The weather in IL is still in the 70s and very agreeable. It makes me want to walk / drive around to see the fall colors, but many trees are already losing their leaves. I love the colors, don't you?

Visitor's Survey
LinorStore.com needs your help in designing a better Website for your shopping convenience.
Please send your answers by email to linda at linorstore dot com.
1. Tell us about your satisfaction in ordering items online from LinorStore.com.
a. Would you order again from LinorStore?
b. If you haven't purchased any items, why not?
2. Have you ordered similar products from other Websites? If so, where?
3. How often do you visit LinorStore.com?
4. What improvements would you like to see on this Website?
5. Do you subscribe to our Ezine? What do you like?
6. Does the Ezine inspire you to purchase products?

Thanks for your time.
Linda Blatchford
Etailer


Holy collectibles, Batman!
A near-mint copy of Detective Comics No. 27, a pre-World War II comic featuring Batman's debut, was recently found in an attic and sold to a local collector.

The comic is considered to be the second-most valuable available and can fetch up to $500,000. The only comic considered more valuable is Action Comics No. 1, in which Superman makes his first appearance.
Collector Todd McDevitt said the Batman issue he bought is worth about $250,000, but he won't say exactly how much he paid or who sold it to him.

Experts estimate there are between 20 and a few hundred copies of the Batman debut.

Source: Yahoo! News

Is Prayer Back in Schools?
Public schools across Illinois are required to offer students a moment of silence to pray, ponder the day or otherwise reflect on their lives.

Such moments have been allowed under state law for years, but this year a group of lawmakers -- all Democrats -- decided to require it.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich rejected the plan this summer, but in recent days, lawmakers cast aside his veto, the final stroke coming last Thursday when the House voted 74-37 to support the moment of silence.

Supporters said a little silence in the hectic classroom wouldn't hurt and said this has nothing to do with religion in the classroom.

"Our children today are bombarded by noise," said state Rep. Monique Davis, a Chicago Democrat and supporter.

Critics called it a thinly veiled attempt to put prayer in public schools.

"Let's face it, that's what this is about," said state Rep. Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat and opponent.

Other critics questioned why lawmakers would spend so much time and energy on something that state law already allowed and even now includes no penalties for non-compliance. Meanwhile, a financial crisis looms for the region's mass transit agencies and school funding remains unaddressed, as does tax help for Cook County homeowners.

"But we're going to take up the time with something like this?" said state Rep. John Fritchey, a Chicago Democrat. "This is a bad idea."

In addition to including no penalties for those who refuse or forget, the new law offers no guidelines on how long this "moment of silence" should be, only that it occur at opening of every school day. The requirement applies to every grade.

Source: Daily Herald

Chocolate Cravings Verified by Scientists
If that craving for chocolate sometimes feels like it is coming from deep in your gut, that's because maybe it is.
 
A small study links the type of bacteria living in people's digestive system to a desire for chocolate. Everyone has a vast community of microbes in their guts. But people who crave daily chocolate show signs of having different colonies of bacteria than people who are immune to chocolate's allure.

That may be the case for other foods, too. The idea could eventually lead to treating some types of obesity by changing the composition of the trillions of bacteria occupying the intestines and stomach, said Sunil Kochhar, co-author of the study.

The researchers examined the byproducts of metabolism in their blood and urine and found that a dozen substances were significantly different between the two groups. For example, the amino acid glycine was higher in chocolate lovers, while taurine (an active ingredient in energy drinks) was higher in people who didn't eat chocolate. Also chocolate lovers had lower levels of the bad cholesterol, LDL.

Source: By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer

Sponsor News:
Buy Linda's new custom designed gemstone & glass jewelry creations and holiday items in person:
Sat. 11/3 from 9 am to 3 pm
Eastview Middle School - Mistletoe Magic Arts & Crafts
Oak & Lake Streets (behind the Dairy Queen)
Bartlett, IL

Sat. 11/10 from 10 am to 4 pm
Resurrection High School Craft & Holiday Bazaar
7500 West Talcott Avenue
Chicago, IL 60631

20% of proceeds from sales will go to assist people in Darfur.

You can also host a jewelry show or a jewelry/chocolate show.

Hand Dr.
Tomorrow is my appointment with an orthopedic hand specialist. It's been in a splint that looks like a carpal tunnel thing, but it still hurts because there's a small fracture between the thumb and forefinger.

I have no idea whether he will put it into a cast, recommend surgery (G-d forbid), or leave it alone.

It's easier to type than write and my friends can't believe I'm still making some jewelry items. Granted, the designs are a little less complicated while I'm in pain and unable to move in certain directions. But, not making jewelry wasn't fun!

Dear reader, I truly appreciate your support and am eager to read your feedback using the survey questions in the beginning of this ezine along with your other comments.

Fondly,

Linda Blatchford
Etailer, Jewelry Designer www.LinorStore.com linda@linorstore.com