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