THE PLACE TO APPLAUD

person, free for museum members. If you miss it, mark your calendar for the next Martinis & Music Night on Friday, Nov. 9. Marietta Cobb Art Museum, 30 Atlanta St., Marietta 30060. More info available at mariettacobbartmuseum.org.

AJC Decatur Book Festival

Runs Aug. 31-Sept.

2. The 2018 13th annual AJC Decatur Book Festival offers nearly 600 national and local authors, including awardwinners, best-sellers, debut and emerging authors. Tony Award winning director and actor of stage, film and television, Kenny Leon is the keynote speaker to launch the festival. Leon will discuss his memoir “Take You Wherever You Go.” For more information and a complete schedule, visit decaturbookfestival.com.

9 to 5 The Musical

Smoke on the Mountain

Friday & Saturday, Aug. 24 & 25, 7 p.m. The year is 1938, and the Sanders Family visits a country church in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains to help the pastor bring his tiny congregations into the ‘modern world.’ Amid the laughs, two dozen bluegrass songs rouse everyone’s spirits. The Christ Church Players’ annual summer show is in honor of the 40th anniversary of the founding of Christ Church Episcopal in Norcross. Tickets are $10. 400 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Norcross 30071. Contact the church office at 770-447-1188 or visit ccnorcross.org for tickets and additional information.

Runs Sept. 13-30. A heartwarming comedy of friendship and revenge. Three working women take over their office and turn around their lives, to the tune of Dolly Parton’s musical score. Tickets range from $33 to $58+. Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell 30075. Get details and tickets by calling 770-641-1260 or click on get.org.

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Sandcatchers

Saturday, Sept. 15, 8 p.m. Part of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) 2018/2019 Arts + Culture Season. Sandcatchers is a Middle Eastern-Americana mashup quartet that brings a variety of backgrounds, specialties and improvisational music together. Sandcatchers consists of Yoshie Fruchter on oud, Myk Freedman on lapsteel, Michael Bates on bass and Tim Keiper on drums/percussion, with special guest Erik Friedlander on cello. Tickets are $15 to $20. MJCCA’s Morris & Rae Frank Theatre, 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody 30338. Get tickets and more info at atlantajcc.org or call 678-812-4002.

Health & Fitness

Ballroom Dancing

Mondays, Aug. 6, 13, 20 & 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Instructor Johnny Kimbrough will teach you how to glide across the floor with your partner as you learn ballroom dancing. The Lou Walker Center offers many fitness classes, from tai chi and chair aerobics to self-defense and swimming. Lou Walker Center, Victory Room, 2538 Panola Rd., Lithonia 30058, 770-322-2900. Get more info at louwalkercenter.com.

Protect Yourself from Shingles: Get Vaccinated

Friday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Protect yourself by getting the new shingles shot. This is a new vaccine, and the cost is $169.99 without insurance. However, most insurance plans, including Medicare D cover it to some extent. Appointment are required, and the deadline to set an appointment is Friday, Aug. 17. Stop by the front desk to schedule yours and pick up the paperwork. East Cobb Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta 30066, 770-509-4900.

Learn Something

Healthy Cooking with Chef Lynn Ware

Friday, Aug. 17, 10-11:30 a.m. & 12:30-2 p.m. Did you know that the different colors of fruits and vegetables indicate the different nutrients they contain? Lynn will explain the basics of the color of produce and its nutrient value, and she’ll demonstrate simple ways to taste the rainbow. The menu includes black rice stir fry and strawberry grapefruit smoothie. $8 for Cobb residents, $10 for nonresidents. Senior Wellness Center, 1150 Powder Springs St., Ste. 100, Marietta 30064, 770-528-5355. Visit cobbcounty.org to get details and register.

Oil Painting from Photographs

Wednesdays, Sept. 5, 12, 19 & 26, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Kristina Laurendi Havens, MFA, teaches how to develop the skills to plan, compose, prepare and execute an oil painting. Artists of all skill levels are encouraged to join. Cost is $125 for the 4-week session.

Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North St., Canton 30114. Go to cherokeearts. org to find out more.

Canning Basics

Saturday, Aug. 18, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. The Fulton County UGA Extension presents a class for people who want to preserve their food and learn about basic canning supplies, recipes and the science of why it’s important to properly preserve food. Must register by 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 16. Ponce de Leon Library, 980 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta 30306. To register, call 404-885-7820 or email Anne.Vagts@fultoncountyga.gov.

Benson Manor is a 76-unit affordable senior housing community designed with stone and sturdy wood-like siding. Each apartment is approximately 540 square feet. Benson Manor is conveniently located close to shopping, churches, medical facilities, and a major bus route.

Residents must be 62 years of age or older. Some units have special features for mobility and sensory impaired persons. Income limitations are determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Residents pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent. Gross income must not exceed $24,400.00 for one person and $27,900.00 for two persons.