Week of Jan. 31, 2024

From the editor’s desk

Dry February, anyone? Sarah Rively, a mom and dyed-in-the-wool Renoite, recently launched Curious in the City, a venture that serves as a guide to local nightlife for people who aren’t drinking—but still want to party.

Public officials have found themselves navigating a climate of heightened fear, sometimes including threats to their families. Two locals—State Assembly candidate Kurt Thigpen and Washoe County District Attorney Christopher Hicks—shared their stories.

A lot of people criticize the RN&R for not showing more sides on certain issues. I think that’s a fair critique, and I would like for us to include more voices from across the political spectrum. See my February Editor’s Note for more details. 

Lily Baran, activist and Reno City Council candidate, along with the Reno Initiative for Shelter Equality (RISE), has offered $10K to anyone who can provide a temporary shelter for Reno’s unhoused population this winter. “It’s time to be very real about the reality that there are still hundreds of people who are outside, and they’re dying in multitudes, and we need other options,” Baran said.

With a solid script and outstanding acting, Ana DuVernay’s film Origin traces a path through author Isabel Wilkerson’s theory of racism in America. It’s an excellent drama, and DuVernay is proving to be one of our more important historical filmmakers. Here’s the full review from movie guy Bob Grimm.

Death Strikes: The Emperor of Atlantis is an original graphic novel by Reno journalist Dave Maass and artist Patrick Lay, based on a suppressed opera written by two concentration camp prisoners. You can read a few pages in our current Western Lit feature.

“Folks, we all need to be extra vigilant at making sure the information we get online is trustworthy—and we especially need to be vigilant here in Northern Nevada,” writes Jimmy Boegle, the RN&R’s publisher. “Washoe County is the swing county in a swing state, so it’s very plausible that the Reno area could decide the presidency of the United States.” 

There’s a lot of news from the art scene this month. For starters, the Nevada Arts Council is planning a new statewide arts conference; the city of Las Vegas announced plans for a new art museum, and Sierra Nevada Ballet is leading the charge on a new performing arts hub.

A new study from Americans for the Arts reported that activity by nonprofit arts and culture organizations yielded $3 million in tax revenue for the city of Reno. Here’s how the numbers break down.

It has felt like spring recently, but winter is coming back soon. Whether you want to adventure solo or join a guided trek, outdoor scribe Maggie Nichols has a wealth of recommendations for the region’s best winter outdooring opportunities.

Take care,

—Kris Vagner, managing editor