Was your dog a happy and welcome participant in your Independence Day festivities? Or were you constantly worried about how your dog would greet visitors and behave in the crowd?

Lauren Van Duzer of Happy Hounds and Beyond will reveal the secrets of canine communication and help pet owners better understand dog behavior at a free, humans-only workshop at the Sharon Forks Library at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17.

“We love our furry companions and it’s natural to want our friends and neighbors to love them, too, but sometimes bad manners get in the way,” says Tracy Walker, Programming Manager.

“Happy Hounds and Beyond guides pet owners in understanding signals and body language from their dogs so they can anticipate and redirect undesired behaviors. This workshop is intended for adults and will focus on ways to ensure the safety of both dogs and humans by preventing dog bites,” explains Walker.

Van Duzer is an Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and specializes in helping fearful and reactive dogs and their owners.

During the free Dog Bite Prevention workshop, Van Duzer is expected to explain what motivates certain canine behaviors, what it means when dogs yawn or shake their bodies, and why not all tail wags are a good sign. Van Duzer will also teach participants how to greet unfamiliar dogs appropriately, as well as how to train their own dogs to greet new people politely.

For more information, please visit www.forsythpl.org.15

(CANTON)- The Friends of the Mustang Horse and our American Heroes are proud to announce its inaugural fundraiser, Save a Mustang Save a Vet, a family-friendly event centered around connecting two of America’s heroes.
This event’s goal is to raise money and awareness for mustang rescue programs and highlight programs where military veterans and mustangs work and heal together.
The festival, held at Alpharetta’s Chukkar Farm Polo Club, will be a day of fun activities for the entire family, including a Veteran’s Day parade, various trainer-led mustang demonstrations, a mustang meet’n’greet, a petting zoo, inflatables, games, food trucks, a silent auction, and more. Additionally, this event will help educate and raise awareness of the importance of preserving our beloved mustang horse and how they can be utilized in therapeutic programs that connect them with our American Veterans.
Two mustang rescue programs are the beneficiaries of this inaugural event. The first being the Mustang and Wild Horse Rescue, based in Canton, which aims to “providing a safe haven for previously owned mustangs and wild horses that are no longer wanted by their adopters or those who have been abandoned, abused or neglected by their owners.” The second program is a Veterans Program at Texas-based Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF), which allows veterans and mustangs to work and heal together.
“Being a mustang owner and so passionate about these awesome horses has me wanting to do more to preserve them. We need more adopters and programs that use these mustangs because over 30,000 of them are sitting in federal corrals due to the result of the Bureau of Land Management’s efforts to control federal land overpopulation. More awareness and education about these horses and their ability to be excellent equine partners are needed,” said Kim Kota, the founder of the Friends of the Mustang Horse and our American Heroes. “During my early research on programs connecting veterans with mustang horses, I was overcome with emotion after I saw a video of a veteran and his experience with mustangs during a MHF program. Hearing the veteran say that there is ‘no better psychological medicine’ than being around these mustang horses solidified my need to get involved to help more veterans. MHF’s Veterans Program connects the veteran with a mustang horse and is extremely healing for both sides. With no local programs like this one at the MHF, I am hopeful this event will help pave the way for bringing this program to our community.”
In addition to this event, Friends of the Mustang Horse and our American Heroes is also looking for sponsors and donations for the event. No amount is too small, and all proceeds go to one of the two featured rescues. If interested in becoming a sponsor or making a donation, please contact Kim Kota at 678- 446-5229.
Please visit “Save a Mustang Save a Vet” on Facebook for official event details, information about our beneficiaries, and updates to this event. Any questions can be sent to kimberlykota@gmail.com.

Corduroy: Beloved Bear Rocks Early Literacy Program For Families

Corduroy, the lovable bear from a series of popular children’s books, will visit the Cumming Library at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 2 for Leap into Literacy: Corduroy ROCKS!, a program designed to help parents and caregivers prepare their preschoolers for success in kindergarten.

Admission to the event is free and will include a light breakfast, Corduroy-themed stories and songs in English and Spanish, a puppet show designed just for preschoolers, and crafts that children of all ages can make.

“Throughout the event, we’ll demonstrate five simple techniques to help young children develop early literacy and language skills. We hope parents and caregivers will see how simple it is to incorporate these ideas into their everyday routines at home,” explains Programming Manager Tracy Walker.

Children and families who stay to meet Corduroy at the end of the event will also get a tour of the children’s section, including bilingual and language learning books and CD read-alongs, as well as computers and tablets with early literacy apps and games.

“Our goal with Leap into Literacy is to help families understand the importance of encouraging early literacy skills starting in infancy. It’s never too early to start reading to and talking with your child and these simple things do so much to support their growing language skills,” explains Programming Manager Tracy Walker.

Leap into Literacy is presented by Forsyth County Public Library, Forsyth County Schools, Georgia Highlands Medical Services, and Literacy Forsyth. Corduroy ROCKS! is the third event to be held in the county since the program began in December 2017 at Georgia Highlands Medical Plaza.

For more information about Leap into Literacy or other similar programs, please visit www.forsythpl.org.

Music Authority in Cumming, Georgia Named One of the Top 100 Music Stores in the World

Music Authority in Cumming has been named a Top 100 Dealer by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the global association of music products and music retailers. The award honors retail music dealers who demonstrate exceptional commitment to their stores, neighborhoods and customers, and share in a vision to create a more musical world through their local communities. The award will be presented at the industry’s annual mid-year gathering, Summer NAMM, on Friday, June 29 in Nashville, Tennessee.

This is our fourth year being named to the Top 100, says Music Authority owner Melissa Loggins. It’s an honor to be a part of such an outstanding group of music stores. This award is a testament to consistent performance, drive to continue to provide better service to our community, and a reflection on the hundreds of families who are part of The Music Authority Family.

Dubbed the ‘retail Oscars’ by Music Inc. magazine, NAMM’s Top 100 Dealer Awards spotlight the industry’s very best music product retailers. To determine the list, an independent panel of judges reviewed hundreds of submissions that are rated across categories that include customer service, music advocacy, store design, and promotions and are scored in accordance to determine the Top 100 list.

In addition to its honor as a Top 100 Dealer, Music Authority will be in consideration to receive a “Best Of” award in one of seven categories: Customer Service, Emerging Dealer/Rookie of the Year, Store Design, Marketing and Sales Promotion, Online Engagement, Store Turnaround, and one recipient will be honored with the Music Makes a Difference award. The coveted Dealer of the Year award will go to one of the recipients in the aforementioned categories.

To learn more about Music Authority, please visit: www.musicauthorityinc.com, check out Music Authority on social media, or visit Music Authority at 123 Merchants Square, Cumming, Georgia.

To learn more about NAMM and the Top 100 Dealer Awards, please visit: https://www.namm.org/summer/2017/top-dealer-awards

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately10,300 Member companies located in more than 104 countries. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org, call 800-767-NAMM (6266) or follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Piney Grove Middle School Students Pack Cookies for Troops, Make Jewelry for Africa, in “G3” Event at Christmas Lights, Etc

Piney Grove Middle School students boxed up over 6,000 cookies to ship to U.S. troops overseas at the annual Treat the Troops cookie pack held at the headquarters of Christmas Lights, Etc in conjunction with Piney Grove’s “Grizzly Great Day of Giving,” or G3. Students also prepared beads to be turned into jewelry and sold in support of Just One Africa.

Each year Alpharetta-based online retailer Christmas Lights, Etc opens up its 100,000-square-foot headquarters and distribution facility to students and parent volunteers participating in Piney Grove’s G3, an annual event in which students fan out into the community to perform acts of service.

Since 2013, this has involved Treat the Troops, a nonprofit dedicated to packing and shipping cookies, treats, cards and letters to U.S. troops stationed outside the country. The “Southern Style” (Georgia) chapter of Treat the Troops, headquartered in Cumming, Ga., is the third largest chapter in the United States.

This year for the first time the event also featured students cleaning and preparing beads made from recycled paper, purchased from Maasai women in Kenya, that will be made into jewelry and sold to raise funds for Just One Africa. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Just One Africa is a nonprofit devoted to providing care for orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya. It was co-founded by the parents of a former Piney Grove student.

“We’re so appreciative of Christmas Lights, Etc opening up their facilities to give our students the opportunity to get involved in the work of these wonderful organizations,” said Pam Pajerski, Principal of Piney Grove. “This is such an important lesson for our students to learn: that even one person can make a positive difference in the world, and many people working together can make a big difference.”

Christmas Lights, Etc plans to continue its support of Piney Grove’s Grizzly Great Day of Giving and encourages other local businesses to get involved both with G3 and with Treat the Troops and Just One Africa.

“These organizations do invaluable work in making the lives of people around the world better,” said Chris Miller, Co-Owner of Christmas Lights, Etc. “Whether it’s our troops protecting lives in faraway countries, or vulnerable children in Kenya, the needs are great. We are proud to join with Piney Grove Middle School in supporting the organizations that help meet those needs.”

About Treat The Troops

Treat The Troops (http://www.treatthetroops.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to letting deployed American military personnel know that people at home are remembering them. Treat the Troops sends home-baked cookies and other comfort items, along with a note of thanks, to the troops via the U.S. Postal Service.

About Just One Africa

Just One Africa (http://justoneafrica.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to caring for orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya by providing access to clean water and by partnering with local leaders to provide sustainable solutions which create hope through care, education, and community development.

About Christmas Lights, Etc

Christmas Lights, Etc (https://www.christmaslightsetc.com) is the most shopped online Christmas lights store in America. Founded in 2000, Christmas Lights, Etc features thousands of quality lights, trees, greenery and decor. Christmas Lights, Etc is a three-time INC. 5000 company, an ENERGY STAR partner, and a supplier of residential and commercial Christmas lighting, Christmas decor and Christmas trees.

Local Artist Teams With Stipe Studio To Present “Word Power”

Local acting studio, Stipe Studio, located in Vickery Village, has teamed up with Marlene Dickinson, a Georgia resident, performing artist and writer of “Word Power” to present this musical on stage for the first time. Forsyth residents and others will have the opportunity to see this show performed live this weekend at Vickery Village.

Friday, April 27 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 28 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Stipe Studio students will perform “Word Power” at the Phase Shop at Vickery Village. “Word Power” is a faith-based musical on the power of our words. This brand-new production packs a great message through song, dance and storytelling.

“I want to use art to get people to think about topics we should stop and reflect on. Using our words responsibly is an example of just being a kind human. Our words – both good and bad – can stick to people for years to come, so I thought a musical on this theme would impact children and adults in a good way – a way that we can consider what exactly we are leaving with people using our spoken words.” – Marlene Dickinson

Dickinson and Stipe Studio are presenting this show at a time when words are so easily thrown around – on social media, emails and spoken communication. Every day, people are impacted by the use of someone else’s words, whether it be negative or positive. It’s an important lesson for all to learn that words have the power to help or harm. With the “Word Power” musical, Stipe Studios is hoping to empower kids both in the show and all those in the audience to pay attention to the words coming out of their “mouths.”

The upbeat 45-minute musical comedy will be performed at The Phase Shop, 5756 North South Vickery Street, Cumming, GA 30040, Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28. For tickets and more information, visit www.stipestudio.com.

Purchase your tickets by clicking here

Award-Winning Happy Belly Kitchen Now Open in Cumming

Happy Belly Kitchen is the latest business to open its doors at Vickery Village, a thriving 200,000 square foot mixed use development in Cumming, Georgia. Voted “One of the Top 10 Healthiest Food Trucks in America” and “Best Truck” at the 2012 Atlanta Street Food Festival, Happy Belly Curbside Kitchen has brought its wholesome, fresh food concept into its first brick and mortar location. “Vickery Village offered the quaintness, the charm and the community atmosphere we were looking for,” says owner Dawn Hall.

Happy Belly’s menu is comprised of all natural foods using fresh, organic and local ingredients whenever possible. They are the only restaurant and food truck in the world with a Big Green Egg inside their kitchens which helps produce extraordinary flavor while maintaining healthful preparation. All meals are cooked on Maple Hardwood Charcoal for a perfect smoke flavor.

Popular menu items include their Brussels for Muscles, crispy sprouts drizzled with Thai-citrus chili sauce, The Georgian, a Big Green Egg grilled short-rib brisket burger with Vidalia onion relish, cheddar cheese, ancho chili dressing on a Holeman & Finch white wheat bun and One for the Kipper Salad with fresh kale, blue cheese crumbles, candied pecans, granny smith apples, golden raisins, apple wood smoked bacon, apple cider vinaigrette topped with chilled house-kippered salmon. Kids 12 and under can choose from such dishes as Chicken Little, big green egg grilled chicken tenders or the Lil’ Georgian, a Big Green Egg grilled all-beef burger topped with cheddar cheese.

Dawn says “We believe in quality ingredients, healthful preparation and exceptional flavor. We try to provide healthy meals to busy families who don’t always have time to prepare a nutritious home-cooked meal every night.”

Happy Belly also strives to accommodate patrons with food allergies and special dietary requirements who have typically had a difficult time eating out. They offer gluten free and vegetarian options and the staff is trained to accommodate special requests from customers with food allergies. Their menu is 95% gluten-free.

“We also want our restaurant to be a place for families to gather over a good meal and spend time together,” says Dawn. The restaurant has created “Disconnect to Connect” baskets where diners can put their phones and use the time to talk. They even provide games, coloring books and family conversation books to encourage family time.

In addition to their seasonal eat-in menu, Happy Belly also has a grab-n-go market to accommodate families with busy schedules who still want to serve healthy meals. They offer different meal options to go each day of the week. Happy Belly also uses their Food Truck to cater events throughout greater Atlanta.

Dawn and her husband Terry started their food truck business, Happy Belly Curbside Kitchen, in 2012. Their goal was always to open a brick and mortar restaurant with the same convenient, healthy food concept. When Dawn’s husband Terry passed away from cancer in 2014, Dawn faced the challenge of caring for her two small children as well as running the food truck. It was important to Terry that Happy Belly continue forward and maintain its purpose. Dawn forged ahead to fulfill their dream of opening their brick and mortar restaurant.

“Happy Belly Kitchen fits perfectly into our vision for the Village. We are thrilled to welcome them to our community,” says Mark Murgash, owner of Vickery Village.  “We are excited to create a unique experience for people at Vickery Village – a place where they can live, work and play.”

Vickery Village was purchased by new ownership in July 2016. Since that time, the owners have invested in major capital improvements on the property and are approaching 100% occupancy. Tenants Cherry Street Brewing and the Dojo added additional space to accommodate their growing businesses and new tenants Nido Café, Pinspiration, The Phase Shop, State Farm, Re/Max Collection and The Happy Home have recently opened. Village Yoga and Hawks Music Academy are scheduled to open later this year.

For more information on Vickery Village, visit http://www.vickeryvillageshops.com or https://www.facebook.com/VickeryVillageShops/