Crafty Goodness.
Halloween Trunk Show.
Noon-8 pm Saturday.(10/22)
Emidio and Sons Banquet Center.
48 E. Bath Road, Cuyahoga Falls.
Gemboree Fall Show amp; Sale.
Event includes demonstrations, jewelry, beading, crafts for kids and more. Food available.
10 am-6 pm Saturday-Sunday.(10/22-10/23)
$5; $4, seniors 55 and over and students; $1, for kids 7-14; free, kids 6 and under.
Evidence of the impact is seen in a report out this month showing shopping mall vacancies hit an 11-year high in the third quarter. Commercial real estate research firm Reis finds regional and super mall vacancies are up 9.4% in the three months ending Sept. 30 from 8.8% a year earlier. It marks the third quarter in a row of vacancy increases. More notably, it is the highest level since Reis began publishing the data in 2000. Reis took inventory of space by surveying shopping mall property managers across the country. The data encompassed more than 600 million square feet — or about 40% of the nations malls. Reis surveyed malls owned by both private owners and publically-traded Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). REITs own about two-thirds of the nations mall space. Nathan Isbee, who follows the shopping mall sector for Stifel Nicolaus, is seeing a different picture. Overall, he finds regional mall fundamentals are healthy. In fact, he said mall REIT tenant quality is probably the highest it has ever been. We estimate that 90% of mall based sales are transacted in REIT owned malls, where occupancies have risen for the last few years — especially at high productivity malls. said Isbee. The one exception is occupancy is declining at low quality malls. Retailers are taking a hard look at their space needs and are realizing that they dont need x stores in a given market and can generate the same sales levels with two fewer stores. The recent Gap store closure announcement highlights this trend. Isbee adds rent growth really depends on the quality of the mall. He said leasing leverage has swung back in favor of the landlords and they have been able to start increasing rents as leases are renewed in the stronger shopping destinations. Reis Senior Economist Ryan Severino acknowledges that REITs tend to own the highest quality malls in the inventory. So, he is not surprised to see others struggling more than what REITs are seeing. The middle of the retail market is really struggling. High-end luxury retailers arent really having a lot of issues. The affluent arent really suffering. If your bonus gets cut from $800,000 to $600,000, your quality of life wont be hurt so much, he said. Over the past year or two, Severino said he has seen a proliferation of non-traditional tenants in some retail buildings. The tenants include government offices, schools and religious organizations. These tenants are capitalizing on depressed rents. Britt Beemer, founder of consumer behavior research and strategic marketing firm Americas Research Group, has also been seeing challenges at the nations shopping malls. Beemer said many of them have been using clever tactics to disguise empty stores. Some of the malls last year would pick a store that was closed and offer free gift wrap there. Others would make them look like extensions of existing stores, said Beemer. There is a bullish case to make for lower rents. Struggling retailers hardships are creating opportunities for others — often on the mall operators dime. They include pop-up, seasonal stores that last only a few months — such as Halloween stores in former Blockbuster and Circuit City locations. In fact, Beemer said two-thirds of the Circuit City locations have not been leased yet. Plus, he said the growth of dollar stores is a direct correlation to occupancy rates. I hate to call them this, but these stores are moochers. They are able to go in and get a rate of 40 cents on the dollar sometimes, said Beemer. The cheaper occupancy rates are creating opportunities for newer retailers — and theyre coming in all different sizes. Womens clothing retailer Francescas is now in 41 states — after opening its first store in 1999. The retailer is still growing its chain. Another example is Cotton On, an apparel retailer, which made its debut in Australia in 1991. Cotton On has been aggressively growing its presence in the United States. And, Japanese casual clothing retailer UNIQLO is making its way to the US shoreline. It has been opening new stores in New York City this month. It has stores in eleven other countries. The expansion could be planting seeds of a new bull market in retail. If not, it could end up being red meat for fashion road kill in the ongoing struggling economy. Copyright 2011 CNBC.com.
Cinco Ranch Branch Library will hold a class on the art of beading on Monday, Oct. 17.
Donna Houston, from the Katy Bead Group, will demonstrate how to bead an earring, construct a stretchy bracelet and attach a clasp on a bracelet.
Additionally, samples of beadwork will be on display in the library throughout the month of October.
The program, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7 pm and Cinco Ranch Branch Library is located at 2620 Commercial Center Blvd. in Katy.
For more information, call the branch library at 281-395-1311 or the library’s Public Information Office at 281-341-2677.
GREEN BAY – Halloween is less than 2 weeks away! FOX 11s Emily Deem stopped by Lambeau Field Saturday morning to find some scary fun!
The Green Bay Packers will host two very popular Halloween-themed events this Saturday, Spooktacular Fun and Haunted Concourse .
Spooktacular Fun is free and open to the public and will be held in the Lambeau Field Atrium. It will be a fun, non-scary event the whole family can enjoy.
There will be interactive and entertaining musicians, magicians, jugglers, and more.
If you would like to head out to the Spooktacular Fun, go through the Miller Lite Gate on the north end of Lambeau Field, it will be open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday.
The Haunted Concourse will also be held on Saturday. Organizers of the event say the Haunted Concourse is designed for teens with a PG-13 rating and will be set in a darkened Lambeau Field concourse and feature scenes of high-tech shocks and horrors.
It will cost $2 to go through the Haunted Concourse, with all proceeds to benefit the Angel Fund for Children with Cancer. T
he Haunted Concourse is accessed through the Oneida Nation Gate on Lambeau Field’s east side.
Saturday Hours:
10:00 am to noon, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm and 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Organizers say lines may be cut off prior to the end times to ensure no unnecessary waits.
PITTSBURGH Its shopping time for the Devils, hit hard by another major injury at center, where they already are hurting most.
General manager Lou Lamoriello acknowledged this morning he will be looking to trade for a center, after losing Jacob Josefson for 3-4 months from surgery to repair the right collarbone he fractured in last nights 4-3 shootout loss to the Sharks in Newark.
Well see. Theres no question that if you can get a player that will help you, you do it, Lamoriello said. But you have to give up something to get something. If you add, you have to make sure what you subtract isnt more than you receive.
The works of international artist, Ani Afshar, has been chosen by the Hyde Park Art Center to be showcased in 2012 through a show entitled, Woven Gardens and Shredded Shadows. The show, to be presented from May 20 until September 2, 2012, will feature Afshar’s striking hand-woven tapestries and tulle veil designs as the primary focus of her exhibition at the Art Center, located at 5020 S. Cornell Avenue in Chicago’s historic Hyde Park neighborhood. The solo show will debut the never before seen artworks and installations created by Afshar since her return to weaving in 2007, presented alongside a small selection of the acclaimed tapestries she was known for producing in the 1990s.
Afshar’s history with the Hyde Park Art Center spans beyond 25 years, when she first taught at the renowned exhibition space. The Art Center presented her work in 1987 as part of a three-person exhibition organized by Richard Born, now Senior Curator of the Smart Museum, who then described her tapestries as “simultaneously utilitarian objects and works of independent beauty intended both for use and appreciation at the same time.” This rich foundation ignited interest by the Art Center to create this upcoming show now 25 years later. According to Allison Peters Quinn, Director of Exhibitions for the Art Center, “It’s always a proud moment when we get to feature faculty in an exhibition. Ani now teaches jewelry-making classes here at the Center and I’m sure many of these students from over the years will be surprised to learn of her depth of artistic talent.” She continues, “The monographic show is sure to illustrate the stylistic consistencies and remarkable bead work in her textile compositions from the 1990s to now. Ani has such a long history with the Art Center, it’s amazing to see how her passion for weaving has persisted throughout all these years of a successful career in jewelry design.”
Afshar’s multicultural upbringing inspires her beaded and woven masterpieces. Born in Istanbul, educated in Switzerland, and based in Chicago since 1975, Afshar draws on Eastern and Western traditions to craft her one-of-a-kind pieces. “When I was in kindergarten in Switzerland, I would create colorful, delicate flowers from the foils that covered the chocolate,” said Afshar. “From my earliest memories, I was always making something.”
Afshar uses a range of color and diverse materials to create her artwork, which ranges from jewelry design to tapestries and accessories. “I’ve become known for making one-of-a-kind wire jewelry, but my real passion in art has always been in weaving.”
For information on this and other exhibitions at the Hyde Park Art Center, please visit www.hydeparkart.org
The first time I saw Phil Mitsch, I mistook him for an Eddie Munster impersonator.
I admit this because the would-be state senator from Camden County says he values honesty. And also because Mitsch sported shoe-polish-black hair and a funeral suit to ride on a 4th of July parade float.
That guy couldnt signal the resurrection of the South Jersey Republican Party, I thought. If Mitsch did, the revival was short-lived, thanks to a self-made scandal over sex tips such as tweeting that women ought to be a lady in the living room and a whore in the bedroom.
Count Mitsch as a recession candidate destined to get more laughs than votes. Joining him locally this season: my old pal Ed NJ Weedman Forchion and Philadelphia mayoral contender Karen Brown.
CHARLOTTE Mr. Mopeyhead was nowhere to be seen Sunday.
For the first time in nearly a month, Cam Newton flashed that million-dollar smile as he stepped behind the podium in the post-game interview room.
And you couldnt blame him.
Carolinas sensational rookie quarterback played a flawless game in the second half, helping the Panthers blow open a tight game at halftime and beat the Washington Redskins 33-20 Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
Newton led touchdown drives on Carolinas first three possessions of the second half and finished with 256 yards on 18-of-23 passing. He threw one touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell and ran for another, breaking two franchise records along the way. The 16-yard scamper that came just minutes into the third quarter was the longest touchdown run ever by a Panthers quarterback and his seventh of the season, which also broke Chris Weinkes mark of six set in 2001.
Although he didnt find the end zone, Steve Smith was once again Newtons primary target, catching seven of the nine balls thrown his way for 143 yards.
Even Carolinas running game was clicking, racking up 175 yards on the ground. Jonathan Stewart had 68 yards and a touchdown, and Newton had 59 yards on the ground, including 25 on an incredible play on the games first possession. On the play, he eluded four defenders to turn a certain 10-yard sack into a huge first-down run. That led to a Carolina field goal. The Panthers would go on to score on six of their next nine possessions.
Newton said the Panthers felt like they could do no wrong on offense in the second half.
There were times during the game where we were clicking, he said.
Trailing 9-6 going into the locker room, the Redskins got the ball to start the second half, but coach Mike Shanahan went for it on fourth-and-2 from the Carolina 40. James Anderson sliced through the middle of the line on a blitz and sacked John Beck, who started in place of Rex Grossman, for a 7-yard loss.
Anderson, who also had 12 tackles and a fumble recovery, credited defensive coordinator Sean McDermott with making the right call.
It was genius, a McDermott special, Anderson said.
Shanahan would later regret the decision not to punt as the play clearly turned the momentum of the game in Carolinas favor. On the next play Newton found Brandon LaFell for a 37-yard strike down the left sideline and then raced 16 yards on a quarterback draw for a touchdown to put the Panthers up by 10.
Beck would answer with a 4-yard touchdown run of his own, but the Panthers were rolling now on offense. Newton completed passes of 33 and 15 yards to Smith to reach Redskins territory and then finished up the drive with seven straight running plays, capped by a 2-yard plunge by Stewart.
After a Washington punt, Newton put together an impressive 12-play, 65-yard drive that took more than eight minutes off the clock. He gave the Panthers their biggest lead of the season at 30-13 with a 2-yard touchdown pass to LaFell.
They were in a perfect defense for that play to work, LaFell said. They played inside leverage on an out-cut route. Hey, I mean, thats a gimme.
The Redskins would get a touchdown reception from tight end Fred Davis, but Chris Gamble sealed the win with a franchise-tying 25th career interception with 3:13 left in the game.
Olindo Mare had four field goals.
All told, the Panthers rolled up 407 yards of offense and 20 first downs against a pretty good Redskins defense that came into the game giving up fewer than 17 points per game.
It wasnt all pretty for the Panthers, though.
Newton was sacked four times and took a hard blow to his backside on a blindside sack by Brian Orakpo.
The sad thing was I heard the whole crowd go, lsquo;Oooh, Newton said. I was just reminded of my parents saying, lsquo;Son, just get up. So I got up real slow and was like, lsquo;Im all right. It was a scary hit, though.
Nonetheless, after being presented the game ball in the locker room after the game, Newton praised his offensive line.
I think its the most political thing to do, Newton joked. The offensive line does an excellent job. So many times people are blinded about individual efforts. If you look back at the film and see the time that I have back there, something has to be coming around and it never does and then here comes a guy popping wide open. The defensive back can only cover for so long, especially with the talent that we have in the wide receiver position.
Smith being the most talented of the bunch, of course.
When you get him involved in the game, theres no telling what will happen, Newton said.
The Panthers have a pair of home games coming up against Minnesota and Tennessee with a bye sandwiched in between, giving them a realistic chance to get to 4-5 by the middle of November. But for now, they were glad to get their second win of the season.
Its huge, tackle Jordan Gross said. We needed this so bad. We had a tough stretch with a lot of great teams. We played them all tough, but this was a game we had to win. To do it well, I couldnt be happier for our team and for our fans especially. Theyve been committed to what were doing the whole time and supported us. We had to do it.
Added Anderson: Its so big for us as a team. Everybody has said, lsquo;Youre right there, youre right there and now weve had the opportunity to get over the hump. Now we have to keep building on it.
Newton said its all about establishing an identity at home.
Coach is always talking about claiming what is ours, Newton said. No matter who comes into this stadium, we just have to set a precedent. We have to raise the level of play, and we cant go under that. We have got to hold each other accountable. At the end of the day, dont worry about what everybody else is doing, you do what youve go to do and the coaches handle everything else. At times, I felt like that was what we were doing.
Coach Ron Rivera said he was pleased with the win, but said there are a lot of things to be cleaned up, adding that he was disappointed with the mental mistakes.
Although the Panthers didnt have any turnovers, they were penalized 13 times for 105 yards.
However, hell take the win.
It doesnt matter how you look at it, how you describe it, its a good win, Rivera said. Anytime you can win in this league, its good. We needed to win. Because of the things weve been placed with and how close we have been, its been excruciatingly painful at times and very frustrating. It may be thats what we needed to get over this hump and this is our first really big step.
www.alamedaeducation.org.
ONGOING
1015 — Facility breakfast, proceeds benefit upkeep of historic lodge building, 8:30 am-noon second Sundays, $4-$8, 2255 Santa Clara Ave., 510-522-1015.
Philip Neri Bingo — 7 pm Tuesdays, doors open 5 pm, 3108 Van Buren St., 510-522-2299.
Even a crafting novice can turn out beautiful things.
That#x2019;s the point of #x201C;The Complete Book of Home Crafts: Projects for Adventurous Beginners.#x201D; The book, written by a team of artisans and edited by Carine Tracanelli, contains close to 100 projects for the home that are attainable for people who have more enthusiasm than ability.
The projects employ decoupage, tiling, picture framing, bead work, stenciling, batik and various painting techniques.