Elk Grove Political Literature, Tchatchkes

Years ago I collected matchbooks. Since smoking is now verboten, most restaurants and other businesses no longer use these little marketing devices. As a substitute I have taken up collecting political literature and more recently those little knick-knacks campaigns are fond of giving out - tchatchkes.

Even though this year's shortened city council ballot will rob of us of some opportunities, with six candidates running to be Elk Grove's first mayor, there should be some nifty things to collect.

With Labor Day upon us, in the coming weeks our mailboxes and front doors will be swamped with slick marketing pieces and if we are lucky, some neat knick-knacks.

Let's review what we have so far from our mayoral candidates.

In the race for literature and tchatchkes, Elk Grove city council member Gary Davis has left the blocks quickly with not only a slick piece, but a nifty water bottle.

Although late to the race following her primary defeat, Elk Grove Council member Sophia Scherman has quickly come out with the time tested refrigerator magnet and a very functional fan - perfect for these hot summer day.

While the four other candidates have yet to come out with any slick materials or tchatchkes we can only hope that one of them, or perhaps Davis or Scherman, can meet the gold standard of Elk Grove elections. Of course we are referencing Pat Hume's now famous pot holder from the 2006 election.

We don't know if that tchatchkes made a difference or not for Hume, but it sure was nifty.

Still have one of Hume's potholders? If you do, send us a picture for our collection.