BANNED FROM THE 'BUCKS

No More Lattes For Nameless Man

Dusty | Food & Drink

You will not see one Kitchener man, who will remain anonymous, visiting his local Starbucks anytime soon. He has been banned!

Recently the store told this customer to leave and never come back. His actions were causing so much stress on the barristas that one five year veteran quit and left the industry, while another newer employee had to relocate to a Starbucks in the neighboring town of Waterloo. 

Local Assistant Manager Lowree explains, 'this man, we still do not know his name, would come in daily and we would ask him what his name was. You know our practice of putting names on cups to make things personal? Well, this guy would give us a different name almost every single day. It was hell on our barristas, who make it a point to try and remember every customer by name, especially the regulars."

She went on to explain that this name changing customer was causing confusion with the drinks and embarrassing situations with the staff. Morale dropped as the employees felt like they could not do a stellar job, since they kept getting this guy's name wrong. This name changing problem went on for months until one Tuesday morning a long time employee succumbed to the pressure and walked off the job in tears. She was too distressed to return that day or any day after. She has since changed industries to warehousing where she has little to no customer contact.

This was the final straw in the name battle and an emergency employee meeting was held. 95% of the entire staff showed up and voiced their concerns. After a raucous two hours it was decided to ban this man from the store - an unprecedented action by a Starbucks location.

The very next day, at exactly 10:30 am, the unnamed man was escorted out of the store by two of the more burly employees (Perry and Laura) and was told to not return.

The atmosphere in the coffee shop is now back to normal, with loud, bubbly, engaging barristas foaming up drinks at a cheetah's pace. But, that dark stain of Mr. No-name is still in the back of some employees minds. They admit that their drink making careers may never be the same as before the incident. Most have seen the darker side of the public they serve and can never fully trust someone again. 

Next time you go into a Starbucks and they ask for your name. Don't lie. Remember there is a real person on the other side of the cup.

Beanville | 44:13

ONE LAST DOUBLE DOUBLE BEFORE JAIL

Dusty | Crime Page

Last Saturday night two balaclava clad criminals were picked up by police at a Tim Hortons drive thru. The two had just robbed a convenience store approximately three blocks south. The getaway driver had left the scene and apparently ducked into the Tim Hortons drive thru for a quick coffee. The driver convinced his partner that the police would not think to look in the Drive-thru line at the Tim Hortons, but, would instead be looking for a speeding car driving away from the scene.
The criminals forgot one thing, police officers drink coffee too.
The call came in to Officer McGruff just minutes after the robbery, there was a description of the car and the two robbers. She happened to be in the Tim Horton's parking lot, having just grabbed a large double double and a vanilla dip, when she saw them pull into the drive thru. A long line of cars pulled in behind the criminal blocking them in. Officer McGruff called for back up and stood waiting at the exit of the Drive Thru. When the accused had their coffees and thought they would have be on their way, McGruff was standing there.
They were arrested without resistance and Officer McGruff allowed them to keep their coffees. "Might be the last double double they will see in a very long time", she quipped.

Anytown | 18:59

IS GLOBAL WARMING THE CAUSE OF THE POLAR VORTEX?

Is Global Warming the Cause of the Polar Vortex?

Dusty | Science Page

The term 'Polar Vortex' has recently gained notoriaty and general mass acceptance as a legitimate meteorlogical phenomenon. But, what exactly is this Polar Vortex and what is causing it to appear now?

The PV may be colder in the future!

There is one theory circulating through the weather science community that global warming is actually the root cause of this vortex. The thinking behind this is fairly straightforward: as the earth heats up, due to global warming, warm air rises and goes up - up north. This warm air displaces the cold air that sits at the north pole and pushes it down, swirling it in a vortex as it does so. Therefore, as the earth continues to warm up we will be feeling a lot more of this cold air in the future. Some scientists have even speculated that global warming may cause such an excess of polar air to move south that it will cause another ice age to set in across the upper half of North America.
A little know fact: there have been polar vortexes in the past, even during the time of the dinosaurs, and now they are extinct because of the ice age.
Close to home local TV meteorologist Tim Wrack of Newzwatch 12, has never run across the polar vortex, in all the 23 years he has been working the weather desk, until this year. "There have been cold snaps, winter weather, and arctic breezes that have felt like this vortex, but, they never caused this much attention," he comments. Talking about the changing weather patterns he knowlingly says, "we are entering a new age in weather". With all the new weather events, most likely due to global warming, Wrack feels like a fish out of water. Even a decade ago there was cold, snow, freezing rain, even the wind chill factor. But, lately, he has had to add flash freeze and polar vortex to his vocabulary, just to name a couple. Poking fun at his new reality he jokes, "my weather map is so full of foreign symbols I feel like I am in a bad dream or in Russia". He blames global warming as well.

Toronto | 12:13

MAN BREAKS INTO HOUSE TO LEAVE DONATIONS

Dusty | Crime Page

Break and enter is known as the act of breaking into another's house, car, or other private place, typically with the intent of stealing valuable items. Needless to say, B&E has some very negative connotations. However, does breaking into a residence with the intent of leaving donations dredge up the same image in one's mind - that of a masked man with a pencil thin mustache creeping around on tip toes looking for diamond necklaces? No. So, therefore, is it still B&E? Or is it something completely different - charity perhaps?
One Edmonton man argues his method of giving should not be labelled a crime, but, a happy surprise. This philanthropist 'burglar' regularly breaks into houses and apartments across the city leaving cans of non perishable food items and would like to remain anonymous until he is certain no criminal charges will be laid against him.
His reasoning behind this is well thought out. In fact, it was in large part due to the research he has been conducting for the past two decades for the Psychology Dept at the University of Edmonton. His studies revealed that it is not uncommon for people, when they are down on their luck, to be unable to get over their pride/ego and use a food bank or ask for a helping hand. The study results motivate this Prof to act, to turn action hero, and help the poor and unfortunate.
His method is fairly simple and very effective. First he targets a 'victim', stakes out their residence, waits for an opportunity, then strikes. He has become very adept at climbing into basement windows and scaling balconies. He jokes his charity nights are more of a workout then when he hits the boot camp at his gym. Which I can attest to, as I joined him one night. Strapped with over ten pounds of canned meats and soups, we climbed fire escapes and ladders in dangerously ill lit back alleys to make our way into our recipient's apartment. After the first drop I was exhausted. Yet, Prof Poverty was only getting started. Some nights he does half a dozen break and donates. Sometimes he even leaves small plush toys if he knows their are small children.
He has plans to recruit a small group of activists with the intention of spreading his good work even further afield. He jokes, 'maybe with a small group we can donate bigger items; fridges, furniture, or do a small scale bathroom remodel'. With a heart as big as the Professor's it seems anything could be possible.

2: 46 am |EDMONTON

WOMAN FROM NOVA SCOTIA JOINING MOVEMBER!

Dusty | Canadian Culture Page

Movember, the annual event of growing a moustache and raising awareness for prostate cancer has grown in popularity in the past few years. Depending on where you live it may feel as though every man around you is participating. One survey, of 3,506 Eastern Canadians, put the participation rate at just over half of all men under the age of 30. Sadly, the survey only found one woman participating.

We at Dusty's Digital Digest felt we needed to look into this a bit further, find the true story behind the numbers.

As it turns out, this one woman, Bert (her full name is Bertha, but, she prefers Bert), often joked she could "grow her a bigger 'stash then half her union brothers". This year she decided to take her joke seriously and participate in Movember.
All it took was a short Skype call to confirm Bertha is indeed participating, and doing quite well. Her lip sweater rivals any of the two week growths I follow and blows my wispy lip wig to the curb. During our short conversation Bertha told me of her years being self conscious at the uncommon amount of hair she grew above her upper lip. Her attempts at bleaching, plucking, shaving, have all thankfully come to an end for her as she embraced her unique body and is now showcasing it to the world.
She has gone ever further and joined a moustache-off, a competition between participants to grow the biggest or most creative moustaches.
However, this has not come without its share of criticisms. The moustache-off is made up of competitors from her union, The Brotherhood of Plumbers - Eastern Canada #121, some of whom have raised complaints ranging from her gender to the fact that she is a woman. Most supporters of Bert argue there are only a couple of bad 'stashes who are more than likely worried about losing out to a girl - unconfirmed sources have named them 'Mario' and 'Luigi'.
Bertha was humbled at the idea she could be encouraging countless women across Canada to follow her lead and let their hair grow wild and free. She has no intentions of writing a book about it or landing fifteen minutes on a late night talk show. She is doing this to raise money for prostate cancer.
What a sweetie.

Halifax | 17:57

CANADIAN SNOW BEING USED FOR SNOWCONES DOWN SOUTH

 DUSTY | Foodie Page

A blanket of snow covering trees, roads, or buildings, is a sight many of us Canadians take for granted. But, it is a sight most southern Californians have never witnessed before. That may explain the surprising demand for Canadian snow, which they are consuming by the ton - in the form of snow cones.

A small company, The SNOW Cone Cart, located in Oxnard CA, has recently started using snow in its snow cones instead of the traditional shaved ice. The snow supplier they have subcontracted out to is a Canadian firm located in British Columbia. Owner and operator Carl Mendez believes this 'imported snow' gives him an advantage in the highly competitive snow cone market - and he may be right. Since launching the 'Real SNOW cone', as he dubbed it, his sales have sky rocketed, so much so that he is planning an expansion into new markets and is even looking into a franchising option. Even considering the higher price of the snow cones, due to the increased shipping costs and storage of the snow, Mendez can barely keep up with the demand.

Could this be the start of a new market for one of Canada's least used natural resources?

A comment from the Ministry of Economic Development thinks so. Spokesman Irving Irvine commented, "according to the preliminary numbers, we could be on the forefront of millions of dollars worth of snow being exported...one day we could be looking at adding twenty to thirty thousand good paying jobs in BC alone." Currently snow exports account for under $10,000 in trade.

Interest in the business community is also ramping up with one local entrepreneur starting the process of legalizing claims on snow located atop crown lands, similar to a logging or mining claim. This request is currently pending in the provincial courts, but, is expected to be ruled on in the next few weeks.

On the environmental front, a group of young environmentalists calling themselves AARS (Alliance Against Removing Snow) have started an online petition calling for the ban on extracting and exporting snow. As of today they had just over one hundred thousand signatures. Other environmental groups (WWF, Coalition of the Environment, Treehuggers, Naturalists of BC) have voiced concerns over what they are viewing as another environmental scar caused by business. One tweet from the NOBC that was trending high last week, has really brought the topic to the forefront, "I understand the logging industry replanting the trees they harvest, but, what are they going to do about the snow they take? You can't replant snow! #SAVETHESNOW"

This seemingly insignificant decision to use a scoop of real snow on a snow cone is already causing waves throughout many levels of Canadian society. Is this going to be another oil sands debate, pitting Canadians against one another? 

13:34 | Vancouver

NEWEST CANADIAN LITERARY AWARD - For The Worst Book of the Year

THE BLUE BOX AWARD

Dusty | The Bookshelf Page

There are a variety of literary awards in Canad; The Giller, The Governor General, The Steven Leacock, and countless regional awards. The Readers Bookclub of Canada wants to add another - The Blue Box award. 

Instead of showcasing the cream of the crop, they want to highlight the other end of the spectrum - the worst book of the year!

Why?

The Reader's Bookclub chair S. Scholenburgen explains, "books are not only an investment of money, but, also hours of time. We want to help Canadians NOT read a book that will waste their precious leisure time."

The Reader's Bookclub meets weekly, except for the two weeks around Christmas, and read 50 books a year. They have a simple points systems where they give all the books a rating between 1 and 10. At the end of the year the winner of the award is the book with the lowest number of points. The members, or judges, are common Canadian stock including two seniors, a librarian, a grain farmer, a civil servant, one unemployed graphic designer, a freelance wedding event coordinator, and even someone who went to University for literature. The group makes an effort to appeal to the common Canadian reader.

When asked if a positive award would be better for readers and writers alike, the group had many responses. They thought it was time a different point of view was brought to the awards table to shake things up. They were adamant that if you get rid of 'the junk', as they say, then more people will have better reading experiences and therefore read more. One member also noted this award as a valid reason to clear a book off an already crowded bookshelf.

Looking over their list of previous nominees I noticed Life of Pi was on their list. This book won many awards, was widely read, and even turned into a major motion picture. When questioned about this they all agreed it should have won the Blue Box award. One of the older members was very vocal about this saying, "Yes, a terrible book...Tiger and a boy on a tiny boat seems very far fetched and also very boring. There was also spelling mistakes, right in the title! Pi instead of Pie! That was what really put it over the edge for me."

This year the group has organized their first ever award ceremony. According to the group's twitter feed : The first official awards ceremony will take place at the Ramada, lobby, 7:00 until security kicks us out. #bookawards #blueboxaward

When I commented that the feelings and/or reputation of the author could be damaged, their response slightly shocked me. The group consensus was that any author would be ecstatic to win such an award. The club sends a very uplifting letter explaining their reasons and hope the author will take it as constructive criticism and write a better book. S. Scholenburgen again, "An, let's face it, an award is an award. They can always put it on the dust cover of their book - winner of The Blue Box Award...More than likely we will develop a following here and it will end up, being somewhat of an oxymoron, and selling more books." That is one of the biggest concern the group has with taking this award public. They fear it may spiral out of control and encourage authors to write bad books just to win!

Regina | 15:55

DEADBEAT DAD IN THE DOGHOUSE

 Dusty's Digital Digest | Law

This is one of those stories you hear about all the time, a couple splits and it's the little ones that suffer. When the Father in this case stopped paying support and following their joint custody agreement the Mother had no other choice but to call her lawyer.

Here is a transcript of the interview I had with the Mother last Monday at her Oshawa apartment. *As there is currently an open court battle we have been asked to refrain from using names. Therefore, we have inserted Mother, Father, and Little Guy to comply with the court's privacy act.*

It was a pretty amicable break up. There was no fighting, no bitterness. Even when it came to making up an agreement on what we were going to do with the little guy, which we had adopted a couple of years earlier, there were no problems. We had agreed I would remain the full time caregiver and Father would take him every second weekend. We agreed that Father would pay for half the bills as well. And, this arrangement worked great. Father would show up Friday night and keep Little Guy busy for the next two days. They would go to the park, meet up with other Little Guys, and just enjoy time together. Sunday night Little Guy would come home, usually hyped up because of some treat Father had given him, but, it was ok because Little Guy was happy.
This arrangement also gave me a chance to have some much needed downtime to recharge. You cannot imagine how draining it is to be the only caregiver in a house. It was so nice for me to have a chance to clean up the yard and keep it clear for at least one day.
After about six months Father started missing weekends, claiming he had to work or was going to be out of town. The weekends he did take Little Guy were different. Little Guy would come home earlier on Sunday looking unenthused and bored. It turned out Father was not taking him to the park and instead spending hours lying around watching TV.
Then one Sunday it all blew up! Little Guy came home smelling like smoke. I picked him up, sniffed his fur, and demanded to know why our little doggie smelled like a cigarette! Father finally admitted that he was in a new relationship with a woman who smoked.
I won't repeat the expletives I said after that, but, I will say it was nasty. We had turned into that arguing divorced couple that we never thought we would.
But after I tell you what I learned you'll understand why I took the bastard to court.
Turns out Little Guy's lackluster behaviour was a direct result of this new girlfriend. Turns out She [new girlfriend] doesn't like the off leash parks, although that is apparently where Father and her met. So, what used to be Father and Little Guy's routine of spending Saturday mornings at the off leash park was now a thing of the past. Instead, Saturday is the day She likes to go shopping...without the dogs, of course. Oh, that is another thing. She adopted a new dog of her own recently, which she believes is far superior to our 'mutt' as she apparently calls him. Anyway, now She is putting pressure on Father to accept Her fur-babies as his, which means Father doesn't have the time or money for Little Guy anymore!
Our agreement was every second weekend and money to support basic things like food, water, clothes, lessons, and a hair and nail clip every three months. I didn't even force him to pay the vet fees! He should be happy about that.
Without this support I've had to move down to a lower grade food for Little Guy. It's just not right. Which is why I went to see my lawyer.

The case is working its way through the family courts, but, as with other similar cases it is taking longer than it should. The system is badly underfunded for the number of cases it deals with on a daily basis. It seems to me like this deadbeat doggy Daddy is getting off pretty easy. In the meantime, Little Guy is living on low grade food and wearing last years winter coat.

DUSTY | Oshawa | 9:15am

UPSCALE CHEQUE CASHING CASH ADVANCE BOUTIQUE

PAYDAY LOAN - SWISS STYLE

Dusty's Digital Digest | Business Pages

The payday loan industry has come under a lot of criticism lately for taking advantage of a vulnerable section of society by charging extremely high, some argue illegally high, rate of interest. But, one new business owner Sigrid Schultz wants to change this. A new immigrant to Canada, Brampton to be exact, from Switzerland, Siggy (as he refers to himself) brings years of experience in the Swiss style of banking which he has transposed onto his new financial 'payday loan' business. He wants to transform the image of a sleazy run down neon lit shop serving poverty stricken individuals to more of a traditional discreet, elegant, rich looking establishment similar to the banks in his homeland of Switzerland. He makes a good point that the fees and interest rates charged justify such a look.
So, I took a trip down to the stately looking store front on Dundas Street to chat with Siggy about his new venture.

Why here and why now?
Canada is far behind in the financial world, especially in the payday loan market. There appears to be only one choice for those looking for a payday loan, the discount store. The market for high end payday loans is untouched, is unserved. Every other industry has multiple levels of quality, why not the payday loan market? It was time for someone, it just happened to be me, to come in and provide a high quality service and product.

What makes you think this will work?
I don't mean any disrespect by my Swiss bluntness here, but, have you looked into the profit margins in this industry? Some products are reaching 300% interest rates! That is unheard of in any developed country, especially in a legal business. You hear of the underground market full of loan sharks, I believe you call them here, and big men sent to break an arm charging this high of interest rates. So I think, why not take the legal route and do the payday loan business?

What will set you apart from these 'discount' payday loan firms?
That is an easy one Dusty - Service, style, and complimentary beverages. Service will be upmost. I want to replicate the style found in Switzerland. One where you know your banker, and trust your banker, more than their wife. That was a joke. One of upmost discretion as well. Our look will also be important. I know I would not sleep at night if the banker dealing with my money was not wearing at least a three piece Armani suit back when I lived in Europe. Even our overdue bill collectors will be required to wear a jacket, no synthetics either. Lastly we will bring the Swiss tradition of having a drink when dealing with money; espresso, cappuccino, champagne will all be offered.

I wished Siggy 'goodluck', finished my espresso, and made my way out the door. On my way out I did hear positive comments from the many patrons coming and going. One gentleman was coming in for his third meeting, and glass of champagne, of the day. It was only ten in the morning. If Siggy's shop attracts customers at this rate there is a 300% guarantee it will be successful for many years to come.

Dusty | GTA | 12:35 pm

THE HOSTA - ONTARIO'S NEW PROVINCIAL FLOWER?

DO YOU GROW HOSTAS?

Dusty's Digital Digest Gardening Page | September 2013

Hosta

You may have something funky growing in your garden right now! 'Funkia', or more commonly known as Hosta is a plant that even non-gardeners will know. A recent survey of Ontario households showed that a whopping 92.7% of respondents have, or had at one time, Hostas growing in their garden - which is no surprise to one North York resident, Louise Blyn-McMaster.
Louise is gathering signatures by the hundreds to petition the Ontario government to change the official provincial flower from the Trillium to the Hosta. This may sound ludicrous, as the Hosta is not even native to Ontario, but, she does bring up some good arguments in favour of the change. Being both trained in botany and working for the province's land survey ministry she has a very unique perspective on the current plant situation. Her research has shown that as more and more of the countryside is being developed, urbanize, sub-urbanized, which is causing the local flora to be replaced with its domesticated cousins. Trilliums are being replaced by Hostas at an alarming rate.

Trilliums in their ideal habitat

Louise, although a lover of the Trillium, is of the view that we need to move with the times and embrace the new 'plantscape', as she calls it. She argues that Ontario is not the wild mature forests (the ideal growing grounds of Trilliums) that it used to be, but, it is now an urban sprawl of close cut lawns and Hosta filled gardens. As well, the make up of Ontario's human population is changing. Where once almost everyone was a White Anglo Saxon, that is not the case anymore. What would be more fitting, Blyn-Master argues, than having the official flower be an imported plant? And she is not the only one who believes this. Thousands of virtual signatures adorn her online petition and are increasing daily.
Blyn-Master's campaign has almost reached enough signature to take some action and when it does she plans on having her Member of Provincal Parliament make an official motion in the legislature.

Add your opinion to this growing debate - comment below.

COUNTRY'S QUIETEST TOWN

THIS TOWN IS AS QUIET AS A MOUSE

Dusty's Digest | September 2013

Silver Creek is a probably a place you've never heard, or heard of, seeing as it is remote, tiny, and the self proclaimed 'Quietest town in Canada'. Their claim to fame, the lack of noise, was put into place about a decade ago when the Town Council passed a noise bylaw, essentially adding a curfew on loud noises. Since that time six additional amendments have been added making this the strictest noise bylaw in the land.
This is not such a bad thing most residents say. They enjoy their quiet. Many claim the lack of 'noise pollution' has made them healthier and less prone to everything from colds to cancer. There has not been a study conducted to confirm this claim, but, ask anyone living in Silver Creek and they will confirm it.
With this broad support, the newly elected Council Chair Eve Adams, has put forth a proposal to further restrict noise. Her proposal is massive in scale and cost in relation to the village's small size and some have argued it may even be unlawful. Even with these doubts her P&Q (Peace and Quiet) plan has passed the first round of voting with an 8 to 1 majority. First order of business is to put up signs on the edge of town.
As you drive into this picturesque village you will see the "Silver Creek Welcomes You!" sign, and right below that a sign listing certain vehicles that are not allowed to enter the town due to the sound restrictions. It is an extensive listing containing such things as Motor Cycles, ATVs, Snow Mobiles, Vehicles containing 'sub woofers', Riding Lawn Mowers, Tractor Trailers, Hover Craft, even Vehicles with Sirens. Council Chair Adams has sketched out a plan to build a roundabout road that will circumvent the town to allow these offending vehicles to continue down the highway and avoid the streets of Silver Creek.
All bells, from the church tower right down to the bells on the children's bicycles will be disabled. Whistles of all varieties, including the local hockey referee's, will no longer be blown. The upcoming Great Big Sea concert has been relocated to a neighboring town. There is even a request for a study into the feasibility of year round slipper wearing. In addition all resident's must install mufflers on their lawn mowers and refrain from using loud equipment such as chainsaws and jackhammers.
The only section of her proposal that is not receiving massive support is the plan to run a laser light show on Canada Day in place of the traditional fireworks display.
One outspoken critic, the owner of a local ice cream truck, has filed a complaint on the grounds that this bill will devastate the local economy, citing his business as the prime example. His house is currently for sale and he plans on leaving the community in search of a noise friendly city that will allow him the right to tingle his bells to sell his ice cream.
But, by and large, the people of Silver Creek like their peace and quiet and will most likely allow this plan to go through without a peep.

LIGHTBULB IDEA

THERE IS A LIGHTBULB ABOVE THIS GUY'S HEAD

DUSTY DIGEST | SEPTEMBER 2013

This new business could revolutionize the way we see the light.

Bob Sullivan had the bright idea to start providing his community with a service that had gone unfilled since the dark ages - changing lightbulbs. With an average of thirty two lightbulbs per household lasting between two to five years a piece, there are a lot of lights that need to be changed. As with most things in modern society we are outsourcing, finding a pro to do our dirty work. And, that is where Bob comes in. He's found a niche where he can fulfill his passion and make people's lives just a little bit brighter at the same time.
I sat down with Bob to chat, let him shine a little light on this complicated subject.


What made you think changing a few lightbulbs could turn into a business?
Well, Dusty, I had one of those life changing experiences a couple years back. Walked into my elderly Grandmother's home to find her sitting, alone, in the dark. Turns out her lightbulbs had blown and she couldn't reach up to replace them. That got me thinking, how many other elderly folk are out there sitting in the dark? For that matter, how many other people are out there who lack the knowledge and expertise to change a lightbulb? How about those that just don't have the time to go out and get a new bulb, take the old one out, and screw the new one in. I'm thinking busy business  people or single mothers with a gaggle of kids to look after. There are lots of people out there that need my help.
You know those jokes that start out, how many whatever does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Well, in some cases nobody can screw in the lightbulb. And, I personally find that sad. Made me want to help.

What kind of services do you provide?
I offer a variety of plans, as I call them. Your basic plan, the bread and butter of my business, I'll come through your house on a monthly basis, check every lightbulb and replace the ones that need replacing. The Deluxe plan is where I come more often, every day or two, and again, go through the house checking for burnt out bulbs. Oh, and the Deluxe plan includes those specialty bulbs. What I mean by that is the bulbs in your oven, in the dryer, any outside lighting. I also do a Christmas special, where I'll come in and check your tree and your outdoor string of lights, that type of thing.
With every plan I do an initial consult with the client, going over the different options of bulbs. I have to point out here, the feedback I've gotten on this is amazing. If you've ever gone and looked down the lightbulb aisle at the Home Depot you'll know the massive variety of bulbs out there is, for some, overwhelming. You have the choice of incandescent, CFLs, flourescent, big, medium, small, dim, blue light, sun ray, soft. You can see by my examples that modern lightbulbs are not as simple as they used to be. In many cases you do need a pro, like me, to help guide you through all of the choices.

I read you offer a 24 hour emergency service. What exactly does that entail?
You can call me anytime, I mean anytime, and I'll rush over and change a bulb. This happens a lot at night. You'll be sitting there reading and all the sudden the light goes out. Well, what do you do? Call me. I'll bring over my van, full of every type of bulb you'd ever need, and I bring the lights back on.

Do you get many emergency calls?
You'd be surprised Dusty. Seems that if a light is going to go, it'll go when you need it - at night! I've had a few sleepless nights, I can tell ya. But, it's worth it. When you save someone's night like that, see the look on their face, it's worthwhile.

Future Plans?
I'm planning on hiring an employee in the near future. It's tough though, it takes a certain person to be able to really shine. You need to have a bright personality, extensive knowledge of lightbulbs, and it doesn't hurt if you are tall.
I'm also putting together a back to school package aimed at the parents of College and University kids. I know if my child were away, living on their own for the first time, it would be nice to have the piece of mind that someone is looking out for their lighting needs. Especially, if you have one of those kids that sleep the daylight hours away.

As the lightbulb industry becomes ever more complicated we will be in need of people like Bob.

For more info see Bob's website