COMMENTARY: ACTING TOO
QUICKLY
I thought the Patriot Act, rushed into law after 9/11, was
ill-conceived and included portions that were unconstitutional. As
you'll read below, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act,
rushed into law after the Chinese-lead-paint-in-toys uproar last
year, is an expensive, confusing nightmare for the industry.
Fortunately, calmer heads seem to have prevailed for the moment (see
below). But the fact remains, Congress does not have a good track
record when it acts quickly. Now Congress is rushing to pass the
economic stimulus bill.
Uh-oh.
NEW COLUMNS THIS ISSUE
Scene
& Heard. Marilyn Murphy, Past President of TNNA's
board of directors, reports on the San Diego show and the state of
the needlearts business.
Business-Wise.
Ever have to give a presentation to a class, a buyer, or a
group? Here are some tips from studying the efforts of our
most-heard speechmakers: the presidents of the U.S.
Tech Topics.
Twitter? Pay-per-click ads? Heather Gooch continues her
explanation of how retailers can use the new media to improve their
sales.
Kizer
& Bender. Actions you can take RIGHT NOW to help your
store.
Kate's
Collage. Bill Skinner accepted CHA's Industry Achievement
award on behalf of the late David Cunningham, the founder of Plaid
Enterprises. Here's what he said.
(Note: To read the columns, click on the column title in
the left-hand column. If it's not the column you expected, click on
the Reload or Refresh button of your browser.)
TAKE THE CLN POLL:
RATING THE TRADE SHOWS
Ok, you're back from the TNNA and/or CHA shows –
our biggest shows of the year. If you were a teacher and they were
your students, what grade would you give them? To vote, click on
Industry Polls in the right-hand column or click HERE.
CLN
POLL: WHEN WILL THE
RECESSION END?
CLN voters are expecting the recession to last for a while.
No one in this unscientific poll thought the economy would start
growing again in the first half of 2009, and 10.8% thought growth
wouldn't resume until 2011 or later.
Others were more optimistic: 32.4% thought the rebound would
begin in the second half of this year, while 35.1% thought it would
start in the first half of 2010. Another 21.6% predicted the second
half of next year.
CPSC DELAYS ENFORCEMENT OF
CPSIA
Last Friday the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a
one-year stay of enforcement of the new standards included in the
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. Some of the new, stricter
standards were to go into effect Feb. 10.
The Commission's website said, "The stay of enforcement
provides some temporary, limited relief to the crafters, children’s
garment manufacturers and toy makers who had been subject to the
testing and certification required under the CPSIA. These businesses
will not need to issue certificates based on testing of their
products until additional decisions are issued by the Commission.
However, all businesses, including, but not limited to, handmade toy
and apparel makers, crafters and home-based small businesses, must
still be sure that their products conform to all safety standards
and similar requirements, including the lead and phthalates
provisions of the CPSIA."
Don't come to any conclusions yet. Read the complete statement: www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09115.html.
The official website: www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html.
Furthermore, the Toy Industry Assn. is not as relieved as one
might think. To read the TIA's reaction, visit http://tia.informz.net/tia/archives/archive_228988.html.
The members of the Commission voted unanimously for the delay, no
doubt because of the volume of complaints and questions the CPSC
received. The delay was announced shortly after CHA CEO Steve
Berger had emailed a letter of concern. Another example: Two members
of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Reps. Joe Barton (R, TX)
and George Radanovich (R, CA), asked Committee Chair Henry Waxman
(D, CA) to hold a hearing on the effects of the new law, saying in
a letter, "It is becoming clear that, without the rapid
application of some common sense, the new law also holds potential
to impose vast economic hardship without actually protecting
anyone."
CHA SHOW REPORT
STATS. The show was somewhat smaller, but attendance was
about the same as last year. The last day was quite slow for many
exhibitors, perhaps because many attendees did not stay for the
entire show. Once again the scrapbook section was the most crowded.
MOOD. Most exhibitors seemed pleased with the show;
expectations were not particularly high, but the show met them.
Judging from reports by retailers about the state of their business,
it appears our industry is faring far better than most retail
industries. Many exhibitors seemed more concerned about the Consumer
Product Safety Improvement Act and the financial well-being of some
of their customers than they were about booth traffic, orders, etc.
AWARDS. The Innovations (new product) awards were
won by Ultimate Crafters Companion Master, Golden Artist Color,
AccuQuilt, Duncan, and Spiral Eye Needles. The best new product
award went to Duncan for its Tulip Custom Dye Color Kit. ...
The Exhibiting With Excellence awards were given to Dennis
Daniels, Glitz Design, AccuQuilt, Sarah-n-Dipitous Designs,
Alumilite Corp., and Serif. ... The Golden Press Kit awards
went to Ellison (gold), Chatter Box (silver), and When Creativity
Knocks (bronze). The best designer press kit was awarded to Sarah-n-Dipitous
Designs. The Green Product of the Year award went to
ClearBags. Caron's Simply Soft Eco was first runner-up, and
Strathmore's Charcoal Papers received an honorable mention.
AWARDS, II. Independent retailer Emma Gebo (Sierra's)
received CHA's Meritorious Award of Honor for her service to
the association. ... Bill Mangelsen, founder of Mangelsen's
and Makin's Clay, and David Cunningham, founder of Plaid,
were named posthumously for CHA's Industry Achievement awards
for their service to the industry. ... The Special Recognition award
was given to Pat Catan (Darice) and the Pat Catan Family
Foundation for their philanthropic efforts supporting various
children's causes, including childhood cancer research.
ELECTIONS. Board Officers: Mike McCooey (Plaid),
Chair; Larry Olliges (Dee's Crafts), Vice Chair; and Jane
Anne Davis (Blumenthal/Lansing), Secretary. ... Mark Hill (Creativity)
and Georganne Bender (Kizer & Bender) were elected to
three-year terms on the board, replacing Bob Ferguson (Ferguson
Merchandising/Ben Franklin) and Herb Lantinga (Notions
Marketing), whose terms had expired. Rob Bostick (Judikins
and Stamp, Stamp, Stamp) was re-elected to a second term. Jim
Scatena (FloraCraft) received the Chairman's gavel as the
outgoing Chair.
CELEBRITIES. Debra Norville's keynote speech was very
successful. ... Paris Hilton's appearance drew a huge crowd, so
large that many of the nearby exhibitors were blocked from meeting
with buyers. ... Others making appearances were Vanna White, Jane
Seymour, Claudine Hellmuth, Tim Holtz, Suze Weinberg, Mary
Engelbreit, Donna Dewberry, Katie Hacker, and Krystal Wick.
TRENDS. More "green" products, jewelry-making,
kids crafts, embellishments, basic crafts, and a "vintage"
look. ... To learn more about scrapbook/paper trends, visit www.scrapbookupdate.com.
RESEARCH. The updated CHA Attitude & Usage Study reported
a decline in the size of the industry and in various categories, but
the margin of error was such that the Study could not say
definitively that overall business was down. However, to CLN's
knowledge this was the first time the Study showed a decline.
To read the complete study, visit www.craftandhobby.org
and click on Research.
QUOTATION. "You make a living by what you earn, and
you make a life by what you give." – Dave Catan (Darice),
accepting CHA's Special Recognition award on behalf of the
Pat Catan family for the company's charitable work. (Note: To
read the acceptance speech by Bill Skinner on behalf of the late
David Cunningham, click on Kate's
Collage.)
DATES. The Summer Show is July 28-30, followed by the
Super (consumer) Show ... The '10 Winter Show is Jan. 24-27 in
Anaheim.
CUT BACK/EXPAND. While some exhibitors reduced the size of
their booth and/or the number of new products and booth staffers, Ellison
expanded, adding a 20'x30' stage hosted by spokesperson Julianna
Hudgins who worked with a series of guests showcasing Sizzix
products used for appliqué,
jewelry-making, scrapbooking, home décor,
cardmaking, etc. ... Plaid, known for introducing numerous
new products each year, unveiled a whopping 773 new products, the
largest number in company history. ... Midwest Design Imports scored
a hit with an impressive new line, Wee Creations.
HEARD/SEEN ON THE CHA TRADE
SHOW FLOOR
A.C. Moore Founder and former CEO Jack Parker and Janet
Parker were walking the show floor.
Wal-Mart is expected to fill the vacant craft buyer
position next month. It has been open since August. Sales of craft
basic products are reportedly selling well, regardless.
Some tech-savvy retailers were taking photos and placing the
pictures and comments on their blogs so their customers were reading
about the show and new products before the retailer returned home.
"Not one of my stores from Utah came to the show." – Sales
Rep
Two leaders in their respective fields, Randy Putnam &
Associates and Craft Marketing Connections, are working
together to provide clients with a wide range of services, including
sales planning and relationship management, research, product
development, category management and analysis, marketing, public
relations, design, etc. Visit www.rpaa.com
or www.craftmarketingconnections.com.
"A problem with the industry today: too many company leaders
have no passion for the business; it's just number."
Three well-known vendors did not exhibit and, as usual, that
sparked rumors.
Attendance at various January gift shows was down.
Floral importers are rolling back recent price increases.
TV ratings for PBS industry-related series such as Hands On
Crafts for Kids, hosted and produced by Kathie Stull (KS,
Inc. Productions), are "way up."
"Everyone is worried about losing their jobs." -- Industry
analyst
Bill George resigned as President/CEO of Delta Creative as
of Jan. 31. The company promoted Mac Ritchie to replace him.
PREDICTIONS/WORRIES FOR THE
NEW YEAR
1. The economy – and the industry – will be a
confusing mess until the national economy settles down and consumers
and businesses get over being shell-shocked. When the dust settles,
everyone will have a better idea of where things stand. Summer, at
the very earliest.
2. 2009 will be a year of consolidation. The market
leaders in each category will remain that way, but some of their
lesser competition will fade away.
3. Vendors' top concerns: Can Michaels service its
incredible debt load and management fees? Can A.C. Moore
right the ship? Can independents weather the recession?
4. Basic crafts will continue to grow as consumers
continue their frugal ways after Christmas. There will be more
"staycations" and less travel in 2009. That could mean
fewer photos taken that need to be scrapped.
5. Trade shows will be somewhat smaller.
6. As long as the chains continue to invent and demand
more entitlements, all the while bragging about increasing their
direct import programs, they will see fewer new products from
vendors.
7. More vendors will develop products for other
industries.
8. More vendors will move production back from China to
the U.S. or produce new lines here rather than in Asia.
9. Wal-Mart's continuing withdrawal from fabric will be a
boon to Jo-Ann, Hancock, Hobby Lobby, and
independents.
10. Before the stock market collapse, the industry seemed
to benefit from Baby Boomers retiring and resuming their interest in
crafts. That has stopped for now, but will resume again.
11. The "next big thing" won't happen in the
current environment.
12. Look for an increase in professional craft producers
and DIY weddings, thanks to the economy. (The average cost for a
wedding is $28,732, according to The Wedding Report Inc.)
13. Look for e-commerce sites to be forced to charge state
sales taxes.
14. A year from now the industry (and probably the U.S.)
will be leaner, but stronger.
15. The vagueness of the Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act will continue to give vendors headaches, but at
least there's time for CHA and others to get a seat at the table to
convince the CPSC to implement the law in a thoughtful, intelligent
manner.
(Comment: What are your industry predictions for the year?
Email your thoughts to CLN at mike@clnonline.com.)
WHILE YOU WERE AT A TRADE
SHOW....
... The world carried on with newsworthy events:
1. The Commerce Department reported the economy in the
fourth quarter showed the greatest decline in more than 26 years.
The gross national product fell 3.8%, but economists had forecast
much worse.
2. Michaels announced it would lay off approximately 100
employees at its headquarters over a period of 90 to 120 days, and
another 200 jobs will be "co-sourced." Layoffs will begin
Mar. 27. ... Michaels also announced a deal with Tata Consultancy
Services to handle certain in-house functions such as information
technology, information services, and accounts payable functions. (Note:
Before the announcement, there were rumors on the CHA show floor
that the company would also announce some store closings. It did
not.)
3. Hobby Lobby's and the Green family's donations to
higher education continues. HL pledged $10 million to Southeastern
University, a Christian liberal-arts college in Florida. The pledge
came after Southeastern's president was named president of Oral
Roberts University, to which the Green family had previously donated
tens of millions to save the school from closing.
4. Hancock announced layoffs of approximately 30 corporate
and store support positions, about 9% of the corporate (non-store
personnel) workforce, and elimination of company obligations under
certain employee benefit programs. Hancock expects to incur charges
of approximately $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008
for employee termination benefits, but the 2009 total cost reduction
is expected to save approximately $3.2 million. CEO/President Jane
Aggers said, "Although we are encouraged by our 1.5% increase
in same-store sales over the holiday period, we have to ensure our
expense structure allows us to be successful despite the broad
economic issues the retail industry is facing." The Clarion (MS)
Ledger also reported Hancock will reduce spending on stores
by $4 million, or about 45%.
5. Wedbush Morgan upgraded Jo-Ann stock from Hold
to Buy, saying the company should benefit from
market-share gains in sewing, global sourcing, and favorable real
estate trends. ... Travis Smith was promoted from Exec VP,
Merchandising and Marketing to Chief Operating Officer. He retains
his current responsibilities while adding responsibility for store
operations and supply chain logistics.
6. The private equity firm Bain Capital wrote down
third-quarter values for investments in a variety of companies,
including Michaels, of which Bain is half owner with The
Blackstone Group, Reuters reported. In a letter sent to investors,
as of Sept. 30, its investment in Michaels was written down to $377
million, or 0.65 times cost. "As we look toward fourth quarter
valuations, we would note that the economic environment has
continued to deteriorate which may imply further write-downs at year
end," the letter said.
7. Target will cut 600 existing jobs and 400 open
positions, mainly at its Minneapolis headquarters; will close its
Little Rock distribution center, which employs 500, later this year;
will freeze senior management salaries; and will limit new store
openings.
8. Incoming Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke will continue to
push the retailer to become greener, including encouraging suppliers
to adopt more sustainable practices, Reuters reported. ... Wal-Mart
bought Distribucion y Servicio, the largest grocer in Chile, with
180+ stores, 85 financial-services offices, and 10 shopping centers.
9. Cranston Print Works will lay off about 75 workers,
mostly in central Massachusetts, as it phases out a fabric-printing
operation that dates back to 1824. Production is moving to China. To
learn more, visit www.pbn.com/detail/39831.html.
EMAIL: RECEIVABLES INSURANCE
& MORE
Many vendors are worried because they can't buy insurance on
their receivables with some of their larger customers. They wonder
if that's a sign the retailer may be close to bankruptcy. But here's
one vendor's take on the subject:
"The truth is the whole insurance industry has been hammered
(like banks), and so buying receivables insurance at a time when
retailing is at a 40-year low is like buying flood insurance the day
before a tropical storm. You can't buy receivables insurance on any
retailer except maybe Wal-Mart (which is like buying that
same flood insurance on Pikes Peak)."
He added, "Michaels and A.C. Moore both have
pretty good liquidity (cash availability) so we're not worried. At
least not now. If retailing does not pick up, they could be a
problem later in the year."
WHERE WERE THE CUSTOMERS WHEN
IT COUNTED?
An excerpt of an email from a craft retailer who is closing her
doors:
"Our going-out-of-business sale has been really successful,
but where were all of these folks who are saying they are so sorry
we are closing (since we’re so much better than the two Michaels
stores, our closest brick-and-mortar competition) when we were
running the business?
"I’d estimate that at least half of the folks are saying
they were in the store for the first time. When I asked them why,
they replied that they’ve been too busy with work to do any crafts
lately or told me about some major life-changing event hit their
family over the last few years that took up all of their time.
"I predict that quite a lot of retailers are going to be
hearing the same thing for some time to come…." – Name
Withheld
EMAIL: SCRAPBOOKING IN THE
SOUTHEAST
Note: The following is from Pam Riddell, head of the Riddell
Group, a manufacturer's rep organization in the
Kentucky-Tennessee area. She also runs the Maps2Memories
program, an excellent resource for independent stores (www.maps2memories.com).
I am encouraged. I feel like the independent retailers who've
survived thus far will see a brighter 2009. While my stores didn't
boom for the holidays, they didn't bottom out, either. December is
not traditionally a busy month for them so that's not much of a
surprise. They're all hanging in there and we'll see what January
brings.
I'm seeing more of a return to basics. My tool sales over the
last year are definitely up, while consumables are down. This makes
sense to me, especially in tough economic times. Buy an
embellishment for $5 and use it on 1-2 pages. That's it – gone. Or
buy a tool (guaranteed for life), pay $16, but use it forever. No
downside to that.
In fact, one of my current projects is a consumer event set for
Kentucky 2/20. It's being sponsored by Fiskars and we hope to
attract 300 consumers. Hopefully, all of our area Kentucky and
Tennessee retailers will be participating, and we already have 62
consumers signed up. So consumer interest is still strong!
I do see that all of my manufacturers are adjusting releases to
fit demand; in other words, scaling back. And I think that's a good
thing. For far too long I've been hearing from retailers that
they're overwhelmed with all the "new." I agree.
EMAIL: OUR CONSUMERS NEED
COMMUNITY
In my experience teaching and working in the craft industry, I
find older women (40 and up) are looking for a place to hang out.
When one of the local scrapbook stores closed, these women were in
tears. Not so much for the store closing, but they would no longer
have a place to stop by when they were bored or lonely. It really
was their only social outlet.
One mistake I feel independent stores make is that they hire
young girls who know nothing about the product and have very little
in common with the customers. They don't know the art of chit chat
and how to develop a sense of friendship with customers.
I also see that these stores don't pay attention to their class
room areas, which helps build customer loyalty. One reason I
designed a studio in my home: good lighting, big tables, and
comfortable chairs. – Lisa Itatini
RANDOM NOTES, RANDOM THOUGHTS
1. In a previous issue CLN reported on the rising
power of consumers and cited Craft Sassy, a business that
allowed consumers to design their own scrapbook paper, as an example
of how consumers can bypass even retailers and designers. Kim Guyman
of Scrapbook Biz points out this service could be of use to
them, too: "Kit clubs could offer their own custom papers to
increase the exclusivity and desirability of their kits. Designers
can sell small quantities of limited-edition and exclusive designs
to create a following of fans. Retailers can sell custom papers
reflecting the culture of their community and showcase local
landmarks or stories. (Where would you ever find a paper about the
Corn Palace? But with this, it's possible to do!) This service
removes the financial barriers traditionally associated with the
large-scale press runs usually needed to print paper lines."
For more on Craft Sassy, visit www.craftsassy.com.
2. Jessica Helfand caused a furor among scrapbookers
because of her comments regarding her book, Scrapbooks: An
American History, published by Yale Press in November. Much of
what Helfand, a classically trained graphic designer who is a Senior
Critic at Yale School of Art, said is condescending. My niece, who
has an MFA degree in graphic design and teaches at the U. of Kansas,
feels the same way about most scrapbook designs.
There's a parallel here: For decades (centuries?) folk art,
created by untrained artisans, was looked down upon by the fine art
establishment. Eventually folk art has been given the credit it
deserved. Isn't scrapbooking essentially the folk art of graphic
design?
A Helfand interview is at www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2008/12/04/scrapbook.
Google "Jessica Helfand Scrapbooks" for much more.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
QUOTATION. "Angels were on the wings of the plane on
Thursday. I am soooo happy to be home and hug my family. Amazing how
life comes into a totally new perspective after something like
this." – Alyson Bell of Coats & Clark, who
was a passenger on the US Airways plane that crashed into the Hudson
River, a crash now known as "The Miracle on the Hudson"
INAUGURATION. Retired industry veteran Jim Hair (Sakura)
has posted some wonderful photos of the inauguration. Visit www.flickr.com/photos/jimhair.
2009. The National Retail Federation forecast a decline of
0.5% in retail revenue for the year, starting with a 2.5 percent
drop in the first half.
SALES. ShopperTrak, a research firm that monitors customer
traffic, predicted retail sales could fall by 4% and foot traffic
could drop 16.4% in the first quarter, Reuters reported. Co-founder
Bill Martin did predict improvement in the second quarter because a)
the Easter shopping season is in the second quarter, not the
first, and b) middle-class tax cuts from the new
administration should help.
VALENTINE'S. According to a National Retail Federation’s
survey, the average consumer plans to spend $122.98 on Valentine’s
Day, up slightly from last year’s $119.67. However, traditional
gifts such as candy, flowers, and jewelry will see a slight
decrease, with more consumers preferring gifts of experience and
gift cards.
CRIME. A staffer in The Blackstone Group's financial
advisory group was charged by the Securities & Exchange
Commission with insider trading in connection with the 2006
acquisition of supermarket chain Albertson's. Blackstone is the
owner of Michaels, along with Bain Capital. Ramesh Chakrapani
is alleged to have helped his parents and friends on information he
was privy to while working in Blackstone's London office. In a
letter to investors, CEO Steve Schwarzman said he was "both
saddened and outraged" by the news, the Financial Times reported.
That Blackstone division is an independent provider of financial and
mergers and acquisitions advisory services.
CRIME. A Hobby Lobby manager in Greenville, SC and
three accomplices are charged with stealing more than $1 million in
merchandise and selling it at two stores, one less than a mile from
the HL store, the Greenville News reported. The HL manager,
the owners of the two stores selling the merchandise, and the son of
one of the storeowners who worked in an HL warehouse have been
charged
INTERNET. Duncan has launched a new site, www.ILoveToCreate.com.
PAINTING. Interactive Artist magazine will launch
on Valentine's Day. It promises to offer video and written lessons
from well known teachers, new product information, trade show and
convention info, a Virtual Gallery where subscribers can see others'
works and post their own, and a media library with art books and
instructional DVDs. It's for students and artists of all skill
levels. The introductory subscription price is $19.95. Dawn Knowles
is the Publisher/CEO. Visit www.InteractiveArtistMagazine.org.
PETITION. Musician Quincy Jones has started a petition to
ask President Obama to appoint a Secretary of the Arts. While many
other countries have had Ministers of Art or Culture for centuries,
the United States has never created such a position. To read and
sign the petition, visit www.petitiononline.com/esnyc/petition.html.
DEADLINE. March 2 is the deadline for submitting proposals
for business seminars and Demo-nars for the CHA Summer Show in
Orlando. For info, email Amie Kolodziej at akolodziej@craftandhobby.org
or call 201-835-1202. February 16 is the deadline for sponsoring
workshops at the Summer Show and the Super (consumer) Show. Email
Avery Dykman at adykman@craftandhobby.org.
MOVIES. Mike Dolan, who operates Scrapbook 911, a
retail store in San Antonio, with his wife Michelle recently
received a call from a Houston marketing firm asking if they wanted
free passes to a new movie, New in Town, starring Renee
Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr. Mike was told there was a lot of
scrapbooking in the movie and the firm sent posters, 60 passes, and
an assortment of movie-based items to use as give-aways. For more
about the movie, visit http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809981031/info.
GIFTS. Gifts & Decorative Accessories' report
on the California Gift Show, the LA Gift & Home Furnishings
Market, and the CMC Gift & Home Market : "Most vendors
reported that the order-writing was strong, with several admitting
that many customers were being a bit more conservative in their
buying – a not-surprising trend in view of the current economy,
they reflected. Also not surprising, the market saw fewer
out-of-region buyers in attendance."
BANKRUPTCY. The lawyers in the Rag Shop's
liquidation bankruptcy are still pestering vendors to pay back any
payments the chain made in the 90 days prior to the bankruptcy
filing. Rag Shop, which was owned by the private equity firm Sun
Capital, had already forced its vendors to write down 75% of what
they were owed a few months before the bankruptcy filing. One vendor
said he was telling the lawyers to "pound sand."
MEDIA. KnittingDaily.com has released its second free
e-book, Knitting Socks with Knitting Daily: 5 Free Sock Knitting
Patterns, a collection of the site's top hand-knit sock
patterns, available at www.knittingdaily.com/5-Free-Knitting-Sock-Patterns.
SHOWS. Online registration for the Memories Expo show
Mar. 27-28 in Columbus, OH begins tomorrow. Visit www.MemoriesScrapbookingExpo.com.
STOCKS. A.C. Moore: $1.69, up $0.22 ... Hancock: $0.40,
down $0.11 ... Jo-Ann: $12.77, down $1.27 ... Wal-Mart: $47.12, down
$4.44 ... Dow Jones: 8,000.86, down 3.4%. (Note: All changes
in price are since 1/16 and are exclusive of dividends.)
THE CREATIVE NETWORK: JOB
OPENINGS
To see the latest listings from the only personnel recruitment
firm specializing in our industry, click on Jobs in the left-hand
column or click HERE.
THE IMPORTANCE OF WALKING
The New Year is a time for resolutions, often regarding exercise
– and we certainly walked for miles the trade shows – so
consider these, sent by a subscriber:
1. Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you
at 85 years old to spend an additional five months in a nursing home
at $7,000 per month.
2. My grandpa started walking five miles a day when he was
60. Now he's 97 years old and we don't know where he is.
3. I like long walks, especially when they are taken by
people who annoy me.
4. I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain
figures out what I'm doing.
5. I joined a health club last year, spent about 400
bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to go there.
6. Every time I hear the dirty word "exercise,"
I wash my mouth out with chocolate.
7. I do have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach
covers them.
8. The advantage of exercising every day is so when you
die, they'll say, "Well, she looks good, doesn't she?"
9. If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start
with a small country.
10. I know I got a lot of exercise the last few years ...
just getting over the hill.
11. We all get heavier as we get older, because there's a
lot more information in our heads. That's my story and I'm sticking
to it.
REMINDERS
1. If you want a hard-copy of this issue, click on
"Printer Friendly version."
2. If your company is a paid subscriber, everyone in the main
office is welcome to register, free. Just click on "Work for a
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the top).
3. If you ever have trouble with your password, click on
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4. Creative Leisure News is published the first and third Mondays of each month.
Your next issue will be Monday, February 16. Happy Valentine's!