Not in the mold What's this? An ordinary working fellow is appointed to the Game and Fish Commission? Ron Duncan is a Springdale school counselor, and he has solid credentials, especially in getting young people involved in fishing. The "rich white man's club" label for the Game and Fish Commission is unkind and not entirely accurate. Duncan is likely to be an asset from the standpoint of Arkansas who fish and hunt.

Whose money? The Lu Hardin bonus pay rhubarb has caused quite a stir. Hardin and the University of Central Arkansas trustees have said they were in error. They have eaten humble pie or swallowed a chunk of crow. The only bit that bothers us is how anyone thought that profits from the UCA book store and the UCA cafeterias were "private money." No way, no matter if these operations are contracted out. It is public money.

It's never too early We like this Safety Town thing. It is a program to teach basics of everyday living to kindergarten-age children. Example: How to safely get off a school bus and cross a street, Another example: What to do if you are lost. There is much more to getting started in life's junctions that learning the alphabet. It is the Junior Auxiliary dong this, with some money kicked in by Conway Regional Medical Center. Conway schools are involved also.

Learning names We have no problem with having to refer to the women's teams at Hogpatch as Razorbacks and not Lady Razorbacks or Lady'Backs. Most colleges have dropped "Lady," if they ever used it. But we don't expect high schools to follow suit anytime soon. Way back in the 1970s when the U of A started women's basketball, a headline writer at the late Arkansas Gazette griped that "Lady Razorbacks won't fit in a headline." A kibitzer in the office said, "Try Sows." The headline guy declined.

Beds for heads Golly, how many motels does Conway have now? And more are coming. This is one more sign of a vibrant, thriving city that is no longer a small town. When there is a convention or large conference or even a football game, visitors don't have to stay in Little Rock. Conway has the eating places to go along with the motels for hosting these groups too.

Out of sight The rash of vehicle break-ins in Conway in recent days brings forth an old bit of advice from security people. Keep items out of sight. If the thieves can't see something with potential value, they are much less likely to break into a car or truck. Items like CD cases, camera bags and other valuables need to be locked in a car trunk or taken in the house with you. And don't keep credit or bank cards in the glove box or console.

Vicious veggies OK, let's see if we have this straight. The federal authorities now say that tomatoes are safe to eat but jalapeno peppers have been sound with salmonella virus. Can a virus really live in a jalapeno? And what is next? Will somebody in a white coat come out against butter beans or corn bread or blackberry cobbler? Surely there is no danger of ice-cold watermelon or fresh peaches being on any hit list.

"Conway is probably one of the hottest markets in the U.S. for business and the business traveler. The oil and gas play is definitely drawing a lot of attention, but the Conway Chamber folks have got to be doing a great job to attract Hewlett-Packard to the area. With all the doom and gloom in the economy, I don't think anyone told Conway, because it sure is a bright spot." John Baxter, owner of Boulder Ridge Hotels of Fort Smith on the new Microtel Inn and Suites coming to Conway

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