After serving the area for 23 years, Landrum Veterinary Hospital, 1600 E. Rutherford St., announced this week that it is under new ownership.

Dr. Donna Raines, DVM, purchased the hospital from long-time owner Dr. Thomas Maiolo, DVM, in January, 2009.

Dr. Raines was born in Lexington, S.C., and graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga. She practiced at Shandon-Wood Animal Clinic in Columbia before joining Landrum Veterinary Hospital in Oct. 2008.

Dr. Maiolo is continuing his schedule at the hospital, working mornings Monday through Thursday, Tuesday afternoon and many Saturdays.

Dr. Maiolo praised the new owner. &dquo;We were fortunate to find someone with such excellent medical and surgical abilities,&dquo; he said, &dquo;someone who also has the ability to care and the compassion that we here at Landrum Veterinary Hospital strive for.&dquo;

Since purchasing the business in January, Dr. Raines has installed a state-of-the-art computer system and added new kennels to the boarding facilities with runs and kitty condos. New equipment has been added and the x-ray machine upgraded.

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Giardini Catering Co., 2411 Hwy. 108 in Mill Spring, has announced the opening of Giardinia Trattoria. In Italy, a trattoria is a smaller, more casual version of a ristoranti, many found in old farmhouses. Giardinia Trattoria will feature seating for 20 and a deck overlooking the gardens and the mountains. No wine or beer is offered, as Polk County is a dry county, but patrons may brown bag their own. No liquor. Regular lunch service at Giardinia Trattoria will begin Thursday, May 7 and lunches will be served Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sneak preview dinners will begin that night and an official grand opening is planned for May 27.

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The Steps to Hope Second Chance Thrift Store, 232 E. Mills St. in Columbus, was recently renovated and refreshed in time for the spring changeover. The changing rooms were repositioned, a customer rest room was added as was a second cash register.

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Green River Hair Studio, located behind the Wildflour Bakery on Hwy. 176 in Saluda, recently held a grand opening. Owner/stylist Robert J Hernandez says he is working hard to preserve the trade and heritage of a classic barber shop that also caters to ladies haircolor and precision haircuts. The concept is to offer quality hair service at an affordable price for all.

Hernandez previously cut hair at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Salon at Amelia Island, Fla. The Green River Hair Studio is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For an appointment, please call 749-3744. Walk-ins are always welcome.

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Medicap Pharmacy has begun donating $5 to local charities for every prescription filled at the pharmacy.

This program launched May 1st. In order for the donation to be made, customers must present a $5 voucher at the time they fill their prescription. Vouchers will be placed in the Tryon Daily Bulletin every Tuesday during the month of May and may also be found at various local charities. (For more information on involved charities, please contact the pharmacy.)

When customers bring the voucher to the Medicap Pharmacy store at 80 Shuford Road and fill a prescription, they can designate a local charity to receive the funds. The Medicap Pharmacy store will donate $5 for every filled prescription at the time the voucher is redeemed.

&dquo;We thought this would be a great way to give back to the community that has supported us for the last decade,&dquo; said local owner and pharmacist Steve Burney, PharmD. The program will continue through May 31, 2009.

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Jay Geddings of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Columbus, NC has achieved the professional designation of Accredited Asset Management Specialist⪚.

Geddings successfully completed the Accredited Asset Management Specialist, or AAMS⪚, Professional Education Program from the Denver-based College for Financial Planning. Those who complete the program, pass a final exam and sign a code of ethics and disclosure form earn the AAMS⪚ designation.