🌱 Little River Park Progresses + CCFES Is Internationally Accredited

Morning, friends! Nina here with your fresh copy of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the most important things happening in our community, including updates on...

• Some movement is seen in the Little River Park project.
• Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services went international!
• Applications are being accepted for Community Impact Grants.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy and mild with showers. High: 70 Low: 62.

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

1. In 2017, the City of Woodstock purchased 24 acres off Trickum Road and started making plans for a new 100-acre park. Now 2023, the creation of Little River Park has officially entered Phase I, with the Woodstock City Council's approval of the funding for the design contract with Earth Elements, the company that will create the construction drawings for Phase I of the project. While the drawings are expected to be completed within 90 days, the actual first-phase construction isn't expected to begin until late this year or early next year with a budget of $8 million in SPLOST funding. You can read about the master plan for the park and its approval in 2021 here. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
2. Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services is now an Accredited Agency through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) "voluntary self-assessment and accreditation program," and they're one of only about 300 in the world to achieve this international status. CCFES joins 12 other CFAI accredited agencies in Georgia, listing them among other agencies in the Department of Defense, career, volunteer and private sectors. Throughout the process of accreditation, CCFES has used it as a tool to learn, improve and plan for the future. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News and Free: CCFES News)
3. The Service League of Cherokee County is accepting applications for Community Impact Grants. The Service League is awarding $30,000 in total and is looking for other local organizations that "work to remove barriers and enable children to grow, learn, and prosper..." If your idea or project is something you believe will help our local children, you can reach out via the Service League's website here. The deadline for applications is March 17, and the winners will be notified by March 28. The Service League is also currently accepting applications for their Service League Scholarship program. The scholarships are for local high school seniors and are awarded based on need, achievement and recommendations. You can read more about the program here, the application window closes on March 31. (Service League of Cherokee County via Facebook)
4. The Cherokee County School District (CCSD) has embarked on their annual "Get Cherokee Reading" campaign. This year's theme is "Reading: A Sport for All Seasons" and there will be activities all month at area schools in celebration. There will be guest readers, sports-themed dress-up days and more. You can see the game sheet at the link, there are some very fun activities that would be great for the whole family, where you can read more about the state-level "Get Georgia Reading" campaign also. (CCSD News)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• YPOW AM: open to non-members, join the Young Professionals of Woodstock every Thursday morning for coffee, networking and an informal chat with a local leader at The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way. (7:30 - 8:30 a.m.)
• Open Gym: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. There is a nominal fee to play. (1 - 5:30 p.m.)
• Through the Looking Glass - Art + Science: tonight's the opening reception for the new exhibit at the Reeves House Visual Arts Center. Head over to the gallery at 734 Reeves Street to check out the new art. The event is free, and a list of featured artists can be found at the link. (6 p.m.)
• Geoff Scott: the artist will be playing live at Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street. (6 - 8 p.m.)
• Rich Gunderlock: the artist is playing live on the rooftop tonight at PURE Taqueria, 405 Chambers Street. (6 - 10 p.m.)
• 50+ Open Gym: open to county residents 50 and older at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. There is a nominal fee to play. (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
• Thrown Out Bones: the band will be live tonight in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (6:30 - 9:30 p.m.)
• Team Trivia: every Thursday at Sidelines Grille - Hickory Flat, 6199 Hickory Flat Highway in Canton. (7 p.m.)
• Music Bingo: on-demand music bingo with Lights Up! Entertainment, every Thursday in February at The Daily Draft, 8594 Main Street. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Wine Tasting Bingo: all supplies will be provided for Bingo at The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament: double-elimination tournament with prizes for the top three winners, the entry fee includes access to all arcade, pinball and board games at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 - 10 p.m.)
• DJ Trivia: every Thursday, the top three teams win cash at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (8 - 11 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs - most classes and events are held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC), 223 Arnold Mill Road
  • Line Dancing - every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (9:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
  • Nimble Fingers Sewing Club - for all skill levels, learn to knit, crochet or cross-stitch every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
  • Adult Coloring Club - every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Wilkes (5:30 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Brother Cane - With Special Guest Angie Lynn Carter (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• To go with the current exhibit "Art & Science", Reeves House has two new gallery specials for us. In appreciation of Northside Hospital as a sponsor to the exhibit, the gallery created a white pepper and white mocha latte they've named "Northside Lab Coat." And to honor the exhibit, "Galaxy Lemonade" is a butterfly pea flower tea lemonade with edible glitter...EDIBLE GLITTER! I can't wait to try them! Grab yourself a delicious beverage at Reeves House, 734 Reeves Street. (Reeves House at Woodstock Arts via Facebook)
• The City of Woodstock is hiring! There are positions of all kinds, you can take a look at everything here. There are openings for both full- and part-time positions, including systems administrator, city planner, building inspector, police officer and more. (City of Woodstock via Facebook)
• Downtown Woodstock: "The March Burger of the Month at Canyons-Fresh'Grill is a classic Patty Melt... or St. Paddy's Melt! A Certified Angus Beef Burger topped with Cheddar Cheese, Swiss Cheese, Grilled Onions, & NEW Specialty Sauce between two slices of buttery Texas Toast!..." (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, River Park: "I saw a loose dog in River Park near the clubhouse. - It’s white with caramel spots, possibly a cocker spaniel. I hope he finds his way home soon." (Nextdoor)

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

• MadLife Stage & Studios, 8722 Main Street
  • Friday: Yacht Rock Schooner - The Smoothest Jams from the 70's & 80's (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)
  • Saturday: SkynFolks - Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute (7 p.m.)
  • Saturday: The Jett Hearts - Joan Jett Tribute (10 p.m.)
• Rootstock, 8558 Main Street
  • Sunday: Goldpine Listening Room Session (6 - 8:30 p.m.)
• Leaning Ladder, 105 East Main Street
  • Friday: Southern Comforts with Executive Chef Daniel - demonstration class (7 - 9:30 p.m.)
• The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400
  • Saturday: Artisan Wine Tasting (5 - 7 p.m.)
• Woodstock Arts
  • Friday: Woodstock Arts Improv Troupe, WIT! - at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday: The Lasting Laugh - for ages 12 and up, clean comedy hosted by Jessica It's All Good at the Woodstock Arts Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs - most classes and events are held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC), 223 Arnold Mill Road
  • Friday: Walking Club - every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Dupree Park walking/running track, 513 Neese Road. (8 - 9 a.m.)
  • Friday: Fit Over 50 - stretch and exercise with chair yoga, balance, bands, weights and core strength work every Wednesday and Friday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.)
  • Friday: Nutrition 2023 - every Friday at the William G. Long Senior Center. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Other
  • Saturday: Paint and Chat Professional Art Classes - for all skill levels, all supplies will be provided for the painting class at Tranquility Fine Arts, 9194 Main Street. (2 - 4 p.m.)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— Nina Lightcap

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