Film Fest + French Toast on Canton Rd

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What's up, neighbors!

The Cobb International Film Festival starts today at the Strand on the Square and runs through Sunday. Over 100 films from 14 countries, and some screenings end with the filmmaker taking questions. A single day is $15. All four days is $50. We're going Friday night and getting dinner on the Square first.

If sitting in a theater isn't your speed, the Art Walk is on the Square on Friday. It’s free, self-guided, and runs 5 to 9.

School starts Monday, so this is the last weekend before packed lunches and early alarms come back. We're doing breakfast at Derek's on Canton Road Saturday morning, then walking the farmers market after.

Saturday night Church Street Park is showing Finding Nemo outside at 8. Free, and they hand out popcorn. The park green is the whole venue, so bring chairs or a blanket. Rain chance is sitting around 65% Saturday though, so check the radar before you load up the car.

Full planner is below, plus local news, a garden center worth knowing about, and a cat who deserves a better run this time.

- Andrew

If your home or auto insurance has been on autopilot for a while, this is a good reminder to take another look. Peachy Insurance is a local Atlanta agency, just a short drive from East Cobb. Fill out their form online and complete a quote on the phone with a licensed agent and they’ll send you a $5 gift card to Chick-fil-A.

Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre
117 N Park Square, Marietta Square
Thursday–Sunday, August 6–9
$15 single day / $25 weekend pass / $50 full festival
Get Tickets

This is the 12th year Marietta Square has hosted a real international film festival, and most of us in East Cobb still have no idea its happening ten minutes from the house.

Four days. More than 100 films from 14 countries. Features, shorts, and documentaries, plus industry panels and the awards screenings for the 100-Hour Film Race, where teams write, shoot, and cut an entire film in about four days. Several screenings end with the filmmaker standing up front taking questions, so you leave knowing how the thing got made instead of just filing out to the parking lot.

The lineup mixes Georgia filmmakers in with the films from overseas, which is the best part. You can watch something shot in another country and then something shot forty minutes from your driveway, back to back, in a 1935 theater on the Square.

A single day is $15. All four days is $50. FIFTY. Pick a night, get dinner on the Square first, and go see something you were never going to find scrolling a streaming menu.

Derek's is our Saturday morning spot. It's a breakfast and lunch place on Canton Road that's been doing it right for a long time. Friendly servers, no attitude, no wait that makes you question whether it's worth it. It always is.

The French toast is what I get almost every time, usually with a couple eggs and bacon on the side. Simple and done well, which is really all you want at 8am. It's a great place to bring kids and it's laid back enough that nobody's stressed out about the little ones making noise.

They're closed Sundays and they wrap up at 2:30pm every day, so this is strictly a morning and early afternoon operation. Get there, get a table, and take your time.

American Restaurant | 4.5★
Hours:
Mon - Fri 6:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Sat 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Sun Closed
Visit Derek's Cafe Website

🚗 See directions to Derek's Cafe on Google Maps

August in Georgia is when most yards give up. Everything is scorched, you've stopped going outside, and the beds look like a lost cause.

Which is a good reason to go talk to the people at Kelli Green. It's a family-run garden center on Shallowford Road, more than 40 years in Cobb, and they grow about 90 percent of what they sell right on site. That part matters. You're not buying something that got trucked in last week and sat under a tent in a parking lot. It was raised in the same heat and humidity your yard gets.

Elaine owns the place, and reviewers mention her by name often enough that you notice. Staff will ask what you're working with before they sell you anything, and customers say they stock plants the big stores don't carry. Bedding flowers, perennials, vegetable seedlings, azaleas, hydrangeas, houseplants, and a deep succulent section. Inventory turns over with the season, so August looks nothing like April.

Early August is also when Georgia gardeners start thinking about fall planting, so call 770-928-1190 and ask what's coming in before you drive over.

Price: $$
Hours:
Listed as 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily, though their site keeps separate spring/summer hours, so confirm before going

🚗 Get directions to Kelli Green Garden Center on Google Maps

5 Beds
5.5 Baths
5,855 sq ft
0.9 acre lot

A) $2,350,000

B) $2,725,000

C) $2,950,000

D) $3,075,000

Cobb County commissioners have approved a $1.4 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2027, covering new county positions, water and sewer upgrades, and information technology investments. The vote wraps up the county's annual budget process and sets the financial direction for services residents use every day.

If you pay property taxes in Cobb, this budget shapes everything from road maintenance to parks funding. The Cobb Courier has also published a plain-language explainer on millage rates and when public hearings are required under Georgia law, worth a read if you want to understand how the numbers connect to your tax bill.

Sources: wsbradio.com | cobbcountycourier.com

Cobb County commissioners have approved a 3-year autonomous shuttle pilot program near The Battery Atlanta. The agreement lays out the plan for getting the robot shuttle service operational, with the driverless vehicles eventually moving passengers in and around the entertainment district.

This is a first for metro Atlanta at the county level. If the pilot goes well, it could set the template for expanding autonomous transit options across Cobb. The network is slated to begin service in 2027 with eight accessible shuttles, operated by Beep.

Sources: wsbtv.com | wsbradio.com

The Cobb County School District is expanding its K-9 detection program to all high school campuses starting this school year. The district will deploy 16 specialized detection dogs, including dogs trained specifically to find firearms, conducting random sweeps for hidden weapons and explosives.

With school starting Monday, August 10, this is a meaningful upgrade for parents who want to know what safety measures are in place. The dogs will be stationed one per traditional high school.

These are “Vapor Wake” dogs, capable of picking up a weapon’s trail up to 15 minutes after it passed through an area. Last year, they screened more than 19,000 bags, about 48,000 people, and 4,000 cars.

Sources: wsbtv.com

Cobb County Schools ran practice bus rides this week for its youngest riders, letting bus drivers walk kindergartners and new students through safety rules before the first real school day on Monday, August 10. Meanwhile, AAA held a back-to-school pedestrian safety event July 31 morning at the Cobb County Safety Village in Marietta, a reminder for drivers and kids alike to sharpen up their habits around school zones.

If your kids ride the bus or walk near school crossings, this is the week to do a quick refresh on drop-off times, bus stop locations, and crosswalk rules before the full morning rush hits.

Sources: atlantanewsfirst.com | atlantanewsfirst.com

Marietta High School's football team will open its 2026 season in London the week of August 14-21, facing the NFL Academy, a squad backed by the league that develops international athletes learning American football. It's a rare opportunity for local student-athletes to compete on an international stage before the regular Cobb season kicks off.

No local team makes a trip like this without serious program-level investment and community support behind it. Keep an eye out for game details as the season approaches.

Source: cbsnews.com

Iceman has been through this once already. Adopted from Mostly Mutts as a kitten, loved for five years, then returned when his family's situation changed. None of that is on him. He's 11 pounds, fully grown, and by all accounts a genuinely easy cat to live with.

He's the type who likes being around his people without being demanding about it. His foster describes him as someone who hangs out, watches the world go by, and just wants to be included. Litter trained, up to date on vaccines, neutered, and microchipped. He's not going to give you any surprises.

One thing worth knowing: his previous owner said he wasn't a fan of other male cats. A female cat companion would probably be fine, and he did great with kids in a previous foster home. Dogs are still an unknown, but if you've got a kitty-friendly situation at home, he's worth a meet and greet.

Adoption fee is $175. He's located in Kennesaw through Mostly Mutts. You can reach them at the number below to set something up.

Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue & Adoption, Inc.
Kennesaw, GA (foster-based rescue)
(770) 272-6888
Contact shelter for appointment availability

🌟 Adaptive After High - Waller Park | 250 Oak St, Roswell, GA 30075 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Registration is required | More: visitroswellga.com
UIR's six-week pilot program gives young adults with disabilities a full Friday of activities focused on building independence and real-world skills in a supportive park setting.

🎶 First Friday Concert Series - Downtown Kennesaw | Downtown Kennesaw, GA | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Free | More: kennesaw-ga.gov
G Clef & The Playlist takes the Main Street Plaza stage for August's First Friday Concert Series, performing a mix of Motown, pop, rock, R&B, and hip-hop favorites; free to attend in the heart of downtown Kennesaw.

🎵 Friday Night Live Music at Church Street Park - Church Street Park | 36 Mill Street, Marietta, GA | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Free | More: travelcobb.org
The Troy Brown Band plays Church Street Park on Friday evening as part of the monthly outdoor music series; no tickets, no cover, just bring a blanket and a picnic dinner and set up on the park green.

🏀 Open Play: Basketball - Kennesaw Recreation Center | 2737 Watts Drive, Kennesaw, GA | 2:30 PM – 8:45 PM | Check website | More: kennesaw-ga.gov
Open-court basketball at the Kennesaw Rec Center on Friday afternoon through evening; kids under 15 need a guardian present, and it's worth calling ahead at 678-385-0165 to confirm court availability.

🏓 Open Play: Pickleball - Kennesaw Recreation Center | 2737 Watts Drive, Kennesaw, GA | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Check website | More: kennesaw-ga.gov
Open pickleball at the Kennesaw Rec Center on Friday morning through early afternoon; kids under 15 need a guardian, and calling ahead to 678-385-0165 is smart since hours shift with scheduled programs.

🎮 Sonic EXPO Atlanta - Cobb Convention Center Atlanta | 2 Galleria Pkwy SE, Atlanta, GA | 11 AM – 11 PM | $95 | More: travelcobb.org
A fan convention dedicated entirely to Sonic the Hedgehog with creators, voice actors, game developers, speed runners, and industry professionals; Friday is opening day, so come early if you want first crack at the artist vendors.

🌳 Hyde Farm Walking Tour - Hyde Farm Park | 721 Hyde Road, Marietta, GA 30068 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
A guided hour-long walk through Cobb County's historic Hyde Farm Park where you'll get the agricultural backstory on one of the county's last working farm preserves, a genuinely cool piece of local history most residents haven't seen.

💃 Joy in Motion: Back to School Read, Sing and Dance - Switzer Library | 266 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA 30060 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
A back-to-school sendoff for the little ones with books, songs, and movement built right into the program; perfect for preschool and early elementary kids who need to burn some energy before the weekend heat kicks in.

🎨 Marietta Square Artisan Market - Marietta Square | Marietta, GA | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Free | More: visitmariettaga.com
An open-air showcase of locally made art on Mill Street every Saturday morning, a good companion stop to the farmers market right around the corner; free to browse and local artists are on-site.

🌽 Marietta Square Farmers Market - Marietta Square Farmers Market | 41 Mill Street, Marietta, Georgia | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Free | More: visitmariettaga.com
64 vendors on average every Saturday morning in Marietta Square with heirloom tomatoes, fresh produce you genuinely can't find at a grocery store, local honey, cut flowers, whole grain breads, and more.

🦋 Members Only Hours at the Butterfly Encounter - Chattahoochee Nature Center | 9135 Willeo Rd, Roswell, GA | 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Members only | More: chattnaturecenter.org
CNC members get a private early-morning hour inside the Butterfly Encounter before the general public arrives, a genuinely special experience when you can actually hear the wings and not the crowd.

🎬 Movies Under the Stars: Finding Nemo - Church Street Park | Marietta, Georgia | 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM | Free | More: visitmariettaga.com
Free outdoor screening of Finding Nemo at Church Street Park with complimentary popcorn included; bring chairs and blankets, the park green is the venue, and this is one of those summer nights East Cobb families actually remember.

🌙 Summer Night Market - Marietta Square Market | 68 North Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Free | More: visitmariettaga.com
An evening market at Marietta Square Market with rare plants, local artisans, handcrafted goods, and food hall bites and drinks; the 4-8pm window makes it a natural lead-in to dinner or the outdoor movie later that night.

📚 Tamil Storytime - Sewell Mill Library | 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30068 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Guest presenter Jeya Maran leads a special Tamil language storytime at Sewell Mill Library, a genuinely warm community program that reflects how much East Cobb has grown culturally over the last decade.

🐶 Watch PAWty Presented by Boehringer Ingelheim - The Plaza at Battery Atlanta | 755 Battery Avenue Southeast, Atlanta, GA | 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Free (RSVP for free dog bandana) | More: batteryatl.com
Bring your leashed dog to the Georgia Power Pavilion to watch the Braves take on the Yankees on the big screen, browse pet boutique vendors, and pick up a free bandana if you RSVP and show up; BYO chairs.

🛶 Canoe Merit Badge - Chattahoochee Nature Center | 9135 Willeo Rd, Roswell, GA | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Check website | More: chattnaturecenter.org
Boy Scouts earn their Canoe Merit Badge with a five-hour session at Chattahoochee Nature Center covering paddling strokes, safety, and swamped-boat rescue on the ponds; BSA swim test completion is a prerequisite so check requirements before registering.

🌱 Farmers Market Presented by Kaiser Permanente - The Plaza at Battery Atlanta | 755 Battery Avenue Southeast, Atlanta, GA | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Free | More: batteryatl.com
The Battery's Sunday farmers market has fresh produce, artisan food vendors, a petting zoo, and a Bark Market for dogs, plus the Braves away game on the big screen in the Georgia Power Pavilion; free to attend with complimentary parking for the first two hours.

🎭 FTS Theatre Co. Presents The Tragedy of Hamlet - Jennie T. Anderson Theatre | 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta, GA 30060 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Online Tickets: $15; Tickets at the Door: $10 | More: cobbcounty.gov
The Sunday matinee of FTS Theatre Co.'s Hamlet is a great pick for high schoolers studying the play or for anyone who prefers an afternoon show over a late night out.

🎲 Second Sunday Game Day - Cobb County Public Library | 266 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA 30060 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Cobb County's Second Sunday Game Day is a casual three-hour board game and tabletop afternoon.

🎭 FTS Theatre Co. Presents The Tragedy of Hamlet - Jennie T. Anderson Theatre | 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta, GA 30060 | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Check website | More: cobbcounty.gov
FTS Theatre Co.'s inaugural production of Shakespeare's Hamlet at the Anderson Theatre is a solid Friday night out, especially for older teens and adults who want live theater close to home.

🧵 Heritage Craft Circle: Knitting - Marietta Cobb Museum of Art | 30 Atlanta Street, Marietta, GA | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Museum admission required | More: visitmariettaga.com
Drop into MCMA's Heritage Craft Circle on select Fridays to work on your own knitting, crochet, or hand-sewing project alongside an experienced artist hosting the featured craft for the month; bring your own supplies and plan to pay museum admission at the door.

🩸 LifeSouth Blood Drive - Chattahoochee Nature Center | 9135 Willeo Rd, Roswell, GA | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Free | More: chattnaturecenter.org
LifeSouth is running a mobile blood drive at Chattahoochee Nature Center on Friday with appointment slots every 10 minutes; advance registration is required so don't just show up without booking a time.

🤠 Line Dancing at Atlanta Hard Cider - Atlanta Hard Cider | 1010 Roswell Street NE, Marietta, GA | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Check website | More: travelcobb.org
Matt Miller leads line dancing at Atlanta Hard Cider on Friday night with a free instruction hour up front for beginners, then nonstop dancing through 10pm paired with the cidery's full tap list.

🎺 Mariachazo - Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre | 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA | 8:00 PM | $69.55 | More: travelcobb.org
Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán share a stage for the first time in history at Cobb Energy on Friday, celebrating five decades of Mexican musical heritage in what the promoters are calling a once-in-a-generation live experience.

🚶 Marietta Square Art Walk - Marietta Square | Marietta, GA | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Free | More: visitmariettaga.com
The first Friday Art Walk on Marietta Square is a self-guided walking tour through galleries and local businesses showcasing area artists, free to explore and easy to pair with dinner on the Square afterward.

🎧 Silent Disco Movie Night at Punch Bowl Social - Punch Bowl Social | 875 Battery Ave SE Ste 720, Atlanta, GA | 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Free | More: batteryatl.com
The Goonies on the big screen via silent disco headphones at Punch Bowl Social on Friday night, with free popcorn, mini movie candies at the table, a raffle at the end, and costumes strongly encouraged for maximum 80s commitment.

🥃 A Decade of Wishes: ATL YPs Summer Event - Distillery of Modern Art | 2197 Irvindale Way, Chamblee | 6:30 PM | $75 individual, $135 couple, $250 for four | More: my.onecause.com
Ten years of the Atlanta Young Professionals group, benefiting Make-A-Wish Georgia, which has more than 850 kids across the state still waiting on a wish. Cocktails, food, a silent auction, and stories from a wish alum plus a few past YP members.

📸 Historic Roswell Photography Competition & Exhibit - Roswell History Museum | 950 Forrest St. 2nd Floor, Roswell, GA 30075 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Free | More: visitroswellga.com
The Roswell Photographic Society and Roswell Historical Society partnered on this exhibit celebrating Roswell's historic sites in honor of the country's 250th anniversary, and it's free to walk through on a Saturday afternoon.

😂 Comedy on the Square - The Alley Stage | 11 Anderson Street, Marietta, GA | 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM | $27.60 | More: visitmariettaga.com
A rotating lineup of comedians takes the Alley Stage on Marietta Square for a Saturday night set of stand-up; it's walkable from dinner on the Square, so build the evening around it.

🎵 After Dark 90s-00s R&B at Punch Bowl Social - Punch Bowl Social | 875 Battery Ave SE Ste 720, Atlanta, GA | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Free | More: batteryatl.com
Monthly R&B throwback night at Punch Bowl Social with 90s and 2000s slow jams and classics, hourly raffles with themed prizes, and nostalgic board games to keep the vibes going between sets.

🤠 Billy Currington & Kip Moore at Coca-Cola Roxy - The Coca Cola Roxy | 800 Battery Avenue Southeast #500, Atlanta, GA | 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM | Check website | More: batteryatl.com
Two solid country acts on the same bill at the Roxy on Saturday night; check the Know Before You Go page for bag policy and plan for road closures and paid event-day parking around The Battery.

📖 Book-Binding Workshop - Switzer Library | 266 Roswell Street Northeast, Marietta, GA 30060 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | $64.25 | More: cobbcounty.gov
A professional book-binder teaches you to make your own blank journal from scratch in a two-hour hands-on workshop at Switzer Library; space is very limited so register early.

🧶 Crochet Meetup - Switzer Library | 266 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA 30060 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Weekly drop-in crochet meetup at Switzer Library where you can learn from scratch or bring your own in-progress project; all skill levels welcome, and the library vibe keeps it relaxed.

💃 Derek Hough, Symphony of Dance: Encore - Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre | 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA | 8:00 PM | Starts at $63.50 | More: travelcobb.org
Emmy-winning dancer and choreographer Derek Hough brings his Symphony of Dance: Encore tour to Cobb Energy on Saturday with a show that blends ballroom, tap, salsa, hip-hop, and contemporary into one high-production evening.

🧘 Energy in Motion: A Unique Tai Chi Gung Experience with Brian Early - Many Paths Wellness & Yoga Studio | 27 Oak Street, Roswell, GA 30075 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Single class for a non-member: $25 | More: visitroswellga.com
A one-hour Tai Chi Gung session with Brian Early drawing on gentle Tibetan movement sequences to restore balance and calm the mind, good for beginners and ideal as a Saturday afternoon reset.

🎭 FTS Theatre Co. Presents The Tragedy of Hamlet - Jennie T. Anderson Theatre | 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta, GA 30060 | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM | $15 online/$10 door | More: cobbcounty.gov
Saturday night Shakespeare at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre from FTS Theatre Co.'s inaugural run; a proper date night if you want something more substantial than dinner and a movie.

🎸 Live Music With XY2K - Atlanta Hard Cider | 1010 Roswell Street NE, Marietta, GA | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Free | More: travelcobb.org
XY2K brings the early 2000s emo and rock anthems back to Atlanta Hard Cider on Saturday night; if you had a Yellowcard or Dashboard Confessional phase, this is your evening.

🎨 Marietta Artists Guild First Saturday: Art in Action - Artisan Resource Center campus | Marietta, GA | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Free | More: travelcobb.org
The Marietta Artists Guild opens its working studio spaces to the public on the first Saturday of every month, letting you walk in, watch artists painting and working in mixed media, and talk to the people actually making the work.

🔍 Murder Mystery Co. Dinner Theater Show at The Hudson Grille - The Hudson Grille | Kennesaw, GA | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Check website (call 888-659-2952 to save $9 off fees) | More: travelcobb.org
Interactive comedic murder mystery dinner theater at the Hudson Grille in Kennesaw where you play detective or suspect over a three-course meal; call the box office at 888-659-2952 instead of buying online to knock $9 off the ticket price.

🔫 Southeastern Civil War & Antique Gun Show - Cobb Civic Center | Marietta, GA | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | $8-$10 | More: visitmariettaga.com
Over 220 tables of antique firearms, Civil War relics, swords, currency, and militaria at the Cobb Civic Center; a serious collector's event that's also a fascinating history browse even if you're not buying.

🧘 Yoga for Cancer - Switzer Library | 266 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA 30060 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Gentle yoga specifically designed for people in the cancer community, held at Switzer Library on Saturday afternoon; a meaningful program for anyone navigating treatment or supporting someone who is.

🍳 Jazz Brunch at C. Ellet's - C. Ellet's | 2605 Circle 75 Parkway Ste 400, Atlanta, GA | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | No cover | More: batteryatl.com
Southern fried chicken, pancakes, mimosas, and a live jazz duo every Sunday at C. Ellet's inside The Battery, a proper brunch that doesn't feel like you're waiting in a Buckhead line for an hour first.

🎵 Raja 50: Ilaiyaraaja Live in Concert Atlanta - Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center | 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA | 6:30 PM | Varies | More: travelcobb.org
Ilaiyaraaja, one of the most prolific composers in world music history, marks five decades of work with a live concert at Cobb Energy; if you know Tamil cinema or Indian classical film scores, this is a once-in-a-generation show and Atlanta is one of the few chosen cities.

Sunday afternoons in August can feel like a coin flip in Atlanta. Too hot to hike, too restless to stay inside. The Farmers Market at The Battery Atlanta is the right answer for that window, especially if you've got kids, a dog, or just a craving for something that isn't a strip mall parking lot. It runs 1:00–4:00pm on select Sundays, and August 9th is the next one up.

What it is: This is The Battery's recurring outdoor market series, presented by Kaiser Permanente, set right on the Plaza at 755 Battery Avenue SE in Atlanta, about 20 minutes from East Cobb. Vendors bring fresh produce, artisanal food, wellness products, and a dedicated Bark Market section with pet treats and accessories. The layout is lively and walkable, with the Georgia Power Pavilion screen showing the away game. There's also a petting zoo, which tends to be the main attraction for anyone under 10.

Plan it (get there by 1pm): Parking is complimentary for the first two hours on non-Braves game days. The market wraps at 4:00pm, so arriving right at 1:00pm gives you the full run without any rush. Bring cash if you want it, though most vendors at markets like this take cards. Sunscreen is not optional in August.

At the market (2–3 hours): You'll wander vendor stalls, let the kids slow down at the petting zoo, and if your dog is coming along, the Bark Market gives them their own reason to be there. The away game on the Pavilion screen is a nice bonus if you want to catch an inning or two between stops. The Plaza is open-air, so the energy is casual and unhurried. Pick up something for dinner on the way out and you've got a complete afternoon.

Logistics: Free parking for the first two hours on non-event days. Address is 755 Battery Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30339. Dogs are welcome. No registration required. Market hours are 1:00–4:00pm.

Heads up: The two-hour free parking window is enough for the market, but plan to leave by 3:00pm if you want to beat the clock without paying.

Most people think umbrella insurance is for wealthy people with fancy cars and sprawling estates. The reality is simpler than that. If someone slips at your house, your dog bites a neighbor, or you're at fault in a car accident that exceeds your auto policy's liability limit, your umbrella policy is what pays the difference between what your standard policy covers and what you actually owe. Standard home and auto liability limits top out faster than you'd expect when medical bills and legal fees start stacking up. One important detail worth knowing: umbrella coverage only applies going forward from the date you buy it, so waiting until after an incident isn't an option.

Not sure if your current liability limits leave you exposed? Your Peachy agent can walk through what you have now and whether an umbrella makes sense for your situation.

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