I am writing this article prior to the Silver City Town Council Meeting on December 13. But one of the changes coming in 2017 will include new "Welcome to Silver City" signs. Renderings of several signs for the Town of Silver City to choose from were being presented at this meeting. You... yes you, can help make the decision. Mayor Ladner has stated that the pictures of the signs will be posted on the Town of Silver City website: www.townofsilvercity.org. Go to the website, study the pictures of the proposed signs, and then leave your comment about which one you like best. Members of the town council will get a report on what the public likes prior to a town council vote. This is much like any type of election... if you don't vote don't complain about the result. The neat thing about this way to make your feelings known is that it isn't restricted to just people who live in the city limits. Shoot, anyone can go to the city website: www.townofsilvercity.org and make remarks about the signs.

You are invited to an Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on January 11 for one of our local businesses. Silver City Floral Company is changing its name to Flowers on 11th. Their shop is located at 204 East 11th Street in Silver City. With this name change they will celebrate 12 years of doing business in Silver City. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m., and the Open House will last throughout the day. We hope you will join us for this celebration of a local, small business.

I apologize, but I must share bad news with you. I can no longer write about the blue commode. It has been removed. I don't know if it went to the landfill, the store that takes old furniture and stuff for other to use, or maybe it's now lining that driveway south of town on Highway 90. All I know is... it is gone. We are no longer having a "Blue Christmas" at our house.

You can tell how many people have waited until the last minute to mail presents and cards. I went to the Post Office this past Monday and there were no parking spaces available. I don't believe there was a run on the Mexican Food Restaurant across the street. I think there were simply lots of people mailing stuff on Monday. Hopefully the United States Postal Service will do a great job and get all your cards, letters and gifts to the correct addresses prior to Christmas.

Most everyone who knows me fairly well and has visited my office knows I am a huge John Wayne fan. During this holiday season, I always have to watch 3 Godfathers at least once. Is it a Christmas holiday movie? Absolutely! There are references to Christmas throughout the entire movie. There are parts of the movie where passages from the Bible are read describing the night of the birth of our Lord. You almost feel sorry for one of the stars, the baby that played the role of Robert William Pedro Hightower. The scene where he gets covered in axle grease cannot be a fond memory. If you haven't seen this movie, I hope you will try to catch it one evening.

Please shop locally, go out to eat locally, and most of all... have a great Christmas right here in Grant County.