Date: April 17, 2006
Vol. X, No. 8

Printer Version

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COMMENTARY: WAL-MART'S GOT GUTS  

My hat is off to Wal-Mart for its new program of opening stores in poor areas (see below). The first store will be in Chicago's Austin neighborhood where I grew up. It was always a tough neighborhood but .... I left for college in 1965 and Austin continued to deteriorate. In the 1970's I pleaded with my then-retired parents to move. They finally said yes after a gun fight in their alley. In the 1990's I drove through the neighborhood and was shocked by what I saw: a bombed-out war zone.

It's a real risk on Wal-Mart's part, and the neighborhood will never revive if there aren't more jobs there. (Yes, I know, how much Wal-Mart pays its employees is another issue.) If I had grown up in the Austin of today, I would have had to join a gang for protection -- never would have made it out there.

Kate's Collage. Gail Czech of The Creative Network points out three areas where job applicants embellish their resumes – and are easily caught.

Scene & Heard. Looking for an exciting new job? A Captain in the U.S. Air Force stationed in Iraq offers this unique opportunity.

Store Layout/Design Tips. Practical advise on store layouts, lighting, and what's called the "decompression zone."

Still Online: Readers' evaluation of the Michael Rouleau era at Michaels -- in Business-Wise ... Key Challenges for the industry in 2006 -- in Vinny Da Vendor ... A walking tour of a new Wal-Mart prototype -- in Benny Da Buyer ... Readers weigh in on the future of scrapbooking -- in Memory, Paper & Stamps ... Industry pros evaluate the trends and products at the CHA Winter Show. 

The world's largest retailer exposes millions of consumers to our industry's products. It has forced vendors to adopt modern technology (e.g., UPC codes) which has ultimately made vendors and retailers more efficient. It has driven down costs of products which has helped keep inflation in check. It has also driven countless retailers out of business and changed the face of Main Street America. All in all, has Wal-Mart been good for the United States (and now, the world)? Has Wal-Mart ultimately been good for the craft industry? To vote, click on Industry Polls in the right-hand column or click HERE.

Like the United States in general, CLN voters believe the issue of illegal immigration is very important – but are divided about what to do about it; 37% believe the issue is extremely important while 47.8% think it's very important. Only 10.9% said it was fairly important and 4.4% believe it isn't very important. No one thought it was unimportant.

The numbers were similar for Congress appropriating "substantial funds to improve border security": 85.5% said it was extremely or very important.

The division came when considering competing bills in Congress. The Sensenbrenner bill, passed by the House of Representatives calling for illegal immigrants to be considered felons, received 47.6% approval, while the McCain-Kennedy bill which would have created a process whereby immigrants could eventually become citizens, received 42.9%. "Neither" received 9.5%. (Note: The issue became moot when the Senate failed to pass the McCain-Kennedy bill and adjourned for vacation.)

Spinrite's fourth quarter revenue was $25.8 million (Canadian dollars), down 27.3% from the previous year. Officials pointed to cooling sales for fancy yarns and high retail inventory positions. Gross profits were 17.2%, down from 30.5%, due to an inventory write-down of approximately $2.5 million

In a conference call with analysts, CFO Ryan Newell said the trend was North America-wide after abnormally high sales in the second quarter of 2005 – and sales haven't improved in the first quarter of 2006, Canadian Press reported. "This is aggravating the high inventory situation at the retail level in that it is taking longer to work through the inventory at factory levels and retail levels." He also blamed offshore yarn manufacturers dumping excess inventories at dollar stores.

How the market has changed is revealed by Spinrite's fiscal year report. Despite the fourth quarter, annual revenues rose 10.7% to $131.8 million, thanks to a 16.7% increase in fancy yarns, a 10.6% increase in classic yarns, and flat sales of cotton yarns.

March sales were disappointing throughout much of the retail industry, but retailers had a variety of excuses: A late Easter, cold weather, rising gas prices and interest rates, and slower spending by teens to name a few.

Jo-Ann Stores reported that March net sales increased 1.9% to $163.7 million but same-store sales decreased 3.1%. A year ago the same-store sales decrease was 2.6%. Sales for the nine weeks year-to-date increased 1.8% to $294.3 million but same-store sales decreased 3.3%, versus a 0.8% same-store sales decrease for the same period last year.

The next day Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered its corporate credit rating on Jo-Ann's to 'B-' from 'B+' and its subordinated debt to 'CCC' from 'B-' with an outlook of negative. "The downgrade is based on the continuation of weak operating trends and the expectation of a challenging year," said S&P analyst Robert Lichtenstein. S&P also cited the departure of key executives whose positions have not yet been filled.

Hancock reported March sales fell 3.6% to $36.5 million and same-stores declined 3.1%. In the first two months of fiscal 2006, total sales have fallen 4.5% to $66.1 million and same-store sales dropped 5.1%, including a 1.2% benefit from stores that are being liquidated in connection with store closing sale events.

Michaels and A.C. Moore no longer reveal monthly sales, but for the first quarter ended Mar. 31, A.C. Moore reported sales rose 8.2% to $132.9 million, but same-store sales fell 1.8%.

CEO Jack Parker said, "Our comp store sales were slightly below our plan, driven principally by the decline in our yarn and yarn accessory business. Those sales were $8.2 million below last year in comp stores. We continue to be encouraged by the performance of the other merchandise categories as sales excluding yarn increased by almost 6%. Although we anticipate a continuing drop in our yarn business for the rest of the year, the dollar decrease will be substantially less than what occurred in the first quarter. Based on the first quarter sales as reported, our first quarter earnings are likely to be at or modestly below the analysts' consensus earnings estimate, which is $0.01 per diluted share."

OTHERS. Costco, +7.0% ... CVS, +7.0% ... Sam's Club, +4.5% ... Nordstrom, +4.3% ... Walgreen, +4.3% ... Target, +2.2% ... Rite Aid, +2.1% ... Wal-Mart, +1.4% ... Family Dollar, +1.4% ... Duckwall-ALCO, +0.7% ... Factory Card/Party Outlet, -0.5% ... Dollar General, -1.5% ... J.C. Penney, -1.0% ... Bombay, -1.7% ... Pier 1, -2.0% ... Federated, -3.6%.

Because sales for Easter apparel and decorating often jump from March to April and back again, it is wiser to combine March and April sales and then compare them to the previous year. "You really have to take March and April as a package deal because of the 2 to 3 percentage point shift that usually takes place because of the Easter holiday," Ken Perkins, President of the research firm Retail Metrics, told Reuters.

Nevertheless, the March figures may be cause for some concern. "Even when you make the adjustment, what we're seeing is a slight softening in the pace of demand relative to demand," Michael Niemera, chief economist and director of research for the International Council of Shopping Centers, told TheStreet.com. "We went through a period of strong demand in 2004 and 2005 and now we're seeing some moderation."

The first quarter of 2006 is over. Many industry pros were worried when they traveled to Las Vegas for the CHA Winter Show. But to the surprise of many, it provided a positive shot in the arm. But then they returned home and as the quarter sped by, the questions resurfaced:

1. Has scrapbooking peaked, or is it still growing but some sales are being siphoned off by non-industry retailers? If so, how do we get those sales back?

2. Yarn sales are disappointing. Those young people knitting scarves last year – was that a fad instead of a trend? Or did retailers simply over-estimate the category's continued growth?

3. Beading/jewelrymaking is hot, but much of it is happening outside our retail stores. How can the industry get that business?

4. When will Jo-Ann's turn around? Will it take until a new CEO is hired, gets his feet wet, hires a VP of Merchandising, he gets his feet went, and then finally makes changes? How long will all that take? Will selling off old merchandise leave the company with enough cash to buy higher-margin, better-selling inventory?

5. Who will be the new CEOs at Michaels and A.C. Moore? Will they be able to fill the big shoes left behind by Michael Rouleau and Jack Parker?

6. There's a trend by retailers to concentrate less on scrapbooking and yarn and pay more attention to traditional categories. Will that strategy work? (One major manufacturer of basic craft products told CLN he's having an excellent year, but isn't sure if that's a sign of a rejuvenation of his category or simply refilling a pipeline depleted by stronger than expected Christmas sales.)

7. Will CHA, now managing the summer show for the first time, be able to give it the boost that it needed?

8. Will designers find as comfortable and profitable a home in CHA's designer section as they did in the now-dissolved Society of Creative Designers?

9. A hot trend inspires people to open a specialty store; then eventually there is a weeding-out process of those independents who do not have the capital or the expertise to operate an ongoing, successful store. That weeding-out process has been occurring in scrapbooking. Is it complete, leaving savvy, successful storeowners, or is it ongoing?

10. Hot trends come and then usually fade to become a basic category. Another hot trend comes along, but not right away. Is the industry entering a fallow period between hot trends?

(Note: Have any answers, comments, or additional questions? Email your thoughts to CLN to mike@clnonline.com.)

Check your address book. Does it still contain CLN's email as mhartnet@ix.netcom.com? In a few days that will no longer work. Change it to mike@clnonline.com.

No store survives and grows without some form of advertising. But which form provides the best return on a retailer's investment? There's no single answer for every store of course. Billboards, radio, television, and direct mail are options, but local newspapers seem to be the primary vehicle. For example, Michaels uses inserts in Sunday newspapers, while Hobby Lobby runs large run-of-press ads in Sunday papers.

Wal-Mart recently ran a test in response to complaints from the National Newspaper Association. The NMA claimed the discounter sought free publicity from local newspapers but did not advertise, while driving out of business local businesses that did advertise.

So Wal-Mart placed a full-page color ad for its electronics department in 336 smaller papers in Missouri and Oklahoma between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6, according to the Associated Press. The result? "Our test showed that it did increase product sales but our margins are so thin that we didn't even come close to offsetting the cost of the ads," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Mona Williams told the AP.

In the previous issue CLN described the problem of many small vendors who want to sell their business or need an investor to help move the company to a higher level. Rob Bostick, CEO of JudiKins, suggested they join forces so that they are large enough to attract buyers or investors. He is right, in a variety of other ways, too. If retailers benefit from joining together in groups such as Crafter's Home and Sierra Pacific Crafts, why shouldn't small vendors work together, too? Some examples:

1. If exhibiting at trade shows is becoming prohibitive, why not exhibit with another small vendor and split the exhibit costs?

2. If you send mailings and emails to retail customers, pool your mailing list with those from other vendors.

3. Stretch trade ad budgets by approaching the magazines as a group to receive better ad rates. One fourth of a full-page rate is less than buying a quarter-page on your own.

4. Small publishers could probably receive better deals from printers if they agreed to use the same printer, provided the price was right.

(Note: Anyone have any other ideas how small vendors can work together to save money? Email your suggestions to CLN at mike@clnonline.com.)

Kentucky scrapbook stores, members of Maps-2-Memories, recently joined forces to sponsor a bus trip for 200+ consumers. The stores were Card & Cloth in Franklin, Someplace to Remember in Bowling Green, Sassy Scrapper in Lebanon and Scrapbook Village in Glasgow.

"These are four vastly different stores, both in size and product offerings," said M2M's Pam Riddell, "which made for a great consumer experience. Each store partnered with one manufacturer who provided free make-it/take-its in exchange for the store featuring that manufacturer's products in good supply, and a discount on the line."

Participants paid a $50 fee, which included transportation from store to store, box lunch on board the bus, and light supper on their return to originating store. The result was "one of the biggest days ever" for the retailers and some very happy consumers.

One of the attendees wrote, "I just wanted you to know what a wonderful time we had on the bus trip. In all the scrapbook stores and events I have been at, from San Antonio and Atlanta to Columbus GA, Louisville, and now here, this rates the 100% ABSOLUTE BEST event ever!!! ... I am proud to be a part of the first Maps-2-Memories Tour. It's definitely the topper of my own memories for scrapbooking events that I have attended.!"

Plans are underway for another Maps-2-Memories bus tour. "This is why we began M2M," says Pam, "to encourage cooperation among independent scrapbook stores solely for the benefit of independent scrapbook stores. In sharing with each other, we increase exposure and business for our industry and, directly, our stores. I hope this gets [retailers] thinking about working with nearby stores, partnering in events like these, where EVERYBODY Wins."

For more on M2M, call 865-690-5552 or visit www.maps2memories.com.

1. Announced it will open 50+ stores in neighborhoods with high crime or unemployment rates, which will create 15,000-25,000 jobs and generate $100+ million in state and local tax revenue. The first will be in the west side of Chicago. Elements of this "Opportunity Zones" program include identifying up to five local businesses per quarter to be singled out as "Small Business Spotlights"; featuring these small businesses in local newspaper ads and offering to produce free radio ads for them, which will be broadcast on Wal-Mart's in-store radio network; holding seminars for small businesses on best practices and how to thrive with Wal-Mart in their communities; and producing an annual "Wal-Mart Trends Report" that it will share exclusively with the small business community and "Working with Wal-Mart" sessions designed to help local, minority and female-owned businesses learn how to do business with Wal-Mart.

2. One company Wal-Mart inadvertently helped is Grace Publications. "When they decided to locate a supercenter on our side of town, the adjoining property values shot up," wrote Randy Churchwell. "Not needing to be in a high traffic area, we have taken advantage of that and sold our building." The new address is PO Box 480, Johnson City, TN 37605. For shipping, it's C/O JC Commercial Warehouse, 119 E King St., Johnson City, TN 37601.

3. Thanks to high energy prices, Fortune reported Exxon Mobil surpassed Wal-Mart as the nation's largest publicly traded company. Exxon Mobil's 2005 revenues rose 25.5% to $340 billion, the most by any U.S. company in history. Wal-Mart's revenue was up 9.5% to $315.65.

4. Wal-Mart is reducing its inventory and pressuring vendors for more "just in time" shipments, CNNMoney.com reported. The result is hurting some major vendors such as Proctor & Gamble in the short run.

5. CEO Lee Scott will take a one-month vacation in May, his first since 2000, the Associated Press reported. Vice Chairs Mike Duke and John Menzer – both considered possible successors to Scott – will be in charge. A spokesperson denied this meant Scott might be preparing to leave, but the announcement raised eyebrows among some Wall Street analysts.

1. Cross-Stitch & Needlework magazine is back. The former Stitcher's World has been reintroduced by Bayview Publishing with the title of the former Meredith publication that once had 2+ million readers. The bi-monthly is led by industry veteran VP/Publishing Director Maureen Ruth and Editorial Manager Gloriann Doyle – gdoyle@c-sn.com. Call 866-321-9550 or visit www.c-sn.com. For info on the retailer program, call Bre Speich, 715-342-0741, ext. 204 or email actgasst@charterinternet.com; for advertising, call Daena Oczachowski, 715-341-1046, or email advertising@c-sn.com.

2. Interweave Press Founder Linda Ligon was named to Folio: magazine’s Folio: 40 list of top innovators and "influencers" in the publishing industry. (Note: Folio: is the leading trade magazine for the magazine publishing industry.) Ligon started Interweave from her kitchen table and launched the company’s first magazines, Interweave, Handwoven, and Spin in 1975. Today Interweave also publishes Beadwork, PieceWork, and Fiberarts and various books. Ligon sold Interweave to Aspire Media last year and remains as Creative Director. For more info on Interweave Press, visit www.interweave.com.

3. Combining technology and crafts, Creative TECHniques goes on sale May 9. It's aimed at the been-there-done-that-now-what audience with projects such as creative scanner technology in quilting, inkjet transparency transfers in scrapbooking and paper crafting, image transfers with funky embellishments for totes and cigar-box purses, digital camera shopping, etc. Contact Editor PC Smart (who has written numerous articles in CLN's Tech Topics column) at editors@creativetechniquesmag.com or call 770-904-0133; for advertising email Tamara Hanes at thanes@allamericancrafts.com or call 888-781-4486. To sell the magazine in your store, call 973-347-6900, ext. 101.

4. CLN has learned that F+W Publications has decided to cease publication of Decorative Artist's Workbook magazine as of the June issue.

5. SoHo Publishing is launching Adorn magazine, "The crafty girl's guide to embellishing life," with the Summer issue in June. Editor Christina Batch (212-937-2589) says the focus is to bring craft and fashion projects to life quickly using easily available materials and customizing them. "We will bring readers the ideas that will help turn something they like into something they love, something that's uniquely theirs." For ad info, call 212-937-2554.

6. On Apr. 24, Julie Stephani joins The North American Membership Group as Editor of Today's Creative Home Arts (TCHA) magazine and Exec Dir. of the Creative Home Art Club. TCHA's the official publication of the Creative Home Arts Club and the nation’s largest general craft magazine, reaching 280,000 women. Contact Julie at Today's Creative Home Arts, 12301 Whitewater Dr., Minnetonka, MN 55343. Call 952-936-9333.

1. Think beads are hot? A Gaithersburg, MD woman was charged with stealing nearly $900 in beads from an A.C. Moore store. She allegedly stole 259 packages of jewelrymaking beads worth $890. She was also charged with assaulting two store employees who stopped her with the stolen merchandise, reported the Herald-Mail.

2. A basic statistic analysts seem to follow when evaluating retailers is same-store sales, not overall sales. If a chain is opening more stores, the rising overall sales may mask problems within the company. Hence the importance of sales in stores open more than a year, compared to those sales a year ago.

Makes sense, but maybe not in Wal-Mart's case. For months now Target's monthly same-store sales have been better than Wal-Mart's, but that may be due to Wal-Mart opening so many stores, many of which are cannibalizing existing Wal-Mart store sales. So analysts look at a store that's been open more than a year and is losing some sales to a new Wal-Mart, but ignore the new store's sales because it can't be included in same-store sales figures. So the store being cannibalized is counted, but the new store that's taking some of those sales is not.

SHOWS. Jason Jennings, named one of the top three business speakers in the country by USA Today, will be the keynote speaker for the CHA Summer Show (July 21-23). Jennings, best-selling author of Less Is More and Think BIG-Act Small, will speak on Fri., July 21 from 6 to 7 pm followed by a book signing. Attendees are also invited to a complimentary cocktail reception prior to his speech at 5:00 pm. The presentation and reception is FREE if tickets are reserved prior to the show, and includes a copy of his latest book. Tickets at the show will be $25 each. They can be reserved online at www.chashow.org. For more on Jason Jennings, visit www.jason-jennings.com. Online registration begins Wednesday. To view the entire program and register for badges, events, etc., visit www.chashow.org and click on Summer Show. Members will need their CHA member ID and zip code. If you do not know your CHA Member ID, email membership@craftandhobby.org.

RAG SHOPS. CLN has heard reports that the company is closing five stores, four in the Northeast and one in Florida. CEO Ron Staffieri told CLN, "Things are a lot better than they were a couple of months ago. Financing from Sun is in place, vendor agreements have been accomplished, and our restructuring plan is in place. The closing of five stores is one element of that plan. [They're] in outlying markets which are not part of our go-forward plan."

LOOKING TO HIRE. Manufacturer of home dec and craft products looking for Product Development Dir. and Art Dir. Both require working approximately 4-6 months in China each year. Also looking for a designer with strong home dec background to work out of U.S. office. For more info, reply in confidence to Mike Hartnett, mike@clnonline.com ... An art materials company in upstate NY is looking for a Marketing Manager. Salary range: $70-$80K, plus 14% bonus. Interested parties should call Carol Remington at 719-488-1788, and send their resumes to cremington@woodmoor.com.

CRAFTS. To read about the hip craft generation crossing into the mainstream by Kathy Cano Murillo, visit www.azcentral.com/home/crafty/articles/0307altcraft0304a1.html. It should be required reading for craft retailers, vendors, and designers. Besides being a features writer for the Arizona Republic, Kathy also is a craft designer/author with a strong Hispanic flair. Her latest book is Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life. Visit www.craftychica.com.

ANNIVERSARIES. Best wishes to Martingale on its 30th anniversary of publishing quilting books, and to art material distributor MacPherson's celebrating its 100th anniversary.

SCRAPBOOK PAPER. Vendors with discontinued 12x12 papers or overstocks should contact Sam Kurc at Riot Art and Craft in Australia. Email Sam at riot@mira.net.

BOOKS. Sticker pioneer Mrs. Grossman’s has expanded into publishing with Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Magic, a 132-page, hard-cover book with full-color photographs showing 200+ DIY craft and home dec projects and a sheet of 50+ stickers. Suggested retail: $30. Visit www.mrsgrossmans.com/products/stickermagic.shtml. (The company offers the only sticker factory tour (in Petaluma, CA) in the world, hires and celebrates the skills of the developmentally-challenged, allows employees to bring their dogs to work, and donates 6+ million stickers a year to children in hospitals and medical facilities.)

MARTHA. EK Success isn't the only company with whom Martha Stewart is signing licensing deals. Her latest is with Federated Department Stores (Macy's) for a Martha Stewart Collection of bed and bath textiles, bridal registry, housewares, casual dinnerware, flatware and glassware, cookware, and holiday decorating. The lines will be more upscale than the similar products under her name that are sold at Kmart (which, according to press reports, is not happy about Martha's new deal).

PEOPLE. Hancock promoted Hancock veteran Dean Abraham to Sr. VP/Store Operations, reporting to CEO Jane Aggers. Reporting to Abraham will be the three regional vp's and a newly-created position, VP/Business Development. "Our primary goals for 2006 are to fully implement our sales growth initiatives, increase productivity, and reduce expenses across the organization. Strengthening our stores organization is an essential part of achieving these goals and supporting our business strategy," Aggers said.

QUOTATION. "Art critics have long dismissed [Thomas Kinkade's] work as a kitsch crime against aesthetics. But now the world has grown even more 'unsympathetic and complex' for the artist, who describes himself as a devout Christian and has trademarked his 'Painter of Light' sobriquet. In court documents and other testimony, he has been accused of sexual harassment, fraudulent business practices and bizarre incidents of drunkenness including a habit of 'ritual territory marking' that involves urinating in public places." – Oliver Burkeman, (The Manchester [UK] Guardian)

DUCKWALL-ALCO. Net earnings for the fourth quarter rose 148% to $5.2 million ($1.33/diluted share). Sales rose 8.3% to $127.2 million and same-store sales rose 4.5%. Net income for the year fell 51% to $1.9 million ($0.47). Net sales rose 6.3% to $435.0 million and same-store sales rose 3.1%.

TRADEMARKS. To read a clear answer to the question of should retailers trademark their stores' names/logos, visit www.babyshopmagazine.com/spring06/trademark.htm.

PAINTING. Miller Woodcraft is leaving the decorative painting business to concentrate on other areas. " I realize there are still many devoted painters out there; just not enough to keep us going," Rick said. To see the closeout specials on wood shapes and kits and tole books, visit www.millerwoodcrafts.com.

CRUISES. There will be a Carol Duvall Crafting Cruise Oct. 21-28 from San Diego to the Mexican Rivera. Experts teaching classes include Donna Kato (polymer clay), Mary O'Neil (velvet embossing), Priscilla Hauser (decorative painting), Tim Holtz (stamping/antiquing), Tricia Morris (stamping/scrapbooking), Karen Thomas (paper folding/origami), Michael Strong (stamping), and Dee Gruenig (stamping). There will also be "Coffee With Carol" events. For details, visit www.drolett-travel.com.

QUOTATION. "The translation from the romance of a small business to the hard work required to make it go is something many people do not understand until they have been there." – Scott Clarke, Douglas Co. (Gift & Decorative Accessories)

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. To read advice – and a warning – about writing a resume, click HERE.

A. C. Moore (ACMR). Last*: 18.24 ... Change**: -0.15
Hancock Fabrics (HKF). Last*: 3.29 ... Change**: -0.33
Jo-Ann Stores (JAS). Last*: 12.49 ... Change**: -0.96
Michaels (MIK). Last*: 37.01 ... Change**: -0.58
Wal-Mart (WMT). Last*: 45.77 ... Change**: -1.52
CLN Retail Index. Last*: 116.80 ... Change**: -2.3%
Dow Jones Index. Last*: 11,137.65 ... Change**: +0.2%

The Lone Ranger and Tonto stopped in the desert for the night. After they assembled their tent, both men fell sound asleep.

Some hours later, Tonto wakes the Lone Ranger and says, "Kemo Sabe, look towards sky, what you see?"

The Lone Ranger replies, "I see millions of stars."

"What that tell you?" asked Tonto.

The Lone Ranger ponders for a minute then says, "Astronomically, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me Saturn is in Leo. Time wise, it appears to be about a quarter past three in the morning. Theologically, it's evident God is all-powerful. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you, Tonto?"

Tonto is silent for a moment, then says, "Kemo Sabe, you pretty dumb. It means someone stole tent."

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 paid subscriber? Click Here to register."

3. If you ever have trouble with your password, click on "Trouble with your password" in the right-hand column of the main page. The computer will then email the correct information to you.

4. Creative Leisure News is published the first and third Mondays of each month.  Your next issue will be Monday, May 1.

xxx

[ Home ] [ Business-Wise ] [ Kate's Collage ] [ "Vinny Da Vendor" ] [ "Benny Da Buyer" ] [ Kizer & Bender ] [ Newsbriefs ] [ Memory, Paper & Stamps ] [ Category Reports ] [ Designing Perspectives ] [ Subscribe to CLN ] [ Legal Q & A ] [ Scene & Heard ] [ Jobs ] [ Tech Topics ] [ Industry Research ] [ Store Layout/Design Tips ]

©Copyright 2009 by Creative Leisure Communications
(Reproduction or re-transmission without permission is prohibited.)