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OUR MOVIE GUY
This is the review that I was hoping Chuck would write about this movie [Australia: A movie as grand as the continent itself,” IT, Nov. 26]!
Unlike all the pasty-face fan-boys who seem to populate the world of “movie criticism” these days, Chuck is a real “movie guy,” and eschews the trappings of the mall-multiplex fodder-for-the-masses to find
real cinematic pleasure even in the old-fashioned styles of the so-called “uncool” movie yesteryear.
Chuck is a first-class act and we are fortunate to have him around!
Skip Huston
Avon Theater owner
Decatur
RULES OF THE ROAD
Dusty Rhodes had a good story on the Hazel Lane dispute [See “Route of dispute,” IT, Nov. 26]. But what I don’t understand is why, after all that money was spent on improving access to the
school off East Hazel Dell, that some folks are still using Hazel Lane. I
suppose it’s because using Hazel Lane is less out of direction for folks coming from the
north, plus being able to avoid the traffic light at Hazel Dell.
Regarding the previous gate off Hazel Lane, I understood that, while it did
block access to normal traffic, it could be opened in the event of an
emergency. That seemed like a reasonable solution. Why would the township agree
to no gate when that may be the only practicable means of resolving this
problem? Human nature being what it is, drivers are going to take the shortest
route if it’s not actually blocked off.
Dick McLane
Springfield
CULTURE GAP
It happened again. There I was exhibiting my artwork at a local downtown outdoor
venue. (We local unknown struggling artists almost live for these
opportunities.) A prospective customer approaches my tent, looks with keen
interest at my work and gratifyingly exclaims how wonderful is the quality. She
then asks me where I’m from, and I reply, “Springfield.” There’s dead silence, and an oddly disappointed look on her face. She then glances
wistfully at the rest of the artwork, wishes me good luck, and leaves.
It has become evident that there exist groups of Springfield citizens who
mistakenly believe that in order to find high-quality artwork, they must go
elsewhere, like St. Louis, Chicago, or New York. Already established, known
artists and their work can be readily found. But what about the local, unknown
ones? Where is the framework that offers numerous opportunities for promotion
and exhibiting?
Anyone who has lived here for any length of time knows that this is no Mecca for
the arts, with no real definitive culture. I would love to see this town be
allowed to grow into a vital city with a thriving business and arts culture,
side by side, as seen in so many other similar-sized communities. Those cities
flourish. Why shouldn’t Springfield?
It would be so great to begin to see a change in the mindset of some of this
town’s influential powers that be, by leading with a good example. How about the
Chamber of Commerce, arts council, civic groups or other such organizations
that are inclined to desire a change in our town’s culture? Anybody who has a better vision for Springfield, please share your
ideas with me at jrothshaw@ymail.com.
Janet Roth Shaw
Springfield
GIFT CARDS GOOD
Gift cards have become an extremely popular gift-giving item. Recently, an
Internet rumor states that people should not buy gift cards as they will not be
redeemable because a large number of retailers have notified the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission that they are closing stores in January. The
e-mail then details a number of retail companies that are allegedly making such
plans. Like most Internet hoaxes, they include a ring of truth and count on
people not reading them carefully or thinking them through. Unfortunately, a
large number of media outlets have picked up the story and presented it as fact
rather than thinking it through and calling into question the scare tactics and
myths. So, please allow me to clear up a few of the issues.
First, there is a big difference between closing some under-performing locations
and going out of business. It is no secret that the economy is hurting everyone
and retail companies, like their cousins in the manufacturing and service
sectors, are struggling. Some companies have announced that they are closing
some stores or reorganizing under bankruptcy protection. The casual reader
equates bankruptcy with going out of business. That is simply not accurate.
Furthermore, businesses in general and retailers in particular open and close
locations as a matter of course – in good times and bad. It is a continual process in a hyper-competitive
economic sector.
Second, closing under-performing locations or filing for bankruptcy protection
while they reorganize does not endanger the value of a gift card. The
businesses in question continue to operate and any gift card a consumer may
hold is worth its face value at any location from which that business operates.
Third, most retailers operate Internet sites or issue catalogues. Gift cards
held by a consumer are good for purchases at the Internet site or that retailer’s catalogue the same as if they walked into a brick-and-mortar store.
It is sad that someone has chosen to prey on the fears of people during these
trying times. It is equally sad that the media have failed to properly confront
this issue. The economic risk we as a nation are facing is structural and
emotional. While the federal government is addressing the structural, the media
keep pumping up the emotion. Stories like this spread unnecessary fear and
continue to make efforts to get out of the economic malaise profoundly more
difficult.
The bottom line is there is risk in everything we do but gift cards have proven
to be a comparatively safe investment. The retailers of Illinois are stocked,
open and ready to do business. They eagerly await your arrival.
David F. Vite
President and CEO
Illinois Retail Merchants Association Chicago
This article appears in Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2008.
