It’s not just business, it’s personal

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How many times have we seen a small business open up in our communities, and we say to ourselves, “How nice, I’ll have to go there,” and then drive by months later and realize that you have yet to make that first stop to see what this new business is all about. Or maybe worse, it’s already too late - they’ve gone out of business.

When it’s locally owned, it’s not just a business, but a person - possibly a neighbor or someone we know from church or from school events. It’s also personal. Continue reading →

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Matchsticks form the American flag as photographed by Bill Stettner.

Veteran’s Day is fast approaching. We give thanks and blessings to all our heroic men and women who have sacrificed to protect Our USA. If you are a veteran, we are offering you a half price special on subscription to Our USA Magazine, now through November 11th. Just go to Barnes & Noble or Book World Stores and grab a copy of the latest issue. Send us the receipt along with the subscription card found inside the magazine, and we will send you a full year’s subscription at half price!

A magazine with stories about you, for you, written by you! It’s really easy if you would like to make a submission of your work. We are looking for stories, photos, art, recipes, poetry, hobbies, business start-ups - just about anything your imagination will allow! Become part of our community - we’d love to have you share!

Shh! Should We Do It?

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Graphic - New Pacific Order

Wow, how could we not be enticed, especially with the name our magazine carries?

Intellectually we might understand why companies would consider producing in China; I mean 30% off the cost of printing, that is quite a saving! It would certainly help us out, especially since printing is our largest expense.

We have said good-bye to many well-known magazines in the past few years. Most recently the iconic Newsweek. Under pressure from the recession and digital media, it is a tough battle. It’s not only the failure of magazines that is worrisome, but also the demise of printing companies themselves. It is a ripple effect, and is especially personal for me because my daughter and her husband had to move half way across the country due to the closing of the print company he was affiliated with.

So when we start getting invitations for lowered prices, well it seems like the answer to our prayers, to give us the chance to fight the good fight.

It is unpatriotic yes, but with a name like ‘Shh Printing’ (we kid you not) wouldn’t you be convinced, they would be sure to keep our secret.

In our hearts we would know, and we would never even entertain the thought. We’ll stick with our friendly, quality, ‘turn on a dime’ printers here in upstate NY. Local people we can call on a moments notice, who speak our language and are right around the corner, people we can call our friends. We wouldn’t want anything less for Our USA.

Death By China

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Reaction to just the graphic for this movie is profound. Reaction around the web is volatile. This writer was moved by the analogy of the old folk warning that if you throw a frog in boiling water it will quickly jump out. But if you put a frog in a pan of cold water and raise the temperature gradually, it will be consumed. This film, Death By China is a documentary feature that pointedly confronts the most urgent problem facing America today. Through compelling interviews with voices across the political spectrum, the film exposes that the U.S.-China relationship is broken and must be fixed if the world is going to be a place of peace and prosperity. If you have an opportunity to view this film, do not hesitate. Tonight in Boca Raton, FL, Made in USA Certified is holding a pre-debate screening of this provocative film at Florida Atlantic University at 6:00pm and 8:00pm.

Thanks also to our friends at the Made in America Movement and American Made Heroes for bringing this documentary to our attention and spreading awareness about its urgency.

 

 

To Those Of You Who Craft Product Using Hands & Heart

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With the holiday season fast approaching, we want to hear from the artists, craftspeople, designers and other indies who make one-of-kind product, made in the USA of course. Tell us the back-story of how it came to be, and why you are proud to offer it to fellow Americans (no more than 100 words.) You can include a jpg also of your product. We’d love to hear from you - nothing to win, but our favorites will go up on our blog.


New Subscriber Offer

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We love our subscribers, and to show our love we have partnered with the fabulous Made in America business Military Apparel Company. The promotion runs for four weeks to the end of October. Of all the new subscriptions we receive during this period we will randomly draw one lucky name to win one of the great prizes featured. Your choice. You can subscribe online, or go to Barnes & Noble or Book World and purchase a copy of the new Fall issue on display now. Join our community - Our USA!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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OK, this is not a great topic to be addressing, most of us would rather turn a blind eye. Does this sort of thing really happen? Well yes, in the ‘typical’ scenarios you imagine it’s low income, dropouts, drug addicted homes. But would you believe it happens in every economic strata imaginable - from the homes of politicians to police officers to Rock Stars to our neighbors next door. That is why I participated this weekend in Amy’s Walk -it is an issue close to my heart.

Amy was a wonderful woman in the prime of life, anticipating the birth of her first grandchild. Surprised you didn’t it? Thought DV only affected the young and naive. Unfortunately, Amy never lived to see her grandchild. She was assaulted by a man that she had met ‘online’

Domestic Violence is pervasive, arm yourself with the facts. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The National Domestic Hotline is 1-800-799 SAFE (7233) or contact by internet. Be Safe!

Our USA

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Last night we watched the presidential debates. Did you? Is it important? You bet. Our country will be governed by a singular head of state. Will we believe him? Will we believe in him? Will we trust him to do right with all of our most sacred policies? Wow. And then there was a commercial for Steven Spielberg’s epic “Lincoln” - did you see that? Gratuitous timing?

Strange all that is happening. Hopeful because we are involved with all the great organizations that make up the Made in America Movement. Hopeful because small business is the engine of job creation in this country. You, us, we are the answer. Because our country is worth it!

World Animal Day

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My Bubba

Tomorrow we celebrate World Animal Day. On this day, animal life in all its forms is celebrated, and special events are planned on locations all over the globe. The 4th of October was originally chosen for World Animal Day because it is the feast day of Francis of Assisi, a nature lover and patron saint of animals and the environment. Numerous churches throughout the world observe the Sunday closest to October the 4th with a blessing for the animals.

World Animal Day has now gone beyond being the celebration of a Christian saint and is today observed by animal-lovers of all beliefs, nationalities and backgrounds. Animal blessings are held in churches, synagogues, and by independent animal chaplains in parks and fields. It is also Adopt a Dog Month. Animal rescue shelters hold fundraising events and open days, wildlife groups organize information displays, schools undertake animal-related project work and individuals and groups of friends or co-workers donate to animal charities or pledge to sponsor a shelter animal.

We love dogs. If you have a dog - go get him blessed this month. If you don’t have a dog, consider adopting one at your nearest animal shelter. They bring so much love and joy into a person’s life!

By the way, we are hoping to start a feature on our animal friends - on the fins, furs and feathers of the world - got any stories, please make a submission!