SHARPER FOCUS

Here’s a snapshot of what’s going on in your community.

For the second year in a row, Cobb Galleria Centre has been named one of North America’s best by EXHIBITOR magazine. “We are honored to be chosen among an elite group of venues — and the only venue in Georgia — as a top convention center in North America,” said Michele Swann, GM and CEO of the Cobb Galleria Centre.

SafePath Achieves Partner in Prevention Designation SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center has achieved Partner in Prevention status, a designation awarded convention centers for trade shows and events

by the nonprofit Darkness to Light to organizations that take extra steps to protect the children they serve by training staff to understand the issue of child sexual abuse, identify unsafe situations and practices, and react responsibly in the best interest of the children they serve. Partner in Prevention was created as a national standard to help parents and caregivers recognize organizations that take child protection seriously by implementing policies and training staff to prevent child sexual abuse.

Credit Union of Georgia recently donated $12,000 to Marietta High School so it could purchase a much-needed LED scores table for not only their basketball season, but also all Winter Sports. Additionally, the table would allow the Audio-Visual Department to showcase their talents. “We would like to thank the Credit Union for their consistent support of Blue Devil basketball, which has truly made a lasting impact on our student-athletes,” said Coach Markus Hood.

CareSource, a nonprofit managed care plan, is committing $3.5 million to affordable housing projects in Atlanta and Savannah. This commitment is part of a $50-million investment CareSource is making to housing projects across the U.S. The COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened the number of families who are housing insecure. “[We] understand the impact that safe and affordable housing has on the health of our members,” said Bobby Jones, president of CareSource Georgia. Annual Thanks For Giving Event Reimagined due to Pandemic The Center for Family Resources is asking the community to help them reach their goal of providing 1,000 Thanks for Giving Food Boxes for this year’s reimagined Thanks for Giving event. Rather than hosting food drives throughout the area, supporters are asked to pack family food boxes themselves using a premade shopping list. Learn more at thecfr.org/t4g.

Chattahoochee Tech Practical Nursing Program Ranked in Top Two for Georgia The Chattahoochee Technical College Practical Nursing program has been ranked as one of the top two Practical Nursing programs in the state. Earning the second-place score of 99.54 in an assessment by practicalnursing.org, the Chattahoochee Tech ranking was based on pass rates for the National Council Licensure Examination. Southeastern Technical College received the top score of 99.58, with Georgia Piedmont Technical College receiving the third-place score of 98.06.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Cobb EMC’s annual Pink Power Flock the Yard campaign celebrated the thousands of brave, resilient women who have been impacted by breast cancer every year with a small army of flamingos. The pink flamingo flock was an eye-catching display to raise awareness that the local community can sponsor. Participants can send the flock to a friend or neighbor’s yard, or sponsor a flamingo at the YMCA. Learn more at cobbemc.com/pinkpower. Town Center Community Alliance Completes Plane Installation The Town Center Community Alliance, nonprofit partner of the Town Center CID, has completed the installation of a restored and refurbished 1964 Beechcraft A-23 Musketeer airplane at Aviation Park. The plane was donated by Hawthorne Aviation, then restored by DLK Aviation Incorporated. Engineering, design, and installation was provided by DeNyse; other partners include Fly LBI, Priority Jet, and Brahma Marketing.

Wellstar Health System reported recently that Wellstar Douglas and Paulding Hospitals have been designated Level II Emergency Cardiac Care Centers by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Cardiac Care. The designation signifies that the facilities provide outstanding advanced emergency cardiac care aimed at improving survival rates for heart attacks and cardiac arrest. “Wellstar has a robust network of cardiology experts and services across our system so people can get the right care at the right time — no matter how routine or complex,” said Dr. Barry Mangel, chief cardiology officer for Wellstar.

Big Shanty Festival The 44th annual Big Shanty Festival will be held in downtown Kennesaw with entertainment, arts & crafts, and great food. More info:

Join the Aviation History & Technology Center for a veterans appreciation day with live performances in an outdoor setting. Free admission. More info:

Veteran’s Day Ceremonies Join the Cobb County community in honoring United States military veterans. Event details and start times will vary by municipality. Acworth: acworth.org Kennesaw: kennesaw-ga.gov Marietta: mariettaga.gov Powder Springs: cityofpowderspring.org Smyrna: smyrnaga.gov

Veterans Memorial 5K Lace up for a cause and honor America’s veteran community. The 6th Annual Veterans Memorial 5K Run is presented by American Legion Post 29. More info: post29marietta.org/5krace

Running with Autism Speaks in Piedmont Park will provide you an exciting, memorable, and fulfilling experience where you can help enhance lives today while accelerating a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow. More info: autismspeaks.org

Cardinal’s Nest Luncheon Join the Davis Direction Foundation (DDF) and Credit Union of Georgia for this fund-raising event for DDF. More info: davisdirection.com

The 12th annual Acworth Turkey Chase is an exhilarating 5K run through Historic Downtown Acworth and along the shores of beautiful Lake Acworth. More info: acworth.org

Get the holiday magic started. More than 1 million LED lights and dozens of Christmas trees will create the perfect, magical atmosphere. More info:

Lights of LIFE One of metro Atlanta’s best lights displays kicks off on Thanksgiving Day. Just $10 per car. More info:

Crafternoon Stop by the Youth Services Desk at the Smyrna Public Library and pick up a packet of “to-go” crafts for kids ages 3-8. The packets will contain at least four crafts and includes instructions. More info: smyrnaga.gov

Help raise money for MUST Ministries’ 18th annual Gobble Jog by participating in a 10K, 5K, 1K, or a Tot Trot. More info:

Smyrna kicks off its holiday season with this annual tradition — including Santa! Festivities begin at 5 p.m. around the Village Green. More info: smyrnaga.gov

Santa’s Arrival in Acworth The City of Acworth welcomes Santa Claus to downtown on Friday around 5:30 p.m. More info:

For the 34th annual Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour, this year’s event will be self-guided. Get a glimpse inside private Marietta homes decorated for the holiday season. More info:

Southern Pieces Gala The gala has been re-imagined as a virtual chef event led by Chef Shaun Doty. Celebrate your dedication to the autism community with a delicious meal personally prepared by a distinguished chef in the comfort of your own home. More info: autismspeaks.org

A Day With Santa Santa’s arrival in Kennesaw begins at 2 p.m. with a Main Street parade featuring decorated floats, vintage cars, and costumed characters. More info:

The Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center campus hosts its 14th annual Light the Night event and ushers in the holiday season. More info: wellstar.org

Join more than 1,000 of the Atlanta Area’s top business and community leaders as they celebrate the Boy Scouts of America and pledge to support its future. More info: