Chutzpah?

Or is this local bank really a subsidiary of the giant? Or: who owns that bench and is selling space? In any event, this looks like a picture of David vs. Goliath, for sure!

In the meantime, as I was taking the above picture, the other giant across the street was apparently announcing its intention of making friendly. A heavy application of PhotoShop to that sign just now revealed that Chase was inviting everyone to a big bank Bar-B-Q. But then I don't have Superman's eyebones; as a result, missed a free feed (and pictures) on Friday! Too bad.

Note: what with Hollywood gun memorabilia, a cowboy bar and the Prescott blogger meet-up all in one day, I'm suffering from severe input overload. Maybe by tomorrow, I'll be able to pull some of it all together.

Business Decor: Banks

Do you recall the Wells Fargo adverts back a few years ago when bank mergers were all the rage? Big headline: Do You Know the Name of Your Bank This Week? I was reminded of the high cost of bank mergers in Arizona when I reviewed today's pictures. Once upon a time -- for as many years as I could remember, the Valley National Bank was Arizona. I'm sure that officers of the Valley could have cared less about goings on in NYC or LA; their business was Arizona, pure and simple, and they would go to bat for Arizona vs. anywhere else. We don't have that kind of financial clout in these new, improved megabank days, which is too damn bad.

Of course, that lesson for the day doesn't have much bearing on today's post, except to give me a chance for a small vent on the unfairness of the universe. What I had in mind originally was to contrast the decorative style of Bank of America vs. the Chase, at least on Gurley Street. The Navajo rug above sets the scene. It greets customers as they enter the Bank of America.

Other Arizona Indian art work on another wall -- paintings and a katchina.

Still more katchinas look down from above the wainscoting...

... and more. Some quite ferocious.

Curious -- I didn't see a single clown figure. Perhaps clowns are too frivolous for a respectable bank.

The lobby also features a handful of paintings.

And the corner fireplace completes this warm interior with a strong sense of place. You know you're in Arizona.

The contrast across the street is stark! My bank, which was the Valley when I arrived in Prescott, has totally erased any identification with the locale. It is angles, panels and all business. Nary a single piece of art work, although that display of old photos of the bank at the rear entrance hasn't disappeared.

Admittedly, you don't do business with decor -- but with people and I've had nothing but the best of treatment at both banks. On the other hand, it's special to have katchinas and beautiful weaving to look at when you're stuck in a long line.

Then there is the troubadour who sometimes shows up at the Chase of a Saturday...

Later Note: I was reminded that those handsome Indian arts and artifacts were most likely acquired long before the BofA itself acquired the Bank of Arizona. However, a pat on the back for keeping the artwork on display for customers to admire and enjoy.

A Magical Walk Around the Square

J.S. Acker died in 1955, with no heirs. A real estate operator, he left a portfolio of properties in a trust to the City of Prescott, with the provision that they be used for parks and to enhance local children's performing arts talents. The Meals on Wheels operation on Aubrey Street is located on Acker land and there is a big, 80-acre hilly park out the Senator Road at the edge of town, the J.S. Acker Park. As I recall, both the park and the Acker Musical Showcase were not established until the 1980s -- note that long gap in time from the benefactor's death! My cynical self says that there were developers lusting after such choice properties. However, the trustees managed to hang in there -- and so today we can enjoy these very grand inheritances!

At 5 p.m. yesterday, it was time to head downtown to join the crowds at the 18th Annual Acker Musical Showcase, one of the major holiday events in Christmas City, as well as a fundraiser for scholarships. I had never spent a full evening at the Acker so this was all very new to me.

Businesses stay open and provide a venue for an amazing variety of local talent to perform from 5:30 til 8 p.m.

Not surprising that there were a lot of western-style entertainers and guitar players.

However, the night was by no means limited to the cowboy theme. I was taken aback by the number of wind players...

...such as this man with his mellow Indian flute...

...a classful of flute students at one of the banks...

...medieval ladies forming a recorder consort...

...and a couple who blended the flute with a clarinet.

There were buskers on the street, as well -- the mural mice promoting the all-city mural over on Granite street

Plus a handful of kids who had decided on the spur of the moment that they wanted a piece of the action. Note: it was apparent that they really hadn't rehearsed even a little bit!

Musical scenes were visible through the shop windows...

...but after all that walking, it was dark, getting cold and my feet needed a rest. So I stopped at the bank serving hot cocoa. Whew! But there was a lot more to see and hear!

My good friend, the folk music lady singing carols accompanied by her autoharp...

...a quartet of keyboard artists who set their instruments to ring like Christmas chimes...

...a lively flock of banjo pickers...

...East Indian textiles and saris to lust over...

...while I listened to an Indian jam session...

...and my grand finale -- the sexy belly dancing troupe around the corner from West Gurley. At which point, I gave out and headed home ... missing the flamenco dancers, a lot of jazz and the chamber choir, among others. But I did have the Salvation Army brass band still ringing in my head!

Serenading Bankers

What a great way to start the day. My Flagstaff family came down to pick me up and head out to the final Young's Farm pumpkin do. But first everybody needed cash. Each to his/her bank.

I entered the Chase over on Gurley street to a serenade!
He was sitting in one of the waiting areas, plunking and singing away. Comes in most Saturdays, said the teller. It's certainly a lovely change from the cold, sterile, corporate look that Chase has imposed on the old, friendly, locale-sensitive Valley National.

As for the pumpkin scene: it was splendid, as usual. I'm too tired right now to select the right handful from the 150 shots I took. I'll miss Young's. Rhubarb pie, remember?