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15 JAN 04: PREPPING THE GARDEN
Callaway Gardens confirmed Wednesday it's cut about 25 jobs. Of course, the people there consider "cut" a rather harsh word - so please say something like "trim" or "shear" or "prune."
Callaway Gardens spokesperson Rachel Crumbley told WLTZ's "Coffee Break" a review of the staff revealed "too many layers" in the Guest Services area. Isn't this amazing? Most of us are putting on extra layers because of the cool weather, and Callaway is removing them.
Rachel Crumbley says the staff cuts will help Callaway Gardens get "back to basics." In addition, some employees will start cross-training in various positions. So don't be surprised this May to see a special division of the water-skiing tournament for gardeners.
Callaway Gardens's income has dropped 20 percent in two years - so the complex is offering FREE admission through February 15, for people in a 12-county area. Of course, if all of you take advantage of this, the income might drop even more....
(Rachel Crumbley even says Callaway's restaurant prices will have a 30-percent discount -- which means they'll just about match the prices at the mall.)
The free admission offer at Callaway Gardens includes Valentine's Day, which is on a Saturday this year. From my visit there last summer, [25-26 Aug 03] the Day Butterfly Center isn't going to be big enough for all those loving couples.
Let's see what else was going on in the middle of the week....
+ I drove to Columbus Water Works to pay my water/sewer/garbage bill, and was surprised to see a "Vet's Cab" taxi in the other drive-through lane, with a passenger inside. Is this how Hollywood stars pay their bills - only in limousines?
(Ponder this with me: why would someone call a taxi to pay their water bill? Maybe it was a millionaire, who wanted to surprise a cab driver with a huge tip.)
+ Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue gave his "State of the State" address, and promised: "The HOPE scholarship isn't going anywhere." But if your children can't make the minimum S.A.T. score he's proposing, they won't either.
+ State Rep. Carolyn Hugley of Columbus introduced a "Bullying Bill" at the Georgia Legislature. It would require school districts to report all acts of bullying. For some reason, it does not require Sheriff's departments to do the same thing.
+ The Rainbow/PUSH Coalition finished its three-day picket outside the Government Center. If CNN doesn't show a story on the Kenneth Walker case soon, Dr. William Howell will demand Ted Turner's resignation - except Turner doesn't run CNN anymore.
+ Georgia Congressman Sanford Bishop announced he's supporting retired General Wesley Clark for President. Maybe if Al Sharpton had appeared more on C-SPAN, and less on "Saturday Night Live...."
+ Aides to former President Jimmy Carter announced he'll welcome Presidential candidate Howard Dean to Plains this weekend. All pickup truck drivers with Confederate flags inside are welcome to attend.
(Former President Carter reportedly will NOT endorse Howard Dean -- but instead take time to listen to his ideas. Apparently Mr. Carter has reached the age where he'd rather not visit Iowa or New Hampshire during winter.)
+ Russ Hollenbeck of WRCG Radio's "TalkLine" promoted an upcoming Caribbean cruise, including a stop in Cozumel, Mexico. Oh no! I can see this now -- all those conservative callers pointing fingers at Mexicans, demanding they give up their mill jobs.
+ WRBL hosted open auditions for "Survivor" contestants at Georgia Freight. Given what I've heard about that station's news ratings lately, Phil Scoggins might be voted off the island without even trying out.
+ Instant Message to Ford: About that TV commercial where a guy named Joe gives up his Ranger pickup - has Ranger Joe's filed suit about that yet?
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