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July 2009

Softball Nationals to be Held in Cobb
More than 120 teams from across the country are expected to converge in late July in Cobb County as Cobb hosts the 2009 USA/ASA 14-Under Girls’ Class 'A' Fast-Pitch National Championship. Games will be played from July 27-August 2 at both the Al Bishop and Lost Mountain softball complexes. This year’s event marks the 41st national championship that Cobb County has hosted since 1981 for the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) and the first time the 14-A’s have contested their championship in Cobb since 1994. Games are expected to begin at 11:00am on July 27 and run at both parks through the following weekend. The finals will be scheduled for Sunday, August 2nd at Lost Mountain Park.  For tournament information, contact Al Bishop Complex staff at (770) 528-8860.

Perform on Stage!

No experience necessary: get a taste of musical theatre, make new friends, and be a cast member for a week! Join us for E.T.C. Performance Camp/Prompt Workshop Camp.

The Jennie T. Anderson Theatre will host several performing arts camp opportunities this summer, giving youth a chance to hone stage skills. The ETC, or Exciting, Entertaining, Educational Theatre Company, will hold its camps from 9:00am-12:30pm on July 6-10, July 13-17 and July 20-24. The camp is for rising grades 3-9. The cost is $80.

The PROMPT Camps will be held during the same dates as the ETC Camps, from 1:00pm-3:30pm at a cost of $40. PROMPT Camp is a musical theatre camp for rising grades 5-9, not a performance opportunity. For more information, call (770) 528-8490. Registration forms can be sent to: Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Fishing Rodeo at Lost Mountain Park

Cobb Parks will be hosting the 'Annual Fishing Rodeo' on July 25, 2009 from 9:00am–11:00am at Lost Mountain Park located at 4845 Dallas Hwy in Powder Springs. Four age divisions will be offered: 3–6, 7–9, 10–12 and 13–16. Trophies will be given to 1st–3rd place in each division and for “Overall Big Fish”. The event is free so grab your fishing pole and join us on July 25 for a morning of fishing and fun!! For more information, please contact John Purcell at (770) 528-8825 or john.purcell@cobbcounty.org.

'Unity in the Community' Festival
The 1st annual 'Unity in the Community' Festival hosted by the North Georgia Youth Football League is scheduled for Saturday, July 11th at Jim Miller Park from 10:00am-4:00pm. All youth football programs that are members of the league will be represented and accepting registrations for the 2009 season. There will be games and prizes for children and adults. Bring your appetite as there will be lots of food available for purchase. All proceeds go to support the expenses associated with the upcoming season. Admission is free. For more information call (770) 439-2811 or (770) 528-8829.

Cobb County Summer Swim League 2009 is Coming to a Grand Finale

The last week of June marks the end of the Summer Swim League inter-league swim meet competition. There were 68 teams (7,200 children) competing weekly for the past 5 weeks enjoying the early evening dual team competitions. The coaches are now in the process of preparing their teams for the Patti Wilder State Qualifying Swim Meet. The Patti Wilder Swim Meet is Cobb's qualifying meet for the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) State Championship Swim Meet. On the weekend of July 10–12 approximately 1800 swimmers will be competing at the Mountain View Aquatic Center for a chance to compete on Cobb’s State Swim Team. There will be approximately 120 swimmers winning a position on the team and traveling to Carrollton on July 24–25 for the State Championship Swim Meet.

The State Qualifying Swim Meet is named after Patti Wilder. Patti was one of the founders of competitive swimming in Cobb County.  In the mid-70’s until the mid-80’s she was involved in organizing and running a swim team program out of a small neighborhood pool.  She was part-owner of the pool which also provided swim lessons that fed to the swim team memberships.  Patti’s Swim Team became one of the first Cobb County year around swim teams.  By 1985 Cobb County opened its first indoor aquatic center.  Patti relinquished her team to Cobb County along with other county based swim teams that would practice at the Cobb Aquatic Center (now known as the Central Aquatic Center).  Eventually, the Cobb County Swim Team became the Cobb Stingrays. During these years, Patti worked at the Central Aquatic Center and was placed charge of the Cobb County Summer Swim League program.  She ran this successful program until she retired in 2005.  Today, there are 68 neighborhood swim teams which represent over 7,200 swimmers that compete in the County Summer Swim League program.  The season concludes with a state qualifying meet.  Swimmers qualifying at this meet become Cobb County’s Summer Swim League team that will represent the Cobb at the GRPA State Championship Swim Meet. 

Unfortunately, Patti passed away in the spring of 2007.  As a result of her life-long commitment to Cobb County swimming and development of the Summer Swim League, the Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs department has named the State Qualifying Swim Meet in her honor.

Adult Fall Softball and Kickball Registration Begins Soon

Registration dates for the upcoming fall adult softball and kickball season have been set. Returning teams (those that participated in the fall 2008 season) can register online from July 6-10. To register online, team captains will need a 'PIN' number and 'Log-in ID'.  These can be acquired from their league coordinator.  In-person registration begins Tuesday, July 14th for returning teams and Thursday, July 16th for new teams.  In-person registration will be held at the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Administrative office located at 1792 County Services Pkwy, Marietta, GA 30008.  Registration is held from 6:00pm-8:00pm both days.  For more information, see the adult softball web page or call (770) 528-8817.

JAGS Cheer Camp
Work on the fundamentals such as tumbling, dancing, cheering, movement, and much more! This will be a fun week with many activities! This is a great way to improve your skills before the cheer season begins! The camp will be held at the Fullers Recreation Center and is for girls ages 6-15.  The dates for the cheer camp is August 3-7 and the camp will meet from 7:30am-5:30pm.  The cost is $125 for the week.  For more information call Coach Rochonda at (678) 612-2272 or Coach Miki (404) 200-8925.

Free Yoga Classes Offered

Fullers Recreation Center is currently offering free yoga classes.  Classes are taught by instructor Joan Pastman.  For dates, times, and availability, please contact Fullers Recreation Center at (770) 509-2737.

Converse Open Gym Event

The Fair Oaks Recreation Center will be hosting the Converse Open Gym on July 18th, 2009.  This event is for children ages 10 and up and participation is free.  If you love basketball and you're between the ages of 12-18, then bring your skills to Open Gym. It's a free session every month where you can make friends, get hands-on coaching and improve your game.

Event Schedule:

10:00am–12:00pm   (ages 10-12)
12:00pm–2:00pm     (ages 12-14)

2:00pm-4:00pm       (ages 14-16)

4:00pm-6:00pm-      (ages 18 & up)

For information, contact Lionel Garrett at (770) 528-4333.

TRS Fashion Show a Success!

On June 6th the 'Second Annual TRS Fashion Show and Luncheon' was held at Thompson Park Community Center. Six lovely ladies took to the runway to vie for honors as the top fashionista: Lucinda Brassell, Tammie Dean, Joyce Evans, Denise Hayman, Phyllis Melvin and Carla Nunez. Congratulations to Ms. Joyce Evans who was chosen as the winner.

Marshall Tucker Band Reschedules Concert
The Marshall Tucker Band, originally scheduled to perform at Mable House Amphitheatre on Friday, June 26, has rescheduled the show due to a death in the family. The concert has been rescheduled for Friday, August 28th. All tickets for the June 26th performance will be honored at the rescheduled show. Refunds are available at the original purchase location. Patrons must present the actual ticket to receive a refund. Ticket holders may also exchange the ticket for another upcoming show in the summer concert series. If the ticket for the selected show is higher, customers must pay the price difference. For more information, call (770) 819-7765.

Track and Field Day at Lost Mountain Park

The Cobb County recreation centers summer camps will host a track and field day for our youth and teen camp participants.  Sports events and games will be planned for fun and competition for all age groups.  This event will take place at the Ward Recreation Center located in Lost Mountain Park.  Activities will be held on Wednesday, July 8th beginning at 10:00am.  A cook-out will be included in this fun day.  For information, call (770) 528-8454.

Gallery Exhibit Features Asian Art

The Art Station – Big Shanty is proud to show case THE SILK ROAD: ASIAN ART in their gallery from July 2–24. Featured artists are Zi De Chen, Shelia Giddens, Tehwan Tso, and Lin Yunzhu. Please come and meet the artists on July 2nd from 7:00-9:00pm. Gallery summer hours are Monday–Friday from 9:00am–5:00pm. The exhibit is free and everyone’s invited to come see this beautiful art. Call (770) 514-5930 for more information.

Staff Notes

Kevin Hill, Recreation Specialist for the Therapeutics unit, has received the summer quarter Cobb County Employee 'Customer Service Award'.  Kevin works with special needs partcipants in providing programming and activities.  Kevin handles Thompson Park rentals, transportation for TRS and plans social club activities. Kevin has excellent people skills and is always friendly and willing to serve. He has been with the parks department since 1996 and has devoted his career to serving people with special needs.

Kevin received his award in a presentation by Cobb's County Manager, David Hankerson.  Kevin is a great asset to have on the TRS staff and his fellow staff members congratulate him on a job well done!  (Pictured L-R: Eddie Canon, Tina Mitchell, Kevin Hill, and David Hankerson).