Cherokee Chamber Honors Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch "Cherokee County's Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch" for 2014 were recognized during a recent Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce "Good Morning Cherokee" breakfast. The recognition program, coordinated by the Chamber in partnership with Enjoy! Cherokee magazine, highlights Cherokee County residents under 40 who are considered to be Cherokee County's up-and-coming leaders over the next 10 years. "The 'Top 10 in 10' initiative is designed to cultivate and showcase exceptional Cherokee County young professionals," said Pam Carnes, Chamber president/CEO. Lewis Cline, Chamber board chairman, added, "Far more than 10 nominees were submitted. Each application was carefully reviewed by a judging panel that found this to be no simple task." Judging criteria included past professional achievements and awards, 5- to 10-year professional goals, and volunteer and community activities. In addition to being recognized during the Chamber's monthly breakfast and in magazine features, the recipients have been nominated for GeorgiaTrend Magazine's "40 Under 40" recognition. Those recognized as Cherokee County's next generation of community leaders include (front row, left to right): Brian Stockton, director of economic development, City of Woodstock; Karen Norred, city clerk, City of Holly Springs; Shannon Wallace, district attorney, Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office; Blake Kononen, commercial airline pilot, ExpressJet Airlines; The Honorable Michelle Homier, judge, Cherokee County State Court; (second row, left to right): Rev. Jordan Thrasher, chaplain, Reinhardt University; Doug Fountain, vice president, Government Guaranteed Lending, Community and Southern Bank; Zach Blend, director of residential life, Goshen Valley Boys Ranch; Lee Lusk, owner, The Wheeler House/Nickel Creek Development; and Katie E. Wise, branch manager, LGE Community Credit Union.
Jason Wulfers Opens Edward Jones Office in Downtown Woodstock Jason Wulfers with Edward Jones Investments held a ribbon cutting ceremony recently to celebrate the grand opening of his office in Downtown Woodstock. The event was hosted by Main Street Woodstock. Jason is a financial advisor with Edward Jones, a financial services firm dedicated to serving the needs of individual investors. Edward Jones' financial advisors provide personal service by getting to know clients, understanding their goals, and developing individualized strategies to reach those goals. 102 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-591-8021
Ronnie John's Sunset Grille Now Open in Downtown Woodstock Ronnie John's Sunset Grille has opened in Downtown Woodstock by owners Ronnie Hall and John Davis, who also own Ronnie John's Beach Caf in Marietta. Ronnie John's Sunset Grille features "coastal fusion beach cuisine with an Asian influence" in a casual, beach-themed atmosphere. Specialties include tuna poke, fish tacos, poached salmon and chicken katsu. Open daily for lunch and dinner, 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., Monday; 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday; and 11:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m., Friday-Saturday. 9770 Main St., Woodstock. 770-575-4085,Facebook.com/RJSunsetGrille
Steppin' Out Performing Arts Center Hosts Grand Opening July 19 for New Facility Steppin' Out Performing Arts Center is hosting a grand opening July 19 for its new facility, located next to Bark Station, approximately one mile from historic Downtown Woodstock. The new 8,000-square-foot facility has four dance studios with raised floors, separate locker rooms for boys and girls, a lobby area with a kid's zone, study and snack areas, and closed-circuit cameras for observation. 240 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-591-7837, SteppinOutPAC.com
Crave Burgers & Wings Opens in Woodstock Crave Burgers & Wings has opened its first location in the Centre at Woodstock Shopping Center. Crave Burgers & Wings is a "fast-casual" restaurant developed by John Mercure, Maurice Logan, Lee Kay and Ike Parks of JMLI Restaurant Holdings LLC, also based in Woodstock. Menu items include "craft-style" Angus beef and specialty burgers, hot dogs, chicken wings, sandwiches, and salads. The partners hope to open more restaurants by the end of 2016, as a counter service, fast-casual with beer and wine, and/or full service with vast craft beer selections. Hours of operation are 11:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 11:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday; and 11:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sunday. 12195 Hwy. 92, Woodstock. 678-909-2658, CraveBurgersAndWings.com
Jan Henriques Joins North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center Dr. Jan Henriques has joined North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center in Woodstock. Dr. Henriques is an experienced audiologist who has served patients in Cherokee and Pickens counties for more than 20 years. As the lead provider at North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center, Dr. Henriques will work with all patients to find the hearing solution that best fits their individual needs and budget. 203 Woodpark Place, Suite B-100, Woodstock. 770-560-4775
WellStar Joins AWHONN Program WellStar Health Systems has announced its participation in a multi-year, three-pronged initiative launched by the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) to improve the treatment of pregnancy-related complications. The first initiative focuses on improving the treatment of obstetric hemorrhage, one of the leading causes of death during labor and delivery. Women in the United States experience greater risk of death from pregnancy-related complications than women in 46 other countries. While two to three women die every day in the United States from pregnancy-related complications, more than half of these deaths are preventable. Research suggests that women who have inductions of labor have a greater risk of experiencing postpartum hemorrhage. African-American women are disproportionately affected by birthing complications, with three to four times more deaths than women of all other racial and ethnic groups. AWHONN's Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) Project has gathered 54 birthing hospitals in Georgia and New Jersey to assess and improve clinical practices. "WellStar Cobb, Douglas and Kennestone hospitals are leading the charge for improving pregnancy and delivery care for women in Georgia," said Deborah Roegge De Vita, vice president, WellStar Women's and Pediatric Networks. "We're honored to participate in this initiative for improving health care for women and their newborns." Supported by a grant from Merck for Mothers, AWHONN's Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) Project is designed to: increase clinician recognition of women at greatest risk of obstetric hemorrhage; increase early recognition of women who are bleeding too much; increase the readiness of clinical team preparedness to successfully respond to obstetric hemorrhage; and improve clinician response to obstetric hemorrhage. Additional practice improvements will include identifying barriers to treating obstetric hemorrhage, sharing clinical best practices, and identifying how to more effectively implement similar improvements in all hospitals in the United States.
Realtor Dawn Sams Joins Atlanta Communities Realtor Dawn Sams recently moved to Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage, a large real estate firm specializing in luxury home sales with more than 500 agents in five offices throughout metro Atlanta. Sams is part of Atlanta Communities real estate team in Woodstock, off of Highway 92. A realtor since 2005 and an accredited staging professional, Sams has been in the top achievers club since 2007 and achieved gold status with the Cherokee Association of Realtors in 2013. 250 Heritage Walk, Woodstock. 770-893-8835, DawnSams.com
Rebound Physical Therapy Moves to Woodstock Rebound Physical Therapy is now located at 980 Woodstock Parkway, Suite 200, in Woodstock. Owner Joe Kafati, DPT, along with Katie Lawrence, MPT, and LeAnn Jones, PT, take a compassionate approach to providing one-on-one individualized treatment. Rebound Physical Therapy treats occupational injuries, sports injuries, orthopedic disabilities, and general life ailments for patients ages 7 and up. Specialty areas include custom wrist splints, vertigo and dry needling. 678-445-9799, ReboundPTClinic.com
Farmers Insurance Opens New Office in Woodstock A ribbon cutting ceremony was held recently to celebrate the opening of the new Farmers Insurance in Downtown Woodstock. Agents Tiara Hardin and Courtney Sandlin offer a variety of insurance products to fit your personal and business needs, including life, auto/motorcycle, home/renters, recreational and business insurance. Hours of operation are 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Monday-Friday; 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Saturday; and after hours by appointment. 8720 Main St., Suite 120, Woodstock. 678-903-4769, FarmersAgent.com/THardin; 678-498-8099, FarmersAgent.com/CSandlin