Bracket season draws near
President Trump said he will not fill out a bracket for this year’s NCAA Tournament that begins here in Dayton on Tuesday, but millions of other people are expected to spend company time researching teams and making our picks.
This “illegal” activity cost employers over $600 million, according to global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
More than 40 million Americans fill out tournament brackets, according to the American Gaming Association. Applying the current employment to population ratio to that figure, 23.7 million workers will fill out brackets for this year’s games, according to the firm.
The distractions do not end with filling out the bracket. Even more productivity is lost over the first two full days of tournament play when a dozen games are played during work hours.
You’ll find me in front of a TV on those days. Don’t tell my boss. I’m going with Kansas. How about you?
Too bright for homeowners
Last week, I wrote about the new Golden Fresh Farms greenhouse project in Wapakoneta. The article stirred some complaints by residents who live by the massive greenhouse.
Some neighbors say it’s too bright before sunrise. They said there is an “overwhelming” glow created from the lights used to grow the produce and are worried about their property values.
Officials for the Golden Fresh Farms told us the company has worked closely with Wapakoneta officials on the planning and development of the greenhouse in the area, and addressed the criticisms of some residents who said the business impacting their quality of life.
Company officials said the location was picked with the help of city officials because of its access off Interstate 75 and the remote location. The company said the farm has “natural barriers of woodlots” on two sides of the facility.
The company said Golden Fresh uses lights at the facility beginning in the early morning until about 4 p.m., and the lights make it possible to ensure plant growth during cloudy days and winter months. The lights are not in operation 24 hours a day, the company said.
March deals
March is a hot month for shopping deals, according to reporter Rachel Murray.
Winter clothing discounts can be found now — so if you see something you like — buy it now, Benjamin Glaser, DealNews editor, told Murray.
Now is the time to buy post-season Valentine’s Day items like flowers and chocolate — but hold off on the lingerie.
“Lingerie is really dominated by Victoria’s Secret and they do their big semi-annual sale in June. They are such a big player in the industry this affects every other lingerie store and a lot of them do big sales in June,” Glaser said.
More hot deals can be found in the freezer section of your supermarket.
“March is Frozen Food Month,” said Robert Bernhard, owner of Dot’s Market with locations in Bellbrook and Kettering, “a lot of these deals include frozen vegetables, snack items — pizza and cheese sticks,” Bernhard said.