Cookie Monster to cut back on cookies
Say it ain’t so! In an announcement that can only be classified as stunning, PBS has said “Sesame Street” will kick off its 36th season with a more health-minded Cookie Monster.
The cookie has crumbled. With soaring child obesity rates, PBS says it’s time to spread the message that it’s not a good idea to shove cookies in your mouth all day long.
As a result, that blue, furry monster that we grew to love for his famous “C is for Cookie” song, is going to learn there are “anytime” foods and there are “sometimes” foods. There’s even going to be a song titled “A Cookie is a Sometimes Food.”
This sort of new direction has me wondering out loud what will happen next. Is Oscar going to move out of his trash can and become concerned with personal hygiene?
Folks, this is a kids show. It’s not supposed to deal with every painful issue of society. Is the next step to give Elmo medication for high blood pressure? Kermit has long sung about how “It’s not easy being green.” Is he in store for an anti-depressant?
“Sesame Street” isn’t supposed to necessarily reflect the real world, hence the fact there are monsters running around Sesame Street who can talk. There’s a 10-foot bird. Bert and Ernie haven’t strangled one another after living together for 36 years as complete opposites.
And in this day of obvious political correctness on “Sesame Street,” is it really appropriate to keep calling that thing with feathers Big Bird? The creature is, after all, a little portly around the middle. To continue with the Big Bird moniker could cause mental trauma later on in life.
The point is “Sesame Street” is fine just the way it is. I don’t want to see Cookie Monster eating low-fat frozen yogurt any more than I want to see this year’s newest characters, a talking eggplant and carrot.
Even Senate Majority Leader and Tennessee Republican Bill Frist is jumping into the Cookie Monster debate. In an interview with Associated Press writer Chelsea Carter, Frist said, “Even Cookie Monster is learning to control his cookie cravings. He now reminds us that moderation is the key to healthy living.”
As for Cookie Monster’s take on this push for healthier eating, PBS officials have made him unavailable for comment. My, how convenient.
I should give PBS credit for at least easing us into this difficult transition. “Sesame Street” spokesperson Rosemarie Truglio says he will still be treated to an occasional cookie, which he will scarf down in traditional fashion. And yes, he will still eat an occasional object. But his days of eating unlimited cookies with reckless abandon appear to be over.
It’s on that very sad note I bring you today’s Business Pulse.
Citizens Tri-County Bank to buy Cumberland Bank
Cumberland Bank’s parent company, Civitas, has entered into an agreement to sell both of its McMinnville locations to Citizens Tri-County Bank of Dunlap.
As part of the agreement, Citizens would purchase the physical location at 101 West Main Street and 1100 New Smithville Highway. Citizens will also purchase certain assets and assume deposit liabilities associated with the McMinnville branch offices.
“We’ve known the folks at Citizens Tri-County Bank of Dunlap for some time,” said Civitas president Richard Herrington. “They approached us about purchasing the McMinnville branch because it was a good geographical fit for them. We have greatly appreciated the support of the McMinnville community through the years. In terms of location, there is now a great synergy for the remaining Cumberland Bank branch offices.”
This is one sale I can say I saw coming. Cumberland Bank seemed to lose patience with McMinnville officials when the downtown revitalization project shut down Main Street. Cumberland Bank countered by closing its Main Street branch and insinuating the branch may never reopen.
Citizens Tri-County Bank appears to be a community bank headed in the right direction. It currently has 12 offices in Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Grundy, Marion and Hamilton counties. It also has $312 million in assets.
From all the information I’ve gathered about Citizens, this is a quality community bank that I think is going to give some of the established banks in this area a good run for their money so to speak.
“We’re excited about being a part of McMinnville and Warren County and being able to provide superior personal service to our customers,” said Citizens chairman and CEO H. Glenn Barker.
There’s used furniture galore at Johnny’s
If used furniture is your game, Johnny McCormick is his name. Johnny has opened Johnny’s Used Outlet on S. Chancery Street in the building next to McMinnville Transmission.
Johnny is a logger by trade and you can usually find him these days cutting timber in the Jacksboro area. But he also goes to auctions three nights a week and has Berneice Drawdy to operate his store, which just opened Monday.
“There are times in life when you have to be busy to accomplish your goals,” said Johnny. “So many people are in need of used furniture, I thought this store would be a good fit.”
Johnny is open to just about any type of business. He will buy, sell or trade which doesn’t exclude many options.
When I stopped by his store Friday, it was loaded with TVs, kitchen tables, recliners, beds, pictures, lamps, mirrors, and just about anything you would want to put in your house. He even had a refrigerator and 500 VCR movies. Actually he has 497 movies because I bought three of them.
Johnny says he’ll get new inventory on a weekly basis and stressed that he’s ready to do business. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The phone number is 474-1966.
Die cast business owners visit Warren County
I should say right off the bat I don’t want to stir anyone’s hopes about more jobs locating in McMinnville. But I do feel obligated to tell you representatives from a die cast molding company in Illinois came to Warren County last week for an official visit.
Director of economic development Don Rigsby had a slew of local and state officials here to greet the folks from Illinois and tell them all the benefits of bringing jobs to this area.
A state consultant on tax benefits was here to tell them about all the tax breaks available in Tennessee. Representatives from TVA and Caney Fork were on hand to answer any utility questions. The mayor and county executive were in attendance to help roll out the red carpet. In short, these folks were welcomed by a delegation of people all eager to bring jobs to Warren County.
“I like to do that if I know they’re coming on an official visit,” said Don. “I showed them the industrial park and they’re in the decision stage right now. It’s still really early and I know they are looking at other places. Before they came here, they went to Cookeville first, and after they were done with us they went on to Tullahoma and some place in Alabama.”
The company has plans to start with about 50 employees and increase its workforce to around 100. From an objective standpoint, I wouldn’t hold my breath counting on those jobs to arrive here.
This company is obviously going from city to city to see who will offer them the best package. Based on my nearly six years as a business writer, landing those types of companies are tough. But our local officials are sure trying.
Angie’s Lunchbox has a new owner
Angie Deason says she never had plans to sell her popular restaurant in Viola named Angie’s Lunchbox. But when Elaine Allison came with an offer, Angie didn’t turn her down.
“I asked to buy it and she sold it,” said Elaine, who took over Monday and has renamed the restaurant The Lunchbox. “We’ve been pretty busy all week.”
Elaine will still be relying on Angie’s services while she makes the transition. And Angie’s over six years of experience as the restaurant owner will certainly help.
“I wasn’t looking to sell it,” said Angie. “But when she asked, I figured six-and-a-half years is long enough to be married to this place. I’ll still be around though. I’d miss it too much to leave it completely.”
Angie has built a reputation for her delicious home cooking so I think it’s a wise idea for Elaine to keep her in the kitchen as long as possible. She will continue making her lunch plates which feature a meat and three vegetables during the week. And there will still be those mouth-watering homemade pies.
“Viola is the best place to live in the world,” said Angie, who has been many places. “You couldn’t ask for better people so I think she’ll do really good here.”
The best part about The Lunchbox, from an ownership standpoint, is it’s the only restaurant in Viola. So Elaine has bought herself a monopoly.
That’s all folks
Unlike Cookie Monster, you won’t catch me cutting back on my cookie intake, especially chocolate chip. And unlike Cookie Monster, when I eat a cookie, it actually goes in my mouth and not all over the floor.
As for business news, give me a call at 473-2191 or an e-mail at [email protected].