Checking Out Talent Around the Springs

1. The weather today is wet, chilly, dreary. In general, it's not a great day to spend outside. The National Weather Service says we can be certain of thunderstorms and showers this afternoon and tonight, and there's a 50 percent chance of more Sunday. Look for a high temperature around 65 both days.

2. But there are worse things than a little rain when Powder Springs is packed with fun indoor activities today. Start with a senior citizen benefit talent show at 11:30 a.m. at the , then plan on an afternoon at our favorite hometown bookstore, the , which offers Redneck cooking for adults and epic adventures and Funny Jimmy for kids.

3. Speaking of talented kids, the Cobb County Board of Education recognized a talented artist and some brilliant readers, as well as a top science teacher, at its meeting Thursday night. .

4. Did we mention the Cobb school board? We told you about the Clarkdale Elementary approval and the continuing calendar saga. We'll have one more report from Thursday's meeting this afternoon, including Cobb students getting the OK to attend Fulton County charter schools and SPLOST artificial turf.

5. In case we haven't made it clear, Powder Springs-Lithia Springs Patch is part of a network of nearly 800 local news websites and counting. One of our newest additions is Athens Patch, which launched Monday, just in time to follow the entire saga of the killing of a police officer and the resulting manhunt for the suspect, who finally turned himself in on live TV Friday night. Catch up on the arrest of the Jamie Hood and the whole saga in one convenient place.