Business Pulse: This year, my resolution is to avoid controversy
Seeing as the new year is just days around the corner, that means it’s time for me to make my annual New Year’s resolution.
I’m sure we’re all way too familiar with New Year’s resolutions. It’s the one time of year we vow to do something “good” to improve ourselves by promising to perform tasks we don’t really like (such as eat vegetables and exercise). Most of the time it’s vows which don’t stand a chance of making it through January.
I’m sure this is the most popular time for smokers to try and kick the habit or for folks to attempt to drop a few pounds — and this time they really mean it. But we all know, this is rarely the case. For the most part, New Year’s resolutions are a complete waste of time.
That said, I’m going to make a New Year’s resolution of my own. At the encouragement of newspaper management, the year 2003 is going to be the year of the new James, the non-controversial James who doesn’t make any wise cracks and who doesn’t make anyone upset with off-the-wall comments.
And if I completely apply myself, I might make this resolution last until at least the second week of January. Like I said, New Year’s resolutions simply don’t work.
That said, and with the holiday season still hanging on for a few more days, I want to bring you a couple stories of happiness and joy before getting started on this week’s Business Pulse.
In nearby Columbia, Tenn., everyone who was called into traffic court last week found they could have left their wallets at home. What they needed to bring was a Christmas song book.
Judge Tom DuBois allowed all traffic offenders to avoid paying their fines – provided they sing a Christmas carol in court. A police officer told the group before court began, “I hope you like to sing.”
While the judge no doubt is trying to promote the Christmas spirit, I don’t think people should be able to sing their way out of tickets. I know I would be in rare form if I had appeared in court the week before and had to shell out $127 for a speeding ticket while someone else was able to escape punishment literally for a song.
Then there’s Charlotte, N.C., businessman Mike Jeffcoat who recently taped 300 $1 dollar bills to his office window along with a note: “Please take only what you need. Remember others.”
The money lasted all of 35 minutes, which is 34 minutes longer than I would have guessed. Most people took $1 or $2, according to published reports, until $41 remained. That’s when two ladies stumbled upon the free money and took the rest.
It’s with that story in mind, I’m encouraging all McMinnville merchants to tape money to their store windows. And when you do, be sure and call me to come make your picture (for publicity purposes only. OK so that doesn’t sound very believable does it).
Strictly Fitness changes its name, offers new equipment
Since New Year’s Day is just around the corner, and it’s time to make your resolutions, you might want to check out the new equipment now available at Strictly Fitness. And you also might want to make note that Strictly Fitness is actually not Strictly Fitness anymore. Owner Leland Northcutt has decided to show his patriotic red, white and blue colors and has renamed his facility USA Gym.
“This is a time when people are patriotic,” said Leland. “And we’re trying to do our part with a patriotic theme.”
Leland is also trying to do his part by encouraging kids to start working out at a young age. To help accomplish this, Leland is opening a separate kids gym.
“With childhood obesity such a big problem, this is a no-brainer,” said Leland. “Kids today, they’re out of shape. Maybe a little less Nintendo and a little more pumping iron will help.”
Leland says new reports show kids can work out at an earlier age. The old myth is that kids aren’t supposed to begin working out until they hit puberty. But now that appears not to be the case.
“They aren’t going to build muscle mass, but they can still increase their coordination, flexibility, strength and agility by lifting weights,” said Leland. “Experts are now saying kids can start working out as soon as they begin playing sports.”
Leland has bought 13, air-driven machines for the kids gym which will provide a complete upper and lower body workout. He’s also added new Life Circuit machines to the women’s only section of his gym which are really high-tech. The machines are completely computerized to calculate your strength and adjust your workout weight accordingly. The computer-driven machines really separate USA Gym from any other facility in this area.
“The women so far have really loved it,” said gym manager Paige Zemina. “They make you do a full range of motion. As you get tired, you have a tendency to cheat and this keeps you from doing that so you get better results.”
If losing weight and getting in better shape is one of your New Year’s resolutions, you might want to stop by the newly named USA Gym and give it a look over. Leland continues to invest money in the facility to ensure it remains the best gym around.
“We keep buying new equipment to keep people happy,” said Leland. “We don’t want anyone to get bored.”
Homes America leaves town
It won’t have a major impact as far as local jobs are concerned, but it is noteworthy to report Homes America has packed up its lot of trailers and left town. Of course I suppose I should stick with the politically correct term and call them modular homes.
The business had been located on Manchester Highway and employed six people. If officially closed the day before Christmas.
I unfortunately didn’t get the chance to talk with general manager Kevin Moore before Homes America left, but an employee told me the company was moving all its inventory from McMinnville to Crossville. This was apparently a decision made for consolidation purposes by officials at the main Homes America office in Auburn Hills, Mich.
Ward named Standard Employee of the Year
I thought I would type just a few lines about the Standard’s company Christmas party and the fact Kyle Ward was honored as our Employee of the Year.
Since he’s not a reporter, and not out and about in the public eye, a lot of folks might not know what Kyle does here at the paper. But he plays a vital part in our newspaper operation.
As one of two ad designers, as his title suggests, Kyle is in charge of building ads you see everyday in the paper. This is a non-stop chore. The Standard does receive some of its ads completely finished, but that is the exception rather than the rule. For the most part, the ads you see were designed by Kyle or Junior Reed.
Despite the fact they might not look like the most intelligence duo, Kyle and Junior are actually pretty smart – especially when it comes to computer stuff.
As for the highlight of our Christmas party, that had to go to Charlotte Warner, who was absolutely giddy about the fact she had a hidden $100 bill in her gift grab present. You would have thought Charlotte had just won a $17 million lottery the way she celebrated with glee when she learned the $100 was hidden inside her lamp shade.
You can always count on Charlotte to sniff out money. At least that’s what her husband, Steve Warner, says.
That’s all folks
Since I took several days off this week to celebrate Christmas, I wasn’t able to track down as many business leads as usual. But with your help, I’ll have more business news to report next week.
Give me a call at 473-2191 or send me an e-mail at standard@blomand.net.