What do we watch when Super Bowl is over?
Today’s Super Bowl is hardly the matchup I envisioned. I had high hopes the Titans would be in today’s big game, and I would be in San Diego covering it.
But, as that great Rolling Stones song goes, you can’t always get what you want. That means I’ll have to be content to sit on the sofa, stuff my face with chips, and watch the game here in Warren County. All things considered, that’s nothing to complain about.
Along with being the biggest game of the NFL season, the Super Bowl also signifies something else – the end of football season. That’s something which is sure to make all the women of the world rejoice. After today ladies, you can have your husbands back. That to-do list may finally get a few items checked off.
Even my own Cupcake, who I might go so far as to say mildly enjoys football at this point, can’t wait for this game to end. Over the years, Cupcake has made great strides when it comes to tolerating football. By far the greatest stride is I’ve finally got her trained to talk only during commercials.
Let me tell you, that was no easy task. During her training, I had to answer all types of tough questions like, “What’s more important to you? Me or football?” As men, we all know this is a loaded question and one which must be avoided.
But I must say Cupcake is very tolerant to endure all the playful jokes I make about her, and women in general, in this column. One of my female readers, I suppose growing tired of my occasional remarks about women, sent me a pretty funny e-mail last week about men. So, to give women their equal time, here are some excerpts from that e-mail:
Q: What should you do if you see your ex-husband rolling around in pain on the ground?
A: Shoot him again.
Q: Why do little boys whine?
A: Because they’re practicing to be men.
Q: What does it mean when a man is in your bed gasping for breath and calling your name?
A: You didn’t hold the pillow down long enough.
Q: Why does it take 100 million sperm to fertilize one egg?
A: Because not one will stop and ask directions.
Q: How do you keep your husband from reading your e-mail?
A: Rename the mail folder “Instruction Manuals.”
That’s my two cents for the day. Now for important stuff like this week’s Business Pulse.
Willmore Ford is the talk of the town
The hot rumor everyone is talking about all over town is that Willmore Ford has sold. I’ve probably had close to a dozen people ask me who bought the dealership in the last couple days.
When I called owner Larry Willmore to ask him about the deal, he told me to hold my horses. That’s an expression that stemmed from the old days when people actually relied on horses as their primary source of transportation. Larry said the rumors have made their way back to him — and his employees — but no deal to sell Willmore Ford has been finalized.
“It’s pretty much exactly that, a rumor,” Larry said Friday. “There have been inquiries into the purchase, and we’ll entertain anything, but nothing has been finalized.”
Larry said even if a deal to sell the dealership was signed today, for example, it would likely take 90 to 100 days before the agreement was approved by Ford. Larry also pointed out a similar rumor about Willmore Ford circulated a couple years back and that rumor was false.
“It’s sort of a wait-and-see thing,” said Larry, who has owned the Ford dealership for the last 20 years. “I’ll let you know if, and when, something gets done.”
There’s a new four-wheelr dealership on its way
There’s been talk of turning the old cheese plant into a dozen different businesses. Even transforming the building into a jail has been discussed.
All those talks can come to an end because the old cheese plant will soon become a dealership for the four-wheeler company called Artic Cat. Central Oil employee Mike Mitchell will own the dealership which he says should be open toward the end of February.
“Artic Cat is a dependable, low-maintenance machine,” said Mike, who also owns another Artic Cat dealership in Summertown. “It’s a low-torque machine that works like a tractor with an especially smooth suspension. It’s a very inexpensive machine to maintain. Very seldom do we see one come back to the shop.”
Mike said he plans to keep between 30 and 50 of the four-wheelers in his showroom and will also have a full-time, Artic Cat-certified mechanic on hand. Mike had initially planned to open at the beginning of February but now says the end of the month is more realistic.
According to company literature, Artic Cat is the fastest growing ATV line in the country. Originally known for its snow mobiles, Artic Cat branched out to begin selling four-wheelers in 1995. The company uses the catchy slogan, “Where the road ends, Artic Cat begins.”
As popular as four-wheelers are around these parts, I believe an Artic Cat dealership will go over well. And considering Mike already operates one dealership, that tells me he knows what he’s doing. That leads me to think he will be selling four-wheelers at the old cheese plant for some time.
Bernie’s has become the place to go
When talking about night spots, Bernie’s Karaoke Sports Grill has quickly become a popular place to go in Warren County. Owned and operated by Dwayne and Bernadette Doud, you’ll find the sports bar packed most nights of the week — and especially on the weekends.
“It’s a down-home atmosphere where everybody knows your name,” said Dwayne. “If we don’t know you the first time, we will by the second.”
Bernie’s has been open for about six months now, located between the Honda dealership and discount tobacco store on Smithville Highway. If you like to throw darts, sing karaoke, or simply sit back and watch a game, you might want to swing by and give Bernie’s a try. The faithful Bernie’s crowd sure seems to enjoy it.
“It’s like coming to a friend’s house and hanging out,” said Nedra Davenport.
Jennifer Wright is a regular customer who has especially high regards for Bernie’s.
“This is the coolest place in the world,” she said.
Jack in the Box opens to a rush of business
By now, just about everyone knows about McMinnville’s new Jack in the Box, which opened last Monday. Since that time, the fast-food restaurant has been swamped.
When I stopped by Friday afternoon, I could barely pull into the parking lot. There were customers spilling out the door.
Since everyone knows about the restaurant, I thought I would provide a few facts you might not know. The local Jack in the Box has approximately 45 employees and is one of 26 restaurants the chain has opened in the Midstate.
The San Diego-based company has 1,870 restaurants in 17 states and has a workforce of over 43,000 employees.
Totherow, Haile & Welch unveils new Web site
It’s been 40 years in business for the accounting firm Totherow, Haile & Welch, which also realizes the importance of changing with the times. It’s with that in mind, the company has developed its own Web site — www.thwcpa.com — which is really pretty nifty. Not only does the Web site give information about Totherow, Haile & Welch, but it provides dozens of worthwhile services.
The site has dozens of links to assist you with an assortment of projects. There’s a tax form library, a section devoted to tax tips, and even a link to the Southern Standard. If you want to determine if it’s better to buy or lease a car based on your driving needs, there’s a section for that. There are also sections to help you balance your household budget and to provide advice for paying off credit card debt, just to name of few of the site’s special features.
“If you want an IRS form, you can click on that link, click on form 1040A, and print it out,” said Totherow, Haile and Welch partner Jim Welch. “This is a resource which will be valuable to the public. We’re excited about having this available.”
I would suggest anyone who is searching for financial tips to give the site a try. All you have to do is type in www.thwcpa.com to check it out.
Donald Hillis now a certified estate specialist
Local real estate broker Donald Hillis has recently been awarded the designation of certified estate specialist by the Auction Marketing Institute which is based in Overland Park, Kansas. This means Hillis has taken courses and passed a test dealing with legal and financial aspects of estates.
“I’m always keeping up with the latest technology or anything to enhance our auction company,” said Donald. “This gives our sellers the advantage and produces them top dollar when we represent them at an auction sale.”
The Auction Marketing Institute has offered higher education programs to auctioneers and other professionals for the last 26 years.
That’s all folks
Come 5 p.m. today, you’ll know where I’ll be – in front of the TV enjoying the Super Bowl. After that, we hit the six-month doldrum where we actually have to watch things like baseball and golf.
If you’ve got a business tip, give me a call at 473-2191. E-mails also work and that address is [email protected].