Thumbs column

The ninth month of the year is passing by very quickly -- not surprisingly so when Hot Springs and Garland County have been abuzz with football games, fair days, film festival plans and a host of other things to see and do.

Speaking of city and county, "Thumbs-up" to the good news that the two governmental entities are looking ahead to what is best for all taxpayers and residents.

As reported in The Sentinel-Record on Sept. 14, the city's consent agenda for the Tuesday, Sept. 19, board meeting included a resolution authorizing $35,000 for the Garland County Health Unit. Discussions between City Manager David Frasher, Mayor Pat McCabe, Garland County Judge Rick Davis and District 12 Justice of the Peace Darryl Mahoney apparently led to this positive step forward and more city-county dialogues are planned.

Compromise in the general best interests of all citizens is always constructive.

Here is a "Thumbs-up" to the creative staff at Johnson Floral Co. for fashioning an interesting window display that is sure to delight local residents and even visitors who might travel past the business on Higdon Ferry Road.

We won't give away the details, but the display includes red slippers and a yellow brick road.

Go, see, and enjoy.

By the same token, here is a definite "Thumbs-up" to the hardworking volunteers at the Guardian Angels Cat Rescue and Adoption Shelter and Thrift Store on Hobson Avenue.

A beautiful young kitten found its way on to my condominium complex property a few weeks ago, disappeared and then came back. No notice was posted about a missing pet and several of us feline fans wondered what we might do since the young animal had a penchant for wanting to get into our vehicles when we opened a door. None of us was in a position to adopt, so I took the very friendly and apparently homeless one to Guardian Angels, a no-kill shelter, and luckily, there was room for one more.

While filling out some paperwork, I was impressed by the lengths staff there goes to make sure new owners are qualified to take their chosen cats home. And three were adopted that afternoon. Consider supporting the work of Guardian Angels.

And here is another "Thumbs-up" to Window Mart/Windows USA for again awarding scholarships to employees or direct family members of employees who meet all of the required qualifications.

Over the past two years, Window Mart and Windows USA have provided more than $66,000 in educational scholarships.

Congratulations to all of the recipients and "Thank you, Window Mart/Windows USA, for investing in the future of your employees and their family members."

And finally, here is a cheer and a "Thumbs-up" to sportscaster Beth Mowins, who last weekend called the Memphis-UCLA football game and in this sports fan's opinion, did an excellent job.

Mowins, a veteran play-by-play announcer for ESPN and CBS, earlier this month became the first woman to call an NFL game in 30 years.

And, yes, there were the usual negative comments -- from men -- about her voice (which is just fine), but Mowins obviously did her homework and was well prepared for both recent assignments.

Bravo, Beth.

The Thumbs Column appears in The Sentinel-Record the first and third Wednesday of each month. The newspaper welcomes readers' comments and suggestions, which should be submitted in writing with a name, telephone number and address for verification.