Prodigious Songcraft Blooms in Sarah Jarosz - The Austin Chronicle

MR. SMARTY PANTSKNOWSHarry S. Truman’s mother, a Confederate sympathizer, refusedto sleep in Lincoln’s bed during a White House visit.Forty-five percent of Yemen’s population is under the age of 15.The CIA has been known to pass out Viagra in Afghanistan tomake friends. Other novel incentives have included pocketknives and tools, medicine, surgery,toys, school equipment, tooth extractions, and travel visas.In 1784, Ben Franklin wrote a humor essay that included possible energy conservationmeasures for Paris, France. He estimated that 100,000 families used half a pound ofcandles per hour for an average of seven hours per day.Alec Hoag of New York used prostitutes to lure men into hotel rooms so he could steal theirmoney. Police eventually dubbed him “Smart Alec” – hence the origin of the expression.The above is information that Mr. Smarty Pants read in a book, a magazine,or the newspaper; heard on the radio; saw on television; or overheard at a party.Got facts? Write to Mr. Smarty Pants at the Chronicle, or e-mail mrpants@austinchronicle.com.a u s t i n c h r o n i c l e . c o m JANUARY 15, 2010 T H E A U S T I N C H R O N I C L E 87