We’re expected to have low-humidity, breathable weather for at least the next week in East Cobb, which this yoga class enjoyed recently at East Cobb on a late afternoon.
But we’re also in for some more wet conditions too, later in the week, according to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City.
Highs are expected to be around 70 and into the high 70s, with lows in the 50s most of the week.
Monday overnight could get a bit chilly, with lows around 50 greeting early-bird risers on Tuesday morning.
Tuesday will be sunny with a high around 77, with cloudy skies and rainy weather moving in late Tuesday.
Wednesday’s high will be around 69 with a 70 percent chance of rain, then tapering off to a 50 percent chance through Thursday overnight.
Thursday’s forecast includes the chance of thunderstorms during the day, mostly after 2 p.m.
Friday also includes a 60 percent chance of rain, again in the afternoon through the early evening.
The weekend forecast also includes a chance of showers, ranging from 30 to 50 percent, and highs also in the mid 70s.
It won’t be until next week that highs push into the 80s, as the springlike weather turns more humid.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
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A chicken salad mini-croissant and tomato basil pasta from La Madeleine was a lunch unto itself. ECN photos and video.
The sheer variety of food to be sampled at the 17th Taste of East Cobb should not be taken for granted.
In fact, it should be savored. Really, really savored.
The festival is one of East Cobb’s signature events at any time on the calendar, and as I’ve written before, it brings out as much of a cross-section of the community as anything I can think of.
After all, ya gotta eat, and even though some slight rain may have dampened the turnout compared to more sunny occasions, this Taste of East Cobb had something for just about any palate.
And mine was wide open for tantalizing options all around my booth, back near the Kids Zone.
Beef shawarma wrap from Cafe Rivkah
Armed with food tickets as a sponsor, I wanted to try a little bit of everything, and there was plenty of that beyond the volume of eateries that offered bites of their menu Saturday at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.
First of all, I got to spend the day next to the crew at Wimal Authentic Thai, which opened up in recent months at Sandy Plains Centre.
Their grilled chicken skewers were juicy and tasty, and perfect when plunged into a sweet, nutty dipping sauce.
The aroma was incredible to take in for hours.
Right behind me was one of my favorite neighborhood spots in East Cobb, Cafe Rivkah, which served up a beef shawarma wrap with cucumbers and red onions.
While that eatery at the Pavilions at East Lake is known for its fresh bakery and breakfast dishes, lunch fare with a Middle Eastern flair is an underrated option.
In pacing myself over the course of a six-hour food festival, I waited a bit to try something else, and a few tables down stood LaMadeleine, another bakery cafe with a popular East Cobb location at Providence Square.
A mini-croissant with chicken salad and side serving of tomato basil pasta salad paired rather nicely, filling and delicious.
At that point, I waited a couple hours to nosh yet again, and found the Marlow’s Tavern table. Last year, they were next to me, and once again offered up backyard-grill-quality cheeseburger sliders and fried green tomatoes.
Attendees scarf up Marlow’s Tavern cheeseburger sliders.
If you were looking for interesting pairings, this was your food festival.
Dessert loomed, and while my food preferences typically favor the savory over the sweet, the baklava from Mediterranean Grill was hard to pass up. Flaky and not too sweet, the honey-laced filling melted easy upon taste.
And finally, staring across from me all day were the light treats at Smallcakes. A second dessert is a rare occasion for me, but this is a once-a-year food festival, and the strawberry mini-cupcakes hit my fruit spot.
As the last hour of the Taste of East Cobb arrived, so did the sun, and I took a bit of a respite enjoying the sounds of the Walton High School jazz band (see video below).
The Walton Band Parent Association takes all the proceeds from the food tickets you bought and puts them into band programs at the school, and the benefits to the community go far beyond that.
Jazz bands from Wheeler and Kell high schools were there to perform, as well as from Dickerson Middle School.
As you can probably tell from my words above, I’ll never be confused with a dining critic. In fact, I’m not a fancy foodie at all, but the combination of community outreach, local restaurants and small businesses coming together to celebrate this place we call home is something I’m proud to be a part of at this event.
I wish I could have gone to more restaurant booths, but for the record Sterling Estates East Cobb won the “Best Taste” award for the fifth year in a row.
Strawberry cupcakes from Smallcakes.
The rookie award—for a new restaurant—went to Aapka Food Adda, the latest addition to the growing Indian restaurant roster in East Cobb.
And finally thanks to all of you who stopped by our tent to say hello! It was great to reconnect with familiar readers, meet new ones and take part as a sponsor for the third year in a row.
The Walton Band Parent Association makes this event as easy for the sponsors and vendors as it does for the public, and that’s no small feat.
We’re grateful to be a part, and are looking forward to next year already!
(Click the middle button below to view the photo slideshow.)
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A wide variety of community groups took part in a cleanup project Saturday morning, bagging several bags of trash along Sewell Mill Creek at East Cobb Park.
It was the third annual spring cleanup organized by the Friends for the East Cobb Park, and included members of the Rotary Club of East Cobb, Boy Scout Troop 1011 and the Cobb County Water System.
“Every year the creek has been cleaner than it was the year before,” reports volunteer Wade Patrick, who submitted the photo above.
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Barbara Kappel, Troop 795 volunteer and Dodgen Middle School teacher. Photos courtesy Troop 795.
Boy Scout Troop 795, based at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in East Cobb, has been honored by Keep Cobb Beautiful with its Adopt-A-Mile youth group of the year award.
The troop was recognized at the Cobb Sustainability Forum and Expo at Jim Miller Park on April 30. It is given for “an organization that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship through a wide range of initiatives, activities, and/or programs.”
Jason Lee, a committee member of Troop 795, said those projects include regular cleanups along Johnson Ferry Road.
Accepting the honor on behalf of the troop was Barbara Kappel, the primary adult volunteer for the program and a 6th grade science teacher at Dodgen Middle School.
“The Scout program requires both Service hours and Conservation Service Hours for almost every rank leading up to Eagle,” Lee said. “We are proud to help our local community keep Johnson Ferry Road clean!”
Send Us Your News!
Let East Cobb News know what’s going on with your organization, or about any recognitions, to share with the community. We love to get photos and stories like the above, as well as calendar event listings and more.
We want to be the go-to source for all the many ways people in East Cobb are involved in the community.
It’s what we call The Power of Local, and we’d love for you to take part!
Pass along your details/photos/videos/information to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.
Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.
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Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.
Thanks for your cooperation and we look forward to hearing from you!
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From L-R: WSB-TV Anchor Linda Stouffer, TNC Academy Graduate Haley Dahl, and WSB-TV Anchor Wendy Corona
Submitted information and photo:
The Tommy Nobis Center, an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities enter or return to employment, hosted its 27th annual Galaxy of Stars luncheon on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Cobb Energy Centre.
The event brought together nearly 400 corporate leaders, community supporters, and friends to celebrate the life-changing impact of Tommy Nobis Center’s programs, honor its participants, and raise critical funds to support continued program growth.
This year’s luncheon theme, Empowered, set the tone for a heartfelt and inspiring program emceed by WSB-TV Anchors Linda Stouffer and Wendy Corona. Attendees heard directly from TNC participants, who shared powerful stories of personal growth and expressed gratitude to event sponsors. Guests received handmade Crayon Hearts, crafted from recycled crayons by Academy graduate Haley Dahl, as unique keepsakes of the occasion.
“This year’s event was nothing short of extraordinary,” said CEO Dave Ward. “It was deeply inspiring to hear the powerful stories of success and to honor the true champions who make a difference in our community.”
During the event, Tommy Nobis Center presented three prestigious awards recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions to building inclusive communities and advancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Nolan Wilson – Tommy Nobis Rising Star Award Nolan Wilson exemplifies determination and passion for vocational success. When he joined The Academy at Tommy Nobis Center, Nolan had a clear vision: to pursue a career in the trades. With the support of TNC, he crafted his resume, honed his interview skills, and found his dream role as the first HVAC/Plumbing apprentice at MaxAir Mechanical. Nolan’s incredible work ethic, combined with strong support from TNC and MaxAir, continues to propel his professional growth. For Nolan, employment means purpose and an opportunity to show the world the invaluable contributions of people with disabilities.
Laura and Eric Hart – Community Champions Award Laura and Eric Hart are the owners of Gaston Street Eats Co., operating Gaston Street Eats Food Truck and The Cheezy Truck, with a third, Little Cheezy, on the way. Guided by their philosophy of “LOVE, SERVE, CARE,” they are passionate about giving back through their monthly “Give Back” program. Their partnership with Tommy Nobis Center’s EYES Program is one of their most cherished commitments. Through servant leadership and a focus on community strengthening, Laura and Eric are building a legacy of kindness, leadership, and joy that extends far beyond their business.
Kim Menefee – Lifetime Achievement Award Kim Menefee’s career is defined by leadership, innovation, and community impact. As Executive Director of the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) and founder of One Cumberland, Kim works to advance vital infrastructure and community initiatives. Prior to her role at the CID, Kim spent 25 years at Wellstar Health System, shaping its brand, community engagement strategy, and government relations. A longtime advocate for community organizations, Kim proudly served on the Tommy Nobis Center Board of Directors, where she helped establish the successful Vehicle Donation Program. Recognized as one of Georgia’s most influential leaders, Kim continues to be a powerful force for positive change across the region.
The event that raised over $250,000 to directly support programs and services for people with disabilities was sponsored by Cobb EMC Foundation, WSB-TV, Georgia Power, and Publix Super Markets Charities. A recording of the event is available at https://tommynobiscenter.org/galaxy.
About Tommy Nobis Center Since 1977, Tommy Nobis Center has helped thousands of individuals find independence and workplace success by empowering people through employment. It envisions supportive communities where people with disabilities are afforded the opportunity to work. For more information, please visit https://tommynobiscenter.org/, or follow Tommy Nobis Center on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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A cybercrime gang known for conducting ransomware attacks on computer systems around the world is saying it cracked Cobb County government’s networks recently that led to 10 individuals being affected, according to a published report.
A cybersecurity website said it found this graphic on the dark website of a cybercriminal organization claiming it hacked Cobb government networks.
But Cobb government said Friday afternoon it hasn’t been able to confirm the identity of the culprits, and “we will not speculate on information allegedly found on obscure parts of the internet.”
Cobb announced the data breach on March 21 as it began to investigate, and said last week that it believed that “an unauthorized actor” gained access to its computer systems.
A statement from Cobb spokesman Ross Cavitt Friday afternoon said that Cobb has acknowledged that there was a ransomware attack, adding that “we immediately followed established protocols, took our systems offline, and restored operations shortly thereafter.”
A third party issued a ransom demand, “which we declined,” Cavitt continued. “We refuse to support or enable criminal enterprises, even when faced with difficult choices. While we understand this may offer limited comfort to those affected, standing firm sends a clear message: bad actors will not profit from this crime.”
A website called Comparitech, which says it’s a British-based “pro-consumer” entity that helps individuals and organizations improve online security and privacy, published a story Friday saying that the cybercrime group, Qilin, claimed responsibility for the Cobb government network attacks.
The Comparitech report showed a graphic (above, at right) of what Qilin listed on its dark site about the Cobb attack, with some identifications covered, and said that 150 GB of data had been stolen.
According to Comparitech, Qilin “is a Russia-based hacking group that mainly targets victims through phishing emails to spread its ransomware” and began in 2022.
The report said Qilin has claimed 17 attacks in 2025 and there are 161 other unconfirmed claims “that haven’t been acknowledged by the targeted organizations.”
Qilin is a Chinese word for a unicorn and is a famous figure in Chinese mythology, signfiying good fortune, peace, and prosperity.
Also known as Agenda, Qilin is a ransomware-as-a-service criminal operation that works with affiliates to encrypt the data of hacked organizations, then demands a ransom.
The Comparitech report said that recent attacks include a local government data breach in West Haven, Conn., in which more than 4,000 people were notified.
A municipal court in Cleveland, Ohio said Qilin demanded $4 million in an attack in February, according to Comparitech.
On Friday, Cavitt didn’t say how much of a ransom was demanded of Cobb government.
Cobb said the 10 individuals affected by the data breach last month have been contacted, but didn’t elaborate on what data was stolen or compromised, and that the FBI has been notified, but didn’t indicate how that agency may be involved.
In Friday’s statement, Cavitt also said the following:
“Our investigation is ongoing. We will continue to notify any additional affected individuals as necessary. If we determine that specific personal information is at risk, Cobb County will provide those individuals with credit monitoring and identity theft protection.
“We also urge all residents to remain vigilant. Monitor your financial accounts closely and immediately report any suspicious activity to your financial institution. Currently, there is no evidence that any individual has experienced harm due to this incident.
“Finally, we want to reassure the public that Cobb County’s network is secure, and it remains safe to do business with us. Please note that this remains an active law enforcement investigation, and there may be questions we are unable to answer at this time.”
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
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We’d love to meet you on Saturday at the Taste of East Cobb!
It’s from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church (955 Johnson Ferry Road), and admission is free. You pay for food tickets to enjoy the fare from local restaurants (vendor list here) and local school jazz bands will be performing all day.
There’s a chance of rain in the forecast, but the festival will go on, rain or shine. All proceeds go to the Walton High School band programs.
East Cobb News is proud to be a gold sponsor of the Taste of East Cobb for the third year in a row, and we’ll have a table/tent for you to visit.
Stop by and say hello, sign up for the newsletter if you haven’t already and learn more about why we do what we do!
East Cobb News is community-driven for the citizens and business owners who call this place home, and it’s our sincere belief that local news and local business go hand-in-hand!
We’ve enjoyed getting to know our readers better at this event and through other platforms, and we think it’s one of the signature events in East Cobb at anytime of the year.
So please come and give us a visit—we’d love to connect with our readers!
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Erick Allen won a special election Tuesday to fill a vacant seat in District 2 on the Cobb Board of Commissioners, ensuring that Democrats once again will control the majority.
Erick Allen
He and incumbent District 4 Commissioner Monique Sheffield cruised to victory over Republican opponents, restoring a 3-2 majority that had been in limbo since January.
Allen, a former state representative from Smyrna and ex-head of the Cobb Democratic Central Committee, defeated Republican Alicia Adams with 58 percent of the vote.
Turnout was very light, both in early voting and in Tuesday’s balloting.
Allen received 5,403 votes to 3,820 for Adams (sumary here) in a race that included several precincts in the East Cobb area (precinct breakdown here).
Sheffield, who has served one term, defeated Republican Matthew Hardwick with 64 percent of the vote in a heavily Democratic district in South Cobb.
Democrats held the board majority from 2021 until January, when the District 2 seat formerly held by Democrat Jerica Richardson was declared vacant.
That followed more than 30 years of Republican majorities on the board, including in District 2, where Bob Ott retired in 2020 after three terms, and was succeeded by Richardson.
Democrats also hold a one-seat edge in the 22-member Cobb legislative delegation. Republicans maintained a 4-3 majority on the Cobb Board of Education in November after holding all three GOP seats on the ballot.
Special elections in District 2 and District 4 for the Cobb commission were ordered by a Cobb judge after May 2024 primaries were invalidated due to electoral maps that were ruled to be in violation of the Georgia Constitution.
Those maps were drawn by Allen, then the chairman of the Cobb legislative delegation, but never received a vote.
Adams challenged the Democratic commissioners’ used of those electoral maps that led to her disqualification bu the Cobb Board of Elections for seeking the District 2 seat in 2024.
After the court rulings, Cobb commissioners voted to vacate the District 2 seat that had been held by Richardson, who was drawn out of her East Cobb home in redistricting.
Richardson and her two Democratic commissioner colleagues honored the Allen maps for more than two years in making a “home rule” challenge. But two Cobb judges ruled those maps were illegal because only the legislature can conduct county reapportionment.
In January, Richardson lost her final appeal to stay in office—although her term expired on Dec. 31—and the commission has been operating with four members since then. Sheffield has continued serving on the board, which had been deadlocked at 2-2 between Democrats and Republicans.
The elections of Allen and Sheffield must be certified the Cobb Board of Electi0ns, which is scheduled to meet May 5.
Allen finished third in the 2024 Democratic primary, won by former Cobb Board of Education member Jaha Howard, that was later invalidated.
In the February special election primary, Allen defeated Howard in the Democratic runoff.
Allen will be the only male to serve on the board, which has been all-female since January 2021. And like the previous Democratic majority that included Richardson, the new majority will be all-black.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
Amanda Arnold, Director of Community Outreach and Kathy Winiarczyk, Business Development Officer – Cobb County with Credit Union of Georgia proudly delivered hundreds of donated items to Loving Arms Cancer Outreach (LACO) this week. The generous contributions were collected across branch locations throughout February and March, all in support of individuals bravely battling cancer.
Janet Graham, Director and Michelle Ferretiz, Development and Outreach Coordinator with Loving Arms Cancer Outreach expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support from Credit Union members and employees. “These donations mean the world to the families we serve,” said Michelle. “They help remind our patients that they are not alone on their journey.”
Loving Arms Cancer Outreach (LACO), a non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing critical wraparound support to individuals and families affected by cancer. Their services include emotional support groups, educational resources, and crucial financial assistance for those facing financial hardship due to treatment.
“This initiative is a testament to the incredible power of community,” said Amanda. “We’re proud to partner with an organization like LACO that makes such a meaningful impact.”
A heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to all who donated and helped bring comfort and hope to those in need. Together, we continue to make a difference—one kind act at a time.
To learn more about the Credit Union of Georgia Community Foundation, Inc. visit www.cuofga.org/foundation.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
Eastbound vehicles on Lower Roswell Road stop for a red light at Woodlawn Drive as construction crews close off lanes at the intersection. ECN photo.
Motorists in East Cobb have already begun grumbling about occasional lane closures that have been taking place for a few weeks now as the long-planned Lower Roswell Road project gets underway.
The first phase of the $7 million improvement project includes redoing the intersection of Lower Roswell at Woodlawn Drive, where construction equipment is parked when it’s not being used to conduct preliminary utility relocation work there.
At a Cobb Board of Commissioners work session last week, Cobb DOT director Drew Raessler mentioned those developments in a summary of transportation projects funded through SPLOST (Special-Option Local Sales Tax) revenues.
Cobb DOT has said the improvements are necessary to reduce crashes and improve traffic flows along a busy set of intersections.
The Lower Roswell Road project (final fact sheet here) is being funded with revenues from the 2011 SPLOST. Raessler said that the anticipated timetable for completion is more than two years away, in November of 2026.
The approval of the Lower Roswell Road project last June came with plenty of controversy, as it was passed by Cobb commissioners on a 3-2 vote after former commissioner Jerica Richardson made the motion for the work to move ahead.
That was after a redesign in 2022 and a few delays early in 2024, and in spite of vigorous community protests, including some business owners in the corridor.
Opposing the project was commissioner JoAnn Birrell, whose district includes the Lower Roswell Road area that Richardson, whose office was declared vacant in January, formerly represented.
That approval came more than a decade after it was first proposed, and a couple of years after renewed concerns about the impact on local businesses in the area.
The most controversial part of the project will be completed later on. That’s a raised median along Lower Roswell, between Johnson Ferry Road and Davidson Road, that business owners have protested would be “a bad idea.”
As she tried to broker a compromise, Richardson said that “what I do not want is to yet again kick the can down the road, and the situation will continue to get worse.
“Someone will be seriously hurt, and that point we will all be wondering why something wasn’t done sooner.”
Her former District 2 no longer includes East Cobb, and her successor will be decided in a special election on Tuesday.
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Chairwoman Lisa Cupid’s office will host a series of meetings to educate residents about Cobb County’s strategic plan for the future. The first of the “All In” Cobb Policy Discussions, Effective and Efficient Government, will take place 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, in the Board of Commissioners’ meeting room, 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta. The county finance director and various county leaders will delve into how Cobb government operates and the resources it requires to run smoothly.
An additional meeting notice includes the following:
“Cobb’s strategic plan identifies effective and efficient government as a strategic outcome area. Our finance director and various county leaders will delve into how our county operates and the resources it takes to make Cobb the best it can be. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and engage with fellow community members. We value the input of all here in our County and your participation helps us ensure that our practices are consistent with our most important stakeholders: our residents.”
The 2023-28 strategic plan (you can read through it here) is an outline of priorities, strategies, and themes to guide the county over a five-year period.
The draft includes seven topic, or “strategic outcome” areas—community development, economic development, governance, housing, infrastructure, mobility and transportation and public safety.
That draft, released last year, includes a recommendation to develop a process to “evaluate and adapt land use policies that promote exclusionary zoning and inhibit a variety of housing options across the County.”
Exclusionary zoning is the practice of allowing only certain kinds of zoning categories in certain areas, and has come up frequently in communities across the country—especially suburban ones—in regard to affordable housing in recent years.
When we posted this notice last year, we added that the-then Biden Administration issued comments about exclusionary zoning claiming that such practices “drive up housing prices, poorer families are kept out of wealthier, high-opportunity neighborhoods. This, in turn, leads to worse outcomes for children, including lower standardized test scores, and greater social inequalities over time.”
Cupid has mentioned affordable housing frequently, including at a contentious town hall meeting in 2022 in East Cobb when she said that “people who work here should be able to afford to live here.”
There’s no such language suggesting or proposing a ban in the Cobb strategic plan draft, which goes onto to recommend that other strategies to address affordable housing include setting a countywide housing mix goal, and to ensure that a proposed Unified Development Code, should that be approved, “enable a variety of housing types.”
The proposed UDC also has become something of a hot-button topic but is very slowly making its way through the drafting process (a draft issued in November can be found here).
In February, the county’s consultant for the UDC made a presentation suggesting a new planned development category for major mixed-use projects, and public meetings are scheduled this spring on the first two installments of the draft.
No specific meetings have been announced.
To RSVP for Thursday’s strategic plan meeting click here.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
“No matter who’s running the government, they’re not looking after small businesses,” said Samantha Garmon, owner of The Queen’s Pantry. ECN photos
It was great reluctance that Samantha Garmon announced to her customers earlier this month that she was having to raise the price of chocolate products.
The owner of The Queen’s Pantry—a British specialty food and gift store that’s been in East Cobb for 13 years—announced that the price of cocoa had skyrocketed more than 60 percent over the last year.
Chocolate candies and other sweets abound in the 2,000-square-foot space at the Shoppes of Merchants Walk, which Garmon moved into two years ago after occupying a smaller retail storefront a few doors away for 11 years.
Her expansion ambitions were seemingly throttled, but she attached some classic wry British humor to the situation when she wrote that while another price increase is coming, she’s been able to order in larger numbers to offset some of that:
“And so we are offering you the chance to buy whole boxes of chocolate. Not like a Forrest Gump box of chocolates, but a whole box of your favourite bar of chocolate.”
As it turned out, that headache was just compounding, in an unrelated way. The day before, President Donald Trump announced sweeping global tariffs, in what he called “Liberation Day.”
For Garmon, a native of middle England whose store inventory is almost entirely imported, that was not a description that she would use.
About 85 percent of her revenues are from food, and 40 percent of that is chocolate, said Garmon, who also sells British-style fresh meats that must be produced in the U.S. according to federal law, as well as gift and novelty items.
Great Britain received the base 10 percent tariffs that most trading nations received from the Trump administration.
Garmon’s products also come from Ireland (25 percent announced tariffs) and South Africa (36 percent). Those numbers could be negotiated, but the uncertainty is her greatest concern.
“If it [stays] at 10 percent, I could order it today,” she said of a standard 90-day window between placing an order and receiving a delivery.
“But if they go up” before that window closes, “I have to pay the difference.”
She said she’s working with her suppliers to hold the line at that 10 percent figure as much as possible, but the tariff drama has been fleeting.
Some nations have begun negotiating with the U.S., and Trump has dropped some of the more severe tariffs on Chinese goods.
A private tea room for tastings and special events is part of the expanded space at The Queen’s Pantry.
Garmon opened The Queen’s Pantry in 2012, on the heels of the recession, then weathered COVID.
With COVID, “you woke up every day some set of directions,” Garmon said. “The difference with this is we don’t know what’s going to happen day by day.”
The Queen’s Pantry has a sizable ex-pat customer base that Garmon has cultivated into something of a British family away from home.
Her larger space provides a separate room for her British tea events, and many customers filed in for a cup of tea in the wake of the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
“People come in for a bit of an experience,” Garmon said, saying some of her customers come from nearby states in the Southeast, as well as across metro Atlanta.
“They come in and they know what they’re getting.”
But Garmon also understands the implications for her business if prices keep rising, regardless of the reason.
“When the purse strings get tight, it’s the luxury items that get cut.”
British-style bangers and other meats must be produced in the U.S.
She said she’ll be preparing a list of items for customers that may be affected by the tariffs, “because we don’t want to give them sticker shock.”
Garmon said some of her customers appreciated being humored with the way she announced the higher chocolate process, “but that’s the British way.”
Garmon, who has dual British-American citizenship and who lives nearby with her husband, a long-time East Cobb resident, didn’t delve into the politics of the tariffs, just what she thinks their impact may be on what she does.
“No matter who’s running the government, they’re not looking after small businesses,” she said.
She did point out that the task of determining the national origin of a product isn’t as simple as those pining for a “Made in America” designation may think.
Some products can have ingredients that come from other countries, but if they’re ultimately processed, assembled and packed in the U.S., they’re considered American.
“When I import it, I have to declare where it was manufactured,” she said. Also, “if it’s a certain percent that’s made here, they can say it’s made in America.”
Still, Garmon said she feels blessed to be able to do what she does.
“What you do for other people is the most satisfying thing I do,” she said. “We’ll keep helping our customers.”
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
Nicole De Souza of the Walton HS GlamourGals performs a manicure.
Submitted information and photo:
Students from Walton High School’s GlamourGals chapter are making a lasting impact in their Marietta community by forming meaningful connections with local seniors. Through regular visits that include complimentary beauty makeovers and engaging conversations, these students are offering much more than a polished manicure—they’re offering friendship, joy, and a sense of belonging.
For Lauren Cohn, a dedicated member of the chapter, one moment stands out. “I was able to sit down with Joan and truly spend one-on-one time with her. At first, she was a bit shy, but once her favorite song came on, it was all smiles and silly faces. At the end of our visit, she admired her makeup and nails in the mirror. I believe I made her feel happier and prettier,” Lauren shared. “Every visit fills my heart in a different way—and this one was no different.”
New member Briana R. recalls her first experience with gratitude, “I was nervous at first—I thought I might say or do something wrong,” she said. “But the seniors were so kind and welcoming. They made me feel at ease right away. I’m so thankful for this experience and can’t wait to go back.
Katie E., Vice President of the Walton chapter, reflected on the lasting impact of their visits, “Just being there—smiling, laughing, showing we care—makes such a difference.
The seniors are always so touched that we take the time to connect with them,” Katie explained. “These moments remind me to stay positive and cherish every experience.”
Walton High School’s GlamourGals chapter continues to grow, driven by compassion, consistency, and a deep respect for the seniors they serve. Their efforts reflect the heart of GlamourGals’ mission—to reduce elder isolation and inspire empathy in the next generation of leaders.
ABOUT GlamourGals:
GlamourGals, a 501(c)(3) founded in 2000, reduces social isolation by empowering beautiful connections across generations. Our signature beauty makeovers are led by teen-led chapters nationwide that bring honor and companionship to seniors in aged care. Click here for more.
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As April comes to an end, we’d like to thank readers who’ve pledged their support to East Cobb News during this month.
It’s hard to believe that May is almost here—starting with the Taste of East Cobb festival Saturday that we’re proud to be sponsoring again, and culminating with the end of another school year.
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Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
Voters in a few East Cobb precincts will be going to the polls Tuesday in a special general election for District 2 on the Cobb Board of Commissioners.
The candidates are Democrat Erick Allen and Republican Alicia Adams, and party control of the board is at stake.
Currently there are two Democrats and two Republicans on the commission, which also has been all-female since 2021.
Early voting in special elections in District 2 and District 4 ended Friday and turnout has been light, according to Cobb Elections, with fewer than 6,000 total votes cast in both races.
The polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the District 2 precincts in the East Cobb area that are in District 2 are as follows:
Chattahoochee 01: The Paces Foundation, 2730 Cumberland Boulevard
East Piedmont 01: Shady Grove Baptist Church, 1654 Bells Ferry Road
Elizabeth 01: Cobb EMC, 1000 EMC Parkway
Elizabeth 02: Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2881 Canton Road
Elizabeth 4: Gracelife Church, 1083 Allgood Road
Marietta 6A: Kenyan American Community Church, 771 Elberta Drive
Marietta 6B: Mt. Paran Church of God North, 1700 Allgood Road
Powers Ferry 01: Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center, 2051 Lower Roswell Road
Sewell Mill 03: Immanuel Korean United Methodist Church, 945 Old Canton Road
(Please note: Not all voters in these precincts are in District 2. To check your status, visit the My Voter Page at the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.)
District 2 contains only small portions of the East Cobb area.
District 2 formerly included much of East Cobb when it was represented by Democrat Jerica Richardson from 2021 through earlier this year.
Special elections in District 2 and District 4 were ordered by a Cobb judge after May 2024 primaries were invalidated due to electoral maps that were ruled to be in violation of the Georgia Constitution.
Those maps were drawn by Allen, of Smyrna, then the chairman of the Cobb legislative delegation, but never received a vote. Since leaving office, Allen has been the head of the Cobb Democratic Party.
Adams is a Republican activist who challenged the Democratic commissioners’ used of those electoral maps that led to her disqualification for seeking the District 2 seat in 2024.
After the court rulings, Cobb commissioners voted to vacate the District 2 seat that had been held by Richardson, who was drawn out of her East Cobb home in redistricting.
Richardson and her two Democratic commissioner colleagues honored the Allen maps for more than two years in making a “home rule” challenge. But two Cobb judges ruled those maps were illegal because only the legislature can conduct county reapportionment.
In January, Richardson lost her final appeal to stay in office—although her term expired on Dec. 31—and the commission has been operating with four members since then.
Also on Tuesday, in District 4, which covers most of South Cobb, first-term Democrat Monique Sheffield will face Republican Matthew Hardwick.
Cobb Elections estimates the special elections will cost around $1.5 million.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
PeachSkinSheets presented a check for $5,040 to the Cobb Schools Foundation at their headquarters (514 Glover St SE, Marietta, GA 30060) on April 23. This donation, raised through a portion of recent PeachSkinSheets sales, will help fund grants, scholarships, and critical resources for Cobb County students and educators.
This event is part of PeachSkinSheets’ ongoing commitment to education. In December 2024, the company donated four pallets of sheets to families in need, and in 2024 alone, contributed more than $100,000 to schools, teachers, and nonprofits. Their upcoming Teacher Appreciation event in May will also spotlight their continued support for educators across the country.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
