🌱 Library Pollinator Count + Jazz In The Open Air + Musical Auditions

Welcome back, Woodstock-Towne Lake. I'm here in your inbox this warm morning to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town, including updates on...

• Counting bees, butterflies and more.
• Live Jazz with neighbors and friends.
• Sunday auditions at Woodstock Arts.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Michale Pena, Realtor at RB Realty

The Realtor will see you now

Imagine you had a realtor who was as attentive and caring to clients as, say, a great physician’s assistant was to patients in the operating room. The analogy might seem like a stretch, until you meet Michale Pena.

For much of her career, Michale has worked as a Surgical First Assistant to one of our area’s top orthopedic surgeons. It’s a demanding, high-stress job that requires the highest level of attentiveness, precision and service. Along the way, Michale, who has spent her whole life in the Woodstock area, started helping her medical colleagues solve another problem: figuring out where to live in our area’s tight housing market.

These days, Michale is a rising star at RB Realty, offering the same level of attention to detail, responsiveness and service she learned in the operating room to buyers and sellers in our area. Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what a recent client says:

“Michale was fantastic from start to finish. She took all the stress off of us. She is a true professional, and we highly recommend her to anyone who is interested in buying or selling a home.”

In this challenging market, whether buying or selling, work with a realtor with deep local ties, a demanding and satisfied client base and a surgeon’s attention to detail. Contact Michale Pena today, or call her at 678-848-4351.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Now, today's weather: Sunny and pleasant. High: 89 Low: 64.

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

1. You can contribute today and tomorrow to Woodstock Library's efforts in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. The census was created by the University of Georgia to help bring citizens into the fold in educating and helping to further pollinator conservation. Drop by the library anytime between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. today or tomorrow to pick up a counting sheet and head out to the butterfly garden to count those flies, moths, bees, butterflies and other helpful pollinators. If you'd like to participate at home, you can find the necessary information, counting sheet and upload tool here, the portal will be open until Sept. 15. (Sequoyah Regional Library System)
2. Tonight is Jazz Night in the Reeves House Garden, and it should be the perfect evening to enjoy the sights and sounds in and around the Visual Arts Center. The gallery will be open, so you can take in the current "LatinX Voices" exhibit, accompanied by live Jazz. Wine, beer, coffee and snacks are available inside for purchase, and there are tables and chairs set up outside. The outdoor bar has charcuterie boards and drinks, and if it rains, there's an illuminated tent. The music is free and sounds from the garden from 6 to 9 p.m. at 734 Reeves St. (Woodstock Arts)
3. Woodstock Arts is holding auditions for the upcoming musical, "Into the Woods," this Sunday. Anyone 13 and up is welcome to audition, and if you're chosen for a role, rehearsals are starting on Sept. 4 and will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. You can audition in person between 3 and 10 p.m. or by video until 9 p.m., important audition information can be found at the link. Production is especially interested in seeing actor-musicians. (Woodstock Arts)
4. The R.T. Jones Memorial Library is celebrating 100 years, and everyone's invited! The party is a multi-day affair, to include a presentation on the county's history from History Cherokee on Sept. 8, a children's Birthday Bash the morning of Sept. 9 and a 100th Birthday Gala later that evening. The children's party will feature games, food and music, and the adult's party that evening will feature food, live music and words from some of our community leaders. Detailed schedule information can be found at the link. (Sequoyah Regional Library System)
5. The Board of Commissioners decided this week to let the county's I-575 and Sixes Road Interchange Area moratorium expire. The pause on accepting rezoning, development or construction applications was put in place in the beginning of the year to allow time for the county, Holly Springs and Woodstock to form a plan together for the roughly 100-acre area. While the two cities have their own moratoriums in place, it's possible that city officials will follow suit and allow the expirations, work with the county to conduct a transportation study and work together on the finer points of the area plan. Word on the Holly Springs and Woodstock moratoriums will come closer to their expirations, in September and October, respectively. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Friday, August 18

• Adult Dog Days of Summer Ice Cream Social: It's the dog days of summer, why not drop in at the Rose Creek Library to socialize with other adults and indulge in some delicious ice cream. The library can be found at 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (3 - 5 p.m.)
• Sushi and Sake with Chef Sunisa: The class menu will include three pours of transitional Japanese sake, cucumber salad, tuna tataki and California rolls at Leaning Ladder, 105 East Main St. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• DJ Ice Gilbert: Enjoy food and drinks with a side of live music tonight on the rooftop at PURE Taqueria, weather permitting. The address is 405 Chambers St. (7 - 11 p.m.)
• Chance Bush: The artist is performing live in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main St. (7:30 - 10 p.m.)
• "Airness": It's opening night for "Airness" at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, at 8534 Main St. The comedy is best suited for those ages 16 and up, an opening reception will be held after the show this evening. (7:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Jim Gorman (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Rare Birds (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Morgan Myles from NBC's "The Voice" 2022 - Full Band Performance (7 p.m.)
  • The Ultimate King of Pop - Michael Jackson Tribute (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Reeves House Studio is hosting a crafting session for teens and adults this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. The event, "Creative Corner: Ojo de Dios," will bring participants through the "LatinX Voices" exhibit in the gallery and then into the studio to create a traditional Latin American craft. You can sign up at the link, space is limited. (Woodstock Arts)
• The next in the Woodstock Arts Video Game Tournament series is coming up this Saturday at 4 p.m. If you'd like to participate in the "Mario Kart 8" tournament, you can save your spot at the link, spectators are free and don't need to register. The tournaments are held on The Green downtown, so be sure to bring a folding chair. (Woodstock Arts)
• Get your beakers shined up and ready your crew, trivia night at The Blue Ghost Arcade is taking a trip underground into the heart of the "Breaking Bad" universe. If you don't have any muscle to bring with you on Monday night, it's safe to play alone, and the top three go home with prizes. Trivia starts at 8 p.m. at 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (The Blue Ghost Arcade)
• Because humans shouldn't have all the fun, Reformation Brewery is holding a Reformation Pup Crawl on Aug. 26. In celebration of National Dog Day, pet and person merchandise vendors will be in attendance, and special pet and human drinks will be flowing from each of the bars. The event runs from 2 to 6 p.m., and the brewery is located at 105 Elm St. (Reformation Brewery via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Little River: "Big yard sale today (Thursday) and Friday. We are still putting stuff now. Plus more to come later. We will be available for anyone to look at our things until 6 or 7 tonight. Something for everyone! Everything is priced to sell. Have a wonderful day and we hope to see you at our sale. 5511 Edmondson Lane Woodstock,Ga ***Follow our road around to the left all the way to end and you will see us. 😎***" (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Great Southeast Pollinator Census (August 19)
• Aura Reading + Chakra Balancing (August 19)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar on August 22nd and 24th at Chattahoochee Technical College - Woodstock (August 22)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! I'll see you soon.

— Nina Lightcap

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