“There’s a hell of a good universe next door. Let’s go.” -- e.e. cummings Dennis, Old Boy. In case I don’t get to say the following at your going-away soirée this Sunday (see below), let this suffice. First and foremost, I implore your many readers to save hard copies of your voluminous writings. As your friend and fellow historian Guy Louis Rocha said years ago, much … [Read more...]
Gov. Sisolak Opposes Tighter Food Stamp Rules
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has joined 16 other Democratic governors to pen a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue demanding that a proposed change in the rules for food stamp eligibility be dropped. This summer the Agriculture Department unveiled plans to tighten eligibility requirements for food stamps under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Instead of … [Read more...]
Camel Races
Every so often I am asked about the first Virginia City Camel Race and when it actually happened. It was in the summer of 1960 when the Misfits movie was being shot in Reno and outlying areas. Recently I saw a photo of the 2019 Camel Races that sported a banner above the street in VC that noted the Camel Races were staged from 1959 to 2019. To set the record straight, in … [Read more...]
Is this You? YouTube Mechanic
Trina Machacek I changed the oil in my yellow 1991 Chevy Tracker. After being the “helper bee” for the past 42 years it was time for me to step up to the plate and give this a go by myself. I had no doubt I could do it. No doubt I wouldn’t run over myself. No doubt—if I messed up some kind person would fix whatever I might screw up. With those no doubts I headed out one … [Read more...]
Remembering the Mapes Hotel
Rummaging through some old files recently I came across a number of articles on the Mapes Hotel. The following probably best describes the iconic building that went down almost 20 years ago. The Mapes stood alone as the symbol of what Reno was for more than three decades. She transformed what was once a honkytonk little cowtown with dark and dangerous gambling clubs into a … [Read more...]
Is This You? Listing to Port
By Trina Machacek Quick lesson for today could be how to tell the left side of the boat from the right side of the boat. Because if you are in a listing boat it just might come up in conversation with someone on a phone or radio when you report you are listing, just which way you are listing to. Boat sides are starboard and port. You probably know them better as port and … [Read more...]
Costs of Illegal Immigration Can’t be Ignored
Illegal immigration is one of the most controversial topics of this overheated election season. Suggestions to curb illegal immigration by building a wall or increasing enforcement of existing laws are met with passionate accusations of racism and white supremacy. The Census can’t even ask about citizenship. What is the bottomline cost to the United States and Nevada? That … [Read more...]
Perfectly Nevadian: Joe Conforte, 1925-2019
Joe Conforte deserves his induction among the inaugural six honorees in the Nevada Hall of Fame. Nevada author and publisher David Toll (“The Compleat Nevada Traveler”) announced the lineup last week. Mr. Conforte was the only one of the six still alive. Then came news of his death down in the land of Cariocas and breast reductions. The only other name you might recognize … [Read more...]