Who can turn the world on with her smile?

Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?

Well it’s you girl, and you should know it

With each glance and every little movement you show it

Love is all around, no need to waste it

You can have a town, why don’t you take it

You’re gonna make it after all

You’re gonna make it after all

Every Saturday night, I eagerly awaited each new Mary Tyler Moore TV show. Mary Tyler Moore played a character, Mary Richards, that shined a light on possibilities and positivity for this little girl (I was 8 when the show premiered in 1970). As I was putting the finishing touches on this issue, I heard that she had died. Her passing strikes a chord with me because she showed me what I could be like when I grew up: a successful, single woman in the working world with my own apartment! I could make it on my own! So many other Americans were touched by this iconic character.

Whenthe Mary Tyler Moore show aired, our country was going through some tumultuous times (from the Vietnam War protests, Watergate, to Nixon’s resignation) and for 30 minutes every Saturday, many Americans sat down to be charmed, to laugh, and with a cleverly-written script, consider some social issues. Mary Tyler Moore’s death reminds us how we are in search of that ordinary, but very special, “Mary” and that “toss your hat in the air” feeling!

For the past 23 years, the EAST COBBER magazine has shined a light on those ordinary and special people, like Mary Richards, who create possibilities and are a positive force not just locally, but in Metro Atlanta, and beyond. From Kristy Flowers, featured on the front cover, to Jennifer Fink creating a fundraiser for breast cancer research (see page 10), I am pleased to share these stories (and more!) about East Cobbers taking action and making our community a little bit better. Just like in the Mary Tyler Moore show, my hat is off to them!

And just like in the ‘70s, we Americans are now going through another era of protests and turmoil. So, like the Mary Tyler Moore show, I hope the EAST COBBER magazine provides some respite and reminds you that we’re gonna make it after all!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Cynthia M. Rozzo

Founder l Publisher

cynthia@eastcobber.com

P.S. Come see me get out of my comfort zone and dance in the third annual Cobb Dancing With The Stars on February 25. Details are on page 8 of the February issue.