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Atlanta Braves and The Battery Atlanta

During the Atlanta Braves baseball season or while the team is gearing up for their next season in Cobb County’s Truist Park, The Battery Atlanta has shown that the area around the stadium is a true year-round destination with food, fun and games for all.

“We’re here all the time, even when baseball isn’t,” said Lauren Abernethy, director of marketing for Braves Development Co., which owns and operates the property.

To see everything that this live/work/play locale has to offer will take more than one trip. Much more. There are over 20 restaurants, many of which are managed by some of Atlanta’s top chefs, plus shops and entertainment destinations such as The Coca-Cola Roxy and Punch Bowl Social.

“The Battery Atlanta is most certainly active year-round with so many great things happening all the time on campus, including shows at the 4,000 seat Coca-Cola Roxy, weekly events at Live! at the Battery Atlanta, and plaza events like our corn hole and wiffleball leagues and the Movie Series,” said Jeremy Strife, SVP and general manager of The Battery Atlanta.

“In the last few months, we have hosted a lot of firsts of our own, including a tree lighting and the New Year’s Eve Bash. The energy here on a game day is undeniable, but the experiences throughout The Battery Atlanta have added to the excitement of those game days.”

When the Braves made the move out of Atlanta and Turner Field, they did so with the intention of creating a year-round destination rather than one only frequented during the team’s 81 home games. It’s safe to say that goal has been accomplished via The Battery Atlanta.

Before games begin, the area swirls with activity as fans take in food and drink at places like Antico Pizza Napoletana, Yard House, Blue Moon Brewery & Grill, and Cru Wine Bar, not to mention the fountain area and entertainment from the Braves’ “Heavy Hitters” drumline and cheerleaders.

But visiting on any given weekend or even on weeknights, guests will find the development still pulsating. Not only that, parking at The Battery Atlanta’s parking structures is usually free on non-game days for up to two hours.

“There is a big misconception with parking,” said Abernethy. “You can absolutely come here for dinner and not pay to park.”

Specifically, parking in the red, green, and purple garages is completely free for up to two hours on most non-game days, and $10 for between two and three hours. A maximum charge of $50 is assessed for stays between eight and 24 hours.

On event days, customers parking in the red, green, yellow, and purple decks who spend $50 or more at a Battery merchant will be provided a validation directly from the tenant even if they stay for longer than four hours. Groups splitting checks will receive one validation per every $50 spent.

Other transportation options include Lyft/Uber and public transportation (CobbLinc and the Cumberland Circulator). Bicycle parking stations abound as well, meaning there are many ways to enjoy at night out near the stadium.

Braves players and coaches are far from the only celebrities who can be spotted at The Battery Atlanta. The Coca-Cola Roxy welcomes A-list acts year-round, from The Shins to Billy Idol, Dropkick Murphys to Miguel. Truist Park hosts concerts as well, with acts that have included Zac Brown Band, Def Leppard and Journey, and Jason Aldean.

“To see this dynamic, one-of-a-kind development come alive over the past year is the biggest success (of year one),” said Strife. “It’s truly a one-of-a-kind development with great dining, shopping, and entertainment, plus living, working and a world-class ballpark.” In short, the area does not take a break, whether it’s July or January.

In recent years, more retail and restaurants were added, including Punch Bowl Social, Battle and Brew, El Super Pan, TopGolf Swing Suite, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Garden & Gun Club, Burn by Rocky Patel, H&F Burger, and Ph’east food hall.

Punch Bowl Social is an “eatertainment” concept, announced in January 2017, that spans roughly 27,000 square feet. It features made-from-scratch cuisine, karaoke, craft beer, vintage video games, and of course bowling. Punch Bowl Social already operates in other markets, including Minneapolis, Detroit, Denver, Austin, Indianapolis and Cleveland.

Battery officials said the concept cements the area as an exciting entertainment destination. It’s a place where families or groups of friends can stop by to bowl after dinner and/or shopping. If time allows, the bowling could be followed up by a show at the Coca-Cola Roxy.

Not that Punch Bowl Social is the only new attraction to be excited about. El Super Pan is Puerto Rican Chef Hector Santiago’s innovative take on classic Latino bakery food. “These are all great additions to our line-up of experiential and memory making concepts,” Strife said.

Lastly, out-of-town guests, conventioneers and Braves fans have a place to stay just outside the Truist Park outfield: the Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta. The luxury hotel features 16 floors with 236 rooms, 28 suites, more than 20,000 square feet of meeting space, and an elevated pool deck and bar. “The four-star experience at the Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta provides a high-quality and convenient option for our out-of-town guests. The addition of a first-class hotel brand is a home run; it’s a phenomenal facility with gorgeous views of Truist Park,” Strife said.

Aside from Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Cobb Galleria Centre and Cumberland Mall are all less than a mile away.

Still succeeding

The “work” in live/work/play is alive and well inside The Battery Atlanta thanks to Spaces, a co-working concept opened inside the $1-billion, mixed-use development. All Spaces locations provide 24-hour access to dedicated desks and office space for members. A business club is also open Monday through Friday serving the venue.

Of course, many leading restaurants will continue to serve fans and visitors as well. Antico, which opened its first Atlanta location in 2009, was among the first restaurants announced for The Battery Atlanta and has become the only pizzeria in the U.S. with 4.5 stars on Yelp.

The Blue Moon Brewery & Grill combines the southern favorites of beer, barbecue and baseball, thanks to the team of Blue Moon, Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q and the Atlanta Braves. The microbrewery is located adjacent to Truist Park and offers a rotating tap list and the ATL Brew Lab, including some baseball-themed beers.

Overall, The Battery Atlanta continues to showcase the success the Atlanta Braves and Braves Development Co. have enjoyed, both inside Truist Park and outside. The team hopes to keep that momentum moving forward for years to come. “It’s really fun to be out here at The Battery Atlanta,” said Abernethy. “The retail and restaurants are hopping every night of the week.”

Dining at The Battery Atlanta

There’s no shortage of dining experiences to be had at The Battery. From eat-on-the-go hot dogs to world-class steaks, whatever you’re craving can be found there.

  • Antico Pizza – littleitalia.com
  • Burn by Rocky Patel – burnbyrockypatel.com
  • C. Ellet’s Steakhouse – c-ellets.com
  • Cru Wine Bar – cruawinebar.com
  • Superica – superica.com (formerly known as The El Felix)
  • El Super Pan – elsuperpan.com
  • Garden & Gun Club – gardenandgunclub.com
  • Goldberg’s Fine Foods – goldbergbagel.com
  • Jeni’s Ice Cream – Jenis.com
  • Ph’east – pheastatl.com
  • Punch Bowl Social – punchbowlsocial.com
  • Blue Moon Brewery & Grill – bluemoonbreweryandgrill.com (formerly Terrapin Taproom)
  • Shake Shack – shakeshack.com
  • Yard House – yardhouse.com

Shopping at The Battery Atlanta

The Battery Atlanta provides a shopping experience that is unique in metro Atlanta. The collection of boutiques are unlike any other retail complex in the area. Check them out!

  • Archer Paper Goods – archerpaper.com
  • Baseballism – baseballism.com
  • DressUp – shopdressup.com
  • Mizuno – mizunousa.com
  • Sugarboo & Co. – sugarbooandco.com
  • Van Michael Men – vanmichael.com
  • Xfinity – xfinity.com

Address:
755 Battery Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30339

Phone:
(404) 577-9100

Online:
MLB.com/Braves/Ballpark

Tours:
Atlanta Braves Stadium Tours

Hotels:
Hotels near The Battery Atlanta and MLB Atlanta Braves Stadium

Atlanta to Host 2025 MLB All-Star Game

Ironmonger Brewing presents Iron & Anvil

On March 10th, 2018 from 3PM to 9PM at Ironmonger Brewing, Floki’s Forge and Nikki Stitch invite you the second show of Iron and Anvil Artists Alley! This event was such a success that the owners of Ironmonger demanded an encore! Come meet some of Georgia’s most talented artists and craftsmen while treating your taste buds to some of the most deliciously innovative brews around.

There will be a live blacksmith demonstration full of sparks and loud noises! Beer isn’t your cup of tea? Worry not! We will also have a wide variety of Hard Sodas for you to try. Whether it be the vendors, the brews, the food or the tunes, there’s guaranteed to be a little something for everyone at Iron and Anvil.

Date:
March 10, 2018 from 3pm to 9pm

Admission:
Free

Address:
2129 Northwest Pkwy SE, Ste 105, Marietta, Georgia 30067

Parking:
Parking out front of Brewery

For more information, please call 6788222577 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1564291376981606/?active_tab=about

Marietta City School Calendar 2017-2018

The Marietta City School Calendar for the 2017 to 2018 school year begins on Thursday, August 3, 2017 and ends on Friday, May 25, 2018.

School holidays:

  • First Day of School – August 3, 2017
  • Labor Day – September 4, 2017
  • Fall Break – September 25 – 29, 2017
  • Student Holiday/Staff Workday – October 16, 2017
  • Thanksgiving Holidays – November 20 – 24, 2017
  • Winter Holidays –  December 21, 2017 to January 3, 2018
  • Martin Luther King Jr Day – January 15, 2018
  • Winter Break – February 19 – 23, 2018
  • Spring Break – April 2 – 6, 2018
  • Last Day of School – May 25, 2018

Cobb County School Calendars:
Cobb County School Calendar 2017-2018
Cobb County School Calendar 2018-2019
Cobb County School Calendar 2019-2020
Cobb County School Calendar 2020-2021

Marietta City School Calendars:
Marietta City School Calendar 2017-2018
Marietta City School Calendar 2018-2019
Marietta City School Calendar 2019-2020


Related:
Cobb County and Marietta City School Calendars
Cobb County and Marietta City Schools
List of Federal Holidays
Summer Camps
Private Schools

Reverend Michael Dowd – Faithful to the Future: Big Picture Inspiration for Chaotic Times

This free program is geared for adults and teens and will focus on 6 points of agreement held in common by tens of millions of religious and non-religious people across the globe and how to stay deeply inspired in the face of changing climate and other large-scale challenges. It will build on Reverend Dowd’s two TEDx talks and bridge-building book, “Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World”. The book is endorsed by 6 Nobel Prize-winning scientists and religious leaders across the spectrum.

“Science and religion are not enemies; indeed, they must work together if we are to survive our impact on Earth’s climate, the seas, and other species.”
Reverend Michael Dowd

Date:
1:00 to 2:30 pm on Sunday, March 11th, 2018

Admission:
Free Program-Free Childcare

Free Childcare is provided for this event with RSVP by noon Friday, March 9th. RSVP with child’s name, age, & any special needs they may have (in order to assure correct child/adult Caregiver ratio) to: dre@emersonuu.org. Please ensure that children have had lunch prior to sign-in: Room 113 at 12:45pm. Parent sign-out for pick-up by 2:45pm.

Address:
Emerson Unitarian Universalist Congregation
4010 Canton Rd
Marietta, GA 30066

Parking:
Free Parking

For more information, please call (770) 578-1533 or visit https://www.emersonuu.org

2025 Taste of East Cobb

Enjoy some music, food and fun at the annual Taste of East Cobb. The event features delicious dishes from the some of the most popular restaurants in the area. While there, you can also enjoy great live entertainment, the Kid’s Zone with giant inflatables and hands-on activities, unique products from local vendors, and a silent auction.  All proceeds go to the Walton High School band program.

Address:
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
(south parking lot)
955 Johnson Ferry Road
Marietta, GA 30068

Date:
May 3, 2025

Time:
11 am to 5 pm rain or shine

Admission:
Free, tastes are 1 to 8 tickets, cash and credit cards accepted when purchasing tickets.
Kid Zone activities range from 2 tickets to 5 tickets.
Cotton candy, drinks, and activities range from 1 to 5 tickets.

Parking:
Park at the event or across the street at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church athletic field parking lot.

Participating Restaurants in 2025:

  • Aapka Food Adda (AFA) Indian Vegetarian Cuisine
  • Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
  • Cafe Rivkah
  • Camps Kitchen & Bar
  • Chick-fil-A (Woodlawn)
  • Green Coyote Cantina
  • J’mz BowlZ CoffeeZ & CustardZ
  • Kona Ice
  • La Madeleine French Bakery & Café
  • Marlow’s Tavern
  • Mediterranean Grill
  • Mirko Pasta
  • New York Butcher Shoppe
  • Press Waffle Co.
  • Provision Cafe
  • Righteous ‘Que
  • Schmoo Pies
  • Seed Kitchen & Bar
  • Sidelines Grille
  • Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery
  • Taqueria Tsunami
  • Ted’s Montana Grill
  • Zama Mexican Cuisine

Performing Groups in 2025:

  • 11:00 am – Dickerson Jazz Bands
  • 12:00 pm – Dodgen Pops Ensemble
  • 12:30 pm – Walton Jazz Band I
  • 1:00 pm – Walton Jazz Band Ii
  • 1:30 pm – Gmea D12 Honors Jazz Band
  • 2:30 pm – Walton Jazz Band Ii
  • 3:00 pm – Kell Jazz Band
  • 3:30 pm – Wheeler Jazz Band
  • 4:00 pm – Walton Jazz Band Ii
  • 4:30 pm – Walton Jazz Band I

For more information, please email tasteofeastcobb@gmail.com.

From Cobb County to the Silver Screen

Have you ever been watching a movie and thought, “Hey, that place looks kind of familiar…”? That’s probably because it is. Cobb County is a popular location used by the film industry, and with ideal landmarks and resources, it’s easy to see why.

“There are a lot of great things going on in Cobb County for filming. Everyone is working together to foster some great relationships within the production community,” says Holly Quinlan, CEO of Cobb Travel and Tourism. “It’s a really exciting way to put Cobb County on the map.”

Among the recent films that have helped to put Cobb County on the map are “Remember the Titans,” which filmed at Marietta’s Sprayberry High School, and “Footloose” (2011), which used Acworth Mayor Tommy Allegood’s house.

Other recognizable filming locations include the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Marietta High School, Lake Acworth, Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, Lockheed Martin, SunTrust Park, and Marietta Square. Rich Buss, Marietta’s Parks, Recreation and Facilities director, said film directors choose Cobb County for its wide range of distinctive locales, so productions do not have to travel far for the shots they need.

“We have antebellum homes, quaint neighborhoods, small streets, [and] little bungalows. We have a fair amount of commercial areas, too,” he said. “I think we have a good reputation for being film-friendly and [the county is] good at turning over a permit quickly.”

For a film corporation to receive a permit to use Cobb County grounds, they must first report to Quinlan. Then the director will fill out a form about what is happening in the movie and what the production’s needs are, followed by any additional meetings to make sure all ends are tied. “It’s the ease of access and cooperation of local government that draws people to Cobb,” said Quinlan.

Cobb County is “big enough to be big and small enough to be small,” according to Buss, and that makes organizing things like road closures easier. Though the current movies and shows filming in Cobb typically are kept under wraps, you can watch out for stars such as Hugh Jackman, J.K. Simmons, and Jennifer Aniston in familiar places for their upcoming films, “The Front Runner,” and “Dumplin.’”

Other movies to watch out for identifiable landmarks include “Pitch Perfect 3,” “Hidden Figures,” “Dumb and Dumber,” “Selma,” “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul,” “The Hate You Give,” “The Resident,” and TV shows such as “MacGyver,” “Atlanta Eats” and “Man v. Food.”

Playing host to big celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Jim Carey and Oprah is not just a cool fact: it’s also beneficial to the community to have these stars and their productions around town. “The economic impact they leave behind is significant,” said Quinlan, explaining that the crews use resources like hotels, restaurants, construction companies, dry cleaners and warehouse space during production.

Local businesses are not the only ones that can benefit. While most film and TV productions turn to social media to announce their need for extras, the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s website — Georgia.org — has further information on how you can get involved. Simply navigate to the “Casting and Crew Jobs” category on the organization’s Film and TV Production page.

The filming locations generally are open to the public, and sites like the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre have become a stop on Atlanta film tours — evidence that the industry is growing.

So whether you’re watching on the small screen or the silver screen, keep an eye open for Cobb County landmarks that could be dressed up to look like the Netherlands, the Old South or anything in between. With a booming industry and a versatile county, there’s no telling what could come next.

Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center Opens Doors for Creativity

As the digital age sets in, libraries need to adapt. No longer just the place where books are stored, libraries must become a hub of knowledge, diversity, art and technology.

The new Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road in Marietta) embodies all of the things a modern library should be and more. Since its opening on Monday, December 4, the library has outshone its predecessor, East Marietta Library, by merging arts and literature into one facility.

“This consortium allows families to enter one building and then to pursue their own personal interests, whether they be music production, reading novels, taking an art class or watching a performance,” said Jimmy Gisi, Cobb Parks and Recreation director, whose agency partnered with the library on its design and construction. “This concept is another example of how Cobb County is working to maximize our resources for the residents in our community.”

Featuring 28,000 square feet of study rooms, classrooms and more, the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center was greeted with wonder by visitors during its opening week. “On opening day, I spoke to a couple who were walking around the library,” said Helen Poyer, library director. “They were amazed at all the special features. ‘Wow’ was the reaction to the beautiful art gallery.”

Wow is right. The facility features an art gallery, children and teen spaces, vinyl music collections, conference rooms, an outdoor amphitheater, a black box theatre, jewelry making equipment and video-conference rooms. The facility also contains a digital maker space commons, where visitors can find a recording studio, practice rooms and access unique software such as Adobe Creative Cloud and ProTools.

In addition to these amenities, the library also will host regularly scheduled classes — such as art, photography and writing — in addition to live performances and classic film screenings.

“By bringing together all of these amazing resources under one roof and adding the talents of Parks and Library staff, along with involvement from the local arts community, this will be a world-class facility for learning and experiencing the arts,” said Library Manager James Mitchell, who developed the concept for the facility. “People of all ages will have access to learn and explore in a way that was never possible before.”

The $10.6-million Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center is located near the site once occupied by the East Marietta Library, which was demolished in mid-October after 50 years on Lower Roswell Road. Cobb County Chairman Mike Boyce said the facility is a 21st-century library meant to appeal to a large variety of people. When asked about his favorite section of the new library, Boyce said he loves having access to first-edition books, but he also noted the video-heavy portions of the center, which are great for kids.

“The access to recording technologies and having performance series that allows artists to showcase their talents is key to engaging younger generations,” Mitchell added. “The diverse range of new mediums offered, such as graphic novels and comics is also a great way to get the younger generations reading.”

Though the child and teen spaces are wonderful, Mitchell said his favorite part of the new library is the community of artists who make the most of the exceptional amenities. “To see that community get excited about the facility — and in the future to watch them grow as an artist — is an exhilarating experience,” he said.

Poyer had more difficulty choosing a favorite feature. “Each area/feature is special, but I am ‘wowed’ by the art gallery,” she said. “After you walk about the gallery, you can sit and further enjoy the art.”

The art gallery will highlight professional work, while the pieces made by students in the art classes will be exhibited in the classroom area. If a visitor is looking for more than art and books, there will be free concerts available on select dates. Event schedules are available at cobbcat.org.

The partnership between the library and Cobb County P.A.R.K.S. is a true representation of how things have changed for the better in the digital age, and there is still much to which we can look forward. “Libraries are reinventing themselves to be more than storehouses of books,” said Poyer. “Sewell Mill Library & Cultural Center provides an opportunity for all people to connect to the arts and literature. [It] opens the door to the world of literature through theatre, music and performing arts.”

————-

‘Literacy Week’ Brings Authors to Local Schools

During the week of Nov. 6, 2017, students from 43 schools across metro Atlanta received visits from 11 award-winning children’s book authors during Literacy Week, a weeklong celebration of reading and writing hosted by Cobb EMC and Gas South. Throughout the week, authors challenged 24,000 students to expand their creativity through writing and illustration, and to build life-long reading habits. Guest authors included several Georgia writers, as well as NASA author, speaker and space historian Andrew Chaiken, and New York Times bestselling author Brian Lies.

Marietta Easter Egg Scramble

Editor’s Note:  As of 2020, this event has been renamed the “Spring Fling & Sports Showcase.”  We were told that the Easter Bunny will still be there, however there will be no egg hunt.  More…

The 2019 Marietta Easter Egg Hunt known as the “Easter Egg Scramble” takes place at Franklin Gateway Sports Complex and begins at 6:30 pm. The Easter Egg Scramble is sponsored by the Marietta Parks and Recreation Department and features plenty of great candy and fun prizes for all. The hunt is divided into groups based on age, and after the hunt you can visit with the Easter Bunny for great photo opportunities.  Be sure to bring an egg basket and a flashlight.

Age Groups:

  • 3 and under
  • 4-6
  • 7-10

Date:
Friday, April 12, 2019

Time:

  • 6:30pm – Concession stand and gates open on Field 3 for family fun with inflatables, games, & DJ Entertainment.
  • 7:00pm – Easter Bunny arrives on Field 3
  • 8:30pm – 3 years old and younger EGGLOW Scramble on Field 2
  • 8:40pm – 4-6 years old EGGLOW Scramble on Field 1
  • 8:50pm – 7-10 years old EGGLOW Scramble on Field 2

The event organizers encourage you to arrive early to find parking and your child’s age group.  The Easter Bunny will be available for photos (bring your own camera).

Admission:
Free

Address:
Franklin Gateway Sports Complex
1034 Franklin Gateway SE
Marietta, GA 30067

Formerly held at Laurel Park

For more information, call (770) 794-5601.

Mid-Winter Break Camp

The City of Marietta’s Parks & Recreation Department is pleased to announce it will hold a Mid-Winter Break Camp for children ages 6 – 12, February 20th through the 24th, 2018 from 9am to 4pm at Custer Park Sports and Fitness Center.

This camp will include youth fitness and sports activities with group games, field trips, and more. Each camper must bring a “cold sack” lunch with the child’s name clearly marked on the lunch. Additionally each camper should have breakfast before arriving. Healthy snacks will be provided.  Please make sure each camper is equipped with active and athletic clothing only with athletic shoes.

Space is limited and registration is required in person at the Custer Park Sports and Fitness Center or online.  The cost per camper is $75 for city residents and $100 for non-city residents.  There will be extended hours (7:30am-6pm) for early drop off or late pick up for an additional $20 per camper.

Ages:
6 to 12 years old

Dates:
February 17 through 21, 2020

Time:
9am to 4pm

Cost:
$75 for city residents and $100 for non-city residents

Registration:
In person at or online

Address:
Custer Park Sports and Fitness Center
545 Kenneth E. Marcus Way
Marietta, GA 30060

For more information, please call the Marietta Parks & Recreation Department at (770) 794-5601.

Mice Tours: Exploring Jobs with Murray

The Marietta Museum of History offers tours for it’s smallest of visitors. Based on programs by the Smithsonian Institute’s Early Enrichment Center, tours will be offered to toddlers from age 3 to 5 and their parents. Different topics will be offered on the second Wednesday of every month at 10:30 a.m. and the cost is $5 per family (one adult and up to three children), additional adults and children are $5 each. April’s Mouse Tour will be Exploring Job’s with Murray!

The purpose of the tours is to introduce toddlers to history through very basic concepts like shapes, sounds, games, tools and jobs. Museum Mascots Murray and Etta are whimsical cartoon mice that will help convey the themes for the tours and provide a little fun. The tours will offer a variety of activities including story time and crafts.

They require that you reserve a spot for your toddler by calling their office Monday-Friday from 10-4 at 770-794-5710. Reserving a spot will allow the staff to have enough items for the crafts.

Date:
Wednesday, April 11, 2018 from 10:30 am 11:30am

Admission:
$5 per family (3 children and 1 adult)

Address:
Marietta Museum of History
1 Depot Street
Marietta, Georgia 30060

For more information, please call 770-794-5710