Business briefs: Decorating & Design opens in Belmont

Decorating & Design opens in Belmont

Asree Sanders kicked off the grand opening weekend for Decorating & Design by Asree with a Montcross Area Chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony March 20 at 7005 E. Wilkinson Blvd., suite K.

The shop stocks home accent pieces, and Sanders offers interior decorating services. The grand opening continued all day March 21 with specials, refreshments and giveaways, including a 32-inch flat-screen television.

For more information, call 704-817-8305 or visit designsbyasree.com. For chamber information, call 704-825-5307.

Six mayors present chamber program

The mayors of six cities and towns in the Montcross Area of eastern Gaston County – Belmont, Cramerton, Lowell, McAdenville, Mount Holly and Stanley – spoke during a Mayors’ Forum panel presentation at the Montcross Area Chamber’s Business Buzz Breakfast on March 20 at the Kimbrell Campus of Gaston College in Belmont.

Each mayor spoke about his city or town, and its accomplishments and challenges. They also responded to audience questions.

For chamber information, call 704-825-5307.

Small business workshop set in Fort Mill

Charlotte SCORE is offering an introductory small business workshop focusing on the basics of testing business idea and the factors that influence start-up success.

The free two-hour introductory workshop, “Is Starting a Business Right for You,” will be held 5-7 p.m. April 9 at the Fort Mill Public Library, 1818 Second Baxter Crossing in the Mary Hinson Room. Topics covered are: benefits and disadvantages of owning a small business, the most profitable form for your business and the fundamentals of formation, organization, marketing, cash flow and funding sources.

Advanced registration is required. Call 803-547-4114 or visit yclibrary.org.

For more about SCORE visit charlotte.score.org.

Lawyer named to state circuit court mediator

Workers’ compensation attorney David Benson has been approved to serve as a circuit court mediator by the South Carolina Board of Arbitrator and Mediator Certification, according to the Elrod Pope Law Firm.

Benson was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1984. His name has been placed on the roster of neutrals certified for court appointment maintained at the South Carolina Bar. He will begin to perform his duties as a mediator immediately.

The law firm has offices in Rock Hill and Lake Wylie. For more information, visit elrodpope.com/staff/david-benson/.

Home buyer workshop April 11 in Rock Hill

A free workshop for first-time home buyers, “Inside Track to Buying Your First Home,” is at 10 a.m. April 11 at Family Trust Federal Credit Union Dave Lyle Boulevard branch.

Kim Gillette, assistant vice president of Mortgage Production, will explain how to qualify for a mortgage, how to prepare for the mortgage process, and how to select the right loan option. Family Trust mortgage representatives will pre-qualify buyers.

Real estate agents will be available to answer questions. Activities will be provided for children.

To register, visit familytrust.org and click on advice and education/workshops, or call 803-326-2187.

Vet offering rabies vaccines at reduced cost

Steele Creek Animal Hospital, 9729 S. Tryon St., is offering reduced pet rabies vaccinations 1-4 p.m. April 11.

Cost is $8-$16. Call 704-588-4400 or visit keepingpetshealthy.com.

Garden kicks off spring with April events

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden officially kicks off Spring Sprouts on April 27, but the seasonal activities get underway the first weekend in April with featured plant vendors, garden walks and garden talks.

Each Saturday at 1 p.m., the garden will feature a horticulture walk led by a member of the staff. Every Sunday at 1 p.m., the garden will feature a speaker from Microfarm Organic Gardens with a focus on current topics in horticulture such as composting and organic vegetable gardening. Weekends in April also will feature lawn games and wine tastings. Other events include EarthFest 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 18-19.

Most events are free with garden admission: adults, $12.95; seniors 60 and older, $11.95; and children 2-12, $6.95. For more information, visit DSBG.org.

KL Creative opens summer camp registration

KL Creative offers innovative summer camps starting the week of June 15 and running through Aug. 10 in Lake Wylie.

This year, digital photography camp includes marine photography by boat on the lake with a licensed captain and runs 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for ages 8 and older.

Guest artists include New York photographer Deena Feinberg teaching The Art of I-phoneography. Learn about composing in-camera and demonstrating the artistic possibilities within the darkroom in the phone. This camp is available 1-3 p.m. the week of July 6 for ages 10 and older. Campers can use an iPhone, iPod or iPad to take pictures and will be supplied with an iTunes card to download apps.

Local artist Rose Grigg, a nationally board certified art educator with a bachelor’s in fine arts and master’s in art education, will return to lead hands-on art explorations using mixed media, paper sculpture, printmaking and painting. Her class meets 1-3 p.m. the weeks of July 13 and July 20 for ages for ages 6-12.

During the weeks of Aug. 3 and Aug. 10, Isabel Shankel, Danish Yogini, will lead Yoda + Yoga 1-3 p.m. for ages 8 and older. This meditation and yoga practice was created for children to learn flexibility, strength, focus and relaxation.

Class sizes are small. Weekly digital photography sessions cost $250 and include materials. Afternoon specials camps costs $125. Call Katherine Leonard at 704-460-6948 or email theklcreative@gmail.com to register or for more information.

Grooming Naturally accepting donations for rescue

Grooming Naturally at Plantation Square in Lake Wylie is accepting donations for Richardson Rescue in York following a recent fire.

The fire engulfed three structures including the office, laundry room and storage building, and killing 16 dogs inside an office building. One dog was taken to an animal hospital

The rescue is rebuilding. Items needed that can be dropped off at Grooming Naturally include laundry detergent, cedar bedding, flea/tick prevention, trash bags (55 gallon and kitchen size), puppy pads, anti-fungal cream and spray, crates/pet carriers/dog houses, Ziploc bags (all sizes), tarps sizes 9x12, 10x12, 16x12, 19x12, printer cartridges, chlorine, cat litter, bleach, disinfectant cleaners, hand sanitizer, heartworm prevention, toys, treats and sponges. Items sold at Grooming Naturally will be discounted.

Volunteers are needed for fundraising, events, dog walking and grooming.

Monetary donations to help with veterinary bills and to purchase needed items may be made at richardsonrescue.org.

Call Grooming Naturally at 803-831-0707 for information.

This story was originally published March 26, 2015 at 3:31 PM with the headline "Business briefs: Decorating & Design opens in Belmont."