"THE MUPPET SHOW," starring Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear, premièred today in 1976.
While Howdy Doody has long been honored for breaking television's discriminatory marionette barrier in 1947, the Muppets are credited with furthering public acceptance of fuzzy puppets lacking opposable thumbs.
The variety show's supporting cast included the linguistically challenged Swedish Chef and Animal, the Great Gonzo and his main squeeze, Camilla the Chicken, Dr. Julius Strangepork and theater critics Mr. Waldorf and Statler.
In related news, CNN.com reports that participants in an online poll voted the Muppets' Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant, Beaker, as Britain's favorite on-screen scientists.
True visionaries all.
QAt the ends of the parking lanes in front of Lowe's and PetsMart in Central Park, large decorative trees or shrubs have been planted. Because of these obstructions, it is impossible to see from side to side to safely pull out from the parking area into the travel lane that passes directly in front of these stores.
One needs to be able to see traffic approaching in the travel lane without hedging out just to be able to get a clear view. What can be done about having these trees or shrubs removed?
--Richard Maye, Fredericksburg
AThose two particular properties are actually owned by the stores themselves (some plots in Central Park are leased). Anna Smith, director of The Rappaport Cos., which manages property in Central Park, said she spoke with officials at both businesses to let them know of your concerns.
If you notice that kind of thing, usually it's OK to just walk into the store and let a manager know about the problem, Smith said. They're generally pretty receptive to customer concerns, and most contract with professional landscapers to keep those shrubs trimmed.
QAs a daily commuter from Fredericksburg to Alexandria, I find it very annoying to share the express lanes during non-HOV hours with 18-wheelers. I know they are trying to get where they need to go, but when they are riding side-by-side and neither of them is doing the speed limit, it gets very frustrating.
I'm all for sharing the road, but if they're going to use the express lanes, they should be allowed to ride in the right lane only, just as if they were on the main lines of Interstate 95. The left lane should always be clear so other motorists have the ability to pass if they desire to do so.
--Lisa Torquato, Fredericksburg
AAccording to Ryan Hall, spokesman for the Virginia Department of Transportation in Northern Virginia, trucks are not supposed to use the left lanes of either the main lines or the High Occupancy Vehicle facilities.
Virginia Code 46.2-803.1 actually forbids commercial vehicles from using the left-most lane of any interstate with two or more lanes in each direction where the speed limit is posted at 65 mph or more.
So those trucks shouldn't be riding side-by-side in the HOV lanes at all.
Otherwise, trucks are treated like normal vehicles. They can use the HOV lanes during restricted hours only if they have three occupants, and they can use them during off-hours just like anyone else.
EDIE GROSS is The Free Lance-Star's transportation reporter. If you have transportation-related questions, write to Getting There, c/o The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401; or browse fredericksburg.com and fill out the Getting There form.