Opinion

I ask you, how many of us lucky ducks have fallen back on the fine art of keeping bar when our life's calling falls a little short? I'm confident I do not stand alone in the oasis. There are thousands of us grateful "one time cocktologists" who succeeded in their life's work thanks to the glorious and oh so enjoyable salvation of, "Yo-barkeep!"

Music, I have to believe, is the best medicine on the shelf. It cuts down on our doctor bills and keeps us from sourin'. So I went to the Jubilate Holiday Concert in Truckee to cheer myself up and put a spring back in my step. It turned out to be the best decision I could have made.

Last Saturday I was part of the Rotary Club's Shopping Spree. This annual event pairs a Rotarian with a needy child in hopes of purchasing gifts for the child and members of his/her family.

The young man that I accompanied was a rather precocious and talkative eight-year old who was a bit jaded when it came to acknowledging the magic of Christmas. However, during the shopping part of the activity, my new young friend became very animated and hopeful as he talked about selecting gifts for his family and for himself.

Despite our increasing population and existing traffic congestion, the City has plans for a road diet on South Carson Street. What does that mean? In this case, it means reducing the street from six lanes to four from Appion Way to 8th Street, with an additional reduction to one northbound lane north of 8th.

In the spirit of Christmas, the presentation of a sparkling, ornate tree as Christmas approaches, delights all eyes, young and old. While viewing some various artistic trees displayed on social media, we see displays of creative inspiration as well as oddities.

Time to put a log on the fire, crank up Vince Gueraldi's "Linus & Lucy" and invite the neighbors in for an egg nog. It matters not weather those neighbors are Christian or atheist, white or of color, so long as they have good-fellowship in their hearts and a smile in their eyes.

In this long life of mine, nothing looms larger in my memory than riding the perfect wave, well, almost nothing. I could have been a Nick Beck if I hadn't fallen off my board. I used to watch Nick and Joey Cabell surf Cannons off the north shore of Kauai, and wish I could surf like that.

If there is one lesson that 2019 has taught me, it’s that I can’t do it alone. I can’t generate business alone. I can’t work myself through that tough day alone. I can’t do my life alone. Life and business require support. Yet, so many people are afraid to ask for help. They see it as a burden that they have a need. Or, like me, they are just too stubborn to reach out for fear of looking weak or incapable.

The popular sentiment this holiday season seems to be, "I'm going to save so much money this Christmas by talking politics at Thanksgiving."

Dear Editor: A story titled, “Hunger Warriors” in Reno-Tahoe Edibles’ recent issue, stated The Greenhouse Project was built by Karen and Charlie Abowd. While this was a wonderful piece, this statement is incorrect. It is true TGP grew from a vision Karen had for a community that better served its food insecure.

I visited a performance center in Richmond, California last week and came away mightily impressed. How's this for a mission statement:

In human years our sun is 38 years old, so in another five billion years it will run out of gas, and without any emotion to speak of, will accidently vaporize its old friend the Earth. But do not despair. An insurance policy is on the way. By then we will have figured out how to move to a new neighborhood — a new universe, for we are explorers.

As Veteran's Day appears, we should all thank those who have and are currently serving our country. Our military has kept our nation as safe as possible and have put their lives in danger for us and our posterity.

Every day that passes is a day that we should celebrate for a safer and more welcoming time. Show respect for our veterans and for those who are currently serving.

Happy Veteran's Day Carson City!

We could all benefit from stories about honor and heroes right now, especially during this era when extreme partisan politics have upended our country’s equilibrium. Some way, somehow higher roads need to be taken and it needs to start with our ruling political class. Maybe these poignant stories from years past can rekindle a sense of honor that seems in short supply these days.

I had the honor of meeting some young authors at Edgewood Tahoe Resort the other evening, and was heartened to discover that the spirit of Mark Twain is alive and well, as represented by this handful of today's writers who invoke a Twainian sentiment.

Over the Nevada Day Weekend, I was sent a copy of an email from a friend and trusted colleague. The subject matter of this email was a scurrilous attack on Supervisor Lori Bagwell, who may/may not run for Mayor of Carson City, and either way, her final decision to run for Mayor is entirely up to her and inevitably she will present her well qualified credentials to the voters of Carson City.

Impressions. They are what we remember about people, places or things that come into and out of our lives.

Spent the last six weeks out on the Mississippi and Ohio, saving sinners while spreading the Gospel according to Twain. That's what I like to think, anyways. They saved me is probably closer to the truth.

Took a tour of Churchill Downs in Kentucky yesterday and got to see everything but the race. One nice thing about being a Mark Twain impressionist in the 21st century is the possibility that strangers will walk up to you and start talking to you as though they've known you all their lives.

Child welfare can feel like a cold place for families in crisis.

Though efforts have been made through the years to improve this perception, child welfare is still a system of laws that, by their very nature, are unfeeling.

I dined today with a lady from West Virginia and a lady from North Dakota, and came away from the table one mixed-up Cigiliano. The lady from West Virginia started talking about "noodling," which got the lady from North Dakota started on, "doodling."

When bad things happen and good people don't respond, worse things happen, and that's just the way of it. Today, while good people sit on their hands, hate crimes continue to drive the numbers of dead and wounded to formerly unimaginable heights.

It has been said that women don't sweat, they glow. Well, Mother Nature is starting to glow. While greed and conspicuous consumption thrive, carbon emissions continue to cook our planet. And so it becomes our solemn duty to leverage the power of markets, contain climate crisis, and rescue our Earth Mother.

The opening line to Charles Dickens' “A Tale of Two Cities” is a fitting description of Sept. 11, 2001.

That fated Tuesday and the days immediately following it truly were, for those of us who witnessed the events unfold, altogether the worst of times and the best of times.

On the same day, we watched two jetliners burst into fireballs after striking both towers of the World Trade Center in Manhattan and dozens of heroic first responders run toward danger, putting themselves courageously in harm’s way to rescue people trapped inside.

Red Wing, Minnesota is the cutest town I ever saw. You can't see it without falling in love with it. I wanted to fold it up and take it home with me. They make shoes there, comfortable, sensible shoes. I was reminded of what my mother told me, "Honey, always have a good pair of shoes and a good bed, 'cuz you're either in one or the other."

Dear Editor,

As the owners of Mom and Pop’s Diner for the past twenty years, we have had our ups and downs, as any business does. We have been very lucky to have such a great customer base, and friends. We want to tell all the individuals who have given their moral support that it means so much to Jamesa and myself.

Because the Judge’s verdict has created so much of a stir, it has been better then any kind of advertising money could buy. Everywhere we go, somebody says that this is just wrong, and tells us that it is obvious that it is personally against us.

The river life is a good life. Mississippi River life is as good as it gets, and when you're pretending to be Mark Twain it gets even better, as you become the one and only unfettered monarch in America, no matter what anybody else says. And fun? As Huckleberry might like to say, "I reckon not."

I fell in love last November with some ducks who marched in perfect procession down a red carpet to a fountain in the lobby of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, and jumped in. They do it every day, and have been doing it for 85 years. To see it, well, it's enough to make an ogre smile.

Nevada Republicans meet in Winnemucca September 7 to elect our leaders for the 2020 campaign. We need to turn Nevada red for two reasons: 1) to help re-elect Donald Trump president; and 2) to win enough legislative seats to assure the 2021 redistricting will be a fair process, not another Democrat gerrymandering riot.

The future of our world shines ever so bright, and the good energy is ever so palpable, as we welcome 75 Fulbright Scholars from 47 countries to America. These are the best and the brightest and they will do great things.

Lake Tahoe is a gateway for these young superstars, thanks to the Northern Nevada International Center and UNR.