Jerrol’s
Celebrating Our 67th Year in Business
December 2014
“Your Jerrol’s Journal” Your Source for Productivity, Creativity and Learning™ Our Iron Clad Guarantee: If you ever wait in line longer than 4 minutes, we will give you $20 on the spot!! Help Us to Improve!.......If we fail to meet your expectations in any way please call me, Rolf Williams, on my direct line at (509) 899-0120 111 E University Way ● Ellensburg, WA 98926 ● Phone: (800) 858-2427 ● (509) 925-9851 ● Fax (509) 962-2131 ● www.Jerrols.com
Table of Contents… Compassion …...…………….…. Page 1 Expansion Update ….......….…... Page 1 Book & Game Reviews ...….. .... Page 2 New Products / Gift Ideas …....... Page 3 Craft of the Month ………..…… Page 3 ______________________________
Expansion Update We now have a roof over our heads, new sidewalks, curbs, and alley paving. I appreciate those of you who braved our single alley entrance during the parking, sidewalk, and curb replacements. Our east parking lot entrances are now permanently configured for entrance / exit via the alley and University Way. The doors and windows are going in, the plumbing and electrical is all roughed in. Dry wall will be going up soon and the seating area under the new canopy on University Way will be completed. You can check it all out at Expansion.Jerrols.com. The goal is to be in the new building on January 1st and to have Winegars Home Made Ice Cream & Coffee open by February 1st. Read more about our changes on page 3
Compassion Makes a Huge Difference Our son Gerik turned 18 this year. A milestone for any family, but different for those with significant special needs like Gerik. For our family it means seeking guardianship for Gerik and getting him signed up for Social Security. Lawyers, trips to court to stand before judges, applications and at home interviews / inspections. All this to allow us to continue to help our son as he transitions into adulthood. One such requirement is that Gerik appear in person to his intake manager at the Social Security office in Yakima. Gerik is non-verbal and has profound autism. We have come to think of him as the super hero of autism. We were told that even though we had an appointment at 9 am on a Friday we would still need to show up early and get in line before the doors opened. There would be guards and a metal detector at the entrance. Wow. This should be interesting. We arrived 20 minutes early and there where already about the 20 people in line standing in the parking lot. I took our place in line while Michelle and Gerik waited in the car. At about 2 minutes till 9 am they came out into the parking lot to join me. Gerik is not a quiet guy, so all eyes were on them. By now there were another 20 people behind me. Gerik also did not see the point in coming to stand beside me. At 9 am two guards came out into the parking lot and asked who had an appointment. Michelle raised her hand and after taking one look at Gerik they had us come to the front of the line and help us get through the security checkpoint. We were so grateful for their compassion. They made a really bad situation tolerable for Gerik. After one look at us the intake manager said Gerik and I could go while Michelle answered his questions. Once again those two guards helped Gerik and I weave our way through the now crowded checkpoint. When Michelle finished up 45 minutes later I went back and thanked them both. Their reply was “We appreciate what you are doing.” I will remember those words for a long time.
-Rolf P.S. You can contact me any time at 509 925-9851 or 800 858-2427, my cell 509 899-0120, or email Rolf@Jerrols.com.
flowing then this isn’t the game for you.
First Wilderness: My Quest in the Territory of Alaska Sam Keith $17.99 - Paperback From author of the Book One Man’s Wilderness which created PBS sensation Alone in the Wilderness, the one where you watch Dick Proenneke build a cabin by himself, with no power tools deep in the Alaska wilderness where he lived for close to 30 years. This new book is based on Sam’s own manuscript discovered after 40 years. It uses the same vivid language to describe Sam’s own Alaskan odyssey and how he met Dick. - Review by Rolf Williams Rolf@Jerrols.com
Game of Thrones - 5 Book Boxed Set George Martin $49.95 I have a confession to make; Game of Thrones has swallowed my life. In a good way I assure you. After years of declaring I wouldn’t start the series until it had all been written and published I buckled and bought the box set of the first five books. The great bearded glacier has his hooks in me and it doesn’t appear that I’ll escape anytime soon. So what does all this mean? The most pertinent point is that I’ve had little time to read anything else which meant no book reviews the last few months. But for the holiday newsletter I wanted to put something in so here are some board game reviews instead. These are game I’ve played and loved followed by a few gift suggestions for the gamer in your life. Board games have seen resurgence in the past few years as more and more people are looking for recreation and bonding that doesn’t involve a screen. Jerrol’s is proud to sell a variety of games for families, for hardcore gamers, and for anyone who wants to spend a few hours enjoying the company of friends and having a good laugh.
Smash Up Smash Up has perhaps one of the most intriguing premises of the past few years in gaming. Each player chooses two decks of cards that represent different genre staples like Aliens and Zombies. There are eight decks total which can net you combinations such as Dinosaur Pirates, Trickster Robots or Ninja Wizards. You can have a different combination of decks each time you play which makes for a huge amount of replay value. If that doesn’t get your juices
Did I mention there are currently four expansions out for this one that each give you four new options to combine per box? I have been playing this one with anyone who is willing and I absolutely adore it. If you have a special geek or nerd in your life get them this game but be prepared to get sucked in. The game play is fast and fairly deep without the uber-complexity of a more euro style game. Two player games whiz by while four player affairs take a bit more time but you can still get a few playthroughs in a single game session.
Choose One! This is a fun party style game that I played with my extended family on vacation. The premise is simple; each card has two options that range from the silly to the important (Tea or Coffee, Rock Star or Astronaut, Unicorn or Pegasus). On your turn you choose one of the options while presenting the card to the group, all the other players try to guess your answer, points are awarded and play move to the next person. I got to know a little bit more about my brother-in-law and managed to embarrass my wife pretty good. A light game that works best in groups, Choose One! Makes an excellent ice breaker and conversation starter.
Red Dragon Inn One of the funniest games I’ve played in a long time. Red Dragon Inn posits that each player is an adventuring hero staying at the titular inn. Each character plays completely differently with different strengths and weaknesses. There is drinking, gambling, fighting and merriment for all. The goal is to survive the night with as much of your hard won loot as you can. There are several editions and multiple expansions for this one and I can’t recommend it enough for gamers or anyone looking to supplement their collection with a game accessible (and winnable) by beginners.
Gift Ideas If there is one game that as an admitted gamer I would love to own its Terra Mystica. Winner of BoardGameGeek.com’s game of the year last year this is a very deep euro-style game with huge replay value. If there is a gamer on your list get them this game and you will be their new favorite. Jerrol’s stocks multiple co-op titles such as Pandemic, Castle Panic, and a favorite in my house Forbidden Desert. Sometimes you don’t feel like competing against friends and family. These games offer a new challenge in working with them against a common foe, the game itself. I almost forgot about card games like Fluxx and Mad Quaoa and the new game Hipster Dice, you’ve probably never heard of it.
New Products / Gift Ideas
Expansion continued From page 1
Classic Board Games
Inside the store we have placed the toy department in the same aisle as the children's books, brought the posters over to the book section, moved the binders and spirals next to office supplies in aisles 1 & 2. Plus Yahtzee, Mahjong, Mancala, and more Women’s CWU / 12th mans shirt
You will also find an expanding craft department where the binders and spirals used to be. Next we will be removing fixtures from the west wall in preparation for the doors into the new building. Please ask if you need help finding anything; it’s all still here. It just may be in a different spot!!! Thanks!!!
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Metal Model Kits These amazingly designed DIY models start as 4” square flat metal sheets. Use the easy to follow instructions to pop out the pieces, bend the tabs, and connect them at the attachment points.
Corrie’s Craft of the Month Homemade Advent Calendar
Six different designs to choose from. Plastic Model Kits New to our craft department - lots of designs and models to choose from. Ages 8 and up. We also have the paint and glue. Last year I decided to make my own advent calendar and it was such a hit I decided to do it again this year. Print photos from throughout the year and put them each in an envelope. Glue 24 envelopes to foam board, number them from 1- 24 and boombadaboom...your own personalized advent calendar! You can reach Corrie at Corrie@Jerrols.com
Corrie Ihrke Your Kittitas County Delivery Specialist
Jerrol’s (509) 925-9851 • 800 858-2427 Order@Jerrols.com www.Jerrols.com
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Jerrol’s Journal - December 2014 A Few Comments From Our Clients The cheerful welcome right at the door and the helpful service. The hot chili, bean soup and salmon dip were also seriously positive! Thanks for being your great, reliable selves, as always, you rock! - Leslie Stone - Rewards Member I love walking into Jerrol's when new seasonal displays are out. I almost always find something that is just too good to pass up. Yesterday I walked in, spotted a funny dish towel, of all things, and bought your entire supply. It was just the inspiration I needed for making up 6 Christmas gift baskets. Best part is, it won't be in all the box stores; I can count on most of my Jerrol's gift purchases being unique. I love that about the store. - Carol Darby - Rewards Member Jerrol's blew me away with their selection of craft supplies. As a new crafter, I do not see myself going anywhere else. - Makaiya Simmons - Rewards Member - Google Review