Debbi Chartash and Melody Maziar, Team Captains, Angels4Angels.

The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a 60-mile walk that helps mothers, sisters, spouses, and friends get one step closer to a world with-out breast cancer. Everyone who participates in the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk discovers her (or his!) own personal meaning, regard-less of their size, age, athletic ability or lack thereof. For some, it’s the pride that comes from completing what they thought was im-possible. For others, it’s the joy of doing something so big and bold they know they’ve made a difference. And for East Cobber Debbi Chartash and her friend Melody, it’s the opportunity to bond with loved ones or forge new friendships while promoting a worthy cause: finding a cure for breast cancer.

Captain Tim Cox

Too often, the only thought most of us give to the men and women in blue is to hope that the policeman parked in the median didn’t notice that we were driving a tad too fast just before we spotted the squad car. We forget that our local police officers risk their lives, routinely perform acts of heroism and relentlessly try to put those who prey on society behind bars. Police, fire, ambulance and other public safety personnel make many sacrifices for our community. The Cobb Chamber of Commerce annually pays tribute to these local heroes by sponsoring Public Safety Appreciation Week scheduled this year October 4-10. To celebrate our public safety servants, the EAST COBBER spotlights Precinct 4 of the Cobb County Police Department.

“By publishing the EAST COBBER, we hope to build a better sense of community in the East Cobb area. Your stories and ideas are vital in achieving this goal. The articles and stories in this newsletter will share information and ideas contributed from East Cobbers just like you. Let’s learn from each other. Let’s find out how we can help each other. Please write to the EAST COBBER and let us know what you think, let us know how we are doing, let us know how you are doing, and what you are doing.”

The above text was pulled from my first “Publisher’s Note” in the October 1993 issue. While the world has changed (and me, too!) that editorial mission has not over the past 16 years! At the ripe young age of 31, the other half of a DINK (Double-Income, No Kids) couple, having just lived in East Cobb for just one year, I was searching for a source of information that would acquaint me with my new hometown. Dissatisfied with what I was reading, I believed I could start a publica-tion that would focus on East Cobb exclusively. Using my skills as a marketing and public relations professional and my limited publishing experience I decided to create a magazine that would focus on the “ordinary” people, like me, that wanted to get involved in their community and spotlight East Cobb residents that were already involved in the often overlooked network of local clubs, civic groups, and PTAs. 183 monthly issues, 12 annual community guides, 14 annual EAST COBBER Pa-rade & Festivals, and three healthy children later, I am still devoted to promoting the good works of East Cobbers. It is this sense of purpose that has carried me through many crazy deadline days and late nights. This “Sweet Sixteen” birthday also allows me to acknowledge and give thanks to those East Cobb merchants who have supported this magazine and all it represents by placing ads. Of course, many thanks to the multitude of readers who continue to submit stories. Your letters, faxes, e-mails and phone calls make this community paper truly grass-roots.

Some wise man said, “Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God”. I have been fortunate to share my gifts every month for the past 16 years. How sweet is that? I am honored to have shared information and inspiring stories about our wonderful East Cobb community with you, dear readers, for the past 16 years, and I look forward to doing more.

How sweet it is!

Lori Lite, Founder, Stress Free Kids

Fifteen years ago, East Cobb mom, Lori Lite had a young son who was chronically ill and hyperactive. “Every night it took 2 hours to put him to sleep. My husband and I would literally fight over whose turn it was to put him to bed. There was so much stress in my house that I became sick and my daughter developed stress-related night terrors,” shares Lori. So, one night, to ease her son to sleep, Lori came up with a bedtime story that incorporated muscle-relaxation techniques—and it worked! Her husband overheard and suggested Lori write the story down. From that one story, Lori has created a home-based, online company, called Stress Free Kids. She has created a line of books, CDs and curriculums that help children manage anxiety, stress and anger while promoting self-esteem and a more peaceful sleep. “2008 was our most successful and profitable year. I released 4 new hard covers books; Angry Octopus, Bubble Riding, Affirmation Weaver, Sea Otter Cove, and my Indigo Dreams: 3 CD Set,”says Lori.