HAPPY NEW YEAR! Let's hope it doesn't find you hung over. May it be fun with parades, football games, good food, good friends and family. AND may it turn into a great year for all of you, in spite of the problems we are experiencing at the moment.
Now, it's time to tell you an appropriate Internet joke found by Bruce Smith: "A letter to the bank ... 'Dear Sirs, In view of what seems to be happening internationally with banks at the moment, I was wondering if you could advise me correctly. If one of my checks is returned marked 'insufficient funds,' how do I know whether that refers to me or to you?'" Hmmmmm.
The Arab world was once the "Cradle of Civilization," known for it's brilliance in art, medicine and beautiful architecture. How they got from there to here is mind boggling. For example: Israel and Palestine had a truce, but Hamas breaks the truce by lobbing artillery into Israel. Israel responds by bombing Hamas in Gaza. Now, the Arab world is lobbying to fight Israel ... one Arab on TV said, "If they had bombed Cairo, everyone would be up in arms." How stupid can he be? Cairo is not firing at Israel; Hamas is. Israel is protecting it's borders. And we only have to remember that when Israel became a nation, they turned it into a haven for the Jewish people ... farms, universities, military, you name it. What have the Palestinians done? Put their money on a terrorist group, and not upon their people. When will they ever learn?
Maizie's definition of some politicians: "Inflatable egos behind forgettable faces." Sort of like some "movie stars."
Guy Rocha, Nevada's myth-busting guru, is retiring in February from being Nevada's archivist. Part of his motivation for this is the cut in funds and services that Nevada government is now facing. He's so right when he says that "the institutional memory" is being taken away. However, Dan Burns, Gov. Gibbons spokesman, states that "government will be smaller and more efficient." We've seen that before ... people will expect the same services, and some poor state schnook (aka "employee") will now be exhausted doing more work at lower pay. Good luck, Guy. We hate to see you go.
Ron Saunders sent us this Internet goodie: "I've often been asked, 'What do you folks do to keep busy, now that you're retired?' Well, I'm fortunate to have a few friends who have chemical engineering backgrounds, and one of the things we enjoy most is turning beer, wine, scotch and vodka into pee. And, we're pretty damned good at it too!" Nuf said.
Many happy birthdays this week (all older, but 'gooder'): Eloise Koenig, Carl Dahlen, Judy Lowther, Kealoki Fuller, Dylan Clinger, TJ Olson, Aaron Brown, John Ascuaga, and Helen Banovich. Gee, May must have been a busy month. And C says the "best boss" award goes to Russ Law. Wheeee.
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Earl Laird ... he was a great guy. And thanks to Marty Tate for fixing Carol's frozen pipes; Ward Jesse for fixing his mom's fence (who she?); Jennifer at the Firkin and Fox for being a great waitress; and Rhonda and Nick Brown for their hospitality to C, and a yummy dinner.
High Sierra West Coast Swing Club dancing is held at El Charro every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. For info, call Pat at 546-6154. It's free and fun. For an eight-week class at the Brewery Art Center, call the same number for details. And the Carson Valley Community Theatre will hold auditions for "Hollywood Arms" on Jan. 9, at 6:30 p.m. Please call Lucille Rao at 843-3493 for details. Again, may your new year be wonderful!
- Carolyn Tate and Maizie Harris Jesse are longtime Carson City residents. They can be reached by e-mail at editor@nevadaappeal.com.