Carrboro's Spotted Dog Restaurant will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a "blow out benefit concert" Monday, Dec. 1, at Cat's Cradle.

Proceeds will go to Paws4Ever (formerly APS of Orange County) and Girl's Rock NC, local nonprofit organizations that Spotted Dog and Cat's Cradle have supported many times before.

Spotted Dog features a canine motif in its menu, including Fidos's Fries, beer-battered fries with cheese and bacon; and Rover Meets Charlie, tuna steak salad. "There are a lot of vegetarian items," says Kris Byrnes, assistant manager.

Spotted Dog, located in Carrboro's own flatiron building, opened 10 years ago. Before Spotted Dog, the building was home to Spring Garden Restaurant.

Cat's Cradle's doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7. All the bands will be local, including Velvet, Roxcetera and SNMNMNM.

There will also be a silent auction as well as merchandise tables, live paintings, and one amazing MC, Jeghetto the Puppet Maker. Tickets are on sale now at Spotted Dog:s $7 in advance, and $10 at the door.

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• Rita's, a shop featuring Italian ice, gelati, frozen custard and some original creations will celebrate its opening by offering free Italian Ice to everyone who stops by on Sunday, Dec. 7. Owner Todd Doros and manager Geoff Henslee promise community involvement and a child-friendly environment. "You can come in with four kids and get out for under $10," said Doros. Rita's is a chain based in Philadelphia.

• University Mall will host and sponsor the Arc of Orange County's Festival of Trees Gala on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. This important Arc fundraiser, located in the StoreHouse space, will be a celebratory opening of a wintry wonderland featuring 30 holiday trees custom decorated by local "tree designers." The Arc of Orange County helps individuals affected by developmental disabilities.

•The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau needs some Christmas tree ornaments. To provide a holiday greeting to Orange County visitors and in support of the parade and other festivities on Franklin Street, the bureau will erect a 10-foot tree in the front window of the Visitors Center at 501 W. Franklin St. But they have no ornaments.

"Please send one, two, 100," they implored by e-mail. "Drop by, mail them, pack one in your purse for the next time we see each other. We are desperate. Thank you. Parking in front is free for 10 minutes. Stop by, grab some mints and say hello."

•A new urban boutique featuring stylish and eclectic home furnishings and gifts is opened in mid November in Historic Downtown Pittsboro.

Urban Sampler offers a mix of cottage and classic antique furniture and accessories for the home including candles, glassware, pottery, serving platters and lamps ranging. Urban Sampler is the fulfillment of a longtime dream of Gia Miele's to own her own business. After a first career as a buyer for Bloomingdale's and Macy's and a second career in the health care industry, she retired and moved to North Carolina two years ago.

• PHE, Inc., a Hillsborough based manufacturer of adult products and erotica, continues an annual tradition of providing thanksgiving meals to the less fortunate in the community by working with Orange County Social Services (OCSS) once again. This year, the initiative is being kicked off with the donation of a traditional Thanksgiving meal to 22 Orange County families in need. PHE has been providing Thanksgiving meals for more than 10 years.

Got news? Send your business announcements to Julian Sereno at sereno@mindspring.com