Word came last week that one of the most recognized personalities in the Reno area during the last half of the past century had passed away. His name was John Paszek and he was ninety-two years of age when he departed in Kila, Montana. He is most well-remembered during his time in Reno as an officer of the law since he had a thirty-plus year career with the Nevada Highway … [Read more...]
Timeless tennis tales
Watching this year’s staging of the French Open with its colorfully-clad contestants both on the male and female side, I was most impressed with a special screening of a documentary following some of the matches that featured many of the white-clad competitors of decades ago. It was entitled “The Barnstormers” and it was narrated by Robert Redford. The film, which was done … [Read more...]
Big Bonanza Kings
Over the years I have probably attended hundreds of dinners/fund raisers. Most of them have been overly long and somewhat onerous, the chief culprit being the long and windy silent auctions. Such was not the case on Saturday, April 23, when I was present at Virginia City’s third annual “Big Bonanza Kings” event. It was held in an intimate convention room at the Silverland … [Read more...]
The Inimitable McAvoy Layne
Readers of Virginia City’s Comstock Chronicle are treated weekly to the writings of McAvoy Layne, who bills himself as the ghost of Mark Twain. In addition to offering his lively prose, he is often called upon to impersonate Twain. Such was the case last Friday when he appeared in Reno at the monthly meeting of the GOD (Good Old Days) Club. Clad in a three-piece white suit … [Read more...]
A Poor Man’s Caen Column
More items re: My favorite columnist, Herb Caen… WEST COAST SPORTS — Following the University’s triumphant victory in the CBI basketball tournament, the Golden State Warriors thrilling finish to the NBA regular season and Laker’s Koby Bryant’s 60-point finale, the westernmost part of the country completely dominated the roundball scene… SRO at the GOD CLUB — Last … [Read more...]
The VIII Olympic Winter Games
It’s surprising how the discovery of an inanimate object from decades ago can trigger a flood of memories. Such was the case when I recently came across a pristine copy of the official program of the 1960 Winter Olympics that were held in nearby Squaw Valley, California. My chief interest in that long-ago Olympics was due to the fact that I was appointed to take charge of … [Read more...]
Basketball history
Following the university’s two-team season in my sophomore year, we once again returned to Florida for the summer season of city league basketball. We were able for the second time to capture the championship. Upon returning to Nevada the following fall, a couple of good job opportunities opened up for afternoon work after classes plus all day Saturday. Since these … [Read more...]
Basketball Memories
Watching Steph Curry and his merry band of Golden State Warriors set new NBA records every time they take to the hardwood reminds me of how basketball shaped my career. As noted in previous columns, the only reason that I became a Nevada resident is because Coach Jim Aken offered me a full-ride basketball scholarship at the University of Nevada. After that lackluster first … [Read more...]