🌱 The WPD Is Your NYE Ride Home + New Exhibit Coming + CCWSA Contest

Hey, neighbors. It's Saturday in Woodstock-Towne Lake and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in town. In this issue, we'll touch on...

• Who to call for a safe ride home tonight.
• When to visit the new exhibit at the Reeves House.
• How to enter the CCWSA's student photography contest.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Couple of thunderstorms. High: 62 Low: 48.
• Sunday: Partly sunny and warm. High: 67 Low: 46.

Business owners and marketers in Woodstock-Towne Lake: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

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

1. It bears repeating, the Woodstock Police Department is participating in Operation Safe Ride tonight, offering free rides to those in Woodstock that have been out drinking on New Year's Eve. Officers will be driving 15-passenger vans around the area, shuttling people home from bars and parties. The pick-up location must be in Woodstock, and the officers will drive you home as long as you live in or "within a reasonable distance of" Woodstock. You can contact officers for a ride by calling 404-740-4502, and the service will run from 10 p.m. on New Year's Eve to 2 a.m. on New Year's Day. The ride home comes with zero judgement and ensures the safety of the community and yourself. (WSB-TV Atlanta and Woodstock PD via Facebook)
2. The upcoming Echoes of Ecology exhibit at the Reeves House Visual Arts Center is a full sensory experience, with the artist incorporating the visual aspect of mixed media boat sculptures, and the sounds and smells associated with the elements of earth, air, water and fire. The themes across the exhibit include loss and transformation, with surrounding references to the lunar cycles and sacred Four Directions of the Native American culture. Corrina Sephora's work will be on display until February 26, kicking off with a free opening night reception on January 6 at 6 p.m. (Woodstock Arts)
3. As part of their Education and Outreach programs, the Cherokee County Water & Sewerage Authority (CCWSA) is currently accepting submissions for its annual student photography contest. The contest is for children in kindergarten through the 12th grade who attend a CCSD school or are homeschooled. This year's theme is "Then and Now.” The students are asked to provide a historic picture of a waterway, mill, dam or fish weir in Cherokee County, a current picture taken in the same place and 50 - 100 words written about the photo itself, what changes have occurred in that area and what local resources were used in this project. Please click the link to see important resource and submission guidelines, the deadline for entries is January 18. (CCWSA Education)
4. The regular Saturday adoptions events are back at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter, starting this morning. All available animals can be seen online here, I see quite a few puppies and kittens this week! 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, so animals can't be put on hold. The adoption fee includes spay or neuter, heartworm and leukemia testing, initial vaccinations, deworming, flea preventative, microchipping and more. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
5. There's a new Jimmy John's in town! The new location at 4477 Towne Lake Parkway offers in-store, drive-thru, catering and delivery options and is open from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily. The sandwich shop will be hiring up to 25 more people to fill its staffing needs. The job listings will be posted through Indeed. If you're interested in a job, you can also apply by emailing franchise owner William Amos at willamos19@gmail.com. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)

Today and tomorrow in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Today

• Farm. Fresh. Market. Head down for your final chance this season to browse locally grown and created products downtown on Market Street. (8:30 a.m. - noon)
• 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.)
• Noon Year's Eve: for children of all ages, though children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Bring the kids over for their own party at the Rose Creek, Woodstock and R.T. Jones Memorial libraries today. They'll play games, make crafts and count down to noon. Registration is not required. (11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
• Noon Year's Eve Family Party: the event features a balloon drop with tons of prize- and treat-filled balloons. Please head over to the website to purchase advance tickets, Hot Wheels Skate Center is located at 228 Farm Ridge Drive NE. (noon - 5 p.m.)
• Fiesta Bowl Watch Party: join other Michigan and TCU fans over at The Daily Draft, 8594 Main Street. (4 - 7 p.m.)
• New Year's Eve Sparkling Wine Tasting Party: start your evening off with a toast at The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400. (5 - 7 p.m.)
• New Year's Eve Bourbon, Bubbly & Blues: Rootstock's 5-course pairing dinner includes your choice of bourbon or wine pairings. There are three seating options: a 5:30 p.m. seating on the main level, a 9 p.m. seating on the main level, or a 9 p.m. seating on the upper level that includes live music. Rootstock is located at 8558 Main Street. (Various Times)
• Reformation Brewery's 3rd Annual Keg Drop: there will be live music, a DJ and a keg drop at this free event. CHESS will play from 2 - 5 p.m., and Suburban Angst will play from 6 - 8 p.m. at 105 Elm Street. (6 p.m. - 2 a.m.)
• Bioshock Masquerade NYE Party: Dress to the nines in your best party threads, grab your mask and join other locals at The Blue Ghost Arcade for their Bioshock-themed New Year's Eve party. The cover charge includes a countdown to 2023 and champagne toast at midnight, unlimited gaming until 2 a.m. and games all night at 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (7 p.m.)
• New Year's Eve Dance Party: a gift card giveaway, beer merchandise, a DJ and dancing at Truck & Tap, 8640 Main Street. (8 p.m.)
• Peach Bowl Watch Party: the on-demand watch party will start off with UGA vs Ohio at The Daily Draft, 8594 Main Street. (8 - 11 p.m.)
• Three Left Standing is playing its last show before retiring. Catch the band at Guston's Grille, located at 12195 Highway 92, and take part in the champagne toast at midnight. The Peach Bowl will be shown on the screens with sound from 8 p.m. until the band takes the stage at 9 p.m. (9 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.)

• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows):
  • Jordan Denton (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Ryan Slice (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Bone Daddys (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • CHESS (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • NYE Party with Guardians of the Jukebox - Covering Iconic Pop & Rock from MTV (8 p.m.)

Tomorrow

• Hair of The Dog Day: Head over to Reformation Brewery to watch some football games, enjoy drink specials and start the year off with some fun and togetherness. The brewery is located at 105 Elm Street and it'll be open all day. (8 a.m. - 10 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows):
  • Greg Shaddix (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Will Tipton (2 - 5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The next Red Cross Babysitting + Pediatric CPR class at the Cherokee Aquatic Center is coming up soon. The class is for ages 11 - 15 and will be held in the Aquatic Center's Wet Class 2, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on January 14. Registration closes on January 7 at 5 p.m., so be sure to sign up while the window is still open and there are still spots left. Upon completion, the student will receive a Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification. If you miss this one, the next class will be held on January 28. You can find the class listed in the catalogue under the "Aquatics" tab. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• While we're talking about education and safety, the next Red Cross Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED class at the Aquatic Center is coming up in January as well. The January 29 class is for ages 15 and up, and will be held in the center's Wet Class 1. Registration closes on January 22 at 5 p.m. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• It also looks like there are spaces available for the upcoming Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Clinic at Hobgood Park. The clinic is for beginners and will teach the basics of the sport. Children in Kindergarten through 8th grade are welcome, and there is equipment available. However, if you do have a stick, please bring it along with you. Registration for the class ends on January 15 at 1 p.m., you can find information about the class under the "Camp" tab of the Recreation and Parks catalogue. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• Cherokee Recreation & Parks is building a new trail, and you can volunteer to help! The work will take place on January 28, from 9 a.m. - noon, and you can register here, under the "Special Events" tab. All ages are welcome, though minors must be accompanied by an adult, and necessary tools will be provided. For more information, you can contact Adam Fussell at cafussell@cherokeega.com. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks via Facebook)
• Cherokee County Animal Shelter: "Stop by before 5pm today for a 2022 Receipt! 💰🐶🐱🧾 #endofyeardonation #forcharity" (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Instagram)

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That's it for today! Enjoy your evening, keep your pets safe and inside, keep your neighbors in mind as you celebrate and don't drink and drive. I'll be back in your inbox in 2023!

— Nina Lightcap

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