Hot Debate, Hot Pitcher, Hot Day

1. Expect more of the same from the weather today, according to the National Weather Service: a sunny, hazy day with a high around 91 and little or no wind; a 30 percent chance of afternoon showers; an overnight low of about 68; and a Code Orange air-quality alert.

2. The Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s Cobb Executive Women group holds its monthly luncheon today at the Georgian Club on the 17th floor of 100 Galleria Pkwy. in the Cumberland area. Mitzi Smith-Moore, the head of Marietta’s Sundial Plumbing, is the speaker. Registration and networking open at 11 a.m.; the program starts at 11:30. The cost is $35 at the door for group members and nonmembers.

3. If you missed 2010 grad Evan Mitchell last weekend at Georgia Tech as a freshman starting pitcher, you get another chance to watch him today. Mitchell is the scheduled starter for Mississippi State at Florida in the Super Regional. Whichever team wins two of three games this weekend advances to the College World Series in Omaha. The first pitch is at 12:05 p.m.; you can catch the game on ESPN2 (Channel 47 on Comcast cable).

4. Did you attend the Chefs Culinary Tour, a fundraiser for the SafePath Children's Advocacy Center, on Thursday night at the ? Come back to East Cobb Patch this afternoon for a photo gallery from the event, and you might see yourself.

5. The talk of East Cobb is the return of the calendar to the Board of Education’s agenda, thanks to local school board member David Banks’ tenacity or obsession, depending on your viewpoint. Has Banks come up with a meaningful compromise by adding 10 minutes to the school day and starting Aug. 8 instead of Aug. 15 (current calendar) or Aug. 1 (previous calendar)? Is it crazy to try to cut a week from summer vacation with less than seven weeks’ notice? Join the debate in the comments on the news article or Local Voices blogger Kathryn A. Patterson’s opinion piece. And remember, East Cobb Patch is always looking for more people to join the Local Voices lineup; email editor Wendy Parker if you’re interested.