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Marcos jewelry sale to trim budget deficit
Jun 8th
Commissioner Ricardo Abcede of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (Paloma’s Crown of Hearts pendant) said that proceeds from the sale of the fabled jewelry collection of former First Lady Imelda Marcos will help the national government reduce its budget deficit and will benefit farmers under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
During an interview with reporters on Thursday, Abcede added that proceeds from the sale of the Roumeliotes and Hawaii collections of the Marcos jewelry would go directly to the Bureau of the Treasury.
“Besides benefiting more than three million farmers, it will also lessen the deficit because it is going to be counted as revenue,” he said.
Abcede, however, admitted that the supposed June 30 deadline to dispose of the two sets of the Marcos jewelry is unrealistic.
“I wanted it June 30 [but] the [Department of Finance] wants it within the year. But, there are many factors to consider. The winning auction house will have to do the appraisal, cataloging, roadshow. They are contemplating on selling them here or abroad,” he said.
According to him, Christies Inc. Auction House was done with the Paloma’s Grown of Heart bangle and its representatives have left the country on Thursday, while two gemologists from Hong Kong are expected to arrive on the same day.
“Representatives from Christies and Sotheby will be here to conduct separate appraisals to check the quality of the stones. Then they will submit to us next week the actual appraisal [report],” Abcede said.
After the final appraisal in their respective headquarters, the two auction houses will bid to determine which of them will be the sole auctioneer of the jewelry collection.
But Abcede clarified that the Marcos jewelry auction will not generate P15 billion in proceeds.
“That’s way above. There’s no valuation yet. They have listings of the prices, but now the purpose of this is to update the appraisal of all the three sets [Roumeliotes, Hawaii and Malacanang collections],” he said.
Abcede added that the winning auctioneer will have to secure a term of reference, contract and consignment agreement with the government so that they can have the jewelry insured if they bring it out and have it sold abroad.
He earlier said that the Marcos jewelry should be disposed off immediately without Paloma’s Tenderness Heart pendant for the next administration to be installed.
Palace warns
During a press briefing at Malacanang, spokesman Ricardo Saludo Saludo said that they are amenable to the sale of the Marcos jewelry even after President Gloria Arroyo’s term ends officially on June 30.
“It does not matter whether the disposal should take place in the Arroyo government or in the coming administration. What is important is that jewelry collection must be auctioned off and the proceeds should go to the National Treasury to be used in the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program as provided under the law,” Saludo added.
Abcede has been insisting that the Marcos jewelry be disposed off immediately even if the rest of the PCGG commissioners oppose this move.
Some of the PCGG commissioners said that there is still a legal impediment to the sale Paloma’s X pendant the Marcos jewelry collection because its ownership is still the subject of a case pending before the Sandiganbayan.
The PCGG also has not issued a resolution authorizing the sale of the Marcos jewelry.
Heard & Scene: Ladies Lunch For Women In Science At Rockefeller
May 17th
2010 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Reproduced with permission of Tiffany Earrings owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
One of the more interesting and no doubt informative events on the ladies-who-lunch merry-go-round is the annual Women & Science Lecture and Luncheon at Rockefeller University on the Upper East Side.
This year’s program, the 13th, featured a talk about cardiovascular disease and strokes in women by Rockefeller scientists Jan Breslow and Barry Coller, followed by a panel discussion featuring Holly Anderson.
As in years past, it attracted its fair share of heavy hitters, among them Princess Firyal of Tiffany Necklaces, Nancy Kissinger, Daisy Soros, Caryn Zucker, Gigi Mortimer, Serena Boardman and her sister, Samantha Boardman Rosen.
“Women in Science was established in 1997 with several goals,” said Marnie Imhoff, the school’s vice president of development.
“We wanted to encourage leading women in the philanthropic and business circles of New York to embrace science as an interest and as a philanthropic pursuit. We wanted to showcase women scientists and provide a way that women could support those scientists directly. Since it was founded, New York City women have raised $14 million for the fund at Rockefeller.”
The program consists of several breakfast and evening forums, but the culmination is the annual spring luncheon, which this year raised $1 million for research.
Ms. Imhoff said at least one woman in attendance described the afternoon as “the Tiffany Rings lunch.”
How did it become so popular, Ms. Imhoff was asked.
“It was Nancy Kissinger, Lydia Forbes, Sydney Shuman and Isabel Furlaud, who are still in every program listed as Founding Chairs,” she said. “They wrote countless handwritten notes. They called their friends and said, ‘You have to discover Rockefeller and the great science going on in our laboratories.’”
“The first year was a smaller group, and every year it gets bigger,” said Ms. Kissinger, reached at her weekend home in Connecticut. “It’s huge now — 400 people! I’ve only missed one year since we started 13 years ago, and I try to go to all the breakfasts, too.”
She explained the popularity: “Here, people come to the lectures, they Tiffany Money Clips fascinated by all the new discoveries and all the research.”
Being an event devoted to wellness, Ms. Kissinger added that the lunch that is served is “very healthy. Some years they have chicken, but this year it was fish and vegetables. They did, however, have a very delicious rhubarb pie.”
Survey Reveals Majority of American Women Believe Healthy Eating Key to Beating Winter Blues
Mar 29th
While spring signals lighter and brighter days, a new survey(1) of women 45 and older in the United States revealed that the majority of women (61 percent) feel sluggish at least once a week, and 66 percent attribute this to unhealthy eating. This feeling of sluggishness can be particularly prevalent during the months leading up to Daylight Savings Time, as winter conditions are often marked by heavier comfort foods and less frequent exercise.
According to the survey, fielded by Kellogg Company and Braun Research, women also attribute this wintertime sluggishness to other factors, including a lack of exercise (75 percent) and sitting for long periods of time (64 percent). However the majority, or two-thirds, agreed that the key to overcoming winter-weather sluggishness is eating healthier foods. And All-Bran(R) products are here to help.
Studies report that increasing fiber intake can result in consumers feeling lighter and more comfortable, as well as reduced fatigue(2). So, to help women feel renewed this spring the makers of All-Bran(R) products are offering five refreshing, spring-inspired recipes that help get the body back on track to take advantage of the lighter and brighter days of spring.
Crunchy Bananas with Greek Yogurt: Slices of banana coated with Kellogg’s(R) All-Bran(R) Complete Wheat Flakes cereal, baked until crisp and served with sweetened low-fat Greek yogurt.
Mac and Cheese: Rich and creamy mac and cheese with a crunchy Kellogg’s(R) All-Bran(R) Original cereal and Parmesan topping.
Cranberry Chicken Burgers: Tart dried cranberries lend pizzazz to these grilled chicken burgers.
No Bake Strawberry Granola Bars: Kellogg’s(R) All-Bran(R) Strawberry Medley cereal melds with mixed dried fruits, creating a chewy, crunchy granola bar.
Baked Goat Cheese Salad: Rounds of fresh goat cheese rolled in Kellogg’s(R) All-Bran(R) Original cereal and herbs, baked and served on a green salad.
From sweet to savory, all five recipes provide simple ways to incorporate fiber into every meal, offering at least 3 grams of fiber per serving, per recipe. You can also try the All-Bran 7-Day Promise(TM) to increase fiber intake by including one serving of All-Bran(R) in your daily diet. These recipes and others can be found at www.All-Bran.com.
“Including All-Bran cereal as a part of meals, from breakfast and dinner, to hors d’oeuvres and dessert, allows women to increase their daily fiber intake while enjoying new tastes throughout the day,” said Cheryl Dolven, registered dietitian and Kellogg Company director of nutrition. “Coupling these new recipes with the All-Bran 7-Day Promise is a great way to get nearly half of the daily fiber the body needs.”
(1) Phone survey of 500 American women age 45 and older in the United States. The survey was conducted by Braun Research between January 28-31, 2010, by a mix of land and cellular phones. The margin of error is +/- 4.4 percent.
(2) Smith A et al (2001) High fiber cereals reduce fatigue. Appetite 37: 1-3.3 All-Bran(R) cereal, as a part of a high fiber diet, helps promote digestive health.
Seven Days to a Better Feeling You
Taking the All-Bran 7-Day Promise(TM)(3) is an easy way to incorporate the daily fiber that your body needs; 25 grams of fiber for most adult women and 38 grams of fiber for most adult men. While the five new spring-inspired recipes include All-Bran(R) Original cereal and All-Bran(R) Complete Wheat Flakes cereal, All-Bran(R) also offers hundreds of recipes featuring All-Bran(R) Bran Buds(R), such as Bran Buds(R) with Fruit and Yogurt. All-Bran(R) Bran Buds(R) offers 51 percent of your recommended daily fiber per serving, and as with all varieties of All-Bran(R), it cleanses your system helping you feel lighter, happier and more energetic. No complicated meal plans, or counting calories; simply incorporate one serving of Kellogg’s(R) All-Bran(R) into your diet per day, for seven days.
(3) All-Bran(R) cereal, as a part of a high fiber diet, helps promote digestive health.
Platinum jewellery demand to rocket in China
Jan 25th
Demand for platinum jewellery in China will double to record levels this year, according to Johnson Matthey, the precious metals refiner, which released its latest review of the platinum and palladium markets on Tuesday.
Lower platinum prices have reignited buying interest in China’s jewellery sector with net tiffany demand forecast to rise 106 per cent to 1.75m ounces this year as wholesalers restocked and attractive profit margins drew new retailers into the market.
Johnson Matthey said restocking had driven a “dizzying increase” in jewellery production in China as the price differential between gold and platinum had helped platinum jewellery to recapture market share from white gold jewellery.
Record Chinese demand will help global platinum jewellery demand rise almost 80 per cent to 2.45m ounces this year, the first annual increase since 2002.
The strength of China’s platinum jewellery market has acted as a vital counterweight to weakness in the other key sectors for platinum demand in industrial applications such as glass making and the automotive sector.
The slump in car sales before governments in the US and Europe introduced their “cash for clunkers” incentives schemes means gross demand for platinum from the global automotive sector will fall 33 per cent to 2.48m ounces this year to its lowest level since 2000. Platinum is a key ingredient in autocatalysts in the diesel vehicles that dominate car sales in Europe.
Companies that operate fleets of vehicles of vehicles have delayed restocking and this has hurt demand for bracelets from the automotive sector which in Europe is forecast to drop 45.7 per cent to 1.07m ounces this year.
Johnson Matthey said it expected vehicle sales to be higher in 2010 than this year and that autocatalyst demand was returning but cautioned that the impact of the ending of car scrappage schemes was difficult to forecast.
Net global platinum demand was forecast to fall 4.4 per cent to 5.92m ounces this year while worldwide supplies were predicted to rise 1.9 per cent to 6.06m ounces, suggesting a supply surplus of 140,000 ounces in 2009.
Johnson Matthey said it expected platinum prices to trade between a low of $1,280 a troy ounce and a high of $1,550 over the next six months, depending on whether support continued from strength in the gold price, dollar weakness and investor interest.
Holdings in platinum exchange-traded funds currently stand at record levels and Johnson Matthey said it expected investors to buy 355,000 ounces of platinum for ETFs this year.
Overall investment demand was predicted to increase 630,000 ounces helped by Japanese investors buying platinum bars and a rise in North American demand for coins and small bars.
Looking forward, Johnson Matthey said it expected jewellery demand to soften next year as this year’s stockbuilding in China was unlikely to be repeated in 2010.
“Platinum has been successful in capturing market share from white gold, suggesting demand should continue to remain healthy over the coming year, ” said David Jollie, analyst at Johson Matthey.
Although platinum supplies are expected to grow in 2010, helped by production from newer mining operations in South cufflinks and Zimbabwe, Johnson Matthey said the market could move into a modest supply deficit next year as the global economy improved.
Palladium prices should be expected to trade between $290 and $390 a troy ounce over the next six months, helped by continuing investor interest and a recovery in vehicle production.
Net global palladium demand was forecast to fall 3.8 per cent to 6.52m ounces this year while worldwide supplies were predicted to decline 1.8 per cent to 7.18m ounces, suggesting a supply surplus of 140,000 ounces in 2009.
A key uncertainty which bedevils the palladium market is the size of sales from Russia’s state stocks which Johnson Matthey said it expected to remain unchanged at 960,000 ounces this year. Without these Russian sales, the palladium market would be in a supply deficit.
“Investors seem aware of the imbalance between demand and current mine production and are bullish for the palladium price over the longer term” said Mr Jollie.
Holdings in palladium exchange traded funds currently stand at record levels and Johnson Matthey said it expected investors to buy 540,000 ounces of platinum for ETFs this year, a significant rise on the 370,000 ounces purchased in 2008.
Demand for palladium coins and small bars looks set to almost double this year to 95,000 ounces, making a significant contribution to the overall increase in investment demand of 215,000 ounces in 2009.
Palladium’s jewellery market is expected to see demand rise across every region this year with global demand money clips to rise 7.6 per cent to 920,00 ounces this year.
In China, the availability of palladium jewellery varies widely between regions – and even between cities within one province – suggesting that retailers are not universally convinced about the appeal to consumers. China’s palladium jewellery market is expected to see demand rise 4.6 per cent to 680,000 ounces this year.
The fall in demand for palladium from the automotive sector has been much less violent than for platinum. Worldwide gross demand for palladium from automakers is forecast to fall 12.7 per cent to 3.90m ounces this year, the lowest since 2005.
In North America, automotive demand for palladium is predicted to drop 27.5 per cent to 935,00 ounces this year while European automotive demand is forecast to shrink 2 per cent to 985,000 ounces.
European automotive demand for palladium has been boosted by the introduction of the metal into platinum based catalysts. Over half of the catalysts fitted to diesel vehicles now contain palladium, on average 20 per cent, as well as platinum.
Platinum traded at $1,434 a troy ounce on Wednesday, up 55 per cent this year, while palladium was at $365 an ounce, gaining almost 98 per cent in 2009.
Maybe This Is The ‘Darkest Hour’ Before A Better ‘Dawn’
Jan 19th
There has been plenty of reporting over the huge advertising-page declines afflicting most women’s fashion/beauty magazines. But the brutal economy gets a tacit acknowledgment at best, when the sharp decline in discretionary spending is what made conditions so terrible. Chart on page 3 shows the devastation, made worse at Conde Nast because of the discontinuation of the multimedia Fashion Rocks. Major partner for the 2004-2008 Radio City Music Hall (New York) event was Citigroup, so FR was doomed by the financial–not fashion–crisis.
The consensus from publishers is clear: what were huge inserts from large fashion/beauty companies and retailers in Septembers past have trickled down to a few pages, and 19 out of the 22 charted magazines being advertising page-down in September is expected. Exception #1 is InStyle (+2.10%), where hired-in-February 2009 publisher Connie Anne Phillips (ex-Vogue) credits the “inspiring work” of managing editor Ariel Foxman (ex-Cargo) and the creativity of associate publisher/marketing Ron Prince in
putting together the 28-advertiser Fifteen for Fall integrated marketing program to help mark IS’ 15th anniversary (more to come).
Exception #2 is People StyleWatch, with a perfect-bound September (+14.10%) being further proof of publisher (since September 2007) Michelle Myers telling us that “we really are driving people to retail”–with September advertiser Tiffany being an upscale example.
Exception #3 is Fitness (+47.29%), which publisher (since July 2007) Lee Slattery and editor-in-chief (since September 2008) Betty Wong have taken from the doldrums. Wong’s increasing beauty content from 10.2% to 14.8% is a big factor, says Slattery.
One September example of being down in ad pages and up in creativity comes from Marie Claire’s (-23.12%) The New Way to Shop onsert. “Focus is on motivating consumers to go back to stores,” says publisher (since September 2004) Susan Plagemann. Advertising includes beauty exclusivity from Alberto-Culver’s Tresemme shampoo.
But Plagemann also says: “There are less dollars in the market. Period.” When will there be more? What matters most, says promoted-in-March Elle senior vp/chief brand officer Carol Smith, is “people feeling good about their situations, especially their jobs.”
Vogue publishing director (since February 2002) Tom Florio predicts that “we’ll come out of this stronger than ever,” with Vogue remaining #1 in fashion. As it was with September 2007 and Vogue’s record 727 ad pages, which are revisited with next month’s release of the Sundance Film Festival-winning The September Issue. That’s when times were great.
WOMEN’S-FASHION SEPTEMBER AD PAGES: 1999 THROUGH 2009 (rounded off)
FR = Conde Nast 2008/2007 ad pages include 40 to 70 ad pages from Fashion Rocks onsert
” ” 2006 ” ” include 30 to 40 ” ” from Fashion Rocks onsert
30 = Hearst 2009/2008/2007/2006 ad pages include fractional number from 30 Days of Fashion onsert; Harper’s Bazaar’s 2009/2008 ad pages include about 10 from Runway Report
Online Auction to Feature Jewelry and Glass From $10 to $8,000
Jan 18th
Jewelry and glass collectors around the globe will be gathering on Auction Universe (www.auctionuniverse.com), the world’s largest online auction network, for the next two weeks to buy, sell and learn about fine glass and jewelry. Curated by Auction Universe’s experts, the event began on Friday, December 4 and runs through Friday, December 18 and features a wide range of vintage, contemporary and modern works by well-known names. Highlights from the event include: -
English cameo glass scent bottle by Thomas Webb & Sons formed as
a duck’s head and finely carved in opaque white glass over yellow
c.1885 (estimated value: $7,000) -
19.56 Carat Cushion Cut Tanzanite, a strong dark violet colored
stone, measuring 15.8×13.5 mm (estimated value: $7800) -
A collection of Mexican
silver from Taxco produced in the 1940′s and 1950′s featuring
Pre-Columbian and Art Deco designs -
3.39 Carat Heart Shaped Columbian
Emerald 10x 9mm (estimated value: $600) -
Modern jewelry items by renowned designer
Pernille Wager -
5.58 Carat Blue Ceylon Sapphire, measures
9.3×11.0mm (estimated value: $2200)
“We’ve designed this event to appeal both to high-end collectors and those who want to buy some fun items and not spend a lot of money,” said Paul Royka, Director of Dealer Sales for Auction Universe, who ensured that the top jewelry and glass dealers in the country were aware of this event and put items up for auction. “The articles on glassware and jewelry written to accompany the auctions will provide some fascinating information to collectors.” Below is an excerpt from an article on Tanzanite:
Tanzanite, a newcomer in the gemstone world, is a rare and beautiful violet-blue stone reminiscent of Sapphire. It is found only in Tanzania where it was discovered in 1967 and dubbed “Tanzanite” by Tiffany & Co. in 1971 for its first national promotion. Part of the normal fashioning process for Tanzanites are to heat treat them to produce a permanent violet-blue color. Legend has it that the affect of heat was first discovered when some brown zoisite crystals laying on the ground with other rocks were caught in a fire set by lightning that swept through the grass covered Merelani hills northeast of Arusha. The Masai herders who drive cattle in the area noticed the beautiful blue color and picked the crystals up, becoming the first tanzanite collectors. About Auction Universe
Auction Universe is a pioneer in bringing the online auction process to classified advertising and sales. It is comprised of the http://www.auctionuniverse.com website and a network of other specialty focused web sites and major newspapers for buying and selling. It has introduced leading edge technology as well as consumer protection programs, such as Bid$afe, which provides a money back guarantee on all transactions. Auction Universe also provides buyers expert information from many of America’s leading specialty and collectibles publications. It is the only online marketplace where over 6,000 local area and international interest groups buy and sell in a secure and trustworthy environment. It uniquely provides consumers with an information-rich, convenient, fast and entertaining experience. Auction Universe is a Classified Ventures Company. SEQN: BW1483
Retailers try to win hearts with deals for Valentine’s Day
Jan 7th
That’s what most consumers will be telling their honeys this economically challenged Valentine’s Day. Savvy retailers are responding with all sorts of discounts and special deals — many of which expire today — aimed at nudging early online purchases.
Some are shouting, “Free shipping.” Others are touting substantial discounts — up to 25%. Even chi-chi brands such as Tiffany and Godiva are on board.
Most Valentine’s gifts are bought at the last minute, says Thomas Hine, author of I Want That! How We All Became Shoppers. “So offers like these appeal to people who want to feel more responsible.” Which is most of us.
Some offers:
*1-800-Flowers.com. The flower-delivery specialist has a 25% discount on select bouquets for folks who make online purchases — and have flowers delivered by Feb. 12.
It also is discounting its long-stem roses, which are $24.99 this year vs. $29.99 last year. And it has a first-ever $19.99 Peruvian lily bouquet. Last year, its Valentine’s bouquets started at $29.99. “We’ve never sold them for that price at Valentine’s Day,” says Chris McCann, president. “We recognize the American consumer is tightening up.”
*Harry & David. The fruit-basket specialist has free standard delivery for select online purchases made by today. (Enter CUPID code at checkout.)
It also expects to add additional online promotions at harryanddavid.com before Valentine’s Day, spokesman Bill Ihle says.
*Victoria’s Secret. The lingerie seller is offering discounts for online orders through Feb. 12: $15 discounts off $100 orders, $30 off $150 and $75 off $250. (Use code BUYVS at checkout.)
It also is giving a free box of Godiva chocolates with any purchase of $60 or more only at stores, tiffany bracelets spokeswoman Jennifer Ortiz Brown says.
*Godiva Chocolatier. The upscale candymaker is promising a flat $5 shipping fee for any online order of $50 or more through today. For the first time, it’s selling a $5.50 chocolate heart lollipop, a price lower than for anything it’s previously sold at Valentine’s Day, CEO Jim Goldman says. “We tried to be thoughtful about allowing people to find something that fits within their budgets.”
*Cheryl&Co. The cookie maker offers $15 off online orders of $75 or more, and it has free ground shipping on 100 Valentine desserts and gifts.
*Tiffany. Tiffany has complimentary delivery for all online orders made by noon ET on Feb. 13. And free engraving through Monday. Don’t look for other deals, spokeswoman Linda Buckley says. “Tiffany has a longstanding policy of not price promoting.”
So, will all these deals help sell V-Day stuff?
“God knows if this will work,” says Hine, the retail author. “We’ve never seen tiffany cuff links anything like what we’re experiencing right now.”
FOR FULL TEXT OF GRAPHIC, PLEASE SEE PDF OR MICROFICHE
Spending less
Average amount consumers intended to spend on Valentine’s Day:
Supercuts Knows What You’re Getting for Valentine’s Day
Jan 3rd
Over 2,000 Clients Talk about What They are Getting – and Hoping to Receive
MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ — This week, a Supercuts customer survey revealed what men and women are thinking about for Valentine’s Day this Saturday, February 14. Over 2,400 Supercuts clients responded to an online survey and the answers varied from very funny to delightfully heartwarming.
“Supercuts customers are always straightforward with their comments and feelings; and this is tiffany jewelry no exception,” said Todd Scott, Supercuts brand director. “Single or married, this Valentine’s Day is about spending quality time with friends, family and loved ones.”
So — let’s cut to the chase — the Valentine’s Day gifts! What are men getting for their women?
Men have a trio of gifts they are looking at – cards (53%), flowers (51%) and jewelry (15.3%). Yet, 59% of the women are expecting candy! Get going guys!
And interestingly, over 1,000 women took time to write what they wanted for Valentine’s Day. Answers bracelets ranged from diamond engagement rings or time with family and kids, but the most popular was a simple card (60.4%) and dinner out. Respondent #403 gave in and said ‘OK OK, I secretly wouldn’t mind flowers!’ while #1189 is the envy of all women because she ‘received a full-length, red fox fur.’ One popular request (at least from respondents #20, #91, #496, #1206) — a new Wii! And in the ‘It Doesn’t Hurt to Ask’ department, one woman requested a million dollars.
Hundreds shared their plans as well. Many are making a special dinner because, as respondent #55 said, “…just being with my Valentine makes me feel good.” Romance is in the air – one Supercuts client will “treat my wife like the beautiful bride she is.” And then there are those who are not planning to do much more than respondent #712 who will go that extra step and “take a shower.”
Supercuts singles (16.7%) consider friends and family members their Valentine, and they will be out in force this Saturday. Supercuts couples — over 63% of the respondents — are going out for a romantic dinner. And because Supercuts clients are well-groomed, it’s not surprising that 52% are getting a haircut to look good for Valentine’s Day; while 24% of women talked about purchasing new clothes and getting their nails done (15%).
And what gifts do men want? Many didn’t request anything but a card and time with their sweetheart; or as respondent #66 said ‘can’t tell you here….’
So who answered this survey?
– 100% Supercuts customers
– 59.7% of respondents are women, 40.3% are men
– 56.5% are married
– 28.4% are single or never married
– 63.4% are spending Valentine’s Day with their spouse or partner
– 51.2% are spending up to $50 on a gift, while 32.8% expect to cufflinks spend
between $50 and $150 on a gift
– 60% are between 26 and 50 years old; with 25.6% between 18 and 30 years
old
– 20% report a household income between $50,000 and $75,000
– Men are considering three options for Valentine’s Day – cards, 53%;
flowers, 51%; and jewelry 15.3%
– 59% of the women are expecting candy, and 60.4% want a simple
Valentine’s Day card
– 16.7% Supercuts singles consider friends and family members money clips their
Valentine
– 52% of respondents are getting a haircut to look good for
Valentine’s Day
– 24% of women talked about purchasing new clothes and 15% are getting
their nails done.
About Supercuts
With more than 2,000 locations across North America, Supercuts provides consistent, quality hair-care services and professional products to its customers at convenient times and locations with reasonable prices. The concept appeals to men, women and children. Supercuts offers a broad selection of professional haircare products including Paul Mitchell, American Crew, Nioxin, Tigi, Redken, Biolage and more.
Jury convicts Johnson of Valentine’s Day murders
Dec 27th
Maurice Johnson could face the death penalty, a life sentence or life without parole after being convicted for the Valentine’s Day murders in 1999.
On Monday, a jury found Mr. Johnson guilty on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of especially aggravated robbery.
Jurors deliberated nearly six hours before rendering the verdict just before 5 p.m. They will return to the courthouse today at 9:30 a.m. to begin deliberating on whether Mr. Johnson should get the death penalty.
Prosecutor Richard Fisher said he could wrap up his portion of today’s proceeding in 30 tiffany jewellery minutes and then allow defense attorneys to present any mitigating factors.
Throughout closing arguments and court proceedings Monday, Mr. Johnson sat expressionless, occasionally conferring quietly with his attorneys.
Prosecutors alleged that, early in the morning of Feb. 14, 1999, Mr. Johnson, along with co-defendant Michael Younger, broke down the back door of 431 19th St. and shot O.J. Blair, 18; Cayci Higgins, 19; and Dawn Rogers, 25, in the back of the head as they knelt on the floor with their hands tied behind their backs.
Local media dubbed the event the “Valentine’s Day murders.”
The third defendant, Twanna “Tart” Blair, was also in the apartment at the time of the shootings and was shot in the back. Police first considered her a victim, but in 2006 she was charged as a participant.
During closing arguments Monday, Mr. Johnson’s defense attorney, Steven Ward, told the jury that “the silver bracelets state’s theory isn’t even based on assumptions; it’s pulled out of thin air.” In his opening arguments Thursday, he said the case was based on assumptions and that police manufactured facts to fit those assumptions.
“No one knows who killed them,” Mr. Ward said about the triple murder.
In his closing statements, Mr. Fisher pointed to multiple testimonies during the trial that Mr. Johnson had bragged about killing the three victims over money he believed Mr. Blair stole from him.
“Maurice goes back and tells his little circle of friends that ‘I’m the man; I killed those people,’” Mr. Fisher said.
During the trial, Mr. Fisher played phone calls recorded by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in which Mr. Johnson said that police had no evidence against him.
Witness testimony showed that Mr. Johnson and Mr. Blair fought at a party in Sweetwater, Tenn., the night silver cufflinks before the killings. Mr. Fisher said the fight was part of a series of incidents that led to the murders.
Mr. Ward argued that the prosecution produced no physical evidence linking his client to the killings and that each of the witnesses had given different versions of conversations and events throughout the investigation.
He also pointed out the drug use and criminal history of many of the witnesses.
W-B drug ring boss gets 12 years
Dec 10th
The leader of a major drug ring that operated in the Wilkes-Barre area tiffany jewelry was sentenced Monday to 12 years in federal prison.
The sentence imposed against Gregory Woods comes more than four years after he and 30 other people, including Woods’ son and wife, were charged in connection with the “Operation Main Street” drug bust.
Woods, 48, formerly of Academy Street, Wilkes-Barre, pleaded guilty in January to a single count of intent to silver bracelets distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine. He later sought to withdraw the plea, arguing his defense counsel had not properly represented him. U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo denied the motion in October.
Federal prosecutors allege Woods was the leader of a drug ring that sold up to $200,000 worth of crack cocaine, powder cocaine and marijuana per week in Luzerne County. Agents with a drug task force broke up the ring in October 2005.
At his sentencing Monday, Woods disputed that he was the leader of the ring. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert O’Hara said investigators had audiotapes of phone conversations in which Woods discussed pricing with others involved in the ring. That proves he held a supervisory role, O’Hara said.
The sentence was part of a negotiated plea in which prosecutors agreed to drop numerous silver bangles other charges. Caputo was not obligated to accept the plea, however.
Woods’ attorney, Carl Poveromo, asked Caputo to consider Woods’ troubled upbringing in considering whether to accept the plea and negotiated sentence.
Poveromo said Woods was one of 11 children. Both his parents were dead by the time he was age 7 and he was raised primarily by his sisters.
“He’s the product of very tragic circumstances,” Poveromo said. “He developed a drug problem at an early age and was drug dependent his entire life.”
Caputo acknowledged Woods had a troubled life and that it likely played a role in his criminal conduct silver rings. The judge said he felt the 12-year sentence was appropriate given the seriousness of the case and Woods’ background, which included three prior drug convictions.
The majority of defendants in the case were prosecuted by state authorities. Woods, his wife, Carmen Tinson, and their son, Bashir Woods, were among five defendants whose cases were taken over by federal authorities.
Bashir Woods was sentenced in August to six years and eight months in federal prison. Two other co-defendants who were charged federally, David Savage and Dominic Wilkins, also pleaded guilty. Savage was sentenced in August to eight years and four months in prison; Wilkins was sentenced in June to 11 years and eight months.
Tinson was scheduled to go on trial today, but her attorney sought a continuance,silver cufflinks saying she is negotiating with prosecutors and might enter a guilty plea.
Terrie Morgan-Besecker, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 570-829-7179.