February 28, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Opinion

Opinion: It is time for a reality check
Unrealistic market expectations of landlords hurt Hill
by BARBARA HANSON-MARKLOFF
Owner, The Post Light

Having read yet another article in the Chestnut Hill Local about the closure of more retail businesses in Chestnut Hill, and hearing the same questions raised as to why Chestnut Hill isn’t able to attract more “suitable” new businesses, I think that I may be able to provide some insight.

As a long-standing member of the Chestnut Hill business community (25 years), I have a unique vantage point in that I can see both the “before” and, regrettably, the “after.”

“Before” we did not have to compete with all of the discount “box” stores. Merchants weren’t faced with the ever-increasing use of credit cards, the Internet, soaring gas prices, and escalating insurance costs. But most importantly, merchants weren’t paying such unrealistic rents, which originated only when property owners began to see that they could rent to chain stores (most of which have come and gone, or are about to go when their leases are up).

Before, consumers understood the value of buying something once and keeping it for a lifetime. Now people have the option of buying a poorly made, but similar looking product at a discount chain store for far less money. Unfortunately, instant gratification often takes precedence over quality.

Before, people paid by cash or check rather than credit card. The costs associated with such a high percentage of credit card usage takes a huge cut out of the bottom line of every merchant.

Before, people did not have the option of shopping from home on the Internet. Consumers are now able to purchase products from on-line stores. Many of these on-line stores have far less overhead than a “brick and mortar” store, and therefore can afford to sell at a discounted price.

Soaring gas prices coupled with health insurance premiums that increase exponentially each  year, have become a huge financial burden for businesses and consumers alike. Throw in the constant threat of a recession, and the national mortgage crisis that has long reaching effects for so many areas of retail, and it is no wonder that new businesses aren’t lining up at the doors of empty storefronts.

It is not my wish to offend anyone and, of course, I speak in generalities. But I would be willing to bet that businesses like mine that have existed in Chestnut Hill for many decades have been able to survive only because we have been paying a fair and reasonable rent.

So one would wonder why some landlords continue to keep their rents at a point that remains out of reach for most small businesses. I understand that landlords need to make a profit, but unless the bar is dropped substantially, I don’t see how landlords, merchants, or the community as a whole will benefit. It is time that we all faced the reality of the situation. If we don’t, I fear for the future of Chestnut Hill.

From hushes to daily rushes
by HUGH GILMORE

So far, so good on my first attempt at writing a mystery novel. Since January 1, I have written every day, first thing when I arise, for at least an hour and a half. I have produced over 60,000 words. I’m probably half-finished with my first draft. One principal goal is to be finished with a very good, probably final, draft by year’s end.

Several people have told me, “You are really disciplined,” but, as is the case with every quality I have — good or bad — it can’t be that remarkable if I’m doing it. You can do it, too, if you just pick a date and begin.

I find all-or-nothing easier than moderation. I find it easier, for example, to eat no cookies than eat one cookie. If I eat one, I’ll eat two and then, “what’s the diff ?”, eat 10. In reporting about my book, I know how ‘almost’ would sound: “Oh yes, I wrote almost every day, except for the day I had a head cold.” Or it snowed. Or the plumber came. Or I missed my connecting flight in Tierra del Fuego. 

Whether it’s sane to do anything every day, or care about bragging rights, is another question best deferred till I finish this book.

To Share or Not to Share

Some writers like to share their writing as they go along. At least the title, or the first sentence. Others, every paragraph. They want praise, feedback (meaning: more praise) and  suggestions (directions for future praise). Others close their notebooks, or punch their computers to sleep if anyone enters their writing space. They don’t want their creative process contaminated.

Furthermore, praise, while stimulating, can also be enervating — if you’re motivated by praise and you get it, you might feel there’s not much payoff coming for bothering to write the rest of the piece. I’ve walked both sides of this street and I like the sunshine each way. 

But with this mystery novel I’m writing, I decided to keep my pages to myself and not show anyone. My wife showed her customary wisdom and waited.

I began writing with great fervor. My core idea was that my hero came home and found his apartment burglarized. Something very personal had been taken, a memento of a son who’d died. He vows to get this item back.

The essence of every story is conflict. As the hero starts his quest, he runs into numerous obstacles. Writing that sort of stuff comes easily to me. Scenes and situations suggest themselves   and I can bang them out quickly. Twists and turns and clever little plot maneuvers jump in while we roll along. At the end of each day’s writing session I couldn’t wait to write again tomorrow.

Sooner or later, though, my code of silence began to leak. I’d come up from writing and start blabbing, “Boy oh boy, you can’t believe what Carmella (a character) said to Brian (our hero) when she found out he knew Elizabeth (the victim).”

Or, “I just wrote a flea market scene set in Saline, Michigan, based on something we saw out in Perkiomenville that time. Remember when they auctioned off the miniature golf course in sections and they couldn’t get a 50-cent bid to start it?”

And so on. My wife always offered to read the story when I was ready. But I was intent on keeping mum.

I respect her opinion. And she’s a fine editor and I need that help. But I dreaded the idea of having to slog on through the rest of the book after she’d read half already. And I really wanted feedback from someone who’d read the entire book cold, so I’d know if it was as readable as I hoped.

Up to Chapter 10, I resisted.

I was afraid my story lacked suspense. I was afraid to go on to Chapter 20 if I was already derailed. So I asked her to read it. On a quiet Friday evening two weeks ago she sat and read all 10 chapters. I started to pace the floor as though she were giving birth to my book. I controlled my nervousness by reading the newspaper, but in the same room.

She began reading sort of sprawled out on the sofa. As she read, she gradually drew in her body, till by Chapter Five she was curled up. She held the pages with one hand, while she used the fingertips of her other hand to cover her mouth. Her breathing began to get louder. I pretended to read the paper, but took her reactions as a good sign. This tension built for about 45 minutes.

Then, as though she’d suddenly breached from a great depth, she gasped and looked up from the last page of Chapter 10 and said, distressed, “Where’s the rest? That’s it? What happens next? I can’t stand this.”

I ran downstairs and printed the first five pages of Chapter 11 and ran back up. She gobbled them like a bon-bon and asked for more. But there was no more. Just in my head. In my good intentions.

After That

After that I was hooked. Part of my motivation every day since then has been to get those four or five pages written so I can read them to her at night. The experience has been great fun. I get to be proud of what I’ve made each day. She gets the fun of listening to a new soap opera/mystery story. It has been a great motivator. Like our own version of watching the daily rushes after a day’s filming.

Spring training and race raining
by ADAM SERFASS

OK. So, Spring Training just started, and already the Phillies have a man down.

Pitcher Brad Lidge, the marquee off-season acquisition, needs to surgically repair his right knee and will be out 4-6 weeks.

But I’m not going to panic yet.

I’m actually really excited about the pitching of the Phillies. Really … I’m not being sarcastic.

Myers to the rotation makes this year’s starting five a lot better. If J.C. Romero can have a season like last, he and Lidge (when healthy) could be a nice 8th and 9th inning team. Kris Benson is hanging with the Phils and if everything works out, it will add to our bullpen depth and provide a good sixth starter if one of the first five gets hurt.

Atlanta and the Mets have some pitching, but, not as deep as our Phillies have. The Phillies may not have anyone as explosive as John Smoltz, but Atlanta’s bullpen is still terrible. And they never really replaced shortstop Edgar Renteria or center fielder Andruw Jones, two all-star caliber players who will be missed.

The Mets did get the best pitcher in baseball when they acquired Johan Santana, but they did nothing else to improve. Let’s face it Pedro isn’t getting younger, and El Duque is probably 57. And they’re still going to rely on Moises Alou, who I believe was around for the unveiling of the 10 Commandments. And their bullpen, a disaster last year, will probably be a disaster this year.

I will try not to get too cocky about all this. I’m really glad my wife and I have the 17-game plan this year. We will take full advantage of all the games. Go Phils!

The race that wouldn’t go away.

This thing didn’t even start until 7 p.m.  It was supposed to be done by then.  I mean, geez.  The Auto Club 500 at California Speedway was definitely  a race for only the true race fans.

I feel bad for those who were just tuning in before the Oscars started. By 9 p.m. only 85 laps had been run. That’s 170 of 500 miles. I had a few friends over and they were getting mad. It rained so hard this race had ‘weepers’ on the track. That’s when water starts to geyser out of cracks in the pavement.

This caused two big wrecks involving eight cars, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., my driver.  The first red flag lasted 1 hour and 10 minutes. The second red flag was the big one for us.  It started at 9 p.m. and my attention span went with it. I had a deadline to adhere to and the race wasn’t going to be worth much. I really am bummed about it.

One thing worth mentioning is the new car, which debuted when the season started with the 50th Daytona 500.

This new car is designed for safety and really has been a godsend for a number of drivers. In this race in California,  I know Casey Mears was happy to have the new safety. He slipped sideways from water seepage and then Dale Earnhardt Jr. t-boned him and threw his car into the wall. Then Sam Hornish Jr. hit the back of Mears’ car, scooped it up and threw it sideways, driver side down on the track. (If that’s not enough, then Hornish’s car burst into flames. A real thrill in an otherwise sleepy race.)

The safety crew got to the cars quickly, but, without the safety equipment in the cars, there wouldn’t have been much to run to.

Every driver has to try to feel this new car out and learn how to run it from racetrack to racetrack.  Two races into the 36-race season and a lot of race teams are still trying to figure out what the new cars will do.

This is all well and good.  But, the really big news is I’ll get to see the new cars up close on Sunday, March 30; four of us are going to Martinsville, Virginia to see a short track race.  There will be lots of beating and banging on the racetrack. I will give you a full update of all the action and antics during the weekend. It promises to be a great time and will include you in the fun. Go JR!!!