SALISBURY — The 1st Friday event in downtown Salisbury will encourage shoppers to donate food and items for Rowan Helping Ministries while they shop, dine and stroll.
March Against Hunger will run from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. 1st Friday is a new monthly event created by downtown merchants.
People who bring four or more pantry or toiletry items to the donation tent on the Square will receive a one-night-only downtown shopping pass good at any of the participating merchants. The tent will open at 4:30 p.m.
From 5 to 8 p.m., participating restaurants will donate 10 percent of their revenue to Rowan Helping Ministries.
SALISBURY — Hot Diggity Dog, a gift shop specializing in products for Fido made exclusively in the United States, has opened at 125 W. Kerr St.
Owner Cristy Stiller said most products in her store are also made from domestic materials, meaning no foreign material is used in the manufacturing process.
With the scare of contaminants in pet products, Stiller said she is passionate about finding the best quality and providing it at an affordable price. Inventory includes bedding, toys, collars and leashes, treats, food, grooming products and rehabilitation harnesses.
Stiller said she was inspired to start the business by her chocolate Labrador retriever, Jessie.
“Our dogs are like family,” she said.
Stiller said she became committed to stocking domestic products after reading “Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy” during a business class. The book made her aware of the side effects of globalization.
“In speaking with some of my vendors, I am quickly learning how difficult it has been for these people to find manufacturing companies in the USA, especially in the textiles market,” Stiller said. “These are American entrepreneurs who want their product produced here in the USA. But so much manufacturing has been outsourced, it has become very difficult to find manufacturing facilities within the states.”
Hot Diggity Dog plans to work with local and regional dog rescue groups, hold pet owner awareness workshops and sponsor a microchip event this summer. Stiller is collecting UPC labels from Cloud Star products, which will donate $1 per label to a rescue group.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Call 704-636-9933 for more information.
SALISBURY — The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce’s Power in Partnership (PIP) breakfast will feature a candidate forum on Thursday, March 20, at 7:30 a.m. at Trinity Oaks (728 Klumac Road).
The Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee will organize the forum, which will focus on the Rowan County Commission candidates. A general election forum will also be held in the fall with Dr. Michael Bitzer of Catawba College moderating.
Reservation deadline is Tuesday, March 18, by 5 p.m. The cost is $12 for members and $20 for non-members. The price includes the cost of breakfast and the program. Contact the Chamber at 704-633-4221 or info@rowanchamber.com
CK Franchising Inc., the franchisor of Comfort Keepers, honored Lori Eberly, owner of four Comfort Keepers locations, with a “Quest for Excellence” award
The award recognizes Comfort Keepers franchisees who are the top sales performers or deliver the greatest percentage year-over-year revenue growth within a category.  Comfort Keepers provides in-home care assistance.  Eberly has been a Comfort Keepers franchisee for 13 years.
Eberly’s offices are in Salisbury, Charlotte and Hickory, providing in-home care and private duty nursing to approximately 350 clients and employing over 225. 
SALISBURY — The Forum Fitness Center, located at 2318 S. Main St. will offer a 75-minute, vinyasa flow-style hot yoga class at 11:30 a.m. every Saturday beginning March 8.
Practicing yoga in a room heated to between 90 and 95 degrees helps to deepen flexibility, according to The Forum co-owner Steve Safrit. Hot yoga can be a little more challenging than non-heated yoga classes, Safrit said.
The Forum hot vinyasa yoga instructors will offer modifications for beginner and intermediate students. A rotating team of registered yoga teachers and experienced group fitness instructors will teach hot yoga, which will cost $6 per class for Forum members and $10 per class for non-members. 
Hot yoga instills balance and focus, cleanses the body and builds strength and endurance, Safrit said.
Space is limited. Call The Forum at 704-633-6638 to sign up or for more information.
BRUSSELS, Belgium — Delhaize Group, the Belgian international food retailer that owns Food Lion, has signed an agreement with AP Mart on the sale of its Bulgarian operations.
The transaction is expected to complete in the second quarter subject to regulatory approval as well customary closing conditions and working capital adjustments.
At the end of 2013, Delhaize Group’s sales network consisted of 3,534 stores. In 2013, Delhaize Group posted $28 billion in revenues. In 2012, Delhaize Group posted $134 million in net profit. At the end of 2012, Delhaize Group employed about 158,000 people.
SALISBURY — Food Lion awarded four educators and more than 50 Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools students with special gifts recently at the 2014 Food Lion CIAA Education Day.
The free event, which was attended by hundreds of middle and high school students, was held at the Charlotte Convention Center. Students heard from Food Lion associates about why they should stay in school to better their chances at a good career.
Food Lion Director of Diversity & Inclusion Millette Granville presented four teachers with a $50 Food Lion gift card, phone charger and a bag of Food Lion private brand products.
The top teacher prizes were awarded to the following:
• Dr. Marian Thompson, a guidance counselor with West Rowan Middle School.
• Shamar Knight Justice, an Eight-grade Language Arts teacher with Kipp Charlotte School.
• Elizabeth Jordan, AVID Coordinator with Coulwood in Charlotte.
• Tiffanie Johnson, a professional development facilitator at Coulwood Middle School in Charlotte.
Food Lion Director of Category Management Adrian Baker also presented more than 50 students who excelled with a 4.0 or above in academics. Each received a Food Lion portable phone charger and Food Lion journals.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Bi-Lo Holdings and Delhaize Group, parent company of Salisbury-based Food Lion, have received approval from the Federal Trade Commission for Bi-Lo to buy the Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid’s supermarket chains from Delhaize.
Bi-Lo agreed to buy 12 Delhaize America stores in the states of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, and Delhaize Group has agreed to retain two stores and convert them to the Food Lion banner. The deal was reportedly worth $265 million.
The order is subject to final approval by the FTC after the close of a 30-day public comment period.
Bi-Lo Holdings and Delhaize Group anticipate that the acquisition of the Sweetbay, Harvey’s and Reid’s supermarkets will begin on March 22 and be complete on May 31.
 State Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson said North Carolina’s business community will recognize March 3 – 7 as Students@Work Week.
The Students@Work initiative is focused on raising North Carolina’s graduation rate by offering middle school students a glimpse of future career possibilities. Students@Work is a joint initiative of the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and the North Carolina Business Committee for Education. This year’s program involves at least 156 businesses in all 100 North Carolina counties and will affect 24,000 students.
To learn more, visit www.ncpublicschools.org and select the appropriate link under “News.”
Novant Health Rowan Medical Center has received the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Care Award, which recognizes medical centers that employ professionals who hold certification and provide a lactation program that is available five to seven days a week for breastfeeding families.
“Breastfeeding is one of the best choices a mother can make for both her newborn child and herself,” says Connie Hoffner, clinical educator and board-certified lactation consultant at Novant Rowan. “However, it’s not always easy. IBCLCs are highly skilled in helping mothers successfully begin breastfeeding, make breastfeeding a priority and overcome challenges that can hinder long-term nursing.”
As part of its commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers, Novant Rowan has trained all labor and delivery unit nurses in the skills necessary. The medical center also has lactation counselors on staff who meet with all new mothers before discharge to answer questions or help with breastfeeding difficulties. The hospital is working with the Rowan County Health Department and La Leche League International to create breastfeeding support groups.
Novant Rowan will also host its Breastfeeding Café from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday. This support group is free and open to all expectant and nursing mothers. Certified lactation counselors will be on hand to discuss breastfeeding basics and offer advice. Advance registration is not required. For more information, call 704-210-5188.
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