James told me, Andrew told me, and now I can report it firsthand: the Compliment Man (who said he was leaving town) is back.

"Florida didn't work out," he says. "I was too close to my family. I mean, I want to be close to my family, but that was too close." But don't get your hopes up -- he's only staying for a few more weeks. Around December 18 he'll leave for Atlanta, Georgia, after twelve years of buttering up the District. Until then, you can find him at Logan Circle in the morning, Dupont in the afternoon, and Adams Morgan by night, "five and a half days a week."

He asked for change tonight, something I've never heard him do before. I gave him the little I had and he kissed my hand, told me I'd made his night. "My compliment to you is always your haircut, your smile, and your earrings," he said. "What's your name?" I told him, and as we parted a minute later, I realized I still didn't know his.

The City Paper will print a final goodbye the Thursday after Thanksgiving, December 5 . I hear he's also been in the Post and, he says, on Oprah.