Athens Today--October 17

1. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, the ACC Board of Elections begins accepting early and absentee ballots for the November 8th election. One important item for this election is the eSPLOST, a one-cent sales tax for education.  It will generate hundreds of millions of dollars over the next five years for building and improving Clarke County’s public schools. You can vote at the Clarke County County Courthouse on Washington Street.

2. Bring your babies and toddlers to today at 10 a.m. for an Open Playtime. Children ages one to three can come check out their peers and play together. Age-appropriate toys will be available. It’s free.

3. Beat the afternoon meltdown! offers a free way to help your child get the wigles out. Zumbatomic! Kids 4 to 7 years old can come and dance their hearts away today, starting at 4 p.m.

4. Are you tired of calling all trees just “trees?” Do you have trouble distinguishing an oak from a Sycamore? Your troubles are over! Today from 4 to 6  p.m., the UGA Warnell School of Forestry is offering a free tree identification class at Oconee Forest, the woods near Lake Herrick. Meet at the boardwalk next to the tennis courts.

5. For some, tt’s not too early to start thinking about the upcoming holiday season---and we don’t mean Halloween. Georgia Square Mall is accepting applications for its November 10th “Santa Arrival Parade.” High school bands, middle school bands, community groups and businesses are invited to attend. You may downtown an application from the mall’s website.