East Cobb Events

EAST COBB WEEKEND EVENTS: Lassiter Craft Fair and holiday markets; baby fair; community piano; and more

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Lassiter Craft Fair, East Cobb Weekend Events

Halloween is over, November has begun and with it the earliest of two months of holiday-related activities. East Cobb weekend events through Sunday include ongoing holiday markets, a maternity and baby fair, two pet-related events and the unveiling of a new community piano.

Check out our full calendar listings for more, this weekend and beyond, but here’s whats highlighted for the next few days:

  • Lassiter Craft Fair (2601 Shallowford Road), runs 10-5 Saturday and Sunday, with more than 100 booths featuring handmade crafts and products and includes a bake sale and other concessions to benefit the Lassiter Band;
  • Mt. Bethel UMC Ribbons and Holiday Handcrafted Market (4385 Lower Roswell Road), is from 9-4 on Saturday, with more than 50 vendors, face painting for kids, a bake sale and lunch, with proceeds benefitting the church’s missions;
  • Good Mews Holiday Decor Market (1860 Sandy Plains Road) continues Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 12-6 and every weekend through Dec. 17, to benefit the shelter’s programs to rescue, nurture and adopt homeless cats and kittens;
  • Pet Events: An adoption day is Saturday from 9-12 at Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team (2249 Sewell Mill Road), to benefit the Homeless Pets Foundation; from 10-3 Sunday Good Mews is holding a vaccination and microchip clinic at its facility (3805 Robinson Road), and they do encourage you to make an appointment;

    Tommy Piano, East Cobb Weekend Events
    “Tommy” is getting tuned up to be played at Egg Harbor Cafe.
  • On Saturday at noon, the latest community piano, courtesy of Play Me Again Pianos, will be unveiled at Egg Harbor Cafe (4719 Lower Roswell Road); it’s the second such piano in East Cobb (see our posts here and here for more); “Tommy” will remain at the restaurant, just as “Sunny” sits under the upper gazebo at East Cobb Park;
  • If you’re expecting a child or recently had a baby, the WellStar East Cobb Health Park (3747 Roswell Road) is holding a Baby and Maternity Fair Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. that includes medical information from health providers, vendors and more, and it’s free;
  • Football finales: The regular season is coming to a close Friday with Walton already having secured a playoff spot, and with Kell, Lassiter and Pope still in the hunt; Sprayberry and Wheeler will be concluding their seasons for sure. The Raiders, who also have earned a home playoff game, can go for a 10-0 regular season against Woodstock at Raider Valley.

Did we miss something? Do you have a calendar item to share? Please let us know, and we’ll post them to our full calendar listings. E-mail calendar@eastcobbnews.com.

Have a great weekend!

EAST COBB THIS WEEK: Last gasp for Halloween, library events, All Saints Day and more

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East Cobb library events

A very cold, wet and wintry weekend for Halloween events has passed, and temperatures are already rising to an autumn feel as November approaches.

To start the week off is tonight’s Cobb-Marietta Marching Band Exhibition (7 p.m. at McEachern High School), including the bands from Lassiter, Sprayberry and Wheeler. This part of the extravaganza has been delayed twice before by rain, but it’s clear today, and it should be in the low 50s tonight. Admission is $5.

Here’s what else is coming up in East Cobb through Thursday:

  • Most Halloween-related events were over the weekend, but at Powers Ferry UMC (245 Powers Ferry Road), they’re having a Trunk or Treat event on Halloween night, Tuesday, Oct. 31. It lasts from 6-7:30 p.m., and little trick or treaters are asked to wear their customes; in addition to candy, they’ll also be serving hot dogs;
  • Wednesday is Nov. 1, which for Roman Catholics is more than just the start of the month. It’s All Saints Day, a solemn Christian festival also known as All Hallows Day, and all three East Cobb parishes will be having special services. At Holy Family Catholic Church (3401 Lower Roswell Road), there’s a Tuesday vigil at 6:30 p.m., and Wednesday masses at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., the latter two are bilingual and a Spanish Holy Hour respectively; at the Catholic Church of St. Ann (4905 Roswell Road), the services Wednesday are at 6:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., with an All Souls mass Thursday at 7 p.m.; at Transfiguration Catholic Church (1815 Blackwell Road), a Spanish-language mass on Tuesday starts at 7 p.m., with Wednesday services at 12 p.m., 4 p.m. (children’s mass) and 7 p.m.;
  • The Page-Turners Book Discussion Group meets on Wednesday at the Mountain View Regional Library (3320 Sandy Plains Road), and the book this month is “Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles. If you’d like to read up for the December session, the club is giving you some latitude: Choose a biography of Abigail Adams and prepare to talk about it on Dec. 6;
  • Stretch into November with Yoga for Seniors, Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the East Cobb Library (4880 Lower Roswell Road); registration is required for this event that’s part of the library’s continuing wellness program series;
  • Later on Wednesday, the East Cobb Library will hold another Family Fun Time event from 3:30-4:15, and is for children of all ages. Wednesday’s topic will a celebration of American Indian Heritage Month. The event is free, but all children must be accompanied by an adult;
  • After school on Wednesday is another installment of the Gritters STEAM Team series at the Gritters Library (880 Shaw Park Road). From 3:30-4:30 students from K-5 can learn about geodosic domes. Experts deliver the lessons and the kids engage in hands-on activity;
  • The Gritters Drama Club is newly formed and is working toward a performance on Nov. 18 at the Mountain View Regional Library. The group meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 3:30-4:30, and is aimed at students for 4th and 5th graders. The club leader is theater connoisseur and Gritters staff member Olivia McCurley. Registration is required.

Did we miss something. Do you have a calendar item to share? Let us know? Send us your listings to calendar@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll post it.

Have a great week!

East Cobb community piano program expands to Egg Harbor Cafe

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Tommy, East Cobb community piano
“Tommy” will make his debut at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 4 at Egg Harbor Cafe in East Cobb. (Photo provided by Play It Again Pianos)

Back in July East Cobb Park was the benefactor of a community piano program thanks to Play Me Again Pianos, a local non-profit (previous East Cobb News post here).

“Sunny,” named after East Cobb Park advocate Sunny Walker and located in the upper gazebo, will have some nearby accompaniment of sorts soon, at Egg Harbor Cafe (4719 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 210), on Nov. 4.

That’s when “Tommy” will be unveiled during a ribbon-cutting at 12 p.m. Like “Sunny,” the first tunes played on “Tommy” will be by a young local student musician.

It’s the latest in a community piano program started last year by East Cobb-based Play Me Again Pianos, co-founded by Jason and Kelly Brett. Their aim is to purchase, restore, paint and place 88 pianos throughout the metro Atlanta area, designed for community use.

Angela Lockman, East Cobb Middle School
Angela Lockman, East Cobb Middle School art teacher.

“Tommy” is also locally painted, by Angela​ ​Decker​ ​Lockman, a visual arts teacher at East Cobb Middle School.

“Street​ ​pianos​ ​and​ ​public​ ​pianos​ ​inspire​ ​people​ ​to​ ​connect​ ​with​ ​each​ ​other​ ​in​ ​ways​ ​that​ ​were once​ ​common,​ ​but​ ​seem​ ​increasingly​ ​rare,” Jason Brett said. ​”By​ ​adding​ ​our​ ​pianos​ ​to​ ​the​ ​landscape​ ​throughout the​ ​metropolitan​ ​area,​ ​we​ ​hope​ ​to​ ​nurture​ ​that​ ​connection​ ​into​ ​an​ ​evolution​ ​of​ ​Atlanta’s culture,​ ​community​ ​and​ ​the​ ​arts.”​

Here’s Lockman, last year’s Middle​ ​School​ ​Art​ ​Specialist​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Year​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Cobb​ ​County School​ ​District, on how she went about her work:

“My​ ​vision was​ ​to​ ​translate​ ​what​ ​we​ ​love​ ​about​ ​our​ ​area​ ​onto​ ​eggs​ ​that​ ​cover​ ​the​ ​piano. There​ ​are​ ​16​ ​eggs​ ​that​ ​encompass​ ​fun​ ​places​ ​to​ ​visit,​ ​our​ ​sports​ ​teams,​ ​and​ ​even​ ​the​ ​lyrics​ ​to our​ ​state​ ​song,​ ​‘Georgia​ ​On​ ​My​ ​Mind.’ Then​ ​as​ ​a​ ​nod​ ​to​ ​our​ ​host,​ ​we​ ​also​ ​incorporated​ ​two brightly-colored​ ​roosters​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Egg​ ​Harbor​ ​Cafe​ ​logo.”

The Bretts said “Tommy” is named after a member of the family-run Egg Harbor Cafe business. Unlike others in the family who had menu items named after them, there was no mention of Tommy on menus or business literature or logos.

Other Play Me Again Pianos are located ​in​ ​Chastain​ ​Park,​ ​​The​ ​Woodruff​ ​Arts Center,​ Colony​ ​Square,​ ​the​ ​Dunwoody​ ​Nature Center,​ ​the​ ​Chamblee​ ​Rail​ ​Trail,​ ​​Brookhaven,​ ​Ponce​ ​City Market,​ ​Atlantic​ ​Station​ ​and​ ​Alpharetta.​ ​​ ​

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EAST COBB WEEKEND EVENTS: Haunted Hustle Run; band festival; Walton-Lassiter football; Pope Theater; ‘Roman Reads’ and more

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East Cobb weekend events, Southern Invitational Music Festival
The Sprayberry Band of Gold once again is host of the Southern Invitational Music Festival, from 10-10 on Saturday at Jim Frazier Stadium. 

It’s finally starting to really feel like fall, and with Halloween coming in just a little more than a week, so are the pumpkin-related East Cobb weekend events:

  • Kicking off one of many such Halloween activities on Saturday is the Haunted Hustle Race, a 1k/5k event at the Northeast Cobb YMCA (3010 Johnson Ferry Road). The shorter race starts at 7:30 a.m. with the feature event following at 8;
  • Don’t forget the ongoing Pumpkin Patches at several East Cobb churches that continue all the way to Halloween. They’re open daily and generally have extended hours on the weekends;
  • The high school football regular season is reaching its climax, and with crisp fall weather in the air the timing couldn’t be better for an East Cobb backyard rivalry game on Friday. It’s Lassiter at undefeated and state-ranked Walton, at 7:30 p.m. at Raider Valley (1590 Bill Murdock Road), with region and playoff implications on the line;
  • In other games on Friday, Kell is playing host to Carrollton, and Sprayberry is also at home against River Ridge. Wheeler and Pope travel to Campbell and Chattahoochee, respectively;
  • Sprayberry’s Jim Frazier Stadium (2525 Sandy Plains Road) will be an extra busy place this weekend, continuing on Saturday with the 34th annual Southern Invitational Music Festival. The hosts Sprayberry Band of Gold are putting on the judged competition that lasts from 10-10, with prep marching bands coming from around the Southeast;
  • Saturday also will be a quick turnaround for the Lassiter band, which is putting on the Lassiter Band Community Recycling Day from 9-4 at the school (2601 Shallowford Road);
  • While the weather’s supposed to be in the 70s and at least partly sunny this weekend, there are some indoor events worth noting here, including the Roman Reads Family Storytime session from 2:30-3:30 at Mountain View Regional Library (3320 Sandy Plains Road). It’s aimed at grade school to middle school kids and is presented by the Wheeler High School Junior Classical League;
  • If you like your drama staged and indoors, there’s the Pope Theater version of “12 Angry Jurors” continues Friday and Saturday at 7, plus a Saturday matinee at 3 at the school (3001 Hembree Road).

Check out our full calendar listings page for more things to do this weekend and beyond. Did we miss something? Have an event you’d like to share with the East Cobb community? E-mail your calendar listing to: calendar@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll post it ASAP! Here’s more information on how to send your news to East Cobb News!

Have a great weekend!

EAST COBB WEEKEND EVENTS: Mt. Bethel run; Oktoberfest; Pope & Walton homecoming; ‘The Rainmaker’ and more

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Holy Trinity Oktoberfest, East Cobb weekend events
The 9th annual Oktoberfest takes place Saturday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. (East Cobb News file photo)

Fall is officially here, and it’s starting to look—and feel—like it. Fall festivals, homecoming football games and a special rendition of a Broadway classic are all on tap in East Cobb weekend events, and there’s so much more.

Check out our full East Cobb Events Calendar for more, but we’ve peeled off a few highlights:

  • Football Friday: It’s homecoming for the Pope Greyhounds and Walton Raiders, who kick off their games at 7:30 p.m. Lassiter is home to Roswell in a big region game, and both schools are observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a new program at Lassiter to provide education and support for suicide prevention efforts. Wheeler and Sprayberry are on the road, and Kell has the week off;
  • Fall School Festivals Get Started: October is a big month for school festivals, which are held by PTAs and foundations to raise funds for a variety of school programs. This Friday, the Sedalia Park Elementary School Fall Festival & Art Show (2230 Lower Roswell Road) runs from 5-8 p.m., and we’ll have more news about other school festivals as the month goes on;
  • Run for Habitat: Bright and early Saturday (about 7:30 a.m.), Mt. Bethel UMC (4385 Lower Roswell Road) will hold its Habitat Run fundraiser, with proceeds going for the church’s 9th Habitat for Humanity project. There will be award winner trophies, live music, a silent auction and refreshments, and race day registration starts at 6:30 a.m.;
  • Oompah, Brats and Beer: Oktoberfest is in its 9th year at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (2922 Sandy Plains Road), from 10 a.m to 7 p.m. Saturday, and as Lutherans celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Traditional German food and drink, Polka music, face-painting, horseshoes, a petting zoo and a church tour are all on the schedule once again. Overflow parking is next door at the Skip Wells Post Office;
  • Take a bow, please: CenterStage North and The Mountain View Arts Alliance are teaming up for another run of a Broadway (and in this case Hollywood) favorite, starting Friday and continuing through Sunday and again next weekend. “The Rainmaker” starts at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at The Art Place-Mountain View (3330 Sandy Plains Road);
  • Pumpkin Patches in full swing: 3 East Cobb Methodist churches are having their pumpkin patch sales all October, and they’ve got some special events coming up soon. The proceeds from the sales at East Cobb UMC, Mt. Zion UMC and St. Andrew UMC benefit church activities and get the Halloween season off to a festive start. We’ll be posting Halloween events at this link all month; please send your event so we can include it (e-mail address listed below).

Did we miss anything? Do you have anything to add? By all means, let us know, and we’ll post your information. Submit what you’ve got to calendar@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll get it up toute de suite.

Thanks for reading East Cobb News, and have a great weekend!

East Cobb Pumpkin Patches continue all October, include special events

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East Cobb pumpkin patches, East Cobb UMC Pumpkin Patch
Proceeds from the East Cobb UMC Pumpkin Patch support the Boy Scouts Troop 435. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

A few of the Methodist churches in the area are just now receiving their pumpkin supplies as the Halloween season approaches. East Pumpkin Patches are underway at three of the usual locations through Halloween Day, on Oct. 31.

At East Cobb UMC (2325 Roswell Road), the pumpkin patch is open from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The proceeds support Boy Scout Troop 435, and for more information you can visit the troop’s website and Facebook page. In addition to a basic pumpkin, suitable for pie-making and jack-o-lantern carving, the East Cobb UMC spread also has the following:

“Pie pumpkins, wee bees, red, green, and grey Indian, warted pumpkins, small, big, and bigger, captains, and just good ol’ carving pumpkins. Oh . . . and a carving contest where you can enter to win the $10,000 national prize.”

At Mt. Zion UMC (1770 Johnson Ferry Road), the patch is open from 12 p.m.-7:30 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m.-7:3) p.m. on Saturday, through Oct. 31. On Oct. 14, the church is holding a Party in the Patch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with trick or treats, games, and a lunch for purchase. That event is sponsored by the Mt. Zion Youth Group and Evangelism Team.

The following week, on Oct. 21, Mt. Zion is holding a Movie in the Patch from 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m. featuring “Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin” and “Hocus Pocus.” Bring chairs and a blanket; popcorn and lemonade are provided and no RSVP is required.

At St. Andrew UMC (3455 Canton Road) the “Pumpkin Church” patch hours are from 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 12-8 p.m. Sunday.

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We’re just getting started with our compilation of Halloween events, leading into the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year Holiday seasons.

If you have events you’d like to share with the East Cobb community—holiday or not—we’ll be glad to post them. E-mail us at calendar@eastcobbnews and we’ll add them to our calendar listings. Feel free to send photos, flyers and of course contact information as East Cobb News aims to make our calendar listings the best around!

You can also send breaking news and news tips anytime—check out our submission guidelines for more information.

Fore the Cure golf tournament at Indian Hills to benefit breast cancer programs

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Fore the Cure golf tournament
Carrie Bartelme, George Bartelme, Fore the Cure co-chair Kathy Bovey Bartelme and co-chair Chad Bartelme at the 2016 event. (Submitted photos)

For the third year, the Fore the Cure Golf Tournament will take place Oct. 30 at Indian Hills Country Club, and donations and sponsorships are being sought.

The day-long event—which will be held rain or shine—is a fundraiser for the Atlanta-based It’s The Journey, a non-profit that promotes breast health and funds breast cancer programs.

Fore the Cure was started in 2015 by East Cobb residents Kathy Bovey Bartelme and her friend Helen Hvizdak, who were were looking for a local breast cancer organization to support.Fore the Cure golf tournament

“We love that It’s The Journey is a small organization making a big impact in our community,” Bartelme said. “They have raised $13 million since 2002 to support everything from breast exams, to biopsies, to research, all right here in Georgia. As a breast cancer survivor, it meant a lot to me find an organization that was helping the women and men in my community in meaningful, tangible ways.”

Fore the Cure has raised $96,000 in its first two golf outing events, and last year 164 people took place.

The Oct. 30 event starts with registration at 8 a.m. and a shotgun start at 9:30 am. The cost is $125 per person and includes cart, 18 holes of golf, lunch, and prizes for golf challenges.

Individual, foursome, and corporate sponsorships are available as well as donations for the silent auction and in-kind gifts. In previous tournaments, players have consisted of both members/non-members of Indian Hills as well as men and women.

There will also be a silent auction, which is open to the public to attend. Items for auction include golf packages, sports memorabilia, original artwork, themed gift baskets, and more.

For information and to register, click here for a sign-up flyer with details that include sponsorship packages, handicap scores and more.

Fore the Cure golf tournament

PHOTOS: 22nd annual East Cobber parade and festival

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East Cobber parade, Walton flag team
The Walton High School flag team marching in the East Cobber parade. (East Cobb News photos and slideshow by Wendy Parker)

A host of organizations, schools, churches and businesses took part in the East Cobber parade down Johnson Ferry Road Saturday and a community festival that followed at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.

Started in 1995 by East Cobber magazine publisher and founder Cynthia Rozzo, the parade has grown to include several dozen organizations representing a wide variety of community life in East Cobb.

Among those walking the 0.8-mile trek from Mt. Bethel Elementary School to Johnson Ferry Baptist were elected officials, civic leaders, scout troops, school bands and cheerleaders, local businesses and librarians shuffling book carts from the Cobb County Public Library System.

East Cobber parade, Mt. Bethel ES
Unicyclists from Mt. Bethel Elementary School.
East Cobber parade, Wheeler HS band
The Wheeler High School marching band.
East Cobber parade
Young attendees taking in the sights of a community parade, and waiting for candy thrown by participants.
East Cobber parade, Pope HS
The Pope High School marching band.
East Cobber parade, East Cobb Rotary Club
Members of the East Cobb Rotary Club.
East Cobber parade, The Lady Lions Cheer Team
The Lady Lions Cheer Team from Smyrna.
East Cobber parade
Students from the Dance Stop studio perform to Aaron Copland.
East Cobber parade, School of Rock
Student from the School of Rock Playing hits from the 1970s.

Check out more photos from the East Cobber parade and festival:

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EAST COBB TRAFFIC ALERT: Road closures for East Cobber parade

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East Cobber parade
Unicyclists from Mt. Bethel Elementary School are a regular part of the East Cobber parade. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

The one Saturday out of the year in which you can actually see unicyclists pedaling down Johnson Ferry Road is this Saturday. That means it’s time for the East Cobber parade, which begins at 10 a.m. and includes some significant closures along one of East Cobb’s busiest traffic arteries.

If you’ve experienced this before, the schedule is familiar, and remains essentially the same. Cobb Police will be shutting down Johnson Ferry Road between Roswell Road and Johnson Ferry Road between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

There may be some changes to this, in terms of time and precise closure points. Sometimes you can drive all the way to Princeton Lakes Drive, where the parade route begins, out of Mt. Bethel Elementary School, up until around 9:45 a.m. East Cobber parade route map

It’s best to observe the 9:30-11 window, and the Roswell-Lower Roswell boundaries, especially to give yourself time to find parking and a vantage point, and in case there are any logistical changes.

Woodlawn Drive will remain open, and is a good route to find a place to watch the parade—the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church parking lot will be available—but expect delays due to the closures.

Princeton Lakes Drive will be closed entirely from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday as the parade route assembles at Mt. Bethel Elementary School and heads south on Johnson Ferry Road.

Cobb DOT also is setting up detours at the following intersections, and these too have been done in previous years:

  • Intersection of Roswell Road and Indian Hills Parkway;
  • Intersection of Lower Roswell Road and Indian Hills Parkway;
  • Intersection of Roswell Road and Timber Ridge Road;
  • Intersection of Lower Roswell Road and Timber Ridge Road.

If you can’t get to the parade but want to watch, it’s being streamed live on East Cobber‘s Facebook page (link here) and Instagram account (link here).

The festival begins at 11 a.m. in the Johnson Ferry Baptist parking lot near the athletic fields. Here’s a full list of parade and festival participants. Here’s more on this weekend’s events in East Cobb.

EAST COBB WEEKEND: East Cobber parade & festival; garden tour; Sunday Funday & more

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East Cobb weekend events, East Cobber parade
The Walton High School band, including the flag team, will once again participate in Saturday’s East Cobber parade. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

After a harrowing week of stormy and fall-like weather, the East Cobb weekend schedule is perfectly suited for the Indian Summer-like conditions that are on tap.

In other words, get—and stay!—outdoors! In addition to some local rivalry football tilts, one of East Cobb’s biggest most festive events returns, while another that figures to become a big hit makes its debut. Check our full calendar listings for more, but here are some of the highlights of a jam-packed schedule of events designed to soak up some welcome sun and warmth in mid-September:

  • Walton vs. Wheeler football, Friday, 7:30 p.m.: Raider Valley (1590 Bill Murdock Road) is the site for this backyard bout, which also is a key regional game. The Raiders are 3-0 and Wheeler is 2-1;
  • Lassiter Homecoming: Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday, followed by the 3-0 Trojans vs. Marietta at 7:30 (2601 Shallowford Road);
  • East Cobber Parade & Festival, Saturday 10 a.m.: Johnson Ferry Road from Princeton Lakes Drive to Johnson Ferry Baptist Church (955 Johnson Ferry Road) for the parade, featuring dozens of schools, faith communities, organizations, businesses, elected officials and more. The festival featuring exhibitors, food, live music and more takes place in the church parking lot from 11-3;McFarlane Nature Park
  • East Cobb Garden Tour, Sunday 12-5 p.m.: The inaugural event, sponsored by the Cobb Master Gardeners, starts at the McFarlane Nature Park (280 Farm Road) and extends to several nearby Chattahoochee Plantation homes;
  • Sunday Funday at East Cobb Park, Sunday 4-6 p.m.: Free family entertainment includes live music from The LooSe ShoEs Band. Bring a blanket and picnic food in the last Sunday Funday of the summer. 3332 Roswell Road.

Check out our full calendar listings for more events, including more football games and live music. Did we miss something? Would you like to let the community know about your event? E-mail us: calendar@eastcobbnews.com.

Please keep in touch, and have a great weekend!

EAST COBB WEEKEND: Summer-to-fall events, emergency training & more

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Fall is just about here, and not just because of the dropping (and very pleasant!) temperatures we’ve enjoyed in East Cobb this weekend. That in-between summer and fall feeling is also evident in this weekend’s local events calendar: Kip Rogers, The Art Place-Mountain View

  • The finale of the 2017 Summer Stars Concert Series takes place Saturday at The Art Place-Mountain View (3330 Sandy Plains Road), featuring local musician Kip Rogers. “In Season” will feature some of his mellow, lyrical tunes, perfect for-season changing relaxation. Doors open at 7; the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Lawn seating is free, and tables of 8 cost $40;
  • If you prefer mellow relaxation of another kind, the East Cobb-based Atlanta Parrot Head Club is throwing a Jimmy Buffett tailgate party from 12:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday at Red Hare Brewing (1880 Delk Industrial Blvd.), in part to celebrate the enactment of a new Georgia craft beer law. Admission is free, and there will be live music (albeit not Buffett, brew and BBQ for purchase;
  • Visit our events calendar for more live music options, including regularly scheduled sessions at selected East Cobb restaurants and taverns;
  • With hurricane season upon us (and coastal Georgia under evacuation orders), the Cobb Emergency Management Agency is offering certified emergency training for citizens around the county, including at East Cobb’s Catholic Church of St. Ann on Saturday. It’s an all-day commitment, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and continues Sept. 16 and Sept. 23. Call the church at 770-552-6400 ext. 6019 for more information;
  • Another weekend-ish event that actually takes place on Monday is an author event at The Book Exchange (2932 Canton Road), and featuring Amber Brock, author of “A Fine Imitation.” It begins at 6 p.m. and refreshments follow;
  • There’s a light schedule on the high school football front, with Lassiter, Walton and Wheeler all enjoying a bye week. Two teams have home games: Sprayberry vs. Campbell and Pope vs. Johns Creek. Kell visits Rome, and all three East Cobb teams in action Friday are trying to bounce back from losses.

Atlanta Parrot Head Club event to celebrate new craft beer law

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Atlanta Parrot Head Club
Atlanta Parrot Head Club members at the 2016 Jimmy Buffett Tailgate party.

Members of the East Cobb-based Atlanta Parrot Head Club like to say they don’t need a reason to relax at local watering holes and enjoy the sounds of Jimmy Buffett and related musical acts.

But this Saturday, they really have a good reason to throw a public party and that’s just what they’ve decided to do.

They’re staging what they’re calling a Jimmy Buffet tailgating event at Red Hare Brewing (1998 Delk Industrial Blvd.) in part to mark the recent enactment of SB 85, also known as the Georgia craft beer law.

That law, which passed the Georgia legislature earlier this year after several years of industry lobbying, went into effect Sept. 1. It allows establishments that brew their own beer to make limited direct sales to the public.

As the Atlanta Parrot Head Club notes, “nor do [patrons] have to have a wrist band checked off off or exchange tickets for drinks. They will be able to pay for individual drinks—much like going to a bar—and they will be able to buy a limited amount of six packs, growlers, etc. to go.”

According to the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild, Red Hare is one of two Cobb craft breweries, and there are about three dozen across Georgia. The other Cobb craft brew business is Ironmonger Brewery, located just across from Red Hare on Delk Road (2129 Northwest Parkway).

The Atlanta Parrot Head Club event Saturday takes place from 12:30 p.m.—5:30 p.m. and admission is free. The Tiki Brothers Band, whose playlist includes Jimmy Buffett and rock classics, will play from 1-5, and Carne 250 Texas BBQ products will be sold.

The club, which describes itself as “a Jimmy Buffett fan club with a community service problem,” participates in several community service events throughout the year, including next Saturday’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s run at Kennesaw State University.

The next monthly gathering of the Atlanta Parrot Head Club is Sept. 21 on the patio of The Wing Café and Tap House (2145 Roswell Road) where it meets the third Thursday of each month.

Marietta-Cobb Career Expo is next week; includes readiness workshops

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Details about the Marietta-Cobb Career Expo are being distributed to the public by Cobb County Government:Marietta Cobb Career Expo

Learn how to sharpen up your resume and interview successfully at free readiness workshops and then put those skills into action during the Marietta/Cobb Career Expo. WorkSouce Cobb staff will host Expo Readiness Workshops 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the Cobb County Civic Center. Topics will include career expo success, resume writing, interviewing, netserving, job search over 40 and resume critique. Registration is required. Register by visiting worksourcecobb.org. For more information, call 770-528-4300.

The Marietta/Cobb Career Expo will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Cobb County Civic Center. Employers including Atlanta and North Georgia Building Trades Council, Bank of America, Cana Communications, Carmax, Caraustar, Georgia Tech Police, Hooters, Lockheed Credit Union, Omni Hotel, Verizon, Roswell Police Department and Walden Security will be in attendance looking for qualified candidates. The Civic Center is located at 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta. 

PHOTOS: Holy Smoke Festival at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church

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Holy Smoke Festival
Staying cool under the pavilion at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church’s Holy Smoke Festival. (East Cobb News photos and slideshow by Wendy Parker)

Barbecue served up by Williamson Brothers, family activities, live music by local artist Jay Memory, a parachute jump team, antique car show and more were packed into a gorgeous Labor Day Monday afternoon at the Holy Smoke Festival.

The venue and hosts were Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, and organized by its men’s ministry. We’ll just let the pictures tell the story, with a few words here and there, as East Cobb celebrated the holiday weekend in festive style (ICYMI, our photos from the Temple Kol Emeth Noshfest on Sunday).

Holy Smoke Festival

Holy Smoke Festival

Holy Smoke Festival
GTO row at the antique car show, another regular feature of the Holy Smoke Festival.

Holy Smoke Festival

Holy Smoke Festival
With temperatures in the high 80s, sitting atop the dunk tank wasn’t a bad place to be.
Holy Smoke Festival
But kids taking aim had more fun taking him down.

Holy Smoke Festival

Holy Smoke Festival

More photos in the slideshow below from the antique car show and more at the Holy Smoke Festival.

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PHOTOS: Temple Kol Emeth Noshfest celebrates Jewish food, music & culture

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Temple Kol Emeth Noshfest
Attendees of all ages enjoyed dancing to “Hava Nagila” at Noshfest Sunday. (East Cobb News photos and slideshow by Wendy Parker)

The first of the two-day Temple Kol Emeth Noshfest took place under beautiful skies Sunday, as one of East Cobb’s biggest Labor Day holiday weekend events got underway.

Noshfest continues on Monday, and Labor Day in East Cobb also includes the Holy Smoke BBQ and Festival, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Johnson Ferry Church (955 Johnson Ferry Road). Details here for what’s on tap.

The Noshfest celebration of Jewish food, music and culture included exhibitors, especially local artists, merchants and other businesses.

Noshfest

Noshfest

Noshfest

Noshfest

Noshfest
The festivities included the 2nd annual Noshfest bagel-eating contest.
Alex Guthrie, Noshfest
In addition to traditional Jewish folk music, The Alex Guthrie Band was among the featured acts. He’s a Lassiter HS grad whose group sports an acoustic and blues-infused sound.

More sights below from the Noshfest, which continues Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Temple Kol Emeth is located at 1415 Old Canton Road. Parking is available across the street at Eastminster Presbyterian Church.

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EAST COBB WEEKEND: Labor Day festivals; football rivalries; live music & more

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Holy Smoke Festival
’50s Chevies and other classic cars will return to the Holy Smoke BBQ Festival on Labor Day at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

The sun’s out, after a couple of rainy (but much-needed) days, just in time for a packed and extended Labor Day holiday weekend calendar of things to do in East Cobb.

Friday’s got the busiest schedule, with all six East Cobb football teams in action, including a couple of backyard rivalry games. Kickoff for all games is 7:30 p.m.:

  • Walton (2-0) at Pope (0-1): The Raiders are in the Top 10 and face a young Greyhounds test in their first hostile environment. Pope is also aiding victims of Hurricane Harvey by asking those attending the football game to bring water bottles to donate. There will be collection bins located through the stadium;
  • Kell (0-1) at Lassiter (2-0): Another all-East Cobb battle and a non-region treat pits two teams that reached the state playoffs last season, and look like they have the goods to contend again;
  • Sprayberry (1-0) at Kennesaw Mountain (1-0): The Yellow Jackets won their season opener and play on the road for the first time;
  • South Cobb (1-1) at Wheeler (1-1): The Wildcats return home after their first win of the season at Centennial; don’t forget the Wildcat Nation Food Truck tailgating event that begins at 5:30 p.m. in the East Cobb Middle School parking lot. The proceeds will benefit the work of the ECMS and Wheeler PTSAs and foundations.

If you’d rather stay indoors while relaxing and dining (or just rockin’) to good music, there’s a good variety to choose from at several East Cobb restaurants and bars:

  • At Chicago’s Steak and Seafood (4401 Shallowford Road), the Tom Olsen Trio plays jazz favorites tonight, with Retrograde performing from the folk rock and acoustic genre Saturday. Both are from 7-10 p.m. at the SpeakEasy Lounge;
  • At Suburban Tap (1318 Johnson Ferry Road), the acoustic-Americana sounds of the Poverty Level band rev up at 10 p.m. Friday, after the prep football games are over;
  • The Wing Cafe & Tap House (2145 Roswell Road) has a high-energy rock lineup planned, with Band X performing party style Friday and Saturday, from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. each night;
  • The traditional weekend fare of dueling pianos is on tap Friday and Saturday at Red Sky (1255 Johnson Ferry Road) starting at 9; and there’s live music also starting at 9 on Friday at the Rose & Crown Tavern (1391 Powers Ferry Road).

The Good Mews Animal Shelter (3805 Robinson Road) is pitching in with Hurricane Harvey relief, serving as a dropping-off point for pet food and litter Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They say no other items should be donated, and the goods collected are part of a PALS Atlanta effort to help out with dogs and cats affected by the terrible storms and flooding in Texas.

And finally, for the Labor Day weekend festivals. Luckily, they’re scheduled so that you can enjoy them both without missing much at all:

Noshfest
Dancing at last year’s Noshfest. (East Cobb News photos by Wendy Parker)
  • The Noshfest at Temple Kol Emeth (1415 Old Canton Road), takes place Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free with two canned goods to be donated to MUST Ministries, food and drink tickets range from $1-$4 and can be purchased on-site, as you go. The Sunday lineup includes a cooking demonstration from the General Muir restaurant, a bagel-eating contest and live music from The Alex Guthrie Band (named after East Cobb’s own young music sensation) and Israeli dancing; Monday’s finale winds down with the Nu-Grass Americana sounds of The Chip McGuire Band;
  • On Monday, the Holy Smoke Festival returns to Johnson Ferry Baptist Church (955 Johnson Ferry Road) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to BBQ meals served up by Williamson Bros. ($6 a plate), there will be a classic car show, live music, a Skydivers parachute jump team, and before all that gets underway, at 5K run and tot trot starting at 9 a.m. Admission is free.

Check out our full East Cobb News calendar listings for more events, this weekend and beyond. Did we miss anything? Do you have an item to share with the public? Contact us, and we’ll post it here! Send an email to: calendar@eastcobbnews.com.

Thanks for getting in touch, and have a terrific Labor Day holiday weekend!

East Cobb Labor Day weekend event schedules for Noshfest, Holy Smoke firming up

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Temple Kol Emeth Noshfest
The Noshfest at Temple Kol Emeth is next Sunday and Monday, Sept. 3-4. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

A week from now is the Labor Day holiday weekend, and two of East Cobb’s signature festivals for that extended weekend are finalizing their schedules.

At the Noshfest, it was announced this week that the Alex Guthrie Band, which is gaining recognition for its “earthy soul” performances in metro Atlanta, Georgia and the South, will be playing next Sunday, Sept. 3, at 1 p.m.

Guthrie is returning to his East Cobb roots, where he stood out as a young musician at Simpson Middle School and Lassiter High School. Want to know what “earthy soul” sounds like? Here’s a 2015 clip of the Alex Guthrie show at the renown Eddie’s Attic in Decatur:

This will be the 7th year for the Noshfest (official website here); admission is free but they ask that you bring two cans of food to be donated to MUST Ministries. Food and drink tickets can be purchased in advance or at the gate. The festival hours are 11am-5pm Sunday and 11am-4pm on Monday at Temple Kol Emeth (1415 Old Canton Road).

Here’s the full entertainment schedule as it stands now for the Noshfest, according to its Facebook page, which provides regular updates for the event:

Sunday, September 3, 2017

11:00 am Flag raising, National Anthem
11:10 am Israeli Dancing (Lessons and Demonstration)
11:30 am Kyra Goldman (Singer/Songwriter)
12:30 pm General Muir Cooking Demonstration
1:00 pm The Alex Guthrie Band
2:00 pm Kagan Entertainment (DJ and MC)
2:00 pm Annual Bagel Eating Contest
2:30 pm Krav Maga Demonstration
3:00 pm The Haskells formally known as TJT’s (Classic Rock Band)

Monday, September 4, 2017

11:00 am Flag raising, National Anthem
11:10 am Israeli DJ Ruby
12:00 pm Atlanta Fever (DJ)
1:00 pm Peyton Parker, The Voice Contestant
2:00 pm The Chip McGuire Band (Nu-Grass Americana Band)

Holy Smoke Festival, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
The antique car show at the 2016 Holy Smoke Festival featured more than 100 golden oldie buggies. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

A retro car show returns as one of the main features of the Holy Smoke Festival from 11am-3pm Monday at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church (955 Johnson Ferry Road), but the barbecue bash includes a lot more in the way of entertainment.

Admission to the festival is free; food plates catered by Williamson Bros. cost $6 each and can be ordered ahead of time (see event website for more).

There’s also a 5K run and tot trot at the church that starts at 9am (more info here); registration fee for the 5K and virtual run is $25 through Sunday; after that it’s $30. There’s no charge to sign up youngsters under 5 for the tot trot. The proceeds for from the race benefit Predisan Health ministries in Honduras.

Here’s more about what’s on tap at Holy Smoke, which drew more than 10,000 visitors last year:

  • kids play area
  • silent auction benefiting Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Storehouse Ministries
  • Antique car show (over 100 cars) and the Silver Wings Skydivers parachute jump team
  • plenty of activities for the family
  • vendor area
  • live music

These events and more can be found at the East Cobb News events calendar; if you have a listing to share with the public, please e-mail us: calendar@eastcobbnews.com.

EAST COBB WEEKEND: High school football; Mt. Paran consignment sale; live music and more

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Spirit of Rush, The Wing Cafe & Tap House, East Cobb live music
The Spirit of Rush cover band plays Saturday night at The Wing Cafe & Tap House.

The high school football season swings into full action this weekend as most East Cobb schools have games, including three in the community, while several local restaurants and bars are offering a variety of live music and entertainment. Here are a few samples, and check out the East Cobb News full calendar listings for the weekend and beyond:

  • An all-East Cobb gridiron battle takes place at Lassiter (which won its opener last week against Johns Creek), where the Trojans play host to Pope. It’s the season opener for the Greyhounds under first-year coach Tab Griffin, a former Pope player and graduate;
  • Sprayberry opens its season under debut coach Brett Vavra (who once played for the Yellow Jackets) against Osborne; Walton (1-0), which won a thriller at the Corky Kell Classic, plays at home for the first time, against Brookwood; after losing 52-0 to Marietta, Wheeler (0-1) hits the road at Centennial; all kickoff times are 730pm; Kell is off this week;
  • Fans of classic rock from the 1970s and 1980s can indulge in their favorites at two live shows this weekend at The Wing Cafe & Tap House (2145 Roswell Road). On Friday, the Rush cover band Spirit of Rush will play from the Canadian progressive band’s iconic “Permanent Waves” album, from 10pm-1 am; on Saturday, ’80s tribute band Shyanne will play at the same venue, at the same time;
  • There’s also live music at Red Sky Tapas and Bar (1255 Johnson Ferry) with the regular Friday-Saturday stand-bys, the 88 Licks Dueling Pianos Show; at Chicago’s Steak & Seafood (4401 Shallowford Road), the featured weekend acts at the SpeakEasy Loung are Jack Collins on Friday and Paul Joseph on Saturday, from 7:30pm-10pm each night;
  • Live music also is on tap Saturday at 9pm at the Rose and Crown Tavern (1931 Powers Ferry Road); and the Sunday Funday Open Mic at Keegan’s Irish Pub (4401 Shallowford Road), where sign-up starts at 6:30 pm.;
  • The late summer consignment sale season continues this weekend with the All 4 Kids Children’s Consignment Sale at Mt. Paran Church of God North (1700 Allgood Road); hours are 9:30am-8pm Friday and 9am-1pm Saturday.

Did we miss something? Do you have a calendar item to share? Send your event listing to: calendar@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll post it, free of charge!

Please keep in touch, and have a great weekend!

 

PHOTOS: Partial solar eclipse passes over East Cobb Park

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solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

The parking lot was full and so was East Cobb Park on an atypical Monday. The first solar eclipse to pass over the United States in nearly 100 years could be spotted—at least partially—in sunny, clear skies over East Cobb, and many took off from work and school to take in the spectacle.

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

While some schools allowed their students to witness the event outside, some cancelled plans late, unable to verify the safety standards of special viewing glasses purchased for the occasion.

Down the street on Roswell Road, at least one East Cobb business closed early due to the eclipse.

solar eclipse, Cactus Car Wash

At the park, spectators tested out their glasses beforehand, and got a little excited when some clouds covered the sky minutes before the arrival of the moon.

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

The front quad of East Cobb Park looked like it was a weekend, with picnickers and sun-gazers scattered about in anticipation.

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

Right around 2:35, with the eclipse only a minute away, nearly all heads in the park craned skyward, as the moon partially passed over the sun, momentarily darkening an otherwise bright day over East Cobb.

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

With metro Atlanta not located in the eclipse’s “Path of Totality,” there weren’t many “oohs” and “aahs” coming from spectators at the park. But their attention was totally focused on the sun for the two or three minutes of partial eclipse visibility.

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

Moments after the eclipse had moved on, streaking toward its final U.S. destination near Charleston, S.C., East Cobb Park returned to its usual Monday afternoon look.

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

(East Cobb News photos by Wendy Parker)

EAST COBB IN PICTURES: Photos from the first 6 weeks of East Cobb News

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East Cobb News has been online for about six weeks, and already we’ve covered quite a few events in the community that you may not have seen—averaging about two a week, sometimes more.

Since we’re new, and picking up new readers all the time, we thought we’d serve up a “best of” photo gallery from these events. Because we launched in the middle of the summer, we have a lot of outdoors and sports-related pictures, but they’re all popular community events we enjoyed attending. As we continue to grow, we plan to cover all kinds of events that capture the essence of the East Cobb community, and the spirit of the people who live here.

That’s why we’re asking for your help. If you know of a community event you’d like for East Cobb News to cover in the future, or have photos of an event that’s taken place that you’d like to share, please contact: editor@eastcobbnews.com.

East Cobb News is practicing the community-collaborative approach to local news, and reader/organization contributions are always welcome! When you submit your news and photos, you’re helping us serve our readers better. East Cobb is a big place with so much going on, and we want to earn your trust and become this community’s leading source of real-time news, events and information.

To see more photos and read stories about these events, please click the links below.