Events and happenings: The Week of Feb. 20
Feb. 23—Celebrity Poker Night benefiting ALS is Feb. 25
The Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team's non-profit arm, JO Gives, is hosting its Fred Seidell Memorial ALS Texas Hold'em Tournament to benefit the Emory ALS Center on Feb. 25.
The event, beginning at 6 p.m., will be at 2249 Roswell Road in Marietta.
The first place winner will receive — free entry for next year's poker event, a twosome for the Mansfield Cares Golf Classic, a $500 Visa gift card and a trophy. The second place winner will receive — free entry for next year's event, a twosome for the Mansfield Cares Golf Classic and a trophy. The third place winner will receive — free entry for next year's event and a trophy.
There will be plenty of food and drinks, a raffle for a medium Big Green Egg and a silent auction.
Returning as the celebrity guest host is Terance Mathis of the Atlanta Falcons. Mathis has been an avid supporter of this event as many NFL players have suffered from ALS. Additional celebrity guests include Jerome Bettis of the Steelers and Jessie Tuggle, Bob Whitfield and Chuck Smith of the Falcons.
JO GIVES supports ALS research as its founder, Janice Overbeck, lost her father to the disease in 2015. She works closely with the ALS center at Emory University to raise funds and support research for a cure. To date, her non-profit has raised just over $250,000.
Tickets for the event are available at https://www.jogives.com/poker.
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Congressman David Scott launches FY2024 Appropriations Request Form
Congressman David Scott, ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, launched his FY2024 Appropriations Request Form.
Each fiscal year, which runs from October to September, Congress must pass legislation to fund the federal government and all the vital programs it administers. Through the annual appropriations process, Congressman Scott ensures this funding will respond directly to some of the most pressing needs in Georgia.
"As we enter the FY2024 appropriations process, I will continue to advocate for all Georgians and their priorities." said Congressman David Scott. "Every year, I look forward to hearing directly from constituents and encourage all of those in Georgia's Thirteenth District to take advantage of this opportunity and submit an application."
The Congressman is currently accepting applications for programmatic and language requests. A programmatic request is a request to fund a specific program in the appropriations bill at a specified level. A language request is a request to include specific bill or report language that does not direct funding to a particular entity but encourages, urges or directs some type of action by an agency.
Download the application at https://davidscott.house.gov/UploadedFiles/FY_2024_Rep._David_Scott_Appropriations_Request_Form.doc.
For more information, contat Congressman Scott's D.C. office at 202-225-2939.
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Kennesaw Mountain Road Study public meeting
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park will have the Recommedation Alternatives Public Input Meeting for the KEMO Traffic and Safety Assessment on March 1 from 4 to 8 p.m.
The meeting will be held at the park's visitor center and museum, 900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive in Kennesaw. Participants can stop by at any point during the meeting to provide input and do not need to stay for the entire event.
The KEMO Traffic and Safety Assessment team is developing conceptual designs for potential improvement alternatives at five trail crossing locations within the park to address operational and safety concerns for all modes of transportation. The purpose of the meeting is to enable the public to provide feedback on recommended short-term traffic and safety improvements and to provide input on draft conceptual designs for 11 potential medium- and long-term reconfiguration alternatives at the study trail crossings.
The meeting will provide a detailed overview of potential short-term improvements and long-term recommendation alternatives at the project's study trail crossings. The five study locations are listed below:
— Site 1: 24 Gun Battery Trail, near Old Mountain Road at Stilesboro Road.
— Site 2: Noses Creek Trail, at Dallas Highway (Georgia Route 120).
— Site 3: Pigeon Hill Trail, at Burnt Hickory Road and the Pigeon Hill parking area.
— Site 4: Camp Brumby Trail, at Burnt Hickory Road to the east of Site 3.
— Site 5: Kolb Farm Trail, at the Cheatham Hill Road horse trailer parking area.
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Be SMART training is Feb. 27
Education Cabinet Chair Laura Judge will have a training event on responsible gun ownership in the family home on Feb. 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sewewll Mill Library, 2051 Lower Roswell Road in Marietta.
Training will include learning about safe storage, guidance on storage devices and discussing firearms with children. The Be SMART campaign was launched to raise awareness that secure gun storage can save children's lives.
To register, visit https://bit.ly/3XWyl3S.
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April deadline to file for your homestead exemption
It's time to apply for homestead exemptions.
Residents can use an online form to submit their 2023 application. It must be received by April 1 to be eligible for the current tax year's exemption.
As a Cobb resident, homestead exemptions reduce the amount of property taxes one pays for their home. Homestead exemptions are deducted from the assessed value of the qualifying property (40% of the fair market value). Exemptions only apply to homestead property one owns and occupies as their legal residence. Residents can have a homestead exemption on only one property. If one is married, by law residents can only have one homestead exemption between them and their spouse.
For more information and to apply, visit https://cobbtax.org/property/exemptions.php.
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Civil War Roundtable of Cobb County meets on March 2
The Civil War Roundtable of Cobb County will meet on March 2 at 7 p.m. at the Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel & Conference Center, 500 Powder Springs Street in Marietta. Gordon Rhea will discuss "Myths and Realities of Grant's and Lee's Generalship During the Overland Campaign."
The CWRTCC meets the first Thursday of each month and serves as a membership organization available to the public. The CWRTCC encourages the study, analysis and appreciation of the events, personalities, records and publications associated with the American Civil War.
First time visitors are free. Yearly dues are $45 per person or $65 per couple.
For more information, visit cobbcivilwarrt@gmail.com.
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Kettle Krush 5K Run/Walk is May 20
The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary will once again host the annual Kettle Krush 5K run/walk on May 20 at 8 a.m. on Marietta Square.
The 9th annual event strives to "krush" poverty, homelessness and human trafficking while supporting veterans and youth enrichment in metro Atlanta.
During the last five years the Auxiliary, which includes many members from Cobb County, have raised almost $500,000.
Crash Clark, 11Alive's traffic reporter, will once again serve as the event emcee.
Sign up at https://bit.ly/kettlekrush2023. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3H7ANOQ or contact dgmenear@gmail.com or pacesetr@bellsouth.net.
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New information on Mableton municipal election
Cobb Elections has produced a sample ballot and has updated information on advance voting for the March 21 municipal election in Mableton.
To view the ballot, download a flyer on advance voting, and check out details on absentee voting for this election at cobbcounty.org/Mableton.
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Free tennis event for kids
Cobb County PARKS and the Atlanta Youth Tennis and Education Foundation invite children ages 5-13 to attend a free tennis event on Feb. 24 at Fair Oaks Tennis Center, 1460 W. Booth Road Extension SW in Marietta.
No equipment or experience is necessary. It will feature tennis games, pizza and hits for prizes.
To register, visit https://aytef.leagueapps.com/events/3709995-february-24-block-party. For more information, contact the center at 770-528-8480 or email kirsten@aytef.org.
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Writer to discuss Hank Aaron biography
Veteran sports writer Terence Moore will discuss his biography, "The Real Hank Aaron: An Intimate Look at the Life and Legacy of the Home Run King," on Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Charles D. Switzer Library, 266 Roswell Street in Marietta.
Bob Hope, a former public relations director for the Atlanta Braves who is widely recognized as an icon in PR and marketing, will moderate the discussion on the legendary athlete and humanitarian. The book will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
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Closure on Sandtown Road will last through March 2
Sandtown Road will be closed until 5 p.m. on March 2 as crews do work on a water line.
The closed area runs from Windy Hill Road to Smyrna Powder Springs Road. Get the latest information on this closure and the detour at cobbcommute.org/1431.
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Learn about our state's snakes
The Cobb County Water System will host a lunch and learn event, "Intro to the Snakes of Georgia," on Feb. 24 at noon at the Cobb County Water Quality Lab, 662 South Cobb Drive in Marietta.
How have snakes adapted to survive in their natural environment? Which species in Georgia are venomous and how can you tell? How do snakes benefit our ecosystem? The class will answer these questions and feature a visit by a live corn snake.
Register at cobbstreams.org/events.
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Picture this water contest
The 4th Annual WaterSmart High School Photography Contest held by the Cobb County Water System and Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority will stop taking entries at the end of the month.
The contest invites high school students enrolled in Cobb County and Marietta school districts to enter a photograph in one of six categories: Water at Play, Water at Work, Water in Nature, Water and People, Protecting Water and Conserving Water. The deadline for submissions is March 1.
Winners will be announced on March 31. Twelve winning entries will receive a cash prize and are turned into notecards distributed throughout the county.
To enter, visit https://cobbcounty.seamlessdocs.com/f/PhotoContest.
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Art in the outdoors at Aviation Park
The Town Center Community Alliance is hosting the Marietta Fence Gallery show through March 11 in Aviation Park, 2659 Barrett Lakes Boulevard in Kennesaw.
It features works of fine art and photography. The show has been traveling throughout the county before making its way to the Town Center area. Exhibit categories include fine art, photography and student works.
To learn more about the installation, visit https://www.m2rfence.com/about.
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Give comments on emergency food and shelter funding
Officials will hold a public meeting on March 6 at 11 a.m. to receive comments on proposed funding recommendations for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program Phase 40, in which Cobb County was awarded $231,606.
The 30-day public comment period will conclude on March 20. Comments may be directed in person to the Cobb County CDBG Program Office, 192 Anderson Street, Suite 150 in Marietta, or via email at publiccomments@cobbcountycdbg.com.
The proposed funding recommendations are pending until the agenda item is approved at the Cobb County Board of Commissioners meeting on March 28.
To view the funding recommendations for local organizations, visit https://www.cobbcounty.org/cdbg/news/public-review-meeting-notice-efsp-phase-40-recommended-allocations.
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Taste of Mableton coming in April
Taste of Mableton will take place April 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mable House Complex, 5239 Floyd Road SW in Mableton.
This annual community festival showcases all things Mableton. The Mableton Improvement Coalition, Cobb County PARKS and Kaiser Permanente will participate in holding the event. It will feature food, games, family fun, exhibits, vendors and prizes. Admission and parking are free.
For more information, visit mableton.org.
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Town hall to discuss Shaw Park in March
There will be a town hall meeting on March 16 concerning the 2022 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax project to repurpose Shaw Park.
The public meeting will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Piedmont Church, 5709 Piedmont Road in Marietta.
For more information, visit cobbcounty.org.
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Clean out your garage and help the environment
Keep Cobb Beautiful Community will have a recycling event on April 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jim R. Miller Park and Event Center, 2245 Callaway Road in Marietta.
The event will accept electronics, provide onsite paper shredding and accept Hefty Energy Program items. For more information on accepted and non-accepted items, visit https://www.cobbcounty.org/keep-cobb-beautiful/recycling/community-recycling-events.
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Marietta Theatre Company to have I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
Marietta Theatre Company, 12 Powder Springs Street in Marietta, will have I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change now through March 4.
The musical comedy is the second-longest running Off-Broadway musical. The musical was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award as Outstanding Off-Broadway musical in 1997.
For tickets, visit https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/mariettatheatre/5266.
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Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre to have Llama Llama Live!
The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway in the Cumberland area, will have Llama Llama Live! on Feb. 21 at 10:15 a.m.
It's the end of the day for the Llama family. After a long day of adventures at the school and the store, Baby Llama can't wait to put on his red pajamas. He and his friends, the toys, are ready to sing and dance their way to sleep... except... they need a bedtime story, a kiss goodnight and a drink of water. But, where's Mama? This new musical is based on the bestselling books by Anna Dewdney.
Tickets are $10 plus applicable fees. For more information, visit https://www.cobbenergycentre.com/events/detail/llama-llama-live.
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Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center to have Joe Gatto's Night of Comedy
The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway in the Cumberland area, will have Joe Gatto's Night of Comedy on Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.
Joe Gatto, a well-known comedian, actor and producer, is best known for the hit TV shows "Impractical Jokers" and "The Misery Index." He is one of the founding members of The Tenderloins Comedy Troupe, which has toured with a live comedy show to sold-out crowds across the world.
Tickets are $34.75 to $54.75, plus applicable fees. For more information, visit https://www.cobbenergycentre.com/events/detail/joe-gatto.
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Black History Month Dinner with Erica Armstrong Dunbar
The Smyrna Community Center, 200 Village Green Circle in Smyrna, will have a Black History Month Dinner with Erica Armstrong Dunbar on Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Dunbar, the author of "She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriett Tubman," is a National Book Award nominee and her biography on Tubman presents a fresh take on this American icon blending traditional biography, illustrations and photos that illuminate the life of one of the most famous conductors on the Underground Railroad as never before.
Tickets for the dinner are $15 each. For more information, visit https://www.smyrnaga.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/22487/953.
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14th annual Polar Plunge is Feb. 25
The 14th annual Polar Plunge, presented by Special Olympics Georgia, will be Feb. 25 at Cauble Park, 4425 Beach Street in Acworth.
The plunging will be between 9:45 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The Polar Plunge is one of Special Olympics Georgia's "coolest" and largest fundraising events. All proceeds raised go to help provide 26,620 Special Olympics Georgia athletes with free year-round sports training.
For more information and to register, visit polarplungega.org.
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Wayfinding Artist Talk
The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, 30 Atlanta Street SE in Marietta, will have an Artist Talk with Michael Heffernan on Wayfinding: The Synthesis of Poetic and Visual Language on Feb. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m.
The free public education event is being held in the Mezzanine Galleries, which currently are only accessible via staircase.
For more information, visit https://mariettacobbartmuseum.org/.
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Scout Shabbat at Congregation Ner Tamid on March 10
The Congregation Ner Tamid, 1349 Old Highway 41, Suite 220 in Marietta, will have their 10th annual Scout Shabbat on March 10 at 7:15 p.m.
Scouts will perform a flag ceremony and recite the scout oaths and laws. Rabbi Prass will lead a Shabbat evening prayer service. Attendees will have the opportunity to see a Torah scroll handwritten by a Hebrew scribe, and guest speakers will deliver words in honor of scouting.
A Scout-themed "Oneg" reception — literally, the "sweetness" of Shabbat — will follow with treats and fellowship for all. The Scout Shabbat welcomes scouts of all faiths.
The Congregation will provide BSA and Girl Scout Shabbat patches for the first 25 scouts to register at scoutshabbat@mynertamid.org. Scouts should arrive early for check in, patch distribution and setup of flag ceremonies.
Register and reserve a patch at scoutshabbat@mynertamid.org.
For more information, contact Matt Berenson at amberenson@gmail.com.
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Internet Safety
The Senior Wellness Center, 1150 Powder Springs Street in Marietta, will have Internet Safety on Feb. 20 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Participants can recognize "Safer Internet Day" by joining Officer Michael Justice with the Cobb County Police Department as he shares tools, education and awareness to create a safer internet year-round. Free, but registration is required.
For more information, call 770-528-5355 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
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Black History Month Book Talk
The Tim D. Lee Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Road in Marietta, will have a Black History Month Book Talk on Feb. 21 from 2 to 3 p.m.
Participants can gather their book club or grab a friend and join a discussion on authors to celebrate during Black History Month and all year long. Participants can learn about Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker and W.E.B. Du Bois to name a few. Light refreshments will be served. The event is presented by the Mountain View Regional Library. Free, but registration is required.
For more information, call 770-509-4900 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
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Armchair Travel: Beantown, USA
The North Cobb Senior Center, 3900 South Main Street in Acworth, will have Armchair Travel: Beantown, USA on Feb. 22 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Participants can explore the history, famous sports teams, cuisine and more of Boston, Massachusetts, or as it is often called, "Beantown, USA." Free, but registration is required.
For more information, call 770-975-7740 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
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Culinary Creations: Sourdough
The North Cobb Senior Center, 3900 South Main Street in Acworth, will have Culinary Creations: Sourdough on Feb. 22 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Participants can explore the history of sourdough bread and learn how to make Amish Friendship bread. Participants can also be given a bread starter mix with step-by-step instructions to make their own bread at home, as well as recipe book suggestions. Cost is $3. Registration is required.
For more information, call 770-975-7740 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
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Aging Care Myths and Lists
The Tim D. Lee Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Road in Marietta, will have Aging Care Myths and Lists on Feb. 22 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Participants can join an interactive discussion with a panel of local experts on estate planning, home care, senior placement, hospice and therapy options. Myths will be debunked and questions answered. The event is presented by Nelson Elder Care Law. Free, but registration is required.
For more information, call 770-509-4900 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
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America Rising
The West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Highway in Powder Springs, will have America Rising on Feb. 22 from 10 to 11 a.m.
Many European composers came to North America's shores only to find America wasn't ready for European musical culture. We had music of our own, based on popular culture and the Harlem Renaissance. Participants can learn about the rise of this new Americanism in music — jazz. Free, but registration is required.
For more information, call 770-528-8200 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
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Sip & Paint
The Senior Wellness Center, 1150 Powder Springs Street in Marietta, will have Sip & Paint on Feb. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Participants can create unique art masterpieces while sipping on flavorful Hibiscus tea. The class will be led by Terri Cater and Leah Wilson with the Cobb County/UGA Extension Services. Free, but registration is required.
For more information, call 770-528-5355 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
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Taste of Italy with John
The Senior Wellness Center, 1150 Powder Springs Street in Marietta, will have two sessions of Taste of Italy with John on Feb. 24 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2 p.m.
John is in the kitchen showing participants how to make unique Pasta Roses and Creamy Nutella Mouse just in time for that special Valentine meal. Samples will be provided. Cost is $11. Registration is required.
For more information, call 770-528-5355 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
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National Trading Card Day
The Tim D. Lee Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Road in Marietta, will have National Trading Card Day on Feb. 24 from 11 a.m. to noon.
Do you or anyone you know have a sports card collection? In honor or National Trading Card Day, Kelly Collectibles will be presenting a history of sports trading cards. From 1880 Allen & Ginter to modern Bowman and Topps. Trading cards have increased in value and quality over the years. Light refreshments sponsored by Empower Recreational Therapy. Free, but registration is required.
For more information, call 770-509-4900 or visit www.CobbSeniors.org.
