Christmas Campaign with Buddy Blue Bag

Franklin—Buddy Blue Bag wants all Franklin residents to have a Blue Christmas this season and will be educating citizens, in local retailers, via social media and on the big screen at the Franklin Theatre! Christmas is one of the busiest times of year for the Franklin Solid Waste Department and much of the trash people throw away could easily be recycled in the City’s Blue Bag Curbside Recycling program.

“Currently 44 percent of residents are participating in the blue bag program,” said Solid Waste Director Becky Caldwell. “The City recently conducted an online survey to learn why some of the residents were not recycling and one of the main reasons for not participating was residents felt the bags were too expensive and they did not know where to find the bags. So we are launching Operation Blue Christmas to educate residents.”

Beginning the end of this week, a Buddy Bluebag display will be featured at many local retailers. “We need to reach shoppers where the bags are sold,” said Communications Manager Milissa Reierson. “The bags are located on the trash bag aisle of most local grocers and hardware stores including big box retailers. More importantly the bags usually cost the same as trash bags and residents will end up using far fewer trash bags if they choose to recycle.” The blue bags are picked up once a week, the same day as a resident’s trash collection day.

Christmas Buddy will also be making his debut at the Franklin Theatre December 21, 22 and 23. Theatre goers attending the holiday movies will get some holiday recycling tips with a slide on the big screen. For more information on what is accepted in the City of Franklin Blue Bag Curbside recycling program, go to www.franklintn.gov/bluebag.

Source:  http://www.franklintn.gov/index.aspx?page=25&recordid=1188&returnURL=%2findex.aspx

Pass on the salt…

Protect your driveways, walks, and steps by removing snow and ice promptly. 

Take care not to gouge paved or brick surfaces while chipping ice. If you cannot remove a stubborn layer of ice, use cat litter or sand for traction. They are safe for driveways, walks, steps, and nearby grass or shrubs. Avoid applying salt in any form.  Repeated thaw and freezing with salt and chemicals can damage concrete, brick, mortar, and asphalt, and salt will kill grass, shrubs, and trees. Provide an outdoor floor mat to prevent the cat litter or sand from being tracked into the house. Another mat just inside the door will provide additional protection for carpets and floors.

Carrie M. Smith is the Sales Manager for The Hunt Club and Berry Hill in Hendersonville, TN

Number of years working in new home industry:    9 years

How long have you been with Jones? … Mid October 2011

Why did you choose this business?    Love houses!

How did you end up in this industry?    Thought I would give it a try back in the day. Glad I did!

Where are you originally from?    Grand Blanc, MI      

Name of College:    The Ohio State University       

City and state where college is located:   Columbus, Ohio  
Degree Received:  BA I also have an MBA  Major:   Communication/English, MBA Finance        

Describe your past work experiences.  Please include what you were doing before The Jones Company.      I was in General Real Estate right before I came on board. Before that, I worked with Perry and Debbie at Fox Ridge Homes. I worked for Pulte and for Gross Builders in the past as well.

Describe what you do for The Jones Company.    Anything and everything I can to sell homes.

Why did you want to work for Jones?     I have a friend that works here and he really thought Peder rocked and he thought that I would like it here.         

Describe your best experience or nicest compliment received from a homeowner/co-worker.     The best compliment for me is when people call me that I have sold to in the past because they trust me and had a good experience.

What is your personal philosophy that guides your work?     It’s 5 O’clock somewhere ~ Kidding.  If you love your job you will never work a day in your life.
          
What motivates you or what personal fulfillment do you get out of your job?     I like selling homes because it is problem solving. I find out what they need and how I can find a solution. Hopefully, it is one of my homes.
            
Hobbies and Interests:    Love to boat, love to cook and bake, love the outdoors, Kickboxing, can’t resist puppies, I like projects, I collect carebears, college football, march madness, anything Ohio State, live sporting events, live music, I love cars, fishing, going to the gun range, sleeping in

What’s the craziest adventurous thing you’ve ever done?    Ask me in person.

Which is the best vacation you’ve ever had in your life?     Almost a month in South Africa.

If you could have a luncheon with any three people (real of fictitious/ from any time period, dead or alive) , which three people would you choose and why?
My dad, because he was taken way too soon.
Woody Hayes, Cause he is just pure Ohio State awesomeness
Marilyn Monroe, Elvis or Dale Carnegie not sure who to choose.

What’s the one thing, you can’t live without?     Toothbrush

Favorite Coffee Drink: (or other beverage)    Raspberry Woodchuck

Favorite TV Show:     Tosh.0

If you won the lottery, what would your DREAM CAR be?     One that does my laundry.  If I won the lottery I’d buy lots of different cars.            

Any volunteer work or community involvement?    I help feed the homeless under the Jefferson Street Bridge once a month.            

Tell us about your family:                    
3 Dogs
Yellow Lab, Jake
American Bulldog, Buckeye
Boxer, Bella

Be comfortable in a properly insulated New Jones Home.

Peder and Joe demonstrate how The Jones Company properly installs insulation in your New Home. Click here.

 Insulation Installation – The Jones Company overlaps and staples the wall insulation to ensure that there is no air leakage. We also seal the joints of the wood with caulk, as well.  Many builders simply shove the insulation between the studs, and don’t overlap and staple the paper.

Meet our Lead Estimator for The Jones Company, Gary Grubbs. Not only is Gary an essential member of The Jones Team, he is vital in our process of building new homes in Nashville and the surrounding areas.

Gary has worked in the new home industry for approximately 18 years and has been the Lead Estimator for the Jones Company of TN for over 7 years.

We asked Gary a few questions in order to get to know him a bit better:

Why did you choose this business?   The People – both in the business and those that we build homes for.

How did you end up in this industry?   Business was close to home which allowed me to be near my children when they were young.

Where are you originally from? Texas, Born and Raised

Gary attended college at Texas A&M University located in College Station, TX with a major in Computer Science and Engineering.

Before joining The Jones Company, Gary worked for a National Home builder based in Houston, TX. He also worked for a large Lumber Company, an Industrial products company, and a variety of other jobs while working through college.    

We asked Gary what made him want to work for Jones:  The people here are great to work with. We are Family. We have been building homes and communities for over 80 years. That creates a great sense of pride and accomplishment.
           
Gary describes his best experience while working at The Jones Company:
We support many organizations within the community like Habitat for Humanity and YES “Youth Encouragement Services.” We were able to take a group of kids to a local Water park. What a positive change those children have made in my life, and maybe we were able to make a positive change in theirs. We have team members that are actively involved and are able to make us aware of opportunity we have to serve.

Gary’s personal philosophy that guides his work: We are in the people business. We just happen to work for a home building company.

When asked what motivates Gary or what personal fulfillment he gets out of his job, he replied:
I am able to fulfill a dream of mine which is to create dreams for others. Through The Jones Company, I am able to be part of fulfilling people’s dreams of owning a home. A Dream Home, if you will.

Thanks Gary, for everything you do!

This season, keep your home safe from some common Christmas-tree hazards by heeding these important tips from the National Safe Kids Campaign:

1. Never place your tree near a heat source, such as a fireplace or portable heater.

2. If you have small children or pets, trim the lower branches to avoid eye injuries.

3. Hang all ornaments that are breakable, have small, detachable parts or metal hooks, or that look like food or candy on higher branches where small children can’t reach them. Florist’s wire, which can be twisted firmly around branches, is a great way to hang fragile ornaments.

4. Keep pets out of the room in which the tree is placed, especially if you can’t be there to supervise. Cats are notorious for leaping onto Christmas trees, especially when pursued by another pet. Keep the tree from toppling by tying it to a ceiling hook. Both cats and dogs can knock down and break glass ornaments, then cut themselves on the pieces. Pets may also gnaw on electrical cords for Christmas-tree lights. Hide cords when possible, or help prevent injury by purchasing a pet-proof conduit, which will enclose cords and wires.

5. Avoid using artificial snow sprays, which can cause lung irritation if inhaled.

6. Turn off tree lights when you go to bed or leave the house. Use only UL-approved electrical decorations and extension cords, and check that no cords have frayed since you last used the lights.

7. Never burn Christmas-tree branches in your fireplace. It can cause the buildup of creosote, a highly flammable compound.

Source: http://www.rd.com/home/pick-the-perfect-christmas-tree/

Meet Brad Pennington.  The Jones Company Sales Manager for Hadden Hall located in McKay’s Mill, Franklin TN

Brad has worked in the new home industry on and off for approximately 24 years and has been The Jones Company Sales Manager in Hadden Hall for 2 of those years.

We asked Brad a few questions in order to get to know him a bit better:

Why did you choose this business? I originally wanted to be an architect. After 2 years as a draftsman, I decided building & selling homes suited me better.

How did you end up in this industry?  After working as a draftsman, I went into business with a partner as a real estate investor buying & selling foreclosures.

Where are you originally from? Nashville ,TN    

Brad attended college at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville and The Nashville State Technological Institute. He received a degree in Architectural Engineering.

Before joining The Jones Company, Brad was the Owner and General Contractor of Custom Built Construction, a Loan Officer at Calvary Bank, and Sales Manager for Southern Home Builders & Carothers Crossing LLC.     

We asked Brad what made him want to work for Jones:  Reputation, stability & growth in a challenging market. I had worked for a competitor and studied and admired The Jones Company’s business model. I decided if you can’t beat them, join them.
            
Brad describes his best experience or nicest compliment received from a homeowner:
Several of my homeowners attended my wedding & reception and I consider them close friends. This career is much more than selling homes; it’s building dreams and lifelong relationships.

Brad’s personal philosophy that guides his work: One good turn gets the whole blanket (Just Kidding!) “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right.”

When asked what motivates Brad or what personal fulfillment he gets out of his job, he replied:
Solving problems motivates me as well as being the best I can be. When a family steps into my model home with that deer in the headlights look, I know they are overwhelmed. I feel a sense of fulfillment when I can help them relax and solve their housing problems. Whether they build with Jones or someone else, they will leave my office a more informed buyer and hopefully, a new Jones Homeowner.

By The Associated Press

SPRING HILL — General Motors has announced it will begin building its Chevrolet Equinox at its idled Spring Hill plant next year and plans to begin making a midsized vehicle there in the future.

Monday’s announcement of the $61 million investment will create nearly 700 jobs at the plant outside Nashville.

GM says the subsequent $183 million investment into the unspecified midsized vehicle will create another 1,200 jobs.

Production on the Equinox is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2012.

The timing on the second vehicle was not announced.

Source:  http://www.c-dh.net/articles/2011/11/21/top_stories/001gmannouncement.txt

Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes Ready In: 1 Hour
Servings: 14

Ingredients:

7 slices bacon
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 (8 ounce) package cream
cheese, softened 1/4 cup half-and-half
4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons chopped fresh
chives

Directions:

1. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Remove bacon from skillet, drain on paper towels and crumble.
2. Place garlic in hot bacon grease. Cook and stir until soft, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place cream cheese and half-and-half in a medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until blended. Stir in bacon, garlic, blue cheese and chives. Transfer mixture to a medium baking dish.
4. Bake covered in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Source:  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Warm-Blue-Cheese-Dip-with-Garlic-and-Bacon/Detail.aspx

A bit of History…

The U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”[2]

In 1953, an Emporia, Kansas man named Alvin King the owner of a shoe repair shop, had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I. King had been actively involved with the American War Dads during World War II. He began a campaign to turn Armistice Day into “All” Veterans Day. The Emporia Chamber of Commerce took up the cause after determining that 90% of Emporia merchants as well as the Board of Education supported closing their doors on November 11 to honor all veterans. With the help of U.S. Representative Ed Rees, also from Emporia, a bill for the holiday was pushed through Congress. President Dwight Eisenhower signed it into law on May 26, 1954.[3]

Source Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_day

Happy Veterans day! Thank you to all who have served our country!