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December 2008

Volunteers Recognized at Awards Banquet

The Cobb County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department hosted its 28th Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet on November 19th at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel. Over 400 volunteers were in attendance representing 80 volunteer organizations that provide programs in Cobb's parks and facilities. Several volunteers were honored for their outstanding commitment to department programs:

'Volunteer of the Year' for Cultural Affairs Programs

Michael Wood Connell, North Cobb Arts League

'Volunteer of the Year' for Recreation Programs

Jacqui Collins, Cobb County Youth Track League

Jack Demarest 'Lifetime Achievement Award'

Greg Marquis, Special Olympics for Cobb County

Community Partnership Award

North Georgia Amateur Umpire Association

These individuals symbolize the efforts of over 18,000 volunteers within our department helping to provide top quality leisure activities to Cobb's residents.  Congratulations to our award winners and all of our volunteers for their hard work and efforts in providing recreational and leisure programs in Cobb County!

Coca-Cola Supports Cobb County’s Special Olympics Program

Cobb recently hosted a Special Populations Softball Tournament as part of the 30th annual Frank Breeden Coca-Cola Softball Classic at the Al Bishop Softball Complex. Sponsored in 2008 by the Coca-Cola and POWERade divisions of the Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottling Company, the 'Coke Classic' tournament featured a youth division last May, a men’s tournament in June and the Special Populations competition in September. Since its inception in 1979, more than $105,000 in Coke Classic tournament proceeds has been presented to the Cobb County Special Olympics program to assist its physically and mentally challenged athletes.

Taking part in this year’s $5,500 check presentation were (l-r) Tina Mitchell of Cobb's Therapeutic Services Unit; Rodney Leonard, Barry Tinsley, Renee Jenkins and Timothy Schmidt representing Coca-Cola/POWERade; and Judi O’Connor, treasurer of Cobb’s Special Olympics program.

Jennie T. Anderson Theatre Annouces Encore Schedule

The 2009 Encore schedule has been announced.  Treat yourself, your family and friends to one or all of these terrific stage performances.  Sunday perfomances are at 3:00pm, all others begin at 8:00pm. For tickets, call the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre box office at (770) 528-8490.

Cobb Receives ASA Award of Excellence

At its recent national convention in Oklahoma City the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) presented Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department with its 'James Farrell Award of Excellence' in recognition of Cobb having hosted one of the ASA’s highest-rated national championship tournaments in 2008. The department played host last September to the Men’s Class 'D' South Slow-Pitch National Championship at the Lost Mountain Softball Complex and posted an overall score of 98 based on ratings by the participating teams, ASA national office, ASA Umpire-In-Chief and the ASA National Office Representative. Cobb County, which has hosted 40 ASA national championships since 1981, has received the Farrell Award each year since 1992 when the award was instituted by the ASA.

Cobb Awarded ASA National Tournament for 2010

The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) has named Cobb County as its host site for the 2010 ASA 12-Under Girls' Class 'B' Fast-Pitch National Championship. The tourney will be played in July 2010 at the Lost Mountain Softball Complex and will involve youth teams from across the nation. Since 1981, Cobb has hosted 40 ASA national championships, including the Men’s Class 'D' South Slow-Pitch nationals played last September. In July 2009, Cobb will host the ASA’s prestigious 14-Under Class A Fast-Pitch nationals, a tournament expected to draw more than 120 teams.

Soles for Souls
Please bring a new pair of shoes in any size to the Ward Recreation Center and we will donate them to those who have none.

Bears for Kids in Crisis
When accident, fire and trauma strike, the Public Safety Department gives the children involved a stuffed bear to help ease the pain. Hospitals are also requesting the bears for their trauma units as well as hospice and Safe Path for kids. Help re-stock the supply; you’ll be glad you did. You can drop them off at any Cobb Recreation Center.

New Programs Offered at Ron Anderson Recreation Center

Healthy Walking: The Ron Anderson Recreation Center welcomes all walkers to participate in the Healthy Walking program starting December 1st. The program is free and open to the public.   The Healthy Walking program meets Monday-Friday from 10:00am-12:00pm.

CRCT Preparation Class: A CRCT instructor comes to Ron Anderson Recreation Center to help students prepare for this important test. These classes are offered during the month of December to third and fifth graders. In order to take advantage of this class you must be enrolled in the RARC Academy (Ron Anderson Recreation Center Academy). For more information please call (770) 439-3611.

English / Spanish Second Language: The Ron Anderson Recreation Center will be offering classes teaching English and Spanish as a second language.   The classes begin Tuesday, December 9th and will run through the February 24th. Come and enjoy learning in a fun and encouraging atmosphere.

Volunteers Wanted
The Natural Resource Management Unit is looking for a few good volunteers.  Opportunities include working with scouts, schools, trail maintenance, gardening and habitat improvements.  Contact Kaye Wilson at (770) 528-8824 or Kaye.Wilson@cobbcounty.org for more information. 

Staff Notes

The Art Station – Big Shanty’s own Karen Davenport co-wrote the screenplay for a children’s play at the Theatre on Main in Acworth. 'A Family Comedy' -  Candy Kane is a not-so-happy teen who is convinced that all of her troubles would be over if she could just change her unusual name. A series of comical mishaps lead Candy to discover that reinventing herself isn't that easy. Her supportive family and friends help her along as she discovers the confidence she needs to be happy with herself, while some new friends help her remember the true meaning of Christmas. For tickets call the Box Office: (770) 565-3995. We congratulate Karen and give her our best wishes for continued success!