Miscellany, Apr. 1, 1946

Shucks. In Manhattan, when Actress Eve Arden announced breathlessly that she would model a dress exposing her popliteal fossa, photographers came running, found themselves taking pictures of the back of her knees.

Child Care. In Seattle, Art Bell flew over his home in his loudspeaker-equipped plane, spotted his son, boomed down: “Hey, Art! Get out of the street.”

Talking Point. In Lulu Island, B.C., while Book Salesman H. Rothwell tried to interest a customer in earth vibrations, along came one, clinched the sale.

Shh! In Timnath, Colo., Mayor Robert Watts explained why there had not been a mayoralty election since 1936: no one had brought the matter up.

Machine Age. In San Diego, Sailor Willard Wheelus, after a rugged night in port, woke up in bed with a parking meter.

By a Nose. Near Memphis, police heard a wheezy snore in the dark, ran it down, yanked Eddie Martin off the railroad tracks just before an express thundered by.

Raise You Five. In Palermo, Sicily, Bandit Giuliano, learning that there was $3,820 on his head, retaliated, put $9,434 on Interior Minister Romita’s.

So Red the Toes. In Springfield, Mass., when a postman injured his leg, fellow workers took off his shoe and sock, found his toenails red, his face redder. Smirking, he explained: “My wife did that.”

Space Rates. In Ruidoso, N. Mex., village fathers voted to pay a police judge, instead of salary, $1 for each conviction, nothing for acquittals.

From Bar to B’ar. In Albuquerque, N. Mex., a man tried to climb into the zoo’s bear cage, got off easily: $15 for drunkenness.

Kindling Point. In Glendive, Mont., at a hot moment in the Glendive-Sidney basketball game, the Scoreboard burst into flames.

Legal Action. In Los Angeles, police and sheriff’s deputies simultaneously got a hot tip on a fugitive’s whereabouts, sneaked up on the spot, gamely shot it out with one another. Result: 1) the fugitive escaped, 2) a deputy’s backside was pinked.

Whiffed. In Billings, Mont., after nearly three years of marriage (TIME, July 5, 1943), Owen Smells and Mary Knows decided to get a divorce.