SALISBURY — Dr. Brandon Aron, a cosmetic dentist, has launched a new, patient-focused website that includes interactive educational dental videos to help patients make better decisions about their oral health.
Dental website design leader ProSites Inc. uses search engine optimization techniques to reach patients and local consumers who are searching for relevant information about cosmetic dentistry services in Salisbury.
Current and prospective patients now have access to information about providers, educational videos, before and after photos of dental procedures, and other informative content when they visit the website.
Aron is using the website to educate the community on the importance of oral health. It includes links with informative resources as well as a frequently asked questions page with topics ranging from oral hygiene to dental procedures.
Visit drbrandonaron.com for more information.
Dance studio opening
A mother and daughter team from New Jersey will open Reach for the Stars Dance Studio at 815 Jake Alexander Blvd.
It will offer tap/jazz/ballet/lyrical/hip hop/acro/cardio dance fusion and more for those 3 and older.
Miss MaryAnn will be celebrating 40 years in the business this September at her New Jersey-based studio. Her daughter, Miss Jo, will run the local studio after working in the field teaching for her mother for the past 20 years.
Both have traveled and taught for 10 summers with Dance Caravan, the first company to offer convention and competitions. Students have performed and traveled to locations such as Walt Disney World, Carnival Cruiselines, Harlem Globetrotters halftime, Six Flags, Busch Gardens and more.
Their students performed last year at the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C.
Comfort Keepers seeks donations
September is Hunger Action Month, so Comfort Keepers is asking the community to make food donations to the Stop Senior Hunger food drive to help local seniors and raise awareness for this epidemic that impacts millions of older Americans.
“Hunger Action Month is in September, but seniors go hungry all year,” said Lori Eberly, owner of the local franchise. “We cannot fight every factor affecting hunger, but we can start here in our community by creating awareness about the issue and helping family members become more aware of the signs of hunger and malnutrition.”
Food donations will be accepted this month at Comfort Keepers, 512 Klumac Road, Suite 2, and Oak Park Retirement, 548 White Oaks Dr. For more information, call 704-630-0370, email lorieberly@comfortkeepers.com or visit www.stopseniorhunger.com.
Chevy dealers kindness campaign
SALISBURY — Team Chevrolet is one of 27 North and South Carolina Chevrolet dealers partnering with national philanthropy, Rachel’s Challenge and broadcast channel WCNC for a chance to win a 2012 Chevy Sonic.
In support of Chevrolet’s 100th anniversary, Carolinians will have a chance to win one of three grand prizes by showcasing acts of kindness around their neighborhoods, schools and communities by uploading inspiring videos to a Rachel’s Challenge Facebook application.
Between September and December, residents will inspire change by uploading their video of kindness. At the end of each month, a winner will be chosen by Facebook fans and the Carolina Chevy Dealers board members. The winner of the first challenge will receive an iPad, second round winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000 and the final winner will receive a 2012 Chevy Sonic.
For more information, visit http:// www.facebook.com/RachelsChallengeContest.
Antique shop reopens on NC 152
After recovering from an illness, Mary Oliver has reopened her antiques shop at 9030 N.C. 152 W.
Mary’s Antiques will reopen Friday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at other times by appointment. For more information, call 704-664-9248.
Weight Watchers ‘Lose for Good’
Weight Watchers members say their loss can be Rowan County’s gain. The fourth annual “Lose for Good” campaign kicked off this past week at the J. Fred Corriher Jr. YMCA in South Rowan.
Part of a national initiative that helps fight hunger on a local, national and global level, members are challenged to bring a pound of non-perishable food for every pound they lose to donate to the Main Street Mission in China Grove.
This year J. Fred Corriher, Jr. YMCA is partnering with Weight Watchers by challenging all of its members to bring canned goods for the Mission.
“Lose for Good give us all a chance to help others in our community, while helping ourselves to lead a healthier life,” according to Weight Watcher leader Eileen Hanson-Kelly.
The campaign runs through Oct. 15.
Last October, the two Weight Watchers meetings at the J. Fred Corriher, Jr. YMCA donated 350 pounds of food.
Anyone can participate by dropping off canned goods at the YMCA, 950 Kimball Road in China Grove. Weight Watchers meets at the YMCA on Mondays at 6 p.m. and Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. For more information, contact Eileen Hanson-Kelly at 704-855-8353 or email hansonkelly@ctc.net.
Kohl’s offers $250,000 for relief
Kohl’s Department Stores has announced a $250,000 cash donation toward Hurricane Irene relief efforts. Kohl’s is providing this donation to the American Red Cross, which is delivering much-needed emergency supplies and services in the hurricane-impacted areas.
In addition to a financial contribution, Kohl’s encourages its associates to volunteer in support of cleanup efforts through its Associates in Action volunteer program. In recognition of volunteer hours, Kohl’s will donate corporate grants to the nonprofit organizations being supported by Kohl’s associates.
To inquire about involving a Kohl’s Associates in Action volunteer program in hurricane and severe weather cleanup efforts, contact your local Kohl’s store.
Applebee’s donates $215,000
The Apple Gold Group, franchisee of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bars, raised $215,000 for The V Foundation for Cancer Research during its fifth annual March Hoops Fundraiser.
Over the past four years, the Apple Gold Group team has raised more than $500,000 to help The V Foundation fund research for a cure. From March 3 through April 4, employees of the 52 North Carolina Applebee’s asked guests to donate $1 or more toward The V Foundation. In return for their donation, guests were given paper basketballs to personalize and hang in the restaurant.
First Bancorp gets $63.5 million
TROY — First Bancorp, the parent company of First Bank, has received an investment of $63.5 million from the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the Small Business Lending Fund.
The fund is a voluntary program intended to encourage small business lending by providing capital to qualified community banks. The initial dividend rate on the preferred stock is 5 percent. The company redeemed the $65 million shares of preferred stock issued to the Treasury in January 2009 under the Capital Purchase Program, part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The Treasury continues to hold a warrant to purchase 616,308 shares of the company’s common stock at a price of $15.82.
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