Please subscribe and share for local insights in Cobb and Cherokee Counties!

The holidays are in full swing and the Evans home is buzzing again. Céline and Clare have returned from Japan, the kids are all in on Christmas mode, and Chris has officially learned how to weld — a dangerous new skill put to use as the family's go-kart project enters its final stretch.

But today's episode doesn't stop at holiday fun. We dig into a packed slate of local news shaping Cobb, Cherokee, and North Fulton, with context only a community-rooted show can deliver.

🎄 Family & Holiday Update

• Céline and Clare return from Japan

• The kids are deep in the holiday season

• Chris survives Welding 101 (and nearly burns his eyeballs off — learn why)

• The go-kart project is almost ready to roll

🗞 Local News You Should Know

• Wildman's Civil War Surplus Store in Kennesaw ordered closed pending a full forensic accounting of the late Dent Myers' estate. The long-controversial shop is now sealed, with court-appointed oversight and no return date in sight.

• Cobb CFO Bill Volckmann promoted to Deputy County Manager, stepping into the role as Jimmy Gisi retires after 35 years of service.

• Roswell elects a new mayor: Former state representative Mary Robichaux defeats incumbent Kurt Wilson in a runoff focused on transparency, jobs, and intentional growth.

• Andy Gaines of the Strand Theatre wins the Governor's Award for the Arts & Humanities, marking another major achievement for Marietta's cultural district.

• Cobb County sewer overflow explained: What happened, how it was cleaned, and why it does not affect drinking water.

• Marvel pulls major film production out of Georgia, shifting work overseas and raising new questions about the state's future as the "Hollywood of the South."

🏡 Real Estate Market Update: A Dramatic November Slowdown

Chris breaks down the data in depth, including:

• Inventory levels not seen since the early 2010s

• Sales cut nearly in half month-over-month

• Buyers negotiating an average of 5.2% off original list price

• Why sellers must price with precision

• How secondary and tertiary markets respond differently to economic pressure

Whether you're buying, selling, or simply curious about our local economy, this episode brings the clarity and context you won't find on national news.

Sellect Realty — https://sellectrealty.com

Simply List Atlanta — https://simplylistatlanta.com

This week, Chris and Céline recap a deeply meaningful Veterans Day weekend, including a surprise Quilt of Valor presentation to Victor Higgins, the Veterans Day Parade in Marietta, and the Field of Flags installation in Roswell. They shift into Thanksgiving mode—sharing New England vs. Southern holiday traditions, fun childhood memories, why Chris wants a giant cornucopia, and the great debate of "dine-out or dine-at-home." The episode wraps with a rapid-fire winter home-maintenance checklist to prepare for freezing temperatures. A warm, lighthearted, and very American episode.

🇺🇸🦃 Links:

• Quilt of Valor Foundation: https://www.qovf.org

• Marietta Daily Journal: https://www.mdjonline.com

• Roswell City Hall: https://www.roswellgov.com
• Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.): https://www.nscar.org
• DAR National Society: https://www.dar.org

Local Thanksgiving Dining Options Mentioned: (Reservations strongly recommended.)
• Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel & Conference Center – Thanksgiving Brunch https://www.hilton.com
• Mac's Chophouse – Marietta Square https://macschophouse.com
• Johnny's / Moxie / Johnny & Max Italian Concepts (Check local listing for final Thanksgiving menu.)

Thanksgiving Events:
• MUST Ministries Gobble Jog (10K, 5K, 1K, Tot Trot – Marietta Square) https://www.mustministries.org/gobble-jog
Senior Community Event:
• Freeman Poole Senior Center Thanksgiving Luncheon https://www.cobbcounty.org/senior-services

• Sellect Realty — https://sellectrealty.com
• Simply List Atlanta — https://simplylistatlanta.com

Halloween collided with a home football game, Kiwanis topped up the diaper drive, we discovered Smyrna's North Cooper Lake Park (kid-friendly bike skills loops!), and we unpack Cobb 101 + SPLOST basics. We also share why Santa at Phipps is an ATL tradition worth booking early, and we cover October's market snapshot for Cobb & Cherokee with practical winter strategies for buyers and sellers.

00:00 — Cold open: Halloween hits different this year (Pope home game)
03:01 — Community heartbeat: Kiwanis diaper drive update
05:00 — Local Spotlight: North Cooper Lake Park (skills loops, playground, pavilion info)
15:26 — Cobb 101 graduation: what we learned about county services & efficiency
20:30 — Public services night: libraries, UGA Extension, waste & senior services
35:05 — SPLOST 101: what that extra penny funds
38:34 — Family tradition: Santa at Phipps (book early)
46:03 — Buckhead eats near Phipps (quick rundown)
48:59 — October market snapshot (Cobb & Cherokee: listings, pendings, price trends)
52:00 — Winter strategy: pricing where buyers are, turnkey prep, rate buydowns
1:02:40 — Programming note: Japan trip & holiday timing; reviews help the show

• North Cooper Lake Park (Smyrna): City page with amenities & pavilion reservation phone (678) 631-5395 — Park page.
  Bonus overview with photos of the MTB skills area — Atlanta Area Parks profile.

• Cobb 101 Citizens Government Academy: official info & application timeline — Cobb County page.

• SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax): what it is and what it funds — Cobb County SPLOST hub.

• UGA Extension (Cobb County): programs, contacts, and location — Extension office.

• Santa at Phipps (appointment-only): official site for pre-registration, schedule, and contact — santaatphipps.com

• Cobb Diaper Day (community diaper drive): event, donate, and drop-off details — cobbdiaperday.com.

Links to us:

• Sellect Realty: sellectrealty.com

• Simply List: simplylistatlanta.com