Cobb County's Main Calendar of Events

July 3 – All Cobb County government offices closed in observance of Independence Day.

Merchant's Walk Library, the third-busiest library in Cobb, will be relocated to a facility almost double its current size. The Board of Commissioners recently approved a long-term lease of more than 16,800 square feet in the Parkaire Landing Shopping Center at the corner of Lower Roswell Road and Johnson Ferry Road. The new library will include a 2,324-square-foot children's area, 1,530-square-foot multi-purpose room and a teen area. Another feature visitors will enjoy is self checkout stations. The current library is being sold to developers for $1.6 million and money from the sale will help fund the new library, which is scheduled to open in early 2010. For more information on Cobb libraries, visit cobbcounty.org/library.

This week’s Spotlight on Cobb visits the Marietta Museum of History, where we take a look at some authentic clothing from the 1800s and go behind the scenes to see how these fragile historic items are preserved for future generations. TV23 has more on this story (video).

Cobb recently purchased 13.75 acres on Old Hamilton Road, adjacent to both Oregan Park and the Bullard/Stockton property. The space will be used for parking. Oregan Park has a very successful youth athletics program and the park's board of directors has cited parking as one of the biggest challenges. Also, the Bullard/Stockton site, purchased with funds from the 2006 Parks Bond Program, will be used for passive recreation and it needs parking accommodations with safe access and minimal environmental impact. A 7,000-square-foot building on the property will be evaluated for use by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department. For more information on the department, visit cobbcounty.org/prca.

Members of Cobb County’s Neighborhood Safety Commission recently toured the county’s newest safety education resource. The 27,000-square-foot Cobb Safety Village has been designed to offer hands-on education for all ages.

The county also worked closely with local schools to develop a curriculum that allows public safety agencies to meet state training requirements in a more efficient and effective manner.

The $7.5 million facility is the first of its kind in the Southeast and will officially open with a ribbon cutting ceremony 10 a.m., Friday, July 31. The public is invited to the community open house 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, at 1220 Al Bishop Dr, Marietta. For more information on this event, call 770-852-3270 or visit cobbcounty.org/safetyvillage. To learn more about Cobb County’s Neighborhood Safety Commission visit cobbcounty.org/nsc or call 770-528-3800.

The 2009 Marietta Freedom Parade will begin 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4, at Roswell Street Baptist Church, travel through Marietta Square and end at Cobb County Police Headquarters. The parade, which will be broadcast live on Cobb government channel TV23, will kick off a day-long festival at the Square. The event will include arts and crafts booths, food vendors, inflatable bounce houses, games for children and musical performers. The fireworks display will start at dark, around 9:30 p.m., organizers said. The live broadcast of the parade will start at 10:30 a.m. and will be rebroadcast at 6 p.m. the same day. TV23 will replay the parade at 8 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. July 5-6, 7 p.m. on July 7 and 8 a.m. and noon July 9-10.

In January, the county enacted the false alarm ordinance and since that time, false alarms in Cobb have been reduced by more than 20 percent from the same period last year. That equates to 20 percent more time officers have to patrol our community and prevent crime.

"The false alarm ordinance has quickly helped us improve our efficiency as a department," Sgt. Brody Staud said. "Instead of responding to countless false alarms, officers now have more time to reduce and fight crime."

More than 41,000 residents and business owners have registered as of June. Registration of business and residential alarms in unincorporated Cobb is required, but there is no cost. However, if an officer responds to any alarm where the business or residential owner is not registered, a $100 fine will be assessed. Registration is quick and easy by visiting cobbcounty.org/police or calling 866-902-7110.

Cobb is keeping public access to valuable land used for public recreation. A lease agreement with the Secretary of the Army for about 910 acres of Lake Acworth Corps property has been renewed for 50 years. Cobb has leased this site since the 1970s and it includes Lake Acworth, a part of Lake Allatoona and Cobblestone Golf Course. The new lease expires April 30, 2059.

Cobb Sheriff Neil Warren will host the 20th annual Corn Boilin' 5:30-7:30 p.m., Monday, July 13, at Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. Donations of $20 per person will be accepted, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Cobb County Youth Museum.

In observance of Independence Day, Cobb Community Transit will not operate Saturday, July 4.

Many residents enjoy fireworks in celebration of Independence Day and the best way to do so is by visiting public displays run by professionals. However, if you do plan to use fireworks, Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services encourages residents to follow safety tips when using novelty items.

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Sparklers considered by many the ideal "safe" firework for the young, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing. Children do not understand the danger involved and cannot act appropriately in case of emergency.
• Read and follow all warning and instructions.
• Be sure others are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface. Stay away from the house, dry leaves or flammable materials.
• Never try to relight fireworks that did not fully function. Douse and soak with water and then throw away.
• Keep a bucket of water handy in case of a malfunction or fire.
• Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially glass or metal.
• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
• Store fireworks in a dry, cool place.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.
• Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.