Letters for July 11, 2002

Thank you for your heartfelt tribute to Mrs. Slansky, the best teacher I (and many of my peers) ever had. I learned more about writing from her than any other teacher or college professor, including those I encountered working on my master’s degree in English.

True, she was extremely demanding—she seemed genuinely angry with me for getting mononucleosis and having to miss a week of school my senior year—but that is what made all the difference. She taught us to expect more from ourselves, to have exacting standards and to always strive for perfection.

As her students, we were well prepared for many of the challenges that life would offer, although only retrospect would allow us to understand how much she really gave us.

Thank you, Mrs. Slansky, for helping me to express myself more eloquently, showing me the value of hard work, and teaching me to never settle for less. I’ll always think of you wearing rose-colored glasses with pencils in your hair.

Oh, and Jimmy, it’s not “wherever she’s at,” it is “wherever she is.”

Jennifer Smalley-Cole
Reno

Rollin’ in restrictions
We headed to Wingfield Park, anxious for our first Rollin’ on the River of the year. We were out of town for the first two. It’s an event I look forward to all winter. When we got to the park, we noticed a big difference. The dance floor was moved and about half the size—which was hardly enough once the crowd got going—and there were lines all over. We were advised by a woman to move our blanket back because our view would be blocked by a 3-foot fence. She had to be kidding, right? WRONG.

We asked a security person why and who decided on changes. She rudely told us, “Parks and Recreation.” The fence was to keep “unruly” people from running up on stage and tripping over wires: “a lawsuit waiting to happen.” I missed very few concerts in the last six years and never witnessed this to be a problem. The dance floor was moved because people complained they couldn’t see over the dancers. So they put up a fence?

Needless to say, we left with the money we planned to buy dinner and a couple beers with. We will not be going back. It felt like some communist country; next there will be cameras in the tree watching our every move. Good going, Reno, another event bites the dust. Sounds like Reno City Council thinking—like the Italian festival without the pasta, “taste a sauce,” Street Vibrations’ “controlled beer,” and blowing up Reno history.

Sonya McDougal
Reno

‘Loaded’ words
Re “Shell Shock on Peavine” [RN&R View From the Fray, June 27]:

Your column on Peavine had some misleading statements concerning firearms. Mr. Calkins states “I know they’re shooting in this direction.” He waves his arms toward a cluster of homes west of Robb Drive. “I’ve seen the shell casings over there.” When a firearm is fired, a bullet is expelled from the case that contains propellant. The case is then expelled from the gun and does not travel with the bullet. To say otherwise is misleading or shows ignorance of firearms. Using other loaded words such as “high-powered,” “inebriated” and “schools” is meant to instill fear into those who do not know any better. As an attorney, Mr. Calkins is used to presenting only one side of the story and will not let facts get in his way. Perhaps Mr. Calkins can return to California from whence he came, and he will be safely out of range of Nevada firearms.

Pierre Martin
Reno

Editor’s note: When James Calkins said that he’d seen casings “over there,” he was pointing to the ground in that direction—not to the actual homes. Apologies for this lack of clarity.

Mayoral humor column
Re “Seeking the Populist Votes” [RN&R, June 20]:

I want to say that your sidebar story on the candidates running [for mayor] was the funniest thing I’ve read in a newspaper about serious politics. I can’t believe that Ken Haller actually hung up on you. Duh! That just cracked me up to no end.

I am down here from Seattle, and I am glad I picked up your paper. I thought you only got silly candidates in big towns. One of the candidates for this past mayoral election in Seattle hit the incumbent in the face with a bullhorn. Five of the mayor’s security detail saw him do it. Duh! Ain’t politics grand?

Reginald Carter
via e-mail