I promise to try and give the full-service gas topic a break after this, although I’m still getting calls and messages about it.

One of my most interesting conversations last week was with Nina Mills at Marshall University’s Frank Hanshaw Geriatric Center, who works with people from throughout the Tri-State area.

“If we ever needed a full-service gas station, it’s now,” she said, explaining many of the people they work with could legitimately use some assistance in keeping their vehicles fueled up and ready for the road.

I told her about an abbreviated conversation I’d had with a guy in Ohio who owns a full-service station and called after his mom had read about the early parts of this ongoing search for places that pump gas, check oil and tire pressure for their customers.

Mills got busy and found the guy at BG’s Kwikserve near the fire department on Ohio 7 in Proctorville, which she says will be a convenient stop for many of their clients.

“That’s going to be a big help,” she said in her return message.

To my regret, I haven’t been keeping notes when people have mentioned other full-service stations in the region. There are apparently still a few of them scattered. If anyone wants to pass along the name and address of those businesses, I’ll pass the information along as well.

‘Ready for anything’

Wes Burton, owner of B.S.G. Automotive, which recently opened at 1713 Argillite Road at the former Bluegrass Automotive location in Flatwoods, said he, Sean Shields and Dave Gumbert are ready for whatever rolls in, import or domestic.

“We’re just a one-stop shop here basically,” Burton said, explaining they collectively have decades of shop experience and aren’t afraid of any problem. I even mentioned a couple of manufacturers (Fiat and British-Leyland specifically) known to make mechanics cry, and Burton essentially said, “Bring ’em on.”

B.S.G. Automotive is open from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday and from 9 to noon on Saturday. For more information, call (606) 836-3369.

Giving Magic

I officially heard the first Christmas song of the season last week, so it seems this is a good time to mention the morning of Nov. 17 will be the “Magical Day of Giving” at Ashland Town Center, kicking off the holiday season and offering savings, prizes and entertainment for shoppers.

Many local nonprofit organizations are involved with the effort, which raised more than $69,000 for 68 groups last year. With the help of sponsors, more than $15,000 in prizes were also awarded. The event is an effort of Columbus-based Glimcher Realty Trust, which owns and manages 25 regional and super-regional shopping centers in the United States.

For more information about the annual Magic Day of Giving, visit ashlandtowncenter.com, contact jbloss@glimcher.com or call 606-324-1100.

Charity Sale

Belk, at Ashland Town center, will get an early start on the holiday charity campaign with their “Charity Sale” event in early November, to benefit nonprofit groups and schools.

Participating charities offer $5 tickets which give shoppers 20 to 50 percent discounts on everything in the store, except cosmetics and fragrances. The charities retain the ticket price and divide proceeds from tickets available at the store as of Nov. 4.

Participating shoppers also have a shot at winning one of four $1,000 shopping sprees. Each of the charity groups involved is also registered to win a $1,000 shopping excursion. Any non-profit organization (with a Federal Tax ID or a IRS 501c3 designation) wanting to be involved is asked to contact the local store manager.

Belk’s Charity Sale event will begin at 6 a.m. and ends at 10 p.m., Nov. 10.

Disaster loans

Just in case anyone qualifies, the U.S. Small Business Administration has announced disaster loans are being made available for small businesses in Boyd, Lawrence, Martin and Pike counties.

The loans are for businesses which have encountered problems from drought conditions which began in March. There are some specifics involved. For example, farms and ranches aren’t necessarily qualified, but greenhouses are eligible.

Those which do meet the guidelines are eligible for loans of up to $1.5 million at a four percent interest rate and terms of up to 30 years. For more information call (800) 659-2955 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Loan applications can be downloaded at sba.gov/services/disasterassistance, and completed forms must be returned to the SBA no later than April 9, 2008.

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