Baker the barber raffles Guinn portrait for charity

Adam Baker's mission is accomplished.

The Carson City barber visited every state Capitol in the nation on an unusual quest to have his painting of Gov. Guinn photographed in a bathroom inside each of those buildings, including the capitols of Hawaii and Alaska.

Baker was protesting that a Nevada artist was not chosen to do the official portrait of Gov. Kenny Guinn. The distinction was given to Washington state artist Michele Rushworth. Baker said the choice was a snub for Nevada artists, but does rate Rushworth's work highly.

He wrote his official statement in a letter: "I think Michele Rushworth really captured Guinn's disloyalty to the portrait artists of Nevada, 'chuckle.' All joking aside though, Michele Rushworth is an amazing artist and should be congratulated."

Now, Baker is raffling off his painting for charity, namely the Nevada Legacy Corp., which exists to give breaks to those serving as caregivers for family members.

The raffle will be on St. Patrick's Day at Baker's business, Les' Barber Shop, 256 W. Winnie Lane. You can see the painting and buy $5 raffle tickets at the barbershop until that time.

Baker's quest took him a total of one month and nine days done over four trips. At each Capitol, he would simply carry his 24-inch by 36-inch painting into a bathroom, photograph it and leave.

"Everyone thought it was hilarious," he said.

As he began to enter the Capitol in New Jersey, however, a security guard saw Baker approaching and told him he wouldn't be admitted inside the building carrying the painting. Baker had an easy solution, and asked if he could quickly use the restroom before leaving. Of course, that's the only room Baker was interested in anyway, and he got his photograph.

You can see Baker's work at www.biographiesinoil.com

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Martial arts guru Dan Horrigan has opened a center at The Connected Church, 900 Mallory Way, offering the "Break Through Crime Prevention" program to youth ages 10 and older.

Horrigan offers a combination of martial arts and physical skills to youth as something to do rather than hang out on the streets.

"It's what Nora Christianson and I do," Horrigan said. "We try to help kids. They can come in and just hang out and watch what's going on if they want to."

Horrigan, 54, opened the center as a nonprofit in cooperation with The Connected Church. He will also teach self-defense techniques to girls.

"I wanted to do this as an outreach ministry to youth in the area," Horrigan said.

"The program helps kids work though anger problems. It has great physical aspects, too."

Hours are from 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Enter on the west side of the building, at the very back.

"Our goal is to reach the next generation (of youth)," said Rev. Steve Pollard. "The church, as a whole, will lose it unless we do something."

The Connected Church also has an indoor skate park open to youth of all ages.

For information, call 882-0807.