Cobb County Government is involved in numerous holiday charity events. Find out where you can help.

• Switzer Library in Marietta is a drop-off location for MUST Ministries for non-perishable food donations as well as new and gently used winter coats for adults, teens, and children. Coats will be accepted through today, Dec. 2.
• Donate to Santa’s Elves for Seniors by contacting Andrea.rapowitz@cobbcounty.org. This helps support the program for seniors 55 and older.
• Commissioner Monique Sheffield’s MUST-Have Holiday Cheer Drive for families in South Cobb is requesting new toy donations by Dec. 9. Find donation sites here.
• Stuff-a-Bus/Cobb Christmas provides new toys to Cobb families with children ages 3 - 13. Participants can provide their donations of new, unwrapped toys at locations throughout Cobb. Find more information here. Set-up and toy donation drop off will be 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dec. 10 - 12 at the IAM Local Lodge 709 in Marietta. Find the other drop off locations here.
• The Cobb Police SWAT Santa Toy Drive will help families facing financial hardships. Donate new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 16 at the Cobb Police Headquarters, Cobb County Public Safety Training Center or any Cobb Police precinct.
• Toys for Tots has collection boxes for new, unwrapped toys at all Cobb Tax offices through Dec. 19. Find office locations here.
• Cobb Solicitor General’s Office is collaborating with non-profit The Haven of Help, Inc. for a winter coat drive. Please bring new and/or gently used coats to the fifth floor, 10 E. Park Square, Marietta before Dec. 23.

In collaboration with Cobb and Douglas Public Health, Switzer Library in Marietta will host a free COVID and flu vaccine clinic 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. No appointment needed. Walk-ins welcome. The health department will also provide free COVID test kits. Participants are asked to bring their ID and insurance card, if they have coverage. The library is located at 266 Roswell Street, Marietta.

For more information about upcoming Cobb and Douglas Public Health free events in the area, visit cobbanddouglaspublichealth.com or call 770-514-2300. 

All Cobb County Public Library locations will be closed on Friday, Dec. 6, for an annual in-service staff training day. The libraries will reopen for regular business hours on Saturday, Dec. 7. 

The Cobb County Public Library’s digital library – eBooks, eAudios, digital magazines and more – is open 24/7, every day of the year. Find the Research and Digital Library page for multiple resources here.

Cobb Senior Services is introducing its newly renovated Assistive Tools Studio, a welcoming space where residents can explore a wide range of devices designed to help seniors live independently, stay safe, and enjoy a high quality of life. 

From helpful gadgets to innovative home safety solutions, the free studio at the Senior Wellness Center, 1150 Powder Springs Street, Marietta, showcases tools that can make everyday life easier. If you’d like to learn more or think some of these tools might benefit you or a loved one, schedule a consultation. Call 770-528-5350 or contact Darlene.hettinger@cobbcounty.org.

The Interstate 285 Express Lanes Transit Study project team will hold several public information meetings on Dec. 4 and 5. These meetings are an opportunity for the public to learn about the preliminary plans for expanding transit access along the northern arc of I-285 and provide their input.

• 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4: Smyrna Community Center, 1250 Powder Springs Street, Smyrna
• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5: Hampton Inn Perimeter Center, 769 Hammond Drive NE, Atlanta
• 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5: Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Avenue, Clarkston

For those unable to attend in person, all meeting materials are available on the study website at i285ExpressLanesTransit.com. The online comment period will be open through Dec. 18.

Cobb County small businesses are invited to attend this quarter’s Coffee and Conversations 8 - 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at Bonnin's Bakery in Kennesaw. The event will provide a morning of networking and learning for business owners, entrepreneurs, and startups. This quarter’s featured content includes information on capital funding.
 
The bakery is at 4200 Wade Green Road, Suite 136, Kennesaw. RSVP to econdev@cobbcounty.org or by calling the Cobb County Economic Development Department at 770-528-2018.

Residents can help keep track of their pets through the free Cobb Animal Services' Microchip Clinic. Make an appointment for your pet to be chipped 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, by emailing jessica.darrough@cobbcounty.org.

Microchipping your dogs, cats, and birds is essential for their safety and increases the chances of being reunited if they ever go missing or are stolen. Your appointment will be at 1060 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta.

Community events continue this holiday season. Here are a few to choose from:

Tree Jubilee Pop-up Sugar Plum Market and special holiday programs - Through Dec. 12 at the Mable House Arts Center, various dates and times. Find more information here and specifics on each event.

Smyrna Tree Lighting – 5 - 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the Market Village.

Marietta Tree Lighting - Thursday, Dec. 5 - ugly sweater parade 4:45 p.m.; Santa arrival, 5:15 p.m.; tree lighting 6 p.m. in Glover Park/Marietta Square.

Acworth Tree Lighting - 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6.

Pictures with Santa - 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Cobb Extension, 678 S. Cobb Drive SE, Suite 200, Marietta. All proceeds benefit the Cobb County 4-H youth development program, 4-H supplies, judging teams, scholarships, 4-H events and professional development. Pictures are by appointment only.

Christmas Wonderland at Fuller's Park - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Dec. 7.

Kennesaw Tree Lighting / Day with Santa - 1 - 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.

Holiday Lights at East Cobb Park - 5 - 9 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8.

Holiday Artisan Market - Dec. 13 - 15 at the Cobb Civic Center. Teen Market on Dec. 14.

Find for more events here.

Cobb County has partnered with FindHelp to create a new online resource that connects residents with local, vetted assistance programs. On the site, you can search for free or reduced-cost services like medical care, food, job training, and more. Residents can access this new portal by visiting findhelp.cobbcounty.gov. The initiative is funded through an allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act.

The first of three installments of Cobb’s Unified Development Code is now available. Want to get involved? Visit cobbcountyudc.com, download and review the first installment, and provide feedback by completing a brief survey here. 

This installment includes the following sections:

• Article 1: General Provisions. This section establishes the general rules that apply throughout the new UDC, such as the name of the document, the legal authority for the county to adopt the UDC, the general purposes of the new UDC, and the transition from the county's current Zoning Ordinance to the new UDC.
• Article 2: Administration. This article establishes the procedures that apply to the review of all development applications, such as applications to rezone land, for special land use permits, for subdivision, and for zoning variances.
• Article 7: Nonconformities. This section includes the regulations that apply to existing development that was legal when it was built but that, due to changes in the zoning regulations, is no longer consistent with the rules in the new UDC.
• Article 9: Definitions, Rules of Construction and Interpretation, and Rules of Measurement.

Nashville Noel: A Country Christmas Spectacular is an all-ages extravaganza that showcases the best of country music and the joy of the holiday season 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre in Marietta. The show will feature a talented cast of southern musicians, singers, and dancers delivering a high-energy performance that captures the essence of Nashville's musical heritage and the yuletide spirit. Register and purchase your tickets here.

Are you or someone you know prediabetic or at risk for type 2 diabetes?  Would you like to learn more about lifestyles changes that can help improve overall health and prevent type 2 diabetes?

Cobb County Extension Service will host a free informational session on Prevent T2: You Can Make A Change For Life held virtually via Zoom 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19. This program includes CDC-approved curriculum and a trained lifestyle coach.  Participants will be supported and guided on how to eat healthy, make physical activity routine, manage stress and stay motivated.

Register here.

The Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration recently set the dates of the Special Elections for Cobb County Commissioner Districts 2 and 4.

• The Primary Election will take place on Feb. 11.
• The Runoff Election (if necessary) will take place March 11.
• The General Special Election will be April 29.

The board had to wait until after November's General Election to set these dates, as they depended on a possible runoff (no runoff was necessary).  Advance voting will be available for these contests at select locations. Only Cobb Commission Districts 2 and 4 voters will be eligible to vote in this special election.

A Cobb County Superior Court Judge ordered this special election after ruling the county's use of home rule powers to draw its commission maps was unconstitutional.

NOW STREAMING - CobbTV hosts public meetings, informational videos, and news about what is happening around Cobb County. 
Subscribe at YouTube.com/cobbcountygovt

LAW LIBRARY SERIES - Another in a series from Cobb County's Law Library has attorney Sharmin Anwer covering the basics of employment discrimination. Follow CobbTV's Law Library playlist on YouTube for more legal topics.

UGA EXTENSION TIPS - Cobb County's UGA Extension can help out with a variety of household topics, including cooking!  In this video, Terri Carter discusses how you can make homemade croutons for this holiday season.

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