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POPALOCKKY.COM
KEYSTROKE MONTHLY THE
MARCH 2019 Renewal for the City
3 Reasons I’m Excited About Spring
E very March, there are three things I look forward to: the start of the beautiful Kentucky spring, St. Patrick’s Day, and March Madness. Springtime in Kentucky is full of green grass and budding trees that make the countryside light up with life. The season brings with it newborn foals galloping through bluegrass fields, and it’s one of the ideal times for tourists to come to the area. They can visit the many horse farms, explore the beautiful outdoors, and tour the multitude of breweries and distilleries in the area.
“I’m excited for March because the winter gloom will give way to spring sunshine, and more people will get a chance to visit our wonderful region. And if they ever need a locksmith, I hope they’ll know who to call.”
I have always enjoyed St. Patrick’s Day as a holiday. It’s an excuse to spend time with family and friends and attend one of the many parties or concerts happening throughout the city. I also enjoy seeing the crowd that turns out for the St. Patrick’s Day parade every year. March Madness is always especially exciting to me because, if you remember from my previous newsletters, I was an assistant coach for the University of Kentucky in the mid-80s. I lived and breathed college basketball for years, and it is still a very exciting time of year for me, especially since UK is currently ranked No. 4 in the nation, and University of Louisville is ranked near the top 25 as well. These are all things I enjoy every year, but this March is a little bit different. At the end of the month, the South Regional round of the NCAA tournament will be in Louisville. I would love for UK and U of L to make it to that regional, and I’m sure there are a lot of other UK and U of L fans who would like that too. Regardless of which teams end up playing in that regional, however, it will no doubt bring around 25,000 people to the area. This will have a positive impact on businesses all over the area, and on Pop-a-Lock as well.
When I first began my involvement with Pop-a-Lock 24 years ago, we started with a focus on just helping people who were locked out of their cars. Over the years, we have expanded to become a full- service mobile locksmith company. We can now make keys for cars, program key fobs, rekey homes, and rekey businesses. With 25,000 people coming to explore everything Kentucky has to offer, from its horse farms to the St. Patrick’s Day parades to the South Regional championship, there will be a lot of people who might need one of the services we offer. I’m excited for March because the winter gloom will give way to spring sunshine, and more people will get a chance to visit our wonderful region. And if they ever need a locksmith, I hope they’ll know who to call. -Doug Barnes
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THE CINDERELLA EVERYONE LOVED TO HATE
The 1990 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels
The early ‘90s was a contentious time in college basketball, full of pure amateur competition. The days of the “one and done” player were far ahead, which meant that all the top-level talent was bred in the hotbed of the NCAA. Players like Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and David Robinson had to prove their NBA mettle in the grueling basketball tournament we all know as March Madness. It has always showcased the best of the best, but America has always loved an underdog. Last year, audiences adored Loyola Chicago as they made their way to the Final Four. Cinderella teams fill our hearts with hope and optimism, but not all of them are loveable. Perhaps no small school is more polarizing than the UNLV squad that was put together by the late, great Jerry Tarkanian. The team was nasty, flashy, and, most importantly,
downright impossible to beat. “The Runnin’ Rebels” ran the court like no team before. Reports have the 1991 Tarkanian squad referring to the Arkansas Razorbacks’ “40 minutes of hell” as “40 minutes of vacation” when it beat the then second- ranked team on its home court. The team embodied swagger and wasn’t afraid to create a splash everywhere it went. Most of the noise wasn’t positive, but when you win the national championship the year prior, a little arrogance is necessary to maintain your “bad guy” image. Formally a small state school known to locals as “Tumbleweed Tech,” UNLV wasn’t even a Division I school until 1970. When Tarkanian took over in ‘73, the school went from an institution most acclaimed for its hospitality program to an NCAA basketball tournament regular. After making their first Final Four appearance in 1977, the
team started down a path that would take them to four Elite 8s in five years, and there would be no greater success than the season that came to pass in 1990. Most games are back-and-forth, with drama centering around every possession. That was not the case during the 1990 national championship game. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski guided his team to the final through steady stellar performances throughout the tournament, and all was well until the legendary program met UNLV’s rowdies. The opening tipoff was about as close as Duke ever got to controlling any part of that game. Anderson Hunt, Stacey Augmon, and Larry Johnson ran the Blue Devils off the court, and the Cinderella team everyone came to hate won 103–73 in the biggest blowout in NCAA tournament history.
MORE INTERESTING THAN YOU MIGHT THINK
A History of Key Fobs
The first example of remote access as an option in a vehicle was in the 1983 AMC/Renault Alliance; the key fob locked and unlocked the doors. By the end of the decade, keyless entry technology went mainstream and was available in several General Motors vehicles. In 2003, Mercedes-Benz created the first fob to start their vehicles remotely, but the design of the fob was flimsy, so Mercedes-Benz began working to improve durability the following year. In 2004, the Chevrolet Malibu became the first vehicle to boast remote start technology straight from the factory. Since then, auto manufacturers have added various other functionalities to their models’ key fobs, such as opening the trunk or setting climate control. Over the past two years, some car manufacturers have begun adding smartphone app functionality that may render key fobs obsolete if it takes off. On some 2018 and 2019 models, you can start your car with an app on your smartphone. While this may seem revolutionary, millions of cars around the U.S. still rely on key fob technology. If you lose your key fob or need to make a duplicate, Pop-a-Lock can do so with virtually any make and model. Give us a call today.
While the technology in key fobs today is not very old, the concept and the term “fob” date back well over 100 years. A modern key fob, technically referred to as a remote keyless system (RKS), is an electronic device that controls access to a car or building without the use of a traditional key. The word “fob” came from a German word “fuppe,” meaning “pocket.” This makes sense considering it originally referred to decorative ornaments hung from pocket watch chains as early as 1888. Today, we use key fobs to unlock our cars, apartments, and even our offices, but until the early 1980s, fobs were still more decorative than functional. It was more or less a word to describe items on key rings that added a little personality to someone’s set of keys. They might have some basic function, like a bottle opener or a flashlight, but they were a far cry from the RKS functionality we are used to today.
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GET THE SERVICE YOU DESERVE In 2017, 95 percent of ads online for locksmiths turned out to be scams, and every year, the Better Business Bureau receives more complaints about locksmiths than almost any other occupation. Luckily, there are many reputable locksmiths who are just as eager to warn you about some of the most common scams pulled by fake locksmiths. Here are four of them. and to make sure they have the proper licensure from the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) when they arrive at your home or place of business.
FAKE MOM AND POP LOCKSMITHS Don’t always assume that the numbers for local locksmiths are actually local. In order to cover a large geographic area, some scammers and criminals will set up large, nonlocal call centers that subcontract work to subpar locksmiths in your local area. If your “locksmith” answers the phone with “Louisville locksmiths,” “locksmith services,” or anything other than an official business name, hang up the phone and try another number. BAIT-AND-SWITCH RATES Be aware of hourly rates that seem too good to be true; they probably are. If someone quotes you $15–$40 an hour, they are probably a scammer. Typically, they lure customers in with their low rates and then charge 400–500 percent more than advertised under the guise of additional fees once they finish up. Typically, hourly rates of honest locksmiths are higher to begin with, but you know you’re getting the service you deserve. IDENTITY THEFT Even if the locksmith charges reasonable rates and delivers quality service, there is still a risk that their intent is to steal your financial information to sell to criminals or use for themselves. The best way to prevent this is to look at customer reviews online
recipe title replacement parts. It is more than likely that your lock never had to be broken to begin with, and that you could have saved money and trouble by calling a more reputable locksmith. Ultimately, the best defense to avoid scams is to get the contact info for a reputable locksmith now so that you NEW HANDLE SCAM This scam is a common way subpar locksmiths get customers to pay for extra services that were not necessary to start with. The locksmith will say that in order to fix the lock, they will need to break the handle or wrench it free from the door and make you pay for the
don’t need to search for one in the future when you’re desperate. Here at Pop-a- Lock, we can help you. Give us a call. HOMEMADE CORNED BEEF
Inspired by Food Network
INGREDIENTS • 2 quarts water • 1 cup kosher salt • 1/2 cup brown sugar • 2 tablespoons saltpeter (potassium nitrate) • 1 cinnamon stick, broken into large pieces • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 8 cloves garlic • 8 whole allspice berries • 12 whole juniper berries • 2 bay leaves, crumbled • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger • 2 pounds ice • 1 5-pound beef brisket, trimmed • 1 small onion, quartered • 1 large carrot, coarsely chopped • 1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large stockpot, combine water, garlic, and all herbs and spices to make brine. Cook over high heat until salt and sugar are fully dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in ice. 2. Once water temp reaches 45 F, place brisket in a 2-gallon zip-close bag, pour in brine to cover, lay flat in a large container, and store in fridge. 3. Brine for 10 days, checking daily to make sure brisket is fully submerged and brine is stirred. 4. After 10 days, remove brisket from brine and rinse under cool water. In a large pot, cover brisket, onion, carrot, and celery with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and gently simmer for 2 1/2–3 hours. 5. Remove, slice across the grain, and serve.
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POP-A-LOCK 739 MILLPOND ROAD LEXINGTON, KY 40514 POPALOCKKY.COM
LEXINGTON SOUTHERN IN 859-253-6736 502-895-6736 812-288-7576 LOUISVILLE
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
WHAT SPRING MEANS FOR LOUISVILLE PAGE 1
THE MOST HATED CINDERELLA
A HISTORY OF KEY FOBS PAGE 2
5 COMMON LOCKSMITHING SCAMS
HOMEMADE CORNED BEEF PAGE 3 HOW TO MAKE YOUR SAILING DREAMS COME TRUE PAGE 4
SET SAIL FOR VACATION
How to Make Your Sailing Dreams Come True
If you’re lucky enough to have been aboard a ship under full sail, chances are you know the thrill and serenity sailing can give you. If you’ve never been but have always wanted to know what it’s like to get out on the wind and waves, there are many great options available for beginners. Here are some ideas to inspire your next waterside vacation. START SMALL For those who dream of becoming a skipper one day, a great way to start is by sailing dinghies. These one-sail, beach-launch boats fit 1–2 people and can be rented at most water sports shops. If you want to make it a family experience, shops usually have 16-foot catamarans for rent as well. Catamarans have two hulls rather than one, making for a smoother, more spacious ride. If you’ve never sailed before, inquire about lessons. Most rental operations have instructors on hand who can show you the ropes. The great thing about sailing is that whether you’re in a 12-foot dinghy or a 60-foot sloop, the same basic principles, rules, and skills apply. TAKE A DAY SAIL Many day-sail charters exist for those who want to go out a little farther than a dinghy would permit. If you’ve captained a boat and are familiar with the waters, you can apply for a bareboat charter. However, if you are inexperienced or simply
don’t want a local guide at the helm, signing up for a day trip with a skipper and crew is a great option.
DO A FULL CHARTER Short of owning your own vessel, chartering a boat for multiple nights is the closest you can get to living out your nautical dreams. Some of the most beautiful destinations on earth — from the Caribbean Sea to the Mediterranean — are best experienced from the deck of a sailboat. Letting the sea guide you to amazing snorkeling destinations, remote cays, and bustling harbors is the stuff of real adventure.
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