People are already picking blackberries in many local patches, although the season is still just around the corner, according to those who know these things.

I grew up picking blackberries (at least often enough to know they can be an extremely powerful laxative) and will always connect berry-picking time with snake stories. I distinctly remember being warned away from some blackberries because “they just look too snaky,” and being told that snakes smell like cucumbers or rotting cucumbers. Despite all that warning, I never saw a single snake while picking berries.

Others, however, have plenty of snake tales related to berry picking and I’m actively seeking those stories. If anyone has a good snake story, write an e-mail note or give me a call at the number at the bottom of this column.

Playing catchup

If you’ve been trying to get in touch with me, you already know I’ve been hard to find in recent days. I’ve found my way back to the office and am now playing catchup on everything.

I did hear from someone about the new Zanzi’s pizza under development at Blazer Plaza on 13th Street in Ashland, although no official word. The unofficial report is that Zanzi’s will be a “by the slice” pizza business, which would seem to fit the wording on their sign, but that may also be speculation. I promise to pass information about the new pizza place along as soon as it is confirmed.

Grasshoppers

I like businesses that tell you what they do as part of their title, and found a recent report about Grasshoppers Lawn Service to fit the description.

A customer of Grasshoppers Lawn Service tells me Jim Lutes and Paul Justice “cut, trim and blow at reasonable rates,” and already have a long list of satisfied customers in the area. Lutes and Justice also handle small jobs including painting and leaf cleaning in the fall.

Someone who knows the Grasshopper guys said, “They’re absolutely outstanding. They come and leave and it is perfect.” For more information, call (606) 615-7661.

Open Thursday

A leading teen-fashion specialty store, rue21, will officially open at Ashland Town Center on Thursday.

The store specializes in a broad assortment of emerging fashion trends in apparel and accessories for girls and guys. The rue21 folks also tend to price items 25 to 50 percent below their competitors and receive new shipments arriving daily to keep the fashion-conscious consumer coming back.

rue21 operates nearly 500 stores in 43 states and has an aggressive plan to open 100 stores each year.

Patent it

If you have an invention and need to know what to do with the product, plan or idea, you may want to attend a workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Jesse Stuart Foundation at the corner of 17th Street and Winchester Avenue.

The “Patents & Trademarks” seminar, taught by patent attorney Robert Waters, is being offered by the Morehead State University/Ashland Small Business Development Center and the Ashland Alliance. The workshop is free of charge, although you must register by Tuesday. Register on-line at kysbdc.ecenterdirect.com or call (606) 329-8011.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.