ENCORE!: CCA Global Partners just keeps on giving. Last month’s renamed Alan Greenberg Charity Golf Tournament in Stone Mountain, Ga., sponsored by the group for the benefit of the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF), raised a record $160,000. In its five-year existence, the event netted close to $700,000 for the FCIF, by far its biggest single source of income. And then, there’s Carpet One Floor & Home, which has raised more than $500,000 for breast cancer research and awareness in its ongoing efforts for the cause. Its stores throughout North America are participating in the Fall 2007 Carpet One Welcomes Your Support Campaign through the sales of exclusive pink ribbon welcome mats. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation will receive 25% of U. S. sales and the Canadian Cancer Society will receive 25% of sales in Canada.

BE COUNTED: More than four million American businesses will receive 2007 economic census forms in December so they can be a part of the official measurement of the nation’s economy. Response to the questionnaire is required by law, and the U. S. Department of Commerce requests the form be returned by Feb. 12, 2008. Every five years, the Economic Census develops a comprehensive portrait of American business, from the national to the local level, but total cooperation and participation is needed from businesses in every industry and in every locality. Compliance is critical, so if there are questions or assistance needed, go to the Census Bureau’s new Web site: business.census.gov.

EASY STREET: Bentley Prince Street, the commercial carpet manufacturer, has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in Los Angeles” by the Los Angeles Business Journal. The competition “recognizes companies that are redefining the employee experience in the 21st Century.” Bentley Prince Street, a subsidiary of Interface Inc., ranked third among large companies (250 employees or more) in the county. The program surveyed nearly 10,000 employees from companies across Los Angeles County to produce the list of the top workplaces in the area. The employees of Bentley Prince Street are fortunate to be working in such a pleasant environment, but the employers, executives and managers, are just as fortunate to know they are appreciated.

MILESTONE: Capel Rugs is celebrating its 90th birthday by extending its long-standing presence in AmericasMart Atlanta with a new five-year lease and a comprehensive renovation of its 6th floor showroom. The makeover will be completed in December and a grand opening will be held in January 2008, during the Atlanta International Area Rug Market. The new space, 6F2, will be one of the Area Rug Center’s premier showrooms and continues the 6th floor’s sweeping reconfiguration. Founded in 1917, Capel is a family-owned and operated company and one of America’s oldest manufacturers and importers of rugs. It has been an AmericasMart exhibitor since 1966.

PRICE HIKES: Tarkett North American Residential has selectively increased prices from 2% to 5% on resilient felt and FiberFloor products, effective Nov. 1. Guillaume Laverdure, president of residential, North America, said the move was necessary because of spiraling costs of raw materials, energy and freight. In a similar action, Forbo Flooring Systems has announced a 4% to 6% price increase in its flooring and service products throughout North America, effective Dec. 1. Denis Darragh, general manager of North American operations, explained: “Increased efficiencies in our operations have not been able to fully offset the rapidly increasing raw material and transport costs.” The brands included but not limited to the price increase are: Marmoleum, Bulletin Board, Eternal, Smaragd, Tractionstep, Forza, Linoflex and Colorex.