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Randy Travis


Kool & the Gang

Mable House announces exciting concert season lineup

Cobbline Staff

The concert scene in metro Atlanta is heating up this summer with the addition of Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre’s lineup. This year, three separate series will be offered to appeal to music lovers of country, classic rock and adult contemporary genres. The summer series, presented by Malon D. Mimms Company and the Renaissance Waverly Hotel, begins May 2 and runs through late September.

Country Nights Series
The “Country Nights” summer series opens Friday, May 2, with the Oak Ridge Boys. Country star Randy Travis will perform Friday, May 30. His hits include “If I Didn’t Have You,” “Look Heart, No Hands,” “No Place Like Home” and “Diggin’ Up Bones.”

Blake Shelton’s appearance on Friday, July 11, will appeal to younger county fans. He’s appeared on the NBC miniseries “Clash of the Choirs” and his songs include “Ol’ Red,” “The More I Drink,” “Pure BS” and “Austin.”

With back-to-back number one singles on the country charts, Craig Morgan has made the most of his opportunities since charting country’s biggest hit of 2005 with “That’s What I Love about Sunday.” Singer/songwriter Danielle Peck will open for Morgan’s concert on Saturday, Aug. 30.

Diamond Rio was the first country group in history to top the charts with a debut single. Over the years, they have compiled many hits and 13 Grammy nominations. They will perform at the amphitheatre Friday, Sept. 5.

Rockin’ Nights Series
The “Rockin’ Nights” concert series kicks off Saturday, June 7, with America, whose best-known tunes were cornerstones of the ‘70s radio. The combination of melodic pop rock, country and folk-jazz elements helped the band’s entire six-album catalog be certified gold or platinum. Their hits include “A Horse with No Name,” “Sandman,” “I Need You,” “Ventura Highway” and “Don’t Cross the River.”

Eddie Money has put together a string of Top 40 hits throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s including “Take Me Home Tonight,” “Shakin’” and “Two Tickets to Paradise.” He performs Friday, June 20, at Mable House Amphitheatre.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo will kick-off the Independence Day weekend with a Thursday, July 3, performance. Benatar was a huge rock and pop force throughout the ‘80s, challenging her male contemporaries for the top spot on the charts.

One of the big arena-rock acts of the late ‘70s and ‘80s, Starship, will perform Saturday, Aug. 9, and a fifth show scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15, will be announced soon.

Summer Stars Series
The “Summer Stars” series begins Friday, June 13, on a light-hearted note with a comedian who is the self-proclaimed “King of Clean.” A.J. Jamal is best known for his various TV appearances on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, HBO’s “Comic Relief” “Show Time at the Apollo” and the award-winning series “In Living Color.”

The Delfonics will perform with the Cobb Symphony Orchestra Saturday, June 28.
Michael Bolton will also perform with the CSO Saturday, July 19. He has sold more than 53 million records and won multiple Grammys for Best Male Vocalist.

Kool & the Gang has influenced R&B music for three generations and sold more than 70 million albums. Their honors include two Grammys, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top-10 R&B hits and 31 gold and platinum albums. They will take the stage Saturday, Aug. 2.

Kenny Loggins will round out the series Wednesday, Sept. 17. He has more than 12 albums exceeding platinum status and his hits include “Your Momma Don’t Dance,” “Danny’s Song,” “Danger Zone” and the classic ‘80s anthem, “Footloose.”

Season ticket packages offer the best available seating. Each year, season ticket holders are offered first option to purchase tickets, improve the location of their seating and the option to add additional season ticket seats. Season ticket prices are offered at a 20 percent discount off individual ticket prices.

Tickets for individual shows range from $20 to $45. Tables directly in front of the stage, that seat four, are available for $300 per show.

The Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre is located at 5239 Floyd Road in Mableton and is easily accessible from the East-West Connector, Interstate 20 and Interstate 285. For more information or to buy tickets, call the box office at 770-819-7765 or visit mablehouse.org.

Children of all ages are encouraged
to participate in Cobb’s Vacation
Reading Program. Folders will be
available at all branches in late May.

Cobbline Staff

Cobb Public Libraries will be a contagious place this summer and children are encouraged to “Catch the Reading Bug” by participating in the Vacation Reading Program. Beginning in late May, reading folders will be available at all libraries.

As children take part in literacy activities, they will record them in the reading folder to count toward a certificate and fun gifts, such as temporary tattoos.

Patty Latch, program coordinator for Cobb Library System, said families are the key to success in reading for most children. Therefore parents are encouraged to participate in the program as well. Each Cobb library branch will host special activities for all ages, such as family reading time, story time and other activities. Activity calendars are available online at cobbcat.org. Programs include visits from special story tellers.

The library system is also encouraging young adults to continue extracurricular reading beyond their childhood years. Teens are invited to join “Metamorphosis @ Your Library.” By writing book reviews and submitting them to the library, teens will be registered to win items, including MP3 players, from the Friends of the Library.

When the folder is returned in July, the children will get a certificate commemorating their participation and their schools will be notified of their involvement. Along with certificates, participants will be given the opportunity to win ticket vouchers from the Atlanta Thrashers and Hawks teams.

Cobb’s summer reading program will culminate with the Reading Celebration 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Central Library, 266 Roswell St. in Marietta.

This project is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under provision of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by Georgia Public Library Service, a unit of the University System of Georgia.

For more information, visit the library Web site, cobbcat.org, or call Patty Latch at 770-528-2342.

NOAA Weather Radios
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radios may be purchased at most retailers and are the primary tool for alerting people of weather and other emergencies. In conjunction with federal, state and local emergency managers and other public officials, the National Weather Service (NWS) also broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards – including natural (such as tornadoes or hurricanes) and environmental (such as chemical releases). NOAA weather radios will sound an alarm when the NWS issues an emergency alert, followed by a broadcast with details about the emergency; some models can even be programmed for specific geographical areas, allowing you to determine the area(s) for which you receive alerts. Visit nws.noaa.gov/nwr for more information.

Outdoor Warning Sirens
Cobb County has more than 70 outdoor warning sirens to alert residents during a weather-related emergency, including ten sirens that can also broadcast voice messages. The intent of warning sirens is to alert people who are outside that an imminent danger is approaching; they are not designed to be heard within a home or other building. Cobb County conducts siren system tests at noon on the first Wednesday of each month, sounding the sirens for 3 to 5 minutes.

Local Network and Cable Television
During severe weather events, residents should watch local television news channels to monitor events closely. Local stations typically increase news coverage as necessary during severe weather, and preempt regular programming when warranted, to keep the public informed. Cobb also has its own local government access channel, TV23, which broadcasts alerts and information as needed.

Radio Stations
Radio stations usually have hourly news briefs and also closely monitor current conditions when circumstances dictate. In the event of power failures, every home should have a portable radio with spare batteries.

Web Alerts
Cobb County Communications offers a free CobbLine News and Alerts subscription service that provides you with emergency alerts issued by Cobb’s EMA, Public Safety, Transportation and Water System Departments. Subscribers to this service receive emergency alerts, press releases and weekly newsletters via E-mail. You can subscribe to this service at ema.cobbcountyga.gov, as well as view the latest emergency alerts at any time.

No one can protect you and your family better than you! Stay informed — be ready!

• Tuesday, May 20, 7 p.m.
  South Cobb Regional Library
  805 Clay Road, Mableton

District Three Commissioner Tim Lee will host a town hall meeting and all district three residents are encouraged to attend. For more information, call 770-528-3318.

• Monday, June 2, 7 p.m.
  Mountain View Community Center
  3400 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta

Cobbline Staff

New medical equipment donated to Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services came just in time to help save a small dog named Max. Cobb Animal Control recently gave the department 52 animal recovery oxygen masks purchased with donations received from county residents and organizations.

When units responded to a house fire in March, they found a small dog that had been overcome with smoke in the living room. Max was taken out and rescuers administered oxygen using the new masks. His condition improved and Animal Control took him to an emergency veterinarian for further treatment. Max was reportedly doing well when his owner reclaimed him the next day.

Cobbline Staff

The Atlanta Regional Military Affairs Council will host the 56th Annual Military Affairs luncheon Monday, May 19, at Cobb Galleria Centre. The guest speaker will be Admiral Patrick M. Walsh, Vice Chief of Naval Operations. This event is sponsored by Lockheed Martin in partnership with Cobb Chamber of Commerce. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with the luncheon at noon. Tickets are $40 per seat or $400 for a table of ten and the registration deadline is Monday, May 12. For more information, call 770-980-2000.

Cobbline Staff

A tennis block party will be held 3-10 p.m., Saturday, May 10, at Harrison Tennis Center, 2653 Shallowford Road, Marietta. The event will feature tennis attractions, including instruction and interactive games. People of all ages and abilities will have the opportunity to learn and enjoy the benefits of tennis from skilled professionals and special guests. The event is free and hosted by East Cobb Tennis and Harrison Area Community Tennis Associations.

For details, call East Cobb Tennis chairperson Leanne Wood at 404-432-9385.

CobbLine Staff

Food preservation is a science and food scientists update information regularly. Cobb County Extension has current publications on canning fruits and vegetables; jams; jellies; salsa and pickle recipes; and freezing fruits and vegetables. Instructions on how to use a pressure canner and water bath canner are also available. Free dial gauge canner testing is available by appointment and food preservation DVDs are available for loan. For more information, call 770-528-4090 or visit cobbextension.com.

Children and parents will love the Children’s Creative Corner and Play Pavilion, artists’ market, restaurant row and live music throughout the day. Pebblebrook High School’s Company will perform, along with New York saxophonist Reggie Hines at 8 p.m. with special guests trumpeter Melvin Miller of Five Men on a Stool and vocalist Tammy Allen.

Admission is free and reserved concert tables for four are available at $50 per table. All proceeds benefit the South Cobb Arts Alliance. For details, visit southcobbarts.org.