East Cobb food scores: Biscuits and More; Seed; Stem; and more

Seed Kitchen and Bar, East Cobb food scores

The following East Cobb food scores from Jan. 27-31 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for details of the inspection:

Alto Senior Living Marietta
840 Lecroy Drive
January 30, 2020 Score: 94, Grade: A

Biscuits and More
3162 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 140
January 29, 2020 Score: 98, Grade: A

Catfish Hox
2595 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 101
January 30, 2020 Score: 90, Grade: A

Hoboken Bread & Bagel Company
1033 Sandy Plains Road, Suite G
January 28, 2020 Score: 99, Grade: A

Seed Kitchen & Bar
1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 504
January 31, 2020 Score: 97, Grade: A

Stem Wine Bar
1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 516
January 31, 2020 Score: 100, Grade: A

Taco Bell
4880 Lower Roswell Road
January 29, 2020 Score: 90, Grade: A

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Walton Chorus Fashion Show and Silent Auction slated for Saturday

Submitted information:Walton Chorus Fashion Show

The 16th annual Fashion Show and Silent Auction will be held on Saturday, February 1. We will be raffling some FANTASTIC prizes as well as holding our famous Silent Auction featuring some of the coolest items and themed gift baskets. Doors open at the Walton Theater at 6:00 for the Silent Auction. The Fashion Show starts at 7:00.

Raffle tickets are on sale from Chorus students. You could win!

  • Music Midtown tickets
  • $1000 Delta gift card (domestic flights)
  • $750 Avalon shopping spree
  • iPhone 11
  • 13.3” MacBook Pro

 

For more information visit the Walton Chorus website.

 

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Upcoming events, classes and activities at The Art Place

Registration for Spring 2020 is OPEN

You can view our course booklet here:
https://www.artplacemarietta.org/spring-2020-listings

Call for Artists

Click Here to Apply

The Art Place Celebrates Black History Month

Directed by Cyd Prather

The Art Place has partnered with the Tiny Theater Company to bring their incredibly successful production to East Cobb.

Tiny Hamlet is an urban retelling of Shakespeare’s classic told in 45 minutes. The show’s cast is comprised entirely of people of color, and is directed with the energy of a feature film. We are excited to celebrate black history month with this production, and believe everyone will benefit from watching this show.

Click Here to Buy Tickets

Coming in February

Center Stage North Presents: Unnecessary Farce
Two cops. Three crooks. Eight doors. Go. In a cheap motel room, an embezzling mayor is supposed to meet with his female accountant, while in the room next-door, two undercover cops wait to catch the meeting on videotape. But there’s some confusion as to who’s in which room, who’s being videotaped, who’s taken the money, who’s hired a hit man, and why the accountant keeps taking off her clothes.

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Cobb Police Coffee With a Cop meetings coming in Precinct 4

Submitted information about several upcoming Cobb Police Coffee With a Cop meetings, where the public is invited to bring questions and discuss crime and public safety issues with Precinct 4 community officer Nathalie Jegg:Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

  • Tuesday, February 11, 10:00 AM to noon at IHOP, 3130 Johnson Ferry Road
  • Tuesday, February 186:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Starbucks, 2424 Roswell Road
  • Monday, May 4 10:00 AM to noon at Jacobs Java 1350 Terrell Mill Road

Upcoming major/public events for Cobb Police Community Affairs:

  • Ride with the Blue Charity Motorcycle Ride on Sunday, April 19 at Jim Miller Park time TBA (for more info contact Officer Granell at, Raymond.Granell-Reyes@cobbcounty.org)
  • Copz, Kidz, & Chicken event at Zaxby’s, 2981 Delk Road, April 22 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A portion of the proceeds to benefit Brumby Elementary School to pay down outstanding school lunch debts (for more info contact Officer Jegg at Nathalie.Jegg@cobbcounty.org)

 

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East Cobb, NE Cobb YMCA volunteer, teen leader to be honored

Submitted photos and information:

McCleskey-East Cobb and Northeast Cobb YMCA volunteers and teen leaders of the Year will be honored on Feb. 10 at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s Celebration of Community Champions: 2020 Vision event at the Cobb Galleria. Ambassador Andrew Young and Dr. Walter Young will be honored with the Bransby Christian Leadership Award.

Molly Khan YMCA volunteer
Molly Khan

McCleskey-East Cobb / Northeast Cobb Family YMCAs

Volunteer of the Year: Molly Toland Khan joined the YMCA with her family in 2012. New to Marietta, Molly found community and friendship at the Y, joining spin class and connecting with other families. She currently serves on the board and community engagement committee with the McCleskey East-Cobb / Northeast Cobb Family YMCAs

Quote about Molly from Y staff member Becky Shipley: “Molly’s time and efforts contribute to strengthening the foundation of the community. She currently serves on our board community engagement committee and oversees the success of our local school food pantry by recruiting volunteers and organizing food pick up day. Molly has grown the pantry’s outreach to serve over 50 families each month.

Quote from Molly: “My path to serve really became clear when I got more involved in our Y community programs which ensure all children have equal access to reaching their full potential. I want to be an example to my children that being a part of a community is about helping and serving others.”

Fatima Gonzalez YMCA volunteer
Fatima Gonzalez

Teen Leader of the Year: Fatima Gonzalez’ first connection with the YMCA was through youth soccer and swim lessons nine years ago. She is currently involved as the Leaders Club president. She has attended YMCA Blue Ridge Leaders School for two summers and has attended three global service leadership trips. After high school graduation, Fatima plans to attend college in Georgia so she can continue her YMCA involvement.

Quote about Fatima from Y Staff Member Rachel Singer: “Fatima embodies teen leadership and commitment to giving back to the community. She makes time to volunteer and takes the opportunity to lead by example. Fatima is someone I can easily say truly believes in the Y and has been grateful for all of the opportunities that have presented themselves because of her commitment.”

Quote from Fatima: “It is crucial to make time to be involved with the Y because it is our duty to serve our community. It is our duty as servant leaders to give back to the community that raised us and leave it better than it was before. I have found that I feel at home at any Y, even in other states or in other countries like Costa Rica or England. The Y has the ability to unite complete strangers and make them family. I don’t know of any organization that is even comparable to the work, service and impact of the YMCA.”

 

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St. Andrew to hold Methodist women’s district mission study

Submitted information:United Methodist Women

Feb. 22, 2020 – 8:30am-2:00pm – Atlanta Marietta United Methodist Women’s District Mission Study – St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 3455 Canton Rd., Marietta, GA – Keheley Bldg.

All women of the Methodist Church are invited to the Atlanta Marietta United Methodist Women’s District Mission Study on “Women United For Change – 150 Years in Mission.” Cost: $10 (includes breakfast, lunch and study). Study books can be ordered (and are suggested) through www.umwmissionresources.org. Registration starts at 8:30am. Lunch is 12:00pm. Our program is led by Cindy Davis Campbell, United Methodist Deaconess, whose ministry is with Cobb Senior Services. The study is learning about the history of the United Methodist Women and its predecessor organizations. 

 

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Registration Deadline: Sat., Feb. 15, 2020 (contact: Edna Felmlee, felmleee@gmail.com or 678-494-4213).

Sope Creek ES students learn problem-solving in STEM program

Sope Creek ES STEM

Photos and information submitted by Cobb County School District:

Stewardship, citizenship, and leadership are central to the mission and vision at Sope Creek Elementary where young students develop skills to be the leaders of tomorrow. The nearly 1,200 students – from preschool to fifth grade – have used STEM education as a catalyst to change the world. 

“We have helped our students view the world as problem solvers. Even our youngest learners know that they have the potential to change the world,” said Sope Creek Principal Dr. Doug Daugherty.

Sope Creek Elementary teachers, together with their students, explore global problems through an interdisciplinary approach focused on science, technology, engineering, and math. The educators create lessons that give students the opportunity to serve as young agents of change in their community.  

As a result, a culture of care has spread throughout the school.  

After learning about the importance of conserving wildlife habitats, first-grade students at Sope Creek jumped into action. They decided to help the Atlanta Zoo by designing enclosures specific to the most endangered animals. 

“It is exciting to see our students demonstrating compassion and feeling empowered enough to imagine bold solutions,” explained first-grade teacher Nadia White. 

As second-grade students explored past and present Georgia, their research unearthed the pollution issue currently impacting the Savannah River. So, in partnership with Coca-Cola’s litter catcher initiative, students created their own designs to decrease water pollution, doing their part as great stewards of their home state.  

To fight the declining bee population, Sope Creek fourth-graders planted wildflowers in the garden beds right outside their classroom doors. Thanks to the 9 and 10-year-olds research and planning, the bees will have a reliable food source. 

Each year, Sope Creek Elementary chooses a theme. This year’s theme “Hero Makers” not only emphasizes the importance of being heroes but also helps students recognize their potential of being the heroes of today and tomorrow.  

 “We are most proud of the impact on our students who see the world differently,” Dr. Daugherty added. “They know that they have the ability to make a difference and to be the leaders to make change happen.” 

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Cobb public safety step-and-grade plan approved unanimously

Susan Hampton, Cobb public safety advocates
Susan Hampton

Cobb public safety personnel will be receiving a new salary structure that becomes effective in March.

The Cobb Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 Tuesday night to implement a step-and-grade plan that will provide for incremental pay boosts, based on years of service and other factors.

Details of the plan were revealed last week as a “next step” toward increasing salary and benefits for Cobb public safety workers. Commissioners last year approved a seven-percent raise and a one-time bonus after coming under pressure from public safety personnel and community activists.

“This is a step forward,” South Cobb commissioner Lisa Cupid said before the vote. “It is not a panacea.”

The new plan kicks in March 22, and all qualified personnel in Cobb police, fire and sheriff’s departments will move up a step at that time.

The additional funding will come to $5.7 million for the current fiscal year 2020, which goes through the end of September.

The step-and-grade plan would increase starting pay for entry-level police officers, sheriff’s deputies and firefighters from $41,000 a year to $46,000.

Salaries for the highest police officer and firefighter positions would range from $67,290 to $103,626. For rank-and-file sheriff’s deputies, that top-end range would be $48,435 to $74,590.

Unlike other step-and-grade pay models—including the Cobb County School District—the Cobb public safety raises would not be automatic, and would have to go before commissioners during the annual budget process.

East Cobb commissioner Bob Ott was absent from the meeting.

“We still have work to do, but a lot has been done in the past 11 months,” said Susan Hampton of East Cobb, an advocate with the Cobb County Public Safety Foundation.

She urged commissioners to “never allow public safety to be removed as the No. 1 priority in future budgets.”

But another public safety advocate, Kimberly Peace Hill, was irate, saying “this scale does nothing for retention.”

She told commissioners that “if you’re going to do this, don’t drop the ball. Give them [public safety employees] a commitment.”

Cobb Sheriff Neil Warren, whose department is understaffed, said the step-and-grade plan “is outstanding. It’s long overdue.”

The commissioners’ comments were brief, with East Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell pledging that “as long as I’m in this seat, [public safety] will be my No. 1 priority.”

North Cobb commissioner Keli Gambrill voted for the measure, but wondered how the plan will be financed in the long haul since the county brings in $21 million less in property tax revenues ($392 million) than it pays for county employee salaries ($414 million).

She wanted future public safety raises to be tied to additional revenues from the state tag and ad valorem tax, the source of most of the funding for the step-and-grade costs.

“I hope our actions over the last year will show we are moving in the right direction.” Cupid said.

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GOP business executive joins Cobb Commission District 2 race

Some more political campaign news to round up here, after yesterday’s announcement of a Democratic candidate for the Cobb Board of Education Post 5 race:Fitz Johnson, Cobb commission District 2

The battle to succeed Bob Ott on the Cobb Board of Commissioners gained a Republican candidate last week. T. Fitz Johnson, a Vinings resident, filed a declaration of intent to accept campaign contributions.

Johnson is CEO of ASID Group International, a prison healthcare company, and was a GOP candidate for Georgia Superintendent of Schools in 2014. His community service work includes serving on the WellStar Health System Board of Trustees and the board of the Cobb Hospital Authority.

A former collegiate wrestler at The Citadel, Johnson is a military veteran and was the owner of the Atlanta Beat women’s professional soccer team from 2009-11.

He’s the third Republican to announce after Ott’s decision not to seek a fourth term to represent District 2, which includes some of East Cobb and the Smyran-Vinings area. The others are East Cobb residents Shane Deyo, an Army veteran and software consultant, and Andy Smith, Ott’s appointee to the Cobb Planning Commission.

Smith hasn’t formally declared his candidacy and will have to resign from the planning board once he does.

Last week, East Cobb real estate agent Pamela Reardon told the MDJ she would be running too, as a Republican. On Monday, however, she left a message on the Cobb Central Facebook page that she has decided against that, citing stress and a previous bout with cancer.

The only Democrat to announce for the District 2 seat thus far is Jerica Richardson, who campaigned for current Cobb school board member Jaha Howard.

6th District Congress update

After several Republican candidates withdrew for the 6th Congressional District seat before the holidays, another has jumped into the fray.

Mykel BarthelemyMykel Barthelemey, who runs Barthelemy Commercial Capital in Atlanta with her husband, is the third GOP hopeful seeking to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath.

She joins former Congresswoman Karen Handel in the Republican primary and recently launched her campaign website.

Barthelemey, who hails from Louisiana, was a sub-contractor for the Small Business Administration in Atlanta and was involved in the Reform Party. She’s the author of a new book, “Trump Is Not A Racist! Here’s Why” and is the founder of Coming Out Red USA, a grassroots conservative organization.

In her mission statement, she said Trump is “the greatest President in the history of our country that ever lived” and that “I’m the Left’s worst nightmare because my nonconformity destroys their narrative.”

The 6th District includes East Cobb, North Fulton and Sandy Springs and North DeKalb.

Dem roundtable on crime, opioids

Next week two Democratic candidates will hold a roundtable event in East Cobb on criminal justice reform and opioids.

The roundtable takes place next Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m., at Seed Kichen and Bar (1311 Johnson Ferry Road)

The hosts are Sarah Riggs Amico, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican David Perdue, and Jimmy Herndon, a candidate for Cobb County Sheriff.

 

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Walton student raising funds for YMCA Global Service trip

Izaiah Hooper, Walton student, YMCA Global Service trip

In December we posted a fundraising appeal from a Lassiter student who’s part of a YMCA Global Service project this summer to the Republic of Georgia.

Izaiah Hooper, a student at Walton High School, is part of the same program, and is asking for community help to collect $3,000 in donations by May 1. As he explains:

“Only a select amount of teens get to go on this trip and I was picked! We would fly out there and stay at the YMCA there and help out for 10 days around the camp. I would learn new leadership skills to bring back to my community and I would be able to help the locals there.”

Izaiah has been involved in various community service work in addition to the YMCA, having raised funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 13). He also has been a page in the Georgia State Senate.

Izaiah has more information about him and the leadership program at his YMCA page, including a button where you can make a donation.

Send us your news!

Whether you’re young, old, or in-between, feel free to let us know about about activities and events near and dear to you. E-mail your news, photos and other materials to: editor@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll share it with the East Cobb community.

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Democratic candidate announces for Cobb school board Post 5

The first Democrat to seek the Post 5 seat on the Cobb Board of Education has announced her candidacy.Julia Hurtado, Cobb school board candidate

On Monday, Julia Hurtado launched her campaign website and posted a brief introductory video (see below).

She is a physical therapist with the Shepherd Center, a rehabilitation facility in Atlanta for people with spinal cord and brain injuries.

Hurtado said on her campaign website that she is running “to build a coalition between teachers, parents, and students, and to help our community keep up with our changing world.”

Hurtado and her husband, David Hurtado, an attorney, moved to the Atlanta area 12 years ago to attend Emory graduate school. They have been in Cobb County for the last eight years and live in the Sedalia Park Elementary School attendance zone.

Post 5 includes the Lassiter and Pope attendance zones; Hightower Trail, Simpson and Mabry middle schools; and Davis, East Side, Eastvalley, Garrison Mill, Mountain View, Murdock, Powers Ferry, Sedalia Park, Shallowford Falls and Tritt elementary schools.

Republican David Banks is completing his third term representing Post 5 on the school board, and announced recently he is seeking re-election.

Three other Republican candidates have declared: Delta pilot Shelley O’Malley, attorney Rob Madayag and IT consultant Matt Harper (previous ECN post here).

Banks has said his goals for a fourth term include expanding STEM programs in East Cobb schools, including the addition of an arts component; continued support for the Cobb Teaching and Learning System that provides real-time assessments of academic progress; and to push for more teachers and better compensation when funding is available.

Hurtado said that in a county that’s becoming more diverse, “I want to amplify all of these voices in our community to ensure that every student’s needs are met,” and that her specific objectives will be to “focus on equal access, opportunity, and success for all students.”

Four of the seven posts on the Cobb school board are up for grabs this year; Post 5 is the only one in East Cobb. Republicans hold a 4-3 majority.

The general primary in Cobb and Georgia is May 19.

Post 5 map

Cobb BOE Post 5

 

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East Cobb traffic alert: Post Oak Tritt-Hembree roundabout opens

Post Oak Tritt-Hembree roundabout opens

Cobb County government is sending out this message today:

Cobb Department of Transportation crews opened the new roundabout at Post Oak Tritt and Hembree Roads in time for the Monday morning rush hour. The $1.5 million project is designed to improve traffic flow through the area and also includes enhanced lighting and brings sidewalks up to modern ADA standards.

Traffic might be slow in the area due to the changes in flow, so please drive carefully. More information on roundabouts can be found here.

https://www.cobbcounty.org/transportation/traffic/safety-education

The roundabout was scheduled to have been completed in July, but Cobb DOT requested and was granted a delay from the Cobb Board of Commissioners in July due to what were cited as weather and utility relocation delays.

The original cost of the project also was pegged at $1.3 million.

The roundabout was built at a busy intersection that previously had only a stop sign for drivers turning left or right from Hembree onto Post Oak Tritt.

It’s also located close to a roundabout opened in the fall of 2017 at Pope High School on Hembree Road.

 

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East Cobb resident earns Cobb Chamber’s public service award

Susan Hampton, Cobb Chamber public service award
Susan Hampton with outgoing Cobb Chamber of Commerce president Mitch Rhoden. (Cobb C of C photo)

At its annual gala dinner Saturday, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce presented East Cobb resident Susan Hampton with its Mack Henderson Public Service Award, given to “someone who is outstanding in their commitment and dedication to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Cobb County.”

Hampton has organized the East Cobb Business Association’s appreciation events for Cobb Police Precinct 4 officers and Cobb Fire personnel, and is part of the newly formed Cobb County Public Safety Foundation.

Over the last year, she has been outspoken in favor of better pay and benefits for Cobb public safety workers.

In being presented the award Saturday, the Chamber called Hampton a “tireless advocate for Cobb’s public safety personnel. Whether it’s acting as a vocal supporter for higher wages or organizing an appreciation event for local law enforcement, this award winner devotes her volunteer efforts to the community she serves.”

Hampton also is active with the Cobb County Coalition of Business Associations, “working with the coalition’s founders and other committed volunteers continuing the legacy of Barbara Hickey, lending her hand whenever it is needed,” according to the Chamber’s presentation.

The Cobb Chamber also honored former U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson at the gala dinner. The Republican from East Cobb was presented with the Chamber’s Senator Johnny H. Isakson Leadership Award, which has been renamed in his honor.

The Chamber has dedicated the 10th floor of its new offices at 1100 Circle 75 Parkway in Isakson’s name.

Sen. Johnny Isakson, Cobb chamber
Retired U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson speaks at the Cobb Chamber gala dinner Saturday. (Cobb C of C photo)

 

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East Cobb’s Scott Sweeney named chairman of Ga. Board of Education

Former Cobb Board of Education member Scott Sweeney will serve this year as the chairman of the Georgia Board of Education.Scott Sweeney, Georgia Board of Education

Sweeney is an East Cobb resident who represented the Walton and Wheeler clusters from 2011-2018.

“I look forward to working with Scott and Jason to pursue continued improvements in Georgia’s K-12 public schools and expanded opportunities for our students,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said in a statement. “They are both upstanding individuals with strong experience in education governance, and Georgia’s students will benefit from their leadership.”

Sweeney is a Senior Business Advisor for InPrime Legal of East Cobb, a business law firm recognized as one of four 2019 Small Business ROCK STARS by the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Economic Developers Association.

“It’s an honor to serve as Chairman of the State Board of Education,” Sweeney said. “I look forward to working with Governor Brian Kemp, Superintendent Richard Woods, and my board colleagues as we all strive to do our best serving Georgia’s K-12 students, their families, teachers and administrators.”

During his time on the Cobb school board, he served as chairman and vice chairman and currently serves as a member of Georgia’s Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Business & Advisory Committee and as a member of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee.

Georgia Board of Education members are chosen by the governor via Congressional district. Sweeney represents the 6th Congressional District, and vice chairman Jason Downey of Macon is from the 8th District.

 

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Three people injured, two seriously, in Woodstock Road crash

Woodstock Road crash

Three people were taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital Saturday night after their car crashed with another vehicle on Woodstock Road in Northeast Cobb, according to Cobb Police.

Officer Sydney Melton said in a release Sunday morning that Dorothy Graham, 81, and Victoria Graham, 67, both of Marietta, suffered serious injuries. Cline Graham, 74, of Marietta, had non-life-threatening injuries, Melton said.

Melton said they were in a blue 2008 Honda CR-V traveling westbound on Woodstock Road at 9:44 p.m. Saturday when Cline Graham, the driver, tried making a left turn onto southbound Mabry Road.

The Honda hit a silver 2014 Jeep Wrangler that was heading east on Woodstock Road, according to Melton. She said the Jeep’s driver, Brittany Bonner, 18, of Marietta, did not require medical attention at the scene.

Melton said the crash is still being investigated and that anyone with information is asked to call the Cobb Police Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Unit at 770-499-3987.

 

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Creative classes coming up this week at Sewell Mill Library

Submitted information:

Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center features a creative studio that houses sound booths for audio recording, a state-of-the-art recording studio, a video production room with a green screen, an iMac editing station and Adobe hardware and software for creating projects.

Below are some of the upcoming classes and activities:

  • Paper to Digital: Transforming hand drawn sketches to digital paintings
    6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 27
    Space is limited and registration required. Call 770-509-4988 to register.
  • Music Business Marketing with Rich Productions
    6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 29
  • Learn with Awesome Design Academy
    • Discover Design Careers (2-3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 8)
    • You Can with Canva! (2-4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 29)
    • Let’s Create (2-4 p.m., Saturday, April 4)

Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center is located at 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. For more information, visit cobbcat.org/news-updates/sewellmilllibrary.

 

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Keegan’s Irish Pub to close and reopen as East Cobb Tavern

Keegan’s Irish Pub has announced that it’s undergoing remodeling at its East Cobb/Roswell location starting Sunday and when it reopens next Friday, it will be known as East Cobb Tavern.East Cobb Tavern, Keegan's Irish Pub

The restaurant and bar located in the Shallowford Corners Shopping Center (4401 Shallowford Road) is having an Irish wake from 8-11 Saturday to close out the old place.

Menu changes are planned but there’s nothing specific for now. Keegan’s will close out at 3 p.m. on Sunday, then reopen as East Cobb Tavern next Friday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m.

Keegan’s has been the only Irish pub in the East Cobb area, and is one of four locations in metro Atlanta (Kennesaw, Vinings and Woodstock, the latter being known as Keegan’s Public House) and all feature live music.

For Saturday’s wake at Keegan’s East Cobb, there will be drink specials and raffle prizes, and they’ll be making framed Guinness, Harp and Smithwick’s mirrors available during the festivities.

Updates on the renovations are being posted on the Keegan’s Facebook page, and it’s created another for East Cobb Tavern.

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Wheeler student talks about cultural differences at Jewish school

Ashleigh Ewald

Submitted information and photo about Wheeler High School student Ashleigh Ewald, at left, who recently spoke to students at an Atlanta Jewish school with Rukaiya Masika, an Atlanta-area high school student from the Congo:

Rukaiya Masika is a 17 year old Atlanta metro high school student who is originally from the Congo of Africa. She shared her story about being born in the Congo and having to flee to another country because of the war going on in her native land. She described her tiring journey of traveling by foot from Congo to Uganda and recalled not being able to feel her legs from exhaustion. Rukaiya had to attend boarding school because her mother could not afford to feed her; the school provided food instead. She spoke about her hardships and even about being bullied by kids in her new school. Some kids teased her because of her cultural differences and even wearing a hijab (a religious garment used as a head covering).  

She encouraged the students to be themselves and that fitting in is a waste of time because their difference is also their strength. Questions were posed at the end where one 5th grader asked if Rukaiya would be able to see her family again. Rukaiya replied by saying that some of her family was already in the United States; however, due to the exodus from her country she does not know who her father is. She then gave the students advice about staying hopeful in difficult situations and of the importance of always being themselves.  

The audience consisted of 5th through 8th graders who rotated into the classroom to hear the stories being presented by the speakers. Ashleigh speaks about being born in the time of the One Child Policy. She was born on October 6, 2002, when the One Child Policy was happening. She discussed how being born a girl and cleft-affected  were not safe combinations during the One Child Policy.

The students were in dismay, and Ashleigh continued by telling them how she felt fortunate to be alive. She went on about being adopted from Shenyang, China, at the age of 4 and being brought to live in Georgia. Then, she spoke about being put up for adoption a second time because of the possibility that her first adopted parents didn’t know how to care for a traumatized child. Ashleigh then revealed that foster home experiences are different for each child and that some grow out of the system.

Ashleigh shared her middle-school experiences of trying to cope with the need to be accepted, discussing how hanging out with the “cool kids” to try and fit in only slows down an individual from achieving their dreams. 

Ashleigh started becoming a follower and a gossiper. In addition, Ashleigh informed the students that they will become the people they associate with, and so they should be mindful of that. Students were urged to be good to all and that people remember the way you treat them later on. Then, she explained how, ever since she dropped from that group, she was able to focus more on her goals and who she was, helping her get to her dream of being a U.S. Senator and motivational speaker. Her inspiration came from meeting a Holocaust survivor, and she knew she wanted to be a politician who will protect human rights. Finally, she wrapped up her speech by discussing how to slowly gain self-confidence and not seek acceptance from others. Ashleigh gave them advice on how being different is power rather than on fitting in. The unique is original!   

 

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Revised Cobb public safety step-and-grade would cost $5.7M

Cobb County Chairman Boyce, revised Cobb public safety step and grade

With a new budget season on the horizon, Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce said this week his agenda for 2020 is clear-cut.

He told members of the East Cobb Business Association on Tuesday that his top budget priorities are to keep the current property tax millage rate in place, and continue reducing the amount of money the county borrows from the water fund.

Another major objective he’s bringing up next week is a revised step-and-grade salary proposal for public safety personnel that he said “is a really big deal” for police officers, firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, sworn personnel and others.

“There’s nothing else on my plate,” Boyce said during a luncheon at the Olde Towne Athletic Club.

After the Cobb Board of Commissioners approved a one-time bonus, a seven-percent pay raise and an outline for a step-and-grade plan last year, Boyce floated a more detailed proposal last fall that fell flat with some of his colleagues or public safety leaders.

On Tuesday, Boyce will present a revised proposal that would cost an additional $5.7 million annually: $2.1 million for police, $2 million for fire and $1.6 million for the sheriff’s office.

Boyce wants to fast-track this proposal as well, having it take effect for the pay period starting on March 22, if approved.

According to a summary of the proposal included in the commissioners’ meeting agenda, $3.3 million of that new revenue would come from state title and ad valorem tax (TAVT) collections, with $1.1 million coming from the county’s general fund, and another $1.1 million from the fire fund.

The step-and-grade structure is similar to what Cobb County School District employees receive—annual, incremental and automatic raises based on a combination of factors, including years of service, promotions and performance reviews.

Under the revised proposal, the starting salary for an entry-level police officer, sheriff’s deputy or firefighter would jump from around $41,000 a year to $46,000, with the highest salary at that position earning $70,840.

Salaries for the highest police officer and firefighter positions would range from $67,290 to $103,626. For rank-and-file sheriff’s deputies, that top-end range would be $48,435 to $74,590.

The pay raises would be around three percent; under the draft proposal, however, they would not have been automatic and the salary boost would be subject to a performance review.

The revised numbers are slightly higher than what was presented in October. (For the full step-and-grade breakdown chart, click here, and for other proposed public safety salary ranges, click here.

After the ECBA luncheon, Boyce told East Cobb News said he is confident the new formula “is the issue that will restore confidence” to current public safety personnel, and will help with recruiting and retention.

He said that “we’ve engaged the officers,” and that “the key to me is, can we do this without a millage increase?”

For those critical of the draft proposal in October, the revision may pose similar concerns. East Cobb commissioner Bob Ott said then that the plan wouldn’t be step-and-grade if it needed annual budget approval.

Included in the recommendation in Tuesday’s budget item is language that would “authorize the County Manager to proceed working with county staff to develop a policy to review the Step & Grade Plan on an annual basis to determine effectiveness including an annual step as a top priority in future adopted budgets.”

Boyce, a Republican from East Cobb, is seeking re-election in November. His declared opposition includes South Cobb Democratic commissioner Lisa Cupid and East Cobb Republican Larry Savage, who ran for chairman in 2012 and 2016.

Two years ago, Boyce angered fiscal conservatives with a millage rate increase that didn’t address public safety staffing shortages and morale problems over pay and retention.

During last year’s budget deliberations, public safety staffers and advocates, as well as community leaders, implored commissioners to take measures to address what they termed a “crisis.”

One-time bonuses approved in May were promised as a “first step,” and when commissioners approved the fiscal year 2020 budget in July, it included a seven-percent raise for public safety employees.

Tuesday’s commission meeting is at 7 p.m. in the second floor board room of the Cobb government building, 100 Cherokee St., downtown Marietta. You can read through the full agenda by clicking here.

 

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East Cobb food scores: Rosa’s; California Pizza Kitchen; more

Rosa's Pizza, East Cobb businesses alcohol compliance checks, East Cobb food scores

The following East Cobb food scores from Jan. 20-24 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for details of the inspection:

Blue Moon Pizza
2359 Windy Hill Road, Suite 100
January 24, 2020 Score: 87, Grade: B

Buddha Delight
2731 Sandy Plains Road, Suite A
January 22, 2020 Score: 70, Grade: C

California Pizza Kitchen
4250 Roswell Road, Suite 620
January 22, 2020 Score: 86, Grade: B

Chili’s Grill & Bar
4111 Roswell Road
January 24, 2020 Score: 96, Grade: A

Jamaican Dutch Pot Restaurant
2555 Delk Road, Suite A-11
January 22, 2020 Score: 82, Grade: B

Jamba Juice
4101 Roswell Road, Suite 304
January 24, 2020 Score: 99, Grade: A

Rosa’s Pizza
3605 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 110
January 22, 2020 Score: 84, Grade: B

Starbuck’s
3605 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 200
January 22, 2020 Score: 100, Grade: A

The Wing Factory
1475 Terrell Mill Road, Suite 106
January 22, 2020 Score: 75, Grade: C

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