🌱 Local Reaches Game Show Finals + 700 Or More Without A Home Here

Morning, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days. In today's issue of the newsletter, you'll find news about these stories and more...

• A local college student is in the finals of "Jeopardy!"
• The homeless in Cherokee have a number.
• The car wash on Hickory Flat Highway is opening, again.

But first, today's weather:

Occasional afternoon rain. High: 56 Low: 47.

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

1. A Creekview High School graduate and current Brown University student advanced to the finals on "Jeopardy! High School Reunion Tournament." Justin Bolsen first appeared on the show in 2019 while a student at Creekview, advancing to the semifinals at that time. On his latest appearance in the "Jeopardy!" franchise, Bolsen is competing for a $100,000 grand prize and a spot in the Tournament of Champions. The second evening of the finals is airing tonight on NBC at 7:30 p.m. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News and Free: Jeopardy! Contestant Zone)
2. After doling out $1.3 million for the creation of transitional housing for homeless residents at the current site of Tippens Elementary School and $700,000 for a land purchase on Bells Ferry Drive to create short-term housing for up to 16 veterans at a time, the county has released the findings of a count of the homeless in our area. The county joined efforts with other area non-profits to conduct the count and they estimate there are currently at least 700 unhoused homeless people in Cherokee County. The study was aimed at identify the needs of the homeless here and fine-tuning the relief and recovery resources offered. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. What used to be an Auto Craze car wash in Hickory Flat is now reopening with a new owner and a new name. Now operating under the name Whistle Express Car Wash, the Magnolia Wash Holdings company will be open every day from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., and they're holding their grand opening this weekend. Head over when you can, there are free car washes being offered from Friday through Sunday. Whistle Express Car Wash is located at 6374 Hickory Flat Highway. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-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.)
• Coffee with a Cop: head over to Circle of Friends Coffee Shop at 1 Innovation Way for some breakfast, a coffee and an informal chat with officers from the Woodstock Police Department. (8:30 - 10 a.m.)
• Open Pickleball Play: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. There is a nominal fee to play. (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Rock Wall Climbing Zone: open to county residents ages 4 and up and 40-pounds and over at The Buzz. There is a nominal fee to climb. (4 - 8 p.m.)
• mINgle @ Diesel David: join other local professionals in an after-hours networking event with food and drinks, as well as a silent auction to benefit Limitless Disability Services. The event will be held at Diesel David, 10262 Main Street. (5:30 - 7:30 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.)
• 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.)
• Pick & Pour, Pick Your Vessel, Pour Your Candle: learn the basics of candle making, create a custom candle and enjoy dessert and a drink at Made Mercantile, 8636 Main Street. (7 - 8:30 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.)
  • Thursday: Duplicate Bridge - every Thursday in the WGLSC Multi-Purpose & Meeting Room. (12:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Mother Legacy (5:30 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • War Hippies - Country Duo (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Cherokee Recreation & Parks is looking to hire camp personnel. If you'd like to be a camp counselor, lead counselor or camp lead, you can find further details on the openings here. There are a lot of other positions within the Cherokee County government, take a look at other jobs while you're on the page. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks via Facebook)
• Recreation & Parks has opened registration for their Spring Into Action Summer Camp. The camp runs from April 3 - 7 at The Buzz in Canton and The WREC in Woodstock. You can register here. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks via Facebook)
• The City of Woodstock announced that the Utility Billing/Property Tax/Water Department will be closed every day from noon - 1 p.m. starting on March 13. If you plan on paying a bill or conducting business, please be aware of the change of operating hours. (City of Woodstock via Facebook)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Make plans to be at the Spring Sip + Shop in Downtown Woodstock on Thursday March 16, 5pm-9pm. For the Spring Sip + Shop The Sweet Read will be offering 10% off books during the event and a free bookmark with every over $75 purchase." (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Downtown Woodstock: "The first Maker's Mash of the year is this Sunday, March 12, 11am - 6pm at Reformation Brewery in Downtown Woodstock Come shop with local makers at this fun event! @makers.mash @reformationbrewery #woodstockga #woodstockgeorgia..." (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Cherokee County Animal Shelter: "We’ve got a 🐰 and his name is Minnesota 😍 he is available for adoption now so stop by to meet him. Check out more about him here: https://www.adoptapet.com/pet/37477595-canton-georgia-rabbit-mix" (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Instagram)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Cherokee Forest: "Please help me find this baby's owners!! My Fiancé found it at the intersection of Hwy 92 and Canton Road around lunchtime today. This baby was on the median attempting to run across 4 lanes of heavy traffic..." "If you recognize this pup please contact me at 770-361-2690." (Nextdoor)

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

• MadLife Stage & Studios, 8722 Main Street
  • Friday: Guardians of the Jukebox - Covering Iconic Pop & Rock from MTV (7 p.m. and 10 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Texas Hill (Full Band) - Original Country, Soul & Americana (7 p.m.)
  • Saturday: The Ultimate King of Pop Experience - Michael Jackson Tribute (10 p.m.)
• Rootstock, 8558 Main Street
  • Sunday: WILKES Listening Room Session (6 - 8 p.m.)
• Leaning Ladder, 105 East Main Street
  • Saturday: March Dinner Party with Chef Alan - demonstration class (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
• Made Mercantile, 8636 Main Street
  • Friday: Wicks and Sips with Woodstock Candle Co. - create a custom candle, decorate your own fire starter and enjoy some snacks, drinks and music. (7 - 9 p.m.)
  • Sunday: Wicks and Sips with Woodstock Candle Co. - create a custom candle, decorate your own fire starter and enjoy some snacks, drinks and music. (2 - 3 p.m.)
• The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400
  • Saturday: Zen Crawl, Singing Bowl Performance & Wine Tasting - with a performance by Yuli Arts from 4 - 5 p.m. at Star Stuff, Unit 300, followed by an Artisan Wine Tasting next door at The Gifted Ferret in Unit 400. (4 - 7 p.m.)
• Woodstock Parks and Recreation
  • Saturday: Essential Gardening, No-Till Gardening - learn several no-till gardening methods like compost mulching and cardboard gardening and go home with seeds for your own garden. The talk is open to all and will be held at the William G. Long Senior Center Expansion, 223 Arnold Mill Road. (10 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Cherokee Recreation & Parks
  • Friday: Parent's Night Out - drop off the kids from 5:15 - 10 p.m., and while you are out and about, the kids will be enjoying a swim, dinner, crafts, games and a movie. You can read more about the event and sign up here, registration closes today at 5 p.m. (5:15 - 10 p.m.)
• Woodstock Arts
  • Friday, Saturday and Sunday: "Company" - it's opening weekend, catch the first performances of the play at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (Various Times)
• Senior Center Programs - most classes and events are held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC), 223 Arnold Mill Road
  • 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: Garden Club - work with the city community garden to develop and implement plans for planting and maintenance around the Senior Center, the club meets at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (10 - 11 a.m.)
  • Friday: Nutrition 2023 - every Friday at the William G. Long Senior Center. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Other
  • Saturday: Getting Started - learn about milling your own grains and making your own bread, see demonstrations on milling, mixing, kneading, shaping and making different foods, enjoy tasting everything made at The Bread Beckers, 305 Bell Park Drive. (10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
  • 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 all caught up for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— Nina Lightcap

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