Read Today’s Top Story: March’s interest-rate slide prompts jump in pending home sales The 31 four-story townhouses come with private elevators and rooftop terraces Toll Brothers has started selling move-in ready homes at Highlands at Vinings, a new luxury townhome community in Vinings.  The 31 four-story townhouses start at $925,000 and come with private elevators and rooftop terraces They encompass up to 3,553 square feet and have three bedrooms Interiors feature Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances quartz countertops and walk-in pantries.  “Highlands at Vinings offers the perfect combination of elegance comfort and modern living in the heart of Atlanta,” said Eric White division president of Toll Brothers in Atlanta “We are excited to offer a number of move-in ready homes for homebuyers who are ready to start living in their dream home today including thoughtfully designed homes with designer appointed features that showcase the best of this community.”  The Cobb County development is located at 2741 Wynberry Lane just off Paces Ferry Road near downtown Vinings.  and website in this browser for the next time I comment Resurgence Consulting LLC | Resurgence Realty Group of Atlanta Keller Williams Buckhead | Premiere Atlanta Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited 2025 at 10:37 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Cobb County Police are investigating the death of two roommates Thursday at Cumberland Parkway GA — Two roommates were found shot to death in a suspected murder-suicide in their Vinings apartment Thursday to the Cumberland Parkway apartment to find Davina Wright Police did not say what led to the fatal shooting Cobb Police's Major Crimes Unit is investigating the case If you or someone you know is considering self-harm or suicide The National Suicide Prevention Hotline operates 24 hours a day and can be reached at 988 The Crisis Text Line can provide support through text messages by texting "HOME" to 741741 Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Avid community volunteer Barry Krebs submitted the following report and photo about a litter cleanup in the Vinings Cove community: We had absolutely perfect weather for today’s litter cleanup. Volunteers from the Mableton Improvement Coalition and Lions Club who helped the Vinings Cove Homeowners remove 23 bags of litter and 19 tires from Pebblebrook Road and their adopted Buckner Road If you or your neighbors want to get a little exercise while getting to know each other a little better, you should adopt your street. Keep Cobb Beautiful will provide you with all of the supplies as well as place your signs on each end of your adopted mile. To learn more, please contact Dawn at keepcobbbeautiful@cobbcounty.org Keep Cobb Beautiful (KCB) is a nonprofit organization that fosters environmental sustainability and community engagement throughout Cobb County Established as a public-private partnership the organization collaborates with local governments The Keep Cobb Beautiful website describes the organization and its purpose as follows: Keep Cobb Beautiful is a nonprofit organization created for the purpose of assisting the County and Board of Commissioners in establishing promoting and maintaining a countywide policy for improved environmental and waste management Keep Cobb Beautiful is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful (KAB) non-profit public education organization dedicated to improving waste handling practices in American communities To volunteer with Keep Cobb Beautiful, including its Adopt-A-Mile program, follow this link. KCB focuses on the following goals: reducing litter the organization works to inspire residents to take an active role in maintaining their surroundings and educational workshops are integral to KCB’s mission According to the KCB website: Our many activities reach out into neighborhoods and the general population with programs on recycling presenter (photo courtesy of Cobb County) Porsha Winfrey the coordinator of Cobb County’s Drug Treatment Court By Mark Woolsey The Cobb County Commission District 2 and District 4 special election is officially in the books The Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration voted on Monday… Local farmers’ markets have been popular among metro Atlanta residents for decades now and Cobb County has a growing number of them to choose from [This article by Gary Tanner first appeared on the Kennesaw State University website republished with permission] Matt Eaton had to convince himself that he could be what he wanted to… The National Weather Service forecasts mostly sunny skies here in Cobb County on Tuesday Tonight it is expected to be mostly… 2025 at 1:33 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Cobb County Police and other police agencies respond Thursday to a shooting in the area of Cumberland Boulevard and Spring Road (Photo by Cobb County Police | Facebook)SMYRNA GA — A suspect remains at large after a police shooting Thursday in the 2600 block of Spring Road Police said the shooting happened around 9:30 a.m Officers were responding to a holdup alarm call at a Spring Road check cashing business when an encounter with a male suspect led to the shooting and police said around noon that they were still searching for the suspect Cobb County Police told Patch its SWAT team and Smyrna officers are actively investigating in the area near Cumberland Boulevard Smyrna Police asked people to avoid the area as several roads remain closed Cobb Police said the investigation was near a gas station and was causing heavy delays and blocked traffic on Cobb Parkway "We are working closely with the Smyrna Police Department to ensure public safety and to gather all necessary details we are limited in the information we can provide at this time We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as we work to resolve this situation Updates will be provided as more information becomes available," police said in a statement Smyrna Police told Patch that the incident remains fluid and involves response from multiple police agencies Police advised anyone who may have noticed suspicious activity in the area to call 911 An Atlanta Journal-Constitution photo and an image released by Cobb Police appear to show police surrounding an armored truck at Spring The scene is near where SWAT officers were conducting training at the time Patch is working to learn more information and will update as it is released Soy- and GMO-free cafe now open in Vinings A former Piedmont Healthcare executive services associate Anne Onyeneho never planned on being a chef But after her sister was diagnosed with fibroids she was determined to change her eating in hopes of preventing the hereditary tumors She started putting together recipes based on learnings from an herbalist she followed online plant-based versions of all the foods she loved After documenting her journey on social media, she began writing a cookbook. After she hit $10,000 in presales, she knew she’d hit on a need. PlantBaed—named for viral Turkish chef Salt Bae—was born “I wanted to find a way to make plants sexy,” Onyeneho says of her company name PlantBaed started popping up at Zeke’s Kitchen & Bar in Smyrna on Mondays and delivering plant-based meals via delivery apps Onyeneho was also catering and offering meal-prep services With items such as walnut meat street tacos and fried mushroom “oysters,” demand was high she launched the first permanent brick-and-mortar PlantBaed location in Vinings sandwiched between Arden’s Garden and TheraSolv Botanicals & Co she sells loaded walnut meat nachos (ground down and spiced to feel and taste like ground beef) and an “MLT” made with mushroom “bacon.” Offerings are primarily made to order with select salads available as grab-and-go and ice) that Onyeneho says “tastes like a vacation,” and a cookies and cream smoothie (coconut milk with black tahini) reminiscent of Oreo flavor “It’s more health-centric than just vegan,” she says It’s not just about the animals—it’s about the humans Onyeneho hopes to open two additional PlantBaed locations in the next 18 months For a few years in the late 1970s, Atlanta, Georgia, offered an unexpected twist for thrill-seekers: the Vinings Ridge Ski Area Far from the powdery peaks of traditional ski resorts Vinings Ridge operated on a synthetic surface due to the warm climate Situated outside the city on a 780-foot hill the ski area’s slope spanned 60 feet wide and was designed with synthetic turf and plastic pellets These small plastic pebbles rolled smoothly under skiers’ feet reminiscent of snow skiing without the need for cold temperatures or fresh powder Skiers were able to experience a similar glide to real snow If nature didn’t provide enough natural moisture the management would turn on the sprinklers about every hour to help turn the pebbles into ball bearings The pebbles would have to be raked back up the hill every couple of days Vinings Ridge wasn’t just a small practice hill either It had features typically found at larger resorts including moguls and an expert-level pitch creating excitement for beginners and seasoned skiers alike An impressive three-story lodge at the base became a lively gathering spot the lodge welcomed skiers and onlookers who enjoyed watching the action from its comfortable vantage points and a panorama view of Atlanta Its rooftop restaurant offered a unique place to dine and socialize drawing in high-society locals and visitors who loved the novelty of a ski slope amid the warm climate A lift ticket and rentals cost $6 for adults and $4 for kids 15 years old and under The Vinings Ridge area was already known for its natural spring it offered an even more enticing attraction the synthetic slope allowed Atlanta residents to ski without the drive to more distant resorts and curious locals would gather to experience skiing without the cold and snow artificial ski slope allowed them to learn the basics Vinings Ridge Ski Area was ultimately short-lived As thrilling as it was for residents to experience skiing in the South and the high costs of maintaining the artificial slope outweighed the demand Skiers also had more options within driving distance like Appalachian mountain resorts with authentic snow and terrain Vinings Ridge Ski Area has become a neighborhood leaving no trace of the recreation opportunity it once offered it remains a quirky chapter in Atlanta’s history and a reminder of the city’s creative attempt to bring skiing to the heart of Georgia Georgia no Atlanta like the back of my hand I once skied that hill with the legendary Olympic silver medalist Billy Kidd He came to Atlanta for a preseason event and skied with us at Vinings His first run down he slipped and fell on the slippery surface (Plastic mat with plastic pellets is like black ice) A few years later i took his week long ski racing camp at Steamboat Springs and got to know him a bit and this is the first I’ve ever heard of that a 360-unit institutional-quality asset in Smyrna “Despite the myriad challenges faced in today’s market we continue to remain active by leveraging our deep relationships with existing partners while simultaneously establishing relationships with new partners,” said Matt Ferrari Head of Acquisitions and co-CIO of Los Angeles-based TruAmerica “Those efforts have enabled us to double down on two strategic investments of Tesoro Ranch Apartments and Junction at Vinings both high-quality communities in strong submarkets that benefit from solid demographics TruAmerica is excited to continue improving both properties with this infusion of new capital.” Newly renovated amenities at Tesoro Ranch Apartments will create a resort-style living environment that is set within a beautifully cultivated landscaped site with views of Frenchman Mountain and three-bedroom apartments that average more than 1,000 square feet and feature stainless steel appliances The 2007-built property includes two resort-style pools “The Henderson submarket is attractive given the lack of new supply strong demographics and the resilient growth of the Las Vegas economy,” explains Wes LaBar Managing Director of Acquisitions for TruAmerica “The community is particularly appealing to renters seeking a higher quality which our expanded renovation scope will help us deliver.” TruAmerica has owned Junction at Vinings in Metro Atlanta since January 2019 Junction at Vinings was built in two phases in 1983 and 1986 and consists of one- and two-bedroom floor plans with spacious walk-in closets and a patio or balcony in every unit Junction at Vinings is situated in a prime location at 2101 Paces Ferry Rd SE within both Smyrna and the broader Vinings/Cumberland submarket “Vinings/Cumberland is a vibrant mixed-use submarket of Metro Atlanta that delivers historically strong demographics and has emerged as a dynamic and growing economic hub featuring strong job growth,” explains Noah Hochman Co-Chief Investment Officer and Head of Capital Markets at TruAmerica Multifamily “This desirable submarket is experiencing resilient tailwinds that gives us confidence to double down on the community through this recapitalization.” a more than $1.5-billion mixed-use development anchored by the home of the Atlanta Braves Junction at Vinings has direct access to I-285 and connects with all major highways in the MSA including nearby interchanges with Interstate 75 and Route 41 Home Depot’s worldwide headquarters and Gas South’s new headquarters are located nearby The area is also home to Fortune 500 companies such as Comcast’s Regional Headquarters institutionally-focused multifamily investment firm based in Los Angeles the firm is one of the most active value-add multifamily investors in the United States today holding roughly $15 billion of assets under management TruAmerica has regional headquarters in Arlington The firm is ranked as the 24th largest multifamily owner in the United States by the National Multifamily Housing Council having assembled a national portfolio of approximately 60,000 units totaling nearly 280 properties in 16 states and more than 30 markets Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL) the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes is now offering a limited number of quick move-in and move-in ready homes at Highlands at Vinings a luxury new home community featuring four-story townhomes with private elevators in each residence and sought-after rooftop terraces The community is located at 2741 Wynberry Lane in the vibrant downtown Vinings area of Atlanta move-in ready townhomes in the community are now available starting at $925,000 Highlands at Vinings is a gated community of just 31 luxury townhomes offering four home designs ranging from 3,553 to 3,700+ square feet of living space with 3 to 4 bedrooms The home designs combine sophisticated living with modern architecture and quality craftsmanship Luxury finishes include Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances spa-like primary bathrooms with large walk-in showers One of the move-in ready townhomes that has just been put on the market for sale is the stunning Vinings model home This open-concept townhome features an expansive great room overlooking a spacious kitchen with ample cabinet and countertop space A desirable covered deck is located on the other side of the great room an additional bedroom with a walk-in closet and shared hall bath overlooks a generous loft that opens to a spacious rooftop terrace that is partially covered with amazing views of Buckhead and the Atlanta Skyline Division President of Toll Brothers in Atlanta including our thoughtfully designed model home that showcases the exceptional features and design elements of this unique community.” Highlands at Vinings offers an ideal location close to shopping and dining at the Vinings Jubilee and is just a short drive away from the Cobb Galleria and a quick 20-minute commute from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport this community offers premier convenience in an unmatched location Toll Brothers, a Fortune 500 company founded in 1967, is the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes. For more information about Highlands at Vinings or other Toll Brothers new home communities in the Atlanta area, visit TollBrothers.com/GA Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application In loving memory we announce that Donald Dent Vining Sr. passed away peacefully at his home on September 25 Don married Peggy Caudle in 1948 and was just days short of their 69th anniversary at her death in 2017.  Don is survived by four of his five children: Suzanne Kunkel of Little Rock of Little Rock and Cheri Hayes of Little Rock; brother Bill Vining of Arkadelphia; brother in law Larry Griffin of Merritt Island sister-in-laws Betty Caudle Griffin and Patsy Caudle Wells Don served as a Seaman First Class at the end of World War II He enlisted at the young age of 17 and served on the Navy Ship LST 803 which operated as a utility ship in the Western Pacific Don was honored for his service with a Quilt of Valor from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and his stories were preserved in the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress Don rode his Harley to The University of Alabama where he played football and acquired his private pilot's license Don and family spent the early years in Eudora and Nashville before settling in Little Rock The majority of his career was management in the automotive/tire industry which led to opening his own business In 1981 he established Don Vining’s Quik-Lube &10 Minute Oil Change Center The Quik Lube was the first family owned fast oil change centers in Little Rock with current locations open on Asher Avenue and Geyer Springs Road and a master at rebuilding old Volkswagen Beetles providing each of his 5 children with their first car He was known as “Steady RIder” to the CB community and after retirement he became an avid HAM radio operator He found joy in connecting with people from all corners of the world sharing stories and fostering friendships through the airwaves Don cherished leisure time with family and friends flying his tri-pacer camping and boating and teaching all how to water ski Don’s lifelong dream of attending the world’s largest air show was realized in 2023.The highlight for him was the night airshow and fabulous firework finale While a resident at the Arkansas State Veterans Home he mastered the art of pen making in the Veteran’s Wood Turning Program and delighted in presenting family and friends with his special ball point pens and keychains.  Don’s legacy lives on through his family and one great-great-grandchild: Kari Kunkel Anderson (Brent: Clayton Misty Rivera(Angel: great-great-grandchild Anakin) Don was baptized as a young man at Eudora Baptist Church and was currently a member at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock Don will be remembered for his service to his country He was deeply loved and will be missed by all who knew him Visitation will be held on Monday 10/7 at 5:00-7:00 pm at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home and others whose lives Don touched are invited to attend A private family graveside service with military honors will be held at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery memorials may be made to Veteran’s Wood Turning Project CAVHS (135/NLR) https://airambition.betterworld.org/donate Granddaughter Amelia Anderson’s nonprofit created to mentor and provide future scholarships for young aviators.  Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Iowa (Iowa's News Now) — Multiple departments worked to put out a shop building fire near Vining early Thursday morning and Toledo fire departments from 12:30 am to 4:45 am Crews had to open up wall sheeting and roof panels to expose burning and smoldering materials Half of the building has heavy smoke and heat damage Officer Shenise Barner of the Cobb County Police Department announced in a public information release that an incident took place yesterday afternoon that department investigators believe was a murder/suicide at SYNC at Vinings Apartments on Cumberland Parkway When officers from Cobb County Police Precinct 3 responded to a report of a person shot they located two women who had been roommates dead inside their apartment unit According to the public information release: This incident appears to be an isolated event; however Anyonewith additional information is urged to contact the Cobb County Police Department MajorCrimes Unit at 770-499-3945 The Crimes Against Persons Division of the Cobb County Police Department is part of the Major Crimes Unit and is broken down into several specialized units It has a unit that does crime analysis to identify evidence to help link cases and identify suspects The division also houses the Crime Scene Unit which according to the division’s website “is responsible for documenting and processing crime scenes to locate evidence and to present evidence in criminal proceedings Crime scene technicians are responsible for processing evidence utilizing a variety of procedures for fingerprint The commander of the Major Crimes Unit is Capt and the Crimes Against Persons Unit is commanded by Lt The Cobb County Courier’s Dog of the Day selected from the Cobb Animal Services Shelter website The following information on this potential family member… The Cobb County Courier’s Cat of the Day The following information on this potential family… Missouri University of Science and Technology and Islam H Missouri University of Science and Technology [This article first appeared in The Conversation republished with permission] Construction… republished with permission] Women make up more than 50% of the population republished with permission] The National Hurricane Center’s forecasts in 2024 were its most accurate on record We have the address for the funeral home & the family on file If you're not happy with your card we'll send a replacement or refund your money The siblings of William Elbert Vining, Jr., better known as Bill, announce his passing on September 25, 2024, at his home in Green Pond, Alabama. He was a lifelong resident of Bibb County, Alabama, where he loved and enjoyed the natural beauty... View Obituary & Service Information created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories Made with love by funeralOne The unofficial results of the Cobb Board of Commissioners District 2 Democratic Party primary runoff show that former state Representative Erick Allen won with a commanding lead of 56.72 percent to 43.28 percent The count as of this morning was 1,958 votes for Allen 1494 for former school board member Jaha Howard Allen performed best in the northern portions of the district Allen’s strength was in the eastern portion of the City of Smyrna Allen will face Republican Alicia Adams in the April 29 general election was declared the winner after the final count of Milwaukee County votes came in Vining received 22,539 of the votes or 57.23% Michalski received 16,796 of the votes or 42.65% Michalski currently represents the 13th District; the new legislative maps moved state Rep Vining from the 14th District into the 13th District 13 was redistricted to include more of Wauwatosa Tony Evers signed the new legislative district maps into law in February “Everybody deserves access to economic opportunity and economic freedom — this includes access to capital to start and grow a small business and it also includes access to affordable and quality child care and paid leave so parents and caregivers who want and need to work aren’t pushed out of the workforce due to growing their family I have a record of supporting small businesses and working hard to represent the voices of her district SIGN UP “Whether it's affordable healthcare or childcare upholding every Wisconsin child’s constitutional right to an adequately funded education I believe that there’s more that unites us than divides us we have the power and positivity to change the world for the better — it's that shared need and shared mission that drives me,” she said See all of our fall election results here See all of our election coverage at gmtoday.com/elections Occupation: Retired — Marquette University Previous elected office (if any): 7 years as a Waukesha County supervisor; 14 years as an Elm Grove trustee and small-business owner/professional photographer  Previous elected office (if any): Assembly District 14 10 things to know this week from the WOW counties (Waukesha Ozaukee and Washington) sent on Sundays Get the latest Waukesha County news delivered every day so you don't miss out on updates Have Waukesha County breaking news alerts sent to your inbox as they happen At 12:54 p.m. on Wednesday, a vehicle was stopped at Michigan Avenue and Grandview Boulevard for a stop sign violation. The driver a… Read moreWaukesha police blotter: April 30-May 1, 20225 Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: George Vining entered the villa on Love Island USA on Day 17 of season six and was eliminated from the show on Day 20 a UGA alumni and former UGA football player entered the Love Island USA villa on Day 17 during season six in the summer of 2024 George Vining entered the villa on Day 17 alongside (left to right) Ignacio Ferrari Josiah Roebuck and Jalen Oliver in season six of Love Island USA in the summer of 2024 George Vining competes in the Fourth of July challenge during his time on season six of Love Island USA in the summer of 2024 The Red & Black interviewed George Vining a former wide receiver on the University of Georgia football team who graduated in spring 2024 with a degree in biology with an emphasis in neuroscience and a minor in applied biotechnology Vining participated in season six of the reality show “Love Island USA” this summer and recently returned to Athens after his experience in Fiji Love Island is a reality dating show in which a group of singles in their mid-twenties are brought together to live in a villa in Fiji The singles must “couple up” in order to remain on the island work out and occasionally compete in challenges such as obstacle courses or friendly competition The couple that earns the most votes out of the final four pairings at the end of the show will win $50,000 Vining entered the show halfway through the season as Love Island introduced contestants to Casa Amor Casa Amor is a way to test the loyalty of the established couples on the island and either the boys or the girls are sent to Casa Amor while their partners remain in the main villa and six new boys were introduced on Day 17 Vining was ultimately dumped on Day 20 after not coupling up with any of the girls in the main villa The Red & Black: What made you want to go to UGA I didn’t get any big [football] offers out of high school I’m going to pursue the pre-med program.” I ended up trying out for the team and making it R&B: What was it like balancing school with football I initially failed [organic] chemistry the first time I took it because it was during COVID I was taking online organic chemistry and I was also doing football and everything else and I was really not doing well with managing my time because I was sitting in my room and I didn’t have a class to go to I would not tune into the zooms because I felt like I didn’t have to I retook it with a different mindset and got an A R&B: What was your favorite memory from being on the team GV: I enjoyed hanging out with the guys in the locker room everyone is able to be themselves in there and talk about whatever but sometimes the team runs too because that's when you really get to bond with everybody you go through hard [things] together and team runs were one of the hardest things we did R&B: What made you want to apply for Love Island my cousins and my siblings were watching TV late at night and we just happened to be watching Love Island we should apply.” We ended up not actually getting around to it I got contacted by one of the casting directors and they were like “Would you be interested in applying for Love Island?” He took me through the whole process and all the interviews and everything R&B: Did you have any drawbacks to applying I’ve been told by my friends all of the time because I have all kinds of drama going on all the time it’d be so funny to watch.” There were no drawbacks there was a big waiting period at one point so I figured I wasn’t going to get it and I started talking to this girl at one point I was thinking I didn’t necessarily want to do it but then that ended and I got contacted again by the producers and they said they were going to fly me out R&B: What was your reaction when you found out that you’d been chosen to be on Love Island GV: It was a combination of nervous and excited at the same time We were [at the hotel] for a really long time so it was getting to the point where I didn’t know for sure if I was gonna get in or not It was really exciting when I got the news I was going in friends and former teammates react when they saw that you got on the show My mom and dad didn’t even know what the show was you’re going to be on TV.” My friends were all supportive It was exciting because it’s just different and everyone wants to see someone they know succeed or do something different but you weren’t sure if you were actually going to be on the show I didn’t know what I was going to be doing when I got out there R&B: What was going through your head when you were sitting in the hotel in the meantime You’re also getting compensated for your time I prayed about it a lot and I figured that if it's God’s plan for me to go in there there’s something else for me and that’s perfectly fine I get to experience this unique experience regardless I also was able to self-reflect and grow a lot [spiritually mentally and physically] too while I was there because I wasn’t surrounded by the normal social environment I’m normally surrounded by I wanted to make sure I didn’t waste the trip; I wanted to get as much out of it as I could R&B: What was it like being in a situation with all new people in a whole new place when you finally were on camera We had watched some episodes and I’d seen the show before [and] it was weird seeing [the house I saw on TV] in person but it was also the mystery of how it is going to be when you’re actually here in person I was thinking about every little thing at first but once I walked in and met all the new people R&B: What was the reaction from everyone else on the show when they found out you played for UGA football GV: I actually didn’t talk about it very much I didn’t mention it to Liv [Walker] because she is Australian and she didn’t care about football I did mention it to Nicole [Jacky]; I don’t remember how it came up but she thought that was really cool because she’s a big football fan I think she got pretty excited when I mentioned it to her I was going through an adjustment [being on the show] and just absorbing it all R&B: What is your favorite memory from Love Island GV: The whole thing was my favorite memory; it was all really cool I’ll say the most memorable part is definitely the food challenge we did That’s going to be a story for my grandkids R&B: How has it been navigating the fact that lots of people know you now GV: I’ve had a couple of people come up to me in Athens it's obviously a little bit awkward at first because I didn’t expect people to know who I was based off of one show I also didn’t know how big the show was when I came back I’m [also] still kind of adjusting to being back in Athens and not being in Fiji; they were taking really good care of us and I didn’t have any drawbacks that I can think of R&B: You mentioned you wanted to go to medical school GV: I’m going to start a master’s program [at UGA studying biology] in the fall The goal is to go to [medical] school right after that program ends and become a doctor R&B: What is your biggest takeaway from the experience I basically walked into the experience blind and I made the most out of it and I enjoyed it so I feel like the biggest thing was building my faith with God because I trusted that going in here celebrated one-year of providing the Classic Ci… It’s not every day that The Classic Center hosts 28 classic cars inside its doors Meredith Dykes displays everything that it means to be a school nurse the Classic City Arena announced at a press conference hosted in collaboration with Live Nation that the B-52s will be per… or “Grandma Stella,” moved from England in 1946 to Grayson From returning menu favorites to special events and new offerings Check it all out in this week’s re… The Red & Black compiles a weekly roundup of shows and events for the upcoming weekend This weekend includes a performance by Interstella… Email notifications are only sent once a day The Red & Black serves the Athens and University of Georgia communities with reliable while training the future of the free press Highlight your business' news for only $10 We'll feature your content on our News From Local Businesses front page to give it maximum exposure for the next 30 days Wilson are pictured at their Vining home earlier this month following the installation of a new septic system financed through a grant from the Iowa Finance Authority’s Water Infrastructure Fund The grant – which replaces aging private septic systems in unsewered communities like Vining – was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) VINING – After being injured in a serious car accident earlier this year Vining residents Arlo and Nancy Cibula recently received a solid win by way of a completely free new septic system – arriving just in time for SepticSmart Week – and it’s all thanks to the efforts of Tama County Sanitarian Chris Behrens almost three years ago we got a letter from [Behrens] saying the state had received this money and we were entitled to a new septic system,” Arlo recalled as he stood earlier this month near a large area of disturbed ground on his and Nancy’s property which is tucked up on a hill in the northwest corner of Vining He didn’t know too much about it either but said ‘I’ll send you the papers.'” Upon receiving the paperwork for the Iowa Finance Authority’s Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF) grant – which awards funding to replace onsite wastewater systems in unsewered communities using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds – Arlo and Behrens quickly filled out the application and Behrens sent it on its way “Then we waited and waited and nothing happened,” Arlo continued “Almost a year went by and then [Behrens] called me to say the [funding] was all gone Then almost two years later this (past) June he called one day – Nancy had just come home from the hospital – and said Three unsewered communities in Tama County – Vining and Buckingham – were eligible for the grants along with three other properties in Vining and three in Buckingham had their grant applications approved before the Phase I funding completely dried up “[Eleven] properties total received over $165,000 in Tama County to update their septics,” Behrens said Iowa has over 500 communities considered ‘unsewered.’ Such communities often face both environmental and public health risks due to the age and condition of the private sewage disposal systems present The WIF grant provides funding to repair or upgrade those systems Properties eligible for the grant under Phase I were required to function as either a primary residence or a place of business and could not have transferred ownership since July 1 and construction of the new or replacement systems were covered under the grant who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary the day the newspaper visited have lived in their home since shortly after they were married They raised a trio of kids in the picturesque white farmhouse that once belonged to Arlo’s uncle “Our old [septic] was probably put in the ’50s or ’60s it plugged up and wouldn’t go anywhere.” Arlo said the tank itself was cement and had a metal lid His uncle had put fence posts across it to keep the ground from caving in around it “It wasn’t up to code,” Arlo admitted I was going to pump it out this summer.” due to the age of the Cibulas’ home and the fact they had never sold the property the system had essentially been grandfathered in which is a commonality across many of Iowa’s unsewered communities Arlo said contractors with Scharnweber Inc “They came in at nine o’clock and by three o’clock in the afternoon then dug the hole for the new septic tank and dropped the new tank.” Scharnweber had the Cibulas’ new septic system including a spacious 1500 gallon tank hooked up to the house “There wasn’t a penny out of our pocket,” Arlo said It covered everything [including] the perk test and permit Mine is conventional – I’ve got this nice slope.” Arlo said the entire process was smooth and easy thanks to Behrens’ assistance He even stopped one day to see if we got the money.” While he has fielded some queries from neighbors as to why he was awarded the grant when they were not it appears it all came down to timing with funding awarded on a first come But Arlo does wish the funding had not run out There’s quite a few people in town who could use [new] septics.” While Arlo stood on the hill that day looking out at his new septic system – Nancy seated nearby on a lawn chair – he managed several fantastic but not-safe-for-print-in-the-newspaper puns about the whole process A ‘solid win’ was settled upon to describe the experience “The way things went this summer [following the car accident] fall is “a great time for one in four Iowans to take a few simple steps to protect their pocket books their septic systems and Iowa’s waters.” To that end the Iowa DNR encouraged everyone with private septics to celebrate the 12th anniversary of SepticSmart Week which took place Sept “Everything we put down the drain has an impact on our septic system’s health,” Cory Frank the Iowa DNR On-site Wastewater Coordinator even the type of toilet paper you use can cause significant damage to your system and the environment and potentially cost you thousands of dollars.” The Environmental Protection Agency stresses six simple tips to keep private septic systems performing optimally year round including: 1) Don’t Strain Your Drain: Use water efficiently and stagger washing 3) Don’t Overload the Commode: Flush only toilet paper 4) Shield Your Field: No parking and no tree planting keep septic fields functioning 5) Pump Your Tank: Follow your professional’s recommendations 6) Protect It and Inspect It: Service the system every one to three years For additional information on septic system operations For more information on the Iowa Finance Authority’s Water Infrastructure Fund check out https://www.iowafinance.com/waterinfrastructure or contact Tama County Sanitarian Chris Behrens at 641-481-3550 or cbehrens@tcph.tamacountyiowa.gov Editor’s Note: This is the sixth story in a series of nine honoring the 32 men from Grundy LLC | https://www.timesrepublican.com | 135 West Main Street Premier Assisted Stretching Franchise Opens Newest Location Under Local Leadership ATLANTA, Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Stretch Zone, the nation's premier assisted stretching brand with a patented strapping system on proprietary tables announces the opening of its newest location in Atlanta This location is Stretch Zone's 371st in the United States and is owned and operated by John McFarland Initially drawn to Stretch Zone's method and the constant and positive contribution to individual wellness over time Adds to the Atlanta portfolio with his opening in the Vinings neighborhood Alongside the 18 other locations in the Atlanta area This Vinings location will continue the driving force of helping residents achieve enhanced flexibility contributing to Stretch Zone's reputation as a trusted destination for personalized stretching services "The positive impact the brand can have on individuals and the relationships it fosters in the community has been my favorite part of being an owner at Stretch Zone," says McFarland John is excited to expand the Stretch Zone brand footprint in the Vinings and Upper Westside communities and share the unique benefits of assisted stretching with as many people as possible at a prime location Stretch Zone is the only nationally accredited stretch franchise due in large part to its patented equipment and proprietary training and education methodology Stretch Zone focuses on a scientific approach to stretching and believes in re-educating muscles to establish an ideal resting muscle tone and range of motion Stretch Zone Vinings is located at 2355 Cumberland Parkway SE, Suite 120, Atlanta, GA 30339. Operating hours are M-F 7am-7pm, Saturday 9am-4pm, and Sunday 12-4pm. The first visit is free for any new Stretch Zone client. For more information, visit www.stretchzone.com Stephanie Hall, Pitch PR, 1 480-216-5422, [email protected], https://www.pitchpublicrelations.com/ Do not sell or share my personal information: Just across the banks of the Chattahoochee River Vinings is Cobb County’s only ITP neighborhood adjacent to Buckhead and a 10-mile drive northwest of downtown Named after the railroad engineer William H the unincorporated area’s proximity to train lines and the river made it a transit hub and base camp for General Sherman in the 19th century Today the community of 9,700 feels like a woodsy retreat with a growing retail and restaurant scene but you feel like you’re in the mountains,” says photographer and jewelry maker Mary Kelly Clary who grew up in the neighborhood and recently moved back “We love having the river right across the street.” Generational bridgeClary says many of her 30-something friends have moved back to the neighborhood with their young families for the quiet spacious environment and to be near their parents who are staying put for the Cobb County tax break for senior citizens High homesAfter the river rose more than 28 feet during Hurricane Ida in 2009 builders moved home construction above the floodplain Clary says the stacked gray-shingled houses remind her of High Country architecture Other residences range from single-family homes to apartments on Paces Ferry Road Community mixThree decades before developing Krog Street Market a little village of shops and restaurants known to locals as “downtown Vinings.” Clary’s favorites: Sand­piper where you can find designer labels like Diane von Furstenberg Local flavorsClary’s dining picks are Canoe which has been serving seafood from a picturesque riverside perch for 20 years with upscale comfort food and an extensive bar Recreation roomThere are several entrances to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in and around Vinings Clary’s favorite is the Palisades section just upriver; even closer the Paces Mill section and its Rottenwood Creek trail dip right into Vinings proper The river is what drew Clary’s Savannah-native husband who bought a canoe to take their three-year-old fishing This article originally appeared in our January 2016 issue As Susan Kendall approached her 40th year working as a librarian she told a writer she still enjoyed her profession largely “because you just never know who is walking in the door next.” Susan Kendall served in Cobb County at the Central Library (now known as Switzer Library) in downtown Marietta and Sibley Library on South Cobb Drive before she transferred to the Vinings Library on Paces Ferry Road the sole Cobb library with an Atlanta address She retired and eventually moved with her husband Steve to Virginia to be near their family Susan Kendall was Branch Manager of Vinings Library for almost two full decades Vinings “is a wonderful place to work,” she told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution “Vinings is a very supportive neighborhood A lot of the people have lived here a long time and have an idea of what a community should be The library has a very prominent role in that we have enjoyed support from the Vinings Rotary Club the Vinings Woman’s Village Club and the Vinings Village Civic Club.” Kendall was honored for her support of the community The Vinings Rotary Club named Kendall its Citizen of the Year in 2013 for her dedication to library service and the community a title in Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series the Vinings Historic Preservation Society and other historical associations deserved all the credit for the book “This is a community book,” she told the AJC Susan Kendall passed away March 12 surrounded by her family after a long illness Kendall’s Cobb library colleagues recall she gave positive energy to the workplace “Susan was a team leader who never hesitated to assist when and where needed,” said Cobb Library Director Helen Poyer.  “She was a faithful Book Sale volunteer as well as a volunteer at the annual Georgia Library Association conference. She led book discussions at Presbyterian Village where her parents resided. She cared for her staff “Susan always brought life to the party,” said South Cobb Region Manager Jo Lahmon who recalls conversations with Kendall about their grandchildren. “She would brighten up any situation.” Kendall was influential in the Georgia library world Her honors also include receiving the Bob Richardson Memorial Award from the Georgia Library Association in 2013 for providing outstanding service to GLA Kendall organized successful events to raise funds for student scholarships Virtual Services Librarian Shannon Tyner served as a Youth Services Librarian at Vinings Library with Kendall before transferring to a new role From Kendall’s words of encouragement for early career librarians to the commitment to relationships Kendall formed across Vinings Kendall was tireless in bringing people together “She was making those connections,” said Tyner of her time working with Kendall and observing her supervisor in action Powered by I.F.