Ate too many donuts? Call into work fat
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It seems everyone is anxious to go fly a kite. I know I am after last year’s disaster involving a $37 kite.
Yes, it’s hard to believe a kite could cost $37, but that’s exactly what Steve Warner paid for this airplane-shaped kite. It was $37 too much because the two of us spent the better part of the morning trying to get that plane off the ground. This was a bit embarrassing considering 5-year-olds were flying kites all around us while two grown men kept having their kite crash.
To remedy the problem, I’ve decided to go with a more traditional kite this year, yet a kite that still displays my Business Pulse pride. I’ve decided Kite Day will be the perfect time to unveil my Business Pulse kite which is pictured below.
Now you might think flying a kite with your own picture on it is a bit egotistical, but I’m only doing this due to popular demand. I can’t tell you the number of requests I’ve had for this kite.
OK, I really haven’t had that many requests. All right, truth be told, no one has asked me to fly a Business Pulse kite – not even my own mother – but that’s not going to discourage me next weekend.
On another note, I noticed the IRS has decided to encourage Americans to lose weight. So the agency announced last week that obesity is officially a disease. And since obesity is now a disease, weight loss programs and products can therefore be deducted from your federal taxes.
This sounds like a great motivational tool, but it’s important to remember there are people who will take advantage of anything. If obesity is a disease, will people be able to skip work because they’re too fat? I’ve heard of calling in sick, but never calling in fat.
Fat worker talking to boss on the phone: “I just knew I shouldn’t have made those last two trips to the buffet bar. I think that last bowl of ice cream put me over the top. I’m too fat to come to work today.”
What could a boss do in that situation? Now that obesity is a government-recognized disease, firing the guy would most likely constitute discrimination. Just think of the absentee rate around Thanksgiving and the holidays.
I might even pack on a few pounds if it will get me out of work, but since I’ve yet to reach that stage, I better bring you this week’s Business Pulse.
JCPenney celebrates its 100th birthday
Here’s a little history lesson. On April 14, 1902, James Cash Penney opened a small, dry goods store in Wyoming. He named that store The Golden Rule because he wanted to treat others the way he wanted to be treated himself.
Hundreds of stores, and exactly 100 years later, the enjoyment of shopping at one of Penney’s stores is still available. The JCPenney’s at Three Star Mall is honoring the occasion with a celebration from 12:30-9:30 p.m. today.
The first 100 customers (over 18) will receive a ticket for the drawing of a $100 gift card. Cake and other refreshments will also be available.
There is no shortage of JCPenney history in McMinnville. The first store opened here in 1929. That same year, JCPenney opened 375 stores nationwide to bring its total to 1,395 stores in all 48 states. Before moving to the mall, JCPenney used to be located on Main Street where the Dollar General is now.
In honor of JCPenney’s 100th anniversary, I decided to do a little research and I found Cecil Brown was McMinnville’s first JCPenney manager in 1929, but he resigned after only one year on the job. Following Brown as managers were B.M. Farley, A.H. Miller Jr., M.C. Flanders, J.R. Smith, Charles F. Rowe, C.D. Huddleston and Frank C. Dorman. Jamie Dowdy is the current manager and he really has the store looking great.
If you want more JCPenney information, I’ve got this additional tidbit. Before making it big, such stars as Whitney Houston, Brooke Shields and Cybil Shepherd got their start modeling for JCPenney catalogs.
Mexican food can drive up to your door
If you’re like me, you have probably wondered why Mexican food doesn’t drive up to your door. Apparently the folks at La Mexicana have wondered the same thing. And since they’re in the Mexican food business, they decided to create a solution.
La Mexicana now has a lunch truck which comes to you. And this truck is fully stocked with a complete menu. We’re talking tacos, enchiladas, fajitas and nachos supreme. They’ve also got other goodies like chips, cookies and honey buns.
“We’re hoping to get two or three good places and then rotate around,” said Daniel Allen, who drives the lunch truck. “If we can develop a schedule where we’re at a certain place on a certain day, it will give those people something to look forward to those days of the week.”
Allen said it would be ideal to park the lunch truck at a factory, or other place of business, where a couple hundred people work. He says they have yet to work out an agreement with any local factories, but has been trying to stir up interest.
The truck is also available for catering any special event. You can call Daniel for more information at 247-1004.
Strictly Fitness gets more stuff
Since obesity is now officially a disease, I suppose you can deduct a Strictly Fitness membership from your taxes if you are big enough. That’s one more reason to get off the sofa and begin working out.
As most of us know, Strictly Fitness isn’t a new business, but the gym has recently added a whole bunch of new equipment. Owners Leland Northcutt and Paige Zemina say they’ve added almost 25 new machines over the last month and more are on the way.
“Everybody is getting into cardiovascular workouts,” said Paige. “It’s good to keep the heart in shape and a lot of people have come off blood pressure medication or lowered their cholesterol by doing it. And you can lose a lot of weight.”
With so many folks wanting to do cardiovascular exercises, Strictly Fitness has added new treadmills, new stairclimbers and new bikes. And with swimsuit season around the corner, now is the perfect time to work on that figure.
Anyone interested in joining the gym can give Paige a call at 473-9355. New members receive an evaluation that measures body fat versus lean body mass, among other things. Paige will also set up a workout program to fit your needs.
“We look at where your body is and where you need to go,” said Paige.
What’s up with Carrier and A.O. Smith
Several folks have either called or asked me to give a report about the job opportunities now available at Carrier and A.O. Smith. From what I understand, Carrier is hiring back about 100 people who have previously been let go, while there are close to 20 new jobs posted at A.O. Smith.
I’ve called representatives with each company and have yet to receive a response after about two weeks worth of trying. Simply put, those big factories don’t care anything about talking to the newspaper unless they’re about to make a $1,000 donation and that’s when they expect you to run right over and make a picture.
In short, I don’t have anything confirmed from Carrier or A.O. Smith but I hear they are hiring people.
That’s all folks
Don’t forget Kite Day next weekend and don’t forget to give me a call with your business tips. It’s as easy as picking up the phone and calling 473-2191. Or you can send me an e-mail at [email protected].