October 7, 2006
Last night, Kathy and I drove down to Phoenix College to attend an art opening for Fran Douglas. Very nice show and she’s quite talented. Afterwards we drove to Scottsdale to have dinner with Russ and Wendy Shaw at Claim Jumpers. Place slammed, half-hour wait. Russ had the prime rib and I had the top sirloin, while the girls did their usual "healthy" salad thing. Over dinner I told the story about being out with the Laib-Man and how he cornered the manager at El Encanto and basically told the guy, “How come you don’t do more for the locals who support you in the summer months before the season comes back?” and the manager sent over three supreme shots of tequila, on the house. This inspired Kathy and she stopped our waiter and said, and I quote, “The meal and the service was great but we want to talk to the manager about getting free chocolate cake.” He laughed and left, and 45 seconds later, Robert the Manager, comes to our table and says, “What’s the problem over here?” and Kathy repeats the exact request and the manager says, and I quote, “Would you like free ice cream on that free chocolate cake?” I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t witnessed it with my own eyes (and mouth, the cake was fantastic!)

I got up this morning at six, and my neighbor J.D. came down at seven to work rebuilding the chicken house out behind the tractor garage. We dug six post holes in the back yard and it was slow going with all the rocks and caliche. Felt like chain gang work, with picks and shovels. We got two poles in and quit at nine, and made plans to work during the week after work.

Kath and I drove up at 9:30 with the recycling and dropped it off, then she borrowed the True West dolly to drive out to Mesa with Deena to buy two stoves (one for Deena and one for us). Both are dinged seconds and are on sale for $400 each.

A Nichols Worth
“In your Oct. 2 blog you feature a picture of a pretty young lady and the following: ‘That's me on stage with Miss Arizona 1982, Jenny Nicols (her father was TV anchor Bill Nicols).’ Did you mean to say Dave Nichols, of Ch. 10 and Ch. 3 fame? Or am I confused (wouldn't be the first time). I also found an entry on another site where she's listed as ‘Jennifer Nichols.’”
—Mark Estes

Yes, you are probably correct. I was simply aping Joel Samuel’s spelling.

“My mother passed away on September 30, 2006. She did not suffer and passed away in her sleep. It was her time, and it will always happen, even to the best of us. If you click on this link below it will take you to her obituary, if you would like to read it. Thank you.”
—Dan Harshberger

http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=10436&TM=59016.23

Old Cowtown Update
Bob,
“I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know that the 'tide may be
turning' in our pursuit to 'Save Old Cowtown'.

“We are far from being soundly afloat financially, but response from
recent press [and local press itself] has been extremely positive.

“There is a palpable groundswell of support that I can trace from the
point of True West's statement of support to preserve and protect Old
Cowtown Museum from the fickle winds of local politicians' narrow
agendas. The National Day of the Cowboy, Chronicle of the Old West and
a number of other parties have joined in lending us their support.
Preserving the legacy of the Old West is important to all Americans. It
is part of our birthright.

“Thank you!

“The November issue of True West is just now on the newsstands and we
are already hearing voices of support from a national audience.

“The very day that the Museum received official notification from the City of Wichita that
the Museum was in violation of numerous code violations, our rooster 'flew the coop'. The presence of a rooster at our 19th century Living History farm apparently violated city code [along with not having a smoke detector in the chicken coop - seriously]. We were not overly surprised to receive these notices as the City had within a two week period detached to our doorstep inspectors from the Health Department, Fire Marshals, City Water Department, general City Inspectors, Animal Control, OSHA and EPA.

“I don't know if pre-war Iraq had that many inspectors looking for WMDs.

“Although the city's intent was to close the museum under the guise of not properly maintaining the facility by terms of our lease, city officials now have 'egg on their faces' due to the public's rejection of those claims.

“Again, I credit you and True West  with reminding our community that Old Cowtown is a heritage that belongs to all of us. When I was growing up there was an embroidered sampler I saw every day.

“The message was simple:

“‘A Friend in Need Is A Friend Indeed!’.Thank you. You're a good friend.
—Ed :LeRoy

“We need people in our lives with whom we can be as open as possible. To have real conversations with people may seem like such a simple, obvious suggestion, but it involves courage and risk.”
—Thomas Moore