Volume VI Number 17 April 23, 2001 |
Circulation Last Issue: 73 Year 2001: 1315 |
A New Toy
For Nick
We Also Publish: RalSeniorNet
İMMI Bob Dean, |
SIGNS ALONG THE TRAIL: A WALKING READER'S GUIDE
Patient and plodding research has determined at least five different greenway trails we use on our daily strolls. In the Greenway Guide, they're referred to as "Shelley Lake," "Ironwood," "Alleghany," "Crabtree," and "North Hills." Last week, we noticed that we not only listen to our Walkman as we wander along one or another of these byways; we've unconsciously taken up reading, as well! Here are some samples of the three genre's we've observed as we read our way through the heart of Raleigh--only a couple miles from the heart of Poland Place itself:
The "Advice to the Trailworn" Genre
These signs do their best to educate us about the rules of the road in this pedestrian environment. The one on the left (found at location "A" on our map) tells our dogs that they're supposed to be tied to their accompanying friends. They're also informed that, in case they slip away from the leash, they must not take a swim in clean and beautiful Shelley Lake.
Here's another one (at "E"), advising one and all that they can't combine their peaceful walk with a hunt for the criminal element. There's little assurance that the criminal element isn't hunting for them, of course.
The "I Love Loosely" Genre
These have been underneath the Beltline ("C") and many of you have driven over them for years and years. Jo's romance is probably long gone by now--to say nothing of her boo or of NJ or JA. But to those of us who walk for a living, they'll be around forever.
And then there's JC Chasez--a recently advertised lothario at "B." It would appear that he's doing fine, with at least two loving Hoochies on his string.
The Political Causes We've been impressed for years at the lack of really earthy, four-letter-word, graffiti on our favorite byways. What we have instead are political proclamations that proclaim the leanings of the poor in spirit. Below: two of these--probably from the same artist--on the Yadkin Street underpass at "D." The awesome choice between PEACE or "ANNILATION" may cause us to forgo our WEALTHY GREED. But the author should be pleased that we really do think about all three, every time we pass by.
...could we possibly be THE MAN? And how can we say we're sorry?
A POLAND PLACE NEWS BOOK REVIEW Fiction
In his 14th novel involving psychologist Dr. Alex Deleware and his sidekick, Detective Milo Sturgis, we investigate--and ultimately resolve--the murder of a Kevorkian-like doctor of early dispatch. We're introduced to two or three dysfunctional families and three or four criminal minds, while Dr. Alex practices his non-directive interview techniques on patients and plaintiffs alike. This one moves along well, keeping the "perp" undiscovered until the last 20 pages. It only takes a couple evenings to read...so why not? A PIECE OF THE PAST
Last week we turned your attention to word analysis, asking how many words could be derived from the title The Poland Place News. Proper names didn't count; words could be constructed from letters anywhere within the phrase, but couldn't be used more often than they appear in the expression. We didn't ask for a number...only your list! And we got lots and lots of words, including many we'd never heard before (neencephala? sphacelated?) from several of our diehard enthusiasts. Because two of them resorted to the use of Internet tools, we decided to differentiate between "Professionals" (those who sought professional help) and "Amateurs" (whose who fought the great fight in their own great minds). Here are the winners, and everyone else: Note: click the name of the entrant to see their contribution Professionals: Bruce Dean (2102 words) and Geoffrey Armstrong (~1300 anagrams) Amateurs: Chloe Dean (1209 words), Grace Gagliardi (583 words), Kitty Pickett (537 words), Dan Macbeth (203 words), Tal Hinnant ( 87 words) Winners' prizes are in the mail! Soon! Really! CHALLENGE #141
On the last day of their vacation, they will have traveled 1080 miles. How many miles would they travel on the fourth day? How many would they travel on the last day? Which Dean family was this, anyway? When you've doped it out, send it to Editor@ThePolandPlaceNews.com STREET SIGN OF THE WEEK
Josie thought it should be 11 4/5 In front of the offices of our Downtown Competitor, last Friday night
PICTURES TO THE EDITOR David Wilkinson sent us this apparently candid shot of Our Editor having a very nice time at the Stoneybrook Steeplechase two weeks ago.
Readers are encouraged to contribute Pictures to the Editor by mailing, e-mailing, dropping off, or otherwise delivering same to our offices--almost any time.
The Poland Place News Betty Reed of Barrington, Illinois, will arrive in Raleigh on Thursday to join her brother in a brief and delayed birthday celebration. On Friday, she'll journey to Camp Knitting Adventure in the North Carolina Mountains with her closely-knit sister-in-law, Elizabeth Dean.
The Poland Place News "Jessie has gained a few pounds. She can no longer squeeze through the gate into the dining room. We think she has grown an inch taller." judinnc@mindspring.com (Our thanks to Judi and David for keeping us posted. Jessie (a dog) is their new housemate.) The Poland Place News "...Your website is fun it sounds like a great neighborhood. Visit us at River-Hills.org. Check out the history which I am developing." wilfred@aol.com {We saw Wil Couch at the funeral last week. Wil, once an IBM person in the North, is now a historian who's writing a history of his new community in South Carolina.} Note: more Guest Book comments (and a chance to add your
own) are available by THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK There are more chickens than people in the world |
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We never seem to be there when the
artwork is accomplished, so there's no way of knowing whether there's mutual agreement on these tender issues. But
we certainly hope that Jennifer's the artist on the one at left ("B").
And if so, we think Tim's a lucky guy to know such an artistic lady.
Meanwhile, back at "B,"
another political commentator gets right down to it (right). It's one of the few remaining on the
frequently-painted walls of a roadway underpass. And it always leaves us wondering...
DR. DEATH by
Jonathan Kellerman (Random House, New York, 2000, 352 pp.)
One
of the Dean families is planning a trip. They have nine
days and decide to explore the wild, wild, North. They want to avoid the stress of a long car trip, so they agree
to drive a relatively short distance on the first day,
and add just 20 more miles than the previous
day on each subsequent
day.
Last Monday,
Spanish students Liz Dean and Jill Goldman
visited the West Raleigh home of Professor
Silvia Alonso for their weekly lesson in the Spanish language. We calculate that they're
now in at least their sixth year of studies and are better and better prepared for new lives in the Caribbean
Islands. Last week's class included brief conversations and games of Pista (Clue)--all in this interesting
new language. The lesson was remarkable only because they took a camera and captured a photo of Professor
Alonzo (left). 
"There is snow in our yard today and snow on my pansies. I think they can take it--but I am ready for spring."
