Kathleen Madigan + Hand-Pulled Noodles

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What's up, neighbors!

Thursday night, Commissioner Birrell and Cobb Parks are unveiling the new Shaw Park plans at Gritters Library. If your kids play sports there or you just live nearby, show up before the decisions get locked in. Pickleball courts are on the table and it's open house format, so you can just drop in between 6 and 7:30.

Saturday is going to be beautiful. We're grabbing coffee and heading to the Marietta Square farmers market to take full advantage of it. Get outside while you can because pollen is already starting and it's only going to get worse.

Saturday night we're going to see Kathleen Madigan at Cobb Energy Centre. She's been doing standup for over 30 years, been on Letterman and Fallon more times than most people can count, and she's genuinely funny. Tickets are still available but she sells out rooms everywhere she goes, so don't sit on it.

Sunday hits 73 degrees. Take the kids to the Square, walk around, or just find a patio and sit in it for a while. Winter's not done yet so enjoy it while it lasts.

Scroll down for the full weekend, local news, a hand-pulled noodle spot on Johnson Ferry you need to know about, and a dog named Mocha who has been waiting since November.

- Andrew

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Saturday, February 28
7:00 PM
Cobb Energy Centre
Tickets from $56
Click Here to Get Tickets

Kathleen Madigan is one of the funniest people touring right now and she's performing at Cobb Energy Centre Saturday night.

She's been doing standup for over 30 years. Letterman, Leno, Fallon, seven recorded specials across Netflix, Amazon, and Comedy Central. She's one of those comedians you've probably seen a dozen times on TV without realizing you knew who she was.

Now you do, and she's coming here. The tour is called the Day Drinking Tour, which is a little funny considering it starts at 7pm. But she addressed that herself: "No crowds, cheaper drinks, home by 4pm for a solid nap and by 5pm it's as if nothing even happened."

Apparently the day drinking happens before the show. We respect that philosophy.

The good news is you don't have to go far. Most of East Cobb is within a 15-minute drive, parking is easy, and you'll be home at a reasonable hour.

Tickets start at $56 but she fills rooms fast. If you've been thinking about it, stop thinking and go get them.

This little spot in the Woodlawn Point shopping center on Johnson Ferry has quietly become one of the best lunch runs in East Cobb. It's counter service, with maybe six or seven tables, and you can watch them make dumplings by hand right in front of you.

We stumbled in on a Saturday and it was packed, which is always a good sign. The team behind the store also runs Firestone Chinese up in Kennesaw, and they opened this location in 2024. It's doesn't look like much from the parking lot, but the food punches way above its weight.

My go to here is the dumplings (pan-fried for that crispy bottom, or steamed if you want them juicy) and one of the grandma noodle bowls. The cumin beef grandma noodles are massive, with wide, chewy, hand-pulled noodles piled with cumin beef for around $12.

Its great value and you'll have leftovers for sure. The chive, pork, and shrimp dumplings are the most popular order on delivery apps and they’re good, but my wife really likes the Dan Dan noodles. The crispy dry fried eggplant is a sleeper hit too if you like something spicy.

They'll adjust heat levels, so don't be afraid to ask to go up/down based on your preference.

Heads up: dumplings are made to order, so expect about a 15-minute wait - order a noodle bowl or the garlic cucumber salad to snack on while you wait. Totally worth it.

Price: $$
Rating: 4.7 stars (247 reviews on Google)
Hours:
Mon-Thu 11am-9pm
Fri-Sat 11am-9:30pm
Sun 11:30am-9pm
Address: 1100 Johnson Ferry Rd, Suite 365, Marietta, GA 30068
Website: handmadedumplingsnoodles.com

Heads up: Wiggle Giggle is over on the west side of Marietta, off Powder Springs Road, so it's a short drive from East Cobb. But if you've got a toddler bouncing off the walls on a rainy Saturday, it's a great place to let the kiddos run while you chill out.

Founder Tamara Fowler built this indoor playground for kids ages 0 to 10, and the space covers over 7,000 square feet. It boasts slides, climbing structures, a spider tower, and a Bubble Room where kids can dance around and be ridiculous.

There's no time limit on play - your admission ticket is good all day, and you can leave and come back if you want to make a lunch run. Infants under 12 months get in free with a paid sibling. Parents can hop on the play structures or grab a coffee and use the free Wi-Fi while the kids wear themselves out.

Tamara spent a lot of time thinking about how to create a space where young kids could learn through play while parents actually got to connect with each other. It's clean, the staff is friendly, and the single entry/exit point gives parents peace of mind.

They also have a private sensory room that doubles as a lockable nursing room, and they run Spectrum Sundays on the second Sunday of each month from 9-11am - a sensory-friendly session in partnership with Harmony Behavior Consultants. Worth passing along if that's relevant for your family.

They handle birthday parties too, with two party rooms that hold up to 30 kids each.

Price: $$ (~$18/child, siblings $15)
Hours: Sun-Thu 10am-6pm Fri-Sat 10am-7pm
Where: 1812 Powder Springs Rd SW, Marietta, GA 30064
Phone: 770-693-8512
Website: wigglegiggleatl.com

Kroger is pouring $23 million into its Parkaire Landing location on Lower Roswell Road, and demolition work has already started. The store will grow from roughly 59,000 to 85,000 square feet by absorbing three adjacent vacancies, and the upgrades are significant: a sushi kiosk, a full-service Murray's cheese counter, an enlarged deli with more ready-to-eat options, expanded produce, and a 12-pump fuel center in the parking lot - making it the last East Cobb Kroger to get one.

The store will stay open throughout construction, with completion targeted for spring 2027. Jamestown, the real estate firm behind Ponce City Market and Avalon, manages the shopping center and says Parkaire draws more than 2.5 million visitors a year.

More: East Cobb News | WSB-TV

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell and Cobb PARKS are hosting a community engagement meeting to unveil conceptual plans for Shaw Park's long-awaited redevelopment, funded by the 2022 SPLOST. The $4 million project aims to modernize a park that has served the community since 1970 but, by the county's own assessment, no longer meets current recreational needs. Birrell told East Cobb News that softball fields will remain and the proposal calls for adding pickleball courts, though specific design plans haven't been released ahead of the meeting.

The meeting runs 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Northeast Cobb Community Center at Gritters Library (880 Shaw Park Drive). Open-house format - drop in, view the plans, and talk directly with staff.

If your kids play sports there or you just live nearby, this is the one to show up to before decisions get locked in.

More: East Cobb News

Two Wheeler High School CircuitRunners teams - FTC Team 1002 Surge and FTC Team 11347 Blackout - competed at the Georgia FIRST Tech Challenge State Championship last weekend in Gainesville. Both entered as top qualifiers: Surge earned 2nd Place Inspire Award and was part of the Winning Alliance during the regular season, while Blackout took 1st Place Inspire Award. According to the CircuitRunners website, Surge has now punched its ticket to the FIRST World Championship in Houston this spring - continuing a streak of seven consecutive years the program has sent a team to Worlds.

The CircuitRunners are a 23-year student-led program based at Wheeler that has reached over 18,000 people this year through competitions, outreach, and mentorship. If you want to support their trip to Houston, the team has a GoFundMe to help cover travel costs.

More: East Cobb News | MDJ

A nationwide ransomware attack on payment vendor BridgePay Network Solutions has knocked out Marietta's online business license payment system since Feb. 6, affecting hundreds of municipalities across the country. City Manager Bill Bruton stressed that Marietta's own systems were not breached - the disruption is entirely on BridgePay's end - and the company's initial findings indicate no payment data was compromised. The FBI and U.S. Secret Service forensic team are involved in the investigation.

The city is actively working with another third-party provider to stand up an alternative online payment option. As of the latest update, that system is not yet live. If you need to make a business license payment in the meantime, head in person to the Business License Office at City Hall (205 Lawrence Street, first floor). Check mariettaga.gov for the latest status.

More: WSB-TV | MDJ

Cobb County launched the state's first drive-through court payment window on Monday at 122 Waddell Street in Marietta. You can now pay traffic citations, school bus arm violations, probation fees, and fines without parking, walking in, or waiting in line - just bring your citation or case number, a photo ID, and a debit or credit card.

The timing matters: the county recently installed 150 school bus cameras, which has driven a spike in citations. The drive-through window is open 7:30 AM-3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Online payment options are still available for eligible cases.

More: East Cobb News

Four dogs were pulled from a small rural shelter in South Georgia on a cold day back in November 2024. Mocha was one of them.

She'd been wandering on her own with no collar and no one looking for her, and her time at that shelter was running out. She's safe now and has been living in a foster home ever since.

She's about three years old, around 45 pounds, and the kind of dog who just wants to be near her people. In her foster home she plays with the other dogs, burns off her energy, and then settles right in for a quiet evening on the couch. Fun and silly when it's playtime, then calm and happy just hanging out while you watch TV.

Her listing says compatibility with kids, cats, and other animals is unknown since she came from the streets (recognize), but she gets along well with the other dogs in her foster home. If you have other pets or kids, the rescue can tell you more about her temperament and help figure out if it's a good match. That's one of the nice things about foster-based rescues. They actually know the dog.

Mocha is spayed, vaccinated, and ready to go. She's with Rescue Me Ga Inc, a foster-based rescue in Dunwoody. You'll need to fill out an application on their website or email to get the process started. Visits are by appointment only.

Email: [email protected]
Profile: PetFinder

🏕️ Let's Go Camping - East Cobb Library (4880 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta) | 10:30 AM | Free | More: Event info
Bring a stuffie and "camp" at the library with badges, woodland creatures, and an imaginative outdoor adventure. Ages 2-5 with a caregiver. Presented by Discovery State Theater.

🖼️ Marietta City Schools Student Art Exhibit - Switzer Library (266 Roswell St, Marietta) | 10:00 AM | Free | More: Event info
Quick, genuinely fun browse. All 11 Marietta City Schools are represented.

🗣️ Women's Voices for Civil Rights Exhibit - Gritters Library (880 Shaw Park Rd, Marietta) | 10:00 AM | Free | More: Event info
Kid-friendly exhibit geared for students as young as 3rd grade.

📚 Kids' Book Swap: Ticket Redemption - North Cobb Regional Library (3535 Old 41 Hwy, Kennesaw) | Feb 9-28 (during branch hours) | Free | More: Event info
If you have book-swap tickets, this is when you trade them for "new-to-you" kids' books.

🌱 Garden Storytime - East Cobb Library (4880 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta) | 10:30 AM | Free | More: Event info
Preschool storytime with a garden theme. Ages 3+ with a caregiver.

🖼️ Marietta City Schools Student Art Exhibit - Switzer Library (266 Roswell St, Marietta) | 10:00 AM | Free | More: Event info
Easy drop-in stop if you're already doing the Square.

🥕 Marietta Square Farmers Market - 41 Mill St, Marietta | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | Free | More: mariettasquarefarmersmarket.com
Coffee in hand, browse vendors, home by lunchtime.

🛍️ Marietta Square Artisan Market - Marietta Square (Mill St) | 9:00 AM-1:00 PM | Free | More: mariettasquareartisanmarket.com
Fun browse if you're already at the market.

🫧 Family Storytime - Gritters Library (880 Shaw Park Rd, Marietta) | 10:30 AM | Free | More: Event info
Stories, songs, and bubbles. Best for ages 0-5 with a caregiver.

👗 Prom Swap (Teens) - Switzer Library (266 Roswell St, Marietta) | 11:00 AM | Free | More: Event info
Free prom outfits for teens ages 12-17.

💍 A Victorian Wedding (Special Exhibit) - William Root House (80 N Marietta Pkwy NW, Marietta) | On display Feb 7-28 | Admission varies | More: roothousemuseum.com
Last weekend to catch the house dressed for a Victorian-era wedding.

🖼️ First Free Sundays - Marietta Cobb Museum of Art (30 Atlanta St SE, Marietta) | 11:00 AM-4:00 PM | Free | More: mariettacobbartmuseum.org
Free museum day plus a simple make-and-take art activity.

🧇 Take & Make: Lunar New Year Bookmarks - Vinings Library (4290 Paces Ferry Rd, Atlanta) | 10:00 AM | Free | More: Event info
Grab-and-go craft kit you can do at home.

🎭 ShakesBEER: Romeo and Juliet - The Alley Stage (11 Anderson St, Marietta) | 8:00 PM | Tickets | 18+ | More: alleystage.org
A tipsy, comedic take on Shakespeare. Doors open at 7:30 PM. Two drink minimum per person.

🖤 Behind Closed Doors: Sex in Victorian America - The Third Door (Marietta) | 6:30 PM | $30 | 21+ | More: roothousemuseum.com
Lecture ticket includes one signature drink ticket. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

🎂 Black History Month Dessert Social - 45 S. Avenue SE, Marietta | 7:00 PM-9:00 PM | Free (registration required) | More: Event info
Community conversation and reflection with Cobb County leadership. Register in advance.

😂 Comedy on the Square - The Alley Stage (11 Anderson St, Marietta) | 8:00 PM | Tickets | More: alleystage.org
Reliable, low-lift night out on the Square.

🖼️ Georgia Wood Artists: A Juried Exhibition - Marietta Cobb Museum of Art (30 Atlanta St SE, Marietta) | During museum hours | Admission varies | More: mariettacobbartmuseum.org
Good "date, but still home at a reasonable hour" option.

🎤 Kathleen Madigan: The Day Drinking Tour - Cobb Energy Centre (2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta) | 7:00 PM | Tickets | More: cobbenergycentre.com
Big-name comedy without a downtown Atlanta mission.

😂 Comedy on the Square - The Alley Stage (11 Anderson St, Marietta) | 8:00 PM | Tickets | More: alleystage.org
Same concept, different night. Grab Saturday if Friday is booked.

🎭 Ain't MisBehavin' the Musical - Marietta's Theatre in the Square (11 Whitlock Ave, Marietta) | 3:00 PM-5:00 PM | Tickets | More: mariettatheatresquare.com
Matinee timing makes for easier logistics and it still feels like a real outing.

🖼️ Maya Perez-Lugones Exhibit - Marietta Cobb Museum of Art (30 Atlanta St SE, Marietta) | During museum hours | Admission varies | More: mariettacobbartmuseum.org
Add this if you want a little more gallery time after (or before) the free Sunday activity.

Gritters Library
880 Shaw Park Rd, Marietta 30066

What it is: A drop-in craft session at Gritters Library where the library provides everything you need. No registration, no supplies to remember, no prep on your end. Just show up, sit down, and make something. The program is intended for ages 3 and up, which means it works for a range of kids and works especially well if you've got siblings at different ages who both want to participate.

Timing: Saturday, Feb 28 at 10:00 AM. Worth noting: this is a recurring program that runs on select Saturdays throughout the year, so if this weekend doesn't work, it will come back around. Keep an eye on the Cobb County events page for future dates.

Plan the whole morning around it: Gritters Library sits right next to Shaw Park, which makes this one of the easier "full morning without much planning" combos in East Cobb. You could hit the library for crafts first, then walk over to the park for playground time or a loop on the trail while the kids burn off whatever energy the craft session left over. If the weather turns or someone's ready to tap out early, the library itself is a built-in bailout with books, space, and AC.

Parking: The library has its own lot off Shaw Park Road. It's a smaller lot, so arriving right around 10:00 AM gives you the best shot at a spot before it fills.

More info: cobbcounty.gov

If you've already felt the first wave of itchy eyes and morning sniffles, the best move is a quick pollen-proofing reset at home and in the car. The goal isn't perfection. It's keeping pollen from hitchhiking inside and camping out in your bedroom.

1. Keep pollen outside (the front door rules) Shoes off at the door, and toss "outside clothes" straight to the hamper. After any outdoor time, shower, shampoo, and change clothes before settling in, especially before bed. And skip line-drying clothes outside during pollen season. They'll just collect it and bring it all inside.

2. Make your bedroom the safe zone Wash bedding weekly. Pollen builds up faster than you'd think, and your bedroom is where you spend the most recovery time. If you've got pets, a quick wipe-down when they come in and keeping them off the bed on heavy-pollen days makes a real difference.

3. Win the air battle without overthinking it Replace your HVAC filter now and set a reminder to check it again in a month. If your system can handle it, ask your HVAC tech about going higher-efficiency. Many people aim for MERV 13, but compatibility with your specific system matters, so it's worth a quick conversation before you swap. Running the fan on "ON" for a few hours midday helps keep air cycling through the filter, especially on days when doors have been opening and closing a lot.

4. Car settings that help more than you'd think Windows up, especially on highway drives. Flip to recirculate mode when pollen is bad. It reduces the outside air coming in and makes a noticeable difference on high-count days.

5. Yard work hack If you're super sensitive, try not to be the one mowing or raking. If you have to do it, wear a mask and shower right after.

Great if symptoms are dragging on, you've got asthma flare-ups, or you want a real "what am I actually reacting to?" plan. Atlanta Allergy and Asthma has a dedicated East Cobb office at 1121 Johnson Ferry Rd.

Check them out at atlantaallergy.com.

Helpful for getting the right filtration setup without stressing your system. Cobb Air Incorporated has been doing residential HVAC in Marietta since 1998 and handles indoor air quality upgrades.

Visit cobbairincga.com

Not an every-year thing for most people, but a solid reset if your vents are visibly dirty or you're constantly wiping dust off surfaces. PuroClean of East Cobb offers duct and vent cleaning alongside their full restoration services.

Visit puroclean.com

Food pantry and community support volunteers needed for stocking shelves, food distribution, grocery store donation pickups, recycling runs, and admin help. They serve an average of 400 families a week, so the need is real and consistent. Adults, teens 15 and up (solo), or families with kids ages 6 to 14 (with a parent). Groups are welcome too, whether it's a corporate team, school class, or church small group. Shifts run six days a week, so there's almost always a time that works.

Sign up: https://solidaritysandysprings.org/volunteer-1

Parks and trails volunteer work for neighbors who want a physical, outdoor option. The Conservancy focuses on creating, conserving, and connecting parks, trails, and greenspace across Sandy Springs. Fill out their volunteer form and they'll loop you in when opportunities come up.

Get involved: https://www.sandyspringsconservancy.org/volunteer/

City-supported volunteer program with roles tied to community events and city needs as they come up. Register once and you'll receive a monthly newsletter with current opportunities. A good entry point if you want to help but aren't sure where to start in Dunwoody.

Learn more: https://www.dunwoodyga.gov/community/volunteer-dunwoody-vips

Arts and culture programming support throughout the year. Create Dunwoody hosts events like the Black History Cultural Celebration, Holi, a Comedy Festival, Diwali, and more, and they need volunteers to help plan and run them. Sign up through their SignUpGenius page and pick the events that interest you.

Sign up: https://www.createdunwoody.org/volunteer/

Hands-on outdoor volunteer work like trail clearing, invasive plant removal, mulching, and plantings. They host a standing volunteer day on the second Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 AM, open to all ages (kids must be with an adult). Groups can also schedule a private volunteer day if you want something customized for your crew.

Details: https://dunwoodynature.org/volunteer/

Gallery, events, and community programming support for Dunwoody's nonprofit arts center. Spruill takes volunteers at all commitment and skill levels, and they also have a separate summer camp volunteer track for teens ages 13 to 18. Fill out their application and they'll match you with what fits.

Apply: https://www.spruillarts.org/volunteer/