Archive for June, 2010
Collecting Crystal
There are many types of crystal that people will choose to collect but the most common is lead crystal. The collections might come from estate sales where property is auctioned to the lowest bidder, or people might find odd pieces at resale shops across the United States.
Some of these crystal collections will be covered with dust and grime and many people at the auction will not realize the value of the pieces on the display table. Other people are crystal resellers and randomly search the internet to find crystal bargains that they can make a considerable profit by marking up the price for the item and selling it in an online auction environment.
When collecting crystal pieces, a collector might consider some of the well-known brands of crystal. The crystal pieces come from companies like Waterford, Rosenthal, Wedgwood and Royal Doulton. Some of these crystal pieces are quite large and people prefer to purchase those pieces through retail outlets rather than paying the shipping charges from a collector that is in a different geographical location.
There are also brands of crystal that have become highly collectible because they are the brands that are sold through home parties. One of the most notable brands of catalog crystal items is Princess House crystal which is made in France. Many of the new sellers for Princess House will have a buyer introduction period where two for one special is in place for months at a time. This allows the agent to create a customer base and reap the revenue from the large sales during this time period.
Some people prefer to begin collecting crystal by buying animal shapes that commemorate the birth of a child. The animal shapes in crystal can be found in clear crystal forms, or in richly textured colored that create a visual effect when the piece of crystal is turned or held up to the light. Small pieces of crystal can weigh a considerable amount because the grade of lead in the piece is high.
Many people start collecting crystal because they want to dress out their dinner table. They will do their research and pick the brand of crystal that reflects their own personal style. There are crystal goblets, glasses and flatware collections to consider for the dinner table, and then people can start to consider the elaborate candelabras and candle holders that can offer a softer light for romantic dinners.
People continue collecting crystal because they want to create an heirloom that their children can enjoy for many years to come. Some families will keep their crystal collections behind glass doors and use them as home decorations when they are not in use. The brilliant cuts that can be made to crystal can turn ordinary crystal bowls into centerpieces that can be used for family gatherings.
Source: Crystal Concepts
Hoopfest which takes place this weekend here
There’s just three days left until Hoopfest tips-off in downtown Spokane.
Teams are trying to squeeze in final practices at courts all over. KREM 2 News caught up with those teams aiming for Hoopfest Domination.
The largest three-on-three tournament in the world will take place right here in downtown Spokane and people of all ages are getting ready for it. Each person is getting ready in his or her own way.
For Derek Houk and Ismael Ross it’s a game of horse and one-on-one. They both say they’ve been practicing outside a lot lately. The ball and the rules may be the same but not the outdoor game ,and players know this.
The players KREM 2 talked with say especially downtown, the streets are slanted and the ball goes everywhere.
There are even kids attending a four day basketball camp at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church off 57th to prepare. The camp director says the camp is not geared specifically to get the kids ready for Hoopfest, but rather to teach them fundamental skills. But a good number of the elementary and junior high students will be tightening up their laces for this weekend’s tournament.
History of Spoken Washinton’s Hoopfest
In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, 3-on-3 basketball tournaments hardly existed outside of the Midwest United States. The idea of Spokane Hoopfest was born from two separate groups: one group with members from the Midwest who wanted to see the continuance of the 3-on-3 ball they had back home and the other with members trying to raise money for Special Olympics. Eventually the two groups merged under co-founders Rick Betts and Jerry Schmidt and Spokane Hoopfest Association was created. Finding support for the first tournament proved a challenge as Hoopfest wanted to do something no one else had: shut down the streets of downtown Spokane for two full days of basketball. By going door to door and winning a majority of downtown business owners over with the idea, the permit was granted and 36 courts were taped off on the asphalt.
On June 30 and July 1, 1990, a group of dedicated volunteers including founding board members Betts, Schmidt, Dave Jackson, Terry M. Kelly, Dennis Magner, and Rick Steltenpohl coordinated the first Hoopfest. The tournament hosted 2,009 players on 512 teams. The event was such a success in its first year, the City was happy to have it back again the next summer. Thus began the tradition of Spokane shutting down its downtown core during the last weekend in June to let people play on the streets.
In the many years since inception, Hoopfest has developed into much more than a basketball tournament. Activities have been added to enhance the event experience such as a youth and adult center courts, games and contests for every age, music playing throughout downtown, merchandise tents, and more.
Hoopfest has grown to become the largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament and family festival of its kind in the world. Annual participation in Hoopfest exceeds 6,700 teams and 26,000 players. With players coming in from 42 states including Hawaii, Georgia, and Kansas, it now takes over 428 courts to house the 14,000 games. It is believed that the second largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the country has no more than 1,500 participating teams.
With so many thousands of people in town for Hoopfest, Spokane’s economy is greatly impacted each June. A survey was conducted in 2006 by an independent third party to accurately assess the spending done by Hoopfest participants over the course of the event weekend. Using this survey, Hoopfest predicts that the event brought 30 million dollars into the Spokane economy. This figure includes everything from hotel spending and shopping to entertainment and dining. Beyond the immediate economic impact of the tournament weekend, Hoopfest is committed to supporting area charities. Since 1990, Spokane Hoopfest Association has donated over $1,200,000 to organizations such as Special Olympics, YMCA, YWCA, and other youth sports programs, as well as its court construction program. Hoopfest has built or renovated over twenty outdoor basketball courts in area neighborhoods so local residents have an opportunity to play year-round.
Spokane Hoopfest Association is a Washington nonprofit corporation and tax exempt Organization under section (501)(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Its mission statement is as follows: Spokane Hoopfest Association is committed to organizing and operating the best outdoor 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the country. With the effort and enthusiasm of thousands of volunteers, Hoopfest strives to create a dynamic downtown festival, transcending basketball throughout the celebration of athleticism, fair play, and community involvement. Spokane Hoopfest Association also provides charitable support through distribution of profits to Special Olympics and basketball-related activities.
Hoopfest is extremely proud of its 3-on-3 tournament. With the generous support of the City of Spokane, many wonderful sponsors, and 3,000 dedicated volunteers, Hoopfest has grown into an unparalled event that is cherished by the Inland Northwest. In winning the 2003 Agora Award for Business Excellence, the judges said the following about Hoopfest: “No other single event (here) brings together people of such diverse cultures, economic conditions, and ages for a common purpose. And this common purpose is not just basketball. It is cheering for one another, working together, competing fairly, and celebrating Spokane.” With a successful and solid foundation, Hoopfest boldly looks forward to an exciting and rewarding future!
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