Checking for ticks not always appealing
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Over the years, I’ve done this with varying degrees of success. To be honest, the experiment would be working fairly well right now if it wasn’t for that completely annoying song with the chorus that goes, ‘I’d like to check you for ticks.’
To be blunt, this has to be the worst song to ever receive radio air play. And the station I’ve been listening to feels compelled to play this song an estimated 741 times a day.
My question is this: If you look at a woman and think she just might have a few ticks latched on somewhere, how attractive is this woman going to be? If you think she might have ticks, fleas or any other critter crawling around on her body, my guess is she probably looks a tad on the nasty side.
To make matters worse, I found myself in line to buy groceries the other day singing ‘I’d like to check you for ticks,’ simply because it’s been rammed down my throat every hour on the hour. To remedy this problem, I am no longer listening to country radio.
As for this week’s offbeat news, here’s a story I’ve uncovered from Elko, Nev. It’s the story of an off-duty deputy who was pulled over and charged with DUI by another deputy ‘ a major taboo in law enforcement. Making the story even more lively is the fact the two deputies are married.
Mike Moore pulled over and charged his wife, Charlotte Moore, with driving under the influence. Not only does Mrs. Moore face legal repercussions, but she’s also been put on paid administrative leave since DUI is a major no-no for an officer of the law.
This is just a hunch, but I’m willing to guess this makes for some awkward dinner conversation. ‘So honey, how was your night in jail’?
Life is probably not too good for this husband right now. He jeopardizes his wife’s job and gets her taken in custody. I don’t think flowers and a card are going to get him out of this one. Somehow, I’m not getting a mental picture of a cheerful wife having dinner ready when he walks in the door.
Last by not least, we all know there’s been a recent push to get creative with baby names. This is a trend that’s not unique to America.
In fact it’s spread to China, the nation of cheaply made products, although the government there has not been so receptive to this new-found creativity. Just last week the Chinese government issued a citation to a couple trying to name their child the ‘at’ symbol, otherwise known as ‘@.’
It is not clear if police, who are the arbiters of names because they issue identity cards, rejected baby @.
This comes after a Swedish couple was denied a request to name their baby girl Metallica after the hard-rock band. In this case, the Swedish Tax Board is in charge of OK’ing baby names and Metallica was rejected.
Defending her choice of Metallica, mother Karolina Tomaro said, ‘It suits her.’
Speculation swirls at Three Star Mall
It doesn’t take much to get the rumors started about a new anchor at Three Star Mall. Apparently some folks got extremely excited when construction workers were seen examining the inside of the old Kmart building last week.
I think I speak for everybody when I say the hope is that a great new store will decide to open there soon. That appears to be on the way, well sort of.
The plan is for Hibbett’s to temporarily occupy a portion of old Kmart spot. This will be done while extensive renovation work takes place at the current Hibbett’s location. The plan calls for Hibbett’s to expand and lease the space behind it that was formerly Fantastic Sams.
‘People just went crazy when they saw construction workers in there,’ said mall manager Teresa Martin when asked about the old Kmart space. ‘I bet we had 20 people come in here and ask what was going on. Hibbett’s is expected to be there but it will probably only be for six to eight weeks.’
Teresa told me all that all the T’s haven’t been crossed but that it certainly appears Hibbett’s is close to finalizing its deal to expand and move to the old Kmart during construction.
McMinnville Molding gets back on its feet
Rickie Northcutt says he and his wife, Ruby, haven’t taken a day off since a fire came close to destroying their business June 23. While the work has been exhausting, it’s also been enough to bring McMinnville Molding back to life.
‘There have been some 12- and 16-hour days,’ Rickie said Friday. ‘There have even been some 20-hour days. It’s been rough.’
It’s taken that kind of dedication to make the 27-year company operational again. Seven people are currently working at McMinnville Molding, down from 55 employees who were working when the fire erupted.
Rickie says he doesn’t expect his workforce to approach that size again. He says 20 employees might be a more realistic long-term goal.
‘We were at the point where we were about to sell a lot of our old equipment anyway,’ said Rickie. ‘We were going to modernize with new equipment and work as a smaller company with more efficient equipment with higher technology.’
Rickie says six of his presses are in working condition and they have been moved to the front of the building where the manufacturing is currently taking place. He says he doesn’t have plans to repair the former warehouse portion which was heavily damaged by fire.
The biggest obstacle thus far has been the electrical wiring. Rickie says eventually the whole building will have to be rewired.
McMinnville Molding specializes in plastic injection molded products and ships to seven countries. He says the global economy is fierce and it’s nearly impossible to compete with other countries when an abundance of manual labor is involved in a job.
‘People in China make 23 cents an hour and they sleep in rooms where there are eight cots per room,’ said Rickie. ‘We don’t live that way, and Americans aren’t going to give up their lifestyle. It will be a few years, but it’s not going to stay that way in China either.’
Rickie says he’s made some headway but that there’s still a pretty big mess to clean up. He wants to thank everyone who helped in his time of need.
‘It surprises you the generosity of people when things like this happen,’ he said. ‘We had help from so many people, people you wouldn’t even think of.’
SMG in midst of expansion
If you’ve driven down Manchester Highway to Morrison in the past few days, you’ve likely noticed the large-scale expansion taking place next to Southern Manufacturing Group. To be exact, it’s an 18,000-square-foot expansion to accompany the existing 42,000-square-foot facility.
SMG owner Ray Jones has been gearing up for growth for some time and now has a workforce 38 employees strong. Avid Business Pulse readers may remember I mentioned Ray and SMG about a year ago and it’s great to see his plans taking shape.
SMG is in the process of getting a line of gate valves up to 24 inches. SMG will be modifying these existing valves for its orders. The valve operation will move to the expansion when it’s complete, while the SMG automotive division will continue to occupy the current facility.
‘Just adding more space is a good thing,’ said Ray. ‘It helps get us ready for when opportunity presents itself.’
Ray says work has leveled off at this time, but he adds that occasional swings are part of most normal business cycles. He says he hopes the expansion ultimately results in a few more jobs too.
‘It bounces up and down,’ said Ray. ‘You just hope it keeps bouncing higher than before and that’s what we’re shooting for.’
New owners hit ground running at Harvest Farms
It’s only been a matter of days since the Inn at Harvest Farms has been under new ownership and already there’s a wedding booked at the facility.
Ron and Angela Gribble are the new owners along with Angela’s mother, Peggy Mankin. The three are ready to book weddings, anniversary receptions, birthday parties, and any type of gathering that requires an upscale setting.
‘We’re ready right now,’ said Angela. ‘We’re living here, answering the phone, and we’re booking.’
Even though school has just started and the blistering heat outside has few people thinking about the holidays, Angela says now is the time to reserve your spot if you would like to have your Christmas party at the inn.
Ron says they are equipped to do all the work, from a great-tasting menu that includes things like prime rib and twice-baked potatoes to hiring a DJ.
The same goes for weddings. They want to be your one-stop shop capable of providing flowers, tuxedo rentals, even a minister if you need one. About the only thing they don’t want to do is make the wedding cake.
‘I don’t think I want to take on that responsibility too,’ said Angela.
I should also mention that Diane Morton, the architect behind the Inn at Harvest Farms, will be on staff. And when Diane is around, you know that famous Harvest Farms fruit tea won’t be far away.
To book your wedding or gathering at the Inn at Harvest Farms, call 815-2225. The inn is located on Tom Grissom Road in the Morrison area.
That’s all folks
It’s been a great Business Pulse week and I thank you for your support. And remember to keep dreaming about jobs coming to McMinnville. Call me with your business tips at 473-2191.