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May 2010

Tickets on sale for Mable House summer concert series

Music legend Smokey Robinson is just one of the talented performers Cobb County will welcome this summer as part of the concert series at Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. Robinson is most commonly associated with Motown Records and his commercial success has earned him the title "King of Motown." An original member of The Miracles, Robinson delivered 37 Top 40 singles for Motown between 1960 and 1987. Some of the hit singles include "Cruisin'," "Baby That's Backatcha," "Being With You" and "Just To See Her." Robinson will perform Thursday, July 22nd.

Mickey Thomas will perform Friday, August 13th with the famous classic rock act Starship. A spin-off from the band Jefferson Airplane, Starship has five studio albums including an album of greatest hits. Starship will be co-headlining on August 13th with Survivor, best known for the theme song "Eye of the Tiger" from the movie Rocky III.

One of America's top country artists John Michael Montgomery will hit the stage Friday, September 10th. Born in Kentucky, Montgomery has released 11 studio albums and produced two number one country singles, "I Swear" and "Sold (the Grundy County Auction Incident)."

Individual and season tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com. The Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre is located at 5239 Floyd Road in Mableton. For more information on concert dates and show times, visit mablehouse.org or call (770) 819-7765.

Swim Champions Fitter & Faster Tour

The Mountain View Aquatic Center will be hosting the Fitter & Faster Tour on May 22nd, an event that will be hosted by Olympic swimmers.  Enjoy a swimming opportunity of a lifetime! The Fitter & Faster Tour offers a truly unique event that is fun, motivational and that will get swimmers revved up to go to their next practice and compete in their next meet.  The Olympians hosting the event include U.S. Olympic Gold medalist Misty Hyman, U.S. Olympic Medalist, and the first African-American woman to make the U.S. Olympic Swim Team, Maritza Correia, and Olympic and 2009 World Championship medalist Matt Targett.

National Tennis Tournament to be Held at Harrison Tennis Center

Cobb County will once again play host to the USTA National Open for boys and girls ages 16 and under.  The event will be held at Harrison Tennis Center from May 22nd-26th.  This event attracts many of the top players from around the country. Past participants include several players who are currently playing on the professional tour, including rising star Melanie Oudin. The draw will comprise of 64 boys and 64 girls who are nationally ranked. The competition will begin on Saturday morning with the singles events. Doubles will begin late Saturday afternoon. The tournament will continue through Wednesday, May 26, when many of the finals are held. If you want to see some of our nation’s best young players, come out to Harrison Tennis Center during this event. You can keep up with the tournament draw on the tournament web site.   Many of Cobb's best players will be competing - come out and support some of our country's tennis best!!!!

Adult Summer Basketball Registration

Summer adult basketball is just around the corner. Leagues will be offered at Fullers Recreation Center at Fullers Park, Ward Recreation Center at Lost Mountain Park, and the Ron Anderson Recreation Center at Wild Horse Creek Park. Registration for returning teams will be Tuesday, May 11th from 6:00pm-7:30pm at the Parks and Recreation administrative offices (1792 County Services Parkway, Marietta 30008). New teams may register Thursday, May 13th from 6:00pm-7:30pm also at the Parks and Recreation administrative offices. The league fee is $240 which includes a 7 game season and post season tournament. For more information, visit our website or contact Andrea Raiford (Fullers) at (770) 591-3160, Kim Cammons (Ward) at (770) 528-8890, or Jeff Abrams (Ron Anderson) at (770) 528-8816.

Outdoor Pools Opening This Month

The outdoor pools are currently being cleaned, painted and spruced up to open May 22nd. The facilities will open with new and improved features.

If you attend Powder Springs Pool at 3899 Brownsville Road in Powder Springs, you will see a new pool plaster finish, pool deck finish, spray feature and bathhouse improvements. These improvements give the old pool a new look and will enhance the fun experience in and around the water this summer.

Sewell Pool, located at 2055 Lower Roswell Road., Marietta, has a new filter system. This may not be visible to all patrons; however one may see a little more sparkle in the water. Sewell Pool has always been a great family destination for summer fun. Pool hours are 1:00pm–6:00pm, Tuesday–Sunday. The pools are closed on Mondays, except for Memorial Day, when the pools will be open from 1:00pm-6:00pm. For more information regarding the pools, see our website.

Registration Time for Cobb Summer Camps

Cobb Parks offers a summer camp program meeting the needs of almost any interest.  Camps are offered in arts and performance, recreation programs, tennis, golf, and therapeutics for special needs individuals.  Although some camp dates are filled, many spots remain for the various programs.

For more information, see the summer camp page on the park's web site. 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.

Creek Stomping and Outdoor Romping
Looking for some free, fun, and enriching outdoor activities to do this summer with your kids? Join the 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.

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 and features 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.

'Fun in the Park' Photo Contest

As we approach summer, it is a great time to take pictures in Cobb's parks. Submit your best recreation and cultural affairs photos for the 2010 'FUN IN THE PARKS' Photo Contest. We are looking for photos that capture your enjoyment of Cobb's parks. Your pictures can capture youth at play, sports and action, nature and wildlife, or just a picnic under the shade tree. Take your best shots and enter them for fun and awards.  For more information, follow this link.

Staff Notes
Cobb Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs will be losing 645 years of experience with the retirements of 17 valued employees. Recently retired employees include: Joyce Beadles, Arthur Cannamela, Mark Chandler, James Chastain, Terry Clayton, Patti Craft, James Howell, Doug Johns, Greg Johnson, Julia LaRue, Sara Pittman, Nick Pratt, Janet Rolfe, Kristine Settino, Brooks Tinsley, Wade Wallace, and Bobby Wright. In addition, Mr. Bob Ash, Cobb's Public Service Agency Director whom the park's department falls under, has also recently retired. Congratulations and good luck to all of our retirees!