Atlanta Galleria Now

Galleria Chat: Aug. 7, 2014

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each Thursday. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado …

Fun with the Family. Visit the Ben Robertson Community Center in Kennesaw this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the annual Program Palooza, a safari-themed open house hosted by the City of Kennesaw Parks and Recreation Department.

This family-friendly event will feature information about fall programs offered by the department, a “Lion’s Den” game room and interactive demonstrations. Attendees will receive a 10 percent discount off any fall program.

The event is free to attend. For more information, click here.

Stay Connected. Join the Cobb Chamber of Commerce for Cobb Connections on Monday, Aug. 11. This event gives attendees the chance to build business connections and relationships through roundtable discussions and the practicing of 30-second elevator speeches.

Cobb Connections will last from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will be held at the Mansour Center, located at 995 Roswell St. Northeast, Suite 100, in Marietta.

Cobb Connections is a networking program that seeks to help Chamber members build relationships and promote business-to-business development. This event is complimentary to all Chamber members. The deadline to register is Friday, Aug. 8, at noon.

Lean Lunch. Join Live Well Marietta on Tuesday, Aug. 12, for Yoga on the Square from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a yoga mat and find your inner Zen.

This event will occur rain or shine.

Click here for more information.

Dream Appreciates Cobb. TheWNBA’s Atlanta Dream will host its first Cobb County Appreciation night on Wednesday, Aug. 13., at Philips Arena during its game against the Phoenix Mercury.

A portion of the ticket sales will go to the YWCA of Northwest Georgia, an organization that works to prevent and raise awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault. During the game, the YWCA of Northwest Georgia will also be honored by the WNBA with the 2014 Inspiring Women Award.

The game will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased directly on the Atlanta Dream’s website by clicking here.

Galleria Chat: June 19, 2014

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each Thursday. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado …

Art for the Animals. The annual Art, Barks and Purrs Festival will take place at the Cobb County Animal Control Shelter on Saturday from10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors at the festival will feature handcrafted, animal-related art.

The shelter is located at 1060 Al Bishop Drive in Marietta. Unopened and unexpired cat and dog food donations will be accepted during the event.

For more information, visit the Cobb County Animal Control website.

Ready, Set, Go. Visit Jim Ellis VW Kennesaw this Saturday for the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge and Race Simulator event. Get your four-man pit crew together for a chance to win an iPod touch for each team member.

Those participating in the challenge will have the chance to do simulations on retired NASCAR vehicles. Anyone visiting the dealership on Saturday can also receive a free multi-point inspection and car wash.

You must register your team by Saturday by contacting Stephanie Morris at 770-370-4900 or [email protected]. For more information, click here.

Grab Your Blue Suede Shoes. Award-winning Elvis tribute artists Shawn Klush and Cody Slaughter will perform this Saturday at the Cobb Energy Centre at 8:00 p.m. The duo will perform an arrangement of Elvis’ greatest hits.

Shawn and Cody, who have played all over the country and won multiple awards, have been dubbed “the closest thing to The King in concert.”

Tickets are $45 to $55. You can purchase them online by visiting Ticketmaster.

Opa! Join the Cobb Young Professionals (CYP) as they host their June Social next Thursday, June 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Those attending will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with fellow CYP members while enjoying after-work drinks and snacks.

The event will be held at Kouzina Christos Greek restaurant in Marietta. Admission is free for CYP members and $20 for non-members. For more information, visit the Chamber’s website.

Galleria Chat: Feb. 20, 2014

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado …

Celebrate the Trees. The Second Annual Smyrna Arbor Day Festival will take place this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Smyrna Community Center. Keep Smyrna Beautiful and the Smyrna Tree Board have teamed up to host the event, which will feature educational activities for the whole family.

Adults can listen to the “Homeowners Tree Care” talk by Robert Brettschneider, Smyrna’s arborist. Children can enjoy “A Tree-rific Celebration,” which will include children’s yoga, a history lesson on Arbor Day and a fun craft project.

Admission is free to the public, but registration is required. Call 770-431-2863 or email [email protected] or [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Refreshments will be served. The Smyrna Community Center is located at 3180 Atlanta Road.

Mesozoic Madness! PBS brings one of its most popular children’s shows, “Dinosaur Train,” to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre this weekend.

The show will feature a full-sized replica of the Dinosaur Train and lots of songs for kids to sing along with and dance to.

The shows will be this Saturday at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets range from $18 to $28 and can be purchased by clicking here.

Go Braves. Are you a young professional that loves the Atlanta Braves? Then you should be at the SunTrust Club at Turner Field from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27. That’s when and where the Cobb Young Professionals – a group within the Cobb Chamber of Commerce dedicated to promoting the workplace success of workers in their 20s and 30s – is hosting its February meeting. Braves executive Mike Plant will discuss the team, its future in Cobb County and more. 

Cobb Young Professionals can register for free online. Admission is $20 for non-members. For more information, visit the Chamber’s website.

Business University. For any business owner, ensuring you have all your questions about the new federal healthcare law answered is paramount. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce will host “Health Care Reform: Update for Georgia Businesses,” a two-hour presentation by David Bottoms, senior vice president of benefits for The Bottoms Group. He will discuss the healthcare mandate and the impact it is likely to have on Georgia businesses.

The presentation will take place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Chamber’s headquarters at 240 Interstate North Parkway. Chamber members can register for $25 online and $30 at the door. General admission is $50.

Click here to register.

Galleria Chat: Jan. 31, 2014

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado …

Find “A Sense of Place” in Marietta. 2 Rules Fine Art Gallery will open an exhibition of paintings by local Atlanta artist Paul LaJeunesse this Friday at 11:00 a.m. LeJeunesse’s new exhibit is entitled “A Sense of Place” and will feature a collection of landscape paintings from Iceland. The exhibition will focus on both the cold, wintry side as well as the colorful, vibrant side of the country.

The exhibition will be at the gallery through March 1, and an opening reception will be held at the site from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Feb. 7. Admission to the reception is free.

2 Rules Fine Art is located at 85 Church Street in Marietta. Visit the gallery’s website for more information.

Are You Ready For Some Football?! The Marietta Wine Market invites you to its Pre-Super Bowl Beer Tasting and Pizza event this Saturday to prepare for the biggest football event of the year. For $10, you can enjoy a sampling of seven craft beers and some delicious pizza. The proceeds will benefit a local charity and all attendees will take home a souvenir glass.

The event will begin at 2:00 p.m. Marietta Wine Market is located at 18 Powder Springs Street. Call 770-919-1574 to reserve your spot.

Super Brawl 5K. Ring in the Super Bowl in style by heading over to Townpark Commons in Kennesaw this Sunday afternoon to participate in the Super Brawl 5K and the Battle of the Tailgate Party. The pre-race festivities will begin at 12:00 p.m. with games for all to enjoy, and the race and tailgate challenge will begin at 2:00 p.m.

Townpark Commons is located at 125 Townpark Drive in Kennesaw. Register online or in person at any Big Peach Running Co. location.

Galleria Chat: Nov. 27, 2013

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend!        

Run & Eat. Before your carve your turkeys and set your tables, head over to the Marietta Square and burn some calories by running in the 11th Annual Gobble Jog on Thanksgiving morning. This race draws thousands of runners each year, and all the proceeds benefit MUST Ministries, an organization that helps the homeless and underprivileged in a variety of ways.

It’s not too late to register. If you want a timed-race entry, you can register today from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 56 Whitlock Road. If you want an untimed entry, you can register on race day.  Registration ranges from $40 to $45. Check-in begins at 6:30 a.m., and the race begins at 7:30 a.m.

Visit the Gobble Job website for more information.

Mellow Music Comes to Cobb. Rising star Amos Lee will perform this Friday, Nov. 29, at 8 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Centre. Amos pulls his musical inspiration from soul music, contemporary jazz and 1970s folk artists. He has toured with Norah Jones and recently released an album titled “Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song.”

Tickets range from $25 to $43 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.

Grease is the Word! The Earl Smith Strand Theatre presents a night of T-Birds and Pink Ladies this Friday, Nov. 29, at 8 p.m. with a showing of the classic 1978 movie “Grease” starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. And don’t worry about having to be quiet: the audience is invited to sing along with the film!

Tickets are $8 for adults and $7 for children, students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

Santa Is on the Run. What better way to kick off the month of December than by participating in the Santa Fun on Sunday, Dec. 1, in Kennesaw? Proceeds from this 5K will benefit sick, disadvantaged and special-needs children. Race participants can choose to walk or run.

The Santa Run is an international event in which thousands participate in individual races around the world. Registration costs $25 to $35 and can be completed by clicking here or at the race site. The race will begin at 8:00 a.m. at 1990 Vaughn Rd.

Atlanta Galleria Office Park Welcomes the Atlanta Braves to Cobb County

Connie Engel

By now, you’ve certainly heard the news: it appears that the Atlanta Braves will move out of Turner Field and build a new stadium just northwest of the intersection of interstates 75 and 285 — very close to the Atlanta Galleria Office Park.

If all goes according to the plan outlined by the team, the stadium will open in time for the 2017 Major League Baseball season. According to the project’s official website, the new stadium “will give [the Braves organization] the opportunity to develop the surrounding area of the new ballpark, transforming it into a mixed use, 365-day destination and creating an enhanced atmosphere for our fans during Braves games.”

The website also says the “economic benefits from the new stadium will ripple throughout the region. From the construction process, which will support more than 5,227 jobs and generate $235 million in payroll, to the ongoing benefits, the new stadium will be an economic engine for Metro Atlanta.”

We here at the Atlanta Galleria are thrilled at the prospect of the Braves becoming our new neighbors. “The Cumberland/Galleria Mall area has long been an exciting and vibrant blend of office, retail, hotel and residential space,” said Connie Engel, a partner of Childress Klein Properties’ Atlanta Office Division who oversees the leasing and development of the Atlanta Galleria. “A lot can certainly happen between now and then, but if this does indeed come to pass, the new Braves stadium should have a tremendously positive impact on the Atlanta Galleria, this general area and Cobb County for years to come.”

Galleria Chat: Oct. 3, 2013

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado…

Culinary Paradise. Foodies, mark your calendars. Vinings Restaurant Week runs Oct. 5 through Oct. 13 this year. Prix fixe menus are available at a number of local favorite restaurants, including Canoe, La Paz, Garrison’s Broiler & Tap, Noche, Social Vinings, Soho and South City Kitchen.

For a full list of participating restaurants and menu offerings, visit www.viningseats.com. 

Find a Furry Friend. Now’s a great time to bring a new dog or cat into your life. You’ll have a great opportunity at the Adopt-a-Thon, this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cobb County Animal Control.

Come out for special adoption rates, food, demonstrations with the K-9 police unit, raffles and more. Also, bring a dog or cat food donation to help the shelter provide for more pets.

The Cobb County Animal Control facility is located at 1060 Al Bishop Drive in Marietta. For more information, visit its Facebook page.

Get Cultured. Seen any good opera lately? Now’s your chance. The Atlanta Opera is presenting Tosca, a quintessential opera set to the music of Puccini, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre starting this Saturday.

Set in revolutionary Rome, this story follows Tosca as she battles the police chief Scarpia for the life of her love Cavaradossi.

Performances run Oct. 5 at 8 p.m., Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the Cobb Energy Centre box office.

Road Race Party. This Saturday morning, get in a little exercise while supporting a great cause. Help Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church’s Habitat for Humanity program build its 33rd home by participating in the Habitat Road Race 5K run, the 1 mile fun run or the “Habitot Trot” for younger children.

The fun doesn’t stop with the race. Join a DJ to warm up before your run and stay after the race for music, a silent auction, an awards ceremony, refreshments and kids activities.

The first race begins at 8 a.m. Mt. Bethel is located at 4385 Lower Roswell Road in Marietta. Visit www.habitatroadrace.com to register. 

Galleria Chat: Sept. 26, 2013

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado…

The Last Concert of Summer. If you haven’t caught a concert at the Marietta Square as part of the Glover Park Concert Series this summer, this Friday is your last chance.

Kasper and the 911 Band will perform soul and Motown music starting at 8 p.m. This is a free event, but you can reserve tables for $45 to $55 by calling 770-794-5601. Guests are welcome to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs.

Trucks, Trucks and More Trucks. Are your kids crazy about anything with wheels? Bring them out to Town Center Mall this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Cobb County Touch-A-Truck. This event lets the whole family get up close to police cars, fire engines, construction vehicles, military vehicles and even a police helicopter.

Touch-A-Truck is sponsored by the Cobb County Safety Village. Check the organization’s Facebook page for event updates. Town Center Mall is located at 400 Ernest W. Barrett Parkway in Kennesaw.

BBQ Sampler. True barbeque lovers are in for a treat at the Whole Hawg Happenin’, to be held this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Marietta Square.

The best barbeque joints from across Atlanta will be serving up samples, including Williamson Bros., Heirloom BBQ, Dave Poe’s BBQ and more. There also will be a number of other treats available from area vendors such as King of Pops, Fox Specialty Dogs, Cool Hawaiian Shaved Ice and other favorite food trucks.

The event will feature live music, a beer garden and kids activities. Admission is free, and tastings run from $0.50 to $5.00.

Score! Here’s a can’t-miss deal for soccer fans. Admission is free for this Friday’s Kennesaw State University women’s soccer game, as the Owls take on the Lipscomb Bison. The first 500 fans also will receive free KSU koozies.  

The game starts at 7 p.m. at Fifth Third Stadium, located at 3300 George Busbee Parkway in Kennesaw. For more information, visit www.ksuowls.com.

Galleria Chat: Sept. 12, 2013

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado…

Outdoor Hors d'Oeuvres. Say farewell to summer this Saturday with the Taste of Smyrna, a full day of music, entertainment and, of course, food on the city’s Village Green. Sample cuisine from the area’s top restaurants while enjoying music and activities for the kids.

Marietta Fish Market, Small Cakes Smyrna, Village Taqueria, Buckhead BBQ, Meehan’s, The Melting Pot, King of Pops and a number of your other favorite restaurants will be there serving up samples ranging in price from $.50 to $4. Admission is free. 

The action begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m. The Village Green is located at 200 Village Green Circle. Check for updates on the event’s Facebook page. 

Run For It! Before you head over to the Taste of Smyrna, it might be a good idea to burn off a few calories first. What better way to do that than by running in the Hot Lips Hustle 5K? This race supports The Smile Train’s worldwide mission to treat children with cleft lips or palates.

The race, in its ninth year, was founded by a young Marietta girl who was born with a cleft palate and who wants to help children with the same condition whose families can’t afford treatments. The race begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 2922 Sandy Plains Road in Marietta.

To register, visit www.hotlipshustle5K.com.

Need for Speed. Get ready for a classic car showdown at the 2nd Annual Wheels for Wellness Car Show, this Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy classic cars, music, food and other activities at this event, sponsored by the Foundation of Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna. 

Car entry is only $20 for preregistered vehicles and $25 the day of the show. All proceeds will go toward providing new hospital beds. Admission for spectators is free. Visit www.smyrnacares.org for more information.

Best of Brew. Have you had the chance to check out Brew with a View at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre? This summertime event series welcomes guests up on the theater’s rooftop for drinks and a great view of Marietta.

This Friday, the Strand is hosting Best of Brew, a free concert that brings together a few of the fan-favorite artists from previous events: Chad Yochum and Travis Cottle, 10/9 Central and The Hill Street Roots Band. The concert begins at 8 p.m.

Galleria Chat: Aug. 22, 2013

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado… 

Marietta-ville. This Friday, put on your Hawaiian shirt and head down to Glover Park in Marietta at 8 p.m. to hear A1A, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band, in the latest installment of the Glover Park Concert Series.

The series is free all summer long, but tables are also available for each concert. Six-person tables can be reserved for $45 and eight-person tables for $55 by calling (770) 794-5601.

The next — and last — concert in the series is Sept. 27, when Motown group Kasper and the 911 Band will play.

Meetups. Have you heard of Meetup.com? The social networking site brings together groups of like-minded people for outings based on their interests. Smyrna Patch has put together a short list of Smyrna and Vinings area Meetup groups, which you can read here.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun, a Smyrna group for young professional women, has a hike up Kennesaw Mountain planned for this Saturday at 9 a.m. Click here to learn more about the group.

Hometown Showdown. This Saturday, the Marietta Derby Darlins will present Marietta Mayhem, a double-header roller derby event debuting two home teams: the Air Raid Sirens and the Bombshell Brawlers.

The event takes place at the Cobb County Civic Center, located at 548 South Marietta Parkway in Marietta. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for kids ages 6 to 12 and free for kids under 5. The bouts start at 4 p.m. Visit www.mariettaderbydarlins.com for more information. 

Crochet for a Cause. Looking for a way to give back? Come out Saturday for Yarn, Hook and Tea, a crocheting event to create shawls for cancer patients. Meet at Rev Coffee in Smyrna at 4 p.m. to pitch in with your crocheting skills. Shawls will be donated to patients through the Living Beyond Breast Cancer organization.

Rev Coffee is located at 1680 Spring Road in Smyrna. Call (770) 573-4434 for more information about the event.