Site map
SITE NAVIGATION TIPS: When all else fails, read the instructions (A favorite John Hanks aphorism I've been using for decades)

Je Suis Charlie
"Our republic and its press will rise or fall together." — Joseph Pulitzer

Get ahead of corporate-influenced news—>Subscribe to Barbwire Confidential

¡Viva Chávez!
César Chávez Celebration XVI / Celebración de César Chávez XVI
Saturday 31 March 2018 / Sabado 31 de Marzo 2018
Highlights from the record-breaking 2017 event at Circus Circus Reno

All the news you never knew you needed to know—>Subscribe to Barbwire Confidential

	Big-time guy with big pictures Vote Dondero Nevada Press Association Hall of Fame Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno Expanded from the 8-2-2017 Sparks Tribune Expansions in blue
Dondero, 1920-2003 (Photo courtesy of D. Brian Burghart, Reno News & Review)	Dondero—Nevada's photographic memory Barbwire by Barbano Expanded from the 6-1-2003 Daily Sparks Tribune
HOF endorsements	The Dondero Photo Gallery, partially (gasp!) R-Rated	Dondero & Sinatra, 9 Dec. 1963

It's showtime. The Nevada Press Association board will vote on 2017 Hall of Fame inductees in an Aug. 4 conference call. That's this Friday.

Winners will be inducted at September's Carson City convention.

It's photographer Don Dondero's long overdue turn. In a world-class career, his work appeared in this newspaper and just about everywhere else.

As a fellow Donderite remarked when we fell short a couple of years back, had I started the campaign right after he died in 2003, he would have been elected in a walk. I didn't think of it until I campaigned for Guy Richardson in 2012. Because Guy was an inaugural member of the Barbwire Molly Ivins Memorial Columniator Hall of Fame, I considered it blasphemous that the former Reno Gazette-Journal entertainment editor was not among the icons in the NPA holy of holies. Ditto Dondero.

Despite varied careers, Big Don and diminutive Guy share a major claim to fame: Frank Sinatra. Guy made national headlines when the enraged Chairman of the Board hisself called the newsroom over what the superstar singer considered (ahem) disrespectful reportage.

Dondero took the most famous photo ever shot of Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe. To this day, Dondero even owns the wallpaper in the RGJ foyer (see above). His photos covering the Lake Tahoe kidnaping of Frank Sinatra, Jr., dominate the front page of the 9 December 1963 edition — blown up 12 feet high.

At Barbwire.US, you may view all of the above and much more along with my remembrances of Don, testimonials and lots of photos, of course.

Please pass the following list along to any Donderites you may know. Ask them to call, write, send carrier pigeons, whatever's handy, especially if they know people in the towns noted.

If you want to mass-mail the list, highlight and import these:

Let's party for Dondero in his home town next month.

Do it for Don, dammit!

PHOTO FINISH. Dondero's shots get more enjoyable if you can read the captions. In the interests of literacy, the Duncan Community Library celebrates its 20th anniversary 2:00-4:00 p.m. this Sunday at 1650 Carville Drive in northeast Reno.

The event features contests, drawings for prizes and free ice cream sundaes.

The first 80 kids get free backpacks. To go with them, longtime librarian Marilyn Jones has new books (yes, they still print those things), free from Barnes & Noble. Info: 775-333-5134 or <MCJones@washoeschools.net>

CORRECTION from last week's column, "Sparks' flying philosopher Hanks dies at 91." My friend John Thomas Hanks, Jr., was born on 13 April 1926 in Colorado Springs. I will post a photo retrospective at Barbwire.US/

Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks' grandfather and John's grandfather were brothers. The future actor lived in Reno as a child. As far as I know, John last saw his cousin as an infant.

As Tom Hanks demonstrated in "Forrest Gump," a humble man's packaging can surprise you.

Born in Colorado Springs on 13 April 1926, John Thomas Hanks, Jr., became a businessman, remote-controlled aircraft expert, WW2 soldier, North American crop duster pilot, photographer, award winning film maker, motorsports aficionado, classic car rebuilder and Harrah's Auto Collection veteran (including the legendary hydroplane team.)

May the driver of the great iron bird rest in peace.

Give Dondero my best when you see him at your next photo shoot. Adios.

Be well. Raise hell. / Esté bien. Haga infierno. (Pardon my Spanglish.)

INVASION OF THE TREE HUGGERS — Perhaps the best Reno News & Review cover ever. I know the identities of all three "models" who made the supreme sacrifice so that Don could get this shot in the snows of Mt. Rose. Their secret is safe with me. Sort of.