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The County Times Thursday, April 11, 2013 10 Leonardtown Has Direction By Alex Panos Staff Writer Cars lined the streets last week during Leonardtown’s First Friday for the unveiling of the town’s first directory sign. The sign, located in front of Jeannie’s Flowers across from town square, gives the location of all businesses who are members of the Leonardtown Business Association and features a code on the lower right hand corner that, when scanned with an iPhone, opens up the county’s tourism website – visitstmarysmd.com. The Leonardtown Business Association decided the town “desperately” needed the directory, said Joe Orlando, the group’s vice president, because people ask for directions or what other shops Leonardtown offers. “It only helps everybody and every business,” Orlando said, noting the event brought out a large crowd. “It was the busiest First Friday we’ve ever had.” Orlando hopes within a year or so, there will be more signs unveiled in Leonardtown. April’s First Friday was the first spring event of the year, and featured St. Marie’s Musica as part of the event. Typically, warmer weather influences people to attend First Fridays, according to Maria Fleming, Leonardtown event coordinator. The warmer months bring about a feel to Leonardtown that is absent during the cold winter months. “I think spring and summer First Fridays are popular just because people feel less encumbered in general,” Fleming said. While Orlando said business in his shop is just as bustling during First Friday in winter as in summer, he agrees the music on the square during the warmer months encourages more people to come out and relax in town square. “I definitely think when we have music on the square, there are many more people here,” Orlando said. Fleming continued, “With spring and summer First Friday, there seems to be a greater sense of freedom and openness. People want to socialize, be outside and have a place to take the kids.” The summer brings about more people, and culminates with the beach party in August – the most popular First Friday each year according to Fleming. “Spring and summer First Friday have a real block party feel to them, even if you don't live here. That, coupled Mickie Suite points out a location on the new directory sign in Leonardtown. with the amazing variety of specials, entertainment, and activities provided by the local business, really brings the square to life.” Leonardtown has slated numerous activities during the warmer weather this year. The town will celebrate Earth Day weekend April 19 to 21, including a recycled art show at the Leonardtown Arts Center on April 19, later this month as part of the “Steppin’ Out in Leonardtown” festivities. May 3 will be “Fiesta First Friday”, featuring the music of CSM's Latin Ensemble and a Latin poet at Fenwick Street Used Books and Music. June 7 is "Get Hooked" on First Friday because the Crab Festival at the county fairgrounds takes place the following day. Music, a crab-picking demonstration and Pinch from the Blue Crabs will be in the Square. August 2 is the ever popular First Friday Beach Party, Fleming said. alexpanos@countytimes.net St. Marie’s Musica performs during First Friday. Photos by Alex Panos Rick’s Jewelry: Repairs, Custom Works for 20 Years Photo by Alex Panos Rick Norris explains what he is doing as he repairs an earring. By Alex Panos Staff Writer Rick Norris, owner of Rick’s Jewelers in San Souci Plaza, is celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary with a number of special deals, including a $5,000 shopping spree of in-stock merchandise. The shop, which opened in 1993 primarily as a place for Norris to perform repairs and custom work, now is equally as busy in the retail department. The shop is twice the size as it was back then, Norris says, and offers a much wider selection of the products he was already selling in addition to more lines of clocks and gift ware. He can customize wedding and engagement rings, mostly performed by hand, as well as duplicate any piece of jewelry. As a small business owner, he is able to hand-select the pieces he buys from jewelry sales companies. Larger commercial companies purchase thousands of pieces at a time, and the quality can vary greatly with such large quantities, he explained. “That’s why our stone colors and our quality are great,” Norris said. Norris began his career as an engraver with Blair’s Jewelers, and over time taught himself how to repair jewelry and customize pieces for each individual. Norris traveled to New York in the early 1980s to “hone [his] techniques” and become an expert before opening his first shop. With his background in engraving and fixing pieces, jewelry repair was his priority – the inclusion of sales came with the territory. “A lot of customers that came to me wanted to buy jewelry,” Norris said, adding they went as far as to tell him if he sold jewelry that would come to him first. Above all else, quality, backing the products and being in the shop to answer customer’s questions – Norris is in the store six days a week – are the keys to being successful and acquiring new clientele. “The customers I’ve had for years, they’re bringing in their kids now for engagement rings,” Norris said. People can fill out raffle tickets in the shop before the raffle, which takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 12. In addition to the $5,000 raffle giveaway, Rick’s will hold a series of special discounts throughout the day. The first discounts begin at 11 a.m., running every hour with different discount percentages on different selections until 6 p.m. Each special deal will last one hour, and sales are eligible for in-stock items only. Rick’s Jewelers is located in San Souci Plaza on Route 235, 22576 MacArthur Blvd in California. Call 301-737- 4241 for more information. alexpanos@countytimes.net
11 Thursday, April 11, 2013 The County Times Calvert Man Selling First iPhone Application By Guy Leonard Staff Writer T.J. Stalcup, of St. Leonard, loves to play video games to the end of the campaign but the addition in recent years of achievements in games like the Halo series, Gears of War and Call of Duty have enhanced the gamer experience. Whether its finding hidden items or racking up a certain number of kills in a first person shooter game, achievements give gamers something more to do than finish out the game. Stalcup loves to earn achievements, giving him an idea on how to turn them into a business opportunity. He created an application for the Apple iPhone for gamers to go online and track their achievements and compare how they stack up against other players on-line. “Beating the game is fine but achievements allow you to explore all the nooks and crannies of the game,” Stalcup said. The new application provides gamers tips and hints on how best to earn achievements from a whole range of games — the application allows gamers to view what achievements they can earn for games they haven’t even played yet, Stalcup said. His company, Little Appers, has just completed the application and is selling it for 99 cents. “What we saw was a void in the market,” Stalcup said. “It allows you to earn achievements quicker. What we found is that you’re going to have the most success building an application you would use yourself.” So far his company has sold about 100 of the applications, he said. The application is geared towards the Xbox game console but lists achievements for Windows and Windows Phone games, he said. The company plans to build several more applications although the approval process with Apple, the computer giant, can take a while. It took three weeks for Apple to approve this, their first application, he said. For more information on the application visit tjstalcup.com/achievementhelper. guyleonard@countytimes.net A GAtherinG PlAce Friday night thE MiKE StarKEy Band a new band with a great old sound! SatUrday night FOUr OF a Kind! it is gonna' be a giant night! SunDay from 4 to 7 MOtOWn MagiC rEtUrnS With thEir SOUndS OF yEStErday! attEntiOn Charity EvEnt hOldErS We have a great space available for you to do bull roasts, crab feasts, oyster scalds etc... Our gUESt BartEndEr nightS are a great money maker as well. For more details: Patrick Dugan • 301-373-2955 23971 mervell Dean rd Hollywood, mD 20636 Community Initiative for A Healthy St. Mary’s CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS Community Organizations, Local Businesses and Community Members APRIL SPECIAL: SENIOR DISCOUNT (55+) 20% off all repair services. Just mention this ad. • Repair • Refinishing/Specialty Finishes • Antique Restoration • Kitchen Cabinet Makeovers • Re-upholstery • Pickup and Delivery Services 800-955-7603 www.schoenbauer.com April 29, 2013 • 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Lexington Park Library The Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership would like to invite all to attend an informational meeting to discuss the health issues in St. Mary’s County and strategies to improve the overall health and wellness of our communities. Involvement is welcomed from local public, private and non-profit stakeholders and community members committed to making a healthier St. Mary’s County. Participants can assist in community level efforts surrounding obesity, chronic disease, tobacco use and substance abuse. Those interested in participating should contact Jaclyn Shaw at 301-475-6174 or email: Jaclyn_Shaw@smhwecare.com www.healthystmarys.com Visit us on Facebook to view before and after photos of some of our projects.
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