Thanks to the MDJ for this story - what do you all think about the whole Strand debacle?

MARIETTA - City residents gathered Monday night to brainstorm ways to raise money to save the Strand Theatre by March 1 and learn how they can help.

Mayor Bill Dunaway reiterated his commitment to the Strand restoration and the need to set aside differences with Ward 7 City Councilman and Strand owner Philip Goldstein to save the historic theater.

“I believe in it,” Dunaway told members of Involved Mariettans Planning Actively for the City of Tomorrow (IMPACT). “I don’t give a damn whether it benefits the Goldsteins or not.”

Goldstein has personally donated $100,000 and rolled back the clock four years on a 55-year leasing agreement with Friends of the Strand to give the nonprofit group more time to raise money it needs to begin renovations.

Dunaway and Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens said people could donate or pledge money to the Friends of the Strand online at www.friendsofthestrand.org.

Dunaway called the Strand Theatre, built in 1935, the most important historic structure in Marietta that is not preserved.

“I do look upon this as preserving something historical,” he said.

On Jan. 1, Friends of the Strand launched a 90-day push for $750,000 it needs to begin renovations of the theater. Since, the nonprofit group has collected $100,000 in donations and pledges from untold donors. It needs another $650,000 before March 1.

Some of the 50 people in attendance said they were inspired to get behind the Strand effort after Dunaway’s speech to the Marietta Rotary Club earlier this month when he called on city business and community leaders to step up and pledge money to save the theater.

“I got inspired over the last five days,” said Marietta resident and historic preservation advocate Steve Imler. “If you think there’s value beyond the questions, go ahead and do something.”

Resident Greg Linton said he hopes a restored Strand would inspire Goldstein to renovate many of the other buildings on the Square he owns.

City residents were concerned that there was no guarantee the Strand would subsist for 55 years beyond their donations.

“They have a business plan,” Olens said, describing how the envisioned nonprofit movie theater and community center would be “far cheaper” to run than a traditional movie theater or performing arts center.

Dunaway assured IMPACT that the Strand would be a self-sustaining foundation with “a revenue stream.”

Marietta resident Jane Sherlock said she wants to help as a volunteer at a booth outside the Strand on Saturdays, and added that many people could not afford a $1,000 donation for a seat in the theater.

“Most of us want to help, but I can’t give $1,000 to a seat,” she said, adding she hoped people would make smaller donations if they could.

Marietta Historic Preservation Commissioner and Friends of the Strand board member Becky Paden said 99 of the 438 existing seats have been sold to sponsors.

Olens said he was not in Marietta when the historic courthouse was destroyed in 1969, but added he does not want the same fate to befall the Strand.

“It would really be a lot of shortsightedness to not have this as a community gathering place,” he said.

mfrench@mdjonline.com

The Atlanta Opry, who has had to relocate venues, has announced that their next show will be held at the Three Bears Cafe in Marietta on the square, Fri. evening, Feb. 16. Performers that evening will be Mickey David and Mark Scott & County Line. Tickets are $10. For more information about the Atlanta Opry log on to theatlantaopry.com.

(Marietta, Ga. – January 12, 2007) - The Canton Road Branch of the Cobb County Tag Office will be closed on Friday, January 26, to relocate to a new facility. The office is located in the Market Square Shopping Center at 2950 Canton Highway, near the intersection of Canton Highway and Piedmont Road. The new office will be located in the same shopping center, in a larger space that can better accommodate the volume of walk-in business this office now handles.

The Canton Road Branch will re-open for motor vehicle title and tag processing on Monday, January 29. Cobb citizens who need assistance with the registration of a motor vehicle on Friday, January 26, are invited to visit one of the three additional branch tag offices in the county:

• Main Tag Office
700 South Cobb Dr.
Near Atlanta Road, just south of Lockheed

• East Cobb Government Service Center
4400 Lower Roswell Road
Across from Mt. Bethel Methodist Church

• South Cobb Government Service Center
4700 Austell Road
Just north of South Cobb High School

For more information, contact Stewart Manley at (770) 528-4034.

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Released by:
David Layman
Robert J. Quigley
(770) 528-1105

The following plays and performances are being offered at theaters and playhouses right in your back yard.

Now playing in Cobb is:

n “Miss Witherspoon”: Miss Witherspoon is having the zaniest afterlife this side of the River Styx. Theatre in the Square favorite Shelly McCook stars in this irreverent comedy. $11to $30. Jan. 14 through Feb. 25. 7 p.m. Jan. 14. 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 8 p.m. Friday through Saturday. 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Theatre in the Square. 11 Whitlock Ave. in Marietta. (770) 422-8369. www.theatreinthesquare.com.

AP - The murder trial of a man charged in the deaths of two real estate agents in 2003 will be moved out of Cobb County.

Judge Dorothy Robinson issued a ruling changing the venue for Stacey Ian Humphreys’ trial. The judge condemned what she called the, “inflammatory and inaccurate statements” made by the women’s family members in criticizing the judge’s handling of the case.

Relatives of Lori Brown and Cyndi Williams have complained that the case has been slow to come to trial. Humphreys’ last appearance was in a courtroom in November 2005.

The women’s bodies were found in a model home in Powder Springs in Cobb County. They had been shot to death.

Humphreys was arrested five days after the killings.

Jan. 9 – Board of Commissioners regular meeting. 9 a.m. Second floor, BOC Room, 100 Cherokee St., Marietta.

Jan. 10-Feb. 21 – “Changing Identities: Works by Women Artists from Vietnam.” Sturgis Library Gallery, Kennesaw State University. National exhibit of 49 works introduces the work of artists who challenge the stereotypes and traditional roles of women in Vietnamese society. Free, 7-9 p.m. For more information, call (770) 499-3223.

Jan. 13 – Fairy Time Favorites. Community House, Kennesaw. 11 a.m.-noon. Some of the most popular and beloved stories, characters and fair tales are brought to life. Recommended for children ages 3-10. Tickets: $2. For more information, call (770) 422-9714.

Jan. 13 – Premier Series. Dee Dee Bridgewater, jazz vocalist. Stillwater Theatre, Kennesaw State University. 8 p.m. Awarded many honors, including Broadway’s coveted Tony Award, two Grammy Wards and France’s top honor, Victoire de la Musique. Admission: $40. For more information, call (770) 423-6650.

Jan. 13-March 17 – “Metro Montage VII.” Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art. Juried exhibition of artwork by metro-Atlanta artists containing oils, watercolors, photography and sculpture. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-5p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults: $5; seniors/students: $3; members and children under 6: free. For more information, (770) 528-1444.

Jan. 18 – “Contemporary Video Art & Photography from Kenya.” Fine Arts Gallery, Kennesaw State University. Specially-curated exhibition features some of East Africa’s most exciting and innovation contemporary art. 6:30-9 p.m. Admission: free. For more information, call (770) 499-3223.

Jan. 20 – Cobb Symphony Orchestra Children’s Concert. Dozier Centre from the Performing Arts, Kennesaw. Kids will enjoy stories set to music and get to meet a real-live composer, James Woodward. Featuring the winner of the CSO’s Young Artist Competition. 1 p.m.: children 7 and younger; 3 p.m.: children 8 and older. Adults: $5, children over 6: 1, children 6 and under, free. For more information, call (800) 595-4849.

Jan. 20 – A Night at the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History, Kennesaw. Embark on an adventure through the halls of the Southern Museum after the doors close at the end of the day. Free with museum admission. For more information, call (770) 427-2117.

Jan. 23 – Board of Commissioners regular meeting. 7 p.m. Second floor, BOC Room, 100 Cherokee St., Marietta.

Just got this from Holly W. about Ward 3 Happenings! - Thanks Holly! Cheers and Happy New Year Everyone! - Matthew

Happy New Year. I hope you had a great holiday season and are eager to start 2007, as I am. This year rather than hold regular office hours on Tuesday from 2-7pm, I will just plan on scheduling to meet with you as you contact me, if you would like to discuss items. I look forward to another successful year as your councilwoman and am open to discuss any issues that are important to you. Please don’t hesitate to contact me.

1. As many of you have noticed, the old Johnny Walker Homes site is moving dirt. I will keep you posted on this development as I am kept aware of its progress.
2. The property across the street from me was purchased and they will be building a new homesite on the corner. I have just seen the construction plans and it looks like we will have 1 new family in a 2 story house plan. I will definitely miss the trees and I am sure I will see more wildlife in my yard (then we already see) but I will look forward to new neighbors in our area.
3. In December the council began to address the following in committees:

a. Parade Permit Fees – which will affect events that utilize the Square for runs, walks, etc.
b. Art In My Park future projects: local neighborhood fundraising for art in our neighborhood parks
c. Hunting in the City Limits
d. Alcohol sales on Sunday’s
4. The City of Marietta is happy to welcome a new Chief of Police, as many of you know Chief Bobby Moody retired last year. Our new Chief of Police is Daniel Flynn who comes with much experience from Savannah and Miami.
5. I will be having a Town Hall Meeting along with Councilman Grif Chalfant on Tuesday, January 16th at 7pm in the City Hall Council Chambers for Ward 3 and Ward 2. The major topic will be on sidewalks in the neighborhood. This has been a highly talked about issue since I put the S. Woodland SPLOST sidewalks on hold. I will welcome your opinions and we will have an in-depth discussion. Some sidewalk projects in Ward 3 & 2 that we are currently moving forward with are: 1.Whitlock Ave. sidewalks from Kirkpatrick to Manning Rd. (at Eckerd’s) on the south side of the street(Nick’s-Goodyear-Eckerd) ; 2. Polk St. Ext. from Westborough Rd. to Whitlock on the west side of the street; 3. Whitlock Ave. from Dallas Circle to Windsor Dr. on the south side of the street (MHS side). And we also have the street planting medians and sidewalks to look forward to down Powder Springs St. as we move into the future.
6. I would like to also get your input on traffic calming devices in the neighborhood, for or against.

That is about it for now. Please see the upcoming events below and the City E-NEWS.

It looks like the City of Marietta has increased the cost of parking tickets on the Square - what was previously just $10 for the first violation is now $25 - get a third ticket and that cost jumps to $100 - park in a fire lane or handicapped spot and it will set you back $150 - so think twice about parking illegally near or on the Marietta Square - just a heads up.

Happy New Year!