Business roundup: Event planning firm opens

Bonfire Productions, an event planning management company, has opened at 124 N. Main St.

Owned by Bonnie Holder, Bonfire Productions can facilitate all aspects of a wedding, social or networking event, workshop or conference. The company handles every detail of an event, including the planning, development, marketing, logistics, feedback and follow-up.

Holder is a Rowan County native.

“Knowing this community’s unique personality enables Bonfire Productions to recognize specific preferences, ensuring only the finest in cuisine, entertainment, service and venue. I’m a lifelong resident of Rowan County, so I am intimately familiar with local flare. My knowledge of Rowan County and surrounding communities allows Bonfire Productions to offer perfect choices customized to any event.”

Bonfire Productions consults and manages a wide variety of events— from corporate showcases that enable organizations to better market themselves, to meetings that provide opportunities for employees to share best practices, to social events that go beyond guests’ expectations.

Bonfire Productions also specializes in weddings, including the catering, decor, organization, photography, music and any other needs a bride and groom may have for their special day.

Bonfire Productions offers one-of-a-kind event planning services that are affordable, flexible and powerful.

For more information, contact Bonfire Productions at bonfire@carolina.rr.com or 980.234.7611.

TAB Construction at Green Builder

TAB Construction, located at 2320 Providence Church Road, has completed certifications in Green Building for Building Professionals and Energy Star Business Management for Building Professionals.

The National Association of Home Builders recognizes TAB Construction as a Green & Energy Star Builder.

TAB Construction is owned and operated by Tony Basinger Jr. and wife Shelley. The firm specializes in custom built homes and remodeling projects in North Carolina.

New vehicles for Rowan Funeral

Rowan Funeral Service has two new funeral vehicles — a commercial Cadillac Federal Renaissance Funeral Coach and a Federal Coach Ambassador six-door limousine.

Company leaders include owners Loretta Hargrave and J. Alvin Hargrave and the Rev. David Rankin, an associate.

Community health fair Nov. 16 in Concord

Senior Helpers will host a community health fair on Tuesday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Piedmont Renaissance Center at 51 Union Street S.

Community services, agencies and other health-related businesses that serve senior citizens will offer free screenings and educational materials. For information, call 704-792-1001.

AdvantaClean franchise open

AdvantaClean, a national company specializing in emergency water removal, air duct cleaning and mold remediation, has opened a new office in Cabarrus and Rowan counties.

The franchise is owned by Josh Nixon, who lived in the area for more than 30 years, and will serve home and business owners in identifying, investigating and eliminating problems.

Presbyterian, Novant honored

The national HealthLeaders Media organization has recognized Novant Health, which includes Presbyterian Healthcare, with the 2010 Top Leadership Teams in Healthcare Award for large hospitals and health systems. Presbyterian and Novant representatives received the award during a national presentation on Oct. 21 in Dallas.

HealthLeaders Media provides information and guidance on trends in the health-care industry and for its senior executives.

The Top Leadership Teams in Healthcare award program, sponsored by GE Healthcare, is now in its seventh year. The program is designed to celebrate the outstanding teamwork that occurs in health-care organizations.

Southern States annual meeting

Southern States Cooperative will review its operations at a series of local annual meetings, including the upcoming meeting Monday, Nov. 15, for members of Southern States Cooperative, Inc. – Salisbury.

“The challenges of 2009 and 2010 have made for tough but positive years,” says Thomas R. Scribner, president and CEO.

Southern States Cooperative, Inc. – Salisbury, NC Service will hold its annual membership meeting at Rowan County Extension Office, 2727-A Old Concord Road. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Board nominees include Scott Davis and Jason Starnes.

Tastefully Simple consultant

Lori Honeycutt of Salisbury has become an independent consultant with Tastefully Simple Inc., a direct sales company featuring more than 60 delicious, easy-to-prepare foods.

As an independent business owner, Honeycutt offers food samples at home taste-testing parties, along with easy ideas for everyday meals, recipes, serving suggestions and fun.

Contact Honeycutt at lori.honeycutt@carolinashealthcare.org or visit tastefullysimple.com.

Massage therapist in health fair

CONCORD — Tracy Smith, a licensed massage and bodywork therapist at The Body Clinic of Concord, participated in a health fair at the Sport Center Oct 22-24.

She will be a guest speaker at the next health fair in April.

The Body Clinic of Concord is located at 992 Copperfield Blvd.

Food drive in Stanly

ALBEMARLE — Maurices at the Albemarle Plaza, 814 U.S. 24/27 Bypass, is holding a food drive to benefit Stanly Community Christian Ministry.

The drive goes through Nov. 30. Customers dropping off nonperishable food items during store hours Mon-Sat.10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m.-6 p.m. will receive a coupon good for 20 percent off any one regular-priced maurices item for each donation. Coupons are limited to 10 per person.

First Bancorp results

TROY — First Bancorp, the parent company of First Bank, announced net income available to common shareholders of $2.8 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, or 17 cents per diluted common share.

Net income was $9.1 million for the nine-month period, or 54 cents per share.

Earnings were $5.4 million, or 32 cents per diluted common share, for three months and $52 million, or $3.12 per diluted common share for nine months.

Net interest income for the third quarter was $31.1 million, a 1.8 percent increase over the third quarter of 2009. Net interest income for the nine months was $93.8 million, a 23.3 percent increase over the comparable period of 2009.

First Bancorp’s provision for loan losses was $8.4 million in the third quarter compared to $8 million in the second quarter and $5.2 million in the third quarter of 2009.

Total non-interest income for the nine months was $14.2 million, compared to $83.3 million for the nine months in 2009. The year-to-date period in 2009 includes a $67.9 million gain related to the June 2009 acquisition of Cooperative Bank.

First Bancorp’s total assets were $3.4 billion, a 4.7 percent decrease from a year earlier. Total loans were $2.5 billion, a 7.9 percent decrease from a year earlier, and total deposits amounted to $2.8 billion, a 5.8 percent decrease from a year earlier.

“I am pleased that our company’s strength and high performance allows us to continue to report profits and pay cash dividends during this prolonged period of economic weakness,” said Jerry L. Ocheltree, president and CEO of First Bancorp.

Bank of the Carolinas earnings

MOCKSVILLE — Bank of the Carolinas Corp reported three-month net income ended Sept. 30 of $82,000, compared to net income of $782,000 in the third quarter of 2009.

Excluding the effect of one-time gains on sale of the securitiess, the current year quarter would have been an improvement over the previous year.

Net income of $82,000 in the third quarter of 2010 compares to net losses of $188,000 and $235,000 in the second and first quarters.

After payment of dividends on preferred stock, the net loss available to common shareholders for the three months was $147,000, or 4 cents per common share, compared to a net income of $470,000, or 12 cents per common share, for the third quarter of 2009.

For the nine-month period, the company reported a net loss of $341,000, as compared to a net loss of $1.35 million for the nine-month period of 2009.

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