Sponsors | Four gifts, and four holiday notes

In today's snail mail:

1. A reader in Tennessee sent $5 with a Christmas card that included a note: "Thanks for keeping us in the loop while Gannett keeps us in the dark."
2. From Northern Virginia: "Thanks for all you do. Happy holidays!" and $20.
3. "Thanks for keeping us informed," said an Oregon reader, who included $20.
4. And from a second reader in Tennessee, $25 -- with this message: "Wishes for a bright and happy holiday. Thanks for your work on the blog!"

Thank you all.

With advertising sales, these new contributions bring me to 86% of my goal. But there are now just eight days left in the quarter for me to earn another $569. The breakdown to date:

• Reader donations: $1,005
• Advertising: $2,436

I'm trying to earn $4,000 quarterly, through donations of $5 per reader, plus advertising sales. Please use the PayPal "Donate" or "Subscribe" tools in the green rail, upper right. Or mail cash and checks payable to: Jim Hopkins, 584 Castro St. #823, San Francisco, Calif., 94114-2594.