If you don't vote, don't complain

By Carol Tate and Maizie Harris Jesse

VOTE TODAY, if you haven't already. Today is election day and the direction of our country is at stake. If you don't vote, don't complain. If you want to "stay the course," vote Republican. If you didn't sign on for "Iraqi freedom," and still think we should be fighting al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, vote Democrat. Either way, VOTE!

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And would anyone like to join us in urging our elected officials to FINE any candidate $100,000 for EACH TV ad or flyer that has a distortion of fact, falsehood, or out of context remark? Of course, this year most of the candidates would be in the poor house if that happened, but what a concept. No more crap on TV (except for "regularly scheduled programming") ... only the truth. Could we stand it? Let's fine them and find out.

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Larry Callahan tells us (via Vern Manke) that his doctor told him to avoid stress, so he didn't open his bill. Let us know if it worked, Larry.

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Our former sheriff, Hal Dunn, passed away last week. Our deepest condolences go out to Sharon, Linda, John and family. Maizie remembers when he was running for office he decided to do a door-to-door campaign. She decided to help out, got her precinct addresses and went to each and every address on the list. She also concluded after she was through that more of the people she'd met in the precinct knew Hal by getting arrested by him than by voting for him. She still thinks he "owes her one" for it. He will be missed.

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And our hearts go out to Kelly Anrig and his children on the sudden death of their wife and mother, Stana. Please send out your prayers to all of them.

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Now, for some good news: Bill Kohler (the "Rev") will be at the Nevada State Railroad Museum tomorrow at 7 p.m. to talk about "Hunting the Chinese Iron Dragon." We have it by a good source, he found one. Jonni Moon (the lucky dog) leaves today for Italy and a cruise around the "boot." We know she'll have a wonderful time. Ciao, and bon voyage.

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We also had the good fortune to taste Gille and Tina Galhout's delicious food at their new French restaurant, "Z Bistro," at 725 Basque Way in Carson City. They feature wonderful crepes, salads, cheeses and meats, and "something wonderful" with champagne and cassis (a liqueur made with black currants) ... and are open as we speak. The delightful Teri Basa of the Sugar Pine Cove joined us, too. We also had the good luck to be invited to T. J. Saputra and Chuck McCray's "end of Ramadan" party that celebrated "Eid-ul Fithr" with fabulous Asian/middle Eastern food, Indonesian dancing and good friends. Eid Mubarak!

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Carson and Virginia City's own "Queen of the Jungle," Allison Andreason can be seen on the National Geographic channel on Monday's at 7 and 10 p.m. once in a while dealing with bears. Later, in January, she'll be on a special in Peru. In the meantime, you can see her in person at the Empire Ranch golf club and ask her about her adventures. What fun. And Karen Baggett hosted a "real Nevada Day" lunch at the Villa Basque Deli ... lots of nice people, including Jean and Todd Russell and Mike Schellin, showed up and a good time was had by all.

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The new Advanced Cancer and Treatment Facility of the Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center (say that without breathing twice) is now open. It's quite the success story and is a tribute to all the people who put so much effort into bringing such a superb facility to the area. If you haven't toured it already, you might want to go up and see it. Then again, we hope you never have to use it.

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Congrats to the CHS soccer and football teams for doing well; and the Dayton Dustdevils for going undefeated; and to Coach of the Year, Hillary Arthur, for WNCC's Region XVIII championship. We know what dedication it takes to get to that level; and to all the kids who work so hard while playing sports.

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Apparently, our US Restaurant mystery is solved ... Rodger Vorce was curious, too. We heard that the restaurant was sold to Mei's and that the owners are going back to school and working in Virginia City. We wish them well, because they are both nice people.

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Connie Lord strikes again with this one (how true): "Grandma was celebrating her 100th birthday with her family, and, although she couldn't speak very well, she could communicate with notes. As she was sitting in her wheelchair, she slowly leaned over to her right. When one of the family members noticed it, he put a pillow under her right arm and sat her up straight. A few minutes later, she leaned slowly to her left, and, again, a family member put a pillow under her left arm and straightened her upright. About then, her nephew came over and said, 'Hi, Grandma, you're looking good. How are they treating you?' Grandma took out her little notepad and wrote her nephew a note. "They won't let me fart." Tch, tch, tch.

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Carolyn was sent these "short and sweets": "My wife and I had words, but I didn't get to use mine." "My 5-year-old son and I were headed to McDonald's when we passed an accident. When seeing that, I said to him we should say a prayer for those people. From the back seat I heard this earnest request, 'Please, God, don't let those cars block the entrance.'"

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Don't forget to honor our veterans on Veteran's Day this weekend. Fly your flag proudly, and thank a veteran for protecting us.