Freezing temperatures are expected later this week. The public should watch for announcements regarding the Hope House winter warming shelter. MUST Ministries typically opens the shelter when overnight low temperatures are expected to fall below 35 degrees.
Log onto Cobb County social media sites or cobbcounty.org to stay informed.
Keep your water running despite the cold
Winter weather is here. Temperature drops, especially below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, can lead to pipe damage and possible breakage. As water freezes it expands, producing extreme pressure on metal or plastic pipes, causing possible break and cracks. Once the frozen broken pipes thaw, they may result in flooding and excessive water loss. Some tips to help winterize your home include:
Insulate exposed pipes and cover your outdoor spigots.
Shut off spigots that are not in use.
Drain irrigation systems and disconnect outdoor hoses.
Open cabinet doors under the sink to allow heat to reach pipes near exterior walls.
As temperatures start to rise, check for leaks in pipes.
In case of an indoor leak, shut off the home’s main valve. For outdoor leaks, shut off the valve at the water meter. For help locating your home's water shutoff valves, watch this video.
Ribbon cutting marks Discovery
Last week's ribbon cutting for a new trail in Cobb celebrated the first section to open in the Chattahoochee RiverLands project. This section of Discovery Park in South Cobb is the start of the project which will connect 19 metro Atlanta cities and seven counties to the Chattahoochee River and each other with a greenway trail of parks, overlooks, access points and trailheads.
The site also offers the first-ever public access to the river in South Cobb County. Officials from Cobb, Mableton, and the Trust for Public Lands officially opened the park which has a 2.4-mile loop made up of a boardwalk and paved and unpaved trails with river overlooks. Phase 2 will include bridges across Nickajack Creek and connectivity to future trails planned for the area. Discovery Park is located at 6653 Discovery Boulevard, Mableton.
Winter activities easy to locate
Find a new hobby or dive into a favorite activity with Cobb PARKS winter season activity guide. The issue features an article showcasing participants in Therapeutic Recreation taking part in the Special Olympics, a holiday lineup that promises fun for the whole family, exciting events like the Holiday Artisan Market, a Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt, a Galentines party, and more. Cobb recreation centers are introducing new programs, with additional offerings added throughout the season, so bookmark the page and check back often.
During the annual Legislative Breakfast last week, Cobb's Board of Commissioners and county leaders met with members of its state legislative delegation. The delegation consists of members of the Georgia House and Senate who serve part of Cobb County. The group talked about issues coming up in the 2025 legislative session that could impact Cobb and county leaders shared topics they would like to see addressed by the legislature.
Cobb Senior Services offers the public its monthly update online here. Highlights include information about its renovated assistive tools studio and calendars outlining various events at the county senior centers.
Provide families a bit of joy for the holidays
Cobb County Government is involved in numerous holiday charity events. Find out where you can help.
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. Donation collection points will be Dec. 10 - 12 at various locations. Find the tentative schedule here. Times and locations subject to change. Go here for more information.
Commissioner Monique Sheffield’s MUST-Have Holiday Cheer Drive for families in South Cobb is requesting new toy donations by Thursday, Dec. 12. Find donation sites here.
Switzer Library in Marietta is a drop-off location for MUST Ministries for non-perishable food donations.
Donate to Santa’s Elves for Seniors by contacting Andrea.rapowitz@cobbcounty.org. This helps support the program for seniors 55 and older.
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.
Holiday events held throughout Cobb
Community events continue this holiday season. Here are a few to choose from:
See Christmas past at the Green-Bullard House Museum 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. The historic house will be decorated in period greenery and rooms will feature a Christmas tree decorated in the style of the period from 1830 - 1880. See Santa from 10 a.m. - noon. Carolers from Like the Dickens will perform from noon - 1 p.m.
Nashville Noel: A Country Christmas Spectacular is an all-ages show that mixes country music and the joy of the season 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre in Marietta. Register and purchase your tickets here.
The Jennie T. Anderson Theatre is also hosting festive performances from the community during the show Home for the Holidays at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. Get tickets for Dec. 21. Get tickets for Dec. 22.
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.
The loving gifts continue this month at Cobb County Animal Services. All pet adoptions are free in December. Make an appointment to bring home a companion at 1060 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta. View the available animals here.
Save the date for a fun-filled Santa Paws event noon - 4 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22 at the shelter. Santa Claus will be there to have photos taken with your pet.
Assistance just a click away
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.
NOW STREAMING - CobbTV hosts public meetings, informational videos, and news articles about what is happening around Cobb County.
Thanks to the thousands of runners who spent Thanksgiving morning burning some calories and helping MUST Ministries raise more than $600,000. Check out the sights and sounds of the 22nd annual GOBBLE JOG!
Cobb County Public Safety Director Michael Register talks about the latest issues in Cobb Public Safety, the steps taken this year to bolster those who serve, and what's ahead for 2025. Check out the latest "Dialogue with the Director."
Board of Commissioners regular meeting, 9 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10
Board of Commissioners zoning hearing, 9 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17
Meetings take place at 100 Cherokee Street, 2nd floor unless otherwise noted. Many public meetings and hearings are broadcast live on CobbTV and YouTubeand are available on demand on YouTube.
There's a lot going on in Cobb County that doesn't fit in one newsletter. Keep up with what's going on by subscribing to department enewsletters and following us on social media. You'll be informed of new events and programs, cancellations/delays, emergencies, disruptions to services and more.
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