News - Lunch With Barnes

The League of Women Voters of DeKalb County will host its annual community luncheon Fri., April 29, with guest speaker former Gov. Roy Barnes. Barnes' speech, titled "Illuminating Government - Georgia's Open Records Act," will focus on the past and present state of open government. This year's Legislative session saw an unusual number of bills aiming to grant additional secrecy to government agencies. Find out where the state currently stands on its open government laws.

The event will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at the Emory Conference Center Hotel, 1615 Clifton Road. To register, call 404-321-0913 or e-mail dekalb@lwvga.org.

OBESITY SUMMIT: The Georgia Department of Public Health estimates that 30 percent of middle-school students are overweight and that the problem is intensified in the inner city. The Chauncey H. Robinson Youth Foundation will sponsor a one-day summit on Sat., April 30, to help suggest practical solutions to this societal problem. The program will be held at Paul L. Dunbar School, 403 Richardson St., from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. For more info and to register, e-mail bcu4@cdc.gov or call 404-784-7903.

POPE ITEMS ON DISPLAY: Gifts from the recently deceased Pope John Paul II to former President Jimmy Carter are on display at the Carter Center through Sat., April 30. The Carter Center is located at 441 Freedom Parkway and open daily until 4:45 p.m. For more info, call 404-865-7101 or visit www.jimmycarterlibrary.org.

KUUMBA TRIBUTE: On Sun., May 1, from 4-6 p.m., the East Point/College Park Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta will hold its annual Kuumba Tribute at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel, 1 Hartsfield Centre Parkway. This year's honoree is Elisabeth Omilami, executive director of Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless. Free. For more info, visit www.epcpdst.org or call 678-318-1727.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY: PEDS, an Atlanta pedestrian advocacy organization, will host an urban design workshop Wed., May 4, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at the Georgia Freight Depot's Blue Room, 65 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The workshop is for transportation engineers, planners, developers, elected officials, and citizens interested in building around pedestrian safety. For more info, visit www.peds.org.

CHARITY CUTS: William David Salon will host Cut for a Cure to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Haircuts, the proceeds of which will be donated to the hospital, will start at $50 and will be available from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Thurs., May 5, at 10970-B State Bridge Road, Alpharetta. For more info or to make an appointment, call 678-762-1414 or visit www.williamdavidsalon.com.

MARCH FOR CHILDREN: On Fri., May 6, Georgia's current and former foster and birth parents are invited to protest Georgia's child welfare system. The protest will be held at the Georgia State Capitol, at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Washington Street, from 10 a.m.-noon. For more info, e-mail CooperErik@aol.com.

MARIJUANA MARCH: On Sat., May 7, the Coalition for the Abolition of Marijuana Prohibition will host a Marijuana March at Hurt Park, at the corner of Edgewood Avenue and Courtland Street. The march will start at 11 a.m. For more info, call 404-522-2267.

AIDS VIGIL: Global Health Action invites the public to come to the world's largest annual AIDS event. More than 4,500 communities in more than 93 countries will honor and remember the lives lost to AIDS. Activities include a candlelight vigil, speakers and theater performances. The event will be held Sun., May 15, at Mason Mill Park, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur. Events begin at 4 p.m. For more info, call 404-634-5748, ext. 310 or visit www.globalhealthaction.org/rsvpcandlelightmemorial.html.

FREE TESTING: The National Council of Negro Women is hosting an HIV/AIDS testing day Mon., June 27, from 7 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Mall at West End, 850 Oak St. Services will include free, rapid HIV testing and information about HIV/AIDS services. For more info, call 404-633-6625 or visit www.ncnwgams.org.

ELECTION REFORM: Join Atlanta Election Reform and learn about how to help count ballots and lobby the state for fairer voting procedures. Meetings are every Sunday from noon-4 p.m. in Vinings. For more info and directions, call 770-432-0199 or e-mail phyllis@countpaperballots.com.

VOLUNTEER FOR THE ELDERLY: Senior Connections is looking for volunteers to help prepare and deliver meals to home-bound seniors. For more info, visit www.srconn.org or call 770-455-7602.

CALLING FOSTER PARENTS: Creative Community Services is urging residents to consider opening their homes to abused and neglected children. Foster parents receive monthly financial assistance for the living and medical expenses of each foster child. For more info, call 866-618-2823 or visit www.ccsgeorgia.org.

GOOD FOR GRADY: Grady Health System is recruiting volunteers to help in hospice, guest services, rape crisis and Hughes Spalding Children's Hospital. Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially needed. Volunteers are asked to commit for at least three months. For more info, call 404-616-4360 or visit www.gradyhealthsystem.org.

CL EVENTS

POLITICAL PARTY: Creative Loafing's next town hall meeting takes place Wed., May 11, 8 p.m., at Dad's Garage Theatre, 280 Elizabeth St.

Want to publicize a political or civic event? E-mail publicagenda@creativeloafing.com.??