A reader thought me insensitive Thursday for including the “smarty pants” reference in the story about a kid who helped police catch a hit-and-run driver. While I don’t agree with her, I do admit to considering how to best include the comment without diminishing what he did. I saw it as a term of affection, not a knock, an acknowledgment that he’s a kid as well as a hero. If someone calls my boy a “smarty pants,” I’ll probably respond, “I know.”

I could be wrong.

The scene at Westpark Wednesday was pretty cool. Officer Floyd May went into the computer lab at the community center to get him. It can’t be too exciting to get called on by a cop. He led him outside where he gave him the certificate.

As you read the story you may notice he’s a 9-year-old fifth grader. Travonte said he started school when he was 4. He’s a smart boy.

In addition to the certificate, he got some cards for free sandwiches and free ice cream, which may have been why Jade Farnum, the 7-year-old girl who got hit by the car, called Travonte a “meanie” when he got the certificate. She got some freebies, too.

Twenty years ago I was an intern reporter in Washington, D.C. and regularly took the metro to and from work. The metro is nice, but it’s not the most social place, so I usually had my headset. When I wasn’t listening to U2 and Bruce Springsteen, I was often listening to Howard Jones.

He’ll be performing Friday at the Admiral.

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The (Tacoma) News-Tribune’s Ernest Jasmin has a fun point-counterpoint about Bremerton on his “Bring the Noise” blog. He interviews MxPx drummer Yuri Riley. The group sings “Move to Bremerton” and was in town for a concert at the Admiral put on by the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority. As a counterpoint he interviews Sir Mix-A-Lot, who once performed the song “Bremelo,” about an ample girl from hereabouts.

To get the full impact you’ve got to listen to the audio. If you’re sensitive to feedback about the town (“Bremerton is garbage,” says Sir.), brace yourself. Mix-A-Lot likes Silverdale and says it’s a place he goes looking for, um, never mind. His recollection of Bremerton, even though he performed at the Manette Saloon not all that long ago, only comes from the area around the ferry terminal, which he remembers as a McDonald’s and a bunch of bars. Then he asks where you can get steak and lobster in Bremerton?

Anyone willing to treat Mr. Mix-A-Lot to dinner at Anthony’s and a tour of downtown? Maybe you want to wait until the condos are finished.

The Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority is using MxPx’s song “Move to Bremerton” in a promotion for its condos, and on Saturday it got a lot of folks on a boat to come see the band at the Admiral.

You can see the story and the slideshow here.

Drop out of school and run away
Quit your job, you got a place to stay
Pack your bags and hitch a ride
Bremerton’s a good place to reside — “Move to Bremerton” by MxPx

A story previewing the event can be read here.

Chris Hugo, Bremerton’s community development director since November 2000, was fired by the city Tuesday.

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Since getting back and taking a few days off after my NASCAR excursion, I come back to cover . . . more NASCAR.

So I missed out on an opportunity to talk with the mayor and others about another Bremerton milestone. A Helsinki delegation visited Seattle Tuesday. For dinner they got on the ferry and came to Bremerton, ate at Anthony’s and then returned.

I ask you, when did Seattle people start bringing people to Bremerton on purpose?