Smyrna

City premieres yarn bombing of trees

Smyrna city officials and the Smyrna Tree Board are highlighting more than 30 trees in the city’s arboretum through artful “yarn bombing” installations for the Smyrna Tree Scarves project.

The scarves will be unveiled to the public during an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Gazebo, Smyrna Arboretum, 200 Village Green Circle SE next to the Smyrna Community Center. The scarves will stay up on the trees through Oct. 27. Visitors to the arboretum will be able to walk through the installation and learn more about each tree and knitter by reading specially made tags for each tree scarf.

Also, several events will be held throughout the installation to further educate the public about the importance of trees. They include free tree yoga on Aug. 18, sponsored by Giving Tree Yoga, and an arborist-led tree walk on Sept. 14.

“Yarn bombing” is a form of street art defined as the action or activity of covering objects or structures in public places with decorative knitted or crocheted material.

The project was conceived by the Smyrna Tree Board to raise awareness and advocate for the care and beauty of the city’s urban forest. Beyond the art installation, the project includes a series of educational experiences, with local school classroom activities, community knitting sessions and a large-scale community marketing effort.

The Smyrna Tree Board is a volunteer-based committee that advises the Mayor and Council on matters pertaining to the conservation of trees and the conservation of tree canopy cover within Smyrna.

CAROLYN CUNNINGHAM FOR THE AJC

UPCOMING

  • Registration: Marietta Miracles Soccer Program. Through Aug. 30. $75 Marietta residents, $100 nonresidents. Franklin Gateway Sports Complex, 1034 Franklin Gateway SE, Marietta. Marietta's Parks and Recreation Department will host this fundamental skills soccer program for children, ages 5 to 12, with little or no soccer experience. Sessions will be held Friday nights, Sept. 6 to Oct. 25. Groups will be broken down as follows: ages 5-6 at 6 p.m., ages 7-8 at 7 p.m. and ages 9-12 at 8 p.m. Recreation Coordinator Rick Clark at 770-794-5603 or rclark@MariettaGa.gov. Register: secure.rec1.com/GA/city-of-marietta/catalog
  • Powerful Tools for Caregivers. Register by Aug. 30. Class: 4-5:30 p.m. Mondays Sept. 9 to Oct. 14. Free. East Cobb Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. This educational program is designed to help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for a relative or friend. Register: 770-509-4900.
  • Book Worm Co-Op Share Sale and Open House. 9-11 a.m. Aug. 21. Free. The Book Worm Bookstore, 4451 Marietta St., Powder Springs. This event is designed to promote this newly formed cooperative to buy an independent bookstore. Co-op shares will be available for purchase either during the open house or by contacting the store during regular business hours. 770-439-2029, TheBookWormOnline.com