Letters

Go ask Alice

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

Pets bring a lot of joy into people’s lives, don’t they?

My pets, on the other hand, are like children—somebody else’s children, those obnoxious, whiny, undisciplined children that actually make you avoid their families. That’s a truer simile than I intended when I typed it, since my beloved cat, Prometheus, finally got fed up with my dogs and moved next door to the Polahas. Kelly’s cats moved in with a pack of coyotes to avoid them a year ago.

I have two dogs, Alice and Charlie. Alice is around 15 years old, still spry, but she’s been as dumb as a bag of boxes since the day she was born. She was always the sweetest thing, a rescue dog, but she’s 15 years old, and she’s still surprised at her own poop’s spontaneous generation. At least she’s surprised outside.

I don’t believe that old saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Alice has learned a great new one. She calls it, “Harassing the skunk.” She doesn’t get close enough to this skunk that’s been hanging around the neighborhood to get sprayed. I think she learned from the first time that that’s an extended and painful experience. No, she likes to get close enough that she can just run through the wafted spray. It’s not quite bad enough—in comparison to the greater cloud of fumes the skunk emits—that I can quite tell that she got got. Until the next day, that is, when the microscopic mist has filled the lower half of my house. She’s performed this act two out of the last four times that the skunk has shown up.

She got me again this morning. The living room smells like the aftermath of an electrical fire. I’m all out of Summer’s Eve, and since it’s 5 a.m., I can’t just run up to Scolari’s to grab some feminine product. (In my experience, Summer’s Eve and a shampoo is the only treatment that actually eliminates the odor; it’s far better than tomato juice or lemon.) I guess I’ll run up before I go to work, but I didn’t really need my Monday to start like this.

And did I ever ever tell you about the time that it cost me $150 to find out that Charlie was sad? —D. Brian Burghart brianb@newsreview.com

What about Rob?

I have enjoyed your paper for many years, usually reading it from cover to cover, and over again too. You have more in your paper that relates to my life and area then any TV news I have ever seen. Now my guilty little pleasure, the place I go to first thing, is the horoscope. I smile now just thinking of it. I could write a whole letter just about my enjoyment of the horoscopes you print but the point of this letter would suffer. To get to that point ... I have signed up for your newsletter as I find I am house-bound for hopefully just a small amount of time. The same stories and such I have found, but imagine my horror at my horoscope! What has happened to the horoscope that seems to be written just for me? Please give me the same horoscope all the other readers are getting? Dawn Hillman Reno Editor’s note: We don’t publish the horoscope because we want to have things that are exclusive to the print edition, but you can find it elsewhere online if you just do a web search.

Six million jobs

Re “Nevada owned and operated by business” (Left Foot Forward, Sept. 4):

Well, Sheila Leslie forgot one industry to add in Nevada Inc. Although they’re not in business yet in Nevada, Sheila Leslie should add the auto industry to that list, more specifically, Tesla. She should start nagging now how the tax breaks they’re going to get are unfair to Nevadans. Samuel Thickering Reno

Show me the money

Re “Shakedown” (Feature story, Sept. 11):

I was informed that Panasonic is the real money behind this move! So, where are our taxes going? Where is the real money coming from? H. Salinger Reno

Darn it!

Re “Damn those typos” (Letters to the Editor, Sept. 25):

Actually, Bonanza premiered September 12, 1959.

Chic DiFrancia Virginia City Editor’s note: First we claimed it was 1950, then we claimed it was 1960. We’re now saying that IMDB, Wikipedia and our reader, Chic DiFrancia, say it was Sept. 12, 1959. We’re going with that. Sorry about the layers of confusion we’ve caused.

Double action

Re “Return of the Messenger” (Feature story, Oct. 2):

After reading your article on Gary Webb, I was saddened to see his cause of death once again listed as suicide. Really? this man uncovers a drug-running scandal that winds up implicating two former presidents and our intelligence-gathering apparatus and then takes his life by shooting himself twice with a .38 revolver? Again, really? The Mockingbird machinery is obviously still in place and well oiled. I’m sure you’re aware the first shot exited through his lower left jaw. Please show on a diagram an angle how this is possible without it being a ridiculously counter intuitive way to hold a weapon. To the other readers out there, stand in front of a mirror pretending to hold a revolver and try to find a believable way to to make that first shot. It doesn’t work. What more can be said, other than “the mighty Wurlitzer plays on.” Robert Franklin Sun Valley

Profanity fails

Re “He probably means ‘Fred’” (Letters to the Editor, Oct. 2):

Your Fox News/Rush Limbaughstyle response to Fred Speckmann’s valid point about your choice to use the F-word in your paper was surprising, since Fred never indicated that he wanted to restrict your right to express yourself the way you choose. Nor did he attempt to tell you how to say anything. He merely and maturely pointed out for your intelligent consideration what many of your readers already agree with, that F-bombs are almost always unnecessary. They usually come off as adolescent and shrill, and most often demean the story. My biggest problem with swear words in newspapers is that they set a bad example for young readers, who should be encouraged by example to seek more graceful and less boorish ways to express themselves in writing. T. Alan Moore Reno Editor’s note: Making the claim that they aren’t concerned about what is said but with how it’s said is nearly as hallowed a tradition among censors as restricting civil rights to “protect the children.” You should know this because both have been used so effectively against reggae music because of its promotion of drugs. You’ll also remember how conservatives tried to undermine women’s arguments after the Hobby Lobby decision by complaining about their “tone.” If Fred Speckmann wants to maturely complain and call us names to support his argument, that’s fine by us, but it certainly can undermine his ability to make his voice heard by the people he hopes will publish his complaints.

Did that work?

If any of your readers feel they were cited unlawfully during the last crosswalk sting here in Fernley, this is their defense. If you were cited because the shill, a sheriff posing as a pedestrian, crossed on the opposite side of the road from where you were traveling, cite this NRS to the judge.

NRS 484B.283 1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 484B.287, 484B.290 and 484B.350: (a) When official traffic-control devices are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-ofway, slowing down or stopping if need be so to yield, to a pedestrian crossing the highway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the highway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the highway as to be in danger. (b) A pedestrian shall not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield. Russ Gronert Reno

The great and powerful

Re “Running is a capital crime?” (Notes From The Neon Babylon, Sept. 25):

According to NOAA, the concentration of CO2 at Mauna Loa monitoring station passed 350 ppm around 1990: http://www.esrl.noaa. gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/ Allowing for unequal global distribution, let’s bump that date up to 1997 or so, to be on the safe side, or about 17 years ago. As has been widely (if reluctantly) accepted by even the “experts,” global temperatures have been flat for over 17 years. If the “experts” did not acknowledge this, why are they wringing their hands and running around in circles trying to explain “The Pause”?

Since CO2 has climbed like a homesick angel since 1997, yet global temperatures have not, isn’t it time he started to wonder if those “world’s leading climatologists” might not be wrong. Or (worse) know they’re wrong but cannot now climb down and admit it—and pass up all the “green” research money being showered on them? Bruce Van Dyke is a smart fellow. He should start peeking behind the curtain. He might learn that there’s far more to AGW than pure “science.” Brian Adams Reno

Corrections

Re “Swank” (Arts & Culture, Oct. 2): Red Chair store owner Aaryn Walker’s first name was misspelled in the story. She’s Aaryn, not Arryn.

Re “Melt with you” (Foodfinds, Oct. 2):

We misidentified the author this story. It was written by food reviewer Todd South, not raging narcissist Brad Bynum.

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, Bob Grimm, Ashley Hennefer, Sheila Leslie, Eric Marks, 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 Production Coordinator Skyler Smith Design Melissa Bernard, Brad Coates, Kyle Shine Advertising Consultants Joseph “Joey” Davis, Gina Odegard, Bev Savage Senior Classified Advertising Consultant Olla Ubay Office Manager/Ad Coordinator Karen Brooke Executive Assistant/Operations Coordinator Nanette Harker Distribution Director Greg Erwin Distribution Manager Anthony Clarke Distribution Drivers Sandra Chhina, Steve Finlayson, Debbi Frenzi, Vicky Jewell, Joe Medeiros, Ron Neill, Christian Shearer, Marty Troye, Warren Tucker, Gary White, Joseph White, Margaret Underwood General Manager/Publisher John D. Murphy President/CEO Jeff vonKaenel Chief Operations Officer Deborah Redmond Human Resource Manager Tanja Poley Business Manager Grant Rosenquist Business Nicole Jackson, Tami Sandoval Sweetdeals Coordinator Alicia Brimhall Nuts & Bolts Ninja Christina Wukmir Lead Technology Synthesist Jonathan Schultz Senior Support Tech Joe Kakacek Developer John Bisignano System Support Specialist Kalinn Jenkins 405 Marsh Ave., Third Floor Reno, NV 89509 Phone (775) 324-4440 Fax (775) 324-4572 Classified Fax (916) 498-7940 Mail Classifieds to 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.

Itʼ s happening in !

ACTIVITIES

THINK PINK GIRL POWER!

Registration: No registration is required. Join Scheels and the Lean Lemon Fitness & Nutrition Company as we show you fun ways to live an active and healthy lifestyle! Healthy snacks, lemonade and water will be available! Th, 10/9, 4-6PM, free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700

SPACE TALK: ANIMALS IN SPACE

Listen to local experts speak about “Animals in Space” and the Nevada Field Laboratory, where vital engines were tested locally for the Gemini Lunar Module, Apollo and Space Shuttle programs. Admission price includes admission to museum and lectures. Purchase tickets in advance at nevadachallenger.org or at the door. Th, 10/9, 6:30PM, $10 includes admission to museum and lectures. Sparks Heritage Museum, 814 Victorian Ave. (775) 355-1144

RE-OPENING TOUR OF CHALLENGER CENTER

The Challenger Learning Center of Northern Nevada has partnered with the Washoe County School District to create the fi rst Challenger Learning Center in Nevada, located at Sparks High School. Committed to STEM education, we make learning math and science fun with hands-on activities and missions for groups! Take a pre-opening tour of our Space Station and Mission Control simulators and fi nd a seat on our Advanced Spacefl ight Laboratory shuttle. After your tour, we will be screening a large-format NASA-based space fi lm for free! Refreshments available. Information and reservations at www.nevadachallenger.org F, 10/10, 6:30PM, $10 donation for tour. Challenger Learning Center of Northern Nevada, 820 15th St. (775) 830-5295

TREK BREAST CANCER AWARENESS BIKE RIDE

Please join us for our 9th Annual Ride as we ride to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and to help fund a cure. Sa, 10/11, 8AM. $40 for an individual $120 for a family of four. 100% of the proceeds will go to breast cancer research. Please go to http://www.scheels.com/ events to register. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700

HOW IS SCHEELS FUDGE MADE?

Join us in Gramma Ginna’s to learn all about how our delicious Scheels fudge is made, and then create your own fl avor to take home! M, 10/13, 6pm, free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700

ULTRA4 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2014

King of the Hammers cars return to Reno! ULTRA4 Racing returns for the 2014 Nitto Tire National Championship the weekend of Oct. 17-18. More than 90 vehicles in fi ve classes are committed to racing in the championship at Wild West Motorsports Park. The 2014 ULTRA4 annual awards banquet will be held at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa immediately following the race. F, 10/17, 8AM and Sa, 10/18, 8AM-6PM, $25-$85. Wild West Motorsports Park, 12005 East Interstate 80 (775) 323-2977

NEVADA HUMANE SOCIETY DOGTOBERFEST

Are you ready to adopt a homeless cat or dog and give them a second chance? Nevada Humane Society is hosting DOGtoberfest on October 17 through 19 as part of the ASPCA’s Mega Match-a-thon weekend presented by Subaru, and they would love to match YOU up with the perfect fourlegged friend. Who will you take home? To learn more, please visit NevadaHumaneSociety.org F, 10/17, 11AM-4PM, Sa, 10/18, 11AM-4PM and Su, 10/19, 11AM-4PM No fee to attend.Outlets at Sparks, 1310 Scheels Dr. (775) 358-3800

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, upcoming trips and activities. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month. For socializing and dinner, members start arriving around 6pm. Meeting begins at 7pm. Second Tu of every month, 6PM, free. Cantina Los Tres Hombres, 926 Victorian Ave. (775) 356-6262

SCHEELS RUNNING CLUB

Run with expert pacers and enjoy running in a group. Tu, 6:30PM through 12/9, free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700

CROCHET CONNECTION

Learn to crochet or share tips with other crochet enthusiasts. Th, 4-5:45PM, free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway. (775) 424-1800 FOUR SEASONS BOOK CLUB The book club meets the fi rst Saturday of each month. Call to fi nd out each month’s book title. First Sa of every month, 1-2PM, free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200

CONVERSATION CAFE

The drop-in conversation program meets on the fi rst Saturday of each month, 2-4PM, free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200

FOOD TRUCK DRIVE-IN

Food Truck Drive-In comes to Victorian Square on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month through October. 5PM to 9PM. Enjoy the fi nest in mobile cuisine including Hawaiian fusion, desserts, hot dogs, pulled pork nachos and much more! After dinner, head to Saint Mary’s Ampitheater for a free movie at 8PM. This week’s movie (October 11) is Despicable Me. Victorian Square, Victorian Ave, free.

CLICKETS KNITTING GROUP

This class is 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

PERFORMANCE AND MUSIC

YOU MATTER - THE TOUR WITH FOR KING & COUNTRY

Coming to the Reno Area, KLOVE Radio Presents: the YOU MATTER TOUR featuring For King & Country. Join us for a spectacular show! Th, 10/9, $10-30. Doors open at 6PM, concert starts at 7PM. Sparks Christian Fellowship, 510 Greenbrae Dr. For more information about this activity, contact Jonathan Velasquez at (775) 750-4431

BLACKWATER

W-Sa, 7PM through 10/11, no cover. JA Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave.(775) 356-3300

CHEECH & CHONG WITH WAR

Sa, 10/11, 8PM, $65-$69. JA Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

CARMAN LIVE IN CONCERT

The NO PLAN B Tour featuring CARMAN is coming to the Reno Area! Join us for a great night of worship and praise at The Rock Church of Sparks. Doors open at 6pm, worship starts at 7pm. Th, 10/16, 7PM, $18-$25. The Rock Church, 4950 Vista Blvd. (775) 355-7888

MIDNIGHT RIDERS

W-Sa, 7PM through 10/18. Opens 10/15, no cover. JA Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

ACOUSTIC WONDERLAND

This is a singer/song writer Showcase. Come down to Paddy’s and bring your acoustic instruments. Sign ups are at 7:30PM and music begins at 8PM. M-Su, 8PM. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave. (775) 358-5484

DJ RAZZ

Come dance the night away to DJ RAZZ! You can even karaoke if you like. Ladies Night every Friday night. Drink Specials all night. F, 9PM. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave. (775) 358-5484

BIKINI BULL RIDING

DJ and Bikini Bull Riding Competition. Su, 5 & 9PM through 12/28, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

LOCALS NIGHT

Locals Night, DJ. M, 5PM through 12/29, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300 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

CLASSIC ROCK NIGHT

Classic rock night with DJ. Tu, 5PM through 12/30, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

OPEN JAM WITH TAZER & FRIENDS

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

LADIES NIGHT & TOUGHEST COWBOY

Ladies Night w/live music and Toughest Cowboy Competition. DJ breaks until midnight. W, 7 & 9PM through 12/31, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

A SINGERS-SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE

Bring yourself, your instrument and your song. We look forward to hearing and seeing you there! Th, 8PM through 12/18, no cover. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave. (775) 358-5484

LIVE MUSIC & LATE NIGHT DJ

Live music with late-night DJ. Sa, 5PM-2AM & 7PM-midnight through 12/27, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

KARAOKE

KARAOKE WITH ERNESTO

Great new karaoke venue in the Legends shopping center. You’re welcome to bring your own CD+G disc to play your songs (KJ discretion). Karaoke service by Ernesto representing Serano Entertainment. Show ends promptly at midnight, so come early to sing. Drop by and say hi, for those who know me from my karaoke events. I look forward to meeting new singers. F, 9PM through 10/24, no cover. CBQ, 1330 Scheels Dr. (775) 359-1109

KARAOKE COMES TO SIDELINES

Every Monday Night!!! M, 8PM. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

KARAOKE WITH BOBBY DEE

Tu, 8PM, no cover. Morelli’s G Street Saloon, 2285 G St. (775) 355-8281a

KARAOKE

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