Familiar faces and new faces graced Carson this week

It was good to see Congressman Dean Heller this week in Carson City. He spoke to the Legislature, and was greeted at June Joplin's Comma Coffee at a reception in his honor. There was obviously no security at the door, since they let us in for a good chat and hors d'oeuvres. We also saw his lovely "better half," Lynne, who is an asset anywhere she goes. We were even invited to stay with them in D.C., if the occasion ever arises. Hmmmm ... wonder if they serve breakfast in bed and will drive us around? On second thought, we better quit while we're ahead. Great people.

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Also at Comma Coffee was our friend, Lou deBottari, who will turn 80 this month. And we met Pat Gough and her daughter, Susan McCarthy. Pat's husband, Larry, is back in Chicago, celebrating his 80th birthday this month, too, as well as getting ready to move to Carson City. Better hurry up, Larry - Susan is not doing a good job of keeping Pat from scampering all over the city while you're away. Happy birthday to both Ls, and welcome to CC when you get here.

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"2 Tall" Tim Jennings is also aging this week. And Mike Bouza, who works with Carolyn, announced the "birthday" of his new grandson, Noah David, on March 13. Happy birthday to them, as well.

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The redoubtable Vern Manke came up with this one this week from a study at Clemson University: "A 2007 study at Clemson found that the average American walks about 900 miles per year. Another study by the American Beer Institute found that the average American drinks about 22 gallons of beer a year. That means, on average, Americans get approximately 41 miles per gallon ... not bad!" On the "serious" side, if this were true, think of how fit we'd be, how much gas we'd save, and how the DUIs would go down. Of course then we'd have to worry about "walking under the influence." Gee, you can't win 'em all.

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Our deepest sympathy goes out to Kay Winters and her family on the death of her husband, JohnD Winters, at the age of 97. JohnD was a real pioneer in this area and will be missed.

We'd also like to correct an error in a bank account number that was in the paper for little James Aaron Daniel Germain-Sanchez, who passed away last month at the age of 2 months. Donations may be made to his family and baby twin sister at US Bank, account no. 153752504669. And many thanks to you all.

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The C Hill sheep are munching away to keep fires at bay (ahhh, the poetry). Take the kids out to see them. It's fun. Just look for little brown rocks that move (that's kind of what they look like ... not the white fluffy things you see in books). We also found out that the plowing and digging on the corner of East Fifth and Stewart is for a new state Printing Office warehouse. Now you know, too.

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Lindsay Ford is doing a great thing for her senior project ... she's bringing back the "Senior Senior Prom." This year, it will be on Friday, April 27, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Silver Oak Golf Course, and it's FREE to all seniors who would like to dance to a DJ and the CHS jazz band. They will have refreshments, and students from the CHS leadership group will be around to dance if you don't have a partner. They will be crowning a king and queen, and we know you'll have a LOT of fun since we went four years ago, complete with limo and "dates."

We think, Lindsay, if you know two "seniors (about 18 years old, charming, funny, etc.)," we might be "available." (No jokes from the peanut gallery, please ... shhh, we hear you ... how rude).

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The Alabama Sharpes sent us this one: "A few minutes before a church service started, Satan appeared at the altar, sending all but one of the congregation screaming out the door. As the man remained in his pew, Satan went up to him and said, 'Do you know who I am?' 'Yup,' replied the man. 'Aren't you afraid of me?' Satan asked. 'Nope, sure ain't,' the man said. 'Don't you realize I could kill you with one word,' says Satan, 'and cause you burning agony for all eternity?' 'Yup,' says the man again. 'And you're still not afraid?' asks Satan. 'Nope.' Mystified, and a bit perturbed, Satan asks, 'Why aren't you afraid of me?' 'Been married to your sister for 48 years.'"

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Tidbits: Little Mikel Flatley, of "Charlotte's Web" fame, has been cast in a local movie with Barfly Productions ... ahhh, from spider to star ... that's great! And Sue Ballew, the late Appeal columnist Bill Dolan's daughter, will be opening White Cat Antiques at 512 N. Curry St. (841-1975) tomorrow at 10 a.m. in memory of her daughter, Christa, who passed away in September. Sue and her brother, Trent, still write "Past Pages" in the Appeal, following in their father's footsteps.

"Stunt Double" will be appearing at Mo & Sluggo's on Friday at 9 p.m., and if you're there, you can get Kent Steele to sell you raffle tickets (or call him at 230-4637), five for $20 or $5 each, for MANY great prizes to benefit the Children's Heart Foundation. Prizes will be drawn at the Dick Morris Memorial Golf Tournament on May 5. You could be a winner and help the kids!

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Last, but certainly not least: The CHS Band boosters are having a wine tasting (D'Vine Wine and Ben's will be serving) to benefit the band on Saturday, April 21, at the Carson City Airport Terminal from 6-9 p.m. It will be hosted by Mustang Manufacturing and tickets (available at D'VW and B's) are $20 per person. Music will be provided by the No Sax Quartet (made up of former CHS band students), and appetizers and Starbucks coffee will also be served. This will help the band students on trips and activities this coming year, and will be a fun way to help them out.

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"A gardening tip for spring" from Kim Johnston: "To make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant, pull on it ... if it comes out easily, it's a valuable plant." Well, of course. Duh.

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