Bright Side News for Jan. 3, 2025

January 3, 2025 by

Happy New Year! In this issue we cover:

  • BRING ONE FOR THE CHIPPER
  • SMYRNA LIBRARY CLOSED THROUGH JANUARY 5
  • SMYRNA COMMUNITY CENTER REOPENS JANUARY 11
  • CHABAD HELD GELT DROP MENORAH LIGHTING
  • COBB CHAMBER: NOMINATE A SMALL BUSINESS
  • SBA JANUARY MEETING AT CARMICHAEL’S
  • QUARTERLY MEETING AT SMRYNA CITY HALL

Plus all the latest local events.

Bright Side News for January 3, 2025
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Friday, January 3, 2025 • Just in time to plan your weekend

An “In-Between The Issues” look at events, people, dining, and entertaining in southern Cobb County, from the publishers of The Bright Side community newspapers of southern Cobb. Deadline for the Februay issue is January 23rd. Contact us at news@brightsidecobb.com.


BRING ONE FOR THE CHIPPER

Keep Smyrna Beautiful is once again sponsoring their annual Bring One for the Chipper. This is a Christmas Tree recycling program to turn live trees into mulch. This year’s Chipper event will be on Saturday, January 4 at the Home Depot, 2450 Cumberland Parkway, in Vinings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Trees should be live, unbound, and free of flocking and other decorations. They will be recycled into much. Seedlings will be available as supplies last.
 
Read the Nov/Dec Bright Side


       

SMYRNA LIBRARY CLOSED THROUGH JAN. 5, COMMUNITY CENTER THROUGH JAN. 10

SMYRNA LIBRARY

Due to scheduled upgrades to the library’s HVAC systems, Smyrna Library will be closed Monday, December 23, through Sunday, January 5, 2025. We apologize for the inconvenience. No physical library materials will be due until January 6, 2025.

CURBSIDE PICKUP will be available from 1-5 p.m. for select days:
Monday, December 23; Thursday, December 26; Friday, December 27; Saturday, December 28
Sunday, December 29; Monday, December 30; Thursday, January 2; Friday, January 3; Saturday, January 4; and Sunday, January 5

To use the Curbside Pickup Service, place holds on the materials you wish to check out. Then visit Smyrna Library to pick up your materials. Instructions for pick up will be posted at the library. 
 

SMYRNA COMMUNITY CENTER

The Smyrna Community Center will close Friday, December 20 for maintenance. Normal operations will resume on Saturday, January 11.


CHABAD HELD GELT DROP MENORAH LIGHTING

On Monday, Dec. 30, Chabad Smyrna Vinings hosted a Giant Gelt Drop and Menorah Lighting at Brawner Hall, Smyrna.  The indoor/outdoor event featured face painting, balloons, music, and Chanukah treats including chocolate gelt raining down from the sky.  

Smyrna Firefighters were onsite handing out toy firefighting helmets and helping with the gelt drop. 

Chanukah is a Jewish holiday observed for eight days, this year running Dec. 25 – Jan. 2. According to the story, when the ancient Temple in Jerusalem was being rededicated, there was only enough oil for one day. But a miracle happened and the oil lasted eight days. The eight-branched menorah represents that miracle.

 Gelt is money given as presents during the Jewish festival of Chanukah. It is typically given to children, often as part of the traditional dreidel game. Candy manufacturers offer Chanukah-themed chocolate coins wrapped in gold or silver foil, as a supplement to real money gifts.


NOMINATE A SMALL BUSINESS 

Nominations and applications are now open for Small Business of the Year Awards 2024  by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. This year’s awards include six categories: Businesses to Watch, Small Business of the Year, Next-Level Excellence, Community Service Excellence, Women-Owned Business of the Year, Minority-Owned Business of the Year, and Veteran-Owned Business of the Year. These awards recognize the organizations that are writing Cobb County’s next chapter in business.

Know a deserving company? Nominations are open now through February 6.

Applications close February 27. Winners will be announced at the Small Business of the Year Luncheon on May 12, 2025 at the Coca-Cola Roxy. Thank you to Presenting Sponsors LOUD Security Systems Inc. and S.A. White Oil Company. Learn more and apply.

SBA JANUARY MEETING AT CARMICHAEL’S

The January networking luncheon of the Smyrna Business Association will be held at the Carmichael Funeral Home Special Events Building, 2950 King St SE, Smyrna, on Thursday January 9, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

The January Networking Luncheon Speaker will be Farrell Middleton, President and Founder of Bell Curve of Life. A Georgia Tech honors graduate (1986), he brings 36 years of experience in residential development and homebuilding. His coaching program focuses on helping individuals and organizations achieve peak performance through improved attitudes, leadership, communication, and team dynamics. After managing successful ventures since age 22, he transitioned from his business career in 2022 to focus on helping others reach their full potential. Click here for registration.


QUARTERLY MEETING AT CITY HALL

On Sunday, three Smyrna city council members will hold a quarterly meeting at city hall. Wards 1, 3 and 6 will hold a meeting beginning at 4:30 and ending at 5:30 p.m. to give updates from the city. Councilmen Glenn Pickens, Travis Lindley and Tim Gould will be on hand at city hall, 2800 King Street, Smyrna. The meeting is free and open to the public.
       


Place your advertising in the Bright Side eWeekly for only $25 per week
(minimum of 4 weeks).    
Contact Cathy Lipsett at 770-426-9388 or
by email at cslipsett@att.net for more information.

GET INVOLVED AT FREEMAN POOLE SENIOR CENTER

Seniors, are you looking for activities or need a place to meet new friends? Why not visit the Freeman Poole Senior Center located at 4025 South Hurt Road, Smyrna? Join a lunch and learn class, enjoy a cooking demonstration, play bingo or join a book reading club. Whatever your interest may be, there’s plenty to do at Freeman Poole.

Click here for a list of upcoming events.

4025 S Hurt Road, Smyrna 30082
(770-801-3400)
Visit Freeman Poole Senior Center’s website for daily activities

Veteran Connection meets the 2nd Tuesday each month at 10 a.m.

JANUARY

Write Your Story 
Monday, January 6 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Free; Registration required
Don’t we all have a story inside us?  If you have ever thought you wanted to write a book, whether fiction or nonfiction, this is the class for you!  Bring your dreams of writing, big and small, to fruition and leave a legacy for generations to come. This is a course to solve your writer’s block and inspire you to put pen to paper whether writing your own story or a legacy fictional novel.  You will be shown how to get started and get serious about writing your story. This is a 4-week class. Presented by B.E.S.T (Broadening and Enriching Seniors Together)

Welcome to C. Freeman Poole 
Thursday, January 9 from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Free; Registration required
Whether you are new or have been coming to C. Freeman Poole for a long time, you are invited to come and learn more about our center, the programs we offer, meet our team, take a tour of our center, and offer suggestions about activities, events or seminars you would like to see offered. 

Sip & Savor Tea Tasting 
Friday, January 10 from noon – 1 p.m. 
$10; Registration required
Join us for an afternoon of elegance and indulgence as we host a delicious tea tasting. Enjoy an exquisite selection of finely brewed teas, accompanied by delicious finger sandwiches, delectable pastries while learning about the benefits tea has on our health. Hosted by Fruitea Bubbles Café.

Computer Basics with South Cobb Library 
Monday, January 13 and Thursday, January 23
From 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Free; Registration required
If you are new to computers, haven’t used them for a while, are a little unsure and uncomfortable, or just need a bit of a refresher, then this class is for you. These classes are designed to help you tackle technology and gain the confidence you need to succeed. There are two sessions in this class, please be present for both. Presented by South Cobb Regional Library.

Vision Board 
Tuesday, January 14 from 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. Free; Registration required
Are you ready to set your intentions and manifest your dreams for the future? Join us for a Vision Board Party, where we’ll come together to get creative, reflect on our goals, and create visual representations of everything we want to achieve while also focusing on mindfulness in the moment. Presented by UGA Cobb Extension. 

Organizing and Downsizing Your Home #43389
Thursday, January 16 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Free; Registration required
Discover practical tips and compassionate strategies to ease the process of downsizing your home. Whether you are planning to move or creating a more manageable space, this presentation will be beneficial to you. Presented by Caring Transitions of Smyrna and Dallas, Ga. 

Freeman Foodies 
Friday, January 17 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Lunch on your own; Registration required
Casa Grande 
2810 East-West Connector, Austell

Candle Making Class 
Tuesday, January 21 from 1 p.m. – 2
$40 (Supplies & instructor fee); Registration required
Join us for a hands-on, creative candle making class where you’ll learn the art of crafting your very own candles from scratch! Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, this class is perfect for anyone looking to explore the soothing, creative process of candle making. 

Understanding Joint Pain 
Wednesday, January 22 from 11 a.m. – noon. Free; Registration required
Joint pain is a common health concern affecting people of all ages. It can range from mild discomfort to severe disability, impacting one’s quality of life. This presentation will provide a comprehensive understanding of joint pain, including its underlying causes, common conditions that result in joint pain, and current treatment options to help manage and alleviate symptoms. Presented by PT Solutions of Smyrna. 

Bingo Bash 
Monday, January 27 from noon – 2 p.m. 
$3; Registration required  
Fundraiser to benefit Freeman Poole Senior Center. 

Affirmation Jars Craft 
Wednesday, January 29 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Free; Registration required
It is the beginning of a new year, and also the month that we celebrate ourselves. Join us in making your very own affirmation jar which will help you remember your positive qualities and strengths that will affirm the amazing and unique individual that you are. 

BRIGHT SIDE CALENDAR 
FOR SMYRNA/VININGS/MABLETON/AUSTELL


January 2025

4:  BRING ONE FOR THE CHIPPER: January 4. Instead of sending your tree to the landfill, recycle it! KSB will hold this annual event on Saturday, January 4, at The Home Depot, 2450 Cumberland Pkwy SE, Vinings. Details can be found at https://keepsmyrnabeautiful.com/bring-one-for-the-chipper/

Weekly Organizations
BOY SCOUT TROOP 220 meets every Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Life Church Smyrna Assembly of God, 4100 King Springs Road (next to Griffin Middle School). For more information visit https://www.troopwebhost.org/Troop220Smyrna/Index.htm.https://web.cobbchamber.org/atlas/events/smyrna-area-council-state-of-the-city-11830/register

SMYRNA OPTIMIST: Meets every Friday, 7 a.m.to 8 a.m.at the American Legion Post 160, located at 160 Legion Drive. Visitors welcome. 

JONQUIL CITY INVESTMENT CLUB open membership now happening. Jonquil City Investment Club is an all-female organization that encourages women to learn more about investing and applying financial knowledge by investing small amounts of money ($25) in the stock market.  We meet on the first Thursday of each month to learn from a licensed investment broker and discuss the performance of our investments.  Now is a great time to invest in the stock market while it is static.  Have fun with us riding the wave to the top!  For additional information, contact Cindy Acker, Senior Partner, at jcic2004@yahoo.com.

THE JONQUIL CITY KIWANIS CLUB meets on Tuesdays from 10-11 a.m. at the Wolfe Center at 884 Church St.  Smyrna,30080. All are welcome.  Please come early for fellowship and refreshments.

SMYRNA BNI: Smyrna Business Exchange BNI, the largest and most successful BNI Chapter in all North Georgia (including the Atlanta Metro area) meets Thursday mornings from 7 a.m. until 8:30 (networking, coffee and breakfast starting at 6:45 a.m.) The group meets at Smyrna First Baptist Church, 1275 Church St SE, Smyrna. Enter behind the church in the “Welcome Center.” You can reach them online at: bniatl.com

TOASTMASTERS MEETINGS! T-Toasters of Vinings is once again holding live meetings every Wednesday night starting at 6 p.m. Our meetings are held at 2727 Paces Ferry Rd, Building 2 in the 3rd floor conference room. Look for our banner and come join the fun! For more information visit t-toasters.com or email amberenson@gmail.com.

VININGS CUMBERLAND ROTARY CLUB. In person weekly meeting, and on zoom, every Wednesday at 12 noon. The meetings are held at Copeland’s of New Orleans, 3101 Cobb Parkway, Vinings. For more information, go to viningsrotary.org, or contact Shawn Bendig at shawnbendig@att.net or 404-374-6027

SMYRNA ROTARY CLUB meets Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m. Join for a warm welcome, great fellowship, wonderful speakers, and community, national and international service projects. For more information, email Smyrna Rotary Club at f2@nfiweb.com.

GIRL SCOUTS. Girl Scout Troop 625 (K – 6th Grades) is recruiting! We have age level meetings for Mondays or Thursdays at Austell First United Methodist Church. Contact us at 470-399-3629 or troop625rocks@gmail.com.
 

Groups

RELATIONSHIPS IN RECOVERY. The oldest meeting on campus meets every Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. in the Pro North building at Ridgeview Institute, 3995 S. Cobb Drive, Smyrna. A 12-step format meeting helping people in relationships with the many aspects of recovery. 

 

E-mail your organization’s calendar news to news@brightsidecobb.com. Please send in a Word format as short as possible and no flyers. Calendar items also go into the electronic weekly every Friday. To subscribe to the eWeekly go to www.brightsidecobb.com and click on the red button.

NOTES AND NOTICES

 

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS OPEN: Keep Smyrna Beautiful offers a $4,500 scholarship for a student currently pursuing or planning to pursue a degree in an environmentally related field. Applications are due March 2, 2025. Must be a resident of Smyrna or currently enrolled in Campbell High School or Whitefield Academy. More details here: https://keepsmyrnabeautiful.com/school-partnerships/

MONTHLY RECYCLING CENTER TOURS. The City of Smyrna Recycling Center offers monthly tours on the third Friday of the month (except for holidays) at 9 am. You can register to attend by visiting: https://keepsmyrnabeautiful.com/education/
 

SERVICES


GOOD RASCAL DOG TRAINING: Certified Dog Trainer offers Private Dog Training in your home or other mutually convenient location.  Positive, gentle methods make training fun for dog and owner. Licensed, Bonded and Insured.  For details, see our website: www.mygoodrascal.com. To set up a consultation, email: gary@mygoodrascal.com or call 770-401-7945.

INTERIOR DESIGN CONSULTING: Give your home a NEW LOOK for fall! Have a professional Interior Designer arrange your furniture and accessories to look their best, give you design ideas, and a plan for future purchases. Full Interior Design Services also available. Call or text Creative Interiors 404-569-9665

PLACING NOTES AND NOTICES ADS: Holding a garage sale? Selling or renting your home, need an employee, tutoring, teaching, or in –home child care? We accept short reader ads for a fee of $25 per 50 words. The ads, with check, should be mailed or delivered to The Bright Side, 3330 Cumberland Blvd, Suite 500, Vinings, GA 30339.  Ad copy should also be e-mailed to: ads@brightsidecobb.com. Check or credit card payments accepted. Home-based business ads accepted only if they do not conflict with our display advertisers. Home sale ads are for homeowners only. For information, call 770-426-9388 or e-mail to ads@brightsidecobb.com
 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES


INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT. Throughout the fall, Keep Smyrna Beautiful will continue regular volunteer events, including Community Cleanups, Storm Drain Marking, and Adopt-a-Mile. Interested in volunteering? Fill out our online volunteer application, which can be found at https://keepsmyrnabeautiful.com/volunteer/


HELP WANTED


AD SALES POSITION OPEN. The Bright Side newspaper is looking for a self-starter to join our team in advertising sales. The motivated team member will be able to call on local businesses to tell them about advertising opportunities with The Bright Side. This is a 1099 commission position with lots of potential for the right person. If interested in interviewing, contact Cathy Lipsett at 770-426-9388 or by email cslipsett@att.net


EXTRA COPIES
 

EXTRA COPIES: Looking for an extra copy of The Bright Side? Copies are available each month in the Smyrna Library, the Smyrna Community Center, and Jonquil Publix Atlanta Road, Smyrna; Mableton Pharmacy, Floyd Road Kroger; and in Austell: The Treadmill. Also available at advertiser locations. On our website, www.brightsidecobb.com, sign up for out electronic weekly that has more local news and calendar items every Friday.

BRIGHT SIDE NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING 


NEW ADVERTISERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AT THE BRIGHT SIDE


REACH OUT to potential new customers/clients through the electronic and print editions of The Bright Side. Let an ad in The Bright Side help attract new customers or clients to your business. Give me a call or email and let’s see how a Bright Side ad can benefit your business in the print and electronic editions. I am also looking for news of events for this New Year edition. I welcome good news about people in the community at any time. Give me a phone call at 770-426-9388 or email me at cslipsett@att.net.

And if you know someone who would like to receive our electronic weekly edition, have them visit my website at brightsidecobb.com, click on the red button, and fill out the information. Can I save a space for your advertising? Call me at 77-426-9388 or email me at cslipsett@att.net.

In addition to direct mail delivery to homes, extra print copies of The Bright Side are available at the Smyrna Public Library, at the Jonquil Publix on Atlanta Road and at Vickery Hardware, at the Treadmill, Austell, the Floyd Road Kroger and Mableton Pharmacy.

Cathy Lipsett
Publisher/owner, The Bright Side Newspaper for Southern Cobb
 
The electronic weekly is a publication of Lipsett and Associates, Inc., publisher of The Bright Side Newspaper. Publisher and editor is Cathy Lipsett with electronic design by Peter Lipsett. 
Advertisers: Reach New Customers
Advertisers, the Bright Side is the best way to reach thousands of homes within a few minutes driving time of your business. The deadline for each issue is the 23rd of the month. Publication is the first week of the upcoming month. Send to ads@brightsidecobb.com.
 
Notes And Notices
Holding a garage sale? Selling or renting your home, need an employee, tutoring, teaching, in-home child care? We accept short reader ads (up to 50 words) for a fee of $25 per month.

Email the ad to ads@brightsidecobb.com and send checks to The Bright Side, 3330 Cumberland Blvd. Suite 500, Vinings, GA 30339. (No copy accepted by phone) and received prior to our deadline of the 23rd of each month. Publication is in the first week of the following month. We also accept credit card payment. Home-based business ads accepted only if they do not conflict with our display advertisers. House for sale ads are for homeowners only. For information, call 770-426-9388 or e-mail to ads@brightsidecobb.com.
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