Smiley Anders for July 5, 2012

Zachary gets its moment of fame

Thanks to Sharon Phillips for sending over the news that Zachary has been named by Family Circle magazine as one of the 10 best towns for families in the U.S.

Factors in the magazine’s survey included “affordable housing, good neighbors, green spaces, strong public school systems and giving spirits.”

Other towns named were Bay Village, Ohio; Lake Oswego, Ore.; Vail, Ariz.; Fishers, Ind.; Ballwin, Mo.; Louisville, Colo.; Longmeadow, Mass.; Fort Mill, S.C., and Oak Park, Ill.

Family Circle contacted Zachary city officials, Zachary Community Schools and the Zachary Chamber of Commerce as part of the selection process.

The article features an interview with Nick and Jennifer Carr, who grew up in the area and have three children in Zachary schools.

The story is in its August issue, and can also be found on Family Circle’s web site: http://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/travel/best-towns-for-families-2012/.

The magazine didn’t say so, but I’m sure a deciding factor in the selection was the fact that both my children and three of my grandchildren live in Zachary.

Nice job, kids. …

A little help …

After I confessed to being distracted from my job by the birth of a great-granddaughter, I heard from Doug Johnson, of Watson, and “Cootsie,” of Slaughter, with the same message:

“Don’t worry about coming up with something to write. We will continue to send it in for you.”

Of roses and noses

“NK the Pedaler” says, “One highlight of my 3.5 years of bike commuting has been that whenever a red light caught me at the most dangerous intersection on my route, I could literally stop and smell the roses.

“It just seemed right to lean the bike over and sample the scents that the poor drivers don’t get to enjoy.

“Well, on my ride in to work on Monday I noticed that the bushes had all been removed and replaced with black plastic ground cover sheeting.

“As ‘stop and admire the plastic’ just doesn’t seem to have the same ring to it, I was wondering if you might have a suggestion for a replacement saying.”

(How about “stop and remember the smell of the roses?”)

About unlikeness

Kent Barton adds to our overused phrases file:

“OK, Smiley, like, I know, like, it’s, like, not a phrase.

“But, like, it’s, like, a word that’s, like, overused, like, especially by, like, the younger generation.

“I can’t, like, understand, like, why they can’t, like, complete, like, a sentence, like, without, like, using it, like, over and over.

“What’s the deal? Bet you can’t like, guess, like, what word I’m, like, referring to.”

Northern exposure

Just a reminder that the 15th annual North of Choctaw Reunion of folks who grew up in North Baton Rouge in the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Belle of Baton Rouge Atrium.

You’re asked to bring an item for the Food Bank.

Smiley’s store

After mentioning Smiley’s Flea Market in Asheville, N.C., I heard from Cathy Arnett that the markets are part of a chain:

“We went through Greenville, S.C., and then headed up the interstate into Asheville.

“So far I’ve seen several Smiley’s Flea Market signs.

“Online, Smiley’s Flea Market is in several states.

“They boast a bright yellow lit sign, which is very apparent from the highway.

“It’s nice to know how ubiquitous you really are!”

“Ubiquitous?” I better check my Webster’s to make sure I’m not being dissed…

Speaking of Webster’s

Historian Shirley Fleniken offers this story:

“Like a lot of husbands throughout history, Noah Webster would sit down and try to talk to his wife.

“But as soon as he would start to say something, his wife would say, ‘And what’s that supposed to mean?’

“Thus, Webster’s Dictionary was born.”

Special People Dept.

• Harold and Noralee Patton, of Central, celebrate 59 years of marriage Thursday.
• Mary and Bobby Osborn celebrate their 55th anniversary Thursday.

Thought for the Day

From Mel Prust: “It’s a good thing men don’t have to go through childbirth. Otherwise, Cain and Abel would have been just about it.”

Last call

Algie Petrere came across an interesting collection of last words. Here are some of them:

• “Ha! You don’t have the guts to pull that trigger.”
• “This vest is totally bullet-proof…”
• “Whoops!” (From your surgeon.)
• “Hey, everybody, watch this!”
• “Sure, I know how to fly a plane. I just don’t know how to land one.”
• “Oh yeah? You don’t look so tough.”
• And this one, from an especially daring husband: “No, honey, that dress does not make you look fat. YOU make that DRESS look fat.”

Write Smiley at [e-mail]. He can also be reached by fax at [phone] or mail at P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.