Snow ... and we won't have to "dream" of a White Christmas. It's here. Brrrrrrrr. It's also Hanukkah, the Jewish celebration commemorating the rededication of the Temple by Judas Maccabaeus in 165 BC. This festival of lights began last Friday, and continues for eight days. It signifies the light in the Temple burning for eight days, even though there was only enough oil for one. Gifts are given on each of the eight days to celebrate this happy season.
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In case you haven't noticed, there are two new stop lights in town, one at the intersection of Stewart and Roop (by the cemetery), and one on South Carson at Casino Fandango. We are proud that we haven't blown through one of them - yet. Phew.
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Jan Whaley sent us this one off the Internet: "A blonde goes to the post office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards. She says to the clerk, 'May I have 50 Christmas stamps, please?' The clerk asks, 'What denomination?' The blonde says, 'God help us. Has it come to this? Give me 22 Catholic, 12 Presbyterian, 10 Lutheran and 6 Baptist.'"
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Congratulations to Al Teixeira on his retirement. May you get to do all the things you've been putting off. The 26th annual Holiday Treat Concert, put on by the Carson City Symphony, the Carson Chamber Singers and the CHS Saxophone Quartet will be held this afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Community Center. $15 general; $12 seniors, students, members; and free to 16 and under (885-7529). Always a lovely treat.
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Jan Whaley also sent us this bit of lore about onions. Seems when a kid was extremely ill with the flu (remember it killed millions of people in 1918, and thousands die from it every year), his grandmother put a slice of onion in his socks at night, and the next morning he awoke with no fever at all. The onions had turned black, apparently absorbing the virus. The doctor asked around and found that people who put cut or unpeeled onions (it doesn't seem to make a difference) in bowls around the home were not getting sick. He actually took one of the onions, put it under a microscope and found the flu virus, as well as bacteria found in colds, in the sample.
While we advise you to get your H1N1 flu shot, it wouldn't hurt to try the onion cure, either. Cheap, and if it keeps you well, it's worth it (you can Google this, too). Of course, if the smell lingers on you, people will avoid you, and that may be the real reason you stay well.
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Stacie Peterson sent us a "Sister Marie" joke: "Sister Marie received a letter from a friend with a $100 bill in it. As she looked out the window, she saw a homeless man leaning against the fence. Feeling his need, she put the bill in an envelope and wrote, 'Don't despair. Sister Marie.' The next day the man appeared at her door and handed her a handful of $100 bills. She was utterly confused as he said, 'Sister, Don't Despair paid 80-to-1 at the track today. Thanks.'"
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Many people are to be thanked for their help with the snow last week. A complete stranger plowed Carolyn's driveway so she could get out. The city and state snowplow drivers did a Trojan job getting our streets and highways cleared. M's neighbors, April and Deb, helped Terry clear Maizie's driveway, then a smaller city plow and two Mormon elders, Elder Otteson and Elder Ray, finished it off. Also thanks to the man at Carson Shell for offering his snowblower, and the lady at Public Works for suggesting who could help with snow removal. They were all great!
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Stay warm, and drive carefully!
• Carolyn Tate and Maizie Harris Jesse are longtime Carson City residents. They can be reached at editor@nevadaappeal.com.