Downtown Kennesaw is host to the 38th annual Big Shanty Festival on April 20 and 21, 2013.  The festival combines the best of the rich heritage of Kennesaw and the Civil War era with today’s fun filled activities. Over 70,000 attendees will enjoy the more than 250 booths with arts & crafts, food vendors, merchants, and live entertainment.

This year’s event offers great entertainment on two stages and a variety of foods to please everyone’s palate. The Kennesaw Big Shanty Festival kicks off with a parade on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 9:30am. The parade features floats, high school bands, marchers, and over 1,000 youngsters representing every sport association in the area. The Parade will start at Adams Park and continue down Main Street through downtown Kennesaw.

Admission:
Free

Hours:
Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 10am to 6pm
Parade is on Saturday at 9:30am
Sunday, April 21, 2013 from 12pm to 5pm

Location:
Downtown Kennesaw near the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
Kennesaw, Ga 30144

This fun filled event is co-sponsored by the City of Kennesaw and the Kennesaw Business Association. For more information, call (770) 423-1330.

For more information, please call (770) 423-1330.

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The 2013 Kennesaw Farmers Market is back starting on May 7 of 2013 and bigger than ever. Now in it’s ninth season, the farmers market takes place every Tuesday morning from May through October.

On Tuesdays from 7am to 1pm, an average of over 30 local farmers and merchants offer fresh tomatoes, flowers, seasonal fruits and vegetables, baked goods, plants, herbs, and a variety of local food and products. Be sure to get there early for the best selection.

Dates:
Every Tuesday morning from May through October

Address:
Adams Park Soccer Field Parking Lot
2753 Watts Drive
Kennesaw GA

For more information, call (770) 499-0874 or (770) 794-7075.

If you would like to become a vendor, please call (770) 499-0874 or (770) 794-7075. The Kennesaw Farmers Market is sponsored by the Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority (KDDA).

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The Airport will remain open and operate as an uncontrolled airfield.

The FAA has decided to close control towers with less than 150,000 total operations and 10,000 commercial (airline) operations to meet its required Sequestration budget cut.

The FAA is planning for the closing of 173 control towers beginning April 7th, with an additional 16 to be closed on September 30th.

An additional 48 control towers are being addressed for closure separately from this process.

There are a total of 515 control towers in the country and 246 are progressing toward closure. The following Georgia Control Towers are preparing for closure:

• ABY Southwest Georgia Regional Albany GA
• AHN Athens-Ben Epps Athens GA
• CSG Columbus Metropolitan Columbus GA
• FTY Fulton County-Brown Field Atlanta GA
• LZU Gwinnett County-Briscoe Field Lawrenceville GA
• MCN Middle Georgia Regional Macon GA
• RYY Cobb County-McCollum Field Atlanta GA

For more information about the McCollum closure, please contact Karl Von Hagel, A.A.E., Airport Manager, at (770) 528-1615.

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Date:
Artist Talk: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 7pm at the Clayton Gallery in the Bailey Performance Center. To reserve free tickets, please call (770) 423-6650 or email boxoffice@kennesaw.edu.
Opening Reception: Thursday, March 14, 2013 from 5-8pm at the Fine Arts Gallery in the Wilson Building. Meet artist Lyle Ashton Harris.

Admission:
Free

Address:
1000 Chastain Road
Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591

Parking:
Free parking in Lot E after 6:30pm or follow signs to Visitor Parking.

For more information, please call (770) 499-3223.

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The jury is in: Internships give students transitioning to the work world a leg up on the competition. And for institutions of higher learning, internships can also be effective recruiting tools for career-focused students. “University-bound students and their parents consider a number of variables as they make the decision about which institution to attend,” says Eileen O’Laughlin, assistant director of career services with Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU). “Because of the current employment environment and because experiential education is often a gateway to permanent employment, many are evaluating the work-based learning options offered by universities and choosing a school that has strong co-op and internship programs.” By extending their educational experience beyond the classroom, students can improve their job prospects while also helping their college or university improve their curriculum.

Smooth Transitions

It goes without saying that today’s job market is competitive, especially for recent college graduates. Having real-world work experience, coupled with good grades and relevant extracurricular activities, puts graduates in the position to become valuable resources for today’s employers. Their employability goes beyond classroom learning.

“Kennesaw State University seeks to prepare career-ready graduates who will be competitive applicants in the job market,” says Amanda Long, assistant director of experiential education at KSU. “Internships are one way in which this is accomplished. By providing students with the opportunity to intern while attending classes, students are better prepared to successfully transition from the classroom to the workplace following the completion of their degrees.”

Professionals at the state’s technical institutions agree. “Hands-on experience is an important component of education in the technical college system,” says Rebecca Long, public relations specialist with Chattahoochee Technical College (CTC). “This experience is gained through work in Chattahoochee Technical College’s lab-classrooms, practicums and clinicals in the field and through internships and externships with local companies, organizations and industries.”

Kate Brummel of Alpharetta, who plans to graduate with her master’s degree from KSU in July, understands the importance of internships after having worked two different programs at accounting firms. “I wanted the real-world experience and to find out more about the career I want to pursue in forensic accounting,” she says. “Accounting is very competitive and you really have to have an internship to get a job offer.”

Everybody Wins

Heather Pennington, a graduate of KSU, was an intern several years ago while she was still in college. Today, she’s offering the same opportunities to students in her marketing firm, Day Three Media, based in Cobb. “Internships are a great way for the next generation of professionals to get their feet wet in the real world,” Pennington says. “They can see what they want to do and have a chance to learn what their intended career is all about. Plus, it’s a chance for me to give something back to the community and to education. These interns are eager and willing to learn and I’m glad to be able to help them in their career growth.”

Celine Romanus started interning at Day Three last year. Today she works part-time with Pennington’s firm while finishing her degree. “There’s a lot of competition for internships and I’m very fortunate to have been selected to intern with Heather,” says Romanus, who plans to graduate from KSU at the end of the summer. “Now I’m helping recruit and interview our new interns. It’s an excellent experience for me and I love what I do.” Because Day Three is a relatively small firm, interns often sit in on client meetings. “We get to see all aspects of the business and it’s been a good learning experience—beyond what I’ve learned in class,” Romanus says. “The real-world situation complements what we learn in the classroom.”

The experience gained during an internship can be valuable in many industries. For example, interns with Futren Corporation learn about the hospitality industry and sometimes land a full-time job with the company that manages Indian Hills Country Club and the Georgian Club, among others. “More than one intern has become full-time since we started this program,” says Mitch Rhoden, CEO of Futren. “Interns are a benefit to us because they can work seasonally; they also get good experience in the areas of their majors—whether it’s golf management, hospitality or business.”

SPSU’s Long agrees that internships can also benefit businesses. “They’re a great way to recruit new talent and for the business to be exposed to the latest technology that’s being taught in the classroom,” she says. “Students also bring fresh perspectives and ideas to a workplace as well as offering the skills and labor necessary for special projects and short-tem needs,” says KSU’s Long. “They can also help a business broaden its visibility and name recognition with university staff, faculty and the community at large.”

Almost any student in almost any area of study can benefit from an internship. At Chattahoochee Tech, internships are offered in a broad range of majors, including culinary arts, electronics technology, automotive collision repair and biomedical specialization. Often these experiences lead to full-time employment. “Internships are important because they give students experience working in the field and allows the hospital or company to take a look at the students and the students to look at the department and determine if there is a fit,” says Mike O’Rear, Ph.D., biomedical specialization instructor at Chattahoochee Tech. “A large number of my students are hired where they perform their internship.”

Beyond the Classroom

While institutions of higher learning and other degree programs certainly help a students’ marketability in the working world, there may be limits to what they can provide. “As much as we try to replicate a functioning collision center, we are first and foremost, a teaching facility,” says Chattahoochee Tech’s automotive collision instructor Daniel Bell. “Internships provide students with first-hand training in automotive paint and collision centers. This training is the last step in preparing students to enter the workforce.”

Students often use internships to learn more about their career of choice, help them define their employment path or even earn extra money to pay tuition. “Students who participate in a co-op or internship reap many benefits,” says SPSU’s Long. “They can test-drive their career choice or define an area of interest, develop a professional network or even earn funds for tuition and other expenses. They also will become more competitive in the job market and secure a higher-paying job upon graduation.”

Internships can also help businesses try out potential employees. For Chattahoochee Tech, Long notes that businesses may be willing to take a chance on a person new to the field or with very little work experience in the internship setting. “They are able to train and evaluate that intern to see if they would make a good fit for the company,” she says. Having students in the community while still representing the school can be a great marketing tool as well. “The college’s teaching goes beyond the classrooms and campuses and becomes authentic experience for the students,” says Long. “With feedback that instructors get from participating students and internship sites, faculty are seeing the strengths and potential weaknesses within the curriculum.”

All three institutions agree that internships are an invaluable part of the learning and educational experience for students, the institution and the community. “There is also research and anecdotal evidence to suggest that students who participate in experiential learning have a higher graduation rate that students who do not, which is an additional benefit to the university, as many are funded based on retention/graduation rates,” says O’Laughlin. “In addition, the university also benefits from strong alliances with local and national employers.”

In today’s competitive job market, internships are a great way to stand out from the competition. The right position can help students apply what they have already learned, as well as help them gain new skills that they can take back to the classroom.

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The event allows kids of all ages to get up close and personal with over 40 cars, trucks, and construction vehicles. Some of the vehicles include a heavy construction, public safety, cool cars, specialty vehicles, and even a flying machine. Kids will learn about the functions they serve and even meet the drivers. Be sure to bring your camera and enjoy the great photo opportunities as your kids explore the vehicles, climb into the driver’s seat, honk the horn and pretend to steer.

Date:
March 16, 2013

Time:
10am – 2pm

Admission:
Free

Address:
Near the Depot
2828 Cherokee Street
Kennesaw, GA 30144

For more information, call (770) 422-9714.

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Hop on over to Kennesaw’s Easter Egg Scramble on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Adams Park in Kennesaw.

The Kennesaw Easter egg hunt begins promptly at 11am so bring the kids to hunt for thousands of colorful wrapped candy treats and goody-filled eggs (including a few “lucky” eggs that can be redeemed for larger prizes).

The scramble will be divided into three age groups on three ball fields:
0-3 years
4-5 years
Ages 6-12
A fourth field will be designated for children with special needs, or those who require assistance.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Be sure to bring a basket or bag to collect treats, and don’t forget your camera. The Easter Bunny will be on hand for pictures, hugs and handshakes. Note: Pets are not permitted on the ball fields.

Admission:
Free

New Date:
Saturday, March 30, 2013 from 10am to 12pm

Address:
Adams Park Softball Complex
2600 Park Drive
Kennesaw, GA 30144

For more information, please call (770) 422-9714.

Inclement Weather Information

“Due to inclement weather and wet ground conditions, the City of Kennesaw’s Easter Egg Scramble has been postponed to next Saturday, March 30 (same time and location).”

Kennesaw Parks and Rec Website:
kennesaw-ga.gov/city-services/recreation-a-culture/parks

City of Kennesaw Website:
kennesaw-ga.gov

Kennesaw Parks and Rec on Facebook:
facebook.com/KennesawParksRecreation

City of Kennesaw on Facebook:
facebook.com/pages/Kennesaw-City-Hall/55721081962

City of Kennesaw on Twitter:
twitter.com/citykennesaw

Phone Number:
(770) 528-8875

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Press conference scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 at 4 p.m.

KENNESAW, Ga. (Feb. 13, 2013) — Kennesaw State University has been approved to start a football program and additional Title IX sports, now that the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has signed off on the University’s feasibility and business plan.

The approval was secured today at the Board of Regents’ February meeting. A press conference will be held tomorrow, at Kennesaw State, to discuss the details of the long-awaited announcement.

WHAT: Today’s approval by the Board of Regent’s completed the final step in a six-year process of studies, student voting and fundraising aimed at bringing NCAA Division I football to the state’s third-largest university.

WHO:
Daniel S. Papp, President, Kennesaw State University
Vaughn Williams, Director of Athletics, Kennesaw State University
Vince Dooley, Legendary UGA Football Coach and Chair, Football Exploratory Committee, Kennesaw State University

WHEN: 4:00 p.m.,Thursday, Feb. 14.

WHERE:
KSU Convocation Center
Kennesaw State University
1000 Chastain Rd, Kennesaw, GA, 30144

PARKING:
Media parking is available on the 4TH level of the East Parking Deck next to KSU Convocation Center
TV trucks and live radio remotes park in lot behind KSU Convocation Center
Media entrance is located at the southeast corner of the KSU Convocation Center
For directions and a campus map, please visit: www.kennesaw.edu/alumnifriends_directions.shtml

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES: To RSVP, please contact Al Barba at 770-794-7837

Kennesaw State University is the third-largest university in Georgia, offering more than 70 graduate and undergraduate degrees, including doctorates in education, business and nursing and a new Ph.D. in international conflict management. A member of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a comprehensive, residential institution with a growing student population of more than 24,600 from 130 countries.

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This year, the 2013 Kennesaw Outdoor Movie Series continues with a trio of family friendly flicks at Swift-Cantrell Park in Kennesaw. The inflatable screen lights up at dark, so arrive early (around 6pm) for games, activities, inflatable fun, and more.

Admission is free, but concessions and some activities have an extra charge. Bring your blanket or lawn chair and a picnic (no alcohol or glass containers) and relax “on the green” for an outdoor movie night the whole family will enjoy. All movies are rated PG, and titles are subject to change. Cancellations may occur due to weather conditions.

The event on Saturday, June 1, 2013 will feature water-themed activities starting at 6 p.m., as the sun-soaked “shores” of the park become a watery playground of splishing, splashing, slipping and sliding fun. Activities will feature both free and pay-to-play inflatable slides, field games and attractions. After the sun goes down, set sail for a fun-filled pirate adventure with a screening of The Pirates! Band of Misfits. The 2012 stop-motion animated adventure comedy follows the Pirate Captain and his crew of amateur pirates as they attempt to win the Pirate of the Year competition. The movie is rated PG, and features the voices of Hugh Grant and Jeremy Piven.

Children participating in water activities should arrive dressed to get wet. An extra change of clothing, towel and dry shoes is recommended. Restrooms will be available; showers and changing rooms are not.

Click here for more information, or call (770) 422-9714.

Schedule:
Saturday, May 4, 2013 – Brave (postponed due to rain)
Saturday, June 1, 2013 – The Pirates!  Band of Misfits
Saturday, September 14, 2013 – Brave
Saturday, October 12, 2013 – Hotel Transylvania
* Cancellations may occur due to weather conditions.

Location:
Swift Cantrell Park
3140 Old US Highway 41
Kennesaw, GA 30144

Parking is also available at:
Kennesaw Elementary School
3155 Jiles Rd NW
Kennesaw, GA 30144

For more information, please call (770) 422-9714.

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Advance tickets are just $5 per person, and can be purchased online at www.kennesaw-ga.gov/pkrec or at the Ben Robertson Community Center beginning January 2. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $8 per person (based on availability, space is limited). Children two (2) years of age and under do not need a ticket; however they must sit on an adult’s lap.

Date:
Saturday, March 23, 2013

Times:
Two seatings – 8am and 9:30am

Address:
Ben Robertson Community Center
2753 Watts Drive
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144

For more information, please contact Laurel Fleming, City of Kennesaw Special Events Coordinator, at lfleming@kennesaw-ga.gov

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