Letters

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

My grandmother died late last month. She’d been in hospice for a long time, and Alzheimer’s had slowly whittled away her formerly vivacious personality. When we—my brother, sister, cousins, me— were little, she was largerthan-life, someone who made all things seem possible. She’d spoil us with all the candy, soft drinks and toys that our parents would deny us. She made us laugh like no other adult could. She also made us feel like we could do anything we put our minds to, that we could grow up to be anything we wanted to be. And most of all, she made us feel loved—an unconditional love. We didn’t know how lucky we were.

She was a teacher who taught everything from kindergarten to college. She was the first woman to run for public office in Okaloosa County, Florida. She had a direct phone line straight to Santa's desk at the North Pole.

I flew down to my familial homestead in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, for the funeral. It was more celebratory than mournful. We told stories, shared laughs and drinks, played games. A group of us cousins took a boat out into the gulf and saw two separate pods of dolphins. Then I flew home.

On the second leg of the journey home, from Dallas to Reno, I sat next to a man from Oklahoma who had never been to Reno. He asked me about restaurants in Reno. I launched into a long spiel: “Basque cuisine … casino steakhouses … the farm-to-table and craft beer movements … all-you-can-eatsushi … a plethora of different Mexican restaurants.”

“Hey,” interjected the guy sitting on the other side of him, “Is there an In-N-Out Burger in Reno?”

“Oh, what’s that?” said the first guy. “That sounds good.”

I started to balk snobbishly, but then concurred—it is good. And sometimes you just need the classics: a burger, fries and a milkshake, quality time with family, a fleeting glimpse of wild animals, a grandmother who loves her grandkids and wants to spoil them rotten.

R.I.P. Martha Naomi McEwen Bynum, 1931-2016. —Brad Bynum

bradb@newsreview.com

Wrong angle

Re “Return of the terrifying candidate” (cover story, March 31):

I thought the grotesque caricature of Sharron Angle on your cover was over the top. We probably can all agree that her current entry into the U.S. Senate race is another misstep, as her time has passed.

But no one who throws their hat in the ring to serve in a public capacity deserves that level of stomach-turning vilification. and that includes the wily creature who handed Ms. Angle her head in 2010, the nefarious Harry Reid. Jay Buellton Las Vegas

You figured it out

Nevada Energy has big solar collectors at its headquarters on Neil Road in Reno. So solar is a good idea for them but not for anyone else?

Fred Hinners Reno

Troubled water

The justification for the old Virginia Street bridge being demolished was to address the flooding potential of the Truckee River, right? Terrific! As a ham radio operator over the years who volunteered on several flooding incidents, all for it. Don’t the adjacent Center Street bridge immediately to its east and the Sierra Street bridge immediately to its west pose the same conundrum as did the historical Virginia Street bridge?

Y’ask me, given that those two bridges have not been updated to our trendy 21st century, so much for “flooding measures.” Indeed, all hail some cool green. That’s nothin’ new ’round these parts. Anyhow, the city’s got a spiffy bridge that is, effectively, a bridge to nowhere.

Decade after decade, I’ve watched downtown Reno become practically a mausoleum with an “ambience” more like worms on the concrete sidewalk after a good rain. Go one block past that keen new bridge, and it’s a war zone without the inconvenience of nasty corpses.

Craig Ayres-Sevier Reno

Editor’s note: The Center Street bridge was replaced in 1997.

Winners?

I would like to request Rollin’ on the River to play at the Bridge Restaurant. I would really like for them to get their chance to win big. They work so hard to make things happen. I sure hope you will consider my request. Thank you for your time. Amber Loggan Reno

Art is its own reward

Re “Mad about the mouse/Michael Sarich” (Arts & Culture, April 6, 2006):

I am presently attending the University of Nevada, Reno, as an art major. I am enjoying the experience of being a student in Prof. Michael Sarich’s art class. As for my art style, I am considered to be a realist-impressionist.

In my opinion, art—along with music, writing and dance—benefit the students, one and all in a positive manner. As that statement relates to art, I am simply saying that just the act of attempting any style of art benefits the participant, even if they feel they have zero art talent.

Human beings are born to effect change, because it’s in our very nature to do so. Art excites the innovative mind. Hence, wiser doctors, lawyers, judges, scientists and so on.

Art follows rules, while at the same time, the artist can break all the rules.

Edwin Johnson Reno

Council and Chisel

Re “Reno City Council is doing fine” (editorial, April 14):

I recall hearing this with the prior council, and if anyone asked deep questions they were accused of “going down in the weeds.” As a result, no one was minding the store properly and the city almost was bankrupted with wild spending, incurring massive debt.

Thank heavens for people like Jenny Brekhus, Naomi Duerr and Paul McKenzie for paying closer attention! I also feel reassured with [Reno finance director] Robert Chisel watching the dollars. This is who I “believe” in! I prefer public officials who explain what’s occurring and ask good questions in view of the general public. If this causes others to grow intolerant, impatient, and resort to eye-rolling skyward, too bad! Pamela E. Galloway Reno

Erik Holland

Our Mission: To publish great newspapers that are successful and enduring. To create a quality work environment that encourages employees to grow professionally while respecting personal welfare. To have a positive impact on our communities and make them better places to live. Associate Editor Brad Bynum News Editor Dennis Myers Special Projects Editor Jeri Chadwell-Singley Calendar Editor Kelley Lang Contributors Amy Alkon, Kelsey Fitzgerald, Bob Grimm, Ashley Hennefer, Shelia Leslie, Eric Marks, Jessica Santina, Todd South, Brendan Trainor, Kris Vagner, Bruce Van Dyke, Allison Young Design Manager Lindsay Trop Art Director Brian Breneman Marketing/Publications Manager Serene Lusano Marketing/Publications Designer Sarah Hansel Production Coordinator Skyler Smith Designer Kyle Shine Senior Advertising Consultants Gina Odegard, Bev Savage Advertising Consultant Emily Litt Distribution Director Greg Erwin Distribution Manager/Operations Coordinator Kelly Miller Distribution Assistant Denise Cairns Distribution Drivers Tracy Breeden, Alex Barskyy, Debbie Frenzi, Vicki Jewell, Patrick L’Angelle, Marty Lane, Marty Troye, Warren Tucker, Margaret Underwood, Gary White President/CEO Jeff VonKaenel Director of Nuts & Bolts Deborah Redmond Marketing/Promotions/Facilities Manager Will Niespodzinski Executive Coordinator Jessica Takehara Business Manager Nicole Jackson Payroll/AP Wizard Miranda Dargitz Accounts Receivable Specialist Kortnee Angel Sweetdeals Coordinator Courtney DeShields Nuts & Bolts Ninja Christina Wukmir Senior Support Tech Joe Kakacek Developer John Bisignano System Support Specialist Kalin Jenkins

N&R Publications Editor Michelle Carl N&R Publications Managing Editor Shannon Springmeyer N&R Publications Writers Kate Gonzales, Anne Stokes Cover Design: Priscilla Garcia 405 Marsh Ave.,Third Floor, Reno, NV 89509 Phone (775) 324-4440 Fax (775) 324-2515 Website www.newsreview.com

Got a News Tip? Fax (775) 324-2515 Calendar Events www.newsreview.com/calendar Want to Advertise? Fax (775) 324-2515 or rnradinfo@newsreview.com Classified Fax (916) 498-7910 or classifieds@newsreview.com Job Opportunities jobs@newsreview.com Want to Subscribe to RN&R? renosubs@newsreview.com

Editorial Policies: Opinions expressed in RN&R are those of the authors and not of Chico Community Publishing, Inc. Contact the editor for permissions to reprint articles, cartoons, or other portions of the paper. RN&R is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or review materials. Email letters to rnrletters@newsreview.com. All letters received become the property of the publisher. We reserve the right to print letters in condensed form and to edit them for libel.

Advertising Policies: All advertising is subject to the newspaper’s Standards of Acceptance. The advertiser and not the newspaper assumes the responsibility for the truthful content of their advertising message.

RN&R is printed at Sierra Nevada Media on recycled newsprint. Circulation of RN&R is verified by the Circulation Verification Council. RN&R is a member of CNPA, AAN and AWN.