Wheeler Project OK'd on Football Eve

1. You’d never know our coastal friends were facing the storm of the year in Hurricane Irene from our weather today. Around here, it will be sunny and hot with a high around 95 and little or no wind most of the day, the National Weather Service says. And we’re facing another Code Orange smog alert.

2. , the slightly scaled-back overhaul won unanimous approval from the on Thursday night, as did a smaller but still significant renovation project at . East Cobb Patch will have a report today.

3. The high school football season gets started in earnest tonight, led by the between Wheeler and on the new turf at the Wildcats’ Corky Kell Stadium. The Kell family will at 7:15, and kickoff is set for 7:30. We’ll have coverage Saturday, but if you go and have thoughts, updates, photos or videos, please send them along to share with the community through Twitter, Facebook, email or the website. has the weekend off after its , but its freshman and JV teams won their games Thursday against , 41-8 and 27-19, respectively, according to the Raider football website.

4. Football isn’t the only fall sport at East Cobb high schools, of course. Pope’s softball team took the short trip to Northeast Cobb rival on Thursday but came up short, 10-2. East Cobb Patch will have details and a photo gallery of the Lady Greyhounds at 8 a.m.

5. We offered some suggestions for weekend fun with our Thursday. In addition to those activities, check out the Pope High carwash at Wendy’s near at 3120 Johnson Ferry Rd. to fight childhood cancer Saturday, and if you’re considering joining a Jewish community, stop by Temple Kol Emeth’s free barbecue Sunday at 5 p.m. at 1415 Old Canton Rd.