🌱 Storms Batter Woodstock + Life Jackets Save Lives + Outlet Shopping

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Nina, your host of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now. Today's issue includes news about:

• Storm damage around the county.
• Cherokee pushes for life jacket safety.
• Back-to-school fun at The Outlet Shoppes.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A morning thunderstorm in spots. High: 85 Low: 65.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and nice. High: 89 Low: 64.

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

1. As of yesterday, there were still several roads blocked by trees and power lines downed in Thursday's storms, while continuing storm activity threatened more damage as rain and wind again moved through the area. Cherokee County Emergency Management advised that some 5,800 customers were still without power on Friday morning and that surveying the damage would continue well into today. As you're traveling today, use caution and keep an eye out for debris and possible detours. (Cherokee County Emergency Management via Facebook)
2. Correction: The Cherokee Sheriff's Office hiring event did not take place yesterday, as I wrote in yesterday's newsletter. The event is today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 516 Chattin Drive in Canton. I apologize. The CSO is looking to bring on new deputy sheriffs, if you'd like to apply, bring your driver's license and water bottle and be ready to run the agility course outside. You'll fill out the application and sit for an interview during the event, recruiters will be on hand to answer questions. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
3. Lake Allatoona was the site of another drowning this week, making it two that have lost their lives on the lake in recent months. According to Cherokee County officials, incidents tend to involve adults more often than children, and both the June 10 and July 20 drownings involved men over 40. Georgia as a whole has seen 26 drownings this year, a good number of which could have been prevented by using a life jacket. If you don't have one, life jackets are available to use for free at loaner stations dotted around the shoreline and at boat ramps — be sure to grab one for you and yours every time you're out enjoying the lake. (11 Alive News)
4. The Outlet Shoppes are holding a back-to-school celebration this weekend, and it'll be a nice accompaniment to all the shopping we need to do before school starts up. The fun is planned for 1 to 4 p.m. each day, featuring a DJ with giveaways and a photo wall. As a bonus, today's event will include a kids' crafting station and face painting and tomorrow's includes game stations, stilt walkers and a balloon artist. There will also be a dog adoption event today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Outlet Shoppes are located at 915 Ridgewalk Parkway. (Visit Woodstock)
5. Woodstock Parks and Recreation offers introductory classes throughout the year with the "Discovering" series. It's a wonderful opportunity to learn something new and spend some time with family and friends. "Discovering Paddleboarding" is happening today at 10 a.m. at Murph's Surf, at 6993 Bells Ferry Road in Canton, and "Discovering Pickleball For Kids" is going on from 6 to 7:15 p.m. tomorrow at the Dupree Park Pickleball Courts 1 & 2, at 513 Neese Road. You can register at the links. (Woodstock Parks and Recreation)

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Today and tomorrow in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Saturday, July 22

• Farm. Fresh. Market.: Every Saturday morning through Dec. 30, Market Street transforms into an open-air market, full of local vendors offering locally grown and created products. (8:30 a.m. - noon)
• Saturday Storytime: The family story time today is for all ages with an accompanying adult. The kids will love the stories, fingerplays and songs at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main St. (3:30 - 4:30 p.m.)
• Ian Sherwood: There are still tickets available to see the artist perform as part of the Lantern Series on the Event Green downtown. The artist's musical sound is described as "folk looper," you can check it out here. (7:30 p.m.)
• "Matilda": Enjoy the musical at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main St. (7:30 p.m.)
• Buttered Bourbon: There's live music at Woodstock Beer Market today, 240 Chambers St. (6 - 8 p.m.)
• Paul Childers Band Listening Room Session: The musician will be playing at Rootstock today, 8558 Main St. (7:30 - 10:30 p.m.)
• Board Game Night: A great activity for groups, spend an evening playing board games at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Foster Green (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Barrett (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Keven Mack (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Steve Baskin Band (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Gravity - A Tribute to John Mayer (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)

Sunday, July 23

• KASSIS Sunday Brunch: Enjoy live jazz and a delicious brunch at Rootstock, 8558 Main St. (noon - 3 p.m.)
• Christopher Swann in Conversation with Peter Farris: Christopher Swann will be on-hand with his new book, "Never Back Down." The meet and greet itself is free and doesn't require a registration, and you can order a hand-signed copy of the author's book at the link to be picked up at the shop or shipped to you. The FoxTale Book Shoppe is located at 105 E. Main St., Suite 138. (2 p.m.)
• "Matilda": Enjoy the musical at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main St. (2:30 p.m.)
• Screen on the Green - "The Mitchells vs. The Machines": The free movie will be showing on The Green, at 113 Elm St. Bring along folding chairs or blankets to get nice and comfy. (3 p.m.)
• Jeremy Wayne Dean: As long as the weather is clear, there will be live music on the PURE Taqueria rooftop, 405 Chambers St. (4 - 8 p.m.)
• Woodstock Arts Video Game Tournament - "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate": If you'd like to play, you can save your spot at the link, there are still spots available. Spectators are free. The event will be held on the Green downtown, located at 113 Elm St., so be sure to bring a folding chair. (5:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Jana (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Benjamin Frank (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • The Hoodlins (5 - 8 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • School of Rock - Woodstock Summer Show (11:30 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• As part of the ongoing intersection improvement project, the Cherokee County Engineering department announced that upcoming paving work will affect the Union Hill Road and Lower Union Hill Road intersection. We can expect lane closures to start on Monday, extending to the projected completion date of Aug. 1. (Cherokee County via Facebook)
• The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is holding its weekly adoption event today. Available animals can be seen online here, please follow the instructions found at the link for getting into the "virtual line." Adoption hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the shelter is located at 1015 Univeter Road in Canton. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
• If you work in the alcohol service industry, Reformation Brewery is looking out for you. The brewery holds "Service Sunday" each week, where bar staff and beer tenders get a 25 percent discount all day. Reformation will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., the address is 105 Elm St. (Reformation Brewery)
• If you haven't participated in a trivia night around town, give Monday nights at Truck & Tap a try. Monday Night Trivia with Lights Up! Entertainment is so much fun and there's even a prize for the winner. The fun goes from 7:30 to 10 p.m., and Truck & Tap can be found at 8640 Main St. Make sure to take a look at their food truck offerings each week, the truck parks around back. (Truck & Tap)
• The Reeves House released a listing of their "Summer Seasonals" drinks, and they sound delicious! Whether you're viewing the art in the gallery, listening to music outside or just walking the downtown area looking for a treat, be sure to give the new items a try. There's a dill pickle lemonade called "Dilly Dally," and if you're in the mood for coffee, the "Lazy River" is a cold brew with taro cold foam. Yum! The full list is at the link. (Reeves House at Woodstock Arts via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Cherokee Sheriff's Office Hiring Event (July 22)
• Family Summer Social: Back-to-School Bash (July 22)
• Schoolhouse Brewing Adult Back to School Party (July 29)
• Add your event

That's it for today! 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