🌱 Summer Concert Series News + Passport Fee Legislation Filed

Hello, everybody! It's me, Nina, your host of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Daily. Here's what you need to know about what's happening in the community today, including...

• The Summer Concert Series schedule has been released!
• Passport processing fees are again under the microscope.
• The Hickory Flat Library construction project is ready to go!

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

1. Concert season is about to return to Downtown Woodstock - the 2023 Woodstock Summer Concert Series schedule has been released! Mayor Michael Caldwell announced the lineup for the free music series during the State of the City Address last week, it will all start off with a May 13 performance by country singer/songwriter Craig Morgan. Rick Springfield is coming to Woodstock on June 10 - consider me there. Other acts in the series include the Bruno Mars tribute band Uptown Funk and the Van Halen tribute band Completely Unchained. Tying up the season on September 9 will be Drivin N Cryin. If you're interested in sponsoring the series, you can reach out to the City of Woodstock Special Events Coordinator Marybeth Stockdale at 770-592-6000 ext. 1952. Keep an eye out for updates on the concert series' official website as we get closer to the opening date. (Woodstock News Post)
2. The practice of superior court clerks pocketing passport processing fees as a form of compensation may be coming to an end. After a GBI investigation into Cobb Superior Court Clerk Connie Taylor revealed she took home over $220,000 in passport shipping fees, the news outlet Atlanta News First uncovered the questionable handling of passport processing fees in multiple counties around the state. While the law does allow for processing fees to be used as compensation, it was not widely known that it was happening, nor was the excessive amount of that compensation. Now, legislation has been filed with the Georgia General Assembly prohibiting the practice entirely and requiring that clerks disclose the fees they accept each quarter. Senator Kay Kirkpatrick's bill will see fee monies deposited into the county's general fund instead, with a portion remaining with the clerk's office for official business expenses. (Atlanta News First)
3. The Hickory Flat Library expansion and renovation project is officially underway after Wednesday's ceremonial ground breaking. The building is currently 10,000 square feet and after the buildout it will be 17,800 square feet - adding space for more books, technological resources, meeting and gathering spaces and quiet areas for those studying or reading. The project began in 2019 with a survey administered to the library's visitors asking what improvements they'd like to see in the future, and the project is set to be completed in about a year. Funds for the construction include $6.7 million from SPLOST and $2 million from a Georgia Public Library Service Capital Outlay Grant. While the library will be closed for the duration of the work, your library card can be used at any library in the Sequoyah Regional Library System. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
4. Don't forget, the application window for the Cherokee Small Business Grant closes on January 31. If your small business has been affected by the pandemic, you may be eligible to receive the grant. You can find the application here. The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and is in place to help small businesses in the county that have suffered a negative economic impact from the pandemic, have no more than 500 employees, are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their field. (Cherokee Office of Economic Development via Facebook)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Free Coffee Fridays: drop by the Rose Creek Library for a free cup of coffee. You may use your own cup or one from the library, there is a limit of one cup per person. The library is located at 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (10:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.)
• Crafters' Club: get together with other local crafters for some socialization and fun while you work on your latest project, whether it's crochet, knitting, embroidery or any other craft. The club will meet at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. (11 a.m. - noon)
• Ben Kimbrall: playing live in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (7 - 10 p.m.)
• "The Lightning Thief": recommended for ages 10 and up, the play based on the book series by Rick Riordan will be performed at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• New Wave Karaoke: the theme for tonight is New Wave, but you can sing anything you'd like. Admission includes unlimited gaming all night at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 p.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:
  • 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):
  • Elephant's Gerald (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Crews & Co. (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • The Ray Howard Band - Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The G. Cecil Pruett Community Center Family YMCA in Canton offers many wonderful classes, sports and events. If you or someone in your family would like to get involved in one of their offerings, take a look at their catalog when you can, some of the Spring leagues are open for registration now. (YMCA of Cherokee County via Facebook)
• Looking for things to do around town to celebrate Valentine's Day? I'll have a list for you next week with some of the best Valentine's Day eats and events in the Woodstock-Towne Lake area!
• Downtown Woodstock: "Dress Up Woodstock now has Woodstock shirts! They have Woodstock unisex tees & pullovers in a variety of colors. Stop by the boutique to get your Woodstock shirt! @dressupwoodstock #woodstockga #woodstockgeorgia #downtownwoodstock" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Downtown Woodstock: "This Sunday (1/29) will be The Sweet Read's One Year Anniversary!!!! Make sure to stop by the store to congratulate them on this milestone and join in on the celebration! @thesweetreadbakery #woodstockga #woodstockgeorgia #downtownwoodstock" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Allatoona Downs: "I am looking for a junk person who can pick up my junk in my garage. I need it moved this weekend. Please give me a call.678-783-9539. I am not having a yard sale but I do have some big pictures that I need to sell." (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Mantra HHC-Metaphysical Shop and Holistic Hea — (Visit website)
• Queen Custom Couture — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• No Cost Boot Camp 4 Divorcing Women Workshop (January 28)
• OOH-RAH HA HA Comedy Night with Derrick Tennant! (January 28)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (January 30)
• Intuitive Painting Classes - Ignite the Healing Power of Your Creative Process (January 30)
• “Love Is in the Air” Exhibit & Chocolate Truffle Tastings - February at the Cumming Arts Center (February 2)
• Christian Singer Jeremy Rosado Live In Concert (February 2)
• Home Buyer Workshop - This is for ANY Buyer - Your First Home or Your Forever Home! (February 11)
• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward (Live)! (February 23)
• Add your event

For sale:

• AKC registered Rottweiler puppies (Details)
• Add your item

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. 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