Like Larry, I also congratulate Bob Lawson on winning APEE's Distinguished Scholar Award. I'm guessing it was our paper on ratemyprofessors that got him over the top. :-)

[UPDATE: Art's post reminded me that I neglected to mention my student Shawn Regan's splendid presentation on common property bicycle programs. Well done Shawn.]

Also regarding APEE's meeting in Guatemala City--special thanks to our hosts at the Universidad Francisco Marroquin for making it such a smooth and pleasant conference. The UFM students who assisted at the conference were extraordinarily friendly and helpful.

A few things that caught my eye over the past few days:

1. As usual, this week's Econtalk podcast looks interesting. This week Russ Roberts chats with Dan Klein about Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments. Look for four follow up podcasts starting April 15.

2. Robert Lucas throws a shoe at Mark Zandi and Christy Romer. A related DOL post is here.

3. Men's underwear sales--reportedly an economic indicator followed by Maestro Greenspan (maybe he was contemplating boxers or briefs instead of minding monetary policy from 2003-2005)--are expected to decline this year. This is probably nothing to get one's undies in a bunch about as long as people don't skimp on laundering their skivvies a la their shirts.

4. Y'all come on down: Atlanta is the top destination for UHaul rentals. (Source.)

5. Polticians as menus costs: Greg Mankiw points to Lee Ohanian's research on Hoover's rigid wage policy's role in worsening the Great Depression. Yet another reason to debunk the high school history version of the Great Depression.

[UPDATE (4/10)--A reader who saw my mention of ratemyprofessors points me to this analysis comparing prof salaries to the ratemyprofs ratings.]