Dear One Who Gets Things Done: As I drive south on Interstate 430, just before crossing the river, I see a sign which says "Little Rock next 5 exits." There have been two exits added since that sign was erected. Any chance we could replace it with an accurate sign? -- Former English Teacher Who Insists on Accuracy
Dear Accuracy: Retired English teachers are the best. Or the worst. They're forever calling up newspaper editors to clarify whether couple is a singular or plural noun.
To be accurate, there are now eight exits southbound on I-430, not including the last ones to Interstate 30 east and west, according to the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. Those folks describe you as an "observant reader."
Those exits are at Arkansas 10, Cantrell Road; Rodney Parham Road; Interstate 630, eastbound; Financial Centre Parkway/Hermitage Road; Shackleford Road; Col. Glenn Road; Stagecoach Road, Arkansas 5; and Bass Pro Parkway.
Of these, the very last is the most important because it leads to fishing boats and four-wheelers, and perchance to dreams.
The Highway Department further tells us that a request has been generated for a new sign. Look for it soon.
Dear Mahatma: A friend recently applied for an Arkansas driver's license and took and passed the written part. He was told to return in a month for the driving part. Do you know the reason for this delay? Sometimes a license is necessary for work. -- DH
Dear Designated Hitter: We are clueless about the delay. But please remember that our own driver's license was issued in a previous century.
Trooper Liz Chapman of the Arkansas State Police referred us to Arkansas Code Annotated 27-16-704, "Examination of applicants," which has a whole lot of conditions and caveats, all written in mind-fuzzing legalese.
The part in question says: "No applicant for an original license, that is, an applicant who has never been licensed previously by any jurisdiction, shall be permitted to demonstrate ability to operate a motor vehicle as required under the provisions of this chapter unless and until the applicant has in his or her possession a valid instruction permit properly issued not less than thirty days prior to the date of application, unless otherwise determined by the office."
So, young people: Practice, practice, practice.
Dear Mahatma: Several years ago I wrote to you about the paving of Van Buren Street. I believe you said it was scheduled for 2017. Please tell me I didn't disremember. -- Ginger
Dear Ginger: Disremembering can be widespread. We wondered if Lamor Williams, the city's new chief spokesman, prefers to disremember us, given that he was a reporter for this newspaper some years back.
Williams assured us that we were among his faves during his newspaper career.
And, yes, Van Buren from Markham Street to Kavanaugh Boulevard is one of the streets to be resurfaced in the city's 2017 street resurfacing program.
Vanity plate seen on a Toyota Prius: NOFUELN.
Fjfellone@gmail.com
Metro on 04/01/2017