Going bald for the cure, and local theater awards

For most people, March 17 means St. Patrick's Day. But for Douglas County Commissioner Tim Smith it represents so much more. That's the day he will shave his head and go bald to help raise both awareness and funds for childhood cancer. His son-in-law Ron Johnson will also be shaving his head, as part of "St. Baldrick's Day" that will take place all over the world.

The local event will begin at 5 p.m. Friday at The Stadium Sports and Fitness Club, 9393 Gateway Drive, off South Meadows Parkway in Reno. Everyone is welcome.

The St. Baldrick's Foundation began in 1999 with three people who wanted to make a difference. They chose to help children with cancer. Today, the St. Baldrick's Foundation unites thousands of volunteers whose shared mission - To Shave The Way To A Cure - has captured the enthusiasm and devotion of people around the world.

Smith has a special interest in this cause as his grandson, Bailey Johnson, has been battling neuroblastoma for more than six years. He will be 7 years old on March 11 and is finally doing well. He reached NED (no evidence of disease) after six years of chemotherapy, more than 30 surgeries, radiation and a bone marrow transplant in 2001. He was taken off treatment last month, but Bailey will continue to have testing and scans every three months for at least the next year.

He is a happy first-grader at Pinon Pines Elementary School and lives with his mother, Kelly, father, Ron, and little brother, Cameron, in Minden.

Over the past six years, St. Baldrick's has raised more than $12 million for the search for a cure. If you would like to help go to www.stbaldricks.org and make your donation to team "Bailey's Hope" in care of ID No. 1634 at the Reno event or mail to Tim Smith at P.O. Box 712, Genoa, NV 89411.

Though it didn't get the same amount of attention as the Academy Awards did, the second annual Albert Awards were handed out last week and Shakespeare was king.

The Albert Awards are given to members of the Gold Hill Theater Troupe at the Gold Hill Hotel who perform in various plays through the year.

"The Taming of the Shrew," produced last August by the troupe, took Best Play, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Young Actor and Most Promising Newcomer awards.

Michele Reynolds was the most decorated individual member, winning Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress and sharing Best Director with Perry Arnn.

The winners of this year's Alberts - named after a character in the first play the troupe performed in 2001 - are:

Best Play: "The Taming of the Shrew"

Best Director: Perry Arnn and Michelle Reynolds for "The Taming of the Shrew."

Best Playwright: Paul Sweetwood for "Betty Jean."

Producers Showmanship Award: Norma Conway for the pre-show presentations before "The Taming of the Shrew."

Best Actor: Chris Wilson for "The Taming of the Shrew."

Best Actress: Michele Reynolds for "The Taming of the Shrew."

Best Supporting Actor: Perry Arnn for "Betty Jean"

Best Supporting Actress: Michele Reynolds in "The Rose of Sharon."

Best Young Actor: Derrek Travis for "The Taming of the Shrew."

Promising Newcomer: Derrek Travis for "The Taming of the Shrew."

Best Comedic Performance, Male: Perry Arnn as Larry in "Betty Jean."

Best Comedic Performance, Female: Francine Borlee as Felicia in "The Rose of Sharon."

The Gold Hill Theater Troupe, now in its fifth year of community theater, has presented more than 150 performances of 23 plays to Northern Nevada audiences.

Most of the plays presented are original works written by Troupe members. In addition, published plays by Shakespeare and other writers have been part of the repertoire. Three new plays are currently in rehearsal to be presented in the spring program, which opens in late March. For more information on Gold Hill Theater Troupe plays, call 847-0111.