Week of Feb. 8, 2023

From the editor’s desk

Jacob Gurko of Sparks, who has spent his six years on the planet fighting to survive a rare genetic disorder, is facing a second open-heart surgery this month. His family is battling health insurance companies and is asking the community for help with expenses. In my Editor’s Note, I point out that such appeals are a staple of local journalism, but also bring national issues—including the folly of our for-profit health system—down to the street level.

We’ve got a full menu of food and drink news this week: Taylor Harker pens an obituary for one of Reno’s oldest vegan eateries and takes a look at the remaining plant-based restaurant options for vegans and vegetarians. Maude Ballinger puts a spotlight on two Reno couples who are shaking up the local food scene with two fresh eateries, the Dumpling Queen and Claio. Our resident mixologist, Michael Moberly, meanwhile, asks Reno’s favorite barkeeps for first-date advice, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

We’re celebrating the launch of On Nevada Business, a column featuring the latest news on local startups; tech; cool initiatives at the University of Nevada, Reno; and local entrepreneurs changing various pieces of the world.

Bob Grimm has high praise for the first three episodes of Apple TV+’s Shrinking, a new family comedy-drama starring Harrison Ford and Jason Segel. The series about a grieving therapist (Segel) and his grumpy boss (Ford) could have taken a sad turn, Grimm writes, but the great cast makes the series “an oddball treat.” Grimm also enjoyed Knock at the Cabin, the latest offering from director M. Night Shyamalan. The flick, he says, is a solid effort from “the wobbly M. Night, who can be so very frustrating with some of his directorial choices.”

Matt Bieker profiles Platinum, a band which, for nearly a decade, has been bringing its mashup of genres and styles to a dedicated local and regional fan base—many of whom follow the group from club to barroom to cabaret, looking for a good time.

In this month’s publisher’s note, Jimmy Boegle documents the latest neo-fascist policies pushed by right-wing lawmakers in several states who are taking aim against LGBTQ people and the poor. Nevada isn’t among those examples, but it’s worth noting that the Silver State has its share of would-be authoritarians champing at the bit to seize the levers of power if voters aren’t paying attention.

John Scire’s guest opinion piece sings the praises of lithium mining, which he says is an environmentally sound way to free the nation of its addiction to fossil fuels.

I’ll see you in the funny papers.

Take care,

—Frank X. Mullen, Editor