Some good news for diners, and other observations

There is a Zeus ... the Panithias Grill has reopened with the same good food, Greek included, but they have added fajitas and nachos and a new phone number, 883-5637. We also have hot news on Maui Wowi Hawaiian opening up in the Irwin Financial Center, 1910 E. College Parkway (883-WOWI). They are serving Kona coffees, smoothies, and goodies like Macadamia Popcorn Crunch. Janice Wimer promises a taste of Hawaii to all. And, while we're in a hula mood, Mallard's will host a Hawaiian luau on Aug. 17 at the Empire Ranch Golf Course. Reservations are a MUST (885-1019 for details and times). Take your pick. Aloha!

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From a friend of ours at NDOT, especially with the bridge tragedy in Minneapolis last week: "Ironically, Rep. James Oberstar, a Minnesota Democrat and Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, has been the most vociferous of ANY Congressman regarding increased funding for aging highways." Isn't it amazing how things come back and bite you in the butt when you're wrong? And it's always amazing to us when people think that all these things should get done by magic, instead of paying taxes to fix them. There's not much in this world that gets done by NOT paying for it, so why should you think that once something is built, it's now free? No maintenance, no upkeep, no forethought. And the taxes you pay for infrastructure, education, healthcare, you name it, are being poured into "fixing" Iraq. Katrina, Minneapolis, and "whatever's next" are left wanting. While candidates tell you what you want to hear, better to ask them what they'll really DO!

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On another political note, C.W. Craven heard Jay Leno ponder this: "With so much attention being paid to Hillary's cleavage last week, aren't we sure the boobs in Congress are the ones we should be worried about?"

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Happy news: Kay and Joe Pieretti celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this week ... how wonderful. And Emory Crews and his wife, Jody, are in Louisiana while Emory receives his high school graduation diploma after many years ... congratulations. Sarah Nutt Garrett and Claire Jesse Clift turn a year older, but lovelier, on Friday ... happy birthday!

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Cathy Robinson found this article that asks "Why, Why, Why?" "Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?" (Come to think of it, we never stopped to ask); " Why did Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?" (Why did they wear anything?); "Whose idea was it to put an 's' in the word 'lisp?'" (a sadist, probably); "Is there ever a day mattresses are NOT on sale?" (no); and, "The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends ... if they're OK, then it's you!" (begging your pardon?)

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Did the city hire some drunken sailors on shore leave to resurface N. Roop Street between Winnie and Northgate? Or is that just a first coat? All the other street repairs we've seen are smooth and even. IMWTK.

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"Little Shop of Horrors" is terrific (if you like blood and gore, of course). LOTS of talent and fun. Food, too. One more weekend, Aug. 9, 10, and 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the BAC. Don't miss it (883-1976). Our own world traveler, Rick Gunn, has had his own "shop of horrors," from broken bikes to broken cameras, etc. He can always use an "infusion" of money to help fix his boo-boos and help his heart-felt philanthropies along the way ... send it to his dad, Richard Gunn, 2776 Somerset Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546, and he will get it to him. We (and Rick) thank you.

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A wonderful story from Judy Hartwick: "I was reflecting back years ago when I and all my 12 girlfriends smoked and played Bunco (we all have since quit, happy to say). Smoking may have been a prerequisite to getting into the group then. You can imagine what a small house would look and smell like after an evening of this. I would smoke an entire pack myself, not to mention what the other's went through. My husband, Lee, and I were talking about this the other day and I said, 'One night at Bunco we opened a window to let some of the smoke out and the neighbors thought we were electing a pope.'" Gee, Judie, what a concept ... Popette Jonni Paula I? (We know ... straight down to you know where).

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Good Stuff this week: The Community Counseling Center (one of Father Jerry's favorite places that "do good") is holding a benefit, "An Evening with Ellen Hopkins," the author of "Crank," on Thursday, Aug. 16, at the Governor's Mansion. Cocktails at 6 p.m., with a delicious 7 p.m. dinner to follow. Tickets are $125 per person. Call Mary Brian at 882-3945 or 450-9001 for tickets and details. Please go and make a big difference in our community. Also, the Carson City Symphony's "Strings in the Summer" concert will be at the Carson Mall on Thursday at 10 a.m. It's free, and will show off the talents of string players of all ages (883-4154). Classic, folk and fiddle tunes will delight you. Lastly (but not "leastly"), the Knights of Columbus is holding their annual golf tournament on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Thunder Canyon (882-0882). They are looking for some "sainted" souls to play. Fun, food, prizes await you who will be blessed by the golfing gods.

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Some great "bad" puns from Deborah Greco: "Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent." "A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm, and says, 'A beer please ... and one for the road.'" "A dyslexic man walks into a bra." "What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh." Finally, "Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before." Now, relax and go smell the flowers.

• Carolyn and Maizie can be reached by e-mail at carolynandmaizie@ yahoo.com