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April 2010

68th Annual Yaarab Shrine Circus & Carnival

Opening April 23rd, the Yaarab Shrine Circus will take over the fairgrounds at Jim Miller Park. Come one, come all to the 2010 Yaraab Shrine Circus and Carnival. This is the world's largest Shrine Circus that features top performers including heart-pounding thrills presented by the Tarzan Zerbini Circus.  See Lion Dance, Magnificient Morris Elephants, heart-stopping high-wire, electrifying acrobatics, The Chinese Arial Pole, The Zerbini Liberty Horses, contortion artists, Rolling Globes, sword dancing, bungee acrobatics, camels, dogs and ponies performances, The Flying Preciados on the highwire, lots of Shrine clowns and much, much more.

The Yaarab Shrine Circus and Carnival lasts for 10 days and goes through May 2nd. Back again this year are unbelievable ride specials. On Thursday, April 22nd, the carnival will open a day early and charge just $10.00 for unlimited rides that day and that day only! Also, $20.00 unlimited rides Monday, April 26th - Thursday, April 29th.  Other special days include: Monday, April 26th is Dollar Day – Circus admission $1.00 for children and many food items are $1.00; and Wednesday, April 28th – all active armed forces personnel admitted FREE to the circus (with proper I.D.). On Thursday, April 22nd the gigantic flea market will open. The flea market will be packed with furniture, toys, household items, clothes and much, much more.

The circus opens the event at 7:30pm on Friday, April 23rd. Performance times are Monday-Friday at 7:30pm; Saturdays 11:00am, 1:00pm, 4:30pm and 7:30pm and Sundays at 1:00pm, 4:30pm and 7:30pm. Gates to the carnival open at 5:00pm Monday-Friday; Saturdays at 10:00am; Sundays at noon. General admission to Jim R. Miller Park is free; circus tickets are available at the gate - $10 for adults; $7 per child.

Cobb County Arts, Athletics and Tennis News on Facebook

If you have an interest in Cobb County arts, athletics and tennis programs, you can now receive the latest news on programs, events and announcements on Facebook. News such as program and concert dates, registrations, inclement weather notices, participant and team recognition, and more will be posted on the Cobb Facebook pages. To become a fan, go to Cobb County Athletics, Cobb County Tennis, The Arts Station, The Mable House Art Center and The Mable House Amphitheatre and click the 'become a fan' button. This is a great way for participants to receive timely news and information on the specific programs of their interest.

Cobb Tennis League - Cobb's Tennis League for Everyone!!!!
The Cobb Tennis League is a tennis league where you compete against other players of similar ability.  The league offers play for all ability levels, with levels ranging from NTRP 2.0-5.0.  The 2.0 level is for very beginners - this is a great opportunity to try out your first tennis league.  You do not need to be part of a team - you register individually and you will be matched against other players at your level. This is a flex league where you play when it is convenient for you and you can play anywhere in Cobb County where there are tennis courts (parks, clubs, or subdivisions). There are two seasons each year - spring season and fall season.  The spring season begins April 19th. The Cobb Tennis League is a great way to to enjoy fun competition and to meet new people!  Registration for the spring league is currently in progress with an entry deadline of April 9th.  For more information and registration brochure, see the Cobb Tennis League web site.

The 7th Annual Stomp Classic Coming to Civic Center

Cobb County will host the 7th Annual Sonya Carter Stomp Classic on April 10th at the Cobb Civic Center located at 548 South Marietta Pkwy. in Marietta.

The Stomp Classic is an exciting, fun, family oriented event where elementary, middle and high school Step teams compete and showcase talents to claim bragging rights as the 2010 State Stomp Champions!!

Stepping displays the creative abilities, movements and distinctive themes of respective Greek Organizations who popularized the art form of stepping which has evolved over the years to include rhythms, dancing, music, cheerleading, military and drill-team moves. Tickets are on sale now at all Cobb recreation centers and the Civic Center . The prices are $5 in advance and $8 at the door. Kids 3 and under are admitted free. For more information contact Clinton Jones at (770) 509–2737 or Sonya Carter at (404) 328 – 8111.

Registration Time for Cobb Summer Camps

Cobb Parks offers a summer camp meeting the needs of almost any interest.  Camps are offered in arts and performance, recreation programs, tennis, golf, and therapeutics for special needs individuals.  Registration for many programs are coming up in the next few weeks.  Below are the start dates for registrations of the various programs:

For more information, see the summer camp page on the park's web site.  Many camps fill up fast, so don't be left out this summer.  Online registration is available for many camp programs.  If you do not have a PIN number and log-in ID, be sure to do so prior to the registration start date.  Contact the facility of interest for information on how to acquire your PIN and Log-in ID.

Al Bishop Complex Presented Special Service Award

At the recent USSSA Atlantic Coast Divisional Meeting held in Jacksonville, the Al Bishop Softball Complex was awarded the division’s 2009 Special Service Award for Parks/Complexes. Presenting the award was USSSA Vice-President Bob Holland from Maryland, director of the Atlantic Coast Division. He noted that Cobb County had been sanctioning adult softball teams with USSSA for more than 30 years, longer than any other parks department/complex in the country. He also noted that the Bishop Complex has hosted the finals of Georgia’s popular Super 8 Series for 10 years and has hosted Georgia’s only USSSA Conference Tournament for two years, drawing the second-highest number of teams nationwide both years. Mr. Holland went on to point out that the Bishop Complex hosts more than 30 USSSA qualifying tournaments each year and has hosted 11 World Tournaments since 1986.

Vicki Lawrence Set to Perform in Cobb

Actress, singer and comedian Vicki Lawrence will close out the Encore Series season Saturday, April 10th. Lawrence and her opinionated alter-ego "Mama" will entertain the audience at Jennie T. Anderson Theatre. Whether she is delivering a snappy retort as Mama, belting out a song or playing grandma to television teen Miley Cyrus in "Hannah Montana," Lawrence still has the same vibrant wit. Enjoy the show beginning at 8:00pm. Anderson Theatre is located in the Cobb County Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta. For more information, call (770) 528-8490.

Powder Springs Basketball Teams Win State

Two Powder Springs teams represented Cobb in the recent Georgia Recreation and Parks Association's state championships and came out victorious. The Powder Springs 17 and under basketball team finished in 1st place for their age division during the GRPA State Championships, which were held March 5th–6th, in Savannah. Teams representing the districts throughout the state gathered to crown a new winner and we are so proud to congratulate the members of the 2010 GRPA State Champions 17 and under team: Collins Ananaba, Christopher Carson, Donovan Crepsac, Ronals Love, Ezenwa Nwachukwu, Christopher Mason, Shane Robinson, Justin Stallings, Sammy Williams, Stephan Williams and coaches Anthony Adams and Mark Taylor.

The 8 and under Powder Springs basketball team also won the 2010 GRPA State Tournament held March 5th-6th, in Rome, GA. We are so proud of these young boys and want to congratulate the 2010 GRPA State Championship 8 and under team: Jerod Bush, Omar Cooper, Sharife Cooper, Jaire Eastmond, Noah Greene, Antonio Nash, Issac Okoro, and head coach – Omar Cooper, Sr.

Earth Day Celebration at Lost Mountain Park
Come celebrate Earth Day at Lost Mountain Park on April 22nd from 4:00pm–6:00pm. There will be plenty of fun things to do, including: recycled arts and craft projects, nature exhibits, flower planting, learn about alternate cleaning products, and so much more! The event will be held rain or shine (Rain location-Ward Recreation Center in Lost Mountain Park). For more information call (770) 528-8885 or email Wendy.Collins@CobbCounty.org.

Creek Stomping and Outdoor Romping
Looking for some free, fun, and enriching outdoor activities to do this summer with your kids? Join staff from Cobb County Water System and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs this June and July for our 'Outdoor Romping and Creek Stomping' series. Educators from the Watershed Stewardship Program and the Natural Resources Program will be facilitating four adventure sessions this summer at local public parks from 9:00 am – 11:00 am.

Space is limited so please RSVP early! For more information or to register call (770) 528-8803 or email Karen.Faucett@cobbcounty.org.

Spotlight on the Arts
Spotlight on the Arts is coming up on April 24th. This popular spring Open House puts the spotlight on the talents of local West Cobb elementary and middle school students in both visual and performing arts. So set the date on your calendar to come to the Art Station – Big Shanty to view wonderful art work, listen to great performances, and create an art project of your very own to take home.

Art Safari Summer Camp 2010

It’s time to plan your summer! Grab your pith helmet, jump in the jeep and head to Africa with the Art Station – Big Shanty’s children’s summer camp, Art Safari. You never know where you’ll go as you trek through this continent ... Morocco, Kenya, Swaziland or maybe Mozambique. You may travel to the Ivory Coast or to the Sahara desert but wherever you go you will learn about the culture, animals, history, and art of the region. This African Art Safari has something for all children from 4 year old pre-schoolers to eighth graders featuring painting, drawing, clay, drama, photography, and much more. We have camps in the morning and afternoon the weeks of June 7, 14, 21, 28 and July 12 and 19. Registration has begun so don’t wait until it’s too late to experience art by the way of Africa! Call (770) 514-5930 for more information or to register or check us out on our website www.artstationcobb.org.

Harlem Globetrotters Summer Basketball Camp
The Harlem Global Legends will be hosting a basketball camp in two Cobb recreation centers. This camp will be directed by former player, #30 Elbert Tree Gordon. The Global Legends will provide you all the right shots, post development, and defense mechanisms needed to help strengthen your game and condition your mind. We will focus on shooting, one-on-one moves, pick-and-roll, passing, ball-handling, feeding the post, footwork, and much more!

The camps are for children ages 7-17.  The camps are $130 per week (early bird registration is $20 off). The camps meet from 9:00am-2:00pm and meet May 24th-28th at Ward Recreation Center in West Cobb (770) 528-8885 and July 26th-30th  at Fullers Recreation Center in East Cobb (770) 509-2737. You can register in person at the recreation center. For information, call the recreation center in your area.

If you are looking for a fun, family friendly learning environment that will expose you to drills pertaining to the fundamentals of basketball, acting as a team player, and participating in competitive games then the Global Legends Basketball Camp is for you!

Superior Basketball Academy at Cobb Recreation Centers
Ward Recreation Center and Ron Anderson Recreation Center are now offering an exciting new basketball instructional academy! This program is for children in grades 1-8. Players will go through extensive training in ball handling, shooting, rebounding, and team concepts on offense and defense. This off-season program will give players the opportunity to master the fundamentals of the game at their level. Players will participate in a patient, instructional environment where the coaches want to see every child succeed and progress. Hard work and determination are key values of this program. All players will receive a practice jersey, shorts, travel bag, headband, wristbands and water bottle. Fees for this program are $85 per month. For more information and registration contact Ron Anderson Recreation Center at (770) 439-3611 or Ward Recreation Center at (770) 528-8885.

Staff Notes

Meryl Manfre is the newest addition to the Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department as the Coordinator at the Art Station-Big Shanty. Ms. Manfre holds a B.F.A. in Studio Art from Auburn University and has experience working for municipalities and partnering with non-profits. Her most recent position was with the City of Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department as their Arts Coordinator. Ms. Manfre is very excited to be a part of the Cobb County family!

Steve Lottinger, the facility manager at Harrison Tennis Center, was recently the recipient of the 'Ace Award' by Special Pops Tennis.  He received this award for his role they play in carrying out Special Pops' mission to provide a meaningful year-round tennis experience for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Each year, the Special Pops Board of Directors recognizes those volunteers whose Attitude, Character, and Extra Effort go well beyond the normal expectations for volunteers. Pictured are Steve Lottinger and Paula Sumple, who is in charge of the Special Pops Tennis at Harrison.

Congratulations to Charlie McCoy, our facility manager at Sweetwater Tennis Center, for achieving a 5A rating with the Professional Tennis Registry's Merit Achievement Program. The 5A rating is one of the highest ratings with the PTR. Good job Charlie!!!!