Shop ‘Til You Drop
Port Angeles’ 6th annual Shop ‘Til You Drop will be this Thursday. About fifty downtown shops on First Street, Front Street and the Landing Mall will be open until 8 p.m.
A lot of these stores will be having sales, discounts and drawings for door prizes. Santa Claus will be at The Toggery and hot cider will be served at the First Street Haven.
Betsy Reed Schultz, owner of the Tudor Inn Bed and Breakfast, is the founder and one of the main organizers of the event.
A lot of these stores will be having sales, discounts and drawings for door prizes. Santa Claus will be at The Toggery and hot cider will be served at the First Street Haven.
Betsy Reed Schultz, owner of the Tudor Inn Bed and Breakfast, is the founder and one of the main organizers of the event.
posted by Tom Harper at 6:56 PM
34 Comments:
Um, I don't do any christmas shopping so I guess they'll just have to do without me and my money, got better things to do with it.
I was downtown today, didn't find what I was looking for though so I'll just make me what I want, I can make it for next to nothing anyway.
I've always been a bad consumer and, since money's pretty tight lately, I'm not changing that this Christmas season. Sorry downtown merchants.
Of course, if there were more decent paying jobs out there, the locals might have more money to spend. Just a thought.
Poor ol' Bob Stokes has to put on the moth eaten reindeer costume once again.
The PA merchants need to get competitive, stop ripping us off.
Yep, all the downtown stores will stay open for extra hours -- and, like usual, no one will show up. The only ones who make out from any of these faux events put on by the downtown, are the employees who get more hours.
The LAST thing I want to do is go hang out downtown after dark. I have no money to shop. I can't afford the prices downtown, if I could.
We have a downward spiral going. The shops pay too much rent for the traffic, the utilities have had a rate hike every year for the past decade, so they're much to high. The employment taxes have been going up. The Dept of Revenue (who collects the sales taxes) have added fees, the downtown association has fees, there are parking fees (so your employees can park), and so on. So, the businesses must raise prices, cut back on stock, and cut hours -- to stay afloat.
With the economy there are less free dollars floating about -- up to 20, maybe even as high as 30% out of work. Lots of young people moved home this last year to live off of their parents. another 20% have had their hours cut. That's half of the population who are struggling, economically.
So, this shop/drop event is both OUT OF TOUCH with the lives of the majority of the town's residents AND it's adding to the higher prices strain on the businesses, and aiding their demise. Even in good times these shop/drop events were not well attended. It should have been scrapped this year and some NEW ideas....floated.
But, the Downtown association is about as creative and energetic as a senile old dog. They don't serve the merchants, they don't serve the town. They only serve themselves...and when I say THEY, I mean the albatross of an 'administrator'.
Oh, com'on now. These are GOOD times, and getting better.
This is a government town, with most of the money that keeps the town afloat coming from the government (taxpayers). We see that in todays' story about PenPly. Where would they be without the government "help"?
These are the GOOD times, as we can see from this clip from todays' PDN:
"Among other programs targeted for elimination in the governor's proposed budget are the $160 million Basic Health Plan, which provides health care coverage to nearly 65,000 individuals; the $11 million Apple Health program, which provides health care coverage to 16,000 low-income children; and the $188 million General Assistance Unemployable program, which provides cash grants for 23,000 adults and medical services to nearly 17,000 adults.
Funding would be eliminated for levy equalization, which provides extra support to public school districts with property tax bases that are lower than average; the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program; and the kindergarten through fourth-grade staffing enhancement to reduce class size.
Among the proposed reductions proposed are $146 million from the State Need Grant program, which provides 12,300 students with grants, and $89 million for the state's community and technical colleges and baccalaureate institutions."
Clearly a segment of the population that can afford those cuts of services in their lives. They have the extra bucks in THEIR pockets, and it won't mean anything to them. Send that money to Port Angeles, for the "grant funding" for HarborWorks.
Of COURSE, we'll go "shop 'til we drop".
Of COURSE, we'll go "shop 'til we drop".
Speak for yourself, I'll camp til I drop.
I suppose you saw in the fish wrap this morning where Karen Rogers was whining that the local blogs about such things are full of hate.
Lets assume that they don't understand why. Lets also assume, being as it's now been known for hundreds of years, that wise people do not get into politics and know that nothing can be done right that way.
If you want to make a group of people and a project more stupid just make them into committees to get said project to completion.
Speaking of which, saw on a sign at the marina this morning that the improvements there came to $6,900,000.00.
I don't know how all that money was spent but I do know that is a rootin tootin lot of money spent for no more than what we are seeing for improvements there.
Conclusion: Anyone wanting to be a politician is an underachiever. No way I would be one, I want bombs, to be the ruler.
But I suppose that most everyone that reads this blog wants to be the leader. So what we gotta do is start killing each other until the last one standing is the winner and gets to be the leader, ha ha ha
"I mean the albatross of an 'administrator'." ~ Who gets 50K a year for ... what, exactly?
Tom, I'd like to PERSONALLY thank you for having this blog. In todays PDN online,
Karen Rodgers was reported to have said: she did not run again because of the attacks from throughout the public.
"I think it is interesting in this time of communication that the Web has created a community that wants instant answers," Rogers said. "There was a citizen who was saying to me the other day that they had sent an e-mail yesterday and why didn't they have response today about it.
Rogers said "anonymous blogging and commenting" made for a toxic atmosphere.
Thank you Tom. I think she finally understood...we want ANSWERS. Thank you so much for your "toxic atmosphere".
Signed, proudly, another Anonymous!
hot off the presses of the PDN
In Clallam County, the unemployment rate went from 8.6 percent in October to 9.8 percent in November.
So, now it's admitted that it's 10%, not to mention the other 20 percent that have fallen off the rolls....and those who never had enough employment to qualify for unemployment.
30% unemployment...shop till you drop!!
not to mention the other 20 percent that have fallen off the rolls.
Let's see, that would be two out of every ten people I know or know of, yup, I guess that's about right.
But I'm damned if I understand how Hippy John got back on unemployment again after drawing it for a year without once looking for another job, and still isn't.
Just sits there drinking beer waiting for the next check from the state. Ya, know, I just don't get that.
"Tom, I'd like to PERSONALLY thank you for having this blog."
Yes. I totally agree. Thank you Tom.
It is the only real forum for discussion of local affairs. The PDN sure is not. Have you ever tried to get a letter published in that rag?
I'm sure Karen was referencing this blog in her whinings at the Chamber. Wear THAT with pride, Tom.
A quote
There are men (and women) in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. - Noah Webster
Having said what I have about politicians, there have been a few that I have some respect for.
Mike Chapman to name one. Most politicians just want a bigger empire to lord over, like most business people want a bigger business to lord over.
But I've never gotten that sense about Mike, seems to me like he was really concerned about everyone and saving them some money while also trying to get needed things done.
The Gateway of course was not a needed thing, just a wanted thing, by some.
You negative folks crack me up.
Doom, Doom, Doom!!
More than likely your the ones that have or are closing your business in downtown and of course blaming everyone around you and not yourself. How involved have you been in the downtown? More than likely not!
And then of course there are those that just have to push Studio Bob down. Sorry to say but he is making somethings happen here in town.
But all you want to do is BITCH, BITICH, BITCH.
Ya, there's 10% unemployment at the present time, but that's the norm this time of year in our area. You seem to forget there are still 90% of working folks.
I did well this year with my downtown business and plan on spending some of that money right here in downtown.
I also appreciate what the PADA puts forth for all of the downtown. Could things be better of course. Maybe get off your ass to make some changes, not only with your business but as a member of the downtown.
"I think it is interesting in this time of communication that the Web has created a community that wants instant answers," Rogers said. "There was a citizen who was saying to me the other day that they had sent an e-mail yesterday and why didn't they have response today about it.
That is really funny coming from someone who supposedly runs a technology consulting firm (there is a link on this site)
George Orwell, Animal Farm, Chapter 3
Do not imagine, comrades, that leadership is a pleasure. On the contrary, it is a deep and heavy responsibility. No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?
Sorry to say Karen Rogers, the only reason you didn't run for office again is because you couldn't get re-elected. You saw the writing on the wall and it wasn't in your favor.
Karen Rogers had a valid point. I'm not defending her, but sitting on the sidelines taking potshots, is a lot easier than being out there in the spotlight, making the decisions, doing the work, taking the heat.
Just saying.
There are men (and women) in all ages who mean to govern well, they say. They promise to be good governors, but they mean to be masters. Of what they want, what you want is really of little concern to them.
The real truth of the matter is, as you and I know, that a financial element in the large centers has owned the government of the U.S. since the days of Andrew Jackson. Of course now such has permeated throughout the world.
We are not going to achieve a new world order without paying for it in blood as well as in words and money. – Attribute that quote to anyone you like.
Anonymous, it pleases me that we crack you up. But without us there would be no balance, those in power would simply take over everything.
That would of course then give you something to whine about also.
BTW, many of us don't shop downtown much simply because we don't want to and we don't have to.
I shop downtown for almost everything we need. I love supporting the local businesses, and there are some very nice shops. And Art on the Town and the Christmas lights really do make it festive and fun.
Good luck to all the businesses with Shop 'til you Drop!
"Karen Rogers had a valid point. I'm not defending her, but sitting on the sidelines taking potshots, is a lot easier than being out there in the spotlight, making the decisions, doing the work, taking the heat.
Just saying."
What makes you think that those that post comments here are not involved in local politics, local business associations, local businesses and volunteer extensively for community?
We post because we care, because we put so much effort, time and energy into this community. And we make critical comments based on our experience and knowledge, in part because we see opportunists come along and destroy the community from within so that they can feather their own nests.
Except for BBC, who just wants to go camping. ( Just funnin' ya, Billy)
Oh sweet, I'll head right on over on the ferry from Victoria, to hang out in a ghost town and buy a stocking stuffer made in China, which I could of bought at the local dollar store for cheaper.
Actually, I think I'll go to Forks for the Twilight fest instead.
I shop downtown for almost everything we need. I love supporting the local businesses, and there are some very nice shops.
Depends on what you need, I don't need a bunch of trinkets or antiques. I'm a handyman, the most useful store in that area for me is Sunset Wire and Rope.
And it is a damn fine store that often has things I can't find in other stores closer to me.
"Sorry to say but he [Bob Stokes] is making somethings happen here in town."
Well, whatever. He didn't do anything that the Fine Art's Center hasn't been doing for years before he arrived. He just did the same thing downtown.
Yet he and his footwashers act as though he stepped out of a cloud of radiant light and brought Culture and The Arts to ignorant savages. Oh Sacred Second Friday, where is thy Art?
He sure showed his true colors when he backed Edna for city council and he acts like every art event in town only happened because of him.
A lot of people are tired of his lording over the Little People and if he's currently catching flak for his political misstep and his beligerant, cocksure attitude ... too bad for him.
Six, two and even he dumps P.A. like a hot rock when he can find another artless burg he can pull this big con job on.
The thing about Bob is that he keeps moving forward. It sure seems like you don't.
I shopped, I spent...about 1200.00! Hope you had good sales, merchants. We aren't all minimaliths..lol. The leftist smelly minimaliths don't buy anything here to support the community! All they do is complain and try to turn the community into a third-world country so we can "empathize" with third-world countries.
Idiots.
Sally,
You are not amusing.
In fact, you are very, insulting in that you're spouting knee-jerk (heavy on the jerk) rhetoric, and bragging about your credit (I'm assuming you bought on credit because you don't like the feel of filthy money) when about half of this town is ailing financially.
Class act, sista, class act. I guess, if someone falls down you are the one pointing and laughing?
We need more humanitarians, such as yourself. (NOT!)
So, what'd you buy, Ms. Moneybags?
Sally,
We really don't need to TRY to turn the community into a third-world country. It's doing that fine all by its lonesome.
"Sally said...
I shopped, I spent...about 1200.00! Hope you had good sales, merchants. We aren't all minimaliths..lol. The leftist smelly minimaliths don't buy anything here to support the community! All they do is complain and try to turn the community into a third-world country so we can "empathize" with third-world countries.
Idiots."
Sally.. get dictionary, or at the very least, use "Spell Check".
Obviously, you see yourself as some form of elite being that can pass judgement on others. You have "life" all figured out, and you know what is "right", and what is "wrong".
Umm, but. Look up the spelling of the words you use. Like: "minimaliths"
I think you mean : minimalists.
Let me know if I can help you further. Obviously the local icons of the Knee-Jerk-Reactionary-Right need a bit of help here and there.
criticizing again, "pathetic" Sally made a good point and you attack her spelling. Wow, check out your own grammer.
".. criticizing again, "pathetic" Sally made a good point"
Really? Please tell me what that "good point" is? That Port Angeles is populated by "smelly leftists" ?
I try so hard not to feed the troll...
People, "Sally" didn't make a spelling mistake. She was lisping, you know, making a funny with words in that cute way the rightists do these days. I assume that was an attempt to say that all leftists are gay, and gay is bad. I hope that's not the "good point" you're talking about.
Or maybe it's the conspiracy theory about a cabal of leftists trying to turn Port Angeles into a third world country so we can empathize with real third world countries? Hey, I can create a theory too! Rightists want to turn American into a third world country so CEOs and shareholders can compete globally while taking more of a company's profits. They're doing this through aggressive offshoring, working to dismantle minimum wage controls, deregulation, homogenizing the country, dumbing down the country, and giving better tax breaks to large box stores than small mom and pop stores. How's that?
Or maybe the "good point" is that "Sally" puts her money where her mouth is. Spending $1,200 downtown is better than sitting around complaining about Walmart taking business from downtown. I'd agree with that. Too bad the point was so buried with insults and slurs that it's hard to take seriously.
Poor Sally is too dumb to spell, too myopic to see that her "points" are knee-jerk and shallow, and too arrogant to consider that she is not all that she thinks she is.
The "leftist" (smelly or not) are your neighbors. The "right wing" are your neighbors. There are pagans next to bible whackers, next to spirtualist, next to atheists. Give me a break, Sally. We're one big mess of people. The thing is, you don't get to pick and choose who you sling mud at.
The NUMBER ONE problem we have in America is us v.s. them, and the way we're being herded and manipulated by the self-imposed categories we've chosen. The reality is that the political machine is not about you, or I, it's about greed, control, and squeezing every last time out of us. It's about enslaving us with debt (and closing all the loopholes on consumer protection/bankruptcy/honesty) and making us more divided, less able to ask questions, and more subservient to the machine.
Sally, you have a brain, start thinking. Disengage the nonsense that you are spouting, and come up with your own thoughts.....talk to us like we are people. We are. We are your friends and neighbors.
Ever heard the expression "takes all kinds to run the world". Well, that's what we need.....more kinds, not two groups battling it out. I hate the concept of Democrats as much a I hate the concept of Republican. No good can come of making this a battle of who's right.
Open your eyes, sleeping Sally...
"I try so hard not to feed the troll..."
I SO agree! It is SUCH a waste of time responding to posts that offer nothing but insults.
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