Now who's flip-flopping on issues?

We see that President Bush is now a flip-flopper ... he changed his mind about an intelligence czar ... or will that be taken out of context, too? And the National Rifle Association says it will endorse the president as soon as the assault weapons ban expires this month ... now, there's an endorsement to be proud of ... what real "sportsman" (Republican or Democrat) wants those cop-killer weapons to be in the hands of criminals again?

And, while we're on a tear ... some idiot(s) desecrated the Jewish Temple in Reno last week ... there's a case for drawing and quartering if we ever heard it ... this country was founded on freedom of religion and choice ... too bad some people aren't smart enough to know that ... also we heard that the suppliers for some of the big Las Vegas hotels were asked to keep Heinz products off the shelves ... that sent them scrambling for other ketchup and jelly products ... wonder if Bush's baked beans have the same problem?

In honor of Sen. John Edwards being in Reno yesterday, we are quoting (off the Internet) some things you'll never hear a "southern" boy say ... "Wrestling is fake ... Honey, we don't need another dawg ... Too many deerheads detract from the decor ... I just couldn't find a thing at Wal-Mart today ... I'll take Shakespeare for 1000, Alex ... (and, finally) Do you think my gut is too big?" Hee-Haw ...

If you haven't driven west on 5th street by Carson Middle School, you should do it and see all the neat landscaping they've done at the track there ...

Lots of neat things going on in Carson this week ... PPI's "Arsenic and Old Lace" turns up at the Brewery Arts Center on Friday for a three-weekend run ... to see those kindly little old ladies who murder their gentlemen callers, call 883-1976 for tickets and information.

On Saturday, Western Nevada Community College will put on "Shabby and Chic," a grand craft and garage sale to benefit the Classified Council and United Students Association ... call 445-3260 for information ... they'll also feature a barbecue and the band Promise in the parking lot in front of the library.

Then on Sunday, there's the ever-popular St. Teresa's Basque Festival at Fuji Park ... lots of dancing and great food ... call 885-1434 for tickets and info; and also on Sunday, there's Salsa y Salsa at the Legislative Mall (887-1294) for great Mexican food and dancing; and don't forget the ... 'er, that thing we forgot last week ... oh yeah ... the Alzheimer's walk Sunday, too ... so there you have it ... if you don't have a good time this weekend, don't say we didn't give you enough to do ...

Tatadadaaaa ... the winner of the salsa contest at Greenhouse Garden Center was Linda Csiga (with her daughters Sarah and Kerry) ... she made a delicious chopped salsa of mysterious ingredients that kept our tongues tastefully titillated ... yummmy ... Mary, Kim and Dave are entering next time ...

We had a delightful lunch when we spoke to the lovely ladies (and their "token" gentleman) of Natives and Newcomers ... and found out about some of the wonderful things they do ... among others, they transcribe Braille playing cards and send them to the blind all over the world ... nice going, and thanks for feeding us (we'll do anything for food) ...

Happy Birthday Christi Schmid (Carolyn's niece) ... and congratulations to Mark Twain School for having their test scores improve so much that they were visited by Dr. Eugene Hickok, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, when he came to recognize them for that accomplishment ... he even sang "It's a grand old flag" with the students in Christi's and Joan Emehiser's class ... great work kids ... we're proud of you ...

John Hurzel of Grandma Hattie's Restaurant always feeds the Nevada State Railroad Museum steamup crews (then donates the profits back to them) ... but when he saw Maizie at a football game (he also does the play-by-play for the games for CAT 10), she told him she wanted "Chateaubriand" on Monday, the day she was selling tickets ... guess what? That's what she got ... and the rest of them got C-rations (well, not exactly ... but in comparison ... ) and drooled and slobbered while seeing her enjoy her repast ... thanks, John ... it was grrrrrrrreat! By the way, why does Carolyn always miss out on these things (except for Jethro ... but more on that next week) ...

Is God punishing Florida with hurricanes for voting for George Bush? Yeah, we know we're going to hell (so, all you Republicans ... don't bother to write) ... and Happy Birthday to the Care Bear's beautiful and wonderful daughter, Kimberly ...

Carolyn DeMar and Maizie Harris Jesse are longtime Carson City residents. Write to them at editor@nevadaappeal.com.