Will SUVs soon include grenade launchers?
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Yet a Western Pennsylvania company called Ibis Tek is doing exactly that – manufacturing SUVs that are nothing short of military weapons. These SUVs include bullet-proof glass, specialized steel armor, thermal imaging, night-vision cameras, and a laser range finder to accompany the above mentioned grenade launcher and machine gun.
If you’re like me, this brings a new definition to the term “road rage.” Before, it was simply annoying when the driver behind me decided to ride my back bumper for miles at a time. Now I’ve got to worry about the lunatic knocking me off the road with a grenade launcher.
I don’t consider this progress.
For the record, Ibis Tek is not yet selling its modified road tank in the U.S. It is being sold in four Middle Eastern countries and is apparently gaining popularity in Saudi Arabia.
The road tanks are being manufactured from everyday SUVs driven right here in America. Factory-issued Chevy Suburbans, Lincoln Navigators and larger Ford vehicles are being outfitted for what is being dubbed a “defense system.”
I’m sure not foolish enough to believe these SUVs won’t soon find their way to the U.S. From there, it’s only a matter of time before some got-to-get-there-going-75-mph driver loses control of his or her anger and takes aim at the vehicle which just pulled into Bi-Lo without giving a turn signal.
How many times can we expect to hear an excuse like this: “Honestly officer, I don’t know what got into me. The other car ? it just pulled in front of me and, you know, the grenade launcher was right there at my finger tips.”
I’ve encountered enough drivers with anger problems on our roads. I don’t believe it’s in anyone’s best interest to have these drivers armed with a machine gun which pops from the sunroof. More than anything, I think this illustrates the fact there are some people who have had too much time to sit around the house and watch James Bond movies.
Is another building supply store coming?
I’ve heard rumors for about three weeks, maybe a month, about a new building supply store coming to Warren County. From the gossip I’ve gathered, this is supposed to be a granddaddy store and the names I’ve heard tossed around are Lowe’s and Home Depot.
I initially heard Home Depot was interested, but lately the talk has all been about Lowe’s locating in the Willmore Ford vicinity.
I’m sorry to report I don’t know if this talk is true. I know, I know. I’m the business guy and I am supposed to get to the bottom of things like this. Believe me I’ve tried but I can’t get anyone to talk.
And that is to be expected. Whenever a business deal involves a major company, such as a Lowe’s, negotiations with a real estate agent also come with confidentiality agreements. That means the real estate agent is supposed to keep his or her mouth shut and I suspect that’s what is happening in this case.
So for the folks who have asked me about Lowe’s and Home Depot, I can’t give you an answer. I’ve heard the rumors too, but thus far I have struck out at the plate.
Shirley’s Consignment now has a new owner
If you have stopped by Shirley’s Consignment over the last week, you’ve been shopping at a new store. Longtime owner Shirley Buckner has decided to retire and Kimberly Basham is now the new owner of Kimberly’s Consignment Shop located on Main Street next to Grizzell’s Jewelry.
“Shirley had decided to get out of it because she wanted to retire and wanted to travel,” said Kimberly. “She was upset the store was going to be vacant. And I was already looking for something at that time so we talked and were able to work things out.”
Kimberly had previously worked in dentist’s offices in Smithville, Tullahoma and Murfreesboro and has 25 years experience in that field. She decided she wanted to work closer to home and figured a consignment shop was a nice fit.
“I like getting good things at a cheap price,” said Kimberly. “And I’ve always shopped consignment stores. Everybody wants something for less and this is one place where they can get it.”
Kimberly carries name-brand items such as Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic but at reduced prices. She has mainly women’s items which means men and children are out of luck.
“I’d like to have clothing for men and children if I had a bigger store,” said Kimberly.
Anyone with clothing they would like to have displayed in Kimberly’s store can call 473-3781 to make an appointment. Store hours are Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Need a parking space? Try the library
Ever since I can remember, when people talk about Magness Library, the need for more parking can usually be found in the first sentence. But now the need for library parking has disappeared.
As most of us have likely noticed, the white house previously located behind the library is gone. Where it went, I don’t really know. The important thing is the white house is no longer behind the library which means there’s more room to park.
“It’s starting to look pretty good,” said library director Mary Robbins.
Shot Nunley has been one of the main influences behind making the area behind the library a parking lot. Shot gave thanks to The Rogers Group, which owns the local quarry at the base of Harrison Ferry Mountain, for donating all of the gravel for the parking lot. Several loads were donated with the final load delivered about a month ago. The next question is when will the paving begin?
“From all the advice we’ve gotten, it’s best to let the gravel sit and not to do anything until late fall,” said Shot. “And that cuts it close to the end of paving season so we might not be able to do anything until next spring.”
When the parking lot is paved, it is expected to provide parking for about 35 cars. With the exception of large functions, that amount of parking should be more than enough to accommodate regular library traffic. The gravel lot is currently available for parking.
Sonic serves up a scholarship
Warren County High School graduate Nora Wilson has received a $1,000 scholarship from Sonic. To qualify for the scholarship, Sonic employees must have: worked in the drive-in for at least one year, gained a written recommendation from their store manager and a teacher, and completed high school and be in good standing with a college or university.
Nora is headed to the Idaho branch of Brigham Young University where I’m sure the $1,000 will come in handy.
Other odds and ends
There have been several business-related items which have appeared on my desk over the last week or so. Here’s a brief run down.
• Charter Communications will be holding its second annual customer appreciation day at its South Chancery Street Office this Friday, Aug. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch, consisting of BBQ, chips, and soft drinks, will be served and a number of door prizes will be given away.
“This is a small way of saying thank you to our many loyal customers in McMinnville, Spencer and all of Warren County and to let them know how much we appreciate their business,” said Charter general manager Jeff Yarbrough.
• Karen Wamsley of Buck’s Pizza was recently given a warm thank you from the Warren County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Buck’s donates pizza for donors and volunteers during community blood drives each month.
• If you want to detect early signs of heart disease or cancer, a mobile CT scan is coming to McMinnville this Wednesday, Aug. 14 at First Baptist Church. The CT or CAT scans are high-speed X-rays that acquire a complete series of images in thin slices. The images are reconstructed on a computer which allows a radiologist to enhance the views of the person’s anatomy.
The fee is $199 per test and exams will be given between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 1-877-828-7475.
That’s all folks
I’m all out of business news. So for the next few days I’m going to work on designs for my Chevy Blazer. It can’t be that difficult to mount a grenade launcher on that thing. If you have business news, give me a call at 473-2191 or send me an e-mail at [email protected].