Weekends are for the Dogs

Don’t forget about on Saturday, but if gardening isn’t your cup of tea, perhaps participating in the 1st Annual Hope Walk will draw some of you generous do-gooder types hoping to make a difference. Sponsored by Journey Transitional Housing For Women, Inc., The Hope Walk on Saturday will help raise much-needed funds to assist homeless women and their children. This five-mile walk begins at Heritage Park (Silver Comet Trail) at 8 a.m. At the end of the walk, a reception greets and rewards participants for a job well done. Journey Transitional Housing, Inc aims to help women progress from emergency shelters to independent living by providing services and support beyond what temporary shelters can offer. Participation in the walk costs $20 and donations of all amounts are appreciated and needed. All donations are tax deductible and more info can be found here or at 770—899-0448.

Later on that same evening, in Smyrna Market Village will roll out the relaxation with their Second Saturday’s Live Entertainment & Artist Auction For Charity. From 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, come and enjoy The Wine Cellars’ talented house songstress Nimara Snyder (who is a chiropractic doctor by day, as it happens) as she serenades the audience of oenophiles and their friends with her smooth, acoustic style. Sit back and enjoy sipping some delicious vino in the cozy ambience that Renee Rowe, The Wine Cellars’ owner, has worked to create inside her elegant shop. Ethereal, dreamy artwork is by Christine B. Ghattas, an Atlanta artist who has honed a beautiful, recognizable painting style all her. Ghattas’ artwork will be auctioned that evening, with the proceeds going to a local charity. For more information, contact The Wine Cellars. No cover charge for the entertainment and the auction.

Oh, for the love of dogs, maybe furry four legged friends would fill your Sunday afternoon quite nicely. happens from noon to 5 p.m. at Dogma Dog Care. For a mere $5 donation (children under 12 free), you and your leashed pooch can enjoy this event featuring Animal Planet’s celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell of "It's Me or the Dog'' and hosted by Holly Firfer. Activities include obedience and agility demonstrations, pet portrait artist, a bouncy house and face painting for children, live music, excellent food, a mobile vet offering low-cost vaccinations and micro-chipping, raffles, prizes and much more. For The Love of Dogs will raise awareness and donations for a trio of pet-centric charities: Ahimsa House (ahimsahouse.org), the Victoria Stillwell Foundation, and Green Pets America (greenpetsamerica.com). Read more about these nonprofits here.

If you happen to be one of those India Pale Ale aficionados (IPA’s, you’d call them if you’re a true fan), in Vinings has the event you’ve been waiting for. Meehan’s is hosting its first IPA Beer Social on Monday at 7 p.m. For $35, a limited number of guests will be treated to a quintet of new IPA’s accompanied by delish finger-food courses (Jacob mentioned ribs, everyone). Featured breweries include Dogfish, Bridgeport and Terrapin. Not a Coors or a Budweiser in sight as far as the eye can see. While listening to live music and chowing down, all lucky guests will drink and score the IPA’s on taste, and the champion brewery will win a spot on Meehan’s draught beer list. Mix and mingle with other beer snobs with good taste. The top dog IPA will also be featured at Meehan’s beer dinner in June. Call (770) 433-1920 for reservations, because the IPA Beer Social is limited to 35 guests.

It’s a well-known fact that those Italians are coo-coo for fine cuisine and great wines. They’re just so outrageously talented and take pleasure in all things kitchen-related. Why do you think Italian mamas are always quoted as enthusiastically urging, “Mangia, mangia!” wants to spread the love on Thursday, May 19th at the next installment of their Wine Dinner Series, aptly entitled A Taste of Italy. Beginning at 7 p.m., guests can indulge in a five-course menu and with paired wine tastings. To whet your appetite, here are a few examples of the eats: Osso Bucco over roasted garlic cannellini beans, roasted fennel risotto, and seared scallop ravioli with roasted artichoke. Artisan wines sourced from Italy's superior small vineyards are featured and expertly paired with the flavors of each course. A Taste of Italy cost $45 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Please call Crepe Revolution to reserve your spot, because space is limited to 30 and this monthly event always sells out.