Planter Banter
Researchers have learned that plants “talk,” using a process called cavitation, when tiny bubbles burst and produce mini shock waves inside a plant’s vascular system. Sort of like what happens in your joints when you crack your knuckles.
Worth Repeating
“There’s two kinds of coaches: Them that’s fired and them that’s gonna be fired.”
—Bum Phillips, who became a fired coach New Year’s Eve 1980 when Houston Oilers owner Bud Adams let him go. Phillips was born 100 years ago, in Orange, on September 29, 1923.
Lightbulb Moment
Here’s a reading recommendation for children that will enlighten them about how rural electrification changed America for the better.
Wish Upon a Crawdad takes place in 1940 Oregon. It tells the tale of 12-year-old Ruby Mae Ryan, whose family is about to get electricity for the first time thanks to the electric cooperative formed by her parents and neighbors and who is trying to earn enough money to buy a surprise gift for her mother.
“I hope kids will take away a greater appreciation for all the wonderful things they can do because of electricity,” says author Curtis Condon, a retired co-op magazine editor.
Besides Austin, other Texas cities singled out for politeness were Fort Worth (ranked No. 3), El Paso (13), San Antonio (14) and Dallas (15).
Elnariz | Stock.adobe.com
In a Manner of Speaking
Kindly note that Austin is the politest American city.
That’s according to a survey of more than 1,500 residents of the 30 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. Preply, a language learning app and e-learning platform, conducted the survey.
Fort Worth ranks third.
Pardon us for saying so, but the same survey lists Houston as the 10th-rudest city.
Remember Newspapers?
“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” So said Thomas Jefferson, who probably would want us all to acknowledge National Newspaper Carrier Day on September 4.
Stump’s Stamp
WBAP in Fort Worth went on the air 75 years ago this month with a speech by President Harry S. Truman, becoming the first TV station in Texas. Truman was in Fort Worth for a campaign stop that day, September 29, 1948.
Paint the Town Cardinal Red
South Park Junior College began operations September 17, 1923, a few years after Beaumont educators began brainstorming the idea for a local institution. More than 100 students attended classes on the third floor of a high school that first year.
The college grew through the years, and this month, as Lamar University celebrates its centennial, more than 17,000 students can pursue 139 degree programs on the 292-acre campus.
