Living in Prince William County, VA and Northern VA – National Book Festival 2011

I have been living in Prince William County, VA (PWC) for 3 months and thoroughly enjoying it.  One of the most important quality of life issues I look at is cultural and educational opportunities that are close by.  Washington DC and the surrounding area offer so much and it is practically free.  Let me give you an example.

First, a geographic orientation.  PWC is approximately 30 miles west from Washington DC, the Capitol Mall, the Washington Monument and the Smithsonian Museum.  I-66 takes you right into the city.

Second, transportation costs.  It can be very cost effective. I drive to the Fairfax/Vienna Metro station. It is about 18 miles and I ride the train right to the Smithsonian Museum and Capital Mall It is a $6 round trip. Fares are reduced during the weekend and holidays.  For my Facebook friends and Twitter followers at Harben_eco_dev, you know I was posting updates on the ride, both ways. It sure beats traffic and looking for parking.  As you recall, earlier I wrote that I like events that are close by.  Please note, I left my home at 1:45 PM and returned at 6:45 PM.

Today I went to the National Book Festival 2011 sponsored by the Library of Congress.  It covers two days.  Over 100 authors, poets and illustrators attend.  The festival has six author pavilions. Each one has well known authors speak. The pavilions showcasing authors were Children, Contemporary Life, Fiction and Mystery, History and Biography, Poetry and Prose, and Teens. 

Other pavilions were the PBS (lots of kid activities highlighted), Library of Congress, Family Storytelling, Let’s Read America Pavilion, and the Pavilion of the States.

C-SPAN has a live broadcast all day both days. The correspondents interviewed history and contemporary authors, and biographers all day.  It might be on a pavilion, on the C-SPAN temporary studio or on the mall.

The author I went to hear were:

Dr. Amy Chua, Tiger Mom

Edmund Morris, Colonel Roosevelt

Both spoke to a standing room only, easily over 200 people listened to each one. From what I could see, all the pavilions were like that, standing room only. It was educational and entertaining.  Dr. Chua’s stories about her daughters were so funny and I could relate on so many levels.  What is it about the second born kids? That is a different post.

I think I saw thousands of people walking the mall and enjoying the various authors at the pavilions and the chance to get an autographed book.  It was so professionally executed.  The number of volunteers was mind boggling, led by the Junior League of Washington, DC.  They were everywhere and so helpful.

Perhaps most pleasing was the emphasis on reading, and the effort to make it enjoyable.  When you look at the numerous pavilions, you instantly recognize the rich and vibrant variety in writing and the skilled authors we celebrate over these two days. This kind of festival is replicated all over the U.S.

Most of the people I saw were 30 years or older.  I did sit next to a student at a local university who came to listen to Dr. Chua, but she attended because she read a different Chua book for class.  She also dragged her boyfriend along. 

Today I think reading has so many competing interests.  Most of all, unlike almost every other activity our kids are involved in, reading is truly solitary.  In todays connected world, it makes it that much more challenging. 

However, for these two days, we take stock of the talented authors and the joy of reading at the National Book Festival.

The first pic is Dr. Amy Chua and me. She was so gracious.  The second pic is Mr. Edmund Morris and me.

Memories of High School Physical Education Classes

I love Facebook. It allows you to catch up with old high school acquaintances and friends.  You get to learn a lot about their past, their careers, their kids, their interests. You get the idea.

One of my high school acquaintances recently friended me on Facebook. We went to high school in Midland, TX. She teaches physical education in Texas.  Or as commonly known as PE. I recall her as a very kind and intelligent lady and I think she was a cheerleader. 

After she told me what she did, it made me think of the PE teachers I had in junior and high school. 

First, let me start with an admission. I was not athletic in high school, just ask my family, friends, anybody who has seen me dance.  I was uncoordinated and somewhat clumsy.  In fact, even today I am not athletic. 

Apparently in my family, starting with my father, athletic skills skip a generation.  My sister is the exception to the rule.  Athletics were challenging and I was never good.  When teams for any sports activity were picked, I was among the last selected.  And I do mean every team sport, even tennis doubles.

Now realize, I am not talking about organized sports or other activities. I am referring to that 45 minute or hour class every day.  A couple of the coaches I had appeared to think if you were not athletic it was your fault and you should work harder.  One coach’s last name started with N.

I look back now and I think embarrassing or intimidating students is the wrong approach.  As is an overbearing attitude. An example? Yes, I recall an overweight high school student that the coach always made play on the skins side when we played shirts and skins.  It was unfair to him.  I suspect he was trying to motivate the student to get into better physical shape, but I think the coach simply embarrassed him.  

In one respect, I think it is a show of concern.  But, the method could be more damaging.

This kind of bullying and attitude turned me off athletics completely.  It was not until college that I started to play football and other sports with fellow students.  Yes, I had not improved much, if at all.  And yes, I was still among the last to be chosen, but at that point it bothered me far less. I just had fun.

Of course I have had some really good PE teachers in junior and high school. They did not single out a student because they were uncoordinated or overweight.  They made the class fun for those of us that who are not gifted. They made sure the teams were fair.  Most importantly when they could and the opportunity presented itself, they used it as a teaching moment.  I think my old high school acquaintance now teaching PE is of this mold.  And I suspect that her students are fortunate.

My First Trip to COSTCO

Today was my first trip to COSTCO.  One of the advantages of living in Prince William County is the choice of warehouse shopping. 

I have never been to COSTCO. Everyplace I have lived did not have one.  Of course I read about the company from time to time in various business magazines.

For my Southern friends, it is like a Sam’s Club.  Interesting points, COSTCO started in Washington state, Sam's in Arkansas.   COSTCO's predecessor was Price Club. I vaguely recall reading about Price Club years ago. 

I enjoyed it my first trip. COSTCO was much bigger than I thought it would be. This COSTCO is located in a suburban setting; it is surrounded by green grass and has an attractive entrance.  Of course it has its own traffic light.  It does not have the appearance of a new building built on the outskirts of a mall, in fact it is not close to a mall.

Much to my surprise, COSTCO is the largest membership warehouse chain in the United States. The last count had membership at 55,000,001. Of course just like Sam’s, you cannot get out without paying a lot for a lot of products.  You need really big carts.  In fact, everything is bigger. I am reminded of eating lunch at McDonalds and getting the infamous question, "Can I supersize that for you?" COSTCO is already supersized (see photo at end of post).

Yes, enough toilet paper, tea, and tuna to keep me going for a few weeks.  A box of cereal will last a month. 

As an avid salad consumer, I was very impressed with the quality of the produce and the selection of fruit.  The fresh produce is in a cold room, not on a cold shelf. I suspect that keeps it fresher longer.

These days I do not buy chips, cheese, dip or other foods. Good thing too, I think I would be depressed if I really took the time to figure out exactly what one serving is.  And of course the bags are huge!

To this day I love to see what people buy. Sometimes you can tell when it is a big football weekend or stocking up for a birthday party for a kid.  You can also tell when someone is craving liquids or something salty.  COSTCO offers all kinds of products and services, like smart phones, wide screen TVs, computers, insurance, excercise equipment, office supplies, check printing, etc.  It is mind boggling.  I found the associates very helpful and knowledgeable.  I am looking forward to future trips to the warehouse, perhaps once a month.

An Industrialist and Public Servant Passes

For political history buffs and junkies, it was announced today that former Senator Charles (Chuck) Percy died. Most of the obituaries I read glossed over what I thought were the most important parts of his life. First, he was a self-made industrialist. His family suffered like so many others during the depression. His mother had a young Chuck Percy sell sugar cookies door to door.  While attending school he held several jobs.  His determination and drive caught the eye of Joseph McNabb, the president of Bell and Howell. Bell and Howell in the 30s was a small company that manufactured cameras.

Sen. Percy started working for the company in the early 40s, left to serve in the Navy during World War II and returned in 1945.  He became president in 1949, just shy of the 30^th birthday. 

Bell and Howell prospered under his 15 year tenure as president.  Sales increased 32 fold, employment 12 fold and the company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. He subsequently earned millions in stock and salary.

In the 50s and 60s he served in various appointed positions within the GOP.  In 1964 he ran for governor of Illinois, he lost in the Johnson landslide.  Undeterred, he ran for Senate in 1966.  He won that race.  He went on to win two more terms, but was defeated for reelection in 1984. 

Most of the rest you can read in various obits.  What is missed or should get more emphasis is:

·     He was called a liberal republican. I disagree. On social issues he was more of a libertarian. On economic issues, he had faith in the free market. After all, he was a very successful businessman and self-made and millionaire.  He understood every aspect of manufacturing. He was no fan of regulation.

·      He had a deep baritone voice. He could and would laugh at himself.

·     He became chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1981. He hired a non-political staff and believed that foreign policy was not a partisan issue.

·     When he was responsible for recommending U.S. Attorneys, he took it very seriously and suggested highly competent individuals. Several of his choices went on to conduct serious corruption investigations resulting in convictions and jail time.

·     He called for an independent counsel to investigate Watergate. His reason was the White House could not be necessarily trusted to investigate itself. He was right.  As a result, President Nixon added him to the famous “enemies” list.

·     In a couple of Senate oral histories, people consistently commented on how thoughtful Sen. Percy was as an individual.  He was kind and courteous. 

·     Finally, he was a devout Christian Scientist.  He did not drink or smoke.  He would attend cocktail and other parties, but he did not touch alcohol.

A previous post noted that former Senator Mark Hatfield died. They were both elected in 1966.  Both had unique backgrounds. Senator Hatfield was an educator. Senator Percy was a successful and self-made business man. In addition, Senator Percy made his fortune in manufacturing. We need more people with his background, individuals that understand markets, hiring, and creating wealth. Senator Percy, your unique expertise was and will be missed.

Entrepreneurs and Incubators

My previous post was about skilled craftsmen, entrepreneurial efforts and to a lesser extent, incubators.  Today I was reading Fortune on my Kindle and ran across an article about an innovative incubator in New York City. It is called the General Assembly (catchy name) and is operated by the city’s department of economic development.  An excerpt from the city website:

In the heart of the Flatiron District, at Broadway and 20th Street, is General Assembly—a co-working space for design and technology entrepreneurs. Complete with classrooms, break-out spaces, library, top-notch media facility, a kitchen and more, General Assembly is designed to create community and promote the collaborative exchange of ideas among New York City’s premier entrepreneurs. General Assembly will offer regular educational programming open to the public as well as access to affordable workspace. 

General Assembly has the following facilities and amenities:

·         Shared work areas for tenants

·         Seminar rooms

·         Media facility

·         35-person classroom

·         Event space for up to 200 people

·         Library

·         Bike storage and lockers

·         Mailroom

·         Kitchen and bar

General Assembly will engage users through three levels of support: 1) Provide educational courses on technology and business which are open to the general public; 2) Enable 24/7 access to the campus for invited “communal members,” who are serial entrepreneurs; and 3) Act as a home base for NYC startups who are based full-time in the space.

Read more on the General Assembly website. Or http://www.generalassemb.ly/

Even the website speaks to entrepreneurs with new ideas, products and services.

Entrepreneurship - The Master Craftsmen

I read a fascinating article in Forbes.  It was about entrepreneurs.  Specifically it is about precision watchmakers. The most interesting points:

·    Most of the watchmakers worked for bigger companies and later decided to break away.

·    These entrepreneurs manufacture high end time pieces (much too impressive to simply label the product as a watch).

·    These individuals are truly craftsmen.

·    The internet is a key to the craftsmen marketing to and identifying potential customers. 

What might be lost in the article is where and how each individual started. Note the third paragraph. These men are leaving prestigious companies to set up their own shop. By and large these men are in their early to mid 40s.

Also note this excerpt. 

·    Without Web exposure to precisely the right audience (obsessives) at precisely the right price--free--shops like McGonigle's wouldn't exist.

As a professional and practicing economic developer I drew the following conclusions:

·    A component for entrepreneurship is having one or more large enterprises where potential entrepreneurs can learn several or all aspects of a chosen profession. This cannot be understated.

·    The internet offers a potential advantage and equalizer to budding entrepreneurs.

·    An ED professional office should have the necessary resources to help these people launch a successful enterprise, especially if these businesses are basic industries.

·    These fledging firms face several obstacles that we as ED professionals should try to help resolve. An example  noted in the article is the difficulty these small firms have in sourcing parts.

The immediate first bullet is worth additional discussion and an example.  When I worked in Columbia, SC years ago we saw several innovative technology intensive companies’ form.  It was an interesting dynamic.  However, almost all of the new companies shared one key trait - the new entrepreneurs could trace a direct employment line to the NCR tower facility in Lexington, SC.  The NCR tower facility manufactured computers and equally important, conducted R&D on site.  When economic developers stress recruitment part of it is due to an unstated reason.  By getting these kind of facilities to locate in an area, down the line you may have an incubator for budding entrepreneurs. The additional advantage is these individuals should have the opportunity to learn several aspects of a business, like marketing, accounting, production, and operations. 

For those of us that have been in the economic development profession for a while, we have seen that every few years a renewed emphasis is placed on helping start-ups and entrepreneurs.  First, I suggest noting and understanding the difference between an entrepreneurial enterprise and a small business.  The key differential is that an entrepreneurial business is a basic industry.  Most small business start-ups are not, they are oriented to providing services to the immediate population. This is not to say ignore all small business start-ups, but rather apply most of your resources to a true entrepreneurial endeavor. 

Second, one key way to foster entrepreneurship that pops up with renewed vigor from time to time is to start an incubator.  It is a worthy effort, but the key objectives should be to identify entrepreneurial efforts, provide the necessary resources and services, and offer discounted space.  The emphasis should be on the first two parts, if it becomes primarily a real estate deal, then the incubator will probably fail.  One key trend I suspect we will see more of is the formation of “virtual” incubators.  However, I submit that a Fortune 500 basic industry that locates in your area could be a stealth incubator.

This is a fascinating discussion and one that the economic development profession should be front and center.  We have the talent and intellectual capacity to offer excellent advice and recommendations. I am looking forward to hearing from other professionals.

The link follows.

 

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2011/0912/life-watches-timepieces-roger-smith-watchmakers-independents.html

A Father's Nightmare - Prom

One of the advantages of writing a blog is that your kids will never read it. Of course neither will anyone else. 

A long time and cherished friend recently posted that her daughter has a date to prom. It is not surprising, she is intelligent and talented.  Of course the mother is thrilled.  In fact, mothers are usually far more delighted than anyone else.

Now I offer a different perspective.  It is one of a father with a daughter who will eventually be eligible to attend prom. Note the key word, eligible.  This is a quick post, as you will see, I have been thinking about it for a long time.

I have very strong and very divergent emotions on this subject.  When my daughter was born I discussed her future with my mother.  I said my daughter will not go out with boys until she is 40 or I am dead. As a former boy and now adult male (by society’s standards, my family may have a different opinion). I can say with considerable certainty, boys (and men) are by and large pigs.  They were pigs when they asked out my sister back in Midland, Texas where we grew up; they were pigs in college when they asked out girls who were friends but not girl friends, they are pigs today and they will be pigs tomorrow. 

In the history of the universe, I know the following constants:  death, taxes, lots of people watch bad reality shows, Scotch is the best adult drink, and boys (men) are pigs.

However, my mother pointed out to me that my worst fear is that my daughter is asked out for prom. My worst fear will also be that she is not asked to prom.  As I wrote earlier, I have thought about her words over the years, but never more than now.  My daughter is not the little tough, determined girl that used to play really rough with me. She is a teenager (a separate blog or several entries unto itself and mostly depressing).

As always, I digress. My daughter is a beautiful, talented intelligent, funny, young lady.  Yes, I am biased. If she reads this, I could list her flaws, but at some point I need to go to bed.  In summary, she is very much like her mom (minus the flaws).

What my wise mom told me so many years ago was you will be deeply concerned if she is asked out. If she is not asked to prom, she will likely be hurt and you can do little to help her.  My mother is right.  As a parent, I want my kids to show their unique traits, be independent and hope they will be accepted by a number of other kids for who they are. Conversely, I expect my kids to accept many other kids for who they are. That is simplistic. In other words, stand out and excel, but not so much that you are considered odd.

So often our kids and others tell us how much harder it is to be a kid today.  No one really tells parents how hard it is on us.  Do not get me wrong, I love being a parent.  Any with any labor of love, and I count being a parent as one, it is hard work and can stir strong emotions and passions.  When my kids succeed, I share their happiness and it is a wonderful emotion for me as a parent. Equally important, when they hurt, it pains me just as deeply, if not more so.  Still, it is a long and a joyful journey, with a few bumps.

Finally, I only have to go through this once as I have only one daughter. I cannot imagine how much more difficult it would be if I had more than one. For those friends of mine with more than one daughter and as you face this nightmare each time, come on over. For I will pour you the good Scotch, you deserve it.

Big Day

This is an important day for me.  Most people would not give this a second thought, but to me it is truly special. Any idea?

I doubt anyone could guess it so I will not hold you in suspense. I got my Prince William County, VA library card.  Now why is this important?

Before I begin, I can almost hear the comments and questions. Can you be any more boring? You have got to be kidding!  Is he really that dull? Does the library get C-SPAN? Or, I get it, this is a joke. 

No. Some of my best experiences have been in a library or because of one.  In fact, in every city I have ever lived I take time to occasionally enjoy the public library. I digress. Back to the previous question, why is this important?

First, Just to browse the magazines, biographies and public affairs sections is enjoyable.

Side note, have you ever seen who writes autobiographies?  A significant segment of celebrities who write autobiographies will never have a biography written about them, so they think they the world should know all about their life. People like Suzanne Somers, Sylvester Stallone, Rob Lowe, Rosie O'Donnell, Vanna White, Tommy Lee, Drew Barrymore, Stephanie Powers, Brooke Shields, Tatum O'Neal, etc. The list is endless.  And basically useless. Most celebrities who write memoirs simply are not interesting people. So why read their book?

Second, a library is always quiet. If you have kids living in your home, you know exactly what I am writing about.

Third, most of the people in a library share a desire for knowledge.

Fourth, most of the people I prefer not to see would never step foot in a library. I actually have a higher probability of running into those people at a Wal-Mart or a grocery store.

Fifth, the library staff is always helpful and courteous. 

Sixth, I can read a book that I probably would not buy.  Most of the books I check out I have a passing interest in the subject matter or the person. I will read it and return it for someone else to enjoy.

Seventh, most libraries I frequent have an extensive selection of current magazines and journals.

Eighth, the chairs in the magazine section are comfortable.

Ninth, the reading/working tables are made of wood. They are large so you can put alot of stuff on it.

Tenth, people who frequent a library are generally polite.

Eleventh, no eating or drinking on the nice furniture. Try telling that to my kids.

Twelfth, all libraries have books sales. Where else can you buy a hard back for less than $1.50?  Also, for all you almanac collectors, where else can you buy a five year old almanac? It is like a used book store.

Now, anyone who knows me know how much I enjoy my Kindle. However, a library is a public service and a good use of taxpayer money.  A library is a way for the local citizens to say knowledge is important and the sharing of knowledge should be encouraged.  You can be exposed to so many interesting topics and subjects.  Sometimes it is just nice to walk around a library.

For example, most libraries sponsor authors and interesting speakers. In addition, book reading clubs and writer groups also call libraries home.  And why not?

Consider this, if you ever had or have the opportunity to tour an old mansion, note the library. Usually, it is one of the most stunning rooms in the entire house. The ones I have seen are well decorated and quite stylish in a traditional sort of way.

I recognized long ago that a public library is as close as I will get to the majestic libraries of the old mansions.  So now I just need to figure how to get all the other patrons out. 

UPDATE

The first book I checked out was by Dr. Amy Chua, it is Day of Empire. So far I have thoroughly enjoyed it. She looks at several empires over the history of the world. She explains how the empire came about, what made it unique, how it prospered, and how the empire decayed and eventually imploded.  You will also read a foreshadow of her highly successful book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom.

The Best Reality Show On Cable

Cable news gives viewers an unparalleled choice of alternative shows.  We can watch as much general news, business news, sports, independent movies, classic movies, movies targeted specifically for women, etc. All running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The list is practically endless.

One unique type is the reality show.  It started with shows like Oprah, Jerry Springer, Phil Donahue, Sally Jesse Raphael, Montel, and Dr. Phil. These shows featured a host trying to help an individual and/or family. In some cases, exploit an individual or family.

These shows morphed into productions that center less on the host and more on actual people. You know what I mean, a show that centers on "real" people. In some cases it is a bunch of kids in a house, a bunch of adults in a house, a bunch of adults on an island, a bunch of adults in homes on a beach, a bunch of cheerleaders, a bunch of adults trying to be an apprentice to a rather self-centered CEO, a bunch of mothers helping (I use the term loosely) their daughters in dance competitions, a bunch of kids in a band, a bunch of ladies trying to gain a modeling contract, a bunch of dancers, a bunch of singers, a bunch of dress makers, a bunch of men helping people dress better, a bunch of performers...And the shows just keep coming.

As you watch a few of these shows, sometimes it appears that the conflict is manufactured. Of course the music adds to the drama.  After a point you wonder who and what is real and what is not.   

For people who know me, know that I do not watch reality shows.  Exceptions to the rule, I have watched “The Apprentice” with my family.  And my wife and daughter got me hooked on “Dance Mothers.”  Since my daughter dances competitively and I have gone to her competitions in the past, this is one show that I can definitely relate to.

However, one of my favorite reality shows is one of the oldest reality shows. It has been running for decades. And the show? It is C-SPAN’s continuous and unfiltered Washington Journal.  It runs every morning.

The show always has a viewer call in.  The first segment is usually with the moderator and later in the show with think tank staff, elected officials, high ranking government officials, pollsters, reporters, editors, and others.  During the viewer call in with the moderator a topic is presented for discussion and sometimes the moderator reads excerpts from a newspaper, that of course is marked with a yellow highlighter. The guest or guests sit at a table with the moderator and answer questions from citizens calling in. 

Now a word about the C-SPAN moderators. They are first rate. Brian, Pedro, Steve, Susan, Libby, and Greta are experts at handling angry and difficult callers. Nothing ruffles them. If a caller is unbelievably rude, any one of the moderators will simply say, we have others who want to call in, thank you caller. Callers are prescreened.  Any one of the C-SPAN moderators would be an outstanding negotiator or diplomat.  All are well informed, intelligent and well read.  And I get the sense that they really enjoy their job.

This is a reality show at its best.  Viewers from all over the U.S. can call in, ask questions to a guest or chime in an opinion with the moderator. A diverse group of people call in every morning, usually to a line for democrats, republicans or independents. You get a very good sense of the people's frustrations, what news story sticks in their minds, what facts they recall, their analysis of a story, what they read, their fears, and their thoughtfulness on issues.  We are a diverse nation with so many different and unique ideas. Now granted, these are not always expressed well, but that is the beauty of reality TV according to C-SPAN.

Market House Theater - A Volunteer's Perspective

I recently attended the Market House Theater (MHT) production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." This is a musical. http://www.mhtplay.com/

Over the years I have attended numerous MHT plays. MHT plays are always professional. The actors, directing, and play selection are first rate.  Each play is a real treat.  MHT also sponsors plays for kids and teaches acting. Both of my kids took acting lessons and it was a real joy for me to watch my son take part in the improvisation sketches with the other kids.  You see some real talent and upcoming comedians.

As usual, I digress. In my defense, it is my blog. At the play mentioned in the first paragraph I was convinced to sign up as a volunteer.  That means I was on stage with the actors. I was given only two sentences of instructions - when given a word to spell, always ask for a definition and always ask for the word to be used in a sentence.  I acted many a year ago and I debated in high school so voice projection is easier for me.  Still, I was not quite ready for this experience.

Now do not get the impression that all I did was stand up when my name was called, ask two questions and spell a word. No, I was figuratively and literally part of the show. So when the actors danced, I danced. When the actors moved in a circle, I moved in a circle. When the actors bid farewell to a contestant who misspelled a word, I also bid the contestant farewell. 

What I never understood and now have a great appreciation for is the actors and their help. They whisper to you what you need to do, they physically move you when they need you to be in another position, they turn you around when you are pointed in the wrong direction and they do it nicely.  You have a different viewpoint when you are on stage and hearing people laugh. I remember what that was like when I acted, again so many years ago.  You almost feel a degree of anxiety for the actors, no doubt a volunteer did something totally unexpected and the actors on stage had to compensate or improvise.  I was truly impressed.

Community theaters are an important part of a local community's fabric. A play can make us laugh, think, tear up or all three and more.  We sometimes take for granted how hard the actors, director, and theater staff really work to give the public an excellent alternative to a movie or TV show rerun.  You can see it when you go to a play.  If it is professionally done, you really do not think about how much preparation and how many rehearsals it took to give you, a member of the audience, 2 hours of superior entertainment.  On a consistent basis and with every production, MHT gives this to the people of West Kentucky.

However, as a volunteer on stage, I gained a new and valuable perspective.  For that, I am very grateful to the Market House Theater, the actors and professional theater staff. I may never look at a play in the same way again. In fact, I may even volunteer again should the opportunity present itself.

Do the American Theatre Wing and Broadway League, sponsors of the coveted Tony awards, include an award for Best Volunteer in a Play or Musical? If not, may I suggest this category be added?

Borders - You Will Be Missed

I just got back from a trip and decided to stop by Borders, a book store. For those who do not know, Borders filed for bankruptcy. The store in Manassas, and others across the U.S., was closing.  I was in the store 15 minutes before it closed for good, I just did not know it until I made my purchase.

It was very sad, book shelves cleared out, offers on buying bookshelves, a young and helpful staff, movers taking out larger furniture units, and sales of up to 80 percent for certain types of books. Think of it like this.  When you move out of your home and most of the furniture is out, the house looks so empty.

Borders was a good bookstore and I am not here to comment on past actions by company executives.

Rather, I regret seeing any bookstore close. Take a look at the people in a bookstore. Generally, these people seek knowledge. They may be buying books, magazines, or journals. But they share an interest in learning.

Now I know a plurality of people read most or all publications electronically or from the internet. I certainly understand. Among my most treasured gifts is a Kindle, an electronic reader. It is unique. For traveling, it cannot be surpassed. You can subscribe to magazines and have it delivered via the internet.

Still, I miss bookstores. Just browsing up and down aisles is fun. You get a sense of what the public is looking for by what is on the shelves.  It is also a commentary on the demographics of the area.  I used to note the selection of journals in bookstores that I visited in different cities.  Sometimes I saw an emphasis on cultural publications, other times policy publications. 

To a major extent, bookstores are places where people with similar interests could meet and exchange ideas. Several bookstores sponsored reading and/or discussion groups.  We will see fewer of these locations as more bookstores close. 

First we saw independent bookstores close, then regional chains, then mergers of chains and now a national chain closes.  It leaves a void.  A void that I hope can be filled.