Burlington-based Chandler Concrete Co., which has an operation in Salisbury, recently achieved two safety milestones.

Employees worked a million consecutive hours without a lost-time injury, and the company completed a 12-month period with no lost-time injury.

"I am very proud of these accomplishments as they reflect the importance that our company and all of our employees put on working and driving safely while performing their jobs," said company president Ted Chandler.

The company has more than 500 employees in 40 plant and office locations throughout central and western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee and south central and southwest Virginia.

Chandler is a family-owned producer of ready-mixed concrete, masonry and hardscape products.

Its outlets in Salisbury and Biscoe also offer building supplies.

Commercial being filmed at mall

Miller Davis Agency, a Salisbury-based advertising and public relations firm, is filming a television commercial at the Salisbury Mall, Friday beginning at noon.

The commercial will feature a product that is a home office or workplace accessory, and the public is invited to play a role in the filming.

"We are looking for people of all shapes and sizes to come out and experience this product while being filmed," said Mike Miller, president of Miller Davis. "Especially those who may spend a lot of time on the computer."

According to Miller, the creative concept for the commercial calls for a "mall-intercept" setting, often used in advertising to capture a person's first reaction to a product.

Anyone who is interested in being a part of the commercial should check in at the Salisbury Mall near the entrance to the former Goody's store. The first 25 people will receive one of the advertised products for free, and if they are actually chosen by the producers to be in the commercial, they will receive $100.

Donna's Dancers moves to Main Street

Donna's Dancers Dance Studio, owned and operated by Donna Weinhold-Painter, has moved to 320 N. Main St., adjacent to the Framing Gallery. The new studio is located in the back of the Weinhold Building that also houses the Framing Gallery, owned by Don Weinhold and managed by Jan Weinhold.

The new studio, designed by Weinhold-Painter and architect Jon Palmer, has 1,000 square feet, complete with waiting room, hardwood floors, tiled kitchenette and changing area.

An open house will be held in December.

Katharine McCanless passes CPA exam

Katharine Ann McCanless of Salisbury successfully completed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination by passing one or more of the exams sections during the period between July and September.

The exam tests a candidate's knowledge and skills in four major areas — auditing and attestation; financial accounting and reporting; regulation; and business environments and concepts.

McCanless was one of 242 successful N.C. candidates during the period. Those passing must now meet the education, work experience and moral character requirements of the board to become licensed CPAs.

Others in the area to pass the examination included Jacklyn Allen and Michael Federico, both of Mooresville; and Benjamin Abood, Jill Boger, Monica Morgan and Sterling Wall Jr., all of Lexington.

Writing contest to focus on year gone by

CHARLOTTE — A former business editor of The Charlotte Observer used to like to say — paraphrasing "Silent Cal" Coolidge — that "The business of Charlotte is business."

To commemorate these troubled times, with banks being sold and non-profits suffering, and celebrate the region's can-do attitude, International Association of Business Communicators Charlotte presents the 2008 Holiday Writing Challenge, an opportunity for professional communicators to put into words the angst, anxiety and absolute awfulness of the year gone by.

Authors are invited to bring their entries to share with their peers at IABC Charlotte's December Holiday Mixer, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 11, 6-8 p.m. at The Wine Shop, 7824 Fairview Road, Charlotte. RVSP at www.ciabc.com by Dec. 9.

"Writers can choose any form they wish, from limerick to haiku to made-over Christmas carols," said Dianne Chase, president of the Charlotte chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. "The main objective is to have some fun and enjoy the collective creative talent of Charlotte's communications professionals."

Nonmembers are invited to attend at the IABC member rate of $20, which will include one complimentary drink and hors d'oeuvres, and a cash bar following.

The International Association of Business Communicators/Charlotte is an organization of professionals from across the communications industry spectrum. The mission is to provide professional development and opportunities for members to enhance their skills and increase their success via a variety of programs, networking opportunities and conferences. For more information, visit www.ciabc.com.

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