About two weeks ago I received a call from a nice lady needing assistance. It seemed she had a prescription to be filled or needed some medication. Also, she had a yearning desire to make the medical purchase in Las Palomas, Mexico. Yet, there was a problem. She did not know the phone number of a pharmacy in Las Palomas. And by the way, I don't know how many pharmacies are in Las Palomas, but there are probably several.

So that you will understand, and I believe I have mentioned this before, people call the Chamber of Commerce office quite often to get phone numbers. I don't know why. Maybe it is because we give away free phone books. Maybe it's because we sound so friendly when we answer the phone. Maybe I get calls because people like to hear my southern accent... no, no, that can't be the reason. Anyway, we get lots of phone calls from people asking for phone numbers.

Normally we will go out of our way to try to find a phone number when we get these calls. I will search through the three phonebooks I have in my desk. I will search the internet. Sometimes I will even call the Chamber of Commerce in the town that was mentioned. However, I draw the line on helping people get phone numbers for a pharmacy south of the border. It may sound like a strange concept, but the Chamber of Commerce really wants people to spend their money here in Grant County. We want you to buy a car or truck here. We think it is good to buy your furniture here. Shoot, with the Pink Store downtown, you can even purchase the Mexican yard art and other items, right here in Silver City.

So, please do not get angry with our office when we decline to give you the phone number of a business in Las Palomas, Mexico. When we say we don't know the phone number, we honestly mean we do not know the phone number. I have not looked it up on the internet, but I'm guessing there is some way to call for directory assistance in other countries. Maybe that is who you should call.

We had a great ribbon cutting ceremony at Stephanie Sanchez's new hair and nail salon, A New Direction. We will have additional ceremonies for Elemental Artisans, a new custom homemade jewelry and photography shop that will be opening soon, and Farmers Insurance Seawolf Agency who will celebrate their opening in April. From the way construction is going, it will not be long before we help Advanced Veterinary Care with the opening of their new facility at the corner of Highway 180 and Little Walnut in Silver City. Plus we will help with a groundbreaking ceremony for new construction that will take place on the 32nd Street Bypass. It's nice to welcome new businesses, celebrate the growth of current businesses, and welcome the beginning of new construction projects. We hope you will join us for some of these events.

So if you have questions, even about phone numbers, please call the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce office at (575) 538-3785. You can also visit our website at www.silvercity.org or send an email to info@silvercity.org.