For the most part, I enjoy seeing the “old” either modernized or changed for the better. In some cases, it’s just best to leave the old behind and start anew.

For instance, in the latter case — and this is my opinion — it’s best that the Detroit Tigers baseball team left old (but historic and nostalgic) Tiger Stadium and stepped into a brand-spanking-new facility, Comerica Park, this major league season. The only sad part with this breath-taking new park is that the same old losing Tigers play in it, giving up runs, hits, and errors in the process, per usual.

(Yes, Tigers owner Mike Ilitch now needs to work on improving the club. If not, that fancy-schmancy stadium will never, ever be filled — except possibly on Opening Day.)

The new park just has so many more user-friendly options for the fans than old Tiger Stadium. While we do not have to like the higher-priced tickets, we do enjoy the scenery, seeing the city skyline from any seat, the choices of ballpark food, the recreation area, the striking tiger statues, the history halls, ad infinitum. Plain and simple, like a professional athlete past his prime, it was time to retire the old and construct the new.

As a contractor, you certainly should not mind entertaining upgrades and retrofits. In this arena, you are there to make something old better, be it in improved energy efficiency or whatever. And, of course, being the contractor who can provide the necessary upgrades and retrofits, well, this is money. And having more money is good, right?

Now visit achrnews.com

We, atThe News,believe we have provided a solid upgrade to our publication, too. It was getting “old” and needed a facelift, along with other inner rearrangements.

Ever since we rolled out the “new look” on February 7, we have heard mostly good reports from you. I still encourage feedback, too. Please send them my way at skaerm@bnp.com.

With the new News up and rolling, it was time to upgrade our accompanying Web site. And, I am pleased to announce that the upgrade is here and now at www.achrnews.com.

Go ahead, check us out. From the pages of The News each week, you will find more complete, full-length features placed online each week. As advertised, you can request free product information online from industry leaders anytime, anywhere with The News’ Webcard.

On the new look Web site, you get the full versions of Training Track and other departments. You can also place an ad for our Work Seekers program.

By all means, don’t forget to nominate your best hvacr instructor in our “Hvacr Instructor of the Year” contest. If you do not have access to the Internet, you can fill out the entry form on page 41 of this issue and fax it to Gina Nowak at 248-362-0317.

And, finally, let it be known that you can get a 25% discount to The News when you subscribe online. There’s more to be said about our Web site upgrade. However, instead of pointing out all of the massive improvements, I encourage you to browse its content. Of course, we encourage feedback here too, as always.

We're here for you

Don’t get me wrong. Because I said I enjoy seeing the old updated, this does not mean that I dislike old people, animals, or buildings. Not at all.

In fact, if I did not enjoy my faithful dog of 12 years, I would not have spent nearly $2,000 to get her “repaired” after she was hit by a car recently. (She is really recovering too, thank you. It is a minor miracle, thanks, in part, to a skilled vet and the treatment he recommended.)

There is definitely a place for old. You can learn a lot from experienced (I’ll refrain from calling them old) people.

As a young tech, where do you turn for answers? You turn to the older tech, who has been around the block, so to speak, and has accomplished many, many hvacr tasks and projects successfully over the years.

As a contractor, chances are you turn to your elder statesperson when you need a complicated job done. You know that person can get the job done.

The News will continue to be here for the hvacr contractor, young and old, residential, light commercial, commercial, industrial, or any combination thereof.

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