Woodlands Resort & Inn receives 5-Star ratings

Woodlands Resort & Inn and The Dining Room at Woodlands have received the Mobil Travel Guide’s Five-Star Award for dining and lodging. This marks the third consecutive year the Summerville resort has received Mobil’s highest rating. Woodlands is one of only three properties in North America to hold a Mobil Five-Star rating for lodging and dining. The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco and the Inn at Little Washington in Virginia are the other two properties sharing that distinction.

Two new real estate designations available in tri-county area

Charleston-area real estate agents have the opportunity to acquire two new specializations: Certified Seller’s Agent and Accredited Luxury Home Specialist. The two designations are offered in conjunction with Fortune Academy of Charleston and Carolina Career Center. Both courses, developed by RealtyU, the largest network of real estate schools and colleges in the country, will be offered to area real estate agents in December and January. The CSA course focuses on the practical side of selling. The ALHS course concentrates on presenting services to a sophisticated market, how to stage and show luxury homes, and connects agents to a local and national referral market of up-scale properties and buyers. Both courses meet the requirements for MCE electives. Fortune Academy Charleston is holding the ALHS course Dec. 12 and 13 at their West Ashley location, 2090 Executive Hall Road. The CSA course will be offered at Fortune Academy’s Mount Pleasant Campus Jan. 18 and 19 at 537 Long Point Road. To register, call Denise Stanton, 881-2341.

Candlewood Suites coming to North Charleston

Candlewood Suites, a hotel chain owned by United Kingdom-based InterContinental Hotels Group, will make its South Carolina debut next year with a 125-room, four-story hotel on Northwoods Boulevard near the mall in North Charleston. Construction on the nearly 67,500-square-foot hotel is expected to begin in mid-December and be completed November 2006, according to Adrian Wewers of Charleston-based Premier Hospitality Group. The RBA Group, a Charlotte-based architectural and interior design firm, is designing the hotel.

Vought reports over $55 million loss in third quarter

Vought Aircraft Industries Inc. reported a net loss of $55.2 million for the third quarter ending Sept. 25. The net loss was a result of increased production cost estimates for new and existing programs caused in part from the effects of transferring work from plants it is closing, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union strike at Boeing and from the company’s continuing investment in the Boeing 787 program, the Dallas-based company said. “The Boeing strike added to the challenges we have been dealing with on transition programs from Nashville, particularly C-130J and V-22, as well as start-up issues associated with BLACK HAWK. Taken together, they have been disruptive to our operations. We continue to work with our customers on minimizing their impacts. Nevertheless, these issues led to a larger than expected net loss,” said tom Risley, Vought’s chairman, president and CEO. “These challenges reinforce the need for the cost reduction initiatives announced last quarter, which are well underway and on track. We’re driving down costs and continuing with site consolidation efforts to enhance our competitiveness.” The company’s net loss for the third quarter of 2004 was $41.6 million. Net sales for the third quarter of 2005 were $310.4 million, an increase of 5% compared to $295.3 million in the same period a year ago. The increase in net sales is primarily due to increased delivery rates on military and business jet programs, partially offset by lower commercial delivery rates caused mainly by the IAM strike. Vought is currently building a facility near the Charleston International Airport to assemble the fuselage of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner along with its joint venture company Global Aeronautica. It’s joint venture partner is Alenia Aeronauctica, based in Italy.

15th Annual Piggly Wiggly Reindeer Walk/Run set for Saturday

The Charitable Society of Charleston is helping sponsor the 15th Annual Piggly Wiggly Reindeer Run/Walk, which benefits the MUSC Children’s Hospital. MUSC is the designated hospital for many children with life-threatening illnesses. Last year’s fundraiser had more than 1,600 participants and net proceeds of more than $39,000. The 5k run/walk begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 at Southend Brewery & Smokehouse on East Bay Street. The entry fee is $25 for adults and $20 for children under 12. Late registration will be an additional $5 up until race morning. Race fee includes a long-sleeved t-shirt (guaranteed for those who pre-register and while supplies last). Packet pick-up and late registration is Friday, Dec. 2 at the MUSC Wellness Center from noon until 6 p.m. Late registration on race morning will be held from 7-8:00 a.m. in front of Southend Brewery at 161 East Bay St. For more information and to register online, visit www.ReindeerRun.org. The “Post-Race Celebration” will be held at Southend Brewery directly following the race. Enjoy complimentary Christmas cookies, doughnuts and beer. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top overall finishers, and awards will be given in all age groups. Those with the most creative costumes will be rewarded as well. Categories for the costume contest will be divided into four divisions: Adult, Children, Group and Dog. Other sponsors for the event include: Piggly Wiggly, RBC Centura, Beazer Homes, Pro-Legal Copies, Bennett Hofford Construction Company, Keller Williams Realty, The Post and Courier, Kit Thrash Properties, 98X, ABC News 4, Southend Brewery, Angela R. Black, Gamble Givens and Moody LLC, Sonitrol, McAlister Development Co., Charleston Trident Association of Realtors, Cooper Law Firm, J.R. Rowell Printing Co., Palmer & Cay, 105.5 The Bridge, Half Moon Outfitters, Palmetto Media Group, Red Zeppelin Aerial Photography, Spa Adagio, Banks Construction, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Powerade, Dasani, T&T, On The Run, Precision Mailing Services and Sticky Fingers.

Holiday socializing budgets up drastically in Southeast

Southeast consumers plan to nearly double the amount they spend on socializing away from home this holiday season compared to 2004, according to the 20th anniversary Holiday Mood Survey of retail spending and trends, commissioned by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP. The 2,317 consumers surveyed from six Southeast states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee—plan to spend an average of $712 on travel, hotels, restaurants and other away-from-home activities this holiday season. This is an 83% increase from the $390 average anticipated in last year’s survey and outspends this year’s national average of $402. “Southeast consumers have been severely impacted by this year’s hurricane season,” explained David Herskovits, Deloitte’s Southeast Consumer Business practice leader. “Evacuations from affected areas and relocations to surrounding states have scattered families across the country. Having experienced months of physical and economic displacement, many are focused on finding a way to be together and celebrate this holiday season. In addition, higher fuel prices are contributing to the anticipated increase in socializing budgets for Southeast consumers.” Holiday shoppers in the Southeast are also planning to spend their hard-earned cash on gifts, last year’s top spend item, and home improvements. Charitable donations rank fourth in 2005 spending categories, exceeding planned spending for holiday entertaining at home, non-gift clothing and holiday furnishings. The focus on charity appears to reflect continued contributions for hurricane victims, as well as a focus on providing for others rather than for buying for oneself and one’s family. Despite predictions by many of a gloomy holiday season for retailers, 69% of Southeast households surveyed said they plan to spend the same or more during this holiday season compared to last year. These survey findings support Deloitte’s expectation that national non-auto holiday sales will increase 6% to 6.5% during the November-to-January period, less than last year’s exceptional 8.6% increase, but still above the past decade’s average growth rate.

Charleston County administrator retiring after 29 years

Charleston County administrator Roland H. Windham Jr. Tuesday announced his plans to retire effective Dec. 31, 2006. “It was an extremely difficult decision to retire from a career I’ve been in my whole life,” Windham said. “It is only fair to give council members a one-year notice so they will have time to go through the sometimes long process of hiring a successor.” After an executive session, the county council accepted Windham’s letter of intention to retire. “Although we hope he will change his mind, it is our duty to support his decision. We hope we will have time to show our appreciation for his great work and for all he has done for the citizens of our County,” said Leon Stavrinakis, county council chairman. Windham currently has 29 years experience working in city and county administration throughout South Carolina. As the administrator for Charleston County, he is responsible for delivery of county services to approximately 320,000 citizens in a 1,357 square mile area. Windham serves as secretary of the South Carolina Association of Counties, which develops and implements policies for counties throughout the state. He also serves as a commissioner on the Deferred Compensation Board, a trustee of the S.C. Counties Workers Compensation Trust Fund and the Property and Liability Trust Fund, and as a member of various other state and local boards and study committees. He is a member of the International City and County Managers Association, the S.C. Managers, Administrators and Supervisors Association and is a member and past president of the S.C. City/County Management Association.

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