Gov. Reagan looked great at the opera

There will be many stories about former President Ronald Reagan this week ... how he and his wife, Nancy so gracefully handled the dreadful disease that took his life. Carolyn loved his movies, particularly the westerns ... and Maizie remembers seeing him in person when he was governor of California attending the opening of the opera season in San Francisco.

He looked great in person, while Mrs. Reagan looked positively radiant in a light lemony colored beaded silk coat (guess who would have liked to have had one like it) ... we can only hope that fond memories will replace the ones of the last 10 years for the Reagan family ... and let's hope somebody will find a cure for Alzheimer's soon ...

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We are both hoping that if we faint sometime in the future, that the people won't be like the ones at the National Spelling Bee ... they just sat and stared when a contestant sailed to the floor ... "Oh, look, someone fell at our feet ... let's ignore him ... maybe he'll miss the next word ...."

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Carolyn has been moving this last week ... she is downsizing. She has been helped by her family, especially her brother, Marty Tate, who "fixes anything and everything," and Vinnie Vedova, who made many trips between her old house and her new, rented one. Maizie thought about helping her ... after all, "It's the thought that counts." On second thought, Maizie's out of the will ....

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SBC is out of the will, too ... getting a "real" person on the phone to change it was a nightmare ... after 40 menu changes, she almost pulled the phone out of the wall. Bah humbug ... when will these companies "get it?"

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And while Carolyn's on a roll, she wonders why all the forensic and detective stories on TV always use flashlights and don't turn on the lights when they go into a room ... she's tired of looking at TV shows in the dark ... "Let there be light" ....

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ABC had an interesting feature story on hospital noise last week ... it said that some noises in a hospital were louder than a jackhammer at times ... and that loud noises affect a patient's immune system. The result of the study has been to lower the decibels in a number of ways ... soundproofed flooring, lower and fewer announcements on the public address system, turning down the machines in patient rooms, whispering, and cutting down visitations.

Our question now is ... will our new hospital take heed? It would be nice to "rest and heal," rather than be roused every five minutes by an interruption. Mind you, we have always gotten great service from Carson-Tahoe Hospital, but there's always room for improvement, and this might be another way to improve their services ....

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Any bets on how soon George Tenet's book will come out? (Yeah, we know one hasn't been announced ... but it's only a matter of time.)

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Ron Pickrell retired from teaching auto body, painting and welding at Carson High School after 24 years ... congratulations ... he must have been a crackerjack teacher, because one of his former students, Rudy Castillo, will be taking his place. Here's to great times, vacations and cruises for Ron and Sue (and his sister-in-law, Jonni Moon) ... may they toss down a few margaritas at Señor Frog's in the near future ....

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We were so pleased to hear that Shirlee Veverka announced to her family the other night at Adele's that she's supporting John Kerry for President ... or did a semi pass by and blot out what she was saying? And thanks to Chef Charlie for the great, superb, wonderful, delicious soup he gave us (do we know how to suck up, or what?) ....

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Other people you should know ... Roberta Bence is moving to Reno to a retirement home ... it's sad for the Martin Street gang, because she was a great neighbor; Mia, at "Studio 218" on South Carson Street, for a fine manicure and pedicure; June Joplin at Comma Coffee, who has great stories and pictures from her trip to Peru; Sherry Hester, ditto, for her trip to England ... just some of the people who make Carson City a great place to live ....

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Don't forget the Carson Rendezvous in Mills Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; and the music, food and drink on 3rd and Carson Streets, by Pop's and Devincenzi's, every Friday night this summer ... fun stuff to do ....

And, lastly, the Kids are Out of School ... watch them ... and resist the urge to bash them when they step out into traffic without looking ....

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