Dear Mahatma: My son, almost 4, is absolutely convinced that the Broadway Bridge will be blown up by a giant volcano after it's closed. I'm not sure where he got that idea, but I'm pretty sure that won't happen. How and when will the bridge come down? -- Rebecca
Dear Rebecca: You didn't say, but we have learned the name of your son -- Alex. Where did Alex get that volcano idea? It erupted -- pun intended -- spontaneously from inside his 4-year-old brain. No surprise there.
David Nilles, a spokesman for the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, is with Alex. A volcano is a great, money-saving idea. Alas, none is available.
The bridge will be closed in May or June of this year. The demolishing of the thing will be done partly by dismantling and partly by explosives. Building the new bridge will take about six months, barring volcanic eruption.
Mahatma: I am 29. Darryl, my boyfriend, and I met several months ago at Vino's. I have a suspicion Darryl will pop the question. (He's posted pix of himself on Snapchat with hella bling at jewelry stores.) But he doesn't care which way the car faces when he parks. Like on a side street, if he wants to park in front of a house, and he's coming from the opposite direction, he won't turn around and park. I'm having second thoughts. What do you think? -- Pam N.
Dear Pam: Little Rock Code 32-304, Manner of Parking, says parked vehicles "shall be stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels of the vehicle parallel to and within 18 inches of the right-hand curb." An exception is made for one-way streets.
If Darryl parks on the wrong side, with his left-hand wheels at the curb, he is inconsiderate and dismissive of the rules others are expected to follow. This is not a good sign for a life of joy.
We also must report on something recently in The Wall Street Journal. A study made by economists at the Federal Reserve showed that people with high credit scores were more likely to be committed. Because, duh, they were more responsible. What is Darryl's credit score?
As your Mama told you, Pam, look for men who are considerate and responsible. Darryl -- are you?
Drivetime Guy: Driving from Stuttgart to Little Rock on U.S. 165, I have several times encountered a caravan of Arkansas State Police cars. They have dents and dings, crash resistant additions to the front and sides, and even a No. 8 on one car like Dale Earnhardt Jr. What up? -- Dirt Clod
Dear Clod: We are told by Bill Sadler, spokesman for the state police, that a few old, high-mileage vehicles are routinely driven to the Stuttgart area, where there is property suitable for a driving track. It's part of the regular training of troopers.
Regarding No. 8, there is no deep NASCAR meaning. Numbers are put on cars so instructors can communicate with the troopers via radio.
Vanity plate seen on a BMW: WRKD4IT
Mahatma@arkansasonline.com
Metro on 02/27/2016