On election night, Wenatchee World reporters are likely to run across all kinds of newsy tidbits (called "brights" in the trade) as they track returns and chat with candidates. Here are a few for readers tired of all those numbing election return numbers:

A very-last-minute-possible voter

"Well, that was a first," said Chelan County Auditor Skip Moore, a little breathless after running up the courthouse steps from locking the parking lot ballot box at 8 p.m. "A lady was standing by the box (filling out her ballot) and asking people who were driving by how she should vote!"

Moore said the woman only seemed interested in the opinion of republican voters, however.

Election night bingo

Asked where he planned to be when election results rolled in, Gary Schoessler, Chelan County Commissioner District 1 candidate, said he planned to tour a few Republican election parties. Later, he e-mailed to say he had landed at the Wenatchee Buzz Inn. "We're playing bingo in the Hideaway Lounge having a fine time with many people," he wrote.

Maybe he thinks his chances at bingo will be better than winning the election against four-term incumbent Ron Walter.

Jazzy diversion

It may be Election Night everywhere else in the country, but at Wenatchee's Caffe Mela "Jazz Night" was proceeding as usual with the Erin Smith Jazztette swinging on stage and a disco ball throwing its glittery squares around the darkened room. Server Anna Wellman said the crowd was typical for a Tuesday, but parking was especially tight downtown when she arrived at work just before 6 p.m. Her mom commented by phone that maybe it was because people were trying to get away from election news. Judging from the smooth jazz, at least some of them were in a good place to do it.

Party for the Grand Old Party

An election-returns bash at the local Republican headquarters wasn’t even supposed to start until 7 p.m. tonight. But by 5:30 this evening about 35 staunch Romney-McKenna-Reichert fans had already found seats and were watching early returns from the East Coast. “People are excited about this election,” said Republican HQ chair Marianne Carnes. “They’re eager to be part of this big event.” Since Aug. 7, about 100 volunteers made 7,000 calls from the headquarters to educate folks and urge them vote, said Carnes. “Education was a big part of our effort this year. We wanted people to know what a Republican is and what we stand for.” Wanna party with the GOP tonight? The headquarters is located at the corner of Chelan Avenue and Yakima Street in downtown Wenatchee in the former One Shot Firearms building.

Electoral pizza

Election night is a busy night for Abby's Pizza, both east and west. State 12th District Rep. Mike Armstrong (R, Wenatchee) and supporters will fill the East Wenatchee Abby's this evening for a thank-you pizza feast. Meanwhile Chelan County Superior Court Judge candidate Travis Brandt and his supporters will gather for an after party at the Wenatchee Abby's after results are posted around 8:15 p.m. Mamma mia!

Flower power

Carol Kavanaugh, candidate for Douglas County commissioner, got a personal boost this afternoon when her brother in Poulsbo sent her a huge spray of flowers. “Oh my gosh, it’s absolutely spectacular,” she said. “One of the biggest, most beautiful bouquets I’ve ever seen.” And get this: she said the card was signed “from a Special Interest Party on the West Side.” That’s a joke. It’s a clever reference to criticism that the Kavanaugh campaign has been partially funded by Puget Sound donations.

Party animal

In the hours leading up to the polls closing (8 p.m. tonight), Douglas County commission candidate Ed Daling will have dinner out with family and a few friends in Waterville, and then scoot home to have a little dessert and await returns. That sounds like a fairly mild evening, but Daling’s a party animal compared to commission incumbents Ken Stanton and Dale Snyder. They’ll each be home with family — no big parties planned — to await the final results.

Sweet dreams, little Hawkins

State 12th District legislative candidate Brad Hawkins says he'll spend Election Night with his family in their East Wenatchee home. But before settling in to await election results around 8 p.m. — and see if his own dream will come true — he and his wife, Shawna, have to make sure their two young boys are headed off to their own dreamlands. Bedtime for the little ones is 7:30 p.m.

Political shot

Don't let the elections run you down. Walgreens in Wenatchee was encouraging people today, on its electronic reader board, to "Vote then vaccinate. Flu shots today."