Week of May 10, 2023
From the editor’s desk
The Reno National Championship Air Races, which have roared across the sky at Stead for 59 years, will hold its final event in September. The races have been grounded by the surrounding area’s rapid development and challenging economic conditions, but Janice Hoke notes that organizers are working on relocating the pylon-to-pylon competitions.
It’s often difficult for special-needs pets to get adopted, reports Taylor Harker, but local shelters have success stories of dogs and cats beating the odds to find forever homes. One pup, born with a heart defect and expected to die within a month, is still zooming around his adopted home six years later.
Northern Nevada startup businesses are booming, and their impact is felt across the nation and the globe, says Matt Westfield in this month’s On Nevada Business column.
In this month’s note to readers, I thank readers who send in tips and story ideas, because they make our jobs easier—but a certain crop of wackadoodle story suggestions we’ve received over the last several years are most unwelcome.
Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake attract both tourists and local legends, writes Buddy Frank, who debunks some of the myths—including sea serpents and underground passages—that surround those natural wonders.
Speaking of Tahoe, Matt King interviews Les Claypool, front man of the band Primus, who will be at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe on May 16 and 17, leading Colonel Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade.
Bob Grimm, meanwhile, says the third and final flick in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy is “one last bizarro blast of sci-fi fun that gives this part of the story a satisfying conclusion.” Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 also provides audiences with a moving origin story for Rocket the Raccoon, he notes. Mr. Grimm also recommends the new TV series Bupkis, in which Pete Davidson “basically plays himself” living with his mom, played by Edie Falco.
In libation news, mixologist Michael Moberly takes readers on a tour of tequilas to clear up some of the myths and misunderstandings surrounding one of his “favorite spirits on the planet.” For those who may prefer the grape over the agave, Steve Noel shares advice on how to keep wines cool during the warmer weather.
If you haven’t already, be sure to pick up our May print issue, now on newsstands across Northern Nevada.
I’ll see you in the funny papers.
Take care,
—Frank X. Mullen, Editor
From the RN&R
Warmer days, cooler wine: Whether it’s red or white or rosé, don’t let your wine get too warm in the hot summer weather
By Steve Noel
May 10, 2023
All wine-drinkers know that white and rosé wines should be served chilled, but what about red wines? Can you serve red wines chilled, or even more shockingly, with ice?
Beyond Primus: Colonel Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade returns with two shows at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
By Matt King
May 9, 2023
In an interview with the RN&R, Les Claypool talks about his music career, why he takes breaks from Primus, and the upcoming shows by Colonel Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe.
Paws that change lives: Special-needs pets find their ‘forever’ humans even as shelters get crowded
By Taylor Harker
May 9, 2023
Thanks to the efforts of local animal adoption centers, elderly pets and those with special needs have been able to find “forever” homes even at a time when shelters are overcrowded and their resources are stretched.
Good enough: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ is fun despite a thin plot
By Bob Grimm
May 8, 2023
As James Gunn leaves Marvel to head up DC Studios, he turns in one last bizarro blast of Guardians of the Galaxy fun that gives the story a satisfying conclusion.
Himself, again: Pete Davidson’s Peacock series ‘Bupkis’ picks up after a slow start
By Bob Grimm
May 8, 2023
Pete Davidson successfully mines his own life story once again to create some decent entertainment.
On Nevada Business: Nevada’s startup-business efforts leave footprints around the world
By Matt Westfield
May 7, 2023
Various programs, both local and based around the world, help feed Nevada’s startup-business scene.
Tequila basics: Get to better know this amazing agave-based spirit
By Michael Moberly
May 6, 2023
When it comes to tequila, people have a lot of feelings. Generally, you either love it, or you hate it. Most people hate it because of the deep trauma experienced from garbage tequila, while most people learn to love it once they have tasted real quality.
Flying into the sunset: After 59 years, the Reno Air Races will take its last laps at Stead
By Janice Hoke
May 5, 2023
The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority recently announced that the National Championship Air Races, scheduled for Sept. 13-17, will be the last to be held at the Reno-Stead Airport, due to rapid development and challenging economic conditions.
Editor’s note: Tahoe Tessie tips welcome; conspiracy theories are shunned
By Frank X. Mullen
May 4, 2023
Journalists can’t be everywhere, so tips and story ideas make our jobs easier. There has always been a crackpot component to some tips that can be amusing—but there’s nothing funny about a certain crop of wackadoodle story suggestions we’ve received over the last several years.
Legends of the lakes: Deep tunnels and a scooped-up scuba diver are among Tahoe and Pyramid’s tall tales
By Buddy Frank
May 4, 2023
Some of the myths about Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake have a few drops of truth; others are drowning in silliness.
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