It's been a successful summer for the Big O! First came the College World Series, then the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials.

But just as the city was taking a bow in the national spotlight a new AT&T commercial popped up referring to Omaha as Podunk -- a burg incapable of receiving good cell phone service.

That's an image the city has been fighting for years.

Even with all that's going on in Omaha some people who live outside the city still don't believe there is a city here at all. And now the phone people come along with their portrait of the River City as Hick Town USA.

Some of the folks at Val Couch's barber shop had opinions about that when we stopped by on Friday.

Val told us, "I think it's because a lot of people haven't been here before and for years we were the butt of jokes -- even in movies."

Sister Marilyn Ross said, "Recently my brother was in town from the east coast. He was delightfully surprised at what we have to offer in Omaha and the first thing I know he's giving quotes on how we're the number-three most livable city."

Omaha is booming. There's plenty to do here and our cell phones work just fine but dadgummit Zeke, yonder come them aspersions!

On the bright side, when all them thar smart folk set to a whackin' us wit the ugly stick, there's always the good Sister's wisdom of the comfort to be found in the serenity of our isolation.

"Does it make me angry? No. I don't want too many people coming here," she says with a hearty laugh to punctuate her sentiment.

That other sound you hear is no doubt the sound of the other cheek turning.