But first . . .

GOT KIDS?

Kevin:  “The Utah 529 plan now has a sixth option which is split among the S&P 500, vanguard small cap, vanguard midcap, and Vanguard international growth and value index funds.  That's pretty good diversification and still the lowest expense ratio.  I think Utah is still the best 529 plan.”

F Good advice.  Folks interested in these plans may want to check out savingforcollege.com.  It’s been newly enhanced with a “compare” feature and a way to request up to five state 529 information packets direct from the site.

And now . . .

CAN YOU TOP THIS?

My friend Steve Tomlin, entrepreneur and estimable venture capitalist, imagines a Christmas bell on our front door.  (We have no bell; we have a wreath.)  He further imagines our efforts to entice Leona Helmsley to come over for a holiday drink.  (We don’t know Leona Helmsley; we’re OK with this.)  Having thus imagined the set-up, Steve suggests we lure her to our door by messengering this note up to her suite:  "A Noel gong gets a fast eggnog, Leona!"

Sharp-eyed readers will note that this odd exhortation is a palindrome.  It has two humps and can walk for days without water.  Wait, no, that’s a pachyderm – a palindrome.  (No, wait, that’s a dromedary.  A pachyderm has a trunk, but I’m straying from the point.) Saturday was a palindrome – 12/21!  Indeed this whole year has been a palindrome – 2002!

I know about Abba and Madam, I’m Adam.  Everyone knows about them.  But a 30-letter palindrome?  And themed for the holidays?  And not just gibberish?  (Sure: “A Santa's rats top Nat, as Satan pots tars at NASA” – thank you, Jim Kalb – but what does that mean?)

Hats off to Steve Tomlin for this inspired work.

I know you have wrapping to do  . . . “My name is Andy T / and I’m rapping you this present / may your two thousand and three / be so very, very pleasant.  The ribbon here is red / and the wrapping paper’s pleated / and to all you [dum-tum dum-tums] / I say [expletive deleted]” . . . but if you care to send in a holiday-themed palindrome of any length, it will, of course, be appreciated.