Sam Burnham, Curator @C_SamBurnham I was listening to the radio the other day. I do that often. If you've followed this site or our social media accounts, you know I'm a public radio nerd. And I'm not a freeloader, I'm a member. They cover a lot of stories and topics that you'll not see other places, especially on cable TV news. And it is precisely one of those topics that brought about this story. The story was on these new online shopping sites that buy products directly from the manufacturer and offer ridiculously low prices. It's kinda like the old guy with the awesome baseball card booth at the Collinsville Trade Day back in the 80's. Nolan Ryan rookie card for half the Beckett Monthly listed value? Yes sir, I'll take two. But instead of a baby faced version of the Big Tex Express, you're more likely buying a dress, or a smart watch, or a lawnmower part. Here's the catch. Many of the products are manufactured overseas, mostly China. While the Chinese factories can pump out smart watches that cost the same as a regular watch, you wind up breaking even because that's pretty much how it works. Maybe the tan dress you ordered arrives three weeks late and it is hot pink. But maybe you get exactly what you needed and the price is fantastic. But maybe it doesn't work that way at all. Then you have to try to track down some factory in Hunan Province that you can't even pronounce and try to get a refund. And the guy on the other end of the line isn't at all impressed when you sling the "just how big a boy are ya?" line at him. He knows you're not coming to Hunan to put knucklebumps on his forehead. Again, it's a dice roll, a risk, buyer beware. And then it happened. A caller gets through and asks that most asinine of questions. "Is there any proposed regulation of this industry? Will there be any more consumer protections?" Really. They are already in place. It's called go to the store and buy from a person who lives in your town. It's called have a human interaction with a clerk who knows the product and can put it in your hands so you can judge the quality, color, size, condition. It is called common sense and buyer beware. It's called if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Why is it that everything has to be regulated? Why must the government always be called us in to protect us from our own lack of judgement? Buying online is a gamble and we all know that. Part of the low price is due to a lack of overhead and regulation. If you want a sure thing and decent customer service, you have to pay for it. If you need the government to regulate the online Chinese import market for you, you probably don't need to be out running around unsupervised anyway. That's enough of a rant for now. I just got a new book from...*squints*...Snake Nation. Off to go read some so I can write some more for y'all. Y'all keep it between the ditches.
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Sam Burnham, Curator @C_SamBurnham It’s easy to get caught up in the parts of history that deal with major events and famous people. But just like the present, most of history is made by regular people doing regular things. That brings us to an old cotton mill in Jefferson. In 1899 people began working here, providing for their daily needs, keeping a roof over their heads, keeping food on their table by laboring in Georgia’s massive cotton industry. And now, about 120 years later, people are still using the complex to do just that. In part of the complex you’ll find an antique mall. There are other businesses as well. There also appears to be some more space for future use and development. One particular business operating there is an event space. This is a beautifully restored venue. There are modernized restrooms, plenty of room for a dance floor as well as tables and chairs. There's a bar in one corner. They've added climate control that the workers in the 20th Century would have loved to have. In a space where the workers toiled away, wiping sweat from their brow, you can now attend an elegant party or reception. So thorough is the transition you'd assume the structure was built for these sorts of events. It is an excellent reuse of an old structure that could ver easily have been scrapped and replaced with a more moderns edifice. The best part is that the character of the old building makes a strong contribution to the experience. Old timbers, old brick, and stained concrete flooring offer a little something that new lightweight construction just can't match. This is yet another win that we have found. Not only is the building still around, it is fulfilling it's original purpose albeit in a much different manner. It pays to go for the restoration and preservation route. We definitely give this one a thumbs up. Sam Burnham, Curator @C_Sam Burnham When you're in Cartersville and you are looking for a spot for some lunch, you can always hit one of those chins over on Main Street or you can opt for something a little more unique. With that in mind the managing editor suggested Moore's Gourmet Market, so that is where we headed. My very first impression of Moore's is obviously the outdoor space. By that, I mean parking. This is not a middle of downtown location and parking is pretty well restricted to their lot. Even arriving a bit early for the typical lunch rush did not gain us access to a parking spot. But a full lot is often an indicator that the food is well worth the wait. So that is what we did. A short ride back to downtown, some window shopping and a few pictures for the Instagram feed and we returned to Moore's. The restaurant has great seating out front, an excellent option in good weather. But the indoor space is nice as well. The decor is comfortable with a casual vibe. It is a very ABG-friendly environment. Daily Specials are displayed on a big chalkboard on one wall. The food ranges from burgers to some traditional Southern home cooked favorites. There is a bar for those so inclined. They offer several cocktail options and have a selection of beer. The clientele seems to be a mix of the business lunch crowd as well as those who are not attached to a day time work schedule. Our visit was a midday one so we are unable to comment on the after work scene but it seems that it would be a suitable place for an after 5 beverage and chat at the bar. It is worth noting that the bar in no way made the place less friendly for kids or families. This is still a restaurant with a bar, so feel free to bring the kids. We were looking for a lighter lunch and this was a good spot for that. Very good burgers. made to order. As usual, that means a bit of a wait on the food to arrive at your table. As usual, that isn't a bad thing. The quality of the meal and atmosphere are reflected in the price but not unreasonably. The staff is friendly and helpful. Management is attentive and makes customer service a priority. The overall dining experience was quite enjoyable and we will certainly make return visits in the future. The information in this review more than explains the parking dilemma from the onset. Trust us, it's worth the wait.
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Sam B.Historian, self-proclaimed gentleman, agrarian-at-heart, & curator extraordinaire Social MediaCategories
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