East Cobb News

East Cobb real estate sales, week of Jan. 23-27, 2023

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Lake Colony, East Cobb real estate sales
Lake Colony

The following deeds for residential East Cobb real estate sales were filed Jan. 23-27, 2023 with the Cobb Superior Court Clerk’s Office Real Estate Department.

The addresses include ZIP Codes; subdivision names and high school districts are in parenthesis:

Jan. 23

5027 Fitts Drive, 30075 (Bernham Woods, Lassiter): Kerri Groen to Sol Bitchatchi; $373,500

4602 North Landing Way, 30066 (North Landing, Kell): Linda Berg to Jonathan Adcock; $317,000

929 Millstone Drive, 30062 (Wellcrest Townhomes, Wheeler): Freeport Title & Guaranty Inc., trustee to Viviana Maduro and Gunter Sell; $270,500

3765 Fox Hills Drive, 30068 (Fox Hills, Wheeler): Michael Manning, executor to Julie Jenkins; $385,000

Jan. 24

939 Otter Way, 30068 (Lashley Farms, Walton): Opendoor Property C LLC to Maria Pulliam and Jose de Toledo; $495,000

615 Lyle Drive, 30067 (Meadow Brook, Wheeler): Joseph Dunn to Letecia Acevedo and Jose Gutierrez; $210,000

Jan. 25

3579 Brookhill Circle, 30062 (Woodbine, Lassiter): Caitlin Sabers to Shanteria Brown-Soloranzo; $435,000

Jan. 26

1130 Colony Circle, 30068 (Lake Colony, Walton): Steven and Jackie Pierce to Michael and Beverly Jiminez; $498,000

4837 Wigley Road, 30066 (Edgewood East, Lassiter): Toll Southeast LP Company Inc. to Himanshu Kapoor and Shweta Oberoi; $977,295

2732 Chestnut Ridge Way, 30062 (Chestnut Ridge, Pope): Open House Atlanta Realty & Investments to Alpha Wave Inc.; $495,000

3730 Creek Stone Way, 30068 (Indian Hills, Walton): Joan Orr to Wendy Mattison; $489,000

2255 Old Orchard Way, 30068 (Weatherstone, Wheeler): Robert Rowan to Michael Skordeles; $585,000

867 Countryside Court, 30068 (Timberlea Farms, Wheeler): David and Craig Abouchar, trustees to James and Kristina Hopkins; $517,500

Jan. 27

728 Blackwell Circle, 30066 (Sprayberry): Compliant Computer Systems LLC to Stacey Adams and Michaeline Dobyns; $415,000

3127 Hilltop Drive, 30066 (Overlook at Hilltop Drive, Sprayberry): Hilltop REI LLC to Luca Savoldelli and Konstantina Rizou; $691,041

4650 Ponte Vedra Drive, 30067 (The Columns at Atlanta Country Club, Walton): Jennifer Chapin to Kenneth Hayes and Shana Kennedy; $1.3 million

2542 Stockbridge Road, 30062 (Chimney Springs, Pope): Walter Derezinski to Bethany and Christopher Peterson; $590,000

272 Bristol Lane, 30066 (Bristol Mill, Sprayberry): Stephen Kuder to Susan Harris; $450,000

4117 Avid Park, 30062 (East Haven, Walton): Bishops TH LLC to Kathleen Doolittle and Gregory Stokes; $925,500

2785 Craig Court, 30062 (Olde Canton Chase, Pope): Beverly Seymour to Christine Lee and Joe Way; $1.2 milion

1525 Heath Lane, 30062 (Meadow Chase, Walton): Paul Wachter to Emma and Claire Holmes; $655,000

1313 Spindlewood Drive, 30062 (Spindlewood, Walton): Lawrence and Judy Harper to Nicholas Merizzi; $415,000

134 Weatherstone Parkway, 30068 (Weatherstone, Wheeler): Janet Parker to David Huseman; $455,000

2871 Dale Drive, 30068 (East Valley Estates, Wheeler): Hani Aboabdo to Travis Turner and Megan Faye; $575,000

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Rainy, winter weather in weekend forecast for East Cobb

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Rainy winter weather East Cobb forecast

Flashes of spring were abounding in East Cobb this week, including blooming trees above at the Sunrise at East Cobb senior care home on Johnson Ferry Road.

But the National Weather Service in Peachtree City said Friday that steady rain and colder temperatures could result in some winter weather issues Saturday and Sunday.

The NWS has issued a winter weather advisory for Cobb County and most of north and central Georgia through Sunday morning, as a storm system moves through Saturday night.

Temperatures in the advisory area overnight Saturday into Sunday morning are forecast to be in the mid- to upper 30s, and higher elevations in North Georgia could get a mix of rain, freezing rain and snow.

The NWS said that “any snow mixed with rain should not result in road or any other impacts” at elevations below 2,000 feet.

Cobb government said in a social media message late Friday afternoon that “just in case, Cobb DOT crews will be ready to respond if the roads get slippery.”

Rain begins Friday night and continues in the morning and afternoon on Saturday, with highs in the low 50s.

The low expected in the Cobb area Saturday night is in the mid 30s, with an 80 percent chance of rain/snow Sunday morning.

Highs Sunday are forecast in the mid 40s, dipping to near freezing Sunday night as the weather conditions dry out.

Monday will be sunny and warmer, with highs around 60, and getting warmer in the week, although there is rain in the forecast as well.

Next weekend is expected to be sunny and nearing 60 degrees next Sunday.

 

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Cobb commissioners to consider $98M in ARPA spending requests

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Cobb Republican commissioners contest meeting minutes

Spending requests of more than $98 million from the American Rescue Plan Act will be presented to the Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday.

Cobb County government was allocated $147 million from the federal government in ARPA funding, and last November commissioners unanimously approved using $20 million of that total to raise salaries, improve retention and fill vacancies in public safety agencies.

At Tuesday’s meeting, they will hear details of spending proposals pertaining to infrastructure, community health, economic development, public safety and support service needs stemming from the COVID-19 response.

Last year commissioners voted on the five priority areas. The following totals have been proposed per category, with an overview and project-by-project specifics, with the projects lasting two years:

The requests, formulated by county department heads, are comprehensive and wide-ranging, including health-related efforts to mitigate against COVID-19 (including expanding court space for social-distancing purposes), food distribution, stormwater management upgrades, expanding WiFi at county facilities, workforce development, home repairs for the elderly and financially disadvantaged and equipment for first responders.

They were put together after months of meetings with county government and non-profit service providers and other community “stakeholders,” according to the agenda items. 

Each project is broken down according to several factors, including whether it aligns with the ARPA funding categories. The evaluation considerations for each included “equity,” geographic location, projected impact and “financial continuity,” with the proviso that projects won’t cost the county money beyond the limits of the ARPA funding.

Each priority area will be considered individually at Tuesday’s meeting.

The biggest single request is $7 million to construct the South Cobb Public Health Center, which Cobb and Douglas Public Health said in agenda item “will address many of the public health gaps that exist due to the pandemic and other historical circumstances.” 

Another $5.8 million is being proposed for the Healthy County Building Initiative, which will target HVAC upgrades for “select” county facilities based on indoor air quality and COVID mitigation measures. 

A total of $4.9 million would be granted to SelectCobb, the economic development arm of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, and Cobb Works, the Cobb Collaborative and other agencies to assist “child care learning centers and family child care learning homes with their current workforce challenges.”

An estimated $4.5 million would be distributed in grants to the early childhood education and day care industry “to help offset the cost of retaining and recruiting workers in this difficult labor market for a specific segment of the economy that has a profound impact on families.” 

Another $4 million would be earmarked for Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta to build 14 single-family “affordable homes” for citizens with incomes at or below 65 percent of the area median income.

The estimated cost of each home would be $362,725.00 each, and the agenda items states it would be “helping to close the racial wealth gap by creating equity for homeowners.”

Also requested under economic development is $3.96 million for the “Cobb County Business Boot Camp,” which would provide training and assistance for minority business owners.

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

There are two public comment periods, one at the beginning and the other near the end, with a maximum of six speakers each who are limited to speak for five minutes.

You also can watch on the county’s website and YouTube channels and on Cobb TV 23 on Comcast Cable.

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East Cobb resident vying to be Atlanta Braves PA announcer

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East Cobb resident Braves PA announcer
Mark Aston is the public-address voice at Walton High School basketball, football and lacrosse home games. (Andrew Pollock, apPhotoMarietta, LLC)

An all-around sports dad some Walton High School athletes call “VOMA” is in contention for the big leagues.

Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves, to be specific.

East Cobb resident Mark Aston has done sports-related and other professional voice over-work for more than 30 years, including for his alma mater, Auburn University.

In recent years, he’s been the public address announcer for Walton football and lacrosse games, and this season added basketball duties to his already-busy schedule.

Aston does voice acting projects for Auburn athletics and other business clients from his home studio, in addition to his full-time work in medical sales.

“I’m a parent volunteer,” Aston said. “I just happen to be the parent volunteer they hear at the games.”

Come April 6, Aston could be sitting behind the mic at Truist Park as the public address announcer as the Braves play their home opener for the 2023 season.

After more than 130 people sent audition videos and several hundred more did auditions at the Braves’ FanFest last month, he’s been named one of 12 finalists for the job.

They’re in the running to succeed Casey Motter, the Braves’ PA man since 2006, and who died last June.

Aston said East Cobb resident Larry Haber, who’s also involved in youth sports in the Walton area, mentioned the opening to him.

A Braves spokeswoman told East Cobb News that the top three finalists will be announced between Feb. 17-20, and that fans will be invited to vote for their favorite.

Aston said he hasn’t been told anything since the audition. It’s a part-time job, like the rest of his voice-over work, and would consist of informing and entertaining fans at 81 home games and any post-season events at Truist Park.

East Cobb resident Atlanta Braves PA announcer
Mark Aston at his Atlanta Braves audition on Feb. 3. A snippet is shown on the video below, around the 10-minute mark.

“I used to pretend I was a Braves announcer,” Aston said, referencing Marshall Mann, who was the Braves’ PA announcer fro 1967 to 1996.

“I’ll go as big as the Braves want me to go. You’re there to enhance the Braves’ experience. It’s not about you.”

A native of Columbus, Ga., Aston finished second in the state high school shot put competition to a future University of Georgia football star named Herschel Walker.

He then attended Auburn on a football scholarship in the early 1980s, and was a teammate of another Heisman Trophy winning running back, Bo Jackson.

Aston said he played enough to keep his scholarship and earned a degree in business administration and finance.

He started his public address work right out of college, with World Championship Wrestling and the National Wrestling Association, and moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s as a voice-over actor for the William Morris Agency and the Solid Talent Agency.

He also was a venue announcer at the Rose Bowl and UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion basketball arena.

His work with Auburn commenced in 2016, after he moved his family to East Cobb. He does podcast and highlight program intros and narrates videos and other productions for a number of college clients, including Georgia Southern University athletics.

But he said some of his proudest moments in sports involve his sons. Andrew is a Walton junior and the football team’s long snapper and also plays lacrosse.

Taylor Aston, now a student at Auburn, played on Walton’s state championship lacrosse team in 2019, and his father got to call the home games in the state tournament.

The finals were played on a neutral field, at Kennesaw State University. “VOMA,” which the kids meant as “The Voice of Mark Aston,” was a very happy onlooker.

His son scored two goals and an assist as Walton won 8-7 in sudden-death overtime against Lambert on a goal from Tate Harran.

“I was literally crying,” he said. “What a moment. When he scored that goal, that was so special.”

Aston said his enthusiasm for sports is about more than winning and losing. The lessons he learned from his Auburn coach, Pat Dye, and others, are about developing character, sportsmanship and team work.

The best things that adults can do for their children through sports, Aston said, “is to model the kind of behavior they want their kids to follow.”

East Cobb resident Atlanta Braves PA announcer
Mark Aston after his audition at Truist Park, where the Braves play their 2023 home opener on April 6. From his Voice of Mark Aston Instagram page.

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The Avenue East Cobb announces new restaurants, shops

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The Avenue East Cobb jewel box
New renderings of The Avenue East Cobb’s dining space in the forthcoming “jewel boxes.”

Two new restaurants are coming to The Avenue East Cobb as part of a series of new lease signings as the retail center continues redevelopment.

North American Properties announced Thursday that Press Waffle Co., an eatery chain featuring Belgian Liége waffles, will occupy space this fall in one of two new “jewel box” buildings featuring restaurants and retail shops.

The Press Waffle Co., which began as a food truck venture in St. Louis in 2016 and vaulted into famed via the television show “Shark Tank,” has seven locations in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Colorado.

The 1,200-square-foot space will be located near Sephora, according to an NAP release.

The East Cobb franchisees will be Keith and Niki Ginel, a married couple who “envision a French café ambience for customers to soak up while indulging in a selection of savory and sweet dishes like The House, a bestseller featuring strawberries, cookie butter, Nutella, and a house made whipped cream atop a golden Liége waffle,” NAP said (menu items here).

The Avenue East Cobb live music stage
The live music area of the forthcoming public plaza at The Avenue East Cobb.

The other restaurant is Peach State Pizza, which is debuting at The Avenue under the brother partnership of David and Michael Cohen, occupying the former space of Stockyard Burgers and Bones.

The Cohens are pizza industry veterans, and the new concept focuses on “Southern-style pizza with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients,” NAP said.

The menu will include appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and desserts, as well as locally brewed beer, domestics and specialty cocktails.

The space will include 3,650 square feet with décor “reflect[ing] the warmth of a Southern farmhouse and the relaxation of a front porch swing, punctuated by vintage photos, signs and artwork of classic Georgia landmarks.

Peach State Pizza will have two outdoor patios that will have events such as cornhole competitions and live music.

Construction is set to begin in the spring and is expected to open in the late summer, NAP said.

Lauren Ness, a spokeswoman for NAP, told East Cobb News that the New York Butcher Shoppe (previous ECN post here) is opening on Saturday, next to the J. Jill store.

To mark the opening, the store is also launching a “Name the Steer” contest through Feb. 28, with the winner receiving two Angus steaks.

On the retail front, in addition to the Barnes and Noble opening we posted recently, The Avenue also will be welcoming Faced The Facial Studio, an Atlanta-base skincare studio with locations in Buckhead, Morningside and Westside. The 2,100-square-foot space will be next to Warby Parker.

And Evereve, a women’s fashion retailer, will be opening later this year in its third Georgia location.

The Avenue East Cobb public plaza rendering
An aerial public rendering of the public plaza, which is in the early construction changes.

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East Cobb food scores: Fire Stone; Tijuana Joe’s; Mod Pizza; more

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Fire Stone Chinese open East Cobb early 2023

The following food scores for the week of Feb. 6 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

Alumni Cookie Dough
1205 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 118
February 9, 2023 Score: 100, Grade: A

Capozzi’s Restaurant
4285 Roswell Road
February 9, 2023 Score: 90, Grade: A

Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins
2765 Sandy Plains Road
February 8, 2023 Score: 95, Grade: A

Fire Stone Chinese Cuisine
1401 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 128
February 8, 2023 Score: 100, Grade A

Hibachi & BBQ
2856 Delk Road, Suite 305
February 6, 2023 Score: 100, Grade: A

Indo Fusion
279 Powers Ferry Road, Suite F
February 8, 2023 Score: 91, Grade: A

Minas Emporium
2555 Delk Road, Suite B4
February 6, 2023 Score: 85, Grade: B

Mod Pizza
3460 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 250
February 8, 2023 Score: 86, Grade: B

Ruby Tuesday
2435 Delk Road
February 7, 2023 Score: 92, Grade: A

Tijuana Joe’s Cantina
690 Johnson Ferry Road
February 9, 2023 Score: 97, Grade: A

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CenterStage North begins 2023 season with ‘Moon Over Buffalo’

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CenterStage North Moon Over Buffalo

The 2023 season of CenterStage North Theatre gets underway this weekend with the first performances of “Moon Over Buffalo.”

After COVID-related disruptions the last three years, a full season slate of four featured plays, plus Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” are being produced at The Art-Place Mountain View, the community theatre’s since 1985.

Shows of “Moon Over Buffalo” take place Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at The Art Place (3330 Sandy Plains Road) and continue next Wednesday-Saturday, also at 8 p.m.

Written by veteran Tony Award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig, “Moon Over Buffalo” is a comedy about a husband and wife who are failed Broadway actors struggling in the repertory scene in Buffalo.

It’s set during the 1950s, and the Hays have to navigate complicated family matters while learning that film director Frank Capra is coming to see their matinees.

Tickets are $15-$27 and can be purchased by clicking here. CenterStage North is also selling season subscriptions for $110 per seat.

CenterStage North, an all-volunteer organization created in 1974 in Smyrna, will be producing “Til Beth Do Us Part” in May, “Fireflies” in August and “The Outsider,” a political comedy, in October.

More information about those and other performances can be found by clicking here.

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Atlanta Jewish Film Festival returns to Merchants Walk Cinema

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Israel Swings for Gold, Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Merchants Walk

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival began Wednesday and continues through Feb. 21, and for the first time in several years the Merchants Walk Cinema in East Cobb is among the venues for screenings and other events.

Ten screenings will take place at Merchants Walk (1301 Johnson Ferry Road), including three on Thursday and another on Friday, as part of the 60-film AJFF, which began in 2000.

The others will take place on Saturday and Sunday, including “Israel Swings for Gold,” the story of the Israeli baseball team’s participation in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

It will be the world premiere for the 75-minute film, which will be shown at 11 a.m. at Merchants Walk, and whose showing there and two other venues at the festival is being sponsored by the Atlanta Braves.

Since there was no media due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Israeli players shot their own videos that formed the core of the film, a sequel to a 2017 film chronicling Israel’s run in the World Baseball Classic.

Other films to be shown at Merchants Walk include “Hummus Full Trailer,” with a storyline described as a “zany gangster comedy caper” that features “a mix-up in Haifa links a cesspit of nutty Middle East sorts.”

In “Remember This,” actor David Straitharn plays a World War II hero Jan Karski, a Polish Catholic diplomat who warned about Nazi atrocities that fell on deaf ears.

The full schedule of screenings at Merchants Walk and other venues, as well as ticket purchases, can be found by clicking here.

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Richardson conducting ‘Priorities Tour’ during February

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Cobb commissioner Jerica Richardson is holding meetings with citizens during the month of February as part of her annual “Priorities Tour.”Richardson priorities tour

As she has done in her first two years in office, Richardson is seeking feedback about issues in District 2 and Cobb County, ranging from economic development, transit, health, government finance, housing, the arts and more.

Other priorities included environmental justice and SMART communities, a concept built around technology- and data-driven innovations to guide urban transition for a range of public services.

The SMART communities tab for the 2022 priorities tab says it complements another priority, “Building a Better Cobb,” focused on infrastructure improvements, as well as enhancements to public safety.

The current priorities tour comes as Richardson and her Democratic colleagues on the Cobb Board of Commissioners are legally challenging reapportionment maps that would draw her out of District 2.

A lawsuit contesting the county on its claim of home rule powers is expected to be refiled soon by East Cobb resident Larry Savage, a former commission chairman candidate.

Richardson’s priorities tour is different from town halls that have open to the general public

“These tour stops are highly collaborative, and you and your organization or group will have the opportunity to offer changes in real-time during her presentation,” says a message included in Richardson’s e-mail newsletter this week.

“Please note these tours are private and virtual only, and may include anyone from your group. We ask for at least three people to join the call to ensure that it is as effective as possible.”

If you want to sign up for a tour stop, click here for more information.

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Simpson MS STEAMapalooza showcases variety of activities

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Simpson MS STEAMapalooza
Photos: Cobb County School District

In late January Simpson Middle School put on a STEAMApalooza event that attracted several hundred students and their families, as well as external organizations, in an exploration of science, technology, engineering, art, and math activities and demonstrations.

Activities ranged from the building of “squishy circuits” with playdough to a dominoes challenge, as well as speedcubing, virtual reality demos and a student-built robot.

The latter was done by Simpson students guided by students from the Wheeler High School robotics team, according to a release issued by the Cobb County School District.

Simpson principal Dr. LaEla Mitchell said in the release that “this opportunity to showcase what the students are learning and invite family members to join us in this experience is priceless. It was truly a community event—our PTSA, community partners, and feeder schools all showed up and showed out! I am grateful to my wonderful faculty and staff for making this fun night of learning one to remember!”

STEAMapalooza also featured a poetry wall, open mic night, hands-on art activities, and a Tesla demonstration. Guest speakers from the Georgia Institute of Technology Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, American Society of Microbiology, and Emory University covered topics such as rocks and minerals, corals and their survival, magical wonders of protein folding, and bacteria and cells.

Families also had the opportunity to learn about the science of baseball, check out the Bach to Rock demonstrations, try the Tangram Challenge, and more.

Other participants included the Sprayberry High School JROTC and Wheeler’s Society of Women Engineers.

Simpson MS STEAMapalooza

Simpson MS STEAMapalooza

Simpson MS STEAMapalooza

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Chick-Fil-A Lassiter closed two weeks for drive-thru upgrade

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Chick-Fil-A Lassiter drive-thru upgrade

A busy Chick-Fil-A location in East Cobb is closed this week and next for expansion of its drive-thru service.

Brian Baldwin, the operations manager for the Chick-Fil-A Lassiter (3046 Shallowford Road), said in a video release over the weekend that “we are committed to improving your drive-thru experience.”

He didn’t specify what the renovations would entail, but management reassured a customer that they wouldn’t be getting rid of the play area for kids.

The closest Chick-Fil-A in that area is across from Sprayberry High School at 2530 Sandy Plains Road.

Chick-Fil-A locations in the East Cobb area have expanded recently to include a double drive-thru at some locations, with one dedicated for customers who order ahead.

The Chick-Fil-A at Woodlawn Square on Johnson Ferry Road was closed for several months in 2018-19 due to significant renovations that included reconfiguring its drive-thru access.

Retail Planning Corp., which manages the retail center, has applied to expand to a double pick-up lane and needs county approval to relate a Delta Community Credit Union ATM in order to do that. That case goes before Cobb commissioners on Feb. 21.

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The Avenue East Cobb details ‘Galentine’s Day’ event for women

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The Avenue East Cobb Galentine's Day

Sorry fellas, you’re not invited.

The Avenue East Cobb is giving women a chance to enjoy Valentine’s Day a day early with their female friends.

“Galentine’s Day” is an event taking place next Monday from 5-7 p.m. in what’s being called the “Babe Cave,” between Tin Lizzy’s and Chico’s.

Admission to the Babe Cave is free, and the goal is to “make for a fun, easy way to get the group together for a night out celebrating the power of female friendship.”

There will be a “stroll map” of participating retailers and restaurants offering special sales and “photos with a group of huggable llamas that will be roaming the property.”

More about Galentine’s Day can be found by clicking here.

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East Cobb Biz News: Emergency vet to replace Tokyo Valentino

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Veterinary Emergency Group East Cobb

Work crews this week officially unveiled what’s going in at the former Tokyo Valentino adult store space at 1290 Johnson Ferry Road.

A sign posted in the front window revealed the second Georgia location for Veterinary Emergency Group, a nationwide chain with 43 clinics, including one in Alpharetta.

It will be second such emergency vet clinic to locate in East Cobb in recent months, following Urgent Vet’s opening at East Cobb Crossing last September.

The VEG concept is similar to Urgent Vet, with after-hours availability and collaboration with a pet’s primary veterinarian to handle emergencies.

VEG co-founder and president David Glattstein is an Emory University graduate with investment experience. He teams up with veterinarian David Bessler, who opened his first emergency vet hospital in 2014.

Tokyo Valentino was ordered closed in July 2021 by a Cobb judge after operating without a proper business license. The adult retail store was tangled in litigation with Cobb County, which sued to permanently revoke its business license for misrepresentation.

Cobb issued a business license in March 2020 to 1290 Clothing, which listed itself as a clothing store on its business license application.

But pink and purple Tokyo Valentino signs went up when it opened in June 2020, the latest in an Atlanta-area chain of adult retail stores, with an inventory including adult lingerie and sex toys and other adult items.

Tokyo Valentino never re-opened in East Cobb, and last fall the City of Marietta revoked the business license of a Tokyo Valentino store on Cobb Parkway for similar reasons.

A Cobb judge upheld the revocation, citing a “bait and switch” tactic by Tokyo Valentino, which initially said that store would feature smoking products.

Federal litigation is still pending in that case.

Coming to Pinestraw Plaza

Visionworks, which operates more than 700 retail optical centers across the country, is coming soon to Pinestraw Plaza (4250 Roswell Road).

Customers can schedule an eye exam and choose glasses and contacts onsite in a similar concept to Warby Parker, which opened last fall at The Avenue East Cobb.

Visionworks has 15 locations in metro Atlanta, including near Cumberland Mall and Town Center at Cobb.

A growing footprint

The Big Peach Running Co. location at the Shops of Woodlawn (1062 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite C), is marking its 17th anniversary in business by expanding its space.

A wall between Big Peach and the new Cleaver and Cork butcher shop is coming down. Big Peach is open during the renovations, and continues as East Cobb’s spot for picking up community race packets (including the Walton Raider Chase on Saturday).

The East Cobb store was the second of what is now nine Big Peach Stores in metro Atlanta.

Hours are Monday-Friday 10-8, Saturday 9-6 and Sunday 12-5.

Welcome

Here are the new business licenses granted in East Cobb the week of Jan. 30-Feb. 3 by the Cobb Community Development Agency:

  • AP3 Marietta, 2620 Canton Road (auto accessories and installation)
  • Best in Dog, 2651 Beckwith Trail (small animal training)
  • Castellanos Welding Services, 934 Old Farm Walk
  • Duffy Scott Interiors, 5065 Fields Pond Cove
  • Gill’s Alterations and Cleaners, 2932 Canton Road, Suite 270
  • Nacho Tree Experts, 1900 Falcon Wood Place
  • Le Lawn Services, 4058 Cloister Drive
  • North Metro Truck Center, 2009 Dorsey Road, Suite 600 (auto repair shop)
  • PLS Yoga, 1000 Johnson Ferry Road (personal trainer)
  • Reesha, 3460 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 640 (barber shop)
  • The Maddox Home, 4487 Trickum Road (personal care home)

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, Jan. 16-20, 2023

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Carriage Oaks, East Cobb real estate sales
Carriage Lakes

The following deeds for residential East Cobb real estate sales were filed Jan. 16-20, 2023 with the Cobb Superior Court Clerk’s Office Real Estate Department.

The addresses include ZIP Codes; subdivision names and high school districts are in parenthesis:

Jan. 17

3346 Trails End Road, 30075 (Carriage Lakes, Pope): Scott Robertson to Zachary and Niklinska Schirtz; $800,000

4885 Rockford Ridge Road, 30066 (Greyson Ridge, Kell): Qwesc Trust to Chinekwu Enekwa and Samson Ewaleifoh; $658,000

4522 Mystique Way, 30075 (The Reserve at Mabry, Lassiter): James and Karen Bailey to Dieter Neumann and Maria Sada; $1.061 million

588 Shannon Drive, 30066 (Addison Heights, Sprayberry): Opendoor Property Trust to Sergio Properties LLC; $275,000

1362 Brookcliff Drive, 30062 (Brookcliff, Walton): Faramarz Rahimi to Barry and Melissa Meyers; $540,000

3774 Brown Owl Court, 30062 (Providence Corners, Walton): James and Joan Kopp, co-trustees to Matthew and Carissa Holmes; $585,000

Jan. 18

5200 Ozark Lane, 30062 (Plantation Place, Walton): Mesa Verde Assets LLC to Samuel Leveto; $625,000

3120 Hilltop Drive, 30066 (Overlook at Hilltop Drive, Sprayberry): Hilltop REI LLC to Myung Koo Ok and Jong Won Kim; $660,900

2250 Addison Road, 30066 (Sprayberry): Tina Harris to Joshua Denning; $380,000

2744 Octavia Lane, 30062 (Crafton Heights, Walton): Lawrence and Judy Harper to Priscilla and Christopher Koernert; $475,000

3030 Gaston Circle Unit 4, 30067 (Cobblestone Walk at Terrell Mill, Wheeler): Charles Crotzer to Douglas and Laura Christoph; $515,000

Jan. 19

3133 Hilltop Drive, 30066 (Overlook at Hilltop Drive, Sprayberry): Hilltop REI LLC to Gayson and Lydia McCord; $705,833

3421 Rocky Springs Court, 30062 (Post Oak Springs, Pope): Shota Miyake to Liz Rodriguez and Moya Scott; $377,000

551 Ridgewater Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills, Walton): Way and Christine Lee to Abhishek Parakh; $870,000

3940 Riverlook Way Unit 3, 30067 (Willows by the River, Walton): Jillian Trask to Patrick Matson; $259,000

Jan. 20

2768 Long Lake Drive, 30075 (East Spring Lake, Pope): Neil Davis to Ardi and Sharon Arani; $720,108

5001 Turtle Rock Drive, 30066 (Turtle Rock, Lassiter): Real House Acquisitions LLC to Dawn Upton, $365,000

4979 Gunners Pass, 30075 (Gunners Pond, Lassiter): Thomas Smith to Lyda and Leslie Fortson; $442,000

4893 Sydney Lane, 30066 (Tanglewood Crest, Kell): Taylor Cook to Thomas and Jill Paravato; $760,000

4300 Marsh Road, 30066 (Lamplighters Cove, Kell): Loretta Rogers, executor to Gerardo Espino-Quiroz; $315,000

4162 Hubert Drive, 30066 (Longford, Kell): Douglas Hill to Ruth Cathcart; $374,900

2058 Paran Court, 30062 (Holly Springs Crossing, Pope): Shana Robbins to Francesca Kairo; $485,000

1530 Bells Ferry Road, 30066 (Sprayberry): Opendoor Property Trust to Vanessa Garcia and Gelacia Gonzalez Perez; $272,500

2264 Belle Vista Court, 30062 (Piedmont Circle, Sprayberry): Opendoor Property Trust to Mesha and Brandon Swedelson; $395,000

4385 Collingham Trace, 30068 (Hampton Woods, Walton): Charles Donner Dimitri and Iryna Polonski; $820,000

1769 Mill Court, 30062 (Barnes Mill Lake, Wheeler): Brandon Swedelson to Tadiwa Mangadze; $245,000

3339 Somerset Trace, 30067 (Somerset, Wheeler): Smart House Develoopment LLC to Darrell and Sandra Martin; $669,950

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Registration underway for Noonday Shanty 5K/10K road race

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The second annual Noonday Shanty 5K and 10K road race takes place March 25, and will be the first USA Track and Field-certified race to take place at the Noonday Creek Trail.Noonday Shanty 5K registration underway

Registration is underway for the event, which is sponsored by the Town Center Community, including the Town Center CID and its nonprofit partner, the Town Center Community Alliance.

There’s an updated course for 2023, driven by runner feedback from the first race last year, and is designed to offer “a great way to enjoy the outdoors while supporting future greenspace and trail projects in the Town Center area,” according to Town Center Community officials.

The 10- to 12-foot-wide paved Noonday Creek Trail was completed in 2014 and spans seven miles, connecting the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park’s visitors center to the Bells Ferry Trailhead through the heart of Town Center.

“After last year’s huge success and remarkable turnout, we’re excited to bring this event back to the community and create an opportunity for people to experience Town Center in a different way,” Jennifer Hogan, director of community for the Town Center Community, said in a release. “Town Center is more than retail and commercial properties with more than eight miles of walking trails, multiple public art installations, and several parks and greenspaces throughout the district.”

Participants will experience scenic views, wetlands, bird habitats and public art along the Noonday Creek Trail as well as other Town Center attractions like Aviation Park, Cobb International Airport, and Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

The 10K race starts at 7:45 a.m., followed by the 5K at 8 a.m. Awards will be presented to overall and age-group winners of both sexes, from 10 and under to 70 and over.

The registration fee is $30 through March 21, and $25 for virtual and ghost runners, and $35 for all runners after March 22.

For more information and to register, click here.

Sponsorships are still available by contacting jennifer@towncentercid.com.

 

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NE Cobb Lidl zoning case to be heard; Starbucks PMV on hold

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NE Cobb Lidl zoning case to be heard
For a larger view of the revised site plan, click here.

After a month’s break in January (when there are no zoning meetings in Cobb County), a notable East Cobb case that has been on hold for a while will finally get a hearing Tuesday.

The German grocer Lidl’s application to build a 20,000-square-foot store at Canton Road and Piedmont Road is on the consent agenda for the Cobb Planning Commission meeting Tuesday morning.

Zoning items are placed on the consent agenda when there is no known opposition.

As we’ve noted previously, Lidl has tried twice to locate a store in Northeast Cobb, and there hasn’t been any community opposition.

But after Lidl’s initial application for this third venue, there were zoning staff and public safety concerns about a proposed reduction in parking spaces and space for emergency vehicles.

The property is 3.47 acres at the southwest intersection, where a Rite Aid pharmacy once stood.

In late January, Lidl submitted a revised site plan (you can see it here) and a stipulation letter (read it here) outlining some of the changes, including a proposal to construct a deceleration lane for access from Piedmont Road.

The new site plan shows 101 parking spaces (the CRC category being sought requires a minimum of 111 spaces) and an above-ground detention pond has been relocated to “allow room for future DOT roadway improvements,” according to the stipulation letter from Lidl U.S. development manager Deborah Pyburn.

Lidl is proposing to pay a “pro-rata share” of the cost of building the deceleration lane, and would dedicate the right-of-way tot he county after the company assumes ownership of the new store site.

The letter also state’s Lidl’s plans to create fire apparatus access to within 200 feet of all areas of the facility.

Another East Cobb case that’s been waiting for a hearing has been put on hold again. S&B Investments’ plans for a two-story Starbucks at Paper Mill Village have been continued again at the request of the applicant.

In a letter on Tuesday, attorney Garvis Sams asked for the continuance until March after his clients redesigned the architecture, but they haven’t been able to meet with the community about the changes.

The Planning Commission is an advisory board that makes recommendations on zoning cases to the Cobb Board of Commissioners.

A summary and consent agenda can be found here; the full agenda and individual case files can be found by clicking here.

The zoning hearing begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the second floor board room of the Cobb government building (100 Cherokee St., downtown Marietta).

You also can watch on the county’s website and YouTube channels and on Cobb TV 23 on Comcast Cable.

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Cobb schools open school choice transfer window through February

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The Cobb County School District is holding its annual school choice transfer application period for the 2023-24 school year during the month of February.CCSD logo, Cobb 2018-19 school calendar

Parents of students can apply to transfer to schools outside of their home zone, based on availability.

Students must be residents of the Cobb school district in order to apply, and cannot be accept of they move outside of the district.

Students needing special education services must apply to schools that provide those services required by the current Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Parents and guardians will be notified if their students were approved for the transfer during spring break, and the deadline to accept an approved transfer is May 26.

More details, including the full list of availability, can be found by clicking here; the following is a list of available spaces at schools in East Cobb. Schools that have no room for transfers are not listed.

  • Elementary Schools: Blackwell 90; Brumby 76, Davis 151, Keheley 168; Kincaid 116; Mountain View 10; Murdock 37; Nicholson 134; Powers Ferry 33; Rocky Mount 15; Sedalia Park 206; Shallowford Falls 253; Timber Ridge 75; Tritt 70.
  • Middle Schools: Daniell 109; Mabry 76; McCleskey 318; Simpson 42.
  • High Schools: Kell 470; Lassiter 61; Pope 13; Sprayberry 114.

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East Cobb Food Scores: Willie Jewell’s; Goldbergs Bagel; more

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Willie Jewell's, East Cobb food scores

The following food scores for the week of Jan. 30 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

Arby’s 
2161 Roswell Road
February 2, 2023 Score: 95, Grade: A

Carol’s Cafe
2543 Bells Ferry Road, Suite 50
February 3, 2023 Score: 80, Grade: B

Cazadores Mexican Restaurant
3165 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite D-2
February 1, 2023 Score: 90, Grade: A

Derek’s Cafe
1779 Canton Road
February 1, 2023 Score: 86, Grade: B

Goldbergs Bagel Co. & Deli
1062 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite A110
January 30, 2023 Score: 87, Grade: B

Jersey Mike’s Subs
4400 Roswell Road, Suite 148
February 1, 2023 Score: 99, Grade: A

Mambo Italiano
2022 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 240
February 2, 2023 Score: 57, Grade: U

Los Bravos
2125 Roswell Road, Suite B-40
January 31, 2023 Score: 87, Grade: B

Willie Jewell’s Old School Bar-B-Q
2550 Sandy Plains Road
January 30, 2023 Score: 92, Grade: A

Wing City
1750 Bells Ferry Road, Suite E
February 1, 2023 Score: 73, Grade: C

Winston’s Food and Spirits
1860 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 101
February 2, 2023 Score: 87, Grade: B

Xengo
3162 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 420
February 1, 2023 Score: 82, Grade: B

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East Cobb traffic update: Johnson Ferry lane closures at Woodlawn

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Johnson Ferry lane closures
Georgia 511 camera photo

If you travel northbound on Johnson Ferry Road at Woodlawn Drive, you might want to take another route for the time being.

Work crews have closed off the two left northbound lanes at that intersection, reducing traffic in that direction to one lane.

It’s causing a backup that extends to Little Willeo Road near Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.

We’re trying to find out more about how long the closures will remain in place.

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East Cobb biz news: New LongHorn site; Withrow’s Jewelers closes

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New East Cobb LongHorn site

Work crews recently demolished a former bank and restaurant building at 4370 Roswell Road (an outparcel at the Merchants Exchange Shopping Center) that will be the new site of the LongHorn Steakhouse.

It’s been more than a year since the one-acre property’s owner, East Cobb Warren LLC, got a variance from Cobb County to reduce the parking spaces from 57 to 50 and make other site plan changes.

LongHorn has been located at 4721 Lower Roswell Road since 1983, and when it marked its 30th anniversary at that location in 2013, it was the longest-standing original location for the Orlando-based chain.

The standalone building going up where BB & T bank and originally a Black Eye’d Pea restaurant once stood will be roughly the same size as the current location, a little less than 6,000 square feet, according to planning documents submitted with the variance request.

BB & T Marietta LLC sold the property in August 2021 for $2.5 million, according to Cobb property records.

East Cobb News has left a message with LongHorn seeking more details, including a timeline for opening.

Saying farewell

After 36 years in business in East Cobb, Withrow’s Jewelers closed in January due to the retirements of co-owners Jill and Robert Withrow.

The family-owned business was located at the Woodlawn Point Shopping Center, and in a Facebook message, Jill Withrow said that closing was “not a decision we came to lightly, but we hope that over the years we have been successful in our mission to offer exceptional fine jewelry and excellent customer service.”

She said that while she and her husband are looking forward “to slowing down, we will still remain part of the jewelry industry. We will continue to offer custom design, estate and gold buying, and select inventory by private appointment, starting in late spring of 2023.”

Contact information for those latter services: (770) 565-6675, text at (404) 234-2345, or email at withrowjewelers@gmail.com.

The Withrows also are referring customers to David Douglas Diamonds & Jewelry (3605 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 260).

Vacating Parkaire

Anytime Fitness has closed at Parkaire Landing Shopping Center. The last day of business was on Sunday, according to co-owners Julia and Patrick Hogue.

They didn’t cite a reason for the closing, but Parkaire has several gyms and fitness centers, including CycleBar, Rock Box Fitness, Pro Martial Arts and most recently, Pure Barre, which is having raffles and offering other prizes in February leading up to its grand opening in early March.

The Tuesday Morning consignment shop at Parkaire closed in late 2022, and the adjacent Kroger is expanding to include some of that space.

New Business Licenses

We’re going to start listing new businesses coming to the community, which are compiled each week by the Cobb Community Development Agency.

For the week of Jan. 22-27:

  • J & J Dental, 2230 Roswell Road
  • Jessen Cabinets, 4651 Woodstock Road, Suite 150
  • Masterpiece Pools, 3278 Hembree Road
  • Nicole’s Dog Gone Cute Grooming, 4750 Alabama Road, Suite 105
  • Niki Gori (licensed professional counselor), 1640 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 18-200
  • Patel Plastic Surgery, 1519 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 250
  • Peakzen (fitness training), 1519 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 350
  • The American Woodworker (arts and crafts retail), 1719 Apple Boulevard

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