diff --git a/pylons_app/templates/base/base.html b/pylons_app/templates/base/base.html
--- a/pylons_app/templates/base/base.html
+++ b/pylons_app/templates/base/base.html
@@ -151,4 +151,15 @@ def is_current(selected):
             </span>
         %endif
 	%endif           
+</%def>
+
+<!-- SHORTER LONGER STRINGS -->
+<%def name="message_slug(msg)">
+	<%
+	limit = 60
+	if len(msg) > limit:
+		return msg[:limit]+'...'
+	else:
+		return msg
+	%>
 </%def>
\ No newline at end of file