Local News

New Help Desk Gives Second Chance

Cobb County is working to create innovative ways to help residents who’ve historically been forgotten or disregarded. The Cobb Second Chance Desk is the first effort of its kind in Georgia. This resource will help eligible people clear their records. In Georgia, 4.3 million people have criminal history – about 40% of workingage adults. The desk will help remove barriers that keep nonviolent people from being productive members of society. It will help with employment, financial aid, housing and other vital services.

The Cobb Second Chance Desk will be a help desk housed in the Cobb Circuit Defender’s Office and staffed by Georgia Justice Project personnel to streamline the criminal record clearing process for those who were arrested in Cobb and are eligible by law for record clearing. The desk opened to the public June 25. Online appointments are available at cobbcounty.org/secondchance-desk or by calling 404-834-8604.

This initiative is a partnership among the Cobb Circuit Defender’s Office, Cobb District Attorney’s Office, Cobb Solicitor General’s Office and the Georgia Justice Project.

Sculptures at Smith-Gilbert Gardens.

Smith-Gilbert Gardens Awarded Grant

The Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, awarded a grant to Smith-Gilbert Gardens as part of its initial disbursement of grants for fiscal year 2022. A total of 218 organizations were awarded 266 grants, which provide more than $2 million in funding to arts organizations throughout Georgia. Additional grants for vibrant communities and cultural facilities programs will be awarded this fall. “As we emerge from this past year’s quarantine, the arts sector is vital to restarting the economy by attracting tourists, assisting with classroom learning, and igniting events to bring communities back together,” said GCA Executive Director Tina Lilly. “The 266 grants we have awarded will help cities and organizations leverage additional funds and bring people back to work, while providing fun and educational opportunities for Georgians across the state.” The grant will help Smith-Gilbert Gardens grow Art Blooms, which aims to provide emerging artists with a new exhibit platform. Art education programs for local students, weekly art programs for visitors, and a new temporary exhibit with regional and national artists will be added to complement the permanent collection, thanks to the grant.

Gobble Jog Returns to Marietta Square

Gobble Jog, a Thanksgiving tradition for many families, will return to Marietta Square in November. The annual event, benefiting MUST Ministries, is one of the largest 10K races in the country, with more than 10,000 runners. The race wouldn’t be possible without the 250 volunteers who provide support, and there is a big need this year. “Half of our volunteers repeat each year but the other half are new ones, and this year will be more difficult,” said Brian Cartwright, Gobble Jog’s volunteer coordinator. “MUST needs volunteers in all areas, including packet pickup at the Civic Center the day before the race and help on race day.”

All ages can volunteer, including teenagers and families with kids. Teenagers can volunteer as cheer squads to encourage racers along the route and finish line. This would be ideal for high school organizations like Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes or National Honor Students.

For more information or to volunteer, visit www.gobblejog.org and click on the Volunteer tab at the top of the page.

The Georgia Symphony Orchestra (GSO) returns to the stage for its 71st concert series in September, for the classics series. Led by Music Director and Conductor Timothy Verville, the series features three artistically captivating and musically challenging classical works at the Marietta Performing Arts Center or the Bailey Center for the Performing Arts at Kennesaw State University.

On Sept. 25, the orchestra will kick off the season with “Mahler, smahler,” a reduced orchestration of Gustav Mahler’s Fourth Symphony. This work often is referred to as Mahler’s most “chamber-like,” due to the intricacies and interplay between instrumental sections. Soprano and Marietta native Maria Valdes, who has received acclaim on the stage from San Francisco to Chicago and New York, is the featured soloist.

The series continues on Feb. 26, 2022, with GSO’s Beethoven at the Beach, featuring Amy Beach’s Symphony No. 2, the first symphony written and published by an American woman composer, and Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D Major.

The series concludes on May 21 with The Firebird and Music of Remembrance concert. The performance includes American composer Jennifer Higdon’s Blue Cathedral, one of her most performed works, and Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite (1919), which is a collection of music from the ballet of the same name. In addition to the classics series, the season also includes Holiday Pops in December, GSO Jazz! in February and April, and the annual Sensory Friendly performance in March. Visit georgiasymphony.org/all-events for more information, and details on purchasing tickets.

From left: Bridges Holmes, Joyette Holmes, Gov. Brian Kemp, Juvenile Justice Board Chair Sandra Heath Taylor and Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Tyrone Oliver.

Holmes Sworn in on Georgia Juvenile Justice Board

Gregory Doyle Calhoun & Rogers attorney Joyette Holmes has been appointed and sworn into office on the Georgia Juvenile Justice Board. Prior to joining GDCR, which has offices in Marietta and Atlanta, Holmes served as the district attorney for Cobb Judicial Circuit. Her extensive public service experience led to her appointment by Gov. Brian Kemp in July.

She was selected as the 2019 Cobb County Citizen of the Year, and she serves on the boards of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Must Ministries, the Cobb Community Foundation and the Davis Direction Foundation. Holmes also has held positions as the chief magistrate judge for Cobb County, assistant district attorney and assistant solicitor general. She made Cobb County history by becoming the first woman and first African American to serve as both chief magistrate and district attorney.

First Fishing Rodeo a Succes

Cobb residents had a great time at the first Fishing Rodeo of the year at Lost Mountain Park. More than 100 young people joined the fun. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources staff brought a trailer full of fishing supplies for participants. More than 30 fish were caught, weighed, measured and released.

The annual Fishing Rodeo, hosted by Cobb Parks staff, continued through the end of July. Keep an eye on the Parks and Nature tab at cobbcounty.org/ parks for information and registration for next year. The competition is open to children, ages 3-16, and trophies are awarded for the five biggest fish overall.

Michael Brantley Named Director

Cobb County Manager Jackie McMorris has appointed Michael Brantley as the director of Cobb PARKS. He is filling the position previously held by Jimmy Gisi, who was recently named deputy county manager.

Brantley graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Recreation Administration, beginning his career serving in Cherokee County, in both the recreation and operation divisions. In 2017, he left to become the operations division manager for Cobb PARKS, a position he has held for the past three years. He and his wife, Tiffani, have been married seven years, and they have a dog, Saki. In his spare time, Brantley enjoys golfing, fishing and cheering on his favorite sports teams.