Bikers risk themselves and others to keep up with their flock

Street Vibrations cruised through town over the weekend like coveys of quail chasing each other, red lights be damned. Maizie was waiting for the light to turn green at the corner of E. Musser and S. Carson streets, when it changed. Just as she was about to cross on the green, two motorcycles sped through to "catch up" with their flock. They were lucky "someone" was paying attention, or they would have been smeared all over the intersection ... Car - 2, Motorcycles - zip. "Coveys" is right ... what birdbrains. Karma is probably waiting around the corner. Splat!

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Kress Whalen tells us about "the engaged couple who were driving along the highway and got hit by a semi ... they arrived at the Pearly Gates and asked St. Peter if they could get married in Heaven, since their lives on earth were cut short. He mulled that over and said he'd get back to them. A few minutes later, he returned and said it was no problem and that he'd set it up. Four months passed, and St. Peter finally said things were all ready for the ceremony. However, before it could start, the young man asked, 'Do you also do divorces in Heaven?' 'Good grief,' says St. Peter, 'it took me four months just to find a priest ... do you have any idea how long it would take to find a lawyer?'" Mercy.

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Seeing that we finally got a little bit of rain this week (that's that wet stuff that fell from the clouds, in case you've forgotten), we noticed that most of the JAC bus stops have no waiting areas with covered seating. Seems to us it would be an ideal solution, particularly for the riders, that individual stops could be sponsored by businesses or individuals, thus defraying costs that the city would otherwise incur, in exchange for advertising messages on the benches. With winter coming on, we know the riders would appreciate it.

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This week, we had a delightful luncheon with a friend of ours, Jessi Winchester. She drove down from Winnemucca for the occasion to join Carolyn, Maizie and Barry Ginter, the Appeal editor. Jessi, the author of "From Bordello to Ballot Box," was a candidate for Lt. Governor several years ago. She retains an avid interest in politics and everything in general. The conversation was great, and it was a distinct pleasure to meet her in person after writing back and forth to her for months. We look forward to chowing down again soon, either here or in Winnemucca. Thanks, Jessi.

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We've found out from different people that the "labor dispute" sign holders are non-union members paid by the Carpenter's Union. Hmmmm ... non-union people representing union members who are objecting to non-union people working in a right-to-work state. Who's on first?

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We had a reader ask if anyone knew of where he could get a "Men's Guide to Restroom Signals?" He says when he put his hand under a stall, all he wants is a roll of toilet paper. Or "is this a Republican thing?" Just this month, maybe.

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JoAnn Gardner heard the story of "a bar in a small Midwestern town that was opening for business. The local Baptist Church moved to stop the opening with petitions and prayers. About then, a lightning strike hit the bar and it burned to the ground, leaving the church folks feeling quite smug. The bar owner, however, sued the church and said that they were ultimately responsible for the loss of his building through direct or indirect means. The church vehemently denied all responsibility. As the case went to court, the judge looked over the paperwork and commented, 'I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but it appears from these papers, I have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that doesn't!'"

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Get your steins out and ready ... the annual Carson City Library Foundation's Oktoberfest 2007 is upon us. On Saturday, Oct. 6, from 11-6, music, food, drinks, raffle, crafts and book sales will hold forth at the Pony Express Pavilion in Mills Park. Admission is free and proceeds from everything else go to the library. Just come down, meet the "Funky Chicken," and enjoy the fun. Das ist gut!

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More good things: The CHS Girl's Golf Team is holding a fundraiser tournament on Sunday at Empire Ranch Golf Course. The scramble begins at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start and is followed by a barbecue. A $75 entry fee will give you a chance at lots of prizes, the BBQ, and the knowledge you're helping the cutest athletes CHS has to get the equipment they need. Call Coach Terry Gingell at 885-2100 to sign up and have a great time. Pamela Ross would like to remind everybody to wear "red" every Friday to help remind people to support our troops. You bet. Happy Birthdays go out to a passel of Hellers: Jack, Tascha, and Heidi; "Uncle" Joe Fee, Katie Jesse, and the Big C, herself, Carolyn Tate (the usual pleas for presents, not withstanding). Good B-days to all.

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Sen. Joe Biden is the ONLY Democratic candidate to come out against the MoveOn.org advertisement about General Petraeus. Good for him. We believe Gen. Petraeus to be an honorable man (like former Secretary of State Colin Powell) who is caught between a rock and a hard place, serving his country and representing an unpopular president. Again, only Sen. Biden had the guts to speak against this powerful, "moneyed" Democratic PAC, and, if you've watched some of the debates, the only Democratic candidate (or Republican, for that matter) who actually answers questions with straight answers. Way to go, Joe.

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DeeAnn Parsons came up with this one: "A trucker came into a truck stop and placed his order ... 'I want three flat tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running boards.' The new blonde waitress went back to the cook and told him she didn't want to appear stupid, but 'what did he mean by that?' The cook replied, 'Three flat tires are three pancakes ... a pair of headlights is two eggs sunny side up ... and two running boards are two slices of crisp bacon.' 'Oh, OK,' said the blonde, and with that, she spooned up a bowl of beans and gave it to the customer. 'What are these for, Blondie?' asked the truck driver. 'Well, I thought while you were waiting for the other things, you might as well gas up.'" Who said blondes were dumb?

Have a great week.

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