NadaDada Motel, 2010….my last “big” thing to do in Reno?

Reno, Nevada

That question in the title simply refers to the possibility of returning back to Northern California not long after summer begins in Reno.  One thing is for sure….I ain’t leaving Reno before enjoying NadaDada Motel yet again.

Thankfully, Chad Sorg has a site where I can track the news developing around NadaDada Motel 2010:

http://nadadadadingdong.ning.com

Artists will be renting rooms again at the El Cortez Hotel and Townhouse Motorlodge and showing their art to all who visit them, June 10th – 13th.  And, there will be shows and performances, many of them in the Trocadero Lounge at the El Cortez.

NadaDada Motel is described as a celebration of “Reno’s infinite potential for absurdity”.

This year, I have a video camera.    Which means, a more complete picture than I gave last here (see archived articles):

http://renothirdeye.wordpress.com/category/nadadada-motel/

Speaking of video, I’ve noticed Chad Sorg produces quite a few good ones.  Which you can see at the nadadadadingdong ning group and elsewhere.

Late spring sure promises to be fun and not only because of the NadaDada Motel event (fourth year!).  The Spread Peace Cafe opens up it three doors (4000 square feet of great things inside) at the beginning of May.

Now, I will be in Point Arena, California from February 14th to about mid March (and again from mid April to early May), but I can keep track of developments on “TV” (!):

http://www.youtube.com/SpreadPeaceReno

And, follow developments here:

http://www.spreadpeacereno.org

Despite the dark storm clouds of severe budget cuts and of further threats to the quality and safety of life here in Nevada, the sun still shines through somehow (because of things like what’s described above).

New art on display at Java Jungle and The Hub

Reno, Nevada

First, in the main space at Java Jungle, Angie Terrel’s art is now up on the walls.  Here are a some of her pieces:

"Predator"

"Apocalyptica Couture"

"Hunter S. Thompson"

"Die In Your Boots"

"E.T."

"Words That Grow On Trees"

"Franken Painting"

And, in the hallway between Java Jungle and Java Vino, there’s the work of Ryan Ostler, introduced with this posted description:

Over at The Hub, some of the works of Nicholette Jean Codding have been put up on the walls there just in the last few days:

"Jesus".....method is cyanotype print on watercolor paper

method for these images is polaroid emulsion transfer on canvas

Notes a week before re-entry into Emerald Triangle….

Reno, Nevada

Chris and Tysha Tinney are planning a Valentine’s overnighter at tent city on Fourth and Record Streets (actually the night of the 13th, with the end of the event slated for 6pm the 14th).  I think I will be able to go visit before leaving for the coast (for a few weeks).  While gone, I should be able to keep up with the Spread Peace Reno happenings at http://www.youtube.com/SpreadPeaceReno as Pastor Ron Sapp is very timely in uploading the video clips that Chris drops off regularly over at Pastor Ron’s abode at the Chism Trailer Park.

***

The Byllie Andrews campaign will be holding a meet and greet at Ceol Irish Pub this Thursday, the 11th, from 5:30pm to 7pm……an event I am sure to attend.  This is a great opportunity to bring your issues, concerns, and ideas to the next Assembly representative for District 27.  See http://www.byllieandrews.com for details of this and other events as they are scheduled.

***

Speaking of that Assembly race, and others also, I continue to hold my tongue on the Nevada Assembly Democratic Caucus.  I’ve been recently encouraged (NOT BY THE CANDIDATE)  to share certain bits of news but will limit myself to making sure that people understand two things: (one) they endorse specific primary candidates and (two) they give money only to those specific primary candidates.  I’ve been hearing A LOT of anger about this from many Democrats…..especially since many were NOT aware of this.

Since I don’t think most voters will hear any of the information that I know, concerning the endorsement made for one race in particular, I’m just going to keep my mouth shut on that because it wouldn’t serve any purpose other than pissing off some people.  In the end, it’s not going to matter anyway. 

***

I’m dogsitting up in Somersett the night of February 12th and I hope to be on the road by early morning of the 14th.

***

State legislators will be holding townhalls in Las Vegas and Reno on our budget crisis.  Apparently the focus will be on spending cuts and not on any actual solutions (i.e. “revenues”…..oh, dear…now I have to find that bar of soap and wash my mouth out again….gotta stop saying those dirty words!)

In Reno, the townhall will be at City Hall on Saturday the 13th, from 0900 to noon.

Update.  Just saw this (and am roflmao):

http://www.lasvegasgleaner.com/las_vegas_gleaner/2010/02/area-woman-misses-memo-goes-badly-off-message.html

Sending Byllie to Carson City…….

Reno, Nevada

Last night I attended a house party for Assembly candidate Byllie Andrews at Ian Anderson’s home near Virginia Lake.  Arriving late, I found her in the living room talking to twenty folks on a range of issues. 

In this first posted video clip, Byllie answers a question (about half way into the clip) on charter schools….which, as it turns out, is a subject very dear to her heart as noted also in this paragraph from her biography page at the campaign website, http://www.byllieandrews.com/bio.htm :

“In April 2003, Byllie accepted a position with Rainshadow Community Charter High School as the Coordinator for Teachers and Curriculum and the Mathematics teacher. She was instrumental in obtaining Rainshadow’s charter from Washoe County School District.”

And, here’s Alfred Walking Bull, Byllie’s campaign manager!

For further information, please go to http://www.byllieandrews.com

 

Introducing G.A.N.G. (Guiding A New Generation)

Reno, Nevada

This past Wednesday morning, I joined Gary Wagner to videotape his interview with Roberto Nerey, who discussed his work with at risk youth in Reno.  (See the several video clips in this article.) 

Here is some introductory information from the Facebook page for “Guiding a New Generation” or “G.A.N.G.”:

Founded:

2002

Detailed Info

 

Company Overview:

Mr. Roberto Nerey

Guiding A New Generation (G.A.N.G.)

Nevada Youth Outreach
Executive Director

In support of Unlimited Intervention / Intervencion Sin Limites
DBA: Gang Alternatives and Training

Cell: 916-996-7966
Casa: 775-327-4828

Proud board member of:

Community Unity, Annual Peace Walk
Viejitos C.C. Las Vegas Chapter
Feast and Gifts committee
Youth Sports Alliance
Street Gang Council
La Raza 4 Education
Miss Latina Nevada
Barrio Eyes Field Trips

Mission:

Guiding A New Generation (G.A.N.G.) a non profit 501 C3 organization seeks to create a safe, healthy and fun experience for all children. We are also responsible for promoting the value and importance of sports and pysical activities in the social, mental, physical and emotional development of youth.

*****************************

Roberto used to coordinate activities, up to 1998, at an activity center on East Fourth where community members (including police in street clothes) joined with area youth in various activities.  Roberto discusses that history, and so much more, here when talking with Gary Wagner:

To see four more segments of this interview, go to http://www.youtube.com/MikeJamieson1950

Also, I took pictures of various articles, no longer archived on the net.  You can click on the thumbnail, and then again on “all sizes” above the next pic which takes you to a size where the articles (in sequence at this photo set) can be easily read:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28424275@N06/sets/72157623221633873/

Nowadays, Roberto Nerey works out of his office at home.  He lives in northeast Reno not that far from Hug High School and is frequently called to help out with youth having difficulties.  (Or, who are confronting serious situations, even threatening ones.)

He needs a facility where these youth can gather and participate in a wide range of activities that counter the heavy weight of negativity that so many youth in our city carry or have to face in their daily lives.  (Note Roberto’s contact info above.)

Finally!

After poring over various articles on deleting one’s Facebook account, and seeing the multiple week process involved, I finally found a way to cut ties with the Facebook place by simply setting everything to being viewable by “only friends” and then I proceeded to delete all of my friends there.  It doesn’t look like I really have a presence there anymore!!!!!

Again, I am here.  (This blog.)  And, there’s the YouTube account and Flickr account linked in the previous article.  Also, there are two other modes of communicating: the phone and email.  AND, I understand the post office will still deliver letters.  (Imagine that!)

I feel better already.

Links to two media (supplementing this blog)

Reno, Nevada

First, here’s the link to my Flickr photo sets (28 of them as of today):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28424275@N06/sets/

And, here’s where I upload video clips (YouTube):

http://www.youtube.com/MikeJamieson1950

Also, as of moments ago, MikeJamieson1950 at Facebook has gone dark again (or, account has been “deactivated”, the step just shy of deleting an account).   Reactivation will occur when I feel a need to use Facebook again.

Jessica Fichot returns to Reno for Thursday night show!

Reno, Nevada

Last year she played with Fishtank Ensemble (who had a well attended concert at Studio on 4th recently) and this time she will be performing again at Studio on 4th, Thursday, February 4th (show starts at 8:30pm, doors open at 8pm).

Here’s a small “sampling” of Jessica:

Also featured with Jessica that night will be Hobohemia.

Tickets are $10 advance (and can be obtained at the Melting Pot (1049 S. Virginia St), New Moon Natural Foods 11357 Donner Pass Rd. in Truckee, and at Studio on 4th (432 E. Fourth St).

The flyer that I have in hand here (Java Jungle) quotes a San Francisco Chronicle review:

“a soft, crystalline voice as alluring as her crimson gowns”.

Note: tickets will be $12 at the door.

For more about Jessica, go here:

http://www.jessicasongs.com/

Three Democratic candidates for Assembly 27 district at meet/greet forum

Reno, Nevada

The volunteer organizer leaders in Assembly District 27 last night hosted a gathering at the Washoe Democratic Headquarters (1465 Terminal Way), giving people a chance to hear the three known candidates looking to replace the moving on Sheila Leslie as Assembly representative in district 27.

Here’s Sheila speaking before the candidates began introducing themselves (introduced by District wide volunteer coordinator Drew Stamps):

And, here’s a collection of 104 photos from last night:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28424275@N06/sets/72157623170822563/

All three did fine last night.  My video camera battery died right after Sheila spoke, so I missed out on filming the three speakers (Byllie Andrews, Teresa Benitez-Thompson, and Jade Zahreddine).  But, Teresa’s husband, Jeff Thompson, filmed the whole thing….so, if he posts that somewhere, I will add a link to this article.

Byllie: emphasized her work ethic (and long history of that), extensive background of preparation, and the need to pragmatically focus on developing a well trained, educated workforce and  reliable or steady revenue sources.  She asserted that given her retired status, she can devote herself fulltime (especially in the “off year” or interim between sessions) to representing constituents (and seeking out their ideas).

Teresa: talked about her first steps in organizing back in 1996, with a focus on helping poor and struggling families, and her desires to work from the Assembly for families having a hard time.  Teresa described some of her work with hospice patients (as a medical social worker) and used that as an area where she can make a concrete difference in the Assembly. 

Jade: a very bright young man who recently finished a major in international business at UNR and now works as a casino host at Harrah’s.  Jade brought up the need to focus on long term solutions and keeping the long view perspective while working in the Assembly.  Also, he talked about the need to really help downtown development, promoting the idea of no interest loans to businesses.

The folks putting on this event were the volunteer organizing leaders for Democrats in Assembly District 27, now led by Drew Stamps (and previously by Byllie Andrews).  Section leaders (who oversee around 10 precincts each) are for (one), Michelle Barry, (two) Laynette Evans, (three) Bonnie Barber, (four) Ann Chapman, and section five is currently needing a leader.

The view from my cave….

Reno, Nevada