Star-Gazette from Elmira, New York • 16

EY Business Editor Roger Neumann, 607734-5151, Ext. 249 Star-GazetteMonday, May 23, 1994 6L IN BUSINESS I 1 i fm iii i 1 Don't with fried summ vi rC T- ratals 1 ENHANCING BEAUTY: Donna Thomas works on Marlene Gerow's hair at Donna Rea's Beauty Shop on Pennsylvania Avenue in Southport. At Work in the Twin Tiers NAME: Donna Rea's Beauty Shop. ADDRESS: 1017 Pennsylvania Southport. PHONE: 607733-3216.

OWNER: Donna Thomas. EMPLOYEES: 5. HISTORY: Opened in 1974. NOTABLE: After opening TRENDS TOWANDA Osram names Technician of Year Wilson "Marty" Martin has been named Osram Sylvanla's Technician of the Year for 1993 because of his energetic attitude. Martin has been with the company for about five years, joining after his retirement from the U.S.

Navy as a Chief Petty Officer. He started with Osram in the grade mix area. He then 118 MARTIN was selected as a technician in the ceramics group, and earned certificates as a ceramic laboratory technician and ceramic manufacturing technologist. In addition to work, Martin operates a small farm and helps his father-in-law with a saw mill. SOUTHERN TIER Hospital employees and guests honored About 110 employees and guests from Ira Davenport Hospi tal, Bath, were honored at the an nual Employee Recognition Dinner1 recently on the Keuka Maid cruise boat.

Employees of the year, as cho sen by their peers, are Bonnie Spicer, Taylor Health Center head nurse; Becky Sager, nurs ing supervisor; and Judy Newman, personnel assistant. Seven people earned certifi cates for completing the Joint Ed ucation and Training program Another 36 employees were cited for completing Davenport Tay lor's Continuous Quality Improvement training programs. Perfect attendance awards were given to 25 employees, and 33 people were recognized for reaching service anniversaries. Eleanor Partridge, medical tech nologist, was honored for 33 years of service. MANSFIELD Wheels for Life Bike-a-thon slated The Kiwanis Club of Mansfield challenges all residents to join the St.

Jude Children's Research Hospital Wheels For Life Bike-a-thon slated for June 4. The event runs frnm a tn noon at Miller Elementary Schoo 1 IS .1 ana oenems tne nospnai, which offers medical treatment for chil dren with leukemia, Hodgkin's disease and sickle-cell anemia, among others. Twenty-one children In Pennsylvania have received treatment there. Riders are asked to earn donations based on earh mil mm. Those raising $30 or more win receive a T-shirt and a certif icate, and a SDorts baa will be given in addition to those gifts to riders raising $75 or more.

A new bicycle and U.S. Savings Bonds will be awarded to the top money recruit riders. For informaton on riding or sponsoring a rider, call Mike at 717662-3179 or Allan at 717662 2121. car By BARBARA WOLLER Gannett News Service It's May, and that means Memorial Day and vacations are coming on fast. It also means the car rental industry is entering its peak season as Americans take to the road and will raise prices as the demand increases.

If you're thinking of renting a car, great. Chances are you'll join the millions of Americans who have had good experiences with car rental companies. One way to help your chances is to make reservations in advance to get the best deal. This is important advice at any time. But it's crucial now because 1994 is theecond year in a row that rates have gone up about 30 percent, said Jan Armstrong, executive vice president of the American Car Rental Association, a trade group in Washington, D.C.

Armstrong said competition has softened that increase to varying degrees in many areas. But the rental companies have to. charge higher rates, she said, because cars are more expensive and fewer rental cars are available as Detroit shifts its focus more to the retail market. Alsoi the Big Three auto manu facturers own many of the major rental companies and "if you're owned by the manufacturer you don't have a lot to say as to how many cars you get and what you're paying for them," she said. Planning ahead can save you money on more than the base rate.

It also can help you avoid unexpected costs or fees at the agency counter when you rent or return the car. Here are some more tips: Look for special rate pack- ages. If you want a specific advertised discount, quote directly from the ad. If a reservations agent is not aware of a special rate, you Car rental rates Rates shown are the average of prices charged by Avis, Budget, Hertz and National each year at the end of June. Rates are based on renting an Intermediate size car and represent average, per-day rates with unlimited mileage.

Manhattan Miami Los Angola Chicago $71.50 34.00 41.00 54,00 Souro: Runzrwimtr Meal-lodging Cost Index Money-learning resources listed in national catalog More info Where to learn more about renting a car: The Federal Trade Commission's "Car Rental Guide" includes a checklist for renting a car, a comparison worksheet and more. For a copy of the three-page pamphlet, ask for publication 402Y and send your name, address and 50 cents to: Consumef Information Center, Dept. 402Y, Pueblo, Colo. 81009. For a copy of the six- page brochure "Tips on Renting a Car," send $1 and a self-addressed, business-size envelope to: Council of Better Business Bureaus, Dept.

023, Washington, D.C. 20042-0023. For general travel news, read Consumer Reports Travel Letter, P.O. Box 51 366, Boulder, Colo. might want to call back later and speak to another one.

Check if you belong to groups that offer discounts on rentals. Ask if there will be a "dropoff" charge if you return the car to a different location from where you picked it up. Ask about charges for gasoline, mileage and surcharges, if any, as well as any cancellation fees. It's also a good idea to plan ahead if you think there might be negative information on your driver's record. Many rental companies check drivers' records to learn, perhaps, if a driver's license is suspended or expired or if he or she had two or more accidents in the past 36 months.

It's also a good idea to inspect your rental car for damage before you leave the agency. a I $55.75 25.50 39.50 56.00 $85.50 33.00 49.75 60.75 $69.50 32.25 50.25 63.50 Gannett Suburban Newspapers vices for price quotes on three models. Prices on the $51,670 sticker-priced Lexus LS400 ranged from $43,980 to the $19,995 Buick LeSabre was $19,090 to $19,373 and the Neon was $11,342 to $12,216 -one service came up with a quote more than $300 above the $11,901 sticker price. Conclusion: Unless you're a tough, well-prepared negotiator, a buying service can save cash, time and anxiety. Here are the services the magazine dealt with: AutoAdvisor, 800326-1976; Automobile Consumer Services, 800223-4882; CarBargains, 800475-7283; Car-Puter, 800992-' 7404; Nationwide Auto Brokers, 800521-7257; USAA Auto Acquisition Services, 800531-8905.

Money Matters is published Monday and is compiled by Gannett News Service. s. 1,1) SIMON WHEELERStar-Gaielt Donna Rea's Beauty Shop offers cuts, perms, coloring and waxing. It also offers tanning for $3 a visit. Hours are: Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m.

-8 p.m, and Saturday 8 a.m. -4 p.m. At Work in the Twin Tiers runs each Monday. To suggest a business to highlight, call business editor Roger Neumann at 607734-51 51 or 800836-8970, ext. 249, or news assistant Kelley Quinn, ext.

278. year to slightly more women than men. The Hanover, N.H., school didn't admit women until 1972. Dartmouth has sent acceptance letters to 1,076 women and 1,074 men for this fall's entering class. IN-FLIGHT ORDERS ARE DELIVERED: In-flight shopping's popularity has skyrocketed over the past two years.

Travelers place their orders on the free air phone and charge them to their credit cards. Delivery upon landing is available at some airports. Overnight delivery is $9.99, $5.95 for United Parcel Service delivery. Prices from the SkyMall catalog: Portable aerobics step machine, $339; personal sauna, $1,200. PHONE FIRMS GET WORLDWIDE ORDERS: Countries around the world from the poorest to the richest are racing to build or upgrade phone systems, creating a gold rush among U.S.

communications firms. For a glimpse of a communications revolution, watch China. It aims to install 100 million phone lines by 2000 increasing capacity 500 percent at a cost of $6 billion a year. signing a contract to buy a house, be sure you can afford the closing costs. Those niggling, not-so-little fees can add up to 7 percent of your home's purchase price $7,000 on a $100,000 housel The spring issue of The Banker's Secret Bulletin, a newsletter devoted to pinching pennies, of-: fers 25 ways to save money at closing and beyond.

Some tips: "Ask if each closing cost can be waived, reduced or handled differently. And be sure to find out if you're eligible for any special discounts." For the complete list of money-saving closing tips, call 800255-0899 and ask for a copy of the spring issue. FINANCIAL GUIDELINES: If you like your finances to be gov Gannett News Service The National Center for Financial Education, a nonprofit organization based in San Diego, has issued its 1994 catalog of more than 80 money-learning books; guides, tapes and other resources for parents, teachers and students. Among new releases: "Money Doesn't Grow on Trees," "Money-Smart Kids," "The Stock Market Explained for Young Investors," "Make Your Paycheck Last Strate gy Kit" and "Money Sense: The Parefit's Guide to Teaching Children About Money." For a free copy of the catalog, send a stamped (98 cents), self-addressed, catalog-size envelope or a mailing label plus $1 for postage and handling to: Natio nal Center for Financial Education Money-Book Store 1994 Catalog, Box 34070, San Dieeo. 92163-4070.

DORITOS MOVE OVERSEAS: Pepsico Foods International has expanded its tortilla chin hrand overseas by launching Doritos in tne united Kingdom. Pepsico will spend $9 million on advertising and marketine for the brand. British Doritos will be thinner her business 20 years ago, and after moving locations four times, Donna Thomas is convinced that her beauty shop has found its home. Thomas moved her business a few months ago to just across the street from Olthof's Funeral Home in Southport. "This is just a better, friendly atmosphere," Thomas said.

"The customers all love it." than the U.S. version and come in slightly different flavors, including a barbecue-like "savoury beef." Pepsico expects $150 million in overseas sales. FAR SIDE SCREEN SAVERS ON WAY: Delrina Corp. has introduced The Far Side Screen Saver Collection for Windows and Macintosh. They have 14 animated modules by cartoonist Gary Larson.

The product will be available at all major computer retail stores and through mail order catalogs in June. The suggested retail price is $39.95. ZINFANDEL IS WINE OF '90s: Zinfandel is in again, the berry-flavored California wine. Some fans have formed a fan club called ZAP, which stands for Zinfandel Advocates and Producers. For $25, connoisseurs get a year's membership, a T-shirt, a quarterly newsletter and invitations to tastings and educational events.

To join, write to ZAP, 118 Hillside Drive, Woodside, 94062-3521. DARTMOUTH PASSES MILESTONE: Dartmouth College has reached a first in its 225-year history. It is offering admission this iMircstiintfutfi MONEY MATTERS Dillard Department Stores, Johnson Johnson, Equitable Resources, UST Compaq, Magna International, Great Lakes Chemical, Abbott Laboratories, Mattel, Tyson Foods, Crown Cork Seal, Interpublic Group, Medtronic, Omnicom Group and Newell. HOME-BUYING HELP: Before Financial World rates best companies for proven growth NEW YORK STATE Seminar focuses on environment A day-long seminar sponsored by the Business Council of New York State Inc. will focus on developing an environmental audit program June 14 in Syracuse.

The event, which will be held 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Syra-. cuse Marriott, is $129 for busi- ness council members and $189 for nonmembers. Early registration is encouraged.

For information or to register, call the business council at 8003581202. Some of the nation's best com panies are on sale now, Financial World reports. The magazine screened 7.000 companies to find proven growth companies that are value buys. To make the list, the comna- nies had to have average annual sales and earnings growth of at least 10 percent the Dast five years; estimated 1994 earnings higher than 1993: more eauitv than debt; a 1994 price-earnings ratio under 16 and at least $1 bil lion in sales and market value. The 33 companies that made the cut: Intel, Reebok, Banc One, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Computer Associates, Sun Microsystems, AFLAC, Loral, Marion Merrell Dow, Arrow Electronics, Charles Schwab, Amgen, Merck, Nike, Bausch Lomb, Warner-Lambert, Circuit City, Charming Shoppes, erned by "rules of thumb," here are a couple, from the Institute of Certified Financial Planners: Save 10 percent of your income if you've saved 10 percent all your working life and invested it wisely, 10 percent might serve you well; if not, you probably will need to save more to have a comfortable retirement.

Set aside six months' living expenses for emergencies, less if you and your spouse work in stable Jobs with stable income. BUYING A CAR: If you're among the millions of people who cringe at the thought of haggling over the price of a new car, delegate the job to an expert. Car-buying services will negotiate with a dealer for the car. Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine asked six national ser- T.r-r. TT-: In Business runs daily.

Submit items on appointments, promotions, honors or financial news to business editor Roger Neumann, Star-Gazette, P.O. Box 285, Elmira, N.V. 14902. Photos are welcome. 4..