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Creative Leisure News
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Date: January 5,
2004 TABLE OF CONTENTSCOMMENTARY: TRADE SHOW ADVICEHere's a tip if you're exhibiting at the upcoming TNNA or HIA shows: Many buyers are hesitant to order new products at a show because they have been burned in the past. Why? Some exhibitors show prototypes, take a few orders, but then never go into production if they don't receive enough orders. So the buyers who did place orders wait ... and wait ... and wait for orders that never arrive. So if your new products are ready for delivery, make little signs (READY FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY! or WE'LL SHIP YOUR ORDER IN 24 HOURS!) and place them at appropriate places in your booth.
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NEW COLUMNS THIS ISSUEMemory, Paper & Stamps. An interview with Sue DiFranco of Fun Facts Publishing. One of the industry's savviest observers of the scrapbook business offers some candid and sobering observations on the state – and future – of scrapbooking. Category Reports. Miscellaneous facts and figures about the Christmas holiday season, courtesy of the U.S. Census Department. (Note: To read these columns, click on the title. If it appears to take you to an "old" column, click your "Refresh" or "Reload" button.)
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CHRISTMAS SALES: FEAST OR ....?Holiday sales apparently did not meet expectations for the second year in a row. The National Retail Federation predicted sales would increase as much as 7% over last year, and it appears those figures won't be reached. December sales figures will be released later this week, but from all reports, the only winners were high-end stores – Nordstrom, Saks, Sharper Image, etc. When the season began, the discounters performed well, but traffic declined as the season progressed. Wal-Mart announced it would only reach the low end of its prediction of a 3-5% same-store sales increase, Target lowered its expectations, and Kmart announced it was closing some stores (four in California, to start). Mid-level stores such as Sears and J.C. Penney were reportedly having disappointing seasons and ShopKo lowered its fourth-quarter estimate. Our industry's season was lackluster, just as 2003 was for many of our retailers. Craft stores may have suffered from increased competition from non-craft stores for holiday decorations, and most scrapbook stores suffered from far more stores selling scrapbook supplies than there were a year ago. The news wasn't good in related fields, either. The price war in toys instigated by Wal-Mart in October slashed margins and took its toll; FAO Schwarz went bankrupt and KB Toys had to stop paying its bills in mid-December. Meanwhile, the decline in the collectibles market hurt gift sales. Citing weak sales, Krause Publications, publisher of CNA and other industry-related magazines and books, has put its annual International Gift & Collectible Expo on a one-year hiatus, according to Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine. Two reasons for lackluster store sales: online sales rose about 37% and gift cards (gift certificates that look like credit cards) comprised as much as 8-10% of all holiday sales, but they are not counted as revenue until the receiver of the gift card uses it. (Comment: if the consumers use the gift cards in January rather than December, that will skew monthly sales figures, just as Easter moving from month to month skews comparisons with the previous year.)
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INDUSTRY STOCKS: GOOD YEAR, BAD QUARTERCraft stocks had a strong year, although not as bullish as the major stock indices. The CLN Index rose 13.7% in 2003, but gave away even better gains in the fourth quarter. For the year, the Dow rose 25.3%, its biggest yearly gain since 1996. It was the first annual gain since 1999 and the Dow reached highest level since March 2002. The S&P 500 gained 26.4% and the Nasdaq soared 50%. The S&P Retail Index, a barometer of U.S. retail stocks, rose 35.7%. The craft chains were the big winners. A.C. Moore gained 51.5% and Michaels was up 41.2%. The fabric/craft chains did not fare so well. Jo-Ann's dropped 11.2%, Hancock slipped 5.0%, and Rag Shops was down 1.0%. The discounters had a positive year. Target was up 28.0%, outperforming the mighty Wal-Mart, which rose only 5.0%. Martha Stewart, whose insider-trading trial is scheduled to begin this month, was essentially flat, slipping only 0.2%. The industry's publicly traded publishers had a good year. Primedia was up 37.4% and Meredith (Better Homes & Gardens) rose 18.7%. Duckwall-ALCO rose 43.4% and ShopKo was up 22.5%. For our industry's stocks, the fourth quarter was, uh, a stinker. The CLN Index dropped 7%, while the Dow was gaining 12.7%. The only winner was Michaels, up 8.9%. Jo-Ann's was down 27.1%, Rag Shops slipped 18.4%, A.C. Moore declined 14.0%, Hancock dropped 9.0%, and even Wal-Mart was down 5.2%. Other industry stocks related to our industry outperformed our retailers. Meredith and Primedia were up 6.0% each, Martha Stewart rose 6.6%, Target gained 2.2%, and Duckwall-ALCO rose 9.8%.
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THE N.Y. TIMES SPOTLIGHTS SCRAPBOOKINGManhattan does not have a scrapbook store, so the New York Times major feature story in its Dec. 28th issue essentially was educating readers from scratch. Most of the article contains information that is common knowledge to the industry (i.e., customers getting together to work on their scrapbooks). However, it did cite some interesting statistics and comments: Quoting HIA, the Times said scrapbooking is estimated at $2 billion, having quadrupled in the last five years and will grow 40-80% annually over the next five years ... The estimated number of independent scrapbook stores has grown to 3,000, according to Jeanne Wines-Reed, editor of Scrapbook Retailer, who estimated the number of vendors at 1,600 ... Creative Memories now has 90,000 consultants and sales of $400 million. A quote that may be a sign of the times: "Major craft store chains like Hobby Lobby, based in Oklahoma City, now have scrapbooking sections as big, if not bigger, than those reserved for more traditional artsy pastimes like ceramics, woodworking, needlecrafts and painting."
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HIGHER PRICES AT WAL-MART?A December 19 article by CNN/Money Sr. Writer Justin Lahart theorized that Wal-Mart might soon be raising prices a bit. Lahart cites analysts from Banc of America Securities and UBS Investment Research and suggests four reasons: 1. Lower prices no longer seem to be increasing volume as in the past, so there's a greater need to boost profits by increasing margins. 2. Import costs are slowly creeping up and may accelerate with the new import quotas President Bush slapped on some clothing items from China. 3. The recent retirement of Don Harris, the exec vp for merchandising. His replacements, Claire Watts and Doug Degn, are not as price-oriented as Harris was. 4. A recent spate of bad publicity, "the Wal-Mart-ization of America," whereby the chain's aggressive cost-cutting forces U.S. vendors to more operations overseas, thus eliminating thousands of manufacturing jobs in the U.S. (Comment: Wal-Mart is the world's most disciplined retailer, constantly keeping its focus on cutting costs to keep prices low. It's hard to imagine changing that strategy now.)
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LUGANNANI, CROWLEY LEAVING MICHAELSWell respected industry veteran Brenda Lugannani is leaving her position as VP/Merchandising Jan. 31. She will continue to work with Michaels as the company searches for her successor. The head of Michaels' ReCollections stores, Sam Crowley, resigned as Sr. VP/New Ventures effective Dec. 31. Harvey Kanter, President of Michaels' Aaron Brothers division, will assume responsibility for ReCollections. Sherry Lay joined the company as VP/Merchandising, reporting directly to President Ron Staffieri. She will be responsible for Framing, Apparel Crafts, Books, Bakeware, and Candles. She had been VP/Merchandising & Marketing for Pearle Vision. Previous employers include Paul Harris, The Limited, Ann Taylor, and Sunglass Hut. Emily White-Keating joined Michaels as Sr. VP/Marketing, also reporting directly to Staffieri. She had been Sr. VP/Advertising & Marketing for Meier & Frank, a division of May Department Stores. Previous employers include Jordan Marsh, Filene’s, and Macy’s West. She is responsible for national marketing, visual merchandising, creative services, and media services. Mark Emken, VP/Custom Framing, will now focus solely on custom framing and continue to report directly to Staffieri. Renee Davis moves to Exec. Assistant to White-Keating.
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HIA NEW EXHIBITOR PREVIEW, PT. IIIt will be impossible for a buyer to visit every booth at next month's HIA show, so we suggest you investigate as many of the new exhibitors as possible. CLN began this series in the previous issue – still accessible by clicking on "CLN Archives" in the right-hand column – and will continue the series with each pre-show issue. Note: this is not a complete list; the only exhibitors included in the series are those with workable websites. HIA's searchable trade show directory is now online at www.hiashow.org. Just click on 2004 Exhibitor List and Floor Plan. DeLuz Packaging Solutions (booth #0918). Art Materials, Containers/Storage, Bags/Packaging/Labeling, Plastic Canvas Kits, Rubber Stamps, Scrapbooks, Sewing Accessories & Supplies. www.deluzps.com Decoupage Supply Centre (#0319). Art Materials, Books, Craft Kits, Decoupage, Custom & Readymade Frames & Supplies, Glues/Adhesives & Guns/Applicators, Papercraft/Quilling Supplies, Pens/Markers, Prints/Posters, Hand & Power/Scissors. www.3d-decoupage.com Designs Galore (#0508). Beads/Kits, Birds/Eggs/Seashells, Papercraft/Quilling Supplies, Scrapbooks & Supplies, Wood Shapes & Surfaces. www.designs-galore.com DesignWay (#1419). Art Materials, Craft Supplies, Pens & Markers. www.designwayproducts.com Dibona Designs Scrapbook Studio (#0815). Craft Kits, Instructions & Videos; Scrapbooking; Ribbon - Floral Use; Rubber Stamps/Supplies, Scrapbooks/Supplies, Stationery/Supplies, Stickers. www.paperie.dibonadesigns.com Digital Art Solutions (#1208). Software/Instruction, Scrapbook and Sew/Quilt/Needle Instructions/Videos, Scrapbooks/Supplies. www.smartdesigns.com Dimensional Scrapbooking by DASA Industries (#0906). Scrapbooks/Supplies. www.dimensionalscrapbooking.com Dooley Mfg. (#1403). Furniture, Art Materials, Stationery/Supplies. www.dooleyinc.com Dutch Boy Paint (#0818). Art/Painting Instructions/Videos, Paint Surfaces, Acrylics. www.dutchboy.com E Innovations (#0224). Rubber Stamps/Supplies, Scrapbooks/Supplies. www.artlenz.com Embelleez (#0902). Beads & Kits, Buttons/Fasteners/Misc. Hardware, Ribbon, Tiles & Mosaic Supplies. www.embelleez.com Everlasting Keepsakes (#0419). Scrapbooks/Supplies. www.everlastingkeepsakes.com Family Forget Me Nots (#1511). Software & Instruction, Scrapbooks/Supplies, Stationery & Supplies. www.familyforgetmenots.com Finger Magic (#0203). Children's Activity Kits, Craft Kits. www.fingermagic.net Flock Development & Research (#0518). Craft Kits, Paint Applicators/Brushes, Rubber Stamps/Supplies. www.paintpads.com Foof a La (#0304). Rubber Stamp, Scrapbook, and Stationery Supplies. www.foofala.com Four Peas (#0205). Rubber Stamp, Scrapbook, and Stationery Supplies, Stickers. www.fourpeas.net GALP (#0209). Scrapbook Supplies. www.galp.us/pages/2/index.htm The Gem Smith (#0916). Scrapbook Supplies. www.gemsmith.com Giddy Up (#1207). Books, Children's Activity Kits. www.giddyup.com Golden Openings (#0219). New store-opening promotional services. www.goldenopenings.com Graeham Owens (#0834). Art Materials, Lamp/Shade Craft Supplies, Papercraft/Quilling Supplies, Scrapbook & Stationery Supplies. www.graehamowens.com H C Enterprises (#1409). Vintage Needlecraft Books, Craft Kits. www.yesterdazes.com The Happy Hammer (#0614). Buttons/Fasteners/Misc. Hardware, Holiday/Seasonal Supplies, Rubber Stamp & Scrapbook Supplies. www.thehappyhammer.com Happy Scrappin (#1411). Scrapbook Supplies. www.happyscrappininc.com Hawthorn Needles & Butterfly Wings (#1509). Creative Patterns for Stitching and Painting. www.hnbw.com Hirsh Industries (#0401). Containers & Storage. www.hirshindustries.com HobbyWare (#0732). Software & Instruction; Cross Stitch, Needlepoint, and Plastic Canvas Kits/Supplies; Tiles/Mosaic Supplies. www.hobbyware.com Homemade Memories (#0507). Fabrics & Linings, Metal/Wirecraft Supplies, Scrapbooks/Supplies. www.myhomemadememories.com Imagination Project (#0601). Scrapbooks/Supplies, Stickers. www.onalark.com Imagination Station (#0901). Craft Kits; Party Supplies; Scrapbooks, Videos/Instructions, and Supplies. www.imgstation.com Jill Oxton's Cross Stitch & Beading (#1317). Beads/Bead Kits, Books, Cross Stitch Kits & Supplies, Consumer Magazine. www.jilloxtonxstitch.com Jobee Scrapbook Racks (#0307). Metal Racks for Scrapbook Paper. www.jobeescrapbookracks.com John F Allen & Son (#0415). Beads & Bead Kits, Buttons/Fasteners/Misc. Hardware, Jewelry Findings & Supplies. www.jfallen.com/#jfa Jokari/US (#1100). Containers & Storage, Holiday/Seasonal Supplies, Scrapbook Supplies. www.jokari.com Josefine Hobbyproducts (#0624). Birds/Eggs/Seashells, Garden Accessories/Fountains, Home Dec Supplies. www.paverpol.com JoyRox (#0221). Books, Rubber Stamps/Supplies, Scrapbooks/Supplies. www.joy-rox.com/rox_site_001.htm Junkitz (#1406). Buttons/Fasteners/Misc. Hardware, Scrapbooks/Supplies. www.junkitz.com Just For Fun (#0700). Rubber Stamps/Supplies. www.jffstamps.com/Welcome.asp Kaleidoscope Collections (#0602). Software & Instruction, Scrapbooks/Supplies. www.lotusflowerimaging.com/kk_index.htm SR Kertzer (#1519). Books, Knitting/Crochet Supplies, Needlecrafts, Yarns. www.kertzer.com Kirk & Matz (#0806). Bags/Packaging/Labeling Supplies, Glues/Adhesives/Guns/Other Applicators, Pens/Markers, Stationery Supplies, Wedding Accessories. www.kirk-matz.com/index1.htm Kupon Ahsap Wooden Industry (#0222). Home Dec Supplies, Undecorated Apparel/Accessories, Wood Shapes/Surfaces. www.okarsan.com RANDOM NOTES, RANDOM THOUGHTS1. We’ve received interesting emails from subscribers who have attended seminars about identity theft. Some advice, especially with many of us traveling soon: When checking out of a hotel, do NOT return your electronic room key. Some of them contain your personal information (e.g., credit card #) which could be read via a scanner. And shred all bills, receipts, and pre-approved credit card offers. 2. Most educational programs at trade shows are aimed at retailers, but vendors and designers may want to attend the Be First to Market seminar at the HIA show (5:30-7 pm Feb. 4). Mark Weisbrod and Jennifer Hove of The Better Mousetrap People will discuss product development, including how to understand costs, quality control, and competitive pricing. The annual Craftperson's Bus Tour (Sun., Feb. 8, 2-6 pm) looks particularly interesting this year, too. The tour includes visits to one of the Michaels' ReCollection stores and Jo-Ann's 77,000 sq. ft. store that is drawing raves from those who've seen it.
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MISCELLANEOUS NEWSHIA SHOW, I. As of Dec. 22, nearly 3,300 buyers have pre-registered for the 2004 HIA Show ... 1,114 exhibiting have signed up, surpassing HIA's goal ... There will be 2,993 booths, up 2% from the same date a year ago ... 308 booths are new exhibitors, a 12% increase ... The show will include 11% more educational offerings, and 26% of them are already sold out. HIA SHOW, II. There are only a few openings left for sponsors and golfers to participate in the 2004 HIA Foundation Charity Golf Tournament on Tues., Feb. 3 at the Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas. Proceeds benefit the SHOPA Kids In Need Resource Centers. For info, call Don Meyer at 201-794-1133 or email dmeyer@hobby.org ... Mail and online registration is closed. For attendee or exhibitor info, call or visit www.hobbyshow.org. ACQUISITION. Chartpak acquired substantially all the assets and rights of Frances Meyer, a well-known brand name with a strong reputation as a quality supplier of proprietary paper and sticker products. Chartpak, founded in 1949, is a Leeds, MA manufacturer and distributor whose brand names include Chartpak, KOH-I-NOOR, Pelikan, and Clearprint. For info, call 800-372-6237 or 800-628-1910, fax 800-762-7918, or email info@chartpak.com. TARGET. Is becoming an important player in the industry, particularly in scrapbooks. Look for an expanded department, with its own signage, to roll out in all stores this spring. Vendors say it will be mostly kits and beginner-type products. The lines are being bought and merchandised under the Back-To-School/Office Supplies division. (Comment: Target tried crafts before, but it was a half-hearted attempt and it failed. This effort seems much more serious.) CONDOLENCES. We're sad to report the passing of yet another industry pioneer, Pat Catan of Darice. Under the leadership of Pat and his family, Darice has grown over the years into one of the industry's quiet giants. SEWING. Watch for the Home Sewing Assn. to launch an aggressive, two-year initiative aimed at educating retailers and "re-schooling Trained Sewing Educators to enhance the consumer experience of learning to sew and thereby increase the number of new sewing enthusiasts." The program will be coupled with an extensive media pr campaign. Recently appointed Exec. Dir. Joyce Perhac gave a preview of the program at a special breakfast in New York for industry personnel. TNNA. The National Needlework Assn. changed its name to The National NeedleArts Assn. in time for an eventful 2004. The Long Beach show Jan. 31-Feb. 2 will include the launch of the previously reported Jubilee Campaign, and the Columbus, OH show June 12-14, now The NeedleArts Market, will be the first co-sponsored by TNNA and the Int. Needleart Retailers Guild. For info visit www.tnna.org, call 740-455-6773, or email tnna.info@offinger.com. HIA PEOPLE. Emmy-winning craft television host Terri Oullette (Terri O.) was named 2004 National Craft Month spokesperson. March is National Craft Month and retailers participate by offering special classes, demos, etc., to get consumers involved. NCM culminates Mar. 27th with a one-day event, Look! I Made It Myself…A Kid’s Craft Day. Terri will tout NCM to various media outlets and make personal appearances at stores ... Valarie Reid was named Manager of Education/Certification. TOYS. FAO is selling its FAO Schwarz flagship store on New York's Fifth Avenue and its Las Vegas store, and its 34 Right Start stores. Its Zany Brainy stores are being liquidated. KNIT/CROCHET. Three events will merge in Atlanta Apr. 22-25: the 20th anniversary for The Knitting Guild Assn.’s national convention; the first annual Crochet Guild of America’s spring regional Conference; and the first FiberArts Market, presented by Offinger Management. For more info, call 740-452-4541, or visit tkga@tkga.com or cgoa@offinger.com. For exhibit info, visit www.fiberartsmarket.com. $$$. At year's end, the dollar had fallen again to a new all-time low against the euro – good news for U.S. vendors exporting to Europe, but bad news for importers of European goods. EARTHQUAKE. Word from Heidi Borchers (Aleene's daughter and Tiffany Windsor's sister) is that she's fine, but her store's inventory in Cambria, CA was demolished. CONDOLENCES. We also have to report on the passing of Edie Shugarts, the wife of industry veteran Bill Shugarts. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Edie's name to the American Institute of Cancer Research, 1759 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009 ... Nancy Valliere, the wife of Bob Valliere, passed away recently. Bob, along with manufacturer's rep Wolfie Rauner, had one of the industry's first great success stories, the Pretty Petals line of silk flowermaking parts from Signaigo & Rossi. CORRECTION. Leisure Arts' scrapbook division, Memories in the Making, is in the scrapbooking section of the upcoming HIA show (booth #5536). The company is also exhibiting under Leisure Arts in the needlework section (booth #5736). TV. The fourth Scrapbook Memories series will upload to PBS stations Jan. 18. Sponsors include Epson America, Fiskars, Memory Makers and Scrapinsanity. Hosts are Michelle Gerbrandt, Beth Madland, and Julie McGuffee. Ask your PBS station to carry it. PAINTING. The Conference Special catalog detailing the Society of Decorative Painters' Conference May 24-29 in Phoenix is now available. SDP members receive a free catalog and non-members may purchase it for $5 at www.decorativepainters.org. NET. Apothecary Products has unveiled a new website, www.craftmates.com, displaying the company's line of craft/scrapbook organizers. FRANK'S NURSERY. Reported a net loss of $14.5 million for the quarter ended Nov. 2, compared to a loss of $16.0 million the previous year. Net sales for the quarter were $40.3 million compared to $39.6 million a year ago, a comp-store increase of 1.7%. TV. The upcoming PBS series, Paint My Porch, is generating extensive publicity. It was featured in Redbook (circulation: 2.3 million) readers, and Thompson's Water Seal will use the accompanying book, Kathy Peterson's Great Outdoor Decorating Makeovers, for a national giveaway for April. Copely News Service (1,200 subscribing newspapers) interviewed Kathy, and USA Weekend, Sew News, Decorate with Paint, and other media have also highlighted the series. For more info, visit www.paintmyporch.com. NEEDLEWORK. Visit www.aflembroidery.com to see samples of wonderful, unique. African Folklore Embroidery, which originated in South Africa. Leora Raikin brought it to the U.S. a year ago and already the L.A. Times has published a major feature article on it. It's great for kids, too. See it at the TNNA Long Beach show in booth #1275. NEEDLEWORK. Wichelt Imports is sponsoring a tour of Scandinavia in honor of Permin of Copenhagen's 50th anniversary. The tour includes a visit to Permin's facilities, classes, the Tivoli Gardens, and even attendance at a royal wedding in Denmark. For more info, email wichelt@wichelt.com. JOBS. The NJ Record reports Toys R Us is considering outsourcing its IT (computer) department. That’s 400 white-collar jobs ... Meanwhile, Wal-Mart plans to add 160,000 new positions worldwide this year, Reuters reported.
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BUSINESS PROFILE: LAKE CITY CRAFT COMPANY(Note: Many scrapbook retailers need to think seriously about expanding their inventory to entice their customers into trying other paper crafts. An excellent option is the art of quilling. It's easy and the results are beautiful – and for retailers, a quilling department would take up very little room and the investment is small. The leading company in the category is Lake City.) Lake City Craft Company was founded in the basement of Malinda and Jim Johnston’s Kansas City home in 1974 and has grown into one of the world’s largest, most prominent quilling supply manufacturing companies. Malinda Johnston has established her legacy as a true icon in the quilling industry. Her artistic ability to create exquisite, intricate quilling designs combined with the business acumen to offer affordable, easy-to-use products to the public has been significantly instrumental in the recent resurgence of the art of paper quilling. She is the author of many best-selling books on paper quilling, including The Book of Paper Quilling, The Weekend Crafter, Weaving with Paper, and a series entitled Designs in Quilling. Lake City Craft Company products designed by Malinda have been featured on the Carol Duvall and Martha Stewart shows and in Woman’s Day, Better Homes and Gardens, and Craftrends magazines. In April 2003, the Johnstons decided to "smell the roses" in well deserved retirement and turned the business over to Sandy Watson. Sandy blends 19 years of paper supply industry experience with a commitment to sustain Lake City Craft Company's high quality product and service tradition, including frequent new product offerings. Sherry Crocker is now the General Manager and Creative Designer at Lake City Craft Company. She has already demonstrated her artistic design ability to carry on the innovative product creation with the introduction of three new quilling kits since May. Some of her designs will be featured on the Carol Duvall show in 2004. Lake City Craft Company offers precision cut special quilling paper, instruction/information books, quilling tools, quilling supplies, complete quilling kits and a line of accessories to a customer base that spans the globe. The products are offered for sale in more than 350 retail hobby and craft outlets or direct from Lake City Craft Company through telephone, mail or Internet inquiries. The new Lake City Craft Company catalog/price list includes more than 300 standard products used for quilling creations and is available free of charge upon request. ROLODEX. Lake City Craft Company, 1209 Eaglecrest St., P.O. Box 2009, Nixa, MO. 65714-2009. Call (417)-725-8444; fax 417-725-8448; email info@quilling.com; or visit www.quilling.com. Business Profiles. CLN will profile one company per issue, which will remain online for at least a year. A Profile is a perfect way for a new company to let itself be known to the industry, or for an established company to enhance its reputation by showing the industry its history, diversity of products, personnel, etc. For more information on how your company can be profiled, call Mike Hartnett at 309-925-5593 or email mike@clnonline.com.
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THE CREATIVE NETWORK: JOB OPENINGSThe Creative Network is only personnel recruitment firm specializing in our industry. To see a brief listing of the jobs currently available, click on "Jobs" in the left-hand column. THE CLN RETAIL INDEXA. C. Moore (ACMR). Last*: 18.92 ... Change**: -0.93 *Jan. 2 ** from Dec. 12 Prices are exclusive of dividends
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LE COMPUTERA French teacher was explaining to her class that in French, unlike English, nouns are designated as masculine or feminine. "House" is feminine – "la maison." "Pencil" is masculine – "le crayon." A student asked what was the gender of "computer." Instead of giving the answer, the teacher split the class into two groups – male and female – and asked them to decide for themselves. Each group was asked to give four reasons for their recommendation. The men's group decided that "computer" should definitely be feminine ("la computer"), because: 1. No one but their creator understands their internal logic. 2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else. 3. Even the smallest mistakes are stored in long-term memory for later retrieval. 4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheck on accessories for it. The women's group, however, concluded that computers should be masculine ("le computer"), because: 1. In order to do anything with them, you have to turn them on. 2. They have a lot of data but still can't think for themselves. 3. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE the problem. 4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that if you had waited a little longer, you could have gotten a better model. The women won.
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REMINDERS1. For more information on how your business can be the subject of a "Business Profile" or have products/photos included in the "CLN's Online Product Preview, "call Mike Hartnett at 309-925-5593 or email mike@clnonline.com. 2. Paid subscribers are invited to have their website evaluated by Lynn Carlisle of Carlisle Communications. She'll check the site and provide a confidential assessment and suggestions for improvement. Just email mike@clnonline.com or ljc@carlislecommunications.com. 3. If you want a hard-copy of this issue, click on "Printer Friendly version". 4. If your company is a paid subscriber, everyone in the main office is welcome to register, free. Just click on "Current Subscribers Click Here To Register." 5. If you want to recommend CLN to a friend, use the "Tell Your Friends" box on the home page. 6. Creative Leisure News is published on the first and third Mondays of each month. Your next issue will be Monday, January 19. Our very best wishes for a happy holiday season and a healthy new year!
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