Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance seeks Adopt-A-Mile volunteers

Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts Adopt-A-Mile cleanup

Submitted information:

The Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance (PFCA) is seeking community volunteers for its Adopt-A-Mile Fall event from 9-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Mar. 29 along Powers Ferry Road at Terrell Mill Road. Meet up and enjoy complimentary refreshments at 8:30 a.m. at the Kroger parking lot, 1310 Powers Ferry Rd., Marietta, GA 30067.

PFCA is pleased to host this bi-annual event that allows individuals and/or groups to improve the appearance of our community, in conjunction with Keep Cobb Beautiful, and supported by Kroger.

All supplies and safety equipment will be provided. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. In the event of inclement weather, an email will go out the night before to all registered participants.


Sign up: https://www.cognitoforms.com/PFCA3/PFCAsAdoptAMileDay

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Open house slated for proposed Trickum Road roundabout

Open house slated for proposed Trickum Road roundabout
Cobb DOT photo of the Trickum Road intersection at Eula Drive.

A proposed roundabout on Trickum Road is the subject of a Cobb DOT open house on Wednesday, March 12.

The event takes place from 6-8 p.m. at Rocky Mount Elementary School (2400 Rocky Mountain Road).

DOT will provide maps and other information about the proposal, which would construct a roundabout at Trickum and Eula Drive (star on map).

According to a fact sheet on the project (you can see it here), the estimated cost will be $2.3 million and will take 24 months to complete.

According to Cobb DOT, “the public can view the conceptual roundabout layout, including its operational and safety benefits, and potential impacts within the project limits.

“County staff will also be on hand to discuss the estimated construction time and costs.  There will be no formal presentation.”

Open house slated for proposed Trickum Road roundabout

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Round Trip Brewing taking part in Cobb Ale Trail promotion

Round Trip Brewing Co. holds grand opening at Avenue East Cobb

Submitted information:

Bubbles & Brews, a month-long celebration of Cobb County, Georgia’s craft beverage makers, is back for its sixth year to shine a spotlight on local breweries, distilleries, and wineries.

In March, craft beverage enthusiasts can explore the Cobb Ale Trail to sample unique local brews. A free ‘BrewPass,’ is available online or at participating Hop Spots, guiding visitors to each location where they can collect stamps and earn sweet prizes from Cobb Travel & Tourism. Guests can also earn extra bonus stamps on their BrewPass by attending Bubbles & Brews Events throughout the month. Prizes include custom Bubbles & Brews silipints, stickers, t-shirts, and, new this year, a deck of playing cards.

The fun doesn’t stop there! Dog-friendly locations will also have Bubbles & Chews bandanas for four-legged friends. Dog owners can snap a photo of their dog in its Bubbles & Chews swag and post it using #BubblesAndChews to enter for a chance to win a basket for their furry friends. Visitors will also have the opportunity to vote online for their favorite makers and brews.

“The craft beverage industry in Cobb continues to thrive with new locations opening every year,” said Holly Quinlan, president & CEO of Cobb Travel & Tourism. “Since launching Bubbles & Brews in 2020, we have seen these small businesses adapt, change, grow, and flourish making Cobb County a sweet spot for beverage enthusiasts. Each March, we have the opportunity to highlight these makers and recognize their role as a year-round tourism asset in our community.”

Fifteen of Cobb’s craft beverage makers are participating in the March 2025 event, including:

  • ASW Distillery (Cumberland)
  • Atlanta Hard Cider Co. & Distillery (Marietta)
  • Broken Anchor Winery (Acworth)
  • Contrast Artisan Ales (Marietta)
  • Frog Rock Brewing Company (Austell)
  • Glover Park Brewery (Marietta)
  • Horned Owl Brewing (Kennesaw)
  • Lazy Guy Distillery (Kennesaw)
  • Mandatory Fun Beer Works (Smyrna)
  • Red Top Brewhouse (Acworth)
  • Reformation Brewery (Mableton)
  • Round Trip Brewing Company (East Cobb)
  • Schoolhouse Brewing (Marietta)
  • Skint Chestnut Brewing Company (Powder Springs)
  • Viking Alchemist Meadery (Smyrna)
For more information on Bubbles & Brews, visit bubblesandbrews.com.

East Cobb residential real estate sales, Feb. 17-21, 2025

Windsor Oaks, East Cobb real estate sales
Windsor Oaks

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

1744 Christie Drive, 30066 (Shallowford Oaks): $385,000

Lassiter

3015 Oaktree Court, 30066 (Windsor Oaks): $875,000

2440 Jamerson Road, 30066: $740,000

3455 Oakshire Drive, 30066 (Edenton): $759,900

Pope

4325 Sprucebough Drive 30062 (Kensington): $647,000

3330 Woodleaf Way, 30062 (Chestnut Creek): $615,000

Sprayberry

730 Brickelberry Court, 30066 (Overlook at Chastain): $420,000

3781 Hickory Ridge, 30066 (North Ridge): $496,500

4016 Matty Drive, 30066 (Princeton Grove): $855,000

2500 Cottonwood Drive, 30066 (Bristol Mill): $387,500

3966 Ebenezer Road, 30066 (Philmont Estates): $283,000

Walton

2804 Jamont Court, 30068 (Bridgegate): $582,000

2992 Octavia Circle, 30062 (Vestavia Estates): $1.735 million

5163 Tall Oak Drive, 30068 (Woodland Trails): $620,000

5045 Gardenia Circle, 30068 (The Gardens at Parkaire): $392,000

Wheeler

279 Terrydale Drive, 30067 (Cayuga Forest): $369,000

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Editor’s Note: Marching forward into our March fundraiser

Thanks again for a fantastic February!Editor's Note: Inviting our readers to join the 1500 Club!

We had a few dozen new contributors pledge their support to East Cobb News, and surpassed January’s reader donation totals.

I am very gratified for all of you who have generously given.

While we didn’t quite get to the $1,000 mark for the month (we came close!), the shortest month of the year revealed the level of support in this community for news and information you can’t get anywhere else.

I am touched by your show of support and honored to provide this community resource to you. My objective is to strive to make it better for you every day.

East Cobb News exists to serve you—the citizens, voters and taxpayers of this community—and the local businesses that advertise with us.

No corporate office somewhere else, no other journalistic establishment, nobody else or no other entity.

That’s what I’ve loved about going truly independent when I launched East Cobb News in 2017. I wanted my hometown, the place where I grew up, to have a news source all its own, one that mixed serious journalism with useful community information.

Now, as we embark on the stretch run of our eighth year, we’ve built up a very healthy audience: Nearly 70,000 unique visitors a month on average, more than 9,000 newsletter subscribers, and thousands more who find us on social media.

We do this every day, because the news doesn’t stop.

Think about that newsletter figure for a moment. Not long ago I read about how my former employer, the AJC, wants to boost its digital subscribers, which currently number around 100,000.

We’ve got a healthy fraction of that same number, just covering this slice of metro Atlanta, of a big company (that I was honored to work for for nearly two decades) serving a major metropolitan area, and with nine-figure resources to boot.

You don’t have to be big to have a big impact on your community. I recently interviewed someone for a forthcoming story who told me excitedly how both she and her husband (they’re both former journalists) love reading East Cobb News.

It’s flattering to hear that, but that’s the Power of Local, serving readers and news consumers in an authentic way.

What East Cobb News does on a shoestring by comparison comes deeply from the heart.

And that’s the value proposition I offer to you in consideration of supporting the work that we do here.

As winter (I truly hope!) is giving way to spring, I’d like to ask for the support of those of you who haven’t contributed to help us March Forward in the month of March.

We’d like to raise $1,500 in reader contributions this month, and I know we can do that. It’s a big goal, but this news site was founded on big dreams, and we’ve been able to do so much more than I initially envisioned.

I want to continue to grow this site and its role in our community and give it a lasting presence for many years!

If what you see here at East Cobb News is of any value to you, please click below to show your support.

Please donate today!

Your contribution powers the work of East Cobb News in serving this community like no one else—with daily stories about local government, schools, public safety, small business, transportation, the arts, community service and more—and grows an engaged audience as a result.

East Cobb News is among dozens of local independent online news sites that have emerged in recent years to offer grassroots news for their communities with an authentic local touch from publishers who are fully invested in everything that goes on there.

We’re also citizens, parents, homeowners, business owners and volunteers like our neighbors. It’s just not where we work, but the place we call home.

Unlike other corporate-0wned outlets, East Cobb News does not charge for reader access. While we’re a for-profit entity, we’re not unlike those who ask readers for their assistance in not just preserving, but strengthening local news.

Nor do we charge for our newsletter—one of the more popular ways readers keep up with East Cobb News—and we invite public comments on all our stories. We’ve got a healthy, vibrant community that comes online to discuss the top headlines of the day, and I’m proud of what’s been built up here.

We’d like to suggest a monthly payment of $6—you can contribute more if you like, or at whatever amount of your choosing.

Our online platform is safe, secure and easy to use, and you can manage your account however you like.

Just click the link below and thank you so much!

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Cobb Safety Village tips to follow for home fire safety

Cobb Safety Village tips to follow for home fire safety
Residents of a Northeast Cobb home were treated for smoke injuries Monday. Cobb Fire photo

After several house fires this week—including two in East Cobb, one of which was deadly—Cobb Fire officials are urging the public to take extra precautions during some hazardous weather conditions.

Cobb and much of north and central Georgia have been under “red flag” warnings this week due to gusty winds, low humidity and warm temperatures.

That warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Adding to the hazard is dry vegetation and the likelihood of fires spreading rapidly. Outdoor burning “is strongly discouraged,” the NWS Atlanta warning indicates.

Those conditions are expected to continue through the next week, with the first chance of rain in the area expected next weekend.

A woman was killed early Friday in a house fire off Powers Ferry Road, and members of another home in Northeast Cobb escaped a fire Monday that spread quickly.

Both fires took place late at night, as people were sleeping.

Though the cause of both fires is still under investigation, in the latter incident, a space heater may have provided the spark, according to Cobb Fire.

They’re telling the public to observe the following tips from the Cobb Safety Village to increase awareness and reduce the chances of being injured in a fire:

Know Two Ways Out

  • Every bedroom in your home should have at least two exits. Typically, these exits are the door and a window. Familiarize yourself with these escape routes and ensure that they are easily accessible at all times. In case of an emergency, being aware of and prepared to use these exits can be life-saving.
Close Before You Doze
  • It’s essential to sleep with your bedroom door closed. This simple action can significantly slow the spread of fire and smoke, providing you with crucial extra minutes to escape. Closing your door at night can also reduce toxic smoke levels and improve air quality, making your environment safer and giving you a better chance of survival.
Smoke Alarms: Your First Line of Defense
  • Smoke alarms are vital for early detection and warning in the event of a fire.
  • To ensure they are functioning correctlyTest Your Smoke Alarms Monthly: Press the test button to ensure they are working properly.
  • Replace Batteries Annually: Even if your alarms are hardwired, they typically have a battery backup that needs regular replacement.
  • Check Expiration Dates: Smoke alarms have a lifespan of 10 years. Check the manufacture date and replace the unit if it is older than 10 years.
By following these safety measures, you can significantly increase your chances of staying safe in the event of a fire. Remember, preparedness is key, and taking these steps can make all the difference. Stay safe and vigilant!

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Cobb Schools Foundation honors 2025 volunteers of the year

Cobb Schools Foundation honors 2025 volunteers of the year
Ryan Garcia, the 2025 volunteer of the year at Daniell Middle School. Photos courtesy of Cobb County School District

The Cobb County School District held a luncheon Thursday to celebrate volunteers of the year at all of its schools.

The event, held at Jim Miller Park, was organized by the Cobb Schools Foundation. According to the district, the recipients “exemplify the power of selflessness and community spirit. The luncheon will celebrate their invaluable contributions and highlight the lasting difference they make in the lives of Cobb students.”

They were presented with their honors by Cobb School Superintendent Chris Ragsdale and staff from the Cobb Schools Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the needs of students across the county.

Here are the honorees at schools in East Cobb:

Elementary Schools

  • Addison: Mark Cobb
  • Bells Ferry: Giovanna Montanes-Durand
  • Blackwell: Bindi Patel
  • Brumby: Kathleen Rouse
  • Davis: Sasha Gray
  • East Side: Cortney Morgan
  • Eastvalley: Laura Dietrich
  • Garrison Mill: Ann Maxwell
  • Keheley: RaeAnne Sturgill
  • Kincaid: Kevin McAlpin
  • Mt. Bethel: Kim Knight
  • Mountain View: Andy Holden
  • Murdock: Rebecca Reiss
  • Nicholson: Linda Elliott
  • Powers Ferry: Carol Stevens Maxwell
  • Rocky Mount: Jennifer Hill
  • Sedalia Park: Steve Harris
  • Shallowford Falls: Lauren Hammers
  • Sope Creek: Lara Moberg
  • Timber Ridge: Corrie Duckworth
  • Tritt: Kyndal Levin

Middle Schools:

  • Daniell: Ryan Garcia
  • Dickerson: Nicole Carter
  • Dodgen: Meredith Wilkes
  • East Cobb: Ashley Siegal
  • Hightower Trail: Laura McDade
  • Mabry: Elizabeth Wentz
  • McCleskey: Brittney Anderson
  • Simpson: Jennifer Richardson

High Schools:

  • Kell: Lisa Thorne
  • Lassiter: Kelly Brickley
  • Pope: Joy Ettel
  • Sprayberry: Ruth Somerlot
  • Walton: Natalie Collins
  • Wheeler: Pilar Kornegay

Click the middle button below to view the slide show.

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District 2 Cobb Commission Democratic runoff voting starts

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

Advance voting for the District 2 Special Democratic Primary Runoff Election will be held March 3 – 7. On Election Day, March 11, voters must go to their assigned polling location.

The District 2 Democratic Primary contest will be held between candidates Erick Allen and Jaha V. Howard. District 2 Republican candidate Alicia Adams was unopposed. There will be no voting March 8 – 10.

Go here for advance voting locations and more information or call 770-528-2581. The General Special Election for commission Districts 2 and 4 will be held on April 29.

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Cobb PARKS announces registration for summer activities

Hyde Farm Nature Camp
Plenty of spring activities will be getting underway starting next week at Hyde Farm.

Next week registration begins for a number of summer camps, recreation programs and other activities offered by Cobb PARKS.

You can register online at this link and get more information, including fees, dates, locations and more/

Here’s a sampling:

Recreation Center Day Camps
Registration opens March 5 at noon.
Sign up for one-week sessions, June 2 – Aug. 1.

Locations:

  • Fair Oaks Recreation Center
  • Fullers Recreation Center
  • Ron Anderson Recreation Center
  • Ward Recreation Center

Cobb Therapeutics Camp Horizon  

A highly mobile indoor/outdoor camp for ages 7- 21 with developmental, mental, and physical disabilities. Activities include arts, nature, music, sports, swimming, pet therapy, and dance. Campers are grouped for comfort and participation. One-on-one care is not available. New campers require a preregistration assessment (appointments available weekdays until 5 p.m.). Contact: Matt Ulmer (770-528-2569)

Registration opens Wednesday, March 5 at noon.

Art Camps
Registration opens 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 5.
Locations:

  • The Art Station – Big Shanty
  • The Art Place – Mountain View
  • Mable House Arts Center
  • Sewell Mill Cultural Center

Nature and History Camps
Nature Camp at Hyde Farm Park, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m, June 23 – 27, for grades 3 – 5. Registration begins 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 5 on Civic Rec.

History Camp at Green Meadows Preserve: June 2 – 5. Registration begins 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 5 here.

In addition, here’s a selected list of activities that are scheduled to begin in early and mid-March, and for which registration is still available:

Open Garden Time (45161)
March 6
, Thursday, 9 – 11 a.m. Register here.

March 8, Saturday, 10 a.m. – noon Register here.
Wright Center. All ages. 
Come explore the trails and native plant gardens of the Wright Environmental Education Center. During open garden time, you can walk the trails, visit the Jean Wright museum, and a master gardener volunteer will be on site to answer questions about the plants you see.

Forest Bathing (45627)
March 11
, Tuesday, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Hyde Farm Park        
All ages. Register here.
Forest bathing is a Japanese practice that involves spending time in a forest to relax and connect with nature. 

Farm Friday: Garden Prep (45108)
March 14
, Friday, 9 a.m. – noon

Hyde Farm Park
All ages. Register here.    
Join us for Farm Friday, a hands-on garden education and volunteer program. This month, we are learning about garden prep, including soil amendments, mulching, and more.  

Homeschool at Hyde (39756)
March 20
, Thursday, 10 a.m. – noonHyde Farm Park
Ages 6 – 13. Register here
Pollution Solutions: Understand various pollution sources and their impacts, create repurposed art, and participate in a cleanup hike to beautify the park.
Georgia Wildlife Trackers (45186)
March 29
, Saturday, 9 – 10 a.m.

Hyde Farm Park
Ages 10 and up. Register here.     
Join Georgia Wildlife Trackers Club to learn to identify wildlife tracks, understand their behaviors, and contribute to conservation efforts. We will take a walk around the pond and visit the wildlife education trail in search of wildlife track and sign.Hyde In Season: History (44637)
March 29
, Saturday, 10 – 11 a.m.

Hyde Farm Park
All ages. Register here.
A walking history tour, where you’ll get an up-close look at Hyde Farm’s historic buildings and learn about the rich history of the area.
And here are upcoming activities at Fullers Recreation Center in East Cobb:

Hunter Athletics Cheer and Acrobatics
Mar. 4 – April 10
, Tuesdays and Thursdays

Ages 5 – 12. Register here.

Senior Pickleball Lessons
March 4 – May 29

Ages 55 and up. Register here.

Home School Programs
March 5 – May 30
, Wednesdays and Fridays

Ages 5 – 13. Register here.

Comic Book Kids (45171)
March 5 – April 9
, Wednesdays, 6 – 7 p.m.

Ages 7 – 10. Register here.

Volleyball Training
March 6 – June 6

Ages 10 – 14. Register here.

Gideon Warriors School of Martial Arts (45106)
March 15
, Saturdays, 9 a.m. – noon

Ages 5 and up. Register here.

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Woman dies, several people injured in East Cobb house fire

Cobb Fire officials said Friday that a woman died in a house fire in East Cobb and several other people were injured, including firefighters. Cobb Fire Department fireworks safety reminder

The fire broke out shortly after 3 a.m. Friday at a home on Oakland Drive, located off Powers Ferry Road, according to the Cobb Fire and Emergency Services Department.

Fire crews began a search of the home upon arrival, and discovered the victim, whose name was not released, deceased in a carport area that had collapsed.

Some news reports said the woman may have tried to go back into the home to retrieve a family pet.

Three other occupants in the home and two firefighters were also taken to hospitals for treatment, Cobb Fire public information officer Nick Danz said.

He said another firefighter was treated on the scene for minor injuries.

Danz did not know the conditions of the home occupants who were hospitalized.

He said fire crews were on the scene cleaning up after 7 a.m. Friday.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Cobb Fire said.

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East Cobb resident named Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice

East Cobb resident named Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice
Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Nels S.D. Peterson

Nels S.D. Peterson, an East Cobb resident who has served on the Georgia Supreme Court since 2016, has been named the body’s Chief Justice.

He succeeds Michael Boggs, who announced earlier this week he was resigning from the court on March 31.

Peterson, 46, a Kennesaw State University graduate, is an active member of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.

He was appointed to the high court in 2018, then won six-year terms in non-partisan elections in 2018 and 2024.

As chief justice, he will serve a single four-year term. Most recently Peterson served as the court’s presiding judge.

According to a release from the Supreme Court, the chief justice “is the spokesperson for the Supreme Court, as well as for the entire state judiciary. He presides over the Court’s oral arguments and the Court’s deliberation of cases, although he has only one vote as does each of the eight other Justices.

“The Chief Justice also chairs the Judicial Council of Georgia, the judicial branch policy-making body created by the Supreme Court that includes the State Bar President and 27 judges who represent all classes of courts in the state. The Presiding Justice serves in the Chief Justice’s absence and is the vice-chair of the Judicial Council.”

Peterson also served on the Georgia Court of Appeals, was Georgia’s first solicitor general in the Georgia Attorney General’s office, was an executive counsel in the Georgia’s governor’s office and was general counsel for the University of Georgia.

In private practice, Peterson was a partner with the Atlanta law firm of King and Spalding and was a clerk to Chief Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

After graduating from KSU, Peterson earned a law degree from Harvard University.

He and his wife Jennifer have two children.

In 2021, Boggs succeeded as chief justice Harold Melton, a Wheeler High School graduate who served on the high court for 16 years. Melton is now in private law practice.

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Cobb Library book groups announce March activity schedule

Cobb Library groups announce March activities and events
Two book discussion groups meet regularly at the East Cobb Library branch, which also conducts a walking book club at East Cobb Park.

Submitted information:

Cobb County Public Library’s March calendar features several Book Discussion options for adults. The sessions include a walking book group, a Silent readers program, and more conversations between neighbors on works spanning a variety of topics.

The Silent Book Club at Gritters Library, 880 Shaw Park Rd., Marietta 30066, will meet Saturday, March 1 with participants arriving at 2 p.m., reading at 2:30 p.m. and socializing at 3:30 p.m. Unlike a regular book club, there is no assigned reading or discussion. There are about 1500 Silent Book Club chapters in more than 50 countries across the globe. 

The Short Story Discussion Group meets at Sewell Mill Library, 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta 30068, on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm. The March 4 meeting will be on The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins-Gilman. 

Science Fiction Book Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Switzer Library, 266 Roswell St., Marietta 30060. The book for March 4 is Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.

East Cobb Walking Book Club will meet 10 a.m. Thursday, March 6 at the East Cobb Park, 3322 Roswell Road, Marietta 30068. Members gather near the park entrance to walk for exercise before a book discussion. The title for March 6 is West with Giraffes, historical fiction by Lynda Rutledge. The club is organized by East Cobb Library. The book selection may change if there are not enough available copies. To confirm the March title and for more information, call 770-509-2730. 

The Shakespeare Reading Group meets at Switzer Library 2 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of the month to discuss works from the expansive canon of William Shakespeare, including drama, tragedy, sonnets and lyrics. Upcoming sessions include March 6 and March 20.

Page Turners Morning Book Group and Page Turners Afternoon Book Group next meet Wednesday, March 12 at Mountain View Regional Library, 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta 30066, at 10:30 am and 1 p.m., to discuss novels. The Morning title is the novel Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt and the Afternoon selection is A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, the semi-autobiographic novel by Betty Smith. Page Turners meets the first Wednesday of the month. To register, visit cobbcat.org.

Sewell Mill Library’s Creative Studios: Fantasy Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The March 12 discussion will be on What the Woods Took, a young adult horror novel by Courtney Gould.

Sewell Mill Book Club meets each month on the third Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Sewell Mill Library & Cultural Center. The title for March 19 is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, the autobiographical novel by Robert Pirsig.

The East Cobb Book Discussion Group meets the third Thursday of every month with the morning session at 11 a.m. and the afternoon session at 2 p.m. at East Cobb Library, 4880 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta 30068. The March 20 morning selection is the novel A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci and the afternoon title is Emilia Hart’s novel Weyward. The book selections may change if copies are not available. For more information, call 770-509-2730. 

Let’s Talk Multicultural Book Club next meets 1 p.m. Thursday, March 27 at Switzer Library,. The session will be a discussion on the historical novel Brooklyn by Irish writer Colm Toibin with guest speaker historian and retired Cobb librarian James Camp.

For information on March Book Discussion programs offered by Cobb County Public Library, visit cobbcounty.org/library.

 

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East Cobb Restaurant Update: Pho Hoa coming to Market Plaza

East Cobb Restaurant Update: Pho Hoa coming to Market Plaza

The Vietnamese fast-casual concept Pho Hoa Noodle Soup and Jazen Tea will soon open its first Georgia location in East Cobb.

The California-based eatery will be moving into the former Kouzina Christos and Aurelio’s space (1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 22), but an opening date hasn’t been announced.

A message on the location’s Facebook page said that “we are hoping to be ready by March.”

The chain serves a variety of Vietnamese specialties—pho dishes, rolls, vermicelli and lemongrass pork chops—along with teas, cocktails and fruit drinks.

Some menu items also will have gluten-free options.

Pho Hoa (the latter word is Vietnamese for “harmony”) has locations in California, Washington state, British Columbia, Charlotte, N.C. and two in Florida.

Phoa was founded in 1983, and has 60 locations in six nations. Jazen Tea, also of California, was founded in 2012 and has 18 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

According to the East Cobb location’s social media pages, the concept is about “creating a space where family, harmony, and tradition come together. With fresh, high-quality ingredients, hearty bowls of flavorful pho, and refreshing craft cocktails, we’re committed to bringing something truly special to Marietta.”

East Cobb News has reached out for more information.

Renovations are continuing and hiring is underway.

The space next to what is Reunion Kitchen and Bar has been vacant since Kouzina Christos closed in January 2024.

Before that, Aurelio’s Pizza was a Market Plaza staple for decades.

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Cobb Tax Assessors board names new director, chief appraiser

Submitted information and photo:

Cobb Tax Assessors board names new director chief appraiserOn Wednesday, the Cobb County Board of Tax Assessors appointed Christine Stinchcomb as the new Director and Chief Appraiser of the Tax Assessors Office.

Stinchcomb brings over 25 years of experience in property tax services, beginning her career at the Paulding County Tax Assessors Office before serving as a manager with the Georgia Department of Revenue. Most recently, she held the position of Commercial Division Manager at the Cobb County Board of Tax Assessors Office.

She succeeds Stephen White, who was recently promoted to Support Services Director for Cobb County Government.

The Chief Appraiser is a state-mandated position responsible for ensuring the proper functioning of the Tax Assessors Office and overseeing the appraisal of every parcel in the county at least once every three years.

A Cobb County resident, Stinchcomb has two grown sons.

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Atlanta Ballet to debut George Balanchine’s ‘Coppélia’

Atlanta Ballet debuts George Balanchine’s Coppélia in March
Atlanta Ballet Dancers Denys Nedak and Madison Penney perform in “Coppélia.” Photo copyright Rachel Neville.

Submitted information and photo:

Atlanta Ballet is delighted to present the beloved classic by an iconic choreographer George Balanchine’s Coppélia March 21-23 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. This family-friendly performance will feature Atlanta Ballet company dancers and a large cast of talented students from the Centre for Dance Education, bringing the enchanting tale to life.

Set to the enchanting score by Léo Delibes performed live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, this comic ballet centers on a playful heroine determined to save the young man to whom she is betrothed and a pivotal encounter with an eccentric toy maker and his mysterious daughter Coppélia, who is a whimsical creation from his workshop which he imagines bringing to life using his magic book.

This production marks a special occasion as it will be the first time that Atlanta Ballet has presented this ballet. Balanchine’s original choreography, known for its intricate and playful storytelling, will shine with the added energy of young performers, ensuring a fresh and exciting take on this classic ballet. 

“This charming story, full of humor, drama and romance, is perfect for families and newcomers to ballet, and we’re excited to present it in a way that feels both magical and entertaining” said Atlanta Ballet Artistic Director Gennadi Nedvigin. “This is the largest production Atlanta Ballet will bring onstage merging its professional dancers with student of different ages from our own Centre for Dance Education in history, which will make these performances truly special.”

The “love conquers all” story set in a small town features a quartet of central characters including quirky inventor Dr. Coppélius and pawn as his beautiful daughter Coppélia and a bride and groom to be, Frantz and Swanilda. The show includes mischief, mistaken identity, comedy and action as characters overcome obstacles. The ballet culminates in a grand festival.

For more information about Atlanta Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s Coppélia and to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.atlantaballet.com/performances. Tickets can be purchased online at atlantaballet.com or in person at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre box office. For groups of twenty or more, please order tickets via the groupsales@atlantaballet.com email.

Dodgen MS students excel at Georgia Science Olympiad

Dodgen MS students excel at Georgia Science Olympiad

Submitted information and photo:

Dodgen Middle School’s Science Olympiad Team continues its legacy of excellence! Dodgen students recently claimed first place at the Regional Tournament held at Georgia State University, securing a spot at the State Tournament on April 19 at the University of Georgia.

The competition was intense, with 21 teams from 15 different middle schools—including fellow Cobb County schools McCleskey Middle and Campbell Middle—vying for a chance to advance. Science Olympiad challenges students in 23 STEM events, from building structures like towers and air trajectory devices to demonstrating knowledge in earth science, chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering.

Dodgen’s Science Olympiad program has been a powerhouse since 2001, consistently ranking among the best in the state. The team has won regionals multiple times, including the past two consecutive years. In the last 11 state tournaments (excluding 2020), Dodgen has placed first or second, earning the opportunity to compete at Nationals against top teams from across the country and Japan. Under the leadership of Coach Barbara Kappel, the team has made Nationals the past two years, a streak they hope to continue.

“I am so proud of the hard work and commitment our students have put in this year to continue Dodgen’s Science Olympiad success!” said Mrs. Kappel, who has coached the team to consecutive national appearances.

A Commitment to Excellence

Dodgen’s Science Olympiad program is so popular that the school has fielded three full teams for the past two years. Fifteen students per team compete in three or four different events, preparing weekly by conducting research, building and testing devices, and refining their problem-solving skills. With the help of dedicated parents and community volunteers, students sacrifice countless hours during the week and on weekends to strengthen their skills.

Science Olympiad isn’t just about competition—it fosters a collaborative community of young scientists and engineers. Older students take on leadership roles, guiding younger teammates and helping them grow in confidence and ability.

As Dodgen prepares for the state competition, the school community is cheering them on. A strong performance could earn them a third consecutive trip to Nationals at the University of Nebraska in late May.

Congratulations to the Dodgen Middle School Science Olympiad Team, Coach Kappel, and the dedicated parent and community volunteers who make this success possible!

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PORCH-Marietta donates 100K pounds of food to local pantries

PORCH-Marietta donates 100K pounds of food to local pantries
PORCH-Marietta volunteer Tara Randall stocking food cans at a Cobb elementary school.

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PORCH Marietta, an all-volunteer nonprofit dedicated to reducing food insecurity, celebrates its third anniversary by announcing it has donated over 100,000 pounds of groceries to Marietta food pantries since its inception in February 2022. This translates into over 83,000 meals for neighbors in need.

In 2024, PORCH Marietta’s network of participating neighborhoods held 398 food drives and delivered more than 54,000 pounds of food to serve over 44,000 individuals. They also helped start a new food pantry serving students at Marietta Middle School. In addition, PORCH Marietta used financial donations to provide over $4000 worth of fresh milk and eggs to the Center for Family Resources and a year’s worth of snacks for students at each of 12 different Cobb County and Marietta City Title 1 schools.

“In 2025, we are seeing a growing number of people facing food insecurity,” said Liz Platner, chapter leader of PORCH Marietta.  “By picking up a few items next time you’re shopping and leaving them on your porch or by contributing financially, you can help us make a meaningful change in Marietta. This is the power of crowdsourcing – individual donations of all sizes create a big impact.”

PORCH Communities was started in 2011 in Chapel Hill, and there are now over 550 neighborhoods in 13 states serving their local communities. PORCH chapters have collectively distributed more than $15 million worth of food to neighbors in need. The PORCH Marietta chapter was founded in February 2022.

Contributing non-perishable food to 15 local food pantries on a monthly basis is the flagship program of PORCH Marietta. To date, PORCH Marietta has donated over 100,000 pounds of food to these pantries. They collect food via monthly neighborhood food drives, based on customized wish lists from the pantries. Neighbors put the requested groceries out on their porch and volunteers pick up and deliver them to the pantries. Currently there are over 50 Marietta neighborhoods participating. To add your neighborhood to the team, contact marietta@porchcommunities.org.  For more information or to make a financial contribution, visit  PORCH Marietta’s website.

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Cobb opts out of property tax law; starts 2028 SPLOST process

Cobb opts out of property tax law; starts 2028 SPLOST process

After hearing the pleas of citizens to opt out of a new state law capping property taxes, the Cobb Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to do just that.

By a 4-0 vote, commissioners voted against adopting HB 581, a law passed by the Georgia legislature in 2024 designed to limit property tax increases at the local level.

Georgia voters later approved a Constitutional amendment that tied property tax increases to the previous year’s inflation rate.

But citizens speaking during public comment and commissioners agreed at Tuesday’s meeting that the current homestead exemptions in Cobb are more beneficial.

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell of District 3 in East Cobb said that she received 215 messages in support of opting out of the law, and only two in favor of it.

“What we’ve had in place is better for the citizens and is beneficial for taxpayers,” she said to loud applause right before the vote.

Cobb’s decision follows similar action by the Cobb Board of Education, the Marietta City Council and Marietta Board of Education and city governments in Smyrna, Powder Springs, Acworth and Kennesaw.

Local governments have until March 1 under the new law to decide whether to opt out.

But speakers claimed Tuesday that HB 581 was altered by lobbyists to trigger automatic tax increases that elected bodies could do nothing about.

Some called HB 581 is “a shameless con” and others called it a “joke.”

Resident Ann Parsons called it “a politician’s dream. More money. No consequences.”

Chairwoman Lisa Cupid made the motion to pass the opt-out resolution, saying that “we feel the pain of our citizens who are here” and “we are fortunate to live in Cobb” because of the existing homestead exemptions.

In other action Tuesday, commissioners voted 4-0 to begin a process that would call for a referendum in 2026 to renew the Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), which collects a one-percent sales tax to fund county construction, maintenance, improvements and technology operations.

The current SPLOST ends at the end of 2027.

The resolution passed Tuesday did not indicate how long the next SPLOST collection period might be, nor did it provide an estimate for how much money would be raised.

Birrell asked deputy county manager Jimmy Gisi if it was “premature” to ask for those details.

He said it would be, because the county first must meet with officials from Cobb’s cities as well as county staff to begin developing a project list.

The maximum SPLOST collection period is six years.

The proposed timeline leading up to a 2026 referendum (click here) would include meetings with the other cities this year, followed by an Oct. 1 deadline for a draft project list to be submitted.

In early 2026, the county would conduct public input and town hall meetings, with commissioners to approve the final project list next April.

Commissioners also would have to vote separately to hold a referendum in November 2026.

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Cobb Medical Examiner identifies ‘cremains’ at funeral home

Cobb Medical Examiner identifies 'cremains' at funeral home

Nearly a year after a fire partially damaged a now-closed funeral home in Northeast Cobb, the Cobb Medical Examiner’s office has identified the cremated remains of at least 57 individuals at that building.

Cobb government said in a release Wednesday morning that Medical Examiner Christopher Gulledge has posted a list of those people whose remains were taken from the former Norman Medford Peden funeral home on Canton Road.

The funeral home had closed and the building had been scheduled for a foreclosure auction on April 23, 2024 when the fire broke out. Initial reports indicated there were no remains of any deceased.

But the county said that remains were recovered at the funeral home in November and turned over to the Cobb Medical Examiner’s Office.

“We hope to provide answers to any family with lingering questions about a loved one’s passing,” Gulledge said in the release. “Our office has worked tirelessly to identify these cremains using various methods, and we are committed to reuniting them with their families.”

His office said that if any cremains may belong to a loved one, survivors should contact the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office at 770-590-6596 or via email at gillian.fletcher@cobbcounty.org.

Individuals have May 30 to claim the cremains.

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East Cobb Food Scores: Tin Lizzy’s; Panera Bread; Salata; more

Tin Lizzy's The Avenue East Cobb temporarily closing

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

Atlanta Country Club
500 Atlanta Country Club Drive
February 21, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Chin Chin Chinese Restaurant
617 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 1
February 27, 2025, Score: 90, Grade: A

Domino’s Pizza
4724 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 101
February 26, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Goldbergs Bagel Co. and Deli
1062 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite A110
February 27, 2025, Score: 89, Grade: B

Hibachi Stop
2856 Delk Road, Suite 305
February 25, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Hoboken Bread and Bagel Co.
1033 Sandy Plains Road, Suite G
February 21, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Panera Bread
4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1530
February 24, 2025, Score: 96, Grade: A

The Phoenix at Johnson Ferry
9 Sherwood Lane
February 26, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Salata
4101 Roswell Road, Suite 1100
February 21, 2025, Score: 91, Grade: A

Tin Lizzy’s
4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1510
February 24, 2025, Score: 96, Grade: A

Wendy’s
2238 Roswell Road
February 26, 2025, Score: 97, Grade: A

Wimal Authentic Thai Food
2960 Shallowford Road, Suite 112
February 24, 2025, Score: 90, Grade: A

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