TUESDAY'S HUM ( 4-25-06 )

GAS CAP LOCK SALE
They're going fast, folks. Get 'em while you can. A Chittenden County parts dealer peddling gas cap locks. It's a sign of the times. Ol' Charlie in Burlington says not to worry too much. If we lived in Norway we'd be paying 6 bucks a gallon and would be encountering fjord-sized potholes. Ol' Charlie also says that the poor really get hit from the high gas prices but the rich - they don't care - they got plenty of dough to buy gas for their Expeditions and Esplanades. Ol' Charlie also said he saw something on CNN pointing out that Venezuelans only pay about 25 cents a gallon for gas. By the way - CCTA ridership is up. Duh.

TRAIN RIDE
Shelburne Museum announces full line-up for music series. Here's our grade for each act.

• Musical group TRAIN. They're on their way out and tickets are overpriced. Grade: C
• WILLIE NELSON. Worth the traffic hassles 'cuz he's important culturally. Grade: A-
• GRACE POTTER. Overrated singer will never make it big despite trendy buzz. Grade: C+
• BELA, DEL AND NATA. Del alone worth putting up with the rain. A-

PUCK FINN
Delightful cast of Swedes, Finns, Russians leading Habs to first game win in playoffs. Last week in the HUM we predicted first round win for Montreal and they are on their way. Shazam!

HEALTHY CHOICE?
Crunch time for Legislature regarding health care reform. Let's see if our elected officials can get along or stay mired in the treacherous partisan swampland. We'll have a big report later in the week.

GOOD SHEPHERD UPDATE
Unremitting HUM on the street about emergence of Mark Shepard and his run for the House. Shepard, well- known down south, needs constant Chitt County presence to squeeze by Welch.

FIVE CORNERS UPDATE
Essex Junction Five Corners Light was so long yesterday several SUVs ran out of gas, forcing their chunky drivers to actually have to walk - something they weren't accustomed to. The trek to the local gas station was exhausting; luckily the SUV owners had time to rest when they returned to the light - which was still red!