103.1 The Wave

My last review was about a local radio station that I really liked mostly due to the fact that they did not play any advertisements but it was too good to last. Shortly after I endorsed them they turned into a regular radio station with plenty of commercials and playing popular music like many other stations.

Over a month ago I came across a new station that plays new wave music mostly from the 80's. It is 103.1 "The Wave" and I have really enjoyed hearing so many songs I had not heard since I was in high school.

This station features artists like: Yaz, Peter Gabriel, Modern English, Flock of Seagulls, The Human League, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Talking Heads, Devo, Oingo Boingo,The Cure, Tears for Fears, Eurythmics, Psychedelic Furs, INXS, Madness, The Thompson Twins, The Fixx, Erasure, B52's, Wall of Vodoo, Adam and the Ants, The Smiths, Thomas Dolby, etc.

I like hearing music that takes me back to a time when I was young and had so much energy. It's amazing how many memories music can bring back. For instance, whenever I hear Spandeau Ballet's "True" or Billy Idol's "Mony Mony" I am taken back to high school dances and can feel myself in a dark, crowded, sweaty gym full of nervous teenagers. I'm not a fan of either of those songs but they bring back lots of memories.

Anyway, if you getting tired of hearing the same pop songs on the radio and would like to re-discover some fun music from a great time period then I recommend 103.1 The Wave.

105.1 FM

I usually only listen to the radio when I drive around in the car but I have been driving more than usual lately and have been surfing stations. I usually listen to talk radio or just run through the FM stations until I find music that I like. The problem with the radio is that there are way too many commercials.

I can't stand hearing a radio personality talking to me about the news or a current event then sneakily changing the subject to how much they love their new car or mattress, or where they get their carpets cleaned, or telling me about the importance of monitoring your credit. I understand that commercials are how radio stations pay their bills but I am still so sick of hearing the same commercials all the time no matter what station I turn to. There are certain plumbing and jewelry companies that appear to have unlimited advertising budgets.

Several weeks ago I  came across some dance music and was shocked to hear 4 or 5 songs with no commercials between them. Each time I got in the car I would turn back to that station to see how long they could go without any commercials. After two weeks of listening I can tell you that 105.1 FM based out of American Fork appears to be a commercial free station. Every so often they say the station name between songs but that's it. It is so subtle that I still don't even know the name of the station. There are no DJ's, radio personalities, trivia, prize drawings for the lucky 7th caller, news, weather, and especially NO COMMERCIALS!

The station plays mostly dance, hip hop, and dubstep styles of music. Most songs have the typical musical characteristics and feature a drop at some point in the song. The more I listen to this station I realize that they play many of the same songs over and over so there may be repetition concerns for people who like a lot of variety, but I am just amazed that I finally found a commercial free radio station.

I've recently decided that I would rather hear the same song several times during the day on the same radio station if it means I don't have to listen to any commercials. Having that choice makes me feel like I'm not being pandered to and manipulated by the corporate sponsors of a radio station. Instead I am probably being branwashed by the artists and whatever their message may be, but at least it has a catchy beat.

Since this is a fairly new station I'm not sure if it is just a publicity stunt or temporary but for now my hat is off to 105.1 FM for not making listeners put up with commercials or the usual small talk that seems to dominate most radio stations.

Cinemark Movies 8

The dollar theater is one of the few industries that fortunately has not kept up with inflation. I went on my first date with my wife back in 1989 to Cinemark Movies 8 in Provo and we paid $1 to see The Dream Team. 

Today it still only cost between $1.50-$2.00 to see a movie there depending on the time of the showing and the day. You can't complain about that. I wish food and fuel prices would follow the lead that the dollar theater has set.

I also appreciate the dollar theater when it comes to movies that only got okay ratings. I hate shelling out good money for new release movies that don't end up being that great, but I don't mind it as much if I'm only parting with a couple bucks. 

I love going to movies and love the theater ambiance, but I'm afraid going to the movies is a dying trend. I think technology and streaming movies will soon replace the public theater experience. Until that happens, I will continue to enjoy the movies at the dollar theater along with all the other movie enthusiasts, frugal people, and poor BYU students.

You can see what is currently playing at the Cinemark Site.

When Fast Food Isn't Fast

A couple weeks ago I stopped by Arbys with my boys to get something to eat. We would have preferred to eat out somewhere a little more formal but we only had half an hour until we had to be at a meeting. I placed our order and after the two ladies in front of us. Usually a fast food order is delivered in under 5 minutes but this was taking longer.

A couple people came in after us and ordered their food after us as well as several drive through orders. They all got their orders after a few minutes of waiting. There were only 3 employees working and they were working hard but I was confused because we had been waiting 10 minutes and even more customers had come in after us they all got their food pretty quick. I've seen jerks give fast food employees a hard time and I'm a nice guy so I just waited patiently. I was still standing in the lobby in view of the girl who took our order so it's not like she forgot about me. 15 minutes later I was still waiting but now my arms were crossed. She just smiled and assured me they were working on the order. I did not put in a special order for Baked Alaska so I was baffled why it would take so long. At the 20 minute mark I asked her why nearly 15 orders for people who came in after us had been filled but not ours.

She asked my name again and it turns out another customer had the same first name so when they filled his order someone swiped our order from the computer as being completed. I was still baffled how she could watch me standing there for 20 minutes and not realize something was wrong. She apologized and threw in a free order of french fries when she finally got us our food. We inhaled our meal in under two minutes and ran out the door since we were late to a meeting at that point. It was one of the few times I didn't ring the bell on the way out.

I am not trying to bash Arbys. It is one of my favorite fast food places and they usually have great service. I was even hesitant to mention their name in this post since it is not like them to be so slow. What I really wanted to point out with this is the fact that you will always get served faster and avoid a problem like that if you go to the drive through instead.

Drive through customers are served much quicker than those who go in a fast food place for a face to face order. If they don't service the drive through quickly they have a traffic jam and can't take any new orders, but once you are inside and have ordered they can continue to take more orders so there is not the same urgency which is a little ironic since you are face to face with the customer instead of speaking to them over a speaker.

So the moral of the story is if you are in a hurry and are going to get fast food somewhere, use the drive through! Just make sure and check your order before you drive off.

Forge Jewelry Works

Forge Jewelry Works officially opened their business in June of 2014. The staff at Forge consists of
Shawn Mikkelson, Rischelle Mikkelson, Darrell Mauerman, and Richard Beach. Despite this being a new venture, they have a combined total of 84 years experience behind them.

Shawn is the founder and CEO. He earned his graduate gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and has 20 years in the jewelry business. Rischelle is the CFO and has 16 years of experience developing and running businesses. Darrell is the store director and has 15 years experience in the jewelry industry. Richard is the goldsmith and has 33 years experience making and repairing jewelry.

Forge sells and repairs all kinds of jewelry, but engagement rings are their biggest market. Of those engagement rings, over 80% of them are custom rings. Many jewelry stores want to to sell you what they have in their inventory and Forge has some very nice rings in the store to choose from, but they also allow you to create your own ring instead of being limited to what a store has in stock. With changes in technology and the ability to do so much shopping online, people these days have a pretty good idea of what they want by the time they go to a jeweler.

Forge Jewelers have invested in CAD (computer aided design) technology to help them create almost any imaginable design. A customer can come in with an idea, picture, or sketch and they can help them create a unique ring made to their specifications. When they showed me how this software works I was blown away. It is a game changer when it comes to helping people design their own jewelry.

Three areas of emphasis have made Forge Jewelry Works successful. They are:

1) They put the customer at the center of the process. Unlike the car salesman who wants to sell you what he has on his lot, they want to make sure the customer gets exactly what they are after. If they don't have it in their store then they will help you create it.

2) They have over 84 years of combined experience. They are knowledgeable and experienced and have helped thousands of customers with their jewelry needs over the years and understand the ever changing industry.

3) They offer custom work at non custom prices. Traditionally custom work could be cost prohibitive, but due to technology and being a store that specialized in custom work, they are able to offer custom work at regular prices.

Their store design is unique in layout and refreshing and is different from the typical jewelry boutique you may have been to in the past. Even the bathrooms are decorated with a cool theme that any guy will like.

Forge Jewelry Works is located at 2255 North University Parkway, Suite #1 in Provo between Pizza Pie Cafe and 24 Hour Fitness. Their hours are Mon-Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays they are open until 8:00 pm. Their phone number is 801-704-7020. You can visit their website at forgejewelryworks.com.

Moen

Moen is not a local company but I am totally impressed with their service. I have previously mentioned in this blog that they had replaced a shower head for me at their expense in the past. They did this even though it was not the product's fault, but rather a result of hard water deposits building up on inside of the shower head,

Anyway, it has been about 5 years since that happened and due to my extremely hard water the replacement head was not working like it should. I just called their 800# and they shipped me out a new replacement free of charge with no questions asked. I wish other companies were so eager to please.

Not their Finest Moment

Last week I was on a short lunch break and I decided to swing by a local fast food establishment and order their chicken sandwich special that they were advertising. I went inside and ordered the sandwich and a small fry from a person over their speaker system. I waited patiently as I watched other people come in the store and order lunch. After a while I noticed people who came in way after me were getting their food but I was still waiting. I don't want to rip on this establishment since they usually offer good service, but I will tell you they have car hops on roller skates who deliver your order and the chain has the same name as a hedgehog.

It didn't really look like they were short staffed but the girls who were delivering the food were very stressed out. I'm a nice guy and I can't stand people who are quick to complain about service so I kept waiting past the 15 minute mark. I finally told myself they obviously lost my order so I tried to notify someone but the employees were running around in such a frantic fashion that I could not get their attention. The only way to speak with someone would be to walk back to where they prepare the food which I am sure would not go over well .

Just as I was about to get more assertive and be a jerk I saw one girl burst into tears when she went to pick up her next order because a manager was yelling something at her. The only person I could see who seemed to be in charge appeared to be lethargic and uninterested with what was happening. I was going to leave and go somewhere else but I figured it would take even longer if I had to go get in a line somewhere else and my lunch time was far spent.

I was getting ready to say "this is Sparta" and kick someone in the stomach when I was finally able to stop someone at the 25 minute mark and tell them I ordered nearly half an hour ago and had not gotten my food. She apologized and brought me my order exactly 30 minutes after I originally ordered it. I was hoping for some kind of acknowledgement or apology like a coupon for a free sandwich or comping the fries, but my order was delivered by the same girl who was previously crying a few minutes earlier and I didn't want to make her crappy day at work worse by complaining to a manager.

I decided it wasn't the fault of the girls who were car hopping but rather whoever was managing and taking orders at the time. It was very slow and unorganized during the lunch rush. This isn't the norm for this establishment and the sandwich was actually quite good when I finally got it, but it wasn't worth a half hour wait for fast food. Then I went home and lived happily ever after.

WARNING: THIS BLOG SUCKS

I just thought I'd acknowledge how pathetic this blog is. Writing local business reviews is a good idea but since I have been eating out of garbage cans lately, I don't have many food reviews. Despite the lack of activity here, I still went ahead and renewed a domain name that directs traffic to this site a couple days ago so I haven't given up on it completely. Some day Utah County Business Reviews may be what saves the human race if we are ever attacked by aliens.

Farewell for now....until I have something of substance to share.

Today's Lunch Special: Patience

A week ago I was sick and had lost my appetite for a couple days. I finally got to the point where I was getting hungry again and I was craving a strawberry banana shake. I didn't want one of those syrup based frozen treats like a McDonalds shake or a Wendy's Frosty so I decided to go to Iceberg Drive Inn since  they are known for their home made shakes.

I was wearing slippers and looked like I could fit in on the people of Walmart website, so I decided to go through the drive through instead of ordering in the lobby. I was in line for about 5 minutes when the car in front of me got tired of waiting and pulled out and drove off. Five more minutes passed and then an employee finally came out and said their speaker system was broken and we would just need to order at the pickup window. I waited 10 more minutes after that until I got to the window and was able to get a shake.

I was ready to drive off after 10 minutes but I was already frustrated with how long it was taking and was curious to know how much longer I could possibly wait. It ended up being 20 minutes total from when I got there with only 4 cars in front of me.

The shake was better than most fast food shakes, but I'm afraid the time spent waiting for it put a damper on my dining experience. I'm not going to bash this business since I don't know all the details of why things were so slow that day, but anytime you have to wait 20 minutes in a drive through for one item, something is wrong.

Michael Burns Realtor

Mike Burns is a realtor who specializes in properties located in northern Utah County. Mike has been a licensed real estate agent for over 13 years. He is experienced working with buyers as well as sellers.

Over the years I have been very impressed with Mike's work ethic and his knowledge. He is one of the smartest guys I know and is a true professional. He tells it like it is and doesn't play games with his clients.

Mike's knowledge and experience makes him a valuable resource. If you have any questions about listing your home, purchasing a property, or any real estate related questions, you should give him a call.

Mike has a website called North Utah County which has some great information about buying, selling, determining the value of your home, making home improvements, maintenance tips, and much more. You can also contact mike Via his Facebook page.

Macys

I have to admit that I have a pathetic wardrobe. I pretty much wear the same jeans and tennis shoes every day with a different t-shirt. I'm that guy who everyone notices if they ever wear a new shirt to work since they are so accustomed to always seeing me in the same boring clothes. It's kind of how you would feel if you were watching Gilligan's Island and you saw Gilligan wearing anything other than his usual red shirt). Anyway, yesterday I had to wait 45 minutes before I could pick my kids up so I decided to spend it at the mall. 

I don't really like the mall. I hate trying to avoid the sales people at the kiosks in the hallways. I know there are some big anchor stores that do well, but I get depressed when I see many of the smaller companies that I know will just be out of business in a matter of months or years. I decided to see how much basketball shoes were so I swung by Foot Locker. What's up with that place? Not a pair of shoes under $85 in the whole store. Anyway, as I had a few final minutes to kill I decided to swing by Macys to imagine what it might be like if I had real clothes instead of my usual Gilligan outfits.

I was greeted a few times by different employees who were polite and helpful yet not pushy. After I told them what I was looking for, I was directed to some sales racks where clothes were being discounted 50-75% off. I know many stores use the mark up so you can mark down technique, so I was surprised to see some really nice shirts and sweaters for $20-25. I was informed of a sale they were running in addition to the usual discounted merchandise. I browsed for a while but then had to leave. 

I was so impressed with some of the prices that I decided to come back late that evening with my teenage daughter so she could help me keep from making some bad choices. The last time I paid attention to style people were wearing pink IZOD polos with popped collars so I can't be trusted. I ended up getting a new pair of Levis, a sweater, and three nice shirts for $92. The employees who helped me were very courteous and helpful. In a world where customer service is frequently lacking, it was nice to encounter competent and pleasant employees. I was impressed with my experience at Macys.

I will keep you updated the next time I update my wardrobe again in 2028.

Alphagraphics

I don't do a ton of copying and printing, but the last several times I have gone to Fed Ex/Kinkos to have some items printed, they have referred me to their do it yourself section and I was told I could use one of their machines and do the printing myself. I am not very familiar with $50,000 copy machines so I usually ask for help and am told they can do the job for me but I'd have to come back at a later time to pick it up.

I'm sure some of these big copy service chains fit a niche and I'll bet there are plenty of people who would rather do things themselves and pay a machine with their credit card, but I have missed the customer service aspect of it when I have work done there. Maybe I'm just getting old, but I prefer to speak face to face with a person when I have questions about a project.

In contrast, last month I went to Alphagraphics a couple times to have some color copies and enlargements made of some images and I was very happy with their work. They are a smaller operation but the customer service was very good and the prices were much less than what I have previously paid at other stores. I will gladly go out of my way to do business with them in the future.

You can see their website at Alphagraphics.com

Customer Service Part 3

Since I don't have a new business to feature, I am recycling an old post I wrote on Chaka's World a couple years ago about customer service.

When I was in college, one of my professors told me a story about when McDonalds was finally able to expand their chain to Russia. One of the trainers who was interviewing applicants asked a woman what she would do if there was a long line of people waiting to be served. She basically said she could always just ignore them until they went away. I guess years of communism had conditioned her to not care about customer service when it came to her job.

We had a dishwasher that we bought an extended warranty for since our large family goes through so many dishes. When the washer broke, I called the manufacturer and they said that they would send out a local repairman who works for them. I scheduled the appointment for Monday morning but he never showed up until Monday evening. He didn't have record of the purchase or warranty which I was previously told he had. When we finally got things taken care of we still had to pay more than the prior quote for the service call. It was not a horrible experience, but I wasn't impressed either.

The next day I noticed that our Moen shower faucet was stripped and wouldn't change between the different water settings. I looked up their 800 # and called them. I spoke with a real person quickly and she looked up my name and address and asked what the problem was. She said they stand behind their products and she would Fed Ex out a new shower head to replace the old one. That was it, not even any shipping fees. I was impressed, especially since they had already replaced the shower head years ago for free and it was not a workmanship issue, but rather a result of our hard water.

I once took my wife to Panda Express for dinner and the selections she ordered were pretty sparse and didn't look too fresh. The manager started dishing them up but then decided to throw it in the garbage and had his cook make up a fresh batch of her selections. He also offered us free drinks since we had to wait a few minutes longer while the fresh food was being prepared. I appreciated the fact that he valued the quality of the food more than just getting us through the line fast.

What are your experiences with customer service? I'd especially be interested to hear any good experiences you've had. What are some of the businesses you have been impressed with over the years?

Fast Food Insights

I've noticed a couple trends when it comes to service at fast food places. I'd like to compare 4 popular fast food businesses and the impressions I've recently come away with after visiting their Orem locations. I'm not addressing food quality with this post, but instead I'm focusing on the employees and the atmosphere of each establishment.

Burger King- Recently when I've gone to BK, their business has been nearly empty. For some reason on each of my last three visits, there have been people in line in front of me who work there but have come in to eat on their day off. It kind of bothers me when they are socializing and chatting up a storm with all the other employees while they are giving their order while I am waiting several minutes before anyone even recognizes me. It also didn't make for a very happy environment as the lady taking orders from the drive through was murmuring and complaining about the multiple customers she was helping in the drive through. FYI-The customers inside the store can hear you bashing the ones on the outside.

Taco Bell- Has some of the cheapest food choices so I will occasionally go there when I only have a couple bucks, but I wonder if they have a policy that requires that at least one worker always be on break by the dumpster smoking at all times. It's almost like they are taking turns with the Olympic torch. They are so vigilant at keeping the dumpster guarded that it makes me wonder what's in there. They used to have the most friendly and enthusiastic cashier at their drive through. You would have thought she was making $100,000 per year with her amazing attitude, but I haven't seen her there for a while. I'm guessing she got promoted to a different job.

McDonalds- Since McDonalds is the king of the mountain when it comes to fast food, they typically take a lot of flack from the public and critics. I'm not a huge fan of their food, but the system they use to deliver food is very efficient. There are always lots of people in McDonalds, but the service is also fast so it's not such a problem. They tend to be busier and don't have as much down time, so I don't see as many teenagers screwing around or gabbing like I do at some other fast food places.

Arbys- I don't know if Arbys has an only adult hiring policy, but it is one of the few fast food places where you seldom see teenagers. I can also say I've never noticed neck tattoos, facial piercing, or extreme hair there either. They definitely have a more professional image than most other fast food places and their menu is a little more unique than your average burger place. I enjoy ringing the bell to let them know when their service is good. My one hang up with Arbys is when I go through the drive through and order a small value shake and they ask if I want Ketchup or Arby Sauce with it. I guess some habits are hard to break.

I'm not trying to rip on these places or bash the fast food industry. I worked at Subway for several years when I was a teenager and understand how stressful long lines of hungry and rude customers can be so I am familiar with what employees deal with, but some fast food companies could really clean up their image and have a much more professional atmosphere if they asked some of their employees to actually smile or take a couple piercings out of their face when they come to work.

Art City Music Academy

I married into a musical family and as a newlywed, I learned that music lessons for our kids would be a necessity rather than a luxury. Since my wife is a professional violinist, she was able to teach our kids how to play the violin and piano, but she understood the value of having them study under other music teachers. As a result, we have had our kids enrolled at Art City Music Academy since 1999.

Art City Music Academy was founded in 1987 and is run by Chris and Yvonne Blonquist. They are both talented musicians who have a passion for what they do. They originally offered only piano lessons but there business has expanded over the years and today their experienced staff teaches piano, violin, cello, guitar, voice, and even dance classes.

They also offer several preparatory music courses for small kids as young as toddlers to ten years of age. Most of their clients are kids, but they also offer classes for adults. Their comprehensive curriculum includes music theory, sight reading, ear training, composition, as well as many performance classes and recital opportunities.

The success of their studio has allowed them to expand beyond Springville which is where their first location is located. They also have music studios in Orem, American Fork, and Draper.

My kids frequently get compliments for their musical talents and as much as I'd like to take credit for their success, I know it is mostly due to the successful program they have been involved in. I have always been impressed with the quality teachers that instruct and mentor my kids when it comes to their music education. If you are considering music lessons for your children or for yourself, I suggest you check Art City out for yourself. You can visit their website at ArtCityMusic.com.

Craig's Cuts

As a little kid, I remember getting my hair cut about once a month. Actually, I grew up in the 70's so it was probably not quite that frequent. My dad used to take me to places that had the traditional red, white, and blue, rotating barber pole. Those establishments were manly places where guys could hang out on a Saturday morning and shoot the breeze while they were getting their haircut. Over time, it became less common to see these "guy's barbershop" so I started getting more haircuts at some of the more popular chains or salons.

Several years ago I noticed signs around town for a $7 haircut at Craig's Cuts. I decided to give them a shot and I was surprised at how quick and affordable it was. The first couple locations I went to seemed kind of bare bones and were not very fancy, but the haircuts were affordable, and the girls who cut my hair did a great job.

I've watched this company grow over the years where they now have at least 6 locations in Utah County that I am aware of and the most recent one I went to was next to the Cinemark Theaters near Costco in Orem and is a really nice facility. Several of the stylists who have cut my hair have indicated that they like working there because they make more than they did at bigger chains where they had previously worked. I'm a little baffled how a business that charges so little for their service can pay their employees better, yet be growing like they are. It's either a ponzi scheme or a good business model.

Craig's Cuts also offers a water bottle, warm towel, and a short neck and shoulder massage with each haircut. I kind of think the massages that some hair cutting places give after they cut your hair are almost amount to teasing since they are so short, but I figure I'm paying for a haircut not a massage, so I can't really complain.

I understand that some people are very particular when it comes to their hair so I am a little hesitant to recommend any hair cutting establishment since every experience will vary depending on your stylist. A good haircut eventually boils down to the attitude and skill of your stylist. That being said, if you are looking for an affordable haircut, then I suggest you give Craig's Cuts a shot. You can visit their site at Craig'scuts.com.

Macey's

I am not a fan of going to the store, but Macey's makes grocery shopping easier and it's definitely on my list of preferred grocery stores. They are an Associated Foods store and have 11 locations along the Wasatch Front. They have deli, pharmacy, produce, meat, and bakery departments. I shop at their store because their prices are competitive and their staff is always friendly and helpful.

I feel I know their store layout pretty well, but the few times I have asked an employee where I could find a particular item, rather than simply tell me an isle number, they have stopped what they are doing and walk me over to where that item is sold. In contrast, it is often hard to find anyone to even ask a question to at some big box stores and when you do find someone, they are frequently annoyed that you are interrupting their work. I like the service attitude that Macey's employees consistently exhibit. 

Macey's also regularly gives back to the community. They are a big supporter of BYU athletics, Primary Childrens, and are consistently contribute to Community Action Food Services. They have a great selection of canning, food storage, and emergency preparedness products. I also like their case lot sales since I have a big family and we go through food fast, so buying it in bulk at a discount is always nice.

This might show my maturity level, but my favorite things about Macey's is their famous Kong Cone. It is a huge soft serve ice cream cone that is filled to capacity, they then they serve it in a large cup that is also full of ice cream. It's the best deal in town.

Superior Customer Service

I've noticed that many business owners are willing to stay late, bend over backwards, and go the extra mile when it comes to customer service. One of the challenges a business owner has is trying to instill the same level of service and commitment they have for their customers onto their hourly employees.

I have been to many stores where employees have locked doors or put up closed signs a few minutes early in an effort to get out of work and close up shop quickly. Part of me can see where they are coming from, but it sends a bad message to their customers.

I once ate a resort in Vegas with some friends and when we asked the server if we could have separate checks, he said "sure, but it's a real pain in the ass." I found it ironic that they had little tent cards on the table boasting of their friendly service.

I was recently at a food establishment with my wife and we got there about 15 minutes before closing. While we were eating, I noticed several employees cleaning up and packing food away quickly so they could close the store for the evening. They were not rude about it or anything, but I'm sure if the owner was cleaning up the store, they would have been more subtle about it and would not want to send the unspoken message of "get out of here, we want to go home."

I work with insurance companies regularly and some companies consistently have helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly service. Progressive is one of these companies. Other companies have developed reputations of poor service and I dread it when I have to call them. I believe customer service is a "trickle down" concept and you can tell which business owners put a high priority on helping their employees provide better service for their customers.

One of my favorite things to do is to tell management when they have great customer service or if their employees are doing a good job. I frequently ask to speak with managers at a businesses. Many times the employees get nervous since when most people make this request they just want to gripe and complain, but I enjoy seeing the relief when I give them a sincere compliment.

I challenge you to do the same and the next time you get great service, ask to speak to the manager and let them know when an employee is doing a good job.

Put It Up Crossfit

Put It Up Crossfit is one of Orem's newest and most exciting gyms. The owner and head trainer is Seth Berbert. I first met Seth several years ago when we were both working as personal trainers at a local gym. He told me he wanted to start his own gym and with hard work, he has made that a reality. He started his facility with humble beginnings, but over time it has grown and he now has many loyal clients who are excited about the results they are getting.

Seth is an intimidating specimen at 6'4" and 230 pounds with single digit body fat, but he is also one of the nicest guys I have ever met. He is a giver and really cares about his clients. He is passionate about fitness and helping people get in shape and improve their conditioning.

CrossFit is a popular trend in fitness these days. It focuses on functional full body exercises as opposed to isolating single muscles on machines or spending hours on a treadmill. It utilizes Olympic style lifts, kettle bells, sleds, ropes, and a variety of other equipment. The workouts are very intense and effective. CrossFit has gained a loyal following of men and women who have made great progress when it comes to improving their fitness levels.

Some might think this type of workout is just for big muscle heads, but women love CrossFit too and get great results from it. It can benefit everyone from elite athletes to beginners who haven't worked out in years who are looking to get in shape. One of the things that impresses me most about Seth's facility is the camaraderie and support that the members have for each other. It's almost like a big family and that is very unique compared to your average gym experience.

It might sound strange that I'd promote the services of another personal trainer who might be considered my competition, but I am really impressed with this gym and when I need help with my own conditioning, I look to Seth. Put It Up CrossFit is located at 1061 N State Street in Orem. They just recently expanded their facility to make room for all their members. Swing by some time and check them out. You can also learn more about the gym at their website here.

Community Action

Community Action Services and Food Bank does not fit into my usual category of businesses I normally review since they are a non profit organization, but I'd like to highlight some of the work they do for the community.

The most noticeable service Community Action provides is operating the food pantry. They act as the food bank for Utah, Summit, and Wasatch Counties. They also assist with heat and utility programs for low income families. I was recently surprised to learn that nearly 10% of Utahns live within poverty levels.

It's admirable to provide food for those in need, but I am even more impressed with their efforts to address the root of the problem of poverty. Some of the other services offered include community gardening, and counseling services for home buying and mortgage counseling as well as many other educational programs to assist people to get out of poverty and achieve self reliance.

Because Community Action is a non profit organization, they rely on donations from the community. You can donate food, do volunteer work at the center, or make financial contributions, but I think the funnest way to promote and help their cause is by participating in their annual 5K race. This year, the race will be held on May 26th. Proceeds go to the center and there will be lots of great prices given away again this year which have been donated by local businesses.

You can register for the race at this website. If you procrastinate, you can still register the morning of the race as long as you do so before the 9:00 start time. Community Action is located at 815 S Freedom Blvd. in Provo and you can visit their company website at communityactionProvo.org.