Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 17

Sierra resorts gearing up for spring skiing By BRENDAN RILEY STATELINE (AP) After a two-year gap, Sierra Nevada ski resorts are gearing up (or a fullblown spring skiing season in which you can doff that bulky parka, bring sun tan lotion and shorts, and ski as late as July. Spring hit last Monday and It snowed at most ski resorts Tuesday, so winter skiing is still on. But that delightful period of ski-' lng on snow just after It softens and before It turns to slush is not far off. It's a period in which aggressive, ambitious winter skiing gives way to relaxed corn-snow schussing, wine-and-cheese picnics, zany promotional events and simply enjoying the mountain scenery. Corn snow skiing, according to Alda Kraus of the Mt.

Rose ski resort, Is "an addiction once you've tasted it, you just wait for It to come again." It's snow that has been warmed by sun and frozen at night for a week or two, resulting In what's described as a "roller bearing" ski slope. Add to that the various events staged by the resorts during Spring ranging from barrel-stave races and barbecues to pie-eating contests and it's a hard time to pass up. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area plans to stay open longer than other Sierra Nevada resorts, until July 4. That's more than a month longer than the resort's 1976-77 season. Spokesmen for other resorts say they'll stay open anywhere from mid-April to late May, and several plan to stay open longer If the business warrants it.

Mammoth spokesman Evan Russell says there are many attractions to Spring skiing, like the weather, the snow conditions and "the Jelly-belly girls In their bikinis," but there's a lot of competition from other sports like tennis, golf and fishing. Despite the competition from other sports, the ski resorts stay open if only for the sake of tradition. Late-spring ski operations are not the most profitable. But many resorts hope to keep the crowds coming by advertising such things as no tire chains unless freak storms develop, and the fact that the competing sports are available nearby too. "You can ski in the morning and go play golf In the evening.

You can do it all at that time of the year," says Heavenly Valley spokesman Brad Town. "Of course, you'll go to sleep pretty early at night." Werner Schuster of Alpine Meadows ski area says many people have the Idea that "we roll up the snow right after Easter," but there's still a big clientele of confirmed Spring skiers. "It's a more relaxed atmosphere," he says. "You don't have to bundle up. The corn snow makes skiing very easy.

In winter you find skiers have a lot of aggression and ambition. In the Spring you relax and enjoy it." Imhmw vvwrK. 4W A xt Mfci'ff: OkV, Xvxx s- N1 inn iiiiiiliinii i xx Xfa.fx x'? xSf-xx-N. Reno police seeking man on slaying Reno Police are seeking an unidentified man, who was seen at the residence of Howard Snyder Sunday night before Snyder was killed. Capt.

Charles Williams said the man is not necessarily a suspect But the police would like to question him. Williams declined to reveal the source, but said this is what police believe: At about 8 p.m., a young man let a friend out of his vehicle at Hidden Valley. The young man then drove to the area of Rock Boulevard or McCarran Boulevard In Sparks, where the vehicle apparently developed mechanical trouble. The man walked a considerable distance to Snyder's mobile home at the Ponderosa Trailer Park, 2725 Kietzke Lane, Reno. He asked Snyder about 9 p.m.

if he could borrow some tools to work on his vehicle. Snyder offered to give him a ride back to the vehicle, but the man declined, saying he was too dirty to ride in Snyder's pickup truck. Police want to question the young man and also the man he let out of his vehicle at Hidden Valley. Williams asks anyone with information about these persons to call the police. The young man is described as 21-22 years old, 5 feet 10 to 5 feet 11 inches tall, with black curly hair and needing a haircut in the back.

He is slender with a small waist. The man was wearing a white T-shirt and very faded blue jeans, which didn't reach his ankles. Snyder, 73, was found stabbed to death Monday morning in his bedroom. Aside from missing, there is no known motive, police said. Reno Evening Gazette Phone (702) 78f989 i8 U.X i i dPblvti ixut 'Enjoyed every minute of iV Nevada's school chief ready for retirement i a ir v-- si Vv, iL I i Reno, Nevada, Monday, March 27, After teaching in Smith Valley, Gamble moved to Lovelock in 1949.

After Nevada's school districts were revamped In 1955, he became Pershing County school superintendent and held the post until shifting to the state Department of Education in 1962. He was named deputy superintendent in 1966 and, during later changes in the top position of superintendent, he filled in as interim schools chief. Finally, in October 1975, he took over the top post full- time. Gamble thinks the consolidation of Nevada school districts by the 1955 legislature was "one of the biggest achievements" he witnessed while working in Nevada education. "Before that was done, there were some 186 separate school districts.

Almost overnight, that was reduced to 17 districts, and that created a method of consolidating and providing equal education for our students," he says. Another major development has been the legislative work in the past 1978 Seventeen' 10 years on the formula used In funding Nevada's public schools, he says, adding that "I think it's one of the best and most equitable in the country." There have been some blows from the legislature, like the 1977 decision to cut Department of Educatin staffing. But Gamble says that overall "I think we're in good shape." While the 1977 legislature cut department staffing, it also mandated a new program of "three R's" testing to insure students have basic educational skills, and Gamble says that's good. He says that eventually the program should be extended to make sure all elementary and secondary school students are learning properly- Gamble says another trend that has developed is growing participation by lay people in teaching, such as more concern by school board members about school programs. "It can cause controversy, but these people ask questions and it's all good," he says.

fa. i I "-'E'' Varooom Driving her husband's Class A Formula race car, Brenda Goepner of Reno winds through the race course set up this weekend in the Centennial Coliseum parking lot. The course was part of an Auto Cross meet and training session for new members of the Sports Car Club of America, Reno region.The racers were racing against time and not other racers. Flagman Dan Carlson of the club waves a contestant across the finish line, top right. (Gazette photos by Jim Beazley) By BRENDAN RILEY CARSON CITY (AP) After 2V4 years as state schools chief and three previous stints as acting chief, John Gamble retires March 31.

That caps a 31-year career as an educator and Gamble says he "enjoyed every minute of it." And even though he'll be out of the public school system for the first time since he started teaching in Smith Valley in 1947, Gamble said In an Interview that he'll help "anyway I can" in Nevada education In the future. Gamble, 55, announced last year he planned to retire. The state Board of Education has since named Dr. Ralph Disibio as his successor. The outgoing superintendent of public Instruction's plans are to "relax," but Gamble also says he may take on some education-related consulting work.

He's looking forward to retirement but adds "anytime you spend this long a time in something, you're going to miss it some of the associations and the work." Robberies investigated Two gunmen barged into a residence early today, manhandled four persons and robbed one of $60, Reno police said. Another attempted robbery Sunday night was foiled when a taxi driver fought off his attackers. In the first case, police said the two men knocked on the door of apartment No. 105 at 690 Robinhood Drive at 1:37 a.m., then forced their way inside past Tom R. Lamb.

The intruders, one brandishing a sawed-off shotgun and the other a pistol, made Lamb, Dwayne Lamb and Edward Corbln Jr. lie on the floor. The man with the shotgun hit Corbln on the shoulder with it. Police said the man then entered a bedroom, slapped Brett R. Lisczawka as he lay in bed and robbed him.

Tom Lamb meanwhile fled to a service station and called police. The other attempted holdup occurred at 8: 15 p.m. In Idlewild Park. Dennis L. Byram, a driver for Whitt-lesea Checker Taxi, said he was dispatched there to pick up a fare.

Finding no one, Byram got out and started looking around the California Building. He said two youths suddenly appeared and threw a blanket over his head. Byram said he knocked one of them down. The two, both about 15 years old, then fled empty-handed. Hearing due Gazette-Journal Carson Bureau The Nevada Transit Company's plans to discontinue Reno-Sparks area bus service will be the subject of an April 4 state Public Service Commission hearing at Centennial Coliseum in Reno.

All right, before we 60 on our hike, i'm 60ins to call the roll CONRAPI Convalescent Center license restored Gazette Journal Carson Bureau The annual license of the Sierra Convalescent Center in Carson City has been restored following the correction of certain "inadequacies," according to Dr. William R. Thomason, head of the state Bureau of Health facility. Thomason said the 201 Koontz Lane convalescent home was placed on a temporary license Feb. 23 after an investigation triggered by complaintsfound there was inadequate staff, in service training, and food delivery procedures.

He said a March 14 followup inspection determined that 22 of the 25 alleged deficiencies had been corrected, including the hiring of more staff. Thomason said the investigators also found that in service training was being provided and that there had been a marked Improvement in the food service operation of the recently opened 99-bed facility. Prior to that, "The food was being delivered to the residents rather slowly and there were some people who required assistance in eating and staff was not overly attentive to their needs," Thomason said. He said he was satisfied with the changes but only time and periodic unannounced inspections will tell whether they are permanent. Reached for comment, Sierra administrator Bill Barrett said the problems identified by the state were transitional in nature and caused by the resignations of three professional nurses.

"They have since been replaced and we have even added staff and are now to the point where our staffing exceeds what the state expects of us," Barrett said. Washoe school trustees to discuss bond issue Washoe County School District trustees are expected to firm up the proposed school bond Issue which will go before voters next November when they meet In Reno Tuesday night. Trustees need to decide how many new schools are to be built, and how much money is needed for addltonal school costs, such as transportation and rennovation of existing schools. Decisions must also be made about two Issues which have stirred public controversy switching the district's schools to a year-round schedule, and whether to move sixth graders out of middle school and back Into elementary school. Depending on what the trustees decide, the bond issue could total as much as $58.1 million.

The issue must be formulated by Tuesday In order for financial and legal work to be completed in time to get it before voters on Nov.7. The School Board is also expected to consider a request for a grant application for a $150,000 Teacher Center. It would offer teachers a centrally located place to go for materials and assistance. Programs for professional growth and development would be held. The board's president will be asked to sign an agreement to close escrow on a five acre proposed school site In the Eastland Hills subdivision.

A consultant will be chosen to design the Joint-use Verdi Park. A new varsity football coach for Reed High School Is also expected to be chosen. SEN.RI CHARD BRYAN Bryan seeks Attorney General job By the Associated Press State senator Richard Bryan announced Sunday he will seek the Democratic nomination for attorney general. Bryan is in his fourth term in the Nevada Legislature. He served two terms in the Assembly before being elected to the Senate in 1972 and 1976.

Bryan, 40, said that if he was elected he would take "an agressive position to protect Nevada's legal position against unwarranted intervention into our affairs by the federal government." He said he would encourage meetings with district attorneys and top police officials throughout the state to exchange information and formulate a legislative program. "I will also do everything possible to render opinions es promptly as possible, consistent with exploration of every legal consideration of subject on which an opinion is requested." Bryan has served on several Senate committees, including the Senate Committee on Education and presently is chairman of the Senate Taxation Committee. He graduated from Las Vegas High School and the University of Nevada-Reno. He received his law degree from Hastings Law School. Open house Associated Builders and Contractors will hold an open house this Friday at its new offices, located at 575 Forest St.

The open house runs from noon until 6 p.m. A spokesman said friends and members are Invited to attend. Wilderness access Pet shop questions citation A spokesman for the Jungleland Pet shop at 4001 S. Virginia took exception this past weekend to an article published Friday In the Gazette which referred to a Humane Society citation issued against the pet shop for selling a rabbit. Mary Leiter, manager of the store, said she will contest the citation in a court hearing scheduled early next month.

She said that a sign in the store clearly states that the rabbits are sold commercially only In accordance with local Reno ordinances governing such sales. The humane society contended in its citation that the rabbit was being sold as a pet. The law permits sale of rabbits only for commercial or breeding purposes, and is aimed at discouraging sale of the animals as pets which could be mistreated by youngsters. limited cent of the quotas may be made up to 90 days In advance. Woman hurt in tumble An elderly Sparks woman tumbled from a car as it rounded a turn Sunday afternoon on Pyramid Way near Greenbrae Drive.

Sparks police said Audrey Harmon, 74, had apparently caught her skirt in the door of the car In which she was riding as a passenger. She opened the door Just as the driver was making a turn-and she fell out to the pavement. Police said she suffered multiple cuts and bruises, but was released following emergency treatment at Washoe Medical Center. TAHOE CITY The Forest Service has announced It plans to limit overnight access to popular Desolation Wilderness Area west of Lake Tahoe beginning this summer and each summer thereafter. Eldorado National Forest Supervisor Joe Ham said the area will be limited to a few hundred campers dally from June 15 through Labor Day He said quotas will be assigned as follows to various spots in the wilderness area.

Loon Lake, 38 overnight visitors; Van Vleck, 24; Wrights Lake 134; Lyons, 25; Twin Bridges, 22; Ralston, 10; Echo Lakes, 70; Glen Alpine, 42; Fallen Leaf, 38; Spring Creek, 32; Bayvlew, 32; Eagle Falls, 122; Meeks, 58; General Creek, 30; and Buck Island, 23 Reservations for up to 50 per UiOOPSTOCKl) 7 A LITTLE WHEN I CALL THE ROLL, THE CORRECT ANSWER 15, "HERE!" JzTZ. Af if it i if7 ownd Srcm.