June 13, 2008
FRONT PAGE - Around the Town - JUNE 2008
Post your thoughts about News worthy articles, events, happenings, questions,
garage sales,and general information regarding our town.
Want to talk about something specific, post it here.
One of the blog authors will start the topic for you!
Happy Posting - Judy
While we welcome and encourage your thoughts and ideas we must ask that you refrain from the use of profanity and/or personal attacks, these are not acceptable and will be deleted by the administrators of this blog.
Posted by judy at 06:51 PM | Comments (66)
April 12, 2008
FRONT PAGE - Around the Town - APRIL 2008
Post your thoughts about News worthy articles, events, happenings, questions,
garage sales,and general information regarding our town.
Want to talk about something specific, post it here.
One of the blog authors will start the topic for you!
Happy Posting - Judy
While we welcome and encourage your thoughts and ideas we must ask that you refrain from the use of profanity and/or personal attacks, these are not acceptable and will be deleted by the administrators of this blog.
Posted by judy at 08:36 PM | Comments (59)
March 25, 2008
Where do YOU do shop, eat, and play?
Whether it's in Portland or elsewhere, where do you do business? What attracts you? Price? Convenience? Selection? Service? Atmosphere? Liquor By The Drink? Smoking Sections? Other . . .?
On the flip side, why do you NOT do business somewhere? Give us the low-down on your experiences.
If you prefer, you can rate businesses 1-5
1=poor 2=fair 3=neutral 4=good 5=excellent
Please review the blog rules on the main blog page before posting. I only accept responsibility for my own comments and opinions. All questions and concerns can be directed to the blog administrator, Charlie Myers.
Posted by Michelle Hanners at 12:54 PM | Comments (161)
March 18, 2008
FreeCreditReport.com Billing Warning
Due to what seems to me as an increase in recent marketing of the Free Credit Report website I felt it was time for me to post a warning to people who might be taken in by this company. If you don't know freecreditreport.com offers you free credit checks and also offers a service to continue allowing you to check your credit whenever you want. Now at first this sounds wonderful. In today's world one should be very careful about their credit with all the identity theft going on in the world. Knowing this and when people see the commercial thinking they want their free report how can they lose, right?
Yes you can go online and get your first report for absolutely nothing, and it is accurate from what I've experienced. Where you start to hit a problem is when they don't have an obvious place where it says you are agreeing to sign up for a monthly charge to allow you to continue checking your credit. Yes it is there but it's not like other places online where you purchase a service and they clearly state you are being charged "X" amount for the following service and a clear choice of where to bill it from. The average person does not see this and they agree thinking they are just receiving their free report. Later they will realize they have been billed on their credit card for a fee of $10.95 or so. This transaction on your account will not clearly say freecreditreport.com either. It will have no contact number of any kind, it will also have nothing to tell you what it was.
When I did this I did not notice exactly what this was because I like many have a few small online payments like this to websites for various things such as my personal webspace. I thought $10 was small and it could have been something I ordered that I forgot about because this was around Christmas as well. I didn't think much of it but then the following month it was there again, and it had a new friend with a similar look to it of a charge of $11.95. By this point I knew something had been charged without my knowledge and I researched. The ONLY way I could figure out it was freecreditreport.com was to copy and paste the transaction description from my online statement into Google search and came up with many articles of others across the country having the same problem I did and some were much worse. I called the company up furious and demanded they refund my money because I never received an email stating I was charged, I never received an online notice during the 2 months telling me to check my credit. It was a silent way they used to charge me over $30.
Legally they have not stolen money because I did agree in the fine print that was hard to see on the website. Since it was only $30 and not something like $200, I shrugged this off as a learning experience about checking my online billing more carefully. However I wanted to give everyone my entire story so you know what I as many others have gone through with this company that claims they give free reports. Be cautious of them and tell your friends because I have read up cases online about this same setup that cost people hundreds of dollars and did have to go to court to settle it. These kind of bait-and-switch tactics have been going on since at least 2003 from what I'm reading online and probably before that. The fact is you are entitled to one free credit report every year by law. So unless you really want a report every day do not go to these sites and do not pay them a dime. I hope this helps save at least one person from some financial frustration.
Posted by Charles at 05:25 AM | Comments (5)
March 10, 2008
FRONT PAGE - Around the Town - MARCH 2008
Post your thoughts about News worthy articles, events, happenings, questions,
garage sales,and general information regarding our town.
Want to talk about something specific, post it here.
One of the blog authors will start the topic for you!
Happy Posting - Judy
While we welcome and encourage your thoughts and ideas we must ask that you refrain from the use of profanity and/or personal attacks, these are not acceptable and will be deleted by the administrators of this blog.
Posted by judy at 11:00 AM | Comments (85)
February 12, 2008
CASINO GAMBLING over the State Line??
As reported by local media, the possiblities of casino gambling at Kentucky Downs is growing closer.
A link to the story by the Herald-Leader is provided within.
News4 also did a segment on this last evening.
If this should be passed what affect, if any, do you think it will have on our area?
http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/315595.html
Posted by judy at 07:19 AM | Comments (40)
February 03, 2008
New Portland business
Posted by B. Ruckle at 04:10 PM | Comments (52)
June 21, 2007
Certificate of Deposits
I have a 6-month CD with one of our banks in Portland. The CD was paying 5+ percent, and it matured today. It's a lot of trouble to go to the bank, and I was tempted just to let the CD renew for another six months. However, I went to the bank to check on the rates. Had I let the CD renew automatically, the bank would have paid 1.19%. Yes, that's the number I was quoted, one point one nine percent!!!!!!!! I switched it to a 9-month CD and got 5.13%.
A couple of things to keep in mind if you have certificates of deposit:
1. When they mature, always go into the bank and check on the renewal rates. If you don't, chances are the bank will significantly lower your rate.
2. Banks play games with their CD rates. One time, the 5-month CD has the best rate. The next time, it may be the 7-month CD. The next time, it may be the 6-month CD. Net result: you can't let the CD you have renew automatically.
3. Remind your friends and relatives to do the same. A lot of older people invest only in CDs, and it can be very easy for them to get taken.
As far as the banks that do this kind of thing (and you know who you are), this is really a reprehensible and shameful practice. You are taking advantage of your customers, especially customers (like older people) who have difficulty getting to the bank in person. Our leaders also encourage people to do business locally. This kind of bank business practice does not encourage us to keep our business local.
Please Mr. and Ms. Banker, remember the Golden Rule and treat your customers the way you would like to be treated.
Posted by admin at 04:29 PM | Comments (12)
April 07, 2007
Setting Up Shop In Portland... Is it Possible for Small Businesses?
I hear the people of this town screaming for more retail, more choices, let us keep our hard earned money at home and not take it across the state boarders. We've asked the City to make this a #1 Priority along with some other important issues, are they listening??
I am all for the City and Cleaning up this town, something that is long overdue.
My question is what has happened over the past year that is now making it almost impossible for small retail businesses to call Portland home? I know there are two sides to every story, but just the other day a new post was added under the topic of Retail that I urge everyone to read. It is a bit lengthy but rather eye opening to say the least.
Are we going in the right direction, perhaps, but if you look at some of the other businesses that have opened in the past few weeks, ex; the furniture store near occasions, oh myyyyyyyy............. What's with that! Are the new rules being enforced for everyone or Are City Leaders and Codes hand picking businesses that want to come to our town? I don't know, read the story for yourself and tell us what you think.
http://www.portlandtn.net/2007/02/retail.html
Copy and paste to go directly to the post or find it at the bottom of the main page
Posted by judy at 09:03 AM | Comments (70)
February 18, 2007
CASINO Gambling in Tennessee !!!
Don't know who all caught this on Fox News this evening, but I thought since everyone is in such a debating mood...... I would start this thread.... What do you think?
As seen on FOX17 News this evening
(copied and pasted from their website)
"THE CASH... THE FLASH... IMAGINE THE VOLUNTEER STATE...BECOMING THE "GAMBLING" STATE.
THAT'S WHAT SENATOR SHEA FLINN OF MEMPHIS HOPES FOR.
HE’S FILED A BILL TO DO JUST THAT."
I for one take a couple trips yearly to Tunica for a weekend get away, not sure I would want it right in my back yard.
Posted by judy at 09:18 PM | Comments (4)
January 18, 2007
City Leaders Your Opinions Wanted!! #2
This is the second posting of a few questions taken from a prior Topic "Challenge 2007 for our City"
perhaps some of our city leaders will again be willing to give their thoughts on these comments.
a- Speaking of local... the retail council established by the Mayor. It would be great to actually have someone who does retail on it, don't you think?
b- Establish a weekly or monthly forum for local businesses to discuss issues and seek solutions to better improve the welfare of business and the community. This should be done by the Chamber, but it is not at this time.
Posted by judy at 06:33 PM | Comments (12)
December 18, 2006
Soon to be Kroger?
One of the comments on this blog referred to Food Lion in Portland as "soon to be Kroger." Does anyone know if this is true? Thanks.
Posted by admin at 09:58 PM | Comments (11)
October 27, 2006
More NEW Businesses opening soon!
As posted on the Portland Web Site
New Business Coming to Portland!
We are pleased to announce that
Woodland Furniture will be opening a new furniture store in Portland.
Woodland Furniture has had a store in White House for years and is now expanding into Portland. The Portland store will be at 205 South Broadway in the old Dan's Furniture store.
Additionally I have noticed some sort of quilters store perhaps material & supplies that is coming next to PT Designs at the end of Main Street over the tracks. Anyone have information on this please post I know there are a lot of quilters in this town.
Welcome to Portland
Posted by judy at 04:08 PM | Comments (2)
October 26, 2006
THREE New Businesses opening Soon in PORTLAND!
As Noted on the Portland Web Site 3 new businesses will open soon in Portland.
Located in the IGA Plaza
@ 509 South Broadway
Portland, TN 37148
Extreme Fitness Center
Open 24/7 (615) 325-3333
Services:
Machine and Free weight equipment.
Aerobics - Nutrition consultants - Cardio-theater
Personal trainer - Sauna in both male & female dressing rooms.
Extreme Caffeine
Is an Internet cafe. Serve coffees and smoothies.
Extreme Tanz
Tanning beds.
I know of several people who were traveling to Franklin previously to use facilities like this, it may not be for everyone but it is a start, by the looks of the place when passing by someone has invested some money into this venture, looks great!!
Posted by judy at 06:37 PM | Comments (27)
October 03, 2006
Where do you spend your Money??
I thought this might be an interesting way to find out how much tax dollars portland is missing out on
where does everyone shop for
1-Groceries
2-Clothing
3-General purchases
4-Holiday Gifts
for instance my answers to these questions would be
Groceries = 35% Portland 65% Walmart KY
Clothing = 50% Walmart KY 30% Rivergate Mall 20% Internet
General purchases = 40% Walmart KY 20% Portland 20% Other stores 20% Internet
Holiday Gifts = 40% Walmart KY 20% Portland 40% Internet
So ... now that I have had to think about this I guess I am doing a good job supporting our surrounding cities, but what other options do I have in keeping my money at home!! This needs to change!
Posted by judy at 07:02 AM | Comments (14)
November 04, 2005
New building
Does ayone know what is going up on the corner of 52 and 31????
Posted by jc at 11:58 AM | Comments (4)
September 15, 2005
Our Teens need a place to go...
Hello to Parents and Pre-teens/Teens alike. Being the father of a pre-teen myself, it concerns me that Teens don't have a local place to go for entertainment and recreation. Based on a couple of the comments seen here from both a Parent and a Teen, I feel that there is definetly a need.
Deborah writes:
"On the other hand I feel we need more places for our youth or teens can meet and eat in a clean enviroment we need something more here for them to do."
Danielle writes:
I agree with Deborah, we need more places for our teens. We had a great place where Beachhouse is with games and food, but it soon went out of business. We need a place where parents can trust teens to go out by themselves and know that where they are is a good place. A place that serves a smoothie here and there and pizza and games would be nice. Being a preteen myself, I would love to have a place where we could hang out and not worry about our parents worrying about us.
I have an idea in that I would like feedback on...
I have been thinking about opening my own business here in Portland for quite awhile. My idea would satisfy the needs of the 2 aformentioned bloggers and those who think like them, that our Teens need a safe, entertaining place to go in addition to providing service to the community. I asked Charlie for Author access to the blog so I could poll the community to determine if this would be a fruitful enterprise (I have a family to support after all).
I am currently looking for a location, preferably in the range of approx. 4000sqft that is somewhat centerally located with plenty of parking. Central air would be a requirement and I would like the ability to modify the interior (i.e. paint, build walls as needed) that would not be permanent construction.
I am working on developing a business plan to present to either a bank or investors (locally ideally), and would like to solicit you all, the readers of this blog, with the desire to expand the offerings to our Teens entertainment and safety, the chance to offer your general feedback on the need and desire for such a location.
I do not want to give away the details of my idea for obvious reasons, but would be happy to answer any general questions pertaining to it from Parents, Teens, Investors, etc. You can send me e-mail to thenefas@hotmail.com with questions or comments that you wouldn't otherwise like to air here.
Please, give feedback, I welcome all you are willing to provide.
Posted by Brian Bertsch at 03:53 PM | Comments (5)