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September 2011

79th Annual North Georgia State Fair
The 2011 North Georgia State Fair returns to Jim R. Miller Park Thursday, September 22nd through Sunday, October 2nd. As the largest fair in metro Atlanta, the North Georgia State Fair attracts nearly 300,000 people every year from North Georgia and neighboring states. The North Georgia State Fair features live music, free attractions and shows, farm animals, flower shows, blue ribbon competitions, local entertainment, and delicious fair foods. There are also games and rides on the Great James H. Drew Exposition midway – one of the largest carnival midways in the United States. There will be free concerts with appearances by great country and contemporary Christian artists. Headlining the Georgia Lottery Concert Series this year are: Colt Ford on Friday, September 23rd; Josh Kelley on Saturday, September 24th; Chris Young on Wednesday, September 28th; The Band Perry on Thursday, September 29th; Big Daddy Weave - Christian Artist on Friday, September 30th; and Mark Wills on Saturday, October 1st. All concerts begin at 8:00pm.

There will be several new attractions for 2011. The Kachunga and the Alligator Show is one of the new shows this year. Watch in amazement as Kachunga steps into the pool with a 9 foot alligator. An exciting, educational show that the whole family is sure to enjoy. Nationally renowned hypnotist, Tammy Harris Barton, will amaze and entertain as she takes willing volunteers on a journey of the mind. This show will be remembered by all for years to come. The Keith King Bike Stunt Show is a BMX stunt show that will entertain kids and adults alike. Performance features high-flying aerial stunts and mind-boggling technical moves.

Back again this year includes K-9’s in Flight, Oscar the Robot, Brian Ruth the Master of the Chainsaw, Wit Carson’s Petting Zoo and Pony Rides, and the Cobb EMC Local Entertainment Stage.

Fair hours are Monday-Thursday, 4:00pm-11:00pm, Fridays, 4:00pm to midnight, Saturdays, 10:00am to midnight, and Sundays, 12:30pm to 10:00pm. The fairgrounds are located at Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road S.W., Marietta, Georgia 30008. Admission is $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for students ages 7-18, free for children 6 and under. Ride tickets are $1.00 each, $20.00 for 22 tickets and $50.00 for 55 tickets. All rides require more than one ticket. Parking is $3.00. All concerts are free with fair admission. Discount fair tickets are available at all Metro Atlanta Walgreens through September 23rd. The discount tickets are $2.50 for adults, $1.25 for students and 22 Ride tickets $11.00. There will also be specials offered, including $15.00 Unlimited Pay-One-Price Ride Special on Monday, September 26th, $18.00 Unlimited Ride Special on Thursday, September 22nd (opening day), Tuesday, September 27th and Wednesday, September 28th. New for this year is a Saturday special - $25.00 Pay-One-Price Ride Special on Saturday, September 24th and October 1st from 11:00am to 3:00pm (tickets good till close). For more information, see the fair web site.

Nominations Accepted for 2011 Ovation Awards

The Cobb Arts Board and The Friends of the Arts, Inc. are pleased to announce the 2011 Ovation Awards, an annual awards event to recognize individuals and organizations that make significant contributions to the arts in Cobb County. The arts are alive and well in Cobb County. Imagine what the world – OUR world in Cobb County – would be like without the arts. Creativity is everywhere in our community. From theatres to parks to arts centers to studios, we are constantly aware of the importance of the arts in our lives. It is once again time to celebrate the arts and to recognize special individuals who tirelessly contribute to making our lives more beautiful and more “artistic” every single day. On behalf of the Cobb Arts Board and the Friends of the Arts, the Ovation Awards will be presented on October 10th at 7:00pm at The Earl Smith Strand Theatre.

A nomination form can be found on the Ovation Awards web page. This form provides a simple and effective way for you to gather and present the information needed for the judging panel to select this year's final nominees. A nomination form is required for each person who is nominated. Nominations can easily be submitted by email to eweaver@cobbcounty.org. You may also take them to our main Parks office at 1792 County Services Parkway or they can be mailed. All nominations are due in the Cobb Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs office on County Services Parkway on September 16th.

Members of the Cobb Arts Board and Friends of the Arts invite you to attend, encourage you to nominate outstanding artists (of all kinds) and sincerely thank you for your involvement and contributions in the arts.

Cobb Tennis League - a Tennis League for Everyone!!!!

The Cobb Tennis League is a league where you compete against other players of similar ability.  There are leagues available for adults and youth.  For adults, levels range from NTRP 2.0-5.0.  The 2.0 level is a great opportunity for players who consider themselves 'true beginners' and are experiencing league tennis for the first time. Players register individually and are matched against other players at their ability 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, a spring season and fall season.  The fall season begins October 24th. The Cobb Tennis League is a great way to enjoy fun competition and to meet new people!!!  Registration for the fall league is currently in progress.  The entry deadline is October 17th.  For more information and registration brochure, see the Cobb Tennis League web site.

Help Your Favorite Park Win up to $100,000 This Summer!
Did you know that being active in Cobb Parks this summer could help it win big in the 'America Is Your Park' campaign? The title of “America’s Favorite Park” and a $100,000 recreation grant are up for grabs. So get out, play and vote for your favorite park on LivePositively.com before September 6, 2011!

'America Is Your Park' encourages families to get active outdoors in parks across the country and vote to help their favorite win one of three recreation grants made possible by the Coca-Cola Live Positively initiative. So, if you like tennis, biking, running, playing ball or just walking your dog, there’s no better place to enjoy these activities than at Cobb's parks. This funding can help support needed restoration projects that overall will make your favorite park a better place for you and your family to be more active.

Think your park is too small to win? That wasn’t the case for last year’s winning park, Bear Head Lake State Park, a small park in Ely, Minnesota. It defeated hundreds of others to be named “America’s Favorite Park,” receiving more than 1.6 million votes because of support from people in that community who cared about the park, spread the word, conducted voting drives and energized their online social networks.

Put your votes and support behind your favorite park by:
• Logging onto LivePositively.com to vote

• If you do not see your favorite park listed you can request it on the site and                 start voting!!!
• Uploading photos from the park to LivePositively.com
• “Checking in” via Facebook Places
• Uploading videos of activities in the park to LivePositively.com

You can also help by spreading the word about the contest – urge people to vote by reminding park visitors, sending emails, posting a status on Facebook or sending a message on Twitter about why you love your park.

'America Is Your Park' was developed by Coca-Cola in collaboration with the National Park Foundation, America’s State Parks and the National Recreation and Park Association. In addition to the top park receiving a $100,000 recreation grant, Coca-Cola will award a $50,000 grant and a $25,000 grant to the second and third-place parks. These grants will help restore, rebuild or enhance recreation areas in parks where people can play and be active.

Your favorite park could be crowned “America’s Favorite Park” this summer. But it’s up to you – so get outdoors, play in the park and don’t forget to vote!

Cobb Special Olympics Athletes Bring Home the GOLD!!!!

August 19th-21st was a busy weekend for the Cobb County Special Olympians. A total of 84 athletes and volunteers traveled to Warner Robins to compete in Master Bowling competition at the Gold Cup Lanes. Master Bowling is for athletes ages 22 and up who competed in singles and unified team competitions.

Singles winners from Cobb includes: Jason Brassell (gold), Lucinda Brassell (gold), Jason Hayes (gold), Allen Briggs (gold), Kathleen Bayne (gold), Chandler Love (gold), Stephanie O’Connor (gold), Paul Partus (gold), Russell Clark (gold), Adam Brassell (silver), Michele Tracy (silver), Jana Golden (bronze), Toni Durham (bronze), and Maureen Merola (4th place). Winning Unified Teams included: Linda Turner, Michael Wiseman, Gerri Turner and Steve Long (gold), Paul McGriff, Wanda Morant, Lordes Kornelson and Joseph Summerville (gold), Jon Hyatt, Misty Smith, Randy Smith and Steve Wainright (silver), Michael Holliday, Kevin Hill, George Glozer and Billy Burdette (silver), and Billy Rice, Evelyn Pratt and Angela Pratt (4th place).

On the same weekend, Cobb had several other athletes compete in the Equestrian competition in Perry, GA. A total of 42 athletes and volunteers competed in the horse show. This year, equestrian athletes competed from ages 10-36 years old.

In both competitions, Cobb athletes brought home several gold, silver, bronze medals and 4th place ribbons. A good time was had by all!

Leone Hall Price Park Open House

Residents are invited to join Friends of Price Park for an open house at the undeveloped Leone Hall Price Park 8:30am-11:00am, Saturday, September 17th. Members of the volunteer nonprofit organization will be giving tours of the park so the public can see what a unique place it is and will continue to provide community support. Family, friends and pets and invited. This more than 100 acre park features a beautiful meadow, creek and woods. The park is located on the south side of Stilesboro Road in Kennesaw, between Acworth Due West Road and Mars Hill Road. The sign "Future Home of Leone Hall Price Park" marks the parking lot entrance. For more information, email friendsofpricepark@gmail.com or see their web site at friendsofpricepark.org.

Free Concert Series this Summer

South Cobb Arts Alliance is sponsoring the Summer Candlelite Concert Series at Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. The scheduled performances are: Kayla Taylor Jazz, Saturday, September 10th; and Blair Crimmins and the Hookers, Saturday, October 15th. Gates open at 7:00pm and the shows start at 8:00pm. Parking and general admission are free to all performances. Attendees may bring their own food and beverages, and concessions will be open. Tables that seat four are available for $50 for a single concert or $225 for the entire season. To reserve a table, call (770) 819-3285. Mable House is located at 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton. For more information, visit mablehouse.org.

2011 'Fun in the Park' Photo Contest

As you are out enjoying Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs' parks and activities, be sure to bring your camera and capture the fun and memories of your sports activities, the beauty of nature and wildlife in the parks, and anything else that shows why you enjoy your day at the park. The 7th Annual "Fun in the Park' Photo Contest will be accepting entries throughout the fall. Enter up to 10 of your best shots for fun and awards! Open to all photographers. Digital and print photos accepted. See rules and download entry form below at the photo contest web page. The deadline for entry is November 3rd.

Ladies' Tennis 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 at Harrison Tennis Center. The groups are kept small to ensure individual attention is optimized. All drills are offered year-round.

Every Monday morning from 9:00am-10:30am, Randy offers an open doubles drill session. The fee is $15 per visit, or $50 for any 4 visits. This is open to women players of any level. On Monday nights, from 7:00pm-8:30pm, we have the advanced 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. On Thursday nights, from 7:00pm-8:30pm, is a ladies' doubles drill group for the 3.0-3.5 player. Friday morning is the ladies' advanced doubles drills. This is for the 3.5-4.5 level player.

All of these drill groups incorporate the use of dead ball drills and live ball drills to give players the best progression to achieve their individual goals. The technical aspect is emphasized in these drills with time to play in each session. For more information on these and other programs at Harrison Tennis Center, please contact Harrison Tennis Center at (770) 591-3151 or Randy Hancock at rh10s@aol.com.

Ward Recreation Center Offers Exciting Programs

Couponing Classes coming to Ward Recreation Center!!!  Call to sign up for more information and date to be announced!!!

Georgia Dance Coalition-NEW!!!
Dance classes for ages 8 to adult!
Ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and fitness
Fees start at $40 per month

Zumba Classes
Tuesdays, 5:45 pm
Thursdays, 9:30 am
$4 per class/no commitment
*Zumba Gold coming in fall!!! NEW!!!

Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu
Tuesday/Wednesdays at 6:45pm - free of charge

Piano Lessons
We are offering piano lessons to youth and adults! Cost is $10 per lesson plus the initial book cost. Classes will be held on Saturdays at Ward Recreation Center. Please call (770) 528-8885 for more information!

Powder Springs Basketball Academy
Instructional program to improve basketball skills at any skill level.
Cost: $125 + $25 registration fee
Day and times: Saturdays
Grades 1-3   9:00am-10:30am
Grades 4-6   10:30am-12:00pm
Grades 7-8   12:00pm-1:30pm
In-person registration only. Registration in progress.

Choi Kwang-Do
Choi Kwang-Do is a fun and exciting way to achieve powerful, positive change. Condition your body and focus your mind as you develop self-discipline to achieve the goals you set in school, business, and your personal life. A practical form of self-defense which provides a safe and non-competitive environment that teaches basic family values and character development. Our program makes learning exciting which increases a desire to learn and an eagerness to set and reach new goals. Classes are taught by Mater Beverly S. Busker, 5th Black Belt with 20 years of experience, a degree in physical education, and the only female in the world to hold this title in Choi Kwang-Do. Register in person with the instructor and receive a 2 week free trial! Fee is $99 per month for unlimited classes. Family rates are available. Call for monthly specials. Children and family classes are offered.

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