🌱 Traveling Safely + County Meeting Tonight + Shelving As Protection

Hello again, friends! It's me, Nina, your host of the Canton-Sixes Patch newsletter. Let's get this Tuesday started off right with a quick guide to everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days, including updates on...

• Travel tips from the Canton PD.
• There's a Planning Commission meeting tonight.
• Learn about a bookshelf that can protect us from harm.

But first, today's weather:

Warmer. High: 78 Low: 62.

Here's to the wonderful local business who sponsors this newsletter. Check out what they can do for you:

Looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity in Canton? The Children’s Haven is excited to announce their next training opportunity to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Next training will begin April 12 - May 10, Wednesday sessions from 9am-4pm. CASA volunteers advocate on behalf of children in foster care, ensuring their best interests are always at the forefront. Visit The Children’s Haven to learn more, or email Mandy here for more information and complete training details.

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Here are the top five stories today in Canton-Sixes:

1. If you're traveling for spring break, the Canton Police Department has some tips for you on safely leaving your home unoccupied. Leave some lights on to make people think you're at home, and if you can get timers, it will seem as if people are active and moving about inside the house. Lock everything up before leaving, including pet doors and mail slots. Don't share vacation details on social media, this includes when you're leaving and coming back, where you're going, and even that you're leaving at all. You can post all that when you get home. Tell your neighbors that you're going on a trip and ask if they'd keep an eye on your house for unusual activity. Make sure to arm your security system, and put a mail hold on newspapers, mail and packages so they don't stack up while you're gone. If you use these tips, the criminals should be none the wiser to your trip details. (Canton PD via Facebook)
2. The Planning Commission is holding a public hearing tonight at 7:30 p.m. The agenda includes several cases, with items to include the rezoning of several large parcels from residential to industrial and office institutional. There is also an item on the agenda dealing with a request to rezone over 37 acres from the current agricultural designation to residential. The plan stated is to create a gated community on the plot of land on Sixes Road and Hillhouse Lane. If you would like to be heard on these or other items on the agenda, head over to Cherokee Hall, at 1130 Bluffs Parkway in Canton. The meeting agenda is here and the official Rules of Procedure are here - you can find the specific rules and standards for public comment on page 12. (Cherokee County Calendar)
3. Canton is home to a unique company born out of the repeated tragedy of mass shootings. ProtectED Rooms is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that makes bookshelves for classrooms, religious centers, healthcare buildings, commercial buildings or any other building with a need for safety. The shelving is normal at a glance, but it is actually a bullet-resistant shield to be slid in front of a door in the case of a shooting. The bookshelf system can be moved by one adult or two small children and it locks into place, protecting those inside. The normal appearance allows the equipment to fit into the day-to-day lives of children and workers without attention being brought to the full purpose of the piece. The company is owned by Master Sergeant (Ret.) Pete Facchini. (Atlanta News First and ProtectED Rooms)
   
4. Children and adults with special needs have a wonderful ally in a ranch here in town. Bearfoot Ranch is a non-profit facility that holds therapeutic riding lessons and activities, and they even have a therapy instructor certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH). Horses also have a solid friend in Bearfoot Ranch, they work with local authorities to rescue, rehabilitate and give love to horses that haven't had the best lives. If you're interested in their services or would like to learn more about the ranch, they have a lot of great information on their website, including information on events, volunteer opportunities, services offered and much more. (Atlanta News First)
   
5. The Cherokee Summer Internship Program is now open for employer application submissions. You can sign up to get matched with students in the area looking for a summer internship. You'll get the help you need, you may just find the next rising star for your company, and you'll be helping the local workforce grow into their own. The paid, 6-week program is for rising high school juniors and seniors and it will give them valuable experience in the business world. The program will run from June 5 - July 14, if you think you could put a local student to work, be sure to submit your employer application before the May 19 deadline. (City of Woodstock via Facebook and Cherokee Office of Economic Development)

Today in Canton-Sixes:

• River Church Farmers Market: don't forget to grab your fresh produce and crafty goods at the market today and every Tuesday. The church is located at 2335 Sixes Road. (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Family Storytime: for children of all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The little ones will have fun with stories, singing, dancing, crafts and lots of fun at the Rose Creek Library at 4476 Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock and the R.T. Jones Memorial Library at 116 Brown Industrial Parkway. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Open Gym: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway. There is a nominal fee to play. (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
• Community Yoga: the free class is open to all fitness levels and takes place every Monday morning and Tuesday evening. Please bring your own mat. You can sign up at the link for the class at The WREC, 7545 Main Street, Building 200 in Woodstock. (5:30 - 6:30 p.m.)
• Open Gym: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway. There is a nominal fee to play. (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
• Music Bingo: join the fun with Lights Up! Entertainment at Reformation Brewery, 225 Reformation Parkway. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Karaoke Night: every Tuesday and Thursday at Canton Icehouse, 150 Keith Drive. (8 p.m. - midnight)

From my notebook:

• On Saturday Atomic Biscuit is bringing local vendors to The Mill on Etowah, at 225 Reformation Parkway, Suite 122. There will be woodwork, jewelry, mugs, soaps and more for you to bring home. The market will run from 3 - 7 p.m. (Popin' Shop Crafts)

• City of Canton GA: "Get ready to rock in the City of Canton! The River Rock Concert and Festival is back in 2023 as a two-day weekend in Etowah River Park. Friday, July 21, kicks off the event featuring local musicians from 6-10 p.m." (City of Canton GA via Instagram)
• Sequoyah Regional Library: "Do you have home videos you can't watch anymore because you don't have anything to play them on? Family pictures you're afraid to lose? Enter the SRLS Digitize Discovery Contest! You can win an Ancestry DNA Kit, a Digital Frame, an external hard drive, SRLS Swag and the chance to star in a video telling your story." (Sequoyah Regional Library via Facebook)
• History Cherokee: "Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 6, 11 am - noon! Come see our loom from "Life's a Stitch" in action. Demonstration is free for History Center members and included with admission for not-yet-members." (History Cherokee via Facebook)

Here are some events coming up this week that require a ticket purchase or registration in advance:

• Cherokee Recreation & Parks
  • Thursday: KeyLog Logrolling Class - for ages 6 and up, learn about logrolling. Registration for this class closes out Wednesday, April 5, at 9 p.m. The class will meet at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center, located at 1200 WellStar Way. If you have any questions, you can contact Amanda Lane at aclane@cherokeega.com. (5 - 7 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Eggs-traordinary Extravaganza - there will be an egg hunt for ages 0 - 3 outside at the Aquatic Center, and there are several time slots for the Underwater Egg Hunt for ages 4 - 12. The Sensory Friendly Egg Hunt will be taking place first, starting at 12:45 p.m., and it's for all ages. On top of all the egg hunting fun, there will also be inflatables, face painting, crafts, prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Registration for the event closes on April 7 at 5 p.m. (Various Times)
• Other
  • Wednesday: American Red Cross Community Blood Drive - donors will receive an exclusive Red Cross and Peanuts Joe Cool t-shirt while supplies last. You can make an appointment at the link for the blood drive at the G. Cecil Pruett Community Center YMCA, 151 Waleska Street. (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
  • Friday: American Red Cross Community Blood Drive - donors will receive an exclusive Red Cross and Peanuts Joe Cool t-shirt while supplies last. You can make an appointment at the link for the blood drive at Sixes United Methodist Church, 8385 Bells Ferry Road. (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Brunch with the Easter Bunny and Alice in Wonderland - Paula's Zzerts is holding a special brunch that's perfect for the whole family. Enjoy delicious pastries, French toast sticks, bacon and sausage, roasted chicken, shrimp and grits, breakfast potatoes, frittata and fruit salad. There are still tickets available, but registration ends today at close of business. (11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Plant Daddies Plant-A-Palooza Scavenger Hunt - The Mill on Etowah will be holding a scavenger hunt this weekend, and you can search The Cotton Mill Exchange for something to grow a plant in, the zanier the better. Then, Plant Daddies will show you how to make your found item into an appropriate and functional container and how to care for it. Fermented Wine is also hosting the event and will have great wines to go with the thrill of the hunt. You can get your tickets at the link, and you can drop in anytime during the event hours. You can grab tickets prior to the event at a discount. (noon - 5 p.m.)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— Nina Lightcap

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Canton-Sixes Patch newsletter? Contact me at Canton-GA@Patch.com