Local News

Paintings at the Art House are available for purchase.

New Exhibit, Call for Artists and More!

The Acworth Arts Alliance’s Art House started 2022 with the “It’s a New Year!” exhibit, which will run until Feb. 26. Events are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be available.

The Art House is accepting submissions for the “Chiaroscuro” exhibit, which will run March 5-April 23. The submission deadline for this exhibit is midnight Feb. 15. For more information on exhibit submissions, visit acworthartsalliance. org/guidelines.

The alliance’s annual fundraiser, Live at Logan Farm Park, will be April 23 with the Weekend Getaway Band scheduled to perform. Sponsor-table dinners will be provided by 1885 Grill. Concessions will be available. The concert is free and open to the public.

Register now for upcoming classes and workshops at the Art House and at the Roberts School in downtown Acworth. For more information, visit www.acworthartsalliance.org.

Nominations Open for 2022-23 Leadership Cobb

Leadership Cobb, the Cobb Chamber’s leadership development program, is seeking nominations for members of its 2022-23 class.

Fifty diverse and qualified individuals are selected annually to participate in this leadership development program. Leadership Cobb enhances personal and professional growth, while participants gain awareness of current issues, community resources and the social, political and economic needs of the community. Program days combine lectures and dialogue among speakers as well as audience interaction with leaders in all facets of the community.

Nominations are open until Feb. 14, and can be found at https://bit. ly/3GJC4Kn.

WaterSmart Art Contest Seeks Entries

Show off your drawing skills and get published in Cobb’s waterSmart art contest coloring book. For this contest, fourth- and fifth-grade students enrolled in Cobb County and City of Marietta School Districts are asked to draw Cobb Water’s mascot, Tappy Turtle, practicing a water-saving habit. The deadline for submissions is 3 p.m. Feb. 18. The winners will be invited to a virtual reception March 14. Winning entries will be compiled into a coloring book and distributed throughout the county.

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3FFVaQm, or email michael.kahle@cobbcounty.org.

Map to Nonprofits Near You

Cobb County Geographic Information System has a new interactive map of all the nonprofit organizations in the area. With this map, residents can easily find organizations, whether they need those services themselves, or if they’re interested in volunteering or want to donate. Access the map by visiting https:// bit.ly/3GKK4e4. A short instructional video is available on Cobb TV to help residents start using the new map. View the instructional video at https://bit.ly/3qFfrBi.

Your Input Is Needed!

Cobb County’s Community Development Agency will host community meetings and surveys to facilitate a five-year update to Cobb County’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is a long-range, community designed growth strategy that guides the future of Cobb County.

Community Development staff would like your input by completing a survey to analyze the needs and opportunities important to you as a resident, landowner, visitor or business owner. Your participation will help develop a shared vision for the county’s future. The survey is available at https://arcg.is/1avWem0.

Through March, there will be opportunities for the community to provide their thoughts and ideas related to the plan. Residents are encouraged to be active in the planning process to ensure the plan reflects the community’s preferences and desires. The meetings will be informative and interactive, designed to collect feedback on the existing needs and future development in the county. For more information, please visit the Comprehensive Plan website at www.cobbcounty.org/comp-plan.

Virtual Meeting

Feb. 24, 6-7:30 p.m. Link will be posted online.

Open House

March 10, 6-8 p.m. Hudgins Hall (Cobb County Civic Center) 548 S. Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta

Lights on the Lake Benefits Nonprofit

From left, Lake Allatoona Association board members Dean Bourne and Aaron Feldt, Calvary Children’s Home Campus Director Brian Busby and Lake Allatoona Association Board Members Linda Hartsfield and Carole Miller.

The 2021 Lake Allatoona Association’s “Lights on the Lake” Christmas Parade was successful due to this year’s sponsors, donors and participants. There were 19 boats registered to participate in this year’s parade. Many folks chose to watch the parade on the shoreline at Bartow County’s Gatewood Park, which is the best viewing site on the lake for the boat parade.

Each year a nonprofit that supports children in foster care, from one of the three counties adjacent to Allatoona Lake, is selected to be the recipient of the Christmas Parade proceeds. On Dec. 31, Lake Allatoona Association board members presented a check for $2,800 to the Calvary Children’s Home in Powder Springs. Park Marina again hosted the event for the judges, participants and donors. Prizes for each category were awarded to the following vessels and owner/operators: • Pontoon, Dean Schneider • Other Category, AJ Murphy • Cabin Cruiser, Tim Maxey • Houseboat, Bryan Kirby • Best Spirit, Rachel Hutchinson • Best Overall, Greg Kalin