Things and Stuff: 12/12/02

Notes from our business community
- and everywhere else

SANTA CLAUS...

will spend the next two Friday nights in Sylva. Massie's Furniture will serve as St. Nick's headquarters during his planned downtown visits on Dec. 13 and 20.

IN YOUR EAR....

music store on Main Street has opened its long-awaited upstairs and expanded its inventory just in time for Christmas. If you're stuck for a gift idea, In Your Ear owner Lauren Calvert has added unique toys and games like a magnetic dart board, hand-blown and other decorative perfume bottles, lamps, night-lights and other home decor items and limited edition collectibles.

FOUR NEW CAROLS ...

will be sung by the 61-voice Western Carolina Community Chorus Friday, Dec 13, at 8 p.m. in the Coulter Building recital hall on the Western Carolina University campus. Composed by Jackson County musicians, the carols will serve as the grand finale for the chorus's 2002 musical Christmas gift to the community, according to conductor James Dooley. Admission to the program is free. For information, call 293-5589.

CAROLINA MOUNTAIN RIDERS...

a motorcycle club with several local members, recently completed a successful toy drive to help make Christmas brighter for area children. The club appreciates the generosity of all who participated in the drive.

KATIE STAFFORD...

of Whittier, "Miss Toys For Tots," will once again raise money at the Dillsboro Festival of Lights and Luminaries to make Christmas brighter for area children. Katie will sell hot chocolate, cider and cookies in front of the Cheddar Box during the luminaries this Friday and Saturday. Her goal this year is to raise $500 to buy toys for children in need.

KEVIN WELLS....

area vice president of First Citizens Bank and Trust has been elected to represent Jackson County on the board of directors of the Better Business Bureau of Asheville and Western North Carolina. He will begin his term in January.

LAURISSA HOYLE...

a senior at N.C. State University, has been inducted into Chi Epsilon, a national civil engineering society, and into Tau Beta Pi, a national engineering society. A 1999 graduate of Hendersonville High, Laurissa is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Hoyle of Sylva.

SOUL INFUSION...

Tea House & Bistro has announced the following free events, which are all open to all ages. Friday, Dec. 13, 9 p.m. - Singer Brianna Lane of Asheville will hold a CD release party in Sylva.

Saturday, Dec. 14, 9 p.m. - Open Mic Night. Bring an instrument and some friends and join the fun.

Thursday, Dec. 19, 7-9 p.m. - Last band of the season features a mix of blues, rock and self-described "polysonic mountain-brewed garage pop."

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

Donna Scott of Sylva, right, won a ladies diamond watch Saturday, Dec. 7, at Hollifield Jewelers in the first of three "Holiday Celebration" drawings to be held this month.

Another prize will be given away Dec. 14, and the last will be presented on Christmas Eve. With Scott is Ronnie Dennis of Hollifield's.