Ty Spa, a Palm Desert massage business that city officials say employed unlicensed masseuses, has been permanently shut down.
The City Council cast a unanimous vote Oct. 22 to revoke the owner's business permit.
Ty Spa failed to openly post masseuses licenses and employed unlicensed masseuses, say Palm Desert Code Compliance officials.
According to a staff report, code enforcement officers conducted six inspections at the spa, in October and December, 2008 and March, May and August of this year.
Each time officers noted that licenses were not posted and masseuses did not possess a license, officials said.
Not true, said owner and operator Jeon Suyon, a native of Korea.
Suyon pled her case through attorney Chadwick J. Bradbury of Palm Desert.
Officers issued citations to front desk workers, Bradbury told the council. The only person giving shanghai massage was Suyon, who is licensed, he said.
“I do sincerely believe that (Suyon) did not understand the gravity of the situation,” Bradbury told the council. “I understand the concerns of the city. But I feel that, had she understood, she would have handled the situation better.”
Senior code officer Pedro Rodriguez said Suyon understood and had the help of an interpreter — a family member — who she had contacted by phone during at least one of the inspections.
“We understood each other,” he said. “And it was not just front desk people who were cited. People were seen by myself and the deputies present coming out of the rooms where they were working.”
After the meeting, Suyon explained through her interpreter Ven Bhante, a Buddhist monk, that she understood only that front desk clerks at her shop where getting some kind of citation but she did not realize it would impact the business.
The revocation means she will likely leave the city, Ven Bhante said. “She can longer make a living. She is forced to close down the shop as she can no longer afford to live in the city.”
“She spent her life savings to get the shop,” Bradbury said.
2009年11月1日星期日
Adams closes out year with trade tour to Japan
Mayor Sam Adams departs Friday on a goodwill trade tour of Japan, armed with signed copies of Pink Martini's latest CD and a mission to woo Mitsubishi to pick Portland to roll out its zero-emission cars.
For Adams, the trip serves as a final international hurrah before the holidays, capping off a turbulent first year that started with a domestic scandal.
Over six days he will do what he's done on trips to Toronto and British Columbia, Taiwan and Brussels this year: pitch Portland as a center of bike fun and sustainable living, a place where any green company should love to stake a spot.
Because -- believe it or not -- the rest of the world happens to think Portland exists just outside San Francisco, Adams said in an interview Thursday.
"It's really hard to do business globally if nobody knows who you are. It's a necessary task of a modern Portland mayor," he said.
"I would say that it is a grueling task. It sounds glamorous; it's not. But I do it because I want this city to be known as the go-to place in the United States for sustainable industries."
The tour, which includes a sister-city visit to Sapporo, comes at an awkward time for the mayor. Two of his commissioners are bickering publicly over arming water system security guards. Unemployment remains stubbornly high and city bureau heads are bracing for yet more trims.
And Adams, who thought he had survived an initial attempt to stage a recall, faces a second effort championed by business leaders who say he has a question mark hanging over his head. Adams confessed in January to lying during last year's mayor's race about a sexual relationship he had in 2005 with an 18-year-old legislative intern.
"It can't be easy doing the work while having this hanging out there, and then he also has to handpick who he's going to go on trade missions with," said Chet Orloff, a historian who teaches urban studies and planning at Portland State University.
For example, travel executive Sho Dozono and Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle may have made excellent travel partners on a trip where ties to Japan and a track record in global business matter.
Instead, Dozono lost the mayor's race to Adams last year. And Boyle, who in 2001 moved his company out of Portland in protest of the city's high taxes, is backing the current recall effort.
Still, Orloff agreed that as mayor, Adams must travel to bring home jobs. "With globalization, companies are moving all over the landscape and I think it's incumbent upon a mayor to be out there doing that," he said.
Since Adams took office in January, he has left Oregon about a dozen times to attend to city business.
He's visited Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York on the taxpayers' dime to plead for federal money, talk up Portland and to recruit companies. The other trips were paid by outside conferences or sister-city organizations. In May, for example, he took a four-day trip to Brussels, where he spoke at a bicycling conference and signed the first ever charter to boost cycling in Europe.
"We were the only U.S. city invited to speak," he said.
Adams far outpaces the other commissioners, only one of whom has stepped outside Oregon on city business this year. Commissioner Randy Leonard attended a public safety pension conference in Palm Springs, Calif., earlier in the month with two other city employees.
In any case, the other commissioners don't appear to mind.
City Commissioner Amanda Fritz said she is "grateful" for Adams' traveling. He rarely misses City Council meetings and he works early morning and late evening events, she said.
"None of them are pleasure trips, and he does them in a ridiculous time frame," she said.
Adams' predecessor, Tom Potter, was big on sister-city relationships and led a city delegation to Sapporo for the 45th anniversary. But he left the micro-economic wheeling and dealing to others.
Before him, Mayor Vera Katz attended her share of goodwill trips abroad, or went to Washington, D.C., to lobby for money, even though she didn't like to travel. It's critical, she said, for mayors of both cities to participate in sister-city programs.
"We always hoped there would be economic possibilities as an outcome and sometimes we were successful," she said. "Most of the time, it's goodwill."
This time, Adams will meet with Nissan and Mitsubishi auto officials about electric vehicles. He also has a meeting scheduled with Fujitsu and intends to tour Kanagawa Prefecture, which is considered the sustainability hot spot in Japan.
Accompanying him will be his chief of staff, Tom Miller, who often travels with the mayor, and Charlie Allcock, the economic development director at Portland General Electric. Portland State University President Wim Wiewel will meet up with the mayor for one day, when Adams talks to Nissan and Mitsubishi.
The trip will be financed in part by the Sapporo sister-city association and in part by the city.
That sort of triple whammy with the city, PGE and Portland State, said Allcock, is irresistible to businesses deciding where to land abroad.
"One of the things I learned a long time ago is that nothing happens unless there are relationships between human beings," he said.
"At some point, you've got to go over and shake their hand and say hello and get into conversations about what you're interested in."
For Adams, the trip serves as a final international hurrah before the holidays, capping off a turbulent first year that started with a domestic scandal.
Over six days he will do what he's done on trips to Toronto and British Columbia, Taiwan and Brussels this year: pitch Portland as a center of bike fun and sustainable living, a place where any green company should love to stake a spot.
Because -- believe it or not -- the rest of the world happens to think Portland exists just outside San Francisco, Adams said in an interview Thursday.
"It's really hard to do business globally if nobody knows who you are. It's a necessary task of a modern Portland mayor," he said.
"I would say that it is a grueling task. It sounds glamorous; it's not. But I do it because I want this city to be known as the go-to place in the United States for sustainable industries."
The tour, which includes a sister-city visit to Sapporo, comes at an awkward time for the mayor. Two of his commissioners are bickering publicly over arming water system security guards. Unemployment remains stubbornly high and city bureau heads are bracing for yet more trims.
And Adams, who thought he had survived an initial attempt to stage a recall, faces a second effort championed by business leaders who say he has a question mark hanging over his head. Adams confessed in January to lying during last year's mayor's race about a sexual relationship he had in 2005 with an 18-year-old legislative intern.
"It can't be easy doing the work while having this hanging out there, and then he also has to handpick who he's going to go on trade missions with," said Chet Orloff, a historian who teaches urban studies and planning at Portland State University.
For example, travel executive Sho Dozono and Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle may have made excellent travel partners on a trip where ties to Japan and a track record in global business matter.
Instead, Dozono lost the mayor's race to Adams last year. And Boyle, who in 2001 moved his company out of Portland in protest of the city's high taxes, is backing the current recall effort.
Still, Orloff agreed that as mayor, Adams must travel to bring home jobs. "With globalization, companies are moving all over the landscape and I think it's incumbent upon a mayor to be out there doing that," he said.
Since Adams took office in January, he has left Oregon about a dozen times to attend to city business.
He's visited Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York on the taxpayers' dime to plead for federal money, talk up Portland and to recruit companies. The other trips were paid by outside conferences or sister-city organizations. In May, for example, he took a four-day trip to Brussels, where he spoke at a bicycling conference and signed the first ever charter to boost cycling in Europe.
"We were the only U.S. city invited to speak," he said.
Adams far outpaces the other commissioners, only one of whom has stepped outside Oregon on city business this year. Commissioner Randy Leonard attended a public safety pension conference in Palm Springs, Calif., earlier in the month with two other city employees.
In any case, the other commissioners don't appear to mind.
City Commissioner Amanda Fritz said she is "grateful" for Adams' traveling. He rarely misses City Council meetings and he works early morning and late evening events, she said.
"None of them are pleasure trips, and he does them in a ridiculous time frame," she said.
Adams' predecessor, Tom Potter, was big on sister-city relationships and led a city delegation to Sapporo for the 45th anniversary. But he left the micro-economic wheeling and dealing to others.
Before him, Mayor Vera Katz attended her share of goodwill trips abroad, or went to Washington, D.C., to lobby for money, even though she didn't like to travel. It's critical, she said, for mayors of both cities to participate in sister-city programs.
"We always hoped there would be economic possibilities as an outcome and sometimes we were successful," she said. "Most of the time, it's goodwill."
This time, Adams will meet with Nissan and Mitsubishi auto officials about electric vehicles. He also has a meeting scheduled with Fujitsu and intends to tour Kanagawa Prefecture, which is considered the sustainability hot spot in Japan.
Accompanying him will be his chief of staff, Tom Miller, who often travels with the mayor, and Charlie Allcock, the economic development director at Portland General Electric. Portland State University President Wim Wiewel will meet up with the mayor for one day, when Adams talks to Nissan and Mitsubishi.
The trip will be financed in part by the Sapporo sister-city association and in part by the city.
That sort of triple whammy with the city, PGE and Portland State, said Allcock, is irresistible to businesses deciding where to land abroad.
"One of the things I learned a long time ago is that nothing happens unless there are relationships between human beings," he said.
"At some point, you've got to go over and shake their hand and say hello and get into conversations about what you're interested in."
2009年10月29日星期四
Massages to benefit local breast cancer organization
This week only, HealthSPORT in Arcata and Fortuna will team up with the Humboldt Community Breast Health Project to support services for local women fighting breast and gynecologic cancer by offering a 50% donation on every massage or massage package purchased at these two facilities. In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the event is open to the public. Scheduling massage therapy appointments in advance is highly recommended.
Susan Jansson, HealthSPORT CEO, "HealthSPORT provides exercise and relaxation opportunities, both of which can be helpful for women and their support team who are dealing with cancer. Purchase a massage at HealthSPORT during the week of Oct. 26 and support a great cause."
The Humboldt Community Breast Health Project is an important information and support resource for women and families on the Northcoast dealing with breast and gynecologic cancer and cancer concerns. The organization’s services include consultations with registered nurses, who are cancer survivors, an extensive library and information specialist, support groups and other services. In 2008, the Breast Health Project estimates it saw approximately 70% of the local women diagnosed with breast cancer. The organization also does extensive public education advocating that women to get yearly breast exams and mammograms because early detection of breast cancer can save lives.
In 2009, the American Cancer Society estimates that 110 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Nationally, one in eight women in their lifetimes will be diagnosed by cancer. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors are living in the United States today. Diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer have improved markedly.
Research on shanghai massage suggests that for breast cancer patients, massage may reduce anxiety, pain and symptoms of depression, and boost immunity. Massage can be a powerful healing intervention for people going through cancer treatment. It is recommended that people in treatment for breast cancer find a practitioner with experience working with breast cancer patients.
Susan Jansson, HealthSPORT CEO, "HealthSPORT provides exercise and relaxation opportunities, both of which can be helpful for women and their support team who are dealing with cancer. Purchase a massage at HealthSPORT during the week of Oct. 26 and support a great cause."
The Humboldt Community Breast Health Project is an important information and support resource for women and families on the Northcoast dealing with breast and gynecologic cancer and cancer concerns. The organization’s services include consultations with registered nurses, who are cancer survivors, an extensive library and information specialist, support groups and other services. In 2008, the Breast Health Project estimates it saw approximately 70% of the local women diagnosed with breast cancer. The organization also does extensive public education advocating that women to get yearly breast exams and mammograms because early detection of breast cancer can save lives.
In 2009, the American Cancer Society estimates that 110 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Nationally, one in eight women in their lifetimes will be diagnosed by cancer. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors are living in the United States today. Diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer have improved markedly.
Research on shanghai massage suggests that for breast cancer patients, massage may reduce anxiety, pain and symptoms of depression, and boost immunity. Massage can be a powerful healing intervention for people going through cancer treatment. It is recommended that people in treatment for breast cancer find a practitioner with experience working with breast cancer patients.
2009年10月28日星期三
China V.P.'s celebrity wife to tour Japan
BEIJING (Kyodo) Peng Liyuan, the celebrity wife of Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, will lead a popular Chinese opera on a two-week tour of Japan in November, according to Chinese media reports.
Peng, a 46-year-old folk singer and a major general in the People's Liberation Army, will lead a 120-member cast from the PLA's song and dance troupe to Tokyo and Sapporo from Nov. 8 to 20 to perform "Poems of Mulan," an opera based on the ancient heroine Hua Mulan, the Beijing Evening News reported.
Peng, a soprano, will not be performing. Instead she will serve as the troupe's artistic director, the report said.
She sang at the gala dinner Oct. 1 celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of Communist China.
Before Xi became widely seen as the successor to President Hu Jintao in 2012, Chinese had been more familiar with Peng. With Beijing and Tokyo seeking closer ties, a visit by the high-profile spouse of China's likely next leader will be viewed as more than a mere cultural exchange. Xi is expected to visit Japan in November or December.
Peng's celebrity and fame is unusual in Chinese political circles, where spouses and family members of top party leaders traditionally keep out of the spotlight.
Peng, a 46-year-old folk singer and a major general in the People's Liberation Army, will lead a 120-member cast from the PLA's song and dance troupe to Tokyo and Sapporo from Nov. 8 to 20 to perform "Poems of Mulan," an opera based on the ancient heroine Hua Mulan, the Beijing Evening News reported.
Peng, a soprano, will not be performing. Instead she will serve as the troupe's artistic director, the report said.
She sang at the gala dinner Oct. 1 celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of Communist China.
Before Xi became widely seen as the successor to President Hu Jintao in 2012, Chinese had been more familiar with Peng. With Beijing and Tokyo seeking closer ties, a visit by the high-profile spouse of China's likely next leader will be viewed as more than a mere cultural exchange. Xi is expected to visit Japan in November or December.
Peng's celebrity and fame is unusual in Chinese political circles, where spouses and family members of top party leaders traditionally keep out of the spotlight.
2009年10月27日星期二
Massage parlor ordered to close
A Superior Court judge agreed with the city of Lake Forest to shut down a day spa, saying that it has a history of providing sex for pay, is a public nuisance and has violated city code and state laws, officials said today.
The judge also found that the way ownership changed were shams. Ownership of the spa was transferred several times within the family. The judge said he does not recognize them as valid changes in ownership
City officials today call their win in this lawsuit against Lake Forest Bodycentre significant and say it bodes well for the city's current efforts to clear out medical marijuana dispensaries now operating illegally in the city.
"This case is significant for the city on several levels," said Jeffrey Dunn, a partner with Best, Best & Krieger who led the litigation. "The judge's ruling underscores the city's right and obligation to close businesses that are in violation of the law, create a public nuisance or are prohibited by the city's municipal code. Whether it's illegal drug distribution or a sex-for-pay business they are subject to court order to close as they create a public nuisance."
The city has been told by judge to prepare the final order. The spa could be closed within a couple of weeks, said Dunn. The spa is located at 23331 El Toro Road, Suite 110. The hearing was on Friday in Orange County Superior Court with Judge David R. Chaffee.
Roger Jon Diamond, who represented Bodycentre and has defended a number of adult businesses, said the judge's ruling was oral and that it is not final. He added the spa is now a chiropractic center.
Diamond, who recently defended a woman accused of killing homeless in alleys in Los Angeles County, said he believes a prior court ruling where a judge ruled in favor of the Bodycentre and against its landlord's efforts to evict, should be considered in the city's case.
"The city attorney argued they were not bound by that case," Diamond said. "We argued the landlord and city were on the same team therefore they were bound by the case."
Diamond said he plans to appeal the case.
Lake Forest Bodycentre is not affiliated with Bodycentre Costa Mesa LLC, which owns and operates Bodycentre Day Spa, located at 23702-B El Toro Road in The Orchard shopping center, and remains fully operational and licensed by the city.
Lake Forest Bodycentre has been the site of numerous undercover investigations focused on suspicion of prostitution, lewd conduct and illicit behavior.
An undercover investigation in 2006 by Orange County Sheriff deputies found several violations, including solicitation for prostitution, massage without a license, resisting arrest, operating a house of ill-fame, and disqualifying conduct.
The investigation led to the arrest of a female employee of the parlor, who was charged and convicted of prostitution. Based on the prostitution allegations, city officials revoked owner Charlie Abujudeh's operating license in spring 2007.
Abujudeh immediately transferred ownership to his sister-in-law, Julie Ho, and according to sheriff's reports, prostitution continued while Ho operated the establishment.
On November 1, 2007, the city sued to close the business.
"Just like the Bodycentre, marijuana stores violate state law, create a public nuisance and are prohibited by the city's municipal code," said City Attorney Scott Smith. "We are encouraged that this legal victory underscores the validity of the city's claim against the marijuana vendors."
Massage web list:shanghai massage,beijing massage
The judge also found that the way ownership changed were shams. Ownership of the spa was transferred several times within the family. The judge said he does not recognize them as valid changes in ownership
City officials today call their win in this lawsuit against Lake Forest Bodycentre significant and say it bodes well for the city's current efforts to clear out medical marijuana dispensaries now operating illegally in the city.
"This case is significant for the city on several levels," said Jeffrey Dunn, a partner with Best, Best & Krieger who led the litigation. "The judge's ruling underscores the city's right and obligation to close businesses that are in violation of the law, create a public nuisance or are prohibited by the city's municipal code. Whether it's illegal drug distribution or a sex-for-pay business they are subject to court order to close as they create a public nuisance."
The city has been told by judge to prepare the final order. The spa could be closed within a couple of weeks, said Dunn. The spa is located at 23331 El Toro Road, Suite 110. The hearing was on Friday in Orange County Superior Court with Judge David R. Chaffee.
Roger Jon Diamond, who represented Bodycentre and has defended a number of adult businesses, said the judge's ruling was oral and that it is not final. He added the spa is now a chiropractic center.
Diamond, who recently defended a woman accused of killing homeless in alleys in Los Angeles County, said he believes a prior court ruling where a judge ruled in favor of the Bodycentre and against its landlord's efforts to evict, should be considered in the city's case.
"The city attorney argued they were not bound by that case," Diamond said. "We argued the landlord and city were on the same team therefore they were bound by the case."
Diamond said he plans to appeal the case.
Lake Forest Bodycentre is not affiliated with Bodycentre Costa Mesa LLC, which owns and operates Bodycentre Day Spa, located at 23702-B El Toro Road in The Orchard shopping center, and remains fully operational and licensed by the city.
Lake Forest Bodycentre has been the site of numerous undercover investigations focused on suspicion of prostitution, lewd conduct and illicit behavior.
An undercover investigation in 2006 by Orange County Sheriff deputies found several violations, including solicitation for prostitution, massage without a license, resisting arrest, operating a house of ill-fame, and disqualifying conduct.
The investigation led to the arrest of a female employee of the parlor, who was charged and convicted of prostitution. Based on the prostitution allegations, city officials revoked owner Charlie Abujudeh's operating license in spring 2007.
Abujudeh immediately transferred ownership to his sister-in-law, Julie Ho, and according to sheriff's reports, prostitution continued while Ho operated the establishment.
On November 1, 2007, the city sued to close the business.
"Just like the Bodycentre, marijuana stores violate state law, create a public nuisance and are prohibited by the city's municipal code," said City Attorney Scott Smith. "We are encouraged that this legal victory underscores the validity of the city's claim against the marijuana vendors."
Massage web list:shanghai massage,beijing massage
2009年10月26日星期一
Massage therapists fight permits, changes to rules
Massage therapists are prickling at proposed changes to the rules governing Alexandria's massage industry.
"I see no rationale for the [section] about where certified massage therapists may provide therapy and under what conditions," wrote Rebecca Bowers-Lanier, a consultant for the Virginia Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association. "I believe this is archaic language that refers back to a time when massage therapy was confused with massage provided by persons such as prostitutes and call girls. These individuals were not practicing massage therapy."
Jessica Johnson, of the advocacy group Virginia Stop Modern Slavery, questioned the effect the changes would have on the police's ability to enter establishments that may be engaging in human trafficking or prostitution.
"We've definitely seen [human] trafficking, particularly in the Asian community," she said, citing Falls Church, Annandale and Prince William County as examples.
But Lt. Jesse Herman of the Alexandria Police Department said he hasn't experienced any such problems with licensed establishments in his 27 years.
The proposal would drop the requirement that applicants for a massage therapist permit list their weight on their applications.
Massage permit fees would increase under the proposed changes. The city hasn't raised the fees since 1998, said Bob Custard, Environmental Health Division chief for the Alexandria Health Department.
The home massage permit fee and massage establishment permit fee, both $25, would rise to $100. But Bowers-Lanier wrote that the permit process should be repealed entirely, calling it "archaic and discriminatory."
"Certified Massage Therapists who own and operate their practices in Alexandria should be required solely to obtain a business license and pay the appropriate business tax, using the same process to which other state-regulated healthcare practitioners adhere," she wrote.
But at a time of shrinking resources, some of the proposals are simply intended to make things more efficient, Custard said.
For example, approvals no longer would be sent via certified mail. Much of the mail sent to therapists comes back undeliverable, Custard said.
"Apparently, massage therapists move a tremendous amount," he said.
About 160 massage therapists and 60 massage establishments are in the city, he said.
Massage web list:
beijing massage http://www.beijingsunshine.net
shanghai massage http://www.prettyshanghai.net/
"I see no rationale for the [section] about where certified massage therapists may provide therapy and under what conditions," wrote Rebecca Bowers-Lanier, a consultant for the Virginia Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association. "I believe this is archaic language that refers back to a time when massage therapy was confused with massage provided by persons such as prostitutes and call girls. These individuals were not practicing massage therapy."
Jessica Johnson, of the advocacy group Virginia Stop Modern Slavery, questioned the effect the changes would have on the police's ability to enter establishments that may be engaging in human trafficking or prostitution.
"We've definitely seen [human] trafficking, particularly in the Asian community," she said, citing Falls Church, Annandale and Prince William County as examples.
But Lt. Jesse Herman of the Alexandria Police Department said he hasn't experienced any such problems with licensed establishments in his 27 years.
The proposal would drop the requirement that applicants for a massage therapist permit list their weight on their applications.
Massage permit fees would increase under the proposed changes. The city hasn't raised the fees since 1998, said Bob Custard, Environmental Health Division chief for the Alexandria Health Department.
The home massage permit fee and massage establishment permit fee, both $25, would rise to $100. But Bowers-Lanier wrote that the permit process should be repealed entirely, calling it "archaic and discriminatory."
"Certified Massage Therapists who own and operate their practices in Alexandria should be required solely to obtain a business license and pay the appropriate business tax, using the same process to which other state-regulated healthcare practitioners adhere," she wrote.
But at a time of shrinking resources, some of the proposals are simply intended to make things more efficient, Custard said.
For example, approvals no longer would be sent via certified mail. Much of the mail sent to therapists comes back undeliverable, Custard said.
"Apparently, massage therapists move a tremendous amount," he said.
About 160 massage therapists and 60 massage establishments are in the city, he said.
Massage web list:
beijing massage http://www.beijingsunshine.net
shanghai massage http://www.prettyshanghai.net/
2009年10月25日星期日
The Hills beckons top amateur
The best-performed amateur golfer from the Charles Tour series, which culminates with the Shirley Open starting today, will gain entry to the New Zealand Open at The Hills near Queenstown in January.
A capacity field will line up for the $40,000 Labour Weekend event in Christchurch, including Sir Bob Charles – playing for the first time in a tour event named in his honour.
The professional field is headed by Charles, the four-time New Zealand Open champion. Charles, who has been a Christchurch Golf Club member for more than 50 years, twice finished runner-up in the open at the course.
Hawke's Bay golfer Doug Holloway, a four-time winner on the Charles Tour, will be favoured among the professionals, along with last year's Taranaki Open winner Troy Ropiha and 2003 New Zealand Open champion Mahal Pearce.
Japan tour player Kazunari Nakayama impressed in Taranaki, while Wellington's Brenden Stuart, the consistent Grant Moorhead (New Plymouth) and Tauranga's Jared Pender are likely contenders this weekend. The amateur battle has an additional edge, with the overall winner invited to compete in the co-sanctioned New Zealand Open, while there is the $1500 Danny Lee Scholarship for the leading amateur over the spring series – the Wairakei Open, Taranaki Open and Shirley Open.
Former Northland golfer Gary-John Hill, now based at the Titirangi club in Auckland, is leading the amateur section after his share of third place at the Wairakei Open.
He leads Tauranga's Andrew Stewart. Stewart made an impressive debut for New Zealand at the Asia-Pacific teams championship recently, where he was fourth-best individual.
Wairakei Open winner Emily Perry, runner-up in the prestigious Riversdale Cup in Melbourne this year, will be looking for her second win in the women's competition over 54 holes.
New Zealand strokeplay champion Zoe Brake (Whakatane) will be hoping to stake her claim after strong performances in the recent interprovincials, along with fellow international Caroline Bon and Nelson's Lisa Wright, who is returning to the game after a lengthy layoff because of leg surgery.
The top 60 men, plus ties, make the cut for the final two rounds of the event which concludes on Monday.
The women's event finishes on Sunday.
A capacity field will line up for the $40,000 Labour Weekend event in Christchurch, including Sir Bob Charles – playing for the first time in a tour event named in his honour.
The professional field is headed by Charles, the four-time New Zealand Open champion. Charles, who has been a Christchurch Golf Club member for more than 50 years, twice finished runner-up in the open at the course.
Hawke's Bay golfer Doug Holloway, a four-time winner on the Charles Tour, will be favoured among the professionals, along with last year's Taranaki Open winner Troy Ropiha and 2003 New Zealand Open champion Mahal Pearce.
Japan tour player Kazunari Nakayama impressed in Taranaki, while Wellington's Brenden Stuart, the consistent Grant Moorhead (New Plymouth) and Tauranga's Jared Pender are likely contenders this weekend. The amateur battle has an additional edge, with the overall winner invited to compete in the co-sanctioned New Zealand Open, while there is the $1500 Danny Lee Scholarship for the leading amateur over the spring series – the Wairakei Open, Taranaki Open and Shirley Open.
Former Northland golfer Gary-John Hill, now based at the Titirangi club in Auckland, is leading the amateur section after his share of third place at the Wairakei Open.
He leads Tauranga's Andrew Stewart. Stewart made an impressive debut for New Zealand at the Asia-Pacific teams championship recently, where he was fourth-best individual.
Wairakei Open winner Emily Perry, runner-up in the prestigious Riversdale Cup in Melbourne this year, will be looking for her second win in the women's competition over 54 holes.
New Zealand strokeplay champion Zoe Brake (Whakatane) will be hoping to stake her claim after strong performances in the recent interprovincials, along with fellow international Caroline Bon and Nelson's Lisa Wright, who is returning to the game after a lengthy layoff because of leg surgery.
The top 60 men, plus ties, make the cut for the final two rounds of the event which concludes on Monday.
The women's event finishes on Sunday.
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