A Series of Stories
Inspired By and About Wine
“Life
Goes on,
But For a Brief Moment,
Let’s Salute The Fallen”
This is a tough day for Americans. It’s a tough day for those who lost loved ones two years ago in one of America’s worst tragedies.
It’s also a harsh day for business and commerce. Who wants to hawk wares on this anniversary? How do you convince your local customers to buy new sneakers or a stereo system when the images of 9-11 are flashed on every media outlet throughout the world?
How do you sell wine?
The small businesses of America are still reeling after two years. I’ve watched them struggle with the economy and aftermath of 9-11. Slowly, as the nation’s psyche adjusts to a life of tighter security, more restrictions and just a hint of fear in our daily lives, many of those businesses disappeared or became mere shadows of once robust figures.
Although we can point to many factors that influenced our current economy, the fact is, this is a hard anniversary to do business. And yet, we still have to survive.
I am raising a glass of wine to toast those who have fallen—the brave law enforcement officers, the firefighters, the heroic civilians who stepped in, and those who did nothing but be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I also give a toast to the small business owners who strive to stay alive. These are the folks who used what savings they had to start a small business. There is no Wall Street money here.
I will work on 9-11. But I will go forth and support my local business community. I will let them know, through my dollars, that no one comes between me and my community, or my country.
No one.
God Bless you all.
About Christina Kelly
For more than 20 years, Christina Kelly worked
as a newspaper reporter on the West Coast, covering education, public
safety, government, business, environmental issues, entertainment and
minority affairs.
During the same time, the Washington native began her lifelong interest in
wine. After two decades in the news reporting business, Christina decided it
was time to concentrate on her passion – the wine industry. She is our
indispensable staff writer and columnist.
This intelligent, charming powerhouse graces the Northwest wine industry with her insights, tastings and conversations with those in an industry that has exploded in the past few years. Her column may tell us a funny story that relates to wine, introduce us to a dedicated winemaker with a vision, or provide us with consumer information to make good choices in a field crowded with great wines. Christina's column is one you'll want to read.