A thank-you to all the tipsters calling or e-mailing to say that Fresno supervisorial candidate Brian Calhoun is still serving coffee at his street-corner klatches.

You might recall that after Calhoun, a Fresno City Council member, began a campaign to stop panhandlers from hanging out on Fresno street medians, I asked county health officials whether he needed a permit to hand out free coffee on the street.

I asked because I believe that a politician panhandling on the streets for votes should be held to the same standard as other panhandlers.

The officials said a permit was needed and told Calhoun's City Council aide the same.

Though he still keeps a pot on a table, Calhoun told me and the audience at a Farm Bureau supervisorial candidates forum that there's no coffee in it because of the permit requirement.

"It's virtual coffee," Calhoun said.

And another example of a politician relying on smoke and mirrors.