🌱 First Responder Peer Counseling Course + The Goings On Of Downtown

Hey, everybody! It's Saturday in Woodstock-Towne Lake and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in the community today. Today you'll learn about these stories and more:

• Sheriff's Office deputies have been training for peer counseling.
• There are quite a few new job openings for the county.
• Adopt-A-Park volunteers are needed.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Mostly cloudy. High: 62 Low: 49.
• Sunday: Cooler with periods of rain. High: 52 Low: 48.

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Here are the top four stories today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

1. Where does a first responder turn to for help after a traumatic event? Who helps the helper? This week, several deputies from the Cherokee Sheriff's Office completed a week-long training course to learn how to be the best support they can be to other first responders that have experienced trauma, on or off duty. The Peer Counseling for Public Safety training took place at the Cobb County Training Center. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
2. Are you looking for a career change or to move forward in your current career? Cherokee Recreation & Parks has several job openings throughout the department. Some of the open positions include Facility Operations Coordinator, manager on duty, front desk assistant, lifeguard, dance and gymnastics instructor and swim instructor. The positions come with amazing benefits like paid vacation, raises, a retirement plan, achievement awards, education opportunities and more. You can see all of the available positions and links to apply here. Good luck, you're going to do great! (Cherokee Recreation & Parks via Facebook)
3. On the subject of our great county, Cherokee Recreation & Parks is looking for Adopt-A-Park volunteers. The park clean up program is a great opportunity for individuals, families and groups to give back to the county and to the parks we love. The first clean up day will be held on December 17. For more information or to sign up, please call 770-924-7768 or email Jessica Hallman at jshallman@cherokeega.com. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks via Facebook)
4. The Cherokee County Animal Shelter has extended their special holiday adoption event! The shelter will be offering free adoptions again today! You can see the available animals here. A QR code at the front door of the shelter will become active starting at 10 a.m. today, please scan the QR code to enter the "virtual line." The shelter adopts on a first come, first served basis, and animals can't be put on hold. Today's adopted pets will go home with their spay or neuter, heartworm and leukemia testing, initial vaccinations, deworming, flea preventative and microchipping completed free of charge. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)

Today and tomorrow in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Today

• Farm. Fresh. Market. is a great place to find lots of locally grown and created products, all in one spot. The market will be open every Saturday on Market Street in Downtown Woodstock until December 31. (8:30 a.m. - noon)
• Swim with the Grinch: for all ages, at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center. There are two time slots, 9 and 10:45 a.m. (9 a.m. - noon)
• Payton's Breakfast with Santa: bring the kids to meet Santa at Payton Jean Marie, 9550 Main Street, Suite 100. (10 a.m. - noon)
• Book Sale: presented by Friends of the Cherokee County Public Libraries, head over to the Woodstock Library to stock up on some good reads. The library is located at 7735 Main Street. (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
• Yoga at the Library: for ages 17 and up, perfect for beginners. Certified yoga instructor Jigna Patel will lead. Please bring your own mat to the class at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (11 a.m. - noon)
• Kim Conrey & George Weinstein in-person event: join the authors for a chat and book signing at FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main Street, Suite 138. (3 - 5 p.m.)
• DIY Christmas Gift Workshop: for ages 10 and up, create DIY presents. All supplies will be provided, but you may bring your own if you'd like. Please register here for the event at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (3 - 5 p.m.)
• Maker Bar: drop by the shop every second Saturday of the month to create a project in 30 minutes or less at Made Mercantile, 8636 Main Street. (3 - 7 p.m.)
• Screen on the Green - "A Christmas Story": head down to the Green for a free screening of the classic movie. (4 p.m.)
• Annual Elf's Loose in the Bar Tasting Party: arrive at the party dressed in your best elf outfit, and you will receive a free wine tasting in January. The best outfit will win a prize at The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400. (5 - 7 p.m.)
• Christmas Open House: enjoy food, prizes, vendors, games and more at Esther 4-14 Antiques and Treasures, 703 Bascomb Commercial Parkway. (6 - 8 p.m.)
• Trey Odum: playing live in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (7 - 10 p.m.)
• "A Christmas Carol": the annual Woodstock Arts production of "A Christmas Carol" at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• FUGM's: the band is playing live at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92. (9:30 p.m.)
• 80's New Wave Night: unlimited gaming until 2 a.m., new wave music, dancing, retro games and a full bar at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (10 p.m. - 2 a.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows):
  • The Shetlands (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Hunter Blalock (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Will Tipton (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Blackfoot Daisy (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • The Ultimate King Of Pop Experience - Michael Jackson Tribute (7 p.m.)
  • Mock of Ages - Def Leppard Tribute (10 p.m.)

Tomorrow

• Santa Sundays: visit with Santa in center court for a photo opportunity. Carolers will also be performing around the center at The Outlet Shoppes, 915 Ridgewalk Parkway. (1 - 5 p.m.)
• Makers Mash: Check out and shop local artists and makers at Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street. (1 - 6 p.m.)
• "A Christmas Carol": the annual Woodstock Arts production of "A Christmas Carol" at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (2:30 p.m.)
• Christmas Ornament Wine Tasting Bingo: all supplies will be provided, play for prizes and enjoy a nice wine tasting at The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400. (3 - 5 p.m.)
• Woodstock Arts Auditions - "Murder on the Orient Express" and "Company": auditions will be held Sunday and Monday. Video submissions will be accepted until Monday at 8:30 p.m. You can send those videos to zach@woodstockarts.org. In-person callbacks will be held on December 14 for “Company” and on December 18 for “Murder on the Orient Express.” Please see the posting to register and for more information. (6 - 9:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • School of Rock, West Cobb (1 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• If it stops raining, it'll be a great weekend to catch the Holiday Lights of Hope at Hobgood Park. Events start up at 6 p.m., head over to see the display with more than 2 million lights, visit with Santa, enjoy some concessions and more. You can purchase tickets online here, children 14 and under are free. Please check their Facebook page for weather updates, they are not open if the field is wet. (Holiday Lights of Hope)
• Cherokee Recreation & Parks is holding a 3-day Splish Splash Camp from December 28 - 30 at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center. Campers will swim, play and go out on a trip. The camp runs from 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily. Head over to the website for more information and to register. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• Events at Leaning Ladder tend to fill up pretty quickly, so here are the next few events with tickets still available:
  • December 14, 7 p.m. - Holiday Appetizers with Chef Oakley (hands-on class)
  • December 15, 6:30 p.m. - Holiday Trivia & Ugly Sweater Party
  • January 7, 6:30 p.m. - Learn How to Make Potato Gnocchi with Executive Chef Daniel (demonstration class with class participation at times)
• Made Mercantile events also fill up quickly, here are their next few events with tickets still available:
  • December 15, 7 p.m. - Pick & Pour: pick your vessel and pour your candle!
  • December 17, 3 p.m. - Kid's Winter Fairy Garden with Uptown Design
  • December 18, 2 p.m. - Wicks and Sips with Woodstock Candle Co.

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday. I'll be back in your inbox next week with another update!

— Nina Lightcap

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Woodstock-Towne Lake Daily? Contact me at Woodstock@Patch.com