The East Cobb News weekly newsletter for April 8, 2018 is out!

Catch up with all of the past week’s headlines and take a look at what’s coming up this week with the convenient East Cobb News weekly newsletter.

The East Cobb News Digest is delivered to your e-mail inbox every Sunday, and contains so much more, including the best calendar listings anywhere in East Cobb and convenient community information.

Subscribing to the newsletter is free and easy (just click the signup button below). We don’t sell or rent our e-mail listings to anyone, although we do send out major breaking news alerts to our subscribers.

We know you’re busy, and that you don’t want to miss out on what’s going on around you. Sign up today and be part of East Cobb’s only daily news source, independently operated and with a totally local focus.

(Here’s more about East Cobb News).

We know many of you have been enjoying spring break, so this is a perfect time to catch up with all that transpired while you were relaxing, including the recommended extensions of two multi-use trails in East Cobb and some enticing new restaurant updates.

Please send along news tips by e-mailing: editor@eastcobbnews.com.

You can send calendar listings to: calendar@eastcobbnews.com.

For advertising inquiries, contact us at: advertising@eastcobbnews.com.

Thanks for reading East Cobb News. Whatever you’re doing, have a great week!

Cobb freeze warning included in North Georgia forecast for Sunday morning

Winter’s not quite over yet. Tonight’s for bundling up, including your beautifully blooming seasonals, as a freeze warning has been issued for most of north Georgia, including Cobb.

The National Weather Service says the warning will be in effect from midnight to 10 a.m. Sunday, and the area covered runs along a north from Carrollton, Marietta and Cleveland.

Temperatures in Cobb are forecast to hover at, or just above the freezing mark overnight and into daylight Sunday.

On Sunday afternoon, however, it’s going to warm up again, with high temperatures expected around 60. Sunday night’s low is expected in the mid-40s, and highs are expected in the mid-to-high 60s at the start of the week. There will be a chance of rain through Tuesday.

By the end of the week, it’ll really feel like spring again, with temperatures possibly reaching near 80, and a fully sunny forecast.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Funding requested for emergency repairs to Woodlawn Drive sinkhole

Woodlawn Drive sinkhole

A Woodlawn Drive sinkhole that was caused by damage to a concrete pipe has been covered by a metal plate and is surrounded with warning cones.

It’s located just north of Blackland Drive, and is at the entrance to a driveway at 111 Woodlawn Drive. Cobb County Manager Rob Hosack has authorized spending $47,163 to make repairs.

The Cobb Board of Commissioners will be asked on Tuesday to ratify the spending request and formalize the emergency contract to Chatfield Contracting, Inc. of Kennesaw.

According to agenda item information for Tuesday’s meeting, the funding is available in the 2016 Cobb SPLOST transportation category for drainage improvements.

The repair work will include clearing an obstructed part of the 18-inch concrete pipe, repairing it, repaving the road and restoring the shoulder and re-establishing a drainage ditch.

The work should take around 30 days to complete.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

East Cobb Stockyard Burgers and Bones opens next week; Taqueria Tsunami plans continue

East Cobb Stockyard Burgers and Bones

The long-awaited opening of the East Cobb Stockyard Burgers and Bones location (previous East Cobb News post here) is taking place next week.

Management at The Avenue posted the news on Friday, and the photo above is what we saw when we went by there earlier this afternoon. The establishment was granted an alcohol license by the Cobb Community Development Agency on March 22.

The Marietta-based Fork U Concepts, the parent company of Stockyard Burgers and Bones, is saying that it’s taking applications from 10-6 Monday through Saturday at the new East Cobb location (4475 Roswell Road, in the former Brixx Pizza space). Job-hunters can also apply online at the Stockyard Burgers and Bones website.

More East Cobb restaurant news

Fork U Concepts also is expected to open a Taqueria Tsunami location (1275 Johnson Ferry Road) at the former Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagel, and here’s what the site looks like now.

A revised site plan was approved by Cobb commissioners in September, and it includes removal of the drive-through window once part of Caribou and expanding parking to 42 spaces.

There’s mostly a lot of mud in the parking lot and work trucks and crews. A sign in a window says a liquor license has been applied for, but county records indicate one also was granted on March 22.

If you’ve got a restaurant tip to pass along (openings and closings in particular), or if you want us to find out about restaurants to come, get in touch. E-mail: editor@eastcobbnews.com with your information or questions.

Advertise with East Cobb News!

If you’re a local business and would like for East Cobb’s only online-only, daily news source to help promote your business, contact us at: advertising@eastcobbnews and we’ll be glad to meet with you.

East Cobb News offers competitive rates for display and newsletter ads and sponsored posts. We’ll work with local business owners to tailor a marketing message that fits their needs and that reaches the active, engaged community readers they desire.

Here’s more about advertising with East Cobb News and our mission of promoting a sense of community and all things local.

We’re new and growing, so come grow with us! East Cobb News provides local news, information and business promotion for the way you live today!

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Johnson Ferry Trail and Noonday Creek Trail expansions recommended in new Cobb master plan

Cobb greenways and trails, Johnson Ferry Trail and Noonday Creek Trail expansions
The Noonday Creek Trail Head at Bells Ferry Road. (East Cobb News file photo)

The expansion of two multi-use trails in East Cobb, the Johnson Ferry Trail and Noonday Creek Trail, are among the recommendations included in a new draft master plan issued by the Cobb Department of Transportation.

The Cobb County Greenways and Trails Master Plan, which has been developed after more than a year of public meetings and input, will be the subject of an open house on Tuesday. That will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Cobb County Civic Center (548 S. Marietta Parkway).

It’s the first-ever master plan for greenways and trails in Cobb, and Cobb DOT consulted with with Gresham, Smith and Partners, an Atlanta architectural, engineering and design firm, in the process (previous East Cobb News post here).

The key recommendations of the draft master plan include eight “priority trail projects” (indicatedd in the maps below in gold), two of them in East Cobb, covering a total of 210 new miles.

The draft master plan highlights include:

  • increasing connectivity between existing trails;
  • having trails in all six Cobb cities;
  • having 92 percent of all existing county parks within a mile of a trail;
  • having 57 percent of Cobb’s total population also within a mile of a trail.

What’s being proposed as the Hyde Farm to Johnson Ferry Trail would add 3.33 miles to the existing trail on Johnson Ferry, with most of that public land, utility easements and existing road right-of-ways.

Johnson Ferry Trail and Noonday Creek Trail expansions
Click the map to see a larger view

As the name indicates, the proposed recreational trail would start at Hyde Farm, where the utility easement is located, and would connect with the Gold Branch of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area and to the paved trail along Johnson Ferry.

The new trail would also include guidance for users wishing to connect to trails along Columns Drive and to the Cochran Shoals unit of the Chattahoochee NRA.

The estimated cost of the proposed Hyde Farm to Johnson Ferry Trail expansion is $4.3-$4.7 million.

The proposed Noonday Creek Trail expansion also would follow along public easements and other public land for 3.67 miles northbound from the existing trailhead at Bells Ferry Road. The addition would extend to Noonday Creek Park at Jamerson Road, near the Cherokee County line.

Johnson Ferry Trail and Noonday Creek Trail expansions
Click map to see a larger view

The expanded trail would cross three major roads and include other complexities that make it a much more expensive project, with an estimated cost between $11.1 million and $12.2 million.

Foremost among the issues is that much of the proposed expansion corridor is located in a floodplain or floodway.

According to the draft proposal, there would be some negotiations with private property owners if the proposed expansion is approved. A signalized crossing at New Chastain Road is also recommended, as is Cobb working with Cherokee to align the expansion with the Noonday Creek Trail Connector in that county.

The draft master plan executive summary has an overview of the project, and more details about the above trail and other recommendations can be found here.

In addition, detailed links and PDFs of every aspect of the Cobb Greenways and Trails master plan project can be accessed here.

In the fall, Cobb DOT also briefed county commissioners on their proceedings, before the draft was finalized.

Tuesday’s open house is not a formal meeting. It’s for the public to ask any question of staff about the draft master plan. If you can’t attend, you’ll have until April 16 to offer feedback by emailing: info@CobbTrailPlan.com or contacting Erin Thoresen at 770-754-0755.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

EAST COBB WEEKEND EVENTS: Native plant sale; Holocaust exhibit; Spoken Word Show; library events

McFarlane Nature Park

Spring break is winding down, but spring weather is just getting into swing. East Cobb weekend events over the next few days include the first of several plant sales and garden tours in the community during the season, as well as a lot of kid-focused activities at library branches as they conclude their week away from school:

  • Georgia Native Plant Society Spring Plant Sale: The lush grounds at McFarlane Nature Park (280 Farm Road) provide the backdrop from 10-2 Saturday. Admission is free, and parking is on the back pasture. Related events in East Cobb in April include two by the Cobb Master Gardeners, a free azaleas and wildflower tour next Thursday at the Wright Environmental Education Center and its garden fair and plant sale April 20-21 at East Cobb Park;
  • A month-long Holocaust exhibition, “In Her Father’s Eyes,” started this week at the East Cobb Library (4880 Lower Roswell Road) and continues Monday-Saturday from 11-6 through May 2. It’s the story of Kitty Weichherz, a Czech girl born in the same year as Anne Frank, and told through family photographs and the diary of her father, who survived the Sobibór death camp. Holocaust Remembrance Day is next Thursday, April 12;
  • On Friday, kids 8 and under can enjoy Friday Flicks from 3-5 at the Mountain View Regional Library (3320 Sandy Plains Road). The story of “Lorax” is about a grumpy but charming creature who fights to protect his world. From 7-9 on Friday, teens are invited to the black box theater at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road) for “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.” Four teens plot their escape from a magical video game;
  • Murderino Movies return from 11-1 Saturday at Sewell Mill with a screening of the “Cat’s Meow,” but this one’s adults-only. Like all black box theater events, participants can bring their own food and drink;
  • Also at Sewell Mill, from 2-4 Saturday, is the “Spoken Word Show,” in honor of National Poetry Month. An open mic starts at 2, and at 3 local featured performers Derrick Standifer, Wanesha Spencer, and Justin Patton will take the stage. This event is for all ages, and book and album signings will follow the show;
  • At the Mountain View branch, kids can learn how to build a chair made only out of newspapers from 3-5 Saturday, but participants will need to register;
  • At the East Cobb Library on Saturday, a Teen STEAM Virtual Reality Roller Coasters session takes place from 3:30-5:15, and you’ll need to sign up.

Check out our full calendar listings, for the weekend and beyond, for more.

Did we miss anything? Do you have an event to share with the public? E-mail us at: calendar@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll post it.

Have a great weekend!

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Police report missing woman in Delk Road-Bentley Road area

Hadiya Barr, Marietta Police photo

Marietta Police say a 20-year-old woman living in the Delk Road-Bentley Road area has gone missing from her home.

Shortly after 8 p.m. tonight they issued this photo and the following information about Hadiya Barr, and what do you if you’ve seen her or have information about her whereabouts:

She is 5′ 7″ tall with a slender build. She walked out of the family home near the intersection of Delk Road and Bentley Road yesterday afternoon. When she left, she did not take any belongings and does not have friends in the area she could turn to for help.

Please contact Detective Sheffield if you have any information about her or where she may be staying at: dsheffield@mariettaga.gov or (770) 794-5345.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Cobb budget town halls in June begin at East Cobb Senior Center

A number of Cobb budget town halls will be held by Commission Chairman Mike Boyce in June, and the first will take place on June 18 at the East Cobb Senior Center.

The town hall starts at 7 p.m. The East Cobb Senior Center is located at 3322 Sandy Plains Road.

UPDATE: Cobb chairman proposes revised budget, keeping parks and libraries open

The meetings will take place a month before the Cobb Board of Commissioners is expected to adopt a fiscal year 2019 budget.

Cobb budget officials are projecting a deficit between $30 million and $55 million, but thus far the only proposed cuts have been to the Cobb library system, including the possible closing of East Cobb Library.

Related stories

Boyce has been suggesting that the Cobb general fund millage rate of 6.76 may not be enough to fund the FY 2019 budget, but he hasn’t proposed an increase or specified what a sufficient levy may be.

That’s despite some good news last week from Cobb Tax Assessor’s Office that this year’s projected tax digest of $36 billion would be a record, and 7.5 percent higher than last year’s record of $33.6 billion.

Boyce has held several town halls meetings before at the East Cobb senior center, including last summer, when he unsuccessfully supported a millage rate to fund the 2008 Cobb parks bond referendum.

He also heard from seniors upset by the imposition of a membership fee to use Cobb senior centers and fee increases for programs and classes held at them.

Other budget town halls are scheduled for June 19 at the North Cobb Senior Center, June 20 at the Cobb Senior Wellness Center in Marietta, June 25 at the Freeman Poole Senior Center in Smyrna, June 27 at the West Cobb Senior Center and July 9 at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Cobb voter registration deadline for most 2018 elections is April 24

The Cobb voter registration deadline for most of this year’s local, state and federal elections is fast approaching.Georgia State Senate special election

The deadline to register to vote in most of those elections is April 24. Those elections include the May 22 primaries and any runoffs that will be held on July 24.

This is going to be a busy election season for East Cobb voters, with contested races for District 3 on the Cobb Board of Commissioners, Post 6 on the Cobb Board of Education, several legislative seats and the 6th District Congressional seat.

In addition, statewide offices, including governor, as will as state and local judicial posts, will be on 2018 ballots.

Related coverage

You can register to vote, or check your registration status and precinct information, by visiting the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.

The Cobb Board of Elections and Registration is also mailing out absentee ballots for those who’d rather vote that way. Voters don’t have to give a reason when applying for an absentee ballot, but they should consider applying early to allow for mailing time.

Absentee ballots must be received at the Cobb elections office by 7 p.m. on May 22.

To request a ballot, visit the Cobb Elections website and get more information by calling 770-528-2581.

In addition to absentee ballots, advance voting will once again take place. That period will run from April 30-May 18, and will include a full week of advance voting May 14-18 at the East Cobb Government Service Center (4400 Lower Roswell Road).

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Proposed Shallowford Road subdivision clears initial hurdle

The Cobb Planning Commission on Tuesday recommended approval of a proposed Shallowford Road subdivision that initially garnered some nearby opposition.

proposed Shallowford Road subdivsion
Cobb zoning staff aerial photo

But changes to the proposal, including a zoning category with reduced density and a revised site plan, satisfied those homeowners.

The 6.1-acre tract on the north side of Shallowford Road, between Shallow Ridge Road and Willowwood Drive, is currently zoned R-30, and has been the site of a family farm.

It’s located just west of I-575, not far from Noonday Park, and is in the Kell High School, McCleskey Middle School and Blackwell Elementary School attendance zones.

The land is also surrounded by the Falcon Hills neighborhood, which has around 140 homes. Some residents who live there turned out at Tuesday’s meetings to speak against the proposal by Loyd Development Services, but said they supported the application after the changes.

They include seeking an R-12 zoning category instead of RA-5, which reduced the number of units in the proposed development from 20 to 18. A revised site plan includes a retention pond near the back of the property, as well as a 10-foot undisturbed buffer along the edges of the development.

The subdivision would have one street that would include a cul-de-sac. Garvis Sams, an attorney for the developer, said homes would cost from the low-400s to the low-500s and would range from 2,200 square feet to 3,200 square feet. The community also would have a homeowners association, he said.

The recommendation by the planning commission passed with a 5-0 vote. The Cobb Board of Commissioners will take final action on April 17.

Another long-delayed East Cobb zoning request is being held again. An application by Oak Hall Companies, LLC, to rezone 55 acres on Wigley Road and north of Summitop Road is being continued to May by the Cobb Zoning staff.

The application seeks rezoning from the current R-30 category to R-15 for 85 single-family homes. Staff is recommending no more than 61 homes.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Shallowford Falls ES students win state Reading Bowl competition

Students from Shallowford Falls Elementary School took first place in the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl in Athens on March 24.

Students read 18 Georgia Children’s Book Award nominees (this year’s booklist can be found here) and memorized details of the books, then answered questions in a bowl-type format. It’s the first time Shallowford Falls has won the Reading Bowl. 

The competition is named after Helen Ruffin, school librarian in DeKalb County, and was begun in 1986. 

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

East Cobb Robotics to hold information meetings next week

We know it’s the week of spring break, but if you’ve been looking to get your high school-age child into a robotics program, East Cobb Robotics is having two information meetings next week. Here’s what they’re sharing with interested kids and parents about what they have to offer, and how you can get in touch:

We are SO much #morethanrobots! East Cobb Robotics is looking for students with a variety of interests to join our FIRST Robotics Competition team. Use your passion for Art, Programming, Writing, Marketing, Social Media, Website Design, CAD, Community Service, Business Plans, Photography, Video Editing, Engineering or Robotics to build Robots, Friendships and LIFE Skills.

Our FRC team is open to 9th – 12 graders. We accept public, private and homeschooled students.

Find out more by attending one of our informational meetings to see how you can SHINE!! Together we build amazing robots and good humans.

2018 SPRING FRC INFORMATION MEETINGS
When:
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Saturday, April 14, 2018 11:30am – 12:30pm

Where:
Mountain View Library (3320 Sandy Plains Rd, Marietta, GA 30066)

Please contact info@EastCobbRobotics.org with any questions.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

The East Cobb News weekly newsletter for April 1, 2018 is out!

Catch up with all of the past week’s headlines and take a look at what’s coming up this week with the convenient East Cobb News weekly newsletter.

The East Cobb News Digest is delivered to your e-mail inbox every Sunday, and contains so much more, including the best calendar listings anywhere in East Cobb and convenient community information.

Subscribing to the newsletter is free and easy (just click the signup button below). We don’t sell or rent our e-mail listings to anyone, although we do send out out major breaking news alerts to our subscribers.

We know you’re busy, and that you don’t want to miss out on what’s going on around you. Sign up today and be part of East Cobb’s only daily news source, independently operated and with a totally local focus.

(Here’s more about East Cobb News).

This week’s top stories include the festive Northeast Cobb Community Egg Drop, one of East Cobb’s signature Easter weekend events; the deaths of two East Cobb teenagers; an update on the county tax digest and the overhaul of one of our community’s creakiest old bridges.

Please send along news tips by e-mailing: editor@eastcobbnews.com.

You can send calendar listings to: calendar@eastcobbnews.com.

For advertising inquiries, contact us at: advertising@eastcobbnews.com.

Thanks for reading East Cobb News. Spring is in the air, and it’s also spring break, but whatever you’re doing, have a great week!

PHOTOS: 9th annual Northeast Cobb Community Egg Drop at Sprayberry HS

Northeast Cobb Community Egg Drop
East Cobb News photos by Wendy Parker

Easter egg hunters by the thousands turned out on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the Sprayberry High School stadium for the 9th annual Northeast Cobb Community Egg Drop.

An estimated 100,000 colored plastic eggs were “dropped” from helicopters and otherwise placed on the stadium grounds for several age-group egg hunts, and plenty of candy also was distributed to kids.

There were also plenty of other fun activities and games for kids, and a chance to have their pictures taken with the Easter bunny, as well as a Kids Zone.

The main sponsor of the Northeast Cobb Community Egg Drop was Superior Plumbing. Event proceeds benefitted Shop with a Yellow Jacket and Shop with a Longhorn programs at Sprayberry and Kell. Proceeds from food and concession sales will benefit the Sprayberry Booster Club.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Cobb tax digest projected to grow by 7.5 percent in 2018

Mike Boyce, Cobb tax digest

The good news for county homeowners is that the Cobb tax digest is projected to grow by 7.5 percent in 2018, to around $36 billion in assessed value, after a record $33 billion total in 2017.

The bad news is that growth won’t solve the estimated $30 million-$55 million Cobb government budget deficit that’s being estimated for fiscal year 2019.

UPDATE: Cobb chairman proposes revised budget, keeping parks and libraries open

What that all that means for your property tax bill depends on a number of factors, including assessments, eligibility for homestead and senior exemptions and whether or not the Cobb Board of Commissioners approves of a possible millage rate increase to help cover the deficit.

Residential property tax assessments will go out in early May, and the tax digest value is finalized in July.

Earlier projections had the Cobb tax digest rising by around 5.5 percent. Cobb budget director Bill Volckmann said that 7.5 percent growth, if that comes to pass, would add around an additional $6 million to general fund coffers.

The average home value in Cobb is now around $285,000, and the assessed value of the Atlanta Braves’ property near SunTrust Park in the Cumberland area has grown from $188 million in 2017 to $360 million this year, according to the Cobb tax assessor’s office.

In a presentation this week, tax assessor Stephen White most Cobb homeowners have a “floating” homestead exemption, which means that the assessed value of that a property remains frozen and does not increase the amount of the general fund.

“The floating homestead on the county general portion of your tax bill means your assessed value stays the same from year-to-year,” White said. “We might increase the fair market value of your home, but the assessed value on a homesteaded property stays the same from the time you purchased the property.”

Related stories

The general fund portion of the county budget pays for police, sheriff’s office, transportation, parks and libraries, courts and other general government operational expenses.

There’s a separate millage rate that funds fire and emergency services, and the Cobb County School District also levies its own millage rate.

Those categories, White said, likely will benefit from the tax digest growth. The Cobb general fund, on the other hand, is in more severe straits than the current FY 2018 budget of $405 million.

That was balanced with some program cuts and with the use of nearly $20 million in contingency funding.

Cobb Commission chairman Mike Boyce (above) is suggesting that the present general fund millage rate of 6.76 might not be enough to fund the FY 2019 budget, but he hasn’t offered any recommendations.

“We knew this $30 million hole was coming years ago,” Boyce said in a statement issued by Cobb government, “and because the floating exemption prevents the general fund from fully benefitting from the tax digest increase, the board must bring forth a millage rate that will support a quality of life Cobb residents expect.”

Already he’s come under fire for proposing a membership fee and other increased charges for senior services.

Major proposed cuts to the Cobb library system also call for the closure of the East Cobb Library, which also has resulted in a vocal outcry.

District 2 Cobb commissioner Bob Ott, whose district includes much of East Cobb, vowed that he will fight to keep open that branch, one of the busiest in the county, but is asking constituents to communicate with his colleagues about that.

He also has said he does not support any tax increase without finding other budget savings.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Memorial service for Grace Bunke set for April 14 at Mt. Bethel UMC

Students at Walton High School have held several commemorations for Grace Bunke this week, and a memorial service has been scheduled in a couple of weeks.Grace Bunke

Bunke is the Walton freshman who died on Sunday of aggressive bone cancer, the day before her 15th birthday, and after a public battle to raise money and awareness.

The service will be on Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church (4385 Lower Roswell Road).

Walton students held a celebration of life service earlier this week that included a release of many yellow balloons and a tribute from senior class president Peter Minetos:

Grace’s family is providing updates at a Caring Bridge page that includes this latest entry:

“Fortunately, we trust in our belief about God’s goodness and His promises. In fact, that is what this upcoming Sunday is all about. Grace might have died on Palm Sunday, but because of Easter – we know she is still alive and well. We just can’t see her.

“Which is why we are all doing ok. Are we sad? Absolutely. Do we miss Grace? More than you can imagine. Are we overwhelmed? Sometimes. Is Caroline dealing with this in her own way? Yes. Are we a puddle of emotions? Not all of the time. Are we crying 24/7? No. Are we dysfunctional in every way? No. Are we ok? Well, yes. We are all ok because we know deep down in our hearts that Grace is too.

“Don’t believe me? Well then join us as we spend time together honoring our beloved daughter and Caroline’s most amazing and incredible sister and best friend as we attempt to see…Life Through the Eyes of Grace.”

Donations in her honor can be made to the Rally Foundation and Swim Across America, which are devoted to childhood cancer research. Proceeds for the latter benefit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where Grace was treated.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

East Cobb Easter Events: Northeast Cobb Community Egg Drop; the bunny comes to The Avenue

Northeast Cobb Community Egg Drop

Saturday marks the 9th annual Northeast Cobb Community Egg Drop, returning to the football field at Sprayberry High School (2525 Sandy Plains Road), with age-group events, food, games, entertainment and photos with the Easter bunny.

The event lasts from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free.

Around 100,000 eggs are expected to be dropped year, as the event continues to proceed Shop with a Yellow Jacket and Shop with a Longhorn programs at Sprayberry and Kell.

The ages three and under hunt starts at 11:30 a.m., the helicopter drop for ages 4-7 is at 1:30 p.m. and from ages 8-10 there’s an egg hunt at 3:30 p.m. A special needs hunt starts at 2 p.m.

The live entertainment in between the egg drops will be provided by  Peter Hart with the Atlanta Puppets.

Admission to the kids zone entertainment center is $7. Food and concession proceeds benefit the Sprayberry Booster Club.

Also on Saturday, the Easter Bunny will appear at Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery at The Avenue East Cobb (4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1550) from 2-4 p.m.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Report: East Cobb Chick-fil-A to close in July for renovations

Chick Fil A Woodlawn canopy rendering

Back in December we reported on expansion plans for an East Cobb Chick-fil-A store that would include a double drive-through and reconfigure the parking lot at the Woodlawn Square location (1201 Johnson Ferry Road).

That renovation will require several months to complete, according to a report published Tuesday at tonetoatl.com, which said the location will close July 9 for a complete rebuild. It is expected to reopen in November.

Interplan LLC, which operates the Woodlawn Square store, needed to get rezoning for an additional parcel .15 acres at the shopping center to accommodate the expansion request, in addition to site plan amendments approved by the Cobb Board of Commissioners.

Those changes include a canopy at the drive-through order stations. The operator also agreed to limit the use of construction vehicles to the shopping center parking lot, permitting no parking on Johnson Ferry Road during the renovation project.

The double drive-through lanes will wind around the back of the Chick-fil-A, and the extra land will be used to create additional parking.

The tonetoatl.com report said a similar Chick-fil-A renovation project will take place on South Cobb Drive and will last as long.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

East Cobb realtor holds wine event fundraiser for World Vision

Press release:

The Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team’s non-profit organization, JO Gives, hosted their second annual wine event last Friday, March 23. JO Gives is considerably involved with World Vision and this year, our goal is to raise enough money to put two water wells in Africa. The event was a huge success and $2,452 was raised in just a few hours! An auction was held where participants bidded on a sparkly bottle of brut champagne, plenty of games were played on the patio outside and a variety of wine bottles and gift sets were displayed for sale. Not only did they raise almost double the amount compared to last year, but the event also enabled the agents and staff to mingle with and familiarize themselves with current and past clients. We’ve all heard the phrase “Jesus turned water into wine”…. Well, the Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team is determined to turn wine into water.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Zeal to hold celebration of life for Johnson Ferry Road accident victim

Alex Seidnitzer, the East Cobb teenager killed in a Johnson Ferry Road accident Monday, is being remembered tonight by his co-workers and employers at Zeal Kitchen and Bar, and they’re inviting anyone who knew him to attend.

The celebration of life begins at 6:30 p.m. at the restaurant (1255 Johnson Ferry Road, in the Market Plaza Shopping Center). Here’s more about Alex that Zeal management has been sharing on social media:

“Today we celebrate the life of Alex Seidnitzer (aka Sunshine). Monday morning we lost one of our most beloved and talented Chefs to a motorcycle accident. Alex had just started culinary school this past winter and was already on route to be an extraordinary chef. Words can’t describe how much we will miss his smile, his lunch specials, the always unique and creative dessert specials, and how he always lived everyday to its fullest adventures. We love you and we miss you dearly!”

Cobb Police returned to the accident scene this morning at Johnson Ferry and Lake Rill Court as they complete their investigation. They’re not expecting to file charges.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!