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Resident’s work made Aiken a beautiful place

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:32:15 +0000

A woman who worked to make Aiken a more beautiful place, Norma Alberta "Al" Payne, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010.

Payne lived in Kalmia Landing at the time of her death,buy tiffany bracelets, but before moving there in 2007, she was a longtime resident of Crosland Park.

She worked to beautify and maintain the Crosland Park neighborhood, both through her own efforts with the neighborhood’s garden club and working with the City of Aiken to ensure the improvement and maintenance of quality of life in the park.

She also designed the wooden sign, which stands at the entrance to Crosland Park.

"She’ll be remembered for her tireless work to keep Crosland Park a nice neighborhood to live in," said her friend Robert "Skipper" Perry. "She never gave up on it, she always had ideas,pendants, and she put her own time and effort into keeping it up. My own 10 years that I lived there, I know I was thankful for her."

Payne was also known for her crafting business, Dough-si-Dough Christmas Ornaments, a fixture at the annual Aiken’s Makin’ craft show since its first year. She passed the business on to her daughter, Amy Potts, who continues to bring Dough-si-Dough to the show each autumn.

"Al was a special person," said former Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce President June Murff. "I met her when I first came to the Chamber, and I considered her not only a talented crafter but also a resource — she was so good at advising us on Aiken’s Makin’. She was adamant about keeping it all handmade,tiffany cuff Links sale, all high quality, and showcasing Aiken’s local talent. I’d go to her house,thanksgiving money clips, and she’d tell me stories about her husband Roger or her inspiration for a new ornament design or about her children. Passing her talent on to her children is what made her so special; it wouldn’t be Aiken’s Makin’ without Dough-si-Dough."

Payne also worked with Aiken’s Meals on Wheels program for 20 years. The family has requested that memorials in her honor go to the Meals on Wheels program in lieu of funerary flowers.

"She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Aiken," said Dr. Fred Andrea III. "Al was a spirited lady who loved life,tiffany money clips clearance, her family, her friends and her community. She had a heart for the well-being of others, devoting herself to good works without any desire for personal recognition. She put others before herself, invested her best energies and creative talents in blessing other people, enriching her neighborhood and making our world a more beautiful place to see and a more gracious place to live."

Services for Al Payne are planned for today at Aiken First Baptist Church. George Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Contact Suzanne Stone at sstone@aikenstandard.com.

‘It will create a huge cavern in beautiful green-b

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:28:54 +0000

In the sleepy Chilterns town of Amersham levels of anxiety are high and rising. Even though construction of a proposed high speed rail line from London to Birmingham is unlikely to begin for at least another seven years, its likely routing through the town and surrounding villages is already prompting doom-laden predictions from householders and businesses alike.

Judy Hyland, a 48-year-old healthcare professional, thinks construction of High Speed 2 will be just the beginning of a process that will change the Chilterns forever.

"It will create a huge cavern in beautiful green-belt countryside. I fear once the railway is built, companies will be left slavering over use of the land for other property ventures."

Her son Andy Hyland, 22,tiffany money clips sale, questioned the need for the line, saying: "Great Missenden and the surrounding villages will be cut up by the track which is entirely unnecessary as there are already adequate travel links from London to the north."

Others were worried about the impact on local businesses. Frances Parker,thanksgiving necklaces, 64,tiffany key rings clearance, who owns a bakery in Amersham, said: "I worry that the rail line will mean that the Chilterns is not such an attractive area for outsiders to experience the countryside any more, meaning that local businesses like mine will feel the knock on effect."

The overriding concern of many though is the likely effect on property prices and the ability of the government’s new pound(s)50m fund to compensate local people adequately. "I think that the value of my property will definitely decrease, says homeowner Lucy Worth, 35. "I’ve looked into the fund but I don’t meet the guidelines so I won’t receive anything despite the fact it’s extremely likely I’ll lose out."

John Potts, 76, said: "The vast majority of people who will be affected are not going to see a penny [from the fund],tiffany clearance, and given the length of the track the money will be spread very thinly."

Not absolutely everyone agreed though. Peter Wicklow, 28,buy tiffany necklaces, a human resources manager who bought property in the nearby village of Little Chalfont four years ago, is fairly sanguine. "Houses prices here are consistently high, reflecting the demand for the area, so I think overall [the line is] unlikely to significantly lower prices in the long run."

Meet Merced’s most wanted running backs

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:20:21 +0000

Defenses in the Central Valley will be on high alert once again this season. Defensive coordinators can expect plenty of sleepless nights as they remain on the lookout for a cast of characters as scary as they are talented.

A group of running backs the Sun-Star has dubbed The Getaway Boys.

Merced County has always been fertile ground for star running backs through the years. The list of great backs in the history of Merced High alone reads longer than Eric DeAnda’s hair. The talent in the area hasn’t dried up. Last year 10 players eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark,key rings, including three from Buhach Colony.

The names shouldn’t surprise you. Dos Palos’ Kevin Schofield and Los Banos’ Darron Brown have been on the loose for three years, terrorizing defenses from Sacramento to Bakersfield.

However, this group is more than a dynamic duo. This band of game-breakers is growing quickly.

DeAnda broke into the starting lineup midway through the season and quickly became a household name after his record-setting 307-yard, four-touchdown performance in a 33-30 win over Buhach Colony. Dallon Muse made a name for himself as part of BC’s three-headed monster, and Golden Valley’s Tyler Arnsberg is the newest member of the group as he makes the move from quarterback to running back this year.

Together the quintet combined for 6,139 yards and 66 touchdowns. You can expect even bigger numbers this year. Opposing tacklers should approach with caution.

Darron Brown

"The Delivery Man"

What can Brown do for you?

The Delivery Man doesn’t need a signature to deliver a load. Brown comes into this season with something to prove after a lower back injury sidelined him for more than a month last year.

"I don’t even know how to explain it," Brown said. "I wanted to play so bad, but I couldn’t. There was nothing I could do.

"It hurt me so bad. It’s made me want to come back this year even stronger."

Brown broke on the scene with 835 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore two years ago.

He was limited to just 685 yards and five touchdowns last season.

Brown missed his frequent trips to the end zone.

"Yeah, I missed it a lot,necklaces," he said. "This year I plan to be in the end zone a lot. More than five or 10 times.

"It’s all up to my offensive line."

Kevin Schofield

"The Iron Horse"

One look at Schofield and you can tell he’s no stranger to the weight room.

Pumping iron is a necessity for the workload The Iron Horse is expected to shoulder this season.

Schofield set a school record with 51 carries in a 27-14 win over Yosemite last year.

His 305 carries were 130 more than any other player in the area.

"He’s a tough football player," Los Banos coach Dennis Stubbs said. "The guy can do it all. He’s so determined and has the drive, the right attitude.

"He plays full speed no matter what the situation. I’m just as impressed with him as a person, not only as a football player."

Schofield led the county with 1,926 yards.

It’s almost as if he can find another gear when he senses the defense is getting tired.

"You can kind of see it,cuff Links," Schofield said. "You see their hands on their knees. They’re walking back to the huddle.

"That’s when you try to break one."

Dallon Muse

"The Fuse"

This Fly Boy can definitely ignite an offense.

With Corey Chapman (1,546 yards and 19 touchdowns) out indefinitely for a school-related disciplinary issue, Muse and teammate Jarrell Davis will be an even bigger part of the offense early on.

"When we evaluated him last year we felt because of all his contributions to their team he was their best player," Merced coach Rob Scheidt said. "Not only because of him running the ball, but also his play on defense and the intangibles he brings to their team.

"He’s a great football player."

Muse has that combination of power and speed that makes him tough to bring down.

"I used to be more of a scat back," Muse said. "Now I’m more of a mix.

I learned that speed isn’t always enough."

Eric DeAnda

"D-Train"

The nickname says it all.

DeAnda is built like a locomotive and isn’t afraid of contact.

"I like it,pendants," DeAnda said. "It’s kind of like a challenge. Is he going to bring me down or am I going to overpower him?"

If you look at the numbers you’ll see DeAnda rose up to the challenges.

He’s the ideal combination of power and speed. One play he’s powering his way through the line picking up tough yardage. The next he may be streaking around the end, outrunning linebackers and defensive backs.

Despite not starting until midseason, he still racked up 1,152 yards with 14 touchdowns on 135 carries.

BC coach Kevin Swartwood got a good look at DeAnda during his record-setting performance.

"I immediately thought he was outstanding,Charm pendant," Swartwood said. "He ran hard. He hit the hole fast. He didn’t tire out. He’s a very good back."

Tyler Arnsberg

"Kid Zoom"

One look at Arnsberg’s cleats and you’ll understand why the Sun-Star has dubbed him Kid Zoom.

The GV junior had the word "zoom" embroidered on his cleats.

New Golden Valley coach Jake Messina is building his offense around Arnsberg.

Messina quickly identified Kid Zoom as the player he wants to carry the ball 15 to 20 times a game.

Arnsberg tallied 1,140 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground as a quarterback in Golden Valley’s option attack last year.

This year he moves to tailback in a Pro Style offense.

"We want to hand him the ball, let him run downhill and give him a chance to make a cut," Messina said.

Arnsberg welcomed the change.

"I was basically another running back in the Veer anyway," Arnsberg said. "I threw the ball a little. Now running the ball is all I do. I’m real excited about the change."

Learning to Discount All Those Juicy Discount Offe

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:38:49 +0000

Sometime this fall, Target will begin offering a 5% discount to customers who use its credit card for their purchases at the chain. So is this a good deal–or not?

Just about every discount offer raises the same question, since it is genuinely difficult to assess what a fair price really is. In most cases, discounts are intended to entice us to spend more, not less. Target says, for instance, that it hopes its offer will prompt its "better and best" customers to buy more at its stores, boosting its sales.

Therein lies my conundrum: My family buys most of its groceries at SuperTarget, and we spent close to $5,key rings,000 at the chain’s discount stores in 2009. So the offer would save us money–close to $250 a year–and I might be able to avoid trips to other stores.

Switching cards, however, would mean giving up the benefits of our travel-rewards card, which we estimate are worth $80 to $100 a year on our Target purchases. It also requires carrying around another credit card, paying another bill and–worse–trying to resist the temptation to buy extra, unnecessary stuff because of the discount.

While saving money is important, many discount offers have a darker side. Here are some of the ways we get lulled into thinking we are getting a good deal when we may not be:

* Membership has its delusions. In a 2007 paper on membership fees such as those charged by Costco, Harvard Business School professor Michael I. Norton and Columbia Business School professor Leonard Lee found that consumers equated the fees with especially low prices,necklaces, even when the prices weren’t all that great. Assuming they were getting great deals, shoppers tended to stock up, spending more than they planned and buying "enough pasta to outlive a nuclear winter," according to the professors.

When we pay for something in advance, we want to get the full value. So those who subscribe to Amazon.com ‘s Amazon Prime service, paying $79 for a year’s worth of two-day shipping, are more likely to spend more on the website, just as we might pig out at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

* Loyalty is expensive. My own wallet is full of loyalty cards–Chico’s, Barnes & Noble and Staples, to name a few–all intended to reward high-volume customers. The average consumer belongs to six such programs, says Joseph Nunes, a marketing professor at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. Once we belong, we are likely to spend more to qualify for a coupon or earn cash back–and then forget to spend it.

"All loyalty programs count on a certain percentage of consumers not redeeming," Prof. Nunes notes. In addition, he says, "once you get closer and closer to a reward, you want it more and more" and may spend more to get it.

* Free is seductive. Various studies have found that many people will respond more positively to an offer that appears free, even if it really isn’t. For example, consumers prefer a product that costs $5 and includes free shipping to an item that costs $2.50 and requires $2.50 to ship.

"When something is free, we have an overly excited reaction," says Dan Ariely, a Duke University behavioral economics professor and author of "The Upside of Irrationality." He marvels, for instance, at how long people will stand in line at Ben & Jerry’s on free cone day. But he asks, "How much time would you spend in line to get $1.75?"

In fairness, it is hard to compare an ice-cream cone and cold, hard cash. A couple of years ago, Prof. Ariely asked about 50 people who were buying a car at a dealership what they would buy if they didn’t purchase a car. Most didn’t have an answer–and none of them saw the cost of the car as equivalent to, say,Bead bracelet, a tuition bill or multiple vacations.

Prof. Ariely says people should get more comfortable comparing apples and oranges–that is, an impulse purchase with something they truly value. Learning to weigh trade-offs is a good start to becoming a smart shopper.

So is making an extra trip to hunt for specials. Marketing professors Stephen Hoch, at the Wharton School, and Edward Fox, at Southern Methodist University, studied "cherry pickers," people who did most of their grocery shopping at one store, but then went to a second store the same day to take advantage of specials, such as soft drinks on sale. Even factoring in the extra time spent shopping, they found that cherry pickers actually can save big money.

Weighing the hassle involved also is important, of course, whether you are switching credit cards,pendants, surfing the Web for discounts or clipping coupons. When it comes to the Target card,Beads necklace, I’m not yet convinced that the extra savings are worth the trouble.

Mother charged in death of 6-year-old girl

admin — Mon, 31 May 2010 01:44:31 +0000

The mother of a 6-year-old girl who drowned Friday faces child Elsa Peretti Open Heart drop earrings and child endangerment charges.

Fire and rescue crews were called to the mother’s home in the 5000 block of Linfield Street in Dale City on Friday.

When officers arrived at 11:18 a.m., they found Kaylan Beale was not breathing, said Prince William police spokeswoman Erika Hernandez.

The girl was flown to a local hospital and was pronounced dead just over an Elsa Peretti Open Heart earrings later, said Hernandez.

Investigators spent much of Friday afternoon at the home looking into the circumstances that led to the drowning. Police say the child was left in a bathtub unsupervised, Hernandez said.

Inside the home at the time of the drowning were Kaylan’s 3-year-old sister and her three brothers, ages 10, 8 and 20-months, said Hernandez. All four children have since been placed in the care of a family member.

The child’s mother, 31-year-old Andrea Monique Beale, is charged with one count of felony child neglect and with four counts of felony child endangerment, said Hernandez.

Police say the charges stem from poor living conditions inside Elsa Peretti Open Heart hoop earrings home and the lack of supervi-sion over her children.

She was released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court June 1.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-530-3905.

Credit: News and Messenger, Manassas, Va.

Lady Mocs looking to 2011

admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 07:07:02 +0000

With a few days of rest and reflection following his team’s disappointing performance in the Southern Conference softball tournament, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga coach Frank Reed was turning his attention toward next season while reflecting on what could have been in 2010.

After winning the regular-season title, the Lady Mocs went O-2 in the tournament and Tiffany Money Clips the first team eliminated Thursday at Jim Frost Stadium.

“You know whether we had won or lost, you start thinking about what you’re going to do and how you’re going to try to be better next year,” Reed said Saturday. “I think one of the things with this team, the expectations were so high. I guess I placed them on them myself. It’s probably my fault for doing that, because I thought we had a really good team.

“Of course you never factor in that you’re going to have a bump in the road somewhere, and then it happens.”

After watching Elon win the tournament title on their home field, the Lady Mocs could have a chance to gain a measure of redemption on the same field next season.

Laura Herron, UTC associate athletic director and senior administrator for women’s athletics, Tiffany CuffLinks Friday that UTC was bidding to host the SoCon softball and tennis tournaments for 2011, 2012 and 2013. The tournament sites will be selected by the member schools.

Herron said the softball facilities and staff at Warner Park are a key asset in their bid to host one or more of the upcoming softball tournaments.

“The city and the ground crew are just exeptional,” she said. “We always get a lot of praise in how they have the fields ready to go no matter what the weather is.

“And the extra fields are definitely a step up for us. A lot of other schools just have one softball field, whereas we can play as many as five games at the same time at Warner Park.”

Among difficulties faced by Reed and UTC this season were losing pitcher and first baseman Michelle Fuzzard to a knee injury and having senior outfielder Laci Upchurch leave the team early in the season. Without those bats in the lineup, more pressure was on the rest of the team to make up for the lost offense.

“That three spot with losing Michelle was huge,” junior leadoff hitter Lyndsey Stiles said. “She is the best No. 3 hitter I’ve ever seen. She’s clutch. I’ve never seen somebody hit so many doubles our sophomore year.

“I think we knew it was going to hurt us, but I don’t think we really knew how much we really did Tiffany Key Rings her until the end.”

There were some bright spots that UTC can build on for next year. After a slow start, junior Nikki Waters pitched well late in her first season after transferring from Southern Illinois. With the return of Fuzzard, Waters and relief pitcher Kandice Irwin, UTC will enter next season with a solid pitching staff despite the loss of Brooke Loudermilk to graduation.

Offensively, third baseman Tiffany Baker will enter her senior season already holding the UTC career and single-season home run records. She’ll need some help around her, having Fuzzard back in then lineup should provide more power next season.

If the tournament returns to Chattanoooga in 2011, Reed already has decided he will try to find ways of keeping his team together. He said he is considering housing his team in a hotel for the tournament or at least having the Lady Mocs travel to and from Warner Park in buses as a way to keep them focused.

“I can tell you this, if they say Chattanooga is going to get it again for next year, Frank Reed’s going to start asking for help early,” Reed said. “We want to see if we can get some commitments to see if we can have a way to keep them together and feed them together and have more control.

“We do it all during the year (on road trips) already. It’s something that we’ve discount tiffany to do.”

VOGUE to Partner With The Bellevue Collection to Present Front Row Fashion Runway Show at Fashion Week ’09

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:54:34 +0000

The Bellevue Collection announces today a collaboration with the recognized authority in haute fashion coverage, Vogue magazine, for Fashion Week ’09, September 29 – October 4, 2009. In addition to a special Vogue fashion presentation, this fourth annual event will include proven favorites such as the Nordstrom Fall Fashion Show, a runway show by David Lawrence showcasing Italian designer fashions, a cutting edge hair and fashion show by 7 Salon and Zebraclub, and VIP Shopping Night at The Bellevue Collection.

New this year is Front Row Fashion presented by Vogue, a spectacular runway show designed and executed by Vogue magazine with fashions from The Bellevue Collection. This exclusive presentation will bring the fall trends straight from the pages of Vogue to Bellevue’s Fashion Week runway. Special guest, Anne Vincent, director of merchandising for Vogue, will share the must-haves for fall.

In addition, Lincoln Square Cinemas will be the site of the greater Seattle/Eastside director’s screening of the new documentary The September Issue. Offering unprecedented access into the making of the world’s most famous fashion magazine, The September Issue illustrates Vogue’s extraordinary influence on fashion, culture and on the market. The debut will be followed by a special Q & A reception with Director R. J. Cutler.

“With all of the new luxury brands choosing to open at The Bellevue Collection (Burberry, Michael Kors, 7 For All Mankind, Hugo Boss, True Religion) plus the broad collection of haute designers featured at Nordstrom and boutiques like David Lawrence and Mercer, partnering with Vogue to present our major fashion event was a perfect match,” says Jennifer Leavitt, vice president of marketing, Kemper Development Company (KDC), owners of The Bellevue Collection. “This partnership speaks to the affluence, sophistication and fashionable sensibility of our core customers. We are ecstatic to be able to bring Vogue to the Northwest for Fashion Week at The Collection.”

Anne Vincent, who has been with the business side of Vogue for eight years spearheading events, presenting fashion and beauty trends and serving as TV spokeswoman will be on hand for media interviews.

Major events planned for Fashion Week ’09 are as follows:

Sept. 29 The September Issue Special Screening with director R.J.

Cutler, Lincoln Square Cinemas

Sept. 30: Nordstrom Fall Fashion Show, Hyatt Regency Bellevue

Oct. 1: Italia: Life in ‘I’ Style presented by David Lawrence and the

Italian Trade Commission, Hyatt Regency Bellevue

Oct 2 Sweat and Spice Spectacular, lululemon athletica, Hyatt

Regency Bellevue

Oct. 3: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Tiffany & Co. at Bellevue Square

Front Row Fashion Presented by Vogue, featuring Anne Vincent,

Vogue magazine, Hyatt Regency Bellevue

VIP Shopping Night at The Bellevue Collection, featuring a

host of exclusive offers from stores throughout The

Collection.

Oct. 4: Urban Blowout, cutting edge hair meets cutting edge fashion,

7 Salon and Zebraclub, Hyatt Regency Bellevue

From traditional to trendy, couples have their own ideas

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:13:34 +0000

Not long ago, the plain gold band was the quintessential symbol of marriage. Things are no longer so simple, though they are often clearly cut.

Today, a woman often chooses a diamond band to match her diamond engagement ring – which is likely to sport several smaller diamonds to set off the main stone.

The ruby, sapphire and emerald have their appeal, but can’t come close to the diamond in popularity. As James M. Joslyn, president and co-owner of Sharfmans, the renowned Worcester tiffany jewelry store, puts it, “A diamond is precious. It never goes out of style.”

Indeed, it has never been more true that diamonds – large and small – are a steadfast friend to accompany a woman through marriage. In fact, one of the hottest trends is a band set with micro-pave diamonds that give off a brilliant shimmer.

And the wedding band is only the beginning. About 30 years ago, the jewelry industry introduced the eternity ring, a band set all around with diamonds. That soon evolved into the anniversary band, which typically has diamonds set across the top. Tiffany & Co. now advertises such bands as “celebration” rings “for moments that matter.”

“There are so many anniversaries of one kind or another, says Joslyn, adding that bands make up about 40 percent of sales at Sharfmans.

Men, too, have broken with tradition. A man is still less likely to choose a ring with stones. But nowadays, he might want a distinctive design in gold or platinum that reflects his personal taste.

Charles S. Rosenblum, buyer and general manager of Neal Rosenblum Goldsmiths/Designers on Park Avenue, points out that some men choose unusual materials that truly set them apart, such as meteor, Damascus steel or mokume gane, a metal that looks like layers of wood.

“We’re not traditional in what we sell,” Rosenblum notes. “We sell a lot of handmade jewelry that is not mass produced.”

Sharfmans offers various types of bands, from the traditional channel setting to one in which each stone is held by prongs.

Yet Central Massachusetts jewelers are often visited by couples who have ideas of their own and want to play an active role in designing their rings.

Arpine Shavarsh Azizian was born into a family of jewelers. Three years ago, she assumed control of her father’s store on Main Street, and she now operates Shavarsh Jewelers/Design by Arpine. Azizian, a certified gemologist who has studied jewelry manufacturing in Europe and the United States, specializes in custom design.

“I get a lot of girls with pictures and ideas,” says Azizian, who is in her early 20s. “We meet in consultation. They give me a budget, and the next visit I do a showing. I try to make it as painless as possible.”

Azizian creates her designs on a computer. A mold is made and the ring is cast, set and finished at Arpiar, her manufacturing operation in Boylston.

Patricia Magliaro and her husband, Michael, had bought her engagement ring and their wedding bands from Azizian’s father, Shavarsh Azizian. Not long ago, they wanted matching bands to mark their fifth anniversary. “I told my husband, ‘I’m not getting any younger. I need to make sure it’s big enough so I can see it,’” Mrs. Magliaro says, laughing.

The Magliaros sat down with Azizian and told her what they had in mind: bands of diamonds to be set in a heart shape. Using the Magliaros’ ideas and her own, Azizian came up with a design all three loved.

Rosenblum’s brother, Neal, a jeweler for more than 30 years, often creates one-of-a-kind designs. He may then turn to a computer to create a pattern that can be made into a ring. Such CAD/CAM projects can go on for up to three months, with the customer involved all along the way.

“What makes it interesting and creative is every person is so different,” Charles Rosenblum says, adding that the store draws customers from Maine to New York. “We work in a lot of different styles.”

The offerings of the three stores appeal to a range of tastes, but the jewelers agree that many women currently have a penchant for pave, a style with tiny diamonds set tightly together.

“It’s always been popular in Europe, but it’s catching on here,” Azizian says of the setting. “Brides love it because of the sparkle. It makes the diamond look larger.”

Whether picked from among a glittering array of rings in a display case or custom designed, wedding and anniversary bands – especially those set with diamonds – are costly. Azizian says she works hard to fit any budget. But it’s not unusual for a couple to come to her ready to spend several thousand dollars. The bands sold by the Rosenblums start at about $1,500.

At Sharfmans, bands typically run from $1,000 to $3,000. But Joslyn says that some customers are prepared to spend $10,000 to $15,000 to mark an important date in a dazzling way. The expansion of the anniversary trend, he explains quietly, “was a big step for the business.”

Land transfers: Nov. 30-Dec. 7, 2009

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:47:48 +0000

The following real estate transactions occurred in Spartanburg County from Nov. 30-Dec. 7, 2009.

Wells Fargo Bank; to; Aleksandr Danylchuck; $16,000; Lot, 1.0ac, Geoffrey C Woodside property

Virginia D Reid; to; Troy C Hyder; $110,000; Lot, 2.6ac, 817 S Blackstock Rd, Landrum

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp; to; Joe Gregarczyk; $46,000; Lot 4, 0.60ac, Randall S Overturf property

Front Street Coastal LLC; to; Darcy L Wall; $80,000; Lot 6, 240 Arena Park Dr; Fieldstone Arena Subd

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp; to; Michael Cochran; $98,000; Lot 2, New Cut Rd & Mcedonia Church Rd intersection, Gowansville

Ila T Pegram; to; Joe C & Sharon R Parr; $30,000; Lot 35, 1.25ac; Dogwood Acres Subd

Kenneth J & Jamie E Gilligan; to; Shawn L & Margery A McGraw; $161,000; Lot 47; Greenbriar Creek Subd

Kerry M Obrien; to; Cathy C Duncan; $89,000; Lot 73; Plush Meadows Subd

Brian M Nash; to; Jessica A Pruitt; $119,900; Lot 3, 1315 Clark Rd, Inman; Steadman Farms Subd

A Manning Lynch Jr; to; Manning Lynch Inc; $20,000; Lot 51; Fawn Branch Subd

Manning Lynch Inc; to; Jenifer M Wilkie & Mark A Genobles; $116,000; Lot 51; Fawn Branch Subd

Dale S & Wanda L Levin; to; Johnny E & Linda A Duncan; $180,000; Lot 11, tiffany cuff links 10 Lenox Pl, Boiling Springs; Sterling Estates Subd

Greg H High; to; Newton Oil Inc; $47,000; Lot, 1.0ac, 150 Berry Rd, Spartanburg

Rodger C Jarrell Real Estate & Mortgage; to; Nancy C Dell; $100,000; Lot 105, 116 Forestdale Dr, Boiling Springs; Springfield Subd;

Parker Champion Construction; to; Nathan C Windsor; $115,700; Lot 88, 339 S Ivestor Ct, Inman; Dunnsmore Subd

Enchanted Construction LLC; to; John P & Joy C Chavis Jr; $117,000; Lot 39, 662 Clarion Ct; Wynbrook Subd

FNMA; to; Daniel J Cobb; $137,000; Lot 183, 440 Sandpiper Dr, Boiling Springs; Eagle Pointe Subd

Lazarus Shouse Communites LLC; to; Diane C & Roger D Skinner; $180,000; Lot 220, 133 Gossamer Dr, Boiling Springs; Sterling Estates Subd

Mark III Properties; to; Enchanted Construction LLC; $29,000; Lot 317; Glenlake Subd

Enchanted Construction LLC; to; Mary M & Horace L Scruggs; $154,000; Lot 322; Glenlake Subd

Chanborany Dean & Pouly Lim; to; Beverly L Glenn; $132,900; Lot 84, 796 Thornbird Cir; Eagle Pointe Subd

David J & Geri L Robertson; to; Mark W Adams; $249,900; Lot 16, 509 Dominion Way, Boiling Springs; Carrington Place Subd

David E Arledge Jr & Nellie J Jones; to; Douglas W & Janet Adee; $140,000; Lot 92, 0.47ac; Woodcreek Subd

DoubleTree LLC; to; Christopher R Porter; $5,000; Lot 35; Island Creek Subd

David R Doss; to; Lea P Burnett; $112,500; Lot 40, 0.70ac; Bent Tree Subd

NBSC; to; Jeffrey H Smith; $4,400; Lot 3, South Ave, Kirby property

Kenneth D Genobles; to; Karen R Hughes; $67,000; Lot 16B, Jesse R Genobles property

Jason K Cooke; to; Jeremiah P & Sonya N Dean; $87,000; Lot 3, 0.88ac, 256 Battleground Rd, Cowpens

Gibert Co Inc; to; James M Gibert; $36,500; Lot, David Rd nr Woodruff

Marilyn L Phillips; to; Robin Paulin; $11,000; Lot 1; Woodruff Farms Subd

Cantrell Holdings LLP; to; SandMoor LLC; $170,000; Lot, 2.35ac, James M Hendershot property

William C & Kina T Baddorf; to; Kevin L Hood; $74,500; Lot 4, D St, Inma

Deutsche Bank; to; Adam Pettay; $13,000; Lot, 515 Lanford Rd, Woodruff

Sellers Solution LLC; to; Tiffany Davis; $69,900; Lot 379, 117 Padgett Ct, Wellford; Brookside Village Subd

David T & Sandra V Griggs; to; Lillian F Collins; $29,000; Lot 9, 147 Douglas Ln, Duncan; Dorchester Subd

Ellen K Grasser Norman; to; Cynthia K Wheat; $150,000; Lot 10, 207 Katie Ln, Moore; Mallard Cove Subd

Frank G & Gaynelle J Mayfield; to; Brenda J Schultz; $70,000; Lot, 2.0ac, Joshua A Godfrey property

G Bruce Morgan; to; Melvin E Galloway; $55,394; Lot 63 NR Lyman; North Ridge Hills Subd

Francis L Tinsley; to; Darryl S Campbell; $12,000; Lot 3, 0.60ac, B J Cannon property

Justin G & Margaret Whitener; to; Matthew J & Katherine A Cloonan; $87,900; Lot 4, Brook St, Lyman; Pacific Mills Subd

Charles F & Nancy A Kramer; to; James R & Virginia L McAbee Jr; $50,000; Lot, 0.24ac, Pacific Mills Lake

Christopher Marabito; to; Jason Bruce; $148,500; Lot 5, 217 E Autumn Ridge Rd, Moore; Sedgefield Subd

Jerry A & Verna S Taylor Sr; to; Lyndsey N Gantt; $88,000; Lot 67; Pacific Mills Subd

Ashmore Homes; to; Richard D & Rachelle D St Pierre; $172,900; Lot 22 ; tiffany bracelets Gibbs Village Subd

Links Land Inc; to; Jerry K Weaver; $30,000; Lot 52, 237 Woodcluff Dr & 135 White Rd, Wellford; North Ridge Hills Subd

John & Raellen Belch; to; Jason M & Elizabeth A Long; $158,000; Lot 99, 120 Rogers Mill Dr, Duncan; Rogers Mill Subd

Fred Painter; to; Tammy L Skipper; $124,900; Lot 11, 0.76ac; Peachtree Estates Subd

Ernesto L & Mary L Deguzman; to; Sarah Popoloski, etal; $145,555; Lot 32, 218 Windsong Way, Moore; Kingsley Park Subd

RES Distressed Fund X LLC; to; Visio REO Debt Fund; $1,250; Lot, 76 Hampton Rd, Lyma

Patrick J & Vicky H Brickhouse; to; Jason A Laboon; $45,000; Unit 1440C, Dover Rd, Spartanburg; Carriage House Regime

Mendel Hawkins Builder Inc; to; Joshua L Hart; $499,900; Lot 370; Woodridge Subd

Stephen B & Rebecca E Foster; to; Donna D Bishop; $126,260; Lot 5A, 209 McAbee Rd, Roebuck

John D Chapman; to; Phillip B & Rachel A Morgan; $108,000; Lot 5 ; Woodland Heights Subd

Merrill A White; to; Ashley J Thornton; $67,900; Lot 2, 0.8ac, 390 Newman Rd, Roebuck

Montu D Desai; to; Devraj Desai; $220,000; Lot 6; Mill Brook Subd

George R Kelly Jr; to; Jeffre S Kelly; $80,000; Lot B; Webber Place

Jeff L Haulbrook; to; Pearl G Nunamaker & Nancy N Needy; $185,000; tiffany pendants Unit 115, Ravines Ln, Spartanburg; The Ravines at Woodridge Subd

FNMA; to; Thomas F Williams; $4,500; Lot 3, 1 Cleveland St, Spartanburg; Mills Mill Saxon Village Subd

Tammy Floyd; to; Klaus Dieter & Elaine L Wustrow; $167,700; Lot 5, 6.13ac; Granite Hills Subd

Magnolia Park Estates LLC; to; J William & Peggy F Wakefield Jr; $510,000; Lot 12, 524 Magnolia Blossom Ct, Spartanburg; Magnolia Park Estates Subd

Linda M Gendreau; to; Jeffery D & Shawntena M Smith; $179,500; Lot, 1.50ac, 129 Graystone Dr, Moore

James A Eckstein; to; Gerald P & Katherine O Arnold ; $305,000; Lot 27; Carmel Subd

Patricia D Long; to; Braddon R Tesner; $41,000; Lots 11 & 12, F Gentry Harris property

Brenda Q Hart; to; Nolan R & Cindy A Hart Jr; $405,000; Lot 393; Woodridge Subd

Joshua L Hart; to; Ronnie R & Brenda Q Hart; $490,000; Lot 370; Woodridge Subd

FNMA; to; Todd Huntley; $13,500; Lot 53; Mayfair Mills Subd

Josephine E Lancaster; to; Dmitriy Prikhodko; $12,000; Lot 30; Hills Acres Subd

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp; to; Vernon Smith; $12,000; Lot 24, Concord St, Spartanburg; Highland Avenue-Urban Renewal Subd

Home Fuel Oil Inc; to; Service Oil Co Inc of SC; $58,000; Lots 1 & 2, tiffany rings Union St, Spartanburg

Claude D & Pamela L Dunagin; to; Gordon Farms Inc; $22,500; Lot, 1.40ac, Police Club Rd, Spartanburg

Wililam J & Trista S Farrell II; to; Eric R Nease; $725,000; Lot 11, 1.12ac, 617 Weymouth Dr, Spartanburg; Andrews Farm Subd

Branch Banking & Trust Co; to; Miller V Coleman; $150,000; Lot 25; The Arbours at Reba Dale Subd

Sara P Ward Est; to; Charles J & Mary D Washko; $325,000; Lot B, 1100 Woodburn Rd, Spartanburg;

FNMA; to; Phamm L Dong; $26,500; Lot 45, 291 W Wood St, Spartanburg

Christopher M Bender; to; Paul Hawks; $88,500; Lot 65, Christopher Lewis property

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp; to; Alexus L Dean; $64,000; Lot 25; Cedar Acres Subd

Norman & Bobra T Schoss; to; Jason K & Linsey M Cooke; $160,000; Lot 87, 287 Heathwood Dr, Spartanburg; Heathwood East Subd

Preservation Trust of Spartanburg; to; Richard P Stone II; $134,990; Lot C, Daniel E Mikell property

JC Henderson Est; to; Eugene F Moyer Jr & Jack D Moyer; $40,000; Lot 3A, 531 Pierpont Ave Ext, Spartanburg

Brian Walls; to; Matthew L Tomlinson; $145,000; Lot 233; Bent Creek Plantation Subd

Confined by an Ankle Bracelet, in a Tight Race for Congress

admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 02:49:57 +0000

Hobbled by a campaign finance conviction, an ankle bracelet and a judge’s order, Representative Jay C. Kim worked from afar today to fend off three primary challengers in California.

Mr. Kim, a 59-year-old Republican in his third term, was sentenced last month to a year’s probation earrings , two months’ electronic monitoring here and a $5,000 fine after pleading guilty to 10 misdemeanor counts of accepting $250,000 in illegal contributions, including foreign donations.

Forbidden to return to his Southern California district in time to campaign for the June 2 primary, Mr. Kim must suffer detention while the rest of Congress enjoys recess.

Accordingly, he has been laboring in his Capitol Hill office to impress his constituents in the 41st District the old-fashioned way, customizing fresh pork in public works projects through his role as a ranking conferee on Congress’s mammoth transportation bill.

”The Congressman’s spirits are high, and we’re going to win this thing,” said Pam Williams, Mr. Kim’s campaign coordinator and one of the workers filling in back in the district for Mr. Kim, who is refusing to give interviews.

The Congressman’s Republican challengers are hardly restraining themselves out of sympathy for Mr. Kim.

”Call me a naive idealist,” said one challenger, Pete Pierce, a 37-year-old deputy district attorney om Orange County, ”but I actually think this is an embarrassment to the district and it’s fairly significant one, being the first Congressman to wear a court’s ankle bracelet.”

A second candidate, Jack Healy, a retired 71-year-old school board member, said, ”I could strangle Newt Gingrich,” referring to the Speaker’s decision to allow Mr. Kim a prominent role on the transportation conference negotiations.

”Here Kim has done something bad, plea-bargained felony charges down to a misdemeanor, and gotten off with a slap on the wrist,” Mr. Healy said. ”This gives a bad message: politicians can do these things and get away with it.”

The third challenger, Assemblyman Gary G. Miller, a 49-year-old real estate dealer, said in a telephone interview that after months of front-page headlines about Mr. Kim’s criminal case, ”the main issue now is that people find it hard to believe he is running again.”

Mr. Kim denied the charges during four years of newspaper and criminal inquiries into his campaign, and then pleaded guilty, asking that his sentencing be delayed until after the primary.

In what prosecutors termed the largest case of campaign finance violations in the nation’s history, Mr. Kim’s fund-raising committee was fined $170,000, while Mr. Kim still faces a House ethics inquiry and penalties that could include expulsion for accepting money from Korean and Taiwanese donors in his tiffany jewellery 1992 re-election campaign.

The Congressman drew little support from major newspapers, and ranking California Republicans are demanding that he resign.

”He wouldn’t be making public appearances even if he could come here,” Mr. Miller said. ”My polls show he couldn’t be in worse shape, with people saying they’ll vote for anyone but Kim.”

Mr. Miller has been emphasizing what he called the ”hypocrisy” of the Justice Department in allowing Mr. Kim to bargain the charges down to misdemeanors. Mr. Pierce said he had been emphasizing the broader issue of foreign donors’ seduction of politicians in both parties through illegal contributions.

”It’s a deadly serious issue, an ominous trend in politics,” Mr. Pierce said.

Waiting to face the primary victor in the general election is Eileen R. Ansari, a City Council member and former mayor of Diamond Bar, one of the political centers of the district, which includes parts of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange Counties.

”I’m unopposed on the Democratic side,” Ms. Ansari said, ”and I’m just letting the Republicans do a pretty good job of beating up Kim.”.

A 55-year-old registered nurse and veteran politician, Ms. Ansari estimated that Mr. Kim rings had a ”theoretical shot” of winning the open Republican primary because Democrats were permitted to vote for him. Mr. Kim has been politicking heavily by mail, she said, with assertions of bringing jobs and public largesse to the district.

”And it’s a godsend for him not being here, because he’d have to answer a load of questions,” she said.

Ms. Williams, running Mr. Kim’s campaign and doubling as his surrogate, insisted that the incumbent would prevail despite being stigmatized as the lawmaker with an ankle bracelet.

”The way we’re handling this issue is that Mr. Kim is extremely sorry for what happened,” she said, ”But he admitted his faults, he’s serving his sentence, and we’re proceeding forward.”