🌱 Structure Fire Destroys Home + Downtown Construction To Start Soon

Good morning, everybody. I'm here with your fresh copy of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Daily. Keep reading to find out all the local news you need to know right now, including updates on:

• Another house fire strikes in Cherokee County.
• Woodstock set to begin construction on downtown area.
• Let the holidays begin! Weekend events to check out.

But first, your daily weather:

• Saturday: Mainly cloudy, showers around. High: 62 Low: 37.
• Sunday: Cloudy. High: 58 Low: 41.

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

1. Another structure fire erupted in Cherokee County Friday afternoon. Several units from Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services responded to a fire on Ammons Drive near Waleska to find the single-story home fully engulfed. The crews were able to extinguish the fire. There is no information as to any injuries or residents present and the cause is currently under investigation. Please stay safe this season. Be sure to change your smoke and fire detector batteries and turn off holiday lights when you aren't home or are sleeping. It's also a good habit, holiday season aside, not to run your dryer when you aren't awake or home. (Atlanta News First)
2. Woodstock is about to embark on a years-long project aimed at spreading and improving the downtown area. The first of several major upgrades proposed has been approved unanimously by the Woodstock City Council. Phase one of the project includes the extension of Chambers Street from Wheeler Street to Arnold Mill Road, underground detention facilities and the addition of greenspace. Construction is expected to start in March 2023 and wrap up in September to the tune of $3.5 million. Expect delays once the work starts, East Main Street will be shut down while work is being completed. Phase two of the project is expected to start in late 2023 and includes the construction of a parking deck. (WSB-TV)
3. The Christmas Jubilee & Parade of Lights is coming up this weekend! The traditional parade of lights starts at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, taking off from Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill. The festival will start after the parade and will be held at The Park at City Center. Santa will be there and the Mayor and Santa will light the Christmas tree. There will be music, vendors, food, cupcake decorating, crafts, hot cocoa, apple cider, fun for the kids and much more. (Woodstock Rec Desk)
4. Woodstock is ready for its closeup! A Christian, faith-based series filmed in and around Woodstock will likely be released by the end of next year. Local resident Cheryl McKay Price wrote and produced the series and chose to feature several favorite spots around town, including the downtown area, Rootstock and Circle of Friends. Some scenes for the series were filmed in Marietta and Canton as well. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
5. A local restaurant has failed its health inspection, hit with a score of 43 and a "U" (unsatisfactory) rating. When 7 Tequilas on Holly Springs Parkway was inspected, spinach was sitting out at room temperature, there was "substantial" mold inside the ice machine, and there was "an abundance" of cockroaches seen inside the ice machine, near the steam table and on the floor. In an interview, the manager advised Atlanta News First that the issues have been corrected. The news outlet stated that the failing score sheet was not posted at the restaurant when they visited. (Atlanta News First)
6. The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is holding a special holiday adoption event today! This week, the shelter will be offering free adoptions and the opportunity to see Santa and take an "Elfie Selphie." Adoption hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and you can see the available animals here. A QR code at the front door of the shelter will become active starting at 10 a.m. today, please scan the QR code to enter the "virtual line." The shelter adopts on a first come, first served basis, and animals can't be put on hold. Today's adopted pets will go home with their spay or neuter, heartworm and leukemia testing, initial vaccinations, deworming, flea preventative and microchipping completed free of charge. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)

Today and tomorrow in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Today

• Christmas Craft Fair: presented by Timothy Lutheran Church, enjoy arts, crafts, food and music at the annual craft fair. 556 Arnold Mill Road. (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Farm. Fresh. Market. is a great place to find lots of locally grown and created products, all in one spot. The market will be open every Saturday on Market Street in Downtown Woodstock until December 31. (8:30 a.m. - noon)
• Electronics Recycling Event: items accepted free of charge include personal computers, laptops, modems, printers, batteries and more. Items accepted for a fee include televisions for $25, CRT monitors for $10, large projection televisions for $40 and LCD monitors for $5. The full list is here. The event will be held at the Cherokee County Administration Building at 1130 Bluffs Parkway in Canton. This is a cash-only, drive-through event, the team will unload your items for you. (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Yoga On Tap: the beginner yoga session includes a free pint or coffee, please bring a mat and water. The class fee can be paid at the door of Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street. (10 - 11:30 a.m.)
• College Football - Championship Weekend on the Green: there will be different college games showing throughout the day on the big screen, and there's a playground next to the Green for the kids. The event is free, but a bar with beverages for sale will be set up outside. (noon)
• Classic Movie Matinee: watch It's A Wonderful Life (1946, Rated PG) and enjoy popcorn and refreshments. All ages are welcome to the screening at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (2 - 4 p.m.)
• Annual White Elephant Wine Tasting Charity Toy Party: bring a new toy to donate ($10 minimum value), and receive a free wine tasting in January. Halfway through the event, there will be a white elephant gift exchange. The party will be held at The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Street, Suite 400. (5 - 7 p.m.)
• Christmas Jubilee & Parade of Lights: the traditional parade of lights starts at 5:30 p.m. at Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill and will end at Sam's Club right before the Highway 92 intersection. The festival will start after the parade at The Park at City Center. Santa will be there and will light the Christmas tree with the Mayor. Music, vendors, food, cupcake decorating, crafts, hot cocoa, apple cider, a reading of The Polar Express!, fun for the kids and much more. (5:30 - 9 p.m.)
• Mitchell Phillips: playing live in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (7 - 10 p.m.)
• A Christmas Carol: the annual Woodstock Arts production of A Christmas Carol at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• Board Game Night with Mason: a great event for groups, have a fun evening learning about and playing the board game Ticket To Ride. Admission includes unlimited play on all arcade, pinball, board and console games at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows):
  • Roger "Hurricane" Wilson (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Levi Ransom (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Garrett Collins Trio (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Layne Denton Band (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • The Purple Madness - Prince Tribute (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)

Tomorrow

• Woodstock Arts Festival Series, Christkindl Market: a new festival with a traditional German Christmas Market. Live music, food vendors, makers, artists and more on the Event Green, 113 Elm Street. (11 a.m.)
• Laurie Ann Jazzwine 'Brunch' Live Music: In The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (noon - 3 p.m.)
• Santa Sundays: visit with Santa in center court for a photo opportunity. Carolers will also be performing around the center at The Outlet Shoppes, 915 Ridgewalk Parkway. (1 - 5 p.m.)
• A Christmas Carol: the annual Woodstock Arts production of A Christmas Carol at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (2:30 p.m.)
• Lipstick Arithmetic Class for Teens with Dirty Beauty: for ages 13 - 19, create a custom lipstick. Parents and guardians can also participate by purchasing their own ticket. (3 - 4:15 p.m.)
• Christmas Ornament Wine Tasting Bingo: all supplies will be provided, play for prizes and enjoy a nice wine tasting at The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400. (3 - 5 p.m.)
• Debra Lynn and Flamy Grant: performing live in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (6 - 8 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows):
  • Sterling Barrett (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Layne Denton (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Ben Kimbrell (5 - 8 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • School of Rock, West Cobb (1 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Reminder: several roads will be closed today to make way for the Parade of Lights and Christmas Jubilee. Starting at 5:15 p.m., Main Street and Rope Mill Road will be closed from Woodstock Elementary School to Highway 92, and there will be road blocks through the entire parade route. You can see the full list of closed roads here. While you're at the parade and festival, keep your eyes peeled for members of the city's Community Development team - they will be handing out pictures of a new character, Planner Andy. The new campaign will ask children to take pictures with Planner Andy around Woodstock, they will be using the pictures you email to them in social media, plan documents and presentations. You can read more here. (City of Woodstock via Facebook)
• Holiday Lights of Hope at Hobgood Park is open for the season. Events start up at 6 p.m. every night. Head over to see the display with more than 2 million lights, visit with Santa, enjoy some concessions and more. You can purchase tickets online here, children 14 and under are free. Please check their Facebook page for weather updates, they are not open if the field is wet. You also still have the opportunity to sponsor the event by decorating a live Christmas tree that will be displayed at the park, the tree and electricity will be provided. If you're interested, please reach out by email to HLOHinformation@gmail.com. (Holiday Lights of Hope)
• Woodstock Arts is holding auditions on Sunday for their RepTouR, Repertory Touring Children's Theatre Troupe. They are looking to fill 5 positions within the troupe and some additional understudies. RepTouR travels to local elementary schools in the area for performances, so it is required that each member have their own vehicle. Auditions will take place starting at 6 p.m. at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. Please click the link to register. (Woodstock Arts)
• The Gifted Ferret's free light show is great for a pretty and relaxing moment this holiday season. The Sparkling Nights of Lights light show will run from 8 p.m. to midnight daily until December 31. The show can be viewed from the parking lot of the shop at 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400. Just park, tune your car radio to 92.5 FM and relax to the sounds of the holidays and the sparkling, synchronized lights. (The Gifted Ferret)
• Classes at Leaning Ladder tend to fill up pretty quickly, so here are the next few classes with tickets still available:
  • December 6, 6:30 p.m. - Beef Masterclass with Chef Kyle (demonstration class)
  • December 8, 6:30 p.m. - Holiday Trivia & Ugly Sweater Party
  • December 14, 7 p.m. - Holiday Appetizers with Chef Oakley (hands-on class)
• Made Mercantile classes also fill up quickly, here are their next few classes with tickets still available:
  • December 9, 7 p.m. - Wine and Design with Uptown, Winter Succulent Garden
  • December 10, 3 p.m. - Maker Bar
  • December 10, 7 p.m. - Ink and Drink: Letterpress Cards with Beau Pape Co.

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Events:

• Breakfast with Santa (December 3)
• Big Psychic Fair (December 3)
• Christmas Photos & Activities in Store this Saturday, December 3rd! (December 3)
• Free Holiday Concert (December 3)
• Chanukah & Holiday Bazaar (December 4)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— Nina Lightcap

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