As we all know, independent retailing is facing huge problems as a result of the recession. Most independent retailers in the U.S. will not get bailed out by the government. For us to survive in retailing, we are faced with new challenges–many like I have not experienced in my 34 years at Lemuria.

Retail Superstars offers 25 essays about great independent stores. Reading these examples did not make me want to change my business concept. However, my desire to readdress my own issues my way was stimulated.

Retail Superstars outlines what is remarkable about the success of these stores. Powell’s Bookstore in Portland, Oregon–generally acknowledged as the best bookstore in the country–is my industry’s representative. Uniqueness is at the core of each essay.

Retailers of all types can get ideas out of this book and we need them to enhance our survival techniques.

I would welcome a volume two on these same stories concerning how they did or did not survive with a detailed explanation of the effects of the recession and how each store adjusted.

We would like to thank the readers of Mississippi Magazine for voting for Lemuria as the “Best Place to Find a Great Book” in the state of Mississippi!!! We appreciate your support and hope that you will all continue to come in and see us!!!

Some of our neighbors in Banner Hall were selected also:
Broad Street—Best Bakery
Aqua the Day-Spa–Best Salon or Day Spa
Bridal Path–Best Bridal Shop

Many of our local businesses in Jackson were also picked as best in the state. If you would like to read the entire article then click here and click on Best of Mississippi 2009.

See you soon!!!

I’ve read a ton of parenting and parenting related books over the last couple of years. I try to read about what’s interesting to me and parenting is pretty high on the list these days. So, I’ve read about potty training, discipline, diaper changing, co-sleeping, baby slings, baby food – I  read Daddy Needs a Drink and Operating Instructions,  but Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters is hands down the best parenting book I’ve read so far. I think this is the only parenting book that I expect to go back and re-read. Strong Fathers is basically a pep talk for dads; a pep talk with content and the data to back up the pep. The reality is that your daughter needs you – she needs someone to lay down the rules and someone to giver her a hug. I know this kind of talk isn’t always popular, but it’s true. I really think more dads need this kind of pep talk.

“A cosmic war is a religious war.”

“A cosmic war is a conflict in which God is believed to be directly engaged on one side over the other. Unlike a holy war–an earthly battle between rival religious groups–a cosmic war is like a ritual drama in which participants act out on earth a battle they believe is actually taking place in the heavens . . . the conflict may be real and the carnage material, but the war itself is being waged on a spiritual planes; we humans are merely actors in a divine script written by God.”

“A cosmic war transforms those who should be considered butchers and thugs into soldiers with no ethical concerns sanctioned by God. Instead, they are transformed, above all ethics and sanctioned by God who is directing the actions of these soldiers.”

“A cosmic war is not won through artifice or strategy but rather through the power of faith. Cosmic warriors need not be burdened by tactical concerns . . . It is enough to align one’s will with the will of God, to strike at the enemy with the full force of God’s wrath, confident that the end rests not in the hands of men.”

“. . . there is no middle ground; everyone must choose sides . . . if you are not us, you must be them. If you are them, you are the enemy and must be destroyed.”

Cosmic war has “no settlement, no negotiation and no surrender.”

Reza feels “it is time to strip this ideological conflicts of its religious connotations, to reject the religiously polarizing rhetoric of our leaders and theirs . . . and to address  the earthly issues that always lie behind the cosmic impulse.”

With eloquence and balance, Reza presents an understandable analysis of the confusing and frightening forces that confront us. He points out the need for democracy in the Middle East in order to enhance personal and religious freedom for the ultimate goal of world peace.

Reza’s Cosmic War is brilliant, timely and important. I encourage all my customers to consider reading this fine book and talk about it with your friends and share these positive concepts.