🌱 Tasting The Best Of Woodstock + Free Concert In The Park Today

Hello, friends! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through all the most important things happening in town these days. Today you'll find news about these stories and more:

• Get your eating muscles ready, Taste of Woodstock is here!
• Noontime concert today in the park.
• CCSD Code Red Alert activated Wednesday.

But first, today's weather: Pleasant with some sun. High: 79 Low: 65.

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

1. It's Taste of Woodstock day here in town, and that means we get to taste our way through some of the best our local food and drink spots have to offer. The event is scheduled to run from 5 to 9 p.m. on the Event Green downtown, you can grab your tasting tickets at the Visitors Center on Main Street today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or at the event itself starting at 4:30 p.m. Don't forget to vote for your favorites, there are 23 stops to make along your way, come very hungry. Take a look at the full list of participating spots at the link. (Taste of Woodstock)
2. Be sure to take your lunch in the Park at City Center today, the Brown Bag Concert Series is bringing Wyatt Espalin to the Gazebo at noon. The free music series takes place on Thursdays during the month of September, the concerts start at noon and last for one hour. Bring something to sit on and grab lunch from one of the amazing restaurants downtown; next week's performer is Ezra Jacob. (Woodstock Parks and Recreation via Facebook)
3. A Code Red Alert was activated yesterday at Etowah High School and E.T. Booth Middle School, but the alert was quickly cleared by the Cherokee County School District. A message was sent out to parents and caregivers apologizing and advising that the alert was set off due to "user error." No emergency measures were taken in relation to the alert, as the issue was cleared up almost immediately. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
4. The Cherokee Master Gardeners' Fall Plant Sale is this Saturday at Cherokee County Senior Services, located at 1001 Univeter Road in Canton. The sale is taking place from 9 a.m. to noon and it's free to attend — you'll even hear some planting tips and landscaping advice from UGA-trained Cherokee Master Gardeners. There will be tons of gorgeous greenery, including sun and shade perennials, shrubs, trees and more. You can register to attend the sale at the link. (Cherokee County Master Gardeners)
5. How are you doing with the Discover WDSTK Scavenger Hunt? You've got until the end of the month to get your list completed; the hunt is on until Sept. 30. The free activity is a fun and creative way to explore Woodstock, and prizes this year include $100 in Downtown Dollars and other goodies donated by local businesses. You can download your clue sheet here, hard copies of the sheet are also available at the Visitors Center. Please see the link for the official rules and further activity information. (Visit Woodstock)

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Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Thursday, September 14

• 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 - 8:30 a.m.)
• Toddler Stay & Play: Perfect for children ages 5 and under with an accompanying adult, there will be play stations, art activities and music at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (10:30 a.m. - noon)
• Artist Talk - Pamela Diaz-Martinez: Hear about the creation of and inspiration behind some of the art on display at the Reeves House Visual Arts Center at tonight's free event, the address is 734 Reeves St. (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
• Layne Denton: Enjoy the music and grab a bite from the 6PackSubs food truck at Truck & Tap, 8640 Main St. (7:30 - 10 p.m.)
• Super Smash Bros. Tournament: A double-elimination tournament with prizes for the top three winners. The entry fee includes access to all arcade, pinball and board games at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. Registration starts at 7 p.m. (8 - 10:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Canon Tyler (5:30 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Laugh-Lines & Stretch-Marks - Comedy for Women, Moms and Couples! (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• If you're ready to take the next step in your home search and visit some open houses, these two homes in the Woodstock-Towne Lake area have open houses coming up soon. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• Downtown Woodstock: "In addition to great food the Taste of Woodstock will also feature great music! Here is the music lineup for Taste of Woodstock this Thursday, Sept. 14. 5 p.m. - Woodstock High School Band. 5:45 p.m. - Rick Stone. 6:45 p.m. - Wilkes. 8 p.m. - Serpent and Dove." (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)

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Featured businesses:

• Guardian Home Experts- Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electrical — (Visit website)
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Featured events:

• Cherokee County Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale (September 16)
• Microchip & Vaccination Clinic for Dogs & Cats - Low Cost (October 8)
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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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at Woodstock@Patch.com