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Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review. It feels kind of weird to be on the leading edge of something, but having my electric car feels that way. You know me: I’m about as hip as your grandma. After I wrote about Harrah’s new charging stations, I got an email from Circus Circus that they are also adding charging stations. I doubt the two installations are related, but three incidents make a pattern. Krystal Pyatt, Circus Circus publicity person, tells me they’re adding four stations, 240 volt, on the ground floor of the north parking garage. Circus Circus has some restrictions. For example, it’s only for guests, but I’m not quite sure what their definition of guest is. According to Pyatt: “Guests will be allowed to charge for a maximum of four hours. To do so they will acquire a parking pass from the front desk. The whole process will be free as an added value to Circus Circus Reno customers.” While I think it’s great that Circus Circus is adding green amenities, I’m not sure about the logic of the restrictions. It’s free parking in the garage, right? I think the idea behind the free parking is that people who park there are more likely to eat and gamble in the casino— the idea behind all amenities casinos offer. But electric cars are mainly commuter cars. That suggests, the drivers are not coming from Sacramento or probably even Fallon. That means, it’s people from Reno who are using them, not people who are staying in the hotel. The majority of people using “outside” chargers are just using them for convenience when parking. I’m just trying to put myself in a gambler’s seat, but it seems to me if I’m at Circus Circus for four hours, and then I have to leave to move my car, I’d probably just leave. At any rate, that’s one of the exciting things with disruptive innovation, you don’t know how things will work out. One of these casinos in town will figure out the best practice, and then probably everyone will emulate it. All I know is that while I’m really pleased with my decision to go electric, I’ve still got a pretty long stretch before I’d call me hip.
Re “The showgirl must go on” (Feature story, Dec. 5): Vegas showgirl, burlesque, magician’s assistant, ballroom show dancer, Disney chorus dancer, cruise ship musical theater are all what I do. From Miami to Philly to Los Angeles, I’ve performed for corporate, industrial and private events. As an entertainer, you can not rest on what you already know. You need to change with the times and update your look and style to fit the current market. When there are lulls in shows for dancers, I work as a model and promotions girl and even go-go dance (when they are hiring actual dancers). While the classic showgirl has its place in Reno history, evolution is necessary to remain competitive in the entertainment market. The waves of style cycle through traditional showgirls, sexed-up Vegas, Cirque du Soliel (or their knock offs), burlesque (modern/traditional), amped up illusion and magic, comedy/improv/ impersonators, the occasional ice show and Broadway style. Even with Disney Entertainment, amazing shows come and go for budgetary reasons, but undoubtedly when revenue returns so do long running, high quality shows. What’s hot in a casino showroom is dictated by what’s bringing in the bucks. Marketing and a reasonable budget are the key to the success of any show on the casinos’ end. The producer must be creative, experienced, easy to work with and smart. It’s only wise, for these casino properties to be frugal with their entertainment budgets until there are discerning customers requiring top rate shows. With increase in showroom attendance the demand will be great once again. So thank you to all the local entertainment companies and casinos making the effort to stay in the game and regain the quality of Reno’s entertainment history with a modern and sophisticated twist. There are professional performers of all styles in town and willing to relocate here, if and when the show market picks back up. Jennifer Oropeza Reno
As I am writing this, the 4-year-olds in Congress (the Republicans) are still making threats: If you don’t do things the way we want, we are going to be bad! We are going to cause trouble, and we are going to shut things down! We are in the majority so we are in control, so you must do things our way! I have a solution: Throw out every tea party nutcase, and every other Republican, too. Vote the straight Democratic ticket. Brad MacKenzie Reno
Re “Winter guide” (Feature story, Dec. 12): There is a tie-in between the Winter Guide and the Art of the State feature about mining. The historic Longboard Ski Race Series at Johnsville, Calif., Plumas-Eureka State Park revives the colorful days when hardy pioneers braved the slopes on massive handmade skis. It is said that the first ski lift (or at least tow) was an ore bucket line rigged up outside on a hill. Downhillers used a single pole (to stop with) and greased their boards with “dope.” Check out this unique event this winter. Steve Klutter Sun Valley
Our Mission To publish great newspapers that are successful and enduring. To create a quality work environment that encourages people to grow professionally while respecting personal welfare. To have a positive impact on our communities and make them better places to live.
Buck up, big guy Re “Bad sport” (Notes from the Neon Babylon, Nov. 7): Bruce Van Dyke needs to buck up. He needs to use his political correct mentality when he has an exposed live wire. I’m compelled to comment after his rant concerning the Bowl Championship Series replacement panel. His words make him sound like a racist womanhater. Is he evolving into a tea party guy, one of the ones he has been educating us about for the past couple of years? John Whitaker Reno
Hide your shame Re “The doctor won’t see you now” (Feature story, Nov. 28): You should be ashamed of yourself for presenting such a sketchy article that involves two doctors and very little verifiable statistics. You want to scare a lot of old people. Shame, shame. John Bogdovitz Reno Editor’s note: This is the letter that got inadvertantly cut off in our Dec. 5 issue.
Editor/Publisher D. Brian Burghart News Editor Dennis Myers Arts Editor Brad Bynum Calendar Editor Kelley Lang Editorial Intern Sage Leehey Contributors Amy Alkon, Chanelle Bessette, Megan Berner, Mark Dunagan, Bob Grimm, Ashley Hennefer, Sheila Leslie, Dave Preston, Jessica Santina, K.J. Sullivan, Kris Vagner, Bruce Van Dyke, Allison Young
Creative Director Priscilla Garcia Art Director Hayley Doshay Junior Art Director Brian Breneman Design Vivian Liu, Serene Lusano, Marianne Mancina, Skyler Smith Advertising Consultants Meg Brown, Gina Odegard, Bev Savage Senior Classified Advertising Consultant Olla Ubay Office/Distribution Manager/ Ad Coordinator Karen Brooke Executive Assistant/Operations Coordinator Nanette Harker
—D. Brian Burghart
We see what you’re doing there Re “The high cost of safety” (Let Freedom Ring, Dec. 12): Brendan Trainor’s anti-regulation column was good as far as it went, but he could have mentioned the practical aspects. The bald eagle would even be more revered, because unregulated pesticides would have killed it off decades ago. Instead of trying to prevent Cuyahoga River fires, the volatiles should burn out naturally. Flames are very purging. Most importantly, unemployment would be much lower, especially in the higher risk, higher paying jobs. No workplace protections would mean more turnover and advancement opportunities. Fred Hinners Reno
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NEWS
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GREEN
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FEATURE STORY
Editor’s note: Among the inaccuracies in your letter, the RN&R was not the perp’s last known occupation. Nobody at this newspaper should have been associated with Riggs’ brutal crimes, and I don’t feel any sense of guilt or contrition for something I had nothing to do with. You’re arguing both that we were his last occupation and that he couldn’t be fired because he didn’t work for us. I feel nothing but sympathy for the victims. Riggs got what he deserved.
More shame
Bank holidays
Re “Headlines” (Editor’s note, Dec. 12): Certainly we can all concede that the Reno News & Review is the real victim in all this tragedy. Not a demon? He not only raped two women but strangled them as well. Forty years is not a light sentence. Perhaps you should’ve used this space to be a little more contrite or sympathetic for the victims. Rape
Re “The high cost of safety” (Let Freedom Ring, Dec. 12): Deregulating the banks didn’t turn out so well (for most of us). Please check out the following article. http:// www.regblog.org/2013/04/03-lorbereconomic-growth-paper.html. John McTigue Sparks
Assistant Distribution Manager Ron Neill Distribution Drivers Sandra Chhina, Ron Large, Joe Medeiros, Jesse Pike, Martin Troye, Warren Tucker, Matthew Veach, Gary White, Joseph White, Sam White General Manager/Publisher John D. Murphy President/CEO Jeff vonKaenel Chief Operations Officer Deborah Redmond Human Resource Manager Tanja Poley Business Manager Grant Ronsenquist
Business Nicole Jackson, Tami Sandoval Systems Manager Jonathan Schultz Systems Support Specialist Joe Kakacek Web Developer/Support Specialist John Bisignano 708 North Center Street Reno, NV 89501 Phone (775) 324-4440 Fax (775) 324-4572 Classified Fax (916) 498-7940 Mail Classifieds & Talking Personals to N&R Classifieds, Reno Edition, 1015 20th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 or e-mail classifieds@ newsreview.com
brianb@ ne wsreview . com
OPINION
victims get raped and then immediately go on trial themselves before their victim does (if he ever does). Was strangulation rape one of the “ethical violations” for which he was made redundant? Can you technically really fire a freelancer, since they do not really work for you? I think what you’re trying to say is that he was a dorky kid who wore glasses and thought he could rap, more likely it seemed to be caught peeping in windows late at night than brutally attacking two women. And that’s a key here—the attacks must have been brutal to have them go through such humiliation of a trial and for him to get 40 years in prison. As far as I know, it’s pretty standard AP style to list the perp’s last known occupation in the headline. I don’t think “Goofy Wannabe Rapper Sentenced to ...” would’ve been as accurate. You feel some sense of guilt and are really lousy at admitting it. You did a huge disservice to the real victims by putting your head in your hands and worrying about the sanctity of your newspaper. Shame! William Ashbless Fallon
Web site www.newsreview.com Printed by Paradise Post The RN&R is printed using recycled newsprint whenever available. Editorial Policies Opinions expressed in the RN&R are those of the authors and not of Chico Community Publishing, Inc. Contact the editor for permission to reprint articles, cartoons or other portions of the paper. The RN&R is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. All letters received become the property of the publisher. We reserve the right to print letters in condensed form.
Cover & Feature story design: Brian Breneman
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ARTS&CULTURE
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ART OF THE STATE
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FOODFINDS
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FILM
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MUSICBEAT
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NIGHTCLUBS/CASINOS
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THIS WEEK
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MISCELLANY
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DECEMBER 19, 2013
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RN&R
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