Book Signing, Art Walk, Pageant, Dog Days

1. Yesterday's clouds gave Marietta a great break from the heat -- almost felt like autumn, didn't it? Today's forecast from the National Weather Service includes a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. The skies will be mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 100. For tonight, a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms is predicted with a low around 74.

2. The is hosting a book signing for "Marietta, The Gem City of Georgia: A Celebration of its Homes, a Portrait of its People," by author Douglas Frey, on Saturday from 4-7 p.m. Douglas Frey and award-winning photographer Jim DiVitale will discuss and autograph their new book at the Historic Anderson Mansion at 65 Whitlock Avenue in Marietta.

3. The takes place tonight on the historic Marietta Square. The Art Walk is a free, self-guided tour showcasing local original art. Local artists are hosted by Marietta Square area restaurants, galleries, museums, venues and boutiques from 5-9 p.m., rain or shine, and participating venues display an official Art Walk banner in their window.

4. Eighteen young women will vie for the coveted Miss Cobb County crown this weekend at the 54th annual Miss Cobb County Scholarship Pageant. The pageant will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre at the Cobb Civic Center at 548 South Marietta Parkway in Marietta. All seats at $20 are reserved and may be obtained by calling (770) 435-6378 or contacting misscobbcounty@yahoo.com.

5. Marietta has certainly been through the "dog days" of summer this week. Those days are named after Sirius, the Dog Star, in the constellation Canis Major, which shines most brightly during this period. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed the star was responsible for the heat and blamed it for periods of drought, sickness, and discomfort, and, as we know them, bad hair days.