Ride a Bike, Save Some Gas

Rising gas prices have made biking more attractive, and this month is a popular time when most people go shopping for some wheels. Before you jump on and start pedaling, Turn to 2 and Angie's List has some advice on buying and maintaining a bicycle. Angie Hicks says people are putting their pedals to the metal...sort of!

"People are riding bikes more than ever."

Hicks says the Angie's List website has seen a 167 percent increase in the bike category over the last three years. It seems consumers are looking for a cheap way to get from point A to B.

"Biking has become more popular over the last few years because it's better for the environment, it's great exercise, and it can save you money with these rising gas prices."

Before you spend cash buying your new wheels, put in some thought on who you want to give your business to.

"When you're trying to determine where to buy your bike you want to take a number of factors into consideration. One is selection of the bikes, the helpfulness of the staff, as well as service after you buy the bike."

This may sound funny, but, test drive the bike you want to buy.

"You would not buy a car without test driving a car. You wouldn't buy shoes without trying them on. So test drive your bike to make sure that you like it and that you have a good fit."

A good bike can cost hundreds of dollars. And like any piece of equipment, you'll need to maintain it to make it last.

"When you're spending that kind of money it's going to be really important to maintain it just as you would a car, for example. a bike usually needs to have a tune-up once a year."


Here are some other tips to consider:

1.) First, decide what type of riding you want to do. Is the bike for running errands around town, exercise, or are you into speed?
Types of bikes:
· Road bikes: They used to be known as the "ten-speed," however road bikes now range from 12 to 21 speed. Included in this category are touring bikes, racing bikes and sport bikes - bikes built for speed.
· Mountain or All Terrain bike: This bike is rugged. Built with a sturdy frame, straight handlebars and fat, knobby tires. It can tackle the rigors of off road riding.
· Hybrid bike: This bike is a cross between the road bike and mountain bike. It's lighter than a mountain bike, but not as fast as a road bike. This bike is perfect for short distances, running errands, or commuting.

2.) Tips for purchasing a bike
· Fit is everything. If the bike is not fitted properly, you'll be uncomfortable and you won't ride the bike.
· Do a test drive. Be sure to ride several different sizes. You should feel confident and comfortable. Handling, especially in turns, should be smooth and natural. Braking should be smooth, not jerky.
· Don't forget accessories. A helmet is important for your safety.

3.) Buying your bike from bike shop versus department store:
· The staff at a bike shop is properly trained in assembling the bikes and adjusting them properly.
· A bike shop tends to have more models and service warranties.
· If your bike has a problem after purchase, a department store will likely give you a refund or another bike.
· When buying a bike most bike shops encourage test rides, so that you can be sure the bike fits. This is generally not an option at a discount store.
· Department store bikes may not have components intended to be replaced or upgraded.
· You get what you pay for. Poor quality may lead to general discomfort.

4.) Why bicycle maintenance is important?
· If you practice proper maintenance properly, you will greatly reduce the amount of serious mechanical problems you have.
· Dirt and grime can cover up worn parts in need of attention.
· Cleaning allows you to give your bike a careful inspection.
· Maintenance will vary on use; most people will do fine with an annual or bi-annual performance tune-up.
· Most people will do fine with an annual or bi-annual performance tune-up.

Local Salons Cut a Deal to Help O'Neys Customers

I've been overwhelmed with responses from you about your unused O'neys gift cards. Two Miami Valley salons are stepping in to help you use your gift cards with a nominal fee. Salon owners and employees say it's the least they can do during a bad situation.

Hair Stylist Becky Withrow said she can't believe what happened.

"Its unfortunate that it kinda came to a closure so quickly."

O'Neys gift card holders aren't the only ones upset over the salon's closing. Hair stylists like Withrow, who had worked at O'Neys for 23 years, are disappointed at the outcome.

"If I had any money coming to me, no I would not get it, and nor would the nail people there they won't get paychecks. There obviously just isn't no more money left and I'm a little perplexed about that."

Withrow now works at Basic Elements Hair and Body shop at 2537 Wilmington Pike. She says, with so many old O'Neys customers holding gift cards, she wants to help out anyway she can.

"We are going to honor the gift cards from clients if they call and make an appointment with Jeffrey, myself or Erica. And we're going to try to work in good faith because they have no way of proving to us how much their gift card value is."

There's no one at O'Neys to tell you how much you have left on your gift card. O'Neys suddenly closed shop, leaving hundreds of customers in the dark. Now, folks like Mindy Dalton will also shed a little light and cut a deal.

"We want to try to help them get something out of that, we're going to offer the gift certificates at a reduced fee. We're going to have an administration fee where they can come in and redeem their gift certificate just to cover our costs."

Mindy's of Oakwood is located at 2600 Far Hills Avenue, Suite 200. Dalton says she's also going to absorb former O'Neys employees.

O'Neys Salon & Spa Shuts Down

A popular Miami Valley business closes it's doors without warning. O'Ney's Salon and Spa sits dark tonight after 35 years of business. Now, customers are wondering what they're going to do with gift cards that seem to have no value.

"And we're sorry for whatever harm we've caused everybody we're going to try and make it right."

Like thousands of O'Neys customers, Monna McCormick is reeling from the sudden demise of her family's salon.

"My mother Shirley Bonhart, and my aunt Judy Roberts were one of the founding people with spa's in the area and i know that it was quite a shock to the family too."

McCormick said the skyrocketing costs of gas and groceries, took it toll on O'Neys.

"All i can say is it's the economy and it hit not only at the gas pumps, the milk prices, but people stopped getting their nails done, they had to put their money somewhere else."

Just last summer, the scene was much different in the salon. To celebrate the salon's 35th anniversary, Shirley and judy cut a big cake during a party-like atmosphere. Now 8 months later, no one here is cutting hair.

"And we're hurting and we're hurting for everybody that we owe money too, the gift certificates, that's why i'm here too tell you we're doing the best we can and try to refund whatever we can."

Julie Hoelee says she's always had good service at O'Neys. However, she didn't know they had cut and run until she drove to Dayton from Jamestown for her spa treatment.

"I was booked for a massage today that i was really looking forward to and didn't get a call or nothing and my husband booked it as a gift for mother's day."

As I was interviewing Julie, another customer got an unpleasant surprise. Shawn Bowers bought his wife a gift certificate worth more than $500.

"For the last seven years for christmas, i would get it for her and it's enough to last her all year long and just for her to take some time for her self and relax and do her own thing. Having them close like this without any notification is odd."

I've done some preliminary checking and can't find any records of the business filing for bankruptcy or having any liens or judgments against it.

What can customers do if they have an unused gift certificate? Well, Monna McCormick told me she wants to hear from customers and wants to know how much they're owed. She's set up an email address for you to leave your contact information and amount owed. The e-mail address is oneysgiftcerts@woh.rr.com

You can also call the Ohio Attorney General's Office at 1.800.282.0515 if you would like to file a complaint.

There are salons and former O'Neys workers who want to help you redeem your gift cards for services. Make sure you check back here for any updates on who those people are.

Yet Another Possible Fuel Source

A California inventor has come up with a way to make fuel from the comfort of your home for just a dollar a gallon. It's called E-Fuel and it turns sugar and yeast into ethanol. Tom Quinn says, "By utilizing sugar, which is the most plentiful feed stock, we can break dependency on oil and reduce our carbon footprint."

E-Fuel isn't cheap. It costs about $10,000 but Quinn says some substantial rebate are available.

Rebate Checks Not For All

Government Stimulus checks are in the mail, but not everyone will get one. United States citizens and military members married to foreign citizens *are not* eligible for the rebate. You have to have a social security number to qualify. This rule is part of a provision keeping illegal immigrants from getting a rebate check.

Home Healthcare Loophole?

The audit of a Miami Valley company that provides home health care uncovers shocking information about some of its staff. Everyday, thousands of people depend on non-medical home health care to live. But when a confidential source told me the state was investigating Comforcare Senior Services... I started asking some tough questions. And what I uncovered lead me to ask..do you know who's giving care in your home?

Kennan Oliphant: "So people don't have anything to worry about with comforcare?"

Ken Olson: "They do not, they do not."

Re-assuring words from Ken Olson, owner and manager of a Comforcare branch at 5335 Far Hills Avenue. But state officials see it another way. Last October, the Area Agency on Aging reviewed Comforcare's performance. Investigators said comforcare didn't do..
criminal background checks on potential employees.. and didn't adequately screen their qualifications.

The state gave Comforcare 90 days to shape up. But in December of 2007, another review showed Comforcare still out of compliance. The state sanctioned the company and gave Ken Olson 30 days to comply. I confronted olson with those findings.

Ken Olson: "And this is back in january, this refers to something last year, and these employees were terminated because they didn't have the right background check."

Kennan Oliphant: "How many employees were terminated?"

Ken Olson: "3."

Kennan Oliphant: "Can you tell me what their backgrounds were?

Ken Olson: No, I cannot reveal that."

What is revealing, is a second 30 day follow-up. In January, state investigators said Comforcare hired 3 workers who had "disqualifying criminal records or arrest records with no disposition." Olson told investigators he immediately removed those employees when he found out about their checkered pasts.

Kennan Oliphant: "Some people say this speaks to some of the hiring that has gone on and who's coming into people's homes, who are going into people's homes are they sound in their criminal history?

Ken Olson: "We are required, to get the background checks from bci."

Kennan Oliphant: "But it seems like the background checks weren't done in the past.

Ken Olson: "They were done. we were using a different company at the time and some of those people brought in local, local checks.

Kennan Oliphant: "Local checks?"

Ken Olson: "But that's all i can speak, speak, yeah, we're required by the department of aging to do a criminal background check which we are doing."

Despite Olson's assertion, the Area Agency on Aging is now asking the state department of aging to again sanction Comforcare. Doug McGarry says that penalty could strip clients from Comforcare, and put all of their referrals on hold.

"if a background check was done and there are violations.... our question is why did you employ them?"

McGarry is the executive director for the Area Agency on Aging. His agency, is the only one keeping track of Comforcare's hiring practices.

Kennan Oliphant: "Does anyone license comforcare?

Ken Olson: "The, uh, ohio does not require licensing of non-medical home health agencies."

According to the Area Agency on Aging Comforcare can hire "anyone"* as a homecare aid, even if they have a criminal record. In addition, Comforcare can hire aides with no training if they're performing "non-medical work".... grooming, light housekeeping, bathing, laundry, reading mail.... for *private paying* clients. However, Comforcare says they only hire aides who are trained.

"And as far as these agencies are concerned, they should be up under the same scrutiny as the state and government healthcare."

The current "hands off" approach makes Barbara Brunner nervous..

"Personally, i'm leery about anyone coming into my home that i don't know and sometimes people we know are taking from us."

Brunner, who spends time at Ellison Senior Center, use to provide home health services.

"You already have an elderly parent or relative that's already living on minimum means, they need to be taken care of and what little bit they have someone just comes in and takes it away from them."

Despite the prospect of sanctions, Olson told me comforcare clients can rest easy.

Kennan Oliphant: "What are you doing right now to make sure that people feel safe in their homes?"

Ken Olson: "When the employee comes in and fills out and application we require that they get a criminal background check from BCI&I and they need to bring that into us in advance before we take any next steps at all. this is what we've been doing since the end of last year"



As a consumer, you have the right to know who's in your home giving you or your parents aide. Ken Olson told me you can come into his office and take look at the personnel file of the aide you hire. However, Doug McGarry at the Area Agency on Aging suggests you should not rely on background checks alone.

Here are a few ways to get quality care...Check to see if aide is employed by a reputable agency -- as opposed to someone woring for themself. Are they insured and bonded? Is the agency certified by medicare, medicaid or passport? Check to see if aide has training or experience and check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints.

Remember, you're the employer, you have to check out the person you want working in your home.

It interesting to note, the state told me this case should be in the hands of the attorney general. We have not gotten word if the Attorney General will get involved with this case.

I just want to add there are alot of quality home health care aides with clean records and who work very hard. Don't let a bad seeds ruin the whole bunch.