Justice?

I saw on Channel 3 news today that former County Recorder Fran Dean entered a guilty plea (she took money, for her personal use, that should have gone to the county). She will be sentenced in January. She could get a light sentence like probation, or up to eighteen years in prison. District attorney, David Roger, who prosecuted Fran Dean, appeared on tv today also, he seems to take this kind of criminal activity very seriously. I imagine he will request more than probation.

Strangely, when Fran Dean decided to run for Recorder, she asked me for advice. I told her which Nevada Statutes to read and study, and that she should talk to the Deputy D A assigned to her office about anything questionable, to abide by their suggestions according to the way they interpreted the law and that they would keep her out of trouble and avoid law suits. Evidently she didn't follow my advice, as she seemd to do just as she pleased.

The last time I had lunch with some of my former deputies/co workers, they were of the opinion that Frran Dean should spend some time in prison. I'm inclined to agree with that; but eighteen years does seem like an especially severe sentence, considering how easy the convicted county commisionsers faired. The County Commissioners who were convicted of bribery went to prison and were sentneced to only a few years and are already out. Mary Kincaid Chauncey is free now; two others are spending some time in half way houses, before being completely released. I understand they will all be on probation for a few years too. May justice prevail!

Where are they?

When I was growing up, there were ice cream parlors and drug stores with a soda fountain. We could get plain or flavored cokes, (cherry, chocolate, lemon) a malted milk, a banana split, an ice cream sundae or various flavored sodas. My preference was a chocolate soda. Ice cream was put in a tall glass along with flavored syrup of one's choice, soda water was dispensed from a spigot on the fountain, and after it foamed up over the top of the glass another scoop of ice cream was added. Something like a root beer float (which you can still get at an A & W or make at home). Sometimes they even served light sandwiches, coffee and tea. There were a couple of ice cream parlors in La Crosse, the one I liked best had lots of green marble, booths with green marble tables with fancy lamps at one end of each booth, also little ice cream tables and chairs. Their own variety of chocolate candy was artfully shown in a display case, and could be purchased one piece or boxed to order.

Nowadays, drug stores like CVS, Walgreens, etc. are more like convenience stores, or pharmacies are located in grocery stores; not a soda fountain in sight. There was a Swensons on Maryland Parkway that we used to frequent when I lived on Dorothy St., near UNLV, all the grandkids liked to go there. The old MGM/Bally's used to have a Swenson's that was like the old ice cream parlors of my memory, with all the amenities that I remember from my childhood. When cousins Betty and Carol used to come to visit every year, we made it a point to have lunch at Swensons at least once. Since then, JoAnn and I discovered a small Swensons, with a soda fountain, in the shopping center at the corner of Windmill and Pecos. We went there a few times for a soda, however that Swensons has been gone a few years now too.

Where have the ice cream parlors and drug stores with soda fountains gone? We've lost a wonderful piece of our past culture when they disappeared.

Comments on article in Sunday's Parade

The article entitled "What President Obama Can teach America's Kids" by Bill O'Reilly is quite interesting: "Leson One:Forgiveness, Lesson Two: Respect, Lesson Three; Persistence, Lesson Four: Hard Work", and finally "Lesson Five -perhaps the greatest lesson the president can teach children: in America, anything is possible". Mr. O'Reilly expounded on the president's childhood, deprived of one parent or both (being raised by grandparents) having to learn English, even losing his political race for Illinois' Representative to Congress. Obviously, only in America does everyone have the opportunities, and especially the freedom to allow us to become the best that we can be. However, I believe the inate resilience of children is an important part of how children in "bad" situations during childhood can overcome their chldhood and succeed as an adult. Sometimes not because of encouragement, but because of anger or an "I'll show you" attitude. I don't believe the president is unique in having overcome adversities; altho he is probably the most famous.

Good News from Oscar

When Oscar called Tuesday, he proudly told me he is walking - with a walker; but he is walking! He goes to therapy every week day and is progressing nicely. He said he has no pain, so the prosthesis must be a perfect fit! He told me there are workmen making some changes in their home, and one of them asked if he'd had knee surgery. He said it looks like he has a brace on his knee, and the leg that is visible looks like his own skin. How amazing is that? There are more wonderful scientific discoveries and inventions than we can imagine. I'll bet Oscar will be walking unassisted very soon.

Looking Forward! A THIRD MIRANDA BABY BOY!

I've recently made a comment on some favorite blogs. Now, after publishing my comments, I'm wondering if my relating to the past is wise. How can comparing today's news, or life experiences, with my memories from years ago matter? Not everyone can be interested in history like I am. (I've heard that, as we get older, it's easier to recall something from fifty years ago, than it is to remember what we had for dinner last night, but I haven't quite gotten to that point yet). It's time to look forward instead of back!

Lindsay and Lewis are expecting a third boy at Christmas! He will be a fourth great grandson for me! Now that's something to look forward to! I'm sure he'll be a beautiful baby; but will he look like either Cohen or Sandler? or will he look entirely different? As Ron said, maybe he'll have green eyes. We'll just have to wait and see. It's like waiting for Santa Clause. (The time will go by fast as Christmas always seems to arrive before I'm comletely ready for it!) Congratulations Lindsay and Lewis!