Week of Nov. 15, 2023

From the editor’s desk

Looking for some rainy-day adventures? Like an ax bar, a comedy theater or a Japanese restaurant to take out-of-town visitors to? The new edition of Mikalee Byerman’s Reno guidebook has 100 ideas for where to eat (with or without kids), play and get your local culture fix.

A year ago, Jennifer Shane’s teenage son asked, “Mom, do you have any friends?” The Reno optometrist had to admit that making new friends can be a challenge in the midst of a busy life. She’s one of many locals who’ve found that picking up pickleball—a fun sport with low barriers to entry—helped pick up her social life, too.

Between fun runs, our fantastic regional parks, and easy-to-access trails in and near town, there’s a Thanksgiving outing for every family or group. Hiking columnist Maggie Nichols has a long list of fresh ideas for where to get some fresh air this month. 

Should we build bike infrastructure quickly and modify as we go, or plan meticulously at the outset? Reno city officials and the Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance have different takes on the matter.

Locals have spoken: yes on marshmallows, bacon bits and gluten-free pumpkin pie. No on science experiments. Before you put the finishing touches on your Thanksgiving menu, get in on the full list of foods people do and don’t want to see on the table, in Streetalk. 

We’ve heard the story of Elvis from just about every angle there is—except from his wife’s point of view. Sofia Coppola tells her often heartbreaking story in Priscilla, which Bob Grimm deemed “a superior film.” 

Bob also enjoyed Netflix’s film The Killer, in which Michael Fassbender chillingly portrays a hit man with no soul.

When it comes to choosing the right Thanksgiving wine, there are some traditions to guide you. But wine scribe Steve Noel and Fourk Kitchen’s Jessica Brooks both think you should go ahead and break them.

Take care,

—Kris Vagner, managing editor