Where's Santa? Track Him Live as He Heads to Woodstock and Towne Lake!

The North American Aerospace Defense Command has a website that now offers a Santa tracker mobile app to follow the jolly man's magical flight.

They sent him their wish lists, sat on his lap, and left cookies and milk for his arrival. Now the only thing left for children to do is track Santa's progress as he delivers gifts around the world this Christmas Eve. Thanks to the folks behind the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) website,  families worldwide can now follow Santa's Christmas journey in real time . The tradition started in 1955 after an advertisement for Sears Roebuck & Co. misprinted a telephone number for a special "Santa hotline." Instead of reaching Kris Kringle, the number put kids through to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Commander-in-Chief’s operations, according to a description on the NORAD Tracks Santa Facebook page , which has more…

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Georgia State Police: Don't Drink and Drive

Eight people were killed last year in Georgia traffic crashes that occurred between Christmas and New Years Day.

In 2011, eight people were killed in traffic crashes in Georgia between Christmas and New Years Day and there were 401 people were arrested for driving under the influence. There is no question that the holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year, from shopping for that perfect gift to attending countless celebrations with family, friends and co-workers.  This year the Christmas holiday travel period started 6 p.m. on Friday and will end Tuesday night, Dec. 25. The New Year’s holiday period begins Friday, Dec. 28 at 6 p.m. and ends Tuesday night, Jan. 1, 2013. Both holiday periods are 102-hours long. Be safe while traveling to and from your holiday destinations. Georgia State Troopers will be patrolling throughout the upcoming …

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Here Are Your 2012 Christmas Shipping Deadlines

What's the latest you can send a package this year to ensure pre-Christmas delivery? We run down the options around Woodstock.

  If you're the type to put off holiday shopping until the last minute, not to worry—there are plenty of speedy ways to ship your items nationwide and ensure that they'll arrive before Dec. 25. Below is a rundown of USPS, UPS, and FedEx deadlines for pre-Christmas arrival. Cost, of course, goes up with the speed of the service. The absolute latest option nearby? Express mailing your package from the Woodstock post office by 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22. UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE Method Last day to ship First Class Mail Thursday, Dec. 20 Priority Mail Friday, Dec. 21 Express Mail Saturday, Dec. 22 FEDEX Method Last day to ship FedEx Express Saver Wednesday, Dec. 19 FedEx 2Day Thursday, Dec. 20 FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority …

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Monday Expected to Be U.S. Postal Service's Busiest Day

Express Mail can be mailed as late as Christmas Eve at most Post Offices for guaranteed delivery on Christmas Day.

  It’s beginning to look like Christmas at the Post Office. And it will really look like Christmas on Monday, Dec. 17, as the U.S. Postal Service anticipates what should be the busiest mailing day of the year. Postal Service officials predict more than 658 million cards, letters and packages will be mailed on that day, compared to 528 million pieces on an average day.  The Postal Service expects to deliver 17.9 billion cards, letters and packages during the holidays from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. The Postal Service also reminds customers that Dec. 20is the last recommended day to send First-Class Mail, in order to have it reach its destination by Christmas Eve.  After Dec. 20, the Postal Service recommends using Priority Mail, a 2-…

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How to Celebrate the Holidays on a Budget

Here are ten ways to have fun and spread holiday cheer in Woodstock without breaking the bank.

  This year’s holiday season can be special for you and your family regardless of your budget. Here are some fun tips for creating new holiday traditions while saving money. 1)    Make your cards from recycled materials. Cards can be made from paper grocery bags, cereal boxes, used file folders and even last year’s holiday cards. Feature your family’s artwork and use recycled wrapping paper or paper from catalogs and magazines for backgrounds. A great resource for making cards from recycled materials is "Creative Correspondence" by Michael and Judy Jacobs, available at FoxTale Book Shoppe or on Amazon.com.  2)    Have fun together and create a festive decoration by making a gingerbread house. You can bake the gingerbread yourself and use …

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Share Your Elf on the Shelf Hiding Spots: What Has that Elf Been Up To?

Our Patch Elf on the Shelf has gotten ahold of our computer and now wants to know what his buddy elves are up to. Share your photos here!

  Hi friends! I'm the Patch Elf on the Shelf. Call me Patchy. I've heard about more of my friends hanging around the area lately, and I wondered what they were up to. Could their families post pictures here on Patch to show me? I'd love to catch up with them. We all go back to Santa on Christmas Eve, but in the meantime, we'll be watching you! Cheers, Patchy the Elf Add your photo by clicking on the green "Upload Photos and Videos" icon.

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Stay Alert, Secure Belongings to Shop Safe

From Black Friday to Christmas, keep these shopping safety tips in mind this holiday season.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping season is right around the corner, and not far behind are the thieves and cons who show up in full force this time of year to make a quick buck. To protect yourself, keep in mind these safe shopping tips from the National Retail Federation:

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Happy Holidays

Stay Home for the Holidays

With holiday travel looking a little less realistic, here are some great options for Woodstock residents considering a "staycation."

Whether it's close encounters of the TSA kind or the nationwide belt tightening  over the past couple of years, the holiday vacation scene is very different than it used to be. Even before the hot topic of full body scanners and privacy rights came into focus, stricter safety regulations in general meant longer lines at the security check point. Meanwhile, flight costs in general were certainly not lowering, regardless of the economic stress of passengers.  "You got to have the money to fly," said Jenny Fitts of Marietta. "And it's getting more expensive without as many benefits. It would be nice if I could afford to go see my family for the holidays more often. Or more often anytime, for that matter. " Fitts's family lives mostly in …

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"Shop With A Cop" Despite Icy Roads

Several families enjoyed an evening "Shopping With A Cop" at Walmart on Bells Ferry Road.

Tuesday night's "Shop With A Cop" at Walmart on Highway 92 was literally overflowing with police officers ready to help children pick out Christmas gifts. Wednesday night's "Shop With A Cop" at Walmart on Bells Ferry Road started with only one officer available to shop with the children while others were trapped on icy roads for more than two hours before being able to make it to the event. A few families came early before roads froze over and the other families will be able to attend the rescheduled event Monday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. One child who was able to enjoy his "Shop With A Cop" experience was 7-year-old Seth Thomas. He and his mother, Elizabeth Farrell, were accompanied by ADS Hank Dunlap. "Christmas would be boring, very quiet …

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Single Mother of 6 'Shops With A Cop'

Six siblings will have a brighter Christmas after their "Shop With A Cop" experience at Walmart.

Single mother, Norma Velazuez,  raises six children ages 1 to 8 with no transportation. Night after night the family of seven snuggles up in a two bedroom apartment, being grateful for everything they have. Eight-year-old Christian Rafael-Velazquez entered Walmart with his mother, Norma Velazuez along with Ludi Allen, a "Family Partner" from Head Start who gave them a ride and translated for Norma. Christian's lips were quivering because it was below freezing outside, and he did not own a jacket. His feet had outgrown his pair of shoes, and it was clear that more than toys were needed for Christmas. He was just one of six siblings who all shared same situation. Cpl. Jim Orlando was the officer paired with the Rafael-Velazquez family. …

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