Moving to Chagrin Falls, Ohio

Posted on January 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

Sometimes I think about opening another store.  Only because I think others should have access to wonderful writing instruments and fine papers.  But where?  At the moment I’d select Chagrin Falls, OH.  No I’ve never been there or even heard of it until a couple of days ago.  I read an article about how the entire town created what they termed a “Cash Mob” at the local hardware store.  Apparently it started with an email to 40 people asking them to spend $20 at Chagrin Hardware.  But the word got around and the sales jammed the cash registers as a line formed outside the store.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, Rob Schwind shovels the sidewalk in front of the Chagrin Hardware in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. The Shutts family, which has owned the hardware for the last 72 years, was preparing for a community-driven "Cash Mob" of the store to happen that day. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

That’s a show of support for the little guy.  Wonder what would happen if Barrington retailers sent emails to Barrington residents to support our local businesses.  Oh yeah…we do that already!  Thank you Barrington for supporting your small local retailers; especially during this past holiday season.  With your continued support, word of mouth advertising and social networking I’m hoping to be here longer than the hardware store has been in Chagrin Falls, OH, over 155 years!  So no… I’m not moving to Chagrin Falls,….just proud of their residents that came out to support the local hardware store.

In this photo taken Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, Jack Shutts, front right, works the counter as throngs of people wait to make their purchases at Chagrin Hardware in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. The crowds came to support the family-owned business after an email from resident Jim Black looking for people to come Saturday and spend at least $20.00 at the store went viral. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

In this photo taken Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, as Steve Shutts, left, and Rob Schwind tally the day's receipts, Steve's niece Megan Johnson and brother Jack Shutts celebrate the final sale at the Chagrin Hardware in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Hundreds of supporters of the family-owned business flocked to the store all day long, spending money in a veritable "Cash Mob". (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

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John Ridley Writes Red Tails History

Posted on January 20, 2012 | Leave a comment

I love the movies!  My favorite show, the Academy Awards, airs just once a year and will be on in a few weeks.  What typically gets lost among best movie and best actress are the screenwriting awards for original and adapted screenplays. In my opinion, a good screenplay is in essence what makes a movie…well, a good movie.  And writing an original screenplay is rather challenging as it’s done just for the big screen.  Some of my favorite movies in the past few years with winners in this category are Crash, Juno, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Hurt Locker.  Just plain ol’ good story telling.

So tonight (or this afternoon if it keeps on snowing) I’m going to the opening of Red Tails.  I’m not typically a fan of movies based on war or history.  I like drama.  I’m really going to “hear the story” of the Tuskegee Airmen; our nation’s first African-American aerial combat unit; told by writer John Ridley. He was charged with pouring through tons of old flight records and logs and historically black newspapers to craft this story.

I think you have to be a pretty good writer and story-teller to tell the unwritten and untold story…directly for the big screen.  John Ridley might not be able to right history, but George Lucas has given him an opportunity to write it.  So I’m going to see it! WE FIGHT! WE FIGHT! WE FIGHT!

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Who will covet your handwritten notes?

Posted on January 10, 2012 | 3 Comments

I’ve been thinking about thank you notes since just before Thanksgiving.  Not to sell in TT Patton, but those I have received.  I’ve thought about all notes for that matter as I have boxes of letters and cards that I’ve received at the shop over the years. Occasionally, I’ll go thru them just to remind myself of the thoughtful people who took the time to write me a note.  So what to do with them?   And what to do with the large collection I have at home?

When I was an Engineering student at Boston University (BU), most of my work was done in the engineering labs.  Only the liberal arts students went to the real libraries.  But I recall a time during finals when I searched for a quiet place, away from all those I knew, to cram as much as I could.  After a quick distraction (or maybe it was a short nap), I found myself in the midst of a collection of writings by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   After displaying many of the thank you cards I’ve received in my shop window, it’s only now, just days before the celebration of his birthday, that I wonder why Dr. King selected BU for his collection.  Here’s what I found…

September 11, 1964

Questions from the Press (paraphrased): Why did you select Boston University (BU) to be the depository of your personal letters and handwritten manuscripts.
Response from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (paraphrased): 1.)  BU is my Alma mater. 2.) BU has meant so much to me in terms of the formulation of my thinking and the ideas that have guided my life. 3. ) BU was desirous enough to have the collection, could give it the right kind of attention and would be responsible enough to make the collection meaningful for the future.

Well, I wonder if BU would be so desirous of my collection of notes?  How about yours?  Who will covet your handwritten notes?  I think I better start building my own room…or get more boxes…

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