'Tis the time for Christmas scams ... be very aware of your receipts when you buy anything with a credit or debit card. Look for "cash back" listings, even if you didn't ask for an extra $10 or $20. Seems some checkout "artists" include a cash back on some receipts, then assume the customer won't check their receipt (which is true most of the time) and pocket the money. So check your purchases BEFORE you leave the checkout stand, and make corrections on the spot. If they do not correct your total, call the manager immediately and/or the police. Scams also are "charitable." Be sure and check out a charity before you give to it, even though it "sounds" OK. Go to Google to check these out before you cough up your hard earned dough. Caveat emptor.
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Two fun plays are onstage in the area. Wild Horse Children's Theater will present Disney's "High School Musical 2" at the Children's Museum from Dec. 4 -19. For tickets, times and additional information, call 887-0438. "Scrooge, the musical," will be at the Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School in Gardnerville, presented by the Douglas County School District. There also will be pumpkin, pecan and apple pies, hot cider, carolers and roasting chestnuts. Very festive. Performances are from Dec. 4-13. For tickets and information, call 219-3577. Both are great for kids. Enjoy.
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The city Christmas tree lighting ceremonies start at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3, and the ice skating rink opened last week. Bundle up and take the kids (and extra money for hot chocolate). Fun for the whole family. The Star Parties still go on at the Jack C. Davis Observatory every Saturday night at 7 p.m. The Geminid meteor showers will show up Dec. 13-14, so look up high those nights. Their monthly meeting will be Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. If you're interested in astronomy, you are welcome to attend, and it's FREE.
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An Internet "Catholic" story from Jim Connolly: "Seems four Catholic men and a Catholic woman were having coffee, and all were bragging about their children. The first man says, 'My son is a priest, and when he walks into a room, everyone calls him 'Father.' The second man says his son is a bishop, and everyone calls him 'Your Grace.' The third gent states his son is a cardinal, and they call him 'Your Eminence.' The fourth puffs up and smiles, 'When my son walks into a room, he's addressed as 'Your Holiness.' He's the Pope, you know.' The lone Catholic woman sipped her coffee in silence until the four men looked at her and said, 'Well?' She looked at them, then said, 'I have a red-headed, green-eyed daughter. She's slim, tall, 38-24-36, and when she walks into a room, people say, 'Oh My God.'"
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Many thanks to Christina and David Hillis for their nice card, and congratulations to them on their fifth wedding anniversary. May there be many more. Also, a big thank you to the nurses and ladies at Outpatient Services at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, especially to Jeanne for giving Maizie hot chocolate every time she's there ... it's nice to sit and drink and watch The Price Is Right every other week ... sort of like a spa treatment (keep dreaming, Maiz). By the way, speaking of dreaming, we saw some work going on "outside" the OH a week or so ago. So, the question begs to be asked, "is anything going on inside? Let's hope so.
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Xerox is enabling us to send Christmas cards to soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq this year. Go to www.letssaythanks.com
/Home1280.html and pick out a thank-you card. It will go to a member of the armed services, but not to a particular soldier. This service is free, and is greatly appreciated by our service men and women. Thanks.
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Remember, only 25 more shopping days until Christmas (and DON'T go into debt over presents ... your love and support are presents enough. Really).
• Carolyn Tate and Maizie Harris Jesse are longtime Carson City residents. They can be reached at editor@nevadaappeal.com.