THE PER
Thursday, March 10, 2005 - B1
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Taylor has groomed dogs in
her home since last November,
when she completed her train-
friend ing at the American School of
day? If so, Dog Grooming in Oklahoma
is on the City.
During that intensive ten-
dog groom- week course, Taylor got lots
business of practice with dogs of all
'. March 9, in kinds.
and salon "I groomed over 400 dogs
is ready while I was there," she said.
POOches of all Since the school is located in
the Oklahoma City metro area,
students have the opportunity to
practice their art on lots of kinds
of dogs, Taylor said.
"I've groomed everything
from Afghans to poodles," she
notes.
She also got lots of practice
grooming dogs with problems,
such as matted fur, and learned
to handle active animals that
really aren't that interested in
getting their hair cut.
Taylor said she also saw some
unusual cases, such as animals
that were being treated for inju-
ries, and noted one four-legged
client that had apparently been
fishing.
She removed a fish hook
that was entangled in an active
Airedale's fur.
The dog wasn't injured by the
hook, but had just snagged the
object on its skirt.
Taylor's shop, located at 106
S. Main, right next door to
the Lions Den, sports a photo
album which shows before and
after photographs of many of
her furry clients.
Taylor raises miniature
schnauzers at her rural Perkins
home, which is how she got
interested in dog grooming.
"It was just easier to learn to
do it myself," she said.
After completing her formal
training, Taylor decided she'd
like to open a shop so she could
Melissa Taylor and her hus-
band, Clint, put some finishing
touches on their dog grooming
shop, "Doggie Doo's," located
at 106 S. Main Street.
Melissa Taylor, owner of Doggie Doo's, gives Bridgette, a miniature
grooming salon located at 106 S. Main in Perkins. The salon opened
schnauzer, a trim at her new
on Wednesday, March 9.
Journal photos by Cindy Sheets
handle grooming her client's building in Perkins because animals.
animals more conveniently, of the cost," Taylor said. "We Doggie Doo's will eventu-
"We wanted a place in town so didn't want to rent. Plus, we ally handle dog-oriented lJrod-
it would be more convenient for both grew up here." ucts, such as treats, toys, and
customers to get to, rather than A variety of grooming services leashes, Taylor said. She also
having to drive on a gravel road are available at the shop. plans to begin boarding dogs
out in the country," she said. "There's a free dip with every at a future date.
Taylor said she and husband groom," Taylor noted. Doggie Doo's will take
Clint started looking for busi- The shop also offers gland appointments or walk-in clients
/less propertyin area towns, but expression with each groom, during regular business hours,
it didn't take long for them to cleaning of pads and ears, and which are Tuesday through Sat-
realize they could find just what toenail care, including painting, urday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
they were looking for - while And of course, seasonal bows For more information or
still paying a reasonable price and bandanas to make an appointment, call
-- in downtown Perkins. Costs for services vary for Taylor at 547-1556 or drop by
"We were pleased to find this different breeds and sizes of the shop at 106 S. Main.
.(
and Pro-Business States for 2005'
by the Pollina Corporate Real
and Estate Report, Oklahoma is
program, committed to bringing new
lder- business to the state and
busi- helping existing businesses
al expand and grow profitably.
Supporting that commitment,
'all sizes are we offer the following on
lc some of the incentives avail-
rural devel-able to Oklahoma's small
businesses and entrepreneurs.
Package, This is not intended to be a
myriad of complete overview of all the
and state's incentives. For a full
r programs; listing, visit okcommerce.gov
in the "business development"
'Top 10 section.
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!,
The state has two primary
business incentive programs.
Quality Jobs--allows quali-
fying small businesses (90
employees or fewer) to receive
up to a 5 percent cash-back
incentive for up to seven years
to locate or expand in Okla-
homa. Companies must meet
minimum wage and health
coverage requirements.
Investment/New Jobs
Tax Credit Package--is a
five-year tax credit on the
greater of 1 percent per year
of investment in qualified
new depreciable property
or a credit of $500 per year
per new job. This is open to
manufacturers with a sales
tax exemption permit who are
not participants in the Quality
Jobs incentive program.
Other incentives include
Small Business Loan Guar-
antees, New Product Develop-
ment Income Tax Exemption,
Business Incubator Benefits
and American Indian Land
Tax Credit.
Our one stop team, within
the Department of Commerce,
will work with you at every
step in the process to make
your expansion or location
decision straightforward and
easy. We'll connect you with
other state agencies and local
communities that can extend
the benefits you receive with
specialized and localized
incentives. You can also look to
Commerce for regular updates
on business tax incentives and
other programs that provide
solutions to operational and
expansion issues on an ongoing
basis. Visit okcommerce.gov
or call today at 800-879-6552
to learn more.
making help protect our state's biologi- ing for Wildlife book and helps
cal diversity, Suttles said. establish new places and oppor-
When you The Program funds and tunities for the public to enjoy
this year.performs surveys of rare and wildlife.
endangered species like the To help fund activities like
then go toTexas homed lizard, or horny these, make a refund dona-
COmplete toad, and declining species in tion on line 34 from line 1 of
the High Plains ofwestem Okla- schedule 511-H of your state
is homa. It monitors the state's tax form this year, or have your
Way for largest Mexican free-tailed bat tax preparer do so for you. For
they care colony and is working with part- questions regarding your dona-
Suttles ners to aid approximately 400 tion to the Wildlife Diversity
species of songbirds, waterfowl, Program call the Oklahoma Tax
of shorebirds and water birds. Commission at (800) 522-8165,
The Program helps people ext: 13160.
connect with wildlife through Direct donations can also be
the Winter Bird Survey, Eagle made to: Wildlife Diversity Pro-
Watches and the Selman Bat gram, Oklahoma Department of
of their Watch. It produces a variety Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box
of wildlife-related brochures 53465, OKC, OK 73152.
you and guides like the Landscap-Another way to support the
state's wildlife and the Wildlife
Diversity Program is to purchase
a $35 Wildlife Conservation
License Plate. Five wildlife
designs are available at your
local tag agent.
The Wildlife Department is
funded by the sale of hunting
and fishing licenses, federal
excise taxes placed on hunting
and fishing equipment and by
private donations. The Depart-
ment does not receive any gen-
eral state tax appropriations.
Contact the Wildlife Diversity
Program at (405) 521-4616 for
more information about any
of these activities or products,
or visit the Department's Web
site at www.wildlifedepartme
nt.com.
What accessories do I need for my computer? What are
the benefits of a wireless keyboard and mouse? What is the
benefit of a scanner? Does the average homeowner need a
printer with a fax machine built in?
These days, when buying a new computer, everyone tries
to sell you an accessory. It is a growing market. Everyone
needs the latest gizmo to attach to the computer. So let's
review a few of the optional items that can be attached to
any home PC.
First, an upgrade to the LCD, flat panel screen is a popular
upgrade to most computers. It is a popular selling point on
many systems, but is it necessary? Well, if you are a serious
computer game player, the definition and clarity will enhance
your games, and it is great if you have limited desktop space.
However, a good CRT will appear just as clear if you are just
going to type and send emails to the grandkids. Prices of flat
panel CRT's are dropping, and should be very affordable by
the end of the year.
Printers, a long time necessity it seems, are also a common
upgrade. Dell will give you a printer with some of their sys-
tems. Companies sell printers at roughly the same cost as two
sets of ink cartridges to refill them. However, do you need
one that is also a Fax machine and a scanner? Is a free printer
always a good deal? A good rule of thumb when purchasing a
printer, first go see how much the ink refills cost. If the cost is
acceptable, see how available the cartridges are, does everyone
sell them? For example, Dell will give you a printer, because
you must order refills from them. Additional qualities of the
printer can add or detract from the cost, when were you last
thinking, if Igonly had a fax machine, I could use it to solve
my problem. Scanners also fall into this area, however, most
people do not get the full good out of the scanner they have,
but that will be the subject of its own column.
Wireless keyboards and mice, a favorite of mine, are becom-
ing more and more cost effective in the market. They allow
the user the freedom to move the keyboard to the lap, or any
other comfortable position they can think of. No cords or
wires to tangle, and most have an optical mouse that has less
moving parts and tend to last. However, with this freedom
comes responsibility. If you have a small child that tends to
carry off objects, the mouse is easily removed and lost. There
is not a mouse with a search feature built in to help you find
it in a toy box. Generally, a wireless keyboard and mouse is
a good idea.
Glenn Goodrich, owner of Glenn Goodrich Consulting, has
a degree in management science, computer systems from Okla-
homa State University and has more than 15 years experience
in the computer industry, lf you have a question for Glenn,
please write to him at gwgosu@yaho .c m"
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