Know what I have?

A clear sidewalk in front of my shop.  First the Westport people cleared it 3 times yesterday (and salted) then in between Terry cleared it too.  He owns Californo's and is a really nice guy.  

Parking lot is clear too.  Can't say the same for the streets in Westport, so it may be my Landlord's doing rather than CID.  

Last night was CRAZY.  Two questions

1.  Do  most people not remember that it snows EVERY STINKING YEAR?  They must not because driving in it was new to them.  People were either going 5 or 75, not a lot of in between speeds. 

2.  Do the powers that be not realize that if you put sand down on the road it will make the streets safer to drive on?  The ice was/is bad on lots of KC streets.  Yesterday I was in two counties and 3 cities.  KC was the worst, though Belton gave a good effort to be worst.  71 in Jackson county was only so-so, 71 in Cass county was great.  Grandview did it's usual half assed effort but managed to land as the best.  That's really not saying much, trust me.  I live on a steep hill and had to leave the neighborhood and come in on a different street so that I could go down the hill 'cause my car wasn't going up that thing.  Ok, so my one street was bad, at least the snow routes were clear, right?  WRONG.  To leave the neighborhood I took a snow route and it was slick, barely plowed and no sand in sight.  Like I said, half assed effort.  Normal in Grandview.

I am so happy to see the sun!  Maybe the rest of this will  melt.

Things I didn't know I needed

I love stuff.  Not the girly kind of stuff lots of women like.  You know, flowers, sappy movies, cute knick knacks.  I like junk.  I love science junk - especially magnets.

I found this website off of a craft tutorial and I am in heaven.  They even sell balloon molds.  I know where to get liquid latex, so I am going to order a set of molds and make my own balloons.  I'm sure it will be way too expensive to sell, but I'm going to do it so that I can say I did it.  Besides, I might get some cool results!

here's the website.  I'm sure they have stuff you didn't know you needed.

http://www.sciplus.com/index.cfm

Wow - Busy

I'm not usually open on Monday, but for the rest of the season I think I will be.  Why, because I have been busier and busier - and even today, on a Monday I had a decent number of people in.  So for the rest of the winter I will be there 

Monday - 11 - 6

Tuesday - Thursday 10 - 7

Friday - 10 - 9

Sat - 10 - 9

Sunday - Noon - 5

I am going to post this and post this and post this

Until someone cares or the situation is fixed.

This is from mo.aft.org/691  it is the status on negotiations about the contract - or lack of it.  Highlighting is my doing.

********************************************************************************

Listed below are the major items still unresolved in negotiations. After each item is a brief explanation of each item's current status.

Workday Language – We have exchanged proposals, but have not reached an agreement yet.

Classroom Interruptions - The District proposed eliminating language on classroom interruptions, thus there would be no limits on interruptions to classroom time from PA announcements.

Supplies - In the District's last proposal, there were no guarantees to have adequate supplies for your classroom and students.

AFT ER & D Program – In the District's latest proposal, the Union would be forced to compete with other vendors for the right to provide inservice to new teachers on classroom management (and you know how much those outside consultants cost).
Criticisms/Reprimands – The District's proposal eliminates the language that protects employees from public criticisms/reprimands.

Student Discipline - The District wants to eliminate the provision in our contract that gives you the right to send students to the office for discipline and your right to expect a response by the end of the next day.

Transfers - The District wants to transfer employees at will with no criteria and completely wipe out seniority during the transfer process.

Union Access to Members – The District wants to eliminate our right to place literature in the employee mailboxes and our right to a bulletin board at each school/worksite.

Extra-Curricular Duties (including athletic coaching) -- We have agreed upon a fair hiring process, but the district wants to eliminate just cause from the termination process for athletic coaches.

Grievance Procedure – We are very close on this one.

Librarian Work Year - The District wants to strike the language that guarantees librarians would work at their own school sites during their five extra days.

Financial Package (Steps, salary increases, longevity pay, extra-pay assignment schedule, pay for substituting) – No offers of any kind from the District are on the table.

Management Rights – The District wants a management rights in our contract.

**********************************************************************

Email the kcmo school district and demand that they stop screwing around and take care of the kids by providing a reasonable contract for the teachers.  Teachers can't teach without supplies.

So far they have not gotten their annual pay increases and have no guarantee that they will EVER get a pay increase.  The good teachers have already started to secure jobs in other districts. 

Really Cool Stuff

Since I have decided to open up for actual retail next week I have been looking for products to carry. The criteria are:

1. I have to really like it. The store is Oh Wow!! and the product has to make me feel that. Or the artist does. Usually if the artist does, so does the art. My store is about fun and I want the stuff in it to reflect that.

2. It must be made by a local artist. I am putting up bios of the artists with their stuff. I want customers to know the person behind the creation.

This week a few things will come in, more next week and in Jan, Feb and March. Those are the people I have confirmed. A couple of others I am checking out to see if we can work something out. I have met some very interesting people. People who make me smile and who's work makes me happy. I want to share that feeling. If I had the $$ I would rent a giant space and set up a gallery. Well, probably not. That does sound like a headache, but you get the idea.

As I get stuff set up I will post a few sample pictures online for everyone to see. Better yet, stop by and see it for yourself in person.

Pictures of stuff

Just some pictures of the stuff I have been working on.

Expanding

Now that we have the space I am going to be adding gifts to the store. I've also decided to drop the Balloon Boutique part and just go with Oh Wow!!.

Why? Because for years we have wanted to have a store where we sold the stuff that makes us go "Oh Wow!!". We still don't have tons of space, but we're going to fill what we have with really cool balloons and gift items that are unique, fun and make us say "Oh Wow!".

I've started the gift area with things that I have made. Hats, scarves (on sale, 15% off this month) a few bit of jewelry and the things I'm most proud of, fantasy flowers. Those are flower sculptures made from uninflated balloons over wire. They make great balloon weights. Flowers don't last, most balloons don't last, but combine the two and you have a fantasy flower that WILL last.

I will have the work of local artists for sale. LOCAL artists. I have to be able to meet with the person face to face. I know that leaves out a lot of really cool people, but there are so many talented people right here in KC. One exception to the KC part. A woman from Iowa that is still close enough to meet with. If we can work it out she does AMAZING quilled jewelry.

Our main focus is still balloons. Did I mention that they were REALLY COOL balloons? Dan's current balloon dress is still on display, but probably not for much longer. Tomorrow is new display day. Something cool will be replacing it.

Come by to see it!