Events and Happenings: The Week of April 29

State Board of Education member Rich Valladares to hold 6th district public hearing

State Board of Education member Rich Valladares will hold a public hearing for citizens in the 6th Congressional District from 7 to 8 p.m. on May 7 at Forsyth County Arts and Learning, 1150 Dahlonega Highway in Cumming.

The purpose of the hearing is to hear comments from interested citizens and educators within the congressional district regarding K-12 public education. Those wishing to speak should sign in upon arrival.

For more information, contact Geraldine Price at gprice@doe.k12.ga.us.

Individuals who need assistance or auxiliary aids for participation in this public forum are invited to make their needs known to gprice@doe.k12.ga.us no later than 72 hours before the scheduled event.

The 6th Congressional District includes the following school districts: Buford City (partial), Cherokee County (partial), Cobb County (partial), Dawson County, Forsyth County, Fulton County (partial), Gwinnett County (partial) and Marietta City (partial).

Community Prayer and Praise event is May 2

The City of Powder Springs will have a Community Prayer and Praise event at 6:30 p.m. on May 2 at Thurman Springs Park.

Participants can join a time of prayer, praise through music and an inspirational message from local spiritual leaders and worship teams. Some seating is available. Participants can bring their own chair and/or blanket for lawn seating.

Powder Springs Shred Day

The City of Powder Springs will have a Shred Day on May 4 at the Powder Springs Police Department.

Participants can protect against identity theft by having documents shredded securely onsite by a licensed, bonded and locally-owned shredding company. Materials can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Limit of 10 banker boxes or ten 13-gallon trash bags per vehicle. No file folders, glossy paper, magazines, junk mail, periodicals, newspaper, CDs, DVDs, binders or books will be shredded.

Cobb PARKS holiday and maintenance closures in May

Cobb PARKS facilities will be closed for Memorial Day, except for outdoor pools.

Most outdoor areas of the parks will be open for public use.

Several aquatic center facilities will soon get a makeover, including resurfacing the pool and painting the natatorium. The centers that will be closed for maintenance are: the Central Aquatic Center through June 30; the Mountain View Aquatic Center from July 1 to Sept. 30; and the West Cobb Aquatic Center from Feb. 1, 2025 to April 30, 2025.

Truist Night Market: Passport Edition at The Home Depot Backyard

The Home Depot Backyard, 1 Backyard Way in the Cumberland area, will open their 2024 season with Truist Night Market: Passport Edition from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on May 2.

There will be live music, craft cocktails and food offerings while participants shop local artisans.

For more information, visit https://www.bigtickets.com/events/hdby/truist-night-market-passport-edition-2024/ .

Community education event on sex trafficking is May 7

The Truth Every Parent Should Know About Sex Trafficking, a community education event hosted by Rep. Devan Seabaugh, R-Marietta, will be from 6:30 to 7:30 on May 7 at North Metro Church, 2305 Barrett Parkway NW in Marietta.

Speakers will include:

Chris Keegan, Assistant Attorney General, Human Trafficking Section Assistant with the Georgia Human Trafficking and Prosecution Taskforce, will be sharing the Red Flags of trafficking, who traffickers target and where and how, success of prosecutions to take criminals off the streets and out of the community.Crystal Burdette, Program Director for Rescuing Hope, a local non-profit that is part of First Lady, Marty Kemp’s Grace Commission, will be speaking about what the community can do when one thinks someone is being trafficked. Rescuing Hope specializes in educating potential victims and trafficked advocates and survivors. There will also be a table with important take-a-way information.

This free event is for individuals 18 or older due to the content being discussed. To register, email rsvpgvi@gmail.com .

Registration opens May 1 for 6th Annual Teen Muggle Quidditch

The 6th Annual Teen Muggle Quidditch, for ages 11-18, will be from 10 a.m. to noon on May 23 at Logan Farm Park in Acworth.

Muggle Quidditch is a one-handed sport played with a pool noodle in lieu of a broom. Registration opens 10 a.m. on May 1. Family friendly passive programs and activities will be provided for parents, siblings and Harry Potter fans not meeting the age requirement for the event. No registration required for passive activities.

For more information, visit https://www.cobbcounty.org/events/teen-muggle-quidditch-logan-farm-park-acworth .

Black Light Chess

The West Cobb Regional Library, 1750 Dennis Kemp Lane in Kennesaw, will have Black Light Chess from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on May 1.

Players of all experience levels welcome. There will be 30 boards available, but participants can bring their own. There will also be other areas available where participants can play. Space is limited.

For more information, visit https://www.cobbcounty.org/events/black-light-chess-two-hours-glowing-fun-2 .

Civil War Roundtable of Cobb County Meeting

The Civil War Roundtable of Cobb County will meet on May 2 at the Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel & Conference Center, 500 Powder Springs Street in Marietta.

There will be a social gathering at 6:30 p.m. prior to the 7 p.m. meeting. The speaker will be LTC Harold Knudsen who will discuss “Longstreet the Confederate General Who Fought the Next War.”

The CWRTCC meets the first Thursday of each month and serves as a membership organization available to the public. The CWRTCC encourages the study, analysis and appreciation of the events, personalities, records and publications associated with the American Civil War. First time visitors are free.

For more information, email cobbcivilwarrt@gmail.com .