East Cobb schools recognized as literacy and math leaders

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Dickerson MS

Several public schools at all grade levels in East Cobb have been recognized as literacy and math leaders by the Georgia Department of Education.

These schools “demonstrated exceptional achievement or growth in reading and mathematics during the 2024-2025 school year,” according to the department, and as reflected in “annual end-of-grade or end-of-course assessments.

“The criteria recognize the crucial importance of grade-level reading in third and sixth grades and numeracy skills in fifth and eighth grades, and require higher growth from schools with lower achievement levels.”

More than 400 schools across Georgia have earned the designation, with 21 in East Cobb. Dickerson Middle School was recognized in both literacy and math categories.

Literacy leaders were given “based on the outlined criteria at the elementary and middle-school levels, and at the high-school level based on the American Literature EOC, which is the state test for ELA in high school. Literacy Leader qualifications use the Georgia Milestones Reading Status indicator, which is based on the Lexile score associated with students’ performance on a subset of questions on the ELA assessment. GaDOE also recognized Literacy Leader schools for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years.”

The math leaders “met the qualifications for recognition as 2024-2025 Math Leaders. Awards were given based on the outlined criteria at the elementary and middle-school levels, and at the high-school level based on the Algebra: Concepts and Connections EOC, which is the state test for mathematics in high school. Math Leader qualifications are based on students achieving the Proficient Learner level or above on the Georgia Milestones mathematics assessments. GaDOE recognized Math Leader schools for the 2023-2024 school year.”

Here’s our report from August on how students at East Cobb schools fared in the latest Georgia Milestones results.

Literacy leaders:

  • Blackwell ES (3rd Grade Gateway Growth)
  • Davis ES (3rd Grade Gateway Achievement, 4th Grade Growth)
  • Dickerson MS (6th Grade Gateway Achievement, 7th Grade Achievement, 8th Grade Achievement)
  • East Side ES (3rd Grade Gateway Achievement; 5th Grade Achievement)
  • Garrison Mill ES (3rd Grade Gateway Achievement; 3rd Grade Gateway Growth; 5th Grade Achievement)
  • Lassiter HS (High School Achievement)
  • Mt. Bethel ES (3rd Grade Gateway Achievement; 4th Grade Achievement; 5th Grade Achievement)
  • Pope HS (High School Achievement)
  • Sope Creek ES (3rd Grade Gateway Achievement; 4th Grade Growth; 5th Grade Achievement)
  • Timber Ridge ES (3rd Grade Gateway Achievement; 5th Grade Achievement)
  • Walton HS (High School Achievement)

Math Leaders:

  • Daniell MS (8th Grade Gateway Growth; High School Achievement)
  • Dickerson MS (7th Grade Achievement; 8th Grade Gateway Achievement; High School Outstanding Achievement)
  • Dodgen MS (High School Achievement)
  • East Cobb MS (High School Outstanding Achievement)
  • Hightower Trail MS (High School Outstanding Achievement)
  • Mabry MS (High School Achievement)
  • McCleskey MS (High School Outstanding Achievement)
  • Nicholson ES (4th Grade Growth; 5th Grade Gateway Growth)
  • Simpson MS (High School Outstanding Achievement)

 

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Veterans at East Cobb schools recall their military service

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East Cobb Middle School Principal Michael Askew served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Submitted information:

The spirit of service runs deep in the Cobb County School District, where military veterans continue their mission by shaping young minds. From principals and teachers to social workers and custodians, these heroes bring lessons of leadership, perseverance, and purpose from the armed forces into Cobb classrooms every day.

At Rocky Mount Elementary, Social Worker Paul Pursell, a former U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant, says persistence learned in the military guides his work with families. “So much of what I learned in training really translates to what we do here,” he shared.

East Cobb Middle School Principal Michael Askew, a U.S. Marine veteran, uses his own story, learning algebra to set tank traps, to show students how classroom lessons can change lives.

At Tritt Elementary, kindergarten teacher Heather Garrett, a former U.S. Army specialist, surprises her students each Veterans Day when they learn she once worked in an Army motor pool. “My kids are always shocked to learn on Veterans Day that I am a veteran of the United States Army,” she said.

Rocky Mount custodian Winston Wilkinson, who served 15 years in the U.S. Navy, and Fair Oaks Elementary Principal Cathie Seibert, a former U.S. Army tank driver, both bring discipline, teamwork, and pride to their roles continuing their commitment to service in new ways.

This Veterans Day, Cobb Schools celebrates all who served and those who continue to serve by educating and inspiring the next generation. Their stories remind us that service doesn’t end with a uniform; it lives on in our schools, hallways, and classrooms.

More from the Cobb County School District by clicking here.

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Alzheimer’s educational session set for family caregivers

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Submitted information:ACAP to hold program in East Cobb for senior living options

The ACAP Cobb & Cherokee chapter invites family caregivers and community members to attend a free educational program, “Recognizing Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias,” on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 6:30–8:00 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church – Kapperman-Williams Hall, 2881 Canton Road, Marietta, GA.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia currently affect more than five million Americans, with those numbers expected to rise dramatically as the baby boomer generation continues to age. The impact of these diseases reaches far beyond the individual, touching families, caregivers, and entire communities.

This ACAP program will provide practical, research-based information to help adult children and family members better understand Alzheimer’s and related dementias—from recognizing symptoms and understanding diagnosis to exploring treatment options, emerging research, and effective caregiving strategies. Attendees will learn how to navigate both medical and non-medical support systems, ensuring their loved ones receive compassionate and informed care throughout every stage of the disease.

The program will be presented by Dr. Emily Mroz, Assistant Professor at the Emory School of Nursing and a social-behavioral health researcher whose work focuses on supporting individuals with serious, progressive illnesses and their family caregivers. Dr. Mroz’s research, funded by the National Institute on Aging, aims to improve the quality of life and care for those affected by dementia and other chronic conditions.

ACAP Cobb & Cherokee is part of ACAPcommunity, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting adult children as they care for their aging parents. The organization offers free, monthly programs that provide education, resources, and community connections to help families navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving.

This program is free and open to the public.

To register or learn more, visit www.acapcommunity.org/cobb-cherokee or email [email protected].

 

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East Cobb painter to present holiday art exhibit in Buckhead

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East Cobb painter to present holiday art exhibit in Buckhead

Submitted information and photos:

Lynne McDonald, an abstract artist and entrepreneur, presents a Holiday Art Exhibition at Serendipity Labs Buckhead (3550 Lenox Road, NE, 21st Floor, Atlanta), Wed. November 19, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 pm. Lynne has been the featured artist at Serendipity for four years. This Holiday Show will be the unveiling of Lynne’s beautiful new pieces. Guests are invited to enjoy lite bites and drinks. To RSVP visit www.lynnemcdonald.com.

“Step into an exclusive showcase of works that mark the evolution of my artistic journey,” says Lynne. “I want each piece to be both a statement and an experience, designed to transform interiors and inspire conversation.”

Lynne’s vibrant, organic artworks are crafted with acrylic paints, brushes, and unconventional tools such as a blow torch, forks, straws, paintbrushes, fingers…whatever is handy. She mixes her own paints and adds different additives or mediums.

“I’m fascinated by the organic beauty of nature. I am grateful for the time I’ve spent in beautiful, inspiring places around the world,” says Lynne.  “I was told by a mentor and teacher that there are two types of artists; natural and learned.  It has taken me a lifetime to learn that I am a natural artist. The kind that picks up things and thinks, ‘I wonder what this will do.’ I’m intrigued by what materials do when they organically repel instead of blend.”

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Lynne McDonald started painting in her kitchen in 2015 and made it her full-time profession by 2020. Lynne carefully creates artworks with intricate details, gradually revealing themselves over time. Having reshaped her career and life, she radiates hope, inspiring others to break free and embrace life’s possibilities.

Lynne has developed a following and has sold pieces all over the world; from Georgia to Greece to Dubai.  As a juried artist, she’s been able to have over 18 shows in her short career; 15 of which have been solo. She’s had her work published in two coffee table books, various magazines, and has won numerous awards.

“Art is subjective. When someone connects with my work, I consider that a success,” Lynne explains. “In the studio, I am authentic and vulnerable, because each piece of work is a piece of me. Join me for an evening of art, connection, and discovery!“

MORE INFORMATION

Follow Lynne on Instagram: @lynnemcdonaldsgallery / Visit Online: www.lynnemcdonald.com

East Cobb painter to present holiday art exhibit in Buckhead

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Editor’s Note: A special birthday request for ECN readers

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Editor's Note: A special birthday request for ECN readers
Traffic, engagement and community connection continues to grow at East Cobb News. Please support our work with your donation today! Click here.

Early-to-mid November always reminds me of a couple of things:

That the weather can turn wintry in a hurry, as is in the weather forecast for early this week.

And that I do try to take a bit of time on the 12th day of the month to mark another trip around the sun.

My birthday is coming up on Wednesday, and without telling you how many of those trips I’ve logged (I stopped counting at 29!), it’ll be a busy day here on our local news front.

We have Cobb commissioners meetings that day, Cobb school board meetings the next day and a number of other significant stories in the works, as we continue to stay on top of some very newsworthy events.

In the last three months, our traffic has picked up tremendously, and November figures to be the same. There’s been a lot going on in the news, to be sure, but our readers also are letting us know how much they value from what they get.

And that makes us proud.

East Cobb News has become a go-to source for all kinds of news that offers more than a glimpse of what’s happening in East Cobb—they reveal quite a bit about what makes this community tick.

Whether it’s stories featuring our original reporting, or others in our community passing along news about local events and activities, East Cobb News is focused on what’s valued the most by readers here.

It’s our stock-in-trade, and for eight-plus years we’ve been building that community trust, one story at a time.

We do this without charging readers, because we believe reliable local news should be accessible to all. So during this week of your editor’s birthday, I’d like to ask readers for the gift of your donations, so we can continue to give you the local news you love.

Please donate today!

Local business advertising is how we pay most of the bills at East Cobb News, which like our competitors is a for-profit business.

These days, many news outlets, including those that are much bigger, also ask their readers for support.

But unlike some of our competitors, we don’t hide our reporting behind a paywall.

We believe high-quality local journalism is the bedrock of a healthy community.

In order to keep local news free, however, we need your help.

You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible.

We’re asking our readers to help support us financially, but it’s entirely voluntarily.

If you value what you get from East Cobb News—what we post every day to our site, as well as our weekly newsletter, and our connections with readers and community on social media–please consider making a financial donation today.

At East Cobb News—where nobody else does what we do, every day—we’ve built from scratch an informed, engaged audience that comes to rely on what we do every day.

It’s our passion and our pride to give you the local news that you love, and that makes a difference in this community.

Donating is secure and easy!

Specifically, we’ve been asking for reader support to help us defray some of our business costs.

With our growth has come some additional costs, and while we’re thrifty, we have bills that come due every month.

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Before you get too busy with your holiday plans, think about what you value from East Cobb News, and consider making a donation today! Thank you!

 

 

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, Oct. 27-31, 2025

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North Ridge, East Cobb real estate sales
North Ridge

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales were compiled from agency reports and Cobb County property records.

They include the street address, subdivision name and sales price listed under their respective high school attendance zones:

Kell

5021 Rodrick Trace, 30066 (Oxford Manor): $400,000

Lassiter

3375 Holliglen Drive, 30062 (Woodbine Station): $490,000

3017 Lana Lane, 30066 (Creekside Oaks): $760,000

4434 Trickum Road, 30066 (North Landing): $340,764

2676 South Arbor Drive, 30066 (Arbor Bridge): $675,000

3599 Downing Street, 30066 (Churchill Falls): $433,100

4332 Highborne Drive, 30066 (Highland Pointe): $1.225 million

3819 Havenrock Drive, 30066 (Lassiter Cove): $1.05 million

3875 Wintergreen Court, 30066 (Villa North Highlands): $390,000

Marietta

1313 Merrifield Lane, 30062 (East Park): $660,000

874 Soaring Circle, 30062 (Eagle Ridge): $335,000

Pope

2466 Chimney Springs Drive, 30066 (Chimney Springs): $645,000

Sprayberry

1830 Butterfly Way, 30066 (Village at Sandy Plains): $670,000

1850 Donald Drive, 30062 (Hasty Acres): $445,000

2813 New South Drive, 30066 (Piedmont Station): $250,000

2604 Alcovy Trail, 30062 (East Cobb Walk): $518,000

2637 Watercrest Court, 30062 (Autumn Lake): $462,500

3163 Oak Springs Way, 30066 (Oak Creek Estates): $430,000

1585 Blackwell Road, 30066 (North Ridge): $800,000

2646 Arbor Glen Place, 30062 (Arbor Glen): $320,000

Walton

833 Serramonte Drive, 30068 (Villas at Parkaire): $374,000

311 Rolling Rock Road, 30067 (Atlanta Country Club): $2.75 million

1490 Dansford Court South, 30068 (Penhurst): $1.025 million

1172 Mitsy Hollow Drive, 30068 (Mitsy Forest): $550,000

1634 Princeton West Trail, 30068 (Princeton West): $730,000

4943 Secluded Pines Drive, 30068 (Rose Oak): $695,000

Wheeler

2059 Clearwater Drive, 30067 (Freywood Estates): $394,999

53 Weatherstone Parkway, 30068 (Weatherstone): $645,000

3300 Windy Ridge Parkway, Unit 520, 30339 (Horizon): $339,500

443 Langley Oaks Drive, 30067 (Sibley on Papermill): $1.625 million

190 Kenley Court, 30068 (Magnolia South): $500,000

20 Ashton Woods Drive, 30068 (Ashton Woods): $685,000

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East Cobb Weather Update: Freeze warning to start the week

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East Cobb Weather Update: Freeze warning to start the week
It was warm enough to play catch at East Cobb Park Sunday, but cold, windy weather will be around through the middle of the week.

The first part of this week is going feel like the winter.

A freeze warning is in effect for Cobb County and much of north Georgia Monday morning as a cold front moves through the Deep South.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City said the freeze warning will be in effect from 1 a.m. Monday through 10 a.m. Monday, as temperatures could dip below freezing.

Combined with wind gusts of around 30 mph, conditions will feel like they’re a good bit below zero.

Monday’s high will be only around 40, with some sunny skies.

Monday night will be colder, with lows in the mid- to low-20s, according to the forecast, with highs reaching around 50.

The skies will be clear and sunny, but wind gusts could be as high as 25 mph.

A freeze watch will be in effect from 7 p.m. Monday to 10 a.m. Tuesday, with highs on Veterans Day forecast to be in the high 40s.

By Wednesday the weather we’ve been enjoying will start to return, with sunny skies and highs in the low 60s. The lows will be in the low 40s, and this pattern will continue through the end of the week.

Saturday’s high is expected to be in the low 70s, and Sunday’s in the high 60s, when a chance of rain will move into the area.

For more local weather information, please click here.

 

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Cobb to start public hearings on proposed stormwater fee

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Cobb to start public hearings on proposed stormwater fee
Flooding along Columns Drive in East Cobb after a storm in 2024. ECN file photo.

The first of two public hearings on a proposed stormwater fee in Cobb County and other code amendments will take place next week.

The hearings are scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday before the Cobb Board of Commissioners. The hearings, during a regular BOC meeting, are being delayed by a day due to Veteran’s Day holiday on Tuesday.

Currently Cobb stormwater customers are charged through their water and sewer bills based on the amount of impervious surfaces on their properties.

The major change from the original proposal—which was tabled last year after heated opposition from citizens—includes a flat $4.75 per month for residential customers.

Commercial and institutional customers would also be billed $4.75 month per 3,700 square feet of impervious surface.

The fee would apply to customers in unincorporated Cobb and the City of Mableton, whose stormwater management is handled by the county. Five of Cobb’s six other cities charge their own stormwater fees; Marietta does not.

At a BOC work session last month, Cobb Water System director Judy Jones said that a stormwater fee is badly needed because not enough revenue is being generated to maintain the aging system, and to address a growing backlog (you can watch a replay here).

Those issues were made more urgent following flooding in 2021 that damaged the homes and properties of many East Cobb residents, some of whom said a new stormwater fee wouldn’t solve their problem.

That’s because homeowners were on the hook for expensive repairs if the county couldn’t determine if their property was on a county plat. Other critics have condemned what they have called a “rain tax.”

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell of District 3 in East Cobb has been opposed to an additional fee since the county transfers revenues from the water department to the general fund.

Jones admitted during the work session that a fee is not going to solve all of the county’s stormwater issues, but it “allows us to enhance our services. We need to get caught up with what we have outgrown.”

She also said the revenues transferred from the water system to the general fund aren’t enough to fund stormwater repairs.

In the current Cobb fiscal year 2026 budget, that transfer amount is $11 million, but only $300,000 comes from stormwater revenue.

Cobb is spending more than $9 million in FY 2026 for stormwater services; the proposed stormwater fee would generate around $17 million a year.

You can click through the slides presented at the work session below; the county has provided further information at a special Stormwater Funding page. Another hearing will be held Nov. 20 prior to a BOC vote on the stormwater fee and other proposed code amendments.

The BOC meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the second floor board room of the county office building at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta. You can view the full agenda by clicking here.

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

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Dickerson MS teachers spring to action, save student’s life

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Dickerson MS teachers spring to action, save student's life

Megan Fisher and Maureen McLaughlin are sisters who teach health and physical education at Dickerson Middle School.

Recently they had to rely on their training and their sense of duty to save the life of a student who was in distress in the gym.

The student began to look ill after swallowing from a bottle of water. Fisher noticed he was choking on a plastic bottle cap, and she and Maureen worked to apply the Heimlich maneuver and back blows until the cap came loose.

“It’s one of those moments where you hope your instincts take over,” McLaughlin said in a release by the Cobb County School District. “We’ve trained for emergencies like this, but you never really think you’ll have to do it.”

Fisher added: “It felt longer than it probably was because our adrenaline was pumping. But as soon as I saw what was happening, I knew Maureen was there to help me. It was comforting to have her there.”

Here’s the rest of the story, which explains the sisters’ training with the Dickerson First Responder Team, which has CPR-certified staff and conducts drills throughout the school year to stay sharp.

“Because of their quick actions, they saved a life,” Dickerson principal Bradley Blackman said. “They didn’t panic. They didn’t run away. They jumped right in and did what they were trained to do.”

The sisters also were honored by the Cobb school district in its “Heroes Among Us” award.

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Pope cross country runner seeks to defend state championship

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Pope cross country runner seeks to defend state championship

Submitted information and photo:

Pope High School senior Josie Hutchinson is chasing history this weekend as she seeks to defend her GHSA 5A Girls Individual Cross Country State Championship title, one year after leading the Pope Greyhounds to a team state championship.

Known for her grit, leadership, and grounded personality, Hutchinson has built an impressive athletic résumé. The five-time GHSA state champion boasts titles in both cross country and track and field, including the 3200m, 4x800m relay, and team championships. Over the past three seasons, she has finished in the top three in 19 of her last 25 cross country races she has run in Georgia. She holds five school records and multiple county and regional honors.

“She’s the GOAT for Pope High School cross country,” said Coach Cathi Monk. “Josie goes above what’s required in her preparation. She’s a fierce competitor and an even better person.”

Hutchinson’s drive runs deep in her roots. The daughter of Joe and Christin Hutchinson, Josie credits her family’s athletic and faith-filled foundation for shaping her determination. Her father, a former Little League World Series champion and standout at Wheeler High School, recognizes her innate competitiveness: “Some kids just have that desire to work hard — Josie has it.”

Beyond her athletic success, Hutchinson’s leadership and compassion have defined her legacy at Pope. She is known for mentoring younger runners, rallying teammates before races, and cheering competitors at the finish line — a gesture parents and coaches call the “Josie Effect.”

Hutchinson’s personal record of 17:31.49 ranks among Georgia’s best. She plans to continue her running career next year at Samford University, but first, she and the Greyhounds will defend their 5A titles this Saturday in Carrollton, Georgia.

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Apple Annie to host Sprayberry Craft Show vendors

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Apple Annie

Here’s an update to our story from last week about the cancellation of the Sprayberry Craft Show, possibly until 2028, due to construction at the high school:

The organizers of the Apple Annie Arts and Craft Show said Thursday that they’re taking in 16 additional vendors, including some from the Sprayberry show.

The late and abrupt cancellation of the Sprayberry show left some of those vendors without a key date in their holiday schedule.

Apple Annie takes place Dec. 5-6 at the Catholic Church of St. Ann (our calendar listing details here).

“Many artisans use these holiday shows as a significant source of income, and we are happy to be able to support these small business makers this year,” said the Apple Annie organizers on their Facebook page:

“The additional selected artisans followed the same application submission and jury process, just as other show artisans do. They will set up in St. Ann’s downstairs classrooms, so be sure to visit their booths while at the show December 5-6! There will be an additional cash-only show entrance near these downstairs classrooms.”

The Apple Annie show benefits programs of the St. Ann’s Council of Catholic Women, while the Sprayberry Craft Show has been a major fundraiser for the Sprayberry PTSA.

The local holiday shopping season gets underway this weekend with the Lassiter Craft Fair and the Good Mews Holiday Harvest Market.

 

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Columns Drive traffic project to remove and replace trees

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Cobb delays Columns Drive median tree-cutting after protests

Here’s another update to the Columns Drive traffic safety improvement project that we’ve been reporting on (here and here) in recent months:

Starting Friday Cobb DOT will begin work to remove roughly a third of the trees in the medians that have been deemed unsafe.

DOT said in a statement Wednesday that 47 of the 157 trees in the Columns Drive medians that are within the right-of-way will be taken down. Work crews will be clearing away tree stumps, dead trees and what department officials are saying is the “selective pruning of dozens of others.”

DOT said it was responding to a number of reports of falling trees.

But more than 1,000 residents in the area signed a petition in protest, entitled “STOP Cobb County’s Plans to Cut Down Trees on Columns Drive Median.”

That prompted community meetings with Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell, and traffic engineers consulted an arborist who identified the trees that posed a threat to motorists.

She said in a message to East Cobb News on Wednesday that the project will continue into January. After the initial phase, 50 new trees and mulch will be installed in the medians and “hundreds of shrubs” will be planted near the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area entrance at the end of Columns Drive.

“We believe this solution will make Columns Drive safer and more attractive,” Cobb DOT Director Drew Raessler said in a statement issued by the county. “We appreciate the residents who worked with us on this project — their input was invaluable in shaping the vision for this popular corridor.”

There also will be post-installation maintenance through spring 2026.

“This is a great result for this project,” Birrell told East Cobb News.

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Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration theme asks for an ‘Amen’

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East Cobb interfaith service: 'Embracing responsibility'
Clergy and speakers at the 2024 Interfaith Thanksgiving Service ham it up for the cameras. 

The 21st annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration will take place Nov. 20 at Temple Kol Emeth in East Cobb, featuring music, messages and prayers involving more than 20 local faith communities.

This year’s theme is “Amen is Just the Beginning,” and according to organizers, it’s “a reminder that each of us needs convert our words and prayer into action.” (Here’s our report from the 2024 service.)

The service begins at 7 p.m. The doors open at 6:30 p.m., and online registration is required at this link. A clear-bag policy also will be in place. Parking is available at Temple Kol Emeth (1415 Old Canton Road) and across the street at Eastminster Presbyterian Church (3125 Sewell Mill Road).

The offering will benefit the Give-A-Gobble Campaign of Atlanta.

The service is familiar to those in the past, and with many participating congregations returning, representing the Jewish, Muslim, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Baha’i, Disciples of Christ, Hindu, Episcopal, Sikh, Mormon and Unitarian Universalist faiths.

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East Cobb Weekend Events: Holiday markets and fairs

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Good Mews 30th birthday
The Good Mews Holiday Harvest Market returns on Saturday.

November is here, which means holiday shopping events are getting underway, and if you’re interested in getting some of that done early, a couple of events in East Cobb are worth your time.

The longstanding Lassiter Craft Fair returns this weekend to the halls of Lassiter High School (2601 Shallowford Road), run by the Lassiter Band Boosters Association.

The fair includes more than 100 vendors selling handcrafted items including holiday gifts and decor, woodworking, jewelry, crochet/knitting, bath and body, candles, pottery, wreaths, and more. There also will be a bake sale, concessions and raffle prizes on-site.

Hours are 10-5 Saturday and 11-4 Sunday and admission is free.

Also on Saturday, the Good Mews Holiday Harvest Market is back to benefit operations at the no-kill cat shelter. In addition to artisan market items, you’ll be able to shop for books, puzzles and games, purchased cat products and enjoy a bake sale and other activities.

The market takes place from 10-4 at Good Mews (3805 Robinson Road), and admission is free.

For more information about what’s going on in East Cobb, check out our full calendar listings.

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East Cobb restaurant update: Giulia, Luga openings announced

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Luga, East Cobb food scores

We’ve had a message in for a couple weeks about this, and just got confirmation today about two long-awaited twin Italian-themed restaurants/eateries at Avenue East Cobb:

“This Friday, Giulia, an authentic Italian bakery and patisserie, opens at East Cobb’s favorite gathering spot, building on the success of its first location at The Forum Peachtree Corners. Known for its commitment to natural, high-quality ingredients, Giulia serves signature pastries such as delicate croissants and savory sandwiches alongside expertly crafted coffee drinks from bold espressos and smooth macchiatos to frothy cappuccinos. The 900-square-foot space is nestled between Barre3 and Luga, the owners’ forthcoming Italian restaurant.

“Following Giulia’s debut, the Gjuka brothers will introduce their newest concept, Luga, opening to the public on November 24. Spanning 4,400 square feet, the Italian restaurant pairs casual elegance with layered textures, natural materials, and lush botanicals to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Its seasonal menu showcases fresh antipasti, crisp salads, Roma-style pizzas, and house-made pastas – each crafted with the same dedication to quality that defines the brothers’ culinary approach.”

That message came from Jamestown, Avenue’s property manager. It’s been a little more than a year since the Gjuka brothers announced they would be occupying the former Drift space with accompanying concepts.

Last week Giulia and Luga had their first health inspections, which occasionally take place before an official opening.

Giulia’s hours are daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., similar to the Peachtree Corners location.

There’s not an opening date set yet for another forthcoming restaurant at Avenue. Tenku Sushi Elevation will be opening in one of the new “jewel box” buildings that was part of Avenue East Cobb’s recent redevelopment.

Tenku’s first restaurant, in Woodstock, offers a variety of Japanese dishes that include nigiri and sashimi, signature rolls, robata grills, omakase, and flame-seared marinated octopus.

The Avenue East Cobb location will have a rooftop bar.

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Results from the 1st annual Walton-Wheeler chess tournament

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Results from the 1st annual Walton-Wheeler chess tournament

Thanks to Sean Kurkjian, an AP History teacher at Wheeler High School, who passed along to us these photos of his students who took home trophies last week at the first-ever Walton-Wheeler chess tournament.

Wheeler Chess Club members Rajveer Gaikwad and Dwij Bapat took home first place in the tournament, which was held at Walton.

Here’s more what it was all about from the Walton High School Chess Club Instagram account:

“On October 25, 2025, we teamed up with Wheeler High School’s president and vice president to host our inaugural inter-school chess tournament at Walton High School!

“20 participants battled it out for $105 in prizes ($50 | $30 | $25), showing off incredible strategy and sportsmanship.

“We’re excited to make this a recurring tradition, building stronger collaboration and a thriving chess culture across Cobb County schools.”

Results from the 1st annual Walton-Wheeler chess tournament

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2025 East Cobb Elections: Marietta mayor barely re-elected

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Longtime Marietta Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin was narrowly returned to office on Tuesday in an election that was closer than expected. Georgia runoff elections

Tumlin, who has been mayor for 16 years, defeated first-time candidate Sam Foster by fewer than 100 votes (updated results are here) 6,762 to 6,675.

Foster is a 24-year-old recent Kennesaw State graduate who won seven of the city’s 13 precincts, some by large margins.

But Tumlin overcame a late deficit when the final votes were cast to claim 50.32 percent to 49.68.

Several East Cobb precincts are in the City of Marietta, including 4B, which Tumlin barely won, and 6B, which Foster won easily.

Voters in East Cobb did not have a contested city council race, as incumbents Andre Sims (Ward 6) and Joseph Goldstein (Ward 7) were re-elected without opposition.

Ward 7 Marietta Board of Education incumbent Holly Berens was re-elected without opposition, while the new Ward 6 member is Christina Rogers. She defeated Tony Viola with nearly 57 percent of the vote (results here).

The races were officially non-partisan, but Tumlin, a former Republican legislator, received open support from GOP organizations. Foster, who’s involved with the A Better Cobb advocacy group, outraised Tumlin and was supported by Democratic State Rep. Gabe Sanchez, a Democratic Socialist who scored a major Georgia House upset last year.

In the Georgia Public Service Commission special elections, both Republican incumbents were defeated.

Alicia Johnson downed Tim Echols and Peter Hubbard beat Fitz Johnson, both around 62 percent of the vote, and will serve out the last year of the remaining terms (results here).

The PSC regulates utility rates in Georgia, and they will be the first Democrats to serve on the board since 2006. Those seats are both up in 2026, and Echols and Johnson have said they will seek their old offices.

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East Cobb Food Scores: Vanilla Café; Johnny’s Pizza; Gusto!; more

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Vanilla Cafe e Gelato opens Avenue East Cobb

The following food scores have been compiled by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

Brazil Pizza
279 Powers Ferry Road, Suite B
Oct. 31, 2025, Score, 85, Grade: B

Brewster’s Neighborhood Grille
3595 Canton Road, Suite C-17
Nov. 3, 2025, Score: 93, Grade: A

Dodgen Middle School
1725 Bill Murdock Road
Nov. 4, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Gusto!
688 Johnson Ferry Road
Nov. 3, 2025, Score: 83, Grade: B

Howlin’ Willy’s Hot Chicken
4250 Roswell Road, Suite 600
Nov. 4, 2025, Score: 91, Grade: A

Johnny’s Pizza
4880 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 155
Nov. 4, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Little Caesars
2200 Roswell Road, 180
Nov. 3, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Marco’s Pizza
2986 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 100
Oct. 31, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Mzizi Coffee Roaster
2995 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 220
Oct. 31, 2025, Score: 83, Grade: B

Press Waffle Co.
4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1810
Nov. 4, 2025, Score: 92, Grade: A

Seed Kitchen and Bar
1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 504
Nov. 6, 2025, Score, 100, Grade: A

Shish Kabob Mediterranean Grill
2060 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 280
Nov. 6, 2025, Score: 65, Grade: U

Starbucks
1207 Johnson Ferry Road
Nov. 3, 2025, Score: 87, Grade: B

Stem Wine Bar
1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 516
Nov. 6, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Subway
2520 East Piedmont Road, Suite A
Oct. 31, 2025, Score: 88, Grade: B

Super Chix
4475 Roswell Road, Suite 400
Nov. 3, 2025, Score: 96, Grade: A

Tea Time
3162 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 116
Oct. 31, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Vanilla Café e Gelato
4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1010
Nov. 3, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Yogli Mogli
3605 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 150
Nov. 3, 2025, Score: 92, Grade: A

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East Cobb Republican political activist Pam Reardon dies

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Pam Reardon, an East Cobb resident who was a candidate for the Cobb Board of Commissioners in 2024 and was involved in Cobb and Georgia Republican politics, has died.East Cobb Republican political activist Pam Reardon dies

Her death was announced over the weekend by Salleigh Grubbs, the former head of the Cobb GOP, and Josh McKoon, the chairman of the Georgia Republican Party.

Reardon served both bodies in a variety of positions. A native of Canada and a retired real estate agent, Reardon had been suffering from cancer.

“Pamela Reardon was a shining star whose legacy will continue to inspire,” Grubbs said on her Facebook page Saturday.

“As her friend, I was blessed to witness her unwavering dedication to her values and her unrelenting passion for serving others.”

McKoon wrote Sunday that Reardon’s “unwavering commitment to our values and her tireless efforts to serve those around her have left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her.”

For many years Reardon volunteered in party activities and for candidates, and was involved in efforts to challenge voter eligibility following a Georgia elections law in 2021.

She invited a progressive journalist into her East Cobb home in the summer of 2021, only to throw him out during an on-camera interview.

Reardon was a frequent speaker at commissioners’ public comment sessions, then decided to take the political plunge herself in 2024.

She qualified as a candidate for Cobb Commission District 2 during a dispute over electoral maps. But court rulings upholding legislative-drawn maps, meant that she was a resident instead of District 3, and a special election was called that resulted in Democrat Erick Allen being elected to that seat.

Reardon was from Calgary, Alberta, and came to the Atlanta area in the late 1980s. She became an American citizen in 1996, and she and her husband Tom had six children and eight grandchildren.

In addition to her political activities, Reardon also was an officer with the women’s council at the Catholic Church of St. Ann, and served on the board of directors at the Family Life Restoration Center in Mableton.

Cobb Elections Board member Debbie Fisher, a Republican from East Cobb, provided this remembrance to East Cobb News:

“When I first joined the Republican Party, I had no idea what I was getting into. I was working full time, traveling about half the time, and politics was nowhere near the top of my to-do list. Somehow, I got railroaded into becoming a precinct officer — and that’s when Pam Reardon entered my life.

“I didn’t know Pam very well then, but one day I got a call from her. In that unmistakable, no-nonsense voice, she told me that if I wanted to be an officer, I needed to poll watch. I admitted I had no idea what poll watching involved and said I didn’t really have the time. Pam didn’t miss a beat — she simply told me to find the time and meet her. It was clear right away that saying “no” wasn’t an option.

“Out of respect for her position — or maybe fear of the unknown — I met with her, hoping for a little coaching. Instead, she handed me the law and the rules, told me to memorize them, and then assigned me to six precincts with detailed instructions on when to show up. Something told me you just didn’t say no to Pam. And that’s how my journey into elections began — all because of Pam Reardon.

“Over time, Pam and I became close friends. We had a lot in common, but we were both strong-willed, so our friendship came with plenty of lively (and sometimes heated) debates — which we both secretly loved. The longer I knew her, the more my respect grew. She was a force to be reckoned with — determined, tireless, and absolutely unshakable in her convictions. But beneath that fierce spirit was a kind and generous soul who gave endlessly of herself to help others.

“Pam didn’t take no for an answer. she was always focused on one thing: the win. Half the people in the Georgia legislature might not have been elected if it weren’t for Pam and her husband, Tom, who together knocked on more doors than anyone. Even Marjorie Taylor Greene was among those who benefited from Pam’s hard work during her first run for Congress.

“The only battle I ever saw Pam lose was the one with cancer. She fought it with every ounce of strength she had, but in the end, God had a different plan for her. Heaven gained a new pair of wings, and we lost a dear friend here on earth.

“We are all better for having known and loved our feisty, one-of-a-kind friend, Pam Reardon. She will be deeply missed — but never forgotten.”

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Bookmiser making temporary relocation plans after fire

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Bookmiser seeking temporary relocation volunteers after fire

Following up a story from late September about a fire that swept through a small East Cobb retail center, and as the clean-up process continues:

The Bookmiser bookstore is in the process of moving books, shelves and other items from the store at Village East center (3822 Roswell Road) for a temporary relocation.

That’s needed so fire remediation can take place, and owner Anell Gerson, her staff and others have been packing up.

A special 50 percent off sale for used and new books continues from 12-5 Sunday, and all sales are final. Bookmiser also is not doing any trades or taking any book donations for the time being.

Here’s what Gerson shared last weekend about what will happen after that:

“At some point, we will have to vacate the premises (as does every tenant in the center), and your volunteer help will get us closer to shopping center remediation and ultimately our return to full business.

“Empty boxes are waiting to be filled up. There will be a limited number of shifts per day, and they will fill up quickly. So if you miss out on this opportunity, we promise there will be more help needed either before our final departure, or upon our return and unpacking.”

The fire broke out at the Owl computer repair shop next door, and Bookmiser sustained extensive smoke and soot damage.

The other businesses facing Roswell Road also have had to close, and have had differing and sporadic operating hours.

They include the 348 Studio fitness center, a Chopstix Chinese restaurant, an upholstery store, a wax studio and nail salon.

There is one business at Village East that has remained open, and that’s the Stitched store around back, and down the hill. It’s a fabric and gift store that opened earlier this year, and the fire did some minor smoke damage.

But it is open during regular hours, and has been holding some Bookmiser events since the fire.

In the meantime, Gerson is asking Bookmiser customers to continue supporting the store in other ways:

Need a book? Email us at [email protected] or call 770-509-5611. We’ll check if we have it, if it’s in sellable condition, or if we can order it for you.

Shop online: Through our Bookshop.org storefront, you can order new books delivered straight to your doorstep. Prefer audiobooks? Visit our Libro.fm store for digital listening.

Gerson opened Bookmiser in 1998 in space on Sandy Plains Road near Woodstock Road, then opened at second location in East Cobb at the present location on Roswell Road. The original location closed in 2018.

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