The history of civilization

Party-hearty New Orleans has the reputation as a wild, brash, beer-guzzling kind of place.

But the image is not the real New Orleans, say locals.

“I definitely think New Orleans has always been the home of civilized drinking,” said Ann Tuennerman, founder of Tales of the Cocktail, an annual festival that attracts thousands. “… We believe in better, not more.”

So, fittingly, New Orleans this month becomes the home of the Museum of the American Cocktail.

The what?

Yep. An entire museum will be focused on this form of drinking — originally defined as any mixture of bitters, spirits and sugar. There will be books, lectures, displays of memorabilia and even tastings — a visitor might get to try a 19th-century recipe, for instance.

And, no, cocktails are not a 20th-century invention, despite what you might think.

The drink actually dates back to the time of — get this — Thomas Jefferson.

Cheese and patriotism

We’re not quite sure what to make of this. Is it admirably creative? Or just downright cheesy?

Wisconsin sculptor Troy Landwehr carved a version of John Trumbull’s painting “Declaration of Independence” for display near Independence Hall, Philadelphia, on the Fourth of July.

But Mr. Landwehr’s medium is neither canvas nor stone. It’s a 2,000-pound block of cheddar cheese.

The project was commissioned by Kellogg for its Cheez-It cracker brand.

After its Philadelphia appearance, the cheese sculpture will be displayed at a Wisconsin winery.

Then it will cut up and sent to food pantries.

At least, the cheese will be well aged by that time.

Way too interested

An interest in law enforcement?

From which side?

Police in Dillon, S.C., say a 13-year-old boy interested in law enforcement has stolen a cruiser and taken it for a joyride. Twice.

Police said residents called the station to say they saw a child driving a police car on June 29.

Turns out, he had also taken a car the previous Sunday, tooled it around, and returned it to the station with no one the wiser. He apparently saw someone enter a security code, used the code to enter the building, and take car keys.

Both times he drove the police car home. His mother saw him.

According to police, she said she saw nothing wrong with that.

Well, now, there’s your problem.