East Cobb News

Pope softball, volleyball state champions honored by Cobb schools

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Pope softball team honored Cobb schools
Members of the Pope Class 6A softball state championship team with Cobb school board members and Superintendent Chris Ragsdale. Photos courtesy Cobb County School District

The Cobb Board of Education on Thursday recognized the 2022 state champion softball and volleyball teams from Pope High School.

They were honored before a Cobb school board meeting and introduced to the audience.

The Pope softball team went 35-1 in capturing the Georgia High School Association Class 6A title, the third state championship in school history.

The Extra Innings softball information service named the Greyhounds their “national champion” in their final rankings.

The senior class of Natalie Klingler, Jadyn Laneaux and Emily Ricci ended their careers with their second state championship and an overall record of 126-17.

Laneaux and pitcher Kendall Scott earned region player of the year honors.

The Pope volleyball team claimed its fifth state championship in winning the Class 6A title, led by Cooper Abney. Coach Erica Miller was a regional honoree by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

After winning the Region 7 championship, the Greyhounds went 5-0 in the state playoffs. They trailed Sequoyah by two sets in the state championship match before rallying for a 3-2 victory.

“Our sports state champions are more examples of why Cobb is the place to be and where families want to raise their children. In Cobb, success extends beyond the classroom and long after graduation,” Cobb school board chairman David Chastain said in a statement issued by the Cobb school district.

Pope volleyball team honored Cobb schools
The Pope volleyball team won the school’s 5th state championship in November.

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East Cobb Food Scores: Cava; Aspens Steaks; Duck Donuts; more

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East Cobb Cava Grill gets business license

The following food scores for the week of Dec. 5 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

Aspens Signature Steaks
2942 Shallowford Road
December 6, 2022 Score: 90, Grade: A

Cava
4400 Roswell Road, Suite 157
December 6, 2022 Score: 91, Grade: A

Duck Donuts
1281 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 116
December 6, 2022 Score: 100, Grade: A

Madras Restaurant
2349 Windy Hill Road, Suite 120
December 8, 2022 Score: 81, Grade: B

Starbucks
1207 Johnson Ferry Road
December 8, 2022 Score: 96, Grade: A

Starbucks
2424 Roswell Road, Suite 1
December 8, 2022 Score: 92, Grade: A

Waffle House
2720 Sandy Plains Road
December 8, 2022 Score: 82, Grade: B

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McBath votes for same-sex marriage bill that passes Congress

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The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved the Respect for Marriage Act, which ensures certain marriage rights for same-sex couples at the federal level.McBath supports same-sex marriage bill

Voting in favor of the bill, H.R. 8404, was U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, a Marietta Democrat who represents the 6th Congressional District.

She was part of a 258-169-1 majority that included 39 Republicans. The bill was passed by the U.S. Senate on Nov. 29, with Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff also voting in favor in a 61-36-3 vote.

One of the three not voting was U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, who was elected to a full six-year term on Tuesday.

Voting against the bill Thursday was Republican U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, whose 11th Congressional District will include part of East Cobb in January.

Thursday’s roll call vote will be posted at this link, which includes the full text and previous vote breakdowns.

The bill, which awaits the signature of President Joe Biden, repeals the Defense of Marriage Act passed in the 1990s, upholds the rights of same-sex couples for federal Social Security, tax and veterans’ benefits and prohibits states from denying an out-of-state marriage license on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity or national origin.

The measure that passed Congress was amended to include some religious liberty provisions.

“The Respect for Marriage Act is a historic step forward as we protect those we are tasked with representing,” McBath said in a statement. “No American should ever face discrimination because of who they are or who they love.”

The bill was introduced by Democratic Congressional leaders after U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas hinted at revisiting a 2015 court ruling that enshrined same-sex marriages across the country.

Georgia was one of the states that banned same-sex marriage via statute and a constitutional amendment.

The bill passed by Congress would not prevent states from banning same-sex marriage if that court ruling, Obergefell v. Hodges, were to be overturned, as federal abortion rights were this summer.

McBath, who is completing her third term, will be representing the 7th Congressional District, based in Gwinnett County, starting in January.

The new 6th District member of Congress will be Rich McCormick, a Republican who was elected in November.

The 6th will include some of East Cobb, Cherokee, North Fulton and Forsyth counties as well as Dawson County.

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Suspect in murders of Cobb sheriff’s deputies pleads guilty

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Christopher Golden, Cobb Sheriff's Deputies murders
Christopher Golden

Three months to the day that two Cobb Sheriff’s deputies were shot to death, the man charged with their murders pleaded guilty.

Christopher Patrick Golden accepted a plea deal Thursday in Cobb Superior Court and was sentenced to two life terms plus 55 years, without the possibility of parole, by Judge Julie A. Jacobs.

According to Cobb District Attorney Flynn Broady, that’s the maximum sentence possible in Georgia short of the death penalty.

His office declared it would be seeking the death penalty against Golden, whom Cobb Police said shot deputies Marshall Ervin and John Koleski with a rifle on Sept. 8.

The deputies were serving a warrant to Christopher Cook, a resident at a home in West Cobb, in the Cheatham Hill area, when gunfire broke out. Ervin, 38, and Koleski, 42, were pronounced dead on the scene.

After a standoff, Golden and Cook were arrested.

Golden was charged with two counts of felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault. Cook was charged with eight counts of theft by deception and theft by receiving stolen property.

Golden was to have had an arraignment hearing on Thursday. But at a press conference after the plea deal, Broady said Golden’s attorneys approached his office about considering life without parole in lieu of seeking capital punishment.

As part of his plea, Golden waived all post-conviction relief, including parole, clemency, or pardon, according to the Cobb DA’s office.

Broady said his office met with the families of Ervin and Koleski and that after lengthy discussions, “we made the mutual decision” to agree to the plea deal.

Cobb District Attorney Flynn Broady
Cobb District Attorney Flynn Broady

“Although nothing will ever replace the lives of Marshall and John, this plea today will allow their families to put the case behind them and focus on healing,” he said.

When asked about the reason Golden’s attorneys sought the plea deal, Broady deferred to his deputy chief assistant DA, Jason Sabila, who was assigned to prosecute the case.

Sabila said that based on a second interview with Cobb detectives, Golden “was very cognizant that this was a death penalty case. He referenced it repeatedly . . .

“We certainly don’t know for sure, but my assumption is that he knew where this was headed . . . and what this community was going to do.”

Broady declined to speculate on the motive for the shootings, since Cook still faces charges. Golden said nothing during the plea proceedings in court Thursday.

Cobb Sheriff Craig Owens read a prepared statement at the press conference.

“Today a man was brought to justice for the terror that he brought to our community,” Owens said. “He robbed two women of their loving husbands, and denied two beautiful daughters of having their father play catch, play softball after school.

“That evildoer has stood before God today and acknowledged what he did. Our hearts are still hurting, But tonight we will sleep a little softer knowing this case is behind us.”

Of the slain deputies, the first in Cobb to die in the line of duty in nearly 30 years, Owens said “their memories will be a blessing to us all. We will continue to honor them each and every day when we put on this uniform and serve the people of Cobb County.”

Cobb Sheriff's deputies killed
Deputies Jonathan Koleski, left, and Marshall Erwin Jr. were veterans of the Cobb Sheriff’s Office

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East Cobb Weekend Events: Empty Bowl Brunch; Christmas concerts; more

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Sweets With Santa
Enjoy Sweets with Santa on Saturday at Janice Overbeck Real Estate team.

Another action-packed holiday weekend continues the festive season in East Cobb, with all kinds of tasty treats, holiday music and cheer and opportunities to help others on tap.

It’s going to be a wet, soggy weekend as well, and most of these events are indoors. Bring an umbrella wherever you go.

The Avenue East Cobb (4475 Roswell Road) has a back-to-back musical treat on Friday, with caroling led by Dickerson Middle School choruses from 6-7. The public is invited to invited to don festive holiday gear and join in the sing-along, featuring Christmas, Hannukah and other holiday songs.

That’s a warm-up to the Sounds of the Season Concert from 7-9, featuring live music from local artists. The event that’s done in conjunction with East Cobb Church includes photo opp with Santa, festive cocktails and roaming entertainment.

Both events are free. Because of construction work, however, parking is limited and carpooling is recommended.

Get your Sweet Tooth on Saturday at Sweets With Santa, taking place from 11-5 at Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team (2249 Roswell Road).

This is also a free event, including trackless train rides, balloon art, treats, photos with Santa, and a pet adoption.

A full day of holiday fun is in store Saturday at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road), including Cocoa and Concert from 11-1. You can shop at the holiday market from 10-6, and from 2-4 there will be a screening of “Home Alone” in the Black Box Theater.

We’re told that Santa Claus will be making an appearance between 10-12 at the Sewell Mill Library,

The 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Markets at the Sewell Mill Library and The Art Place (3330 Sandy Plains Road) conclude on Sunday.

Several churches will be having Christmas concerts this weekend, including Johnson Ferry Baptist Church (955 Johnson Ferry Road). Concert times are at 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and a second Sunday performance at 7 p.m., all featuring the church’s choir and orchestra ensembles.

Mt. Bethel Church (4385 Lower Roswell Road) is holding its Carols for Christmas Concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, followed by cookies, cocoa and Christmas cheer in the Fellowship Hall. You’re asked to register in advance.

Former Mt. Bethel members recently formed their own church, Grace Resurrection Methodist (1200 Indian Hills Parkway), and it’s having a Christmas Concert and Carols Sing-Along Sunday starting at 5:30 p.m.

Another community musical celebration takes place on Sunday, as the Cobb Wind Symphony Holiday Concert starts at 3 p.m. at the Lassiter Concert Hall (2601 Shallowford Road). Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

Also on Sunday, the Empty Bowl Brunch returns to The Art Place, benefitting MUST Ministries. Pick out soup bowls made by The Art Place students, enjoy tasty homemade soup and help one of Cobb’s leading charities assist those in need. Cost is $25 per person, hours are 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ongoing through the holidays is the Fox Family Christmas Lights Display, each evening rom 6-11 p.m. at 2994 Clary Hill Court. One of East Cobb’s biggest light shows is back to dazzle. you once again, as you drive by and listen on radio to a selected playlist and take in many interactive features.

Santa’s an occasional guest, and you can track his whereabouts and get other updates on the show at its Facebook page.

If you’re looking for some ideas for high-quality family time during the holidays, our contributor Tamar Levy has some suggestions for Christmas and Hanukkah.

You can find all of our calendar listings in one handy place on our site. If you have events to share with the public, please e-mail: calendar@eastcobbnews.com and we will post them here.

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Jewish-Christian understanding project returns to East Cobb area

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Jewish-Christian understanding project
Rabbi Albert Slomovitz (at right) hands Jewish faith materials to children at the Catholic Church of St. Ann with Father Ray Cadran. Photo courtesy Josh Azriel

What’s called J Star—a Jewish-Christian understanding project that’s been conducted during the holidays the last three years—is making its rounds in the Atlanta area.

The 4th annual J Star is underway, with clergy from both faiths making presentations at area churches and handing out materials, in particular to children.

The project was started by the Jewish Christian Discovery Center of Atlanta, founded by Rabbi Albert Slomovitz.

He recently teamed up with Father Ray Cadran at the Catholic Church of St. Ann, and will be visiting Mt. Bethel Church on Dec. 18, the first day of Hanukkah.

“The goal of this program,” according to a J Star release, “is to highlight interfaith awareness and education.”

Practical and fun activities are designed to promote understanding across the two faiths. Each family associated with a JCDC-partnered church receives a holiday packet that includes a Jewish Star, dreidel (plastic spinning top), and some chocolates.

Children take home the stars, and play with them and use them as tree decorations, then learn to play the dreidel game, which was popular during the time of Jesus.

“Christians and Jews can come together and learn about the shared Jewish traditions we all have. Jesus grew up as a practicing Jew. That included celebrating Hanukkah and other Jewish holidays,” Slomovitz said.

“The message of the Hanukkah story itself is one that all can relate to, it was a fight for religious freedom. The Jewish community fought against their Greek rulers who were trying to suppress their religious practices.”

Given increasing concerns about anti-Semitism, Slomovitz stressed the need to continue interfaith dialogues. “I am blessed to have Christian friends across the metro area whose churches are our partners for the J Star Project,” Slomovitz said.

The upcoming J Star events include the following:

  • Dec. 7, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Heritage Baptist Church, 1070 Douthit Ferry Road, Cartersville
  • Dec. 11, 9-11:30 a.m., Heritage Presbyterian Church, 5323 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth
  • Dec. 18, 9-11:30 a.m., Mt. Bethel Church, 4385 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta

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Family-oriented holiday activities in the East Cobb area

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Remove term: Family holiday activities East Cobb Family holiday activities East Cobb
Menorah lightings will take place in East Cobb on Dec. 18, the first day of Hanukkah.

East Cobb News contributor Tamar Levy follows up her post from last week about shopping small for the holidays with another seasonal-related post, her suggestions for quality family time together, both at home and out in the East Cobb community and nearby.

Levy will be contributing another holiday story soon, and we’ll also be adding more freelancers in the new year to help us cover more of the news you’ve come to expect from East Cobb News.

By Tamar Levy

December is here which means it is holiday season! At this time of year, it is wonderful to find ways to celebrate the winter holidays locally. There are several family-friendly options that will guarantee to bring joy to everyone.

Enchanted Woodland Wonders
Sunday, December 11
Visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center and get into the holiday spirit with some family fun. This includes live reindeer from Petit Creek Farms, arts and crafts, holiday festivities, artist booth, games and more!
(770) 992- 2055
9135 Willeo Road Roswell, GA 30075

World of Illumination
November 16- January 1
Take a magical drive through Reindeer Road and enjoy the enchanting lights through the World of Illumination. Visit Santa’s workshop, snowmen, and reindeer all while touring the beautiful arctic.
Six Flags White Water
250 Cobb Parkway N
Marietta GA 30062

Menorah Lightings 
December 18
5-6:30 p.m.
Congregation Etz Chaim invites the East Cobb Jewish community to the Winter Wonderland festival from 2-4 at the synagogue (Indian Hills Parkway), followed by a Menorah lighting at East Cobb Park (3322 Roswell Road) starting at 5 p.m.
5:30-6:30 PM
Join The Avenue East Cobb and Chabad of Cobb for a traditional Menorah light ceremony, treats, activities and an incredible gelt drop by the Cobb County Fire Department.
(770) 971- 9945
4475 Roswell Road
Marietta, GA 30062

Magical Christmas Snow Fall with Anna and Elsa
December 24
5-7 PM
Grab a slice of Carlo’s Pizza and watch Elsa use her powers to bring the snowfall to Georgia!
(404) 647-0613
1100 Johnson Ferry Rd
Suite 225
Marietta, GA 30068

Are you looking to start some new traditions with your family this holiday season? Here are some ideas for special theme nights to celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas at home!

  1. Decorate sufganiyot (Hanukkah donuts) or Christmas tree ornaments
  2. Dress in matching pajamas and have a movie night
  3. Invite children to choose the toys they no longer play with so they can donate them to a new family
  4. Put hot cocoa in to-go cups and drive around admiring the lights in your neighborhood
  5. Play Dreidel or guess the Christmas smell game and the winner gets to choose the next themed night
  6. Do a flashlight scavenger hunt—look for themed Hanukkah or Christmas items in the house
  7. Have a dance party to a Hanukkah or Christmas playlist
  8. Make something for someone else, a card for a friend, a craft for a loved one, etc. 
  9. Invite a family that celebrates a different holiday to learn about how yours is celebrated

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Davis ends Cobb school board tenure at Thursday meetings

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The final meetings for two members of the Cobb Board of Education take place on Thursday.

Charisse Davis, Cobb Board of Education
Charisse Davis

First-term Democrats Charisse Davis of Post 6 (Walton, Wheeler clusters) and Jaha Howard of Post 2 (Campbell, Osborne clusters) did not seek re-election this year.

Howard ran for Georgia School Superintendent but was defeated in the Democratic primary in May.

Davis has not publicly stated her reasons for not seeking re-election. East Cobb News has left a message with her seeking comment.

The Cobb school board will have a work session that begins at 2:30 p.m. and a voting session starts at 7 p.m. in the board room of the Cobb County School District central office, 514 Glover St., Marietta.

The full agendas for the public meetings can be found by clicking here. An executive session follows the work session.

The open meetings will be live-streamed on the Cobb County School District’s BoxCast channel and on CobbEdTV, Comcast Channel 24. There will be in-person public comment sessions for both; information can be found by clicking here.

Among the agenda items is a request for $100 million in short-term construction notes for 2023, which would be repaid with Cobb Ed-SPLOST revenues at the end of next year.

The board also will be asked to approve contracts for new flooring at Lassiter High School and for concession and restroom renovations and replacements at Pope High School.

Pope’s state champion softball and volleyball teams also will be recognized,

Proposed administrative rule modifications to be presented to the board cover such topics as employee transfer policies, animals in schools and a parents’ bill of rights.

In the 2018 elections, Davis, a Fulton County librarian and former school librarian, unseated Republican incumbent Scott Sweeney in Post 6, which stretches from East Cobb to the Cumberland-Vinings area.

Davis and Howard’s arrival on the school board tightened the Republican majority from 6-1 to 4-3.

During their tenure, the school board was deeply divided and at times contentious on a number of issues, including racial, diversity and equity topics and the Cobb County School District’s COVID-19 response.

In late 2019, the GOP majority approved a policy to ban school board member comments at public meetings, triggering a series of mostly partisan disputes over the following two years.

That culminated with the three Democratic board members going to Cognia, the school district’s accrediting agency, to conduct a special review of the district in 2021.

After giving the district a year to make certain improvements, Cognia reversed its findings earlier this year.

By then, Davis and Howard had been drawn into the same post in redistricting. Post 6 was shifted entirely into the Cumberland-Smyrna-Vinings area, with Post 4 and Post 5 covering East Cobb.

Davis will be succeeded in January by Nichelle Davis (no relation), a Democrat who was unopposed in the primary and general election. She is a former Teach for America teacher and is the operations manager for Achieve Atlanta, an education non-profit.

Howard’s successor is Democrat Becky Sayler, who has been an English as a Second Language teacher and preschool teacher.

Thursday’s meeting also is the last for Post 4 member David Chastain as chairman.

He was re-elected to a third term in November, as the Republican majority will remain at 4-3.

In 2024 the terms of four members will expire, including three Republicans, among them four-term member David Banks of Post 5 in East Cobb.

In January Post 5 will include the Pope, Walton and Wheeler clusters.

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Engaged Wedding Library service opens at Paper Mill Village

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Engaged Wedding Library opens Paper Mill Village
Allie Heineman and Stephanie Whitaker of Engaged Atlanta; photo by ENewbern Photography

A concierge service that helps couples plan for weddings has opened at Paper Mill Village.

It’s called Engaged Wedding Library, and it’s the second such location opened by Stephanie Whitaker, whose original business is in Birmingham, England that she started in 2007.

She and her consultants work with vendor partners “based on a thorough vetting process and use that library of vendors to help couples build a wedding team that perfectly suits their style, location and budget,” according to a company release.

She said that the goal “is to match each bride and groom to the perfect team of wedding vendors . . . While the Internet is a great resource for finding hundreds of options, it’s easy to become overwhelmed trying to figure out which ones are professional and a good fit for their unique needs. We help them get a clear vision for their wedding, set up meetings with local vendors that match their style and budget criteria, teach them about the planning process and give them some fun goodies to celebrate this exciting time in their lives. Brides and grooms leave Engaged more informed and less stressed, with custom vendor connections and a plan for their next steps.”

There is a one-time fee of $99 to become a “Library Member” that includes up to four planning meetings to become educated on vendor costs, get an overview of the planning process and plug into a system to keep planning on track.

Members also get unlimited email correspondence with the Engaged experts, the Engaged Handbook with a listing of vendors, and access to the perks and discounts offered by Engaged vendor partners.

Whitaker said most discounts range from $50 to $150 off and range from wedding gowns to honeymoon suites. Members also receive tickets to local bridal shows that Engaged partners with and conducts on its own.

Engaged also offers wedding day management services.

Whitaker’s Birmingham business serves more than 100 local vendors and 300 couples annually.

Engaged Wedding Library is located at 255 Village Parkway, Suite 510.

For more information, visit engagedatlanta.com.

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Warnock wins Georgia U.S. Senate runoff; cruises in Cobb

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East Cobb results 2022 U.S. Senate general election

Updated, 10:35 pm:

Several news organizations have declared Warnock the winner with metro Atlanta counties still counting votes.

With 92 percent of counties reporting, he leads Walker by roughly 36,000 votes.

More than 3.4 million votes were cast, for a turnout of 48 percent.

In Cobb, Warnock has had a 60-40 percent lead most of the night.

He has been competitive in some East Cobb precincts but Walker has won a number of them.

More than 260,000 votes were cast by Cobb voters, for 51 percent turnout.

Warnock’s win would give Democrats a 51-49 Senate majority, after a 50-50 split since he and fellow Democrat Jon Ossoff unseated Republican incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, respectively, in January 2021 runoffs.

More updates coming Wednesday.

UPDATED, 9:37 P.M.:

With 79 percent of the counties in Georgia fully reporting, Warnock leads by roughly 16,000 votes, with 50.27 percent.

You can follow updated statewide results by clicking the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.

Cobb and other metro Atlanta counties are still tabulating votes.

You can track the Cobb vote, and by precinct, by clicking here.

ORIGINAL POST, 9:11 P.M.:

We’ll be updating this post Tuesday night and into Wednesday in the U.S. Senate runoff between Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker.

A total of 91 of Georgia’s 159 counties have fully reported results thus far, and as 9 p.m. approached the vote-counting is tightening.

Warnock built up a big early lead due largely to early and absentee voting.

Walker briefly went ahead by about 41,000 votes.

But with 49 percent of the vote in, Warnock has received 1,230,639 votes, or 50.83 percent, to 1,190,273 votes for Walker, or 49.17 percent.

Most of the counties that have fully reported are in rural and southern Georgia; metro Atlanta counties are not yet fully counted.

That includes Cobb County, where Warnock has a big lead. He has 100,539 votes, or 65.41 percent, to 53,170 votes for Walker, or 34.59 percent. But only 30 percent of the votes have been counted.

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East Cobb’s Fox Family holiday lights display marks 15th year

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East Cobb home holiday lights map

We’ve received some inquiries from readers about one of East Cobb’s standout holiday lights displays—put on by the Fox family in the Clary Lakes subdivision.

We checked with Karen Fox about this year’s presentation, which is underway and is available nightly from 6-11 p.m. at their home at 2994 Clary Hill Court (accessible via McPherson Road, just north of Post Oak Tritt Road; see map below).

She said that Santa will visit on select days so check with the Facebook page for details.

Much of what has been featured before is back again—an animated display featuring thousands of lights and  synchronized to music that you can hear on 88.3FM. Here’s this year’s playlist:

1. Amazing Grace-Yule
2. Christmas Canon-Trans-Siberian Orchestra
3. Christmas Eve Sarajevo-Trans-Siberian Orchestra
4. Deck the Halls-Mannheim Steamroller
5. Let It Snow-Dean Martin
6. Light of Christmas-Owl City
7. Little Drummer Boy-King and Country
8. Mad Russian Christmas – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
9. Miracle on 34th Street Overture-Bruce Broughton
10. Linus and Lucy-Vince Guaraldi
11. Queen of the Winter Night-Trans-Siberian Orchestra
12. Sleigh Ride-The Ronettes
13. Wizard in Winter-Trans-Siberian Orchestra
14. Candy Cane Lane-Sia

This is the 15th year for the display, and new this year is a light tunnel walk-through feature with two interactive stations. They include a Letter to Santa table where children can write a letter to Santa and either give it to Santa or put it in a special Santa mailbox.

There’s also a memorial ornament station in honor of Karen Fox’s father, who died this year to COVID-19 at the age of 95.

“My childhood Christmas memories of my Dad have always included his love of decorating our home,” she said. “I have dedicated a special corner of our display for my Dad, affectionately referred to as Poppy, which includes a memorial tree. Visitors can either bring an ornament or make an ornament to honor someone who has passed and hang it on the memorial tree.”

Some youth groups will be having their own outings at the display, including the school from her church, Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox, whose choir will be singing Greek Christmas carols on Dec. 14. That event will be broadcast on television in Greece.

As in previous years, the Fox display is among the candidates in the Cobb EMC holiday lights contest. In order to participate, you can LIKE the photo of your favorite display and submit it by clicking here.

Voting is open through Christmas Day and the top three homes will receive $500 to give to a non-profit of their choice.

Fox Family Christmas Light Display

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Johnson Ferry Baptist Church opens Provision Cafe to the public

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Provision Cafe opens Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church senior pastor Rev. Clay Smith does the honors at the formal opening of Provision Cafe.

The dreary weather was ideal for what Provision Cafe was serving up to celebrate its ribbon-cutting on Tuesday.

Samplings of grilled cheese, tomato soup, hummus and warm pita bread and charcuterie items made their way around the new coffee shop and eatery at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.

It’s an expanded version of a cafe that opened up two years ago, primarily for church members. The Cobb Chamber of Commerce also was on hand for the official ribbon-cutting, with Rev. Clay Smith, Johnson Ferry Baptist’s senior pastor, doing the honors.

With a full breakfast and lunch menu six days a week—as well as Sunday mornings—Provision Cafe is aimed at inviting the larger East Cobb community to enjoy coffee, food and informal gatherings with friends and family.

“We want to get outside our building,” Shane Bruce, the church’s executive director for operations. “Being a positive influence on this community is important.

“We want to help people find truth and belonging over a cup of coffee. But coffee is a lot more than a beverage. It’s something to have a conversation over.”

The cafe is located near the existing bookstore and includes booths, tall tables, and working pods with access to plugs to suit remote working needs. There is also a walking track on the second floor.

Breakfast items include egg bites and biscuits, oatmeal and waffles. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring panini sandwiches, chicken caprese, wraps, salads and kids’ items.

Bruce said the cafe has had a soft opening with members as the menu was tweaked and full operations ramped up.

After that, a variety of bakery and pastry items are available, along with coffee from Atlanta-based East Pole Coffee Co.

Other beverages include lattes, espresso, teas, smoothies and hot chocolate.

Hours at Provision Cafe are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

Johnson Ferry Baptist Church is located at 955 Johnson Ferry Baptist Church; Provision Cafe is located just inside the South Entrance, with access along Woodlawn Drive.

Provision Cafe opens Johnson Ferry Baptist Church

Provision Cafe opens Johnson Ferry Baptist Church

Provision Cafe opens Johnson Ferry Baptist Church

Provision Cafe opens Johnson Ferry Baptist Church

Provision Cafe opens Johnson Ferry Baptist Church

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Georgia elections board to investigate Cobb absentee ballot issues

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The Georgia Elections Board says it is looking into the delayed mailing of absentee ballots to some Cobb voters for the U.S. Senate runoff.State Elections Board Cobb absentee ballots

The board held an emergency meeting Saturday to say it would be conducting a probe into 3,442 absentee ballots that were mailed last Monday due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Three Cobb voters filed a lawsuit to get extended time to return their ballots, and a consent decree was ordered Friday by a Cobb Superior Court judge.

Those voters who received ballots on or before Nov. 26 will have until Friday, Dec. 9, to return their ballots, but they must be postmarked by Tuesday, election day in the runoff between Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker.

But at a court hearing Friday, Cobb Elections protested the extension of time, and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger also objected.

They said that the proper processes were followed for mailing absentee ballots for the runoff, which has an 11-day window. The Cobb Elections office was closed on Friday following Thanksgiving as it’s a county holiday.

On Sunday, Cobb County government sent a message saying Cobb Elections would cooperate with the state elections board investigation.

“Voting by absentee ballot has become increasingly popular, with Cobb County issuing more absentee ballots than any county in the state during the runoff,” the Cobb statement said. “Our office and other elections offices across the state face challenges created by this increased demand and the reduced timelines for absentee ballot processing and distribution mandated under SB202.

“The Cobb Board of Elections and Registration is committed to reviewing and updating our processes and procedures following the December 6 runoff and will incorporate any findings from state officials into our review and updates.”

Final voting in the U.S. Senate runoff is Tuesday, with the polls open at regular voting precincts from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Absentee voters not affected by Friday’s consent order have until 7 p.m. Tuesday to return their ballots to the Cobb Elections Office at 995 Roswell Street.

They can also take their absentee ballot to their regular polling station and cancel it and vote in-person.

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, Nov. 14-18, 2022

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Powers Park, East Cobb real estate sales

The following deeds for residential East Cobb real estate sales were filed Nov. 14-18, 2022 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:

Nov. 14

567 Gramercy Drive, 30068 (River Park at Hampton Farms, Walton): Gail Goetz to Sharma Anup; $1.591 million

3431 Forest Peak Way, 30066 (Highland Pointe, Lassiter): Redeemed Property Management Inc. to Barbara Affaine; $650,000

3816 Running Fox Drive, 30062 (Raintree Forest, Lassiter): Gordon and Amie Briggs to Kyle and Akiko Dupont; $595,000

4231 Doisy Court, 30066 (Keheley Bend, Kell): Jon and Kathryn Christopher to Harrisen Howes; $350,000

3971 Philmont Drive, 30066 (Philmont Estates, Sprayberry): Brian and Courtney Collins to WDJF LLC; $265,000

3919 Chapel Heights Drive, 30062 (Chapel Heights, Lassiter): JPH Properties LLC to William and Liliana Armstrong; $1 million

4305 Revere Court, 30062 (Chimney Springs, Pope): Louis Versaci to Matthew and Leslie Cogbill; $575,000

2327 Milstead Circle, 30066 (Landsdowne, Sprayberry): Taylor Banks to Michael Salamon; $417,000

1882 Poinsettia Drive, 30062 (Hasty Acres, Sprayberry): Karl and Nellie Hoenes to Kristi and Robert Halsell; $355,000

2409 Hembree Drive, 30062 (Walton): Daniel Rybin to William Ryan; $1.249 million

3579 Clubland Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills, Walton): Orchard Property III LLC to Linda Danise; $605,000

Nov. 15

1344 Waterford Green Close, 30068 (Waterford Green, Walton): Patrick Ghazal to Saraubh Sinha and Aditi Das; $975,000

4833 Wigley Road, 30066 (Edgewood East, Lassiter): Toll Southeast LP Company Inc. to Veejay and Reena Vanmali; $1.157 million

4491 Park Place Terrace, 30066 (Jefferson Township, Lassiter): Emily May Jennings, executor to Rashaad Young; $525,000

4315 Arbor Landing Drive, 30066 (Arbor Bridge, Lassiter): James Edward Glenn IV, executor to Jon and Kathryn Christopher; $440,000

3809 Cochran Lake Road, 30062 (Cochran Lake Shores, Lassiter): Bercher Homes LLC to Benjamin and Jessica Kopp; $1.148 million

3349 Alexis Court, 30066 (Carrington Place, Sprayberry): UAR Solutions Ga. LLC to Yulong and Hui Chen; $442,000

3316 Hilltop Drive, 30066 (Overlook at Hilltop Drive, Sprayberry): Hilltop REI LLC to Christopher Williams; $669,737

439 Mark Avenue, 30066 (Kingswood Estates, Sprayberry): Laura Ann Garner to Jamie Pederson; $320,000

1180 Mitsy Forest Drive, 30068 (Mitsy Forest, Walton): Naomi Weyand Smith, executor to Donald and Lucy McMullan; $540,000

Nov. 16

2427 Rachel Court, 30066 (Village North, Sprayberry): Julie and James Flagel, trustees to Bobby Gleaton and Kaitlyn Jones; $415,000

4188 Avid Park, 30062 (East Haven, Walton): Bishops TH to Andy and Shelly Berke; $868,205

Nov. 17

2161 Heritage Trace Lane, 30068 (Heritage Trace, Walton): David and Erin Lynn to Garrett Thompson and Jessica Pluta; $605,000

809 Bedford Oaks Drive, 30068 (New Bedford, Walton): Rodney Collier to Andrea and Grayson Striebel; $650,000

2741 Jims Road, 30066 (Lassiter): Yvonne Hall to Pramila Addagiri; $517,000

2530 Chimney Springs Drive, 30062 (Chimney Springs, Pope): Kirsten Porter to David Ozer and Marissa Leslie; $600,000

1760 Canton Hills Drive, 30062 (Canton Hills, Pope): Sharon Schlief to Daniel and Heidi Elias; $340,000

Nov. 18

4760 Powers Park Circle, 30067 (Powers Park, Walton): Patricia Ross to Mariya and Azeem Malik; $665,000

4988 Gunners Run, 30075 (Gunners Pond, Lassiter): Raymond Connolly to Edward Connolly; $375,000

2773 Holly Ridge Circle, 30062 (Holly Ridge, Pope): 2993 Holly Ridge Circle LLC to Kristen and Kyong Rok Moon; $445,000

2406 Spring Lake Drive, 30062 (Shadowoods, Pope): Karen Holt to Rodney McKenzie and Kazuha Ikeda; $435,000

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PHOTOS, VIDEOS: 2022 Holiday Lights go on at East Cobb Park

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2022 East Cobb Park Holiday Lights

The weather was a little chilly but not too frightful for several hundred people who turned out at East Cobb Park Sunday night for Holiday Lights.

The annual tree lighting—there were two in fact, on either side of the concert shell—was conducted by Judy Boyce, the 2022 co-recipient of the East Cobb Citizen of the Year Award (with her husband, the late Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce).

The Cobb Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends for the East Cobb Park, an all-volunteer organization that supports park events and activities, organized the celebration, with support from Wellstar Health System and the Rotary Club of East Cobb.

The Dodgen Middle School Pops band perfomed, and refreshments were available from Alumni Cookie Dough.

After the tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus made their way to the back of the park, and then greeted children on the concert stage to hear their gift wishes.

There’s another holiday celebration at East Cobb Park, a community Menorah Lighting on Dec. 18 starting at 5:30 to mark the begnning of eight days of Hanukkah. That event is being organized by the Congregation Etz Chaim.

The Friends for the East Cobb Park has begun a membership drive to generate more volunteer and financial support for activities at the park. President Kurt von Borries said the drive will be ongoing and the organization is seeking community members to take part.

Among the objectives is to raise funds to purchase more the Tritt property next to the park, and for regular progamming activities. For information, click here.

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PHOTOS: Johnson Ferry Christmas Party celebrates the season

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Johnson Ferry Christmas Party

The halls of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church were bursting with people of all ages on Saturday, and especially children and their parents, at the church’s Annual Christmas Party.

Live music, “the Christmas Experience” storytelling, a petting zoo, bouncy games, crafts and the more were featured on a busy weekend for holiday events in East Cobb.

On Sunday, Holiday Lights at East Cobb Park gets underway, and the Bethlehem Walk exhibit continues at Mountain View UMC.

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Early voting surges in Cobb as U.S. Senate runoff finish nears

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cobb advance voting, Cobb voter registration deadline, Walton and Dickerson PTSA candidates forum

As early voting in the U.S. Senate runoff has concluded, more than 150,000 votes have been cast in Cobb in person and via absentee ballot.

Tuesday’s conclusion to the race between Democratic U.S. Sen Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker will take place at regular voting precincts throughout Cobb and the state. Voters who are returning absentee ballots face a Tuesday 7 p.m. deadline to return them.

As we reported Friday, a Cobb judge has extended the time for some absentee voters to return their ballots to Dec. 9, as long as they are postmarked by Tuesday.

Cobb Elections agreed to the extension after being sued over delays in mailing some absentee ballots due to the Thanksgiving holiday last week.

Voters who received their absentee ballots on or before Nov. 26 will have the same deadline as military and overseas voters, next Friday, Dec. 9.

Through Friday, a total of 146,705 people voted in person in Cobb, according to Cobb Elections. That’s roughly a third of the county’s registered voters and included 29,798 votes on Friday, a single-day record for early voting.

At the East Cobb Government Service Center, 15,996 voted early, and 17,495 voted early at the Tim D. Lee Senior Center.

More than 20,000 people have voted each day of early voting since Monday.

A total of 24,053 absentee ballots have been requested by Cobb voters, with 9,709 returned and 6,237 accepted.

In a social media posting Saturday morning, Gabriel Sterling, the chief operating officer for the Georgia Secretary of State’s office, said more than 1.8 million votes were cast across the state in early voting and absentee voting.

He said that represents 26.4 active voters in Georgia, and that 60 percent of absentee ballots have been returned and accepted.

The Secretary of State’s office has a Ballot Trax service voters can use to follow the status of their absentee ballots.

Absentee ballots can be returned in Cobb in-person Monday and Tuesday at the Cobb Elections office (995 Roswell Street, Marietta.).

On Monday the hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Tuesday the hours are voting hours—7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

There will be no other absentee ballot drop boxes at any of the regular voting precincts.

All absentee ballots not subject to Friday’s court order must be received by the Cobb Elections office by 7 p.m. Tuesday.

For more information visit the Cobb Elections page.

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Stuff-A-Bus to roll out Dec. 13-15 for the Cobb Christmas program

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Cobb Stuff A Bus 2022
For a larger view, click here.

The annual Stuff-A-Bus program will be rolling out throughout Cobb County in mid-December to collect holiday gifts for needy children.

The Cobb Christmas program includes various community partners in conducting the drive, which takes place from Dec. 13-15.

Citizens are asked to bring unwrapped toys for children ages 3-13 at the locations, dates and times indicated on the flyer.

The Cobb Linc bus will be collecting the toys to be distributed to around 1,000 children. Start shopping now and drop off your toy donations at any businesses listed on the flyer.

The two East Cobb stops on the schedule take place on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

The bus will stop at the Northeast Cobb YMCA (3010 Johnson Ferry Road) from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and at the Wellstar East Cobb Health Park (3747 Roswell Road) from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For more information on the Stuff-A-Bus program, click here.

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Cobb Elections sued over absentee ballots in U.S. Senate runoff

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Just as in the general election, the Cobb Board of Elections and Registration is being sued over delays in sending out absentee ballots for the U.S. Senate runoff.Cobb absentee ballots

The Southern Poverty Law Center, the ACLU of Georgia and the law firm Dechert LLP have filed an emergency lawsuit in Cobb Superior Court on behalf of three voters who either have not received absentee ballots before Tuesday’s runoff election concludes or are just now getting them.

Cobb Elections Director Janine Eveler said this week that 3,442 absentee ballots did not go out until Monday instead of last Wednesday, the day before the two-day county Thanksgiving holiday, when they were listed as having been mailed out.

The runoff between Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker has an 11-day window for absentee ballots to be requested, returned and received, and on four of those days no ballots were mailed.

UPDATED:

Cobb Elections has agreed to extend the deadline for those who did not receive an absentee ballot by Nov. 26. Those voters will have until next next Friday, Dec. 9, to have their absentee ballots postmarked and mailed.

A hearing took place Friday before Cobb Superior Court Judge Kellie Hill, who signed a consent decree as she did last month.

Cobb Elections contended during the hearing that all absentee ballots requested for the runoff met the legal deadlines for being mailed, and that they weren’t picked up in the mail until Monday, Nov. 28, due to the holiday.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Absentee ballots from voters not subject to Friday’s agreement must be received by the Cobb Elections office by 7 p.m. Tuesday. Absentee ballot drop boxes are available at some early voting locations, including the East Cobb Government Service Center, by 7 p.m. Friday, the last day of early voting.

Another plaintiff in the lawsuit is the Cobb County Democracy Center, which bills itself as a voter advocacy organization.

The suit sought to extend the deadline for those who haven’t received their ballots to Dec. 9, when military and overseas ballots are due.

The suit also wants to allow those voters who haven’t received the absentee ballots by 2 p.m. Friday to use a federal absentee write-in ballot.

A similar suit in the general election resulted in a consent decree allowing absentee voters extra time to return their ballots. That was after Cobb Elections admitted to a “human error” in delaying the mailing of around 1,000 absentee ballots.

In a release Friday morning, the SPLC, ACLU and Dechert also want Cobb Elections to deliver absentee ballots to homebound voters and for the county to notify voters of the changes.

They say the problems are due to a new state voting law, SB 202, which reduced the time for absentee ballots to be requested and returned from the 2020 elections.

One of the plaintiffs is working out of state is not available to vote in person, according to the lawsuit (you can read it here).

She said she inquired on Tuesday about the status of her ballot, but was told she would have to wait for it to be mailed, vote early or vote in person.

County elections offices have three business days to mail an absentee ballot upon receipt of an application.

Another plaintiff said he requested his ballot on Nov. 16 but received it on Thursday, with the mailing date showing Nov. 26, last Saturday.

That plaintiff, David Medof of East Cobb, said in an affidavit attached to the lawsuit that he’s a student attending college outside the county. He said he does not have a car and is studying for final exams.

Medof said he completed and returned his ballot immediately on Thursday, “but I am still concerned that my ballot will not arrive by 7:00pm on election day in time to be counted.”

The lawsuit also claims that Cobb is slower to process returned absentee ballots, with around 20 percent of those turned in by Nov. 21, compared to nearly 30 percent in Fulton and 27 percent in DeKalb.

After today, the only location to drop off an absentee ballot in person is Tuesday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., at the Cobb Elections office (995 Roswell St., Marietta).

Those voters casting ballots in person will go their usual precincts, which do not have absentee ballot dropoff availability.

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Lidl rezoning request for NE Cobb store delayed to February

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Lidl Northeast Cobb plans
The discount grocer Lidl’s rezoning request to build a store in Northeast Cobb is being continued to February.

So is a previously delayed application to build a standalone Starbucks coffee shop at Paper Mill Village.

They were to have been heard Tuesday by the Cobb Planning Commission.

Lidl filed a revised site plan and new renderings and elevations on Nov. 18 for a 31,540-square-foot store on 3.47 acres at Canton and Piedmont roads, on the site of a closed Rite Aid pharmacy.

But the application calls for only 128 parking spaces; a minimum of 158 are required for the CAC (commercial activity center) and NAC (neighborhood activity center) categories being sought.

The new site plan includes an above-ground retention pond at the Canton-Piedmont intersection.

But the biggest concern for the Cobb Zoning Office is the limited amount of space for emergency vehicles. The staff analysis (you can read it here) recommends approval pending those and other issues being addressed.

The continuance comes after a community meeting this week involving Lidl, the Canton Road Neighbors civic group, Commissioner JoAnn Birrell and Planning Commissioner Deborah Dance.

 

For a larger view, click here.

This is Lidl’s third attempt to build a store in the Northeast Cobb area; a store at Woodlawn Square opened in the former Fresh Market space in September 2020.

In the Paper Mill Village Starbucks case, the applicant, S & B Investments, is requesting the continuance to February.

Attorney Garvis Sams said in a letter that the building’s architecture and configuration on the site are being changed.

The application for the proposed two-story, 5,000-square foot building has been continued twice before.

Zoning cases are not heard in Cobb County in January.

The Cobb Planning Commission is a five-member body appointed by the Cobb Board of Commissioners to make recommendations in zoning cases.

Final decisions are made by county commissioners, who meet on the third Tuesday of the month.

The full agenda for Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting can be found by clicking here. A summary agenda can be found here.

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

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