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FACTBOOK
CO N T E N TS
2012-13
EXECUTIVE
8 INTRODUCTION
PUBLISHER
Otis A. Brumby, Jr.
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
11 COMMUNITY
V.P. ADVERTISING
City profiles, maps and famous residents
Otis Brumby III
Wade Stephens
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Jay Whorton
E D I T O R I A L S TA F F MANAGING EDITOR
49 BUSINESS
DIRECTOR OF MAGAZINES
Commerce in Cobb, Top 10 employers and power women
NEWS EDITOR
Billy Mitchell
Mark Wallace Maguire Kim Isaza
LAYOUT AND DESIGN
Mark Wallace Maguire, Stacey L. Evans
49
71 GOVERNMENT Important numbers, elected officials and more
CONTRIBUTORS Allen Bell, Jon Gillooly, Kevin Hazzard, Marcus Howard, Davia Mosley, Greg Oshust, Michael Pallerino, Lindsay Field, Sheri Kell SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
Laura Moon, Reid Traylor
Erin Gray, Todd Hull, Jon-Michael Sullivan
PHOTOGRAPHY
85 EDUCATION Information on local schools, colleges and test scores
Kathy Goldsberry, Emily Boorstein Brent Adams, Brent Ashworth, Gloria Love
COPY DESK
MAPS AND CHARTS
Caroline Brannen, Leigh Hall
A DV E R T I S I N G S TA F F
109 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Cobb’s Competitive EDGE, redevelopment plans in south Cobb
115 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
COBB ADVERTISING MANAGER
Becky Opitz
Tammy Heil, Melinda Young, Paula Milton, Katelyn Ledford, Candace Hallford Liz Ridley, Dawne Edge, Nat Long, Kay Perry ,Kim Fowler, Tara Guest, Stephanie DeJarnette
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Caroline Brannen, Beth Poirier, Jennifer Hall
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Artist profiles, lists of playhouses, theaters, concert venues, festivals and more
PRODUCTION CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Leigh Hall
139 HEALTH & FITNESS Parks, hospitals
CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
Matt Heck
and a 65-year-old world champion
149 REAL ESTATE Homes, agents and senior living
I N F O R M AT I O N
149
Factbook is published annually by The Marietta Daily Journal and distributed to more than 23,500 homes and businesses. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
To request a copy or to subscribe, contact us at 770.795.5000 or email us at subscriber services@mdjonline.com. ADVERTISING:
To advertise, contact Wade Stephens at 770.795.4001
NEWS TIP:
115
Contact Billy Mitchell at 770.795.5000 x207
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Welcome to the 2012-13 Factbook It is no accident Cobb County is widely considered one of the premier spots in Georgia to live, work and play. Cobb is home to over 700,000 residents, Fortune 500 companies, first-class health care facilities, universities, technical colleges, performing arts venues and a strong sense of community. In short, Cobb is exceptional. Cobb County and its six cities have a rich history and a bright future. Once a rural farming community, Cobb’s population exploded during World War II when the Bell Bomber plant opened in Marietta in 1943 and began building B-29s and employing over 28,000 workers at its peak. Overnight, Cobb became one of the industrial centers in the South. Today, Lockheed Martin occupies the former Bell Bomber site and is one of thousands of businesses, large and small, that call Cobb County home. With some of the lowest tax rates in metro Atlanta, good public schools, a low cost of living, an
educated workforce and efficient local governments, Cobb is well positioned for future success. For the leisurely side of life, Cobb also boasts a wide array of activities and entertainment. Whether it is hiking Kennesaw Mountain, a day on Lake Acworth, a local farmers market, history museums, theme parks, multiple performing arts venues, shopping, and restaurants – there is never a shortage of things to do. The 2012-2013 Cobb Factbook is the essential guidebook for everyone from the newcomers to longtimers. This annual publication, produced by the Marietta Daily Journal, contains 164 pages of valuable facts, figures and information to help you throughout the year. We hope you enjoy it and are reminded how fortunate we are to call Cobb County home. Executive Vice President MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL
Who we are and what we do
Photos of the Marietta Daily Journal throughout the years, including our current location, at 580 Fairground St. SE in Marietta.
Since 1866, the Marietta Daily Journal has served as Cobb’s best source for local news, sports and lifestyle.
Cobb Life magazine is Cobb’s number one lifestyle magazine and is published ten times a year.
The newspaper is published daily and can also be accessed via the Internet at www.mdjonline.com.
To receive the Marietta Daily Journal, call subscriber services at 770.795.5000 or email us at subscriberservices@mdjonline.com.
In addition to producing an award-winning newspaper, the Marietta Daily Journal publishes several special sections including Factbook, Progress, Cobb Football Kickoff and Cobb Life magazine.
You can also follow us at: www.mdjonline.com, Facebook and Twitter.
8
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F A C T B O O K
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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Allure Dance Studio 48 American Auto Paint & Body 65 Arlene McCoy & Associates Remax Around Atlanta 152 Atherton Place 23 Atlanta Ballet 48, 129 Atlanta Lyric Theatre 127 Better Baseball 146 Blackwell's Jewelers 31 Bounce Atlanta 123 Carmichael Funeral Home 33 Carol Ann King - Harry Norman 154 Central Church of Christ 44 Chattahoochee Technical College 107 Cherokee Women's Health Specialist 148 Church Directory 44 City of Acworth 74 City of Austell 77 City of Kennesaw - Pigs & Peaches Festival 118 City of Marietta 81 City of Smyrna 75 Clement Catering 52 Cobb Antique Mall 37 Cobb County Chamber of Commerce 110 Cobb County Civic Center 134 Cobb County Government 70 Cobb County Public Library System 47 Cobb County Republican Party 77 Cobb County Republican Women's Club 143 Cobb County Young Republicans 75 Cobb EMC 72 Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center 116 Cobb Hardware 113 Cobb Regional Republican Women's Club 39 Cobb Travel & Tourism 42 Community Bank of the South 61 Compassionate Care Ministries 50 Copeland’s of New Orleans 133 Cornerstone Prep 98 Cumberland Diamond Exchange 53 Curves For Women 146 Dallas Civic Center 135 Dance Stop Studios 135 Dave Poe's BBQ 19 Debbie Redford - All Atlanta Realty 160 DK Gallery 128 Eagle Vending 151 East Cobb Rotary 12 Emory-Adventist Hospital At Smyrna 140 Expert Car Medics 78 Fabric & Fringe Warehouse 48 Faith Designs Florist 38 Faith Lutheran Church & School 97 First Baptist Church of Woodstock 45 First United Methodist Church of Marietta 44 Five Star Vacations 78 Fresh N Fit 142 Gail Holman - Remax Around Atlanta Marietta-West 155 Geico 43 Georgia Aquarium 121 Georgia Ballet 136 Georgia Memorial Park 39
Georgia Power Georgia's Own Credit Union Gone With The Wind Museum Gunn Firm Harry Norman - Whitlock Heywood's Provisions Company Highland Commercial Bank Historic Marietta Branding Project Hong Kong Star Hugh Gilliam - Atlanta Communities Jennifer Prange & Gay Locke Remax Around Atlanta Jim Glover - Atlanta Fine Homes Johnny Walker - Harry Norman Johnson Ferry Baptist Church K Mike Whittle Designs Kaiser Permanente Kathy Reynolds - Solid Source Realty Kennesaw State University Kennesaw United Methodist Church KSU Continuing Education Lennar Homes Lent & Associates LGE Community Credit Union Life Grocery & Café Macland Baptist Church Magnolia Room Marietta Adventist Church Marietta Fish Market Marietta Museum of History Marietta Power Marietta Toyota Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home & Crematory Mount Paran Christian School Mt. Bethel Christian Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church NCG Cinemas Neu Homes - Chris Norris Nobis Works Norman Medford-Peden Funeral Home North Cobb Christian School North Georgia State Fair Okinawa Hibachi & Sushi Once Upon A Ballet
112 82-83 125 48 156 119 55 126 35 157 154 159 159 26 29 2 95 100 43, 44 163 150 10 69 38 44 19 44 113 90 108 79 162 92 93 44 123 155 21 43 103 4 120 134
Parc @ Piedmont Pathways Academy Peachstate Insurance Services Piedmont Healthcare Pinnacle Orthopedics Presbyterian Village Prestige Jewelers Primrose Schools Resurgens Orthopaedics Robbins Realty Roswell Street Baptist Church Sawyer Bailey Salon Shiloh Hills Christian School Shorter University Smyrna Towers Soleil Laurel Canyon Southern Museum Southern Polytechnic State University St. Catherine's Episcopal Church and Preschool St. James Episcopal Church St. Joseph Catholic School State Bank & Trust Company Stepside Tires Sterling Estates Sue Hilton - Keller Williams Sundial Plumbing Superior Plumbing The Bottoms Group The Chance Team - Robbins Realty The Framery The Strand Theatre The Walker School Town Center Community Church Triumphant Community Church United Community Bank Vinings Bank Vittles Wendy Bunch - Remax West Cobb Funeral Home & Crematory Whitefield Academy Wild Wings Café Windsong Properties, LLC Winnwood Retirement Woodstock Market
147 106 14 138 164 145 59 86 7 161 5 20 98 105 35 158 131 3, 84 44 44 99 57 64 25 153 67 9, 157 15 153 50 137 94 44 44 50 63 48 160 27 102 119 48 30 88
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ROTARY
www.eastcobbrotary.com
WHAT’S ROTARY Rotary International is a volunteer organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service, and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are approximately 1.2 million Rotary club members belonging to 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Founded in Chicago in 1905, Rotary celebrated 100 years of service in 2005. The Rotary Foundation has awarded more than US $2.1 billion in grants, which are administered at the local level by Rotary clubs. What is the purpose of Rotary? Rotary clubs exist to improve communities through a range of humanitarian, intercultural and educational activities. Clubs advise international understanding by partnering with clubs in other countries. Rotary also encourages high ethical stands in all vocations. What do Rotary clubs do? Rotary clubs address critical issues at home and abroad by providing health care and medical supplies, clean water, food, job training, youth development, and education to millions of people in need. Examples of Rotary’s focus areas include: Polio Eradication - In 1985, Rotary International created PolioPlus - a program to immunize all the world’s children against polio. To date, Rotary has contributed more than US $1 billion and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries. Rotary is currently working to raise an additional US $200 million toward a US $355 million challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These efforts are providing much needed polio vaccine, operational support, medical personnel, laboratory equipment and education materials for health workers and parents. In addition, Rotary has played a major role in decisions by donor governments to contribute over $66 billion to the effort. With its community-based network worldwide, Rotary is the volunteer arm of the global partnership dedicated to eradicating polio. Rotary volunteers assist in vaccine delivery, social mobilization and logistical help in cooperation with the national health ministries, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Peace - In an effort to educate tomorrow’s peacemakers and ambassadors, up to 110 Rotary World Peace Fellows are sponsored each year to study at one of the eight universities for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution. Since 2002, 431 fellows from over 75 countries have participated at a cost of more than $23 million. International Education - Rotary is the world’s largest privately-funded source of international scholarships. Each year, about 1,000 university students receive Rotary scholarships to study abroad. Rotary clubs also coordinate a high school age student exchange program that has sent nearly 8,000 students abroad for three months to a year. Literacy - Rotary clubs work to improve literacy rates worldwide. A unique, Rotary-pioneered approach called the Concentrated Language Encounter (CLE) has proven very effective in resource-strapped developing countries. It was also successful in Thailand, that the Thai government adopted the program nationwide. Water Management - Recognizing the importance of clean water, many Rotary clubs help to install wells and develop water treatment and distribution systems to increase access to fresh drinking water for communities in need, especially in developing countries.
Come check out the Rotary Club of East Cobb. We meet every Wednesday from 7:00 - 8:00 A.M. at the Indian Hills Country Club.
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og Cabin Community Church is a small non-denominational church in Smyrna with a big reputation as an ideal wedding locale.
As it celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, the church of just 40 members also is looking to return to its roots. Log Cabin celebrated its centennial with many old members and a special worship service June 3 at the church, at 2699 Log Cabin Drive off Woodland Brook Drive near Interstate 285. The church was formed by area residents, many of whom were recent arrivals from Atlanta, as Cobb County began to suburbanize along the trolley line that ran from nearby Atlanta to Marietta Square. The migrants, less than thrilled about making the long journey back to Atlanta on unpaved roads to attend church, formed Log Cabin in 1912. The church was chartered by 44 members in a log cabin and was known as Log Cabin Community Sunday School.
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Mariah Thompson and Charles Switzer, both of Smyrna, stand outside the church’s entrance with some of the building’s relics.
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F A C T B O O K
Members soon had to build a larger facility as the church’s reputation grew. It also began attracting high-profile guest speakers of various denominations. Among them were educator Martha Berry, the founder of Berry College; Rebecca Latimer Felton of Cartersville, the first woman to serve as a U.S. Senator; Atlanta Constitution editor Ralph McGill; and Govs. Clifford Walker, Lamartine Hardeman and Ellis Arnall. Longtime member Charles Switzer, 78, of Smyrna, said that as a child, he used a coalburning, potbelly stove to heat the church before older members came in to worship. Log Cabin continues to have an adult Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. in the restored original log cabin that contains historical displays. A worship service is conducted an hour later in a stone chapel built in 1949. A reception hall was built around the same time. While guest speakers are still invited, members decided some stability was needed in the pulpit. The Rev. Richard Landers, associate director of admissions and recruitment at Emory’s Candler School of Theology, is the church’s pastor. He is only the second pastor of the church. Log Cabin’s longtime quaintness as an insular church perhaps contributed to the decline in membership over the years, some say. The church now receives most of its revenue from weddings, according to members. For some couples, getting married at Log Cabin has become a family tradition, as generations of people have tied the knot at the stone chapel, with its trademark bright red exterior doors and rustic interior that seats 150 people. At least 60 weddings take place at Log Cabin each year, said wedding coordinator Pat Mackay, a member for the past seven years. However, current members want the public to know that Log Cabin is a church in transformation. “Log Cabin accepts everybody, no matter what your beliefs are,” said organist Kathryn Cooler of Smyrna, a 12-year member. Each year, Log Cabin sponsors an Easter egg hunt that draws as many as 100 children to its grounds. It also conducts an animal blessing in October. The church also is active with nonprofits, such as MUST Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Calvary Children’s Home and Boy Scouts. A traditional homecoming celebration brings back old members on the first Sunday each June. The church marked its 100-year anniversary on June 3 with guest preacher Gil Watson. He used to preach occasionally at Log Cabin and is now pastor of Atlanta’s Northside Church. Congratulatory letters from Gov. Nathan Deal, U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson and Smyrna Mayor Max Bacon were recognized. Lunch, which included fried chicken, ham, potato salad and a variety of desserts, followed on the grounds. “I saw a lot of people I hadn’t seen in a long time,” said Switzer.
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COBB
663,818
County Population
Statistics
698,156 688,078
607,751
447,745
297,718 196,793 114,174 24,664
28,397
30,437
35,408
38,272
1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
61,830
1950
1960
1970
58,748
City Population
1980
1990
2000
2005
2010
56,579 51,271 40,999
2010
2003
2008
29,783 21,675
20,425
12,481 13,490
13,422 5,359 Acworth
6,541
Austell
Kennesaw
Marietta
Powder Springs
Smyrna
Race 2003
2010
74%
62%
White
White
21%
25%
Black
Black
4%
4%
Asian
Asian
1%
8%
Other
Other
Ethnicity
Median Age
Commute
2000: 33.2 2004: 33.4 2010: 35.4
Average one-way commute to work (2010):
29.7 minutes
Median Household Income 2003
2010
2000: 2004:
9%
11%
Hispanic
Hispanic
91%
89%
Non-Hispanic
Non-Hispanic
2010:
$58,289 $59,871 $65,522
Source: Census Bureau, Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget
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F A C T B O O K
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What makes Cobb great?
Micky Blackwell of Marietta, retired Lockheed executive Cobb County has the warmth and charm of a small southern town where people care about each other, access to big-city entertainment, dining and sports, outstanding schools and quality government leadership.
Butch Thompson of west Cobb, business owner
I think the most amazing thing about Cobb County is the fact that it’s always been in the leadership role. In other words, it has always outshined any of the surrounding counties from the standpoint of leadership and clean government, not always what we want, but there’s been very little corruption in this county, and I think that has a lot to do with the leadership.
Patrick Stafford of Vinings, marketing consultant
Cobb County is a great place because of the abundance of opportunities available to our middle and high school students in academics, performing arts and athletics. The magnet and performing arts programs provide excellent training and academic instruction and rigor to prepare students for their future endeavors. The athletic opportunities in numerous team and individual sports provide enhanced competitions throughout the year to improve one's skills and succeed in statewide, regional and national contests — as measured by state titles and high-performing national track and field competitors.
Jeri Barr, executive director, Center for Family Resources I was not born here. I chose Cobb. I moved here in 1973 and have seen many changes as the county has grown. As a Navy brat and having moved every two years of my life, I am proud to call Cobb home. … The people are warm, welcoming and caring. The business, education, faith and nonprofit communities all work in concert to improve the quality of life for all of its citizens. I found my husband here and have the best job in the world. What more can one person want? To be able to live and work in the best place in the universe!
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Juliana Spivey, 4, laughs as her father, Shay Spivey of Acworth, pushes her on the swings at Cauble Park in Acworth.
has a vibrant downtown with incredible dining and shopping opportunities. We have award-winning neighborhoods and our community is wonderful. - Mayor Tommy Allegood
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Where Shopping is an Experience You Will Remember! Marietta’s Most Complete Selection of Unique Gifts and Decorator Items New Merchandise Arriving Weekly!
800 Whitlock Avenue Suite 201 Marietta, GA 30064 Adjacent to Gabriels
770.499.6015
magnoliaroomantiques.com
Acworth is Cobb’s northernmost city
and home to more than 20,000 residents. The city is governed by the mayor and its Board of Aldermen, though the mayor only votes in case of a tie. The city manager oversees day-to-day operations. The city was incorporated in 1840. The Dixie Highway, known as “the granddaddy of Interstate 75,” was the first interstate to reach into the south and is Acworth’s Main Street. Acworth is designated as a Georgia Main Street city and is part of the Main Street America program. As a result, the city aims to preserve the historical significance of its downtown district buildings. Two lakes, Lake Acworth and Lake Allatoona, surround the city and offer beaches, fishing, boating and camping. There are also twelve parks that surround Acworth for picnicking. Nestled along the banks of Lake Acworth is Cobblestone Golf Course.
Left, the classic rail car in downtown. Above, Mayor Tommy Allegood.
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Acworth City Hall is at 4415 Senator Russell Ave., Acworth, 30101. (770) 974-3112 www.acworth.org
Albert (Butch) Price Alderman (770) 974-4321 bprice@acworth.org
The Board of Aldermen meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Thursday of every month at City Hall, in the council chambers.
Tim Richardson Alderman (770) 974-5259 trichardson@acworth.org
Tommy Allegood Mayor (770) 974-3112 tallegood@acworth.org
Tim Houston Alderman (770) 917-1883 thouston@acworth.org
Gene Pugliese Alderman (678) 801-4004 gpugliese@acworth.org
Wayne Dennard Chief of Police 770-974-1232 wdennard@acworth.org
Bob Weatherford Alderman (770) 974-3533 bweatherford@acworth.org
Places of interest: Downtown historic district. Acworth has four beaches and 12 parks. Annual events: Largest women’s
triathalon in Georgia, August; Taste of Acworth, October; International wakeboard tour, May. A bit of history: Acworth started as a little railroad town, and the city be-came Acworth in 1860. There are more than 300 historic buildings in the city. What’s new in Acworth: Re-development program to bring people to live in downtown Acworth. Estimated population: 20,425 Median age: 33.4 years Household Populations: 7,206 Average Household Size: 2.67 Total Housing Units: 8,136 Owner-occupied Housing Units: 5,094 Renter-occupied Housing Units: 2,112 Vacant Housing Units: 930 Labor Force: (16 years and older): 10,352 Median Family Income: $55,355 Source: U.S. Census Bureau
The Oak Barrel is just one of the many businesses in downtown Acworth.
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“Austell
has low taxes
and we provide as many services as any other city. We are about . We are a small town, and
everybody is friendly.” - Mayor Joe Jerkins
A
The new senior center in Austell.
ustell is Cobb’s smallest city, with just over 6,000 residents. Nestled along the county’s southern border with Douglas County, the city is known for railroads, its natural-gas system, and the Sweetwater Creek, which winds through the city. Joe Jerkins has been the mayor of Austell for more than two decades. In September 2009, torrential rains pushed the creek over its banks and flooded several homes and businesses, and the city is still recovering. For the fiscal year started July 1, the city approved a tax increase to help finance its $5.72 million budget. “I’m in my 23rd year and haven’t increased taxes, but this is a small amount,” Jerkins said. “We had no choice.” The city will soon see a nine-hole disc golf course at Louise Suggs Memorial Park on Spring Street. And the $8,000 cost will come not from the public, but from interest earned on the city’s $5 million Norfolk Southern “railroad fund.”
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Austell City Hall 2716 Broad St., Austell, 30106 www.austell.org
City Council meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of every month in the council chambers of City Hall. Joseph L. Jerkins Mayor Martin Standard Ward 3 (678) 458-3600 mstandard@austell.org Virginia A. Reagan Ward 4 (770) 948-7303 vreagan@austell.org Trudie A. Causey At-Large, Post 1 (678) 458-4186 tcausey@austell.org Suzanne A. Thomason At-Large, Post 2 (678) 665-4964 sthomason@austell.org R. G. Starrett Police Chief (770) 944-4329 auspd@bellsouth.net Timothy J. Williams Fire Chief (770) 944-6133 twilliams@austell.org Places of interest: Six Flags Over Georgia Annual event: Christmas tree lighting A bit of history: Austell was known Salt Springs, and was popular with hunters who came to shoot deer as they made their way to the salt licks. Famous residents: Louise Suggs, professional golfer who helped found the LPGA; singer/songwriter Ray Stevens. Estimated population: 6,541 Median age: 30.7 years Household Populations: 2,195 Average Household Size: 2.91 Total Housing Units: 2,370 Owner-occupied Housing Units: 1,411 Renter-occupied Housing Units: 784 Vacant Housing Units: 175 Labor Force: (16 years and older): 3,306 Median Family Income: $44,583 Source: U.S. Census Bureau
2 0 1 2
F A C T B O O K
23
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Kennesaw has a rich history dating back to the Civil War, which we showcase through a focus on historic preservation as well as through our Smithsonian-affiliated Southern Museum. We balance that with a thriving business community, attractive neighborhoods, and abundant recreational resources, all of which pave the way for a progressive future. - Mayor Mark Mathews
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community The city of Kennesaw today has nearly 30,000 residents and is perhaps best known for Kennesaw State University and the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. The mayor is the chief executive officer of the city, but only votes in case of a tie. All five city council members are elected citywide. The town was originally known as Big Shanty and was one of several small towns founded in the mid-1800s after a railroad line was built to connect Terminus (Atlanta) to Cartersville. One other aspect of the city also comes to mind when many think of Kennesaw, and that is the city’s gun law. In 1982, the city unanimously passed a law requiring “every head of household to maintain a firearm together with ammunition.” And that’s still a law in the ’saw.
What’s new: Weekly ‘Dinner at the Depot.’ Every Monday evening, weather permitting, about a half dozen food trucks congregate in Depot Park downtown for folks to pick up dinner and picnic, if they wish. The city also has plans for a skate park to be built inside Swift-Cantrell Park. It will contain elements modeled on a competitive street skate park plaza design.
Mayor Mark Mathews, foreground, touts the city on its past and its future. Opening page: Photos from the SmithGilbert Gardens, the museum and the Trackside Grill.
Opening
August 2012
Come Experience an Unparalled Quality of Life Sterling Estates offering Independent and Assisted Living! Sterling Estates Senior Living Community features six Independent Living Cottage Homes, each with two spacious apartments on their own private level, and 90 Assisted & Independent Living Suites in the main residence, all situated on ten, beautifully landscaped acres in the East Cobb. Sterling Estates features its own club-style Wellness Center, comprising more than 5,000 sq.ft. of exercise area, fitness equipment, and a spacious, indoor, heated aerobic pool with programming and staffing designed specifically for seniors to stay active & independent. Locally developed, owned & managed, Sterling Estates partners with local businesses & residents to keep our East Cobb economy growing strong. Sterling Estates has been carefully designed to provide the lifestyle, amenities & services we desire for our own parents & loved ones.We invite you and your family to come learn more about our community. It will be our pleasure to assist you.
We invite you to come experience the Sterling Way!
Sterling Estates... Life in East Cobb just got even better! Locally Developed, Owned & Managed For more information or to schedule a tour, please call Marshall Gill, Executive Director, or Sharon Egitton, Assistant Executive Director, at 678.946.4454 2 0 1 2
F A C T B O O K
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Kennesaw City Hall 2529 J.O. Stephenson Ave., Kennesaw, 30144 770-424-8274 www.kennesaw-ga.gov City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of every month in the council chambers of City Hall. Mark Mathews, Mayor 770-424-8274 mmathews@kennesaw-ga.gov Cris Eaton-Welsh Council Post 1, Mayor Pro Tem 678-266-0885 cwelsh@kennesaw-ga.gov Tim Killingsworth Council Post 2 678-873-7146 tkillingsworth@ kennesaw-ga.gov
Bruce Jenkins Coucil Post 3 678-251-6381 bjenkins@kennesaw-ga.gov Bill Thrash Council Post 4 404-392-3105 bthrash@kennesaw-ga.gov Jeff Duckett Coucil Post 5 678-480-1340 jduckett@kennesaw-ga.gov William Westenberger Chief of Police (770)-429-4535 wwestenberger@kennesaw-ga.gov Places of interest: Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History; Smith-Gilbert Gardens, a 16-acre arboretum. Annual events: The Big Shanty Festival, conducted in April; Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival is the Georgia
State Championship BBQ cook-off. A bit of history: In the 1830s, the Georgia legislature authorized the construction of a rail line through Cobb County, and the town of Big Shanty was founded. During the Civil War, the town became famous as the site of the start of the Great Locomotive Chase, in which the locomotive General was stolen by Yankee soldiers hoping to disrupt Confederate supply lines. Estimated population: 29,783 Median age: 31.2 years Household Populations: 10,587 Average Household Size: 2.67 Total Housing Units: 11,662 Owner-occupied Housing Units: 7,310 Renter-occupied Housing Units: 3,277 Vacant Housing Units: 1,075 Labor Force: (16 years and older): 16,055 Median Family Income: $61,355 Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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WEST COBB’S FUNERAL HOME OF CHOICE
Proudly Serving Cobb County and Surrounding Communities for the past 17 years
FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED On-Site Crematory
David W. Roach, Owner
At West Cobb Funeral Home, we are committed to providing the most complete services available to the families of this community. See why more families are choosing our home, our services and our facilities.
Chris Messina, General Manager
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We have one of the most active squares in the world. The events we host draw
We are rich in history and have beautiful historic homes and a beautiful national and Confederate cemetery. - Mayor Steve ‘Thunder’ Tumlin
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Marietta
is 15 miles northwest of Atlanta and the Cobb County seat. At 23 square miles, Marietta is one of Georgia's most populous cities, with more than 56,000 residents calling the city home. City Hall is overseen by the mayor and sevenmember city council, though the mayor only votes in case of a tie. A city manager oversees daily operations of the city. The social center of the city is the Marietta Square, where commerce thrives amid regular
public concerts and other activities. The county seat of Cobb has a rich history, and has risen from ashes. In 1851, the Georgia Military Institute was built on Powder Springs Road in Marietta, and the city was booming as the Civil War began in 1861. But during the summer of 1864, Union forces under Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman occupied the town and for the next five months, pillaged by day and ravaged by night before it was finally burned during the march to the sea.
community
Marietta City Hall 205 Lawrence St., Marietta, 30060 770-794-5506 www.mariettaga.gov
City Council meets at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month in the council chambers of City Hall. Steve Tumlin Mayor 770-794-5501 stumlin@mariettaga.gov Annette P. Lewis Ward 1 770-429-0963 alewis@mariettaga.gov Griffin L. Chalfant Ward 2 770-351-7035 gchalfant@mariettaga.gov Johnny V. Sinclair Ward 3 770-605-4755 jsinclair@mariettaga.gov Ward 4 – To be decided July 31 Anthony C. Coleman Ward 5 770-794-5526 acoleman@mariettaga.gov Jim W. King Ward 6 770-509-2521 jimking@mariettaga.gov Philip M. Goldstein Ward 7 770-428-5322 pgoldstein@mariettaga.gov
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Daniel Flynn, Police Chief 770-794-5333 dflynn@mariettaga.gov Jackie Gibbs, Fire Chief 770-794-5451 jgibbs@mariettaga.gov
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Places of interest: The Marietta Square, historic Kennesaw and Whitlock Avenues, White Water. Annual events: A Taste of Marietta, April; July 4 Parade; MUST Ministries Thanksgiving Gobble Jog. A bit of history: As the county seat,
Marietta is a central point in Cobb. It was incorporated in 1834 and today boasts six historic districts, a thriving economy and a vibrant square. A lot of history is tied to the railroad that goes through the city. Marietta turned into an industrial city in the 1940s, when the Bell bomber plant, now Lockheed, brought jobs other than agricultural jobs to Marietta. Famous residents: Gen. Lucius Clay, who was part of the Berlin Airlift; Alice McClellan Birney, founder of the Parent Teacher Association. What’s new in Marietta: A bike trail from Kennesaw Mountain through the Square all the way to the Chattahoochee River. Estimated population: 56,579 Median age: 31.7 years Household Populations: 23,285 Average Household Size: 2.39 Total Housing Units: 26,896 Owner-occupied Housing Units: 10,426 Renter-occupied Housing Units: 12,859 Vacant Housing Units: 3,611 Labor Force (16 years and older): 33,203 Median Family Income: $45,233 Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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F A C T B O O K
Fun, food and family-friendly? Yes, we’re talking about the annual Taste of Marietta, which draws thousands to the square.
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community
is a delightful city with lots of community events, a city trail system, parks, rich history and new developments. Mayor Pat Vaughn
Powder Springs City Hall 4484 Marietta St., Powder Springs, 30127 770-943-1666 www.cityofpowdersprings.org City Council meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Monday of every month in the council chambers of City Hall. Patricia Vaughn Mayor 770-943-1666 mayor@ cityofpowdersprings.org Cheryl Sarvis Ward 1 770-943-8001 ext. 322 ward1@ cityofpowdersprings.org Al Thurman Ward 2 770-943-8001 ext. 323
ward2@ cityofpowdersprings.org Nancy Hudson Ward 3 770-943-8001 ext. 324 ward3@ cityofpowdersprings.org Rosalyn G. Neal Post 1 – At Large 770 943 8001 ext. 321 post1@ cityofpowdersprings.org Chris Wizner Post 2 – At Large 770-943-1666 post2@ cityofpowdersprings.org Charlie Sewell Chief of Police 770-943-1616 csewell@ cityofpowdersprings.org
Mayor Pat Vaughn and the city’s revitalized downtown.
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community
Places of interest: Silver Comet Trail, Linear Park Annual events: July 4 celebration, Powder Springs Day in October A bit of history: First name was Gunpowder Springs, then Springville, and later Powder Springs. Many years ago, people traveled to Powder Springs for the seven natural springs. What’s new in Powder Springs: Powder Springs has a new city hall, police station, library and recreation center. The pedestrian bridge was opened in 2011.
Estimated population: 13,940 Median age: 38.9 years Household Populations: 4,198 Average Household Size: 2.76 Total Housing Units: 5,555 Owner-occupied Housing Units: 4,218 Renter-occupied Housing Units: 700 Vacant Housing Units: 637 Labor Force (16 years and older): 7,844 Median Family Income: $61,486
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
he City of Powder Springs is in Cobb’s southwest corner, and home to nearly 14,000 people. The city was incorporated as Powder Springs in 1859. But it was originally known as the Town of Springville, which was incorporated in 1838 and so named for the seven medicinal mineral springs surrounding the area. The mineral water from these springs caused the sand around the springs to turn black like gunpowder. Today, volunteers from the Seven Springs Historical Society operate the Seven Springs Museum on Brownsville Road. In 2009, the city was among portions of south Cobb County inundated by floodwaters. City leaders are looking forward to construction of the $1.4 million Lewis Road extension project, on which construction is expected to start this fall. The extension is designed to bring more drivers downtown by extending Lewis Road northward to Old Lost Mountain Road.
T
1130 Whitlock Avenue • Marietta
2950 King Street • Smyrna
770.424.4924
770.435.4467 We are proud to be a locally owned and operated firm, and we feel that we have a good relationship with the folks in our community. For over thirty years, Randy Carmichael and staff have stressed the importance of providing excellent service to the families of Cobb County.
GEORGIA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
SELECTED INDEPENDENT FUNERAL HOMES
W W W. C A R M I C H A E L F U N E R A L H O M E S . C O M 2 0 1 2
F A C T B O O K
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community
Smyrna has a hometown feel. I’ve lived all my life in Smyrna. We’ve had an influx of folks from all over the world make Smyrna their home, but we still have a small-town feel. Smyrna has a little bit to offer everyone. Mayor Max Bacon
M
ore than 51,000 people live in the city of Smyrna, which is also known as the “Jonquil City” for the thousands of jonquils that line its streets each spring. The mayor and seven-member City Council govern city operations, though a city administrator manages daily business. Max Bacon has been the elected mayor for more than two decades. The city of Smyrna was incorporated in 1872. Among sites in the heart of the city are the 20th Century Veterans Memorial, which is adjacent to the only city-owned public library of its kind in Georgia. Smyrna provides its own police and fire protection in the city. In March 2012, the Taylor-Brawner House and Brawner Sanitarium, on Atlanta Road, were named to the National Register of Historic Places. Brawner Sanitarium is now known as Brawner Hall.
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SMYRNA TOWERS
4000 South Cobb Drive • Smyrna, GA 30080
IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR RESIDENCY. Applicants must be 62 years old or mobility impaired and meet all other eligibility requirements. Approved applicants are placed on a waiting list.
Call 770-435-4010 for an application package
Smyrna City Hall 2800 King St., Smyrna, 30080 770-434-6600 www.smyrnacity.com City Council meets at 7:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of every month in the council chambers of City Hall. A. Max Bacon Mayor (770) 319-5302 mbacon@smyrnaga.gov
(770) 319-5307 ablustein@smyrnaga.gov
(770) 319-5312 rfennel@smyrnaga.gov
Teri Anulewicz Ward 3 (770) 319-5308 tanulewicz@smyrnaga.gov
Jason Lanyon Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director (770) 319-5365 jlanyon@smyrnaga.gov
Charles Welch Ward 4 (770) 319-5309 cwelch@smyrnaga.gov Susan Dease Wilkinson Ward 5 (770) 319-5310 swilkinson@smyrnaga.gov
Melleny Pritchett Mayor Pro-Tem/Ward 1 Councilwoman (770) 319-5306 mpritchett@smyrnaga.gov
Wade Lnenicka Ward 6 (770) 319-5311 wlnenicka@smyrnaga.gov
Andrea Blustein Ward 2
Ron Fennel Ward 7
Stanley E. Hook Police Chief (678) 631-5100 shook@ci.smyrna.ga.us Places of Interest: The Market Village in downtown. Annual events: City Birthday Celebration on the first Saturday in August; Spring and Fall Jonquil Festival; Taste of Smyrna in September. A bit of history: Smyrna incorporated in 1872. It was the first city north of Atlanta.
Equal Housing Opportunity
In the middle to late 1980s, Smyrna took on a revitalization of downtown. Estimated population: 51,271 Median age: 33.5 years Household Populations: 22,914 Average Household Size: 2.19 Total Housing Units: 25,320 Owner-occupied Housing Units: 12,848 Renter-occupied Housing Units: 10,066 Vacant Housing Units: 2,406 Labor Force (16 years and older): 31,616 Median Family Income: $54,603
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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COBB
Places
Colleges
Shopping Hotspots
1. Kennesaw State University
1. Town Center at Cobb www.simon.com
2. Southern Polytechnic State University
2. Cumberland Mall www.cumberlandmall.com
3. Life University
3. Merchant’s Walk www.edens.com
4. Chattahoochee Technical College (Mountain View Campus) 5. Chattahoochee Technical College (Marietta Campus)
4. The Avenue East Cobb www.shoptheavenue.com 5. The Avenue West Cobb www.shoptheavenue.com
6. Chattahoochee Technical College (South Cobb Campus)
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F A C T B O O K
Places of Interest 1. Kennesaw Mountain 2. Marietta National Cemetery 3. White Water 4. Six Flags Over Georgia
Hospitals 1. WellStar–Kennestone 677 Church St, Marietta www.wellstar.org
3. WellStar–Cobb 3950 Austell Rd, Austell www.wellstar.org
Full-service, acute care hospital and Level II trauma center with open-heart surgery, women’s center, oncology center & other medical specialties. 633 beds.
Full-service, acute care hospital with children’s emergency services, comprehensive oncology, wound care center & other medical specialties. 382 beds.
2. WellStar–Windy Hill 2540 Windy Hill Rd, Marietta www.wellstar.org
4. Emory-Adventist 3949 S. Cobb Dr, Smyrna www.emoryadventist.org
Long-term acute care facility with a sleep center, outpatient services, ambulatory surgery & other specialized services. 115 beds.
A non-profit hospital operated by Adventist Health Systems as a joint venture with Emory Healthcare. 88 beds.
5. Marietta Square 6. The Big Chicken
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NEW RESIDENT INFORMATION
community
Georgia Driver’s License
Registering Your Vehicle
A Georgia driver’s license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Georgia resident. When: Tuesday-Saturday Where: 2800 Canton Road, Piedmont Village Shopping Center, Marietta, 30066 How: You’ll need several items to obtain your new license that include a valid outof-state license (must be less than two years old); your Social Security number; proof of Georgia residency (a bank statement, utility bill, or employment verification); proof of identity (birth certificate, passport, immigration card, or military identification) More info: www.dds.ga.gov or (770) 528-5400
New residents have 30 days to register their vehicle. When: weekdays Where: Cobb County Tag Office, 700 South Cobb Drive, Marietta 30060 How: You must bring original documents to the tag office, including a valid Georgia driver’s license; a bill of sale/ title for your vehicle; a Georgia emissions certificate; the current odometer reading; proof of insurance in Georgia; and proof of your Cobb County residency. More info: www.cobbtax.org
Register to Vote You must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years old by voting day, and a legal resident of Georgia and the county you register in. How: Mail in an application to register to vote. You can also download an application at www.sos.georgia.gov/ elections/vrinfo.htm More info: Call Cobb Elections at (770) 528-2581 or visit www.cobbelections.org Utilities and Water Austell Water System (770) 819-2302 Cobb Water System (770) 423-1000 Marietta Power and Water (770) 794-5150 Powder Springs Water System (770) 943-8000 Smyrna Utility Services (678) 631-5338 Electric Acworth Power (770) 917-8903 Cobb EMC (770) 429-2100 Georgia Power (888) 660-5890 GreyStone Power (770) 942-6576 Marietta Power and Water (770) 794-5150
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NEW RESIDENT INFORMATION Gas Austell is the only city in Cobb that supplies natural gas to residents via Austell Gas System, (770) 948-1841. Other county residents may contract with a private marketer. Among the largest are: SCANA Energy (877) 467-2262 Georgia Natural Gas (770) 850-6200 Gas South 1 (866) 563-8129. A complete list of all gas providers is at www.psc.state.ga.us
Cobb has dozens of parks. Here, at Hickory Hills Park, Raivyn Lee, 3, helps her 2-year-old cousin, Dallas Lee, during a race while attempting to balance an egg on a wooden holder.
Faith Designs Florist Full Service Florist Weddings Designed to Fit Any Budget Worldwide Delivery Unique Custom Designs 2680 Cobb Parkway #D • Kennesaw, Georgia 770-424-9400 • www.faithdesignsflorist.net
Cable All Cobb residents contract with individual companies. Major providers are: Bellsouth Multimedia (770) 360-5000, Comcast 1 (800) COMCAST, Direct TV (888) 777-2454 Dish (800) 825-2557. Trash and Recycling Unincorporated Cobb Residents must contract with a private hauler. Acworth Trash pickup twice weekly by Acworth Sanitation. No curbside recycling. (770) 917-8903 Austell Trash pickup each Monday by the city of Austell, (770) 944-4336. Recycling pickup each Wednesday through Republic Services. (770) 948-5069 Kennesaw Trash and recycling pickup weekly by the city of Kennesaw. (770) 421-8552 Marietta Trash and recycling pickup weekly by the city of Marietta. (770) 794-5595 Powder Springs Trash and recycling pickup weekly by the city of Powder Springs. (770) 943-8010
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Smyrna Trash and recycling pickup weekly by the city of Smyrna. (770) 431-2850
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PET ADOPTION
Cobb Regional Republican Women
Working Women to “WIN” Contact: Neva Lent E-mail: Lentneva@aol.com Phone: (443) 324-5522
Cobb County Animal Control 1060 Al Bishop Dr., Marietta, 30008 (770) 499-4136 Tuesday through Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Humane Society of Cobb County 148 Fairground St. SE, Marietta, 30060 770-428-9882 www.humanecobb.com Adoptions are by appointment Good Mews Cat Adoption Center 736 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite A3, Marietta, 30068 770-499-2287 Goodmews.org Adoptions are Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and most Sundays from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Mostly Mutts www.mostlymutts.org Adoptions are every Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at PetSmart, 860 Cobb Place Blvd., Kennesaw Georgia House Rabbit Society 2280 Shallowford Rd., Marietta, 30066 678-653-7175 www.houserabbitga.com Animals Deserve Better Inc. 770-402-0297 www.animals deservebetter.com Adoptions are every Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., at PetSmart, 1285 Johnsons Ferry Rd., Marietta
Georgia Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, serving the metro area for over fifty years, is devoted to delivering the highest level of service and satisfaction possible to families. We are committed to excellence daily by each member of our staff. As an honored Dignity Memorial™ provider, we are empowered to create a meaningful service. Contact us to find out how a Dignity Memorial Provider can be of benefit to your family and receive a valuable Personal Planning Guide.
2000 Cobb Pkwy SE • Marietta, GA 30060 770.432.0771 • 770.952.4478 www.georgiamemorialpark.com Al Harris - General Manager
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Paula Kirchhofer - Sales Manager
F A C T B O O K
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R
enowned residents
Cobb has a rich in a history of not only
producing, but also being home to dozens of influential and notable people.
We can’t fit them all in, but here is a quick look at some of our county’s finest exports the last few decades. mus ic
m u s ic
The multi Grammy-award winning, Dove-award winning Christian rock band Third Day, above, is from Cobb. The band got their start at McEachern High in Powder Springs and have since taken the Christian music scene by storm recording several albums – including two which went platinum – embarking on several world tours and having numerous hits on Christian radio stations.
arts and culture Kenny Leon has also made his mark. The Vinings resident has directed on Broadway, directed television shows and been nominated for prestigious Tony awards. Who has he worked with? Denzel Washington, Sean Combs and Phylicia Rashad just to name a few.
On the country scene, there is Travis Tritt. The singer-songwriter has had a ton of hits on the country charts and still tours regularly. Tritt has won several Grammy awards and has several platinimum albums and chart toppers under his belt. All in all, he has charted more than 40 times and had five No. 1 hits.
d s
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community
spo r t s tv and cinema
In the sports arena, natives have achieved national and international success including, tennis pro Melanie Oudin, above, Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates, below, and PGA star Larry Nelson.
Of course, Cobb’s most famous export is the red-headed starlet Julia Roberts, who hails from Smyrna. Need we say more?
Other names of note include UGA quarterback and NFL veteran Eric Zeier, Pittsburgh Steeler Jonathan Dwyer and current Atlanta Hawk Al Horford. And then there is Atlanta Braves phenom Jason Heyward, below, who has been a force for the home team the past two seasons.
tv and cinema Home and garden and makeover merlin heartthrob Ty Pennington is from Cobb and his mother still practices psychiatry in the greater Atlanta area.
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p o l it ic a l a n d g ove r n m e n t
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson
Former congressman, speaker of the House and GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich
Current state Attorney General and former Cobb County Chairman Sam Olens
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Former Gov. Roy Barnes
F A C T B O O K
tv and cinema Here are just four of the latest high-profile political leaders the county has produced on the state and national scene. Also notable but not pictured, Gen. Lucius D. Clay led the famed Berlin Airlift during the Cold War. Clay, who remains a legendary figure to Germans and Americans, was military governor of Berlin and U.S. Commander-in-Chief in Europe during that area’s tenuous postWorld War II setting.
Watch the Food Network? Then you’ve probably seen the foodie mad genius Alton Brown. Brown, above, has a home in Marietta. Other notable entertainment personalities include CNN’s Holly Firfer and The Weather Channel’s Jen Carfagno.
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WHERE TO WORSHIP? Here is a guide to some of Cobb’s largest congregations:
Turner Chapel AME 492 North Marietta Pkwy., Marietta 30060 (770) 422-6791 Members: 6,517
Marietta First Baptist Church 148 Church Street, Marietta, 30060 Phone: (770) 424-8326 Members: 1,750 East Cobb United Methodist Church 2325 Roswell Rd., Marietta 30062 (770) 971-3643 Members: 1,000
St. Ann Catholic Church 4905 Roswell Rd., Marietta 30062 (770) 552-6400 Members: 15,000
First United Methodist 56 Whitlock Ave SW., Marietta 30064 (770) 429-7800 Members: 4,000
Roswell Street Baptist Church 774 Roswell St., Marietta 30060 (770) 424-9800 Members: 9,144
First Presbyterian of Marietta 189 Church St., Marietta 30060-1629 (770) 427-0293 Members: 2,400
Synagogues Congregation Etz Chaim 1190 Indian Hills Pkwy., Marietta 30068 (770) 973-0137 Members: 650
Mount Bethel United Methodist Church 4385 Lower Roswell Rd., Marietta 30068 (770) 971-2880 Members: 9,124
North Star Church 3413 Blue Springs Rd., Kennesaw 30144 (770) 420-9808 Members: 2,300
Temple Kol Emeth 1415 Old Canton Rd., Marietta 30062 (770) 973-3533 Members: 500
Johnson Ferry Baptist 955 Johnson Ferry Rd., Marietta 30068 (770) 973-6561 Members: 7,745
Liberty Church 1285 Cobb Pkwy., Marietta 30062 (770) 423-7316 Membership: 2,000
Chabad of Cobb 4450 Lower Roswell Rd., Marietta 30068 (770) 565-4412 Membership: 200
Norman Medford-Peden Funeral Home & Crematory Inc.
• Convenient local office • Money-saving discounts • Low down payments • Monthly payment plans • 24-hour service & claims • Coverage available by phone
• Expanded Facilities to Better Serve You • Near Kennestone Hospital • Comfortable Home Atmosphere • Plenty of Off-Street Parking • No Closing Hours • 2 On-Premises Kitchens • On-Premises Flower Shop • Monuments (Bronze, Marble, Granite) • Charter Member, Independent Funeral Directors of Georgia • Member, Georgia Funeral Directors Association • Member, National Funeral Directors Association.
On Call To Serve Your Needs 24 Hours A Day
Auto • Home • Boat • Cycle 2125 Roswell Road, Marietta 770-565-9696 Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. Government Employees Insurance Co. GEICO General Insurance Co. GEICO Indemnity Co. GEICO Casualty Co. These companies are subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. GEICO auto insurance is not available in MA. GEICO:Washington, DC 20076. © 2007 GEICO. The GEICO gecko Image © GEICO I999-2007
Independently Owned & Operated Since 1969 Family Owned - Gaither D. “Pete” Peden Jr., Owner/Manager Licensed Funeral Director - Embalmer - Life Agent Pre-Need & Pre-Arranged Funerals/Cremation/Shipping Crematory on Premises
“Marietta’s Most Progressive” ALWAYS WITHIN YOUR MEANS
770-427-8447 1408 Canton Hwy. NE • Marietta, GA 30066
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• CO B B C O U N T Y •
DIRECTORY ~BAPTIST~
~EPISCOPAL~
~COMMUNITY~
~EPISCOPAL~
MT. PISGAH
ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH Founded 1842 The Rev. Roger D. Allen, Rector
TRIUMPHANT COMMUNITY CHURCH Helping People to Know, Love and Follow Jesus Christ
ST. CATHERINE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND PRESCHOOL The Rev. James Nixon, Rector The Rev. Susan Johnson, Associate Rector
3100 Joe Jerkins Boulevard Austell, Georgia 30106
SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES 7:30, 8:45, 11:15am Church School 10:00am Summer Schedule: 8:00, 10:30am
BAPTIST CHURCH CONNECT • COMMIT • CHALLENGE Pastor: Reverend Michael C. Crawford SUNDAY 9:45 AM - Sunday School
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. Morning Prayer Wednesday Service 5:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist and Healing Sunday Services 8 a.m. Rite I and Holy Eucharist 10:30 a.m. Rite II and Holy Eucharist
5:00 PM - Adult Bible Study
www.stjamesmarietta.com All are welcome here.
6:00 PM - Evening Worship
161 Church Street | Marietta, GA 30060
11:00 AM - Worship Service
Dr. Robert C. Moore, Sr. - Pastor Sunday Christian Life Classes - 9:00 am Sunday Worship Celebration - 10:00 am Wednesday Celebration - 7:00 pm
We Welcome You! Weekly Bible Studies Youth and Children’s Programs Wednesday Evening Activities Preschool for 1’s to Pre-K
www.triumphantcommunity.org www.newbirthcommunity.com 678-797-9960
571 Holt Road | Marietta, GA 30068 770-971-2839 www.StCatherines.org
WEDNESDAY
~METHODIST~
~BAPTIST~
~METHODIST~
7:00 pm - Adult Bible Study
KENNESAW UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Dr. Wallace Wheeles, Senior Pastor
MACLAND BAPTIST CHURCH Dr. Richard Walker, Senior Pastor
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF MARIETTA
Revive Worship Services Saturdays at 6pm
SUNDAY Early Worship - 8:15am Sunday School - 9:45am Morning Worship - 11:00am Evening Worship - 6:00pm
7:00 PM - Mission Friends 7:00 PM - Children’s & Youth Bible Study Nursery 0-3 available all services 851 South Gordon Road Austell, GA 770-948-5443 Located at the intersection of Blair Bridge and South Gordon Road
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES 8:30 a.m. - Traditional 9:45 a.m. - Praise Worship 9:45 a.m. - The Rise (Youth) 11:00 a.m. - Traditional 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages 11:00 a.m. - Children’s Worship 1801 Ben King Rd. | Kennesaw, GA 30144 770-428-1543 www.kennesawumc.org
WEDNESDAY Evening Meal - 5:30pm Mid-Week Service - 7:00pm Girls In Action - 7:00pm Team Kids (Boys Bible Study) - 7:00pm
~CHURCH OF CHRIST~
~COMMUNITY~
CENTRAL CHURCH OF CHRIST (in Smyrna) Richard Barnes, Minister
TOWN CENTER COMMUNITY CHURCH
Join us for AWANA! Sundays starting August 12th 4:50 - 7:15pm
We are a family-orientated mid-sized church located in north east Cobb County near the intersection of Chastain Road and Canton Highway
For children 2 years old - 12th Grade (Puggles, Cubbies, Sparks, Truth in Training, Trek and Journey Clubs)
SUNDAY 9:00 AM - Bible Classes 10:00 AM - Worship 5:00 PM - Worship WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM - Bible Classes 473 Powder Springs St. • Smyrna, GA 30082 770-319-7000 centralcofc2@bellsouth.net www.smyrnacentralcoc.org
1040 Blackwell Road Marietta, GA 30066 (770) 424-4004 Visit: tccchurch.com for a current schedule
VBS coming June 2013
SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE 9:00 a.m. - Worship, Sanctuary 10-10:15 a.m. - Holy Communion, Chapel 10:10 a.m. - Sunday School 11:15 a.m. - Worship, Sanctuary Nursery available - ages birth to 3 yrs. 56 Whitlock Ave SW Marietta, GA 30064 Phone: 770-429-7800 www.mariettafumc.org
~SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST~ MARIETTA ADVENTIST CHURCH Sabbath (Saturday) Services 9:00AM - First Service, Sanctuary 10:15AM - Sabbath School Classes/ Church at Worship, Classrooms in the church and school 11:15AM - Second Service, Sanctuary
3732 Macland Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 770-943-5511 www.maclandbaptist.org
1330 Cobb Parkway N. Marietta, GA 30062 www.marietta.netadvent.org
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16
WE INVITE YOU TO COME WORSHIP WITH US
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COBB LIBRARIES Acworth Library 4569 Dallas St., Acworth, 30101 (770) 917-5165 Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday: Closed Central Library 266 Roswell St., Marietta, 30060 (770) 528-2320 Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed East Cobb Library 4880 Lower Roswell Rd., Suite 510-B, Marietta, 30068 (770) 509-2730 Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed
East Marietta Library 2051 Lower Roswell Rd., Marietta, 30068 (770) 509-2711
Kemp Memorial Library 4029 Due West Road NW, Marietta, 30064 (770) 528-2527
Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed
Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed
Gritters Library 880 Shaw Park Rd., Marietta, 30066 (770) 528-2524
Kennesaw Library 2250 Lewis St., Kennesaw, 30144 (770) 528-2529
Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed
Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed
Hattie G. Wilson Library 350 Lemon St., Marietta, 30060 (770) 528-2526
Lewis A. Ray Library 4500 Oakdale Rd., Smyrna, 30080 (770) 801-5335
Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday: Closed
Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday: Closed
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What makes Cobb great?
Wallace Coopwood of Smyrna, lobbyist
Pam Flournoy of Marietta, great grandmother
I love living here. It’s because Cobb County is a wonderful county because Cobb County and especially Smyrna, Georgia provides a lot of opportunities for those who are willing to work hard and make the sacrifices that’s needed to make.
Carey Cox of Marietta, loan officer Of all metro Atlanta counties, Cobb gives you the best services for the lowest taxes. Also a great variety of entertainment and restaurants. A great place to live.
my family is here. Three of my four children live in Marietta with their spouses. I also have four grandchildren and two great grandchildren who live in Marietta. I am happy to be surrounded by family. The other reason is I found a church home, Marietta First Baptist Church, and I’m active in the church as well as the Mary and Martha Sunday School Class, which affords me Christian support and fellowship. My pride in this great community expands as Cobb County expanded to be an education mecca with varied opportunities to work for its residents. I am delighted that I feel as this quote states: ‘The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been, and the memories we’ve made.’ I’m fortunate to live in Cobb, an exciting and expanding county.
Phillip Colburn of Marietta, rising sophomore, Marietta High
I’ve lived here all my life. One of the things that I love is I go to such a great school, Marietta, where I’m involved in all kinds of things like I play three sports, football, wrestling and track, and I also do our junior ROTC program, which is an Air Force program. … Some of the other things I like is it’s kind of centrally located which means everything is pretty close. Nothing’s extremely far away, which means if I want to go down to Atlanta to watch a Braves game or a Falcons game or something I can shoot right down to Atlanta, or it’s not too long a drive if I want to go up to Chattanooga. It’s not very far from anything.
Cindy Suto of Marietta, photographer
Cobb County offers a wholesome suburban lifestyle. … On a weekend, you can shop at the farmer’s market, hike Kennesaw Mountain, walk along the Cheatham Hill Trail, kayak on the Chattahoochee River, bike the Silver Comet Trail, and top it off with an event on the Square in Marietta.
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COBB LIBRARIES Mountain View Regional Library 3320 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta, 30066 (770) 509-2725 Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed Powder Springs Library 4181 Atlanta Street, Bldg. 1, Powder Springs, 30127 (770) 439-3600 Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed Sibley Library 1539 South Cobb Dr., Marietta, 30060 (770) 528-2520 Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday: Closed South Cobb Regional Library 805 Clay Rd., Mableton, 30126 (678) 398-5828 Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed Stratton Library 1100 Powder Springs Rd., Marietta, 30064 (770) 528-2522 Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed Sweetwater Valley Library 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Rd., Suite 123, Austell, 30106 (770) 819-3290 Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday: Closed Vinings Library 4290 Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta, 30339 (770) 801-5330 Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed
West Cobb Regional Library 1750 Dennis Kemp Lane, Kennesaw, 30152 (770) 528-4699 Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed Smyrna Public Library * This library is not part of the Cobb County system. 100 Village Green Circle, Smyrna, 30080-3478 770-431-2860 Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Mountain View Regional Manager Mike Aiken, left, and Commissioner Bob Ott in the Mountain View library.
community
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As
The Crowes
FLY
A Kennesaw couple follows their passion to form Velociteach. The result? A profitable local enterprise that earns them the honor of small business of the year.
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Andy Crowe “The stress of my (previous) job was so much that I was having chest pains and I was realizing that I wouldn’t survive this much longer,” Crowe recalled of his days as an informational technology project manager. The Crowes then created Velociteach, a company that teaches project management. The company recently marked 10 years in business. Velociteach provides online and live training for people trying to get Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. The training classes, which are open to the public, typically last about three days. The company also sells books on the subject, and licenses its materials. “We help them (complete projects) more efficiently, improve their processes, understand how to plan a project. … We help companies with best practices in project management, we help them prepare for the PMP certification,” he said. This year, Velociteach was named the 2012 Cobb Chamber Small Business of the Year. Each day during that first year, Andy Crowe would sit at a Smyrna coffee shop and try to collect his thoughts. That same coffee shop is where he also met his first client, Patsy Ramsey, the mother of slain child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey. “Patsy (Ramsey) and I got to be really good friends and she came to me around Christmas of 2002 and said, ‘I have a dear friend that I want to send through your class.’ I said, ‘Patsy, this class is very expensive. It’s thousands of dollars.’ She said, ‘It’s OK, here’s your check, I’m your first customer,’” he said. “That was just such a vote of confidence.” Not long after that, Crowe moved the business from his dining-room table at home to a space off Roberts Boulevard in Kennesaw. In 2007, Velociteach moved to its current location off Townpark Drive, also in Kennesaw. The business has grown from five employees to 26 and has served almost
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Ryan Clement Executive Chef
200,000 clients from Canada to Saudi Arabia and parts of Africa, Crowe said. A few of its biggest clients include the State of Florida, Chick-Fil-A, Home Depot, FedEx, Siemens, the FBI, Marine Corps, Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration, he said. “It’s been better than we thought,” Crowe said. “The minute we launched this, it just exploded. The book started selling like crazy and that was just incredible. I had written a novel before that, which never even got published. It was just fun to watch this take off. “It’s been good for our family. It’s been a great career,” he said. “Obviously there are mistakes that I’ve made that I would do different, but I wouldn’t change a thing in terms of how we are structured or what we did.” Bill Yates, director of training, started at Velociteach in 2005. He is responsible for developing the course content and working with the trainers. “This is the best job ever. It’s a wonderful fit. It’s so fun for me because there’s an aspect of consulting that I enjoy,” he said. “I love the small-business aspect of having a real impact on the customers and even the trainers that we find and recruit. I know that they’re going to be the face of Velociteach to the customers.” Chris Goeth, the director of business development, said that he not only enjoys working at Velociteach but that, in a way, his boss helped save his life. “In 2003, my wife got real ill, real fast and died,” he said. “I was a basket case because my children at the time were 14 and 16 and it was touch and go for awhile. I wasn’t sure if today was the day I slit my wrist or not.” After a friendly phone call from Andy Crowe and a weekend trip to a jazz festival in California, Goeth said he resigned from his former job and decided Velociteach was where he wanted to be. “Andy did something for me that nobody else was able to. He threw me a life ring that I could really hold onto,” he said. “It’s been a wonderful ride ever since. In eight years, there probably haven’t been five days that I couldn’t stand going to work. How many men and women can say that? I’m perfectly suited for my role, for the company. It’s a great fit for me.”
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FORTUNE 500 companies
The Home Depot * 2455 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, 30339 * The Home Depot is the world’s largest home-improvement specialty retailer. * At the helm: Frank Blake, chairman and CEO * Employees: 331,000 worldwide * 2011 net sales: $70.4 billion * www.homedepot.com
Genuine Parts * 2999 Circle 75 Parkway, Atlanta, 30339 * Genuine Parts Company distributes automotive replacement parts, industrial replacement parts, office products and electrical and electronic materials. It’s perhaps best known for NAPA Auto Parts. * At the helm: Thomas C. Gallagher, chairman and CEO * Employees: 29,800 in north America * 2011 net sales: $12.5 billion * www.genpt.com
Coca-Cola Enterprises * 2500 Windy Ridge Parkway, Atlanta, 30339 * CCE is one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the world. It buys syrup concentrate from John F. Brock The Coca-Cola Company and combines it with the other ingredients. It sells in Western Europe, including Belgium, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. * At the helm: John F. Brock, chairman and CEO * Employees: 13,250 worldwide * 2011 revenue: $8.3 billion * www.cokecce.com
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of pipes and
perseverance
Meet Mitzi Smith Moore, owner of Sundial Plumbing and one of Cobb’s Power Women
Mitzi Smith Moore has a reputation as an accomplished business owner and dedicated community servant. The surprise comes when you learn she is also a certified master plumber. Though her father, Jack Smith, owned a successful Marietta plumbing company, Moore’s early career goals did not include joining his company. However, a divorce and dire financial circumstances changed her view and altered her course. Two decades ago, the newly divorced homemaker and mother of two found herself alone and in need of a job that would support her and her young children. “I really wanted to go back to school to become a teacher, but I stopped short when I realized I had to go back to work. But all of the jobs I interviewed for required me to travel,” Moore said. With limited choices, Moore went to work for her father on a parttime basis.
Much to her surprise, she really liked the job. “For the first time, I realized just all of the jobs my dad did and it was fascinating,” Smith said. She eventually asked her father if she could run the company and he matter-of-factly said, “Sure. Go get your plumbing license.” Fifteen years ago, the self-described “girlygirl” did just that. For five years she drove the trucks, wore mud-caked coveralls and trained to become a certified master plumber. “I underestimated what I could do,” she said. When Moore went on service calls, her gender always garnered comments, she said.
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“Some laughed, some insulted, some ignored me. ... I have been asked to leave more than once. Some said that they wanted a ‘real plumber.’” She actually witnessed more bias from women than men, she said. Jack Smith eventually sold his company and together, they opened Sundial Plumbing in 1999. The same year, her father retired and Moore purchased the company and became president. Today the privately owned company has 44 employees, owns 28 trucks and has annual revenues of $4 million. Sundial is still located in the 13,000-square-foot facility on Old Highway 41 where her father started his plumbing business in 1972. Jack Smith describes his daughter as “tireless.” “Mitzi’s tireless energy and dedication have been there since she was a little girl,” he said. “Her accomplishments and public service have made a huge positive impact and will, I expect, continue to do so.” As for what is next, Moore says that because of the recession, annual growth has not been as strong she would have liked, but she is optimistic about the future. “Because of Sundial’s phenomenal customer retention rate, I expect large growth in our customer base in the future,” she said.
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Shan Cooper, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics vice president and general manager for the Marietta plant.
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Fastening a firm’s future In 1973, Georgia Tech graduate Alex Gregory was nearing the end of a three-year stint with the Navy when a friend called to say a Japanese company was looking for a textile engineer for its future zipper plant in Macon. Gregory’s wife, Glenda, was a Macon native, so he pursued an interview. When he went to the factory site to meet with Japaneseowned YKK Corp., he admits he hardly knew where Japan was on a map. “It all seemed so foreign, and I did not think it was a good fit,” Gregory said. But a follow-up interview with then-company President Yoshinori Kitano in New Jersey sealed his future. “He was a strong leader and a bright man,” Gregory said. He accepted the job and has spent the majority of his career with the global zipper, fastener and architectural products manufacturer. The private conglomerate has 39,000 employees and 109 companies in 71 countries. Gregory, a native of Eatonton, spent his early years with the company diligently studying Japanese at night. “About 15 years ago I had an epiphany,” he said. “I
made a decision to stop studying Japanese and focus on being a good businessman.” Gregory’s distinctly Southern accent proved to be no barrier for his climb up YKK’s corporate ladder. After multiple promotions, in 2002, he was selected as president and CEO of YKK Corp. of America. Two years later, he became the first non-Japanese group officer for YKK Corp. of Japan. In 2011, he was elected chairman of the board of directors, again being the first non-Japanese person in the position. Today, he reports to the president of YKK Corp. in Tokyo. YKK Corp. of America initially made four types of zippers for clothing. The company later expanded into fasteners for a variety of goods, including luggage, medical equipment and automotive products. In the early 1980s, the company began manufacturing architectural products, including aluminum window frames, a category of products that now accounts for two-thirds of its sales. YKK Corp. of America has been headquartered off Franklin Road in Marietta since 2001. Gregory’s team oversees 14 companies in North and Central America. Headquarters of two manufacturing subsidiaries also are in Cobb. YKK (U.S.A.) Inc., the fastener manufacturing group, has been on Cobb Industrial Drive, near Interstate 75 at Canton Road, since 1970. Austell has the headquarters of YKK AP America Inc., the architectural-product manufacturing group.
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SHIFTING TO SUCCESS
AT FORGED PERFORMANCE IN MARIETTA, CUSTOMIZING HALF-A-MILLION DOLLAR CARS IS JUST ANOTHER DAY ON THE JOB by michael pallerino
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Those must have been really something for Sharif Abdelbaset. After seven years of doing the corporate America thing, the self-admitted car junkie went from reporting to work each day for a Fortune 50 company to setting up shop — literally — in his garage. Sharif, owner/general manager and a certified tuner for Forged Performance in Marietta, knew that the corporate world wasn’t for him. So the Southern California native, who grew up dreaming of fancy cars, decided to quit his corporate gig at Nestle and follow his passion. The move was inspired by the advice his parents had given him as a child. “Don’t focus too much on the money,” he recalls them telling him. “Do the best job you can do with something you enjoy — something you are passionate about — and the money will come.” So cars it was. Already working nights and weekends tuning high performance vehicles on his own and as a freelancer for other shops, Sharif moved his operation from his garage in Charlotte to the Atlanta area, where he saw a greater level of opportunity and talent. Today, his full-service parts, distribution, installation, tuning and fabrication facility is one of the premier Nissan, Subaru, Mitsubishi and Porsche specialty shops in the country. The company, founded in 2004, has grown into a 17-person team of motorsports enthusiasts dedicated to personalizing, upgrading and modifying highline performance cars. “The key to success is to have the best people around you — and that’s what I have,” Sharif says. “We are passionate about high-performance racing. It’s not a job to me. It’s something I am very passionate about. There’s nothing routine or generic about what we do. Every day, I am surrounded by awesome machines, and I never find myself looking at the clock to see what time it is.” Over the past few years, in a too-challenging-for-words economy, Forged Performance continues to grow, posting a 30 percent increase each year since 2005. And if that’s not impressive enough, Sharif is expanding his company’s services into parts development and manufacturing products such as sway bars, intakes and roll bars. “This will make us even more of a resource,” he says. “Now we can test each product and make sure they are the best out there.” Sharif’s fast track ride to success seems to be getting faster. Today, in addition to handling the daily operations at Forged, he is one of the only tuners in the country that knows the ins and outs of the Nissan GT-R’s complex engine and transmission control systems. It’s not uncommon for his clients to dispatch him worldwide to faraway places such as Dubai and Panama. And if that’s not enough, he is a decorated racer, having held class track records at Road Atlanta, Carolina Motorsports Park, Virginia International Raceway and Sebring International Raceway. In addition, Sharif is a licensed driving instructor for NASA, PCA and other prestigious motorsports groups.
Owner Sharif Abdelbaset started Forged Performance in his garage before working his way up to the current location, 498 Cobb Parkway South in Marietta.
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Employers in Cobb
Above, Kennesaw State University does not only contribute to the educational community in Cobb, but to the job market as well. Below, Lockheed Martin has a strong history of business in Cobb. Below right, The Home Depot assistant managers Andre Johnkins of Douglasville, left, and Nita Nettles of Austell stand outside of their Dallas Highway store in Marietta.
The Home Depot
20,000
Cobb County Schools
14,027
WellStar Health System
11,785
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
7,568
Cobb County Government
4,162
Kennesaw State University
3,400
Publix Supermarkets
2,973
Wal-Mart
2,750
Six Flags Over Georgia
2,386
The Kroger Company
2,150 — Cobb Chamber of Commerce
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These businesses have recently moved to Cobb Osmotica Pharmaceutical
Novelis
Profile: A global pharmaceutical company specializing in drug delivery technologies and neurology based therapies. The company has a special focus on Parkinson's disease.
Profile: World’s largest producer of rolled aluminum and the global leader in beverage can recycling.
Number of employees: 144.
Locations: The Kennesaw office, near Barrett and Cobb Parkways, is a research and technology center. Headquarters are in Buckhead. The company has offices in several nations.
Locations: Marietta; Wilmington, N.C.; Budapest; Buenos Aires Why they chose Cobb: The area’s skilled workforce and the support of the city, county and state.
Number of employees: 70.
Why they chose Cobb: “It’s only 25 minute drive from our headquarters and it’s really important to have alignment between our leadership organization and the other functions of the company,” spokeswoman Fiona Bell said.
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Speciale effect at Cobb Yamaha plant uring his senior year of college, Ben Speciale sent approximately 100 letters to Yamaha Marine Group seeking a job upon graduation. With each rejection letter, he sent another. Shortly after he graduated in 1987, his persistence paid off and he was offered an entry-level marketing job. Today, Speciale is president of Yamaha Marine Group and says leading one of the world’s top marine-engine brands is a dream job. He grew up working on boats at his family’s marina and resort on Tennessee’s Watts Bar Lake. Their home was also on the resort, which is between Chattanooga and Knoxville. Speciale, his mother and brother still own the resort. “We never said it was a job,” Speciale said. “It was the way we lived our lives.” That first job with Yamaha Marine took him to the headquarters in Cypress, Calif. He moved up the ranks to vice president and, in 2010, he was hand-selected to succeed Phil Dyskow when he retired as president. While Speciale was vice president, the company relocated the marine group from California to a 38-acre campus in Kennesaw. The new headquarters, which opened in 1997 on Chastain Road between Kennesaw State University and McCollum Airport, houses both a distribution facility and serves as the southeastern office
D
for Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S., as well as the U.S. headquarters for Yamaha’s Marine Group, Watercraft Group and IM Group. As president, Speciale oversees production of the Skeeter bass boats and G3 aluminum fishing boats, as well as Precision Propeller Industries, Inc. His division has 650 employees, though most work elsewhere. About 250 people work at the Kennesaw campus. Since the move to Kennesaw, the Marine Group has focused on manufacturing bigger boat engines, and Yamaha brands make up one-third of all boat-engine sales worldwide today. In addition to the economic downturn, when layoffs were necessary, Speciale said the other most difficult time of his career were the days following the 2010 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, where Yamaha was founded. “Like any type of challenging event, we had to sit down and figure out what this meant for us. Picture having all your contacts, all your ability to communicate go away,” he said. “Our strategy was to communicate weekly to the customers to tell them what we knew. Human nature is you want to tell people positive news but if we didn’t know, we didn’t tell them. I think that is crisis management.”
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By Sheri Kell
K E Y TO SUCCESS Kenny Burts has built a dessert empire in Smyrna Kenny Burts, president and CEO of Kenny’s Great Pies, Inc., is not a trained chef, but he is passionate about producing the best, most authentic Key lime pies available. But none of that mattered when the recession hit and he had to find a way to weather the three-year economic storm. Key limes may not be indigenous to Atlanta, but Burts is home-grown. As one of the first babies born in Piedmont Hospital in 1957, he lived in Chamblee through high school and attended one year of college at Valdosta State before moving to Coral Gables, Fla., to live with his grandmother. His parents hoped he would continue college at the University of Miami. However, according to Burts, the move likely paved his entrepreneurial path. A Key lime tree in his grandmother’s neighbor’s yard dropped the petite fruit in their driveway. He began experimenting with them while sampling Key lime pies throughout south Florida and Key West. In the early 1980s, he moved back to Atlanta and began painting muscle cars and bartending to earn a living, but the seed had been planted. By the late ’80s, Burts had perfected his own “icebox” pie recipe and began making it for friends and family. In 1990, a few local restaurants began ordering pies, so Burts found himself working all day and juicing Key limes and baking pies in his 800-square-foot apartment all night. “Eventually, I had four freezers in my apartment,” he said. His father, Ransom Burts, also became actively involved and eventually assumed the responsibilities of vice president and finance manager. With the help of friends and family, the apartment operation produced a total 3,900 pies. In 1992, Burts married his wife, Ellen. The same year, a visit from the Department of Agriculture prompted him to move the business into a commercial kitchen at Belmont Hills in Smyrna. The company quickly outgrew the 3,000-squarefoot facility so as neighboring tenants moved out, they knocked down walls and expanded, eventually occupying the entire 18,000-square-foot building. California Pizza Kitchen’s first Atlanta location at Lenox Mall and several metro Atlanta Longhorn Steakhouse locations became the company’s first restaurant chain clients. He has grown with the two mega-chains, and Burts recently presented his millionth pie to California Pizza Kitchen. In 2006, the company relocated to its current Highlands Parkway building in Smyrna. The 33,000-square-foot facility is capable of producing 6,000 pies a day. But while 2007 was a record year with $4 million in sales, the economy and the restaurant industry plummeted in 2008, forcing Burts to reduce staff, cut expenses and freeze salaries. But rather than give up, Burts focused his energies on expanding the company. “We knew we had no geographical boundaries,” Burts said. “We could ship anywhere.”
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F A C T B O O K
LGE Community Credit Union 430 Commerce Park Drive SE, Marietta, 30060 Number of locations in Cobb: 5 Assets: $867 million Credit Union of Georgia 69 South Ave., Marietta, 30060 Locations in Cobb: 5 Assets: $200 million
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ASSOCIATIONS
O
wn a small business in Cobb? Want to find ways to better advertise your product? Looking to network with fellow business owners? Cobb has 10 business associations across the county whose goal is to support and promote the businesses in Cobb. Acworth Business Association www.acworthbusiness.org (770)-423-1330 Meets for lunch the fourth Thursday of each month at NorthStar Church, 3413 Blue Springs Road in Kennesaw Membership is $75 a year. Austell Business Association www.austellbusinessassociation.org Meets for lunch the third Tuesday of each month at the Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road in Austell Membership is $50 a year. East Cobb Business Association www.eastcobbba.com Meets for lunch the third Tuesday of each month at Hollycrest Hall, 2235 Sewell Mill Road in Marietta Membership is $75 a year. Kennesaw Business Association www.kennesawbusiness.org Meets for lunch the second Tuesday of each month at the Kennesaw State University Continuing Education Building, 3333 Busbee Drive in Kennesaw Membership is $85 a year. Marietta Business Association www.mariettabusiness.biz Meets for breakfast the third Thursday of the month at the Marlow House, 192 Church St. in Marietta Meets for lunch the second Thursday at the Mansour Center, 995 Roswell St. in Marietta Membership is $175 a year, $95 a year if you pay for each meeting you attend, or $50 quarterly. Smyrna Business Association www.smyrnabusiness.org Meets for lunch the first Thursday of each month at Smyrna Community Center, 200 Village Green Circle, Smyrna Membership is $50 a year.
Northeast Cobb Business Association www.northeastcobbba.com Meets for lunch the third Wednesday of each month at Piedmont Church, 570 Piedmont Road, Marietta Membership is $75 a year. South Cobb Business Association www.sc-ba.org Meets for lunch the first Wednesday of each month at the Lions Club Community Center, 620 Lions Club Drive, Mableton Membership is $80 a year for businesses, $120 for banks.
West Cobb Business Association www.westcobbbusinessassociation .com Meets for lunch the fourth Tuesday of each month, except for November and December, at Lost Mountain Baptist Church, 5400 Old Dallas Road, Powder Springs Membership is $75 a year. Vinings Business Association www.viningsbusiness.com Meets for lunch the first Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the Social Vinings restaurant, 3621 Vinings Slope, Atlanta Membership is $95 a year.
Auto Paint & Body Shop “We Meet By Accident”
523 Glover Street • Marietta, GA 30060
Phone (770) 422-0567 Providing quality collision repair since 1967 As well as custom restoration & paint on classic cars, hotrods and customs www.americanpaintandbody.com 2 0 1 2
F A C T B O O K
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CEO Steve Tanner in Arylessence, Inc. warehouse. BY SHERI KELL
cent of success In far northeast Cobb sits a 90,000-squarefoot facility where the fragrance in your laundry detergent and the flavor in your lip balm were likely created. Arylessence, Inc., President and CEO Steve Tanner leads the family business that is a part of most consumers’ everyday lives. The company is on Lake Drive, near where Canton Road meets Jamerson Road. “It’s an interesting business, because no one ever thinks about where these compounds come from. You won’t find our labels anywhere, but we ship globally every day,” he said. The company creates custom fragrances for major manufacturers of personal care, cosmetic, fragrance, laundry, cleaning and air-care products. It also makes flavorings found in products such as popcorn, lip balm, oral care, chewing gum, soda, coffee and tea. Among the 95 employees, many spend their days in white laboratory coats and have titles such as perfumer, flavorist, compounder and scientist. Tanner said almost every household product contains a unique formula for fragrance or flavor, or both. “A lot of work goes into making sure the recipe is perfect for that product,” Tanner said. “No two are alike.” Arylessence was founded in 1977 by Steve
Tanner’s late brother, Lee, who had worked as a product developer for Atlanta-based cleaning product manufacturer, Zep. Lee Tanner opened the business in Smyrna with just four employees. “Lee got started with fragrancing the products he knew how to make,” Steve Tanner said, adding that Zep is still a customer. In 1986, Lee Tanner had grown the company to 11 employees and enticed Steve to join as vice president and “help make a go of the business,” Steve Tanner recalled. “He was a good technical person, and I was a good sales guy,” he said. “When a customer had a problem, we could solve it.” The Tanners grew up in Forest Park. After earning a bachelor’s degree in management from Georgia State College, Steve Tanner spent five years in the Army as an artillery captain. He served in Vietnam, where he earned a Bronze Star for valor with oak leaf cluster. Before joining Arylessence, he worked for Airborne Freight Corp., then Trailways bus company, where he honed his management skills as East Coast operations manager. In 1996, Lee Tanner died suddenly of an aneurysm. An imposing portrait of him hangs in the office lobby in homage to the company founder.
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CAMERAS IN COBB
Film industry continues rise in county thanks to state incentives
If you thought you saw actor Kevin Bacon going into “Neighborhood Watch,” a movie featuring actors the Cobb County Superior Court building recently, you Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn set for release at the end were not mistaken. His top-secret, after-hours shoot for of July, was cause for excitement at several Cobb sites a television pilot is just one of the latest television and in October. The Cobb locations included the Marietta movie productions to land in Cobb County. Square, Campbell High School’s football stadium, the More than 700 feature films, music videos and televiEcho Mill subdivision in west Cobb and the Amberton sion movies and series have been filmed in Georgia subdivision in Powder Springs. since 1972, bringing more than $5 billion to the state, And scenes for “Until We Meet Again,” a made-forsaid Craig Dominey, senior film location specialist for TV Disney movie scheduled to air this summer, were Ben Stiller the Georgia Film, Music and Digital Entertainment offilmed at the Strand in November. fice, a part of the Georgia Department of Economic In March 2011, the Film Commission designated Cobb as a Development. “Camera Ready Community,” an initiative in which participatDominey said nearly half of the total projects took place in ing communities provide an “image library” of their commu2011 with an economic impact of $2.4 billion. nity’s landmarks and venues and list a liaison for interested “This industry has been a lifesaver for a lot of unemployed scouts, producers and directors to contact about possibly filmpeople in Georgia,” Dominey said. “There are all sorts of stoing in their areas. Dominey said the initiative now includes 116 ries of people who have had a second-chance career. … There counties in Georgia. are people who were in home construction who are now in set “From the time we got our designation, the calls started comconstruction.” ing in from location scouts,” said Holly Bass, CEO of the Cobb He said that in addition to the initial project, fans flock to the Travel & Tourism and Cobb’s Camera Ready liaison. sites where their favorite movies and television shows were Bass says her office has fielded nearly 70 requests in the past filmed, bringing more money to the community. year.
These businesses have recently moved to Cobb MiMedx Group Inc.
SMI
Profile: Integrated developer, manufacturer and marketer of patent protected biomaterial-based products.
Profile: A manufacturing company that makes shrink-wrap machines.
Number of employees in Cobb office : 75 to 80
Number of employees in Cobb office: 7
Locations: Kennesaw
Locations: Georgia and Italy
Why they chose Cobb: The majority of the management team was based in Cobb. Cobb is a great place to do business and a great place to relocate people to because of the great housing markets and schools. There is a huge demand for laboratory processing technicians.
Why they chose Cobb: SMI moved from Connecticut. The corporate office is in Italy and travel is much easier from Hartsfield International Airport. Costs are lower in Cobb for the company than in Connecticut.
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C O B B C O U N T Y, G E O R G I A
With low property taxes, unmatched recreational opportunities, nationally-ranked schools and access to a well educated work force. ...Cobb is a great place to live, work and play.
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H EATON Cobb Fire Chief Sam Heaton is approaching two years in his dual roles. Along with leading the fire department, he has been Cobb’s “acting” public safety director since August 2010. While overseeing Cobb’s firefighters and emergency medical technicians, Heaton, 50, also has been in charge of the police, 911 Emergency, and animal control units. He even has to switch between offices at Fire and Emergency Headquarters on County Services Parkway and the public safety offices at the county’s administration building on the Marietta Square, often spending half the day at each. Not only does Heaton have to oversee one-third of the county’s workforce, he said his duties involve making sure that his agencies work well with other public safety entities in the county, both during emergencies and good times. This includes coordinating with the Sheriff’s Office, city police and fire departments, as well as police departments at Lockheed Martin and college campuses. “The director works to ensure the departments work closely as a team on a daily basis through development and implementation of policies and procedures, face-toface meetings and training,” he said. He also works with the county’s human resources and legal departments on personnel issues like worker’s compensation, hiring, discipline and military leave, Heaton said. He also must update the county manager and county commissioners on events and incidents. “These are essential duties that take constant work and effort,” he said. For Heaton, 12-hour days are common. He’s also had to deal with morale challenges among the county’s 1,500 public-safety employees who haven’t seen a pay raise in years. But he said everyone, from employees on up to the elected commissioners, have been supportive of him. “This has really given me an opportunity to work very closely with DOT, parks and rec, community development,” he said. “In my opinion, it’s improved my ability to analyze things, because now I have a better idea how
they see things.” Heaton is a graduate of Paulding County High School. He’s been with Cobb Fire for 27 years and served as chief since May 2008. He moved to Marietta nine years ago from Douglas County. The 1970s TV show “Emergency!” helped interest Heaton in firefighting, but the lack of benefits from a construction job is what he said convinced him to enter the field. “At the time, I think the starting pay was about $14,000 a year,” Heaton said of starting with Cobb Fire in 1985. “But the benefits were good.”
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government While he initially worked construction and firefighting simultaneously, Heaton said he gave up his other job when he decided to also become an emergency medical technician in 1989. “About ’86, ’87 I realized this could really be a great career,” he said. “And it has been.” Heaton said becoming a paramedic provided an opportunity for increased pay and education. He has an associate’s degree in fire science from DeKalb College, now Georgia Perimeter College, and a bachelor’s in public safety administration that he obtained online in 2009 from Grand Canyon University in Arizona. He is now considering going for a graduate degree. “I also have one child in college, and another getting ready, and nothing’s cheap,” he said. Cobb’s Citizen Oversight Committee, which sought to find efficiencies in county government, recently recommended that the county hire a full-time public safety director. Heaton said he’s not sure whether he would apply for the permanent public safety director position, if it came open. “I think it would be exciting,” he said. “I think it will be very challenging. I think it would enable me to continue my learning experience in public safety. I can see a lot of things I would enjoy about the job.” County Chairman Tim Lee said Heaton has been able to han-
dle his dual roles without missing a beat. “He stepped into a position that he was unfamiliar with and has done a stellar job of rising to the need and responsibilities of the position,” Lee said. “He’s done it without complaint. He’s done it without wavering.” Heaton is married and has two daughters, Chelsie, 22, and Nikki, 20, from a previous marriage. He also has a 16-year-old stepdaughter, Halle Levasseur. His wife of 14 years, Bonnie, is a fire engineer and paramedic, driving fire trucks and ambulances in Gwinnett County. “She’s still in the rank and file,” Heaton said. “She somewhat keeps me grounded. Obviously you talk about very similar issues going on in both departments. She’s always been able to give me a good perspective on a firefighter’s view — and doesn’t mind doing that, either.”
IMPORTANT NUMBERS County Government Service Centers Cobb has two government service centers where residents can transact business or receive information about services. Both centers contain full-service tag offices. Hours of operation: Business Offices: Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tag Offices: Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., with main office remaining open until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. Lines may close 15 minutes early in peak periods of heavy walk-in traffic. East Cobb 4400 Lower Roswell Road Marietta, 30068 (770) 499-4447 (770) 499-4409 Fax (770) 499-4447 TTY
Dear Citizens of Cobb County: On behalf of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, we thank you for visiting the City of Acworth to shop in our stores and eat in our restaurants. These are challenging times and we ask for your continued patronage in 2012.
Thank You, Mayor Tommy and the Board of Aldermen and 1,200 Business Owners in Acworth
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South Cobb 4700 Austell Road Austell, 30106 (770) 499-4494 (770) 590-5519 Fax (770) 499-4497 TTY There also is a West Park Government Center, which houses some county offices. West Park Government Center 736 Whitlock Ave. Marietta, 30064 Departments/Services: (Hours may vary by department) Cobb Board of Elections and Registration Office: (770) 528-2581 Cobb Police Crimes Against Children Unit: (770) 801-3470
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IMPORTANT NUMBERS Tax Assessor’s Office: (770) 528-3100 Board of Equalization: (770) 528-2000 Tax Commissioner’s Office: (770) 528-8600 County Fire, Emergency Services, dial 911 Fire Chief Sam Heaton 1595 County Services Parkway Marietta, 30008 (770) 528-8000 www.fire.cobbcountyga.gov County Police Emergency, dial 911
government
Precinct 3: Southeast Cobb/Galleria Stephen.Merrifield@cobbcounty.org 1901 Cumberland Parkway Atlanta, 30339 (770) 499-4183
Precinct 5: West Cobb Dale.Bolenbaugh@cobbcounty.org 4640 Dallas Highway Powder Springs, 30127 (770) 499-4185
Precinct 4: Northeast Cobb Charles.Cox@cobbcounty.org 4400 Lower Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30067 (770) 499-4184
Special Operations Robert.Sampson@cobbcounty.org 2380 North Cobb Parkway Kennesaw, 30152 (770) 499-3987
Chief John Houser 140 North Marietta Parkway Marietta, 30060 (770) 499-3900 www.police.cobbcountyga.gov Precinct 1: Northwest Cobb Jerry.Quan@cobbcounty.org 2380 Cobb Parkway Kennesaw, 30152 (770) 499-4181 Precinct 2: Southwest Cobb 4700 Austell Road Austell, 30106 (770) 499-4182
Working hard to get fellow Republicans elected! We meet the first Tuesday of every month, and welcome all those who are 18-40 and young at heart. For the most up to date information please visit our website:
CobbYR.org Find us on Facebook 2 0 1 2
F A C T B O O K
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Board of Commissioners
Note: The Commission Chairman, who is elected countywide, is up for election this year. The District 4 Commission Seat is also up for election. District 2 Commissioner Bob Ott’s seat is also up for election, but he does not face any opposition.
Tim Lee Commission Chairman Republican tlee@cobbcounty.org 770-528-3305 100 Cherokee Street Marietta, GA 30090-9679
Helen Goreham
Bob Ott, Vice Chairman
JoAnn Birrell
Woody Thompson
District 1 Commissioner Republican
District 2 Commissioner Republican
District 3 Commissioner Republican
District 4 Commissioner Democrat
hgoreham@cobbcounty.org 770-528-3313
bob.ott@cobbcounty.org 770-528-3316
joann.birrell@cobbcounty.org 770-528-3317
woody.thompson@cobbcounty.org 770-528-3312
100 Cherokee Street Marietta, GA 30090-9679
100 Cherokee Street Marietta, GA 30090-9679
100 Cherokee Street Marietta, GA 30090-9679
100 Cherokee Street Marietta, GA 30090-9679
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Congressional Districts
government
All seats are up for election in 2012.
Phil Gingrey
Tom Price
David Scott
Congressman Georgia’s 11th District Republican
Congressman Georgia’s 6th District Republican
Congressman Georgia’s 13th District Democrat
Contact Information: 219 Roswell Street Marietta, GA 30060 (770) 429-1776
Contact Information: 3730 Roswell Road, Suite 50 Marietta, GA 30062 (770)565-4990
Contact Information: 888 Concord Road, Suite 100 Smyrna, GA 30080 (770) 432-5405
gingrey.ga@mail.house.gov
tomprice.house.gov/contact-me http://davidscott.house.gov
AUSTELL The friendly city, is growing with Cobb Council Members: Kirsten Anderson | Trudie Causey | Virginia Reagan Martin Standard | Scott Thomas | Suzanne Thomason
JOE JERKINS, MAYOR
www.austell.org 770-944-4300 2716 Broad Street | Austell, Georgia 30106
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IMPORTANT NUMBERS Tax Commissioner’s Office Commissioner Gail Downing Chief Clerk Tori Steele www.cobbtax.org
Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Neil Warren www.cobbsheriff.org Headquarters 185 Roswell St. Marietta, 30060 (770) 499-4600 Station A 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road Suite 140 Austell, 30001 (770) 941-7402 Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday Jail 1825 County Services Parkway Marietta, 30008 (770) 499-4200
The Office of the Tax Commissioner is responsible for every phase of collecting and disbursing ad valorem property taxes, titling and registering motor vehicles and mobile homes, administering homestead exemptions and levying on property for delinquent taxes. There are two divisions, which are housed in separate offices. The Property Tax division issues property tax bills, collects taxes and is responsible for the auditing, accounting, disbursing and reporting of collections, processing homestead exemption applications
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www.ExpertCarMedics.com 78 2 0 1 2
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and levying on property for delinquent taxes. Each year tax bills are mailed around Aug. 15 to the Jan. 1 owner. Payment is due within 60 days or by Oct. 15. Exemption applications must be filed by April 1 to affect the current tax year. Main Office: West Park Government Center, 736 Whitlock Ave., Marietta, (770) 528-8600 The division is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday with extended hours until 6 p.m. Tuesdays between Aug. 15 and Oct. 15. Taxpayers may also pay taxes and file for exemptions at the two government service centers located at 4400 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, 30068 and 4700 Austell Road, Austell, 30106. Their hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Friday.
The Motor Vehicle tag division is responsible for the registration and titling of motor vehicles and the collection of all registration fees, taxes and penalties specified by Georgia law. Ad valorem taxes, if due, are collected when the vehicle is registered. Vehicles new to the state and newly acquired vehicles must be registered within 30 days of the day you move to Georgia or the day you purchase the vehicle. Outof-state tags expire 30 days after you move to Georgia, regardless of the date shown on the tag. There are only two exceptions: non-resident military personnel and full-time college students. The main office is at 700 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, 30060.
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Senate Districts
government
All seats are up for election in 2012. Some district numbers have changes. Note: Districts 37, 14, 32 and 33 have no opposition.
Doug Stoner
Lindsey Tippins
Barry Loudermilk
Senator, D- Smyrna Georgia’s 6th District doug.stoner@senate.ga.gov
Senator, R- West Cobb Georgia’s 37th District lindsey.tippins@senate.ga.gov
Senator, R- Cassville Georgia’s 14th District barry@barryloudermilk.com
Horacena Tate
Judson Hill
Steve Thompson
Senator, D- Atlanta Georgia’s 38th District horacena.tate@senate.ga.gov
Senator, R- East Cobb Georgia’s 32nd District judson@judsonhill.com
Senator, D- Marietta Georgia’s 33rd District
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House Districts
All seats are up for election in 2012. Rep. Terry Johnson is not seeking re-election. Some district numbers have changes.
Rep. Judy Manning House District 34 R-Marietta Contact Information: (404)656-7868 judymanning@bellsouth.net
Rep. Ed Setzler
Rep. Earl Ehrhart
House District 35 R-Acworth Contact Information: (404)630-8452 ed.setzler@house.ga.gov
House District 36 R-Powder Springs Contact Information: (770)437-7536 earl@ehrhart.4emm.com
Rep. Sam Teasley Rep. David House District 37 Wilekrson
Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan
Rep. Rich Golick Rep. Terry House District 40 Johnson
Rep. Stacey Evans
R-Marietta Contact Information: (404)656-0177 sam.teasley@house.ga. gov
House District 38 D-Austell Contact Information: (404)656-0116 david.wilkerson@house. ga.gov
House District 39 D-Austell Contact Information: (770)656-0109 alisha@alishamorgan.com
R-Smyrna Contact Information: (404)656-5943 rich.golick@house.ga.gov
House District 41 D-Marietta Contact Information: (404)656-0325 terryjohnson@cobb.net
House District 42 D-Smyrna Contact Information: (770)710-4087 stacey@staceyevans.org
Rep. Sharon Cooper
Rep. Don Parsons
Rep. Matt Dollar
Rep. John Carson
Rep. Sheila Jones
Rep. Roger Bruce
House District 43 R-Marietta Contact Information: (404)956-8357 sharon.cooper@house.ga.gov
House District 44 R-Marietta Contact Information: (770)977-4426 repdon@donparsons.org
House District 46 R-Marietta Contact Information: (404)575-2785 john.carson@house.ga.gov
House District 53 D-Atlanta Contact Information: (404)656-0323 sheila.jones@house.ga.gov
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House District 45 R-Marietta Contact Information: (770)656-0254 matt.dollar@house.ga.gov
House District 61 D-Atlanta Contact Information: (404)656-0314 rbruce5347@aol.com
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$1B NW corridor project moves quietly forward Drivers in Cobb could have access to reversible toll lanes on Interstates 75 and 575 as soon as 2018. The $1 billion Northwest Corridor project will be the most expensive road project in the state’s history, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. “What sold me on it is the importance of that corridor and the importance of relieving congestion,” Gov. Nathan Deal said. “It’s not a political thing. It’s just one of the facts of life when dealing with the realities of a problem you’re presented with, and trying to figure out the best solution to it.” The project entails two new lanes along the west side of I-75 between its interchanges with I-285 and Hickory Grove Road. The lanes will be separate from the existing interstate. Both lanes will carry traffic southbound during morning rush hours and northbound in the evening rush. On I-575, one new reversible lane will be added in the center median from the I-75 interchange and Sixes Road. Toll amounts have not been set and will vary depending on traffic volume. The toll lanes, which are intended as an option for reliable trip times for drivers when the regular lanes are congested, will only be open during peak travel times. Deal made clear the Cobb project is different than the toll lanes introduced in Gwinnett County. “These are new lanes,” Deal said. “The conversion of the HOV lane to a HOT lane on I-85 in Gwinnett County took an existing lane and simply converted it into a toll lane. … I do not approve of taking an existing lane and converting it to a toll lane. I think toll lanes should only be new construction and new lanes.” Planners say drivers will be able to get on or off the toll lanes at six points along I-75, and at three points along I-575. On I-75, the access points will be at Interstate 285; Terrell Mill Road; Roswell Road; I-575; Big Shanty Road; and Hickory Grove Road. State Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R-west Cobb) said the reversible toll lanes “will bring a tremendous amount of relief.” “You double your capacity of what conventional construction would bring, because you have pretty much two lanes going in each direction at peak times,” Tippins said. The state had planned to allow private companies to build the project and give them control of the tolls and lane operations. Deal cancelled that plan after he took office in 2011, an action that Tippins praises. “I have a great deal of respect for the governor and his intestinal fortitude to have cancelled the other format … and take back the sovereignty of the road to the state of Georgia instead of being under the thumb of what would have been an entity that’s based in Spain. We’d have been under their thumb for up to 60 years. That did not bode well for the state of Georgia,” Tippins said. The state senator said the project is not controversial because it is “so obviously beneficial.” “You don’t generate a great deal of opposition and resistance when you have clarity of what a project is going to do and you
government
spell out what it’s going to do, and when it’s going to do it,” Tippins said. “Any rational mind would realize that adding two lanes of interstate capacity in each direction at peak times, it’s kind of like killing rattlesnakes: I’m not sure there’s a wrong way to do that.” The Northwest Corridor project is expected to cost nearly $1 billion. Earlier this year, the Georgia General Assembly designated $300 million of state gasoline taxes carried over from previous years to the project.
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education
Feeling like
i l m y a f Acworth parents pleased with North Cobb Christian School BY LINDSAY FIELD Smaller class sizes and a familylike environment are just a few of the determining factors that Lee and Julie Smith of Acworth considered when they decided to send their daughters, Shelby and Claire, to North Cobb Christian School. “Just from what I have heard, there’s a direct correlation between the size of an elementary school and the success just because they get lost,” Julie said. “If someone asked me what we’ve been happiest with, it’s that the teachers go above and beyond with the child. It is the key differentiator.” The Smith family has lived in Acworth for about 10 years and Julie and Lee said they knew they wanted their children to attend a private school. “I went to private school fifth grade through graduation and I’m still close to a lot of the teachers and classmates and just the environment that becomes a part of your family,” Julie said. From left, kindergartener Claire Smith, 5, and second-grader Shelby Smith, 7.
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If someone asked me what we’ve been happiest with, it’s that the teachers go
“
above and beyond with the child . It is the key differentiator. — Julie Smith, Acworth
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Shelby is 7 and will be starting second grade in the fall. She’s been at North Cobb Christian since she was 4. Claire, 5, started with the school’s first 3-year-old classes and will be entering kindergarten in the fall. The couple also has a 15-month-old son, Hudson. North Cobb Christian, which served about 840 students in K-3 through 12th grade last year, opened in 1983. It is located off Lakeview Drive in Kennesaw near Highway 41 and tuition ranges from $3,450 to $11,545 per student. Julie, who is a medical sales representative for Quest Diagnostics, and Lee, who is the division vice president of asphalt with C.W. Matthews Contractors in Marietta, said the tuition is reasonable. “The value of what you get compared to other private schools is definitely worth School: it,” she said. North Cobb Christian The average size of School in Kennesaw her daughters’ classes is Grades: between 15 and 18 stuK-3 through 12 Enrollment: dents, compared to a 840 in 2011-2012 maximum class size of Tuition: around 25 in area public $3,450 to $11,545 schools. Julie said the per year maximum class size for elementary students at North Cobb Christian is 21 students. “Some of the (public) schools are having to push just to make sure every child meets the standards and those who are excelling can’t be pushed individually. (North Cobb Christian does) pushes them individually,” Julie said. “They will pull (students) out and put them in a different grade if need be for a certain subject.” The Smiths also like the variety of programs at the school, including team sports that start in fifth grade, Spanish classes for students starting in K-3, and an afterschool science club that Shelby is a part of. “You learn new things and you get to do experiments,” she said. Shelby will also participate in the RISE (research, investigation, study and exploration) Program next year, where she will be pulled out of class for half a day to learn about other topics such as economics and inventions. “The end of the year test was a (standardized test) and if you made over a certain grade, you got to go into the club and only a few made it,” Shelby said, adding that she’s excited to be a part of the program. Claire, the rising kindergartner, said she enjoys art and recess the most.
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education
CHATTAHOOCHEE TECH TARGETS STUDENTS READY TO WORK BY JOHN ROACH
Eric Underwood of Powder Springs shows his class how to remove the dust cap to access the wheel bearing at Chattahoochee Technical College in Marietta.
Eric Underwood will happily tell you that Chattahoochee Technical College changed his life.
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Eric Underwood demonstrates to the class how to turn a brake drum on the lathe.
90 2 0 1 2
F A C T B O O K
After leaving college without a degree to umpire minor league baseball, Underwood launched his second career in his late 20s at a job in automotive repair. Realizing he needed more knowledge and training to succeed, he asked his coworkers for advice, and they pointed him to the technical school. Eleven months later, while the country was struggling with soaring unemployment and falling pay, Underwood was promoted to assistant manager and received a hefty raise. Not bad, he says, for a school that worked around his schedule and didn’t force him to incur any debt. Underwood has since earned an associate’s degree and is going on to get his bachelor’s, all without having to put his new career on hold. “In three years I went from not having a post-secondary degree and barely making $20,000 a year to almost tripling my income,” Underwood said. “The financial impact is phenomenal.”
Like Underwood, many of Chattahoochee Tech’s students are people who want to learn a new trade and start a second career. In fact, the average student is 28 years old. “We have many students who do have degrees and are returning to add to their skill sets or pick up a new one,” spokeswoman Rebecca Long said. And it’s no surprise: The school says more than 97 percent of graduates land a job. The technical school has three campuses in Cobb County: Marietta, Austell and northeast Cobb, near the intersection of Shallowford and Sandy Plains roads. Northwest Cobb residents can also go the Acworth campus, just over the Bartow County line. More than 12,000 students took classes at Chattahoochee Tech in the spring semester of 2012. Tuition is $75 per credit hour, which amounts to about $1,286 per semester after fees for a full-time student. Financial aid is available through Pell Grant, Hope Scholarships and Hope Grants. The Chattahoochee Tech Foundation also offers grants and scholarships, with 144 students getting a total of more than $80,000 in tuition help in 2011. More than a third of Chattahoochee Tech’s students are enrolled in health care programs, which include nursing, physical therapist and radiography. Other popular programs include automotive, air conditioning technology and early childhood care and education, Long said. “Chattahoochee Technical College has more than 75 programs at the certificate, diploma and associate degree levels,” she said. “The majority of these can be earned in Cobb County.” The school also has agreements with local colleges and universities that allow credits to transfer, which helps those who plan to attend college later. “In addition to saving money on tuition and fees, they can live at home,” Long said. “Our many dual-enrollment programs do the same for those students wanting to get a jump on their college education.” Students who are already working can arrange their classes around their schedule, and those looking for a job can take classes at night and continue their search during the day. Underwood says he can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t benefit from attending the school. “It’s perfect for people who are looking to change careers, and it’s perfect for students who are trying to go onto a four-year program. You can get an associate degree and … be employable while you’re earning your bachelors,” he said. “Chattahoochee Tech has opportunities for everyone in Cobb County.”
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A GUIDE TO ...
Cobb / Marietta Schools
Marietta City elementary schools 1. A.L. Burruss Elementary 325 Manning Road Marietta, GA 30064 Grades: K-5
Students: 389
(770) 429-3144 Teachers: 32
CRCT Reading Grade 3 94
Language 97
Math 97
Science 83
Social 91
CRCT Reading Grade 5 96
Language 98
Math 88
Science 72
Social 67
2. Dunleith Elementary 120 Saine Drive Marietta, GA 30008 Grades: K-5
Students: 613
(770) 429-3190 Teachers: 46
CRCT Reading Grade 3 93
Language 89
Math 83
Science 70
Social 76
CRCT Reading Grade 5 94
Language 97
Math 77
Science 79
Social 66
3. Hickory Hills Elementary 500 Redwood Drive SW Marietta, GA 30064 Grades: K-5 Students: 450
(770) 429-3125 Teachers: 36
CRCT Reading Grade 3 91
Language 89
Math 81
Science 76
Social 77
CRCT Reading Grade 5 92
Language 90
Math 75
Science 71
Social 65
Cobb County Schools
4. Lockheed Elementary 1205 Merritt Road Marietta, GA 30062 Grades: K-5
Students: 835
Michael Hinojosa, superintendent
(770) 429-3196 Teachers: 57
CRCT Reading Grade 3 87
Language 86
Math 76
Science 73
Social 68
CRCT Reading Grade 5 92
Language 95
Math 68
Science 74
Social 63
(770) 426-3300 cobbk12.org
5. Marietta Center for Advanced Academics 311 Aviation Road Marietta, GA 30060 Grades: K-5
Students: 265
(770) 420-0822 Teachers: 17
CRCT Reading Grade 3 100
Language 100
Math 99
Science 100
Social 100
CRCT Reading Grade 5 100
Language 99
Math 98
Science 99
Social 100
6. Park Street Elementary 105 Park St. SE Marietta, GA 30060 Grades: K-5
Students: 555
(770) 429-3180 Teachers: 42
CRCT Reading Grade 3 81
Language 83
Math 74
Science 69
Social 73
CRCT Reading Grade 5 85
Language 95
Math 69
Science 75
Social 59
7. Sawyer Road Elementary 840 Sawyer Road Marietta, GA 30062 Grades: K-5
Students: 692
(770) 429-9923 Teachers: 49
CRCT Reading Grade 3 84
Language 90
Math 87
Science 74
Social 78
CRCT Reading Grade 5 96
Language 95
Math 87
Science 85
Social 79
Spring 2012 scores; numbers are percentages of students who met or exceeded standards.
Emily Lembeck, superintendent
Source: Marietta City Schools, Cobb County Schools, GA Dept. of Education
(770) 422-3500 www.marietta-city.k12.ga.us
Cobb elementary schools 9. Acworth Elementary 4220 Cantrell Road Acworth, GA 30101 Grades: K-5
12. Hendricks Elementary
Students: 813
(770) 975-6600 Teachers: 31
CRCT Reading Grade 3 97
Language 98
Math 89
Science 85
Social 88
CRCT Reading Grade 5 95
Language 97
Math 88
Science 79
Social 84
*This school was previously Austell Intermediate 5243 Meadows Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 Grades: K-5 Students: 605
(770) 819-2387 Teachers: 27
CRCT Reading Grade 3 90
Language 88
Math 76
Science 74
Social 76
CRCT Reading Grade 5 96
Language 96
Math 94
Science 78
Social 79
10. Addison Elementary
8. West Side Elementary 344 Polk St. NW Marietta, GA 30064 Grades: K-5
Marietta City Schools
Students: 542
(770) 429-3172 Teachers: 38
CRCT Reading Grade 3 93
Language 95
Math 96
Science 89
Social 86
CRCT Reading Grade 5 97
Language 99
Math 95
Science 94
Social 90
3055 Ebenezer Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: K-5
13. Austell Elementary Students: 594
(770) 578-2700 Teachers: 25
CRCT Reading Grade 3 97
Language 96
Math 92
Science 88
Social 89
CRCT Reading Grade 5 96
Language 95
Math 97
Science 90
Social 92
Students: 664
(678) 842-6800 Teachers: 21
CRCT Reading Grade 3 83
Language 91
Math 73
Science 69
Social 78
CRCT Reading Grade 5 88
Language 90
Math 85
Science 66
Social 68
*This school was previously K-2
Students: 317
(770) 819-5804 Teachers: 12
No scores available.
14. Baker Elementary 2361 Baker Road, NW Acworth, GA 30101 Grades: K-5
11. Argyle Elementary 2420 Spring Road Smyrna, GA 30080 Grades: K-5
5600 Mulberry St. Austell, GA 30106 Grades: K-5
Students: 787
(770) 975-6629 Teachers: 31
CRCT Reading Grade 3 95
Language 95
Math 86
Science 81
Social 82
CRCT Reading Grade 5 97
Language 100
Math 89
Science 90
Social 93
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15. Bells Ferry Elementary
20. Brown Elementary
2600 Bells Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: K-5
3265 Brown Road Smyrna, GA 30080 Grades: K-5
Students: 589
(678) 594-8950 Teachers: 23
25. Cheatham Hill Elementary
Students: 299
(678) 842-6838 Teachers: 15
1350 John Ward Road SW Marietta, GA 30064 Grades: K-5 Students: 1,125
(678) 594-8034 Teachers: 40
CRCT Reading Grade 3 98
Language 96
Math 88
Science 85
Social 94
CRCT Reading Grade 3 100
Language 95
Math 89
Science 87
Social 73
CRCT Reading Grade 3 97
Language 95
Math 88
Science 86
Social 88
CRCT Reading Grade 5 95
Language 96
Math 90
Science 86
Social 84
CRCT Reading Grade 5 97
Language 88
Math 88
Science 71
Social 69
CRCT Reading Grade 5 97
Language 97
Math 96
Science 83
Social 82
16. Belmont Hills Elementary
21. Brumby Elementary
605 Glendale Place Smyrna, GA 30080 Grades: K-5
1306 Powers Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30067 Grades: K-5 Students: 969
Students: 489
(678) 842-6810 Teachers: 14
26. Clarkdale Elementary (770) 916-7070 Teachers: 32
4725 Ewing Road Austell, GA 30106 Grades: K-5
Students: 384
(770) 819-2422 Teachers: 26
CRCT Reading Grade 3 84
Language 85
Math 84
Science 70
Social 73
CRCT Reading Grade 3 87
Language 87
Math 71
Science 69
Social 78
CRCT Reading Grade 3 81
Language 86
Math 66
Science 71
Social 71
CRCT Reading Grade 5 91
Language 93
Math 84
Science 71
Social 81
CRCT Reading Grade 5 82
Language 87
Math 74
Science 66
Social 61
CRCT Reading Grade 5 83
Language 84
Math 83
Science 66
Social 64
17. Big Shanty Elementary
22. Bryant Primary and Intermediate
1575 Ben King Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 Grades: K-5
6800 Factory Shoals Road Mableton, GA 30126 Grades: K-5 Students: 834
Students: 802
(678) 594-8023 Teachers: 29
27. Clay Elementary (770) 819-2402 Teachers: 36
730 Boggs Road Mableton, GA 30126 Grades: K-5
Students: 515
(770) 819-2430 Teachers: 15
CRCT Reading Grade 3 94
Language 93
Math 81
Science 86
Social 85
CRCT Reading Grade 3 85
Language 85
Math 74
Science 68
Social 74
CRCT Reading Grade 3 93
Language 89
Math 86
Science 69
Social 76
CRCT Reading Grade 5 96
Language 97
Math 88
Science 81
Social 85
CRCT Reading Grade 5 90
Language 96
Math 89
Science 77
Social 64
CRCT Reading Grade 5 90
Language 93
Math 90
Science 65
Social 63
23. Bullard Elementary
18. Birney Elementary 775 Smyrna-Powder Springs St. Marietta, GA 30060 Grades: K-5 Students: 743
(678) 842-6824 Teachers: 24
28. Compton Elementary
3656 Old Stilesboro Road Kennesaw, GA 30152 Grades: K-5 Students: 981
(678) 594-8720 Teachers: 37
3450 New Macland Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 Grades: K-5 Students: 468
(770) 222-3700 Teachers: 17
CRCT Reading Grade 3 82
Language 79
Math 71
Science 61
Social 55
CRCT Reading Grade 3 98
Language 95
Math 89
Science 89
Social 93
CRCT Reading Grade 3 78
Language 80
Math 64
Science 51
Social 54
CRCT Reading Grade 5 91
Language 93
Math 75
Science 75
Social 59
CRCT Reading Grade 5 99
Language 99
Math 97
Science 88
Social 89
CRCT Reading Grade 5 94
Language 92
Math 75
Science 73
Social 60
24. Chalker Elementary
19. Blackwell Elementary 3470 Canton Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: K-5
Students: 703
(678) 494-7600 Teachers: 26
325 North Booth Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 Grades: K-5
29. Davis Elementary
Students: 747
(678) 494-7621 Teachers: 28
2433 Jamerson Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: K-5
Students: 542
(678) 494-7636 Teachers: 22
CRCT Reading Grade 3 95
Language 97
Math 82
Science 85
Social 92
CRCT Reading Grade 3 99
Language 96
Math 90
Science 91
Social 95
CRCT Reading Grade 3 100
Language 99
Math 92
Science 98
Social 93
CRCT Reading Grade 5 95
Language 97
Math 92
Science 84
Social 83
CRCT Reading Grade 5 97
Language 97
Math 95
Science 86
Social 90
CRCT Reading Grade 5 100
Language 99
Math 95
Science 98
Social 97
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30. Dowell Elementary
35. Ford Elementary
2121 West Sandtown Road Marietta, GA 30064 Grades: K-5 Students: 994
1345 Mars Hill Road Acworth, GA 30101 Grades: K-5
(678) 594-8059 Teachers: 34
40. Hayes Elementary Students: 755
(678) 594-8092 Teachers: 29
1501 Kennesaw-Due West Road Kennsaw, GA 30152 Grades: K-5 Students: 1,004
(678) 594-8127 Teachers: 36
CRCT Reading Grade 3 89
Language 87
Math 85
Science 75
Social 80
CRCT Reading Grade 3 100
Language 98
Math 96
Science 95
Social 97
CRCT Reading Grade 3 89
Language 92
Math 79
Science 72
Social 82
CRCT Reading Grade 5 95
Language 98
Math 92
Science 80
Social 81
CRCT Reading Grade 5 100
Language 100
Math 99
Science 95
Social 96
CRCT Reading Grade 5 91
Language 95
Math 83
Science 72
Social 62
31. Due West Elementary
36. Frey Elementary
3900 Due West Road Marietta, GA 30064 Grades: K-5
2865 Mars Hill Road Acworth, GA 30101 Grades: K-5
Students: 545
(678) 594-8071 Teachers: 23
41. Hollydale Elementary Students: 703
(770) 975-6655 Teachers: 31
2901 Bayberry Drive Marietta, GA 30008 Grades: K-5
(678) 594-8143 Teachers: 18
Students: 728
CRCT Reading Grade 3 100
Language 100
Math 99
Science 96
Social 98
CRCT Reading Grade 3 98
Language 98
Math 95
Science 96
Social 95
CRCT Reading Grade 3 81
Language 87
Math 76
Science 65
Social 76
CRCT Reading Grade 5 100
Language 100
Math 96
Science 94
Social 94
CRCT Reading Grade 5 99
Language 100
Math 93
Science 95
Social 95
CRCT Reading Grade 5 86
Language 87
Math 81
Science 59
Social 51
32. East Side Elementary
37. Garrison Mill Elementary
42. Imagine IA-Mableton
3850 Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30062 Grades: K-5
4111 Wesley Chapel Road Marietta, GA 30062 Grades: K-5 Students: 722
6688 Mableton Parkway Mableton, GA 30126 Grades: K-8 Students: 535
Students: 1,120
(770) 578-7200 Teachers: 41
(770) 642-5600 Teachers: 30
*This school closed in late May (678) 384-8920 Teachers: -
CRCT Reading Grade 3 99
Language 98
Math 95
Science 96
Social 95
CRCT Reading Grade 3 98
Language 99
Math 94
Science 95
Social 94
CRCT Reading Grade 3 93
Language 88
Math 65
Science 52
Social 48
CRCT Reading Grade 5 99
Language 98
Math 97
Science 96
Social 97
CRCT Reading Grade 5 100
Language 98
Math 98
Science 96
Social 95
CRCT Reading Grade 5 92
Language 87
Math 85
Science 77
Social 74
CRCT Reading Grade 8 91
Language 95
Math 40
Science 24
Social 40
38. Green Acres Elementary
33. Eastvalley Elementary 2570 Lower Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30067 Grades: K-5 Students: 639
(770) 578-7214 Teachers: 29
2000 Gober Ave. Smyrna, GA 30080 Grades: K-5
Students: 785
(678) 842-6905 Teachers: 21
43. International Academy of Smyrna
CRCT Reading Grade 3 91
Language 94
Math 83
Science 79
Social 80
CRCT Reading Grade 3 98
Language 99
Math 94
Science 95
Social 94
2144 South Cobb Drive Smyrna, GA 30080 Grades: K-8 Students: 802
CRCT Reading Grade 5 95
Language 93
Math 93
Science 83
Social 87
CRCT Reading Grade 5 91
Language 96
Math 93
Science 63
Social 56
CRCT Reading Grade 3 86
Language 86
Math 80
Science 71
Social 72
CRCT Reading Grade 5 93
Language 85
Math 87
Science 77
Social 81
CRCT Reading Grade 8 98
Language 100
Math 89
Science 65
Social 85
39. Harmony Leland Elementary
34. Fair Oaks Elementary 407 Barber Road Marietta, GA 30060 Grades: K-5
Students: 845
(678) 594-8080 Teachers: 30
5891 Dodgen Road Mableton, GA 30126 Grades: K-5
Students: 581
(770) 819-2483 Teachers: 24
CRCT Reading Grade 3 88
Language 94
Math 89
Science 76
Social 78
CRCT Reading Grade 3 93
Language 92
Math 80
Science 82
Social 87
CRCT Reading Grade 5 85
Language 89
Math 86
Science 62
Social 48
CRCT Reading Grade 5 94
Language 94
Math 93
Science 82
Social 79
(678) 370-0980 Teachers: -
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44. Keheley Elementary
49. King Springs Elementary
1985 Kemp Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: K-5
1041 Reed Road Smyrna, GA 30082 Grades: K-5
Students: 466
(678) 494-7836 Teachers: 21
54. Milford Elementary
Students: 701
(678) 842-6944 Teachers: 30
2390 Austell Road Marietta, GA 30008 Grades: K-5
Students: 637
(678) 842-6966 Teachers: 14
CRCT Reading Grade 3 100
Language 100
Math 94
Science 89
Social 94
CRCT Reading Grade 3 94
Language 95
Math 91
Science 81
Social 92
CRCT Reading Grade 3 86
Language 85
Math 61
Science 67
Social 62
CRCT Reading Grade 5 100
Language 100
Math 99
Science 92
Social 91
CRCT Reading Grade 5 97
Language 99
Math 99
Science 90
Social 86
CRCT Reading Grade 5 88
Language 86
Math 85
Science 66
Social 60
45. Kemp Elementary
50. LaBelle Elementary
865 Corner Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 Grades: K-5 Students: 929
230 Cresson Drive Marietta, GA 30060 Grades: K-5
(678) 594-8158 Teachers: 33
55. Mount Bethel Elementary
Students: 459
(678) 842-6955 Teachers: 15
1210 Johnson Ferry road Marietta, GA 30068 Grades: K-5 Students: 1,008
(770) 578-7248 Teachers: 39
CRCT Reading Grade 3 99
Language 98
Math 98
Science 92
Social 95
CRCT Reading Grade 3 84
Language 90
Math 69
Science 68
Social 57
CRCT Reading Grade 3 99
Language 100
Math 96
Science 96
Social 98
CRCT Reading Grade 5 99
Language 100
Math 99
Science 95
Social 98
CRCT Reading Grade 5 88
Language 89
Math 79
Science 64
Social 66
CRCT Reading Grade 5 99
Language 100
Math 99
Science 98
Social 97
46. Kennesaw Charter School
51. Lewis Elementary
3010 Cobb Parkway Kennesaw, GA 30144 Grades: K-5
4179 Jim Owens Road Kennesaw, GA 30152 Grades: K-5 Students: 795
Students: 625
(678) 290-9628 Teachers: 65
56. Mountain View Elementary (770) 975-6673 Teachers: 27
3448 Sandy Plains Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: K-5 Students: 853
(770) 578-7265 Teachers: 33
CRCT Reading Grade 3 92
Language 93
Math 89
Science 84
Social 92
CRCT Reading Grade 3 97
Language 97
Math 94
Science 92
Social 91
CRCT Reading Grade 3 97
Language 97
Math 93
Science 95
Social 93
CRCT Reading Grade 5 100
Language 100
Math 97
Science 92
Social 97
CRCT Reading Grade 5 97
Language 97
Math 94
Science 83
Social 86
CRCT Reading Grade 5 99
Language 99
Math 96
Science 97
Social 96
52. Mableton Elementary
47. Kennesaw Elementary 3155 Jiles Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 Grades: K-2
Students: 829
(678) 290-9628 Teachers: 32
5220 Church Street Mableton, GA 30126 Grades: K-5
57. Murdock Elementary
Students: 454
(770) 819-2513 Teachers: 33
2320 Murdock Road Marietta, GA 30062 Grades: K-5
Students: 828
(770) 509-5071 Teachers: 32
No scores available.
CRCT Reading Grade 3 94
Language 94
Math 85
Science 83
Social 88
CRCT Reading Grade 3 98
Language 98
Math 95
Science 95
Social 95
48. Kincaid Elementary
CRCT Reading Grade 5 92
Language 98
Math 92
Science 80
Social 85
CRCT Reading Grade 5 99
Language 99
Math 97
Science 93
Social 96
1410 Kincaid Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: K-5
Students: 676
(770) 578-7238 Teachers: 29
CRCT Reading Grade 3 97
Language 97
Math 84
Science 93
Social 91
CRCT Reading Grade 5 99
Language 99
Math 97
Science 93
Social 95
53. McCall Elementary 4496 Dixie Avenue Acworth, GA 30101 Grades: K-1 No scores available.
Students: 452
58. Nicholson Elementary (770) 975-6775 Teachers: 16
1599 Shallowford Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: K-5 Students: 506
(770) 928-5573 Teachers: 19
CRCT Reading Grade 3 100
Language 96
Math 90
Science 90
Social 92
CRCT Reading Grade 5 95
Language 97
Math 99
Science 87
Social 87
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59. Nickajack Elementary
69. Sanders Elementary
4555 Mavell Road SE Smyrna, GA 30082 Grades: K-5
1550 Anderson Mill Road SW Austell, GA 30106 Grades: K-5 Students: 889
Students: 960
(678) 842-5814 Teachers: 38
78. Varner Elementary (770) 819-2568 Teachers: 26
4761 Gaydon Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 Grades: K-5 Students: 763
(770) 222-3775 Teachers: 29
CRCT Reading Grade 3 91
Language 89
Math 76
Science 78
Social 81
CRCT Reading Grade 3 86
Language 87
Math 71
Science 60
Social 67
CRCT Reading Grade 3 92
Language 89
Math 78
Science 78
Social 77
CRCT Reading Grade 5 92
Language 91
Math 78
Science 81
Social 79
CRCT Reading Grade 5 78
Language 86
Math 74
Science 51
Social 52
CRCT Reading Grade 5 96
Language 98
Math 95
Science 85
Social 82
79. Vaughan Elementary
60. Norton Park Elementary
70. Sedalia Park Elementary
3041 Gray Road Smyrna, GA 30082 Grades: K-5
2230 Lower Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30067 Grades: K-5 Students: 811
Students: 703
(678) 842-5833 Teachers: 23
(770) 509-5162 Teachers: 31
5950 Nichols Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 Grades: K-5 Students: 722
(678) 594-8298 Teachers: 26
CRCT Reading Grade 3 81
Language 86
Math 72
Science 61
Social 63
CRCT Reading Grade 3 94
Language 95
Math 83
Science 80
Social 88
CRCT Reading Grade 3 98
Language 99
Math 95
Science 93
Social 93
CRCT Reading Grade 5 88
Language 88
Math 80
Science 58
Social 43
CRCT Reading Grade 5 97
Language 96
Math 93
Science 86
Social 83
CRCT Reading Grade 5 98
Language 97
Math 98
Science 95
Social 92
71. Shallowford Falls Elementary
61. Pickett’s Mill Elementary 6400 Old Stilesboro Road Acworth, GA 30101 Grades: K-5 Students: 703
(770) 975-6673 Teachers: 27
3529 Lassiter Road Marietta, GA 30062 Grades: K-5
Students: 664
(770) 642-5610 Teachers: 25
CRCT Reading Grade 3 98
Language 93
Math 88
Science 92
Social 91
CRCT Reading Grade 3 100
Language 100
Math 97
Science 98
Social 99
CRCT Reading Grade 5 98
Language 98
Math 98
Science 94
Social 93
CRCT Reading Grade 5 99
Language 99
Math 98
Science 98
Social 97
72. Sky View Elementary
62. Pitner Elementary 4575 Wade Green Road Acworth, GA 30101 Grades: K-5 Students: 941
(678) 594-8320 Teachers: 34
5805 Dunn Road Mableton, GA 30126 Grades: K-5
*This school closed in late May
Students: 406
Teachers: -
CRCT Reading Grade 3 94
Language 90
Math 77
Science 75
Social 77
CRCT Reading Grade 3 82
Language 84
Math 69
Science 61
Social 78
CRCT Reading Grade 5 96
Language 99
Math 91
Science 77
Social 79
CRCT Reading Grade 5 88
Language 91
Math 73
Science 73
Social 55
73. Sope Creek Elementary
63. Powder Springs Elementary 4570 Grady Grier Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 Grades: K-5 Students: 800
(770) 222-3746 Teachers: 28
3320 Paper Mill Road Marietta, GA 30064 Grades: K-5 Students: 1,141
(770) 916-7085 Teachers: 43
CRCT Reading Grade 3 89
Language 85
Math 75
Science 68
Social 63
CRCT Reading Grade 3 98
Language 99
Math 96
Science 97
Social 98
CRCT Reading Grade 5 91
Language 92
Math 82
Science 70
Social 73
CRCT Reading Grade 5 99
Language 99
Math 96
Science 97
Social 98
74. Still Elementary
64. Powers Ferry Elementary 403 Powers Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30067 Grades: K-5 Students: 477
(770) 578-7936 Teachers: 17
870 Casteel Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 Grades: K-5 Students: 759
(678) 594-8287 Teachers: 27
CRCT Reading Grade 3 91
Language 86
Math 73
Science 65
Social 56
CRCT Reading Grade 3 97
Language 99
Math 96
Science 94
Social 95
CRCT Reading Grade 5 88
Language 92
Math 86
Science 60
Social 49
CRCT Reading Grade 5 97
Language 99
Math 97
Science 94
Social 92
“Committed to Excellence”
75. Teasley Elementary
65. Riverside Intermediate 285 South Gordon Road Mableton, GA 30126 Grades: K-5 Students: 927
(770) 819-2553 Teachers: 34
CRCT Reading Grade 3 75
Language 71
Math 62
Science 47
Social 54
CRCT Reading Grade 5 84
Language 88
Math 78
Science 53
Social 55
3640 Spring Hill Road Smyrna, GA 30080 Grades: K-5
Students: 696
(770) 437-5945 Teachers: 28
CRCT Reading Grade 3 96
Language 95
Math 84
Science 89
Social 90
CRCT Reading Grade 5 97
Language 99
Math 95
Science 89
Social 76
76. Timber Ridge Elementary
66. Riverside Primary 461 South Gordon Road Mableton, GA 30126 Grades: K-1 Students: 571
(770) 819-5851 Teachers: 21
5000 Timber Ridge Road Marietta, GA 30068 Grades: K-5 Students: 644
(770) 642-5621 Teachers: 25
No scores available.
CRCT Reading Grade 3 100
Language 97
Math 97
Science 97
Social 98
67. Rocky Mount Elementary
CRCT Reading Grade 5 100
Language 99
Math 98
Science 100
Social 99
2400 Rocky Moutnain Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: K-5 Students: 606
(770) 591-5050 Teachers: 25
CRCT Reading Grade 3 99
Language 99
Math 91
Science 97
Social 96
CRCT Reading Grade 5 100
Language 99
Math 100
Science 94
Social 94
68. Russell Elementary 3920 South Hurt Road Smyrna, GA 30082 Grades: K-5
In June 2011, Dr. Michael Hinojosa was named superintendent of the Cobb County School District, the nation’s 25th largest school district.
Students: 690
(770) 437-5937 Teachers: 28
CRCT Reading Grade 3 91
Language 94
Math 82
Science 78
Social 81
CRCT Reading Grade 5 92
Language 92
Math 89
Science 82
Social 66
77. Tritt Elementary 4435 Post Oak Tritt Road Marietta, GA 30062 Grades: K-5 Students: 906
(770) 642-5630 Teachers: 35
CRCT Reading Grade 3 100
Language 99
Math 99
Science 97
Social 99
CRCT Reading Grade 5 100
Language 99
Math 99
Science 98
Social 99
(404) 663-6853 team-kathy@bellsouth.net www.team-kathy.com
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A GUIDE TO ...
Cobb / Marietta Schools
Marietta City middle schools 1. Marietta Sixth Grade Academy 340 Aviation Road SE Marietta, GA 30060 Grades: 6 No scores available.
Students: 617
(770) 429-3115 Teachers: 44
2. Marietta Middle School 121 Winn Street Northwest Marietta, GA 30064 Grades: 7-8 Students: 1,156 CRCT Reading Grade 8 96
Language 95
Math 72
(770) 422-0311 Teachers: 80 Science 68
Social 78
Cobb middle schools 3. Awtrey Middle School 3601 Nowlin Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 Grades: 6-8 CRCT Reading Grade 8 100
Students: 880 Language 97
Math 89
(770) 975-6615 Teachers: 27 Science 86
Social 88
Cobb County Schools
4. Barber Middle School 4222 Cantrell Road Acworth, GA 30101 Grades: 6-8 CRCT Reading Grade 8 97
Students: 967 Language 96
Math 75
(770) 975-6764 Teachers: 31 Science 71
Social 80
Michael Hinojosa, superintendent
5. Campbell Middle School 3295 South Atlanta Road Smyrna, GA 30080 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,207 CRCT Reading Grade 8 96
Language 95
Math 76
(678) 842-6873 Teachers: 40 Science 62
(770) 426-3300 cobbk12.org
Social 72
6. Cooper Middle School 4605 Ewing Road austell, GA 30106 Grades: 6-8 CRCT Reading Grade 8 99
Students: 854 Language 97
Math 71
Science 71
Social 65
7. Daniell Middle School 2900 Scott Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: 6-8 CRCT Reading Grade 8 98
Students: 982 Language 98
Math 77
(678) 594-8048 Teachers: 31 Science 81
Social 83
8. Dickerson Middle School 855 Woodlawn Drive Marietta, GA 30068 Grades: 6-8 CRCT Reading Grade 8 100
Math 98
(770) 578-2710 Teachers: 40 Science 97
Social 97
1725 Bill Murdock Road Marietta, GA 30062 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,185 Language 99
Math 97
(770) 578-2726 Teachers: 37 Science 95
Social 94
CRCT Reading Grade 8 95
Math 91
CRCT Reading Grade 8 97
16. Lindley Sixth Grade Academy
Students: 867 Language 97
Math 76
(770) 819-2453 Teachers: 29 Science 70
Social 88
5235 Austell-Powder Springs Road Austell, GA 30106 Grades: 6-8 Students: 855 CRCT Reading Grade 8 95
Language 94
Math 60
(770) 819-2466 Teachers: 28 Science 43
Social 51
(770) 975-6641 Teachers: 35 Science 91
Social 93
4010 King Springs Road Smyrna, GA 30082 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,062 CRCT Reading Grade 8 96
Language 93
Math 69
(678) 842-6917 Teachers: 35 Science 68
Social 74
1550 Pebblebrook Circle Mableton, GA 30126 Grades: 6 Students: 530
(770) 578-7225 Teachers: 17
No scores available.
50 Veterans Memorial Highway Mableton, GA 30126 Grades: 7-8 Students: 1,051 CRCT Reading Grade 8 94
Language 95
Math 71
(770) 819-2496 Teachers: 35 Science 60
Social 71
700 Old Mountain Road Kennesaw, GA 30152 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,027 CRCT Reading Grade 8 100
Language 99
Math 97
(678) 594-8224 Teachers: 30 Science 92
Social 94
19. Lovinggood Middle School 15. Hightower Trail Middle School
Students: 1,284 Language 95
4803 Floyd Road Mableton, GA 30126 Grades: 6-8
14. Griffin Middle School
11. East Cobb Middle School 380 Holt Road Marietta, GA 30068 Grades: 6-8
(770) 422-3500 www.marietta-city.k12.ga.us
18. Lost Mountain Middle School
2891 Mars Hill Rod NW Acworth, GA 30101 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,102 Language 98
Source: Marietta City Schools, Cobb County Schools, GA Dept. of Education
13. Garrett Middle School
10. Durham Middle School
CRCT Reading Grade 8 99
Emily Lembeck, superintendent
17. Lindley Middle School
9. Dodgen Middle School
CRCT Reading Grade 8 100
Spring 2011 scores; numbers are percentages of students who met or exceeded standards.
12. Floyd Middle School
Students: 1,218 Language 99
Marietta City Schools
(770) 819-2438 Teachers: 27
Math 64
(770) 578-2740 Teachers: 41 Science 69
Social 71
3905 Post Oak Tritt Road Marietta, GA 30062 Grades: 6-8 Students: 959 CRCT Reading Grade 8 100
Language 100
Math 98
(770) 578-72251 Teachers: 32 Science 95
Social 97
3825 Luther Ward Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,216 CRCT Reading Grade 8 100
Language 99
Math 93
(678) 331-3015 Teachers: 40 Science 88
Social 94
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20. Mabry Middle School 2700 Jims Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: 6-8 CRCT Reading Grade 8 100
32. Hillgrove High School
Students: 847 Language 99
Math 97
(770) 928-5546 Teachers: 27 Science 95
Social 95
39. Pebblebrook High School
4165 Luther Ward Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 Grades: 9-12 Students: 2,026 # Taking SAT 424
SAT Reading 495
SAT Math 490
21. McCleskey Middle School
33. Kell High School
4080 Maybreeze Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: 6-8 Students: 668
1171 Whitlock Avenue Marietta, GA 30064 Grades: 9-12 Students: 1,623
CRCT Reading Grade 8 99
Language 99
Math 91
(770) 928-5560 Teachers: 21 Science 89
Social 88
22. McClure Middle School
Language 98
Math 96
(678) 331-8131 Teachers: 35 Science 84
Social 86
23. Palmer Middle School 690 North Booth Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 Grades: 6-8 CRCT Reading Grade 8 98
Students: 999
Language 98
Math 89
2720 Pine Mountain Circle Kennesaw, GA 30152 Grades: 6-8 Students: 728
Science 83
Social 90
CRCT Reading Grade 8 100
Language 96
Math 79
(678) 594-8252 Teachers: 21 Science 81
Social 80
Math 94
(770) 971-4711 Teachers: 28 Science 95
Social 96
26. Smitha Middle School
Language 94
SAT Reading 516
SAT Math 524
SAT Reading 544
SAT Math 559
2400 New Macland Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 Grades: 9-12 Students: 2,128 # Taking SAT 366
SAT Reading 467
SAT Math 452
3400 Highway 293 North Kennesaw, GA 30144 Grades: 9-12 Students: 2,580 # Taking SAT 382
SAT Reading 492
SAT Reading 439
SAT Math 430
SAT Writing 432
Math 74
(678) 594-8267 Teachers: 32 Science 67
Social 76
2451 Favor Road Marietta, GA 30060 Grades: 9-12 # Taking SAT 144
SAT Math 485
Students: 1,609
SAT Reading 417
SAT Writing 487
Total 1512
3001 Hembree Road Marietta, GA 30062 Grades: 9-12 # Taking SAT 442
(770) 578-7900 Teachers: 51
Students: 1,719
SAT Reading 552
SAT Math 573
SAT Writing 551
CRCT Reading Grade 8 98
Language 96
Math 82
SAT Writing 498
Total 1538
(678) 494-7863 Teachers: 59 SAT Writing 531
Total 1634
1920 Clay Road Austell, GA 30106 Grades: 9-12 # Taking SAT 264
(770) 819-2611 Teachers: 59
Students: 1,899
SAT Reading 439
SAT Math 441
SAT Writing 429
SAT Writing 449
Total 1368
2525 Sandy Plains Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: 9-12 Students: 1,743 # Taking SAT 286
SAT Reading 501
SAT Math 491
(770) 578-3200 Teachers: 55 SAT Writing 483
SAT Math 422
SAT Writing 471
Total 1448
1590 Bill Murdock Road Marietta, GA 30062 Grades: 9-12 Students: 2,584 # Taking SAT 661
SAT Reading 572
SAT Math 593
(770) 578-3225 Teachers: 76 SAT Writing 560
375 Holt Road Marietta, GA 30068 Grades: 9-12 # Taking SAT 333
SAT Reading 544
SAT Math 551
SAT Writing 525
SAT Writing 407
Total 1246
Open House: Dec. 2, 2012 | 2-4PM Jan. 27, 2013 | 2-4PM Feb. 12, 2013 | 9AM-12PM March 3, 2013 | 2-4PM
2011 SAT Scores
1171 Whitlock Avenue Marietta, GA 30064 Grades: 9-12 Students: 1,908 # Taking SAT 274
SAT Reading 489
SAT Math 510
(770) 428-2631 Teachers: 131 SAT Writing 483
Total 1482
29. Allatoona High School 3300 Dallas-Acworth Highway Acworth, GA 30101 Grades: 9-12 Students: 1,809 # Taking SAT 220
SAT Reading 498
SAT Math 493
(770) 529-7743 Teachers: 56 SAT Writing 483
Total 1474
Celebrating 54 Years of Success in Classes for 2 Year Olds through 8th Grade
STRENGTHENING CHILDREN ACADEMICALLY IN A CHRIST-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT • National Accreditation • Small Teacher to Student Ratio • Physical Education & Athletics
• Music , Band, Choir, Handbells • Drama, Art and Spanish • Before and After School Care • Summer and Holiday Camps
30. Campbell High School 5265 Ward Street Smyrna, GA 30080 Grades: 9-12 # Taking SAT 312
Students: 2,169
SAT Reading 483
SAT Math 481
(678) 842-6850 Teachers: 65 SAT Writing 475
Total 1439
31. Harrison High School 4500 Due West Road Kennesaw, GA 30152 Grades: 9-12 Students: 1,989 # Taking SAT 465
SAT Reading 528
SAT Math 538
(678) 594-8104 Teachers: 58 SAT Writing 512
Total 1725
(770) 578-3266 Teachers: 60
Students: 2,000
(770) 437-5900 Teachers: 47
Marietta City high school and Cobb high schools 28. Marietta High School
Total 1475
44. Wheeler High School (770) 975-6685 Teachers: 80
Social 68
Scores for each section of the test can range from 200 to 800 points.
Total 1309
43. Walton High School (770) 222-3710 Teachers: 63
(770) 222-3758 Teachers: 22 Science 78
Total 1676
41. South Cobb High School (678) 594-8190 Teachers: 61
27. Tapp Middle School 3900 Macdonia Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 Grades: 6-8 Students: 729
Total 1301
42. Sprayberry High School
2601 Shallowford Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: 9-12 Students: 1,976 # Taking SAT 428
# Taking SAT 277
(770) 819-2521 Teachers: 59
38. Osborne High School
2025 Powder Springs Road Marietta, GA 30064 Grades: 6-8 Students: 956 CRCT Reading Grade 8 94
(678) 494-7844 Teachers: 52
37. North Cobb High School
Students: 869 Language 99
SAT Math 515
1898 Kennesaw-Due West Road Kennesaw, GA 30152 Grades: 9-12 Students: 2,032 # Taking SAT 432
991 Old Alabama Road Mableton, GA 30126 Grades: 9-12 Students: 1,869
40. Pope High School
36. McEachern High School
25. Simpson Middle School 3340 Trickum Road Marietta, GA 30066 Grades: 6-8
Total 1470
35. Lassiter High School (770) 591-5020 Teachers: 31
24. Pine Mountain Middle School
CRCT Reading Grade 8 97
SAT Reading 510
SAT Writing 485
34. Kennesaw Mountain High School
3660 Old Stilesboro Road Kennesaw, GA 30152 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,135 CRCT Reading Grade 8 99
# Taking SAT 353
(678) 331-3961 Teachers: 62
Total 1578
2111 Lower Roswell Road • Marietta, GA • 770-973-8921 • faithlcms.org
Total 1620
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education
from the
GROUND
UP
S M Y R N A W O M A N A M O N G 1 S T S P S U C I V I L E N G I N E E R I N G G R A D U AT E S Jessica Nash said that while she’s happy to receive one of the first civil engineering degrees from Southern Polytechnic State University, it wasn’t her first choice. “I wanted to do architecture — at least I thought I did — but I’m not very artsy, so civil was a lot more structured, and I still got the whole design process,” said the Woodstock native who now lives in Smyrna. Nash, 22, and seven other students were the first to graduate from SPSU’s civil engineering program, which started in 2009. She was the only woman. Nash, who will be receiving a Bachelor of Science, plans to continue working at Structor Group in Atlanta near Cumberland Mall, where she started an internship in March. She said the civil engineering program was difficult, but
she’s happy she stuck with it. “I have a lot of options,” she said. “With engineering, you can go from engineering to construction, while it’s hard to go from construction to engineering.” She said her degree will allow her to see a project grow from start to finish. “I like being able to drive by and see that I helped create something,” Nash said. “You get to see how things progress, and once it’s done, it’s always there.” You see civil engineers’ work every day, she said. “With pretty much any structure, a civil engineer has a hand in it … the design of buildings and the foundation, there is soil, like geo-technical work, water plants or highways, roads, bridges.” While Nash is the first and only woman graduating this
by Lindsay Field
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education
“With pretty much any structure, a
civil engineer has a hand in it … the design of buildings and the foundation, there
is soil, like geo-technical work, water plants or highways, roads, bridges.” – Jessica Nash year, she isn’t the only one in the program. “I’ve had to work at it a lot harder than a lot of the guys, because I think it comes more naturally to them,” she said. One of her professors, Dr. Wasim Barham, who was brought on shortly before the program started, said he’s noticed that his female students tend to work harder than their male counterparts. “The girls … are very serious about civil engineering, and even sometimes better than their peers,” said Barham, who teaches several civil and structural engineering courses. Barham said he and his colleagues are trying to recruit more women into the fields of engineering, math and science by conducting summer camps and talking to high school students about the programs. Barham said Nash was a great student. “I’m very proud of her,” he said. “She’s very smart, very hardworking and deserves to be a part of the first class of civil engineering graduates.” He said he hopes that the program will continue to grow. “Now we have about 250 students, and we are looking at growing to about 500 in the next three to five years,” he said.
Jessica Nash, 22, stands outside Southern Polytechnic State University’s engineering building. She was one of the first eight students and the only female to receive a civil engineering degree from the school in May.
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Kathy Schwaig, dean of the Michael J. Coles College of Business.
‘Best-kept secret’ KSU’s Coles College of Business is one of the country’s top programs By Katy Ruth Camp From leadership changes to new degree programs to landing on the national radar, the Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University is making big changes to the way it does business. “We’re the best-kept secret in Cobb County,” said KSU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ken Harmon, who served for one year as dean of Coles College before being called up last year. “We’re the second-largest business school in the state of Georgia … We carry an entrepreneurial mentality and look at everything as a possibility. This is the most exciting business school I’ve seen.” The college has 5,000 students, employs 150 staff members and offers undergraduate, certificate, masters and doctoral degrees through the university. The college also has a research data tank called the Econometric Center, which houses business experts who generate public reports on industry, manufacturing and macroeconomic trends, including the monthly purchasing managers’ indexes for Georgia and Southeast. Dean Kathy Schwaig said only about five universities nationwide offer an information security and assurance degree. The college’s newest degree program, the Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business certificate program, met its goals for the first year of operation, Harmon said. In 2009, CEO Magazine ranked the college’s Executive MBA program among the best in the U.S. in its “2009 Global MBA Rankings” edition. For the same year, BusinessWeek named the college’s parttime MBA program among the best in the nation. Harmon said he and other officials are working to create more partnerships for student opportunities in Brazil and China, in addition to its partnerships with the Mumbai Business School in India and Romania’s Institute for Business Administration in Bucharest.
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education
HIGHER LEARNING A look at Cobb’s colleges and universities
Kennesaw State University 1000 Chastain Rd. Kennesaw, 30144 (770) 423-6000
Number of students: 24,175 In-state tuition by semester: Undergraduate: $4,852 (15 credit hours) Graduate: $6,216 (12 credit hours)
Most popular programs/departments: biology, communication, early childhood education, management, nursing, psychology.
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Southern Polytechnic State University 1100 South Marietta Pkwy Marietta, 30060-2896 (678) 915-7778 Number of students: 5,800 In-state tuition by semester: Undergraduate: $6,678 Graduate: $6,744 Most popular programs/ departments: Architecture and Information Technology
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From left, Chattahoochee Technical College graduates Shantease Braxton of Woodstock, Stacia Bow of Marietta, Tayka Washington of Atlanta and Georrometta Wade of Marietta, chat before their graduation ceremony.
Chattahoochee Technical College Main campus: 980 South Cobb Dr. Marietta, 30060 (770) 528-4545 Number of Students: 12,000 In-state tuition by semester: Undergraduate: $1,125 (15 credit hours) Tuition per credit hour: $75 Most popular programs/departments: health sciences
Life University 1269 Barclay Cir. Marietta, 30060 (770) 426-2600 Number of Students: 2,600 Tuition by quarter: Undergraduate: $2,625 Graduate: $3,105 Tuition per credit hour: $175 Most popular or best-known programs/ departments: College of Chiropractic, largest single-location chiropractic college in the world, nutrition, sport health-science
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COBB COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD Cobb County schools educate more than 106,000 students in 114 school buildings across the county. It is the second-largest district in Georgia, and the 26th largest in the United States. Board members are all elected to represent a section of the county. They are elected to four-year terms on a staggered basis, and the board members elect the chairman and vice chairman each year. These are the board members through Dec. 31, 2012. Posts 1, 3, 5 and 7 are up for election in 2012.
Vice Chairman
SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Michael Hinojosa michael.hinojosa@cobbk12.org 770-426-3452
Lynnda Eagle POST 1
Tim Stultz POST 2
David Morgan POST 3
lcrowder-eagle.boardmember @cobbk12.org 404-697-9562
tstultz.boardmember@ cobbk12.org 678-773-1877
dmorgan.boardmember@ cobbk12.org 404-803-9975; 404-702-1857
Chairman
Kathleen Angelucci POST 4 kangelucci.boardmember@ cobbk12.org 678-896-6399
David Banks POST 5
Scott Sweeney POST 6
Alison Bartlett POST 7
dbanks.boardmember@ cobbk12.org 404-725-3394
ssweeney.boardmember @cobbk12.org 678-646-2470
abartlett.boardmember@ cobbk12.org 404-702-9291
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MARIETTA CITY SCHOOL BOARD
education
SUPERINTENDENT
Ward Two: N. Tony Fasola tfasola@bellsouth.net (770) 425-1257
Ward Five: Stuart Fleming stuart.fleming@live.com (770) 630-0840
Ward Three: Randy Weiner, Vice-Chair whatapane@bellsouth.net (770) 427-4956
Ward Six: Tom Cheater tom@tomcheater.com (678) 575-2644
Ward Four: Jill C. Mutimer, Chair jcmutimer@comcast.net (770) 422-4316
Ward Seven: Irene Berens Rberens140@aol.com (770) 428-2710
Dr. Emily Lembeck elembeck@marietta-city.k12.ga.us (770) 422-3500, ext. 253 Marietta City Schools enroll more than 7,000 students in its 12 schools. Its central office is at 250 Howard St., in Marietta. School board members represent one of seven wards of the city, and are elected to four-year terms. These are the board members through Dec. 31, 2013. The Ward One vacancy is to be filled in the July 31, 2012 election.
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The Martin brothers, Chris, left, and Michael. A private school for
children with difficulties in reading, writing or spelling. Educating the dyslexic student since 1996
• Reading Success: Fluency & Comprehension • Academic Success • Increased Self-Esteem Call to schedule a tour today! • Organizational Skills • Test-Taking Strategies • 1:5 Teacher-Student Ratio • Accredited through the Georgia Accrediting Agency • Participant of the Georgia Special Needs Voucher • Grades 1-6 • We do what the public schools can’t! • Enabling your child to realize their full potential
770-973-5588
4010 Canton Road | Marietta, GA 30066 | PathwaysAcademy.org
106 2 0 1 2
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icking brass, Sprayberry alumni and brothers Chris and Michael Martin hit the right note in their respective careers with the same instrument
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By Lindsay Field rumpet has been the ticket for brothers Chris and Michael Martin. The Sprayberry High School alumni are each professional trumpeters in big cities: Chris with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Michael with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Chris Martin, 36, said he first picked up a trumpet when he was 9, but figured out that playing was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life when he was 15. “We went to see an Atlanta Symphony concert ... it was an amazing dramatic piece called Symphony No. 2 of Mahler, and that changed my life,” he said. He has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for the past seven years and played with the Atlanta Symphony for five years before that. Michael Martin, 26, said that “it” moment for him was when he first heard a CD recording of the Boston Pops — where he has been playing trumpet since 2010 — under the direction of John Williams. “I think it’s what made me know that I wanted to perform for a living,” he said. “That’s what inspires me and gets me going. Ironically, I just happened to end up in that orchestra.” He and his brother were both active in the middle and high school bands in Cobb before graduating from Sprayberry — Chris Martin in 1993 and Michael Martin in 2003 — and following their musical dreams on to college. Chris Martin studied music in the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York. Michael Martin attended Northwestern University outside of Chicago and also studied music. The brothers’ talent and love for music did not come as a surprise to friends and family. Their father, Freddy Martin, who lives in east Cobb with their mother, Lynda, has been teaching music for 43 years, most recently at The Westminster Schools in Atlanta. Lynda Martin sings with the Atlanta Symphony. On top of that, Chris and Michael Martin’s uncle, Dan Martin, was the band director at Sprayberry for 29 years. “We treated them so that they could have varied interest and make up their own minds about what they wanted and what they wanted to do,” Freddy Martin said. “There was a long period of time where the principal trumpet player (Chris Martin) in Chicago wanted to be an astronaut.” Freddy Martin said he is very proud of his two sons. “It’s the only brothers in major symphony work that play the same instrument,’ he said. “They are the Manning brothers of the trumpet. It’s a feeling that’s indescribable, to watch them perform.”
T
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economic development
Leaders hope Cobb’s Competitive
is a road map to success ounty Chairman Tim Lee said Cobb’s Competitive EDGE, a nonprofit organization being created in concert with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce to focus on economic development, is the most important step the business community has embarked on in decades. Lee recalled that back in 2010, when he was transitioning from the northeast Cobb commissioner to county chairman, he and Chamber leaders looked around to see how they could bring more jobs to the county. Gwinnett County had created its own economic development program, and it was one that Lee liked. “It was a focused plan that defined success and the steps needed to get to that point,” Lee said. “Cobb really didn’t have a concrete, specific economic plan. … To be successful here in Cobb, we needed to have that road map toward success, so we’re all working in the same direction with the same level of energy and the same commitment,” he said. Lee said he told Chamber leaders that he wanted them to develop a plan for Cobb, modeled after the Gwinnett program, that would be the best in the Southeast in attracting and helping grow jobs. The Chamber came up with a program called Cobb’s Competitive EDGE (Economic Development for a Growing Economy). Demming Bass, the Chamber’s chief operating officer, said the plan is to create an eight-employee nonprofit designed to promote economic development. The agency’s annual operating costs are estimated at between $840,000 and $1.7 million for five years. The goal is to bring at least 7,500 new, full-time jobs to Cobb in five years, Bass said. “We feel confident that we can reach that goal through targeted marketing opportunities,” he said. Chamber Chairman Tony Britton also believes 7,500 new jobs in five years is a more than achievable goal. “It would not surprise me if it’s a good bit higher than that, but … it won’t come easy,” Britton said. “We can’t just sit back and assume it will take place.” For the community to continue to thrive, Lee said house values must improve. “Demand will happen when people are looking for housing as a result of new jobs that comes to the county,” Lee said. “We’ve been very effective in 2011 having been focused and zeroed in on our goals to get more jobs to Cobb, and as a result we represented at least a third of all new jobs in 2011 in the Atlanta metropolitan area.” But Lee and Britton said that doesn’t mean they can afford to rest on their laurels. “We need to be more aggressive, we need to be more focused, and we need to be more committed to bringing more jobs and helping existing businesses grow,” Lee said. “The EDGE is a quality tool that when implemented is going
C
Chamber Chairman Tony Britton, left, and Cobb Board of Commissioners Chairman Tim Lee both have high hopes for the program. to set Cobb apart in its ability to be competitive to grow jobs and increase home values in our community.” Bass expects the nonprofit to be fully operational by Jan. 1. He said private sector donations will fund more than 75 percent of the EDGE’s budget, with federal, state and possibly local dollars making up the rest. The fundraising to support EDGE will likely start in late summer, Bass said. “We’re going to spend the remainder of this year really focused on the fundraising part of it,” he said. “We’re not going to hire anybody likely until January.” Of the eight employees who will run the nonprofit, four will be on the Chamber’s payroll while the other four will be new hires. The nonprofit will likely be housed at the Chamber’s offices, Bass said. Lee said one of the benefits is that as a nonprofit it will be able to secure funding from foundations and agencies that the county government isn’t eligible for. “It keeps costs low for county residents because it’s going to be totally funded by outside money and still get the same effect without having to add expenses to government,” Lee said.
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SOUTH COBB A newly appointed board is developing a four-year plan for breathing new life into three parts of south Cobb County. The South Cobb Redevelopment Authority has had monthly meetings since being reinstated in October 2011. It is working to enact the South Cobb Implementation Strategy, a combination of plans for the Mableton, Six Flags Drive and River Line areas. In May, the redevelopment authority’s board approved a four-year project schedule to be completed in conjunction with Cobb County government. “It’s basically a framework for how the redevelopment authority and the county can work together in order to see the desired improvements that the community has stated in the south Cobb area,” said Cobb Planning Division manager Dana Johnson, who along with Economic De-
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velopment Director Michael Hughes is a liaison between the two entities. Hughes said the county focuses on commerce across Cobb, while the newly revitalized authority will work to improve south Cobb. Johnson expects this relationship to be much more collaborative than the ways the county has worked with independent authorities in the past. The South Cobb Redevelopment Authority was originally chartered in 1982, but had been dormant for the last six years. It has the power to execute contracts, lease or hold property, borrow money, or issue revenue bonds. Its boundaries are defined by Smyrna to the east, the county line to the south, Austell Road to the west and the East-West Connector to the north. Four of the board’s seven members are appointed by the Cobb Board of Commis-
sioners, while the other three are named by the Cobb legislative delegation. In Mableton, the redevelopment authority seeks to expand on the good “bones” of the old core city, Johnson said. Southwest Cobb Commissioner Woody Thompson said the goals include developing a Mableton Town Green, near the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. The county and redevelopment authority are working with the federal General Services Administration to get land near the post office to allow for a town square of up to 1.5 acres. “It wouldn’t be a large green, but it would be kind of a centerpiece,” Thompson said. The town green would be built near 26 acres owned by Mableton native and former Gov. Roy Barnes, Thompson said.
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economic development
Gluten-free baker Randi Krasnoff of Nana K's Gluten-Free Goodies mixes a glaze for her mini carrot cakes. By Jeffrey Cassady
Commercial kitchen gets entrepreneurs cooking For years, Toula Argentis wanted to start her own bakery, but the costs of operating a kitchen stood in her way. Not anymore. Argentis, owner of gluten-free baked goods company 2B Whole, is one of a few dozen members of The Edge Kitchen, a nonprofit facility operated by the Edge Connection. Despite the similar names, the kitchen is not affiliated with Cobb’s Competitive EDGE, a new economic-development initiative. The kitchen, which opened last summer in a strip mall at 2750 Jiles Road in Kennesaw, provides a modern, code-compliant space where Argentis and other aspiring food entrepreneurs can work without having to fork over a prohibitive amount of cash for equipment and space, Argentis said. “Once I found out the kitchen was available, I was able to pursue my dream,” said Argentis, who lives in east Cobb. “I didn’t have to come up with tens of thousands of dollars for equipment.” Instead, Argentis had to fill out an application and schedule an interview with the Edge Connection leaders. The Edge Connection, a 14-year-old nonprofit development center that offers classes and other support to small businesses, evaluates applicants on criteria such as their needs and business plans. Edge expects its members to attend its business-development classes,
pay annual dues of $250, and keep government certifications and insurance up to date. Edge leaders opened the kitchen because many of its clients have food businesses. “About 20 percent of our clients were food entrepreneurs,” said Patricia Harris, Edge’s executive director and CEO. “And when asked where they were cooking, they’d say in their (home) kitchen — which is illegal.” Edge leaders spent five years planning for the kitchen and spent more than $1.8 million to get the doors open, Harris said. The kitchen facility includes conference space, a reception area and a display case from which members can sell their products. Edge offers four levels of kitchen memberships. Memberships, which can be altered monthly, cost between $450 and $1,800 per month for between 20 and 80 hours of kitchen use. Up to six people can use the kitchen at a time, and Edge makes the facility available 24 hours a day. Members must reserve kitchen space to avoid overcrowding. While most members specialize in sauces and spices, Edge is getting the facility licensed for meat preparation, which will allow a wider range of members to use the kitchen, Harris said. “Fifteen people signed up and are ready to go, but they have to wait on the (meat) license,” she said. Harris expects the state to grant that license by mid-April. Argentis, meanwhile, is trying keep up with demand for her gluten-free goods. Her company, which employs two people, is getting its website up and finding someone to handle marketing. “If it weren’t for (the kitchen), I wouldn’t be here,” Argentis said. “It’s as simple as that.”
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Billy Crystal, Tyler Perry, Alice Cooper, Lisa Lampanelli, Kristin Chenoweth, Ralphie May, Daughtry and Justin Bieber have all graced the stage at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year.
According to Pollstar magazine, the facility located at 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway in Atlanta is 27th out of the top 100 theater venues for worldwide ticket sales for 2011. From its beginning planning stages to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the facility has proven itself as a force to be reckoned with.
By Davia L. Mosley
5 YEARS
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre reaches milestone
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MICHAEL TAORMINA
Michael Taormina, managing director, brings nearly 40 years of experience. He has served at the helm at places such as the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Houston, The Benetton Center for Performing Arts in Pittsburgh, and The New Orleans Cultural Center. So did five years just fly by? “It’s going as I expected in every building I’ve opened. It goes very quickly,” he said. “It sort of takes care of itself when you have a great team to work with, which we had here.” Tom Rowland, director of marketing and sponsorship development, said it’s been a good five years. He was on board one year before the Cobb Energy Centre opening and said he saw then what the facility could become. And what a journey it’s been: The
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center’s ribbon-cutting was Sept. 12, 2007. From there, it has been the site of major events such as the Soul Train Awards and Georgia Music Hall of Fame; a concert venue featuring various genres of music with performers such as Bonnie Raitt, Wilco and Chaka Khan; a place for laughs with comedians such as Ralphie May and Jim Gaffigan; and a family-friendly place with shows such as Holiday Ice Spectacular and Super Why — with more in store.
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Among Taormina’s list of successes with the Cobb Energy Centre are securing resident companies such as the Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Opera and Gas South Broadway Series and an educational arts and outreach program with ArtsBridge and the Shuler Hensley Awards. Even with multiple decades in the business, surprises are still possible for Taormina. He said all four of the Atlanta Opera’s performances of “Porgy and Bess” sold out in 2011. “That’s huge. That was a high point,” he said. “There was this huge response to a classic. It is THE American opera. It speaks well for the community and also The Atlanta Opera.” Dave Koz’s Christmas tour and Shaquille O’Neal’s All-Star Comedy Jam are among the venue’s returning acts, Rowland said. “We’ve (received) great reviews from folks in the industry,” he said. “They like coming here, and they try to find reasons to come back. We do all we can do to make their shows successful. And we want them to return.” The geographic reach has also grown. Audience members also come from different parts of Georgia, as well as Alabama, Tennessee and North and South Carolina. Rowland said Cesar Millan’s “The Dog Whisperer” show had people from all over the country. “Depending on the type of show, if it’s a headlining act and if this is the one place to see them, we are going to pull people from (different states),” he said. Taormina has served at the helm of similar venues across the nation, but said the Cobb Energy Centre is home. He even brings a few of his friends. He knew Tyler Perry and Harry Connick Jr. at the beginning of their careers, and both men have taken the stage — even selling out shows — at the center. This year’s Overture Gala on Sept. 21 will be a celebratory event, marking five years and kicking off the Larry Rosen Jazz Series with headliners Al Jarreau and Ramsey Lewis for “Jazz & Soul.” As for the future, Taormina is looking forward to more success and growth. “We fit that special niche of 2,057 seats in the market where artists want to perform in a state-of-the-art modern contemporary (facility),” he said. “The opening of the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre was right where it needed to be because the market needed a venue this size. It’s a source of pride for community that built it and leadership that got it built.”
For more information on the Larry Rosen Jazz Series, see page 136
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THEME PARKS
Six Flags Over Georgia Address: 275 Riverside Parkway, SW, Austell, 30168 Phone: (770) 948-9290 Website: www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia Prices: General Admission $54.99 Child Under 48” $39.99 2 & Under FREE Hours: July 29: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 30-Aug. 3: 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 5: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 6 to Aug. 10: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 11: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 12, 19 and 26: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 2: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 3: 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 2, 16, 23 and 30: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28: noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 26: 6 p.m. to midnight Parking: One-Day Parking $20 Preferred Parking $25 Valet Parking $35 Season Parking $55 Valid at Six Flags Over Georgia only. Combo Season Parking $80 Valid at Six Flags Over Georgia and White Water.
Six Flags White Water Address: 250 Cobb Parkway N #100, Marietta, GA 30062 Phone: (770) 948-9290 Website: www.sixflags.com/whiteWater Prices: General Admission $37.99 Child Under 48” $26.99 2 & Under FREE Hours: July 29, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 30-Aug. 12: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 18, 19, 25, 26 Sept. 1-3: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Parking: $15 daily, $40 for a season pass
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P >>
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You are not hallucinating. Potter did indeed create everything you see on these two pages. His work is found locally and nationwide.
OTTER ’S HOUSE Inside the world of Marietta artist
e x t r a o r d i n ai r e R I P P O T T E R
BY ALLEN BELL
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W
ith the din of distant thunder and the gush of a torrential downpour outside, artist Rip Potter, Cobb Life photographer Reid Traylor and I carefully step over the remnants of set pieces and costumes into a brightly lit wonderland that evokes a sense of Disneyland meets “Star Trek.” We are in Potter’s studio, a chaotic space inside The Artisan Resource Center, a haven for artists located on Cobb Parkway. The studio reflects Potter himself. Potter is a Renaissance man. He is a talented sculptor, architect, and craftsman. His work has ranged from the commercial to residential to museums and commissions.
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“I’m kind of a hard person to lasso and say ‘he does this,’” explained Potter. “I’m going to get bored doing the same thing over and over again. I don’t think you learn much that way. There’s money in repetition, but I can’t seem to do it. It’s not as lucrative, but it makes life more interesting to switch around.” Some of Potter’s most notable projects include major sculptures at Grady Hospital and the Walker School, exhibits at the former YouZeum in Columbia, Mo., the National Museum of Patriotism in Atlanta and the Woodstock Public Library. But you can also find his creations in clubs in London, New York and Chicago. Closer to home, his work is featured prominently in locales such as the Masquerade in Atlanta. His major residential projects include the redesign and renovation of homes on Kennesaw Street, Cherokee Street, and Church Street in Marietta.
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art life
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imitating
arts & entertainment
Robert Meredith’s paintings are so detailed it looks as if you could reach into a cabinet in one of his works, retrieve an antique toy, and feel the texture that has accumulated from age and dust. The artist has made a career of creating extremely lifelike still-life paintings that feature objects — toys, dolls, dishes, sporting goods, hardware and the like — arranged in shelves, boxes, and windows. The technique he uses is called trompe l’oeil. “The word is a French phrase for ‘fool the eye,’” explains the artist. “I don’t like the term photorealistic, because then people think I paint from photographs. I paint from life.” Meredith paints what he sees in the arrangements he creates in his west Cobb studio. But there is more to the composition of his work than meets the eye, something profound that makes his paintings works of art. “There is a deeper meaning,” the lifelong Cobb resident explained. “There are relationships going on in the painting that are above and beyond what you see there. What the artist does with the things that he paints, it’s like the rhyme and meter in a poem, or the rhythm in a song. There’s a rhythm in it that holds the whole thing together. You state a theme and then make variations on that theme, very much like music or poetry.” Meredith received formal training in art during the process of earning a degree in drawing and painting from the University of Georgia, where he studied under Lamar Dodd, the late modern artist and one of the most well-known painters from our state. Choosing to go in his own direction, however, Meredith taught himself to be a representational painter. “They taught art, not how to paint,” he remembered. “It took me five years to teach myself how to paint after I got my degree in painting. Every artist has to find his own way.” The same determination and commitment that led Meredith to teach himself to create representational art also guided him to establish a career in the field. When I got out of college, I knew that if I ever let go and got a job and had an income, that I would never become a painter,” he confessed. “So I never got a job and just started painting and finding my own way.” One of the most successful artists in Georgia, Meredith has had 45 solo exhibitions in states ranging from Massachusetts to Texas. His works can be found in numerous public and private collections, including those of Arthur and Stephanie Blank, actor Steve Martin, Tyco Toys and Jones of New York. BY ALLEN BELL
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Robert Meredith’s lifelike paintings have garnered much acclaim, making him one of the most successful artists in Georgia. Actor Steve Martin, Arthur Blank and Tyco Toys all own his work. Opposite page, from top: Fore; Spring Nymph; Meredith with his work; Yellow Fellow; and Bermuda Sloop.
Meredith also is well represented at galleries throughout the eastern United States. His work is currently available in Boston, Charleston, S.C., and St. Simon’s Island. Locally, patrons can find his work at 2021 Collections in Buckhead and at Gallery 4463 in Acworth. The 69-year-old artist credits much of his success to a rigorous work ethic. “I am an early riser and I love to go in at first light,” Meredith said. “I start painting when it gets light and I spend the day painting. If you want to be a professional painter, you have to put in the hours. It’s very labor intensive.” This husband and father of four is a life-long resident of Cobb County where he has a home and studio overlooking a tranquil lake framed by a wooded landscape. “I am one of the most married human beings on the face of the globe,” he said. “I’ve been married 43 years and I have four kids. I’ve raised four children on the tip of a paintbrush. All I’ve ever done is paint.” >>>www.robertmeredith.com
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PLAYHOUSES
arts & entertainment CHILDREN’S GARDEN THEATER 3380 Canton Road, Marietta, GA 30066 Website: www.childrensgardentheater.com Upcoming Performances: “Sweeney Todd,” Aug. 10-19, “The Big Bad Wolf,” Aug. 24-26 CENTERSTAGE NORTH The Art Place - Mountain View, 3330 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, GA 30066 Website: www.centerstagenorth.org Box office: (770) 331-0079 Upcoming Performances: “All the King’s Women: Elvis and the Women Who Made Him the King,” Aug. 10-18 POLK STREET PLAYERS Address: The Stellar Cellar at St. James’ Episcopal Church at 161 Church St., Marietta GA 30060 Website: https://stjames-marietta.episcopalatlanta.org/Content/Polk_Street_Players.asp Box office: (770) 218-9669. Upcoming Performances: “Dream Lover,” Aug. 24, 25, 31 and Sept. 1, 2, 6, 7, 8. ATLANTA LYRIC THEATRE Address: The Atlanta Lyric Theatre is housed at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre at 117 North Park Square, Marietta, 30060 Website: www.atlantalyrictheatre.com Box office: (404) 377-9948 Upcoming Performances: “Smoke on The Mountain,” July 27 to Aug. 5, “Legally Blonde The Musical,” Aug. 10-26 (PLEASE NOTE: “Legally Blond” will now be performed at the Cobb Civic Center at 548 S Marietta Parkway, SE, Marietta, 30060) THE EARL SMITH STRAND THEATRE Address: 117 North Park Square, Marietta 30060 Website: www.earlsmithstrand.org Box office: (770) 293-0080 Upcoming performances: “Silent Comedy Shorts,” Aug. 26 at 3 p.m.; The Packway Handle Band, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m.
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COBB ENERGY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE Address: 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta 30339 Website: www.cobbenergycentre.com Box office: (770) 916-2800 Upcoming performances: “Dead Can Dance,” Sept. 5 at 8 p.m.; Chris Isaak, Sept. 6 at 8 p.m.; “Bolder & Fresher Tour 2012” with Dennis Miller and Bill O’Reilly, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m.
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FESTIVALS & EVENTS Spring BIG SHANTY FESTIVAL — one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in the Southeast. There are two entertainment stages, all types of children’s activities and plenty of festival foods. There is also a parade through downtown Kennesaw. The festival takes place in late April on a Saturday and Sunday.
arts & entertainment
tions and Smyrna’s finest restaurants will have samples. It is held in mid-September on Smyrna’s Village Green. POWDER SPRINGS DAY — there is a parade, entertainment throughout the day, different childrens’ events all in downtown Powder Springs. The event is
the first Saturday of every month.. A TASTE OF ACWORTH — it’s on Main Street in historic downtown and all the restaurants in the street sell samples and attendees can stroll through downtown on the second Saturday in October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
SPRING ART FESTIVAL IN ACWORTH — More than 120 colorful artisans line downtown Acworth with their creative artwork and displays. The festival takes place on a Saturday and Sunday in April. A TASTE OF MARIETTA — an annual food festival always held the last Sunday in April that showcases Cobb County restaurants and caterers. It is the largest and longest running food festival in Cobb. SPRING JONQUIL FESTIVAL IN SMYRNA — located in Village Green in downtown Smyrna. The Festival will showcase arts and crafts by more than 150 artists/crafters from across the country. The show takes place on a Saturday and Sunday in late April. There is also a fall Jonquil festival the last weekend in October. THE ARTS WALK — is a free self-guided tour of the Marietta Square’s eclectic art scene. Galleries, museums, cultural venues, restaurants and boutiques host artists within their businesses from 5 to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, rain or shine from April to October. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL PRO-WAKEBOARD TOUR IN ACWORTH — the world’s top professional wakeboarders come to compete on Lake Allatoona while thousands of spectators watch from the shore. The competition is held in late May.
Summer ACWORTH BUSINESS ASSOCIATION’S SUMMER CONCERT SERIES — it is at Lake Acworth Cobble Park. Includes two concerts in the summer month and there are different themes for every concert. There are around 10,000 people in attendance every concert. PIGS & PEACHES BBQ FESTIVAL — is the Georgia State Championship BBQ cook-off in Kennesaw. Cash and prizes are awarded to winners in professional and backyard BBQ categories. The festival features barbecued meats as well as desserts and entertainment. It is the last Friday in August. BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION — is first weekend in August to celebrate the birth of Smyrna. Attendees can enjoy lots of food vendors, bands, a giant birthday cake and fireworks in downtown Smyrna.
Fall TASTE OF SMYRNA — food, fun and music all day. There is a Kids Zone with multiple kids attrac-
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MUSEUMS The Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum: Scarlett on the Square 18 Whitlock Ave., Marietta, 30064 Phone: (770) 794-5576 Website: www.gwtwmarietta.com Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sundays Admission: $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and students; $5 for groups of 15 or more Description: “Gone With The Wind” premiered in Atlanta in 1939. The museum features memorabilia from the film based on the book by Pulitizer Prize-winning author Margaret Mitchell. Guests can view scripts, books, props, movie posters — even the original bengaline honeymoon gown worn by Vivien Leigh, who played Scarlett O’Hara. Marietta Museum of History 1 Depot St., Marietta, GA 30060 Phone: (770) 794-5710 Website: www.mariettahistory.org Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Closed Sundays, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas (Dec. 24-26), New Year’s Day.
Sources: www.mariettaga.gov; www.kennesaw-ga.gov; www.cityofpowdersprings.org
Admission: $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors (55 and older), free for active military with ID and children younger than 5 Description: The museum is located on the second floor of the 1845 Kennesaw House. Museumgoers can view artifacts ranging from 19th- and 20th-century clothing to Civil War weapons and ammunition. The historical scope includes the development of Marietta and Cobb County, Native Americans, early inventions and Native Americans.
lection of 19th and 20th century American art, from Warhol to Wyeth.
Marietta Fire Museum 112 Haynes St., Marietta 30060 Phone: (770) 794-5491 Website: www.mariettaga.gov/city/fire/museum Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. evenings and weekends by appointment Description: The Marietta Fire Department was officially formed in 1854 following a fire which destroyed most of the Marietta Square. This museum provides information on firefighting techniques and equipment from the 1800s to the present. The highlight of the collection is the Silsby Steamer purMarietta/Cobb Museum of Art chased by the city in 1879. It served Marietta until 30 Atlanta St., Marietta 30060 1921 and was restored in 1992. It is one of only five Phone: (770) 528-1444 Website: www.mariettacobbartmuseum.org still in existence. Tours conducted by fire fighters. Hours: $8 for adults, $5 students (6 to 18 The Root House Museum or with ID) and seniors (65 and older); 145 Denmead St., Marietta, 30060 free for members and children younger Phone: (770) 426-4982 than 6 Website: www.cobblandmarks.com/root-house.php Description: The Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art is metropolitan Atlanta’s only Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $7 for adults, $6 for students seniors, $5 for museum dedicated to American art. children, free for kids 5 and younger Housed in Marietta’s first U.S. Post Office, the museum hosts a full schedule of Description: Built in 1845 by Hannah and William Root, the Root House Museum offers a glimpse of exhibitions and boasts a permanent colthe home life of a middle-class merchant and his family. Owned and operated by the Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society, it is one of the oldest surviving frame houses in Marietta. It is furnished with period furniture in the fashion of the 1850s. Old Zion Baptist Church Heritage Museum 165 Lemon St., Marietta 30060 Phone: (770) 427-8749, ext. 114 Hours: Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; by appointment Cost: Admission is free; donations are accepted. Description: Located at the corner of Lemon & Haynes streets, this Museum is dedicated to the preservation of the history, art and culture of the black community in Cobb County. Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw, 30144 Phone: (770) 427-2117 Website: www.southernmuseum.org Description: A special gallery will feature traveling exhibits from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service as well as other sources and will be changed every few months. The museum offers a wide range of exhibits, including a glimpse into the daily lives of soldiers during the Civil War, a reproduction of a turn-of-the-century locomotive factory, and a depiction of the Great Locomotive Chase.
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Seven Springs Museum 3901 Brownsville Road, Powder Springs, 30127 Phone: (678) 567-5611 Hours: Wednesday, 10 a.m. to noon; Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Description: The museum houses a unique collection of artifacts and photographs chronicling the history of the area. Volunteers from the Seven Springs Historical Society operate the museum.
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MOVIE THEATERS
arts & entertainment
Here’s a roundup of movie theaters across Cobb. Contact theater for matinee and additional special prices. BARRETT COMMONS 24 THEATRE 2600 Cobb Place Lane NW, Kennesaw (888) 262-4386 Prices: $11 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for children MERCHANT’S WALK 1301 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta (678) 560-1111 Prices: $7.50 for kids and seniors, $10 for adults NCG ACWORTH CINEMAS 4421 Cinema Drive, Acworth (678) 384-5717 Prices: $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and children NCG MARIETTA CINEMAS 1050 Powder Springs St. (678) 303-4845 Prices: $9 for adults, $8 for students and military, $7 for seniors and children PARK 12 COBB 2925 Frank W. Gordy Parkway, Marietta (770) 971-1200 Prices: $9.50 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and children PARKWAY POINTE 3101 Cobb Parkway, Vinings (888) 262-4386: Prices: $11 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for children PICTURE SHOW AT MERCHANTS EXCHANGE 4400 Roswell Road, Marietta (770) 977-2977 Prices: $1.75 all ages, $1 on Tuesdays, $2 for 3-D surcharge REGAL 22 AUSTELL 2480 E/W Connector, Austell (770) 439-9336: Prices: $11 for adults, $8 for children TOWN CENTER 16 2795 Town Center Drive, Kennesaw (770) 426-5400 Prices: $8 for seniors and children, $11.50 for adults (Friday and Saturday), $11 (Sunday through Thursday)
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BY KEVIN HAZZARD
It was somewhere in Los Angeles. At a strange house in a seedy neighborhood. The crowd was young. Everything about the place felt more like punk rock than folk music.Kennesaw native Jay Bland slipped into his dancing shoes — fitted with taps — and lined up next to a band of Old Time string musicians. He wasn’t sure how buck dancing would go over but the music started and then so did he and all at once the crowd came alive. Buck dancing, often referred to as jigging or flat footing, is an amalgamation of northern European and African dance styles — a wild, free-form cousin to clogging. It isn’t choreographed, its steps have never been formalized or written down and so, by necessity, it is passed from one generation to the next through live performances. Buck dancing traces its origins back to the early days of this country and took root in Appalachia as early settlers mixed English, Irish and Scottish clog dancing with similar forms practiced by Native Americans and African slaves. As such it is a truly American folk tradition that exists today as a thriving but underground phenomenon. And it is this attribute that makes it popular not only in North Carolina and West Virginia, bastions of Old Time music, but also California. “People here really dig it,” Bland says in between dropped cellphone calls. He’s somewhere between L.A. and San Francisco, a desolate stretch of Highway 1, enjoying a rare moment of peace in an otherwise hectic 10-day tour the of west coast. “The crowds have been eclectic and buck dancing’s non-commercial, underground scene really connects with young people.” Buck dancing is folk music’s answer to jazz, an art form based on improvisation whose practitioners all cultivate their own unique style. For Bland, a Kennesaw native, that means a deliberate, percussive approach. “I try to make it look smooth but I want my dancing to be a part of the music, of the band,” he says. “Old Time music is based around strings so I make myself the drummer.” Two generations ago, Bland’s grandmother, Helen Odom, used to clear out rooms in her Kennesaw house for square dances, and Bland himself started out clogging. But time and circumstance led him into buck dancing where he’s become as much of a celebrity as an underground art form can support. He’s won national and regional competitions, traveled the country, played festivals, sat in on informal jam sessions
and attended university symposiums. It’s a world you’ll never hear of but one Bland insists is very much alive. “Usually you find buck dancing at fairs or small events but the shows we’ve had out here have been packed,” he says, adding, “There seems to be renewed interest, especially among the young.” This is a promising development given the oral tradition upon which buck dancing relies. Bland notes a sense of community among attendees, where respect is given to the movement’s elders as they pass down their styles, knowledge and passion to a young and attentive generation. Bland, himself, is part of this new wave. Asked about the financial gains of buck dancing, Bland laughs. “If we get paid that’s a bonus. This is a labor of love. Riches aren’t money. I’m traveling around, going to these shows, having a lot of fun. This is where the real riches are.”
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arts & entertainment
The SMELL OF COTTON CANDY and hot dogs, squeals of delight coming from BRIGHTLY LIT FERRIS WHEELS
it’s fair time!
and more, and rows and rows of plush, colorful stuffed animals –
Superior Plumbing will present the 80th annual Georgia State Fair from Sept. 20 to 30 at Jim R. Miller at 2245 Callaway Road in Marietta. This event, the largest fair in metro Atlanta, attracts nearly 300,000 people each year, locally and from neighboring states. The fair features live music, free attractions and shows, farm animals, flower shows, blue ribbon competitions, local entertainment, and a variety of food. But don’t forget about the rides on the Great James H. Drew Exposition midway! It is one of the largest carnival midways in the nation and features the Wildcat Rollercoaster. The Georgia Lottery concert series is open to fair attendees. Newsboys, Building 429 and Luminate are the headliners and will perform Sept. 21, followed by Steve Holy on Sept. 22, Sara Evans on Sept. 26, Thompson Square on Sept. 27, Colt Ford on Sept. 28 and Mark Wills on Sept. 29. Concerts will take place in a covered arena at 8 p.m. They are free with fair admission.
Lisa Dufresne and her horse show is among the new attractions this year. With three horses and nine American miniatures, she will guide them in five acts, including a comedy show. Peter Hart will bring his puppet show to the fairgrounds, which is appropriate for all ages. Al the Artist will also make his debut at the fair in his brightly-colored, bicyclepowered “cartoon car,” creating art for patrons. Returning attractions include Kachunga and the Alligator Show, Keith King Bike Stunt Show, Oscar the Robot, Brian Ruth the Master of the Chainsaw, Wit Carson’s Petting Zoo and Pony Rides, and the Local Entertainment Stage. Fair admission is $7 daily. Children 10 and younger will be admitted free. Ride tickets are $1 each or $20 for 22 tickets and $50 for 55 tickets. Parking is $3. ATMs will be available on the midway. Discount tickets will be available at all metro Atlanta Walgreens stores from Aug. 20 to Sept. 21. Prices are $3.50 for adults
and $11 for 22 ride tickets. Advance tickets can be purchased for $5 for adults and $11 for a book of 22 tickets. There will be a $1 fee for postage and handling. They are on sale now at www.north georgiastatefair.com. Tickets are also available by sending a check or money order to North Georgia State Fair, P.O. Box 777, Kennesaw, GA 30156. There will also be ride specials. The “Pay-One-Price” ride special is Sept. 24 ($15), Sept. 20, 25 and 26 ($18), and Sept. 22 and 29 ($25) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fair hours are Monday to Thursday from 4 to 11 p.m., Fridays from 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 10 a.m to midnight, and Sundays from 12:30 to 10 p.m. >>>>For more information, call (770) 423-1330 or (770) 528-8989 after Sept. 3 www.northgeorgiastatefair.com, email tod.miller@northgeorgiastatefair.com or mmkromer@northgeorgiastatefair.com or visit www.facebook.com/thenorthgeorgiastatefair.
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CONCERT VENUES 120 Tavern & Music Hall a first for Marietta Ve nu e o ffe rs l ive e nt e r t a i nme nt and mor e By Davia L. Mosley Rock stars, VIP seating, backstage access and high-quality sound — all right in your backyard. 120 Tavern & Music Hall at 1440 Roswell Road in Marietta offers a live music experience – with more than a few extras — and removes the hassle of traveling downtown for entertainment. With records and posters of legendary artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash and The Rolling Stones decking the walls, this place is all about the music — and so much more. Two of the owners, Sam Ivey and Joe Ivey, are cousins with business in their blood. Their grandfather, George Ivey, 91, was a real estate developer after World War II and left his mark on facilities such as local hospitals and Air Force bases. By trade, Sam is a real estate broker, and Joe is a lawyer and CPA. However, this undertaking is a first for both. The third owner, Mose Smith, has more than 25 years of managing places such as Smith’s Olde Bar. The multipurpose facility is the former location of Sidelines, which closed in April. The Iveys took over the operations in November 2011 and ran the business under its former name until April.
Sam said, “Over the years, even though they had bands in there, a lot of people didn’t even know what it was in there and what was going on. It has been underutilized and undermarketed. One of the things we wanted to do was bring bigger acts and bigger bands in here and expand the capacity of the music venue.” Now, approximately 200 people can enjoy concerts by groups such as Fuel, who played July 3, and Mark Chesnutt, who played July 5, in the music hall. Performers truly get the rock star treatment with dressing rooms for lead singers and musicians, a VIP area, rear parking for tour buses and a host of other amenities. Meet-and-greets also take place in a reserved area. Two garage doors bearing the 120 Tavern logo separate the music room from the bar/restaurant area but can be raised so fans can enjoy the show from any spot in the venue. A smaller stage is located outside, complete with Tiki Bar and volleyball court, which has several tons of sand for a real beach experience. Space is also available for rent for special events. Additional events include weekly poker, karaoke and trivia nights. HD TVs and projectors line the walls, making for an ultimate sports experience with college football around the corner. Joe said this technology is unmatched in this area and others in Atlanta.
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CONCERT VENUES The place also operates as a full-service restaurant and bar. However, Sam said the music hall is the differentiator. Upcoming shows are Aug. 8 featuring Nonpoint, Call Me No One, Eye Empire and Uberstout and Aug. 10 with the Andy Birdsall Band. In the future, the Iveys aim to have national headliner at least once a month, but regional and local bands play weekly. Both said having a 15,000-square-foot facility is advantageous to Cobb County residents. “Marietta residents can see topquality music up to national acts and don’t have drive to Atlanta,” Joe said. “To get (high-quality) music that you would see at similar-sized venues down in the city — you can have it here.” Although people think of the place as a sports bar, Sam said, “We really also want to brand ourselves as a legitimate music venue, somewhere for folks in Marietta and surrounding areas can come through
arts & entertainment
and see top-quality music.” Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to mid-
night on Sundays. For more information, visit www.120tavern.com or call (770) 509-3320.
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta 30339 Number: (770) 916-2800 Website: www.cobbenergycentre.com
Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre 5239 Floyd Road SW, Mableton 30126 Phone: (770) 819-3285 Website: www.mablehouse.org/ amphitheatre.html
120 Tavern & Music Hall 1440 Roswell Road, Marietta 30062 Phone: (770) 509-3320 Website: www.120tavern.com Cobb County Civic Center, Jennie T. Anderson Theatre 548 S Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta 30060 Phone: (770) 528-8450 Website: http://prca.cobbcountyga.gov/ civiccenter.htm
Glover Park Concert Series 50 Park Square, Marietta GA 30060 Phone: (770) 794-5601 Website: http://www.mariettaga.gov/city/ residents/parks Earl Smith Strand Theatre 117 North Park Square, Marietta 30060 Phone: (770) 293-0080 Website: www.earlsmithstrand.org
CIVIC CENTER
The Dallas Civic Center is a rental facility located in downtown Dallas, GA. The modern, spacious venue is available for: • Wedding Receptions • Reunions • Club Meetings • Sports Banquets FOR MORE INFORMATION AND RENTAL RATES PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT:
www.dallastheater-civiccenter.com OR CALL US AT: 770.445.5180 DALLAS THEATER - CIVIC CENTER 208 MAIN STREET - DALLAS, GA OUR CIVIC CENTER IS LOCATED AT 121 EAST GRIFFIN STREET (DALLAS, GA) ADJACENT TO THE DALLAS THEATER.
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jazz roots Longtime music executive brings signature program to Cobb County By Davia L. Mosley Larry Rosen at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
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Grammy winners and jazz legends will headline “Jazz Roots: A Larry Rosen Jazz Series” beginning Sept. 21. Presented by the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation, this series will merge the beauty of jazz with an educational focus. Larry Rosen is the creator and producer of the jazz series, which originated in 2008 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. The Grammy-winning producer said Miami didn’t have a strong market for jazz, even with its racial diversity. The challenge was to create a jazz series for a nontraditional jazz audience and to create a brand — Jazz Roots. “The music of America came from the roots of Africa. Those links to the drums and the call and response — everything about the spiritual nature of music and dance that came from Africa really became the music that became the basis for all the music of America,” Rosen said. In addition to the music, the development of the program involved educational and thematic components. The first season sold out, something Rosen said is attributed to the program’s connection to the community. “It worked, and it’s going into its fifth year in Miami. It’s been tremendously successful,” he said. Rosen said performing arts centers focus on education, arts and community, and the Cobb Energy Centre was a good fit for this program in Atlanta. A partnership was developed nearly a year ago, something Michael S. Taormina, managing director of the Cobb Energy Centre, describes as natural. “We are in a very diverse city with many different musical tastes and tastes in the arts,” Taormina said. He said the venue has filled a niche in Atlanta and also attracts people from different states, making it a part of cultural tourism. Rosen said each city has a unique nature, and the series is tailored to match it. A Jazz Roots advisory committee takes in the desires of the community of each city regarding the series.
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“This is about something very organic — YOU’RE ACTUALLY PLANTING A ROOT IN THE CITY. It’s saying we want to bring this community together. It’s about the music. It connects to Atlanta in a very organic way, more than many any other cities, so that’s why we were really excited about coming to Atlanta.”
“This is about something very organic — you’re actually planting a root in the city. It’s saying we want to bring this community together. It’s about the music,” he said. “It connects to Atlanta in a very organic way, more than many any other cities, so that’s why we were really excited about coming to Atlanta.” Rosen said the show will incorporate artists that will show the whole spectrum of jazz for different generations. Al Jarreau and Ramsey Lewis, both Grammy winners, will open the series with “Jazz and Soul” on Sept. 21 at 8:30 p.m. Rosen said, “They are iconic artists with hit records and long histories. In many ways they tell the story, just between those two artists, of what everything we’re doing here stands for.” “The Ladies of Jazz” will feature Grammy winners Esperanza Spalding and Terri Lyne Carrington on Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. Dave Koz will return Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. with his Christmas Tour. Sheila E., David Benoit and Javier Colon will join him on stage. For each concert, a group of 100 students from metro Atlanta schools will have a chance to attend the sound check and interact with the musicians, see the show and participate in a Q&A session with the performers. Carl Griffin, Rosen’s business partner of more than 30 years, runs the educational component of the program. Rosen said it’s exciting to see a young person learn about the music and get an opportunity to play with the artists. “That’s really a very unique part of (the series),” Rosen said. “We want to make sure people understand what we are doing. And this, I think, is the most compelling part of not only great shows but bringing young people here and this whole history and everything they could possibly gain out of it.” He adds, “It will be a life-changing experience.” The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates to secure financial resources for its community and educational outreach programs, including ArtsBridge. Tickets for “Jazz Roots” go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. For more information about the series, visit www.cobbenergycentre.com.
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health & fitness
FULL Phil Raschker has made her mark in masters track and field, dominating on both the national and international stage in various age groups for three decades. Not only has competing in masters track earned Raschker a large number of medals over the years, it has kept the 65-year old-east Cobb resident in peak physical condition. Raschker, who is on hiatus from training while she recovers from minor knee surgery, has put together an impressive resume in masters track that includes winning 109 world championship medals in all — 79 gold, 22 silver and eight bronze. “I’m just going to take my time and let myself heal, then start training again in August,” Raschker said. “I look forward to competing again in 2013.” When she is in training, Raschker travels to Walton High School, close to her east Cobb home, to train four days a week for two to three hours a day. After stretching and warm-up exercises, she proceeds to work on one particular event each day — focusing mainly on the sprinting and hurdles events. “When I work on my events, I vary it up,” Raschker said. “I don’t go out and do the 200 (meter dash) every day. One day, I will do the 100, another day the hurdles, another day the 300. I vary it up, so it doesn’t get too boring. You get in a rut if you do the same thing over and over again.” She also does weight training one day a week for an hour, doing two sets of 20 repetitions each for both her upper body and lower body. “I do an upper body set, then a lower body set, then another upper body set and another lower body set,” Raschker said. “I alternate between the two instead of doing two upper body sets in a row and two lower body sets in a row. Alternating is better
PHIL for the muscles and it’s also less boring.” To avoid burnout, Raschker usually takes a hiatus from training during the fall. “I take off September, October and part of November,” Raschker said. “I just need to get away from it to rest my mind as well as my body. After my time off, I can’t wait to get back into it.” While Raschker’s training regiment is more strenuous than that of the average 65year-old, she said that she has had to make concessions to the aging process. “My training isn’t quite as intense,” Raschker said. “When I was in my 30s and even my 40s, I could train with a lot more intensity. I could also get away without stretching, because the body maintains more flexibility when you are younger. But as you get older, everything tightens up — that’s just a part of life.” Eating healthier is another concession that Raschker said she has made to her advancing years. “I am eating better,” Raschker said. “In the morning, I have oatmeal, fruit and yogurt. In the afternoon, I usually have rice and chicken and in the evening, I have a big salad. “Ten years ago, I used to eat a lot more. But, as we get older, our metabolism slows down, so we have to adjust.” As someone who has made physical fitness an important part of her life, Raschker has some advice for older people who are looking to begin exercising. “Obviously, even when you’re in your 50s, getting approval from your doctor is very important before you start any exercise program,” Raschker said. “Find someone to exercise with — it’s easier to make a commitment to exercise when you are doing it with a friend or a neighbor or your spouse. Just start walking around the neighborhood for 10 minutes a day, then increase the amount of time as you go along.”
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health & fitness
WellStar offers
multiple locations innovative procedures With five hospitals, more than 100 physicians’ offices and groundbreaking medical procedures, WellStar Health Systems provides a host of services for residents throughout Cobb County and beyond. Keith Bowermaster, director of public relations, said the health care facilities are strategically located to conveniently serve the communities of northwest metro Atlanta. “We know it is important to receive high-quality health care close to home,” he said. WellStar’s Health Parks initiative, a onestop shot for outpatient services, is an example of this. The first facility is set to open in Acworth this year with the second in east Cobb slated for 2013. “The Health Parks bring together physician offices and outpatient services such as outpatient surgery, urgent care and diagnostic imaging, along with health and wellness offerings,” Bowermaster said. “The Health Parks are not attached to a hospital and thus provide visitors with essential outpatient services right in their own communities.” The medical system continues to be a site of firsts. On May 17, a team performed two percutaneous aortic valve replacement surgeries, making WellStar one of few facilities nationwide to do so. The aortic valve allows blood to exit the left ventricle. A diseased valve cannot fully open and will need to be replaced. Patients who have had previous heart surgeries and/or other medical conditions can be deemed inoperable for traditional valve replacement surgery. However, this new procedure gives them another option for increased health. Dr. Richard Myung, heart surgeon, said, “Once they have these valves replaced, they’ll be able to enjoy a much more fruitful life. They will have more energy.” Bowermaster said health care is constantly changing, and WellStar offers the most cutting-edge technology available. “Our world-renown physicians perform innovative procedures every day,” he said, “Also, physicians from all over the world train at our facilities.” He said other examples of innovation include: WellStar was the first to implement BioQuell, a technique to clean rooms and eliminate all bacteria, therefore reducing hospital acquired infections. “Additionally, we are about to introduce another technology using ultra violet lights to further eliminate germs and bacteria,” Bowermaster said. The WellStar Cardiac Surgery Program once again received a “3 Star” rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Bowermaster said only 12 to 15 percent of hospitals in the country receive this rating. “Many people don't realize that laparoscopic surgery was pioneered at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in the 1980s, that WellStar has three da Vinci Surgical Robots in use and that the WellStar Surgery Network does more inpatient surgeries than any other hospital in Metro Atlanta,” he added. In addition to WellStar’s medical contributions, Bowermaster said the health system is a community partner and economic catalyst for the county.
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Kaiser Permanente
WellStar has many locations in Cobb. Here is a list of a few of them. For a complete list, you can visit their website at www.wellstar.org or call at 770-956-STAR (7827) WellStar Cobb 3950 Austell Road SW Austell, GA 30106 (770) 732-4000 WellStar Douglas 8954 Hospital Drive Douglasville, GA 30134 (770) 949-1500 WellStar Kennestone 677 Church St. Marietta, GA 30060 (770) 793-5000 WellStar Paulding 600 West Memorial Drive Dallas, GA 30132 (770) 445-4411 WellStar Windy Hill 2540 Windy Hill Road Marietta, GA 30067 (770) 644-1000 Urgent Care Centers Cooper Lake 4480 North Cooper Lake Road Suite 100 Smyrna, GA 30082 Phone: (770) 333-1300 Fax: (770) 432-8312 Hours of Operation Sunday to Saturday: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Kennesaw 3805 Cherokee St. Kennesaw, GA 30144 Phone: (770) 426-5665 Fax: (770) 420-1792 Hours of Operation Sunday to Saturday: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Delk Road 2890 Delk Road Marietta, GA 30067 Phone: (770) 955-8620 Fax: (770) 955-0377 Hours of Operation Sunday - Saturday: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
expands Kennesaw location aiser Permanente of Georgia continues to grow its presence in Cobb with an expansion to its Kennesaw location. Kaiser Permanente recently completed a $47 million expansion to its Kennesaw location, creating space for specialty and advanced care services. The TownPark Comprehensive Medical Center is open to members. “Our members can now come to one location, whether they need a routine check-up, specialty care, or rapid treatment for conditions such as chest and abdominal pain, shortness of breath, strains, breaks and lacerations,” said Rob Schreiner, M.D., executive medical director of Kaiser Permanente of Georgia. “The Town Park CMC’s Advanced Care Center is staffed by board-certified emergency medicine physicians who are trained to provide high-level diagnostic and therapeutic care, but we do not intend to direct major trauma or heart attacks to this center.” For members who need emergency or inpatient hospital care, Kaiser Permanente of Georgia will continue to
K
partner with leading hospitals in metro Atlanta, hospital officials said. Kaiser Permanente added 78,000 square feet to its existing facility at 750 TownPark Lane in Kennesaw to create the TownPark CMC. The facility, which already offered internal medicine, pediatrics/adolescent medicine, obstetrics/gynecology and behavioral health services, added five new specialties. Those specialties include cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, pulmonology, as well as oncology and infusion. Pharmacy, laboratory, and high-end imaging and diagnostic services are also available on-site. Since late 2009, Kaiser Permanente has opened 12 new medical offices in Georgia. The organization has plans to expand facilities in other metro Atlanta communities. Information: 750 Townpark Ln NW Kennesaw (404) 365-0966
Cobb County Republican Women’s Club Opening the door to good government Meetings are held the 4th Friday of every month at
Marietta Conference Center 500 Powder Springs Street • Marietta, GA 30064 from 11:30am - 1:00pm For more information, please visit our website:
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Cobb Parks (770) 917-1234 Old McEver Rd, Acworth
Jim R. Miller Park 6 2
1 4 1 4 5 2
9
1 1
1
2
Al Bishop Softball Complex (770) 794-8860 1082 Al Bishop Dr, Marietta
5
1
(770) 917-1234 Hwy 92 at McClain Rd, Acworth
1
(770) 911-5160 4100 Hwy 293, Acworth
Bells Ferry Park (770) 591-5150 2334 Bells Ferry Rd, Marietta
4
2
1 1 2
1
4
2
2
4
1
1
2
Laurel Park
1
Lawrence Street Recreation Center 1
1 1
Clarkdale Park (770) 528-8890 5195 Clark St, Austell
3
1
Collar Park (770) 944-4310 2526 Joe Jenkins St, Austell
1
1
1 1
1
3
(770) 528-8810 620 Lions Club Dr, Mableton
1 1
(770) 917-1234 Allatoona Dr, Acworth
East Cobb Park 1 1
(770) 591-3160 3322 Roswell Rd, Marietta
Elizabeth Porter Center 1
(770) 794-5691 370 Montgomery St, Marietta
1
2
Fair Oaks Park & Tennis Center 2
1 1
3 1 1 2
12 Mount Bethel Park
(770) 691-3160 4777 Lwr Roswell Rd, Marietta
Fullers Park (770) 509-2737 3050 Robinson Rd, Marietta
6
4 1 1 1 1 2 2
4
Harrison Park & Tennis Center (770) 591-3151 2653 Shallowford Rd, Marietta
4
1
1
4
1 2+
2
13
1
(770) 528-8890 145 Old Hamilton Rd, Marietta
1
1
1 1
4
1
4
(770) 528-8810 550 Fairground St., Marietta
2
(770) 591-3160 4346 Steinhauer Rd, Marietta
4
1
1 1
1
4
(770) 944-4310 6040 Pine St., Austell
2
1 2
8
2
1 1 1
1 4
5
3 1 1
1 2 2
4
1 3
2
1 1 1
4
4
1
1 2 2+
8
Sweetwater Park & Tennis Center
1
(770) 917-1234 Cherokee St., Acworth
Terrell Mill Park 4
1 2 1
1
8
Thompson Park
+
1 1
2
1
1
1
Tolleson Park & Pool (770) 431-2844 3530 McCauley Rd, Smyma
1
2 1
2
1
8
5
4
2 1
1
1
11
Victory Park 2
1 1
1
1 1 1
(770) 520-0090 2150 East-West Conn., Marietta
1 1 2 2 1 1 2
1
2+
Tramore Park
1
9
1 2+ 1 1
1
(770) 819-3215 570 Nickajack Rd, Mableton
(770) 194-5601 820 N. Park Dr, Marietta
1 4
2
1 2 1
4
12 Wallace Park 2
(770) 528-8810 6289 Pisgah Rd, Mableton
3
2
1
Washington Park 2+
(770) S44-4310 2981 Landers St.,Austell
2+
1 1
Ward Park 1
1 2 1
2
1 1
4
1 3 1 1 1
(770) 431-2042 2602 Ward Park, Smyma
1
West Dixie Park 1
(770) 794-5601 125 W. Dixie Ave., Marietta
12
1 1
Wildwood Park 4
2 3
(770) 794-5601 1050 Barclay Cir., Marietta
Wild Horse Creek Park (770) 528-6890 3820 Macedonia Rd, Powder Springs
Pine Street Park
Hurt Rd Park
4
Sweat Mountain Park
(770) 644-2771 480 Terrell Mill Rd, Marietta
2+
Perry Parham Park
(770) 794-5601 400 Chestnut Hill Rd, Marietta
1
Tanyard Creek Park
Oregon Park 1
1 1
1 1
(770) 911-1234 Ragsdale Rd, Acworth
(770) 019-3221 2447 Clay Rd, Austell
489 Hawkins Store Rd, Kennesaw
Hickory Hills Park
(770) 528-8890 990 Hurt Rd, Marietta
1
16 (770) 591 -3160
1 3
Henry Memorial Park (770) 794-5601 81 Reynolds St, Marietta
4
Noonday Creek Park 7
4
South Shore Park
Nickajack Park (770) 528-8810 3630 Oakdale Rd, Mableton
1 3 2
(770) 019-9240 875 Six Flags Dr S.W., Austell
Merritt Park (770) 194-5601 501 Wallace Rd, Marietta
1
S. Cobb Recreation Center
Lost Mountain Park (770) 528-8885 4845 Dallas Hwy., Powder Springs
(770) 591-3160 2055 Lwr Roswell Rd, Marietta (770) 591-3160 3016 Canton Rd, Marietta
1 1 1
Logan Farm Park (770) 917-1234 Logan Rd, Acworth
2
Shaw Park
Lions Park
Dallas Landing Park
(770) 528-5450 1460 W. Booth Rd, Marietta
8
Legion Park (770) 944-4310 5514 Austell-Powder Springs Rd, Austell
Custer Park (770) 525-8810 602 Hyde Rd, Marietta
1 1 1
Legion Field (770) 491-2042 American Legion, Post 160, Smyma
1
Sewell Park 5 2
Lewis Park (770) 794-5601 475 Campbell Hill St, Marietta
1 1 1
Sandy Plains Park (770) 591-3160 2977 Gordy Pkwy, Marietta
(770) 794-5601 510 Lawrence St, Marietta
Cheyenne Park (770) 944-4310 1146 Pontiac Cir., Austell
2 2
(770) 794-5601 151 Manning Rd, Marietta
Burrell Field (770) 422-9714 Moon Station Rd, Kennesaw
1
+
Larry Bell Park (770) 528-8450 592 Fairground St, Marietta
(770) 520-0010 4145 King Springs Rd, Smyma (770) 431-2842 1870 Teasly Rd, Smyma
+
(770) 911-5151 Ragsdale Rd, Acworth
Bobby Van Newberry Park (770) 917-1234 S. Main St, Acworth
2
Lake Acworth Regional Park
1 1
7
Rose Garden Park
(770) 917-1234 Beach St, Acworth
Brinkley Park (770) 451-2842 1270 Hunters St, Smyma
1 4
Lake Acworth Beach at Cauble Park
4
Big Shanty Park (770) 528-8890 2050 Kennesaw Due West Rd
2
Kennworth Park & Tennis Center
Amos Durr Field
Handicap Accessible
Rhyne Park
(770) 421-4656 900 Kennesaw Mtn. Dr managed by Nat’l Park Service
1 1 1
Music Gazebo
Track
(770) 528-8890 3899 Brownsville Rd, Powder Springs
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
A.L. Burriss Nature Park (770) 794-6601 1485 S. Cobb Dr, Marietta
1
Jonquil Park (770) 431-2842 2411 Spring Rd, Smyma
Gymnasium
Powder Springs Park 2
(770) 528-8875 2245 Callaway Rd, Marietta home of N. GA State Fair, Sept.
Adams Park (770) 422-9714 2600 Park Dr, Kennesaw
Golf
Bas eb Bas all/Softb ket all Batt ball Cou Fields ing rt Com Cages s m Foo unity/R ecre tball ation Field Lake s Cen s/ ter Mult Beache ipur s Picn pose T rails ic P Play avilion gr s San ounds dV Soc olleyba cer ll C Swim Fields ourts m Tenn ing Po ols is C ourt s
Bas eb Bas all/Softb ket all Batt ball Cou Fields ing rt Com Cages s m Foo unity/R ec tball Field reation Lake s Cen s/ ter Mult Beache ipu s Picn rpose T rail ic Play Pavilion s gr s San ounds d Vo lle Soc cer yball C Swim Fields ourts ming Tenn is C Pools ourt s
Acworth Sports Complex
Concession Stand
Civic Center
Bas eb Bas all/Softb ket all Batt ball Cou Fields ing rt Com Cages s mun it Foo tball y/Recre ation Field Lake s Cen s/ ter Mult Beache ipur s Picn pose T rails ic P Play avilion gr s San ounds dV Soc olleyba cer ll C Swim Fields ourts m Tenn ing Po ols is Co urts
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1 1 – Source: Cobb Chamber of Commerce
7
1 1
1 1 1
1
4
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Outdoors Kickball Kennworth Park 4100 Highway 293, Acworth 770-911-5160
Flag Football Fair Oaks Park 1460 W. Booth Road, Marietta 770-528-5450
Disc Golf Oregon Park 145 Old Hamilton Road, Marietta 770-528-8890
Archery Pitner Road Park 2302 Pitner Road, Acworth 770-528-8890
Bicycle Motocross 1. Noonday Park 489 Hawkins Store Road, Kennesaw 770-591-3160 2. Wild Horse Creek Park 3820 Macedonia Road, Powder Springs 770-528-8816
Shooting Nick’s Guns and Range 2727 Canton Road, Suite 410, Marietta 770-425-8461
Rock Climbing 1. Escalade Climbing Gym 3694 Kennesaw S. Industrial Dr., Kennesaw 770-794-1575 2. Smoky Mountain Adventure Camp 1378 Arden Drive, Marietta 866-876-CAMP (2267)
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Emory Adventist in Smyrna puts community first mory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna offers award-winning medical care at 3949 S Cobb Drive. Tonya Long, director of marketing/PR, said the hospital’s focus is the community. She said, “Whether it is through our community education classes, diabetes education or partnering with local schools, we like to educate, and contribute overall to the betterment of our community.” EAH received The Partnership for Health and Accountability’s Quality and Patient Safety Award for its geriatric fracture program that provides specialized care for fragility fractures among geriatric patients. These annual awards recognize Georgia health care organizations for achievement in reducing the risk of medical errors and improving patient safety
E
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and medical outcomes. Dr. Jeffrey Kovacic said his time in residency in orthopedic surgery and talking with others in the medical field around the country were the reasons he took steps to develop the program at EAH. He said when an elderly person breaks a hip, surgery is inevitable and needs to be done fairly quickly in order to optimize their outcome. "(EAH) believes they are an urgent type of treatment. If they can get processed quickly, they can get fixed quickly," he said, adding patients tend to do best when they are down for the least amount of time post-surgery. The hospital also offers uterine fibroid embolization, a minimally invasive procedure that eliminates these non-cancerous
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tumors that are composed of smooth muscle found in different parts of the uterus, according to the Atlanta Interventional Institute website, www.atlii.com. Dr. John Lipman, interventional radiologist and medical director of The Center for Image-Guided Procedures at EAH, performed the first UFE procedure in Georgia more than 15 years ago and has one of the country's largest UFE experience (more than 3,500 procedures). In the past, women were given the options of having a myomectomy (removing a portion of the fibroids and sewing the uterus back together) or hysterectomy (complete removal of the uterus with or without the ovaries), according to www.atlii.com.
F A C T B O O K
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Dr. Lipman said, "UFE should be offered to every woman who is suffering with fibroids; particularly those that are facing hysterectomy. Women don't need to lose their uterus over (fibroids)." To further health education, residents are invited to attend community education programs. These sessions are usually free, but registration is strongly suggested. Topics have ranged from skin cancer to mental health to hip arthroscopy. Sessions are led by medical professionals from EAH and/or other healthcare organizations/facilities. Community demand also led to a grief recovery program. Long said it is different from typical support groups because it is educational. “Most support groups are merely support groups,” she said. “They are good at helping people share their feelings, but they do not teach them what to do with these feelings and how to move forward from them.” Casey Leno, director of Pastoral Care, started the group because a program was needed to teach people how to recover. “The other reason to start this program was to make the hospital a place where the community can go to not just to get help with the physical pain, but emotional pain as well,” Leno said. A Parkinson’s disease support group is also new to the hospital. Long said it will be facilitated by Tricia Creel, a physical therapist with PT Solutions who specializes in the treatment of neurologic disorders, with an emphasis on Parkinson’s disease. The quality of patient care and services at EAH was recognized by The Leapfrog Group, a Washington, D.C.-based group that monitors health care quality and safety. The group recently unveiled its new website that grades more than 2,600 hospitals nationwide. Leapfrog's new "Hospital Safety Score" program, www.hospitalsafetyscore.org, assigns each hospital one all-encompassing letter grade to guide the public in making decisions on hospital care. Long said, “We were pleased to receive a grade of ‘A’ which means we scored in the Top 25 percent.”
Cobb also has urgent care centers including these two: Northside Urgent Care and Family Hospital Address: 1121 Johnson Ferry Rd. #100 Marietta, 30068 Phone: (770) 509-1025 Hours: Mon-Sat 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sun 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Town Center Address: 2985 George Busbee Parkway Kennesaw, 30144 Phone: (404) 785-8010 Hours: Mon-Fri 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sat-Sun 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Always young at heart! Parc at Piedmont East Cobb Senior Living Community Independent and Assisted Living
ing tur ing a e iv w F ed L o N sist As
Exceptional Service, Care and Amenities
Call us and visit TODAY!
770.565.8828 999 Hood Road - Marietta, GA 30068 Intersection of East Piedmont and Roswell Rd. (Hwy. 120)
Address: 3949 S Cobb Drive, Smyrna 30080 Phone: (770) 438-5232 Website: www.emoryadventist.org
www.parcatpiedmont.com 2 0 1 2
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Eagle Vending Company,Inc.
COBB COUNTY’
Established - 1983
CONSUMERS’ CHOICE WINNER 2000• 2001 • 2002 • 2003 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011
We service over 300 locations in the Metro Atlanta area including hotels, automobile dealerships, retail stores, offices, distribution centers, schools and many others. Providing Coke, Pepsi, Snack, Cold Food and Coffee Machines, Eagle Vending Company, Inc. has been in operation since 1983.
Eagle Vending Company, Inc. 1001 Marble Mill Circle Marietta, GA 30060
(770) 426-1969
From left, Jeff Grindstaff, Will Said and Andrea Grindstaff.
J
eff and Andrea Grindstaff are two of Cobb County’s newest residents, having moved to the area earlier this year from Decatur. The couple said the county offered them a less hectic commute to their jobs here and that they were attracted to the quality of the county’s schools, proximity to friends and recreational offerings. They made their home in the Paper Chase Farm subdivision off Burnt Hickory Road near the Marietta Country Club in Kennesaw. “Cobb County just seemed so new, fresh and very state-of-the-art. Something as simple as the roads are so nice that everything seems like it’s very well-kept,” said Andrea, 51. “We were living in DeKalb
County in the city of Decatur. I’d lived there for 18 years; I was commuting back and forth. When Jeff and I got married a year ago it just made sense to move to Cobb County.” Jeff was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in nearby Annapolis, Md. He previously lived in Acworth and works as a branch manager for Automated Logic in Kennesaw. Andrea was born in Georgia and grew up in St. Petersburg, Fla., before moving to metro Atlanta in the early 1970s. She works as a communications project manager for Aon Hewitt. The couple’s recent marriage was the second for each of them, and the couple have five children between them. Jeff’s children are Patrick, 23, Matthew, 21, and Erin, 18, and Andrea has Sofia, 18, and Will, 12. Will attends Pine Mountain Middle
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School, which factored heavily in the Grindstaff’s decision to move to Cobb. “We selected an area of Cobb County that we felt had schools that would support his academic pursuits,” said Jeff, 50. Added Andrea: “Actually, we specifically searched Kennesaw Mountain High School because I’d heard so many wonderful things about that school.” The couple met through an online dating website. “One of the first things that we had in common was that we each had a Shih Tzu puppy. He had a picture on his profile of him and his dog. I was like, ‘Gosh, if he likes the same kind of dog I like, we’re going to get along great,’” Andrea re-
called. Jeff said he believes he and Andrea hit it off so well because they’re both very active. “We don’t sit around the house and watch TV,” he said. The Grindstaffs have a boat they keep docked at Lake Allatoona, and both also enjoy riding motorcycles. However, when they are at home, they both love to cook. Although the house was new when they moved in last February, they plan to renovate it by adding a gourmet kitchen to better suit their needs. The two-story house has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and an unfinished basement. It sits on three-quarters of an
ANKAR REALTY ARLENE MCCOY & ASSOCIATES Committed, full-time, accessible, hard working agents getting results for our clients.
acre. The couple’s favorite part of the home is its deck, where they relax in the evenings. The house was built by Marietta-based Traton Homes. “It’s beautiful and quiet; a lot of people have dogs that they walk,” Andrea said of the subdivision. “Some of the houses in our neighborhood were built six or seven years ago. So it has a little bit more of an established look.” Originally priced up to $1 million, Paper Chase Farm homes are now being offered from the low $400,000s. The 50 homes in the neighborhood feature three-sides brick, cedar shake and/or stone, three-car garages, and sodded lawns. Some homesites offer lake and golf course views.
AROUND ATLANTA 678-819-9260
It’s a great time to call Arlene McCoy & Associates! Two of Cobb County’s Top Achieveing Agents 21+ years of experience in ALL areas of real estate
ARLENE MCCOY ASSOCIATE BROKER ABR, CRS, CDPE
770-843-7318 678-401-2126 Arlene@ArleneMcCoy.com SoldBuyTheRealMcCoy.com Cobb Association of Realtors
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JULIE FOGARD ABR
770-356-9806 678-401-2127 Julie@JulieFogard.com JulieSalesHomes.com HUD Specialist
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The Chance Team Atlanta Real Estate Professionals for Over 20 Years
Residential Home Sales & Rentals Foreclosure & Short Sale Specialists First-Time Buyers • Innovative Marketing Plans
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COBB REALTORS 2011 Multi-Million Dollar Club TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS 1. Deborah Ratchford, Keller Williams Cityside 2. Wendy Bunch, REMAX Around Atlanta 3. Amanda Fard, Keller Williams Cityside 4. Rebecca Mohandiss, Keller Williams Cityside 5. Steven Lee, Traton Homes 6. Donna King, Harry Norman, REALTORS 7. Terry Burger, REMAX Unlimited 8. Susan Edwards, Heritage Real Estate Brokers 9. Helen Durrence, REMAX Around Atlanta 10. B.J. Martin, Harry Norman, REALTORS
2011 Multi-Million Dollar Club TOP TEN TEAMS 1. Tina Robbins, Robins Realty 2. Lynn Horner, Baker Horner Baker Properties 3. Courtney Newton, Keller Williams Cityside 4. Angela Barner, REMAX Unlimited 5. Amanda Douglas, Keller Williams Signature Partners 6. Debbie Redford, All Atlanta Realty 7. Sue Hilton, Keller Williams Signature Partners 8. Bob Wolf, Keller Williams Platinum Partners 9. Page Henry, Harry Norman, REALTORS 10. Jim Glover, Atlanta’s Finest Homes Sothebys
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Two of the Best Around Atlanta GAY LOCKE
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Phoenix Award Winners Registered HUD Agents Corporate Relocation Specialist Free market analysis and home warranty We market your home 24 hours a day through excellent internet coverage with upgraded Realtor.com, REMAX.com,Voice Pad and more!
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Tucked away on a tree-covered property in Vinings is a California-inspired home that has distinctive personality. With soaring ceilings, stark white walls and tall picture windows, the design of the house resembles a modern art museum. The numerous Pella windows in the house allow natural light to stream into the rooms and have the effect of bringing the outside indoors. Contemporary artwork, black and white photographs and modern furniture complement the design of the home, emphasizing clean lines and muted colors. Even the light fixtures are well chosen, with recessed lighting in the living room and Frisbi chandeliers designed by Achille Castiglioni hanging in the dining area. While a home that appears this formal may not be to everyone’s taste, touches such as the living room fireplace, the kitchen breakfast bar and the loft-like office make the space feel livable and inviting. “I think the kitchen is a great gathering area,” Tammie Sweetnich said. “Where we have our regular meals there is a view out over the property. It’s very peaceful, it’s very relaxing.” The interior of the home, with its open floor plan and spacious rooms, is only part
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of the admiration the structure inspires. It also features several outdoor living spaces, including a deck off the living room, a patio attached to the master bedroom, a millstone fountain and a garden bench nestled in the woods at the intersection of gravel walking trails. “There’s a bench that’s set back from the house probably 20 yards out that’s set on a bed of river stone and you look toward the house and the fountain,” she said. “I like to sit back there with our dog. I really like the view of the back of the house. It’s very clean, with the windows looking into the house from the outside.”
Owners Jay and Tammie Sweetnich were attracted to the home for its clean lines, numerous windows and muted colors among other items. The home resembles a modern art museum in many aspects.
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SENIOR LIVING OPTIONS ABOUND I N C O B B By Marcus E. Howard
C
t
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obb County is home to a range of senior and retirement living options, including adult day care, independent living, retirement communities, assisted living communities, nursing homes and hospice care. When Mickey Schulz first visited Presbyterian Village in Austell, she fell in love. Her daughter in Vinings told her about it after she began experiencing health issues at home in the Houston area. Schulz came to check out the senior living community herself and said she knew it was the place she should be. Seven years later, Schulz remains in love with what has become her home, along with its residents and staff. “We have a director of entertainment and take all kinds of field trips out to lunch, movies and all sorts of special things,” said Schulz, 88. Schulz lives in a one-bedroom apartment with a kitchen, bathroom and patio, where she enjoys drinking her morning coffee and feeding birds. “I’m a country girl,” she said. Located on 60 acres at 2000 East-West Connector just off Austell Road, Presbyterian Village offers multiple levels of care, including residential living, assisted living, nursing care, memory support and rehabilitation services, to address lifestyle changes. “The beauty of Presbyterian Village is that we offer all of those services on one campus,” said Michelle Morris, marketing director. “This really can be your home for a lifetime.” There are a total of 285 residents age 62 and older in the community.
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Mickey Schulz and Libby McAliley are two of the residents who enjoy living at Presbyterian Village.
Apartments range from $2,100 to $3,600 per month, which includes most utilities, housekeeping, transportation and some meals. Assisted living is $4,540 a month. Memory care ranges between $4,630 and $5,650 per month. Nursing care is $227 daily. A Texas native, Schulz married Dr. Don Schulz during World War II. After the war, they settled outside of Houston, where they raised three children during 53 years of marriage. Her husband died 15 years ago. The transition to senior community living was not a difficult one to make, said Schulz, who still drives. “I knew I needed some more medical attention,” she said. “I knew it was just so right that I didn’t even look back.” Claudia Crim is another Cobb resident who is in love with her choice of retirement living. She and her husband, retired Army Col. Bill Crim, are both over age 65 and have lived 10 months in Arbor Green, an age 55 and older community near the Marietta Country Club in Kennesaw. It offers maintenance-free ranch villas, with three bedrooms and two baths from the low $200,000s. The community features a park with walking paths. Such active-adult communities have become a popular option for seniors looking to spend their retirement years with other active adults, said Claudia, a retired real estate agent. She said her neighbors come from various professional backgrounds and enjoy entertaining one another, especially at happy hour every Friday. “We wanted to live in a community where if we wanted to leave town, take a trip or visit our grandchildren, all we had to do is lock the door and leave,” said Claudia. For more information on senior living options, contact Cobb Senior Services at (770) 528-5355.
HUGH GILLIAM
T HE G ILLIAM G ROUP
ATLANTA COMMUNITIES Real Estate Brokerage
770.240.2001 www.HousesCondosandMore.com
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By Sally Litchfield
INSIDE THE TRAMMELL HOUSE Except for the street named in his memory, Col. Leander Newton Trammell and his family had largely been lost to Marietta history. The Trammell family’s legacy was revived in 1998 when Rachel and Douglas Frey purchased the Trammell home place. This year, the Trammell House turns 125 years old. “We fell in love with (the home) immediately,” Rachel said. The couple discovered the house while looking at another home nearby. The house, built in 1887 for $4,000, is an example of Queen Anne-style architecture. Bruce & Morgan, one of Atlanta’s most distinguished architectural firms of the day, provided the plans. Descriptions in The Marietta Journal during construction refer to the house as “a magnificent structure of thirteen rooms.” Wanting an accurate record of the Trammell House and former owners, Douglas traced the home’s history through historical archives, Sanborn fire insurance maps, census records, deeds, old newspapers and private interviews. “We were always just itching for an old house project ourselves,” said Rachel. When the couple moved to Atlanta from North Carolina in 1998, they would visit different areas and go
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on home tours. The Freys found their project in the home built by Col. Trammell, a Georgia legislator and lawyer, and his wife, Zenobia J. Barclay. Douglas’ research reflects that Col. Trammell was one of the state’s most influential citizens of the 19th century, serving as president of the State Senate and by rights, governor pro tem when the governor left office. To divert a political crisis, however, he refused the governorship, and went on to become chairman of the powerful State Railroad Commission, known today as the Public Service Commission. Further research by Douglas showed that while living in Marietta, Col. Trammell was an original member of the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Marietta. He was also a Mason and a prominent member of the Methodist Church. Niles Trammell, grandson of the colonel, also lived in the house, and grew up to be president of NBC (1940-49) and a leader and innovator in early television. When the Freys purchased the Trammell House in 1998, its distinguishing features were obscured under white paint, and it had been converted into three apartments for most of the 20th century.
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“Our goal was to restore what was original and replicate what had been lost,” Rachel said. Working with the State Historic Preservation Division to participate in the state tax incentive program, and following Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, Rachel and Douglas embarked on restoring the home to its original floor plan and appearance while stressing historic accuracy and use of historic materials wherever possible. A major challenge was selecting exterior paint colors. “We switched colors many times before settling on the final nine-color scheme. It’s amazing how many people stop by and ask if we added this or that detail, but they were always there, waiting to be highlighted,” Rachel said.
Douglas and Rachel Frey, above, with their beautiful restored home.
Celebrating 236 Years of America’s Independence! and... Celebrating 17 Years Assisting Cobb County Area Residents in Buying and Selling Homes Johnny Walker Lifelong Resident of Cobb County
Jim Glover Group, Inc. If you are selling your home, I am dedicated to using every possible marketing tool needed to get your home sold. My goal is to provide my clients with a superior level of service and resources to make informed decisions with your real estate purchases. As a Cobb native, my network and knowledge of the metro Atlanta area proves beneficial in purchase and sales transactions. As a member of The Luxury Home Marketing Institute, I am constantly networking with area agents and affiliates.
Johnny Walker, REALTOR® 404-993-9750 770-422-6005 Cobb Marietta Office 776 Whitlock Avenue • Marietta, GA 30064
• Fifteen Years Experience • Coauthor, Marietta 1833-2000 • Sixth-generation Mariettan • Cofounder, Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour
Office: 404.974.4420 | www.atlantafinehomes.com 3290 Northside Parkway NW | Suite 200 | 404.835.9600 © MMX Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Street in Saintes-Maries, Van Gogh, used with permission. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.
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Stately fireplaces. Twenty-inch rock underpinning each room. A beautifully crafted design accentuated with square nails and wooden pegs. Close your eyes and the enchanting two-story Victorian home on 505 Kennesaw Ave., known today as the Marietta Educational Garden Center, will take you back to a time and place when the city of Marietta was the belle of the ball in Southern architecture. Today, the architecturally significant home, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a beacon of civic and cultural pride. Serving as a public meeting place and event facility, the 150-year-old home is headquarters to 21 local supporting garden clubs and nearly 655 members of the Marietta Council of
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Garden Clubs. Built by the Newton family in 1852, the home went through several owners before Clara and Howard Benson eventually purchased it in 1919. It wasn’t until the Benson family moved out in 1962 that community leaders saw the historical treasure it had in the home. And it was almost too late. Sitting idle for nearly four years, the home began to get rundown, eventually becoming a frequent target of vandals. Enter the Marietta Council of Garden Clubs, which just happened to be looking for a new home. In 1966, then-chairman Anne Cannon asked Clara Benson if she’d be interested in selling her home to the council. Instead, the Bensons graciously decided to deed the property to the council to be used as a Garden Center.
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FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED
We take the time... when you need it the most. Terry Pendley, owner; Darlene Pendley, Jason Pendley, Shane Pendley and Chad Pendley of Mayes WardDobbins are available to take care of your every need.
It’s all about you... your life...your memories...your family ...and now another location to serve you!
The Pendley family is pleased to announce the Opening of the
Macland Chapel
Now Open!
3940 Macland Road, Powder Springs • Serving families of all faiths • On premise crematory • Accessible entrance - no stairs • Licensed, full-time professional staff attending to every detail • Make knowledgable cost comparisons • Large elevator • Large off-street parking lot • Pre-need plans • Active in all civic organizations
MACLAND CHAPEL - (770) 943-1511
MARIETTA - (770) 428-1511
3940 MACLAND RD. • POWDER SPRINGS, GA
180 CHURCH STREET NE • MARIETTA, GA
www.MayesWardDobbins.com
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