Commercial and Residential Locksmiths in Kennesaw

Looking for something to do this weekend in metro Atlanta? If you’d like to get active, try running in Max’s Moon Run 5K or walking through Fernbank Forest as you learn about summer foliage and animal activity. Or if you’d rather relax, an outdoor movie or concert might be more your speed.

Check out the following 16 things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend:

Cobb

Mamma Mia! And Margaritas. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, July 24 (Friday, July 23 show is sold out.) $10. Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, 117 North Park Square, Marietta. 770-293-0080. Earlsmithstrand.secure.force.com.

Watch “Mamma Mia!” which features a wealth of ABBA songs, and visit the margarita bar if you’d like.

Outdoor Movie. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, July 24. Free, $5 VIP chairs, $50 tent rentals. Swift-Cantrell Park, 3140 Old 41 Hwy. NW, Kennesaw. kennesaw-ga.gov.

Bring a blanket or chair to watch “Trolls World Tour” on a giant inflatable screen. Food vendors will be on site, or you can bring your own food if you prefer.

Live! Goes ’90s. 8 p.m. Saturday, July 24. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. The Battery Atlanta, 825 Battery Ave. SE Suite 600, Atlanta. 404-965-2511. Liveatthebatteryatlanta.com.

If you’re 21 or older, go back to the ’90s and enjoy hits from the era with DJ La Bonita, play old-school video and arcade games, have access to adult juice pouch specials and more.

Rugby Eastern Conference Finals. 8 p.m. $10-$45. Saturday, July 24. Lupo Field at Life University, 1494 Barclay Circle, Marietta. 888-841-2787. Rugbyatl.showarecom.

Watch the Major League Rugby Eastern Conference Finals as Rugby ATL takes on Rugby United New York.

DeKalb

24K Magic Bruno Mars Tribute. 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 23. $12.99-$49. 37 Main Avondale Estates, 106 N. Avondale Road, Avondale Estates. M.facebook.com.

Experience a high-energy Bruno Mars tribute show with all his hits, including “Uptown Funk,” “Locked Out of Heaven” and “24K Magic.”

Fernbank Forest Walk. 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 25. $20 non-members, $10 members. Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Fernbankmuseum.org.

Meet in the lobby 15 minutes before starting a small, guided group walk through Fernbank Forest that highlights summer foliage and animal activity.

Community Health Fair. 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, July 25. Free. Georgia Buddhist Vihara, 3153 Miller Road, Stonecrest. M.facebook.com.

Visit the health fair to receive free COVID-19 vaccines, blood tests, health consultations and more.

Christmas in July. 9 a.m.-noon. Saturday, July 24. Brookhaven Farmers Market, 1375 Fernwood Circle NE, Brookhaven. M.facebook.com.

Celebrate Christmas in July with a visit from Santa (9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.) and live music. You can also shop at the farmers market, which will be open.

North Fulton

Surf N Turf Concert Series. 8 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday, July 23. Free. 34 South Main St., Alpharetta. facebook.com.

Bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy music and entertainment from The Genuine Tailgate Jammin’ Show.

Art in the Park. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 24, and noon- 4 p.m. Sunday, July 25. Free admission. Brooke Street Park, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta. awesomealpharetta.com.

Browse and shop at an outdoor artists market featuring wares such as pottery, woodwork, jewelry, photography and more.

Brad Paisley. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24. $30.25 and up. Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. 404-733-5013. Concerts.livenation.com.

Catch this stop on Brad Paisley’s 2021 tour, which is opened by Jimmie Allen and Kameron Marlowe.

DejaBlue Grass Band. 8 p.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, July 24. $27.50. Matilda’s Music Under the Pines, 850 Hickory Flat Road, Milton. Matildasmusicvenue.com.

Bring a cooler for a picnic or potluck and listen to the DejaBlue Grass Band play.

Gwinnett

Max’s Moon Run. 5:30 p.m. sign-in/walk-up registration, 6:30 p.m. warm-up, 7 p.m. fun run and 7:20 p.m. 5K. $5 special needs participants (free if you don’t want a T-shirt), $20 fun run, $30 5K. Saturday, July 24. Suwanee Town Center, 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee. Maximusjantonfoundation.org.

Run, walk or donate to raise money for the special needs community and then listen to live music, patronize food trucks and visit vendor booths.

Harlem Globetrotters. 2 p.m. Saturday, July 24. $28 and up. Gas South Arena (formerly Infinite Energy Center), 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-813-7500 or 770-626-2464. Gassouthdistrict.com.

See the ankle-breaking moves, rim-rattling dunks and other amazing moves from the Harlem Globetrotters in this modernized show.

Shakespeare in the Park. 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 23-Sunday, July 25. Free. Grayson Community Park, Grayson City Ampavilion, 475 Grayson Parkway, Grayson. Graysonshakes.org.

Bring your chairs, blankets and coolers to watch Shakespeare’s comedic play, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.”

Christmas Canteen in July. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25. $20 and up. Lawrenceville Arts Center Courtyard Stage, 128 Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. Auroratheatre.com.

Bring a chair to watch a touch of holiday magic with humor, heart and music. School supply donations will be accepted at each performance.

The City of Kennesaw is launching a barbecue competition and class for kids, with a class for ages seven to 15 on Saturday August 7, 3-6 p.m. Completion of the class is a requirement to take part in the competition, which will be held August 20.

For more details and links to registration see the city’s press release we’ve reprinted below:

Kennesaw, GA (July 16, 2021) — Join the City of Kennesaw Department of Parks & Recreation for their inaugural Kid’s ‘Que class and competition! Kid’s ‘Que is the kid-friendly version of the barbecue competitions that are hosted at the annual Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival.

On Saturday, August 7, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., Parks & Rec will host a barbecue class for kids (ages seven to 15) to learn all about the barbecue process. Attendees will learn about making marinades, marinating different meats, lighting the grill, seasoning and cooking chicken, ribs, etc., as well as nutrition and healthy cooking techniques. The Southern Thunder BBQ Cooking School will be leading the class. Those enrolled in the class are able to enter in the competition that will take place Friday, August 20, at Pigs & Peaches. The class is a prerequisite to signing up for the competition. A parent must accompany the child at all times during class and competition (child/parent team).

For the competition, the contestants will be provided with a tabletop grill, charcoal, lighter fuel, one pound of ground pork or beef, presentation tray to be used for turn-in, table, meat thermometer, disposable gloves and paper towels. All other supplies/ingredients are the contestant’s responsibility. Each contestant will receive one free festival t-shirt.

The competition will host two age divisions (7-10 and 11-15), with both a winner and a runner-up in each division. Winners will be presented a $50 prize and a portable grill, and runner-ups will be presented with a $25 prize and a trophy.

Registration is available online.

For more information, visit kennesaw-ga.gov/parks-and-recreation or call Kennesaw Parks & Recreation at 770-422-9714.

A Career Fair and Tenant Forum will be held Saturday July 31, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The fair and forum is presented by Cobb County District 4 Commissioner Monique Sheffield & WorkSource Cobb.

“The Career Fair and Tenant Forum is a highly anticipated community event that will bring employers, community-based non-profits, and community resource organizations to the residents of Cobb County,” Commissioner Sheffield wrote to the Courier in an email. “This event is a step in the right direction to help our communities begin the recovery process from the challenges brought on by the COVID pandemic.”

The event will be held at the Cobb County Public Safety Training Academy, 2435 East-West Connector, Austell, GA 30106.

Confirmed prospective employers include the following:

Non-profits will be on hand to help attendees with COVID relief benefits, and HUD counselors will be there to assist those who need housing.

Acworth’s Board of Aldermen approved James Albright as new city manager at a packed meeting Thursday evening at City Hall.

Albright filled the former position of Brian Bulthuis, who retired after being city manager for 25 years.

Albright, 39, was previously Acworth’s Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources, a role the board appointed him to at 23 years old.

Albright has lived in Acworth his entire life.

At the meeting, Albright thanked his family, who he said was his biggest supporter.

Albright also thanked his former colleagues who work in Parks, Recreation and Community Resources. He said he knows they will continue doing a great job running the department.

“You’re always told that it takes a village to raise a child,” Albright said. “I really believe that good leaders always see more in you than you see in yourself, and each one of you today … you believe more in me than I believe in myself and I’m really grateful for that. Ultimately, it took a village to get me where I’m at today.”

As city manager, Albright’s job is to work with the mayor and board to operate the city on a daily basis.

He said his goal is to bring continuity to the progress the mayor, board and former city manager have made.

He said his goal is also to “take this city on a trajectory of growth and prosperity and continue to provide quality services to our people.”

The board congratulated and praised Albright’s ambitions throughout the years, some reflecting on memories they have of the new city manager.

Alderman Tim Richardson said that he has known Albright since he was a child and described him as a product of the great parents and positive environment he grew up in.

Albright said his parents were volunteers in the Acworth community, serving as coaches, members of various boards and booster club presidents. He said that was what inspired his career choice.

Like his parents, Albright has also been on various boards around the city and still is.

“I just want to make clear that you gained our confidence the old-fashioned way — you earned it, fair and square,” Alderman Brett North said.

Mayor Tommy Allegood said that Albright’s appointment is indicative of a new era in Acworth leadership.

“As we travel through life we all pass through seasons,” Allegood said. “Sometimes it’s the season that is uncomfortable and maybe a season filled with things that don’t go right. Then we go through other seasons with a lot of joy and happiness. And so tonight, just thinking about the seasons in our life, we began a season in this city — a season of new leadership.”

The city has not named a new parks and recreation director yet.

by Larry Felton Johnson

Redistricting will be seriously underway soon, and Cobb County will almost certainly see changes in its legislative districts.

By August 16, the U.S. Census Bureau will release detailed demographic data gathered in the 2020 Census, and when that data becomes available, the fight over the shape of districts that takes place every ten years will begin.

Earlier in year the Census Bureau released the first results of the 2020 census, showing the overall U.S. population (now standing at 331.4 million) and the populations within each state. Those figures determined the number of members of the House of Representatives apportioned to each state.

With a population of 10,725,274, Georgia’s number of representatives remains unchanged at 14.

The August data release will set the stage for the periodic fight over redistricting.

Cobb County now has portions of three seats in the U.S. House of Representatives (the 6th, the 11th, and the 13th).

There are six Georgia Senate seats all or part of which fall within Cobb, and 15 seats in the Georgia House of Representatives.

Like in every redistricting, the Cobb legislative delegation is likely to change.

That is what makes the August figures so important to residents of Cobb County.

According to the Census Bureau’s announcement:

Aside from showing how the ethnic, racial, and voting age makeup of neighborhoods has changed since the 2010 Census, these detailed data will be used by most state legislatures to redistrict or redraw their political districts for elections.

The announcement states, “The August data release will provide the first look at the demographic characteristics of the nation by state, county and city (down to the census block level), including:

“While the primary purpose of these data is for states to redraw their districts, these statistics will also tell us how many people live in each county, in each city and in each block,” James Whitehorne, chief of the Census Bureau’s Redistricting and Voting Rights Data Office stated for the Census Bureau’s press release. “This information will provide a detailed demographic portrait of our nation’s population for communities all across the United States.”

To keep up with the Georgia legislature’s House and Senate reapportionment and redistricting committees, follow this link to the schedule.

While Connecticut wiped out $1.25 billion of its massive, long-term pension debt this month, it still has decades to go to cover the remainder — nearly $40 billion.

But the one benefit will be felt right away. The supplemental payment frees up $110 million Connecticut now can spend annually on something other than its oppressive pension obligations, according to a new analysis.

“This is real relief that will both spare future generations from a legacy of pension debt and give short-term budget relief to taxpayers,” said Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo, citing new projections for the state employees’ pension system from Cavanaugh Macdonald Consulting of Kennesaw, Ga., the fund’s actuaries.

Lembo pressed legislators for several years starting in 2015 to increase savings toward the huge debts Connecticut amassed over more than 70 years in its separate pension systems for state employees and for municipal teachers.

The legislature, led by Sen. John Fonfara, D-Hartford, responded in 2017 by creating the “volatility adjustment,” which prohibits the state from spending a portion of its income tax receipts tied to capital gains and other investment earnings — a source that often fluctuates greatly from year to year.

The stock markets generally have performed well since 2018, resulting in a big savings.

Since then, Connecticut has amassed a rainy day fund that has reached its legal maximum at 15% of annual General Fund spending, or just over $3 billion.

Any surplus beyond that level must, according to the system adopted in 2017, be deposited into either the two major pension funds.

Connecticut entered the 2020-21 fiscal year — which wrapped on June 30 — with almost $41 billion in total pension debt.

The just-completed budget year included more than $2.6 billion in required payments into the two pensions. Many of those dollars, however, will go into benefits for retirees, rather than reducing the debt.

But when it comes to the $1.25 billion left over from the just-ended fiscal year — most of that surplus stems from the volatility adjustment — it will all go toward reducing pension debt.

New projections from Cavanaugh Macdonald project this $1.25 billion — which state Treasurer Shawn Wooden deposited into the state employees’ pension fund — will add $2.75 billion in value to that system over the next 25 years. [The pensions’ assets are invested in stocks, bonds and other securities and add value that way.]

That translates into $110 million in added value per year, according to the analysis.

“It was a big, difficult change, but now we’re seeing the reward of coming together to do hard things,” Lembo said. “There’s a lesson to be learned from that.”

“It now remains our job as state leaders to stay the course and pave the way towards a sustainable economic recovery that reaches everyone across our state, especially those who continue to hurt as we recover from the effects of the pandemic,” Wooden said.

State officials and private policy groups long have noted the annual payments on those obligations gradually have consumed resources previously earmarked for education, health care, municipal aid, transportation and other priorities.

About 40% of the state’s budget in 1992 — the first fiscal year after the state income tax was enacted — was dedicated to education, health care and other programs that affect children, according to Connecticut Voices for Children, a New Haven-based public policy and research group. Now the ratio now is closer to 30%.

Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, who co-chairs the Appropriations Committee, said recently that legislators hope to be able to shift more than $110 million per year in future budgets away from pension debt and into other programs.

For example, if the new $46.4 billion budget that Gov. Ned Lamont and the General Assembly enacted for the next two fiscal years runs as projected by nonpartisan analysts, Connecticut could be poised to make another $2.3 billion in supplemental pension fund payments by mid-2023.

The impact of those potential contributions hasn’t been calculated yet. But Osten has estimated this could create another $100 million to $200 million in annual savings on pension contributions — depending on how the stock markets fare over the next two years.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

Keith M. Phaneuf A winner of numerous journalism awards, Keith Phaneuf has been CT Mirror’s state finances reporter since it launched in 2010. The former State Capitol bureau chief for The Journal Inquirer of Manchester, Keith has spent most of 31 years as a reporter specializing in state government finances, analyzing such topics as income tax equity, waste in government and the complex funding systems behind Connecticut’s transportation and social services networks. A former contributing writer to The New York Times, Keith is a graduate of and a former journalism instructor at the University of Connecticut.

KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State Athletics is excited to announce the return of the popular mini plans for football home games this fall. Two options, each starting at only $59, are available for fans to witness three games from the most competitive schedule in KSU's history.

The Gold Plan includes a ticket to Homecoming Oct. 16 when the Owls host North Carolina A&T State. The Black Plan includes a ticket to the Oct. 2 game against Jacksonville State. Each option then allows fans to choose from two of the following games: Reinhardt (Sept. 2), Gardner-Webb (Oct. 30), and Monmouth (Nov. 20).

Click here to purchase a Gold or Black Plan today for as low as $59!

KSU announced June 25 that Fifth Third Bank Stadium will be at full capacity for the upcoming season.

The Owls will kick off the season under the lights of Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. against Reinhardt University. The lid-lifter serves as KSU's first home Thursday night game in its history.

KSU plays host to Jacksonville State Saturday, Oct. 2 with a 3 p.m. start. The Owls have played the Gamecocks twice, with a road win in the 2017 FCS playoffs, and a five-overtime classic at Truist Park in 2018. The game was billed as the best FCS game of the season when the Owls prevailed, 60-52. The game will serve as the last scheduled non-conference game between the programs with both institutions set to play in the inaugural 2022 ASUN Conference football season.

Recently, HERO Sports ranked the game as No.2 on its top-10 non-conference FCS matchups.

Homecoming 2021 is set for Saturday, Oct.16 when NC A&T and KSU meet for the first time. A 5 p.m. kickoff is set between the Aggies and Owls. The Aggies are set for their inaugural season in the conference after carrying the banner in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Aggies also won four out of the five MEAC titles and Celebration Bowls, including the last three.

The Owls entertain Gardner-Webb Halloween weekend with an Oct. 30 home game set for 1 p.m. The game will be a highlight of KSU's Hall-of-Fame weekend, where the newest inductees to the KSU Hall of Fame will be recognized. The date also serves as Youth Sports Day.

Senior Day will mark the close of the regular season with a Nov. 20 game against Monmouth. The Hawks captured the 2019 and 2021 spring season Big South titles. KSU will look to snap a two-game skid in the series in their seventh all-time meeting when the teams meet at 1 p.m.

Compared to single-game tickets, fans can save 10%, and have the option for reduced pricing on parking. Click here to purchase a Gold or Black Plan today for as low as $59!

For more information on Kennesaw State athletics, follow @KennesawStFB on Twitter or like Kennesaw State Football on Facebook and Instagram

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Six Cherokee County School District class of 2021 graduates have earned $1,000 scholarships from ABM Industry Groups LLC.

The company, which provides custodial services for the district's schools, awards a $1,000 scholarship each year to one graduating senior from each Cherokee County high school. The six winners are selected by a scholarship committee of retired district educators and ABM representatives based on a student's involvement in school and community activities and service, personal essays and references.

The class of 2021 winners are:

"We're very proud of each of you for the accomplishments and service that earned you this scholarship and wish you the best as you pursue your dreams," Superintendent Brian Hightower said. "Thank you to ABM for its continued support of our schools by honoring students for exemplary school and community service."

Miguel Esteban-Juarez will attend Kennesaw State University to study marketing and psychology, with plans to pursue a career as a psychologist. As a student at Cherokee High, Miguel served as vice president of the French Honors Club, co-leader of Students Demand Action and volunteered at a local nursing home, where he shared his talents as a musician and his love of reading with them.

Brinn Dameron will pursue her plans to become a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals by studying pre-veterinary sciences and marine biology at Florida Southern College. A cheerleader and honors chorus member, her many service roles at Creekview High included four years as class president and serving as school's student delegate to the Cherokee County School Board. She has also worked for three years at a local animal hospital.

To pursue her goal to become a pediatric neurosurgeon, Aneisa Jones will study neuroscience and pre-medicine at Xavier University. A member of the Etowah High Beta Club and Key Club service organizations, Aneisa volunteered with the school's annual Shop with an Eagle charitable program and at Agape Hospice Care, where she spent more than 200 hours visiting with patients and performing jazz for them on her saxophone.

Legacy Guider will attend Oglethorpe University to study biology and pre-veterinary sciences to pursue a career as a veterinarian. As a student at River Ridge High, Legacy was a standout volleyball player and volunteer coach, was selected for the VetAspire program for future veterinarians, volunteered with her church and has worked for a local veterinary clinic.

A future teacher, Matthew Scoretz will study early childhood education at the University of Memphis. A 13-year baseball player, Matthew was an active volunteer at Sequoyah High and in the community, including volunteering with Night to Shine and his church. He has also worked at Learning Express.

Sebastian Moss is headed to Georgia Southern University to study architecture in pursuit of his career goal of providing housing for low-income families. A four-year varsity all-county football player at Woodstock High, Sebastian has been an active school and community volunteer, helping with elementary school festivals and the MUST summer lunch program while supporting local foster families.