HOT ATL BAND SOULPHONICS EXPANDING TO OTP VENUE, Strand

August 6, 2010 – 7:42 am

MARIETTA, Ga. (August 5, 2010) – One of Atlanta’s hottest and freshest bands, Soulphonics & Ruby Velle is headed to a metro venue outside of the perimeter for the first time, the Earl Smith Strand Theatre to be exact.

“It will be a great chance for us to expand into a new group of future music lovers and crowds of all ages,” said Spencer Garn, band leader and Soulphonics organist. “We’ve been selling out venues in the heart of Atlanta, and now it’s time to hit the scene just outside of our home base.”

Soulphonics & Ruby Velle make music inspired by old-school R&B and soul with nods to the sounds of today. Though they originated in Gainesville, Florida, Soulphonics came to the Atlanta scene in 2008 with a funky, fresh sound, and a lead vocalist with a sultry voice. Velle is backed by a solid lineup including a three-piece horn section (trumpet, baritone sax, tenor sax) and a driving rhythm section (B3 organ, electric guitar, bass, and drums). “Ruby’s voice is sultry and strong, sexy yet fun, and her musical style is difficult to find in the twenty-first century,” Atlanta Music Guide writer Sam Parvin described in Soulphonics show review. For a free listen of two of their latest singles, visit www.MySpace.com/Soulphonics.

According to Strand staff, patrons have been asking for more live music and Soulphonics is the first band to kick off The Strand’s new music series, which features a mix of familiar and new artists. The show is $12 in advance, $15 on the day of the show, and $2 off with a student discount.

The lead man of Blair Crimmins & The Hookers will open the show with his rough hewn take on New Orleans ragtime and 1920’s jazz. Crimmins will also be headlining the stage at The Strand with all of his “Hookers” at a family-friendly show three weeks later on September 10, 2010.

The historic Earl Smith Strand Theatre is a multi-use performing arts and events facility. The theatre is governed by the Friends of The Strand, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and depends on the financial support of private and corporate donors. It is The Strand’s mission to serve the community with cultural entertainment for a diverse audience and to promote economic health in the City of Marietta and Cobb County. For more information, tickets, or to join The Strand’s email list, visit www.EarlSmithStrand.org or call the Box Office at 770-293-0080. The Box Office is located at 117 North Park Square, Marietta, and is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 4 PM; and two hours before the show.

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CALENDAR BLURB

August 20, 8PM. The Soulphonics & Ruby Velle. The Atlanta-based Soulphonics have been selling out venues since 2008 thanks to their catchy melodies and strong groove. The band drives down the avenue of heavy-hitting funk and dips deep into a valley of soulful ballads while pulling on the style of the blues. Sultry female vocalist, Ruby Velle, is backed by a solid lineup including a three piece horn section (trumpet, baritone sax, tenor sax) and a driving rhythm section (B3 organ, electric guitar, bass and drums). Blair Crimmins opens with his original solo act featuring a new take on New Orleans ragtime. All ages. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. $2 student discount with ID. On sale now. Listen to their original singles Feet on the Ground and Fever at www.MySpace.com/Soulphonics. Earl Smith Strand Theatre. 117 North Park Square, Marietta. Box Office: 770-293-0080 or www.EarlSmithStrand.org.

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New faces have been seen around the Earl Smith Strand Theatre in recent months

July 20, 2010 – 2:50 pm

Marietta, GA (July 20, 2010)— New faces have been seen around the Earl Smith Strand Theatre in recent months.

As the former box office assistant at The Strand since its opening in January of 2009, Cobb native Sam Jacobsen sold thousands of tickets to patrons. But in early 2010, he was promoted to facilities & bar manager. He can now be seen everywhere in the facility instead of just at the box office.

“What would we do without Sam?” said Earl Reece, Strand executive director. “He’s a perfectionist when it comes to maintenance, is unbelievably handy, and an all around great guy. As the facilities and bar manager, he has been an invaluable enhancement to the staff.”

Additionally, two public relations and marketing interns have been spotted at The Strand this summer. UGA graduate Andrew Cole and KSU senior Melissa Martin provide The Strand PR and marketing support. Martin is studying Public Relations with a minor in Professional Writing.

“Both Melissa and Andrew are intelligent people and hard workers,” Reece said. “After Andrew initially proved himself in his internship, we invited him to join our staff as our new events manager. We appreciate his strong work ethic, impressive customer service, and instant rapport he creates with our guests.”

Cole, a Kennesaw native, joined the Strand’s staff after graduating from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s in advertising and minors in music and theater this spring. Cole is currently enrolled at Kennesaw State University as a master’s student in Business Administration.

The Strand staff works with one to three interns each semester in the areas of public relations, fundraising, event planning, and elementary education support. For more information on the internship programs, please visit The Strand’s website and click on the “Education” link in the “About The Strand” section.

The historic Earl Smith Strand Theatre is a multi-use performing arts and events facility. The theatre is governed by the Friends of The Strand, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and depends on the financial support of private and corporate donors. It is The Strand’s mission to serve the community with cultural entertainment for a diverse audience and to promote economic health in the City of Marietta and Cobb County. For more information on interning at The Strand or for tickets, visit www.EarlSmithStrand.org or the Box Office at 770-293-0080 or 117 North Park Square, Marietta, 30060. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 4 PM; and two hours before the show.

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Forever Remember – Marietta statue honoring first responders, military and their families

July 16, 2010 – 9:23 am

The city of Marietta and representatives from the Kiwanis Club of Marietta dedicated July 2 a statue honoring first responders, military and their families in the first phase of a new park downtown.

“The park is already making a huge difference in the way that the Roswell Street entrance to the Square looks and feels to people driving into town,” city manager Bill Bruton said.

The park, at the corner of Anderson and Roswell streets, honors former Marietta mayor Joe Mack Wilson, and the first phase includes the statue “Forever Remember,” a project of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta. The remainder of the park will be completed and officially dedicated later.

Forever Remember is for the families and loved ones of our first responders and military, Kiwanis Club of Marietta president Victoria Turney said. “It’s important to recognize and to salute those families and loved ones for their sacrifices every day.”

Encouraging revitalization of Marietta’s current parks and establishing new parks for active and passive use are goals City Council established as part of Marietta’s vision statement.

For more information, call Marietta’s Parks and Recreation Department at 770-794-5601.

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Recap of the Marietta Fireworks Finale 2010

July 6, 2010 – 9:01 am

Special Thanks to Adam for the excellent HD video footage :)

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Updated: 2010 Marietta Square Fireworks Info

July 2, 2010 – 5:25 pm

We’ve received several calls and e-mails asking about Marietta’s Independence Day parade and celebration, so we know some folks are beginning to make their plans.

Mark your calendars for July 3, as the city celebrates America’s freedom with an Independence Day parade, celebration and fireworks on the Square.

Parade

The Marietta Independence Day parade is scheduled to include more than 115 entries with 44 floats and approximately 2,000 participants. Entries include marching units from the city of Marietta, Air National Guard Band of the South, civic organizations, beauty queens, scouts and local businesses. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Roswell Street Baptist Church and travels west on Roswell Street, North on East Park Square past Glover Park and the Square, down Cherokee Street and ends at North Marietta Parkway.
Parade grand marshal

The parade grand marshall will be WellStar Kennestone Hospital, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in Marietta.

Colgate Country Showdown

The Colgate Country Showdown continues the day’s festivities on the stage in Glover Park at noon. Contestants who have won their respective singing competitions around the state will sing for the chance to appear on Nashville Star, a country music version of American Idol.
Cool off in one of Marietta’s museums

If you want to take a break from the heat, you can cool off and relax in the Marietta Musuem of History, 1 Depot Street, the Gone with the Wind museum, 18 Whitlock Avenue, or the Marietta Welcome Center, 4 Depot Street. The Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art will be closed, and the other museums will have special holiday hours. For more information, call the Marietta Welcome Center at 770-429-1115.
Fireworks

The fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. and will be shot from the First United Methodist Church parking lot. KICKS 101.5 will broadcast patriotic music during the fireworks. If bad weather is expected, the fireworks may begin a few minutes early to ensure the entire display is completed. If you want to watch the fireworks, make sure you get there early to grab a spot because traffic is expected to be heavy.

Rain date for fireworks is July 5 at 9:30 p.m.

Popular city market temporarily closed July 3

The Marietta Square Farmers Market, usually held along North Park Square, will be closed Saturday, July 3 as Marietta celebrates America’s independence. The market will return to North Park Square Saturday, July 10 from 9 a.m.-noon.

For more information, call Marietta’s Parks and Recreation Department at 770-794-5601.

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The City of Marietta will accept applications for Firefighter/EMT candidates

June 30, 2010 – 10:56 am

0800 hours Tuesday, July 6 – 1700 hours Monday, July 19, 2010.**

You must complete a Fire Applicant Screening Questionnaire before submitting an application for the position of Firefighter/EMT to determine if you are a viable candidate. If the answers you provide on this questionnaire are acceptable, the web site will automatically direct you to the City of Marietta’s Official Web Site/Employment Application page.

We urge you to thoroughly read the material contained within the Marietta Fire Department’s recruiting website, http://www.joinmairettafire.com. There you will find links to a downloadable PDF version of the Firefighter/EMT Entrance Exam Information Book and online application, Frequently Asked Questions, as well as details on a range of topics from the Application Timeline to What to Expect in Your First Year as a Firefighter.

Due to the anticipated number of applicants, we ask that attempt to find answers to your questions on our recruiting website. If you are unable to find the information you seek, you may phone our Human Resources Department @ 770.794.5562 or contact the Lieutenant of the Fire Department’s Training Division @ 770.794.5475.

** We will not accept any applications outside of this timeframe.

Fire Sprinkler System Saves Home

On April 17, 2010, at approximately 9:45 a.m., Marietta and Cobb County Fire units were dispatched to a single-family residential fire at 710 Pear Grove Pl. Marietta, GA.

Upon arrival crews found the fire had been extinguished. The officer on the scene interviewed the homeowner who stated they had been cooking fondue and the grease ignited. The homeowner then attempted to extinguish the fire but was unsuccessful. Fortunately the home was built with a fire sprinkler system that activated and extinguished the fire.

Although the response time was under eight minutes, fire can reach the point of flashover in fewer than two minutes. There is no doubt that damages were kept to a minimum due the fire sprinkler system.

For more information, call the Marietta Fire Department at 770-794-5458.

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Public invited to dedication of statue honoring first responders, military and families

June 28, 2010 – 9:22 am

The city of Marietta and representatives from the Kiwanis Club of Marietta will host a dedication ceremony July 2 at 2 p.m. for a statue honoring first responders, military and their families in the first phase of a new park downtown.

The park, at the corner of Anderson and Roswell streets, honors former Marietta mayor Joe Mack Wilson, and the first phase includes the statue “Forever Remember,” a project of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta. The remainder of the park will be completed and officially dedicated later.


View Larger Map

Forever Remember is for the families and loved ones of our first responders and military, Kiwanis Club of Marietta president Victoria Turney said. “It’s important to recognize and to salute those families and loved ones for their sacrifices every day.”

“Joe Mack had a passion for Marietta and loved the beauty of this city,” Mayor Steve Tumlin said. “He loved Kiwanis Club, and served our city as a legislator, businessman, husband, father, and also as mayor of Marietta,” he said. “When Joe Mack was mayor, he still had contacts with the Georgia Legislature that made the city of Marietta even better.”

“This is part of a project throughout Marietta to green up the entryways into the city, and create better public spaces and new parks,” city manager Bill Bruton said. “The project will make everything look a little bit nicer coming in, and really reflect the wonderful attitude we have here in Marietta by the looks of our streets, entryways and gateways coming in.”

Over the next several years, Marietta will be implementing the $25 million parks bond voters approved last fall, Ward 3 City Councilman Johnny Sinclair said. “This is a part of our master parks plan, and we will be adding several new parks to the city of Marietta in terms of active parks and greenspace.”

Encouraging revitalization of Marietta’s current parks and establishing new parks for active and passive use are goals City Council established as part of Marietta’s vision statement.

For more information, call Marietta’s Parks and Recreation Department at 770-794-5601.

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Marietta’s 175-year history Book Signing

June 25, 2010 – 8:50 am

Booksigning by authors of city’s 175th anniversary history book
Dates: 6/26/2010 – 6/26/2010
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: North Park Square

Description:
In addition to getting your favorite Georgia grown and produced products, you can get your signed copy of a book of facts commemorating Marietta’s 175-year history and meet the authors during a special book signing at the Marietta Square Farmers Market.

The book features more than 300 facts and pictures about the city from its founding in 1834 to the present including the city’s mayors and councils; Marietta’s cemeteries, museums and theatres on the Square; how the Kennesaw House was used as General Sherman’s headquarters during his March to the Sea; the history of the Marietta Fire and Police departments; Marietta’s post office; the courthouse; and how the current Hilton on Powder Springs Street was home of the Georgia Military Institute before the Civil War. Marietta resident Becky Paden and Alpharetta resident Joe McTyre compiled the facts and pictures for the book. Marietta resident Barbara Betts King created original artwork for the book.

Books will be available for $10 at the city’s tent at the corner of North and West Park Squares.

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2010 July 4th in the Marietta Square

June 24, 2010 – 3:00 pm

We’ve received several calls and e-mails asking about Marietta’s Independence Day parade and celebration, so we know some folks are beginning to make their plans.

Mark your calendars for July 3, as the city celebrates America’s freedom with an Independence Day parade, celebration and fireworks on the Square.

Parade

The Marietta Independence Day parade is scheduled to include more than 115 entries with 44 floats and approximately 2,000 participants. Entries include marching units from the city of Marietta, Air National Guard Band of the South, civic organizations, beauty queens, scouts and local businesses. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Roswell Street Baptist Church and travels west on Roswell Street, North on East Park Square past Glover Park and the Square, down Cherokee Street and ends at North Marietta Parkway.
Parade grand marshal

The parade grand marshall will be WellStar Kennestone Hospital, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in Marietta.

Colgate Country Showdown

The Colgate Country Showdown continues the day’s festivities on the stage in Glover Park at noon. Contestants who have won their respective singing competitions around the state will sing for the chance to appear on Nashville Star, a country music version of American Idol.
Cool off in one of Marietta’s museums

If you want to take a break from the heat, you can cool off and relax in the Marietta Musuem of History, 1 Depot Street, the Gone with the Wind museum, 18 Whitlock Avenue, or the Marietta Welcome Center, 4 Depot Street. The Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art will be closed, and the other museums will have special holiday hours. For more information, call the Marietta Welcome Center at 770-429-1115.
Fireworks

The fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. and will be shot from the First United Methodist Church parking lot. KICKS 101.5 will broadcast patriotic music during the fireworks. If bad weather is expected, the fireworks may begin a few minutes early to ensure the entire display is completed. If you want to watch the fireworks, make sure you get there early to grab a spot because traffic is expected to be heavy.

Rain date for fireworks is July 5 at 9:30 p.m.

Popular city market temporarily closed July 3

The Marietta Square Farmers Market, usually held along North Park Square, will be closed Saturday, July 3 as Marietta celebrates America’s independence. The market will return to North Park Square Saturday, July 10 from 9 a.m.-noon.

For more information, call Marietta’s Parks and Recreation Department at 770-794-5601.

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Building just West of the Marietta Main Post Office

June 21, 2010 – 9:38 am

I snapped this shot early today just off the Marietta Square – Progress! Wanted to share…

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