Jordan Sparks
by: Jason Greiner

Michael Jordan is still regarded as the greatest basketball player to have ever played the game. This is despite the fact he retired many years ago. It was because of Jordan and the way he played the sport that increased the popularity of basketball and NBA all over the world in 80s and 90s. Jordan went on to become a huge marketing force and is still considered to be the most successful marketed athlete of his generation.Michael Jordan retired from NBA after playing 15 very successful seasons. During his 15 years, Jordan established many records. His 30.12 points average per game is the highest very in NBA history. He won 6 NBA titles Chicago Bulls and won the MVP every time the Chicago Bulls won the championship. Michael Jordan was the leading NBA scorer for 10 consecutive years and has won the league’s MVP award 5 times. His achievements are innumerous and cannot be listed down.Everyone became of Michael Jordan’s talent when he first played as a rookie in 1985. He had a dazzling arrays of shots and dunks in his arsenal along with superb defense and scoring ability. His ability to leap is legendary and went on to earn him nicknames like Air Jordan and His Airness. He was an all round player.After his retirement, there was a vacuum. Many players were touted as the next Michael Jordan and these include Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter. However, none of the players could reach up to the standards laid down by Michael Jordan. Players like Michael Jordan are uncommon and they happen to come along very rarely, give us a lot of excitement and leave us yearning for more.In 1999, Michael Jordan was named as the greatest athlete of the 20th century by ESPN.The latest winner of the mega-hit television series "American Idol" released her first album just before the 2007 holiday rush. For some, it will be this effort will be like an extra little present. For others, it might seem a little more like a lump of coal.All in all, Jordan Sparks self-titled debut is pretty average or possibly a slight bit better. Her sound seems to be a minor throw back to a few years prior with an attempt to intermix the sounds of pop and light rhythm and blues. For the most part, her youth (she's still a teenager) is evident but that's not necessarily a bad thing.Probably the two most notable works on the album are the first two singles.Millions heard Sparks' vocal range displayed as she sang out "This is my now" on the "American Idol" finale. This well written song seems to fit her nearly perfectly and quite fittingly is the final track And, the single "Tattoo" featuring a soft, traditional beat and those same solid vocals is quite good as well.On the other hand, a few examples of tracks that lack any real luster would have to be "Shy boy" and "Young and in love". The first sounds somewhat mechanical and unoriginal, while the second seems to have a week beat and sounds overproduced.Virtually all the rest of the tracks on this album featured both good and bad elements. They range from energetic, and happy ("Now you tell me" and "Next to you") to subtle and meaningful ("See my side" and "God loves ugly"). Overall, it's not a bad effort for rookie in the music business.I give it a rating of 3.5 out of 5 or a "B" on the musical grading scale.Have you been considering opening a mobile car washing or detailing business in Northern Nevada, it is a relatively untapped market worthy of your attention. Not long ago an emailer asked about the potential of starting such a business in Northern Nevada in the Sparks-Reno Area. And asked what I thought about the potential there? Here is my reply:I see you have contacted us for information on the Mobile Car Washing Industry and below is the information you have provided. I see you are in the Reno-Sparks Area and just out of the Military and wonder if this is a possible new career for you? Reno is a good market for this type of business and although there is a little competition, not nearly as much as in the Southern Nevada market in Las Vegas or over the hill in Sacramento.One thing that might be of interest is that the City of Sparks has some NPDES permits that they enforce vigorously and you will need to invest in a reclaim system, block off storm drains when working, and remove the wash water waste affluent. Spanish Springs near Sparks sure grew up fast and that too is a decent market for both mobile car washing and detailing.Indeed, there is also lots of growth in Fallon, Nevada too now, perhaps worth a day a week on your over all route? Maybe even a jaunt out to Carson City might make sense, lots of customers there as well. Yes, one could build a nice business there. Although the weather can be an issue in Wintertime, it is still doable as the snow makes a mess of everyone's car. Thus, I give a two-thumbs-up to the Northern Nevada Market and recommend it as a great place to run such a business.