Lewis A. Ray Library will be closed temporarily for a renovation project starting Monday, Aug. 7. The library closure is expected to take three months with re-opening anticipated in November.
Cobb County Property Management will transform the library into a family services branch that will house children’s collections, resources, and provide programming. The project will include new enclosed children’s program and study rooms, reconfigured staff and service desk space, and updated furniture.
The current Lewis A. Ray facility opened 56 years ago and serves families from the Oakdale community and other nearby neighborhoods. It is located at 4500 Oakdale, Smyrna, between South Cobb Drive and Atlanta Road.
Lewis A. Ray Library patrons that place holds for library items to checkout will be able to pick up the materials at the Vinings Library, 4290 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. Another alternate library where items can be checked out is South Cobb Regional Library in Mableton.
For updates on the Lewis A. Ray Library project and information on Cobb Library programs and services, visit cobbcat.org.
Help the shelter; adopt a pet today
Cobb’s Animal Shelter is critically overcrowded. If you’ve been thinking of adopting, now is an excellent time for it. More than 300 animals looking to become your new pet. Throughout July, the fee to adopt is discounted to $20. Also, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Mondays in July, the shelter features selected animals for free adoption.
Veterans can adopt pets at no cost through the Superior Pets for Patriotic Vets program. View available pets and learn more about the above programs at cobbcounty.org/pets.
Final public hearing on millage Tuesday
Cobb County will hold its final public hearing before adopting the new budget and millage at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, during the Board of Commissioners' regular meeting.
Residents may speak for up to three minutes during this hearing on the specific subject. If you cannot attend in person, the meeting and hearing will be broadcast live and available online at youtube.com/@CobbCountyGovt/streams.
Cobb still has the lowest millage rates in the metro area with a floating homestead exemption and is one of the few counties with a school tax exemption for those over 62.
This year the state has a property tax grant program in which property owners will receive the tax relief grant in the form of an $18,000 reduction of the assessed value of their property. Click here to view more details.
Commissioner Monique Sheffield will host an open house to discuss the budget and millage, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Monday, July 24, at the South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton.
Hook a winning prize this Saturday
This year's final Cobb PARKS Youth Fishing Rodeo will be 9 - 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29, at Furr Family Park in Powder Springs. The competitions are open to children ages 3-16. Trophies will be awarded for the biggest fish caught. The entry fee for participants is $5. Furr Family Park is located at 4570 Old Westside Road.
PARKS is looking for volunteers to assist and teach kids fishing basics including how to bait a hook, cast a line and remove fish from a hook. Other volunteers will help with weighing and measuring fish and other non-fishing tasks. To volunteer email Anne.Norton@cobbcounty.org or call 770-528-8819.
Do you want to buy a home but need help figuring out where to start? Are you looking for resources to make homeownership achievable? Please join us for the free Cobb 2023 Home Buyer's Empowerment Seminar 2 - 5 p.m. Sunday, July 30, at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta.
Expect keynote speakers, an overview of the mortgage process, a snapshot of the local market, affordable housing, preparing for home ownership, question and answer with housing professionals and much more.
Make sure you don't lose your coverage during Medicaid Redetermination going on now. The state of Georgia will check all Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids members’ cases to see if they’re eligible for continued coverage. Every case will be reviewed by the state through May 2024.
Access a computer at any library or a designated Medicaid kiosk to check your status, including your redetermination date and to update contact information. Kiosks are located at the North Cobb Library, South Cobb Library, or Switzer Library.
Georgia Medicaid members can update their information in one of three ways:
• Online at Georgia Department of Human Services’ benefits website: gateway.ga.gov.
• In person at the local DFCS office at 1090 Northchase Pkwy SE, Suite 200 (North Entrance), Marietta 30067. The Cobb DFCS office primary number is 770-528-7683.
• By phone at 1-877-GA-DHS-GO or 711 if you are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or have difficulty speaking.
Cobb libraries help connect individuals with community resources that assist with healthcare, education and business resources, plus various other needs; visit Cobb Library’s Cobb Connections resource page for more information on additional community resources.
Laugh out loud with live comedy
The Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre will host the ATL R&B & Comedy Fest, featuring Freddie Jackson, Club Nouveau, Don “DC” Curry and J.J. Williamson, 7 p.m. Saturday, July 29. The legendary funk band Bar-Kays has just been added to close the performance. Doors open at 6 p.m. The amphitheatre is located at 5239 Floyd Road in Mableton.
National Night Out offers a fun night to engage with public safety
The National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 1, is an event to bring the public safety community and the citizens they serve together for an evening of fun. The event will be held 6 - 9 p.m. at Jim R. Miller Park. The Cobb Police Department and Fire and Emergency Services will have a variety of their equipment on display, including specialty teams such as SWAT, Bomb, K-9, Dive, Motors and Medical Operations. Food and dessert vendors will be at the park as well. There will be giant inflatables for the children to enjoy and The School of Rock will perform on the main stage throughout the evening.
Service members past and present are invited to the We CARE Veterans Fair 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Friday, Aug. 4, and 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta. The event provides an opportunity to sign up for VA benefits, access state and local programs for veterans and have questions answered.
There is no charge and appointments are not required.
Cobb’s first ever Pickleball Challenge between Cobb County Government directors and officials Friday, Aug. 4, will raise money for Meals on Wheels. You can play too by backing your favorite player. Your votes will go towards helping Senior Services Meals on Wheels. May the best team win!
Walk, jog, or run – in person or virtual – to support Cobb County's second annual First Responder 5k Saturday, Aug. 5. This event is for all fitness levels. Join everyone at The Battery to support our Cobb County first responders.
This family-friendly event will include first responder vehicles and displays, field games with The Atlanta Braves mascot Blooper and a performance from the Braves Heavy Hitters. Sign up today and “Run to Help Those Who Run to Help You.” The Battery Atlanta is located at 800 Battery Avenue, Atlanta.
CobbTV's YouTube channel highlights the latest county meetings, informational videos and live events. Subscribe to the channel so you don't miss an update.
July is budget month in Cobb County. Check out this informational video on how Cobb stacks up with our neighbors and what the homestead exemption means to the county's general fund.
Commissioner Richardson will host a Home Buyer Empowerment Seminar on July 30 at the Cobb County Civic Center. Watch this video for more on the resources available at the seminar.
Upcoming public meetings