Business notes

Linda Martin is now offering classical ballet classes at Healthy Balance Yoga, 104 Palmer Street in Tryon. Martin has been teaching ballet locally for more than 20 years and has studied master classes with the Atlanta Ballet as well as the N.C. School of the Arts and Julliard. For more information call 828-749-9792.

Elaina Prevett now offers therapeutic massage and yoga instruction at Stepping Stone Massage & Yoga. She is a recent graduate of the Asheville School of Massage and Yoga and has passed the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and received her license from the state of North Carolina (NC #8557). She has been a certified yoga instructor since 1998. For information call 894-5176.

ACTS Retirement-Life Communities, Inc. (Tryon Estates), announced that Standard and Poor&squo;s has affirmed its &dquo;BBB+&dquo; credit rating with an outlook of &uot;stable.&uot; The ratings reflect the view that demand for ACTS communities will continue to remain strong despite some recent pressure by the current financial market environment.

WICKWIRE fine art/folk art has announced it has closed its 329 N. Main Street location in Hendersonville, N.C., effective December 31,2008. WICKWIRE&squo;s original location at 330 N. Main Street will remain open. Call 828-692-6222 or visit www.wickwireartgallery.com.

Business closings

Deborah Brown, owner of The Lion&squo;s Gate, LLC, located at 208 E. Rutherford Street in Landrum, is closing. Brown opened the retail/gift center and day spa in November of 2006.