Date: June 2, 2003
Vol. VII, No. 11

Printer Version

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COMMENTARY: CLN'S NEW LOOK & FEATURES

Welcome to the new CLN! The website is not just redesigned, it has a number of new features, too. You'll find them by clicking on the buttons on the left-hand column. The redesign and new features are my solution to an ongoing dilemma:

There are many issues facing the industry that are too complex to be covered adequately in a newsletter. On the other hand, the comment I hear most often about CLN is, "I like it because I can read it in 10 minutes."

So how can CLN provide thorough coverage of complex issues, and all the industry's news, and still keep it under 10 minutes? Can't be done.

So you'll find the newsletter itself the same as ever -- a 10-minute read of the latest news. But now, if you want more, it's here, too. Reports on sales and design trends in various categories, the industry through the eyes of designers and top industry execs, technology reports that are both relevant and understandable, and more.

Each new issue of CLN will include a mini-table of contents (see below) of the new material in the columns area. If one of them sounds interesting, click the button and read it; if not, you still have your 10-minute read.

I hope you enjoy the new CLN -- and I would love to receive feedback, positive or negative. Please email your comments to mike@clnonline.com or call 309-925-5593.

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NEW ARTICLES THIS ISSUE

Here is a list of the new columns you can read by clicking on the appropriate button on the left-hand column.

Business-Wise. In-depth commentary and analysis on issues affecting your business, written by Publisher Mike Hartnett. This month's topic: "Are We Stifling Creativity?"

"Vinny Da Vendor". "Vinny" is a top exec at one of the industry's best known companies. He's writing under a pseudonym, so he's free to speak honestly and voice the concerns of the industry's manufacturers. This month's topic: "Whatever Happened To Strawberry? (Does every new product have to be cheap?)"

Memory/Paper/Stamps. "So, Who's Afraid of Michaels?" Many independent scrapbook stores are worried about the prospects of a Michaels' Recollections store opening near them. Should they be? Well, yes and no.

Kate's Collage. "Kate" is a mid-level manager at one of the industry's best known companies -- and a hard-core crafter. This month's topic: "Employee Recognition: Why Bother? (Because it's not only fair, it's good business, too.)"

The other new columns -- "Designing Perspectives," "Techno Topics,", and "Category Reports" -- will premier with the next issue of CLN.

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NOTE: CHANGE OF PUBLICATION DATES

A new issue of CLN is normally released the first and third Mondays of each month. However, due to upcoming trade show schedules, the dates will change for the next three issues. Your next issue will be Monday, June 23 (not the 16th), followed by issues on July 7 and July 28.

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MICHAELS: EARNINGS ALMOST DOUBLE

For the first quarter ended May 3, net income rose 82% to $20.8 million ($0.30/diluted share, from $0.16). Total sales increased 9% to $656.4 million and same-store sales were up 2%. Strong categories: beads, yarn, seasonal, ribbon, crafts, kids' crafts, and custom framing.

President/CEO Michael Rouleau said, "... we have made excellent progress on our critical perpetual inventory and automated replenishment initiatives during the quarter and now have nearly 60% of our stores on the perpetual inventory system." The systems should be in place chain-wide by next summer, officials said.

The company also announced that, after its July sales conference call on Aug. 7, it will switch to quarterly, rather than monthly, conference calls.

The current store count is 774 Michaels, 153 Aaron Brothers, 7 Village Crafts, and one Star Wholesale. By the end of the fiscal year, officials are planning to have opened another Star Wholesale in Atlanta, four additional Village Craft stores, and 55 Michaels stores. A new distribution center in New Lenox, IL is scheduled to open next March.

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CHANGES FOR THE FOAM CATEGORY

Syndicate Sales announced it is discontinuing its Plastifoam product line. The company contacted customers and sales representatives last week and said, "The Plastifoam business did not meet our expectations and we have decided to exit the business. Over the years, Syndicate Sales has introduced various new products and new product lines. Those that have met or exceeded expectations remain viable parts of the current product portfolio. Those that did not meet expectations were exited and are no longer in the portfolio. Such is the case with the Plastifoam business."

Sharp increases in the cost of polystyrene raw materials, combined with competitive market pressures, may have made the category unprofitable for Syndicate.

FloraCraft has purchased much of Syndicate's fabrication equipment and will use it in their four North American facilities. FloraCraft CEO Jim Scatena said, "The acquisition of this additional equipment and the resulting new capacity will raise our supply chain management capabilities to an even higher level."

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NEW YORK STATIONERY SHOW REPORT

(Note: The following is a report from Ellie Joos, one of the industry's best trend spotters and a marketing/pr consultant, who walked the recent Stationery show for us.)

Most exhibitors I spoke with reported low attendance and slow business, although there were some exceptions. The reason most often cited was the economy.

I'm seeing more crossover as scrapbooking/cardmaking looks for business in the stationery venue; there were a number of familiar faces from the HIA show exhibiting here, some for the first time. This was Blumenthal/Lansing's first show with its Once Upon a Button collection of charming button greeting cards by Steve Light. Its Westwater division launched a fabulous "greeting bear" collection called Pawz because, complete with a 6" stuffed bear, choice of clothing, and phrases for the customer to customize their own message, then pop into a mailable box.

Milestones, makers of stepping stones, introduced their Ink Print Mats in a number of designs to capture baby's foot prints, and Handprint Frames kits to showcase a photo and capture a handprint. Ellison reported having a good show introducing new die cuts, and Me and My Big Ideas launched a new cardmaking program developed for the stationery market with packages of beads, ribbons, stickers, cards, and envelopes.

Pulsar, makers of handmade papers, reported good traffic and interest in its card kits in 12 themes, attractively packaged with cards, envelopes, glue, and unique embellishments and suggested design ideas. EK Success introduced some great new additions, including Tile's Play (love the name) of mosaic looking stickers, and Stuffed Ups -- packages of small, colorful envelopes.

Continuing Trends. Simple motifs, hand made elements, simple words and phrases, flowers and other garden designs, and letterpress. Hand sewn cards, a theme we are seeing in scrapbooking, was also seen here in cards from Unique Artistry.

New Trends. Cats and dogs; Anne Made had fabulous animal art cards with a painterly folk quality, and candle collection with Aunt Sadies. Soozan Woozan, owned by architect/painter Susan Evans, featured watercolor cards of her cats and dogs, packaged in pretty canvas bags. Crunchkins introduced cards for dogs -- that are edible by the dog. (The owner of this company is a vet.) Polka dots and pop-art-looking motifs, 50's retro, and vintage florals also appeared in cards and wrapping paper. The Angels of Flora Celeste introduced gorgeous cards with angel motifs featuring the pressed petal art of Carol Poklacki. Twink featured beautiful watercolors inspired by nature, by artist Twink Krebs LaFave.

Unique Trends. Polka Dot Greetingwear unveiled very hip "girly" cards, each with clever sayings and the punch line printed on the gift inside: black underwear, thong style of course. Spitfire Girl sells box cards, each box containing a message and a fun toy or trinket suited for the occasion.

For those who save greeting cards, Cardswell also reported a good show with their keepsake albums to store and protect cherished cards.

Ellie is president of Ellie Joos and Associates, a marketing/pr consulting firm. Call 908-459-9269 or email eleapple@hotmail.com.

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HANCOCK SHOWS MODERATE GAINS

Net earnings for the quarter ended May 4 improved 10.8% to $4.1 million ($0.22/diluted share). Sales rose 3.4% to $107.6 million and same-store sales increased 4.2%.

CEO Larry Kirk said, "The company's balance sheet is in good condition with $4 million of cash and $17 million in outstanding bank debt at quarter end. We are continuing to concentrate on improving our store locations, refining our merchandise model, appealing to a broader base of customers, and accelerating unit growth. We've made good progress, but we believe there are further opportunities in our existing stores, in expansion into underserved markets, and in our distribution capabilities. We are now shipping some product categories from the new distribution center, even as the facility itself is being expanded. Although 2003 will be a transition process for our distribution activities, the new facility will provide greater operating efficiencies and will support increased store growth for the foreseeable future."

Hancock repurchased 650,000 shares of HKF stock during the quarter at a cost of $9 million. The company also opened seven stores and closed six. The current store count is 431.

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JO-ANN'S: EARNINGS DROP, AS EXPECTED

Net income was $4.1 million ($0.20/diluted share), less than half the net income ($8.7 million, $0.43) of a year ago, but within the earnings guidance officials had released earlier. Net sales increased 0.6% to $374.8 million and same-store sales rose 2.6%.

During the quarter the Company repurchased approximately $46 million of its 10-3/8% senior subordinated notes, leaving $77.0 million of the notes outstanding.

Officials said they expect to lose $0.15 - $0.20/diluted share in the second quarter (historically the company's weakest), and lowered their earnings guidance for the year from $2.45-$2.50 to $2.00-$2.10, in part due to various write-offs and expenses.

Chair/CEO Alan Rosskamm said, "While our outlook remains cautious for the second quarter, we remain more optimistic regarding the second half of fiscal 2004. We believe our plans will allow us to improve overall margins as we anniversary less challenging same-store sales and gross margin comparisons in the second half of the year, and leverage many of the initiatives we are now putting in place."

This quarter Jo-Ann's plans to open one traditional store and seven superstores. The current store count is 840 traditional stores and 77 superstores.

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EMAIL: THE QUALITY OF CHINESE PRODUCTS

(Note: In a previous issue, a manufacturer reporting on the recent NAMTA show made a comment about poor quality artist canvas made in China. That prompted Stan Seelig of SLS Arts to write the following.)

All canvas that is made in China is not poor quality. The quality is dictated by the specs that are used in manufacturing. When we decided to introduce a private-label canvas line, we had many options on different features that all affected the final cost. We use a hard wood when most use soft wood. We use real ground pigmented gesso and brush it on when most use latex paint and spray it on. We brush out the knots when most use bleach to hide them.

Yes, some Chinese canvas is poor quality, but only if you purchase the cheapest canvas available. The comment that "Asian products will improve over time and as the manufacturers better understand the American market and make adjustment" is not accurate. If your name is on the product, you control the quality. I sure hope the painters didn't expect a quality canvas at that price. Instead of indicting all canvas made in China, perhaps you should tell us who's private-label it was. -- Stanley Seelig, SLS Arts

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NEW ACCI EXHIBITORS, PT. I

(Note: The following is the first installment in our series of new exhibitors at the ACCI show: names, booth numbers, brief descriptions, and links to the websites. The remainder of the new exhibitors will be highlighted in our next two issues.)

A Cherry on Top. #8209. Stickers, papers. www.acherryontop.com.

A Stamp in the Hand. #8320. Red rubber and hardwood maple stamps. www.astampinthehand.com.

Accent Depot. #7604. Dragonfly, Fish, Balloon, Holiday/Winter brads, Shaped Mini Brads, and Eyelet Factory Eyelets. www.accentdepot.com.

AMCHEV. #8413. Designs, produces, or sources products for corporations including bags, back packs, etc. Also clays, crayons, paints, glue, etc. www.amchev.com.

Armada Art. #7705. Scissors and other essential supplies for your school and office needs. www.armadaart.com.

Art Impressions. #8012. Rubber stamps and accessories. www.artimpressions.com.

Artlenz/Ellison. #8920. Materials and techniques to create artistic and whimsical embellishments for stamping, scrapping, and crafting. www.artlenz.com.

Artwrap Pty. Ltd. #8412. Award winning greeting cards, wrapping paper, stickers etc., under the brand names World Greetings and Terra Nova. www.artwrap.com.au.

Baby Eyelets/Reiner Craft Corp. #8008. Eyelets and rivets. www.babyeyelets.com.

Baskets by Gin. #7513. Handpainted, antiqued, distressed, and paneled baskets and kits. www.basketsbygin.com.

Better Office Products. #8013. Organizers, sheet protectors, etc. www.betteroffice.com.

Birdcage Books. #8108. Art-related games and cards. www.birdcagebooks.com.

Bisous. #7506. Scrapbook cutouts and stickers. www.bisous.ca.

Buttons Galore. #8517. Buttons for scrapbooking and other crafts. A division of Blumenthal/Lansing. www.morebuttons.com.

Buxton Brook Looms. #8609. Hand looms and accessories. www.weavettes.com.

Caren's Crafts. #4310. The Scrap-N-File product lines -- organizers, totes, etc. www.scrapbooking4fun.com.

Charming Ideas. #7711. Wine charms, book marks, key chains. www.stemwear.com.

ClearSky Publishing. #8820. The Write Words and 2,001 Top Titles & Tips -- thoughts phrases, and poems for scrapbooks. www.clearskypublishing.com.

The Craft Shop. #7516. Kids' craft products in a new retail merchandising program. www.thecraftshoponline.com.

Creative Cameras. (Picturemaker). #9016. Discount Picture Makers, "The exact same picture maker from Kodak" for far less. www.discountpicturemaker.com.

Creative Vision Design. #3812. Stitch-A-Photo and Paint-A-Photo for turning photos into craft projects; Gold'n Cross Stitch ornaments, bookmarks, magnets and key chains; Filigree Bracelets; and Tin Stitch'n. www.creativevisiondesign.net.

Crop With This. #7704. Organizers for scrapbooks. www.cropwiththis.com.

Cross-Cuts. #8912. Dies for crafts, scrapbooking, quilting, etc. Compatible with all machines. www.cross-cuts.com.

Cross-My-Heart Cards. #8617. Scrapbook toppers, mini toppers, tie-ups, and frames, plus stationery and accessories. www.crossmyheart.com.

Cut-It-Up. #7716. Die cuts, buttons, paper, embellishments, tools, etc. www.cut-it-up.com.

DASA Ind. #7811. A 3-D look for scrapbook pages can be created with Mini Frames, Photo/Art Pillows and Templates. www.dimensionalscrapbooking.com.

Days Afield. #8400. Hunting-related journals and supplies. www.sportsmans-journal.com.

Do It Yourself Network. #7911. Scrapbooking, craft, and home dec tv programs. www.diynet.com.

Double D Rubber Stamps. #8608. A wide variety of stamps for every occasion. www.doubledrubberstamps.com.

Earthmade Paper. #8304. A variety of styles of mulberry paper, milled paper, textured embellishments, and other paper products. www.earthmadepaper.com.

Embelleez. #8705. Scrapbook embellishments: wire, paper, ribbons, brads, beads, raffia, glitter, bamboo clips, etc. www.embelleez.com.

Expression. #5322. Award-winning magazine for novice and professional artists with projects covering a broad range of art methods and media.. www.expressionartmagazine.com.

Eyelet Factory. #8411. Wide variety of eyelets for scrapbooking, crafts, etc. www.eyeletfactory.com.

Eyelets Etc. #8308. Aluminum eyelets full line of tools, including hole punches, setters and hammers. www.eyelets-etc.com.

Fiber Scraps. #7713. Fiber piecing kits for 3-D scrapbook embellishments. www.fiberscraps.com.

Finger Gloves By Paean Veritas. #8620. Finger Gloves are heavy-duty, reusable natural latex rubber that conforms to any chosen finger. www.fingergloves.com.

Foofala. #8112. Scrapbooking/paper craft products, including paper, vintage-style and typewriter-style letters, vintage labels, etc. www.foofala.com.

Fun Facts Publishing. #4259. Books, seminars, consulting on how to profit from scrapbooking (and an excellent newsletter). www.funfactspublishing.com.

Funky Fibers. #7921. Embellishment fibers for scrapbooks, stamping, cardmaking, collage, and more. www.funkyfibers.com.

Gold Crest. #804. Musical frames, photo keepsake boxes, Clip-on lights, porcelain eggs. www.goldcrestinc.com.

Grafix. #4117. Plastic films and creative products for crafts, art, design, graphics, etc. www.grafixarts.com.

Hanna's Handiworks. #7607. Handcrafted merchandise including everyday, autumn, Halloween, and holiday merchandise. www.hannashandiworks.com.

Heidi Grace Designs. #7809. Foldouts, stickers, papers, and letters for creative, interactive scrapbooking. www.heidigrace.com.

Hewlett-Packard. #5424. The computer giant, offering computers, scanners, printers, digital photography, and more. www.hp.com.

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CLN'S ONLINE PRODUCT PREVIEW

Summer trade show exhibitors who wish to have descriptions and photos of their new products displayed on the "New Products" section of our website should email mike@clnonline.com or call 309-925-5593 for information on how to email the material.

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RANDOM NOTES, RANDOM THOUGHTS

Friday Reuters reported: "While an increasing number of companies are warning that the flu-like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome has hurt their earnings in Asia, some are also citing the cost benefits of travel bans and the use of technology in boosting efficiency."

I think a number of companies will discover that they can do without so many expensive trips to the Orient. It's another example of how dangerous it is to have your customers learn they can do without you, no matter how briefly.

Years ago, a very successful craft company built a new building, packed up everything onto trucks, and moved, only to have local officials stop them from moving in until some building code violations were fixed. For a month the entire company was in trucks in the parking lot while the owners frantically brought the building up to code.

No craft business was conducted for a month. During that time, retailers learned to do without -- and the company's business was never the same.

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MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

ACCI. Check the website, www.accicrafts.org, to a) preregister for the July 18-20 show and sign up for classes and workshops, which are filling up quickly; b) to read the new, free online newsletter, News & Views; and c) to learn about business speaker Doug Hall's special "Marketing Boot Camp" opportunities for retailers and vendors in Sept., Nov., and Dec.

RESIGNATIONS. CLN has heard but couldn't confirm that Amy Parker resigned at Michaels ... Exec. Director Bob Rowell resigned from NAMTA. Kathryn Coffee takes over as the senior manager. Rowell is the third industry-related association executive director to resign in the last six months.

SHOWS. As expected, attendance at the Hong Kong gift and housewares shows was waaay down, thanks to the SARS scare. Sponsors of the hastily scheduled Hong Kong Houseware Fair and the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair July 23-26 expect attendance to be much better.

CHANGES. The Horizon Group, which includes Horizon Ribbon and Hirschberg Schutz promoted Ray Bialick from CFO to President. He replaces Bob Rudman who, we've heard, resigned to return to retail -- the Dollar Tree chain where he'll be reunited with another former Michaels exec, Bob Sasser.

SCRAPBOOKING. CLN has heard that at least one of Michaels' Recollections scrapbook stores is close to being ready for a soft opening -- in Frisco, TX. The next will open in Dallas by the end of the summer. We've also heard the the staff will be scrapbookers who have been taught retailing, rather than retailers who learned scrapbooking -- a smart move. Michaels officials had not confirmed the story by CLN's deadline.

AWARD. Malinda and Jim Johnston received Honorary Lifetime Memberships from the North American Quilling Guild for their contributions to quilling. Malinda was the founder of Lake City Craft, a quilling manufacturer, which she recently sold. The next meeting of the Guild will be in Plymouth, MA, in May, 2004. To learn more, visit www.naqg.org.

ROLODEX. New home for Crafters Home: 1725 W. Williams Dr., Ste 10, Phoenix, AZ 85027. 623-780-1333; 623-780-1302. The toll-free #, 800-486-3534, remains the same.

DUCKWALL-ALCO. Net earnings for the quarter ended May 4 increased 5% to $558,000. Sales rose 5.6% to $100.2 million, but same-store sales rose only 0.3%. The current store count is 263. Look for 8 new ALCO stores to open in the current fiscal year.

ACCI. The House That Crafts Built now has six building sponsors, Making Memories, Delta, Duncan, Plaid, Michaels, and Walnut Hollow. The House will be featured at the ACCI show next month.

TV. A new PBS series, America Quilts Creatively, uplinks to stations July 6. Hosted by Karen Good and Sue Hausmann, it's designed to air directly after America Sews. Sponsors include Pfaff, Hewlett Packard, Sulky, Rowenta, The Warm Co., Brandy's, Jo-Ann's, Lazy Girl Designs, June Tailor, Cactus Punch, and Electric Quilt. Call your local station and ask for it.

BOARDS. ACCI and HIA are accepting nominations for people to serve three-year terms on their boards of directors beginning in January. For an ACCI nomination form, email Mark Bennett at mbennett@offinger.com. Nominations must be in by July 1. For HIA forms, email membership@hobby.org or look in the next issue of Horizons. The deadline's Aug. 1.

WE GOOFED. In our last issue we said that Lily Chin, the "World's Fastest Crocheter," had knitted a sweater for David Letterman during one of his recent shows. Oops! As Rita Weiss wrote: "Why would she knit a sweater for Dave? No one could knit a sweater in an hour. Now crocheting is another story. The crocheters of America have been mishandled and abused for too long. We will rise up and stab you with our crochet hooks!!! You'll be sorry. Next to a batch of angry crocheters, I'll tackle a rhino anytime!"

STOCK. Jo-Ann's wants to reclassify its two classes of common shares into one voting class and will hold a shareholders' meeting in August to vote on the proposal. Jo-Ann's also announced it is searching for two independent board candidates to replace Betty Rosskamm and Alma Zimmerman, members since 1967, who become Emeritus board members.

CONDOLENCES. Our very deepest sympathies to the family of Marilyn Schwankoff who passed away recently from cancer. Marilyn, formerly of Walter Foster and AMACO, was one of the best liked and respected people in the industry. A memorial fund is being established in Marilyn's honor. Until details are completed, cards and letters may be sent to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Schwankoff, 779 Regina Ct., Woodstock, IL 60098.

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BUSINESS PROFILES

Each issue of CLN contains one profile of an industry-related company. The purpose is to give readers a history of the company, its leaders, and the types of products/services the company provides. The profile remains online in the Business Profile Archives for a year and each time the company is mentioned in subsequent issues, a link to the profile is included. The companies profiled thus far:

Service Suppliers: Corporate Finance Associates (mergers/acquistions), TradeWinds (importing), Images (pr/marketing), and Next Level Marketing (product development/pr/marketing).

Retailers: Wal-Mart

Manufacturers: Accu-Cut, Jack Dempsey Needle Art, Walnut Hollow, Krylon, MagEyes, Armada Art, Plaid, FloraCraft, Ellison Craft & Design, PSX, Prym-Dritz, BagWorks, and Yaley.

Trade groups: ACCI, Society of Craft Designers, and Art Glass Assn.

To learn more about how your company can be profiled in CLN, call Mike Hartnett at 309-925-5593 or email mike@clnonline.com.

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THE CREATIVE NETWORK: JOB OPENINGS

To see a sampling of the current job openings and to contact The Creative Network, click on the "Jobs" button in the left hand column.

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THE CLN RETAIL INDEX

A. C. Moore (ACMR). Last*: 17.04 ... Change**: +.81
Hancock Fabrics (HKF). Last*: 14.48 ... Change**: +0.18
Jo-Ann Stores (JAS.A) [a]. Last*: 22.72 ... Change**: +0.92
Michaels (MIK). Last*: 37.61 ... Change**: +4.36
Rag Shops (RAGS). Last*: 3.44 ... Change**: +0.09
Wal-Mart (WMT). Last*: 52.61 ... Change**: -0.31
CLN Retail Index. Last*: 147.90 ... Change**: +4.3%
Dow Jones Index. Last*: 8,850.26 ... Change**: +2.0%

*May 30 ** from May 16 [a] voting share Prices are exclusive of dividends

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FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES....

(Note: There are numerous former teachers in our industry. Here are a few stories making the rounds on the Internet that may remind them of why they left teaching -- or why they miss it.)

1. A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was impossible for a whale to swallow a human because, even though it's a large mammal, its throat was very small.

The little girl said Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that it was physically impossible.

The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah."

The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"

The little girl replied, "Then you ask him."

2. A kindergarten teacher walked around her class to watch them draw. When she came to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.

The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."

The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."

Without missing a beat or even looking up, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

3. A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five- and six-year- olds. After explaining "Honor thy Father and thy Mother," she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"

Immediately one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

4. The children had been photographed, and the teacher was persuading them to buy a copy of the group picture. "Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are grown up and say, There's Jennifer; she's a lawyer, or That's Michael, he's a doctor."

A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher. She's dead."

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REMINDERS

1. 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, June 23.

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xxx

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