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October 2013

Fall Festival of Fun

Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department along with Cobb County Public Safety, Safe Kids Cobb County and Cobb County 4-H are hosting the 14th Annual Fall Festival of Fun on Thursday, October 31st at Jim Miller Park. The event will begin at 4:00pm and end at 7:00pm. This event will provide the children of Cobb County a safe alternative to the traditional Trick-or-Treat in their neighborhoods.

The festival will include arts and crafts, games, inflatable rides, Police and Fire activities, costume and coloring contests, a photo booth and other surprises. Parking, entrance to the park, games, candy and contests are free (there is a fee for concessions and inflatable rides). Come wearing your Halloween costume and be sure to bring a bag to carry all of your candy!

The Ultimate Cheer Fest 2013

Cobb County Parks and Cheertyme will host the 5th Annual Ultimate Cheer Fest at the Cobb Civic Center. This competition will be held on Sunday, November 3rd. The Ultimate Cheer Fest is an opportunity for cheerleaders, ages 5 and up, to compete in cheer and dance. Each team will have 2 minutes and 30 seconds to perform their routine. Every participant will receive a T-shirt and medal as part of their registration fee. Team trophies will also be awarded for each place. Our top two teams that are awarded the "Grand Champion" title will receive jackets and banners. Spectators are encouraged to support their favorite teams as spirit and sportsmanship awards will be given. The entry deadline for teams to compete is October 15th. For more information, please contact Wendy Collins or call (770) 528-8885 or email Wendy.Collins@cobbcounty.org.

Deadline Soon for 2013 'Fun in the Park' Photo Contest
The deadline for the 2013 'Fun in the Park' photo contest will be here soon. November 1st is the last day to enter your photos of all the fun you and your family have had in Cobb County parks over the course of the year. Catagories of photos include 'Nature and Wildlife', 'Sports and Action' and 'General', so any park photos can be entered. 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.

Boxerstock Music Festival: Fun For Family and Dogs!
There's nothing more satisfying than spending an entire day at a family-friendly festival that combines music, food, entertainment and dogs all in one. The sponsors of the ever-growing Boxerstock Music Festival know this combination of fun always adds up to nothing short of an amazing day. The 6th annual Boxerstock, presented by Paces Ferry Veterinary Clinic, takes place on Sunday, October 20th from 12:00pm - 6:00pmpm at Jim Miller Park in Marietta.

This year’s musical lineup includes some of the finest artists from the southeast, in a variety of genres, including local singer Caryn Womack. The music starts at noon and continues throughout the day. The festival also features a Kids’ Village with fun activities for children, including the human hamster balls (Water Walkers), inflatables and much more. Food trucks will also line the park and provide a number of delicious dishes from which to choose. The festival benefits Atlanta Boxer Rescue, which is dedicated to the rescue and adoption of the boxer dog breed. Many adoptable dogs will be at the festival from several local rescue groups, including the Humane Society of Cobb County. Make sure you and your family, whether they walk on two legs or four, come out, show some support and dance to some awesome music at this year's Boxerstock!

More information about Boxerstock including tickets to the event, sponsorship opportunities, musician lineup, vendor applications, directions, T-shirts, and a full schedule can be found at wwwboxerstock.org. Visit www.atlantaboxerrescue.org to learn more about Atlanta Boxer Rescue.

New Tennis Program for Adults

Cobb Tennis Centers and USTA-Atlanta are teaming up to provide a new program for beginner adults to learn how to play tennis. Sponsored by USTA-Atlanta, the 'Tennis Apprentice' program will provide instruction to teach beginner adults to play tennis and work towards the goal of competing in beginner USTA leagues. Starting the week of October 28th, students will take 6 weeks of instruction and then be signed up for winter season USTA leagues. Teams will consist of your fellow program members and you will compete against other area 'Tennis Apprentice' program members. Students enrolled in the program will receive a free tennis racket and free USTA membership! All this for the introductory-to-tennis fee of $50 for the six weeks of instruction. For information, contact your closest Cobb Tennis Center.

Cobb Community Garden Council Now Forming

Community Garden coordinators and those affiliated with community garden management are invited to join this new group - the Cobb Community Garden Council. A community garden can be loosely defined as “any piece of land gardened by a group of people”, so this is not limited to vegetable gardens but can also be gardens in the planning stages or already in operation. The first quarterly meeting of the group will be held on Tuesday, October 22nd from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Cobb County Extension Service office, 678 South Cobb Drive, Suite 200, Marietta, 30060.

The Council is a joint effort of the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County and the Cobb County Extension Service. Our main purpose is communication - sharing ideas and information. We hope to begin cataloging the existing and start-up gardens and their conditions for membership, and move toward goal setting for the group. We look forward to possible resource sharing in the future as well.

For more information, please see this brief video about Community Gardens and the Council. If you are interested in joining or have additional questions please contact Cobb Community Garden Council Chair, Debbie Abernathy, at debbie@esmithair.com.

Trade Day at Heritage Park

Do you have a problem area in your yard where nothing seems to grow?  Have you ever wished for more birds and butterflies in your garden?  Do you have a mystery plant in your yard whose identity you would like to know?  You're invited to trade your gardening questions for answers at Heritage Park on Saturday, October 12th from 10:00am to 12:00pm.  Georgia Native Plant Society members, some of whom are master gardeners and nature experts, will be restoring the Park to its native glory, and we'd love to hear and answer your questions.  We will also be giving away seeds of native plants such as Orange Butterfly Weed, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, and Wild White Indigo. The park is also the perfect place to trade your stress-filled day for a leisurely stroll along the 1.7 mile path, which spans a wetland area via boardwalk that parallels Nickajack Creek, and culminates at old mill ruins dating back to the Civil War.  We always welcome the public's participation in helping us restore the park.  So bring your gardening gloves and join the fun!  Heritage Park is located at 60 Fontaine Road in Mableton.  For more information, contact Price Crafts at price3@charter.net.

Tennis Anywhere
A group of tennis players in northwest Cobb are looking for tennis players who are interested in playing a friendly game of tennis on Sunday mornings at Kennworth Tennis Center in Acworth.  Our initial schedule dates are October 6th and October 20th at 9:00am. For player levels 3.0 and up, come on out and let’s get it started!   It’s a great way to start your day, practice for your matches, and meet some new people.   If you are not a member, you can sign up at tennisanywhere.net.  Contact Tito at (770) 298-3127 or Kennworth Tennis Center (770) 917-5160.

Lost Mountain Tennis Center to Host Charity Tournament
Lost Mountain Tennis Community Tennis Association will host the 2013 Halloween Fright Festival Charity Tennis Tournament October 25th-27th. The tournament will be held at Lost Mountain Tennis Center. The events include adult doubles and mixed doubles, youth singles and parent-child doubles events. All proceeds of the tournament will benefit SafePath Children's Advocacy Center. The entry deadline is October 18th. Contact Traci Thomas for more information at (770) 528-8525.

Activities for Everyone at the Mable House

Tea cups! Tea cups! Tea cups! The Mable House Arts Center is requesting your china tea cups and saucers (no mugs or plates please). Simply bring your unwanted china to the Mable House Arts Center and we will put them to good use in Mable’s Tea Room. We will accept donations until October 30th.

Leapin’ Lizards! The Theatre Project’s fall production presents Annie! Tickets and tables are now for sale! Tickets are $5. Children 12 years old and under are FREE. Tables seat 6 people and are $45. Performance dates are November 8th and 9th at 7:00pm and November 10th at 5:30pm. Call us at (770) 819-3285 for more information.

The Storytelling Festival is back! Come for family fun and adventures in history on October 19th from 11:00am-4:00pm on the Mable House Historic Grounds. Many activities are planned at this free event including storytelling, pottery and weaving demonstrations, a hayride, panning for gold, arts and crafts, a farm animal petting zoo and old fashion games. Can’t wait to see you there!

Come and have tea with your favorite princesses! The Mommy and Me Tea Party will be held Sunday, December 8th at the Mable House Arts Center. We have two seating times available: 12:30pm and 2:00pm. Space is limited so call 770) 819-3285 and make your reservations early. Tables are available that seat 4 ($40), 6 ($60), or 8 ($80). You are sure to have a delectable time!

2013 Empty Bowl Brunch

This year’s Empty Bowl Brunch will be held on December 15th from 11:00am-1:30pm. The Empty Bowl Brunch is where pottery teachers, staff, and students have donated their time and talents to make bowls that will be sold for charity. Our Empty Bowl Brunch has raised over $20,000 for local charities since our first brunch in 2002. Volunteers are needed to make bowls, donate soup, chili or bread, sell tickets, assist patrons in selecting bowls or serve food and beverages. This is by far our favorite day of the holiday season! Get your ticket to purchase a beautiful hand-made bowl decorated by our students, instructors and volunteers, then wander down the hallway for yummy soups or chilis! All funds go to local charities helping to make everyone’s season bright! Purchase your tickets beginning October 16th at The Art Place - Mountain View (checks made out to Mountain View Arts Alliance). For more information visit www.theartplace.us

The Art Place & MVAA Present “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

You know the story! See the play! St. Nick's Cafe will host "A Charlie Brown Christmas" on December 7th. Tickets go on sale beginning October 16th at 9:30am at www.theartplace.us  or at The Art Place for limited walk-in purchases (checks payable to MVAA or exact cash). Tickets are $10 each for all ages. Shows are at 8:30am and 10:30am breakfast or 12:30pm for lunch. Food will be provided by Jason's Deli!