A Pleasant Day to Absorb Big News

1. Today will be partly sunny with a high near 80 and a gentle breeze throughout the day, the National Weather Service says. The overnight low will be about 61 with a 20 percent chance of rain. Be warned that Tuesday could be stormy, although nothing violent like last week.

2. No pressure or anything, but if you notice some extra-frazzled high school students hanging out at , , , and other highly caffeinated locations with Wi-Fi from today through May 13, the source of their excitement probably can be explained in two words: AP testing. Those high-stakes, college-credit-earning exams start today. And with a year of college easily topping $50,000, you can bet those students' parents are more than a little nervous as well. Students at , and will be aiming for 5s today in chemistry, environmental science and psychology. And don't forget the end-of-course tests; they start today as well.

3. The Cobb Photographic Society meets at 7 tonight at the American Business Center, Building 700, Suite 702, 1395 S. Marietta Pkwy. The group will hold a night photography competition. Any photos taken after sunset and before sunrise with only environmental light are eligible. The entry deadline is 6:55 p.m.

4. It was a busy weekend on East Cobb Patch, and not just because . had a perfect morning for its 26th annual fun run. Former quarterback T.J. Yates was drafted by the Houston Texans. And we had the story of grad Alexander Meyers, now a Marine lieutenant who helped with the recovery from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

5. We're just days away from launching our Local Voices blogs, and, like the Marines, we're still looking for a few good men and women and teens who want a place to share their opinions with a sizable audience. If Rob Maynard's columns on East Cobb life or Todd Hudson's thoughts on faith and religion inspire you to respond, if the actions of the county commissioners or the Board of Education compel you to write, if you just look at the world around you and have something to say, contact editor Wendy Parker about becoming an East Cobb Patch blogger.