Now you can ride an exercise bike in bed
We all love the comfort of our own bed and I, for one, have been known as a person who especially likes to spend a lot of time in bed.
I’ve been known to read in bed. Sometimes I might use my laptop computer in bed. Other times I’ve gone so far as to eat in bed.
But never have I entertained the idea of riding a bike in bed. Of all the things which have popped into my mind, that is not one of them.
That, however, is not the case for Hendersonville, Tenn., resident Brian Chambers who is currently developing an invention called Bed Time Bike. The idea is to give people a way to exercise while never leaving their bed.
The press release I received last week about Bed Time Bike starts like this: “In today’s fast-paced society where everything is rush, rush, rush, it is often difficult to fit in a few minutes in the day for exercise.”
The press release goes on to say “there is no longer an excuse not to exercise” because now you can enjoy a complete cardiovascular workout from your own bed.
I treat this new invention as another sign the apocalypse is upon us. Now someone has created an exercise machine for all the people too lazy to get out of bed.
Let me ask this question. If you’re too lazy to push away the covers and leave bed, chances are you’re not the type of person who is likely to exercise.
That’s the whole reason remote control TVs and VCRs were invented. It’s because people are too lazy to get out of bed or off the sofa to change the channel. If we’re too lazy to walk five steps over to the TV, what makes anybody believe we’re prepared to bike three miles in bed.
I’m telling you folks, in our lifetime we are going to see an invention called Bed Time Commode. It will be marketed toward people who are too lazy to get out of bed to use the bathroom.
I can imagine the promotional material now. “Hate those midnight trips to the bathroom? Is that cold floor an uncomfortable feeling? Now, thanks to Bed Time Commode, you can use the bathroom from the luxury of your own bed.”
For anyone who might want more information about Bed Time Bike, you can call Invention Technologies at 800-940-9020 ext. 285. Now for this week’s Business Pulse
Local businesses report promising sales
I don’t have any new businesses to report this week, but I have been wondering about the state of the local economy now that the Christmas season is approaching. I’ve long heard talk about how retailers haven’t been doing so well, but lately I’ve heard rumblings that is beginning to change.
So, inquiring mind that I have, I decided to call around and see what local business owners had to say since the so-called busiest shopping day of the season arrives this Friday.
On Main Street, Pearl Fults has run Your Tot to Teen Shoppe for the last 47 years. Pearl enjoyed life on Main Street during its heyday, has weathered a few storms along the way, and now says business is steadily improving.
“We’ve been real busy this morning,” Pearl said yesterday afternoon. “And we’ve been gift wrapping several items so that leads me to believe people are out doing their Christmas shopping.”
I talked to Pearl about two years ago when Main Street was at one of its lowest points and she wasn’t shy about admitting business could have been much better back then. Now, she says there are still the occasional bad days but there are far more good days mixed in.
“We do everything we can for the customer,” said Pearl. “Gift wrapping is free of charge and so are alterations. You certainly can’t get that kind of service at Wal-Mart.”
Talking to JCPenney manager Jamie Dowdy yesterday, he says sales have been brisk during November. He made special reference to a one-day sale held last Wednesday which he says “was a spectacular sale.”
Jamie says JCPenney has been aggressive with its November advertising because Thanksgiving falls unusually late in the month this year. And since it’s common for people to wait until after Thanksgiving to begin Christmas shopping, the company wanted to maintain strong November sales.
Jamie is also eager to see more retail stores locate in McMinnville. And he says he wouldn’t care if it was another department store.
“People say liquor by the drink is going to bring in more restaurants, but I’d fight for more retailers any day,” said Jamie. “You’ve got to remember why people go out of town in the first place. They usually go to shop. Penneys and Goody’s can only carry so much. We need more stores here to keep people shopping at home.”
Jamie said mall officials are “dragging their feet” about finding a new store to fill the Kmart vacancy at Three Star Mall and added city leaders could help in recruiting retail business too.
As for other perky news, I stopped by Ashley’s Attic Friday where the report from owner Helen Gillentine was glowing. Helen is gradually offering more and more toys and is McMinnville’s exclusive carrier of the Groovy Girls and Hello Kitty, two lines which are really selling well.
“We’re the new toy store in town,” said Helen, who wanted to emphasize she still does sell clothes. “The Groovy Girls and Hello Kitty, this is the stuff to have right now.”
When it comes to Hello Kitty, you can buy just about anything including a Hello Kitty coffee maker, toaster and waffle iron. Helen says Brio and Bob the Builder items have also been hot sellers.
“We get a lot of good business from people who come here from out of town,” said Helen. “And really it’s a shame I hear about so many of our people going out of town to shop. They go out of town, come back, and find out they can buy it cheaper here.”
Amie J. Hodges named to Who’s Who
Pioneer Building Supply president Amie Hodges has been included in the 2003-2004 edition of “Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals.”
Being included on the Who’s Who list is a great distinction and Amie deserves praise for the top-notch job she’s done at Pioneer Building Supply. She’s really got that operation in tip-top shape.
The Who’s Who book, when published, will be registered at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Daniel Blake gets tough against drunk drivers
Former McMinnville police officer and former private investigator Daniel Blake has landed a nice job in the Governor’s Highway Safety Office.
Daniel is pretty high up the ladder as the governor is at the top, then there’s his boss, and then there’s Daniel. “It’s a short chain of command,” he said.
As a highway safety officer, Daniel’s jurisdiction is a 28-county area which spans from Chattanooga all the way up to the Kentucky border and includes Warren County. He says he is organizing two drunk driving blitzes, one which is taking place now and will last until Dec. 2 and another which will take place Dec. 20 till Jan. 4.
The blitzes are when officers from several jurisdictions combine forces to conduct large-scale roadblocks at one location. By sharing personnel, it allows departments such as the Alexandria Police Department with three officers, to conduct major operations they wouldn’t normally be able to accomplish.
“We ask if you approach one of these checkpoints during this holiday season you exercise patience and give officers your full cooperation,” said Daniel. “They are out there to protect your life and your loved ones from those who choose to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and drugs.”
That’s all folks
This is the first week in a long time I haven’t had a new business to report. If you have a new business, or know of one, I’ll be happy to promote it in this column. That is, of course, provided I decide to get out of bed once my new Bed Time Bike arrives.
(Give me a call at 473-2191 or send me an e-mail at [email protected]. If you don’t have business news, give me a call and tell me about your Thanksgiving plans.)