Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page A9

RENO SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 9A Gerlach sign shows civic pride, humor Town now 'Center of the Known Universe' ON THE WEB Gerlach sign on Facebook: http: on.fb.meHOKysN GERLACH MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY NAME WHERE THE PAVEMENT ENDS THE WEST BEGINS fTV! 3 BARS W0 CHURCHES M0 WARS THE FASTEST TOtfW ON THE PLANET THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT GIRL-LACK THE TIME THATTOMN FORGOT "I saw it down there, and I thought it was cool, so I went and took a picture of it," said Carter, who lived in nearby Empire for more than 30 years before moving to Gerlach nine years ago. "I didn't even know who did it. I never even asked. I put the picture up on Facebook, and everybody is like, 'Oh, The sign was hand-painted by Gary Mann, who also painted the previous "Welcome to Gerlach sign." In addition to the town's name, and the "Center of the Known Universe" slogan, it includes an image of the town's famous water tower, and a list of several other slogans that longtime residents will know and newcomers will get a chuckle from. The other slogans include: "Gerlach more than just a pretty name." "Where the pavement ends the West begins." "Five 4 3 bars no churches no wars." (The five and 4 have slashes through them.) "The fastest town on the planet." "That's why they call it Girl-Lack." A new sign welcomes visitors to Gerlach.

Designed by a group of civic-minded citizens, the sign includes the slogan "Center of the Known Universe," along with other longtime slogans, don asher "The time that town forgot." "Those are slogans that people have been saying around here for years," Carter said. The line about the "fastest town," refers to the land-speed record runs in the Black Rock Desert. In 1997, Andy Green drove the jet-powered ThrustSSC 763.035 mph, the first-ever land-speed run to break the sound barrier. Asher said the response to the sign has been positive and it will be something visitors will get a kick out of in their travels, perhaps even stopping to snap a photo of it along with other Gerlach landmarks, including the water tower and Bruno's Country Club. "We believe that people will like the sign enough to go look for it," he said.

Asher said the new sign fits with the character of the town and the state. "We think it's a bit of Nevada flavor," he said. By Guy Clifton gcliftonrgj.com Residents of Gerlach would like folks to know it's much more than a pit stop on the way to Burning Man and the Black Rock Desert. As a matter of fact, it's now the "Center of the Known Universe." And while you won't find the town's altitude on the new sign, you will find its "attitude," which is "good." Under the cover of darkness a few weeks back, several civic-minded residents of the town 90 miles north of Reno, put up the new sign which they had paid for themselves near the Shell station as you enter town from the south on Nevada 447. "A few of us got together and decided to make the welcome sign bigger, bolder and better," Gerlach resident Don Asher said.

"The point is, we wanted to represent some town pride and some sense of humor." If the response on Facebook is any indication, it's mission accomplished. Since Gerlach resident Cindy Carter posted a photo of the new sign on the social media site, it's received more than 200 "likes" and dozens of comments, most of them positive. Not bad for a town with a population of 160 residents. PAYMENT 7Uv 'Plvrrftv FINANCING NO APRIL IT'S ON US! f0 Automatic Automatic par r) par JIJDIJUJ Automatic "-1 I p3f ivcHk Honda- Si 999 due at signing. 1 2,000 miles per year.

36 months. Plus taxes and fees. $1999 due at signing. 12,000 miles per year. 36 months.

Plus taxes and fees. fcEALLK BIG SALES EVENT REAL DEALS. BIB INVENTORY. $1999 due at signing. 12,000 miles per year.

36 months. Plus taxes and fees. (H) HONDA NORTHERN NEVADA SHORT SALE SPECIALIST Free Consultation SALES I RENTAL MANAGEMENT I PROBATE Helping our neighbors, one family at a time. Dedicated to the Highest Quality of Service Delores Zunino www.deloreszunino.com 775-772-1056 775-850-3118 E5 I a 5 Hi file pi -On 5 III His let -5 Bt eSg Hi St So .2 3 (N CT) go J3S te" ti IJI fit sis rl ADA EUM ART Dickson REALTY lRJ-0000410442 IH UNDER CtMMYOIM Easter Champagne Brunch Sunday, April 8th to Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny Brunch Bottomless Champagne Adults $39.95 Kids 12 under $14199 Kids under 4 are Free Omelet and Waffle Station Sianature Chilled Seafood Bar ft Salad, Carving and Dessert Stations tmicl 4 Donald W. Reynolds Center For The Visual Arts L.

Wiegand Gallery 160 West Liberty Street in downtown Reno 775.329.3333 nevadaart.org Major Sponsorship for In Company with Angels: Seven Rediscovered Tiffany Windows and Out of the Forest: Art Nouveau Lamps provided by I. Heidi Loeb Hegerich. Supporting Sponsorship provided by Bally Technologies, the Wells Fargo Foundation, the Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation, and McDonald Carano Wilson LLP. Additional support provided by John and Andrea Deane.

Exclusive sponsorship of Tiffany Co. Arms from the Robert M. Lee Collection provided by the Wayne L. Prim Foundation. 775-882-0882 www.thunderc 19 Liqhtninq Ranch Road Washoe.