The mysterious safe cemented into the floor at the Cabin in the Sky Restaurant will be opened Saturday. The dusty, cylindrical safe appears to have been left behind by former Cabin owner and brothel baron Joe Conforte. He fled to Brazil after the federal government seized the restaurant, his legendary Mustang Ranch brothel and two Sparks homes for back taxes.
There has been all kinds of speculation as to what's in the safe -- from money to drugs to body parts. Appeal editor Barry Smith had a bright idea last week.
"Why don't we just call (Conforte's) attorney, Virgil Bucchianeri, and ask him what's inside?"
Kurt Hildebrand did just that, but Bucchianeri said he was sworn to secrecy about the contents.
"I talked to Joe and talked to Mark (Hoffman), and both pledged me to secrecy," Bucchianeri said, according to Hildebrand. "Well, I didn't pledge. But they did make me promise I wouldn't say anything. I've got a lawyer-client relationship with both of them."
Hoffman is selling raffle tickets and will turn over the contents to whoever has the winning ticket.
To find out in person, go to the Cabin in the Sky safe-opening party Saturday. The day starts with a brunch at 11 a.m. then fades into an early dinner. The safe will be opened at 7 p.m. Call the Cabin in the Sky Restaurant and Bar, 2207 Main St. in Gold Hill, for more information at 847-0226.
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Even though Floyd Sneed isn't playing at Daddy Dick's Tavern as much as he used to, I saw him there Monday. The Carson resident and former drummer for Three Dog Night was wearing this child-of-the-'60s vest and comfy-looking moccasins.
He wasn't there in person -- he was posing with the band on the album cover of disc No. 26 in the new juke box. "The Best of Three Dog Night -- The Millennium Collection" is full of hits like "Joy To the World," "Mama Told Me Not To Come" and "Eli's Coming."
Sneed used to play a regular blues night at Daddy's with Bobby Joe Holman and the Blues Groove, but according to the bartender Monday, his group been getting bigger and better gigs.
"As long as they're getting real gigs, we can't expect them to come play here," he said.
Sneed and I lived in rooms at the historic St. Charles Hotel above Devencenzi's for a spell in the spring. The last time I saw him, he was still there, but when I went in to pick up old mail, the new manager said he had moved out a few weeks ago. I tried the number on his card but it just rang and rang. If anyone sees Sneed, tell him to give me a call.
In the meantime, play songs from disc 26 at Daddy Dick's, 1305 South Carson Street, 885-0558.
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G-Love and Special Sauce will perform Sunday night in North Lake Tahoe before heading down to Vegas. G-Love -- Philadelphia native Garret Dutton -- and the Special Sauce Band (drums and bass) are known for mellow, hand-made, groovy tracks such as "Cold Beverage," "This Ain't Living" and "Baby's Got Sauce." They'll play an all-ages show at Jim Kelley's Nugget in Crystal Bay starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. Call 337-8344.
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Decades Bar is having a Beach Bash party on Saturday featuring barbecue by the in-house Godzilaz Deli grill, drink specials and a two-hour appearance by the Kuya Girls.
I had to ask Decades manager Rod Fox who they are. He described them as sort of like the Budweiser girls, but representing Kuya -- a new spiced rum.
"These girls are for real," he said. "These are the type of girls that sell drinks."
Bad Intent will provide the musical accompaniment while chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs sizzle on the grill. Decades is at 1475 Hot Springs Road. Call 883-8889.
Karl can be reached at 881-1219 or khoreis@nevadaappeal.com