SMOKING GUN: A $3,063.67 bill Nebo School District recently received drew a quizzical look from at least one school board member. It wasn't the amount that raised Sterling Swenson's eyebrows. It was the company listed on the claim: Cuban Cigar Co. Inc.
"I'm interested in that," Swenson said to district business administrator Errol Smith at last week's board meeting.Smith explained the bill was not for cigars or any other tobacco products, substances school officials like to keep away from students. Seems the Cuban Cigar Co. also sells candy. The bill was for sweets at Payson Middle School, Smith said. Talk about a sugar high. Do kids really need that many pink and blue bubble-gum cigars?
Spell it out: The sign outside Joaquin Elementary School in Provo is set up to wish congratulations to the best spellers in the school. Jon Du and Connie Geng beat out everybody in their respective grade levels, Du among the second- and third-graders, Geng in the fourth, fifth and sixth.
The problem we see is with the spelling of the message. We realize it's meant to be humorous, but after a week of driving by it we can't spell quite the same anymore or think in the same clear fashion.
The message reads, "Grate Spelrs!"
Cruisin': Utah County sheriff's Lt. Ron Fernstedt drives a green 1996 Chrysler LeBaron convertible, not your typical squad car. It serves as his personal and business vehicle.
You wouldn't know it belonged to an officer of the law if it weren't for the words Utah County Sheriff printed near the fenders. The vanity plate reads, "1J5," Fernstedt's police handle.
Fernstedt, the sheriff's public relations officer, isn't on a street beat anymore. He has received a car allowance the past 11 years, the amount of which hasn't changed. He decided to get the automobile of his choice, even though he had to put in some of his own money.
Our only question is, where does the siren go?
Car tunes: We find it quite ironic that Orem views one of the newest businesses to the city as "a low traffic generator."
Provo-Orem Ford is putting in a 60,000-square-foot car dealership along Sandhill Road and the city is pleased as punch to have it. According to those who know, car dealerships generate bundles of sales tax revenue but little traffic.
They just sell what makes the traffic.
In this corner: The Lehi City Council is gaining a reputation for being tough. After a lively discussion about a proposed annexation didn't end in the developer's favor, the next guy in line was a little apprehensive about approaching the council with a similar request.
"I'd rather fight Mike Tyson instead of be in front of you guys after that last one," Mark Hampton said.
"So would we," replied Councilwoman Frances Comer.
Time frame: From what we're hearing, there's a bit of frustration with the Internet.
Apparently everyone is spending more and more time watching the sand through the tiny hourglass as the computer tries to bring up a web page.
According to folks we talked to who work in the software industry, the "World Wide Web" is more popularly known as the "World Wide Wait."