The Voice of the Wild, Wild West
5-12-2000
At Thursdays School Board meeting about the school budget, Commissioner Bum Hess announced to the Board and the audience of about 50 concerned residents, that TRI the company developing the industrial park in the north of the county had agreed to an interest-free loan of $360,000 that could be used however the School Board saw fit, and paid back in five years time. (The idea is that by then property tax revenue from the industrial development will be coming in at a considerable rate and the loan can be paid back out of these revenues. In effect, TRI is paying property taxes in advance for the industrial park, although this has to be done in a roundabout way to meet legal requirements.)
Hess said that TRI, particularly its lawyer and former state legislator Bob Sader, had spent many hours putting the loan package together in a legally acceptable (to the state) form> Sader had talked directly to State Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Pape to make sure that everything would be approved. Hess added that TRI wanted to be "good neighbors" in Storey County and "they didnt want any phone calls" about the loan. It was up to the School Board to decide how best to use the money.
The School Board, and the audience, were quite stunned by this announcement, (in fact Cyndy Waldow recommended that half the money be set aside for capital improvements, almost as if the District didnt have more pressing problems) but it quickly became clear that this money would be needed to forestall further budget cuts, rather than restore cuts already made.
Because the school district will have a budget problem next year as well as this, due to declining enrollment, the Board agreed that the prudent thing would be to allocate half of the money $180,000 for this years budget and the other half for next.
With this money most of which would be required to boost the ending fund balance to around 5% (the minimum acceptable by the state), no further cuts would be required, and it may be possible to restore one or two teaching positions, depending on a "reduction in force" meeting that the old and new School Superintendents had the next day and whose results will be disclosed at the next School Board meeting.
Also discussed were suggestions from a group of concerned residents, who had been invited by the "rump" School Board (minus Waldow and McCracken) at the last meeting to come forward with suggestions for saving money.
McCracken who had missed that meeting said that most of these suggestions had "already been discussed" (at the meeting before last) which those people would have known if they had attended that meeting. (Having not attended the last meeting, or listened to the tape, McCracken did not know of the Boards invitation for written suggestions, which she would have done had she attended the meeting.)
Board member Tyler Clarke pointed out that there were several suggestions that had not been previously discussed, including the sharing of a counselor between the high school and Hillside, which would save the district a part-time salary. Clarke also thanked Sean Griffin of the Community Chest for finding a way to finance the artist-in-residence program at the school without impacting the school district budget. (Which means a savings of $7,000 without losing the program.)
Once the audience (except for one who walked out) recovered from McCrackens gratuitously insulting behavior, the meeting continued on a more positive note, with suggestions for perhaps saving at least a vestige of the music program.
[In the interim, Mike Arp criticized the "vocal minority" who criticized the School Board. Coming from a man who, with his wife, school secretary Rose Arp, have made up a yapping minority of two at School Board meetings for the last 15 years, this was beyond ironic. ]
Tyler Clarke had the temerity (or naiveté) to suggest that the district should look into cutting the clerical staff at the schools. The suggestion was dismissed without further discussion. [ Sacred cows are sacred cows, after all. ]
It was also suggested by the audience that the staffing of the District Office should be looked at closely.
The final budget will be discussed and decided at the Board meeting in the third week of May.
The Tuesday night Town Hall Meeting to discuss solutions to the "trash" problems on the Comstock was almost hijacked by a bunch of discontented Washoe County residents who had been subjected to what they called the "Nazi Yard Police" in Washoe who had forced them to clean up their yards or go to jail. Most of these residents appeared to be from Sun Valley (known locally and appropriately as "Slum Valley") and resented being forced into cleaning up their backyards. (It was unclear just how messy their particular yards were, but one could deduce from their remarks that they had lots of stuff lying about.)
County Commissioner Carl Trink had opened the meeting by saying that the main problems in town were abandoned cars on public streets, weeds and trash in empty lots. Marshall McBride added that the picture in Mondays Gazoo was "what our visitors are seeing when they come to town."
After the Washoe contingent had vented and subsided, Storey County residents had their say. Kim Fagert (who lives on Greiners Bend) said that he owned "some of the stuff being targeted" by the Task Force and that old cars were not his idea of trash, which he characterized as "the stuff you see blowing down C Street in the breeze." He said that old vehicles could be considered to be "artifacts" and he questioned how dirty/untidy the Comstock is. "Was it that screaming necessary [ to have a cleanup]?" he asked.
"If you want to see a dirty tourist town, go to Reno," he advised, looking pointedly at the Reno journalist who had written the story about Virginia City trash problems in the Monday Gazoo.
Building Department head Dean Haymore said that he had been here thirteen years and that things were "1000 percent better" now than they had been when he first arrived. But there was still a lot that had to be done. He said that the county employees were here to help people clean up their property, and that it should be done in a spirit of cooperation.
Public Works Rich Bacus whose crew does a great deal to help people clean up trash during the two weeks of countywide spring clean up just concluded, said that "Public Works will assist anyone to clear their property. Were glad to help."
Fire Chief Gary Hames added that he was here to "work for the citizens of Storey County." He said that there were some fire hazards that needed to be cleaned up and "were here to help. We want to work for you [county residents], not against you."
However, the letter from the Storey County Cultural Task Force, handed out to those who attended the meeting, had a more menacing tone, saying in part:
"The Community Service Team [the Sheriff, DA, Building Inspector, and public works] will visit your neighborhood within the next four to six weeks to inform you of any significant code violations and to advise you of possible remediation alternatives for any violation.
In order to avoid any potential violation, please inspect your property now to make certain it is within Storey County Code requirements. The most common problems found on inspection include: outdoor storage of junk, garbage and debris on a property; inoperable and/or unregistered vehicle storage; living and/or sleeping in a recreational vehicle; and storage of unoccupied mobile homes on a residential property."
County Commissioner Bum Hess also indicated that in some cases it may not be enough to just ask people to clean up their property. "Some lots need to be cleaned up," he said. "If the owners wont do it, the county will and put a lien on their property."
Paul Yandre said that the task force was only looking for the enforcement of existing ordinances, and that with cooperation everything could be done on a voluntary basis.
Janet Hess, the DA, said that when people are taken to justice court because of nuisance complaints, her objective is to abate the nuisance, and that no one has ever been fined instead they have agreed to abate the nuisance.
The meeting ended with the promise of future meetings (hopefully somebody will remember to shut the gate from Washoe County before the meeting) and with the indication that the committee intended to proceed as outlined in letter from the Cultural Task Force.
14th Annual Comstock Historic Preservation Weekend
What does the Washington Monument. the Star Spangled Banner and the Fourth Ward School have in common? They are 3 of 64 projects in 24 states that have been designated by the White. House Millennium Council as American Historic Treasures.
This recognition and the current restoration endeavors accomplished by the Fourth Ward School will be featured in this years 14th annual Comstock Historic Preservation Weekend, May 19 -21, 2000. The weekend will include the premiere of two new exhibitions including; Partnerships Beyond Borders; The FWS Making History for 125 Years featuring the recently completed field work of Savannah College of Art & Design photographers. videographers and historic preservation graduate interns; restoration of the FWS by Reyman Brothers Construction, and research performed by nationally recognized restoration architect Milford Wayne Donaldson Architects, San Diego.
"We are very proud that the Fourth Ward School is recognized as one of Americas significant historic structures, said Darlene Cobbey, chair, FWS Board of Trustees, "Preservation Weekend will give our visitors and members an intimate opportunity to experience the stones that have been uncovered through the restoration process and that the building is just beginning to tell us." Cobbey added.
The restoration of the Forth Ward School demands innovative partnerships that transcend county lines and state boundaries. This year, in addition to the partnerships mentioned above, the Fourth Ward School is also proud to call the Historic Reno Preservation Society and partner in this years Friday evening program.
We are pleased to he a part of this unique partnership with the Fourth Ward School," stated Cindy Answorth, president, Historic Reno Preservation Society. "Preservation has no boundaries and one of our organizations goals is to participate with other preservation groups to present these creative and informative programs to all our members."
The weekend begins Friday at 5:30 with the opening exhibition reception followed at 7 pm by the premiere of the Virginia City and Fourth Ward School video documentary produced by the Savannah College of Art & Design. Dinner will be catered at the Fourth Ward School and the evening will feature special guest and nationally recognized restoration architect Wayne. Donaldson as he shares the long hidden tales that the FWS is only now telling us.
Saturday morning join the FWS for a breakfast workshop with Milford Wayne Donaldson Architects for a personal tour of the nooks and crannies of the FWS which are not generally open to the public. Hard hats will be provided along with a continental breakfast.
Sunday, the festivities begin at 1 p.m. with the dedication of the current restoration project on the newly reconstructed front porch of the EWS. Join dignitaries and the extraordinary music of the Comstock Childrens a Chorus at this reception of fine food served on Victorian tea settings and the famous FWS mint juleps.
On Parade
An exhibition curated by Party Jones recreating the 1876 parade from the First Ward School to the
Fourth Ward School in honor of the Fourth Ward Schools grand opening.
The Stories That Our Old Buildings Tell Us
The restoration of the Fourth Ward School is about protecting and promoting the stories of its past, the stories that are imprinted in the building from. its beginning in 1876. it is these stories that connect us to the past and allow us to better understand our present. Join FWS architect Wayne Donaldson as he uncovers some of these long forgotten tales that the building is only now telling us
Place: Dinner and lecture at the Fourth Ward School
Time: 7:00 pm
Tickets: $25.00 (members $22.50) per person. Seating is very limited, reserve your place in history today
We are pleased to announce that the dinner and exhibit reception are co-sponsored by the Historic Reno Preservation Society
SATURDAY, MAY 20
Going Deep: A Personal Tour of the Fourth Ward School An in-depth personal tour and continental breakfast workshop lead by FWS architect Wayne Donaldson. You havent seen the Fourth Ward School until youve gone on this excursion into the nooks and crannies of this 124 year-old national. treasure.
Place: Fourth Ward School
Time: 10:00 am
Tickets: $10.00 (members $8.00)
SUNDAY, MAY 21
The Carol Morgan Page Silver Tea and Musicale featuring the extraordinary Comstock Childrens Chorus as directed by Squcek LaVake at the FWS.
Time: 1 - 4 p.m.
Nevada Preservation Awards will be presented by State Historic Preservation Officer Ron James as part of the festivities.
FOR THE FIRST TIME. the FWS and Virginia City Alumni Assoc photo collections will be available for viewing on CD and in bound copies of scanned images. Available for viewing and identification purposes Friday - Sunday May 19-21, 2000.
UPCOMING EVENTS
JUNE 24, 2000
Privately Guided Tours Featuring C" Street: Virginia City s Main Vein.
Using the extensive research compiled on the history of the businesses and buildings along Virginia Citys main street, your guide will personally lead you into the past during this first-ever behind the scenes tour of our most famous main vein. The research will be used by our guides in the tours, along with photographs, costumes and correspondence dating from the 1800s, to implode time and give our visitors a glimpse back to the Bonanza days of the Comstock Bring your walking shoes. Tours are. approximately 2 hours in duration but timeless in effect.
Place: Tours begin at the Fourth Ward School
Time: l0-4pm
Tickets: $17.00 advanced. ($15.00 members) $20.00 (Day of)
$ 5.00 (12 and under)
JUNE 24, 2000
Wine Toasting At One of Americas Historic Treasures
The event features fine wines from California vineyards and other regional wineries, gourmet foods from award-winning chefs, and entertainment at the Historic Fourth Ward School; one of 64 projects in 24 states recently designated by the White House Millennium Council as one of Americas Historic Treasures.
Time: 4 - 6 p.m.
Tickets: $25.00 advanced, ($22.50 members)
$30.00 (Day of)
Combination prices for Main Vein" tour and Wine Toasting are:
$35.00 advanced, ($ 30.00 members)
$40.00 (Day of)
Wine and Spirits generously provided by Luce & Sons Inc.
The famous Fourth Ward School Mint Juleps will be served at all our functions..
by John Tyson
Dogs versus Horses
DUI arrests and domestic battery are at the top of the Sheriffs Log for this week. Neither of the DUI arrests are first time offensives either. One suspect went to jail on a second DUI, and the other on a third. The two cases of domestic battery resulted in one suspect, with an additional charge of battery with a deadly weapon.
Animal complaints are on the rise. Cases this week include a dog bite report taken in Lockwood, a report of dogs harassing horses, and a report of an illegal dumping of a dead horse in the Highlands. Loose horses were also reported in the Highlands. All cases are under investigation. The dog responsible for the bite is being held in quarantine.
Deputies assisted in medical calls this week, and provided a public assist ride to a local motel for an intoxicated visitor who apparently was enjoying himself a little too much. At least the visitor knew enough to call for a ride than try to drive.
A break in report on "C" Street is also under investigation, as is a report of illegal bottle diggers. Anyone contemplating digging for artifacts such as bottles and such must have written permission of the property owner or face possible trespassing and theft charges.
Other reports this week include two alarm calls, both false, and a report of an incorrigible juvenile. Deputies also investigated a case of property damage caused by a school bus.
Sheriff Whitten advises that the forthcoming Mothers Day motorcycle races will present traffic problems throughout the Comstock. Be patient and drive carefully. Dont risk a citation or worse, an accident. Slow down and enjoy the spring scenery.
by Jay Regas
Return with me now to those thrilling days of yesteryear . . .
There is something about my youthful days during the 1950s, that I spent as an urchin on the street corners of downtown Reno selling the morning newspaper and later being a lifeguard at Renos Riverside Hotel swimming pool, that I yearn to relive.
Beyond a doubt the most glorious days were spent working the flagstone deck of the Riverside Pool. There was no paycheck for lifeguarding at the Riverside it was strictly a concession and the opportunity to hustle. But that hustle was around a pool with a reputation that compared to pools at the Fontainbleu Hotel in Miami, the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego and the Royal Hawaiian at Waikiki Beach.
There were two of us wearing Riverside Pool monogrammed swimming trunks working through those summers. Each day the sun beat down on an assortment of sunbathers that might have included Tony Curtis or Gary Cooper staying in the hotel. Any given day sunning among the hotel guest could be a couple of middleweight boxers like Joey Giardello or Joey Giambra. They might be training in the "Garden Room" (a banquet room adjacent to the pool) for a fight scheduled at the "State Building" across Virginia Street from the hotel. (Where the Pioneer Theater today.) Usually several of the girls from the "Riverside Starlets" whose dance routines opened the hotel floor shows nightly spent a little time in the sun. Probably a headliner like Gogi Grant or Freddy Bell from "Freddy Bell and the Bellboys," who entertained in the hotel lounge, might be taking a dip.
They allowed us to teach swimming lessons between 8 and 10 am on weekday mornings before the majority of the hotel guest began to appear from a night of cabaretin and gambling. We were limited to teaching swimming lessons to the families of the hotel guest, hotel staff and members of Nevadas pioneer mens club, the "Prospectors Club." From time to time we were able to smuggle a couple of others in for lessons. We charged $5.75 per hour for class lesson with no more than five pupils to a class and $10.75 for private lessons.
The Prospectors Club was located on the mezzanine level of the hotel and shared a sundeck about a story and a half above the pool. Hotel guest wishing to use the pool entered on the mezzanine level that lead down a staircase to the pool registration desk.
In a display window at the registration desk we showed off the suntan lotions and bathing caps we sold. "Coppertone" with the politically incorrect motto "Dont be a paleface... use Coppertone" was the commercial brand we promoted. Although the suntan lotion we made the big bucks on was our private non-labeled brand. Sixty-four/two-ounce glass bottles of Johnson & Johnsons Baby Oil came in a case. Two blocks from the Riverside at Hilps Pharmacy on the corner of Second and Virginia Streets it cost us $8.32 (thirteen cents a bottle) per case. We submerged the bottles in a bucket of hot water over night and in the morning all of the labels would be floating or sunk in the bottom of the bucket. Then we added a couple of drops of iodine in each bottle and shook the bucket. Then we added a couple of drops of iodine in each bottle and shook vigorously several times a day. I was still using the same iodine bottle to cover scratches on my children ten years later.
From June through September each year I was in the sun from 7 am until 4 pm, seven days a week working the pool. Spending that kind of time in the sun it did not matter what kind of suntan lotion was used we were tan! Invariably pool guest would ask: "What suntan lotion do you use to get that beautiful tan?" We pulled out a bottle of Baby Oil and Iodine (shaking it along the way) that sold for SEVENTYFIVE CENTS. It wasnt too hard to sell more than hundred and fifty bottles a month.
It was a state health requirement that ladies with long hair wear bathing caps in the pool. We sold the standard 1950s bathing cap, that cost us 75 cents, for a $1.50. For those ladies requiring a little more stylish cap we could be talked into slipping on a pair of walking shorts and a Polo shirt to run up Virginia Street to "Howies Ladies Apparal." There we purchased one of those swimming caps with additional rubber flowers or flaps that sold for $12.50 and, of course, a toke for our trouble.
The Riverside Pool was equipped with heavy redwood chaise lounges that had a threeinch green colored canvas pad for our guests comfort. Like a maitre d in the showroom we reserved chaise lounges in prime sun locations for hotel guest. We greeted those guest by name, grabbed a couple of the plush monogrammed "Riverside Pool" sheet-towels, a pad, and escorted our visitor to their reserved lounge. There we spread one towel on the lounge pad to protect our customer from a hot canvas pad, moved a table with an ashtray close at hand, placed the second towel on the table and graciously accepted the gratuity we knew was coming our way. Anywhere from a real silver dollar to a five-dollar chip. We saw many of the same guest year after year.
One of our best hustles was to loud-talk about diving off the hand rail of the stair case from the mezzanine level to the pool. The stair case was twelve feet from the deep end. Standing on the top handrail we would be about twenty feet above the water. We would sit among a crowd of guest and loudly dare each other to dive off the rail while dramatically pointing to the top of the stairs. Our loud talk would go like this: "Would you dive off that rail?" "Are you nuts?" Then one of us would say: "How about if I gave you $100?" "Where are you going to get a $100.00?" The bait had been set. All we had to do was continual our banter to draw in a couple of the hotel guest to put up the $100 so one of us could run up the stairs and dive into the pool. We got away with that one several times a month. One day when I darted up the stairs to make the $100 dive I did not realize someone with suntan lotion on their hands had left the rail greasy and as I dove off I slipped. From twenty feet up and twelve feet away from the edge I hit my feet on the pools gutter going in. I stayed underwater as long as I could so no one would see me crying. To this day, I cannot wear shoes tight across the top of my feet and each time I do there is a biting reminder of those glorious days of summer at the Riverside Pool.
