Things and Stuff: 03/06/03

Notes from our business community
- and everywhere else

DOGWOOD CRAFTERS...

will open next Thursday, March 13, for its 27th season. The craft cooperative will host Business After Hours Wednesday, March 12, at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 586-2248 or visit online at www.dogwoodcrafters.com.

ALLSTATE INSURANCE CO. ...

has recognized agent Ron Heflin for superior achievement in auto, property, commercial and life insurance sales in 2002. Heflin, who has also achieved high standards in customer satisfaction, customer retention and profitability, has been designated a "Chairman's Conference" qualifier because of the dedication he demonstrates in serving and protecting customers.

In addition to the Chairman's Conference Award, Heflin received the Financial Services Leader Award and the Top Agency of the Year Award in his territory.

"It's a tremendous honor to receive these awards," says Heflin. "We work hard to make sure we take care of the needs of our customers, by offering more choices than ever before. Our agency's goal is to become an important part of our customer's lives, and give them more choices and options to aid them in planning for their future."

Heflin's Allstate agency is located at 274 Marsh Lilly Drive in Sylva. Contact him at 631-9455 or by email at A094638@Allstate.com.

POET KAY BYER...

of Cullowhee and Cherokee storyteller Freeman Owle will participate in a literary festival this weekend in downtown Athens, Ga., and on the University of Georgia campus. Byer, born and raised in South Georgia, has lived in Jackson County for more than 30 years. Her most recent collection of poems, "Catching Light," is based on a series of photographs by Louanne Watley of Chapel Hill.

Almost all festival events are free and open to the public. In addition to readings and panels, there will be an open-air book fair during the day on Saturday, an open mic night featuring students from UGA's Creative Writing Department and a poetry slam.

DONATIONS....

for Swan Brooner, 9, and Devon Brooner, 7, children of Robin Browne of Cullowhee, who died last week, may be sent to Jackson County Department of Social Services, 538 Scotts Creek Road, Suite 200, Sylva, N.C. 28779. Designate on the checks that the money is for the Brooner children and send donations to the attention of Mary Derks or Jolene Fox.

CITY LIGHTS...

will celebrate Women's History Month Saturday, March 8, with a special children's storytime at 11 a.m. devoted to books about strong women and girls. While at City Lights you may enter a drawing to win an American Girls Kaya Doll.

SOUL INFUSION...

Tea House & Bistro will offer the following performances during March:

Friday, March 7 - Jeffrey Hyde Thompson, Asheville singer/songwriter.

Saturday, March 8 - Ashley Chambliss, Cullowhee pianist/songwriter.

Friday, March 14 - Ami Worthen's Mad Tea Party with Jason Krekel (of Larry Keel Experience, Snake Oil Medicine Show and Hula Cats).

Saturday, March 15 - Brianna Lane, Asheville singer/songwriter.

Friday, March 21 - Jay and Mandy Carter, Asheville folk/rock duo.

Saturday, March 22 - Tad Dreis.

Friday, March 28 - Dana Robinson.

Saturday, March 29 - Meghan Cary.

For more information, check www.soulinfusion.com or call Soul Infusion at 586-1717.

STEVE ALLEN...

of the Sylva Post Office asked us to share the following information with our readers.

Did you know that even though automation of the U.S. Postal Service has opened the door to unmatched speed and accuracy in the handling of your mail, your personal touch and attention to complete addressing is now more important than ever? Letters today speed through optical scanners and sorters. Reading the key information not only could slow the processing of a letter, it could even cause it to be misdelivered.

Common omissions that case delays or misdeliveries include:

- Missing or incomplete street suffixes such as Ave., Ct., St., Rd. or Way. Maple Street and Maple Court could have similar street numbers.

- Missing directionals such as N., S., etc. Monument Blvd. E. could be delivered by a different post office than the one that delivers to Monument Blvd. W., for example.

- Missing secondary street indicators such as Apt., Bldg., Floor, St., Room, PMB (private mail box), or Dept. These address elements are critical to efficient delivery. Even though your letter carrier tries to make the correct delivery, lobby directories are not always up-to-date.

- Abbreviation of city names. People living in some towns across the country use their own "shorthand" when writing the names of certain cities. L.A. might mean Los Angeles, but what if the letter really belongs in Los Alamitos or Los Alamos? "CFO" could mean Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, or Chagrin Falls, Ohio. And, "F'burg" might mean Fredericksburg to some people but Fitchburg to others. So, spell out the complete city.

- Missing state. Remember to include the state, using the standard, two-character state abbreviation. You may think Cleveland is sufficient if you live in Ohio, but there is also a Cleveland, Ga., and a Cleveland, Tenn. In fact, there are cities or towns named "Cleveland" in 19 states.

- Incorrect or no ZIP Code. You'll find a reference copy of the "National Five-Digit ZIP Code and Post Office Directory in your local post office lobby. Zip codes can also be obtained online at the USPS web site, www.usps.com or by telephone by calling 1-800-275-8777.

Remember, complete addressing keeps your letters from getting lost or misdirected.