Events and happenings: The Week of April 10
Apr. 13—Weekend lane closures
The Georgia DOT announced the following lane closures this weekend in Cobb County.
Starting April 14 and continuing through April 17 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly, SR 280 will be closed in both directions at the Fulton County Line and extending north of Austell Road for lane paving.
------
Yes I Can! Awards honor students with exceptionalities
Marietta City Schools is honoring the achievements of students with exceptionalities at the inaugural MCS Yes I Can! Awards ceremony on April 17 at 6:15 p.m. at the Marietta Performing Arts Center, 1171 Whitlock Avenue NW in Marietta.
All 12 schools in the district will be represented as 28 students are recognized on stage at the MPAC. Five MCS employees and one community partner will also be recognized at the ceremony for their contributions to support students with disabilities.
The MCS Yes I Can! Awards are based on the national program hosted by the Counsel for Exceptional Children. Every year at their convention and expo, the CEC recognizes children and youth with exceptionalities who have demonstrated their determination and achievements in multiple ways.
The theme of this year's MCS awards ceremony is "Make my dreams come true." Marietta High School drama students dressed as fairy tale characters will be cheering on award recipients. The event will also include performances by students from Marietta Sixth Grade Academy and MHS.
------
Marietta Police Department's CALEA Accreditation
The Marietta Police Department has maintained their Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Accreditation for over 20 years.
One portion of maintaining the certification is to post a link to the CALEA site seeking public comment about the agency. MPD is specifically seeking public comments, commendations and other information regarding the quality of service or other information relevant to the accreditation process.
The portal for comment about MPD is managed by CALEA and will remain open for 60 days. The portal link is http://cimrs2.calea.org/397.
For more information, visit http://www.calea.org.
------
Will you be named 2023's Cobb Idol?
Cobb Idol is a live concert competition taking place July 29 at the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, 117 North Park Square in Marietta.
It will have both a panel of judges and an audience vote. Singers will have live band accompaniment for their performance. Cobb Idol is a fundraiser benefitting the nonprofit theatre.
Audition Details
— Accepting video submissions only.
— Open to ages 16-plus.
— Please prepare a song in one of the following genres: pop, rock, country, folk, or R&B. Make sure the video is high quality and showcases one's vocal abilities.
— Audition songs may be performed with a instrumental backing track or self-accompanied.
— When submitting an audition video, use the subject line Cobb Idol 2023 Audition along with one's first and last name. In the body of the email, please include one's first and last name, telephone number and email address.
All submissions must be sent to auditions@strandmarietta.org by June 15 to be considered.
------
Change of Venue: Ribbon cutting for first-ever Falls Prevention Nature Walk
Officials have announced that due to potential inclement weather, the ribbon cutting celebration of the Swift-Cantrell Park Falls Prevention Nature Walk is now scheduled for April 14 at 10:30 a.m. at North Cobb Regional Library, 3535 Old 41 Highway in Kennesaw.
The first-ever Falls Walk is in place along the inner trail of the park, located at 3140 Old 41 Highway NW in Kennesaw, through May 12.
The Fall Walk series of informational stops on the walking path is about fall risk and fall prevention across the lifespan. Developed by Georgia Department of Public Health in collaboration with leaders in health and wellness, injury prevention, healthcare and education, the Falls Walk was directly inspired by StoryWalk-like installations created by Cobb County librarians. Local sponsors of the Fall Walk include Cobb County Public Library, City of Kennesaw Parks and Recreation and Cobb Senior Services.
Fall injuries are a costly challenge for Cobb County families, healthcare systems and public safety and EMS providers. According to DPH's OASIS statistical information database, Cobb County residents made 7,894 emergency room visits caused by falls in 2021. The 24 Fall Prevention Nature Walk panels are designed to promote community conversations about fall prevention, including the safety and wellness of young children and senior adults.
------
Community Conversations town hall to highlight Fine Arts program in Marietta
Marietta City Schools continues the Community Conversations town hall series on April 26 from 8 to 8:30 p.m. with an overview of Fine Arts opportunities in the district.
The series provides an opportunity for Superintendent Dr. Grant Rivera and other leaders in the school system to talk through major projects and initiatives. Families can ask questions and dialogue about topics that impact their students. This month, Dr. Rivera and Fine Arts Coordinator Carolyn Landreau will discuss Fine Arts programming for students of all ages — including music, visual arts, theatre arts, and dance — and how students can get involved.
The event will be virtual at vimeo.com/event/2904986 to make it convenient for people to join wherever they are. The virtual town hall will also be recorded so people who can't make it can still access this valuable information.
------
The Avenue West Cobb to have Earth Day Bash
The Avenue West Cobb is celebrating planet Earth with an Earth Day Bash on April 22 from 9 a.m. to noon.
The shopping center invites community members to celebrate Earth Day by partaking in spring cleaning. Guests can do their part in protecting the Earth with complimentary spring cleaning services including secured computer and electronic recycling, document shredding and a dumpster for small trash items.
Earth Day Bash guests also can take home a free plant-growing kit to start their own garden. Plant-growing kits can be picked up by The Avenue West Cobb tent.
For more information, visit https://www.avenuewestcobb.com.
------
Cobb County Public Library's Spring Book Sale is April 14-16
The Cobb County Public Library's Spring Book Sale will be April 14-16 at the Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway SE in Marietta.
Participants will find thousands of items, including hardbacks, paperbacks, children's books, audiobooks, vinyl records, music CDs, magazines, movies and puzzles. Items can be purchased for 10-cents to $4.
Hours are April 14-15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and April 16 from 1 to 5 p.m. Parking is free. All profits from the sale go directly to buying more items for Cobb County Public Library's 15 branches and bookmobile.
For more information, visit cobbcounty.org/library.
------
Keep Cobb Beautiful Community Recycling Event is April 15
The Keep Cobb Beautiful Community Recycling Event is April 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jim R. Miller Park and Event Center, 2245 Callaway Road in Marietta.
Volunteers will help unload electronics and provide onsite paper shredding and recycling Hefty Energy Program items.
For more information, visit https://www.cobbcounty.org/keep-cobb-beautiful/recycling/community-recycling-events.
------
Keep Cobb Beautiful Medication Take Back is April 22
The Keep Cobb Beautiful Medication Take Back event is April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at both Precinct One, 2380 Cobb Parkway NW in Kennesaw and C. Freeman Poole Senior Center, 4025 South Hurt Road NW in Smyrna.
Participants can bring unused medications that will be disposed of without getting into the ground water and waterways.
For more information, visit https://www.cobbcounty.org/keep-cobb-beautiful/news/kcb-medication-take-back-day-0.
------
Taste of Mableton is April 15
The Taste of Mableton will be April 15 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mable House Complex, 5239 Floyd Road in Mableton.
The event will feature food, entertainment, a parade and all things Mableton. The parade starts at 9 a.m. at Mableton Walk, featuring the Braves Heavy Hitters and the Pebblebrook High Mighty Marching Machine.
For more information, visit https://www.mableton.org/taste-of-mableton/.
------
Master gardener plant sale is April 21-22
The Annual Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County Plant Sale and Expo will be April 21-22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta.
Participants will find plants, gardening supplies, artisan goods, bird and bee products, yard art, crafts, pottery and food from over 75 vendors.
For more information, visit https://www.cobbmastergardeners.com/calendar/plant-sale/.
------
Free intro to tennis for kids at block party
Atlanta Youth Tennis and Education Foundation Block Parties are fun events for the whole family.
Participants can come join the team for a free night of tennis, outdoor games and food on April 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event is for ages 5 -13. No equipment or prior experience is necessary.
The Atlanta Youth Tennis and Education Foundation, based out of the Fair Oaks Tennis Center, was named the National Junior Tennis League Chapter of the Year in 2022 by the United States Tennis Association — Georgia.
For more information, visit https://www.aytef.org/programs.
------
Get the recipes for DIY safe cleaning products
Residents can reduce their use of hazardous products for cleaning and learn to make their own at home during an informative class on April 28 from noon to 12:45 p.m. at the Cobb County Water Quality Lab, 662 South Cobb Drive in Marietta.
Switching to Homemade Cleaning Products, an in-person lunch and learn, will teach residents how to make safe and simple home-made alternatives and will include a DIY group activity.
Register at https://bit.ly/402dvkN.
------
Old Zion Heritage Museum Reopening Celebration is April 22
The Old Zion Heritage Museum, 165 Lemon Street NE in Marietta, will have a Reopening Celebration on April 22 from 4 to 6 p.m.
The event will include a special tribute to the late Brother Louis C. Walker, a distinguished educator, community leader, advocate for social change in Marietta and curator of the museum. There will be music, poetry and a drama performance by Zion Ministries. Seating is limited.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/41BpEhZ.
------
Community day of fun and service on April 15
Residents can join the Cobb Youth Commission for a Community Day on April 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Fair Oaks Recreation Center, 1465 W. Booth Road Ext. SW in Marietta.
The event will have family-friendly activities geared toward community service projects. Participants can enjoy arts, crafts, meet some pets up for adoption and cool off with sno cones. Admission is free.
For more information, visit https://www.cobbcounty.org/board/events/5563/cobb-community-day.
------
Nominations open for Cobb County "All In" Awards
Each year Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid likes to recognize community members that embody the spirit of being "All In."
Honorees are selected from five categories: Integrity, Inclusion, Intelligence, Innovation, and Investing in Cobb's residents, infrastructure and future. Residents may self-nominate or submit the name of someone they think should be considered. Honorees will have the opportunity to meet with Cupid privately and attend the Cobb Chamber Marquee Monday as her guest.
Nominations close on April 20 at 11:59 p.m.
Those chosen will be spotlighted for their good work at the State of the County public event on May 4 at 6 p.m. The event will feature community insights, new developments and the vision for what's next in Cobb.
To submit a nomination, visit https://form.jotform.com/230884571513155.
------
New trail designed to prevent falls
Residents can join Cobb Libraries for the first walk on an educational falls prevention trail at April 14 at 10:30 a.m. at Swift-Cantrell Park, 3140 Old 41 Highway NW in Kennesaw.
As one walks on this new path, they will learn about fall risk and fall prevention across one's lifespan. The Georgia Department of Public Health developed the path in collaboration with leaders in health and wellness, injury prevention, healthcare and education.
For more information, visit https://www.cobbcounty.org/library/events/5504/falls-prevention-nature-walk-ribbon-cutting-lets-start-conversation.
------
New pollinator friends at Green Meadows
Two beehives have been installed at the west side corral at Green Meadows Preserve, 3780 Dallas Highway in Marietta.
Residents can observe and listen as the bees pollinate most fruits and vegetables within a three to five-mile radius, but should not touch the hives. Residents can bring a cool beverage and have a seat on the bench built by an Eagle Scout and listen to nature.
------
Fourth Monday Book Discussion is April 24 at West Cobb Library
West Cobb Fourth Monday Book Discussion will meet April 24 at 6:30 p.m. at West Cobb Regional Library, 1750 Dennis Kemp Lane in Kennesaw.
The book group meets the fourth Monday of every month, holidays permitting, to discuss a wide variety of literature, including fiction, non-fiction, classics and new releases. The April selection is "Groundskeeping" by Lee Cole.
For more information, call 770-528-4699 or visit cobbcat.org.
------
Cobb EMC celebrates lineworkers in Georgia
Cobb EMC celebrated Lineman Appreciation Day on April 10 paying tribute to all the hard-working linemen across the state.
"I am proud to be a part of the team of the best lineworkers in the business here at Cobb EMC," said Kevan Espy, President, and CEO of Cobb EMC. "They perform inherently dangerous work with safety and professionalism any time of day or night in any kind of weather. I admire the work they do for our members and they are why Cobb EMC is No. 1 in the nation for restoring outages quickly and No. 2 in the nation for reliability."
As a cooperative, Cobb EMC linemen are always available to lend a helping hand to other neighboring co-ops in need when storm damage occurs. In January, Cobb EMC sent mutual aid crews to assist Central Georgia EMC with power restoration caused by inclement weather.
Cobb EMC employs approximately 70 linemen that keep the power constantly flowing to its members 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are responsible for the 9,300 miles of power lines the cooperative has overhead and underground throughout their five-county service area, which delivers power to more than 200,000 homes and businesses.
Proceeds from the sale of "Thank a Lineman" license plates benefit the Burn Foundation of America which provides assistance to burn patients and their families at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta. Georgians can purchase one when renewing their annual motor vehicle registration on the Department of Motor Vehicles website.
------
Book Club Bites meets April 20
The Freeman Poole Senior Center and South Cobb Regional Library invite all seniors to Book Club Bites at 10:30 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month to join in a discussion on the current book selection and share snacks.
The April 20 selection is "Her Hidden Genius" by Marie Benedict, a novel based on the life and overlooked accomplishments of scientist Dr. Rosalind Franklin.
The book club meets at the Freeman Poole Senior Center, 4025 South Hurt Road in Smyrna. Newcomers are always welcome, but must be eligible to receive services at Cobb County Senior Centers to participate. Copies of the current book can be picked up at the front desk of the Senior Center.
For more information, email South Cobb Regional Library librarian Amanda Sanders at Amanda.Sanders@cobbcounty.org or call the Freeman Poole Senior Center at 770-801-3400.
------
Town hall meeting with Rep. David Wilkerson
Rep. David Wilkerson will have a town hall meeting about the 2023 Legsilative4 Session on April 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Ron Anderson Recreation Center, 3820 Macedonia Road in Powder Springs.
Discussion will be on the passage of a budget with money for elementary school literacy programs, funding HOPE scholarships at 100% for the first time in over a decade, property tax and income tax relief for Georgia families and the defeat of school vouchers.
------
Planning Your Future
The North Cobb Senior Center, 3900 South Main Street in Acworth, will have Planning Your Future on April 12 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Participants can learn how proper planning and having the essential documents in place can reduce costs, alleviate stress and provide ongoing legal and financial protection for themselves and their loved ones. The event is presented by Orcutt Law Offices. Free, but registration is required.
For more information, call 770-975-7740 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
------
A Second 19th Century Radical: Franz Liszt
The West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Highway in Powder Springs, will have A Second 19th Century Radical: Franz Liszt on April 12 from 10 to 11 a.m.
The early 19th century was a period of radical experimentation in music. Two figures stood out. Participants will look at Franz Liszt through his music as well as his influence on the future of music. Free, but registration is required.
For more information, call 770-528-8200 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
------
Peace of Mind Checklist
The West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Highway in Powder Springs, will have a Peace of Mind Checklist on April 14 from 10 to 11 a.m.
Mayes-Ward Dobbins Funeral Home will lead this discussion about documents every person needs including wills, power of attorney, Georgia directive healthcare and pre-planning documents. Free, but registration is required.
For more information, call 770-528-8200 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
------
Spruce Up Your Spring
The North Cobb Senior Center, 3900 South Main Street in Acworth, will have Spruce Up Your Spring on April 17 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Participants can pamper themselves and join representatives from Mary Kay Cosmetics and Skin Care to learn easy techniques to keep one's skin soft and smooth, while keeping makeup light and bright. Free, but registration is required.
For more information, call 770-975-7740 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
------
Disaster Response
The Senior Wellness Center, 1150 Powder Springs Street in Marietta, will have Disaster Response on April 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Although disasters affect everyone, older adults can be at greater risk due to disabilities, isolation and disruptions in health care. Participants can prepare now to protect themselves, their loved ones and their home. The presentation will be given by Officer Michael Justice with the Cobb County Police Department. Free, but registration is required.
For more information, call 770-528-5355 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
------
Dementia Friends
The Senior Wellness Center, 1150 Powder Springs Street in Marietta, will have Dementia Friends on April 18 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Become a "Dementia Friend" by learning about simple things one can do to support a loved one living with the condition. There will be a basic medical overview of dementia and the dementia experience, plus some tips for communicating with a loved one who has this disorder. Free, but registration is required.
For more information, call 770-528-5355 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
