31 Aralık 2012 Pazartesi

President's Day 2012

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Presidents' Day in 2012 is on Monday, the 20th of February. This date is a compromise of sorts, for it was suppose to honor both George Washington's birthday, which falls on February 22nd, and Abraham Lincoln's birthday, which falls on February 12th. In 1968, Congress chose the third Monday in February to allow federal workers a Monday off.

Perhaps, Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota symbolizes President's Day best. The project, under the direction of Gutzon Borglum, was begun in 1927, and most of the work was completed during the Great Depression. The granite faces of our four most illustrious presidents face south into the sun as if still watching to be sure that America is still strong. Two million visitors come to South Dakota annually to pay homage to what the memorial stands for.

The name "President's Day" is what the public commonly calls the holiday, a day celebrating all the presidents who have served their country. Actually, it is still officially called "Washington's Birthday", since Congress could never agree on a change of names. I think we can all agree that dedication to the service of one's country is one of the highest callings. This nation has much to be grateful for. We should be thankful to the presidents who have served it so well.



At Traditions Furniture in Overland Park and Traditions Home in Wichita, Kansas,  we are choosing to celebrate the day by having a sale on Stickley Furniture, one of the oldest furniture companies in America and the standard of American Arts & Crafts design. For our sale we are offering 45% off any one piece of Stickley Furniture and 40% off all other pieces.

Stickley Style

You, the customer, can choose from Stickley's iconic Mission collection, or any of the other red, white, and blue styles including Colonial Williamsburg, Traditional, Finger Lakes, Valley Forge, and Metropolitan. Stickley has even given a nod to our British cousins with other collections - English Oak Antiquities, John Widdicomb, and Edinburgh, to name a few.

Celebrating President's Day means celebrating a  tradition.

And we at Traditions Furniture believe that nothing epitomizes tradition better than Stickley Furniture. And that tradition is one of excellence in design and manufacture, backed by a company that is over 100 years old and still growing.


Gustav Stickley

Gustav Stickley and his four brothers burst into prominence at the turn of the 20th century with their American Arts & Crafts design. This style became popularly known as the Mission furniture. Gustav Stickley's simple idea was that furniture should be “honest” and that it should reflect the ideals of the American people with its use of native American oak and cherry wood and in its construction which emphasizes quality, construction, and beauty.

Over the years at its plant in upstate New York, Stickley Furniture has maintained its rock solid commitment to the same ideals that Gustav Stickley and his brothers began. Their motto then, "Als ich kan" or "to the best of my ability" still holds true.

And today Stickley is ever moving forward while looking to the past for inspiration. The new Finger Lakes collection draws on the ruggedness of frontier life and the beauty of nature. American cherry woods from New York combined with a hand-planed look recreate the craftsmanship of the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York. The same area where Stickley still makes its furniture. Stickley's unique design in its round pedestal table incorporate a bird-cage pedestal base and the beauty of cherry wood. It is destined to become a classic.

We think that you will agree that any time is a good time to invest in Stickley Furniture. It is destined to be around for a good long time, like America.


43rd Annual Kansas City Symphony Designers' Showhouse

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There is only one week left to see the 43rd Annual Kansas City Designers' Showhouse, located, just off of the Kansas City Plaza, at 47 W. 53rd Street.

The historic house was built in 1909 for businessman and civic leader Wallace Goffe and his wife Beverly. The style is English Tudor Revival. The home was designed by famed Kansas City architect Henry Hoit and later remodeled in 1937 by his successor firm, Hoit, Price and Barnes. In 1984, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The walls of the Showhouse are even rows of coursed limestone. the roof contains a steeply pitched gable and there is half-timbering on the central bay which projects from the second story, supported by curved volutes.

The houses of the district were built to the natural contours of the landscape.Thus, many of the houses in this district are located on rises with steps leading to the main entrance. There are uniform setbacks from the street of 40 feet.

Read the full story of the house. Kansas City Symphony Alliance. 

The Showhouse is a project sponsored by the Kansas City Symphony Alliance, a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting classical music throughout the Kansas City area, and in particular the welfare of the Kansas City Symphony. Hundreds of volunteers and the area's top designers work together to create something magical. Traditions Furniture is proud to again participate in the decoration of the sun room.


Traditions designers, Linda, Kathy, Julie, and Carol went for a coastal theme. This is in keeping with the naturalness of the setting and lightness of the sun room, which catches the afternoon sun. The upholstery is by Stickley Furniture. Stickley is perhaps best known for American Arts and Crafts, but, as the room demonstrates, there is a softer side to Stickley. The art is modern, pulling in a blue shade to complement the azure blue of the sky. The sideboard is Pasadena Bungalow by Stickley. The matching lamps are faux stone.

There are many other designers who have contributed to the beauty of this year's Designers' Showhouse. And, while we would like to show you everything, we will give you just a tease. Better that you come and see for yourself, and support a great cause, The Kansas City Symphony Alliance.


Bless us O' Lord

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What is in a word - Traditions, for example? Traditions is part of our name, and we chose it for a reason. Traditions implies something cultural, something shared by family and friends. Literally, it is  the handing down of beliefs and customs from generation to generation.

One custom my family had while growing up was to say grace before dinner. It began, "Bless us O' Lord ..." It was a good traditions, one that I carry on with my own family. Whoever gives thanks, add a special thought asking for extra care to be given to those less fortunate.

While at the Atlanta market, we came across many unusual items. One such item was a collection of handmade crosses in a wide assortment of colors, sizes, and shapes. We think that these crosses remind us of our traditions and the reasons we have for giving thanks for family and friends.

We hope that you enjoy them too.








Santa's Coming to Town

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Undoubtedly, America's favorite tradition is the giving of gifts at Christmas time. Inspiration for this tradition comes from the celebration of the Epiphany, when the Three Magi appeared before Mary and Joseph bearing gifts for the infant Jesus.

In the 4th Century, Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myra on the southern coast of present day Turkey, became famous for his generous gifts to the poor, including his presents of dowries to the three daughters of a pious but poor Christian. Today this spirit of gift giving is embodied in the person of Santa Claus, a jolly figure who is often dressed in a red suit and cap lined with fur. Santa lives at the North Pole and year-long with the help of his elves makes toys for good boys and girls. Then, each Christmas Eve he travels across the globe in a sleigh driven by eight reindeer. Santa lands on the roof of each house, slides down the chimney, and leaves gifts. Before parting, he enjoys a cookie and a cup of warm milk and utters a merry, "Ho, ho, ho."



In addition to Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus has many names - Father Christmas, Pere Noel,  Belsnikle, Kris Kringle, and Sinterklaas.

This beloved figure has been adopted by many cultures, each of which has its own unique customs and traditions. In Scandinavia, Kris Kringle appears in white and the celebration with food and gifts begins on Christmas Eve. In the 1800's, German immigrants to the US from the Palatinate Region brought with them the character of Belsnickle, a sterner version of Santa, who scared children with threats of whippings but always came through with a gift. In the Black Forest of southern Germany, Santa is often depicted as a rustic figure carved from the pine trees of the region. And, it was in Bavaria that the Christmas tree was born.


In England, Santa Claus is usually shown in a long green coat lined with white fur. A Christmas Story, is Charles Dickens' memorable holiday tale of a rich but unhappy man and a poor but happy family. Christmas, Dickens wrote, is a time for family and friends to share laughter and good humor. We should remember that giving is better than giving, and that we are blessed for that which we have.

And in the spirit of Christmas, let us all keep in our hearts the words of Ebeneezer Scrooge, who learned the true meaning of Christmas.

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”

Life is a Gift

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Life is a gift to be used every day,
Not to be smothered and hidden away;
It isn't a thing to be stored in the chest 
Where you gather your keepsakes and treasure your best;
It isn't a joy to be sipped now and then
And promptly put back in a dark place again.

Life is a gift that the humblest may boast of
And one that the humblest may well make the most of.
Get out and live it each hour of the day, 
Wear it and use it as much as you may;
Don't keep it in niches and corners and grooves,
You'll find that in service its beauty improves.
Edgar Albert Guest

27 Aralık 2012 Perşembe

Family Dollar CEO Levine to ABC's 'Nightline'

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Howard Levine, CEO of Matthews-based Family Dollar, was set to appear on Tuesday's edition of "Nightline," talking about the growth of dollar stores and defending the practice of importing cheap goods from overseas.

The "Nightline" story is about the rapid growth of dollar store chains, which have become a $56 billion industry. The major chains, including Dollar General and Dollar Tree, have opened thousands of new stores over the past years.

During the segment, Levine told the interviewer he doesn't mind when he - or his 7,550 stores - are called cheap.

"If somebody told me I was cheap, I would take that as a compliment," Levine said. "That means we are looking for value. That means we don't overpay for stuff."

He also defended the fact that about a third of the goods the company sells are made overseas, much of it in China, as a necessity. "Unfortunately, a lot of manufacturing has gone overseas," Levine said. "They have a cheap way of doing it and consumers accept it. There is no backlash from that so you got to go where you get the value and you got to go where you have the workmanship and the factories to do that."

So, did you see the video? What did you think?

(Editor's note: The show featuring Levine was bumped for extra coverage of a mall shooting in Oregon that happened earlier in the day).

Coal oven pizza coming to Concord Mills

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A new restaurant, Tony Sacco's Coal Oven Pizza, is set to open next year at mega-mall Concord Mills.

The store is in addition to three more locations set to open in Charlotte next year, although details on the other Tony Sacco's restaurants were not immediately available.

According to a news release from Concord Mills, the new restaurant is 4,500 square feet, and will be opening near Entry 1, across from Sun & Ski Sports. The opening date is currently set for spring 2013.

The restaurants have anthracite coal-burning ovens that operate at 1,000 degrees. In case you were wondering whether they are actually burning coal to cook the food, the FAQ answers that: "Yes we are! We only burn pure anthracite coal from Pennsylvania. It creates twice the energy per pound as wood, and burns cleaner."

 Also noted: Shopping center owner and operator Brixmor Property Group said it has signed leases with two new Sleepy's mattress stores in the Charlotte area. A 10,000-square-foot Sleepy's will be located in the Carolina Pavilion shopping center on South Boulevard, and a 6,150-square-foot Sleepy's will be in the Franklin Square shopping center in Gastonia.



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Frozen yogurt, cupcake shops closing in Dilworth

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Two relatively new food options on East Boulevard are closing this weekend, as Freshberry Frozen Yogurt and Smallcakes Cupcakery throw in the towel.

The neon-accented stores opened in the former Blockbuster location at Kenilworth Avenue and East Blvd. just this summer. I wrote about them when they were first announced in February, which you can read about here.

Sunday will be the last day of business for Freshberry and Smallcakes. There's no word yet on what will be replacing the stores. Owner Nick Smith was out of town Thursday, said a woman at the store.

Smith, a longtime Charlotte franchise owner who opened the city's first Jersey Mike's sub shop and Moe's Southwest Grill restaurants, will be featured in an upcoming Observer store on franchising. He said that the Freshberry/Smallcakes concept is closing due to slow traffic.

That certainly seemed to be the case Wednesday night, when I went by the restaurant on my way home from work. A man in a cowboy hat was spinning LED lights to lure people into the nearly-empty parking lot.

Freshberry was entering an already crowded fro-yo marketplace, with a slew of businesses including Yoforia, Tasty Yo, Pinkberry, TCBY, Cherry Berry, and the Frozen Isle. And directly across the street from Freshberry, on the opposite corner in the Kenilworth Commons shopping center, is Menchie's, a fro-yo franchise that opened last year.

Read more here: http://obswhatsinstore.blogspot.com/2012/02/frozen-yogurt-cupcakes-subs-headed-to.html#storylink=cpy

A Jersey Mike's that occupies the other half of the former Blockbuster building will remain open. 





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Vinnie's Grill & Raw Bar closes on South Boulevard

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After 20 years, Vinnie's Grill & Raw Bar has closed up shop at its South Boulevard location.

Former general manager David Luckey said the restaurant's last day of business was Sunday. The closure is permanent, he confirmed.

He said the general economic conditions had caused Vinnie's to struggle. "This economy makes everybody broke," said Luckey, who was helping to clean out the restaurant Thursday afternoon.

There are no plans to close the second Vinnie's location in Mooresville, which remains open, Luckey said.



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What's open on Christmas day?

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If you need a last-last-last-minute gift, some toothpaste, or just to get away from the family for a few minutes on Christmas, there are a few stores that will be open Christmas day itself.

Here's a list of some of the chains that aren't closing:

  • Walgreen's
  • CVS Pharmacy
  • 7-Eleven
  • Denny's
  • IHOP
  • Starbucks
  • Waffle House
  • McDonald's is reportedly urging its franchised locations to stay open
Domino's, Dunkin Donuts and Burger King are opening select locations.

For more information, check out a summary of personal finance site GoBankingRates.com's survey of retailers.

20 Aralık 2012 Perşembe

Walmart Neighborhood Market opening on Independence Blvd.

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A Walmart Neighborhood Market is opening next year on Independence Boulevard, the first store of its kind in Charlotte.

As previously reported on this blog, the store will be in a former Best Buy location at 7421 E. Independence Boulevard, in the Independence Square shopping center. That shopping center also has a Super Global Mart international food store.

The store will be hiring about 85 people to work full and part-time. They'll start working in January as the store prepares for its opening.

There are some 200 Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets nationwide. They're about the same size as traditional supermarkets, and carry similar lines of goods. This is the state's second Neighborhood Market. The first opened in Cary in October. Here's a local news story from Cary with pictures of the store, to give you a better idea what to expect (Their verdict: "Walmart Neighborhood Market looks like a lot like a slightly less fancy Harris Teeter.").

“We are excited to add this Walmart Neighborhood Market to Charlotte and bring good jobs with career opportunities to the area,” said store manager David Thomas, in a statement. He's been with the company for three years, and started his career in Shelby.

The new Neighborhood Market will be a challenge to other supermarkets, of course, and also to other smaller,  discount food retailers, such as Family Dollar. It represents the fourth new grocery option in the region announced or opened this year, along with Whole Foods, 201central, and Publix.

Building permits show Walmart is spending more than $3.5 million to upgrade some 50,000 square feet of the building.

Here's Walmart's description of the Neighborhood Markets: "Walmart Neighborhood Markets were designed in 1998 as a smaller-footprint option for communities in need of a pharmacy, affordable groceries and merchandise. There are now about 200 Neighborhood Markets in the U.S. Each one is approximately 38,000 square feet and employs about 95 associates. Walmart Neighborhood Markets offer fresh produce, meat and dairy products, bakery and deli items, household supplies, health and beauty aids and a pharmacy."



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Epicentre offering cab vouchers for those who drink

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In an effort to help cut down on drunk driving, the uptown Epicentre complex is offering vouchers for cab rides to patrons who consume alcohol.

The $10 vouchers are being offered in conjunction with the Mecklenburg County ABC Board and is funded from the sales of distilled spirits in the county. The vouchers are available at the valet stand to adults over the age of 21, and can be used with City Cab, Crown Cab, or Yellow Cab.

So if you're drinking at Blackfinn, Whiskey River, Howl at the Moon, or any of the many Epicentre watering holes, please be responsible and take a cab (or a pedicab, or the light rail). With $10 off, the choice is even easier.


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Highway 55 opening in north Charlotte

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A new Highway 55 Burgers, Shakes, & Fries is opening in north Charlotte, the adding another local store for the eastern North Carolina company.

As previously reported here, Highway 55 is hoping to franchise up to 75 locations in western North Carolina over the coming decade. Another local Highway 55 location opened recently in the University Pointe shopping center (details here).

University Pointe store
The new store opening is on Davis Lake Parkway, and will open Dec. 27. Father and son team Greg Hinson, 55, and his 27-year-old son Brad, 27, are opening the franchised store, their first. Their goal is to open six more stores in north Charlotte, Huntersville, and Mooresville over the next several years.

Greg Hinson previously worked as a mechanic for 30 years, and Brad had been a network engineer.

"When my dad and I discovered Hwy 55, we knew that it was a company we wanted to be involved in. Highway 55 has the family feel and dedication to serving their community we were looking for," said Brad Hinson, in an email.

Highway 55 is also opening a new location soon in Gastonia's Franklin Square, though no exact date has been set.

The chain, headquartered in Mount Olive, was formerly called Andy's Burgers.


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Crisp opening Latta Arcade location

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Crisp, a restaurant with a plethora of salads, is opening an uptown location soon, in Latta Arcade off of Tryon Street.

Crisp at Latta Arcade
It will be the company's third Charlotte store. There are Crisp locations on 7th Street and East Boulevard. The owners couldn't immediately be reached to pin down an opening date for the Latta Arcade store.

Jerry and Kerin McCarthy opened Crisp in 2007 in the Elizabeth neighborhood.

Crisp will be joining a lineup that includes a Quizno's, Indian, Japanese, pizza, and sandwich restaurants. Latta Arcade is popular with the uptown office crowd as a lunch destination.

Here's a link to Crisp's Facebook page, where they post specials and daily menu options.





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Vinnie's Grill & Raw Bar closes on South Boulevard

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After 20 years, Vinnie's Grill & Raw Bar has closed up shop at its South Boulevard location.

Former general manager David Luckey said the restaurant's last day of business was Sunday. The closure is permanent, he confirmed.

He said the general economic conditions had caused Vinnie's to struggle. "This economy makes everybody broke," said Luckey, who was helping to clean out the restaurant Thursday afternoon.

There are no plans to close the second Vinnie's location in Mooresville, which remains open, Luckey said.



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16 Aralık 2012 Pazar

Valentine's Day

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Valentine's Day

This year Valentine's Day is Tuesday, February 14th.


My memories of Valentine's Days go all the way back to childhood. The sweet and chalky taste of conversation sweethearts always comes to mind. These classics included "Kiss Me," "Sweet Talk," "Charm", "Dream", "Be a Sport", "Teach Me", "Wild Life", and "Be Mine." Sitting at my desk, I often wished for a dictionary that would help me to decipher the meaning of a saying so arrogant as "Top Dog" or enigmatic as "Help Me". Don't we all remember that Necco, the maker of sweetheart candies beat Facebook to the punch with "Be my Friend" and "Like Me". And, finally, there was the oh so special "I Love You" reserved for the one and only.

Sitting in a second grade classroom, boys and girls spent countless hours deciding who would get what saying. Furtive glances were exchanged accompanied by the low level chatter of excited schoolchildren. Watching over all of us from her desk at the front of the classroom, sat our teacher. For her, we reserved the biggest Valentine and the candy that said "Ur Great". I suppose the teacher forgave the misspelling.

After the momentous decision of who got what was made, the candies were inserted into a self-made Valentine's card. I loved words even as a grade-schooler and always chose my words as carefully as I did my candies. Those deserving poems usually received a variation of something that sounded like, "Roses are red, violets are blue, you are swell and cute too." Those less deserving might receive a similar poem, but accompanied by an ending that was sure to bring a chuckle among friends.

(After all these years, the one ending I remember goes like this, "You look like a monkey, and smell like one too."  This, of course, was too racy for a second-grader to write down and could only be said out of earshot from the teacher.)

Now that I am older, Valentine's Day has a deeper meaning than childhood crushes. Valentine's is a celebration of love and friendship. And what better way to celebrate than with a poem.


My love is like a Valentine,
Caring beyond measure,
Sharing all that is mine,
With memories to treasure.

So, on this Valentine's Day

Be my true friend

In every way

Until the world shall end.

President's Day 2012

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Presidents' Day in 2012 is on Monday, the 20th of February. This date is a compromise of sorts, for it was suppose to honor both George Washington's birthday, which falls on February 22nd, and Abraham Lincoln's birthday, which falls on February 12th. In 1968, Congress chose the third Monday in February to allow federal workers a Monday off.

Perhaps, Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota symbolizes President's Day best. The project, under the direction of Gutzon Borglum, was begun in 1927, and most of the work was completed during the Great Depression. The granite faces of our four most illustrious presidents face south into the sun as if still watching to be sure that America is still strong. Two million visitors come to South Dakota annually to pay homage to what the memorial stands for.

The name "President's Day" is what the public commonly calls the holiday, a day celebrating all the presidents who have served their country. Actually, it is still officially called "Washington's Birthday", since Congress could never agree on a change of names. I think we can all agree that dedication to the service of one's country is one of the highest callings. This nation has much to be grateful for. We should be thankful to the presidents who have served it so well.



At Traditions Furniture in Overland Park and Traditions Home in Wichita, Kansas,  we are choosing to celebrate the day by having a sale on Stickley Furniture, one of the oldest furniture companies in America and the standard of American Arts & Crafts design. For our sale we are offering 45% off any one piece of Stickley Furniture and 40% off all other pieces.

Stickley Style

You, the customer, can choose from Stickley's iconic Mission collection, or any of the other red, white, and blue styles including Colonial Williamsburg, Traditional, Finger Lakes, Valley Forge, and Metropolitan. Stickley has even given a nod to our British cousins with other collections - English Oak Antiquities, John Widdicomb, and Edinburgh, to name a few.

Celebrating President's Day means celebrating a  tradition.

And we at Traditions Furniture believe that nothing epitomizes tradition better than Stickley Furniture. And that tradition is one of excellence in design and manufacture, backed by a company that is over 100 years old and still growing.


Gustav Stickley

Gustav Stickley and his four brothers burst into prominence at the turn of the 20th century with their American Arts & Crafts design. This style became popularly known as the Mission furniture. Gustav Stickley's simple idea was that furniture should be “honest” and that it should reflect the ideals of the American people with its use of native American oak and cherry wood and in its construction which emphasizes quality, construction, and beauty.

Over the years at its plant in upstate New York, Stickley Furniture has maintained its rock solid commitment to the same ideals that Gustav Stickley and his brothers began. Their motto then, "Als ich kan" or "to the best of my ability" still holds true.

And today Stickley is ever moving forward while looking to the past for inspiration. The new Finger Lakes collection draws on the ruggedness of frontier life and the beauty of nature. American cherry woods from New York combined with a hand-planed look recreate the craftsmanship of the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York. The same area where Stickley still makes its furniture. Stickley's unique design in its round pedestal table incorporate a bird-cage pedestal base and the beauty of cherry wood. It is destined to become a classic.

We think that you will agree that any time is a good time to invest in Stickley Furniture. It is destined to be around for a good long time, like America.


43rd Annual Kansas City Symphony Designers' Showhouse

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There is only one week left to see the 43rd Annual Kansas City Designers' Showhouse, located, just off of the Kansas City Plaza, at 47 W. 53rd Street.

The historic house was built in 1909 for businessman and civic leader Wallace Goffe and his wife Beverly. The style is English Tudor Revival. The home was designed by famed Kansas City architect Henry Hoit and later remodeled in 1937 by his successor firm, Hoit, Price and Barnes. In 1984, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The walls of the Showhouse are even rows of coursed limestone. the roof contains a steeply pitched gable and there is half-timbering on the central bay which projects from the second story, supported by curved volutes.

The houses of the district were built to the natural contours of the landscape.Thus, many of the houses in this district are located on rises with steps leading to the main entrance. There are uniform setbacks from the street of 40 feet.

Read the full story of the house. Kansas City Symphony Alliance. 

The Showhouse is a project sponsored by the Kansas City Symphony Alliance, a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting classical music throughout the Kansas City area, and in particular the welfare of the Kansas City Symphony. Hundreds of volunteers and the area's top designers work together to create something magical. Traditions Furniture is proud to again participate in the decoration of the sun room.


Traditions designers, Linda, Kathy, Julie, and Carol went for a coastal theme. This is in keeping with the naturalness of the setting and lightness of the sun room, which catches the afternoon sun. The upholstery is by Stickley Furniture. Stickley is perhaps best known for American Arts and Crafts, but, as the room demonstrates, there is a softer side to Stickley. The art is modern, pulling in a blue shade to complement the azure blue of the sky. The sideboard is Pasadena Bungalow by Stickley. The matching lamps are faux stone.

There are many other designers who have contributed to the beauty of this year's Designers' Showhouse. And, while we would like to show you everything, we will give you just a tease. Better that you come and see for yourself, and support a great cause, The Kansas City Symphony Alliance.


Bless us O' Lord

To contact us Click HERE
What is in a word - Traditions, for example? Traditions is part of our name, and we chose it for a reason. Traditions implies something cultural, something shared by family and friends. Literally, it is  the handing down of beliefs and customs from generation to generation.

One custom my family had while growing up was to say grace before dinner. It began, "Bless us O' Lord ..." It was a good traditions, one that I carry on with my own family. Whoever gives thanks, add a special thought asking for extra care to be given to those less fortunate.

While at the Atlanta market, we came across many unusual items. One such item was a collection of handmade crosses in a wide assortment of colors, sizes, and shapes. We think that these crosses remind us of our traditions and the reasons we have for giving thanks for family and friends.

We hope that you enjoy them too.








Santa's Coming to Town

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Undoubtedly, America's favorite tradition is the giving of gifts at Christmas time. Inspiration for this tradition comes from the celebration of the Epiphany, when the Three Magi appeared before Mary and Joseph bearing gifts for the infant Jesus.

In the 4th Century, Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myra on the southern coast of present day Turkey, became famous for his generous gifts to the poor, including his presents of dowries to the three daughters of a pious but poor Christian. Today this spirit of gift giving is embodied in the person of Santa Claus, a jolly figure who is often dressed in a red suit and cap lined with fur. Santa lives at the North Pole and year-long with the help of his elves makes toys for good boys and girls. Then, each Christmas Eve he travels across the globe in a sleigh driven by eight reindeer. Santa lands on the roof of each house, slides down the chimney, and leaves gifts. Before parting, he enjoys a cookie and a cup of warm milk and utters a merry, "Ho, ho, ho."



In addition to Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus has many names - Father Christmas, Pere Noel,  Belsnikle, Kris Kringle, and Sinterklaas.

This beloved figure has been adopted by many cultures, each of which has its own unique customs and traditions. In Scandinavia, Kris Kringle appears in white and the celebration with food and gifts begins on Christmas Eve. In the 1800's, German immigrants to the US from the Palatinate Region brought with them the character of Belsnickle, a sterner version of Santa, who scared children with threats of whippings but always came through with a gift. In the Black Forest of southern Germany, Santa is often depicted as a rustic figure carved from the pine trees of the region. And, it was in Bavaria that the Christmas tree was born.


In England, Santa Claus is usually shown in a long green coat lined with white fur. A Christmas Story, is Charles Dickens' memorable holiday tale of a rich but unhappy man and a poor but happy family. Christmas, Dickens wrote, is a time for family and friends to share laughter and good humor. We should remember that giving is better than giving, and that we are blessed for that which we have.

And in the spirit of Christmas, let us all keep in our hearts the words of Ebeneezer Scrooge, who learned the true meaning of Christmas.

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”

12 Aralık 2012 Çarşamba

Uncle Maddio's Pizza coming to Overstreet Mall

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Local website Restaurant Traffic is reporting that Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint will soon open a location in uptown's Overstreet Mall.

Uncle Maddio's storefront, from Restaurant Traffic
This will be the company's first Charlotte location. Uncle Maddio's, a fast-casual pizza place where most of the pies are under $10, is on somewhat of a growth spurt, with 75 stores currently under development.

Their signature pizzas include offerings such as Cobb Salad, BBQ Chicken, The Greek, Jamaican Jerk and Portobello pesto.

Most of Uncle Maddio's existing locations are in the Atlanta area. The company is also planning to open stores soon in Jacksonville, Savannah and Columbia.



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