Column appears in The Pampa News 11/19/2011
"You talkin' to ME?"
There have been some significant changes in wireless communications in Pampa lately. To begin with, AT&T Mobility has a brand new look. (That's the store at the "Y" where Perryton Parkway splits from Hobart.) The Goldcoats were in attendance this week as manager Kristy Powell cut the ribbon on the "new" store. Kristy started her career with Dobson Cellular and stayed as they were absorbed by AT&T. She explained that until the recent redo, the building had the "Dobson" look and AT&T wanted a change to represent their corporate image. The store is very impressive and well arranged, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. They can set you up with what you need in wireless communications.
The other big change is with their major competitor--Verizon. A lot of people may not realize that until recently there were two "Verizon" stores...and if they did, they didn't know why. Part of it has to do with the mergers and buyouts amongst cellular companies. The upshot was that the Verizon corporation had a store here, and Communication Connection--which operates several franchise stores in the region--did too. Last month, however, the corporate store ceased local operations. The franchise store has moved into the former—and much larger--corporate site, giving them more room inside, more parking, and sharper curb appeal without having to change the sign!
Incidentally, cell phones are so common now that I'll bet one in ten users can't say why they are called "cell" phones. (And no, it has nothing to do with the brouhaha caused by state prisoners getting access to them several years ago!) The reason is that they operate in "cells"--geographical areas that can be serviced by a single tower. Most cellular communication is pretty seamless now, but it wasn't always the case...in some places now, it's still pretty "cellular".
NOT THE SAME OLD SONG AND DANCE
Once again the deadline caught me--I am working on this column during intermission of "Beauty and the Beast", this year's performance by the PHS choir. There are so many superlatives I could use for these productions but they all fall short. What absolutely astounds me is the breadth and the depth of the talent. Any high school of this size will have a kid or two who really excels, but quality and quantity here is phenomenal.
As I was writing this, Jona Smith came over to greet us and chat for a bit. Her daughter, she informed us, is a plate. (No metaphor here. If you know the story you understand.) She agreed that there was a lot of talent and that the performance was awesome, but commented, "Of course, I'm prejudiced."
"That's just it," I countered, "I'm not." I didn't know a single performer. I'm sure I know the parents of some, but I didn't go to "support the kids". That's a great reason to go, but I had much more selfish reasons than that--I went to be entertained. And I was NOT disappointed.
Well, that's not quite true. I am always a little stunned that there is not standing room only at these performances. We cheer for the Harvesters win or lose. These young folks—also Harvesters--have worked hard and are definitely winners. If you read this in a timely fashion, you likely have a few opportunities left to see the performance. Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30, and a final performance on Monday at 7:30 pm.
NEW DIGS! FINALLY!
We have been working on a revamped webpage for a long time, and it gives me ecstatic pleasure to announce that it’s HERE! Same address—www.pampachamber.com—but a whole new look. One feature is that this column will appear regularly in the “blog”. So if you’ve ever want to say “Weaver, you’re an idiot!”, here’s your chance!
WHATS IN A NAME...
At the AT&T Goldcoating, I met the regional manager, a nice lady named Cristy Sea. I have known Seaborns (and Seabourns), Sealys, Seewards, Serights, Seabolds, am familiar with See's Candies, and even remember Jonathan Livingston Seagull, but I don't think I've ever met a "Sea". I'll have to do some thinking about where to plug that name in.
If you were reading a story about a wealthy East Coast politician and his valet, and the author had given the valet the name of "Prettyman", you'd probably think he had made it up. That was the real name, however, of FDR's valet. And did you know that the President rode to address Congress on December 8 in a car once owned by Al Capone? The Treasury Department had confiscated it and since it had bullet-proof windows, the Secret Service acquired it after Pearl Harbor. It was okay...Al wasn't going anywhere!
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