Things and Stuff: 01/25/01

Notes from our business community
- and everywhere else

COMFORT INN OF SYLVA ...

is featured this week in our Business Spotlight. See their color ad on the back of this section and find out about the many services the inn makes available to the community. This week marks the return of our popular spotlight page, which appears every other week, and a number of new adverstisers are included.

APPLE REALTY ...

of Dillsboro has added color and expanded its real estate listings this week. See their full-page ad on page 2C.

ALLISON'S CHEVROLET-OLDS-JEEP ...

recently honored Robert Shephard of Sylva for 28 years of service. He has two grown children, Vincent and Diana.

THOSE WISHING TO DONATE ...

items for disaster relief to victims of the recent El Salvador earthquake may take items to the Sylva Wal-Mart on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2 and 3.

RON YOWELL ...

area director of Smoky Mountain Center for Mental Health, will retire Feb. 1. A reception will be held in his honor on Wednesday, Jan. 31, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the SMC administrative office in Webster. The agency has appointed co-area directors to replace Yowell. Effective Feb. 1, Joe Ferrara and Tom McDevitt will implement a new management structure. Ferrara and McDevitt have a combined 16 years of leadership with SMC.

A VALENTINE'S DAY ...

Gourmet Dinner Train will depart Dillsboro at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14. It's a real "sweetheart" deal offered by Great Smoky Mountains Scenic Railroad. For more information, see their ad in this issue.

GRAN TORINO ...

will appear in concert Saturday, Feb. 3, at 10 p.m. in the University Center at Western Carolina University. For information, call 227-7206. Tickets are available at the UC or at In Your Ear in downtown Sylva.

FOR THE FIRST TIME ...

in nearly a decade, Girl Scout cookie boxes have a whole new look. As Girl Scouts gear up to use the decision-making, money management and goal-setting skills they learn as a result of participating in the annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale, they will have a new marketing tool - the boxes themselves. Emphasizing the investment consumers make in a girl's future by purchasing Girl Scout cookies, each box now says, "You'd be surprised what a Girl Scout cookie can build: Strong values, strong minds, strong bodies, strong spirit, strong friendships, strong skills, strong leadership, strong community."

"Since they first began, the Girl Scout Cookie sales have focused on helping girls to learn real skills that help them succeed in life," said Girl Scout historian Mary Levey. "Many of today's successful women credit Girl Scout Cookie sales with helping them develop their business and communication skills."

Local Girl Scouts are currently taking orders for cookies, which cost $3 per box. If you would like to buy cookies, but have not been approached by a Girl Scout, several local troops are planning booth sales during February and March.

KINDERMUSIK ...

of Cullowhee will begin classes Jan. 30 for children age birth to 7 years. To register, call Lori Richards at 293-9230.

EDWARD JONES ...

will offer a broadcast for individual investors Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 5 p.m. Titled "Social Security Is Not Enough," the broadcast will be a live, interactive program via Edward Jones' private satellite network. To reserve a seat, or for additional information, call local representative Graeme McGufficke at 586-2292 or visit the firm's web site at www.edwardjones.com.