Common Cents
Brian Blackwell
Brian Blackwell is the newest reporter at the Southeast Missourian, focusing on business. A May 2008 graduate of the University of Nebraska, Brian is an avid Cornhusker fan. When he is not covering the business community for the newspaper, Brian enjoys spending time with his wife and church family, cheering on the Cubs and Cornhuskers, wishing for snow and hiking on the numerous area trails.
Will it snow, will it snow, will it snow? (November 30, 2008)
Cape Girardeau Branding Iron closes (November 29, 2008)
Happy Black Friday (November 28, 2008)
Wieser acquires Suzuki franchise from Minor's Harley Davidson (November 27, 2008)
The Economic Earthquake (November 26, 2008)
Are you planning to shop on-line this holiday season? Or are you planning on getting bargains or getting up early on Black Friday? (November 24, 2008)
The business buzz: High hopes for Thanksgiving weekend (November 24, 2008)
New nail salon set to open next month (November 22, 2008)
What do you think of the auto bailout? (November 21, 2008)
Is the economy keeping you closer to home this Thanksgiving? Are you planning on doing anything to cut back on the holiday? If so, I want to hear from you today (November 21, 2008)
New hospice option offered in Southeast Missouri and my first trip to Marble Hill (November 20, 2008)
Austin's of Alto Pass, Ill., closing after 23 years in business (November 19, 2008)
Latest mall news (November 18, 2008)
Chambers adding members thanks to October drive (November 17, 2008)
The start to my Friday morning - running over a deer (November 14, 2008)
Guess who's moving into the old Fred's building in Jackson (November 13, 2008)
Bott Radio Network expands into four Southeast Missouri cities (November 13, 2008)
Renovations, expansion underway at Fireplace Center/River City Masonry (November 12, 2008)
Jaspers at corner of Independence and West End Blvd reopens, changes name (November 11, 2008)
All the buzz about business (November 10, 2008)
Upcoming ribbon cuttings (November 9, 2008)
Anyone seen "Beer for My Horses"? (November 8, 2008)
VA Clinic to relocate in 2009 (November 7, 2008)
It's official - gas is now $1.99/gallon in Cape! (November 6, 2008)
West Park Mall lands new tenant; a note to all existing, new and soon-to-be business owners (November 6, 2008)
Pet products business opens in Cape (November 5, 2008)
Thoughts from an early morning at Arena Building (November 4, 2008)
Economics of presidential politics (November 3, 2008)
Bahama Tan changes ownership, adds gift store (November 2, 2008)
Thoughts and behind-the-scene happenings from the Palin rally (November 1, 2008)
Has anyone planning to retire now or very soon been affected by the stock market? If so, I want to hear from you (October 31, 2008)
Favorite Halloween memory (October 31, 2008)
Infant and children's consignment store opens in Jackson (October 30, 2008)
Anyone heard of Palin ticket scalpers? (October 29, 2008)
Becoming quakesmart (October 27, 2008)
Some cute Halloween dog pictures (October 25, 2008)
Greetings from Lincoln, Neb. (October 24, 2008)
What stories would you like to see in Monday's business page? (October 23, 2008)
Cape Regional Credit Union hoping to open third location in January (October 22, 2008)
Marvels & Legends changes ownership; Pacific Rim Market opens (October 21, 2008)
Posting information through weekly Business Buzz column (October 20, 2008)
Contract Postal Unit to open Oct. 22 (October 17, 2008)
Party and planning business in Cape Girardeau scheduled to open Nov. 1 (October 16, 2008)
Updates on Qdoba's opening in Cape, new Drury Inn and Suites in Sikeston (October 15, 2008)
Marble Hill hardware store closing; space to be occupied by another retail business (October 14, 2008)
Solutions to latest mall casualty discussed in my latest Business Buzz column (October 13, 2008)
Want a Dallas Cowboys' end zone? Try Neiman Marcus' Christmas catalog (October 11, 2008)
Solving the mystery at 2320 E. Jackson Blvd. (October 10, 2008)
McAlister's Select closes (October 9, 2008)
Jackson Diner closes (October 7, 2008)
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cubbytodd and SideShowBob,
Thanks for the support. You understand that at times we can't always be at our computers 24/7. To those who have criticized me, this is a free world and your comments are welcomed. But I have been out out town at my parents in Alabama and had limited access to the Internet. During my stay in Birmingham, I met one evacuee from the New Orleans area whose story is one many from that city shared. She said that after Katrina, she wasn't taking any chances this time and got out of the Big Easy as quickly as possible. Unlike many in the shelters in Birmingham and others housing evacuees, she had family to stay with in the city. Thankfully it looks like others will be returning to their homes in days, not months as was the case in 2005.
BABE
You have alot of nerve saying that Brian is not worth his salary. What expert degree in journalism do you have that gives you the authority to make that statement? I sure am glad that are a perfectionist in your job that you are worth every freakin penny you are paid. And I'm glad you have not and never will make a mistake. What nerve!!!!
Why don't you go back to your speak out blog with your fellow irrational bloggers and leave us alone!!!!
SideShow
I would hope that Mr Blackwell has invested in a laptop computer as progressive journalists in order to check his own blog and tell us of his experiences in preparations for the hurricane in Alabama. But I guess not as he a young man fresh from schooling. Whatever he is paid, he does not deserve it.
Perhaps he is out helping at the shelter as he mentioned. Not everyone can sit around commenting on blogs all day, every day.
Where is Mr Blackwell's interest in his blog today? Didn't he invite comments?
Thanks CapeRes
Once Nagin got there, things in NO seem to be moving smoothly. People who have no transportation or gas are being transported by bus, train and plane out of the area with a more reliable system of recording their names and destination. They can also bring their household pets. Yes, it is a far cry from the incompetent way people were left to die in Katrina. The present governor insisted on a viable emergency plan.
Cape is expecting about 200 evacuees and the Humane Society is asking folks to drop off donated kennels, carriers and pet food at their location.
Babe - I'll keep you sister in my thoughts! I'm glad to hear they are making it away from the storms path. That is ridiculous about Nagin. Of course the mayer of NOLA should be there to help make plans! I don't think it is ever to early to do that!
I just had a call from my sister in Cecelia, La. She tells me that tomorrow the state troopers will be allowing a contra for people to get on the freeway which is gridlocked. She is only trying to travel twenty miles into Lafayette to stay with our brother, who has no trees in his yard. And if necessary, they will have access to the Cajundome. She is lucky to have a tankful of gas as there is no more to be had in that area.
As an aside note. She told me that folks there were enraged with Nagin, dem mayor of NO. He was at the dem convention when Bobby Jindal, governor of La, called him and ordered him home. Nagin had a fit saying it was too early to prepare and Jindal threatened him with malfeason if he stayed. He left. giggle
Good, I hope it hits $5 a gallon and stays there.
The last thing we need right now it gas to go the opposite direction, hit $1.50 again and knock out all innovations in oil substitutes. Then we will have an even worse oil shock down the road.
I think I'll wait to see if President Bush is blamed for this hurricane based on the federal governments response to crises this time. If I recall, last time it was several days before the federal government came to help residents who were stranded without food, water or medical care. While it is just silly to say Bush made a hurricane occur, he is still the president of this country and in charge of how the federal government reacts to a natural disaster and it's effects on American citizens.
I wonder how we can blame President Bush for this hurricane too... I know it's his fault some how! He probably made a deal with Mother Nature to hit the gulf coast states with a hurricane at least once a term just for the hell of it...
Good call on being ready to house hurricane victims... however if Katrina taught us anything, it's that we should be more prepared overall. I think whenever a tropical storm gets upgraded, there should be a system in place to make preparations for the worst case scenario.
As for the gas situation. Every 7 months or so, gossip spreads about gas prices going up significantly. And over the last 5 years or so that I've been paying attention, the gossip has been right only once, when they predicted $4 a gallon by the summer of '08.
And if you're in a situation where you don't have to care about the gas prices, then I seriously envy you. For a lot of people, the gas prices have a direct influence on how they live their life.
Eh, bring it on. Let the free market prevail. If one doesn't like it, then don't buy it!
The pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness isn't guaranteed, nor is it guaranteed to be at a price to please everyone.
Was recently in Canada - CAD$1.40 per liter which is about US$5.50 per gallon at the current exchange rates. Felt good to fill up back home at only US$45 per tank, instead of the over CAD$70 up in the Great White North.
People up yonder still drive, although one sees much smaller vehicles in general. Still see the big muscle cars, still see people driving as if they needed to be there yesterday - just not as many.
Of course, I heard that the taxes on gas, booze, tobacco, cell phones, and other 'luxury' items help pay for their wonderful health care system. Not to mention their 14% sales tax - flippin' A. A six pack of Milwaukee's Best was CAD$8.49, plus sales tax. A can of tobacco chew was about CAD$10, plus sales tax. A cell phone package with an 850-minute per month plan was CAD $175 per month - with sales and usage taxes - just short of CAD$200. And who said talk was cheap? :-)~
High prices are painful - but people adapt within their means. For those who demand artificial controls on prices - price controls, windfall taxes, etc. - keep in mind that every solution creates a problem, and that the cure can be worse than the sickness.
yes, and gas was suppose to be $7 / gallon over this past 4th of July holiday.
You're just now finding out about $5.00 a gallon gas?