Alex and Ashley from A+A Wellness will be sharing proven strategies that will help you build and maintain healthy bones. The seminar will be followed by an optional educational grocery shopping trip.
Date:
Saturday, April 15, 2017 at 12 pm
Admission:
free
Address:
Whole Foods Market Merchants Walk
1311 Johnson Ferry Rd #580
Marietta, GA 30068
For more information, please call (678) 996-9700 or visit http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/merchantswalk
Red Hare Brewing is making their popular beer, SPF 50/50, available year round. Formerly a seasonal summer beer, now SPF 50/50 can bring you a summer breeze any day of the year. SPF 50/50 is a blend of Gangway IPA and their house-made grapefruit soda, with just enough of both to keep you refreshed and relaxed… just like a nice day on the beach. Re-apply as needed!
They’re having a beach party to celebrate SPF 50/50 at the brewery on March 25th, 2017 from 2pm to 6pm.
The party will feature live music from Endless Fridays and a food truck from The Tempted Palate with delicious Cajun food.
Date:
Saturday, March 25, 2017 from 2 pm to 6 pm
Admission:
$12 Tour/Tasting includes souvenir SPF 50/50 pint glass, 36 oz. of beer samples, and brewery tour.
$20 Tour/Tasting includes souvenir SPF 50/50 pint glass, 36 oz. of beer samples, brewery tour AND a 6-Pack to take home of our SPF 50/50 cans!
$5 Tickets for children and non-drinkers includes pint glass, brewery tour and 36 oz of Root Beer and Grapefruit sodas.
Address:
1998 Delk Industrial Blvd
Marietta, GA 30067
For more information, please call 678-401-0600
Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson is bringing The Cosmic Perspective to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 7:30 pm. The show features Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, host of National Geographic’s “StarTalk,” host of the 2014 documentary series “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey,” and an American astrophysicist, author, Director of the Hayden Planetarium, and a research associate in the department of astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.
Tyson will speak about science and the cosmos, but also about pop culture, civilization, our country, and our ambitions. The show features a discussion that is inspiring, informing and humorous. The event is a family-friendly event that takes frequent questions from the audience, including children, and makes scientific concepts both fun and educational.
Date:
June 15, 2017
Time:
7:30 pm
Tickets:
Tickets range from $49 to $99 and are available online at https://tinyurl.com/zfxn6fa
Address:
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30339
What is the cosmic perspective? Here are a few quotes from a essay written by Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson on the subject:
“There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on any beach, more stars than seconds have passed since Earth formed, more stars than words and sounds ever uttered by all the humans who ever lived.”
“Want to know what we’re made of? Again, the cosmic perspective offers a bigger answer than you might expect. The chemical elements of the universe are forged in the fires of high-mass stars that end their lives in stupendous explosions, enriching their host galaxies with the chemical arsenal of life as we know it. The result? The four most common chemically active elements in the universe—hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen—are the four most common elements of life on Earth. We are not simply in the universe. The universe is in us.”
“Again and again across the centuries, cosmic discoveries have demoted our self-image. Earth was once assumed to be astronomically unique, until astronomers learned that Earth is just another planet orbiting the Sun. Then we presumed the Sun was unique, until we learned that the countless stars of the night sky are suns themselves. Then we presumed our galaxy, the Milky Way, was the entire known universe, until we established that the countless fuzzy things in the sky are other galaxies, dotting the landscape of our known universe.”
“The cosmic perspective flows from fundamental knowledge. But it’s more than just what you know. It’s also about having the wisdom and insight to apply that knowledge to assessing our place in the universe.”
Source:
http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson/read/2007/04/02/the-cosmic-perspective
Let’s face it: In most offices, just saying the words team building will lead to some audible groans and awkward glances across the room, with most employees wondering what uncomfortable situations their bosses have gotten them into. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
If done effectively, team building exercises and activities can help your office build trust, alleviate conflict, establish better communication and encourage more collaboration among team members. When employees are more engaged, both overall morale and your bottom line are likely to see a significant boost.
For more than 25 years, Larry Lipman has worked with every type of business group to improve business outcomes, from Fortune 100s to small mom-and-pop retail stores and teachers, nurses and government groups. His Smyrna-based service takes him all over the country to facilitate team building sessions, leading anywhere from 12 to more than 1,500 people, but the goal is always the same: blending professional and personal growth.
“That means my participants take home life skills that they can apply in the workplace and at home,” Lipman says. “My seminars take teams to the next level. We dive into specific, nitty-gritty outcomes, like handling change, appreciating our differences, communicating more effectively, choosing our attitude [and] kicking out dysfunction.” His training activities also promote collaboration, accountability, integrity and trust, as well as teach the importance of understanding leadership styles.
Of course, the ultimate goal is for employees to let loose and enjoy themselves so they can open up and ultimately build a stronger bond within their team. Lipman abides closely to the belief that people learn best when they’re having fun. “[Many participants] don’t want to be there at 8 a.m. … and then, I have to ask them to leave at the end of the day because they are having so much fun.”
Lipman found his calling as a certified leadership trainer and success coach in 1990 after participating in several team building conferences and workshops. Helping people grow, learn and evolve is what keeps him professionally invigorated. “Companies, corporations, schools, government and hospitals will always involve people,” he says. “Training activities accomplish [growth] with a learn-by-doing format. This will never get old or go out of style.” Visit funteambuilding.com or call (770) 333-3303 to learn more.
On the following pages, we’ve rounded up a few more fun ways to get your team working together more effectively — many of which Lipman can utilize when working with his program — without ever having to leave Cobb County.
2778 Cobb Parkway, Atlanta
(678) 803-4359
iflyworld.com/atlanta
At some point, everyone dreams about what it might feel like to fly. Whether your group is full of skydiving enthusiasts or has several members who are afraid of heights, iFLY gives everyone the opportunity to experience real flight in a safe and controlled indoor environment.
“Since this is new for most people, we level the playing field and allow co-workers to try something new together,” says David Connor, sales manager at the new iFLY location on Cobb Parkway near SunTrust Park. “The bonding experience you gain from being in the wind tunnel is amazing.”
Guided by certified instructors throughout the experience, your team will get the feeling of flight in a nearly 50-foot-tall flight chamber that is designed to create a vertical wind tunnel that pushes flyers up above the ground, simulating true free fall conditions. The experience is safe for anyone older than 3 years old, with a few exceptions for those with shoulder, back and neck problems, people weighing over 300 pounds and pregnant women.
Connor adds the approximately 5,000- square-foot facility offers everything for a full day of team building, including a business meeting room, catering options and a variety of event spaces to fit your needs.
“We customize each event to meet our clients’ needs to make sure they have the best experience possible,” Connor explains. “We have some simple packages that just include flight time for larger groups as well as more complex packages that include catering, bartending and even a DJ.” For package information, visit iflyworld.com/book-now.
1349 Old 41 Hwy NW #235, Marietta
(770) 726-2892
theescapery.com
This real-life escape room game allows teams to build camaraderie by spending time with each other in a casual social situation. As owner April Simmons explains, an escape room game is a social incubator. “As people work together to solve puzzles and riddles to achieve a goal in an hour, they become more aware of the roles that each play within their team,” she says. “Plus, it is fun and exciting, and no matter their apprehensions as they enter the escape room game, they always leave laughing and engaged.”
In addition to the fun social aspect of the escape room game, The Escapery offers enhanced team building. “Our most popular team building option is our Team Escape, which includes a one-hour interactive workshop facilitated by a Team Adventure Consultant,” Simmons says. “While a team is completing the escape room, we observe closely via video camera and audio placed in the room. As we watch the teams work together, communicate and interact, we discover much about their group dynamics, strengths and weaknesses, and individual roles. Once the team has completed the escape room, we offer feedback based on our observations and encourage group discussion. ” Next, the team completes a questionnaire that delves into their perception of the dynamics of their team, both while playing the escape game and within their professional environment. The Escapery staff then facilitates a discussion around the responses to the questionnaire. “Finally, we work with the team to set goals to build on what they learned during their escape game and workshop,” Simmons says. “As they leave, we send the leadership home with ways to continue to build on the camaraderie developed and discoveries made during their visit.”
The Escapery offers many customizable options for team building events called Team Adventure Packages, which can accommodate groups as small as 5-6 up to as many as 50 participants. The Team Experience package is the “just-for-fun” option that lasts one hour, while longer experiences like Team Escape (2.5 hours) provides longer discussion time and Team Retreat (4.5 hours) provides everything plus a full-service continental breakfast and lunch, an hour-long presentation from a leadership training expert and a half-hour wrap-up with a Team Adventure Consultant. Packages start at $25 per person and catering options can be added as desired.
1255 Roswell Road, Marietta
(678) 496-9530
andrettikarting.com
In auto racing, it takes an entire team communicating and working together to win. Take those teamwork lessons back to the office with an energizing experience behind the wheel at Andretti Indoor Karting and Games.
What sets Andretti apart from other facilities is the multitude of entertainment options in its more than 10,000 square feet of event space. “We work with a professional team building facilitator to develop activities that are not only productive and engaging, but fun! Our professional facilitator, Dale Moody, works one-on-one with the client to plan a customized team building experience for their group to achieve their objectives,” says Samantha LaMagna, senior marketing manager at Andretti.
LaMagna says Andretti offers a team building experience that allows participants to use the DiSC personal assessment tool, which is used by more than 1 million people annually to facilitate discussions about behavioral differences and how to work with different profile types within the workplace. Andretti also offers AutoBond, another activity that encourages colleagues to work together as a team to build a kart and race against their co-workers. “Finding the right exercise can be challenging, so we work with the client to adapt a package that will help their crew achieve their winning goals,” says LaMagna.
As of 4/14/23, no announcement has been made about the 2023 Taste of West Cobb. Taste of West Cobb was canceled in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The most recent Taste of West Cobb was the 2019 Taste of West Cobb that took place at Hillgrove High School and featured local restaurants, kids activities, and entertainment. Over 25 restaurants offered tastes of their best dishes with prices ranging from $1 to $4. Admission was free.
Date:
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Time:
11 am to 5 pm
Admission:
Free, tastes range from $1-$4
Parking:
Free
Hillgrove High School
4165 Luther Ward Rd,
Powder Springs, GA 30127
For more information, please contact towc@hillgroveband.com
About Taste of West Cobb:
Taste of West Cobb is an annual event featuring dishes from some of the best restaurants in the area as well as musical entertainment by area schools. Proceeds from Taste of West Cobb benefit the Hillgrove High School Band.
The Marietta Square is continuing Christmas magic with the annual Christmas tree lighting where Santa will help light the great tree signaling the countdown to Christmas.
The below article was first published in 2016:
Chuck Burge, CEO of CBurge Events, has been working on new and exciting additions to this year’s event since early summer and encourages Marietta business leaders to get involved, as it’s a fantastic opportunity not only to advertise a business, but also reinvigorate interest in the community. “One of [the business owners on the Square] said in the 38 years he’s been open, the New Year’s Eve event was the best he has ever had,” Burge notes.
While merchants on the Square have been involved since the beginning, because of the success of last year, more businesses are getting on board. The New Year’s Eve event alone saw about 25,000 attendees throughout the day and approximately 10,000 for the ball drop. “Because of the success, and because [New Year’s Eve is] on a Saturday and not a Thursday, we’re expecting closer to 40,000 people,” says Burge.
After more than two decades of creating one-of-a-kind props, window displays and animatronic characters for entertainment giants like Disney, Universal Studios and the Waldorf Astoria New York hotel, Rispoli has brought her talents to Marietta to create a life-size city for Santa Claus.
Last year, she and her new business partner, Linda Williams, helped create an animated toy store for the Holiday Lights of Hope in Woodstock, a fundraiser for Anna Crawford Children’s Center, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect. They realized soon after they wanted to focus their business on expanding family traditions and bringing communities together. “Marietta has always had a tradition, especially with the holidays,” says Rispoli, who adds that Williams, a septuagenarian, used to visit the Square for holidays as a child. “At that time, families would travel to the Marietta Square to experience the tradition. Now, it’s all coming back. It’s a renaissance. And we want to be part of the fabric that will help grow and sustain this.”
After connecting with Burge, Rispoli worked with his team and The Branding Project to design and build the new village, accented with animatronics, such as the little polar bear postmen that send off packages from the Post Office to the North Pole. “It harkens back to a simpler time,” she says. “We live in a very disposable era, and we’re trying to make something that is lasting, something that will be appreciated over time. There’s a reason these things pull at people’s heartstrings.”
Alongside the Post Office, a giant holiday package serves as a kiosk for check-ins to see Santa in his cozy new home. Of the three life-size buildings she created for the display, Rispoli admits it’s tough to pick a favorite, but the Santa house warms her heart. “It’s going to give that feeling that you’re sitting in Santa’s home at the North Pole,” she says. “Also, there’s a lot of things for kids to interact with as they wait to sit on the big man’s lap.”
Editor’s Note: The New Year’s Eve event was cancelled in 2018
After a surprise aerial performance during last year’s ball drop, this year’s celebration has everyone buzzing about what to expect New Year’s Eve.
From ice-carving contests to roaming magicians, the Marietta Square will be bustling with activities and entertainment options for all ages. Guests are encouraged to write resolutions on the Resolution Wall, play an 18-hole glow-in-the-dark putt-putt golf game, enjoy food trucks and even test their skill in an escape room experience.
In addition, the new family-oriented activities will include carnival games, on-stage demonstrations for children and live music; and daytime events will be capped off with the “Herd of Cows” dance troupe and the Children’s Cow Drop, where one lucky winner gets free Chick-fil-A for a year.
After the sun goes down, the adult celebration begins. Live music and a surprise drop will ring in 2017 in style.
The bright greens, reds, silvers and golds sparkle, the smells of evergreen and baking cookies fill the air and then the doorbell rings. Are you going to be ready for the non-stop deluge of family, friends and co-workers you’ll welcome into your home during the six weeks of holidays between the middle of November and the start of the new year?
Whether you’re a seasoned entertainer or just starting holiday traditions, businesses in Cobb County are standing by to cater, decorate your home, teach you how to cook special treats or run errands and help you shop for those hard-to-find gifts for the friend who seems to have everything.
“The holidays can be overwhelming because there are so many parties, visits from family and friends, shared meals and things to do,” says Amanda Brown, co-founder of Absolutely Yours Concierge personal shopper service in Marietta. “According to the American Psychological Association, somewhere around 70 percent of people experience the biggest amount of stress during the holidays. And the most prevalent triggers are lack of time, money and the pressures of gift giving and getting everything perfect.”
Brown and her husband, Robert, created Absolutely Yours in 2012 to help people put more time in their day. “Especially in families with both spouses working, plus transporting children to school and extracurricular activities, picking up dry-cleaning and keeping their homes and offices organized, it just makes sense to delegate tasks when you can,” she says. “Add in the holidays and it’s easy to see how a little bit of stress can grow into a lot of stress.”
Absolutely Yours handles everything from grocery and gift shopping to decorating homes and creating handcrafted gift baskets. They can pick up food from caterers or restaurants, tables and linens from rental companies, wrap and mail packages — so that you can avoid the long lines at the post office. “We also provide servers to set up dinners and parties, replenish foods and then clean up. That way, you can simply enjoy your guests for the evening.”
Using a caterer for holiday meals and parties is another way to have more time to spend with family and friends. Sandra Cook, founder of Catered Southern Events in Marietta, has been sharing her culinary talents with clients for more than a dozen years. She’s transformed warehouse offices into festive venues and brought her variety of hors d’oeuvres, entrees, side dishes, cakes and sweets to dress in-home buffet tables and sit-down dinner parties of all sizes.
“One of the most popular items is to include an action station,” Cook says. “Mashed potato bars, shrimp and grits, pancake or chicken-and-waffle stations offer the chance for people to select their own combinations and quantities of food, and it’s a good way for people to interact as they serve themselves.”
Catered Southern Events can provide full-service catering, complete with set-up, service staff and cleanup. Cook can also prepare a holiday meal featuring turkey, dressing and all the trimmings; it can be dropped off at your home. The company’s menu selections include nearly 40 hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, 30 or so different meat, poultry and seafood selections, two dozen side dishes and a full complement of desserts, from cheesecakes to handmade cakes and pies.
“Over the past couple of years, more people are ordering dessert shots for parties,” she says. “Made with either a mousse base or cake, they can be made in a variety of flavors. And by offering your guests an assortment of these light bites, they can sample several without feeling guilty.”
Clients can also select culturally themed meals — Italian, Latino, Asian or luau. “Try a non-traditional theme for the holidays to give your friends and family a break from turkey or ham,” she says. “It can be memorable because it’s different.”
If you have the time, consider taking a cooking class to learn how to prepare special foods from your own kitchen this holiday season. The Cook’s Warehouse in Merchants Walk offers classes to create breakfasts, lunches, dinners or specialty items.
“One of the first things people do around the holidays is plan their meals,” says Wendy Allen, cooking school director at The Cook’s Warehouse. “Check into cooking classes to see if you can take a class to learn a new recipe. For instance, if you’re having overnight guests, think about taking a breakfast class for something new.”
The Cook’s Warehouse offers several classes focused on traditional and non-traditional at-home entertaining; Bake for Holiday Gift Giving and Cookie Swap classes are good choices, but register early because they are popular. Candy making and gingerbread classes are often filled early in the fall, so keep that in mind for next year.
Williams-Sonoma stores host demonstration classes showing how to create recipes by renowned chefs. This year, the store will present classes featuring recipes by Mario Batali and Alton Brown. “Weekend morning demonstrations for kids can introduce them to the fun of making their own food,” says Tahier Sariev, manager at the Williams-Sonoma store in The Avenue East Cobb. “Topics of our classes throughout the year include how to prepare soups and specialty craft cocktails. We’re also available to help people during store hours or by phone if they have a particular challenge in their kitchen while preparing their holiday meal.”
Gift giving can be challenging, but turn homeward for ideas. “Casual and themed entertaining is popular all year long, and hot gift items this season include a variety of accessories — marble cheese boards, monogrammed or etched bar ware, shakers and decanters,” Sariev says. “Copper is a big item for kitchen ware, not only because of the Moscow Mule beverage trend, but as an accent throughout the kitchen.”
Remember your host or hostess when you’re invited to a party, particularly a party hosted at home. “Southern hospitality typically means bringing a gift to the party’s host and/or hostess, but it doesn’t need to be expensive,” Allen says. “While many people bring a bottle of wine, think of other ideas, such as a pretty cutting board for serving cheese and fruit, or a pair of nice wine glasses.”
A cookbook, a box or two of a gourmet prepared baking mix or several dozen cookies from a family recipe — include the recipe in the basket — are also welcome hostess gifts.
As for family and those close friends, kitchen stores are often overlooked as a source for gifts. A nice beverage pitcher, a sampling of barware, specialty cooking accessories, like a wire basket for grilling vegetables or a new grill set will be appreciated by some of the toughest recipients on your list.
The kitchen appliance market has exploded with high-powered blenders, all-in-one countertop freestanding pressure cookers that can braise, can and slow-cook, or even fryers that use air instead of oil.
Additionally, giving a gift certificate for a cooking class can be a fun and active gift. The Cook’s Warehouse offers a Steakhouse Date Night for couples at its in-store kitchen. “It’s a perfect holiday gift that can be used around Valentine’s Day for couples,” Allen says. “Classes for children, those that pair a mom and daughter or son, or food and wine sessions can be really fun.”
The good news is that the traditional reds and greens of the holiday season have returned. For a time, the greens turned to chartreuse and reds became pinks. A dose of turquoise or purple also came to the party, too, but this year it’s back to basics — elegant and understated.
“The rich reds, true greens and burgundies are back in holiday decor,” says Loriann Thibadeaux, co-owner of Acorn Home and Garden on Due West Road. She and creative director Tony Whitlock opened the store more than a decade ago. “Silvers, golds, platinums and pewters are great accents, but we’re finding this year that less is more and these accents are being used minimally for a bit of pop.”
Thibadeaux says that many homeowners have invested in artificial Christmas trees and garlands. “The choices are excellent and these trees and greenery look like the real thing. And when you purchase high-quality lush items they can last for years.”
She considers greenery and trees “foundations” for holiday decorating. “Start with the classics then freshen the look each year. When you have the basics, you can add touches like fresh flowers and fresh greenery — the scent is amazing.”
Where do Thibadeaux and Whitlock come up with their ideas? “We haven’t even stored away 2016 before we’re thinking about the holidays for 2017,” she says. “The Atlanta merchandise mart takes place in January and we’re always there to preview what’s new for next year.” She and Whitlock seek out ideas all year long and incorporate them into Acorn’s fall holiday preview show.
“Over the years, we’ve found that holiday decorating continues to evolve,” she says. “However, we advise most of our clients who entertain more often during the season to decorate normally for the whole season, then add special touches, such as blooming amaryllis, paperwhite narcissus or orchids to accent a table, buffet or mantel for the occasion. “It’s nice to combine some fresh flowers and greenery, and when the flowers start to fade, they’re easy to replace if you want to.”
Acorn Home & Garden decorates more than 100 homes each winter between early November and mid-December across north Georgia. “We customize each home to capture the personality of the family and the season,” she says. “It’s a way to set the stage for this very special time of year when family and friends gather to enjoy quality time together.”
Whether it’s addressing Christmas cards or party invitations, picking up that now-repaired watch from the jewelers or deep cleaning your home, the services of a personal assistant can simplify the holidays.
Amanda Brown of Absolutely Yours Concierge offers the following tips for getting and staying organized during the holidays:
“Always make your lists with your budget in mind,” Brown adds. “That way, you can avoid impulse purchases.”
November 17, 2016
Gov. Nathan Deal approved a Level 2 Drought Response designation for more than 50 counties including Cobb County.
“During this prolonged period of severe drought in Georgia, we are bolstering the state’s drought response in more than 100 counties,” Deal said. “I would like to remind Georgians that there are specific guidelines and prohibitions to follow during a Level 1 and Level 2 Drought Response. We urge these communities to act accordingly, use good judgment and avoid outdoor burning and watering while we continue to work with the EPD and pray for rain across the state.”
Prohibited outdoor water uses include:
· Washing hard surfaces such as streets and sidewalks.
· Water for ornamental purposes, such as fountains.
· The use of fire hydrants, except for firefighting and public safety.
· Non-commercial washing of vehicles.
· Non-commercial pressure washing.
· Fundraising car washes.
During a Level 2 Drought Response, outdoor landscape watering is only allowed two days a week determined by odd and even-numbered addresses. Even-numbered addresses and properties without numbered addresses may water on Wednesday and Saturday between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses may water Thursday and Sunday between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.
“Today’s declaration is driven by an extended period of little or no rain and increasing dryness in the impacted areas,” said EPD Director Richard Dunn. “What’s more, there is little hope for relief as weather forecasters expect an unusually warm, dry winter across most of the state.”
In response to recent drought conditions and dry weather, the Governor of Georgia has banned the use of fireworks in counties experiencing a level 1 drought. The fireworks ban includes all of Cobb County and the City of Marietta from November 14, 2016 until the declaration of drought is over.
A temporary ban on outdoor burning has also been issued by the Cobb County Fire Marshal. This ban includes the burning of yard debris including leaves, pine straw, and other yard debris beginning on October 28, 2016 and ending when significant rainfall is received. The Fire Marshal’s Office has also stopped issuing Large Yard Waste and Bonfire permits during the drought.
These new burn bans are in addition to the annual burn ban that takes place from May 1 through September 30 each year.
For more information, please visit:
https://cobbcounty.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5297:outdoor-burning&catid=535&Itemid=2046
http://www.mariettaga.gov/news/docs/fireworksbanneddrought.pdf
