Do your weekend plans include Madness?

The small town of Mint Hill is all a-buzz today preparing for the much anticipated annual event, Mint Hill Madness. With carnival rides, booths, good food, and games, families everywhere have cleared their weekend schedules to take part in the fun. Mint Hill Park, the destination site, is located on the right on HWY 218 coming from the town square of Mint Hill. You'll pass our shop on the right about a half mile before the park and 485. Thow up a wave or honk a horn. Too bad we won't be there to hear it. You can get more information about Mint Hill Madness at http://www.minthillchamberofcommerce.com/madnesSchedule.html.

Tamper-Proof Rx Paper Required by Federal Law

Effective October 1, 2007, Federal Law requires that all medical prescription pads be printed on tamper proof paper.

To be considered tamper resistant on October 1, 2007,
a prescription must contain at least one of the following three characteristics:

1) one or more industry-recognized features designed to prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form;
2) one or more industry-recognized features designed to prevent the erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber;
3) one or more industry-recognized features designed to prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms.

Artech carries the required paper that meets federal regulations. Just call us to place your pad order.

free rockin' music

It was two years ago when my husband brought home a TIME magazine featuring an article on the top 20 internet sites. We stumbled on one of the best websites of all time. You may have found it already, but for those of you who haven't rocked out while working, check out www.pandora.com. It's a website that allows you to customize your own commercial-free radio station while introducing new music in your favorite genre. Check it out, I know you'll be a fan. Besides, it makes working a heck of a lot more fun.

irregular shipping made easy- "you pack what in your golf bag?"

A few years ago, we became an "Authorized UPS Shipping Outlet." At the time, I anticipated letter-sized, bubbled-lined envelopes coming in by the droves, mixed in with a few 3x5 cardboard boxes of course. But much to my suprise, Artech attracted the strangest shipment requests.

There is an avid golfer who comes in nearly every month to ship his golf clubs to a course destination instead of paying airline luggage fees. The first time I took the order, I had to work out the logistics of return-shipment to our shop. When I tried to estimate the weight for the return trip, he indicated that the bag would be heavier. I silently wondered why. "Would he be buying a new club at the pro shop? Maybe some more balls? Or would the clubs join in on eating a hot dog and beer at the turn?" No, to our suprise, he would be shipping his dirty clothes stuffed between the irons and woods of his golf bag. Needless to say, I had to hold back a few giggles. This was only the beginning. We have shipped 20 foot oriental rugs, a car transmission, Samurai swords, and someone even paid to ship dirt.

Now that my eyes are open to the regular shipping patterns of the world...or at least Mint Hill, NC., I thought many of you could benefit from the tips that UPS provides on shipping irregular shaped items. Check out http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/guidelines/pack_irregular.html?WT.svl=SubNav.

You'd be suprised how much packaging is needed around a Samurai sword.