NATIONAL DNA DAY
On April 25th, people across the nation recognize National DNA Day. On this day in 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick formally announced their discovery of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in a short letter published in the science journal
April 25th, we observe National Telephone Day. Around the world, there are over 9.82 billion mobile phones. And while some predicted the landline to be obsolete by
2020, there are still about 931 million landlines
around the world.
February 14, 1876, Marcellus Bailey, one of Bell’s attorneys, rushed into the U.S. Patent office in Boston to file the patent for what would be the telephone.
Later the same day, Elisha Gray filed a patent caveat for a similar device. A caveat is an intent to file for a patent.
There was also a third contender. Antonio Meucci filed a caveat in
November of 1871 for a talking telegraph but failed to renew the caveat due to hardships.
Because Bell submitted his record first, the patent office awarded Bell the patent on March 7, 1876. Gray contested this decision in court, but without success.
Born March 3, 1847, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Bell taught at a boys’ boarding school. The sounds of speech were an integral part of his life. His father
developed a “Visible Speech” system for deaf students to communicate. Bell would later become a friend and benefactor of Helen Keller.
Three days after the patent was approved, Bell spoke the first words by
Three days after the patent was approved, Bell spoke the first words by telephone to his assistant. “Mr. Watson, come here! I want to see you!”
By May, Bell and his team stood prepared for a public demonstration. And there would be no better place than the grand stage of the World’s Fair in Philadelphia. On May 10, 1876, in a crowded Machinery Hall, a man’s voice transmitted from a small horn and carried out through a speaker to the audience. One year later, the White House installed its first phone. The telephone revolution began.
Bell Telephone Company
was founded on July 9, 1877, and they installed the first public telephone lines from Boston to Sommerville, Massachusetts, the same year. By the end of the decade, nearly 50,000 phones existed in the United States. In May of 1967, phone companies across the country installed the 100 millionth telephone line.
Bob Wills Day: The 53rd-annual celebration of history’s greatest Western Swing artist will include a parade, a car show, the fiddlers’ contest, film screenings and music from Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys under the direction of Jason Roberts, Jody Nix & The Texas Cowboys, and Jake Hooker & The Outsiders. The weekend also includes dances Thursday and Friday. (All day; various locations in Turkey; prices vary; bobwillsday.com)
GardenFest: Amarillo Botanical Gardens’ annual celebration of spring returns with vendors, flower sales, crafts and more. (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 1400 Streit Drive; admission $5; 806-352-6513)
Potter County Sheriff’s Office
NEWS RELEASE
Thanks for helping spread the word!
| April 21, 2025 |
| OFFICER SUBMITTING RELEASE: Sheriff Thomas |
| INCIDENT REPORT #: |
| INCIDENT TYPE: Drug Take Back |
| LOCATION: Walmart on Tascosa Road and West Amarillo Blvd |
|
DETAILS: On Saturday April 26,2025 from 10am to 2pm the Potter County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting our bi-annual DEA National Take Back Day at the Walmart on Tascosa Rd and West Amarillo Blvd. We will be accepting any pharmaceutical products and liquids in consumer containers. Individuals need to make sure that the caps are on tightly to prevent leakage. There will be NO illicit drugs accepted. We will not collect any information from the individuals or from the disposed medications! We will also NOT be accepting any needles or intravenous solutions, injectables or syringes during this event.
Keep them safe. Clean them out. Take them back is the motto for this event! Best Regards,
Brian L. Thomas Sheriff, Potter County 13103 NE 29th Amarillo TX 79111 806-379-2903 |
Earth Day Celebration: Enjoy vendors, food trucks, nature-themed activities and self-guided hikes at Wildcat Bluff Discovery Center. (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2301 N. Soncy Road; free for members or $7 adults, $5 seniors, military and children; 806-352-6007)
Summer is calling—are you ready?!
Get your child signed up for the Maverick Boys & Girls Club 2025 Summer Camp—where adventure, fun, and friendship await!
In-person registration will be completed ON-SITE during one of our required Parent Orientations at:
Dykeman Unit – 1923 S. Lincoln, Amarillo, TX 79109
Choose ONE to attend:
Thursday, April 24 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 26 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Camp runs June 9 – August 1
(Closed July 3 & 4)
Only $270 per child for the whole summer!
What’s included?
Global Adventures theme
Field trips to the zoo, swimming, fishing, skating & more
Arts, crafts, dancing, and creative fun
Breakfast, lunch & snacks
Community service projects
Spots are LIMITED and camp fills up EVERY year—don’t wait!
AC/WT Student and F.culty Exhibition
goes on display at Am.rillo Museum of Art
Amarillo Museum of Art, 2200 S. Van Buren on the
Washington Street campus of Amarillo College, is pre-
senting the Amarillo College / West Texas A&MUni-
versity Student / Faculty Exhibition. It showcases the
best works from current students and faculty.
The exhibit runs no~through April 27. Since 1972,
Amarillo College and the West Texas A&MUniversity
Visual Arts Departments have enjoyed this partner-
ship with AMoA. Students learn to prepare work for
the exhibition and gain a sense of pride in sharing their
work with the community in the professional setting
of the museum.
AMoAhours are 11a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through
Saturday and 1-5p.m. Sunday. For additional informa-
tion, visit www.amoa.org, email amoa@actx.edu, or
call 806-371-5050 or 806-371-5392 (weekends).
Hey, Amarillo Pet Owners!
Animal Management & Welfare is partnering with BISSELL Pet Foundation and Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine to bring our community a FREE Vaccine Clinic for dogs!
11 AM – 1 PM
Saturday, April 26, 2025
The Pavilion at the Santa Fe Depot
This event operates on a first-come, first-served basis. It is exclusively for dogs, who must remain leashed at all times (even when being carried). Onsite parking is available, as well as at the Amarillo Civic Center. Owners seeking a booster shot for their pets are encouraged to bring their shot records, although it is not mandatory for participation.
We hope to see you there!
Katrena Volden
Outreach Manager
Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare
806-673-7821