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November 2011

Ovation Award Winners Announced

Congratulations to the 2011 Ovation Awards Winners announced recently at The Earl Smith Strand Theatre. Cobb County has an excellent arts community and 12 members of this community received a well-deserved recognition.

Outstanding Art Supporters:  Ron & Claire Francis

Outstanding Volunteer :  Steve Imler

Outstanding Visual Artist: Claire Dunaway

Outstanding Art Director: Sally Macaulay

Outstanding Vocal Performer: Claci Miller-Juday

Outstanding Dance Performer: Tara Lynn Steele

Outstanding Choreograher : Cindy Mora

Outstanding Actor : Van Pearlberg

Outstanding Technical Director: Bradley Bergeron

Outstanding Ensemble Arts Organization: Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre

Outstanding Visual Arts Instructor: Karen Bradshaw-Boucher

Outstanding Performing Arts Instructors: Gina Hyatt-Mazon & Janusz Mazon

The 2011 Ovation Awards, presented by the Cobb Arts Board and The Friends of the Arts, Inc., is 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.

2011 'Fun in the Park' Photo Contest Deadline November 3rd

The entry deadline is nearing for the 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. 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.

Parks and Recreation Director Honored for Professionalism

Eddie Canon, the Director of Cobb's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, was recently honored with the Georgia Recreation and Parks Associtation (GRPA) District 5 'Distinguished Professional Award'. The GPRA presents this award to individuals who have made outstanding and lasting contributions to the field of leisure services in recreation, parks and cultural affairs. This is the highest award GRPA District 5 can bestow on one of its members.

"Mr. Canon exemplifies the professionalism that we all seek and is one of the best champions of our profession," Jimmy Gisi, GRPA executive director, said.

Canon serves as director of one of the largest recreation departments in the state of Georgia and is responsible for the oversight of Cobb's special events, athletic, recreational and cultural programs and almost 5,500 acres of park space.

Explore Passive Park During Mabry Park Preview Day

The Friends of Mabry Park, along with Cobb County Parks and Recreation, will be hosting a park preview at Mabry Park on Saturday, November 5th from 9:00am to 2:00pm.  There will be walking tours of the park land, kids’ activities, and a K-9 demonstration!  This beautiful park land is not yet accessible to the public except during special events like this. Don't miss this rare opportunity to come see this magnificent property for yourself!

Park your car at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, located at 4495 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta GA 30066. From there, a shuttle will take you to the park land. Put on your hiking boots or athletic shoes, and come on out and enjoy a beautiful fall day at Mabry Park.  Visit www.mabrypark.org for more information.

It is never too late to 'plant the seed' of nature appreciation and wonder in your children. Bring your toddlers (ages 2-4) and join us for a morning of outdoor nature exploration, stories, songs and more! The first program will be 'Autumn Leaves are Falling'. This program will be held on November 2nd, at the Jean Elwood Wright Enviromental Center located at 2661 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, 30062 (park at the Chestnut Ridge Christian Church). The second program will be 'Stories Around the Campfire - Nocturnal Animals'. This program will be held December 7th at the Hyde Farm Visitor Center, locatad at 721 Hyde Farm Road, Marietta, 30068. The fee for each program is $2.00 per child. To register or for information, call Karen Faucett at (770) 528-8803 or email karen.faucett@cobbcounty.org.

Sweetwater Tennis Center to Host Tennis Professional Workshop

The Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) International Certification Workshop is the industry leader in professional tennis teaching. Sweetwater Tennis Center will be hosting the PTR workshop November 12th-13th and is available to all tennis teaching professionals. The workshop is conducted primarily on court with emphasis on the fundamentals of teaching group lessons, the development of sound strokes, error detection and corrective techniques, and the logistics of organizing group drills. The 10-hour course prepares members for the five-part certification exam. Certification testing will be administered at the conclusion of the workshop. Current PTR members are encouraged to retest at this time to upgrade their rating. The workshop is $95. Contact Charlie McCoy at (770) 819-3221 for more information.

Adult Tennis Drills at Harrison Tennis Center
Adult tennis drills are offered by USPTR certified professional Pete Snyder on Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30am-11:00am and Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7:30pm-9:00pm. Participants are grouped by ability level (all levels welcome). Work on all elements of your game in this fast-paced drill environment. The cost is $16.00 per session or prepay $55.00 for any four (4) sessions. Register by calling Harrison Tennis Center at (770) 591-3151.

Exciting Classes Offered at Ward Recreation Center This Fall

Ward Recreation Center is offering a full slate of diverse and exciting classes and activities for the fall. Classes include affordable Piano Lessons for adults and youth, Dance Classes for all ages, ZUMBA and ZUMBA Gold classes, and Choi Kwang-Do martial arts classes. There is a free class this fall - Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu martial arts and for the youth basketball player, we offer the Powder Springs Basketball Skills Academy. For more details on all the classes, see our website or call Ward Recreation Center at (770) 528-8885.

Holiday Events Upcoming in December

With the holidays around the corner, Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department will have numerous events during the holiday season. Here is a sample of some of the upcoming events and programs:

The 7th Annual Candy Cane Hunt will be held Saturday, December 3rd from 10:00am-12:00pm at the Historic Mable House (5239 Floyd Road , Mableton , GA 30126). This is a free event where there will be cookie decorating, marshmallow roasting, ginger bread house crafts, visits with Santa and more! Pictures available with Santa for $5 per photo!

The 2nd Annual Jingles and Jammies Brunch with Santa will be held Saturday, December 10th from 10:00am-12:00pm at Ward Recreation Center (4845 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs , GA 30127). Pre-registration is required and there is a fee of $10 per person. Enjoy brunch, make a gingerbread house and be entertained with a performance of “All Through the Houze” based on the holiday classic poem, “Twas the Night before Christmas”. Come join the fun of the Houze Family as dad tries to get the teens in his household to get the holiday spirit with the help of a holiday mouse and 4 reindeer! The best part - WEAR YOUR PAJAMAS!!!!! This will become a holiday memory everyone will cherish!!!

Georgia Dance Coalition -1 day dance workshop will be held Saturday, December 3rd from 9:00am-2:00pm at the Ward Recreation Center. This will be a fun day to learn 3 new genres of dance: Hip Hop, Jazz, and Ballet. Bring your own lunch and for afternoon snack we will bake goodies! No dance experience necessary. The fee is $30 per child and pre-registration required in person.

For more information on these exciting holiday programs, contact Wendy Collins at (770) 528-8885 or email Wendy.Collins@cobbcounty.org.

'Cobb Christmas' Charity Tennis Tournament

Sweetwater Tennis Center will once again host the 'Cobb Christmas' Adult Classic tennis tournament November 4th-6th. The "Cobb Christmas" Inc. organization is committed to helping provide Cobb County’s low-income and working poor families with a memorable holiday experience for their children during the Christmas holiday. The charity has provided food for more than 1,100 families and toys for more than 3,000 children. To participate or for more information on the tournament, see the tournament website. The tournament registration fee is $12 plus an unwrapped toy. The entry deadline is October 31st.

Upcoming Events at Mable House

Beauty and the Beast JR - Beauty and the Beast JR. will be presented by The Theatre Project at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. The show dates are November 4th at 7:00pm, November 5th at 7:00pm, and November 6th at 3:00pm. Tickets are $5.00, children 12 and under are free. You can also enjoy this experience by purchasing a table for $30.00. Tables seat 4 people. Bring dinner and the family and enjoy an evening that is sure to bring excitement. Tickets and tables will be on sale starting October 3rd.  You can purchase tickets and tables by calling (770) 819-3285 or coming to Mable House Arts Center. We hope to see you there!

Volunteers Needed

Special Olympics volunteers needed for teaching basketball team and individual skills.  No coaching background needed - just a positive attitude and good interpersonal skills.  Please contact Wendy at Ward Recreation Center at (770) 528-8885 for more information.