Week of March 1, 2023
From the editor’s desk
Conservationists and Nevada tribes who oppose plans for the Thacker Pass lithium mine are appealing recent court decisions that cleared the way for the mine’s construction, which could start as early as this month.
For 70 years, the Reno Portrait Society has been painting the faces and capturing the personalities of Nevadans from every walk of life. In an exhibition at the Sparks Museum and Cultural Center, the society shows off some of its best work while honoring three of its most prolific—and talented—artists, Janice Hoke reports.
Shelia Leslie’s Left Foot Forward column returns to the RN&R this month. The former lawmaker takes a look at what’s needed to improve the state’s mental health system and urges legislators to make such reforms a priority.
Our Taste of the Town roundup steers readers to a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Shanty Dolan’s in Reno, and notes some openings, closings and transitions among local eateries.
The name of the movie says it all: Cocaine Bear. Bob Grimm reports the film’s premise of a jacked-up bruin wreaking havoc is funny, but wears off fast. The idea overdoses during the movie’s first half, he says, “with the second half being a complete disaster—and not in that ‘so bad it’s good’ kind of way.”
Our resident stargazer Robert Victor traces the progression of Jupiter and Venus as they team up to dance at dusk early this month and notes other celestial happenings before and after the (can’t get here soon enough) first day of spring on March 20.
I’ll see you in the funny papers.
Take care,
—Frank X. Mullen, Editor
From the RN&R
Taste of the Town: Shanty Dolan’s celebrates a year; Voodoo Brewing opens; and more!
By Maude Ballinger
March 1, 2023
Butter + Salt catering makes a (limited) comeback; Truckee’s Siam Thai takes over a Caughlin Ranch spot; and more!
On Nevada Business: How UNR’s Ozmen Center facilitates entrepreneurship
By Mehmet Tosun
March 1, 2023
The Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship helps students and faculty in the university and Northern Nevada community with entrepreneurial capacity-building and startup ideation.
Left Foot Forward: Will the Legislature help Nevadans with mental-health challenges?
By Sheila Leslie
March 1, 2023
Nevada desperately needs a comprehensive and creative approach to mental health care reform, especially for those who are treatment-resistant and prefer to live on the street.
March astronomy: The month brings spring, Ramadan, daylight saving time—and a fantastic Venus-Jupiter pairing
By Robert Victor
March 1, 2023
A preview of the skies during March 2023.
History on canvas: The Portrait Society of Reno captures the local people’s visages—and personalities
By Janice Hoke
February 28, 2023
The Portrait Society of Reno’s exhibit, Passage of Women’s Suffrage of 1920, runs through April 29.
Ski wine: A little place with a lot of history is a perfect pre- or post-slopes stop on the Mount Rose Highway
By Steve Noel
February 28, 2023
As you drive up and back down the Mount Rose Highway, you will pass the perfect place to find your ski-wine adviser—the Lodge Bar and Patio.
Rapid comedown: After a fine start, ‘Cocaine Bear’ loses the humor and becomes a slog
By Bob Grimm
February 27, 2023
Cocaine Bear has one of the best premises for a film we are likely to see this year. Unfortunately, it’s a premise that gets burned up in the movie’s first half.
Court rules BLM broke the law in approving Thacker lithium mine, but rejects other claims
By Frank X. Mullen
February 23, 2023
U.S. District Judge Miranda Du on Feb. 24 denied the mine opponents’ request for an emergency injunction to prohibit work at the Thacker Pass project.
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