Christmas Greetings from Patch

Wishing a joyous and peaceful holiday to all of our readers and to the community.

Thanks to all of the readers, Facebook friends, Twitter followers, newsletter subcsribers and advertisers of Patch for helping to make our site and social channels a convenient, indispensable resource for community news, information, events and commerce. This is the third Christmas since our launch, and I'm proud of the strong mix of traditional breaking news, coverage of local government and schools, small business and real estate, public safety, features, sports, the arts and more that we strive to bring to you every day. I'd also like to thank the freelance contributors and bloggers who've done a great job informing you and stimulating conversation. Patch's Cobb advertising manager, Allison Bentley, does a tireless job reaching out to …

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Where's Santa? Track Him Live

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 on 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 than one…

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Track Santa's Travels on Christmas Eve

The Douglas County Web site will track Santa's travels on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve, kids of all ages will be able to track Santa's travels around the world as he gets closer and closer to Douglas County by logging on to the Douglas County web site at www.CelebrateDouglasCounty.com. During the holidays, the Douglas County web site has a special header at the top of the page where all can just click and be transported to the Santa tracking of NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command. NORAD is a joint organization of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the United States Air Force that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty and defense over North America. It is headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colo., and at the adjacent Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center. On Christmas…

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The Weekender: Santa's Workshop, Hot Chocolate and Candy Canes

It's the last weekend to tell Santa what you want for Christmas.

Live Nativity When: 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: Saint Teresa's Episcopal Church, 5725 Fords Rd. NW, Acworth | Get directions Why Go: People who have attended in previous years have experienced “many really powerful ... moments,” according to organizer Paula Flippin. Price: Free Kennesaw State University Women's Basketball vs. Georgia Southern When: 7 p.m. Friday Where: KSU Convocation Center, 1000 Chastain Rd. NW, Kennesaw | Get directions   Why Go: The home team needs your support. Price: $6 | Buy tickets Santa's Workshop When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Where: Marietta Square, 50 North Park Square NE, Marietta | Get directions Why Go: This is your last weekend to tell Santa what you want for Christmas. …

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Holiday Fundraiser at Transfiguration Catholic

Tuesday's event will provides gifts and necessities for children at Christmas in the memory of a Lassiter High School graduate.

'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Holidays' - What's Your Preference?

Do you think there really is a war on Christmas that some claim?

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? When it comes to season’s greetings, a new poll shows the majority of Americans prefer “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays.” The survey from Rasmussen Reports finds that 68 percent of the people polled prefer the traditional “Merry Christmas” while just 23 percent like "Happy Holidays," which can cover a variety of occasions. When it comes to holiday signs, a whopping 70 percent of shoppers polled said they prefer to be greeted with “Merry Christmas” in stores rather than the more neutral Happy Holidays, according to a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But it doesn't end there. There have been "Christmas Trees" banned or replaced with "Holiday Trees," nativity scenes scrapped to avoid …

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Enjoy Christmas Light Displays on a Budget

Take a look at local light displays from individuals who just love Christmas or have a charity you may donate to in lieu of admission, and tell us who you think has the best Christmas light show.

Enter Patch's “Deck the House” Contest For a Chance to Win $100,000

Did you decorate your house for the holidays this year? Enter our "Deck the House" contest and you could win $100,000 for your local school district and $500 to pay your electric bills!

Holiday Fundraiser at Transfiguration Catholic

Dec. 18 event will provides gifts and necessities for children at Christmas in the memory of a Lassiter High School graduate.

Local charity foundation 79 + 1 will host its third annual Christmas Fundraiser on Tuesday, Dec. 18 to raise money for gifts for less fortunate children during the holidays. Founded by long-time Marietta residents Rodney and Kathy Metzer, 79 + 1 Charities partners with three community churches to provide gifts and necessities for children at Christmas. The 2012 Christmas Fundraiser will take place at Transfiguration Catholic Church from 7-10 p.m. on Dec. 18. Tickets are $35 per person or $100 for a family of four. The evening will include dinner provided by Williamson Brothers Barbecue, beer and wine, live entertainment by the band FLYER, a silent auction featuring more than 100 items, and raffle drawings for gift cards to local …

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