Is there a way to improve cell phone reception in a town that has one bar only if you stand in the right spot?

Well if its a Verizon phone you can buy their range extender and then all your calls will connect to the network thru it. If you have at&t they have a similiar device called microcell. Microcell isn't fully available yet as it's still in a trial period but you maybe in an area where its available. Check with your local aT&T store.