Dec. 15, 2016

Letters............................ 3 Opinion/Streetalk Opinion/Streetalk............

5 Sheila.Leslie....................

Sheila Leslie.................... 6 Brendan.Trainor.

Brendan Trainor.............. 7 Trainor News.............................. 8 Feature......................... 13 Arts&Culture................ 16 Art.of.the.State.............

Art of the State............. 19 Film.............................. 20

Foodfinds...................... 21 Drink............................ 23 Drink Musicbeat Musicbeat.....................

25 Nightclubs/Casinos........26 This.Week....................

This Week Week....................

30 Advice.Goddess............

Advice Goddess............ 31 Free.Will.Astrology.......

Free Will Astrology.......

Astrology 34 15.Minutes.....................

15 Minutes.....................35 Bruce.Van.Dyke............

Bruce Van Dyke............35

Presidential electors be ar no resembl ance to the founders’ Pl an

RENo’s NEws & ENtERtaiNmENt wEEkly

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2016

Mary Beth Gardner

Larry E. Gilman, DDS * Michael S. Gilman, DDS

Attorney At Law

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The best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy is to have regular check-ups and good, professional dental care. Dr. Gilman and the team can help your family keep their healthy, happy smiles. CALL TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT. The editors of this Holiday Consumer Business Review of leading professionals in the community highly recommend Larry Gilman, DDS & Michael S. Gilman, DDS and their team to our readers. Happy holidays to everyone!

Call (775) 329-7979 * Text (775) 378-6289

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Facing foreclosure? Bankruptcy may be the solution to your problems and, if it is, Mary Beth Gardner should be your attorney. Give her a call at (775) 329-7979, or a text at (775) 378-6289, to schedule an appointment and take the first step to freedom from the stress of overly burdensome debt. All consultations are free, and there is no obligation to retain her.

Mary Beth Gardner is a good lawyer. She is experienced, knowledgeable, honest, personable and straightforward. She works directly with her clients and is always available to answer her clients' questions and address their concerns. She listens and she cares. You can depend on Mary Beth for the peace of mind you need when everything you owe, and everything you own, is on the line.

The editors of this 2016 Consumer Business Review urge our readers to contact Mary Beth Gardner, Attorney At Law, to handle your bankruptcy matter quickly, efficiently, and economically. You'll be glad you have found an attorney you can depend on!

Dr. Sarasue Spielman

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Carpenter's Music World has provided 49 years of service to the community. Bring the appreciation and true enjoyment of music into your home with a new piano from northern Nevada's oldest and most reliable music center at 1090 Kietzke Lane in Reno!

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Celebrating 44 years of Educational Devotion

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1681 Glendale Avenue Sparks, NV

Phone (775) 853-2277

www.willeybrothersfirearms.com One of the area's leading firearms specialists is Willey Brothers Purveyors Of Fine Firearms located in the historic Huffaker Ranch House at 9825 S. Virginia Street in Reno. This family-style atmosphere shop features one of the nicest selections of firearms in the region. Come experience a no-pressure environment where firearms are accessible, allowing the freedom to get a feel for what you're shopping for this holiday season.

Stop in and browse. You'll see a fine assortment of famous name rifles, pistols & shotguns, a dailychanging inventory of new and high quality used firearms. If you don't see what you're searching for, they will go out of their way to find it! No stoned unturned to find your special order. Willey Brothers Purveyors Of Fine Firearms also offers a wide variety of ammunition, shooting accessories and a full line of concealed carry needs for men AND women!

The editors of the Holiday Consumer Business Review of leading businesses in Reno recommend Willey Brothers Purveyors Of Fine Firearms to our readers.

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Competitive with the mass marketers such as the chain stores, remember to buy "local"! It helps your local Truckee Meadows community, and you get the best quality with all the "right stuff", great service and support at Technology Center, locally owned and operated since 1988.

The editors of this Holiday Consumer Business Review of leading businesses are proud to recommend Technology Center as your source for great value in technology. Stop in today! www.tcreno.com

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In every community, the hardware store is one of the most indispensable institutions. Carter Bros.

Ace Hardware, located at 1215 S. Virginia Street in the Midtown District Reno, is just such a place. It was originally founded by men who, realizing the needs of Homeowner's and Businesses throughout the community, set out to provide a supply of hardware and other commodities to fill their needs.

This community-minded store is known as the place to find tools, all your hardware needs and paints as well as appliances and power tools to help you complete that project with speed and ease.

At Carter Bros. Ace Hardware, you'll find a friendly staff that takes a genuine interest in serving your needs, a real hardware store in Midtown Reno.

We, as the editor's of this 2016 Holiday Consumer Business Review, wish to take this opportunity to recommend this well established family run hardware store, open 7 days a week, to all of our readers!

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www.storagereno.com

It seems like "Self-Storage" facilities are everywhere. But, who has the most convenient, clean and secure storage units in the Truckee Meadows?

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EMail lETTERS To RENolETTERS@NEWSREviEW.coM.

Truth vs. power Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

Yep, we’re mocking Trump on the cover again. It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last time. And this time we’ve got our ol’ pal George Dub in the mix as well. The occasion this week is news editor Dennis Myers’ feature story debunking the myth that the Electoral College is some quintessential democratic tradition passed down from Mt. Sinai

by George Washington. The Electoral College is a sham, and twice in the last two decades it has betrayed the wishes of the American electorate.

And as a newspaper that advocates for science, human rights, free speech, truth and democracy, we have a responsibility to hold these politicians accountable.

Trump is a liar. Take, as just one example, his statement after the election that he would have won the popular vote “if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.”

This is simply not true. Hillary Clinton won 2.8 million more votes than Trump. His denial of basic facts that don’t support his fragile, self-centered conception of the universe means that he deserves to be mocked.

And sure, mockery is a tool of humorists, but it’s also a tool of serious dissenters.

Trump’s recent denials of the hard truths from national intelligence agencies that a foreign power interfered in the U.S. election is disturbing—almost as disturbing as his decision to nominate for Secretary of State an oil industry executive with a cozy relationship to that same foreign power. It’s a clear signal that Trump’s foremost interest is in pillaging the planet’s fossil fuel resources for economic gain—environmental, security, human rights and diplomatic concerns be damned.

This sad, surreal and terrifying agenda that continues to threaten our country and our planet deserves to be continuously questioned, and the perpetrators deserve to be continuously mocked. Not to do so—to stand idly by—would be to be complacent and therefore complicit.

We have a moral obligation to mock that bloated, bloviating pumpkin.

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

Good ol’ Bruce Just wanted to let you know I really enjoyed your [Nov. 17 edition], including the staffers’ post-election comments and the holiday stories— thankfully minus the sucre—because they both expressed personal sentiments.

I was also especially glad that Bruce shared the NationalPopularVote website since I have never understood or agreed with the seemingly patriarchal Electoral College system and was wondering what positive action I could take.

This type of writing and information is why I read the RN&R faithfully every week.

Teresa Martin Reno

Or, 60.2 voted against Lincoln Re “Lincoln got 39.8 percent” (letters, Nov. 24): I’m a staunch believer in the First Amendment, but I am sick and tired of people trying to make a reasonable argument with illogical statistics and unbridled emotions. Statistics were not my best subject, but it’s pretty simple to figure this out.

By Mr. Douglas’ own reasoning all of the votes cast for third party candidates would also be a vote against Trump, not just against Clinton. So yes, Clinton did win the popular vote in an apples-apples comparison. Another false premise, on the Electoral College being the only thing keeping two states from controlling the entire country, only if everyone in those states voted for the same candidate. In the divisive landscape that is politics in this country, that’s just not going to happen.

I’d love to hear a rational discussion about the Electoral College, but I haven’t heard one yet—mostly rhetoric, unsupported accusations and some blatant untruths.

Marcial Reiley Reno

DECEMBER 15, 2016 | VOL. 22, ISSuE 44

Norman Thomas, one of the founders of the ACLU, condemned the group for its refusal to go against FDR. The Nevada ACLU makes claims which are questionable: “We do advocate for a person’s right to own a gun under the Nevada Constitution.” I can’t think of anything that they have done to prove this. We need a strong organization to fight for the rights of individuals, as the ACLU claims to be. I wish that the facts matched the claims.

Keith Wood Sparks

Editor’s note: At the 2009 Nevada Legislature, the ACLU of Nevada opposed Assembly Bill 46, which would have threatened due process for firearms owners. The testimony of ACLU lobbyist Rebecca Gasca before the Assembly Judiciary Committee can be read at www. aclunv.org/files/ACLU%20testimony%20on%20AB%2046.pdf. Other information on the group and its stances on guns can also be found on its website.

Bad ol’ Bruce Bruce needs a new schtick. Is he going to continue his incessant whiningf or the next four years? Is he going to continue disparaging those with different viewpoints just because his corrupt candidate lost?

Give us a break. It’s time for Bruce to take a long vacation.

Stephen Bloyd Carson City

ERIK HOLLAND

Seven decade grudge Re “Civil society,” RN&R (Dec. 1): I would have more respect for the ACLU if they hadn’t signed off on FDR’s executive order that shipped 85,000 U.S.-born citizens and their aging parents to concentration camps and created the world’s first prison for children—a four-hour drive from Reno. Today, the organization claims credit for fighting for the rights of Japanese Americans, when in actuality, the national organization censured the one chapter which worked on behalf of the prisoners. This started a rift between the Northern California chapter and the national organization which lasted well into the 1980s (long after the formation of the Reno chapter). Even Eric Marks, Jessica Santina, Todd South, Marc Tiar, Brendan Trainor, Bruce Van Dyke, 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 News Editor Dennis Myers Special Projects Editor Jeri Chadwell-Singley Arts Editor Kris Vagner Calendar Editor Kelley Lang Contributors Amy Alkon, Matt Bieker, Bob Grimm, Anna Hart, Ashley Hennefer, Shelia Leslie,

Design Manager Lindsay Trop Art Directors Brian Breneman, Margaret Larkin Marketing/Publications Manager Serene Lusano Marketing/Publications Designer Sarah Hansel Production Coordinator Skyler Smith Designer Kyle Shine Senior Advertising Consultants Gina Odegard, Bev Savage Advertising Consultant Emily Litt

Distribution Director Greg Erwin Distribution Manager/Operations Coordinator Kelly Miller Distribution Assistant and Driver Jennifer Cronin Distribution Drivers Alex Barskyy, Bob Christensen, Debbie Frenzi, Denise Cairns, Gary White, Jennifer Gangestad, Lori Ashley, Lori DeAndreis, Marty Lane, Marty Troye, Patrick L’Angelle, Tracy Breeden, Vicki Jewell President/CEO Jeff VonKaenel Director of Nuts & Bolts Deborah Redmond Executive Coordinator Carlyn Asuncion Project Coordinator Natasha VonKaenel Director of People & Culture David Stogner

Director of Dollars & Sense Nicole Jackson Payroll/AP Wizard Miranda Dargitz Sweetdeals Coordinator Courtney DeShields Nuts & Bolts Ninja Christina Wukmir Developer John Bisignano, Jonathan Schultz System Support Specialist Kalin Jenkins N&R Publications Editor Michelle Carl N&R Publications Associate Editor Kate Gonzales N&R Publications Writer Anne Stokes Cover Design: Brian Breneman

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12.15.16

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 rnrletters@ 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 JERI CHADWELL-SINGLEY

What final are you dreading? asKed at tHe unr student acHieveMent center, 1664 n. virGinia st.

Brit tany Gutierre z Molecular microbiology/immunology

I would have to say two. It’s my Bio 191 and my Chem 122 finals. … Depending on what I get on that is going to make or break my grade, pretty much. … So it’s pretty stressful. But I’m more freaked out about the chem, because the bio is not cumulative.

Br andon orteGa Veterinary medicine

Personally, I’m most dreading my chemistry test—mostly only because I’m not doing so well in the class. Basically, this final will either make me or break me, you know what I mean?

K aitlin Howard Sociology

Billboards. Again.

Businesses in Nevada have always had a good deal of success at making their interests prevail over the public’s in state and local laws. After a slow start, that is true of the billboard industry.

In the 1920s and ’30s, billboards were illegal in Nevada, which is not to say the law was obeyed. Nevada highway engineer Sam Durkee told companies in 1927 to remove their billboards and signs from along state highways or see them destroyed in compliance with a state law that forbade all advertising alongside highways. A decade later, the same warning was going out.

Eventually, state legislators gave companies permission for billboards in commercially zoned areas. Not satisfied, Haywood Sign Company lawyer Miles Pike in 1947 filed a lawsuit to overturn as unconstitutional the section of the law that barred them from non-commercial areas.

The public was never all that happy with billboards, but once the legislature caved in, they were here to stay—until citizens took the bull by the horns directly. Sixteen years ago in Reno, Citizens for a Scenic Reno filed an initiative petition to curb billboards in the city. They easily obtained the necessary signatures, and the industry filed a competing initiative. But the companies were unable to get the needed signatures and withdrew their petition in July.

The next month, the billboard companies came back with a SLAPP suit (strategic lawsuit against public participation) against CSR and the City of Reno in an effort to win in court the battle they didn’t think they could win at the polls. They asked the court to remove the initiative from the general election ballot. They were unsuccessful, both in

court and in the November election. The public’s vote was not even close.

We recall all this as a way to show how much hard work citizens put into getting restrictions placed on billboards. It’s important, because the industry can void some of their hard work just by getting cozy with policymakers.

The ballot measure removed any question about where the public stands. It is widely believed that the vote within the city limits was also representative of the county areas.

But most members of the Washoe County Commission and several members of the Reno City Council try to do all they can to accommodate the billboard companies instead of trying to accommodate the public. When billboard issues come up they cut corners, such as by altering the citizen initiative language (an action overridden by the Nevada Supreme Court).

As this editorial goes to press, a meeting of the Reno City Council on billboards is looming that will already have happened when this edition hits the streets. But we decided to go ahead with this editorial because we are less concerned with each specific episode involving billboard law than we are with our public officials, whose default position is to try to help the companies.

There are times when public officials must vote against public sentiment. But this is a case where the people have spoken. Our officials’ default position should be the same as the public’s—curb billboards. And Scenic Nevada, as CSR is now known, should not have to keep fighting the same battles, or keep having to go back to the ballot or to court to keep re-winning the victory it already won. Ω

I’m majoring in sociology, but it’s actually ironic because my sociology final is probably the one to watch out for. ... There’s like 70 multiple choice questions. We’ve got like another 30 true-false, and then four short answers—and he’s going to pick two of those. … But I do love the class. elizaBetH ManHa Social work

I don’t have any in-person finals, because I’m a freshman, but I have an online final for my substance abuse class, which … does not look fun.

daniel l anG Strategic communications

Economics—it’s an honors section that’s both macro and micro, and it’s—I mean the class itself has not been too bad. We’ve only had three exams … and the professor actually drops the lowest. … My grade is borderline. It’s A-minus, A range. This is one of those courses where your final is huge.

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by Sheila leSlie

He led in spite of obstructionists I remember so clearly the day of President Obama’s first inauguration, Jan. 20, 2009.

It was cold. Not the crisp cold of a winter morning in Reno, but the bone-chilling cold of the East coast where your hands go numb in just a few blocks of walking.

We arrived at our designated entrance gate shrouded in darkness, watching the dawn creep closer after cramming into the subway with throngs of jubilant people, most of them African American. We stood in line, stamping our feet, as hundreds of thousands joined us or streamed in waves towards the Mall. It was exhilarating and uplifting, a dawn full of hope after the dark years and wars of George W. Bush.

After the inspiring ceremony, as the crowd slowly edged down the path toward the exit, the helicopter carrying Bush and his family back to Texas flew over us. A spontaneous cheer erupted all over the capital grounds as we waved goodbye to our nemesis and envisioned the progress we would make toward our shared goals in the years ahead.

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We knew the country was divided and many would never accept a black President, but we could not imagine the depth of the hatred or the near civil war we would endure. Now, as the Obama administration winds down its eight years of governance, half the nation applauds his accomplishments while the other half impatiently anticipates their own day of celebration next month at the inauguration of the unpredictable, unmoored Donald Trump.

Obama’s watch has been free of personal scandal. His family is much admired, his wife and daughters full of life and grace. During the campaign, many articulated the wish that Obama could continue to lead us through these dangerous times with his steady no-drama demeanor. As we await the Trump presidency, we dread the daily scandals, ridiculous tweets, horrifying Cabinet appointments, and the utter nonsense spouted by our President-elect who can’t separate lies from reality.

I can’t reconcile the Rust Belt voters who embraced Trump because their jobs have been lost forever to newer technology and a global competitive environment.

I can’t abide the concept of Trump voters demanding their country “back” so the new president and his shameful cabinet can make it “great again.”

Obama will be remembered as a leader who moved us decidedly forward on critically important issues of health care, criminal justice reform and jobs while managing to keep us out of another cruel war.

Obama let the Bush tax cuts expire and raised taxes on the wealthy, yet unemployment went down. Thanks to his courage and tenacity in passing the Affordable Care Act, 20 million more Americans now have health care. And the deficit is shrinking at a faster pace than it did under President Clinton.

Obama made progress on climate change. He enacted new regulations on Wall Street. He saved 1.5 million jobs with the auto bailout. His policies

prevented the banks from destroying themselves with greed. Just last week, progressives celebrated another victory for the environment and a marginalized Native American population when the Army declined a vital permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline on Sioux land at Standing Rock.

The sum of what Obama accomplished over the last eight years is so much more than its substantial parts. He exemplified the presidential qualities of integrity, character and leadership. His soaring rhetoric gave us hope when we despaired after yet another senseless mass shooting. He absorbed the hate and gave us back unconditional love. He displayed a sense of humor and deep compassion for others that inspired us to be better citizens ourselves.

Actively resisting Trump’s policies while advocating loudly for those who need us most seems the least we can do to thank Obama for his service. Ω

by Brendan Trainor

Cities keep falling into stadium trap East Oakland extends roughly from Fruitvale Station on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) line to the Oakland Coliseum Station. This is a light industrial, Hispanic and Black neighborhood filled with auto repair shops and warehouses like the Ghost Ship warehouse that burned down Dec. 2, claiming dozens of lives. The 2013 movie Fruitvale Station was about the 2009 shooting death of an unarmed black man by a BART transit cop.

This is the neighborhood that contains the Oakland Coliseum, home of the Oakland A’s baseball team and the Oakland Raiders NFL franchise. The NBA Warriors also play in their own stadium in the neighborhood.

Both the A’s and the Raiders want out of East Oakland. The A’s want to move to a more upscale facility near Jack London Square. The Raiders want to move to Las Vegas.

In October, the Nevada Legislature met in special session and approved

a 750 million room tax increase for a new stadium to lure the Raiders to Las Vegas. The ball is now in the hands of Oakland politicians to keep their beloved Raiders home.

Oakland has already been burned by the Davis family—owners of the Raiders—and the NFL. In 1995, they welcomed the team back to Oakland from Los Angeles where the pirate franchise had docked after deserting their rabid fans 13 years earlier.

Oakland gave them $190 million in bonds that have still not been paid off.

After the construction was finished, the promised economic vibrancy that was supposed to happen in the neighborhood did not materialize. Most fans go to the games and buy from the vendors in the stadium. Few linger in the bleak neighborhood surrounding the stadium. East Oakland is still poor, and the city is, as well—from the debt overhang.

On Oct. 10, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf chastised the Nevada Legislature

for its proposed subsidy. She spoke from experience that these professional sports deals rarely work out well for local governments. Nevertheless, Oakland is prepared to offer the team up to $200 million in infrastructure improvements and a favorable lease for a retail center to be developed by former Raider Ronnie Lott.

The Raiders are playing well, and currently are the number one seed in the AFC, and will almost certainly make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Many in Oakland still want the team to stay. But getting the new subsidy enacted will be difficult to accomplish before the NFL votes on the Las Vegas move in January. There are just too many bad memories of the promises that were made to the city by the Davis family.

The Fruitvale neighborhood could use an economic transfusion. Oakland’s own experience, and that of numerous other cities like St. Louis, whose Rams

just left it holding the bag for massive debt with their move to Los Angeles, shows that subsidizing billionaire sports owners is no way to accomplish that.

• As Christmas approaches, I would like to put in a plug for the sex workers prison outreach project. Instead of giving $10 to a prohibitionist organization like the Salvation Army, which has a history of promoting sex trafficking myths, consider visiting the SWOP website to send a Christmas card or a book. No matter your view of sex work, it is Christian to comfort those in prison. You can bring a bit of joy to someone through the partnership of Amazon and the prison system.

Short explanations of the reason they are in prison are available, and you can send a gift to a particular inmate. Most desire inspirational and self-help books. The website is swopbehindbars.org. Ω

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by Dennis Myers

ElEctors rEady to votE

Another marijuana business—this one in downtown Reno—is under construction. The Mynt medical dispensary will open next month.

Nevada’s six presidential electors will meet in Carson City on Dec. 10. They are Theresa Benitez-Thompson, Joetta Brown, Paul Catha II, Greg Gardella, Larry Jackson and Dayananda Prabhu Rachakonda. They are all expected to vote for Hillary Clinton, who carried Nevada.

Their task will be simpler than Republican electors in other states pledged to Donald Trump, since last weekend’s news out of the Central Intelligence Agency. The agency, which had claimed before the election that Russia was hacking Democratic Party computers, went further this month, saying it had concluded that the hacking was designed to aid Trump’s campaign.

That put Republican electors in the awkward position of supporting Russia’s alleged choice for president over the U.S. public’s choice for president—if the CIA claims are true. Ten presidential electors have asked for briefings from the CIA and also said they expect Trump to respond. When the CIA news came out last weekend, Trump was dismissive, saying the charge was ridiculous.

Some members of the foreign policy establishment were reported to be upset that Trump responded by attacking U.S. intelligence instead of Russian intelligence.

PHOTO/DENNIS MYERS

rEid gEts his day U.S. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada spoke before the Senate on Dec. 8, saying farewell to his colleagues and D.C. The same day, a portrait of him in the capitol was unveiled, with Hillary Clinton in attendance, and an essay penned by Reid appeared on the New York Times website. The speech was lengthy and somewhat rambling, taking about 80 minutes and filled with praise for both Republicans and Democrats; the essay was short, warning Republicans not to misinterpret their mandate by ignoring health care and defending filibuster changes that let both parties get votes for presidential appointments.

“With Republicans holding a slim majority, Democrats have a fighting chance at winning every debate,” he wrote.

“To be sure, persuading a majority of the Senate to your side is harder than blocking a confirmation on a procedural vote. But it is also fairer. When Democrats pick their fights next year, they can do so knowing that, win or lose, they will be debating in a Senate that we made more open and more transparent. If Democrats stand for what they believe in, they will find that trusting the courage of their convictions while out of power will empower them to accomplish great things when the pendulum swings back, as it always does.”

Over the course of Reid’s career, U.S. congressional politics has become more polarized and meanspirited, which conservative scholars like Thomas Mann of the Brookings Institution and Norman Ornstein of American Enterprise Institute have blamed on Republicans. Reid, a favorite of Republicans when he was Democratic whip, became a favorite target of the GOP after becoming Democratic floor leader.

Four days after those ceremonies, the Salt Lake Tribune took the edge off them with a lengthy article exploring a theory by a county prosecutor about Reid’s possible involvement in a long-running Utah scandal known as the Shurtleff/ Swallow investigation, named for two former Republican state attorneys general.

Reid will be spending more time in Nevada. He will be feeling his way on how often he will be in D.C. Most of his family is in the West.

Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto will replace Reid in the Senate.

—Dennis Myers

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Getting respect Marijuana becomes aboveground commerce in Manhattan this week, the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants held something called a “Marijuana Symposium: Business, Tax and Legal Implications.”

Nothing gives a stronger sense that this industry is here to stay than professional meetings on how accountants can keep businesspeople out of trouble.

“As the marijuana industry continues to grow rapidly, as well as generate jobs and profits, CPAs have been asked to provide their services to businesses that cater to the evergrowing medical marijuana industry,” said a statement from the Society.

“Given the disparity between federal and state marijuana legalization, the [Society’s] Marijuana Symposium will inform attendees on how best to navigate this burgeoning industry.”

Speaking to the symposium was New York state Sen. Diane Savino, who sponsored the state’s medical marijuana law.

Most states have now loosened their marijuana laws either for

medical or recreational use. Most states is just what some Nevada leaders were waiting for. The question has been asked for years why Nevada—with its long history of legalizing things like prizefighting, gambling, and small-county prostitution—was not one of the first states to embrace legal marijuana (“Has Nevada lost its nerve?” RN&R, July 14, 2011). For years, many officials said Nevada’s past outlaw reputation meant the state has greater difficulty luring more respectable industries to the state and should not go after marijuana for fear of driving off, say, alternative energy or high tech firms.

In its early days, Nevada wanted any commerce it could get. Later, when it could compete for major corporations, legitimacy become more important.

Now, however, with 29 states facing the federal government down on marijuana, Nevada has plenty of company and even if state leaders were still reluctant, initiative petitions

enabled residents to go around state officials, first on medical marijuana and now on recreational marijuana.

In a meeting of the American Advertising Federation at the Atlantis in Reno before the election, advertising sales people were briefed

by Nevada Medical Marijuana Association spokesperson Will Adler on what was possible under the law at the time and what might be possible if Nevada ballot Question Two passed in November—as it did. Now begins careful planning on how to go about promoting the industry.

Such businesses face problems others do not. Some marijuana companies are toying with creating digital currency, necessary because federally-chartered banks are reluctant to get involved with businesses that remain illegal under the stillhead-in-the-sand federal government.

One of them is Cannabis Revolution, a Colorado firm that is also operating in Nevada.

“It’s just because we’re overseen by the FDIC [Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation],” said Heritage Bank of Nevada president Stan Wilmoth. “They are not encouraging or discouraging us, but they make clear that they prefer we stay out of the field.” He said Heritage has had to turn away marijuana businesspeople seeking financing. “We have no political cover,” he said.

There are still misconceptions that can lead some companies and jurisdictions astray. The view that marijuana dispensaries can harm property values has taken a couple of hits lately—studies by the University of Mississippi and University of Nevada, Las Vegas, showed residential housing property values near dispensaries enhanced several percentage points.

A Northern Nevada Business Weekly piece by Valerie Clark tends to discuss marijuana in “safety” terms that suggest it raises the same employer/employee issues as booze— “If they’re not allowed to carry half pints of lime vodka in their pockets, they shouldn’t be be allowed to carry packets of marijuana, either. … And some employees who never have faced a bit of trouble with legalized alcohol might find themselves getting into deep water with the recreational

use of marijuana.” In fact, the effect of marijuana on humans is very different from alcohol. For instance, many people become more belligerent while drinking but most people become less belligerent while toking. The notion that the two substances should be regulated the same or treated similarly by employers overlooks those differences.

The Trump facTor Gambling regulators are also digging in their heels with the federal government.

The approval of ballot Question Two has not changed a 2014 state policy that tells casinos, “Unless the federal law is changed, the board does not believe investment or any other involvement in a medical marijuana facility or establishment by a person who has received a gaming approval or has applied for a gaming approval is consistent with the effective regulation of gaming. Further, the board believes that any such investment or involvement by gaming licensees or applicants would tend to reflect discredit upon gaming in the state of Nevada.”

Casinos have had difficulty parsing that policy, arguing they cannot know what

customers are doing in their hotel rooms or what they are high on at gambling tables.

Question Two advocates have little sympathy for the casinos, noting that not only did the gambling lobby oppose the ballot measure this year, but used its lobbyists to override a voter-approved anti-smoking initiative petition at an earlier legislature.

There is another concern that lies ahead for marijuana businesses. The Obama administration had a policy of keeping hands off states that approved them. Not all U.S. attorneys in the states obeyed that policy, but most did, including Nevada’s U.S. Attorney David Bogden.

But Donald Trump has been imprecise on the issue. He told the Washington Post, “In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue, state-bystate. … Marijuana is such a big thing. I think medical should happen—right? Don’t we agree? I think so. And then I really believe we should leave it up to the states.”

But he has called legal marijuana in Colorado a “real problem” and his attorney general-designate, Jeff Sessions, is a prohibitionist who said in April, “Good people don’t smoke marijuana.” Ω

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n May 7, 2013, Clark County Sen. Pat Spearman testified before the Nevada Senate’s Legislative Operations and Elections Committee on a measure to replace Nevada’s law covering presidential electors with a new one drafted by a national group.

“At the beginning of the republic, before there were any political parties, the intent was that these electors would meet as a ‘college’ to deliberate and select the best men for the office of president and vice president,” Spearman said.

presidential electors system. Such fables, unscrutinized and repeated by journalists, are perpetuated generation after generation.

What it comes down to is this: The presidential elector system we have today is not the one the founders created.

Gamepl ayer s

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continued on page 14

Washington Post reporter Jim Hoagland: “And it falls well within our traditions and within the system that our forefathers, the founding fathers, brought forth.”

See? If a big-time reporter can get things wrong, so can a Nevada senator.

I used to attend Nevada presidential elector votes and they were so un-newsworthy that I was often the only one. In more recent years, they have become crowded as our political system has become less stable.

Language is important here. The public elects.

The electors appoint. The motion at the constitutional convention was, “Shall the national executive be appointed by electors?” Then why did they call them electors? Perhaps because it made the electors’ highhanded role more palatable to the public, like President Kennedy calling his illegal blockade of Cuba a quarantine.

As designed by the constitutional convention, the selection of a president can come in two phases.

After the public votes in the first phase, the electors have the authority to either approve the public’s choice or not in the second phase. The arrangement nearly wrecked the United States in its infancy.

Alexander Hamilton, currently the subject of a popular fad, was one of the wreckers. He wrote in the “Federalist 68” that no one could manipulate the electors “when it is to embrace so considerable a number of men, requir[ing] time as well as means.”

But after ratification, it was Hamilton himself who did the manipulating over great distances.

COLLEGE DROPOUTS

It was not true. The intent of the founders was that electors not be collegial, and to that end, they wrote into the United States Constitution procedures of their own, at article 2, section 1, clause 3: Electors from different states could not gather together. They had to meet in their own states, and there cast their ballots. They could not meet in the U.S. capital or any other common site for a national meeting to vote. After they voted, “they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States [the location of the national capital had not yet been decided], directed to the President of the Senate.” The constitutional convention delegates envisioned the “best men” in society serving as electors.

There is no electoral college. The term does not appear in the Constitution. It came later, a product of the time when the founders’ vision was being twisted and subverted, the presidential electors hijacked by the political parties. The term came later, but the college never came at all—it has never existed. It’s a myth.

Why did the founders keep the electors away from each other? Two of the most common words that appear in the constitutional convention debates are cabal and faction. We’ll get to faction later, but the founders were concerned about machinations and manipulation of the votes of the presidential electors—a cabal that could happen at the hands of men inside the country or foreign countries.

Constitutional convention delegate Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania said, “As the electors would vote at the same time throughout the United States, and at so great a distance from each other, the great evil of cabal was avoided.”

So it has become traditional for the electors to gather in their state capitals to avoid collegiality.

Spearman can be forgiven for her mistake.

There is a lot of bad information out there about the

13

COLLEGE DROPOUTS

continued from page 13

He repeatedly and recklessly tampered with the presidential appointment machinery. In 1789, he lobbied electors to reduce John Adams’ total votes for vice president for no apparent reason except his disdain for Adams.

In 1796, Hamilton gamed the presidential electors in an effort to have presidential candidate Adams displaced as the winner by his vice presidential running mate, Timothy Pinckney. Hamilton bungled the job so badly that President Adams ended up with his opponent in the presidential race, Thomas Jefferson, as vice president.

Hamilton’s machinations demonstrated how easily these “best men” could be manipulated and gave the presidential elector system the poor reputation it still enjoys.

The result was the 12th Amendment requiring electors to vote for president and vice president separately to reduce the chaos. But the elector system itself hung on.

So did factions. That was what the founding fathers called political parties, and they didn’t want them near the presidential electors.

Why have electors at all? The most common observation today is that it was done to prevent the election of demagogues by the public. While that was mentioned in the constitutional convention, it was not the only thing or even the most important concern. One reason that occasioned considerable comment was the size of the country in an age of poor communication. What was the chance that a voter in, say, Massachusetts would be familiar with a candidate from Georgia, or vice-versa? George Mason of Virginia: “The extent of the country renders it impossible that the people can have the requisite capacity to judge of the respective pretensions of the candidates.”

That is plainly a concern that has passed, though the guarantee that better communications make a wiser electorate seems less than ironclad.

Another concern that seemed to eclipse the fear of a demagogue was concern over influential mass groups or manipulative figures, though neither campaign handlers like Karl Rove and James Carville nor groups like the National Rifle Association and National Broadcasters Association had yet emerged. Veterans groups had, however.

Presidential electors can comply with Nevada law or the U.S. Constitution. They can’t do both.

Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts did not think the public could be trusted to elect the president because citizens would be manipulated by clever men or influential groups. “The ignorance of the people would put it in the power of some one set of men, dispersed through the Union and acting in concert, to delude them into any appointment.” Gerry said the members of the Society of the Cincinnati, a veteran’s organization, “are respectable, united and influential. They will, in fact, elect the chief magistrate in every instance if the election be referred to the people.”

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In 1988, the four presidential electors for Nevada included Virgil Getto (right) and Lawrence Jacobsen (left).

Electors Eileen Schouweiler and Theresa Johnson are facing away from the camera. All four voted for the first George Bush.

PHOTO/DENNIS MYERS

Other delegates had greater faith in the public.

Gouverneur Morris: “It is said the people will be led by a few designing men. This might happen in a small district.

It can never happen throughout the continent.”

Par ties intrude As political parties developed and evolved, they slowly began usurping the roles of presidential electors.

Legislatures enacted laws barring the electors from acting as the U.S. Constitution told them to act. Nevada once had a law (Nevada Revised Statute 298.080) telling presidential electors to “proceed conformably to the Constitution of the United States and the laws of the United States.” Significantly, it has recently been repealed.

Presidential electors can comply with Nevada state law or with the federal constitution. They cannot do both. Nevada law says electors are bound. The U.S. Constitution says they’re not. The same is true in 29 states.

The United States Constitution empowers presidential electors to act as free agents, able to vote for whomever they choose. Nevada Revised Statute 298.065 tells them they must vote in compliance with their political party or independent candidate pledge—and that each cannot be an elector unless s/he signs such a pledge. Can a state law override the United States Constitution?

In 1952, a functionary of the Alabama Democratic Party named Ben Ray refused to certify a presidential elector candidate named Edmund Blair to the secretary of state because, as the founders provided, Blair would not pledge himself to the party’s candidates. It indicates how far from the founders’ intent the process had come that a party functionary even had such a semi-official role.

The court upheld the right of the political party to require such a pledge but did not address itself to whether a presidential elector was free to vote for whomever he chose. That was not at issue in the case, and no other case has yet addressed it.

But in the Alabama case, Justice Robert Jackson— supported by Justice William O. Douglas—did address it in dissent, saying the parties’ role had caused the system to deteriorate: “No one faithful to our history can deny

that the plan originally contemplated, what is implicit in its text, that electors would be free agents, to exercise an independent and nonpartisan judgment as to the men best qualified for the Nation’s highest offices. Certainly under that plan no state law could control the elector in performance of his federal duty. ... This arrangement miscarried. Electors, although often personally eminent, independent and respectable, officially became voluntary party lackeys and intellectual nonentities to whose memory we might justly paraphrase a tuneful satire: They always voted at their Party’s call And never thought of thinking for themselves at all. As an institution the Electoral College suffered atrophy almost indistinguishable from rigor mortis.”

In Nevada, Republican electors run against Democratic electors. The candidates for elector are chosen by the state political party conventions. Just as the founders never intended.

small states

CBS reporter Wyatt Andrews on the winner-take-all system, November 8, 2000: “Maybe so, but those are the rules under the Constitution.”

The Constitution makes no mention of winner-take-all.

It gives legislatures wide latitude over elector procedures, so winner-take-all is probably legal, but the constitutional convention delegates also seemed to assume the electors would vote by district. And initially, they did vote by district. Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia allocated electors by district and some other states used versions of districts. Winner-take-all came along later—and was a product of political parties, who could not resist the temptation to increase their states’ value in the election over other states, forcing still more states to go to winner-take-all to remain competitive with the first states—and increasing the chance that an unelected president would be appointed by electors.

The political parties were playing with live ammo, and it caused four elected presidents to lose appointment by electors. Every one of them was a Democrat, yet that party never took up the cause of correcting the system, even

when it enjoyed massive congressional majorities such as 2009—just eight years after an unelected Republican was appointed president by the electors.

Today the term faithless elector refers to electors who are faithful to the Constitution—but not to the political party. James Madison biographer Michael Signer has proposed they be called conscientious electors. Late in his life, Madison—known as the father of the Constitution— called for constitutional amendment to do away with winner-take-all. In 1823, he wrote, “The district mode was mostly, if not exclusively in view when the Constitution was framed and adopted; & was exchanged for the general ticket [winner-take-all] & the legislative election, as the only expedient for baffling the policy of the particular States which had set the example.”

Madison, like most, also argued that winner-take-all injured smaller states, a view that continues to prevail today. FairVote.org: “Small states knew they were not helped by the winner-take-all rule that advantaged the most populous states.”

Nevertheless, folk wisdom about the elector system being an aid to small states still circulates. In these pages last month, for instance, columnist Brendan Trainor wrote, “The Electoral College may be one of those outdated 18th century institutions, like the Constitution, that liberals feel should be replaced, but it has served us well. If it wasn’t for the Electoral College, small states like Nevada would have even less power than now.”

He didn’t explain how, but let’s take a look.

On Sept. 12, 1932, the Elko Independent published a map of New York Gov. Franklin Roosevelt’s planned Western presidential campaign tour. It showed he would

circle completely around Nevada and speak in every surrounding state without ever visiting the Silver State.

Leap forward seven decades. A few days before the 2000 election, the New York Times ran a map showing the travels of the presidential candidates between the national political conventions and November. The intermountain west, including Nevada, was for most of this period a big white blank—the Neutral Zone of presidential politics.

If the electoral vote system is so great for Nevada, why did the candidates avoid it like the plague?

In that 2000 campaign, Al Gore made one visit to Nevada—to Las Vegas, a convention mecca, to accept the endorsement of the Teamsters national convention. George Bush, seeking a good backdrop for an environmental speech, also made one visit. He came inside the state line just a few miles to speak at Lake Tahoe—and never mentioned Nevada’s biggest environmental issue, Yucca Mountain.

But wait—since then, presidential candidates have begun visiting Nevada more frequently. So frequently, in fact, that the state is getting almost as spoiled by presidential candidate visits as New Hampshire. What happened?

The first thing was that Nevada became one of the first four presidential nominating events—the Nevada caucuses, which brought candidates running.

The second thing was that the polarization of presidential politics has locked up most states early and only a few states are still up for grabs during the autumn campaign. Nevada is one of them.

It’s not the Electoral College that has given Nevada influence lately. It’s that it’s a swing state that’s still gettable right up until Election Day. Only swing states, balanced between Republicans and Democrats, get that kind of attention, no matter their size or number of electors. Of course, the existence of swing states wouldn’t even be an issue if individual votes were counted directly. But even under the current system, when its electors were the only appeal Nevada had, the state couldn’t get arrested.

As intended

This is the report from the South Carolina electors in the first presidential appointment under the new United States Constitution.

It is datelined from Charleston, where the electors voted.

Most states have discontinued the practice of having voters cast their votes for presidential electors by name rather than for presidential candidates, which was probably a mistake since the old system performed an educational function of informing the voters about the elector system.

The last time Nevada listed the elector candidates on the ballot for voters to see was in 1948 when Nevadans elected J.J. Cleary, L.O. Hawkins, and James Riordan, Democratic elector candidates who helped appoint Harry Truman and Alben Barkley.

But actually, there is no need for two sets of partisan electors to face off in the November election. A state only needs one set. The founders, remember, envisioned presidential electors who were distinguished citizens detached from partisanship and would protect the public from itself.

Imagine this scenario.

In its higher education system, Nevada has eight institutions—two universities, a state college, four community colleges, and the Desert Research Institute. The Nevada Legislature enacts a law that says on Jan. 1 of each presidential election year, the eight higher education presidents meet and draw lots. There are six white and two black lots.

The six presidents who draw white lots are Nevada’s six presidential electors. The other two are alternates.

That is something akin to what the founders had in mind—distinguished citizens, independent of interest groups. With this scenario, Nevada now has its presidential electors. There is no longer a need for Democratic or Republican electors. The electors have thus been pried out of the clutches of the political parties. It is, after all, a conflict of interest for the parties to choose the electors.

Let’s follow the scenario a little further. The November election rolls around. Democrat George ILLUSTRATION BY DAVE GRANLUND Lincoln receives 59 percent of the vote and Republican Abe Washington gets 41 percent. Fifty-nine percent of 6 is 3.54, or four electors. Forty-one percent of 6 is 2.46, or two electors.

It’s proportional. The state could also award electors by districts. Either way, it gets rid of winner-take-all, a system the founders never imagined.

It’s a conflict of interest for the parties to choose the electors.

But there’s one additional factor that is not as easily settled. Imagine this: Candidate Democrat George Lincoln got elected by running on a platform of authorizing police and private citizens to lynch people they think are drug dealers, without trial or due process. This proposal has won him the support of the influential U.S. War Patriots organization.

The presidential electors believe that no man should be above the law, and numerous Lincoln electors switch to Washington, giving him the presidency.

It’s not an agreeable remedy in a democracy for unelected people to override the public’s vote, but that is what the founders had in mind.

States like Nevada have passed laws to make sure it doesn’t work the way it was designed.

In 2000, Nevada voted for George W. Bush. I spoke with one of his Nevada electors, William Raggio. There was a considerable amount of talk about getting rid of the presidential elector system because Bush had lost the election but was winning the appointment. Raggio defended the system and told me he believed we should keep the system the founders created. I replied that we have a presidential elector system, but it’s a different system than the one the founders used.

Ever since then, I’ve wondered, if we cherish the Constitution, and if we value the elector system, why have we neutered the presidential electors so they can’t do their jobs the way the Constitution prescribes? And if we don’t want to use it that way, why do we keep it? Ω

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in Good Company

From crazy Cousin Eddie to the Grinch’s canine sidekick, RN&R’s favorite winter movie characters are not your average cup of cocoa

By Bo B G R i m m • BG R i m m @ n e Ws R e v i e W.C om

For this year’s edition of cinematic holiday nostalgia, let’s remember some of the more memorable holiday movie characters and entities.

What qualifies a character or thing as an all-time great in this here article? When I think of these films and specials, these are the first characters and things that pop into my head. While some of the picks are predictable, I’m a weird guy, so some of the picks are semi-controversial and might put a damper on your holiday.

Randy fRom A ChristmAs story Darren McGavin’s (Kolchak!) dad is an alltime legendary movie figure, but the first one I think of when considering Bob Clark’s classic is little brother Randy, sitting in his cave beneath the sink, and crying that “Daddy’s gonna kill Ralphie!” When his momma offers a glass of milk, he gladly takes it and closes the door. Also, his winter-wear ruled.

GeoRGe Bailey fRom it’s A Wonderful life An obvious pick—nobody beats George Bailey in this movie. But let’s not just remember older George, played by James Stewart.

A friend of mine once pointed something out: One of the most devastating, memorable moments in this movie is young George Bailey (Bobbie Anderson) getting hit in his sore ear by drunken and crazed Mr. Gower the druggist. OK, not the happiest of memories for this holiday film, but it is a testament to how the movie really did tap into so many emotions.

Oh shit, I just remembered little George saving his brother from the ice water and going deaf in that ear. I’m all bummed out now.

noBody fRom home Alone Screw this overrated P.O.S. 16

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yukon CoRnelius in rudolph the red-nosed reindeer I always thought it was super cool how he could tell if he struck gold or not by licking his pickaxe. I also dug the way he taught the abominable snowman how to decorate a tree after pulling all of his teeth out. Hey, wait a minute? I just remembered that Yukon tortured that beast by pulling all of his teeth out and making him his Christmas slave. Yukon was the monster!

stRipe fRom Gremlins

hans GRuBeR in die hArd We lost a great one this year. R.I.P. Alan Rickman. Your “Oh, shit!” face falling off the Nakatomi tower lives forever.

the tRee in A ChArlie BroWn ChristmAs

mR. maGoo in mr. mAGoo’s ChristmAs CArol “It’s great to be back, back, back, back on Broadway. BROADWAY!!!” Sorry if you don’t get this reference. This one is not for you then. But, if you haven’t seen this, you should watch it, and watch it now.

Best Christmas tree ever, all bent over from that heavy ornament.

sinBad in JinGle All the WAy

thuRman meRman in BAd sAntA

I’m sure his mailman character had a name in this movie about a jerky dad (Arnold Schwarzenegger) trying to get a doll for his son. I just see him as the one and only Sinbad.

And since I think Sinbad is a dick, I don’t watch this movie.

Gizmo is adorable and reminds me of my dog, but Stripe coined the phrase “Gizmo caca.”

The award goes to the evil gremlin.

The first thing I think of in Bad Santa is the little chubby kid running around bleeding after he tried to wrap a present for his malevolent buddy.

max the doG fRom the animated hoW the GrinCh stole ChristmAs

JaCk fRost the WeiRdlookinG snoWman in JACk frost

Of course The Grinch himself is a big deal, but my memories always go to that poor dog with the antlers strapped to his head, hanging over the mountain with the sleigh teetering on the top. A mistreated pup that finally gets the life he deserves in the end after years living with a total asshole.

Hey, most memorable doesn’t necessarily mean best. Of all the snowmen in movie history, the one Michael Keaton voiced for this clunker remains emblazoned in my brain.

The thing befriends a little boy, but if I were that kid I’d have taken a shovel to that awful looking thing. It’s evil and will eat your soul!

oWen in plAnes, trAins & AutomoBiles Steve Martin and John Candy reign supreme in this “It’s a Thanksgiving Movie but I’m Allowing for It in Here Anyway” classic.

Owen was the driver played by Dylan Baker, who picks up the tired duo and lets them ride in the back of his pickup in the frigid cold. I’ll never forget the way he opened his mouth, snorted, got all wide-eyed and spat tobacco, getting it all over Steve Martin’s hand. Man, the holidays are just odd around my place.

Han Solo in The STar WarS holiday Special

roBert downey Jr.’S aSS in KiSS KiSS Bang Bang

Yes, this is one of the very worst things anybody with a camera and a brain ever made for others to watch, but it’s so worth seeing just to witness the pain and embarrassment on Han Solo’s (Harrison Ford) face for having to participate in it.

It also featured the first ever appearance of Boba Fett in an animated segment. Many of you believe Boba’s first ever adventures took place in Empire Strikes Back, but oh no, he first flew into action in this glob of Bantha snot.

In the interest of equal time for both genders, let us remember Robert Downey Jr.’s butt—and the yuletide vibe it provides for all at this time of year.

I know Christmas figured prominently in this film because Michelle Monaghan was running around in a Santa outfit. OK, it’s not really a Christmas movie, is it?

Santa ClauS from rare exporTS

Oh, the yuletide spirit conveyed by that shot of Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) emptying the shitter into a street drain. It makes me want to go Christmas caroling.

Of all the Santas, there has never been one more frightening—and more awesome—than the superbadass monster St. Nick in this oddball holiday offering.

niCole Kidman’S Butt in eyeS Wide ShuT I think that Nicole Kidman’s ass in this movie is as festive and jovial a presence as Frosty the Snowman or the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. It’s the first entity we see in this strangest of holiday films. If it had a line, it would say “Hey, hi, I’m Nicole Kidman’s ass, and I welcome you to the world of Stanley Kubrick and all the weirdness it brings! Also, I’m going to divorce Tom Cruise soon, so this ass is going single!”

CouSin eddie from chriSTmaS VacaTion

Bing CroSBy in WhiTe chriSTmaS You know, when Bing Crosby sings that holiday classic, it makes me warmer than a chestnut roasting over on open fire (as opposed to a closed fire, which would be intolerably hot!). Yeah, when old Bing gets to a-crooning, it just means the holidays are upon us, and … ahhh, nuts to it! I hate this movie, and I hate this holiday “classic.”

If I hate White Christmas, does this mean that I can’t be a movie critic no more? Does that mean I’m not allowed to have a Christmas tree and all the stupid crap that goes around it? Bing Crosby can rot in Hell! Actually, his duet with David Bowie on “The Little Drummer Boy” was badass. Dammit, Bowie died this year, too. Hans Gruber and David Bowie are dead. Christmas is canceled! Ω

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by KRIS VAGNER

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

NOVEMBER 19, 2016 – JANUARY 22, 2017

UNR School of the Arts Director Larry Engstrom, left, converses with art professor Joseph DeLappe at a farewell reception for DeLappe on campus.

Crossing the pond Joseph DeLappe Joseph DeLappe ran an unusual errand last week—he was at the Reno Police Department, dropping off firearms. He’s not a gun collector or a crime suspect. He’s an artist whose work takes a hard look at things like military force, terrorism and torture. An artwork by him might take the form of a cardboard sculpture, an arrangement of computer mice or a first-person shooter game. The firearms had been part of an art piece, and he needed to shed them before he moves abroad.

After 23 years as an art professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, DeLappe will relocate in January to the Dundee, Scotland, a city of about 150,000 that’s known as a hub for game design. Games such as Grand Theft Auto and Minecraft have lineages there. He’ll be a creative researcher at the city’s Abertay University, which has one of the top game design programs in Europe.

DeLappe received an offer from Abertay after he’d spent a month in 2015 working with a team in Dundee on a game called Killbox, which addresses drone warfare. It happened to be a good time in his life for a major transition. He is recently divorced, and his twin daughters, who are 26, have reached independence. “Eva is right now interviewing for the top medical schools in the country,” he said. And, as announced by this mic drop—I mean headline—from the Economist—“Sarah DeLappe is the hottest new writer on Broadway.”

DeLappe in 1993 founded UNR’s Digital Media Studio, where students work in video, sound, programming and other digital forms.

PHOTO/KRIS VAGNER

Former graduate student Benjamin Poynter said, “He took my ambitions as a game artist and developer and pushed them to the conceptual limit.” Poynter credited DeLappe’s guidance with having led to award nominations, speaking gigs and a professorship at New York Institute of Technology, where he now works.

During DeLappe’s tenure at UNR, he’s also had dozens of shows in countries including Mexico, Germany, Turkey, Australia, and the United Kingdom. He’s been covered by the likes of Wired, Vice, NPR and CNN and has lectured at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

He’s looking forward to working in a bigger pond. Though Dundee itself is a bit smaller than Reno, his new city, country and university are all notably more enthusiastic about funding artistic production than his current ones are.

And Reno, while DeLappe referred to it as “a good incubator,” is missing some parts of a fully functioning arts ecosystem for artists who establish themselves internationally.

“Pretty much everything I do with my work is elsewhere, which I think is not a good thing,” DeLappe said. “I’m a little frustrated by that. … There’s a gap in terms of truly developing a very robust, supportive, contemporary arts community here.”

He also anticipates that spending some time abroad after a presidential election that he called “a wallop to the head” will make for a broader perspective on American politics, which he intends to continue to critique. He plans to front-burner an idea that’s been brewing for a couple years, which will address the U.S. military presence in over 150 countries.

DeLappe typically has artwork in two or three European exhibits per year. He’s looking forward to being stationed close enough to actually attend them.

“This will allow me to really take it all to the next level,” he said. Ω

LEAD SPONSOR

The Bretzlaff Foundation MAJOR SPONSORS

Clark/Sullivan Construction; Eldorado Resorts; Sandy Raffealli, Porsche of Reno

This exhibition is drawn from the Barbara L. Gordon Collection and is organized and circulated by Art Services International, Alexandria, Virginia.

Attributed to Edward Hicks, The Peaceable Kingdom with the Leopard of Serenity, 1846-1848, oil on canvas.

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by BoB Grimm

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

SHORT TAKES

4

Arrival

Director Denis Villeneuve has made one of the year’s best science fiction films. Amy Adams stars as Dr. Louise Banks, a linguistics teacher crippled by visions of a daughter who died of a rare illness. She lives a life of seclusion, where the only thing she really does is teach her class and mope around her lakefront home. (Man, that must be one abnormally high paying teacher’s gig.) During class, a bunch of phones go off. A student instructs her to turn on the TV, and, bam, that’s how she discovers the planet seems to be getting a visit from an alien force. Strange giant pods have parked themselves all over the planet, and nobody knows their intent. A solemn military man (Forest Whitaker) shows up in Louise’s office and informs her the world needs her.

She has a sense of purpose again. It isn’t long before she’s inside an alien ship trying to talk to the “Heptapods,” large, elephant-looking aliens with seven legs. She’s joined by a science officer played by a surprisingly low-key Jeremy Renner. This is a sci-fi movie that gives itself time to breathe.

“really? You? A Disney star? You seem so normal.”

Musical magic

similar comic/musical energy to the legend. Stone doesn’t just make her mark with a beautiful voice and expert footwork—she embodies the character with the honest and almost tragic drive to “make it” in the business. Mia feels like a real person rather than your La La Land is a musical from director Damien typical movie musical cardboard character.

Chazelle (Whiplash) that’s low on melodrama while Gosling came up in the same Mickey Mouse Club full of vibrancy, beautiful tunes, outstanding set that touted Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Go pieces, and a stunning sense of realism for a movie watch some of his Disney antics on YouTube, not where the characters bust out singing. only because they are hilarious, but also because they I think it’s the best original movie musical ever show the kid had a little music in him from the start. made. I put it up there with Les Miserables, the best He also had an interesting music project a few years adapted movie musical I’ve seen. In short, this baby is back called Dead Man’s Bones. which showed off a masterpiece—and a complete joy to watch. some serious musical chops.

The story follows wannabe actress Mia (Emma As for Stone, the most I’d previously seen her do Stone) and jazz composer Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) as musically was actually sing Blues Traveler’s “Hook” they try to make it in crazy Los Angeles. They meet, during what was supposed to be a lip synch contest on they don’t like each other much at first, but then they The Tonight Show. She kicked ass. fall in love, which provides Chazelle and his performWhile both have shown a little of their musical ers ample opportunities for musical numbers that abilities in the past, it doesn’t surprise at every turn. prepare you for what they do in In one of the year’s greatest this movie. They not only sing with scenes, the film opens on an L.A. full confidence, but they dance in traffic jam that evolves into a some killer numbers as if they’ve full-blown dance number featuring been doing this sort of thing for many extras and top-notch editing years. They have a sequence where and camera work that make the Director: Damien Chazelle they rise into the ceiling of a planwhole thing look like one shot. In a Starring: Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling etarium that is pure movie magic. year when a lot of big blockbusters I know, that’s a cliché, but it’s the swung and missed, this relatively only real way to describe it. low-budget venture delivers some The score is completely original, with memorable of 2016’s best hits. tracks like “City of Stars” and “Audition,” which are This solidifies Ryan Gosling as one of the best sure to be in the running for Oscar glory. Heck, many actors of his generation. He can wow you with aspects of this film are in the running for Oscar glory. insightful indies and carry big-budget blockbusters.

If you have a hatred for movie musicals, La La Now, with La La Land, he takes his game to a new Land might be the movie that will warm you up to the level. He proves he can pretty much do anything when genre. Gosling and Stone make for one of the all time it comes to movie characters. great screen pairings, and this one is going to stand He can sing with the best of them, he’s definitely alongside the greats. Yes, it’s that good. Ω no slouch when it comes to dancing and, by god, he sure can play the piano after a few months of intensive Editor’s note: The local movie theaters and distributraining for the movie. (Those aren’t stunt hands tors are up to their usual shenanigans, and at press playing the keys—those are Gosling’s.) Just like that, time, it appears that the release date of this movie Gosling is a full-bodied star of the musical genre. has recently been bumped to later this month. It is As for his costar, Emma Stone is a mind-blowing confirmed to be opening this week down the hill in revelation. Her raven hair is going to draw a lot of Sacramento.

Ann Margaret comparisons here. She also boasts

La La Land

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3

The Eagle Huntress

Director Otto Bell’s documentary plays out like a cool, dramatic adventure film as a young girl aims to be the first eagle hunter in her family. Aisholpan, a 13 year-old Mongolian girl living with her tribe, has always been fascinated with eagles and wants to become a champion eagle hunter like her father and grandfather (They hunt using eagles to catch game, rather than actually hunting eagles.)

The film follows her through initial training, including the capturing of her own baby eagle on a treacherous cliff. This kid isn’t messing around; she really wants this. It’s fascinating watching the eagle acclimate to its new home; you feel a little sorry for it, but its captors feed it well, and it certainly bonds with Aisholpan.

It’s an amazing animal, and there’s a lot of joy in simply seeing food going into its mouth. It’s also amazing to see its particular brand of voracious eating going on just inches from the young girl’s face. This kid has a lot of faith in the goodwill of her big bird. Yes, that’s Rey herself, Daisy Ridley, chiming in with the occasional narration. (Her voice was made for this sort of thing.) Parts of the doc feel a little staged, but its overwhelming charm cancels out the phony moments. Aisholpan and her big bird do eventually make it to the eagle festival, with her being the only female participant. It ends with the girl and her eagle going on a winter hunt, and some pretty amazing battles with foxes. I didn’t even know eagle hunting was a thing until I saw this.

4

The Edge of Seventeen

4

The Eyes of My Mother

Writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig makes an impressive debut with this darkly funny take on the life of a modern day high school outcast. Hailee Steinfeld gives her best performance since True Grit as Nadine, a highly intelligent teen going through an awkward stage when her best friend (Haley Lu Richardson) starts dating her brother (Blake Jenner). Nadine is a practitioner of brutal honesty, which basically gets her ostracized at school and in trouble with her family. The only one who really stops to listen is her teacher (a hilarious Woody Harrelson) who actually has no choice given his profession. Craig’s screenplay is first rate, and her directing results in some great performances. Steinfeld is good enough here to be considered for her second Oscar nomination, while Jenner (who starred in this year’s Everybody Wants Some!!) is equally good. Kyra Sedgwick is also very good in a supporting role as Nadine’s mother, while Hayden Szeto does excellent work as a high school boy who hasn’t mastered the art of properly asking somebody out. (His performance is all the more impressive because he’s over 30 playing 18.)

Ever wondered what would happen to your kid if you raised her in the middle of nowhere with no friends and showed her how to perform surgery on decapitated cow heads? Writer-director Nicolas Pesce has

and, heck, he’s made a whole damned movie about it. After a really strange guy (Will Brill) visits her farm home and a series of really bad things happen, Francisca (Kika Magalhaes) is left alone with nobody to talk to. Well, actually, she does have a pet, but we won’t go into that right now. Francisca has had very little social interaction over the years, other than with that pet, and she ventures out to see what the outside world is like. As it turns out, it would’ve been much better for a few people if she had chosen to just stay home and watch TV. Shot in black and white and coupled with an effectively eerie score, this is old school horror. Like, early Wes Craven/Tobe Hooper kind of horror.

Francisca turns out to be a memorable movie monster in this gothic fairytale, one that will leave you extra cautious about picking up those hitchhikers. Pesce knows what scary is, and he certainly knows how to direct a scary picture. It’s nightmare fuel, for sure. (Available for rent on iTunes, Amazon.com and OnDemand during a limited theatrical release.)

5

Manchester By the Sea

4

Nocturnal Animals

Be prepared to get your heart ripped out by Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams in this—one of the more emotionally powerful movie experiences of 2016. Affleck plays Lee, uncle to Patrick (Lucas Hedges), who must return to his hometown and raise his nephew after his brother (Kyle Chandler) dies.

Lee is a true mess, and we learn through flashbacks what got him to his messed up state.

He’s battling some major past tragedy on top of his brother’s death, and there’s no telling how things will work out for him and Patrick.

The flashbacks are brutal, revealing things that go beyond terrible, and it’s no wonder Lee has coping issues. Affleck has turned in good work before, but nothing like what he does in this film. He’s incredible. Williams turns in a blistering performance as Lee’s ex-wife, and a scene Affleck and Williams share together is guaranteed to knock you on your ass, and will probably earn them both Oscar nominations.

Hedges is mighty good as the confused teen dealing with the loss of his dad and the presence of his somewhat strange uncle. Kenneth Lonergan directs from his own screenplay, and he’s put together some kind of movie miracle.

His last big film was You Can Count On Me 16 years ago. He’s definitely one of the great cinema comeback stories of 2016. Besides being so emotionally powerful that you might dehydrate from crying, this movie also has some big laughs in it. It’s an instant classic.

Amy Adams, on fire in 2016 even after you factor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, plays Susan Morrow, a bizarre art gallery owner stuck in a rut. Her bland but gorgeous husband (Armie Hammer—also having a good year) is ambivalent toward her, and she’s borderline broke and generally unhappy. She gets a manuscript in the mail from ex-husband Edward Sheffield (Jake Gyllenhaal). He was a struggling writer when the two were together, but now he just might have the novel that could get his career going. Susan agrees to read the advance copy, and the story within freaks her out, to say the least. The film’s screenplay, written by Ford and based on the novel by Austin Wright, then goes on an ultra-clever route.

We see the story play out as Susan reads it and, as many of us often do, Susan casts the main character in the novel, Tony Hastings, as somebody she knows—her ex-husband. So Gyllenhaal plays two roles in the film: Edward in flashbacks and Tony, husband of Laura (Isla Fisher) and father to India (Ellie Bamber), in her visualization of the novel. One of the great tricks of the movie is that it remains a mystery whether or not the events in the novel are based on events in the larger narrative, or just act as a symbolic representation of the cruelties Susan inflicted upon Edward when she left him. Also, we never really know if Edward is somebody who simply wrote a chilling thriller and wants his ex-wife’s honest opinion, or if he’s sending her a message. Michael Shannon is excellent as a lawman living on borrowed time.

It’s an alternately scary, funny, thrilling movie that is expertly performed.

by Todd SouTh

990 Pho has familiar Vietnamese items like pho and more novel options like avocado smoothies.

PHOTO/ALLISON YOUNG

Viet-noms

Next was a cabbage salad topped with roasted duck ($8). The salad veggies and mildly salty dressing were good, but the duck was very dry and full of bone fragments. Much better was a plate of seafood In a market with plenty of options for stir fry with chow fun noodles ($9) and Vietnamese food, recently opened 999 Pho a cold noodle bowl with flame-broiled has some familiar favorites along with other pork ($8). The seafood and veggies were items relatively new to Reno. nicely done and the flavors were good. The I was eager to try a bánh xèo ($7)— broiled pork atop a bowl of vermicelli and essentially a very thin, enormous crepe of veggies was tender and tasty. rice flour, water and turmeric, folded in half A bowl of egg noodle soup ($8) with and stuffed with stir-fried shrimp, pork, veggies, lightly seasoned broth and very bean sprouts and scallion. There was much well-seasoned pork wontons was excelmore crepe than stuffing, but the overall lent. Similarly delicious were bowls of result was still impressive. It was served seafood pho ($9), with perfectly cooked with a big plate of romaine lettuce leaves, shrimp, squid and vermicelli in a really fresh mint and cilantro, which are used good broth and a bowl of very spicy to contain and give flavor to the torn-off broth loaded with noodles, scallion, and pieces of crepe. It’s also served with a an entire salmon steak ($9). The flavor of nước chấm sauce—fish sauce, citrus, sugar the salmon dish was outstanding, though and garlic. The end result is messy but picking bones out of each worth it. bite was tricky.

We shared orders of The smoothie menu shrimp-pork and fried pork included both familiar paste spring rolls ($4). The and exotic-to-me tastes 2309 Kietzke Lane, 686-6599 latter featured a flat rect($3.50 each). An avocado 999 Pho is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. angle of processed meat smoothie was lightly sweet reminiscent of Spam, but and strange to my palate, without the salt. The tender yet refreshing. But when shrimp and other ingredients in the shrimpI saw the word durian I knew we had to pork roll were good, but the piece of thinly try it. This infamous fruit is loved by some sliced, incredibly dry pork was a letdown. and reviled by many—even banned in Even with liberal amounts of peanut sauce, some places, due to its pungent odor, which the dish was a bit disappointing. is something akin to rotting garbage and A pair of bánh mì sandwiches ($4)— spoiled meat. Those of us who were game one barbecue pork, the other with pork to try first took a sniff. (Yup, something meat and shredded pork skin—involved unpleasant going on there.) We then each large, crusty baguettes with daikon, took a frozen spoonful from the top. If you cucumber, carrot, cilantro and more of held your breath it was barely offensive. that mildly sweet and citrus fish sauce.

However, we took a slurp of the melted As with the crepe, there was more bread result at the end of our meal, and it was than filling, but the flavors were solid. like drinking the juice that collects in the The pork skin is an interesting ingredient, bottom of a trash can, mixed with cream. looking something like a thin noodle but It was really gruesome, but I’m glad I tried with a slightly cartilaginous texture. It it—just never, ever again. Ω tastes better than it sounds.

999 Pho

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DEC 15 HO HO HOEY | DEC 16 NIGHTMARE BEFORE DEC 17 A CLASSIC ROCK CHRISTMAS | DEC 31 NEW YEARS EVE: LYNCH MOB Morning bartender Staci cockling and cocktail server Michelle M. czarka raise a toast.

PHoto/Eric Marks

Hot pub Oct. 1, 2009: Through the magic of Twitter, I learned that Greg Koch, founder and CEO of Stone Brewing, was passing through Reno and was looking to grab a beer. Stone is best known for Arrogant Bastard Ale, found at even the most mediocre mini marts and the Scolari’s in Tonopah, based on my recent holiday travel research. Beer geek that I am, I leapt at the chance. In retrospect, I am a little embarrassed by how fanboyish I felt at the time. Still, a chance to sit down over beers with a respected and well-liked figure in the craft beer scene doesn’t happen every day. Through a few exchanged tweets, we settled on a bar he had heard about, Shenanigan’s.

I had been there a 77 Plumb Lane, few times over the years, maybe as a side trip to the sister bar nearby, Scruples. They had the same ownership, but Scruples is now gone and Shenanigan’s under new owners.

Nothing distinct stood out in my mind. I vaguely remember slaying some nachos on a previous visit and a decent lineup of beers. We ended up drinking Mammoth 395 IPAs that night—a great beer with a flavor that truly evokes our eastern Sierra high desert.

I’ve haven’t visited Shenanigan’s much since then either, but when I casually perused a list of bars, it just kind of spoke to me that I was due for a visit, and I’m really glad it did.

Dropping in on a random Friday midafternoon, I sort of expected to have the place mostly to myself, what with most people having jobs and stuff. I had hoped to chat up the bartender about the place. Nope, not happening. I barely got a seat at the bar.

Let’s get one thing straight.

Shenanigan’s is not any of these kinds of bars: college, dive, hipster, fancy cocktail, tourist or sports. No, Shenanigan’s Olde English Pub is the epitome of the working class neighborhood bar. As the name implies, it’s got some of the classic English pub vibe—stamped tin ceiling, dark wood and lots of regulars whom the bartender knows by name, knocking off work early for the weekend. Blend that with modern American bar—set in a strip mall, several TVs with sports on, video poker machines, and an impressive food menu that goes way beyond average bar food. The French dip I saw made me regret already having had lunch.

This is a good bar for drinkers, though.

I counted about 30 taps, virtually all really good craft selections.

One local beer, several 324-1177 seasonals, a few poured on nitro, some imports, and it’s obvious the beer selection has some thought put into it. The obligatory Bud/ Miller/Coors options appear to be bottles only, almost an afterthought. Tack on two menu pages of good-looking whiskies, a nice selection of wines, and blimey, you’ve got a first-rate watering hole. Mixed drinks with wacky names are not part of the program, but with a full bar, the standards are a given. (Note to self: go back for that Irish coffee. It will be great this winter.)

As I settled in with a fresh holiday seasonal beer, I felt like I should be gambling. Isn’t that what one does in the local pub? A spectacular losing streak has conditioned me not to play, but it just felt right, and I was sitting in roughly the same spot that Greg and I sat in seven years ago, so I put in a fiver. A few rounds of video poker later, and I walked out with a profit.

No shenanigans here, just good libations and a welcoming place to enjoy them. Ω

WEEKLY EVENTS:

LOCAL BAND WEDNESDAY | ROCK A ROAKE THURSDAYS JAZZ CLUB THEATER SUNDAYS | VODKA BAR | OVER 100 VODKAS

To see event schedules and purchase tickets go to:

www.ROCKBARTHEATER.com

211 N Virginia St. Reno, NV 89501 Entrance on Virginia Formerly The Knitting Factory

Shenanigan’s Olde English Pub

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by KenT IRwIn

Ricky Koukal and Luke Funicella have found that Lake Tahoe-area fans like surf rock just as much as Southern California audiences do.

Sierra surfers Dead Seagals In a snow-coated garage in Carnelian Bay, California, Luke Funicella sings lyrics about sunny days. His words come out in plumes of white steam that dance in the cold air. The brash levity of his band, Dead Seagals, sounds like it belongs in a warmer climate.

“Yeah, that’s why it’s so fun. It makes no sense,” he said. “When we opened for [Oakland garage/doo-wop trio] Shannon and the Clams, Shannon was so confused that there was a Tahoe band that played surf music.”

Funicella has noticed, though, that Lake Tahoe-area audiences and coastal audiences aren’t that different. “From Venice Beach to Tahoe feels pretty interchangeable,” he said.

“It’s just California,” said drummer Ricky Koukal, who’s from Minnesota. “I always wanted to surf, and I grew up not having an ocean nearby. When I came to Tahoe, you can actually surf the lake.

That’s how I got started.”

If California’s coastline has left any impact on Funicella and the songs of Dead Seagals, it stems from a love-hate relationship. While living in Venice Beach, he was introduced to the positive and negative sides of Southern California’s bustling music scene. On one hand, bands from the region such as Tijuana Panthers and The Growlers would prove influential to his music. On the other hand, he felt boxed in.

“It was good money, but it wasn’t fun,” he said. “It was like the Dementor of music, just sucking your soul.”

PHOTO/KENT IRWIN

He also prefers solitude in a cold forest to the beach. “It’s ironic— because I’m in a surf rock band, I’ve played a lot near the ocean,” he said.

“But a lot of my songs are about being a single dude who doesn’t like the ocean.”

After six months in Southern California, Funicella moved back to Tahoe, where he would eventually start Dead Seagals. He met Koukal through work. The two decided to jam with a third friend, Jake Dworkin. The trio got its start performing mostly for friends, then grew to fill a niche for raw rock music in a town dominated by DJs. “Tahoe is so big with the Burning Man scene, DJs, all the womp-wompwomp,” said Koukal. “I figured I might as well just make the kind of music I want to listen to.” Dead Seagals shows in Tahoe have provided a louder, rowdier outlet for those tired of the town’s electronic dance music. At one recent show, the band members had to dodge a bottle of ketchup that had been tossed onstage.

The volley was successfully avoided.

However, the resulting explosion covered parts of the band’s equipment.

“It wasn’t malicious,” said Funicella. “I think they were just looking for anything to throw.”

Opening for like-minded bands such as Shannon and The Clams and La Luz provided Dead Seagals with greater visibility in Reno and gave them an incentive to perform fewer covers and write more originals. The band plans to release a short EP soon.

The trio is now a duo—Dworkin left earlier this year—and to Funicella, a small band in a small town works just fine. “You don’t really need a city or a lot of people to have endless things to do,” he said. I’ve lived here for 18 out of my 23 years of life—I don’t really get bored.” Ω

JiveRadio

stay tuned...

thefine89.com 12.15.16

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THURSDAY 12/15

FRIDAY 12/16

1UP 3RD STREET

Jason Resler, 9pm, $5

125 W. Third St., (775) 323-5005 132 West St., (775) 329-2878

BAR OF AMERICA

Planes Mistaken for Stars

10042 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee; (530) 587-2626

Takeover Sundays: Open Mic for DJs, 5pm, no cover

Rustler’s Moon, 8:30pm, no cover

Matt Rainey, 9pm, no cover

538 S. Virginia St., (775) 329-5558

Pub Quiz Trivia Night, 8pm, no cover

COMMA COFFEE COTTONWOOD RESTAURANT & BAR

3rd Street, 125 W. Third St., 323-5005: Comedy Night & Improv w/Patrick Shillito, W, 9pm, no cover Carson Nugget, 507 N. Carson St., Carson City, 882-1626: Rex Meredith, F, 7:30pm, $13-$15 The Improv at Harveys Cabaret, Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, (800) 553-1022: Dat Plan, Chase Durousseau, Th-F, Su, 9pm, $25; Sa, 9pm, $30; Greg Pompa, Felicia Michaels, W, 9pm, $25 Laugh Factory at Silver Legacy Resort Casino, 407 N. Virginia St., 325-7401: J. Chris Newberg, Th, Su, 7:30pm, $21.95; F-Sa, 7:30pm, 9:30pm, $27.45 Reno-Tahoe Comedy at Pioneer Underground, 100 S. Virginia St., 686-6600: Rex Meredith, Sa, 9:30pm, $12-$18

275 E. Fourth St., (775) 324-1917

10142 Rue Hilltop, Truckee; (530) 587-5711

Caroling for a Cause Competition, 8pm, no cover

World Dance Open Floor, 8pm, no cover

312 S. Carson St., Carson City; (775) 883-2662

Comedy

Plastic Paddy, 9pm, no cover

Shannon Carroll & Hunter Nichols, 7pm, no cover

DAVIDSON’S DISTILLERY ELBOW ROOM BAR 2002 Victorian Ave., Sparks; (775) 358-6700

Jack Di Carlo, 7pm, no cover

Triage, 6pm, no cover

HANGAR BAR 10603 Stead Blvd., Stead; (775) 677-7088

HELLFIRE SALOON

Dorothy in Wonderland the Musical, 2pm, 7pm, $15-$25

Post show s online by registering at www.newsr eview.com /reno. Dea dline is the Friday befor e publication.

Alias Smith Band, 9pm, no cover

Karaoke w/C.J. Tirone, 7pm, no cover

Karaoke Kat, 9pm, no cover

Canyon White Open Mic Night, 8pm, no cover

HIMMEL HAUS THE HOLLAND PROJECT

246 W. First St., (775) 329-4484

Open Mic Jam Slam w/Adrian Dijjon, 8pm, Tu, C.J. Tirone, 7pm, W, no cover

People with Bodies, Snack, 2 Minutes of Canned Laughter, 8pm, $5

140 Vesta St., (775) 742-1858

THE JUNGLE

Karaoke w/Nitesong Productions, 9pm, Tu, no cover

Open Mic Night, 9pm, M, no cover Trivia Night, 9pm, W, no cover

3819 Saddle Rd., South Lake Tahoe; (530) 314-7665

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

CW and Dr. Spitmore, 11:30am, Tu, no cover Dave Leather, noon, W, no cover

Spur Crazy, 8pm, no cover

3372 S. McCarran Blvd., (775) 825-1988

JUB JUB’S THIRST PARLOR

Karaoke, 9pm, Tu, W, no cover

Matt Rainey, 9pm, no cover

Dorothy in Wonderland the Musical, 2pm, 7pm, $15-$25

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

CEOL IRISH PUB

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 12/19-12/21

DG Kicks, 9pm, Tu, no cover

The Whiskey Haulers, 9pm, no cover

Karaoke, 9pm, no cover

CARGO AT WHITNEY PEAK HOTEL

Dec. 16, 8 p.m.

Studio on 4th 432 E. Fourth St. 737-9776

SUNDAY 12/18

Grandtheft, 10pm, $10-$20

214 W. Commercial Row, (775) 329-9444

5 STAR SALOON

SATURDAY 12/17

2) Gnarly Sacs, American Slacker Society, 8pm, $3

2) Brzowski, DJ Halo, 7 Out & Dylano, Dubldragon, 9pm, $7 Eric Andersen from The Novelists, 9pm, no cover

Open Mic Night, 7pm, M, Reno’s Favorite Crooners, 7:30pm, W, no cover

Todd Ballowe, 9pm, no cover

EVERY MONDAY DRUM CIRCLE12/15 CATFISH CARL AND CARLOS "ROCKING THE BLUES AWAY" 12/16 BURNER TOWN HALL- MINGLE AND JINGLE, A BURNER HOLIDAY GATHERING 12/17 PIRATES OF RENO PRIVATE HOLIDAY GALA 12/18 MORRIS BURNER HOSTEL MEMBERS FESTIVUS WINTER CLOTHES DROP OFF, SUNDAY 10AM-9PM MORRISBURNERHOSTEL.COM

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THESE TH

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Think you know your limits?

Think again.

If you drink, don’t drive.

Period.

THURSDAY 12/15

FRIDAY 12/16

SATURDAY 12/17

SUNDAY 12/18

LAUGHING PLANET CAFE 941 N. Virginia St., (775) 870-9633

THE LOFT THEATRE-LOUNGE-DINING 1021 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe; (530) 523-8024

THE LOVING CUP

188 California Ave., (775) 322-2480

Magic Fusion, 7:30pm, $19-$37

Magic Fusion, 7:30pm, $19-$37

MILLENNIUM NIGHTCLUB

Jesse Dunn & Friends, 8pm, no cover

MORRIS BURNER HOSTEL

ROCKBAR THEATER

Dec. 17, 9 p.m.

The Saint 761 S. Virginia St. 221-7451

Peter Apfelbaum & Josh Jones, 8:30pm, no cover Reno Pagan Yule Log Solstice, 8pm, W, no cover

Johnny Lipka’s Gemini, 9pm, no cover Lacy J. Dalton’s Christmas Country, 8:30pm, $30

Open mic and jam, 7pm, no cover

211 N. Virginia St., (669) 255-7960

Gary Hoey, Greg Golden Band, 7pm, $15-$35

Nightmare Before with Alice Cooper Tribute, Hollywood Trashed, 7pm, $5-$10

A Classic Rock Christmas, 7pm, $22-$70

First Take featuring Rick Metz, 6pm, $5 Karaoke with Steve Starr, 8pm, no cover

THE SAINT

Tim Tucker Band, 9pm, no cover

Mojo Green, Groove Session, 9pm, $10

The New Up, The Lost Ones, Roxxy Collie, 9pm, no cover

Peanuts Gang and Art/Craft Sale, 6pm, no cover

SHEA’S TAVERN

ADHDOD, In a Dream I Saw a City Invincible, Hitmantis, Pissmixer, 8pm, $5

The Lives We Live, Nevermute, 9pm, $5

Evil Ash, Grimedog, Enslave the Creation, Bat Country, 9pm, $5 or an unwrapped gift

SPARKS LOUNGE

1237 Baring Blvd., Sparks; (775) 409-3340

Players Buffet Open Mic Jam hosted by Greg and Adrian, 8:30pm, no cover

ST. JAMES INFIRMARY

Boondoggle, 9pm, no cover

DJ Travy, 10pm, no cover

Saturday Night Dance Party, 9pm, no cover

761 S. Virginia St., (775) 221-7451 715 S. Virginia St., (775) 786-4774

445 California Ave., (775) 657-8484

STUDIO ON 4TH

Planes Mistaken for Stars, Elephant Rifle, Fall Silent, Crawling Out, 8pm, $10-$12

WHISKEY DICK’S SALOON

Mickey Avalon, Black Rock City Allstars, Dr. Morefiend, 9pm, $18-$20

432 E. Fourth St., (775) 737-9776 2660 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe; (530) 544-3425

The New Up

U Play Wednesday (open mic jam), 8pm, W, no cover Johnny Lipka’s Gemini, 9pm, no cover

1559 S. Virginia St., (775) 322-8864 76 N. C St., Virginia City; (775) 847-7474

Peter Apfelbaum & Josh Jones, 8:30pm, no cover

Acoustic Wonderland singer-songwriter showcase, 8pm, no cover

POLO LOUNGE

RED DOG SALOON

Tammy Tam Tam, 6:30pm, Tu, no cover Jamie Rollins, 7:30pm, W, no cover

Burner Town Hall: Mingle and Jingle, 7pm, no cover

400 E. Fourth St., (775) 327-1171

906-A Victorian Ave., Sparks; (775) 358-5484

Magic Fusion, 7:30pm, M, Tu, $19-$37 ElectroSwing Burlesque, 8pm, W, $30

Ladies Night, DJ/dancing, 10pm, free for women before 11pm

2100 Victorian Ave., Sparks; (775) 772-6637

PADDY & IRENE’S IRISH PUB

Magic Fusion, 4:30pm, 7pm, $19-$37

Jake’s Garage 5.0, 8:30pm, no cover

1527 S. Virginia St., (775) 800-1960

10007 Bridge St., Truckee; (530) 587-8688

Magic Fusion, 7pm, 9pm, $19-$37

Live jazz, 8pm, no cover

MIDTOWN WINE BAR

MOODY’S BISTRO BAR & BEATS

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 12/19-12/21 Jazz Jam Session Wednesdays, 7:30pm, W, no cover

Purge the Perfect, Resistance, Man the Tanks, 7pm, W, no cover

Grandtheft Dec. 17, 10 p.m.

1up 214 W. Commercial Row 329-9444

Tuesday Trivia, 8pm, Tu, no cover Music Industry Night, 8pm, W, no cover

Cash Only Band, 9pm, no cover

DEALS ON GIFT CARDS AND TICKETS TO THE BEST RESTAURANTS AND VENUES IN TOWN! The easiest way to save AND find something for everyone on your list.

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ATLANTIS CASINO RESORT SPA 3800 S. Virginia St., (775) 825-4700 1) Grand Ballroom Stage 2) Cabaret

BOOMTOWN CASINO HOTEL 2100 Garson Rd., Verdi; (775) 345-6000 1) Event Center 2) Guitar Bar

Gift of Gab

SUNDAY 12/18

2) Swinging Chads, 8pm, no cover

2) Swinging Chads, 4pm, no cover Arizona Jones, 10pm, no cover

2) Swinging Chads, 4pm, no cover Arizona Jones, 10pm, no cover

2) Arizona Jones, 8pm, no cover

2) Jason King Band, 6pm, no cover

2) The Look, 5pm, no cover Michael Furlong, 9pm, no cover

2) The Look, 5pm, no cover Michael Furlong, 9pm, no cover

2) Stephen Lord, 6pm, no cover

2) The Blues Monsters, 8pm, no cover

2) The Blues Monsters, 8pm, no cover

1) Gift of Gab, Landon Wordswell, Mostafa, 10pm, no cover

1) Coco Montoya, 9pm, no cover 2) Dirty Revival, 11pm, no cover

1) Miracle on 34th Street, 7pm, $38+ 2) Garage Boys, 10:30pm, no cover

1) Miracle on 34th Street, 7pm, $38+ 2) Garage Boys, 10:30pm, no cover 3) DJ Roni V, 9pm, no cover

1) Miracle on 34th Street, 3pm, 7pm, $38+ 1) Miracle on 34th Street, 7pm, Tu, W, $38+ 1) Miracle on 34th Street, 3pm, 7pm, $38+ 2) Garage Boys, 10:30pm, no cover 2) Live Band Karaoke, 10pm, M, no cover 2) Garage Boys, 10:30pm, no cover 3) DJ Roni V, 9pm, no cover Steel Breeze, 10:30pm, W, no cover

2) Lex Thursdays, 10pm, no cover 3) Country Nights w/DJ Colt Ainsworth, 10pm, no cover

1) Dancing With the Stars: Live!, 8pm, $68 2) Tyga, 10pm, $25 3) Country Nights, 10pm, no cover

1) Daniel Tosh, Todd Glass, 7pm, $59-$69 2) DJ Peeti V, 10pm, $15 1 3) Country Nights, 10pm, no cover

1) Cirque Mechanics: Pedal Punk, 8pm, M, Tu, W, $10-$25

2) DJ Enfo, DJ JosBeatz, 10pm, $20 3) Arty the Party, 9pm, no cover

1) Blue Oyster Cult, 7:30pm, $44.95 2) DJ Rick Gee, DJ JosBeatz, 10pm, $20 3) Arty the Party, 9pm, no cover

3) Buddy Emmer Band and guest, 8pm, Tu, no cover

1) Country Artists Tribute Show, 7:30pm, $32-$42 3) Frank & Jerry, 9pm, no cover

1) Country Artists Tribute Show, 7:30pm, $32-$42 Decadence, 10pm, $32.75 3) Frank & Jerry, 9pm, no cover

1) Country Artists Tribute Show, 7:30pm, $32-$42

3) DJ/dancing, 6pm, no cover Steel Rose, 9pm, no cover

3) DJ/dancing, 6pm, no cover Steel Rose, 9pm, no cover

1) Reno Dance Company’s The Nutcracker, 3pm, 8pm, $19.95-$36.95 3) DJ/dancing, 6pm, no cover Steel Rose, 9pm, no cover

1) Reno Dance Company’s The Nutcracker, 3pm, 7pm, $19.95-$36.95 3) DJ/dancing, 6pm, no cover

1) Reno Dance Company’s The Nutcracker, 7pm, Tu, W, $19.95-$36.95 3) DJ/dancing, 6pm, W, no cover

2) Baldo Bobadilla, 7pm, no cover

2) Jenny O’s Holiday Show, 8pm, no cover 3) Latin Dance Social, 7:30pm, $10-$20

2) Jenny O’s Holiday Show, 8pm, no cover 3) DJ Spryte, 10pm, $20

2) Bogg Jazz Ensemble, 6pm, no cover

2) Bogg Jazz Ensemble, 6pm, M, Tu, W, no cover

2) Banzai Thursdays w/DJ Trivia, 8pm, no cover 4) DJ MoFunk, 9pm, no cover

3) Fashion Fridays, 9pm, no cover 4) Soundwave, 9pm, no cover

1) Lisa Lampanelli, 8pm, $39.50-$49.50 3) Seduction Saturdays, 9pm, $5 4) Soundwave, 9pm, no cover

2) Sunday Funday Industry Night, 10pm, no cover 3) Industry Night, 9pm, no cover 4) DJ MoFunk, 9pm, no cover

2) Country-Rock Bingo w/Jeff Gregg, 9pm, W, no cover

CRYSTAL BAY CLUB 14 Hwy. 28, Crystal Bay; (775) 833-6333 1) Crown Room 2) Red Room 345 N. Virginia St., (775) 786-5700 1) Theater 2) Brew Brothers 3) NoVi

Karaoke

GRAND SIERRA RESORT

Corkscroo Bar & Pizzeria, 10 E. Ninth St., 284-7270: Bobby Dee Karaoke/Dance Party F, 8pm, no cover La Morena Bar, 2140 Victorian Ave., Sparks, 772-2475: Karaoke, Sa, 9pm, no cover

2500 E. Second St., (775) 789-2000 1) Grand Theater 2) Lex Nightclub 3) Sports Book

HARRAH’S LAKE TAHOE 15 Hwy. 50, Stateline; (775) 588-6611 1) South Shore Room 2) Peek Nightclub 3) Center Stage Lounge

The Man Cave Sports Bar, 4600 N. Virginia St., 499-5322: Karaoke, Sa, 8pm, no cover

HARRAH’S RENO

The Point, 1601 S. Virginia St., 322-3001: Karaoke, Th-Sa, 8:30pm; Su, 6pm, no cover Spiro’s Sports Bar & Grille, 1475 E. Prater Way, Ste. 103, Sparks, 356-6000: F-Sa, 9pm, no cover West Second Street Bar, 118 W. Second St., 384-7976: Daily, 8pm, no cover

NUGGET CASINO RESORT

1) Country Artists Tribute Show, 219 N. Center St., (775) 788-2900 7:30pm, $32-$42 1) Sammy’s Showroom 2) The Zone 3) Sapphire Lounge 4) Plaza 5) Convention Center

1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks; (775) 356-3300 1) Celebrity Showroom 2) Nugget Grand Ballroom 3) Gilley’s

PEPPERMILL RESORT SPA CASINO 2707 S. Virginia St., (775) 826-2121 1) Tuscany Ballroom 2) Terrace Lounge 3) Edge

SILVER LEGACY RESORT CASINO 407 N. Virginia St., (775) 325-7401 1) Grand Exposition Hall 2) Rum Bullions Island Bar 3) Aura Ultra Lounge 4) Silver Baron Lounge

RN&R

SATURDAY 12/17

2) The Blues Monsters, 7pm, no cover 1627 Hwy. 395, Minden; (775) 782-9711 1) Valley Ballroom 2) Cabaret Lounge 3) TJ’s Corral

ELDORADO RESORT CASINO

|

FRIDAY 12/16

CARSON VALLEY INN

Dec. 16, 10 p.m.

Crystal Bay Club 14 Highway 28 Crystal Bay 833-6333

28

THURSDAY 12/15

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12.15.16

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 12/19-12/21

2) Tandymonium, 6pm, M, no cover The Robeys, 6pm, Tu, W, no cover

2) Jamie Rollins, 6pm, Tu, W, no cover

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FOr tHE WEEK OF DECEMBEr 15, 2016 For a complete listing of this week’s events or to post events to our online calendar, visit www.newsreview.com.

EvEnts 12TH ANNUAL MAGICAL MEMORIES: Resort at Squaw Creek holds its annual festival, which features family-friendly events, food and drink specials, festive meals, live music and more. Magical Memories ends with a New Year’s Eve party complete with gourmet food, a live band, dancing, party favors and champagne toast. There are separate Kids’ and Teens’ Night Out New Year’s Eve Bashes featuring food, games, crafts, a balloon drop and late night movie. Through 1/3, 2017. Resort at Squaw Creek, 400 Squaw Creek Road, Olympic Valley, www.squawcreek.com.

15TH ANNUAL TOMMO CRAFT FAIR: Local and surrounding area Native-American craft vendors will offer beaded items, blankets, artwork, books and other handmade items for sale. Indian tacos and other food items will also be available for purchase. F, 12/16, 10am-6pm; Sa, 12/17, 10am-6pm. Free. Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Gym, 34 Reservation Road, (775) 442-3939.

ANNUAL TOYS FOR WASHOE HOLIDAY PARTY: Enjoy food, no host bar and music by Baker Street. F, 12/16, 6:30pm. Donate a toy or a gift card. Center Court Grill, 6000 Plumas St., (775) 848-2224.

GOLD HILL GHOST TOUR: Enjoy a meal at the Crown Point restaurant and then join a guided ghost tour through the Gold Hill Hotel sharing stories of ghostly legends.

Dining begins at 4pm. The tour starts at 8pm. M, 4 & 8pm. $40 for dinner and tour, $20 for tour only. Gold Hill Hotel, 1540 S. Main St., Gold Hill, (775) 847-0111.

HEAVENLY HOLIDAYS: The two-week festival

Merry Days & Holly Nights Opening Ceremonies

12/17:

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows presents its inaugural holiday event featuring parades, a torchlight parade and a look at its Merry Wonderland filled with an ice garden, singing Christmas Tree and complimentary tasting of signature items prepared by restaurants in the Village. Santa Claus will lead the parade in a onehorse open sleigh through Squaw’s “Ye Olde Christmas Village” collecting attendees as they make their way to the KT Base Bar. Skiers will descend the Exhibition run during the Glowstick & Torchlight Parade, followed by a fire dance performance leading to the illumination of the Winter Walk.

Santa will continue the parade to Merry Wonderland (Olympic Village Lodge) where guests can see the Ice Garden, listen to the Silver Dollar Chorus in the Singing Christmas Tree and enjoy savory samples. The free event takes place from at 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, at The Village at Squaw Valley, 1750 Village East Road, Olympic Valley. The holiday celebration continues early next week with performances of Holly Feet starring the Utah Ballroom Dance Company and Grinch’s Groove featuring the Truckee Dance Company. Intermission will feature a Grinch lookalike contest for a chance to win a prize from Santa. The show begins at 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 19-20, at Olympic Valley Lodge, 1901 Chamonix Place. Tickets are $15-$25. Visit http://squawalpine.com.

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in the Heavenly Village features ice sculptors, holiday music and a 16-foot interactive snow globe where kids can get their photos taken with Santa. The celebration begins on Dec. 19 and culminates on Dec. 31 with a New Year’s Celebration featuring a live concert, ice sculpting show, LED dance show, the “Gondola” ball drop and a fireworks show. M-Su through 12/31.

Opens 12/19; Sa, 12/31, 6-9:30pm. Heavenly Ski Resort, 3860 Saddle Road, South Lake Tahoe, www.skiheavenly.com.

HOLLY JOLLY DAYS: Bring in canned food donations for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. M-Su through 12/23. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S. Virginia St., (775) 825-4700, www.atlantiscasino.com.

RENO WINE WALK: The Riverwalk Merchants Association hosts its monthly event along the Truckee River and neighboring streets in downtown Reno. Visit any of the participating Riverwalk District merchants on Wine Walk day and receive a wine glass, a map of Wine Walk merchants and a wristband that allows you to sample wine at any participating merchant. Must be at least 21 years old to participate. Open containers are prohibited. Strollers and pets are not advised because of the large crowds. Parking is available at one of the public lots. Third

Sa of every month, 2-5pm through 4/15.

$20. The Riverwalk District, Downtown Reno along The Riverwalk, (775) 825-9255, www.renoriver.org.

SATURDAY NIGHT STAR PARTY: The Jack C. Davis Observatory hosts free star parties every Saturday night year round, starting at sunset (except when there is snow on the roads). The evening starts with a lecture on one of numerous topics and then concludes with guided star viewing by one of the observatory’s astronomers. Sa, 6pm. Free. Jack C. Davis Observatory, 2699 Van Patten Drive, Carson City, (775) 857-3033.

WINTERFEST: This holiday attraction features a Christmas tree lot, a Christmas train ride around the inside the stadium, photos with Santa Claus in Santa’s Village and ice skating in the outdoor ice rink.

M-Su through 1/1. $5-$8 for train rides, $6-$8 for ice skating. Greater Nevada Field, 250 Evans Ave., (775) 334-4700, www.winterfestreno.com.

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OUTREACH CLINIC: The Food Bank of Northern Nevada hosts SNAP outreach clinics to assist low-income 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.

Art ART INDEED! SIERRA MEMORIAL ART SPACE: Humankind Over Progress. The abstract art gallery is open for the Riverwalk Wine Walk on Dec. 17. Gallery hours are 3:307pm Monday-Thursday or by appointment. Sa, 12/17, 2-5pm. Free. 142 Bell St., (775) 846-8367, http://artindeed.com.

ARTISTS CO-OP OF RENO GALLERY: Christmas

All AgEs DOWNTOWN LIBRARY STORY TIME: Stories and activities especially for the preschool child. Tu, 10:30am. Free. Downtown Reno Library, 301 S. Center St., (775) 327-8312.

GALENA TODDLERS: This nature education program for toddlers includes storytime, outdoor exploration and crafts. Third Th of every month, 10am through 3/16. $5 donation. Galena Creek Visitor Center, 18250 Mt. Rose Highway, (775) 849-4948, www.galenacreekvisitorcenter.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. $10 general admission, $9 veterans and active duty military. Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum (The Discovery), 490 S. Center St., (775) 786-1000, www.nvdm.org.

ONE-DAY HOLIDAY ART CAMP: Each morning, the camp provides one hour of creative movement, a festive visual art project and theater. Tu, 12/20, 9am-noon; W, 12/21, 9am-noon. $20 (supplies included in cost).

Larry D. Johnson Community Center, 1200 12th St., Sparks, (775) 826-6100 ext.

2, www.artsforallnevada.org.

PHOTOS WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS: Meet Father Christmas and create a holiday memory. Sa, 12/17, 11am-3pm; Su, 12/18, 11am-3pm. Virginia City Visitors Center, 86 S. C St., Virginia City, (775) 847-7500.

SMALL WONDER WEDNESDAY: Families with children 5 years old and younger are invited to play, explore and listen to stories read by the museum’s educators.

Only children age 5 and younger are admitted to Small Wonder Wednesdays, which start at 9am, an hour before the museum opens. Older siblings may join at 10am. Third W of every month, 9am. $8 per person; free for members and babies under age 1. Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, 490 S. Center St., (775) 786-1000, www.nvdm.org.

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, www.artistsco-opgalleryreno.com.

HOLLAND PROJECT MICRO GALLERY AT BIBO COFFEE CO.: Casey Clark Pop-Up Shop and Exhibition. 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. Through 12/30. 945 Record St., (775) 742-1858, www.hollandreno.org.

HOLMAN ARTS & MEDIA CENTER, SIERRA NEVADA COLLEGE: Leaching Fire. Sierra

Nevada College BFA exhibit. M-Su through 12/16. Free. 1008 Highway 28, Incline Village, (775) 831-1314.

JOT TRAVIS BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO: Annual Art Student Exhibition. Annual juried exhibition of current students in the University of Nevada, Reno visual arts program. Tu-F, 11am-4pm through 12/15. Free. 1664 N. Virginia St., (775) 784-6837.

MCKINLEY ARTS & CULTURE CENTER: Filtered: Paintings by Ashley Follmer. Follmer’s series of oil paintings portrays the effect of mobile devices on interpersonal communication. Through 12/30; Book + Publication Arts: Black Rock Press, 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: NonObjective Dimension: Monique Rebelle.

Abstract painter Monique Rebelle’s series of oil paintings deals with transcendence and a breakthrough in perception. Through 12/30, 8am-5pm. Free. 1 E. First St., (775) 334-2417.

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SPA OF THE WEST Holiday Gift Card Sale!

by AMY ALKON

Go & retail items

Present tense Women are really cuckoo when it comes to gifts. If my lady didn’t get me a present on my birthday, I wouldn’t really care. But if I didn’t buy her something for hers or if I chose badly, brace yourself!

Don’t get me wrong. I love my girlfriend. I just wish I understood how to avoid the minefield.

Gift-getting generally is a bigger deal to women than it is to men. To understand why, consider that our emotions aren’t just feelings—they’re motivational mechanisms that evolved to guard our survival and help us pass on our genes. For example, you feel jealousy when you sense a threat to your relationship— like that your girlfriend’s compleeeetely platonic male BFF really has her back … because that’s the best position for a reach-around to her front.

Of course, both men and women feel jealous and are deeply hurt by both sexual infidelity and emotional infidelity. However, evolutionary psychologist David Buss finds that men and women differ in which type they find more distressing. Because men experience “paternity uncertainty,” they’re more distressed by sexual infidelity, which could chump them into raising a kid who’ll pass on some other dude’s genes. Accordingly, Buss finds that women are more distressed by the prospect that a man might be emotionally elsewhere, leading him to divert his investment in their children into diamond-encrusted loot for that hussy he’s been stepping out with.

In light of this, it makes sense that a woman puts more weight on a male partner’s displays of love and commitment—which is ultimately what gifts to your girlfriend are. Maybe understanding that can help you convert gift-giving from a perilous chore to a way to tell your girlfriend that you love her, that you don’t take her for granted and that it means something to give her a little burst of happy.

Unfortunately, this may not make your shopping any easier on Official Girlfriend Holidays (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, your anniversary and her birthday). What might is asking for advice from women close to her—her mom, her sister, her BFF. As a bonus, they’re likely to gab about what a loving, thoughtful boo you are. As a secondary bonus, if some gift is a bust, they’re also handy targets for blame.

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However, there’s a way to minimize the effects of any big-gift fails, and it’s with semi-frequent little gifts—like picking up her favorite overpriced smoothie or that special cheese she raves about.

Doing this tells her something very important—that you love her enough to pay attention.

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I’m a struggling musician, so let’s just say I’m not swimming in cash. I adore my girl, but I don’t have money to spend on her like her previous rich ex, who’d buy her expensive jewelry and designer handbags, so I feel weird buying her anything at all. What can I get her that shows my love without breaking the bank?

It probably hasn’t escaped her that you sometimes prepare for dates by visiting the Coinstar machine.

Money—even just a little bit of money—actually can buy happiness, but it helps to know what to spend it on. Research by psychologist Thomas Gilovich finds that money spent on experiences tends to make people happier than money spent on material stuff. That’s because we quickly acclimate to the new things in our lives and they stop giving us the same happiness bump they did at first. But an “experiential gift”—like writing a song for your girlfriend and singing it to her in a romantic location—is what we might call “reusable happiness.”

Experiences are a renewable resource because we re-enjoy them as we reflect on them and talk about them. They also become part of a shared relationship history, and that’s very bonding.

Who knew? It seems there’s an upside to not having a bunch of money to spend: your girlfriend looking back fondly on a day with you in a way she never could with all those romantic afternoons she spent with her Ford Fiesta-priced Prada purse. Ω

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

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NORTHWEST RENO LIBRARY: Wild Open Art

HANDEL’S MESSIAH: TOCCATA-Tahoe

Show. A solo show by landscape painter Bonita Paulis. M-Sa through 1/24, 10am5pm. 2325 Robb Drive (775) 787-4100.

Symphony Orchestra and Chorus presents the holiday classic. F, 12/16, 7pm. $5-$40. Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 3597 N. Sunridge Drive, Carson City; Su, 12/18, 3-6pm. $5-$40. St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1041 Lyons Ave., South Lake Tahoe, http://toccatatahoe.com.

RENO ART WORKS: RAW Open Studios. Meet the artists, explore the studios and buy local art. Third Sa of every month, noon5pm through 12/17. 1995 Dickerson Road, (775) 225-7295, www.renoartworks.org.

HEAVEN AND NATURE SING: Celebrate the sounds of the season with the Reno Pops Orchestra and friends in a holiday concert of favorite carols and classics, as well as a holiday sing-along.

Performances by Pat Esters, Helen Lee, South Reno Baptist Choir and P’Opera.

F, 12/16, 7pm; Sa, 12/17, 2pm. Free. South Reno Baptist Church, 6780 S. McCarran Blvd., (775) 673-1234, www.renopops.org.

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.

JAZZ FOR THE HOLIDAYS: The 17-piece Reno Jazz Orchestra and Pat Ester’s Gospel Choir brings Christmas favorites, jazz and soul with a few surprises mixed in.

Sa, 12/17, 7:30pm; Su, 12/18, 2pm. $25-$45.

Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts Building, University of Nevada, Reno, 1335 N. Virginia St.; W, 12/21, 7pm. $35.

Olympic Village Lodge, 1901 Chamonix Place, Olympic Valley, (775) 372-6160, http://renojazzorchestra.org.

WILBUR D. MAY MUSEUM, RANCHO SAN RAFAEL REGIONAL PARK: Around the World in 40 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.

presents the 15th annual concert starring John and Cherie Shipley. Th, 12/15, 7-9pm. $8-$15. Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St., Carson City, (775) 883-1976, www.breweryarts.org.

PEANUTS GANG AND ART/CRAFT SALE: The show features music from A Charlie Brown Christmas composed by Vince Guaraldi and performed by Christopher Sexton (piano), Mac Esposito (bass) and Greg Lewis (drums). Original works by local artists will be on display for sale.

Su, 12/18, 6pm. Free. The Saint, 761 S. Virginia St., (775) 221-7451.

LAKE MANSION: Free Guided Tours at the

sports & Fitness GALENA CREEK GUIDED HIKE: Join a naturalist 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.

RENO BIGHORNS: The D-league basketball

team takes on the Austin Spurs. W, 12/21, 7pm. $10. Reno Events Center, 400 N. Center St., (775) 853-8220.

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.

Music FIRST TAKE FEATURING RICK METZ: Jimmy Vermilion and Rick Metz perform vocal jazz selections from the Great American Songbook. F, 12/16, 5-7pm. Free. The Great Western Marketplace, 4855 Summit Ridge Drive, (775) 771-4926, www.rickmetz.com.

onstage AUDITION: This one-act musical centers on a small group of community theater actors who brave a heavy winter storm for a chance at starring in a famous playwright’s next Broadway production.

Th-Sa, 7:30pm through 12/17, Su, 12/18, 2pm. $15. GLM Theatre Company, 713 S. Virginia St., (775) 322-3716.

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Run with a pack of Santas and other festively dressed participants during the fifth annual 5K fun run. The course starts and ends at Wingfield Park and travels along the Truckee River, with aid stations serving cocoa and cookies. There will be a party and hot cocoa after the race. The race begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, at Wingfield Park, 300 W. First St. Registration fee is $30-$40. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful. For details visit http://crawlreno. com/event/santa-dash.

12.15.16

Reno’s 2016-2017 season continues with this musical based on the film about a young orphan child named Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. F, 12/16,

8pm; Sa, 12/17, 2 & 8pm; Su, 12/18, 1 & 7pm. $49 and up. Pioneer Center for the

Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St., (775) 686-6600, http://pioneercenter.com.

HOOTCHY KOOTCHY GIRLS VINTAGE CABARET: The holiday show combines old Hollywood glamour with vintage vaudeville. F, 12/16, 7:30pm; Sa, 12/17, 6:30pm. $22 advance, $25 day of show. Pioneer Underground, 100 S. Virginia St., (775) 322-5233.

THE NUTCRACKER: Reno Dance Company presents its 15th annual production of the classic ballet. Sa, 12/17, 3 & 8pm;

Su, 12/18, 3 & 7pm; Tu, 12/20, 7pm; W, 12/21, 7pm; Th, 12/22, 7pm; F, 12/23, 8pm.

BUTTCRACKER 7—OZMOSIS: Brüka Theatre presents the seventh installation of its parody based on the holiday favorite The Nutcracker. 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, 12/15, 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 general, $20 for students, seniors and military, $25 at the door. Brüka Theatre, 99 N. Virginia St., (775) 323-3221, www.bruka.org.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: Laughing Owl

NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART: Andrea Zittel:

Wallsprawl, W-Su through 12/31; A Place in the Country: Aboriginal Australian Paintings, W-Su through 6/4; Peter Stichbury: Anatomy of a Phenomenon, W-Su through 5/28; Tarek Al Ghoussein, W-Su through 2/19; Dennis Parks: Land, Language and Clay, W-Su through 1/8; Ugo Rondinone: Seven Magic Mountains, W-Su through 5/11; Anthony McCall: Swell, W-Su through 1/8; Trevor Paglen: Orbital Reflector, W-Su through 12/31; Leiko Ikemura: Poetics of Form, W-Su through 1/15; A Shared Legacy Folk Art in America, W-Su through 1/22. Opens 12/19. $1-10. 160 W. Liberty St., (775) 329-3333, www.nevadaart.org.

12/17:

JOYFUL NOISE: Lake Tahoe Entertainment

MuseuMs Lake Mansion. 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.

ELF THE MUSICAL: Broadway Comes to

2016 Great Santa Dash

Productions presents John Mortimer’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of redemption. Th, 12/15, 7:30pm; F,

12/16, 7:30pm; Sa, 12/17, 7:30pm; Su, 12/18, 2pm; W, 12/21, 7:30pm; Th, 12/22, 7:30pm; F, 12/23, 7:30pm. $16.50 in advance, $22 at

$19.95-$36.95. Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks, (775) 356-3300, www.renodancecompany.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, 12/15, 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., (775) 813-8900.

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, 12/15, 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, (775) 525-3074.

the door. Laughing Owl Productions, 75 S. Wells Ave., (775) 384-9967.

DINNER MURDER MYSTERY: Funtime Theater presents its dinner murder mysteries.

The show starts at 6:30pm with dinner service starting at 7pm. Visit website for dinner selections. Third Sa of every month, 6pm through 11/18. $50. Lili’s, 2325 Kietzke Lane, http://funtimetheater.com.

DISNEY’S THE LION KING, KIDS: Reno Little Theater presents this special production for children featuring the students of RLT’s Broadway Our Way program. F, 12/16, 5:30pm; Sa, 12/17, 2pm. $5. Reno Little Theater, 147 E. Pueblo St., (775) 329-0661, www.renolittletheater.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 everybody back home.

Sa, Su, 2-4 & 7-9pm through 12/19. $15$25. Cargo at Whitney Peak Hotel, 255 N. Virginia St., (775) 771-1828.

classes HOLIDAY MINI ART CAMP: This holiday mini art camp provides one hour of creative movement, a festive visual art project and acting/theater. F, 12/16, 9am-noon; Tu, 12/20, 9am-noon. $20. Arts for All Nevada, 250 Court St.; M, 12/19, 9am-noon. $20.

Larry D. Johnson Community Center, 1200 12th St., Sparks; M, 12/19, 9am-noon. $20; W, 12/21, 9am-noon. $20. Arts for All Nevada, 250 Court St., (775) 826-6100 ext.

2, www.artsforallnevada.org.

PAINT AND SIP: THE GREAT WAVE: Receive one-on-one creative guidance in a fun social setting. This class is open to all artistic levels. Transform Japanese artist Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” into your own 16” x 20” acrylic painting masterpiece. Th, 12/15, 5:30-7:30pm. $20. Arts for All Nevada, 250 Court St., (775) 826-6100 ext. 2.

SUGAR LOVE UNIVERSITY: Learn about the culinary history of chocolate. Each session will feature limited-edition chocolate flavors, complimentary wine, beer or spirits and light hors d’oeuvres. Th, 12/15, 7-9pm. $28. Sugar Love Chocolates, 50 S. Virginia St., Ste. 11, (800) 479-9830.

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. The support group meets in the Orthopedic Conference Room on the third floor of the Roseview Tower. Th, 11:30am-1pm. Free. Renown Regional Medical Center, 1155 Mill St., (775) 982-6831, www.renown.org.

CLICKETS KNITTING GROUP: Jean Peters guides this class for knitters of all ages and levels. Yarn and needles are available. First and third Su of every month, 1:30-3pm. Free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway, located at Lazy 5 Regional Park, Spanish Springs, (775) 424-1800.

THE ECLECTIC EVENING BOOK CLUB: The book club meets every third Wednesday.

Third W of every month, 5-6:30pm. Free.

Northwest Reno Library, 2325 Robb Drive, (775) 787-4100.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: Renown Hospice Care offers a grief support group for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The group is facilitated by Fr. Karry Crites. Third W of every month, 6:308pm. Free. Washoe County Senior Center, 1155 E. Ninth St., (775) 982-2817.

KNITTING & CROCHET CLUB: This group is open to who enjoys knitting or crocheting. Second and third Sa of every month, 1-3pm. Free. Northwest Reno Library, 2325 Robb Drive, (775) 787-4100.

MAN TO MAN PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: Facilitated by a prostate cancer survivor, this new support group is designed to help men cope with prostate cancer by offering education and support for patients during their cancer journey. The group meets in the Orthopedic Conference Room on the third floor in the Roseview Tower. First and Third M of every month, 5:30-7pm. Free.

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

MYSTERY BOOK CLUB: The book club meets

every third Sunday. Third Su of every month, 1-2pm. Free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway, located at Lazy 5 Regional Park, Spanish Springs, (775) 424-1800.

SAM ADAMS NIGHT: Join the Nevada Capital Libertarian Party at this monthly gathering. Learn about the NVCLP, listen to speakers and featured guests and visit with fellow Libertarians. Third Th of every month, 7pm. Free. Comma Coffee, 312 S. Carson St., Carson City, www.nvclp.org.

SO VERY LITERARY BOOK CLUB: The book club meets every third Thursday. Third Th of every month, 1:30-2:30pm. Free. South Valleys Library, 15650A Wedge Parkway, (775) 851-5190.

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.

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Living is a form of not

being sure, not knowing what next or how,” said dancer Agnes De Mille. “We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.”

As true as her words might be for most of us much of the time, I suspect they don’t apply to you right now. This is one of those rare moments when feeling total certainty is justified. Your vision is extra clear and farseeing. Your good humor and expansive spirit will ensure that you stay humble. As you take leap after leap, you’ll be surrounded by light.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “We are torn

between nostalgia for the familiar and an urge for the foreign and strange,” wrote author Carson McCullers. Are you ready to give that adage a twist, Taurus? In the coming weeks, I think you should search for foreign and strange qualities in your familiar world. Such a quest may initially feel odd, but will ultimately be healthy and interesting.

It will also be good preparation for the next chapter of your life, when you will saunter out into unknown territory and find ways to feel at home there.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “If you don’t use your

own imagination, somebody else is going to use it for you,” said writer Ronald Sukenick. That’s always true, but it will be especially important for you to keep in mind in 2017. You Geminis will have an unparalleled power to enlarge, refine and tap into your imagination. You’ll be blessed with the motivation and ingenuity to make it work for you in new ways, which could enable you to accomplish marvelous feats of creativity and self-transformation. Now here’s a warning: If you don’t use your willower to take advantage of these potentials, your imagination will be subject to atrophy and colonization.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Why are Australian

sand wasps so skilled at finding their way back home after being out all day? Here’s their trick: When they first leave the nest each morning, they fly backward, imprinting on their memory banks the sights they will look for when they return later. Furthermore, their exiting flight path is a slow and systematic zigzag pattern that orients them from multiple directions. I recommend that you draw inspiration from the sand wasps in 2017, Cancerian. One of your important tasks will be to keep finding your way back to your spiritual home, over and over again.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Vault 21, a restaurant in

Dunedin, New Zealand, serves sautéed locusts.

For $5, patrons receive a plate of five. The menu refers to the dish not as “Oily Sizzling Grasshoppers,” but rather as “Sky Prawns.”

Satisfied customers know exactly what they’re eating, and some say the taste does indeed resemble prawns. I bring this to your attention, Leo, because it illustrates a talent you will have in abundance during 2017: rebranding. You’ll know how to maximize the attractiveness and desirability of things by presenting them in the best possible light.

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of the German word kummerspeck is “grief bacon.” It refers to the weight gained by people who, while wallowing in self-pity, eat an excess of comfort food. I know more than a few Virgos who have been flirting with this development lately, although the trigger seems to be self-doubt as much as self-pity. In any case, here’s the good news: The trend is about to flip. A flow of agreeable adventures is due to begin soon. You’ll be prodded by fun challenges and provocative stimuli that will boost your confidence and discourage kummerspeck.

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VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The literal translation

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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Since you are like no

other being ever created since the beginning of time, you are incomparable,” wrote journalist Brenda Ueland. Pause for a moment and fully take in that fact, Libra. It’s breathtaking and daunting. What a huge responsibility it is to be absolutely unique. In fact, it’s so monumental that you may still be shy about living up to it. But how about if you make 2017 the year you finally come into your own as the awesomely unprecedented creature that you are? I dare you to more fully acknowledge and express your singular destiny.

Start today!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “To dream … to

dream has been the business of my life,” wrote author Edgar Allan Poe. I don’t expect you to match his devotion to dreams in 2017, Scorpio, but I do hope you will become more deeply engaged with your waking fantasies and the stories that unfold as you lie sleeping. Why? Because your usual approaches to gathering useful information won’t be sufficient. To be successful, both in the spiritual and worldly senses, you’ll need extra access to perspectives that come from beyond your rational mind. Here’s a good motto for you in 2017: “I am a lavish and practical dreamer.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Physicist Ste-

phen Hawking is skeptical of the hypothesis that humans may someday be able to travel through time. To jokingly dramatize his belief, he threw a party for time travelers from the future. Sadly, not a single chrononaut showed up to enjoy the champagne and hors d’oeuvres Hawking had prepared. Despite this discouraging evidence, I guarantee that you will have the potential to meet with Future Versions of You on a regular basis during the next nine months. These encounters are likely to be metaphorical or dreamlike rather than literal, but they will provide valuable information as you make decisions that affect your destiny for years to come. The first of these heart-to-hearts should come very soon.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): During these

last few weeks, you may have sometimes felt like smashing holes in the wall with your head, or dragging precious keepsakes into the middle of the street and setting them on fire, or delivering boxes full of garbage to people who don’t appreciate you as much as they should. I hope you abstained from doing things like that. Now here are some prescriptions to help you graduate from unproductive impulses: Make or find a symbol of one of your mental blocks, and bash it to pieces with a hammer; clean and polish precious keepsakes, and perform rituals to reinvigorate your love for them; take as many trips to the dump as necessary to remove the congestion, dross and rot from your environment.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Singer-songwriter

Tom Waits has a distinctive voice. One fan described it this way: “Like how you’d sound if you drank a quart of bourbon, smoked a pack of cigarettes and swallowed a pack of razor blades. Late at night. After not sleeping for three days.” Luckily, Waits doesn’t have to actually do any of those self-destructive things to achieve his unique tone. In fact, he’s wealthy from selling his music, and has three kids with a woman to whom he’s been married for 36 years. I foresee a similar potential for you in the coming weeks and months. You may be able to capitalize on your harmless weirdness … to earn rewards by expressing your charming eccentricities … to be both strange and popular.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Was punk rock born

on June 4, 1976? A fledgling band known as the Sex Pistols played that night for a crowd of 40 people at a small venue in Manchester, England.

Among the audience members was Morrissey, who got so inspired that he started his own band, the Smiths. Also in attendance was a rowdy guy who would soon launch the band Joy Division, despite the fact that he had never played an instrument. The men who would later form the Buzzcocks also saw the performance by Johnny Rotten and his crew. According to music critic David Nolan, these future pioneers came away from the June 4 show with the conclusion, “You don’t have to be a virtuoso or a musical genius to be in a band; anyone can do it.” I see parallels between this seminal event and your life in the coming weeks.

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 www.realastrology.com.

by BRAD BYNUm

Oaklander

really is passionate about having them in Vegas. ... There is such an insane following of the Raiders here locally. To such a ridiculous point. People don’t just paint their faces. It’s like a football Gwar.

We’re talking skulls on football pads painted silver and black. It just looks like jock Gwar. And it’s not just five weirdos.

It’s hundreds and hundreds. … It’s really phenomenal, and not something that Vegas would be able to mimic. If it moves to Vegas it would be very clear that it’s something to benefit the very few and not what either community really wants. …

Can I just add something?

Ryan Stark was a longtime Reno resident, familiar to locals because of his involvement in the local music scene and because he worked as a barista at Bibo Coffee Co. for its first six years. He moved to Oakland eight years ago and opened Black Spring Coffee Co. there three years ago.

The coffee shop was a regular destination for many people who died in the Ghost Ship warehouse fire.

What’s the mood like in Oakland?

Around here, it’s very surreal. Many of those people who passed in the fire came into the shop. ... So there’s a lot of grieving and healing specifically around Black Spring. … [W]e lost out on dozens of faces that we normally see every day. And some were friends. Joey Casio—I’ve known him since, like, 2004.

It’s a very surreal vibe. There’s a lot of love happening. There are a lot of people who were acquaintances before who are now on hugging terms. There’s not really an instruction manual anywhere for how to navigate losing that many people one night. You wake up the next morning, and all these people are gone.

I’m sorry for your loss and the loss for the whole community there. Tell me about the fundraiser.

January to February, Black Spring is doing an art fundraiser. We usually have a different artist every month, but I pushed

Of course. everything back to get this thing going just to get some more funds for people to navigate this really, really tricky situation.

And already the response has been insane. I’ve gotten calls from people in New York, D.C., Boston. ... The first one to contact me was [Reno photographer] Chris Carnel. But I actually hit up the Holland Project, and said rather than me hitting up all my artist friends in Reno, it would be a good idea for the Holland Project to do a similar thing if they were into it. And they seemed to like that idea.

This is a change of speed, but what’s the feeling about a Las Vegas billionaire trying to steal the football team from Oakland?

I guess I do have a unique perspective on this because I know Nevadans and Oaklanders. Nobody here wants the Raiders to go. And nobody in Nevada

Since all of these people have died at Ghost Ship … before we’ve even been able to bury our friends and loved ones, all landlords are using this as an excuse to evict all people who have group houses. And the person who ran Ghost Ship was not someone I liked very much personally, but I feel like he’s being scapegoated as the person who should be held responsible when there’s a larger issue that’s coming to Reno with all of the tech industry moving from here to there, with people not having access to safe and affordable housing. And this fire is a very specific outcome of the housing crisis. … All of these people who have to deal with funerals and everything like that also have to navigate three-day notices to find another place to live. And there’s no rent control in Reno. And all these tech people are moving to Reno, so this type of thing is coming. Ω

by BRUCE VAN DYKE

Putin’s electors Nov. 8 now appears to have been a very good day—for Russia.

Follow the money, folks. There’s a $500 billion deal between Exxon and Russia’s national oil company that currently sits in Sanction Limbo, put there by Obama in ’14 after Putin’s mischief with Ukraine. It now seems likely that by early spring, those sanctions will be lifted, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will announce that Exxon (full disclosure—Tillerson is the CEO of Exxon, and golly gee, isn’t that fun?) and Russian oil giant Rostnef can resume their partnership, looking for new oil fields in the Arctic and Siberia.

Again, this is a $500 billon partnership we’re talking about, which is not just a big deal, it’s a big fucking deal, big enough to guarantee not just the long-term financial health of Rostnef, but also to guarantee the health of an entire nation.

And the dim-bulbed zombies of Trump, the raving deplorables who voted for this charlatan, won’t give the tiniest turd about this breathtakingly brazen conflict of interest.

Those zombies (Zumpies? Trombies?) have put the Clown-Elect in a bullet-proof position, where I now believe he literally could walk out of Trump Tower, shoot a random guy, and get away with it. All he would have to do is tweet, “The guy was an asshole,” and the Zumpies would be, “OK. Must be true. Gotta love ole Don, right? I wonder if he used a Glock or a .45? Hey, you like the Broncos this week?”

The optics here on this development aren’t good. The bozonics, though, are top notch.

• Chris Suprun is the elector from Texas who announced in the New York Times that he won’t vote for Trump as he’s supposed to when the electors meet on Monday

the 19th. He’s a smart, articulate fellow who’s impressive when justifying his position. Suprun busted Trump for being grossly unfit for the Job way before this Russian jazz broke out. Now, I’m guessing he might be feeling even more righteous, even though it will probably mean he’ll have a burning cross on his lawn for New Year’s.

• But now, in light of all this confirmed information that our election was tampered with by a hostile foreign asshole, I can’t help but wonder if maybe a few more electors, specifically older folks who grew up when Russia was our mortal enemy, if maybe a few more electors are now thinking about voting in a Suprunesque way. Wishful thinking? Yer goddamn right! The best gift the Electoral College could give America this holiday season would be a messy and long overdue suicide. Ω

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