WEDNESDAY'S HUM ( 5-31-06 )

LOCAL VOCAL
Shay Totten from the Vermont Guardian on the C&E show this morning. Some of the chatter had to do with buying local and the advent of a local currency, such as Vermont Bread. We've published stories on the ' buy local' debate and here are some thoughts:
THE NEGATIVES

• Many people don't care about buying local because they feel more comfortable browsing at a larger chain store. Case in point. A gal we know believes in keeping it local - except for books. When she wants to shop for books she loves Barnes & Noble 'cuz she can slip in relatively unnoticed and browse to her heart's content without being watched or bothered. She says shopping at a small bookseller is a nervous experience; almost like the clerk is waiting for her.
• Buying local doesn't necessarily mean the money one spends is put to good use. What if Jane Doe believes in buying local and has her hair done by an independent hair cutter, who then takes Jane's money and buys crack. Who knows? At least spending money with a large corporation ensures that your money is looked at more judiciously, Enron, Tyco etc. notwithstanding.
• Scores of purchasers are only looking out for themselves and could care less about the 'big picture'. They just want the best price, period.

THE POSITIVES

• Buying local, especially if the money chain goes unbroken, as with Vermont Bread, increases community spirit and keeps the dough in the hands of like- minded souls.
• A sense of greater control. Jane Doe buys from Payless and she has no clue where that money ends up. She buys from a shoe store in Burlington, she has a pretty good idea where the money might go.
• Let's say Jane buys a toy from Learning Express. She feels she is getting a quality item and she also likes the fact that the toy was made in Vermont, or Ohio, not a piece of junk made in China sold by any one of the ubiquitious Williston box stores. That means something to her.

We have many more positives but we have to get going. (to the Five Corners)

FIVE CORNERS UPDATE
Got to the Essex Junction Five Corners Light last night in a movie watching mood. So we got out the portable DVD player and threw in a copy of Mclintock!, a John Wayne summer classic. We even got out of the car and bought a bag of popcorn at Simon's, on the corner there. We were able to view the whole movie, even the credits, before the light changed.