Cobb Police said Thursday that a motorcyclist was seriously injured this morning in a crash with a car at the intersection of Barrett Parkway and Bells Ferry Road.
Lt. Joseph McCloskey said in a news release that Zachary Newsome, 28 of Cartersville, was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital.
Police said the crash took place at 9:22 a.m. when a black 2004 Buick Rainer driven by Gloria Kenny, 63, of Marietta, was traveling west on Piedmont Road when she approached the intersection of Bells Ferry Road.
McCloskey said that a black 2022 Harley Davidson Heritage Classic driven by Newsome was heading east on Barrett Parkway in a designated left turn lane for Bells Ferry northbound.
Police said that as the motorcycle was turning left onto Bells Ferry, it struck the Buick, and Newsome was ejected.
McCloskey said Kenny suffered minor injuries and also was taken to Kennestone by a family member.
He said the crash investigation is continuing and that anyone with information should call the Cobb County Police Department at 770-499-3987.
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The work of South Carolina artist Michael Allen will be featured at Art in the Park.
Submitted information:
Art in the Park has been a part of the Marietta Square’s history since 1986 and takes place in and around the Historic Marietta Square and Glover Park on Labor Day weekend. It is a Marietta signature event and tradition that celebrates the arts featuring local and national artists from around the country.
This fine art extravaganza features an artist market, children’s art alley, and the famous Painted Pots. Art displayed will include paintings, photography, pottery, graphic arts, sculptures, jewelry, and woodworking from 175 of the country’s finest artists. Festival guests will also have the opportunity to visit the unique shops and boutiques; restaurants, museums and galleries, take in a historic walking tour plus much more, all within walking distance of the festival.
The festival is free with plenty of available parking in the Cobb County Park Decks located on Waddell St. at Lawrence St (daily rates apply).
The festival was selected as a Top 200 Art Festival by Sunshine Artist Magazine. As a matter of fact, Marietta Art in the Park is listed as #13 in the nation in the Fine Art and Design category. The festival has always been about the art and artists and we are proud of this accomplishment. The festival began 37 years ago and has become one of the premier fine art shows in Atlanta, and the only one in Cobb County. This fine art extravaganza features the Artist Market, representing the best in fine handcrafted works by 175 artists from all over the country. Art displayed during the festival includes paintings, photography, pottery, graphic arts, sculptures, jewelry, woodworking and much more. Also included in the festival is the Children’s Art Alley and the Chalk Spot. The festival supports both Marietta City Schools and Cobb County Schools through fund raising efforts during the festival.
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Students from the East Cobb Middle School “Go Baby Go Club” recently designed and gave away customized, motorized vehicles for students with mobility needs.
The five modified vehicles, designed to assist youngsters with phyical disabilities to engage in a variety of school activities, were recently demonstrated in the ECMS parking lot.
According to a Cobb County School District release, “Go Baby Go” is “a national, community-based research, design, and outreach program that provides modified ride-on cars” for children who need help getting around.
“Kids with physical disabilities often experience play differently due to access issues,” said Dr. Jennifer Tumlin Garrett, a Cobb Schools Orthopedic Impairments Itinerant teacher.
“This impacts their ability to participate in activities with their peers and friends. Modifying these cars for each kid’s specific needs allows them to have a fun toy they can use in their neighborhood with other kids, whereas before, they just had to sit on the sidelines and watch. They can now be ACTIVE participants instead of passive participants.”
ECMS began the club after teachers Shannon Ventresca and Danielle Crabbe and a former school employee pitched the idea during Cobb Tank, an annual grant competition supporting innovation in Cobb Schools.
They received $5,000 to start the club and deliver at least six cars, but they’ve already raised enough to produce eight over the past two years. On Aug. 5, they delivered the first five vehicles to students who attend Murdock and Tritt elementary schools in East Cobb, along with the South Cobb Early Learning Center, Vaughn ES and Kemp ES.
The ECMS students added switches, joysticks, safety harnesses, and extra supports using PVC pipes and pool noodles on the new rides.
Team members include includes Abdul-Aziz Abaza, Shainne Balabuch, Sadie Culberson, Miguel Garcia, Sofia Letts, Brooklyn King, and Isaac Trzecieski, aided by ECMS ISS paraprofessional Anthony Ventresca.
“The reason I chose to join Go Baby Go is because we are helping people, and they work hard to make people’s lives better. Go Baby Go is also a family, and I want to be a part of that family,” said Balabuch, a 7th grader.
The ECMs Go Baby Go Club has an account at the school to accept donations, as well as a Walmart registry.
“We want to keep this program going forward to bring as many kids with limited mobility a Go Baby Go set of wheels and the freedom that comes with it,” said Shannon Ventresca.
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Round Trip Brewing Co., a German-style craft brewhouse and restaurant in the trendy Atlanta Westside neighborhood, is opening a second location at The Avenue East Cobb.
The restaurant and North American Properties, the retail center’s management company, made the announcement Thursday, projecting a spring 2024 opening.
The 4,.500-square-foot space is at Suite 1560 at The Avenue (4475 Roswell Road), next to Smallcakes in the former Hand & Stone location and near and the new “jewel box” eateries and public plaza.
Round Trip Brewing will include a taproom, a dog-friendly outdoor beer garden, private event space and a food menu featuring bratwurst, “elevated” hot dogs, Bavarian pretzels and beer cheese, as well as vegetarian and children’s options.
“We’re excited to be opening our second location in East Cobb. The family-centric neighborhoods in East Cobb really appealed to us since we have strived to make our brewery a comfortable family environment,” Round Trip Brewing CEO Craig Mycoskie said. It’s a natural fit. Being part of the community is important to us and this dynamic space will be a gathering spot for everyone.”
NAP said Round Trip Brewing will be taking part in the unveiling of “The Plaza” on Sept. 7 (previous story here), a cocktail-type event that will benefit MUST Ministries.
There are only 30 tickets left for that event, which is $75 person and includes food and drink samples from the other new restaurants, Peach State Pizza and Press Waffle.
Round Trip Brewing, which opened on the Westside in 2021, offers 14 German-style craft beers, including Straight Outta Munich Spezial Helles, Dunkel Platz, Pilsner, Oktoberfest, Isar Haze Hazy IPA, Vicarious West Coast IPA and Theresa’s Meadow Hefeweizen.
“We’ll also brew one-off creations on our pilot brewing system. More drink options—alcoholic and non-alcoholic— will be available,” Round Trip Brewing said in the announcement.
Press Waffle is set to occupy one of the jewel box buildings later this fall, and Peach State Pizza will move into the former Stockyard Burgers & Bones space.
An NAP spokeswoman told East Cobb News Thursday that lease negotiations “are still very underway” for the available jewel box space and she couldn’t disclose further information.
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Family and friends will gather on Oct. 6 at Grace Resurrection Methodist Church to honor the memory of Dr. Eric Booth Karlen, an East Cobb resident since 1993, who passed away last week. His son Tyler passed along the photos and following remembrance, with the younger photo at the bottom being taken in high school:
Dr. Eric Booth Karlen, born January 11, 1946, in White Plains, NY, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2023, at his home in Marietta, GA, surrounded by his family.
Eric is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Mary “Dee” Grape Karlen; his son, Tyler Booth Karlen (Emily); his daughter, Ashley Karlen Lynch (Ryan); his brother, Sven Bernhard Karlen Jr.; his sister, Kristen Karlen Davenport; and three wonderful grandchildren – Cole Booth Karlen, Charles Ashton Karlen, and Beckett Lee Lynch.
Raised in Bronxville, NY, Eric cherished many fond memories with family at the Bronxville Field Club and at his grandfather’s Hillandale Farm in nearby Brooklyn, CT. His father Sven was the CFO of CBS, and his mother was a well-known realtor. In high school, he played varsity football, basketball, and baseball and served as President of the Student Council. Eric also won the highly distinguished American Field Service scholarship to study abroad in Melbourne, Australia as a junior.
Eric completed a BA in Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1968, an MA in Education with a specialty in Rehabilitation Counseling from Columbia University in 1972, and a Doctor of Medicine from Temple University in 1980. In between degrees, Eric also served in the Peace Corps in La Paz, Bolivia.
In 1983, Eric moved to Fairfield, CT, joining the pediatric practice, Kueffner & Scholan. He married the love of his life, Dee, in 1984, and they welcomed their son, Tyler, and daughter, Ashley, soon after. The family relocated to Atlanta in 1993 and Eric became a partner at East Cobb Pediatrics where he lovingly served hundreds of families until his retirement in 2015.
A devout member of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, Eric found great joy in singing in the church choir and the Kingsmen men’s ensemble. He also loved to golf and garden. More than anything, Eric was a beloved father, husband, and friend, who always offered a listening ear, wise counsel, and an abundance of love and encouragement.
He was predeceased by his parents, Sven Bernhard Karlen Sr. and Catherine “Tommy” Booth Karlen; his brother, Mark Henry Karlen; his nephew, Matthew Hamilton Grape; his niece, Caroline Oldham Grape; his grandson, Camden Lee Lynch; and several aunts and uncles.
Eric was also the proud great great grandson of General William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, an organization close to the hearts of his family. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to The Salvation Army or the Alzheimer’s Association.
A memorial service in celebration of Eric’s life will be held at Grace Resurrection Methodist Church on Friday, October 6th at 3pm. The church is located at 1200 Indian Hills Pkwy NE, Marietta, GA 30068 and the service is open to the public.
The Karlen family would like to express their deep gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in this challenging time. To keep Eric’s memory alive, they invite everyone to share their cherished memories, photos, and condolences on his memorial site at www.everloved.com/life-of/eric-karlen.
Send us your remembrance
If you’d like to honor the memory of a loved one or someone important to you that you wish to share with the community, East Cobb News publishes obituaries free of charge.
Please send you information, along with any photos, to: editor@eastcobbnews.com.
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A Marietta man who was killed in a U.S. Marine Corps training flight in California last week has been identified as a Wheeler High School graduate.
In a report earlier Tuesday, 11 Alive said Maj. Andrew Mettler, 31, died Thursday after his F/A-18D Hornet crashed at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar north of San Diego.
The report said that after graduating from Wheeler, Mettler attended Georgia Tech, where he met his wife Nancy.
He graduated from Georgia Tech in 2007 and became a Naval aviator, and was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, S.C.
Mettler and his wife had two sons and a daughter.
According to the Times of San Diego, Mettler was the only passenger on board the plane when it crashed, and more than 80 first-responders and Coast Guard personnel conducted a search.
His body was found in a remote area east of Interstate 15 near the MCAS Miramar landing area, according to NBC 7 in San Diego.
The TV station also received a statement from Mettler’s father, Mike Mettler, that “my wife and I are devastated by the loss of our Marine Pilot son and our hearts are pouring out for our daughter-in-law and our three grandchildren.”
Multiple news outlets reported that the cause of the crash is under investigation.
Second Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) Commanding General Maj. Gen. Scott Benedict issued the following statement through the U.S. Marine Corps:
“I am deeply saddened to share the loss of Maj. Andrew ‘Simple Jack’ Mettler, a fellow Marine aviator who was honing his craft as a Hornet pilot and leader in his squadron, the Fighting Bengals. I had the great honor of flying in an F/A-18D with Simple Jack and will always remember his skill piloting the Hornet and his wry smile. It is with great humility that I offer my deepest condolences to the family, loved ones, and friends of Maj. Andrew Mettler. You remain at the forefront of our thoughts and prayers.”
The Marine Corps release said Mettler was assigned to the All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, which was was participating in a service level training exercise.
Mettler was decorated several times, including the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four bronze stars, according to the Times of San Diego.
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Seven students from high schools in East Cobb have been named to the 2023 class of Cobb Youth Leadership, a development program from high school juniors.
The Cobb Chamber of Commerce said in a release that the program is sponsored by the Leadership Cobb Alumni Association and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and includes interactive participation.
The students recently had their orientation session and will be introduced to community leaders and activities in public safety, public service, business and entrepreneurship, arts and culture, health and sports and armed forces:
“Through six evening programs during the course of the school year participants in the CYL program are introduced to local, state, and national leaders. They also receive information on the responsibility, ethics, and tools for effective leadership, as well as potential career paths for after graduation. The monthly programs run from August through April. They cover topics such as community service, arts & culture, armed forces, and business. Students also participate in one overnight retreat where they focus on team building and personality inventories.”
This year there are 55 students participating, and they include the following from East Cobb schools:
Josh Markwood and Kali Sweeney, Wheeler High School
Aidan Matthews, Walton High School
Ryan Duckett, Lassiter High School
Sam Moon and Rebekah Ives, Sprayberry High School
Dylan Tolchinski, Pope High School
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The McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA is seeking volunteers on Saturday, Sept. 9 to pack and distribute food to local families in need. Attendees will also assist with beautification upgrades at Green Acres Baptist Church. Community members are invited to take part in the service project from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. at Green Acres Baptist Church located at 591 Pat Mell Rd SE, Smyrna, GA 30080.
This event is part ofthe YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s Annual Days of Service events. The Y is hosting this year’s annual events on Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9. The organization will bring together volunteers from across the metro Atlanta area to complete service projects benefiting neighbors and partners in need. Working together with volunteers, staff and partner organizations, the Y aims to make a measurable collective impact within the community.
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The following East Cobb residential real estate sales were compiled from agency reports. They include the subdivision name and high school attendance zone in parenthesis:
Aug. 7
4080 Riverlook Parkway Unit 15, 30067 (Willows by the River Condos, Walton): $293,000
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Judge Robert Leonard led a celebration Friday where the Cobb County Veterans Accountability and Treatment Court (VATC) graduated two veteran participants during a ceremony at the Cobb County Superior Court Building with over 100 in attendance. This was the 19th graduating class of successful veterans, bringing 60 local participants who had completed the 18-month intensive treatment program. The Cobb County VATC began June 13, 2014, joining a nationwide surge of accountability courts specifically tailored for veterans, addressing issues of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and other mental health issues via counseling, job training, and additional needed services to achieve success.
The Veterans Accountability and Treatment Court’s mission is to increase public safety by reducing recidivism, alleviate the tax burden of incarcerating law-breaking veterans by assisting participants to become productive taxpayers versus inmates, provide intensive case management to address mental health issues and offer familiarity of structure and accountability, like what they encountered during military service.
An estimated 774,464 veterans reside in Georgia, with 47,000 living in Cobb County. Locally, 4,500 active duty/reservists are assigned to Dobbins Air Reserve Base. According to data collected from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), nationwide, over 39 veterans attempt to commit suicide daily, and 20 a day take their lives. Approximately 70% of veterans who took their own lives did not access services provided by the VA, which could have possibly prevented a majority of these suicides. The tragic daily deaths of 20 veterans is potentially a number that is under-reported since many of these veterans were embarrassed or unwilling to report their veteran status before ending their lives.
Together with the Atlanta VA, Cobb County VATC participants receive alcohol and drug treatment in Decatur and are given additional treatment locally via a private counselor. When a participant is stable in their recovery and treatment, the assigned VTC team addresses other issues that hinder an enrollee’s success, such as unemployment, lack of stable housing, the need for continuing education, or the benefits of family counseling.
One of the most unique aspects of the VATC is the Mentor Program. Each VATC participant is paired with a veteran who understands the challenges encountered by their assigned veteran to succeed in the program and graduate. VATC mentors must be honorably discharged from military service, have no prior criminal record, and are willing to commit to the duration of assisting a minimum of one veteran for the entirety of their 18-month VTC program.
Two veteran participants graduated from the VATC on August 25. With their mentors by their sides, these veterans turned what once seemed like a dismal path into a very bright future for themselves and their families.
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Why should students participate in dual enrollment? What colleges participate in the Cobb Schools Dual Enrollment Program? Who pays the tuition? How do students enroll in the program? What are the qualifications? Who helps students coordinate college classes with high school requirements?
All those questions and more will be answered at the Cobb Schools Dual Enrollment Summit scheduled for 6:00–8:00 PM on August 31 at the Cobb Civic Center.
The Dual Enrollment program offers Georgia high school students an opportunity to simultaneously receive high school and college credit when attending and passing approved college classes. The state pays for the courses and are at no cost to the student when college eligibility requirements are met. Dual enrollment is available online or on the college campus, depending on the student’s choice.
Dual enrollment offers a diversity of opportunities for students. High-demand trade skills such as welding, auto mechanics, and digital technology (to name a few) are readily available for those seeking to be career-ready while still in high school.
Other students interested in accelerated courses, such as multivariable calculus, that may not be available at their high schools will gain an edge on college readiness. A large variety of academic-based classes are available.
The purpose of the Summit is to provide a venue for interested high school students and parents to learn more about eligibility, the application process, and the many diverse opportunities available to Cobb students.
Students will learn how the dual enrollment program can earn them free tuition, books, and college credit. Cobb school counselors and representatives from Chattahoochee Technical College, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State University, and Georgia Highlands College will be on-site to chat with families at the summit.
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A student was hit by a school bus at Wheeler High School on Friday afternoon and has been hospitalized, the Cobb County School District said.
A district spokeswoman said the student was a pedestrian and was struck by a bus in “an unfortunate incident.”
The female student was crossing Holt Road when she was hit, but was conscious when first responders arrived.
Her condition has not been released and nobody else was injured.
“We are grateful for the quick actions of first responders,” the spokeswoman said. “Our thoughts are with the student, who we wish a speedy recovery.”
UPDATED, SUNDAY, AUG. 27:
The student’s mother, Brittany King, has begun a GoFundMe campaign to pay for her daughter’s “medical bills, hospital stays, and physical therapy regimens.”
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The Cobb County School District is investigating what it is calling an “inaccurate e-mail” that was sent out Thursday saying that the district will not be participating in a statewide reading contest.
An e-mail was posted Friday morning on at least two Facebook groups dedicated to discussions about Cobb schools that the district would not be taking part in the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl for the 2023-24 school year “due to an abundance of caution and in light of recent events.”
That’s a reference to the district’s decision earlier this week to pull two books from 20 middle school and high school libraries because of “sexually explicit” content that the district said violated district policy and a recent state law.
The e-mail, which was entitled “Cobb HRRB Announcement,” reportedly came from the Cobb HRRB co-chairs, Susan Buckert, a media specialist at McEachern High School, and Heather Kindschy, who has a similar position at Dickerson Middle School.
The Cobb HRRB is made up of school library staffers who serve on an all-volunteer basis. The Cobb County Association of Educators has said that the HRRB’s steering committee called off participation in the Reading Bowl, fearful of running afoul of content restrictions.
The message concluded with a quote from performing artist Taylor Swift saying that “Books train your imagination to think big.”
The Cobb school district called an e-mail attributed to the Cobb Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl steering committee “inaccurate.”
A district spokeswoman told East Cobb News that “the District is aware of an inaccurate email which indicated Cobb students would not be participating in the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl. The specifics of that email are currently being investigated.”
She didn’t say what was inaccurate but further stated that “there is currently no change to Cobb student eligibility” for the competition.
In addition, she said, “all District partners are expected to use books, videos, or other forms of digital content which are in accordance with District policy and the Law.”
East Cobb News has followed up to clarify those comments.
Nothing has been updated on the Cobb HRRB website or Facebook page since the 2023 Reading Bowl earlier this year.
The Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl was started in the late 1980s and is named after a former DeKalb County school librarian who wanted to foster a love for reading in her students.
Competing students from grades 4-12 are given booklists at the elementary, middle and high school levels that are from the Georgia Children’s Book Award Top 20 listings.
There are district, regional and state quiz-style competitions based on the contents of the books that take place from January-March.
The Cobb school district spokeswoman also did not respond to a question from East Cobb News if it is evaluating the books that have been selected for the Reading Bowl; the Cobb HRRB website has posted the corresponding reading lists for the 2023-24 competition.
A Libs of TikTok screen grab from Cobb school district official John Floresta about two books pulled from school libraries this week.
The books the district pulled from the school libraries earlier this week contained discussions about sex acts, including oral sex and masturbation, and have been removed from a number of other school districts around the country.
Some Cobb parents denounced the decision on social media, saying the district was unfairly censoring materials related to sexuality and gender identity.
That came after last week’s vote by the Cobb Board of Education to terminate a Due West Elementary School teacher for reading a book to her class about gender identity.
The district did not reveal who reported the books that were removed from the libraries, nor did it explain the process for doing so.
On Thursday, the “Libs of TikTok” a high-profile social media account popular with conservatives, claimed in its newsletter that it reached out to the Cobb school district last Saturday “to ask them for comment on why they were offering pornographic themed books to their students.”
The newsletter contained a screengrab of what it said was its message to the Cobb school district, with the offending passages and images.
On Monday, the newsletter entry said, it received a response from John Floresta, the Cobb school district’s Chief Strategy and Accountability Officer, expressing surprise.
“Frankly, we weren’t aware of the sexually explicit content in these books until your email,” he said. “Any book, video, or lesson which contains sexually-explicit content is entirely unacceptable and have no place in our schools, period. We have removed both books from our schools.”
Floresta thanked “David,” the Libs of TikTok writer, “for bringing this to our attention, you have made our schools better for our students.”
David concluded the newsletter post by saying that “students should not be offered porn in schools and we will keep fighting until we get the porn removed from every school in America.”
Libs of TIkTok did not indicate how it learned of the presence of the books in Cobb school libraries that were removed.
Libs of TikTok has several million followers on its social media accounts, which post unflattering stories, photos and videos of liberals in their own words and actions.
Started by Chaiya Raichick, a former real estate agent in New York, Libs of Tik Tok has been designated as a “hate” group by some liberal advocacy groups for what it claims are anti-LGBTQ+ views.
Raichick recently published her own children’s book, “No More Secrets: The Candy Cavern,” about “the dangers of keeping secrets from your parents,” according to a publisher’s blurb.
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Judy Boyce (center) and her late husband, former Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce, were the 2022 East Cobb Citizens of the Year.
Submitted information:
The Cobb Chamber is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Citizen of the Year Awards. The Citizen of the Year Awards, created by Cobb County civic clubs and co-sponsored by the Cobb Chamber Area Councils and Cobb County business associations, have annually been presented to extraordinary individuals for the work they have done in Cobb County.
Awards are given to deserving individuals based on nine local area nominations: Acworth, Austell, East Cobb, Kennesaw, Mableton, Marietta, Powder Springs, Smyrna, and West Cobb. Given to honor an individual whose impact through the years will be recognized and regarded with pride throughout the area as a role model, these outstanding citizens are chosen for their definable, exceptional deeds, with which he or she has made their community a better place to live.
The presenting sponsor is Capital City Bank. For more information on the Citizen of the Year Awards, contact Katie Guice at 770-859-2334 or kguice@cobbchamber.org.
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Several schools in the Cobb County School District notified parents Monday that books with “highly inappropriate, sexually explicit content” have been removed from their libraries.
The book’s titles weren’t named, nor were the individual schools, but the messages—which were worded identically and distributed to a number of schools, mostly middle schools and high schools—said that “this is unacceptable, and an investigation is underway.”
In response to a message from East Cobb News, a district spokeswoman said that 20 school libraries contained “Flamer,” about a 14-year-old gay boy struggling with his sexual orientation, and/or “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” a novel about high school boys who befriend a female student who is dying of cancer.
“We removed the books immediately, are in an ongoing investigation, and are committed to ensuring our students are taught with content in line with Georgia standards, Board policy, and the Law,” she said without elaborating.
She did not explain how the books were discovered and did not describe the process for removing them from the shelves.
The district said that’s a violation of 2022 Georgia law banning the teaching of “divisive concepts” in education, although numerous parents and educators spoke in support of Rinderle.
Students were not in person at Cobb schools on Monday, which was an “asynchronous” learning day due to teacher training.
East Cobb News has seen messages regarding the book pulling that were sent out to the Kell High School and Sprayberry High School communities that contained identical language. They reportedly were sent out to Walton, Wheeler and Pope high school communities as well as to parents of students at Hightower Trail Middle School in East Cobb.
The messages, which were distributed around 5 p.m. Monday, called the incident an “oversight” and said that “with thousands of books purchased over the decades, we are making every effort to insure that our library only includes materials that are aligned to Georgia standards, supported by law and CCSD policy, and contain content that is age appropriate for our students.”
Parents are being asked to communicate with teachers, principals and “appropriate school staff whenever you have a concern about what your student is reading, hearing, or learning.”
In its policies regarding media library programs, the Cobb school district said that it “acknowledges the right of parents/guardians and other citizens to be involved in the library media programs of the schools and the use of supplementary materials and to raise questions through established procedures when materials appear inappropriate for public school use.”
Cobb schools limit complaints to parents or legal guardians of students who notify a school principal, with the book being reviewed by a school committee within 45 days.
A number of public school districts in the country have recently been pulling books following parental complaints, particularly along lines of sex and gender identity.
Both of the books pulled in Cobb are among those most frequently removed from school libraries.
“Flamer,” published in 2020 by Mike Curato, a gay author and illustrator, is intended for youths ages 14-18. In the book, the lead character is a boy who is the subject of taunting and verbal abuse from other students for appearing to be gay.
“I hate that word. Gay. It makes me feel . . . unsafe,” reads a passage from “Flamer.” PEN America, which advocates for the rights of authors and free expression, said it was the most-banned book in its 2022 index of school book bans.
There are also discussions in the book about sex acts and masturbation.
“Flamer” was included in a high-profile restriction of books in school libraries in Florida following the passage of a recent state law touted by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is vying for the Republican nomination for president.
“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” by Jesse Andrews, was published in 2012 and also has been pulled from school libraries in Florida and elsewhere because of complaints about frank discussions of sex and gender identity.
The book also includes passages about oral sex.
In a recent interview, Andrews said that “it’s important to point out that most of the targeted books are about what it is to be not white or straight or cisgender in America, and I want to be really clear that I worry a lot more about the smearing and censoring of those viewpoints than I do my own.”
(“Cisgender” is a term coined by transgender activists to refer to people whose gender identity matches their biological sex.)
Moms for Liberty, which has been pushing for book restrictions in school libraries across the country, said it is not in favor of banning books, but advocating for age-appropriate materials in schools.
The organization has four chapters in Georgia, in Fulton, Hall, Oconee and Chattooga counties.
Defenders of the book restrictions have said they’re also necessary to ensure parental rights.
Those were the arguments made by parents on Thursday before the school board regarding the Rinderle termination.
The book she read, “My Shadow is Purple,” is meant to encourage children to move “beyond the gender binary.”
Rinderle hasn’t said whether she will appeal her firing to the state board of education or sue the Cobb school district. But one of her attorneys from the Southern Poverty Law Center said “this is not the end of this case. This is the beginning.”
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The following East Cobb residential real estate sales were compiled from agency reports. They include the subdivision name and high school attendance zone in parenthesis:
July 31
2850 Howard Drive, 30062 (Mill Creek Manor, Pope): $1.05 million
729 Gardenside Circle, 30067 (Gardenside at Powers Ferry, Wheeler): $502.000
3086 Balearic Drive, 30067 (Valencia Hills, Wheeler): $390,000
2926 Torreya Way, 30067 (The Woods Condos, Wheeler): $325,000
2307 Gardengate Way, 30067 (Gardenside at Powers Ferry, Wheeler): $450,000
3215 Brookview Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills, Wheeler): $450,500
3840 Creekview Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills, Walton): $1.625 million
2390 Snug Harbor, 30066 (St. Charles Square, Sprayberry): $600,000
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Premier Night—the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta’s kick off to its annual Mistletoe Market—will be held Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta.
“Premiere Night is a fun event that gives Mistletoe Market shoppers a first glance at some amazing specialty holiday gifts,” says Cristin Kennedy, JLCM’s 2023-24 VP of Fund Development. “It is a fun evening out with friends, loved ones, neighbors, co-workers and more to help kickstart the holiday season.”
Mistletoe Market, the Marietta-headquartered nonprofit’s fall fundraiser, brings together more than 50 specialty merchants from across the Southeast for the premiere holiday shopping experience in our area. The market features locally created, premium goods, and shoppers also have access to on-site monogramming, holiday décor, jewelry and much more!
The 2023 event will be held from Thursday, Nov. 9, to Saturday, Nov. 11. Tickets for Premier Night and Market Day, which will be sold separately, will be available online starting Friday, Sept. 1, at jlcm.org. Tickets for Premier Night will be $25 each, and Market Day tickets will be $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
2023 Mistletoe Market Shopping Days and Hours
Premiere Night: Thursday, Nov. 9, from 6-9 p.m.
Mistletoe Market Days:
Friday, Nov. 10, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The 2023 Premiere Night, which is always a fan-favorite among guests and merchants, will be held Thursday, Nov. 9, from 6-9 p.m. Join us for a festive night with your friends and family, and be the first to shop this year’s merchants. Guests will also enjoy light bites, beverages and entertainment, and the first 100 guests will receive an exclusive swag bag filled with goodies and discounts from many of our vendors, as well as local donors and sponsors.
Thanks to proceeds from the 2023 Mistletoe Market, JLCM awarded scholarships to Cobb-Paulding County Adult Education so that 10 women could graduate and receive their GEDs. We also provided period products to every Cobb County public school that requested them, among other initiatives.
“Mistletoe Market is not just a reason to have fun while shopping for you and/or your loved ones,” says Tammy Thorpe, 2023-24 JLCM President. “This an event that truly makes a difference in our community. Your support of the market allows of League of incredible women to help meet the needs of our most vulnerable citizens.”
The Junior League of Cobb-Marietta is still accepting merchant applications for this year’s market, and interested artisans and businesses can emailJLCMMistletoeMarket@jlcm.org for more information about participating in this year’s event.
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The Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation Board of Directors is hosting Concerts & Cocktails, a fundraising event, 5 – 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 25, at The Cowan Historic Hall, 4271 Southside Drive, Acworth. Proceeds will benefit the Cobb Veterans Memorial Park. This event is free for all veterans and $10 for non-veterans. The park will feature a 142-foot “Star Tower” monument and honor walls listing names of veterans from each of the country’s military branches. It will also have a plaza for events, two reflection pools and a service hub providing information to veterans and their families. Construction is expected to be completed in 2024.
This event is free for all veterans and $10 for non-veterans.
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Cobb Police said Thursday that a motorcyclist was seriously injured this morning in a crash with a car at the intersection of Barrett Parkway and Bells Ferry Road.
