Out Box Communications

Atlanta Author Releases Her 4th  Book in Time for A Full Moon on Halloween Atlanta-based Author Anne Schlea has just released her fourth book in a series designed to deliver that prickly spine, cold wintery chill that comes with this time of year, particularly for Halloween.   Released on Sept. 16,  Genesis , available at Amazon.com is a fiction, paranormal fantasy that is part thriller, part romance in the Retribution Universe series. “I’ve always held a fascination for ancient places and artifacts imagining what kind of stories they could tell, and the secret mysteries of the unknown. I invite readers to come live in this fantasy world full of other world beings for a while,” said Anne Schlea, author of Genesis, The World of the Fallen and The Retribution Universe Series. Here is an excerpt from the new book: Genesis – New Release: Sept. 16, 2020 - The Old One is the first of the vampires.  She takes the human Daniel under her wing, bringing him along on a journey that leads to t

U.S. Cellular introduced a new logo to reflect the modern technology and services the fourth largest wireless carrier provides to its customers. Although the look is changing, the company’s core beliefs and values in treating customers and supporting communities remains the same. The new logo honors the past while taking the brand into the future with two key features: The blades of the star signify the power of individuals coming together to create positive change, and the emphasis on "US" highlights the company’s commitment to all of the communities it serves. The company is also updating how it’s being written in printed communications, both internally and externally. It’s still pronounced the same way, but the name of the company – UScellular™ - should be capital U & S with lowercase cellular. The previous brand logo had been in use since 1999. The company will begin converting to its new logo starting today with all logo updates in UScellular retail stores and busine

  As many school openings have pivoted for virtual instruction starts this fall, one popular after-school program is still offering  its popular engaging series online. Kid Chess , the largest chess club for kids in the Southeast, has taken its fun, engaging classes. Now, students can compete in chess games and tournaments - from the comfort and safety of their homes. This inclusive environment combines the best of both worlds; gamified interaction with friends while learning the time-honored traditional game of chess.     “Chess has been shown to boost attention, improve problem-solving capabilities, provide cultural enrichment, advance intellectual maturity and enhance self-esteem. Our team of coaches make chess exciting. Kid Chess is an effective way to teach students a variety of skills and traits that will serve them well throughout their lives,” said Justin Morrison, a former educator, and Founder and Owner of Kid Chess.   Kid Chess began by offering summer Kid Chess Online Camp

This week marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. The act provides prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life.  On this note,  U.S. Cellular, the 4th largest wireless provider in the United States, announced that it earned a top score of 100% on the 2020 Disability Equality Index® ( DEI ) and has been named a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion. The DEI is a joint initiative between Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities ( AAPD ) and is acknowledged as the most comprehensive disability inclusion assessment tool designed and embraced by both business leaders and disability advocates.   “At U.S. Cellular, we strive to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion, and we know that hiring and supporting associates with unique perspectives and experiences makes us all better,” said Deirdre Drake, executive vice presid

Celebrate World Emoji Day With More Than 110 New Characters World Emoji Day, celebrated July 17 , honors the emoji – a small digital picture that represents an idea, concept or emotion in on-screen communications, such as texts and Facebook messages . The emoji is a great way to add expression, indicate the tone of a message and add some personality to what we say. More than 110 new emojis will be added this year including: bubble tea, bottle-feeding parents , gender-neutral characters, new animals and the transgender flag .    “Emojis are fun and playful and can showcase today’s modern lifestyles, but they can also help convey the feelings behind words in a text to avoid confusion, misunderstandings, or hurt feelings. Nathan Waddell, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in the Mid-South, “We can help you add the latest emoji keyboards to your smartphone, or get you started using these fun, interactive characters when you visit your local U.S. Cellular store.”   There were 3,304 emojis

If you love #countrymusic , @LaurenAlaina will be live @USCellular on their IG Story today, July 9, at 8 PM EDT for an #AMA session. Leave your questions for her in the comments.  U.S. Cellular is joining with country singer Lauren Alaina to create unique opportunities to showcase the artist’s voice, highlight the importance of staying connected and support the community and fans during these uncertain times. On Thursday, July 9, fans can see content from Lauren Alaina on the U.S. Cellular Instagram page where she will post stories focusing on how she spends her time and what she does to stay connected with family and friends while on the road and now during the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, there will be original footage produced by U.S. Cellular with Lauren and a 15-minute “Ask Me Anything” live Instagram session where she will answer questions and interact with fans at 7 p.m. CDT. “U.S. Cellular has a history of collaborating with music artists across the country to create

  Prom night is a fun rite of passage for most high schoolers with this past school year being the exception.  But before you put away that formal dress attire there might be another opportunity to attend a special dance.    Music Authority is holding a special prom night for area high school students with a Candyland theme on July 11, 2020, from 7 pm – 9 pm at the company’s backroom venue located at 123 Merchants Square, Cumming, GA 30040.    Sweet treat concessions are included along with live   music   and games.  Individual tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.  There will be a prom photographer with different backdrops.  All photos will be accessible after the prom.  Advanced tickets are strongly recommended as space is limited to 50 attendees due to social distancing requirements.  Call 770-886-9066 to pre-purchase tickets or for more information.     Photos from the event will also be posted on the Music Authority Facebook site.   About Music Authority:   Founded in 20

  According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), small businesses play a big role in the economy, representing more than 99% of all employer firms nationally. In Virginia, according to the latest statistics, there were 725,000 small businesses employing 1.5 million residents statewide. But small, local businesses have been increasingly challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic.   In an April 2 NFIB survey 1 , 92% of small businesses reported being negatively impacted by the coronavirus, an increase from 76% just 10 days prior. Now, as states reopen and businesses navigate the reopening process and invite customers back to their locations, U.S. Cellular is sharing tech tools and tips to help small businesses reconnect to the communities they serve:   ·        Network and Go Virtual . Online collaboration tools can be used to share ideas among other local businesses, and they can also serve as a way to offer customers who aren’t ready to shop in person a virtual shoppin

               Busch Center Provides Free Life-Saving Scans To Alpharetta’s Life-Saving First Responders For Men’s Health Week   Over 40 first responders from City of Alpharetta Fire Department will be visiting Busch Center this month to receive free scans and PSA testing for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men, and the second leading cause of men’s cancer death in the United  States.*   The testing also occurs over Men’s’ Health Week, June 15-21, 2020.     WHERE:   The Busch Center, Brookside Concourse 100, 3650 Brookside Pkwy, Suite 175, Alpharetta, Ga.     WHY:   In honor of Men’s’ Health Week and also to give back to our first responders. Some careers have a higher propensity for prostate cancer than others. Firefighters, for instance have a   1.28 times greater risk   of getting prostate cancer than that of the general population .       WHEN:   Waves of first responders will be coming through the offices on Wednesdays over the next 3 weeks

U.S. Cellular announced today that the top 10 drawings in the company’s 13th annual Black History Month Art Competition with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia are now on display in local retail stores. The public is encouraged to visit select local U.S. Cellular stores to vote on their favorite piece of artwork. In January, Boys & Girls Clubs members created original 8.5 x 11 pieces of artwork in recognition of influential African-Americans, including business people, athletes, historical figures and celebrities. The 10 finalists’ artwork were chosen by representatives from the Boys & Girls Club based on creativity, quality, interpretation, clarity of theme and overall impression. The artwork is now on display in select U.S. Cellular stores until Feb 29 and anyone 18 and older can visit a store to vote for their favorite. The top three vote-getters winners will be announced in March and prizes include gift cards in the following amoun