Forget food, after the game think hardware
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On the bright side, I don’t think I’ve ever been fed so well during a three-month span in my life. Undoubtedly, the best part of having Ryan’s as a sponsor was free food after the game. And as far as the folks at Ryan’s know, we played a 67-game schedule.
As a coach, I’m already looking ahead to next year’s team and plotting strategy. Taking everything into account I think next year, more than anything, my most pressing need is new storm windows. So I’m thinking Ace Hardware or Lowe’s might be the way to go in terms of sponsorship. Maybe if I’m lucky, I can get free top soil after every game.
Since I’m on the topic of baseball, I’ve decided to stick with somewhat of a sporty theme this week. And the big news, as it pertains to the checkers world, is the conclusion of a 13-year study that revealed the perfect game of checkers would end in a draw.
Yes, it took 13 years for that brilliant conclusion, which is longer than the lifespan for most dogs.
The study analyzed all 500 billion checker board positions and determined with the help of 200 computers that it’s impossible to win the game if each player makes the best possible move. While this is all interesting information, you have to anticipate my next question: Why?
I understand checkers is a centuries-old game enjoyed by generations of Americans. But how do you justify a team of researchers devoting considerable time over a 13-year span to evaluate a board game?
For their next trick, these researchers are going to examine Monopoly. Maybe then we can learn the mathematical chances of staying in the game if you land on Park Place with a hotel.
My point is there is a seemingly endless supply of problems, diseases, and afflictions where a team of researchers with 200 computers could actually be useful. Determining the outcome of checkers is not one of them. I would be embarrassed to admit I spent 13 years on such a project.
For today’s final tidbit, I take you to the world of video games. Remember 25 years ago when people played video games like Pac-Man for fun.
Fast forward to 2007 when a league called the Championship Gaming Series is actually paying video game players salaries of $30,000 plus bonuses. With paid players, coaches and even announcers who provide insight, this video game league is lobbying for status as a real sport.
The players even have a special name ‘ cyberathletes. What remains unsolved is if this ‘sport’ can develop a fan base and get people to watch. Somehow, I don’t see myself ever paying $19.95 for a ticket to watch cyberathletes sit and play video games.
Clayton Homes almost gone
The 3-acre lot on The Strip where Clayton Homes has been for 30 years is empty, except for a stray mobile home or two. It’s not often such an attractive piece of property ‘ with such a great location ‘ becomes available.
Since the real estate company owned by Jewell Hale and Bobby Kirby has been very aggressive in buying property, I called Bobby and asked if he’s interested in this land. Bobby said while the property is for sale, Clayton Homes has yet to determine an asking price.
‘Yeah, I’m interested but I don’t know if they’ll want a reasonable price or not,’ said Bobby. ‘It would be perfect for a nice restaurant or a big box retailer, but I really need to find out what they’re asking first.’
Bobby said he’s been working with two of the larger chain restaurants which would like to locate in McMinnville and said that might be just the spot. He also said he’s going to a shopping center convention later this week in Louisville specifically for companies looking to locate in Tennessee and Kentucky.
My only concern is the Clayton Homes land is probably going to be priced sky high. About a quarter mile down the road, Walgreen’s recently paid $1.3 million for its land. About a half mile in the other direction, Eckerd paid $750,000 for its property.
And since we’re talking about recent high-dollar real estate transactions, the old Shoney’s location fetched $540,000.
While not on a corner lot, I could argue the Clayton Homes property is every bit as attractive as those three. I think the asking price could easily approach the million dollar range. There’s no telling how long it might take to find someone willing, and able, to pay such a price.
Gag gift shop opens its doors
Folks are always clamoring for unique stores to make their way to McMinnville. That’s exactly what has happened on Spring Street where Richard Watts has opened The Joker, a store filled with humorous gifts for every occasion.
‘I guess I’m a prankster,’ said Richard, who opened his downtown store on Monday. ‘I have a bunch of gag gifts, but I want people to know this is a family store. Everything in here is clean. I want kids to be able to come in here so it’s going to be family oriented and clean.’
Richard has the granddaddy of all gag gifts, the whoopee cushion. He also has itching powder, disappearing ink, fake blood, squirt lighters, exploding golf balls, snap-n-pops, and dozens of other funny items.
‘There’s no other place around here that carries things like this,’ said Richard. ‘I guess the closest would be Murfreesboro.’
While he has a number of items on hand, Richard said the store isn’t fully stocked. He says he has other shipments on the way and wants to have the store overflowing with merchandise.
Prices are affordable, from $1.25 up to $20.
‘I’m going to try to keep everything below $20, but I might go up to $25,’ said Richard. ‘I know people don’t have a lot of money to spend.’
Richard is already talking about stocking Halloween costumes and other seasonable items when they are appropriate. The Joker is located downtown on 111 Spring Street and is open Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The number is 473-4500.
You’re in good hands with Jason Gillentine
OK, so that might be the slogan for another company, but I think it will apply to Jason Gillentine, who has ventured out on his own to open Gillentine Insurance on S. High Street.
Jason has spent the past seven years working for Farm Bureau and worked for American General before that. Considering his experience, he decided it was time to test the waters for his own company.
‘It was now or never,’ said Jason, who said his wife Amy has provided complete support. ‘Amy is a rock. I would have never had the nerve to get on stage and sing if it wasn’t for her, and this would have never happened without her either.’
Joked Amy, ‘I was the one who made him do it.’
As his own agent, Jason will work through the Independent Agents Alliance of Tennessee. That gives him access to 16 different companies to write policies for any type of insurance.
While car, home and life insurance are standard for most insurance agencies, Gillentine Insurance can write any type of policy from health insurance to long-term disability.
‘Having so many insurance companies to choose from I can find the best rates,’ said Jason. ‘If one company seems a little high, I can go with another one.’
Some of the major companies Gillentine Insurance will be using are MetLife, Safeco, Travelers, Zurich, The Hartford and The Hanover Insurance Group, to name a few. Jason says he hopes to be up and running by the end of the month or early August.
‘It’s exciting and it’s scary too,’ said Jason. ‘I’m committed to doing what’s right for the customer and treating people the way I want to be treated. I’m anxious to get this off the ground and work one-on-one with the public.’
It will also be a transition for Amy who is returning to the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom. With little Ike entering pre-K this year, she says she has to stay busy.
Gillentine Insurance can be reached at 474-4488.
New sandwich shop on the horizon
When I first heard the rumor, Starbucks had plans to locate in Northgate Shopping Center in the same building as Baskin-Robbins. After making a few phone calls, I found out that’s not the case.
Local Baskin-Robbins owner Lynn Bullen tells me there are in fact plans for a new business in her building ‘ but it’s not Starbucks. Instead, Lynn is going to open a sandwich shop called Loafin’ Around in the near future.
If you recall, Baskin-Robbins used to share its building with Logan Farms Honey Hams. But Lynn and her husband, Butch, sold that business and that side of the ice cream shop has been vacant ever since. Now the time has come to bring back a business for that side of the building.
‘I don’t want to do a franchise again,’ said Lynn. ‘A lot of people have wanted me to put a Quiznos in here but I don’t think I want to do that.’
Lynn says it’s hard enough to make ends meet without adding franchise fees into the equation. Besides, she says the sandwich shop always did a pretty good business before and she’s capable of making great-tasting sandwiches on her own.
She tells me she has already been in touch with some food vendors and is on the verge of getting ready to go. She will have to buy some new equipment but that shouldn’t be a major obstacle.
So be on the lookout for Loafin’ Around to locate next to Baskin-Robbins.
State unemployment at seven-year low
I’m hard pressed to find anyone who is glowing about the Warren County economy. The most common comments I hear are that things are slow and times are tough.
However, the local unemployment rate has been pleasantly low in recent months. And in figures released on Thursday, the state unemployment rate is 4.1 percent ‘ the lowest it’s been since December 2000.
The decrease, from a previous 4.7 percent, is thanks in part to big hiring increases in the leisure and hospitality industry, which saw 4,700 new jobs, according to a monthly business survey. The national unemployment rate remains unchanged at 4.5 percent.
That’s all folks
If you’ve been thinking about calling me with your business tips but just haven’t picked up the phone, let today be the day you come forward. It’s not too late to do the right thing.
The phone number is 473-2191 and my e-mail is [email protected]. Please refrain from sending me spam mail.