MONDAY'S HUM ( 4-17-06 )

POWER TRIP
Green Mountain Power jumps on rate increase bandwagon.Sticky sweet press release very convincing; almost makes one happy about paying more. Almost. GMP actually looking good with a measly 12% increase, compared to 16.7% from Vermont Gas and 23% (ouch!) from Burl Electric.

ICE BREAKING NEWS FROM JOE'S POND
The block went down yesterday at 3:20 p.m. at Joe's Pond in Danville. Three lucky winners are over a thousand dollars richer today. It's early for the block to drop - it usually doesn't happen for another week or two.

SUPERSIZE THAT CASKET
Everything is getting bigger these days. AP reports oversize casket sales are climbing. With a 65% adult overweight stat staring us in the face, it doesn't surprise. What's next? Elongated church pews. Wait. With church attendance declining but people getting larger, it all cancels out.

YANKEE PANKY

• Bronx Bombers are 6-6 but have scored 80 runs in 12 games.
  
• Ex -Yank Ruben Sierra signs with Twins.
• Damon hitting .340 with 7 doubles.

FIVE CORNERS UPDATE
Essex Junction Five Corners Light interminably long this morning. Good thing I had a copy of 'The Brothers Bulger' in the car. I was able to read it - twice - before the light turned green. Good book.