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Show Thursday, Dec. 18, WEST VALLEY VIEW Meanwhile, Over Here The setting was my native Chicago parents were in the in the 1950s. My .midst of a struggle, trying to make the proverbial ends meet on a lim- ited income with a fast- growing, War II, post-Worl- d baby-boo- family on their hands. was late It afternoon or early by Tom Smith that point, Mom had the last of the familys money for that day - a It undoubtedly qualifies as the story I've ever been told. greatest Christmas evening on Christmas Eve when Mom walked a few doors down to Mr. (first name unknown) Potts market in the neighborhood where we lived during my infancy, to buy a few necessities before the approaching holiday. And as far as she knew at 1980 single $20 bill - with her when she left the house and headed for the store. Upon picking up a few items and proceeding to the checkstand, Mom discovered to her dismay that she was without the $20. Telling Mr. Potts of her plight, a search was launched in the market by Mom, the storekeeper and a handful of others who were in the building at the time. Eventually, a man - a stranger, to Mom and Mr. Potts, anyway - who had joined in the recovery effort announced to Moms relief that he had found the $20, that she must have dropped it or it must have slipped from her purse or clothing while she was shopping. Thanking the guy a thousand times, Mom went ahead with her purchase and returned home. Which is where she found the $20 she thought she had taken with her to the store: the $20 she thought she had lost while going up or down one aisle or the other; the $20 she thought the stranger had located somewhere in the market and, in an act of honesty, returned to her, providing the kind of burden-lifte- r that in and of itself would have to be placed high on the e Christmas list of and bounds, isnt it? in the Store Stranger And that by all means is the type of Santa Claus that our society and our globe could use a lot more of, too. Those who have seen the 1940s film Its A Wonderful Life know about Clarence, the angel who earned his wings by giving George, the main character in the movie, the greatest Christmas present of his life - a painful, yet revealing look at what life in his town and the lives of his family and friends would have been like had he never been born. And then returning him to what was, in fact, a wonderful life where people cared enough to give of themselves in helping to rescue him from a potentially devastating misfortune. The experience, which restored his faith in humanity and life, happened at Yuletide, and George couldnt have asked for a better Christmas gift. While Its A Wonderful Life was most-welcom- presents. But when Mom discovered that the man (whom Mr. Potts said he had never seen before or since the happy ending episode) had apparently handed over a $20 of his own because he saw a greater need for it in the life of someone else, she realized, as did my dad and others when they learned of the story, how priceless the Christmas gift really was. -- Getting the opportunity to view humanity at its best, and coming in the process right out plus-$2- 0 when you think that maybe life IS a real drag after all: thats the kind of Christmas gift we could afford to multiply by leaps and circumstances - tragedies, disappointments or whatever - that can and do dampen ones spirits at a time thats supposed to be upbeat and joyous. a movie and a great one at that, my mom, whose experience also helps to erase the myth that theres no heart in a big city, met a real-lif- e on her memorable Clarence Christmas Eve in Chicago almost three decades ago. Ive had an unwelcome taste of the latter element the past week or two, for like millions of others whose lives were touched by the man and his music, I have been pretty despondent over the untimely, ugly and brutal death of John Lennon in New York 10 days ago. For when things looked pretty bleak and all the problems and difficulties were making it seem hardly worth the effort, a Santa Claus in the disguise of an ordinary man appeared out of nowhere, gave generously in unforgettable fashion, then modestly exited without letting his know how great the gift really was until after hed gone. The challenge, I guess, is to try to see beyond such negative characteristics of the human race like that which was responsible for Johns death, and remember that there is a Clarence or a grocery store Santa Claus out there someplace, making somebodys Christmas, somebodys life, happier and better because they were there and did something timely to help keep the Christ in Christmas. gift-gett- er Every social creature I know who traffic, crowds in department stores and the general chaos, caused by our societys has battled Christmas materialistic obser- vances, have certainly encountered the darker side of the holiday season. And then there are events J V. Tax Credit Delayed clear that he did not sup-- . port the 3.5 percent cut, but indicated that he - would go along with He had mandated it. the 2.5 percent and felt that was as far as the Agencies Lose Another Percent SALT LAKE. State agencies, it to the state agencies as to where they would rather including public education, will be trim their budgets. The forced to cut an additional one percent from their existing budgets while homeowners and renters will not receive tax credits this year. That was the bottom line after adjournment of a two-da- y special legislative session that concluded here Tuesday night. The session was called to deal with a $60 million shortfall in state funds. The one-yedelay of tax credits is expected to replace $32 million of that. The legislators left ar Westvale Services Scheduled . Representing various aspects Kennedy junior high are Sonya Powell, Debbie Johnson, Cynthia AT KENNEDY at of program scheduled . . Bryant, Steve Erekson. At Kennedy Concert Being Held Tonight Dr. Ronald H. Brown Podiatrist Foot Specialist Residency Trained Practice for 8 Years Treatment for: Running or jogging injuries Callouses, Corns and Bunions Bone spurs and calcium deposits Arch problems Circulatory problems of the foot Arthritis in the lower extremities Ingrown toenails Foot pain and other problems involving feet and lower ex- tremities 4370 South Redwood Road 967-333- 8 Medicare Medicard Accepted KEARNS. Students at Kennedy junior high will present their annual Children Will Be variety numbers, traditional Hallelujah Chorus candlelight GRANGER. A childrens Christmas party will be held on Sunday at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic church, 3650 story with Carol Jones as Mary and Scott Olsen as Joseph. Several Children will of ranging from jazz to the Treated So. 3600 West. The Christmas will be presented, day). The dance club, under the direction of Kathy Majors, will perform a present musical numbers, including Rhonda Turner, Troy Vance, Melissa Trigger, Vickie Moran, the Jones girl and the Olsen boy. Santa will arrive at the close of the party, which starts at 3 p.m., ac- cording to Norma Thayne, CYO adviser. Jodie Jennings is president of the group. number. Will Whitaker will conduct choral groups in a program of Christmas carols and Lowell Fetzers drama stu- dents will present a play. The stage band, under the direction of Jac Carsey, will perform Jingle Bell Parade and Porter Dutson will direct the orchestra. The program is open to the public. Human Carbon Scientists say that the human body contains enough carbon to make more than 14,000 pencils and enough lime to paint an entire barn white. The Sunday Sunday Ensley. school will precede the service at 9: 30. Redwood Man Requests Help For Clean-up WEST VALLEY. been mandated the setting of year budgets to 3.5 percent. Legislators also warned those same agencies abandon because the money is not going to magically appear so it can be promise. The extra percent cutback is expected to cost public schools $13.3 Sen. Finlinson said he dollars. With 80 percent of most budgets tied up in contract agreements, there will be cuts in either buildings or in reinstated. felt the Senate would have voted for repeal, but knew it would be overridden in the House and went for the com that they would face an austere situation when appropriations for next year begin in January. Although officially the tax credit issue involves a one-yedelay, many of severe a economic programs, most cuts should go. to However, the fact that the cuts were not mandated by statute, but will be handled administratively is a victory for the governor. Had the tax credit not been delayed, the cuts would have been across the board and totaled 8.5 percent. hold total cuts to three percent, sponsored by Rep. C. Demont Judd, was defeated. narrowly Judd based his support on his feeling that no one really knows the true extent of the shortfall. Matheson made Court Fines Top observers feel that because million additional educators feel. An attempt it West Valley slowdown, legislators will likely be forced to make that permanent. Sen. Fred Finlinson called the delay the kiss of death for the tax credit issue. The WEST VALLEY. Fines totaling $21,968 were collected during November in the West Valley Justice of the Peace Court. session ferences in philosophy between the governor and the legislature. The delay of the tax credit was handily passed in the Senate, 25-but it barely made the in required the House, Sen. Karl Swan said it was a mistake to delay preceding month, both in terms of the caseload, the number of fines imposed and the money collected. Judge L. Bruce Larsen 4, over presided cour- troom proceedings. Fifteen civil and small two-thir42-2- case load total to 1,825, claims cases in November brought the October. Four persons were convicted of that tober. Fines amounting offense during the to $20,603 were imposed for violations. During October, fines & V $22,838 $25,152; was collected. Much of that uncollected money was paid during November, accounting for the surplus collection of $1,300 that month. Novembers report showed a substantial increase in the number of driving under the influence (DUI) citations, climbing to 59 from 38 in Free Tape Recorder (Regular Speed $2 1,000 1,805 in Oc- compared to for totaled The figures also November are roughly difpointed up glaring on par with those for the Christmas program will be presented, written and directed by Afton Smith. The main sermon topic will be Incarnation of Christ to be given by Rev. Mil-to- n school Christmas concert at 7:30 tonight (Thurs- boosts cuts that special GRANGER. A Christmas Eve candlelight service will be held at 7:30 Wednesday at Westvale Presbyterian church. ..v At that time the fifth Advent candle, the candle of Christ, will be lit by the youth. Music will be included in the service, including singing by the choir. During the childrens time on Sunday as part of the 11 a.m. church service, the fourth Advent candle, the candle of giving, will be lit with the children partici- pating. action have since fiscal than ! month, while pled guilty. 32 others - Other moving violations: 298(278); - Parking - Other g violations: 492 (488). Offsetting the increase in traffic offenses was a decline in the number of speeding cases also jumped significantly, from 271 in October to Inst month. With the exception of license violations, which dropped from 121 in October to 97 in November, the number of other was traffic offenses fairly similar to the previous month: (Octobers totals are in 390 brackets) criminal November. Assault and cases battery numbered 13, compared to 21 in October. Theft and petit (See Page 10, Col. 8) 1 ! Speed) INCLUDES: Album Price 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Book of Mormon Doctrine & Covenants Pearl of Great Price New Testament Deluxe Ranch Hyde Case $44.95 $34.95 $39.95 $40.00 $159.85 89.95 Special Tape Player il TOTAL VALUE $249.80 DLL FOR OtlLV $129.95 Family Fun Game All American Sports Game $9.95 Special $2.95 Insert Book of Mormon Game Set Discount On 550 items! Boons & Tapes This special is available at: Also: 20 HA WKES PUBLISHING 3775 South 500 West Salt Lake City, Utah 84115 n o s. but one category listed in the court report showed fewer cases filed during A Thursday for help in cleaning up that community. Lee Giles asked the City Commission to take action to eradicate several problems which he said are troublesome to his family. Giles appeared before the commission on the same complaint during the summer. City officials promised to look into the matter. misde-meanor- All SPENCER KINARD SCRIPTURE QUAD for only $129.95 reiterated his request to city officials here 105 -- The number of When You Get The Redwood resident tickets: (103); Tel (801)262-555- 5 |