County by county news for Wednesday

Kennesaw passes budget without layoffs

Kennesaw’s City Council on Monday passed a $17.8 million budget for the 2012 fiscal year starting Oct. 1. A second public hearing was held before the council meeting. The budget does not include furloughs or lay-offs for city workers. The millage rate of 8 mills for maintenance and operation and 1.5 mills for a transportation and recreation bond passed by voters in 2004 will not change. The city cut 6 percent from last year’s $18.9 million budget because of a decrease in property taxes. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Water authority agrees to demolish water tank

The Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority Board of Directors decided Monday to hire a Snellville firm to demolish the old Blackjack Mountain concrete water tank next to the authority’s main office on Barnes Mill Road in Marietta. The cost for demolition: $159,000. The tank was built in 1952. “Is it costing more to tear it down that it did to build it?” asked authority board chairman and Smyrna Mayor, Max Bacon. Nobody on the board knew for sure. The motion to demolish passed 7-0. Jeffry Scott

Powder Springs plans more parking

The Powder Springs City Council voted 4-1 Monday to proceed with the purchase of two duplexes behind City Hall.

City officials have plans to spend about $1.5 million to expand parking and improve streets to draw more traffic to downtown retailers from Silver Comet Trail users.

Councilwoman Nancy Hudson voted against, saying she thinks money from the city’s special purpose local option sales tax, or 2005 SPLOST, should be used to extend recently opened Lewis Road. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

North Georgia fair begins Thursday

The North Georgia State Fair runs through Oc t. 2 featuring live concerts, free attractions, farm animals, flower shows and state fair food staples. Concerts begin at 8 p.m. and are free with park admission.

Admission: adults, $5; students, $2; children under 6, free. More than 300,000 people attend the fair each year.

Information: www.northgeorgiastatefair.com. Janel Davis

Mobile flu shots offered

The Cobb and Douglas Public Health clinic is offering mobile flu shots for local businesses and community events with groups of 20 or more.

The vaccines are $20; children without health insurance and PeachCare eligible for sliding fee.

Information, call 770-514-2307; www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org. Janel Davis

GWINNETT

School board appoints two principals

The Gwinnett County school board recently approved the appointment of two principals.

Michael DiFilippo, assistant principal of Pharr Elementary, will take over as principal of Dyer Elementary on Oct. 1 upon the retirement of principal Donna Torbush. He has a master’s degree in middle school math and science and a specialist’s degree in educational leadership.

Tommy Welch, interim principal of Meadowcreek High, will continue as principal. He is a graduate of Gwinnett’s 2009 Quality-Plus Leader Academy and is studying for his doctorate in educational leadership. D. Aileen Dodd

Corvette racing coming to Buford

Rick Hendrick Chevrolet is hosting the Corvette Racing Tour 10 a.m. -- 5 p.m. Saturday at 4490 South Lee St., Buford.

Fans will have the opportunity to see a Centennial Corvette Z06, the No. 3 GT2 Compuware Corvette show car, a Corvette ZR1 interactive cutaway chassis and much more. Joel Anderson

County hosts festival to rais playground funds

Gwinnett County will hold a fundraiser and celebration from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Little Mulberry Park, 3900 Hog Mountain Road, Dacula.

The event will feature a 6.2-mile race, a silent auction, petting zoo, games and other festivities. Event bracelets cost $10 per person. The event concludes with a private dinner and concert from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $75 per person.

Proceeds from the event will help build a new playground. Information or to register: 770-822-8840 or www.gwinnettparksfoundation.org. David Wickert

Peachtree Ridge students win award

Students in the Peachtree Ridge High School Special Education Department have been chosen as the winners of the 2011 National Junior Master Group Service and Achievement Award.

The 16-student group will be recognized next month at the International Master Gardener Conference in Charleston, West Virginia.

They were presented with a certificate by Suwanee Mayor Dave Williams, for their work in designing and implementing a landscaping project at White Street Park. Joel Anderson

Volunteers to spruce up Lawrenceville park

Gwinnett County will sponsor a volunteer service day from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 1 at Rhodes Jordan Park Community Recreation Center, 100 E. Crogan St., Lawrenceville.

Volunteers will paint a mural and picnic tables, landscape the park and perform other maintenance. Pre-registration is recommended for t-shirt sizing. For more information call 770-418-2331. David Wickert

Snellville police host golf tourney

Snellville Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association will host its sixth annual golf tournament 9 a.m. Oct. 3. at Summit Chase Country Club, 3197 Classic Dr. Lunch will be provided by the Texas Roadhouse restaurant.

Tournament proceeds are to benefit the Snellville Police Department. For information: 770-985-1322. Laurie Hoffman

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth opens third senior center

A special ceremony will usher in Forsyth County’s third Senior Services facility, the Sexton Hall Enrichment Center, at 10 a.m. Sept. 30.

The center, located at 2115 Chloe Road, will provide art, music, drama, continuing education, technology, fitness and leisure activities to those aged 50 and up.

During the opening, the public will be provided tours of the facility, bought and renovated with proceeds from the local option sales tax.

Information: 770-781-2178. Patrick Fox

Fulton offers $25 flu shots

Fulton County’s Health and Wellness Department is offering flu shots from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both shots and the nasal mist cost $25. The vaccines are recommended for children age six months and older, adults age 50 and older, nursing home residents, health care workers, day care workers and women who will be pregnant during the flu season.

The health centers: Adamsville, Center Hill, Neighborhood Union, Lakewood and the Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Atlanta; College Park Regional; and North Fulton Regional in Alpharetta. Johnny Edwards

Canton hosts arts and crafts festival

The 27th annual Riverfest arts and crafts festival will be staged 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday at Boiling Park, 1200 Marietta Highway, Canton. The show features over 200 arts and crafts exhibitors, entertainers, children’s activities and food. Admission is $5 for adults and free for kids under 10. Information: (770) 704-5991 or www.serviceleague.net. Jeffry Scott

Golf tourney raised $120K

Roswell Rotary officials estimate its 33rd annual golf tournament raised more than $120,000 for local charities this year.

The event, held at Brookfield Country Club Sept. 12, drew more than 220 golfers and 150 volunteers, said spokeswoman Theodora Theo Keyserling The tournament featured a $100,000 putting contest, a $1,000 ball drop and a hole-in-one contest for a car. Patrick Fox

Prevent Blindness names honorees

Drs. Rachael and David Sweeney have been named “Volunteers of the Year” by Prevent Blindness Georgia.

The couple, whose private practice, Vision Source InSight Eyecare in Sandy Springs, has worked with the statewide nonprofit organization since 2000.

Shelia M. Poole

Seminar to help families with special needs

Joseph Sarra, director of family support services for Atlanta-based Childkind, will discuss issues facing families struggling to understand Medicaid at the monthly meeting of the Milton disability Awareness Committee 7 p.m. Thursday in the City Council Chambers at Milton City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway.

Sarra will offer information on home and community-based services for children with special health care needs and developmental disabilities.

Information: mdac@cityofmiltonga.us. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Street, park dedicated to civil rights activist

Civil rights activist and broadcasting executive Xernona Clayton will be honored with the dedication of a street and park plaza at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Baker Street in downtown Atlanta. Clayton becomes the second woman to be honored in this manner. “Gone With the Wind” author Margaret Mitchell is the other. On Tuesday, city officials unveiled a plaque in Hardy Ivy Park commemorating Clayton’s civil rights and broadcast careers. Jeremiah McWilliams

Delta museum opens colletibles show

The Delta Air Transport Heritage Museum invites aviation enthusiasts to its annual Atlanta Airline Collectibles Show & Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 1. The event features aircraft exhibits and aviation-related items for sale. Admission is $5 for adults; children 12 and under will be admitted free with paying adult. Information: www.deltamuseum.org or 404-715-7886. Kenneth Musisi

Fashion show to benefit Haiti

“Evolution of Curves,” a charity fashion show takes place at 6 p.m . at the Defoor Centre, 1710 Defoor Ave. N.W.

Hosted by Ray Cunningham and radio’s Miss Sophia, the event will include performances by Carlysia Levert, and runway appearances by various recording artists. Show proceeds are marked for Haiti Cheri Heritage Foundation.

Information: www.evolutionofcurves.com. Laurie Hoffman

Fall Atlanta Home Show this week

John Gidding, host of HGTV’s “Curb Appeal: The Block” and “Designed to Sell,” will be the featured speaker at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday at the 28th Annual Fall Atlanta Home Show.

The home show runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday 25 at Cobb Galleria Centre, Two Galleria Pkwy. Adult admission is $10, or register at www.hometalk.com for a free ticket. Children 12 and under and adults 65 and over are free.

Information: 770-798-1997 or www.AtlantaHomeShow.com. Mea Watkins

DEKALB

City of Decatur seeks tenant

Decatur is looking for a tenant to lease its circa 1890s depot, purchased by the city from CSX in 2001. After an extensive renovation, the building reopened in 2008, but since then three restaurants have opened and closed. Assistant city manager Lyn Menne said, “The first thing we want to do is establish a clear title of ownership so [Decatur’s] Downtown Development Authority can negotiate a long-term lease. It’s an important, gateway building, the southeast entrance to the city.” Bill Banks for the AJC

Homeowners to hold monthly meeting

The Brookhaven Chamblee Home Owners and Neighborhood Business Alliance monthly meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday at Climatized Self Storage’s conference center, 1890 Briarwood Road NE, Atlanta. The non-profit’s goal is to promote Brookhaven/Chamblee as a place to live, work, and do business. Information: 404-424-5141 or genebhna09@gmail.com. Kenneth Musisi

DeKalb Medical offers free cancer screenings

DeKalb Medical Center is offering free screenings for skin and colon cancer on Oct. 1 at the main hospital campus on North Decatur Road and the Hillendale campus.

To register: 404-501-9355. April Hunt

Group collect shoes for needy in West Africa

The Soul Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting 50,000 pairs of shoes as a relief effort for orphaned children and adults in West Africa, is sponsoring a shoe drive 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church at 4650 Flat Shoals Road in Decatur. Shoes must be new or lightly worn, clean and in good condition. Volunteers are also needed. Information: http://artdell.com/sole/index.html or 678-518-0777. Veronica Fields Johnson

Property taxes deadline is Sept. 30

DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Claudia G. Lawson has mailed the county’s 2011 property tax bills, with the first installment due on Sept. 30.

The final installment of taxes is due Nov. 15. Taxes not received or postmarked by those dates incur a 5 percent penalty.

Property owners also can pay at the tax commissioner’s office or after-hours at a drop box at the front and side of office, 4380 Memorial Dr. Taxes also can be paid online at www.yourdekalb.com/taxcommissioner or by phone at 404-298-4000.

More information: 404-298-4000 or proptax@dekalbcountyga.gov. April Hunt

Doraville offers amnesty for traffic tickets

Doraville’s Municipal Court is offering amnesty for two months for people who have past due, unpaid traffic tickets and bench warrants.

Ticket and citation holders can visit Municipal Court, 3765 Park Ave., Doraville, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. during both September and October. Fees for past due citations will be waived, but the original citation fines will be due.

Those with active warrants can report on only at noon on Tuesdays. If you have an active warrant and report at any other time, you will be taken to jail.

Information: 770-455-1001 April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Fairburn Road improvement plans unveiled

Residents can check out the latest plans for pedestrian improvements to a stretch of Fairburn Road in south Fulton, and sound off, at an open house on Thursday. Design consultant Qk4 and Fulton County Public Works will hold an information session from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Southwest Regional Library, 3665 Cascade Road.

The project spans from Village Drive to 160 feet north of Utoy Creek and includes transit amenities, new sidewalks and realignment of Utoy Springs and Fairburn roads with more turn lanes and signals. Statements can be submitted to jdyer@qk4.com. Johnny Edwards

Henry County receives Georgia EMC donation

The Henry County Chamber of Commerce, Development Authority and School Board are the latest recipients of checks from Central Georgia EMC. The three groups were presented checks this week totaling $42,000 to use on community and economic development. Headquartered in Jackson, the electric membership cooperative has handed out $144,890 this month to chambers, school boards and development authorities in its service territory. Nancy Badertscher

Dixon Grove Church to hold car show

Dixon Grove Baptist Church is hosting its Annual Southern Crescent Car Show starting at 10 a.m., Saturday at 7690 Fielder Road, Jonesboro. The event will include vendors, food, games and music. All proceeds will go toward obtaining new instruments for the church music department. Information: Rev. Spurgeon Henderson 678-502-6204 or 404-225-4437. Sandra Marshall Murray

Clayton Humane Society yard sale Oct. 1

The Clayton County Humane Society will hold its Treasures for Paws yard sale Oct. 1 at Jonesboro High School, 7728 Mt. Zion Blvd, Jonesboro. The 8am-2pm will feature furniture, electronics, books, housewares and other items for sale. Details: call CCHS at 770-471-9436. Tammy Joyner

Groups collect items for tornado victims

Fun Finds & Designs will partner with Unity In Disasters and PODS to provide home furnishings for the April 2011 Georgia tornado victims. Donations are tax-deductible and must be in good condition, free of stains, tears and smoke. Furniture, lamps, rugs and artwork will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 23, 24, 30 and Oct. 1 and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 at Fun Finds & Designs, 2765 Marietta Hwy., Canton. No appliances, mattresses, clothes, bedding, towels, linens, exercise or sports equipment. Information, 770-704-0448. Mea Watkins

‘Gone With The Wind’ tea to be Sept. 24

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the novel “Gone With The Wind,” Historical Jonesboro/Clayton County is hosting a tea on Saturday, Sept. 24 in the Bethel Schoolhouse on the grounds of Stately Oaks Plantation. There are two seatings: 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Cost: $15 a person A variety of teas, sandwiches, appetizers, and pastries will be served. GWTW memorabilia, games and door prizes will be featured. Details: (770) 473-0197. Home tours begin hourly from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adults $12; people older than 55 pay $9. Tammy Joyner