By Charlie Johnson My good friend, and fellow Southern Standard employee, Seth Wright is well-known as a ‘Simpsons’ fan here at work, as well to most of his friends and family I would imagine. In anticipation of the ‘Simpsons’ movie, Seth recently purchased a compilation of the show’s seventh season, which came with a T-shirt…

Big, roomy and refined, the Saturn Outlook is the best American SUV that Consumer Reports has tested, and ranks among the top vehicles in both CR’s midsized and large SUV ratings. CR tested the 2007 Outlook alongside three other new midsized SUVs ‘ the Hyundai Veracruz, the Mazda CX-9 and the Ford Edge ‘ and…

Dear Dave, I’m 50, single and feel it’s time to start making some wise investments for my future. I’m debt free, and lately I’ve been doing some research on index funds. Can you explain them, and do you have any advice? ‘ Theresa Dear Theresa, An index fund invests in securities to mirror a market…

By James Clark On Friday afternoon, Main Street is a busy road. However, two retail stores were already closed by 4 p.m. and most of the traffic appeared to be just driving thru. Ladies and gentlemen, this is our chance to band together in solidarity for the betterment of the community. I’m not talking about…

Baby Boy Selena Pack is announcing the birth of her son, Noah Lee Pack, born June 22 at Centennial Medical Center. The infant weighed 2 pounds, 7 ounces and was 15 inches in length. He is the brother to the late Autumn Faith James. His grandparents are Ruth and the late Frank Pack. Baby Girl…

By Roge Cook I am not proficient with the English language. My skill in the use of certain words is very limited. Parts of speech have always gave me a problem. And there are other rules in the word usage in the language that cause problems for me. Anyway I saw an article in the…

Southern Standard readers are invited to extend happy birthday and anniversary best wishes to friends and loved ones through this weekly column. Please submit your messages by our noon deadline each Thursday. No more that three wishes to any individual, please. Happy Birthday Wishes: Aug. 1 ‘ Happy 1st birthday McKenna Johnson. Daddy loves you…

By Margo Howard Dear Margo: My husband’s extended family includes some (marvelous) adopted children and some (poorly brought up) stepchildren ‘ now grown, with kids of their own. Frankly, Hubby’s family is generally awful, but it’s their behavior regarding these children that bothers me most. As a strange way of bragging or seeking praise for…

By Margaret Hobbs Northside Baptist Church is hosting Brian Free and Assurance for one performance on Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. The free concert features Free, undeniable the most recognizable southern gospel tenor of our generation. Church officials encourage everyone in Warren County and surrounding areas to attend this encouraging performance. A free-will, love offering…

By Chuck Shepherd Sweden’s English-language news outlet reported in June that the government’s employment service had granted Roger Tullgren, 42, supplemental income benefits based on his illness of addiction to heavy-metal music. Tullgren (with long, black hair, tattoos and skull-and-crossbones jewelry and who said he attended nearly 300 concerts last year) said he had been…