You may have noticed the absence of Bill Bettwy's cartoons from the Mirror editorial page.
Here's the explanation: We were very pleased with Bettwy's work and in fact felt that his art grew to steadily match his wonderful sense of humor.
Bettwy not only contributed to the Mirror for nearly two years but other newspapers around the state, especially on political topics.
A few months ago, Bettwy informed me he would no longer be able to submit cartoons because he was taking a job with a local company - the Altoona Curve.
Perfectly understandable.
In his job as Curve marketing director, Bettwy couldn't very well take a position that may offend one of the team's prominent advertisers.
Nor would it be appropriate for him - not that he would have - to use his forum in the Mirror to curry favor with a business client.
That's part of the great divide between a newspaper's editorial and advertising departments. While we work together, we also attempt to maintain independence in order to preserve objectivity.
Bettwy's still in the paper, you say? That's true, but his Curve cartoon is now included in a daily advertisement for which the team pays.
Some people have mentioned in their subscription renewal forms that they believe we have too much Altoona Curve coverage.
We're sensitive to that, but we would like to point out that some of it over the first home-stand was fueled by the national exposure brought about by ESPN's visit.
Other than occasional off-the-field stories that affect more than the true-blue Curve fan, the coverage will typically appear on the sports page - except for Bettwy's cartoon.
That's on Page A2. And it's an ad.
New neighbors
Older readers are likely familiar with George Pisanik's column that runs in our monthly Senior section.
Pisanik directs the local Social Security office, which recently relocated from the Pleasant Valley Shopping Center to our neck of the woods - between the Mirror and Pleasant Valley Elementary School.
Those seeking the Social Security office, sometimes on foot walking up Cayuga Avenue, are still getting used to the change as we usually get a couple wandering in each week thinking the Social Security office is either here in the Mirror or that we're the Social Security office.
Unique glimpse
Patrick Waksmunski's picture on the cover of Wednesday's Life section, accompanying a story about The Corner Room in State College, captured a unique glimpse of today's society, especially in a college town.
Of the nine people bustling or crossing the intersection of College and Allen streets, four appear to be talking on and/or checking their phones.
From cartoon heaven, George and Jane Jetson must be smiling.
Bad timing
Apologies to the young man who asked me for a weather report while I was attempting a 90-second wall sit at the Hollidaysburg YMCA. Suffice to say, it was the wrong time.
Mirror Managing Editor Neil Rudel can be reached at 946-7527 or nrudel@altoonamirror.com.
