The Aldridge Gardens Second Annual Plein Air Art Show, Sale and Quick Draw will be held May 16, 2012 through June 29, 2012 at Aldridge Gardens. This juried Plein Air Art Show will feature twenty-one artists from all over the Southeast painting in Aldridge Gardens and several private gardens in Birmingham, Alabama.  One of the highlights of the event is that residents and visitors to Hoover have the opportunity to watch the artists paint scenes of Aldridge Gardens on-site.

Those who like what they see can purchase art directly from the artist during the “Quick Draw” event on May 20, 2012.  This exciting event allows the public watch the artists paint, and then buy the wet painting directly off the artists’ easels.

There is also the opportunity to view artwork at the Aldridge Gardens Gallery, which will feature artwork from each of the selected artists participating Plein Air Art Show during the months of May and June.  The Plein Air Art Show is open to the public and admission is free.

AIM Mail Center in Hoover, Alabama is happy to help you safely package and ship any artwork you purchase or create during the Plein Air Art Show.

Image: Aldrige Gardens Website

For over 20 years, antique dealers in open air tents have been participating in the Utica Antiques Market.  With more than 100 dealers selling rare antiques and fine collectibles, the Utica Antiques Market offers a plethora of treasures waiting to be discovered.  Featuring thousands of items from all over the country, there is always a variety of pieces from all periods that will satisfy both the serious collector and the novice.  One can find items like Victorian furniture, vintage jewelry, depression glassware, and china. There are also books, paintings, tools, clothing, and even architectural artifacts.  No matter what you enjoy collecting, the Utica Antiques Market offers a wide variety of wonderful, vintage finds!

The Antiques Market is held rain or shine, at Knights of Columbus Picnic Grounds on 21 Mile Road.  Saturday hours are from 8am to 5pm, and Sunday hours are 8am to 4pm. Admission is $5.00, and parking is free.  If you miss this weekend’s Antique Market, there are two more shows this year; one on July 7 – 8, 2012 and one on September 8 – 9, 2012.

Have a great Mother’s Day at the Utica Antiques Market!  When it’s time to get your newfound treasures home, the AIM Mail Center in Shelby Township, Michigan can help safely package and ship any antiques you decide to buy.

Image: Utica Antiques Market Website

The ArtWalk is an easy walking tour through the Arts Colony in Downtown Pomona, which is home to almost 40 art venues.  The Arts Colony is a five block area filled with artists’ studios, restaurants, and music venues.  During the ArtWalk, participants can experience the artistic community and see a wide variety of art work, including ceramics, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography and more.

One venue that is a must see is Loft Beats, a unique artist run gallery and music venue.  At Loft Beats, one can expect to find affordable art by local artists and hear music by deejays and local musicians. During May and June, 2012, Loft Beats will host open shows during which they will feature art from artists of all ages and skill levels. From children’s finger paintings to work by emerging artists, there will be a variety of artwork on display during the ArtWalk.

The next ArtWalk will be held on May 12, 2012 from 3 pm to 10 pm.  Residents and visitors of Pomona are encouraged to head over to the Pomona Arts Colony (map) to visit the numerous galleries participating in the ArtWalk.

Enjoy the artistic side of Pomona during the ArtWalk!  If you purchase any artwork, AIM Mail Center in Pomona is happy to help you with any packaging and shipping needs.

Image: Downtown Pomona Website

Those who want an art fix before Palm Springs’ next Art Walk on June 6, 2012 can visit the Backstreet Art District galleries on Saturday, May 12th and Saturday, May 26th for special art events. From 6pm to 9pm, the galleries in the Backstreet Art District will showcase new artists and host special receptions with music and refreshments.

During the Art Walks and special events, be sure to check out the I.C.ART Gallery where artist Jerry W. McDaniel’s work is featured.  In the museum-like environment of the I.C.ART Gallery, visitors can view large colorful work in a variety of styles.  Visitors have the opportunity to talk to the artist, see him working, and discuss his art.  Original art, artist’s proof limited editions prints, and commissioned work are also available for purchase.

Have a relaxing time in Palm Springs!  AIM Mail Center in Palm Springs is happy to help you safely package and ship any artwork you purchase.

Image: I.C.ART Gallery Website

For those looking to purchase artwork from local artists, there will be arts and crafts vendors offering items jewelry, paintings, glasswork, sculpture, photography, woodwork and more.  Those looking for art will be able to browse a wide variety of artwork and chat with the artists who created the pieces they love.

Special guest artists will demonstrate the technique of “Italian Madonnari Street Painting”. These guest artists use chalk to create unique and detailed artwork on the pavement at the Festival.  Historically, street painting artists would arrive in towns and cities to paint pictures either on the earth or on paved public squares. 

Those who attend the Festival will also have the opportunity to participate in art through the “Outdoor Studios,” which offer hands on creative activities.  These Art Studios will emphasize a variety of art forms including ceramics, paint, drama, dance, sculpture, photography, and more.  There will be a large-scale community project for people to participate in, as well as opportunities to learn about and participate in art.

On Saturday evening, there will be a free concert featuring the Amazing Platters and the Magic Moments Tribute to the Drifters.  There will be food and wine available for purchase for those who want to linger and enjoy the music.

When it’s time to get your new arts and crafts home, trust the AIM Mail Center in Mission Viejo, California to help safely pack and ship your art – across town or across the country

Image: City of Mission Viejo Website

Location:
Oso Viejo on the Green
24932 Veterans Way

Dates & Times:
Saturday, May 5, 12 PM – 8:30 PM
Sunday, May 6, 12 PM – 5 PM

Those on the hunt for arts and crafts will have the opportunity to browse booths with original oil and watercolor paintings, pottery, jewelry, woodworking, ornamental iron, stained glass, photography, leatherwork and more. In addition to the arts and crafts for sale, there will also be a juried arts and crafts show with more than 200 entries.

In keeping with the festive spirit of the Main Street Festival, there will be continuous entertainment on three different stages. There will also be a full-scale, traditional carnival at North Margin Street and Second Avenue North. The carnival opens earlier than the festival on Thursday and goes through Sunday.

It wouldn’t be a festival without great food!  There will be three food areas that offer a tasty variety including roast corn on the cob, stuffed baked potatoes, Polish sausage, Greek gyros, and Asian and Mexican cuisines.  There will also be barbeque, burgers and hotdogs, smoked turkey legs, funnel cakes, kettle corn and more.

On Saturday, the free street festival is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the Fourth Avenue Street Dance continuing until 10 p.m.  Visitors can return to the festival from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Have a great time at the Franklin Main Street Festival, and trust the Franklin, Tennessee AIM Mail Center to safely pack and ship any purchases of arts and crafts!

Image: Downtown Franklin Tennessee Website

The Downtown Modesto Art Walk gives residents and visitors the chance to experience the diversity of the local art galleries and shops.  Local art galleries, along with businesses and organizations, display work by local artists.  Some of the venues also feature local musicians, adding to the ambiance of the Art Walk. One of the best features of the Art Walk is that visitors and residents have the opportunity to meet local artists and view and purchase artwork.

During the Downtown Modesto Art Walk, be sure to stop by the Chartreuse Muse, a contemporary art gallery and school featuring unique gifts and original art created by local and regional artists.  The Muse features a wide range of media, including painting, ceramics, glass-work, photography, and metalwork. During the Art Walk, participants can chat with Sandra Veneman and Ellen Roehne, the co-owners of The Chartreuse Muse and talented artists and art teachers.

Image: The Chartreuse Muse Website

For those feeling inspired by the Art Walk and wish to create their own art, the Chartreuse Muse is also an Art School, providing a variety of classes for artists of all ages.   With classes like painting, drawing, and clay, the Chartreuse Muse has classes for everyone, no matter the skill level.  Those wanting to take an art class can choose from group classes, private classes, and workshops.

If you make a purchase at one of the Downtown Modesto Art Walks, there are two AIM Mail Center locations in Modesto, one on Oakdale Road and one on Dale Road, where friendly professionals can help safely pack and ship your new items to their final destination

SAN DIEGO, Calif.  (Grassroots Newswire) <Date> – Participating members of the Annex Brands franchise network, comprised of PostalAnnex+, Navis Pack & Ship, AIM Mail Center, Handle With Care Packaging Store and Sunshine Pack & Ship stores nationwide, are offering small business owners 100 free black and white copies during National Small Business Week, May 20-26, to show support for the role that entrepreneurs play in building and maintaining healthy local economies. National Small Business Week, sponsored annually by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), celebrates the economic impact that small businesses have on both the local and national level.

“Our franchisees are small business owners,” said Steve Goble, vice president of marketing communications for Annex Brands, “and they understand both the challenges and rewards of small business ownership. They also understand the value that small businesses bring to their own community and to communities through America, and they are proud to support their fellow entrepreneurs.”

According to statistics compiled by the SBA, between 1993 and 2009 small businesses were responsible for 65 percent of the 15 million net new jobs created – making small businesses crucial to economic development and new jobs creation.  Even more important to local communities, according to Goble, is the fact that studies show that up to three times as much money stays in the local economy when products and services are purchased from locally owned businesses rather than national chain stores.

“We hope that all small business owners will take advantage of our free copy offer during National Small Business Week,” said Goble.  “But shoppers can also play a huge role in helping small businesses thrive all year long. Here are some easy ways to support local entrepreneurs and local economies, too.”

- Pay in cash.  Credit card companies charge business owners a processing fee for using their services.  Using cash saves the business owner from having to pay this fee, which is typically passed along to consumers in price increases.

- Rave about them online.  Many new customers turn to review websites like Google Places and Yelp to figure out where to take their business.  Giving local small businesses five star ratings and glowing reviews can help them tremendously by driving new traffic to their stores.

- Help save resources.  For example, bringing shopping bags from home is eco-friendly and it saves the business owner from having to purchase more.

- Tell them how you found their business.  This helps business owners know which of their advertising dollars are actually bringing in customers.

- Shop at small businesses as often as possible.  This keeps local small businesses open and it keeps money in the local community.  For example, drink coffee from the local coffee shop; or make home improvement purchases at the local hardware store.

“Local business owners often live, shop, send their children to school, attend religious services and volunteer in the town or city where their business is located,” said Goble. “They are invested in supporting the economic growth of their communities. When local shoppers make it a point to support these businesses, they contribute to that growth – and that’s a win-win situation.”

PostalAnnex+, Navis Pack & Ship, AIM Mail Center, Handle With Care Packaging Store and Sunshine Pack & Ship stores in the <City> area are one-stop support centers for packaging, postal and office supply needs and well as back-office support services. For more information, visit www.AnnexBrands.com.

About PostalAnnex+, Navis, AIM Mail Center, Handle With Care Packaging Store and Sunshine Pack & Ship
PostalAnnex+, Navis, AIM Mail Center, Handle With Care Packaging Store and Sunshine Pack & Ship stores are members of the Annex Brands franchise network.  Their locations offer one-stop support for packaging, shipping and office supply needs. Founded in 1985 in San Diego, Annex Brands has more than 425 locations operating in 41 states across the U.S. and into Canada.  All PostalAnnex+, Navis, AIM Mail Center, Handle With Care Packaging Store and Sunshine Pack & Ship locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees.  For more information on the company’s services or for franchise information, visit www.AnnexBrands.com.

About Annex Brands 
Annex Brands, Inc. is a franchisor of the PostalAnnex+, Navis Pack & Ship, AIM Mail Center, Handle With Care Packaging Store and Sunshine Pack & Ship brands. Formerly known as Postal Annex+, Inc, Annex Brands is headquartered in San Diego, California. Its brands offer shipping and business services such as moving van, freight shipping, small parcel and overnight document delivery services, private mailbox rental, notary service, high-speed copying in black & white and color, office supplies, web site/e-commerce services, faxing service, printing, stationery, rubber address stamps, key duplication, greeting cards and assorted gift items, all in a convenient, service-oriented environment. To find out more about the company, visit www.AnnexBrands.com.

April 17, 2012 (Laurens, South Carolina) – If it wasn’t for the Foundation for Children with Microcephaly (FCM), AIM Mail Center owners Stacey and Pam Albers would not have much needed support and resources for their family. Their son, Justin, has been diagnosed with Microcephaly (small head/brain), a neurological disorder that causes the circumference of the head to grow smaller than it should. The FCM supports children and families with children who are diagnosed with Microcephaly.

“The Foundation for Children with Microcephaly has been such a great resource for our family,” said Pam. “We are excited to have the opportunity to raise awareness in our community about Microcephaly and give back to such a wonderful organization.” Pam volunteers as the South Carolina representative for the Foundation for Children with Microcephaly.

The Foundation for Children with Microcephaly is a non-profit organization that provides support for children diagnosed with Microcephaly and other closely related neurological disorders. They also help families acquire necessities and services to enable their children to live the highest quality of life possible. FCM is working to raising awareness of this under-recognized disorder, and they actively participate in research on Microcephaly.

FCM hosts a convention every other year that provides support for families, meetings with top physicians and therapists, and a good time for children diagnosed with Microcephaly. It’s a time for families to learn of new information and network with other families whose children are diagnosed with Microcephaly. The 2012 “We Are Not Alone” convention will be hosted from June 14, 2012 to June 17, 2012 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona. Children and their families who are affected by Microcephaly, Lissencephaly, Polymicrogyria and other closely-related neurological disorders are invited to attend the event.

“Being able to meet with the best doctors and therapists for Microcephaly has been such a blessing for our family,” continued Pam. “It’s wonderful to be around families who don’t look down on our son or alienate him because he is different, and we want to help other families like ours attend the event and access the resources FCM offers.”

The Albers are currently holding a fundraiser for the Foundation for Children with Microcephaly at their AIM Mail Center location at 810 E. Main Street. Donations will help families with children diagnosed with Microcephaly across the world attend the 4^th Microcephaly Convention. Members of the community who want to participate can visit the Albers’ AIM Mail Center to make a donation. The Albers will display stars in their store window with the names of those who have made a donation.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Microcephaly is a neurological disorder where the head circumference is significantly smaller than it should normally be in an infant or a child. Children diagnosed with Microcephaly often have developmental issues. Depending on the cause and severity of the Microcephaly, complications may include: developmental delays; difficulties with coordination and balance; dwarfism or short stature; facial distortions; hyperactivity; mental retardation; and seizures. At this time, there is no cure for Microcephaly.

The Albers’ AIM Mail Center, located at 810 E Main St on Highway 76 adjacent to Walgreens, is a convenient one-stop business service center. They offer a one-stop solution for many home office and business service needs; shipping through UPS, FedEx and the USPS, packaging and shipping supplies, private mailbox rentals, notary public, printing services, copy services, office supplies and more. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information about FCM and Microcephaly, please visit www.microcephaly.org.

About AIM Mail Center
AIM Mail Center is a member of the Annex Brands franchise network. Its locations offer one-stop support for packaging, shipping and office supply needs. Founded in 1985 in San Diego, Annex Brands has more than 425 locations operating in 41 states across the U.S. and into Canada. All AIM Mail Center locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees. For more information on the company’s services or for franchise information, visit www.AnnexBrands.com.

About Annex Brands
Annex Brands, Inc., formerly known as Postal Annex, Inc., was founded by Jack and Martha (Marty) Lentz in 1985 and is headquartered in San Diego. There are five brands in the Annex Brands franchise family: PostalAnnex+, AIM Mail Center, Navis Pack & Ship, Handle With Care Packaging Store and Sunshine Pack & Ship. All together, there are more than 425 locations across 41 states and into Canada. Each location is an individually owned and operated franchise. Its retail stores offer a one-stop support center for packaging, shipping, postal and office supply needs, including the ability to compare shipping rates with UPS, FedEx, DHL and USPS shipping. The commercial locations provide custom packaging and shipping solutions for larger and more valuable items. For more information on the company’s history, services and franchise information, visit www.AnnexBrands.com.

On March 22, 2012, the Artist’s Coop hosted an opening reception for their new show at their Spring Fling Extravaganza event.  The event highlighted more than 50 new works of art never before seen in the gallery, including sculptures, photography, and painting.  For those who missed the opening reception, the show will continue to run until April 22nd.  There are still many wonderful works available to view and purchase.

Image: The Artist's Coop Website

For those who want to try creating their own artwork, the Artist’s Coop holds an “Arts Night Out” on the second Tuesday of every month from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. For just $25, people can learn to paint and leave with art they have created.   Participants bring their favorite beverage and snack, and the Artist’s Coop provides the painting instructions, canvas, paints, and brushes.  The next Art’s Night Out is May 8, 2012 where people can learn to paint the landscape shown below. To register for Art’s Night Out, call 864-984-9359 or stop by the Artist’s Coop.

Image: The Artist's Coop Website

AIM Mail Center in Laurens is happy to help you safely package and ship any artwork you purchase or create at the Artist’s Coop.