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Show .\ Davies Reid has Afghan rugs, A-l 3 "' I'.irk Rviorcl. Editor: Andrew Kirk busi ness C^parkre'cord.com 435.649.90H ex. 104 Parties looking a little less merry this year By ANDREW KIRK Warkforce services announces numbers The pepartment of Workforce Services reported Utah's nonfarm wane and I job count for Novem as compared against November 2007, is estimated to have contracted by 0.9 percent. Octobers employment profile, also an employment contraction, nas been revised former downward by 1wo-tenfhs of a percentage point to -0.4 percent. Approximateiy IT,500 jobs have been removed from the Utah economy over the past year Fiicher Production celebrates new office Fischer Production has moved into its new office at 1790 Bonanza Drive, Suite 101 in the Rail Central Building. Two locals re-elected to Farm Bureau Federation Delegates re-elected Summit County sheep rancher Stephen Osguthorpe to his 5th two-year term as vice-president of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. Waneta Fawceft of Summit County was also reelected to the state Women s Committee. Of the Record staff Party planners are feeling the impact of companies canceling or scaling back holiday celebrations this winter. Coleen Reardon, director of marketing for Deer Valley, said party reservations at the resort are down from last year. T h e good news is that reservations in general for the Christmas week and telephone volume are now at the same levels as 2007 - a sign that potential visitors are responding to the snowfall. But high-end resorts like Deer Valley are used to seeing corporate retreats, and some former clients in the financial industry have canceled, she said. "No one wants to be perceived as being frivolous right now," she said. Her company is going forward with their winter party in early January. The resort puts so much emphasis on customer service that it wants to express its appreciation to employees for their good work. "We had no discussion of canceling, it's too important," she said. Snow also increased call volume for Think ahead about what you need Of the Record staff Park City Mountain Resort- is offering discounted packages, including some at half price, for January and President's Day 'weekend for people who book by Jan. 1. The Canyons Resort is offering lodging discounts lor Dec. 24 and 25,30 and 3 Iwith rooms starting at $149 per night. I I I I I I I If you're new to town and looking to find a place to rent, your only option may be outside the city. Todd Hollow Apartments on Deer Mountain Boulevard said they still had two-bedroom units available for six-month leases as of Thursday, but most other apartment complexes have waiting lists. Aspen Villas has 50 candidates waiting for an opening. The Mountainlands Community Housing Trust or Park City keeps lists of condominiums and apartments that set STOCK PHOTO Caterers and other businesses that serve holiday parties are feeling a pinch as costs rise and businesses elect to simplify or cancel holiday celebrations to save money. offering a variety of sides dishes, trimmings and garnishes to make it taste expensive but cost less, she said. "I'm asking what their budget is and then working with that," she said. "I really like my clients and hate the idea of not seeing Please see Parties, A-14 aside units as "affordable housing," but many of those seek only long-term tenants. Many single-unit rentals run for around $1,300 per month within the city. Public transportation to Park City from the East Side and Wasatch County, where rentals are more plentiful and often more affordable, is limited, but many permanent residents from those communities participate in carpools into town. What the locals say All of these challenges aside, open units are still posted in local classifieds. Rental experts encourage potential tenants to think ahead about what they want, ask specific questions and know exactly how long they'll stay. Ellen Anderson, manager for Anderson Apartments on Main Street, said apartment shoppers should make clear what they're supposed to pay. Are utility bills like water, lights and sewage included in the rent? She also said they also need to scrutinize a property before moving in. Is it in good shape? Are all the appliances working? Lucy Mainwaring, a manager at Aspen Villas on Kearns Boulevard, said tenants should think carefully about what living in that location will be like: how close is the grocery store and the bus stop? What school can children attend? Is there parking? Is it included in the rent? Is it covered? Mainwaring laments that there aren't more affordable living opportunities in the area, but apartments like hers also have rules about the number of tenants allowed: two people per bedroom. On the web In addition to classified sections in local media outlets, the website housinghelp.org, run by the Mountainlands Community Housing Trust, has a comprehensive and user-friendly program that allows searchers to select the type of unit they're looking for and the areas they hope to live in within Summit and Wasatch counties. It also allows potential tenants and potential landlords to enter their information in a database to aid suitable match-ups. For a broader search of the surrounding area, websites like SaltLakeRent.com keeps tallies on available units in all Wasatch Front communities. It also offers advice to seekers. Some other questions it suggests to ask property owners and managers include: What do neighbors say about the safety of and crime in the neighborhood? Will your unit be near high-traffic areas like the complex pool or laundry room? Please see Apartments, A-14 YEAR I'M) S ALE!! EVERY ITEM IN FORE & WAREHOUSE December 26 - December 31 SOFAS • DINING TABLES • CHAIRS BEDS • NIGHT STANDS • ACCESSORIES • & MORE Monday - Friday 1 0 - 6 • Saturday 10 - 5 • New Years Eve 1 0 - 2 • Store: | 1351 Kearns Blvd. J>arkCity, UT L Iverson Catering, said Brianna Metzler, but she's still hearing a lot of clients say they want to spend less this year. Food prices and other expenses are up, but to stay competitive her company is charging the same rates as last year. Still, she said, after hearing a quote a few past clients have said it sounded a little high. "It was the exact same amount they paid last year," she said. As a result of tighter budgets, a lot of clients are interested in having only appetizers instead of full dinners, she said. They're changing the focus of parties from having impressive food and amenities to making it about mingling and enjoying the people there. "We're only a third of what we were last year," she said. Julie Keller, owner of Just Me Catering, said she's hearing clients say they'd prefer to serve only hors d'oeuvres. After one long-time client apologetically cancelled this year, she volunteered to purchase items from Costco and use her talents to make it look professional. "People who used to want smoked salmon are asking for shrimp instead. People who used to do roast beef are just doing ham," she said. One way she's trying to stay competitive is offering meal choices in which the main course is simple like a stew or chili and then Finding an apartment to rent in Summit County By ANDREW KIRK Resorts offer deal; A-12 J/MON/TUES, DECEMBER 20-23, 2008 \vw w. pa ikrecbrd. corn Holiday celebrations are being done on a budget Briefs Next Salt of Summit Co. on Dec. 24 Warehouse: 435.655.0134 1989 S, 4130 W. Unit Dl | Salt Lake City, UT -J |