Daily Dose: Information to Know As You Start Your Day

Oconee Today -- Dec. 12

How will you be celebrating the once in a lifetime 12-12-12? A Google Earth class, an anime club party, Santa pictures, and a holiday play are a few of the events happening in Oconee today.

Weather: Cooler temperatures are in the National Weather Service's forecast for today.  A high of 52 degrees is expected with mostly cloudy skies. There's a 30 percent chance of showers. Top things to know: Be sure to check the Oconee Patch event calendar for more events. Have an event you would like added to the calendar? Click here to post it.

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Photos: Mingle with Kringle 2012

Toys for Tots, visits with Santa, crafts, a puppet show and more at the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation.

Did your family attend the annual event at the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation? Share your photos by clicking on the "upload photos and videos" button. You might also be interested in viewing: Photos: Christmastime Has Arrived in Watkinsville 'Twas the Night Before Christmas in Watkinsville' (Video) Watkinsville Christmas Parade: Share Your Photos! Don’t miss any Oconee news. Subscribe to Oconee Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Stephanie Gross

6:29 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2012

Love these photo booth pictures shared by Ali Phillips Photography. Thanks, Ali! http://aliphillipsphotography.zenfolio.com/   more ›

Weekend Planner: Mingle With Kringle, Elf Trot, Christmas Tour of Homes and More

Here are just some of the top events happening in Athens, Barrow County, Monroe and Oconee counties. Check out the Patch event calendar for more.

Be sure to check the Oconee Patch event calendar for more events. Have an event you would like added to the calendar? Click here to post it. Note: This article may not be visible on the mobile version. Please revert to the desktop version, even on your mobile phone.

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Photos: Christmastime Has Arrived in Watkinsville

The traditional lighting of the Christmas tree near Eagle Tavern was held on Nov. 30, 2012.

Share your pictures by clicking "upload photos and videos." Also see: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas in Watkinsville' (Video) Watkinsville Christmas Parade 2012: Share Your Photos! Don’t miss any Oconee news. Subscribe to Oconee Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Watkinsville Christmas Tree Lighting This Friday

Mayor Charles Ivie helped trim the tree Monday in preparation for the annual event.

It's an annual tradition. A large crowd gathers in downtown Watkinsville to listen to the merry sounds of carolers, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy festive cookies and hot chocolate in anticipation of the main event: the lighting of the city's Christmas tree. The tree that was donated last year didn't fare well over the summer, so a new live tree was purchased and planted at the end of October.  The Thuja Green Giant currently tree stands at about 14 feet, but could eventually reach a height of 30 feet, Mayor Charles Ivie said. Ivie, wife Carol, and city clerk Julie Sanders spent much of the day and into the evening Monday stringing lights and trimming the tree with brightly-colored ornaments and shimmering red ribbon. This year the …

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Photo Gallery: Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Watkinsville

Hundreds enjoyed Christmas carols, visits with Santa, and hot chocolate and cookies at the last First Friday of 2011.

Holiday cheer filled downtown Watkinsville at the final First Friday on Main Street Dec. 2, sponsored by the Watkinsville Trade and Tourism Association. Event-goers were greeted with Christmas carols by members of Watkinsville First Christian Church and hot chocolate with all the fixings and tasty cookies, compliments of Oconee State Bank. Children lined up for a photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and played games with an Elf. But the main attraction was the twenty-foot Christmas tree donated by Greenbriar Leaf Farm that lit up the night's sky as Rev. Doug Ivey of Watkinsville First Christian Church sang, "O Holy Night."   What was the best part of December's First Friday event?

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Oconee County Principals Share Their Holiday Wish Lists

School leaders ask Santa for more technology, higher SAT scores and stronger communication.

Oconee county principals have been good all year, and as Christmas approaches, they're hoping Santa will notice and reward them. Patch asked three principals to share their Christmas wish lists, and here's what they told us. At Oconee Middle School, Principal Philip Brown wishes to see more technology in the classrooms. "We are continuing to work with our PTO and upgrade our technology," he said. "Our media center is now wireless, and hopefully our entire school will be wireless soon." Brown also wants to bring more computers into the school, specifically portable netbooks. These Internet-ready laptops retail for about $300 and allow teachers to integrate Web applications into lesson plans. Buying enough netbooks for each of the school's …

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