Bidding fee auctions have become popular with consumers looking to compete with other users for the right to purchase bargain merchandise. Unfortunately, a recent investigation by Consumer Reports revealed that most people find it hard to win penny auctions, thanks to a variety of reasons.

According to Consumer Reports, bidding fee auctions are difficult to win, because they are set up that way. in order to place a bid, users must pay cash. What’s more, every single time an auction receives a new bid; more time is added to the auction, allowing more users to get involved. Many sites now also offer automatic bidding options which will make bids on behalf of users until the auction reaches a certain price. this can make it that much more difficult for consumers to win penny auctions, especially since automated bids are made by computers which never tire out.

Recently, the Federal Trade Commission warned consumers that many companies utilize automated bidding software to make bids on behalf of the companies, themselves. often referred to as “bots” or “shills,” this software is typically used to lengthen auctions and drive up prices.

Recently, QuiBids voluntarily underwent a third-party audit which determined the company did not use such tactics; however, few companies have followed suit. in response to a recent feature focusing on negative SkoreIt reviews, KingofHowTo.com was contacted by the company’s CEO Joe Crivello, who asserted that his company did not use shills or bots to cheat its customers. that said, Crivello admits his company has not undergone any sort of third-party audit, leaving consumers to guess whether SkoreIt does in fact operate fairly.

Although Consumer Reports warns that most people do not win penny auctions; it does have some tips consumers can use to keep from getting ripped off. According to the magazine, users should think of bidding fee auctions as a form of entertainment and always be prepared to lose money. they should also only bid at sites that offer tips and advice, unlimited refunds and provide “buy-now” features. the consumer advocate also encourages users to research each company using a Google search and reports from the Better Business Bureau.

“What we have discovered is that some bidders in the tri-state area like to come to an in-house preview to inspect the goods, which gives them an extra level of confidence about leaving absentee bids, bidding over the phone or via the Internet,” said Sterling Associates’ owner, Stephen D’Atri.

That’s exactly the method that culminated in the $151,450 (inclusive of 16.5% buyer’s premium) price paid online March 31st for a three-section Chinese bronze deity with multiple arms. Estimated at $4,000-$6,000, the bronze was destined to race far beyond expectations from the moment it opened for bidding.

“We were astounded when it opened at $17,000 online. at that point we knew we had something special,” said D’Atri. “All of the bidders on that particular piece appeared to be Asian. there were three people on the phone from China, and additional Chinese bidders were calling from Canada and Australia.” The winning bidder, a Chinese art buyer who resides in the United States, had previewed the bronze in person and bid live online during the sale. he then shipped the bronze back to China.

D’Atri subsequently learned that the bronze was of an earlier period than had been stated in the auction catalog, and that it is considered exceptional because it is “pure Chinese.” after purchasing the bronze, the winning bidder explained that the way in which the bronze figure’s arms and face are positioned indicates it was inspired and designed in a “pure Chinese” manner, with no other Asian influences coming into play. “To Chinese art collectors, this is very desirable, and they will pay a premium to acquire artworks of this type,” D’Atri said.

It has become apparent, Chinese fine art collectors have become very comfortable with remote bidding in US auctions and know what they’re buying, D’Atri said. As an example, D’Atri cited the Chinese bidder who paid $3,961 for a small, jade-covered rosewood or huanghuali box estimated at $200-$400. “He recognized the jade as having come from a scepter, which gave it greater importance,” D’Atri said.

As predicted, the top lot amongst the paintings was a beautiful oil on canvas by Vittorio Matteo Corcos (Italian, 1859-1933) titled Portrait of Anna Maria Borghese (née de Ferrari, 1874-1924). The framed 71 x 43¾-inch oil-on-canvas portrait depicting the young Italian noble in a pastel pink dress, her arm resting upon a terrace railing, sold for $52,425 against an estimate of $15,000-$25,000.

A large and colorful 1965 oil-on-canvas landscape by African-American contemporary artist Richard Mayhew stirred considerable bidding interest on the phones as well as via the Internet. in the end, the painting titled Time and Space sold to a phone bidder for $11,359 against an estimate of $2,000-$4,000.

D’Atri said he never expected one particular lot would lead to a call from Ethel Skakel Kennedy, widow of US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. The auction item in question was a holographic letter written to Mrs. Kennedy by her future brother-in-law Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy in 1946, while both were still teenage students. The letter was addressed to “Miss Ethel Skakel, Manhattanville College.” Written in longhand on Cranwell Preparatory School stationery, the letter spoke of upcoming exams, having to do “manual labor” for getting caught “fooling around one night,” and also reminded Ethel that she “forgot to include six dollars and the stubs for the chances” in her last letter. The lot, which D’Atri described as a “chatty, youthful letter,” had been entered in the sale with a $400-$600 estimate.

Prior to auction day, D’Atri was informed by a staff member that he had received a call from a woman named Ethel Kennedy, and that she had left a Palm Beach, Florida, phone number. “You mean the Ethel Kennedy?” D’Atri asked the employee.

“I returned the call, and she said that I had a letter that belonged to her and she requested it to be returned,” D’Atri said. “We spoke at length, and I told her I would contact the consignor, which I did. The consignor and I agreed that it would only be appropriate to return the letter to the original recipient. I made a follow-up call to Mrs. Kennedy to get her address, and she was very pleased to know the letter would be sent back to her.”

Sterling Associates will conduct its next Art & Antiques Auction on Saturday June 9, 2012. For additional information, call Stephen D’Atri at 201-768-1140 or e-mail this e-mail address is being protected from spambots. you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Visit Sterling Associates online at antiquenj.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog for Sterling Associates’ March 31 auction, complete with prices realized, at LiveAuctioneers.com.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized. ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

AMHERST, N.H.—A section of fabric taken from a “Red Baron” fighter plane is being offered at a New Hampshire auction house, part of an aviation and space collection that include handwritten notes by Wilbur Wright and Charles Lindbergh.

Manfred von Richthofen — better known as the German World War I flying ace Red Baron — shot down 80 enemy aircraft before he was fatally wounded in April 1918.

The 32-by-19 1/2-inch section of lacquered fabric shows a Balkankreuz — a Greek Cross — painted in black on a green background and was most likely taken from a rudder. the style of cross was prevalent on German Air Service aircraft at the time.

It comes from the estate of U.S. Air Force Col. Kimbrough Brown, author of the book, “Von Richthofen and the Flying Circus” in the 1950s. the fabric was given to Brown directly from the von Richthofen family in gratitude for the book, said Bobby Livingston of RR Auction in Amherst. After he died, his wife sold the fabric in 1986 to a private collector. the piece comes with the original notarized statement that accompanied the transaction.

“Von Richthofen remains one of the most widely known fighter pilots of all time,” Livingston said. “There are only a handful of documented von Richthofen items; most are preserved in museums and seldom become available to the public.”

The item, expected to fetch about $100,000, is part of a space and aviation online auction running Thursday through may 23.

Among the other items up for bid is a letter by Wilbur Wright in 1910 to a student pilot discussing “new machines,” which “are much steadier in strong winds and easier to control than the older ones.” That’s expected to generate $30,000 to $40,000.

There’s also an autographed note in pencil from Lindbergh written March 2, 1932, shortly after his son’s kidnapping, in which he begs reporters to leave his property. “Our roads are blocked and communication made extremely difficult under present circumstances,” it said. Livingston said the note could fetch over $10,000.

Other items include a collection of World War II fighter pilot flight jackets; an American flag from Howard Hughes’ world-record-breaking “Around the World Flight” in July 1938; and another American flag flown on the Apollo 11 mission with a NASA certificate containing Neil Armstrong’s signature.

© Copyright 2012 associated Press. All rights reserved. this material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

In , individuals who are interested in purchasing genuine estate properties are asked to compete for the ownership of diverse types of genuine estate. the prospective buyers much more commonly identified as bidders, bid for a property until the highest price level is reached or a given time limit is met. the bidding in the Actual Estate Auctions takes location in different locations and is dealt by private auction firms or government agency. for holding Actual Estate Auctions it is required to have an auctioneer’s license and or a brokers genuine estate license. Genuine Estate Auctions are held when a lender or a government agency desires to recover the losses on a property as soon as feasible.

There are various kinds of auctions, like property auctions, property auctions, and so on. In property auctions, primarily urban properties are auctioned, but other auction like Real Estate Auctions and rural properties are also carried out. In residence auctions, the seller usually sets a cost for the property to be sold. the bidding starts from this price and rises with each and every bid until the highest bidder gets the property. the auctioneer leads the auction and provides a opportunity to the other bidders when a bid is carried out. if the other bidders in the do not bid further then the auction is closed.

Actual Estate Auctions can be held both privately or publicly. the bidders get to see the property prior to the auction no matter whether be it in private or in public auctions. Maximum home auctions and property auctions are held publicly by the government agencies. In publicly held home auctions, mainly all the bidders get to hear every other’s bid and accordingly place their bid. but in private auctions, the bidder just provides their bid in writing to the seller. the highest bidder amongst them gets the property finally. In all auctions, the highest bidder who is selected, deposits a minimum percentage of the total buy cost. the remaining quantity is paid to the seller at the time of settlement. the benefit of a genuine estate auction or even a house auction is that the value which is paid to get the property is considerably lower than in case of typical buying by way of real estate agents. This is due to the fact the sellers are eager to sell off their property as soon as probable due to foreclosure.

Nowadays, on the internet auctions are also taking place over the Internet in which sellers register in the auction sites and location their reserve cost. Similarly buyers also log into these web sites and keep on bidding till the highest bid is completed. the method goes on just like genuine auctions. At the end, the highest bidder makes the payment via correct indicates. a minimum online fee is paid to the auction web sites for carrying out Real Estate Auctions.

Bidnownwin.com is such an on the internet auction website, where one can register and carry out the auctioning. the seller and the buyer just have to register in the site to get involved in the auctioning method. In bidnownwin.com 1 has the alternative to acquire a residence for 5% of the value of a property. are carried in a smooth way in bidnownwin.com.

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“We are delighted to be working with the NSPCC to offer this exciting group of photographs for auction and to raise funds for a very worthwhile cause,” Jocelyn Phillips, Head of Photographs at Bonhams, said in a statement.

Among other outstanding donations are several show-stopping portraits of well-known celebrity faces: Florence Welch (of Florence and the Machine) by Israeli photographer, Nadav Kander; the notoriously flamboyant fashion designer Valentino by Martin Schoeller; Twiggy by Barry Lategan; the beautiful Celia Hammond by Terence Donovan; artist of the moment Damien Hirst by David Bailey; and a striking portrait of British actor Oliver Reed by celebrity photographer, Alistair Morrison.

This section of the sale also features Miles Aldridge's Extravagant, Sophisticated Lady, 2011 and an intimate shot from Rankin's “Snog” series, 2000.

“We are very pleased to be involved in such an exciting auction. without support such as this, we would not be able to deliver vital therapeutic services,” Andrew Flanagan, chief executive of the NSPCC, stated.

Media release

Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Penny auctionwebsites takes more than small change

Consumers are beingwarned about penny auction sites, which despite offering‘free trials’ are quietly charging hundreds of dollarsto credit cards.

The warning comes from a new cross-agencyworking group, made up of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs,Department of Internal Affairs and Netsafe. The group isdedicated to fighting consumer fraud.

Penny auctions are atwist on online auctions. The difference is you pay to takepart − either each time you bid or through a monthlymembership fee – even if you don’t win the auction. Eachbid increases the price by just one or two cents; so ‘intheory’ you can buy sought-after goods for a fraction oftheir retail price.

The working group has had dozens ofcomplaints about penny auction sites, says Ministry ofConsumer Affairs Team Leader Jarrod Rendle.

“In a numberof cases, the complainants thought they’d bagged a bargainwhile on a seven day ‘free trial’, but by redeemingtheir goods they’ve unknowingly agreed to three months’membership, at $119 a month.

“when they tried to cancel,they were told to send a $54 cancellation fee, along withphotocopies of their credit card and passport. This leavesthem not only out of pocket, but potentially open toidentity fraud.”

NetSafe Operations Manager Lee Chisholmsays: “if you’re going to spend money on a website youhaven’t used before, do some research first. Google thewebsite followed by the word ‘review’, or ‘scam’ andcheck what others have to say.”

Under the fair TradingAct companies trading in new Zealand are prohibited fromdeceptive or misleading conduct, says MrRendle.

“However many of these auctions are basedoverseas, where different laws will apply. if something goeswrong with the goods you’ve bought, you may not have thesame rights as you do in new Zealand, and new Zealandenforcement agencies may not be able to investigate yourcomplaint.”

Background info

The cross-agency workinggroup was formed to share resources and better identify andpublicise consumer fraud and scams. it is chaired by theMinistry of Consumer Affairs and includes the Department ofInternal Affairs’ Anti-Spam Compliance Unit andnon-government organisation Netsafe.

· For cybersafety advice visit netsafe.org.nz.

· Forinformation on spam, or to report email, fax or text spam goto antispam.govt.nz.

· For more informationon scams visit scamwatch.govt.nz.

ENDS

A variety of states, neighborhood and federal government inside the United States as well as other agencies related with law enforcement are consistently seizing possessions which includes poor people’s autos and sold it on auctions. moreover, when the US government obtain new service autos, old vehicles are also sold mostly half of its original cost. This kind of sell-off is described typically as government auto auctions.

Less expensive costs may be comparable to repossessed vehicles from bank buyers and lending institutions. if the auto has harm, auto accessories and parts are also sold at less costly costs throughout the auction.

You’ll be able to get your second hand auto by means of the government auto auction. the cost is economical. all you’ll need to do is always to remain informed and knowledgeable concerning auto auctions.

It’s quite economical and straightforward to purchase pre-owned vehicles from the United States government. Thousands of individuals are benefited from buying at government auto auctions. the vehicles are detailed, ready for driving, and clean. Usually, these vehicles aren’t far more than 3 years old. the functions supplied are low mileage, well-known color and styles, superb maintenance, energy windows, A/C, energy steering, and cassette decks for both AM and FM.

Government auto auctions are genuine and occur often in different US states. it can be open to all who wanted to attend and participate. it is possible to discover the very best feasible auto offers here. Seized properties and surplus auctions are also held at various timeframes. Particulars and listings of the auto auctions are effortlessly accessible on newspapers. Total description of the purchasing and bidding procedure are also supplied.

In no way forget to know the car’s history and marketplace value. all these facts are widely accessible on the web. It’s also critical to obtain the vehicle identification number too as mileage details. the auction authority can present you with total particulars.

Even so, most government auto auctions offer you preview periods prior to the actual date of auction. This is your opportunity to obtain a closer appear on the auto you’ve got chosen to know if it defective or not. Concentrate on vehicle parts and accessories.

It truly is really clear that the US institutions and agencies putting the vehicles on auctions are searching forward to acquire as considerably as feasible the original pricing of the vehicles. But in the event you know the way to do the correct bidding, then bargains is just not impossible. Performing your homework prior on the auto auction will allow you to locate far better offers.

Selling auctioned vehicles pretty much became the number source of government incomes inside the United States. But nonetheless, within the consumer’s viewpoint, the government is never ever generating profit out of it. therefore it truly is usually expected that the costs are lower and fair sufficient. it is possible to also save considerable quantity of income for paying taxes upon acquire.

No matter whether you might be shopping locally or on the internet, it can be significantly greater should you be generally ready. It’s not poor to know about buying property or merchandise from the US government.

In other Automotive Buying Selling Auctions Cheapest new Cars news:

AUTOS: Rick Cole Joins Barrett-JacksonSPEEDtv.comFamed Auctioneer to the Stars tasked with sourcing high-end collector cars and car collections for the Scottsdale auction company. Barrett-Jackson CEO Craig Jackson all 11 news articles 

PA Department of General Services to Auction Vehicles April 16 the auction will be coordinated by Manheim Auto Auctions, located at 488 Firehouse Road, Grantville, PA 17028. Buyers may purchase with cash or certified funds in the form of money orders, cashiers checks, certified checks or bank checks – all made …and more 

new York Daily NewsBrooklyn whiz turns NYPD paddy wagon into portable grilled cheese bizNew York Daily NewsFormer restaurant worker Michael Jacober, 29, of bought the used vehicle from a police auction for $6000 and sells his goods in DUMBO, Chelsea, and Midtown . ?I wanted to take a step into something that wasnt high risk,? said Jacober who launched …and more 

Rick Cole joins Barrett-Jackson auction houseAutoWeekHe held hundreds of successful annual auto auctions in Los Angeles, Newport Beach and Palm Springs, and he originated the first collector-car auction during the famed Monterey auto week, selling more than 20000 high-end and highly sought-after classic …AUTOS: Auction Results from Palm BeachSPEEDtv.comall 15 news articles 

new York TimesA Macabre Tussle Over a Historic SlabNew York TimesWayne Lensing, the owner of the museum, considered buying Oswalds coffin as well, which was exhumed in 1981 and sold at an auction two decades later for $87468, but he thought it would be too macabre for the collection. Mr. Lensing, 64, spent far less …and more 

Los Angeles TimesDavid Gooding is a whiz at selling classic carsLos Angeles TimesOne was a Duesenberg Model J coupe that went for $10.3 million, the most expensive American car ever sold at auction. David Gooding, whose company sells collector cars, owns a 1914 Rolls-Royce. it can "cruise comfortably at 50 mph on modern roads," he …

Palm Beach PostBarrett-Jackson Auto Auction: from zero to sexy at the South Florida FairgroundsPalm Beach PostThe car previously sold for $170500 at another Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona, in January 2011. With all this buying and selling going on, plus the ticket admission, you might think Barrett-Jackson is raking it in, and they are.AUTOS: Barrett-Jackson Sales ReportSPEEDtv.comall 3 news articles 

AUTOS: Lottery Winners Finds At AuctionSPEEDtv.comDamon, however, does buy cars. so many, in fact, that he also purchased the former General Motors dealership in great Bend and started D&B Motors, LLC, his own classic-car showroom. His collection has now outgrown the dealership, so hes selling a few …and more 

Looking for bargains at Philadelphia Parking Authority vehicle auctionsPhiladelphia InquirerAll cars are sold without prospective buyers getting so much as a test drive. AKIRA SUWA / Staff the cream puff at the Philadelphia Parking Authoritys auto auction was the 2000 Volvo C70 convertible. the cloth top looked nearly new, and, …

Nebraska AA to Offer Online Buying & SellingAuto RemarketingBy Auto Remarketing Staff Revealed late last week, customers of Nebraska Auto Auction will now be able to scan all the inventory thats making it through the auctions lanes online. Utilizing online marketplace AuctionPipeline, NAA went live with …

Blog # fbf15aca28101fb32fe4 source: Isa Degon is a Cheapest new Cars specialist and she also can be asked for extra details in Cheapest new Cars find out more on her forum © April 11, 2012, 4:44 pmRef: ty4utuhyma4erep

A spaghetti dinner that raises funds to send underprivileged children to summer camp will be from 5 to 7 p.m. June 1 at Parker Road Bible Church, 18512 Parker Road, Mokena. For more information, visit somethingfromjessie.com. | Supplied photo

storyidforme: 30093129 tmspicid: 10913264 fileheaderid: 4995362

Updated: may 8, 2012 2:11AM

Here is a look at charity news in the Southland.

Sharing Soles: The junior high youth group (Jesus and Me under The Cross) of United Methodist Church of New Lenox, 339 W. Haven Ave., will have a shoe drive through may 9 to benefit Share Your Soles, which sends shoes to needy all over the world. The youth group will be collecting used shoes and monetary donations. Donations can be dropped off at the church office. Call (815) 485-8271.

SSC Gala: The South Suburban College Foundation is having its annual gala at 6:30 p.m. may 11 at Flossmoor Country Club, 1441 Western Ave., Flossmoor. Proceeds from the event, this year called “Showcase 2012: Premier Night,” support academic scholarships and technology improvements for SSC students. Tickets are $125 each and include an open bar and buffet-style dinner, silent auction, dancing and music. Sponsorships are available and auction donations are needed. Call (708) 596-2000, Ext. 2463, or email .

Car wash: Evergreen Park Boy Scout Troop 644 is having its annual car wash from 9 a.m. to noon may 12 at First United Methodist Church of Evergreen Park, 9358 S. Homan Ave. Tickets are $5 per vehicle. Proceeds help defray the cost of summer camp at America’s oldest scout reservation, Owasippe.

Stamp out hunger: The Frankfort Township Food Pantry will benefit from the annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on may 12. Letter carriers will pick up nonperishable food items that residents place near their mailboxes that day and deliver them to the food pantry. Items should be in plastic bags in the event of rain. Call the food pantry at (815) 806-2761.

Flower fundraiser: Homewood Boy Scout Troop 364, Homewood Pack 304 and Chicago Heights Pack 312 are holding a combined Mother’s Day flower fundraiser from 8 a.m. to noon may 12 at the Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery, 1035 Sterling Ave., Flossmoor. The money the Scouts earn selling flowers will help the organization and its families send the boys to summer camp and weekend campouts, and buy clothing and patches, etc.

Lunch and fashions: The Beacon of Light Foundation, along with the Women of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Eta Xi Sigma Alumnae Chapter, present their 12th Annual Pre-Mother’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show Scholarship Fundraiser at 11:30 a.m. may 12. The event will be held at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park. Cost is $60 per person, which includes live music, fashion show, fellowship and a presentation of scholarship recipients. Contact Barbara Townsend at (708) 957-4112 or Monshea Aguirre at (708) 439-6033.

Save-A-Life raffle: The New Lenox Fire Foundation is holding its Annual Save-A-Life Raffle, with cash, a vacation trip to Cancun, Mexico; Apple iPad II and flat-screen TVs among the top prizes. A final drawing will be held at noon may 13 at Fire Station No. 1, 261 E. Maple St. Winner need not be present. Raffle tickets are $10 each and are being mailed to everyone residing in the New Lenox Fire Protection District. Tickets also will be available at Fire Station one or at any of the remaining monthly pancake breakfasts. Donations help purchase lifesaving equipment for the fire district.

Fest fundraiser: A Bluegrass Fest fundraiser will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. may 18 at Smokey Barque, 20 Kansas St., Frankfort. The fundraiser will support the Bluegrass Festival to be held July 14 and 15 at Breidert Green in Frankfort. Cost of the fundraiser is $10, which includes live music, food, cash bar, silent auction, raffle and split the pot. Contact Tippi Monstovich at (815) 272-6796.

Aiding animals: Triple R Pets and LuLu’s Locker are having a garage sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. may 18 at 21288 Brown Drive in Frankfort. All proceeds from the sale go directly to help cover veterinarian costs for rescued animals. Visit TripleRPets.org.

Fore students: Providence Catholic High School’s Men’s Club will host its annual “Celtic Chip-In” Golf Outing Scramble on may 19 at Green Garden Country Club in Frankfort. there will be a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Cost is $125 per golfer or $500 per foursome and includes 18 holes of golf with motorized cart, lunch and an early dinner. there also will be several raffles and prizes awarded. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Proceeds will benefit students at Providence Catholic High School. Contact Ed Barrett at (815) 717-3164 or .

ALS Tag Day: About 25 volunteers will be stationed throughout New Lenox on may 19 as part of the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s Tag Days drive. Manhattan resident Melissa Wilder is spearheading this first-time effort in honor of her sister Mindy Williams, of Chicago Ridge, who was diagnosed with ALS in September 1992. Tag Days help increase awareness of ALS and also raise funds to support medical research, patient services and educational activities. The New Lenox Tag Days drive is one of nearly 30 community drives in the Chicago area. Wilder plans to place volunteers at the intersection of Laraway and Nelson roads, and in front of the nearby CVS.

Crafts and treasures: A fundraiser benefiting The little Village House & The New Life For Cancer Relay Team will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. may 19 at New Life Community Church, 5333 W. 151st St., Oak Forest. A rummage sale and craft fair will be held in the church parking lot and food and snacks will be for sale. The team will be participating in the Oak Forest Relay For Life Cancer Benefit, to be held June 22 and 23 at Central Park. Email Jan Mikolajewski at .

Walk For Lupus: The Lupus Foundation of America, Illinois Chapter will host its Fourth Annual Southern Suburbs Walk for Lupus now event on may 19 at Bicentennial Park, 3401 W. 203rd St., Olympia Fields. Registration opens at 9 a.m.; the walk starts at 10 a.m. The event includes a choice of one- or three-mile walks through Bicentennial Park and Olympia Fields. The family-friendly event will feature entertainment and kids activities. Registration is $25 for adults prior to the event and $30 at the event. Kids 12 and under can register for $10. Call (312) 542-0002 or register online at lupuswalkil.org.

Run/Walk to help: The Lincoln-Way North High School Athletic Boosters will host its annual 5K Walk/Run on may 20 at the school, 19900 S. Harlem Ave., Frankfort. The race begins at 9 a.m. at the stadium and track. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at 8:30 a.m., the boosters will host a free 100-yard dash for kids. Entry fees are $25 for adults ($30 the day of the race), $15 for high school students and $10 for students in sixth through eighth grades. Children in grades five or younger are free. Register by downloading a form at lwnab.org and submitting it to Shelley Wantiez in the school’s athletic department or to a booster club member. Proceeds will benefit the athletic programs at Lincoln-Way North. Contact Paula Krieger at (815) 955-3297.

Do the Griff: Sports & Spine Chiropractic in Frankfort and Flexeon Rehabilitation will host the 5th annual “Do the Griff” 4-mile community run may 20 at Lincoln-Way East High School. The run will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of Bankview Drive and Colorado Avenue. Registration is $40 and includes an EnduraFit shirt, goody bag, chip timing, refreshments, awards and postrace activities. The event will include three free kids races, for age groups 4 to 6, 7 to 9, and 10 to 12. Proceeds will benefit Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210, Frankfort School District 157-C and Mokena School District 159. Register at dothegriff.com. To volunteer at or sponsor the race, contact Sports & Spine at (815) 464-7113.

Pasta and more: Something from Jessie is having a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. June 1 at Parker Road Bible Church, 18512 Parker Road, Mokena. A presentation follows from 7 to 8 p.m. The event is free, but donations are welcome. Proceeds go toward the Something from Jessie Memorial Scholarship, which sends Chicago inner-city students to Phantom Ranch Bible Camp in Mukwonago, Wis. The event features dinner, dessert, a “moon walk” for kids, bean bags, door prizes and live music. Visit somethingfromjessie.com.

High Tea: Sertoma Centre and Sertoma Speech and Hearing Center will present their Third Annual Joint Fundraising Ladies High Tea at 11 a.m. June 1 at Crystal Tree Country Club, 10700 W. 153rd St., Orland Park. The cost is $40 and includes a “fashion tips for the future” presentation by Kimberly Bond, of The Kimberly Bond Boutique in Orland Park, vendors showing new products and services, entertainment and three high tea courses. RSVPs must be received by may 23; no walk-in guests will be admitted. For sponsorships, contact Melanie Jones at (708) 305-3680 or . To request an invitation or make a reservation, contact Amy Chmura at (708) 730-7206 or .

Vendors sought: The will County Union of King’s Daughters and Sons is seeking high-quality vendors for the Silver Crossings Craft fair, to be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Silver Cross Hospital Pavilion A, 1870 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Cost is $75 for booth space and an 8-foot table. Vendors are asked to stay the full hours of the fair and to donate a door prize for a raffle. To be considered as an exhibitor, call (815) 729-1264 or email to receive an application, which is due by may 30. Proceeds from the fair will benefit the Silver Cross Diabetes Center.

Shoe sale: Share Your Soles is having a Spring Shoe Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday through may at 5623 W. 115th St., Alsip. On sale are donated shoes that would be inappropriate or unusable to people in remote regions in which Share Your Soles distributes shoes. However, all proceeds from the sale benefit Share Your Soles.

Dine To end MS: As part of Dine to end MS, a restaurant program that raises awareness and funds for individuals with multiple sclerois, all Chili’s restaurants across the state will donate 10 percent of patrons’ bills to the National MS Society when presented with a special coupon through may 31.

Wine and auction: The Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary Club is hosting a wine-tasting event and silent auction from 7 to 9 p.m. June 1 at Frankie’s Ristorante, 9501 W. 171st St., Tinley Park. Auction items include a Lake Michigan salmon trip and a guided fishing trip in Wausau, Wis. Proceeds benefit the Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary. Tickets are $25 each and can be bought by contacting John Lachat at .

Feeding starving children: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 295 Sauk Trail, Frankfort, will host a mobile packing event for Feed My Starving Children June 22 and 23. this is a community event that will pack 100,000 meals for children around the world. For more information, visit goodshepherdfrankfort.org/mobilepack.

Banking on food: Marquette Bank will be collecting nonperishable food items at its 24 locations through June 23 during its 5th Annual Neighborhood Food Drive. Donations will be distributed to local pantries and neighborhood food banks through the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Bank employees will be spending several days volunteering at the Greater Chicago Food Depository sorting and packing donated food items.

Fore kids: The Mokena Community Park Foundation is holding its inaugural President’s Cup Golf Outing on July 16, with all proceeds benefiting the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. Check-in will begin at 11:30 a.m., with a scramble shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. A two-hour open bar, dinner, prizes and raffles will begin at 6 p.m. Cost is $500 per foursome, which includes golf, carts, lunch and dinner. Dinner only is $50 per person. Registration deadline is July 9. Sponsorship opportunities are available; deadline is June 29. Call the Mokena Park District at (708) 390-2401 or email .

Relay for Life: The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of New Lenox will be July 13 at Lincoln-Way West High School. Contact the American Cancer Society at (708) 633-7770 or visit Relayforlife.org/newlenoxil.

Run for a cause: Athletes are invited to run this year’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Oct. 7 as part of the Special Olympics Chicago team. Registration has opened at sochicago.org. there is no cost to join the Special Olympics Chicago running team, however, participants are asked to raise a minimum of $1,000. Runners will also need to register for the Chicago Marathon at chicagomarathon.com.

Dream ticket: The Lincoln-Way High School District 210 Foundation for Educational Excellence is poised to kick off its $100,000 Lincoln-Way Dream Raffle. Ticket-buyers receive $100 in coupons from local businesses. The grand prize is $100,000, with eight second prizes of $1,000. buy tickets online at dreamraffle.org. Contact Linda Lopez at (815) 462-2976.

Donations sought: The American Association of Single Parents, Inc., in Park Forest, is seeking program materials and monetary donations after losing more than $7,000 in materials needed for its Academics creating Excellence After-School and Summer Day Camp programs when its former location went into foreclosure. Checks should be made payable to American Association of Single Parents and mailed to P.O. Box 226, Chicago Heights, IL 60466, or make a donation by PayPal at aasp-inc.org. For a list of materials needed, contact Nicole Howell at (708) 705-2430 or at .

Purr-fect Donations: The South Suburban Humane Society is seeking donations to help take care of kittens expected to arrive soon. The humane society is registered at Target and Wal-Mart. Donated items also can be dropped off at The South Suburban Humane Society at 1103 West end Ave., Chicago Heights, or the SSHS Spay/Neuter Clinic at 18349 S. Halsted St., Glenwood.

Summer Attire Needed: Nu2u, together we Cope’s resale shop at 17010 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park, seeks donations of children’s spring and summer clothing in all sizes and styles. The nonprofit assists families in temporary crisis from 22 south suburban communities. The store also is open to the public and provides revenue to fund together we Cope programs. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 2 to 7 p.m. Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Call (708) 633-9180.

Donations sought: The Silver Cross Hospital resale shop, the Encore Shop, is accepting donations of gently used seasonal decorations, adult and children’s clothing, household items and books. Donations can be dropped off 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and the first Saturday of the month at the Encore Shop at 1200 Maple Road, Joliet, just north of the former Silver Cross Hospital Emergency Department. Call (815) 300-7642 or Volunteers Services at Silver Cross Hospital at (815) 300-7117.

Target St. Christopher School: St. Christopher School in Midlothian is continuing its participation in Target Corp.’s “Take Charge of Education” program. To help the school, individuals need to use their Target REDcard and inform the checkout person that they would like St. Christopher School to receive credit for the purchase. It does not cost the purchaser anything and Target Corp. will donate up to 1 percent of the REDcard purchases to the school.

Help for Share Your Soles founder: Donations are being accepted for Share Your Soles founder Mona Purdy, who lost her apartment building and nearly everything she owned in a fire earlier this year. Share Your Soles collects shoes for underprivileged people worldwide, but Purdy now is trying to get back on her feet personally. Ram Racing has set up an online donation site, at ramracing.org/mona. Checks made out to “Benefit for Mona Purdy” also are being accepted at and can be mailed to Standard Bank & Trust, 11901 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, IL 60464.

Shopping for school: The Summit Hill Educational Foundation is part of the Dominick’s family of stores’ eScrip program. To participate in the SHEF fundraiser, individuals need to register their Fresh Values cards at Dominick’s. For information, call (815) 474-9052 or visit .

Donations needed: neat Repeats Resale stores in Orland Park and Worth are in need of gently used women’s and children’s clothing, accessories, handbags, shoes and jewelry along with small household appliances and kitchen items in good working order. The neat Repeats stores depend on community residents to provide the inventory for the retail operations. All donations benefit women and children who are receiving services free of charge from the Crisis Center for South Suburbia. Items can be dropped off at either store location: 7026 W. 111th St. in Worth, (708) 361-6860; or 9028 W. 159th St. in Orland Park, (708) 364-7605.

Donations sought: The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn is seeking donations as part of its annual appeal. In 2012, the museum is trying to raise money for its new “We the People” interactive exhibit, which will teach kids about the importance of patriotism and includes pieces of two beams from the World Trade Center. Donations can be made online at the museum’s website, cmoaklawn.org, by following the links to donate or become a member; by mail at Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, 5100 Museum Drive, Oak Lawn, IL 60453 or in person at the museum. Call (708) 423-6709.

Sharing soles: Orland Township, 14807 S. Ravinia, is collecting shoes for the Share Your Soles organization, 5623 W. 115th St., Alsip. any gently worn shoes will be accepted 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays. The goal of the charity is to provide shoes to underprivileged families worldwide. Call (708) 403-4222.

Boot drive: Share Your Soles is seeking donations to help meet the needs of the thousands of bootless children in the Chicago area. Monetary donations and boot donations can be mailed to or dropped off at the Share Your Soles facility, 5623 W. 115th St., Alsip, IL 60803.

Pets for vets: To ease the financial costs associated with pet ownership, the Animal Welfare League offers all veterans with military ID an exclusive 20 percent adoption fee discount. Adoptions include a free leash and collar or cat carrier, AVID?Microchip, 10-day health care and one-year rabies vaccination. Adoptable pets can be viewed online at animalwelfareleague.com or by visiting the Chicago Ridge location, noon to 8 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Veterans can also get a 10 percent discount off veterinary services through its clinic, which is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. Information: visit PetsforPatriots.org or call (877) 473-8223.

Volunteers sought: Catholic Charities is seeking volunteers to help at “The Giving Tree” donation center at 3016 S. State St. in Lockport. Volunteers will assist with sorting, organizing and distributing a variety of items. Volunteers must be available to help on weekdays and be at least 18. Contact Marianne Holzhauer at (815) 774-4663, Ext. 3105 for information. if you are in need of services, contact Daybreak Center at the same phone number. For more information about the programs and services provided by Catholic Charities, visit catholiccharitiesjoliet.org.

Ring up donations: South Suburban Family Shelter is seeking cell phone donations and new cell phone collection sites for its ongoing fundraising program. The agency works with a company that specializes in the collection and recycling of used cellular phones. some cell phone collection sites include: SSFS administrative office, 18139 Harwood, Homewood; Bergstein’s NY Deli, 200 Dixie Highway, Chicago Heights; and Doyle Designed Salon, 2630 Flossmoor Road., Flossmoor. Call (708) 794-2140, Ext.303.

Opportunities for animals: The Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge is selling Golden Opportunities Books 2012 for $25 each to raise money for its homeless animals. The books offer 50 percent-off coupons and two-for-one discounts at local restaurants, movies, grocers, sporting events and more. The Chicagoland South Suburban/Northwest Indiana Edition is available at the shelter. Call (708) 636-8586, Ext. 268.

Filling pantries: Working to meet unprecedented demand at its pantries in Worth and Summit, Catholic Charities southwest regional office is accepting donations of food and money earmarked for the pantries at its office, 7000 W. 111th St. in Worth. Call (708) 430-0428.

New program: Sertoma Centre Inc. hopes to reach a growing population of individuals who have been dually diagnosed with a developmental disability and mental illness. its new program is a part of the Developmental Training Programs at Sertoma Centre, which will provide the opportunity for individuals to receive group or individual counseling. Participants in the program also will be given alternatives to talk therapies to better suit the needs of a wide range of individuals. Art, sand and play therapy techniques will be utilized for those who struggle with expressing their thoughts and feelings. also, the utilization of poetry, music, and journaling will be implemented for relaxation and therapeutic interventions. Contact Heather Beckner at (708) 730-6333 or at .

Un-fundraiser set: The Lyndsey Whittingham Foundation did not host the annual “Lynzapalooza” fundraising event in 2011 but has been sponsoring an “un-fundraiser” in Lyndsey’s name. The foundation will continue its commitments to various causes with funds raised at past events and those received through the 2011 “Un-Fundraiser” campaign. Individuals may make a donation by credit card through a secure PayPal account at lyndseywhittinghamfoundation.com or send a check payable to The Lyndsey Whittingham Foundation, P.O. Box 42, Frankfort, IL 60423. The foundation honors the memory of Lyndsey Whittingham, a Frankfort woman who died after being hit by a taxi in Chicago in 2006 at the age of 23. Funds raised are used to provide donations to causes, charities and scholarships in her name. Contact John or Julie Pyle at (815) 474-6391 or email .

Gift cards aid shelter: South Suburban Family Shelter is participating in Jewel-Osco’s gift card program. Gift cards are available for purchase in $25, $50 and $100 increments, and the shelter will receive a 5 percent rebate for cards sold by the agency. Payment is made to South Suburban Family Shelter for the face value of the gift card: Proceeds benefit the programs and services provided free of charge to victims of domestic violence and their families. Contact the shelter at (708) 794-2140, Ext.303, or visit the administrative offices at 18139 Harwood, Homewood.

Tickets for a cause: Sertoma Centre Inc. has joined Tix4Cause.com, a ticket exchange website, to offer a new way for supporters to donate. The Tix4Cause website provides an online platform where ticketholders can donate unwanted tickets to Sertoma Centre and receive a tax deduction. Buyers then purchase these tickets, often at reasonable prices, and Tix4Cause passes 100 percent of the proceeds on to Sertoma Centre. Tix4Cause handles every aspect of customer service including ticket processing and handling. Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park is the first to donate tickets on behalf of Sertoma Centre. The tickets are valued at $140 and include four rounds of open play, 1-18 holes on their course. Sertoma Centre Inc. is a nonprofit agency that provides services to more than 625 individuals with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities and/or mental illness. Contact Melanie Jones at (708) 730-6206, sertomacentre.org or visit tix4cause.com.

Shop for PADS: South Suburban PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) has joined the network of charitable organizations that turn gently used fashions and accessories into cash at the Spree store at 151st Street and LaGrange Road in Orland Park. All donations of gently used clothing, shoes, jewelry, purses and other accessories donated at the Spree store can earn money for PADS. when individuals drop their items at Spree and select PADS as the charity of their choice, PADS receives a check for these donations. Information: Contact Dawn Thrasher at (708) 754-4357, Ext. 107, or .

Furniture helps Sertoma: Sertoma Centre is seeking donations of furniture for resale at its Good as New thrift store, 4331 Lincoln Highway in Matteson. Sertoma will pick up used donated furniture items and provide a receipt for tax purposes. The thrift store sales benefit more than 625 physically or developmentally challenged clients being served at the Sertoma Centre each day. To schedule a free pickup, contact Karey Wentz, Thrift Store manager, at (708) 481-5627, or e-mail .

Replenish the pantry: Elsie’s Pantry, located at Moraine Valley Community Church in Palos Hills, has an ongoing need for canned goods and monetary donations to keep up with the increasing need. Since June 2000, the pantry has served more than 27,000 people living in Palos Hills, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Hickory Hills and parts of Bridgeview, Justice, Orland Park, Willow Springs and Worth. However, donations have decreased over the past two years, forcing the pantry to use its reserves, which, if not replenished, would run out by the end of the year. Canned goods can be brought to the church between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Donations by check may be made to Elsie’s Pantry, 8601 W. 107th St., Palos Hills, 60465. Information: (708) 598-4435.

Free bag of food: New Mercies Community Services was organized in 2003 to provide support services to low-income, elderly and disabled families in south Cook County. The organization operates a food pantry in Midlothian that distributes bags of food twice weekly to this same targeted population. Food distribution is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at New Mercies Community Services, 3824 W. 147th St., Midlothian. Donations to support the service also are sought. Information: Laurie Reed at (708) 606-2864.

Come clean: together we Cope is seeking donations of personal care items — including shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap and disposable razors — that will be shared with families utilizing food pantry services. Donations of any quantity may be dropped off at 17010 S. Oak Park Ave. Tinley Park. together we Cope is a nonprofit agency assisting families in temporary crisis from 22 south suburban communities. Information: Suellen or Tina at (708) 633-5040 or togetherwecope.org.

Reaching out: together we Cope in Tinley Park has established an emergency outreach food program with Faith United Methodist Church as a partner. Emergency bags of nonperishable food will be delivered to the Orland Park church to increase outreach to families needing food. The organization seeks to establish similar partnerships with other area churches. Information: Mary Ann Baer at (708) 633-5040.

Furniture pickup: together we Cope has added an additional day to its schedule for furniture pickups in Tinley Park and nearby suburbs. with pickups on Tuesdays and Fridays, there now is new inventory of gently used furniture twice a week at the organization’s resale shop, located at 17010 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park. The shop is open six days a week, and a small donation is requested for furniture pickups. Information: Call the shop at (708) 633-9180 or visit togetherwecope.org. together we Cope is a nonprofit agency assisting families in crisis from 27 south suburban communities.

Help soldiers call home: “Cell Phones for Soldiers” was started by two teenagers to help buy calling cards to send to U.S. military stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world. They are collecting old cell phones and accessories. The cell phones are recycled for cash and proceeds used to buy the calling cards for the soldiers. “Cell Phones for Soldiers” has raised almost $2 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas. Daniels Printing and Office Supply, 14800 Cicero Ave., Oak Forest, is an official drop-off point for any make or model cell phone. Information: cellphonesforsoldiers.com.

Seeking senior volunteers: The Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Catholic Charities is seeking people 55 or older willing to share their talents and help those in need at a variety of local organizations, mainly in the Joliet Diocese. Catholic Charities will match individual interests with available volunteer opportunities and will provide supplementary insurance, mileage and meal reimbursement during volunteer service. Information: Cindy, (815) 933-7791, Ext. 125.

Donate cell phones: South Suburban Family Shelter is collecting old cell phones to be recycled. The recycling process produces revenue to support the shelter’s services. The Rotary Club of Park Forest has paired up with the shelter to help in the collection process. For a list of donation sites, visit rotaryofparkforest.org and click on “cell phone locations,” or ssfs1.org and click on “donate.”

Wendy’s Night: VFW Post 177 MacDonald-Linn has a fundraiser between 5 and 8 p.m. the last Wednesday of each month at the Wendy’s Restaurant at 79th Street and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview. Proceeds benefit the VFW National Home for Children, located in Michigan. Participants simply order food (drive-through or sit-in) from Wendy’s during this time period, and Wendy’s donates a portion of its profits to this cause.

Eat and earn: St. Christopher School and Kenootz Pizzeria, 4659 W. 147th St. in Midlothian, have teamed up for an “Eat and Earn” fundraiser on the first Tuesday of every month. Kenootz Pizzeria will donate 25 percent of all profits for dine-in, carryout and delivery orders (before taxes, gratuity and coupons) to the school. Be sure to mention St. Christopher School when ordering.

Food for victims: South Suburban Family Shelter is in need of nonperishable food items such as canned soups, vegetables and fruit for its clients who are experiencing domestic violence. Personal hygiene products (regular, not sample size please) are also needed. Donations may be dropped off at 18139 Harwood, Homewood. please call ahead before dropping off items. Contact the shelter at (708) 794-2140, Ext. 303.

Text to give: St. Xavier University’s Department for University Advancement announces a new “Text to Give” mobile giving campaign to benefit the university’s Class Gift Fund and the St. Xavier Fund. The program allows donors to make $10 donations using their mobile phones through give by Cell, an approved mobile giving technology provider. you can make a gift to the Class Gift Fund by texting CLASSGIFT with your first and last name to 20222, or you can make a gift to the St. Xavier Fund by texting SXU with your first and last name to 20222. Donors can give multiple times a month depending on your carrier. Donations are tax-deductible, and pledges are billed through your monthly cell phone bill. Messaging and data rates may apply. For information, visit givebycell.com.

Broad-based sentiment trends remain in control of commodity prices, with Eurozone debt crisis worries at the forefront today as markets await the outcome of a pair Spanish bond auctions. Madrid is due to sell 2014 and 2022 debt. Previous auctions of equivalent maturities drew average yields of 2.069 and 5.403 percent for 2-year and 10-year notes respectively. Readings north of these outcomes threaten to project returning funding stress in the currency bloc and threaten to weigh on risk appetite.

Later in the day, another helping of corporate earnings reports enters the spotlight, with names including Bank of America, Verizon and Microsoft on tap. Traders continue to look to look toward guidance from major cycle-sensitive companies to help shape expectations for the degree to which a pickup in the US can offset a slowdown in China and recession in the Eurozone this year.

Turning to the economic calendar, expectations call for a minor pullback in the Philadelphia Fed business confidence gauge in April while Existing Home Sales rise the most in five months while the composite Leading Indicators metric gains 0.2 percent to reach the highest level since June 2008. Weekly jobless claims numbers are expected to yield mixed results, with initial applications for benefits down while continuing ones advance.

On balance, crude oil and copper remain closely correlated with the S&P 500, hinting shares’ response to the day’s event risk will see direct reflection in prices for the growth-driven commodities. meanwhile, gold and silver look to the US Dollar for direction cues. for its part, the greenback still shows a meaningful inverse relationship with stock prices, hinting a sentiment-supportive landscape is likely to weigh on the benchmark currency while bolstering precious metals (and vice-versa).

WTI Crude Oil (NY Close): $102.67 // -1.53 // -1.47%

Prices are testing resistance at 104.90 after putting in a Bullish Engulfing candlestick above rising trend line support set from mid-December. A break above this level exposes falling trend line barriers at 105.41 and 106.56. Support is now at 101.38.

Daily Chart – Created using FXCM Marketscope 2.0

Spot Gold (NY Close): $1642.10 // -7.47 // -0.45%

Prices are testing support at 1638.02, the 23.6% Fibonacci expansion, after putting in a Bearish Engulfing candlestick pattern below falling trend line resistance set from early March. A break lower exposes the 38.2% level at 1612.02. Trend line resistance is now at 1669.50.

Daily Chart – Created using FXCM Marketscope 2.0

Spot Silver (NY Close): $31.63 // -0.05 // -0.16%

Prices continue to consolidate below resistance at 32.93, the former neckline of a Head and Shoulders (H&S) top carved out between late January and mid-March, and horizontal support at 31.04. A break blower exposes the first downside barrier at 29.79. The H&S setup broadly implies a measured downside target at 26.84.

Daily Chart – Created using FXCM Marketscope 2.0

COMEX E-Mini Copper (NY Close): $3.632 // -0.016 // -0.44%

Prices put in two back-to-back Hammer candlesticks above rising trend line support set from early October, hinting a move higher may be ahead. Initial resistance lines up at 3.716, the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement. A break above this barrier exposes the 50% level at 3.761. Trend line support is now at 3.627.

Daily Chart – Created using FXCM Marketscope 2.0

— Written by Ilya Spivak, Currency Strategist for Dailyfx.com

To contact Ilya, e-mail . Follow Ilya on Twitter at @IlyaSpivak

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The Cherry Blossom Cuff with Pink Tourmalines

Buying an important gift online requires faith in the product’s worth. Five qualities make a piece of jewelry an automatic heirloom which grows in value.

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) May 03, 2012

American Estate Jewelry, known for its handcrafted sterling jewelry, reports that its most important jewelry holiday, after Christmas, is Mother’s Day when the Mom is expecting or has just recently welcomed her first baby. Termed the “push present” to honor her pregnancy and/or the birth itself, a silver cuff bracelet is richly deserved. “The Forever Cuff” offered by American Estate Jewelry is a classic gift, easily accessed by modern means.

“The first-time mom deserves nothing less than jewelry,” notes Amy Crisman of Radcliffe Jewelers in Baltimore, Maryland. “Mother’s Day breakfast in bed is only step one. a beautiful sterling cuff is the crucial step two.”

American Estate Jewelry, which features pieces designed and created by Galmer Fine Silver in the USA, presents another reason a cuff is ideal for first-timers. the firm offers cuffs especially meant to be passed down from generation to generation, due to its heirloom characteristics. “For a mom with a newborn daughter, it’s a twofer,” says Carolyn O’Keefe, founder of American Estate. “Dad gets extra points for thinking of both women in his life.”

Yet this classic tradition will be carried out the modern way. a key difference this year is the increase in husbands purchasing Mother’s Day gifts online—via tablets and smartphones

According to an April 2012 poll commissioned by the National Retail Federation, 36 percent of consumers said they plan to research products and compare prices on their tablets and 25 percent who will do the same on their smartphones. in addition, 24 percent of consumers surveyed said they would actually buy the present on their tablet computer. American Estate Jewelry offers online shoppers free shipping for silver cuffs the two weeks prior to Mother’s Day.

Buying a silver cuff online requires faith in the product’s worth. what qualities make a piece of jewelry an automatic heirloom? Will it grow in value and is it particularly appropriate for passing down? Consumers should look for five characteristics to test for estate-worthiness. O’Keefe recommends looking for these key worth points:

•     Handcrafting. something mass-produced is never as rare or prized as something created by hand.
•     Excellent workmanship. Look for intricate detailing and unique elements.

“Customers should compare several cuffs to train their eyes. Even a novice will be able to discern obvious talent and meticulous crafting,” according to Crisman. in the American Estate line, The Chrysanthemum Cuff has a petaled edge, highly-detailed engraving and an interior that is as beautiful as the exterior.

•     Hallmark. the artist’s hallmark provides future appraisers a mark of authenticity and a sense of when the piece was made for future appraisals.
•     Exceptional material. not all silver is alike, even if it is marked .925. Feel the weight of various cuffs, feel its surface and see how the silver stands up to the artist’s sculpting.
•     Artistic lineage. when buying a painting, for example, one should understand the artist’s entire body of work. Check websites and auction sites to evaluate the artist’s work over decades.

About American Estate Jewelry: American Estate Jewelry is a company based in Maryland which showcases the work of Galmer Fine Silver in glorious floral motifs of Chrysanthemum, Palm, Magnolia, Peony and more. the company was founded by Carolyn O’Keefe in honor of her mother Sally Bodie, a career woman and joyful mom who wore one stunning sterling cuff every day. Sally had inherited the estate cuff from her great grandmother and it became her signature. The American Estate Jewelry Story.

The company’s silver cuffs are known as “forever cuffs” because women wear them every day, for all occasions and then — because of their intrinsic value and important Galmer hallmark — pass them on as valuable heirlooms to the next generation. Galmer Silversmiths’ reputation is marked by its twenty-year history with Tiffany & Co. creating complex silver pieces and special commissions for museums.

American Estate Jewelry pays tribute to the American tradition of passing distinctive sterling jewelry from generation to generation. the name American Estate represents not only this family tradition but also America’s silver-making tradition, preeminent in turn-of-the-century America. the collection is available through theforevercuff.com or americanestatejewelry.com. CONTACT: Carolyn O’Keefe (410) 218-9500 carolyn(at)americanestatejewelry(dot)com