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Nothing matters

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

Yesterday was “spring foward,” which is one of my favorite days of the year. My girlfriend hates it. She feels she loses an hour of sleep. In fact, she generally despises daylight saving time.

And if you were to believe the complaints you see on the internet, she’s in the majority, which is fine by me. I begin to question my mental acuity when I agree with the masses.

For me, I just love getting off from work and having it be broad daylight, and I look forward to the spring mornings when I can sit on the deck and watch the dawn. In fact, I count down the daily minutes as we approach daylight saving time. Some may not be aware of this, but as the planet wobbles south in the spring, we pick up a couple of minutes of sunlight at a regular rate every day.

But can I at least dispute the concept that seems so prevalent on the internet, that we somehow “lose” an hour of time when we switch to daylight saving?

Time is not what passes on the clock. Clocks are a more or less accurate measurement of the passage of time, but they are not time. Time is a dimension, and it exists whether we measure it or not. I suppose the whole concept of subjective time has a place in this, but in the scope of a human life, subjectivity changes with the moment of perception, therefore that ticking clock is the only one that matters—and even then, it only matters in the long haul.

Look at it this way. You’re going to get a certain number of hours in your life. What it says on the clockface is irrelevant to the amount of time you have. You could wear a broken watch for your whole life, and your life would be neither longer nor shorter because of it, although it might be a little bit kookier and richer if you wear a broken watch for 70 years or so. (And I’d just like to point out, if it’s digital, it won’t be right twice a day.)

But I’m a bit OCD, and I enjoy spending that part of the morning twice a year making sure all four clocks in the kitchen show the exact same moment in time. —D. Brian Burghart brianb@newsreview.com

Armed or dangerous

Re “Who watches the Watchers?” (Feature story, Feb. 27):

I am so glad that you wrote this article. I have been trying to encourage local media to cover these stories for two years! There was a police homicide in south Reno a year or so ago, and no one would ever answer the simplest question, “Was the man armed?” Also, I have met quite a few people downtown that have been physically assaulted by officers, but they do not know how to file a complaint, or they are too scared to. I am really looking forward to more articles.

Katie Colling Reno

Here’s the money!

Re “Show me the money!” (Feature story, March 6):

The story about paying college athletes neglected to consider another, much more desirable option. The purpose of colleges and universities are to train the minds of our citizens to think clearly, logically and to always pursue truth, wherever that path should take us. I love athletics, but we have lost our sense of priorities. Many fine schools have no varsity athletics at all; some are Division III (no scholarships) and some just have unfunded club sports.

Nevada schools should abandon varsity athletics and devote the resources and facilities to supporting the core function of colleges; research and teaching. Our citizens and students could get just as much joy from cheering for club teams, like our University of Nevada Lacrosse team, without all the ridiculous political intrigue created by the NCAA, federal intervention on behalf of women athletics or the greedy sports industry.

Your article lacked details about the actual costs versus benefits of maintaining Division I level programs here in Nevada. It is propaganda that D-I sports are a money maker for colleges. That is only true at a few major market teams. We could spend twice as much and double tuition—which is probably the long range plan—yet most Americans will still consider Nevada a good place to dump nuclear waste, or just another “flyover” state.

I think that Mackay Stadium and the associated athletic facilities should be razed and biological and engineering research facilities should take their place. Then, Americans would know Nevada as a center for top research and where many of the problems that face our society would be getting solved. Clairese Chennault Reno

Salty sunshine

Re “A place in the sun” (Notes from the Neon Babylon, March 6):

Aside from reducing our carbon footprint and thus being generally good for old Mother Earth, the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project has got to be good for the local economy, too. For example, with 600 or so construction workers camped out there on the desert, the “bunny ranches” have got to be doing a bang-up business. (Yeah, OK, pun intended.)

Gary Robertson Janesville, Calif.

Don’t tell me what to eat

Re “Goosed” (Green, March 6):

Why should anyone dictate what I can or can’t eat? Citing the shining California example as proof of the wisdom of the ban is hardly a supportable argument given our state is being populated by refugees from the great California lifestyle. Anyone arguing for such a food ban has obviously never seen a slaughter house, a fish farm, the raising of veal or the processing of poultry. If these zealots who want to tell me what I can or can’t eat want to make this a better world, they should focus on the starving children around the globe and less on ducks. And shame on the museum for bowing to the objections of such fringe groups that desire to undermine our simple freedoms by dictating our gastronomic habits. Jason Katz Reno

Tortured decisions

Re “Goosed” (Green, March 6):

The concern with foie gras is not about limiting or infringing upon people’s choices about what to eat. The concern with foie gras is about animal suffering and torture. It’s about inflicting unnecessary pain on ducks (Hudson Valley foie gras) for a gourmet delicacy. Forcefeeding ducks by shoving metal pipes down their throats and pumping in large quantities of corn-lard mixture up to several times a day is cruel. Many ducks don’t survive this harsh treatment. The ducks that do survive are subjected to two or three weeks of force-feeding and sheer misery while their livers enlarge to up to 10 times their normal size. Liver enlargement causes the ducks to be very sick as other organs are crowded in their bodies and they can’t breathe well. They are subjected to this torture, become very, very, sick and then they are killed. Do we really need to torture ducks to obtain their enlarged liver so we have something to pair with black truffles? Juliana Harris Reno

If I had a hammer

Re “Who watches the Watchers?” (Feature story, Feb. 27):

As long as our police are now hired based on their aggressive profiles, made to look military, given military training, military protocols, and military tools, a military response can be expected for almost anything. And this is becoming the public’s expectation of our police forces—police are the hammer, and everything looks like a nail. This expectation causes an immediate escalation of situations in the minds of both innocent and guilty citizens in tense situations that would otherwise never occur. Thus, their disposition is often provoked into a desperate or aggressive one as soon as a single police officer is visible. And often, police arrive in swarms—it’s procedure/protocol. The argument, “they were just following protocol” is used often by police officials in fatal shootings or abuse cases. These protocols need to change! Whoever are the wizards of these protocols are designing them as if the citizenry were the enemy, and our neighborhoods are a battlefield. SWAT-equipped police have no good sense or reason to be used to serve warrants. The purpose of local police forces has been perverted into something Orwellian. Thomas Hoops Reno

Lies lead to addiction

Re “Drug Prohibition Fuels Society’s Ills,” Feb. 20):

Cannabis (marijuana) prohibition and its conspirers increase hard-drug addiction rates.

Government claims heroin is no worse than cannabis and that methamphetamine and cocaine are less harmful by insisting cannabis is a Schedule I substance alongside heroin, while methamphetamine and cocaine are only Schedule II substances.

How many citizens tried cannabis and realized it is not nearly as dangerous as claimed and believed other substances must not be either only to find themselves addicted to hard drugs? Can the message from cannabis prohibitionists be any worse for vulnerable citizens? Stan White Dillon, Colo.

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. Editor/Publisher D. Brian Burghart News Editor Dennis Myers Arts Editor Brad Bynum Calendar Editor Kelley Lang Staff writer Sage Leehey Contributors Amy Alkon, Woody Barlettani, Laura Davis, Bob Grimm, Ashley Hennefer, Sheila Leslie, Dave Preston, Jessica Santina, Todd South, Brendan Trainor, 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 Manager/Ad Coordinator Karen Brooke Executive Assistant/Operations Coordinator Nanette Harker Distribution Manager Valerie Mets Distribution Drivers Trevor Bexon, Sandra Chhina, Ron Large, Joe Medeiros, Ron Neill, Andy Odegard, Jesse Pike, Martin Troye, Warren Tucker, Matthew Veach, Gary White, Joseph 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 email classifieds@ newsreview.com 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.

It’ s happening in

ACTIVITIES

RENO SKI & RECREATION CLUB

The Reno Ski and Recreation Club holds its general meeting. Hear the most current information about the Reno Ski & Recreation Club’s activities. Second Tu of every month, 6PM. Free. Cantina Los Tres Hombres, 926 Victorian Ave.(775) 356-6262

CROCHET CONNECTION

Learn to crochet or share tips with other crochet enthusiasts. Th, 4-5:45PM, free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway, Spanish Springs. (775) 424-1800

EZ PICK BAREROOT FRUIT TREES

Presented by James Sho and L.E. Cooke. You can have an orchard in even the smallest areas with these specially trained varieties. Learn how to... Sa, 3/15, 11AM & 1PM. free Rail City Garden Center, 1720 Brierley Way. (775) 3551551

SPARKS SHAMROCK SHUFFLE 5K FUN RUN

A St. Patrick’s Day celebration run in downtown Sparks. Wear your best leprechaun outfit, paint yourself green, or just show off the “Irish” in you! Sa, 3/15, 1PM, $30 adults, $25 for youth age 19 and younger. Victorian Square, Victorian Ave., Sparks

SCHEELS KIDS KLUB: LEPRECHAUN LUCK!

Join the Scheels crew as they magically turn kids into leprechauns! We will create crafts and follow the rainbow to a pot of gold. M, 3/17, 6PM free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr., (775) 331-2700

ROSE PRUNING

Presented by Pawl Hollis. Learn pruning and general care of all types of roses for beautiful blooms for years to come. Sa, 3/22, 11AM & 1PM. free. Rail City Garden Center, 1720 Brierley Way. (775) 355-1551

GETTING CONTROL OF PESTS EARLY

Presented by Pawl Hollis. Learn the most up-to-date information on how to control insects, rodents and weeds in your yard. Sa, 3/22, 11AM & 1PM, free. Rail City Garden Center, 1720 Brierley Way. (775) 355-1551

SCHEELS RUNNING CLUB

Run with expert pacers and enjoy running in a group as we join the Reno Running & Fitness Tuesday night group runs. Tu, 6:30PM through 12/9. free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr., (775) 331-2700

CLICKETS KNITTING GROUP

Jean Peters guides this class for knitters of all ages and levels. Yarn and needles are available. First and Third Su of every month, 1:30-3PM, free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway, Spanish Springs (775) 424-1800

WOMEN’S DEFENSIVE TACTICS

Designed to build confidence through the knowledge gained by training in such techniques as Jeet Kune Do and Judo. Tu, 7-8:30PM through 12/31, $25 a month. Osk Training, 636 Greenbrae Dr. (775) 343-2526

CONVERSATION CORNER

Washoe County Library presents a series of English language learning sessions. The group will practice speaking English around various scenarios that the average person encounters. W, 4:30-6PM. free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200

FOUR SEASONS BOOK CLUB

The book club meets the first Saturday of each month. Call to find out each month’s book title. First Sa of every month, 1-2PM, free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200

PERFORMANCE AND MUSIC

LIVE MONDAYS WITH TANY JANE

Open mic night every Monday at 8PM, hosted by Tany Jane. M, 8PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

ERIKA PAUL

Enjoy Louisiana-style food and the soulful, breathtaking jazz sounds of Erika Paul on keyboards and vocals. No cover. Th, 6PM, no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr. (775) 657-8659

BLACK AND BLUES JAM

Tu, 8:30PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

OPEN JAM WITH TAZER AND FRIENDS

W, 8PM. no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

BILL DAVIS

Sa, 6PM. no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr. (775) 657-8659

STRANGEWORLD

Sa, 3/15, 9:30PM. no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

HOT ROD FRANKENSTEIN & RUMBLE

Rockabilly good time with HRF & Rumble St.Paddy’s Day weekend! Come join the fun! Sa, 3/15, 8:30PM. no cover. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave. (775) 358-5484

BIG E APPRECIATION PARTY: ELECTRIC WONDERLAND

Su, 3/16, 3PM. no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

KEVIN TOKARZ

W, 3/19, 6PM. no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

THE KARAOKE BAR

Wi-Fi Jukebox. Karaoke starts at 9PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. doors 6PM. Happy hour from 6 to. F-Su through 12/31, No cover. The Karaoke Bar, 2140 Victorian Ave. (775) 313-2772

LIVE JAZZ

Vocal and instrumental jazz from “The Great American Songbook”, performed by First Take featuring Rick (SAX) Metz. Fridays, 6PM through 12/27, no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr.(775) 657-8659

KARAOKE

Th-Sa, 9PM, no cover. Bottom’s Up Saloon, 1923 Prater Way (775) 359-3677

THis secTion is pRoViDeD as a pUBlic seRVice BY THe Reno neWs & ReVieW anD is noT FUnDeD oR aFFiliaTeD WiTH THe ciTY oF spaRKs