EDITOR'S NOTE
January 2024 | Vol. 29, Issue 11
We are all in the same boat—for a day anyway Mailing address: 31855 Date Palm Drive, No. 3-263, Cathedral City, CA 92234 775-324-4440 • RenoNR.com
Publisher/Executive Editor Jimmy Boegle Managing Editor Kris Vagner Editor at Large Frank X. Mullen Photo Editor David Robert Cover and Feature Design Dennis Wodzisz Distribution Lead Rick Beckwith Contributors Alicia Barber, John Barrette, Matt Bieker, Maude Ballinger, Lucy Birmingham, Brad Bynum, Zoe Dixon, Loryn Elizares, Bob Grimm, Michael Grimm, Helena Guglielmino, Matt Jones, Matt King, Michael Moberly, Maggie Nichols, Steve Noel, Dan Perkins, David Rodriguez, Jessica Santina, Jason Sarna, Brianna Soloski, Delaney Uronen, Robert Victor, Matt Westfield, Leah Wigren The Reno News & Review print edition is published monthly. All content is ©20232024 and may not be published or reprinted in any form without the written permission of the publisher. The RN&R is available free of charge throughout Northern Nevada, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies may be purchased for $5 by calling 775-324-4440. The RN&R may be distributed only authorized distributors. The RN&R is a proud member of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, the Nevada Press Association, and the Local Independent Online News Publishers.
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There’s something that always takes me by surprise each New Year’s Eve— and that’s the fact that I really like New Year’s Eve. As much as I adhere to various annual traditions on other holidays—Friendsgiving in addition to Thanksgiving; a steak dinner picnic on Peavine Peak on our wedding anniversary—there’s no particular expectation for the way I spend Dec. 31. I’ve enjoyed past New Year’s Eves in every which way I can think of—intimate but lavish dinner parties I’d host with my brother eons ago when we both lived in Boston; house parties at my place or yours; festivals in whatever city square I may have been near; camping in coastal California; watching the ball drop on TV; assembling Legos with kids; or—one of my personal favorites—being in bed by 11. This is the day when, I’m pretty sure, the most people in the world are the closest to being on the same page about something. While most holidays we celebrate in the U.S. come with reasons to gather with friends and community and celebrate some sort of togetherness—whether those reasons be religious, patriotic, amorous, what have you—New Year’s Eve is when we basically just mark the passing of time. If there’s anything that humans worldwide come close to agreeing upon, it’s that time is indeed passing. The thoughts that often follow this annual realization are: 1) While we’re acknowledging the passing of time, we can’t help but notice our mortality (and that one is actually universal). 2) We might as well make the best of what we have now and what we have left, in that case, and: 3) For the moment, let’s enjoy the heck out of lighting some fireworks, raising a glass of good riddance to the past year’s problems, snapping some Legos together, relishing an early turndown time, or whatever may be going on that particular night. Of course, there are other calendars people adhere to in addition to the Gregorian one that’s been popular in much of the world for the last few centuries. And rest assured that I was not making a starry-eyed suggestion that every-
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thing will suddenly be fine in Israel, Gaza and Ukraine as the new year arrives. You may be thinking by this point, “Hold on, did a newspaper editor actually just go on for a while about something other than the power of local journalism?” Nope. Busted. That is exactly where I’m going. When you work in this business, pretty much all thoughts on all topics lead you back to the power of local journalism. When I wake up on Jan. 1 with sweet memories of whatever merriment or sentimental joys may have gone down the night before (as of this writing, with our press date just after Christmas, I don’t even have a plan yet), I’ll think about the longer-term implications of what we should do in the face of time passing and mortality looming. We all need something to keep us going, right? For me, it’s the thoughtful and creative things the members of our community are doing, and the hard work and integrity that RN&R writers put into keeping us informed about them. In this issue’s cover story, Delaney
Uronen will get you up to speed on how local right-wing groups, in keeping with a national trend, have been gaining representation on the Washoe County Library Board, opposing LGBTQ+ materials and programming—and calling for the removal of the library director. In the music pages, I’ll introduce you to Ford Goodman, a man who retired from the tech industry, moved to Reno, and brought along an idea to help musicians make a better wage. Cocktail scribe Michael Moberly marked the new year by asking local bartenders to share advice they’d give their younger selves. Realistically, in a lot of ways, we’re not all in it together. We all know polarization runs deep these days. But I sure am proud of our contributors for their commitment to building bridges by telling our community’s stories, shedding light on the issues that matter, and keeping us informed about Northern Nevada culture. If you have ideas for more people, issues or cultural goings-on you think we should cover, drop me a line. Meanwhile, happy 2024, everyone! —KRIS VAGNER krisv@renonr.com
GUEST COMMENT
BY CRAIG C. DOWNER
Nevada’s wild horses and burros are protected by law—and are not ruining public lands A Nov. 16 letter by the Coalition for Healthy Nevada Lands to the Bureau of Land Management’s national director misrepresents the status of Nevada’s wild horse and burro herds, claiming these have reached crisis overpopulation and urging more large-scale roundups in 2024. This hysterical letter was also sent to the Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Council for its endorsement. Basically, it defies the true intent of the unanimously passed Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (WFHBA) by ignoring its (and related laws’) central tenets. The act requires the “protection, management and control” of America’s wild horses and burros on public lands, where they were found unbranded and unclaimed in 1971. These legal, year-round habitats are to be “devoted principally to their welfare” and not that of cattle or sheep ranchers, mining, energy, big game, off-highway vehicles, land developers, etc. Yet the opposite is happening. On their legal public lands, these equids should be treated as “an integral part of the natural system” and “protected from capture, branding, harassment or death” with criminal penalties of up to $2,000 and/or a year in jail; and, since 1984, with the Sentencing Reform Act, up to $100,000 and/or 10 years in prison. WFHBA’s uncompleted Section 10 authorizes the declaration of study herds to learn how these equids naturally behave and integrate with other species and the land. The BLM and the U.S. Forest Service should manage the wild equids “to achieve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance” and “at the minimum feasible level.” Also, the seldom used Code of Federal Regulations 4710.5-.6 specifically provides for reducing or canceling livestock privileges on the wild equids’ legal public lands to ensure thriving, healthy herds. Many other provisions of the WFHBA and other laws favor these wild equids and should be used to counter the undermining of their rights—which they actually possess in superior degree to those of ranchers who use public lands. As a wildlife ecologist, I have monitored Nevada’s and America’s wild horses and burros, and the WFHBA program since 1971. I have sought to achieve government honesty and integrity in upholding the true
spirit of this progressive act. But I cannot stand by while people heavily involved in public-lands exploitation issue biased information and hyperbole about the wild horses and burros to cripple or eliminate their populations and monopolize their legal habitats. Public-lands exploiters are ruining so many of the natural ecosystems, including by overgrazing and pumping down major aquifers, thus causing the aridification of much of Nevada and the West, including the drying of springs, streams, lakes and ponds that are the “lifeblood” of the desert. I am particularly concerned about uncontrolled cattle and sheep, including increasing trespassing by out-of-season animals, and their devastating effects. The coalition’s statement is not an objective take on public land health. It overlooks the major causes of ecosystem degradation or blames the wild equids for this, ignoring that they are minor presences relative to the major natural-resource exploiters. The relatively minor wild equid herds must not be blamed for what is happening in Nevada and the West. These are natural gardeners who restore the living Earth. Casting aspersions at them ignores so many of the positive contributions of a native species that should be valued as an integral component and enhancer of the public-lands ecosystem. Nevada—and America—must stop scapegoating these marvelous animals. We must use a “reserve design” approach, which would restore all of the herds to genetically viable levels and allow them to naturally adapt and harmonize within each of their unique and legally protected habitats. But it’s up to each one of us to make this happen. Please support my reserve design plan (see my GoFundMe, “Reserve Design for Wild Horses”) and urge BLM and USFS officials, and your elected representatives, to adopt H.R. 6314, the Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act bill, which could resolve many serious conflicts with ranchers on the legal wild horse and burro habitats and permit genetically viable herds in viable habitats where a proper reserve design could be implemented.
STREETALK Why do people idolize celebrity? Who’s your celebrity idol?
BY DAVID ROBERT
Asked at Swill Coffee and Wine, 3366 Lakeside Court, Reno Colbee Davis Designer
I think that it’s more about a sense of community and having something in common with friends. It’s less about celebrity and more about community. Now that the pandemic is over, people are gathering more in person. Taylor Swift is the celebrity that I like and follow. I like her music. She donates to charities and treats her staff and band well. At the end of her last tour, she gave them all huge bonuses.
Oliver Davis Nanny
People idolize celebrities as a form of escapism from their mundane lives. For them, the celebrity life is so exciting. Personally, I don’t think that it’s exciting. It’s the drama that people like. There’s something about it that makes people’s brains go, “Ohhh!” I don’t have a favorite celebrity. My life is exciting enough, and I stay away from drama.
George Blackbern Sales consultant
I watch a lot of sports, and people idolize athletes for their abilities on the field. They also follow them in their private lives. Some people look up to them for their charity work. I like Joe Montana for his quarterbacking skills and that he took the 49ers to win four Super Bowls.
Debbie Belevan
Investor relations
People idolize celebrities for their super talent, good looks and money—the lifestyle of the rich and famous. I wonder why people idolize celebrities. I think that it’s a waste of time. People feel bad about their own lives, that they’re not like the celebrities, and their own lives aren’t good enough. and question their own quality of life. I don’t have a specific celebrity that I like, but I like a lot of musicians and actors.
Alvaro Belevan
Investment banking
Craig C. Downer is a wildlife ecologist and a fourth-generation Nevadan who has observed and defended wild horses and burros since his youth. He has done studies, written two books and many articles, and given input on the subject to government agencies, courts and Congress.
People don’t know any better and don’t educate themselves on anything. Celebrities offer an easy opinion on things, and then people don’t have to form their own opinion. Celebrities want to be the center of attention. Idolization is a reflection of people’s intellect, which is generally pretty low. Following celebrities makes life easy for them. My favorite celebrity is Daniel Day-Lewis. He’s a celebrity without being a celebrity. RenoNR.com
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A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER
| BY JIMMY BOEGLE
Join us for a chat about the future of the ‘RN&R’ You’re invited to a community meeting to discuss the future of the Reno News & Review. It’s happening at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 3, at The Generator, 2450 Oddie Blvd., in Sparks. At the meeting, we’ll discuss our plans to become a community-owned nonprofit, answer any questions you may have about the process, and get contact information from people who are willing to help in one way or another. There will be no formal presentation—just a bunch of people who care about the RN&R getting together to chat. (If you can’t make it on Jan. 3, or if you saw this after Jan. 3, and you have input, have questions or want to help, please call me at 775-324-4440, or email jimmyb@ renonr.com.) The RN&R is far from the only community newspaper facing questions about its future. In the days leading up to Christmas, two stalwarts of local independent media announced major changes and cutbacks— including one publication those of us at the RN&R know very well, because it’s our former sister publication. The Chico News & Review announced its January print edition would be its last. The
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granddaddy of the News & Review publications debt, reorganize and return in February with a financially stable, successful and revitalized at 46 years old, the CN&R will continue—in a publication.” more limited form—online. While some independent news outlets are “For the past 3 1/2 years, the newspaper has persevering, the industry as a whole is not in persevered, publishing monthly with the hope great shape. TheWrap, a media/entertainment that ad sales would bounce back post-COVID news source, had this to say in a December pandemic,” said editor Jason Cassidy in a note article: “Broadcast, to readers. “Unfortunately, they haven’t, and “At the meeting, we’ll print and digital outlets collectively saw 2,681 we find ourselves at a discuss our plans to journalism job cuts in crossroads. We will now try to forge a new path. become a community- 2023, up 48% from 1,808 in 2022 and 77% from The CN&R’s mission will owned nonprofit.” 1,511 in 2021, according to persist online, where we a report from employment will channel our resources firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. With a toward enhancing coverage of local governcollapsing advertising-revenue model and more ment and continuing as the go-to resource for media companies experimenting with artificial local arts information.” intelligence to create content, the outlook for A couple of states to our east, the 30-yearjournalism is dimming, media analysts told old Colorado Springs Independent announced TheWrap. The decline underscores the need for it would be taking “a break” and would “cease the public and even governments to fund news publishing for the immediate future.” gathering if it is to survive in its current form “If we’re going to succeed, we will need and avoid widespread ‘news deserts,’ they said.” everyone’s support and encouragement,” wrote So … that’s the bad news. And now for the publisher Fran Zankowski. “It’s too important good news: We’re fairly confident that our plan for the health of our community to let this to convert to nonprofit status can assure the voice be silenced. With great hope, optimism RN&R has a long future ahead of it. and resilience, our plan is to eliminate our
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Last month in this space, I bemoaned the fact that our advertising revenue is trending in the wrong direction. On the flip side, reader support is increasing—and while it’s not enough to get us into the black, at least it’s trending in the right direction. Nonprofit status will allow us to pursue grants for which we’re not currently eligible, and it will mean the donations we accept from readers can be tax-deductible, if the readers so choose. I have good news to report here, too: While we head down the road toward setting up our own nonprofit, we’ve signed a fiscal sponsorship agreement with the Alternative Newsweekly Foundation (altnewsfoundation. org), a nonprofit “dedicated to supporting news outlets that provide coverage on a local level and strive to achieve exceptional journalism.” (Full disclosure: I am on the ANF board, but I recuse myself from any matters involving the RN&R.) The ANF can now accept tax-deductible grants and donations on our behalf (keeping 6 percent to pay for credit fees, filings, etc.). So if you’re looking for a great cause AND a tax deduction—look no further than the RN&R! I hope to see you on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at The Generator—and again, if you can’t make it but want to help or know more, drop me a line.
ON NEVADA BUSINESS
| BY MATT WESTFIELD
Into 2024—and into the unknown Ladies and gentlemen, we are entering a new year—which means it’s time for a renewed focus on our respective businesses. We need to be certain we do things better and more efficiently than we did last year. This is true even if we did well. There is always room to tighten our belts and prepare for anything that’s ahead. Whether it’s a recession, an economic comeback or something in between, we know anything can happen— and that doesn’t even consider the upcoming political “silly season” leading to the election next fall. It never seems to abate anymore, as one “silly season” tends to blend right into the next. Put your seatbelts on. A year from now, we’ll know a lot more about the economic horizon than we do now, and the cycle will turn all over again for another unrelenting four years of divisiveness and debate. And so it goes. I have friends and close family all along the political spectrum. Just today, my brother and I were debating the latest silly political updates. Our conversation inevitably came back around to the fact that, as a business owner, I need to side with my fiscal business values. It made me recall a true story. I was in the tiny African country of Guinea-Bissau on the Atlantic Ocean in 2017 with my buddy Dr. Dave. We were sent by the U.S. State Department, in part to judge a hackathon, but primarily to assess the cashew industry and learn how it is being influenced by Chinese and Indian interests. We were to report back on what the U.S. may be able to learn from the industry, or perhaps how we might affect it. The country was on alert for a pending military coup. We were sent to the embassy in Dakar, Senegal, to be briefed, and then to the consulate in Bissau to meet with our security contact. He was to monitor our whereabouts during the week’s visit. Bissau is a small city by African standards, with dirt streets, block and palm huts, and horse carriages rolling
wares to market. There are few tourists and no conservation parks—just a poor country with the people trying to find their way day to day. Military vehicles were everywhere in Bissau—along with Mercedes 300 sedans from the 1980s and ’90s. Thousands had been imported, and they’re incredibly reliable, so the taxi drivers, police, citizens and military all drive them. It seems like there’s an old Mercedes being repaired in every driveway. As we drove to meetings with the minister of agriculture, I was in the back seat of the prerequisite 300D with my translator. Our host, Rudi, was driving with Dr. Dave in the front seat; I was in the back with Brahma, our translator, and the windows open. As we went around a roundabout, I saw a car pulled over to the side by a police cruiser, and I took a picture with my phone. Within 10 seconds of exiting the circle, we were cut off by a dark-green, four-door Mercedes. A huge soldier with an AK-47 blocked our car. Another came over, reached through the window and grabbed me to pull me out. Brahma grabbed my right arm. The soldier played tug-of-war with my left arm as they both yelled in Creole. After what seemed a small eternity, the soldier let me go. He and the other soldier jumped back into their old Mercedes and sped off. I asked Brahma, “What did you tell him?” “I told him you are a U.S. diplomat here to help our country, and taking pictures is not illegal,” he said. One evening in Bissau, we wanted to take our translators and our local contacts out for dinner, so we went to a little hut near the hotel for a famous grilled-chicken dinner. In the restaurant, an older gent approached us and asked about our meal. He was the owner, a Belgian dude who looked like Jacques Cousteau, with the long, gray beard and 70-something years of wrinkles. We asked him to sit with our party of nine, so he did. “What the hell compelled you to leave Belgium and come here?” I asked him. He had come to Bissau 40 years prior, in
1974, when independence was declared, and realized he could live a pretty rich life there, despite the rampant poverty and lack of a stable government. I was fairly dumbfounded, wondering if maybe he had run away from something in Belgium. But that wasn’t the most interesting part to me. What I will take with me for the rest of my life was his answer to my question: “How do you live and run a business when the threat of a military coup constantly hangs over the people, the land and the businesses, as it has in Guinea-Bissau for the last 30 years?” He grabbed his Belgian beer and said in English with a heavy Belgian accent: “Every morning, I get up and come over to open up my restaurant. I cook my chickens, pressure up the kegs and serve great friends like you every night. Then I go wash up, close and lock the doors to go home, and go to bed. In the morning, (even if) we had a coup overnight, I get up, I come over to open up my restaurant. I cook my chickens, pressure up the kegs and serve great friends like you every night. Then I go wash up, close and lock the doors to go home, and go to bed.” Life for most people in Bissau, just goes on—and on. We need to have the same attitude as business owners here in the United States. Next year’s election will have impact on everyone—to the extent you let it. I can’t be wrapped up in the
shitstorm beyond trying to vote for the least evil among the actors. I have to focus on my businesses and the value we purvey. Yes, my taxes may go up or down. Employment may go up or down—along with the price of gas, food and everything else. We may have another pandemic. We may be involved in more than two wars, like we are now. Who knows? As business owners, we will always work among this this noise and these challenges. We need to focus on the value we purvey to our customers and make sure they are receiving all of the stellar service they deserve. We need to maximize our ability to embrace repeat customers. They are our gold in business. They get us through pandemics, elections, recessions and depressions. If your business is built on the one-time sale, how do you get the second sale? By getting the best friend, business associate or family member to buy. Referral is the best and cheapest way to get customer acquisition. It makes negotiations easier and building trust easier—more than dancing with a cold customer. In 2024, we need to look at every aspect of our businesses and keep our eyes on the prize, regardless of all the noise, the geopolitical instabilities, our political polarization and the other headwinds we face. It could be worse—it could be a military coup, false imprisonment or any number of other problems. God bless America. Happy New Year, Nevada!
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UPFRONT
NEWS
| BY FRANK X. MULLEN
Study: Latino voters are not a monolith The 2023 Poll of Nevada’s Hispanic Electorate was released on Dec. 14— and the main takeaway, according to voter advocates, is that candidates are not reaching Latino voters as well as they could be, due to mistaken assumptions. This study was conducted by UnidosUS, which calls itself the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization, and Mi Familia Vota, an organization that works to increase voter registration and participation. “Oversimplifications about these voters have led to ineffective or anemic outreach,” said Clarissa Martinez De Castro, UnidosUS’ vice president of the Latino Vote Initiative, in a press release. Martinez De Castro spoke with the RN&R by phone to provide some context. “I think (candidates) are committing political malpractice,” she said, adding that most political campaigns assume that voters have a political history—but the study found that 19 percent of Nevada’s Latinos will vote for the first time in the 2024 election. “I think that if candidates reach out, it would have a motivating effect on voters who are eligible but in need of registration,” Martinez De Castro said. According to the study, only 53 percent of Nevada’s eligible Latino population is registered to vote—leaving some 218,000 unregistered. “A lot of times, people used to assume if we talk to Latinos, the only thing we need to talk to them about is immigration,” Martinez De Castro said. However, the study found that inflation and the rising cost of living, jobs, affordable housing and health care ranked higher than immigration on the list of Nevada Latinos’ chief concerns. How can Nevada candidates most effectively reach out to Latino voters? “In terms of registration, person-to-person has been the most effective,” she said. “However, we know that a lot of Latinos are online through their phones, so I think making sure that people are leveraging digital channels like YouTube and TikTok and other things like that (is important), in addition to being visible out in the community.” —Helena Guglielmino 6
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Arlan Melendez, who was chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony for 32 years, holds a photo of himself while in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. The colony headquarters hosts a display of tribal members who served in the armed forces. Photo/David Robert
A lifetime of service
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Arlan Melendez retires after decades at the helm of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony When Arlan Melendez was born in 1947, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony was a 26-acre enclave surrounded by the city of Reno, and the federal government called the shots for all American Indian reservations, whose tribal members had limited control over their own governance. Today, the colony—a federally recognized tribe whose members include people from the three Great Basin tribes of the Paiute, Shoshone and Washoe—presides over more than 15,000 acres of land. The community is supported by tribally owned businesses and by sales taxes collected from commercial tenants including Walmart, and now boasts a $20 million RenoNR.com
tribal health center that serves the colony members and all urban Indians. The tribe, with 1,333 members, has been fully self-governing since the 1970s, when Congress passed the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. That law allowed for tribes to have greater autonomy and assume the responsibility for programs and services administered to them. “The (law) worked against the paternalism, the way the federal government had been treating tribes,” said Melendez, who retired as chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in December after 36 years on the tribal council—32 of them as chairman. “The tribes basically took over all the programs and developed
them themselves, coming up with their own plans. ... It’s a lot better. We can design more flexible programs that work.” As tribal chairman, Melendez has overseen the management of those programs and was at the helm of the council when the panel faced big decisions that would guide the community’s future. The colony pioneered a tax system now called the “Nevada model,” which uses the revenue that would have been paid to the state for the tribe’s benefit, and formed close ties with other Nevada tribes and local governments. On its website, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony described Melendez’s decades of uninterrupted leadership as “unprecedented in Indian Country, as are his appointments to federal, state and tribal government posts.” But now, Melendez said, it’s time to step down. He is 76 and would be 80 at the end of his term if he was re-elected. He didn’t want to still be running “from meetings to meetings all day” and flying off to other states and Washington, D.C., to serve on regional and national panels or lobby Congress. Still, he said, he would do it all over again. “Even though it’s challenging at times, with external and internal conflicts, I think when you accomplish something, like building a new health center or bringing in new businesses like Walmart, it’s worth it.” Melendez said. “… We’ve had results. I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve had the support of the tribal council. There are some tribes that I’ve witnessed where the chairman doesn’t have that support. That’s sad, because you aren’t going to get anywhere without it. In-fighting holds the tribe back. The enemy isn’t always on the outside; sometimes, the enemy comes from within.” A career in politics wasn’t on his radar when he was a young man. A 1965 graduate of Earl Wooster High School, Melendez served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam. After his discharge, he earned a degree at Truckee Meadows Community College and later attended classes at the University of Nevada, Reno. He worked at the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife and Pyramid Lake Fisheries and was elected to two two-year terms on the RSIC tribal council, starting in 1987. Rather than compete for a third term on the council, he won the race for the chairmanship in 1991. Although the work was always hectic and sometimes grueling, he kept putting his name back on the ballot—and winning. He
never ran unopposed, he said, and never faced a recount in a close election. He made decisions for the good of the tribe, he said, rather than based on how they might affect his chances for re-election—such as the controversy over what was called “dual enrollment.” That policy allowed people to be on the membership rolls of the urban colony and another tribe, such as the Pyramid Lake Paiutes, at same time, something Melendez thought eroded the colony’s tribal sovereignty. “Nobody wanted to touch that issue,” he said. “You have to figure that half the people want it, and half are against it. If you take that on, you risk not getting re-elected. If your goal is to stay in office, it’s best not to touch that.” Even his parents, who held dual enrollments, were against the change, he said. “But if you really think about it, we are elected to do the right thing,” he said. “I was in favor of it because I felt that by having allegiance to one tribe and also defining who your membership is, it will enhance sovereignty of this tribe, because if you don’t do that people can go back and forth. … They would have to choose (enrollment in) one or the other.” Even though Melendez favored the measure, he insisted the issue be decided by a vote of the people. It passed; Melendez was re-elected. “If they voted against it, we would have lived with the dual enrollment,” he said. Melendez also has lent his and the colony’s support to statewide and regional issues affecting Indigenous people.
A battle about kitty litter
Bob Fulkerson, the former executive director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, worked with Melendez in 1999 when the tribe opposed a plan by the Chicago-based Oil-Dri Corporation to create a massive cat litter strip mine and manufacturing plant adjacent to Reno-Sparks Indian Colony homes and lands in Hungry Valley. The Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada favored the project. “Our small coalition met at tribal offices nearly once a month to strategize how to fight the mine,” Fulkerson recalled. “Arlan led the sessions with tribal leaders and non-native activists, developing and implementing plans for marches, protests, lawsuits, lobbying and everything we could throw at the bastards.” When the Washoe County Commission denied the mine’s special-use permit in 2002, it was the first time a Nevada county had turned down a mining project, records show. The colony eventually purchased thousands of additional acres in Hungry Valley, including the proposed mine site and associated mineral rights, to protect it from future onslaughts. Fulkerson noted other instances when Melendez and the colony stood up against the power of the mining industry, including the
recent attempts by Nevada tribes to stop a lithium mine at Thacker Pass in Northern Nevada. “In spite of his considerable accomplishments and his title, he does not have an arrogant bone in his body,” Fulkerson said. “He carries himself with humility and a sense of service to his people first. … He deserves to go down in Nevada history along with other notable elected officials—leaders like Paul Laxalt, Harry Reid and Mike O’Callaghan.” Others who have worked with Melendez noted his calm demeanor and his ability to listen to people on all sides of an issue. “You have to try to build harmony within your tribal council,” Melendez said. “That doesn’t mean you have to have everyone on your side. … You have to listen to their ideas and not downplay what they are saying. … You have to listen to ideas and consider them.”
Why are more young people unhoused this winter?
Diversifying the tribe’s economy
Under Melendez’s leadership, the tribe moved away from its dependence on revenue from its smoke shops. He noted that other local governments are funded by taxes and don’t run businesses. By expanding its trust lands and gaining tenants like Walmart and car dealerships, the colony can support its services even as the demand for tobacco products continues to decline. “A state law in 1991 allows tribes to collect taxes equal to what the state charges and use that for their own benefit,” Melendez said. “It’s not like that in every state. … The Nevada model is the best tax-sharing agreement in the country.” That revenue pays for essential government functions, including police and social services. Melendez gaveled the tribal council to order for the last time on Dec. 13. The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony’s new chairman, Daryl “Doug” Gardipe, was sworn in the same day, as were the other tribal council members. Plenty of issues remain, including finding solutions to more affordable housing and building a wellness center next to the health center. Melendez said he probably will continue to serve on committees during his retirement. But first, he wants to spend more time with his wife, Joyce, his four adult children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Travel, hiking and fishing are on the agenda, he said. He intends to “rest through the winter,” then continue to work for the betterment of the colony. His energy, he said, comes from his “spiritual side.” “My mother used to always say your physical body is going to wear out,” Melendez said. “You pray for strength that is going to come from the Creator. Our tradition talks about rising in the morning and praying for strength and protection. I’ve always believed that, and so I pray about it. When the odds are against you, rely on the Creator to help.”
Anne Renteria, a case manager at Eddy House, and Ana Hurt, the marketing and events manager, set up bedding on a recent weekday. Photo/David Robert
Eddy House, the local shelter for people ages 18-24, has seen a sudden increase in demand for beds this season. In 2022, 361 individuals slept there. As of Dec. 19, the number for 2023 was already at 489—and trending upward. “Typically, while we see some steady numbers over the fall and winter, we don’t see an increase like we’ve seen over the last few weeks,” said CEO Trevor Macaluso. Demand tends to spike in the spring and summer, when kids aging out of the foster system finish high school. Clients who’ve previously been in unsafe homes or relationships tend to leave those situations in warmer-weather months. So why the winter surge? Macaluso has a few hypotheses. Rent prices continue to climb, and according to a December report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, homelessness in 2023 is up 12 percent over 2022. Also, more people than ever are arriving at Eddy House without GEDs or high school diplomas. “I really do believe it’s a lagging effect of COVID, that when schools shut down and reopened, these are the youth who didn’t go back to school,” said Macaluso. “So, now they’re turning 18. They’ve gotten nowhere to go, and they’re coming to us.” Eddy House is asking the community for donations (eddyhouse.org/donate) to help support its additional clients, as well items such as hygiene supplies and clean underwear and socks, which can be dropped off at 888 Willow St., in Reno, or purchased via the organization’s Amazon wish list. —Kris Vagner RenoNR.com
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NEWS
| BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ The Fe, Reno’s newest Basque Restaurant, located in the historic Santa Fe Hotel building, serves an updated menu of small plates that showcase Spanish ingredients like serrano ham and chorizo. Photo/David Robert As an avid food and travel blogger, I visited three of the state’s favorites— the J.T., The Martin in Winnemucca, and The Fe, Reno’s newest Basque eatery, located in the 1949 Santa Fe Hotel building downtown.
Enduring traditions An ode to Northern Nevada’s Basque food institutions “Would you like a Picon punch?” Even though it was 11 a.m. on a Thursday, it would have been hard to say no. You see, this staple of Basque identity does not live by the clock, and one is rarely refused, especially when it’s being offered by Marie Louise Lekumberry, co-owner of J.T. Basque Bar and Dining Room in Gardnerville. This heady mixture of Torani amer picon, brandy, soda water and grenadine is ubiquitous in Basque bars, restaurants and gathering places—and is considered by many to be the state drink of Nevada. Since coming to Nevada in the mid-1800s from the mountainous Pyrenees region of Spain and France, the Basque have become
an indelible part of the state—first as participants in the Gold Rush, and then, later, when the claims disappeared, more as shepherds and ranchers. In the winter, as these hardworking men retreated with their flocks from the mountains, local boarding houses would provide them with food, familiarity and a sense of family. Through music, dance, language and, most of all, food, the Basque heritage is still celebrated here with passion, often at communal tables where meals are served family-style, with large dishes of sides passed around. Such traditions—along with heaping measures of nostalgia—are kept alive by historic boarding houses-turned-restaurants across Northern Nevada.
Where time falls away The Martin Hotel 94 West Railroad St., Winnemucca themartinhotel.com John Arant, owner of The Martin in Winnemucca, called Basque restaurants “a cornerstone of culture here.” Generations return to this one, built in 1898, time and again for the sense of place, for the feeling of home. Time largely falls away here as diners bond over traditional fare and servers say, “On egin!” (“Enjoy your meal”) with sincerity. Bread baskets overflow, and wine glasses are constantly refilled. Course after course of soups, salads, beans and French fries in heaping portions are brought for the table, backed up by sizzling entrées from local ranches, featuring charcoal-grilled steaks, lamb and classic preparations of Solomo (pork lion), sweetbreads and tongue. Garlic is seemingly its own food group here. The tables are long, and the atmosphere is warm. Singing should be expected—and no one leaves The Martin hungry. Balancing tradition and innovation The Fe 235 Lake St., Reno www.thefereno.com While Basque dining is steeped in tradition, some nods to modern dining have indeed crept into the mindset. In downtown Reno, a new iteration of the venerable Santa Fe Hotel dining room opened in October. Now called simply The Fe, this modern eatery largely dispenses with the family-style, multi-course meals in favor of a small-plate approach.
According to co-owner Gavin Sarratea, the small plates—called pintxos (pronounced “pinchos”)—are “a better fit for how people choose to eat now and allow for a more authentic Basque experience,” mirroring how meals are offered back in Spain. They’re served with the most delicious Picons in the area, free-flowing wine and lively chats. How is the food? Amazing. One of my favorite examples is an order of two beautifully crispy croquetas placed atop a vibrant tomato sauce, topped by curls of dry Jack—a dish reminiscent of an Italian crocchette, but native to the Basque region of Navarra. Another beautifully presented plate features three different and equally delicious small, bread-based bites, including a sublime serrano ham with cheese and pimento; and an incredible chorizo, Manchego and pickled garlic set. Sarratea’s recipes are brilliant. He’s a first-generation Basque American, and when asked what makes his food so special, he replied that his dad taught him much of what he knows. ‘Keeping the spirit alive’ J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room 1426 Highway 395, Gardnerville jtbasquenv.com The J.T. has been in the care of the Lekumberry family since 1960. Over a chorizo burger (locally sourced and thoroughly delicious), fries that seemingly fell from heaven and a “side” salad large enough to feed a family of four, I asked Marie Louise about the restaurant’s history, and what makes it such a special place to so many. She replied simply, “The spirit—it’s in the walls,” and as you look around the bar at newspaper clippings, vintage event posters and 4-H awards, you can see and feel it, too. Then there are the hats—cowboy hats, trucker caps and military berets, all hung neatly in rows, many with names inscribed on them, like Sarman, Borda and Settelmayer. These are traces of the families and histories from the town and surrounding ranches, names that are as much a part of these places as the proprietors’ names. Lekumberry said she’s serving several generations who came to the J.T as children. “It means we are making people happy and keeping the spirit alive,” she said.
Community meeting to discuss the RN&R's future 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 3 The Generator 2450 Oddie Blvd., Sparks Questions? Call 775-324-4440 or email jimmyb@renonr.com
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NEWS
| BY LEAH WIGREN Vince Salvatore, Satoko Kurita and Matthew Kopec demonstrate conflict transformation at Aikido of Reno’s Peace Dojo. Photo/ David Robert
Conflict be gone Aikido of Reno’s Peace Dojo works to decrease tension and strife via free-to-all ‘Peace Challenges’ Aikido students and visitors entering Aikido of Reno’s Peace Dojo on Wells Avenue are warmly greeted by staff members and other aikido practitioners. A long room flanked by offices invites participation in projects like Japanese flower-arranging and calligraphy classes. Tables and chairs are abundant and look oft-used. An adjacent storefront, connected by a pass-through, is the location of the aikido studio. A stack of wooden cubbies just outside the studio keeps shoes and other small belongings. The entire studio floor is covered by an enormous, soft, pale-green mat. A partial wall of mirrors is to the left of the entrance. A poster board on an easel near the door announces the Five Peace Challenges of the Peace Dojo: • The Movement—move to expand peace. • Survival Challenge—move beyond fear to experience life more fully. • Conflict Transformation—move an enemy to an ally. • Martial Art of Abundant Peace—practice an art that brings peace to you and others. • Art Expressions—create art and gift it to others. On a Tuesday in December, the Peace Dojo—the community outreach program sponsored by Aikido of Reno—offered a free one-hour class on that third Peace Challenge, conflict transformation; the class, like all Peace Challenge classes, is offered at no charge. The focus of the evening’s class was walking. Vince Salvatore, owner of Aikido of Reno, led the class through various iterations of walking. At each class, a different student is designated to demonstrate what Salvatore is teaching, typically by lightly sparring with him. Some students wore a white tunic and a long black skirt; others wore all white cotton tunics and short pants.
After stretching, students carefully walked around each other for about a minute—before grouchily walking toward and near each other. Other forms of walking with various attitudes ensued. Salvatore emphasized that presence of mind and awareness of mood when walking in the world can help lower stressful situations. Empathy with one’s own state of mind, and trying to understand others’ states of mind, can foster understanding beyond one’s own needs, he said. Students also practiced various ways of responding to physical threats, such as flailing, raising one’s arms and deflecting the energy from a particular action—sending it into the air without injuring anyone. Aikido is a Japanese martial art founded near the end of World War II by Morihei Ueshiba. It emphasizes redirecting energy that may aggressive to de-escalate mental and physical conflict. The idea is to protect oneself without harming others. Aikido of Reno shares the same corner on Wells Avenue and Willow Street as Reno Improv, where Salvatore has been a member of since 2011. Salvatore melds his interests and training in both arts—improv and aikido—to de-escalate conflict. He said both arts require the participant to be adaptive and listen. “Appropriate humor, played skillfully, can really help” decrease tension in a polarized society, Salvatore said. Salvatore was born in New Jersey in 1963. His uncle trained in aikido and introduced him to the practice when he was 5 years old. Salvatore described being “wowed” when he first saw people practicing aikido, and developed a powerful interest in it immediately. He devoted himself to the practice throughout his teenage years in New Jersey, when his parents drove him 40 minutes each way to work out at a dojo with his cousins. Salvatore recalled a police officer he trained with when he was about 18. That officer pointed out to Salvatore that he was a bit too energetic in
class, sparring unnecessarily roughly with other students—which runs counter to what aikido teaches. Salvatore said police officers’ training in aikido helps them maintain their composure in extremely stressful situations. When he was 24, Salvatore moved to rural Japan to immerse himself in the study of aikido. He recalled waking daily at 4 a.m. to rake the Shinto shrine, to journal and to work on a farm. In the early 1990s, he worked at Hitachi in Japan teaching English. He found Japanese and American engineers struggled to relate to one another’s cultures, and he wanted to help bridge the differences—so he used his aikido training and humor to help people see things differently. Nearly 25 years ago, Salvatore and his wife, Fumi, moved to Reno to begin running what is now Aikido of Reno. Salvatore repeatedly discussed the community service aspect of Aikido. “You’re supposed to give back,” he said, plainly. This ethic manifests with the Peace Dojo, as well as the gifting of beautiful Japanese flower arrangements the students put together. Lynda Olman of Reno has trained at the Peace Dojo since January 2020. She started just before
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the pandemic struck, and then took classes on Zoom until the studio reopened. Olman trains twice weekly and emphasized the community aspect. She talked about being accountable to other students to show up and practice, and said a critical aspect of aikido is that it helps practitioners become comfortable setting physical boundaries. She is a professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, and calls on aikido almost daily in her work and life. She routinely asks herself what her intention is when approaching situations, particularly at work. Olman tried aikido many years ago in Austin, Texas. “I was not mature enough and felt bossed around,” she said. She revisited the practice after an emotionally draining divorce left her off-center and with low self-esteem, she said. After several years, she feels centered and stable. Fostering healing experiences and community connections, while promoting personal safety and that of others, are the foundations of the Peace Dojo. As the Peace Dojo website puts it: “The Peace Dojo is where you practice powerful ways to handle all types of CONFLICT.” Aikido of Reno’s Peace Dojo is located at 195 S. Wells Ave., in Reno. For more information or to reserve a space in a Peace Challenge, visit www. peacedojo.com.
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Become a part of the RN&R by joining our distribution team!
HIKING
| BY MAGGIE NICHOLS Among Mount Rose Ski Tahoe’s many advantages are the spectacular views, and they’re available to relative beginners on green runs, too. This vantage point overlooks Winter’s Creek Lodge and Washoe Valley. Photo/Maggie Nichols
• Flexible hours, non-rushed, 1-3 days per month • Good pay • Be a crucial part of the RN&R team
If you have reliable transportation and are interested, email jimmyb@ renonr.com for details!
The last one showering shouldn’t be left in the cold! GO TANKLESS.
Supreme slopes Mount Rose Ski Tahoe is ideal for locals, from beginners to advanced
FREE
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Mount Rose is easily the most recognizable peak from the Reno-Sparks area, with Slide Mountain right next door, boasting The Chutes and other runs of the Mount Rose Ski Tahoe resort. Most local snowhounds already know about the shorter lift lines, parking lots within easy walking distance of the lodges, and top-notch tree runs. But for anyone curious to learn to ski or snowboard, Mount Rose also has fantastic terrain and progression opportunities for beginners. A two-hour lesson—complete with a full set of rental equipment and a lift ticket— starts as low as $139, with special deals occasionally dipping below $100. Your guide will take you on the numerous green (beginner) runs serviced by three lifts: Magic, Galena and Wizard. When you feel comfortable on your feet, a Next Step Ski lesson can help you progress and practice your newfound skills. The green runs at Mount Rose Ski Tahoe don’t disappoint. You’re not stuck at the
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bottom of the mountain; you can take lifts all the way to the top and link greens together all the way down, getting the same views and forest experiences as skiers on the more advanced routes. The views are some of the best around. From the top of the Main Lodge side, you can overlook the north end of Lake Tahoe and the many mountains leading down to its shores. The side of the resort above Winters Creek Lodge offers arguably the best view of Washoe Valley and Washoe Lake that you’ll find anywhere. Mount Rose is also one of the most affordable mountains in the area, making it a great place to learn and a great place to be a regular visitor. Full-day lift tickets and season-pass prices are usually below those of other Tahoe-area resorts. If that’s not enough, Mount Rose offers a plethora of daily deals on everything from lift tickets to equipment rentals. From partial-day markdowns and ladies’ days, to locals-only prices and discounts for specific industry employees (like service workers and military personnel), Mount Rose has something to
offer the budget-conscious snowbird on almost every day that isn’t a holiday. Season pass holders get a laundry list of perks and benefits, from equipment rentals and discount lessons to local retail savings and repair services. Check out the Mount Rose Ski Tahoe website for the full list of advantages. Days on the mountain never get old at Mount Rose, with a full schedule of events. You can try out some new skis on demo days, or rack up laps in The Chutes for bragging rights. From special-event fireworks and spring pond skims to weekend naturalist tours and race days, there’s always something going on. But perhaps the most impactful aspect is the feel of Mount Rose Ski Tahoe. Top to bottom, this mountain is geared toward locals. Driving up the Mount Rose Highway to the base parking, you join fellow winter enthusiasts from the immediate vicinity—not hordes of weekend warriors. Both lots are welcoming and open, with easy parking and access to your vehicle for grilling your own lunch or meeting up with friends for a tasty beverage before or between runs. As a Midwestern transplant, I had very little experience with skiing before moving to the Reno-Tahoe area nearly a decade ago. Even after working a full season on one of the other, larger area resorts, I didn’t feel I had progressed much in my skiing ability or confidence, due to constantly overcrowded slopes. When my now-husband and I first got together, I knew I wanted to become a better skier to keep up with him on the slopes. He suggested Mount Rose, for its easy access from the city, the locals’ vibe and the reasonable prices for the area—so I happily agreed. Mount Rose isn’t the largest ski resort in the area, but its terrain is varied, offering something for every level of skier. As I’ve practiced and learned, Mount Rose continues to offer me excitement and enjoyment with every turn of my skis. When I’m craving challenge and excitement, there are black runs, blues covered in moguls, and routes to be picked through the trees. When I want the easy way down at the end of a long day, I can easily make my way along green runs to the base on my weary legs. While I regularly join friends and family at other area resorts, Mount Rose remains far and away my favorite. With Mount Rose’s approachable staff and a small-town ambience, skiing here feels like being home. I never have to battle big crowds of folks “just in town for the weekend”—and I can always find space on the mountain to ski the way I like.
Planets and Bright Stars in Evening Mid-Twilight For January, 2024 This sky chart is drawn for latitude 40 degrees north, but may be used in continental U.S. and southern Canada.
ASTRONOMY
| BY ROBERT VICTOR
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January’s evening sky chart. Illustration/Robert D. Miller
Pollux Castor
Capella
Vega
Deneb
Procyon
E
Betelgeuse
W
Aldebaran Altair Rigel
1
8
15
29
22
Jupiter Sirius 1
8
15
22
29
Saturn
Fomalhaut
Evening mid-twilight occurs when the Sun is 9° below the horizon. Jan. 1: 48 minutes after sunset. 15: 47 " " " 31: 45 " " "
S
January skies
Stereographic Projection Map by Robert D. Miller
Late sunrises mean great (not-so) early morning opportunities to see bright planets and stars In early January, we experience our latest sunrises of the year (except for late October and early November, when late sunrises result from the artifact of daylight saving time). Dark skies within an hour before sunup allow stargazers in this first month of 2024 to conveniently enjoy Venus, the brilliant “morning star” shining at magnitude -4 in the southeast; Mercury, to its lower left; eight to 10 stars of first magnitude or brighter scattered across the sky; and a waning moon from Jan. 1-9 (hiding one of those stars on Jan. 8), returning for a second morning engagement Jan. 25-Feb. 7. Ranking next after Venus before dawn are three stars of magnitude zero: Arcturus, high in the southern sky; Vega, low in the northeast; and Capella, very low in the northwest. After January’s first few days, Mercury will exceed these stars in brilliance;
binoculars will be handy to pick it up low in the glow of twilight. The Big Dipper stands high in north to northwest as morning twilight brightens. Its curved handle, extended, leads to Arcturus and first-magnitude Spica, well up in the southern sky. Low in the west-northwest is a pair of stars 4.5° apart: Pollux, of magnitude 1.1, and fainter Castor, of magnitude 1.6. As Earth passes between the sun and these “Twin” stars of Gemini late in January’s second week, they’re visible all night: Low in the east-northeast at dusk, south of overhead in the middle of the night, and low in the west-northwest at dawn. On the morning of Jan. 14, Spaceship Earth is heading toward Spica, while Pollux is at opposition to the sun. Following Pollux by five weeks, the star Regulus, heart of Leo, the Lion, will take its turn at all-night visibility, on night of Feb. 18-
19. On January mornings, find 1.4-magnitude Regulus in the western sky, 37° to the upper left of Pollux. On New Year’s morning, a 73 percent waning gibbous moon stands 13° to the upper left of Regulus. The moon shifts eastward through the zodiac constellations at an average rate of 13° per day. On the mornings of Jan. 4 and 5, about 10 days before Earth takes direct aim at Spica, a fat crescent moon appears near that same star. On Jan. 7, the southeast sky hosts a beautiful display: Venus, 15° to the lower left of an 18 percent crescent moon, with the red supergiant star Antares, heart of the Scorpion, just 6° to the lower right of Venus. Binoculars give a striking view of stars in the head of the Scorpion to the moon’s lower left, and two third-magnitude stars, the “outworks of the heart,” closely flanking Antares. Look 13°-14° to the lower left of Venus for zero-magnitude Mercury. Using binoculars, can you spot 1.4-magnitude Mars, very low in twilight, within 9° to Mercury’s lower left? On the next morning, Jan. 8, the moon and Antares are both 6° to the lower right of Venus, but you may or may not spot Antares very close to the moon, depending exactly on when you look. That’s because the 11 percent crescent moon actually occults, or covers, Antares! As seen from the Reno area, the star will be covered by the leading sunlit bright edge of the moon in a dark sky shortly after 5:35 a.m., and reappear along the dimly Earth-lit edge of the moon just after 6:34 a.m., around the middle of twilight. With an unobstructed view toward the southeast, Antares can be seen in binoculars before and just after the occultation, but a telescope will be needed to observe the star at either of the two contact times. On Tuesday morning, Jan. 9, the 5 percent old crescent moon, with Mercury 7° to its upper left, appears within 13° to the lower left of Venus. Antares is now in the clear, 7° to Venus’ lower right. Three planets at dawn: Venus shines at magnitude -4 in the southeast as twilight brightens. Approaching superior conjunction on far side of the sun to be reached on June 4, Venus narrows its distance west (to the upper right) of the rising sun from 37° to 31° during January. Combined with the sun-to-Venus line making an ever-smaller angle with horizon this season, Venus drops noticeably lower each month. As Venus recedes from Earth, its phase becomes less impressive. Follow Venus going 1.2° east per day against the background: 1.0° north of Beta in the head of Scorpius on Jan. 1; 6.3° north of Antares on Jan. 7; and 3° north of Lambda Sagittarii, top the of Teapot, on Jan. 28. Look RenoNR.com
for Mercury in twilight, to the lower left of Venus, by 19° on Jan. 1; 15° on Jan. 5; 13° on Jan. 8; 11° on Jan. 14-22; and back up to 13° on Jan. 31. Mercury brightens from magnitude +0.4 on Jan. 1; to magnitude 0.0 on Jan. 4; then slowly to magnitude -0.3 by Jan. 31. Mercury climbs highest in twilight around Jan. 8 and reaches greatest elongation, 23.5° west of the sun, on Jan. 12. Use binoculars to locate faint, gradually emerging Mars (magnitude +1.4), 5° below Mercury on Dec. 30, and then to Mercury’s lower left through Jan. 26. Evening planets, moon and stars: At dusk, Jupiter shines at magnitude -2.6 to-2.4 in Aries, high in the southeast to south-southwest. Saturn, at magnitude +0.9 to +1.0 in Aquarius, sinks through the southwest toward the west-southwest horizon. Saturn’s rings look “skinny” now, only 9.1° to 7.7° from edge-on. In the morning sky during spring 2025, they’ll be presented edgewise in turn to Earth and the sun, and will disappear. The new moon occurs on Jan. 11 at 3:57 a.m., setting up an easy view of a 4 percent young crescent moon within 38 hours later, low in the southwest to west-southwest at dusk on Jan. 12. The waxing moon skips past Saturn Jan. 13-14, and past Jupiter Jan. 17-18. On Feb. 20, the gibbous moon passes a wide 9° north of Aldebaran, eye of Taurus and follower of the Pleiades. Approaching full, the moon skips past Castor and Pollux Jan. 23-24. Evening stars: The Summer Triangle of Vega, Deneb and Altair is visible at dusk through midmonth. Before Altair, its southernmost member, sets just north of west, check the east-southeast for the rising of Sirius, the Dog Star. (You’ll need unobstructed views in both directions.) To find Sirius, extend Orion’s belt downward toward the horizon. To the left of Sirius and a little higher, look for Procyon, the “before the dog” or “little dog” star, and Betelgeuse, Orion’s shoulder, forming the nearly equilateral Winter Triangle with the two dog stars. After Sirius rises and before Altair sets, the six stars of the Summer and Winter Triangles, plus five additional stars of first magnitude or brighter (totaling 11), are visible simultaneously. After passing full on Jan. 25, the moon rises later in the evening and returns to the morning sky. Find the waning gibbous moon at dawn, near Regulus on Jan. 27 and near Spica on Feb. 1. The Abrams Planetarium Sky Calendar is available by subscription from www. abramsplanetarium.org/skycalendar. For $12 per year, subscribers receive quarterly mailings, each containing three monthly issues. Robert Victor originated the Abrams Planetarium monthly Sky Calendar in October 1968 and still helps to produce an occasional issue. He enjoys being outdoors sharing the beauty of the night sky and other wonders of nature.
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The Washoe County Library System had a tumultuous 2023, with right-wing organizers bringing people out to complain about drag queen story hour and books with LGBTQ+ and diversity-related themes. As 2024 begins, it appears that allies of those organizers have taken control of the Washoe County Library Board of Trustees— and Jeff Scott, the director of the Washoe County Library System, is in a fight to keep his job. Here’s how the Library Board got to where it is today.
‘Fresh blood’
In July, the Washoe County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 against reappointing then-Washoe County Library Board of Trustees Chair Amy Ghilieri to another term. The two Democrats on the board voted in favor of reappointing Ghilieri; the three Republicans voted against her. The decision came amid tension between the Library Board and a group of right-wing protesters who regularly attend meetings to express their vehement opposition to drag queen story hours and books—often dealing with LGBTQ+ themes or themes of diversity—they deem inappropriate for Washoe County school libraries and the young adult sections of Washoe County’s public libraries. These complaints are often 12
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need to be taken out of the library that promote the homosexual point of view and transgenderism.” He blamed the presence of these materials on Ghilieri and Scott. “We need fresh blood so that they can vote (Scott) out of being the library board director,” said Nellis. It is not in the purview of the Library Board of Trustees to decide on programming or content. Debi Stears, the collection development manager, oversees the bookprocurement process, while Scott is ultimately responsible for the continuation of drag queen story hour. While Stears has union rights as part of the Washoe County Employee Association, Scott’s tenure is determined by the Library Board. The Washoe County Library System has hosted drag queen story hour programs in an
effort to foster inclusivity in the community. The popular, family-friendly event is not funded by tax dollars but by Our Center, a nonprofit that supports and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community in Northern Nevada.
accompanied by calls for the removal of Library Director Jeff Scott. The Washoe County Library System is far “I fell on the from alone in dealing with these types of wrong side of politics,” Ghilieri said about the controversies. commission’s decision. “… Rather than stand The American Library Association reports up for marginalized communities, it was easier that 2022 saw the highest number of attempted for (the commission) to avoid all of that and book bans since it began compiling library give the censors what they want.” censorship data more than 20 years ago—and Some spoke up for Ghilieri. “She is an the preliminary 2023 numbers are even higher. educator who believes in free and public This summer, state libraries in Montana, access to books, books that reflect our Missouri and Texas announced they would community—all of be severing ties our community,” said with the ALA, County Commissioner while Republican Mariluz Garcia. legislators in at Others opposed least nine others her. “This particular are seeking to board has been a real do the same. polarizing situation in Nationally, protests the community,” said of drag queen story County Commissioner hour events by Michael Clark. conservative and “I think we need far-right groups some fresh blood. have escalated to … I am absolutely threats of public adamantly opposed violence. Many to reappointing of the book titles somebody who has protested in caused such a stir in Washoe County the community.” are on the ALA’s Frequent library list of the 13 critic Cliff Nellis most frequently While some trustees want Washoe County Library Director Jeff Scott fired, library staff have lauded his accomplishments—especially the initiatives he’s launched to serve homebound and rural residents. commented: “There’s challenged books Photo/David Robert a lot of books that of 2022.
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The national trend
Stears said there has not been a notable increase in book complaints made through the Washoe County Library System’s formal challenge process—which can entail calling for the book to be relocated, restricted or removed. She did say one of the challenges asked for the removal of 13 books. “The library really stands for representing all voices in the community,” said Stears. “Sometimes there are voices that folks don’t necessarily want represented, or at least don’t want their kids to have access to. … It is every parent’s right to decide what’s appropriate for their child. We in the library don’t want to interfere in that at all.” At the Dec. 20 Library Board meeting, Allen Ratliff, a therapist and assistant professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno, explained why it is important for the library system to continue to host drag queen story hour As of Dec. 21, Gianna Jacks is the chair of the Washoe County events and keep LGBTQ+ Library Board of Trustees. Photo/David Robert content freely available. Ratliff’s research focuses on Gianna Jacks. the harm that may be caused Jacks’ biography on the library website to queer and trans children as a result of says: “Gianna worked in real estate for 18 decisions made by parents and other authority years and was in the United States Navy figures. Reserves for eight years. Gianna is originally “Queer and transgender kids have the from Southern California in the San Fernando highest rates of suicide of any known group Valley, and has explored under the ocean of young people … and of these, rates are directly correlated with stigma and rejection,” from San Diego to Ventura as a PADI Master Dive Instructor. She’s a former Regional Ratliff said. … “We know that when queer Toastmaster Champion and owned a coffee and trans kids are affirmed and acknowledged food truck before moving to Incline Village and included … they don’t have high rates of then Carson City and Reno, and has been a suicide anymore. When queer and trans kids Nevadan ever since. Gianna and her husband are made invisible, they die. When we reject own a local tax and business consulting queer identities, when we prevent people company. Gianna’s hobbies include reading from seeing themselves in their communities, books, hugging trees, and hiding the TV kids die.” remote from their three home-schooled children.” While Jacks has not publicly stated a political affiliation—Washoe County voter records list her as “non-partisan”—she quickly In September, the Washoe County garnered an enthusiastic base of supporters Commission appointed two new members affiliated with far-right-wing groups. to the Library Board of Trustees to replace Schayden Gorai, a local representative Ghilieri and Ann Medaille (who had resigned of conservative action organization Turning from the board): Ann Silver, the RenoPoint Action, posted on X (formerly known as Sparks Chamber of Commerce CEO, and Twitter) on Sept. 21, “ONE STEP CLOSER
Meet Gianna Jacks
population using the library, Jacks suggested … The appointment of Trustee Gianna Jacks implementing a system of identification … signifies a pivotal moment for our children and a shift in direction for our Library Board.” requirements to enter the libraries. On Dec. 1, Jacks appeared on Nevada Radio On Oct. 15, he shared on X a flier circulated Roundup alongside Nichelle Hull of Wake by Jacks inviting community members to join Up Washoe County and Nicholas St. Jon of her for a weekly meeting at Swill Coffee and Wine to share thoughts and concerns regarding the Washoe Patriots. Hull shared information about a petition for the removal of select titles the library system. “Our Library Board Trustee Gianna Jacks is officially MAKING IT from local middle and high school libraries, as well as from the young adult sections of HAPPEN,” Gorai wrote in an accompanying Washoe County Libraries. These titles include post. “… It’s crucial for us to show up and All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson, show out for our lone soldier as she fights Crank by Ellen Hopkins and Me, Earl, and everyday for our libraries and our children! the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews, which rank Conservatives need to support conservatives, among the top 13 most challenged books of especially when they are standing alone 2022. fighting for good in a room full of evil!” After Hull called these titles The RN&R attempted to contact Gorai, but “pornographic,” Jacks encouraged community he did not respond. members to speak up at library board meetings In a November interview, the RN&R asked and directed listeners to Hull’s website. Jacks why this right-wing coalition had expressed such impassioned support, despite her lack of public promises to represent their interests. Jacks said she was not sure. “I had no idea that they would take to me saying that the library should be neutral At the Nov. 15 Library Board meeting at and that I have three homeschool kids, and I the North Valleys Library, speakers again believe in looking out for the kids,” she said. complained about library content and drag “... So I don’t know how they all just kind of queen story hour, accused Scott of failing in embraced me. I just don’t have anybody else his duties—and called for his removal at his coming forward to embrace me. I would love annual performance evaluation, which was to hear from lots of other groups.” scheduled for the Dec. 20 meeting. When asked about her feelings toward drag “The LGB community seeks to normalize queen story hour events, Jacks said she had their lifestyle, even though it’s dangerous “no opinion either way.” However, as time and unhealthy,” said Val White. “Drag story went on, she hour … is a started offering friendly way hints about her of destroying leanings. the sexual and At her first behavioral norms meeting as a of children at trustee, on Oct. their early ages. 18, Jacks, ran … It’s time for against Lea director Jeff Moser and Scott to hit the Al Rogers to road.” become the An increased board’s vice number of public chair—and commenters — Allen Ratliff, won, in a 3-1 also showed vote. Washoe assistant professor at the up to voice County their support UNR School of Social Work Republican for LGBTQ+ Party Chair content and Bruce Parks programming. This included parents and many criticized Moser for a lack of leadership and members of Indivisible Northern Nevada, a commended Jacks for her community outreach group whose stated aim is to defend inclusive efforts, stating: “We need fresh blood. We values. Members wore shirts that read need fresh thoughts and ideas.” “decisions are made by those who show up.” At her coffee meeting on Oct. 19 at Jacks delivered fresh ideas in short order, Swill (hosted by Jacks personally), when proposing bylaw revisions that would render Parks complained about Reno’s homeless continued on next page
A proposed bylaws change
When we reject queer “identities, when we
prevent people from seeing themselves in their communities, kids die.
”
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to book titles—vastly outnumbered those the role of the library director less central speaking against them. Reno resident Willie in board proceedings—and give the Library Puchert told the Reno News & Review that Board the power to remove the library he reached out to local progressive groups director. including Indivisible Northern Nevada, “There’s no provision that allows this board Our Center and The Radical Cat bookstore, to dismiss a library director … which is in which in turn rallied some bylaws of community members these adjacent and LGBTQ+ civil counties,” Jacks rights groups such as said. (While Silver State Equality. the bylaws may The meeting’s not have such a initial public-comment provision, the section lasted more Library Board than 3 1/2 hours. already has that Stacey Spain, power per Nevada executive director of law.) Our Center, said: “I On the support the drag story recommendation program because it of Washoe County — Val White is literary-based and Deputy District at the Nov. 15 Library inclusive.” Of the Attorney Herbert program and library Board meeting Kaplan, the content, Spain said: proposed bylaw “It’s important for us to have inclusive books revisions were tabled for a future meeting. and a worldview that includes a broad cross The Reno News & Review asked to talk to section of people who come through the Jacks regarding the proposed bylaw changes; library every day.” she declined our request. Allen Ratliff said: “Books with queer characters saved my life. … Libraries have the power to keep queer and trans kids safe.” On the other side, Nichelle Hull The Dec. 20 library board meeting garnered an presented a list of 14 books that she said enormous turnout: Almost 150 people crowded Washoe County residents judged to be into the Downtown Reno Library’s second “completely unacceptable for children” floor in anticipation of the meeting that would include Scott’s annual performance evaluation. because they include “acts of rape, sexual assault, pedophilia … and then finally Those speaking in support of Scott—as well group sex between teenagers while using as drag queen story hour and wider access
The LGB community “seeks to normalize their lifestyle even though it’s dangerous and unhealthy.
”
Drama on Dec. 20
Reno resident Willie Puchert speaks at the Dec. 20 library board meeting at the Downtown Reno Library, which drew almost 150 attendees. Puchert had reached out to progressive groups to urge their members to attend. Photo/David Robert 14
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methamphetamine,” which she said occurs in Crank. “Debi Stears needs to go. Jeff Scott needs to go,” said Hull. Ahead of Scott’s evaluation, library employees expressed their support. They said he has been supportive of staff and described the ways in which the library system has flourished under his direction, despite the challenges of Bruce Parks chairs the Washoe County Republican Party. After a motion to the COVID-19 pandemic. fire library director Jeff Scott at the Dec. 20 library board meeting failed, Stears listed Scott’s Parks shouted from the audience that he would be filing a lawsuit. Security personnel escorted him out of the library. Photo/David Robert accomplishments, including the The motion ultimately failed. Deputy expansion of services District Attorney Kaplan said that there was to underserved communities through the “no basis for an action to terminate or discuss implementation of book kiosks, a delivery termination based on the way the item is service for homebound residents, and a agendized.” In the audience, Bruce Parks bookmobile to serve rural residents. Stears shouted that he would be filing a lawsuit, and also said Scott expanded the materials budget security was called to escort him out of the and accessed special e-rate funding in order library. to provide remote corners of Washoe County, During final board comments, Jacks like Gerlach, with internet access. read what appeared to be a pre-prepared Stacy McKenzie, assistant library director statement, and accused Scott of hiding of Washoe County, said: “Anyone who would financial expenditures from the board; she call for Jeff Scott’s resignation does not did not elaborate on the allegations. She also know what is best for our libraries and our expressed frustrations that “the display tonight communities.” has pitted neighbor against neighbor, and that Four of the five trustees participated in is truly sad to see.” Scott’s evaluation, according to Assistant County Manager Dave Solaro. Two trustees felt that Scott had met or exceeded their expectations, while two trustees felt he had On Dec. 21, the day after the contentious performed below their expectations. One trustee anonymously said that “Jeff has meeting, Frank Perez submitted his resignation as chair of the Washoe County created controversy and needs to understand Library Board. how to negotiate his way through it with In an internal email obtained by the RN&R, grace and dignity rather than anger,” while Perez told the library director and board of another said: “I have repeatedly asked for trustees that “it has been an incredible honor various materials, answers, and agenda items to serve the trustees and the library system. … and my requests have been stonewalled or Over the past few months, I have been asked disregarded entirely. Director Scott appears to by members of the community to step up and feel unaccountable to the trustees.” run for Reno City Council. Running for office After a failed motion to table a vote on is not an easy task and will require all my Scott’s review, Jacks made a motion to energies that are presently occupied with this remove Scott as library director. board and other boards.” “With the information received today Perez thanked Scott for his professionalism and based on my new, albeit educated and during his years on the board and added: informed, process of my responsibility, I “I want to be clear this is not a result of would be shirking my duties as trustee … not yesterday’s meeting, as I have sat through to suggest Mr. Scott’s voluntary resignation,” many similar type meetings for over a year.” Jacks said. “… I move that we fire Mr. Scott With Perez’s resignation, Gianna Jacks is immediately.” now the chair of the Washoe County Library It was unclear what information she was Board of Trustees. referencing.
The new chair
Community meeting to discuss the RN&R's future 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 3 The Generator 2450 Oddie Blvd., Sparks Questions? Call 775-324-4440 or email jimmyb@renonr.com
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ARTS
| BY JESSICA SANTINA Mert Kenyon is co-owner (along with his wife, Heidi) of the new Pottery of the Southwest gallery in downtown Reno, which sells work by contemporary Indigenous artists and a few pieces from Heidi’s father’s historic collection. Photo/David Robert
Southwest style
A new downtown Reno gallery preserves Indigenous pottery traditions It’s not unusual for one’s father-in-law to be an avid collector—of stamps, perhaps, or baseball cards. Mert Kenyon’s father-in-law, John Blom, had an outsized collection of traditional Southwestern pottery—as in 2,500 pieces. That passion rubbed off on Kenyon, leading him to open Pottery of the Southwest, which is Reno’s only gallery dedicated exclusively to Indigenous work, some of it from his father-in-law’s collection. Blom, a Reno resident, and his friend Allan Hayes didn’t have any expertise in pottery or Native methods when they began acquiring Southwestern pottery in 1992. They didn’t hunt for investments that would appreciate; they bought what they liked and valued the traditional methods used to produce them. Eventually, the two became quite knowledgeable, going on to publish influential books on the subject. Kenyon, on the other hand, spent more than 30 years working in the furniture business in 16
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the Southeast. When he was offered a position managing a high-end furniture store in Santa Fe, N.M., he and his wife, Heidi, relocated. When her father, Blom, visited from Reno, he brought Kenyon along to his favorite pottery markets, including the Santa Fe Indian Market, one of the largest and most important Indigenous art markets in North America. Kenyon became hooked—even deciding to open a gallery dedicated to this art form. In 2017, with about 300 pieces of Blom’s collection as their starting inventory, the Kenyons opened Pottery of the Southwest, a small gallery on Canyon Road in Santa Fe. The area was a haven for collectors of Indigenous art, and the gallery quickly outgrew its space. They relocated to a larger one up the road, where they typically showcased 500 pieces at any given time. Many were from Blom’s collection, but Kenyon also had begun, with Blom’s guidance,
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forming relationships with the artists and buying work from them. When Blom passed away in June 2023, it prompted the Kenyons to relocate to Reno and seek a new space for their gallery. Their search took them to the first floor of The Basement in downtown Reno, where they leased a small gallery space. “We thought this would be a good starting point for us, just to educate people on what (Native pottery) is all about,” Kenyon said, explaining that while many in the Santa Fe area are knowledgeable about this traditional art, Renoites mostly are not. “There was no place here to buy Native American art.” The Reno gallery opened on Oct. 1, with an inventory of paintings, pottery, jewelry and more, primarily purchased from artists, with only 5 to 10 percent being from Blom’s collection. More than 900 pieces from Blom’s
collection were donated to the Nevada Museum of Art before he passed away. They’re expected to be on view once the museum opens its new wing, which is under construction. The pieces housed in the Reno gallery were made by members of numerous Southwestern tribes, including Navajo, Aleut, Cherokee, Hopi, and many Pueblo tribes, including Zuni, Santa Clara, Acoma, Cochiti and others. None of it was made with a wheel; it’s all built by hand using coil and pinch methods. “They dig their own clay; they process their own clay; they hand-build everything, and everything that’s painted, they make their own paint for it,” Kenyon said. “Some fire in a kiln. Some fire outside. They use hand-etching and polish with stones. There’s no glaze on these.” Featured artists, most of whom are from New Mexico and Arizona, include Erik Fender, a polychrome (three-color) artist. Jason Ebelacker, a fifth-generation, award-winning potter and the great-grandson of Margaret Tafoya (considered the matriarch of Santa Clara Pueblo potters) is also prominently featured. Myron Sarracino, an award-winning Laguna Pueblo potter, produces hand-coiled, traditional pots that frequently display swirl designs inspired by migration trails. Much of the gallery’s pottery and paintings feature intricate, precise lines made by hand using feathers or blades, and a single piece can take several months to complete, which is why even the smallest pieces can cost several hundred dollars. “You don’t open a gallery for the money,” Kenyon said, adding that when he sells a piece, the majority of his share is reinvested into other artists’ work. “Many artists will sign with their Indian names,” Kenyon said. “And it will have sgraffito or etching done with an X-Acto knife. And many of them have been doing it since they were 5 years old, watching their parents do it at the kitchen table. … A lot of them are now artists who solely rely on this as their income. That’s why we like to support living artists.” Kenyon now is interested in taking on work by local artists working in this traditional medium, on a consignment basis. Of course, he hopes local buyers will stop in and discover the fascinating beauty of this traditional art form— like he and his father-in-law did. Pottery of the Southwest Gallery is located in The Basement, in the historic Reno Main Post Office building, 50 S. Virginia St. Learn more at potteryofthesouthwest.com.
No one knows what founders go through except other founders. … We get it! Come to the free November BA founders workshop and roundtables. Light refreshments served. 9 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 13 @ the UNR Innevation Center, 450 Sinclair St., Reno
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WESTERN LIT
| BY FRANK X. MULLEN Then (left) and now (below, both cropped): In 1901, the Bliss family created the Lake Tahoe Railway route, which ran approximately 15 miles and terminated at the Tahoe Tavern. Due to competition from the ease and individual freedom of automobile travel, passenger rail service ended in 1941. Historic photo/courtesy of Placer County Archive and Research Center, Placer County Museums
An ‘artifice’ of natural wonder Peter Goin’s new of book of photos documents the evolution of Tahoe’s landscape
The undeveloped portions of Lake Tahoe may appear to be enclaves of pristine nature, as wild and unchanging as they were during the thousands of years when bands of the Washoe people spent their summers on its shores and fished in its crystal-clear water. But what we see around the lake today is an artifice, a reproduction that tries to be as faithful to the original as possible. Tahoe’s multifaceted landscape—at once a reservoir, a resort and scenic stage for mansions, cabins, casinos and alpine experiences—tells a story of massive human intervention that began 160 years ago. “It is increasingly clear that our collective
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role in that landscape is rarely passive. Nature at Lake Tahoe is firmly within human grasp,” wrote Peter Goin, a Reno photographer and author, in the introduction to his new book, Lake Tahoe: A Rephotographic History. The large-format volume, published by the University of New Mexico Press, displays then-and-now photographs on nearly all of its 418 pages. The historic images—of the lake, lakeshore and nearby environs, including the town of Truckee, Calif., and the smaller lakes near Tahoe—were taken between 1862 and the 1960s. Goin tracked down these historic photos and searched for the spots they were taken. From 2009 to 2022, he and his team did the best
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they could to duplicate the views. Often, they were able to position their cameras in the place where the original photographers snapped their shutters. They re-photographed, in color, images from the shore, forest, a light plane and a small boat. “So many of the (historic) photographs were shot from the water,” Goin said. In order to compensate for the diminished lake level over time, a few photos were shot from a step ladder balanced on the boat. “Often the historic photos were taken three feet higher on the water, which will change the relationship of the background to the foreground,” Goin explained. “Shooting from a ladder on a small boat was pretty hilarious—and mildly insane.” Trees now obscure some of the horizons seen in the historic photographs. Goin noted that visitors often assume the forests around Tahoe are pristine, but many areas were clear-cut in the 1800s to supply timber for Virginia City mines and structures. “What we see today are second- and third-growth forests,” Goin said. “People may say, ‘Oh, it’s all recovered,’ but it’s a monoculture—a few species of trees that are roughly the same age. That makes Tahoe a tinderbox when it comes to wildfire.” The locations documented in the book range from the Desolation Wilderness to Cascade Lake, along Emerald and Rubicon bays, to the
communities of Glenbrook and Stateline. The side-by-side images tell a tale of change over time, lost memories and Tahoe’s evolving sense of place. Some of the historic structures remain. But in others, buildings, piers, boathouses, resort cabins and other structures have vanished. One pair of photos documents a railroad bridge that spanned the Truckee River 100 years ago. Today, there is no trace of it. “So many of the areas have gone through dramatic changes,” Goin said. “… This (book) is the most complete compendium of a visual survey of Tahoe that’s ever been done.” Lake Tahoe: A Rephotographic History is available at Sundance Books and Music in Reno. Its retail price of $45 is discounted, Goin said, thanks to grants and donations that subsidized printing costs. It won’t be reprinted, he noted, so “it’s already a collectors’ item.” Goin, who began photographing Lake Tahoe in the 1980s, said he never tires of visiting the lake and aiming his lenses at the big water, the shoreline, the forests and the peaks that surround what is often called the “Jewel of the Sierra.” “Tahoe has always been one of the most amazing landscape spectacles in the West, if not the world,” he said. Goin’s photographs have been exhibited in more than 50 museums nationally and internationally. His previous books include: Tracing the Line: A Photographic Survey of the Mexican-American Border; Nuclear Landscapes; A Doubtful River; Nevada Rock Art; and A New Form of Beauty: Glen Canyon Beyond Climate Change. Goin, a foundation professor of art at the University of Nevada, Reno, is a recipient of the Nevada governor’s Millennium Award for Excellence in the Arts and multiple awards from the National Endowment for the Arts.
ARTS
| BY BRIANNA SOLOSKI AND KRIS VAGNER
Are you a fan of the Reno News & Review? If so, we want you! We are in the process of planning the future of the paper. Whether you’ve been a RN&R fan for years, or you discovered us when we rebooted post-pandemic, we want your input.
Hands on At this art class for people with disabilities, there’s no lecture, and no giggle police Karlee Ancho, 14, and her sister Ava, 8, of Sparks, sat squished on a bench, giggling. Karlee held the end of a handmade contraption—a wide PVC pipe connected to a coffee-can-sized, makeshift drumhead. A teenage volunteer poured a few tablespoons of salt from a mason jar onto the drumhead and showed Karlee how to hum with a bit of force into the pipe. The salt grains jumped into the air and landed back on the drumhead in neat, concentric circles—physical traces of the soundwaves she had just made. The giggling escalated, then escalated some more. “Karlee, you get to be loud in here,” the nearest adult assured her. The drum-and-salt contraption looks a lot like a school science project, but it’s part of an art-class series at Sierra Arts Gallery, called UnchARTed Waters, for people with disabilities. The class is zero percent lecture. There’s not much emphasis on technique, and only just enough instruction to advise students on how to have the most possible fun with the materials at hand. Elsewhere in gallery, instructors sat at tables overseeing projects like leaf rubbings, making ink splotches with an eyedropper, and “drawing” designs into matboard with staplers. The idea is to create as comfortable and nurturing of an environment as possible. The program was first developed in 2019 by local educators Robin Heywood and Heather Gallagher Smith, in conjunction with the Down Syndrome Network of
A teenage volunteer pours salt on a homemade drumhead as Karlee Ancho, 14, blows into the contraption with enough force to make the salt crystals jump and land in concentric circles. Photo/Kris Vagner
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Northern Nevada. UnchARTed Waters drew fewer than 10 participants in its first year. Pandemic shutdowns, staff turnover and other inconsistencies put the program on hold in 2020. In 2021, to adhere to COVID protocols, only two participants could attend at a time— but Heywood didn’t seem fazed. “The obstacles we’ve faced have forced us to think more creatively and explore new ways to achieve our goal of providing free art programs for our neurodivergent community members,” she said. The “free” part is important. “Parents and caregivers have enough financial burdens, so it feels right to provide something they don’t have to budget for,” Heywood said. UnchARTed Waters isn’t the only program in Northern Nevada offering art workshops for people with disabilities. Arts for All Nevada offers Weekly Wonders—free, 90-minute drop-in sessions for teens and adults with intellectual disabilities in Reno, Sparks and Gardnerville. UnchARTed Waters is open to participants of all ages with developmental disabilities. Students are required to bring an adult unless they live independently. The next sessions are Thursday, Jan. 11; Sunday, Jan. 14; Thursday, Feb. 22; and Sunday, Feb. 25, at Sierra Arts Gallery, 17 S. Virginia St., Reno. Students may attend one class or all of them and may drop into each three-hour session at any time. Registration is recommended. For class times and registration, call Sierra Arts at 775-329-2787. In June, artworks created in the classes will be on display in the gallery. RenoNR.com
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FILM
| BY BOB GRIMM Fantasia Barrino and Taraji P. Henson in The Color Purple.
Happy tears The musical version of ‘The Color Purple’ is a triumph; ‘The Iron Claw’ is a well-acted but stunningly tragic film In 1985, Whoopi Goldberg starred in Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple, taking on the role of Celie Johnson in the adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Now we have a second film adaptation—a musical based on the 2005 Broadway hit, with Fantasia Barrino reprising the role of Celie, which she first played on Broadway in 2007. The story of Celie’s rise from early 20th-century abused plantation wife to triumphant entrepreneur is as powerful as ever. The results here are no less magical than Spielberg’s original gem of a movie. In fact, it might even be even better. The new version is a little edgier and darker in places. Celie’s journey is still painful to behold at first, but it’s redemptive story, and the joyous outcome still brings happy tears to the eyes. Director Blitz Bazawule—I’m going to go ahead and declare that name one of the best I’ve ever had to type—has rounded out the cast with some real winners. Danielle Brooks reprises her Broadway role of Sofia, a character played by Oprah Winfrey in the original. (Here’s a reminder here that Winfrey is an Academy Award-nominated actress.) Taraji P. Henson takes on the showstopping role of Shug Avery, while
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Halle Bailey plays young Nettie, and Colman Domingo makes for a terrifying Mister. Domingo brings a different kind of charismatic sleaziness to the role played memorably by Danny Glover in the original film. Domingo’s charms make it harder to watch when he mistreats Celie; the switch in his behavior is shocking. Brooks probably has the best shot at an Oscar nomination, with her portrayal of Sofia’s fall being absolutely heartbreaking. But for my money, 2023’s best actress is Fantasia Barrino. Not only does she sing with a majestic power that burns the screen; her dramatic turn is most memorable. Her rendition of “Superpower” amounts to one of the great screen moments of the year. The music is solid; the cinematography is quite beautiful; and the ensemble is a winner across the board. There’s not much more you can ask of a movie musical—and The Color Purple is one of the year’s best films. One of the problems you might have with The Iron Claw, the story of the Von Erich brothers’ wrestling adventures, is that it’s quite tragic—perhaps unrealistically tragic. The tragedies pile on in this move at a rate that could have you thinking the writers went too far. Thing is … it’s a true story. The horrifically shitty circumstances that befell the brothers are not made up. So you might not have a fun time watching it, but be assured, the Von Erich brothers had a much worse time living it. A beefed-up, transformed Zac Efron plays
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Kevin, the oldest of the four brothers. He’s trying his darndest to bring a championship belt into the house for their domineering dad, Fritz (Holt McCallany), a former wrestler and their coach; the road is not an easy one. Brothers David (Harris Dickinson), Kerry (Jeremy Allen White) and Mike (Stanley Simons) are giving it their all as well. In the end, they will have little more than death and family destruction to show for their efforts. The acting here is superb, especially from a never-better Efron, who brings so much more than surface physicality to the role. White, so good in The Bear, is heart-wrenching as the doomed brother who would wind up wrestling with one leg. If you think the tragedy that unfolds in The Iron Claw is too much for one movie, keep this in mind: There was yet another wrestling Von Erich brother, Chris, who didn’t even make it into the movie. Lily James offers some of the film’s only moments of joy and levity as Kevin’s uplifting wife. She’s like a buoy in the middle of a constant emotional storm. The movie is occasionally hard to watch, but it is never a slog. Sometimes, life sucks, and it can really suck if you take up a very competitive form of wrestling with a dad and bunch of brothers who want to win at all costs. Leave the World Behind, Netflix’s new apocalyptic thriller from writer-director Sam Esmail, left me on the fence between “liked” and “disliked” more than any other 2023 film. It’s a great-looking movie with an interesting premise and solid performances—but the movie is just a little too much in love with itself, with pacing problems, big moments that aren’t really big and too many camera tricks. I was distracted, annoyed and underwhelmed too many times for me to recommend the movie. Julia Roberts stars as Amanda, a frustrat-
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Zac Efron in The Iron Claw.
ed New York City mom who wants to take her family out of the city for an impromptu vacation. She books a rental and rouses Clay (Ethan Hawke), her mild-mannered husband, out of bed. They grab the kids, Archie (Charles Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie), and head out to Long Island for a couple of days to enjoy the beach. All is going well—until an oil tanker almost crashes into them as they sunbathe. G.H.—a well-dressed, seemingly kind man—and his daughter, Ruth (Mahershala Ali and Myha’la Herrold), show up at the doorstep, claiming that the rental is actually their place, and saying that they need to bunk down for a while … because something’s afoot. Due to blackouts, Wi-Fi outages and non-functioning phones, it seems like some sort of hacker nonsense is turning New York upside down. The kids can’t use their phones and tablets, a sure sign the apocalypse is nigh! Amanda is skittish about having strangers in the house, but G.H. seems genuine—and seems to know more about what’s going on than he’s able to reveal. Rich clients and rumors, some seemingly true, have G.H. alarmed, but he’s proceeding with caution so as to not upset the other family. The precarious relationship between the two families provides the film’s other dramatic core (besides the whole world-ending thing), and it is sporadically amusing. Esmail (the creator of Mr. Robot) unfortunately gets too carried away with stylish flourishes like long shots of descending from one floor to another in the huge home, and tracking shots involving confused animals and bewildered people. The movie is 138 minutes long and probably would’ve worked better at a tidy 90 minutes. Some sequences feel like the filmmaker was trying to amaze with his camera and editing mastery—but instead was being overindulgent. Roberts is OK, although her character has some elements that make her unlikable—perhaps unnecessarily unlikeable. Amanda has enough depth without her character’s undercurrent of racism, severe overreaction to deer, and strange and out-of-nowhere flirtation with infidelity. It’s Julia Roberts; you don’t have to give her character 15 layers. Not surprisingly, Hawke is once again the MVP of a film. His Clay is a great creation, an easy-going guy who might have done a bad thing or two—but he’s laid back and cool, so who cares? Hawke continues to mature as an actor with every performance, and his is the best in the movie. Ali and Herrold are strong as well, creating an interesting father-daughter dynamic. Kevin Bacon shows up for a couple of scenes and makes the most of his time. After a long buildup, the film’s ending is interesting enough that I was wishing the rest of the film was better. It’s a movie about which a lot of folks will be on the fence—but we can all agree that a beached oil tanker almost smushing Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke is pretty cool.
BEST 3 THINGS
| BY MAUDE BALLINGER
RENO’S BEST CONCERT VENUE Local Love at LEX Jan 6 Anthony Jeselnik Jan 13 Steel Panther Jan 19 Hannah Berner Jan 27 G3 Reunion Tour: Satriani, Johnson, Vai Feb 2 Bad Friends Feb 3 Chris Distefano Feb 9 Dropkick Murphys Feb 15 Bert Kreischer Feb 16 Juanes Feb 17 Brincos Diares Feb 18
Resolve to indulge
Royce Burger Bar serves up an unusually crisp and satisfying portobello burger. Think “chicken-fried mushroom.” Photo/David Robert
Colter Wall Feb 24 Lukas Nelson+POTR Feb 25 Treaty Oak Revival Mar 14 Tesla: Time to Rock! Tour 2024 Mar 23 Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen Mar 24 Marisela Apr 5 Peter Frampton Apr 11 Nate Smith Apr 26 Banda MS Sept 14
For complete show lineup, visit GrandSierraResort.com/Shows
Buffalo pizza, portobello burgers and chicken pot pie—yum! It’s resolution time. I often hear people resolving to exercise more, limit screen time and not dine out as often, or only do so as a special-occasion treat. I’m not inspired by those resolutions—particularly the latter. For me, dining out often includes sweet moments with loved ones, and indulging in delicious meals we wouldn’t (or couldn’t) cook for ourselves at home. So this year, I aspire to have more of those moments, taking extra care to be present with each bite and each dinner-table conversation. If you find yourself also looking for good—and, perhaps, indulgent—food, I hope you enjoy these three treats as much as I did, especially if they’re part of your resolution to only eat out as a special-occasion treat. What: chicken pot pie Where: Silver State Pie Co. food truck Price: $14 Contact: www.silverstatepieco.com If I told you one of the best pot pies I’ve ever had came from a food truck, would you believe me? Anyone who pays Silver State Pie Co. a visit will see what I mean. Owners Jason Stewart and Colten Johnson are doing impressive things with pastry, which is exemplified by the chicken pot pie. The pastry is flaky and buttery, and the filling is exceptional, with shredded chicken meat, delicately minced vegetables (including the welcome addition of mushrooms) and an expertly seasoned gravy that brings everything together. When I took a bite of this pie, I might have uttered an expletive, which tells you everything you need to know.
What: Ricco’s pizza Where: Smith and River, 50 N. Sierra St., Reno Price: $20 Contact: 775-357-8019; smithandriver.com Why choose between pizza and buffalo wings when you can have both? “Ricco’s pizza” from Smith and River offers the best of both worlds. A perfectly crispy dough is topped with a bleu cheese white sauce, pieces of breaded chicken, pickles and a Buffalo drizzle. It might sound wacky, but it works. The savory elements—the bleu cheese white sauce and breaded chicken—are balanced by the acidity from the pickles and buffalo sauce to make a pizza that’s hard to stop eating once you start. What: Portobello Burger Where: Royce Burger Bar, 115 Ridge St., Reno Price: $12 Contact: 775-440-1095; roycereno.com Royce Burger Bar might have a casual atmosphere, but the food here is not mere “bar food.” The Roycebuger is arguably one of the best burgers in town; the Imperialish Japanese wings are consistently delicious; and the Biggest Little Salad is a delicacy. I’ve seen the portobello burger on the menu, and I’ve been curious, but I don’t usually like portobello burgers. They’re generally a squishy mushroom moonlighting as a beef patty served as a thoughtless shrug of a vegetarian option. Not Royce’s portobello burger, though. It’s basically a chicken-fried mushroom with a crispy, well-seasoned batter that adds texture and flavor—resulting in a delicious burger. Topped with American cheese and burger sauce on a fluffy potato bun, it’s a tasty option for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. RenoNR.com
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TASTE OF THE TOWN TASTE OF THE TOWN
Happenings
LIQUID CONVERSATIONS
| BY MICHAEL MOBERLY If Ilona Smith-Martinez, manager of Honey Bar in the Reno Public Market, could give her younger self a piece of advice, it would be to savor a cocktail— but don’t let it run your life. Photo/ David Robert
Things will really heat up with the second Annual Soup Week, taking place Jan. 2128 and benefiting STEP2, a Reno nonprofit whose mission is to break the cycle of addiction and violence in families. For $60, participants will receive packages containing an official 2024 soup passport; soup coins (which entitle the bearer to a cup of soup at each participating establishment); the official 2024 soup mug; a soup mix from Cherry Bomb Catering; and a cocoa spoon from Dorinda’s Chocolates. “Join us in celebrating and supporting nine fantastic local food and drink spots, all while raising awareness and funds for our organization,” said Mari Hutchinson, CEO of STEP2. “And, best of all, we get to enjoy some very tasty soups!” Participants include Süp, The Cheese Board, Bangkok Cuisine and Grafted Whiskey and Wine Bar. To purchase packages or learn more, head to renosoupweek.com. Local farm and nonprofit Urban Roots, located at 1700 E. Second St. in Reno, is hosting its Humble Harvest–Plant to Plate dinner, from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27. The event will be après ski-themed with dinner crafted by chef Chris Cowell with Rogue Chefs, featuring ingredients grown at the Urban Roots farm. Tickets for $175 include a four-course dinner as well as wine, all inside the farm’s hoop house. For tickets and information, head to urbanrootsnevada-bloom.kindful.com/e/ humble-harvest.
Openings, Closings, Shifts
Edelweiss Pizza Pub and Pastries has opened at 13979 S. Virginia St., No. 505, at the Summit Reno. The concept, which replaced a Noble Pie Parlor location, is continued on next page 22
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Updating one’s compass New Year’s advice from some of Reno’s finest barkeeps At the start of every year, I like to look back at the previous year and take inventory of the person I was—and the relationship that person has with the person I want to be. This year, I presented this exercise to a few beverage-industry insiders to see what advice they would give their younger bartender selves. I also asked them what their younger selves would think about the people they’ve become. Their advice was inspiring and thoughtful for any person looking to better themselves—and start their year with their glass half full. John Blomquist Co-owner, Pizen and Wine Mobile Thirst Parlor www.pizenandwine.com “My advice to my younger bartender self
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would probably be to slow down,” Blomquist said. “I was so eager to try everything. I thought that by learning everything, I would be a better bartender, but I think now that by the time I moved on to the third, fourth and fifth recipe that I wanted to master, the lessons of the first one were lost.” In his mad dash to learn more, Blomquist would have slowed his pace and focused some of his attention on the business elements that make a successful bar. What would young John would think of himself today? “He would probably say, ‘Man! We’ve done a lot of cool stuff! I can’t wait!’ And I would look at him and say, ‘Boy, you’re exhausting. Pump the brakes, kid.’” Ilona Smith-Martinez General manager, Honey Bar
Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane, Reno Instagram.com/honeybarreno Smith-Martinez told me in her usual bright, joyful tone, “Now that I am not drinking, I know I let alcohol run my life for a long time. I could not go to an event without needing a shot. I would tell my younger self to have a cocktail; take a sip; and enjoy the people and the experience.” It is easy to correlate what we are doing with who we are. For much of the bar industry, it’s easy to let alcohol be your personality. “Be present in the moment,” Smith-Martinez said. “I don’t know if it’s that I’m old now, but I sometimes wish I had that time back. I look back, and my whole life was alcohol—which is fine, because I love the industry. Still, there were moments that I didn’t get to savor.” Smith-Martinez is one of Reno’s most award-winning bar personalities, so when she shared with me what her younger self would think of her today, I was surprised: “My former self was never proud of herself, and I am so proud of who I am today. Before, I would wake up in the morning and be not exactly proud of myself. Now, I wake up and come to work, and I’m proud of my staff. I’m proud of the work they do, and I am proud of myself as a leader.” Mark Nesbitt Manager, Chapel Tavern 1099 S. Virginia St., Reno chapeltavern.com “I still feel like a younger bartender despite doing this full-time for over six years now,” Nesbitt said. “When I started, I hit the ground running, feeling like I had so much to learn to keep up with everyone around me. I read as many books as possible, watched other bartenders as much as possible, took notes, practiced and tasted. Now, several years later, I’m still reading, watching, tasting and taking notes.” To Nesbitt, this job, like life, is about constant growth, knowledge and skill development. “I’d tell my younger self to keep pushing, learning and listening—and not expect to stop,” he said. “He would probably tell me to trim my beard and go ride my bike more.” It is an excellent practice to take some time for reflection so you can move forward with an updated compass. So, cheers to a new year full of mindful movements, being present in the moment, and constant learning.
WINE
| BY STEVE NOEL
Sparkling into the new year A primer on bubbly—how it’s made, and where it’s made Napoleon is credited with saying, “Champagne! In victory, one deserves it; in defeat, one needs it!” I couldn’t agree more. Bubbles are magical, and the pair with nearly every food, every emotion and every event. But not all sparkling wines are created the same. Different production methods affect everything from how a wine looks and tastes, to the amount of bubbles it has, and even the mouthfeel. There are four common methods of creating sparkling wines—the traditional method, the tank method, the ancestral method and carbonation. The ancestral method is the original way to create sparkling wine. This process was discovered because some wine can continue to ferment in the bottle—creating carbon dioxide after the cork is installed. The pressure in the bottle is on the low end—two to four atmospheres (ATM), or 30 to 60 PSI, which means fewer and larger bubbles. These wines will often say méthode ancestrale, méthode rurale or pétillant naturel (pet-nat) on the label. The most common method of producing quality sparkling wine is the traditional method; it’s also the most labor-intensive
and the most expensive, with the sparkling wine produced exclusively inside a bottle. This method involves seven steps, one of which is aging the wine in the bottle on its lees. Lees are mostly the spent yeast cells created during the fermentation process. Typically, the longer the wine spends on its lees, the better the sparkling wine is. The pressure in the bottle is between five and seven atmospheres, or roughly 75 to 99 PSI. That is more pressure than a semi-truck tire. (In other words: Be careful while opening one of these bottles!) The labels of sparkling wines produced using this method will include a term such as méthode champenoise, méthode traditionnelle, methode cap classique, metodo classico, or klassische flaschengärung. The tank method, developed in the early 1900s, involves a secondary fermentation and carbon dioxide production in a large stainless-steel tank, not the bottle itself. This method does not involve aging or the wine setting on lees, so the resulting wines are lighter and brighter. This method is far less expensive than the traditional method and is typically used to produce prosecco and lambrusco. These sparkling wines will have on the label a term like Charmat method, metodo Italiano or cuvée close. The pressure in the bottle is between two
and four atmospheres, or 30 to 60 PSI. If you are buying a sparkling wine at your local drug store in the sub-$12 range, it was most likely made by injecting carbon dioxide directly into it, like soda-makers do. This is called the carbonation method, and most wine-lovers will tell you these wines should be avoided, even if you are just making mimosas. Winemakers usually don’t reveal the use of this method on the label, so if you are looking at a sparkling-wine bottle that doesn’t mention one of the other methods, consider yourself warned. Now that we know how sparkling wine is produced, let’s discuss how the name of a sparkling wine can tell you where it was made. Champagne: Champagne only comes from the Champagne region in northeastern France, about a 45-minute train ride out of Paris. Most Champagnes are made from a blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and meunier grapes. Most Champagnes are made in a non-vintage style, meaning the wine comes from different harvest years and is identified with “NV” on the label. Champagne must be produced using the méthode champenoise. Crémant: If a sparkling wine is from France and not from Champagne, it is most likely a crémant. Crémants are made in the same style as Champagne, but can be made from different grape varieties. Crémants are generally less expensive than Champagne, and some of the best come from the Loire Valley, Alsace and Burgundy. Cava: Cava is a sparkling wine produced in several regions in Spain. Cava can be made with local grapes or from chardonnay or pinot noir grapes. Cavas are generally less acidic than Champagnes and crémants, making them easy-drinking and affordable sparklers. Prosecco: Prosecco is produced in northeastern Italy with a grape known as glera. Prosecco is the most-produced sparkling wine in the world by volume. Slightly sweeter than a cava or a French sparkling wine, prosecco can be a great, affordable option. This is the sparkling wine used by most restaurants that pour bottomless mimosas for brunch. Asti: Asti, also known as Asti spumante, is a sweet and refreshing wine from northern Italy. Made from moscato grapes, Asti is a lower-alcohol sparkling wine with flavor notes closer to peaches than citrus. Moscato d’Asti is a less-sweet, lightly sparkling wine from the same region. Lambrusco: Lambrusco is also from northern Italy. While other types of sparkling wines are whites or rosés, lambrusco is a red sparkling wine produced from the lambrusco grape. Yes, they look amazing on a holiday table. Lambruscos range in color from pale to deep purple and in sweetness from dry to semi-sweet. Whatever your sparkling-wine preference is, let’s all pop a cork and give toast to a happy 2024! RenoNR.com
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heavily inspired by owner Monika Marsh’s Austrian heritage. Menu items include schnitzel, Tyrolean-style pizzas and apple strudel. Follow www.instagram.com/edelweissreno for updates. Cookie Plug, a hip hop-culture-inspired cookie chain, has opened at 748 S. Meadows Parkway, in south Reno. The cookies, which are thick and almost puck-like, come in a variety of flavors including the Pink Elephant (strawberry cheesecake), Firecracker (s’mores) and OG (chocolate chip). Learn more at cookieplug.com. Shane Mathias, owner of the barbecue food truck and catering service Big Blue Q, is opening a brick-and-mortar location called The Reno Bar and Grill at 903 E. Fourth St. in downtown Reno. Mathias, who started Big Blue Q almost 11 years ago, said the concept will be, “a casual, relaxed atmosphere with good food.” The Reno Bar and Grill will be open for lunch and dinner, with menu items like wagyu burgers, jambalaya, house-smoked pork belly, house-made pasta and rotating specials. Watch bbqtahoe.com for updates Popular bakery and lunch spot Homage, at 519 Ralston St. in downtown Reno, has closed, with owners citing a huge rent increase (325 percent!) as reason for closure. The future is unclear—in a social media post, owners said: “We don’t know what the future, holds but we are excited and motivated for what’s next.” Homage is asking fans to contribute photos and stories at www.homagereno.com/memories. The Stick, a sports bar on 95 N. Sierra St. in downtown Reno, has closed after being at the location for eight years. The bar cited its reason for closing on its Instagram: “The dynamics of downtown Reno have shifted.” See that page for yourself at www.instagram.com/thestickreno. Have local food, drink or restaurant news or information? Email me at foodnews@renonr.com. —Maude Ballinger
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MUSICBEAT
| BY MATT KING Mark Sexton and Alexander Korostinsky of Whatitdo Archive Group. Photo/David Robert
Research, rules, rock Whatitdo Archive Group discusses their unique genrefocused albums—and remembers Whatitdo Wednesdays Reno creatives Alexander Korostinsky, Mark Sexton and Aaron Chiazza make up Whatitdo Archive Group, which can’t simply be described as a band. Yes, they do make music, but they also are intense researchers and planners, crafting era and genre themes—as well as rules for each of their albums. The Archive Group name stems from the collective’s plans to fool the public when they released their first album. Debut LP The Black Stone Affair, released in 2021, sounds like it could be more than five decades old, and that was the idea that Whatitdo sold to the public. They claimed the mix of bossa nova, jazz, lounge and funk was the long-lost soundtrack of a spaghetti Western. It captivated the older music fans and crate-diggers alike—but soon the secret was out, and the band began to own up to their releases, including follow-up LP Palace of a Thousand Sounds, released in May 2023. Differing from Whatitdo’s first LP, Palace of a Thousand Sounds focuses on exotica and library music. During a recent interview with Korostinsky and Sexton, 24
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they explained how the band casually picked up the idea for conceptual releases. “There really wasn’t a moment; it was just that we kept following the path of whatever we’re kind of digging on, and we just do it,” Korostinsky said. “It’s not like we’re waiting for something to happen for us to do anything; we just begin stuff, and usually at some point, we’re like, ‘Hey, this is turning into something.’ We had that with The Black Stone Affair. It was obvious that we were creating something, and so we took that, and we’re like, ‘OK, let’s focus this; let’s make this a full-on concept and really give it roots and really make it a true thing.’ Ever since then, it’s kind of just been, ‘Our concept thing is what we do now.’” Added Sexton: “We started as like a musical outlet band, like it was more or less a ‘fuckaround’ band. At one point, we were playing stuff as a way of revolting against some of the more pop song structures. Slowly but surely, we started to find our form. … We released a 7-inch record, and it was the first time we really had a theme and a vibe, and ‘Crocker Way’ was the A-side, and the B-side was called ‘Steve’s Romp.’ That was our first time ever releasing something for this band on a record
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label. From there, our momentum continued with these thematic releases, and that’s kind of where we found home.” Even though the tight-knit nature of their music may suggest otherwise (check out the succinct funk of track “Astral-Desia”), fucking around is still a big part of their music creation, albeit in a different form. “I don’t even want to call it ‘fuck around,’ because I thought we were doing stuff that was really cool,” Korostinsky said. “We were just trying to make some music that was complicated for the sake of being complicated, like strange time signatures and key changes and all sorts of fun stuff. It sounded very odd and all over the place, like if The Meters like took acid. … To us, the ‘fuck around’ is just taking risks, and being risky in a very tasteful way. It’s like, ‘Let’s do something a little odd,’ but it’s still in the canon of what we consider good. … There’s an element of ‘fuck around’ where we’ll just be a little risky and try something totally bonkers: ‘Let’s have a trumpet solo in the middle of a song.’ That might be the way we interpret that concept within Whatitdo.” Whatitdo’s intense research leads to lists of rules, so their music sounds as focused as possible. “Mark and I have been songwriting together for very, very long, almost half our lives at this point, and the one thing we’ve noticed as we got have gotten older is that the more rules that we set for a certain project, the more we get out of it, and the faster things happen,” Korostinsky said. “For example, the last Whatitdo release, I really wanted to take that super-seriously. I had a whiteboard that had rules, like, ‘Only use these scales’; ‘Don’t use too much harmony’; and, ‘These are the regions of the world that we need to pluck from for inspiration.’ … If you’re doing a very focused era-specific thing, you have a limited palette of color and vocabulary to get you through that to bang out the concept correctly.” Korostinsky and Sexton discussed the challenges they faced while refining what became Palace of a Thousand Sounds. “We fought to kind of figure out the pocket that the latest record was going to land in,” Sexton said. “… We took something old, and then we put something in it that just didn’t happen in that music, which was adding a backbeat. The big inspiration for the record was exotic music and space-age bachelor-pad music. It’s basically Latin jazz, but done in a cheeky, corny way by a bunch of white men. The coolest thing that we could do … was the concept of adding a bigger sense of rhythm and backbeat, almost like a slight tinge of hip
hop, into the drums of the record. … We’re not reinventing the wheel, but we’re just adding an ingredient to it that wasn’t part of the recipe before.” Some locals may remember Whatitdo Wednesdays, a residency at The Loving Cup featuring open jams and, sometimes, written multiple-choice tests distributed to the audience as a form of performance art. “Reno has been amazing, because when I was coming up as a young musician, there were a lot of people I looked up to—like very, very amazing musicians, and I secretly wanted to be in all their bands,” Korostinsky said. “… Part of our journey was to just keep up as musicians. Whatitdo, before we added Archive Group, was us trying to flex some sort of chops that we had in college. We were bad at it, but we tried hanging with the big dogs. Part of that journey led us into being offered a residency at a bar where they wanted us to play every week. We played the same 10 songs every Wednesday, and sometimes it was dead; sometimes it was super-packed. We did it for a number of years.” Even Whatitdo Archive Group rarely plays live anymore, the group still does a lot to put Reno on the map, such as inviting local musicians to perform on their records. “We feature pretty much exclusively Reno musicians or people we met through the Reno scene,” Sexton said. “On both of these records, we were really pulling from our own community and featuring these people, and now we have these records that sound really huge. There’s an orchestra, and to pull it off, we need to play with such a big band, so playing live in Reno is a rare occurrence—but we actually did do it for the OffBeat Music Festival in 2021. … A lot of people were really excited to see us play because of fond memories of The Loving Cup Whatitdo Wednesdays, and it was a really cool opportunity for us to show Reno what we’ve been up to, and we had a 13- to 14-piece band. That was a memory in the growth of this band that I hold in my mind as a landmark moment.” Added Korostinsky: “From time to time, there are younger musicians who come up to me and say that Whatitdo Wednesdays was their one of their favorite moments in the Reno music scene, even just attending those shows, and sitting in. … We weren’t amazing, but we got something there, and people were like, ‘Oh, man, I was just trying to hang with you guys,’ and we’re just like, ‘We’re just trying to hang with you guys.’ Whenever we make records or music, we always want the people of Reno to know that we’re Reno people, Reno musicians, making music that we want our friends over here to listen to.” For more information, visit whatitdoarchivegroup.bandcamp.com.
MUSICBEAT
| BY KRIS VAGNER Local musicians Liam Kyle Cahill and Whitney Myer can cite a few advantages to Spotify—but a reliable income is not among them. Photo/David Robert
Fans across the globe
Capital idea The music industry’s revenue model is a tough nut to crack—but one Reno benefactor is inching toward a solution As music fans posted their end-of-2023 Spotify wrap-ups on social media, some local musicians were reminding us about their love-hate relationship with the platform. Liam Kyle Cahill—a Fernley-based folk-rock singer with a longstanding Reno following—had a few good things to say. “Streaming music is infinitely more convenient (than purchasing physical media) for most people”—himself included, he said. “People don’t have to use up storage on their phone for storing MP3s like we all did 10 or 15 years ago.” Wider distribution is now possible for musicians without major labels behind them, too. But the platform has a major drawback: It pays artists a mere $0.003 to $0.005 per stream. That’s just fine for Drake, Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny, Spotify’s top grossing artists of 2023, with billions of plays per track. For Cahill, who has two albums and several EPs on Spotify and a few other platforms, royalties from streaming work out to around $50 to $100 per year. According to Sound Campaign, a global music promotion organization, “in order
for you to receive a decent wage from streaming on Spotify, your songs will need to have over 300,000 streams per month.” And Spotify announced in November that it would eliminate royalties entirely for the tens of millions of tracks in its library that have been streamed fewer than 1,000 times annually. Other aspects of the industry don’t pencil out for musicians, either. Costs like travel, recording, sound equipment, marketing, order fulfillment and—in Cahill’s case—hiring backup musicians for recording sessions add up. Given slim margins on album sales and live shows for all but a small percentage of top-grossing artists, it’s easy to see why Cahill decided, after three years of touring and recording full-time, that he was happier with a day job. He’s a hydrogeologist by training and currently works as an inspector on construction sites. He still plays concerts and records albums, and his heart is still in it, but not for the bread and butter. “It has to be about your love for music and wanting to put a piece of yourself out into the world so that people can see you for who you are,” he said.
Whitney Myer, a Reno pop-soul artist whose career took off after a 2012 performance on NBC’s The Voice, was surprised when she gained a strong Spotify fan base in Malaysia. She hadn’t done any marketing there; she figures it was a result of her music having been played on television shows like Dancing With the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. But even with a track that has more than 225,000 plays—2019’s “Click Ya Heelz”—Myer’s Spotify revenue is supplemental at best. “I probably made like 250 bucks off that song,” she said. “That doesn’t even cover studio time, let alone time spent on the craft.” Myer worked full-time in music for 15 years, seven of them in Los Angeles. “The grind, especially the faster-paced one in L.A., is really hard on your heart,” she said. “I started to feel like I was getting separated from my joy of doing music, and that was too scary of a thing for me. I would rather not have to rely on it as my sole source of income and still be able to have reverence and joy in it.” She still performs and records, and she’s also now a real estate agent. Cahill and Myer have both made some degree of peace with how hard it can be to sustain a living wage on music alone. “It does not mean a musician isn’t good enough,” said Myer. “I think it’s a combination of perseverance, ego, luck, networking and timing.” Said Cahill: “I would think it would be impossible for anyone to come along and just remedy all of the inequities and problems of the music industry. That’s never gonna happen.”
‘Patronage is our only hope’
One local benefactor is trying to be part of a solution. Ford Goodman is a retired tech executive who spent most of his career in the San Francisco Bay Area, lived in Sonoma for a few years, and moved to Reno in 2021. As a music fan, he’s partial to Americana, but anything with great lyrics and musicianship is likely to grab his heart. “For 40 years, I’ve known that if you hear a great artist in a small venue, it’s life-changing,” Goodman said. “It’s food for the soul. It’s wonderful. And it doesn’t matter what the genre is.” Goodman and his wife, Lynn, have hosted house concerts wherever they’ve lived. About 10 years ago, Sean McConnell, a singer-songwriter now residing in Nashville, was surprised the Goodmans weren’t taking half the door when he played a show at their house. The Goodmans, in turn, were shocked to learn how RenoNR.com
little one of their favorite musicians—one with 14 albums and Spotify plays in the millions— was accustomed to making. Up until then, the Goodmans had paid musicians with whatever donations their house concert attendees had thought to pitch in. McConnell’s story gave them a different idea. “Patronage is our only hope,” said Goodman. He began offering musicians double what they were used to making in a night. “Instead of gaining donations to defray the cost, we would pay the band, and then we’d tell everybody how hard it is to be a national, touring, critically acclaimed musician,” he said. When the Goodmans moved to Reno in 2021, they brought the patronage model with them. They now own a home in ArrowCreek, the south Reno gated community and country club. They launched an organization called For the Song, whose mission is to attempt to make touring more lucrative for artists. For the Song hosts private concerts at ArrowCreek, open to residents and guests only, and still guarantees musicians an upfront rate of approximately double their usual. Goodman also tries to schedule a public show for each artist. When Grammy-nominated Americana artist John Fullbright came to town last summer, he played at ArrowCreek and at the Nevada Museum of Art. When Whitney Myer and Nashville indie-folk singer Addison Agen play at ArrowCreek in February, they’re also slated to play the at Brewery Arts Center in Carson City. “Hey, I’m a capitalist,” said Goodman. “I’m a tech executive. And you can make the claim that there’s an oversupply of artists. … But I think you can also make the claim that businesspeople have taken every advantage over artists from the beginning of whenever there was an arts business. “I don’t want a penny. I just want them to have a show that makes them some money and builds them some audience. And that’s new. They don’t hear that very often.” Learn more about For the Song, visit www. forthesong.com. Liam Kyle Cahill is scheduled to play a show with Reno folk singer-songwriter Kasey Christensen at Sierra Hot Springs in Sierraville, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 24. Follow him on Spotify and @liamkylecahill on Instagram, and visit liamkylecahill.com for more information. Whitney Myer is scheduled to play a show with Addison Agen on Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St., in Carson City. She’ll also play with Reno R&B/ hip-hop/soul/jazz collective Cruz Control at the Terrace Lounge at the Peppermill, 2707 S. Virginia St., in Reno, at 7 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 25-27; and at 9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17 at Rum Sugar Lime, 1039 S. Virginia St., in Reno. Follow her on Spotify and @whitneymyer on Instagram.
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JONESIN' CROSSWORD
| BY MATT JONES
THE LUCKY 13 Rick Metz AKA “The Saxman,” saxophonist for the First Take trio, performing at Midtown Spirits Wine and Bites every Sunday Local musician Rick Metz doesn’t have the nickname of “The Saxman” for nothing. His skills on the sax can impress fans of all music genres, and his impressive resume has kept him busy over the last few decades, as he’s worked with everyone from Little Richard to The Temptations. His jazz trio First Take has been charming locals for years, and their residency at Midtown Spirits Wine and Bites continues into 2024. For more information, visit rickmetz.com. What was the first concert you attended? Elton John, 1972, at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M. What was the first album you owned? Child Is Father to the Man, Blood, Sweat and Tears.
“Bundling Up”—plenty of layers. By Matt Jones Across 1. Yogurt-based Indian drink 6. ___ noche (tonight, in Spanish) 10. Onetime Kremlin figure 14. Had takeout, perhaps 15. Like a dime 16. Kitchen gadget and cookware company 17. Piece of paper with nothing on it 19. Seriously lack 20. Position in an ordered list 21. Desperate Housewives actress Hatcher 22. Initials on a Cardinal’s cap 23. “... and so on” 24. Obey Daylight Saving Time, maybe 28. Name not to say out loud right now (lest it turns on devices) 30. Pearl bearer 31. Do some coding? 36. Rita who judged on 26
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The X Factor 37. How a winning streak might be described 42. Floor decor 43. Driving levy 44. Letter-based British secondary school exam, once 47. Prearrange 51. High-grade, ultrasoft European fabric 56. “Messenger” material 57. Had been 58. Abel’s big brother 59. Mid-century music system 60. Parliament member 62. “You’re welcome to visit” 64. Alumnus, for short 65. Once again 66. Of service 67. Biblical boats 68. Coin flip 69. “___ be great!” Down 1. Tar pits location 2. Repetitively named Aztec spearthrowing tool 3. Medium setting? 4. Bathroom fixture |
5. Tats 6. It’s a bit of a knockout 7. Rob Zombie’s spouse, fashion designer ___ Moon Zombie 8. Advertising gimmick 9. Six-legged creature 10. Place to the right of the decimal point 11. He-Man’s nemesis 12. Cy Young Award winner, probably 13. Tackle component 18. Engine additive and NASCAR sponsor 22. Put into words 24. Hourglass filler 25. “Yeah, yeah, I know” 26. Prefix for space 27. Sketch 29. Baby boomer’s kid 32. Paste shortcut, on PCs 33. Los Del ___ (“Macarena” duo) 34. 1950s singer Sumac 35. ___ Xing (street sign) 37. Trampled, with “on” 38. The Handmaid’s
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Tale streamer 39. Belinda Carlisle hit where she “can’t speak” 40. Conde ___ Traveler 41. Timber tool 45. Rarer Pokémon collectibles from the Sword & Shield Series 46. Interjections outside a Tim Hortons, maybe? 48. Pub contest fodder 49. Not noticed 50. Like sorted socks 52. Budgetary prefix 53. Gold fabrics 54. Opinions 55. U2 producer Brian 59. Frozen planet in The Empire Strikes Back 60. Golfing org. 61. Miss the mark 62. Nyan ___ (meme with a repetitive earworm) 63. Cashew, e.g. © 2023 Matt Jones Find the answers in the “About” section at RenoNR.com!
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What bands are you listening to right now? Newer artists: Jacob Collier, Snarky Puppy and Dirty Loops. Classic artists: Frank Sinatra, Frank Zappa, Jethro Tull, Yes and ELP.
| BY MATT KING
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get? Stevie Nicks; she ruined Fleetwood Mac for me. Dubstep; it just annoys me. Contemporary country—crappy pop with a twang. What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live? The Rat Pack—Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. together. I saw them all individually and met them all. What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure? The Carpenters. What’s your favorite music venue? Locally, Midtown Spirits Wine and Bites, where my multiple-award-winning group, First Take featuring Rick Metz, performs vocal jazz from the Great American Songbook every Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. Nationally, the Paolo Soleri Amphitheater near Santa Fe, N.M. It’s now closed, but in its heyday, it was one of the most amazing places to see or play a show! What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head? “Most of what I do believe is against most of your laws,” “What About Me” by Quicksilver Messenger Service. What band or artist changed your life? How? Both Bobby Keys (Rolling Stones) and Sam Butera (Louis Prima) were dear friends, as well as my idols and mentors on sax. I played with both of them for years and learned so much from them! You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking? I’d ask Alan Parsons if he’d like to hire another Saxman for the Alan Parsons Project! What song would you like played at your funeral? There are a LOT of songs that I plan to have played at my funeral! I’ve made it known for many years that I want a classic New Orleans-style second line funeral procession, but I want them playing traditional Jewish songs in the Dixieland style! Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time? The Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd. What song should everyone listen to right now? “You and I,” Jacob Collier, his amazing version of the Stevie Wonder classic.
15 MINUTES
| BY DAVID ROBERT
Angela Schilling Meteorologist at KTVN 2 News
Think talking about the weather is boring? Angela Schilling always has a good story— like the one about seeing hail the size of DVDs in Abilene, Texas. If that sounds like a tall tale, she has pictures to prove it’s not—viewers sent her photos using actual DVDs for scale. Schilling, who’s known for dressing fashionably on the air, has been the meteorologist for KTVN 2 News for almost a decade. Who is Angela Schilling? Where did she come from? I grew up in Portland, Ore., but my family lives in Boise now. I’m a huge Mississippi State fan, which is where I went to college. In my free time, I enjoy puzzles, hiking, cooking and painting. Why did you choose meteorology as a career? I’ve always loved math and science, but weather is a way for me to combine my love for patterns and puzzles with science. Forecasting has a lot to do with pattern recognition. I love being able to study the weather and then see if it happens. The weather can be powerful, and beautiful, and it plays a big role in our lives. My favorite cloud is a shelf cloud, and snow is my favorite thing to forecast for. People ask me what my favorite season is, and I love them all. I just like it to feel like it should. I’ve been in the business for 11 years, eight years in Reno. Did you have to have any special training? Did you have to get a degree? I got my bachelor’s degree in meteorology from Mississippi State University. I also have my certification from the American Meteorological Society. I had to take a test and submit work samples to get it. I interned at KATU in Portland, Ore. Before
Reno, I worked in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Abilene, Texas. What do people ask you in public? How do they approach you? Are you blamed for the weather? People like to break the ice by asking me what the weather is going to be. This is a great way to strike up a conversation and make sure it’s actually me. Sometimes people really want to know what the weather is going to be, but some just want to talk. Some people like to joke and say you can be wrong half the time and still have a job, but most people are nice. Some people ask me if I do my own forecasting, and the answer is yes. How do you pick your on-air clothing? Mood? What the weather conditions are on that day? It depends on the weather and season. If it’s a sunny day, I like to wear bright colors, and sweaters when it’s cold. Sometimes I just feel like wearing a dress that I haven’t worn in a while. It’s just intuitive, LOL. The real me likes to wear tennis shoes and jeans when I’m not working, with no makeup. What will this winter bring? When should we expect spring? It’s getting cold out there. El Niño is a tough one in our area, since we’re right in the middle of the pathway, so it could go either way for us. January is usually our snowiest month. Spring is too far out, ha. I can be pretty confident with the forecast three days out and have a strong leaning toward what will happen a week out, but after that, it becomes less clear. Models like the GFS (the Global Forecast System, a National Centers for Environmental Prediction weather forecast model) and Euro (the European model) don’t even go past two weeks. RenoNR.com
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MAMMOTH SIZED ADVENTURE AWAITS. E T TA S E H T S S O R C A S M U E S U M E U SEVEN UNIQ BECOME A MUSEUM MEMBER FOR FREE ADMISSION TO ALL STATE MUSEUMS. Visit NVMuseums.com for museum locations, exhibits, & events. 28
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