Local News

Our Great Lifeboat has released a new album, “Infinite Joy.”

Mount Paran Teacher Releases New Album

Derek McCloud, sixth-grade Bible teacher at Mount Paran Christian School, has released a new album, “Infinite Joy,” with his band, Our Great Lifeboat. McCloud and the band worked on what he describes as “a new sound” for this latest album — a mix between Christian, indie and folk music. Creating the album wasn’t without its challenges, as it took about eight years to conceptualize and bring it to life. The band — which got its name from the biblical story of Noah, whose faith led him to beat seemingly insurmountable odds — is made up of McCloud (vocals, guitar, banjo), Erica Ransbottom (cello), Turner Zahn (vocals, guitar, piano), Raegan Barton (vocals, guitar), Aree Ogir (vocals, bass, drums) and Tiffany Watson Derek McCloud (violin, mandolin). “Infinite Joy” is available for streaming on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music and Apple Music. https://vibe.to/infinitejoy.

Get Ready to Celebrate the Fourth of July

The city of Kennesaw will hold its annual Independence Day celebration with music and fireworks, 6-10 p.m. July 3. Admission to the event in downtown Kennesaw is free.

Salute to America will feature two stages with live music, street entertainment, food vendors, kids activities and a brilliant fireworks finale, visible from Depot Park and along Main Street, at 9:30 p.m.

Performing on the Main Street Stage will be School of Rock East Cobb House Band, 6-7:30 p.m., and “American Idol” contestant Leah Belle Faser, 8-9:30 p.m. On the Depot Park Stage will be neopsychedelic rock band Lakota, 6-7:30 p.m., and The American Flyers, performing rock and R&B hits from the ’60s, 8-9:30 p.m.

Besides entertainment, the celebration also will include street vendors, pay-to-play inflatables and a wide selection of food. Attendees may bring picnic baskets or coolers. Tables in front of the Depot Park Stage can be reserved at www.kennesawjuly3.com.

Families in the community are invited to participate in Kennesaw Parks and Recreation’s Kids Parade, noon-1 p.m. July 3. Participants, who are encouraged to dress up and decorate their strollers, wagons or bicycles in red, white and blue, will meet at Commemorative Park and walk down Main Street, ending behind City Hall. To register, visit www.kennesawjuly3.com.

For more information, call 770-422-9714 or visit www.kennesawjuly3.com.

Trees Planted in Honor of Arbor Day

In recognition of Arbor Day 2022, the city of Kennesaw’s public works department planted three Yoshino cherry trees at Depot Park in April. City arborist Rod Bowman conducted an informative presentation and answered questions from those who attended.

At the tree planting were, from left, Army official Chet Witkowski, city arborist Rod Bowman, Assistant City Manager Marty Hughes, Public Works Director Ricky Stewart and Stormwater Manager Grey Won.

Birthday Girl Donates to Animal Services

Cobb County Animal Services received a special gift recently. Christina Jordan, seated, decided she would rather give than receive on her ninth birthday, so she asked for money for the animals in Cobb’s shelter instead of gifts. She visited the shelter to present the staff with nearly $500 in donations she received from her birthday fundraiser.

Register for Free Glasses for Children

Summertime Vision to Learn mobile clinics will be back at Cobb County public libraries to provide free eye exams and glasses for children ages 5-18, beginning in June. Appointments can be scheduled for July 12 and 15 between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at North Cobb Regional Library, 3535 Old 41 Highway in Kennesaw. Registration is required, and space is limited. To sign up visit www.cobbcounty.org/library/news/vision-learn-summertime-libraries.

Chromebook Lending Program to Launch

Chromebooks are available for check out with your library card. There are 150 internet-enabled laptops available to take home for three weeks at a time for cardholders ages 17 and older who need to work from home, take online classes, apply for jobs or take care of other critical needs. If you don’t have the internet, it’s not a problem. Each Chromebook has Wi-Fi service from T-Mobile and allows you to connect to a network.

Funding for the Chromebook kits with T-Mobile service is from the Federal Communication Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund program, providing $7 billion in grants to public libraries and schools authorized by Congress as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Learn more at cobbcat.org/connectingcobb.

Donations Needed for Yarn Storm

Cobb County is gathering donations of knitted and crocheted squares for the 2022 Yarn Storm project in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The project is being coordinated by Cobb County Government, the Cobb District Attorney’s Office and LiveSafe Resources.

The 6-inch and 10-inch squares can be any color or design and will be used to install yarn storming displays on June 15.

Donations should be dropped off by June 8 at one of these locations: • North Cobb Senior Center 3900 S. Main St. (inside Kennworth Park)

Acworth. • West Cobb Senior Center 4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs. • 100 Cherokee St., Marietta. (There will be a collection box located inside the building for donations.)

Donors also can mail completed pieces to Cobb District Attorney’s Office, 70 Haynes St., Third Floor, Marietta, GA 30090.

Visit www.cobbcounty.org/WEAAD for more information.

Kennesaw Wins Growth Award

The city of Kennesaw received the 2021 Tree City USA Growth Award for its efforts toward improving the community’s urban forestry program. The award is given by the Arbor Day Foundation to participating Tree City USA communities that demonstrate higher levels of tree care and community engagement during the calendar year.