Gabriel’s Restaurant and Bakery, renowned for its mouth-watering desserts and daily helpings of fresh veggies, announces its expanded new dinner menu, new hours and a new chef.

Chef Brian Charles has joined the culinary team at Gabriel’s Restaurant. Brian, along with owner and cookbook author Johnnie Gabriel, has developed an expanded dinner menu that debuts this week. Rotating dinner specials will include Shrimp and Grits, Chipotle Maple Barbeque Beef Brisket, Fried Tilapia Over Cheese Grits and Fried Chicken. Gabriel’s will also offer such favorites as meatloaf, roasted chicken, and country fried steak and salmon cakes nightly.

Brian graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta’s Culinary Program and gained popularity during his time as a chef at Marietta Country Club and Pinetree Country Club. His followers will be pleased to know his culinary creations can now be found at Gabriel’s.

“Our goal is to provide a warm, friendly restaurant where you can bring your entire family for delicious, southern comfort-food at a good price,” says owner Johnnie Gabriel.

Gabriel’s will now serve dinner Tuesday – Saturday nights until 9 pm.

Johnnie Gabriel, along with her husband, Ed, opened Gabriel’s in 1996. They started with a small bakery which has since tripled in size and evolved into a full-service restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts six days a week.

Gabriel’s reputation for mouth-watering desserts and homemade southern cuisine has been recognized with numerous awards in Atlanta Magazine’s Best of Atlanta editions along with publication of recipes in national magazines such as Cooking with Paula. Johnnie has cooked with Paula Deen, America’s beloved chef and Johnnie’s cousin, on Paula’s Best Dishes and Paula’s Party. Johnnie’s cookbook, Cooking in the South with Johnnie Gabriel, is in its second printing, and Johnnie just announced her second cookbook, Second Helpings, would be available in the fall.

Gabriel’s Restaurant and Bakery, located at 800 Whitlock Avenue in Marietta, is open Mondays from 7 am – 6:30 pm and Tuesdays – Saturdays from 7 am – 9 pm. They can be reached at 770-427-9007 or found online at www.gabrielsdesserts.com

“First Data was looking at opportunities in several states, and the main reason we are the winner is because of the new Opportunity Zones we created late in 2009,” city manager Bill Bruton said.

Opportunity Zones are a Georgia Department of Community Affairs economic development program that encourages new businesses to locate in the city or expand existing businesses here. When two or more jobs are created, businesses may be eligible to receive $3,500 in employee state tax credits for each new job through October 2019. Marietta’s opportunity zones include portions of Fairground Street, Roswell Street, Powder Springs Street, the South Loop, Franklin Road, and industrial and heavy commercial locations throughout Marietta.

“We are excited that First Data is the first business to relocate in one of Marietta’s new opportunity zones that will help the city’s economy and provide new jobs for our community,” Mayor Steve Tumlin said. “With help from the Georgia departments of Economic Development and Community Affairs, Marietta was one of the leaders in the state to take advantage of the program that encourages companies to create jobs by providing state tax credits. This is a great announcement for Marietta and Georgia.”

For more information, contact the city’s Economic Development division at 770-794-5717.

A classic design with a historic name, Uncle Ruban reminds us of the way people moved around the city in the early 20th century. Marietta’s only trolley guides you throughout the historic city in style. From the traditional colors and park bench seating to the timeless clang…clang of the bell, join us for a trip back in time.

Civil War Tour

Step back to a time when Sherman marched down to the Marietta Square. This special Civil War Tour, done quarterly and for private reservations of 15 or more, takes you to Cheatham Hill, the site of the worst fighting on the Kennesaw Mountain Line. The soldiers who fought over this ground will tell you of the day’s events. The Confederate and National Cemeteries will be explored as you walk among the graves of the brave men who died around the Marietta area in 1863-1864. We will tell of the devastation to the town of Marietta and its people, as told in their personal account. Spend two and a half hours riding in comfort and enjoying the stories of Marietta’s Civil War History.

National Cemetery Walking Tour

In 1866, the reburials of the Union men who died in the Atlanta campaign were begun and placed on 23 acres of land east of Marietta. Today, the Marietta National Cemetery is a tapestry of American History, as every war America has fought in is represented in the cemetery. You will spend two hours walking the beautiful grounds of this cemetery to learn its history and stories of the many men and women buried within its walls. This is limited to groups of 10 or more.

Join us for one of our special walking tours. Celebrate Veteran’s Day with an evening candle-lantern walk starting at 5:30 pm. Then on December 12th after the Wreaths across America program’s placement of Christmas wreaths there will be an afternoon walking tour at 2:00 pm. This will be followed at 5:00 pm by an emotional evening candle-lantern walk with readings from original letters sent at Christmastime by the soldiers buried here.

It’s a Line Drive to Turner Field

Want to go to the game? Don’t want to hassle with the traffic and the long drive to the stadium? Let us take you to the game on select Friday nights throughout the season. We provide front door service so you don’t even have to walk from your car, we’ll wait for you the entire game, and bring you back. You can even stay and enjoy the fireworks if you like.

For more information contact us at 770-425-1006 or visit the Marietta Trolley website

Fear in Faith, Andy Lee Stephens Band, 3 Way Street, Southern Justice, Biohazard, Men in Blues, Roger “Hurricane” Wilson, and Hoosier Daddy Band entertained the crowds on four stages on the Square all day. 

Awards

• All-American: Aspens Signature Steaks
• Dangerously Delicious Dessert: Vineyard Cafe
• The Big Chicken: Taco Mac
• The Grillmaster: Sugarcakes Patisserie
• Finger Lickin’ Good: Rib Ranch BBQ
• Tastiest Taste: Talk of the Town
• Most Unique Taste: Keegan’s Public House
• Best International Dish: Blu Greek Taverna
• Best Comfort Food: Delightful Bite Catering

Taste of Marietta is held annually on the last Sunday in April.  Next year Taste of Marietta will be held April 25. 

For more information, call the Marietta Welcome Center & Visitors Bureau at 770-429-1115.

The Marietta Square will be the place to be April 3, May 1, June 5, August 7, September 4 and October 2. Each of the participating First Friday merchants will stay open until 8 p.m. and will host in-store events.

First Friday Art Walk will be held the same evenings from 6-9 p.m. Art galleries will be featured, and merchants will display local, original works of art in their shops.

Art Walk maps, which denote what locations are featured and what artists will be spotlighted that evening, are available at each participating merchant, at the Marietta Welcome Center & Visitors Bureau, located near the Square and online.

At each Art Walk stop, you’ll have your map stamped. After you finish the Walk, turn in your completed map with 10 locations stamped, to the Art Walk Headquarters at the DK Gallery, 25 West Park Square, for a free gift bag.

The Historic Marietta Trolley will run a free shuttle service from 6-8 p.m. to make it easier to get to all the Art Walk stops. Again this year, the Historic Marietta Trolley Company and Ghosts of Marietta will team up for “Scary-etta,” the trolley ghost tour. The tour will depart Trolley Headquarters, 131 Church Street, at 8 p.m.

First Friday on the Square and the First Friday Art Walk will be held rain or shine.

Parking is available on the Square, in the Mill Street lots, and free parking is available in the Cherokee Street Parking Deck. Admission to the Art Walk is free. Handicapped parking is available.

There will be no First Friday in July, as Marietta celebrates its 175th anniversary and America’s independence in the Park.

For more information about “Scary-etta,” call the Historic Marietta Trolley Company at 770-425-1006 or visit mariettatrolley.com.

For more information about First Fridays and the First Friday Art Walk, call the Marietta Welcome Center & Visitors Bureau at 770-429-1115 or visit artwalkmarietta.com.

Don’t forget to Sign up now for:
Wine & Chocolate Class (March 20th) (Space limited -Only a few seats left) Wine & Cheese Class (April 16th) Details Below
North GA Wine Trip (May 3rd) Note: We have already guaranteed ½ of the seats available Space is limited to 50. Details Below.

The Marietta Wine Market holds weekly Wine Tastings every Wednesday 5pm-7pm and Saturday 2pm-4pm. Each week we sponsor a different local charity and serve complimentary hors d’oeuvres. A $10-$15 donation is suggested. Upcoming Charities: Marietta Fire Department, Cobb Symphony, Cobb Junior League, YWCA

All 198 guest rooms and public space feature new decor, furniture and accessories including Hilton Suite Dreams beds by Serta, 42-inch LCD flat screen televisions and Serenity Bath Collection packages for all guest bathrooms, which include new stainless steel accessories, fixtures and a selection of Crabtree & Evelyn’s La Source products.

The improvement also includes upgraded high-speed Internet access and refurbishments to the pool and fitness areas. The ballrooms have been extensively remodeled and the hotel is poised to be the premier location to host corporate events and exclusive community and social functions.

The renovation is expected to be completed in the next 60 days.

For more information call 770-427-2500.

Here are the various tour types that are offered:

“Ghosts of Marietta” Walking Ghost Tour

“Scary-etta” Trolley Ghost Tour

“Spirts and Spirts” Tour

General Information

A graduate of Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, Ms. Battershill-Diaz has been in banking for fourteen years at Bank of America and the former SouthTrust, Washington Mutual and Colonial Bank. She is experienced in commercial real estate lending and in general business loans, also called C&I Lending (Commercial and Industrial). Fluent in Spanish, Ms. Battershill-Diaz is active in the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic American Center for Economic Development. Ms. Battershill-Diaz resides in Kennesaw.

Mr. Waters, who received his BBA in Finance from the University of Georgia, has been in the financial industry for ten years beginning as a credit analyst for the former First Union bank and more recently as a lender/business development officer with the Georgian Bank. His lending background includes C&I lending and real estate lending, and he also holds insurance licensing. Mr. Waters is active in the Cobb Chamber, the Rotary Club of Marietta and is President-elect of the Leadership Cobb Alumni Association. He resides in Marietta.

First Landmark Bank opened as a state-chartered de novo bank in March 2008 and is headquartered at 48 Atlanta Street in Marietta. During 2009 the bank’s permanent building (approx. 20,000 sq. ft.) will be under construction at the intersection of the North Marietta Parkway and Cole Street in Marietta. The bank offers traditional banking products and services, and additional on-line banking, cash management and remote deposit banking services.
Member FDIC.

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For more information contact:
Ron Francis 770.799.5661 – rfrancis@firstlandmarkonline.com or Renee White 770.799.5660 – rwhite@firstlandmarkonline.com

Here’s the mission statement from First Landmark Bank located in downtown Marietta, GA

As President and Chief Executive Officer of First Landmark Bank, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our website. If you seek a bank that knows you, serves you and works to tailor the right financial solutions for you, I believe you will find us to be the bank for you.

Our mission at First Landmark Bank is to be the bank of choice, serving our community with a dedication to excellence, integrity and service beyond expectation. The Board of Directors, Officers and Employees of First Landmark are dedicated to serving the banking needs of Marietta, Cobb County and northwest Atlanta. In addition, we enjoy areas of service and leadership in several civic and charitable organizations and take pride in the community we serve.

We want to be a part of your personal and professional success. When you are ready to begin a better banking relationship, we hope you will come by our office or give us a call.

Ron Francis

It’s the new year so we’re all about helping you to get reorganized. We wanted to let you know that Murphy’s Popcorn is putting on an event that might be just up your alley. Lindy Jones of Sort it Out!! will give you those great tips, suggestions and ideas on organizing your kitchen, your bedrooms, your pantry, the garage, you name it .

THE DATE: Saturday, January 10th, 2009

THE TIME: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

THE LOCATION: Murphy’s Popcorn Store (View Location of Murphy’s Online)

THE EVENT: Do you need ideas to help organize your life and your home? Do you have rooms that overwhelm you? Do you need direction as to where to begin?

Lindy Jones of Sort it Out!! will give you those great tips, suggestions and ideas on organizing your kitchen, your bedrooms, your pantry, the garage, you name it .

Lindy will show you the storgage units she finds most effective, where to buy them and how to best use them. She will show you how to begin the processes of cleaning out and organizing your room or how to get a budget started. Come by and ask Lindy her advise about your problem.

We will see you Saturday, January 10th. Our flavor’s of the week are Sour Cream and Onion and Blueberry/Cherry!