Thanks to American Express for sponsoring my writing today about small businesses. American Express is presenting Small Business Saturday, a way to honor the local merchants who are the backbone of the economy, this Saturday, November 27. They're offering statement credits to people who shop at small businesses, advertising for small-business owners, and donations to Girls Inc. for "Likes" of the Small Business Saturday page on Facebook. Join the celebration by clicking the "Like" button and then visiting the Facebook page to learn more about the program and read the terms and conditions that apply. About a mile from my house is a wonderful toy store called Toy Village. It's the bottom floor of a gorgeous old house, and members of the family that started the store  still occupy the top floor. Because the store is in a house, you have to imagine walking into an old house and instead of a living room, seeing shelf after shelf of toys.  I consider Toy Village an educational toy … [Read more...]