Quality Plus -September 2020

Quality Plus -September 2020

September 2020

Here’s to the American Worker The American Dream Is Still Alive

possible to succeed in America today. They say the American Dream isn’t what it used to be. I don’t think that’s true at all. In fact, I think it’s just the opposite. It’s easier than ever to succeed in America.

There’s something to be said for the American worker. Their dedication and industriousness make them the backbone of our economy and our communities. As a small-business owner myself, I’m thankful I get to be a part of that tradition. This month, as we recognize the American worker on Labor Day, I want to talk a little bit about my experience. As you may remember from our last newsletter, I grew up on a tobacco farm. It was hard work, and I learned a lot of valuable lessons. Then in 1984, I went into business for myself and opened my first shop with my wife, just the two of us. I worked on cars, handled the ordering, and took care of the customers. My wife did the books. We were off to a good start. Then, as the business started to take off, I hired my first employee, then my second. Before long, I had to move into a new building and hire even more people! I was always looking to the future, thinking about the next step and how I could improve the business. I thought about how I could be better in my position and with hiring and training new employees. These are things I still think about today, and I also still work long hours. Most days, I’m the first guy in the shop in the morning. But I’m okay working long hours, even after all these years. I love to fix cars and keep busy! Being able to work for myself is one of my biggest accomplishments. I have the skill to fix cars — and I get paid to do it! But an even bigger accomplishment for me is being able to hire employees who are also good at what they do. It’s hard work to find the right people.

Think about it —we have so much technology at our disposal. You can get yourself out there and market yourself through so many different channels. When I started out, the only place I could really advertise was in the Yellow Pages. It wasn’t much, but we made it work. Who knows what would have happened if I had all of this technology back in 1984. It’s also easier to start a business today — pretty much anyone can do it. All you have to do is go online, fill out a few documents, and you’re set. Plus, you can learn just about anything. The challenge is, you still have to put in the time and effort. But if you do, you’ll get a lot closer to finding success. You have to be willing to accept delayed gratification, though. A lot of people today — young and old — have gotten used to instant gratification for a lot of things. You can’t start a business or a brand-new job and expect to buy a new house and car and go on a two-week vacation right out the door. It all takes time. Back in 1984, I struggled with the business side of things. I didn’t know how to run a business. But I used what I had learned when I was working on my parents’ farm— showing up on time, putting in the hours, and making sure things get done on time. Today, we have a great group of people working at Quality Plus. They’re dedicated and hardworking and I’m proud of them. I know that the shop will run like a well-oiled machine whether or not I’m in on any given day. We found the right people and that itself is a huge achievement. Here’s to our team at Quality Plus and here’s to the American worker.

-Randy Bunn

There’s one thing I’ve noticed a lot lately — people have gotten into the habit of thinking it’s not

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Enjoy Your Favorite Films Earlier

The Unmistakable Click A Look at the History of the Turn Signal Sound We all know the sound — click, click, click — of the turn signal, which is present in just about every car or truck on the road today. But have you ever wondered about the history of the turn signal and why it makes that distinctive clicking sound? The turn signal first appeared on automobiles in 1909, but the click wasn’t added until the 1930s. Inventor Joseph Bell patented a small electronic device that directed electricity to the outer turn signals. The device clicked.

Streaming Services Change the Face of Entertainment

The way we watch our favorite shows and movies has changed drastically in recent years and even more so this year. With the pandemic impacting the world, people found themselves stuck inside their homes looking for new sources of entertainment, and many found exactly what they were looking for through the numerous streaming services available to us. The pandemic made time for people to watch their favorite shows again and again, and it also changed the way businesses, such as Disney and Universal Studios, release their movies. Throughout the spring, many movies were released early and some skipped theater showings all together. “Trolls: World Tour” was released through video-on-demand and earned nearly $100 million in rental fees on its April 10 debut, grossing far more than the first “Trolls”movie debut in 2016. Other movies, such as “Onward” and “Frozen II,”were released early on different digital platforms for purchase or rent. One of the most anticipated early releases under this new system is “Hamilton.”This hit Broadway show has drawn thousands of people to the theater since its debut in 2015. A stage performance of “Hamilton”was filmed in 2016 in just over three days. The resulting movie creates an opportunity for everyone to see the show, whether or not they were able to catch it live on stage. Disney bought the rights to the film last year and announced this February that it would be released on Oct. 15, 2021, in theaters. However, due to the pandemic, Disney decided that what people needed most was something they could enjoy, even if they couldn’t leave their homes. On May 12, the studio announced the film would be available to stream on Disney+ starting on the July Fourth holiday. “Hamilton” fans and those who’ve never seen the play are thrilled to watch the film 16 months in advance of the originally scheduled release. Streaming services have changed how people consume their entertainment, and the pandemic has changed how streaming services offer it. Both changes are helping people get through these difficult times.

Buick was the first automaker to add this new technology to its cars in 1939. For the first time in history, cars had turn signals that flashed, which also added a new layer of safety. Other automakers were slow to adopt this technology, and it wasn’t until the 1950s that it really caught on and the clicking turn signals became standard on practically every new car sold.

So, what causes that distinct clicking sound? In many cars, the sound and flashing signal are

The s Get o delic

Chris Hayes Celebrating 13 Years Chris is a fantastic technician and continues to bring so much joy and talent to our Raleigh shop. We are very grateful to have him as part of the team and look forward to more years to come. Thank you, Chris, for all of your hard work and dedication.

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Inspire

Why You Need a Car Maintenance Budget

generated by a thermal-style flasher. An electric current flows through the device, which houses a bimetallic spring, located within the dash. When you turn the signal on, a current is sent through the bimetallic spring that heats it up. The two metals within the spring heat up at different rates, forcing them to bend in a certain way. The bending does two things: It completes the circuit, sending current to the outer light and turning it on for a split second, and it makes that district clicking sound as the metal pops into position. In newer vehicles, particularly those produced in the early 1990s and onward, you are likely to find an electronic relay-style system. This system is controlled by a microchip and an electromagnet. The chip regulates electric current that runs through the magnet. Similar to the older style of flasher, this electronic relay completes the circuit to signal the outer light bulbs to turn on for a split second and then repeat. When the circuit is complete, it makes that familiar clicking sound thanks to an added bimetallic spring — though the spring technically isn’t needed. It’s just a helpful sound to indicate to the driver that the turn signal is active. Much newer vehicles rely on a turn signal system that is completely chip controlled. There are no moving parts, which means no bimetallic spring, yet they still make that clicking sound. How? It’s all electronic! It’s a “fake” sound. It’s just there because we expect it to be and lets us know our signal is on.

Car maintenance is a fact of life. If you own a car, truck, SUV, or any other vehicle with a motor and moving parts, maintenance is in your future. Whether it’s a routine oil change, new tires, a new battery, new belts, or anything else, you can expect to find your car in the shop at some point. But are you ready for the costs of routine maintenance or an unexpected repair? According to AAA, most drivers are not. It’s not something they add into their monthly budget, but it should be. AAA recommends setting aside about $50 for repairs and another $50 for maintenance every month. And if your car is older, it’s a good idea to save a little more. In total, how much should you have saved for maintenance and repair? AAA says review any previous work you may have done on your car and use that as a starting point. Anywhere between $600 and $1,000 is usually considered ideal, but it’s always good to have more, just in case. Some components are inexpensive to replace, such as air filters or windshield wipers. Others are much more costly, like the transmission. When it comes to overall vehicle maintenance costs, every make and model will be different. Some cars are known for their reliability, but the cars that are truly the most reliable are those that are well-taken care of. The bottom line is that you should never put off maintenance, because doing so can lead to much higher repair costs in the long run. A regular oil change is a good example. Consult your vehicle’s handbook or the manufacturer’s guidelines for oil changes and stick to that guidance. And remember, even vehicles that are sitting unused need oil changes. Don’t wait too long between oil changes because driving a vehicle with low or no oil can cause major damage to engine components. If the damage persists, you may need to get a new engine. If you haven’t done so already, start setting aside a small amount every month into a routine vehicle maintenance and repair fund. Then, when it’s time for maintenance (or a repair), you’ll be ready to take on that cost and keep your car on the road for several more years to come.

summer isn’t over yet! out the grill for this cious steak dinner.

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1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for grilling

• • • • •

2 garlic cloves, sliced

1 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves

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1 3-lb flank steak Kosher salt, to taste

1 tbsp dried oregano

2 tbsp whole-grainmustard 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

4. Remove steak frommarinade and let excess marinade drip off. Sprinkle the steak lightly with salt and pepper. 5. Light grill and oil grates with olive oil. 6. Grill steak over moderate heat for 10–12 minutes, turning

1. Combine garlic, rosemary, oregano, mustard, and vinegar in a blender. Purée until garlic is minced. 2. Add oil and continue blending until creamy, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Reserve 1/4 cup. 3. Place steak in a ceramic or glass

halfway through, until steak is lightly charred and the internal temperature reaches 125 F.

baking dish and cover steak with the remaining marinade. Turn to coat the other side, cover, and let marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours.

7. Let the steak rest for 5

minutes. Thinly slice, drizzle reserved sauce, and serve.

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INSIDE This Issue Here’s to the American Worker Streaming Services Change Entertainment 1 2

Why Does the Turn Signal ‘Click’? Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak How Much Should You Budget for Car Maintenance and Repairs? The Truth Behind the 21st Night of September

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What Happened on the 21st Night of September? 4 Decades of Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘September’

“I learned my greatest lesson ever in songwriting from him,”Willis recalled in a 2014 interview with NPR, “which was never let the lyric get in the way of the groove.” The groove is why “September” has stood the test of time, right from that very first lyric. For

“Do you remember the 21st night of September?”

In 1978, Maurice White of the band Earth, Wind & Fire first asked this question in the song “September,” a funky disco song that quickly topped the charts. While disco may be dead today, “September” certainly isn’t. The song is still featured in movies, TV shows, and wedding playlists. On Sept. 21, 2019, the funk hit was streamed over 2.5 million times. It’s no wonder that the Los Angeles City Council declared Sept. 21 Earth, Wind & Fire Day. The story behind “September” is almost as enduring as the song itself. It was co-written by White and Allee Willis, who eventually became a Grammy-winning songwriter and Tony nominee. But before any of that, Willis was a struggling songwriter in Los Angeles living off food stamps. When White reached out and askedWillis to help write the next Earth, Wind & Fire hit, it was truly her big break. White andWillis proved to be excellent songwriting partners, but they clashed over one key element of the song: the nonsensical phrase “ba-dee-ya,”which White included in the chorus. Throughout the songwriting process, Willis begged to change the phrase to real words. At the final vocal session, Willis finally demanded to know what ba-dee-ya meant. White replied, “Who cares?”

decades, people have askedWillis and members of the band about the significance of Sept. 21. As it turns out, there isn’t much beyond the sound.

“We went through all the dates: ‘Do you remember the first, the second, the third, the fourth …’ and the one that just felt the best was the 21st,” Willis explained.

The truth is that nothing happened on the 21st night of September — except a whole lot of dancing.

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