Letters

Tub o’ guts

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

I’m getting sick of repeating myself, but I turned 50 in March. That’s the trigger for many rites of passage, not the least fun of which is the colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy is a medical procedure where the doctor shoves a camera up your ass like four or five feet. Of course, it’s not as simple as that. I was on a liquid diet (no red or purple fluids) for 36 hours before the procedure. The night before, I had to drink two quarts of the laxative MoviPrep, which made me go big potty in ways that were both wondrous and disgusting.

The next morning, bright and early, my friend took me to meet the proctologist.

I guess the only thing that was less than routine was I refused anesthetic. I didn’t even know refusal was an option until the nurse mentioned it to me in passing. Then, full-court press: Two nurses and the doctor all tried to talk me into going to sleep.

Instead, I was awake through the whole thing. I got to watch the journey to the center of the Brian on a screen directly in front of my face. Totally cool and fascinating. It was about as uncomfortable as having crampy diarrhea. Absolutely no reason to go under.

I asked if I could video on my phone, and they told me I could not. Weird. It wasn’t a technical issue. It wasn’t for my safety. The fact that they were so insistent I should be asleep in combination with the refusal to let me video or even passively record brought out the skeptic in me.

It’s to protect the doctor in case something goes wrong. That’s the only thing I can figure. Insurance companies (or doctors) don’t want a record or even a lucid witness if a bowel gets punctured or an obvious polyp is missed.

Colonoscopies save lives. They cut the death rate from colorectal cancer by 53 percent in people whose physicians removed adenomatous polyps. My guts were clean, polyp-free and fresh as a spring rain.

—D. Brian Burghart brianb@newsreview.com

Angels in need

Angels in the Community, Inc. is a Nevada non-profit group, dedicated to serving the most basic needs of our community and run entirely by volunteers. We are a “new concept” food bank in one of the most povertystricken parts of Reno-Sparks. In April, we served 2,006 hungry men, women and children. An example of the need was last week, when a family came to us so hungry that we fed them right here at the office before sending them away with a care package. Packages typically contain fresh fruits and vegetables, generously given by Bonanza Produce. We also include frozen meat when we have it, packaged foods and cans, personal care items, milk and eggs from Model Dairy. Packages meet a family’s needs for several days, and they may return once every two weeks. Angels believes food that we receive free can be redistributed to needy families at no charge. We receive very generous donations from food suppliers, stores and individuals who believe in this system and want their gifts to go straight to those people in need. However, we do have transportation, utility, office supply and other expenses. So far we have had no formal fundraising, but we must soon start paying rent and other costs. We also have to pay minimal charges for some foodstuffs from time to time. To date, we have operated on less than $1,800 per month—not much, to feed 2,000 people. Without these funds, we cannot operate, and those in need must be sent away empty handed, and with empty bellies. Angels are seeking likeminded friends who agree that food given in charity can be distributed in charity. We need to raise funds to cover our expenses. These funds will be used purely and simply to feed hungry families, no frills. Will you please help us? To donate, please see www.angelsinthecommunityinc.com. Darlene Fox Reno

KNPB’s in the black

Re “I’m AWonderer” (Letters to the editor, April 19):

Richard Pugh references what he calls the “increasing number of commercials” on KNPB when the station is “so heavily federally funded.” Let me clarify: Federal funding makes up only 23 percent of KNPB’s operating budget this year. In fact, federal support for public radio and TVstations works out to a lavish $1.35 per taxpayer per year. Our station must raise the remaining 77 percent, which amounts to $2.7 million. KNPB is honored to have support from local entities whose announcements are seen in between programs. Those announcements are not commercials. Unlike commercials, PBS sponsor announcements may not contain cost/price information, calls to action or comparative/superlative language. KNPB also raises money through other avenues such as production work, onair membership drives, direct mail, special events and even our vehicle donation program. Thanks to our great community, KNPB is debt free and does not operate at a deficit. Kurt A. Mische President and CEO, KNPB-TV

Trouble at Tahoe

Re “Political science” (Green, May 3):

There is a serious conflict at Tahoe, but it is not between Nevada and California. It is between people who view Tahoe as a special natural area, to be conserved for the benefit of all according to the best available science, and people who view Tahoe as a great place to demonstrate the application of sustainable urbanization growth principles to casinos, ski areas and second-home development. The TRPA is fully aligned with the development community in supporting sustainable urbanization even if it negatively impacts conservation of the area’s natural values. The Compact, however, has prevented the agency from adopting its plan for taller and denser buildings, more roads and other paving, larger urban areas, etc. That is why TRPAis more than five years behind schedule —not to mention millions of dollars over budget—on its “Pathway 2007” process, which was supposed to be done by December 2006. And that is why John Lee’s campaign contributors put him to work eviscerating the Compact. When these supposedly “green” casinos, resorts, condo/apartment/timeshare complexes and subdivisions, etc. actually start getting built, people who love Tahoe will be appalled. The ensuing long-term deterioration in the natural resources of the area will waste public investments that have amounted to hundreds of millions of dollars over the past twenty years. Unless Lee Drozdoff and John Laird can lead a meaningful change in direction before it is too late, Lake Tahoe may well become just another casualty of America’s current political dysfunction—especially its campaign financing system. If we really care about sustainability and the interests of future generations, we should be reducing, not growing, the human footprint at Lake Tahoe.

Rochelle Nason Albany, Calif.

Ready for November?

About six months ago the City Council assured all of us that the baseball stadium payments that come from the special improvement district would not impact the general fund. Several Council members stated publicly that, in the case that there would not be enough revenue to make the payments, the taxpayer would not be forced to contribute and no money would come out of the general fund. Now we see in the news that the Council has authorized $75,000 from the general fund to make up for the missing payments.

Would you please take to task the City Council for their new agreement on this issue and making the citizens liable for the failure of revenue with the downtown special development districts? The last time I looked the city was out of cash and nearly broke, but suddenly they can find $75,000 to pay the colleagues of councilmembers Dortch and Gustin? In the Council meeting, the mayor and Dave Aiazzi both stated that if there was not enough money generated that it was a gamble that the ballpark took on. It now seems that with the conflict of interest of Dortch and Gustin and the other business interests that the councilmembers and their families have in the downtown area, we the taxpayers are being held financially hostage for their poor management decisions. Making the promised payments out of the general fund will have impacts on city operations, and if the money generated by the district wasn’t enough, and the original agreement stated that the ballpark would have to wait for the business to pick up, then they should be made to hold up their end of the lucrative deal they signed, just like you or I would have been made to do. Todd Melcher Reno

This kind of blight

I will be very surprised indeed, if this letter makes it into to your liberal-leftleaning-rag-mag, but nonetheless it’ll make me feel better submitting it. I live in northwest Reno, not too far from the Reno branch of the Welfare & Supportive Services Office, located in the Viewcrest Plaza shopping center. Unfortunately, I have to pass it each day on my way to work. And although I probably should be immune to this by now, it still never ceases to amaze me on how the entire parking lot is bursting at the seams whenever the office is open for business.

Not only does this present an absolute nightmare to any of the other businesses that have the misfortune of sharing the shopping center parking lot with this bloated welfaremonstrosity; but hard-working, tax-paying public must contend with either parking far away on a side street or dodging cars that are spilling out onto Kings Row and weaving through throngs of mostly overweight and/or expectant mothers running across McCarran Boulevard to stand in line to get their free entitlements for the week.

Now all the aforementioned I could (forcibly) stomach. After all, this is the new Obama-America we live in, even though I still secretly wish they’d relocate the entire office to—I don’t know —Sun Valley, maybe? But what truly ignites the fire in my belly is the amount of garbage, graffiti and general filth that surrounds the facility during its off hours, when the parking lot becomes an empty ghost town. This kind of blight should not be tolerated.

L. Bonito Reno

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THIS MODERN WORLD BY TOM TOMORROW

Sonic adults

Reno’s local music scene is probably the most vibrant it’s ever been. It seems to be reaching a point of critical mass, where we could finally have a nationally respected scene. We could even become a tourist destination for music akin to Seattle or Nashville. But city laws are hampering this potential by excluding adults under age 21 from most of the city’s music venues. Often, the most creative and passionate musicians are under 21. Reno’s message to them is, by “Stay home.”

Jon Cornell I was 19 years old when I first got into the Jon Cornell is a local Reno music scene. I once drove an hour to musician and lifelong Tahoe to listen to a local band, but I was turned

Reno native. away because the venue was not all-ages. So I listened to half the show with my ear pressed against the window, until the bar decided to break the law by letting me pay the cover charge and sit in the back. That should never have been illegal in the first place! Today, I play in two local bands with underage fans. They genuinely Have a comment? want to hear a home-grown alternative to manu-

Express your views factured corporate radio. They aren’t looking for in 475 words on an excuse to drink. But they’re excluded from, Ia local topic of interest. Send estimate, at least 80 percent of our shows. Reno laws bar “minors” aged 18 to 20 from an e-mail to entering almost any establishment that sells brianb@ alcohol. These laws were supposed to prevent newsreview.com. underage drinking but have been abject failures. Most minors drink. One study reports that 70 percent of underage University of Nevada, Reno students are drinkers. The drinking age is controversial, but exclusionary laws targeting adults under age 21 are another issue. This exclusion forces them into their own subculture, one that is, by necessity, criminal. It’s a subculture where drug and alcohol consumption takes place secretly, in dangerous environments. It is a subculture that fosters a distrust of law enforcement, often extending into adulthood. What else can you expect when police drive people from something as innocuous as a music performance? When young people are told that they can’t participate?

Thankfully, there are a small but growing number of Reno venues that are supportive of music for all ages. Several cafes and venues work hard to provide all-ages shows. But even many of these are hamstrung by our curfew laws. Reno is a late-night town; shows rarely start before 9 p.m. The city could extend the downtown curfew for minors by one hour, to midnight on weeknights and 1 a.m. on weekends.

Reno also needs new laws that allow any bar the option of letting minors come in and watch a band play. If we ever want Reno to be a tourist destination for music fans, the city should do everything it can to encourage local music. Despite its best intentions, though, by banning adult minors from anywhere alcohol is sold, all the city actually encourages is delinquency. Ω

What’s the appeal of biking?

Asked of bicyclists around Reno

John Oliveria

Golf store worker The good thing about it—saves gas money and no one’s in charge of where you go and what you do. I don’t have a car, but I prefer a bike anyway.

Amy Collins

Bike shop owner The appeal of bicycling is independence from always having to jump in your car. You can plan your trips appropriately on a bicycle and still do your grocery shopping. ... There are more bike lanes in town, it’s a little more bike-friendly town, more awareness going on in Reno with the RTC. And the other advantage is you meet other fun people on bikes like yourself.

John Bail

Retiree Mainly good health. It’s great to be out in the middle of nowhere. And you eat a lot of food [on long rides].

Archie Ervin

Student Exercise and the enjoying the nice weather. I don’t own a car. The bike serves a purpose, transportation. I enjoy it. It’s great to get out.

Antony Glaesma

Laminator operator Saves a lot on gas. You can take your bike on the bus. This is my regular form of transportation. I get myself to work, get myself to all the things I have to do. It’s kind of inconvenient if I need to go grocery shopping or something like that, but other than that ...

Itʼ s happening in !

Follow me to Sparks - where it’s happening now!

SMOKIN' BULLDOGS

Sa, 5/12, 8pm, no cover. Great Basin Brewing Co., 846 Victorian Ave., Sparks, NV 89431 / (775) 355-7711

BLUE HAVEN

Blues & fun! Sa, 5/12, 8pm, no cover. Grumpyís Sports Bar & Grill, 2240 Oddie Blvd., Sparks, NV 89431 / (775) 358-2316

STRANGEWORLD

Sa, 5/12, 9:30pm, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd., Sparks, NV 89434 / (775) 355-1030

BANJO AND FIDDLE WORKSHOP

Alan Jabbour and Ken Perlman will offer a banjo and a fi ddle workshop as part of the Nevada Arts Council a fi ddle workshop as part of the Nevada Arts Council Folklife Education Programs. W, 5/16, 4-6pm, Free. Folklife Education Programs. W, 5/16, 4-6pm, Free. Sparks Heritage Museum, 814 Victorian Ave., Sparks, NV 89431 / (775) 355-1144

DARREN RAHN

W, 5/16, 6pm, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks, NV 89431 / (775) 356-3300

ALAN JABBOUR AND KEN PERLMAN

The fi ddle and banjo duo present a program of old time tunes. W, 5/16, 7-10pm, Free. Sparks Heritage Museum, 814 Victorian Ave., Sparks, NV 89431 / (775) 355-1144

SCOT & SCOTT

Th, 5/17, 5:30PM, F, 5/18, 6PM and Sa, 5/19, 6PM, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775)3563300

SCHEELS RUNNING AND WALKING CLUB

Looking for a group of people to run with on a weekly basis? Join the Scheels Running Club today! Tu, 6:30PM through 11/27. Free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775)331-2700

ZUMBA FITNESS

Zumba is a way to burn calories that’s more like a dance party than an exercise routine. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:15-7:15PM. Designed for all levels, beginner to high fi tness. Bring workout shoes and water. $42 or $35/month for Sparks residents. Drop-in option, $6/class. Sparks Recreation Gym, 98 Richards Way.

INTERMEDIATE BLACKSMITHING

Build upon your blacksmithing skills while exploring a variety of techniques like piercing, tooling, using a striker, variety of techniques like piercing, tooling, using a striker, upsetting, slitting and punching. Tu, 6:30-8:30PM through upsetting, slitting and punching. Tu, 6:30-8:30PM through 5/15. Opens 3/20, $245. Sparks High School, 820 15th St. 5/15. Opens 3/20, $245. Sparks High School, 820 15th St. (775)829-9010 (775)829-9010

KARAOKE STEVE STARR KARAOKE STEVE STARR KARAOKE

M, 5/14, 8pm, No cover. Grumpyís Sports Bar & Grill, 2240 Oddie Blvd., Sparks, NV 89431 / (775) 358-2316 Oddie Blvd., Sparks, NV 89431 / (775) 358-2316

SPIRO’S

F, 9PM, no cover. 1475 E. Prater Way (775)356-6000 THE ROPER DANCEHALL & SALOON

Country music dance lessons and karaoke, Th, 7:30PM, no cover. 670 Greenbrae Dr. (775)742-0861 cover. 670 Greenbrae Dr. (775)742-0861

OPEN MIC

GREAT BASIN BREWING Open mic comedy. Th, 9PM, no cover, 846 Victorian Ave. (775)355-7711

KTMB GREAT TRUCKEE MEADOWS COMMUNITY CLEANUP!

Help to keep our community clean by clearing trash from outdoor recreation areas during the trash from outdoor recreation areas during the Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful Great Truckee Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful Great Truckee Meadows Community Cleanup! Sat, 5/12, 8:30AM to noon. Sparks cleanup areas include: Wedekind Park (off Pyramid Way & Disc Dr.), Kiley Ranch and Golden Eagle Park. (775)851-5185 or go to http://ktmb.org/volunteer-form/

KIDS ACTING

Learn to act while gaining self-confi dence and poise. Wednesdays, 4-5PM through 5/23. Register online. $45 for six classes. Alf Sorensen Community Center, 1400 Baring Blvd. (775)353-2385

CAR CRUISE NIGHTS

Every Thursday, bring your classic cars to show. Great food and a DJ for music. Summer fun and prizes. Th, 5/10, 5pm, Free. Grumpyís Sports Bar & Grill, 2240 Oddie Blvd., Sparks, NV 89431 / (775) 358-2316

ROSENDO & CECELIA

Th, 5/10, 5:30pm, F, 5/11, 6pm, Sa, 5/12, 6pm, Th, 6/14, 5:30pm, F, 6/15, 6pm and Sa, 6/16, 6pm, no cover. John Ascuagaís Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks, NV 89431 / (775) 356-3300

SCHEELS BIKING CLUB

Moderate to strong riders are encouraged to participate. Rides will vary from 20-30 miles. participate. Rides will vary from 20-30 miles. Participants will need to sign a liability form Participants will need to sign a liability form when they attend.... Th, 5:45pm through when they attend.... Th, 5:45pm through 9/27, Free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr., Sparks, NV 89434 / (775) 331-2700

FELIX AND THE NIGHTCATS

Th, 5/10, 7pm, F, 5/11, 8pm, Sa, 5/12, 8pm and Su, 5/13, 7pm, no cover. John Ascuagaís Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave., 7pm, no cover. John Ascuagaís Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks, NV 89431 / (775) 356-3300 Sparks, NV 89431 / (775) 356-3300

MUSIC AT THE MARINA

Sing for fun or compete for prizesódepending on the number of contestantsówith DJ John Graham every Thursday and of contestantsówith DJ John Graham every Thursday and

Friday night. Th, 9pm and F, 9pm, No cover charge.

Anchors Bar & Grill, 325 Harbour Cove Dr., Sparks, NV 89434-7859 / (775) 356-6888

LADIES 80’S NIGHT

Hosted by DJ BG. Th, 6-11PM, Trader Dick’s Lounge. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775)356-3300

PAUL COVARELLI

F, 5/11, 5:30pm and Sa, 5/12, 5:30pm, no cover. John Ascuagaís Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks, NV 89431 / (775) 356-3300

SMILE EMPTY SOUL

Also featuring THE VEER UNION and IONIA Tickets available at www.newoasisrenosparks.com. F, 5/11, 7:30pm, $7. New Oasis, 2100 Victorian Ave., Sparks, NV 89431 / (775) 359-4020

LAST STAND

Last Stand will make you fall in love with rock ëní roll again. Come see why everybody says ì man what are you doing here!î... F, 5/11, 9:30pm, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd., Sparks, NV 89434 / (775) 355-1030

JAZZ

With First Take, featuring Rick Metz. Th, F, Sa 6PM. Jazz, a Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr. (775)657-8659

WEEKEND JUMP-OFF PARTY

With DJ BG. F, Sa, 10PM, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775)356-3300

SPECIAL SUMMER EVENTS COMING UP IN SPARKS:

WHOLE FOODS HOMETOWNE FARMER’S MARKET presented by Crystal Bridges Enterprises (June 7th - August 23rd) NATIONAL CONCRETE CANOE COMPETITION RACES (June 14th - 16th) SPARKS XTREME BEACH SPORTS FESTIVAL (June 30th - July 1st) STAR SPANGLED SPARKS (July 4th) ARTS IN BLOOM (July 21st) REGIONAL CHILI COOK-OFF (July 23rd) SCHEELS KIDS’ TRIATHALON (July 28th)

SEND US YOUR SPARKS EVENTS!

E-mail to: Sparks@newsreview.com

GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY!

CITY OF SPARKS

Geno Martini - Mayor, Julia Ratti - Ward 1, Ed Lawson - Ward 2, Ron Smith - Ward 3, Mike Carrigan - Ward 4, Ron Schmitt - Ward 5, Shaun Carey - City Manager, Tracy Domingues - Parks & Recreation Director.

OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS

Judge Barbara S. McCarthy - Dept. 1, Judge Jim Spoo - Dept. 2, Chet Adams - City Attorney. Mayor and Council members can be reached at 353-2311

SPARKS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

745 Fourth St., Sparks

CITY OF SPARKS WEBSITES:

www.cityofsparks.com www.sparksrec.com www.sparksitshappeninghere.com

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

1420 Scheels Drive, Ste. 108

(next to Forever 21, Legends at Sparks Marina) 775-358-1976 www.thechambernv.org

THIS SECTION AND ITS CONTENTS ARE NOT FUNDED BY OR CREATED BY THE CITY OF SPARKS