The six workshops on the comprehensive land use plan, transportation master plan and green plan are now complete. City staff and consultants will present their findings at an open house at 7 pm, Thursday, April 24 in Council Chambers, third floor, City Hall, 12000 Findley Road. Residents are invited to review the work and provide comments.

Youngsters ages 6-12 will enjoy a week of games, arts and crafts, entertainment, field trips and more at the Recreation and Parks' Summer Day Camp in June. Registration is underway for the four one-week sessions, limited to 50 campers per week. Cost is $200 per week.

Registration forms are available on-line or call 678-512-3200 to request one. Proof of age and residency is required. Read more.

The countdown for launch of the Johns Creek Police Department is heading into its final days. Recruitment efforts are nearly complete. Our 56 sworn officers will conduct two weeks of intensive training prior to the launch, including practice with firearms and other equipment, review of departmental policies and procedures, and getting familiar with the city's streets.

The official transfer from Fulton County takes place at the stroke of midnight Saturday evening, April 26. Earlier Saturday, the department will hold a 4 pm launch ceremony and open house at its headquarters, 11445 Johns Creek Parkway. Staff will be introduced, the new headquarters shown off and law enforcement officials from adjoining cities and counties will be on hand to welcome Georgia's newest police force.

Chief Joey Daniels is launching recruiting efforts for the City's Fire Department later this month. The department needs approximately 65 firefighters when it expects to begin operations in August.

If you're interested in being one of them, check our Web site later this month to view the various openings.

Join the City of Johns Creek in celebrating Earth Day, April 22, by participating in any of a number of related events throughout the month organized by Keep North Fulton Beautiful. This annual event celebrates the importance of the environment and is designed to encourage action. Read more.

Two recent rulings went in favor of Johns Creek in its attempts to force the Love Shack to comply with city business and zoning ordinances. A federal judge on March 31 dismissed the business' lawsuit against Fulton County. Meanwhile, a recent Superior Court ruling finding the business guilty of contempt also allows the city to review Love Shack's sales records and orders it to pay the city almost $20,000 in legal fees. Read more.

You have three chances - April 14, May 5 and May 20 - to learn about and provide input on the redistricting process for the new Johns Creek high school, set to open August 2009. All three meetings are 7-9 pm at Autrey Mill Middle School.

The City of Johns Creek provides this information as a community service. All comments or questions on the redistricting process should be directed to the Fulton County School System at portal@fultonschools.org.

Join Johns Creek in celebrating cityhood during Georgia Cities Week April 20-26.

If you or your group are interested in learning more about how your government operates, the city is offering tours of City Hall during the week. Read more.

Future major leagues ages 7-14 can showcase their talents April 20 as the City of Johns Creek Recreation and Parks Division hosts a free Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run competition at Ocee Park starting at 1:30 pm. Read more.

On March 19, Mayor Mike Bodker worked with Senior Services North Fulton to deliver meals as part of this year's "Mayors For Meals" campaign, supporting the Meals on Wheels program. In 2007, 800+ mayors across the country delivered meals on this designated day.

Mayor Bodker is shown here with Johns Creek residents Bill and Eunice Amos. After 50 years as Miami residents, the couple – who have been married for 67 years – moved here to be closer to their only son. Bill spent his career as a pilot for National Airlines while Eunice was a homemaker who spent her free time doing volunteer work.

Beginning April 1, 2008, Fulton residents must reduce water use by 10 percent from a baseline established between April and September of last year. In order to meet this mandated limit, tighter outdoor water use restrictions are required, as follows:

• Residents can hand-water outdoors for 25 minutes on weekends only, between midnight and 10 am, on an odd-even schedule. Even-numbered addresses may water on Saturday and odd-numbered addresses on Sunday. Hand-watering is defined as one person with one garden hose with a spray nozzle that shuts off when released.

• Register online with the EPD (www.urbanagcouncil.com) for a one-time, 30-day exemption to water newly installed landscaping.

• Outdoor swimming pools can be filled as the state exemption allows.

The County will continue to monitor water use and additional restrictions may be required as the summer proceeds. For more information, call 404-612-8097. Read more.