An Ode to HEB

So I heard a rumor that my favorite grocery chain is looking at joining the North Texas market. In response, I let them know how I really feel about them:

I just wanted to tell you what a great shopping experience that you provide and how sad I was when I came to North Texas for college and how I miss HEB. Every time that I walk into an HEB when I am at home (my hometown HEB is the Clear Lake store) I am always greeted with friendly smiles and a pleasant shopping experience. I also enjoy the quality of goods that I find there and excellent prices. When I go home for a visit, there are a few things that I stock up on to hold me out until my next visit; HEB Contact Solution and HEB Root Beer and Dr. B. I have been to the Central Market in Plano and was disappointed when I did not find these items, but was not too shocked because I understand that these items do not "fit" the Central Market scheme. I just want to let you know that I think that the HEB brand can work here in North Texas. Walmart is #1 in this market, but with the type of products, service and prices, you can sure give the nasty Wallyworld a run for their money. I have heard a rumor that ya'll may be interested in starting in small towns in this area, and if that is true, I will be really excited. I was on an HEB high for 30 minutes after I heard of the rumor. I am not kidding, I have references if you need to check. I am just asking that you please enter our market and bring me a little taste of home, the taste of HEB Rootbeer and Dr. B, the taste of a pleasant shopping experience and the taste of an awesome company that I am proud to be a customer of.

Here is what HEB had to say in response:

Dear Mr. Mayfield:

Hello and thank you for contacting us at our H-E-B Web Site. We always appreciate hearing from our Friends and Customers.

Thank you for requesting a store in North Texas. We will share your suggestion and comments with our Real Estate Department for their information and consideration. We are continually evaluating where to build new stores and where to expand. Unfortunately, we can't give you an exact answer as to when something might be done in this area. Thank you for your feedback.

H-E-B is proud to serve you as our Customer and we will look forward to all future opportunities we may have to serve you. We genuinely value your comments and your business. As we strive to deliver superior Customer Service, we encourage you to continue letting us know how we can serve you better.

Sincerely,

Cathy

Customer Relations Specialist

H-E-B Grocery Company

She was quite vague, which is standard for any company, but there is still hope! Next step will be a petition drive. I know that the South Texans for an HEB in Denton group on Facebook will be a good base to start with. Let's start the fight. The fight for our right to an HEB. Our motto will be "Give me HEB or give me death!"

Quote of the Day...(Awesome!)

AP questions to the 2008 Presidential Candidates:

"What is the last work of fiction you've read?"

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson: " The administration's energy plan."

Its almost that time again!

Yes, that most exciting time for a hunter of sorts is almost here. Can you guess what it is? Hurricane Season! Oh yeah! This past year was a quiet one, which was fine with the people of the United States after a busy season in 2005 with the total destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. The reminder of the Hurricane season comes today as a sub-tropical system forms off of the southeastern coast of the United States. The Hurricane Season does not start until June 1st, so this is quite out of the ordinary. Meteorologists are calling this a subtropical storm, meaning that it is not quite tropical storm, and not quite a frontal storm. The National Hurricane Center in Miami sent out a Hurricane Hunter plane today and verified that it does have the qualities of a "sub topical cyclone" and that if it continues to develop and stay on track with "subtropical" trends, they will start issuing advisories on "Subtropical Storm Andrea." And this is with 22 days still left before Hurricane season starts!

The reason that it is not an outright tropical storm is because the highest wind speeds are away from the center of the storm, whereas in a tropical storm, the highest wind speeds are found in the center near the "eye" (if it has one).

If it does "hit" the coast, it would be good because GA and FL are having some fire issues because they are experiencing a drought right now. It is moving 5 mph in a westward direction, but as far as it making an impact on that situation, I do not think it is favorable.

Is this a sign of what is to come this Hurricane season? It may or it may not. Only time will tell. Remember, if we do run out of names for this season, we go GREEK! "Party on Wayne, Party on Garth!"

Yeah, I know.. they were not Greek nor was that very funny.. I have to try sometimes though..