TUESDAY'S HUM (5-2-06)

RALLY TALLY
Different number estimates of people attending Pro-Illegal Immigrant rally yesterday. Some said 120, some said 300. Who cares. What was missing was an action plan by marchers on how to support 12 hundred million (Howard Dean) newcomers to this country. Yeah, we heard HD say twelve hundred million. How will the support system take care of the medical and other needs of all these illegals, plus another million or two per year. Protesting is part of the fabric of this country; trouble is, many protesters don't have a unique vision on how to ameliorate the situation. Chanting slogans and carrying signs is great - now give us a clear, logical sketch for the future. We're listening.

LOCAL FOLKS
With internet, satellite and corporate radio abounding, the opportunities to hear national and world musical artists are limitless. But have you ever thought: ' Hey, where can I check out new material from Vermont tunemakers?' All The Traditions, an eclectic show on VPR, is not just folk, like we've heard people say. This past Sunday, we heard super stuff from Colin McCaffrey, Diana Jones, Wood's Tea Company, Staber & Chasnoff, and a hilarious take on Haggard's ' Mama Tried ', put forth by Woodchuck's Revenge - their version entitled ' Mama Fried.' The show is on every Sunday from 2-5 in the afternoon.

JOHNNY DEMON
Damon goes back to Fenway wearing pinstripes and hears mucho boos, but tips his cap and hears a bunch of cheers. He took a classy approach, letting the situation play itself out. Three signs we noticed were:

• JOHNNY DEMON
• YOU REALLY ARE AN IDIOT
• JOHNNY WHO? I LOVE COCO

FIVE CORNERS UPDATE
Spent so much time at the Essex Junction Five Corners Light yesterday I was able to see the full blooming cycles of a few tulips at a nearby house. When I pulled up to the light I noticed the tulips hadn't opened up yet. After a while, they opened up to a beautiful spray of red and yellow, which was breathtaking. I was able to fully appreciate their splendor for hours until they closed up again. The light finally changed and I went on my merry way. Ahhh.