Month: September 2019

East Cobb business news: Mellow Mushroom gets alcohol license

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Johnson Ferry Mellow Mushroom opening

The planned Mellow Mushroom at Woodlawn Commons on Johnson Ferry Road is still in progress (opening is slated for later in the fall), but last month the restaurant did receive an alcohol pouring license.

The following businesses also were granted licenses during August and the first week of September by the Cobb Community Development Agency:

  • MRE East Cobb Express LLC, 2204 Roswell Road (land developer)
  • Fire Protection Services LLC, 2030 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 100 (sprinkler system contractor)
  • Flashback Games Retro Arcade, 2800 Canton Road, Suite 1600 (game room)
  • Ginny Maries, 4475 Roswell Road, Suite 900 (women’s clothing and accessories)
  • $20 Chiropractic, 2421 Shallowford, Suite 116 (chiropractor)
  • Sharper Minds Academy, 3535 Roswell Road, Suite 2 (tutoring services)
  • Tommy’s Tires, 2690 Sandy Plains Road (tire dealer)
  • J & J Auto Group, 4757 Canton Road, Suite 206 (used auto dealer)
  • Mellow Mushroom Pizza, 1205 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 101 (restaurant, alcohol license; see related ECN story)
  • Nuleaf, 4750 Alabama Road, Suite 116 (vitamin food store)
  • Frenchie’s Modern Nail Care Salon, 3154 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 102 (beauty shop)
  • Jim N Nick’s Bar B Q, 3420 Sandy Plains Road (restaurant; alcohol license)
  • Rite Care Pharmacy, 2986 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 116 (drug store)
  • Sally Beauty Supply, 2960 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 307 (beauty supply)
  • Sleep Better Marietta, 2551 Roswell Road, Suite 100 (dental clinic)
  • Mi Casa Restaurante Y Panaderia, 3920 Canton Road, Suite 140 (restaurant)
  • New Leaf Family Chiropractic, 1899 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 170 (chiropractor)
  • Road to Recovery, 2255 Sewell Mill Road, Suite 120 (family and individual counseling)

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Commissioners spar over Cobb Development Authority appointment

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J.C. Bradbury, Cobb Development Authority appointment
J.C. Bradbury

Cobb commissioners are holding up a vote on an appointment to the county’s Development Authority after a heated discussion that’s rare for such an agenda item.

Newly elected commissioner Keli Gambrill of North Cobb wanted to appoint J.C. Bradbury, a Kennesaw State University economics professor, to the body that considers such things as tax abatements and other economic development incentives.

Commissioners’ appointments are usually routine and for the most part are approved without a hitch. But Gambrill was upset when she said she was told right before Tuesday’s meeting by commission chairman Mike Boyce that he wanted more time to consider Bradbury’s appointment.

Boyce said he understood that two of the five commissioners were against Bradbury’s appointment and that since he was the swing vote, he wanted a delay.

The Development Authority is comprised of seven members appointed by county commissioners. Bradbury would replace Bob Morgan, whose four-year term has expired.

Bradbury has been a critic of Cobb’s publicly-subsidized deal with the Atlanta Braves to build SunTrust Park, and remains openly skeptical of economic impact claims county officials have made since the stadium opened in 2017.

Gambrill said other commissioners’ first-time appointments were easily confirmed, and said the delay over Bradbury is an example of “pure patronage and politics at its worst on this board.”

The Development Authority has come under greater scrutiny in recent months for its votes to provide tax abatements for new commercial projects, including the Kroger superstore that’s part of the MarketPlace Terrell Mill project under construction.

Gambrill said her appointment was being stymied “because [Bradbury] holds a different opinion from some on this board.”

Bradbury—who’s outspoken against tax subsidies in general, including those made to the state’s film industry—would be representing the interests of citizens, Gambrill further stated, “and not the interests of the economic powers” in the county.

She said she sent her colleagues information on Bradbury on Aug. 29 and heard no response until right before Tuesday’s meeting. Boyce said he wasn’t aware of opposition before then and asked her to “walk the halls” to gather support.

“It’s your recommendation but it’s a board appointment,” Boyce responded. “All I’m saying is that there needs to be more time.”

East Cobb commissioner Bob Ott took Boyce’s side, saying commissioners table votes all the time, including a new package of tax incentives they approved on Tuesday for a new hotel complex (see item below).

He also said it was “wrong to make a public accusation against a commissioner who asks for more time.” All of them have an obligation, Ott said, to do their “due diligence.”

Commissioner Lisa Cupid of South Cobb said she supported appointing Bradbury and thought Gambrill’s appointment “is being treated unequally.”

She said “this is less an issue of procedure and more of substance . . . but you still need three out of five” votes to approve an appointment.

In late 2013, Ott and fellow East Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell voted for the nearly $400 million bond issue to help finance what’s now called SunTrust Park, while Cupid was the only vote against.

Boyce defeated then-chairman Tim Lee in 2016, making the way the voting process was conducted a major campaign issue. Since coming into office, Boyce also has boasted of the economic benefits he said the stadium has brought to the county, including The Battery and other new development in the area.

The vote to table consideration of the Bradbury appointment to Sept. 24 was 5-0. In other action Tuesday, the commissioners agreed to development incentives for a planned dual-branded hotel next to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in the Cumberland area.

Hilton Garden Inn & Home2 Suites by Hilton Cumberland rendering

 

NF IV-VA ATL Cumberland LLC, which would operate a Hilton Garden Inn and a Home2 Suites by Hilton (rendering above) will get more than $350,000 in permit fee savings and will be allowed to pay sewer development fees in increments.

The two hotels would have a total of 260 rooms and create 70 new jobs. Michael Hughes of the Cobb Community Development Agency said the county government would net an economic benefit of $1.15 million over 10 years and the Cobb County School District $1.46 million in additional tax revenue over that time.

The measure, which passed 4-1 (with Gambrill voting against) had been tabled at Ott’s request because of parking concerns that he had. Ott said all the criteria for meeting the county’s guidelines for getting incentives (more details here) had been satisfied.

 

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East Cobb food scores: Black Swan; Chicken Salad Chick; more

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East Cobb food scores

The following East Cobb food scores from Sept. 3-11 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing to view details of the inspection:

Andretti Indoor Karting and Games
1255 Roswell Road
September 9, 2019 Score: 73, Grade: C

The Black Swan Tavern
1401 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 128
September 5, 2019 Score: 80, Grade: B

Blackwell Elementary School
3470 Canton Road
September 6, 2019 Score: 100, Grade: A

Canton Wings & More
3190 Canton Road, Suite 108
September 5, 2019 Score: 91, Grade: A

Carol’s Cafe
2543 Bells Ferry Road, Suite 150
September 9, 2019 Score: 87, Grade: B

Chicken Salad Chick Sandy Plains
2960 Shallowford Road, Suite 140
September 4, 2019 Score: 100, Grade: A

Domino’s Pizza
3545 Canton Road
September 10, 2019 Score: 90, Grade: A

Everything Burger
3372 Canton Road, Suite 120
September 11, 2019 Score: 90, Grade: A

IHOP 
3130 Johnson Ferry Road
September 11, 2019 Score: 96, Grade: A

Jason’s Deli
1401 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 338
September 11, 2019 Score: 84, Grade: B

J.J. Daniell Middle School
2950 Scott Drive
September 9, 2019 Score: 100, Grade: A

Keheley Elementary School
1985 Kemp Road
September 4, 2019 Score: 100, Grade: A

Los Bravos
2125 Roswell Road, Suite B-40
September 10, 2019 Score: 95, Grade: A

Mabry Middle School
2700 Jims Road
September 6, 2019 Score: 99, Grade: A

Mellow Mushroom
2421 Shallowford Road
September 9, 2019 Score: 92, Grade: A

Nicholson Elementary School
1599 Shallowford Road
September 10, 2019 Score: 99, Grade: A

Panda Express
4275 Roswell Road
September 6, 2019 Score: 99, Grade: A

Park 12 Cobb 
2925 Gordy Parkway
September 9, 2019 Score: 93, Grade: A

Smoothie King
1271 Johnson Ferry Road
September 10, 2019 Score: 93, Grade: A

Subway
1295 Powers Ferry Road, Suite B
September 10, 2019 Score: 89, Grade: B

Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q
1425 Roswell Road
September 11, 2019 Score: 91, Grade: A

 

Related story

 

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State Rep. Sharon Cooper to hold addiction and recovery meeting

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To observe National Recovery Month in September, State Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-East Cobb) will hold an addiction and recovery meeting next week.

State Rep. Sharon Cooper
State Rep. Sharon Cooper

The meeting is Monday, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Sewell Mill Library (2051 Lower Roswell Road). Cooper is the chairwoman of the House Health and Human Services Committee.

Cobb County has one of the highest rates of opioid addiction in the state of Georgia.

Several experts in the field will be present to discuss the issues and answer questions. They include:

  • Robin Elliot, GA Overdose Prevention
  • Neil Campbell, GA Overdose Prevention Council on Substance Abuse
  • TaTa-Nisha Frazier (Individual in long term recovery)
  • Amy Armstrong, MARR Addiction Treatment Center.

The meeting is free and open to anyone who wants to learn more about addiction and recovery.

Related stories

 

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Cobb senior assistant DA running for State Court judge

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Jason Marbutt, an East Cobb resident who is the Cobb senior assistant district attorney, announced on Monday his campaign for Cobb State Court Judge in 2020.Jason Marbutt, Cobb senior assistant DA

His work as a prosecutor includes handling cases ranging from DUI to murder, as well as efforts to protect the elderly and disabled.

He’s seeking the judicial post held by Judge Toby Prodgers since 1995. Prodgers recently announced his retirement.

The post is non-partisan and the term is for four years. State Court judges handle a variety of misdemeanor cases, including traffic citations, DUI charges and some drug offenses.

“As a prosecutor, I’ve been in the arena of public service and have made the tough choices on how to best deliver justice for victims while also helping those who have made mistakes find redemption and lead lives of purpose,” Marbutt in a statement released by his campaign. “This experience and my commitment to the Constitution will allow me to serve on the bench fairly, firmly, and with fidelity to the rule of law.”

Marbutt has been a chairman of the Cobb Elder Abuse Task Force and is a coach for the Walton High School Mock Trial Team.

A former teacher and soccer, wrestling and softball coach, Marbutt is an adjunct professor at the Emory University School of Law

A native of Austell, Marbutt and his wife Olivia have three children.

 

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Cobb Sheriff’s Office to hold East Cobb self-defense class

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This is a bit on short notice, but Cobb Sheriff Neil Warren sent word today that his department is holding a self-defense class Tuesday from 6-8:30 at the East Cobb Church of Christ (5240 Roswell Road), with holiday season safety in mind.

Cobb sheriff

They’re free and open for the public to attend and there’s no sign-up.

He said the department will hold other similar sessions through the end of the year that will be announced later.

 

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East Cobb Real Estate: River Hill split-level sells for $500,000

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5090 Hampton Lakes Drive, East Cobb Real Estate

The following deeds for residential East Cobb real estate sales were filed between Aug. 23-29 with the Cobb Superior Court Clerk’s Office Real Estate Department. They include a two-story frame five-bedroom home on Hampton Lakes Drive in River Hill for $500,000.

The addresses are in Marietta ZIP Codes, unless otherwise indicated, and the subdivision names are in parenthesis:

Aug. 23

4019 Oak Forest Circle, 30062 (Oakhill Manor); Rocco LaBella to Jody Strumminger; $294,000

4032 Wesley Chapel Road, Roswell 30075; Libby Roeble to George and Cristina Bozocea; $320,000

3250 Indian Hills Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills); Vera and Sander Bellman to IGMV LLC; $355,000

1664 Hampton Oaks Bend, 30066 (Hampton Oaks); Linda and Michael McDaniel to Ann Koog Hyeon; $428,000

4521 Monet Drive, Roswell 30075 (Tiffany Place); Ulysses and Jean Li to Ronald Corrao and Anh Puckett; $775,000

1196 Clichy Court, 30066 (Emerald Garden); Lauren and Carolyn Miller to Rosa Maria Garza and Wenndy Kroelinger; $203,000

2671 Cottonwood Drive, 30066 (Piedmont Hills ); Ali and Jamey Brown to Steven Weeks; $270,000

3197 Powers Ford, 30068 (Old Paper Mill); Jacob and Lauren Starnes to Hannah and Edward Gloria; $725,000

4649 Outlook Place, 30066 (Highland Ridge); Gregory and Cynthia McKinley to Justin Fickas; $525,000

4780 Fox Hollow Parkway, 30068 (Fox Hollow); Larry and Laura Chapman to Nishad Sankaranarayanan and Aparna Ramachandran; $527,500

2911 Ashebrooke Drive, 30068 (Ashebrooke); Rosemary Ullom to Pengfei Liu; $715,000

1995 Credence Court, 30066 (Blackwell Estates); Lot 1 Homes of Georgia LLC to Tadesse Phares and Tuwers Kukuba; $493,982

Aug. 26

4237 Glenforest Way, Roswell 30075 (Glenforest); Nury Baldridge to Open House Atlanta Realty and Investments LLC; $282,000

490 Creekwood Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills); Neill Nichols to Kyle Jordan, $500,000

5090 Hampton Farms Drive, 30068 (River Hill); Matthew and Stacey Brawner to Carter Whatley and Patrick Butkus; $674,900

3687 Bellegrove Ridge, 30062 (Lost Forrest); James Noble and Carole Taylor to Noble Properties of Georgia; $446,500

1594 Wildwood Road, 30062 (Briarwood Hills); Danny Matthews to Karen Smith; $230,000

4274 Springmill Drive, 30062 (Springmill); Pedro Rossello to Mark Freuchtnicht; $890,000

1230 Windsor Estates Drive, 30062 (Robinson Manor); Akber Bhamani to Samith Shetty; $640,000

690 Bonaire Terrace, 30066 (Northampton); Sandra and Stephen Green to Juan and Clare Vera; $540,000

5139 Davidson Road, 30068 (River Springs); Marlo Biernacki to Hertz Properties LLC; $280,000

283 Paxton Circle, 30066 (Sumter Ridge); Beverly and Larry Robbins to SPH Property One, LLC; $244,300

4220 Chimney Lakes Drive, 30062 (Chimney Lakes); Judith McCoy to Corbin and Alyssa Ainslee; $467,800

Aug. 27

4378 Jenkins Drive, Roswell 30075 (Havenridge); Lara and Joachim Pasquali to Nicholas Brown; $575,000

4523 Hampton Woods Drive, 30068 (Hampton Woods); Igor Chernyavskiy to Elena Tsukanova; $297,500

4002 Columns Drive, 30067 (River Plantation); Herbert Brady to Paul Gandy; $555,000

2415 Cajun Drive, 30066 (Hidden Hills); Stephen and Joann Fortmann to Open House Atlanta Realty and Investments Inc.; $229,500

4242 Loch Highland Parkway, Roswell, 30075 (Loch Highland); Laura and Christopher Nicholson to Crystal McDuffie; $355,900

1250 Blackwell Road, 30066 (Autumn Ridge); Robert Branson to SPH Property 2 LLC; $237,100

4677 Glenforest Drive, Roswell 30075 (Hedgerow); Wanda Dukes to Sun Park; $430,000

Aug. 28

4151 Liberty Lane, 30066 (Windsor Oaks); Matthew and Kimberly Duffy to Abigail and David Godinez; $445,000

2858 Water Wheel Court, 30062 (Holly Mill); Terwilliger Feis Leadbetter LLC to Sethumadavan Sundaramoorthy; $285,000

477 Robin Lane, 30067 (Red Oak Park); Jeffrey Johnson to Elaine Griffith; $185,000

2709 Barnhill Drive, 30062 (Mabry Manor); Juan Gaytan to Emilio Olarte; $733,500

318 Indian Hills Trail, 30068 (Indian Hills); Roark Homes LLC to Anthony Catterson; $1,175,000

301 Kings Court, 30068 (Kings Cove); Dakar and William De La Cruz to Michael Qiunlan and Tanima Cynthia Das; $395,000

1787 Apple Boulevard, 30066 (Heritage Farms); William Wilson Jr. to Emily Jones and Daniel Hobby; $298,000

4005 Matty Drive, 30066 (Princeton Grove); JPH Properties LLC to Pratish Shetty; $608,000

2686 Forest Way, 30066 (Forest Chase); John and Ginger Pearson to SPH Property 2 LLC; $294,700

130 Indian Hills Court, 30068 (Indian Hills Court); Mary Ivie to Kathleen Bjorke; $385,000

1725 Millhouse Run, 30066 (Spencers Ridge); Henry and Deana Stuebner to Jamal Hameed; $413,000

2023 N. Landing Way, 30066 (North Landing); Patrick Rhoden and Kelly Buckley to Sharon Smith; $228,000

1224 Promontory Path, 30062 (Waltons Reserve); Yiping Wu to Bhushan Takar; $598,000

Aug. 29

704 Walt Lane, Woodstock 30188 (Chadds Ridge); Mark Cagle to Laura and Charles Kluball; $274,900

2969 Gant Quarters Drive, 30067 (Gant Quarters); Lisbeth Roa to Adrian and Patrick Kelly; $500,000

2775 Wendy Lane, 30062 (Creek Park); Melba Holliday to Diana and Ilya Lyubich; $155,000

4021 Upland Trace, 30066 (Highland Park); SPH Property 2 LLC to Jonathan and Erin Shurbutt; $478,000

4804 Wigley Road, 30066 (Summit at Sweat Mountain); Garth and Angela Bauknecht to Archie Woodside Jr.; $990,000\

1056 Dunhill Drive, 30067 (Millridge); Svein Hagen to Brandon and Lauren Steverson; $382,500

3942 Cash Landing, 30066 (Oaks at Mill Pond); Carlson Mill LLC to David and Diane Ulrich; $1,450,320

3391 Liberty Lane, 30062 (Independence Square); Hillary Steiner to Jamie Helmer; $385, 000

4034 Defender Drive, Roswelll 30075 (Garrison Oaks); Samuel and Joann Cushman to William Sorrells; $685,000

 

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Friendly reminder: Cobb property tax bills due Oct. 15

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2584 Fieldstone Path, East Cobb Real Estate, Cobb property tax bills

Submitted information:

Tax Commissioner Carla Jackson recently announced that 2019 property tax bills have been mailed. Payments are due by Tuesday, Oct. 15, and payments received or U.S. postmarked after Oct. 15 will incur a 5 percent late penalty plus monthly interest on any unpaid balance.

Ways to pay include:

  • Online via e-check, debit or credit card (processing fees apply)
  • Automated system by phone at 1-866-PAY-COBB (1-866-729-2622) (processing fees applicable depending on payment selection)
  • Mail to P.O. Box 372, 100127, Marietta, GA 30061
  • In-person at any of the following locations: Property Tax Division at 736 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta; East Cobb Office at 4400 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta and the South Cobb Government Service Center at 4700 Austell Road, Austell
  • Drop boxes inside and outside at the Whitlock Avenue location, as well as the South Cobb Government Service Center
  • Drop checks off at any motor vehicle tag office
  • For property owners with escrow accounts, tax information is made available to mortgage companies; however, the property owner is responsible to ensure taxes are paid by the due date. Escrow account holders unsure about who is paying the property tax should contact their mortgage companies directly.

Please visit Understanding Your Tax Bill at www.CobbTax.org for a detailed explanation of our 2019 tax bills and location information.

 

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PHOTOS: Sandy Plains Baseball celebrates 50th anniversary

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Sandy Plains Baseball 50th anniversary

Players, parents, volunteers and representatives of the Atlanta Braves turned out at Field 2 at Carl Harrison Park Saturday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sandy Plains Baseball Association.

The youth baseball organization was founded in March 1969 and originally played games not far away, at Sandy Plains Park. That also is the venue for Sandy Plains Softball.

But as the number of youths playing both sports grew, so did the need for new fields and separate organizations. Sandy Plains Softball still plays at Sandy Plains Park.

The baseball venues moved to Harrison Park, next to Lassiter High School, and Sweat Mountain Park, in the late 1980s.

Ginny Garner, chairwoman of the board of Sandy Plains Baseball, said the organization wouldn’t be what it is without the parent volunteers and families.

“We’ve been so blessed to have amazing families and amazing volunteers,” she said.

While the parks are operated by the Cobb Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, Sandy Plains Baseball helps with maintenance and upkeep of the grounds. Garner said most recently, the organization raised money for new bunting along the outfield fences.

Two years ago, Field 2 was completely refurbished with funding from the Atlanta Braves Foundation, which has undertaken similar projects around metro Atlanta in the name of Chipper Jones.

Garner said Sandy Plains Baseball enrolls around 700 players for the fall season, and around 900 for the spring season, ages 4-18.

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East Cobb traffic alert: Johnson Ferry Road parade closure

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Instead of cars, Johnson Ferry Road will be occupied by unicyclists from Mt. Bethel ES and other participants in Saturday’s EAST COBBER parade. (ECN file)

As the calendar veers toward mid-September, that means something highly unusual is about to transpire in East Cobb: Johnson Ferry Road will be closed. On purpose.

It’s only a portion of Johnson Ferry, and only for a few hours. But it’s the busiest stretch of Johnson Ferry, and it’s a Saturday morning.

The 24 annual EAST COBBER magazine parade and festival is on tap for Saturday, and more than 100 organizations, individuals and groups are taking part.

The parade steps off starting at 10 a.m. at Mt. Bethel Elementary School, and will wind its way to the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church south parking lot, where the festival runs from 11-3.

For the last few days, some traffic alert signs have been posted in the area to give motorists a heads-up about the road closure. Cobb Police will be closing Johnson Ferry between Roswell Road and Lower Roswell Road at 9:45 a.m., and it is expected to reopen around 11:30 a.m. or noon.

The festival has free admission and includes food, music, kids’ games, entertainment and vendors.

East Cobber Parade route
The black stars indicate the road closure points; the red stars indicate the parade route and the blue star signifies the festival site.

 

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East Cobb football update: Walton, Kell roll in rivalry games

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After falling behind in the first quarter, Walton took control of an East Cobb rivalry game with Pope Friday night at Raider Valley.Walton all-sports champion

The Greyhounds led 7-0, but Walton got three touchdowns from KD Stokes and two more from Julian Bumper to prevail 33-10.

For the Raiders (2-1), the win was an encouraging recovery after they lost to Collins Hill last week on the last play of the game. Walton is off next week, then will play at North Gwinnett on Sept. 20.

Pope also is 2-1 and will begin region play next week against Centennial.

In the other East Cobb rivalry game Friday, the visiting team came away with the win, as Kell blanked Lassiter 27-0. Corbin LaFrance threw two touchdowns to Jamal Hill.

The Longhorns, who are ranked No. 8 in Class 5A, improved to 3-0 on the season. They begin region play with a bang next week at No. 9 Rome, which crushed North Clayton 63-6.

Lassiter, which is 0-3, will be off next week. The Trojans have scored only six points on the season, a field goal in each of their first two games.

Sprayberry has put together a two-game winning streak after rolling over South Cobb 48-20. It was homecoming for the Yellow Jackets (2-1), who got two touchdowns from Damarion Owens.

The Jackets will have a week off next week, then start their region slate against Harrison, ranked No. 5 in Class 6A, and which is 4-0 on the season.

Wheeler returned home after last week’s loss to Sprayberry, but Shiloh jumped all over the Wildcats early enroute to a 39-8 win.

Shiloh led 27-0 as Wheeler fell to 1-2. The Wildcats are off next week, then will play Lassiter on Sept. 20.

 

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Sandy Plains Road traffic to be rerouted at Kinjac Drive Tuesday

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Sandy Plains Road closures

Here’s the latest traffic update related to ongoing construction on Sandy Plains Road. On Tuesday, Sept. 10, lanes will be rerouted most of the day at Kinjac Drive for final pipe crossing.

More details from Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell’s office:

“This will entail multiple traffic configurations. A police officer is scheduled to be present to override the traffic signal. The pipe crossing will begin at 9:00 a.m. and is expected to be completed by 3:00 p.m. if all goes as planned.

“If this is not the case, a DOT alert will be issued via newsletter and social media with the reason and time of the delay. We appreciate your continued patience as this work is imperative to prepare for the paving that is tentatively scheduled for Monday, Sept. 16.”

 

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McBath to hold town hall meeting Sunday in Sandy Springs

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U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath will hold a town hall meeting Sunday afternoon in Sandy Springs to meet with 6th Congressional District constituents.U.S. Rep Lucy McBath, gun violence research funding, McBath border-funding vote

The meeting is from 1-2 p.m. Temple Emanu-El, 1580 Spalding Drive.

McBath, a first-term Democrat from Marietta, said the the town hall will be about “hearing about the issues that matter most in our community. ”

McBath has taken a visible role in gun-control issues, and during the August recess took part in a “Protect Our Care” bus tour in Georgia to advocate for greater health care access.

She also sponsored the Honoring American Veterans in Extreme Need Act, which allows disabled veterans greater relief from financial hardship by amending bankruptcy laws. That bill passed Congress and recently was signed by President Donald Trump.

If you’re interested in attending the town hall, you’re asked to RSVP here. Seating is limited.

McBath is the only Democrat thus far who’s declared an intention to run for the 6th District seat in 2020. Her win last year helped tilt control of the House to the Democrats, and the 6th District—which includes East Cobb, North Fulton and Sandy Springs and north and central DeKalb—is considered a battleground race again for next year.

Former Rep. Karen Handel, whom McBath defeated last year, is one of four Republicans vying to regain the seat that had been in GOP hands for 40 years. Also running are State Sen. Brandon Beach of Alpharetta, Nicole Rodden, a former Merchant Marine and Marjorie Taylor Greene, owner of a Milton commercial construction company.

According to the latest federal campaign finance reports, McBath has raised $1.15 million for her re-election bid this year.

Among the individual contributors include actress Jane Fonda, who made contributions of $2,200 and $2,800 in June, and former Gov. Roy Barnes of Marietta, who contributed $1,800 in June.

She also has received political action committee contributions from the American Federation of Teachers ($5,000), NARAL Pro-Choice America ($5,000) and the campaign committees for various House Democrats, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Greene has raised $523,351 (with $500,000 coming from the candidate), Handel $460,132, Beach $359,067 and Rodden $158,926.

 

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East Cobb Weekend Events: Consignment Sale; Sunday Funday and more

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Good Mews 30th birthday, East Cobb weekend events
Good Mews is having a car wash Saturday that will benefit continuing operations and the addition of 36 cats from a Glynn County shelter.

It’s going to be sunny and hot this weekend, much like it has this week and is forecast to be in the days ahead. In East Cobb over the next few days, there are a lot of events to choose from, both indoors and outdoors, all the way to Sunday evening.

Here’s a look at some of the highlights from our Events Calendar:

Another Kid’s Consignment Sale gets underway Friday at the Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul (1795 Johnson Ferry Road) which opens its doors 9-6 and then on Saturday 9-12. There are more than 300 items, with the price reduced by 30 percent on Saturday. For information: http://spspkids.com/.

A full slate of High School Football is on tap Friday, with two more East Cobb rivalry games in store after last week’s rousing games. The headliners are Pope at Walton, and Kell at Lassiter. Wheeler is at home to Shiloh and Sprayberry is having an early homecoming against South Cobb. Kickoff times at all venues are 7:30 p.m.

On Labor Day we wrote about how Good Mews staff and volunteers evacuated more than 50 cats from a Glynn County Shelter that would otherwise have been euthanized ahead of Hurricane Dorian. The no-kill Good Mews has a regular list of fundraising events on tap, and has been asking for special donations for this emergency addition to their ranks. On Saturday they’re having a benefit car wash from 10-2 at their shelter (3805 Robinson Road). A $10 donation gets you a clean car and the proceeds helps Good Mews earn “bonus dollars” from the Best Friends Animal Society, which offers some matching donations.

Get your family moving Saturday at the library: It’s Family Zumba, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Mountain View Regional branch 3320 Sandy Plains Road. Bring your dancing shoes and drop in (no charge, no registration) and groove your way to fitness with a certified instructor. Intended for ages 10 and older.

At the East Cobb Library (4880 Lower Roswell Road), another drop-in event is taking place from 11-1. The Chinese Moon Festival is a presentation of The Alliance of Youth Leaders in the United States East Cobb Branch, Walton High School, and the local Chinese School.

Starting at noon Saturday, Sandy Plains Baseball will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with special ceremonies and opening games to follow the rest of the afternoon at Carl Harrison Park (2653 Shallowford Road).

Gospel music will fill the rafters Saturday night at Elizabeth Baptist Church (315 Kurtz Road), which welcomes the Gold City Quartet for a concert from 6-8. The event includes several other performers, and the requested donation is $10.

Wind up the weekend outdoors at East Cobb Park (3322 Roswell Road): It’s another Sunday Funday event from 4-6 p.m. and the McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA will be hosting many family friendly activities, like Yoga and Zumba classes, Soccer Clinics, and kids activities. Bring a picnic, and enjoy some live music.

You’ll find more details about those and can check out more of our calendar listings for this weekend and beyond. Send your events to us and we’ll post ’em here: calendar@eastcobbnews.com.

 

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Terrell Mill Road school speed zone proposed at Brumby, ECMS

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Terrell Mill Road school speed zone

A proposal to establish a 25 mph school speed zone along a stretch of Terrell Mill Road is among numerous traffic-related changes to be considered Tuesday by the Cobb Board of Commissioners.

It’s part of an occasional update to establish school speed zones, make changes to road signs to match flashing signals and approve road areas for speed detection devices.

Brumby Elementary School and East Cobb Middle School relocated last year side-by-side campuses on Terrell Mill Road between Powers Ferry Road and Paper Mill Road.

Tuesday’s proposal would call for a 25 mph speed limit on Terrell Mill from a point 80 feet north of Timberstone Hollow Court (at the bottom point of the red line on the map) to 480 feet north of Greenwood Trail.

The speed zone limits would be in effect only during school days and during the following times, per Cobb DOT:

  • AM: From 45 minutes prior to commencement time to 15 minutes after commencement time;
  • PM: From 30 minutes prior to dismissal time to 30 minutes after dismissal time.

In addition, Cobb DOT is requesting to remove the former Brumby ES speed zone along Powers Ferry Road, and to remove a reference to East Cobb Middle School in the Holt Road school speed zone area that still includes Wheeler High School.

Mountain View Elementary School also relocated to a new site last year along Sandy Plains Road. Another proposal would move that 25 mph school speed zone further down on Sandy Plains from its old site near Shallowford Road.

The new school speed zone on Sandy Plains would stretch from 570 feet east of Davis Drive to 50 feet west of Berkshire Flat.

Another school-related proposal would create a school speed zone of 25 mph on Beaver Shop Road, from 240 feet east of Boyce Drive to Ebenezer Road, near Addison Elementary School.

A few other school-related updates to road speed signs are routine, and are being done to match current signs and new flashing beacons at the following locations:

  • Lower Roswell Road, from 300 feet west of Holt Road to 200 feet east of Rhodes Drive (Eastvalley ES);
  • Lower Roswell Road, from 80 feet east of Pioneer Trail to 100 feet west of Palmer Oaks Lane (Sedalia Park ES);
  • Pine Road, from 80 feet north of Bill Murdock Road to 225 feet south of Bill Murdock Road (Walton HS);
  • Trickum Road, from 40 feet north of Swanson Court to 0.30 miles north of Sandy Plains Road (Simpson MS).

You can read the proposed radar ordinance changes at this link.

The commissioners also will consider a number of requests to approve the use of speed detection devices on roads around the county.

Among them in East Cobb is on Roswell Road near East Side Elementary School, from 50 feet west of Mt. Bethel Road to 50 feet west of Montague Road. That’s a stretch of .29 miles, and the school speed zone there is 25 mph.

Another proposal would allow speed detection devices to be used along most of Roswell Road in East Cobb, from Greenbriar Parkway near the Loop to the Fulton County line. That’s 6.79 miles, and the current speed limit is 45 mph.

Here’s the full list of roads where detection devices are permitted, with the proposed changes in red.

And here’s more background from Cobb DOT, which mentions that commissioners last updated the list of roads in 2015. Before they can act, the county must get approval from Georgia DOT.

The proposed changes are on the consent agenda.

The full meeting agenda can be found here and the meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the second floor board room of the Cobb government building, 100 Cherokee St., in downtown Marietta.

 

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Roswell Road closed between Powers Ferry and Lower Roswell

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Roswell Road closed, 9.4.19

Marietta Police sent out this message a little after 3:30 this afternoon:

Roswell Road is closed between Powers Ferry Road and Lower Roswell Road due to a downed power pole.

The downed power lines are blocking all lanes of traffic and repair crews are on the scene.

Suggested alternate routes include the Marietta Loop.

We’ll update when we get more information.

 

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Cobb Fire competing in ‘Close Before You Doze’ video contest

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Cobb Fire Close Before You Doze

Thanks to Aaron Salkill, a firefighter with the Cobb Fire and Emergency Services Department, for passing along the following information and educational video you can watch below that’s part of a nationwide contest about closing your door before going to bed.

He and his Dalmatian Cinder are taking part in the “Close Before You Doze” video contest, which will award the winner a $25,000 grant for fire safety education programs.

The video contest is in conjunction with UL Firefighter Safety Research, and the videos are designed “to help educate people about the critical impact that closing your bedroom door can have in stopping the spread of a fire and ultimately saving lives.”

The winnings, according to Cobb Fire, would be contributed to the Cobb County Safety Village.

The eight videos with the most votes move on to the next round where a panel of UL representatives will rank the finalists. They will receive a donation in their name to a fire department of their choosing.

The grand prize donation is $25,000, the runner-up and second runner-up will receive $15,000 and $10,000, respectively, and five additional winners will be recognized with a $5,000 donation and honorable mention.

You can click on to the video link here between now and Sept. 15 to cast your vote for Aaron and Cinder and possibly benefit the Cobb Safety Village.

 

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Blackwell ES students make robotic arm for student in need

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Blackwell ES robotics students

Story and photos submitted by the Cobb County School District:

“We get to build special things for special people.” According to a Blackwell Elementary School student, that is what makes the school’s robotics and coding club so great.

This year, the fifth graders in the club launched a community service project that reaches across the Atlantic Ocean, across the African continent and all the way to the country of Oman.

Blackwell students in the Robotics, Coding, and Community Service (RCC) club are using a 3D printer to build a prosthetic arm for an Oman student in need. The Blackwell club was recently certified to make prosthetic hands and arms for people in need. The Cobb school is the only elementary school in Georgia with the certification.

The international student and her parents recently visited Blackwell and met members of the RCC club along with some of her peers in first grade.

During the club meeting, the international visitor tested out some of the robotic hands that the club members had previously assembled. The club members later created a prosthetic arm-sized and tailored just for her.Blackwell ES robotics students

Although 3D printing the parts only took a few days, the process also included taking special images of the Oman student’s arm, modifications, and a practice prosthetic to ensure the functionality supports her needs.

The Blackwell students partnered with the Enabling the Future to design the arm’s socket, which requires more technical engineering. After the test model was finished, the Oman student was able to try it on and give feedback for the final version.

“The arm fit well overall, and it was functional, but it was a little too long and the socket needed to be a bit deeper. She also decided that she wants the forearm to be brown in color to match the rest of the arm rather than the sports theme that we included,” explained Dr. Tom Brown, Blackwell STEM Lab teacher (in photo at right), and RCC Club advisor.  

The Blackwell students plan to make the changes and send their new friend the robotic arm in the next few weeks. The goal is for her to use the student-built arm until she is ready to try one that is made by professional prosthetic doctors like the ones at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Helping the student from Oman wasn’t the Blackwell student’s first time building a prosthetic. Last school year, they constructed one for a fellow Blackwell student and club member.

The Blackwell Elementary fifth-grader was born without a left hand and forearm. The club printed and assembled an arm called the RIT arm, which is an adaptive device with an elbow but not a wrist.

“While it turned out pretty well, it wasn’t fully functional and didn’t fit her quite right. This summer, we worked on another type of arm for her called the Adjustowrap arm.  We are hoping to have one printed and assembled for her soon,” the Blackwell RCC club advisor explained.   

The Robotics, Coding, and Community Service Club started in 2018 as an opportunity for students to explore their interest in robotics and coding, while the skills can be used to serve the needs of the people in the community, and now even around the world.

As part of the club, the students have learned binary code, drag-and-drop programming and higher-order coding languages like Python. They have also coded robots like Spheros, Ozobots, Cozmo, and Alpha.

“We started by using our 3D printer to print out and assemble a couple of prosthetic hands,” Dr. Brown added.

Before helping the Oman student, the RCC club printed out six hands and worked in small groups to assemble them for practice.

Even with all that the club has accomplished in a year, it is just the beginning.

“We still have lots to learn about all of this,” Dr. Brown said.   

What keeps the students going is knowing that they have the ability and technology to help other people including students just like them. 

 

Blackwell ES robotics students

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Sprayberry Crossing redevelopment called ‘a true mixed-use property’

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Sprayberry Crossing developer
Atlantic Residential, developer of The Reserve at The Ballpark near SunTrust seen above, is proposing a 3- or 4-story apartment building, senior living, townhomes and retail on the site of Sprayberry Crossing.

Last Friday Sprayberry Crossing Action group leaders met with Richard Aaronson of Atlantic Realty, which is proposing a mixed-use development at Piedmont Road and Sandy Plains Road to replace the blighted, mostly abandoned shopping center there.

On Tuesday Shane Spink, one of those community leaders, reported on the meeting, and said he was impressed with the developer’s willingness to listen and make changes and adjustments to the plan.”

He said Atlantic Realty “took a few of the suggestions to go back to the drawing board.”

While the news about Atlantic Realty’s proposal has generated a positive reaction—for the most part—on the Sprayberry Crossing Action Facebook page, the most sensitive part of the project remains over some of the details of the residential plans.

Spink admitted his “top concern” was whether the townhomes would be for sale or rentals, since Atlantic has built some of the latter, but said he was “very pleased to hear that the townhomes will be ‘for sale’ ownership homes.”

About the overall development, here’s what Spink said they were shown:

“Please let me emphasize that what we looked at was a true mixed-use property and not a giant apartment complex like others have tried to describe this as. Here is the preliminary breakdown of what we saw:

  • For Sale Townhomes
  • Luxury Apartments w/Pool
  • Senior Living
  • Senior Living Amenities Center/Pool
  • Ground Floor Retail/Restaurant Space
  • Office/Workshare Space
  • Large Front Lawn Green-space

“In my opinion it doesn’t get more ‘Mixed-Use’ than that.”

Spink said none of the apartments will have three bedrooms and there will be more with one bedroom than two. That’s similar to what’s being built in the Powers Ferry Road corridor, mostly to prevent school overcrowding.

More exact details, Spink adds, are coming next week, and a community meeting will follow in the fall. Spink told East Cobb News there isn’t a set date for that meeting, but it could happen in October.

Understanding the concerns some have over the apartments, Spink urged residents to keep in mind  that “this an opportunity to transform our area for the better. In a few years we will come up on the 50th anniversary of Sprayberry Crossing being built and that’s a long time for any shopping center but especially for one that has been so neglected for so long.”

Back in the 1970s, land was more abundant in Cobb and “sprawling retail centers were all the rage. Fast forward to today, retail is dying, land is scarce, populations are growing and new ideas for use have transformed areas all over the country. This is one of those new ideas.”

You can read his full post here, and check out what’s been a very vibrant comments section.

 

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Cobb Master Gardeners to hold open garden sessions in September

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Cobb Master Gardeners open garden

Every month the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County holds an “open garden” session for the public to learn about and enjoy natural settings tended to by their members, as well as ongoing gardening projects.

Next week, they’ll be holding two open gardens at locations around Cobb as part of a countywide promotion of their programs, on Thursday, Sept. 14 and Saturday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Five venues are in or near East Cobb:

  • Wright Environmental Education Center (2663 Johnson Ferry Road);
  • Crossroads Community Garden (2661 Johnson Ferry Road);
  • McFarlane Nature Park (280 Farm Road);
  • Hyde Farm (726 Hyde Road);
  • Chattahoochee Nature Center (9135 Willeo Road, Roswell).

The following locations will have the same dates and times at open garden events:

  • Woodland Garden at Smith-Gilbert Gardens, 2382 Pine Mountain Road, Kennesaw;
  • Rose Garden at Smith-Gilbert Gardens, 2382 Pine Mountain Road, Kennesaw;
  • Period and Cherokee Garden at Green Meadows Preserve, 3780 Dallas Hwy, Marietta;
  • Green Meadows Preserve Community Garden, 3780 Dallas Hwy, Marietta;
  • Plant a Row for the Hungry, 657 Old Mountain Road, Marietta;
  • William Root House Museum & Garden, 80 North Marietta Pkwy, Marietta;
  • Reconnecting Our Roots Community Garden, 271 Lemon St, Marietta;
  • North Marietta Neighborhood Community Garden, 342 Pine St, Marietta;
  • Cobb County Water System: Wildlife and Rain Garden 660 South Cobb Dr, Marietta.

Most of the events have free admission, except for the Chattahoochee Nature Center and the Smith-Gilbert Gardens, which will charge an entry fee.

The following open garden will be Thursday only, also from 9-1:

  • Center for Children and Young Adults, 2221 Austell Road, Marietta.

The Wright Center in East Cobb is a regular venue for the monthly open garden sessions. In April, the grounds at Johnson Ferry and Post Oak Tritt Road were designated a wildlife sanctuary by the Atlanta Audubon Society.

Janis Hylton, a volunteer at the Wright Center, says this about the upcoming open garden sessions:

“Come hike the trails, bird-watch, enjoy nature and the native plants, check out the ‘Invasive Plants Jail,’ view the frogs in our recently-enlarged frog pond, and ask Master Gardeners questions. You are welcome to bring a lunch for a picnic on our picnic tables.”

Parking is available at the adjacent Chestnut Ridge Christian Church.

 

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