COBB
Cobb, Marietta schools top state average on test
Cobb County and Marietta City Schools elementary, middle and high school students tested above average on state accountability tests, according to a Georgia Department of Education report. The district average score on the 2013 College and Career Performance Index was 81.6 for the Cobb school district and 80.2 for Marietta city students on a 100-point scale. State school districts averaged 75.8. Twenty Cobb elementary schools scored 90 or higher on the index. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Austell hosts prayer breakfast on Thursday
A community prayer breakfast is 8 a.m. Thursday at Collar Community Center, 2625 Joe Jerkins Blvd., Austell sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Austell and Austell Presbyterian Church in observance of the 63rd annual National Day of Prayer with this year’s theme “One Voice, United in Prayer.”
Information: NationalDayOfPrayer.org, commit2pray.com, fbcaustell.com, austellpres.org.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Recovery residence for students considered
Public hearings in Powder Springs are 7:30 p.m. Monday and 7 p.m. May 5 in the City Council Chambers, 4488 Pineview Drive, to consider the opening of a sober living recovery residence program for college students.
Hero House LLC is requesting the rezoning for 3228 Powder Springs Road to help students in early sobriety from addictions.
Information: 770-943-8001, ext. 361. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Public safety party planned for today
A Public Safety Education Block Party will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the entrance of Parkview Apartments, 360 Six Flags Drive, Austell.
Local fire and police departments, 911, Community Emergency Response Team, Austell Community Task Force, Animal Control and the Neighborhood Safety Commission will participate in this free event.
Information: austelltaskforce.org.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Cemetery cleanup looking for volunteers
Volunteers are needed 10 a.m. to noon today to restore the historic Turner Sewell Cemetery, 1490 Veterans Memorial Highway, Mableton.
There will be an unveiling on May 10 of an interpretative sign with information about the Turner family and the ferry they operated across the Chattahoochee River.
Information:
, riverline.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Roads to be closed Saturday for race
Parts of Atlanta Street and Lewis Road will be closed 7:30 to 10 a.m. today for the Powder Springs Woman’s Club’s race to benefit the Powder Springs Senior Center and the club’s scholarship fund.
Registration for “Run for the Ages” is 7:30 a.m. The event begins and ends at the Ford Center behind the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St.
Cost: $10 ; $25. Information: info@pswc.net or pswc.net/fundraisers/runfortheages. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Duluth to explain Unified Development Code
Duluth will present and discuss the city’s new Unified Development Code at the next two regularly scheduled Planning Commission meetings beginning at 7 p.m. May 5 and 19 in Council Chambers at City Hall, 3167 Main Street. The presentations will be in addition to any scheduled cases or topics of discussion. The public is invited to attend and participate. Questions: Rich Atkinson at ratkinson@duluthga.net, William Aiken at waiken@duluthga.net or 770-476-1790. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Braselton Adopt-A-Stream earns honor
Georgia’s largest volunteer cleanup program, Rivers Alive, has named Braselton’s Adopt-A-Stream program as the state’s best group working to improve waterways.’ The award ceremony at Zoo Atlanta noted more than 27,000 volunteers have cleaned more than 1800 miles of waterways in Georgia. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Police hosting multicultural festival
The first annual Gwinnett Multicultural Festival will take place noon to 5 p.m. May 3 at the North Atlanta Trade Center, 1700 Jeurgens Court, Norcross. Families can learn about services provided by Animal Welfare and Enforcement, CSI, the DUI Task Force, and K9, as well as enjoy kids’ activities, a rock wall, inflatables, and food vendors. Information: 770-513-5119. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Norcross Jazz in the Alley series begins
Norcross’ jazz concert series returns 7 p.m. May 3 at Skin Alley with Phil West and the Phil West Project. Jazz in the Alley is a seasonal concert series sponsored by Norcross’ Downtown Development Authority showcasing various Atlanta-based jazz fusionists. The outdoor event is free. Bring chairs and picnic baskets. Information: www.aplacetoimagine.com.
Molly Bloom
Berkeley Lake welcomes art exhibit
Berkeley Lake will hold an opening reception for art works by DB Love noon to 3 p.m. today in the Blue Heron Gallery of City Hall. Vote for the ‘People’s Choice’ award. Paintings will remain on display until May 31. Information: www.berkeley-lake.com. Karen Huppertz
Snellville Police host medication take back
Snellville’s police department host a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Drug Take Back Initiative. Residents may bring expired or unwanted pills 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. today to the Snellville Police Department, 2315 Wisteria Drive. A drive through is available. Hypodermic needles not accepted. Information: 770-985-3555. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Hudgens exhibit shows crimes against nature
The Hudgens Center for the Arts hosts a reception and family day for works by Pam Longobardi, winner of the $50,000 Hudgens Prize, 2 to 4 p.m. today at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. The show, What Once Was Lost Must Now Be Found, is a continuation of her Drifters Project, an ongoing environmental art intervention involving photography. Information: www.thehudgens.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Advance voting schedule set in Forsyth
Advance voting for the May 20 primary and general/special election have bee set in Forsyth County. Voters can cast ballots 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday through May 9 at the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming. BeginningMay 10 and continuing May 12-16, voters can also cast ballots at Cumming City Hall, the Hampton Park Library, and at the Midway Park and Sharon Springs Park community buildings., Voters need to bring one of six acceptable forms of photo identification. Information: forsythco.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee seeks funds for animal shelter barn
The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is looking to build a barn for its large animals and to fill it with needed equipment. “Help a Horse Day” is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today at the shelter, 1015 Univeter Road, Canton.
The shelter is seeking donations toward construction of the barn and for feed buckets, a water trough and utility carts. Information: cherokeega-animals.org/ Mark Woolsey
Cherokee Library group plans benefit book sale
The Friends of the Cherokee County Public Library will host a public sale at the Ball Ground Library, 35 Old Canton Road 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 2 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 3. A Friends members preview sale is set for 4-6 p.m. May 1.(memberships available at the door) Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Golf tourney fundraiser Tuesday
Children without a Voice will hold its annual fundraising charity golf tournament beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Alpharetta Athletic Club, 3430 Highway 9 N. Cost: $150 per player or $500 for a foursome, which includes golf, lunch, dinner, prizes, raffles and auction. Children without a Voice is a registered non-profit founded in 2007 aimed at fighting crimes against children, plus child abuse and neglect. For registration and sponsorship information, visit www.birdeasepro.com/cwav2014. Mark Woolsey
Sandy Springs exploring new park
Sandy Springs is gauging public support for a public park at the site of the old county sewer plant. A meeting is 6 p.m. May 2 at Sandy Springs Fire Station 3, 6025 Raiders Drive. Engineering and architecture firm Lose and Associates has three drawings with an open field and walking/jogging/biking trails. Information: www.sandyspringsga.gov/City-Departments/Recreation-and-Parks Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Workshops to focus on cyber safety
The Milton Community Alliance for Mental Wellness is sponsoring GBI cyber safety workshops at 2 p.m. Sunday at Northwestern Middle School, 12805 Birmingham Highway; and 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cambridge High School, 2845 Bethany Bend.
The GBI’s Georgia CyberSafety Initiative is a multi-agency collaboration that seeks to educate parents on current trends among children and their use of technology and to ensure children’s safety from online threats. The workshops are open to the public.
Information: www.cityofmiltonga.us
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
ATLANTA
Soledad O’Brien to give Spelman address
Award-winning journalist, entrepreneur and philanthropist Soledad O’Brien will be the keynote speaker for Spelman College’s spring commencement 3 p.m. May 18 at the Georgia World Congress Center.
O’Brien, a former CNN anchor, founded the Starfish Foundation along with her husband to help young women reach their higher education goals. Foundation recipient Tyreiron Segue will be one of the 500 graduates.
Information: www.spelman.edu/commencement Janel Davis
Board to learn to work with superintendent
The Atlanta school board is getting lessons on how to work with superintendents at training Monday and Tuesday a the High Museum of Art.
“Powerful Board and Superintendent Relationships” will be led by Zenda Bowie, director of field services for the Georgia School Boards Association.
The city school board this month hired Meria Carstarphen to become Atlanta’s superintendent, and she’ll start her job July 7. Mark Niesse
Festival to celebrate Arab cuisine, culture
The ninth Atlanta Arab Festival, featuring samples of the best of Arab cuisine and culture, will be held Sunday and Monday at the Alif Institute, 3288 Marjan Drive, Atlanta.
The institute is a nonprofit culture, education, arts and enrichment center focusing on Arab culture and Arab Americans. Admission is $2 a person, $5 a family.
Information: www.atlantaarabfestival.com Kent A. Miles for the AJC
DEKALB
Clarkston annexation on May ballot
Voters around Clarkston will vote in a special election on May 20 on whether to become part of that city.
The first area includes 231 voters in parts of the Indian Creek and Robert Shaw elementary school precincts. Another 2,122 voters in parts of the Idlewood and Jolly elementary precincts will also vote on annexation. One area may join Clarkston without the other.
Early voting is through May 16 at the county election offices, 4380 Memorial Dr. April Hunt
Doraville “state of the city” Monday
Doraville’s mayor will deliver the State of the City address 6:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall on Park Ave.
Mayor Donna Pittman’s speech will provide updates on city projects and plans for the coming year, as well as the status of the redevelopment of the former General Motors plant.
Information: www.doravillega.us. April Hunt
Westchester to start renovation in May
Renovation of Westchester Elementary, which reopens as school in 2014-15 after being shuttered for 10 years, begins the third week in May according to Jason Ware, Decatur Schools’ Director of Facilities and Maintenance.
The work includes painting, re-equipping the kitchen, constructing a new media center and new playground, and knocking down temporary walls to give the mid-1950s building its original classroom configuration.
The work, which costs about $500,000, should finish in July.
Bill Banks for the AJC
Brookhaven seeks development plan input
Brookhaven will hold meetings to gather input on its comprehensive plan to address growth and development.
The first meeting will be 6 p.m. May 15 at St. Martins Episcopal Church, 3110 Ashford Dunwoody Road. April Hunt
Workshop to focus on preparing for disaster
Officials with the DeKalb Emergency Management Agency will hold a workshop for residents on how to prepare for a disaster at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Maloof Center Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.
Topics will include how to respond to natural and man-made disasters in the community and how to communicate with family members in case of emergency. The program is being conducted as part of National County Government Month in DeKalb.
Information: www.dekalbcountyga.gov or 404-371-2881.Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Ride for fallen police officers today
The 23rd annual ride for fallen officers will take place at 11 a.m. today at Turner Field, 755 Hank Aaron Drive SE, Atlanta.
DeKalb County officers and other employees will participate in the Georgia Police Memorial Ride, organized by the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. Four law enforcement officers statewide died in the line of duty in 2013, among them DeKalb police Officer Ivorie Klusmann.
Registration is at 8 a.m. and costs $35 per rider, $15 a passenger.
Information: blueknightsga7.org
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
Fayette County rejects fire consolidation proposal
A proposal to consolidate Fayette County’s fire services with those of the city of Fayetteville has been dropped. The Fayetteville City Council voted 3-2 Wednesday against the measure, which had been suggested as a way to save money. Public opposition was high, and the Fayette County Board of Commissioners removed a similar vote from its April 24 agenda.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Grammy-winner helps kids kick off testing
Chilli of the Grammy-winning group TLC surprised students at Eagles Landing Middle School Wednesday to kick off the school’s spring testing. Chilli recognized four students who were selected by the principal for their citizenship and community service.
Each received Reebok sneakers.
The students stood up in the stands and danced “The Nae Nae” along with Chilli and We Are Toonz.
Nancy Badertscher
Bear Creek named top wastewater plant
The Georgia Association of Water Professionals presented Henry County’s Bear Creek Water Reclamation Facility with its Plant of the Year award at its recent spring conference.
This is the fourth consecutive year that a Henry County facility has been chosen as the state’s best wastewater plant. Bear Creek was also the winner in 2012.
Information: www.hcwsa.com.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Town hall meeting May 24
Henry County Commissioner Bruce Holmes’ next town hall meeting is at 9 a.m. May 24, at Crossroad Christian Church, 5365 N. Henry Blvd. in Stockbridge. Special guests include new county manager Jim Walker, who will discuss and share his vision and goals for Henry County, along with county planning and zoning director Cheri Hobson-Matthews, who will inform citizens of the progress on the Fairview Overlay District plan and the SR 138 North Henry Blvd. Community Improvement District.
Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Relay for Life quilt raises $3,200
A signature quilt honoring those who have fought cancer will be unveiled during a Relay for Life cookout 4-6 p.m. Sunday at McDonough Presbyterian Church. By collecting $25 for each name on the quilt, creator Mary Mellott raised $3,200 for the Henry County Relay for Life, which is May 2 at Union Grove High School. Information: www.relayforlife.org/henryga. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Kidney transplant options available
Piedmont Fayette Hospital will host a “Lunch and Learn” event from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Dietary Conference Room (near the cafeteria), 1255 Hwy. 54 West in Fayetteville.
Doctors will answer questions about kidney transplants and living donor options. Register at 877-527-3712.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
