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5 MAR 04: CARD GAMES
Thursday was a big day in midtown Columbus, as a new Chick-fil-A restaurant opened on Wynnton Road. There was only one troubling thing about it. If it's on the north side of the street, does that mean "Columbus South" is being slapped in the face again?
Several people I know had predicted a big traffic jam on Wynnton Road, because of the new Chick-fil-A. But I drove by the restaurant at 12:09 p.m. without any slowdown or problems. Cars were at a standstill in the drive-through lane - but I've
noticed even the guys in the Sonic commercials don't mind that.
Remember the free food offer for the first 100 people through the door at the new Chick-fil-A? It turns out about 300 were outside at the opening time of 6:00 a.m. Maybe the 200 others hoped the first 100 would fall asleep, and never hear the
doors open.
The arrival of Chick-fil-A to Wynnton Road even brought a welcome message down the street, on Flournoy and Calhoun Realty's electronic sign. But for some reason, Georgia Bariatrics a few blocks away didn't note the opening at all.
A Chick-fil-A sandwich costs about two dollars - but a woman at the Bradley Park Drive restaurant told me Thursday the restaurant chain accepts credit cards only for orders of $50 or more. I guess this means the mascots are CASH cows....
I was curious about Chick-fil-A's policy because I noticed this week Wendy's restaurants in Columbus are accepting credit cards now. So you can have "Biggie" fries and drinks now, and biggie interest rates later.
Wendy's now accepts Master Card, Visa, Discover - and even American Express. Remember when an American Express card was considered a sign of prestige and upscale status? Using one for a "single with cheese" doesn't seem right at all....
What does it say when a fast-food hamburger restaurant chain starts accepting credit cards? Either the price of a burger has climbed too high, or customers truly ARE overeating.
Wendy's joins Captain D's, Arby's and Popeye's (and I'm probably missing somebody) on the list of "fast-food" restaurants accepting credit cards. So far McDonald's and Burger King in Columbus are NOT accepting them. Apparently their
tight-budget customers are smart enough to find the value menus.
Yet I was surprised the other day to shop at a Family Dollar store in Phenix City, and learn they only accept debit cards - NOT credit cards. Apparently this company only wants the managers to have instant gratification from plastic, not customers.
The Dolly Madison "bread store" on Victory Drive with the low-priced gasoline works the same way. It accepts debit cards, and even checks - but NOT credit cards. What's the reasoning behind this policy? Are pieces of plastic with bank names more trustworthy than pieces with pictures of NASCAR drivers on them?
I admit I don't have a debit card, because my bank charges a monthly fee for them. And since that fee would be higher than the monthly interest on my checking account, it smells like a racket.
E-MAIL UPDATE: Back to the restaurant watch, as Robert responds to the name change near Manchester Expressway from "Old Mill Towne" to the "4th Quarter":
Or ....Down with the Count!!! maybe next try they could call it the Fifth Quarter Restaurant. And I say again, your blog is just something else to distract us. ;-) smile. LOL
What's with these accusations that this blog is distracting people? I'm willing to let you finish your drive to work, before you read it on your laptop.
BLOG UPDATE: One of the most outrageous things I've heard all year surfaced Thursday - a "final exam" former Georgia assistant basketball coach Jim Harrick Jr. gave Bulldog players in a physical education class. [10 Mar 03] Most of the questions are so simple that even Presidential candidates can answer them.
I heard some of the 20 test questions on Neal Boortz's talk show and thought he was joking. But an Atlanta TV station posted them on its web site, so they must be legitimate. Here are some of the stumpers Jim Harrick Jr. asked:
+ "How many goals are on a basketball court?" In college, I think there's only one - to get a big salary in the N.B.A.
+ "How many halves are in a college basketball game?" When Georgia's played this season, there's usually been only one -- because the Bulldogs are have-nots.
+ "How many points does a 3-point field goal account for in a basketball game?" College students can't stand trick questions like this on a final exam....
+ "In your opinion, who is the best Division I assistant coach in the country?" This question was multiple choice -- and yes, teacher Jim Harrick Jr. WAS one of the four choices. Was he going to use these tests as references, and apply for a head coaching job somewhere?
Now other fun facts to know and tell about Thursday:
+ A strong smell of smoke drifted across South Commons and the Historic District after dark. Was that a controlled burn at Fort Benning - or someone at Continental Carbon taking revenge?
+ The Muscogee County Election Board fired one precinct manager and reprimanded another, for poll problems on Tuesday. Board members say the two left memory cards in voting machines, after the polls closed. If only humans could have memory cards inserted in THEM, to help remember these things....
+ Brian Sharpe's "Restaurant Report Card" revealed the KFC near downtown Opelika has been shut down, until leaks in the roof can be fixed. That sweet tea DID taste a bit diluted.
+ Columbus High's girls' basketball team beat Stone Mountain 53-52, and will play for the Class AAAA title this afternoon. We wish them well -- but can't help noting the Blue Devils almost squandered a 23-point lead. If they had lost, we might
have called them "Blew Devils" instead.
(So is it fair to say today is the Ketia "Swanier Swan Song?")
+ Sportscaster Kirsten Olesen confessed on her competing local blog that she trimmed her bangs too short. Oh no! Somewhere, 2003 Burkard Award winner Amy Giuliano must be breathing a big sigh of relief [5 Jan] - while newcomer Cheryl Reneé gains on all of them.
+ Instant Message to WRBL sportscaster Dan Edward: The proper way to say the school's name is "Saint Pius the TENTH." The "X" is a Roman numeral - and NOT because Pope Pius was related to Malcolm X.
BLOGGER'S NOTE: Daily blogging may diminish over the next few weeks, due to our annual spring clean-up....
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