Dorothy Brush "Random Thoughts" Published Jan. 28, 2004

Let's walk to the mall

When malls were introduced they quickly became the place to shop. For those who lived in parts of the county where winters were hard, the enclosed malls were even more welcome. After spending a month in Florida about 20 years ago I was distressed to see what was happening to malls. They had become part of the throw-away society. So many malls had a definite shelf-life. When a sparkling new mall opened the old mall stores closed their doors and moved to where they were sure the grass was greener. That left the original mall with a few stores and little traffic. Even here in our town we have seen the same thing happen. For too long the first Wal-Mart has stood empty and is an eyesore.

Back to Florida where change is under way. First planners and architects had to convince city fathers to change zoning laws which prohibited residential and commercial areas to be built in close proximity. With that done a number of old malls are being revived by building living units over stores and adding townhouses and condos around the mall.

Most heartening about this return to the days when it was not unusual for families to live above stores is that the younger generation likes the idea. They are snapping up these living arrangements. They buy into the idea of being close to grocery stores and a variety of other types of shopping which can be reached by walking.

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"For Women Only," said the ad in a New York magazine. It began "Become an egg donor and fulfill an infertile couple's dream." The ad was placed by Reproductive Medicine Association of New York, a division of Mount Sinai Medical Center. It explained they consider donating eggs (ova) an act of generosity and compassion. Thus donors receive $7,000 in compensation as well as a free, comprehensive medical evaluation. Healthy women between the ages of 21 and 32 are eligible to give this gift of life.

In the December issue of Oprah's magazine O was a story about surrogate mothers. Their function is far beyond giving eggs. The article followed one surrogate mother. She had two children of her own but she needed money and she had always enjoyed the state of pregnancy. The fairly standard rate for this service is $20,000. She has acted as a surrogate several times. The end result is usually good but she has been involved in legal hassles several times too.

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A woman in Maine has found an interesting way to make some extra money. The idea came to her about two years ago. Maine has birch trees, lots of birch trees. She took a chance that people would buy small, nicely trimmed birch logs to add a decorative touch to their fireplace. She turned to her computer to start her business Wood Elf, www.birchgifts.com. Her very first order came from an elegant Tennessee resort. They ordered 100 birch logs to stock the fireplaces in their most expensive $3,000 a night rooms.

She offers a variety of choices from three 16-inch logs for $19.99 to nine 20-inch logs for $41.95. Interior decorators are good customers and use the attractive logs as an unusual touch. It is doubtful that many people order the logs to burn. They just like the looks of them.

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Dorothy Copus Brush is a Fairfield Glade resident and Crossville Chronicle staffwriter whose column is published each Wednesday.