Bakery, Italian restaurant coming to Avenue East Cobb | Auditions for Cobb Idol Jr. are due by Dec. 1 | Powder Springs man to run in marathon to raise money for cancer research

  =====  MDJ Script/ Top Stories for November 7th 

Publish Date: November 7th 

 

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From the BG AD Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.  

  

Today is Friday, November 7th and Happy Birthday to Jim Kaat 

 

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal 

1. Bakery, Italian restaurant coming to Avenue East Cobb
2. Auditions for Cobb Idol Jr. are due by Dec. 1
3. Powder Springs man to run in marathon to raise money for cancer research

 

Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on milk 

 

All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!  

 

BREAK: Ingles Markets 6 

STORY 1:  Bakery, Italian restaurant coming to Avenue East Cobb 

 Two new spots are about to shake things up at Avenue East Cobb this month, and foodies, you’re gonna want to mark your calendars. 

First up, Giulia—a cozy Italian bakery and patisserie—opened today! Think flaky croissants, dreamy pastries, and coffee that’ll make you linger. After finding success at The Forum in Peachtree Corners, owners Ben and Seth Gjuka are bringing their magic to a 900-square-foot space here, right next to their upcoming restaurant, Luga. 

Speaking of Luga, it’s set to debut Nov. 24 in the old Drift Fish House spot. Expect a sleek 28-seat bar, an open kitchen, and a menu packed with antipasti, Roma-style pizzas, and fresh, house-made pastas. 

Find it all at 4475 Roswell Road. 

STORY 2: Auditions for Cobb Idol Jr. are due by Dec. 1 

 Got a voice that can wow a crowd? The Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta is calling all young singers, ages 11-19, to audition for Cobb Idol Jr. 2026: Heartbreak & Heartache. 

This live competition, a spinoff of the beloved Cobb Idol, gives talented teens a chance to shine on stage. The big event happens Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m., but auditions are due by Dec. 1. 

Here’s the deal: submit a video of yourself singing a love or heartbreak-themed song (1.5–3 minutes) to [email protected]. Keep it family-friendly, show off your range, and make sure your voice is the star. 

Winners snag cash, scholarships, and even a spot in Cobb Idol 2026. Questions? Email Savannah Patton at [email protected]. 

STORY 3: Powder Springs man to run in marathon to raise money for cancer research 

 The 2026 Chicago Marathon is still months away, but for Cole McNall, the journey has already begun. The 25-year-old from Powder Springs isn’t just training for his first marathon—he’s running for something much bigger: his mom. 

Last December, McNall’s mother, Danae Huffman, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare and incurable blood cancer. “She wasn’t herself—back pain, fatigue, just... off,” McNall recalls. The diagnosis hit hard. Treatments were grueling—chemo, a stem cell transplant—but today, s