The Yarn Spinner

  Davy Crockett and the Cabbage Patch Kid   The Cabbage Patch Doll craze of the early 1980s is one of the most iconic retail phenomena in American history. It reached its peak in 1983, driven by the immense popularity of the dolls and the frenzy surrounding their limited availability during the Christmas season.   Xavier Roberts, a Georgia artist, created the first Cabbage Patch Dolls in the late 1970s. He began handcrafting the dolls, which were characterized by their soft, cloth bodies,   and unique faces. Each doll had a   name, and this delicate touch became a major part of the appeal. The Cabbage Patch Doll experience was also boosted by its unusual, "ugly-cute" appearance, which set it apart from other dolls at the time. In 1982, Roberts partnered with Coleco to mass-produce the dolls, and they   became instantly popular and within one year, a massive   cultural phenomenon. During the 1983 Christmas season, retailers   were ove...

    Black Friday Will your gargantuan shopping cart   be so full this Christmas you will not be able to see beyond the commercial chaos of the season? Will it be   "Merry Christmas" or a tired "Happy Holi-daze" until you can glide into the Valentine's Day marketing push? It all begins soon with Black Friday – a term that was repurposed from chaos to a big cash grab. Originally coined by Philadelphia police in 1950 to describe the disorderly crowds the day after Thanksgiving, it was later hijacked - rebranded by retailers in the '70s to signify a profitable day—when stores went from being "in the red" to "in the black."   Now, Black Friday isn't just one day; it stretches on, building up until the last coin drops in the Salvation Army kettle and your credit card cries “Uncle.” Retailers have re-engineered   Christmas into a massive moneymaking machine, with the “need for greed” at the top of the list. The wealthiest shoppers ar...

  Grand Crossing Something that is grand   evokes a sense of awe and magnificence. Think Grand Canyon or imagine a centuries old cathedral with towering spires that poke into the sky like fingers probing for God’s attention. The sheer scale and artistry inspire reverence, making it a place where time seems to stand still, drawing visitors into its history and beauty.   Grand Crossing isn’t grand. It’s about as remarkable as a   hot dog, sandwiched between two halves of a bun (Woodlawn and Marynook), mustard (Park Manor), Onions (South Shore) Neon Green Relish (Stony Island) and   a cucumber wedge (Chatham). Grand Crossing is a small Chicago neighborhood named after the surfeit of tic-tac-toe grids of railway track that was the most dangerous railroad crossing in the world. On September 1, 1907,   a Chicago newspaper reported “   After 30 Years of Accidents and Deaths, Railway Crossing to be made   same safe. Grand Crossing, as a terror to life...