🌱 School Traffic Starts Today + Laws On Passing Busses + Scarecrows

Good morning, friends. 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 these days. Today's issue includes news about:

• Rise and shine, it's back-to-school day!
• Georgia laws on passing school busses.
• New TrailStory on the Rubes Creek trail.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 92 Low: 71.

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

1. It's time to get those kids back to school! Today marks the first day of the Cherokee County School District 2023-24 school year and the return of heavy traffic in the mornings and afternoons. The Cherokee Sheriff's Office (CSO) wisely advises that we give ourselves plenty of time to account for the slower travel times. Please be sure to watch for stopped or stopping busses and crossing guards in the roadway around school zones. The CSO also noted on their Facebook page that the paving work on Union Hill Road at Cumming Highway has not been completed, though the road may be opened back up this evening. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
2. While we're on the subject of school busses and safety, let's take a minute to review the laws about passing busses. The Woodstock Police Department has posted a great infographic on the subject to help us remember which vehicles need to stop for a stopped bus. On two-lane roads, vehicles on both sides of the road must stop for a stopping bus. On multi-lane roads divided by a paved turning lane, vehicles on both sides of the road must stop. On a divided highway, where an unpaved space, barrier or median is between bidirectional traffic, the vehicles behind the bus must stop, and vehicles traveling in the opposite direction must proceed with caution. (Woodstock Police Department via Facebook)
3. Take a walk along the Rubes Creek Trail with the kids this month to read along with this month's TrailStory, "My Papi Has a Motorcycle," by Isabel Quintero. The interactive walk-and-read project was created by the Sequoyah Regional Library System and Woodstock Parks and Recreation to help give elementary school-aged children and their families a fun way to spend time together, while reading and exploring our local trails. As you walk, you'll see signs with a book page on one side and a QR code on the other. If you scan the QR code with a smartphone, the codes lead to questions about the book. (Woodstock Parks and Recreation)
4. Amazingly, October is just a stone's throw away, and with October, comes the Scarecrow Invasion in Downtown Woodstock. A few details have been released about the event, most importantly, registration will open up this year on Sept. 5 at 10 a.m. You do have to register in person at the Woodstock Visitors Center, located at 8588 Main St., and be warned, spots are extremely limited and the line forms well before opening time. Keep an eye on the official event page at the link, the 2023 rules and locations will be released as we get closer to the event. (Visit Woodstock)

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Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Tuesday, August 1

• Big Stage Yoga: The month-long, outdoor yoga sessions are for those aged 16 and up and all skill levels, but those younger can attend with a consenting adult present. Classes meet on the stage at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater please bring a mat and water with you. You can sign up here. (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
• Mario Kart Tournament: All ages welcome, prizes for first, second and third place at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 - 10:30 p.m.)
• RPG Night: New players welcome, please make a reservation on the arcade's Meetup page to ensure your spot. The admission fee includes unlimited gaming until midnight, The Blue Ghost Arcade is at 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Open Mic Night - You can sign up for a spot here. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Country Dance Night, featuring The Honky Tonkers - The evening begins with dance lessons. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Bring the family over to Regal Cherokee on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the first screening of the day at 10 a.m. and $2 tickets. The movies this week are "Boss Baby: Family Business" and "Dolittle," the theater address is 355 Cinema View. (Regal Cherokee)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Come compete in Harry Potter Trivia at Reformation Brewery on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m . Seating is 1st come, 1st served so make sure to arrive early to get your spot at Harry Potter Trivia @reformationbrewery." (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)

Here are some events coming up this week that require a ticket purchase or registration in advance, be sure to check the venues' official calendars for their full schedules.

• MadLife Stage & Studios, 8722 Main St.
  • Wednesday: Greg Shaddix & The Back Row Baptists - with Special Guest Tyler Lee Frush (7:30 p.m.)
  • Friday: Ticket to the Moon - The Electric Light Orchestra Experience (7:30 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Even It Up - Heart Tribute (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)
  • Sunday: The Ray Howard Band - Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute (4 p.m.)
• Rootstock, 8558 Main St.
  • Wednesday: Monthly Wine Tasting Experience - Blind-tasting Varietals (6:30 - 9 p.m.)
  • Sunday: Listening Room Session with Skyler Saufley - Inducted Into The Alabama Blues Hall Of Fame (6 - 8:30 p.m.)
• Made Mercantile, 8636 Main St.
  • Sunday: Maker Bar Kids - Paint and Decorate your own Pencil Hair Clip (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Unit 400
  • Friday: Wine Tasting Bingo Night (7 - 9:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Artisan Wine Tasting Summer Chill Out Party (5 - 8 p.m.)
• IN WDSTK - Open to non-members
  • Thursday: YPOW AM - Join the Young Professionals of Woodstock for coffee, networking and an informal chat with a local leader at The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way. (7:30 - 8:30 a.m.)
• Woodstock Arts
  • Friday: WIT! Woodstock Arts Improv Troupe! at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main St. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Kids Corner - Creative Collages at the Reeves House Studio, 734 Reeves St. (10:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday: The Lasting Laugh - Hosted by Jessica It's All Good at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main St. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Penny & Sparrow - The show is part of the Lantern Series and will be held on the Event Green, 113 Elm St. (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
  • Tuesday: Woodcarving Club, Painters' Club, Mahjong Instruction
  • Wednesday: Walking Club, Fit over 50
  • Thursday: Adult Coloring Club, Line Dancing, Nimble Fingers Sewing Club, Duplicate Bridge
  • Friday: Fit over 50
• Other
  • Wednesday: Fresh Start Mornings, presented by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) - Give and receive feedback, learn and make connections with other local entrepreneurs. The meeting is free and open to the public at The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way. (9 - 10 a.m.)
    

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Featured events:

• We CARE Veterans Fair (August 4)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! I'll see you around.

— Nina Lightcap

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