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 of Marietta, City Parks in Marietta, Cobb County, Featured, Green Marietta, Headline, Marietta Square, Site Features | Tagged | Comments (1)

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 of Marietta, City Parks in Marietta, Featured, Green Marietta, Headline, Marietta Square, Site Features | Tagged , | Comments (0)

City of Marietta helps residents swat mosquitoes

April 5, 2010 – 12:55 pm

Spring is in full bloom and that usually means mosquitoes would soon be flying around Marietta, but the city is taking steps to prevent mosquitoes from growing and causing problems for residents.

Marietta’s Public Works Department is beginning a program that offers to send an employee to homes to kill mosquito larvae and prevent adult mosquitoes by putting chemically treated briquettes in standing water on private property, including creeks, which are breeding areas for mosquitoes.


Photo Credit: via Flickr FreeBird

Residents with a mosquito problem can call Marietta’s Public Works Department at 770-794-5676 for help getting rid of the mosquitoes.

Marietta is also taking care of mosquitoes on city rights of way, operations manager Scott Lawler said.

To help prevent mosquitoes in the past, the Public Works Department sprayed Aqua-Reslin at night, which eliminated the adults but was not effective against the daytime biting mosquitoes.

In addition to removing standing water, adding the environmentally friendly briquettes to standing water is the best option to eliminate mosquitoes, Lawler said.
Other things you can do

Eliminate standing water

• Keep gutters clean and free of debris

• Keep lids on outdoor garbage cans

• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling bins

• Remove all standing water on property

• Store boats so water drains

• Remove or cover all old tires stored outside

• Drain or flush all birdbaths

• Drain all large toys that are stored outside

• Store all yard tools properly

• Maintain pools and ponds

• Remind neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their property

• Repair leaky pipes and faucets

• Screen rain barrels and openings to water tanks

• Eliminate weeds and tall grass

Protect Yourself

• Wear long pants, long sleeved shirts and socks

• Use insect repellant containing DEET (Note: Read carefully and follow manufacturer’s instructions. Do not use on infants or pregnant women.)

• Make sure open doors and windows are screened

• Stay indoors when mosquitoes are active

By admin | Posted in City Council, City of Marietta, City Parks in Marietta, Cobb County, Featured, Green Marietta, Headline, marietta events, Marietta Government, Marietta Square, Marietta Weather Alerts, Site Features | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Marietta Square Traffic Updates: Atlanta Street at Roswell Street closed April

April 2, 2010 – 7:04 am

The intersection of Roswell and Atlanta streets will be closed April 12-23 to connect services to a new water main and install brick crosswalks. Motorists will only be able to travel eastbound on South Park Square during the closure.

A counterclockwise circulation of traffic around the Square will be maintained for access to parking and businesses on the Square. All other local traffic will be detoured, and through traffic with a destination outside the Square is encouraged to use North and South Marietta Parkways.

A resurfacing contractor will begin milling and paving the street during the week of April 5. Most of the work will take place in the evenings and at night to minimize impact on businesses and traffic. Motorists should expect work to be ongoing 24 hours a day on the Square for the next couple weeks.

An efficient transportation system, which places a high premium on the quality of life of Marietta’s citizens, is a goal City Council established as part of its vision statement.

For more information, call Marietta’s Public Works Department at 770-794-5650.

By admin | Posted in City Council, City of Marietta, Cobb County, Featured, Headline, Marietta Square, Redevelopment, Site Features | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Best Mountain Bike Trails in the Southeast

April 1, 2010 – 1:26 pm

If you’re a mountain biker and have not ridden Blanket’s Creek just outside of Atlanta, then you’re missing out. Big Time.

With some of the best dedicated riders out there, the trails at Blanket’s Creek are about as good as they get in the South, and they’re about get even better.

Read this post from the Sorba Woodstock Chapter….

Trail blazers
by Kristal Dixon
March 25, 2010 01:00 AM

Bike trails are on their way to Woodstock.

The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association’s Woodstock chapter is actively working to complete the first loop of the Taylor Randahl Memorial bike trails in Olde Rope Mill Park.

The organization entered into a contract with the city of Woodstock to build 5.8 miles of bike trails in the park. City leaders budgeted $150,000 for the project in the city’s current budget

The association is working on the first loop of the trail, which is about 1.3 miles, said Jay Wilkes, the association’s president.

The organization is planning a work party from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the park. Volunteers are needed to clear the trail for machine work.

Wilkes said he hopes to have the first loop completed before Greenstock Day on May 8, when the trails are scheduled to be dedicated at 10 a.m. at Olde Rope Mill Park.

The planned mountain bike trails are named in memory of Taylor Randahl, a local teenager who was killed in 2000 while biking. A car going the opposite direction struck a deer, which went across the road and struck Taylor.

Wilkes said the first phase of the trail will be used as a “recruitment” tool to see how bike riders like the initiative.

The trails would eventually link to the Blankets Creek mountain bike trails in Sixes, providing connectivity for numerous riders throughout the county.

Mountain bike riding could provide an economic boost to both Woodstock and Cherokee County, Wilkes added.

He said Blankets Creek has about 10,000 users each month and if that many people came to Woodstock, the city would definitely see revenue spent in its hotels, restaurants and shops.

“It’s a minimal investment that draws people all over the southeast to ride it,” he said.

Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques is well aware of the economic capital having bike trails could do for the city.
Henriques has been on the forefront in the effort to get the trails funded and named after Taylor.

“It’s been a long time coming,” he said. “It’s a little bit surreal nine years later.”

The mayor has also been leading an effort to make Woodstock an ecotourism location.

The mayor added the day of the dedication will “be a good day for the family” and for the community.

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New Cobb County Courthouse Update

March 30, 2010 – 8:50 am

The new courthouse for Cobb County is coming along very nice, take a look at the progress!

By admin | Posted in City of Marietta, Cobb County, Featured, Headline, Marietta Square, Redevelopment, Site Features | Tagged | Comments (0)

2010 Glover Park Concert Series Schedule

March 29, 2010 – 8:27 am

The Glover Park Concert Series kicks off the 2010 season on Friday, April 23 at 8 p.m. in and around the park in downtown Marietta. The Series will continue throughout the summer, with concerts scheduled for the last Friday night of each month through September with the exception of the April concert.

The concerts are free of charge but if you’re looking for a “front-row seat,” a limited number of tables can be reserved — $45 for tables of six and $55 for tables for eight. Tables reservations are taken on a first come basis and may be reserved the first working day of each month.
2010 Series performers

* April 23 – Modernaires Orchestra (Swing)
* May 28 – Pieces of Eight (Beach)
* June 15 – Soul Purpose (Oldies)
* June 26 – Cobb Symphony
* July 30 – Bayside (R & B, Beach)
* August 27 – Livin’ Large (Oldies)
* September 24 – The Glow Band (Pop)

Blankets and lawn chairs may be set up in the park after 4 p.m. Personal tables are not permitted in the park, however they may be set up on North Park Square after 5:30 p.m. Bring a picnic dinner (beer and wine are permitted) or dine in one of the many fine restaurants located on the square. Join others and participate in the table or blanket-decorating contest sponsored by Coldwell Banker-Marietta West Cobb branch. The contest is held prior to each concert with the winner taking home a picnic basket full of goodies. Registration is not required.

This year’s poster will feature the artwork of Robert Rodenberger, a long time Marietta resident and owner of Jazzy Art gift store in Kennesaw featuring one-of-a-kind art pieces. He is a self-taught artist whose style is most recognizable for its whimsy, vivid color and texture.

The following sponsors have made the Glover Park Concert Series a free event: Marietta Board of Lights and Water, Gas South, Vinings Bank, Pugmire Lincoln Mercury Isuzu Suzuki, Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services, Republic Services, Croy Engineering LLC, Marietta Business Association, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage-Marietta West Cobb, Keep Marietta Beautiful, Tucker Castleberry Printing, Fun-Fare, Pit Stop and the Marietta Daily Journal.

The Downtown Marietta Development Authority and the city of Marietta produce the series.

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

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First Data, a reseller of payment processing systems, opening 350 technology jobs in Marietta, GA

March 26, 2010 – 4:15 pm

At least 350 new technology jobs are coming to the city of Marietta in the next 18 months as a Fortune 500 company moves two offices from California to our community. First Data, a reseller of payment processing systems, has leased an approximately 260,000 square foot building on Canton Road off I-75 to consolidate its west coast and Kennesaw, Ga., operations. While some California employees may relocate to Marietta, the company says many of the positions will be filled locally.

“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.

By admin | Posted in City of Marietta, Featured, featured marietta business, Headline, marietta events, marietta jobs, Marietta Square, Redevelopment, Site Features | Tagged , | Comments (0)

The City of Marietta City is now accepting nominations for land for parks, greenspace

March 26, 2010 – 6:18 am

The city of Marietta is accepting nominations of land for donation or sale for future parkland, greenspace or recreation purposes. Land that is donated in whole or in part is tax deductible in accordance with IRS regulations for donations to qualified governmental units.
    
Marietta City Council appointed the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for Marietta Parks (CACMP) to evaluate and make recommendations on properties submitted in conjunction with planning efforts being undertaken with the parks bond voters approved in 2009.

Landowners – or individuals that know of landowners – willing to donate or sell their property may make nominations for donations, sale or a combination. Contact the Marietta Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department at 770-794-5601 for a nomination form or download the form from the committee’s blog at mariettaga.gov/blogs/cacmp. Also at the blog, citizens can follow the activities of the CACMP as the planning and development of park, recreation, trails and greenspace projects progresses.

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