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2020

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the rn&r family guide talks tech s e rv i n g n o rt h e r n n e va d a , ta h o e a n d t r u c k e e

EMAIL LETTERS TO RENOLETTERS@NEWSREVIEW.COM.

Early times

Offensive to offenders?

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

Despite the fact that I’m probably on record somewhere in the archives of this newspaper advocating for always voting on Election Day, I went ahead and caucused early last weekend.

I think everyone should caucus properly at least once in their life because it’s such a weird, oldfashioned experience, but I’ve done it and have a surprisingly busy day planned on Saturday. Not sure I could commit an indefinite amount of time to hanging out in the Wooster High School gym, arguing about health care policy with my neighbors.

A nice thing about social media is that it made it really easy to keep an eye on when and where folks were early voting. Margot and I knew to avoid the downtown Reno library, which was the early voting location closest to our house, because we saw online grumbling about the lengthy wait there.

We eventually opted to head to the Washoe County Dems office on Terminal Way—and we waited ’til after dinner on Sunday. The line was totally manageable. The whole process only took about 20 minutes.

I’ve got to say, I loved the tiered voting. Nice to choose a first choice, a second choice, a third choice— and even though it was unnecessary, I chose fourth and fifth place picks too. For a nerd like me, who loves top 10 lists and so forth, it was a great time.

Still, even if you’re not a registered voter or even if you’re registered Republican, you can go caucus properly on this coming Saturday, Feb. 22. To find out when and where to caucus, visit nvdems.com.

Voting this early in the national primary process is a pretty amazing opportunity to influence the future of the whole country.

And the funny thing is, since the early caucus voting was so popular, it might not even be too crazy on Saturday. At least I hope not. After the Iowa caucus debacle, there’s a lot of scrutiny on the Nevada Dems to get it right.

A local media “source” posted an article about all the sex offenders sleeping in our public parks. In addition to the actual predatory perverts, a sex offender includes pubescent teens busted for whacking-off in a backyard, and possibly even someone arrested for pissing on their compost pile, a black mark that follows one forever. No more composting for me, just sayin’.

This article is similar to one suggesting that all homeless are drug addicts who purposely leave their needles around so everybody can get infected.

And the one where people fishing in the river need to open-carry their big guns to protect themselves from the riff-raff.

Next maybe a piece where all the homeless are Democrats? Oops, did I let the cat out of the bag?

Oh well, this is Reno …

—BRAD BYNUM bradb@ ne ws r ev i ew . com

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Craig Bergland Reno

Stargazing screed Rob Brezny is full of shit! His Love forcasts are the worst prognostication, I was forced to Read! Nothing but 12 paragraphs of bullshit.

I could get nothing out of it. The least Rob Brezny could do is tell me what practical steps I should take, for the week, and how to stay out of trouble. I’m telling you, we need some better Astrology here!

Henry Slovinski Reno

Early caucus concerns Early voting left us very worried. I completed the check-in and voting process and all went smoothly. However, my boyfriend was behind me and reports being treated like a criminal because he was not registered. It took four confused volunteers to get him registered— and he has no faith that it was processed correctly. He also reported that after I left, the volunteers realized that they had not been asking us to fill out a paper copy of the

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FEBRUARY 20, 2020 | VOL. 26, ISSUE 02

Google form—and that the two people in front of him, therefore, had their votes voided.

Another was voided because they did not complete three choices. They left before the volunteer checking the forms was alerted to this requirement. I am concerned that my vote was voided—and, if so, how will I know. And will I be able to participate in the caucus?

Sarah Skidmore Reno

Not trashing Trump An important topic of the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, was the evolution of the Trillion Trees initiative as a tool for fighting climate change. Perhaps even more important and newsworthy was President Trump’s recent endorsement of the initiative and his recently evolved position on climate change. This support of the trees effort and his offer to the Danish government to buy Greenland signal his acceptance of the reality of climate change. Admittedly, one might be incredulous at his recent claim to be an environmentalist, but it only takes two things to be an environmentalist; now, he needs to walk the walk.

It is easy to be skeptical of the President’s conversion to environmentalism, but, after considering the arguments, there remains a core value: it is always a good thing to plant trees. So, he should have a chance to put some effort and achievement behind his promise. Those of us in the environmental movement should hope for success, no matter the source or political motivations. It is very doubtful, however, that planting a trillion trees will actually solve the problem of climate change, but it can certainly be helpful.

The attempt sounds staggering—1,000,000,000,000 trees in 20 years.

The world was thrilled last summer when Ethiopians planted 350 million trees in 12 hours. Now the world’s citizens need to do that about 3,000 more times. The number is almost beyond comprehension and rightfully so: the prospect of climate change is so daunting. Too often climate skeptics have presented poorly framed, inaccurate or irrelevant

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arguments to try to justify doing nothing as the world becomes warmer, seas rise, and extinction of species accelerates.

President Trump’s conversion to the environmental movement should be welcomed in spite of his past record. In fact, it may be the biggest news story of recent months. Historically, he has greatly hampered the environmental progress by being the denier-in-chief as his fellow skeptics have obfuscated the clear need for progress. Now, perhaps, the debate in the United States will move from the denial arguments to trying to arrive at something closer to a consensus of what needs to be done. And, maybe action.

John Wankum Sparks

CONTENTS

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OPINION/STREETALK NEWS SHEILA LESLIE IN ROTATION: TAHOE FEATURE ARTS&CULTURE ART OF THE STATE FILM FOOD MUSICBEAT NIGHTCLUBS/CASINOS THIS WEEK ADVICE GODDESS FREE WILL ASTROLOGY 15 MINUTES/BRUCE VAN DYKE

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BY MATT BIEKER

Are you caucusing this year?

ASKED AT THE HUB COFFEE ROASTERS, 131 PINE ST. LIZ MANCUSO Project manager

I’m probably not going to go to the caucus. I was considering doing early voting, but I hadn’t committed to doing it yet. I’m 5050, I guess. If I do the early voting, I want to make sure I’ve done all my homework.

CHRIS L ARSON Espresso machine technician

I’m not registered to vote even. I haven’t the last couple of years. I guess I’m bad. I don’t participate. I don’t know, part of it is— it may sound bad—ever since I haven’t been registered to vote I haven’t had jury duty.

JON HALE Y Social worker

Ready, aim, wildfire On Feb. 1, the 69-acre Poeville wildfire was sparked in “I never thought it would happen to me” club probably the Peavine foothills. A wildfire. In February. And with the include people like Alex Javier and Jorge Arias, target worryingly early return of fire season comes the resurgence shooters who were arrested on charges of negligence for one of the stupidest and most dangerous opinions held by starting last year’s Jasper Fire—which burned 800 acres. locals: Target shooting doesn’t spark wildfires.

And finally: “These guys weren’t following the This is patently untrue. Shooting can and does cause rules.” Fair enough. Not every stray round or desert wildfires every single year in Nevada, and yet with rock will start a fire, and following the Bureau of Land every new report comes a chorus of online commentaManagment’s proper shooting safety protocols can keep tors decrying the “liberal media’s anti-gun agenda,” everyone safe. clamoring for the “science” of how a hot piece of metal Local target shooters have spoken about the need for could possibly cause a fire, or demanding a new shoota second, more accessible public shooting range to cut ing range so public land isn’t put at risk. (We agree with down on back country shooting, which makes sense. that last one.)

However, the risk is never zero. The devastat“Yet more anti-gun drivel. Someone got ing Lamoille Canyon fire of 2018—9,000 their Bloomberg check this week,” wrote a acres burned—was started at just such an commentor on the Reno Gazette Journal’s outdoor range.

Target Facebook post of the Peavine fire.

“It is the opinion of this investigator shooting The naysayers seem to fall into three that this fire was most likely started by causes wildfires camps. Number one: “It’s scientifically someone shooting at a rock that was impossible for a lead-core cartridge to approximately 500 meters from the shootevery year. cause a fire because it’s ignition point is too ing tables at the Spring Creek rifle range,” low.” A 2013 study by the U.S. Forest Service wrote Nevada Fire Marshal investigator found that, while steel-core rounds led to higher John Boykin in the aftermath of the fire. instances of ignition, even softer lead fragments can This January was the hottest January ever smolder after striking resistant targets—sometimes recorded, and our mild winter is sure to give way to a taking several minutes before igniting dry vegetation. dry, scorching summer in a few months. For the valley’s (The entire report can be read here: www.fs.fed.us/rm/ recreational shooters, being a “responsible gun owner” pubs/rmrs_rp104.pdf) should start with acknowledging the risks that come Number two: “I’ve been shooting for years, and with shooting—including wildfire danger. Ω I’ve never seen a fire started.” Other members of the

I’m going to early caucus. This is the first year early caucusing is being offered, and that’s why I’m doing it because I participated in the … caucus in 2016, and it was not an enjoyable experience. Who can really take off a whole day, on a Saturday, to participate?

GISSELL LEON Designer

I am. It’s my first time. I haven’t been before. I’m going to wake up early and head down there. I’m between two [candidates]. I haven’t really taken the time to read everything I need to read. Watching the debates and stuff gave me an idea, but it’s not really something I’m comfortable disclosing.

ROBERT ZELLERS Engineer

No. I would, but, one, I work a little too much—I should actually be working right now but decided not to—and then the other is I’m just not super pleased with the whole electoral process at this point. I plan on voting, but I just don’t feel like sacrificing any more of my energy for the primary process.

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BY JERI DAVIS

STUDENTS HOUSED

Reno-Sparks NAACP Health Committee Chair Janet Serial discussed the organization’s various health care initiatives.

According to a press release, the University of Nevada, Reno, has arrived at an agreement with two property companies to lease needed living space for students during the 2020-2021 academic year. Both properties are near campus and were built with students in mind. The first, called Canyon Flats, will house approximately 506 university students and residential staff. The second, Uncommon Reno, will house approximately 330 university students and residential staff.

Nye Hall, which was taken offline after the July 5, 2019 Argenta Hall explosion, will reopen in August 2020, providing an additional 530 beds to students.

Argenta Hall is planned to reopen in August 2021.

The combined payment under the lease agreements for Canyon Flats and Uncommon Reno will cost approximately $10.1 million for the academic year. According to the press release, this “amount will be paid primarily from insurance proceeds,” and “housing rates will remain consistent” with the school’s currently published rates.

PHOTO/JERI DAVIS

for speakers to delve into the specifics of what their organizations do.

SPEAKING UP

—JERI DAVIS

V-DAY WRAP UP Depending on who you ask, Valentine’s Day is the holiday to celebrate love, the people who share in it and the beauty of romance, or a made-up, corporate holiday designed to increase consumer spending. Whether it be jewelry, chocolate or the iconic red rose, there are plenty of gifts to buy every year, and, according to the National Retail Federation, consumers spent more in 2020 on the holiday than in years past—$27.4 billion to be exact, up from $20.7 billion in 2019.

After Feb. 14 passes, though, those same gifts still line the shelves of stores everywhere. Stores like Walmart, CVS and Walgreens are left with the task of trying to sell the Valentine’s Day-themed gifts they set out weeks in advance.

With so much money spent on the holiday already, it can difficult to convince shoppers to buy stock that has seemingly already hit an expiration date. One of the ways of clearing all of the remaining stock is to put it all on clearance.

Deals up to 50 to 80 percent off help move items off shelves so typical inventory can replace it. And buyers respond to the sales. Websites and blogs like allthingstarget.com (an independent website not affiliated with but reporting on Target) discuss expected sale dates and include recommendations for items that can be kept for future Valentine’s Days or incorporated into gifts for upcoming holidays like Easter.

Some companies are coming up with other strategies to ensure they can save themselves from having to get rid of purchased stock. Releasing items that aren’t specific to the holiday is one way of doing this, like candy that’s more brand than heart-shaped-box focused. Go to Walmart, and you’ll see displays of cookies and baked goods that are indeed red and pink but don’t scream Valentine’s Day in the slightest—especially when placed on a spring-themed table alongside newer seasonal items.

—KIRK GELLER

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State of health Reno-Sparks NAACP hosts new annual symposium to discuss health care On Saturday, Feb. 15, the Reno-Sparks branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People held its first annual African American Health and Environmental Justice Symposium at the University of Nevada, Reno.

The event brought together a diverse group of speakers who discussed topics ranging from health care workforce diversity to Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia in the black community and disproportionate impact of environmental injustice and climate change on communities of color.

After opening remarks from RenoSparks NAACP Second Vice-President Patricia Gallimore, the branch’s health committee chair, Janet Serial, took the stage to discuss the organization’s national health initiatives and how they’re being pursued locally. These initiatives include HIV and AIDS education and prevention, tobacco prevention, child health and wellness, and chronic disease prevention and management.

After discussing the branch’s work in these four areas, Serial told the audience that the point of the symposium was to spark broader community engagement

in those issues through work with local black faith-based organizations and participating agencies.

“We will be spinning up campaigns,” she said. “The goal of this symposium is not just to come, gather, eat and leave. … This symposium is meant to be a call to action.”

But with a late start, an absent keynote speaker who was supposed to discuss the 2020 U.S. Census, and turnout relatively low compared to other NAACP events, some in attendance expressed frustration.

“I don’t see enough of the community here, and that is very upsetting to me—because we should be out advocating,” said NAACP member Quilistine Washington-Walker. “Churches—and I’m upset with us—because churches should be announcing these things so we know what’s going on in the community. …

It’s up to us to be advocates for our own people. Come on. Wake up, please.”

However, the intimate crowd size did allow time for attendees to ask questions of the speakers, who gave presentations and also participated in panel discussions—and also allowed time

First up among the speakers was Andrea Gregg, the executive director of the High Sierra Area Health Education Center, a federally and state funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works with under-served and rural populations in Nevada—working in collaboration with the UNR School of Medicine and the Office of Statewide Initiatives. The organization has staff based in Las Vegas, Reno and Elko and serves other rural counties as well.

Its goal, Gregg explained, is to “increase diversity among health professionals, broaden the distribution of the health care workforce” and “enhance quality care and improve heath care delivery, focusing on rural and underserved populations” through educational programs that target K-12 as well as undergraduate and graduate-level college students.

“We develop programs that cultivate this idea of pipelines for health care,” Gregg said.

The programs include a “Healthcare Heroes Camp” with curriculum that can be tailored for kids as young as third to fifth grade or fifth to eighth and covers teaching kids about the body, various career paths they can pursue in health care and hands-on engagement in a range of activities dissection to orthopedic casting and audiology screening.

“Through these targeted programs, it’s our hope that what we’re doing is really inspiring a young audience of students to get engaged in health care careers, get involved and recognize the benefits of being a health care champion in their communities—and then doing our part to really fulfill them and give them unique experiences so that they can help fill the state’s workforce needs,” Gregg said.

The programs—from those for the youngest participants to the collegelevel—also focus on teaching culturally competent care.

“So we’re talking about these ideas of adversity and diversity, cultural competency and implicit bias,” Gregg said. “So, what we do is we prepare and train aspiring health care professionals who are culturally responsive and are equipped to provide quality care in a multi-cultural setting.”

This topic was revisited by multiple speakers during the day, including Tina Dortch, program manager for the Nevada Office of Minority Health and Equity, who took part in a three-person panel discussion on Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia in the African American community alongside Denise Hund of the Alzheimer’s Association and Heather Haslmen of UNR’s Sandford Center for Aging.

According to information from the Alzheimer’s Association, African Americans are about two times more likely than white Americans to develop Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia—but they’re less likely to have a diagnosis of the condition and are typically diagnosed once in later stages of the disease. One factor believed to contribute to this problem is that black patients often report having less respectful, and thus less productive, interactions with their health care providers— and panel moderator, Sandford Center Director Dr. Peter Reed, asked Dortch how health care providers might remedy these issues in order to get more information about Alzheimer’s and its contributing factors to the black community.

Dortch’s answer returned the symposium to the theme of culturally competent care.

Physicians and other health care providers, she said, need to consider that patients—whether they’re black or a person of any other race— may bring cultural beliefs about health care, from home remedies to negative expectations about how they’ll be treated. To overcome it, she said she recommends health care workers

follow the steps enumerated in an acronym she called “AWARE.” “Accept someone’s behavior without holding them in judgment using yourself as a barometer,” she said. “Wonder what does the behavior that you’re seeing—what does it mean? … Ask what it means. If you have a non-compliant patient or a patient who is using other means than those you recommended, ask if there’s a reason or a rationale for that. … Research. Before a patient presents in the office, it does not hurt to do a bit of research about the culture. … And then, lastly, the ‘e.’ Only after you’ve had this dialogue as a practitioner, should you then explain what the behavior is that you’re hoping to achieve from this interaction. Only then should you start explaining what the course of care will be.”

Throughout the day, speakers reiterated to symposium participants that the goal of the event was to spark a call to action among local NAACP members. Speakers left informational handouts and their business cards at tables around the room and encouraged attendees to reach out with ideas, opinions and concerns.

According to Gallimore, between now and the next annual summit, the Reno-Sparks NAACP branch and its members will be busy “getting out into the community, getting to know people” and getting to know their health care needs and goals.

Those who are interested in learning more about how they can get involved are advised to visit renosparksnaacp.org. Ω

In line

People lined up at the Joe Crowley Student Union on the first day of early voting in the Nevada Democratic Presidential Caucuses on Feb. 15. Early voting ran from Feb. 15-18. The line was long, and some voters decided to leave before they were able to vote. Others stuck it out.

PHOTO/JERI DAVIS

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BY SHEILA LESLIE

Remembering Bob Cashell If you’ve been active in Reno civic life during the past 30 years, you’ve surely met former Reno Mayor Bob Cashell and probably have a story to tell about him. Cashell, who died last week at the age of 81, was instantly recognizable around town, greeting everyone with the same genuine attention accompanied by a hearty laugh in his booming voice.

Even those of us who mostly disagreed with his pro-development, “good old boy” politics found much to admire in the man, who was generous by nature and who cared deeply for those struggling with poverty, addiction and homelessness.

I can’t remember the first time I met Cashell because it feels like I’ve always known him. He was like a favorite uncle you can spar with at Thanksgiving dinner who didn’t have to win every argument and was willing to listen to another perspective. Even when we disagreed, I always felt heard.

Reno’s social media has been full of Cashell stories. People remember him peeling off a $100 bill from his money clip when their child struggled to sell raffle tickets. He didn’t want the tickets, he just wanted to support the young person and their cause. As a businessman he donated to every conceivable civic event without expecting anything in return. He wanted to help. He needed to help because it was his community, and he was part of it.

I worked closely with the Mayor during one legislative session to find the money in the state’s budget to close the final gap in funding for Reno’s emergency shelter, guiding the City’s request through the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. When a member of the City Council started attacking me publicly for an unrelated reason, Cashell was worried I’d get mad and stop helping him even though I told him I would never punish the city, much less the homeless, for a

councilman’s boorish behavior. When the attacks continued and intensified, Cashell came to the legislative building one morning and crawled into my office on his knees begging forgiveness. I was horrified and rushed to help him up while a crowd gathered in the foyer gawking at the Mayor who was enjoying every second of his dramatic gesture.

That was Bob Cashell. He was fully committed to everything he believed in and he’d talk your ear off about it. If you didn’t agree with him, he’d try to persuade you, with facts and emotion but without rancor or becoming a bully.

He didn’t hold a grudge if you disagreed with him, although it tickled him when I told him years after the fact that he was right about the train tracks.

Nevada newcomers may not realize that Cashell was once a Democrat, changing his party affiliation while he was serving as Lt. Governor. But as the Tea Party Republicans started moving

the party far to the right, he’d grumble about it and laugh when I’d remind him he could always change back since clearly he had the heart of a Democrat.

While I can’t remember the first time I met Cashell, I do remember the last conversation I had with him at the gym.

I hadn’t seen him there in weeks, and I quizzed him on his health as he walked the track. He told me in detail about his rehab plan and we also discussed the president; I’ll leave his comments to your imagination. I teased him about doing more talking than walking, and off he went only to interrupt me five minutes later to say he realized he hadn’t asked me how I was doing and apologized for what he perceived as a lack of courtesy and friendship.

We’ll miss you, Mr. Mayor. You served us well. Ω

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COURTESY/SQUAW VALLEY ALPINE MEADOWS

Gondola project On Feb. 5, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows announced that a lawsuit from the Granite Chief Protection League against the resort was dropped, which allowed approval for the planned Squaw Alpine base-to-base gondola.

The League had concerns over the environmental analysis of the gondola, and the lawsuit was filed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

According to a press release, Squaw Alpine agreed to conserve 27 acres of the resort’s private property, which includes wetlands as well as provides funding for the study and “potential” restoration of the endangered Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog. Funding will also be provided for the conservation of land within the Granite Chief Wilderness Area. How much funding Squaw Alpine will contribute is unclear.

More specifically, the resort agreed to operate the gondola only during the winter and stop operations no later than April 30.

“Squaw Alpine has made significant and greatly appreciated commitments to minimize wilderness impacts and invest in important endangered species conservation efforts,” Daniel Heagerty, director of the League said in the press release. “We are very pleased with the Agreement we reached with Squaw Alpine.”

The lawsuit was originally filed in September of 2019, and the agreement was reached in November. The path of the gondola has since changed from when it was originally proposed and will stretch

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over two miles between the two resorts, connecting 6,000 acres of skiable terrain in a roughly 16 minute ride. The goal of the gondola is to reduce car and shuttle traffic between the two resorts and enhance guest experience.

“We are very happy to have worked collaboratively with the League to address their concerns so that resources could be directed to environmentally beneficial purposes, rather than funding an extended lawsuit,” Ron Cohen, president and chief operating officer of Squaw Alpine, said in the release.

The nonprofit Sierra Watch, well known for the movement to “Keep Squaw True” also had many concerns over the gondola, and its members are mostly happy about the outcome. However, they still worry about the gondola inducing Alterra Mountain Company and KSL Capital Partners’ larger vision for Squaw Alpine and the North Lake Tahoe-Truckee region, which could be described as “maximum development,” according to Chase Schweitzer, field manager at Sierra Watch.

Proposed plans from Alterra and KSL also include helping Troy Caldwell with the development of White Wolf in between Squaw and Alpine, more development at the base of Squaw Valley, an indoor water park and village expansions, which Sierra Watch is currently challenging in court.

“The issues of parking, evacuation routes in case of a fire, issues with traffic, water scarcity, water supply and issues with housing, all create a larger problem for the North Lake Tahoe Truckee region,” Schweitzer said.

Many locals are not happy about the approval of the gondola, a Facebook poll specific to the “Tahoe Truckee People” group showed that over 80 people were against the project, while just over 20 approved. “People are completely justified to feel that the way that traffic and parking is going to affect Alpine because of the gondola would create issues,” Schweitzer said.

If locals want to take action against these projects, a petition can be signed through SierraWatch.org to “urge the Placer County Board of Supervisors to Keep Squaw True.” Ω

get more, spend less.

A planned gondola will stretch for more than two miles between the Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows ski resorts.

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Getting

technical Welcome to the Reno News & Review’s Winter Family Guide

W

hen my dad set my brother, mom and me up with our first email accounts nearly 15 years ago, we all thought of it as just a formality—something we could use to message relatives, mostly. In the year’s since, every Christmas comes with a new account to set up, device to activate, or app to download. I often message relatives on my Facebook account now—at the request of my parents who, mercifully, still don’t have accounts of their own. My mom navigates her bank accounts and shopping orders from her iPhone. And my dad, who once said he would never send a text message, now messages me to catch up or tell me when to expect dinner.

If your family is anything like mine, technology has changed even the basic ways you communicate, relate to each other and manage your home—and the developments keep coming. In this guide, there are a few different stories about how changing technology affects our lives, health and, potentially, wallets.

A lot of ink has been spilled about our declining face-to-face conversation time in modern society, but for patients who can’t easily get to their doctors, screens might save lives. On page 12, Andrea Heerdt took a look at Renown’s new telemedicine program, which aims to bring doctors into patients’ homes via a remote diagnostic tool and, yes, a big ol’ screen.

Even as I’m typing this, I’m getting notifications from Instagram and Facebook, and I gotta say, it’s distracting. More and more research about the negative effects of social media use is starting to come out, and for RN&R’s teenage contributor, it’s compelling stuff. Read Oliver Guinan’s piece about why he quit social media on page 14.

Finally, parenting in the digital age can be a challenge—especially when there are a million products on the market all promising to make yours and your kids’ lives easier. On page 17, resident dad Mark Earnest sifts through some of digital dreck and puts together a worthy wish list of parenting tech.

It’s a brave new world out there, and while the nature of technology means we’ll probably be adjusting to something new immediately after this guide is published, consider this your update. Thanks for reading.

Best regards, Matt Bieker Special Projects Editor

family guide Guide

continued on page 12

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family guide

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House call

Telemedicine could bring your doctor to you

by AndreA Heerdt 12 | RN&R | 02.20.20

N

evada ranks as the seventhlargest state in terms of land size.

With many rural communities around Reno seeking access to specialty physicians, it can be challenging for doctors to regularly visit small towns like Elko, Tonopah, Winnemucca and Fallon to provide patients with the medical care they need.

As technology continues to change, many health care companies like Renown Health have incorporated telemedicine offered to better meet the needs of those in rural areas who otherwise would have challenges seeing a doctor for certain conditions due to their geographic location.

According to Mitchell Fong, Director of TeleHealth at Renown, telemedicine comes in multiple forms, depending on the patient’s location and medical needs. When Renown launched its TeleHealth program in 2012, it was designed as a small pilot project

to provide rural populations with access to remote specialty care using advanced technology such as Bluetooth stethoscopes, high-definition peripheral cameras and enhanced broadband connectivity.

In the past, specialty physicians would have to make trips out to small towns throughout the state maybe once or twice a month to provide care, or patients would struggle to find transportation or the means to travel hours into a city to see a doctor at a large hospital, according to Fong.

“Patients tell us that they wouldn’t even get care for some of these specialties if they had to drive all the way in [to Reno],” Fong said. “Ultimately, I hope that we’re improving the lives of these patients by allowing them to live their best life and not waiting until they have a severe episode.”

Many general practitioners working in rural areas also experience isolation and burnout being the only doctor in town, which

Courtesy/renown HealtH

Patients look suspiciously happy in this renown courtesy photo.

leads to high physician turnover and doctor shortages across remote areas. Now that rural doctors have the opportunity to interact and engage with specialty physicians and other health care providers via telemedicine, it has provided a greater sense of community and lower levels of isolation and burnout in rural doctors, according to Fong.

In 2019, Renown’s TeleHealth program logged over 5,500 telemedicine visits. Fong said the focus is now on how telemedicine can create an impact for those still underserved in urban communities, too.

Urban expansion One of the biggest challenges companies like Renown face when it comes to expanding telemedicine into the urban setting are the rules and regulations of reimbursing the cost of services. According to Fong, specific services were only approved to be reimbursed if they were done in rural locations.

Programs like Medicare are eliminating these limitations, which will allow patients in urban settings to use telemedicine services as well.

Fong said when it comes to services Renown will offer to urban patients, it will be a direct-to-consumer method of care such as video chatting with a doctor on a smartphone. Of course, there are limitations. Patients don’t have the proper equipment such as high-definition cameras or stethoscopes at home, but there are many specific uses the direct-to-consumer method is good for.

“It’s really thought of as a lower acuity urgent care setting,” said Fong. “Some of the most common conditions that we treat in that virtual setting are sinusitis, respiratory infection, urinary tract infection and flu symptoms.”

Minor skin lesions can also be examined over video chat, but Fong said those are the top four most common virtual visits the direct-toconsumer method should be used for.

Still, patients might be unsure if their maladies are fit for a virtual visit or a trip to the hospital. Fong said TeleHealth’s online

platform prompts patients to answer a series of triage questions about the length and severity of their condition before directing them to make a decision on where to go.

“Some triage questions have a built-in algorithm, so as you’re answering these questions based on your condition, your severity your exposure, it can actually stop the questions and say, ‘Your condition sounds like you should be going to the urgent care,’ or ‘Your condition sounds like you should be going to emergency care,’” Fong said. “That way, instead of going through the entire questionnaire, getting your virtual visit and then being redirected, it’s redirecting you upstream.”

Medical Misconceptions According to Fong, a common misconception about telemedicine is that it’s difficult for patients to develop a relationship with their health care provider. Fong said many patients have stated in recent surveys that they prefer communication with their doctor through telemedicine over a traditional face-to-face visit. Patients expressed their

hope “Ultimately, I roving that we’re imp ese the lives of th owing patients by all eir best them to live th iting life and not wa a until they have e.” severe episod

in-person they were in the exam room experiences with them. wherein “At the end of the day their doctor we ask our providers to spent much ensure that the service we’re of their delivering is at least the time sitting same level of quality as behind a they would be delivering computer face-to-face, and that is , documenting the expectation that we ng Fo l el Dr. Mitch informahold across our TeleHealth lth ea leH director of Te tion. Those program,” said Fong. who’ve used When Fong joined telemedicine Renown’s TeleHealth experienced department in 2012, Nevada was ranked as more interaction from their doctor despite the 47th worst state for access to health care the conversation taking place over video. providers. According to Fong, the future of Another common misconception is that telemedicine in the state is leveraging these the level of care in telemedicine isn’t as high innovative technologies in a more efficient as it would be in a regular doctor’s office. fashion in order to better serve both rural and Although the direct-to-consumer method urban populations. Ω of video chat has its limitations, in-clinic visits come equipped with HIPAA compliant technology such as advanced cameras and stethoscopes that allow doctors to examine the eyes, nose, ears and throat as well as listen to the patient’s heart and lungs as if

family guide continued on page 14

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family guide

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Off line

by Oliver Guinan

A Reno teen talks about why he quit social media

T

he other morning, like many, I sat at my kitchen counter perusing Twitter over coffee and cereal. My brother, Evan, sat next to me. He was on his phone, too, although his Frosted Flakes were somewhat soggier than mine and had begun sinking to the bottom of his bowl.

“You might want to start eating that before it gets too mushy,” I reminded him, my own cereal getting soggier.

Evan was busy orchestrating a raid on Clash of Clans, a popular smartphone game where you score trophies by destroying other players’ bases with armies of mythical creatures.

He exhaled tersely through his nose without looking up: “Hmph” Neither of us attempted any more conversation that morning, and we didn’t finish our cereal. I turned back to the Tweets populating my phone screen, and the kitchen was silent.

Reflecting on that morning frustrated me. Why were my brother and I hungrier for our phones than for breakfast? Or, more irksome, why were we more interested in Twitter and Clash of Clans than in each other? I decided to pay closer attention to the time I spent on social media over the next couple of days.

14 | RN&R | 02.20.20

In class, I noticed that I frequently left Instagram face-up on my desk, alternating back and forth between notetaking and scrolling. At home, even after finally putting my phone away to work, I pulled it back out after finishing small tasks—I felt like a circus monkey doing backflips for peanuts.

Fifteen minutes on Twitter had become a personal treat for work well done. I noticed other things, too. Even when I grabbed my phone to do something productive, like use the calculator, I was distracted easily. Instead of Googling the word I didn’t know, I found myself tapping through Snapchat stories.

Rather than sending an email, I scrolled through Instagram memes. Most times, I forgot why I had gotten on my phone in the first place.

My iPhone’s Screen Time feature tells me that I use my phone for about 3 hours and 20 minutes every day. At first, this felt like good news. Although there is relatively little research tracking Americans’ phone use, the Washington Post reported in 2015 that teens spend an average of 9 hours a day on their phones, mostly consuming social media. I was also reassured because, just a few days earlier, I overheard

a friend in class talking about their own phone use: “No way, I spent 12 hours on TikTok last Sunday?�

Ticking away My mood changed pretty quickly, though, after adding up all that time. At this rate, I will spend more than 45 days a year on my device. If I live to be 80 years old, I’ll have spent 8 years, or a tenth of my life, staring at my iPhone. My classmate who spent 12 hours on TikTok? Barring a change in habits, social media will consume 34 years of her life.

Social media giants like Facebook and Google tell us that their platforms make us better connected, but that is no longer the point, if it ever was. It’s true that a Snapchat of my sandwich can traverse the Atlantic Ocean faster than I can take a bite of it, but does that make me and the friend whose phone it lights up any closer? If it does, is it worth the astonishing amount of personal information and control over our lives that we give to gatekeepers like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Google’s Larry Page? When our digital presence bookends our days, we hand over the freedom to write our own stories to vacuous influencers and seedy algorithms, if it’s possible to differentiate between the two.

Resisting social media’s pull is a challenge that will fall into my generation’s lap.

According to the Pew Research Center, 95 percent of teenagers in the United States have access to a smartphone. Of those, 75 percent maintain at least one social media account by the time they are 17. But ubiquitous access has not made my friends and me any happier “Social media use deepens existing anxieties,� Rebekah Mileo, an English and Psychology teacher at Reno High School explained to me. “It intensifies a fear of missing out, and it creates a sense of ‘this is what other people are doing—my life is not good enough.’ Using social media, you are one layer removed from your experiences.�

Creating a noteworthy online presence— amassing hundreds of likes on our Instagram selfies or thousands of retweets on Twitter—is a generational goal. To us, unlike our parents, interminable connectedness is the norm. More specifically, there is not, nor is there likely to be, a time in my life that is not accessible online. Unnerving, right?

Brain drain I asked several of my classmates about their phone habits and found that, even though the long-term effects of social media on our brains are not yet known, it certainly isn’t helping teenagers feel level-headed and confident.

“I spend a lot of time scrolling,� said “mirrors addiction,� as the University of Isaac Sorensen, a senior at Reno High. “I Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine noted always feel drained and like I wasted my last year. time after going on social media. The way “There’s a disconnect,� Junior Sophia I use my phone Nebesky told me. “We’re the first generadefinitely has a tion to be submerged in social media. negative impact Older generations can’t on my life.� really relate to it, so they “If I liv It’s difficult don’t really understand to prevent our the types of mental health years e to be 80 old, I’l smartphones issues that come with it.� l ha spent and social A week ago, I quit social 8 year ve or a te s, media from media. The first few days zapping our were difficult and full of life, st nth of my aring sanity. But nervous energy. I checked iPhon at my before we my phone constantly and had e .� can learn trouble focusing at school, as if to treat our the notifications had migrated cellphones off my lock-screen and into my as tools instead of head. Today, though, I haven’t opiates, we have to make sure we’re all checked my phone in five hours. on the same page. There is little authentic In fact, I’m not totally sure where it is—and discussion of healthy phone habits in I’m OK with that. Ί school. For most of my friends, as long as their cellphone use isn’t getting in the way of more important things, like grades, Oliver Guinan is a junior at Reno High School. everything is fine at home.

For parents and kids alike, though, the line between important and unimportant becomes increasingly difficult to draw when you’re dealing with a phenomena that

family guide continued on page 17

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g n i t t u C e g d e ark

by M

Earn

Eight pieces of tech to make parenting easier

T

here are plenty of gadgets aimed squarely at the pocketbooks of parents. While some are just cool pieces of tech to make people think you are into the hippest things every other mom and dad is into, others have a genuine purpose and can make your lives easier by helping around the house, looking after little ones or just making the little things easier. Here’s a look at eight pieces of parenting tech that meet those demands, with tips on pricing.

security camera doorbells One of the hottest home-tech trends of the past few years has been a doorbell with a security boost beyond just the tone that warns you about a visitor.

Instead, the smart doorbell includes a camera at the top which shows who is at the door. You can watch them from a special unit that comes with the device,

Est

or you can view a live stream of your front porch from your smartphone. Some of these hi-tech doorbells also feature devices where you can speak to whomever is at the door.

The Ring company has several available, and the price range is pretty wide, from $100 to $500. Find out more at ring.com.

HigH-tecH strollers for baby If you search around the internet for sophisticated strollers, you might get some sticker shock. The range looks to be anywhere from $1,000 to an eye-popping $5,000. One exception is from a company called Mockingbird, which has several features that go beyond the standard, but in a compact package that costs just $350. It has wheels that mirror the style of car tires, a canopy with what is, in essence, a sunroof, and a modular system that can switch from forward to parent-facing mode quickly. Find out more at hellomockingbird.com.

smart mugs for Hot drinks This is a simple one that is actually pretty ingenious. If you pour the morning coffee or tea and then have to leave it on the counter to take care of a kid need, errand or work from home, you might return to a cold beverage. With the Ember smart mug and coaster, you get a synced app that heats the mug in the coaster to

the temperature you best like your drink, just program that proper heat with the app itself. It retails online at about $100. Find out more at ember.com.

track your kid on gPs Don’t think of it as spying— think of it as security.

There’s a small tracker available that can clip onto a backpack or piece of clothing, available from Jiobit, that syncs with an app so you can see the location of your kid in real time. You can also program alerts and specific location destinations. It’s available from Jiobit and is priced at about $100.

Find out more at jiobit.com.

Put Home safety first A standard-issue part of any family’s home is the smoke alarm, but there are some great hightech options that go beyond the batteries and the beeps. A company called Nest has one that also detects carbon monoxide, and they go a step further by making it wifi compatible, so it can warn you if there’s an alarm while you aren’t at home. It retails for about $120, and you can read more about it at nest.com.

cooking by remote If you are a busy parent that needs to put the food on the table for the family, it’s become the thing to do to get a crock pot and cook

dinner while at work. A high-tech version of this concept is the Instant Pot, which goes beyond just slow cooking to also be used for pressure cooking, a rice maker, or for steaming, and it’s fully programmable. Prices range from $90 to $150. Get more details at instantpot.com.

an easy temPerature cHeck When you suspect that the kids are sick—or maybe even mom and dad aren’t feeling quite right— you need a thermometer that’s easy to use. There are many that fit that bill, but one of the most interesting is from the company iProven. It works both in the ear and on the forehead and has a compact style and easy readout. Plus, it’s priced at about $30.

Find out more at iproven.com.

stay in toucH, literally Another trendy gift in past years has been the Amazon Echo Show. With its latest iteration—the Amazon Echo Show 5—it still lets you stay in touch with family from far away with its video call capabilities. That’s not all it does, of course: there are also ways to control home devices, listen to music or answer questions you’re too lazy to look up on your phone. It retails for about $65. Find out more about it at amazon.com. Ω

02.20.20 | RN&R | 17

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As undocumented citizens await the Supreme Court’s ruling on DACA, immigration issues hit home for some UNR students.

18 | RN&R | 02.20.20

n September 2017, the Trump administration announced its plan to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy. Under DACA, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security would not deport undocumented youth if they came to the United States as children. Legal challenges in support of DACA made their way to the Supreme Court in June 2019, and the Court heard oral arguments in November. The court was originally set to make its decision in June of this year, but it’s now unlikely that the fate of some 700,000 immigrants shielded

by DACA will be decided before November’s election.

Reno passed the “Welcome City” resolution in 2017, which states that under city law, people in the community will be treated equally despite their race. This was supposed to reaffirm the city’s position on inclusivity, but the resolution does not protect undocumented people and DACA recipients. The “Welcome City” resolution focuses on the police department’s policies against profiling based on race or ethnicity, but does not have a policy in place for the police department’s treatment of undocumented or DACA recipients. The resolution allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention of undocu undocumented immigrants in various methods.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s office policy manual states,“the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office does not independently conduct sweeps or other concentrated efforts to detain suspected undocu undocumented aliens.” Instead, the office’s contract with I.C.E. does include support services when requested

by I.C.E., and, when enforcement is increased in certain areas, equal consideration is given to suspected violators.

Sofia Garcia is a University of Nevada Reno alum and a DACA recipient. Her father was deported in 2017.

In an email interview, I.C.E. Spokesperson Tanya Roman confirmed there are currently 15 individuals who are I.C.E. detainees at the Washoe County Jail. Roman also stated that I.C.E. arrests are targeted, and when local jurisdictions choose not to cooperate with I.C.E., they are likely to see an increase in I.C.E. enforcement activity.

“I.C.E. prioritizes the arrest and removal of unlawfully present aliens who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security,” said Roman. “In fact, 90 percent of aliens arrested by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in FY2019 had either a criminal conviction(s), pending criminal charge(s), were an I.C.E. fugitive, or illegally re-entered the country after previously being removed. I.C.E. does not exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement. All of those in violation of immigration law may be subject to immigration arrest, detention and—if found removable by final order—removal from the United States.” *Sofia Garcia is a DACA recipient and an alumna of the University of Nevada, Reno. Her

family moved to Reno when she was young, but her father was deported in 2017. He had alcohol issues, which led to him being detained by I.C.E. one night when he was walking with a bottle in his hand, intoxicated. The family’s experience with I.C.E. as undocumented immigrants has been devastating.

“It was the most overwhelming thing I’ve ever had to experience because, supposedly, they track all of their individuals in I.C.E. detentions, but that’s not necessarily true,” Garcia said.

“Sometimes they would tell us like, ‘Oh, we sent him already to Mexico,’ and I’m like, ‘No, I’ve been calling, and he’s nowhere there.’ It was more like, ‘Where is he? Where do you have him detained?’ Not only that, but having to deal with ‘Why don’t you guys just send him back home?’”

The financial burden fell to Garcia when her father was detained. The family had to hire a lawyer due to immigration court not providing one to those who cannot afford one. Thus, if a family cannot afford a lawyer, detainees are expected to defend themselves in court. The family, however, struggled with going back and forth due to the way such cases are handled.

W IN A

“I didn’t understand why the movement “As for me here on campus, I am making and what was going on,” Garcia said. “But sure that students feel heard and validated, when they gave us the, ‘OK,’ he’s back here connecting them with resources that I know in Reno under I.C.E., and we’re gonna fly will be available to them,” said Mazariego. him out,’ from there, I went to go visit him “Also, being intentional and creating a space at the I.C.E. detention. I asked if there’s where students can feel heard. I think that’s a possibility we could see him before he what I can do as a social worker, as a coordileaves. They said, ‘No, but you can give nator here on campus, being intentional and him a bag with 25 items.’ Like, my dad using my privilege and my ways to advocate was going back to Mexico with nothing. for these students in their families.”

That was just not fair. His crime was, he Mazariego stated that there is no data for worked in construction, building buildings how many UNR students are DACA recipifor the state of Nevada. It just really crushed ents or undocumented due to the Family me, and it struck us really hard within our Education Rights and Privacy Act. FERPA family.” protects the privacy of student’s educational Garcia’s father was moved to federal records. However, many students have come prison in California before his family to talk to her about immigration was notified of him finally issues, including their family being deported. Garcia members. She also sees stated that when she how things targeted visited her father, the toward undocuconditions of the mented citizens facilities were not and DACA as good as they recipients—such made it out to be. as people repeatRoman, however, ing President stated that through Trump’s, an aggressive “build the inspections wall” campaign program, I.C.E. slogan—have an ensures its facilities effect on students. provide quality care “In terms of a Sofia Garcia, t en to all of those in their pi coordinator, what I ci re DACA custody. see is students feeling “He had to deal with court uneasy, anxious, often hearings,” Garcia said. “He was depressed and isolate themselves,” sentenced to a year in federal prison, and said Mazariego. “That’s why I think it’s we didn’t understand why. Why waste tax important for me to create an intentional paying dollars when they can honestly just space for them to talk.” send him home? You know, they didn’t Garcia also feels that dealing with immihave to waste [money] on food or energy gration issues, especially deportation, takes or anything, when he could have gladly just a toll on many student’s mental health, and left.” that the process of becoming a U.S. citizen is Garcia now works at the University of not as easy as people think.

Nevada, Reno, and stated the difference After the 2016 election, and with the DACA has made in her life and her ability to current climate of the country regarding help support her family. However, she stated immigration, many community members, that there are some difficulties that come the university and students are worried about along with it due to Nevada laws, such as not the upcoming election. Mazariego is waiting being able to work in certain professions in for the Supreme Court to make the decision health care, engineering and education. The so they can see the best action to take for ability to work in a profession depends on students and community members. the licensing needed for the job.

“Reach out, don’t stay close within the UNR has taken a stance to support shadows,” said Garcia, as advice for students DACA and undocumented students and who may be dealing with immigration their families on campus. They went as far issues. “Reach out to individuals. Don’t to create a position for Jahahi Mazariego in ever let someone indicate to you that higher 2017, a social services coordinator, to better education is something that you can’t accommodate students and community achieve when you definitely can. I know I members with immigration issues. In addidid it. I know many others will.” Ω tion, they work to procure funds outside of federal financial aid from institutional, state *This name has been changed to protect the and private sources. individual’s identity.

“I asked if there’s a possibility we could see him , ‘No, but before he leaves. They said 25 items.’ you can give him a bag with to Mexico Like, my dad was going back with nothing.”

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VISIT ALL YEAR! 02.20.20 | RN&R | 19

by Kris VAgner

After years as a painter, Ahren Hertel turned his artistic attention to the desert vistas he’s been around most of his life. courtesy/Ahren hertel

Where to land Ahren Hertel Ahren Hertel spent his childhood in the high desert, much of it in Chile and Bolivia—parts of which look a lot like Nevada—and some of it in Reno’s Galena Forest neighborhood.

“Most of the time, my friends and I were just outside running around,” Hertel said. “We grew up in Galena Forest, before Montreux [Golf & Country Club] was out there. Into the treeline. We could ride our bikes down into Washoe Valley.”

But it wasn’t until about five years ago—after art school, grad school and more than a decade as a painter and University of Nevada, Reno, painting instructor—that he started painting desert landscapes.

Hertel built his reputation on technically tight oil paintings—at first splashy, pop surrealist ones with a strong streak of storybook macabre, later, photorealistic portraits, often with the local desert as a background. All along, as much as he’s always related strongly to the landscape, he resisted being someone you might call a “landscape painter.”

The whole genre just seemed fraught. On one hand, there was the easygoing Bob Ross, popular on television during Hertel’s childhood, who attracted legions of fans as he made painting trees and clouds look like it could be done with barely any thought. On the other hand, there were long revered masters like Albert Bierstadt, the 19th-century German-American who brought the romanticism of Hudson River School paintings west, bathing the Sierra Nevada and other Western sights 20

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in dreamy, East Coast lighting. Paintings like these still fetch millions at auctions, and many—including Hertel—find that they still pack a proper emotional punch.

Given that landscape painting carries so much historical weight and popculture cachet, Hertel figured, how could any new painter enter the field and actually contribute anything relevant or new to the conversation?

But, eventually, Northern Nevada’s sagebrush and hills and valley-wide vistas made their way from his backgrounds to his foregrounds.

At first, painting them was a pretty low-commitment endeavor. After working on a portrait, he’d paint small, muted desertscapes as a way to loosen up, try a new technique, and use up whatever paint was still on his palette at the end of an evening.

Usually, it wasn’t quite sage-colored—maybe a sagey turquoise or a military olive instead—but close enough.

He got hooked on the idea of trying to paint a desert scene that felt just right, even with the subjective color choices. And he made it work.

“I’m not trying to represent it exactly as I see it,” Hertel said. He used those imperfect colors to portray an experience or an atmosphere—maybe that special, slightly weird feeling of the odd, foggy Nevada day.

Hertel’s current show at the Oats Park Art Center in Fallon does contain some portraits, but the room is dominated by that sense the high desert has on those days when it feels a little otherworldly, when the sky seems to hang heavy with frost and magic—or when, after 100 straight days of full sun, someone turned the dimmer switch all the way down at high noon.

He’s gotten more comfortable with the “landscape painter” label. Turns out it’s a perfectly good genre for all of the overthinking he’s inclined to do about images, representation, emotion, light and everything else a painter could obsess over. He might even try plein air next. Ω

Ahren hertel’s exhibition Match is on view at the oats Park Art center, 151 e. Park st., in Fallon, along with Austin Pratt’s A gate, Wild, Breathing, through April 4. Visit churchillarts.org.

BY BOB GRIMM

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

SHORT TAKES

3

“Sonic, if you’re not enjoying the ride, you can always get out and, you know, run.”

Fast times When Sonic the Hedgehog comes out of the gate, it has the makings of what could wind up being an early frontrunner for year’s worst. It’s irritating, it’s unoriginal, and it features multiple jokes about cops eating donuts, as if we haven’t heard those before.

Then Jim Carrey shows up as the villain, and almost saves the whole damn thing. Almost.

Sonic, the videogame character so beloved that his fanbase rallied to have his likeness corrected after an abysmal look in the original trailer, is voiced by Ben Schwartz. While this incarnation definitely looks better than that first mess Paramount Pictures tried to get past the masses, he’s still a grating presence. Sorry, Mr. Schwartz, but your voice is nails on a chalkboard.

A brief prelude shows Sonic being sent to Earth by a heroic owl, left alone in his cave with a bag of gold rings that provide gateways to other worlds. After an encounter with Tom Wachowski the small-town policeman (James Marsden), Sonic’s gold rings are accidentally transported to San Francisco. He must join with Tom, who he calls the Doughnut Lord because, as I stated before, this movie’s script is screamingly unoriginal, and they go on a road trip.

In pursuit of the pair is Dr. Robotnik, played by a totally game Jim Carrey, who hasn’t been this manically fun in years. Whatever stupid crap the movie has him doing doesn’t really matter. What matters is director Jeff Fowler gives the comedian permission to go off, and Carrey not only riffs away, but gets behind the character with his trademark physical acting. He gets legitimate laughs that are surprisingly offbeat considering his kiddie movie surroundings. (I especially liked his musings regarding Charlotte’s Web.) Alas, Carrey’s role is a supporting one, and he doesn’t get nearly enough screen time to save this from being a relatively rote affair.

We are mostly left with Marsden trading one liners with Sonic, and, of course, the requisite fart

jokes. If you were to guess where Tom and Sonic wind up on the road to San Francisco as a detour for strained laughs, I’m guessing a biker bar would be high on your probability list. And in that biker bar, you’d probably guess that there would be jokes involving mechanical bulls, line dancing, buffalo wings and bar fights. And you would’ve guessed right.

There are a couple of scenes in the flick where Sonic pulls a Quicksilver, the character in X-Men who was so fast that he could rearrange people in a fight in between blows. I have to think there’s an X-Men screenwriter somewhere who will be mighty pissed with some of the sequences in this movie.

Thankfully, Sonic does actually look like his video game self now, and not some horrid concoction featuring small eyes and human teeth. This film’s script, plus the way Sonic looked in that original trailer, would’ve ensured box office death.

As things stand, the movie looks decent which makes the dopey screenplay semi-tolerable.

So, perhaps some good things will come out of this. Perhaps the movie will give the talented Carrey the jumpstart his movie career needs after the ill-advised Dumb and Dumber To and the miserable dramatic turn Dark Crimes, which nobody on the planet saw. Time to greenlight another Ace Ventura or a sequel to The Mask. Why the hell not?

That’d be a better use of his talent than having him chasing lame-assed Sonic around.

The coda leaves things open ended for a sequel, a sequel that will probably happen. With the distraction of an initially horrendous-looking Sonic out of the way, maybe a unified look from the start could lead to a stronger picture. I’m sensing a sequel to this movie will result in something better.

There’s plenty of room for improvement. Ω

Twenty-five years have passed since detectives Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) and Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) first suited up for Captain Michael Bay in Bad Boys, and 17 years have passed since they joined him again for Bad Boys II. For this third helping, the directing team of Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah does a sufficient job of continuing the mayhem, easily topping Bay’s lame original and providing a chapter that is as good, and sometimes better, than chapter two. Burnett is eying retirement, while Lowrey is dealing with the psychological and physical ramifications of aging.

(He’s dyeing his goatee, so it’s all good.)

A crazy witch lady gangster Isabel (Kate del Castillo) has escaped from prison and has put out a hit list for her son Armando (Jacob Scipio) to work his way through.

Isabel has some vengeance in mind. The targets are former associates, and they have connections to Lowrey. Lowrey himself is on that list, and he takes a couple of bullets early in the film. I’m not giving too much away here in telling you that Lowrey doesn’t die. There’s no movie if Lowrey dies. So, a brief healing time later, Lowrey and a very reluctant Burnett are back in action, wisecracking and shooting people in slow motion. Some familiar faces return, including Theresa Randle as Burnett’s long suffering wife. She’s good in a subplot that has Burnett becoming a grandad while getting more house time in attempted retirement. House retirement doesn’t go well.

Bad things happen with ceiling fan repair.

Joe Pantoliano makes a welcomed return as Pepto-Bismol-swigging Captain Howard, a still capable riff on all of those screaming captains from Beverly Hills Cop movies.

2

12345

Birds of Prey

After being the only thing worth your time in Suicide Squad, Harley Quinn gets her own show in Birds of Prey, a marked improvement over the film that housed Margot Robbie’s first go at the role. Sadly, in this case, improved doesn’t necessarily mean good. There’s something very askew plot-wise in this movie, in that it doesn’t really have one, and the shards of a plot it does have are presented in especially sloppy fashion. The movie hops around time like a tweaker on a pogo stick. Also, while I love Robbie, her Harley Quinn shtick can get a little grating at times. Harley Quinn is joined by the Birds of Prey this time out, and the likes of Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), the Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) all get high marks for what they bring to the party. The basic plot involves bad guy Roman Sionis, a.k.a. Black Mask (Ewan McGregor), trying to get a big diamond from a young pickpocket (Ella Jay Basco). That’s about it for story.

Much of the film is spent talking about the Joker, which is a bit strange because this movie is supposed to be proof that the Birds of Prey don’t need the stupid Joker in their movie. OK, Harley broke up with the Joker so, mercifully, we don’t have to endure Jared Leto’s take on the character again. Get that plot element out of the way, and then move on. Instead, the film contains near constant references to the fact that Joker is not in this movie. Director Cathy Yan and screenwriter Christina Hodson seem afraid to let go of the Clown Prince of Crime as a plot presence.

Newsflash … nobody cares about the Suicide Squad incarnation of Joker.

2 Sonic the Hedgehog

Bad Boys for Life

Come to Daddy

A troubled artist (Elijah Wood) answers a letter from his long last dad (Stephen McHattie) and goes to visit him at his ocean front property. What starts out as a sweet get together quickly devolves into a hellish experience where dad proves himself to be a lousier father than even first thought.

Rather than being a supportive pop, he drinks a lot and declares his long lost son full of shit. He’s also got a few things going on in

the basement. Director Ant Timpson throws in twists aplenty, and Wood delivers good work, but the film ultimately doesn’t come together. It flirts with dark comedy early on, and seems to be on its way to being a terrific nasty laugher, but it loses its way as it goes the cheap thriller route. It also opts to be depressing in its second half rather than outlandish, and the writing doesn’t back up that leap. Too bad. I legit laughed a few times during the first half, and this one gave me high hopes with its setup. In the end, it’s a tonal mess and a blown opportunity for a memorable genre effort. (Available for home rental during a limited theatrical release.)

3

The Gentlemen

2

Gretel & Hansel

There are many reasons to happily hop to your local cinema for a showing of Guy Ritchie’s return to gangster comedy, The Gentlemen. Chief reason is the cast, led

by Matthew McConaughey and an extremely amusing Hugh Grant. Throw in Colin Farrell, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery and Eddie Marsen, all in top form, and you’re talking about what’ll probably be one of the best casts of the 2020—and it’s only January. Also, if you’re a big fan of weed, this movie might be your bag. The film, directed and co-written by Ritchie, isn’t an amazing piece of screenwriting. It feels like the other films Ritchie contributed to the gangster comedy drama (Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels), in that it has zippy dialogue and a fairly routine mystery at its core. But it’s also a lot of fun, from start to finish, and you will forgive it its familiarities and foibles. McConaughey is at his best as Mickey Pearson, a pot gangster who has built a large illegal weed empire as that particular plant seems headed for legalization. He’s toying with getting out, offering his empire to Matthew (Jeremy Strong) for a tidy, yet semi-reasonable sum. Wife Rosalind (Dockery), a shrewd businessperson, is fine with him retiring, as long as it doesn’t mean he will always be hanging around, bothering her while she’s trying to get stuff done. Bodies start piling up.

Mickey’s farms are getting raided, and somebody in the cast is responsible. Again, it’s fun stuff on a relatively mediocre scale.

Director Robert Eggers is two films into his career, and people are already trying to rip off his style. Coming off like a low-rate The Witch, Gretel & Hansel shoots for the slow-burn, deliberately paced, lushly photographed style that Eggers employed in his 2015 masterpiece. While director Osgood Perkins has put together a movie that looks OK, the script by Rob Hayes provides little to nothing in the way of chills. The movie is all atmosphere with little substance. On the verge of starvation centuries ago, Gretel (Sophia Lillis) is kicked out of her home with little brother Hansel (Sammy Leakey) in tow.

They head into the forest where the only meal they have is hallucinogenic mushrooms—yes, they trip out—until they come upon a house inhabited by a strange old lady named Holda (Alice Krige). Holda is all by herself without a supermarket in sight, yet her table is full of freshly baked and roasted goodies. Hansel and Gretel, just like the fairytale, settle in for some good country cooking. Little do they know that the obviously totally evil Holda—I mean, look at her, she’s definitely a witch—has nefarious plans that involve a different kind of mealtime. As the kids mull about the house and stuff their faces, Holda seems to have some sort of witch training future in store for Gretel. Gretel has “visions” that suggest she could have witchcraft in her blood, so Holda encourages her witchy woman side while Hansel moves closer to the roasting oven. Will Gretel get ahold of herself before Hansel achieves an uncomfortable alliance with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme? Trust me, you’ll be so bored you won’t give two shits. You won’t be scared, either.

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Recycle this PaPeR * ♥

Logged in Woody’s Grille & Spirits has ample space with plenty of seating. There are big screens displaying sports and smaller TVs at many booths for individualized viewing. It’s essentially kid-friendly, though there’s no kids menu. My elder grandson was attracted to a booth TV showing a Star Wars movie, then transferred his interest to the pool table and shuffleboard. Tunes from the ’80s accompanied our meal. Service was quick and friendly.

I chose appetizers with an eye to what my grandsons might enjoy. Woody’s Mac ’n’ Cheese ($11) is elbow macaroni in a five-blend cheese sauce, with tiger shrimp and andouille sausage, topped with toasted garlic bread crumbs and served with a crusty hunk of sourdough. Both boys enjoyed it, but the 10 month-old really dug it. His older brother crunched through slightly smoky, spicy pulled pork taquitos ($10), topped with lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole and served with pickled jalapeño slices and chipotle mayo on the side. The pasta was a little over-cooked, which was perfect for a little guy, who has just four teeth. The sausage and shrimp provided perfect punctuation, and the mornay sauce was smooth and creamy.

There are burgers, pasta, seafood and salads, but we all had a mind toward sandwiches for lunch. My son’s corned beef sandwich ($12) was a pretty tasty Reuben—though not so named—with slow braised corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and thousand island dressing on toasted marble rye. There was plenty of meat, though very little fermented cabbage.

Our server brought more warm, grilled sauerkraut on request. It was accompanied by a side of housemade potato chips that were crispy, but underseasoned.

The Big Boy grilled cheese sandwich ($11) sported Swiss, pepper jack, and herbed ricotta cheeses, smoked bacon, arugula and tomato on grilled

Slightly smoky, spicy pulled pork taquitos were topped with lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole and served with pickled jalapeño slices and chipotle mayo on the side.

PHOTO/TODD SOUTH

*After you read it!

sourdough, with a fruit cup side. There was quite a bit of the peppery leafy green, and though the ricotta offered an interesting flavor note, it rang counter to what I expect from a melty cheese sandwich. Still, bacon. Really good bacon. I more or less liked it, though not everyone else agreed.

My wife’s barbecue pork sandwich ($12) featured the same cherrywood-smoked pork as the taquitos, habañero barbecue sauce, honey cilantro lime slaw, avocado and red onion on a toasted brioche bun, with more of the slaw as a side. The large bun was visually impressive, but didn’t hold up well. The meat was really wet, furthered by the sauce and slaw. The bun was sogged and destroyed after a couple bites. The sauce was sweet and a lot less spicy than you’d expect from habañero, and the slaw was super bland. Honey, cilantro, lime? Completely lost in action.

A slow roasted tri-tip French dip sandwich ($12) was pretty damn good. I added Swiss cheese, sautéed onion, bell pepper and mushroom for a buck apiece extra. The French roll was grilled, the fillings plentiful, but when you add all those extras, it makes it tough to dip the thing without sending them into the drink. My bad. I powered through and enjoyed it regardless. I will note that my Caesar side salad and the chips seemed a bit lopsided compared to other sides. We didn’t try the soup, fries or macaroni salad, but it seemed odd that a huge side salad and pile of chips were the same deal as cups of slaw and fruit.

My crunchy, tangy salad was easily large enough to be a meal unto itself. So, bonus? Ω

Woody’s Grille & Spirits 960 S. McCarran blvd., 351-1010

Woody’s Grille & Spirits is open Monday through Thursday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Learn more at woodysgrilleandspirits.com.

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( 7 7 5 ) 3 2 4- 4 4 4 0

by BrAd Bynum

b ra d b @ne w s re v i e w . c o m

Ford Corl and his friends: Clockwise from top, Shawn Sariti, Troy Elizares, Corl and Adam Carpenter.

Dumb fun Ford Corl Way back in October of ye olde 2009, I met up with a local guy named Ford Corl to talk about Acoustic Face, his then new album. Here’s part of what I wrote back then: “Acoustic Face is a tribute to Corl’s love of two crafts: songwriting and recording. The album’s title is a reference to the acoustic guitar patterns at the heart of most of the songs, but every song is colored with tasteful electronic keyboard sounds, minimal percussion and other sounds.”

That article was headlined “Solitary man,” a reference to the fact that he recorded the album on his own, and that it was, more or less, a breakup album.

Corl’s forthcoming album, The Dumb Album, is the work of a confident singer, songwriter and bandleader. In the 11 years since Acoustic Face, Corl has released three other albums and an EP—a steadily improving catalog of songs.

He also left his job at a local TV station to make soothing ambient videos at Healing HealthCare Systems (see “Moving pictures of health,” A&C, January 16).

He played bass briefly in a Radioheadinfluenced band called Kadence, and helped spearhead The Reno Sessions, a video series, first online and then on PBS, documenting the Reno music scene. (Full disclosure: he made some videos of my band, although nobody made any money from the project.)

And perhaps most importantly, he managed to assemble one of the best live groups in the valley. The handful of shows they’ve played over the last couple of years have been fantastic multimedia events, with strange, spectacular sounds and videos, and top-notch musicianship from bassist Adam Carpenter (better known for his work with Moondog Matinee), guitarist Shawn

Sariti (who also played in Kadence), and drummer Troy Elizares (who’s been around the scene for while, in projects like Hate Recorder).

“I always enjoyed being alone in a room and coming up with something from scratch … to create something from nothing,” Corl said. This new record is the first record he’s made with his live band, and it sounds like a record by a band—not just a guy alone in his bedroom.

“I have to be really open to the idea that these songs are going somewhere that I could have never taken it before,” Corl said.

“It was finally me letting control go a little bit, which was a new experience for me because I’m not actually the best collaborator in the world.”

The overall effect is a bit reminiscent of a New Wave band, like Devo, the Cars or Gary Numan, but it doesn’t really sound like a total throwback. And despite the full band sound, the songs still sound like the imaginings of a genuine eccentric.

“The more extreme parts of my personality can just get embedded into those songs,” Corl said. He’s a mild-mannered guy in person and a weirdo in song. “I enjoy getting all those things out my brain.

It’s therapeutic, in a sense.”

He decided to really lean into his strangest impulses for this record.

“I’m going to write the weirdest lyrics I’ve ever heard, and I don’t really care if anyone understands them,” he said. “And I was like, what’s the stupidest, dumbest name of an album I can think of, and that just came to mind. … I think seeing something called The Dumb Album requires further investigation. What the hell is this?”

A lot of the songs, he said, are about “abstract concepts.”

“There are songs about the ebb and flow of emotion,” he said. “There’s an end to everything. If you’re feeling really good, there’s always going to be an end to that.

If you’re feeling really bad, there’s always going to be an end to that.”

But, despite exploring themes of alienation, aging and miscommunication, the overall effect of the album is uplifting.

“It feels like a fun one” Corl said.

“Like, when I hear it, I can hear the fun that we had. … Can you hear the fun? The fun album.” Ω

For more information, visit fordcorl.com

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THURSDAY 2/20

FRIDAY 2/21

1UP

214 W. Commercial Row, (775) 813-6689

Megalodon, WHALES, Coma Tek b2b Howker, Diology, Awon, 10pm, $17-$20

ALIBI ALE WORKS (INCLINE)

Knuf, 9pm, no cover

931 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, (775) 831-8300

ALIBI ALE WORKS (TRUCKEE) ALTURAS BAR

Feb. 21, 8 p.m.

The BlueBird 555 E. Fourth St. 499-5549

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

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

THE BLUEBIRD

Carson Comedy Club, Carson Nugget, 507 N. Carson St., Carson City, (775) 8821626: Steven Briggs, Fri, 8pm, $15 Laugh Factory, Silver Legacy Resort Casino, 407 N. Virginia St., (775) 3257401: Jeff Richards, Thu, Sun, 7:30pm, $21.95; Fri-Sat, 7:30pm, 9:30pm, $27.45; Raj Sharma, Tue-Wed, 7:30pm, $21.95 LEX at Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. Second St., (775) 789-5399: Nat Baimel, Thu, 8pm, $10 The Library, 134 W. Second St., (775) 6833308: Open Mic Comedy, Sun, Wed, 8pm, no cover Pioneer Underground, 100 S. Virginia St., (775) 322-5233: Nat Baimel, Thu, 7pm, $7-$12; Fri, 9pm, $12-$17; Sat, 6:30pm, 9:30pm, $12-$17

CEOL IRISH PUB

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555 E. Fourth St., (775) 499-5549

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

Metal Echo, 9pm, no cover

Comedy Night/Paul Spock’s Birthday Bash, 8:30pm, $5

BAR OF AMERICA

Comedy

26

Dusty Miles and the Cryin’ Shame, 8pm, no cover

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

Nappy Roots

SATURDAY 2/22

Spag Heddy, LUX, Coma Tek, Howker, 8:15pm, $25-$30

Caribbean Soul, 9pm, no cover

Caribbean Soul, 9pm, no cover

Nappy Roots, Galactik Vibes & Connected with Influxx, 8pm, $20

BlueBird Post-Anniversary Party: Electric Nature, UFYO, Benjah Ninjah, 9pm, $10-$15

Keith Shannon, 9pm, no cover

John Garrett Band, 9pm, no cover

COTTONWOOD RESTAURANT & BAR

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

Lost Idea, Sex Devils, The Trainwrecks, Myke Read, 8pm, no cover

DEAD RINGER ANALOG BAR

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

FAT CAT BAR & GRILL (MIDTOWN) 1401 S. Virginia St., (775) 453-2223

02.20.20

Trivia Night, 7pm, Tu, no cover Ike & Martin, 6pm, W, no cover Bluegrass jam, 6pm, no cover

Open Mic Night, 7pm, M, no cover Trivia Night, 7pm, W, no cover

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

Traditional Irish session, 7pm, Tu, Wed. Night Showcase, 7pm, W, no cover

The Cut Ups, 9pm, no cover House Party’s Gold Edition: Justin Campbell, Durt Randall, 9pm, $5-$15

432 E. Fourth St., (775) 409-4431

FACES NV

MON-WED 2/24-2/26

Dinner show with Sadie Tucker, Emily Tessmer, 5pm, $47

10142 Rue Hilltop Rd., Truckee, (530) 587-5711

DAVIDSONS DISTILLERY

SUNDAY 2/23

Speed Date, 8pm, $20

XanderRoxX, 9pm, W, no cover First Take with Rick Metz, 7pm, Tu, DJ Trivia, 7pm, W, no cover

THURSDAY 2/20 The holland ProjecT

FRIDAY 2/21

Happy Jazz Trio, Phat Mark, Hwy 93, 7:30pm, $15

140 Vesta St., (775) 448-6500

jUB jUB’S ThIrST Parlor

1) RAMIREZ, 7:30pm, $20-$23

140 Vesta St., (775) 448-6500 1) Showroom 2) Bar Room

SATURDAY 2/22

SUNDAY 2/23

The Red Pears, Carpool Tunnel, Archer Oh, 7:30pm, $10 1) Fashawn, J. Stone, 7:30pm, $20-$50

1) Pimp Tobi, DJ Quincyy, Lil Candy Paint, 7:30pm, $20

Bay Faction, Anapathic, 7:30pm, $10-$12 ButtStuff, Tag Along Friend, 7:30pm, W, $5 2) Joe Wood, Me Time, 8pm, $5

The loVInG cUP

Motown Mondays, 9pm, M, no cover

188 California Ave., (775) 322-2480

The Red Pears

MIdTown wIne Bar

Unplugged: Open Mic Thursdays, 7pm, no cover

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

MIllennIUM

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

Audio Breeze, 8:30pm, no cover

Wunderlust, 8pm, no cover

Omar Ruiz, Grupo Fernandez, Hijos de Leyva, 10m, $40

Banda Arkangel R-15, Sonora Tropicana, 10pm, $20

PIGnIc PUB & PaTIo

Dave Mensing’s Acoustic Burn, 7pm, W, no cover

Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m.

The Holland Project 140 Vesta St. 448-6500

DJ Ernie “Fresh” Upton, 10pm, no cover

235 Flint St., (775) 376-1948

The Polo loUnGe

DJ Trivia, 7pm, no cover

Jake’s Garage 5.0, DJ Bobby G, 9pm, no cover

DJ Bobby G, 9pm, no cover

rUe BoUrBon

Adam Springob, 6pm, no cover

Mardi Gras Weekend Kick-Off Party with Cliff Porter, 8pm, no cover

Mardi Gras Crawfish Boil, 1pm, $15-$30 Kat Heart, 8pm, no cover

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

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

The SaInT

Karaoke, 8pm, M, no cover Troupe Tuesdays, 8pm, Tu, no cover Mardi Gras/Revival Brunch with Rachael McElhiney, 11am, no cover

Saturday Country Dance Party, 7pm, no cover

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

Shea’S TaVern

Country line dance lessons and dance party, 6pm, W, no cover Trivia Night, 8pm, no cover

215 S. Virginia St., (775) 786-4774

ST. jaMeS InFIrMarY

Elephant Rifle’s 10th Anniversary Show with Handsome Vultures, 8pm, $12-$15

445 California Ave., (775) 657-8484

VIrGInIa STreeT BrewhoUSe 211 N. Virginia St., (775) 433-1090

MON-WED 2/24-2/26

Preacher Album Release, 8pm, $0-$5 Silent Disco, 10pm, $TBA

Mardi Gras Party, 10pm, $5

The Delta Bombers, Reckless Ones, Thee Saturday Knights, 7:30pm, Tu, $15-$17

The Delta Bombers Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.

Shea’s Tavern 215 S. Virginia St. 786-4774

Colt Ford, 8pm, $26 Silent Disco Black Light Party, 10pm, $TBA

join the

team! rn&r is hiring

Distribution Driver For more inFormation anD to apply, go to www.newsreview.com/reno/jobs

Chico Community Publishing, dba the Reno News & Review, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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aTlanTIs CasIno resorT sPa 3800 S. Virginia St., (775) 825-4700 Cabaret KICK: Thu, 2/20, 8pm, Fri, 2/21, Sat, 2/22, 4pm, no cover

MICHAEL FURLONG: Fri, 2/21, Sat, 2/22, 10pm, Sun, 2/23, 8pm, no cover

LIVE MUSIC: Mon, 2/24, Tue, 2/25, 10pm, Sun, 2/26, 8pm, no cover

BooMToWn CasIno HoTel 2100 garSOn rOad, Verdi, (775) 345-6000 gUitar bar JAMIE ROLLINS: Thu, 2/20, 6pm, no cover THE STARLITERS: Fri, 2/21, Sat, 2/22, 5pm, no cover

NEW WAVE UNPLUGGED TRIO: Fri, 2/21, 9pm, no cover

THE LOOK: Sat, 2/22, 9pm, no cover STEPHEN LORD: Sun, 2/23, 6pm, no cover TANDYMONIUM: Mon, 2/24, 6pm, no cover PETER PACYAO: Tue, 2/25, 6pm, no cover JASON KING: Wed, 2/26, 6pm, no cover

Carson nUGGeT 507 n. CarSOn St., CarSOn City, (775) 882-1626 TRUE LEAF WITH FALSE RHYTHMS: Fri, 2/21, Sat, 2/22, 9pm, no cover

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Reno Media Group presents this showcase of more than 100 businesses offering shopping, giveaways and information on health, fitness, beauty, fashion, motherhood, education, career and other interests and services geared toward women. Other highlights include an appearance by Mike Johnson, a fan-favorite Bachelor from ABC’s romance reality show The Bachelorette and special performances throughout the day from Magic Mike XXL the Show and Britney Spears impersonator Derrick Barry from the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. General admission tickets are $20. The $50 VIP ticket includes one hour early entrance to the event at 9 a.m., a private meet and greet with dancers from Magic Mike XXL the Show, a goodie bag from Adam and Eve, and one free beverage at the bar. Only 250 VIP tickets will be available. The first 750 people in line will receive a free goodie bag from Adam and Eve. The event begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Summit Pavilion inside the Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. Second St. Call 789-2000 or visit www.grandsierraresort.com.

red rOOM

1627 HigHway 395, Minden, (775) 782-9711

elDoraDo resorT CasIno

Cabaret GRUVE NATION: Thu, 2/20, 7pm, Fri, 2/21, Sat, 2/22, 8pm, no cover

CIrCUs CIrCUs reno 500 n. Sierra St., (775) 329-0711 Cabaret REBEKAH CHASE BAND: Fri, 2/21, Sat, 2/22, 9pm, no cover

eL JeFe’S Cantina SKYY HIGH FRIDAY WITH DJ MO FUNK: Fri, 2/21, 10pm, no cover

REVEL SATURDAYS WITH DJ CHRIS ENGLISH: Sat, 2/22, 10pm, no cover

CrysTal Bay CasIno 14 HigHway 28, CryStaL bay, (775) 833-6333 CrOwn rOOM R RATED COMEDY WITH SHAPEL LACEY, MICHAEL SCHIRTZER & TODD DORAM: Thu, 2/20, 8pm, $15-$20

MARCIA BALL WITH SONNY LANDRETH: Fri, 2/21, 8pm, $35-$40

AN EVENING WITH STEVE POLTZ: Sat, 2/22, 9pm, $20-$25

tHe LOFt

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FEB/22:

DIVAS’ DAY OUT 2020

Carson Valley Inn

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THE SUGARSHACK SESSIONS FEATURING KBONG WITH SENSI TRAILS: Tue, 2/25, 9pm, $18-$20

MR. ROONEY & IJV: Fri, 2/21, 10pm, no cover

345 n. Virginia St., (775) 786-5700 brew brOtHerS STUDENT BODY THURSDAYS WITH DJ JB: Thu, 2/20, 10pm, no cover

DJ BIRD & VJ RIZZO: Fri, 2/21, Sat, 2/22, 10pm, no cover

DJ RONI V: Sun, 2/23, 10pm, no cover LIVE BAND KARAOKE WITH ROCK U ENT.: Mon, 2/24, Wed, 2/26, 10pm, no cover

DJ BEAU PAULSEN & TRAE CARTER WELLS: Tue, 2/25, 10pm, no cover

nOVi DJ SCENICK & DJ RONI V: Fri, 2/21, Sat, 2/22, 9pm, no cover

rOXy’S LiVe PianO bar LIVE PIANO: Thu, 2/20, Fri, 2/21, Sat, 2/22, Sun, 2/23, Mon, 2/24, Tue, 2/25, Wed, 2/26, 4:30pm, no cover

DJ OSCAR PEREZ: Fri, 2/21, 10pm, no cover DJ MO FUNK: Sat, 2/22, 10pm, no cover

GranD sIerra resorT 2500 e. SeCOnd St., (775) 789-2000 LeX nigHtCLUb THROWBACK THURSDAY—POP TAKEOVER WITH DJ TEDDY P: Thu, 2/20, 10pm, no cover LEX FRIDAYS WITH DJ COOLWHIP: Fri, 2/21, 10pm, $10

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

HARD ROCK LAKE TAHOE

HARVEYS LAKE TAHOE

50 HIgHWAy 50, STATELINE, (844) 588-7625

18 HIgHWAy 50, STATELINE, (775) 588-6611

CENTER BAR

HARVEy’S CABARET

DJ SET: Fri, 2/21, Sat, 2/22, 9pm, no cover

THE NEVADA SHOW: Fri, 2/21, 10pm,

VINyL SHOWROOM SMOKE & MIRRORS PART DEUX: Fri, 2/21, 8pm, $25

RIFFS COMEDY CLUB WITH STEVEN BRIGGS: Sat, 2/22, 8pm, $15

HARRAH’S LAKE TAHOE Marcia Ball Feb. 21, 8 p.m.

Crystal Bay Casino 14 Highway 28 Crystal Bay 833-6333 PARTI GRAS: Sat, 2/22, 10pm, $20

SUMMIT PAVILION DIVAS DAY OUT: Sat, 2/22, 10am, $20-$50

WILLIAM HILL RACE AND SPORTS BAR COUNTRY MUSIC NIGHTS & DANCE LESSONS: Fri, 2/21, Sat, 2/22, 10:30pm, no cover

$26.83-$36.83

MONTBLEU RESORT, CASINO & SPA 55 HIgHWAy 50, STATELINE, (775) 588-3515

15 HIgHWAy 50, STATELINE, (800) 427-7247

BLU NIgHTCLUB

SOUTH SHORE ROOM

MONTBLEU SHOWROOM

ANI DIFRANCO WITH JESCA HOOP: Fri, 2/21, 7:30pm, $40.82

ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN—GARY MULLEN AND THE WORKS: Sun, 2/23, 7:30pm, $36.23-$40.82

CASINO CENTER STAgE TUESDAY NIGHT BLUES WITH THE BUDDY EMMER BAND: Tue, 2/25, 8pm, no cover

FUERZA LATINA: Sun, 2/23, 10pm, $17.50-$22 ALTER BRIDGE: Fri, 2/21, 8pm, $40-$45

PEPPERMILL RESORT SPA CASINO 2707 S. VIRgINIA ST., (775) 826-2121 EDgE

219 N. CENTER ST., (775) 786-3232

SPIN THURSDAYS: Thu, 2/20, 10pm, $20 LATIN DANCE SOCIAL WITH BB & KIKI OF SALSA RENO: Fri, 2/21, 7pm, $10-$20, no cover

SAMMy’S SHOW ROOM

LADIES NIGHT: Fri, 2/21, 10pm, $20, no cover

HARRAH’S RENO IGNITE CABARESQUE: Sat, 2/22, 9pm, $30.04-$39.22

before 8pm charge for women

DJ HEDSPIN X FOUR COLOR ZACK 2X4 SET: Sat, 2/22, 10pm, $20

TERRACE LOUNgE

Ani DiFranco

MESTIZO BEAT: Thu, 2/20, 7pm, Fri, 2/21, Sat, 2/22, 8pm, no cover

TRISTAN SELZLER: Sun, 2/23, Mon, 2/24, Tue, 2/25, Wed, 2/26, 6pm, no cover

SANDS REGENCY 345 N. ARLINgTON AVE., (775) 348-2200

Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m.

Harrah’s Lake Tahoe 15 Highway 55 Stateline (800) 427-7247

3RD STREET LOUNgE LINE DANCING WITH VAQUERA VIKKI: Thu, 2/20, Wed, 2/26, 6:30pm, no cover

SILVER LEGACY RESORT CASINO 407 N. VIRgINIA ST., (775) 325-7401 gRAND EXPOSITION HALL KING OF THE CAGE: Sat, 2/22, 6pm, $27.52-$68.81

RUM BULLIONS AUDIO BOXX WITH DJ R3VOLVER: Fri, 2/21,

karaoke

Sat, 2/22, 9pm, no cover

SILVER BARON LOUNgE

The Elbow Room Bar, 2002 Victorian Ave., Sparks, (775) 358-6700: Wednesday Night Karaoke, Wed, 8pm, no cover

DJ MO FUNK: Thu, 2/20, Sun, 2/23, 9pm, no cover

JUST US: Fri, 2/21, Sat, 2/22, 9pm, no cover

Pizza Baron, 1155 W. Fourth St., Ste. 113, (775) 329-4481: Wacky Wednesday Karaoke with Steve Starr & DJ Hustler, 9pm, no cover

TAHOE BILTMORE 5 HIgHWAy 28, CRySTAL BAy, (775) 831-0660

The Point, 1601 S. Virginia St., (775) 322-3001: Karaoke, Thu-Sat, 8:30pm, no cover

CASINO FLOOR

West 2nd Street Bar, 118 W. Second St., (775) 348-7976: Karaoke, Mon-Sun, 9pm, no cover

CHRIS COSTA: Fri, 2/21, Sat, 2/22, 8pm, no cover

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FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 20, 2020 For a complete listing of this week’s events or to post events to our online calendar, visit www.newsreview.com.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH FILM SERIES: South Valleys Library continues its film series celebrating Black History Month with a screening of Race (2016), starring Stephan James, Eli Goree and Shanice Banton. Jesse Owens’ quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler’s vision of Aryan supremacy. Sat, 2/22, noon. Free. South Valleys Library, 15650-A Wedge Parkway, (775) 851-5190.

CABIN FEVER: This nature program is

FEB/22

: LANDSCAPES & LEGENDS OF MEXICO

The Reno Phil continues its 2019-2020 Classix season with a concert celebrating the sights and sounds of Mexico. Partnering with the acclaimed symphonic photo-choreography company Westwater Arts, the Reno Phil presents a collaboration of live symphonic music with stunning photography that weaves together a vibrant tapestry of the landscapes and people of Mexico. The audience will hear the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra perform Copland’s El Salón México, Márquez’s Danzón No. 2 and selections from Revueltas’ La Noche de los Mayas, as they gaze at the brilliant scenes of Mexico on the screen. The evening begins with the humorous adventures of Don Quixote as depicted

by Richard Strauss, which features variations on the theme of a knightly character. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, and at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St. Tickets are $29-$89. Call 323-6393 or visit www.renophil.com.

EVENTS

AMAZING BIRDS OF PREY: Marie Gaspari Crawford will talk about the long history of falconry, the numerous environmental adaptations these birds possess, the influence they have over our world and conservation efforts to protect raptors.

This presentation is suitable for adults and older children. Sat, 2/22, 10am. $5 suggested donation. Galena Creek Visitor Center, 18250 Mount Rose Highway, www.galenacreekvisitorcenter.org.

39 NORTH—PARTY IN THE PLAZA: 39 North Downtown, City of Sparks, Sparks Heritage Museum and Sierra Arts Foundation present this monthly event highlighting art, specialty food, farmers, crafts, music and cultural heritage. There will be vendors, food trucks, local artists, live entertainment and chef demos in indoor and outdoor venues. Thu, 2/20, 4pm. Free. Dining district at Victorian Square, Victorian Avenue, downtown Sparks, www.39northdowntown.com.

AN EVENING WITH GAYLE BRANDEIS, WENDY J. FOX AND JUNE SYLVESTER SARACENO: The authors will read from and discuss their respective works—Many Restless Concerns, If the Ice Had Held and Feral, North Carolina, 1965. Thu, 2/20, 6:30pm. Free. Sundance Books and Music, 121 California Ave., (775) 786-1188.

ALPENGLOW SPORTS MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL: Geared toward beginner and intermediate winter recreation enthusiasts, the festival showcases some of the best activities Lake Tahoe has to offer. Thu, 2/20-Sun, 2/23. Various locations across Truckee-Lake Tahoe, www.alpenglowsports.com.

THE ANIMATION ACADEMY EXHIBIT: This

ALPENGLOW’S WINTER SPEAKER SERIES: Professional skier Hadley Hammer details her unlikely entry into the pro skier world at the age of 25, when she was catapulted to the top of the Freeride World Tour. Hammer’s talk will look at how the limitations we place on ourselves can hold us back the most, and how overcoming those obstacles can lead to amazing results. Thu, 2/20, 7pm. Free. Olympic Village Lodge, 1901 Chamonix Place, Olympic Valley, www.alpenglowsports.com.

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interactive exhibition explores the history of animation, from traditional hand-drawn cels to CGI. Read the stories of real-life animators, see tools of the trade, watch classic cartoons and try your own hand at animating. The show runs through May 10. Thu, 2/20-Sun, 2/23, Wed, 2/26. $9-$10. Wilbur D. May Center, Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N. Sierra St., (775) 785-5961.

geared toward kids ages 4-6. Each session will feature a short lesson, a story, an indoor activity and a guided outdoor exploration in the May Arboretum. Parent attendance is required. Call to register. Tue, 2/25, 10am. $5. Wilbur D. May Center, Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N. Sierra St., (775) 785-4153.

GIVING FUND SPEAKER SERIES: Daniella Luchain of Sierra Bakehouse presents “High Altitude Baking Tips.” Thu, 2/20, 4:30pm. $5-$20. Alder Creek Adventure Center, 15275 Alder Creek Road, Truckee, (530) 587-9400, TahoeDonner.com/ Speaker-Series.

GLOWSTICK PARADE AND CARNIVAL: This is a kids’ version of a torchlight parade with glowsticks for children ages 10 or younger who can ski or ride unassisted in the dark on the Snowbird run.

Participants should plan to come early to secure a spot in the parade. Music and snacks will be provided in the bar area prior to the parade. Sign-ups and the carnival start at 4:30pm with the parade starting at 6:30pm. Sat, 2/22, 4:30pm. Free. Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort, 11509 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee, (530) 587-9444, www.tahoedonner.com.

KID-O-RAMA: Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows kids’ extravaganza offers non-stop fun for kids of all ages, including street parties and kids’ concerts, a game and craft room, the Oakley Grom Jam and other events. Thu, 2/20-Sat, 2/22, 10am. Free with lift ticket. Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, 1960 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley, (800) 403-0206, squawalpine.com.

LAKE TAHOE MID-WINTER CHILI CLASSIC: Some of the area’s best restaurants will go head to head and compete to see who takes home the trophy, cash and bragging rights for “Lake Tahoe’s Best Chili.” Thu, 2/20, 5:30pm. $30. Lake Tahoe AleWorx, 31 U.S. 50, Stateline, laketahoealeworx.com.

RENO BEER CRAWL: Attendees have an opportunity to sample domestic, nationally recognized and locally distributed craft beers at more than 15 different bars and restaurants in downtown Reno. For $5, you get a commemorative Reno Beer Crawl glass, wristband and map to use throughout this self-guided event. For $1, you can enjoy 6-ounce samples at each of the participating downtown Reno locations. Sat, 2/22, 2pm. $5. The Library, 134 W. Second St., (775) 322-7373, renobeercrawl.com.

REPARATIONS DISCUSSION: In recognition of Black History Month, North Valleys Library will host a panel discussion on reparations. Featured guests are Callum Ingram, assistant professor in the Political Science Department at the University of Nevada, Reno; and Paul Mitchell, a coordinator of recruitment and retention at the Reynolds School of Journalism at UNR. Greta de Jong, a history professor at UNR, will moderate.

Sat, 2/22, 2pm. Free. Northwest Reno Library, 2325 Robb Drive, (775) 787-4100.

SHOP TALK—FUNDAMENTALS OF CHINESE MEDICINE AND CHINESE DIETARY THEORY: Jared Andersen is a doctoral candidate in integrative medicine and is the owner and chief practitioner at Summit Sports Acupuncture in Truckee. His lecture will focus on the fundamental principles of Chinese medicine and Chinese dietary theory and how it relates to health, sustainability and local food sourcing.

Thu, 2/20, 6pm. Free. Tahoe Food Hub, 12116 Chandelle Way Unit D-1, Truckee, (530) 562-7150, www.tahoefoodhub.org.

SO VERY LITERARY BOOK CLUB: The group meets to discuss The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. Thu, 2/20, 6pm. Free. 15650-A Wedge Parkway, (775) 851-5190.

SPRING FILM SERIES—SUBURBAN ENNUI: Churchill Arts Council concludes its series with a screening of the 2008 film Revolutionary Road. Set in 1955, it focuses on the hopes and aspirations of Frank and April Wheeler, self-assured Connecticut suburbanites who see themselves as very different from their neighbors in the Revolutionary Hill Estates. Directed by Sam Mendes, this was the second on-screen collaboration of Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Kathy Bates, all of whom previously costarred in Titanic. Fri, 2/21, 7pm. $7-$27.

Barkley Theatre, Oats Park Art Center, 151 E. Park St., Fallon, (775) 423-1440, www.churchillarts.org.

VIRGINIA CITY FATHER-DAUGHTER DAY & DANCE: The day is designed to create a memorable experience for dads and daughters that ends with a dance at the Piper’s Opera House, 12 N. B St. The VIP Package includes lunch, hot cocoa or coffee, old-time portrait, treats and a custom-made corsage. There are two Father-Daughter Dance times to choose from: noon or 2pm. Sat, 2/22, 11am. $20$99. Various venues in Virginia City, (775) 847-7500, visitvirginiacitynv.com.

WINTER FIREWORKS: Enjoy a winter fireworks celebration on Saturdays through February at the KT Deck. All fireworks shows are dependent on weather conditions. Sat, 2/22, 7pm.

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, 1960 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley, (800) 403-0206, squawalpine.com.

ART ARTISTS CO-OP GALLERY OF RENO: Virginia Range Sanctuary Benefit Show. Artists Co-Op Gallery of Reno presents its February show. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Virginia Range Sanctuary, which is dedicated to protecting wild horses in Nevada, particularly in the Virginia Range. Thu, 2/20-Wed, 2/26, 11am-4pm. Free. Artists Co-Op Gallery of Reno, 627 Mill St., www.artistsco-opgalleryreno.com.

CITY HALL METRO GALLERY: Only Two Ways to Fire. The Reno City Hall Metro Gallery hosts an exhibition of ceramic work by Fred Reid and Richard Jackson. Reid and Jackson’s work is inspired by their Nevadan heritage and the process of firing ceramics. The sculptures are made by using high fire or raku techniques. Thu, 2/20-Fri, 2/21, Mon, 2/24Wed, 2/26, 8am-5pm. Free. City Hall Metro Gallery, 1 E. First St., (775) 334-6264, www.reno.gov.

GALLERY EAST, MCKINLEY ARTS & CULTURE CENTER: Saving Faces. Gallery East in the McKinley Arts & Culture Center hosts this collection of portraiture by the members of the Portrait Society of Reno. The portraits range from life-size paintings to small, intimate sketches.

Each work tells a brief but profound story of the subject’s life—a long history captured in a moment and preserved for posterity. The show runs through March 13. Thu, 2/20-Fri, 2/21, Mon, 2/24-Wed, 2/26, 8am-5pm. Free. McKinley Arts & Culture Center, 925 Riverside Drive, (775) 334-6264, www.reno.gov.

GALLERY WEST, MCKINLEY ARTS & CULTURE CENTER: 4th Street—A Legacy of Change. Gallery West in the McKinley Arts & Culture Center hosts this exhibition of photographs by Scott Hinton, Sebastian Diaz and Jeff John Sison. The photographs focus on three motor lodges that lined Arlington Avenue and faced the Sands Casino. The photographs were made mere hours before the motels’ demolition. The works were created in the documentary style, seeking to capture the state of the buildings and their surroundings for posterity and future research. The show runs through March 13. Thu, 2/20-Fri, 2/21, Mon, 2/24-Wed, 2/26, 8am-5pm. Free.

McKinley Arts & Culture Center, 925 Riverside Drive, (775) 334-6264, www.reno.gov.

THE HOLLAND PROJECT: Scholastic Art Awards 2020 Gold Key Works Opening Reception. In conjunction with the Nevada Museum of Art, the Holland Project Gallery hosts the 2020 Scholastic Art Exhibition honoring Northern Nevada’s up-and-coming teen artists and Scholastic Art Gold Key recipients.

The opening reception is on Feb. 21. The Scholastic Art Exhibit will be on display Feb. 21-March 20 with gallery hours from noon to 6pm on Wednesday-Friday. Fri, 2/21, 6-8pm. Free. The Holland Project, 140 Vesta St., (775) 448-6500, www.hollandreno.org.

LAKE TAHOE COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Tahoe Art League Member Art Show. The exhibition runs through March 20. Thu, 2/20-Wed, 2/26, 8am. Free. Haladan and Foyer Galleries, Lake Tahoe Community College, 1 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, (530) 544-2313, www.facebook.com/ TahoeArtLeague.

THE LILLEY: Shane Pickett—Dijinong Djina Boodja | Look at the Land that I Have Travelled. During his lifetime, Shane Pickett (1957-2010) was acclaimed as one of Western Australia’s most significant contemporary Aboriginal artists. Featuring works from the most radical and significant phase of his career, the display is the first major exhibition of Pickett’s work in the United States. Museum hours are noon-4pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, noon-8pm on Thursday and 10am-6pm on Saturday. Thu, 2/20-Sat, 2/22, Tue/2/25Wed, 2/26. Free. John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art (The Lilley), University Arts Building, University of Nevada, Reno, 1300 N. Virginia St., (775) 784-6682, www.unr.edu/art/museum.

SOUTH VALLEYS LIBRARY: Learning and Communicating. Painter Jade Chen’s exhibition is on display through February. Thu, 2/20-Sat, 2/22, Mon, 2/24-Wed, 2/26, 10am. Free. South Valleys Library, 15650-A Wedge Parkway, (775) 851-5190.

STUDENT GALLERIES SOUTH, JOT TRAVIS BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO: BFA Midway Exhibitions—Joshua Galarza, Robert Ibarra and Cesar Piedra. Annual exhibitions by students at the halfway point in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program in visual arts at the University of Nevada, Reno. There will be a closing reception on Feb. 20. Thu, 2/20, 6pm. Free. Student Galleries South, Jot Travis Building, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia St., www.unr.edu/arts.

MUSIC APEX CONCERTS—PIANO AND WINDS: The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will perform works by Mozart, Barber, Ligeti, Françaix and Reicha. Thu, 2/20, 7:30pm. $5-$35. Harlan & Barbara Hall Recital Hall, University Arts Building, University of Nevada, Reno, 1300 N. Virginia St., (775) 784-4278, unrmusic.org/ apex/tickets.html.

COME IN FROM THE COLD: The winter family entertainment series continues with a performance by cowboy poet and songwriter Richard Elloyan. Sat, 2/22, 7pm. Free. Western Heritage Interpretive Center at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road, (775) 828-6612.

RENO WIND SYMPHONY—VARIATIONS AROUND THE WORLD: All selections in this program are designed to begin with a simple harmonized melody, which is then repeated several times, exploring the technicalities of the ensemble in different moods and tempos. Sun, 2/23, 3pm. $5$10, free for students with school ID. Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts Building, University of Nevada, Reno, 1335 N. Virginia St., (775) 784-4278, www.renowindsymphony.com.

SUNDAY MUSIC BRUNCH: Chez Louie hosts live music by Judith Ames and brunch featuring a menu of creative dishes, mimosas and a Bloody Mary bar.

Reservations recommended. Sun, 2/23, 10am. Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St., (775) 284-2921.

Be a part of rN&r’s

ONSTAGE

aNNual Nightlife guide

THE CHILDREN: Brüka Theatre presents Lucy’s Kirkwood’s cautionary tale for apocalyptic times. Two retired scientists live in an isolated cottage by the sea as the world around them crumbles, then an old friend arrives with a frightening request. Thu, 2/20-Sat, 2/22, 7:30pm; Sun, 2/23, 2pm, Wed, 2/26, 7:30pm. $22-$25.

Brüka Theatre, 99 N. Virginia St., (775) 323-3221, www.bruka.org.

COMEDY SLICE—STAND-UP COMEDY PIZZA & BEER: This monthly event features local comedians, as well as nationally touring and Sacramento/Bay Area comedians. Thu, 2/20, 7pm. $5. Blind Onion, 834 Victorian Ave., Sparks, (775) 351-2000, www.facebook.com/pg/ deadpandacomedy/events/.

THE ODD COUPLE: Proscenium Players, Inc. present the female version of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple. The play follows the story of two mismatched roommates—one neat and uptight, the other messy and easygoing—and their antics as they try to live with one another. Fri, 2/21-Sat, 2/22, 7pm; Sun, 2/23, 2pm. $16-$20. Black Box Theatre, Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St., Carson City, (775) 883-1976, www.ppitheater.com.

SLOWGIRL: Restless Artists Theatre presents Greg Pierce’s story of a teenager who flees to her reclusive uncle’s retreat in the Costa Rican jungle to escape the aftermath of a horrific accident. The week they spend together forces them both to confront who they are as well as what it is they are running from. Fri, 2/21-Sat, 2/22, 7:30pm; Sun, 2/23, 2pm. $8-$20. Restless Artists Theatre, 295 20th St., Sparks, (775) 525-3074, rattheatre.org.

TEENS SPEAK OUT—GLAD YOU ARE HERE: Reno Little Theater’s teen actors will present original songs, poems, dances and a short play by Becca Schlossberg on the topic of teen suicide. This show deals with sensitive subject matter, possibly triggering to some. There will be a talkback after each performance. Fri, 2/21Sat, 2/22, 7:30pm; Sun, 2/23, 2pm. $10-$15.

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

SPORTS DISCO TUBING: Disco tubing is the familyfriendly party where you spin down the tubing lanes to music and lights. All tubers must be at least 40” tall and be able to independently get in and out of their own tube. One person per tube.

Parents are not allowed to ride in the same tube as their child. Sat, 2/22, 5-8pm. $55. SnoVentures at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, 1651 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley, (800) 403-0206, squawalpine.com.

TWILIGHT SNOWSHOE TOUR: Take an evening to slow down and enjoy the peaceful setting of the Sierra Nevada during Northstar’s guided, evening snowshoe tours. The 2-2.5-hour tour begins at the Cross Country, Telemark & Snowshoe Center at p,. The group will meander through the pine tree-lined forest, ultimately concluding the tour at The Village at Northstar. During the adventure, snowshoers will also relax around a fire pit to enjoy s’mores and hot chocolate.

Dogs on leashes are welcome to join in on the fun. Sat, 2/22, 5-8pm. $70 adults, $50 children. Northstar Cross Country Center, Northstar Drive off Highway 267, Truckee, www.northstarcalifornia.com.

Take advantage of discounted ad rates, a longer shelf life, and a targeted audience by advertising in the rn&r annual nightlife supplement. Don’t miss this opportunity to reach the 75.8 % of our readers who say they frequently purchase ads or services seen in our paper.

deadline for participation is february 27, 2020 contact your account executive for more information.

775-324-4440 reno’s news and entertainment weekly. on stands every thursday.

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BY AMY ALKON

Flee infestation I’ve had two close female friends “ghost” me in five months. I’ve known each for 15 years. (They don’t know each other, and one lives out of state.) I’ve tried repeatedly to contact each, asking “Did I do anything to hurt or offend you?” No response. I just want the truth so I can move on.

Even more painful than being dumped by a friend is being dumped by a friend and having no idea why.

Lingering questions we can’t answer are mental weevils. Their fave food is our peace of mind, which they gnaw through at random moments.

In scientific terms, psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik found that when we have unfinished business, the mind remains in a “state of tension” until we get closure.

Questions that are both unanswered and unanswerable eat away at us because of the way our memory is engineered. Psychologist Robert Bjork explains that we encode information into memory by first taking it in, then taking a break from it and later going back and retrieving it.

Each “retrieval” is a “learning event,” burnishing the info more deeply into memory. So, each time you pull up this unanswerable question, “Why did these friends ditch me?” you move it a seat or two closer to the front row of your consciousness.

To shove it back to the crappier seats, consider the apparent function of nagging questions: pushing us to figure things out. We can’t learn from our mistakes unless we know what they were. Though “Why did they ditch me?” will likely remain a mystery, there are constructive questions you can answer, like, “Am I generally a good friend? Are there ways I fell short?”

Also consider whether you have shared values. We like to believe this is the basis of our friendships.

However, I love the finding by psychologist Mitja Back that we tend to form friendships through “mere proximity”—like being next-door neighbors—though we’ll congratulate ourselves for “choosing” so wisely … well, until we find out who they voted for.

Another way to cut the spin cycle is imagining a plausible reason each disappeared on you, like clashing values, and accepting it as the reason. Psychologist Elizabeth Loftus finds that recalling an event we were told about but

didn’t actually experience can implant it in memory, turning it into an experience we swear we had. So, the more you reflect on the plausible reason, the more it might pass for the actual one.

Finally, you could try to make peace with the mystery. Comforting as it would be to finally get answers, sometimes the kindest thing you can do for yourself is not only give up hope but crush it, burn it in a trash can and then flush its ashes down the toilet.

Mop! In the name of love The guy I started dating is a sweetheart, but his place is absolutely disgusting. He doesn’t even notice it. Why do women seem to have a higher standard for cleanliness than men?

Science suggests you’re right in observing that men, generally speaking, are less disturbed by gross living conditions. Study after study finds higher “disgust sensitivity” in women, meaning women tend to be more icked out by signs of pathogens and indications of possible infection or disease.

Evolutionary psychologist Diana Fleischman explains that women have faced recurring issues over evolutionary history that may have led to “heightened pathogen disgust sensitivity.” These include women’s temporary declines in immunity during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. “Women also must protect children and infants who are vulnerable (to) disease.”

Additionally, women are “uniquely able” to pass infections on to their offspring during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.

Let the guy know you’re a woman with needs—clean sheets and towels, a clean bathroom and kitchen and general housekeeping at his place. Suggest options rather than telling him what to do. He could clean the place himself.

However, hiring a cleaning service—especially for the first go-round—might be a good idea. Ω

ERIK HOLLAND

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

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): Do you feel ready to change

your mind about an idea or belief or theory that has been losing its usefulness? Would you consider changing your relationship with a once-powerful influence that is becoming less crucial to your lifelong goals? Is it possible you have outgrown one of your heroes or teachers? Do you wonder if maybe it’s time for you to put less faith in a certain sacred cow or overvalued idol? According to my analysis of your astrological omens, you’ll benefit from meditating on these questions during the coming weeks.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): When she was alive more

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Have you ever dropped out

of the daily grind for a few hours or even a few days so as to compose a master plan for your life? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to give yourself that necessary luxury. According to my analysis, you’re entering a phase when you’ll generate good fortune for yourself if you think deep thoughts about how to create your future. What would you like the story of your life to be on March 1, 2025? How about March 1, 2030? And March 1, 2035? I encourage you to consult your soul’s code and formulate an inspired, invigorating blueprint for the coming years.

Write it down!

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian novelist William

We’ve got issues. newsreview.c o m

For the week o F February 20, 2020

than 2,500 years ago, the Greek poet Sappho was so famous for her lyrical creations that people referred to her as “The Poetess” and the “Tenth Muse.” (In Greek mythology, there were nine muses, all goddesses.) She was a prolific writer who produced more than 10,000 lines of verse, and even today she remains one of the world’s most celebrated poets. I propose that we make her your inspirational role model for the coming months. In my view, you’re poised to generate a wealth of enduring beauty in your own chosen sphere. Proposed experiment: Regard your daily life as an art project.

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by ROb bRezsny

Makepeace Thackeray (1819–1875) is famous for Vanity Fair, a satirical panorama of 19th century British society. The phrase “Vanity Fair” had been previously used, though with different meanings, in the Bible’s book of Ecclesiastes, as well as in works

by John Bunyan and St. Augustine. Thackeray was lying in bed near sleep one night when the idea flew into his head to use it for his own story. He was so thrilled, he leaped up and ran around his room chanting, “Vanity Fair! Vanity Fair!” I’m foreseeing at least one epiphany like this for you in the coming weeks. What area of your life needs a burst of delicious inspiration?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Who loves you best? Which of your allies and loved ones come closest to seeing you and appreciating you for who you really are? Of all the people in your life, which have done most to help you become the soulful star you want to be?

Are there gem-like characters on the peripheries of your world that you would like to draw nearer?

Are there energy drains that you’ve allowed to play too prominent a role? I hope you’ll meditate on questions like these in the coming weeks. You’re in a phase when you can access a wealth of useful insights and revelations about how to skillfully manage your relationships. It’s also a good time to reward and nurture those allies who have given you so much.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Doom and gloom dominate the forecasts made by many prophets. They experience perverse glee in predicting, for example, that all the rain forests and rivers will be owned by greedy corporations by 2050, or that extraterrestrial invaders who resemble crocodiles will take control of the U.S. government “for the good of the American people,” or that climate change will eventually render chocolate and bananas obsolete.

That’s not how I operate. I deplore the idea that it’s only the nasty prognostications that are interesting. In that spirit, I make the following forecasts: The number of homeless Virgos will decrease dramatically in the near future, as will the number of dreamhome-less Virgos. In fact, I expect you will experience extra amounts of domestic bliss in the coming months. You may feel more at home in the world than ever before.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I don’t require everyone I

learn from to be an impeccable saint. If I vowed to draw inspiration only from those people who flawlessly embody every one of my ethical principles, there’d be no one to be inspired by. Even one of my greatest heroes, Martin Luther King Jr., cheated on his wife and plagiarized parts of his doctoral dissertation. Where do you stand on this issue? I bet you will soon be tested. How much imperfection is acceptable to you?

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio comedian John

Cleese co-founded the troupe Monty Python more than 50 years ago, and he has been generating imaginative humor ever since. I suggest we call on his counsel as you enter the most creative phase of your astrological cycle. “This is the extraordinary thing about creativity,” he says. “If you just keep your mind resting against the subject in a friendly but persistent way, sooner or later you will get a reward from your unconscious.” Here’s another one of Cleese’s insights that will serve you well: “The most creative people have learned to tolerate the slight discomfort of indecision for much longer, and so, just because they put in more pondering time, their solutions are more creative.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian philosopher Baruch Spinoza (1632–1677) developed a vigorous and expansive vision. That’s why he became a leading intellectual influence in the era known as the Enlightenment. But because of his inventive, sometimes controversial ideas, he was shunned by his fellow Jews and had his books listed on the Catholic Church’s Index of Forbidden Books. Understandably, he sometimes felt isolated. To compensate, he spent lots of time alone taking wide-ranging journeys in his imagination. Even if you have all the friends and social stimulation you need, I hope you will follow his lead in the coming weeks—by taking wide-ranging journeys in your imagination. It’s time to roam and ramble in inner realms.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “Absolute reason

expired at eleven o’clock last night,” one character tells another in Henrik Ibsen’s play Peer Gynt. I’m happy to report that a different development is on the verge of occurring for you. In recent days, there may have been less than an ideal amount of reason and logic circulating in your world. But that situation will soon change. The imminent outbreak of good sense, rigorous sanity and practical wisdom will be quite tonic. Take advantage of this upcoming grace period. Initiate bold actions that are well-grounded in objective rather than subjective truth.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Renowned Aquarian

composer Franz Schubert (1797–1828) created more than 700 compositions, some of which are still played by modern musicians. Many of his works were written on and for the piano—and yet he was so poor that he never owned a piano. If there has been a similar situation in your life—a lack of some crucial tool or support due to financial issues—I see the coming weeks as being an excellent time to set in motion the plans that will enable you to overcome and cure that problem.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In 1908, British playwright

W. Somerset Maugham reached the height of success. Four of his plays were being performed concurrently in four different London theaters. If you were ever in your life going to achieve anything near this level of overflowing popularity or attention, I suspect it would be this year. And if that’s a development you would enjoy and thrive on, I think the coming weeks will be an excellent time to set your intention and take audacious measures.

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

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

BY KIRK GELLER

Photographer Jeff Lock has spent the last year volunteering with Friends of Nevada Wilderness, using his photography skills to document his travels. On Feb. 19, his photos were presented at Buenos Grill.

I volunteered to do field work for Friends of Nevada Wilderness. So, we went into the Sierra, White Mountains and into Las Vegas—so around Red Rock and the Valley of Fire. But I’ve been photographing nature since 1980, and, around eight years ago, I started a series called Winter Slide where I would present photos with other photographers at Buenos Grill. But I’ve been interested in photography all my life and believe getting out on-foot and experiencing a town or place is the best way to have a better understanding.

What kind of message do you think your photography sends, or what are you trying to say?

I want to inform, entertain and inspire people to live a passionate life. If you have a passion, then you need to learn and grow with that energy. The one thing that connects us is passion, and I’m trying to be that example. I want to try and give back to the public and

COURTESY/JEFF LOCKE

How did you develop an interest in photography, and how did this event come to fruition?

really find a way to do it all. I’m 62 and have been a cyclist all my life along with photography, but I want to lead by example that passion drives anything.

I like photographing nature the most because it’s so dynamic and can be used for so many different things. Old nature, new nature, it all holds different elements.

What started your passion for photography and how has Friends of Nevada Wilderness helped you expand upon that?

Well, my family moved to California in 1966, and I had a two-year stay in Yellowstone as well, so being around all that nature really sealed it for me. Living also in the Sacramento Valley and the Santa Cruz area really drove my interest in photography. The

volunteer job was 13 weekends around Hunter Falls Trail, and I just really wanted to try and help in any way I can because these projects just can’t get done with the amount of people working to help. There are millions of acres for maybe five people to cover it’s just not possible. So, anyway to give back I try to do it. And with where we are in technology connecting with people and other photographers is as easy as ever. I’ve worked with people who have been to very exotic places and have done excellent work, and I wasn’t able to do that when I was first starting out.

The only way to be noticed was to be in an exhibit.

What do you plan to discuss during your presentation?

The first portion will mainly be focused on the field work, going to Soldier Meadows, going into the mountains and even interacting with Big Horn Sheep. The photography is really set before and after a work day. The end is my time in Las Vegas with Red Rock and Valley of Fire, like I said. A lot of group photos and just covering the nature of it all. Showing people what we got to see and experience through the eye of the lens. Hopefully try and tell a story of what we were able to accomplish. But all proceeds go to Friends of Nevada Wilderness, and anyone can join to help by going to events and volunteering. Ω

BY BRUCE VAN DYKE

Seeing orange Hey, how about that Department of Justice investigation into Hillary Clinton? (Code named Something! Anything! Goddammit!) Shockingly, It came up with a big fat zilch zippo zero. Absolutely nothing. Lock her up? How about leave her the fuck alone?

“Well, OK, let’s check her library card. Maybe something there.

Nunes, get on that.” OK, so let’s get that big bad Andy McCabe, arch-enemy of Zombie Cult 45.

And, gee, once again, the DOJ steps squarely upon its severely bruised johnson. Nada. Negative.

A big fat nothing burger.

Gee, how did that happen?

Obviously, the Deep State has some really good lawyers! And now, over 2,000 ex-DOJ officials have signed off on the “Hey, Bill Barr, quit being a suckup coffee boy for Dipshit” letter. Not 20, not 200. Two thousand. That’s not a nothing burger.

• Republicans are having a tough millennium. Proof? The last two Republican administrations have been the two worst administrations in the history of America.

This is now inarguable, indisputable fact. We all know Dubya was hideous. We were there. And then Agent Orange rumbles in.

“I’ll see your hideous and raise you a raving, insane abomination.” Everyone meekly folds.

Amazingly, Twitler makes people actually long for Dubya, which is an extremely bizarre concept and yet one to which I can relate and grasp. But really, GOP, it’s time to up your game. I mean, ferfuxake!

• In the last couple of weeks, millions of us Dems woke up to Bloomberg.

Woke up to the possibility of, “Hey, maybe this is the guy.” As I noted last week, he’s got a couple of strong things going for him, not the least of which is his dough.

But what got us revved up, I’d guess, is not the money, but that he comes off like a man who could kick Trump’s ass up between his shoulder blades. And for approximately 97 percent of us Dems this year, that’s the only thing that matters.

This ain’t quantum physics, folks.

It’s the question for 2020. “Can you kick Trump’s mottled, horrible ass?” That’s it. Issues, schmissues.

We know issues and policies will all improve greatly, automatically and immediately. All of them. Just kick Dum Dum’s ass!

So, OK, many of us think Bloomberg could do just that. What about the others? Could Bernie thump Trump? I think he could.

Every time I listen to him, I gotta admit, he’s right on. How about Mayor Pete? I don’t know. Biden?

Yes. I think? Liz? Yes. Steyer? Yes. Amy? I’m not sure. Hey, nobody’s perfect. Everybody has vulnerable spots (but especially that lugnut in the White House). Ω

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