Districts 2 and 4 now making choices for commissioners
Advance voting is happening in the primary for the upcoming Special Elections for Cobb County Commission Districts 2 and 4.
• ThroughFeb. 7 - Advance voting at any location listed. Find advance voting locations here.
• Feb. 11 - Special Elections Primary. Vote at your polling place only.
• March 11- Primary runoff elections if needed
• April 29 - General Special Election
Only Cobb Commission Districts 2 and 4 voters are eligible to vote in this special election. Go to Find Your Commissioner online to identify the district where you live.
Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid will continue a series of community meetings to discuss House Bill 581 and other issues for the coming month. They are scheduled for:
7 - 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4 - South Cobb Recreation Center, 875 Riverside Parkway, Austell
10 a.m. - noon Saturday, Feb. 8 - Ron Anderson Recreation Center, 3820 Macedonia Road, Powder Springs
7 - 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 - Northeast Cobb Community Center, 880 Shaw Park Road, Marietta
7 - 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 - North Cobb Senior Center, 3900 S. Main Street, Acworth
HB 581, approved by voters in November, implements a statewide adjusted base year ad valorem homestead exemption. Jurisdictions may opt out of the homestead exemption by following specific procedures by March 1. Cobb County already has a floating homestead exemption, which benefits taxpayers more.
No decision will be made on opting out until the end of the public hearing period. Public hearings are set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the BOC meeting room, 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta. If the board decides to vote on opting out of HB 581, it must do so during its Feb. 25 meeting, just before the state-mandated deadline.
February is Black History Month! The Cobb County Public Library System has compiled a booklist for all ages to help celebrate the importance of black history and the contributions of African Americans to our history and culture.
2025 is the year of the snake, a symbol of rebirth and good fortune, according to Chinese culture. Cobb County Water System encourages you to use a drain snake to bring home the best of fortunes and give a new life to your pipes.
Drain snakes are a great option for removing many types of clogs like hair, food, and mineral buildup. They are also less invasive than other unclogging methods such as harsh chemicals. Visit the Cobb County Water System Customer Service lobby, located at 660 South Cobb Drive, during February to pick up a free drain snake, while supplies last.
Want to learn more on how Fats, Oils, and Grease affect the wastewater treatment process? Save the date! The next Water Reclamation Facility tour is 6 - 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at the Northwest Waste Reclamation Facility in Kennesaw. Go here to register for the tour.
An artistic break for the kids
Keep the kids busy when Cobb County and Marietta schools are out for Winter Break, Feb. 17 - 21. Check the art camps available for their fun and your relief.
Fullers Park Kidokinetics Sportsplay - for ages 6 - 12, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday - Friday, Feb. 17 - 21 at Fullers Park. (44029). Go here to register.
TV Production Winter Break Camp - for ages 6 - 12, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday, Feb. 17 - 21, at Fair Oaks Recreation Center. (43158). Scriptwriting, acting, directing, and camera techniques, plus recreation time. Go here to register.
The Art Station Kennesaw -- half-day Art Camp for kids ages 6 - 17 from 1 - 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. (#43971) Go here to register.
The Art Station Kennesaw -- half-day Clay Camp for ages 6 - 17 from 1 - 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. (#43969) Go here to register.
The Art Place Marietta -- half-day camp, Stories Through Art, for ages 8 - 12, Monday-Friday Feb. 17 - 21, from 1 - 4 p.m. (#42329). Go here to register.
Mable House Arts Center -- full-day Theatre Camp for ages 5 - 14, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. (#42521). Go here to register.
Ease a taxing time this financial season
Get help with your taxes. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is providing free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service at Cobb libraries:
South Cobb Regional Library - Mondays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Feb. 3 - April 14, 805 Clay Road, Mableton. Email sclibtaxes@gmail.com for an appointment. Appointments can also be made at these locations on the AARP website here or in person during the times listed above.
East Cobb Library - Tuesdays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Feb. 4 - April 15, 4880 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. Email eclib.taxaide@gmail.com for an appointment or on the AARP website here.
Switzer Library - Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Feb. 6 - April 10 (except Feb. 27), 266 Roswell Street, Marietta. Email Switzertaxes@gmail.com for an appointment or go to the AARP website here.
Mountain View Regional Library - Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Feb. 6 - April 10, 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. Email mvlibtaxes@gmail.com for an appointment or go to the AARP website here.
TaxAide volunteers will confirm appointment requests made by email or in person. Membership in AARP is not required but appointments are required. Bring your 2023 returns and 2024 tax documents, your social security card or other identification documents for yourself and all dependents. For direct deposit refunds, you must have a valid check.
Provide your feedback for our PARKS
At Cobb PARKS, engaging with the community is an essential part of its mission. The department emphasizes the importance of creating programs, policies, and plans that cater to community needs, and this begins with truly understanding and prioritizing their experiences.
Your feedback is essential for it to continue delivering exceptional services. Please share your thoughts by completing a brief survey at PARKS - Community Interest Survey.
Self-care event springs forward next month
Recharge your mind, body, and spirit at the "FED: Focus, Energy, Direction" wellness weekend, happening 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. March 22 - 23, at the Mable House Arts Center in Mableton. This event is designed for adults aged 18 and older, offering a unique opportunity to explore holistic self-care through arts and nature-based programming in a peaceful, community-focused environment. Cost is $25 per day. Visit here to read more about the breakout sessions available.
Browse for your new pet at Cobb Animal Services
Come meet the pet you’ve been eyeing online. Cobb County Animal Services is offering a $30 adoption deal for the month of February.
Save the dates of March 7 - 9 for the next Cobb County Public Library book sale at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta. There will be thousands of gently used books, DVDs, CDs and more at incredibly low prices. Proceeds will support library programs and services.
Join the Cobb Library Foundation for an evening with bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Friday, April 25 at the Atlanta Country Club in Marietta. Enjoy an elegant gala celebrating the joy of reading and storytelling. Nielsen is the author of The Ascendance series, "The Traitor's Game" series, and the historical novels "Iceberg" and "A Night Divided" among others.
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.
