Parks Home | Calendar | Facilities | Arts & Cultural Affairs | Athletics - Youth | Athletics - Adult | Aquatics | Golf Gymnastics | Natural Resources | Recreation Centers | Tennis | Therapeutics | Special Events

November 2013

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. For more information, please contact Wendy Collins or call (770) 528-8885 or email Wendy.Collins@cobbcounty.org.

Deadline for 2013 'Fun in the Park' Photo Contest
The deadline is here for the 2013 'Fun in the Park' photo contest. 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.

A Time to Sow at Heritage Park

Come help us plant and in return get native plant seeds for your own yard.  Georgia Native Plant Society volunteers will be installing native plants at Heritage Park on Saturday, November 9th, from 10:00am until noon.  We will also be giving away native plant seeds such as Scarlet Rosemallow, Wild White Indigo, and St. Andrew's Cross.  All you need to bring is a pair of gloves and a shovel.  If you love the outdoors, you'll love Heritage Park, located at 60 Fontaine Road, Mableton, GA 30126. For more information, contact Price Crafts at price3@charter.net.

East Cobb Park Looking for Volunteers
Friends for the East Cobb Park is looking for volunteers to help with special events, sponsorships, marketing, park development, membership recruitment and much more. It’s because of many great volunteers that the park was formed, enhancements are added and special events are held such as the Holiday Lights Celebration, Sunday Fundays and Astronomy Night. We’d love to have you be a part of this wonderful community asset as a volunteer.

Interested in learning more? Contact Sharon Mason, Friends for the East Cobb Park President, at president@eastcobbpark.org. Be sure to "Like" Friends for the East Cobb Park on Facebook for the latest happenings.

The Affordable Care Act Workshops
The Powder Springs Community Task Force is sponsoring free workshops on the Affordable Care Act on Thursday evenings from 6:30pm-7:30pm at the Ron Anderson Center. The workshop will cover:

· open enrollment periods
· pre-existing conditions rule
· health plans available
· how to apply for insurance and subsidies
· exclusions
· health insurance for the young
· personal recommendations

You can register for the workshop by calling the center at (770) 439-3611. You can also call C. Langford at (770) 943-1840 or come by the center and register at the front desk. The workshop will be ongoing until December (there will not be a workshop the week of Thanksgiving) and resume in January until March 1st. Do not hesitate, register for a class now before all the slots are taken.

SPLOST Projects Update
On March 15, 2011, a referendum on a four-year SPLOST (Special Local Option Sales Tax) was approved by voters. This program, started on January 1, 2012 and will be in effect through December 31, 2015. From this SPLOST, Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs will be utilizing $82,023,000 for revitalization, facility renovations and upgrades to parks and facilities. Planning, coordinating and scheduling projects are in their early stages, but you will now be able to see some of the work in progress or soon to begin. Here is a list of current projects:

• Improvements at Central Aquatics Center complete including new pool surface, new UV disinfection system and new paint in the natatorium.
• Improvements at South Cobb Aquatic Center complete including rebuilding the dehumidifier unit, painting the natatorium, installation of evacuator benches and new pool surface.
• Improvements at West Cobb Aquatic Center are underway. Pool is currently closed. Upcoming improvements include new pool surface, new roll- up door, painting in the natatorium, new metal roof, new dehumidifier unit and installation of evacuator benches.
• Harrison Tennis Center Construction is on schedule. Slab has been poured and construction of masonry walls is starting.
• The Project at Sewell Pool is moving forward. Demolition of the existing building and pool deck is completed. Site work is basically completed and preparation to pour the slab is nearing completion.
• The remainder of the work at Sewell Pool bids October 24 including a new concession building and rebuilding of fields 1-4.
• The construction of the new tennis centers at Terrell Mill Park and Kennworth Park has been approved by the Board of Commissioners and construction will start in the next few weeks.

These are just a few of the numerous projects that you will see in the next few years updating and revitalizing our parks' system. For a complete listing of projects and updates, see the Splost 2011 web page on the Cobb County website.

Tennis Anywhere
A group of tennis players in northwest Cobb is looking for tennis players who are interested in playing a friendly game of tennis on Sunday mornings at Kennworth Tennis Center in Acworth.  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.

Activities for Everyone at the Mable House

Leapin’ Lizards! The Theatre Project’s fall production presents Annie! Tickets and tables are now on 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.

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 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 are on sale 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!

Staff Notes

Kaye Wilson, Recreaton Programmer working with the Natural Resources unit, recently received Cobb County's Customer Service Award for this past quarter. As head of the education programs for the Natural Resources unit, Kaye spends her days scheduling, creating and presenting multiple programs to schools, churches and other groups throughout the county.  She also spends her evenings, Saturdays and downtime working towards the same end. Her approach and enthusiasm towards her presentations is at least as important and impactful as the subject matter, and she goes to great lengths to work with the teachers and schools to ensure her message is relevant, interesting and in line with their ever-changing curriculum. Congratulations to Kaye for a job well done!!!