Best Barber Shop in Indianapolis!

Since moving to Indianapolis seventeen months ago, I have struggled with a dilemma that many, many men struggle with: where to get my haircut.

See, it is not the same for women as it is for men. Women can go anyplace. Really. They go to beauticians, or whatever they call them now, and get their hair "done." Not men. We get our hair "cut." And no two barbers are alike. It can take many, many years for a man to find a barber that he likes, who cuts his hair just right. Many years, and many bad haircuts. Don't believe me? Watch this: [more below the video]

Direct video link.

Since moving to Indianapolis, I have lived in desperate fear of where to find the right barber. Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration, but only a slight one. Instead of trekking out to one barber after another looking for one that I feel comfortable with, I have allowed my wife to cut my hair. She does an okay enough job, but it just isn't the same.

Today, feeling like I was wearing a mop on my head, I decided that it was time to take my life into my own hands, and to head out and find a real barber. For the sake of convenience -- and because I felt that the look of the place was promising -- I ventured to the nearest real barber shop to my home: Bob's Barber Shop in Cumberland, Indiana, on the very near east side of Indianapolis.

I want to share with you one of the most pleasant hair cut experiences I have had in my entire life -- perhaps the best ever. When I walked into Bob's, which is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5PM, there was one man in the chair and no one waiting. Bob (I at first presumed and was later confirmed) was cutting away at the hair of an elderly gentleman, chatting away. I sat and waited. Before my turn in the chair, another man came in for his cut, and Bob greeted him with a friendly greeting that made it clear that they knew each other (this turned out to be the way that Bob greeted everyone who came into the shop while I was there).

I took my turn in the chair and responded to the standard, "How you want it cut?" I must admit, I was a bit concerned for a time while Bob cut away at my hair so quickly that I was sure it couldn't possibly look good in the end. I don't believe Bob even touched my mop with a pair of scissors -- all clippers.

After cutting and trimming with the clippers, Bob picked up a smaller electric razor and shaved the hair at the back of my neck, trimmed my sideburns and over my ears -- he even zapped away the hairs that grow out of every man's ears as he gets older (yes, I admit that I have them). Most any barber would have been done at this time and offered his customer a mirror. Not Bob.

Next thing I know, Bob is lathering up the back of my neck, my sideburns, and over my ears with a soothing warm shaving creme and reaching for his straight razor. This, my friends, is what separates a real barber from a mere hair cutter. Using that straight razor, Bob expertly sliced and diced away the stubble that most so-called barbers would have left on the back of my neck, etc.

But that's not all. After wiping away the excess shaving creme, Bob fired up a little device that I have seen no barber ever use before. I'm not really sure what it's called, but when Bob touched the 14 inch by 5 inch device to my back, I knew exactly what it did, and it felt great! Bob quickly massaged my back and shoulders with this little gadget, and even placed it on the back of the chair so that the vibration of the device would emanate through the back of the barber chair down my spine. Unbelievable!

And when done, Bob never even offered me a mirror. Why? Because he has confidence in his work and knew that I would be pleased with the results of my haircut. And he was right! Bob's Barber Shop is where I will get my hair cut for as long as I live in Indy and he's still cutting hair. And with as rare as real barbers have become lately, I encourage you to pay him a visit. There is no way that you could possibly be disappointed!

As I paid my bill and prepared to leave, even in these tough economic times, I slipped Bob a small tip and said, "I'll be back." Just between you and me, I'm looking forward to it!

Your comments?

Joe

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Book Review: Collapse of Distinction by Scott McKain

Pier 1, Home Depot, GAP, Footlocker, Macy's, KB Toys, Linens 'N Things, Circuit City. What do all of these companies have in common? Sure, they're all retailers. But more than that. They have all closed some or all of their stores in the past several months. And for what reason? Because the economy is bad? Because the country is in a recession? Because the value of the dollar is slipping? Because unemployment is climbing?

In Collapse of Distinction, author, business expert, and fellow Hoosier Scott McKain explains what these seemingly great American successes seem to have forgotten: if you want to succeed in business, you must develop a business of distinction. The above companies all failed to differentiate themselves in a market where everyone offers the same thing for the best possible price because they have forgotten that different is better.

In his 2001 best seller Good to Great, author Jim Collins praises Circuit City among others for achieving greatness in their respective industries. Why, then, is Circuit City no more? Scott McKain explains that Circuit City "evidently did not know how to differentiate from a competitor such as Best Buy." From dropping the major appliance business to dropping most commissioned sales associates for hourly associates, Circuit City struggled for it's last six years trying (unsuccessfully) to emulate the success of Best Buy.

Having lived through the beginning of the end for Circuit City as a Manager there six years ago, I found McKain's explanation of the importance of building a business of distinction to be compelling, informative, and educational. Through colorful comparisons to Apple, Nordstrom, Les Schwab Tires, and others, McKain paints a portrait of how the cloning of American business has led to the failure of so many once "great" companies.

As a Retail Manager with a company struggling to get back on the road to profitability after nearly a century in business, I found myself with a red pencil making notes throughout Collapse, planning on how to use the principles McKain discusses in my location to build the Ultimate Customer Experience. This book should be mandatory reading for Managers at all levels of business, new and experienced alike. McKain knows business, as his own success has shown, and the business world could stand to gain a great deal by putting his principles into practice.

Your comments?

Joe

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The Pork Flu

Hat tip to Patriot Post.

Your comments?

Joe

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Letter from Indianapolis Mayor Ballard on CIB Bail Out

It seems that the news is all about Bail Outs lately (unless it's about Pirates), and that is now hitting closer to home here in Indianapolis. I'm not completely up to date on the CIB Bail Out (and maybe I should be before I post on it), but this email from Mayor Ballard's office seems to make sense to me.

What are your thoughts?

Joe

To view this email as a web page, go here.

Having trouble seeing the email? CLICK HERE I hope this finds you well.  As you are likely aware of the financial problems facing the city's Capital Improvement Board, I wanted to reach out and update you on my position regarding the various proposals being discussed. The Capital Improvement Board is a vital part of our city.  Its role in funding facilities, special events, and projects throughout Indianapolis is critical to the economic vitality of not only downtown, but also to our neighborhoods, the region, and the state.  Facilities including the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, Conseco Fieldhouse, and Victory Field bring millions of people to Indianapolis.  Millions of visitors generate significant business; hotel, restaurant, and retail, which in turn, provides thousands of Hoosier jobs and produces revenues that fuel the regional and state economies.  The Indianapolis hospitality industry draws an estimated 22 million people annually, drives $3.5 billion in the Central Indiana economy, and employs over 66,000 Hoosiers. Finding a solution to the problems facing the CIB is absolutely imperative as it directly impacts the employees and their families who depend on these 66,000 jobs.  Additionally, it impacts the long-term financial health of the city and the resources available to strengthen our neighborhoods. Finding a solution is important to the regional economy because many employers locate and remain in Central Indiana because of our vibrant Downtown.  And it is important to the state economy as Marion County contributes $975 million to the state; this represents 18% of the state's total sales tax revenues. Over the last several months we've worked closely with state and city leaders to develop solutions to fund this vital entity.  There are several components to the proposals making their way through the State House and it appears, with great regret, that local tax dollars will be needed as part of the solution.  I am committed to enacting a solution that protects the 66,000 Hoosiers employed in the hospitality industry and minimizes the burden on all Marion County taxpayers.  The solution must also involve the users of the facilities and those who most directly benefit from them. It is for these reasons that I am opposed to the proposal for a broad-based food and beverage tax, and I am opposed to any increase in property or income taxes.  While I certainly prefer not to have to consider tax increases of any type, I believe we should look first to users and visitors in the form of rental cars, hotels, and tickets.  And we must consider an optional expense, like alcohol alone, that draws more from visitors and facility users. Additionally, I have asked the state for an expansion of the Professional Sports Development Area to include the JW Marriott and allow for the redirection of that tax revenue from the state to the county.  I join Senator Luke Kenley and several legislative leaders in asking the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana Pacers to each contribute $5 million.  And, in tightening our belts, we have already proposed cutting $8 million from the CIB operating budget.  This proposal is true to my pledge that the burden for solving this problem should fall mainly on those who use and profit from these facilities.  That's why we've worked diligently to craft a solution that doesn't involve broad-based taxes on food, income, or property.  Additionally, I ask that the General Assembly and City-County Council consider sun-setting any proposed taxes, as there are several variables that may change the situation in the years to come. Please know that I'm committed to continue working with state and city legislative leaders to enact a solution that will bolster our important economic engine that provides 66,000 jobs to Hoosiers and generates millions of dollars in revenues that are critical to the county, regional and state economies. As always, I welcome your input and appreciate your consideration of this proposal. Sincerely, Gregory A. Ballard Mayor City of Indianapolis Paid for and authorized by the Ballard for Mayor Committee, Jim Merritt Chairman

This email was sent by: Indiana Republican Party 47 S. Meridian St., Ste 200 Indianapolis, IN 46204 USA We respect your right to privacy - view our policy

My Predictions for the Next Four Years

Should Barack Obama fulfill four years as President of the United States, I believe we're going to see some interesting and some very troubling things throughout his Presidency. These are my predictions:

• Republicans will regain control of the Senate in a huge landslide in 2010. The Democratic majority in the House of Representatives will narrow so much (in 2010) as to make it an insignificant majority.
  
• Barack Obama will make several token appointments (or offers of appointments) to Republicans and/or Independents in an attempt to cross party lines (thinking of the 2012 re-election campaign). Most (if not all) of those bi-partisan appointments will resign before the midterm elections.
• Barack Obama will speak about making amendments to the Constitution early in his Presidency. Congress might even concur and support prior to midterms, but the states will not vote to ratify.
• Barack Obama's first budget proposal will include federal funding for stem cell research, federal funding to help unwed mothers pay for abortion procedures, federal funding to schools for sex education programs and contraception programs (he'll describe it as a program intended to reduce teen pregnancy) as well as contraception programs for low income women.
• Obama's tax cut plan for the middle class will be lost among tax increases to fund increased spending and his plan to increase taxes on the wealthy to provide credits to the poor. The middle class will never see a tax cut under an Obama Presidency.
• We will find ourselves in an energy crisis similar to the Carter years, as Obama will refuse to drill offshore, will tax coal companies into near oblivion, and the country's reliance upon foreign oil will become crippling.
• America will return to an Affirmative Action state, with preferential employment for blacks and hispanics mandated and enforced through tax credits and penalties. Whites will begin to become the oppressed class.
• Obama will push legislation providing even more protection to the credit unworthy than the Community Reinvestment Act. This plan will include protection for credit card borrowers, added mortgage protection for struggling homeowners, and socialized medicine. If acted upon before the midterm election, the bill will see several rewrites in both houses of Congress and the final version will include protection from credit card debt, mortgage debt, and medical debt, but will fall short of instituting socialized medicine.
• Early in an Obama administration, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will announce her resignation. With a Democrat controlled Congress, Obama will nominate an extreme liberal to replace her on the bench, and Congress will confirm her nomination (yes, a woman, and likely a black or hispanic woman) quickly. Justice John Paul Stevens will either die or fall seriously ill and be forced to retire from the bench, resulting in a second speedily confirmed Obama liberal to the bench. The repercussions will be felt for decades.
• The now liberal government will attempt to prosecute President Bush and Vice President Cheney for war crimes.
• As more states enact legislation legalizing gay marriage, the Supreme Court will refuse to hear suits to ban it, resulting in gay marriage sweeping the nation on the state level. I would expect to see additional vacancies to the Supreme Court result in more liberal appointments and further Court action to legalize gay marriage on a national level.
• Private schools and home schooling will suffer greatly under the weight of mandated sex education, to include mandated education that homosexuality is normal and okay. Home schoolers will go underground and faith based private schools will be forced to comply or be shut down. Public education will become over-crowded due to the lack of private schools and home schooling issues, resulting in poor education across the country.
• Obama will attempt to fulfill his campaign promise on the Iraq war and will attempt to withdraw troops within 17 months. The progress of redeployment will be halted as terrorist elements will stage a dual attack on American troops in Iraq and on American soil. Obama will be forced to return redeployed troops to the region to restabilize Iraq and the middle east, and will order National Guard units to deploy on American soil in response to the attacks here. Martial Law will be all but officially declared in the new ground zero.
• I do have a prediction about Obama's promise to meet without preconditions with leaders of Iran, North Korea, etc., but I think it prudent to exclude that prediction from this article for now.

I could go on and on, but it will only begin to sound more spectacular. I think we will see much more than we can even imagine at this point in American history. Most importantly, after the Republicans resume some parity (and possibly control) in Congress, we will see a Republican President returned to the White House in 2012. Much of the damage caused by an Obama administration will take several decades to reverse as a liberal Supreme Court will continue to legislate their liberal agenda from the bench.

It will be at least a generation before we see one party control of the Executive and Legislative branches again.

God Bless America (please). We are going to need it!

Don't believe me? Bookmark this page and check my accuracy over the next four years.

Your comments?

Joe

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The Joe Show 86 - Politics, Politics, Politics

Average Joe Radio
presents

The Joe Show
featuring
Average Joe American

Episode Eighty-Six: Politics, Politics, Politics

This episode contains a great deal of political content. My opinion on things such as the Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates, economic bailout, and even an election prediction. Also, some great political music, a sample of the Jason Gray / Rush of Fools / Big Daddy Weave concert my wife and I went to, and new music from doublePark, AM and Rick Paul.

No show notes for this one, as you just have to hear it to believe it.

Phone: (317) 644-6129
Email Feedback: joe@averagejoeamerican.us

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The Latest Political Videos Worth Viewing

Reasons to vote Democrat:

Direct video link.

The economic meltdown of 2008:


More on the relationship between Barack Obama and terrorist Bill Ayers:

Direct video link.

Obama and McCain on sub-prime loans (from 2006 and 2007):

Direct video link.

Your comments?

Joe

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Senator McCain's Homeownership Resurgence Plan

Senator McCain sent an email out to supporters describing in more detail the Homeownership Resurgence Plan he alluded to during this week's Presidential debate. The plan sounds reasonable. As I understand it, rather than taxpayers footing the bill for failed mortgages, the government would purchase failing, bloated mortgages that are about to be foreclosed. The mortgages would then be rewritten on more affordable terms, and the homeowners would continue to make their mortgage payments under the new terms -- payments that are more affordable and would keep the homeowners in their house and off the street.

For example, rather than losing their home because the current mortgage is for more than the value of the home and the payments are out of reach, the mortgage might be rewritten for less and the payments made more affordable. Instead of paying on a $300,000 mortgage for a home valued at, say, $210,000, the Homeownership Resurgence Plan might rewrite that mortgage at $240,000, greatly reducing the principle and interest and putting the monthly payment within reach, while only absorbing twenty percent of the debt instead of the whole mortgage.

To me, a taxpayer in his first home, who did not purchase outside of his means and doesn't really want to foot the bill to save those who did, this plan still sounds like the best option I have heard so far. The taxpayers get hit for some of the debt, but not the whole bill, while homeowners are given a second chance to keep their home. The market doesn't become swamped with recently foreclosed homes, putting the government into the real estate business, and the homeless population doesn't see a sudden huge increase. I could endorse such a plan as this, as I understand it.

What I would like to see is two additional things: first, the Community Reinvestment Act must be scrapped. You can assign blame to whatever party you choose, but Presidents from both parties have had their hands in the shaping of this act, originally signed into law by President Carter (Democrat from Georgia) in 1977. The law was bad then and has never become better. It virtually forced lending institutions to make loans to people who were financially unable or historically unwilling to repay their debt. That's not Capitalism, and it is not the makings of a free market Republic. First and foremost, this act must be immediately repealed, and must included legislation preventing Congress from passing the same act under another name.

Second, legislation and a plan must be implemented preventing double-dipping in the Homeownership Resurgence Plan. Those who take advantage of the plan must be held accountable for their new mortgage as should be expected of any borrower. There should be limitations put upon the beneficiaries of this plan that prevent refinancing of the new mortgages and bankruptcy discharges. This must be a one shot deal: either you make it under the new mortgage, or you don't. Those who show that they aren't willing to do their part to ensure that they keep their home should not expect nor be allowed to take advantage of the system a third time.

Senator McCain's letter follows below. [What, if anything, has the other party's candidate proposed?]

I'd love you know what you think. Your comments?

Joe

My Friends,

Millions of Americans on Main Street are feeling the effects of our current economic crisis largely brought on by corruption and greed at Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Wall Street. Our next president must come into office with a plan to address the very root the failing housing market.

Last night, during my debate with Senator Obama, I announced my plan to fix the root of our problem and I'd like to share a little more with you today.

If elected president, I will direct my Treasury Secretary to implement an American Homeownership Resurgence Plan to keep families in their homes, avoid foreclosures, save failing neighborhoods, stabilize the housing market and attack the roots of our financial crisis.

America's families are bearing a heavy burden from falling housing prices, mortgage delinquencies, foreclosures, and a weak economy. It is important that those families who have worked hard enough to finance homeownership not have that dream crushed under the weight of the wrong mortgage.

For those that cannot make inflated payments or their mortgage exceeds the value of their home, mortgages must be re-structured to put losses on the books and put homeowners in manageable mortgages.

This Resurgence Plan would purchase mortgages directly from homeowners and mortgage servicers, and replace them with manageable, fixed-rate mortgages that will keep families in their homes.

By purchasing the existing, failing mortgages the resurgence plan will eliminate uncertainty over defaults, support the value of mortgage-backed derivatives and alleviate risks that are freezing financial markets.

I am ready to lead our country out of this financial crisis and I am ready to work with anyone and everyone who will help. Together, I know we can work together to find solutions for these challenging times. Please do your part today and spread the word about my new plan by forwarding this email on to your neighbors, friends, family and coworkers. Thank you for your time and support.

Sincerely,

John McCain

P.S. Homeownership represents the very core of our American economic system. This is not the time for politics. We must move aggressively to provide relief and stability for all Americans.

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