Letters

Officer down

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Carson City deputy sheriff Carl Howell, who was killed by a criminal with a gun. It’s horrible, and everyone who knew Howell is going to be sad for a long time. There are no words to express our community’s loss.

Because of my association with FatalEncounters.org, I’m often asked to talk about police-linked violence. More often, it’s violence in the other direction, but reporters also ask me to comment on violence

against police.

After looking at more than 8,000 incidents where a police officer killed someone, I can tell you, the vast majority of these deaths are a bad guy with a gun who forces the officer to defend himself or herself.

And of the 20 police officers who’ve been killed this year, they’re all victims in situations where they went in to do the job that society demands they do. There are just so many seemingly random acts of violence committed against police because they’re there, trying to do a job but vulnerable to instantaneous situational changes for which they could not prepare.

I couldn’t do it. I could not go to work under that kind of stress. These situations are not as portrayed in the movies, where there’s some appearance of fair play, like a gunfight at the OK Corral. Time and time again the officer pulls somebody over, a simple traffic issue, and the driver or a passenger pulls out a gun and starts shooting. There’s no warning, no preparation.

It’s a vicious cycle in this country. Cops I know all support the Second Amendment; it’s the law. The NRA tells us that we’ll be safer when there are guns everywhere. But in so many of these incidents where the law enforcement officer gets gunned down, the gun was only in the criminal’s hand because guns are ubiquitous. There are already 310 million guns in a nation with 319 million people. The facts aren’t out, but I know in my heart that it’s going to turn out that Jonathon Pope should not have had a gun because of earlier violent or drug or alcohol-related issues. —D. Brian Burghart brianb@newsreview.com

Can’t evolve

Re “Loaded argument” (Notes from the Neon Babylon, Aug. 6):

Bruce Van Dyke’s “Loaded Argument” hit the nail on the head! Some people just can’t move on. They are destined to be living in the past until the day they die. So sorry for the rest of us.

Marcia Cuccaro Carson city

Express gratitude

When we talk about health care, it’s important to remember that even though more Americans have health insurance coverage these days, millions of people still struggle to find a place to go for regular preventative care. A key part of the solution lies in our nation’s Community Health Centers, which have provided quality, affordable care for 50 years. In 2014, the Silver State’s Community Health Centers saved Nevada’s health care system $98.2 million in reduced overall costs from preventable hospitalizations and avoidable emergency room visits. Sustained federal investment is critical to our success and survival. Earlier this year, health centers barely averted a massive funding cut. Were it not for the broad bipartisanship support from Congress, 15,000 to 18,000 Nevadans would have lost access to care. This would have affected hundreds of families in our community. Today, we are grateful for their support and used National Health Center Week 2015 (August 9-15) to thank them for their hard work. All too often we have been cynical about government and our leaders in office. We are grateful because there are working families in our health center waiting rooms getting affordable health care thanks to their vote.

Nancy Hook Carson City

Getting better all the time

I lived at the South Shore of Tahoe from ’61 to ’71, and I’m embarrassed to say I was a “Tahoe snob” working at Harveys. Once a month, my wife and I would come down to have her shop at the Wonder ladies shop and then go to the Roundhouse Room at the Nugget. Aside from that, I looked at Reno as “The Skid Row of the Sierra.” It was pretty filthy and not too inviting. However, in ’71 I was forced to move to Reno and went to work at the Mapes. From that day to this one, my love for the Truckee Meadows sprouted and has continued to grow. We’ve got it all now (good and bad). But for the most part, it seems to keep getting better. We’re a few minutes away from the Lake and the desert and only an hour’s flight to San Francisco, Los Angeles or Las Vegas. We just need to make sure that we don’t outgrow our air and water. Our next generation will solve those problems as we dealt with ours. For a wonderful history of our area read Tough Little Town on the Truckee by John Townley. Mike Strem Reno

Power and money

NV Energy is nothing but a scammer and a fraudster. I was one of the ironworker foremen who built the coal storage (dome alongside the freeway going to Fernley off Interstate 80 East). To this day, not one lump of coal has been stored in this facility—not one ounce. It cost millions of dollars to build, and it has a complete conveyor system to transport the material from this storage unit to be fired up and used, not to mention the furnace and support buildings and equipment. I don’t know the total value of the project, but it was in the tens of millions, and these costs were all past on to us the consumers.

Joseph Benenati Reno

Heck no!

Re “Energy plan debated” (Upfront, Aug. 6):

Joe Heck’s comments show why he is not suited to step into Harry Reid’s shoes: Heck’s vision is small and old. The Obama plan is one that Nevada is now investing in with considerable positive return already being felt through increased jobs, additional industries moving into our state, and a cleaner world. It appears that Heck wants to govern a constituency that is small and extreme—the T-Party. Nothing they have supported thus far has moved our country forward economically or served to unify us as a country. Why does Joe Heck want to hold we Nevadans back rather than propel us to bigger and better things?

Rex Stock Reno

Everything is one

Re “Spiritual experience” (Art of the State, Aug. 13):

For the record, there’s a slight misquote that’s extremely important to us to fix. In the third paragraph about metaphysical churches, it should not read that people are hoping to “avoid references to God,” as that could not be further from the truth. What I meant is that oftentimes people who attend metaphysical churches come from strict Catholic or Christian backgrounds, and now attend metaphysical churches hoping to avoid Christ-only doctrine. Metaphysical churches, in my experience, have always embraced references to God, Supreme Being, Divine Spirit, The Great Mystery, etc. Much love to all!

Rev. Jessica Levity Reno

Editor’s note: We’ve changed the online story to read, “avoid references to Christ-only doctrine.”

Green machines

Re “Charging electric cars” (Upfront, Aug. 13):

The introduction of electric vehicles does change how road maintenance is to be funded. It is odd that EVs should be taxed by a different method than gasoline cars. If taxing by miles driven seems a fair way to tax EVs, then why not scrap the gasoline tax and have all cars taxed by miles driven? That would eliminate the need to tax different fuels differently and avoid having two administration methods to manage and pay for.

Another oddity regarding the Oregon scheme is tracking the cars with a device that poses privacy concerns and is expensive to establish and complex to administer. Why not use the instrument that records miles driven that is in every car on the market, the odometer. Many states already record car miles as part of the annual emissions check. The capture of the data necessary to administer miles driven already exists.

JP White Hendersonville, North Carolina

Corrections

Re “Educator” (News, Aug. 13):

The A-minus we quoted from RateYourProfessors.com was not a grade given by readers to Prof. Lafer. Rather, it reflected the average of grades reviewers said they had received from him.

Re “Biggest Little Best of Northern Nevada” (Goods & Services, Aug. 6):

Due to an editor’s error, we failed to publish the results of Best Tattoo Parlor. We regret any confusion our omission caused.

BEST TATTOO PARLOR

1. Aces Tattoo 681 S. Virginia St., 333-0915 2. A Toda Madre Tattoos 1465 S Wells Ave., 622-8189 3. Battle Born Tattoo 1717 S Wells Ave., 327-4465

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 Special Projects Editor Georgia Fisher Calendar Editor Kelley Lang Contributors Amy Alkon, Woody Barlettani, Bob Grimm, Ashley Hennefer, Sheila Leslie, Eric Marks, Jessica Santina, Todd South, Brendan Trainor, Bruce Van Dyke, Allison Young Creative Director Priscilla Garcia Art Director Hayley Doshay Associate Art Director Brian Breneman Ad Design Manager Serene Lusano Production Coordinator Skyler Smith Design Kyle Shine Advertising Consultants Joseph “Joey” Davis, Gina Odegard, Bev Savage Senior Classified Advertising Consultant Olla Ubay Operations Coordinator Kelly Miller Distribution Director Greg Erwin Distribution Manager Anthony Clarke Distribution Drivers Tracy Breeden, Alex Barskyy, Denise Cairns, Steve Finlayson, Debbi Frenzi, Vicky Jewell, Angela Littlefield, 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, Kortnee Angel Sweetdeals Coordinator Courtney deShields Nuts & Bolts Ninja Christina Wukmir Lead Technology Synthesist Jonathan Schultz Senior Support Tech Joe Kakacek Developer John Bisignano System Support Specialist Kalin 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 Website www.newsreview.com Printed by Sierra Nevada Media 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 !

EVENTS

INTALENT MAGAZINE MODEL TRAINING EVENT

We will host catwalk and photo model training. Models will get the full modeling experience in one day. It all starts with a three-hour training... F, 8/21, 3-9:30pm Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

ACTIVITIES

RAIL CITY FARMERS’ MARKET

The boutique market will offer fresh produce and products from local farms and food purveyors, including Snyder Family Farms, Workman Farms, Sand Hill Dairy, the Bakery Gallery and Mitchell Pickle Packing Company. Su, 10AM-2PM through 9/27, free. Rail City Garden Center, 1720 Brierley Way (775) 355-1551

LINE DANCING LESSONS AT GILLEY’S!

Free line dancing lessons from professional teachers. Two dances taught at a comfortable pace for everyone! W, 6-8PM through 10/21, free. Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave (775) 356-3300

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

BIKINI BULL RIDING AT GILLEY’S!

Get ready for a wild night with Bikini Bull Riding at Gilley’s! Get your favorite bikini on and show off those skills for the chance to win the CASH PRIZE! Su, 9PM through 10/25. $5 for bull ride. Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

PERFORMANCE AND MUSIC

OPEN JAZZ JAM NIGHT

Every Thursday starting at 7:30pm with First Take featuring RICK METZ and vocal jazz from the Great American Song Book. Join... Th, 7:30pm, no cover Elbow Room Bar, 2002 Victorian Ave., (775) 356-9799

STEEL ROSE

Th, 8/20, 8pm, F, 8/21, 8pm and Sa, 8/22, 8pm, no cover Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave./ (775) 356-3300

BLUE HAVEN

Come to Mummers for some killer blues on Friday. F, 8/21, 8pm, no cover Mummers Bar, 906 Victorian Ave. (775) 409-3754

SHADDIX & WRIGHT

F, 8/21, 8pm, no cover Great Basin Brewing Co., 846 Victorian Ave. (775) 355-7711

A SINGER-SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE

We look forward to seeing and hearing you play your songs your way. Bring you your instruments and your songs. See you there! you never... Th, 8-11pm through 9/24 Free! Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave.(775) 358-5484

DANWISE AND FRIENDS

A free monthly comedy show featuring local talent. The event is BYOB and limited beer will be provided free as well. Third Th of every month, 8PM, free. The Generator, Inc., 1240 Icehouse Ave.

SHAMROCKIT OPEN MIC NIGHT

Music is back on Victorian Square on Sundays. Join us for the best open mic night in town. Hosted by Athena. No Cover. We kick... Su, 6pm through 2/15, no cover O’Skis Pub & Grille, 840 Victorian Ave. / (775) 359-7547

THURSDAY SHOWCASE

Showcase your act on the Sparks Lounge stage. We have a full backline for all your performance needs. Check the Sparks Lounge website or Facebook for upcoming shows. Th, 8PM through 8/28, no cover. Sparks Lounge, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 409-3340

DJ NIGHTS AT GILLEY’S!

Come in and scoot your boots! The Dj plays the new favorites and the old hits. DJ is open to requests! W, 6PM through 10/28, Th, Su, 7PM through 10/25. F, Sa, 8PM through 10/24. No admission fee. Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave (775) 356-3300

ACOUSTIC WONDERLAND

This is a singer-songwriter showcase. Come down to Paddy’s and bring your acoustic instruments. Sign-ups are at 7:30PM and music begins at 8PM. Drink Specials all night! Th, 8PM, through 9/25, no cover. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave. (775) 358-5484

LADIES NIGHT

Deep discounts just for the ladies from 8PM-10PM: $1 off all shots and specialty drinks. Sport your booty shorts for a 20 percent discount. Parties of three or more 20 percent discount. Sa, 8-11PM through 8/29. Sparks Lounge, 1237 Baring Blvd (775) 409-3340

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, 906A Victorian Ave. (775) 358-5484

KARAOKE

SINGING IN THE SUMMER KARAOKE CONTEST

Steve Starr & DJ Hustler Karaoke Show. This is one of fi ve locations to qualify for Singing in the Summer Karaoke contest during regular show. Tu, 8PM through 9/1. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave. (775) 358-5484

KARAOKE WITH BOBBY DEE

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

KARAOKE

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

CYCO MIKE

Come dance the night away to Cyco Mike! The best Karaoke show in Sparks! Every Friday night, drink specials! F, 9PM through 9/25, no cover. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave (775) 358-5484

KARAOKE WITH PSYCHO MIKE

Sa, 8PM, no cover. 50 Yard Line Bar & Grill, 400 S. Rock Blvd. (775) 358-8848