I ended up taking a shower with my big, fluffy dog last week after he escaped and returned home saturated in a combination of raw sewage and dead animal. I was stunned by the dog’s ability to absorb such an abundance of stinkiness, and he still had a distinct “funk” on him even after several shampoos and rinses.

When I saw a new sign on 17th Street the next day, I knew I had to stop and ask for details.

Cheryl Brandeberry, owner and operator of Bark Avenue Grooming at 515 17th St. in Ashland, is gearing up for a do-it-yourself dog wash and grooming station.

Brandeberry said a friend in Wasilla, Alaska, encouraged her to offer the equipment and supplies for the do-it-yourself dog wash, and she hopes to have everything in place by Labor Day. The dog groomer said she will provide customers with a dog brush, comb and towel as part of the service, along with “good professional dryers,” and a full line of doggy shampoos, conditioners and other products.

I’m uncertain how much it will cost to complete a dog grooming, although Brandeberry did say, “I’m going to give everybody a bargain.”

For more information, call (606) 326-1781.

Screen Door is open

Brothers Ryan and Blake Oney of Olive Hill recently opened The Screen Door Skate Shop, 518 N. Carol Malone Blvd., in Grayson and are deeply involved with the effort to fund, design and build a skatepark in Carter County.

The shop is stocked with skateboards, shirts, jeans, hats, DVDs and accessories, and special items can be ordered within about two days. The brothers also sell refreshments and have a couch, TV and XBox 360 to allow their customers to watch skateboard videos and play games. A line of shoes is expected to arrive within the month, Ryan said.

In addition to the retail aspect of the business, The Screen Door Skate Shop also hosts weekend concerts, teen dance nights, video game contests and karaoke. The Oney brothers are also putting together a six-member competitive skateboard team, and are asking potential team members to bring in a video demonstrating their skills.

The Screen Door Skate Shop is open from noon until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit myspace.com/screendoorskateshop on the Web, or call (606) 474-2234.

Spiritual stuff

Partners Dan Jenkins and Eric Moreno recently opened Eric’s Candles & Curios (across the hall from Jim’s Hot Dogs and Spaghetti) in the Camayo Arcade building on Winchester Avenue in Ashland.

“We are a shop that carries a variety of spirituality items for healing, and to help solve life’s problems,” Jenkins said, adding the shop has the Tri-State’s largest selection of saint candles.

The shop currently has more than 60 types of spiritual candles including 19 different saint candles and 25 types of incense sticks and cones. While already well stocked, Jenkins and Moreno plan to significantly increase their selection during the next few months. For more information call (606) 393-5864.

Coming next week

I popped my head in the door of the Army Navy Surplus Store on 16th Street this week after receiving a note from the new owners, and hope to share some information about their plans for the business in next week’s column. I’m waiting for the official information, but I can say they have some good ideas and should be an excellent addition to the downtown business community.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.