If it’s December, it must be Wild Bill’s kickoff to Christmas. We’re like one of those discerning magazines that keeps their readers on the cutting edge of style and fashion.
To get things started, many readers have asked if I’ll be debuting a special holiday pair of Loudmouth pants this year.
Like the Dos Eqinos fellow, I know there’s no room for disappointment. And, the winner is this year’s Loudmouth exclusive – “North Pole Country Club.” Keep your eyes peeled and be ready to be one of Santa’s elves.
Now, to high school football where we still have two “Big-11” teams that have advanced to the VHSL state semifinal round this weekend. Congratulations also go out to Northside, whose season came to an end last Friday night against Magna Vista. The Vikings impressed all season, overcoming injury after injury to key players that would have brought lesser squads to their knees. Big thumbs-up to Burt Torrence’s green and gold for their incessant perseverance.
Here’s a look at this week’s pair of match ups.
LIBERTY-BEALETON ( 12-1 ) at SALEM ( 13-0) GROUP 4A SEMIFINAL SAT-2 p.m.
The Spartans answered the bell last Saturday in their win over George Washington. Now, Liberty-Bealton faces the task of figuring who to key on this week. Coleman Fox ? Alex Ramsey ? Austin Coulling ? Cody Peregoy ? Isaiah Parker ? The list goes on and on. The winner here advances to the Group 4A state championship on December 13th at Liberty University against the Monacan-Lake Taylor winner.
To the many who have asked this week, Liberty-Bealeton is located, where else? In Bealeton, Va., halfway between Opal and Goldvein. Yes, you always learn something when reading this column.
NOTTOWAY ( 11-2 ) at GLENVAR ( 12-1 ) GROUP 2A SEMIFINAL SAT- 2 p.m.
Glenvar pulled off the huge win over Giles last Saturday, so the biggest challenge for the Highlanders will be to avoid a letdown. Even though it was Glenvar’s biggest win in school history, it ended Giles’ 27-game win streak, was the first-ever Glenvar win over Giles after 20 straight losses, and accounted for a 68-point scoring reversal against the Spartans this year. Head coach Kevin Clifford’s message is simple: Forget Giles. Easier said than done ? It’s set to play out in West Salem Saturday.
The winner here advances to the Group 2A state championship on December 13th at Salem Stadium against the Richlands-Wilson Memorial winner.
Local high school basketball officially kicked off this week and early indicators show there will be a number of “Big-11” teams that will excel on the hardwood. As usual the Star sports department will be on hand for the top weekly contests.
On to the first installment of the 2014 Wild Bill Christmas product reviews. No better place to get ideas for that ‘hard-to-buy-for’ person on your list. Readers have been holding their breath (and, as you’ll see, for good reason) waiting for my first holiday stocking-stuffer suggestion. Here we go:
The opening pitch on this jewel says, “Blow out the candles and ditch the aerosol can.” Just released in November, we bring you Kohler Co.’s Purefresh, a deodorizing toilet seat which eliminates embarrassing bathroom odors at the source.
This $90 product features a fan hidden in the battery-operated seat that sucks in air and pushes it through an odor-eating carbon filter and optional scent pack. It turns on automatically when someone sits down, offering only a slight hum as things go in motion.
Kohler product manager Jerry Bougher tells us “in terms of odor, everyone’s experienced it,” and “our product attacks the smell where the action is.” You’ve got to like Jerry’s enthusiasm, candidness and technical operational descriptions.
Additional available options include a heated seat, night lights and slow-closing lid. I’ve got to admit, this gadget is comparable to sitting in James Bond’s Astin-Martin DB5.
Requiring two D batteries, the monthly operational costs including filters and scent packs are estimated to be under $3. Kohler notes this technology is something consumers can connect with.
Obviously, the more the connecting increases (which I shall refer to as the ‘Flop Flats Factor’ or FFF), the greater costs of scent packs.
Everything considered, I give the Kohler Purefresh the highest attainable, Wild Bill FIVE-STAR rating. Affordability, comfort , ease of installation and excellent gas mileage lead the way for the Purefresh. And, it easily fits under the Christmas tree.
Until next time, when I’ll visit the “As Seen on TV” store at Valleyview, I’m off to hopefully get The Chief to install a Purefresh in The Star executive washroom.
Meanwhile, send your refreshing comments to: info@The RoanokeStar.com
– Bill Turner
