🌱 Rotary Polar Bear Plunge + Summer Camp Jobs + Identity Theft

Hey, Alpharetta-Milton. I'm here in your inbox today to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on around town, including updates on:

• Alpharetta Rotary Polar Bear Plunge success
• Summer camp counselors needed at Camp Joyful Soles
• Prevent identity fraud

But first, today's weather:

Today will have times of clouds and sun. The high will be 64 with a low of 42.

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Here are the top stories today in Alpharetta-Milton:

1. The Alpharetta Rotary Club held its annual Alpharetta Polar Bear Plunge event last weekend and raised nearly $118,000 for local organizations. It took place at the Wills Park pool, where the water was 47 degrees, and it was even colder outside of the pool — just 34 degrees. There were 29 teams participating, and all dove from either the side of the pool or off a diving board. Many individuals wore costumes, and all were raising funds for specific organizations, including Stand Up for Kids, Lionheart Life Center, Meals for Grace and the Alpharetta High School Football team. (Appen)
2. Camp Joyful Soles in Milton needs staff for its summer camp including counselors and counselors in training. This camp is for individuals with special needs ages 13-22. There are open positions that are paid as well as volunteer ones. Camp Registration starts on Feb. 7. (City of Milton)
3. The Milton Police Department want to help prevent identity fraud, which affects one in six adults. It costs $221 billion in losses worldwide annually. Make sure to check your bank and credit card statements, and question unfamiliar transactions. Ditto for your credit reports. Be suspicious if you receive a call from debt collectors for an account that you didn't open. If something doesn't seem right, contact the police department. (City of Milton)

Today in Alpharetta-Milton:

• Exhibit: Down Home on the Farm at the Alpharetta Arts Center, 238 Canton St. (8:30 AM)
• Exclusive wine tasting and dinner with Josh Phelps at Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant, 5670 Atlanta Highway in Alpharetta (5:00 PM)
• Dual Enrollment Information Meeting at Cambridge High School, 2845 Bethany Bend in Milton (6:00 PM)
• Virtual Reality Art: Tiltbrush at the Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza in Alpharetta (6:30 PM)
• Searching for Blacks in the Bible at Saint James United Methodist Church, 3000 Webb Bridge Road in Alpharetta (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Good news for Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center in Roswell; it recently became certified as a comprehensive stroke center. This award was given from the national health nonprofit the Joint Commission. This means they have "advanced diagnostic and therapy tools to treat highly complex stroke cases." Other comprehensive stroke centers in Georgia include Wellstar Kennestone Regional medical Center in Marietta. (Appen)
• Good news for drivers — gas prices dropped slightly in our area last week. The Georgia statewide average is now $3.34 per gallon, which is five cents lower than last week. However, it is $.52 higher than last month and $2 more than last year. The increase from last month is primarily due to reinstating the state gas tax. You can shop around for the best prices using apps like http://gasbuddy.com. (Cobb County Courier)
• Firefighters in Suwanee were called to put out a fire at a 9,000 square-foot home last weekend. The owners were out of town, and it took two hours to stop the main part of the fire. Crews took another five hours to put out all of the hotspots and apply foam. The home is a total loss. (The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

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Events:

• The Transistion Network (February 8)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 9)
• Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra Hearts and Harmony Gala (February 10)
• Home Buyer Workshop — This is for ANY Buyer - Your First Home or Your Forever Home! (February 11)
• Playhouse Family Show — for Preschool Families (February 11)
• We are planning an online event about our services in Georgia (February 14)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update!

— Gail Lafleche

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Alpharetta-Milton Patch newsletter? Contact me at Alpharetta@Patch.com