Street Talk: Carson City's Jeanne Stelzer holds a black belt in Jujitsu

Don't mess with Jeanne Stelzer!

That's because she has a black belt in Jujitsu

Not only that, she teaches Jujitsu here in Carson City and she is also a member of the U.S. Jujitsu Association which has members and schools across the country.

We'll learn more about that right after I tell you Jeanne is 46 and was born in Petersburg, Va.

"Actually, we lived in the town of Hopewell," said Jeanne. "Petersburgh is where the hospital was. Hopewell is a chemical company town of about 5,000 people in eastern Virginia."

Her dad, Glenn, worked for Hercules Powder Company.

"He worked for them for 40 years before retiring," said Jeanne. "He and mom (Marion) now live in Wilmington, Del."

Jeanne has been married to Keith for 17 years. He's 61 and was born in Portland.

"Both his parents have passed away," said Jeanne. "Keith has two brothers and one sister who live out-of-state. I have one brother who lives in Knoxville, (Tenn.) and one sister who lives in Portsmouth, England."

Keith and Jeanne have two sons. Chad is 11 and a sixth-grade student at Carson Middle School and Richard is 8 and is in the third grade at Fritsch Elementary school.

"Keith and I met in La Jolla, Calif.," added Jeanne. "It was at a Christmas party at a friend's home. We became engaged on our second date and married five months later in La Jolla."

They both were working in Southern California after being transferred there by the companies they worked for. They came to Carson City from there in 1987.

"We bought our four-bedroom, two-story home in North Carson City and have lived here ever since," said Jeanne. "At home we have one dog named Tallulah we got at the pound last year. She's a mutt. Our cat is named Natasha. She's a two year old we got from friends."

That's not all they have at home.

"We also have two tortoises we got from 'The Turtle Lady' and we've got tropical fish in our fish tank," she said with a laugh.

Keith, who was there briefly for our visit, works for Calculated Industries on Arrowhead Drive.

"He's the advertising manager for them," noted Jeanne. "They make construction calculators."

Jeanne, along with partner Joanne Bower, own and operate CRC Vending Company in Carson City.

"We service about a dozen locations in town," said Jeanne. "We're a small but growing business that we began two years ago. It's the perfect business for us. We both have kids in school and it fits our schedule perfectly."

One of the "locations" CRC Vending services is the Nevada Appeal's vending machines in its break room. That's where Jeanne and I first met. I tried to trade her a day old newspaper for a day old pastry but she rejected that offer - A generous one, I might add, but I couldn't convince her of that.

BATS & OLD CARS - Jeanne says her son Chad is "a bat lover" and has been one "ever since the first grade" where he first learned about them.

"He's been fascinated by them ever since," said a smiling Jeanne. "Just one of those things. He's got bat books and toys and the license plate on my car reads 'BATS' because Chad liked it and it's unique .... No logic to it at all and no message."

She did add that "both our sons are runners" and members of the Carson City Striders.

"They are currently training for the Junior Olympic Cross-Country Nationals in Reno in December," said Jeanne proudly. "Chad will run in the 2.4-mile race and Richard in the 1.9-mile race. They'll do real well in them."

Husband Keith is not a bat lover but he does love to rebuild old cars.

"He drives a 1967 Mustang and right now he's rebuilding a 1927 Model-T," said Jeanne as she and Keith showed me the cars. "He also likes to golf and has a 15-handicap."

JUJITSU STUFF - Jeanne is a black belt in Shinto Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu which she said means "Traditional Willow School" Jujitsu

"That means we teach self-defense," she said. "I started in 1993. I'm an instructor at Sierra Jujitsu and Karate School on Rhodes Street in Carson City. I teach kids and adults from age 6 and up."

What do you actually teach them?

"We teach blocking and form and striking and movement," replied Jeanne. "We also teach respect and a lot more. It's also a great way to stay in good shape and a fun way to exercise."

Jeanne says she "likes and enjoys" that very much and she also said they are "always looking for new members" so if you have an interest in that, call Jeanne at 882-8821.

A RARE TAPE - That's what you'll see on tonight's Street Talk TV show. Not only will we visit with the Nevada State Chili Champion and the Colorado State Chili Champion, we'll talk with Nevada Appeal Editor and Publisher Jeff Ackerman - Who will give us a tour of the Appeal and show you how a newspaper is put together - and he'll tell us about his dad Jack and show you a rare tape of Jack performing on the old Ed Sullivan Show as well as the Merv Griffin Show and on one of the early Labor Day telethons hosted by Jerry Lewis.

That's because Jack Ackerman was one of the world's best tap dancers ever! Not only did Jack have a "big hit" with the song "Mac The Knife" before Bobby Darin did, Jack is in the Jazz Hall Of Fame in St. Louis and as you'll see, he "makes music when he moves" according to Jerry Lewis, who was a family friend. You'll also see Jack dance with Jerry and one of the original Step-Brothers on that telethon. It's an oldie but goodie tape.

Jack Ackerman performed with all the greats of his time, including Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and others and you'll see him do a one-on-one solo with "The greatest drummer of his time and maybe all-time" Buddy Rich in an "exhibition of dancing like you've never seen before" according to Merv and according to me too. It really is good!

Also on the one-hour show that begins at 6 p.m., you'll see a behind-the-scenes rehearsal of Mac The Knife - Which was Jack's Signature song - by the showgirls (in street clothes, not the costumes they wore when actually performing it) who did it for a roast (Sorry, we can't show you that) for Jack, who passed away two years ago.

It's a great show you won't want to miss, especially if you like tap dancing ....

ALAN ROGERS is a Nevada Appeal columnist. Call him at 887-2430, ext. 402.