COBB
Noses Creek bridge on trail closed until March 21
The Noses Creek bridge on the Silver Comet Trail, from mile markers 8.3 to 8.7, is closed until March 21.
There is no access across the bridge, and Cobb County Police will issue tickets to trespassers on this construction site.
Information: cobbdot.org for newest trail updates.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Kennesaw approves jail renovation
The Kennesaw City Council on Monday agreed to spend no more than $720,000 to renovate the city’s 25-year-old jail.
After receiving two bids for more than $830,000 to update the jail’s security and interior space, Diversified Construction of Georgia was approved.
The council asked the company to decrease the scope of improvements and lower its bid by $111,000 to meet the city budget for the project.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Powder Springs activist commended
Jerry G. Houston was honored by the Georgia House of Representatives on Feb. 24 with the passage of House Resolution 1548.
A charter member of the Powder Springs Community Task Force, Houston was Chair Emeritus from 2003-2012 of the task force, which hosts such programs as the annual Back2School Bash and Global Youth Service Day projects.
Information: pstaskforce.org, legis.ga.gov, search HR 1548.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Powder Springs Development Authority meets
The Development Authority of Powder Springs will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the second floor conference room, City Hall, 4484 Marietta St., Powder Springs.
Information: Powder Springs Economic Development Director Stephanie Aylworth, saylworth@cityofpowdersprings.org.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Healthier living class at Emory-Adventist
Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna is offering the class “Taking Care of Yourself Through the Years” at 7 p.m. today in the hospital cafeteria. The class is free and open to the public.
Dr. Michaele Brown will discuss appropriate ages for screenings, vaccinations and general everyday ways to live a healthier life. Reservations are recommended.
Information: 770-319-2025.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Austell will double disc golf course
Austell will spend about $12,000 to add nine more holes to the city’s nine-hole Frog Rock Disc Golf Course.
Open to players for free, the course opened in May at 6205 Spring St., Louise Suggs Memorial Park behind Wallace Barbecue off Veterans Memorial Highway.
Disc golf is based on the rules of golf, using discs thrown toward elevated target baskets.
Information: 770-944-4325. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Duluth names finalist in city manager search
Duluth has named James Riker as its finalist for the position of City Manager. Riker, Duluth’s current Planning Director, was named the finalist after an extensive nationwide search. After interviewing four finalists, Riker was determined the best candidate. Mayor and Council will formally consider Riker’s appointment at a public meeting March 24. Information: www.duluthga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Domestic violence awareness event
Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence hosts a community awareness event 4 p.m. Saturday at the Corner Office, 5425 Peachtree Parkway NW, Peachtree Corners. Kristen Paruginog, founder and executive director, will speak on what is being done in the fight against domestic violence. Donations accepted. Registration requested. Information: kristen@breakthesilencedv.org or
Kent A. Miles
Color run to support green industry
The Georgia Green Industry Association will hold the first annual Spring into Color 5K Dash at 9 a.m. March 29 at Town Center Park, Suwanee. Sponsorship dollars will help fund GGIA’s Partnership in Sustainability Program with a portion benefitting Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Trees Atlanta, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, and Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Information: www.SpringintoColor5KDash.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Peachtree Corners networking event
The Peachtree Corners Business Association will hold an Open Networking Business After Hours 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20 at Courtyard Marriott Peachtree Corners, 3209 Holcomb Bridge Rd. in Norcross. Event will also celebrate recent renovations to the Courtyard Marriott. Information: membership@peachtreecornersba.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Berkeley Lake hosting clean up party
Residents of Berkeley Lake are invited to help clean up the chapel and picnic areas 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 15 at the Lake Berkeley Chapel.
Lunch provided for volunteers at noon.
Information: www.berkeleylake.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Lawrenceville artists looking to organize
A group of Lawrenceville artists are looking to join together to bring an Artisan Market to downtown. Information:
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Rockin’ the Green 5K seeks runners
The Braselton Downtown Development Authority launches “Rockin’ the Streets Week” with a 5K raceMarch 15. Registration: $25 at www.register.runnersfit.com/.
Information: Peggy Kriegel: 404-380-3299 or www.downtownbraselton.com. Karen Huppertz
NORTHSIDE
Cherokee spelling champ advances to state
The Cherokee County School District spelling champ will be competing for statewide honors. Mill Creek Middle School sixth-grader Sathvika Narasimhan placed second at the Georgia Association of Educators District 2 Spelling Bee March 1. The GAE State Spelling Bee is set for 11 a.m. March 21at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee fire seeks candidates
Cherokee Fire and Emergency Services officials are accepting applications for firefighters. You must be 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED, and must pass a background and driver history check. Orientation seminars will be held 6:30 p.m. March 27 and 31 at 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. Candidates must attend one of the sessions. Information: munisweb.cherokeega.com/Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Lake Lanier campground opens
Forsyth County Parks and Recreation officials will open the popular Shady Grove Campground on Lake Lanier’s shores March 24. The 109-acre facility is at 7800 Shadburn Ferry Road in Cumming, and boasts more than 110 campsites, a beach and swim area and a boat ramp with a courtesy dock among other amenities. The campground will stay open this year until Nov. 2. More information: www.forsythco.com/parks.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
School registration set in Cherokee
Registration for kindergarten and first-grade students who will enter Cherokee County School District schools for the first time in 2014-15 is: 3:30-6 p.m. April 24 and 9 a.m.-noon April 25 at all elementary schools. Students who turn 5 on or before Sept. 1 are eligible for kindergarten, while students who are 6 on or before the same date are eligible for first grade. Information: cherokee.k12.ga.us
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Blood donation drive at Sandy Springs church
The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at noon Friday at Sandy Springs United Methodist Church, 86 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs. There is a need for donations due to recent severe winter weather that canceled many blood collection drives.
Information: jbyrd@ssumc.org or www.redcrossblood.org
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Exhibit will explore Cherokee’s past
The Cherokee County History Museum has debuted a new temporary exhibit, “Unearthing the Past: Archaeology in Cherokee County,” which will run until April 12. The exhibit highlights more than 1,000 archeological sites and includes dozens of rarely-seen artifacts. The museum’s at 100 North St., Suite 140, Canton. Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Information: www.rockbarn.org
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Superintendent search public meetings end
Atlanta’s school board doesn’t plan to hold public meetings to introduce superintendent candidates to the community before a decision is made. The board wants to protect candidates’ confidentiality and community members provided their thoughts during public meetings at the beginning of the yearlong search.
The board plans to announce the names of three or fewer finalists in April with a selection 14 days later. Mark Niesse
Emergency supplies available at schools
In case of future winter storms, emergency food, water and medical supplies should be readily available rather than locked in refrigerators, said Atlanta Superintendent Erroll Davis. Students and teachers trapped inside schools during severe weather need to be able to eat food stored at schools for emergencies.
He also recommended that school dismissals happen soone and in the same order as a normal school day, with elementary students dismissed first. Mark Niesse
APS plans on $5M more from state
Atlanta’s school system stands to gain $5 million from added state spending on education, said Chuck Burbridge, the system’s chief financial officer.
The $5 million in additional money would contribute to revenue estimated at $610 million during next school year, Burbridge said Monday.
Atlanta’s Board of Education plans to pass a budget during April for the 2015 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Mark Niesse
Teen talk show episode screening on Friday
A screening of “No Bullying Allowed” is 7 p.m. Friday at the Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. NE. Free.
This is the second episode of the “Fusion: Teen Talk Show,” a program that seeks to open the lines of communication between teens and adults.
Information: www.fusionnobullying.eventbrite.com
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
DEKALB
Revised tree ordinance favors homeowners
During a Monday work session Decatur’s commission significantly revised its proposed tree ordinance by dropping the goal of a mandatory 50 percent citywide tree canopy. Instead commercial properties must maintain a 45 percent canopy while a “no net loss” will apply to residential properties. Essentially – with exceptions – residents must “maintain” the canopy they inherit upon buying their property. The commission plans on reviewing a first draft of the new ordinance April 7 before actually adopting it on May 19. Bill Banks for the AJC
Reading event at Decatur library
Reading is Essential for All People and The Georgia Center for the Book present crime author Amanda Kyle Williams at Decatur Public Library 6:30 p.m. March 10. Kyle will share her journey from a struggling reader to a full-time writer. Free. Register: www.strugglingreaders.org.Arlinda Smith Broady
CSD seeks architect for school projects
City Schools Decatur is advertising for an architect to design additions to Renfroe middle and Decatur high schools.
Superintendent Phyllis Edwards anticipates it’ll take a month of advertising to hire a firm, then another six months — including four community sessions — before the drawings are complete.
Total costs for both architectural plans and the beginning of classroom construction at Decatur High, is $17.5 million, to be covered by Certificate of Participation funding.
Bill Banks for the AJC
Clarkston updating town plans
Clarkston is making plans to update a decade-old blueprint for its downtown.
The $80,000 Livable Centers Initiative Grant will help revitalize its town center area to include mixed-income housing and other development, walkability and transportation.
Residents and business owners will be invited to give input at public meetings that have not yet been set. Updates at www.clarkstonga.gov. April Hunt
DeKalb offering plant sale, 2 seminars
The DeKalb County Cooperative Extension is offering a plant sale this winter and two seminars to encourage citizens to garden.
The extension office will accept offers on plants ranging from azaleas to blueberries until March 10. Pickup will be March 22 at the extension office on Memorial Drive near Decatur.
The office also will host a free seminar Feb. 25 on ornamental plants and fruit trees, respectively.
Information: 404-298-4080 or www.ugaextension.com/DeKalb. April Hunt
Health care law seminar in Tucker
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church will host a seminar on the Affordable Care Act at 7 p.m. March 10 at 4882 Lavista Road, Tucker. The event is free and open to the public.
The seminar will focus on addressing issues related to the law, including eligibility, how to compare different medical plans and how the law will affect people who are insured through an employer. There will be a question-and-answer session.
Information: www.standrewspresbyterian.org Kent A. Miles
SOUTHSIDE
Clayton County schools announce makeup day
Clayton County Public Schools has designated March 17 as a makeup snow day. Additionally, the school system will hold its Criterion Reference Compentency Test two days later than originally scheduled to allow more class time for students to help compensate for missed time due to bad weather.
The CRCT will begin April 17 instead of April 15. The Clayton County Board of Education approved the changes at its Monday meeting. Tammy Joyner
Fayette hospital drill will affect traffic
An emergency management exercise at Piedmont Fayette Hospital will cause temporary traffic delays 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday near the campus at 1255 Hwy. 54 West. The drill, being conducted by local fire and police departments, will not affect patient or visitor access to hospital services, main entrances or surrounding medical offices. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Young men invited to leadership program
The Star of Georgia Foundation Inc. will conduct an empowerment and leadership program for young men at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Godby Road Recreation Center, 2300 Godby Road, College Park.
The program, Students Taking Initiative-Next Generation, is designed for young men 6 to 18. They will participate in workshops and learn skills that will help them lead productive lives.
Registration is required.
Information: kstewart@sogaf.org or sogaf.org Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Employment fair March 28 in College Park
The 11th annual 13th Congressional District Jobs Fair will take place at 10 a.m. March 28 at the Georgia International Convention Center, 2000 Convention Center Concourse, College Park.
Sponsored by the office of U.S. Rep. David Scott, D-13th District, the jobs fair will be attended by employers looking to fill more than 2,100 positions. Representatives of HomeSafe Georgia and several banks will also be present to help job seekers with mortgage assistance and foreclosure prevention resources while they seek employment.
Information: www.house.gov/davidscott or 770-432-5405.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Repairs close Peachtree City playground
The All Children’s Playground on Willowbend Road in Peachtree City will be closed March 10-May 1 for renovations. The playground was designed especially for children with special needs; however, all other playgrounds in the city will remain open and available to all. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fayette Visioning meeting tonight
Fayette County residents are invited to attend a public meeting regarding the Fayette Visioning Initiative from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Sandy Creek High School auditorium in Tyrone. Market Street Services, Inc. will talk about the project, and seeks input about the county’s future; see www.FayetteVision.org.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
