Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Dialing up a headache

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, April 22, 1999 | 11:51 a.m.

Tough situations we can handle. It's life's small frustrations that can drive us bonkers. Such things as trying to get information from the telephone company, for example.

Recently I wanted to reach some friends in Apple Valley, Calif., but didn't have their number. I looked under long distance calling in the directory and got nowhere. Finally, under general information, I found a number: 555-1212. I dialed and gave the information they needed to fulfill my request. The operator obliged with a number to call.

Assuming it was my friend in Apple Valley, I dialed and a strange voice answered. "Is this J.D.?" I asked, and the answer came back in the affirmative. "You don't sound like J.D.," I said. As the conversation continued I realized it was not my friend on the other end, but someone with the same name. He lives in Modesto, Calif., quite a few miles from Apple Valley.

When I admitted the mistake and told him I was calling from Las Vegas, he began asking questions. He said he was a feed lot manager in Modesto and wondered about job opportunities in and around Las Vegas. I told him I wasn't aware of any feed lot openings and our conversation came to a close. Back to square one.

This time I dialed the operator. As soon as she came on the line I pleaded with her not to go away until my problem was solved. She laughed and promised to do what she could.

I finally got my Apple Valley number and completed the call, but my instincts tell me the Modesto call will appear on my phone bill along with all the other mysterious charges so graphically described in a local television report. I did learn that 411 is the number to call for out-of-state numbers, but I don't guarantee results.

And there's the news that a telecommunications deregulation bill, if approved, will pave the way for more extensive competition in the telephone industry. Does that mean we will be getting more telemarketing calls?

All power to the Mirage and Treasure Island for their efforts to keep smut peddlers off the Strip sidewalks. The County Commission made a valiant effort with an ordinance that didn't pass muster with the courts. Naturally, the American Civil Liberties Union will be out there to protect the interests of the porno passers. Maybe they should consider protecting the rights of citizens who resent having salacious materials shoved into their hands.

Roland Wiley had a dream of converting a small canyon in the desert near Pahrump into a peaceful sanctuary. The result was Cathedral Gorge, which became a worldwide tourist attraction.

Wiley carved out small niches in the canyon walls and filled them with religious icons. Stone steps led to the floor of the gorge, where inspirational signs were planted in the sand. A suspension bridge over the gorge gave visitors a view from high in the air. At night, music broke the silence of the desert and lights lit up the cathedral.

I visited there several times and urged friends to take time to marvel at what one man accomplished. Cathedral Gorge, although rustic, left visitors with a feeling of serenity. With Wiley gone, Cathedral Gorge has lost its patron, the desert is reclaiming the gorge and vandals are destroying Wiley's dream.

And that's sad.