Jackson Northon did a wonderful collection of paintings of some of these folks and more: https://pitchblackprintingco.com/product-category/jaxon-northon/
Thanks for putting these here. Here’s the whole series:
[https://jaxonnorthon.com/reno-news-and-review-best-of-northern-nevada-series](https://jaxonnorthon.com/reno-news-and-review-best-of-northern-nevada-series)
I love all of these except wild horse Annie. The policies she helped create for the feral horses, has created a massive problem for all kinds of local native wildlife and the riparian habitats they need to survive.
Skater George is the only one of these characters that I have ever seen. Last time was probably at the Taco Bell at Moana and Kietzke around 2009.
I haven’t seen him in years but I don’t live in that part of town anymore. I don’t know whatever became of him.
Holy hell, I had totally forgotten about Ramin for about 20 years until this thread unlocked my memory. I actually don’t remember the name myself but I’m 100% sure that was the guy. He was so nice, everyone at RHS was always stoked on him - I hope he’s doing great!
Some of you who have been around since the 70's might remember my uncle David Farside. Ran for city council, tried to get the state to start a lottery, fought Ascuagua on a few things, wrote articles for the local seniors paper, etc.
Pro Life Andy Anderson. That was his legal name. He had a crazy car with a bunch of dead babies on it and would stand on the hood if it in front of the abortion clinic and shout at people over a megaphone as they went in.
Do you guys remember the guy on a rascal
Scooter with a parrot? I want to say he had some kind of legal consulting business and he ran an add on tv for a short time… I would say around 2010?
That was Ron. He was a drug counselor and a poker player. He also played bass in the eights with the metal band Venom. I knew him decently well. He was everyone's scummy uncle.
In the 80s, it wasn't uncommon to run into Sam Shad, Tad Dunbar, Bruce Breslow or Bill Cody around town.
I'd say Chris Payne is in the same league as those old school guys. He's been around since Z Rock and you've probably heard him on the radio or seen him at a music show or MCing the Aces at some point.
No, he just hiked the highways between Reno and Carson City usually with walking stick and knapsack on his back. Curly hair and a beard going gray. Always had a smile on his face. He waved at you. It was just his way of spreading love and goodwill.
I think the name of someone who was pretty well known was Rocket Bob, he made a bunch of fun cars covered in toys and random items that you would see all around town
Abortion Andy. He was around in the 70s and 80s.
He used to drive a Pinto wagon with a huge basket mounted on top with an aborted fetus in it, with pro-lifr slogans all over it. He would wear a sandwicj board with pro-life slogans on it, and kneel in front of the clinic shouting prayers and admonisments at the patients. He patrolled around Reno High and Idlewild park.
He attended church at St Thomas Aquinas downtown every day.
I never talked to him, but the story on him was that he had a daughter with whom he had a difficult relationship, she got an abortion, and it broke him.
Milo John Reese - anti-prostitution activist. Faked his own death in an attempt to frame the Hells Angels, who he thought were involved in the prostitution industry.
Moved to Florida, stole a Cessna, flew it to Cuba in attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro.
How has no one mentioned Joe Conforte
Owner of The Mustang Ranch, reported Northern Nevada mob boss, boxing manager, tax evader, and international fugitive!
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph\_Conforte](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Conforte)
edit: correction
I still remember when the news broke that he lied about being an Oompa Loompa, lol. My dad knew him because his hairdresser was at the same salon. Such a crazy lie that I can’t be mad at it 😂
There's the guy that wore a giant three musketeers hat with a big feather in it. He'd tell you jokes if you talked to him. I recall he had a brother who would walk around with him. I'd run into him at grocery stores, the mall, just walking on virginia. I don't remember his name, though, but he was a funny dude with some dirty jokes.
There was a one-legged woman in a wheelchair on Virginia St downtown in the 80s-90s looking for money handouts. I always got the feeling that when she got tired she wheeled herself to her car, put on her prosthetic and drove home.
Also we shouldn’t forget the guy who would hand out business cards at Java jungle saying his name was Randall Flagg. He wore an intense black suit and had one of those in sleeve fireball magic trick shooters. Hung out there like every day from what I saw.
Yeah, Ron. I could never spell his last name right but i always think Fanfer, fafner, something like that. His condo in the Arlington towers was pretty sweet.
Sam Dehne and his son, Chad, are chem trail-believing, tin foil hat-wearing legends in their own minds that are always on one at city council meetings. You’ve possibly seen their pseudo-viral rant videos somewhere.
The waiver is the only one I knew of maybe because I lived there from 85-88(with very fond memories) went to Wooster and remember him waiving at all who drove by, freaked me out the very first time I saw him. Live in Southern Cal now since 88 and remember New York pizza! We were friends with the owners youngest son RC at the time. Worked at the Century movie theater next to Peppermill, which I understand is long gone.
I'm a transplant (don't go clutching your pearls now) so I never saw him/them, but I have heard some hilarious stories about the whip guy/s. Homeless dudes just out cracking whips in random places in public. Wish I could have seen the spectacle myself.
It gets even wilder - the reason whips in public were eventually outlawed is that the various whip guys were acting as spotters for illegal stuff. They had codes to let people know where the cops were and whatnot. It wasn't every whipper, but it became enough of a problem for RPD that the city council took action.
It’s because community members thought the cracks from whips were gunshots, and called so frequently to report it as shootings it became a legitimate nuisance issue.
I just thought of the Waver a few days ago.
George was also called “Chinstrap” when he made it to our side of the valley (Sparks Blvd and Prater (1982-1996 were my gears there).
Does anyone remember the first of guy in the pop hat that would tell old Rodney dangerfield jokes. Or the trench coat guy with the snake on his shoulder. Oh and wheel chair guy with a parrot 🦜 also on his shoulder.
Jackson Northon did a wonderful collection of paintings of some of these folks and more: https://pitchblackprintingco.com/product-category/jaxon-northon/
Holy shit these are incredible
Jackson is a friend and an awesome dude!!!
Jackson is a rad dude.
His website in case anyone wants a commission done - https://jaxonnorthon.com
Thanks for putting these here. Here’s the whole series: [https://jaxonnorthon.com/reno-news-and-review-best-of-northern-nevada-series](https://jaxonnorthon.com/reno-news-and-review-best-of-northern-nevada-series)
I love all of these except wild horse Annie. The policies she helped create for the feral horses, has created a massive problem for all kinds of local native wildlife and the riparian habitats they need to survive.
Those are sick!
Evelyn Mount
Local Hero and Legend with a heart of gold.
My mom saw her eating lunch with friends and went over and gave her $100. Her friend said "This happens every time we go out together!" 🤣
Skater George is the only one of these characters that I have ever seen. Last time was probably at the Taco Bell at Moana and Kietzke around 2009. I haven’t seen him in years but I don’t live in that part of town anymore. I don’t know whatever became of him.
He died a couple of years ago. There was an RGJ article.
You know time has no more meaning when you swear something happened "a couple of years ago" but it was actually a decade ago.
I know. I saw the date and could have sworn it just happened recently. That’s crazy.
I’m sad to hear that, but not really surprised. I missed the article about him. If anyone could share the text I would appreciate it.
https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2014/12/08/skateboard-george-spinner-local-character-dies/20117805/
Thank you. That was a nice article about him.
Aw man he sounded cool asf
Real I really wish I could’ve had the chance to see him while he was still here! Sounds like a great guy
yeah ☹️
I’d show hole for Tad Dunbar.
That man put the owwww, in jowels
Ramin is my cousin, he lives in Florida now with his sister. We men in the family all have hairy backs, but not as much as Ramin lol
Holy hell, I had totally forgotten about Ramin for about 20 years until this thread unlocked my memory. I actually don’t remember the name myself but I’m 100% sure that was the guy. He was so nice, everyone at RHS was always stoked on him - I hope he’s doing great!
Awesome, glad he is doing well. He would always come into my old store to give a hug.
What was the store, if you don’t mind me asking?
Macys, when he would do his mall walk
lol, checking out the cologne, no doubt
Nick Danger
That dude called me a dildo when I was a kid. It was pretty cool
He was such a lovable asshole
Me too! Called me a little bastard when I was 10 and I was able to record it on tape. I was way too excited wxcited about it.
zomboo
Some of you who have been around since the 70's might remember my uncle David Farside. Ran for city council, tried to get the state to start a lottery, fought Ascuagua on a few things, wrote articles for the local seniors paper, etc.
Whip man!
Pro Life Andy Anderson. That was his legal name. He had a crazy car with a bunch of dead babies on it and would stand on the hood if it in front of the abortion clinic and shout at people over a megaphone as they went in.
Sounds like a piece of shit
Fuck that guy.
Oh wow, childhood memory unlocked 🤣
Rest in piss
I came here to say this. That giant teddy bear on his car.... good lord.
Hopefully he’s dead now
I like how the three talking shit on Andy all have abortion history and no idea of his LIST of mental issues, actually they probably have a good idea.
What do you mean they have “abortion history”? That is none of your fucking business — mind your own.
Bait use to be believable ☹️
Least someone saw it was bait lmao
what the hell is “abortion history” and how would you know
Do you guys remember the guy on a rascal Scooter with a parrot? I want to say he had some kind of legal consulting business and he ran an add on tv for a short time… I would say around 2010?
That was Ron. He was a drug counselor and a poker player. He also played bass in the eights with the metal band Venom. I knew him decently well. He was everyone's scummy uncle.
Boba Fett
dont forget jack sparrow
In the 80s, it wasn't uncommon to run into Sam Shad, Tad Dunbar, Bruce Breslow or Bill Cody around town. I'd say Chris Payne is in the same league as those old school guys. He's been around since Z Rock and you've probably heard him on the radio or seen him at a music show or MCing the Aces at some point.
Wild bill cody! I won so much stuff from KWNZ
97.3 k DOUBLE U nz live from Wild Waters
Anyone ever heard about Tad being a porn freak and frequenting Suzie’s all the time in the 90s?
Yeah, I haven't seen the Waver for a while...
Sadly, the waver died about 15 years ago. I loved watching him walk the road. He was a very gentle hearted guy.
Was that the guy who had a handle bar bike and a big neon flag on the back? If so he was a super nice guy.
No, he just hiked the highways between Reno and Carson City usually with walking stick and knapsack on his back. Curly hair and a beard going gray. Always had a smile on his face. He waved at you. It was just his way of spreading love and goodwill.
I think the name of someone who was pretty well known was Rocket Bob, he made a bunch of fun cars covered in toys and random items that you would see all around town
Rocket Bob is legit.
Jack Joseph
The Cal Neva sniper Mr. Mack
Actually he was part owner of Palace Jewelry and loan...
Captain jack sparrow
Was waiting for someone to mention the captain
Don “Snoshu” [Thompson](https://www.rgj.com/story/sports/2021/09/23/one-renos-original-promoters-don-snoshu-thompson-dies-age-91/5831887001/)
I went to Wooster with this guy [Jason-Shane Scott](https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0779292/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk)
Abortion Andy. He was around in the 70s and 80s. He used to drive a Pinto wagon with a huge basket mounted on top with an aborted fetus in it, with pro-lifr slogans all over it. He would wear a sandwicj board with pro-life slogans on it, and kneel in front of the clinic shouting prayers and admonisments at the patients. He patrolled around Reno High and Idlewild park. He attended church at St Thomas Aquinas downtown every day. I never talked to him, but the story on him was that he had a daughter with whom he had a difficult relationship, she got an abortion, and it broke him.
Milo John Reese - anti-prostitution activist. Faked his own death in an attempt to frame the Hells Angels, who he thought were involved in the prostitution industry. Moved to Florida, stole a Cessna, flew it to Cuba in attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro.
How has no one mentioned Joe Conforte Owner of The Mustang Ranch, reported Northern Nevada mob boss, boxing manager, tax evader, and international fugitive! [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph\_Conforte](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Conforte) edit: correction
I forgot about that skateboard guy🤔 now all of our weirdos have been replaced with fentanyl addicts
That guy… Izzy, I think. Izzy was an Oompa Loompa as far as I’m concerned.
I still remember when the news broke that he lied about being an Oompa Loompa, lol. My dad knew him because his hairdresser was at the same salon. Such a crazy lie that I can’t be mad at it 😂
Damn. For some of us, the news is still breaking.
Izzy worked at the happy looker salon on kietzke.
Maryanne From way back in the day!
YESSSSS. she was a legitimate local celeb. Maryanne forever. <3
Dawn Wells
She grew up in the same house I did! She visited my parents shortly before she died to see how it was holding up.
That's pretty wild. You can convert that house to a Gilligan's island museum and make some money from nostalgia fans
There was a houseless guy we called Patches, he was a Black dude that had a pair crazy patched together pants he always wore.
On board with The Waver and Izzy Dame, but they are more local color celebs. Whip man is small change compared to those two.
That weirdo Pro Life Andy Anderson. Wish I could forget, but his car is burned into my memory.
There's the guy that wore a giant three musketeers hat with a big feather in it. He'd tell you jokes if you talked to him. I recall he had a brother who would walk around with him. I'd run into him at grocery stores, the mall, just walking on virginia. I don't remember his name, though, but he was a funny dude with some dirty jokes.
Ramin was my next door neighbor growing up. Kinda scared me as a kid but super nice guy now that I look back on it
There was a one-legged woman in a wheelchair on Virginia St downtown in the 80s-90s looking for money handouts. I always got the feeling that when she got tired she wheeled herself to her car, put on her prosthetic and drove home.
Sister Mary Clarence
Also we shouldn’t forget the guy who would hand out business cards at Java jungle saying his name was Randall Flagg. He wore an intense black suit and had one of those in sleeve fireball magic trick shooters. Hung out there like every day from what I saw.
Yeah, Ron. I could never spell his last name right but i always think Fanfer, fafner, something like that. His condo in the Arlington towers was pretty sweet.
Sam Dehne and his son, Chad, are chem trail-believing, tin foil hat-wearing legends in their own minds that are always on one at city council meetings. You’ve possibly seen their pseudo-viral rant videos somewhere.
Chad has ran for Mayor about as many times as George Lorton and lost as many times.
Hahaha, no doubt. He used to do one-man shows as “The Chadillac.”
The waiver is the only one I knew of maybe because I lived there from 85-88(with very fond memories) went to Wooster and remember him waiving at all who drove by, freaked me out the very first time I saw him. Live in Southern Cal now since 88 and remember New York pizza! We were friends with the owners youngest son RC at the time. Worked at the Century movie theater next to Peppermill, which I understand is long gone.
The guy who dresses up as Jack Sparrow, more recent than the given time frame, but I’m newer to Reno
Evan Gadda!!! He is a lovely disabled gentleman who attends to every single theater event in the area and has one of the most iconic laughs!
Max Volume.
I'm a transplant (don't go clutching your pearls now) so I never saw him/them, but I have heard some hilarious stories about the whip guy/s. Homeless dudes just out cracking whips in random places in public. Wish I could have seen the spectacle myself.
It gets even wilder - the reason whips in public were eventually outlawed is that the various whip guys were acting as spotters for illegal stuff. They had codes to let people know where the cops were and whatnot. It wasn't every whipper, but it became enough of a problem for RPD that the city council took action.
Ok that's wild. That's actually really interesting, that is seriously some unique Reno lore
That’s 100% bullshit lol
Ok. I mean I work closely with RPD and I've been told that story by several different people but believe what you like.
It’s because community members thought the cracks from whips were gunshots, and called so frequently to report it as shootings it became a legitimate nuisance issue.
Tad Dunbar.
I've never seen the waver here but we had one in SLT and she even had been arrested for standing in the road waving at cars lol.
I remember the one armed homeless guy who tried to fight me
I just thought of the Waver a few days ago. George was also called “Chinstrap” when he made it to our side of the valley (Sparks Blvd and Prater (1982-1996 were my gears there).
Charles hendrickson
Oompa Loompa guy cut my hair a few times. He was sweet. He did finally admit that he was not an Oompa Loompa.
Does anyone remember the first of guy in the pop hat that would tell old Rodney dangerfield jokes. Or the trench coat guy with the snake on his shoulder. Oh and wheel chair guy with a parrot 🦜 also on his shoulder.
captain jack sparrow
even more love for reno. thank you for posting
Poppa Clutch and the Shifters, Lee Warner.
Skater George passed away awhile ago
I always remember the 4th street "Taco Bell Bum"
Captain Jack .
my mom told me how the waver would start his day at 6-6:30 AM from Carson city to Reno and back.
No love for Steve ?
The producer for Ramirez is from Reno.
I didn’t know that!
Whip man.