Advice Goddess

constructed of edible materials. Visit the gingerbread house display and vote for your favorite gingerbread creation. Enjoy holiday music performed by local choral groups and musicians. Join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for a reception and book signing. Sa, 12/10, noon-3:30pm. Free admission, $10 competition entry. Wilbur D. May Museum, Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N. Sierra St., (775) 785-5961, www.mayarboretumsociety.org.

HANDS ON! SECOND SATURDAYS: Enjoy free

admission, live performances, hands-on art activities and storytelling in this free monthly program for families. Second Sa of every month, 10am-6pm. Free. Nevada

Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St., (775) 329-3333, www.nevadaart.org.

INSIDE OUT: AN ANATOMY EXPERIENCE: This

exhibition will take you on a journey into the curiosities of human anatomy. Through digital and hands-on exhibits, you’ll learn how our bodies work, grow, age and heal. Tu-Su. $9-$10. Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, 490 S. Center St., (775) 786-1000.

PHOTOS WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS: Meet

Father Christmas and create a holiday memory. Sa, 12/10, 11am-3pm; Su, 12/11, 11am-3pm; Sa, 12/17, 11am-3pm; Su, 12/18,

11am-3pm. Virginia City Visitors Center, 86 S. C St., Virginia City, (775) 847-7500.

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE

PROGRAM (SNAP) OUTREACH CLINIC: The

Food Bank of Northern Nevada hosts SNAP outreach clinics to assist lowincome families and individuals in applying for SNAP benefits. First come, first served. Th, 10am-noon. Free. Downtown Reno Library, 301 S. Center St., (775) 327-8312.

V&T CANDY CANE EXPRESS: The holiday-

themed, 50-minute train ride along the V&T railroad route includes hot cocoa, hot cider, cookies, candy canes, carols and a reading of the 1832 classic “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Sa, 12/10, noon & 2pm; Su, 12/11, noon & 2pm. $19

adults, $8 children ages 2-12. 1870 Virginia & Truckee Railroad Depot, 166 F St., Virginia City, (775) 847-0380, http://virginiatruckee.com.

Art

ART INDEED! SIERRA MEMORIAL ART SPACE:

HumankindOverProgress. The abstract art gallery is open for an artist reception on Dec. 11 and the Riverwalk Wine Walk on Dec. 17. Gallery hours are 3:30-7pm Monday-Thursday or by appointment. Su, 12/11, 2-5pm; Sa, 12/17, 2-5pm. Free. 142 Bell

St., (775) 846-8367, http://artindeed.com.

ARTISTS CO-OP OF RENO GALLERY: Christmas

50. The Artists Co-op of Reno presents its 50th annual Christmas show featuring the artwork and crafts of local artists. The show and sale is open every day through Dec. 28, with the exception of Christmas Day. M-Su, 11am-4pm through 12/28. Free.

627 Mill St., (775) 322-8896.

HOLLAND PROJECT MICRO GALLERY AT BIBO

COFFEE CO.: SweetCoalesce. Inspired by pop surrealism, local artist Megan Jewett uses watercolor and gouache to create sickeningly sweet paintings depicting tasty treats with a dark twist. Her dessert-inspired work is influenced by the colorful culture of the 1980s and Japanese animation. M-Su through 12/8; CaseyClarkPop-UpShopandExhibition. The local potter and ceramics instructor specializes in unique handcrafted mugs. Mugs will be available for cash only from 6:30am-8pm Monday through Friday and 8am-9pm Saturdays and Sundays. 12/1212/30. 945 Record St., www.hollandreno. org.

HOLMAN ARTS & MEDIA CENTER, SIERRA

NEVADA COLLEGE: LeachingFire. Sierra

Nevada College BFA exhibit; a talk by artist Ian Wieczorek on Dec. 8. Th, 12/8, 5-7pm; M-Su through 12/16. Opens 12/8. Free. 1008

Highway 28, Incline Village, (775) 831-1314.

JOT TRAVIS BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA,

RENO: AnnualArtStudentExhibition. Annual juried exhibition of current students in the University of Nevada, Reno visual arts program. Tu-F, 11am4pm through 12/15; AnnualArtStudent ExhibitionReception. Th, 12/8, 6pm. Free. 1664 N. Virginia St., (775) 784-6837.

MCKINLEY ARTS & CULTURE CENTER: Filtered:

PaintingsbyAshleyFollmer. Follmer’s series of oil paintings portrays the effect of mobile devices on interpersonal communication. Through 12/30; Book + PublicationArts:BlackRockPress, The Black Rock Press preserves the history and traditions of the art of the book while turning a creative and critical eye toward its relevance in contemporary art and culture. Through 12/30. Free. 925 Riverside Drive, (775) 334-2417.

METRO GALLERY AT RENO CITY HALL: Non-

ObjectiveDimension:MoniqueRebelle. Abstract painter Monique Rebelle’s series of oil paintings deals with transcendence and a breakthrough in perception. M-F, through 12/30, 8am-5pm. Free. 1 E. First St.,

(775) 334-2417.

NORTHWEST RENO LIBRARY: WildOpenArt

Show. A solo show by landscape painter Bonita Paulis. M-Sa through 12/24; 10am-

5pm. 2325 Robb Drive, (775) 787-4100.

SHEPPARD CONTEMPORARY GALLERY, CHURCH

FINE ARTS BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA,

RENO: FABRICation. Artists Erin Castellan, Kristy Deetz, Virginia Derryberry, Reni Gower, Rachel Hayes, Susan Iverson and Natalie Smith incorporate a textile sensibility in their artwork through elements of fabric and fabrication. Tu-Sa, noon-4pm through 12/15. Free. 1664 N. Virginia St., (775) 784-6658.

WILBUR D. MAY MUSEUM, RANCHO SAN RAFAEL

REGIONAL PARK: AroundtheWorldin40 Days, The Sierra Watercolor Society returns to the Wilbur D. May Museum with a new exhibition of original watercolor paintings. Local and regional artists were asked to paint places they have visited or want to visit, favorite views, special events and other scenes. The result is the “Around the World in 40 Days” exhibition, featuring dozens of paintings that evoke the allure and beauty of travel. All paintings in the exhibition are available for purchase. Visitors are also invited to vote for their favorite painting to win the “People’s Choice Award.” W-Su through 12/18. Free. 1595 N. Sierra St., (775) 785-5961.

listings continued on page 37

Do no harem

by AMY ALKON

I’ve been happily married to the same wonderful guy for 20 years. However, the longer we’re together the harder it is to remain faithful—for both of us. Sex and skin are everywhere these days, and men are especially impacted by the barrage of provocative images. How does a woman realistically balance this with the desire to have a relationship that’s monogamous in body and mind? A man can love you to pieces and count his blessings every day you two are together—and it won’t stop him from wanting to see your sister bend over.

Sure, it can sometimes happen that a man “only has eyes for you”—like if you and he are kidnapped and held hostage in a small, windowless room. Otherwise, because male sexuality is visually driven, his eyes are likely to scamper up any yummy mummy or big-booty Judy passing by. But there’s good news from neuroscience: Contrary to what most women believe, this—in and of itself—is not a sign of bad character.

Though you can have a monogamous relationship, our minds are anything but monogamous and, in fact, pretty much have minds of their own. As neuroscientist Michael Gazzaniga explains, about 98 percent of our brain’s activity happens beyond our conscious awareness—including some of the “reasoning” behind our choices and where our attention runs off to.

Key players in who and what we’re drawn to are our brain’s “reward circuitry” and the neurotransmitter dopamine, pushing us to pay attention to and go after stuff that will help us survive and pass on our genes. Dopamine is ever on the lookout for this stuff—including hotties, or, as neuroscientist Wolfram Schultz puts it, “reward-predicting visual stimuli.”

Understanding the neuroscience behind attraction is helpful—revealing that attraction is a physiological reaction, like being tired or hungry.

The problem is that it’s been seen as a shameful personal failing—instead of the biological predisposition it is—to merely feel an attraction to someone other than your spouse. This means that the “forsaking all others” business in the wedding vows is often the first and last time the subject gets discussed. However, the late infidelity researcher Peggy Vaughan explained that a couple are more likely to remain faithful if they admit that “attractions to others are likely—indeed inevitable—no matter how much they love each other.” This allows them to engage in “ongoing honest communication about … how to avoid the consequences of acting on those temptations.” In other words, it’s by admitting that we have a problem that we can get cracking on how to solve it.

Censor and sensibility

My boyfriend is very smart, but he curses. A lot. Even in front of my family. He says I shouldn’t try to curtail his free expression and mentioned some news report that said smarter people curse more. Am I being a tight-xxx? Or is he full of xxxx? There’s no evidence that smarter people curse more. The actual finding—by swearing researchers Kristin and Timothy Jay—is that people who can rattle off a lot of words—those who have “verbal fluency”— can also rattle off a lot of swear words.

I’m no priss about profanity. However, as I explain in Good Manners for Nice People Who Sometimes Say F*ck, “at the root of manners is empathy”—caring about the impact your behavior has on other people. Your parents are likely to see your boyfriend’s bratty insistence on talking however he effin’ pleases, as a sign of disrespect. It suggests an aggressive, narcissistic lack of interest in others’ feelings—including yours. That’s not exactly a selling point in a partner, plus it could lead you to dread being around your family.

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

MuseuMs

LAKE MANSION: FreeGuidedToursatthe

LakeMansion, The Lake Mansion is one of the few residences in the area that is listed on the Nevada State Register of

Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places that is also open to the public to explore. F, noon through 12/31. Free admission, donations accepted. 250 Court St., (775) 826-6100.

NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART: AndreaZittel:

Wallsprawl, W-Su through 12/31; Tarek

AlGhoussein, W-Su through 2/19; Robert

Adams:AroundtheHouse, W-Su through 12/11; DennisParks:Land,Languageand

Clay, W-Su through 1/8; PeterStichbury:

Anatomyofa Phenomenon, W-Su through 5/28; UgoRondinone:SevenMagic

Mountains, W-Su through 5/11; Leiko

Ikemura:PoeticsofForm, W-Su through 1/15; AnthonyMcCall:Swell, W-Su through 1/8; TrevorPaglen:OrbitalReflector,

W-Su through 12/31; APlaceinthe

Country:AboriginalAustralianPaintings,

W-Su through 6/4. $1-$10. 160 W. Liberty

St., (775) 329-3333, www.nevadaart.org.

FilM

WARREN MILLER’S HERE, THERE &

EVERYWHERE: Warren Miller’s newest ski and snowboard action film features world-renowned athletes JT Holmes, Jeremy Jones, Seth Wescott, Jess McMillan, Ingrid Backstrom, Marcus Caston, Wendy Fisher, Tyler Ceccanti, Kaylin Richardson and others. M, 12/12, 6pm. $14. Squaw Valley Conference Center, 1901 Chamonix Place, Olympic Valley, http://warrenmillermovie.com.

Music

HOLIDAY GLOW CONCERT: Truckee Tahoe

Community Chorus of Sierra College presents its 15th annual holiday program. Sa, 12/10, 7pm; Su, 12/11, 2pm. $5-$20.

Resort at Squaw Creek, 400 Squaw Creek Road, Olympic Valley, (530) 587-3187, www.truckeechorus.org.

SUNDAY JAZZ AT RENO LITTLE THEATER: For

the Love of Jazz and KNCJ presents this monthly jazz event featuring mimosas, treats and live music by local jazz musicians. Su, 12/11, 10:30am. Pay what you

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

WINTER WONDERLAND: P’Opera! presents an evening of holiday music. Su, 12/11, 5 & 7:30pm. $30. Napa-Sonoma South, 7671 S.

Virginia St., www.poperanv.org.

WORLD MUSIC AWARD NIGHT: The Traditional

Association for Cultural Harmony (TACH) will present its fourth annual “Award of Excellence” to Todd Green, a multiinstrumental solo artist. This year, TACH will also award the new “SRIJAN Music Excellence Award” to Laura Jackson, conductor/director of Reno Philharmonic Orchestra. TACH works for global artist management, yoga, meditation, Pranayam, music education, among other things, and is planning to establish a center where the community can achieve peace of mind through music, meditation, Pranayam and yoga. Sa, 12/10, 5:30pm. $15. Laxalt Auditorium, Warren Nelson Building, 401 W. Second St., (775) 336-9733, www.tach.info.

sports & Fitness

GALENA CREEK GUIDED HIKE: Join a natural-

ist along one of the Galena Park trails and learn about the area. Bring water, sunscreen, hiking boots or snowshoes (depending on weather.) Sa, 10am. $5 donation. Galena Creek Visitor Center, 18250 Mt. Rose Highway, (775) 849-4948, www.galenacreekvisitorcenter.org.

IDLEWILD HEALTH WALKS: These inter-

pretative walks are designed to offer people in all stages of Alzheimer’s and their care-partners an opportunity to get outdoors, get some exercise and socialize with their peers. The walks begin and end at the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation Office, across from the California Building in Idlewild Park. Every other Tu, 10-11am through 12/13; Tu, 10-11am through 1/24. Opens 1/10. Free.

Idlewild Park, 1900 Idlewild Drive, (775) 453-0698.

RENO ICE RINK: The outdoor ice rink is open for the season. Hours are Monday to Saturday 10am to 10pm, and Sunday 10am to 7pm. Free parking is available across the street along Evans Avenue. M-Su through 1/28. $8 adults and teens

ages 13-54, $6 children age 12 and younger, seniors age 55 and older, $4 skate rental. Greater Nevada Field, 250 Evans Ave., (775) 334-7035.

onstage

AUDITION: Set in a small New England town at the fictional Berkshire Regional

Theatre, this one-act musical is about a small group of community theater actors who brave a heavy winter storm for a chance at starring in a famous, yet strangely mysterious, playwright’s next Broadway production. The cast of seven performers show off a wide array of talents as they act, sing and play. F, Sa, 7:30pm through 12/17; Su, 2pm through 12/18; Th, 12/15, 7:30pm. $15. Good

Luck Macbeth Theatre Company, 713 S. Virginia St., (775) 322-3716.

A.V.A. BALLET THEATRE’S THE NUTCRACKER:

The ballet company presents the holiday classic with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra performing the score. F, 12/9, 8pm; Sa, 12/10, 2 & 8pm; Su, 12/11, 2pm. $25-

$55. Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St., (775) 762-5165, www.pioneercenter.com.

BUTTCRACKER 7—OZMOSIS: Brüka Theatre

presents the seventh installation of its parody based on the holiday favorite TheNutcracker. The original performance takes Clara and the gang into a warped land of Oz. The Dec. 18 matinee will be followed by a talkback with the company and audience. The show is recommended for those age 8 and older. Th, 12/8, 8pm; F, 12/9, 8pm; Sa, 12/10, 8pm; W, 12/14, 8pm; Th, 12/15, 8pm; F, 12/16, 8pm; Sa, 12/17, 8pm; Su, 12/18, 2pm; W, 12/21, 8pm; Th, 12/22, 8pm; F, 12/23, 8pm. $22 for

general, $20 for students, seniors and military, $25 at the door. Brüka Theatre, 99 N. Virginia St., (775) 323-3221, www. bruka.org.

DOROTHY IN WONDERLAND THE MUSICAL:

Dorothy, Toto and the characters of Oz get caught in another whirlwind that sweeps them off to Wonderland, where they meet Alice, White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, March Hare, the Cheshire Cat and more. They join forces to defeat the Queen of Hearts, help return Wonderland to normal and get every12/10: Reno Wind Symphony: Holiday Celebration The annual concert features favorite holiday and a recitation of the poem “’Twas the Night tunes Before Christmas” by KKOH radio personality Ross Mitchell, accompanied by the Reno Wind Symphony. Mitchell will also be the vocal soloist on “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, at Nightingale Concert Hall inside the Church Fine Arts Building, 1335 N. Virginia St., at the University of Nevada, Reno. Admission is $5 and free for UNR students with ID. Call 784-4278 or visit www.unr.edu/arts.

LIFESCAPES: The memoir writing program for seniors meets. Second and fourth Th of every month, 10:30am. Free. South

Valleys Library, 15650A Wedge Parkway, (775) 851-5190.

MYSTERY SLEUTHS: Mystery book fans are invited to join this group which holds meetings on the second Wednesday of the month. Second W of every month,

5:45pm. Free. North Valleys Library, 1075 N. Hills Blvd., Ste. 340, North Hills Shopping Center, Golden Valley, (775) 972-0281.

NORTHERN NEVADA ENVIRONMENTAL

PROFESSIONALS: This networking group meets monthly. Second Th of every month,

6-8pm. Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, (775) 828-1991.

body back home. Sa, Su, 2-4 & 7-9pm through 12/19. Opens 12/10. $15-$25. Cargo

at Whitney Peak Hotel, 255 N. Virginia St., (775) 771-1828, www.dorothyinwonderland.com.

THE SANTALAND DIARIES: Reno Little Theater

presents its holiday production based on David Sedaris’ humorous essay recounting his stint working as a Christmas elf in “Santaland” at Macy’s department store. Th, 12/8, 7:30pm; F, 12/9, 7:30pm; Sa, 12/10, 7:30pm; Su, 12/11a, 2pm; Th, 12/15, 7:30pm; F, 12/16, 7:30pm; Sa, 12/17, 7:30pm;

Su, 12/18, 2pm. $22 adults, $18 seniors, military, $15 students, $12 kids age 12 and younger. Reno Little Theater, 147 E. Pueblo St., http://renolittletheater.org.

THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN: Restless Artists’

Theatre presents Eric Coble’s funny and touching play concerning an 80-year-old artist in a showdown with her family over where she’ll spend her remaining years. Th, 12/8, 7:30pm; F, 12/9, 7:30pm; Sa, 12/10, 7:30pm; Su, 12/11, 2pm; Th, 12/15, 7:30pm; F, 12/16, 7:30pm; Sa, 12/17, 7:30pm;

Su, 12/18, 2pm. $15 general admission, $12 students, military; $20 at the door. Restless Artists’ Theatre, 295 20th St., Sparks, www.restlessartiststheatre.org.

classes

DRAWING SERIES: Join local artist Anke

Hass for drawing session where participants will discover and explore their voice through visual monochromatic media. Su, 12/11, 4-6pm. $25. Atelier

Truckee, 10128 Donner Pass Road,

Truckee, (530) 386-2700.

FELTED HOLIDAY GNOMES: Create a holiday

gnome using the technique known as “dry felting.” No previous experience required. Su, 12/11, 10am-3pm. $76.

Atelier Truckee, 10128 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, (530) 386-2700.

FELTED HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS: This class

introduces the technique known as dry felting, in which fleece fibers are turned into objects using a barbed needle. Create a holiday ornament, first by making a basic circular shape using white fleece and felting needles. The balls will be embellished with colored fleece in a design of your choice. No previous experience required. This workshop is for people ages 11 and older. F, 12/9, noon-3pm. $45. Atelier Truckee, 10128 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, (530) 386-2700, www.ateliertruckee.com. A HANDMADE HOLIDAY: Learn how to make

beeswax balm, blend your own herbal teas and make custom, aromatic soap. Sa, 12/10, 1:30pm. $8-$15. Urban Roots, 3001 W. Fourth St., Ste. 12, http://urgc. campbrainregistration.com.

PLAYING WITH SLABS: This class will cover

basic slab building techniques along with fun ways to personalize your project using green-ware decoration techniques. Each student will make eight to 10 ornaments. All supplies are included. Students can bring in any stamps, stencils or texturas they might have to make impressions into the clay. Ornaments will be fired after class. Students will be able to pick up their ornaments on Dec. 20. F, 12/9, 5:30-7:30pm. $75. Atelier

Truckee, 10128 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, (530) 386-2700.

coMMunity

BEGINNING WEST COAST SWING LESSON: West

Coast swing dancing sponsored by High Sierra Swing Dance Club. Preceded by a lesson by Tim Renner in beginning West Coast swing at 6pm. No partner necessary. Tu, 6-8pm through 1/31. $8. El Charro

Avitia, 4389 S. Carson St., Carson City, (707) 321-3010, www.hssdc.org.

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: This group is for

patients and families facing cancer and is facilitated by an oncology social worker who is skilled in the emotional aspects of cancer. Participants can share experiences and express feelings and concerns. The support group meets in the Orthopedic Conference Room on the third floor of the Roseview Tower. Th, 11:30am-1pm. Renown Regional Medical Center, 1155 Mill St., (775) 982-6831.

CROCHET CONNECTION: Learn to crochet or

share tips with other crochet enthusiasts. Th, 4-5:45pm. Free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway, located at Lazy 5 Regional Park, Spanish Springs, (775) 424-1800.

INTERMEDIATE WEST COAST SWING LESSON:

West Coast swing dancing sponsored by High Sierra Swing Dance Club. Preceded by a lesson by Tim Renner in intermediate West Coast swing at 6pm. No partner necessary. M, 6-9pm through 1/30.

$8. El Charro Avitia Restaurant, 4389 S. Carson St., Carson City, www.hssdc.org. SOUTH VALLEYS BRIDGE GROUP: Join Jill and

meet new friends. Basic bridge knowledge preferred. F, 1-4pm. Free. South Valleys Library, 15650A Wedge Parkway, (775) 851-5190.

SPARKS LIBRARY KNITTING AND CROCHETING

CIRCLE: Join the Sparks Library every Thursday and learn the techniques to start your masterpiece. Th, 4-6pm. Free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St., Sparks, (775) 352-3200.

TICC, TRANSGENDER SUPPORT IN CARSON

CITY: The group’s goal is to have a safe place for anyone that identifies as LGBTQIAP, their allies and advocates to get together in a social setting to promote equality and full acceptance of LGBTQIAP people through support, education and advocacy. Second F of every month, 6-8pm through 12/9. Free. Comma

Coffee, 312 S. Carson St., Carson City, (775) 721-8135, www.commacoffee.com.

THE TUESDAY NIGHT YARN CREW: All skill

levels and yarn-crafts are welcome. Bring your project to this “sit and knit” gathering. Tu, 5:30-7pm. Free. South Valleys Library, 15650A Wedge Parkway, (775) 851-5190.

WOMEN’S BREAST AND GYNECOLOGIC CANCER

SUPPORT GROUP: Patients and survivors are invited to share experiences, concerns and feelings and offer hope and help to one another through their cancer journey. This support group meets in the Orthopedic Conference Room on the third floor of the Roseview Tower. Second and fourth W of every month, 5:30-7pm. Free.

Renown Regional Medical Center, 1155 Mill St., (775) 982-6831, www.renown.org.

YARN TIME: Learn to knit or crochet or improve your skills with other knitting enthusiasts. Second W of every month, 2-4pm; Fourth W of every month. Free.

North Valleys Library, 1075 N. Hills Blvd. Ste. 340, North Hills Shopping Center, Golden Valley, (775) 972-0281.

Volunteer

BLOOD DONATIONS: Give the gift of life and donate blood. Donors must be healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old. Call to make an appointment. M-Su. United Blood Services, 1125

Terminal Way, (775) 324-6454.

KNITTING & CROCHET CLUB: This group is

open to who enjoys knitting or crocheting. Second and third Sa of every month,