Week of Aug. 8, 2024
From the publisher’s desk
The headline on my most recent publishers note is: “Reminders of the country’s racist past—and present—are all around us.”
Then along comes an ugly incident in Virginia City to prove the point—not that the point needed any proof.
Ever since the incident involving Ricky Johnson and the Miller family went viral last weekend, the reputation of Northern Nevada has been dragged through the mud. I’ve seen some people call Virginia City the most racist place in America, and the entire area has been tainted because this awful mess happened at Hot August Nights, one of the Reno area’s signature events.
Of course, this isn’t the first time in recent years our area has been cast in such a negative light. The town of Minden only stopped sounding a daily siren—an alert to Indigenous people and other non-white people that they had to leave at sundown, up until 1974—last year after the Legislature intervened. Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley famously said he’d stop responding to calls for service at the Douglas County Library, because the staff there dared express support for Black Lives Matter in 2020.
As a proud native of Nevada, these things really piss me off. My grandfather and great-grandfather were miners in Virginia City; a great uncle was a book publisher there. My mother grew up in Gardnerville, and I still have a lot of family in the area. Seeing these places depicted in such a negative way is deeply upsetting—especially since these depictions are somewhat deserved.
However, in the awful case of what happened in Virginia City, there’s s silver lining: The actions of the Millers, caught on video by Ricky Johnson for all the world to see, were resoundingly condemned. Hot August Nights permanently revoked three registrations after what happened in front of the Firehouse Saloon, and the Storey County Sheriff’s Office quickly arrested the Millers on charges stemming from the incident. Leaders including Gov. Joe Lombardo, Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, and Attorney General Aaron Ford denounced the racist remarks. (As of this writing, I haven’t seen a statement from Rep. Mark Amodei come across my desk or appear on his social media feeds. Hello, Rep. Amodei? Are you there?)
The lack of a public acknowledgement from the local congressman notwithstanding, these condemnations of racism seem like pretty obvious steps to take—or, at least they should be. That said, we’re living in a time when the Republican nominee for president of the United States falsely told a group of Black journalists that his opponent was being selective in terms of her racial identity, and our neighbors are trying to get books that deal with racism removed from our library shelves, and racist dog whistles are depressingly common in politics—like, say, referring to Kamala Harris as a “DEI hire.“
I am so sad and sorry that Ricky Johnson had to endure that abuse. Most Northern Nevadans are far, far better than that—and I am embarrassed that a disconcerting number of Northern Nevadans are not.
—Jimmy Boegle, publisher/executive editor
From the RN&R
Sparks plugs: Korean fried chicken, pupusas and a Vietnamese bun bowl—yum!
By Maude Ballinger
August 8, 2024
Some of the most dynamic, affordable dishes in our region are in strip malls in Sparks.
Letters to the editor: Readers weigh in on proposed energy rate hike, school board election results and more
By Staff
August 8, 2024
Readers sound off in our August letters to the editor
Streetalk: Do you give money to panhandlers? What is the most creative sign you’ve seen?
By David Robert
August 7, 2024
What do you do when you see someone on the street asking for food or funds?
Tale of two teases: Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s ‘Merry Wives of Windsor’ is a hilarious, well-acted romp
By Jessica Groach-Santina
August 7, 2024
If you’re already a fan of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, this latest installment is every bit as enjoyable as you’d expect. But if you’ve never gone, The Merry Wives of Windsor is a hilarious, goofy romp that makes it the perfect place to start.
River recreation rundown: There are many ways to enjoy the Truckee
By Helena Guglielmino
August 6, 2024
Where to float, raft, hike, bike and swim—in and on the Truckee River.
The Lucky 13: Bijou Bell, drummer/singer of Silly Little, performing at the Holland Project on Aug. 10
By Matt King
August 5, 2024
A beautiful day can only get better with a fitting soundtrack—and music scribe Matt King recommends Reno band Silly Little, playing at the Holland Project Aug. 10. Drummer/singer Bijou Bell answered our slate of 13 questions for musicians.
Predictably poor: ‘Trap’ features M. Night Shyamalan at his contrived worst
By Bob Grimm
August 5, 2024
M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap includes screenwriting at its laziest, most-obvious, insultingly stupid worst.
Pack a picnic: Summer is the time to sing the praises of Portuguese vinho verde
By Steve Noel
August 4, 2024
“I just love the palate of vinho verde,” said Lacie Flannery, co-owner of Mt. Rose Wine Company. “It is refreshing with citrusy notes, green apple and sometimes melon, with a light mouthfeel and a fun fizziness. Right now, vinho verde is my go-to.”
Fast and furious: Filmmakers will compete as they make finished shorts in just two days
By Susan Winters
August 3, 2024
Think you’re ready to take on the the challenge of making a film in two days? You can register for the 48 Hour Film Project competition through Aug. 23.
Planning for wildfires and smoke can save lives as well as property
By Joanne Leovy
August 2, 2024
According to the American Lung Association, Reno and Carson City rank among the nation’s worst cities for wildfire smoke pollution.
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