SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 | Vol. 22, ISSuE 32
Thin skin Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review. Man, people around this town can be so thin-skinned. It’s a little silly how every time some comedian cracks a joke about Reno or mispronounces “Nevada,” local folks take to social media and start decrying said comedian—whether it’s David Sedaris, Seth Meyers, the freaking Muppets or, most recently, Amy Schumer. Apparently she called the city a dump. Who cares? But locals took to social networks and got all defensive, calling her names, saying she isn’t even funny, whatever. Local media got into the defensive act too. The Reno GazetteJournal, for example, ran a piece headlined “What Amy Schumer got wrong about Reno, Nevada,” that corrected her pronunciation and also asked out her out on a date (what it euphemistically called a “personal tour to show her its notso-dumpy features”—gross). I think the only embarrassing thing about living in Reno is how defensive people get about living in Reno. Haters gonna hate, folks. If you love a place, why should you care what people who have never spent any real time here think about it? I’ve said I hate Fresno, but screw me, I’ve only ever been there once, so what the heck do I know? Some of us like that this city’s greatness is a secret. Reno residents are like Illuminati. And if anything, being the butt of jokes is a source of immunity and therefore strength. We can’t be faded. And lowered expectations are great for artists and athletes. You come to Reno, and you won’t even know what hits you. Speaking of athletes and haters who hate, I never would have expected that a column that basically said “let’s support the local football hero” would incur the wrath of folks who use the word “liberal” as an insult, but it sure has. But just to reiterate: Go, Kap, go!
—Brad Bynum bradb@ ne ws r ev i ew . com
The Misfits Re “Misfits” (Editor’s note, Aug. 25): At the very beginning of The Misfits, the first glimpse of Reno is the Reno Realty building at 117 W. Liberty St. That year in that tiny building were three businesses—Reno Realty, First Nevada Mortgage Co., and Reno Insurance Co. The next building, 115, was vacant. These were torn down the week of September 21, 2015. Becasue of the location, when Eli Wallach’s tow truck turns into the driveway between the rooming house where Marilyn Monroe was staying and the one where Thelma Ritter was staying, the back of what is now Sundance Books and Music should be visible right then. Marilyn’s house was the Nevadan Apts., and that year Mona Lisa lived in No. 6 and her neighbor in No. 5 was Toonie Dean. What a wonderful first name for a musical town and her neighbor’s name was not bad for an arty town. That summer, having just turned 19, Ann Margret had an eight week run at the Riverside Hotel. From there, she went on to become a real superstar. Richard Lang Reno Editor’s note: Thank you for the recollections. Those who grew up on tales of Monroe staying at the Mapes may disbelieve your account of her at the Nevadan, so we offer this: Years ago, before our content began going online, we reported, on the strength of a local diary, that a Nevada official helped locate a hideaway apartment for Monroe where she could stay and relax during off hours. As for Ann Margret, she was in Reno as the singer in a group called the Suttletones, which also played the Commercial Hotel in Elko. Toward the end of their Reno engagement, on August 26, 1960, the entertainment section of the Nevada State Journal and Reno Evening Gazette reported, “New to Reno are the Suttletones, a youthful quartet with a lot of music know-how. They’ll be around town only a few days longer, since each of the group is due to return to Northwestern University for the fall semester in a short time. The Suttletones include Dave Zehring, Ring Warner, Scott Smith and pretty Ann-Margaret. In addition to youthful enthusiasm, their material is new and fresh, and each is a skilled performer.” —Dennis Myers
to start paying taxes? The resulting local recession will make the Great Recession look like “the good old days.” Guy Pelham Reno
Warning letter Re “Warning label” (Notes from a Neon Babylon, Sept 1): I love that you gave a not-totally-positive assessment of [marijuana] edibles or any type weed for that matter. Most of the smokers I know have a solemn oath to never even think the possibility that there is any small negative in relation to them. It’s to stand bathed in the holy light. Laurie Sherrill longview, Wash.
Clarification Re “Pot tale of the week” (Upfront, Sept. 15): We quoted a Las Vegas Review Journal report: “Pat Hickey, Nevada coordinator for Smart Approaches to Marijuana … said legalizing the drug would break legal tradition; America, he said, has never legalized marijuana.” Former legislator Hickey says he is quite certain he never made the comment because it does not reflect his views. He adds, “It’s such an obtuse argument. It’s not something, true or false, that does anything to persuade one way or the other in the current legalization argument.”
ERIK HollAND
Warning letter Why is no one calling Question W-1 the Tesla Tax? It rolls nicely off the tongue and clearly indicates how the money raised will be used. I know the gigafactory is not in Washoe County but Washoe is where the impact will primarily fall. As a matter of interest, Samsung has started construction of its own battery gigafactory in Hungary. Rumor has it the Samsung battery has twice the life expectancy of the Panasonic/Tesla battery. Does anyone still believe Tesla will still be in Northern Nevada in 10 years Jessica Santina, Todd South, Luka Starmer, Brendan Trainor, Bruce Van Dyke, Allison Young 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. Editor Brad Bynum News Editor Dennis Myers Special Projects Editor Jeri Chadwell-Singley Arts Editor Kris Vagner Calendar Editor Kelley Lang Contributors Amy Alkon, Bob Grimm, Anna Hart, Ashley Hennefer, Shelia Leslie, Eric Marks,
Design Manager Lindsay Trop Art Directors Brian Breneman, Margaret Larkin 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 and Driver Denise Cairns Distribution Drivers Tracy Breeden, Alex Barskyy, Bob Christensen, Camilla Downs, Debbie Frenzi, Jennifer Gangestad, Vicki Jewell, Patrick L’Angelle, Marty Lane, Marty Troye, Gary White President/CEO Jeff VonKaenel Director of Nuts & Bolts Deborah Redmond Marketing/Promotions/Facilities Manager Will Niespodzinski Executive Coordinator Jessica Takehar Project Coordinator Natasha VonKaenel Director of People & Culture David Stogner
Director of Dollars & Sense 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, Jonathan Schultz System Support Specialist Kalin Jenkins N&R Publications Editor Michelle Carl N&R Publications Associate Editor Kate Gonzales N&R Publications Writer Anne Stokes
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Cover Design: Margaret Larkin
09.22.16
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