🌱 Two Victims In Area Shooting + Free Car Seat Checks + Books Wanted!

Hello, everybody! It's me, Nina, your host of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Including updates on...

• Canton was the site of a shooting on Wednesday.
• A local agency will check your child's car seat for safety.
• Cherokee County Senior Services is looking for book donations.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Leslie Spennato of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

How do you take advantage of the most complex real estate market in years?

Barely a year ago, the real estate market in the Woodstock area was straightforward. If you were selling, you priced your home at an all-time high and let the buyers compete. If you were buying, you took advantage of historically low interest rates, made an offer above asking, then crossed your fingers that the seller would accept. Oh yeah – and everyone was suddenly a real estate agent.

Today’s market is more complex. Interest rates went up — but are now coming back down. Inventory went down — but now new homes are coming on the market. In these rapidly fluctuating conditions, deep knowledge of our market and the best financing strategies is at premium. And as for part-time realtors — well, would you go to a part-time doctor?

Leslie Spennato has been in real estate in our area for over 22 years. She’s in the top 2% of producers nationwide for Berkshire Hathaway because she’s extremely good at what she does: getting transactions done for clients, no matter how challenging the market. That’s why she has dozens of 5-star reviews, like this one:

"Leslie is by far the most professional agent we've ever worked with. Accessible, informed, experienced and quick to respond…Highly recommended."

Whether buying or exploring a sale, in a complex market, you need an experienced professional you can trust. Visit Leslie today to see her listings and to learn more.

Now, today's weather:

Cloudy with a few showers. High: 67 Low: 51.

Interested in reaching our local readers with targeted messaging that drives traffic to your business? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

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

1. Gunfire rattled a Canton neighborhood Wednesday afternoon, two people were injured. There were multiple witnesses to the event, and children were rushed inside to safety by neighbors that heard the "rapid gunfire" as it erupted. The area of Oak Side Drive was flooded with officers, and K-9 and drones were deployed in the hunt for the shooter. The condition of the victims is unknown at this time, but the suspect is in custody as of this evening. (Free: Fox 5 Atlanta and Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
2. Parents in Cherokee County will have the opportunity to have their children's car seats inspected by a professional. Safe Kids Cherokee County is hosting the free event, and they'll be at Cherokee Veterans Park, at 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton, from 1 - 4 p.m. on March 24. The organization will also be teaching parents and caregivers how to install a car seat or booster seat correctly. If you'd like more information, please reach out to the organization by email at safekids@cherokeega.com. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. Cherokee County Senior Services is accepting book donations for its "A Side of Books" program. If you'd like to donate, the organization is especially in need of large print and Agatha Christie books. You can drop off your donation at Cherokee County Senior Services, 1001 Univeter Road in Canton, during their usual business hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. If dropping off after hours, please place the books on the picnic table in the back of the building. You can email jnmceuen@cherokeega.com if you have any questions. (Cherokee County Senior Services via Facebook)
4. If you have a young entrepreneur in your family with a unique product or service, Kid Biz Expo has lots to offer you! The expo puts child vendors in the forefront through festivals filled with opportunities to sell their goods, practice their sales skills and hone their business acumen, and the organization also offers workshops to help build the youngsters up. Coming up on March 5, they're holding a workshop to help fine-tune your child's sales pitch and "Become a Sales Pro." Please bring a sample of the product if you have one. You can register here for the workshop, it will be held at The Innovation Spot, 110 Arnold Mill Park, Suite 400 in Woodstock, from 3 - 4:30 p.m. There's another workshop on March 26 in Alpharetta if you miss this one. (Kid Biz Expo via Facebook)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• The Lorax RepTouR and More with Woodstock Arts: for all ages, though children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Enjoy a performance by RepTouR and build your own story with "Story Builders" during the performance at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. (10:30 a.m. - noon)
• Crafters' Club: adults of Cherokee County, do you crochet, knit, embroider or craft? You can take your current piece over to the library today for some socializing while you work on your craft at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library. (3 - 5 p.m.)
• Dive In Movie: registration appears to have been extended until today at 6 p.m. for this event. Watch "Moana" on the inflatable screen while you relax in the water. You can bring your own float, but it must have a diameter of 40 inches or less. Everyone must be able to swim, and children in life jackets must be with arm's reach of a parent. For more information, you can call 678-880-4760. (6 - 8 p.m.)
• Murder on the Orient Express: catch the performance tonight at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• 90's Grunge Karaoke: admission includes unlimited gaming and karaoke all night at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 p.m.)
• Daniel Lieving: the artist is playing live tonight at Donovan's Irish Cobbler, 1025 Rose Creek Drive. (9 p.m. - 1 a.m.)
• DJ Karaoke: every Friday at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (9:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.)
• Senior Center Programs - most classes and events are held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC), 223 Arnold Mill Road
  • Walking Club - every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Dupree Park walking/running track, 513 Neese Road. (8 - 9 a.m.)
  • 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.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Second Helping (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Keven Mack Band (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Slippery When Wet - Bon Jovi Tribute (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Visit Woodstock released their list of prize winners from the Mardi Gras Pub Crawl! Check out the full list at the link to see if you or someone you know won. Congratulations to Stephanie S., who won the grand prize of $100 Downtown Dollars. The next in the series is the Shamrock Pub Crawl on March 18. If you've been thinking about going but don't love drinking, rest assured, there's tons of food specials, themed mocktails, music and fun for all. I don't drink often, and my family and I had a blast. There's tons of food specials, themed mocktails, music and fun for all! (Visit Woodstock via Facebook)
• If you love all things active and are looking for a job, Cherokee Recreation & Parks is hiring a full-time recreation coordinator. The position will include planning and coordination of outdoor and general recreational programs for all ages, planning and execution of special events, including fishing, archery, kayaking, hiking and other outdoor activities. You can read more about the position here. Please reach out to Adam Fussell at cafussell@cherokeega.com for more information. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• Who wants a new furry one to love? There are plenty of area pets waiting for a family that will love them like they deserve. Take a look at these area pets looking for a home, I bet there's one that will fit into your life perfectly. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Visit the Reeves House at Woodstock Arts this Sunday, Feb 26, 4pm - 6pm, for the unveiling of a newly completed community created sculpture in Downtown Woodstock! In addition to the unveiling of the newest piece of public art in Downtown Woodstock, this will also be your last chance to view Corrina Sephora's "Echoes of Ecology" exhibit one last time..." (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Jep Wheeler Road: "Need Help. I may have written this message before. I am looking for someone to witness two DIY wills. I will pay whoever does this for us. Thanks. Shannon Elwell (770) 367-2231" (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Queen Custom Couture www.Queencustomcouture.com — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Aura Reading & Chakra Balancing (February 26)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 27)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Nina Lightcap

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