A style ace on court and off

*Tennis ace Maria Sharapova hopes to court a U.S. Open win with help from

architect Frank Gehry and Tiffany. She’ll wear

Gehry’s Stria sterling silver and diamond baubles while competing in this year’s event. $850 at Tiffany.com.

*Sharapova is making a racket off the court, too. She has partnered with Cole Haan for a collection of ballet flats, heels and clutches. $138-$398 at Colehaan.com.

Beef up a bracelet

You’ll be charmed, I’m sure. The Council of Fashion Designers of America is celebrating its 15th anniversary by teaming up with QVC on a series of bracelet charms. Designs are available from Vivienne Tam, Bradley Bayou, Marc Bouwer, Stan Hermann (pictured, right) and more. $20-$100 at QVC.com.

Salvagno’s Event Design and Florist will host its 10th annual Christmas Party from 5-8 p.m. at 730 Sixth St.

“It’s a customer appreciation event to bring something special to the community,” Terrie Salvagno Barr said. “We are happy to be part of our community.”

In business for 12 years, Barr said she and her family, who also own Orland’s Party Dogs Rentals, the party started a way to say thank you to customers and has “turned into a social event” with people coming “in car loads” from Sacramento, Redding, Chico and throughout Glenn County.

Making evening extra special, prawns and other delectables will be served, and key rings sparkling cider and champagne “will be flowing,” Barr said.

And, visitors will have a chance “to the see the magic of the place.”

A design signature for Salvagno’s Event Design and Florist its decorated Christmas trees and unusual ornaments.

While Barr expects to sell a few items, she said that is not the point. The crowd of merrymakers makes shopping a little more difficult than normal, she said.

“It’s busy, crowded. But that’s part of the fun,” she added.

Economically, the event design, florist and rental businesses have had a good year.

“I was cautiously optimistic” in preparing for 2009, Barr said. “The first part of the year was predictably difficult. But it picked up in the second half.”

She said she was more selective in her purchases, focussing on practical items that are more popular during economically tough times. Also, when people left their jobs at Salvagno’s she left the positions open and called people back to work during special events such as weddings.

The event industry, especially in flowers and retail, is down 20-40 percent this year, she said, with the worst being most recent.

“We did OK because we didn’t overbuy,” Barr noted.

In fact, the store has fewer big ticket items, but more smaller gifts costing $25 to $35 or less.

Even people who have the money to buy higher priced merchandise are spending less, necklaces Barr said.

“I hope 2010 will pick up, but I’m not counting on it,” she added.

On the other hand, while retail sales were down, the event part of the business increased over 100 percent this year.

“We had some of the biggest events we’ve ever done, more elaborate,” Barr said.

And the family group took home a Gold Award at the California State Fair in Sacramento this year.

“We are getting referrals to high-end weddings,” she said. “We’ve crossed into another market.”

Noting that it unusual for a high-end business to thrive in a small rural community, Tiffany Accessories Barr said she has been asked why she doesn’t move into a bigger city and bigger market.

“We’re thrilled to be part of Orland,” she gleamed.

Contact Lydia Harris at 934-6800 or lharris@tcnpress.com.

Christmas tree permits are on sale for $5 each at all Okanogan-Wenatchee discount tiffany National Forest ranger stations and the forest headquarters. Each permit allows a family to cut one tree, with a tree height limit of 15 feet, or dig a small live transplant tree. Permits may be purchased in person or by mail and are limited to two permits per family. The permits are non-refundable.

When venturing out into the cold and snowy hills in pursuit of a Christmas tree, here are some hints to help make your trip a safe one:

1. Before leaving home, notify a friend or family member where you will be going and when you will return. Then, stick to your plan and let your contact person know when you have returned.

2. Consider carefully your clothing, equipment, and vehicle needs, making certain they are adequate for the worst conditions you might encounter. If planning to drive over snow-covered roads, a high-clearance vehicle may be best, and don’t forget to carry tire chains and a shovel.

3. ALWAYS check out the avalanche hazard before leaving home.

4. Start out early in the day so that you have enough daylight to be able to choose that key rings “perfect” tree.

5. Be familiar with the area that you plan to visit.

6. Carry extra clothing, food, and tools in your vehicle for those unexpected mishaps that may occur.

7. Christmas tree permits may be placed on the driver’s side dashboard in lieu of a Northwest Forest Pass when parking at a trailhead. However, once enough snow accumulates and selected trailhead parking areas convert to Sno-Parks, you must have a valid Washington State Sno-Park permit displayed on your windshield when parking at any State Sno-Park.

For those who can’t make it into any of our offices during daily business hours many local businesses are also selling Christmas tree permits.

* In Wenatchee, tree permits are available at Hooked on Toys and Arlberg Sports. * In Chelan, permits can be bought at the Chelan Shell Foodmart gas station. * The Entiat Food Center in Entiat is also selling Christmas tree permits. * In the Lake Wenatchee area, Parkside Grocery, Midway Village and Plain Hardware have permits for sale. * In Leavenworth, tree permits are available at Dan’s Food Market, the 76 gas station and Shell Village Mercantile. * In the Cle Elum and Ellensburg areas Christmas tree permits can be purchased at Roslyn Cyclery, Pioneer Coffee, Intermountain Radio Shack, Morning Star Chevron/Deli and Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce. * Christmas tree permits are available at the following locations in the Naches Ranger District area: *necklaces Eagle Rock Grocery, Whistlin’ Jacks Resort and Rimrock Grocery Store on State Route 410 * Helms True Value Hardware and Save-On Foods in Selah * Oak Creek Ace Hardware and Slim’s Market in Naches * KOA Campground at Squaw Rock * Vendors selling Christmas tree permits in Okanogan County include: * Chevron Station in Okanogan * The General Store in Conconully * The Junction Mini Mart in Tonasket * Carlton General Store in Carlton * Twisp Chevron gas station, Hank’s Market and Hank’s Mini Market in Twisp * Pardners Mini Market in Winthrop

For more information about Christmas tree permits please contact any Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest office. These offices are open Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Our offices will be closed on the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Forest Service offices may also close early the day before these holidays, so call ahead for operating hours.

Chelan Ranger District, 428 W. Woodin Ave., Chelan WA 98816; 509-682-4900

Cle Elum Ranger District, 803 W. 2nd Street, Cle Elum, WA 98922; 509-852-1100

Entiat Ranger District, physical address 2108 Entiat Way, mailing address P.O. Box 476 Entiat Tiffany Accessories, WA 98822; 509-784-1511

Methow Valley Ranger District, 24 West Chewuch Road, Winthrop, WA 98862; 509-996-4000

Naches Ranger District, 10237 Hwy. 12, Naches, WA 98937; 509-653-1401

Okanogan Valley Office, 1240 South Second Ave., Okanogan, WA 98840; 509-826-3275

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Headquarters office, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 98801; 509-664-9200

Tonasket Ranger District, 1 W. Winesap, Tonasket, WA 98855; 509-486-2186

Wenatchee River Ranger District-Leavenworth office, 600 Sherbourne, Leavenworth, WA Tiffany Keys 98826; 509-548-2550

Wenatchee River Ranger District-Lake Wenatchee office, CLOSED during the winterFor more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.

Robin DeMario, 509/664-9292.

The patent has been assigned to Hitachi Metals Ltd., Tokyo.

According to an abstract posted by the World Intellectual Property necklaces Organization, the invention relates to a “piston ring material is provided which retains excellent mechanical properties and processability, which are required of piston ring materials, and has wearing resistance and scuffing resistance, which are sliding properties required of piston rings. The piston ring material, which is for use in internal combustion engines.”

The invention carries International Patent Publication No. Tiffany Accessories WO/2009/119388 on Oct. 1.

The original patent was filed in Japan under application No. Tiffany Keys PCT/JP2009/055186 on March 17.