Happy New Pet Year!

Start 2012 right with safety tips and hobby help for your pets.

After an unfortunate incident with Booker and our Nativity, during which St. Joseph developed a chip on his shoulder, didn’t have a leg to stand on, and lost an arm, I safely baby-gated our dogs from the Christmas tree. All those temptations – flickering lights, pretty colored bows, and even the dog-proof ornaments – proved too much a distraction for young Booker. Once he got with the routine, though, he became very reliable around the “leave-its,” helped in part by the appearance of a spray bottle of Bitter Apple in the manger. All kidding aside, with the holidays past us, and the task of putting everything away, now is not the time to let your guard down to keep your cats, dogs, bunnies, ferrets, gerbils or other companion animals, safe…

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Chabad Jewish Center Lights Giant Menorah

The fourth annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony was held Tuesday night to celebrate the start of Hanukkah.

Hundreds gathered at the Park at City Center despite the rain for the annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony to enjoy hot latkes, live music and of course, the lighting of a 10-foot menorah to celebrate the start of Hanukkah. The Chabad Jewish Center, which serves Cherokee, North Cobb and South Bartow counties, sponsored the community Festival of Lights. Special guest speakers included State Sen. Chip Rogers and State Rep. Charlice Byrd. Rogers was given the honor to light the Shamash candle, the center candle while Rabbi Zalman Charytan, director of the Chabad Jewish Center, lit the first candle for the first night. Photos are courtesy of members of the Chabad Jewish Center. Feel free to add more photos to the gallery.

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Send an Animated Holiday ECard

Give your friends and family a good laugh over the holidays with a customizable eCard.

Pets of the Week

Ho, Ho, Home for Christmas

These pets are asking Santa for a home this Christmas...and they've all been pretty darn nice!

The cats at Cobb County Animal Control are finally out of quarantine and the Spirit of Christmas has taken hold at the shelter. They are being specially priced from now until Christmas in the hopes that many of them will find homes for the holidays (and for many years to come). On Friday, fifteen dogs and three cats left the shelter and headed north to Minnesota. All have homes awaiting them – some adoptive homes and others foster homes, but homes with families nonetheless. Three elves helped me photograph the animals this week. These were real elves that made costumes and provided toys and treats. It was pure magic. Come out to the shelter and experience a bit of holiday bliss. Who knows, you might find Dasher, Blitzen, or one of the …

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Janie Gryder

8:32 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2011

So happy for those who found homes for the holidays! Fingers crossed that the rest do too!!   more ›

The Do's and Dont's of Black Friday

Have your own suggestions on how to survive the upcoming shopping frenzy? Add them in the comments.

Thanksgiving may be the great feast day, but for many, it’s the day after that has moms celebrating. Black Friday carries the anticipation of getting out to Walmart or the Sprayberry Square Shopping Center in order to knock out your entire Christmas list cheaply and efficiently in one day.  Or maybe not. I’ve had successful and unsuccessful Black Fridays, and trust me, to get the former, you need to strategize. Here are some tips to remember before hitting the aisles: 1. Gather all the pertinent information you need to effectively shop. Who needs a gift? What are their preferences? Where do they shop?   2. When it comes to clothing, what are their sizes, favorite colors and most complementary styles? (It's not a good idea to get a caftan …

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Trade In Your Old Christmas Lights

The Home Depot offers customers up to $5 off energy efficient holiday lighting for their old working or non-working Christmas light strings.

The Home Depot announced its Fourth Annual Eco Options Christmas Light Trade-In event. Thursday, Nov. 3, through Sunday, Nov. 13, customers will be able to trade-in their old Christmas lights for coupons ranging from $3 to $5 off select energy efficient lighting. Purchase must be made during the 10-day event, and customers are limited to five redemptions, Acworth Patch reports. The Home Depot located at 3605 Sandy Plains Rd., is participating in the event.

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