Cobb County’s newest state-of-the-art facility, the Jim R. Miller Park Event Center, will open in with a ribbon cutting ceremony 11 a.m., Sept. 7. It is the largest structure funded by the 2016 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax at 41,000 square feet. This includes 25,000 square feet of rentable exhibit and event space. This space can be equally divided into three sections to cater to any event needs. The facility is an excellent option for events like:

• Weddings, receptions, quinceañeras and reunions
• Corporate meetings and training or seminars
• Civic meetings and church socials
• Banquets
• Trade shows
• Concerts and dances
• Festivals and expos

A meeting room and kitchen facilities are also available. The event space can be combined with outdoor spaces for large events such as festivals and expos. Click here to see the floor plan for the building. If you come to the North Georgia State Fair in September, you will have an opportunity to see the facility in person.

Staff is currently booking reservations for 2019. For more information, call the facility manager, Cara Lynn, at 770-528-8875.

Would you like to learn more about how Cobb County's public safety organizations operate? The fall session of the Citizens Public Safety Academy is now accepting applications. The academy will start Tuesday, Sept. 18, and this 14-week program will provide an opportunity for county residents to gain insight on how the police, fire, animal services and 911 departments are organized. Participants will also learn the important role each department plays to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors. A few of the planned activities include: 

• Meeting with distinguished members of public safety departments
• Touring the 911 Communications Center and the Medical Examiner’s Office
• Receiving demonstrations from the police department on weapons/firearms safety and defensive tactics
• Participating in classes from fire department special operations, including hazardous materials and the heavy rescue squad

In order to participate in the academy, you must either live in Cobb County or work for Cobb County government or schools and be at least 21 years old. An application can be emailed to you or be picked up at the DPS Training Center, 2109 Valor Drive, Marietta. The completed application must taken to the Public Safety Internal Affairs Department, 1150 Powder Springs St., Suite 300, Marietta, by 3 p.m., Monday, Sept. 10. Please bring your driver’s license with you because a copy of it will be needed. For more information, call 770-499-4100.

If you have a membership to Cobb Senior Services, your membership card now provides some extra perks, including local businesses that offer discounts on purchases or services. Visit cobbseniors.org for a list of businesses and check back frequently as more offers are added. If you are a business owner who would like to become a Perks Partner, call Kathy Lathem at 770-528-5393.

Help make the wishes of local children with life-threatening medical conditions come true by participating in the 18th annual Cobb County Make-A-Wish 5K. Saturday, Oct. 6. The race will be held on the historic Marietta Square and registration is open now at cobbmakeawish5k.org. 
 
This is an official AJC Peachtree Road Race qualifying event. Pre-registration is $30 for a timed walk/run, $25 for untimed and $10 for children 6-12 years old. After Sept. 21, fees will increase $35 for a timed walk/run and $30 for untimed. "Phantom runners" who want to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation and participate in spirit pay $25. Teams of 10 or more pay $25 for timed and $20 for untimed each. To pre-register, visit cobbmakeawish5k.org and click on "Active Works." All registered participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt. Proceeds from the 5K help grant the wishes of children in Cobb County who have life-threatening medical conditions.

Lalah Hathaway is the daughter of the legendary Donny Hathaway, but she has a voice and talent all her own. Get your tickets now for an evening with Lalah Hathaway with special guests Eric Roberson and Algebra Blessett Saturday, Aug. 18, at Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. Hear the five-time Grammy Award winner's hits including "Heaven Knows," "Forever, For Always, For Love," "Baby Don't Cry" and "You Were Meant for Me." Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show will start at 7 p.m.

For more information about other upcoming shows at Mable House, including Brian McKnight and Peabo Bryson, visit mablehouse.org. The amphitheatre is located at 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.

Cobb County 4-H helps youth gain knowledge and develop life skills. The club provides hands-on experiences that focus on agricultural and environmental issues, leadership, communication skills, food and nutrition, health, energy conservation and citizenship. Come and see what 4-H has to offer your family at an open house 4-8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 16. The event will be held at 678 South Cobb Drive, Suite 200, Marietta. There will be popsicles, ice cream, information and registration for all 4-H clubs. These clubs include County Council, Young Farmers, Cooking Club, Horse and Pony, Homeschool, Archery, Shooting Sports, Cloverbuds and EFNEP Family Cooking. They are open to all Cobb youth in grades kindergarten through 12. Most of the activities are free or low cost, but some clubs have limited spots.

Vietnam veterans never received simple acknowledgment of their personal sacrifices to our country during the war. The Cobb County Board of Commissioners will host a Certificate of Honor and Lapel Pin Ceremony 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Cobb Civic Center. The ceremony will include presentation of the Defense Department's Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Lapel Pin and the State Certificate of Honor. If you are interested in being recognized, please complete the attached form and return with a copy of your DD 214 by Thursday, Aug. 16.

Every Georgia veteran with honorable service during the Vietnam War is eligible to receive this certificate and lapel pin. This includes veterans with service in-country and those who served in other capacities. Each certificate, signed by Gov. Nathan Deal and Georgia Department of Veterans Service Commissioner Mike Roby, is personalized with the veteran’s name, rank, branch of service, dates of service printed over the Seal of the State of Georgia and includes the official U.S. Department of Defense’s Vietnam War Commemorative Partner logo. Eligibility dates are those recognized by the Defense Department’s Vietnam War Commemoration Program Office: June 1, 1954 to May 15, 1975.

For more information about this event, contact GDVS Public Information at 404-656-5933.

Cobb Police Athletic League will host its fourth annual free baseball camp next month and registration is open now at cobbcounty.org/pal. The camp for 4-9 year olds will be held 6-8:30 p.m., Aug. 21, and the camp for 10-15 year olds will be held 6-8:30 p.m., Aug. 22. Both will take place at Clarkdale Park, Southwest Baseball Complex, 4905 Austell Powder Springs Road, Austell. For more information, contact Alicia Hicks at 770-499-3921.

Stepping is a synchronized dancelike performance that blends African folk traditions with popular culture. It involves clapping, body slapping, vocalizations and dramatic movements. Children in grades 6-12 are invited to learn how to step with the Cobb Police Athletic League, the Cool Kids Committee and Phi Beta Sigma, Inc.

Free stepping lessons will be held at 6:30 p.m., every Tuesday, starting Aug. 21, at Fair Oaks Recreation Center, 1465 West Booth Road Ext. SW, Marietta. Register now online at cobbcounty.org/pal. For more information, contact Alicia Hicks at alicia.hicks@cobbcounty.org.