Anne Ortiz

Once again, Kennesaw, Georgia will pay homage to its Southern heritage, and will make it fun!

The Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History in Kennesaw will play host to its fourth "Through The Ages: A Living History and Military Timeline" event Saturday and Sunday in Swift-Cantrell Park. About 80 re-enactors and military experts will bring history to life as they demonstrate military acts from the time of the Roman Empire to the present military.

The event's organizer, Lead Interpreter for the Southern Museum Harper Harris, said timeline events occur across the country, but Kennesaw modeled its program after the annual timeline event in Jamestown, Va. Harris said they expect around 1,000 people to attend the event, and the public can vote on their favorite re-enactors and demonstration for awards that will be presented at the conclusion of the event.

Some of the expected demonstrations include the firing of a Civil War cannon, sword and archery demonstrations, musket firings and a fly-over by a vintage bi-plane. Horses will also be used in cavalry demonstrations, and the Georgia Military Vehicle Preservation Association will display antique military Jeeps, trucks and other vehicles.

"This event is always a lot of fun, and people really seem to enjoy it," Harris said. "It's making history come alive, and not just one time period but several are shown. With everything we do at the museum, we try to get kids involved in history and foster a love for it, and this is a great way to do that."

Harris said that a bluegrass picking session will create lively music from the pavilion stage, and to expect to see Queen Elizabeth and Abraham Lincoln. "Our Abe is very well-known and has actually been filming in Savannah the past few weeks after Robert Redford hand-picked him to play Lincoln in his Civil War movie about the conspiracy to kill Lincoln," Harris said.

The Kennesaw Optimist Club will be selling food and drinks, and Harris said that Boy and Girl scouts will receive $1 off their admission.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 14th and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 15th. Swift-Cantrell Park is located at 3140 Old 41 Highway in Kennesaw, just west of Kennesaw Elementary School. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children 4-12, and free for children 3 and younger. For more information, call the Southern Museum at (770) 427-2117.

The weather should be beautiful, so come out and enjoy!

Once again citizens of Cobb County, Georgia will gather to support a worthy cause.

On Saturday, approximately 1,000 local residents are expected to participate in the Cobb Start! Heart Walk, an annual fundraiser hosted by the American Heart Association.

The purpose of the walk is to promote physical activity and heart-healthy living, and to raise money to fund research for the No. 1 killer of U.S. citizens, heart disease, and the No. 3 killer, stroke.

According to the organization's Web site, the walk has raised more than $190,000 as of Thursday afternoon. Cobb Start! Heart Walk assistant Jane Sanders believes the organization will reach its fundraising goal of $225,000.

"There will be a lot brought in last minute, but the numbers so far are very exciting and promising," Sanders said.

Festivities begin at 9 a.m. in Glover Park on the Marietta Square. Sanders said there will be information available on stroke and heart disease; a tribute tent for those who have died from stroke or heart disease; company-sponsored tents and a kid's play area. A welcoming program will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m.

Most walkers will follow a 5K route, leaving north on Cherokee Street and returning to the Square traveling south on Church Street. The survivors who are walking will travel a shorter path, cutting over from Cherokee Street to Church Street via Sessions Street.

Sanders said WellStar has the largest group of participants, with 674 employees participating in the walk. Those interested in walking are encouraged to donate a minimum of $150, and can sign up online before the event or at the Square the day of the walk, Sanders said.

Please come out learn important facts that could affect your health and help fund the reasearch that could save lives. Most of all, enjoy a beautiful day in Marietta and make some friends!

The weather is clearing and a beautiful Fall weekend is in store for northwest Georgia. Come out and help the Cobb County city of Smyrna celebrate the season at its annual Jonquil Festival. There will be loads of entertainment for all ages, terrific food plus the opportunity to view the wares of many talented local artisans.

The festivities will take place on the city's Village Green, next to Market Village off Atlanta Road. Thousands are expected to attend the festival, which features 150 arts and crafts exhibitors, live music, local entertainment and children's activities. Admission is free. Artists both local and from around the Southeast set up booths to display a wide range of items from watercolors and folk art to fine jewelry and metal sculptures. There's also clothing, furniture and handmade crafts, said festival organizer Bill Watson. Jenny King, owner of The Studio at Marietta Station on the Marietta Square, will display her oil paintings at the festival. Her pieces range in price from $12 to $5,900. "I paint where my inspiration takes me. I use a lot of vibrant colors in my work, exaggerate light and shadow," she said. "Last year's Fall Jonquil Festival was the first festival I've ever worked. It was very exciting for me. This festival was so much fun, the crowd was wonderful and everyone was so nice. I enjoyed the energy." The festival, which dates back more than 20 years, will also include a harvest market with pumpkins, corn stalks and other fresh vegetables. Jonquil bulbs will be distributed at the festival by Keep Smyrna Beautiful. The nonprofit is dedicated to helping the public become aware of environmental issues.

After spending the day shopping, festivalgoers are encouraged to swing by any of the entertainment areas for a little rest and relaxation. Peter Hart will bring his Atlanta Puppet Show, which features marionettes and puppets that sing, dance, play the fiddle, and break apart and come back together. The puppets squirt water and will be launched across the stage by catapult. Scott Thompson, a founding member of country band Peachtree Station, will entertain guests on Veteran's Memorial grand lawn adjacent to the festival's food court.

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Treat yourself to a wonderful Fall day in Georgia's Jonquil City!

Keep these upcoming dates in mind to participate in important recycling and charitable donation programs. Thanks to Cobb County for it's leadership in these areas!

Keep Cobb Beautiful Electronics Day and Shoe Drive Saturday, Nov. 14 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Jim R. Miller Park - 2245 Callaway Road Marietta, GA 30008 Piedmont Church - 570 Piedmont Road Marietta, GA 30066

Televisions will be accepted for $10 each.

What can and cannot be recycled?

This year in addition to accepting your electronics, Keep Cobb Beautiful will be partnering with Soles4Souls to collect new or gently worn shoes.

Please bring your shoes, taped or tied together to the drop off collection boxes.

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away more than 5.5 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently donating one pair every 9 seconds.) The shoes have been distributed to people in more than 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States.

Did You Know?

About Curbside Recycling

So you want to help the environment, do the right thing and start recycling at home. But you are not sure if your local trash hauler is really recycling what they pick up from your curb.

The official Code of Cobb County, under Solid Waste states; Sec. 102-65. Mandatory offer of recycling service.

(a) All collectors must offer to their residential customers the option of having their recyclable materials collected at least once a month. Recyclable materials to be collected shall include at a minimum the following items: newspaper and aluminum.

(b) All collectors must offer an appropriate container, bags or other type of receptacle for those residential customers opting for this recycling service. Any collector providing such a container, bags or other type of receptacle to any residential customer may charge a fee for such a container, bags or other type of receptacle.

(c) In no event shall any of the recyclable materials collected pursuant to this optional recycling service be disposed of in any landfill.

Be an educated consumer. When shopping for a residential hauler that includes recycling with your waste pick-up, ask these questions.

1. What recyclables do you accept?

The most commonly accepted recyclables are paper, plastic(1-7), aluminum, steel, glass, and cardboard.

2. Do I separate my trash from recyclable materials?

Trash and recyclables need to be separated. There are NO local transfer stations (the place where your hauler takes the collected trash.) that will pull recyclables from residential waste. You will need one waste container and one recyclable container. Most recyclables can be combined into one container, making it easier for you. This is called comingled or single stream recycling.

3. When you put your recyclables out to be picked up, they should be picked up by a separate truck or placed into a compartment on the truck separate from trash.

4. Where are my recyclables taken?

Recyclable materials (paper, plastic, aluminum, steel glass, cardboard) are taken to a MRF (materials recovery facility), where they are separated.

5. What if I witness a hauler dumping trash and recyclables together in the same pick-up? If you see that your hauler is mixing trash and recyclables together there is something you can do about it. This is a County Code violation, and you can call Code Enforcement at 770-528-2125. Remember to have the hauling company name (truck number if possible), location, date and time you saw the violation occur.

Remember, if you don't get the answers you want to hear, shop around! There are many competitive and reliable waste haulers, in service in Cobb County that do offer responsible curbside recycling options. Keep Cobb Beautiful thanks you for your efforts to improve our environment.

Please Support Diaper Day In Cobb

Founded by a concerned group of community leaders, the Cobb Diaper Day Committee hopes to raise awareness that, in tough economic times, securing the most basic needs---having diapers to care for infants and children-- is a challenge that low-income families regularly face. To learn more, email Barbara Hickey, committee chairman, at esatlanta@bellsouth.net .

Join us on Oct. 26 at 5:00 p.m. at Glover Park on the Marietta Square with your diapers.

Low-Income families face:

Food Stamps do not include hygiene products such as diapers.

Diapers are expensive.

Daycare centers require parents to provide their own diapers.

Diaper rash and crying lead to more stress in the home.

Local support agencies ( MUST and C.A.M.P.) can only dispense diapers 4-6 times a year per client.

Call 770-819-8818 for questions or pick-up

Little Things Often Make A Big Difference

Thanks to the organizers of these events as well as to the wonderful citizens of Cobb County who support them! Cobb County Georgia is a terrific place to live

Such a threatening disease, but such a wonderful and fun way to fund research for a cure. On Sunday October 4th, The American Cancer Society will sponsor the Get Tee'd Off at Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon Classic Preview Party. Hosted by the PGA Superstore in Kennesaw, the festivities will include a Silent and Live Auction, Putting and Sand Clinics, Complimentary Food and Beverages (of all types!) and FREE ADMISSION! The festivities will be emceed by Chuck Dowdle, Sports Director of WSB-TV, and will feature a special appearance by Golfer Whitney Wade.

The second leg of this terrific fundraiser is The American Cancer Society Pink Ribbon Classic Golf Tournament. Registration and breakfast will take place at 8:30 am on Monday October 5th at the Marietta City Club, with the Opening Ceremony to begin at 9:30. The honoree this year is Harveda Moon, and special guests are local radio personalities Vikki Locke and Kaedy Kiley. Following the tournament will be the 19th Hole Party at the Hilton Atlanta-Marietta Conference Center.

RSVP now to Amy Davis at amy.davis@cancer.org or 770-429-0089. Get your foursome together for a day of great fun. If golfing isn't your sport, come to the Preview Party, but please be generous and do your part to help save lives that are affected by this disease.