WEDNESDAY’S LIST ... of beans ’n’ greens ’n’ other things:

VLADIMIR PUTIN is not the enemy.

Yeah, I know Mr. Putin is the Russian prime minister and the real power “over there,” but anybody who knows all the words to:

“I found my thrill,

“On Blueberry Hill ...”

... in English, can play the melody on a piano, and then get up in front of hundreds of people and sing the entire song without missing a beat, well, he can’t be all that bad.

That’s exactly what happened recently at a fund-raiser for children’s cancer research in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Mr. Putin did it with a Russian accent, but it was clear and I caught it Tuesday morning on my laptop.

To hear, Google Yahoo News, click on “Odd News,” and there’s the story with a clip of the performance.

This one you have to hear ...

And Mr. Putin is “us” as in, “Like a lot of people, I can’t sing nor dance, but I still love doing it.”

*** IF YOU’VE been wondering what to give that someone special this Christmas, one of the top gifts is a big flat-screen TV.

That’s the word from John Johnson, who is doing holiday delivering for FedEx.

“We’re delivering them in bunches,” says John, “two or three a day. I’ve seen as many as five on one truck.”

John also appreciates “the people who make sure their mailbox AND house have the numbers.

“What can be a problem during the day to figure out becomes downright infuriating at night when it’s so much harder to see.”

And yeah, if that name rings a bell with you, it is the same John Johnson who used to run some of you nuts on local call-in radio shows.

Me, I liked John because he was always prepared ... whether you agreed with him or not.

*** QUOTABLE: “From birth to age 18, a girl needs good parents. From 18 to 35, she needs good looks. From 35-55, she needs a good personality. From 55 on, she needs good money.” – Sophie Tucker *** BIRTHDAYS: Dec. 7 – Rita Boykin; Dec. 8 – Dale Cox; Dec. 12 – Ann Craft and Hules Middlebrook; Dec. 13 – Banks Cotton; Dec. 14 – Fran Nolin, Kathy Pool and Dallas Johns; Dec. 15 – Anna Laurie Cotton; Dec. 16 – Dallas Kilgore Lloyd; Dec. 17 – Doris McWhorter and Judy Elders; Dec. 18 – Bonnie Dobbs.

*** TOP TEEN: Meet Chelsea Watson, a senior at Weaver High School where her 4.0 GPA has her ranked No. 1 in the Class of ’11 and on track to deliver the valedictory address at spring graduation.

Chelsea is executive president of the SGA, member of the National Honor Society, vice president of the Key Club, on the math team, a Big Brother/Big Sister volunteer, and a Camp Weaver counselor.

She holds highest-average awards in math, science, English and history, has six academic letters, and a Principal’s Award for all A’s.

A cheerleader for six years (one year as head), she has also been on the softball and volleyball teams for six years.

“Chelsea is an extremely bright young lady with a heart of gold,” says Dawn Bussey-Clark, senior counselor. “... She is diligent in her academics, responsible without fail ... an inspiration to students, teachers and the administration here at Weaver.”

Proud parents are Michael and Deborah Watson.

Some applause is in order ...

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George Smith can be reached at 256-239-5286 or e-mail: gsmith731@gmail.com