Services Spot Hidden Gems Among the Junk

By admin | Published: September 7, 2010

Curious to know if an old knickknack is an antique or just junk?

With online appraisers, customers don’t have to tote in their objects (tough, especially if it’s a bulky piece of furniture), because the services use photos to help value each antique. Online appraisals can come in handy for estate and insurance purposes, or for getting a second opinion before purchasing an antique.

We tested five sites where a single appraisal costs up to $20 and takes one to eight days to complete. The items appraised were a pair of vintage diamond and black onyx earrings bought in the 1940s, a 19th century gilded Meissen porcelain bowl bought in 1947 at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, and a vintage Olivetti Valentine typewriter. Each appraisal included its estimated value as well as additional information about our items, such as history and care instructions.

In most instances, we uploaded detailed photos of three items to the website and included information we had available for each object. Appraisal results were mixed. For example, auction values for the earrings varied by as much as $625. "You could ask five appraisers [for] five values and get 15 answers,tiffany cuff Links sale," says Leon Castner, director of education at the International Society of Appraisers and a partner in an appraisal firm in Hope, N.J. He examined our photos and then vetted the other five appraisals that we received.

Mr. Castner points out that it’s important to understand what type of value is listed in the quote. An auction or fair market value, for example, is significantly higher than quick sale value, which is what an item would yield at a pawn shop, he says.

Value My Stuff Now Ltd., a London company, was the simplest to use and provided the fastest results. Our photos uploaded quickly and we only needed to fill out a few lines of information for each item. Company founder Patrick van der Vorst says detailed photos are often the most useful. Providing too much information from the customer can potentially confuse an appraiser, says Mr. van der Vorst.

Less than a day later, we received PDFs of our valuation reports in an email along with an embeddable eBay code in case we wanted to include it with a listing on the auction site. Our earrings were valued between $600 to $800; the typewriter $70 to $100; and the bowl $100 to $150.

Our typewriter and bowl were close to Mr. Castner’s recommendations, while the earrings are probably worth less because there is very little precious material, he says. Mr. Castner says the typewriter’s auction value is $175. He gave a value of $200 for the bowl and $250 for the earrings.

At WhatsItWorthToYou.com, a Perth, Canada, site, instructions were clear but photos took a minute or so to upload. Two of our appraisals came back within a day. To view our results, we had to log back into the website, which required remembering our username and password. We were informed that the earrings hadn’t been appraised within the allotted 72 hours. More than a week later, we were still waiting for an appraisal for the earrings. (Founder Erik Kafrissen says in rare instances appraisals take longer.) Our bowl had an auction value of $435 with a $725 replacement cost. The typewriter was valued at $175 with a $800 replacement cost. (Replacement costs tend to be higher for hard-to-find items.)

Appraisals for the typewriter and bowl were mostly accurate but their replacement costs were too high, says Mr. Castner.

After paying $39.95 for three appraisals at AuctionWally.com, we simply sent our photos and descriptions via email. We found a lack of submittal form less convenient because we weren’t sure which information to include. (Professional appraiser and founder Walt Kolenda says there’s no need for a submittal form since he fields all requests.)

Within two days we were provided links to our appraisals via email. Mr. Kolenda also publishes appraisals on his site (unless asked not to) in order to help others looking for auction advice. Mr. Castner says the earrings,rings, priced at a retail value of $250, were a fair assessment. The bowl and typewriter were priced higher than he recommended, at retail values of $450 and $550, respectively.

Ask a Worthologist, a service from collectibles database Worthpoint.com, gave us accurate appraisals but was the least convenient to use. Estimates took about a week to return (the site says results can take as long as seven business days). At $20 an item, this was the most expensive service. After submitting our photos,tiffany bracelets clearance, we didn’t receive confirmation that the appraisal was being processed, which meant we had to follow up on our own. (A confirmation email will soon be available, says founder Will Seippel.)

The appraisal for the gilded bowl,thanksgiving necklaces, priced at an auction value of $200, was most accurate, says Mr. Castner. The earrings’ valuation of $175 to $275 was also accurate. The valuations of the typewriter, valued $200 to $355, and earrings featured a useful list of comparable items that were previously sold on eBay.

We also posted our items on instappraisal.com, a free service that uses site member feedback to help with the appraisal process. Membership is open to the public, but the site says its own appraisers may weigh in. After more than a week, only the gilded bowl contained a comment with an appraisal. The identification and $200 price tag for the bowl is fairly accurate, says Mr. Castner. Of course, holding out for longer can yield more comments from the site’s expert members.

While there were some discrepancies between pricing, most of the appraisals were in the same range for at least one of the items. Besides the variety in pricing, there are other drawbacks.

Establishing fakes can be difficult with just a photo. Appraisers at WhatItsWorthToYou.com and AuctionWally.com pointed out that the emblem on the back of our porcelain Meissen bowl is frequently imitated. We would have received a more definite answer if the item were available to examine, says Mr. Castner. And some online appraisals aren’t accepted for more official requirements like insurance purposes so it’s important to check with the insurer,tiffany bracelets for sale, Mr. Castner says. He also recommends checking the company’s credentials to get a more accurate appraisal.

Of course there’s the intrinsic value too. It was shocking to find that the bowl — a precious family heirloom — isn’t that valuable after all. (See accompanying table — WSJ Aug. 19, 2010)

Posted in pendants | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Candlewood Suites hosts benefit concert

By admin | Published: September 7, 2010

Candlewood Suites will help fight cancer with a free outdoor benefit concert.

Wage the Fight will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 2 at the hotel, featuring the classic rock sounds of local band Minimum Wage. The event will include concessions from WhaBah Steakhouse and Culver’s, an inflatable bounce house, a speed-pitch game and an appearance by Bowling Green Hot Rods mascots Axle and Roscoe. There will also be a corn hole tournament for $10 a person and a silent auction with items including a $500 Body Works Chiropractic gift card, $500 gold earrings from Jewelry Barn, a single Bowling Green Hot Rods game suite rental during the 2011 season,tiffany keys, makeup from Mary Kay Cosmetics, artwork by local artist Misha Ambrosia,discount tiffany key rings, $200 in products and grooming services from Pet Shop, a $100 gift certificate to Trent Bedding and more.

Proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society,bangles, which, according to its website at www.leukemia-lymphoma.org, is a national voluntary health agency dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and to improving the quality of life of patients and their families.

Organizers got the idea for the event because local Candlewood Suites general manager Kacie Hood has a 27-year-old sister, Lindsay Rushman, who is in remission and receiving chemotherapy, said hotel director of sales Dianna Fuda.

"She was diagnosed two months ago with leukemia,tiffany earrings sale," she said. "We’re hoping Lindsay will be able to make it (to the concert)."

Fuda said she hopes a lot of people attend the concert.

"We want to reach out to the entire community in hopes that they come out and support it," she said. "We want to raise awareness to what the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is doing every day."

– For more information,earrings, call 270-320-2429 or search for the free benefit concert under Candlewood Suites Bowling Green on Facebook.

Credit: Daily News, Bowling Green, Ky.

Posted in rings | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

American India Foundation Galas Build a Platform f

By admin | Published: September 6, 2010

The American India Foundation (AIF) is rolling out the red carpet for its 4th Annual Gala on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame. AIF has hosted similar events in New York, Chicago, and Dallas earlier this year, bringing its total raised since 2001 to $44 million. The Bay Area Gala will attract a host of Silicon Valley companies, prominent business leaders, VCs and entrepreneurs as they join Indo-centric individuals and organizations across the country to affect sustainable development solutions for India’s disadvantaged communities. AIF boasts a notable roster of supporters including Honorary Chair President Bill Clinton, U.S. Advisory Council Chair Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, multinationals like Advanced Micro Devices, Applied Materials, Intel Corporation, Adobe Systems, Silicon Valley Bank,tiffany bangle, New York Life etc. to name a few.

AIF’s Galas are building momentum across the U.S. for active participation in strategic, India-focused philanthropy. The organization plans to raise at least $2 million at the Bow Ties & Bangles, Fall Benefit Gala to support its education, livelihood, and public health initiatives in India.

"In the current environment of increased engagement between India and the US on both economic and political fronts, we are particularly excited to see the wide ranging collection of individuals, foundations, and corporations from across the US partnering with AIF as we leverage philanthropic support, combined with business acumen, to invest in sustainable social interventions that serve vast numbers of poor in India," says AIF President Lata Krishnan.

This year, the AIF Leadership Award will be given to John Chambers, Chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems, for his leadership, entrepreneurial endeavors and deep commitment to corporate social responsibility. The award is in recognition of Mr. Chambers’ leadership role in technology and Cisco’s commitment to making access to the Internet available across socio-economic divides.

"It is an honor to be recognized for this award,cheap tiffany earrings," said John Chambers. "Giving back to the global community is something I’ve always believed is our responsibility, and is a principle at the heart of Cisco’s culture. It’s not about right or wrong; it’s about doing what is needed and making a difference."

Emmy-winning, NBC11 Sports Anchor Raj Mathai will emcee the evening which will feature a casino-like cocktail reception, awards ceremony, gourmet dinner and a melange of live entertainment and dancing.

Details on table sponsorships and contribution levels can be found at http://www.aifgala.org. For media passes and interviews,thanksgiving day 2010, please contact Mythili Sankaran: mythili.sankaran@aif.org.

About AIF

The American India Foundation (AIF) is a leading international development organization charged with the mission of accelerating social and economic change in India. AIF awards grants to education, livelihood, and public health projects in India — with emphases on elementary education, women’s empowerment,money clips, and HIV/AIDS, respectively.

AIF also administers two programs: (1) Service Corps, which develops young American leaders by placing them with Indian non-profits based on skills and need and (2) Digital Equalizer, which bridges the "digital divide" by providing computers, Internet,tiffany key rings on sale, and training to under-resourced schools.

Posted in necklaces | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Pat Benatar to tour with The Bangles

By admin | Published: September 6, 2010

BENATAR

SYDNEY,bangles, July 8 AAP – Grammy Award winning rocker Pat Benatar has announced a tour of Australia with ’80s girl-band The Bangles.

The Love Is A Battlefield singer will play five capital cities between October 20-31 as part of an all-American nostalgia trip.

Recognisable for her spandexed stage persona and dark eye make-up,tiffany Pendants on sale, Benatar became a pioneering figure of female-fronted power rock during the 1980s.

She won an unprecedented four Grammy Awards in consecutive years between 1980 to 1983,buy tiffany rings, while three of her albums went gold.

The 57-year-old has since toured almost non-stop with husband and guitarist Neil Giraldo,Thanksgiving surprise gift, peppering crowds with retro hits like Heartbreaker and Hit Me With Your Best Shot.

Joining them in Australia will be pop favourites The Bangles who filled dance floors in the mid-1980s with upbeat hits such as Walk Like An Egyptian and the Prince-penned Manic Monday.

They later scored a massive worldwide hit with the weepy anthem Eternal Flame.

Pat Benatar and The Bangles will play the following dates,tiffany bangles on sale, with tickets going on sale from July 19.

* October 20 – Brisbane Convention Centre

* October 21 – Sydney Entertainment Centre

* October 24 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre

* October 26 – Melbourne Palais Theatre

* October 27 – Melbourne Palais Theatre

* October 28 – Perth Sandalford Estate, Swan Valley

AAP rp/nl 08-07 1043

Posted in bracelets | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Glittering Bangles, Dark Lives

By admin | Published: September 6, 2010

Hyderabad (Women’s Feature Service) – Naeemunnisa, 38, walks rapidly down the narrow lane,tiffany ring, nimbly avoiding the puddles. The winding lane is filled with haphazardly parked two-wheelers, clotheslines, small washing areas, huge containers of water and cement bags. Naeem, as she is fondly known, is rushing off to work, just three streets away from her home. She is late and is concerned about the full days’ work that awaits her.

Naeem is one of the thousands of workers in the Old City of Hyderabad, who earn a livelihood by making lac bangles. Lac is the natural resin derived from the Kerria lacca insect. These craftspersons are part of the unorganised sector, working out of small units, usually within the confines of a house. In fact, most bangle units are family affairs. In some cases, as with Naeem,shop for tiffany bracelets, members of different families may join forces and work together. "I used to work from home when my husband and brother-in-law made bangles. Now they have switched to construction work. So I go to a friend’s place and chip in there," explains Naeem,

Hyderabad is well known for its traditional, bright lac bangles that are sold in shops in the historic Laad Bazaar, also known as Chudi (bangle) Bazaar, adjacent to the city’s monumental landmark,tiffany necklaces for sale, the Charminar. Most shopkeepers sell the bangles loose, so that the customer can make the set as per choice.

While the thick bangles are sold in singles, the thin ones can be purchased in sets of six, 10 or 12. The shopkeepers commission the bangle-makers and the shiny, decorative jewellery is sold for outstanding profit margins.

But the profits are not passed onto the makers of these dazzling creations – one of the reason why many artisans, such as Naeem’s husband and brother-in-law, have given up the craft in search of a better livelihood. Dismal working conditions is another reason.

Bangle-making is a laborious process. Glue is melted in a ‘kadhai’ (wok) and lac powder, sourced from local markets,discount tiffany necklaces, is mixed into it and then kneaded into loose dough. The artisan then rolls the dough into a long bar. The lac bar is cooled so that it is stays in shape.

To make the bangle, a small lump of the bar is warmed and softened. Colour or gold powder is kneaded in until the lump resembles a gold nugget. Once again, it is heated over coals before a coat of gold or colour is applied. Strips are cut from the malleable bar that is rolled onto thin metal rings. The bangle is then mounted on a wooden instrument resembling a rolling pin to give it a rounded finish.

Once the bangles, in all their various shapes and sizes, have been crafted by the menfolk, they are embellished with shiny artificial stones, beads, and glass fragments in a riot of patterns by the women, who meticulously affix each of these tiny pieces onto the warm, one-inch (or even less) lac base.

A basic set of bangles can be made in about 20 minutes. During the entire process, the material is repeatedly heated over coals so that it stays malleable. The melting and mixing is done on kerosene stoves.

This industry is all about small money. Over 180 bangles are crafted out of a kilogram of lac powder bought for Rs 350 (US$1=Rs39.45). The colours cost about Rs 200 a kg and can be used for almost 1,000 bangles. Even the tools are small; and the space required, limited.

Small money thus indicates that the craftspersons – who are paid a daily wage by the commissioning bangle-sellers – receive very little of the profits.

The men earn Rs 110 per day, less than the daily wage of an unskilled construction worker, which is Rs 150.

The women get an average of Rs 75 a day.

"Women who do the stone studding work on the lac bangles get Rs 75 per one set of bangles, eventually sold in the shops for Rs 2,000. It takes almost a day to complete the work and, usually, two or three women work together," clarifies Asad Baig,shop for tiffany money clips, an entrepreneur in the market.

"We are dependent on small-time businessmen to buy our products. Our business can grow only to the extent that theirs does. These arrangements have been in place over generations. I can’t violate them," admits Irfan Ali, a bangle-maker.

The meagre earnings are, in fact, the primary livelihood for most of the artisans in the area surrounding the Charminar, says Hyderabad-based conservation architect and planner Vasanta Sobha, 34, currently exploring the possibility of a project to bring bangle artisans under a single roof in the interest of effective marketing.

Sobha draws attention to the fact that the bangle-making industry is becoming unsustainable, with no wage improvement. "Artisans are forced to seek other avenues of income generation," she adds. An unhealthy work environment compounds poor wages.

Saramma, lives in a small courtyard complex in a 50 sq. yard plot, rather similar to a ‘chawl’ (shanty settlement). The building houses 14 families and more than 60 people share a bathroom. During the day, the tenements become workplaces, despite the space crunch.

Saramma chose to send her infant granddaughter to the baby’s maternal grandparents as "there was too much smoke and smell" in her home. "Bachche ke liye khatarnaak ho sakta hai, (it could be dangerous for the baby)," she says.

Ironically, while artisans are reluctant to have their children learn the craft, child labour does persist.

Children from neighbouring slums are engaged as trainees and paid only travel expenses to and fro from work.

The workers are largely illiterate. They have no retirement or old-age benefits. When in need of money, the traders loan them an amount and deduct it every week from their wages. "This is a typical example of the unorganised sector. Livelihood as long as they are working!" says Sobha.

Neither are there any standard rates for selling items in the main market. Regardless of how good a deal a seller strikes, the bangle-maker will get only his/ her nominal wages.

"There are some NGOs working for the betterment of their living conditions but I think better, bigger, more organised marketing facilities are the solution," says Sobha. Not just a livelihood option but even as a traditional craft, bangle-making needs to be kept alive, she adds.

Naeem’s family is the perfect case study that shows how a traditional craft can gradually fade into oblivion. With the men in her family seeking alternate employment and her children studying, Naeem is family’s last link with the traditional craft.

Posted in bangles | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Older and wiser, the ’80s pop divas are back, and

By admin | Published: September 6, 2010

Few groups captured the essence of 1980s popular music as well as The Bangles. The group that started in 1981 as a garage band with plenty of rough edges looking to emulate The Beatles and The Byrds became an emblem of all the decade ‘s musical excesses. By the mid- ’80s super-slick production, power ballads and synthesizers — not to mention plenty of big hair — accompanied the band ‘s rise to stardom.

Then in 1989,buy tiffany bangles, like an allegory for the era itself, The Bangles simply ceased to exist. The band broke up due to artistic differences as well as personality conflicts. In the 1990s, each Bangle went her separate way while the grunge backlash wiped out what was left of ’80s pop.

But another decade arrived. The 21st century brought back nostalgia and newfound appreciation for the synthesized sounds and supercharged hooks of the 1980s. And just like that The Bangles we ‘re back — writing, recording and playing live. Last Tuesday, a concert DVD "Return to Bangleonia " was released and prompted a 16-date tour that brings The Bangles to the Orpheum Theatre on Friday. Bangles ‘ drummer and vocalist Debbi Peterson spoke about the return.

State Journal: Watching the band on DVD and hearing your commentary, it seems like everything is easier for you now. Is it?

Peterson: Well, Maturity helps things. It ‘s still work. You still have to work at it and you still have to work at the relationships. When you have kids you just go "wow " being in a band is so much easier. Having kids is quite a tough job. I think we all opened our minds a little and we figured out that we know what to do. You can say no to things. You can talk things out and you don ‘t have to get so uptight. Older and wiser and all that.

State Journal: The new DVD was shot in 2000. What ‘s been happening since then?

Peterson: In 1999, we started writing again together and then we went overseas in 2001. In 2004, (bassist) Michael Steele left the band. She just wanted to do her own thing. We all have kids. We ‘re all moms, so we ‘ve been doing little batches of tours because it ‘s kind of hard to do the full-on eight-month tour. The DVD project has been in the works for years. We finally got it all together and got it out.

State Journal: So who is the new Bangle?

Peterson: Abby Travis. She ‘s been playing with us for a while now. She ‘s great. She adds a lot of rock to our set and is a total character. We really like her. She dresses up kind of kooky and is a really good bass player.

State Journal: There ‘s no mistaking a Bangles song when you hear it,tiffany key rings on sale, yet you ‘ve never had a problem playing music written by others.

Peterson: We ‘ve always been into doing covers. We like to write our own songs — that ‘s the preference — but we also like a lot of old ’60s songs and we didn ‘t want to just shut the door on covering songs. It ‘s kind of worked out that most of the big hits are somebody else ‘s songs. But I think we personalized them quite well and made them our own.

State Journal: For the song "Going Down to Liverpool " the video is on YouTube and features a grumpy looking Leonard Nimoy, who directed the clip.

Peterson: That was hilarious. It was a thrill to work with Spock. He was very professional and very quiet. YouTube is amazing. There are things I hadn ‘t even seen before that fans had done years ago.

State Journal: Your husband is British and on the DVD ‘s commentary it sounds like you ‘ve picked up some of his accent.

Peterson: I tend to pick up accents pretty easy, so there might be a little British accent in there. When (her sister and Bangle guitarist) Vicki and I were growing up, we used to recite "Hard Day ‘s Night " so there ‘s probably a little bit of that,tiffany money clip, too.

State Journal: What can people expect at (Friday ‘s) show?

Peterson: Expect a really good time. Don ‘t expect little wimpy girls because we like to rock out with a lot of vocals and gnarly guitar playing.

IF YOU GO

What: The Bangles with The Bridges

Where: Orpheum Thatre, 216 State St.

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Admission: $30

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com, www.orpheumtheatre.net

THE BANGLES: THROUGH THE YEARS

1981: Sisters Vicki and Debbi Peterson with Susanna Hoffs form a jangly folk-rock band. Early names are Colours, The Supersonic Bangs and The Bangs

1982: Change name to The Bangles, sign with Miles Copeland’s I.R.S. Records and release a self-titled EP.

1983: Original bassist Annette Zilinskas leaves band and is replaced by former member of The Runaways Michael Steele

1984: Full-length debut "Different Light" on Columbia Records features songs "Hero Takes a Fall" and "Going Down to Liverpool"

1988: Release album "Everything" and score first No. 1 hit with "Walk Like An Egyptian"

1989: "Eternal Flame" gives the band its biggest hit. Band first splits from manager Copeland, then splits up itself

1990: Release of "Greatest Hits"

1998: Band writes and records the song "Get the Girl" for the soundtrack to "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me"

2000: Reunite writing and recording new material and touring

2003: Release "Doll Revolution"

2004: Michael Steele leaves band; Abby Travis replaces her on bass

2007: Release reunion concert DVD "Return to Bangleonia" with 16-date support tour

ESSENTIAL BANGLES: THE HITS

"Hero Takes a Fall," 1984, written by Susanna Hoffs and Vicki Peterson

"Going Down to Liverpool," 1985, written by Kimberley Rew of Katrina and the Waves

"Manic Monday,shop for tiffany bracelets," 1986, written by Prince

"If She Knew What She Wants,tiffany money clips sale," 1986, written by Jules Shear

"Walk Like An Egyptian," 1986, written by Liam Sternberg

"Hazy Shade of Winter," 1987, written by Paul Simon

"In Your Room," 1988, written by Susanna Hoffs, Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg

"Eternal Flame," 1989, written by Susanna Hoffs, Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg

DID YOU KNOW? BANGLES TRIVIA

–The future bandmates first met over the phone on Dec. 9, 1980 — one day after the death of John Lennon.

–Susanna Hoffs was calling about a musician-wanted ad placed by guitarist Vicki Peterson’s roommate, but Vicki answered the phone.

–The band was forced to change its name from The Bangs to The Bangles after a New Jersey band by the same name threatened to sue.

–Leonard Nimoy directed and appeared in the video for "Going Down to Liverpool"

–Prince penned "Manic Monday" under the alias Christopher.

–"Walk Like An Egyptian" composer Liam Sternberg also wrote the theme to "21 Jump Street"

–Hoffs’ husband is film director Jay Roach ("Meet the Parents")

–"Walk Like An Egyptian" was on a list of songs deemed inappropriate by Clear Channel following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Posted in pendants | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Bangles, Melanie C, Joss Stone And More

By admin | Published: September 6, 2010

Celebrating a decade dedicated to supporting breast cancer research and awareness programs, Hard Rock International is proud to announce Melissa Etheridge, Oscar(R)( )and two-time GRAMMY(R)( )winner, breast cancer survivor and multi-platinum recording artist, as its official PINKTOBER(TM) program "Artist Ambassador." The global PINKTOBER program will also be supported by musicians, including The Bangles and Joss Stone in various events worldwide.

The 2009 PINKTOBER program marks the 10-year anniversary of Hard Rock’s support of raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. PINKTOBER includes a series of live music and fundraising events at Hard Rock establishments around the globe, and limited-edition merchandise designed to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.

The global launch, featuring Melissa Etheridge, begins on Monday, September 28th, with a three-day long series of interviews and performance based events designed to empower women and survivors. Tuesday, September 29th will feature a performance at Hard Rock Cafe New York, after which Melissa Etheridge will board Delta Air Lines’ "Pink Plane" and perform an acoustic rendition of her hit single "I Run for Life" for breast cancer survivors and fans as they travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in a breast cancer awareness symposium at Hard Rock Cafe Washington, D.C. the following day.

Each event is designed to engage consumers, celebrate survivors, raise awareness and drive funds towards research for the advancement of defenses against and treatments for this disease.

"I’m proud and excited to continue my collaboration with Hard Rock International’s PINKTOBER this year," said Melissa Etheridge. "This is Hard Rock’s 10th anniversary supporting global programs aimed towards breast cancer awareness and raising funds for worthy charities and organizations. Having experienced my own personal journey with breast cancer, I’m thrilled to bring my story and my music to support Hard Rock’s philanthropic efforts."

In addition to the program’s powerhouse kickoff, PINKTOBER will also feature live music events and appearances at local-market Hard Rock locations worldwide by other notable established and emerging acts throughout the Fall. The Bangles will perform at Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando, FL,tiffany bangle, and an amazing lineup of female acts will grace the stage at the U.K.’s Royal Albert Hall for Hard Rock’s PINKTOBER Presents: Women of Rock, including Melanie C, Joss Stone, Jamelia, Bonnie Tyler, Escala, Bananarama, Sharon Corr and Tulisa (N – Dubz), plus the leading ladies from the West End hit theatre show Mamma Mia. For the full 2009 Hard Rock PINKTOBER artist lineup please visit www.hardrock.com. All events will benefit breast cancer research and awareness organizations.

"We are proud to embark on our 10th year of helping find a cure for breast cancer," said Sean Dee, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Hard Rock International. "The answer is out there and together we’ll find it."

Rocking the Season’s Hottest Color

PINKTOBER also includes a not-to-be missed line of apparel and accessories that will benefit the cause. These PINKTOBER products, including a collector’s edition pin, t-shirt, keychain,discount tiffany Pendants, pink sheets and more, will be sold exclusively at Hard Rock properties worldwide, including Cafes, Hotels, Casinos and on www.hardrock.com. Proceeds from the sale of special limited-edition 2009 Hard Rock PINKTOBER merchandise will benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and other local breast cancer related charities, with 75% of the retail price of each pin and 15% of the retail price of each t-shirt, key chain, nightshirt and vest sold going directly to the cause.

About The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation(R) was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder as an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding innovative clinical and translational research. In October 2009, nearly $29 million will be awarded to 170 scientists across the United States and Europe and in Australia, Canada, Latin America and the Middle East. BCRF perseveres in directing at least 85 cents of every dollar raised directly to research. And for the eighth consecutive year, BCRF received Charity Navigator’s highest rating, four stars, thus outperforming over 99.9% of the 5,Atlas charm bracelet,400 evaluated charities, while the American Institute of Philanthropy has awarded BCRF its highest possible rating of A+. BCRF is the only breast cancer organization in the U.S. to receive these accolades. For more information, visit www.bcrfcure.org.

About Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines is the world’s No. 1 airline. From its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam and Tokyo-Narita, Delta, its Northwest subsidiary and Delta Connection carriers offer service to 376 destinations in 67 countries and serve more than 170 million passengers each year. Delta’s marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem either SkyMiles or WorldPerks on more than 16,000 daily flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta’s more than 70,000 employees worldwide are reshaping the aviation industry as the only U.S. airline to offer a full global network. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at delta.com.

About Hard Rock International

With a total of 156 venues in 52 countries, including 127 cafes and 11 Hotels/Casinos, Hard Rock International is one of the world’s most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago,thanksgiving cuff Links, San Diego, Tulsa, Pattaya, Bali and Macau. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Penang, scheduled to open in 2009; Singapore in 2010; Palm Springs, Atlanta and Panama, scheduled to open in 2011; Hungary, Dubai and Abu Dhabi,thanksgiving bracelets, scheduled to open in 2012. Hard Rock International is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, visit www.hardrockhotels.com. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.

Posted in pendants | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Perfect Gentlemen provide the perfect music lesson

By admin | Published: September 5, 2010

It took just under 45 minutes for the Perfect Gentlemen quartet to zip through 100 years of music during a recent special performance for students from Sierra Madre Elementary School.

"That was so much fun,tiffany earrings clearance," appreciative second-grader Kemesha Moore said at the show’s conclusion.

The Perfect Gentlemen — Dan Jordan, Tim Reeder, Jim Campbell and Phil Gold — belong to the Los Angeles Music Center’s "Music Center On Tour" educational program.

The quartet, all former Disneyland employees, formed 12 years ago and regularly performs at schools throughout the San Gabriel Valley, Jordan said.

They revise and tweak their repertoire, depending on the ages of the students, he said.

Sierra Madre Elementary teacher Lisa Martinez said the school’s five second-grade classrooms held a drawing to determine who would get to see the performance at the Sierra Madre Playhouse last week.

"All the teachers put our names in a hat — and we won," she said.

The quartet introduced 44 second-graders to different styles of music while teaching them a little about melody,tiffany, pitch, harmony and rhythm. There were also frequent costume changes, some student participation, and plenty of zany jokes tossed into its show.

The group sang as a barbershop quartet to illustrate the music of the early 1900s, discussed the vaudeville era,necklaces, then sailed through the blues, doo-wop,buy tiffany, surf music, disco, techno and, finally, rap music. They used skits to introduce each musical genre.

For the surf music era,buy tiffany necklaces, the quartet donned brightly-colored Hawaiian shirts; shaggy wigs went on when the group celebrated disco music. Reeder told the students that in all musical forms, the key elements are "music, pitch, melody and rhythm."

There was one final lesson:

"Always make music a part of your life," said Reeder.

caroline.an@sgvn.com

(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4494

Posted in earrings | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Hubler’s down-to-earth approach has even meat-and-

By admin | Published: September 5, 2010

As the automobile industry struggles to maintain a healthy bottom line, Melissa Hubler, the group leader of payroll & benefits, strives to spread wellness to hardened assembly workers at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA).

Convincing a group of typically middle-aged men who work 10-hour days on their feet to take a walk after hours is no easy task, but Hubler has the employees at SIA flexing their muscles and toning their financial understanding – which is exactly why she’s been named the winner of the first-ever VSP "GetFit" Benny Award.

Wellness infiltrates all areas of the company as Hubler and her team strives to revolutionize the company’s culture. For example, SIA provides 90/10 beef in the cafeteria with a subtle, often unnoticed,tiffany clearance, sign, "courtesy of the wellness program."

Alternately, when the company wellness cart passes through the assembly lines to pass out information on smoking cessation, Hubler and team really are sticking their necks out. Nevertheless, the feedback they have received has been gracious and thankful. In addition, quite a few chronic diseases have been nipped in the bud at SIA’s onsite occupational clinic, where associates can receive a free complete physical including biometric laboratory screenings once every two years.

One step at a time

When Hubler introduced SIA’s wellness program, the company had 89.6% of 2,800 full-time employees lined up to complete a health risk assessment. What brought workers out in droves? Time had been carved out for workers to take the health assessments during their work shift.

"At first [the program] was purely meant to pique the interest of our associates; we wanted them to become interested and participate in the program so we made it very easy to do so. Our first year, we took time off the production line for every associate to complete an HRA and then we gave them with a cash contribution to their FSA for doing so," explains Hubler.

Next,tiffany on sale, the team turned its attention toward results, requiring employees to complete three steps to earn a $200 contribution to their flexible spending accounts. The three stages are:

1. Completing all age- and gender-relevant screenings and exams, as defined by the American Health Association. SIA made nearly all of the tests available onsite, except mammogram, testicular and dental exams.

Each year employees have the option of filling out a questionnaire or completing a biometric screening. Workers then receive a 20-page break down of the state of their health. Thanks to Hubler’s efforts, 64% of SIA associates cleared this step.

2. Earning 50 wellness points in disease and illness prevention activities or educational programs. Employees can take online disease management classes or participate in a coaching program at SIA’s wellness center, occupational clinic or health insurer, all onsite.

Employees also can earn points by taking advantage of the onsite recreation center – complete with certified fitness instructors at no charge to the employee and their family.

There also are weight and nutrition programs, which Hubler and her team are considering expanding upon in the coming years.

Associates also may earn points through participation in the company’s Financially Fit Program,discount tiffany key rings, which is most dear to Hubler’s heart.

"The Financially Fit Program is important to me because I see the progress we are making in health and wellness, which is aimed to help our Associates live longer, healthier and more productive lives," she says."It is designed to help Associates prepare themselves financially so they can afford to live longer."

The company has monthly "workouts," where they invite financial experts from investment management firms, banks, law firms and Purdue University to give seminars covering topics like the ABCs of the 401(k), debt management and health-care consumerism.

Workers can complete their requirements for stage two by investing in a 401(k), setting up their paychecks for direct deposit and participating in voluntary financial benefit programs including free investment advice.

Hubler feels that these offerings are just as important as the healthy lifestyle initiatives.

"Having the unique opportunity to oversee both benefit and payroll functions at my company, the data shows me that associates in financial distress more often than not suffer stress related illnesses and/or incur stress related absenteeism leading me to conclude that one’s financial well-being is in many cases directly related to one’s physical well-being," she says.

"To invest in a wellness program without a financial wellness component would be like offering health insurance benefitswithout a prescription drug benefit; it would just be incomplete."

3. Being smoke-free. As long as employees make a concerted effort they can complete this stage which includes onsite tobacco cessation courses and covers 100% of all smoking-cessation medication, including Chantix and the nicotine patch.

Changing culture, minds,tiffany bracelets clearance, bodies

"Rather than it being about getting the cash reward and incentive, hearing people tell of the success they’ve had and how much better they feel" has been the most promising development in their wellness program,shop for tiffany bracelets, boasts Hubler.

Hubler advises that employers "really try to keep [the message] out there, be persistent, and recognize that change is difficult for employees, but that over time they’ll come around.

It’s tough, it’s a cultural change for companies but persistence and patience and really listening to their employees and what their needs are and what keeps them from participating if they are not doing so already is key."

Hubler has encouraged the SIA employees to step out of line once in a while, enjoy a walk on one of the company trails or take an hour from their busy schedule to visit a health caregiver.

With her efforts she has reformulated company culture and employee paradigms. She’s succeeded in cultivating a support system and wellness plan for employees in the midst of their trek toward a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.

Posted in bracelets | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Wild concept carries a whiff of greatness

By admin | Published: September 5, 2010

People have been known to call Allen Mobley crazy. "I’ve been called a lot worse," he said, throwing back his head, his long ponytail dipping down his back, to laugh a full-throated crazy-man laugh.

And, frankly, it did seem a little loopy to convert the red horse barn behind his house on Ninevah Road into a factory for Kentucky Gentlemen Cigars Co. And that six-week trip he took to the Dominican Republic, where he stayed in a 300-square-foot house on the side of a mountain, to learn how to hand-roll cigars. Well, crazy, some say. (His wife, Carol, came back after two weeks. "I’d had enough,watches," she said.)

And the idea that, soon, his hand-rolled, Kentucky Proud cigars will be packaged with a designer-label cognac launched by rapper Chris "Ludacris" Bridges last month in Bordeaux, France — well, you get the picture.

"Allen is a very unique person, and he comes up with some wild ideas," said John Cook, Kentucky Gentlemen Cigars’ director of sales and marketing. The Moonshine cigar, which is blended with a kiss of white lightning? "I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh, what are you doing?’ " Cook said.

But just like many seemingly zany ideas, Mobley’s might just work.

Mobley, his wife and a small crew churn out 7,000 cigars a month. Mobley says, within a year, that number could easily rise to 12,000. He predicts the company could produce as many as 1 million cigars "from right here."

"Here" would be the red barn, formerly home to the family horse, Lady, who still sometimes sticks her head through the window in search of an apple.

A picture of a smiling, bikini-clad bombshell, Brooke Burns, adorns one wall, kitty-corner from pictures of various Mobley ancestors standing in their tobacco fields, sensibly dressed. There are antique tobacco baskets on the wall,thanksgiving rings, the spear Mobley used in the fields as a boy, a pale gray leather chair and ornate metal ashtray that used to be his grandfather’s perch in the tobacco warehouse he owned. Amid the homage to heritage, there are Dallas Cowboys hangings and an array of liquors and whiskey barrels along the walls.

All this a backdrop to the small space, roughly the size of a mid-size open-plan living room, where cigars are rolled, blends are created, cedar boxes are assembled and the store is open most weekdays.

So how did this come to be?

Mobley, 63, had long roots in Kentucky tobacco fields but, as a young man, he "couldn’t get out of here fast enough," he says.

He worked as a contractor in Florida, had his business blown away by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, owned a bar in Las Vegas for a time, ended up in California, again working as a contractor, met Carol, 25 years his junior, and fell in love. They moved back home to Kentucky after the birth of their 10-year-old twins,shop for tiffany bracelets, Cody and Setera, so they could raise them on a little plot of their own non-coastal land. It is also home to five dogs, seven cats and Lady the horse.

Originally, Mobley’s plan was to start a winery. But, inspired by the thousands of dollars he and his buddies spend on cigars during an annual saltwater fishing trip,tiffany necklaces for sale, he decided to do try that business instead.

That was about five years ago. And while things have moved ahead at a pretty good clip, he takes pains to point out that while "this all sounds like it’s easy, it hasn’t been."

He has been stopped twice by airport police who have relieved him of the Cuban tobacco seeds he was trying to bring into the country. (He eventually got his seeds — embargoed by the federal government when coming directly from Cuba but allowable in other ways — by mailing them to himself from the Dominican Republic.) It can be a challenge to find the South American leaves that he needs to make his products, and Kentucky traditionalists have not easily embraced growing a variety of tobacco suited for cigars.

Plus, because he is one of the few producers of hand-rolled cigars in the country and the only one he knows of in the state, "if you run into a problem, it may take you six to eight months to get to a resolution," he says.

But Mobley is undeterred. The secret, he said, is all in the blending of just the right tobacco with just the right flavors. The tobacco leaves are aged in bourbon barrels, which, he said, leeches out the toxins and adds just the hint of bourbon flavor. He creates more blends that don’t work than those that do. His wife will occasionally pipe up with something like "that smells horrible, we can’t do that" and he knows he must stop.

His secret weapon is a squirt bottle he uses to spray the main liquid ingredient, usually of the alcoholic type, into his mouth. The misting replicates the kiss of flavor you’d get when you inhaled an infused cigar. "It just covers the whole palette," he said. And if you are in the shop/factory, he’s happy to give you a squirt to show what he means.

In the past year, Kentucky Gentlemen Cigars, complete with a photo of their tobacco decorated Christmas tree, was featured in the Tobacconist, the official publication of the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association. The company also had its mint julep cigar favorably reviewed in Smoke magazine.

And then there is the Ludacris deal, brokered during a weeklong stay by Cook and Mobley in Miami negotiating with the makers of Conjure cognac. A specially blended,cheap tiffany bangles, cognac-inspired, hand-rolled cigar will be sold in specially designed gift boxes that will include a bottle of the cognac, shot glasses, a cigar cutter and cigars. The rapper, who owns a restaurant in Atlanta, will hawk it online.

"It’s been an adventure," Mobley said, with a grin.

Wife Carol, who has worked with him in the shop daily since the beginning, has the look of a woman who could stand for fewer thrills. Earlier during a recent visit she could be heard on the phone saying of her husband of more than a decade: "I don’t know when you are going to stop assuming he tells me what he is supposed to tell me." But she smiles when she talks about his manic genius and his gift for ideas. Sometimes, she knows by experience, you’ve just got to hang on for a while.

She says, "I didn’t really start to believe it was going to work until about a year ago."

Posted in bangles | Tagged , , | Leave a comment