Batting (Not So) Average

Baseball fans are either disappointed or excited this time of year. The post-season can be a roller coaster. Locally, New York Yankees fans are mourning the retirement of Derek Jeter. Los Angeles is getting a double dose of playoff mania. These bats are so design-worthy, I personally think they'd be a hit even in the off-season.

Baseball Season and Summer End

A couple of weekends ago, my family met up in Baltimore. To go to one of the Yankees v. Orioles game, one of Jeter's last. To go to some of the festivities for the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner. And, of course, to eat, drink, and relax.

Some highlights:

A Grown-Up Skateboard

Growing up, almost all my friends skated. Kids built half-pipes in the garage, watched skate videos on VHS over and over again, and their skateboards became like an extension of their body. The skateboards themselves were flashy and graphic. Skateboards these days have changed a bit in shape, but the decks are still just as loud. So, when I saw these skateboards last year, I was a bit blown away by the design. It's like the skateboard that grew up, got a job, and acquired a bit of a sophisticated palette. Much like those same friends I grew up with.

American-Made Friday Links

Some recent news in the world of American-made: kitchen items, bike helmets, stuff for kids and babies, Brooklyn, Chicago, the American salmon fallacy, a tour of a NYC Garment District sewing studio, an LA shop with made-in-America items for guys, why iPhone will not be part of American manufacturing, fake 'Made in USA' labels (yep, apparently it's a thing), the FTC getting strict on those labels, the most 'American' companies, and more.

Here are 16 articles and videos you need to see if you haven't already:

The Craft of American Beer

Today is a big day for beer. Americans consume an estimated 50 million cases of beer on Super Bowl Sunday. Some football fans will buy domestic light beer, some NFL watchers will drink imported fancy beers, but some will be happiest drinking some quality American-made craft beers. Luckily, my best friend, Jeremy, works in the beverage industry and is a bit of an expert on the subject. Here's what he has to say about American craft beers, their place in U.S. history, and their impact on local economies. 

American-Made Sunday Links

This past week was a busy one for news about the Made in America Movement.

Here are a dozen articles and videos you need to see if you haven't done so already:

Things I Spotted at REI Made in the USA, Part II

Grabber hand warmers

Here are ten more things I spotted at REI that are American-made.

Things I Spotted at REI Made in the USA, Part I

Nalgene water bottles

The fairly new REI store in NYC is pretty impressive: 39,000 square feet, 3 different levels, located in the Puck Building in SoHo. Full of sporting goods, outdoor equipment, clothing, and shoes. Here are ten things I spotted while shopping there the other day that are American-made.

American-Made Weekend Links

Here are a dozen articles and videos you need to see if you haven't done so already:

The American Pastime

My wife's Boston Red Sox baseball hat

 

Today's post is courtesy of my husband, Dan, the Yankees fan. (Yes, you read correctly.)

 

What's more American than baseball? My thoughts exactly. An American sport calls for an American-made hat.