Week of Dec. 27, 2023

From the publisher

You’re invited to a community meeting to discuss the future of the Reno News & Review. It’s happening at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 3, at The Generator, 2450 Oddie Blvd., in Sparks.

At the meeting, we’ll discuss our plans to become a community-owned nonprofit, answer any questions you may have about the process, and get contact information from people who are willing to help in one way or another. There will be no formal presentation—just a bunch of people who care about the RN&R getting together to chat.

If you can’t make it on Jan. 3, and you have input, have questions or want to help, please call me at 775-324-4440, or email jimmyb@renonr.com.

Nonprofit status will allow us to pursue grants for which we’re not currently eligible, and it will mean the donations we accept from readers can be tax-deductible, if the readers so choose. I have good news to report here, too: While we head down the road toward setting up our own nonprofit, we’ve signed a fiscal sponsorship agreement with the Alternative Newsweekly Foundation, a nonprofit “dedicated to supporting news outlets that provide coverage on a local level and strive to achieve exceptional journalism.” (Full disclosure: I am on the ANF board, but I recuse myself from any matters involving the RN&R.) The RN&R can now accept tax-deductible grants and donations via the ANF (which will keep 6 percent to pay for credit card fees, filings, etc.). So if you’re looking for a great cause AND a tax deduction—look no further than the RN&R! Contact me or visit altnewsfoundation.org to make a tax-deductible donation. (Note that it’s for the Reno News & Review when you do.)

I hope to see you on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at The Generator—and again, if you can’t make it but want to help or know more, drop me a line.

—Jimmy Boegle

From the editor’s desk

“In spite of his considerable accomplishments and his title, Chairman (Arlan) Melendez does not have an arrogant bone in his body,” said Reno activist Bob Fulkerson. Melendez retired this month after 32 years as chairman of the Reno Sparks Indian Colony. Frank Mullen took a look back at his many accomplishments.

“Typically, while we see some steady numbers over the fall and winter, we don’t see an increase like we’ve seen over the last few weeks,” said Trevor Macaluso, CEO of Eddy House, Reno’s youth shelter. He has some educated guesses why there’s been an unprecedented surge in the number of unhoused young people this month.

Nevada’s wild horses are being scapegoated and should be better preserved, says wildlife ecologist Craig Downer, this month’s guest opinion writer. The protections afforded them by a 1971 law, he says, are being disregarded. 

A new gallery at The Basement in downtown Reno, Pottery of the Southwest, showcases ceramicists and other contemporary Indigenous artists. Jessica Santina talked to proprietor Mert Kenyon about how his father-in-law’s collection in New Mexico eventually led him to being a gallerist.

Bob Grimm gives high marks to two films this week. The Iron Claw tells a tale so tragic it can be hard to watch, but it’s the true story of the Von Erich brothers’ brutally difficult lives in wrestling, incredibly well-acted, with Zac Efron at his best. The Color Purple, re-made by Blitz Bazawule as a musical, is marvelous—maybe even better than Steven Spielberg’s 1985 version.

RN&R wine scribe Steve Noel helps you prepare to be a knowledgeable party host this New Year’s Eve with a primer on the best bubblies for the season. Here’s his crash course on which sparkling wines to buy, how they’re made, and why that matters.

Take care,

—Kris Vagner, managing editor