Ball Games at Sprayberry, Lassiter

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. Are you ready for some football? Although and got an early start to the season last Saturday in the Corky Kell Classic and have the weekend off, tonight is opening night for most area schools, including . The Yellow Jackets play host to at 7:30; get there early for a tailgate extravaganza in Stinger Plaza, starting at 5:30. (Check out Sprayberry’s new website if you haven’t already; it looks great.) We'll have coverage of the game Saturday at Northeast Cobb Patch, and we invite you to share your thoughts, updates, photos and videos with us via Twitter, Facebook, email and the website.

3. Football isn’t the only game in town this fall. You can check out a photo gallery from 10-2 over Pope on Thursday, then head out to this evening for three fastpitch games in Allatoona’s widespread tournament. Lassiter will play North Gwinnett at 5 and Grayson at 8:30, and those two teams will play each other in between. Lassiter will play on the road in the tournament Saturday, opponent and location to be determined based on today’s play.

4. In case you missed it Thursday, Northeast Cobb Patch introduced you to two of the more interesting public servants in our area, female firefighters Cindy Carroll and Denell Boyd.

5. We offered some suggestions for weekend fun with our Thursday. In addition to those activities, check out the 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.