Holiday - Sway - Apple

Apple have a habit of coming up with good ads.  This one with a soundtrack by Sam Smith.

Small Business Saturday (2)

Supporting my local shops on Small Business Saturday: 57^th Street Books, Freehling Pot & Pan, Sprocket & Stone Pet Shop. 

Photos: Marge Ishmael

Small Business Saturday

– Only about 33.6% of the revenue from national chains is reinvested into the community, which is very low compared to the 64.8% return from local businesses.

– A study in Austin, Texas found that $100 spent at a local bookstore produced $45 worth of local economic activity, and $100 at a chain bookstore brought back only $13.

– National chains often bring loss of employment. The opening of a Wal-Mart reduces retail employment by an average of 150 jobs in the county of its location.

– Local businesses are usually established in city centers, instead of on the margins of communities like large chains, so they contribute less to pollution, congestion, habitat loss and urban sprawl.

–  If the people of an average American city were to shift 10% of their spending from chains to local businesses, it would bring an additional $235 million per year to the community’s economy.

Black Friday

Photo: Marge Ishmael

Avoiding the crowded shopping malls on Black Friday and heading for the woods at Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve. http://www.coffeecreekwc.org

Zimbabwe situation

I remember the 1980s when Mugabe was lionized as a great leader and champion of freedom and democracy in the early days of Zimbabwean independence. Yet another case of “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Twenty years ago, the country with natural resources like gold and platinum was one of the most developed in Africa, with an envied infrastructure and education system. Now the economy is in desperate trouble and almost everywhere shows evidence of a chronic lack of private or public investment, with the exception of the booming Victoria Falls tourist area.   I’d like to know how much they (Robert and "Gucci Grace" Mugabe) have squirreled away in overseas bank accounts.  And will Robert Mugabe’s successor be any less corrupt? Let's hope so for the sake of the struggling Zimbabwean people.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-42055726

Jackson Park

My friend Jane with my dog, Poppy, in Jackson Park at the Inner Harbor.

Photos: Marge Ishmael

Midwest Fall Sunset

Photo: Marge Ishmael

First snow of the season

Sugar Maple leaves taken by surprise by today's snowfall.

Photo: Marge Ishmael

Sugar Maple

The view from my office/study window - our sugar maple in all her fall glory!

Photos: Marge Ishmaael

Good News

This one speaks for itself.