I didn’t realize it had been so long since I’ve posted anything here. So, here’s a little something I posted on examiner.com not too long ago:

What better way to spend a sleepless night than to write about my favorite pet supply store? It’s Pet Food Express in Petaluma, one of about 34 stores in a Bay Area chain that, in addition to helping pet owners care for their furry treasures, is responsible for “Pets Around the Bay” on Fridays at 7:20 p.m. on Channel 5.

A couple of weeks ago I snapped pictures in the store while looking for some Bach Flower Remedy to calm our Maltese at night. (Since he’s become elderly, he transforms after about 7 p.m. into something more like a large wild rat than the cuddly little lap dog he is during the day. We still love him, of course, although one member of our family does call him The Germ from time to time when he’s being particularly obnoxious. Luckily, since he’s only about 9 lbs. and slightly feeble, he hasn’t bitten through any of our pant legs.)

Back to the pictures. I felt the need to explain myself when one of the salespeople looked at me with kindly curiosity when I stood pointing my Cool Pix at the Honest Kitchen display. I said I planned to write something about the store since it’s my fave and all that.

A week later, I was back buying some Primal (it’s raw, frozen food in handy little nuggets) for our canines (we have a Maltese-Shih Tzu cross, too) and the salesperson I’d spoken with the week before said, “Weren’t you going to write something …” And I said I still intended to, but just hadn’t gotten around to it. Shortly thereafter I got a lovely message from Michael, the Pet Food Express owner. He gave me his phone number, said I could interview him. But, now that my attention is finally focused on the store, it’s 2 a.m., and, well, I sure wouldn’t want anyone calling me at 2 a.m.

So, here’s why I love the store:

1.The people who work there are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. They listen excedingly well and offer excellent suggestions. I never get the sense that they’re trying to push anything on me.

2. The store is clean, well stocked, well organized and just the right size. It’s a pleasure to browse there. Dogs are welcome; in fact, they even have a dog washing area. (I keep wanting to try this, but Jim, my husband, reminds me it’s just as easy to stick our little dogs in our kitchen sink and wash ‘em up.) And whoever does the buying for the store stays abreast of healthy new products and so forth. If I read about something, say, in “Whole Dog Journal,” I can usually find it at Pet Food Express.

3. Like some other pet food stores I shop at, the business offers “buy three, get the fourth free” for purchases of certain high-quality pet food. The great thing about Pet Food Express is that you get the discount from the store at the time you buy the food. The other stores I’ve visited that offer something similar make you deal with the pet food companies yourself to get the discount (I can’t recall exactly how they worked it because it seemed like too much trouble to me, but then I have admitted to being lazy in a prior article.)

4. They offer dog training on site through Unleashed Dog Training, and at least one evening is on a drop-in basis—which is very good for, well, flakes like me who sign up for a series and can’t seem to make it to all the classes.

5. They are involved in the community in innovative ways. One is that they do pet adoptions through their website. As of right now, they’ve done 47,686 such adoptions.

So, if you want to know more, stop in at 383 S. McDowell Blvd. in Petaluma, call 707-781-3333, or visit www.petfoodexpress.com.

A slideshow accompanies this post on my examiner page, http://www.examiner.com/x-7978-SF-Sonoma-County-Examiner. I was experimenting with special effects on www.befunky.com and http://labs.wanokoto.jp/olds. The latter gives a vintage effect to photos and is in Japanese, so you’ll likely have to click “English” in the upper right-hand corner to make use of the site.

I’ve been posting a few times a week at examiner.com

Here’s one little piece I posted today.

When ny husband, Jim, first brought me along on one of his many visits to the Uncarved Block on Santa Rosa Ave. in Santa Rosa, it seemed to me like an out-of-place puzzle piece, one you try to force in even after you realize it’s not the right fit. There was no foot traffic, and the storefront didn’t even face the street.

Now, located at 110 N. Main St. in downtown Sebastopol, the store is sweetly nestled between the Sonoma County Repertory Theater and Incredible Records (which houses The Sonoma County Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum), it’s as though this one-of-a-kind find has always been there.

On sunny afternoons, you’re likely to see young musicians plucking banjos on a bench just outside of People’s Music nearby. This is fitting, because in addition to featuring an extensive collection of minerals, rock crystals and jewelry, and now some nifty duds by Treehouse 28 (another local enterprise), the shop carries all manner of Grateful Dead paraphernalia — including a $25,400 refrigerator once owned by Jerry Garcia.

The Dead memorabilia is what draws Jim in. He lived across the street from the band for a spell as a teenager, and he’s been a fan ever since (oh, the stories he tells about that).

But it may be a ruffled Treehouse 28 organic cotton shirt that pulls me back. Paul Forster, who mans the store most days, says you can special-order Treehouse clothes via the company’s Web site (www.treehouse28.com) and have the items sent to the Uncarved Block, where you can try them on before purchasing them.

I took a few pix when I stopped in to get Jim a gift certificate the other day. They’re in the slideshow accompanying this post. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closing time is negotiable). Questions? Call 707-829-7625.

To see more pictures of the Uncarved Block, as well as other articles I’ve written for examiner.com, please visit www.examiner.com/x-7978-SF-Sonoma-County-Examiner

Note on Jerry Garcia's refrigerator

Cool MOMpreneur – Ciara Cusseaux Imagery & Films
Check out local MOMpreneur and cool business . . .

Ciara Cusseaux Imagery & Films – Custom photography and home movies celebrating love & family . . . documenting life.

Ciara Cusseaux is a blast! I remember the first time we met – it was at a vendor fair that was basically only attended by us vendors. I’m glad I went though. if for nothing else but to have met Ciara. She just approaches everything with so much positive energy and fun that it makes her personality addictive. And it comes across in her photography as well. I’ve been looking for a photographer to take our family photos but I wanted one that offered something unique. Ciara was the first photographer that actually did that for me. There’s something in the way she takes the photo that makes it seem to blend a little with nature. Not that you have to be a nature person (my family’s all city) but our photos turned out very serene and loving. Check out my blog photo!

Here’s a little more about Ciara:

Q: What motivated you to start your business?
A: I have always had a great appreciation for family photos and videos. I was obsessed with documenting everything for my family and friends because it was my way to, and I know this isn’t a word but, “perpetualize” our memories. As my albums grew, my standard for the photos in my albums grew as well. I ran into people who didn’t enjoy watching their own videos, especially for weddings, because they were boring. Hearing people say this left me in a state of shock. It also presented me with a challenge. I ached to produce blog worthy films that not only the starring families would love but it would make be the envy of all their friends.

Q: What is the hardest part about owning your own business?
A: Juggling family and work life. Owning your own business is demanding as it is, plus it is very easy to become consumed with a career you are so passionate about. Pulling myself away has proven to be a challenge. Putting down my camera is not easy, I don’t want to lose moments that can be used to grow. I have to remember to show my family they come first rather than allowing “work” act as the fourth member, tagging along on family outings.

Q: What is your business’s biggest draw for San Diego folks?
A: I present the opportunity to travel back in time via custom photography and home movies. Our home films are particularly significant, because they are crafted in a way that makes people actually WANT to watch them. My husband and I are family video directors who use cinematography, imagery and music to edit personal films, that are fun, engaging, timeless, and stylish. Our work has brought our past clients to tears. Sessions may be anything from slightly traditional to candid, lifestyle to documentary, and fine art sessions as well. I work in my subject’s environment to truly embody the essence of who they are and their bond. This is done in their home or a place of great significance to them.

Q: Do you have any advice for expecting families?
A: Seize the moment… every moment possible! The beauty of parenthood has already begun even though baby hasn’t arrived. No matter how many children you have and how many times you experience a stage, each time is going to be unique & extraordinary.

Contact Ciara at:
805-708-4122
contact@ciaracusseaux.com
www.ciaracusseaux.com

Ciara is an EBP Partner, our official photographer and you’ll see some of her work throughout my website!

Tewksbury Public Library

LSSI, or Library Systems & Services, is far from being a terrorist organization. This Germantown company manage libraries. Yes, for a profit, just like a Starbucks makes money on coffee.

But residents of a Tewksbury, MA (pop: 29,000) are terrorized by the thought that their library ’s control may be taken away from them. (This may not be the whole truth.)

At first blush, the Tewksbury library’s trustees seem to be concerned that they would lose authority and autonomy. Will they still be able to hire and fire? Will the beloved town librarian lose her job because she’s not quick enough? Can they stock their own books? Would LSSI decide to stock Catch-22, but not Catcher in the Rye? The Lord of the Rings, but not Lord of the Flies?

Frank and Judy Pezzanite, founders of LSSI

But the real reason may be that the Trustees wouldn’t be saving any money. Many libraries want to privatize because they hope their library won’t bleed so much money.

Tewksbury, along with Dartmouth, would be the first Massachusetts communities to privatize their libraries.

LSSI is the most popular private library management company in the country. They even manage Germantown’s library. Germantown, Tennessee, that is. LSSI isn’t managing the Germantown, Maryland Library because Montgomery County isn’t going broke.

Almost, but not quite.

all you r useful directory

süllyed, vagy lebeg.
esetleg bőszen úszni kezd.
vagy halad az árral,
néhány kecses karcsapással.