Events and happenings: The Week of Jan. 2
Jan. 3—Learn how to preserve memories on digital media
January is Get Organized and Be Productive Month.
In order to help organize one's memories, the South Cobb Regional Library is offering a special digitization program on Jan. 10 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
This special program is offered using a kit from Georgia Public Library Service and will help participants learn about the different tools that one can use to preserve memories — including an Ion Conversion Turntable, an Ion Tape Recorder, a ClearClick QuickConvert 2.0 Photo, Slide, Negative Scanner and more.
Participants will be able to try out these different forms of tech and see how they could use them to organize their memories. Participants can stop by at any time during the program to see how these pieces of technology work.
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Youth town hall to discuss mental health issues
The Cobb Youth Commission will present a Mental Health Town Hall on Jan. 26 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Papa Johns Headquarters in The Battery, 788 Circle 75 Parkway in the Cumberland area.
This is a forum for the youth of Cobb County to learn and share about high school struggles with social media, friendships, anxiety around the future after graduation, where to go for advice and help. There will be a panel of speakers, resources and discussion generating ideas, awareness and change. Pizza will be served.
To RSVP, visit https://form.jotform.com/223555546628161.
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Register now for ultimate frisbee competition
Get active with Cobb PARKS coed ultimate frisbee in 2023.
Registration is open through Jan. 30. The cost is $25 for an eight-game guarantee. All games will be played Monday night at Terrell Mill Park. League play is scheduled to begin Feb. 13.
This is a draft league so everyone will register as an individual or pair and be drafted by team managers chosen by the league coordinator. In order to be listed as a pair both players must list each other's name during registration. Participants may not sign up with more than one pair.
Register at cobbparks.org. For more information, contact conor.hoyne@cobbcounty.org.
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Cobb County Wellness Garden to break ground on Jan. 11
A groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Jan. 11 at 3 p.m. at the Cobb County Farm Bureau, 2850 Powder Springs Road in Marietta, to publicly kickoff a joint initiative among the Cobb County Farm Bureau, Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, WellStar Health Systems Inc. and Cobb County Conservation District to increase access to free or affordable fresh produce to those in need in Cobb County.
The Wellness Garden will offer free educational programs that teach recipients healthful ways of incorporating this produce into their diets.
The Cobb County Farm Bureau has donated approximately a 1/2 acre of vacant land for the purposes of growing produce. The design, construction, planting plans and maintenance of the garden will be supervised by the Cobb County Master Gardener Volunteers in conjunction with the Farm Bureau's volunteers and staff. The garden will be maintained by volunteers from the partner organizations. Once operational, the group will collaborate with WellStar Health Systems, local churches and community organizations to distribute food and help maintain continuing support.
The project seeks to address food insecurity and poor health outcomes due to poor nutrition in parts of Cobb County. These concerns are noted in the Cobb County Community Health Needs Assessment and Cobb Douglas Public Health Department studies and reports. It is hoped that this program will serve as a model for other Wellness Gardens and boost local efforts to provide locally grown produce to those who need it most.
Funding for the initial construction and maintenance of the garden will be provided through gifts and grants to the Wellness Garden. MGVOCC will be responsible for administering any funds received.
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Sweetwater Valley Library's all ages Walking Group meets Jan. 7
The All Ages Walking Group will meet Jan. 7 at 11 a.m. at Sweetwater Valley Library in the Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road in Austell.
The group is scheduled to meet, rain or shine, inside the building on the first Saturday of each month to promote walking and healthy step-counts among neighbors.
For more information on the facility, visit austellga.gov. For more information on the group, contact Sarah Berry or Char Leigh Roberts at 770-819-3290.
Sweetwater Valley Library is open Monday-Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday-Friday from 1 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Privet Pull on Jan. 18
Privet is a non-native, invasive plant that out-competes native species.
The Cobb County Water System will be removing privet from the landscape to help restore habitat and native plant species on Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Leone Hall Price Park, 4715 Stilesboro Road in Kennesaw.
Clippers, gloves and tools that pull the privet right out of the ground by its roots will be provided. Participants should dress for weather and bring water to drink. Work will be done by a creek, but participants do not have to get their feet wet.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/privet-pull-tickets-203857020837.
For more information, contact Watershed Stewardship Program at water_RSVP@cobbcounty.org.
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Polymer Clay Trinket Dish at Kemp Memorial Library
Kemp Memorial Library, 4029 Due West Road in Marietta, will have a Polymer Clay Trinket Dish project on Jan. 19 and Feb. 16 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Participants can create a one of a kind trinket dish with polymer clay. This will be a two meeting project.
Participants can learn the basics of creating colorful clay rolls to use in their design then create their trinket dish. Participants should bring a small oven safe container which will act as a mold for their clay dish to the second meeting. The clay dishes will need to be baked in the container. Instructions will be provided.
Basic polymer clay colors will be available. If one has a certain color scheme in mind, please bring a few polymer clay packets of choice. All other materials will be provided.
For more information, email maria.dominguez@cobbcounty.org.
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Division of Family & Children Services Public Information session at Switzer Library
The Switzer Library, 266 Roswell Street in Marietta, will have Tanisha Moreland and her team will present an overview of what The Division of Family and Children Services offer on Jan. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m.
They will discuss general information about the Office of Family Independence: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Family Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; Grandparents Raising Grandchildren; Aged, Blind and Disabled Medicaid and Pauper Burials.
Registration is not required.
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Noonday Creek Habitat Demonstration Site Workday
The Cobb County Water System will have a Noonday Creek Habitat Demonstration Site Workday on Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
They will teach how to conduct a habitat survey and working to remove invasive plants at the Noonday Creek Trailhead, 3015 Bells Ferry Road NE in Marietta.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/noonday-creek-habitat-demonstration-site-workday-tickets-110694058910.
For more information, contact Cobb County Watershed Stewardship Program at 770-528-1482 or water_rsvp@cobbcounty.org.
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Adopt-A-Stream Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Workshop
The Cobb County Water System will have a Adopt-A-Stream Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Workshop on Jan. 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cobb County Water Quality Laboratory, 662 South Cobb Drive in Marietta.
The macroinvertebrates — insects, mollusks and crustaceans — found in a stream are excellent indicators of the condition of both water quality and habitat. This workshop will focus on collection techniques for either rocky or muddy bottom streams and macroinvertebrate identification.
A quality assurance test is available at the end of the workshop for those who wish to test their skills. Volunteers who identify the macroinvertebrates with 90% accuracy and pass the written test with a score of 80% or better will be considered a QA/QC volunteer for one year.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/georgia-adopt-a-stream-macroinvertebrate-monitoring-workshop-tickets-118680018129.
For more information, contact Watershed Stewardship Program at water_RSVP@cobbcounty.org.
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Don't Miss the Boat! Have fun on a cruise!
Is cruising something you're curious about? Not sure where to start?
The Switzer Library, 266 Roswell Street in Marietta, will have Don't Miss the Boat! Have fun on a cruise! on Jan. 21 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Guest presenter Chris Lydle and Adult Services Librarian Sindee Wooley will be talking all things ocean cruising and sharing their own cruising experiences. Topics covered will be cruise lines, cabin categories, activities on board, destinations, dining options and tips for a better experience.
For more information, call 770-528-2320.
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Stream Habitat Assessment Workshop
The Cobb County Water System will have a Stream Habitat Assessment Workshop on Jan. 25 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the parking lot on the corner of South Cobb Drive and Pearl Street, 680 South Cob Drive in Marietta.
The Stream Habitat Assessment Workshop provides hands-on experiences for how to conduct a stream habitat survey.
Participants, ages 16 and up, will learn to give scores to certain stream characteristics, such as bank stability and vegetative buffer, to evaluate a stream's health and how readily it could support aquatic organisms. Participants will walk in the stream to look at nine different standards of habitat quality and take a short hike with wet feet to a second location on the same stream to compare higher and lower quality habitat assemblages.
Participants should wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes that are suitable for walking in shallow streams with uneven terrain. Light-weight quick-dry pants and old tennis shoes or hiking boots that one doesn't mind getting soaked and muddy are recommended. Rain boot type shoes or waders are not recommended for this workshop.
The workshop takes place away from the vehicles in areas with no access to restrooms or water fountains. Participants should expect to scurry up and down stream banks in several locations. Participants will be exposed to the weather and natural elements. Participants may want to bring a snack, sunscreen and other comfort needs.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stream-habitat-assessment-workshop-tickets-344761239147.
For more information, contact Cobb County Watershed Stewardship at water_rsvp@cobbcounty.org.
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Lunch & Learn: Intro to Beekeeping & Planting for Pollinators
The Cobb County Water System will have Lunch & Learn: Intro to Beekeeping & Planting for Pollinators on Jan. 27 from noon to 12:45 p.m.
The event will be a hybrid presentation.
Planning ahead is the key to successful gardening and spring is just around the corner. Participants can join an informative session on planting for native pollinators and how to get started if they are considering introducing honey bees to their garden. Participants will explore native plant options, how to plan one's garden layout and tips for success in both gardening and apiculture.
To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lunch-learn-tickets-50487319933.
A link to online event will be emailed one week prior to event.
For more information, contact the Cobb County Watershed Stewardship at water_rsvp@cobbcounty.org.
