13 calendar that starts Aug. 13 and ends May 24. The revised calendar consists of 177 days for students and 185 days for teachers. Other staff will lose between three and five days. The resulting utilities, fuel and salary costs would save the county $3.3 million to help offset a projected $10 million deficit. The school board will vote on the measure in December. Bearden said, “I hope this is the only year we have to take this kind of measure.” Jill Howard Church

Fayette school board fills vacant slot

The Fayette County Board of Education unanimously chose Leonard Presberg to fill its vacant Post 5 seat on Monday.

Presberg is the chief financial officer of the Women’s Medical Center in Tyrone. He has a law degree from the University of Richmond and a computer science degree from Oberlin College. His term will run through 2014. Jill Howard Church

Bulk waste accepted on Saturday

The Bulk Waste Amnesty Day for South Fulton residents is Saturday. Large items such as old refrigerators, furniture, and electronics will be accepted at no cost. Yard waste will only be accepted at Merk Road. Locations are in College Park at 3225 Merk Road from 8:30-4:30 p.m.; 5601 Stonewall Tell Road from 8-2 p.m.; and 2775 Creel Road from 8-2 p.m. Senior citizens or disabled residents can call 404-612-7400 for assistance prior to the date of the event. Kenneth Musisi

East Point mayor dinged on handbill issue

Visiting Judge Timothy Bumann found Mayor Earnestine Pittman guilty last week in East Point Municipal Court of violating the city’s handbill ordinance and fined her $50. Pittman was cited for violating the handbill ordinance last spring when she distributed her newsletter throughout the city. John Thompson for the AJC

Eagles Landing student wins essay contest

Brook Amero, a seventh grader at Eagles Landing Middle School, is the Henry County winner of the 10th annual Clean Water Campaign/”I’m In” Essay Contest. Contestants wrote about problems and potential solutions to protecting the water quality and water supply in metro Atlanta. The contest, sponsored by the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, is open to students in grades 6-8 in Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale counties. Nancy Badertscher

Time to sign up for Fayetteville parade

Main Street Fayetteville is now accepting applications for those wanting to be part of the Dec. 3 Christmas Parade.

The parade is open to individuals, groups, marching bands, floats, cars and trucks from families, businesses, organizations, schools and political groups. The entry fee is $10 for individuals and nonprofits, $20 for businesses and $60 for motor clubs, with a limit of 20 vehicles per club. The application deadline is Nov. 21; see www.fayetteville-ga.gov or call 770-719-4173 for information. Jill Howard Church for the AJC