“My fear is that North block (Finance Ministry) guys are having a hard look at fixing the budgetary hole and the tiffany targets are exporters,” the Commerce Secretary, Mr Rahul Khullar, told reporters here while releasing the foreign trade data for the first eight months of the current fiscal to prove the point that exports in November have turned positive.

Stating that the export performance would turn positive from January 2010, Mr Khullar said that “for the 2009-10 year as a whole, we are hoping that the export performance would be better than 2007-08, when exports fetched $163 billion, but will be below the 2008-09 level of $185 billion. How much this year’s exports will be below last year’s would depend on how well we do in the remaining months.” He said sectors which logged positive growth in November 2009 as compared to November 2008 include gems and jewellery at 40.4 per cent, petroleum products at 83.6 per cent, iron ore at 47.2 per cent, basic chemicals at 22.8 per cent and marine products at 27.3 per cent. He said engineering goods at 6.8 per cent, readymade garments of all textiles at 6 per cent and drugs, tiffany bangles and fine chemicals at 8.7 per cent showed modest growth.

Export performance He said exports declined in the first seven months of the current fiscal at -35.5 per cent, -30.2 per cent, – 31.9 per cent, -28.4 per cent, -19.5 per cent, -13.8 per cent and – 6.6 per cent. In November 2009 export turned positive at 18.2 per cent against the corresponding month of 2008.

Asked about fluctuations in the forex markets hitting exporters, the Commerce Secretary said that there has been no extreme volatility in the last few months and the movements in currency rates remain manageable by the exporters.

When contacted, the President of the Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO), Mr A. Sakthivel, told Business Line that most of the manufacturing segments with high labour intensity export production remain affected by slow growth and that the existing incentives need to be continued till the end of 2010.

He further demanded additional allocations under Market Development Assistance and Market tiffany rings Initiatives to the exporters to undertake unexplored areas, to cushion the shrinkage of space in the traditional destinations.

Copyright 2009 Business Line

These diamond watches are a major draw for fashionistas in the region. Falling under the category of jewellery watches they are distinguished by superlative modernity, design, beauty, exclusivity and mechanical performance which give these exceptional pieces their distinctive boldness. Some of the diamond watch brands exhibited at Damas includes Jaquet Droz, Montega, Quinting, Parmigiani, Varotti and Sarcar.

They are not only considered prestigious but pronounce the personal success of a person. These timepieces command respect and admiration for their perfect craftsmanship. These high-end diamond watches offer state-of-the-art functionality and reflect the cutting edge craftsmanship of enthusiastic master horologists who love new challenges. They carry out strict quality controls at every stage of production and thus are known to offer something really different and being recognised as worthy exponents of the noblest Swiss watchmaking traditions.

Mohammed Tawheed Abdullah, Managing Director of Damas, said: “Creating diamond watches is an unparalleled skill, handed down from generation to generation. Most of these watches are produced in the workshops of Geneva and consist of brilliant-cut diamonds from 0.5 to 1 carat. The setting of these noblest of all stones is designed to let the light shine unobstructed through each of its facets. Thus this magnificent gem sparkles at each turn of the wrist.

“What’s special about these exceptional watches is that they increase in value with age. Delicately set by hand, these jewelled timepieces testify to an exquisite knowledge of Swiss watchmaking that dates back well over a century. These signature instruments are an epitome of class and style. They speak of their creators’ mastery over their art and unmatchable dexterity.”

He added as the Middle East market is experiencing a surge in the high-end diamond watch segment, more and more people are now willing to spend on these unique timepieces. Those who buy them understand that they are investing in an ageless classic which has a personality of its own. The fashion conscious in the region who wish to make a chic statement, acquire these limited editions which offer them joy for a lifetime.

A diamond watch lasts forever, a true luxury in which the owner never has to consider purchasing another watch ever again, but of course, if they have the exorbitant amount of money it takes to purchase one watch then they will most likely buy another one eventually. Subtle in their style, superior in precision, these luxurious watches are an enviable acquisition. Watchmakers nowadays integrate aspects of jewellery into watches making them outstanding decorative accessories while retaining their sturdiness through technological advancement combining aesthetically pleasing and pioneering designs.

What makes these brands truly unusual is that the manufacturers of these timepieces have preserved their expertise. On the strength of their unprecedented technical superiority and attention to detail, these timepieces have become one of the most sought after items in the luxury market segment. They transcend the realms of traditional watchmaking and are extremely lavish in their style statement.

Though adorned with diamonds their beauty lies in the impeccable technique and subtly daring designs. They continue to inspire the fashion savvy in the region and across the globe with their contemporary styles and irresistible looks making them one of the most prestigious ambassadors in the watchmaking arena.

These unique timepieces are available at Damas Les Exclusive Boutiques in Saks Fifth Avenue, Burjuman; Emirates Towers; Burj Al Arab; and Mall of the Emirates clad in gold, silver and exquisite diamonds which gives them superior brilliance and sparkle.

About Damas:The journey of Damas began in 1907, and today it has grown from a UAE based company into a global fashion and jewellery network spanning UK, Italy, Libya, Turkey, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Maldives, India, Lebanon, and throughout the GCC countries with about 400 sales points worldwide. Damas houses internationally acclaimed jewellery and watch brands such as Tiffany & Co., Mikimoto, Daniel K, Gucci, Faberge, Carrera y Carrera, Paspaley, Pasquale Bruni, Roberto Coin, Fope, Chronoswiss, Parmigiani, Perrelet, Quinting, Montega, Frederique Constant, among many others. The innovative in-house collections include the majestic Bridal jewellery, exclusive jewellery brands such as Damas Cut, Boudoor, Hayati, Riwaya, Jawaher, Farasha, Fairouz, Harmony, Farfasha, Al Manthura; watch brands Varotti and Aquamarin; and a wide range of other classic and contemporary jewellery and watch collections. Quality consciousness, inspirational leadership and international reputation have led Damas to win prestigious awards including the exclusive De Beers Award 2000, 2004 and 2007 for jewellery design.

Acclaimed pianist Eric Street joins the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra for a Valentine’s Day gift concert 8 p.m. Saturday, February 14, in Holloway Hall Auditorium.

Conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Schoyen, the SSO program includes Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”

Street has won praise as a pianist in more than 30 countries on six continents. Standing ovations followed his debuts in Carnegie Recital Hall (New York), Paris, Cairo, London, St. Petersburg, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Berlin, Vienna, Salzburg and Prague. He has been widely telecast abroad, most recently throughout the Russian Republic from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.

“Dr. Street is a wonderful pianist and the SSO looks forward to sharing the stage with him,” said Schoyen.

Composed in 1924, “Rhapsody in Blue” premiered in New York City with Paul valentines bracelets Whiteman’s band–Gershwin at the piano. Gershwin’s strength was in melody, not structure, and the unique piece had a major impact on serious classical music composers such as Ravel and Stravinsky, who explored jazz in their works.

Other pieces performed during the concert include Glazunov’s “The Raymonda Suite” and Bizet’s “Overture from Carmen.”

Studying under Rimsky-Korsakov, Glazunov wrote his first compositions at an early age. For many years, he taught at the St. Petersberg Conservatory and became its director. He wrote the ballet Raymonda, from which “The Raymonda Suite” hails, in 1898 during what many music historians consider his most creative period.

Carmen debuted at Paris’ Opera Comique in 1875, several month’s before Bizet’s death. Full valentines cufflinks of color and exciting, forceful rhythm, Carmen has none of the stylized traditions of classical opera. Though it was not immediately popular because of its passionate force which shocked the conservative French audience, it is now one of the world’s most performed operas.

Sponsored by John Proctor, admission to the SSO concert is $20, $15 for seniors, $5 for children 12 and under. For tickets visit bookstore.salisbury.edu and click on “Box Office.”

For more information call 410-548-5587 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.

To help cope with your feelings and honor the memories of the ones you have lost, online memorial site, SympathyTree.com offers resources and the following tips to help manage your grief on Valentine’s Day.

– Honor your loved one’s traditions – Get involved with your loved one’s favorite charity or invite friends and family to share in a special meal or event, and spend time together. This can be a very cathartic and reflective time and helps with the healing process.

– Visit their grave – Tell them how much you love and miss them. You may be carrying burdens of guilt, which unless released, may keep you from moving forward.

– Create an online memorial – Create an affectionate tribute to your loved one on this special day. Share this online tribute of stories, photographs and videos with friends and family. This tribute that grows with time can help you deal with your grief in a comforting way.

– Pledge to join a support group – Don’t deal with your loss alone. Join a support group to help you cope and interact with people who also are grieving.

Valentine’s Day can feel painful and unpleasant as you try to move on with your life, knowing that those cheap bracelets days with that special person are in the past. This is the time to bring family and friends together to remember that letting go does not mean forgetting those memories and experiences. SympathyTree.com is one way to show your love for the one that has passed on, while continuing on with your journey of healing.

“The best gift you can give yourself from the one you have lost is looking forward,” said Louise Zweben, CEO of SympathyTree.com. “We recognize that the healing process starts with your decision to look ahead and rebalance your life. This does not mean forgetting your loved one but rather finding a way to keep your fond memories alive forever. SympathyTree.com allows people to form rich stories about their loss in words, photos and video that can bring a smile, tear or embrace – helping people get through this hard time on Valentine’s Day together.”

Celebrate your loved one’s life and start the healing process by visiting www.sympathytree.com.

About SympathyTree

SympathyTree allows a user to create a strikingly elegant and rich online memorial in minutes through words, cheap cufflinks pictures and videos to pay tribute to the person loved and lost. It then enables a community to emerge around the memorial of people commenting on stories and contributing new ones. The site allows the community to come together and pay tribute, share memories and comfort one another and in the process, not only start a grieving and healing process, but also keep the legacy alive. For more information please visit www.sympathytree.com.

For that reason, local business owners who specialize in gifts for tiffany jewellery Valentine’s Day are predicting the holiday Saturday will make for very good business in the Cedar Valley.

That’s not to say they’re sticking their heads in the sand.

“Business has been slower, I’m not gonna lie about it,” said Marty Hansen, the owner of chocolate and wine boutique Indulgence in Cedar Falls. “The recession is definitely being felt here.”

But Hansen, who is also a marketing and management instructor at the University of Northern Iowa, said he’s already seeing more business in preparation for Valentine’s Day than usual. He thinks that’s because people can’t afford big-ticket items for their sweethearts, and so they turn to smaller tokens of affection.

“Here (at Indulgence) you can get a really nice bottle of wine and a really nice box of chocolates, and be under $50,” he said.

Flower shop Flowerama on Kimball in Waterloo is seeing a relatively normal amount of customers for the biggest flower day of the year.

“It’s a little bit different because (Valentine’s Day) falls on a Saturday, and we’re not silver bracelets quite as busy when it falls on a Saturday,” said Katie Clausen, assistant manager at Flowerama. “So far, we are on track.”

Spending money on a romantic dinner for two is another popular way to spend Valentine’s Day, and Barmuda spokesperson Lori McConville thinks that won’t change this year.

“We don’t expect a downturn at all,” said McConville, noting the sweetheart specials at places like The Stuffed Olive, Bourbon Street and Ferrari’s. “As a matter of fact, we’re expecting a big turnout.”

That’s not a naive view to take, said professor Fred Abraham, who heads the department of economics at UNI. He said there was every reason to believe people would still go out and spend money for Valentine’s Day.

“Whether or not people are holding back a little bit — and, by the way, I think that they might be — there won’t be a decline in spending,” Abraham said. “The savings rate in the United States is starting to creep up, but simply because we save a little doesn’t mean we don’t spend.”

Local businesses also benefit from allegiances people feel to their friends and neighborhood stores, said Wartburg College business administration and economics department chair Kim Folkers. People spending money, and spending it close to home, will better benefit the local economy.

“I think there will still be flowers that will be delivered, dinners that will be had. And that’s not to silver cufflinks say people aren’t struggling,” she said. “People have not just locked themselves inside and not come out. I think people are attempting to come out, and I suspect Valentine’s Day will be one of those holidays.”

Contact Amie Steffen at (319) 291-1464 or amie.steffen@wcfcourier.com.

Despite the harsh economic times and cold weather, the Valentine business is alive for some venues.

“The romance of the day, that’s what carriage rides are all about. Romance and happiness.”tiffany jewelry said Liz Ragsdale, co-owner of Whitehaven Carriage.

She and her husband, Marion, have owned Whitehaven Carriage for 16 years. Saturday was their first Valentine’s Day operating in Denton.

“I think in our economy today, people need something to relax.” Marion said.

“And it gives their husband an opportunity to …,” said Liz.

“… get out of the doghouse,” Marion said with a laugh.

With many businesses feeling the impact of the financial crunch, the Ragsdales are thrilled they haven’t felt much of it.

“We feared every year when we heard that … but they come back every year,” Marion said.

Whitehaven Carriage was booked on Valentine’s Day. Marion handed roses cufflinks and chocolates to couples and families as Liz drove the white carriage guided by two Percheron horses.

“We’re big on customer service; I think that’s what keeps us in business.” Marion said.

He said that 75 to 85 percent of their business comes from repeat customers.

Joe and Johanna Iaia of Denton were among those with Valentine’s Day reservations. They rode a horse-drawn carriage on their wedding day nine years ago.

“We’re kind of reminiscing,” Johanna said. “I scheduled this as a surprise for Joe.”

The Ragsdales offered three packages that included a 25-minute ride, romantic music and a photograph. Chocolates and roses were also given, depending on which package was purchased.

The carriage packages were priced lower than they were when the Ragsdales worked money clips out of Dallas. Marion said he did that out of consideration for their new location in Denton and the economic hardships some are facing.

“If we did Valentine’s Day for the money, it would be weak. You can’t do it for the money,” Marion said.

But Valentine’s Day isn’t their biggest seller. Liz had a full schedule of carriage rides for the night and Marion had to turn away couples attempting to take part in the romance at the last minute.

“It’s a totally different world when they’re on a carriage,” Marion said.

In 2004, I was named player of the year, and since then have knocked on the door consistently but have failed to repeat. Last year, my buddy Erick Lindgren won the honors with a total of 245 points. That’s an impressive total, but with the Main Event yet to be played this year, five players have 240 points or more.

It has been just an amazing series on many levels. While I have cashed in eight tournaments — a personal record, as well as the highest number at this year’s WSOP — my accomplishment pales in comparison to what we’ve seen over the last month.

*Jeff Lisandro: He established a triple crown for the ages, winning three gold key rings bracelets in the same year. That feat has been done before, by Phil Ivey, Ted Forrest and Phil Hellmuth, but there was something extra special about Lisandro’s feat. He won three bracelets in three different forms of stud poker: Seven-Card Stud, Razz and Seven-Card Stud high/low. In total, Lisandro has cashed six times for 355 player of the year points, good enough to give him the lead going into the Main Event. He’s not in the clear yet, because there are several players in striking distance.

*Ville Wahlbeck: Who? Exactly. Wahlbeck has taken the WSOP by storm this year, racking up 320 POY points by showing off his overall poker skills in several different disciplines from Razz to 2-7 Draw to two final tables in mixed-game events. Wahlbeck is a professional poker player who has had lots of success with online poker, but this year’s WSOP was his coming-out party onto the world stage. Wahlbeck made four final tables with first-, second-, third- and sixth-place finishes; the sixth place came in the prestigious $50,000-buy-in H.O.R.S.E event, which requires excellence in five different disciplines.

*Phil Ivey: If poker were to have a Tiger Woods, he would be that man, and it has nothing to do with the vague resemblance. Ivey is widely regarded as the best all-around poker player in the world. And when he’s motivated, he wins gold bracelets. This year, he has won two for a career total of seven. At 33, he is the youngest player to win that many.

The all-time leader is Hellmuth with 11 gold bracelets, but the only thing stopping Ivey from necklaces surpassing that total is motivation. Ivey is a high-stakes gambler and makes most of his money playing in high-stakes cash games in Las Vegas. Winning bracelets is more of a hobby for Ivey. If there is any player in the world who can win 20 bracelets in a lifetime, Ivey is clearly at the top of that list.

Ivey and Lisandro have won multiple bracelets this year, but two other professionals have struck gold more than once: Brock Parker and Greg Mueller.

Four players have won multiple bracelets, breaking another WSOP record. The other feat worth mentioning, and it was very close to being truly historic, involved Russian Vitaly Lunkin. He won the 40th anniversary $40,000 buy-in No Limit event, followed that up with a second-place finish in the $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha event and then came close to winning the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event, finishing fourth.

This year’s WSOP results should put an end to the foolish debate as to whether poker is a game of Tiffany Accessories skill. The WSOP already will go down as one of the most memorable ever, and the Main Event championship has yet to begin.

Despite economic woes globally, the WSOP thrived and records were broken in several events.

It’s still hard to predict how many players will chase WSOP glory in the Main Event, but here is a safe bet for you: I will be one of them.

Daniel Negreanu is a professional poker player with four WSOP bracelets

You’ll find fewer flights, more crowded planes and enough fees — for everything from blankets to bags christmas gift — to give you sticker shock. That’s on top of the perennial holiday hassles of ferrying gifts and worrying about winter weather delays at a time Americans continue to feel the pressures of the economic downturn.

“It will be worse than last year — fewer seats, higher (passenger loads) and higher fares and fees,” says Bob Harrell, of airline and travel consulting firm Harrell Associates.

Airlines drastically cut holiday fares after the economy buckled late last year. Since then, carriers steadily have reduced flights and switched to smaller planes to make sure they don’t wind up flying with rows of empty seats.

The number of seats available on domestic flights in November and December has dropped 3.3% from last year, according to an analysis by OAG-Official Airline Guide. Last year, the number of seats available in that period was down 9.7% from 2007.

The reductions mean that if a traveler could gaze into the sky the day before Thanksgiving and see all the tiffany rings planes flying, “It would be the same amount as there were in 1999,” says Rick Seaney CEO of FareCompare.com. “We’ve lost a decade of (growth in) domestic aviation.”

Fewer flights mean more crowded planes. It could make it harder for some travelers to get the flights they want. And with fewer seats available, if travelers miss their connections, it may be awhile before they can get another, especially if the entire family is flying.

“You may not get a seat for days,” says George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com, “and we’re talking about holiday travel, so it’s crucial that you be there … to carve the turkey and open the presents.”

Decisions by many airlines to cut service and stop flying some routes have hit smaller communities especially hard. As a result, local residents and family and friends who want to visit them have fewer options this season. More than in years past, travelers living in or visiting people in smaller communities will have to drive an hour or more to a bigger airport to get a non-stop flight to their destination or a lower fare.

Paul Toth, CEO of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority in Ohio, expects most Toledo-area residents will drive the roughly 50 miles to Detroit. There, they can choose among several large and low-cost carriers and have a chance at more competitively priced tickets.

“During the holiday … we’ll continue to lose more than 90% of our travelers who will drive to Detroit to use the services at Detroit Metro,” Toth says.

The airline industry’s struggles, leading to cutbacks in less lucrative markets, have taken their toll on Toledo. During the last five years, Toth says airlines have slashed the available seats for flights in and out of Toledo Express Airport by 70%. And in the last 12 months, American Eagle alone has cut capacity by 25%.

“Toledo has kind of taken it on the chin as far as capacity cuts go,” he says.

Fewer flights, but …

During the Thanksgiving holiday period, large U.S. airlines expect 4% fewer fliers than last year, according to the Air Transport Association, which represents most of the big carriers.

That doesn’t mean fares will drop. Slashing the number of seats to meet reduced demand gives airlines the leeway to push fares higher, travel analysts say.

“With the capacity cuts, the airlines kind of got in front of this issue … so they can charge more,” says Genevieve Shaw Brown, senior editor with Travelocity. “Last year, there was an anomaly, when fares, as you got closer to Thanksgiving, suddenly started to drop. This year is following a much more typical pattern of, the closer we get to the holidays, the higher the fares.”

As of early November, holiday fares were still lower than those offered at the same time last year. But ticket prices have been creeping up. Many airlines also imposed $20 surcharges each way for flights on peak travel days, such as the Sunday after Thanksgiving or the day after New Year’s. Some travel watchers expect holiday fares to ultimately be the same as, or a bit more than, last year’s as airlines try to boost their bottom lines.

Travel specialists say travelers should book now. “Every day you wait adds $5 to your trip, so if that $5 means something to you, go ahead and buy,” Seaney says. “In general, procrastinators end up getting stung.”

Tom Parsons, CEO of BestFares.com, who’s tracked fares for 28 years, cites an example of a trip between San Francisco and Tampa, flying Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

It would have cost a flier $278 round trip if it was booked on June 30. By the week of Oct. 19, the fare was up to $418. And on Nov. 16, the cheapest trip was $618. “In the last 30 days, it’s jumped another $200,” Parsons says. For airlines, he says, this “is their last hurrah until probably spring break, when they can actually demand more money than they’ve been getting.”

With Americans still reeling from the recession, the cost of travel is a key concern. An AOL Travel/MapQuest survey of 1,000 respondents this month found that 30% of those flying this holiday season said cost was the most stressful part of air travel.

“They’re clearly impacted by the economy,” says Beth Caulfield, AOL Travel editor in chief. “They’re spending tiffany bracelets less, but they’re being very selective about what they choose to spend, and not spend on, so they can maintain their holiday traditions.”

Travelers may be able to find a few sales between now and Christmas, and some analysts say alternate metro airports — Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami, Oakland instead of San Francisco, — could offer better deals. But a sure way to save money is to be flexible with travel dates.

“You can save 25% to 30% by traveling either on the holiday itself or by traveling a day or two away from the peak travel date,” says Barbara Messing, vice president of Travel-Ticker.com.

Round trips departing on Thanksgiving Day, a non-peak time, and returning Dec. 1 cost, on average, nearly $200 less than those starting the day before Thanksgiving and returning the Sunday after, Brown says.

“That’s significant, particularly when talking about a family trip,” she says. “If you can save close to $800 for a family of four by adjusting your dates, a lot of people in this economy would be willing to do that. The other upside of travel on Thanksgiving itself: You find fewer crowds at airports, shorter lines at security, less crowded flights. So if you can make that work, it’s a money saver, and I think a stress saver.”

Get online early

With fuller flights, it’s a good idea to check in online to save time at the airport and get the most comfortable seats. “If you’re on a flight (that’s) 100% full,” Brown says, “you want to be the person who checked in online 24 hours before and selected the aisle seat, not the one who shows up at the airport and gets stuck in the middle.”

But on a few airlines, reserving a seat far in advance can cost you. AirTran charges passengers $6 for reserving a seat — $20 for one in the exit row — more than 24 hours before the flight. In October, British Airways also began charging some passengers for reserving a seat more than 24 hours in advance.

There are other charges that those who haven’t flown in a while may not expect. US Airways, for instance, charges for pillows and blankets on domestic flights, as does Allegiant.

Fees for items and services that were once free, such as in-flight meals or checking a bag, are not new. Many made their debut last year, when airlines looked for ways to raise revenue as fuel prices soared and the recession kept many people from flying.

But this year, many of those fees have increased. And some carriers, such as United and US Airways, charge $5 tiffany cufflinks more if the baggage fee is paid at the airport rather than online.

There are also some changes to look forward to this year, such as a chance there will be fewer delays. “With less passengers in the air and less planes in the air, on-time arrivals have (improved) in the past year, as well as baggage handling,” Seaney says.

Those who haven’t flown lately also will find that several airlines, including Delta and American, now offer in-flight wireless Internet service on some flights. Virgin America, partnering with Google, is offering free access to Wi-Fi on all its flights from Nov. 10-Jan. 15. And Delta and Continental are among airlines offering satellite TV.

Many charges have gone up, but a few have dipped. United eliminated the fee for redeeming miles through its frequent-flier program within 21 days of travel. Frontier has dropped all fees for mile redemptions.

The fee for bringing your pet along on a Delta flight dropped this summer from $150 to $100.

The travel slump also has sparked steep discounts at some hotels during the holidays, particularly Thanksgiving, industry watchers say.

“This is a fantastic time to stay in a luxury hotel,” says Messing, who says four-star hotels in Chicago are offering rates of $99 a night, roughly $200 less than what would be asked in a stronger economy.

Some longstanding travel tips are still worth following this holiday season.

Travelers should remember, for example, that although carrying wrapped gifts aboard flights or checking them as luggage is allowed, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends against it, because the gifts might have to be opened by security personnel.

And leaving plenty of time to get to the airport is especially important during the busy holiday season. Many airlines recommend arriving at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight.

Of course, if you don’t want to worry about frantic sprints through the airport, packed flights and worrying about when or where to wrap your nephew’s Elmo toy, you could wait until after the holidays to visit relatives.

Or you could drive.

“If you’re thinking of a vacation, one within driving distance makes sense,” Brown says. “If you can eliminate airfare altogether … that’s a great option.”

TEXT OF INFO BOXES BEGINS HERE

Tips for travelers

*Catch the day’s first flight. Early flights usually are cheaper.

*Check for sales after noon on Tuesday. That’s when most airlines have matched discounts announced on Monday night.

*Sign up for e-mailed fare alerts from airlines and travel websites such as FareCompare.com and Travelocity’s FareWatcher Plus.

*When booking a flight, give your name as it appears on the ID you’ll show at the airport.

*Check in online before your flight to save time and money.

*Don’t carry on or check wrapped packages. They may be opened at security checks.

* Visit www.tsa.gov to see what you may take through checkpoints.

*Be at the airport at least 1 1/2 hours before a domestic flight, two hours before an international trip.

*Carry on a change of clothes, medication, snacks and toys in case you get stuck.

By Charisse Jones

Fewer flights in some cities

Travelers have less chance to fly in and out of many cities. Percentage change in the number of seats on tiffany money clips domestic flights in November and December compared with the last two holiday seasons at some airports.

Airport ’07-’08 ’08-’09

Birmingham -11.6% -9.5%

Burlington, Vt. 12.5% -23.2%

Chicago (O’Hare) -12.9% -2.6%

Cincinnati -23.9% -23.8%

Cleveland -11.5% -7.5%

Detroit -7.3% -7.1%

Hartford, Conn. -12.9% -13.0%

Little Rock -12.5% 5.8%

Los Angeles -14.0% 1.0%

Louisville -16.8% -5.4%

Madison, Wis. -10.3% -13.1%

Memphis -9.5% -6.0%

New York (JFK) -8.0% -7.2%

Oakland -27.8% -8.6%

Omaha -9.2% -0.4%

Ontario, Calif. -30.7% -5.6%

Pittsburgh -12.0% -9.3%

Raleigh/Durham -12.4% -7.5%

Reno -18.0% -12.2%

San Diego -9.0% -6.5%

St. Clair County Community College’s Theatre Discipline in December will present A Christmas tiffany Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas in the college’s Fine Arts Theatre.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.

The play is written by Charles Dickens and adapted by Michael Wilson. Tom Kephart is director.

The play tells the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his Christmas Eve journey with three ghostly spirits.

Tickets are $5 for students and seniors age 60 and older and $7 bracelets for adults. Tickets are available at the door or by calling (810) 989-5513 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas

SC4 student cast list Student Hometown

Joel Badley Marysville

Samantha Bogumil Kimball Township

Robert Croy Croswell cufflinks

Cassie Farrugia Clyde Township

Kelsey Hernandez Marysville

Rachel Kearney Port Huron

Mallorie Krul Kimball Township

Erilee Lowe Marine City

Jeremiah Lukasak East China Township

Rae Ann McVeigh Kimball Township

Kami Misch Emmett

Donald Parker Port Huron

Zach Parkhurst St. Clair

Ryan Silver Yale

Angie Stoecklin Columbus Township

Dan Williams Kimball Township

Jordan Yeip Columbus Township money clips Children cast list Lillian Beckman Port Huron

Erin Blaylock Marysville

Owen Day Port Huron

Courtney Harris Kimball Township

Delany Lemke Marysville

Wesley Spain Marysville

Marisa Spain Marysville

Elizabeth Sturtridge Marysville For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.

Christmas tree permits are on sale for $5 each at all Okanogan-Wenatchee 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 silver bracelets 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 “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 silver cufflinks 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: * 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 silver money clips, 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 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.