Opinion

Don’t you love October baseball? Me too! It might not be America’s pastime anymore, but this time of year it feels good to hear the crack of the bat and the slap of the glove.

As temperatures rise, particularly in alpine regions, lakes are feeling the heat. Research published Oct. 11 in the journal Science, led by researchers at the Carnegie Institution for Science, indicates that climate change impacts critical winter processes including lake ice conditions.

As of this writing, it appears the Tahoe Conservancy is about to acquire Motel Six, a happy ending for a motel that used to charge six dollars. I happened to have enjoyed a summer there myself some sixty-three summers ago. Yes, in that heavenly summer of ’61, Motel Six was the Sands, and they hired a 17-year-old lifeguard to work their pool for the summer, yours truly.

Man can be awful cruel to man, and from time immemorial we continue to come up with new ways to exact our cruelty. The first novel ambush that caught my attention was described in the Odyssey, where Greek soldiers were able to take the city of Troy by hiding inside a giant horse parked at the city gates as an offering to the goddess Athena.

Yesterday, a great friend of mine invited me to join the Stanford Club on a five-mile hike to Galena Falls, led by geologist emeritus, Dave. I have always been fond of rocks, ever since I overheard a geologist uncle of mine assure my aunt while pointing to an eight-year-old me, “That boy’s got rocks in his head.”

Anyone who travels down Kimmerling Road knows how bad it was. As you got closer to Tilman, it became an obstacle course around the sunken manhole covers. Somehow, the recent paving project made it worse.

Political candidates are rarely subjected to background checks, and even when elected, only a few face further scrutiny. According to Jamie Rodriguez, former Washoe County Registrar of Voters, the Registrar has "no authority to deny anyone the right to file," even if they live outside the district they intend to represent.

What’s the hardest job you ever had? Me too. Shoveling snow is by far the hardest job I ever had, because just when you think you’ve got it on the run, here comes some more. Of course this is nothing to first responders, firefighters or police officers. They make me feel like a Banana Slug, and my hat is off to them.

Local voters must bring back one of the most productive local politicians we’ve had in Carson City over the past 10 years, Mayor Lori Bagwell. Between her time in office on the Board of Supervisors and her time as Carson City’s Mayor, Lori Bagwell has done as much or more for this city than anybody else running for local office. This is especially true when comparing her record in office to her opponent, Jim Shirk, who could not get re-elected to the Board of Supervisors after one 4-year term. Lori has worked tirelessly to fund local road work projects, provide affordable housing for low-income workers, effectively manage city growth, and plan for the future.

Philosophy to me is a little like analytical geometry, you learn about it in college, then never ever use it. Granted, I have tried to visualize what the first philosopher, Thales, told us, “All things are full of gods.” But to me, a rock is still, just a rock.

I read an interesting account this morning of Chinese college students pretending to be birds to escape the rhythm of their daily grind. Of course I immediately empathized with these students, I having a pet Steller’s jay named Huckleberry, to whom there is never a dull moment.

I love Nevada. Don’t you? Our motto? “I’ll keep my nose out of your business if you’ll keep your nose out of mine.” Facebook? While giving due credit to Brooklyn for a Nevada shoutout to Facebook, it sounds something like this: “Fuhgeddaboudit!”

I just remembered why it was that I had a longing to survive while fighting in the rainforests of Vietnam away back in 1966. One, was to see our country win. That did not happen. But two, was to see my high school sweetheart again and therein I won the lottery.

We are a culture with a gun problem exacerbated by a rage problem, resulting in an era of political violence. So here we are, in this hot summer of ‘24, recognizing that we are the canaries in the coal mine. It’s hotter than the hinges on The Gates of Hades, and The Gates of Hades are hotter than usual with the heavy flow of traffic passing through them these days.

Anyone who has sought the help of a chiropractor does so to attain relief from a painful injury or ongoing ailment. But what if that same chiropractor you put all your trust in makes your existing ailment feel even worse, or causes a new injury more painful than anything you've ever experienced?

As we continue to confront the delicacy of our American democracy, even I, who am no prophet, foresee a new dispensation dawning over America.

Isn’t it interesting that in this year’s happiest place in the world, Finland, half the Finns are taking anti-depressants. But why? My guess is they are suffering from a deficiency of music and humor, just like the rest of us.

The recent article “Beach managers and operators prepare to Keep Tahoe Blue this summer”, is a noble attempt at curbing the trash problem at Lake Tahoe that occurs each summer from visitors and tourists.

Dear honorable neighbor, it’s no longer us or them. We are one big quarreling family trying to get along. Compassion lingers as our common bond, yet we sometimes bow to feelings, and mistake those feelings for thinking.

While staying at the enchanting Renaissance recently, I had a view of the Truckee River, and a half dozen homeless folks dwelling there on her silent shores. They pretty much kept to themselves until a gregarious gentleman came along with something to eat that he passed out to one after another until they were all up and around on the riverbank, bargaining and trading with what little they had to offer. This was quite possibly their main meal for the day, and they were exhibiting great gladness in celebrating it.

There is nothing more pleasing to mine ear than the music of children at play, and yet that gladdening music is scarce today, as mortgages and rents push potential parents away from our mountain redoubt. Why not let AI take over the humdrum jobs, and free folks to create art, make music, author books, make babies, because at bottom that’s what we all want to do.

Inspired by Carson City’s, “Connections,” a friend of mine, Baobab, is constructing an emerging theology, and has agreed to an interview.

On Friday a jury in Manhattan District Court found Donald Trump guilty of 34 felonies. He was charged with illegally falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments he made to Stormy Daniels, a woman with whom he had had a brief sexual encounter.

Over the years I’ve had the distinct honor of delivering a few commencement sermons to some great graduates. So I dug down into a dusty bin to find out if any one of those ancient relics holds any water today. I shall share Sierra Nevada College here (abbreviated) and let you be the judge.

Hey, all you all medical groups, utility companies, etc.... Not all of your patients/customers have access to paperless statements and MyChart BS. Keep in mind there are elder folk who don't know how to navigate your "paperless" crap. So, help those folk by being more "helpful" in the event they don't have the ability/capability of doing everything on line!

Fireworks are for Families. I understand the need to move the Fireworks this year and the need for RSVP to have a fund raiser. However 4th of July is about celebrating Freedom and Equality for all Americans, not just those who can pay for a good view.

Jim Shirk, a candidate for the Mayor of Carson City. What makes me uniquely qualified for this position is my 20 years of private business experience, my service as a Navy veteran and I previously served as a Board of Supervisor in Carson City. As a former supervisor, I am familiar with operations of city government and staff.

Mark Twain Days (Year Two) was yet another triumph, particularly the group photo, where every kid and her grandmother sported humongous mustachios. I can’t wait to see the print. My personal favorite event was, “Connections.” A hundred folks gathered together upstairs in the Brewery Arts Center to share personal connections that improved their lives.

The following is written by Sam Olson, I.D.E.A. Committee Chair & Robert Bartshe, president of Sierra Nevada Realtors.

Our state anthem boldly declares that ‘Home means Nevada.’ For many Nevadans, home also means economic prosperity and stability. For generations, home ownership has been a symbol of financial security and upward mobility. Home equity is the largest single financial asset for most American families, representing between 50% and 70% of net wealth. Buying a house is one of those marquee life moments that you never forget.

I usually whistle past the obituaries, but Larry Young caught my eye. He was a scientist who discovered Love Potion Number Nine. Yes, Larry unearthed a chemical that heightens desire, not that the world needs it. A drug that would diminish desire might do the world more good in the long run.