Give V&T contract to operator who draws the most riders

Let's start out this week with some really great news: Pamela Putnam (ladies first), Colin Crowley and Joshua Gransberg, all of Carson High, have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists. It's nice to know we have some of the best and brightest students right here in River City. Congratulations to all, and may you all become finalists in the spring. We're keeping our fingers crossed.

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We see the V&T Railroad commission is going to make a decision about "who will run the railroad" soon. Three companies are vying for the rights: American Heritage Railways (Durango & Silverton, 400,000 riders a year); Sierra Railroad Co., (80,000 riders); and Bob Gray's V&T Railroad (the people who've kept it running for the past several years, 40,000). This is a "no-brainer" for us. Isn't it in our best interests to bring as many people as possible to the area to "boost the economy?" If that's the case, American Heritage has our vote, hands down. And if Bob Gray (the "local boy" who's kept the dream alive for all these years) wants to partner with or sell to, them, all the better, since we believe he deserves a piece of the action. Bottom line, if American Heritage can bring 400,000 riders to an out-of-the-way area like they do in Colorado, then they would probably garner half a million here in Nevada. As Mills Lane would say, "Let's get it on..."

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Dayton's John DeVon tells us about some phony $2 bills circulating in the area. Seems some guys in Elko are scrubbing the 0's off the 20s, and trying to pass them off for twos (don't bother groaning ... we've done it for you).

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Kirk Jesse, a maven of sartorial splendor, sent us a story about "how to dress." Seems "Debra Jackson said she likes shopping at the Dollar Palace because it's convenient and casual. 'I don't have to get all dressed up like I'm going to Wal-Mart or something.'" Good grief ... guess we'll be shopping at the Dollar Palace from now on.

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So they're not going to seek the death penalty in the Darren Mack case. And, of course, it's not because he's rich, white and friends with the powers that be. Right. And we also believe in the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus.

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So much for our big, beautiful "C" on C-Hill. It now has stripes and a "D" for Douglas High, probably courtesy of some students to the "south." Let's hope some Carson guys and gals go up and repair it. Adam Houghton and his friends did such a great job, we hate to see it go for naught.

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Jessi Winchester has the right idea. In a recent letter to the editor, she suggested we all go to Carsonite P. J. Degross' Web site - www.WebofSupport.com or e-mail her at pjdahling@aol.com - and "Adopt a Soldier." Ms. Degross matches people with a soldier during their length of deployment so that they may have a connection with home during their stay overseas. They all love mail and packages from home, and you will feel you are really doing something good to help them, which you are. Thanks to all who respond, and thanks, Jessi, for reminding us about the great work Ms. Degross does.

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What has 104 acres, 15 foot walls, is the largest in the world, costs over a half-billion of our tax dollars, will have a staff of over 8,000 people guarded by Marines, and built by a subsidiary of Halliburton? OUR EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD! Yippee. We bet the Iraqis love that. And on the home front, we're cutting back on Head Start, raising Medicare rates again, cutting veterans' benefits, etc. But don't worry, Rummy, Ducky and Georgie are on our side. Gotta feel good now.

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Some good ideas we've received: Keep your car keys near your bed at night, then if someone enters your home you can press the car alarm and wake all the neighbors. You can bet a burglar or rapist won't want to stick around with that kind of attention. If your child is uninsured for health care, call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669) for information on the state's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It helps with free or low-cost coverage in every state and is a great help to families with no insurance ... do it today. Also, if you don't want to pay for directory assistance, call 1-800-FREE-411 (1-800-373-3411) ... works on both home and cell phones.

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Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan, will be the speaker at the 25th annual UNR Foundation banquet to raise money for the university. It will be at Harrah's in Reno on Thursday, Sept. 28, and is presented by the Whittemore Family Foundation. For tickets and information, call Patti Rinaldo at 784-4831. Ms. Bhutto is an expert on conditions in the Muslim world. And part of Street Vibrations will be held in Carson City at the Harley Davidson/Buell store at 2749 N. Carson St. from Thursday-Sunday. Lots of fun for area bikers.

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Soooo, Clark County wants to export water from White Pine County, and assures them they won't become another Owens Valley. Sounds like baloney, any way you slice it. We don't feel any sympathy for Clark County, especially when you go down there and see all the water being used for fountains, water features, golf courses, etc. Then again, we have a solution that doesn't involve White Pine at all - after all, "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" - just let all the people coming in bring their own water (Evian, Perrier, flavored waters, etc.) and leave it there. HA, problem solved. (Don't write, we know we're "innovative").

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Ken Fraser tells us the story of the man who walks into the kitchen for breakfast to find his wife boiling eggs. She says, "You've got to make love to me this instant." He can't believe his luck, so he makes love to her. Smiling, he asks, "What's all this about?" She shrugs and says, "The egg timer's broken."

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Happy 16th birthday, Maggie Jesse, "and many mooooore."

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Be sure to watch the Titus-Gibbons debate on Monday at 6 p.m. on Channel 4. "And may everyone have a good week."

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