PHOTOS: 22nd annual East Cobber parade and festival

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

EAST COBB WEEKEND: Brass band concert; consignment sales; high school football; Mt. Zion UMC celebration

Wasted Potential Brass Band
The Wasted Potential Brass Band, in concert Saturday as part of the The Art Place-Mountain View’s Summer Stars Concert Series.

The weather may still feel like Dog Days, but the calendar of events in East Cobb for this weekend is filling up with a fall-like flair.

All kinds of school events, including the return of high school football, grace the weekend slate of activities. Here’s a sampling, with links for more details:

  • The Kell and Walton football squads will be playing Saturday in the Corky Kell Classic at the Georgia State Stadium—formerly known as Turner Field—in downtown Atlanta, while the Lassiter Trojans also hit the road on Friday, opening their season at Johns Creek;
  • The Wheeler Wildcats are the only East Cobb team playing at home, and that’s on Friday at 7:30 against their ancient rivals, the Marietta Blue Devils. After some fierce online voting, WSB-TV announced that its Sports Zone crew will be on at Corky Kell Stadium (375 Holt Road) as its very first game of the week;
  • Pope and Sprayberry fans—sit tight, your season openers are next week;
  • Bargain clothes hunters will have a big weekend, too, with children’s consignment sales going on at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church (4385 Lower Roswell Road) and the NOWAMOM sale at Sandy Plains Baptist Church (2825 Sandy Plains Road);
  • If you’ve got unwanted electronics and metal objects, the Pope High School Band will gladly take them at the school (3001 Hembree Road) from 9-4 Saturday. It’s the band’s annual recycling event, and there’s a flyer to download at the link for a list of accepted items;
  • The next-to-last Summer Stars Concert Series event of the season takes Saturday at The Art Place-Mountain View (3330 Sandy Plains Road), and the entertainment is from the Wasted Potential Bass Brand. It’s a New Orleans-style band based in Atlanta. The gates open at 7 p.m., with the band revving up at 7:30. Bring a blanket and relax on the lawn for free, or buy a table for 8 for $40. Either way, bring your own food (but as always, alcohol is not allowed);
  • On Sunday, one of East Cobb’s most venerable faith communities is having a birthday. Mt. Zion United Methodist Church (1770 Johnson Ferry Road) is turning 125 years old, and the public is invited to celebrate. There will be only one service, at 10 a.m., followed by a festival of food, games, and more, lasting until 2 p.m. (and perhaps longer).

Click the East Cobb News calendar page for more events this weekend, and beyond. Help us make the calendar even better by sending your items to: calendar@eastcobbnews.com.

Please stay in touch, and have a great weekend!

Wheeler is first Georgia high school to receive STEAM certification

Wheeler High School, STEAM program

Word’s just come in from the Cobb County School District that Georgia Superintendent of Schools Richard Woods will be on hand Tuesday as Wheeler High School will be recognized as a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) school, adding to its longstanding designation as a STEM school.

Wheeler becomes the first high school in Georgia to earn STEAM certification, and it’s a process that’s been a couple years in the making, starting with STEAM symposia and including a trip to Barcelona, Paris and London in June as part of the STEAM International Tour.

Here’s the rest of the CCSD release with details about Tuesday’s events:

Mableton is the first entire school in Cobb County to earn STEAM certification, which means 100% of the student population is involved in STEAM learning.

Wheeler is the first program in Cobb County to achieve STEAM certification. Program certification requires a designated group of students that are representative of the overall demographics of the school to complete a STEAM program. Cobb County School District Superintendent Chris Ragsdale will attend the Wheeler High School STEAM certification ceremony.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 15 (The STEAM certification and banner ceremonies will take place separately at each school.)

  • Mableton Elementary School – 9:00 a.m.
  • Wheeler High School – 1 p.m.

WHERE:

  • Mableton Elementary School: 5220 Church Street, Mableton, Ga. 30126
  • Wheeler High School: 375 Holt Rd NE, Marietta, GA 30068

WHY: To document the first state-level STEAM certifications in Cobb County and what the certifications mean for the success of CCSD students.

Here’s more about the Georgia Department of Ed’s STEAM program, which certified Henderson Mill Elementary School in DeKalb County as its first STEAM school this spring.

PHOTOS: East Cobb Senior Center celebrates 22nd anniversary

East Cobb Senior Center

The 22nd anniversary of the East Cobb Senior Center was celebrated by a couple hundred patrons on Friday with a “Gone With the Wind Theme,” but it didn’t end there.

Lunch was dubbed “Barbecue at 12 Oaks” after the name of theO’Hara plantation at Tara in the book and film. Attendees were summoned to the buffet when their table names were called out, in honor of “GWTW” characters Ashley Wilkes, Mellie Hamilton and Scarlett O’Hara.

East Cobb Senior Center

Among the honored guests were Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce and Commissioner JoAnn Birrell. Cobb Senior Services Staff, dressing every bit the part, were the hostesses for the festivities.

East Cobb Senior Center

Square dance and line dance music suddenly turned modern, with “The Twist,” “Woolly Bully,” and “Blue Suede Shoes” providing an energetic mid-day exercise that continued into early afternoon.

East Cobb Senior Center

East Cobb Senior Center

A little slow dancing was mixed in with a dash of easy-going hip-hop . . .

East Cobb Senior Center

East Cobb Senior Center

. . . followed by a return to some oldies that kept quite a few couples, and a number of good friends, on the dance floor during a festive afternoon. (East Cobb News photos by Wendy Parker)

East Cobb Senior Center

Sponsors, donors sought for East Cobb Public Safety Appreciation dinner

The East Cobb Business Association and the East Cobb Council of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce are organizing an appreciation dinner next month for Precinct 4 Cobb Police personnel.

Susan Hampton, one of the event co-chairs, said the first organizing committee meeting was Wednesday, and the groups are seeking sponsors and donors at all levels
East Cobb Business Association

The event first began in 2013 as a way of showing thanks to officers serving the East Cobb area, and the effort also includes a similar celebration for all of Cobb Fire Department personnel in March.

In addition to a dinner, public safety personnel being honored will receive gift cards, raffle prizes and other donated gifts of appreciation.

The presenting sponsor is the WellStar East Cobb Health Park.

Hampton said the sponsorship levels are as follows for both events:

  • Platinum ($1,000): Signage at police and fire events; 2 representatives at each banquet; official recognition at both events, and at ECBA and East Cobb Council events;
  • Gold ($500): signage at the police event; 2 representatives at the police event or the firefighters event; signage recognition;
  • Silver ($250): Signage recognition at both events.

Cobb Chamber of CommerceAs for the donor levels, Hampton said one of the most popular forms of giving for businesses, organizations and individuals alike is a $25 “Thank A Hero” contribution that includes a card at the events with the giver’s identification.

The $25 total, Hampton said, is ideal for those wishing to offer gift cards.

Checks are payable to “Public Safety Celebration” and are tax-deductible. They may be mailed to:

East Cobb Business Association

Attention: Public Safety Celebration

P.O. Box 70814

Marietta, GA 30007

Here’s more from Hampton and Kim Paris, another longtime East Cobb community activist, who’s the other co-chair:

“We continue to work together to plan these appreciation events, and to raise the funds necessary to insure their success. We are reaching out to individuals, businesses, civic and other nonprofit organizations, schools, neighborhoods and churches, and hope you will join us in support of our community’s public safety heroes!”

Contact: Susan Hampton: susan.hampton@lionbank.com; Kim Paris: kim.paris@wellstar.org.

PHOTOS: Walton football teams celebrate Raider Day

Raider Day, Walton football
(East Cobb News photos by Wendy Parker)

Walton football players from all grade levels and the larger school community turned out at Raider Valley Sunday afternoon for the annual Raider Day celebration.

Games, concessions, music, a dunking booth, paint-facing, T-shirt projectile scrums (courtesy of the Walton Robotics team) and lots of footballs in the air abounded, as Walton football boosters created an atmosphere of anticipation for the season ahead.

The Raiders varsity team will hold a scrimmage on Friday against Archer, with the season opener less than two weeks away, against North Gwinnett on Aug. 19 in the Corky Kell Classic.

Walton’s home opener at Raider Valley is Aug. 25 vs. Brookwood.

Raider Day, Walton football

Raider Day, Walton football

Raider Day, Walton football

Raider Day, Walton football

Raider Day, Walton football

Raider Day, Walton football

Raider Day, Walton football

Raider Day, Walton football

Raider Day, Walton football

Raider Day, Walton football

Raider Day, Walton football

Raider Valley, Walton football

PHOTOS: Lutzie 43 Road Race at Lassiter High School

Lutzie 43 Road Race
Runners take off at the start of the Lutzie 43 Road Race Saturday morning at Lassiter High School. (East Cobb News photos and slideshow by Wendy Parker)

The East Cobb chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Lutzie 43 Foundation were the beneficiaries of the 3rd annual Lutzie 43 Road Race Saturday morning.

The race is named in the memory of Philip Lutzenkirchen, the former Lassiter and Auburn football star killed at the age of 23 in a 2014 car accident. His family started the foundation to help educate young people with a focus on developing leadership, community service and character-building skills.

Lutzie 43 Road Race

Lutzie 43 Road Race
The race began and ended at Lutzie Field, which Lassiter renamed in Lutzenkirchen’s honor in 2015.

Lutzie 43 Road Race

Lutzie 43 Road Race
The overall female champion was Danielle Delgado, who’s only 11 years old.
Lutzie 43 Road Race
Overall men’s winner Brian Duhe with Ann, Amy and Abby Lutzenkirchen, the sisters of Philip Lutzenkirchen.
Lutzie 43 Road Race
Mike Lutzenkirchen, executive director of the Lutzie 43 Foundation, and Mary Lutzenkirchen, Philip’s parents, cheer those receiving medals after the run, which was sponsored by Cobb County Kia. View the winners below, followed by more photos.

Lutzie 43 Age-Group Winners

WOMEN

  • 10-under: Gracie Petroff
  • 11-14: Allison Brown
  • 15-19: Julia Balot
  • 20-24: Avery Sechrest
  • 25-29: Shelby Madison
  • 30-34: Gabrella Klas
  • 35-39: Jenny Baker
  • 40-44: Denise Hoying
  • 45-49: Jennifer Christensen
  • 50-54: Jill Sechrest
  • 55-59: Kathy Carlson
  • 60-64: Kathy Webster
  • 65-69: Kathie Coleman
  • Masters: Tracy Morgan
  • Grand Masters: Mary Shortt

MEN

  • 10-under: Collin Crossk
  • 11-14: Trenton Nolen
  • 15-19: Jacob Balot
  • 20-24: Cody Corden
  • 25-29: Yibram Maldonado
  • 30-34: Michael McGreevey
  • 35-39: Jeff Goin
  • 40-44: Jim Hoying
  • 45-49: Frank McManus
  • 50-54: Donny Neal
  • 55-59: Kurt Handler
  • 60-64: John Tramontanis
  • 65-69: Bill Shaughnessy
  • Masters: Thomas Bourne
  • Grand Masters: Scott Vogel

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PHOTOS: Sandy Plains Baseball-Atlanta Braves Foundation field rededication at Harrison Park

Atlanta Braves, Sandy Plains Baseball
Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell, Sandy Plains Baseball players and present and former Atlanta Braves cut the ribbon at Field 2 at Harrison Park Saturday. (East Cobb News photos and slideshow by Wendy Parker)

Several dozen uniformed players from the Sandy Plains Baseball Association gathered on Field 2 at Harrison Park Saturday morning to celebrate a renovated field, courtesy of the Atlanta Braves Foundation, and in the name of former Braves great Chipper Jones.

Jones wasn’t in attendance, but several current and former Braves were, including Sid Bream, Brian Hunter, Marvin Freeman, Sean Newcomb and Luke Jackson, as well as Braves executive Mike Plant.

The “Chipper Jones Field” was the second the Braves foundation has paid to renovate in East Cobb (there’s also one at Fullers Park), and that’s one of the 10 the organization will refurbish in a 10-year period throughout metro Atlanta.

Sandy Plains Baseball Association
Sandy Plains Baseball players do the Tomahawk chop.

Sandy Plains Baseball Association

Atlanta Braves Foundation, Sid Bream
Sid Bream, playoff hero for the Braves in 1992, signs autographs for the Sandy Plains players.

Atlanta Braves Foundation, Sandy Plains Baseball Association, Harrison Park

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