ALBEMARLE ó Dr. Eric J. Mallico, a general surgeon, has joined Albemarle Surgical Associates and Stanly Regional Medical Center.
Before moving to the area, Mallico was chief general surgery resident at Carolinas Medical Center.
Prior to his residency, he earned his medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington and his undergraduate degree from Clemson University.
At Albemarle Surgical Associates, he teams with Dr. Dennis F. Devereux and Dr. Jerry C. Padrta, two board-certified general surgeons who joined Stanly Regional’s medical staff during the spring.
Martial arts training
SPENCER ó Arnold Tae Kwon Do Hapkido Center, a new martial arts training center, opened Aug. 9 at 115 Fifth St.The center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. It can be reached at 704-637-6550.
Scott Arnold, owner and manager, is assisted by Vanessa Smith, who also works at Knollwood Elementary School.
In 1996, Arnold was certified by the Kukkiwon Association of Korea and began teaching for the Jun Chong system. He then became a member of the Jun Chong fighting/demo team and competed against other competitors from Argentina, Uruguay, New Mexico and California, winning the heavyweight division three years consecutively before retiring. He is the recipient of a number of trophies and appreciation awards.
He has more than 22 years of experience in Tae Kwon Do/Hapkido during the same time he worked as an actor/stuntman. He appeared in “Best of the Best 4 Without Warning” starring Phillip Rhee and “Burn Hollywood Burn” starring Whoopi Goldberg. He also had a recurring role for four seasons as Officer Scottie on CBS’ “The District” starring Craig T. Nelson.
In addition, he produced, acted, wrote and directed the final season of “Pastor Greg,” the Christian television sitcom on TBN.
Arnold began studying the different styles of martial arts at the age of 14.
A 1983 graduate of Hamden High School, he majored in political science with a theatre minor at Virginia State University. In 1990, he began pursuing a career as an actor in California. He attended Jun Chong Tae Kwon Do School just outside Beverly Hills for eight years, studying under the school’s top three instructors, Grandmaster Jun Chong, Master Chang Rak Shon and Master Chief Instructor Phillip Rhee.
“The studies of the Korean styles of Tae Kwon Do/Hapkido are truly beneficial to children starting at the ages of 3 years old through their adult life,” Arnold says. “Children are learning how to be self motivated, respectful to others as well as themselves. It builds true character and perseverance.
“The study of martial arts gives our youths structure, discipline and an amazing amount of focus that helps them do well in their academics. It gives them the confidence to raise above all trials and tribulations. They are taught the importance of responsibility to do home chores. All of this is implemented into their lives, as well as learning how to protect themselves and their loved ones.
“Studying the martial arts makes them well-rounded individuals and prepares them for what’s ahead in life,” he says.
Staples’ teachers day
Staples office products company will host a Teacher Appreciation Day from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at stores across the country, including the Salisbury location at 335 Faith Road.
According to a teacher buying behavior report for 2006-07, teachers spend an average of $475 of their own money on classroom materials and supplies each year.
“Teacher Appreciation Day is our way of letting teachers know how much they are valued and to make it easy for them to have the supplies they need to do their job,” said Shira Goodman, Staples’ executive vice president of marketing.
The first 200 teachers visiting Staples stores on Teacher Appreciation Day will receive raffle prizes and a 512MB Flash Drive.
For information about the Staples Teacher Rewards and other programs, visit www.staples.com.
Malaysian doughnuts
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc., headquartered in Winston-Salem, has entered into a franchise agreement with Berjaya Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Sdn Bhd in Malaysia for the development of approximately 20 Krispy Kreme retail shops over the next five years.
Berjaya Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Sdn Bhd is a 70 percent owned subsidiary of Berjaya Corporation Berhad (BCorporation).
The Krispy Kreme hot original glazed doughnut can now be found in 14 countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, the Philippines, the Republic of South Korea, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
New PR coordinator
MOORESVILLE ó Melanie Whitfield has joined Lake Norman Regional Medical Center as the hospital’s new public relations coordinator.
A native of Lexington, S.C., Whitfield has more than 10 years of marketing and public relations experience. She previously was marketing coordinator for Dale Earnhardt Inc. and has lived in Mooresville for nine years.
She will work with Leigh Whitfield, director of public relations and marketing for the hospital. The two are not related.
Whitfield holds a bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communications from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. She was previously responsible for overseeing public relations initiatives for the Ruth and Billy Graham Children’s Health Center in Asheville and also has handled public relations and marketing efforts for several NASCAR Sprint Cup Series organizations.
Quality Award
Liberty Commons of Rowan County is one of 312 long-term care facilities across the nation to earn the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living’s Quality Award for demonstrating a strong commitment to continuous quality improvement.
The Quality Awards are given in three levels. Liberty Commons received a Step 1 award by demonstrating organization-wide commitment to a customer-focused facility mission, defining its principal customers and their expectations and indicating ways it strives to meet their needs.
The award will be presented during the association’s annual convention and exposition Oct. 5-8 in Nashville.
Liberty Commons is a 90-bed skilled nursing facility at 4412 S. Main St.
e-PRO certification
Kay Dover of the Dover Team at Wallace Realty Co. is among the 1 percent of U.S. Realtors to complete the National Association of Realtors’ e-PRO certification course.
The course, the only technology certification program offered by the association, is designed to prepare real estate professionals to make the most of Internet technology and to identify, evaluate and implement new Internet business models. “The real estate industry has undergone a fundamental change over the past five years,” Dover said. “Today, more than 70 percent of all buyers and sellers begin their search online. As an e-PRO certified agent, I have knowledge and tools needed to provide my clients with the information they need and the customer service they demand. It’s both high-tech and high-touch.”