Concerned that its downtown streets are getting uglier as they get busier, city officials in bustling Portland are applying for a $500,000 federal grant to beautify – they call it “boulevardize” – four of their more hectic thoroughfares with trees, shrubs and bushes. The theory is that drivers will at least slow down to smell the roses.

If you’ve ever questioned the accuracy of economic-impact assertions, consider this: 7,640 RVs packed the Brunswick Naval Air Station last weekend for the Family Motor Coach Association annual convention; event organizers say the three-day gathering injected $30 million into the local tourism economy. That’s roughly $4,000 per land yacht, which is a lot considering they brought their own motel rooms and restaurants with them.

Goodwill Industries of Northern New England reports it will spend $800,000 this year getting rid of the useless, often revolting, stuff turning up in its Maine drop boxes – from dead pets and rusty firearms to broken appliances, filthy clothing and plain old household garbage. Officials of the nonprofit charity say this disturbing trend has increased as the cost of municipal trash disposal rises. Just a reminder, folks – it’s Goodwill, not Good Riddance.

At the other end of the economic spectrum, a recent Wall Street Journal story describes how the Americans most enjoying the fruits of these prosperous times are indulging in an orgy of petty theft – sneaking onto expensive golf courses, stiffing swank restaurants, hitting up upscale boutiques for bogus refunds, gobbling the free samples at gourmet groceries without buying anything. One TV exec who regularly buys a coach airline ticket and ducks into a plush leather seat up front when nobody’s looking told the WSJ the self-awarded upgrade makes him feel like someone who belongs in first class. Just without the class.

Hoping to solidify support among its baby boomer constituency, Democrats are planning a gala concert next month by such middle-aged rockers as Crosby, Stills and Nash, Jimmy Buffett and former Eagles Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Republicans would like to answer with an event of similar appeal for their core supporters but, alas, find that Stephen Foster is booked solid through Election Day.

Not that the GOP lacks musical star power. Turns out some of the biggest names in Nashville – Brooks & Dunn, Wynonna Judd, Hank Williams Jr., Loretta Lynn and the Oak Ridge Boys are backing George W. instead of standing by their man from Tennessee. Says David Kustoff, Bush’s state campaign manager: “One aspect about country music is, a lot of it really makes you feel good about yourself and your country. The Republican Party is the one that those who are more patriotic lean toward.” Especially patriots who like singing about drinkin’ and divorce.