Biz Buzz

My mom was a little miffed at my column that ran Sunday.

She agrees that we had a brick in our toilet - she even thought it might have been two – and that we utilized various water-saving tricks during the drought in Southern California. However, she vehemently denies that she encouraged my brother, sister and I to relieve ourselves outside.

Yet, I distinctly remember being told that if it was just pee (can I say that on the blog?) and I was outside, I should find a tree or a bush and do my business. Granted, I don’t remember this happening often, but I do remember it.

Still, my mom thinks I’m smoking crack. She’s concerned you fine folks in NeMiss are going to think she was a bad mom. So, I wanted to let you know that she did teach us how to use indoor plumbing and, no, she’s not a tree-hugging hippy. And, while my parents’ homestead in Gulfport is becoming more eco-friendly by the day (Energy Star appliances and the like), no one skimps on toilet-flushing.

Before I moved to Tupelo, my mom insisted I do all my shopping in Gulfport because she didn’t believe that Northeast Mississippi does indeed have a flourishing retail scene.

Over the past few months, she’s been getting used to hearing me talk about shopping at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Wal-Mart, Lowe’s and Kroger. She even refers to Tony’s Market as “that fancy deli” after hearing about the specialty meats and cheeses. Read what really made her sing a different tune.

“Can I have your account number, please? Last four digits of your social? Date and amount of your last deposit/payment/transaction? The address on the account?”

Every time I call my bank/credit card/insurance/phone company and get bombarded with these questions, I feel the need to start volunteering tidbits such as my favorite type of ice cream and where I went to kindergarten. Read Carlie’s column for her proposed solution to all these pesky questions.

Other business headlines from the weekend:

• Learning by Doing: Ole Miss’ Lenoir Hall dining program helps prepare students for careers
• Retailers may be in for bad holiday
• Toyota’s fringe benefits. And, as a bonus to all you BizBuzz readers, did you catch the classified ad in Sunday’s paper for an external affairs specialist for Toyota? Job duties include developing the visitor center (materials, displays, scripts) and arranging plant tours. Guess this means the manufacturer is leaning toward giving tours.

When I think of good Toyota vehicles, I think of sedans, Supras and sports utility vehicles. I’m skeptical about foreign-made trucks. My dad’s from Michigan, so the rule in our family is if you want power, you need American muscle. Read what Carlie had to say after test driving a Toyota Tundra last month at the Tundra plant in San Antonio.

Other business headlines from the weekend:

• Crop report: Not a flop, but nothing special
• The subtle art of self-promotion
• See the sights, find inner peace with yoga vacation
• NEMiss farmers begin 2008 crop plans
• Furniture company winds up business

I love farmers’ markets. I’ve grown up working and shopping at them, and I live for the smell of fresh basil on a Saturday morning. So, when I heard about the Mississippi Farmers’ Market in Jackson, I had to make the trip down to our state’s capital. Read more of Carlie’s column from Sunday’s Daily Journal.

More business headlines from the weekend, including:
• Business casual: One dress code, so many meanings
• Social Security digits should be guarded
• Outsourcing your life: You can hire someone to do literally anything
• Working the Web means taking time looking at the job
• Next big thing: TV converter boxes
• Take care in hiring lawyers and accountants
• Frustrated sellers turning to rent-to-own arrangements
• Sara Lee recalls whole wheat bread products

If you neglected your newspaper while checking out the farmer’s market or jamming out at the Juneteenth Freedom Festival, here’s what you missed:

Toyota to minority business: Don’t miss out, get certified

Toyota to put temporary offices at Renasant center

Plan early for the end

Carlie’s column: Rain, rain … please come again another day