Remembering VHS

We’ve been thinking a lot about video lately at JMC.  Seems like more people are making sure their videoed memories are safely preserved in a digital format.  

Yesterday, in followup to a post about our August VHS to DVD special,  I posted on Facebook the following:  “Speaking of Home Video, did you ever catch one of those "America's Funniest Videos" moments on camera? Tell us about it!”

One of our fans shared the post with these facts:  “America's Funniest Home Videos is in its 22nd season, which began on October 2, 2011. On May 11, 2012, ABC announced that it had renewed the series for a 23rd season, set to premiere October 7, 2012.”

Didn't VHS open up a new world of creativity and simplicity in recording events that previously would have been difficult to capture?  Getting out and using the old film cameras, before VHS, was an event itself. Even the earliest video cameras were huge, but we didn't know any different! 

VHS tapes are practically impossible to find, unless you are at garage sales!  They are becoming a memory, yet it seems some of our most precious moments have been preserved on them.  Maybe they are easier to find than we think... in our own drawers and closets, in TV consoles, in boxes in the basement or (gasp!) the garage.

Times are changing and so is technology.  Simply put, digital makes sense in its simplicity, and especially when talking preservation.

My mom saw our post on Facebook last week about our current 12 Tapes Converted to DVD for $12 Each special, and yesterday I received in the mail a box of about a dozen tapes she would like converted.  On those tapes are copyright-released commercials she and my step-dad starred in for their business 25 years ago.  Admittedly, the spots could have received a consolation prize on America’s Funniest Videos, as corny as they were.  And I bet you are smiling thinking of some of the funny things your family and friends have done (on purpose or not) that you happen to catch on video.  With the passing of my step-dad just 2 months ago, I am overjoyed that she is choosing to preserve these gems.  We will be looking for other recorded memories, including home movies, to add to the DVDs we will be happy, and relieved, to view in place of the VHS format.

Do you have any memories on VHS (or Hi8, etc.) that you would hate to lose to the inevitable obsolescence and fragility of tape?  I hope you’ll take advantage of a great price and also experience that safe exhale, knowing your memories are secure.

VHS is quickly becoming a memory.  Don’t let yours become only that… have them converted so you can enjoy those family and friendship memories over and over for decades to come and for enjoyment by future generations.

If you are also thinking about VHS and want to know more about what you can do in August to convert to DVD at a great price, go to our website:  www.jmcpds.com

Memories Matter!

Jen at JMC

Freshness Dates and Memories

Call them what you want... Expiration Dates, Freshness Dates, Use-By Dates... doesn't just reading them give you a little empty feeling in the pit of your stomach?  Like descending a hill quickly, which can get the adrenaline pumping but at the same time make you feel a bit out of control.

This week I was in a gift-receiving mode (and, yes, I am another year older!), and I started thinking about expiration dates.  Seems that gift certificates, like milk, can sometimes spoil.  Gift cards might have very small print, as I now see with my reading glasses, that says that if unused the card will lose value a little each month.  This is now either discouraged or outlawed, but I have some of those old ones laying around (and I think they are officially spoiled).  

I came across in a pile at home a gift certificate that spoiled 6 months after it was purchased.  Whoa!  It was a certificate I had treasured in the back of my mind because I knew that the items I could purchase it with would have been things I could love and lend to people for their enjoyment.  What a horrible feeling to know that I hadn't noticed when I received it that it would expire so soon! No enjoyment for me, no enjoyment for friends or family.

This is a feeling that can happen when we realize we have let something of monetary or sentimental value go bad.  Have you had that feeling yet that you should get those old photos, VHS tapes, or slides converted to a digital format before they "go bad"?  It isn't too late, but the "Freshness Date" may be approaching.  


We would like to help you or a loved-one avoid that out-of-control and out-of-time feeling by helping you determine which items are most urgent as you choose to preserve these memories.  By the way, if you know someone who needs to do this, OUR gift certificates don't expire, and receiving one may just be the first step your loved-one needs to get the preservation process underway. 


Call or come by, because...


Memories Matter!


Jen at JMC

The Season for Graduation

This morning on the radio the topic of discussion was seasonal sales.  Mattresses, for example, tend to go on clearance around Memorial Day (get ready!) to move in the new styles.  Apparently vacuum cleaners are moving quickly now (except at my house) to make room for new models.  And now is the time to buy your party supplies with Mother’s Day coming and Graduation on the horizon.

I thought I’d see if I could gather up a few ideas and websites with Graduation ideas, since it is near and dear to our heart here at JMC.

At JMC Photo & Digital Services we are currently featuring our Tassel Pendants for the grad cap (which can be converted to necklace pendant or keychain after graduation) and Graduation Photo Announcements at a great price.  If you buy 50 or more of the announcements, you also receive a personalized, free iPhone cover.  A HUGE deal!

Great Photo Idea!

We have a full line of Photo Gifts that can be embellished with your grad’s photo or a family snapshot, or even a design made or inspired by your grad (keep any of those kindergarten crayon drawings around?).  We have Metal Art, jewelry, canvas, collages, mugs, iPad and iPhone covers, garden flags for a party, just about anything you can think of. 

Photo Books are great gifts for grads – imagine opening a gift and then opening a book cover to reveal the compilation of a lifetime of memories… milestones, accomplishments, everyday family goofiness, traditions, maybe some sad times, but a beautiful summary of “Life So Far”!

A few things caught my eye on Pinterest, from photo ideas to party ideas, even a song expressing the importance of memories, so I’ve included those links below.  We have a collection of ideas on our Pinterest page, and we are also listing a quick link to a Pinterest page called “Graduation Party Ideas”. 

Hope some of these will inspire you and make for a memorable Graduation (season)!  

Congratulations to YOUR Graduate!

 

Quick Reference -- Websites for Ideas

Tassel Pendant:  http://jmcpds.com/gift_catalog.html?catalog[name]=Tassel-Pendants&catalog[category_id]=1311223

Graduation Photo Announcements:  http://jmcpds.com/gift_catalog.html?catalog[name]=Graduation-Photo-Cards&catalog[category_id]=1233297

Photo Gifts:  http://jmcpds.com/gift_catalog.html?catalog[name]=Photo-Gifts&catalog[category_id]=884618

Photo Books:  http://www.4everbooks.com/?cref=scid_166

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jmcphoto/class-of-2012/  (JMC’s)

 http://pinterest.com/marcy63/graduation-party-ideas/  (Party Ideas)

YouTube Video – Song about Memories:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zQN2Dc5jDYA

Memories Matter!

Jen at JMC

A CASH Mob? Or did you say “FLASH Mob”?

Way to go to Vikki Baptiste, a local cheerleader for local things.  We at JMC have always loved the concept of buying local, to support local “mom-and-pop” businesses and thus the local economy.  Enter The 3/50 Project, and enter BloNo Cash Mob.

The 3/50 Project is a nationwide effort to spend locally.  The motto is “Saving the Brick and Mortars our Nation is Built on” and the concept is to pick three local business you’d miss if they closed, and then visit them and spend $50 at each store.  For every $100 spent at a local establishment, $68 stays local (taxes, payroll, and other expenditures) versus only $43 staying when you buy at chain stores.  This monetary benefit is one thing, but the goodwill and smiles (yours and theirs) are priceless.

How do you know which stores are locally-owned?  Now… The 3/50 Project is introducing a new iPhone app that helps you locate “fabulous mom and pop businesses you’ll love and won’t want to lose… whether at home or on the road!”  Click here to find out more about the app:

http://www.the350project.net/look_local_home.html

Find The 3/50 Project on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/The350Project

Now, back to Vikki, a local Bloomington/Normal-ite who has a great passion for all things local and who is very forward-thinking.  She said in a recent newspaper article that “cash mobs are much like flash mobs which are known for large gatherings of people who dance and perform other acts publicly.  But cash mobs have a mission — to create their own economic stimulus for ‘mom-and-pop’ shops.”  The BloNo Cash Mob members, of whom there are close to 500 as observed on their Facebook page, will gather on a certain day (a surprise until just before the event) and spend at least $10 each at the local business.  It’s a “Cash Injection” and a fabulous idea!

The BloNo Cash Mob was in The Pantagraph recently with a story about their recent mobbing event:

http://www.pantagraph.com/business/local/twin-city-cash-mobbers-help-mom-and-pop-shops-flourish/article_342cbba6-844e-11e1-89fa-0019bb2963f4.html

When asked why she does what she does, Vikki says, “I love our community and want to make sure it's still viable and vibrant when my kids are my age.”  I should be thinking beyond my own nose so much!

BloNo Cash Mob’s Facebook page describes them as “a flash mob with a purpose!  We support local, independently-owned businesses one mob at a time. (without the bad dancing)”  Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/BloNoCashMob/ and request to be a member. 

Thank you to all who support local businesses.  As a 30+ year Bloomington business, we know the importance of local and faithful customers.  If you haven’t shopped at a local business lately, give it a try and let us know what surprises you encounter!

Memories Matter!

Jen at JMC

Goodbye to Hoarding, Digitally That Is

As a member of the Association of Personal Photo Organizers, JMC was recently sent an article about Digital Hoarding, a disorder that can develop as computers are able to store more and more data. 

Are you afraid of deleting emails, photos, videos, or other one-of-a-kind digital items?  Do you hold onto e-books and keep music files whether you plan to ever read or listen to them again? 

Amazing as it may seem, disorganization can become Digital Hoarding, a real disorder.  Josh Zerkel, professional organizer, says the problem has gotten worse since storage on hard drives has become less and less costly.  Take a look at the article at http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2012/04/12/digital-hoarder-computer for his tips about becoming organized and avoiding hoarding.

We often recommend external hard-drives for backing up your files and keeping a safe copy of photo images.  It is good to keep in mind, though, that a seemingly-endless storage tote for photos can cause the unintended feeling of being overwhelmed.  Keep ‘em organized and easy to find when you are looking for them!  As always, we are happy to help!

Memories Matter!

Jen at JMC

Heroes After the Storm

“After the storm, after friends and family are accounted for, the first things many tornado victims look to recover are family photos and heirlooms.” – The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

I was pleasantly surprised when I recently heard about a few good people who made a concerted and concerned effort to gather photos that were found after a May 22, 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri.  I located this article (http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x2051366642/Sites-set-up-to-link-tornado-victims-with-lost-photos) on the internet when I decided to find out more.



Joplin resident Robbin McPherson reacts tearfully

as she thanks Abi Almandinger, of Carthage,

for the return of a photo of her sons.



One photo hero, Abi Almandinger, set up a Facebook page to reunite tornado victims with lost photos.  When area churches or agencies received photos whose owners weren’t immediately identified in the debris zones, they contacted the site, where many photos and owners have been reunited.

The article describes another Facebook page owner, Angela Walters, a genealogist and preservationist from Pryor, OK, who says, “We always hear, ‘I can replace the house, I can replace the car, but I would give anything for the photos, my family Bible, my grandma’s quilt.’” 

We are hearing more and more about various disasters, unfortunately.  Seems with current technology, we not only hear about those that have happened, but we hear about those that MIGHT happen.  Fortunately, though, advanced technology also allows for better and safer storage of photos and digital images. 

Consider backing up your digital images on a hard drive.  Have slides or films converted to CD/DVD.  Print and store favorite photos in a fire safe or safety deposit box.  There are many ways to better-ensure security of these important keepsakes.  We at JMC are always ready to help so give us a call at (309) 663-4677 or drop by 10 Westport Court in Bloomington.

We hope and pray nothing should ever happen to you and your photos, but encourage you to protect all that you love, including your photos.   

Memories Matter!

Jen at JMC

You Have Questions? We Have REAL Answers!

Traveling on vacation this past week I experienced varying degrees of customer service.

Here are some “answers” I received to questions I asked along my way: 

• I don’t know.
• It should work.
• It’s usually a good product.
• We don’t do that over the phone. I don’t know how to help.
• I think they cost $4.99.

The underlying message I received from so many companies I called or visited:  not only did those employees/businesses NOT have real answers, but they didn’t care enough about customers to find out and provide good, expected service.

 Frustration!  I hope you experience better service from businesses you frequent or rely on.  I’m guessing that you often run into the same apathy and resulting frustration.

 At JMC Photo & Digital Services we have REAL answers and we care.  Ann and Cathy have been doing what they do for decades now and have stayed up with the industry and its technological changes, as demanded by consumers like you.  I am a bit newer to JMC, but I have a thirst for learning and especially for treating you like you are the most important customer, because you are!  We hope you feel this from all of us when you come in or call. 

If you ever wonder about what we do or how we do it, or how you can accomplish a photo-related dream you have, just ask!  We are happy and thoroughly committed to providing REAL answers and real solutions. 

Memories Matter!

Jen at JMC