Time is drawing near for Selma to put on her best dress and entertain visitors by the thousands.

The Bridge Crossing Jubilee, the Pilgrimage and later in the spring, the Battle of Selma, all draw good crowds. They all draw a cross section of people from all over the world, just because of Selma’s reputation.

It’s time now for work to clean up our house before our guests arrive. Individuals should clean up their yards and corners.

The city should work extra hard to get rid of standing trash piles and to quickly determine the worst houses to raze with approval from the Selma City Council.

Businesses should clean up their storefronts and update their window treatments.

Good customer service should be the watchword of every person serving in a restaurant or working in a retail outlet.

Remember, as people come in for these events, the lines get longer; questions pop up and sometimes tourists try the patience of those who have lived here all their lives.

So, let’s practice and get in the habit of being nice, giving directions, smiling and keeping our yards, homes and businesses clean.

Then, those things won’t be considered a hardship when spring and the special events roll around.