🎸 Noise Pollution Saturday Night + Weekend Guide

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What's up, neighbors!

The Strand has Noise Pollution on Saturday night - an AC/DC tribute that has been performing for eight years and covers both eras. Bon Scott and Brian Johnson. Highway to Hell through You Shook Me All Night Long, the full catalog, on the historic Strand stage right on Marietta Square. If you've been meaning to actually make it to a show there, this is the one to do it for.

Hyde Farm Walking Tour is Saturday morning at 10 and 11 AM out on Hyde Road - two 45-minute guided tours through an 1840s working farm with Chattahoochee views and everything in bloom right now.

No firm plans on our end this weekend, but if the weather holds we'll probably wander over to the Artisan Market on the Square Saturday morning and see what happens.

Full weekend details are below, plus restaurants and local businesses worth knowing about.

_{This issue is sponsored by Peachy Insurance}

Spring is when the backyard gets expensive. Trampolines go up, pools come out of storage, and the fire pit finally gets its first real use of the year. All good things. But your homeowner's insurance has opinions about every single one of them.

Here's what most people don't realize: trampolines and pools are the two biggest liability flags on a homeowner's policy. Some carriers won't cover them at all. Others require fencing or safety nets before they'll pay a claim. If you added either one in the last year and didn't mention it to your agent, you might have a gap you don't know about.

The other number worth checking is your liability limit. Most policies start at $100K. That sounds like a lot until a kid breaks an arm on your play set and the medical bills land on your kitchen table. An umbrella policy adds $1M in extra liability coverage on top of your home and auto for roughly $15 to $25 a month. Five minutes to understand. Worth every one of them.

Peachy is Atlanta-based, licensed, and will give you a straight answer without the runaround.

Get a free coverage review before backyard season gets going: peachyinsurance.com | (404) 600-1660 (Closed Saturdays and Sundays)

Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre
117 N Park Square, Marietta
Saturday, April 11
8:00 PM
Ticketed

Noise Pollution has been performing for hundreds of thousands of AC/DC fans over eight years, and they do something most tribute acts don't bother with. They cover both eras. Bon Scott and Brian Johnson. That's not a small distinction. The Bon Scott years gave us Highway to Hell and If You Want Blood. The Brian Johnson years gave us Back in Black and You Shook Me All Night Long. Most tributes pick one singer, learn half the catalog, and call it a night. These guys do the whole thing, and they've had eight years to figure out how to do it right.

The venue matters here. The Strand is a real theater on Marietta Square, not a bar with a PA system set up in the corner. Upper and lower seating, sight lines from everywhere, and the sound is dialed in the way it only can be in a room built for this. Tribute acts hit differently when the room is working with the music instead of fighting it.

And the Square makes the whole night easy. Mac's Chophouse or Gianni and Mac's are both right there for dinner before the show. You eat, walk a block, and you're in your seat by 8. No driving into the city, no planning beyond a reservation.

If you've been loosely talking about a real Saturday night out and never actually making it happen, this is the one to do it for. Get your tickets.

The Marietta Local has been on Marietta Square since 2014 and if you live around here and haven't made it yet, that's on you at this point. Owner-founded, scratch kitchen, and the restaurant East Cobb locals use to show out-of-town visitors what this area actually has going for it. Breakfast and lunch only, which means they're not trying to do too much, and the food shows it.

The signature dish is the Fried Chicken and French Toast, and it is genuinely one of the better things you can eat in Marietta right now. Crispy boneless fried chicken on thick challah french toast with cinnamon apples and warm maple syrup. Sweet, savory, and southern all on one plate. The Nashville hot chicken has its own following if you want heat instead of sweet. The eggs Benedict comes on a homemade biscuit with a hollandaise that reviewers keep coming back to describe specifically, which tells you the execution is consistent. The grits are creamy. The cinnamon roll is worth adding even if you weren't planning on dessert.

They won Best of Cobb in 2020 and have been packed on weekends ever since. Patio seating faces the Square when the weather is right. Get there before noon on weekends or expect a line out the door.

Hours: Daily 9 AM-2 PM

Most people drive past Pause East Cobb on Roswell Road without knowing there's a full recovery and wellness studio inside Avenue East Cobb. Float therapy, infrared sauna, cryotherapy, LED light therapy, contrast therapy, IV drips, compression therapy, and an AI-powered robot massage called Aescape. Eight services under one roof, and every single one of them shows up in the reviews with people asking when they can come back.

The Aescape robot massage is the one people can't stop writing about. You control the pressure and target areas yourself through a tablet the entire session. No stranger guessing what you need. No mid-session conversation about whether the pressure is too much. One reviewer has a hip replacement and a spinal disc replacement and said it was the first massage she had ever felt safe doing. That's not marketing copy. That's just what she wrote in her Google review.

The float therapy pods are private, filled with warm Epsom salt water, and completely silent. Multiple reviewers mentioned sleeping better for days after a single session. The infrared sauna runs deeper and hotter than a traditional steam sauna, and several reviewers booked a second session before leaving.

Lisa and Evan Benson opened it in November 2024 as the first Pause location outside California. New member intro offer with code PAUSE30 at checkout.

Hours:
Mon-Thu 9 AM-9 PM
Fri-Sat 8 AM-8 PM
Sun 10 AM-7 PM

The Johnson Ferry Road Walmart has filed a request to build a drone delivery kiosk in its parking lot at 3100 Johnson Ferry Road, and the proposal goes before Cobb commissioners on April 21. The station would be operated through Walmart's partnership with Wing, which promises deliveries in under 30 minutes for packages under 2.1 pounds.

Drones would fly at around 150 feet and 60 mph before dropping to roughly 20 feet for delivery to driveways and yards. Nearby residents have already received notifications from Walmart, and some have said they plan to oppose the request at the hearing.

If approved, this would be the first Walmart drone facility in Cobb County. The closest current station is in Woodstock. If you have thoughts, April 21 is when to show up.

Source: East Cobb News | MDJ

Construction has started on Shallowford Pointe, a 75-home gated luxury subdivision at the southwest corner of Johnson Ferry and Shallowford Road. Toll Brothers is the builder, with homes ranging from about 2,300 to 3,600 square feet, priced starting at $1 million. Sales are expected to open later in 2026. The homes will have 3 to 5 bedrooms with open floor plans, and buyers can customize designs after purchase.

This is the residential piece of the long-debated JOSH mixed-use development that also includes the East Cobb Church campus currently under construction on the same site. If you've been watching that intersection change over the past few years, this is the next phase.

Sources: East Cobb News

Cobb's Chief Appraiser is projecting the county's tax digest will grow by about 4 percent this year, on pace with the 3.39 percent increase seen in 2025.

The digest hit an all-time high of $47.4 billion last year, with the average home sale countywide reaching $520,000. The digest is used to calculate property taxes, so growth at the county level affects what local governments can collect even if millage rates stay flat.

For homeowners, this means your assessed value is likely to tick up again when notices go out this summer. The official digest is finalized in July.

Source: Cobb County

The Friends of East Cobb Park have released the spring concert schedule, with free Sunday afternoon shows beginning April 19 at East Cobb Park on Roswell Road. The series runs through May, with a bonus Saturday night show on May 2 featuring 120 East, a 10-piece cover band known for classic hits from the 1950s through today. All concerts are free and open to the public.

If you haven't been to one of these in a while, it's a good excuse to get outside before summer heat kicks in.

Source: Friends for the East Cobb Park

There's a young Chow mix named Joy who survived on her own for longer than most dogs could. Before rescue, she was traveling up to 60 miles on her own, always somehow finding her way back. Someone eventually earned her trust, slowly, over a long stretch of patience. That same person is now fostering her in Marietta.

Joy is still figuring out that she doesn't have to be in survival mode anymore. She'll step into a room on her own now. She'll gently take baby food from her foster's fingers. She's not ready for petting yet, and nobody is rushing her. What she shows you in that time is a dog that is genuinely smart, gentle, and quietly curious about the world around her. She's already house-trained and moves in and out of a small fenced yard without trouble. No aggression at all. She just needs someone who understands that trust is earned, not given, and is okay going at her pace.

This isn't the right dog for a family expecting quick wins. But for someone patient who wants to watch a dog genuinely come alive, Joy is something special. She's good with dogs and cats. Kids are unknown. She's spayed and vaccinated and ready to start the process of becoming someone's whole personality.

To inquire, visit her Petfinder profile and submit a request. Furry Animals Being Saved Rescue will reach out to discuss fit and next steps. No walk-in location since it's a foster-based rescue.

Furry Animals Being Saved Rescue (FABS)
Foster-based rescue, currently fostering in Marietta, GA
(860) 202-5441
Visits by appointment only

🎪 Town Center at Cobb Carnival (Final Weekend!) - Town Center at Cobb | 400 Barrett Pkwy NW, Kennesaw | 1:00-11:00 PM | Free admission; ride tickets vary | More: Dreamland Amusements
This is the last weekend before it all packs up. Free Victoria Circus shows return Sat/Sun at 3pm and 7pm, so Friday is your easy, crowd-lite entry point before the final rush.

🌸 Art Blooms - Smith-Gilbert Gardens | 2382 Pine Mountain Rd, Kennesaw | 9:00 AM-5:00 PM | Regular garden admission | More: Smith-Gilbert Gardens
Outdoor sculptures, Cobb high school student art installations, and a citywide scavenger hunt in full spring swing. The two-month art and nature festival running all April and May.

🛍 Marietta Square Artisan Market - Mill Street at Marietta Square | 9:00 AM-2:00 PM | Free | More: Marietta Square Artisan Market
The 2nd Saturday Artisan Market is officially back for the spring season. Juried fine art, handmade jewelry, ceramics, and one-of-a-kind crafts from local and regional makers.

🌿 Hyde Farm Walking Tour - Hyde Farm Park | 726 Hyde Rd, Marietta | 10:00 AM & 11:00 AM | Free (registration required) | More: Hyde Farm Friends
Two 45-minute guided tours through an 1840s working farm. Chattahoochee views, heritage orchard, and wildlife sightings make this East Cobb's most underrated Saturday tradition.

🎪 Town Center at Cobb Carnival - Town Center at Cobb | 400 Barrett Pkwy NW, Kennesaw | 1:00-11:00 PM | Free admission; ride tickets vary | More: Dreamland Amusements
Free Victoria Circus high-wire and aerial shows at 3pm and 7pm. Saturday is the last full day before Sunday's closing.

🎨 Celestial Perspectives - Jess Self - Marietta Cobb Museum of Art | 30 Atlanta St SE, Marietta | 11:00 AM-5:00 PM | $10; Free for members | More: MCMA
Jess Self's immersive new textile installation debuts this weekend and is already drawing buzz from the regional arts community.

🌳 Passive Program: Library "Poet-Tree" - East Cobb Library | 4880 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta | 10:00 AM-5:00 PM | Free | More: Cobb County Events
In honor of National Poetry Month and Earth Day, write a poem or create blackout poetry on a paper "leaf" and pin it to the branch tree. A drop-in, no-pressure creative activity you can squeeze in between the Farmers Market and Hyde Farm.

🎪 Town Center at Cobb Carnival - FINAL DAY - Town Center at Cobb | 400 Barrett Pkwy NW, Kennesaw | 1:00-10:00 PM | Free admission; ride tickets vary | More: Dreamland Amusements
It's officially over after today. Last Victoria Circus shows at 3pm and 7pm, last midway rides, last funnel cake. Don't let the kids find out you missed it.

😂 Comedy on the Square - The Alley Stage | 11 Anderson St, Marietta Square | 8:00 PM | Tickets | More: The Alley Stage
Cobb County's best professional stand-up right on the Square. Regional and Atlanta-based comics on a tight intimate stage. Check their site for this week's exact lineup. 18+.

🎭 The Princess Bride on the Big Screen - Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre | 117 N Park Square, Marietta | 3:00 PM & 8:00 PM | $15.44 | Get Tickets
You've seen it at home a dozen times. Seeing it at The Strand is a completely different thing.

😂 Comedy on the Square - The Alley Stage | 11 Anderson St, Marietta Square | 8:00 PM | Tickets | More: The Alley Stage
Same great format, different night. If Friday was fully booked, Saturday's show is equally strong with a livelier Square crowd around it. Reserve early. 18+.

🎸 Noise Pollution: The AC/DC Experience - Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre | 117 N Park Square, Marietta | 8:00 PM | Tickets | More: Strand Marietta
Over 8 years of experience capturing both the Bon Scott and Brian Johnson eras. TNT, Highway to Hell, Whole Lotta Rosie, You Shook Me All Night Long. On the historic Strand stage. Get there early.

🛍 Cobb Trade Show - Cobb Galleria Centre | 2 Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta | Check website for hours | Tickets vary | More: Cobb Trade Show
The Atlanta Apparel Exhibition Group's curated fashion event opens today at the Galleria. Worth a trip for anyone in retail, fashion, or just looking for something off the typical Sunday script.

Technically $5 per vehicle to get in, but for nearly 3,000 acres of trails, summit views, and a Civil War battlefield — we're calling it free. Because if you've been meaning to "do Kennesaw Mountain" and keep putting it off, April is the month.

The wildflowers are peaking, the trees are leafing out but haven't closed the canopy yet, and the spring bird migration is in full swing. This is genuinely one of the best weekends of the year to be on these trails.

The park covers over 17 miles of trails, three Civil War battlefield areas, preserved earthworks, cannons, and monuments from the 1864 Atlanta Campaign. But you don't need to be a history buff to enjoy it. The combination of summit views, shaded forest, open meadows, and creekside paths makes this one of the most varied outdoor experiences you'll find this close to home.

Morning strategy (8–10 AM): Get here early. The main parking lot fills fast on weekends, especially in spring. Start at the visitor center and take the paved mountain road up to the summit — it's about 1.4 miles with a 664-foot climb, steep in places but manageable for most families. The dirt trail option is slightly shorter (1.1 miles) but rockier and steeper, so save that for older kids and confident hikers. At the top, the view of the Atlanta skyline and surrounding hills is worth every step. If you'd rather skip the climb, a free shuttle runs to the summit on weekends starting at 9:30 AM (every 30 minutes).

Afternoon plan (12–3 PM): Once you've done the summit, the real gem is the backcountry loop. The trails south toward Pigeon Hill and Cheatham Hill wind through shaded forest, past Civil War earthworks, and across open meadows that are full of wildflowers right now. The full battlefield loop is about 11 miles, but you can easily do a shorter 3- to 5-mile section from the Burnt Hickory Road trailhead if you want to mix terrain without committing to a half-day hike. Pack a lunch — picnic areas near the visitor center have tables and charcoal grills.

Hidden features: The park is a designated globally Important Bird Area — the first in Georgia. Mid-to-late April is peak spring migration, and birders regularly spot 20+ warbler species on a good morning, plus Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and if you're lucky, Cerulean Warblers. Bring binoculars. The visitor center has a solid little museum with a 20-minute film about the battle, Civil War artifacts, and a gift shop — a nice cooldown stop before heading home. Look for the CCC camp ruins on the eastern loop if you take the longer route — remnants from a 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps site tucked into the woods.

Parking & logistics: Main lot is behind the visitor center and fills by mid-morning on weekends — arrive before 9 AM or use the Burnt Hickory Road or Cheatham Hill lots for a less-crowded entry point. Annual pass is $40 if you end up going more than a few times. Restrooms at the visitor center (open 8:30 AM–5 PM). Water fountains along the trails every few miles. Dogs welcome on a leash (6 ft max). Strollers work on the paved road but not the dirt trails.

Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily

Storm season in north Georgia runs April through June. Not the kind of rain that waters your lawn. The kind that drops golf ball-sized hail on your roof and moves on before you check your phone.

If a storm hit your neighborhood in the last year and you never had the roof inspected, there's a good chance you're sitting on damage you haven't dealt with. And if your policy hasn't been reviewed recently, there's a good chance your coverage won't match what a repair actually costs today.

Three things worth checking before the next storm rolls through:

1. Your wind and hail deductible is probably not what you think it is. Most homeowners see their standard deductible and assume that's what applies to storm damage. It's often not. Many Georgia policies have a separate wind and hail deductible calculated as a percentage of your dwelling coverage. On a $500,000 home, a 1% wind/hail deductible means you cover the first $5,000 out of pocket before your policy pays anything. Pull your declarations page and look for it.

2. Delayed claims get questioned. Georgia policies typically require you to report a loss within a reasonable time. "I didn't think it was that bad" is not a strong position when you file six months later. If you had storm activity in your area this past year, get a licensed roofer on your roof before summer. A good one can tell you in 30 minutes whether you have a legitimate claim.

3. Your outdoor stuff is more exposed than you think. Screened porches, detached garages, sheds, fences, patio furniture. Some of it is covered under your policy. Some of it is capped. Some of it isn't covered at all. If you've added a deck, pergola, or outdoor kitchen in the last few years and never updated your coverage, you could be carrying $20,000 to $40,000 in unprotected improvements.

Not sure where your policy stands heading into storm season? Peachy can pull your declarations page and walk you through what's covered, what's not, and whether your dwelling limit still makes sense for what it would actually cost to rebuild in East Cobb today.

Call 404-600-1660 (Closed Saturdays and Sundays)

Good Dog Veterinary Care - East Cobb - Veterinary technician and veterinary assistant openings at the all-dog practice on Johnson Ferry Road. Dog lovers encouraged.
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The Avenue East Cobb - Retail and restaurant openings across the shopping center. Good for part-time, weekends, and flexible schedules.
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Cobb County School District - Certified and non-certified roles across the district. Postings move fast, so check often.
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