Ward Davis: Wooden Toy Maker
This month’s artist of the month is Ward Davis, our wooden toy maker. If you haven’t seen his
things yet, you are going to want to stop in and take a look. He has trains, planes, and automobiles. An ark with lots of animals. Giraffes and dogs you can pull behind you on a string just like in the good old days. And because they’re sturdily made of child-safe materials, they will last into the next generation and beyond.
Not looking for a toy? We have lots of other fun things for the young at heart. Anthony
Ferrerese’s whimsical animals will make you laugh. (A chicken on roller skates, anyone?) Pretty
jewelry, amusing pictures, even pillows with cats on them. Come by and see!
It’s The Right Thing To Do
More than a month ago we presented a petition to the Mayor and Common Council, signed by 168 members of the community, seeking a reconsideration of the current practice for the award of Downtown Investment Funds as contracts. In the interim, nothing appears to have changed as the Herzig administration continues on its previous trajectory. It is our shared opinion that the DRI funds can and should be used to engage local businesses and services in the planned reconstruction of Market Street, the Parking Garage and other Downtown improvements.
Our proposal is simple: As with most Requests for Proposals (RFPs) there is a weight given to women-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, and the like. We ask that a similar weight is given to the use of a fixed percentage of LOCAL businesses and services in any DRI funded contract. As an example, a weight of 20 percent for 50% of Oneonta-specific sub-contract and employment would guarantee that local excavators, painters, plumbers, landscapers, carpenters, masons, pavers, etc. would be engaged in the construction. If we do this, we keep money in the community, and potentially circulated among those (retail, restaurants, etc.) that can certainly use the additional business.
We can and should target the bulk of the DRI money locally, even as we cast a wide net of applicants to upgrade the downtown infrastructure for the future. To many of us, this seems like common sense – and the right thing to do. There is a Common Council meeting on October 2nd. THIS IS THE TIME to let your representative know how you feel about this.
Here is a link to e-mail: www.everythingoneonta.com/government
Shop Your Size
What does that mean? To me you shop “your” size. That doesn’t mean you try on a pair of pants and they are a size 6 so every pair of pants you try on must-read size 6. Doesn’t mean you try on a top that reads medium and every medium top will fit.
Since owning Transition’s Consignment Boutique, I can’t tell you how many women come to the shoppe with only a certain size in mind. I suggest a top and they become apprehensive because they never wanted to wear “that” size.
These days depending on brand, manufacturing, or style, your size may vary. When you walk into my boutique the first thing I will say is “Welcome”. Next, I will let you know the shoppe is arranged by style and color. My hope is to get you to start thinking outside your size!
Yes, you must try items on, irrelevant of size. Who is reading the size label? No one is sneaking into your closet in the middle of the night and reporting to the world what size you are wearing. Time to get over it! Yes, that may be tough love, but I want you to feel beautiful in everything you are wearing. The only way that is going to happen is if you wear the correct fit! Don’t try to squeeze into something too small, it will show everything you want to hide. Don’t try to wear something too big, it will look like you are wearing a sack of potatoes. Take your time. Try the items on. Open your eyes to the color and the style, size comes last! There is something out there for you. You will look amazing in your new outfit. I promise.
For those who are in-between sizes, choose a few items that fit you properly. Make them interchangeable for multiple outfits. Once you’ve reached your new goal you can always choose a sustainable way to pass these gems on.
