In last month’s Outdoors column, we mentioned billboards that feature a photo of Death Valley National Park, and say, “Heat deaths rise, safety staff cut. Made possible by DOGE.” A nonprofit advocacy group, More Perfect Union, placed them to encourage opposition to DOGE’s national park budget cuts.
A reader who asked to remain anonymous emailed me, saying the assertion that “heat deaths rise” is inaccurate. He is correct. Since DOGE announced the initial cuts in February, heat-related deaths in Death Valley National Park (where temperatures soared to 129 degrees last summer) have fallen, not risen, at least according to information released by the feds. The park announced two heat-related deaths in 2024 on its news releases page, and none so far in 2025.
Still, there is plenty of reason for concern over national park staffing and safety. In a June 23 report, a Joshua Tree National Park ranger told NPR, “This is the time of year when people die in the desert. … We’re at risk of having those kinds of tragedies occur because there’s fewer people out protecting you.”
While the spirit of the billboard message was accurate, the actual statement was untrue. The difference may seem like a quibble, but I see it as a symptom of a serious problem. As the reader alluded, More Perfect Union’s casual approach to facts was more likely to stoke the confirmation bias of people who already agreed with them— than to convince anyone who didn’t. The group did not earn his trust.
We should have fact-checked the photo. And in this era of off-the-charts polarization and floods of misinformation, everyone should be checking their facts all the time.
In other news, it’s time to head to vote.renonr.com to vote in our annual Best of Northern Nevada readers’ poll. Voting is open until Sunday, July 20, and we’ll let you know in our September issue who all of the winners are!
—KRIS VAGNER krisv@renonr.com
LETTERS
Cutting rural health care would cheat veterans
The Sierra Nevada VA Health Care System reaches into 20 counties in Nevada, Northern California and part of Southern Oregon, and serves as many as 35,000 veterans. In my 10 years as a registered nurse and case manager at the VA hospital in Reno, we often received patients in transport who had received initial life-saving treatment and stabilization in the ERs of rural hospitals. This GOP budget is threatening those rural hospitals—and ultimately the lives of those they serve.
The VA is already suffering under draconian cuts and is struggling to keep open the non-emergency, rural VA primary-care clinics. Rural hospitals and the emergency care that they provide are critical to the people living in outlying areas, including many veterans. Our veterans have not been well-served by the country, and this is another reminder of the ways in which our heroes are being disrespected and devalued by this administration. Congress must not steal from the people who rely on Medicaid in order to pay for ongoing tax cuts for the rich.
Rep. Mark Amodei has rubber-stamped nearly all of this administration’s agenda.
Email letters to letters@renonr.com
Please let him know that this bill is a literal killer.
Wendy Buxton Reno
Job Corps program deserves scrutiny
It is unfortunate that a young person did not have the support they needed to graduate high school, and they should be given every opportunity to become productive citizens and not be dependent on anyone—including the federal government. With that said, perpetual programs such as the Job Corps need some periodic scrutiny. (“At this week’s Job Corps graduation— pomp, circumstance, and the threat of homelessness,” RN&R Editor’s Newsletter, June 5.)
I used ChatGPT to get some basic statistics that were not in the article to help me form an objective opinion about the program. According to the Department of Labor (DOL), the average cost per student/year in the Job Corps is $80,264, with an average total cost per graduate being $155,600. In comparison, a UNR student pays around $87,700 for a four-year degree. There is clearly a problem here if it costs more money to get disadvantaged students a high school degree then it costs to get a college degree at UNR.
The DOL has cited Job Corps’ financial deficits and underwhelming student outcomes. As
a taxpayer or consumer, I don’t want to spend money on something that is high cost and low quality. We need to seek other alternatives. As it stands, the federal government has a huge budget deficit, and something needs to be done. If Jacky Rosen, one of our senators, feels that the Job Corps is so important, instead of criticizing the Trump administration’s decision to dismantle it, maybe she can find other areas in the federal budget to cut so the Job Corps can continue. But even if it continues, it needs to be revamped.
The commentary from Jacky does not indicate she wants to fix anything; she offers no solutions and just wants to keep on spending. And finally, I wish she would act more bipartisan, since Trump did manage to win the Nevada popular vote. Her rhetoric is certainly alienating me, and I am feeling unrepresented.
Stephen Sumner Sparks
Nevada’s tribal voting laws are an improvement
The United States has a long history of imposing barriers that have prevented eligible Native voters from fully participating in the democratic process. Despite being the original inhabitants of this land, citizenship and the right to vote
continued on Page 4
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GUEST COMMENT
The historic Montgomery Pass wild horse herd needs to
BY CRAIG DOWNER
be saved from elimination
The Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory/Herd Management Area herd is jointly managed by the Inyo National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management, both with offices in Bishop, Calif. The herd occupies portions of California and Nevada.
This herd has been a wonderful part of my life since I was a boy. It is one of the most studied herds in the nation. Nearly three decades of research have been conducted by wildlife ecologist John Turner, and others, that prove this herd to be generally self-stabilizing, due to the prevalence of mountain lions in the area, as well as their stable social units established over many generations, although recent altitude shifts in the majority of horses has led to an increase in the population. (See John W. Turner’s study in the Journal of Natural History.) The herd has been the subject of field courses for many years at various universities.
Based on years of observation, photography, and management plan and study review, I’ve determined these mustangs’ basic legal rights are being overlooked by authorities, both Inyo National Forest and BLM.
to seek grass and water near and along the shores of Mono Lake, including the unique tufa formation area. I traveled to Mono Lake in late February 2023 and observed the snow piled with drifts 15 to 20 feet high. I had to divert to the east in order to proceed south. The past two winters have not been as extreme; the wild horses have not been occupying the Mono Lake area to the degree they did before.
Officials should defend this herd by implementing solutions such as log-and-pole fences to keep the horses away from key springs and bird-nesting habitats, and lower speed limits posted along Highway 120.
The herd is being subjected to a clever “squeeze play” influenced by long-term detractors who fail to consider the big picture regarding the herd, and its intrinsic value and needs, despite its naturally adapted and healthily sized population. These equids make substantial contributions to the ecosystem, including wildfire prevention. Officials shirk their duty when they ignore the former; they should promote the herd’s genetic viability and resilience and allow it to fill its ecological role within a variously contained habitat according to the sound principles of “reserve design.”
To obey the true spirit of the Wild FreeRoaming Horses and Burros Act (WFHBA), they should identify alternatives to what is being planned—which is a near-total population removal. They should not seize on recent changes in their distribution to serve as an excuse to nearly eliminate this herd. There are excellent, common-sense alternatives to what they are proposing.
During the harsh winter of 2022-’23, many of these wild horses were forced
Back in the mid-1980s, there was a plan by Inyo National Forest officials to totally eliminate this legal herd. Along with several others, I strongly protested this, and this outrageous proposal was cancelled. Today, a similar proposal is being enacted. Authorities have shifted attention away from serious problems with lax law enforcement regarding human-caused impacts, such as climbing on tufa mounds and going off-trail to disturb habitats, animals and plants. Our public officials should adhere to the true spirit and intent of the WFHBA.
Instead, the BLM issued the “Removal of Wild Horses Outside the Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory.” It was prepared by the Bishop BLM office and signed by Sherri Lisius, the Bishop field manager. The decision is to remove around 624 horses from the total herd population of around 694 horses, leaving a cripplingly low herd number of around 70 mustangs.
This would be far below genetic viability. This gutting of the herd would make it extremely vulnerable to mounting hardships like severe storms, diseases, predation by mountain lions, harassment by people (including ORV chasing), global warming, manipulation of forage and water accessibility by fences and other means, etc.
It’s high time we humans come clean when it comes to these magnificent presences—and do what’s right!
STREETALK
BY DAVID ROBERT
What’s the hottest you’ve ever been?
Asked at the West Street Plaza, 220 W. First St., Reno
Janet O’Neill Retired, volunteer
We went to a Chinese restaurant, and on the table was this green stuff that looked like avocado or guacamole. I was warned about eating it. It was wasabi. I thought that I could handle it. I was gasping and couldn’t catch my breath for about a minute. It was the hottest that I’ve ever been. I couldn’t speak, and everyone at the table was laughing at me—and these people were my own family!
Casey White Geochemistry
I’m from the South, and this heat out here is nothing compared to the heat and miserable humidity down South. But the hottest I’ve ever been is seeing this homeless epidemic here in Reno. There are homeless all over the streets, and there’s shit everywhere—literally shit on the sidewalks. I’ve lived in Houston, and there was a large homeless population, and it was nothing like this. I love Reno, and this got me hot!
Jade Turquet Designer
The hottest that I’ve ever been was when I was in my early 20s. I was in college and living in London. I looked great! I wore really cool, high, black leather boots and a cashmere sweater. That was the thing then. And I had long, cool blonde hair. We’d go clubbing all the time at Covent Garden and Ministry of Sound. I was hitting the scene.
Gary Keller Salesman
The hottest that I’ve ever been was when Trump won for the first time. I couldn’t believe that so many people in the U.S. could go that way. He expounds hate and divisiveness. It’s not what a leader should be. The Bible says to love your neighbor and love your enemy. And if you loved your enemy, then there wouldn’t be any hate.
Craig C. Downer is a wildlife ecologist, author, fourth-generation Nevadan and leader of the Wild Horse and Burro Fund/Andean Tapir Fund. He lives in Minden.
Wayne Clements Retired Navy
When I got off the ship coming home from ’Nam. The protesters were waiting for us, and they spat on us. We had just served our country, and there were no parades or homecomings for us like after past conflicts/wars. We were treated like shit. Don’t ever say a bad thing about a veteran.
LETTERS
were not granted until the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. In Nevada, it wasn’t until 2016 that progress finally accelerated after a lawsuit was brought by the Walker River and Pyramid Lake Paiute tribes to ensure access to polling places on their reservations. Since then, the state has taken significant steps forward to expand tribal voting access.
During the 2023 state legislative session, Nevada passed a landmark law guaranteeing that every tribe that requested a polling place or drop box would get what they needed. In the 2024 election, the impact was clear: 20 reservation-based polling places were established statewide, up from zero in 2015. Tribal voter turnout increased by 36% in 2024, with 6,173 votes cast. This progress deserves recognition.
However, the law’s rollout exposed gaps. The original legislation lacked clarity on who was responsible for recruiting poll workers and staffing tribal polling places, leading to staffing shortages in several locations. One of the most egregious cases was the Sho-Pai Tribes of Duck Valley, who were forced to contribute $5,000 of their own funds and raise another $5,000 to meet county staffing standards, without any county support. No other community faces this burden, as staffing is the county clerk’s responsibility.
To address this inequity, Senate Bill 421, which unanimously passed in 2025 and was signed into law, explicitly assigns county clerks the responsibility for staffing tribal polling places, as they do for all others. While some clerks had already stepped up, like the Humboldt County clerk who staffed the polling place on the Fort McDermitt Reservation herself, SB 421 ensures consistent access statewide.
Thanks to these hard-fought changes, Nevada has the strongest tribal voting laws
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in the country. These targeted, practical reforms ensure that every tribal member can access staffed local polling places, making the promise of voting rights a reality for all Nevadans.
Jennifer Willett Reno
Trump should not have politicized the military
As a proud veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division, I am disheartened by President Trump’s recent speech at Fort Bragg, where he shamelessly politicized the very heroes who serve our nation. It is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, specifically Article 88, which prohibits military personnel from participating in political events while in uniform. This code exists to uphold the integrity of our armed forces, and it was blatantly disregarded.
Moreover, it is disconcerting that a president who once referred to fallen soldiers as “suckers and losers” would stand before us, using service members as props to bolster his image. His past comments about our fallen and the disrespect shown toward the dead at Arlington National Cemetery further exemplify his lack of regard for military sacrifice. This behavior not only undermines the respect our veterans deserve but also tarnishes the dignity of our service.
Gen. James Mattis poignantly stated, “The military is not a political tool.” Similarly, Gen. Colin Powell asserted, “We should not use the military for political purposes.” The very essence of our armed forces lies in their dedication to duty, honor and country—not to political gain.
Let us hold our leaders accountable. It is imperative that we preserve the sanctity of our military and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Farrell Vaughn Reno
Fireworks
BY JIMMY BOEGLE PUBLISHER'S NOTE
In a nation without due process, nobody is safe
In June, I spent a week in San Diego on a much-needed working vacation. One night, my friends and I got takeout from Buona Forchetta, the restaurant that made national news after a brutal, militaristic Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid on May 30.
As NBC 7 San Diego put it, the “raid involved at least 20 masked agents in military-style gear taking a group of workers into custody, while also confronting and handcuffing others and at one point detonating flash-bang grenades in the vicinity.”
Our food wasn’t quite ready when we arrived. As we waited, the restaurant phone rang. The young woman working the pickup counter took a break from folding cloth napkins to politely answer—before abruptly hanging up after just a few seconds. With a sigh, she explained that ever since the raid, the restaurant has been repeatedly receiving angry, harassing phone calls.
There’s no question that our immigration system is messed up and in serious need of reform. If the restaurant owner, who is accused of forging visas and other wrongdoing, is found guilty, he should be held accountable.
But does that justify the ways in which ICE is doing what it’s doing—with masks, unmarked cars, weapons, no warrants and absolutely no sense of humanity?
On May 30, the Reno Gazette-Journal told the story of a man who was apparently arrested by ICE. “Yesenia’s husband was dropping her off at a construction job in Sparks in early May when three unmarked trucks surrounded them. Armed men in ski masks and bullet-proof vests emblazoned with ‘ICE’ ordered him out and shoved him against the vehicle before taking him away,” Mark Robison wrote. “Yesenia hasn’t seen him since. Adilia Medina—his mother—desperately contacted every immigration office and jail she could think of to ask where he was.”
The story goes on to say that Medina’s oldest son was killed by a government-backed militia after being deported from the U.S. back to Nicaragua. Her family had been targeted for opposing the dictator, Daniel Ortega. She’s justifiably afraid that the same could happen to her youngest son—who’s lived in Sparks for two decades—if he’s deported. These raids are happening, in part, because Stephen Miller—Trump’s deputy chief of staff, whose extreme anti-immigrant views (or, I should say, anti-nonwhite-immigrant views) are well-established—has demanded that ICE needs to up their game, and start arresting 3,000 immigrants a day.
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Given ICE’s recent targets of dishwashers and construction workers, and the horrifying use of force being deployed, it’s clear this isn’t about safety. It’s about hate. And while some have found these ICE raids to be shocking, not everyone has been surprised.
Our sister paper, the Coachella Valley Independent, reported on a series of raids that started in the Palm Springs area on June 6. On that day, local activists held a press conference to denounce the actions.
“A common narrative was shared by multiple representatives at the press conference was: They had been expecting this for some time,” wrote Esther Sanchez in the Independent “‘President Trump said he was going to do it, and we took him at his word,’ one speaker stated. ‘That’s why we’ve been preparing for this.’” How is America being made “great again” by raiding grocery stores, restaurants, U-Haul locations and even people’s yards (to “catch” gardeners)? These actions don’t make America greater. They make it a punitive state inching disturbingly close to authoritarianism.
To those of you can look past the inhumanity and support these raids in the name of legality, or dismiss them as not affecting you, here’s a warning: In a nation without due process, where people can be snatched up by masked, unidentified paramilitary agents without charges or warrants, nobody is safe.
What happened to America being the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Photo/Esther Sanchez
ON NEVADA BUSINESS
The business of creativity
Meet Tony Manfredi, the Nevada Arts Council director and a financial steward of Nevada arts
In this column, I have shined a light on startups, founders and the plights of Nevada’s small business, and I’ve featured businesses from around the world. This month, I want to focus on a true Nevada original that has supported our state’s creativity, heritage, economic development and community engagement since 1967—the Nevada Arts Council.
State statute dictates that the agency expand educational opportunities, economic vitality and public welfare through the arts for Nevadans. It has been key in helping artists and arts nonprofits maintain their pursuit of art with creativity, diversity and business acumen.
I had the pleasure of interviewing an old friend, Tony Manfredi, the NAC’s executive director. Nearly 25 years ago, we both worked for a major fashion-watch brand here in Reno. He was the marketing director, and I was the director of national corporate sales. I’m not a corporate guy, but a buddy recommended me to come in and turn around a flailing division of the company. It was a cool challenge. Tony and I became quick friends; we were both new to the company and charged with monumental tasks to expand it. I got a project from Pixar to build limited-edition watches for former chief creative officer John Lasseter and The Incredibles crew, and Tony helped with the creative design and details. We got a behind-the-scenes tour of Pixar while we were there to seal the contract. It was awesome.
Since 2017, Tony has been leading the NAC through many changes, not the least of which was the pandemic—which was disastrous to Nevada artists, organizations, students, galleries, kids and seniors. The agency implemented creative online teaching programs, relief grants and online engagement to metro and rural communities statewide.
The NAC oversees six programs—Artist Services, Arts Learning, Community Arts Development, Folklife, Grants and Public Initiatives. It provides grant funding and professional development opportunities to artists, educators, cultural organizations and schools. The organization is funded through several mechanisms, including the hotel room tax, the state’s general fund, federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and private funds. The Nevada Legislature has approved a $4.1 million budget for the NAC for 2026 and $3.9 million for 2027.
A staff of 13 operates on an 18% admin budget. That is a fantastic number for efficiency; many so-called nonprofits have 40
to 80% overhead admin costs. The remaining 82% of the budget is divided into grant funding (58%) and programs (24%).
The NEA has been a key partner for the NAC, providing about $937,000 annually, or 23% of the agency’s revenue. There is currently a push in Congress and by the president to defund the arts.
The largest share of the NAC budget, 35%, comes from state hotel-room tax revenues. The economic return on that public investment is significant. For example, during the 2023-2025 timeframe, NAC awarded $5 million in grant funds for projects that served more than 4.5 million people, with verified economic activity of more than $280 million. That, too, is incredible. I always say, in biz, for every dollar we accept, we should create 10 to 20 times that in ROI. The NAC blows that stat away. I may not agree with every piece of artistic output the NAC funds, but I agree that its impact is undeniable and necessary.
Tony has a background as an artist. He does not take his role as the chief steward of the state’s art initiatives lightly, and his dedication to making Nevada a better place through art is apparent and unwavering. He and his team are empowering artists and organizations, giving them a voice and helping them with business skills, while also encouraging non-artists to explore and experiment with their creativity.
Is there controversy in art? Sure, there is, and there always has been; one person’s perception of art and deep thought are perceived by others as garbage. According to Manfredi, all NAC grant applications go through incredible scrutiny. All new programs need to be explained and justified. The grant programs also need to pass through public review and an independent board whose members are selected by the governor.
Current board members have been appointed by Govs. Sandoval, Sisolak and Lombardo.
Non-compliant grantees must return misused funds and face a minimum two-year ineligibility period. There is no free ride, ever.
I bring this vetting process up, because there are folks who want to label various art initiatives as lewd or worse, but the state of Nevada and NAC actually have rules and regulations prohibiting the funding of projects of a prurient nature. So, delve into the programs, and educate yourself, whether you’re an artist, critic, collector or simply an interested taxpayer. Then ask the NAC team your questions, and give them your opinions, comments and critiques. But let’s all be civil, thoughtful and respectful while engaging.
So, what’s the big takeaway? There are many. This organization has helped thousands of artists
and organizations. The NAC sponsors festivals, concerts, exhibits and art in libraries, among other programs and events all over the state. They may be able to help you, too.
They’ve sponsored the statewide high school Poetry Out Loud competitions, the Folklife Community Grants and more. NAC “Rich in Art” license plates help fund K-12 grant programs. NAC has helped older adults gain confidence and hope through art via its workshops in senior-living facilities. They’ve helped kids pursue various artistic endeavors. The influence across the rural communities and in members of Nevada tribal nations is significant.
The partnerships with the National Endowment for the Arts are currently up in the air, but Manfredi is hopeful, yet also preparing for much less federal support. He has learned how to guide this important state agency through past crises, and that hopefully prepared him for whatever lies ahead.
We can all do our part and support the arts, in all of their various forms, and in whatever art subject you find your happiness. Whether it’s advocating for continued public funding for NAC or buying a painting from the coffee shop,
BY MATT WESTFIELD
we can all do our part to keep the business of art thriving in Nevada.
Tony Manfredi. Photo/David Robert
Angry words, peaceful people
An estimated 9,000 protesters swarm Reno’s ‘No Kings’ event
Tom Hill of Incline Village, who demonstrated against Richard Nixon and the Vietnam War as a teenager, found it hard to believe he was among 9,000 protesters at the Reno “No Kings” rally more than a half-century later.
“I didn’t think I’d ever have to (protest) again,” he said, but President Donald Trump’s actions over the last six months convinced him to go to the event, outside of Rep. Mark Amodei’s office on Kietzke Lane, on June 14. Hill, 73, a Navy veteran who spent 30 years in the Merchant Marine, said he is fed up with the lawlessness of the Trump administration.
“The oath I took was the same as Trump’s,” he said, “to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The president, Hill said, routinely violates that oath, and Americans need to call him out.
The 2,100 “No Kings” rallies on June 14 drew about 5 million protesters nationwide, and helped counter what Hill called “Trump’s banana republic military parade,” held the same day in Washington, D.C. That event celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Army, which coincided with Trump’s 79th birthday.
Sofia Hendrix, 14, holds an upside-down U.S. flag, an international symbol of distress.
Photo/Frank X. Mullen
to stand up, and show our allies—or former allies—that Americans will not go gently into authoritarianism.”
Signs of the times
In Reno, the hand-lettered signs that people held on both sides of about a half-mile of Kietzke Lane didn’t pull any punches: “Lock Up Trump, demented, depraved criminal.” “Lies Lies Lies: The Grifter in Chief.” “86/47—Felon, Rapist and Insurrectionist.” “Trump=Traitor.”
“ICE: At least the Gestapo showed their faces.” And—playing off one of Trump’s famous quotes—“IMPEACH him by the PUSSY.”
Many signs featured angry slogans, but the protesters who held them were enveloped in a festival-like atmosphere. The participants ranged in age from Baby Boomers to adolescents. Parents brought their children. Some protesters navigated the crowd in wheelchairs or while toting oxygen bottles. Music played, and people danced. Camaraderie abounded.
The majority of drivers who passed by the event honked their support, and many displayed their own protest signs. Police cars drove by occasionally, and protesters waved at the cops, who waved back. The crowd cheered and chanted slogans, including: “Hey, hey, ho, ho. Donald Trump has got to go!”
No counter demonstrators attended, but a few drivers gave the crowd middle-finger salutes.
“We don’t have to prove who the strongest country is,” Hill said.
Days after the event, organizer Kimberly Carden, a retired U.S. Army colonel and leader of Indivisible Northern Nevada, said about 15,000 people joined the “No Kings” protests in other parts of the Silver State, and about 3,500 joined rallies in communities around Lake Tahoe. Trump himself is the best salesman for boosting attendance, she said.
“The more atrocities Trump and his team committed in the week leading up to the No Kings rally, the more people he convinced to stop doomscrolling, get off their couches and get involved,” she said. “We expected four or five thousand, but never 9,000. … Trump and his henchmen helped us out a lot.”
The protests, she said, are important, because they “bring together those of us who can see how awful and dangerous this all is. They build community and establish coalitions,” Carden said. The events, she said, send a message saying, “We will not be bullied or intimidated!”
In addition, the events demonstrate in a very visible way that “millions of people oppose him,” Carden said. “(The protests) encourage others who typically do not get involved
Volunteers helped manage the parking and keep protesters out of traffic lanes. People handed out “No Kings” signs, small U.S. flags, bottles of water and free cookies. The rally was
| BY FRANK X. MULLEN
organized by Indivisible Northern Nevada and sponsored by the Nevada Labor Union, Third Act and Blue Band Alliance. The participants also celebrated Flag Day, with more than 500 U.S. flags waving—some flown upside-down, an international signal of distress.
Protesters held signs that were mostly directed against Trump, but some celebrated the Constitution, or were critical of billionaires. Many signs were aimed at U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE), whose agents have been issued a quota to arrest 3,000 undocumented immigrants a day. Trump’s campaign goal was to deport more than 15 million people—4 million more than the estimated number of 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
Targeting authoritarianism
Nearly all of the two dozen people interviewed by the RN&R said they were angry that Trump has deployed U.S. troops against protesters in Los Angeles—against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and local officials. The words “dictator” and “fascism” appeared on many of the signs.
For some, the gathering was a family affair. Robert Leon, who was born in Mexico but is now a U.S. citizen, was there with his wife, Luci, and her sister, Alena.
“I’m here to support us and our kids and everybody’s kids,” Leon said.
Molly Hobson, who helped organize the Reno Women’s March, held handmade signs with her daughters, ages 9 and 11. Hobson said Trump is criminalizing immigrants and illegally deploying troops in Los Angeles.
“I’m here for my children and other people’s children,” she said. “I think it’s important that we stand up and show we do not support the direction he’s taking in his presidency. I’d like
Robert and Luci Leon with Alena, Luci’s sister, on Robert’s shoulders. Photo/Frank X. Mullen
to see him impeached.”
Several demonstrators, including Sofia Hendrix, 14, who will be a freshman at Reno High School next school year, said they had never joined a protest before.
“I’m here to stand up for my rights and those of everyone who can’t come out today to protest,” Hendrix said as she waved an inverted flag.
Andy Penrose, 42, works in health care. “I never thought that I’d ever take part in a demonstration, but here I am,” Penrose said. “Why? Because everything that (Trump) is doing is right out of the dictators’ playbook. We need to come out on the streets now. If we wait, it won’t be legal anymore.”
Claudia Kingsbury, 25, also a first-timer, said she doesn’t support anything Trump is doing.
“He’s taking our rights away,” she said. “He
wants to be seen as a superior power. He deconstructs the Constitution, the First and Fourteenth Amendments, our rights to free speech and due process. ” She said the “tipping point” that got her out on the streets was “when ICE started pulling people from their homes.”
Mia Clay, 19, a student at the University of Nevada, Reno, said Trump’s mistreatment of immigrants was a major factor in getting her to join the protest, but, she added, “I’m not really for anything he has going on. Everything he does pisses me off.”
Jacob Finn, 24, agreed. “(Trump) doesn’t care about human rights. He only cares about himself.”
Trump threatens ‘blue’ cities
On June 15, the day after the “No Kings” rallies, Trump, via his social media account and
Out with the old bridges, in with the new
Work on
the Regional Transportation Commission and city of Reno’s $32 million Arlington Avenue Bridges Project is under way.
A portion of the Truckee River has been diverted to allow for the demolition of two century-old bridges, and the construction of two new ones, which will feature improved pedestrian and bike access and upgraded lighting. Wingfield Park, a section of Arlington Avenue and some nearby sidewalks are closed, and a section of the river is currently not accessible for tubing or other recreation. The closures are expected to be in place into the summer of 2026.
For more information, visit arlingtonbridges.com.
—Kris Vagner
Photo by David Robert
with his usual random capitalization, directed ICE to prioritize deportations from Democratic-run cities.
“We must expand efforts to detain and deport Illegal Aliens in America’s largest Cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens reside,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social-media platform. “These, and other such Cities, are the core of the Democrat Power Center, where they use Illegal Aliens to expand their Voter Base, cheat in Elections, and grow the Welfare State, robbing good-paying Jobs and Benefits from Hardworking American Citizens. These Radical Left Democrats are sick of mind, hate our Country, and actually want to destroy our Inner Cities.”
Carden, of Indivisible Northern Nevada, said that no matter where the administration stages
ICE raids, “they are destructive to communities, to businesses and, most importantly, to the families they attack.” She noted that the communities Trump is targeting also are some of the most economically successful cities in the country and contribute to the nation’s gross domestic product.
“Stripping those cities and communities of the hardworking people and families that keep them running and thriving will not just impact Chicago or Seattle or New York, but the whole country,” Carden said. “Not to mention the trauma inflicted on everyone. But the more he does, the more people turn away from him. We see it in the polls, and we saw it on June 14.”
Indivisible Northern will continue to hold rallies most Tuesdays at 10 a.m. in front of the Bruce R. Thompson Courthouse and Federal Building, at 400 S. Virginia St., Carden said.
OUTDOOR SAFE ET ENCLOSURES
Bill updates
A
The 83rd Session of the Nevada Legislature wrapped up in June. The RN&R covered a large handful of proposed legislation; here’s a look at how those bills fared.
Assembly Bill 416 would have prohibited school and public library boards, employees and volunteers from limiting access to library materials—meaning a member of the public would have to go to court to get a book removed (“A move to ban book bans,” May 2025). It would have also criminalized harassment, threats or coercion toward library employees regarding the removal of books, and made it illegal to disseminate the personal information of school and library employees.
While AB 416 was approved by both the Senate and Assembly, and it had the support of the powerful Nevada State Education Association, it was among Gov. Joe Lombardo’s record-breaking 87 vetoes. In his veto message, Lombardo said the bill was “fundamentally flawed.”
“Decisions about what library materials are appropriate for students should be made locally—by educators and families who understand the unique needs of their school communities—not by judges through a rigid, one-size-fits-all legal process,” Lombardo wrote.
Senate Bill 420 would have allowed communities to form business-improvement districts, in which businesses voluntarily assess themselves (generally passing on the cost to customers) and direct the funds toward community projects (“The trouble with Tahoe traffic,” June 2025). Some business leaders on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe were hoping to follow in the footsteps of their neighbors on the California side, where, since 2021, the North Lake Tahoe Tourism Business Improvement District has been bringing in about $6 million a year for things like workforce-housing programs, parking projects and transit services.
The bill did not make it to the Senate floor, dying in committee.
Senate Bill 36 and Assembly Bill 104 were both drafted in an effort to preserve groundwater—and after sailing through both houses with bipartisan support, both were
| BY JIMMY BOEGLE
signed by Lombardo (“Correcting over-allocation,” February 2025). They will expand and formalize a program allowing the state to purchase water rights from voluntary sellers— and then retire those rights.
However, there’s a catch: While the legislation creates the Nevada Voluntary Water Rights Retirement Program, and the Account for Retiring Water Rights, the state—which had to deal with a $191 million budget shortfall during the session—didn’t allocate any funding to put into that account. Josh Meny, Lombardo’s press secretary, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the program’s “success is contingent upon the availability of future legislative funding and grants.”
Senate Bill 254 would have, among other things, required schools to notify a parent/ guardian if a student exhibits signs of drug use (“Mandatory reporting,” February 2025). The legislation—which was developed by this session’s Nevada Youth Legislature—was heavily watered down with amendments before eventually dying in committee.
Assembly Bill 219 would have redirected 1% of the state’s live entertainment tax from the general fund to the Nevada Arts Council— at a time when federal arts funding has been severely slashed (Editor’s Newsletter, March 13, 2025). The legislation never made it to the Assembly floor, dying in committee.
Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed 87 bills—breaking his record from two years ago.
In limbo
Weeks after the initial shutdown notice, Job Corps’ fate remains unknown; local groups are offering help
As of June 3, when Sierra Nevada Job Corps staff scrambled to mount a graduation ceremony for 70-plus graduates—a week early due to a shutdown order from the Department of Labor—the program’s fate was in limbo.
As of press time, three weeks later, things are still in limbo.
The shutdown has been pushed back three times. The Department of Labor has restricted those involved from speaking with the press, and a few local organizations have been working to offer partial solutions.
Here’s a partial timeline of what we know, and an update on who’s helping.
May 29—The Department of Labor orders Job Corps—the free, federally funded, residential education and job training program for low-income students ages 16 to 24—to close within days. Amid a wave of bipartisan pushback, Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen urges the Trump administration to halt the shutdown, saying, “A stop work or-
der would have immediate and severe impacts in Nevada, cutting off our youth population from critical job training needed to build the skills necessary to secure and maintain good-paying jobs.”
June 3—The National Job Corps Association files a motion for a temporary restraining order to delay the shutdown.
June 4—The restraining order is granted, temporarily freezing the shutdown. A hearing is scheduled for June 14. It is later pushed to June 17.
June 5—More than 200 members of Congress sign a letter urging Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to keep Job Corps open. Nevada’s four representatives are among them.
June 17—A federal judge extends the shutdown freeze through June 25.
We sent this issue of the RN&R to the printer on June 24. As of press time, with the future of Job Corps uncertain, we spoke with two local groups that were preparing to place Job Corps students, and one group that already had.
Truckee Meadows Habitat for Humanity
currently has two Job Corps students on staff at ReStore, its construction-supply and thrift shop in Sparks. One is a cashier; the other helps receive donations. Executive director Bridgette Boswell said that a few Job Corps students typically work with the organization as volunteers on home builds for three-month assignments. The two students who are now on
| BY KRIS VAGNER
Around 70 Sierra Nevada Job Corps students graduated on June 3. Staff members had quickly rescheduled the ceremony to occur a week early, following a series of notices announcing different shutdown dates for the program. Photo/Kris Vagner
staff are paid.
“Due to the recent news regarding the program, we have offered them the opportunity to remain on staff for as long as they like,” Boswell said.
When asked if the group plans to hire additional Job Corps students if the program shuts down, Boswell said, “I wish we could; they have been excellent.” However, the budget does not allow for additional employees.
Jillian Keller, the chief operating officer of Eddy House, attended SNJC’s June 3 graduation ceremony to let students know about her organization, which is Reno’s shelter for unhoused young people. She and her staff began preparing extra beds and gathering extra supplies that week. She said in a June 20 email that, as of then, no Job Corps students had entered the shelter.
The RISE Academy for Adult Achievement, run by the Washoe County School District, is preparing to enroll a few dozen Job Corps students if necessary.
“We are prepared to enroll somewhere around 35 students, but we are able and willing to accept any of the students they have,” said assistant principal Dawn Adams. (She added that enrollees must be 18 or older.)
A larger influx would likely necessitate hiring a couple of additional part-time teachers, but Adams said this is doable. RISE offers a high school equivalency diploma but does not offer vocational training or housing.
“Our counselors work with any and all community resources,” Adams said. “But from my understanding, there are just not a lot out there. … That was our biggest concern. We can help on the educational end, but if someone doesn’t have a home, it doesn’t really matter what kind of educational program we have to offer.”
Verdant Verdi
Some of the best (sometimes) shaded summer hikes in and near Reno
I stopped to catch my breath, looking behind me to justify my effort. The trail yields little sympathy as it rolls (although the descent feels sharp) down a grassy hill, but the view behind it gave me a greater reason to pause.
From this spot, about a mile into the California Trail’s Truckee Route near Verdi, I could see the beginnings of the Truckee Meadows framed by the northern flank of the Carson Range, Crystal Peak and the hills of Peavine Mountain. Utter quiet surrounded me, in a meadow of green skirted with Jeffrey pines and mule ears. I smiled, rolling my eyes at the woman I had been an hour before, trapped in a lie that it was too hot, with a sun too relentless to explore near home.
This is a common lie I tell myself, one that feels more and more true each time I sit on the black leather seats of my Subaru while running errands in the summer. We live in the high desert, right? It’s a place that would be nearly inhospitable from July to September without a working air conditioner (or at least a good swamp cooler) and endless streams of cold water in our kitchens. But unlike other places—like Fresno, Calif., the hometown I’ve happily abandoned—this slice of Northern Nevada provides us with a varied environment with
a surprising amount of water (most years) that is easy to access, plus a generous nightly wind to cool us off.
I’m not recommending summiting Rattlesnake Mountain at 2:30 p.m. in the middle of July, unless you’re more lizard than primate. However, I am advocating for local, summertime trail adventures.
One incredible stop in town that promises shade is the Oxbow Nature Study Area. The mile-ish loop around this restored river habitat site is under a canopy of mature cottonwood trees. Only in small sections must you leave the shade, and you’ll find incredible views of the Truckee River, plus opportunities to dip your feet in the water. To visit, find the park at 3100 Dickerson Road, Reno, where the road dead ends.
Another great stroll is the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. This extensive arboretum is tranquil, cool and a place where it’s easy to lose yourself. Be sure to bring a map to orient yourself among the various gardens and groves. I highly recommend making it here just before golden hour, about two hours before the sun sets, to enjoy views toward Mount Rose at the Irwin Overlook. Neither the arboretum nor the nature study area allows dogs; if you want to bring yours along, head to the park’s Nature
Trail instead. This mile-ish walk stays mostly shaded under black willows and is accompanied by the trickling of Evans Creek.
For me, the California Trail is set to become a season staple. The trail is exposed in parts, but it is at a slightly higher elevation (5,130 feet vs Reno’s 4,500-4,600), and the visual of trees makes the environment feel cooler. I went out on a Sunday at 5 p.m. when it was 80 degrees, and I felt comfortable throughout the hike, even while enduring the steeper sections. The things I love most about it are the mountainous landscape, the slightly different perspective on the area, and how quiet it is. I saw no one on the trail during the entire two hours I was out there. Though Dog Valley Road—popular with motorists—cannot be seen from the trail, engine noise may occasionally drift in its direction.
The trail climbs immediately from the trailhead, ascending a bit more than 1,000 feet over its 2.6 miles, and offers some great shade around the 1/10 mile mark. This shade can be misleading, as it leaves and doesn’t return until another 1.4 miles or so. Through the shade and out the other side, sage mixes with Jeffery pine and the occasional bright-colored mule ears. About half a mile in, the trail crosses a dry wash, and another trail splits off to the left. Continue straight (north) to stay on the trail. Very shortly after this crossing, U.S. Forest Service
| BY HELENA GUGLIELMINO
Depending on the month, you may spot some mule ears sunflowers on the California Trail.
Photo/Helena Guglielmino
signs appear every tenth of a mile or so. These tall, skinny signs announce that you are now walking the California Trail, Truckee Route. The next 0.3 miles is a push (this is where I had to turn around to validate my heart rate), but it opens up into a beautiful meadow with gorgeous views. At this point, the forest starts edging closer and closer, soon to provide more shade. At 1.5 miles, under the grace of healthy pines, another trail makes a sharp switchback onto this one. Continue straight. At 1.8 miles, a trail splits off to the right; this leads to Dog Valley Road. Though you could take this shortcut, continue straight for 0.3 miles to stay on the single track trail until it crosses Dog Valley Road. Cross; you can locate the pedestrian trail on the opposite side of the road.
This continues the final half-mile to a parking/staging area marked with a large trail map. While the ending is not totally satisfying (no grand vista), there are many options to continue the adventure before turning around and heading the 2.6 miles back to the trailhead. One option is following Dog Valley Road southwest for a 5.2-mile (one way) walk to Stampede Reservoir. More off-highway vehicle roads splinter from the staging area, each promising its own adventure. Follow Sunrise Creek Road south from the staging area for 5.7 miles (one way) to summit Verdi Peak, or head north along Long Valley Road to Dog Valley Campground (2.4 miles) and Crystal Peak (5.1 miles). Note that these are all shared adventures with motorized vehicles. To get to the California Trail’s Truckee Route trailhead from Reno, take Interstate 80 west to Exit 5, toward East Verdi. Continue straight, then take the second exit at the next two roundabouts. Turn right onto Bridge Street at 1.3 miles, then right onto Dog Valley Road at 1.9 miles. Continue for .6 miles (across the California border) and park in a small, dirt lot on the right at the intersection of Sunrise Creek Road. The parking lot is decorated with a large Forest Service sign. Locate the trail by looking across the street at the right-hand side of Sunrise Creek Road (39.524309, -120.012928). The closest AllTrails map is that of the Dog Valley motorized route. Note that the California Trail is the small, blue-dotted trail to the southwest of the highlighted trail.
Whichever adventure you choose in the coming months—even escapes to Tahoe or Truckee—don’t leave the house without one liter of water for every expected hour of work, roughly three miles or so; more water is even better. Wear sun-protective clothing with UPF ratings of at least 30, hats and sunscreen. Bring more snacks than you expect to eat, especially salty and sweet foods and electrolytes.
Planets and Bright Stars in Evening Mid-Twilight
For July, 2025
This sky chart is drawn for latitude 40 degrees north, but may be used in continental U.S. and southern Canada.
July’s evening sky chart.
Illustration/Robert D. Miller
formed by the Hyades cluster and Aldebaran from July 9-13. On July 12, Venus appears very close to the third-magnitude star Epsilon at the end of the northern arm of the “V.” The next morning, Venus passes 3.2° to the north of Aldebaran, end of the V’s southern arm.
Also before morning twilight begins, find first-magnitude Saturn well up in the southeast to south. A telescope reveals its rings, tipped only 3.6° from edge-on in the first half of July. In the same telescopic field as Saturn this month, just 1° away, is the eighth-magnitude planet Neptune. Finding Neptune so close to Saturn as it is this month and next February is a very rare occurrence. The next chance to see Saturn and Neptune closely paired will be three times, in a triple conjunction, in the year 2132.
Follow the waning moon in the morning sky for two weeks, July 10-23. On July 16, the gibbous moon engages closely with Saturn and faint Neptune. In the early morning hours of July 20, the waning crescent moon (23%) engages even more intimately with the Pleiades cluster, covering and uncovering some of its stars. Stars disappear on the bright sunlit edge of the moon, and are more difficult to observe. Here are times when stars reappear at the dimly illuminated earth-lit edge of the moon as seen from Reno: 2:18 a.m.; 2:49 a.m.; 3:19 a.m. (the brightest member of the Pleiades); 3:42 a.m.; and 3:52 a.m.
July skies
Saturn and Neptune are very close from our point of view, and will be again next February—but that’s the last time until 2132
The two brightest stars at dusk in July shine at zero-magnitude: Yellow-orange Arcturus is high in the southwest, with blue-white Vega high in east-northeast.
Next in brilliance in this month’s early evening sky is Mercury, at magnitude +0.4 on July 1, but it’s only a few degrees up in the west-northwest in the glow of twilight, sinking lower nightly, and fading. Use binoculars, and look in first 10 days. Other bright stars are Altair and Deneb, completing the Summer Triangle with Vega; Antares, red supergiant heart of the Scorpion, in the south-southeast; Spica, the spike of grain in Virgo’s hand, below Arcturus; and Regulus, heart of Leo, in the west. Mars has faded to magnitude +1.6, but you can still spot it with the unaided eye 8° to the upper left of Regulus on July 1, and then moving 0.6° per day eastward daily.
In the evening sky, look for Spica near the moon on July 2 and 3, and Antares near the moon on July 6 and 7. The moon will be full on July 10. The waxing crescent moon returns to the western sky on July 25, and appears near Mars on the 28th, and Spica on the 30th.
July’s predawn sky offers some rare events, providing another reason to get outdoors to enjoy the relatively cool mornings. Venus, at magnitude -4, is the brilliant morning “star” in the east. It moves 1.1° per day against background stars. Watch Venus pass within 7° to the south of the Pleiades star cluster from July 3-6. In predawn darkness on July 4, the sixth-magnitude planet Uranus is visible in binoculars 2.4° to the upper left of Venus, and about 4° to the lower right of the Pleiades. Uranus advances very slowly, only about 4° per year.
Venus progresses through Taurus, closely engaging stars of the V-shaped head of the Bull
In morning twilight on July 21, find Venus 7° to the lower right of the 14% crescent moon. Note Jupiter 19° to the lower left of Venus. On July 22, Jupiter will appear 10° below the 7% crescent. Finally, on July 23, find the last 2% old moon, 6° to the lower left of Jupiter. On following mornings, with the moon no longer in view, watch the gap between Venus and Jupiter close, to 15° on July 27, and 11° on July 31.
July is excellent for Milky Way viewing, since a major portion of it is up all night. For 2025, the best dates in July at nightfall are July 14-26 (extended a few more nights if you wait until after moonset). Around 1 a.m., the best dates are July 1, 2, and July 21-Aug. 2. Before dawn’s first light: July 1-7, and July 27-Aug. 6. Here are a few events to watch in July.
July 8: Find the moon 13° farther east than last night. From Reno, Antares passes south at 10:21 p.m. tonight, preceding by 1 hour, 23 minutes this month’s southernmost moon, highest at 11:44 p.m., 21° up, nearly 3° lower than Antares’ crossing
July 9, at dusk: Take a tour of the brightest stars, including the Summer Triangle of Vega, Altair and Deneb in the east; Antares in the south; and Arcturus and Spica in the southwest. In the west, find two fainter objects—Regulus and Mars 13° to its upper left. Tonight from Reno, the nearly full moon rises about 16 minutes before sunset. By an hour after sunset, the moon will climb 9°
| BY ROBERT VICTOR
up in the southeast. The moon appears among the stars of Sagittarius tonight, but the lunar glare will make its stars hard to see. Antares passes due south, 24° up, at 10:17 p.m. tonight, as seen from Reno, and four minutes earlier each night thereafter. The moon will reach its highest position in the south at 12:39 a.m. tonight, while 22° up July 10 before dawn: Saturn’s rings are now 3.6° from edge-on; Neptune is 1° away, in the same low-power telescope field. Uranus is visible through binoculars 4° from Pleiades. Brilliant Venus, Aldebaran and Hyades are all in one binocular field for next few mornings! The Summer Triangle is high in the west, with Capella in the northeast, and Fomalhaut low in the south.
July 11: A lineup of zodiac markers awaits this evening, from west to east: Regulus setting, with Mars 14° to its upper left, both in Leo; Spica in Virgo; third-magnitude Zubenelgenubi, former “southern claw” of an early version of the Scorpion, in Libra; Antares, south at 9:56 p.m., in Scorpius; another third-magnitude star, Kaus Borealis, northern star of Archer’s bow, and top star of the Teapot, in Sagittarius; and a rising moon in Capricornus on July 11 and 12.
July 12, 1 1/2 hours before sunrise: Saturn’s rings are 3.6° from edge-on, visible through a telescope, with faint Neptune within 1°. Pleiades is with Uranus within 3.3° south of that cluster’s brightest star, visible through binoculars. Brilliant Venus, 3.5° from Aldebaran, is with Hyades, all in one binocular field! The Summer Triangle is high in the west, with Capella in the northeast, and Fomalhaut low in the south.
July 12 in the evening: With the moon rising around the end of evening twilight, this week’s darkest evening is still brightly moonlit, so the Milky Way will appear only as isolated patches, with best ones inside the Summer Triangle and above the Teapot’s spout. The brightest star inside the huge quadrilateral of Arcturus-Vega-Altair-Antares is second-magnitude Rasalhague July 13, 1 1/2 hours before sunrise: Arise early this morning to see Venus pass closest to Aldebaran, just 3.2° to the star’s north (upper left). About half an hour later, watch for Jupiter emerging in the east-northeast, 28° to the lower left of Venus. Note, in order from right to left, four solar system bodies visible to the unaided eye: the moon, Saturn, Venus and Jupiter. Use an optical aid before dawn brightens to add Uranus, 4° south of Pleiades, and Neptune, 1° north-northeast of Saturn. Last ten days of July: Watch for Orion’s two bright stars low in the eastern sky as dawn begins to brighten: reddish Betelgeuse on the left, and bluish Rigel on the right, with a vertical line of three second-magnitude stars midway between. The night of July 29-30: It’s the peak of the South Delta Aquariid meteor shower.
Robert Victor originated the Abrams Planetarium monthly Sky Calendar in October 1968 and still helps produce an occasional issue.
Stereographic Projection Map by Robert D. Miller
Deneb
The RN&R’s recommendations for Reno’s biggest month of cultural goings-on
Artown—Reno’s annual festival of art, music and all things creative, now in its 30th year— runs throughout July.
To help you navigate your way through more than 600 events on the roster, here’s some advice from our very own local culture experts.
For full festival details, pick up Artown’s “Little Book”—available in Spanish and English at Raley’s stores, Nevada State Bank branches, Port of Subs locations and Washoe County libraries— or find the schedule online at artown.org.
Acc ESS TO THE EXPERTS
Visual art events where you can pick up some skills
By
Kris Vagner, who’s kept an ear to the ground of the local art scene since before the smartphone
In some ways, Artown is a festival in the traditional sense of the word—music on the lawn with a picnic blanket, big acts like Pink Martini in town for a night, that kind of thing. In other ways, it’s a marketing umbrella for a lot of July events that were happening anyway.
Don’t fret about the definitional purity of it all. Just consider July a great time to expand your horizons and try something new.
One thing Artown does really well is build bridges to our local creators. When you peruse the “Little Book” or Artown’s website, don't stop once you’ve scanned the headliners. Keep reading, and you’ll find opportunities to pick up art techniques from the experts.
One of these experts is Dana Garrett. He served in the Navy and Air Force for almost 40 years, where he trained people in meteorology, oceanography, leadership, communication and other skills. He’s also spent a couple of
decades teaching photography to sailors and civilians alike. Now retired in the Virginia Foothills, Garrett lectures and runs workshops on photography basics—analog and digital— and also teaches more advanced skills like portfolio-building and critiquing.
This is the photography instructor you want, folks! And if you’d like a free, easy, low-commitment way to access his expertise, he’ll be hosting the Hidden Nevada Photo Gallery, a pop-up event that takes place every Saturday in July, where he’ll teach one-hour workshops on specific techniques like lighting, composition and digitizing your artwork.
Hidden Nevada Photo Gallery will take place on July 5, 12, 19 and 26 at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane, in Reno. Dana Garrett’s landscape photographs will be on view from 1-6 p.m., and his one-hour workshops will start at 2 and 4 p.m. Admission is free. Visit artown.org.
Copper Cat Studio in Sparks offers one-session workshops in craft techniques like mosaics, stained glass and felting year-round. During Artown, owner Katie Packham speeds things up a bit by adding more workshops, including a few that are special for Artown—like the like the 5.5-hour July 19 class on how to make your own stained-glass kaleidoscope.
Packham said that during Artown, the studio sees a lot more visitors from out of town. She’s had workshop attendees who picked up the
“Slide Mountain” is a photograph by Dana Garrett, a longtime instructor who’s offering eight free, drop-in, one-hour photo technique workshops
LEFT: The free, family-friendly Circus Bella will be at Reno Public Market on Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13. Abigail Munn is ringmaster. Photo/Kirk Marsh
Artown book while they were in the region for a few days, noticed Copper Cat’s workshops, made their way to Sparks for an afternoon, and left with something special, like their own handmade soaps or mosaic garden stone.
Artown artisan workshops run throughout July at Copper Cat Studio, 300 Kresge Lane, in Sparks. Class fees vary. Packham recommends reading the class descriptions carefully for safety requirements (for example, no opentoes shoes for classes that use some hazardous materials) and advises that the classes are for adults and older teens only. Prices vary. Visit www.coppercatstudio.com/workshops.
NOSTALGI c NIGHTS
Musical acts that’ll take you back in time
By
Lauren Juillerat, music journalist, founder and editor of the Biggest Little Bands digital music magazine, and a host on KWNK 97.7 FM, Reno community radio
I spend a lot of time immersed in the Reno music scene, and these four events stood out for their settings and sounds—be they retro vibes, rootsy Americana, or a dose of pure nostalgia.
The Retro Radio Dolls are a blast from the past, channeling the golden era of the 1940s-’60s with stunning vocals, swing-style harmonies and polished choreography. This is more than just a cover act—it’s a full-on performance that gets everyone from kids to grandparents clapping along. This trio’s style is fashionable, and their witty humor will have
cAMP, cABARET & cARNIVALS
Thrilling theatricals
By Jessica Santina,
the RN&R’s theater scribe since the last time wide-leg jeans were in style
Sometimes it feels like selecting the shows I plan to cover during Artown is like picking a favorite child. While I’m excited for all this month has in store, what I’m most eager for is the showmanship—the performing-arts companies going for thrills and theatricality. This month, a handful of troupes are attempting daring feats and creating visual spectacles— with some throwing in a dose of camp to boot. I’m here for all of it.
you laughing all night long. The Retro Radio Dolls will play at 7 p.m., Saturday, July 5, at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane, in Reno. Admission is free. Visit artown.org.
Step into a synth soundscape with New Wave Crave, Reno’s ultimate 1980s tribute band. Hear hits from Madonna, Blondie, The Cure and more performed with just the right amount of hair spray and neon. New Wave Crave provides the setting for danceable, theatrical and wildly fun nights! Plus, they’ll perform at one of the prettiest summer venues in town. I had to include this band on this list, because I have heard nothing but rave reviews about them since they played the Prince Tribute Show at Club Underground back in April. Venue manager Brandon Deriso swears by New Wave Crave’s infectious energy. New Wave Crave will play on Sunday, July 6, at Village Green Park, 4549
Village Green Parkway, in Reno. Admission is free. Visit artown.org.
The legendary folk group The Kingston Trio brings their timeless harmonies to Reno for an unforgettable evening under the stars. Known for hits like “Tom Dooley” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” the group helped define a generation of storytelling through song. With Bartley Ranch’s stunning backdrop, this show is set to be very memorable. I find it incredibly inspiring, and honestly a little mind-blowing, that this band has been around since 1957!
The Kingston Trio will play at 7:30 p.m., Monday, July 7, at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road, in Reno. Admission is free. Visit artown.org.
Last but not least, I recommend Kimmi Bitter and the Westside Twang. This band’s 1960s and ’70s-inspired style initially caught my eye, and after listening to “My Grass Is Blue,” I completely fell in love with their sound. In the song, Kimmi Bitter sings about a man whose “talk was sweeter than a mandolin,” but truthfully, her own rich voice and heartfelt storytelling are the sweetest parts. With her signature blend of vintage country, surf rock and soulful Americana, Kimmi Bitter is a rising star with serious stage presence. Her band, the Westside Twang, delivers dusty desert rhythms and swoon-worthy melodies that feel old yet new.
Kimmi Bitter and the Westside Twang will play at 6 p.m., Sunday, July 13, at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane, in Reno. Admission is free. Visit artown.org.
Let’s start with Brüka Theatre’s Ride the Cyclone. This dark-comedy musical sends a group of teens in a Canadian chamber choir to an old amusement park, where they die in a tragic rollercoaster accident. This is no spoiler; it happens within the first few minutes of the play. Longtime set designer extraordinaire Lew Zaumeyer has created an imaginative set that evokes vintage theme park vibes, complete with a Zoltar fortune-teller booth, from which the genie himself (played by Brian Hanson) will determine which performer makes it out of the carnival-like purgatory to get another shot at life.
Ride the Cyclone is onstage at Brüka Theatre, 99 Virgina St., in Reno, with performances through Saturday, July 19. Tickets are $35 in advance, with discounts. Visit bruka.org. continued on next page
The new Velvet Moon cabaret show features old-Hollywood-style dance, acrobatics and vocalists at The Alpine at Lake Tahoe AleWorX each Wednesday evening in July.
Photo/David Robert
Natalie Jones and Alex Grow from the Retro Radio Dolls will sing harmonies and hits from the Golden Era of radio on Saturday, July 5. Photo/David Robert
Katie Packham, director of Copper Cat Studio, can teach you how to make a mosaic garden stone in just one session.
Photo/Kris Vagner
I can’t express how excited I am to see Reno Little Theater’s Xanadu. RLT technical director Chad Sweet fought hard to bring Reno this stage adaptation of the 1980 cult-classic film, about a Greek muse who comes down from the heavens to help create a roller disco in Los Angeles. I’m told the company has formed a partnership with Roller Kingdom, enabling the cast to rehearse on skates every week; it doesn’t hurt that RLT’s executive director, Melissa Taylor, is a former champion skater. Sweet’s set-building talents will be on full display to showcase the skating magic, and with choreography from Keely Cobb—the Los Angeles-based dancer who founded Reno’s Around the Stage dance company—and dance/ fitness instructor Eric Ventura, you have to believe it is magic. (See what I did there?)
Xanadu is onstage at Reno Little Theater, 147 E. Pueblo St. in Reno, July 11-Aug. 10. Tickets are $30, with discounts. Visit www. renolittletheater.org/xanadu.
On July 12 and 13, make a beeline to Reno Public Market for Circus Bella’s new one-ring circus show, Hoopla! As company co-founder and ringmaster Abigail Munn explains, this free show will feature thrills, chills and skills such as hoop diving, hula hoop and Chinese bicycle, in which performer Ori Quesada will flip bowls onto his head while riding a bike. Other acts include aerialists, acrobats, jugglers and clowns that, Munn assures me, are funny. A six-piece live band provides accompaniment throughout the show. Did I mention it’s free?
Circus Bella will perform Hoopla! at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane, in Reno, at 3 and 5 p.m., Saturday, July 12; and 11 a.m., Sunday, July 13. Visit artown.org.
Paulina Productions founder Marla Richardson (aka Marla Paulina) has spent her 20-year career dancing in some of our area’s most memorable productions. She’s been in casino shows, with the Reno Bighorns dance team, and with private dance companies. She’s drawn on her impressive background and connections for her new cabaret show, Velvet Moon, running Wednesdays throughout July (with a likely extension into August). Her goal was to assemble the area’s finest casino cabaret performers—including Dana Hatjakes from Eldorado’s Magique a decade ago—as well as other beloved longtime dancers, such as Sami Busey and Heather Houston, and new prodigal talent. She then brought them together for this all-ages, old-Hollywood-style show featuring dazzling dance numbers, vocalists (Paulina herself and Jetta Cole) and acrobats.
Velvet Moon will be performed at 7 p.m., July 2, 16, 23 and 30, at The Alpine at Lake Tahoe AleWorX, 324 E. Fourth St., in Reno. Tickets are $40. For tickets, visit Eventbrite.
STRANGER THAN FIcTION
History happenings (in fun, entertaining ways)!
By
Frank Mullen, RN&R editor at large and a Chautauqua performer who has taken the stage as the likes of Henry VIII, Babe Ruth and other historical figures
George and Elia Whittell didn’t plan to shield most of the Nevada shoreline of Lake Tahoe from a century of development, but that’s what happened.
The pair was one of the wealthiest couples on the West Coast during the 1920s through 1950s. They kept an African lion and an elephant as pets, owned more than 25 miles of Lake Tahoe waterfront, built one of the most beautiful estates on Tahoe’s shore, hosted high
stakes poker games with the rich and famous— and unintentionally conserved a large portion of Lake Tahoe lands for the public to enjoy today. They weren’t conservationists; they just didn’t want any neighbors.
You can meet the reclusive couple “in person.” Local authors and historians David and Gayle Woodruff will portray George and Elia in a Chautauqua performance, “Lake Tahoe’s Accidental Conservationists,” one of Artown’s many tours, lectures and living-history performances aimed at capturing the perspectives, cultural values and experiences of Nevada’s storied past. Presentations are scheduled throughout July, but don’t delay signing up. Some tours were already at capacity by mid-June.
David and Gayle Woodruff will appear as George and Elia Whittell at the Sierra View Library, 4001 S. Virginia St., in the Reno Town Mall, at 1 p.m., Saturday, July 5. Admission is free. Visit events.washoecountylibrary.us/ calendar.
In 1946, a small group of Reno women began soliciting donations of Victorian items from local residents who wished to restore the Bowers Mansion to its original 1864 glory. The collection includes furnishings, paintings, sculptures, quilts and other art pieces dating back to 1860 that make the home seem frozen in time. Docents will give hourly “Art of Bowers Mansion” tours on three Sundays in July. Tours are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 13, 20 and 27, at the Bowers Mansion, 4005 Bowers Mansion Road, in New Washoe City. The cost is $8 for adults, or $6 for seniors and children. To register, call 775-849-1825. Visit artown.org for details.
Many of Reno’s prominent families built generous homes on the bluff overlooking the Truckee River with panoramic views of Peavine Peak and the Sierra. The Historic Reno Preservation Society is offering “Mansions on the Bluff—Court Street,” a slightly shorter, mobility-friendly version of its Court Street walking tour, and a “Truckee River All the Time” walking tour, which will focus on Reno’s floods, its riverside architecture. and the history of the river.
“Mansions on the Bluff—Court Street” will take place at 9 a.m., Sunday, July 13. Visit www.historicreno.org and click on “Walking Tours.” “Mansions on the Bluff— Court Street” will take leave from McCarran Mansion, 401 Court St., at 9 a.m., Sunday, July 13. To register, visit hrps.wildapricot.org/ event-6224108. Each tour is $20.
“Death Valley Scotty, Fact, Fiction and Fable” is a Chautauqua performance of Walter Scott, the “greatest con man of West,” whose tales of fabulous gold mines, dangerous desperados and opulent desert castles placed him and Death Valley on the front pages of newspapers for a half-century.
“Death Valley Scotty, Fact, Fiction and Fable” will take place at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 12, at Riverside Artist Lofts, 17 S. Virginia St., in Reno. Admission is free. Visit artown.org.
The Nevada Historical Society’s building is closed for remodeling, but eight Saturday history lectures are scheduled at Nevada Sunset Winery as part of the Nevada Historical Society’s Artown—On the GO! lecture series. Topics include “Nevada’s First Mine, The Mormon’s Potosi Lead Mine” on July 12, and “Miss Wakayama, Nevada’s Friendship Doll: Impostor or Victim?” on July 5.
The Nevada Historical Society’s Artown— On the GO! lecture series will take place at the Nevada Sunset Winery, 415 E. Fourth St., in Reno, every Saturday in July. Admission is free. Free. Visit www.nvhistoricalsociety.org/ nhs-artown-2025-on-the-go.
Gayle and David Woodruff will appear as wealthy Lake Tahoe landowners George and Elia Whittell on Saturday, July 5, at the Sierra View Library.
To The danger zone ARTS
GLM’s parody ‘Bottom Gun’ drags the iconic ’80s film out of the closet
Top Gun was the ultimate action movie, a classic buddy film, and an ’80s summer blockbuster rife with machismo—with quotable (occasionally cheesy) lines and plenty of eye candy (all those shirtless men!).
But I hate to break it to our more innocent readers: It’s also widely considered a gay classic. Now, those not-so-subtle homoerotic undertones are overt and used to maximum effect in a new original parody, Bottom Gun, from the comedy writers at Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company.
The team of eight writers are Ashley Atack, who heads up parodies for the company; GLM producing artistic director Chris Daniels; and Ryan Costello, Ian Sorensen, Stacy Johnson, Michael Wilder Frazel, Mojo Montelongo and Rhiannon Box. With a long track record of film
parodies, the GLM team knew Top Gun would be its next victim several years ago.
“There may be so many people who love Top Gun and have different feelings about it, but it’s a very gay movie!” said Daniels with a laugh. “Objectively speaking, if you look at the dialogue, if you look at a lot of the scenes, it is very homoerotic. We were watching it and going, OK, who watched this and was like, ‘No, this is a totally straight movie?’”
Many people agree about its not-so-secret subtext; fan sites proclaiming it obviously gay abound. It made determining the parody script’s direction easy.
“It was appropriate with Top Gun: Maverick (being released), and also with the current state of affairs, things that are happening,” Daniels said, referring to the nation’s leaders’ pervasive
anti-queer sentiment. “We were really wanting to, you know, take something and really queerify it.”
With an eye toward including queer writers, Atack assembled her team. Thus began an approximately five-month writing process. First, the writers made note of “landmark moments” that fans of the film would want to see. They then divvied up the story into sections, with small subsets of writers tackling each. A series of readthroughs helped them stitch it all together cohesively.
“In a writing room, there has to be trust,” Daniels said. “You could look at someone else’s joke and go, ‘You know, I don’t necessarily think that’s funny, but somebody’s going to think it’s funny. And so how do we appeal to different senses of humor?’” Those individual
| BY JESSICA SANTINA
Tom Cruz (that’s local actor Tom Cruz, not Hollywood actor Tom Cruise) as Wolf Man, Angelo “Lily” Perez as Slider, John Byerly as Maverick, Josh Troyer as Goose, and Morgan Nott as Hollywood in Bottom Gun, GLM’s sendup of Top Gun
styles wound up complementing each other and making the humor more inclusive.
Daniels said the writing team intentionally left space for actors to make things funnier, to bring their own energy to the show. He recommends viewing the film before attending Bottom Gun, so you don’t miss the clever Easter eggs buried throughout—though there’s plenty for the uninitiated to enjoy, too.
Director Jayton Newbury—in his last Reno gig before moving to Seattle—said the final product is as silly as you’d hope, with all the various writing styles shining through.
“They put a lot of time and heart into it, and I think a lot of them are very excited about this parody,” Newbury said. “I mean, I’m a little biased, but I think it’s one of the best-written parodies we’ve had.”
Newbury said Bottom Gun plays heavily on the “obvious, at least to me, sexual chemistry” between Maverick and Iceman. An intimacy director, Thomas Rao, worked with the actors to ensure everyone’s comfort in the more charged moments. GLM’s new executive director, Sara Eastman, is an experienced choreographer who put her talents to new use in this show’s “volleyball dance break.” Newbury also added his talents as fight choreographer. According to stage manager Evelyn Mejia Ronquillo, projections are used on the minimal set, a nod to the Southern California/fighter jet ambience. Leads John Byerly, the first-time actor playing Maverick, and Ben Clarkson, our Iceman, have enjoyed hamming up their characters—pretending they’re pilots (“Think of how a 5-year-old would do it,” jokes Byerly) and delivering their ridiculous lines in deadpan fashion. Both actors’ backgrounds include improv experience, which they’ve brought to their roles.
While no one would argue the show is politically motivated—it’s a comedy, after all—Mejia Ronquillo said the timing certainly adds to her anticipation of the show.
“There’s queerness on stage; there’s queerness in the production team … so I am personally really excited to bring a queer show, especially at this time, at the tail end of Pride Month, to life,” she said.
Bottom Gun is onstage through July 26 at Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Co., at 124 Taylor St., in Reno. Tickets are $28, with military and student discounts, or $38 for VIP seating. For tickets or more information, visit goodluckmacbeth.org.
ART OF THE STATE
Ski town state of mind
Ridgeline Gallery is now open in Truckee, specializing in mountain landscapes
A new gallery opened in downtown Truckee on June 18. The owners—Piper Johnson, of Piper J Gallery, and Douglas DeVore, former co-owner of Alpenglow Gallery—thought about naming it Pecan Pine. But after someone pointed out that it sounded like “pecan pie,” they decided on Ridgeline Gallery.
The gallery showcases Truckee/Lake Tahoe landscape photography by DeVore, and paintings by regional and national artists whose work resonates with collectors, interior designers and homeowners seeking refined, statement-making pieces.
Johnson and DeVore met four years ago in the Truckee gallery community. When DeVore and his partner closed Alpenglow Gallery, which was located on a lightly traveled block of Donner Pass Road, Truckee’s main drag, Johnson asked DeVore if he would stay open if she teamed up with them.
The answer was “no,” but according to Johnson, DeVore added that he might collaborate with her one day on a gallery a few blocks to the west, where there’s more foot traffic.
Two weeks later, Johnson heard a space was becoming available. She and DeVore applied for it. So did 17 other people, DeVore said—but the two ended up leasing it for their new gallery.
Ridgeline Gallery co-owner Douglas DeVore with some of his photographs in the gallery.
Photo/Jason Sarna
work and directing, but he wasn’t a professional photographer. He always appreciated the beauty of the area but didn’t start taking photographs immediately upon arrival.
“There were a lot of photographers in the area who I admired,” he said. “So I studied their work. I took some classes from them.”
Johnson, originally from Boston, moved to Tahoe after “one ski season” in 1995. Shortly after, she began painting acrylic still lifes and landscapes before developing her signature plein air oil paintings and textured abstracts. In 2016, she opened Cobalt Artist Studio with a partner in Incline Village.
“My art was just taking over the whole house,” said Johnson. “So I went to the studio space, and then I found a space that was probably bigger than I needed.”
She turned that extra space into a gallery where she could sell her work. Before long, other artists started approaching her about showing their work there, too. As time passed, Johnson started representing other artists and realized she was much better at selling other people’s art than her own.
“It’s just easier to talk other people up than yourself, and since there’s so much great art out there to sell, I guess I don’t even have to make art,” she said.
According to Johnson, being in the heart of downtown makes a dramatic difference in foot traffic. “Everybody kind of goes to that one block, and they don’t really venture beyond that,” she said.
What drove them to launch this new venture?
“We have so many great artists around here, and so much great talent in the Reno/Tahoe area, and there just aren’t enough galleries,” Johnson said. “I’ve always felt like the more galleries, the better. Most of the towns that have thriving arts districts have multiple galleries.”
DeVore said he and Johnson make for a good team.
“I can infuse some cash into the gallery. She can infuse the knowledge of running a more professional-looking gallery than I have in the past,” he said.
DeVore said he admires Johnson’s exhibition design skills, which she said she picked up over the years via trial and error.
“This is, like, my fourth gallery,” Johnson said. “I’ve learned things, like how I want the lighting and how I want the walls. It’s built by artists, for artists.”
DeVore is originally from Chicken, Alaska, a town of 17 people, and has lived in the Tahoe/ Truckee area for 10 years. With a background in television, including two Northern California Emmys to his name, DeVore did a lot of camera
In 2018, after Johnson’s partner moved away, Cobalt Artist Studio became Piper J Studio, and
|
BY JASON SARNA
in 2022, it moved to Truckee and became Piper J Gallery.
The idea with Ridgeline Gallery is to create the feeling of a major-ski-town gallery, with a similar feel to the ones in Park City, Utah, and Jackson Hole, Wyo., with large concentrations of landscape photography. Every month, the gallery will showcase a new artist. There will also be an area with rotating photographers, and monthly receptions will feature local musicians.
In Truckee, the galleries support one another rather than compete, according to the duo.
“We all offer something unique and something different,” said DeVore. “Oh, and we’re all friends, which is great. We’re not, like, competitors. I think that’s really special, and I think it makes Truckee better.”
The new Ridgeline Gallery is now open at 10104 Donner Pass Road, in Truckee. For more information, visit www.ridgelinegallery.com. Co-owner Douglas DeVore’s new book, Truckee & Tahoe: From the Lakes to the Peaks, is available for sale at the gallery. For more information on DeVore’s photographs and the book, visit douglasdevore.com.
Ridgeline Gallery is among the businesses that participate in the Truckee Art Walk, which takes place on the first Saturday of each month from 4 to 7 p.m. The next one is on Saturday, July 5. Learn more at www.instagram.com/ truckee.artwalk.
This article was originally published on Double Scoop, Nevada’s source for visual arts news.
Artworks by Kristy Hawkes, April Gratrix and Joe Strickland at Ridgeline Gallery.
Photo/Jason Sarna
WESTERN LIT
Time to write
VOTE NOW! FINAL ROUND VOTING
THROUGH SUNDAY, JULY 20
| BY MAX STONE
Earlier in her career, novelist Laura Newman won and placed in the Reno News & Review’s micro-fiction story contest several times.
“It’s the biggest fire to ever take place in a United States library,” she said. “I went down, and I explored that library. It’s amazing—built in 1926 with incredible murals and gorgeous architecture.”
After deciding on the setting, Newman dreamed up the characters: Lenny, a Vietnam vet with severe PTSD in his late 30s who takes refuge in the library because it’s quiet, safe and free to access, and Simone, a young artist in college with a bit of an edge. The pair strike up an unlikely friendship before the disastrous fire rips the library apart. The story does have a happy ending, though, as the fire helps Lenny “find his way out of the library” and move forward in his life.
While Newman decided she wanted to be a writer when she was 8 years old, as an adult, she had kids, got married, had a house payment, needed to make a living and didn’t have much time to write a lot. What Newman did have the time to write were 95-word stories for the Reno News & Review’s micro-fiction contest, held annually before the pandemic; that contest is where she got her start in publishing.
is now a full-time author
After a busy career and raising a family, Laura Newman
Short fiction writer Laura Newman— awardee of the 2024 Nevada Writers Hall of Fame Silver Pen Award—grew up in Lake Tahoe and moved to Reno when she was in high school in the mid-’70s.
Although she has never lived outside of the Reno-Tahoe area, she’s traveled extensively, which has inspired her to write about characters from all walks of life, in settings across the globe. Of her second book, The Franklin Avenue Rookery for Wayward Babies, Newman said, “It goes all around the world. The stories are far flung.”
Newman’s latest book, Darling of the Black Rock Desert, released in March, is a collection of three stories set closer to home in locations across the West, including Reno, Genoa, the Black Rock Desert, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Death Valley.
“I concentrated more on where I’m from,” she said. “I wanted to do a deep dive into that. In every story, I start with the location. It’s almost never the plot or character—it’s the location.”
The first story, from which the book gets its title, “The Darling of the Black Rock Desert,” is set in the 1960s in Reno and the surrounding Great Basin. Howi is a man who grew up in the Dakotas as part of the Sioux Nation and lives on the “Pyramid Reservation” with his family. Julia is a Black woman whose father moved her
family from Louisiana to Genoa, a small town south of Carson City, to work as a ranch hand, eventually buying the family their own “good green piece of land” and starting a ranch.
A romance begins when Julia picks up Howi as a hitchhiker and agrees to drive him out to Empire, despite it being 70 miles in the opposite direction. They fall in love, accidentally get pregnant and try to make a living and a life with their daughter, Nia, who is born with a physical disability. The story begins in the first-person point of view from Julia’s perspective, but when a tragedy rips the characters’ lives apart, the point of view jumps from character to character, and we get a peek into each of their interiorities, revealing the differing ways in which they handle grief and attempt to heal. Though short, the story unfolds into a rich mosaic that shows how their lives, and the lives of all humans, are tangled together.
When asked about characters from different cultural and racial backgrounds than her own, Newman said she does extensive research and tries to resist perpetuating stereotypes. “We’re all human,” she said, “What am I going to do, only write about old white women? I’m going to write about whatever I want. It’s fiction.”
The book’s second story, “City of Angels,” is set in Los Angeles in 1986, and sprung from Newman’s interest in that year’s Los Angeles Central Library fire; she was intrigued when she read a nonfiction book about the event.
“I would enter that every year,” she said. “Because I do think I can write a good sentence. I always did really well with the News & Review contest—winning, placing, having several of them published. One editor called me the Tom Brady of 95 words.”
Newman’s granular attention to detail is apparent in her short stories. Her writing is lyrical, humorous and intentional in the way each sentence and word moves the story along. All of her 95-word stories are available to read on her website, lauranewmanauthor.com/the-writing.
After her kids grew up, and she retired from her career as a general sales manager at KOLO TV, Newman finally had the time to devote to her writing. In 2013, she published her first book, Parallel to Paradise: Addiction and Other Love Stories, with local independent publisher LeRue Press.
“Although that was really cool, and I love the cover, they had no distribution abilities,” she said. “My husband and I had this joke that I spent more money on the dress I bought for the book-signing than I earned from book sales.”
She took a different approach with getting her second book, Franklin Avenue Rookery for Wayward Babies, into print. Using her PR and marketing experience, Newman worked persistently to secure an agent. Out of the 75 she propositioned, she heard back from three. One publisher, Delphinium Books, accepted her manuscript and agreed to publish the book. Darling of the Black Rock Desert is also published by Delphinium and is available for purchase and at the Washoe County Library.
Horror with heart
Danny Boyle’s ‘28 Years Later’ delivers emotion and zombie thrills;
‘The Life
of Chuck’ is not getting the audience it deserves
The year of damned good horror movies continues with 28 Years Later, a second sequel to Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later, the zombie film that changed the genre forever.
Before 28 Days Later, the genre had been commanded by legendary director George Romero, whose zombies lurched around at a snail’s pace—and somehow still managed to catch up with you and eat your face.
Granted, the great Return of the Living Dead, a 1986 film outside of the Romero universe, had some zombies that could do a bit more of a gallop than a lurch. But Boyle’s zombies ran at top speed thanks to the Rage Virus, a nasty affliction that had your eyes turning red and blood spouting out of your mouth within seconds of getting bitten. There was no waiting around for people to “turn”—the transformation was almost instant.
This new installment, set 28 years later in the cinematic universe (even though the original came out 23 years ago), has the same zombies that can run at top speed. This time, they are mostly naked, because, let’s face it, zombies this violent and crazy are eventually
going to tear their clothes off, with no need for wardrobe changes. They are also, in some cases, very obese, leading to a new breed of zombie that crawls along the ground and likes worms.
Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his son, Spike (Alfie Williams), are heading out for a father-son hunting trip. You can probably guess what they are hunting, and it’s Spike’s first time, his rite-of-passage moment. They live in a village that is devoid of technology with their wife/ mother, Isla (Jodie Comer), who is suffering from a mysterious, undiagnosed illness.
Spike eventually encounters Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), a loner living outside of the walls of the village, rumored to be a crazy man. Yeah, his demeanor is a bit questionable. He bathes in iodine and has built a skull temple from hundreds of corpses he’s collected. While the first half of the film focuses more on father and son, the second half deals mostly with mother and son consulting with the doctor.
I point out the human relationships, because this movie is unusually beautiful and heartwarming for a zombie film. In fact, I will call it the most beautiful, deepest zombie film ever made. As soon as Fiennes shows up, the movie takes on a Shakespearean quality. Boyle, ever the talented director, has crafted a layered film with the help of screenwriter Alex Garland, who also penned the original. There are some nice, emotionally potent moments in the movie.
That’s not to say it doesn’t deliver with the zombie thrills—because it most certainly does.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alfie Williams in 28 Years Later.
Besides the new crawling zombies, there are now “alpha” zombies, oversized beasts that are the usual rage-infected zombie times 10. If you are going to a zombie film for scares and gore, this one will surely satisfy you.
It is also one of the more beautiful, fully formed films Boyle has made. That’s high praise, because he also made Sunshine (if you haven’t seen that one, make plans to), 127 Hours and Trainspotting. Taylor-Johnson, Fiennes, Williams and, especially, Comer create characters that resonate. A review of this film cannot be written without giving major props to Young Fathers, who provide an amazing score.
This is the first part of a planned trilogy. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has already been shot and is due for release next year. However, Boyle is not directing that one. He also didn’t direct the first sequel, 28 Weeks Later (2007), a movie that was fine but a step down from the original.
I find myself giving yet another horror-thriller film in 2025 my highest rating (after Companion and Bring Her Back, with Sinners not far behind), and the year isn’t even half over. We might be heading for some kind of record.
The Life of Chuck is essentially Stephen King’s version of The Tree of Life meets The Twilight Zone. It’s a cosmic, universe-encompassing film that does everything it sets out to do—brilliantly.
Director Mike Flanagan knows King’s material well; he previously adapted Doctor Sleep to the big screen and Gerald’s Game for a Netflix movie. Here, Flanagan proves he’s just as capable of delivering a “softer, headier” King story. This is Flanagan’s sweetest film—and his most trippy as well.
The movie—like the King story that showed up in his collection If It Bleeds—is presented in three acts, chronologically in reverse. Act 1 shows the world in quite the pickle, with California falling into the ocean, the internet going down forever, and gigantic sink holes opening up under main streets in small towns.
School teacher Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is coping with the end of the world in a surprisingly odd, calm manner. He is not happy about what’s going on, and neither are his exwife, Felicia (Karen Gillan), and neighbor Gus (Matthew Lillard), but their attitude is devoid of panic. They seem a bit resigned, and even a little tired, in regard to what is happening all around them.
On top of the apocalyptic events, they keep spotting and hearing ads for an unknown gentleman named Charles “Chuck” Krantz (Tom Hiddleston). Billboards, bus-bench ads, TV spots and radio commercials are popping up
BY BOB GRIMM
everywhere, congratulating Krantz for 39 years. Krantz, as depicted in the visual ads, looks like a book-smart guy doing his morning routine, with a cup of coffee and big smile on his face. The guy must be retiring, and his employer must’ve really loved him. Everybody sees this dude’s billboards, but nobody knows who he is.
Act Two gives us more details on Chuck. He’s an accountant—and he’s a kickass dancer. When visiting a small town for a convention, he comes upon a street busker playing the drums. Rather than passing her by, the beat catches him; he starts to groove; and then he performs a master class in many forms of dance while townspeople cheer him on. It’s a big moment for Chuck, one that reminds him of his youth.
And that’s what we see in the final act— Chuck’s childhood, when his grandmother (Mia Sara … Sloane from Ferris Bueller came out of retirement for this film!) taught him how to dance; these are some of his most cherished memories. Those dance lessons lead to a triumphant moment at a prom where, in a moment similar to his dance-off in the street later in life, he shows off his impeccable dancing feet.
How do these acts tie together? What’s this all about? Why did Flanagan cast the likes of Mia Sara (Sloane!), Heather Langenkamp (Nancy from A Nightmare on Elm Street) and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker!), major stars of cinema 40 years ago, in standout roles (in which they all excel)? Why, I can’t tell you, of course. You must see the movie.
The box-office receipts say that not too many people have seen the movie, which is a shame. Why in the heck did the studio decide to drop this into the busy summer movie season? This is a fall release, and it needed a serious marketing campaign rather than ads that made it look like a movie musical. This is a profound, meaty, deep movie that has surely gotten lost in the summer-blockbuster shuffle.
It will be available to stream soon, I’m sure. One of the messages the film conveys that I can share is that life goes by fast. Your ability to watch The Life of Chuck at home will be upon you in the blink of an eye. When you do see it, be prepared for one of the more unique and stunning films of 2025.
For the first quarter or so of Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, it feels like the recently stagnant director might be shaking off the rust. The movie pops with electricity out of the gate.
2
But as the film plays out, the rewards diminish, and it becomes the third film in a row in which Anderson’s quirky visuals and monotone acting direction render his film pointless and boring.
Things start promising as wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) narrowly escapes assassination via a bomb on a plane. The sequence has all the markings of Anderson
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at his best, with quick bursts of humor, funny
When Zsa-zsa meets up with his daughter, a nun named Liesi (Mia Threapleton), to discuss her inheritance—their relationship is at the center of the plot—the film remains funny and peculiar. But as the movie plays out, what starts as electric becomes more of a drone. Anderson’s insistence upon having his performers (especially Threapleton) deliver lines in a monotone
This monotone approach always been part of his films, but in the earlier years, it was more of a flavor than the dominant approach. Here, it takes over the movie, resulting in unfortunate flatness and, eventually, a bored audience. Anderson’s films used to feature style happily dancing hand-in-hand with substance; now, style overwhelms substance and ruins his movies.
It’s as if Anderson started saving money on music royalties and moved that budget to set designs. His films used to be filled with music by artists like David Bowie and Cat Stevens. Now his films have every visual nuance painstakingly created to the point of annoyance, but no fun with the music choices. (That’s not to take away from his film scores, which are usually fine.)
It’s a shame. It reminds me how Woody Allen’s films became “too Woody” rather than something new each time out. What was once charming with Anderson has become stultifying. It’s still nice to look at, but devoid of meaning,
As a palette cleanser during this run of AnderThe French Dispatch ), I’ve been going back and watching his earlier triumphs like Bottle Rocket, The Royal Tenenbaums. Those films were rich with the Anderson quirks, but they also had real characters with real soul. I’ll The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar , a collection of short films he did recently for Netflix, were actually quite good. Maybe Anderson should stick to shorts. The French ) gives it his all, but in the end, his work is not memorable, and neither is the film. The film is full of marquee stars and cameos. Michael Cera is funny as a bug scientist taken along for the ride as a tutor, while Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston and Riz Ahmed show up for a funny scene involving basketball.
In Anderson’s latest movies, the characters feel like cut-out paper dolls placed into a pretty terrarium. I find myself wishing he would strip himself of set-design budgets and get back to basics. Save the pristine visual approach for the excellent stop-motion animation films (Fantastic ). Ironically, his stop motion animation films have emotional heft than his last few movies with actual humans in them. With three dullards in a row, the Wes Ander-
THE DISH
Kay Young and Shila Morris Co-owners of Squeeze In
| BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ
Kay Young and Shila Morris quite literally grew up in the Squeeze In. Just 10 and 17 when their parents bought the original location in Truckee, they have done just about everything in the shops, from pouring coffee to marketing. When their parents retired in 2017, Kay and Shila took the reins and have since expanded Squeeze In into a regional favorite and a nationally franchised brand. Squeeze In has locations in Reno, Sparks, Fernley, Carson City and Truckee. For more information, visit www. squeezein.com. Photo by David Robert
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten locally in the last month?
We love the banana splits at Black Rock Dessert. What a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon, and their Cinnamon Toast Crunch ice cream is unreal!
Your kitchen is on fire.
(Metaphorically!) What are you cooking? This may come as no surprise, but breakfast for dinner. We find breakfast to be an amazing meal all times of the day, and you’ll see us flipping and folding, even at home.
Who is/was your strongest culinary influence?
We have a line of females in our family who are known for their exceptional cooking. Our mom is an amazing vegan chef, and our nanna was a comfort-food queen who had a restaurant when our mom was young. We take notes and inspiration from both of them.
What is your go-to midnight snack?
While we are rarely up at midnight, if we were up that late, we are likely “out,” so French fries! (Maybe animal style.) We always look for the two longest French fries on the plate and do not eat them, instead dedicating them to those who have come before us.
Which local restaurant deserves more attention, and why?
Sparks Water Bar at the Marina. It’s got a beautiful view and is a great spot for delicious lunch or dinner, especially on the patio.
How does food contribute to our community?
Reno is a “food town,” and we are fortunate to have some great restaurants, most of which are locally owned by really good people. The restaurants here are active, often giving back, banding together for support and delivering excellent food with friendly service.
What is the most unusual thing in your refrigerator right now?
We always have a drawer full of gluten-free bread, as half the family has gluten allergies. By the way, it’s one of the reasons potatoes at Squeeze In are kept gluten-free.
Please share your favorite food memory from growing up.
When we were young and both in cheerleading, our dad would take us to our hometown favorite: Scoopers for burgers, fries and a shake. It has a special place in our hearts, even to this day.
What is the one kitchen tool you can’t live without?
Our glass (reusable containers) from Costco. Living in a restaurant family means we often cook more than enough and create leftovers. Not only are they easy to clean, but they’re durable.
If you could have dinner at any restaurant in the world tonight, where would it be, and why there?
We are torn between The View restaurant in Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland, and the Boathouse in Central Park, New York City. Both have exceptional views, ambience and food.
Welcome young African leaders from the Washington Mandela Fellows program! Nevadans: Come meet these superstars! 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 12 @ The Innevation Center 450 Sinclair, Reno BizAssembly.org
TASTE OF THE TOWN TASTE OF THE TOWN
New and coming soon
Perenn is coming to the Nevada Museum of Art, with a planned opening date of Aug. 15. The cafe will be located on the main floor, with indoor and outdoor seating.
Owners Aubrey and Tyler O’Laskey (pictured), who founded the original Perenn in Midtown in 2018, already operate multiple local Perenn establishments, as well as Claio Rotisserie. They also have two Perenn locations in Tennessee. The café’s menu will feature Perenn’s popular bread and pastries, along with grab-and-go items and a selection of specialty lattes and teas. Visit perennbakery.com.
Tadaima Shabu Shabu, a new Japanese restaurant where diners cook fresh vegetables and meats in their own broth, is open in The Basement at 50 S. Virginia St. It has limited seating and is currently reservation-only. For reservations, call 775-301-1801. Visit renoshabu.com to sign up for updates.
Centro Bar and Kitchen, known for serving small plates in the late afternoon and evening, is now serving lunch Wednesday through Friday, starting at noon. The menu features the same small plates Centro serves later, including bruschetta, salads, roasted vegetables and protein-based dishes. Centro is located at 236 California Ave. See centroreno.com for the menu and to make reservations.
Chicken lovers, rejoice! On June 30, Slim Chickens was slated to open at 1085 Steamboat Parkway, in Damonte Ranch, its second location in the Truckee Meadows. The centerpiece of the franchise’s menu is hand-breaded chicken—sandwiches, salads, bowls and tenders. Slim Chickens also offers catering. Find the full menu and more information at slimchickens.com.
In other chicken news, Cluckers Chicken is moving from Center Street continued on next page
LIQUID CONVERSATIONS
Drink report from NYC
A bar industry convention in Brooklyn forecasted the trends; now, watch for them in Reno
Your intrepid beverage dork was on the road in June, teaching at Bar Convent Brooklyn, also known as BCB. It’s a bar-industry trade show that brings more than 230 brands and thousands of bar professionals to Brooklyn to taste, learn and nerd out over the latest and greatest in the bar world.
This show is a great place to get an idea of what’s trending and exciting in the world of beverages, so I am sharing some of the key takeaways—to keep you on the cutting edge of hip liquids.
So. Much. Tequila.
This trade show had more tequila to taste than any show I have ever been to, in my almost two decades of working in the bar world. Every other booth was a new tequila brand reaching for attention.
Those of you who do not spend your life in the world of bars may not know that the tequila world is experiencing soap-opera levels of drama. In May, a class-action
lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, accusing one of the world’s largest spirits producers, Diageo, of falsely labeling tequilas as “100% agave.” This is a significant development, as the brands in question, Don Julio and Casamigos, are among the industry’s top-selling brands. Smaller brands see an opportunity, and they are pressing hard to step into the spotlight and capitalize on Diageo’s stumble.
In the coming year, you will see many brands boasting about being “additive-free,” sharing their history, and showcasing their authenticity—but most of this is marketing. Remember that, by law, 100% agave tequilas are allowed up to 1% of additives by total liquid weight. Therefore, finding truly additive-free tequilas can be challenging. Be sure to consult with your local agave experts, such as those at Drams and Smoke, or Craft Wine and Beer, if you’re seeking truly additive-free tequila.
All
in on NA
Once seen as a passing trend, non-alcoholic
| BY MICHAEL MOBERLY
Our intrepid beverage dork (his words) takes in the sights at Bar Convent Brooklyn, and industry trade show.
cocktails are here to stay. Last year, Gallup’s yearly Consumption Habits poll reported, “A new high of 45% of Americans say drinking one or two alcoholic beverages per day is bad for one’s health.” This has impacted the bar world in a way that is both exciting and chaotic. Gone are the days of flavored whiskey, and the era of the hip, exciting, non-alcoholic spirits is now upon us.
The NA drinkers of today tend to be what trend forecasters call “early adopters.” These folks are looking for bold, design-forward packaging and cutting-edge flavor combinations. Because of these early adopters, the NA drinks world is incredibly fun right now. The most fun drinks I tasted at the show were NA. Big brands are launching fascinating new offerings, or in the case of Campari, bringing to the U.S. what has been an Italian staple for years. Crodino is a zero-proof, ready-to-serve spritz that is well-known in Italy. It is a bitter soda, first produced in the mid-1960s and named after Crodo, a town in northwest Italy. It drinks like an orange creamsicle Aperol spritz—so obviously, I drank 10 of them. Expect to see other innovative NA options entering the market at an unprecedented rate.
The espresso martini won Drink trends come and go. Some years, it’s all cosmos, all the time, and in other years, we can’t stop drinking ginger-beer drinks like mules. A few years back, the espresso martini poked its head out of the fog of ’90s drinks that were mostly considered too sweet or too gimmicky. I thought this trend would emerge for the winter season and fade away into the night—but boy, was I wrong.
We are now in year three of espresso martinis dominating the cocktail world—and I’m not mad about it. People are pushing the limits of the drink into wild new variations, and to me, the best part is that coffee matters now more than ever before. An excellent espresso martini starts with great coffee, and I saw roasters listed on menus—just as you would see the brand of vodka used. Bartenders are highlighting the roast of coffee with complementary spirits and ingredients. We are now entering the Peak Espresso Martini Era, and I am here for it.
A bar represents a cross-section of the people who live around it, so the bar industry is a pretty good representation of the country, and like the rest of the country, the bar industry is full of uncertainty and a fair amount of fear. However, in Brooklyn, the bar trade came together to showcase creativity, share ideas and celebrate one another—something we should all do with one another whenever we have the chance.
Short and swell
Don’t overlook Schussboom Brewing Company’s brief but confident wine list
Schussboom Brewing Company, a craft brewery and pizzeria in South Reno, quickly became a staple in the region’s beer and dining scene after its launch in June 2021. The brewery, located at 12245 S. Virginia St., is the vision of husband-and-wife team Jason and Briana Wagner.
The name is a nod to the founders’ love of the outdoors and adventure. The term “schussboom” refers to pointing your skis straight down a mountain and letting gravity take over—a fitting metaphor for the Wagners’ bold leap into the brewing business. They specialize in German-style beers and offer a rotating selection of crisp lagers, malty bocks and other traditional brews. Jason, who began as a homebrewer, leads the beer program, and has developed
a reputation for quality and innovation. The brewery also features collaborations with other renowned breweries.
So why is the wine guy taking about a brewery? Because they also serve wines. Schussboom’s wine program is designed to complement its menu of artisan pizzas, shareables and entrees, providing a sophisticated beverage option in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.
The short wine list offers something for every palate, whether it’s a crisp white to pair with a salad, or a bold red to enjoy with pizza. It’s a curated selection of notable California wines, each chosen for its distinct character and food-friendly appeal.
Among the whites, the William Hill chardonnay from Napa Valley stands out. This medium-bodied wine is elegantly structured,
| BY STEVE NOEL
Co-owner Briana Wagner pours a glass of wine from the tap at Schussboom Brewing Company. Photo/David Robert
with ripe notes of honeydew melon, pear and apple crumble. It is complemented by delicate hints of Meyer lemon and nutmeg, offering a smooth, well-balanced profile with crisp acidity and a creamy mouthfeel, making it an excellent pairing for a variety of dishes.
Another white option is the J Vineyards pinot gris from Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. This wine is aromatic and complex, blending tangerine, melon and mineral notes on the nose, with floral hints of jasmine and lily on the palate. The layered flavors of fresh-picked white peach, apricot, green apple and pear mingle with subtle touches of toast and white pepper, finishing with hints of lemon and wet stone. It is crisp yet full-bodied, appealing to those who enjoy a nuanced white wine experience.
For red-wine lovers, Schussboom offers several compelling choices. The Banshee Pinot Noir is exciting and approachable, bursting with aromas of dried cherry, earthy peat moss and redwood forest. It also features notes of hyacinth, sandalwood and confectioners’ sugar, creating a complex and inviting profile.
The Napa Valley Quilt cabernet sauvignon is a highlight of the red-wine selection. This full-bodied cabernet has a deep, ruby color and aromas of blackberry, cassis and vanilla. On the palate, it offers flavors of ripe dark fruit, dark chocolate and espresso, with balanced acidity and structured tannins. The finish is long and lingering with a touch of spice, making it a superb companion to grilled meats and rich sauces, or enjoyable on its own.
For those interested in blends, the Linne Calodo 2022 Stereotype red blend provides a rich, velvety experience. Its deep purple hue hints at the complex aroma of red currant, eucalyptus, anise and toasted oak. The wine’s composition includes grenache, syrah, Mourvèdre, graciano and Carignan, resulting in grippy tannins that hold through to the finish for a robust, layered tasting experience.
Beyond traditional wines, Schussboom has also experimented with unique offerings that blur the lines between beer and wine. One such creation was “Is It Wine?” a sour lager that drew attention for its subtle white wine notes and chardonnay-like qualities. Customers praised it for its crispness and enjoyable flavor profile.
Beyond beer and wine, Schussboom is known for its hearty menu of pizzas and entrees. The kitchen serves up inventive pies, shareable plates and, more recently, a weekend breakfast menu that has quickly gained a following. On Saturdays and Sundays, breakfast favorites include oversized burritos—dubbed “boomritos”—scrambled eggs, Benedicts and buttermilk biscuits.
TASTE OF THE TOWN TASTE OF THE TOWN
continued from Page 22 to 18 Saint Lawrence Ave., the former location of Dopo Pizza and Pasta. Owners Meagan and Joe Orduna, who also own Brothers Barbecue, have created a menu featuring sandwiches, wings, taquitos, tenders and a variety of sides, with varied sauces. The anticipated opening is late August or early September. Get updates at cluckersreno.com.
Estella, which formerly served innovative tacos at 306 E. Fourth St., inside The Jesse Hotel, has rebranded and now serves Mediterranean fare. Inspired by Greek and Turkish cuisine, the menu includes hummus, falafel and kebabs. Dinner is served daily. Visit estellareno.com.
Derby Barber and Supply, the men’s barbershop formerly located on First Street in downtown Reno, has moved to 406 California Ave. and now includes a coffee shop, full bar and lounge. RN&R cocktail writer Michael Moberly developed Derby’s beverage menu. He’s most proud of the clear espresso martini. Visit derbybarber.com.
Events
The 11th annual Biggest Little City Wing Fest returns Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26, to Virginia Street between Second and Sixth streets, outside The Row. Cooks will prepare tens of thousands of pounds of chicken wings, competing against each other in such categories as “Best BBQ Wing” and “People’s Choice.” The event will feature live music and a relay race dubbed the “Barnyard Folly.” Tickets to a VIP tent known as the “Chicken Coop” include all-you-can-eat food and unlimited drinks. For more details, including festival hours, visit caesars.com/reno/events/ wing-fest.
Food Truck Friday is back for the summer, this time with two new locations— and not just on Friday. In addition to the longstanding Friday event at Idlewild Park, Food Truck Wednesday is at Cyan Park, 2121 Long Meadow Drive, and Food Truck Thursday is at North Valleys Regional Park, 8085 Silver Lake Road. The event is known for its dozens of street-food options, as well as beverage vendors and live music. “We decided after 13 years, we’re finally going to expand and take Food Truck Friday to the people,” said Reno Street Food owner Steve Schroeder. The events run every week into the first week of August, with the Idlewild Park event going until the final week of August. Find out more at renofoodtruckevents.com.
Have local food, drink or restaurant news? Email foodnews@renonr.com.
—Alex Cubbon
MUSICBEAT Shoegaze support
Glixen returns to Reno to take the Cypress stage with Scowl
Prepare your ears, because the loud, dreamy sounds of Glixen are coming to Reno.
Glixen, a modern shoegaze outfit from Phoenix, has its own version of a “wall of sound.” While the “wall of sound” is usually associated with the Grateful Dead’s live show, Glixen uses a variety of effects pedals and production techniques to create sonic walls, blasting listeners with intricate, high-volume sounds. Among the booming drums and piercing guitars are beautiful, ethereal vocals and reverberating guitar, adding a dreamlike element. Songs “lust” and “lick the star” showcase the duality of the hard and soft. The band is set to perform on Friday, July
18, at Cypress Reno, as the opener for Scowl. The concert follows tours where the band opened for Panchiko and beabadoobee. I chatted with guitarist/lead singer Aislinn Ritchie after one of their beabadoobee shows was cancelled due to rain.
“It was scary and overwhelming,” Ritchie said. “There are 5,000 people outside waiting in the rain, and they were rushing us off stage because there’s lightning coming, but I kept asking, ‘ls it going to be OK?’ because I’m freaking out. Our gear is wide open, and there’s going to be a storm, but they’re like, ‘Yeah, everything’s fine; I’m going to cover it.’ Nothing was covered, and we don’t have insurance.”
Glixen wrote on Instagram the following day:
“Yesterday was a stressful day; a lot of our gear got wet from the storm. Most of our gear is OK, but some important items got soaked. So we’ll see tonight if it works or not. We were so sad we couldn’t play for you in Raleigh yesterday, but it’s OK. We’ll be back one day.” Thankfully, the guitar pedals crucial to the band’s trademark sound remained functional.
“We’re learning how to deal with touring in the rain, because it’s the first tour with a lot of rain, which is crazy, because it’s summertime,” Ritchie said.
Glixen may decide from now on to always tour with insurance, despite the expense, after this close call.
“We didn’t choose to have insurance for this tour, because we are so careful with our gear,” Ritchie said. “We always take our own gear out, and only handle our own gear, because people can fuck shit up. We learned that lesson.”
The shows spent supporting beabadoobee were held at some of the largest venues at which Glixen has ever played. As the shoegaze group continues to impress, they keep getting surprised at the acts offering them opening slots.
“We’re always like, ‘Holy fuck, let’s do it,’” Ritchie said. “We get really excited and get butterflies. This tour was crazy. Playing in front of 4,000 people is fucking crazy.”
The folky indie stylings of beabadoobee, while dreamy and reverb-heavy, are nowhere near as heavy as Glixen’s sounds. Still, the band found common ground with fans of the headlining artist.
“We’re obviously so different, but I just knew her fan group would love us,” Ritchie said. “I was so excited and happy that her fans were so open. They were obsessed. It was so cool.”
Part of the reason for Glixen’s growing appeal may be the current shoegaze craze on TikTok and other platforms. The band and other artists are earning attention for their elegantly concocted mix of beauty and harshness.
“I love all the music that our friends are making, and we’re all in the same kind of mindset
and wavelength,” she said. “Trauma Ray, Julie, Wisp, Glare—we all like the same things. I feel like we do inspire each other.”
Glixen is happy to offer a platform to artists outside of their immediate sonic realm, paying forward the support non-shoegaze bands like beabadoobee have given them.
“One of the bands that we took on tour, their name’s After, and they’re not shoegaze at all,” Ritchie said. “They’re more pop, like trip pop. I also love James K. James K is my favorite right now. They’re so good; it’s just that dreamy vibe.”
Scowl is another example of a band that’s sonically quite different from Glixen. The Bay Area band features a heavy, hardcore punk sound, yet experiments with pop vocals and song structures. Ritchie recalled meeting Scowl’s lead singer, Kat Moss, a few years ago.
“It was one of our first shows in L.A., and it was at the Echo with MS Paint and Cold Gawd, and that’s where I met her, and she’s really nice,” Ritchie said. “That’s all the connection we’ve had with Scowl. Maybe she just wanted us to tour with her for this one. We haven’t played any shows together, so I’m really excited to see what they’re going to be like.”
Even though the bands’ sonic styles differ, Ritchie is excited to girlboss it up in Reno with Scowl.
“It’s just two girlies going crazy—and going hard,” she said.
Ritchie said Glixen is looking forward to their Reno return after being blown away by the reception their first time through, at the Holland Project last November.
“We love Reno,” Ritchie said. “We’ve been there one time. I was just so surprised at how many people came out. It was a small room, and it sold out, but they were going crazy. I did not expect that, because we had never been there.”
Glixen will open for Scowl at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 18, at Cypress Reno, at 761 S. Virginia St., in Reno. Wisecrack and Frank Futility will also perform. Tickets are $27.89 online, and $30 at the door. For tickets or more information, visit hollandreno.org.
Glixen. Photo/Jason Wittington
JONESIN' CROSSWORD
| BY MATT JONES
“1724”--two specific rare letters. By
Matt Jones
Across 1. Tee off 5. Bouncy music genre
8. “Know your rights” org.
12. Co. offering insurance to military members and their families
13. Biblical mountain (hidden in “offshore banking”)
15. Court litigant
16. Literary tilter at windmills
18. Baseball card datum
19. Ostentatious
20. Hosp. workers
22. Ending for cyan
23. Shoulder muscle, briefly
24. Sept. 22, 2025 occurrence
28. “Feliz cumpleaños ___” (“Happy birthday to you”)
29. “You’ve got mail!” co.
30. Hog noise
31. Muscles above the abs
33. Dropped prop
34. River starting in Switzerland
35. Sudden getaway
38. Noise
40. “Dynamite” K-pop group
41. “Ditto”
45. Louvre Pyramid architect
46. Spam-sending software
47. Negative vote
48. Modern phrase for high-quality elegance over showiness
52. Beats by ___ (audio brand)
53. Psych cable network
54. Cerumen site
55. Add carbonation to
57. “___ Be in Love” (song by Kate Bush)
59. Japanese publisher of the “Final Fantasy” series
62. Aqua ___ Hunger Force
63. Boyhood actor Ethan
THE LUCKY 13
Jaden Lynch
Lead vocalist of No One Good
64. Peak near Palermo
65. Latin for “to be”
66. Sargasso, e.g. 67. Game side
Down
1. Semi-protector?
2. Leave alone
3. Enthusiast
4. Help sections on some websites
5. Chicken ___ 6. Gold, in Granada
7. “Stormy” sea bird
8. Beast of burden
9. Interrupt, as a dancing couple
10. Galena, e.g. 11. Composition’s original form
13. “Greetings!”
14. Taiwanese maker of Mobiuz gaming monitors
17. “Weird Al” Yankovic movie with janitor Stanley Spadowski
Find the answers in the “About” section at RenoNR.com!
Even though Reno metalcore act No One Good serves up pulverizing tones and abrasive rock mayhem, the band doesn’t hesitate to get a little goofy. Some of the most brutal breakdowns and guttural vocal performances are on songs titled “I Can Smell You” or “Captain Beefstick and the Corndog Wranglers.” Among lyrics that deal with suffering and trying to fit in, you’ll find mentions of a “Wonka Wilhelm scream” and “this song is a penguin in the summer in Ohio.” The members of No One Good are not afraid to blend serious with silly, and are having a fun time crafting poignant and hard-hitting metalcore. The lead vocalist is Jaden Lynch. Photo by David Robert
What was the first concert you attended? Smash Mouth when they opened The Legends mall.
What was the first album you owned?
Now That’s What I Call Music with D12’s “My Band.”
What bands are you listening to right now? Kublai Khan, Turnstile, and Dance Gavin Dance.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get? Nothing. I like most artistic outlets and choices.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live? Jimi Hendrix.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure? Shinedown.
What’s your favorite music venue? Ace of Spades in Sacramento.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head? “Stuck in my cabana, living on bananas and blow,” Ween, “Bananas and Blow.”
What band or artist changed your life? How? Metallica. Master of Puppets and … And Justice for All were the first two albums I learned front-to-back on guitar.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking? James Hetfield: “How do you keep going?”
What song would you like played at your funeral? “I Just Want to Sell Out My Funeral,” The Wonder Years.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time? Dead Throne, The Devil Wears Prada.
What song should everyone listen to right now? “Peanut Butter Ribcage,” No One Good.
| BY MATT KING
Rebecca Lindsey
Caregiver of the Year, Right at Home Reno
Rebecca Lindsey from Reno was recently selected as the Right at Home 2025 Northwest Central Region Caregiver of the Year, out of thousands of caregivers in 13 states. She works for the Reno branch of the national chain, which offers in-home care for seniors and others with disabilities, as well as hospice care and cognitive care. Learn more at www. rightathome.net/reno.
Why did you get into the care business?
My background is actually in medical reception. Caregiving for me began in 2007, when a veteran neighbor had trouble caring for themselves. I offered to help on a weekly basis. I helped my mother pass in 2015 from brain cancer. I did the same thing with my husband in 2018 with his terminal disease. I felt the community could benefit from my strength and experience.
What kind of training do you need to be a caregiver?
Life experience. There’s not much training for caregiving. We have continuing-education classes, and they’re handled through Home Care Pulse training, which is an app. We do CPR training online as well. You need to have CPR training. You have to know about elder abuse, and you have to know how to bathe the elderly, and you have to know how to keep them safe from falls, different stuff like that.
What is your typical day like?
I do in-home care, so it’s a little more personal. I do all the meal prep for my client, cooking, grocery shopping and laundry. The list goes on and on. Most of my time is spent on client interaction, from foot soaks to physical home exercises to help
| BY DAVID ROBERT
them maintain strength. I leave my house at 9:30 a.m. My client doesn’t wake up until 10, and he doesn’t wake up right away, so I do what are called silent chores. I do everything I can do before he gets up, because when he gets up, I like to be able to serve his plate of food to him within five minutes. He likes his news, so I turn on the TV. He is very involved with his routine and his structure that I’ve created. I get home by 6:30 every day.
Tell me a story about one of your clients who is particularly interesting.
One of my clients was sent home from the hospital to pass away, and the family was struggling with grief. Once, I asked him what his interests were, and he said baseball and gambling. I showed them how to help him thrive, and he lived a whole year longer. I found a way to stimulate him. He likes to gamble, so I put the cards in his hand, and he wasn’t sure how to shuffle, so I did the shuffle motion with him, and we started doing it, and he kept trying to sit up so that he could hold the cards. His son just happened to walk down the hall, and he saw me doing that, and he stopped, and he started crying. He said that none of the other caregivers ever had given his dad that type of attention. He loved more than anything to play card games—not just gamble, but a lot of card games. I turned on baseball one day, and he was mumbling, “Go Giants,” under his breath, and I said, “Did your dad like the San Francisco Giants?” So I went to Burlington (Coat Factory), and I found some Giants stuff, like a neck pillow. I used the pillows to help him from getting bed sores, and that was one of the compliments I got from the hospice nurses, that they’ve never had a client who was bed for a year and not having bed sores. You just have to keep turning the client.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I would like to get some higher-ranking credentials behind my name, and I’d possibly become self-employed with my own company. We’re non-medical caregivers, so we can’t even distribute medications. When I go to memory-care facilities, I see some of the ladies who are med techs, and that’s a higher credential. I don’t have that kind of credential behind me, and I have a friend saying, “Why stop there? Why don’t you get your LPN (licensed practical nurse degree)?” I talked with a personal caregiver who runs her own company, and she said that I should be self-employed, and she said, “You’re amazing.” I’d like to become independent and further my education and possibly become an LPN.
Comrade: Correspondence and Other Records of the Nevada Colony Corporation
Learn about the rapid rise and fall of the socialist colony.
