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Wolves at the door UNR stUdeNt gUide See Join the Pack Guide, inside

The school disTricT's

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goofs, gaffes and lies

How did the Washoe County School District melt down?

Let’s count the ways.

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Email lEttERs tO RENOlEttERs@NEwsREviEw.COm.

Back to school Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

And more specifically, welcome to this year’s RN&R Back to School issue. It’s too early for a Back to School issue, you say? Think again! Washoe County schools are back in session on August 12, right around the corner, and then the university starts back up on August 26. So start prepping your minds and backpacks now.

And maybe you think a Back to School issue should feature handy articles like “College-Ruled or Wide-Ruled: Which Notebook Is Right for You?” or “An Orange a Day: Are Apples Really the Best Snack for Bribing Teachers?” but nope, we’ve got an exposé/ rant from a local journalist about the systematic pattern of deception and disinformation among Washoe County School District officials, particularly in the buildup to the ouster of the district’s superintendent.

The duplicitous behavior of the school district is infuriating. Especially because we’re entrusting these people to instill a love of learning and the pursuit of truth in our children. These are difficult times for truth. The propaganda machines are as potent as ever, broadcasting lies and disorienting misinformation.

We live in a time when there can be near unanimous scientific consensus that—to pick a random example—the climate of the planet is affected by human activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, but the industries that benefit from fossil fuel consumption are sure to spew out “scientific” misinformation contradicting that consensus.

Citizens of today’s world need to learn to differentiate between facts and “alternative facts,” a.k.a. lies. We need to learn to distinguish news from propaganda. And so, maybe the school district is teaching students a valuable lesson after all: don’t trust voices of authority.

—Brad Bynum bradb@ ne ws r ev i ew . com

Rock credit Re “Hard as rock” (Arts&Culture, July 18): Regarding the article “Hard as rock”.

There were many buildings the Stewart Indians worked on in the surrounding areas.

For instance, there is the Thunderbird Lodge in Incline Village, built by George Whittell in 1939, architect Fred DeLongchamps, who was the architect for many buildings in Reno. I am sure if he used the Indians in one of his buildings, he did so on many of them. Or Cabin in the Sky outside of Carson. All the rock work was done by Randall Wungnema.

Visit this website: https://bit. ly/2LCpCn0. You can see all the buildings the Indians worked on in the region.

Jerilyn Gann Sparks

That wacky Trump Everyone, and especially those in the news, needs to stop taking Donald Trump seriously.

Just as Mel Brooks said he had to laugh at and make fun of the Nazis, we all need to make fun of Donald Trump, so much so that he will be continually embarrassed to the point of being literally laughed off the stage.

Call Al Franken. Joke about Trump’s shitty golf game. His fat ass. His hair. His children.

Melania. The fact that he really needed this job at the White House because he is broke and owes everybody. And that his only area of expertise is in ripping off contractors and bankrupting casinos. It is long past time to start fighting fire with fire.

Jon Obester Reno

Neighborly letter The sad state of affairs concerning New Orleans—and the fact that water runs down hill—has gotten to be too much. Katrina, No-name Storm, Morgan, Andrew and a host of other so-called “global warming disasters” fail to take one little bit of reality into consideration by the residents of New

Jessica Santina, Todd South, Luka Starmer, Bruce Van Dyke, Ashley Warren, Allison Young Our Mission: To publish great newspapers that are successful and enduring. To create a quality work environment that encourages employees to grow professionally while respecting personal welfare.

To have a positive impact on our communities and make them better places to live.

Editor Brad Bynum Associate Editor Jeri Davis News Editor Dennis Myers Special Projects Editor Matt Bieker Calendar Editor Kelley Lang Contributors Amy Alkon, Kris Vagner, Bob Grimm, Andrea Heerdt, Holly Hutchings, Shelia Leslie, Josie Glassberg, Eric Marks,

Creative Services Manager Elisabeth Bayard Arthur Art Directors Maria Ratinova, Sarah Hansel Publications Designer Katelynn Mitrano Publications & Advertising Designer Nikki Exerjian Ad Designers Naisi Thomas, Cathy Arnold Office Manager Lisa Ryan RN&R Rainmaker Gina Odegard Advertising Consultant Caleb Furlong

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Orleans—namely, water is affected by gravity. Let’s say you wanted to build a house, below sea level. On three sides! And it floods, has hurricane damage, the levees fail, the pumps fail. Circle one or all.

Now you, proud owner of property in New Orleans, somehow feel that due to your own phenomenal lack of basic science comprehension, that I and other taxpayers are responsible to put your house/city back together again, and again, and again.

Let the property owners of New Orleans bear sole financial responsibility for their short sighted property disaster decisions.

Kim Kollman Dumaguete, Philippines

City cabal Chairman: “Meeting to order please, we need to coordinate which streets to close today to further inflame the public.” #3: “Let’s close Second at Washoe Med and force everyone through the parking lot onto Mill!”

Ch: “All agreed, but there is no Washoe Med anymore. Whatever.” #2: “Let’s do Plumb/Virginia again. They hate that.”

Ch: “No, they’ll catch on if we do that too often.” #2: “How about Plumb and Kietzke?”

All: “Most excellent! That should kick up the road rage well!” #6 “I heard places like Washington and Oregon actually work on their roads at night.”

Ch: “Number 6, you are permanently banned. Secretary, please destroy these notes.

We will meet again tomorrow.”

Craig Bergland Reno

Waters and Warren Re “Sheila’s endorsement” (letters, July 3): When reader Thom Waters objected to Elizabeth Warren’s claim of substantial Cherokee heritage, he either failed to know or left out the fact that Senator Warren was given that information by

Distribution Director Greg Erwin Distribution Manager Bob Christensen Distribution Drivers Alex Barskyy, Corey Sigafoos, Gary White, Joe Wilson, Marty Troye, Timothy Fisher, Vicki Jewell, Olga Barska, Rosie Martinez, Adam Martinez, Duane Johnson President/CEO Jeff VonKaenel Director of Nuts & Bolts Deborah Redmond Director of People & Culture David Stogner Director of Dollars & Sense Debbie Mantoan Nuts & Bolts Ninja Norma Huerta Payroll/AP Wizard Miranda Hansen Account Jedi Jessica Kislanka Sweetdeals Coordinator Trish Marche Developer John Bisignano

System Support Specialist Kalin Jenkins N&R Publications Editor Debbie Arrington N&R Publications Managing Editor Laura Hillen N&R Publications Associate Editor Derek McDow N&R Publications Editorial Team Anne Stokes, Nisa Smith, Thea Rood Marketing & Publications Lead Consultant Elizabeth Morabito Marketing & Publications Consultants Steve Caruso, Joseph Engle, Sherri Heller, Celeste Worden, Rod Maloy Cover design Maria Ratinova

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a parent. I’m sure even Thom Waters wasn’t prone to running everything his parents told him through a fact-checker.

Misinformation from one’s parents and intentionally lying, as Mr Waters characterized Senator Warren’s statement, are two different things.

Rande Bell Carson Valley

Correction Re “Hard as rock” (Arts&Culture, July 18): Our story referred to source Nancy Gilbert as a realtor. This is incorrect.

Gilbert has never been a realtor. We regret the error.

ContentS

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OpiNiON/stREEtalK shEila lEsliE NEws tahOE fEatuRE a&C aRt Of thE statE film fOOd musiCBEat NiGhtCluBs/CasiNOs this wEEK adviCE GOddEss fREE will astROlOGy 15 miNutEs BRuCE vaN dyKE

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Editorial Policies: Opinions expressed in RN&R are those of the authors and not of Chico Community Publishing, Inc. Contact the editor for permissions to reprint articles, cartoons, or other portions of the paper. RN&R is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or review materials. Email letters to renoletters@ newsreview.com. All letters received become the property of the publisher. We reserve the right to print letters in condensed form and to edit them for libel.

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By matt bieker

For or against homework? asked aT nevada Fine arTs, 1301 s. virginia sT. Fr anchesk a a cl ark Painter

Homework for homework’s [sake] is just busywork, but if you look at homework as a discovery, it can be very creative and very excited in that you’re teaching yourself to become more aware. You’re probably learning some things that the teacher hadn’t even thought of.

You’re going beyond the class.

Zayda selemenev Student

In some cases, like for math, I think it’s a good thing. Other classes, not so much. And it’s like we’re in school for eight-plus hours a day, doing work there the whole time, and then we go home and do more. Our whole life is basically school work.

T yler sullivan Student

Think in unison “It doesn’t make any sense to me. ... It is absolutely ridiculous. Why would you have transgender people talking to kids?”

With those two sentences Sparks Mayor Ron Smith got his 15 minutes of fame, and also gave more publicity to Drag Queen Story Hour at the Sparks branch library.

So perhaps, given the success of the story hour, that’s all that needs to be said. But we’re going to say a little more about busybodies like Smith anyway.

This is the United States of America. People do not need to tell their governments why they are doing things. Government—even tiny ones like Sparks—needs to tell why they want to stop people from doing what they want to do—and the reasons better be darned good.

Why would people take their children to sit on the laps of men dressed as an imaginary character to recite their holiday hopes? Is it any business of government?

Dale Hill, also of Sparks, wrote in a July 17 letter to the editor of the Reno Gazette Journal, “We struggled through Colin Kaepernick’s show of disdain for our flag and anthem. ... And if that is not enough, we now have Megan Rapinoe, the captain of our victorious U.S. Women’s Soccer Team, tell us the United States is not great and never was great. And she, like Kaepernick, is quick to publicly demonstrate her hatred of our flag and our anthem.” Where do people like Smith, Hill and Donald Trump get the idea that in a free society all must think alike—or like them?

Kaepernick and Rapinoe are patriots. They criticize government, not country. And what makes them patriots

is that they challenge our government and our people not to hide behind fabric and song lyrics but to show real patriotism by demanding that life be better for all of us. Toby Keith, in his visit last month to Sparks, put up a big sign that said “TOBY KEITH: A real patriot.”

One does not become a patriot by pronouncing oneself so. One does it by calling our government to better and higher things than paying its women poorly and killing its citizens unnecessarily.

Rapinoe did not say what Hall claimed. What she said, when asked if she had a message for Donald Trump, was this, about his “Make America Great Again” slogan: “I think that you are harking back to an era that was not great for everyone. It might have been great for a few people. Maybe America is great for a few people right now, but it’s not great for enough Americans in this world, and I think that we have a responsibility, each and every one of us. You have an incredible responsibility as, you know, the chief of this country, to take care of every single person, and you need to do better for everyone.”

Patriotism is not one-size-fits-all. If people think different things than Ron Smith, Dale Hall and Donald Trump, that is patriotism, too.

Stephen Crane: “Think as I think,” said a man, “Or you are abominably wicked; You are a toad.”

And after I had thought of it, Ω I said, “I will, then, be a toad.”

I’m for homework. I’m not going to lie. It keeps me fresh. It kind of just keeps you going so when the text comes around you’re not drawing a blank. Homework, maybe in like an art class, I wouldn’t call it “homework.”

Those kind of classes, elective homework is kind of like “meh.” maria Ponce Customer service specialist

I’m against it. I just feel like it adds a lot of unnecessary stress to a lot of people. At least from personal experience with mental health issues, a lot of times, homework isn’t something that’s helpful because, if you don’t do it, it can really deteriorate your grades, and a lot of people place their self-value in their grades. collin Be ach Student

I’d say, in most cases I’m for homework because It teaches you to apply what you’re learning in the class in your own life, I guess.

But most of the time it’s just busy work they give you. It’s stuff that you have to go home and read and you come back in class and you never talk about it.

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07.25.19

by SHEILA LESLIE

Another portrait of ripped-off Nevadans Wealthy corporations have been taking Nevada for a ride, promising—but not delivering—high-paying jobs and related business growth in return for avoiding taxes with the blessing of the state.

Reporter James DeHaven analyzed the results of a state audit of the billions of dollars in tax abatements awarded by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development since 2011, which “generated at most, 80 percent of the jobs—and less than 30 percent of the capital investment—promised on their initial tax break application.”

Of the incentive applications that were awarded tax breaks, DeHaven reported the audit showed 37 percent did not offer employees the average statewide wage, while at least 22 companies didn’t meet the capital investment requirements, and 51 companies did not meet their minimum job creation requirements. DeHaven’s analysis shows that since 2009, corporations have promised Nevadans “19,900 high-paying jobs and at least $7.1 billion

in new capital investment. Auditors found they actually delivered 15,732 jobs and $1.9 billion in investment.”

No worries, though. Gov. Sisolak has promised to do a “closer review” of the state’s tax giveaways, and legislative leaders also want to “review and revise” our corporate welfare plan. Maybe they’ll get around to it in 2021.

But wait, there’s more bad news for Nevada. The New York Times editorialized last Sunday on the growing trend toward inequality caused by how state and local taxes are assessed. According to a 2018 study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, (ITEP) “the poor pay taxes at higher rates in 45 of the 50 states.”

California, which Republicans love to vilify, is actually the state with the most progressive tax system, taxing the wealthy at higher rates than the poor.

Ready to guess where Nevada falls on the list? We are the fifth most unfair state in taxation, burdening our poorer residents with paying a larger percentage of income

in taxes than anyone else. According to the ITEP inequality index, Nevada’s poorest 20 percent of families pay 10.2 percent of their income in taxes, while our middle 60 percent of families pay 7.4 percent, and our one percenters fork out just 1.9 percent.

ITEP found that the six most regressive tax systems “rely heavily on regressive sales and excise taxes. These states derive roughly half to two-thirds of their tax revenue from these taxes, compared to the national average of 35 percent in fiscal year 2014-2015.”

Nevada’s sales tax data shows the inequality so clearly. Our lowest 20 percent of earners (averaging $13,700 in annual income) pay 7.1 percent of their income in sales tax while the top one percent (averaging $1,698,500 annually) pay 0.7 percent.

This, again, is hardly news. And yet our elected officials continually look to the sales tax for revenue to fix our crumbling, low-ranking schools. In 2019, as legislators were confronted with cutting their wish list of spending or foregoing teacher raises, they decided to pass a last-minute bill to allow

county commissioners to raise the sales tax for education. Clark County may do it, directing the funds towards pre-school, a laudable goal as Nevada always ranks near the bottom in preschool attendance. But that will increase our income inequality, and we’re already in the bottom five.

Our state policy-makers have so many better alternatives to raise money for preschool, mental health, class size reduction, and all the other areas where Nevada has an abysmal ranking. How about making the mining industry pay its fair share, or raising the casino tax? Or we could cancel all those billions in corporate welfare and force these underperforming companies who use our roads, our schools and our public services to pay the taxes they should have been paying all along for the privilege of living and working in Nevada. Ω

To read the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy report referenced here, go to https://bit.ly/2Ps3vRy

07.25.19 | RN&R | 7

by Dennis Myers

Give it back

Regal event

aftermath notes

A story hour success

The recording heard by people calling a University of Nevada, Reno office when they’re put on hold has little ditties about the campus between bars of music—the Mackay statue, campus mascots, etc. There’s also one that could probably profitably be dropped this year. It urges potential students to live on campus in a residence hall. The pitch includes the notion that dorm students tend to get higher grades than others.

The campus explosions on July 5 that took out a couple of dorms for a while also threw a spotlight on Artemesia Way, a one-block-long, oneway street that has long served as an example of the importance of institutional memory. The explosions blew out the Argenta Hall entrance on Artemesia, which runs between Sierra and Virginia streets and is the only such link in north Reno that is one-way. Here’s how that happened: In the 1950s, St. Albert the Great School was the two elongated buildings that still stand on the south side of Artemisia. The street was made west-to-east one way to accommodate parents dropping off and picking up their students before and after school.

In the 1970s, St. Albert’s was moved to new quarters in northwest Reno. By then, thanks to Nevada’s terrific population turnover, there was no one still in city government to remember why the school was one-way, so it stayed that way.

Ever since, unlike parallel streets 10th and 11th on its immediate south and College Court and 15th on its north, it has been one-way for no reason.

—Dennis Myers

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Ginger Devine, left, and Aspen Meadows held the attention of most children with no difficulty.

One Nevada leader is arguing that it is not enough to beat back the Air Force effort to take more of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge (“Nevada refuge in spotlight.” RN&R, July 3).

Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada director Bob Fulkerson says it’s time for the Pentagon to start returning land to civilian agencies.

“It’s time for Nevadans to draw a line in the sand and tell the military not one more acre,” he said. “In fact, we should demand the military return some lands no longer needed to tribal and public domain.”

He said the land and air controlled by the Pentagon in Nevada is out of hand: “The Air Force seized 90,000 [acres] of public lands to expand Nellis two decades ago and now they’re back for more. How much is enough? Nellis is the world’s largest contiguous land and airspace withdrawn from public use for military purposes and the Pentagon controls more land and airspace in Nevada, by percentage and volume, than any other state in the country.”

There are more than 400 military bases in the U.S., D.C.. Guam and Puerto Rico. There are more than 800 U.S. military bases in 70-plus nations.

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PHOTO/DENNIS MYERS

People started gathering outside the Sparks branch library early on July 20, but if county library officials had been concerned about trouble, there was no need. While the crowd eventually numbered in the hundreds, it was well behaved, possibly because it was perhaps five-to-one in favor of the drag queen story hour, if protest signs were any indication. The counter-protest had overwhelmed the protest.

And it was an unusual counterprotest—parents with small children who seemed not to want to be “protected” from tolerance.

Was there indoctrination going on?

Yes. The children at the beginning of the program were taught some rudimentary sign language.

Was there physical touching going on? Yes. Hugs. Lots of hugs, all initiated by the children, just as might have happened at an appearance of Santa or Smokey the Bear.

And there was the “problem,” as critics of the story hour had feared, of drag queens being normalized.

Even so, it was difficult to demonize costumed adults reading Tacky the Penguin. It made for a lousy threat to the family unit.

“I am going to read the critically acclaimed Just Add Glitter—my

personal mantra in life,” said Ginger Devine, who with Aspen Meadows conducted the story hour.

When she got a few pages into it, with its “Add more glitter” and “Glitter, glitter anywhere” suggestions, she said, “I’m sensing a theme for this story.”

After the stories, the children were taught a countdown song, akin to “Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall”—which could inspire accusations of promoting booze for those who want to stir things up. This one, “No More Drag Queens Jumping on the Bed” would probably have gotten the same kind of objections, but by then the festival nature of story time had taken over and most of the critics were silent.

A short question-and-answer period elicited from one child the query, “Why are drag queens called drag queens?” which Devine explained simply.

The readers were pleased with the large turnout.

“That meant everything to me. ...

Folks were asking about when the next one was because they had such a great time,” Devine said later.

It appears that the late objection to the program by Sparks Mayor Ron Smith helped to pump up attendance and support for the event.

In a Reno Gazette Journal interview, Smith said, “It doesn’t make any sense to me. … It is absolutely ridiculous.

Why would you have transgender people talking to kids?”

After the interview appeared, Smith backed away from it in a radio interview on KOH, blaming the newspaper. While the newspaper report was quote-poor, Smith’s quotes that did appear were hardly supportive of the story hour, and other parts of the RGJ story—presumably based on the interview—were in that same vein: “He [Smith] said he had concerns about drag queens taking off their clothes and reports of drag queens in other cities’ story hours not being background checked and committing crimes against children. … Smith said he reached out to [county Library Director Jeff] Scott and County Commissioner Vaughn Hartung about stopping the event.”

“They told me there is nothing they can do,” Smith told the RGJ. It is worth noting that Mayor Smith did not make contact with the library staff to find out if background checks had been run before speaking publicly, even though he told the RGJ he spoke to Scott about stopping the event.

It is equally notable that, according to the RGJ, Smith did not call for background checks on all adults conducting story hour, only on drag queens. This is important because children are safest with people of alternative lifestyles.

Before Mayor Smith’s intervention, there had been other objections.

Karen England, a California political figure who also dabbles in Nevada issues, defined the Sparks story hour as “promoting drag queens and gay pride [and] political activism.”

Washoe County Library director Jeff Scott defined it as “an inclusive event … to make the LBGT community feel welcome.”

Defining these events is all the rage.

Christian Broadcasting Network: “Drag Queen Story Hour events have been spreading to libraries and other public places across the country as part of a nationwide LGBTQ agenda to indoctrinate children.”

New Jersey radio host Jeff Deminski: “The idea of all this is, of course, to build tolerance and acceptance.”

Elizabeth Johnston of Ohio, an antisex education activist who frequently

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expresses herself in sexual imagery (“you’re not allowed to rape the minds of our children”) posted a message: “Drag Queen Story Hour coming to Reno Nevada at Washoe County Sparks Library! Call to respectfully express your disgust at your taxpayer funds being used in this wasteful & reckless manner!”

That objection on behalf of taxpayers was a common theme among out-of-state figures drumming up opposition to the Sparks event, as with Karen England: “The Nevadans who have reached out to us in alarm about this event believe strongly that it is not OK for our tax-funded, publicly owned spaces to be giving our kids the message that men behaving in such a manner is just ‘diversity,’ and that if any person disapproves of adults making these kinds of choices, that person is ‘non-inclusive’.”

The facilities of county libraries in Nevada are available for the use of groups from knitting circles and book clubs to environmental groups and political debates— including conservative groups such as Nevadans for Equal Parenting—without the library necessarily endorsing the intents or programs of those groups.

But objections to these events around the country may suggest other agendas, too.

Where safety is found The preoccupation of social conservatives with sexual imagery has often been a focus of research. Sexual abuse of children linked to politics dates back at least to the ancient Roman republic, and in the current Mother Jones, reporter Ali Breland—who specializes in covering disinformation—wrote that “mass witch hunts that followed are political too. … The history of American political reaction is full of sex demons. Jim Crow was buttressed by myths about black male virility. Likewise, North Carolina’s infamous bathroom bill was sold in part on the fear that predatory men could say they’re transgender to gain access to women’s bathrooms. Opponents of abortion rights continue

Johnston, who objected to the Sparks event, checks, because children are safest with to conjure gory fantasies of promiscuous and wrote this month of such story hours, those who follow alternative lifestyles. women committing ‘infanticide,’ an incite“This is utter insanity but, saints, it is only Straights, not gays, are the greater threat, ment that Trump turned into an applause a matter of time before something far worse even if homosexuality were at issue in the line in an April rally.” In 2016, there was the takes place at one of these events. How do story hours. A University of California at Pizzagate conspiracy theory, in which Hillary we know they haven’t already? We can’t just Davis survey of numerous studies “failed Clinton critics falsely claimed hacked emails let them slither and slink away and continue to support the hypothesis that homosexual connected several restaurants and highto indoctrinate and groom impressionable males are more likely than heterosexual men ranking officials of the Democratic Party children in a more private manner.” to molest children or to be sexually attracted with a child sex and human trafficking ring.

In an article at This is Reno, Reno to children or adolescents.”

The late 1980s national hysteria over Human Rights Commission member Sean A 2010 report commissioned by U.S. child care facilities such as the McMartin Savoy pointed out that Mayor Smith Catholic bishops from the John Jay College case in California, the Montessori case in was ill-informed on the issues of Criminal Justice found an upsurge in Reno, and the Felix case in Carson involved—drag queens and gays becoming priests during the 1980s City were all accompanied by transgender individuals are and a decrease in abuse associated with outlandish imagery that was two different things. this group. Other scholarly studies have Some unbelievable—except that Nor is that the only similarly suggested that straights are less many believed it. Much of it critics seem place Smith’s ignorance able to control their impulses toward the was coaxed, berated or othershowed through.

The young than gays. wise elicited from children poorly informed RGJ further reported, A 1982 study found, “The research to who initially denied they had on alternative “[Smith] said he had date all points to there being no significant been molested. Transcripts of concerns about drag relationship between a homosexual lifestyle some of the loaded questions lifestyles. queens taking off their and child molestation. There appears to be asked of children by counselors clothes and reports of drag practically no reportage of sexual molestain the Felix case are now included queens in other cities’ story tion of girls by lesbian adults, and the adult as bad examples in scholarly studies. hours not being background checked male who sexually molests young boys is Few locals who saw it on the news will and committing crimes against children.” not likely to be homosexual.” forget the excavation of Felix property in As best we can tell, a story hour The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Carson City by earth-moving equipment in a performer not being background checked American Psychological Association, the fruitless search for bodies of animals or chilhas happened in Houston—and social National Association of Social Workers, the dren used in alleged sacrificial ceremonies— conservatives have made that single event American Academy of Child Psychiatrists a tableau that unfolded in other such cases a cause celebre.

But all have gone off as and the Child Welfare League of America around the nation, too. safely as the Sparks event. have all asserted that sexual abuse of In his 2015 book, We Believe the As for “crimes against children,” Mayor children usually happens at the hands of Children, Richard Beck wrote, “The word Smith would have done more of a service heterosexuals. □ ‘epidemic’ became an important feature of by calling for across-the-board background the political and rhetorical landscape in the 1980s. Whether the epidemics themselves were real, as in the case of AIDS, or imagined, as in the case of ‘crack babies,’ the rhetoric that surrounded them portrayed American society as menaced on all sides by conspiracies and dire threats. Child sexual abuse officially took its place among these other threats at a 1984 hearing of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, where Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania said, ‘the molestation of children has now reached epidemic proportions.’ His warning was confirmed by stories in newspapers and on television stations around the country.”

Most of the criminal convictions in these cases were later overturned, including the Felix case in Carson City, in which the Nevada Supreme Court acted in part because, its unanimous opinion said, “medical evidence conclusively showed that most of the claims of sexual assault could not have occurred.”

Nevertheless, the hysteria served a political purpose, of bringing policy goals opposed by social conservatives—such as day After a recent crash, and while cars whizzed past them, Nevada Transportation Department workers arrived on the care, working mothers and feminism— into spaghetti bowl’s 80-east-to-395-south ramp and replaced guardrails and a guardrail attenuator (“crash cushion”) disfavor. that were damaged. State highway information officer Meg Ragonese said about 40 feet of guardrail was replaced, The language that is employed in this which included ten guardrail posts, three panels of guardrail railing, and the attenuator. fashion can be seen in Ohio’s Elizabeth PHOTO/DENNIS MYERS

Careful, now

07.25.19 | RN&R | 9

The Washoe Education Association congratulates all educators who recently retired from WCSD, and thanks them for their years of service to the students of our community.

We also welcome all educators and students back for the 2019-2020 school year.

Wishing each of you a safe, productive, and rewarding year.

1890 Donald St. • Reno NV 89502 Phone (775) 828-9282 • www.weatoday.org

10

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tahoe

by MArk EArnEST

The basket competition is a highlight of the annual Wa She Shu It’Deh Arts Festival, talking place this weekend in South Lake Tahoe.

Noble art Wa She Shu It’Deh Arts Festival For the past 28 years, South Lake Tahoe residents have seen the cultural side of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, and other native tribes, on display in a popular event that showcases the community’s customs and history.

“The arts festival is based in Washoe culture, and this is one of the only times throughout the year where we display it,” said tribal cultural/language resources director Herman Fillmore. “Most of the time we hold it near and dear to our hearts, but we are happy to share it with everyone.”

The 29th Annual Wa She Shu It’Deh Arts Festival returns to the Vahalla/Tallac Historic Site for two days of arts, culture and entertainment. Fillmore said the basket competition is one of the most popular events of the festival. It features weavers from Nevada and California, as well as a few from other parts of the country.

The festival also features dance performances from Agai Diccutta Dancers of Schurz Paiute, Miwok Dancers and Maidu Dancers. There’s also traditional flute music from Paul Stone, round dance songs from the Red Hoop Singers, and Washoe songs from tribal members Darlene Smokey and Itmahawa Enos. Fillmore also said the reggae band playing, False Rhythms, features two tribal members.

Traditional games and stories from the Washoe Tribe will be presented. There is also a fashion show that will display clothing made by Washoe tribe members and designers, a pop-up live art exhibit and an area with food and drink vendors.

“We also have arts and crafts vendors with Native American jewelry,” Fillmore

COURTESY/WASHOE TRIBE

said. “A lot of them are from the local tribes, but, for example, we had a Navajo couple that bring up pottery from that area.”

Parking is limited. It should be parking available on the side of Highway 89/ Emerald Bay Road near the site, and there is additional parking across from Taylor Creek. The tribe will have shuttles available to and from the front gate of the festival grounds to parking area.

While music, dance and crafts are the biggest parts of the festival, there is another message and goal for the Washoe Tribe’s event: reclaiming stewardship of the land.

“We really want to leave a small footprint, so we have really increased our recycling efforts this year,” Fillmore said.

“We’ve also asked our vendors to use biodegradable items. This is a key piece for us this year, to take up the mantle of being good stewards of Tahoe, as we were the original stewards of that land.”

To that end, there’s an festival educational component. A tribe press release states that the Washoe people “feel it is their responsibility to educate the surrounding communities about the importance of taking proactive steps to protect the natural beauty of Tahoe and the surrounding area.”

There’s also an environmental tie to the arts and crafts themselves. The press release states that “in order for the Washoe traditions to continue there needs to be preservation of all the things that keep the Washoe culture alive, from the willows used to make baskets to the wildlife and habitat that are used in traditional meals and ceremonies. Washoe language and culture is intrinsically tied to their homeland and the people cannot be separated from the land from which they come.” Ω

The 29th Annual Wa She Shu It’Deh Arts Festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 27 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

July 28 at Tallac Historic Site, 1 Valhalla Road, South Lake Tahoe, California. Learn more about the event and the Washoe Tribe at washoetribe.us.

07.25.19 | RN&R | 11

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The school disTricT's

top

worst

5

goofs, gaffes and lies How did the Washoe County School District melt down? Let’s count the ways.

t

raci Davis is out. The oft-criticized superintendent of schools was ousted by the Washoe County School Board of Trustees in a slo-mo, Terminator-styled detonation that had the Reno community riveted for two weeks. Days of drama ensued in mid-June when school board of trustees President Katy Simon Holland sneakily announced Davis had taken a surprise leave of absence.

Her statements to the news media and public were laced with nonsense. Nothing of what she said about Davis’ abrupt leave added up. Holland’s attempt at transparency was to dole out droplets of information that prompted the community to raise more questions than the school district was willing to answer.

In fact, getting straightforward answers to simple questions from the district is often a Sisyphean exercise. The more the school district refrains from candid discussion, the more questions get raised. Rinse, repeat.

How did we get to this point? It depends who you ask.

Many claim the Washoe County School District’s troubles have existed, to some extent, forever. Public entities always engender ire when citizens don’t feel like they’re being honestly informed as to their activities. Add in parental protectionism and the insistence that everyone is an expert on how to raise their own children—and, by extension, how their kiddos should be educated—and taxpayer-funded organizations like school districts will, to some

by BoB Conrad

1. Veiled legal ThreaTs degree, always be objects of criticism. It doesn’t matter who’s leading the charge.

Nevertheless, many commenters, including some of the hundreds of teachers who created a Facebook group out of frustration with their administration, and the state of Nevada education in general, say problems became more pronounced more recently.

Superintendent Heath Morrison’s short tenure was followed by Pedro Martinez, whose ouster was, by most accounts, a disaster.

The school board violated the open meeting law and cost taxpayers a half million dollars in settlement fees, including 15 months of salary and benefits, to get rid of Martinez for an alleged resume infraction.

Davis was then ushered in, in 2014, as Martinez’ replacement in a way that would leave a residual, fetid skepticism of the school board for years to come. It wouldn’t matter who actually served on the board; in the eyes of the community, the trustees as a whole were repeatedly incompetent.

During Davis’ tenure, despite the district having a number of new board members— some of whom ran on the promise of fixing damage, and, later, getting rid of Davis— the school district could not stop enacting behaviors that led to latent public mistrust.

Part of the reason was an extension of Davis’ incompetence as a superintendent.

Other contributing factors, though, were the business-as-usual machinations within the school district.

Let’s recap.

Criticize the Washoe County School District, and you may get hit back by the school district’s attorneys with a veiled accusation of defamation. Just ask Jeff Church, the retired Reno cop who rails against local governments and often speaks during public comment at local government meetings. The school district has been a regular object of his criticism.

During the 2016 campaign for the WC1 ballot question, and after its passage, Church was, from the perspective of the school district, off-base in how he characterized the voter-approved tax increase to fund new schools. “[Chief Operating Officer Pete] Etchart and the District are placing Mr. Church on notice that if he continues to perpetuate this misrepresentation, he will be acting intentionally and in disregard to the truth, and thus he will be committing defamation, which may be pursued,” according to an ominous, unsigned document posted online by the school district in 2017.

Church, however, said he never was given a copy of the document, which focused on him and his claims, and only later discovered it online.

“I happened to come across it at a much later date, and I stand by what I said, and time has proven me accurate in so many regards,” he told me.

Defamation, it turns out, is a repeated school district refrain.

When I questioned Holland’s misleading—nay, false—statements to the news media in June after it was revealed just how much she actually knew about Davis taking leave, the school district responded, in part,

that “there are laws related to defamation and accusing people of lying.”

Las Vegas-based First Amendment attorney Marc Randazza called the perceived intent of this comment laughable.

“If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it ain’t malice,” he said. “It would be an exquisite pleasure for any First Amendment lawyer to file [a motion] against a public entity stupid enough to file a defamation suit on those facts.”

Even Trina Olsen, the administrator the school district illegally fired a year ago (“Out of school,” cover story, Sept. 6, 2018), was basically accused of defamation

by Davis and board president Holland.

Olsen had reported that she was told that a colleague gave marijuana back to a student, which she said she reported as she believed she was mandated to do. Evidence supported Olsen’s concern. A now-retired area superintendent documented the incident in one of the disciplinary letters the district crafted against Olsen.

“That student had served as an informant and had provided the school with the name of the student who was dealing … drugs on the campus,” wrote Roger Gonzalez, the retired area superintendent.

Another employee reported that a dean had given cannabis back to the student, and Olsen said the dean admitted as much during an arbitration hearing. I spoke with a school district employee who had a role in the incident. The employee said the student even bragged about getting the pot back.

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“ The school district top 5 worst ...” continued from page 13

“It was a nugget with a recognizable odor,” the employee explained. “I’m 100 percent sure the dean gave the student back the marijuana— no question.”

District leaders, however, denied this occurred.

“Drugs were never returned to either of these students,” Holland and Davis wrote to Olsen in January. “The district may have considered lesser discipline for students who may have possessed minuscule amounts of substances that may or may not be drugs, who immediately recognized the problems with their actions, apologized, and after the fact, provided information to law enforcement.

“To be clear, it would be defamation to state otherwise.”

2. Selective ruleS enforcement The irony of Davis’ ouster is how much it resembled Davis’ own treatment of Olsen, the assistant principal the school district went to great lengths to fire a year ago. Davis ultimately signed off on Olsen’s termination in July of 2018. An independent arbitrator found the district’s firing of Olsen illegal, arbitrary and capricious.

“The decision to move forward with dismissal seems to have prolonged the cost and pain to both Ms. Olsen and the district, which is particularly unfortunate, given that dismissal was not warranted,” wrote arbitrator Andrea Dooley.

Dooley further called the district’s actions retaliatory and overly punitive, finding that by denying Olsen arbitration before being fired, the school district violated state law.

During the year that Olsen was on paid leave, forced upon her by the school district, she reached out to the school board for help. That went nowhere.

“Neither I nor members of the Board of Trustees can engage with you on your personnel matter,” board president Holland wrote to Olsen.

The next year, however, Holland weighed in on two of Davis’ buddies who were determined by the district to have leaked confidential information in relation to a lawsuit against the district.

“I would strongly encourage you to terminate those two employees immediately,” Holland wrote to Davis.

Olsen paid more than $50,000 in attorneys’ fees—from her children’s college savings funds—to save her job.

The school district was ultimately directed by Dooley to reinstate her in December and to pay her back from the time she was fired in July through going back to work in early January.

The school district’s attorneys attempted to change the arbitrator’s directives and even noted that they didn’t even have to accept Dooley’s recommendations. They wanted conditions placed on Olsen’s reinstatement; notably, they wanted her to keep her mouth shut.

“Since the law did not require the District to accept the arbitrator’s decision, the District thought it was in the best interest of both parties as well as your co-workers to work cooperatively in not discussing confidential employee matters in public, thus, the suggestion of a non-disparagement clause,” Davis and Holland wrote to Olsen.

Olsen, however, repeatedly urged the district to address her concerns internally and said she only went to the news media after being repeatedly ignored by district officials. After arbitration, Olsen refused the district’s terms. She is now at Wooster High School as an assistant principal.

But the administrator who trumped up more than a dozen claims to get Olsen fired, Lauren Baxter Ford, previously Hug High School’s principal and Olsen’s boss, advanced into an area superintendent position just after booting Olsen off of the Hug High campus in 2017.

Olsen’s requests for investigations into a number of her complaints, including harassment and retaliation, were ignored by the board of trustees, her then-area superintendent, and by Superintendent Traci Davis.

But when Ford complained to the school board about Olsen’s case—where she characterized Olsen as disgruntled—she requested an outside investigation. It was approved on the spot.

Katy Simon Holland

14 | RN&R | 07.25.19

The district’s chief legal counsel, Neil Rombardo, authorized two investigations—one into one of Olsen’s claims, and one into Ford’s complaint. He hired an attorney already defending the school district in another case. He and Davis cited board policy to authorize the investigations.

Standards appeared selective.

The firing of Davis was predicated upon alleged negligence. Holland and the school district’s legal counsel, Rombardo, said that Davis was complicit and/or negligent in two subordinates leaking information to benefit a complainant in her case against the school district.

Davis’ attorney, Bill Peterson, vehemently denied Davis knew anything about the leaks. The hundreds of pages of evidence presented by the school district show little or nothing about Davis’ alleged role in the leaks, Peterson said.

The two who are said to have leaked the information—former Chief of Staff David Lasic and Chief Student Services Officer Byron Green, who are married—reported to then Deputy Superintendent Kristen McNeill. She was quickly placed into the interim superintendent position after Davis was fired.

3. lying to the newS media A 2016 study by Harvard scholars, “Artful Paltering: The Risks and Rewards of Using Truthful Statements to Mislead Others,” by Todd Rogers, et al., identifies three ways to lie: committing blatant lies, omitting information, and by paltering, which involves truthful statements made in such a way as to deceive.

The Washoe County School District is familiar with all three.

Paltering “differs from lying by omission (the passive omission of relevant information) and lying by commission (the active use of false statements),” according to Harvard University professors, who published their paper in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. “Like lying by omission, paltering can involve failing to disclose relevant information, but unlike lying by omission, paltering involves the active disclosure of true but misleading information: paltering enables would-be deceivers to actively influence a target’s beliefs.”

A famous example of paltering, they wrote, was made by former President Bill Clinton.

(Trump is also a master palterer.)

“There is not a sexual relationship,” Clinton famously proclaimed about his relations with then-White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

It was, technically, a true statement at the time, but as history quickly showed, Clinton was far from being honest.

“Many viewers inferred from Clinton’s response that he had not had a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky,” the Harvard researchers noted. “Palterers hold a mistaken mental model, failing to anticipate how negatively the targets of their palters will perceive

them should they detect their deceit. As a result, paltering can promote conflict.”

That’s what the school district experienced when it fired Davis. Rather than come forward with what it knew, the school district, through board president Holland, denied anything was amiss.

I asked Holland what the precipitating factors were that prompted Davis to go on leave.

“I don’t know,” she said.

“You are 100% clear you have no idea why Traci Davis has taken leave at this time?” I repeated.

“All the information I have is that she’s taking leave for personal reasons,” Holland said. “You have as much information as I do about that.”

In fact, Holland was instrumental in Davis’ ouster. Under a bogus pretext, Holland and Trustee Angie Taylor met with Davis in midJune and gave Davis a settlement offer that included her resignation.

Davis’ attorney, Peterson, said the handling of Davis’ firing was laced with deceit. He called Holland’s statements to the news media blatant lies.

“The District’s purpose here is clear—to circumvent the normal evaluation process and terminate Superintendent’s Employment Agreement ‘for cause’ on an expedited timetable with no regard for fairness, due process or the truth,” Peterson said. “That purpose is further manifested by the pattern of deception, misrepresentation and manipulation demonstrated by the District in bringing these charges and the political strategy to defame her and her counsel in public after bringing those charges.”

4. amazing truth bending The Washoe County School District is nothing if not consistent. Throughout the past year, it never admitted fault once. About anything. It repeatedly defended itself in Olsen’s case. It defended its disastrous handling of the digital snow days. It criticized the news media.

The district proclaimed it was a “learning organization,” it vowed that it was committed to transparency, and it repeatedly claimed that it fostered a culture of respect.

At the same time, the school district went to great lengths to affirm what it wanted people to believe—even when its claims were obfuscated and unsupported.

The Harvard researchers predicted this behavior. Those with a vested interest to deceive actually believe they are behaving ethically, the researchers reported.

“Deceivers who engage in paltering are likely to engage in motivated reasoning,” they explained. “Self-interest often guides how individuals perceive the morality of their own behavior. … Deceivers who lie by commission are constrained in their ability to justify their behavior, because they used statements that were explicitly untrue.

“Deceivers who palter, however, can focus on their use of truthful statements and discount

the misleading consequences or attribute the misleading inference to the target (who should have paid closer attention to exactly what the deceiver was saying).”

The district pledged, just after Davis was canned, a new era of transparency. It would, district officials claimed, produce public information it was legally permissible to produce.

Both the Reno Gazette Journal and ThisisReno requested copies of Holland’s comminiques during the Davis debacle. Under the Nevada Public Records Act, and based on the district’s new commitment, there are few reasons those should not be produced.

The district found some.

“This particular request involves extraordinary use of staff time to ensure that student

Traci Davis

records and private personnel information is redacted in accordance with state and federal laws,” said district spokesperson Megan Downs.

“The District answers a large number and the overwhelming majority of public records requests without a cost.”

This time, however, Washoe County School District wanted $1,500 for the records with half of that amount up front.

Downs did say, however, that it would produce a “report” of these documents that will include “email subject line and date.”

5. All of the Above lAced with condescension Reporting on the school district in the past year, a practice inspired by early inquiries to district officials that were met with information blockades and condescension, has been a fascinating exercise.

It seemed as if the more I attempted to gain information, or to simply understand issues, the more the district engaged in obfuscation.

At one point, I asked why the school district evaluated Davis only on positive news coverage, not all news coverage. I was directed to watch and listen to more than four hours of public meetings to find the answer.

Another time, I asked how much the district’s counsel was spending on outside legal consultations. The response: “Board Policy 9165 allows the Chief General Counsel to hire outside lawyers where deemed necessary. As to cost, it depends on the time it takes to investigate.”

I also requested information as to employees who spoke in Area Superintendent Lauren Baxter Ford’s favor during a school board meeting, when Rombardo and Davis approved her investigation.

I wanted to know: Did her supporters who spoke during public comment, many of whom are her friends and subordinates, take personal leave time to attend a board of trustees meeting and speak on Ford’s behalf?

“You will need to make a public records request for any additional information,” spokesperson Downs replied.

I did.

The district’s response: “There is no public record responsive to your request [and] the district is not required to create a public record to satisfy a public records request. This Office is not aware of the employees who provided public comment at the referenced Board meeting.”

Rather than answer the question, the school district adopted a Clintonesque response strategy: It paltered.

When asked about the misleading statements to the news media by Holland while working to fire Davis, the district paltered again.

“No one encouraged anyone to mislead the public,” their spokesperson wrote in an email. Ω

Photo/jeri davis

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Edmond Jbeily teaches a 6 a.m. workout class at the Weigand Fitness Center.

Student

Photo/matt bieker

Tips for chasing fitness goals while adjusting to college life

By Matt BIeker ma ttb@ne wsreview.c om

I

t’s Thursday morning. You’re nodding off at your 9 a.m. lecture because you only slept four hours the night before. The carne asada tacos from Roberto’s aren’t sitting as well as they did when you ate them six hours ago, and the only thing keeping you awake is the extra strong coffee and the doughnut you paid $6.50 for. You meant to hit the gym after class—you even brought your workout clothes—but you know it deep down: you’re going back to that dorm to sleep.

Such is the dilemma of many new University of Nevada, Reno students who, as deadlines get shorter, nights get longer and food gets more expensive, start sacrificing their healthy lifestyle choices. Or vice versa, a student planning to use their newfound freedom to get in shape might not know where to begin when it comes to navigating UNR’s dining options, or might be intimidated being in a gym setting for the first time.

Whether it’s getting stronger, managing weight or simply learning about science-based nutrition, UNR has resources for helping students meet their fitness goals, and many of them can be found at the E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center. The Fitness Center opened its doors in 2017, so most of the equipment is state-of-theart for people who are already familiar with squat racks, bench presses and treadmills.

But for beginners or students who want to try something new, the Fitness Center also hosts over 150 group fitness classes per week, led by certified trainers in a variety of disciplines.

“I feel like if you have a hard time getting involved in the gym or if you feel intimidated to come to the gym—that’s a big problem for a lot of people—a group fitness class is a good way to get started,” said Edmond Jbeily, a UNR kinesiology student and trainer at the Weigand Fitness Center. “Whether it be yoga, whether it be pilates, they offer all those classes, and it’s part of the tuition, so it’s free.

You don’t have to pay any extra.”

16 | RN&R | 07.25.19

Jbeily is originally from Sacramento and played football all through high school. When he started at UNR, his fitness goals evolved, and he began taking advantage of the diverse training options offered at the Wiegand and on the rest of campus. He teaches a 6 a.m.

TRX-band workout as part of his future career ambitions as a personal trainer.

“I knew I wanted to expand, whether it be athletic training in terms of, not just lifting, but workouts that would require me to, you know, work up a sweat and breathe, you know, [work out my respiratory system],” Jbeily said. “And then, you know, I’m going to be a trainer. You want to have a body that people are like, ‘Whoa, his workout routine works.’”

Jbeily said that instructors will accommodate new students while challenging advanced ones, so any skill level is welcome in most classes. Classes are offered from 6 a.m. to 6:30

p.m., and the center itself is open from 6 a.m. to midnight during the week. Jbeily said that, since

students organize their days around their class schedules, deciding whether to work out in the morning or evening can make your workouts more consistent.

“It’s funny because I used to be a night guy,” Jbeily said. “[The gym] is a little bit more empty, you know. But as I went on and on, I’ve become a morning [person]. … I just feel like you also kick start your day. You’re up, you can be a little bit more productive after that, as opposed to, you know, waking up a little later, sleeping in.”

The Wiegand Fitness Center can get crowded, however, with peak hours usually falling between noon to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. If your interests lie outside of the gym altogether, students can join an intramural basketball, soccer, volleyball or flag football team

(see www.unr.edu/fitness/intramural-sports for registration deadlines) as well as take their workouts to the John Sala Intramural Fields southeast of the Mackay football stadium, which is open to all students except during designated practice times.

“It’s a nice resource,” Jbeily said. “On nice days like it is now in summer, you can go out there and do some workouts. I’ve seen people do workouts with bars and maybe lunges and stuff. … You could do sprints. All that is open field. It’s open so there’s nothing. It’s not congested.”

“I feel like if you have a hard time getting involved in the gym or if you feel intimidated to come to the gym— that’s a big problem for a lot of people—a group fitness class is a good way to get started.” e d m o n d J b e i ly fitness trainer

UNR also hosts a little-known 25-yard lap pool and dive tank in the Lombardi Recreation Center, formerly the school’s default recreation center, that is also free for student use—except during practice hours for the UNR swim team.

Even with all these resources, however, Jbeily said that the first step for any student working toward a new fitness goal is just to show up— and sometimes that comes down to mindset.

“I don’t know a lot of people do this, but … every day I like to read or listen to one motivational slash inspirational, like, whether it be a quote or a video,” Jbeily said. “It helps me, like, be more positive, I guess, in the day. And then there’s those times where you are thinking like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to go to the gym.’ But … half the battle is showing up. You show up, you’re going to work out. I’ll tell you this, you never regret going to the gym.”

B a l a n c e ac t

a full lIstIng of classes offered at the e.l. WIegand fItness center can Be found at fItness.unr.edu

However, while UNR offers plenty of opportunities for exercise—including simply walking from one end of the notoriously steep campus to the other—part of maintaining your overall health as a college student means finding a balance

between healthy habits and a hectic schedule.

Lauren Gray, who graduated in May with an undergraduate degree in English, spent the spring of 2016 competing in the Miss Battle Born competition while also pursuing a full course schedule. The swimsuit portion of the competition meant Gray needed to work hard to get the lean, muscular physique expected by the judges.

“It’s not everyone’s experience, but to get in that kind of shape, school took the back seat,” Gray said. “My grades were not good, and I would not recommend that’s how anyone prioritize their life.”

Gray had a background in fitness already and found working out to be a cathartic way to deal with the stresses of life and school. However, the effort it takes to maintain an Instagram-ready six-pack in college is more demanding than many people realize.

“I was going through a lot at the time, so I think, for me, part of working out was like therapy,” Gray said. “But in that kind of phase I was in the gym for at least two hours a day, six days a week. I was eating probably 1200 to 1400 calories a day, kind of depending on the day. And it was literally chicken, broccoli, brown rice, egg whites, brocbroc coli, brown rice, every single meal.

And it was three hours of meal prep on Sundays. And I did that for like five months. That’s how you look like that.”

Gray said that she could see an ultra-motivated student maintaining that kind of schedsched ule, but with her addition of a part time job, she decided that paying her own way and keeping her grades up was more important to her than haunting the gym. Striving for balance, she said, helped her reprioritize her schedule with more realistic goals for her situation. “[I was] shifting my habits to where I’m like, ‘This is OK for me right now and I can still get done what I need to get done,’” Gray said. “And so just putting school first and … understanding, like, lean is not healthy, healthy is healthy.”

In the absence of her competition-level workout routine, Gray said she found other ways to manage her weight and physique goals, including visiting the Student Health

Center.

“You can go to the health center and get your body fat tested. You can get a diet plan— there’s a nutritionist,” Gray said. “They can create a diet plan for you based on your goal. I would assume that even if you were just gonna do like a, ‘Hey, I want to eat healthier,’ they could make a diet plan for that too.”

Managing her nutrition, grades and schedule became as much of a priority to Gray as working out, and to students whose fitness journey might start at the same time as their college career, Gray says: don’t sweat it.

“If your goals or if your schedule only allows for like three days at the gym, that’s all you can do consistently, because you know you’re going to be super packed the rest of the week, then that’s OK. Do that,” said Gray. □ Lauren Gray is a recent UNR graduate and fitness enthusiast. courtesy/lauren gray

“If your goals or your schedule only allows for, like, three days at the gym ... then that’s OK.” L au r e n g r ay unr graduate

07.25.19 | RN&R | 17

by Mark EarnESt

Jacqueline Evans and Scott Fraleigh stand with one of the large crystals of the Key Bearer Project.

Skill unlocked The Key Bearer Project Some art is just to study, while other art invites participation and immersion.

Burning Man has long been a venue for the latter, and a new project by a group of local artists and volunteers aims to go perhaps a step beyond.

The Key Bearer Project has an ambitious idea behind it, inspired by project lead Scott Fraleigh’s experiences on the playa in his six years attending the event.

What Burning Man attendees will see is a series of large crystals that have thousands of lock boxes on them. While on the playa, Fraleigh and his volunteers will give people keys to those boxes, but with some special stipulations.

“We’ll be bestowing keys to people that we see doing acts of kindness or selflessness, or to loners who look like they are afraid to engage with other people,” said Jacqueline Evans, Key Bearer Project manager. “Then, when they come to our art installation, they’ll be searching for the lock to the key and will hopefully make some life-long relationships in the overlap with everyone else that’s looking.”

“We want to send people on an adventure, and create a commonality and place for people to potentially bond,” Fraleigh said.

The project also looks beyond the two weeks at Black Rock City. Besides a handmade art gift in each box, there also will be pendants with a barcode and information to join up with the project online. After the event, these new project members can vote on a way to “make the world a better place,” with the idea receiving the most 18 | RN&R | 07.25.19

Photo/Mark EarnESt

votes being put into action by the Key Bearer Project.

Fraleigh said that Key Bearer is in the planning stages to be a non-profit, and he hopes to bring the installation to other cities.

So far, there have been about 18 volunteers helping out with Key Bearer, plus many more who have supplied gifts, locks or materials for the project. They have also been hosting Makers’ Potlucks at the Generator, 1240 Icehouse Ave., Sparks, in order to drum up interest or volunteer work for the project.

The biggest challenge, though, seems to be funding. Through their website and some events at local bars, they’ve raised about a quarter of their $8,500 goal, but they’ve also received some great materials to add to the piece, including the red crystal panels that were recycled from a hotel’s recent renovation project.

Doing this project at this year’s Burning Man is intriguing all on its own. With Bureau of Land Management disagreements looming over it—and the continued perception that it’s just a party for rich Bay Area magnates to fly their private jets into—some Burner believers like these volunteers are hoping Key Bearer brings positivity to the playa.

“In my original pitch for this, I wrote down that I’ve heard a lot of people saying they don’t like what Burning Man is turning into,’” Fraleigh said. “So, I want to set the highest-level example to spread out to the world of what you can do there. The Burn to me is still really special, and I’ve had the best times out there with the most amazing people, and I want to bring something there that has the ability to form connections that go beyond it.” Ω

the next key Bearer Project’s Makers’ Potluck starts at 3 p.m. on aug. 4 at the Generator, 1240 Icehouse Drive, Sparks. Learn more at thekeybearers.com.

by BoB Grimm

b g ri m m @ne w s re v i e w . c o m

SHORT TAKES

4

Laughing shock Machismo and sanctioned violence of any kind get a sinister, satiric, roundhouse kick to the face in The Art of Self-Defense, the new dark comedy from writer-director Riley Stearns.

Meek accountant Casey (a totally on-point Jesse Eisenberg) is a nerdy wimp on all fronts.

His coworkers can’t stand him, and French tourists mock him while he sits in a café, obliterating him with verbal shots in a foreign language. The exclamation point on his wimpy nerdiness is that he has just learned French via books on tape, so he understands all of the jabs being thrown his way due to his studiousness, and says nothing—nerdy wimp personified.

Casey runs out of dog food for his adorable dachshund and must take the long, lonely walk to the local grocer in the dark of night. A motorcyclist with a rider on back stops, asks if he has a gun, then rides away. On his way back from the store, that same motorcycle gang kicks the unholy shit out of him.

Seeking help, Casey visits a dojo where he encounters Sensei, played by veteran actor Allessandro Nivola in a star turn that might perhaps get him the sort of outstanding notices he’s always deserved. Sensei is at times helpful in Casey’s quest to become more self-assured, but Sensei also has an evil side. Be wary of the night classes, where he has no problem breaking a man’s arm in two to demonstrate one of his twisted rules for the martial arts. He’s so self- assured in his toxic masculinity that he knows such an act will produce no lawsuits.

Speaking of that toxic masculinity, it starts to spread in Casey’s system like venom after a manly snake bite during a manly man hike. He’s changing, almost like a robot now programmed to preach the Sensei’s doctrine of manly man behavior in all aspects of life, even down to denouncing the weak breed of dog sitting on his couch. Casey becomes so obsessed with karate that he has a yellow leather

“i’m gonna tell you what my sensei told me before my first fight ... ‘Sweep the leg, Johnny.’”

belt custom made so that he can wear his it all the time, even when he’s not kicking people in the face.

Imogen Poots contributes to the nastiness as Anna, a should-be black belt being subjugated by the misogynistic Sensei. Her showdown with fellow student Thomas (Steve Terada) shows that a destructive streak runs through her as well. Poots is her usual strong self here, at time as scary as anybody in the movie. David Zellner will break your heart as the friendly Henry, perhaps the only nice person in the whole film. And nice people in this movie are really out of place.

The humor in Stearn’s script is drier than burnt toast left out in the middle of the desert with a magnifying glass perched over it.

The actors don’t get laughs by telling jokes.

They more or less get the laughs by being so hilariously awful you can’t believe it, especially Nivola. Teeth getting knocked out of somebody’s face have never been this funny.

While Eisenberg can be a bit of a one-note performer, he plays that note well, and this is his most memorable character in many moons. Like his Zuckerberg in The Social Network, Casey is a total ass, a weaselly jerk that you love to hate. His progression from meek guy trying to make conversations in the break room at work to strangely masculine guy doing pushups in the break room at work is a lot of fun to watch.

The movie has some mystery that isn’t all that surprising, but you won’t care. The payoff is satisfying, not to mention totally insane. The Art of Self-Defense is the funniest film of the summer so far, and Nivola’s work within it counts as his career best. Ω

The Art of Self-Defense

12345

Crawl

Alligators get their due as nasty reptilian cinematic monsters with Crawl, the biggest surprise so far this summer when it comes to simply having a damn good time at the movies. It puts that other monster reptile movie, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, to shame. Southern Florida is getting walloped by a hurricane, and collegiate swimmer Haley (Kaya Scodelario of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) hasn’t heard from her dad (Barry Pepper) as the situation grows into a Category 5. Against foreboding radio warnings, Haley drives to her old family home in an attempt to locate her wayward poppa and put other family members’ minds at ease. With the family dog tagging along (of course), Haley ventures into the basement/crawlspace, where dad is unconscious with a suspicious wound. We’re not too far into the movie when the alligator baddies are introduced, and these toothy demons are taking the rising waters as an excuse to swim around and party on human flesh. From the first gator introduction to the final frame, Crawl aims to kick your butt with all out horror thrills, with plenty of hurricane terror mixed in for good measure. The vast majority of the film takes place in the house, and huge credit goes to director Alexandre Aja and his production team for making the basement a fun place for people to get rolled by an alligator. The alligators, mostly CGI, are terrific movie beasties, entirely convincing whether above or below water. Unlike Jaws, Aja doesn’t hide his monsters for most of the movie. They show up early on, and these bastards aren’t going away.

5

Midsommar

Two films in, and it’s safe to declare writer-director Ari Aster a master of horror. His Midsommar, the sophomore effort following his masterpiece Hereditary, is two and a half hours of nerve-fraying terror staged mostly in broad daylight, and it is a thing of demented beauty. Dani (dynamite Florence Pugh) and Christian (excellent Jack Reynor) are having relationship issues. Dani is super dependent on Christian during a major time of need, as her sister is constantly bombarding her with dark mood swing modern correspondence (translation: toxic emails). Then, tragedy strikes Dani’s family, and it’s time for Christian to step up for his part of this committed relationship. His solution? Take Dani along on what was supposed to be a bro trip to Sweden for a traditional family summer festival. He sort of asks her to go, she sort of says yes, and, before you know it, Dani is on a plane to Sweden with Christian and his friends. Shortly after arrival, Dani and friends ingest hallucinogenic mushrooms. The weirdness kicks in immediately, and the movie comes off as a really bad trip. Pugh, so good in this year’s Fighting with My Family, makes a grand statement with this movie. She’s an acting force that puts her in the upper echelon. She throws everything out on the table, and it all pays off in a performance that will surely be one of the year’s most memorable. One of the pleasures of Aster’s latest is that it’s obvious where things are going. It’s a mystery that puts a ton of clues right in front of your face in vividly visible fashion as the sun shines brightly.

While the movie is a deliberately paced slow burn, it’s nearly two and a half hours pass by pretty quickly. Aster never loses the sense of dread, so while you could call his movie predictable in some ways, it’s not even close to being a letdown. It’s a movie that constantly delivers on the dread it promises in every frame.

3

Spider-Man: Far from Home

Tom Holland cements his status as best-ever Spider-Man with what amounts to the goofiest, but still major fun, Spider-Man movie yet. Jon Watts once again directs as Peter Parker looks to vacation with his friends after the events of

Endgame, traveling to Europe and leaving his superhero responsibilities behind. When a strange breed of elemental monsters start striking the planet, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) interrupts Peter’s sojourn and gets him back into the swing of things.

Jake Gyllenhaal gets into the shenanigans as Mysterio, a crime fighter from another dimension that slides right into the Tony Stark mentor role. Holland is good fun as Spidey, giving him a nice, youthful effervescence to go with his comic timing. Zendaya rules as MJ, Jon Favreau gets a lot more screen time—it’s a good thing!—as Happy, and the film doesn’t have nearly enough Marisa Tomei. It’s a bit lightheaded at times, but it’s the sort of breezy affair that the Marvel universe needed to get things revved up again. Hopefully, this is just the beginning for Holland and he has a bunch of these in his future, because he’s perfect for the role.

4

Stranger Things 3

The third season is the best yet for the Duffer Brothers’ ’80s throwback series. Much of the action, including a final showdown with the Mind Flayer monster from the Upside Down, takes place in the Starcourt Mall, a mighty authentic wonder of art direction. (Sam Goody and The Ground Round make notable appearances.)

The Russians now play a prominent part as Hopper (David Harbour) tries to protect his adopted daughter, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), from the Reds, demons and, most notoriously, her new boyfriend, Mike (Finn Wolfhard), who likes to kiss way too much.

Steve (Joe Harrington) has his best season yet, working in an ice cream store with new cast member and major standout Maya Hawke (daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman) as his co-scooper. The special effects this time are top-notch, with nice nods to, once again, John Carpenter, Stephen King and The Blob. Harbour gets a little goofier in this round, and it’s a lot of fun watching his Hopper trying to date Joyce (Winona Ryder). The finale provides some major cliffhangers for the inevitable season four, which could actually wind up in a completely different series. It’s good to see the show make a comeback after a middling season 2; it’s a total blast, and it features a nice ode to The Neverending Story. (Streaming on Netflix.)

1

Yesterday

Danny Boyle (127 Hours, 28 Days Later) directs the straining saga of Jack Malik (Himesh Patel), a wannabe musician working part-time in a grocery store while also busking on street corners and playing small solo gigs with his trusty guitar. Jack’s burgeoning music career is managed by Ellie (Lily James), who is fostering a decades-old crush on Jack while getting him gigs at closing hotels and side tents at music festivals. Riding his bike home from a gig, the world suffers a solar flare and a worldwide power loss, and Jack gets hit by a bus, knocking out a couple of his teeth and sending him to the hospital.

Post-accident, Ellie and some friends give Jack a new guitar and suggest he bust out a song for them. He goes with “Yesterday” by the Beatles, and the group is moved, as if hearing the song for the first time. That’s because they are hearing it for the first time. A quick Google check by Jack confirms the impossible: Somehow, someway, Jack now lives in a parallel world where John, Paul, George and Ringo never came together to make music. So what does Jack do? Why, he plagiarizes the entire Beatles catalog, of course. Rather than exploring the dark side of plagiarism in a comedic way, Boyle’s movie begs you to love Jack— and to sympathize with him while he tries to figure out his romantic interest in Ellie.

Rather than crafting a film that seriously addresses a world without the Beatles, the movie becomes scared of itself and becomes nothing but a lame rom-com.

07.25.19

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by Todd SouTh

A BLTA sandwich is served with chips and salsa.

PHOTO/ALLISON YOUNG

Back to basics Long departed Deux Gros Nez was Reno’s first real coffeehouse in 1985, but Java Jungle followed close behind in 1990. I loved banging on the Jungle’s beat-up piano back then, and it became home to one of the longest running open mics in town. It changed hands a decade later without losing its funky vibe, then changed a bit with an ill-fated rebranding.

The second owner recently chose to sell to some folks who’ve gone back to the coffeehouse basics with Cafe Capello— short menu, welcoming space and the eclectic mix of patrons you’d expect in the Riverwalk district.

Breakfast and lunch items are served from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pastries supplied by Rounds Bakery are served until evening close, or when they sell out. The coffee is roasted by the owner, and in hindsight I should have tried a straight-up hot cup o’ joe to get a proper feel for his product.

On my July midday visit, the promise of cold brew ($3.50) with a blueberry scone ($2.75) sounded more inviting, but the java was beyond weak. Served over ice, there was just a hint of robust coffee flavor, akin to one of those non-caloric fizzy beverages that may have brushed up against fruit in a casual meeting. The scone was soft, packed with blueberries and pretty much perfect.

The same friendly fellow who took our order then donned an apron and set to cooking in the back. Though there were plenty of beverages prepared by the one other barista on hand, we waited on food for a considerable amount of time. Here’s hoping during an actual meal rush there’s more than one hand in the kitchen. And I 20 | RN&R | 07.25.19

sincerely mean that, because the food we eventually received was quite good.

Though tempted by breakfast items, my brunch partner went with the BLTA —bacon, lettuce tomato and avocado ($8).

The thick sourdough was grilled golden brown, cradling fat slices of tomato, mixed greens, a pile of hot and fresh thick-sliced bacon, uplifted by a decent avocado smash and slightly chunky garlic aioli. The garlic was a surprise (unmentioned on the menu), but definitely a plus. Served with tortilla chips and a fresh pico de gallo, it was a great plate of lunch.

A plate of three carne asada street tacos ($7) were so loaded with meat, pico de gallo and guac, they were daunting to lift and eat. After a squirt of fresh lime juice and a dose of fantastic salsa verde, we managed to put them down without too much mess. The meat was slightly chewy, the seasoning solid. The salsa was a perfect mix of lime, chili, tomatillo and tons of cilantro. The guacamole was simple, chunky and plentiful. Damn good tacos, you’ve just got to embrace the mess and employ plenty of napkins.

There’s a breakfast burrito on the menu, but I went with the carnitas lunch option ($9) Grilled just as beautifully golden brown as the BLTA, it was a pleasant sight. And, man, it tasted just as good—crispy with completely melted cheese, mashed black beans and great guacamole and salsa. The pulled pork was super plentiful, moist and had plenty of flavor. Regardless of minor missteps, I will definitely return for one of the most satisfying burritos in town. Ω

Cafe Capello

248 W. First St., 410-6228

Cafe Capello is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Learn more at cafecapello.com.

by MaRk EaRnEsT

“Rap can be as expressive as you want it to be,” TheoryMC says.

Face the music TheoryMC The latest song from TheoryMC is called “FEAR,” and it’s indeed an acronym: Face Everything And Rise.

“I was just browsing Instagram one day, and I saw this phrase: ‘You can forget everything and run or face everything and rise,” said TheoryMC, whose real name is Brandon Scott Williams. “So, I just ran with that. Facing everything and rising is like my continued mantra. Regardless of what gets thrown at you in life, you still have a choice.”

The message behind “FEAR” is an intriguing contrast to the Reno rapper and producer’s other online track. “Work Harder” is closer to what you’d hear on a commercial hip-hop station, with a lighter tone and hooks galore. It’s also garnered TheoryMC the most attention and was used recently by several NBA teams for online highlight videos.

“That song was just a fun experiment in the everyday sound of modern hip-hop, sort of pop,” he said. “I’m not really big into that sound, because I think it takes away a bit of the authenticity of being a rapper, where people want to hear hardcore lyrics, more like ‘the people’s rapper.’ But, I challenged myself to do something different.”

Expect more of those contrasts during TheoryMC’s show this weekend at The Holland Project, 140 Vesta St., as well as in a five-song EP called Black Sense that he hopes to release soon. TheoryMC described his new material as closer to progressive rap, with lyrics from the personal to the topical.

“Rap can be as expressive as you want it to be,” he said. “I don’t really think it matters what kind of sound it comes

Photo/Mark EarnEst

packaged in. I still want the root elements to be something you can relate to. I just want to create art and put it out there and not box myself into the idea that I have to be a certain way in order to be liked.”

Reno may be relatively new to TheoryMC’s music, but he’s no novice.

He’s been rapping since 2004 while living in various locales, including Oklahoma, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. He participated in online and live battle rapping scenes and shows until his move to Reno five years ago.

He said the move to Reno “was more or less life-related: job, love, all that good stuff.” While he did continue to write and produce music, it has been on the back burner.

“Ever since I moved here to Reno, I just worked, doing the 9-to-5 gig. I would still take the time to create and write. It’s just part of who I am and what I do, and why I enjoy hip-hop so much. No matter what age you are, or what stage you come into the game, you can make a name for yourself.”

“For me, it’s just a part of who I am, and I think when you deny what you love doing, there’s a time when you need to say, ‘I really need this, I want to be back out there doing it.’ It really just comes from a place of passion, about performing and MC’ing, whether it’s spreading a good message or just having some fun.”

And, with that return to the fun of the stage looming, TheoryMC’s clearly not nervous about facing the crowd again.

“I mean, I might get a few butterflies before I go on,” he said with a laugh. “But, I know this is something that I’ve been waiting to do for a while, to be in Reno as a performer and not just a guy in the shadows. It’s going to be fun.” □

theoryMC performs with hip-hop artists Mahtie Bush, DJ Ethik, hennessy and Lefty rose at 5:30 p.m. on July 27 at the holland Project, 140 Vesta st. Learn more about theoryMC at instagram.com/theorymc.

07.25.19 | RN&R | 21

5 Star Saloon

132 West St., (775) 329-2878

alIBI alE WorKS

10069 Bridge St., Truckee, (530) 536-5029

THURSDAY 7/25

FRIDAY 7/26

SATURDAY 7/27

Karaoke, 9pm, no cover

Dance party, 10pm, $5

Dance party, 10pm, $5

Tim High & The Mighty, 8:30pm, no cover

Mestizo Beat, 8:30pm, $5

Outlaw Kindred, 9pm, no cover

Cold Steel, 8:30pm, $5

Wabuska Yachting Club, Bob Home and The Night Train, 8:30pm, $5

Caribbean Soul, 9pm, no cover

Caribbean Soul, 9pm, no cover

altUraS Bar

1044 E. Fourth St., (775) 324-5050

Bar oF aMErICa

B Boys

10040 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee, (530) 587-2626

July 29, 8 p.m.

The Holland Project 140 Vesta St. 448-6500

|

RN&R

255 N. Virginia St., (775) 398-5400

CEol IrISH PUB

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Roger Scimé, 9pm, no cover

538 S. Virginia St., (775) 329-5558 10142 Rue Hilltop, Truckee; (530) 587-5711

Carson Comedy Club, Carson City Nugget, 507 N. Carson St., Carson City, (775) 882-1626: Bob Zany, Fri-Sat, 8pm, $15 Laugh Factory, Silver Legacy Resort Casino, 407 N. Virginia St., (775) 3257401: Jimmy Shubert, Thu, Sun, 7:30pm, $21.95; Fri-Sat, 7:30pm, 9:30pm, $27.45; Harry Basil, Tue-Wed, 7:30pm, $21.95 LEX at Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. Second St., (775) 789-5399: Steven Michael Quezada, Fri, 6:30pm, $10 The Library, 134 W. Second St., (775) 683-3308: Open Mic Comedy, Wed, 9:30pm, no cover Pioneer Underground, 100 S. Virginia St., (775) 322-5233: Steven Michael Quezada, Thu, 7:30pm, $10-$15, Fri, 9pm, $15-$20, Sat, 6:30pm, 9:30pm, $15-$20; Comedy Collective, Fri, 6:30pm, $10-$15

22

CarGo ConCErt Hall

CottonWooD rEStaUrant

Comedy

Live music, 5pm, no cover

Swell, 9pm, no cover

DEaD rInGEr analoG Bar 432 E. Fourth St., (775) 409-4431

Kirby’s Dream Band, The Runaway Four, Nick Eng, Will Shamberger, 8pm, $TBA RVGS Jazz Combo, 7pm, no cover

FaCES nV

Karaoke with Gina G, 9pm, no cover

Fat Cat Bar & GrIll

Karaoke Night, 9pm, no cover

DJ Ramone, 10pm, no cover

GrEat BaSIn BrEWInG Co.

Outlaw Kindred, 7pm, no cover

Jason King, 7pm, no cover

Wiesn in a Box, 2pm, no cover Eric Andersen, 7pm, no cover

Kitty Kat Fan Club, Sell the Sun, Anapathic, 8pm, $5

Mahtie Bush, DJ EthiK, Hennessey, Lefty Rose, TheoryMC, 5:30pm, $5

599 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City; (530) 583-3355 846 Victorian Ave., Sparks; (775) 355-7711

tHE HollanD ProjECt 140 Vesta St., (775) 448-6500

jUB jUB’S tHIrSt Parlor 71 S. Wells Ave., (775) 384-1652 1) Showroom 2) Bar Room

07.25.19

Sounds of the City, 5pm, no cover

Post shows online by registerin g at www.newsr eview. com/reno. D eadline is the Frida y before public ation.

Born of Osiris, Bad Omens, Spite, Kingdom of Giants, 6:30pm, Tu, $18 Traditional Irish session, 7pm, Tu, Wed. Night Showcase, 7pm, no cover Brooke & Dave, 6pm, W, no cover

Karaoke with Nightsong Productions, 8pm, no cover

239 W. Second St., (775) 470-8590

MON-WED 7/29-7/31 Karaoke, 9pm, W, no cover

Moon Gravy, 6pm, no cover

DaVIDSon’S DIStIllErY 275 E. Fourth St., (775) 324-1917

SUNDAY 7/28

Plain Oatmeal, 10pm, no cover

The Lousekateers, 9:30pm, no cover Matt Howlett, Motive, 8pm, $TBA

Sunday Jazz Church with Reno Jazz Syndicate, 1pm, no cover Karaoke, 9pm, Tu, no cover Drag Queen Bingo, 8pm, W, no cover

2) Impurities, Fall Children, Ozymandias, Acid Box, 9pm, $5

Panda, 8:30pm, no cover

Trivia Night, 9pm, Tu, no cover

Wiesn in a Box—A Traveling Oktoberfest Experience, noon, no cover B Boys, Bodega, Pry, 8pm, M, $10-$12 2) Saturday Knights, 8pm, Tu, $5 No/Más, 8pm, W, $5

THURSDAY 7/25

FRIDAY 7/26

SATURDAY 7/27

SUNDAY 7/28

LIVING THE GOOD LIFE NIGHTCLUB

Live music, 6pm, Tu, no cover Live jazz, 7:30pm, W, no cover

1480 N. Carson St., Carson City, (775) 841-4663

THE LOFT

Magic Fusion, 7pm, 9pm, $22-$47

Magic Fusion, 7pm, $22-$47 Magic After Dark, 9pm, $32-$47

Magic Fusion, 7pm, 9pm, $22-$47 Magic After Dark, 11pm, $32-$47

MIDTOwN wINE Bar

DJ Trivia, 7pm, no cover

Mash Confusion, 8:30pm, no cover

Athena McIntyre, 8pm, no cover

1021 Heavenly Village Way, S. L. Tahoe, (530) 523-8024 1527 S. Virginia St., (775) 800-1960

MILLNENNIUM

Fuerza Regida, Arsenal Efectivo, Legado 7, El de la Guitarra, 9pm, $60

MOODY’S BISTrO, Bar & BEaTS

Dred Scott Trio, 8:30pm, no cover

Dred Scott Trio, 8:30pm, no cover

PIGNIC PUB & PaTIO

Hot to Trot: Reno Jazz Syndicate, 10pm, no cover

Wily Savage, Drive, Will Shamberger, 7:30pm, no cover

THE POLO LOUNGE

Ladies Night Out: DJ Ozzy Ortiz vs. DJ Bobby G, 9pm, no cover

The Heidi Incident, DJ Bobby G, 8:30pm, no cover

10007 Bridge St., Truckee, (530) 587-8688 235 Flint St., (775) 376-1948

1559 S. Virginia St., (775) 322-8864 1401 S. Virginia St., (775) 384-6526

Live acoustic music, 6pm, no cover

THE SaINT

The Funk Exchange, Lumbercat, 8pm, $10

SHEa’S TaVErN

United Defiance, The 08 Orchestra, The Exit Plan, Lost Idea, 9:30pm, $5

Mondo Deco, Local Anthology, The Habituals, 9:30pm, $5-$6

SPLaSH rENO

Fierce Fridays Pride Kick-Off Bash, 11pm, $10, free entry before 10pm

Pride Afterparty with Alexia, Jessica Wild, Ariel, 10pm, $5 after 11pm

761 S. Virginia St., (775) 221-7451 715 S. Virginia St., (775) 786-4774 340 Kietzke Lane, (775) 686-6681

VIrGINIa STrEET BrEwHOUSE 211 N. Virginia St., (775) 433-1090

Waltz entre del Cielo y la Tierra, Basha, Sad Giants, 6pm, $10

wILD rIVEr GrILLE

Mel Wade & Gia, 6:30pm, no cover

17 S. Virginia St., (775) 284-7455

Magic Fusion, 4:30pm, 7pm, 9pm, $22-$47

Bingo w/T-N-Keys, 6:30pm, Tu, no cover Carolyn Dolan Duo, 6pm, W, no cover

July 30, 6:30 p.m.

Cargo Concert Hall 255 N. Virginia St. 398-5400 Oh Sweet Release—A Neighborhood Palooza, noon, $TBA

Colin Ross, 6:30pm, no cover

DJ Trivia, M, 7:30pm, no cover Jason King, 6pm, W, no cover, DG Kicks, 8pm, Tu, no cover

DJ Trivia, 1pm, no cover

DJ Bingo, 7pm, W, no cover

Trivia Night hosted by Aubrey Forston, 8pm, no cover

Duke Evers, Captain Cutiepie, Almond Mocha Music, 8pm, W, $5-$6

Yacht Rock Revue, Soul Kiss, 8pm, W, $23

Black Rose, 8pm, $TBA

Frog and Toad, 6:30pm, no cover

Magic Fusion, 7pm, 9pm, M, Tu, W, $22-$47

Born of Osiris

2100 Victorian Ave., Sparks, (775) 507-1626

rUE BOUrBON

MON-WED 7/29-7/31

Eric Stangeland, 2pm, no cover Milton Merlos, 6pm, no cover

Eric Andersen, 6:30pm, M, no cover Tyler Stafford, 6:30pm, Tu, no cover Verbal Kint, 6:30pm, W, no cover

Yacht Rock Revue July 31, 8 p.m.

Virginia Street Brewhouse 211 N. Virginia St. 433-1090

Linda Marie

Massage Therapy

By Appointment Only NVMT#6457

Mention this ad & receive 20% off

775.525.7077

142 Bell St. Ste. 2D, Reno 07.25.19

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ATLANTIS CASINO reSOrT SPA 3800 S. Virginia St., (775) 825-4700 Cabaret KICK: Thu, 7/25, 8pm, Fri, 7/26, Sat, 7/27, 4pm, no cover

REBEKAH CHASE BAND: Fri, 7/26, Sat, 7/27, 10pm, Sun, 7/28, 8pm, no cover

JUST US: Mon, 7/29, Tue, 7/30, Wed, 7/31, 8pm, no cover

BOOMTOWN CASINO HOTeL 2100 garSon rd., Verdi, (775) 345-6000 gUitar bar GARY DOUGLAS: Thu, 7/25, 6pm, no cover MIKE FURLONG: Fri, 7/26, 5pm, no cover VELVET DUO: Sat, 7/27, 5pm, no cover EBONY NOT IVORY: Fri, 7/26, Sat, 7/27, 8pm, no cover

The Head and the Heart July 25, 8 p.m.

Grand Sierra Resort 2500 E. Second St. 789-2000

STEPHEN LORD: Sun, 7/28, 5pm, no cover TANDYMONIUM: Mon, 7/29, 6pm, no cover JASON KING: Tue, 7/30, 6pm, no cover PETER PACYAO: Wed, 7/31, 6pm, no cover

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no cover

ARIZONA JONES: Wed, 7/31, 6pm, no cover

CIrCUS CIrCUS reNO 500 n. Sierra St., (775) 329-0711 eL Jefe’S Cantina SKYY HIGH FRIDAY WITH DJ MO FUNK: Fri, 7/26, 10pm, no cover

REVEL SATURDAYS WITH DJ CHRIS ENGLISH: Sat, 7/27, 10pm, no cover

Cabaret HEROES OF ROCK & ROLL: Fri, 7/26, Sat, 7/27, 9pm, no cover

CrySTAL BAy CASINO 14 HigHway 28, CryStaL bay, (775) 833-6333 Crown rooM CRACKER & CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN: Fri, 7/26, 9pm, $25-$30

1627 Hwy. 395, Minden, (775) 782-9711

red rooM

$59-$69

RN&R

7/27, 8pm, no cover

DAN RAU: Sun, 7/28, Mon, 7/29, Tue, 7/30, 6pm,

CArSON VALLey INN PAT BENATAR & NEIL GIRALDO: Wed, 7/31, 8pm,

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STONE SENATE: Thu, 7/25, 7pm, Fri, 7/26, Sat,

DENNY LAINE & THE MOODY WING BAND: Sat,

tJ’S CorraL

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Cabaret

07.25.19

7/27, 8pm, $27-$30

BAIRFRO WITH GURBTRON: Sat, 7/27, 11pm, no cover

JUL/26:

CRACKER & CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN

The two groups led by singer-guitarist David Lowery return to the area this weekend. With songs like “Take the Skinheads Bowling” and their cover of Status Quo’s “Pictures of Matchstick Men,” Camper Van Beethoven’s eclectic mix of alternative rock, punk, folk, country and world music made them darlings of 1980s college radio. After CVB broke up in 1990, Lowery went on to form Cracker with guitarist Johnny Hickman. The country and Americana-influenced alternative rock band enjoyed more commercial success in the 1990s with hits like “Teen Angst,” “Low” and “Euro-Trash Girl.”

These days, Lowery teaches as a lecturer at the University of Georgia and is a vocal champion of artists rights in the internet age, yet he continues to tour and record with his bands. Cracker (pictured) and Camper Van Beethoven will perform at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 26, in the Crown Room at the Crystal Bay Casino, 14 Highway 28, Crystal Bay. Tickets are $25-$30. Call (775) 833-6333 or visit devildogshows.com/crystal-bay-club-casino-events.

Post shows online by registering at www.newsreview.com/reno. Deadline is the Friday before publication.

GRAND SIERRA RESORT

HARRAH’S LAKE TAHOE

2500 E. SEcoNd St., (775) 789-2000

15 highway 50, StatELiNE, (800) 427-7247

graNd thEatrE THE HEAD AND THE HEART WITH HIPPO CAMPUS: Thu, 7/25, 8pm, $29.50-$80

SUGARLAND: Fri, 7/26, 9pm, $69.50-$145 MICHAEL MCDONALD WITH CHAKA KHAN: Sat, 7/27, 8pm, $55-$125

THE GYPSY KINGS FEATURING NICOLAS REYES & TONINO BAILARDO: Sun, 7/28, 8pm, $35-$115

LEX NightcLub

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo July 31, 8 p.m.

Carson Valley Inn 1627 Highway 395 Minden (775) 782-9711

THROWBACK THURSDAY WITH DJ SWERVE-1: Thu, 7/25, 6pm, no cover

LEX FRIDAYS: Fri, 7/26, 10pm, $20 LEX SATURDAYS: Sat, 7/27, 10pm, $20

cryStaL LouNgE RECKLESS ENVY: Fri, 7/26, Sat, 7/27, 7pm, no cover

thE PooL INFINITY SUNDAYS AT THE POOL: Sun, 7/28, 11am, $20, no cover for locals before noon

ELDORADO RESORT CASINO 345 N. VirgiNia St., (775) 786-5700 Showroom THE ILLUSIONISTS EXPERIENCE: Thu, 7/25, 7pm, Fri, 7/26, 8:30pm, Sat, 7/27, 5pm & 8:30pm, Sun, 7/28, 5pm, Tue, 7/30, Wed, 7/31, 7pm, $39.95-$59.95

HARD ROCK LAKE TAHOE 50 highway 50, StatELiNE, (844) 588-7625 cENtEr bar DJ SET: Fri, 7/26, Sat, 7/27, 9pm, no cover

South ShorE room MASTERS OF ILLUSION: Thu, 7/25, Fri, 7/26, Sat, 7/27, Sun, 7/28, Mon, 7/29, 8pm, $24-$45

caSiNo cENtEr StagE TUESDAY NIGHT BLUES WITH THE BUDDY EMMER BAND: Tue, 7/30, 8pm, no cover

HARRAH’S RENO 219 N. cENtEr St., (775) 786-3232

PEPPERmILL RESORT SPA CASINO

TAHOE BILTmORE

2707 S. VirgiNia St., (775) 826-2121

5 highway 28, StatELiNE, (775) 833-6731

tErracE LouNgE

caSiNo FLoor CHRIS COSTA: Fri, 7/26, Sat, 7/27, 8pm, no cover

BON BON VIVANT: Thu, 7/25, 7pm, Fri, 7/26, Sat, 7/27, 8pm, no cover

THE CONTRAPTIONISTS: Sun, 7/28, Mon, 7/29, Tue, 7/30, Wed, 7/31, 6pm, no cover

EdgE LATIN DANCE SOCIAL WITH BB & KIKI OF SALSA RENO: Fri, 7/26, 7pm, $10-$20, no cover before 8pm

karaoke

Sammy’S Showroom

SANDS REGENCY

THE GREAT AMERICAN VARIETY SHOW: Thu, 7/25,

345 N. arLiNgtoN aVE., (775) 348-2200

Fri, 7/26, Sat, 7/27, 7:30pm, $26-$37

thE outdoor PLaZa RODRIGO Y GABRIELA: Fri, 7/26, 7:30pm, $45.41 LIVE MUSIC: Sat, 7/27, 8pm, no cover

HARVEYS LAKE TAHOE 18 highway 50, StatELiNE, (775) 588-6611 harVEyS cabarEt LAURIE KILMARTIN WITH RICK D’ELIA: Thu, 7/25, Fri, 7/26, 9pm, $25, Sat, 7/27, 8:30pm & 10:30pm, $30, Sun, 7/28, 9pm, $25

TOM RHODES: Wed, 7/31, 9pm, $25

PooL JOE MCKENNA AND BRASIL 2019: Sun, 7/28, 6:30pm, no cover

TONY G WITH THE JOKERS WILD: Wed, 7/31, 6pm, no cover

SILVER LEGACY RESORT CASINO 407 N. VirgiNia St., (775) 325-7401 rum buLLioNS FORWARD MOTION: Fri, 7/26, Sat, 7/27, 9pm, no cover

SiLVEr baroN LouNgE

Fat Cat Bar & Grill (Midtown District), 1401 S. Virginia St., (775) 453-2223: Karaoke with Chapin, Tue, 9pm, no cover Pizza Baron, 1155 W. Fourth St., Ste. 113, (775) 329-4481: Wacky Wednesday Karaoke with Steve Starr & DJ Hustler, 9pm, no cover The Point, 1601 S. Virginia St., (775) 3223001: Karaoke, Thu-Sat, 8:30pm, no cover Spiro’s Sports Bar & Grille, 1475 E. Prater Way, Ste. 103, Sparks, (775) 356-6000: Karaoke, Fri-Sat, 9pm, no cover West 2nd Street Bar, 118 W. Second St., (775) 348-7976: Karaoke, Mon-Sun, 9pm, no cover

FASTLANE: Fri, 7/26, Sat, 7/27, 9pm, no cover

07.25.19

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FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 25, 2019 For a complete listing of this week’s events or to post events to our online calendar, visit www.newsreview.com.

LUCAS OIL OFF ROAD RACING, SILVER STATE SHOWDOWN: The short-course, off-road championship pits the some of world’s top off-road racers against one another.

Fri, 7/26-Sat, 7/27. $0-$30. Wild West Motorsports Park, 12005 Interstate 80, Sparks, www.lucasoiloffroad.com.

MOVIES IN THE PARK SECRET SCREENING: The Artown series concludes with a surprise screening of an award-winning independent film that’s making its way through the festival circuit, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. Fri, 7/26, 9pm. Free. Wingfield Park, 2 S. Arlington Ave., (775) 476-2793, artown.org.

NORTHERN NEVADA PRIDE: OUR Center

JUL/31

: SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS

Another season of Artown comes to an end next week, but it aims to go out with a bang with its closing concert featuring jazz group Squirrel Nut Zippers. Singer-guitarist James “Jimbo” Mathus, along with drummer/percussionist Chris Phillips, formed the ensemble in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, as a casual musical foray among friends and family in the area. It wasn’t long before the band’s quirky mix of jazz chords, folk music and punk rock leanings spread out of the region and attracted a national audience with its hit tune “Hell.” After a long hiatus, Mathus and Phillips reunited the band in 2016 with a new lineup to tour in support of the 20th anniversary of its best-selling album Hot. The group’s latest album is 2018’s Beasts of Burgundy. Squirrel Nut Zippers performs at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, at Wingfield Park Amphitheater, 2 S. Arlington Ave. Admission is free. Call 322-1538 or visit artown.org.

hosts the annual celebration of Northern Nevada’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

The CommUNITY Pride Parade starts at 10am at the corner of Virginia and Fourth streets, traveling down Court Street and ending at Wingfield Park. The festival begins at 11am and will feature headliner Todrick Hall, live music and entertainment, vendors, educational and service booths and more. Sat, 7/27, 10am-6pm. Free for parade, $5 donation to festival. Wingfield Park, 2 S. Arlington Ave., northernnevadapride.org.

RENO 1868 FC: Reno’s professional soccer team takes on the Colorado Switchbacks FC. Sat, 7/27, 7:15pm. $15-$75. Greater Nevada Field, 250 Evans Ave., 334-7000.

RENO ACES: Reno’s minor league baseball

team plays the Tacoma Rainiers. Thu, 7/25, 7:05pm; the team plays the Iowa Cubs. Tue, 7/30-Wed, 7/31, 7:05pm. $10$45. Greater Nevada Field, 250 Evans Ave., www.milb.com/reno.

RENO-SPARKS WATER LANTERN FESTIVAL:

EVENTS BARRACUDA CHAMPIONSHIP: The tournament is one of 47 full-field stops during the PGA Tour season and is part of the FedEx Cup series. The event is also the only one offering Modified Stableford playing format, which encourages the pros to shoot for the pin, creating more excitement for spectators. Thu, 7/25-Sun 7/28. $27.25-$202.25. Montrêux Golf & Country Club, 18077 Bordeaux Drive, barracudachampionship.com.

CARSON CITY GHOST WALK: Carson City’s rich and intriguing history is explored and theatrically re-lived in these seasonal evening walking tours. Hear about paranormal stories and gossip from the past. This is a spirit-led, guided walking tour of the downtown district’s west side historic homes and businesses. Tours leave rain or shine. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the walk begins. Sat, 7/27, 7pm. $15-$20. McFadden Plaza, 310 S. Carson St., Carson City, (775) 348-6279, carsoncityghostwalk.com.

CORDILLERA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: The festival features more than 50 films from the world’s best emerging and established filmmakers. Highlights include a red carpet ceremony, “Meet the Filmmakers” party, Movies in the Park during Artown, celebrity panels and an awards banquet. Thu, 7/25-Sun, 7/28. $0-$250. Galaxy Sparks IMAX Luxury+ Theatre, 1170 Scheels Drive; DEFY Filmmakers Lounge, 1330 Scheels Drive, Sparks, www.ciffnv.org.

DRINKS & DRAG: The Northern Nevada Pride kick-off event includes a “Pride Punch” competition and drag queen performances. Fri, 7/26, 6pm. $10$20. Reno City Plaza, 10 N. Virginia St., northernnevadapride.org.

GREATER RENO STAMP & COVER SHOW: Buy, sell and trade stamps, covers and postcards from around the world. Ten dealers will be on hand to offer free appraisals of your philatelic material, including entire collections. The U.S. Postal Service will be on hand to feature their latest commemorative stamps. A youth area will have stamps, covers and postal history. Free raffle prizes every hour. Sat, 7/27-Sun, 7/28, 10am. Free.

National Bowling Stadium, 300 N. Center St., renostamp.org.

Enjoy tasty fare offered by food trucks, fun music and a memorable sight as thousands of floating lanterns reflect messages of love, hope and happiness. Sat, 7/27, 5pm. $35-$40.

Sparks Marina, 300 Howard Drive, Sparks, www.waterlanternfestival.com.

ONSTAGE DANCING IN THE PARK—COLLATERAL & CO.: Dust Settled is the sequel to Dust Horizon, a dance work originally performed at the Nevada Museum of Art in April 2019. Collateral & Co. continues their exploration of the Nevada landscape and the poetry of Gailmarie Pahmeier with new work inspired by two guest poets Joanne Mallari and Melanie Perish. Tue, 7/30, 8pm. Free. Wingfield Park, 2 S. Arlington Ave., artown.org.

FUN HOME: When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Thu, 7/25Sat, 7/27, 7:30pm. $18-$20. Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, 124 W. Taylor St., (775) 322-3716.

KORESH DANCE COMPANY: Known for its

OPENING NIGHT AT CLASSICAL TAHOE: The

engaging performance and technically superb dancers, the company performs critically acclaimed works at its biannual Philadelphia seasons, as well as in touring performances around the country. Fri, 7/26, 7:30pm. $20-$30.

Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater, Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road, (775) 322-1538, artown.org.

THE LAKE TAHOE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: The festival’s 47th season is headlined by productions of The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare’s uproarious battle of the sexes, and Million Dollar Quartet, a Tonywinning rock ’n’ roll tribute. The festival also features the Showcase Series and the D.G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare program. The Showcase Series takes place on Monday evenings with two Saturday evening performances on Aug. 31 and Sept. 7. Thu, 7/25-Wed, 7/31, 7:30pm. $15-$99. Sand Harbor State Park, 2005 Highway 28, Incline Village, laketahoeshakespeare.com.

LAURIE LEWIS AND THE RIGHT HANDS: The Grammy Award-winning bluegrass musician performs as part of the Valhalla Art, Music & Theatre Festival.

Wed, 7/31, 7:30pm. $22-$34. Valhalla Boathouse Theatre, 1 Valhalla Road, South Lake Tahoe, (530) 541-4975, valhallatahoe.com.

concert features Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and a performance by harpist Emmanuel Ceysson, who will perform Concerto for Harp and Orchestra by Reinhold Moritzevich Glière. Fri, 7/26, 7pm. $29-$89. Classical Tahoe Concert Pavilion at Sierra Nevada College, 291 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, classicaltahoe.org.

MID-SUMMER CELEBRATION: Nevada Vocal Arts presents this variety show featuring the Andrew Sisters act ZeeDop and the Bill Hecht Jazz Trio. Mon, 7/29, 5pm & 7:30pm. $12. Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, 124 W. Taylor St., artown.org.

ROLLIN’ ON THE RIVER: The RN&R’s free concert series concludes with a performance by headliners The Novelists and opening act Reno Hivemind. Fri, 7/26, 5:30pm. Free. Wingfield Park, 2 S. Arlington Ave., (775) 324-4440, renorollingontheriver.com.

ROMANTIX: Toccata-Tahoe Symphony Orchestra returns to Artown for a program of Romantic music, including Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F major and Rossini’s William Tell Overture.

Russian violinist Alex Eisenberg will perform Sibelius Violin Concerto. Sat, 7/27, 7pm. $0-$40. Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater, Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road, toccatatahoe.org.

LAZY 5 SUMMER MUSIC SERIES: The Jeff Jones Trio performs as part of the 15th annual series. Wed, 7/31, 6:30pm. Free.

Lazy 5 Regional Park, 7100 Pyramid Way, Spanish Springs, (775) 424-1866.

SENSE & SENSIBILITY: Kate Hamill’s play

LEVITT AMP—JOSH HOYER & SOUL COLOSSAL: With soulful vocals, soaring horns and driving keyboard lines, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal bring palpably authentic music to life in their high-energy live shows. Sat, 7/27, 7pm. Free. Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St., Carson City, concerts.levittamp.org/carsoncity.

LEVITT AMP—REMEMBER JONES: Remember Jones is a one-of-a-kind soul/pop singer, storyteller and bandleader with a throwback vibe and authentic energy.

The band has played to countless packed and sold-out ballrooms, clubs and theaters throughout the country. Sat, 7/27, 8:30pm. Free. Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St., Carson City, (775) 8831976, concerts.levittamp.org/carsoncity.

THE LITTLE MERMAID: In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home—and her fins—behind and live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice he’s been seeking. Fri, 7/26, 7pm; Sat, 7/27, 2pm & 7pm, Sun, 7/28, 3pm. $12-$15.

TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada, 315 Spokane St., twnn.org.

is based on the novel by Jane Austen, which takes a theatrical look at social climbing, heartbreak and love. Thu, 7/25Sat, 7/27, 7:30pm; Sun, 7/28, 2pm. $12-$25.

Reno Little Theater, 147 E. Pueblo St., (775) 813-8900, renolittletheater.org.

THE STEELDRIVERS: The Grammy awardwinning bluegrass band performs as part of Artown. Thu, 7/25, 7:30pm. $25$45. Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater, Barley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road, (775) 322-1538, artown.org.

TWILIGHT JAZZ WITH JUDITH AND ROCKY: Vocalist Judith Ames and tenor saxophonist Rocky Tatarelli will perform “A Little Jazz, A Little Latin.” Judith and Rocky will be joined by keyboardist Peter Supersano and upright bassist Scot Marshall. Thu, 7/25, 6:30pm. Free.

Sundance Books and Music, 121 California Ave., (775) 786-1188.

UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA JAZZ ENSEMBLE: Saxophonist Peter Epstein and the University of Nevada Reno Jazz Ensemble will perform a program of standards and new compositions. Sun, 7/28 2:30pm. Free. St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 341 Village Blvd., Incline Village, (775) 225-9525.

VICTOR/VICTORIA: Brüka Theatre presents Blake Edward’s farcical, role-reversing

MIDTOWN CONCERT SERIES—WHITNEY MYER: A nexus of R&B, hip-pop and rock ’n’ roll, Whitney Myer’s soulful vocals and electrifying live performances have mesmerized audiences. Sun, 7/28, 7:30pm. Free. Brasserie Saint James, 901 S. Center St., (775) 322-1538, artown.org.

musical comedy. Thu, 7/25-Sat, 7/27, 7:30pm. $24-$30. Brüka Theatre, 99 N. Virginia St., (775) 323-3221.

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W IN A

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP TO THE DISCOVERY!

TO ENTER: · Send an email to contest@newsreview.com · Put “DISCOVERY” in the subject line · Include your full name and birth date · DEADLINE to enter is 8/16/19 · Winner will be notified by e-mail

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VISIT ALL YEAR!

by AMY ALKON

Bilk and honey I’m a 27-year-old guy. I’m short, and honestly, I’m not that physically attractive. I am nice, funny and on the fast track in my career. My friends say bluntly that the more money I make the more women will be interested in me. I’m sure that’s true, but I’m interested in falling in love, not just finding a gold digger. Advice?

It would be nice if there were an easy way to identify the gold diggers. The thing is, a man’s earning power has an effect on kind, loving, generous women, too, to the point that Captain America hunko Chris Evans would likely see a major dive in his sex appeal if he were more, um, Captain Coat Hanger—earning just enough to sleep on a futon in his friend’s walkin closet.

Guys sneer that women are shallow and terrible for caring about how much money men have, while many men would be just fine with dating a starving artist—a seriously hot starving artist, that is.

There’s some history—evolutionary history—that explains the looks versus income difference in the sexes’ mating priorities.

Ancestral women could get stuck with some big-time costs from having sex: possibly going around pregnant for nine months and then having a kid to drag around and feed. Ancestral men, however, could choose to put way less into in the reproducing thing—just dispensing with a teaspoonful of sperm and maybe a parting grunt or two.

Men, in turn, evolved to prioritize hotness when seeking mates— features like youth and an hourglass figure that suggest a particular lady would be a healthy, fertile candidate for passing on their genes. And while partner-seeking ladies appreciate a nice view, biologists Guanlin Wang and John Speakman write that women evolved to be more “sensitive to resources that can be invested (in) themselves and their offspring.”

Wang, Speakman and their colleagues explored the impact of “resources”—that is, a person’s economic status—on their physical appeal to the opposite sex. They showed research participants in China, the United States, the United Kingdom and Lithuania a stack of cards with images of silhouetted bodies of the opposite sex with varying levels of attractiveness and

had them rank the images from most attractive to least attractive. The researchers converted the rankings to a scale of 1 to 9.

Next, the researchers randomly assigned salary numbers to the body pix. They brought participants back—at least a week later—and again had them rate the attractiveness of the figures, but this time given the salary paired with each bod.

Upon tabulating their results, they found a major sex difference in how “responsive” the attractiveness ratings were to an increase in salary.

If a man’s salary increases by a factor of 10—if his salary becomes 10 times greater—he goes up about 2 points (1.92 on average) on their 1-to-9 attractiveness scale. So, for example, a salary of $50,000 x 10—$500,000—gets a guy two points higher in hotness.

Meanwhile, for a woman to achieve that two-point hottitude bump, her salary would need to be multiplied by 10,000. In other words, a woman making $50K would have to make $500 million to be hotter in a man’s eyes.

The researchers note that because men are “largely insensitive to cues indicating resources” in women, women have to make themselves “physically more attractive” to improve their mating prospects. Men, however, “can offset poor physical attractiveness, or further enhance existing good looks, by demonstrating their large levels of resources.”

This does draw the gold diggers, but again, a woman doesn’t have to be a gold digger to be attracted to a man with money. To protect yourself from those who only care about the money, look for “inner beauty” or what everybody’s grandpa calls “character.” Get to know her friends and family. And get to know who she is over time and across situations.

There are clever sociopaths who keep up appearances even when tested, but over time, they tend to reveal their true selves in small ways. By weeding out the rotten apples, you make space for a woman who sincerely cares about you. Ω

ERIK HOLLAND

Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave., No. 280, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or email AdviceAmy@aol.com (www.advicegoddess.com).

07.25.19 | RN&R | 29

FRee will astRology

Call for a quote.

(775) 324-4440 ext. 2

For the week o F July 25, 2019

Phone hours: M-F 9am-5pm.

Deadlines for print: Line ad deadline: Monday 4pm Display ad deadline: Friday 2pm

ARIES (March 21-April 19): After analyzing unusual animal behavior, magnetic fluctuations, outbreaks of mayhem on Twitter and the position of the moon, a psychic has foretold that a moderate earthquake will rumble through the St. Louis area in the coming weeks. I don’t agree with her prophecy. But I have a prediction of my own. Using data about how cosmic forces are conspiring to amuse and titillate your rapture chakra, I predict a major lovequake for many Aries between now and Aug. 20. I suggest you start preparing immediately. How? Brainstorm about adventures and breakthroughs that will boost exciting togetherness. Get yourself in the frame of mind to seek out collaborative catharses that evoke both sensory delights and spiritual insights.

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attention to and I will tell you who you are,” wrote Taurus philosopher José Ortega y Gasset. You could use that idea to achieve a finer grade of peace and grace in the coming weeks. The navelgazing phase of your yearly cycle has begun, which means you’ll be in closest alignment with cosmic rhythms if you get to know yourself much better.

One of the best ways to do that is to analyze what you pay most attention to. Another excellent way is to expand and refine and tenderize your feelings for what you pay most attention to.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Uruguayan author Eduardo Galeano wrote that in Havana, people refer to their friends as mi sangre, my blood, or mi tierra, my country. In Caracas, he reported, a friend might be called mi llave, my key, or mi pana, my bread.

Since you are in the alliance-boosting phase of your cycle, I trust that you will find good reasons to think of your comrades as your blood, your country, your key or your bread. It’s a favorable time for you to get closer, more personal and more intimate.

The affectionate depths are calling to you. is so strong right now that I bet you could alleviate the pain of a loved one even as you soothe a long-running ache of your own. You’re so spiritually alluring, I suspect you could arouse the sacred yearning of a guru, saint or bodhisattva. You’re so interesting, someone might write a poem or story about you. You’re so overflowing with a lust for life that you might lift people out of their ruts just by being in their presence. You’re so smart you could come up with at least a partial solution to a riddle whose solution has evaded you for a long time.

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and Europe called me on the phone. At least that’s how she identified herself. “I have a message for your Leo readers,” she told me. “Why Leo?” I asked. “Because I’m a Leo myself,” she replied, “and I know what my tribe needs to know right now.” I said, “OK. Give it to me.” “Tell Leos to always keep in mind the difference between healthy pride and debilitating hubris,” she said. “Tell them to be dazzlingly and daringly competent without becoming bossy and egomaniacal. They should disappear their arrogance but nourish their mandate to express leadership and serve as a role model.

Be shiny and bright but not glaring and blinding. Be irresistible but not envy-inducing.”

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Congrats! You are beginning the denouement of your yearly cycle. Anything you do to resolve lingering conflicts and finish up old business will yield fertile rewards. Fate will conspire benevolently in your behalf as you bid final goodbyes to the influences you’ll be smart not to drag along with you into the new cycle that will begin in a few weeks. To inspire your holy work, I give you this poem by Virgo poet Charles Wright: “Knot by knot I untie myself from the past / And let it rise away from me like a balloon. / What a small thing it becomes. / What a bright tweak at the vanishing point, blue on blue.”

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I predict that between now and the end of the year, a Libran genetic engineer will create a new species of animal called a dat.

A cross between a cat and a dog, it will have the grace, independence and vigilance of a Persian cat and the geniality, loyalty and ebullient strength of a golden retriever. Its stalking skills will synthesize the cat’s and dog’s different styles of hunting. I also

predict that in the coming months, you will achieve greater harmony between the cat and dog aspects of your own nature, thereby acquiring some of the hybrid talents of the dat.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio poet Marianne Moore (1887-1972) won the Pulitzer Prize and several other prestigious awards. She was a rare poet who became a celebrity. That’s one of the reasons why the Ford car company asked her to dream up interesting names for a new model they were manufacturing. Alas, Ford decided the 43 possibilities she presented were too poetic, and rejected all of them. But some of Moore’s names are apt descriptors for the roles you could and should play in the phase you’re beginning, so I’m offering them for your use. Here they are: 1. Anticipator. 2.

The Impeccable. 3. Tonnere Alifère (French term for “winged thunder”). 4. Tir á l’arc (French term for “bull’s eye”). 5. Regina-Rex (Latin terms for “queen” and “king”).

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): It’s conceivable that in one of your past lives you were a pioneer who made the rough 2,170-mile migration via wagon train from Missouri to Oregon in the 1830s. Or maybe you were a sailor who accompanied the Viking Leif Eriksson in his travels to the New World 500 years before Columbus. Is it possible you were part of the team assembled by Italian diplomat Giovanni da Pian del Carpine, who journeyed from Rome to Mongolia in the 13th century? Here’s why I’m entertaining these thoughts, Sagittarius: I suspect that a similar itch to ramble and explore and seek adventure may rise up in you during the coming weeks. I won’t be surprised if you consider making a foray to the edge of your known world.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): When the dinosaurs died off 65 million years ago, the crocodiles didn’t.

They were around for 135 million years before that era, and are still here now. Why? “They are extremely tough and robust,” says croc expert James Perran Ross. Their immune systems “are just incredible.” Maybe best of all, they “learn quickly and adapt to changes in their situation.” In accordance with the astrological omens, I’m naming the crocodile as your creature teacher for the coming weeks. I suspect you will be able to call on a comparable version of their will to thrive. (Read more about crocs: tinyurl.com/ToughAndRobust.)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “My only hope is that one day I can love myself as much as I love you.” Poet Mariah Gordon-Dyke wrote that to a lover, and now I’m offering it to you as you begin your Season of Self-Love. You’ve passed through other Seasons of Self-Love in the past, but none of them has ever had such rich potential to deepen and ripen your self-love. I bet you’ll discover new secrets about how to love yourself with the same intensity you have loved your most treasured allies.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Poems can bring comfort,” writes Piscean poet Jane Hirshfield. “They let us know … that we are not alone—but they also unseat us and make us more susceptible, larger, elastic. They foment revolutions of awareness and allow the complex, uncertain, actual world to enter.” According to my understanding of upcoming astrological omens, life itself will soon be like the poems Hirshfield describes: unruly yet comforting; a source of solace but also a catalyst for transformation; bringing you healing and support but also asking you to rise up and reinvent yourself.

Sounds like fun!

You can call Rob Brezsny for your Expanded Weekly Horoscope: (900) 950-7700. $1.99 per minute. Must be 18+. Touchtone phone required. Customer service (612) 373-9785.

And don’t forget to check out Rob’s website at realastrology.com.

by BRAD BYNUm

Barber Anthony Eidem Gearhead Salon and Barbershop opened recently at 701 E. Second St. in Reno. It’s the second location of Gearhead. The first is in Chico, California. The Reno shop can be reached at 337-2889.

Where’s the name come from, Gearhead?

Well, back in the ’50s, you had greasers, and the greasers would work on cars and whatnot. During the ’70s, car manufacturers started taking what the greasers were doing to their cars and do ’em up and you can get muscle cars. And gearhead was the name to work on anything—any kind of car, be it a car, truck, motorcycle.

If you’re wrenching, you’re working on the gears, then you’re a gearhead. ... I was born in San Gabriel, [California], but I graduated in Reno, Nevada. I’ve been gone 17 years. I went to Wooster High School. My mom is retiring. My dad is Chef Joe Eidem. … He was the chef at Washoe Medical Center—Renown. And now he does Chef Joe Consults. He’s in Rancho Cucamonga, [California], but he’ll be moving back in October. So, with my parents getting a little bit older … that’s one of my reasons for moving back, being near them. … My mom worked for the VA medical center for 38 years, and she’s retiring.

How did you end up in Chico?

At the time [in 2002], it was right when the Indian casinos were just starting to go up.

Did you ever see Hot Tub Time Machine?

You know when they’re going back to the town, and everything is all boarded up?

I just saw that happening to Reno. Reno was kind of going through a dark ages, if you will, and I was a father. And with the 24-hour town, and the drinking and whatnot, I just wanted a better life for them. ... Long story short, my wife was from Paradise, California, so I moved [to Chico] to raise my kids. My youngest is 17 now, and ... we’re moving back.

Paradise went through serious trauma. How did the fire affect your business and your family?

I was fortunate enough that it didn’t affect my business other than lost time with the smoke and the evacuations. But my

friends and family and my employees, seeing them lose so much—my manager right now in the Reno shop, she lost everything. ... She came to me and said, “Tony, I just lost everything. You’re opening up the shop in Reno. I would like to go there and start anew.” Now, she’s got a boyfriend, she’s got a great job, and she’s pretty happy rebuilding everything. The community in Reno has embraced her. ...

Gearhead is an old-school barbershop.

We’re one of the only walk-in barbershops. Also, why did we open up in Reno?

We saw with the other shops—there is great artists and great shops in Reno, but they’re all booked out for two weeks and charging over $20 a haircut, with no walkins. Gearhead’s business plan is we’re a walk-in-only shop, with $15 haircuts, with free beer and water. We have a small arcade there. We cater to all walks of life.

How does Reno seem different?

Culture. Culture! When I went to school in Reno—when I lived in Reno, your dad was a pitboss and your mom was a cocktail waitress. There was always a house to go to at night because there was some parents who were working graveyard. And there wasn’t much culture for the kids. I love midtown, and the—dare I say—the Sacramento feel. ... Coming back to Reno and seeing the culture and the art, and the people and the growth ... has been amazing. ... I just love the new culture of it all. I’m very happy to be back. Ω

by BRUCE VAN DYKE

Who’s the greatest?

Show me a guy who is shouting about America being the greatest country in the world, and I’ll show you a guy who hasn’t traveled much. In light of MAGAns breaking out and embracing good ole “Love it or leave it” once again (a pissy little oldie from the ’60s, from back in the days when “MAGAns” were known as “rednecks”), let’s take a look at America’s stats these days and see how it rates in the “World’s Best Country” derby. Hey, if you’re gonna leave, you should know if you’re leaving The Greatest Country Ever, right?

When you look at various ratings like education, health care and quality of life, you see the folks doing the rating seem to be really impressed with the highly taxed and generally pleasant semi-socialists of Scandinavia. These countries seem to kicking ass in the “We’re cool, calm and extremely function-

al” department, and you get used to seeing Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands dominating the top 10 in just about every category besides Random Shootings and Blathering Sports Talk. It appears there’s something to be said for not having soldiers, sailors and weapons stationed all over the bleeping planet. You know who else shows up in a lot of Top Tens? Australia, New Zealand and Canada. They’ve come a long way from the days of being British prisons!

I’m mostly using the ratings compiled by U.S. News and World Report, a fine old rag that continues to be a paragon of objective journalism. And, hey, in education, looky here! The U.S.A. does very well indeed, rated as Number Two for an educated citizenry (which implies that we don’t have the moron market cornered by a long shot. Nice!).

How about health care? That’s universally recognized as seriously important, and it’s no surprise that here, the U.S.A. falters, with the World Health Care Organization rating us 37th. Our quality of doctors is very high (second), but the system has some bugs and kinks to work out (thank you, Capt.

Obvious).

Quality of life? U.S.A. is 17th. Not bad, but not even close to goddamn Finland or Switzerland. You know what kills us in QOL? All those random shootings by insane madmen. Oh, well. Not that we can do anything about that. Quit whining and suck it up! (Cabela’s is having a hot sale on bulletproof vests.)

Best Overall Countries on Earth? U.S. News puts us at a solid 8. Nothing to write home about, but not an embarrassment. Conclusion—if you’re gonna Leave It, head to Copenhagen, Sydney or Vancouver! Ω

07.25.19 | RN&R | 31