COMMENTARY: READ THE COLUMNS
I'm very pleased with the columns connected with this issue --
Tech Topics, Kate's Collage, and others. I hope you take the time to
read them. Lots of thought-provoking ideas there.
The next issue of CLN is supposed to be Monday, July 21 -- a
few hours after the ACCI show closes. Not a good schedule if
I want to give you a complete report of the trends and news from the
show. So I'll return home, write like crazy, and when I have
something worthwhile (hopefully by Wednesday, the 23rd), I'll
publish it then.
NEW COLUMNS THIS ISSUE
"Vinny Da Vendor". More reactions to Vinny's
complaint about chains. The arguments are starting!
Memory, Paper & Stamps. An interview with Norm Carlson,
president of Crafter's Home, a group devoted to the success of
independent scrapbook retailers.
Kate's Collage. Email: We couldn't live without it, but do we
realize the price we're paying for it?
Tech Topics. Web expert Brett King explains why recent anti-spam
efforts may seriously impact your business -- in a bad way.
Business-Wise. Why vendors should be careful about what they
wish for. (Mike Hartnett)
Designing Perspectives. Just how critical is quality design
to the success of a product? (Lynda Musante and Tracia Williams)
Category Reports. The recent TNNA show: attendees evaluate it
in their own words. To read any/all of these columns, simply click
on the appropriate places in the left-hand column.
A.C. MOORE TO BEAT EXPECTATIONS
Sales for the second quarter ended June 30 rose 13% to $93.7
million and same-store sales increased 4%. For the first half of the
year, sales are up 10% to $185.7 million and same-store sales rose
1%.
CEO Jack Parker said, "Many of the merchandising initiatives
that we have undertaken in the first half of this year are helping
to drive sales. With the strong sales performance, we anticipate
that our profits for the quarter will beat the consensus estimate of
$0.04/share. We are maintaining our forecast for the year at $0.84 -
$0.88/share."
Second quarter earnings will be released July 16. The company also
announced it would make a presentation July 9 at the CIBC World
Markets Third Annual Consumer Growth Conference in Boston. To
listen, visit the Investor Relations page at www.acmoore.com at 8 am
to register and download any necessary audio software. A replay will
be available approximately two hours after the presentation and will
be archived for a month.
N.Y. TIMES: MEN TAKE UP
NEEDLEWORK
"Businessmen are easing their tensions in cross-stitches and
crewelwork, in knit-ones and purl-twos," reported the New
York Times in its 6/29 edition. "They are designing
pillowcases, slippers, belts and carpets. They are knitting caps,
socks, sweaters and scarves. They are spending hours on elaborate
projects, many of which they design themselves."
The reporter visited a men's knitting group at Annie &
Company Needlepoint, a Madison Avenue needlework store. The
owner, Annie Goodman, told the Times, "I hold these sessions
for women, and I thought, 'Why not men?' People like to stitch with
other people; it's social, and you're also productive." The Hilltop
Yarn and Needlepoint Shop in Seattle was also cited as having
"tons of men" as customers.
The gist of the article cited examples of how men, many in
high-stress jobs, are turning to needlework to relieve tension. That
isn't the only benefit, however. The Times quoted a surgeon who said
needlework helped keep his hands supple. Other benefits included the
social interaction of a needlework group, something to do during
lunch and plane rides, and a doctor said, "[Needlepoint]
doesn't take patience; it teaches patience."
The Times quoted a number of men who were veteran stitchers
but are just now coming out of the needlework closet. Their
decreased reluctance to reveal their hobby may be due to the recent
publicity regarding men such as Academy Award winning actor Russell
Crowe and Survivor: Africa winner Ethan Zohn who are avid
needleworkers.
(Note: The complete article is available in the archives of
the N.Y. Times website, www.nytimes.com.
You have to register first, but it's free, confidential, and quick.
Then type in "Needlework" in the site's search engine.)
SECOND QUARTER: CRAFT STOCKS
HOT!
CLN is consistently hearing from vendors that the year has
been relatively flat, but you certainly couldn't tell that looking
at the performance of our industry's chains on Wall Street.
Michaels and A.C. Moore led the way as
craft/sewing-related retailers far out-paced the Dow in the second
quarter. While the Dow had its best quarter in recent memory, up
12.4%, the collection of retailers in CLN's Retail Index rose 22.5%.
The craft/sewing chains outperformed retailing in general, too.
S&P's Retail Index rose 20%.
Michaels' stock rose 52.2% in the April-June period, while A.C.
Moore rose a strong 45.5%, but all the stocks in CLN's Index
increased in value. Jo-Ann's rose 26.5%, Hancock was
up 16.2%, and Rag Shops increased 5.7%. The laggard in CLN's
Index was Wal-Mart, up a relatively tiny 2.25%.
The industry's largest publishers both fared well, although they
publish numerous magazines outside our industry, so their
improvement is not necessarily a sign the craft industry's
improvement. Still, Primedia rose 24.5% and Meredith increased
15.2%.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was Martha Stewart Omnimedia,
which actually rose 14.4%.
SOCIETY OF DECORATIVE PAINTERS
SHOW REPORT
More than 5,500 painters attended the recent Society of
Decorative Painters convention/show in Indianapolis. They
attended almost 240 classes and visited the approximately 400 booths
at the convention's Expo.
One of the special features was the Painters' Pit, which offered
free make-it/take-its where attendees could paint holiday ornaments
to donate to the American Red Cross for U.S. troops overseas. Among
the "stars" teaching in the Pit were Sandy Aubuchon, Donna
Dewberry, Priscilla Hauser, and Doxie Keller.
SDP continues to maintain very high standards for its certification
process for Certified Decorative Artist (CDA) and Master Decorative
Artist (MDA) . For example, to earn MDA recognition, a painter must
present acceptable paintings in the "Floral," "Still
Life," and "Stroke" categories. Only three of the 42
entries in the "Floral" category were judged acceptable.
(Note: Here's a sign of how popular decorative painting is in Japan:
the vast majority of the entrants in the various certification
categories were Japanese.)
Products. For the first time, SDP named winners from its New
Product Display. First place was a tie between Erika Frei for
its Noah's Ark Wooden Cutout Painting Surface and Kerry
Trout for Liquid Shadow. The "publication"
winner was Tru-Color Systems' TCS Color Wheel Software.
Awards. Sandy Braun of Banbury Fair won the Priscilla
Hauser Award for Business and Industry and Gretchen Cagle won
the Silver Palette Award. Donna Frost won the President's
Commendation Award.
Officers. President, Carolyn Bacon; VP/Pres.-Elect, Sheila
Rouse; Secretary, Linda Biedermann; Treasurer, Sue Bowers. Board
Members-at-Large: Erika Ammann, Bobbie Campbell, Megan Capuano,
Peggy Harris, Toni McGuire, and Karl-Heinz Meschbach.
Info. The 2004 convention will be in Phoenix, May 24-29.
After Phoenix the convention moves to Tampa in 2005, then Nashville,
Anaheim, Tampa, and Grapevine, Texas. For exhibitor info, call
Marlene Marcotte at 316-269-9300, ext. 114, or email marlene@decorativepainters.org.
For general information, visit www.decorativepainters.org.
PREPARING FOR ACCI
For exhibitors and buyers alike, it's not too late to enhance the
quality of the show. First, visit www.accicrafts.org,
which has loads of interesting, valuable material -- the new issue
of the newsletter, the Virtual Trade Show, Library, and more.
Buyers. Make a list of "must-visit" booths. Check
out CLN's new exhibitor listings/links in this and the
previous two issues (in CLN Archives). Visit ACCI's website
to see a complete listing -- including exhibitors' show specials.
Tips. Buyers: don't all rush to the new exhibit area the
first morning. It will be mobbed and difficult for you to see
everything. Walk the main show first, then visit the new exhibitors
when it isn't so crowded ... If you haven't signed up for classes,
do so as soon as you arrive at the convention center -- many classes
are already sold out.
Events/Features. The members reception and annual meeting is
7:30-8:30 pm on Fri., July 18 ... The Interactive Zone, with a hefty
schedule of demonstrations ... The House That Crafts Built --
loaded with great projects ... The MarketCenter Pavilion,
with 45+ bead, decorative painting, and miniatures companies ...
plus the Art Glass Show (which, given our industry's trend in
glass beads, is more relevant than ever).
MORE QUILTING, NEEDLEWORK
COMING TO TV
We will benefit if more consumers saw more industry-related
crafts on television. Now you can do something about it. Three
industry series will uplink to local PBS stations on July 27. There
are many other shows, of course, that aren't related to our
industry. Which shows will the local program manager choose? The
ones for which he receives the most requests.
So call your local station and ask for these series, or contact your
station via www.pbs.org.
1. The fourth series of Quilt Central begins with a
fond farewell to Donna Wilder, co-host since the beginning of the
series, and the introduction of Cindy Walter as the new co-host
joining Janie Donaldson. Sponsors include Janome America, Sulky of
America, June Tailor, Krause, Milliken, Gutermann of America, EZ
Quilting by Wrights, Michael Miller Fabrics, The Warm Co., AQS, APQS,
Olfa, Rowenta, Prym Dritz, Mountain Mist, A-1, Pennywinkle Valley
Ranch, Marshall Dry Goods, Easy Twist Ruler, Jacquard Paints, and
Robison-Anton.
2. The second Quilting with Shar series, "Quilt
Memories," stars Shar Jorgenson and is sponsored by Husqvarna
Viking, Gammill, Rowenta, Warm Products, Dritz, Sulky of America,
Katie Lane Quilts, Fabric Cafe, Cactus Punch, and Electric Quilt.
3. The 9th series of Needle Arts Studio with Shay
Pendray, sponsored by DMC, TNNA, CYCA, Embroiderers' Guild of
America, and the American Needlework Guild. Call your PBS station
and ask for both series.
NEW ACCI EXHIBITORS, PT. III
Here's our final installment of the list of exhibitors new to ACCI
-- name, booth number, brief description, and website. Note:
This is not a complete list of all newcomers, only those with
working websites. The previous installments were published in our
June 2 and June 23rd editions, which are still available online.
Click on CLN Archives. The complete exhibitor list is
available at www.accicrafts.org.
Pixie Poppers. #4252. Supplies to make three-dimensional
greeting cards. www.pixiepoppers.net.
Planeta. #7505. Unfinished nesting dolls, eggs, and shapes;
eggs and eggstands. www.nestingdolls.com.
Polymer Ag. Inc. #7900. Shatter Proof, to reduce shattering,
shedding, and color loss of fresh and dried flowers. www.shatter-proof.com.
Pudgy Beads. #7511. Vintage Czech, West German, and Japanese
glass beads. www.budgybeads.com.
Quest Beads. #5012. Beads and jewelry components, and a new
collection of themed charms. www.questbeads.com.
Ramco/Susis Paper Cutters. #7901. Paper cutters, paper guide,
and reproduction units. www.rotarypapercutters.com/cut.
Reiner Craft Corp. #8088. Shaped eyelets and baby rivets for
scrapbooking and embellishing crafts. www.babyeyelets.com.
Retail Pro. #8211. Point-of-sale, inventory management and
e-commerce software. www.armsys.com.
Right Height Products. #4016. Tables and adjusters to make
tables the correct height for anyone. www.rightheight.com.
Rubber Cottage. #8216. Stamping and scrapbooking supplies. www.rubbercottage.com.
Ruby Slippers Designs. #8200. Scrapbook page designs with
various lines of papers, stickers, and embellishments, plus other
scrapbook supplies. www.rubyslippersdesigns.com.
Rusty Pickle. #8700. An array of products to add a rustic
texture and dimension to scrapbooks. www.rustypickle.com.
(And this gets our vote for the best company name at the show.)
Sage & Sawdust. #8300. Primitive folk art signs,
firescreens, nightlights, etc. www.sageandsawdust.com.
Sakura of America. #8018. Pens for scrapbooking, journals,
crafts, etc. www.gellyroll.com.
Sanook Paper. #8416. Mulberry paper, die-cuts, and leaves,
plus dried flowers, paper ribbon, www.sanookpaper.com.
Scrapbook 101. #8607. Scrapbook supplies. www.scrapbook101.com.
Scrapbook Sally. #7816. Punch-a-Petal, to create
flowers, bugs, and leaves with six unique punches; other supplies,
too. www.scrapbooksally.com.
Scrapbook Sampler. #7505. Wide variety of scrapbook supplies.
www.go2scrapbookdepot.com.
Scrapbooking.com. #8500. An online scrapbooking magazine. www.scrapbooking.com.
ScrapCuts. #8708. A wholesaler of acid free, lignin free
& buffered paper, precut shapes, QuillCuts with tools,
and clear organizers. www.scrapcuts.com.
Scraphouse Creations. #8717. "Border in a bag":
easy to assemble border kits. www.scraphousecreations.com.
ScrapNCube. #4021. Organizers for scrapbooking, stamping,
quilting, and other craft and hobby supplies. www.scrapncube.com.
Scrappack. #8520. Backpacks, carryalls, etc., designed for
scrapbook supplies. www.scrappack.com.
Scrapsakes. #8811. eA-Zy punch press, alphabet dies,
etc. www.scrapsakes.com.
Scrapworks. #7616. Embellishments for scrapbooking and other
crafts. www.scrapworksllc.com.
Select Media Services. #7806. Magazine distributor for
retailers. Shanghai Better Art & Craft. #8611. Wood
birdhouses and other products from China. www.chinawoodcraft.com.
Simply Stamped. #8508. Card stocks, mat sets, papers &
rubber stamps. www.simplystamped.com.
Spirit Foam. #9017. Spray foam that can be peeled off most
surfaces after it dries. www.spiritfoam.com.
Sue's Sparklers. #8321. Metallic & Crystal Iron-ons and
appliques. www.suessparklers.com.
Sunshine Girl Creations. #8800. Personalized picture
postcards and Magnet Mailers. www.sunshinegirlcreations.com.
Sunshine Papers. #8105. Scrapbooking papers and accessories,
including a CD of clip art. Consumers can print their own stickers. www.sunshinepapers.com.
Super Brush. #7611. Swab-its -- swabs in various colors and
shapes. www.superbrush.com.
Timeless Touches. #8307. Embellishing products for
scrapbookers and rubber stampers. www.timelesstouches.net.
Utopia Industries. #3915. 3-D butterfly stickers -- acid and
lignin free. . www.utopiaindustries.com.
Wooden Flowers. #8513. Wood candleholder, sun flowers, and a
variety of other wood items. www.woodenflowers.com.
Wordsworth. #8913. Rubber stamps, stickers, stencils, papers,
and card templates. www.wordsworthstamps.com.
Xpress You. #7904. Customizable handbags designed for
scrapbookers. www.xpressyou.com.
CLN'S ONLINE PRODUCT
PREVIEW
Yaley. Scented Wax Dipped Bear Kit -- an enchanting home
décor accessory and a fragrant room freshener.
Yaley. Narrow Neck Converter Rings -- for bottles with
smaller openings, to be used with Yaley's Liquid Candles
projects.
Prym Dritz. New Dylon Permanent Dye -- makes fabric
dyeing easier than ever.
Utopia Industries. 3D Butterfly Stickers -- for lovely, 3D
scrapbook pages.
McGill. Paper Drills -- to professionally bind journals and
scrapbooks. McGill. Button Hole Punch -- can punch two
side-by-side round holes for setting button holes and embellishing.
McGill. Ribbon Punch -- for threading ribbon, yarn, cord,
rafia, paper, etc.
E-Z Craft. Faux Dichro Jewelry Kits -- a complete
program of products customized to design and make one-of-a-kind
jewelry.
E-Z Craft. The Page Arranger -- a mistake-free system
for organizing and arranging photos, papers, and other decorative
elements for distinctive scrapbooks.
E-Z Craft. - The Butterfly Loom -- an innovative new
tool for anyone who loves beautiful yarns and fibers, and no
knowledge of knitting or crocheting is necessary.
For more information and photos about these products, click HERE.
For information about how your products can be featured here, call
Mike Hartnett at 309-925-5593 or email mike@clnonline.com.
RANDOM NOTES, RANDOM THOUGHTS
1. For these past three issues, I've spent a lot of time
looking at the websites of the new ACCI exhibitors. Too much time. I
get the feeling that a number of companies -- and not just new
exhibitors, either -- have been talked into fancy websites with lots
of cute goodies that just drag out the downloading process and
probably cost more money. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think web surfers
want speed, rather than fancy java-applet-landed bells and whistles.
2. Email from a vendor: "We've just been notified by the
estate of the late Ames that they are trying to collect money
that was paid to us on a preferential basis. Clearly this is
ludicrous, as they received the merchandise, sold it, and never paid
us for 99% of it. Do you know whether other vendors are getting the
same stuff from the law firm?"
My answer: "It happened to vendors when the old Ben Franklin.
MJDesigns, and Craft World died. The theory is this: If a guy knows
his company will be filing for bankruptcy, he tries to pay off his
buddies as much as possible beforehand, so they won't get screwed as
badly, and ignores his other creditors. But that's not fair to the
other creditors.
"That's true in theory," I added, "but the practical
result is, they stick the knife in you when they file for
bankruptcy, then a year later some lawyer comes along and twists
it."
3. Do you need any more evidence that the world is crazy? In
the second quarter of this year, it would have been far more
profitable to invest in Martha Stewart stock than in Wal-Mart.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
PROJECTS. Polaroid has joined Delta/Rubber Stampede,
Duncan, Making Memories, Michaels, Plaid, and Walnut Hollow as a
sponsor of ACCI's The House That Crafts Built.
MEDIA. Staff members of the DIY network and The
Carol Duvall Show will be walking the ACCI show looking for new
projects and products.
ACQUISITION. An investor group has purchased Craftime Ltd.,
the European distributor for Fibre-Craft. Gail Fletcher-Cooke,
who founded Craftime 15 years ago, has a consultancy role through
her new company, Creative Craft Consultancy Ltd., and is a
shareholder in the new Craftime. Craftime has relocated to a larger
facility in Nottingham: Craftime Ltd., Unit 15, Hazelford Way
Industrial Estate, Newstead, Nottinghamshire, NG15 0DG, UK. Contact
Gail at gfc@manx.net.
NEW DIVISION. E-Z Crafts has created a new division, Creative
Spirit Crafts. This division was especially developed to help
inventors develop, manufacture, and launch new products into the
various creative markets. Creative Spirit Crafts is now representing
Faux Dichro a new product line for making glass jewelry; The
Butterfly Loom, a loom for weaving yarns and other fibers into
rugs, pillows, and other products; and the Page Arranger, to
assist scrapbookers make pages in half the time. For more info, call
800-311-6529; email info@ezbowz.com;
visit www.ezbowz.com; or visit ACCI
booth 5624.
SIZE. Stores magazine, published by The National
Retail Federation, just published its annual list of the largest
U.S. retailers. They are, in order: Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Kroger,
Target, Costco, Sears, Albertson's, Safeway, J.C. Penney, and Kmart.
Toys R Us fell two places to #27, as did KB Toys to #98. The retail
sector showing the largest increases were the "dollar"
stores -- Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree.
COMPANY LOOKING. New England Company looking for National
Accounts Manager. The salary range is $70-90K. For more, call Mike
Hartnett at 309-925-5593 or email mike@clnonline.com.
TOYS. The International Toy Center threw together a trade
show in less than a month to allow Asian vendors to show their
products to U.S. buyers who were afraid to travel to Asia because of
the SARS fears. It was so successful, it will probably be repeated
next year ... Meanwhile, The new version of Toy Fair, Fall Mass
Market Toy Expo, is Oct. 21-23 in New York. It's a
by-appointment-only show for mass-market retailers. The traditional Toy
Fair will continue as usual. Visit www.toy-tma.com.
KIDS. Jo-Ann's has launched its Kids' Camp at all of
its superstores. Each week for five weeks the Camp will focus on a
specific project and educate kids on that topic. All projects meet
educational objectives set by the National Standards for Arts
Education. The same class is offered every day for one week.
Categories covered include quilting, crafts, weaving and crochet,
sewing, and cake decorating.
STOCKS. Two of Zack's (the online stock firm) "featured
experts" have recommended Michaels stock.
BUSINESS PROFILE: OFFINGER
MANAGEMENT
Offinger Management Co. is a leader in association &
exposition management. The company currently produces 100+
expositions, conferences, events, and meetings each year and manages
11 associations and professional societies/guilds.
Many of Offinger's clients have familiar names: the Assn. of Crafts
& Creative Industries, The National Needlework Assn., The
Knitting Guild Assn., Crochet Guild of America, Memories
Community and Memories Expos, the Society of Craft
Designers, and the Art Glass Assn. The company also produces Offinger's
Handcrafted Marketplaces and has clients in the agricultural,
ceramic, food, and green industries.
"We offer many services, and always tailor them for each
client's needs," says President/CEO Walt Offinger. "Offinger
Management has been in business since 1930, and while we've grown
and changed with the times, one thing has remained -- our
professional, quality services and commitment to the creative
industries."
Offinger's services include Association management: providing daily
administration and assistance on all aspects of the client's
business ... Exposition management: covering all details of a show's
production -- negotiating with halls and hotels, promoting
attendance, producing educational programs, and planning special
programs ... Event management: Available to all businesses,
including manufacturers and retailers wanting help planning and
hosting meetings.
Offinger also offers Team Link, a success-proven service
allowing an association's staff to focus on key responsibilities
while out-sourcing support functions to Offinger's staff. This puts
a large team of specialized employees in the association's hands,
without the overhead.
"We provide total back-office support while our clients
maintain control and remain in the spotlight," comments
Offinger's Director of Business Development, Stephanie Sordelet.
"We offer a variety of services, and we'll gladly customize a
program that is perfect for them."
Clients are assigned to an Offinger team, which oversees day-to-day
needs and focuses on long-term objectives and goals set forth by the
client. Teams are directly accessible to their clients and their
members. These teams work closely with Offinger's specialized
departments, utilizing their areas of expertise. These departments
include:
Accounting. Produces monthly financial statements, handles
accounts payable and receivables, and works with outside accounting
firms for annual audits and reviews.
Business Development. Develops client agreements, and leads
the transition of new clients.
Communications. Coordinates all aspects of print,
advertising, and Web projects.
Customer Service. Answers member and event attendee calls,
and processes memberships, event registrations, and booth contracts.
Exhibit Sales. Sells booth space, sponsorships and ads.
Human Resources. Handles payroll, benefits and training
needs.
Technology. Stays abreast of new technologies and ensures top
efficiency of all computer, telephone, and Internet systems,
including state-of-the-art association and event management database
software and its integration with the Internet allowing real-time
membership enrollment, and registration for events and educational
sessions 24/7.
Offinger's staff includes 60+ full-time employees, and specially
skilled part-time and freelance workers. The company occupies 22,000
square feet in four offices: one near the Columbus, Ohio airport,
and three others in Zanesville.
In 1998, Offinger became the first association and exposition
management company in the U.S. to be ISO 9001 registered by the
British Standards Institution (BSI), the world's #1 registrar. ISO
9001 is a set of standards developed to establish basic, uniform
requirements for quality assurance systems.
"It normally takes 2-3 years to obtain ISO 9001
registration," explains Offinger's VP of Operations, Kim
Vierstra. "But because of the resources and commitment of the
entire company, we became registered in 11 months."
"We're required to have ongoing assessments by an outside
auditor twice a year to maintain our registration," Vierstra
adds. "But our responsibility to our clients is one we take
very seriously, and it requires a discipline and consistency that is
followed every single day."
Offinger is one of only 22 companies designated a charter-accredited
company by the Association Management Company Accreditation Program
of the American Society of Association Executives. The organization
identifies practices indicative of quality AMCs, and assesses their
procedures to improve the quality of services provided to
associations.
ROLODEX. 1100-H Brandywine Blvd., PO Box 3388, Zanesville, OH
43702-3388. Call 740-452-4541; email ssordelet@Offinger.com;
or visit www.offinger.com.
Note: To learn more about how your company can be profiled in
CLN, call Mike Hartnett at 309-925-5593 or email mike@clnonline.com.
To read other profiles, click "Business Profile Archives"
in the right-hand column. Profiles remain in the Archives for one
year; each time a profiled company is mentioned in a subsequent
issue, it will be linked to the profile.
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.
THE CLN RETAIL INDEX
A. C. Moore (ACMR). Last*: 21.55 ... Change**: +1.73
Hancock Fabrics (HKF). Last*: 16.82 ... Change**: +0.82
Jo-Ann Stores (JAS.A) [a]. Last*: 25.59 ... Change**: +1.02
Michaels (MIK). Last*: 37.84 ... Change**: -0.81
Rag Shops (RAGS). Last*: 3.05 ... Change**: -0.05
Wal-Mart (WMT). Last*: 54.96 ... Change**: +0.70
CLN Retail Index. Last*: 159.81 ... Change**: +2.2%
Dow Jones Index. Last*: 9070.21 ... Change**: -1.4%
*July 3 ** from June 23 [a] voting share Prices are exclusive of
dividends
A CHILD'S VIEW OF GENEALOGY
A second grader asked her mother the age-old question, "How
did I get here?"
Her mother told her, "God sent you."
"Did God send you, too?" asked the child. "Yes,
Dear," the mother replied.
"What about Grandma and Grandpa?"
"He sent them also."
"Did he send their parents, too?"
"Yes, Dear, He did."
"So you're telling me that there has been no sex in this family
for 200 years? No wonder everyone's so grouchy around here."
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 -- except for July.. Your next issue
will be Wednesday, July 23.
xxx
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