Halloween is this week, Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, and before you know it, Christmas will be here. So it only follows that one of the great traditions of the holiday season, infomercials, will soon start bombarding the airwaves.

Last season, if you recall, the snuggie wrap/ blanket/sweatshirt was the must-have item of the year. Those items may have looked a little silly in the commercials, which aired constantly, but they sold by the millions.

Past seasons have brought us such notables as the pet rock, chia pets, the pocket fisherman, slipper socks and the salad shooter. By the time the holidays arrive, the commercials will have you convinced that you absolutely must have a blanket with sleeves or a ring that changes colors with your mood.

If nobody has thought of something yet to market this year, I have a few suggestions. Maybe someone could invent a device that will seal your wallet shut with your credit cards inside when you run out of money. Or maybe an alarm that goes off when you eat too much. A mood ring that measures alcohol levels. Or maybe even a dependable, good looking, sleek vehicle that gets great gas mileage and costs less than $15,000.  Ah, dare to dream.

In the meanwhile, the next “order today, supplies are limited, only $19.95 plus shipping and handling” must-have will hit the airwaves. And we’ll all be clamoring for it.

Business Roundup

It looks like Pirate’s Bluff is closing, but word is that they are also being sold to a new owner, so hopefully they won’t be closed for very long.

Marco Polo is also closed and may also be looking for a buyer for the restaurant.

And the old Crackin’ Good Bakery that’s been through numerous changes over the past several years is also in limbo. The equipment was auctioned off last week and there’s been a lot of interest in the facility, but no new owners yet.

On the more positive side of business news, there’s a new medical clinic in Valdosta. Dr. Parrott has opened a walk in clinic on North Valdosta Road, good news for those who are having a particularly tough time lately getting in to see a doctor.

It looks like things are coming together for a new English pub going in near the mall. I’ll share more details when I have them.

We should have two new openings pretty much the same week, with both Buffalo Wild Wings by the mall and Creekside Tavern by the Y opening the week of Nov. 7.

And it looks like there’s going to be some changes with Dodge of Valdosta, which I’m told should be announced this week.

That’s about it for this week, but if there’s anything I’ve missed, please let me know!