Howard Cohen

What do you think of a hobby shop that opens up in the same place as a shop that just moved, then proceeds to use the name of the other shop? Does this sound right? This is actually happening in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

The original store was opened in the 1960s. The owner retired and sold it to his daughter and her husband. They moved the store to a new location on Kenilworth where they ran a very successful business for a few decades until a couple of years ago. Then they sold the property and moved the business into an industrial area so they could enjoy some semi-retirement while still working shows and flea markets, etc. Now a new hobby business has opened in the same old location using the same name and have even claimed to be the children of the other owners...not true, they are not related!

Does this have a funny stink to it? Does this seem slimy? Would you shop at such a store knowing they are probably dishonest? We are having this discussion on al Canadian model group and so far we cannot find anyone who has been told the truth.

I would like to know what you think please? Thanks...

Do you live in the Toronto area or surrounding area? Do you want to meet some model car people? Want to stand around for a few hours talking about model cars or sit down and build your model car? Have some building questions or tips? Come to our 2nd annual open house and enjoy your hobby with us! Check the flyer for time and location...

Warning! Have you been using 'Future Floor Finish' or something similar on your models? I went to use my bottle of Future last night and it had turned 'YELLOW'! I poured some into a glass to make sure it wasn't the bottle and it wasn't. The Future was completely yellow! If it turns yellow in the bottle, what is it doing to your models?

Every year I get together with a few friends and we have a 12 hour build. The rules are simple...start with a new kit and build it in 12 hours. The kit can not be started or painted or sanded. It must be virgin. You can examine the kit in advance if you want to add any parts but they must also be virgin. It takes a little planning but it can be done. Yesterday when I woke up, I was too ill to travel to my friend's place so I took part at home. My kit was the Lindberg Dodge Charger police car...that I built as a modern day Bluesmobile. It was not as easy as I thought. The instructions are not very good, leaving out a few parts, not showing assembly order and generally being poorly drawn. On top of that the tires were missing from the box. I decided to paint the car 2 tone similar to the original car. I masked off the front doors and part of the greenhouse and painted the car Tamiya Satin Black; the chassis and seats flat black; the interior bucket, exhaust, engine, transmission and drive line gray. I left off the head and tail light covers as I don't think the Blues brothers would have wanted them. Over all, I rate this kit 6 out of 10. It would have been better if I had more time and I think a 24 hour build would be better for this car.

To my many friends everywhere...this year in lieu of Christmas cards, I have made donations to:
Princess Margaret Hospital Oncology Research Department
Canadian Center for Abuse Awareness
Toy Drive
I feel their needs are greater than ours and I am sure you will all understand. May the new year be better than the last...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

HAPPY NEW YEAR