Workers at the OH? You're hallucinating

Carolyn is obviously hallucinating ... she saw "workers" working on the Ormsby House this week. Will wonders never cease? And Scott Magruder, PIO of NDOT, told the UNR Alumni College that the I-580 freeway and its cousin, Highway 395, will be completed, bridge and all, by 2010 or '11. Now, the only thing that will spoil that scenario will be if one of Kim Jong Il's rickety rockets misses the ocean and bangs into them. But, according to Sen. Joe Biden and former Speaker Newt Gingrich on "Meet the Press" this week, that "ain't gonna happen," so we can all breathe easy and be ready to drive the drive, providing the Middle East doesn't start using nukes and make the entire earth a gigantic parking lot.

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The Alumni College also heard about viruses, earthquakes, the military involvement in Iraq and trains, including a ride on the V&T with conductor Randy Harris and engineer Jerry Hoover. All very informative, and the food at the Gold Hill Hotel and the JT in Gardnerville was excellent. A good tour to be a part of. Just call the Alumni Office for next year's festivities...

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Just when you think you've heard it all ... the tragedy of Kathy Augustine's sudden death ... unexpected heart attack, her husband's attempted suicide, rehashing the impeachment, and a son wanting to exhume his father's body ... it puts any soap opera to shame. We can only hope she's in a place in heaven, where she's protected from all this mess.

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Belated birthday greetings to the Serber twins, Anna and Kettie; and one coming up for Virginia Nuzum on Thursday. May you get lots of presents. Kudos to Jacob Silva, who was the perfect busser (that's tables, not kissing) at The Roadrunner in Dayton ... he's OK, no matter what we said about him.

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A warning about packaged salads (i.e., lettuce, spinach, etc.) ... according to the FDA, CDC and MSNBC, there is a rise in E. coli bacteria found in supposedly "pre-washed" produce that has made many people seriously ill. Your best defense? Rinse them thoroughly before using. Since much of our produce is coming from other countries, it is wise to take precautions by being extra clean and careful. Seems like we're always between a rock and a hard place ... we're told to eat our fruits and veggies, then they put up warnings. Makes you wonder if anything's safe.

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Kim Johnston found this one: "A man, married 25 years, took a look at his wife and said, 'Honey, 25 years ago, we had a cheap apartment, a cheap car, slept on a sofa bed, and watched a 10-inch black-and-white TV set, and I got to sleep every night with a hot 25-year-old blonde. Now, we have a nice house, nice car, big bed and a large plasma screen TV, but I'm sleeping with a 50-year-old woman. It seems to me you're not holding up your side of things.' His wife was a very reasonable woman. She told him to go out and find a hot 25-year-old blonde, and she would make sure that he would once again be living in a cheap apartment, driving a cheap car, and sleeping on a sofa bed." Way to go, girl.

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Nice things: The hanging baskets filled with flowers on downtown Carson Street are great. And we're hoping Father Jerry sent some of them (well, maybe not ripped off ones) to Janet Basgall, his secretary of 20 years, who just retired ... congratulations. The Sunday concerts in the park at the Legislative Plaza will start this week at 5 p.m. (call 687-7410 for details) ... they are free, and you can bring a blanket, chairs and a picnic while you enjoy the music. The BAC Stage Kids will be staging an Improv show on Friday and Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. in the Don Reynolds Theater; $5 will let you see some talented kids in very humorous skits (883-1976).

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Things we don't like: Is anyone else tired of six to seven commercials running every time there's a break in the action on TV? Or bicyclists who don't know the rules of the road? M nearly fainted the other day when she saw a bike rider actually riding WITH the traffic AND giving hand signals to turn right. Most of them ride against traffic, and think you should stop if they cross the street (only if you walk the bike across)... it's no wonder more of them don't get hit. And we heard someone saying that in states that voted in term limits, they are finding out the "new" legislators don't know what they're doing, and mess things up royally trying to learn the ropes, only to be replaced by more "new" legislators. We remember when we had "term limits." It was called "the vote." That way, if you liked someone, you could keep him; if you didn't, you could vote him out. Just because some voters don't know which way is up, and keep voting for the same people, good or otherwise, they deserve what they get. Guess you can't please anyone.

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In this heat wave, remember to drink plenty of water, don't work too hard, and stay in the shade as much as possible. If you find yourself feeling ill, get thee to a hospital. Heat exhaustion can be fatal.

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And, this past weekend, Maizie's grandson, Everett Jesse, was married to Tiffany Petersen, of Las Vegas, in the family's back yard. It was a lovely evening, and everybody looked quite spiffy (isn't it amazing when everyone cleans up and dresses well?) The weather cooperated with a light breeze, so, along with the shade trees, the tents, lots of chairs and tables, and a light dinner, the guests, including lots of family members, had a great time. Best wishes and love to the beautiful bride and handsome groom (but, who's prejudiced?).

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We'll end this week with some famous quotes by Mark Twain, sent to us by Jim Lien: "Last week, I stated this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister, and now wish to withdraw that statement." "Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint." And, "I am opposed to millionaires ... but it would be dangerous to offer me the position."

Have a great week.

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