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March 2011

Plan Your Child's Summer at the Summer Camp Expo

Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department will be hosting the Cobb Summer Camp Expo 2011 on Tuesday, March 8th. This event will be held at the Cobb Civic Center from 11:00am-7:30pm. The Summer Camp Expo is your one-stop shop for summer camp programs for your children! There you will find information about day camps, art camps, church camps, overnight camps, performing art programs, tennis camps and much more. The admission is free and there will be door prizes!

The Cobb Civic Center is located at 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta GA 30060. For more information contact Wendy.Collins@cobbcounty.org or call (770) 528-8885.

Chubby Checker to Perform at Anderson Theatre

Chubby Checker, one of the most notable performers of the 1960s, will twist his way into Cobb County on Saturday, March 5th. The performance will be at Jennie T. Anderson Theatre and tickets are still available. Checker has sustained a career over four decades and released more than 20 hit songs that appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart. “The Twist” recently topped the list of most popular singles and has appeared in the Hot 100 since 1958.

Upcoming Encore Series performances will also include Lorrie Morgan, Brenda Lee and Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. The Jennie T. Anderson Theatre is located at 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (770) 528-8490 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Central Aquatic Center Used for Water Survival Training
Aircrew members from the 94th Airlift Wing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base invaded the Cobb Central Aquatic Center in Marietta recently to receive critical water survival training. This training is vital in order to stay proficient in the use of the equipment and techniques by insuring they have the best chance to survive isolation in a water environment.

The men and women, officers and enlisted, were trained by highly qualified Aircrew Flight Equipment Continuation Instructors from the 94th Operations Support Squadron. These instructors are experts in their fields, having completed nine different courses at seven different Air Force schools around the country. The instructors conduct the water survival training for the wing twice a year. They hold an open water course during the summer and have arranged with Cobb County to conduct the winter course at the Cobb Central Aquatic Center in Marietta. "The county has a good relationship in helping to provide training for our military," said Bob McCallister, Aquatic Center Manager.

The county facility provides an excellent location to hold these classes. "It will be the closest thing they experience to a survival situation without being isolated far from recovery forces," said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Morris, Aircrew Flight Equipment Superintendent. He also said, "Each aircrew member is a weapon system and that weapon system must be maintained and sharpened through continuous training so the mission can be accomplished." (article and photos by Brad Fallin / 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, Dobbins Air Reserve).

Registration for 2011 Cobb Senior Games in Progress
The Cobb County Senior Games is an annual event started in 1991 by Marietta Parks and Recreation, in cooperation with Cobb Senior Services, Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Smyrna Parks and Recreation, Brunswick Cedar Creek Lanes and Wellstar Health Place. Adults age 50 or older are eligible to participate. Registration for the Cobb County Senior Games is in progress through April 1st.

The purpose of the Cobb Senior Games is to provide adults 50 and older an opportunity to participate in a variety of sports competitions, meet new people, and become more aware of recreational opportunities available to them. Many of our athletes have become tough competitors in the Georgia Golden Games and have continued on to national competition. Events offered during the Senior Games include track and field, tennis, golf, swimming, billiards, bowling, bocce ball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, basketball free throw, checkers, clock golf, Frisbee and football throw, table tennis, and fishing. The program is kicked off with an Opening Ceremony Luncheon with entertainment. The grand finale is an Awards Picnic with barbecue and all the trimmings. The events take place at a variety of locations throughout Cobb County.

A $12.00 registration fee must accompany the completed application form. Registration for participants outside Cobb County will be $15.00. Entry to the golf tournament is $30.00. Early registration is in progress and will close March 25th. A $2.00 late registration fee will be added after March 25th. Registration is available at Marietta Parks, Recreation & Facilities and Cobb Senior Services locations. For more information call (770) 794-5603 or visit the games website.

Public Meeting Set for Master Plan of Mabry Park

There will be a public meeting Thursday, March 17th from 7:00pm-8:30pm to receive public input for a Master Plan for the future Mabry Park in northeast Cobb. The meeting will be held at Garrison Mill Elementary School, 4111 Wesley Chapel Road, Marietta. The Mabry Park property is located near the intersection of Wesley Chapel and Sandy Plains Roads. For information regarding the meeting, contact Tom Bill at (770) 528-8807 or by email at tom.bills@cobbcounty.org.

Spring Book Sale Set for March 4-6

Cobb Friends of the Library volunteers are hosting a spring book sale at Jim Miller Park March 4th-6th. Many items will be on sale, including hardbound and paperback books for children, young adults and adults, books on tape and CD, records, magazines, CD's and comic books. All proceeds are used to purchase new books and other library materials.

The sale will be held in exhibit halls from 9:00am-5:00pm, Friday and Saturday and 1:00pm-5:00pm on Sunday. Miller Park is located at 2245 Callaway Road in Marietta. For more information, visit cobbcounty.org/library or call (770) 528-2342.

Special Olympic Event to be Held at Larry Bell Complex

The 2nd Annual Special Olympics GA-Cobb local games competition will be held at the Larry Bell Complex on Saturday, March 26th. The event will include the following sports:  swimming, track & field, gymnastics, tennis, soccer, volleyball, and table tennis.  Opening ceremonies will begin at 1:00pm and the competitions will begin at 2:00pm.  Come out, bring family, friends and neighbors to cheer and support our athletes to make this a fun-filled successful day!

Spring Break Art Camp at the Mable House Arts Center is April 4th-8th from 9:00am-3:00pm. Each day will be filled with different projects of two and three dimensional multimedia and pottery. This will be a great way for your child to enjoy their school break. Wear old clothes as projects may be messy. Register early as space is limited. Students must bring their own lunch (ready to eat – no microwave). We’ll see you then!!!
Fee: $90 (R) $115 (N) Supply Fee: $10

It’s Elementary My Dear. Art Camp (age 4-13) - Come explore the elements of art with the elements of earth. The artwork that will inspire projects each week revolve around artists and masterpieces that use the earth’s elements. Using recycled and fine arts materials, you will create projects with new art skills and techniques. If you are interested in an all-day camp you can chose a morning camp, bring your own lunch (ready to eat - no microwave) and then try one or two of our clay and theatre camps. Registration for summer camp at the Mable House starts March 15th at 9:30am. Call the Mable House Arts Center for more information, (770) 819-3285 or register online at mablehouse.org.

Come see 'Willy Wonka Jr.' at the Mable House! Tickets will be available March 15th. Show dates are April 29th, 30th, and May 1st. Tickets will be $5 for adults, children 12 and under are free! You can also get a table for 4 for only $25. Call (770) 819-3285 for tables, tickets or questions!

Ward Recreation Center Offers Exciting Programs for Spring

Ward Recreation Center will be offering School Break Day Camps for Kids (ages 5K-11) and Teen Camp (ages 12-15) April 4th-8th. Camp fee is $100 per week (due at registration). Registration in-person only.

Ward Recreation Center is offering $4 Zumba classes every Thursday at 9:30am and every Tuesday at 5:45pm. Your first class is free! No sign-ups or commitment, just pay as you go!

Spring Basketball Academy registration in progress! Girls and boys in grades 1-8 can participate in a fundamentals program that has been designed to help your child improve and learn the game of basketball. Fundamental workouts will be on Saturdays and game times on Sundays from March-May. Register in-person only at Ward Recreation Center. The academy fee is $99 plus a $25 registration fee.

Ward Recreation Center is offering piano lessons to youth and adults! Cost is $10 per lesson plus the initial book cost. Lessons are held Thursday evenings. You can join the class at any time. Age groups are 5-7, 7-12, 12-adult.

For information on any Ward Recreation Center program, call (770) 528-8885.

Open House at The Jean and Elwood Wright Environmental Education Center 

Spring has sprung! Join us at the Wright Center to see the wonderful flowers the Wright's planted on their property. The open house will be on Saturday, April 2nd from 12:00pm-3:00pm. This event is free for everyone. Bring the family and experience the outdoors with our new 'Explorer Bags'. The bags may be checked out while exploring the trails. Bags are themed to help families identify plants and animals found on their exploration. The 'Mushroom Club of Georgia' will have a display and be available to answer questions. The park is located at 2661 Johnson Ferry Road. The parking lot is behind the property on Post Oak Tritt Road adjacent to Chestnut Ridge Church. For more information or directions contact Kaye Wilson at (770) 528-8824 or kaye.wilson@cobbcounty.org.

The Art Station - Big Shanty Upcoming Programs
ART WARS 2011 - “MAY THE ARTS BE WITH YOU”
Bold. Funny. Magnificent. Weird. Silly. Gross. Beautiful. These are just a few words campers might use to describe the epic battle between the galaxies of art styles we’ll be exploring this year at The Art Station – Big Shanty. Campers will then apply what they have learned to their very own art work using a variety of media including clay, drawing pencils, acrylic, tempra, watercolor, scissor work, ink, recyclables and so much more. There are 3 different art themes to choose from this year: Master Mash-Up, Imagination Nation, and Great (but not late!) Artists. Choose one, two or all three sessions. We also have specialty camps such as Drama, Pottery on the Wheel, Digital Photography, Manga, Clay Hand-building, and Themed Days. No matter what you choose, your child is going to have a blast! Camps are for children ages 4 - 13. Camp fees are $90 and Theme Day fees are $10. For camp dates and times check out our website www.artstationcobb.org or call us at (770) 514-5930. We are open Tuesday-Friday from 10:00am-5:00pm. Registration begins March 17th at 9:30am!

SPRING ART CLASSES at THE ART STATION
Tired of winter and more than ready for spring? Get a jump on spring by taking an art class at The Art Station – Big Shanty. We have new instructors and new classes as well as your old favorites. For those adults just starting out we have several beginner classes such as Pottery on the Wheel, Glass Fusing and Slumping, Drawing, Painting, Yupo Watercolor, and Clay Hand-building. And for those who are further along we have classes for you too! We have a variety of fun, innovative classes for children as well. Art is a great stress reliever and a wonderful creative outlet, so throw off that winter coat, roll up your sleeves and play! Registration has started, so don’t miss out. Check out our website for class information www.artstationcobb.org or call us at (770) 514-5030 Tuesday–Friday from 10:00am-5:00pm.



Tennis Programs for Players of All Skill Levels

SUMMER JUNIOR TENNIS CAMPS
Registration for the 2011 summer tennis camps is currently underway. Tennis camps are offered at each of Cobb's six tennis centers and are held weekly throughout the summer break. From the beginner to advanced junior, our staff is ready to provide a fun and educational environment for your child. For additional information, please go to our our website and select the tennis center closest to you.

LADIES' DRILLS at HARRISON TENNIS CENTER
Want to see real improvement in your game? Enroll in one of the specialty drills classes offered by USPTA professional, Randy Hancock. These drill groups are offered in six week sessions and are $90 per session. The groups are kept small to provide individual attention. All drills are offered year-round. On Monday nights, from 7:00pm-8:30pm, there is an advanced singles drill group. This is designed for the 3.5-4.5 players. On Wednesday morning from 9:30am-11:00am Randy offers a ladies' singles drill group. This is designed for the 3.0-4.0 level players. Thursday nights, from 7:00pm-8:30pm, is a ladies' doubles drill group for the 3.0-3.5 player. And, Friday morning is the ladies' advanced doubles drills. This is for the 3.5-4.5 level player. For more information, please contact Randy at (770) 365-2246, or email at rh10s@aol.com. In addition to these groups, every Monday morning, from 9:00am-10:30am, Randy offers an open women's doubles drill session. Cost is $15 per visit, or, $50 for any 4 visits. This is open to players of any level.

QUICKSTART TENNIS AT HARRISON TENNIS CENTER
QuickStart tennis is a game-based program that introduces children to how tennis is played. The program is divided into two age groups, 4-6 years and 7-8. Over a 6-week period, students learn proper technique, teamwork, and a basic knowledge of match play. The program is taught by certified instructors who really care about your child's development. Information regarding QuickStart tennis is now available on our web site. For more information, call Harrison Tennis Center at (770) 591-3151.