Davis Direction Foundation holding recovery conference

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Submitted information:

As drug abuse and overdoses continue to take lives and destroy families, innovative solutions are emerging in communities throughout the country. Sharing those solutions to “Fight Addiction and Fuel Recovery” is the theme for the 2019 national conference of Building Communities of Recovery.

The conference, in its second year as a showcase for solutions-based recovery programs, will be held Sept. 22-25 in Marietta, Ga. It is presented by the Davis Direction Foundation, which was founded by Missy and Michael Owen after they lost their 20-year-old son Davis to a heroin overdose in 2014.

By bringing solutions together in one place, the BCOR conference offers inspiration and hope to communities who are looking for ways to provide safe and sober environments, supporting people in recovery and encouraging them to live productively. According to the Surgeon General’s most recent report, there are more than 25 million people in recovery in the United States.

REGISTER HERE to take advantage of national experts and community innovators who will share their successes and lessons learned in four primary areas:

  • Medical and behavioral health
  • Education and prevention
  • Law and legal
  • Faith-based/spiritual

Keynote speakers will include Sara A. Carter, Fox News contributor and founder of the Dark Wire Investigation Foundation; Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House and a leader of Advocates for Opioid Recovery, a bipartisan initiative promoting evidence-based treatment for opioid addiction; and Dr. Kelly Clark, past president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and founder of Addiction Crisis Solutions, which helps stakeholder groups transform addiction treatment into evidence-based care.

The conference kicks off at 7 p.m. (EDT) on Sunday, Sept. 22, with the movie premier of Not in Vein, open to the public in the Ballroom of the Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel & Conference Center.

Over the next three days, speakers will share their experiences in innovative solutions-based recovery programs. Examples:

  • The Centergy Project works with schools in Georgia, Illinois, Alabama, and Virginia to launch student and family support centers customized to the barriers and assets of each community.
  • In Panama City, Fla., a pilot project at the Bay County Jail Facility conducts resilience training for inmates who are addicted to opiates and other highly addictive substances. The program has reduced recidivism by 50 percent over two years.
  • Advocates for Opioid Recovery has relied on grassroots advocacy and successful use of social media to break down barriers to evidence-based treatment.
  • The complete program is available at https://www.buildingcommunitiesofrecovery.com/2019-bcor-conference-program/.

Harry Nelson, author of The United States of Opioids: A Prescription for Liberating a Nation in Pain, will be keynote speaker for the awards banquet on Tuesday. Sept. 24, recognizing advocates, organizers and partnerships that have worked tirelessly to fight addiction and fuel recovery.

Cost for the three-day conference is $399, or $299 for students, meals inclusive, with the exception of the Sept. 24 VIP dinner with plenary speakers costing $100.

The conference will provide educational opportunities that satisfy continuing education requirements for the following:

  • CMEs for medical professionals
  • P.O.S.T. credits for law enforcement officers
  • CEs for CADC, CAADC, CCS and CAC-I and CAC-II

Conference sponsors include Co-Host – WellStar Health System, The Zone, Cobb EMC Community Foundation, Mental Health for US, Atlanta Copier Rentals, DisposeRx, Advocates for Opioid Recovery, Kennesaw State University’s Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery, National Safety Council, Northside Hospital, Summit BHC, and Tanner Health System.

The conference will include an exhibit hall of various programs, sponsors, informational organizations and nationally identified innovative solutions.

The Davis Direction Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to fight addiction and fuel recovery while serving as the national model for “Building Communities of Recovery” in the midst of a national opioid/heroin epidemic. The Davis Direction Foundation focuses on advocacy, education, harm reduction, prevention and recovery.

For more information, email info@davisdirection.com.

 

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East Cobb Catholic churches take part in new Habitat project

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East Cobb Catholic churches Habitat project

Submitted information and photo:

The 2019 Cobb County Catholic Coalition has partnered with NW Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity for the 27th year and, this year is building two houses for Habitat homeowners on Old Bankhead Highway in Mableton. The coalition has built and dedicated 42 homes since 1993.

The first nails were hammered on both homes Saturday, September 7 for the Gamble and Vonnordeck families— both well-deserving single mothers. The coalition is comprised of six churches: The Catholic Church of St. Ann, St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, The Catholic Church of The Transfiguration, Holy Family Catholic Church and St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Jessica Gill, CEO of NW Metro Atlanta Habitat, said, “No other Habitat coalition in our organization has remained dedicated as long and faithfully as the Cobb Catholic Coalition. And it is not just an annual build— coalition members serve tirelessly year-round as board and construction committee members, house leaders, crew leaders and in many volunteer roles that support our mission.”

“From not knowing if I can provide food for my son to the blessing of Habitat, I know God is good all the time. I now take my experiences and minister to other women within my church and at a local shelter to help them overcome,” said Ms. Vonnordeck.

“This house will allow me to provide a stable home in a safer neighborhood for my son to grow up … I also feel with the process I can teach my son about community, loving others and how to serve and give back to other in our community.”

Ms. Gamble added, “We are growing stronger every day and I know having our own home will make our lives so much sweeter! My oldest son wants a garden, birthdays, holidays, barbecues!”

 

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PHOTOS: 24th annual East Cobber parade on Johnson Ferry Road

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East Cobber parade
A juggler from Timber Ridge Elementary School doesn’t miss a beat marching in the East Cobber parade. (East Cobb News photos and slideshow by Wendy Parker)

Skies were cloudy but the rain held off after Friday’s thunderstorms as nearly 100 groups and organizations marched down Johnson Ferry Road Saturday morning for the 24th annual East Cobber parade.

A little sun even managed to come out as well, as schools, churches, civic groups, businesses, political candidates, sports organizations, marching bands and many others took part in the event, which included a festival Saturday afternoon at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

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New Sprayberry Crossing plans: 397 residential units; 30K SF commercial

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Revised Sprayberry Crossing plans
A sample rendering of other Atlantic Residential properties included in the company’s release on Friday.

On Friday afternoon Atlantic Residential, which is interested in redeveloping Sprayberry Crossing, released new details of a mixed-use project that includes nearly 400 residential units and 30,000 square feet of commercial space.

The revisions came after the developer recently met with citizen leaders who made suggestions. A four-page PDF released Friday is attached here, and here’s an overview of the specifics:

  • 12,000 square feet of neighborhood retail
  • 15,000 square feet of co-working space
  • 195 apartment units
  • 140 senior apartment units
  • 62 townhomes

Atlantic Residential is saying that of the 195 conventional apartment units, 75 percent will be one-bedroom and 25 percent two-bedroom.

The proposal includes 3- and 4-story buildings, with commercial activity on the ground floor and three floors of rental living space above. The townhomes would be three stories.

According to an aerial rendering of the proposal (below; click here for a larger view), the apartments would be in the front of the 15-acre property on the south side of Sandy Plains Road, just east of East Piedmont Road, with the townhomes in the back. Another 6,000 square feet of residential amenities would be included.

The senior living building would be on the eastern side of the property, along with 8,000 square feet of related amenities.

Revised Sprayberry Crossing plans

Joe Glancy of Sprayberry Crossing Action, a group of citizens pushing to rebuild the blighted property, said the developers “are ready to meet with the community at any time.” He said a community meeting would not take place until after the fall Cobb County School District break in late September. The group he helped, the Sprayberry Crossing Action Facebook page, which now numbers 5,000 people, has an active comments section.

Here’s also what he said:

“As always, I ask that everyone continue to be respectful in their dialogue and discussion. This page provides an opportunity to express you opinion, not to drown out or belittle so else’s. We have a really good history of respectful dialogue and expect that will continue. This is a wonderful community and I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of it.”

Those opposed to apartments at the Sprayberry Crossing site recently created their own Facebook group.

The developer said the co-working space would be developed by Work at Thrive, which has facilities in Roswell, Milton, Alpharetta and soon in Canton. The senior apartments would be built by Evoq Town Flats and would be 1- and 2-bedrooms for those age 55 and older. Atlantic Residential would be building the 195 other apartments, and the townhome developer is still to be determined.

Here’s more from the Atlantic Residential brochure:

“While this project will not have the scale and impact of well-known mixed use projects like Avalon or Ponce City Market, it will be designed to be sustainable for the long-term and to be a spark for the redevelopment of adjoining and nearby properties that currently are not achieving their full potential for the community.“

We”ll update this story with more reactions and details when they become available.

 

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There’s a chance it could rain on the East Cobber parade

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East Cobber parade
The possibility of rain and partly sunny skies in the forecast isn’t likely to dampen the spirit of the Twilight Twirlers, an East Cobber parade regular. (ECN file)

If you’re making plans to attend the EAST COBBER parade and festival Saturday, you may want to include some rain gear just in case.

The thunderstorms that came through the East Cobb area Friday night are the front edge of what could be a rainy weekend.

The parade steps off from Mt. Bethel Elementary School at 10 a.m., then heads down Johnson Ferry Road to the south parking lot of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, where the event’s festival runs from 11-3 (Details of traffic closures and the parade route.).

According to the National Weather Service in Atlanta, there will be a 40 percent chance of rain Saturday, mostly after 2 p.m. The forecast calls for partly sunny skies, with a high temperature in the East Cobb area of 87.

By the start of the parade, the temperatures are expected to be in the mid 70s.

A 30 percent chance of rain is expected Saturday night and a 20 percent is possible Sunday, also after 2 p.m. Highs Sunday are forecast to be in the high 80s.

Sun will return by the start of the week. Temperatures are forecast in the low to mid 90s, a bit lower than this week’s blistering heat, and into the high 80s by the end of next week.

 

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Holy Transfiguration to hold Spiritual Formation conference

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Next weekend religious and spiritual leaders from several faiths will be featured at a Christian Spiritual Formation conference at Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in East Cobb.

Rev. Panayiotis Papageorgiou
Rev. Panayiotis Papageorgiou

“Exploring the Richness of the Christian Faith” will take place Friday-Sunday Sept. 20-22. It’s the fourth annual conference in the series, and this year the specific theme is “Ancient and Modern Voices: Salvation, Sanctification & Theosis.“

The program “explores the connection of modern Protestant reformers with ancient Christianity and how these connections affected their theologies” and participants “also will explore how their theologies compare with Eastern Orthodox and Western Christian theologies (both Catholic and Protestant).”

The work of the English cleric John Wesley will be featured at the conference, which takes place from 7-9 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20-22. According to the conference flyer:

“The goal of this series of Conferences is to help participants discover or get back in touch with our Christ-centered spirituality and also learn spiritual exercises and disciplines to strengthen and encourage our spiritual resilience in our journey to God’s Kingdom.”

The presenters include:

  • Dr. Roberta Bondi, Emory University
  • Dr. Robin Darling Young, Catholic University
  • Dr. Gary Moon, Richmont Graduate University
  • Dr. Charles Nienkirchen, Ambrose University
  • Rev. Dr. Panayiotis Papageorgiou, Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church
  • Rev. Joshua Toepper, Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church

The cost is $50 for the full weekend, or daily rates of $10 for Friday and Sunday and $30 for Saturday. Holy Transfiguration is located at 3431 Trickum Road.

For more information about the conference or to register online click here.

 

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Brumby ES food pantry seeking meat and milk donations

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Brumby Elementary School food pantry
The food pantry at Brumby ES opened last November. (Special photo)

Parent Nicole Monge Mason is sending out word that the food pantry at Brumby Elementary School is in “dire” need of meat and milk, among other items, and that special hours are being set up for Monday donations.

That’s because the next shopping day for Brumby families in need is next Tuesday, Sept. 17. What the panty needs most are individually wrapped ground beef, turkey and chicken packages and gallon milk containers. Those donations can be dropped off at the school (815 Terrell Mill Road) Monday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The pantry is open to families Tuesday from 12-2 and 4-6. Brumby is one of more than 30 schools in the Cobb County School District that has a pantry for students and their families.

Nicole says what’s critical about this shopping day is that it’s going to have to last through the fall break week from school (Sept. 21-27). Reduced-price breakfast and lunches won’t be served, so families will be loading up on extra food supplies. She writes in her message:

“The stresses and fears that we relate to on a daily basis PALES in comparison to what most families face on a daily basis when it comes to food insecurities and households in need.

“We have a unique opportunity to be apart of helping families and especially children NOT stress about where their next meal is coming from….at least for a few weeks and especially NOT during the fall break coming up.

“As a community we can be apart of the solution but overlooking the essential need that is right here looking us in the eye is only contributing to the problem…

More information about what’s needed at the Brumby pantry can be found at this online sign-up form.

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East Cobb Park founding member Sunny Walker dies at 71

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Sunny piano East Cobb Park
Sunny Walker at the unveiling of “Sunny” the piano at East Cobb Park in 2017. (ECN file photo)

The Friends for the East Cobb Park is sending out word that Sunny Walker, one of the key figures in the creation of East Cobb Park, has died.

Walker, 71, died on Aug. 27. She also was a past president of Friends volunteer organization, helping to raise money to buy the land on Roswell Road where the park continues today.

In 2017, a piano donated by the East Cobb-based Play Me Again pianos non-profit was named “Sunny” in her honor and located at the park’s upper-level gazebo.

Walker was named the 1993 East Cobb Citizen of the Year by the East Cobb Area Council of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. Her other community activities included being a Chamber board member as well as its Leadership Cobb initiative. She also was a supporter of the Theatre in the Square in Marietta. From her obituary:

“Sunny is remembered for her unconditional love of people and her perpetual heart of service. Dedicated to the arts, she championed numerous projects that were important to her community and its cultural development. Sunny’s influence is ever-present and vast.”

Walker, who lived in Smyrna, grew up in Rome and moved to Atlanta after graduating from the University of Georgia. She and her sister started the family-owned Frameworks Gallery, located on Johnson Ferry Road.

She is survived by her sister Diane Spencer of Woodstock and four other siblings, two children and five grandchildren. Walker was preceded in death by her husband “Big Al” Walker.

 

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Powers Ferry Road pedestrian dies after being hit by car

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Powers Ferry Road pedestrian dies

Cobb Police said a pedestrian died after he was hit by a car Wednesday night on Powers Ferry Road.

Harold Glaspy, age 69, of Marietta, was pronounced dead after being taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, Cobb Police Officer Sydney Melton said in a release.

Police said a grey 2010 Mazda 6 was driving north on Powers Ferry around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday when it reached the intersection of Wood Hollow Drive. The left front side of the car then collided with the pedestrian, and the driver immediately stopped and sought help from other motorists, Melton said.

She said the driver of the Mazda is Ernest Moore, 50, of Marietta, and added that “per investigators, there is no evidence of impaired driving, distracted driving, or speeding. The roadway is not lit at the scene of the collision.”

Melton said Glaspy’s next of kin has been notified and that the investigation is continuing.

 

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East Cobb students named 2020 National Merit semifinalists

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The following students at East Cobb high schools were among the more than 16,000 nationwide named semifinalists for the 2020 class of National Merit Scholarships this week.

They will continue competing for an estimated $31 million in total scholarship money that will be awarded in the spring of 2020. Here are the students, with more details at the end about the National Merit program:EAst Cobb National Merit Scholars

  • Lassiter: Eleanor Froula; Claire Halloran; Joseph Kramer; Gabrielle Levitt; Anna Mitchell; Catherine Pereira; Paul Tegethoff;
  • Pope: Ada Burris, Sanjeet Harry, Andrew Myers, Yelizaveta Pivnik;
  • Sprayberry: Reilly S. Misra;
  • Walton: Chanwoo Bae, Jordan Bass, Alec Berger, Andrew Cameron, Daniel Catanese, Anjali Chareddy, Taylor Chiles, Sinead de Cleir, Judith Denning, Julia Dierker, Russell Emerine, Reagan Jacobson, Guy Kemelmakher, Aleem Lakdawala, Andrew Li, Viviana Lu, Nidhi Manikkoth, Kara McKinley, Rushil More, Russell Newton, Erik Pitts, Neeraj Raja, Anant Rajan, Pranav Rajbhandari, Aaron Rieck, Arvind Saligrama, Tara Shabazaz, Eric Simon, Bill Sun, Shiloh Thomas-Wilkinson, Qilin Tong, Ria Uppalapati, Akshin Vemana, Tharun Venkatesan, Madeline Zhang, Zaim Zibran;
  • Wheeler: Ann-Marie Abunyewa, Kruthik Alapati, Ava Autera, Charlie Bishop, Patrick Chen, Alessa Cullinan, Rose Jewel, Brian Kent, Emma Mason, Pranav Nedumpurath, Jeremy Payne, Morris Wan, Eric Yao.

Candidates are assessed based on their academic records, as well as participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and honors and awards received. According to the National Merit fact sheet:

“A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school offi cial, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.”

About 15,000 students are expected to advance to the finalist level, and will be notified in February. From that group the scholarship winners will be chosen.

Corporations, organizations in local communities and collages offer individual types of scholarships under the National Merit program, and there are state-representational scholarships as well.

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East Cobb business news: Mellow Mushroom gets alcohol license

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Johnson Ferry Mellow Mushroom opening

The planned Mellow Mushroom at Woodlawn Commons on Johnson Ferry Road is still in progress (opening is slated for later in the fall), but last month the restaurant did receive an alcohol pouring license.

The following businesses also were granted licenses during August and the first week of September by the Cobb Community Development Agency:

  • MRE East Cobb Express LLC, 2204 Roswell Road (land developer)
  • Fire Protection Services LLC, 2030 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 100 (sprinkler system contractor)
  • Flashback Games Retro Arcade, 2800 Canton Road, Suite 1600 (game room)
  • Ginny Maries, 4475 Roswell Road, Suite 900 (women’s clothing and accessories)
  • $20 Chiropractic, 2421 Shallowford, Suite 116 (chiropractor)
  • Sharper Minds Academy, 3535 Roswell Road, Suite 2 (tutoring services)
  • Tommy’s Tires, 2690 Sandy Plains Road (tire dealer)
  • J & J Auto Group, 4757 Canton Road, Suite 206 (used auto dealer)
  • Mellow Mushroom Pizza, 1205 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 101 (restaurant, alcohol license; see related ECN story)
  • Nuleaf, 4750 Alabama Road, Suite 116 (vitamin food store)
  • Frenchie’s Modern Nail Care Salon, 3154 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 102 (beauty shop)
  • Jim N Nick’s Bar B Q, 3420 Sandy Plains Road (restaurant; alcohol license)
  • Rite Care Pharmacy, 2986 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 116 (drug store)
  • Sally Beauty Supply, 2960 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 307 (beauty supply)
  • Sleep Better Marietta, 2551 Roswell Road, Suite 100 (dental clinic)
  • Mi Casa Restaurante Y Panaderia, 3920 Canton Road, Suite 140 (restaurant)
  • New Leaf Family Chiropractic, 1899 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 170 (chiropractor)
  • Road to Recovery, 2255 Sewell Mill Road, Suite 120 (family and individual counseling)

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Commissioners spar over Cobb Development Authority appointment

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J.C. Bradbury, Cobb Development Authority appointment
J.C. Bradbury

Cobb commissioners are holding up a vote on an appointment to the county’s Development Authority after a heated discussion that’s rare for such an agenda item.

Newly elected commissioner Keli Gambrill of North Cobb wanted to appoint J.C. Bradbury, a Kennesaw State University economics professor, to the body that considers such things as tax abatements and other economic development incentives.

Commissioners’ appointments are usually routine and for the most part are approved without a hitch. But Gambrill was upset when she said she was told right before Tuesday’s meeting by commission chairman Mike Boyce that he wanted more time to consider Bradbury’s appointment.

Boyce said he understood that two of the five commissioners were against Bradbury’s appointment and that since he was the swing vote, he wanted a delay.

The Development Authority is comprised of seven members appointed by county commissioners. Bradbury would replace Bob Morgan, whose four-year term has expired.

Bradbury has been a critic of Cobb’s publicly-subsidized deal with the Atlanta Braves to build SunTrust Park, and remains openly skeptical of economic impact claims county officials have made since the stadium opened in 2017.

Gambrill said other commissioners’ first-time appointments were easily confirmed, and said the delay over Bradbury is an example of “pure patronage and politics at its worst on this board.”

The Development Authority has come under greater scrutiny in recent months for its votes to provide tax abatements for new commercial projects, including the Kroger superstore that’s part of the MarketPlace Terrell Mill project under construction.

Gambrill said her appointment was being stymied “because [Bradbury] holds a different opinion from some on this board.”

Bradbury—who’s outspoken against tax subsidies in general, including those made to the state’s film industry—would be representing the interests of citizens, Gambrill further stated, “and not the interests of the economic powers” in the county.

She said she sent her colleagues information on Bradbury on Aug. 29 and heard no response until right before Tuesday’s meeting. Boyce said he wasn’t aware of opposition before then and asked her to “walk the halls” to gather support.

“It’s your recommendation but it’s a board appointment,” Boyce responded. “All I’m saying is that there needs to be more time.”

East Cobb commissioner Bob Ott took Boyce’s side, saying commissioners table votes all the time, including a new package of tax incentives they approved on Tuesday for a new hotel complex (see item below).

He also said it was “wrong to make a public accusation against a commissioner who asks for more time.” All of them have an obligation, Ott said, to do their “due diligence.”

Commissioner Lisa Cupid of South Cobb said she supported appointing Bradbury and thought Gambrill’s appointment “is being treated unequally.”

She said “this is less an issue of procedure and more of substance . . . but you still need three out of five” votes to approve an appointment.

In late 2013, Ott and fellow East Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell voted for the nearly $400 million bond issue to help finance what’s now called SunTrust Park, while Cupid was the only vote against.

Boyce defeated then-chairman Tim Lee in 2016, making the way the voting process was conducted a major campaign issue. Since coming into office, Boyce also has boasted of the economic benefits he said the stadium has brought to the county, including The Battery and other new development in the area.

The vote to table consideration of the Bradbury appointment to Sept. 24 was 5-0. In other action Tuesday, the commissioners agreed to development incentives for a planned dual-branded hotel next to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in the Cumberland area.

Hilton Garden Inn & Home2 Suites by Hilton Cumberland rendering

 

NF IV-VA ATL Cumberland LLC, which would operate a Hilton Garden Inn and a Home2 Suites by Hilton (rendering above) will get more than $350,000 in permit fee savings and will be allowed to pay sewer development fees in increments.

The two hotels would have a total of 260 rooms and create 70 new jobs. Michael Hughes of the Cobb Community Development Agency said the county government would net an economic benefit of $1.15 million over 10 years and the Cobb County School District $1.46 million in additional tax revenue over that time.

The measure, which passed 4-1 (with Gambrill voting against) had been tabled at Ott’s request because of parking concerns that he had. Ott said all the criteria for meeting the county’s guidelines for getting incentives (more details here) had been satisfied.

 

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East Cobb food scores: Black Swan; Chicken Salad Chick; more

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East Cobb food scores

The following East Cobb food scores from Sept. 3-11 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing to view details of the inspection:

Andretti Indoor Karting and Games
1255 Roswell Road
September 9, 2019 Score: 73, Grade: C

The Black Swan Tavern
1401 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 128
September 5, 2019 Score: 80, Grade: B

Blackwell Elementary School
3470 Canton Road
September 6, 2019 Score: 100, Grade: A

Canton Wings & More
3190 Canton Road, Suite 108
September 5, 2019 Score: 91, Grade: A

Carol’s Cafe
2543 Bells Ferry Road, Suite 150
September 9, 2019 Score: 87, Grade: B

Chicken Salad Chick Sandy Plains
2960 Shallowford Road, Suite 140
September 4, 2019 Score: 100, Grade: A

Domino’s Pizza
3545 Canton Road
September 10, 2019 Score: 90, Grade: A

Everything Burger
3372 Canton Road, Suite 120
September 11, 2019 Score: 90, Grade: A

IHOP 
3130 Johnson Ferry Road
September 11, 2019 Score: 96, Grade: A

Jason’s Deli
1401 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 338
September 11, 2019 Score: 84, Grade: B

J.J. Daniell Middle School
2950 Scott Drive
September 9, 2019 Score: 100, Grade: A

Keheley Elementary School
1985 Kemp Road
September 4, 2019 Score: 100, Grade: A

Los Bravos
2125 Roswell Road, Suite B-40
September 10, 2019 Score: 95, Grade: A

Mabry Middle School
2700 Jims Road
September 6, 2019 Score: 99, Grade: A

Mellow Mushroom
2421 Shallowford Road
September 9, 2019 Score: 92, Grade: A

Nicholson Elementary School
1599 Shallowford Road
September 10, 2019 Score: 99, Grade: A

Panda Express
4275 Roswell Road
September 6, 2019 Score: 99, Grade: A

Park 12 Cobb 
2925 Gordy Parkway
September 9, 2019 Score: 93, Grade: A

Smoothie King
1271 Johnson Ferry Road
September 10, 2019 Score: 93, Grade: A

Subway
1295 Powers Ferry Road, Suite B
September 10, 2019 Score: 89, Grade: B

Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q
1425 Roswell Road
September 11, 2019 Score: 91, Grade: A

 

Related story

 

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State Rep. Sharon Cooper to hold addiction and recovery meeting

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To observe National Recovery Month in September, State Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-East Cobb) will hold an addiction and recovery meeting next week.

State Rep. Sharon Cooper
State Rep. Sharon Cooper

The meeting is Monday, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Sewell Mill Library (2051 Lower Roswell Road). Cooper is the chairwoman of the House Health and Human Services Committee.

Cobb County has one of the highest rates of opioid addiction in the state of Georgia.

Several experts in the field will be present to discuss the issues and answer questions. They include:

  • Robin Elliot, GA Overdose Prevention
  • Neil Campbell, GA Overdose Prevention Council on Substance Abuse
  • TaTa-Nisha Frazier (Individual in long term recovery)
  • Amy Armstrong, MARR Addiction Treatment Center.

The meeting is free and open to anyone who wants to learn more about addiction and recovery.

Related stories

 

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Cobb senior assistant DA running for State Court judge

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Jason Marbutt, an East Cobb resident who is the Cobb senior assistant district attorney, announced on Monday his campaign for Cobb State Court Judge in 2020.Jason Marbutt, Cobb senior assistant DA

His work as a prosecutor includes handling cases ranging from DUI to murder, as well as efforts to protect the elderly and disabled.

He’s seeking the judicial post held by Judge Toby Prodgers since 1995. Prodgers recently announced his retirement.

The post is non-partisan and the term is for four years. State Court judges handle a variety of misdemeanor cases, including traffic citations, DUI charges and some drug offenses.

“As a prosecutor, I’ve been in the arena of public service and have made the tough choices on how to best deliver justice for victims while also helping those who have made mistakes find redemption and lead lives of purpose,” Marbutt in a statement released by his campaign. “This experience and my commitment to the Constitution will allow me to serve on the bench fairly, firmly, and with fidelity to the rule of law.”

Marbutt has been a chairman of the Cobb Elder Abuse Task Force and is a coach for the Walton High School Mock Trial Team.

A former teacher and soccer, wrestling and softball coach, Marbutt is an adjunct professor at the Emory University School of Law

A native of Austell, Marbutt and his wife Olivia have three children.

 

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Cobb Sheriff’s Office to hold East Cobb self-defense class

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This is a bit on short notice, but Cobb Sheriff Neil Warren sent word today that his department is holding a self-defense class Tuesday from 6-8:30 at the East Cobb Church of Christ (5240 Roswell Road), with holiday season safety in mind.

Cobb sheriff

They’re free and open for the public to attend and there’s no sign-up.

He said the department will hold other similar sessions through the end of the year that will be announced later.

 

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East Cobb Real Estate: River Hill split-level sells for $500,000

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5090 Hampton Lakes Drive, East Cobb Real Estate

The following deeds for residential East Cobb real estate sales were filed between Aug. 23-29 with the Cobb Superior Court Clerk’s Office Real Estate Department. They include a two-story frame five-bedroom home on Hampton Lakes Drive in River Hill for $500,000.

The addresses are in Marietta ZIP Codes, unless otherwise indicated, and the subdivision names are in parenthesis:

Aug. 23

4019 Oak Forest Circle, 30062 (Oakhill Manor); Rocco LaBella to Jody Strumminger; $294,000

4032 Wesley Chapel Road, Roswell 30075; Libby Roeble to George and Cristina Bozocea; $320,000

3250 Indian Hills Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills); Vera and Sander Bellman to IGMV LLC; $355,000

1664 Hampton Oaks Bend, 30066 (Hampton Oaks); Linda and Michael McDaniel to Ann Koog Hyeon; $428,000

4521 Monet Drive, Roswell 30075 (Tiffany Place); Ulysses and Jean Li to Ronald Corrao and Anh Puckett; $775,000

1196 Clichy Court, 30066 (Emerald Garden); Lauren and Carolyn Miller to Rosa Maria Garza and Wenndy Kroelinger; $203,000

2671 Cottonwood Drive, 30066 (Piedmont Hills ); Ali and Jamey Brown to Steven Weeks; $270,000

3197 Powers Ford, 30068 (Old Paper Mill); Jacob and Lauren Starnes to Hannah and Edward Gloria; $725,000

4649 Outlook Place, 30066 (Highland Ridge); Gregory and Cynthia McKinley to Justin Fickas; $525,000

4780 Fox Hollow Parkway, 30068 (Fox Hollow); Larry and Laura Chapman to Nishad Sankaranarayanan and Aparna Ramachandran; $527,500

2911 Ashebrooke Drive, 30068 (Ashebrooke); Rosemary Ullom to Pengfei Liu; $715,000

1995 Credence Court, 30066 (Blackwell Estates); Lot 1 Homes of Georgia LLC to Tadesse Phares and Tuwers Kukuba; $493,982

Aug. 26

4237 Glenforest Way, Roswell 30075 (Glenforest); Nury Baldridge to Open House Atlanta Realty and Investments LLC; $282,000

490 Creekwood Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills); Neill Nichols to Kyle Jordan, $500,000

5090 Hampton Farms Drive, 30068 (River Hill); Matthew and Stacey Brawner to Carter Whatley and Patrick Butkus; $674,900

3687 Bellegrove Ridge, 30062 (Lost Forrest); James Noble and Carole Taylor to Noble Properties of Georgia; $446,500

1594 Wildwood Road, 30062 (Briarwood Hills); Danny Matthews to Karen Smith; $230,000

4274 Springmill Drive, 30062 (Springmill); Pedro Rossello to Mark Freuchtnicht; $890,000

1230 Windsor Estates Drive, 30062 (Robinson Manor); Akber Bhamani to Samith Shetty; $640,000

690 Bonaire Terrace, 30066 (Northampton); Sandra and Stephen Green to Juan and Clare Vera; $540,000

5139 Davidson Road, 30068 (River Springs); Marlo Biernacki to Hertz Properties LLC; $280,000

283 Paxton Circle, 30066 (Sumter Ridge); Beverly and Larry Robbins to SPH Property One, LLC; $244,300

4220 Chimney Lakes Drive, 30062 (Chimney Lakes); Judith McCoy to Corbin and Alyssa Ainslee; $467,800

Aug. 27

4378 Jenkins Drive, Roswell 30075 (Havenridge); Lara and Joachim Pasquali to Nicholas Brown; $575,000

4523 Hampton Woods Drive, 30068 (Hampton Woods); Igor Chernyavskiy to Elena Tsukanova; $297,500

4002 Columns Drive, 30067 (River Plantation); Herbert Brady to Paul Gandy; $555,000

2415 Cajun Drive, 30066 (Hidden Hills); Stephen and Joann Fortmann to Open House Atlanta Realty and Investments Inc.; $229,500

4242 Loch Highland Parkway, Roswell, 30075 (Loch Highland); Laura and Christopher Nicholson to Crystal McDuffie; $355,900

1250 Blackwell Road, 30066 (Autumn Ridge); Robert Branson to SPH Property 2 LLC; $237,100

4677 Glenforest Drive, Roswell 30075 (Hedgerow); Wanda Dukes to Sun Park; $430,000

Aug. 28

4151 Liberty Lane, 30066 (Windsor Oaks); Matthew and Kimberly Duffy to Abigail and David Godinez; $445,000

2858 Water Wheel Court, 30062 (Holly Mill); Terwilliger Feis Leadbetter LLC to Sethumadavan Sundaramoorthy; $285,000

477 Robin Lane, 30067 (Red Oak Park); Jeffrey Johnson to Elaine Griffith; $185,000

2709 Barnhill Drive, 30062 (Mabry Manor); Juan Gaytan to Emilio Olarte; $733,500

318 Indian Hills Trail, 30068 (Indian Hills); Roark Homes LLC to Anthony Catterson; $1,175,000

301 Kings Court, 30068 (Kings Cove); Dakar and William De La Cruz to Michael Qiunlan and Tanima Cynthia Das; $395,000

1787 Apple Boulevard, 30066 (Heritage Farms); William Wilson Jr. to Emily Jones and Daniel Hobby; $298,000

4005 Matty Drive, 30066 (Princeton Grove); JPH Properties LLC to Pratish Shetty; $608,000

2686 Forest Way, 30066 (Forest Chase); John and Ginger Pearson to SPH Property 2 LLC; $294,700

130 Indian Hills Court, 30068 (Indian Hills Court); Mary Ivie to Kathleen Bjorke; $385,000

1725 Millhouse Run, 30066 (Spencers Ridge); Henry and Deana Stuebner to Jamal Hameed; $413,000

2023 N. Landing Way, 30066 (North Landing); Patrick Rhoden and Kelly Buckley to Sharon Smith; $228,000

1224 Promontory Path, 30062 (Waltons Reserve); Yiping Wu to Bhushan Takar; $598,000

Aug. 29

704 Walt Lane, Woodstock 30188 (Chadds Ridge); Mark Cagle to Laura and Charles Kluball; $274,900

2969 Gant Quarters Drive, 30067 (Gant Quarters); Lisbeth Roa to Adrian and Patrick Kelly; $500,000

2775 Wendy Lane, 30062 (Creek Park); Melba Holliday to Diana and Ilya Lyubich; $155,000

4021 Upland Trace, 30066 (Highland Park); SPH Property 2 LLC to Jonathan and Erin Shurbutt; $478,000

4804 Wigley Road, 30066 (Summit at Sweat Mountain); Garth and Angela Bauknecht to Archie Woodside Jr.; $990,000\

1056 Dunhill Drive, 30067 (Millridge); Svein Hagen to Brandon and Lauren Steverson; $382,500

3942 Cash Landing, 30066 (Oaks at Mill Pond); Carlson Mill LLC to David and Diane Ulrich; $1,450,320

3391 Liberty Lane, 30062 (Independence Square); Hillary Steiner to Jamie Helmer; $385, 000

4034 Defender Drive, Roswelll 30075 (Garrison Oaks); Samuel and Joann Cushman to William Sorrells; $685,000

 

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Friendly reminder: Cobb property tax bills due Oct. 15

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2584 Fieldstone Path, East Cobb Real Estate, Cobb property tax bills

Submitted information:

Tax Commissioner Carla Jackson recently announced that 2019 property tax bills have been mailed. Payments are due by Tuesday, Oct. 15, and payments received or U.S. postmarked after Oct. 15 will incur a 5 percent late penalty plus monthly interest on any unpaid balance.

Ways to pay include:

  • Online via e-check, debit or credit card (processing fees apply)
  • Automated system by phone at 1-866-PAY-COBB (1-866-729-2622) (processing fees applicable depending on payment selection)
  • Mail to P.O. Box 372, 100127, Marietta, GA 30061
  • In-person at any of the following locations: Property Tax Division at 736 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta; East Cobb Office at 4400 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta and the South Cobb Government Service Center at 4700 Austell Road, Austell
  • Drop boxes inside and outside at the Whitlock Avenue location, as well as the South Cobb Government Service Center
  • Drop checks off at any motor vehicle tag office
  • For property owners with escrow accounts, tax information is made available to mortgage companies; however, the property owner is responsible to ensure taxes are paid by the due date. Escrow account holders unsure about who is paying the property tax should contact their mortgage companies directly.

Please visit Understanding Your Tax Bill at www.CobbTax.org for a detailed explanation of our 2019 tax bills and location information.

 

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PHOTOS: Sandy Plains Baseball celebrates 50th anniversary

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Sandy Plains Baseball 50th anniversary

Players, parents, volunteers and representatives of the Atlanta Braves turned out at Field 2 at Carl Harrison Park Saturday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sandy Plains Baseball Association.

The youth baseball organization was founded in March 1969 and originally played games not far away, at Sandy Plains Park. That also is the venue for Sandy Plains Softball.

But as the number of youths playing both sports grew, so did the need for new fields and separate organizations. Sandy Plains Softball still plays at Sandy Plains Park.

The baseball venues moved to Harrison Park, next to Lassiter High School, and Sweat Mountain Park, in the late 1980s.

Ginny Garner, chairwoman of the board of Sandy Plains Baseball, said the organization wouldn’t be what it is without the parent volunteers and families.

“We’ve been so blessed to have amazing families and amazing volunteers,” she said.

While the parks are operated by the Cobb Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, Sandy Plains Baseball helps with maintenance and upkeep of the grounds. Garner said most recently, the organization raised money for new bunting along the outfield fences.

Two years ago, Field 2 was completely refurbished with funding from the Atlanta Braves Foundation, which has undertaken similar projects around metro Atlanta in the name of Chipper Jones.

Garner said Sandy Plains Baseball enrolls around 700 players for the fall season, and around 900 for the spring season, ages 4-18.

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East Cobb traffic alert: Johnson Ferry Road parade closure

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Instead of cars, Johnson Ferry Road will be occupied by unicyclists from Mt. Bethel ES and other participants in Saturday’s EAST COBBER parade. (ECN file)

As the calendar veers toward mid-September, that means something highly unusual is about to transpire in East Cobb: Johnson Ferry Road will be closed. On purpose.

It’s only a portion of Johnson Ferry, and only for a few hours. But it’s the busiest stretch of Johnson Ferry, and it’s a Saturday morning.

The 24 annual EAST COBBER magazine parade and festival is on tap for Saturday, and more than 100 organizations, individuals and groups are taking part.

The parade steps off starting at 10 a.m. at Mt. Bethel Elementary School, and will wind its way to the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church south parking lot, where the festival runs from 11-3.

For the last few days, some traffic alert signs have been posted in the area to give motorists a heads-up about the road closure. Cobb Police will be closing Johnson Ferry between Roswell Road and Lower Roswell Road at 9:45 a.m., and it is expected to reopen around 11:30 a.m. or noon.

The festival has free admission and includes food, music, kids’ games, entertainment and vendors.

East Cobber Parade route
The black stars indicate the road closure points; the red stars indicate the parade route and the blue star signifies the festival site.

 

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