One might wonder what The New Yorker -- a magazine world famous for its essays, fiction, and humor -- has to say about money. This is not The Wall Street Journal, after all. But as Malcolm Gladwell, a regular contributor to the prestigious publication, writes, “What on earth does The New Yorker think about when it thinks about money? The short answer is that we make jokes about it.”

So Gladwell states in his introduction to On the Money: The Economy in Cartoons, 1925 - 2009 (Andres McMeel Publishing, LLC), more than a generation of hilarious single-panel efforts lambasting society’s most ambivalent subject. History buffs will nudge elbows with the cyclical spiking economies of days gone by, while the chronologically unaware will discover just how little has changed in 84 years. Nine different decades span nearly 300 pages, covering the magazine’s entire financial history inwhat is easily the most comprehensive published volume to date. Compiled by current New Yorker cartoon editor Robert Mankoff, On the Money is a sobering and hilarious anthology that demonstrates all of the magazine’s characteristic quality and welcomes anyone who’s ever made, spent, or lost a dollar in our economy. (www.andrewsmcmeel.com)

Americans are still buying fun and fantasy. During a recent visit to Orlando, our family attended Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. After experiencing the event, I came back with a whole new perspective on how willing consumers are to spend money on “the experience”. This led me to think about costume gift deliveries all over again. And now, I believe there is still good money to be made by adding the service -- even in a recession.

Costume gift deliveries were the foundation of the very first business I launched. Being young, I had no appreciation for the fact that I was launching the business during the Jimmy Carter recession. But, the timing couldn’t have been better. People needed a smile and a good laugh. It was a very successful enterprise -- and I believe it could work again in today’s tough climate.

When I was shopping for my wig (no -- I’m not a natural Paula Dean blonde!!) the owner of the costume shop was telling me about a Santa Claus convention he had recently attended, along with 500 other people. It was a successful gathering of mostly men (and their wives) who earn a good living playing Santa and Mrs. Claus in communities around the nation. People are paying a lot of money for the appearances.

It stands to reason that consumers would also pay for a visit from the Fairy Godmother, the Tooth Fairy, the Good Elf, and a thousand other creative characters. The gift is important, but secondary, to the character visit.

While you may not be inclined to dress up and deliver gifts, if you have the spirit for it, you might just discover a lot more cash this season. It worked for me and it might be just the ticket to distinguish yourself from the competition. If you’re interested, check out our website for the book, Building A Better Balloon Businesses. You’ll enjoy a fun read about my first business, and pick up a lot of good ideas for costume, gift, and balloon deliveries.

SEATTLE, Sept. 22, 2009 -- There is one industry the
recession hasn't hurt: gourmet salt. In fact, natural
gourmet sea salt is in such high demand, SaltWorks Inc.
(http://www.seasalt.com) has just doubled the size of its
warehouse and factory - from 35,000 square feet to 70,000.

What's driving the company's growth at a time when economic
recovery is moving slowly at best? SaltWorks founder and
president Mark Zoske attributes his company's
record-breaking year - sales for 2009 are already higher
than in years past by a healthy margin - to two factors:
consumer demand and newly expanded manufacturing capacity.

"Most natural and gourmet food manufacturing companies have
already made the switch to sea salt. Now the rest of the
food manufacturers and restaurant chains are moving in that
direction as well," Zoske explained. "They're responding to
the rapidly growing consumer demand for healthy, natural,
sustainable foods that taste good. People today are much
more aware of the health benefits and superior taste of sea
salt."

On the supply side, SaltWorks has the unique distinction of
being the only gourmet salt company that stocks millions of
pounds of salt for immediate delivery - up to four million
pounds with the recently added warehouse space. That's an
attractive feature to the ingredients and manufacturing
markets, which don't have the luxury of waiting for their
orders to be filled in small batches.

The SaltWorks expansion has also allowed the company to
install additional state-of-the-art packaging and processing
equipment, an in-house product testing lab and large-volume
blending systems. The additional space and equipment enable
SaltWorks employees to fill and label 20,000 jars of gourmet
salt per eight-hour shift. And because SaltWorks packages
sea salt under its own label and also for other companies
under the SaltWorks private-label program, the company has
added custom equipment, including sifters and color sorters,
that will consistently produce the highest-quality gourmet
sea salts available.

"I founded SaltWorks seven years ago to share my love of
gourmet sea salt with the world, and the world seems to
agree that ordinary table salt just can't measure up to sea
salt," Zoske commented. "With this expansion, SaltWorks will
continue to meet the growing demand for gourmet sea salt."

HEALDSBURG, Calif., Sept. 22, 2009 -- Gracianna Winery
launches its "What are you grateful for?" web page where
anyone, worldwide, can post a message to share their story.

"Gracianna is for those that have something to be grateful
for and this gives the world a platform to share their
thoughts," said partner/owner Ashley Amador.

Oprah Winfrey, Alice Waters from Chez Panisse and others
have shared their gratitudes with Gracianna, including a
note direct from Harpo Studios executives thanking the
winery for its "gracious spirit."

"We expect anyone with reflections on what they are grateful
for to post a message for all to see on our site. Whether
people enjoy wine or not we are hearing that in this time of
upheaval that stopping for a moment and considering what we
are thankful for is as important as ever right now," said
Ashley.

Gracianna's new wine has caused quite a stir. These luscious
wines, which are made from brilliant fruit and not widely
available, have burst on the scene in Healdsburg. The young
Gracianna winemaker, Trini Amador, is seen as an "up and
comer" in the wine industry.

Gracianna's line of pinots and zinfandels, both featuring
Bacigalupi fruit, have caused quite a buzz among Sonoma wine
insiders. The new Gracianna Winery by the Amador Family has
been fostered by two surprisingly young, exceedingly
well-trained, driven and passionate Sonoma County natives.

The Amador family named the brand after their French Basque
great-grandmother, who was remembered by the family for her
talents in hosting simple celebrations. Gracianna is a
testament to painstaking craftsmanship and hand-detailed
bottles showcasing memorable world-class wine.

Gracianna's home is in Healdsburg on the part of Westside
Road that locals call "The Miracle Mile." The first small
production release is available now and the second vintage
was recently bottled for 2010 release. Keep your eye out for
these brilliantly produced Gracianna wine creations that
will likely become some of Sonoma County's most treasured
favorites. The Amadors expect an estate vineyard designate
"Mercedes' Vineyard" pinot noir wine release in 2013.

So Gracianna symbolizes everyday gratitudes and graciousness
in entertaining because the winery believes that
successfully hosting a special meal with friends and family
is an everlasting circle that fills our lives.

Check the Gracianna Winery website to tell Gracianna (and
the world) what you are grateful for, receive event updates,
newsletters and download order forms. See the Gracianna's
estate vineyard, Mercedes' Vineyard, Google Map video
Fly-Through and download it to your iPod.

For information: http://www.gracianna.net