Marietta Square Summer Concert Series 2010 Schedule

June 14, 2010 – 9:00 am

We wanted to let you all know the dates for the remaining Summer Concert Series on the Marietta Square.

2010 Glover Park Concert Series Schedule and Performers

* April 23: Modernaires Orchestra (Swing)
* May 28: Pieces of Eight (Beach)
* June 25: Soul Purpose (Oldies)
* June 26: Cobb Symphony Orchestra
* July 30: Bayside (R&B / Beach)
* August 27: Livin’ Large (Oldies)
* September 24: The Glow Band (Pop)

Address:
Glover Park
50 Park Square
Marietta, GA 30060

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

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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid at the Strand in July!

June 11, 2010 – 2:53 pm

Where? The Strand

When? July 17 at 8:00 PM

Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) and the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford) are the two leaders of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. Butch is all ideas; Sundance is all action and skill. The Wild West is becoming more civilized and when Butch and Sundance push their luck with a train robbery, a posse stays hot on their trail. Trouble finds the charming desperadoes wherever they go. These Hollywood legends display their gifts for perfect comedic timing and charisma as they pull off heist after heist in this 1969 Academy Award-winning film. Organ pre-show at 7:30 PM.

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Brown Bag Lunch Concerts on the Marietta Square Cancelled

May 14, 2010 – 2:37 pm

The AJC is reporting that the Brown Bag Lunches on the Marietta Square have been canceled…what do you think about this? At a cost of only $200 a piece it seems a bit much to cancel them. I’m guessing that merchants were upset, but how many of those moms took their kids to lunch on the Marietta Square and also spent money. Most of them, I’d bet.

Your thoughts?

Copyright: Bob Andres, bandres@ajc.com
Photo Credit: Bob Andres, bandres@ajc.com

Bella Simmons, 3, from Marietta (right) splashes in the renovated fountain with Daniel Horne, 3, from Marietta. The Thursday Brown Bag concerts on the Marietta Square during May and September, a tradition for years, may be ending. The Marietta Square just underwent a four-month long renovation that included ornamental poles for lights and traffic signals, decorative lighting and consolidated signage, brick crosswalks, and a refurbished fountain.

Here’s the quote from the AJC on the issue:

At least, that was the way the Brown Bag Lunch Concert was supposed to work.

But few of the city and county employees headquartered just blocks away ever showed up with store-bought fare. In their place came moms toting dancing toddlers, said Mike Gabler, a city parks official.

“It rapidly turned into a moms’ day out type of thing,” he said.

Businesses complained about the parking spaces lost to the concert.

And the city finally relented to their appeals: after this month, Marietta will cancel the series, which has run at noon on Thursdays in May and September as long as Gabler can remember.

“The September concerts are canceled at this point,” said Gabler, the recreation services manager for the Marietta Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department. And it’s a “good assumption” that May will be canceled, as well, he said.

The concerts, which cost about $200 apiece, were not originally intended as merely an economic stimulant. They also were meant to provide cultural enrichment to the public, Gabler said.

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Major Tree Falls on Whitlock Avenue

May 3, 2010 – 10:36 am


Photo Courtesy of Jason Pendley | View full album

The North Marietta Parkway is currently closed from Powder Springs Street to Polk Street and Whitlock Avenue is closed from the Marietta Square to McDonald Street.

This closure is due to falling trees knocking down several power poles in the area. This has caused a power outage in the immediate area and created traffic hazards requiring the road closure for repair and clean up. Crews are currently working to restore power and traffic flow however for the time being commuters are urged to use alternate routes around this area.

The North Marietta Parkway can be accessed from East of the Marietta Square or traveling around the loop.

Whitlock Avenue can be accessed from Waverly Way or Polk Street which are both open.

Repairs are underway however they will likely take several hours and could possibly extend into Monday.

Address/Location
Marietta Police Department
240 Lemon St
Marietta, GA 30060

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The Marietta Square is back…

April 30, 2010 – 8:55 am

The Marietta Square is back and better than ever after a four-month long renovation. Streets are open to traffic, merchants and restaurants are open for business and parking is available.

Improvements
The city has installed ornamental poles for lights and traffic signals, decorative lighting and consolidated signage, brick crosswalks, a refurbished fountain in Glover Park, waterlines on three sides of the Square, more parking and battery backup for traffic lights.

Celebration Events
To celebrate the revitalization of the Square, the city of Marietta invites the public to a month-long celebration this May. Events include

* Go Girl Festival
* May-Retta Daze
* First Friday Art Walk
* “Chita Rivera-My Broadway” presented by Atlanta Lyric Theatre
* Scary-etta
* Glover Park Evening Concert
* Marietta Square Farmers Market
* Brown Bag concerts
* Spirits and Spirits Ghost Tour
* “His Eye is on the Sparrow” at Theatre in the Square
* “Little Shop of Horrors” presented by Atlanta Lyric Theatre

While you’re on the Square checking out the renovations, dine in a variety of restaurants, check out the shopping and visit museum including the Marietta Museum of History; Gone With the Wind Museum, Scarlett on the Square; Root House Museum; Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art; or the Marietta Fire Museum. Catch a ride on the Historic Marietta Trolley and discover the city’s historic neighborhoods. If you’re brave, check out the Ghosts of Marietta Tours.

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

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Taste of Marietta 2010

April 25, 2010 – 7:41 am

The 17th Annual Taste of Marietta will be Sunday, April 25 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on the historic Marietta Square. At last year’s event, more than 100,000 people hit the streets to sample their favorite foods. Tastes, including Italian to seafood, steak, BBQ and desserts, range in cost from 50 cents to $4.

This year, the award-winning festival will surround the Square to accommodate the crowd.

Festival goers can take a break from the heat and visit one of the shops on the Square or learn about Marietta’s history in one of the city’s museums, located within walking distance of the Square. Festival goers can also catch a ride on the Historic Marietta Trolley and explore Marietta’s historic neighborhoods.

In addition to the food and fun, the family festival has outdoor entertainment all day, culminating with the Sunset Concert featuring “Banks & Shane.” The festival will also include cooking demonstrations at the SCANA Energy Cooking Stage; and “Kids Alley,” a children’s area complete with moonwalks, sand art and strolling characters.

Festival-goers can meet some of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers at “Sports Corner,” sponsored by 790 The Zone.

Admission
Admission to Taste of Marietta, which is a project of the Marietta Welcome Center & Visitors Bureau in conjunction with the city of Marietta, is free.

Parking
Parking is available in lots around the Square and at the Cobb County parking garage adjacent to the Square off Lawrence Street. Parking is also available at Marietta Middle School, and the Historic Marietta Trolley Company will provide free shuttle service to and from the festival. Handicapped parking is also available. Parking is not available in the church lots.

Entertainment schedule
Live bands perform will free concerts all day at four stages on the Square.

Evening concert tables may be reserved in advanced by calling the Marietta Welcome Center at 770-429-1115. Concertgoers can also bring their blankets for a picnic in the park.

Kicks 101.5 Food Court Opens, 11 a.m.
Kids Alley opens, 11 a.m.
Sports Corner opens, 11 a.m.
Biohazard, East Park Stage, 11 a.m.-noon
Black Cat Bone, South Park Stage, 11 a.m.-noon
Katelyn Pope, West Park Stage, 11 a.m.-noon
3 Way Street, Main Stage, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sam Huff BBQ demonstration, SCANA Energy Cooking Stage, noon-12:30 p.m.
700 South, South Park Stage, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Roger “Hurricane” Wilson, East Park Stage, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Ginny McCormick, author of Sundays in the South demonstration, SCANA Energy Cooking Stage, 12:45-1:15 p.m.
Men In Blues West Park Stage, 1-5 p.m.
Sam Huff BBQ demonstration, SCANA Energy Cooking Stage, 1:30-2 p.m.
Ginny McCormick, author of Sundays in the South demonstration, SCANA Energy Cooking Stage, 2:15-2:45 p.m.
Announcement of food awards, 3 p.m.
Sam Huff BBQ demonstration, SCANA Energy Cooking Stage, 3-3:30 p.m.
Hoosier Daddy, South Park Stage, 3-5 p.m.
Atlanta Rox, East Park Stage, 3-5 p.m.
Johnnie Gabriel cooking demonstration, SCANA Energy Cooking Stage, 4:30-5 p.m.
Banks & Shane, Main Stage, 5-7 p.m.

Food drive
In conjunction with Taste of Marietta, MUST Ministries will hold a food drive to help feed the hungry. Festival goers are encouraged to bring canned food items to help stock MUST Ministries’ pantry. As a thank you, each person who donates three cans of food will receive a free sample from Confection Perfection or Adrian’s Delectables. Cans may be dropped off at the MUST Ministries booth at the festival.

About MUST Ministries
MUST Ministries is a faith-based organization that, for 37 years, has been dedicated to providing services to people in crisis. MUST offers a range of services including emergency shelter, transitional housing, meals, groceries, clothing, job readiness and placement, financial assistance, children’s programs, community support groups and access to free healthcare.

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Gem city grill serves up some great food in Marietta!

April 23, 2010 – 7:44 am

If you’ve not been to the Gem City yet, then you’re missing out. It’s right next to Gabriel’s on Whitlock. Here’s a shot of the Stacker Salad that we had last night. It was fantastic!

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Gabriel’s Restaurant Welcomes New Chef and Expands Dinner Selections

April 11, 2010 – 9:53 pm

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

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Keep Marietta Beautiful – how you can help

April 8, 2010 – 10:24 am

Keep Marietta Beautiful invites the public to help clean the city’s streets and keep Marietta beautiful April 10 from 9 a.m.-noon during the Great American Cleanup.

Volunteers will meet at the Public Works Complex, 750 North Marietta Parkway, and receive trash bags, vests and a cleanup location, Keep Marietta Beautiful director Joan Ellars said. “Vests are required by law to be able to work on the roads.”
About Keep Marietta Beautiful

Keep Marietta Beautiful is a volunteer organization that works in the areas of litter prevention, beautification, community improvement and waste reduction. It is the mission of Keep Marietta Beautiful, the Marietta Clean City Commission, to generate environmental pride and a sense of ownership within the Marietta community.

The event is sponsored nationwide by Keep America Beautiful as part of the Great American Cleanup.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Keep Marietta Beautiful director Joan Ellars at 770-794-5606 or jellars@mariettaga.gov.

By admin | Posted in Arts and Living, City Parks in Marietta, City of Marietta, Cobb County, Featured, Green Marietta, Headline, Marietta Square, Site Features | Tagged | Comments (0)

What you ought to know about Earth Day in Marietta, GA

April 6, 2010 – 8:11 am

Keep Marietta Beautiful invites the public to be good to Mother Earth by helping clean and beautify the city, while celebrating “Unity in the Community” and the 40th anniversary of Earth Day April 24 from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

More than 300 volunteers are needed to plant gardens, stain a fence, clean trails, clean the Confederate Cemetery, clean an illegal dumpsite, plant trees, clean the city’s parks and pick up trash.


Photo Credit: via Flickr Saranv (http://www.flickr.com/photos/saranv/)

How to volunteer

To volunteer for a work site, call 770-794-5606 or e-mail jellars@mariettaga.gov. Volunteers are encouraged to dress in heavy shoes and long pants and to be prepared for the weather. Volunteers should bring heavy gloves, hammers, saws, shovels and trowels. Trash bags and latex gloves will be provided at the sites.
Schedule of events

* Building and planting raised gardens at the senior housing project
* Work on trails, painting, etc. at A.L. Burruss Elementary School
* Staining a fence at Lewis Park
* Planting gardens at Brown Park
* Cleaning the Confederate Cemetery
* Cleaning an illegal dumpsite near Lockheed School
* Planting trees and other landscaping at Henry Park
* Trail work at Sawyer Road Elementary School

“I am looking forward to another fabulous year,” Ellars said. “Last year this was the best project we have ever done, and I hope it remains our crown jewel.”
About Keep Marietta Beautiful

Keep Marietta Beautiful is a volunteer organization that works in the areas of litter prevention, beautification, community improvement and waste reduction. It is the mission of Keep Marietta Beautiful, the Marietta Clean City Commission, to generate environmental pride and a sense of ownership within the Marietta community.

The event is co-sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their Day of Service and Keep America Beautiful as part of the Great American Cleanup.

For more information, contact Keep Marietta Beautiful director Joan Ellars at 770-794-5606 or jellars@mariettaga.gov.

By admin | Posted in Arts and Living, City Parks in Marietta, City of Marietta, Featured, Green Marietta, Headline, Marietta Square, Site Features | Tagged , | Comments (0)