Lewis A. Ray Library is back in business. Come by 4 - 6 p.m. today, Nov. 27, for an open house to see what's new. The renovated space will include new enclosed children’s program and study rooms, reconfigured staff and service desk space and updated furniture. The library is located at 4500 Oakdale Road, Smyrna, between South Cobb Drive and Atlanta Road, near Interstate 285 and Cumberland Parkway.
You will sleigh your holiday shopping game at the annual 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Markets happening at all four Cobb County arts centers, Nov. 29 - Dec. 10. Hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday. They are closed on Sundays.
The market features a merry mix of unique and handcrafted treasures. Each location has different artist booths so shop around the holiday markets for all of the festive fun.
Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton
Sewell Mill Cultural Center, 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta
The Art Place - Mt. View, 3330 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta
The Art Station - Big Shanty, 2050 Kennesaw Due West Road NW, Kennesaw
Everyone needs cookies for the holiday
Donate to cookie-making kits for families in need. Ward Recreation Center provides these kits so families can bake cookies for Santa. Donations of ingredients are needed now through Friday, Dec. 15. Kits will be given to the Georgia Division of Family & Child Services. Please help this great cause by donating cookie mix, frosting, cookie cutters and sprinkles.
Drop off supplies by Dec. 15 at Ward Recreation Center, 4845 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs. Call 770-528-8885 for more information.
Fill your season with light
Brighten your winter night! Gather the kids and head to Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. Drive through a dazzling array of Christmas lights, synced to holiday favorites, every night from 6 - 10 p.m. through Jan. 7, including holidays, rain or shine.
And the fun doesn't end with the light show. On select weekends you can visit Santa's Village and join in games, write letters to Santa and snap photos with Santa with your own camera.
Santa's Village will be open 6 - 10 p.m. on these dates:
Dec. 1 - 3 - "Frozen/Superheroes" Wear your best superhero or Frozen costume.
Dec. 8 - 10 - "The Gift of Giving" Join Cobb Parks in providing the best gift of the holiday: the gift of giving. Bring a gift for children (ages birth to 18) in need this holiday season.
Dec. 15 - 17 - "Home for the Holidays" Bring out the whole family wearing your best ugly Christmas outfits. Be ready for family photo opportunities!
Santa's Village is $10 per child at the door. Adults accompanying children are free. No pets allowed. For questions about the Santa Village, please call 770-528-8875.
As Christmas approaches, many will be searching for that perfect gift at a perfect price. You might search e-commerce sites like Ebay, Craigslist, Offer-Up, and Facebook Marketplace to purchase those gifts.
To help you make face-to-face purchases, trades and sales in a safe manner at a safe location, the Cobb County Police Department has implemented “E-Commerce Zones” at all five precincts and headquarters. The E-Commerce zones are marked with blue signs, are well lit, and are monitored by video surveillance.
Headquarters: 545 Fairground Street SE, Suite 101, Marietta
Holiday festivities through December
There are plenty of fun festive family events happening in Cobb County this holiday season. Check out the highlights for the month listed on our official website.
Cobb is producing a Unified Development Code and wants your input. The project aims to create a one-stop document that will tear down obstacles and encourage development and redevelopment in identified centers while preserving the unique character of the county’s rural areas. The project will also protect existing neighborhoods, conserve natural and historic resources, support economic development and provide an opportunity for various housing types.
Come to one of our public meetings to learn more about the UDC:
6 - 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 6, Windy Hill Community Center, 1885 Roswell Street SE, Smyrna
6 - 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 7, North Cobb Regional Library, 3900 S Main Street, Acworth
On Saturday, Dec. 16, the organization Wreaths Across America will be at Marietta National Cemetary to honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves and saying the name on each gravestone. Sponsors can support this project by volunteering or donating.
Residents can also donate to the ongoing Cobb Veterans Memorial project. The planned memorial in Marietta aims to honor all veterans and their families, regardless of service branch, war/conflict or what they did in their service branch.
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.
MUST Ministries is one of Cobb's great partners helping to serve those in need. Their biggest fundraiser took place on the Marietta Square Thanksgiving morning. Check out the video to see the highlights and crowds of Gobble Jog 2023!
Cobb County's Law Library is more than just a lot of legal books. The library sponsors informational seminars about various legal topics in a partnership with Cobb Legal Aid. Check out this seminar on the Basics of Divorce.
A lot happens during the seven days between newsletters. Keep up with the most up-to-date Cobb County news on social media. You'll be informed of new events and programs, cancellations/delays, emergencies, disruptions to services and more.
• Not on social media? Get a daily "quick hit" of what's happening in Cobb County on the NEWCobb Blog here.
Upcoming public meetings